Happy Homemaker Monday

The year has definitely been a whirl wind for our family.  One the same day, our nephew and his wife both lost a grandparent.  I can't say that this Monday is a "happy" Monday at all, but I'll try my best.

We also go bad news Sunday evening. while driving home from taking homecoming photos.  The baby born in our family passed.  He was only 5 days old.  This was devastating news, and we had not even met the little girl. Our hearts break even more.  His Mom was our great niece, so that makes baby "B" our great great niece.  I just can't wrap my head around it after raising so many kids of my own.  An autopsy is being done.  I'm needing prayers as I know I will just break in half at this funeral.  My second infant funeral.  I feel like we are in a bad dream right now.

No life insurance, so once again a fundraiser is set up.  So many people have donated to the funeral for "Little Man" that I'm not sure if anyone has enough cash to help with this one.  

I sure am missing "Little Man" lately too.  I can't even imagine what pain both Moms are going through right now.

As for a garden update, I pulled all the carrots from the grow bags and planted my garlic in them.  It's very late to plant it, but....by the way it rained the next day after planting the garlic, so fingers crossed.

And guess what I brought in?  I couldn't believe it myself!

3.7# of carrots (most small but some large ones too), and 3# of jalapenos.  I was so happy!  Carrot tops can be used to make mouthwash.  We saved some carrot tops for one daughter's rabbit too, and the carrot blanch water can be saved and frozen for a veggie broth base for a winter soup.  And of course carrot peelings can go to the chickens or compost.

We had a busy weekend, despite Hubby's long night hours.  It was also Homecoming for our youngest, so I had the title of "photographer" in the evening.

We missed out on a ride Saturday too.  Our biker friends grouped up and went (sadly without us).  It was the perfect weather for it too.  It's on the list for next year though.

Sunday I did a 2 hour craft show.  We didn't get that many customers, but we made a little bit and had a load of fun.

By the way, the dates we could go to the island, the place is booked already.  Plan B is in motion, but the island, aside from the Harley is our "sanity saver" in more ways than one.  We'll see what happens.

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

~I'll link up when she posts~  Up at 5am


On the breakfast plate . . .
I have no clue.


The weather outside is . . .
56°F high of 66 F today.


Right now I am . . .
Getting ready to can cowboy candy


Thinking . . .
We've been through so much, I am looking forward to some good news, good stuff, good anything for us and our families.


On my reading pile. . .
don't have time to read right now

On my TV . . .
movies from the library


On the menu . . .
-Homemade biscuits, sausage gravy, fried potatoes and eggs
-have no clue, my mind just isn't straight right now


On the to-do list . . .
-empty and load dishwasher
-work on a set of boot cuffs and another bracelet
-can cowboy candy (if I get this done it's a good day considering I'm a total hot mess emotionally)



What I am creating . . .

A crocheted scarf in suicide awareness colors.  I will make a matching headband as well.  

Looking around the house . . .
It's too dark out this morning, but I'm sure it needs attention.


From the camera . . .

One of the many photos I took for homecoming - daughter (left) and her friend.  The boys were walking behind us at the time.  I love unexpected photo shots.


Prayer list . . .
Our nephew and his family, me and my leg, our daughter who continues to struggle every day with the passing of her son, my friends mother, our great niece and her family.  

Getting Away ~ Anniversary Celebration #3

My husband is so awesome.  You haven't seen a post here for a week, because we once again got away from home.  I packed up champagne, organic coffee, filters, and yes my rolling pin (well one of them).

Hubby booked us a cabin about a 3 hour drive from home.  I brought the rolling pin to make homemade biscuits at the cabin (although a beer bottle works great in a pinch too).  Even so, Hubby cooked every single meal we ate at the cabin.

We spent 4 nights and 5 days in the hills.  Our cabin was way up in the hills.  We visited three falls.  One involved many, many stairs.

This was the last hill up into the cabin.  The road was a bit scary, but we were so glad it wasn't snowing.

We visited a tiny pencil sharpener museum located at the welcome center.  Motorcycle pencil sharpeners!

Had the best bruschetta in the area, and even had pizza that was voted best in the state.  Visited a distillery that made local moonshine, a local winery and a brewery.

I had my project bag with me, so on day one when Hubby wanted to watch the football game, I whipped up some cup coasters, which we left for the next guests.

We had a hot tub on our back deck and oh my gosh we used it morning and night.  No kidding.  We were in it at 6am.  

Roads were pretty much like the sign.  Up and down and every which way.

Our back deck had a bird feeder, so while in town we picked some bird seed up and the birds went nuts.  We saw lots of red headed wood peckers too.

White reindeer!  These were in a fenced area next to a putt putt golf course.  Goats were in there too.  We fed them for $.25 and made a few pretty happy.  I have never seen white reindeer.  One of the highlights of the trip.

