Happy Homemaker Monday

Here are the two (not one) stray cats that showed up.  I saw them go into one of our barns.  The only concern is if they are both female.  That's Aurora (our barn cat) in the box on the right eating.  She doesn't seem to mind them and they are definitely hungry and young.  If they stick around, I may have them trapped and checked.  I'm concerned about the fact I've seen them cross the highway more than once.  Not sure if someone dumped them here or they just showed up.  Most likely dumped here.  It's not the first time.

It's not been normal work for me since the leg procedure.  No carrying out a bucket of water to the chickens, no carrying chicken feed, no bringing in an arm load of firewood, no lifting a canner pot etc.  In a few weeks I hope to be back to my normal stuff. I can't carry the laundry basket out to put laundry on the clothesline either. Sigh.  I am using the dryer and folding in the utility room.

The doctor and his two nurses said, "you can do normal stuff" when you go home.  I said, "so no lifting a load of firewood?" and all three turned about and immediately said, "NO!"  You see I'm not a "normal" person, ha ha! Yeah, things are so different when you homestead and are self sufficient.

Oh, and I have to put the spikes on my boots, so I can take the dog out without a yank here and there and fall to the ground on the layer of ice still out there.

The farmers scrambled to get their crops out, and Friday, I watched one farmer spray over his field with the snow over it.  

Good news!  Someone else volunteered to host Christmas on my husband's side of the family. Woo hoo to me!

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

The weather outside is . . .
32°F this morning, with a sunny high of 47°F.


On the breakfast plate . . .

I made this Sunday.  There are leftovers for today - spicy sausage and hashbrown casserole.



As I look out my window . . .
The sun is trying to shine, but a bit hazy today.


Right now I am . . .
Getting ready to post this.


As I look around my house . . .
One of my kitchen tables is currently my "craft" table.  It'll be that way for a few weeks, but I'll have new items to sell at the craft show.



On the to do list . . .
laundry
sweep and mop kitchen
vacuum living room
clean master bath
Make homemade English muffins
Work on crafts for the upcoming show
Stamp brown paper bags for shopping bags for the show



On the menu . . . 
Chicken Pot Pie (didn't get it made last week)
Flounder, home canned corn relish, potatoes
Medicinal pesto pasta, steamed broccoli
Meatballs, quinoa, beets or green beans
Spaghetti, sauteed greens, possibly another veggie




What I'm reading . . .

I got this book free from the library.  I added it to my bookshelf for a winter read.


On the TV . . .
Here's what I've watched while in recovery over the last week and weekend.

Netflix:
-Holiday in the Wild (good)
-Wine Country (funny)
-Otherhood  (good and different)

Hallmark: (all from the library)
Christmas in Evergreen, Letters from Santa
It's Christmas Eve
Christmas in Grand Valley
Broadcasting Christmas
I'll be Home for Christmas

Misc. (from the library:
Grumpy Old Men




What I am creating . . .

Wine cork Christmas trees to sell and lots of stuff.  I'll have a "handiwork" post up to share. I am making new ornaments for the holiday craft show.  I'll have more pictures soon.

New recipe I tried or want to try . . .
Still on the list - homemade chicken pot pie


Favorite photo from the camera .  .  .

This is a framed photo that lights up.  Merry Christmas to us.  The tree lights change colors too.  We just love it.

Prayers . . . 
Update: I have one more appt to go to, to go over the last sonogram, my friend's mother is scheduled to be released from the nursing home Nov. 25th.

Teabag Tidbits

Monday we took a huge dip in temperature.  It rained all morning.

The weather screamed hot cocoa, hallmark and crochet.  Brr.  Nasty, dreary skies, cold weather, like the kind that keeps you curled up under a blanket with cozy slippers and a cuddly dog and/or cat.  

The weather turned to snow all night and then freezing temps, so there was a layer of ice on the snow.  Not what I needed for a drive to the hospital.  Roads were in terrible condition and 95 school districts closed in the area of the winter storm. 

I made it to the hospital for my procedure, leaving early with a driver.

I'm glad I took handiwork along.  I had to wait about 45 minutes, but was done in 45 minutes and literally was able to walk to the truck.

However, this morning, I am sore.  It'll be that way for a few days, and then it's back for another sonogram later this week.  The doc said it all looked good when he was done.  I am not allowed to lift, exercise or anything of that nature for two weeks.  I am concerned about the amount of firewood we have and the near 0 temps this morning.  We will have to summon the boys to come help if that's needed.  Hopefully, I'll be back to full swing in two weeks.

