Random Tidbits

 

More beautiful fall colors at our homestead.  The colors seem to be more vibrant than the last few years.

The moon this morning.

My online pampered chef show closed last night.  I had over $1,000 in sales and earned $240 in free product, 2 - 60% off items, 5 - half off items and 30% off anything else I order.  I'm pretty sure after this, I won't need to have a party for years to come ha ha!  I never in my life thought I would be that successful.

Cross your fingers for me.  My car, after a long year, is to be towed to the repair guy for a new engine tonight.  I think my husband forgot, but will remind him.  It's been a long time waiting for this to happen.

We have a mix of weather going on.  It was pretty nice in the low 70's yesterday, we got a downpour of rain last night, and woke up to 45°F this morning.  Thankful for the rain, so I can dig up the remaining sweet potatoes (hopefully tomorrow).

Many businesses have closed permanently due to the pandemic shutdowns.  My magazine subscription to Capper's Farmer is now having issues.  They sent an email saying I won't be getting the remainder of my subscription, and they will be sending me Grit for the remaining time.

I have a few more things to can this year. I'm putting off one jelly, because it was technically for Christmas presents.  I may not can it.

I didn't get my ginger root in the dehydrator yesterday, so it's on today's list, but we'll see if I get the time to do it.  There is so much going on right now.  Yikes.  I have several sticky notes with reminders to keep me on track as much as possible.

The stink bugs are back in full force.  It's impossible to hang laundry out and not have a few come in with me.  I'm thinking (gulp!) of using the dryer for big things for a while.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Sunday I was a bit overwhelmed with a to-do list, but maintained it.  First, chili was put in the crockpot, second green tomatoes diced for another green tomato cake, and third, I dug up one sweet potato plant for a look-see.

Here is what I got.  Well, not all of them.  First ones were somewhat small, but was tickled pink to dig up these huge ones.  First 3 plants gave us 3.15#.  Can't wait to dig the rest.  It may rain tonight, so I may wait for a rain for easier digging, but so happy.  I was worried.  I am doubtful on the beets.  I have yet to dig the remaining row, as well as the carrots.

The list continued for the day, and since I only got a teensy bit of crochet time, I wrote that in as well.  I needed some down time.

This year will be the first year for me to not participate in any craft vendor show.  So far I haven't heard if the one we actually participate in is canceled yet.  I will continue to sell via online by my blog (and now social media) and word of mouth.

I made another green tomato cake.  This time I sliced the tomatoes, removed the seeds, and chopped them in my food processor in half batches.  Worked great.

I bought myself a new tea infuser.  It was much cheaper than the replacing the one I have.  I hope to try it out today.  Paid $3.49 for it.

Unfortunately, our turnip harvest is not good.  They are all small.  We got zero parsnips.  I need to put them in grow pots or raised beds next year.

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

The weather . . .

78°F/44°F.  Sunny.

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Tired.  My husband is working the midnight shift, then working straight through first shift, coming home to eat, sleep and do it all again.  I would have actually slept in longer this morning, had Romeo not woken me up.  I have been sleeping terrible with this schedule, but today is the last hopefully, and back to first shift.

On my mind . . .

I haven't journaled this entire pandemic.  Maybe there is a reason for that (or not).  I am digging out my main journal today and writing.  I haven't done any writing in a long time and National Novel Writing Month is just around the corner.  By the way, one year I wrote a story that was similar to what we are actually going through right now (crazy as that sounds).  I plan to dig it out, print it out and read it soon.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Sweet potato/zucchini/spinach/egg burritos and coffee.

On the reading pile . . .

On the TV . . .

Away, on Netflix.

On the menu . . .

-Oven baked mac n' cheese, crockpot glazed root veggies

-Turkey/zucchini meatballs with home canned hot pepper mustard sauce over quinoa, garden green beans

On the to-do list. . .

-laundry

-dig some turnips

-vacuum

-dehydrate ginger root

-drain last rain barrel and flip over for winter

-spray paint clipboards one more time

-call Home Depot

-start winterizing the front porch

-hand write a recipe on a recipe card to avoid losing it again

-muck chicken coop

On the camera . . .

We are so blessed to have so much vibrant fall colors on our property.  Our oak tree is turning orange for the first time.  These pictures don't even show the entire property and it is just beautiful out there right now.

Looking around the house . . .

I spent hours yesterday tidying up my kitchen, so I'm less stressed about any cleaning today.  So thankful for a slower Monday.

To relax this week I will . . .

Read, write, or crochet.  Or even work on Christmas ornaments that will gifted in 2021 most likely.

On my prayer list . . .

