Kitchen-ness Day

 First off, I was going to pull up my Hummus recipe on my blog, but I had to dig it out of my recipe box instead.   I'm having issues with blogger.  I have always used the "search" either on the front of the blog or in dashboard for something.  When I search for something now, it brings up blogposts that don't even have the tag I'm searching on them.  I had trouble finding my Hummus recipe for chickpea Hummus on my blog.

So, I'm sharing again.  Not sure where I got the recipe, but it's our favorite.  After a lengthy search....here is the recipe for Hummus (click on the one below).

Hummus

New Recipes Tried:

Low Carb Bacon-Cheeseburger Casserole

Results?  Okay.  Nothing special, and for us, too much cheese (and sodium, as cheese is salty).  Not a keeper.

Epic Burger Sauce

Results?  Oh my gosh delicious!  Keeper!  I linked the recipe in the upper title of the recipe.  The only thing that will be different for us is, that we make our own garlic powder, can our own ketchup, and I canned dill pickles last year, so I used juice from that, and lastly, we make homemade cayenne as well.

I buy organic mayo for this, so it lasts 2 weeks in the fridge, but if you were having a cook out, you could make fresh mayo for this sauce.  We will definitely be taking this on camping trips and summer cookouts.  So good!  I think it would be great to put in a squeeze bottle for cookouts too.

It's great on burgers or for dip for fries/onion rings/baked green bell pepper fries

Bedroom Purge/Pack ~ Where's the Crust Pizza ~ Einkorn Peanut Butter Cookies

 I'll admit, if I was my husband, I would not want to do a thing in the mornings with his schedule.  By the way, that crazy schedule has now ended as of today.

However, baking him peanut butter cookies got him motivated.

We cleaned in the bedroom for almost 2 hours, purged, tossed stuff, vacuumed, dusted.....still not done.  The one fall back with a large bedroom, is more "stuff."   The bedroom has a tall ceiling, and is approximately 21 x 15 feet.  Yeah, that large, and originally built for a person in a wheel chair.  

It has really made me realize how much crafting stuff I still own.  I'm on the fence with getting rid of things like macramé, as I may feel like making some hanging plant holders.  Anyway, just lots of "stuff."  I found an entire container filled with all sorts of sequins.  I thought I gave that away, but one of the daughter's must have snuck that back into our closet.  Hmpf.  It's being donated.

My husband stood up and said, "there we are all ready"  and I had to laugh.  There are totes under the bed, a bookshelf I have to pack up and move out, and make decisions on keeping some other stuff still in there.  Oh, and pack up our night stands, move them out.

I'm on the fence with this new recipe.  It tasted good, but I think I would make changes.  First, the crust is too thin I think.  I would maybe double it.  I also think my home canned pizza sauce was not cooked thick enough this time.  I would like to try it with Italian sausage too.  Good, a bit messy, as it is not finger food and definitely fork food.  The crust is basically cheeses, egg, pepper and garlic powder.

Recipe is Where's the Crust Pizza, by Plain Chicken online.

The pan looks messy, because I had to scoop some out quickly, for my husband to take to work.  I didn't have time to let it cool for him.  Anyway, a gluten free, but not calorie free crust.

Sort of a boring post, but it's winter here and there is still snow on the ground, so not much going on homestead-wise.

Healthy Banana Cookies ~ New Dinner Recipe and Tidbits

I baked us some healthy banana cookies.  It takes organic oats, bananas, oil and I used diced apples in place of the dates.  I have no access to my  home canned applesauce to cut the oil, but anyway....

They tasted great.  Good enough to eat more than one, but I will add more cinnamon and nutmeg next time.   Recipe is from Allrecipes, called something like Healthy banana cookies?  Anyway, my husband loved them and the oats did not make his sugar go up thankfully.  They say oats can affect people differently.

I also make a new dinner recipe called chicken bruschetta casserole.  You dice the chicken and cook it first, layer it in a 8 x 8 baking dish, and top with goodies.  I simple used a 1/2 pint of "Bruschetta in a Jar" I canned, then added some mozzarella cheese.  It was good, but I think it would be more beneficial to simply can canned tomatoes and add the garlic, fresh basil etc. to the dish.  I forgot to take a photo, but will can tomatoes by the pint vs. half pint.  We needed more tomatoes, and I cannot get to them until the floor is in, in the living room.

