Chit Chat

 

In May of 2024, I ordered a brand new, USA made stainless steel tomato strainer.  In the fall of 2024, I called to check on the order, because it did not arrive in 6 months as I was told.

I was then told, the new sauce maker would arrive in May of 2025.  Keep in mind, you have to remember this over all this time too.  Well, May of 2025 has passed. 

It's now June and I called again.  I'm told (and before she even asks for my order number) the production won't produce any until "May of 2026" (seriously). 

I asked for a refund.  I'll let you know what happens, as I do expect that refund one way or another.  Once that is back in my bank account, I need to find a better source for a stainless steel tomato strainer.  I thought I would share, if case anyone has thought about ordering from them.  I'm not "bad" mouthing the company.  I'm just sharing my experience in attempting to order a tomato strainer.

Who knows what I'll be doing in a year from now?  My instincts told me that next year would arrive, and this company would tell me the same story  - not ready for another year, blah, blah, blah.

I may have a secret summer home by next year, sold the house, and started traveling the world in an RV by next year.  I could be sailing the oceans too.  You never know.

Either way, I was not going to wait another entire year to find out if the tomato strainer would be shipped or not.  So....if you have suggestions, I'd love to hear them (for a stainless steel one).

I have been taking advantage of the hot water the garden hose has in the first use in this heat wave.  I can clean chicken feed pans, my lounge chair, and the chicken watering units, not wasting that hot water.

No rain yet, and the heat continues, but very slightly lower than the 100's.  Rain was due last night, but nothing.  

We have been very thankful to once again get garlic scapes from our garlic.  These can sometimes be found at Farmer's Markets as well.  Garlic scapes form on mature garlic plants, and you need to cut them off before they bloom. 

I have once again made our favorite spread - radish garlic scape spread. The spread is cream cheese, garlic scape, radishes, fresh spinach and a bit of real lemon juice.  It's delicious!  The only thing missing is freshly made cream cheese from goat's milk (we really miss that).  I also use 2 garlic scapes in this recipe.  I do cut off the flower end.  It really has a good flavor, and the cut scapes are not wasted.  I plan to freeze the remainder for future recipes.  I may even freeze some garlic scape pesto.

We were gifted a lot of fresh dill from a co-worker of my husband's.  I put much of it in the dehydrator, but saved some for salads and other recipes.  It got me thinking.  Has anyone ever made a dill tincture?  I'm looking into it, only because of the large amount of dill we were given.  

It's a small start this year, but this is my husband's attempt to start back at the new chicken coop project.  The ladies deserve a chicken castle picnic table, ha ha ha!  We have much to do on the coop, and are now looking into solar exhaust fans for the new coop.  I can say, I am thrilled we picked the location for it now.  They will have more shade when their new run is built and installed.

Homemade peach crumble.  The only thing I've done with peaches this year.  So far anyway.  Georgia peaches from a local produce stand (we planted another peach tree this year).

Back in May, I visited a locally owned coffee shop/book store.  I walked by this book enough, and finally opened it. 

I did a check at Goodreads to see what the rating on it was.  I am still reading a book, so it is now on the list to read.  We shall see if it's any good.  My first "blind" date with a book.

Chit Chat  ©  June 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Storing Ginger Root ~ Loony Lane ~ Peaches

 I have stored ginger root in my freezer for years.  I simply wash and dry it on a vegetable drying mat.

I wrap each piece in plastic wrap, and tuck into a freezer bag.  I simply take it out when I need it, and re-wrap it and put it back in the freezer.

Recently, I have learned of a second way to store it.  Thanks to the cooking channel and learning new tips and tricks in the kitchen.

Cut and peel the ginger root.  Place in an air tight glass jar with sherry or brandy, and place in your refrigerator.  Hm.  It will be nice to have it already peeled.

I've dubbed my home "loony lane" for this month.  My husband is putting down the hammer, added with a time limit, to get the bedroom packed up and off the carpet.  The problem is, he doesn't understand I can't do it all by myself with that amount of time.

I swear, he is going to make me lose my mind.  I had to drag him into the walk-in closet and explain that everything on two shelving units has to be packed up and those shelves, that sit on the carpet have to move too.  This next renovation is gonna get the best of me.

Despite trying to get him to do anything before he goes to work, I am trying to get stuff done.  He felt guilty the other day and got off the sofa and installed two electrical boxes.  His wacky schedule causes him to want to sit around and do nothing before work.

I had almost forgot, that I thawed peaches from the freezer, but thankfully got the peach crumble baked.  You can see someone couldn't help himself before it cooled enough.

Oh, and every day I spray the pet pee areas on the upstairs wood floor, let it sit, then wipe it.  I will have to do a few more applications, and then I think we'll be ready to put the gym foam flooring down.  So far, it's working on removing the odor from the flooring.  I have the spare bedroom to do yet though.

It's a wee bit cold here but all the hens are laying daily thankfully.  The weather forecast is for snow tomorrow.  Snow.  yes I said snow.  Looking outside the window, you would never now.

Just the Bits

 Although late, and due to rain again, I planted some shasta daisy seeds in the flower bed.

I also planted basil, cilantro and parsley for indoors.  

Made Einkorn pancakes and blueberry sausages for breakfast.

  

Baked another peach crumble, and a chicken/brussel sprout/carrot sheet pan dinner.

I love rainy days and yesterday was one of those.

I also printed another new crochet pattern.  Like a need another pattern...ha ha!

Daughter E came over and raided my closet.  She is attending a country concert soon.  She left with some cowboy boots, a summer dress and a jean's skirt.  Well, she helped purge my closet anyway, ha ha!

Our smaller bathroom now has a functioning toilet and sink.  The rest of the shower goes in today.

I filled a box with old dvd's, and it's ready to be taken to donate somewhere.

The green beans, cucumbers and squash are rolling in now.  Thanks to the rain, and the bell peppers are on, but not ready to harvest.

My errand day lists are growing, but today it's back to weeding the flower beds.  

Slippers to the Garden and other Tidbits

 The other day I came inside to do something, and realized on my way back out I still had my slippers on.  I take my muck boots off at the door.  So funny.  My brain is on overdrive I swear.

My living room is a mess and now the bathroom door is in there getting primed.  I painted one side yesterday.  Half of the bathroom floor is in, but they had 4 layers of flooring, so it's lower than the kitchen floor.  There is more work to do, and more supplies, to get the floor even with the kitchen.

I've taken care of the peaches now.  I canned 8 half-pints of reduced sugar jam, and baked a peach crumble.  I left the rest for us to snack on.  Not sure if I will get any into the freezer or not.

I started water-glassing eggs.  I figured if I fill that bucket up, I can start dehydrating, but this will reduce using canning jars right now.

We are going on more than two weeks of zero rain.  We had thunderstorms in the forecast for today, but those left just disappeared off the radar.

I've been doing pretty well keeping up with weeding the garden, but not the flower beds.  I got the green beans weeded finally.

Daughter E never made it out to help clean the upstairs.  She took her car in for a new tire at Midas and they told her that her wheel bearing was so bad that her car was not safe to drive.  I got on my phone and with the help of my husband, (our go-to man is doing our bathroom) he found a friend to change it. Cost of part was $104, he asked for $70 for the labor, and she paid him $100.  Midas wanted $500.00 for the job, and it's a fairly easy job to do.