Happy Homemaker Monday

 Happy New Year!  I do not write out resolutions for the upcoming year.  I started working myself  (physically, and there may be an update this new year, we'll see).  I'm just glad the holidays are done with this year.

On to other news . . .

A little homemaking tip:  I fill a small spray bottle with vodka (sanitizer) and add a few drops of lavender essential oil.  I spray our mattress when the bedding is being washed.  It cleans the mattress and leaves a lovely scent.

Self Care:  my self care this week was to buy myself a new set of casual dress boots (tossing out a very old, and very worn pair too).  I never find anything in the size I wear, so this is a pamper me moment.  A big bonus, was that the price tag said $55.00 and they were on sale for $14.99!  What did you do for yourself last week?  Or do you plan some self care next week?

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

The weather . . .

It rained all weekend, and we are so stinkin' tired of it.  We did not get any work done on the coop either.  Woke up to more rain, and a slight possibility of a snow shower today.  Temps are in the high 30's/low 40's here right now.

Right now I am . . .

Making coffee, and will be putting the Christmas tree in storage for the year.

Thinking and pondering . . .

I'm considering hiring someone to paint one ceiling, and possibly more.  It all depends on my energy level this winter, ha ha!  Also, the cost.  

I'm also thinking about changing my blog background/theme on blogger too.  There is much on the side bars that can be removed too.

How I am feeling . . .

Honestly?  Pretty good, and I feel on task too.  I got all of the Christmas decorations put away, other than the tree, and life in general is pretty good.

On the breakfast plate . . . 

Leftovers.

On the lunch plate . . .

Not sure.  Maybe homemade cauliflower crust pizza with home canned sauce.

On the dinner plate . . .

Chicken Spaghetti using garden spaghetti squash for the pasta.  Garden green beans.

On the menu . . .

-One pan Pork Loin with Brussel Sprouts and Apples (new recipe to try - The Real Food Dieticians)

-Chicken Spaghetti using Spaghetti Squash (new recipe to try), roasted vegetables

-Crockpot Sweet Garlic Chicken, Green Beans baked with garlic powder

-grilled ham/cheese sandwiches, home canned tomato-basil soup

Snacks

-Greek Hummus Dip (new recipe to try, for a summer dip when the garden is in full swing)

On my reading pile . . .

Top two books are borrowed from the library.

On my TV this week . . .

Anything but Christmas movies ha ha!

Looking around the house . . .

I know some people get upset when people paint wood, but these dark wood doors need to get a new look.  I'm back to priming and painting some interior doors.  One door is completely done and back up where it belongs, and another down on the saw horses for a new, and brighter look.

I got the drill out, removed an old curtain rod (missing a part since last summer), installed the new one and put the curtain back up.  Some days, it's the "little" unfinished, now finished jobs that make my day complete.

I've also filled two boxes of purged/no longer needed items to donate soon.  I have a small stack of books to donate to a free little library soon as well.  If not, the books will be donated to the library book sale.  

To-do list . . .

-wash a kitchen rug (I can only do one at a time, as they have to dry flat, and I only own one drying unit for doing that).

-laundry

-dust

-put Christmas tree away, and other decor

-wash oven mitts (I try to do this once a month, but if I use them daily, then once a week - Homemaking Tip)

Use a clothes hanger with these hooks to hang dry your oven mitts.

Deep Clean for the week

-Clean oven and oven racks

From the camera . . .

In case you didn't see the recent post, my bunching onions are doing great!  I harvested some the other day.  they are larger than normal green onions, but seem to be hardy for this time of year.  Of course, all of this rain is helping, so I am harvesting more and enjoying them.

Devotional, Quote, Prayers. . .

No specific prayer requests at this time.

Happy Homemaker Monday © Jan 2024 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

This and That ~ Finishing the Unfinished

 

Although only for one night, we were able to travel a few hours away, to visit a 4.8 million Christmas light display, stay at a Historic hotel (which we loved), and visit some local shops, to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.  It rained on us, but we were still happy to travel and celebrate.

Christmas is over with, and we have had the strangest weather.  We hit 64°F I think they said, and today it's rain and in the high 50's.  The nice part of not having a lot of decorations up, is we have very little to put away this year.

Christmas has been much different, with Mom not here to celebrate, so we will need to work on new traditions for next year.  I've come to terms with the fact, it will not be the same, and we will make changes.  It's hard to believe I made it past Christmas, and only baked one Christmas cookie.  I've had a request to make one more, before the month is over.

