We love to support local businesses, and we purchased a handmade bird house. We will set it on a post in hopes for birds to move it, and I am setting out some grape jelly in hopes to encourage a few Boston orioles to visit. I think my husband wants to paint the birdhouse first, before we put it out for the birds. In fact, now that it's fall, we may not put it out until spring.
Pioneer Woman at Heart
One Flourishing, Frugal and Fun Family!
One family learning to live off the land, cut back on expenses, and to live a simpler and a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
Adopted Motto
"Eat it up,
Wear it out,
Make it do,
Or go without."
~A Pioneer Sampler, by Barbara Greenwood~
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
This and That
Monday, September 12, 2022
Happy Homemaker Monday
Today I will be pretending I do not have a garden. Well, at least until dinner time (or even tomorrow) anyway. There is a need to tidy up, and other to-do's that I need to catch up on.
I'm really missing Mom. There were so many moments I just wanted to pick up my phone and call her. Today I will be super busy. Hopefully it will keep my mind focused.
GrannyJ if you could give my your email again. I will send you my address. It keeps saying I have the wrong email. I apologize.
Blogger has done away with email notifications. I'm on the hunt for a widget or some sort to put on my blog right now. If I find something that works, I will update you all.
Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. I will link up when she posts.
The weather . . .
72°/52°F and cloudy
As I look outside my window. . .
It's early, so it's a bit dark outside.
Right now I am . . .
Making another pot of coffee.
Thinking and pondering . . .
I'm keeping a look out for a holiday craft show to participate in. There are many going on this month and October, but I just don't have the time until the garden is completely done, and then top that with the living room repair job.
How I am feeling . . .
Tired. I'm not used to the work schedule my husband has right now.
On the breakfast plate . . .
Have no idea yet. First priority is down some coffee to fire up this tired soul, and get the fridge cleaned out.
What I am reading . . .
On my TV . . .
Annie's Pointe (movie we picked up at an antique store)
On the menu. . .
-have no idea yet, I have several new recipes to try, including a new pesto recipe (that I hope will freeze well). Has anyone every made green onion-basil pesto?
-label all my canning jars and get stored properly
From the camera . . .
Oddly, I do not have any photo on my camera right now, other than the photo of my current book. I guess I will need to work on that this week, ha ha!
Prayers . . .
For Daughter E to find affordable health insurance (she is also moving to another salon), and for Daughter K too.
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Canning Continues and other ramblings
I'm now writing out a winter prep to-do list, but I have to get cracking on the living room. I have boxes now, so I am ready as soon as the tomatoes are all put up.
What's on the list? Splitting wood, ordering propane (this time I will make sure it's delivered before the cut off date), pulling the garden, drying herbs before the weather gets too cold, and a few other to-do's.
It's another foggy morning here, and the last few days we are hearing fox and coyote. We also saw an eagle fly over the house.
Disturbing news in our state - the death of 3 million chickens at another egg producing farm died due to bird flu. I guess I better get that new coop built, so we can focus on a meat bird coop as well.
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Crazy Busy Puttin' Up Time
It was finally time to start freezing tomatoes. I cleared off the kitchen table.
I also put rosemary in the dehydrator and snipped green onion for freezing. Our green onions have superb flavor this year. It's a race against the clock this time of the season. I'm trying to get the tomatoes in before it's too late. I baked a breakfast for us, for the next few days too.
I heard some restaurants are not offering green onions on their menu due to shortage of supplies.
We woke up to a very foggy morning. The air is very cool, but they say we'll heat up again.
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Labor Day Events ~ Rain
We had a very busy Labor Day weekend. We had invitations for 3 birthday parties and a cook out. Golly, all we wanted to do on Monday was get our kitchen and front porch in order. I have to admit, it was nice getting up this morning to a tidy kitchen. Although I still have tomatoes on the table.
I had to start bringing in the tomatoes to ripen on the table. They were splitting outside on the vines. Crazy weather this year.
Saturday, September 3, 2022
Rain moving in.....
Well, here we are to the weekend. The one and only perfect holiday weekend day to take the motorcycle out, and my husband left at 4am.
I have tomatoes to deal with, so that is happening after I down a pot of coffee and figure out a breakfast with minimal cooking.
I put up 22 1/2# of tomatoes yesterday, but here is the situation....I brought 38# back inside (bwahahaha!). Oh my.
My husband is laughing, but I have no idea how I dealt with our 500# year. I do need to freeze some tomatoes, can crushed ones, and make another batch of soup and pizza sauce (will gift the kiddos).
He joked "tomato fight" as the plants are literally almost dead, tomatoes falling off and some rotting as I try to keep up. The summer heat waves were the cause of the late ripening.
I'm hoping to get my fall garlic planted. Rain is moving in late Saturday and for several days (unless that changes).
Friday, September 2, 2022
Sunrise ~ More Canning with Tomatoes ~ Question
I woke up in time to see this beautiful sky. I did however, sleep in, and did not get to see my husband before he went to work. He is taking over a supervisor position for a few months. Let's just say the coffee pot is pre-set at 4:30am now.
Unless I try and put up another table in the living room, I am plum out of room for ripe ones. I'm trying my best to get things canned, but I can only do one sauce/tomato recipe in one day.
We have surpassed 200 pounds of Amish paste this year. There are more out there, and the plants are dying. Sheesh, but so thankful for the stock up with all of them.