I opened the kitchen blinds early this morning, and before I had the time to post this, I got the chance to view the most beautiful sunrise this morning. I was tempted to get my thick robe, put my coffee in my yeti cup and go out and sit to enjoy the entire sunrise. I may be doing that in the future. It was rather nice to be out there, with complete silence. Not even a rooster from afar, nor a bird chirping. It was rather nice.
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~
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Sunset ~ Sunrise
I opened the kitchen blinds early this morning, and before I had the time to post this, I got the chance to view the most beautiful sunrise this morning. I was tempted to get my thick robe, put my coffee in my yeti cup and go out and sit to enjoy the entire sunrise. I may be doing that in the future. It was rather nice to be out there, with complete silence. Not even a rooster from afar, nor a bird chirping. It was rather nice.
Friday, December 15, 2023
Chit Chat
There have been more and more coyote sightings, and in the country now. We ourselves, have not seen or heard any.
I have survived the worst of the dental work, and for the first time in many, many years, I had to take Tylenol for pain. It's the worst timing, as far as the holiday goes, but had to be done. It also took me out of commission for about two to three days. Imagine something in your eye and you can't get relief. That is what is feels like with a sore jaw/mouth. It's still sore today, but feeling better. Although, I have been advised to eat on one side of mouth for over a week.
I finished my husband's matching winter scarf. It has been crossed off the "unfinished" list now. The remaining yarn, will be used for scrap lap afghans. Secretly, I want to make myself one. I don't have any more of the stripe yarn, but I do love the soft texture, and how it blends into a nice pattern for the scarf. I just don't think they make a color to match my winter coat.
I am trying to catch up with housework, meal prep and baking. The new chicken coop is on delay again, mostly due to me not feeling up to it, and more so the weather.
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
This and That
Beautiful sunrises are dwindling here these days. The winter weather is slowly moving in. It is very cold here now, but maintaining. Woke up to 25°F with a windchill of 18°F.
Back in 2020, I started making washcloths/dishcloths, using a new pattern. It involved using two strands of cotton #10 thread.
I later packaged them up, to sell at the craft shows. They never sold at all. Three years have gone by now, so.....
I recently opened one to actually try for myself.
They are a nice thickness, but for a dishcloth, they do take a bit longer to dry out on a hook.
Honestly, they could be used for a washcloth, dishcloth or even a cleaning rag. I am sure I found the free pattern online, but cannot locate it on my blog. Blogger is making it much more difficult to search for something anymore.
Live and learn, as they say. What doesn't sell, don't make anymore unless you are personally using it. I have made a home for all of these, but most likely, will not make them again.
Although it is way too cold to get porch reading time, I have finally finished this book I borrowed from the library. It was not that exciting to read. I forced myself to finish it, and it was the first book to completely read since March of 2023. I saw the new sequel to the book and thought I should read the first one first. Well, I have no plans now to read the sequel. Back to the books I have at home.
Monday, December 11, 2023
Happy Homemaker Monday
I tried a new recipe, and we love it - Southwest Chicken Quinoa Casserole (The Real Food Dietitians online). It was similar to a "bowl" recipe we like that is layered, but this recipe is much easier and quicker to prepare. I used frozen bell pepper from the garden, and frozen jalapenos from the garden, so that created more liquid as it cooked (note to self: use less chicken broth). I used homemade tomato sauce for this too.
The chicken coop roof is finally done. We may be moving the coop's location. Not sure just yet.
We also got the fallen pine trees moved, but it took part of the lilac bush with it. It is about half the height, so hopefully, it will recover. I think we removed about 6 fallen pine trees. One more job checked off the to-do list. Actually two, if you count the chicken coop roof being completely done.
I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
The weather . . .
Over the weekend we hit a high record.
However, with this, came more rain, and now much cooler.
Right now I am . . .
Getting ready to post this blog post.
Thinking and Pondering . . .
What needs to be on the to-do list today/this week.
How I am feeling . . .
Fantastic! I completed two fitness goals. Now onto the next few goals....
On the breakfast plate . . .
Sausage, egg, potato, and bean breakfast burrito.
On the lunch plate . . .
Chicken salad cucumber bites and omega 3 nut mix. I used part home canned hot pepper relish, and part sweet for the chicken salad. So good!! Can't wait for summer cucumbers again.
Something to share . . .
Homemade Omega-3 Nut Snack Mix:
Some of you may already roast your own snack mixes, but I finally started to make our Omega-3 mix myself. The packets have changed (they started adding chocolate bits to it), and it's expensive. I found some of the non-gmo (no oils) nuts at Menard's and the rest at other grocery stores. I then add the dried cranberries (the packets had too many cranberries).
I roast (all non-gmo, with no added oils):
-1 cup raw almonds
-1 cup raw pecans
-1 cup raw pistachios
-1 cup raw pepitas
Roast at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, cool and add 1 cup dried cranberries. Store in an air tight container. One serving - 1/4 cup.
If you have a Costco or other membership, look for non-gmo bulk nuts. We do not, so I have to really look around for them.
Christmas ideas, DIY's, tips and recipes . . .
Egg Soufflé (Christmas Morning Breakfast Casserole)
I love to make this recipe with homemade bread. Our favorite make ahead breakfast.
Devotional, Quote, Prayers. . .
Saturday, December 9, 2023
No Root Cellar? No Basement? Have lots of Spaghetti Squash?
I've been freezing our spaghetti squash. I do not have a root cellar, or basement, and the garage is not ideal for storage.
I had one more on the counter too. I always tell myself not to plant so many, but here they are again. I had one more on another counter.Day 1: I roasted 4 spaghetti squash in my largest pan. I cut them across and not length-wise, so I could fit more in my pan.
I have never frozen baked spaghetti squash, so I had to do some reading on this. Everything I read, said to let the baked squash sit in a strainer (in a bowl), in the refrigerator over night.
I did that, and then bagged it for the freezer.
1 pound spaghetti squash = 1 1/4 cup cooked strands. I'm using this method to mark the bags going into the freezer. It's a first time doing this, so I am hoping for good results when thawed.
TIP: I had no idea this worked, but there is a YouTube video on sealing freezer bags with a method to remove the air, without a seal/store system. Or vacuum (I am out of my bags for my vacuum).
You fill a tub or pot with water, large enough to dip your freeze bag into it. Seal the bag up to a corner, and dip the bag into the water. The water pushed the air out, and as you get the bag dipped down to a corner, close the rest of the seal.
The only downside, is you now have to dry off your bag before placing in the freezer. Also, it did not work as well for the squash. The straw method to remove air worked better in this case, but the heavier your food is the better the water dip method works (for example for meat).
Video to watch is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrZPLF0ezw8