This and That

Okay, what's your "go-to" crock pot dish for a Thanksgiving meal?  I need two sides to take to a gig on the day after Thanksgiving and someone is already bringing green bean casserole.  I love to bring BBQ green beans, but that would be a lot of green beans then.  Hm.  Any ideas?  Glazed carrots?  I don't want to do mac n' cheese.

Has anyone bought and used the crochet hooks that light up?  I have read reviews that some give you a headache from the light.  I would love to buy some, but I though I'd ask here and see if any of you who crochet uses them.

Short post today.  

More Tomato Soup (Yay!) ~ Proud Parents

The last of the tomatoes weighed in at litteraly ounces over 10#.  I got one last batch of tomato soup canned.  So happy right now.  It ended up about 45-50# of tomatoes - 6 pints tomato sauce, 10 pints tomato soup.  I am a happy gal!

I had to get dinner in the crock pot before canning.  I was stressing about having to dice and dice before canning (which required dicing carrots, celery and onion as well).

I decided to pull a quart of frozen homemade french onion soup for the "broth" and "onion" in the lentil soup.  Pulled celery cubes and carrots from the freezer.  Worked perfectly.  I am now adding that on the re-stock list for the winter as well.  It always comes in handy.  I also pulled rolls from the freezer, making dinner way easier after a canning day.

My waste funnel for my food strainer is on it's last leg.  Why can't they make these with a thicker body?  I do not know.  I went online and ordered a very expensive replacement (even with 10% off), only to get an email back that they are out of stock.  Sigh.  I cannot find one anywhere else but their parts store either.  It did last about 5-6 years (maybe more).

A small yarn order came in quick.  Now I want to work on a project for myself, but guilt will kick in.  The change in weather has made me realize we are running out of time for everything outdoor related.  

I finally got the call, but from the insurance company, and not the surgeon's office.  GRR!  Insurance never got the paperwork until the 21st, even though I called prior to that (way prior), and now I'm told I have to wait another 15 days.

The big news?  Our youngest daughter was selected as the "Student of the month" in our entire county.  We are so proud of her.  I'm pretty sure it'll be printed in the newspaper too.

Dinners ~ More Canning

I woke up early looking like a cross between Medusa and Heat Miser.  Literally.  Sigh.  Hubby walked in the door last night about 4:30pm, and said, "I love you Honey" in a way in which it gave him away.  He took on the night shift last night and will work through first shift today.  I could not sleep and....well I'm up early.  Let's get this post posted and may the coffee and a hot shower give me super powers today.

Dinner Monday night after canning.  Homemade sloppy joes using home canned ketchup (the best), and sweet potato fries (white sweet potatoes and they are so creamy, and organic). 

Tuesday nights dinner . . .

Chicken enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce, and crock pot fried rice (both new recipes, actually 3).  I know "fried" rice is not a Mexican dish and Spanish rice is, but wanted to try it for a possible vegetarian potluck dish.

Guess what?  We did not like the rice recipe (hence no photo), but loved the homemade enchilada sauce (recipe online at "Gimme some Oven" and adapted with my home grown dried herbs, and organic ingredients).  Yum.  Sauce keeps up to 3 days in the fridge too.  My dinners have been based on what's in the freezer and pantry, so that helped make a decision for the next meal.

Tonight's dinner was voted in for a lentil (if I have lentils, I forgot to check) crock pot soup.  I need a crock pot something.  More canning is going on today, and I am not complaining either. We are so blessed to be able to re-stock some pantry items.  I just have to figure out what I am canning after I weigh the last of them.  

Have you heard about the orchard heists?  Two states near us have had apples and pumpkins stolen.  I read the apple orchard was picked completely clean.  Just sort of scary that this is happening.  

Tuesday Tidbits

Yesterday started with a beautiful sunrise.  We won't see many more as we crawl into winter.

I was a hot mess myself Monday morning.  It was madness I tell ya'.  First, I was so tired Sunday night we decided to leave the blanket and towels on the line and get them down in the morning. 

I was so tired I wasn't thinking that they'd be covered in dew and damp, and we hired our biker friend to come mow before it rained.  I ran out and took it all down after getting tomatoes cut and in the pot, only to find out the mower is not running.  All the hydro static oil leaked out and something is very wrong (adding to the to-do list).

I had to put away all the dishes Hubby washed before I could even start the tomatoes, and after that, had to wash dishes again and put them away so I had the counter free to can soup later.  

I opened the dishwasher and couldn't tell if Hubby unloaded just the bottom and forgot the top, so I re-ran it too.  Later in the morning I unnecessarily freaked out when I heard the water pump kick on, only to remember the dishwasher was running.  By 11am I seriously needed a good long nap, but that didn't happen.

Ground beef had to be prepped for the crock pot.  I had to get that done while the soup reduced or dinner wasn't going to happen.

5 pints of delicious Lemony-Tomato Basil Soup Canned.

Once everything was done in the kitchen, as far as canning and dinner prep, I had washed and dried dishes 4 times.

Something I've noticed - when I make homemade lip balm with calendula oil, it grow mold within 6 months.  When I make it with lemon balm oil, it last much longer.  What infused oil do you use?

Happy Homemaker Monday

I was so tired Thursday morning I just took the day off.  I literally did dishes and made dinner.  Oh and froze more jalapenos. 

Thursday evening it was predicted to reach close to freezing temps in the evening, so I went out to check the garden (because I've not had time to be outside right now with the condition of the inside of my house).  I saw a few green bell peppers and jalapenos, so those will be eaten with meals vs. frozen.

Small, but not wasted either.  Time needs to slow down so I can actually pull the garden and be done with that.

I've been promising biscuits and gravy for days now, so I baked biscuits and made it for dinner, along with scrambled eggs and fried potatoes with onion.

Friday I canned tomato sauce (happy dance).

The weekend was more of a "stay-cation" for us, and well worth doing too. 

(that wasn't even all of the bikes)

Saturday we joined up with a biker benefit/memorial ride with some friends.   The ride started out pretty cold, but for a good cause. The ride was local, but about 75 miles of riding.  Money goes to help with the funeral etc. for the student that was hit and died (still haven't found the driver).  Over 100 bikers rode and it was a great way to help someone.

Sunday we took the grand-kids to a pumpkin farm for the day.   We were exhausted by Sunday night, but in a good way.

Both Hubby and I have stuff that needs done, but we had planned this for a few weeks now.  

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

The weather outside is . . .
High of 67°F, rain 80% at 2pm today


On the breakfast plate . . .
Have no idea yet.  Here is what we had for breakfast Sunday morning.

Omelets with steak.  So good.  


As I look outside my window . . .
It's pitch dark.


Right now I am . . .
Still in pajamas, sucking down coffee, hoping for super powers.


As I look around the house . . .
It's still a hot mess.


On the to-do list . . .
-Can more of the tomatoes
-dishes
-laundry
-vacuum
-sweep and mop kitchen
-start putting away the front porch items, dead plants etc.
-dinner prep
This is my "weekly" list.  If you have canned with tomato, with a sauce or soup, you know how much time it takes.   I will have to do the laundry around the weather.  I did most of it Sunday before leaving, since it was 71°F and sunny.


On the menu. . .
In no particular order
Chicken enchiladas with homemade enchilada sauce, crock pot fried rice and beans
Hamburger Lentil Soup (crock pot)  Or Chili
Sloppy Joes and sweet potato fries
Bolognese Pasta Bake (a make ahead meal)

I'm probably not going to make all of these this week, as we have lots of leftovers typically.  I guess we'll see what gets made this week.


Currently reading . . .
Nothing


On the TV . . .
Goliath on Amazon Prime


What I am creating . . .
Another pot holder set in blueberry, and more dish scrubbies.

New recipe I tried or want to try . . .
Bolognese Pasta Bake (a make ahead meal)

From the camera. . .

Prayer list. . .
Myself (leg), our daughter and great niece who both lost babies, a friend's mother, and other personal requests

. . . from the Handiwork Journal

✔Spray painted more clipboards.

✔Booked two craft shows.  One in Nov. and one in Dec.

✔Cut up 10 yards of blue netting, cut up 10 yards of netting, then pink is next.  It's quite a job too.  I have to cut 10 yards in 3 inch strips.  I found an easier way, but it's still time consuming.


I want to add items to my craft shows for men.  What else besides these items would sell?

Hat
Scarf
Bookmark
Cup cozy
Slippers?  Not sure these would sell
eyeglass cases

Barter ~ This and That

I finally met Hubby's cousin "C" and she bartered with me - tomatoes for me and strawberry margarita jam for her.  She is a hoot too.  We are planning a meet and greet meal soon to meet more family members.  First up?  Tomato sauce.  If I have more after that, tomato soup or crushed tomatoes maybe.  I guess I'll find out when I weigh them.

I also bartered with our 20 year-old daughter.  She came out yesterday to help me do more cleaning and picking up, and she got strawberry margarita jam and lunch. 

Organic grilled cheese sandwiches and organic tomato soup with a dab of organic butter.  I miss my home canned tomato soup. 

We got the living room back in order, some carpets vacuumed, master bath completely cleaned but the shower and tub (it's an overly big bathroom) and wood work still needs wiped down, finished the laundry, picked up stuff in the bedroom (oh my, craft stuff everywhere, which was still everywhere because we ran out of time), and swept and mopped the master bath.  So happy to have her help too.  Romeo loves her visits too.

We got rain, so laundry was put on drying racks yesterday.  It was much cooler too.

I ordered our traditional Christmas Eve pajamas.  I waited too late last year, and paid the price.  I got them at great prices and the colors and styles I wanted.  So glad I remembered.

I had to make a run to the store for vinegar to make another container of homemade lysol wipes, so I stopped at the dollar store and picked up these kitchen towels.  I got a few other fall designs too.  Just $1/ea.

I'm on the hunt for book sales now.  I want to buy 25 books for the grand kids for a countdown.  We'll see if I make it happen.  I have over a month to do that.