"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.

Thursday, November 16, 2023

This and That ~ Something I Learned


Just when I was getting the scissors to cut my under-the-sink mat, I opened the cupboard to eye-spy another leak on the other side of the sink. 

I'm awaiting a new gasket for that side, before I can clean up my kitchen floor (again). 





I am starting to bring my craft totes downstairs.  The inventory is being packaged and priced.  There is a lot to sort, so this is taking over the living room, while I try and take advantage of the outdoor weather for those projects.  Anxiety at is best, ha ha!

Not sure if I mentioned this, but the store on the island that sold my crocheted camper Christmas ornaments closed it's business recently.  The museum that was selling my dish scrubbies, jar openers and soap saver bags had a major flood last Christmas, closed for repairs, and asked me to pick up my items.   I have called local market stores where you rent a space, and they are no longer taking new vendors.  The general store about 20 minutes away also told me they are not taking new vendors.

Anyway, I had purchased the packaging for said stores, so I am packaging these ornaments, but I do have a question.  I am packing up make up washcloths, face scrubbies and such, but would you buy packaged hot pad sets, or should I just price them and not package them?  I'm thinking people will want to feel the thickness of them, and same with the knitted dishcloths.  


Something I learned:

Homemade Buttermilk (preparedness item):

-4 1/2 oz. dry powdered milk

-2 Tbsp. Cream of Tartar

Whisk well.

To make:

-4 Tbsp. of dry mixture with 1 cup of water = 1 cup of buttermilk

If the power goes out, you can make buttermilk, but you will need a way to cook via a generator, wood cook stove or camper propane stove.


Purge this week:

-crocheted cat blanket donated to a daughter

-donated a cookbook to a daughter

-donating 3 more fiction books

-one decoration from a bathroom went in the donation box



Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Pea Casserole

 I was intrigued to try a new pea recipe, but did not want to use the canned condensed soup it required.  In the end, I think I did too much over thinking with this dish.



I did a little research, and whipped up my own condensed soup in it's place.  I will be tweaking it as we try my homemade condensed golden mushroom soup.  I basically used the directions for homemade condensed mushroom soup, but changed the broth from chicken to beef and added other ingredients, still using the shallots and mushrooms.



As for the pea casserole, here are the 3 ingredients to make it...

2 - 12 oz bags of organic (or home grown) frozen peas, cooked

1 can of golden mushroom soup (hence the homemade "can")

1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Once the peas are cooked, mix in other ingredients, pour into a baking dish and bake at 350°F


My opinion?  I didn't think it was absolutely out of this world good, but it wasn't bad either.  It lacked flavor.  I think I need to continue to add a few more ingredients, but we will be looking for more ways to dress up peas from now on.  Maybe more organic soy sauce or possibly add Braggs Liquid Aminos.  Maybe more onion, and some garlic?

I have researched most recipes online for ingredients for "Golden Mushroom Soup."  What would you add for flavor?  I honestly think you could just use the homemade mushroom soup and maybe add some organic beef bouillon or homemade beef bouillon. 

Do you have a favorite way to dress up peas?  I wonder if just sprinkling some parmesan cheese on it would be tasty?  I googled for recipes, and most have a breaded topping.  


Pea Casserole © Nov 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart