Normally, wild violets would be up by the beginning of April. The cold weather delayed them this year. I spent an afternoon, on a sunny warm day picking wild violets. I didn't get to do this in April of 2024 (broke my foot).
Any foragers here? I have a few reference books, but zero information in them in regards to if Purple Dead Nettle and Henbit both have the same nutrition/medicinal benefits to the body. Anyone? I know, it's crazy question, and there are not many homesteading blogs still blogging anymore these days.
Not much going on in the way of Christmas countdown, other than trying new recipes lately. I am borrowing books from the library to do this fun research too (other than one recipe).
I am still trying to locate stores that offer paper bags. I have plans to use them to wrap the advent gifts, but it's hard to find paper bags anymore. I even visited one Wal-mart to find that brown craft paper on a roll. Nope. Nothing. I'll keep looking when I am out and about.
New Recipes Tried and my very first fruit cake!
Butterscotch Shortbread. I was very much intrigued to try this recipe, simply for the "butterscotch" in the title. I made the recipe. It sliced very nicely too.
On to the next recipe . . .
My first fruit cake!
It has been on my try-it list since Christmas of last year, and it was about time to get it off the list. The only reason I wanted to try it, is because the recipe was hand written by one of my Aunts, and the note on it states the recipe came from a friend of my Grandmother.
You'd be surprised at what ingredients you can buy in Amish bulk stores, so thanks to finding ingredients, I got to work.
Nothing is tastier and more satisfying, than picking freshly grown cucumbers from the garden. In anticipation of summer garden goodies (trying to pump myself up, because I'm lacking garden mojo this year), I'm trying a new recipe. More so, I wanted to taste this combination, because it would be great for a hot summer day when eating a full meal seems too much work.
The credit goes to the cook book "Come Hungry" by Melissa Ben-Ishay. I borrowed the book from the library. It has a lot of good recipes, and some repeat instructions I already know, but one caught my eye for a high protein snack. It's nice to have a hearty snack available when we come in tired and worn out from garden work.
Garden season brings us fresh jalapenos, and we use them for so many recipes, canning recipes, salsas, etc.
Once the jalapenos were dry, I ground them in a coffee grinder (specifically used only for such foods/herbs).
I then mixed it equally with salt (and ran all of the mixture in the coffee mill/grinder), and I stored it in an airtight (or re-purposed spice jar) jar. I used fine pink Himalayan salt for ours. You can do your measurements however you like. Don't forget to label her jar.
Use the jalapeno salt on just about anything you'd like to use it on. I'm thinking this would be good on popcorn too.
We do use a lot of frozen (sliced) jalapenos in recipes all year long, and we use "fire powder" as well, but this combines the two for an easy addition to any meal.
Jalapenos contain capsaicin, which is said to give you a metabolism boost, as well as provide healthy nutrients etc.
Now, when I cook, and my husband says "it needs jalapenos" which he says almost daily, he can add it quickly. He can also use our fire powder (a dehydrated mix of mixed hot peppers at the end of the garden season, with no salt).
To read about our "fire powder" see this post: HERE.
Jalapeno Salt ~ Dehydrator © April 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
Could Spring finally be here to stay? The heat has been shut off. The first mowing has happened, and the grass is a beautiful and bright green again. The flower beds look really nice again, and I have dug up and moved some flower bulbs. New fruit trees were planted, and porch furniture covers removed.
I've not been online much at all (hence the long post today, so grab a cup of java), and even hand wrote a letter this past week. I've done a lot of cooking, but mostly the prep work for fresh salads to go with meals. Soak, chop, slice and dice, mix....lots of good food, but a lot of dirty dishes too.
Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.
I will link up when she posts today. I am up early.
The weather in our neck of the woods . . .
Rain early today, high of 71° and sunny later (hopefully).
As I look outside my window . . .
It's raining.
Right now I am . . .
Getting this blog post posted.
Something fun to share . . .
Thinking and pondering . . .
To sell or not sell our wine making supplies. We made pear wine once, with our homegrown pears, and we learned a lot from the experience. I doubt we will ever make homemade wine again. Although, the way things are going in this world, the finished product would make a nice item to barter with. Just thoughts rambling.
To work on making something this year, to donate to the plant bingo next year. Maybe. Maybe not. I have time to consider it.
Make something for the advent gifts. I have a crochet project in mind. It's a useful item.
When God created me, did he make a "blooper?" Do you ever wonder what your God given "gift" is? I'm still wondering.
Possibly going back to work. Full time? Part time? Not sure.
I miss fun "snail" mail. My Aunt and I used to write hand written letters, and she was the last person who stayed in touch with me that way. I loved writing her a letter. I do miss that.
Not to make this post any longer, but have you ever actually written down your own happy list? A list of what truly makes you happy? What brings you joy? From simple to complex?
Being that this weekly, Monday "Happy" Homemaker post has "Happy" in the title, and the funny thing that this was the daily reading for Easter morning -
On my bedside table . . .
3 crochet hooks, yarn needles, notepad and pen
On my TV . . .
Ransom Canyon
Listening to . . .
Radio, 90's
On my reading pile . . .
Besides my three morning readings (two are devotionals, one is a daily positive reading, all of which I bought a year ago), I am currently reading this book:
ebook (my first ever ebook)
On the menu this week . . .
On the to-do list . . .
What I am crocheting, knitting, sewing or creating . . .
See last post: HERE to see current projects
My simple pleasure . . .
Nail polish. I only get the chance to polish my nails in between garden seasons.
Looking around the house . . .
I have extra bed pillows that need stored. I'm thinking the best way will be to buy those suction type bags, but they are very expensive (and in the past they don't hold items compressed very long). Hm.
From the camera . . .
Bible Verse, Devotional, Prayers. . .
"God thank You that even hard days can be good days when we hold on to You. Guide me throught them with strength, peace, and the comfort of Your love. In Jesus' name. Amen." (180 Devotions for Your Best Day" Barbour Publishing.
Happy Homemaker Monday © April 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart
The living room looked like it threw up a bunch of yarn, so I then realized I needed to get busy on some blankets to donate.
Yarn has been put away and the living room is back to being the living room, ha ha!
I dug out my crochet/knit journal, and started to write down the yarn brands and colors for my current projects. I should have been doing this years ago, but it's getting done (so I can repeat one if I would like to).
. . .lap afghan started (to donate to a charity, senior center or other).
. . .a set of pot holders in progress (my on-the-go travel project). I am seeking out places to donate it to, and it may go to the Senior Center Bingo (for a prize). There is also another woman I know who collects items for women leaving battered life situations, and starting over with a new home.
