Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie ~ Outdoor Work

I checked the rhubarb after watering my garlic and checking the asparagus.  Woot!  I baked us a strawberry-rhubarb pie, and kept several stalks for another project.  This is a new pie for me this year.  So excited!  I thawed strawberries for this, that we froze last summer.  I know fresh is better, but it worked.

Hubby did a lot of mowing, and we ripped out the weeds in the rose bed.  There is a lot of work to do in the rose bed, so while the pie baked I worked in that bed. 

It's in progress, but lots to do to prevent the grass (again for the umpteenth time).

 He promised to get the tiller out and do more of the garden.  We ran out of time yesterday.

. . . from the Gratitude Journal

Thankful the farmer's markets are opening.

Thankful the vet is opening.

Thankful I get my husband for 2 weeks at home.  So far we've mowed, moved brush, cleaned up the house, knocked down more wasp nests, and today we plan to work a bit in the garden.

Thankful for good music that boosts my attitude and personal well being.

Thankful for motorcycle rides.

Thankful for the amount of sunshine we are getting lately.


Upbeat news!  Our Senior High School Daughter, who has been so very depressed lately, reached out to fellow seniors and friends on social media.  She asked if anyone needed to hear positivity, to let her know.  She is mailing out her first 6 letters today and has many more requests already.  If you feel like donating to her cause, please email me.  She could use upbeat stickers to decorate the envelopes, stamps and envelopes.  I'm not sure how she is on writing paper, but I still have loose leaf in the school supply box.  If anything she can use the spiral notebook paper and cut off the side after tearing it out.  

These letters are not done on the computer.  She is hand writing them.  The first 6 letters are going out with some having floral stickers, and some with motivational sayings.  She has very much enjoyed writing the letters and it's keeping her mind off everything she lost this year.

She was so happy to have an old English teacher stop by and deliver her a basket of goodness, topped with a few helium balloons.

I am so thankful for those helping her get through this year.  My good high school friend is the one who suggested she find a way to help someone, and it's working.

New Hummus Recipe ~ Sun Dried Tomato Hummus ~ This and That

I tried a new recipe that was given to us by our well being (insurance) point program.  I adjusted it to organic and homegrown ingredients.

Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

(adapted with organic/homegrown ingredients)

2 cans (15 oz.) chickpeas, rinsed and drained (organic)
⅓ cup fat-free yogurt (I used full fat homemade using my dehydrator to make it)
¼ cup tahini (or homemade with sesame seeds)
3 garlic cloves(organic home grown)
½ cup chopped sun-dried tomato (dehydrated home grown grape tomatoes)
1 tsp. dried oregano leaves (organic from the garden)
2 tsp. lemon juice (organic)

Directions

Process chickpeas, yogurt, tahini, and garlic in a food processor until smooth. Stir in sun-dried tomato bits and oregano; season to taste with lemon juice. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.


Of course this is a "healthier" version of hummus, as it uses less tahini and no olive oil.    Don't have the yogurt?  Just use my traditional recipe and add the tomatoes and oregano. 

Note:  I rehdydrated my dried grape tomatoes before adding to the recipe.

I'm watching the weather.  I have only one rain barrel up, but if we are possibly getting down to 32°F with snow, I will have to drain it and flip it over until the cold wave passes.

Onion powder is now restocked.  I literally used all 7 lbs. of dehydrated onion to fill the jar. I will need more to dehydrate for diced.  I thought I had enough, but nope.

Mom had zero meat, so we surprised her with a delivery.  We took her a dozen pink carnations, flowers for her flower garden, groceries and cat food.  I told her "Happy Mother's Day" and she cried.  She was so thankful to have chicken and mashed potatoes for lunch instead of a hotdog.  I'm so glad we can help her out right now. 

In the evening we took a motorcycle ride with another couple and had a very nice time.   Today, it's back to cold again.  Our May weather is too cold for May weather. Brr. 

Oh, and by the way, this virus is real.  Remember the older parents of a friend who recently passed away?  Well, that friend (their daughter) is sick and tested positive, but she was sick a while back and never tested.  It apparently lasts up to a month in your body when you do get sick. So if you do get sick and not tested, stay away from people for a month.  This colder weather in our parts isn't helping kill off this virus either (or what I can the Chinese Flu).

Happy Homemaker Monday

Quarantine Day 50.

I'm not sure if you can see the trunk of our peach tree, but it has fungus.  I can't remember what was recommended to treat it.  Was it a neem type spray?  

I have been reading about how putting garlic powder in your chicken's feed mix is good for them (saw it on PBS as well), but didn't get the measurements.  Also, how often?  Like every other month?  Or does anyone even do this?

Asparagus is coming up now, and I am starting to harvest it.

My 9 tray dehydrator is full of onions now.  I'm making diced onions and onion powder with some of them.  That takes care of 7 lbs of onions.  I have 4 lbs saved for another stock up project.  That is in this week's plans.