I have two people now in line to quote us for the removal of our old popcorn ceiling.  We are praying it will not be expensive, as they don't have to worry about furniture or curtains in the process.

Another day has gone by and no word from the person to clean our gutters.  Getting frustrated as the weather is changing.

Gaining Progress ~ New Recipe Tried

My husband got the ceiling piece back up over the kitchen sink.  He had to use screws (old house, old house rolling eye moments), so I'll be painting over that, taking down the curtains, and finally putting in the last window blind.  We are gaining slowly, but love what we've accomplished. 

It rained all morning, so instead of taking the donations, I spent several hours upstairs.  I made several trips to the burn pile, trash, and put stuff in a box for our friend to scrap.  I also added to the donation pile.

I finally got a few minutes to prepare onion dip to try.  I decided to make it earlier in the day, and put it in the fridge until we wanted to bake it.  I'm just a stickler on getting dishes done and put away, and don't like to do them later after dinner.

Anyway....it was delicious.  It's from AllRecipes.  It's made from sweet Vidalia onions (these come from GA), organic mayo, organic swiss cheese, and organic parmesan cheese.  It's called Vidalia sweet onion dip.  So good!  Perfect for a group of people, appetizer, get together dish etc.  Easy, very little ingredients and bakes in a short time.  Great on a toasted baguette bread, cracker or even potato chips.  Honestly, as I type this, I wonder how it would taste topped on a grilled burger now.  Oh, and I can't wait to try this cold.  I heard it was good that way too after baking it.  

Rain ~ Baking Day ~ Mowing Day

 Although we didn't get a lot of rain during the day yesterday, we got a good amount last night.

I took advantage of it, and did some baking.  I make Mom's favorite snack (just because), and I tried a new recipe (as well as a 2 crock pot dinner - hot pepper mustard sauce over meatballs in one and sweet potatoes/thyme/garlic in another).

The new recipe?  Bacon, cheese, jalapeno bread.  I used the frozen jalapenos from last year's garden, estimating "2" jalapenos, and left the seeds in (that is the way I freeze them).  We both loved it!  I'm adding the recipe to my "taco" night family get together.  It took time to make it, and a lot of ingredients, but so good!  I added the optional green onion, because the herb garden is producing well, although needs weeded badly.

Daughter K arrived for another pick up, but did not bring her trash bags down stairs.  I was busy in the kitchen, and didn't realize it until she already left.  Anyway, more is out of my front room and upstairs.

Painting continues.  I can only paint one thing on the saw horses due to humidity, and the AC remains off.  The mowing was done.  There was a window of opportunity in the day, where the sun came out, before the rain came back.

I worked for a bit in the utility room, but that is limited due to all the bathroom stuff put in there.  We are still waiting on our hired help to start gutting the smaller bathroom, which reminds me, we still need to buy the flooring for in there.

This and That

Last week I tried a new all-in-one crock pot meal - spaghetti and meatballs (with homemade ingredients).  We did not like it.  The pasta cooked too long for our taste.

My husband and I enjoyed another harvest of asparagus.  I don't know that we'll gut much more.  I'm so glad we tilled and are expanding this in the garden.

My to-do list has increased like you would not believe.  I am being told that my husband may not get the holiday off work now.  Not sure the honey-do list will happen.  So frustrated with this schedule this year.

I happened to check my fit bit and account associated with our insurance and his work.  They increased the points from 3000 to 4000, so I have to find out if the absolute required increased from 1000.  That would not be good, considering the amount of work I am doing on my own with the gardens.

Ramblings ~ New Recipe Tried

Although we have been told that the latest spike of covid is an actual common cold, we are watching our health right now, as a family member was tested positive.  My best friend also told me her friend tested positive last Sunday.

Afternoons are the hardest lately, if I chose to quit working early.  I miss my afternoon calls to Mom horribly.  I just want to pick up my phone and call her most days.

Not one of my serrano pepper plants sprouted, and I finally (after a long search) found one.

