Although fall is here, we had another odd warm day. I took advantage of it again, and washed all the towels and put them on the clothesline. There were lots of bugs again, but a good shake before tossing them in the basket did the job. The weather is all over the charts, making coop building the most difficult job (more like the job not getting done).
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~
Friday, October 27, 2023
Another Warm Day ~ Trampled Chicken Run Fence ~ Have Dehydrated Mushrooms?
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Thanksgiving Cactus ~ This and That ~ Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal (new recipe tried) ~ More Roasted Pumpkins and Seeds
The weather is all over the map. We recently dipped to 35°F, and yesterday we hit 80°, but then rain moves back in later this week. They predicted the next weekend to be very cold, and that changed quickly. Friday they are saying we may hit the 80's in our area. It's literally crazy weather.
The Thanksgiving Cactus is blooming more blooms right now. I will definitely be re-potting the plant. It has more blooms this year than last year.
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Freezing Apples ~ Apple Crisp ~ Baking Powder ~ Local Sage Sausage Trial
While the apple slices were flash freezing, I baked us an apple crisp. A different recipe, and one that was actually in my recipe box. We haven't baked a lot over the years with apples, due to lack of harvest, but this was good. No brown sugar oddly. My husband said it "tastes like apple pie."
I made biscuits a few days ago, and realized they did not rise as usual. I opened my cupboard to check the expiration date on my baking powder and it literally expired the same day. I have not been using it as much lately. Note: be sure to check your label when buying baking powder, as one popular brand contains bio-engineered ingredients. It's easy to miss when you are shopping. Our closest store only had two left on the shelves (of non-gmo), and a bunch of the other two brands they carry.
Monday, October 23, 2023
Homemade Condensed Mushroom Soup ~ Freezer Friendly
I have been making homemade condensed mushroom soup, for the freezer. The link still works on my older blog post, but I do not add the thyme to mine. I never know what I am going to use it for, so I leave that out, but the link for the recipe is on this: Blogpost.
The original recipe calls for cremini mushrooms. I used to find them in the stores, prior to covid, but all I can locate here, are organic white or baby bella (so I buy the baby bella). I did some research and baby bellas are basically the same as cremini mushrooms.
Mushrooms are very healthy for us, and I love this recipe, as it uses butter. Organic store bought condensed soup contains soy oil and other soy products. The recipe does contain a bit of flour, but I adapt the entire recipe using all organic/non-gmo ingredients. There is no corn starch in this recipe.
It smells so good when it's being made. The link goes to a recipe site, and she had recipes for cream of chicken and cream of celery too. If I want a comfort meal, it typically involves homemade mushroom soup.Sunday, October 22, 2023
Sunrise ~ Stormy Weather ~ Roasting Pie Pumpkins ~ Nothing Wasted (Our Motto)
Winter is on the way. These very short beautiful snippets of a sunrise are coming to an end. We enjoyed one, mostly likely the last, grill out on the porch.
The chickens get the last bit of what's left after cleaning out the seeds. Nothing wasted. You can compost the skins.
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Dehydrating Mushrooms ~ Freezing Rutabagas
Friday, October 20, 2023
Nettle Homemade Teabags