I don't know how, but I managed to finally finish this book.  I started reading it early in the spring. The garden/other projects keep me busy, with little time to read.  

I finished this one as well.  I know, a bit shocker.  I think this makes book 5 for this year.  I typically read a lot more.

I read most of Leslie Meier Mystery books years ago, but our library did not have some of the series.  I do enjoy them, but would like to venture into other books I have at home.

If you are looking for a Christmas movie to watch, try Netflix movie Holiday in the Vineyards.  We very much enjoyed it.

We tried a new deviled egg recipe, and we really like it.  The recipe says to put the extra filling on crackers, and it would be delicious on a cracker.  We loaded it all on the eggs.  It is a recipe from The Southern Lady Cooks, and the pimentos make it colorful for a Christmas side dish.  

I used my homemade garlic powder for the recipe, and just the small amount adds a good amount of flavor.  They are not low in calories, but I'm glad we tried them.

This and That ~ Finishing the Unfinished © Dec 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Homemade Fajita Dry Mix

 It's very convenient to buy the packets of dry fajita mix at the grocery store, but you can make it yourself.  I've been making our dry taco mix for several years now.  

You most likely will have all of the ingredients to make this at home.  I buy some of my ingredients in organic/non-gmo bulk, which saves us money and allows me to have extra on hand to make many other dry mixes homemade.  Let me know if you make your dry Fajita mix without the sugar, and if it changes the flavor.  

Homemade Fajita Dry Mix

(makes about a 1/4 cup of dry mix)

I use all organic/non-gmo ingredients, and bulk buy some of them, as I make a lot from scratch

4 tsp. Chili Powder ( I buy bulk)

2 tsp. Ground Cumin (I buy bulk)

2 tsp. Paprika (I buy bulk)

1 tsp. Garlic Powder (we use homemade from homegrown)

1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper (use more for more heat)

1 1/2 tsp. salt

Optional:

1/2 tsp or more of onion powder (we make this homemade)

1-2 Tbsp. sugar or brown sugar if your heat seasonings are on the spicy side, otherwise there is no need for sugar

2 Tbsp. = 1 store packet of dry mix

Homemade Garlic Powder

 

The tool on the left is used for removing the garlic skins.  you place the garlic inside the tube and roll it with your hand.  The tool on the right is used to slice the garlic.

You put the top piece of the slicer back on top and twist the bottom as you press down the top. I have learned to not over fill this, making it much easier.

I know this is a repeat post, and I do make it yearly most garden seasons.  If you have never made garlic powder you can click on my post below on how I make it, after the garlic is dehydrated.  

My very first years making garlic powder, I would hand peel, and hand slice.  

How to Dehydrate Garlic and Make Garlic Powder

Tips:

-Use latex gloves.

-Rinse all the tools/knife if you are not going to do dishes right away.  Garlic dries rock hard, making washing things difficult.

-I only have 4 mats for my dehydrator, so I use parchment paper some times, so that I don't lose the very small bits of the garlic.  I do recommend parchment paper over simply using your trays.  It is much easier to un-stick the garlic from the paper, push it to the center, and fold the paper in half to slide it into your grinder.  It makes way less mess, and clean up much easier.

-Save your garlic skins to make broth or flavor other dishes.  Store the skins in a freezer bag.

Homemade Garlic Powder © Nov 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Homemade Sweet Potato Chips ~ Dehydrator

 

Sorry for the bad photos above.  My camera battery died, and I tried using photos off my phone. 

My preferred option to stock up sweet potatoes, is freezing them.  Click here to see that post.

I made beet chips way back in 2012, before I even had a mandolin or a dehydrator, and they were delicious!  Info on that post, CLICK HERE

We tried "chips" this time in the dehydrator.  My dehydrator guide book stated 125°F.  They literally tasted just like sweet potatoes.  I highly recommend, that if you want snacking "chips" to season them with maybe garlic, cayenne or other spice/herb.  I used a tiny bit of organic avocado oil and salt.  They are bland.  So season it up if you want flavor.

You can also dehydrate just the sweet potatoes, and grind them into powder for smoothies etc.  I have not done that, but I may try it in the fall when it's cooler out.

Kitchen-ness Day

 First off, I was going to pull up my Hummus recipe on my blog, but I had to dig it out of my recipe box instead.   I'm having issues with blogger.  I have always used the "search" either on the front of the blog or in dashboard for something.  When I search for something now, it brings up blogposts that don't even have the tag I'm searching on them.  I had trouble finding my Hummus recipe for chickpea Hummus on my blog.

