Randomness ~ Four Beans and Sausage

Tiger is feeling better now.  In fact, the day we took him to the vet he got a shot and when we got home, he was running around the house chasing nothing, ha ha!  Then later I found a ball of yarn that was dragged all down the hallway, ha ha!

Every year we joke about what will get left out, after putting all the Christmas decor away.  I did it again this year!  Ha!  While pulling dried clothing off the drying rack, I noticed all the stocking holders sitting on the breakfast bar.  Hmpf!  Guess I'm digging out a tote to fit them in.

I finally got around to locating a Tupperware dealer.  I have lots of items that are cracked and need replaced.  I just have to pick up the phone and call her now.  Then go around and collect all the cracked stuff.

Has anyone used psyllium husk powder in a recipe?  I have a new recipe I want to try, and wonder if this stuff is available in most stores?  It's the "glue" in a recipe I want to make, but un-assure that I will be using it all before it goes bad.

It was another crock pot day, and we love this recipe, but it's adapted to using organic ingredients.  Organic smoked sausage is a thing, but hard to find.  In fact, we have plans to visit some health stores after this nasty weather breaks.

Here is the recipe (adapted from Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook)

Note:  I have used cooked dry beans for this before as well.  I do have stores close to me that sell BPA free canned organic beans, but supply is limited.

1 can organic Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 can organic black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can organic butter beans, rinsed and drained*
1 can organic red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups home canned (homemade) ketchup*
1/2 cup organic diced onion
1 organic green bell pepper, diced*
1/4 cup organic brown sugar
2 home grown cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce*
1/2 tsp. organic dry mustard
1/2 tsp. home canned hot sauce (or Tabasco sauce)
1 lb. organic smoked sausage, sliced into bite size pieces

Place everything in your crock pot and cook on low for 9-10 hours, or high for 4-5 hours.

Plan ahead during gardening seasoning, and freeze your green bell peppers to make this recipe even easier.  You can dehydrate your onions and re-hydrate them also.  Of course you can also dehydrate your garlic, but our supply of fresh is still providing.  I am getting low on home canned ketchup, so I am praying for a good garden year this year.  I may give it a try to grow black beans along with our usual pinto beans this year too.  Maybe even lima beans.

I have used Annie's organic Worcestershire sauce and personally do not like the taste at all.  For the amount used, I use a regular brand.  I cannot buy organic butter beans in any store close to me, so I stock up when I get to a store, or it can be ordered online as well.  I have substituted other organic white beans for butter beans, so feel free to mix it up.

The link to: Homemade Canned ketchup
The link to:  Home Canned Hot Sauce

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

The hot pepper seeds have arrived, and are now started in seed trays.  I am still waiting on my carrot seeds (back ordered for some reason).  I have limited space to start seeds, hence why I have asked for a greenhouse in the future, but these two are new to the garden.  The Datil are similar to a habanero, but more of a "sweet" taste, according to my research.  Seeds for Datil were sent free too.

Replacement part has been ordered for our stove. I will update on that once we see if that was the issue.  My husband almost burned down the stove Sunday at breakfast.  He forgot and used the burner.  I have removed the knob, so neither of us use that burner until the part arrives.

I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom today.

I will link up when she posts.

The weather . . .

Warmer that usual, and possibly in the lower 60's mid-week (crazy).

As I look outside my window . . .

It's still pitch dark.

Right now I am . . .

Sipping coffee, deciding on what to bake for breakfast today.

Thinking and pondering . . .

Trying to find a way to sell off my crochet/knit, craft inventory.  I have more than I thought.  I have 16 sets of crocheted pot holder sets alone.  I am just trying to make more room upstairs.

On my bedside table . . .

I cleaned it off!  Just my clock, photos, water and throat lozenges (yeah, still dealing with that).

On  my TV . . .

The Secret: Dare to Dream

Listening to . . .

80's

On the lunch plate . . .