When we arrived home, a box had arrived.  A late anniversary gift from Hubby.  He even brought the island to me!!  A set of 4.

Beautiful scenery, peace and quiet, good food, and a lot of relaxation and rejuvenation.  Hubby knocked it out of the park.

When he asked if I wanted to go to NYC or FL, I had said "heck no."  I wanted seclusion and quiet time.  He did an amazing job.  We'll definitely be back.  Celebrating 20 years married has been so much fun.

Happy Homemaker Monday

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


We got more snow, so the wood is buried.  We will forever, never forget to stock up this summer.  We both agree, last year was very tough on our family emotionally, and physically we just went into hibernation with grief.  We do realize now that maybe staying busy would have helped us much more in more ways than one.

We made a call, fired up "Big Red" with a jump (too cold out to work on her), and headed out for a road trip.  Back home with a load of wood.  We will have the worst cold weather here in 4-5 years they said.  It's also the anniversary of the blizzard of '78 when we had 1 inch of snow and 10 foot high drifts due to the wind that year.  I do remember some of that.  Mom filled the bathtub with water and a boil advisory was on.

They are predicting 3-7 inches of snow today, but Daughter's school was not delayed or closed.  I'm predicting the let them out early today.

They are now saying we'll get wind chills of -39 to -50°F in our state.  I'm so worried about the chickens right now.  We also haven't seen the stray "Leo" that would come to our house to eat.  I am worried about him too.  Wednesday will be our worst day yet.  We literally just thawed the pipes and woke up to the hot water frozen, so doing dishes today will be oh so fun. Not.  Meanwhile our electric bill is skyrocketing.  Lord help us all.  We may purchase a propane heater (aside from the one we borrowed) as a back up.

Yesterday I got my very first manicure.  Daughter is being trained in school and I was her practice person.  I'll admit it feels strange to have polish on (I only use non-chemical polish and not very often due to the work I do around here).  She was pretty proud of herself, and I found out I can book appts. with her at her school.  


On the breakfast plate. . .
Bagel and Coffee


The weather outside . . .
I think I covered this in my intro...ugh


On the to-do list . . .
-dishes
-laundry
-winterize the coop more than ever (toss straw down to make sure their feet stay dry, put plastic over their ramp door and look for another heat lamp)
-sweep floors, vacuum
-put trash out (I missed last week due to drifting)
-Clean one bathroom
-dinner prep
-make homemade shampoo



On the menu . . .
In no particular order-
-Homemade pizza
-Beef Burgundy(Crock pot, recipe will be posted soon)
-Biscuits and gravy, fried potatoes, scrambled eggs
-Meatballs and hot pepper mustard sauce, quinoa, broccoli
-cabbage/sausage/potatoes
-Tuna and noodle, steamed broccoli
-homemade sloppy joes and sweet potato fries
-spinach/parsley pesto pasta and a veggie
-waffles (for this weeks breakfast), sausage
Snacks - hummus, deviled eggs


Reading . . .
Same book - Snow, Stars and Wild Honey


On the TV . . .
We finished The Ranch, as well as You (which by the way was very creepy).  Now we are stumped on what to watch next.


What I am Creating . . .
Pot holder set and more bookmarks.  Pictures to come soon I hope.  


From the camera . . .

We literally ate this in bed watching netflix yesterday.  Mmmm...so good.

One of my simple pleasures . . .

Slipping into PJ's around 3-4pm, with crochet, a beverage, the TV, and a dog at my feet during cold winter nights.

Prayers . . .
To be honest - for my chickens/rooster and our stray cat Leo (and our entire state we live in).  We have never had these predicted temps.

Rain

 We got rain as predicted and I was happy.  I hopefully will have an easier time doing some digging in the garden.  I doubt I'll have much, but it must be done.

Yesterday's dinner was beef stew.  I whipped up some homemade biscuits too.

I still don't have a vehicle, and everyone working here is working long hours.  I had no milk.  I had to make these using powdered milk.  They were still good.

As for a vehicle, my car is supposed to get towed this week or next to get the new engine.  Cross you fingers.  It's been so long since I had the freedom to go out when I want or need to.  Living in the country I have no options but to rely on others as well.

I am back to my to-do list, but first I'll see if we got any good sized beets out there.  Then I'll make up a list of what I need and send it out to everyone with a vehicle in this house.  Just maybe, just maybe someone can bring it home for me.

I hope all is well with everyone.  With the garden slowing down, and my days not so long, it feels strange so I'm trying to allow myself to have handiwork time without guilt.

