Small Harvest and Other Fun

I harvested a handful of green onions and chives before the very cold weather moved in (more so than before).  The chickens are not happy.  I'm not happy, but trying to find the joy in the days either way.

My kitchen has been in full force the last few days.  My goodness, I have never felt overwhelmed with baking and cooking, but it has taken over in whirlwind lately.  These photos were not even everything that was getting baked/cooked or mixed up.

Despite the need to get meals made around here, I managed to squeeze in a trip to the library book sale.  I only brought home three books, but snagged some free magazines too.  

I used to read magazines when Mom was with us.  She'd pass her magazines onto me to read.  When she passed, I no longer read magazines.  I never thought to borrow some from our library.  

In light of garden season moving in slowly (thanks to this colder weather), we've been enjoying our empty nest life.  Yes, we have repairs, a coop to finish building and so on, but some times we need a little fun too.

Johnny Cash/June Carter Tribute band

Righteous Brothers Concert

Over the last three months, we've been enjoying outdoor walks, hikes, hiking trails in other towns/cities, and we even hiked a not-so-easy waterfall (so proud of our healthy lifestyle, and progress in staying fit).

We have also been to a few concerts too.  We have not been to concerts during all of our long, busy years (and years) of raising all the kids and working jobs, so it's been a huge enjoyment.

One concert was a Johnny Cash Tribute band (very good, the guy was from Nashville), and we had the priviledge to see the Farewell tour concert of the Righteous Brothers.  Bill Medley is 84 years old, and he put on a fantastic concert.

Bill Medley also wrote a book, and you know I bought a copy.  It's on my list to read after a few more books.  In fact, I have had fun window shopping on our outings too, and that is how I have found advent gifts for Christmas.

My newest suncatcher I purchased recently.  Just ignore my dirty winter window.  It's not been conducive weather to clean the outside of the windows just yet.

Nothing earth shattering news for blogland today, and I bought myself some fun pens. One of my daughter's bought me a pen set for my birthday/Mother's Day(?) and I am down to one pen now.

The one on the top in gold says "Good Days Start with Coffee" the next says "Drink Coffee.  Be Nice" (ha ha!), and the last says "Caffeinated and Motivated."

Small Harvest and Other Fun ©  April 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Cold Weather ~ Baked Perch ~ Homemade Kimchi (update)

My goodness!  It's 13°F this morning.  Spring can't make up it's mind around here.  I have the newly purchased tulips and hyacinths (in pots) indoors for now.  I had high hopes to plant them by now.

I am praying this early cold spell in April does not kill my wild violet harvest, or fruit tree blossoms.  I have yet to see one asparagus up either.  It was up much earlier last Spring.

A new recipe tried.  Baked Perch.  Recipe is from allrecipes, but I adapted organic/non-gmo ingredients.  Perch (lake perch from our state) was gifted to us, and instead of frying it this time (vs. beef tallow), I baked it.  In the past I have baked walleye and it turned out delicious.

By the way, in the past I have baked walleye, and it was very good.  I did read the recipe reviews. Some people used panko instead of crushed saltines, some used all grated parmesan cheese.  I found organic/non-gmo saltines, but I'm thinking all parmesan cheese would be healthier and delicious.  Just my thoughts on this.

Note to self:  dry more herb garden oregano this summer

Homemade tarter sauce using home canned sweet pickle relish.

The results?  Well, we both said we liked it, but a thicker fish would be better for baking, like walleye or cod.  It was good, and obviously healthier, but for perch we feel it's better fried.

You most likely could bake any white fish with their recipe (I would think).

I am fairly certain, my husband will insist the next batch of perch be fried in beef tallow.  It's a lighter coating to the fish than the baked, but that's just our reviews on baking vs. frying perch.

Note:  Reheated leftovers in an air fryer make this a more crispy coating and delicious.   I have yet to try it reheated in the oven.

I forgot to give you an update on the homemade kimchi (fermented vegetables).

The recipe for kimchi is found in this book (which I own, but your local library may have it too).

I tasted it as is, and then we strained any liquid, added a bit of mayo to make up a "slaw" and it was very good.  By itself, it is a bit spicy, but overall, we will be making this recipe again for a good healthy addition to our meals.

Cold Weather ~ Baked Perch ~ Homemade Kimchi (update) ©  April 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart