Herbal Book ~ Tidbits ~ Boring Stuff

I borrowed this book from the library.  I found a few good recipes to try.  I'll have to wait for spring and summer for a few of them though.  Just sharing in case you haven't seen this book. It's a beginner book, but I have not made a balm with chickweed and plantain yet.  That is first on the list.  I have chickweed salve that I purchased, and I LOVE it.  I hope it doesn't turn out to be a rock hard "balm."

 (Russian Giant - what a mess!)

Tuesday, I took some time in our 65°F (and sunshine all day) warm up, and weeded the garlic.  About 90% of it anyway. We've had lots of rain, and with the lack of snow cover, it's full of thistle already.  I found five of the giant bulbs rotten.  I replanted, but it may be too late.  The ground is very very wet, so I'm hoping the sun and heat dried it up a bit.  I also replanted the Creole variety - about 9-10 didn't come up.  Not sure yet on the last variety.  I'll check after next week.

And guess what's arriving tomorrow?  More rain. Today's high is 47°F.

I am going to wait until shotgun week has ended to finish the weeding.  When I heard the first shot I saw trees move not far from me.  I'm pretty sure I know who is shooting out in the woods, and they are not safe people.  I went in until Hubby got home.  Got myself a good dose (double dose) of vitamin D, then a dose of iron.   

You bet we went on a motorcycle ride.  I so much enjoyed seeing the beautiful Christmas lights on a motorcycle ride in late November.  I smiled all the way home.

I spent one day, up until noon, getting my last minute health insurance points.  Oye, what a mess of hoops we have to jump to keep our current cost the same!  I could have worked on barn wood, cleaned inside, canned, but the points have to be in before the end of December (and once you complete a "course" they can take up to 15 days to add to your account).  This meant watching several, hour long videos on financial tips, and health stuff.

Boring!

I'm glad that job is done for this year. I got a set of boot cuffs made while waiting for the videos to end.   (Yawn)  You can't just walk away and let it play either.  They spontaneously stop the slide show and give you quizzes.  

Although I think we are overdue for some snow, I am enjoying hanging my laundry out in sun and wind and warmer weather.  I thought you'd enjoy a funny photo, because I haven't taught myself to knit socks yet, you get to see just a few pairs of my Christmas socks (ha ha ha!).

Last Bottle of Homemade Pear Wine

The last pear wine update was posted here (November 9, 2016).  We had some wonderful taste tests, and eventually bottled it.  However, the bottles with corks popped some tops, and turned pink.  

We didn't have enough bottles with screw caps, so much went bad.  However, to our delight, we kept one screw cap bottle.  

We popped it open last night.  It was very good, but too much carbonation in it.  More like a high alcohol champagne, ha ha!



We are so excited that we've learned so much already, and next time we will have another carboy and we'll let it sit longer with the bubble airlock on it.  

We were so happy to enjoy that one single bottle, and now we are prepared to do any fruit wine.  Peach, cherry, any berry, grape, plum, apple....I may need more fruit trees, ha ha!

We now have a supply of empty screw cap wine bottles too (thanks to my wine drinking friends and family).  Many wine companies and changing over to screw tops due to the cost of corks.  

I thought you'd enjoy this update, as we travel through our homesteading and self sufficiency adventures.  I'm not sure what's on the schedule today yet.  It all depends on the weather.

Last night I had to put a buff orpington in the emergency coop.  She's loosing many feathers from molting and the other hens are pecking at her backside.  I have one chicken saddle, but they hate to wear it.  And the other hens will attack who ever is wearing it, so hence we just separated her until she's got her feathers back.

In preparation for the upcoming craft sale, I finished another slouchy hat, another mug/cozy/coaster set, sewed in the ends of other projects, and have 3 completed double wrap infinity scarves (with another in the making).  If I have time, I may whip up a few ornaments.

Load of Wood ~ Freezing Ginger

It was time to cut more wood.   We cut up rafter boards, a few beams and about half of the pile of short boards I pulled nails from.   We put another dent into cleaning up the barn mess, and the wood turned into a blessing for us.  

I was a few days late for this step, but the garlic was drained, half the liquid saved for salads, and the remainder heated with honey and poured back over the garlic. It will sit another 3-4 weeks.

The weather was heating up to the low 50's, and sunny.  Beautiful sunshine.   In fact, it was so beautiful, that we later took off on a motorcycle ride.  We passed about 5-6 other die hard riders Friday too.  

Saturday, it was the OSU-Michigan game, so we didn't get anything done.  It was also a day for a get together with my side of the family.   