Kitchen-ness and Tidbits

 

Crockpot Queso

8 oz. organic pepper jack cheese, shredded

8 oz. organic Monterery Jack cheese, shredded

8 oz. organic cream cheese

1 4-oz. can organic green chilis, drained

2 herb garden green onions, sliced thin

1/2 cup organic whole milk

1/2 tsp. homemade garlic powder

Stir together all ingredients in a crockpot.  Cook on low for 4 hours or until melted.  Note:  Some organic canned chili's may differ in size, and you could cube the cheese too, but it will take a bit longer (block cheese makes a creamer dip vs. buying already shredded cheese).  Sorry for the bad photo, but my husband was gobbling it up, ha ha!  I do think it needs maybe a jalapeno next time.

Not sure if this is the reason my biscuits are flaky with layers, but it may be.  I watched a cooking show and if you "shred" the butter vs. cube you get a better rise with the biscuits.  I cube, but them use a butter blender to cut the butter chunks up a bit more.

I baked up some whiskey sticks for snacking.  I needed to use up some organic pretzels I had.

Not the best photo, but I finally got around to making biscuits and gravy for dinner one night.  I could not find my recipe for "fried" apples, so I used a new one and love it.  It's a "copycat" recipe and baked in the crockpot.

So thankful for the rain we got.  My garden and flower beds got a nice soaking.  The rainy days have also helped me get caught up with laundry and other indoor tasks.

One dose of Mother Nature's rain and the garlic ramps were one.  Now, if my radishes come up fast, I see some dip in the making.

I hope everyone is doing well.  I seem to see such a lack of blogposts lately.  Our state is back to normal thankfully.  All restrictions have lifted.  It has been so nice to see people's faces and beautiful smiles again.  I hope your weekend is fabulous!

Romeo ~ Baking ~ Rooster

Romeo strikes again.  He hates it when his Mom goes to school.  He's been putting his paws into the cat hole in the kitchen gate and yanking it open, when she goes out the door.  He actually did it so fast he got outside!  We got him in, but now I need a different gate there, but Tiger needs access too. 

I got another batch of fruit/nut bars made.  I have made many "granola" bars, but we love these the best.  Less fruit, more nuts and seeds.  Yum (King Arthur recipe online)!

Here is the recipe for the "Low Carb" Garlic Cheddar Biscuits I made the other day:

1 1/2 Cups Organic almond flour (superfine)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. baking soda (non-gmo)
1/2 tsp. homemade garlic powder (organic)
1/2 tsp. homemade onion powder (organic)
2 large farm fresh eggs
1/2 cup organic sour cream
4 Tbsp. organic butter, melted
1/2 cup organic shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Mix dry ingredients in a bowl, set aside.  Mix we ingredients, then add we to dry and mix well.

I lined my muffin pan with parchment cups for easier removal (which worked great), otherwise use a non-stick spray.

Makes 12 muffins. Batter is slightly thick, but bakes up so nice.

Bake at 450°F for 10 minutes.

Note:  I freeze organic sour cream, and had thawed it, stirred it and used it in this recipe.  It will be a thinner texture of sour cream, but worked great for baking.

Note:  I accidentally baked these the first time without the butter, and they were so tender and flavorful.


If you are looking to buy a bookmark from my other blog, the purple one is no longer available.  Thank you for your support too!  Every bit counts towards a new coop or dog fence.  Not to mention a grad party this summer.  

I posted some heart embellished paper clips on my Rooster's Crow Handicraft Blog.  

I went to the coop to feed the chickens, and guess what?  Russell Crow (aka Rooster) attacked me. Not once, but twice.  He's about to get the boot and a different rooster put in with the ladies.  I don't know why he's turned on me after I raised him and he was nice all this time.  Until yesterday.  Do rooster's change on a dime like that?  Turn from nice to mean?  Sparta was such a good rooster and lived 10 years, so this boggles my mind.

Sunday Work Day

Sunday was a work day for us.

First thing, I got up early and baked homemade fresh biscuits.  They look yellow because the lights were on an it was still dark outside.  It was foggy as well.  The weather is a teensy warmer, so hence the morning fog.

The recipe is on my blog:  Here

Coffee was brewed, and Hubby and I ate a "lumber jack" breakfast of home grown fried potatoes, gravy made with homemade organic sausage, and home raised eggs.  The kids slept in.  Then we got to work.  The girls were to do the dishes but later I found it they didn't.  It was Hubby who did them all.

We cut another load of wood from the barn beams and boards.  I donned my steel two boots and headed out to the rubble.  The nice part of cutting barn beams etc. is that it's just cut, haul and stack.  No splitting required.  Evidently, I removed enough nails to provide kindling for two more loads in the future. 

We brushed ourselves off, shook the gloves and what not.  Then I showered, and Hubby did the surprise for me in the kitchen.  I guess he went upstairs, and found one kiddo doing homework, so he just washed the dishes for me.

Then teamwork began again.  All of us started on some Christmas goodies.

