Ground Cayenne

(dehydrate for 6-10 hours at 125°F, then grind into powder using a coffee grinder)

I finally got the dehydrated cayenne peppers ground into powder.  I believe I used my last spice jar, but I'm already set with homemade "fire powder"  (random mix of dehydrated hot peppers and ground into powder).  Look at that beautiful bold color next to the expensive organic store bought color.  

There have been 4-5 shipments of Mom's free 14 meals (via Fed Exp).  Non of which actually made it to her house.  There is another shipment that is due to arrive today.  

I have felt my uppity self lately.  Not sure if it's what's going on with our world, or the added stress and overwhelming race to get so many things done before winter. I'm just not feeling my motivated, good mood self.

America's Test Kitchen ~ Pamper Me Day

I love watching America's Test Kitchen and Cooks Country, however, it may get me into trouble with new items in the kitchen (ha ha!)

I have used homemade foaming hand soap in kitchen and bathrooms for years.  However, after watching America's test kitchen and reviews on a touch less sensor hand soap dispenser, my kitchen now has one.  Cooking and washing hands will be so much easier.  I have no idea how I have lived without this.  It does require batteries, but I'm always asking someone to squirt soap in my hands and turn on the water.  I love our new soap dispenser!  I may get ones for the bathrooms, but they are exactly cheap either.  I will see how well it holds up before making that decision.

The sensor responds immediately and you can control the amount of soap it dispenses.  There is a light that comes on when your batteries are low too.  Easy to fill, and has a clear tank to see how much soap you have in it. 

The weather looks like it will heat back up, so the hot peppers will remain in the garden.

I found a new camper lock  (with two keys) for our camper, and it was only $40.00 and it's a perfect fit.  Our nephew (previous owner) lost the keys and the lock didn't work.  Camper World had quoted us $180.00.

I finally got our pre-buy purchase done with our propane.  However, the price for pre-pay went up from $1.44/gallon to $1.78/gallon.   I can't imagine what it will be without the pre-buy rate.

I'm super excited!  I have booked a craft event for October.  It's outside so I am praying for good fall weather.  It looks like there will be many food options that day and lots of fun vendors. 

I drove to the "Big City" with another attempt to be beautified.  Daughter E got trained on highlights.  I also got a fresh do with a cut.  Now she can offer more services and make more money.

I guess Federal Express is having a terrible time getting drivers.  I have an account to check on my orders, but it's mainly one company that I do regular orders, and it has not arrived.  However, amazon orders seem to arrived timely.  They are using amazon vans to help with deliveries.

Mom is finally out of the hospital and back home.

Dehydrating ~ Tomato Season Ends ~ Seed Saving

 The storms are over, so the dehydrator was back at it.

Rosemary made it's way into it first.  Once that was ready to come out, trays were cooled and washed.

Cayenne peppers made there way in next.  

Tomato season is officially over.  I am freezing what I have left.  Sort of a sad tomato year, but thankful for what we did get.

My layers are slowing down in egg production, which has me thinking of water-glassing them again for long storage.

Seed saving continues, and I feel it is very important to do, especially this year with how things are going with our food system.

The insurance company has attempted to deliver my Mom's 14 free meals 4-5 times now.  So far, nothing has arrived (other than the first shipment with warm rotten food).

Woke up to 55°F this morning.  I'm pretty sure the hot pepper season may be coming to an end.  I guess we'll see.  We better start stocking up on firewood.

How I killed some seed starts ~ How I ended up with so many serrano peppers and other bits

I started some cilantro and parsley seeds indoors, and they were doing great.  However, I had two spray bottles in the kitchen, and one is not labeled.  I have a 50/50 of vinegar and water in one (not labeled), and one with water.  

I was spraying the plants with water and they were doing great.  They other day I noticed them all dying.  Guess who used the wrong spray bottle?  Yep, ha ha!  Labeling the bottle and replanting.

Back when I was at the greenhouse picking out some plants for the garden that I didn't start from seed, I asked for "serrano" when I meant to ask for San Marzano (tomatoes).  That's how I ended up with 6 serrano pepper plants, ha ha!  I never figured it out until I went to plant, and that's how I ended up with so many.

I picked more hot peppers, and gave some away.  I am finally getting some cherry bomb peppers. Due to high price of disposable gloves I am rinsing off my gloves after slicing then, and reusing to remove them from the pan after flash freezing.

I did some deadheading while I was outside, because they needed it and rain was on the way.  

Daughter K got called in to work on her only day off (happens way too often).  While she was at work, King (on of her dogs) had a seizure.  It's very painful to watch, but I gave him as much comfort as I could.  Poor dog.

Mom is still in the hospital and getting more testing done.  She's not happy that she isn't home yet, and of course she isn't seeing us enough, so we are calling as much as we can.

Tuesday Tidbits

Monday's, after a vacation/getaway, are always discombobulated.  I never have a quick breakfast on had or a lunch to pack for my husband.  The plan this week, is to look up meals to freeze prior to a trip (or even before a weekend), that way we are prepped for Monday.