I've been very busy every day, so I surprised my husband with a meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn.  I also tried a new recipe - peanut butter pie.  I wanted to try this for family gatherings.  It was delicious!  The peanut butter pie we ate in Amish country was terrible.  As well as the one in town at a local business.  Both of them tasted like it was all marshmallow.  The new recipe is a keeper.  It is not overly sweet and filling like a cheesecake either.  I used all organic ingredients, including the cookie crust.  Recipe is from Pioneer Woman and can be found online.

Speaking of meals, I am working on the freezer, using up anything we stocked up on, to re-fill.  Not sure what tonight will be, but it may be fish or meatballs.

I ordered my organic music garlic from an Etsy dealer, and it has not shipped yet.  I have never had an issue with an Etsy dealer, but they have not emailed me back yet.  I'll update on that later. I really need to get it planted.

It's back to painting more in the kitchen today.  It rained the entire day yesterday.  My garden loved it I am sure.  It will be to wet to plant the remainder.

I've been so busy, I've been terrible at checking my email that is hooked up to my blog, terrible at commenting on blogs and even reading them.  I will try and do better at that as I get the garden and flower beds done.

Hooky ~ Shortages/Businesses Closed and othe ramblings

 

We've been having beautiful weather lately.  My garden starts are loving it too.  I'm just starting to get worried about getting the tilling and planting done.

I played hooky and went to the "big city" and had lunch with my bestie from high school.  It was nice for a change, because I have been so busy in the kitchen lately.

I'm seeing more businesses closed, and I'm seeing more shortages of different items as well.   I may need to make my own ricotta.  The last few times I needed some, I had a terrible time finding it.  I filled up the truck yesterday - $4.30/gallon.  Toilet paper we typically by on sale for $7.99 was on sale for $13.99.

I tried a new recipe - Lasagna stuffed chicken.

Organic chicken is very expensive as well, but my husband loved it.  Recipe is online with The Stay at Home Chef.

What's Cookin'? ~ Mom's Recipes

I had a busy day Tuesday.  Once I had the chickens tended, I headed to town to do some paperwork with my younger brother.  I then ran some stuff to Daughter E, and went to a couple of stores, and completely forgot to pick up chicken feed.

Once I was back home, I had dishes to wash, dry and put away, only to start baking a breakfast and dinner for the day, and finish up more laundry.

It felt weird, but I made a small batch of blueberry pancakes and cooked some locally made blueberry maple sausages for breakfast for a few days.  I typically make a giant batch of pancakes, that's why I said "weird."  

I tried another new recipe.  Thanks to my dear friend for asking me to help her with freezer meal ideas, I came across this one - Taco Stew.  I've made taco soup before, but this was amazing.  I told my husband, that it was almost better than chili.  I changed a few things, like using home canned tomato (herbed) sauce, and added homemade taco seasoning to the meat, and it was so good.  It's a keeper recipe now. It's also a Taste of Home recipe online.  Oh another thing I did - added 2 small cans of chilies to the diced tomatoes (recipe called for 2 cans of diced tomatoes with chilies).  If you freeze your own tomatoes, just add organic chilies.  All ingredients were organic or home grown, and so good with a dollop of organic sour cream (or make homemade) on top.

Mom kept her recipe cards in this contraption.  I opened it thinking I'd find a divider that said "Desserts" on it.  Nope.  She has recipes filed alphabetically.  Sigh.  It's gonna be a bigger project for me, but once that is done, will pass these on to the next sibling.  Oh boy....

We never got an estimate from the professionals regarding the kitchen floor.  Last night we hired someone to come help, who knows what they are doing thankfully.  Today, I will be very busy and moving all of Daughter K's boxes, to the living room.  I need to get to the store for ingredients to feed our help, and to buy sliders to move furniture and counters/cupboards from the kitchen. 

On top of that, Daughter K is coming for the weekend, and bringing her dogs (ugh).  She may have to set up her dog kennels upstairs due to space.  We told her it's the last time we can watch her dogs, as we are repairing and remodeling and I'm not in the business of replacing stuff again.

 

Zucchini Pizza Casserole

I intended to take a photo of the casserole with cheese (fresh out of the oven), but it smelled so good we scooped and ate right away.

The only thing I did differently, was mix the pepper in with the onion (vs. sprinkle on top the cheese).  Well, that's not the only thing I did differently, I also used sage sausage vs. ground beef, and used home canned pizza sauce vs. tomato sauce.  

