Pioneer Woman at Heart

First, thank you all for all your help with knowledge to freeze eggs for winter.  In the process, I was able to locate a wonderful article (and thank you Debby Flowers for the emails too, very helpful) online that you all may be interested in. The article is online at Backyard Poultry, and is titled, "Water Glassing Eggs for Long-Term Storage."  It's an excellent read.  At the bottom of the article they also share other methods, such as pickling, freezing and dehydrating and how to use them best. Water glassing requires your eggs to be completely free of debris, which means maintaining the roosts to keep the eggs clean.  It's not always that simple in winter though.  I purchased a food grade container to do my water glassing, and a lid.  Later I was told if you call your big box store and speak to the deli, they can save you containers they get frosting in, but to be honest I don't know how big those are either.  The container I purchased is 22 qt. and...

Stocking up, winter prep, apocalypse prep - sort of all of the above. The weather turned to rain, colder temps and a frost warning.  I filled my dehydrator with feverfew.  It did exceptionally well this year.  Some of the other herbs did not.  I was hoping for more fresh mullein, but it's not looking good.   While I was out there, I cut all remaining tops of my zinnias and brought them in to dry good for next winter. I made a batch of homemade elderberry syrup, and this time with rosehips in it. I will see how long it lasts with just myself and my husband (girls are terrible at a regular daily dose).  I may double it next time.

I took advantage of a few warm sunny days to infuse medicinal oil for homemade "Neosporin." I was able to find organic ginger root recently, so some was grated and dehydrated, and some was put in the freezer for winter. I put in an order for Thrift books, but one that was in my cart is no longer available.  I guess I will try for that one at a late date. I spent a bit of time on the phone calling places.  I had to call the hardware store and tell them why we haven't been in to pick up the new shower, so they are taking note. It's already paid for, just waiting for us to pick it up.   I decided to not can Port Wine jelly at all this year.  If you have a tried and true (and easy) recipe that used port wine, please share.  Of course we could drink it too. The car finally (finally) was towed to our repair guy, however, the car we sold to our 21 year-old is acting up again.  Our biker friend is coming over today to replace the plugs.  Praying that's al...

  More beautiful fall colors at our homestead.  The colors seem to be more vibrant than the last few years. The moon this morning. My online pampered chef show closed last night.  I had over $1,000 in sales and earned $240 in free product, 2 - 60% off items, 5 - half off items and 30% off anything else I order.  I'm pretty sure after this, I won't need to have a party for years to come ha ha!  I never in my life thought I would be that successful. Cross your fingers for me.  My car, after a long year, is to be towed to the repair guy for a new engine tonight.  I think my husband forgot, but will remind him.  It's been a long time waiting for this to happen. We have a mix of weather going on.  It was pretty nice in the low 70's yesterday, we got a downpour of rain last night, and woke up to 45°F this morning.  Thankful for the rain, so I can dig up the remaining sweet potatoes (hopefully tomorrow). Many businesses have closed permanently...

Sunday I was a bit overwhelmed with a to-do list, but maintained it.  First, chili was put in the crockpot, second green tomatoes diced for another green tomato cake, and third, I dug up one sweet potato plant for a look-see. Here is what I got.  Well, not all of them.  First ones were somewhat small, but was tickled pink to dig up these huge ones.  First 3 plants gave us 3.15#.  Can't wait to dig the rest.  It may rain tonight, so I may wait for a rain for easier digging, but so happy.  I was worried.  I am doubtful on the beets.  I have yet to dig the remaining row, as well as the carrots. The list continued for the day, and since I only got a teensy bit of crochet time, I wrote that in as well.  I needed some down time. This year will be the first year for me to not participate in any craft vendor show.  So far I haven't heard if the one we actually participate in is canceled yet.  I will continue to sell via online by my bl...

I literally have nothing to blog today.  I was so busy yesterday though, and we got one car picked up and paid for (this guy repairs from his home and does an awesome job on "big" jobs).  However, there is no room in his driveway to tow my car over for the new engine.  Story of my life.  I'm told Monday or Tuesday we can bring it over. In the meantime, our 21 year-old is happy now that she has her "own" car now.  We are all tickled pink that our 18 year-old is back home.  Her job is keeping her busy and she is doing very well at the hair salon.  Her dog is so happy too, that we sent her flowers to her work and asked that the card read, "Thank you for coming back home Mommy,"  signed Romeo.   Romeo was so excited that he was zooming from room to room and could not sleep the first night she was here.  Anyway, we had a very long but productive day I guess.  First, even though my husband is working nights, we drove an hour to a cit...

  It was time to re-stock my celery cubes for winter.  I really like this better than dehydrating.  I just dice and add some water and freeze.  Store in air tight containers. I finally got to town again, due to one daughter being home with the truck.  We hightailed it to town and restocked butter and a few other items.  I was able to save $.85 on one of the boxes and thankful for that.  I brought home 4# because I noticed the other organic butter went up to $6.99.  I may go back and get 4 more if I have room in the freezer.  It's filling up fast now that it's the end of the garden season. I had grand plans to buy myself fresh flowers, and totally forgot.  Sigh . I just wanted to do something nice for myself.  I hope to remember next chance I get.  I mixed up the menu for the week.  A few days ago I made crock pot taco soup using leftover taco meat, opened jar of home canned taco sauce, opened a jar of home canned tomato sa...