"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~

Pioneer Woman at Heart

One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!

One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

New Hummus Recipe ~ Sun Dried Tomato Hummus ~ This and That

I tried a new recipe that was given to us by our well being (insurance) point program.  I adjusted it to organic and homegrown ingredients.



Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
(adapted with organic/homegrown ingredients)
2 cans (15 oz.) chickpeas, rinsed and drained (organic)
⅓ cup fat-free yogurt (I used full fat homemade using my dehydrator to make it)
¼ cup tahini (or homemade with sesame seeds)
3 garlic cloves(organic home grown)
½ cup chopped sun-dried tomato (dehydrated home grown grape tomatoes)
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves (organic from the garden)
2 tsp. lemon juice (organic)
Directions
Process chickpeas, yogurt, tahini, and garlic in a food processor until smooth. Stir in sun-dried tomato bits and oregano; season to taste with lemon juice. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.


Of course this is a "healthier" version of hummus, as it uses less tahini and no olive oil.    Don't have the yogurt?  Just use my traditional recipe and add the tomatoes and oregano. 

Note:  I rehdydrated my dried grape tomatoes before adding to the recipe.

I'm watching the weather.  I have only one rain barrel up, but if we are possibly getting down to 32°F with snow, I will have to drain it and flip it over until the cold wave passes.


Onion powder is now restocked.  I literally used all 7 lbs. of dehydrated onion to fill the jar. I will need more to dehydrate for diced.  I thought I had enough, but nope.

Mom had zero meat, so we surprised her with a delivery.  We took her a dozen pink carnations, flowers for her flower garden, groceries and cat food.  I told her "Happy Mother's Day" and she cried.  She was so thankful to have chicken and mashed potatoes for lunch instead of a hotdog.  I'm so glad we can help her out right now. 

In the evening we took a motorcycle ride with another couple and had a very nice time.   Today, it's back to cold again.  Our May weather is too cold for May weather. Brr. 

Oh, and by the way, this virus is real.  Remember the older parents of a friend who recently passed away?  Well, that friend (their daughter) is sick and tested positive, but she was sick a while back and never tested.  It apparently lasts up to a month in your body when you do get sick. So if you do get sick and not tested, stay away from people for a month.  This colder weather in our parts isn't helping kill off this virus either (or what I can the Chinese Flu).



Monday, May 4, 2020

Happy Homemaker Monday

Quarantine Day 50.


I'm not sure if you can see the trunk of our peach tree, but it has fungus.  I can't remember what was recommended to treat it.  Was it a neem type spray?  

I have been reading about how putting garlic powder in your chicken's feed mix is good for them (saw it on PBS as well), but didn't get the measurements.  Also, how often?  Like every other month?  Or does anyone even do this?


Asparagus is coming up now, and I am starting to harvest it.


My 9 tray dehydrator is full of onions now.  I'm making diced onions and onion powder with some of them.  That takes care of 7 lbs of onions.  I have 4 lbs saved for another stock up project.  That is in this week's plans.

My to-do list is on-going.  There is so much on it for the next two weeks, so I'm crossing my fingers we stay on task, although we will have some rainy days.  We expect a frost this coming weekend, so nothing is being planted this week.





The nice thing about Happy Homemaker Monday, is that it makes me stay on track with what day it is.  

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. 


The weather . . . 
High of 60°F and sunny.  Yesterday we hit 80°F.


How I am feeling this morning . . .
Sick of watching the media anymore.  So many conflicting information, and so many people fighting about masks on, or masks off, gatherings and whatnot.  Just sick of it all.


On my mind . . .
See above.  In addition, would you book a hotel this fall somewhere, knowing that healthcare workers stayed in them to keep their families at home safe?  I know our lodging on the island is safe, but would bring cleaners, Lysol, etc.  I'm pretty sure the cabin we rent in the hills would be fine, but i'm on the fence with hotels/motels.


On the breakfast plate . . . 
Have no idea yet.  I may update this later.


On my reading pile . . .
Call of the Wild, by Jack London

On my TV . . .
Anything on Amazon Prime or regular TV.   


On the menu this week . . .
-Oven Mac n' cheese, green beans
-Basil roasted chicken in the crockpot, 2 veggies
-Beef enchiladas, (not sure on side yet),
-birthday dinner for Hubby - sloppy joes, sweet potato fries, strawberry pie




From the camera . . .


This was Sunday morning's sunrise.

Looking around the house . . .
There is a lot that needs done.  

To relax this week I will . . .
Crochet, journal, knit, tat.

On my prayer list . . .
Our President
Our country, any personal request.