It was delicious.  I think it smelled divine, because it was home canned pizza sauce.  

I froze the other half of it, so we had an easy meal for another night.

Just google the name of the recipe, and Taste of Home.  Recipe is online.

Great way to use your zucchini this season (and for us avoiding pasta), and using up some home canned pizza sauce.

Kitchen-ness and other ramblings

 

I spent the good half of the day yesterday in the kitchen.  I felt bad my husband had nothing to take to work for breakfast.

I made a sweet potato (organic hannah), bacon with greens hash, topped with eggs.  It was so good too.

I also made a pecan sour cream coffee cake with Georgia pecans.  Oh my goodness!  So good.  New recipe I tired.

Dinner was homemade meatballs with a sauce made from home canned barbeque sauce, garlic from the garden and a bit of honey, on a bed of wild rice.  I wanted broccoli in it, but that didn't happen.

Cleaning also resumed, after a mountain of dishes were done, and dishwasher ran two times.  It was a beautiful 60°F day, but too windy to enjoy the front porch.

The local professionals stopped in last night to take a look at our first project - kitchen floor/new joist/new sub floor.  They took measurements and asked questions.  The estimate will be emailed soon.  My husband is 99% sure we'll be doing it ourselves.  He is guessing they will come back with an estimate of $5,000.00 or more.

Today, to prepare for it, I need to box up everything that Daughter K left on one table, and box up what I pulled from the cupboard that will be donated.  I need to take the inserts out of the table that make it longer.  That will help make moving it to the living room easier.  Then I need to box up what's in the bottom of the hutch and move that out, then we will start on the counter and cupboards, then floor.

In the meantime, I've gotten a few suggested outlet locations for possible flooring, but Hubby is not too excited about running from place to place for prices and supply.  We are dealing with his work schedule with all of this too.

Ice Storm ~ New Recipe Tried

Here are a few photos from the ice storm.  The sun was shining and everything looked so beautiful.  These photos do't show the true beauty that it created.

I finally made dinner for us three.  I tried a new recipe too, and it was delicious  - Creamy Garlic Mashed Cauliflower (Ahead of Thyme).  I used home grown garlic and it was so good.  I can't wait to make it with summer bounty and add fresh herbs to it as well.

It's only going to be a high of 20 degrees today.  Our low around 9 degrees.  I can hear the nasty wind whistling outside already.  I tried to sleep in, but yeah 7am was it.  My husband however, is snoring.

 

This and That ~ 5 Acres & A Dream Giveaway

I asked my husband if he'd stop and pick up some navy beans.  He came home with organic Great Northern.  They were sold out of navy.  All navy beans.

Update:  I used this recipe online found HERE, but after baking it felt it did need more chips added on the top at the end of cooking, or a powdered sugar glaze, or the whipped cream.  It was good though!

Dinner was bean and ham soup, butterscotch cake (new recipe tried), and skillet bread.

We are trying to set up a new vet.  Our vet retired and closed the business.  We called 4 now, and some are not taking new clients, and one never answered their phone.  Daughter K has 4 pets and Daughter E has one.  

Update on Mom:

She was admitted to the ER and is staying there until she gets a room.  The only family member that can see her while in the ER room is the person who admitted her.  Not sure what the rules are if she gets an actual room.  Her kidney function is decreasing.

Go to HERE to view and enter a book giveaway by 5 Acres & A Dream!  With everything going on in the world this is a great book giveaway.

New Recipe Tried ~ Campfire Beer Cheese ~ Question and Tidbits

Campfire Beer Cheese

2 - 8 oz. blocks of organic (or homemade) cream cheese
3 cups organic shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup beer (I used Wicked Easy, what I had on hand)

1/2 cup buffalo sauce (or homemade)

1/4 cup organic ranch dressing

1/4 cup organic blue cheese crumbles

Melt all ingredients over a campfire in a cast iron skillet.  Top with chopped homegrown chives and serve with veggies, organic tortilla chips or homemade soft pretzels.

Note:  I made this in my crockpot to give it a taste test before making it during a camping trip and it worked great.  It only took a few hours.  Leftovers reheated nicely too.

What is your favorite way(s) to use pickled carrots?