-have no idea yet

On the dinner plate . . .

Four beans and sausage (crock pot meal)

On the menu . . .

-Four beans and sausage, recipe is:  HERE
-Chicken, veggie sheet pan dinner
-leftovers

On my reading pile . . .

Nothing this week.

On the To-Do List. . .

-check paypal, order pet urine solution (will update if it works on the wood floors when it arrives).  They only take paypal, so it has delayed cleaning upstairs floors 
-laundry
-make a breakfast, do dishes
-clean roosts

-run dishwasher
-work on another box of paperwork left from last room move
-make a phone call (if my voice is up to it)
-pay bills

Plans for this week . . .

Start cleaning up the mess we left in the hallway downstairs.  The shoe/boot pile has a mess of tools, gloves and what not.  It's been driving me nuts.  If successful, I may be painting trim in that hallway.  Plant Swiss Chard indoors.

What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting or creating. . .

I was cleaning clutter, and got distracted by leftover balls of yarn.  There is a pile of it at the base of the stairs to go back up now.  Any, I sat at the computer and whipped up one of these.   I have no idea why, other than I was curious and it was over loaded cuteness!

 I noticed that when I sew in the first black line, then go over to start a second (up and down), you can see the black yarn behind it.  I may work up another and work on hiding more of that, but they turn out super cute just using what ever worsted weight yarn I had (her suggestion of yarn does look better).  I used a smaller hook for the hearts.  The link again for the pattern is:  HERE.

Yes, I got distracted, but it was a nice break.  I got back to work, and then later found more unfinished projects.

I worked a bit on this scarf, while my blanket continued to air dry (see story on that in Saturday's post, ha ha!).  To stay on task, I have a dedicated bin for "unfinished" projects.  I am working on balancing declutter, repairs, renovations etc with crochet time.

My simple pleasure . . .

I'm stumped on this one today.  Maybe I need more coffee to think this morning, ha ha!

I got one now....going to the library for random books.  I have not been to the library since Feb. 2020.

Looking around the house . . .

I had good intentions on clearing another area of the house, but we sort of took a break from stuff on Sunday.

From the camera. . .

I finally looked over my items I brought back home from the museum gift shop.  It's no wonder nothing was selling this year.  They marked up the prices way too high.  Sigh.

Bible Verse, Devotional . . .

Continued prayers for our friend Hope and her family, as she lost her husband.

Fall Colors ~ Tomatoes are Out!

We are seeing some beautiful fall colors right now.  Yesterday, we were blessed with another dry, but cooler and cloudy day.  Dry is the key word.  I put on snow boots (still can't get my ankle in my muck books, and high tailed it out to pull tomato stakes.  Rain arrives today, and for about 24 hours straight.  Inside work resumes today.

Yesterday I finally (finally, as my family patiently waited), got homemade (organic) sausage put into a dandelion/egg/jalapeno/potato and egg scramble.

Speaking of potatoes, I pulled the sweet potatoes from my grow pot.  They are pretty long, but only the diameter of about a quarter or less.  They needed a longer growing season.    I'm saving them for another breakfast.

The tomato stakes and wimpy tomato plants have been yanked.  I was utterly and fantastically surprised to see jalapenos.  I'm not sure how hot they are, but we are about to find out.  Yum.  I was just pleased to make a bit of progress in the deconstruction of the garden.

Whiskey - Bacon Roasted Pumpkin Seeds.  Oh so good.  I sure missed them, but now it's the season, we are enjoying (just not homegrown this year).

We have a stray young cat coming around.  It responds to "kitty, kitty, kitty" and came somewhat close to the house.  It also comes to the cat food bowl.  I'm trying to get close so we can give it a safe place this winter, but it's slow going.

We tasted "Cowboy Beans" and they are somewhat like Four Beans and Sausage.  Similar taste, just different beans and meat.  It was good, but nothing to rave about, but a good hearty one pot everything meal. 