So, I'm sharing again.  Not sure where I got the recipe, but it's our favorite.  After a lengthy search....here is the recipe for Hummus (click on the one below).

Hummus

New Recipes Tried:

Low Carb Bacon-Cheeseburger Casserole

Results?  Okay.  Nothing special, and for us, too much cheese (and sodium, as cheese is salty).  Not a keeper.

Epic Burger Sauce

Results?  Oh my gosh delicious!  Keeper!  I linked the recipe in the upper title of the recipe.  The only thing that will be different for us is, that we make our own garlic powder, can our own ketchup, and I canned dill pickles last year, so I used juice from that, and lastly, we make homemade cayenne as well.

I buy organic mayo for this, so it lasts 2 weeks in the fridge, but if you were having a cook out, you could make fresh mayo for this sauce.  We will definitely be taking this on camping trips and summer cookouts.  So good!  I think it would be great to put in a squeeze bottle for cookouts too.

It's great on burgers or for dip for fries/onion rings/baked green bell pepper fries

Finishing up homemade garlic powder ~ Growing Rhubarb Question

 

Using parchment paper on my dehydrator trays makes this grinding part easier.  I push the dried garlic to the center of the paper, and lift the sides to slide it into the coffee grinder.

The jar I use fits my canning funnel, making that part easy too.  You could use a smaller funnel for smaller jars.  We use garlic a lot, so hence large jar.

I dump out the older garlic powder into a cup with spout, put the new garlic powder in first, then the older on top.  All set for another year (maybe, ha ha!).

It's not exactly a quick job.  I wash all the trays after I dehydrate, so tastes and smells do not permeate into the next dehydrated food.  I wash the coffee grinder and clean out anything that blew off the trays inside the dehydrator.

Question about rhubarb:

Our rhubarb died last year, and we were going to move it anyway.....but...

I believe someone on here bought root starts online one year.  I can only find seeds (organic, non-gmo), and our local produce stand that sold them, closed their doors.

Where can I find them online?  If not, I need to order seeds or check our garden stores here.

Homemade Lean Turkey Sausage ~ New Breakfast Recipe and other tidbits

 

To make the new breakfast casserole, I needed sausage.  The recipe called for Italian, but I simply used my homemade sausage recipe, by swapping out the pork with lean ground turkey.  I put the extra into the freeze for other meals.

I made a new breakfast casserole, but after putting it together it is basically like a bake I make, only the potatoes are swapped out with cauliflower.  It's very good, but I will season it up next time with either jalapenos, garlic or fire powder.  I topped it with dandelion greens as well.  

Today, I am on the hunt for someone to at least remove the popcorn ceiling.  Wish we luck.  Nothing is cheap anymore.  We can do the painting, but I have never removed the popcorn ceiling.  The floor work is slow going right now, which is driving me crazy.  

I signed up to make rolls for one Thanksgiving, and yesterday realized, I cannot get to my recipes.  They are buried in my office, where the door is in the living room.  It's packed with stuff from the living room, and of course the floor is not in yet.  I guess I'm off the hook for that this year ha ha!

I may take a mashed cauliflower dish.  I mean, I need something my husband can eat.  That's the bad thing of a get together - all the options are not healthy, other than maybe deviled eggs.  When I think about it, almost all but the meat is bad - cheesy potatoes, corn casserole, sweet potato bakes have brown sugar toppings, stuffing, rolls, mashed potatoes, corn, any side salads with pasta in it....heck even my BBQ crock pot green beans have brown sugar in it.  I guess I'm on the hunt for some other healthy sides, besides sweet potatoes with garlic, butter and thyme.

Well, we are to get rain and snow today.  And it's another day waiting on a quote to get the gutters cleaned before the weather gets too bad.  

Happy Homemaker Monday

 

I made a batch of refried beans. We eat a lot of beans and greens, especially during the winter.  I use a box of organic dry pinto beans (soak the night before, and drain and rinse), add onion and garlic, cook all day in the crock pot.  I then let it cool, strain off any extra water, and blend in the blender (adding any extra flavorings like "fire powder" to it.  You can freeze extra for another day.  We eat beans with breakfast, lunch, dinner and for a snack.  Much healthier and less expensive than canned refried beans.  

Speaking of freezing food, I need to get more containers.  Someone has not been bringing his breakfast and lunch containers (hmpf).

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

The weather . . .

