Hot and Muggy

 

The heat remains muggy and in the 90's.  The air is very thick most days.  The rain has returned, and not left yet.  I took a look-see at the gardens, and weeding ( a lot of weeding)  will be top of the to-do list.  The tomatoes, that I tied up last Thursday, have grown another foot, and will need re-tied.

Last Thursday, while working in the tomato patch, I thinned the radishes, but that's all that we are able to harvest so far. 

One day the rain cooled the air just enough to grill burgers, but the bugs were a nuisance.  We are still enjoying pickled red onions.  I'll definitely keep a jar in the fridge on an on-going

basis.

Hot and Muggy ©  July 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

What's Cooking?

 I think the title of this post should have been "Kitchen Capers" or what's going on in the kitchen these days.

Not much.

I pickled red onions.  These are healthy and can be added to many dishes, rice, salads, tuna/chicken salad or topped on hummus.  The ideas are endless really, but it's nice to have it on hand. 

I made us protein bites for snacks.  I really like these during summer when it's super hot outside.  I do think the amount of mini dark chips can be reduced, but they are very good.  I'll be honest, I can't recall where I got this recipe, but I am on the hunt, so I can share.  I used to make these a different way, but these have coconut in them.
 

What's Cooking?  ©  March 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Random Tidbits ~ Pickled Red Onion

Pizza night was another huge success.  I froze the Einkorn dough for the first time last year (preparedness), and it worked out great.  We love the pizza sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes.  They make the best sauce so far.  I'll be sure to grow them again this summer.

I should have started a temperature afghan last spring.  With the hot days followed by this very strange and nasty winter, it would have been one interesting afghan.

I'm scanning my recipes for our oldest daughter.  Not that she's settling in her new apt. she wants to take advantage of her crock pot and cook good meals again.  I have a plan for that too.

I pickled red onion for the first time.  It'll be used for salads, although I am leery to eat fresh kale out of season, we can typically find organic in our grocery store.

Pickled Red Onions
Using organic/non-gmo ingredients, thinly slice enough red onion rings to fit in a wide mouth pint canning jar.

Add:
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. salt
2-3 splashes of home canned hot sauce*
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. red wine vinegar

Shake.  Store in the refrigerator

*any hot sauce will work



My husband is really having a stressful time at his work place.  Even though the vote was like 170-something (no) to 50-something (yes), the higher up's are making them vote again on Thursday on the contract.  They are using their power to manipulate them into voting yes, and from what I see, threatening them in the process.  He, and the others, could surely use prayers, good mojo, and good thoughts right now.  It is a very hostile work environment.   Both mentally and physically.   

The only thing I can do to help him, is clean the house, cook good food, pack his lunch and coffee and listen.  I'm afraid this however, may affect our income (depending on the outcome).  Remember they went on strike one year, and he had to take work out of state?  We are preparing however we have big ticket jobs to get done this year no matter what.