I spent the evening baking a cake for our daughter who turned 17 today. We made homemade frosting and added homemade lemon extract this time (vs. vanilla). I also splurged and picked up two half gallons of organic ice cream. It's so hot and humid here, I did not want to attempt homemade ice cream. It was so hot in the house, that the frosting was drooping. We put the cake in the refrigerator last night. We only have one air conditioner unit in downstairs and the kitchen is pretty warm.
Our now 17 year-old, frosted the cake after I added the first layer. The kids love to learn how to do this, as I learned from my mother. In fact, Mom donated all her cake decorating supplies to the girls, and a two layer 9-inch round cake is traditional here.
Last night we also received rain. Woo hoo! Finally. The storms, thankfully were not too bad, and the rain came down. I am so thankful. The gardens really, really needed it. I attempted weeding the herb garden yesterday, but the ground was too dry to even do it.
The saga of the raccoon from h-e-double hockey sticks continues.
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~
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Random Tidbits
No rain as of today (Wed. morning). The forecast states that we have chances of bad storms late tonight, including bad winds and hail. I could do without the storms, but we need the rain.
The grass is dried up and brown, and the dirt around my trees have dried so badly, the ground is cracking.
First lettuce from the garden. We enjoyed it with homemade bean burritos. It felt so nice to go out and pick it vs. have to drive to the store and buy it.
The grass is dried up and brown, and the dirt around my trees have dried so badly, the ground is cracking.
First lettuce from the garden. We enjoyed it with homemade bean burritos. It felt so nice to go out and pick it vs. have to drive to the store and buy it.
Labels:
Dogs,
Homesteading,
Motherhood,
Self Sufficiency,
Vegetable Garden,
wild animals
Monday, June 20, 2016
Baking like a "toasted cheeser"
At 7am, the heat is already bad. I should be out there soaking the garden, but wanted to get a quick post in first. The "beast" died a few days ago (our computer), so I'm using a laptop for the time being. I am just trying to figure out how to get the photos loaded (picassa is not on here, so I'll work on that later maybe).
What ever is doing this returned the other day. Both porches were attacked like this. My two pots of comfrey were put safely inside the garage for the night. I can't afford to lost them, as I have lost all the other herbs.
I swept up the dirt, filled the pots, put out a trail camera, and it decided to not return last night. Of course that's how it works.
What ever is doing this returned the other day. Both porches were attacked like this. My two pots of comfrey were put safely inside the garage for the night. I can't afford to lost them, as I have lost all the other herbs.
I swept up the dirt, filled the pots, put out a trail camera, and it decided to not return last night. Of course that's how it works.
Labels:
Homesteading,
Motherhood,
Self Sufficiency,
wild animals
Saturday, June 18, 2016
And She's Down.....Up Again ~ Another scarecrow?
I've been struggling with allergies, or I thought I was, and have been very tired. So tired, that I wanted to take a nap lately. I never nap. Unless I'm sick.
I took a nap.
(Warning: this is a "grap a cup of coffee/tea" kind of post. Sorry I was so chatty. Must be that I'm feeling better today.)
Shocker. My kids thought I was joking when I said I was leaving the porch and taking a nap.
I overslept one morning, and woke up feeling as if my head would explode.
I took a nap.
(Warning: this is a "grap a cup of coffee/tea" kind of post. Sorry I was so chatty. Must be that I'm feeling better today.)
Shocker. My kids thought I was joking when I said I was leaving the porch and taking a nap.
I overslept one morning, and woke up feeling as if my head would explode.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Puttin' Up Herbs ~ Sugar Snap Peas
The last batch of oregano I dried, filled two pint jars. I am hoping the catnip grows quickly, so I can dry more of that for my catnip tincture (for homemade bug spray).
The catnip pot was the only pot that survived the raccoon party on the porch. The comfrey survived somewhat, and that is very much needed. A vital herb to healing.
I picked our first sugar snap peas. Hubby and I love to snack on them, fresh off the vine.
Short post today. Recovering from a sinus infection. Or what I believe to be as one.
The catnip pot was the only pot that survived the raccoon party on the porch. The comfrey survived somewhat, and that is very much needed. A vital herb to healing.
I picked our first sugar snap peas. Hubby and I love to snack on them, fresh off the vine.
Short post today. Recovering from a sinus infection. Or what I believe to be as one.
Labels:
Herb Garden,
Motherhood,
Vegetable Garden
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Meet Pearl
We picked the most humid day for this project, but one 16 year-old was willing to help. Pearl is not fancy, but we didn't dress her for a contest. Just some thrift store clothing, one of our old aprons (full body, but had to fold it over for a waist apron), an old hat of ours, some scrap material for the head, straw to stuff her, and a few sharpies to give her a face.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Serviceberry Jam ~ Big Purge
Most people I have talked to, do not know what a serviceberry is. It's almost like a mini-blueberry, but starts out looking like a mini-cherry. It has the flavor of a blueberry, and is, what I call, seedy.
All the recipes for serviceberry jam, that I could find on the internet, used a large portion of these berries. If you've picked them, you know it takes a lot of picking to get even a few cups.
All the recipes for serviceberry jam, that I could find on the internet, used a large portion of these berries. If you've picked them, you know it takes a lot of picking to get even a few cups.
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