The owner of the salon where Youngest did her internship (she was exposed to Covid by someone, and tested positive and now in the hospital, and is elderly), Youngest (still grieving), and any personal requests.

Nothin'

I literally have nothing to blog today.  I was so busy yesterday though, and we got one car picked up and paid for (this guy repairs from his home and does an awesome job on "big" jobs). 

However, there is no room in his driveway to tow my car over for the new engine.  Story of my life.  I'm told Monday or Tuesday we can bring it over.

In the meantime, our 21 year-old is happy now that she has her "own" car now.  We are all tickled pink that our 18 year-old is back home.  Her job is keeping her busy and she is doing very well at the hair salon.  Her dog is so happy too, that we sent her flowers to her work and asked that the card read, "Thank you for coming back home Mommy,"  signed Romeo.  

Romeo was so excited that he was zooming from room to room and could not sleep the first night she was here. 

Anyway, we had a very long but productive day I guess.  First, even though my husband is working nights, we drove an hour to a city to do firearms shopping (just being prepared for whatever happens after election, you just never know in this messed up world we now live in).  We've already had our mailbox (with a USA flag on it) bashed in and our USA flag on our house beat down so bad, the flag holder screws were ripped out.  A flag was set on fire in a close town, that was on their house and could have set the house on fire.

So, while we were shopping, I could not believe all the stores that were all in this city.  I mean they have it all.  Like a Hobby Lobby with a JoAnn's, Lowe's, Menards, Wal-mart, Meijer....like they were super busy and I thought, "man this is the place to get everything you need in one trip."  Too bad it's an hour drive.  

I convinced my husband to stop at either craft store to look for my yarn and lavender netting.  I found neither one.  I came home with 10 yards of teal netting though.

After returning, we drove to pick up the last of our daughter's belongings and retired for the night.  It's a good thing I did not let the chickens out while we were gone all day as well.  I watched an eagle fly right over the house.  I haven't seen one around here in a few years.  However, I did see a coyote around 4pm last Wednesday.  I'm told they will circle around and be back in a few weeks, and to watch for them.  This however was a lone coyote.

Did you know that coyotes will increase their day time hunting as the weather gets colder?  Probably why I saw it at 4pm.  

On a good note, I found out the our 21 year-old is back to working in the store she was hired in this next week.  She's been helping out in another city the last two weeks.  Oh, and I'm told that her store put in a bid to buy a larger (our old Hobby Lobby that went out of business) store to move to.  If they do, I sent them a request to start selling yarn since there is no good source in that town anymore. Crossing my fingers, but you never know.

I haven't been out in the garden lately.  I'm waiting for a round of rain to come down, to make digging easier.  We'll see if we do get the predicted rain or not come Monday.

This and That

 

It was time to re-stock my celery cubes for winter.  I really like this better than dehydrating.  I just dice and add some water and freeze.  Store in air tight containers.

I finally got to town again, due to one daughter being home with the truck.  We hightailed it to town and restocked butter and a few other items.  I was able to save $.85 on one of the boxes and thankful for that.  I brought home 4# because I noticed the other organic butter went up to $6.99.  I may go back and get 4 more if I have room in the freezer.  It's filling up fast now that it's the end of the garden season.

I had grand plans to buy myself fresh flowers, and totally forgot.  Sigh . I just wanted to do something nice for myself.  I hope to remember next chance I get. 

I mixed up the menu for the week.  A few days ago I made crock pot taco soup using leftover taco meat, opened jar of home canned taco sauce, opened a jar of home canned tomato sauce etc.  It was so good, my husband said write that one down and make it again.  So good.

So glad for the weekend.  Hubby has taken the Harley to work for the last 3 days due to both cars in repair.  Buying chaps was well worth it.  I'm a pro and getting them on him now too.

Good news!  The car is ready to be picked up today.  It's the car we are selling to our 21 year-old.  We will be finally (and I say finally, as my car has been on a jack since the beginning if the pandemic) going to be towing my car over for a new engine.  I never thought I would see this day coming.

Another happy moment for me as a Mother....youngest moved back in last night.  Romeo is so, so happy, not to mention Tiger.  Now.  Just maybe now, I can sleep all night.  I'm up at 4:30am and can't really do much until the sun rises.

However, my husband is working forced overtime.  He went to work first shift yesterday, came home and took and nap, and worked midnight, so he'll be home later this morning.  He'll sleep and work midnight again and work 2 shifts Sunday.  So.  I probably won't get much sleep.

On a sad note, my hometown has canceled the Holiday Parade with Santa Claus.  They are allowing contact sports to be played, but canceled the parade?  Such a sad, sad year for sure.  Nothing makes sense anymore.