We have decided to put getting a rescue puppy/dog on hold until next year.  I need my leg healed first.  Medical bills are rolling in, and will roll in more if the surgery is approved.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Today's post is a dewzie.  Meaning long.  I tried a few new recipes this past week.

I've been doing some searching on the internet lately, and have been reading up (Better Homes and Gardens) how to make my own seed tape.  It will make planting my new green onion seeds so much easier this spring.  I may also just plant them in starter trays this year for easier planting.

Good news!  We are warming up, so this snow will start to melt and we can get outside comfortably to fix the wood splitter.

Thank you all for your oohs and ahhs over the new switch plates.  I have them up for now and deciding on if we need to replace receptacles with another color.  So far I LOVE they way they look, but missed buying for one more outlet.  

.....and guess what?  I think I want them for our master bath now, and one for the living room.  Sigh, I just think we are due for upgrades in this house to perk our spirits.  The old switch plates and screws will be bagged and donated either to the thrift or Habitat location.  I have more ideas for the kitchen.

I've been working on making Monday's and Sunday's an all one meal crock pot day.  It gives me a break in the kitchen, and if we are working outside or in the hallway, we can relax when we are done for the day.  Sunday I made Four Beans and Sausage.

My husband's way of a quick fix (wood splitter) on Sunday?  Buying about 1/3 of a cord of wood.  It was really too cold to be out and fixing the wood splitter.

Woke up to 7° yesterday and today?  At 5:30am it was 38°F.

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather outside is . . .

38°F/31°F, but may hit 36°F during the night tonight.

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Feeling like our weekend work was simply problems that needed fixed, so no work done on the hallway.  Otherwise feeling good.

On my mind . . .

I was happy to see a bill passed a second time to reduce our Governor's control on lockdowns etc.  It has a better chance this time, as more were for yay than nay and that stops him from putting a veto to it.  

I'm starting to know what the empty nest feels like.  We haven't seen Daughter E (youngest) since last Thursday.  She doesn't like the long drive with the snow.

On the breakfast plate . . .

Not sure, but this is what we had yesterday.  

On my reading pile . . .

As the Earth Turns

On my TV . . .

I love watching Create (cooking shows) during crochet time.  Avoiding talk shows and news has definitely lifted my spirits (sick of the lies, and tired of biased shows).  As for evenings we rely on netflix, movies we own (the best out because they are older movies or funny) or Amazon prime - whatever looks good.

On the menu . . .

-Crockpot roasted turkey breast, roasted asparagus or brussel sprouts

-Beef stew (Monday crock pot meal)

-Philly stuffed green bell peppers

-Sunday crock pot meal - sweet potato chili or a roast with veggies

- Snacks, homemade hummus, kamut flake bars with nuts/seeds

From the camera . . .

Looking around the house . . . 

Looks the same as last week. I need to take boxes to donate and deliver purged crafting supplies.

To relax this week I will . . .

Watch Create (cooking shows) and crochet.

New Recipe I tried or one we tried and really enjoyed. . .

Pizza casserole (my version)

1 lb. sausage of your choice (we like homemade sausage using organic pork)

1 box Organic Einkorn Penne

1 organic green bell pepper diced (or equivalent from your freezer)

1 onion, diced

2 pints home canned pizza sauce

2 cups your favorite pizza topping cheese or cheese blends (we love some Parmesan in ours).

Cook sausage in a skillet. When the meat is halfway cooked, toss in the diced green bell pepper and onion (and any additions you'd like - olives, mushrooms, pepperoni).  Stir in the pizza sauce and heat.  

Cook noodles per package instructions and strain water.  Add cooked noodles to the pizza sauce mixture and combine well. 

Pour half of mixture into a prepared 9 x 13 baking pan, layer with cheese, add last half of mixture.  Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes.  Add another layer of cheese and bake until cheese is melted.  Serve.  Note: You could also add extra pizza toppings with the last layer of cheese.

