Garden Woes ~ Wore out my Second Dehydrator

We got more rain yesterday, and this morning, there are more rain clouds looming.  I have all the windows open, taking advantage of the early morning cool breeze, to bring in some fresh air.

As I said, most of our garden(s) flooded, and we lost almost all of our 60-ish tomato plants.  Will we replant?  Not sure.  It is iffy on the weather, and also on the fact we'll have to buy plants, and it's getting late for that in our area.

Am in tears over our struggles this year?  Yes, but we've had a no-tomato year before, and it's all part of gardening.  You just never know.

Now about my dehydrator. . .

My very first dehydrator was purchased for $50 off of ebay, but it did not last very long.  I then upgraded to a larger Excalibur back in 2015.

(I moved all of my oregano to my smaller dehydrator, in batches, until my new larger one arrived)

In the midst of all things going on here, my Excalibur 9 tray dehydrator quit working.  I literally just put together a new door for it (had to buy it to replace the last broken one).  I only used it a few times since I invested in the new door.

Of course my model is no longer made.  It lasted 8 years.  I went looking for reviews.  It came down to a different brand, with smaller trays, or another Excalibor.

At any rate. I purchased another Excalibur, but I am not thrilled that it is digital.  The two things I do like, is that it has two hinged doors vs. a lift off door (no more accidently knocking it off), and it has handles on the sides for moving it.  It arrived in two days.

The trays are the same size, but when I was taking my old one outside to move to the scrap pile, I noticed the holes in the trays, in the new dehydrator are larger. 

Another good note on this new one, is it came with a bottom removable crumb tray and a mesh piece to lay on top of a wire rack for smaller items.  

The nice part about broken down dehydrators, is that I kept all of my plastic trays from my very first one, so I plan to utilize those for smaller items as well, while dehydrating all at once.  I am keeping my old wire trays for now.  They are much heavier and have a support bar across the middle.  The new ones are lighter, and have no support bar across the center tray.

I will be washing up the trays and such, and giving it a whirl, so I can make sure it is in working order.  I want to make sure I check to make sure everything is working before the 30-day return slot is over. 

I can say, after opening the box, and setting it all up on the counter, we both feel the next one will be a smaller dehydrator.  

Garden Woes ~ Wore out my Second Dehydrator © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Battling the Weather

 

The flower beds may be looking 100% better this year, but the planting of the vegetables and fruits in the garden has been the worst battle this year.  The tomatoes are in, as well as most of the hot peppers, but the tomatoes look absolutely terrible.

We've already eliminated a few foods from the garden this season.  Time, space, and weather hasn't been nice this year.

We are just now having the recent flood (literally flooded a portion of our garden) dry up, only to see more rain is coming tomorrow.

The problem?  Today it is to be over 90 degrees, and full sun.  Planting time, in such heat, is very limited. 

On a postive note, the rain brought us the biggest oregano harvest ever. 

Battling the Weather © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Yogurt to Cheese

 

Did you know that if you add a bit of salt to yogurt (I used organic greek plain yogurt for this), and drain the whey out with cheese cloth (over night or for 2 days), it turns into a creamy cheese?  Sort of a bad photo, but that is what is left in the cheesecloth after it has drained out the whey.

I discovered this with a new recipe to try, that is in a library book I borrowed.  Delicous and easy.  I can then add whatever seasonings or ingredients for each recipe that uses it.

I can't believe, in all my cheese making years, I did not know this.

Enjoy!  We are busy, busy, busy this time of year.

Yogurt to Cheese © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Camping/Traveling Cooking (Seasoning) Tip

 I just found these resealable, airtight, food grade spice bags (online, Amazon).  Obviously, you can seal them if needed, but I do not.  I wanted something to easily pack seasonings for traveling.

(These packets are about 3 inches wide)

They are perfect for taking seasonings, and homemade mixed grill seasonings, for camping or traveling.  These packets are much sturdier than using snack size ziploc bags or snack bags.

If you are renting accomodations, that provide a working kitchen, or grill, these are great for packing spices, seasonings etc.   We once rented accomodations, and took seasoning already mixed up for a specific baked chicken recipe.

These are great to take to picnics, or if you are the grill cook at another get together too.  

Often times, eating a burger at a restaurant can be under seasoned or not seasoned at all.  We've decided these packets were perfect for taking some homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning in, while dining out for a burger.

If you are taking more than a few for camping, hang a piece of string and use clothespins to hold each packet in the kitchen area of the camper.  Just an idea for campers.  Of course there are magnetic spice bags and containers too, but our camper lacks the areas for magnetic anything (including the fridge).

Note: We do not keep any food of any kind inside the camper, unless we are actually camping.

Camping/Traveling Cooking (Seasoning) Tip  © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Taste Testing the Homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning

 As promised, I am back with an update on the seasoning.

