The Green Tomato Thief ~ Tidbits

We woke up Tuesday morning, to find most of my green tomatoes all over the kitchen floor and living room.  Mia, the hairy green tomato thief stole them during the night.  There were teeth marks in all of them, and it appeared she didn't eat one.  

Yesterday's start of the sunrise.  Our temps got up to the lower 60's!

The sorghum cookie recipe I used (posted in a previous post), is found online called "Sorghum Syrup Crinkle Cookies" by Golden Barrel.  I used my local sorghum, and regular ol' sugar.  They were delicious and the family has requested them again already.

Tuesday Tidbits

I have lost my notes on our pear wine. Sigh.  I found a recipe in my County Wisdom and Know How book though.  I may have to adjust it depending on how many pounds of pears we have.

Thanksgiving plans are falling into place.  We are not going to the restaurant like we did last year.  We are having two meals this year.  Once with Hubby's family here, and one at my younger brother's house.  I am just trying to figure out what to make for each get together.  Pies do better with our Christmas meal, so I doubt I'll bake one.  

I devoted Monday Madness to paperwork.  Got so much done, and have a pile to burn now.  Now if I can just keep it that way.

Unfortunately, the wife to a very good friend of Hubby's had a bad stroke a few weeks ago.  She's close to my age.  We got word last night that she is being moved to hospice today.  We are so emotional today, and feel so badly for them.

Weekend Updates

Youngest Daughter had her Halloween party.  She even had candles that drip "blood."  Orange lights were up, blinking light candles going, scary movies playing etc.  With all the company over, and another daughter here for a visit, Mia got a case of the "zommies."  Every rug was turned up, ha ha!  I wish I got it filmed for her Mom.  So funny.

Saturday morning we woke up to cold, rainy, and windy weather.  Hubby had to work all weekend, so I couldn't even do the major deep cleaning projects (need the extra muscle to move stuff).  Oh darn (ha ha!).

Daughter had one friend sleepover, and Hubby was working his double shift, so I whipped up some larger homemade biscuits and cooked some homemade sausage patties for egg/sausage biscuit breakfast sandwiches.  I used my largest biscuit cutter and it worked great.  I just have to make the patties thinner next time.  Yum!  I even saved some for Hubby.

So....

Had a long talk with the ladies and gent first thing, and told them if they don't start giving me some eggs they're gonna be in the stew pot soon.  Then again, they do deserve a night break after all that work this year.

I then had to fetch wood from the barn, one arm-load at a time.  All the wood on the porch was wet.  The wind blew the rain under the roof and "poof" saturated the wood.  Oh well, I got extra steps on my fitbit.

I fired up "Big Red" and drove to the library and did a major book drop off, and majorly big pick up.  Daughter picked out some movies for the weekend.  Free movies are the best kind of movies you can get.  We love supporting our little library too, and love to see me (ha ha!).  Hubby loves it, because I am not filling the house with purchased books too, however I do love my own little stash and need some crochet and knitting books yet.

I lugged 3 full tote bags inside to return, and only took one filled bag home this time.  On the way in, I saw a huge rack of free magazines.  On the way out a lady was standing in front of it (small enclosed entrance-way), so not wanting to stand around and wait, I talked myself into walking right out the door.

I baked sorghum cookies, giving us a dose of iron, copper, vitamin B-6, magnesium, potassium etc.  The sorghum I buy is locally grown and sold at an apple orchard we get some supplies from (not apples, they spray).  Anyway, they were delicious.  I'll bake them one minute longer next time.  These do not taste like gingersnaps.  Almost like a sugar cookie maybe, but no strong molasses flavor either.

I cut strips of netting to embark on restocking the most requested item I sell - dish scrubbies.  Each one takes 20 yards of netting (cut into a couple of strips) to crochet.  I'm all out of blue, so these are the colors getting made.  Next requested item is knitted dishcloths, then the pot holders.

Sunday the dogs woke me up at 3:30am.  I checked all the perimeters and saw nothing, but 20 minutes later I heard a 4-wheeler of some sort pull out of the field and ride past the house.  The temperature was about the same - 38°F and more rain.  No wind in the morning though, so that was nice.  The sun was even out in the morning hours.

Hubby slept most of the morning, as he worked the graveyard shift all night.  Mia missed him so much she slept at the bedroom door until he woke up.  

Today it's a warmer 40°F thankfully. 

Random Tidbits

When I woke up, took the dogs out and stoked the fire (again), I realized I hadn't cleaned my vegetable scrubber the night before.  It went into some water and vinegar first thing, while I puttered around early morning.

I'm working on giving my blog a new look.  What is your favorite site to create a blog banner or collage photo etc?  Pic Monkey charges a monthly rate to use now, and that is who I used for free in the past.  

My brain needed a boost, so I made a nice cup of Rosemary-Lemon Thyme Tea (recipe is in Rosemary Gladstar's book - Medicinal Herbs).  Speaking of her book, has anyone made her recipe for honey onion syrup for colds?  It is not written if the syrup can be made and stored in the fridge for any period of time.   Or would you simply consume this often during winter to ward off a cold?  Thoughts welcomed on this.  

We all needed a boost of iron, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and so forth.  I whipped up a gingerbread banana bread.  It is made with spelt flour and some blackstrap molasses (packed with goodness).  I used parchment paper, used real maple syrup and homemade vanilla extract.  

