Pioneer Woman at Heart

  I brewed up a "Christmas" spice extract last year, and gifted a few bottles for Christmas.  I finally tried it, and made a homemade coffee creamer. I thought the cinnamon/clove flavors would make a nice coffee creamer.  Before I go into a "recipe" for the creamer, I just used online recipes as guides, using maple syrup for the sweetener, and my homemade vanilla and Christmas spice extract.  I ended up adding a 3rd tsp. of the Christmas spice extract for more flavor.  Honestly, I didn't think the extract had enough "spice" flavor in it. I will be trying it in baked goods, and maybe cookies.   I most likely will be adjusting the ingredients to more cinnamon sticks, and maybe more clove for the next batch of this too. Here is how I made the first batch of this extract. In a canning jar (or other glass container) combine the following: - 2 1/2 cups vodka (do not use the bottom line brand) -6 vanilla beans -12 whole cloves -3 cinnamon sticks -6 whole card...

  It's been in the teens, and we are getting more snow.  It's 16 degrees this morning.  I'm thrilled to be getting about an egg a day again.   We got more snow last night, but it's a wet snow.  According to the news weather report, there is another snow storm brewing up. Breakfast side meat has been chicken breakfast patties , and we love them!  They are much better than the turkey ones, and are nice to enjoy between sage sausage and bacon.  If you haven't tried them, they are delicious on their own or in a breakfast sandwich. We tried a new crockpot recipe for black eye peas and ham.  I added collards to it and it was fantastic.  I used the recipe from Skinnytaste online, but used a ham bone and diced ham both (because I had both in the freezer), and again, added collards.  It will be a keeper recipe for sure.  The red bell pepper and jalapeno were also both from the freezer (from last year's garden). What's Cooking? © Januar...

  A winner in the "tried new" recipe category.  So good!  The only ingredient I did not add, was the red bell pepper, because I didn't have any in the freezer at the time.  I will be adding it and making this again.  A keeper recipe. The recipe is online at The Southern Lady Cooks - Slow Cooker Creamed Corn. If you freeze your corn off the cob with butter, you can use that and add less butter too.  I save bacon grease, so I used that, and already had some bacon cooked that was leftover from another meal.  The sugar could be left out too.  I mean, it's only 2 Tbsp, but we freeze our corn with butter and sugar so I can leave it out. A win-win recipe if you freeze your corn off the cob, and freeze your garden bell peppers.  Saving your bacon grease is always a frugal tip I share often. Sharing for those looking for a new side dish for your own meals, or for potluck meals.  I've tried other variations in the past, and we really like this on...

I make this smaller batch recipe of homemade everything bagel seasoning,  but you can increase it for larger spice jars. There are many recipes online for this seasoning.   I use 1 tsp of each of the following: -kosher salt -dried minced garlic (I make mine homemade) -dried minced onion (again you can make this in a dehydrator) -sesame seeds -poppy seeds (all organic) I like to spread cream cheese on snack sized bell peppers, sprinkle the seasoning and sometimes add a few pieces of turkey pepperoni/cooked bacon or other choice of meat on top.  I gave my husband one the other day, and he is in love with this snack idea.  He put his nose up when I mentioned organic cream cheese, but he loves it.  The seasoning is the ticket for flavor.  So good.  I cannot wait for a fresh garden bell pepper this summer. My husband loves it so much, that he asked for his own seasoning shaker to take to work. You could top these with cooked bacon pieces, turkey pepper...

Sunday's work list was changed once again.  While Hubby continued to work on the truck, I went straight out to water flowers. Watering with a rain barrel takes patience.  The water doesn't just spray out like a hose hooked to the house.  We have drained one barrel, and almost a second one, leaving me two more to water with.  I don't like to completely drain them, or a good swift wind will take them sailing, and I'll be replacing water spigots again.

Pear Berry Gingerbread Loaves 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 2 beaten eggs 1/2 cup molasses 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 1/2 brown sugar 1/3 cup milk 1 1/2 tsp. grated ginger root 2 med. pears, peeled, cored, and finely chopped 1/2 cup dried cranberries Pear Frosting 1 1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar 2 Tbsp. Pear Liqueur 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract For bread: Preheat oven to 350°F, and grease 2 loaf pan. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.  Set aside. Combine eggs, molasses, applesauce, brown sugar, milk, and grated ginger root in a medium mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture, and pour the eggs mixture in, all at once.  Fold in pears and cranberries.  Pour into prepared pans. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pans for about 10 minutes before removing, and continue cool...

Refrigerator Radish Pickles