We tried the seasoning on a sheet pan dinner, with chicken sausages, potatoes and carrots.  I normally use a blend of "Italian" seasonings for this dinner, but we tried the homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning recently.  It is good, but has a much more "pepper" flavor than with using the Italian for this dish.

Next up?

We grilled sirloin burgers, as that is what my husband loves to use the original seasoning on.  The results?  Delicious!  He prefers only to use the seasoning on ground beef burgers, but it was very good on the sirloin burgers.  

Homemade for the win!  Healthier and less expensive.  I hope you enjoyed this update.  Original post on the homemade seasoning is HERE.

Taste Testing the Homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning © June 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Catnip Tincture ~ Yarrow Tincture ~ Homemade Bug Repellent

 You may get a laugh out of this discovery, but it's a reminder to get your recipes out before you do early prep work.  I started a catnip infused oil earlier in May, thinking it was what I needed for my homemade bug spray.  It was not.  

I then thought I used catnip oil for homemade tick repellent, and that was not it either.

Having said that, I started a catnip tincture.  Good grief.  I started making the bug spray way back around 2015.   It works to repel bug bites, but if it's very hot out, you do need to re-apply it during your time outdoors.

(photos from September of 2015, when I first made the bug repellent spray)

The link for the online recipe no longer works, but the original recipe was from Mountain Rose Herbs.  They have changed the recipe and the title over three times since then.  It was first called Bug-Away Spray, then a Skeeter spray, and again changed after that.  

I went searching for the link to share, but in the process, learned something new.

Did you know that yarrow can be used for a bug repellent?  I did not know this.  I read comments on another recipe regarding homemade bug spray, and one person said she has been making a strong tea to keep the bugs away.  I love that it uses a lot less ingredients.

I have yarrow growing in two pots, and it grows wild here too.  You can research this in your own herbal books or online (Learning Herbs has instructions).

My entire process of mistaking the need for catnip oil, for bug spray, taught me a new recipe (and with less ingredients).

I now have a catnip tincture, and a yarrow tincture being made.  I can add the catnip to the yarrow spray, and utilize it, so I am making both.

Treating Mosquito Bites

Having made my mistake, which taught me something new, I can now share what I use for treating mosquito bites - chickweed salve.  So far, it's the best thing for, not only healing the bite, but removes the itch.

I have yet to make my own chickweed salve, as I have some that I purchased (made local by Amish).  I do plan to make it, but not until I run out of my current supply.  

I put some in a smaller container for traveling and camping.

Catnip Tincture ~ Yarrow Tincture ~ Homemade Bug Repellent © May 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

. . . from the handiwork journal

Thanks to the rain, dreary skies, and much cooler weather here, I have managed to get some handiwork done.  In fact, last night we got down to 47°F, after a full day of thunderstorms and downpours.  Crazy cold nights for May, but not unheard of.

The sun is shining today, but it will take a few days for the gardens to dry out.  In fact, a portion of one of our vegetable gardens actually flooded.  We have taken note, and plan to fill it in more with soil (but that will have to wait, as the price to have a truck load delivered has more than doubled).

. . . crocheted 3 baby washcloths.  I need to sew in the ends and block them.

. . .crocheted a bookmark.  I have blocked it, but I am wondering if I should starch it or dip it in 50/50 Elmer's glue and water?  I have made many bookmarks in the past, but I have never once stiffened them.  I feel this one needs it.  I just think if it was completely stiff it would be an odd bookmark.  

I only made it for gifting, and the pattern was in the 3rd crochet mystery book by Betty Hechtman - "By Hook or by Crook"

. . .started a new lap afghan for an extended family member.  

  By the way, all of the yarn was in my stash, so I did not have to go purchase them, but I sure hope I have enough to finish this one.  I don't have a label for one of the skeins, but I am pretty sure I know what brand it is. Anyway, this one is looking good with just what colors I had on hand from other projects.

I have already been using an ergonomic "I" hook, but I now realize that it says 5.25mm, and my old Boye crochet hook, says 5.5mm (hard to see in the photo).  I looked up the "I" hooks online, and some are now made 5.25mm.  

I wish I had used the slightly larger "I" hook, but will make notes on my pattern.  Are they changing all measurments on crochet hooks now?  I think I ran into this issue before.  The blanket will end up 2 inches shorter in width with this ergonmonic hook vs. the orginal "I" hook.  I hope that is large enough for a lap afghan or wheel chair blanket.  Not sure on the length until I finish it.

I have another perdiciment.  

I have put together another color combination, using yarn I already have, for the next lap afghan.  However, I don't have enough of this yarn.  Apparantly, sometime in the last 16 years I bought this Bernat Super value yarn in Pale Antique Rose, for only $1.59 on clearance.  They do not make this color anymore, and nor do I want to buy more right now.  

I will have to spin my color wheel and see if I can whip up another color to go with it (along with 3 other colors I have picked out).

. . . from the handiwork journal  © May 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart