Beautiful Sunrise ~ Fire Powder ~ Thyme

Yesterday's start of the sunrise.  Too beautiful to not take a few photos.  I was taking Romeo out, who was fired up with energy from the frost on the ground.  He wasn't sure what to do about it, ha ha!

First thing I had to do in the morning?  More dishes.  I literally made a mess of them, but after taking down all the laundry off the line, we were all pooped the night prior.  

Our 20 year-old came out for a visit.  I fed her leftover homemade enchiladas, spanish rice and hot taco dip (which she loved).

I finally got the hot peppers ground into fire powder.  I didn't have time the other day with all the other work.  I'm just glad I got my glady bulbs out of the ground, but the potatoes remain.  They may be there all winter depending on our weather. 

Some Christmas presents arrived.  I will thank my husband for buying these for me for an early Christmas present (he he).  Thank you Amazon.😊

Buttermilk waffles and sausage patties are breakfast goodies this week.  Haven't made them in a while.

Homemade Taco Dry Mix was restocked.  Love this stuff.

I sure hope the chimney sweep arrives Saturday, it'll be down to 25°F Friday night and we can't burn 24 hours prior to them coming.  They say we may hit single digits (sigh) next week too.  I'm glad I remember to buy a few new ice scrapers for the vehicles.

( I love my small batch dehydrator.  I filled it to the top)
My indoor thyme plant is doing so well, I snipped some and got it into the dehydrator.  I wish I had some oregano seeds to start an indoor plant for that too.  Both did terrible in the herb garden this year, but happy to stock up on thyme.

Face it.  We all have a cupboard where stuff falls out.  Or you did. 

Before

After (aside from the bowls on the rack on the left of it).  We can now find the lids, ha ha!  I also re-homed the serving trays.  We only use them for get togethers.  Fixed that problem with a set of organizers, under $15.00.  I also re-organized a drawer next to this one.

Update on the hot pepper jelly - Hubby's co-workers raved about it.  It's a keeper recipe and I cannot wait to plant next spring, so the weather Gods better be nice next year.

Teabag Tidbits

By 1:30pm, the wind chill was 41°F but man it felt so much colder even with the sunshine.  

I took Romeo out about 2:30pm and this gal was in the yard.

Romeo just stopped and sniffed the air, and was like "what the heck is that?"

Seeing all the beautiful colors of fall leaves, reminds me of my one Aunt.  We'd hand write letters and I do miss that so much, and I'd save leaves and press them and mail them to her in FL.  She missed the fall leaves.  We had so much fun exchanging letters.  

Christmas card idea?  He he!  I love my Christmas socks, but with my size 11 feet, I have to buy men's Christmas socks (pair on the right, which fit much better).

We are getting winter weather too quickly.  I had a lot on my plate with dinner prep, so I wasn't sure I'd get out to the garden.  Here's what got done . . .

✔Laundry on the line

✔Blanched organic spinach for the freezer.  Winter food prep.
✔Blanched organic swiss chard for the freezer
✔Folded all the towels that were on the line the day before
✔More jalapenos made it to the freezer
✔Homemade enchilada sauce made early (double batch)
✔Dishes washed, dried, put away

✔Gladiolus bulbs dug up (finally)
✔Put a kitchen crochet set up for sale (see Rooster's Crow Farm blogspot to view it)  It literally sold as fast as I put it up, and they ordered a second set, so I'm busy starting that order now.
*Had returns and pick ups at our local library.  Still on my list.
✔Baked a green tomato cake (and have more green tomatoes to use up)
✔Vacuumed some carpets

I got a call from my surgeon.  My procedure is scheduled for next week, but it's pending.  I have to have someone drive me home, so I'm working on that.  Oh, and I will not have to be put under.  They just have to do it in the OR, but it's a local for the procedure thankfully.  Crossing my fingers I can locate someone to take me there and home.  

Last night I made chicken enchiladas with homemade sauce, spanish rice and hot taco dip.  I forgot to take a picture but the dip was amazing for such little ingredients.  I'll share the recipe soon.

Tuesday Tidbits

While we are getting things checked off the to-do list, one thing remains - chimney sweep.  They called and canceled on me.  They guy called in sick.  They later called back and rescheduled me for Saturday, so any Saturday afternoon plans are now off the books.