I froze fresh organic ginger for winter for the first time.  I have dehydrated some in the past, but from what I have read, frozen will taste better.  I don't want to be home in a snow storm, and not have any.  Or have a sick kiddo and need it.  I simply wrapped it up with peeling on and will just peel as needed.  I will be stocking up more when it's on sale again.  It's organic too.

Guess what???

Poof!  After almost a year of not laying one single egg, the two of the three araucanas are laying again.  I was seriously about to drive them the one hour drive where they'd become stew meat  But alas they have proven their right to stay.  And some of the barred rocks and buff orpingtons are laying again too.  During the last two weeks or so, we were getting one egg a day.  I told Hubby the araucanas must be "Christmas" chickens.  It seems to be the only time of year they lay us eggs.

Last night we got home when it was getting dark out, so we plan to unload the wood today, but also have plans to cut another load.  We have a long to-do list, so I'm thinking we'll be spreading it out over the next week.  

A Hammer and a Pile of Wood

Here is where I (re)started - the pile of wood left from tearing apart the roofing of the barn.  The long boards were put to good use - a co-worker of Hubby's that makes furniture with it.  The shorter boards remain in this somewhat of a huge pile.  I've worked on it a few days, but didn't bring much up to the house.  While Hubby is at work, and on good weather days. . .

 Nails got pulled.   And they are not easy to get out either.  Some are so mangled it takes great effort.

Added to the existing pile until we can cut them to fit the stove.  My wrist was sore, so I took a break.  

....putting a dent in it.  

Best Thanksgiving Ever

I am ever so grateful for my health, my family's health, and well being.

Guess what I did the day before Thanksgiving?

Nothing.  Nada.  Zip.  Literally.  Other than getting up at the crack of dawn (5am) and making breakfast, I pampered myself all day (aside from animal chores).

Thanksgiving day?  Ha!  I was up sipping coffee, enjoying the sunrise, while Hubby made us omelets.  Then we took a drive to visit Hubby's family before we enjoyed our own Thanksgiving.   

We ate out.  Yes, can you believe it?!  There is a nice restaurant (about an hour away) famous for their Thanksgiving dinner, and reservations are required.  I'll admit, it was not the same as homemade, but pretty close.  We met up with one daughter, another had to work.

After the meal, the girls all jumped in their sister's new car at the restaurant and carpooled to go "Black Friday" shopping.

Hubby said he saw a huge change in my mood. He was telling everyone later that I was up singing and dancing and dressing up.  I was too.

Best Thanksgiving ever, because Hubby sang to me in the car.  He serenaded me all the way home.  

Total bliss.  

I'm up to stoke the fire, and let Hubby sleep in, but we may not need a fire today.  The weather is warming up a bit today. Yay!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your Thanksgiving be relaxing, peaceful, fun, and safe!

Canning, Bourbon and Crochet ~ Cherry Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Tuesday started out just gorgeous.  Caught these photos after seeing it going out to fetch firewood.  Just makes a person smile.  

BBQ pork chops went into crock pot yesterday.  We had leftover wild rice, and it was a perfect match.  The sauce is home canned, with added fresh onion, green pepper etc.  Yum.  Recipe is in the cookbook, "Fix it and Forget it."  Although I think it's called "Spicy" not BBQ in the book.

Now if you just read the blogpost title and wondered (hiccup) if I indulged (hiccup) in that bourbon or (hiccup) not .  .  . 

 . . . Cherry-Bourbon BBQ Sauce was canned. Recipe is a "pile to file" keeper recipe.  I've had this on my list for over a year now.  It's from "The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving @ 2016."   And you bet I tasted it right away.  Yum!    I would recommend it for gift giving for any occasion too.  You can use it on meat, fish, rice or other grain, on burgers, in other recipes...endless ideas.

I couldn't get my towels out on the line until noon, but the high winds dried it spankin' fast.  The sun was out too. 

Yesterday's snack?  Pumpkin hummus.  Mmmm.

It was also a day to blanch and freeze 3 bundles of organic dandelion greens, pick some more kale, and bring in one egg from my free loaders.  The kale is in this morning's breakfast.  I'm thankful it's still producing.

I got up extra early this morning, to make a fresh hot breakfast (not a reheated one Hubby usually takes to work).  Why?  Well, ha ha!  Oh boy.  I watched him walk out the door with pancakes on a plate with syrup and a fork.  There was no stopping him either.  It could have been bad with him driving and eating pancakes to work.  He arrived safely and on time, but today he'll not get away with do that.  

I'm making omelets - onion, red pepper, potatoes, ham and kale.  Gotta get them greens ya' know.