I had my own sous chef yesterday, so I got a lot done by 2pm. Hubby was my chopping helper and enjoyed it actually. I told him he needs to hurry up and retire. I kind of like having him at home.
I roasted the last two pumpkins for making pumpkin butter - delicious!!! One container for the fridge, and two went into the freezer.
We'll use it to top waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, biscuits, toast and more. Maybe use it in a dessert if the need arises.
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, October 27, 2016
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Green Tomato Chutney ~ Green Tomato Relish.
I brought in 17# of green tomatoes before our frost, so I canned a simple green tomato chutney.
There are so many recipes, I just wanted to try a simple one first. It filled 6 half-pints (tripled recipe), so I hope it's tasty. This came from the book "Foolproof Preserving." It appears I could have thickened it just a bit more, but it was already sticking to the pan.
What was next?
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Frost Warning ~ Puttin' Up Herbs
A frost warning was set for last night, so I moved into high gear and worked on what should be brought in first. I Cut the last of the parsley my herb garden could give me (while canning).
...a few more comfrey leaves
....the last of the calendula flowers.
Labels:
Dehydrator,
Herb Garden,
Homesteading,
Medicinal herbs,
Self Sufficiency
Monday, October 24, 2016
Pie Pumpkin Puree
I purchased 8 pie pumpkins so far, and roasted them all for puree. The first 6 weighed in about 15.71 lbs.
I typically cut them and clean them all, and roast them all in one day. This time I roasted two a day, until I was done. I have a dog that likes to steal food, so I made sure I didn't have a lot going on. Funny how all the dogs don't touch the tomatoes. Anyway...
I used parchment paper this year. I usually add water and cover, but not this year. It works pretty well too. Parchment paper isn't cheap, so I buy it at our dollar store for $1 a box. It gets me through the holiday baking season on a dime as well.
I typically cut them and clean them all, and roast them all in one day. This time I roasted two a day, until I was done. I have a dog that likes to steal food, so I made sure I didn't have a lot going on. Funny how all the dogs don't touch the tomatoes. Anyway...
I used parchment paper this year. I usually add water and cover, but not this year. It works pretty well too. Parchment paper isn't cheap, so I buy it at our dollar store for $1 a box. It gets me through the holiday baking season on a dime as well.
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Crushed Tomatoes ~ Goodbye Tomato Plants
I got 8 1/2 pints of crushed tomatoes canned. Not bad for the last bit of tomatoes. Ripe ones anyway.
While the canner boiled, I started washing down the kitchen cupboards. The fall cleaning has started.
Labels:
Homesteading,
Marriage,
Self Sufficiency,
Tomatoes,
Vegetable Garden
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Bug Catcher ~ Tidbits
We have had an ample amount of tomatoes in the house lately, and the gnats are horrible. One daughter found this idea on the internet and it works. Simply put fruit in the jar and add a piece of paper. They can get in, but not back out. I added a drop of dawn soap down the center to kill them. Today the jar has twice as many in it. Best thing that has worked so far. We even caught a fly in it.
Friday, October 21, 2016
Hope and Hard Work ~ Appreciation
The other day, our Army daughter stopped in for a porch visit. She told me, "Mom the only thing I want for Christmas is a jar of pickles."
It's the thing a hard working, gardening, self-sufficient mother wants to hear from her kids - an appreciation for home grown food.
The problem with health issues today, in my opinion, stands on the fact convenience kills (when it comes to food). I can only hope that my kids will understand the importance of eating real food. Even if they have to buy it vs. grow it.
I should have done this with the tomato soup (much chopping involved), but I'll entertain some folks with the art of making tomato salsa. Mind you this is only one thing to can with tomatoes. Imagine all the work into our 500# this year. This shows you how crazy us homesteader/self-sufficient nuts are, ha ha!
First: You have to prepare the garden, till it, weed it, plant it, weed it some more, then wait for the bounty. Then harvest those beauties and wash them first with a vegetable scrubber and cold water. Then fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.....oh and for me it involves planting, weeding and harvesting of the hot peppers, garlic onions, pre-making the tomato paste from our tomatoes, and growing the cilantro.
Moving on:
It's the thing a hard working, gardening, self-sufficient mother wants to hear from her kids - an appreciation for home grown food.
The problem with health issues today, in my opinion, stands on the fact convenience kills (when it comes to food). I can only hope that my kids will understand the importance of eating real food. Even if they have to buy it vs. grow it.
I should have done this with the tomato soup (much chopping involved), but I'll entertain some folks with the art of making tomato salsa. Mind you this is only one thing to can with tomatoes. Imagine all the work into our 500# this year. This shows you how crazy us homesteader/self-sufficient nuts are, ha ha!
First: You have to prepare the garden, till it, weed it, plant it, weed it some more, then wait for the bounty. Then harvest those beauties and wash them first with a vegetable scrubber and cold water. Then fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.....oh and for me it involves planting, weeding and harvesting of the hot peppers, garlic onions, pre-making the tomato paste from our tomatoes, and growing the cilantro.
Moving on:
Labels:
Home canned salsa,
Kids,
Motherhood,
Self Sufficiency,
Vegetable Garden
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