The taste?  Pretty good (loaded with flavor), but my bread was on the dry side.  Not enough bananas?  I don't typically measure my mashed bananas, but I would for this recipe.  Next time it will be better.  I like this recipe, because it freezes well.  If you want the recipe, it's online at Chocolate Covered Katie - Gingerbread Banana Bread.   I bet this bread would be warm with some honey-cinnamon butter on it.  

Deep cleaning returned - washed down more woodwork, sorted and tossed many, many magazines, put things back in their homes etc.  Did my weekly anti-ill spray down (an essential oil mix to prevent germs). Sorted bills, did a small tidy-up at the kitchen computer area.

Sorted through a ton of library books, made another library run and came home with these.

Made a list of possible handmade/homemade Christmas gifts.

.....from the handiwork journal

Finished a navy headband for my oldest daughter.

Finished these knitted dishcloths to sell.  They are almost restocked for the next craft show.

Finished another mug/coaster set.

Finished a set of elf boot cuffs for Youngest daughter.  I'll most likely adjust this pattern for a shorter top on it, and round the top round in white vs. green yarn.  Small bells will be sewn onto the tips of the red part too.  Or possible leave them as they are, and give buyers an option prior to a craft show.  I guess you could glue on pom poms too.  It'll be interesting to see what Youngest wants on hers.  She can't wear them to school, but can elsewhere.  This pattern is for sale at Etsy by AllieCatsHats (not an affiliate, just sharing).

Started this scarf for an order for a Christmas present.

Current dishcloth on the knitting needles.

Current lapghan on the crochet hook.

I got a set of boot cuffs crocheted to sell.  New pattern.  I started a second set for a Christmas present as well.  This pattern is online for free at Crystalized Designs.  The only problem selling boot cuffs?  Not everyone can wear the size they make (most have one size).  I love the elf boot cuff pattern, because the designer included a size chart, so they can be made for calf size.

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In light of my panic attack (coyotes lurking) yesterday morning, and yes I was in my PJ's and bathrobe, I let my ladies and stud muffin Sparta (chickens) in the coop.  I didn't even take the chance to put them in their run.  They were pretty mad at me.

Tater Tot wasn't happy with me either (Jesse).  He loves to roam, and is never on a leash.  He was on a leash all day and hated it.

Most of the morning I was out looking for one of the barn cats.  I hadn't seen her and that worried me, but she later showed up.

Cheeta Puff (Tiger) has had so much anxiety with dogs (Mia is a cat chaser) in the house again, he was throwing up all over, and would not leave the utility room.  I felt so bad for him, so I snuck him into my room to get some lovin' time, while I crocheted.

I baked a new recipe.  It's from a healthy dessert site online.  I'll be sharing if it tastes good or not.

Hunter's Moon

In case you missed the Hunter's Moon Wednesday, here you go.  We woke up to 33°F yesterday morning.

Here is the moon this morning.  We woke up to a chilly 28°F.  I got up at 5:30am to take the dogs out and stoke the fire.  Typically, I put Mia on a leash and let Jesse go do his business within sight of our pole light.  However, after I called for him, a group of coyotes moved through, and they were close.  Loud too.  I had to yell "treaty" to get him running inside.  I will be taking him on a leash now when it's dark.  They were across the street somewhere, and the corn is still up there.  My hands were literally shaking, they were that close.  Coyotes were always an issue when we had kid goats.  Thankfully, they are not around our area as much as other areas.  This is the second time we've heard them this year.

I only worked outdoors yesterday for about 30 minutes yesterday - too cold.  I can't function pulling weeds etc with too many layers on.  This week is going to be interesting.  Rain is in the forecast, so I'm yanking weeds and dead plants as fast as I can.  I'm not sure when I'll be out there today.  It'll have to warm up first.

Last night I made breakfast for dinner - homemade sausage in sausage gravy, over homemade biscuits, scrambled eggs and fried potatoes.  By the way, I made the eggs first, cooking them almost done.  I then put them in a crock pot on low while I cooked everything else.  It worked great and freed up my stove top.

Mia literally put her bone in my lap yesterday, while crocheting, ha ha ha!  Funny dog.  However, she goes after cats.  Urgh.

50/50

Although the weather is now in the 40's and not the 60's, I'm back out to the garden.  It's going much slower.   I hope to have a post on the garden, as I attempt to get it ready for next year.  Of course it depends on the weather too.  I was super irritable Monday evening.  I am trying to once again find the humor in all of this.  You could say this garden was a complete success if all you wanted to harvest was foxtail.

Mia must not like my knitting needles.  If I sit to knit she starts up with her need to play.  If I crochet, she naps.  Hm.  Coincidence?  I do need breaks in my day too.

I started my infused oil, but I had to heat up the kitchen too.  I am smacking myself for starting it so late.  However, the sunny window where it sits, is right behind my dehydrator (which about to start heating up too).

Mixed up some more handmade foaming hand soap.  This time I used my 18 in 1 Hemp lavender castile soap.  I am completely out of  the plain version of castile soap.  We're trying to tidy up the house for a bonfire/Halloween party for Youngest and her friends.

I've been splitting my time 50/50 with indoor and outdoor work.  I hope to have some order indoors in case weather outside for the party is poor.  I still have a table full of tomatoes, and those however, will stay where they are.