Here is a close up of the zig zag coasters. I love the edging. I didn't realize it, but it's basically, almost the same pattern as the facial scrubbies, only a different edging. So....I learned a new edging this year. I found the pattern on Youtube. These are my current on-the-go travel project, to use up small scraps of cotton yarn.
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.
Adopted Motto
"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Coasters (Scrap Yarn Project) ~ Garden
Monday, September 4, 2023
Broken Waste Funnel ~ BBQ Sauce ~ Bell Peppers ~ Tidbits
BBQ sauce was canned (day 7 of "sauce" canning). We have been super blessed with paste tomatoes this year, but it is exhausting, and heats up the house. I have been running a dehumidifier this year, to help with the humidity created from the sauce reducing all day.
I have finally caught up with bell peppers, and we are thankful for all that we are getting this year. Most of the peppers went into the freezer, but we are still enjoying them with our meals. I made more breakfast stuffed bell peppers and gave some to one of the kids. They are so good.
Some of the produce we grow is needed ingredients for recipes I can too. I have a growing list of new items to grow next year, crossing my fingers we get raised beds built. I did not grow greens, due to the busy spring (husband had crazy work hours), so I have to find local greens and have a day of putting them up for winter.
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Zucchini Pizza Bites
Friday, September 1, 2023
Paste Tomatoes ~ Spearmint ~ Cucumber Powder ~ Bell Peppers
I've put a start on dehydrating spearmint finally. I've also made dehydrated cucumber powder. Spearmint is for tea and both of them are for Tzatziki Sauce this winter. It is the first year to make cucumber powder, and I am researching the uses for it. It sounds like it would be great in sauces, dips, and other recipes. I had a few cucumbers getting too soft to make a salad, and didn't want to waste them (although I am sure the chickens would have loved them). I do have a better plan to keep the cucumbers "fresh" after picking them.
The weather is heating back, so any dehydrating is on hold now.
I have a few more bell peppers to take care of, but we found our newest, favorite breakfast.
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Brr!
Woke up to a brisk 48°F outside. There appears to be a frost on the windows of the truck, and top of the trash can, so I'm hoping it has not affected my herbs or garden.
It's not going to last (we are heating up again to the 90's), but I will admit, I slept in, as the cooler weather was a welcome. However, I have more tomatoes and bell peppers to take care of, and running very behind now.
Anything "sauce" tomato days are long days here. There is the chopping, dicing, then heating until a puree, then removing peels and seeds, then reduction, then canning. Canning in the water bath is typically 35 minutes or longer, depending on what I'm canning. My husband was shocked at how many ingredients (and the time to do it) go into tomato soup.
I'm brewing some coffee to get this day started, but hope to be back with an update. Thank you all for your potluck ideas. I do appreciate it.
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Healthy Potluck Ideas??
I'm still being held captive by the paste tomatoes, but have a hot minute to ask a question. I started the tomatoes late today too.
My husband and I eat healthy (low carb/zero sugar), so it's hard to eat at a potluck. I could always make deviled eggs, but so many people bring those too.
What is your go-to dish for making sure you have something you can eat, and one that others will enjoy as well (low carb/zero or low sugar)?
Not a crock pot dish, as the event I'm thinking of, invites a lot of people, and lack space for electrical outlets.
Not a dessert either. Ha! I'm making this difficult for myself. Fresh fruit is an option, but I'm thinking a cold veggie salad of some sort.
Maybe a dip with sliced bell peppers for dipping? Salsa and quinoa tortilla chips?
I'm stumped. Eat before we go, and just take whatever?
I'm looking at cold carrot salads in between stirring, chopping, and reducing tomatoes. I found one with Dijon dressing and another with a sesame oil/soy dressing. Has anyone made a cold carrot salad that is good?
I think I still have a recipe for a broccoli salad. I will have to check.
I gotta get back to the stove, check the washing machine, and the dehydrator.
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Tomato Days! ~ Littles are Laying ~ Zucchini Pizza Bites and other Tidbits
Welcome to Crazy Lady's Kitchen, where the days start with tomatoes, and end with sauce anything!
My Weston sauce maker waste funnel broke! Of all the wrong times to happen. The funnel is a think plastic one, with plastic tabs to attach it. It broke before, and they were out of stock for over a year. I saved my old one, and hold it on, but now the price to replace it is a whopping $21.79 with shipping.
I'm looking into getting a different food strainer/sauce maker. What is the brand you all use (for those who have one)? If I have to replace the funnel every year, I might as well look into a better overall sauce maker. I use it to make applesauce too.
We brought in another 80 pounds of paste tomatoes. I canned pizza sauce, and taco sauce. I've been crazy busy, with long days in the kitchen. Top that off with doing all the dishes, and trying to keep up with normal housework, including laundry! Yikes. Let alone the mowing.
I apologize if you emailed me. I have not had a second to read them, and it's either that or I plum forget with the crazy kitchen-ness!!
I managed to get one bell pepper into our dinner, but I have all of these to either freeze or eat. I'm hoping for some stuffed bell peppers soon.
I made zucchini pizza bites with home canned pizza sauce. I used instructions for baking at 375°F, but will try other ways such as higher temp and/or using broil method. Zucchini is slowing way down for us now.