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

Storm Update ~ Chicken Treats

Thankfully, our home was not in the path of any storm destruction, tornadoes etc.  We got some rain and wind, and that was it. We are once again saturated.

I purchased these to hang treats for the chickens.  I tried it out with a head of organic lettuce.  Our grocery store has a $.99 veggie/fruit clearance area, so I'm taking advantage of that until garden season is in full swing (if we still do a garden).

They were first looking at it, like what in the heck is that?  They ate it all in one day.  I bought the gadgets online with Amazon, and it came with two.  I can slice up fruits and veggies and slide them onto the reusable metal stake and hang them around the coop run.  It not only keeps them healthy, but provides more nutrition for them, not to mention some fun in the process.  I used to just tie a string to a head of cabbage, but I do like this gadget.

Storm and Random Tidbits

 

I hammered the tomato stakes in good, but decided not to start tying the tomato plants up to the stakes until the storms pass today.  I was in fear that if the stakes go down, the plants would go down with them.

Today's weather?  Possible thunderstorms, hail and possible tornadoes.

First coyote sighting yesterday morning.  It headed away from our property.

We discovered we still had a half of a quart canning jar full of home grown popcorn.  It was still good, popped almost all the kernels and was as delicious as ever.  I will be planting it again next year.

Broke my hoe.  They never last long.  It says 15 year warranty, but I have no idea where I bought it, nor saved the receipt.  Tomatoes got weeded anyway.  We have 62 tomatoes, but two may not make it.

New blooms in the flower beds.