Bourbon Chicken (Crockpot Recipe)

 

Bourbon Chicken (Crockpot Recipe)

Place 2lbs. of organic chicken breast in a crock pot.

In a bowl mix the sauce:

1/2 tsp. grated fresh ginger

4 cloves homegrown garlic

1/2 tsp. organic crushed red pepper flakes

1/3 cup organic apple juice

1 1/2 Tbsp. organic honey

1/4 cup organic brown sugar

1/4 cup home canned (or organic) ketchup

3 Tbsp. organic apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup Bourbon

1/4 cup organic soy sauce

1/4 cup water

Mix all together and pour over chicken.  Cook on low for 7 hours or so.

Just about 15 minutes before serving, remove chicken from crock pot, shred and set aside.  

Mix 3 Tbsp. water with 3 Tbsp. organic corn starch.  Add to the crock pot mixture and stir.  

Shred chicken and add back to the crock pot. Stir.

Note:  I did not turn up the heat to speed up process, I simply let it sit on low, put the chicken back in, and gave it a stir.

Serve over organic wild rice or rice of your choice and top with chopped green onions from your herb garden.

Yarn Shopping ~ Applesauce and other tidbits

I've been on a mission to restock a specific crochet thread color and size.  Every store is out.  I even checked the Hobby Lobby where one daughter was working the other day - sold out.  Supply and demand is definitely a problem with not only food/essentials, but with yarn.  I placed my order, despite the cost of shipping.

Don't try to buy a car either. The prices are jacked so high right now.  We decided to fix both cars and sell one to our 21 year-old at an affordable rate, so she has a car to get to work.  I just hope repairs are not too expensive, but glad they are finally getting done (of course the second car was a surprise).  In the end we'll each have a fully working vehicle.

We got word yesterday that the first car we took in needs a new intake (which we knew).  We asked if he would put a new window regulator in one door and check a few other things.  I am praying it's not expensive and it's done tonight so my husband doesn't have to keep taking the Harley to work (it's a bit frigid this morning).

Applesauce was finally canned, but I will need to do it again soon.  Thanks for all your help with my question about lemon juice.  I am so glad I lost the instructions, because it forced me to sort and organize my binder better and toss some recipes.  I actually got 9 pints, but only 7 fit in the canner and I didn't want to water bath just 2 so those went in the fridge to enjoy for meals and hubby is taking one to work to keep there to enjoy with his lunch.

I've retired the canner pot for a short bit.  I have to see if we have any good size beets out in the garden.  That's today's job, other than to finish up the mound of dirty dishes I've created.  I'll be posting the Bourbon Chicken recipe tomorrow (hopefully).

Random Tidbits ~ Question about freezing eggs

I finally had time to bake bread.  I literally messed it up the first time, and had to start over.  Sigh.  I am re-writing this recipe and filing it.  

I spent yesterday sorting all my recipes and sent an SOS to my 21 year old to bring home tab dividers.  Oh boy.  I can't lose another recipe again.

Updates on the cars.  My car is still here, but will be towed tonight to get a new engine.  The other car was delivered yesterday to the same guy for guess what?  A new intake.  Our 21 year old is working long days.  She's working almost 25-30 minutes from home right now (and long hours, which puts doggie daycare on me). We went to pick her up after my husband got home.

Speaking of her, she looked absolutely exhausted from wearing a mask on her all day shift.  Her checks were red, her eyes looked like different and she acted different.  I am so concerned with her wearing a mask that long.  It's horrible to see your kid look and feel that way. Just so you know, she works in a store that not only sells essentials, but furniture too and she is lifting heavy stuff.   

Our youngest daughter moved out, but is living with someone and looking for an apt.  She's going through a rough time and we believe trying to avoid memories with her boyfriend.  I just hope it all works out.

We started to call around to find supplies for the dog fencing.  Most of the stores do not have what we need.  We believe we have one person that can come help put it in if we do find supplies.  I definitely need it right now.  Romeo had the zoomies so bad the other day, he flipped one couch over and then put himself in time out in his kennel (sort of got a chuckle out of that, but man...).

The only reason his kennel was out, was due to company a long time ago and the kennels were not taken down (they are up for people like chimney sweep etc).  I had to laugh though. Although he does look sad or knew he did something he shouldn't have and was sorry ha ha!

Question:  Do you/have you stocked up your eggs by freezing them?  If so, please share details on freezing them.  My littles are laying a lot of little eggs right now.  Yes, I googled it, but zero of my homesteading books have info on this.  Would love your input.