Mom was admitted into the hospital again.  They changed the rules again.  Now whoever takes her in, is the Emergency contact, and one person per day, with screening done upon entering the hospital.  It was much different the most recent time she was in the hospital.  Oh, no kids under 16 can visit either.

I spent my gas and time to head to the "Big City" to get my hair done (this was before I was notified of Mom's situation).  Daughter E made the appt. for me with her.  She was a no-show.  I was so upset I left and returned home.  I'll just call my old salon and get it done there.   I had planned to visit Mom after my hair appt. but with her admitted and one person per day rule, I could not (as my younger brother took her).

I had camper dishes to wash (we still haven't figured out the hot water heater issue in the camper).  I had other dishes needed put away, dishwasher to empty, laundry to do.  I went thru my email etc.  I made a breakfast frittata for the next few days, and made a chicken marinade for tonight's dinner. 

 

Terrible photo, but I used my cell phone and it's not the latest version and the greatest (not upgrading until it's on it's last legs).  A humming bird came to visit me while I was enjoying a well deserved adult drink on the porch.

My husband had forced overtime last night, and Daughter K worked until late.  I literally put things away early and went to bed early.  My husband was home very late and had a hard time getting up this morning.  At least this time I had a go-to packed breakfast that was healthy.  I just didn't have a lunch.  I offered to make a PB & J, but he was so tired he said he'll buy from the cafeteria at work.

I need to head out, to what's left in the garden, and bring in anything today.  Rain arrives and we really need it.  Our grass is all brown and the remaining garden is thirsty.

I have a craft show opportunity coming up in October, but it's literally for a 1 1/2 hour outside event.  I have a lot to take, so I'm debating if it's worth the haul and set up/tear down.

Thank you for you prayers and good thoughts for my Mom and Daughter K.  Daughter K is feeling a bit better, but we still need answers on Mom's situation.

Happy Homemaker Monday

We went on yet another camping adventure, and a well deserved retreat.  Just the outdoors, nature, card playing, music, campfires, campfire meals and time for us.

We drove to another city and picked up some of Mom's favorite popcorn (a different kind), got locally made ice cream and other treats.  We both laughed when we looked down and we both had on our slippers in the store (ha ha!).

I took my latest unfinished project I found in the closet and enjoyed the great outdoors.  Meals were cooked over the campfire.  Our camper has a radio that plays inside and outside, so we took advantage of that too.  We can't wait for the next adventure.

 

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

I'll link up when she posts (and I remember to, ha ha!)

Weather . . . 

Hot!  We had beautiful weather over the weekend.  Perfect for camping, but we are now back to hot weather.  90's.  Possibly rain Tuesday late and into Wednesday morning.   

How I am feeling this morning . . .

Revived and ready to get order in this homestead.  I'm also happy to have received a "paycheck" from the museum, where I sell handiwork.  I am not happy to see Daughter K left dirty dishes sit, but we came home to find out she had been sick over the weekend.

She went to Urgent care on Sunday evening and was told she is dehydrated.  Wearing a mask 8 hours a day, she is not drinking water.  We told her it's best to carry a water bottle or thermos at work from now on.

We visited Mom Sunday as well, when we returned home.  She's not really feeling any better.  

On the breakfast plate . . .

I have no idea, ha ha!  

Looking around the house . . .

Kitchen needs a major clean up.  Same with the living room, but then we have yet to set a date to rip up the kitchen floor.

On my reading pile . . .

I took a book to the campground,  but spent most of my relaxing time doing crochet work.  I'll post it a picture of it tomorrow.  I hope to start reading it, now that the garden is slowing down.

On my TV . . .

Click Bait, Netflix

On the menu this week . . . 

-Roasted Turkey, Sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts
-Pork chops/BBQ sauce, quinoa and a veggie

-Tacos

From the camera . . .

*see camping photos at the top of this post

I am thankful for . . .

...whatever we are getting from the garden, for our recent camping trip, for coffee, good friends, family

I am hoping to . . .

I haven't really had time to think on this, since returning from our camping trip.  Definitely hoping to get more camping in before the end of the season.

Something fun to share . . .

The "Big City" has these robots that roam the sidewalks.  They pick up and deliver food.  How they can safely cross roads is crazy.  They just crack me up when I see them.

Prayer list . . .

Mom (her health), our country (our rights, what a mess),  Daughter K (overwhelmed, dehydrated)

Apron Day

There was so much I needed to get done before the weekend.  I did some calculations and made a small batch of tomato sauce.  I'm so happy about that.

Next?  A batch of meatballs.  I would rather buy fresh meat to do this than frozen, and didn't realize all I had to get done.  It's a lot easier to get these frozen before more goes into the freezer.  One year I smashed them, trying to get them in the freezer on baking sheets.

I froze more bell peppers, boiled eggs for egg salad.  I wanted to get egg salad made to take to Mom to increase her iron.

Has anyone cooked with black garlic?  I finally got mine, but now I'm wondering can I use it as is or do I need to put it through a process with oil to use?   I read where you place the bulbs in a crock pot on warm, but not sure.  It is soft already, so I'm wondering if I just refrigerate it and use.  Would love advice on this.