Breakfast - made this on Monday, so Tuesday the Hubster and daughter had breakfast on the go.  It's what I had on hand - a sausage "souffle" but with bread swapped out for shredded potatoes (a fluffier version).  I do prefer the bread version, but I didn't have time to bake bread.  

I also got cauliflower chowder going in the crock pot first thing Tuesday morning, so there was a hearty dinner when we got home.

It's a brisk 6°F this morning.  Thankfully, my youngest does not have school again today due to an event they are holding at the career center (school of  hers).  I'll have help with firewood being carried in, taking Romeo out, and so forth.  Speaking of which, I'll need to put my spikes back on my boots starting tomorrow.  

I was up at 3am, because I couldn't sleep with the uncomfortable soreness in my leg.   I came out to stoke the fire and found Tiger on a mouse hunt.  Cold weather must have brought it in somewhere, but I'm confident he'll take care of it for us.  Just another glory bonus of living in the country.

I still haven't gotten to the library.  When the school closes the library closes, and they were also closed Monday.  I will be sending someone to the library for me today, and keeping the movement of my leg to a minimum.  It may be another hot cocoa, hallmark and crochet kind of day, and I'm okay with that.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Saturday morning we cut this tree down.  We got about 1/4 of the pieces split and stacked.  The chimney guys came, and we now have a clean stove, and new gasket in our door.

We took a few hours off to watch the Ohio State game and rejuvenate with some hot tea.  By dinner time we were a moanin' and groanin' - used muscles we hadn't used in a while.

Sunday we were back at it, but first finally put the air conditioner in storage.

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

I'm up at 5am.

The weather outside . . .
It's 36°F and snow is expected to start falling around 7am.  We'll dip into the single digits tomorrow.

On the breakfast plate. . .
Most likely eggs and toast and organic coffee


As I look outside my window. . .
Pitch black.  I'm typically up very early to start the day.


Right now I am . . .
Stoking the fire in the wood stove.  We started our first fire last night.


As I look around the house . . .
I have dishes to put away, and I need to do regular tidying up.


On the to-do list . . .
-laundry
-dishes
-vacuum
-clean master bathroom
-sweep and mop kitchen
-purge coffee cups (have too many, will look for a church to donate to)
-finish cleaning up hallway with boot stand
-make another run to the library
-make a breakfast for the next 2-3 days

On the Menu . . .
-Homemade chicken Pot Pie
-Slow Cooker Cauliflower Chowder
-Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, corn
-Tacos
-Pulled Pork Nachos


Currently reading . . .
Nothing


On the TV this week . . .
Hallmark movies from the library - watched "The Christmas Cure" and "The Christmas Note."  The first was predictable, but the second was wonderful (the kid had me in stitches most of the movie, and this one made both of us cry).


What I am creating . . .
Still working on a set of pot holders and matching dishcloth


New recipe I tried or want to try . . .
Homemade chicken pot pie.  Maybe a new pie for Thanksgiving.  Mushroom wild rice casserole (Simply Scratch).  Speaking of Simply Scratch, I love her recipes, but hate the advertisements on her site.  It's so aggravating, she's got that many on her site. 


Favorite photo from the camera . . .

Prayers . . .
SIL is doing much better and is at home, a friend's mother is in the nursing home in recovery, and myself (leg procedure is tomorrow, please say a prayer, send up good mojo, good vibes.  Roads may be slick and my 20 year-old daughter is driving me).

This and That

I made a trip to the library.  I picked up some much needed entertainment.  Who needs cable when you have the library for free?

My nightstand got the next "extreme clean" done.  I do need to make a trip to the antique store soon.  I use large antique tea towels to cover our nightstands and need Christmas ones.  They are hard to find at a good price.

I have collected some homemade Christmas gift ideas.  I just have to decide on which ones to make.

Homemade hot cocoa is made.  Just in time for this cold weather.

I also got 6 pie crust "crumbles" into the freezer.  Just in time for the up coming holidays.  It looks like cheese, but it's the butter that goes in it.  I use King Flour's recipe online.  Tip:  I chuck the butter, put it in the freezer, then pulse it with a bit of the flour in my food processor.  It makes the process much easier and faster.

Hot Taco Dip

(So good, I forgot to take a photo until it was almost gone)

1 can organic black refried beans
8 oz. organic cream cheese (or homemade)
8 oz. organic sour cream (or homemade)
2 Tbsp. homemade dry taco seasoning mix.  (or one packet from the store)

Mix all ingredients, spread into a baking dish, top with about 1 1/4 cups of shredded organic cheese of our choice, and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes. 

Dip organic tortilla chips into the dip and enjoy!  I'll be doubling this next time.  

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.