43/33°F today, and we dip down to the teens at night by the weekend.

As I look outside my window . . .

It's cloudy.

Right now I am . . .

Starting a load of laundry and getting ready to make homemade turkey sausage.  Then I will bake a breakfast casserole.

Thinking and pondering . . .

We are still talking about possible gas fireplaces, but we are also looking at the cost of propane and a propane tank for them.  The costs for the tanks alone have skyrocketed.  The best time to put in your gas lines, is when the floor is open (for us anyway, without an actually crawl space per say).

How I am feeling . . .

Worried the living room subfloor won't be in before the weather dips this coming weekend.

On the breakfast plate . . .

New recipe I've been wanting to try.  Will update later.

What I am wearing  . . .

Long sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, sweatpants and slippers.

On my reading pile . . .

Nothing right now sadly.

On my TV this week . . .

Out for Justice.

On the menu . . .

-Air fryer salmon, air fryer cauliflower (new recipe)
-Chicken bruschetta casserole (new recipe)

-leftovers

Looking around the house . . .

Welcome to week 2 of putting the living room floor back in.  Now our handy man says he's not sure about taking our old popcorn ceiling off, so it's either we do it ourselves, or get a quote from someone else.

On the to-do list . . .

-make breakfast casserole
-make homemade turkey "sausage"
-put stuff back in camper

-clean up boot pile

-vacuum and sweep where I can lol

-make hummus

-purge one dresser drawer, re-organize it

-copy down a recipe from my cousin

-pay some bills

-laundry

-clean both bathrooms

From the camera . . .

I finished another "blessing blanket" to donate.  It will be donated to the same senior center, that we borrowed a transit chair and other supplies from for Mom.  They do a trivia contest with seniors they help, and the winner gets a donated basket of goodies.  This blanket will be in their next "basket" of goodies.

Devotional . . .

All of my books are buried into the office, so I may be looking to buy a new devotional.  

Prayers for me finding more new recipes to cut my husband's sugar/carbs the best I can.  His last report was not good (he was sneaking donuts at work of all things), so I am doing my best to find simple lean meat and veggie recipes.  So far so good.

Loofah Update and other chit chat

 

I took this updated photo on 9-15-2022.  It's definitely not very big yet, but with the heat this next week, I hope to see it grow more.

I'm now working on rotating out food in the freezer, and putting more back in.  The threat of a railroad strike prompted me to pay more attention.  I know I need to stock up on homemade cream soups, so that is currently on the list.

Daughter E came over and I of course fed her.  Both my husband and I could tell she was hurting for cash (she will never admit it to us, and has never ever asked for a dime from us).  She has to buy all her supplies to become a hair stylist who rents her own booth now.  She picked up several boxes and I gave her some clothes she might like for her job (that I needed to purge as well).  We also slipped some cash in her bag (he he).  We really want to see her succeed, with her being her own boss.

She inspired me to create a new business card for my crafts, and I did. My old ones were from the Farmer's market days, and we no longer sell jam/jelly, or goat's milk soap, so I really needed to get new ones.  Plus, I have very few left anyway.

On a good note, my crocheted hair clips will be sold at her station in the salon next month.  I'm busy, busy, busy.....trying to squeeze in whatever time I can get to get more made. 

It's the end of garden season, but I'm leaving in the bell and hot peppers to get more out of them.  Our bell peppers provided enough for daily needs, but not enough to freeze sadly.  Not sure, other than the location I planted them in the garden.  I made note, and will plant with better light (we have a tree that blocks part of it).

Unlike many other people, we are starting the living room repairs in the midst of life's to-do's.  It's crazy busy, and expensive, so I'm doing my best to eliminate trips to town. Supplies are high in cost, and it's a need to do before winter job.  We also have zero family to help with the work, and of course my husband has to work.

When I do go to town, I make a plan and take lists, checking them twice.  I'm still able to put laundry on the line to keep the electric bill down, and I clip coupons, and download digital coupons.  I regret on planting large onions or potatoes.  Every time we buy them, we find a rotten one in one or two days after buying them. 

I do need to get other homemade items made, so there is a special list for that on days I am able to.  One being garlic powder.

Garlic Scape Powder ~ Spiced Peanuts

Woke up to a brisk 49°F (feels like 47°F).  Brrr!  Not good for the garden.  Sheesh.  Yesterday the wind was blowing so hard I chose not to use the clothesline in fear my bloomers would end up in the next county.