Crispy baked chicken.

Recipe is online from the Salty Marshmallow.  I adapted organic ingredients.  I can only find organic chicken drumsticks, so that's what I used.  It was so easy, healthy and delicious.  A keeper recipe.  If you are interested in my favorite way to make sweet potatoes, it's basically diced sweet potatoes, loaded with thyme, some fresh minced garlic and olive oil cooked in the crockpot all day.  The other recipe is a corn and zucchini saute (also very delicious, but I prefer to make it with fresh organic zucchini and our corn off the cob we froze).

I really like the chicken recipe, because it's something we could make on vacation when renting a home or cabin.  The chicken tastes great re-heated the next day too.

Something I want to share . . .

Ideas for revitalizing and energizing yourself (cont.)L:

51. Don't do wrong

52. Learn to let go

53. Allot time for daily meditation

54. Engage in organized religious activity

55. Encourage your gentleness

Prayers . . .

Texas.  Mom - she gets her vaccine this week (shipment was delayed).  Youngest - she is still mentally having a difficult time after losing her boyfriend last year.  Some things just remind her of him.  Some times too often for her to handle. 

Puttin' Up

 

I sliced up 6# of apples and cooked them down, while I multitasked....

...and sliced and diced 6# of onions and filled my large dehydrator. Part of them will be ground into onion powder and part will be saved as they are.

I'll probably make applesauce again.  I didn't write down any notes on my recipe (basically instructions with number of pounds), and may have doubled it last time. 

Thankfully I thought ahead for the busy day.  I put an all-in-one dinner in the crock pot.  Four beans and sausage, with home grown green bell pepper and home canned ketchup.

I cut up yellow netting, and it took almost 3 hours to cut enough strips for 11 scrubbies.  It's sort of back breaking work, as it is a lot of netting and I cannot just simply fold it over several times (10 yards) and cut it quickly.  I'm not sure how many more years I'll be selling them.

By the way, two tips with homemade scrubbies.  I've had someone buy them for her husband and said he uses them to get the bugs off his windshield.  My brother uses one to scrub his potatoes.

Today marks day 5 that our mower guy didn't show up.  We had a biker friend over last night and asked if he would mow for a fee.  My husband works all weekend, and I do not know how to use the mower (it's a larger golf course style mower).  I have asked him to teach me, but he refuses.  I think he realizes though I am putting something up every day, and home cooked meals take time (which he appreciates). 

Hubby had his check up at the doctor.  He not only lowered his sugar number, but also lost more weight.  We are both thankful for this, and I'll continue to concentrate on meals to help with his health.

We woke up to a brisk 27°F.  The weather will be a bit warmer this weekend.

Random Chit Chat ~ Einkorn Berry Crisp

 

I haven't knitted in a long, long time.  I have only knitted a scarf, and most of the time dishcloths.  Socks are still on the bucket list, but I realized how sore my finger tip can get.  I found these at the Dollar Tree for $1.25!

I've been focusing meal planning on what needs rotated out of the freezer and pantry.  Other than fresh fruit on the menu.  You know like the canned ketchup, frozen blueberries, frozen bell peppers, frozen green onions - just anything put up last garden season. 

I use home canned ketchup, and frozen bell peppers in Four Beans and Sausage. A one meal in a crockpot recipe.

A random breakfast dish I layered with cooked sage sausage, cooked (from the freezer) garden bell peppers, and added green onions I froze last summer.  Oh, I chopped to jalapenos I froze last summer, and boy it was delicious.  I also freeze the cheese blocks that go into dishes like this (grated), so I checked that supply as well as butter.  If I have any extra cottage cheese or sour cream, I also add that to these.

 I got 6 cups of blueberries out of the freezer yesterday.  My husband was a very happy man.

Einkorn Berry Crisp!  I used monkfruit in place of sugar, but I do not add 1:1 ratio.  Monkfruit is much sweeter, so I can use a lot less of it in recipes.  I linked the online recipe, but I added extra cinnamon and some nutmeg.  So good!

Of course, cooking/baking results in stacks of dirty dishes.

'We finally replaced this light socket in our stairway.  Only took us about 14 years,  but the kids were too rough and ripped on the pull cord.  We are getting some smaller jobs done while we wait for warmer weather.

I started working on the clutter/tools etc. that landed in the downstairs hallway. Once trash picks up, I have a few things to toss out that landed in the hall (from the kitchen floor project).  They got buried under a stack of tablecloths (already put away), and tools.

The staple gun and staples finally made there way to their home, but golly, my husband needs to gather and put away tools, screwdrivers, screws, nails, and all sorts of stuff. We are waiting on a good weather day to get the garage cleaned up and re-organized as well.  We will have nice weather mid-week, but it will bring rain with it.

There is a few cut pieces of living room trim that need put away today, a few stray garden tools, and a few pairs of shoes.  It's getting there, slowly, but surely.  I have started yet another box for donation.

Happy Homemaker Monday

We had a wonderful weekend.  We spent two days with our daughter's family and grand-kids.  Oh my gosh we had loads of fun, and saw her laugh, made the kids giggle and what not.  It did a world of good for them all.  

We also gave her the necklace we put together, along with this bracelet.

From left to right, "Just Breathe" a cross, "Guardian Angel" angel wing, his birthstone, and the first letter of his name.  She loved them both.

Also, after two months of not riding, I finally got my biker boots on (right foot wasn't easy to get on, and very tight) and went on a ride.  We also visited Hubby's sister in the nursing home.  Felt great to ride too.

Other sort of good news....Hubby is trying to get in touch with our 21 year-old, to see if she'll bring Jesse here for a visit with me.  Oh happy day if it happens.  I'll be sure to post too.

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

On the breakfast plate . . .
Have no idea yet.  Hubby is still in bed at the time of posting this.  He doesn't go to work until tonight.


The weather outside is . . .
It's pouring down rain this morning, but they say a high of 90° in some areas later today.  Crazy weather, but so glad for the rain.  I hope it plumps up both types of peppers out in the garden.  It's the last hoorah for the garden as far as weather goes.  Then I start yanking.


On my reading pile . . . 
Still reading the same book.


On my TV . . .
Whatever we find good on Amazon, otherwise I have movies on order at the library.


On the menu . . .
-Southwestern black bean burritos
-pasta/pesto, veggie
-four beans and sausage
-meatball cabbage rolls


On the to-do list . . .
Laundry
Dishes
Dehydrate sage
Grocery store trip
Visit Hubby's sister and take her some pretty flowers 
Start cleaning up and tidying up one bedroom
(shortest to-do list you'll ever see, ha ha!)
Turn air conditioning back on (should be the last day for it)



What I am creating . . .
Current project is to finish a set of pot holders that someone ordered from me.


Looking around the house . . .
It's not too shabby, but some rooms need major tidy control.


From the camera . . .

I have nothing on the camera (other than lots of pictures of the grand kids).  The last thing was the island trip.  Boy do we miss them both.  I think the island may be calling us just one more time if we can swing it.  Hubby is going to nights for a while.  We can't make any plans until we know how long.  Could be a few days, a week, two weeks, three weeks.....


On my prayer list . . .
Me (leg), our daughter and her family who lost their son, our family, my friend's mother who is in the hospital with pneumonia, and other personal requests.

Rory ~ Hummingbird and other tidbits

 

I planted 4 mums in one of my flower beds and found our barn cat sleeping in my flowers.  She loves my flower beds.

The hummingbird came to give me a visit.  It loves the purple flowers every fall.  It is so hard to get a good photo or even a video.

Recipe I use is online with Eating Well - Slow Cooker Vegetarian Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili (using fire roasted tomatoes).