We got a few cookies done, including our favorite cut-out recipe using organic butter and a butter frosting.  Speaking of butter, there is a shortage of organic butter in our area.  I went to two largest groceries that I could, and the largest store of all was completely sold out.  Then at the next store, only 3 pounds left.  So, cookies are limited this season, but we do have some stashed now for the up coming Christmas day.  I have no access to raw milk here, to make my own, and this shortage has brought up the topic of raising dairy goats again.

Needless to day, Hubby and Youngest, fell asleep at 7pm-ish.  I got about 11 hours of sleep and boy it felt good to get it.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay-at-home Mom today.  Traffic outside is moving like a turtle today.  Oye.  Only in our state can weather go from negative temperatures, to snow , and now rain within 24 hours.  No wonder so many people are getting sick.  Not us....we are outside often to get wood, and tend to animals, and we do not keep our heat at high temperatures either.

Anyway, let's get started with today's business, shall we?


On the breakfast plate. . .

Homemade yogurt, homemade granola and pure, local maple syrup.  


The weather. . .

Fun Weekend!

We took one trip to Amish country, and booked our favorite historic hotel.  However, it has new owners and now no longer our "favorite."  They completely changed the lobby, basically, making it into a dining hall, so no lobby to play cards and hang out.  All of the banquet rooms now have sewing machines with quilters working away daily.  Hmpf.  It no longer has that "nostalgic" feel.  Our room was nice, but we roasted at night.  There was no heat/air control for us in our room at all this time. The suite had 2 bedrooms and 2 TV's, but our remote didn't work right either.  Not a total disappointment, but not a happy stay for sure.  They swore their breakfast was the best to find on a Sunday.  We tried that too.  Eggs were burned, gravy and biscuits served cold, and even though we were the only ones in the tavern, we had to ask for coffee refills too.

We visited our favorite local bistro for homemade spinach/artichoke dip, homemade chips served warm.

We visited the local brewery, enjoying a scotch ale brew or two.  We however, forgot to bring our growler.  Now we own two that we can forget to take next time, ha ha!

Despite blips in the trip, we won "parent" points with Youngest Daughter.  She had a ball!  We bought her a scratch off lottery ticket on the way to Amish country and she won $50 to spend.  She was a very happy, happy kid.

Had to move the chicks to their own coop.  My bully hens wouldn't let them eat.  Each time the tried, the hens would peck them away.  Now they can eat and drink and be merry until they are older.

The whole point of the trip was to buy corn hole boards for our party.  Harley Davidson boards. Well, they didn't have them.  Grr.  I did however, bring home 6 lbs. of organic old fashioned oats.

We came home and got a very short ride on the Harley.  A very wet, short ride.  I told him it looked like rain, but you know those men and their motorcycles.  We laughed though.  All the way home.

Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.  I can't believe I got through the holiday season without baking one pie.  I picked this photo today to inspire me to bake one this week or over the weekend.

We got 2 inches of snow Saturday night.  Sunday it was frigid. The wind was wicked and cold.  We ran out of cut/split wood Sunday morning, and it's not the first.  We got that job done ASAP and of course, Hubby was mumbling under his breath about not being better prepared (happens more often than not, ha ha!).  Another snow storm is heading our way this coming Saturday too.


On the breakfast plate . . .
Leftover blueberry pancakes


The weather outside . . .
23°F, and the wind has died down today.


Right now I am . . .
Getting the fire going again.  Some ding dong left the top damper open and it burned completely out last night.


Thinking . . .
I better get Youngest up in a bit.  They had a two hour delay due to the drifting yesterday, and some roads still need more plowing.


On my reading pile . . .
My youngest and I were just talking about this yesterday.  Both of us haven't been reading much of anything lately.


On the TV . . .
The Ranch (can't remember what episode we are on)


On the menu . . .
A crock pot week other than tuna and noodle, mashed potatoes and green beans
-Steel cut oats (breakfast)
-Spanish rice
-4 beans and sausage
-potato corn chowder and biscuits or homemade bread
-red beans and rice
-chili


On my to-do list . . .
-work out
-laundry
-dishes
-sweep
-vacuum
-tidy up the living room



What I am creating . . .

"F" bombs  - a lot of them for an order


New recipe I want to try. . . 
A homemade skin scrub. A lot of cooking recipes too.


Looking around the house . . .
Looks like my kitchen could use a tidy up job too.


On the camera . . .

I haven't taken any photos since our trip.

On my prayer list . . .
The kids.  I have some news on one of them, but can't share it just yet.  And no, no one is pregnant (thank goodness).  The other news is that our nephew and his wife are selling their trailer and buying a house.  It's a grand deal, but two kids can't afford to buy it until May, so we are hoping it does not sell until then. Otherwise the deal is off for them.  I hope it works out, but at the price it's selling, it may get sold before they can buy it (due to their lease at their apt).