We got new solar lights on our driveway poles have been installed.  I also put two reflector poles near the new trees we planted, so plowing won't destroy them this winter.  I got my garden house unscrewed from the outside spigot, but still need to put it away.  Today, I'm taking down my shower curtain and liner and washing them both.

It was cloudy yesterday, but windy.  Although I am down to two clotheslines (we took the 3rd one down), I crammed it all on including bedding.

While laundry was getting washed and put on the line, I delegated some chores to Hubby and Youngest.  They now have their own to-do list, and it frees me up and less stressed.

Since Plan A didn't pan out, Plan B went into place.  I tackled the hot peppers.

I used a new recipe for the hot pepper jam.  I was a bit concerned it would not set up thick.  We did a taste test.  I put all hot peppers in, with the seeds, including habanero.  It was amazing.  Hot for once.  It wasn't as thick as I would like it, but a nice spread for cream cheese and crackers.

I decided to drop all remaining hot peppers into my food processor and dehydrate them for "fire powder."  It was much faster than slicing to dehydrate.

After doing dishes again, I called it "quits" and brewed me a gallon of home brewed iced tea, and knitted for an hour.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Fall bug patrol.
(photo taken before all the rain dumped on us)

November is National Novel Writing Month, where writers are challenged to write 50,000 words in the month of November.  It's been a few years since I participated in this, but I think it's a good year to join again.  I need to brush up on my writing skills.  Although my laptop has gone to laptop heaven, I can still use our desktop or even a pen and paper.

There is another challenge going on, via a website called B hooked.  A challenge to crochet men's gloves and a hat for those in need (Warm Up America).  In the past, I've donated boxes of crocheted scarves to homeless projects.  Just sharing for those who have the time to help out. 

Saturday, our youngest daughter set up a surprise birthday party at our house, for her boyfriend and his friends.  Hubby, who said he'd clean clean, grill and organize, left us high and dry.  He left to make a trip 2 hours to see our SIL.  I was running around like a chicken with her head cut off.  He truly put me in a tizzy.  There were towels to fold and put away, dishes to do, carpets to vacuum, all my crafting supplies on a kitchen table had to be put away, etc.  I could have grilled as originally planned, but took the back up plan to save my hectic day - crock pot chili.

Then....Hubby showed up just before half the football team showed up, and with hot dogs and burgers.  They were fed those as well as chili, and then went out for ice cream.

By the way, the party was poorly planned and with lack of communication.  I was out shopping Saturday morning.  Again.  I didn't get to do a darn thing for myself.

Sunday morning we were back out shopping.  Sigh.  I forgot to pick up chicken feed.  We also picked up a fireplace flooring piece for just $25 to put in front of our wood stove.  We've had a fireproof rug, but now it's much safer.  We got a start on the deconstruction (completed about 80% of it) of the front porch so we could do this....

Wood cutting and splitting was started.  Yay!  We got a good amount of kindling cut and some beams.  Now we have to get the chainsaw blade sharpened to continue.

The coyotes are back.  I heard a large group of them out in the woods over the weekend.


Household Tip: 
Buy reusable bags for gift bags.

They are cheaper, and more resourceful.  Paper gift bags get tossed, but not reusable bags.  They are as low as $.98/each in our area.  I found these red/white and blue ones.  I need two more of these bags.  I'm now putting together a "Christmas Eve" bag for the grand-kids (more on that later).

I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

On the Breakfast plate . . .

Not sure what I'll eat this morning, but this is what I had over the weekend.  Hubby's famous omelets with homegrown green peppers, homemade English muffins with home canned strawberry margarita jam and organic coffee.


As I look outside my window . . .
It's pitch dark - 5:22am.


Right now I am . . .
Writing up the Thanksgiving Day meal plan.  I have another gathering the next day too.  I will need Hubby's and Youngest's help, but it'll be an evening dinner, so that helps.  Our 20 year-old will have to work Thanksgiving day, but has the evening off, and for the first time, has all day Christmas day off.


Looking around the house . . .
I have to do dishes before the chimney guys show up.  Daughter left the kitchen a mess from her party (grr!).


