Storm ~ Tidbits

 I have not been watching the news at all, and late Monday, I was told there was a bad storm expected mid-week for us.  What kind of storm?  I had to turn on the news to find out.

The storm was rain, thunder, wind, possible hail, and possible tornado.  It came in two parts.  One storm in the morning and one later.  I had charged all the things that needed charged, just in case.  We did lose power, but thankfully it came back on.  

It's 63°F this morning.  Much warmer, but it's flooded almost everywhere around us, area towns, etc.

Home repairs/updates: we ordered, picked up and installed a new window blind for the window.  I do need one more blind for a kitchen window, but that particular size is out of stock.

The remainder of the home repair list is on-going for now.  We tend to run out of time in the evenings.

One mole-chasing windmill has broken from years of use.  It's on the repair list, but we may have to replace it.  It does keep the moles out of the vegetable garden.  We installed another one near the flower beds last season, so time will tell if it helps in that area too.

Gardens:  we picked up two containers of tulips, that we plan to bury into the garden.  It's test one, to see if it will keep the moles out of them, and will still flourish in the containers.  We are also planning to add more hyacinths to the flower beds.  Test two on the tulips will be in the fall, when fall bulbs are planted.  We are finding it difficult though, to find a variety of colors sold in pots this Spring.  Who wants all yellow tulips?  Not me.  We have a ton of yellow with the daffodils. 

Let's talk whole wheat flour . . .

I've had a few slower days lately, so I finally tried a whole wheat roll recipe (had quick oats in them too), and they were a fail for me.  I am wondering if they recipe originated where the altitude is different, because my dough was very, very dry.  I even left out 1/2 cup of the flour.  A recipe fail for me.

I'm on a mission to find a good whole wheat roll recipe, even though it's against my husband's likings (he's all for the white rolls, and I get it).  However, I would still like to have one in my recipe box for large gatherings etc.  Or even to bake and freeze to have on hand.

Has anyone tried the recipe in the Back Woods Home bread cookbook?  Or does anyone have a tried and true, soft and delicious whole wheat roll recipe?

Back in March of 2017, I tried the Taste of Home's Honey Oat Pan Rolls.  They are now rated 4.5 online.  I have a few recipes I may try yet, that rate better than these.

I'm still searching for a tried and true kale/blueberry salad recipe.  I see them on the internet, but I have not found one person who has made one, or even tried one.  I'm just looking for ways to spruce up our salad options, as the weather is warmer and salads are wanted more often around here.

Update on the Nitrogen Cast Iron pan:  Used it twice, and both times we gave it a thumbs down.  The food stuck to the pan in both uses.  I'll give it a few more trials, but so far, it's not even working as well as my regular cast iron pan.

Storms ~ Tidbits ©  April 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

New Recipe Tried and Other Tidbits

 

I found a few printed recipes in the back of my binder, when I changed them out to new binders recently.  I found a recipe I had printed back in July of 2021, and gave it a try (without reading any reviews).  Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole.

It's delicious.  However, the next time I make this, I will finely dice the sweet potatoes, roast them, and then layer it all to bake.  I found the shredded sweet potatoes gave it a "mushy" bottom texture.  It is very light, and not a "heavy" breakfast.  

The only thing I did different, was that I used real meat instead of the "vegetarian" meat the recipe called for.  Oh, I also added 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground garlic (homemade) for added flavor and some salt and pepper. I found it strange that the recipe did not call for any seasoning at all.  The recipe is still online at allrecipes.

Tidbits. . .

We woke up to 21°F this morning.  The cold has returned, but thankfully no snow this March (like last year).

I have somehow lost my blog writing mojo.  Maybe it's the transition from winter to Spring, with it's back and forth weather?  I don't know, but I just haven't had much to write about this month.

I took advantage of the cooler weather and seasoned our new cast iron pan.  I had asked if anyone had one, and there was no answer, so we are giving it a try.  Even the clerk at the store, gave me her name, and asked for me to give her a review the next time we were in the area (not sure that will happen, ha ha!). Anyway, I will be cooking with it, and if we like it we very well may go back for a 2nd one.   

We are still focusing meals based on what's still providing from last year's garden.  We still have frozen garden vegetables, canned sauces, and of course the copious amounts of green beans.

I have yet to jump on the sourdough bread band-wagon.  We just don't eat bread that often, so two loaves of Amish baked sourdough, went into our freezer.  We have a friend who also bakes it, so I may just buy from her next time (all organic ingredients).  

We are still getting more outdoor walking in this year despite weather changes.  In fact, 100% more than last year (we did not do outdoor walking this  time of year, last year).  In fact, last weekend we walked 3.31 miles (we tracked our distance for health purposes).  My husband's sugar reading tests are much lower, and we are very happy about that.

Our Spring Daffodils continue to emerge, but no actual blooms just yet.

Although the weather is on the chilly side today, there is nothing more invigorating than a deep breath of morning fresh air.  

New Recipe Tried and Other Tidbits  ©  March 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart