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, January 26, 2019
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
Monday, February 13, 2023
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.
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 . . .
On my reading pile . . .
Nothing this week.
On the To-Do List. . .
-laundry
-clean roosts
-work on another box of paperwork left from last room move
-make a phone call (if my voice is up to it)
-pay bills
What I am sewing, knitting, crocheting or creating. . .
Continued prayers for our friend Hope and her family, as she lost her husband.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
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.
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.
Monday, February 22, 2021
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.
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.
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.
Friday, November 5, 2021
Puttin' Up
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
Random Chit Chat ~ Einkorn Berry Crisp
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!
Monday, September 30, 2019
Happy Homemaker Monday
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.
Friday, October 2, 2020
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.
Sunday, January 23, 2022
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.