On the to-do list . . .
-Laundry
-Dishes
-Dinner Prep
-clean off hearth, chimney sweep arrives today thankfully
-clean the rest of the front porch
-Take stuff to Goodwill
-Stop at the furniture resale store and take a look-see
-work on removing nails from barn boards for more kindling




On the menu . . .
-Chili, cornbread
-PB and J
-Chicken enchiladas, homemade enchilada sauce, Spanish rice
-Flounder, home canned corn salsa, steamed broccoli, baked potatoes

Snacks
-Hot Taco Dip


Currently reading . . .
Nothing


On the TV . . .
Movies from the library


What I am creating . . .

A few "thank you" gifts.  Our 20 year-old daughter is visiting often to help clean when needed, babysits Romeo, and is taking an interest in learning to cook/bake more with me.  I will surprise her the next time she comes over.  I'm making up some small, fun packages, including useful items a broke young adult could use.


I'm also crocheting some items.  I may have a handiwork post soon.


New Recipe I tried or want to try . . . 
Hot Taco Dip (trying it out for potlucks)


Favorite photo from the camera . . .

Prayers . . .
Our SIL (he's still in the hospital), myself (leg), a friend's mother, and other personal requests

Recipe? Shopping Day

I was gifted this large bag of misc. hot peppers.  Does anyone have a good, tried and true, recipe for hot pepper jam?  I have made habanero/apricot that was good, but not a "hot pepper" jam using a variety (that actually has heat in it).  I won't have time to get to the library to look at recipe books, and my ball book only has jalapeno jelly.  I am going to leave all the seeds in the hot peppers and swap out the cold for more hot and hope that helps.

Friday was a big shopping day.  Man oh man.  It was chilly out too.  Like winter chilly.  I went to six stores.  I had to replace my chicken watering unit, so that was one of the stops.  Romeo was not happy with my absence either.  I made sure I picked up an extra bag of carrots, so I could treat him one when I arrived back home.

Three and a half hours later, I was back home to unload.  It was close to 2pm when I arrived home (left at 8:30am).  Whew!  I was exhausted.  I forgot how tiring shopping can be.  The longest visit, was the grocery store.   I have however, stocked up on some baking ingredients for the up coming holidays.

I also picked up a new pair of snow boots.  They are not top of the line, but will keep my tootsies warm up to -5°F.  I got a few stocking stuffers for Hubby and our youngest daughter, wrapping paper, and tape.  I'm gaining.

I didn't want to, but made one last stop at the pet store.  I picked up a light for Romeo's collar.  It's like the one I bought for Jesse.   Now I just need to get a headlamp for early and late outings, when it's dark.

Here's hoping the weather is decent today or tomorrow.  We hope to gain on the wood and other stuff we need to get done.

Behind ~ Gratitude

I realized I am behind on most everything, including homemade Christmas gifts.  I need to get cracking on this.

I am writing a to-do list for Hubby.  We need to get cracking on cutting wood, getting the air conditioners put to bed, and he needs to look at my dishwasher.  If it's not fixable, I'm considering taking it out and putting in another cupboard.  I don't want to invest in another one, especially with the holidays coming.  Hopefully it's an easy fix.

The rain fell all day yesterday, temps dropped and snow was predicted.  I don't even have the rest of the potatoes dug up (if there are any out there).


Today I am thankful for . . . 

Dirty Dishes  -  a well fed family
Sore muscles -  I'm alive
- hot coffee in the early 5am hour
- running water, running hot water for that power shower
- warm cozy slippers and slipper socks
- trees to cut and split
- my journals, I love to write

Rain ~ Cold Temps

Rain moved in yesterday as predicted. Our temperature is to drop considerably tonight.  They say the rain will go on for 36 hours.

I went from "I'll just clean the hallway" (where people just drop stuff on the floor coming in and the boot pile is a mess), to "I think I should make...." and here is what got done . . .

Homemade English Muffins were made.

Einkorn Peanut Butter Cookies were made.

Einkorn pizza dough was made for the freezer.

I would have made pie crust crumbles, but I need to get some flour.  It remains on the re-stock it list.

I got zero cleaning done, other than dishes.  Our 20 year-old daughter came out for dinner, and helped with making it.  I was totally excited she wanted to help.  Although I told my husband he would only get homemade corn dogs once a year, he got them.  I told them no "french fries" though.  They got oven roasted potato wedges and they were fantastic.  I used a recipe online (Tasty) with homemade garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, etc.

Update on our SIL - he's still in ICU due to experiencing Afib.