From the Homesteading Journal . . .

 . . . made my first homemade ginger ale and loved it!  I plan to make more of this (more so for health reasons) for a refreshing summer treat.  There are many recipes on the Internet.  I also made a hot ginger tea.  The recipe is from my sister's Indian cookbook.  I am enjoying this, in hopes to speed up my recovery from this cold/sinus/cough/chest pain illness.

Winter Medicinal Prep

Started a  jar of sage tincture.

Started another jar of mullein tincture

Dehydrated sage for meals and for medicinal tea and for recipes.  I use it to make homemade sausage, pumpkin sage mac n' cheese and other recipes.  I didn't have much to harvest as one plant is half dead, so I had to dig out my small dehydrator for that small job.

Started a jar of Four Thieves Vinegar.

Froze medicinal basil pesto (Rosemary Gladstar recipe)

Made a medicinal jar of thyme honey (Rosemary Gladstar).  I also have her recipe for Thyme Syrup.  That only lasts 4-6 weeks, so I have an indoor plant for that this winter.

Started one jar of elderberry elixir.

Put organic ginger root in the freezer.  I just rinse, dry, wrap up and place in a freezer bag.  It is used for ginger tea, homemade ginger ale and other recipes.  Ginger root itself has so many healthy benefits overall, I make sure I have it on hand at all times, especially when the snow is flying.  Which reminds me, I need to stock up on club soda for the ginger ale as well.

Planted basil seeds for an indoor pot resource. Lots of good benefits from it and I use it in recipes.  It's already sprouting.

I also restocked organic pineapple juice.  I use it for not just recipes, but it's great to have on hand for colds and coughs as well as the health benefits.  I use it to make homemade teriyaki sauce too.

Stray is Named ~ Homemade Ginger-ale

This young guy has been seen off and on since last winter.  We thought he was housing up in what's left of our largest barn, but wasn't sure.  

Well, my Vet Tech-in-training, has been able to get the cat to come to her, let her hold him (a bit reluctant), and will come to the house to eat the cat food.

Preparing for flu season ~ Preserving Lemon and Lime Juice

I highly prefer freshly squeezed lemon juice in my homemade remedies etc.  To prepare for winter here is what I do to preserve real lemon juice.

I do not have a juicer, which now I'm wondering if I should buy one.

I used my hand lemon squeezer, but either will work to juice fresh, organic lemons.

Pour juice into a clean, empty ice cube tray and freeze until solid.  Each cube (in my tray) holds 1-1/2 Tbsp. of lemon juice.

Remove cubes and place in a freezer container or freezer bag, label and place back into your freezer.

There you have it - real lemon juice on hand all the time.

...and of course I didn't waste the zest.  It went into the freezer as well, as these were organic lemons.

I use freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice in my homemade ginger-ale, so I froze lime juice too.

My goal has always been to purchase a Meyer lemon tree and grow my own, but that'll only happen when I have an extra $50.00.  That is how much they cost here.  Of course you can purchase organic bottled juices as well.  I have used them as a back up plan, to make homemade ginger-ale.

Happy Homemaker Monday

We had a busy weekend.  Got the younger daughter's car up and running, brakes changed on the truck and oil changed.  Moved 2 loads of furniture out of Dad's place too.  The tag stapled to the bottom of his sofa had the date 11-21-1960.  There is still much to go through.  

We had younger daughter switch back to her car, so we can then change the brakes on my car.  Whew.  After that I hope we are done with car repairs for a while.

We helped two local restaurants over the weekend.  First, our favorite was closed due to Covid.  The other was the first one we went to where they took your temperature when you entered and all employees were wearing gloves.  The other we did take out with.

This week is a very exciting (happy) week for us.  We have a birthday, Christmas and our anniversary coming up.

First today, I need to whip up some homemade ginger-ale for Youngest.  She has cold like symptoms and has laryngitis.  Oh, she tried to go to Urgent care.  The line for covid testers was way out the door.  They sent her home and said come back at 4pm today.  So in the meantime, sage tea or tincture and homemade ginger-ale (already simmering now).

Then I need to finish making homemade cards to finish up Mom's Christmas present.  Oye, Christmas really snuck up on us this year.

Guess who lost the only box of Christmas cards she had?  Yep.  I have not found them, and when I do it will be too late to mail them.  Sigh.

These restrictions regarding covid are driving me nuts.  The daughter who works retail, said her co-worker tested negative, but because his wife is sick and he answered two questions with a yes, he was sent home.  These employees (including both daughters who work) do NOT get paid a dime when forced to stay home.

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

The weather outside is . . . 

41°F/32° possible sun later today

On the breakfast plate . . . 

Toast, coffee.

As I look out my window . . .

Sun is shining.

As I look around the house . . .

Not worried about anything this week.  There will be no entertaining other than us 4.

What I am wearing today . . .

Black joggers, sweater

Currently reading . . .

My devotional book.

On the TV for this week . . .