I'm wondering if those last few cold spells killed my red raspberry blossoms - zero berries.  However, the blackberries are doing great.  Squash blossoms are on!

Garden Pests and Random Tidbits

In 2019, our garden was flooded out by so much rain.  In 2020 it was so dry the root vegetables and much of the garden died off.  This year?  Rabbits and ground hogs are a HUGE problem.  They have literally eaten the tops off of my sweet potatoes and now some greens.  Zuri almost caught one the other day.

We are getting rain off and on, and a few storms.  So thankful for a cooler weekend too.

However, we woke up to rain this morning and it was not supposed to rain today.  I'm glad things are getting watered, but sheesh.

I went on a search for my wedding ring papers yesterday.  Man oh man, I found so much paperwork that can be tossed.  I found a tote with about a dozen purses in it too. More to purge I guess.

Anyway, I found them, and I found a savings bond in one of the kids names, and a certificate of my husband's (work related).  I guess I have a lot of tossing to do next week now.

I didn't get a photo, but I made campfire beer cheese in the crock pot to try it (another new recipe from pile to file).  My husband said it was best ever, so I'll try and get the recipe up later.  I used Wicked Easy beer in it (all we had in the fridge).

The cheese would go great with homemade soft pretzels.  

I dried a round of thyme in my smaller dehydrator.  My indoor plant is doing great right now.

Daughter K had the day off yesterday, so we pretty much sat on the porch, and later grilled chicken fajitas (so good) when my husband got home.

While sitting on the porch, I saw the brightest red bird I have ever seen.  I think it was a summer tanager.  I wish I had my camera, but it was there and gone quickly.  Beautiful bird!

More Blooms ~ Dehydrating Sage ~ From Pile to File

 

More garden blooms.  I had a hard time getting the photos, as the lens steamed up from the humidity and heat.

I dehydrated my first small batch of sage, using my smaller dehydrator.  I learned that if you cut back your sage too much (close to fall), it will die over winter.  I dehydrate in small batches over the summer to avoid killing my sage plant.

We had another very hot and humid day.  Garden work was done early.  I needed to check the radishes and tie up more tomato plants.

I got another new recipe off the pile.  It's a healthier breakfast bake using sweet potatoes vs. white potatoes.  I added some finely diced jalapenos to it.  I also used sage sausage vs. the sausage the recipe called for (no water, just cooked it first), and of course organic ingredients.

It was very good, but the sweet potatoes released some liquid, so I would cook the onion and sweet potatoes before hand, and shorten the cook time.  Oh, and you can make this the day before and refrigerate and then bake the next.

Question - what is your favorite dry bean to use to make homemade bake beans?

New Recipe ~ Garden is getting planted

 

We cooked up of what may be the last of of this year's harvest of asparagus.  My favorite way to prepare this for a dinner side is to bake it 20 minutes with olive oil, crushed rosemary, salt and pepper at 400°F.

Tried another new recipe.  Daughter K had bought some pasta shells that needed used up.  It takes beef stock, tomato sauce and other ingredients.  I adjusted it with homemade and organic ingredients and the family loved it.  I used the recipe at Damn Delicious called Creamy Beef and Shells. I will be adding more garlic next time.

Tomatoes finally made it in the ground.  I was done by 10am, as it was already very hot (90°F day).  I planted way less than normal, so it will be interesting.  I planted 35 Amish Paste (not my usual San Marzano), 1 Big boy and 1 cherry tomato.  The planting resumes after the rain stops.  I'm tickled pink for the rain today though.  We needed it and the tomatoes love it.

I'm getting more crocheted water balloons made for the grandkids.  I may get more done today as well.  It will be a less stressed day for sure with the rain.

The chickens are doing well, although I still need to muck the coop.  I boiled more eggs for egg salad (for those hot evenings we want cold food).  Last night was one of them.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Today is the day Daughter E looks at the apt.  I'm still not ready for this. I finished her hot pads.

She loves them.  Go figure, the color Daughter T wants light blue.  I have one ball in all the yarn I have.  Wal-mart is a sorry place to shop for the yarn I love anymore.  They are selling a different brand, and balls are smaller.  I don't like what Hobby Lobby sells (higher price) and Meijer doesn't sell much of it (cotton).  My husband picked out a variegated blue.  I will be checking with her to see if she likes it or not.