Garlic scapes are part of the garlic plant that gets cut off to help the plant continue to grow.  By the way, if you do not grow garlic, check your local Farmer's Markets for garlic scapes.  Many gardeners sell them this time of year.  

They are edible and we love to make garlic scape dip with radishes we grow as well.

They also last a long time in the refrigerator, but this year I tried something new with the remaining scapes.  I dehydrated them into garlic scape powder.

Dice scapes and use the temperature on your dehydrator you use to dehydrate vegetables. Once they are dried, grind to a powder using a coffee mill and store as you would garlic powder.  It's a milder flavor, but I'm excited to have it in my pantry this year.  I've never dehydrated garlic scapes before.

I had a jar of dry roasted (unsalted) peanuts that needed dealt with before expiration, so I made spiced peanuts. 

So good!  It's just a 16 oz. container of peanuts, 2 Tbsp. organic canola oil, 2 Tbsp. of sugar (I used monk fruit), 1 1/2 tsp. organic cumin, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. organic cayenne, 1/2 tsp. homemade garlic powder.  Mix in a bowl, spread onto a rimmed baking sheet, and bake for 20-25 minutes at 300°F.  Cool on waxed paper.  I bake mine on my pampered chef stoneware pan.

Santa Fe Chicken Fajitas and Chit-Chat

 Santa Fe Chicken Fajitas

1 lb. organic boneless chicken breast, sliced in thin strips

1 red onion, sliced thin

1 organic green bell pepper, sliced

1 organic red bell pepper, sliced

1 organic orange or yellow bell pepper (optional if you want more veggies), sliced

3/4 cup home canned salsa (or picante sauce)

6 Tbsp. organic lime juice

3 cloves garlic, minced (we use home grown)

2 tsp. organic chili powder

1 tsp. organic oregano (we use homegrown and dried)

1/2  tsp. organic ground cumin

1/4 tsp. natural smoke flavoring (optional, see note)

Salt

Black pepper

1 Tbsp. organic olive oil

10 homemade tortillas

Mix everything in a bowl with lid, except the tortillas of course.  Marinade the ingredients for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.  We like to let it sit overnight.  You can then cook the chicken and veggies in a pan or in a grill pan on the grill.  Top tortillas, and any toppings you'd like.

Note:  Natural smoke flavor typically contains a color added.  There are so many Youtube videos on how to make your own flavoring, but sometimes I just add a drop of molasses and vinegar and grill the fajitas. I have also found organic smoke flavor online.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The weather has had us yearning to go camping, and we even joked about putting up the camper out in the "back 40" this week.  However, the forecast changed those spontaneous plans.  A storm is brewing up and heading our way tomorrow.

I had so much to put away in my chaotic kitchen yesterday that my fitbit was reading over 10,000 steps by dinner time.  I got word that Wal-mart had put a clearance price on their mulch, so we headed up to the Big City to check.  Nope.  We came back home with one bag to mulch Daughter E's butterfly bush.  We needed a few items anyway, so the trip was not a waste of gas.

Our mower guy nicked the butterfly bush with the lawn mower and it both irritated me and made me sad.  I'll be making sure the bush is surrounded enough with mulch to keep the mower far away from it.  I asked my husband to make sure he mentions it to him next time he is here.

My clothesline was full yesterday, so first thing today is the remaining laundry and getting it on the line.  Porch clean ups are in order, while we wait for the garden to produce a harvest.

I also have a to-do list for in the kitchen again today.  My list remains for stocking up the freezer, until I begin cleaning it.  I hope to get one shelf done today.

I already woke up to gritting my teeth after seeing my kitchen sink.  I already started charging Daughter K rent due to her horrible housekeeping skills.  I reminded her twice last night to put her dishes in the dishwasher.  Guess where they are at?  In the sink.  She'll be 22 this month.  As hard as I try and change her ways, I can only hope she is better when she moves out with her boyfriend (which may happen this year).

I hope to get some time to "surf" the internet for some alternative recipes for baking walleye vs. frying it.  I'm trying to watch over my husband's sugar intake (breading is bad for him).  I found one already, but it uses boxed potato flakes and white potatoes are on the list to avoid.  I may try it with parmesan cheese though.

I hope your summer is returning to normal, and things are well for you all.  I do appreciate your comments.  Things here are coming back to life.  It was so nice to see our friend's bar completely full of people and even a birthday party going on (they have wonderful food there). Farmer's Markets are going on everywhere, so I hope to make it to one for vegetables we did not plant this year.

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!