A CA Christmas on netflix

 On the menu . . .

-bacon cauliflower chowder

-beef stew

-creamed peas and toast or grilled cheese and home canned tomato soup

-Christmas dinner (still writing that out)

Something fun to share . . .

Nothing.

Favorite photo from the camera . . .

Oldie but goodie.  She turns 19 this week.  In the picture she was playing with the cat with a milk bottle ring.

Prayers, Inspiration quotes, Devotionals . . .

Youngest - she is not feeling well

No other personal requests right now.

Wide Awake Hot Mess ~ Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

On top of being a hot mess on Tuesday, so was the weather.  We got boat loads of rain, so everything is a muddy mess.  It's cold now again, and nights in the teens.  Stupid, crazy weather.

By the way, when I post things that are just not going our way, it's simply reality.  I'm not complaining, just pushing through.  I don't post that life is all posh in the boonies if they are not.  Although winter is a time to rest, we may be cleaning up the garage this coming weekend.  Not willingly though.  I guess we'll see.

I checked off my to-do list as best as I could yesterday, which started with washing the crock pots for another two crock pot dinner - turkey meatballs/marinara sauce in one, and veggie quinoa in another.  However, I realized I was completely out of quinoa, so glazed carrots went into the other crock pot.

By the way, I had cauliflower to blanch and freeze, but decided to "rice" it with some onion and parsley.  We topped it with the meatballs and it was actually very good.  Recipe is online from Food Network - Healthy Cauliflower Rice.

...after downing a lot of coffee, I just became a wide awake hot mess.

I was literally still in the kitchen at 2pm.  I never got much of the laundry done - 2 loads.  I washed and dried dishes twice, emptied, filled and emptied the dishwasher. In between all that, I prepped dinner, made a batch of homemade ginger-ale for Mom, baked almond butter cookies (I was needing some chocolate) and a big batch of Einkorn blueberry pancakes.  The rest of my chores just might get done today.

Romeo was pretty needy, as he was in his kennel all day Monday (which never happens).  He was by my side all day long and sort of in my way, so I treated him to a carrot here and there to keep him occupied and offer a peace treaty for not being home.

Now, I'm home all week without a car and it's driving me nuts.  In reality, to most people, it would be a good thing, but I have stuff I need to do.  I have my library loot to return, so I'm filling up the back seat of daughter's car (or Hubby's truck) to drop off for me.  I put an S.O.S. out to another daughter to come out and pick up homemade ginger-ale syrup, which I made for my mother.  She'll have to pick up the club soda for me as well, since we are fresh out.  I also placed an online order for quinoa and other items, and it should be here in a day.  Hubby is still working on the car after work, and the last thing he needs is his Wifey texting him a grocery list.

Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup organic non-gmo almond butter
3/4 cup organic brown sugar
1 farm fresh egg
1 tsp. homemade vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup organic non-gmo mini chocolate chips

Mix together all but the chocolate chips.  Fold the chocolate chips into the batter.  Drop about a Tbsp. on parchment paper lined cookies sheets and bake at 350°F for 12 minutes.  Do not flatten.  These spread nicely.  Allow to cool before removing from baking sheets.  Cool completely on wire racks.  

Note:  I am thinking about adding slivered almonds and leaving out the chocolate chips for my husband, and reduce the sugar to about 6 Tbsp. next time.

Here's to another day of getting things back on track around here.  

Snafu ~ Tennessee Spring Break Trip

Our spring break trip to TN had a hickup, snafu.....unexpected event.  Youngest daughter woke us up at 5am Sunday.  She was pretty sick.  Best guess was food poisoning, but she wasn't going anywhere any time soon. I quickly made a batch of homemade ginger-ale to start with, and go from there.  She rested most of the day Sunday, but still pretty sick.  We canceled our  trip reservations and waited to see if she'd be better by Monday (and try and re-book another lodging choice.

We rebooked for leaving Tuesday, and she still wasn't feeling her true self.  I expected we'd cancel when Hubby woke up early Tuesday morning (3am) sick.  I thought for sure we'd cancel the entire trip.  He got up, sucked down homemade ginger-ale and made the drive Tues. morning.

I'll admit it was a rough 9 hour drive (with many stops).  Both Hubby and Daughter had upset stomachs.  We made it, and crashed for the night. 

The next day, they both were ready to go, but couldn't eat much.

First stop was the Aquarium in Gatlinburg.  Famous for the shark tunnel you walk through.  It's pretty big and fun to see.

Glass bottom boat rid over the sharks!  Of course another $10.00 per person on top of the admission price, so we let Daughter go on it, which was on her "bucket list."  She had a blast.   

What next?

Anakeeta.  See that lift up the mountain?  There are all sorts of shops, walks, a ride and the best views of the mountains.  

 They made me ride up in this!!  I do not do heights well, and my one hand was numb from squeezing the back of the chair all the way up.  And....and...they stopped it twice before we got all the way up.  Ugh.