I haven't even thought about my to-do list yet.  It's been a weekend of riding.  Our birthdays are coming up, so we are talking about that, and dinner plans.  

One of the bike rides we had planned, was to head to the cemetery to place my solar cross on Dad's plot, but Hubby invited others to ride, and we ended up elsewhere.  That's okay, it's sort of a private thing to do on our own anyway, so the cross light is still in the saddle bag.

I know I need to make some egg salad for a quick lunch.  I need to check laundry, and figure out a day to go get my hair cut, but otherwise I haven't drawn up a to-do plan this week. Oh, I need to make homemade laundry soap for sure.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. 

The weather outside is . . .

Rain.  68°F/61°.  A lot of rain in the forecast over the next two weeks.  I sure hope we can get some tilling and planting in.  It will also make hardening my plants difficult.

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Exhausted.  We rode the bike all weekend, and even had the largest group on Sunday (21 bikers), but the wind was horrible.

On the breakfast plate . . .

I most likely make a breakfast casserole.  We had burritos last week, so I'd like to eliminate the flour.

On my reading pile . . .

Nothing.  Mostly your blogs ha ha!  I just haven't been in the reading kind of mood.  I'm starting to think I'm a vacation or seasonal type of reader.  I tend to take a book to the island, but end up playing cards or going to listen to live music.  I tend to crochet on long truck rides vs. read too.

On my TV . . .

Godless, Netflix

Greater.  Based on a true story.  I bawled my eyes out.  If you want to see what my daughter looked like when she found out her boyfriend died in an accident, the mother's reaction was similar to hers.

On the menu this week . . .

-slow cooker tomato basil chicken, quoina, roasted rosemary asparagus

-sheet pan dinner

-baked chicken, veggie

-leftovers

From the camera . . .

Looking around the house . . .

Well, I've almost finished the spring cleaning in the master bedroom, so my options are the utility room and room leading to garage.  If Daughter E moves out, it'll be the master walk-in closet first.  

To relax this week, I will . . .

I honestly have no idea.  I normally crochet.  We'll see I guess.

Something I want to share . . .

I tired two new recipes last week.  Just zip on over to my previous post for the recipe links.

Devotional, inspirational, prayer list or Bible verse . . .

From Pile to File ~ New Recipes Tried

French Onion Dip.  I wanted to try this out for family cook outs etc.   Made with fresh onion and garlic, and gruyere cheese.  We found it good, but felt leaving it in the fridge the night before thickened it and tasted better than when we tasted it right after making it.  Also, using less than the 1/4 cup of milk (it's suggested to add the milk last until the desired thickness).  Of course I adapted organic ingredients and used home grown garlic, but we liked it.  The recipe is online with I am a baker.

Sorry, I didn't get a photo.

I made these too.  First time for me to ever make soft pretzels.  I used the recipe from  Served from Scratch.  The only problem I had...

They stuck to the parchment paper.  I had to slice them off basically.  I did exactly what the recipe said to do - lightly grease the paper.  Anyone have any suggestions on the next time I bake these?  So they don't stick?

They were very good!

From Pile to File ~ New Recipes Tried

 

I made Cajun Angel Hair and Sausage.  New recipe tried!  I had some organic angel hair pasta and wanted to use it.  I finally found some non-gmo smoked chicken sausages too.  The recipe includes fresh green onion in the recipe and I used freshly snipped home grown green onion to top it with.  Oh my!  I'll tweek the sauce part (needs more), but the taste was fabulous.  I made homemade Cajun seasoning for it.

This recipe was a favorite.  Normally, you cook meat or brown it first, and this recipe is a toss it all in but the pasta.  Loved it.  I didn't expect it to taste so good on account of lack of ingredients.  I used 2 homemade beef bouillon cubes (because that is what I had). I just added the pasta last, cooked some peas and shredded some cheese.  The recipe is online as well - Slow Cooker Chicken Bolognese Pasta.  Does anyone have a dry homemade mix recipe for chicken bouillon?  Or one for freezing in cubes?

Speaking of all this baking and cooking, I have a container of organic non-gmo shortening, but it has coconut in it.  Do any of you have recipe ideas this would taste good in?  I basically use shortening for birthday cake frosting and that won't taste good in that.