My to-do list is on-going.  There is so much on it for the next two weeks, so I'm crossing my fingers we stay on task, although we will have some rainy days.  We expect a frost this coming weekend, so nothing is being planted this week.

The nice thing about Happy Homemaker Monday, is that it makes me stay on track with what day it is.  

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


The weather . . . 
High of 60°F and sunny.  Yesterday we hit 80°F.


How I am feeling this morning . . .
Sick of watching the media anymore.  So many conflicting information, and so many people fighting about masks on, or masks off, gatherings and whatnot.  Just sick of it all.


On my mind . . .
See above.  In addition, would you book a hotel this fall somewhere, knowing that healthcare workers stayed in them to keep their families at home safe?  I know our lodging on the island is safe, but would bring cleaners, Lysol, etc.  I'm pretty sure the cabin we rent in the hills would be fine, but i'm on the fence with hotels/motels.


On the breakfast plate . . . 
Have no idea yet.  I may update this later.


On my reading pile . . .

Call of the Wild, by Jack London

On my TV . . .
Anything on Amazon Prime or regular TV.   


On the menu this week . . .
-Oven Mac n' cheese, green beans
-Basil roasted chicken in the crockpot, 2 veggies
-Beef enchiladas, (not sure on side yet),
-birthday dinner for Hubby - sloppy joes, sweet potato fries, strawberry pie




From the camera . . .

This was Sunday morning's sunrise.

Looking around the house . . .
There is a lot that needs done.  

To relax this week I will . . .
Crochet, journal, knit, tat.

On my prayer list . . .
Our President
Our country, any personal request.

What's Cookin'?

We had a high of 77°F, Hubby had to work, so I worked around the house etc.  Even though we took a nice long ride with our motorcycle friends, I logged 20,000 steps on my fitbit.

Here's a few pictures of what's been cookin'.

 Sun dried tomato hummus.  Recipe to come.

Mustard dip for the pretzels.

Whiskey Stix with homemade garlic powder and organic cayenne.

Crock pot chicken and wild rice (no cream sauce) and roasted asparagus with rosemary.  This was a new recipe and very good despite no cream sauce in the rice.  One daughter, who hates mushrooms, ate her entire plate.  The recipe is online at "Today" and is called Slow-Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole.

Easy Broccoli and Cheese Egg Bake
Recipe is online at "It's a Veg World After All" and I just adapted organic ingredients and added garlic powder.  I like to use a large onion with this recipe.  The crunch and flavor from the onion is great together in this recipe..

How to make dehydrated diced shallots (or onions)

Using your dehydrator and guidebook, dice shallots, spread it out on parchment paper lined dehydrator trays.  My guidebook states to dehydrate at 155° (same for onions).

I store mine in my freezer, as they quickly absorb moisture and when stored in the pantry do not stay crisp.  Anything from the onion family powdered will absorb moisture in the pantry as well (even in an airtight container).

To re hydrate, I do equal amounts of warm water and dehydrated shallots (same for onions), and let sit for about 20 minutes and drain.  Used as you would in any recipe.

At the same time you are making diced in the dehydrator, you can make finer diced, and grind in to powder and store the same way (in an air tight container).  

Tip:  Use a food processor to dice the shallots (or onions).

Homesteading Chit-Chat ~This and That

I deleted one item from our wish list - buy a pressure canner.  I tried to order it directly from All-American, but it was "out of stock."  It didn't surprise me.  I found the same one on Amazon and put in my order.  

Hubby wants to build my "garden shed" now with old barn wood.  Not sure if it will happen, but it would allow me to have all the tools right by the garden.  Crossing my fingers on this one.

Peas have been planted.  Sugar snap and shell peas.  I am now looking for empty pie tins to hang on my fencing to keep the birds away.  I need to dig through old clothes and try and fix up my scare crow now.  We are however anticipating a cold week May 4-10th with possible lows in the 30's.  This is not normal May weather.

I've been keeping my eye on the nettles.  The recent rain should be helping them out, so hopefully soon I'll be harvesting more.  

I started a thyme tincture.  First time doing this, but having any preventative medicinals on hand is better than not.

Our daughter who is a senior in High School, is depressed.  One briefing the Governor said graduations can be done, but with safety measures, and the next day he says they cannot.  We decided to take her on a field trip.  We went and got take out in a small town, and then let her shop inside a small candy store (that also sells food items), and I'll admit it was nice getting out of the house.

Our landfill is opening soon, so now we can resume the garage cleaning and get rid of stuff.  

There is news going around that our Governor, while we slept, extended our stay at home order for another month (although I heard him let it out of the bag in another briefing), so I don't know what to believe until he speaks today at 2pm.

Almost all High schools have finalized graduation plans.  No word from our daughter's school yet.

I noticed a few gardens with tomatoes planted, while on our drive yesterday.  Big mistake with the cold weather coming again.  

I hope you are all staying healthy.