I made them ride the enclosed cabin down with me, ha ha!

Another place on Daughter's "bucket list" was rolled iced cream.  Not as good as homemade, and very expensive.

We took a break and went to the hotel to soak in the pool and hot tub, and had prepared for a 6pm dinner show, but found out after checking our records, they moved us to the 8:30pm show.  Grr.  We didn't enjoy it.  First we don't eat dinner that late, the chicken wasn't served until 9am, and Hubby and Daughter were still not feeling all that great.  We left early.  Daughter was upset with the use of the animals.  You couldn't take videos, but could take photos.  It was dark so all my horse photos were blury.  They did trick riding, for example one female had each foot, on two horses, and was standing, riding it around and through fire.  When they ran out buffalo and then long horn cattle, I was a bit sad too.  I know they are all trained for the show, but I was a bit sickened by the use of the animals day in and day out, over and over.  We'll not ever go to this again if we do return.  Food was terrible.

Next day was Dollywood.  Daughter rode most of the rides.  It was in the low 80's and beautiful.  She spent the evening in the outdoor pool.  This place is huge and full of entertainment and activities and shopping.  

Next stop was the Alcatraz crime museum.  We actually enjoyed this.  Fun and very interesting.

Next stop was a dinner show with MoTown.  We had a very nice time here, and bought the DVD of the show, and had it autographed.  Daughter had a blast!

The drive home went more quickly than driving down.  Everyone was feeling grand and full-filled.  Daughter had the best time ever.  There was a lot we didn't do, so we are contemplating another trip down in the future.  Although expensive.  It is very commercialized in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.

We visited 3 Harley Davidson stores too.  Daughter bought a few tops too.  

The one thing we all missed?  My home cooking.  We are so looking forward to a home cooked meal now.  

We have a day of rest today, but Hubby is already up and trying to plan a get together with all the kids and maybe a motorcycle ride.

Happy Easter!

Dirty Dishes and Tragic News

 

I think I did about 5 rounds of dirty dishes, but then turned around and made homemade lemonade and a pot of homemade ginger-ale syrup for Daughter K.  She is sick.  Her throat was very sore, thus the extra dirty dishes.

Lemon juice can help break up the mucus and help a sore throat, plus it's packed with vitamin C.  Homemade ginger-ale has a lot of healing properties too, and helps with nausea as well.  

She was dealing with a very bad headache as well.  I surely hope she feels better this morning.

Tragic news.  My husband's first day back to work was not good.  He was told that a co-worker, 41 years old passed away.  A semi trailer crossed over the center line and landed his semi on top of my husband's co-worker's car.  I was told that it took 75 minutes to get the semi off of the car.  Mike (his co-worker) died at the hospital.  He leaves behind his high school sweet heart (wife) and two kids (7 and 9).

Christmas 2018

This was the plan anyway, but.....

Jars of Wild Violet Jelly

Jars of canned corn relish

Three girls received hand embroidered kitchen towels, paired with other gifts. 


The kids all received a "Starbucks" wine cork tree ornament.

The girls received charm bracelets I put together with their favorite things.  This is just one of them. 

I hand embroidered this towel for a biker friend of ours.  We invited him out for the big party/meal.  He has very little family, and he is family to us, so I didn't want him to go home empty handed.  He does his laundry on Sunday, and it's sort of a joke, because he often says "I can't ride 'cause I have to do my laundry.

As for what didn't get gifted - the jelly and corn relish.  They had a family Christmas on Christmas day without us.   I had called my Mother to wish her a Merry Christmas.  She couldn't talk long as she was putting food in the oven for a gathering with one of my sisters and brothers.  I was not invited during the call.  We live 25 minutes from where they gathered.

 I was invited 45 minutes prior via a text, and I had rolls rising, and no car.  We had sent our Youngest to deliver some homemade ginger-ale to our 19 year-old who was very sick.  In fact, she may have gone to the ER last night.  I'll find out later.

Anyway, I now have almost 40 rolls that were not consumed with my own kids.  In fact, it was our first Christmas to eat alone.  They kept our youngest (and another daughter was there also, who was expected at our house) at the gathering for almost 5 hours.  I'll be freezing some rolls to see how well it works.

The traditional snack mix and hot cranberry punch were never made either.  I was expected to do it after they finished their own gathering, and I was quite perturbed by what had happened anyway.

Today is my 20th wedding anniversary.  I'll be back to post a picture of my gift.  Hubby has to work today, and I have a ton of dirty dishes from a meal that was to be for many and ended up for two.  I hope to have an update on our sick daughter as well.  I was very worried about her.  She had to work yesterday(and has to work today), and called saying she was laying on the floor behind the counter, and couldn't stop throwing up, even sipping homemade ginger-ale. 

I hope your Christmas was delightful, peaceful and just enjoyable.  The gathering we had with Hubby's family went fantastic.  We had somewhere between 40-50 people here and a lot of food.