Meals this week have been switched around from my original plan.  I have little energy at the end of the day.  I recently made us a crock pot full of sweet potato/black bean chili with a side of homemade confetti muffins (contains carrots and green bell pepper). Recipe for the muffins is online (Taste of Home), but I used buttermilk vs. milk.

Instead of breakfast for dinner (which is a lot of work), I put it in the freezer and used turkey sausage to make a crock pot of Four beans and sausage.  I use my home canned ketchup in the recipe and it is so good, as well a garden grown green bell peppers.  Sorry, forgot to take a photo last night.

My ladies were not happy yesterday.  I couldn't let them out in the fenced area due to this out looking for it's next meal.  I heard it several times while in the garden, but watched over the ladies and then put them in when I came in.  It hasn't left the area yet.

Sunday Tidbits

My husband and I have been moving around a bit more each day.  I'm not completely back to my normal routine, but managed to tag team with him and put dinner in the crock pot yesterday morning.

Four Beans and Sausage.  I used home canned ketchup, home grown green bell pepper, and home grown garlic in it. I'm hoping for enough leftovers for tonight.  I'll deal with the next meal when I need too.

The highlight of Sunday was watching the Bengals win!  My husband was elated.

The snow has finally arrived in our parts.  However, my husband was to change brakes on the car today and return to work tomorrow.  Not sure the brakes will happen.  I guess we'll see. 

Calls to Mom are hit or miss, as they keep her busy, and assist her with walking.  I do not have plans to visit her until after another full week, and I know we are feeling in out tip-top shape.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

Sunday's rain that was predicted all day changed on us.  Thankful for that, as we had time in the morning to plant more flowers.  

(just a few snippets of our work)

We had 4 bags of mulch leftover from last year, but we still need to go get a truck load of it to finish the flower beds and add some pine mulch to my herb garden.  We worked the good part of the day beautifying the front of the house.  I'm debating on dropping some zinnia seeds today or not.  They keep saying torrential rain, but we are not getting it and so far completely wrong on when we are getting any and how much.

Today I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather . . . 

99% humidity, 73/59°F, Thunderstorms

How I'm feeling this morning . . . 

Ready to get back to a regular work out schedule.  With Hubby's crew off two weeks and on two weeks, I've been off track.

On my mind . . .

Just my to-do list, and making preparations for days to work more on the garden.

On my breakfast plate . . .

Sweet Potato/Black Bean Frittata

On my reading pile . . .

Call of the Wild

On my TV . . .

Re-watching The Ranch

On the menu this week . . .

-Spaghetti and meatballs, homegrown asparagus, homemade coconut flour garlic muffins

-Biscuits and gravy, potatoes, eggs (didn't make this last week)

-Turkey breast (crock pot), 

-4 beans and sausage (crock pot)

-maybe sweet potato and black bean chili

From the camera . . . 

Looking around the house . . .

There is a lot to clean up since we devoted most of our time to anything outdoors (veggie garden, flower beds, etc.)  There is a lot on the to-do list today. . . putting it here to stay on track this week.

-make a breakfast dish

-laundry

-dishes

-master bath

-sweep/mop

-vacuum

-dust

-tidy office area/pay bills

-clean windows

-clean up utility room now that the chicks are in the barn

-water plants

-re-pot lettuce starts

-drain Four Thieves Vinegar

-freeze bell peppers, freeze cauliflower

-make homemade foaming hand soap

-call vet (other two dogs need shots)

-make a list for the garden center

-restock freezer pizza dough and pie crust crumbles

-things need made, lip balm, and many other needs (homemade)

Chore I am not looking forward to this week . . . 

Mucking the coop.  If the weather is good, it'll be getting a clean sweep from winter pile up.  

To relax this week I will . . .

Journal, maybe handiwork.  I have Christmas tree ornaments  that need finished up as well.

On my prayer list . . .

My friend's eyesight, for this virus to go away, and personal requests.

Devotional/Bible Verse . . .