Beautiful Day ~ Painting Resumes ~ Balancing Act

 

While the washer was doing it's thing, I cleaned my clothesline.  Boy it was dirty.

We had a beautiful  60 degree day, so I took advantage of it.  It won't be so nice the rest of the week.  See that lonely sock?  Daughter E did her laundry here a few days ago, and it must have fallen into my dirty towels ha ha

The entrance way to the kitchen from the hallway, is arched.  That is the color of wood before I started painting it. It truly made the rooms look so much brighter, and we love it.  However, I have 4 more doorways, and two windows to paint.  It's a get-er' done over the next few weeks.

The only thing motivating me, is the fact our garden is flooded, so I can't do anything out there until it dries up.  We are supposed to get snow/rain this Friday anyway.  

Since I took those photos, I now have the side door trim primed and will paint it today.  It's a process, and I will be so happy when we are done, but when exactly is "done" around here ha ha!

First, I had to clean all that trim around the side door with vinegar water and a rag.  While that dried, I took down the only curtain in that area, and washed it.

It needed a washing anyway, so that spring clean job is done.

Then where ever I cannot use my handy tool around the edge of the trim, I put up paint tape.

Followed by a coat of primer, then I wash out my brush and wash the tool, move ladders, remove paint tape, put lid on can and do it all over again the next day.  Not my favorite thing to do.  Painting that is, but so much cheaper than buying all new trim for the entire house.

Oh, and the interruptions during the painting process result in a loud heavy sigh, a few expletives, and eye rolling.  Not fun when you are down on the floor, and the phone rings in the other room.

It's been a balancing act between painting the hallway trim, and cleaning up the bedroom walk-in closet.  I'm working on purging, re-organizing and getting anything off the floor to prepare for carpet removal, but I have a lot of work to do.  I could not believe how much yarn I still have in my closet, unfinished Christmas ornaments, unfinished Christmas gifts, and a whole lot of crafting supplies.  Everybody may end up with something crocheted next Christmas ha ha ha!  I guess it depends on how busy our garden year is, and what still needs done inside the house (which is a lot yet).

I filled a garbage bag with yarn to take upstairs, but that is not even close to what's still to be collected and moved up in storage.  Oh boy.  I do have my computer area organized with a notebook for what to make with what, so I'm staying on task and using up what I have.

Sheet Pan Scrambled Eggs ~ Freezer Re-Stock

I have baked eggs in the oven on a sheet pan previously, but I wanted to make scrambled eggs for easier breakfast sandwiches.  I also wanted them in the freezer for a quick breakfast, or if we had company (aka kids).

I did some research on time, temperature, size of pan, etc.

I decided to go with 18 eggs, a 12 x 17 inch sheet pan (jelly roll pan), and parchment paper.

Tip: Spray oil onto the pan, line with parchment paper, and spray again.  You will want 15 inch wide parchment paper, or your eggs may go under the parchment in the sides or corners.  I used my 12 inch paper and it went under one corner just a bit.

Preheat Oven to 350°F, bake 15-17 minutes or until eggs are no longer jiggly in the center.  It does take a much steady hand to put this in the oven without spilling it.  I may use a smaller pan and 12 eggs next time.  

I can cut 12 servings this way and freeze them for future sandwiches, or make the entire sandwich, wrap in plastic wrap, then foil, and then into a freezer bag (or airtight container).  I have not tried this yet with freezer paper, but if you do, let me know if that works as well.  It will last up to 3 months in the freezer, according to my research.

It was an all morning breakfast freezer re-stock, but half was for this week and half went into the freezer, minus the bacon.  I made 2 lbs. of homemade sage (using dehydrated sage from the herb garden) turkey sausage patties and 1/2 lb. of bacon.

2 lbs. of turkey sausage sounds like a lot, but one serving is about 4 oz. or 1/2 cup before cooking.

Fun Finds: Battery Operated Farmhouse Light ~ Dish Towels

 

I found this battery operated light for the bathroom re-do.  I just love it.  I'm trying to find another one the same color for the other bathroom.  They will come in handy during power outages vs. lighting a candle.  It was the only they had, and not sold online.  I am having my daughter check stores, as I am so dang super busy in the garden.

Snagged these for $.50/each

I love this one!  I could only find one, but for $1.00!  And of course the last one they had as well.  I like this one the best.

I found this post in my drafts from last year, ha ha!  Well, it's getting posted.  Oh, and the battery operated lights have come in handy.

Happy Homemaker Monday

We sort of had shopping plans, and ended up at another Wal-mart first.  I finally found a lot of white ribbon, and a few other colors, but still need pink and peach.  Only $.47 a roll, but only 20 feet per roll.  Anyway, I was very happy to locate some.  Now this means the next crochet project ha ha - baby booties.

The weekend went by way too fast.  A lot work that we planned to do on the house did not happen.

Today I will be joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

I will link up when she posts.

The weather . . .

Thunderstorms today, and a possibility of snow this coming weekend.

As I look outside my window . . .

The sun is starting to come up.

Right now I am . . .

Brewing another pot of coffee.

Thinking and pondering . . .

We are considering removing the bedroom carpet next.  Not sure when, but next on the list, as I get back to painting.  I have a door to paint in the utility room (for a cubbie) as well.

On my bedside table . . .

Water, two framed photos, and a few lozenges.

On my TV Today . . .

We just finished watching 1923, so not sure what will be next.

Listening to . . .

80's while I do housework.

On the lunch plate . . .

I have no idea yet.

On the dinner plate . . .

Burgers

On the menu . . .

-burgers, veggie

-chicken fajitas

-leftovers

On my reading pile . . .

On the to-do list . . .

-make homemade turkey sage sausage
-make a breakfast

-sweep/mop
-laundry
-dishes
-run dishwasher

-water seedlings

-take yarn, craft supplies upstairs
-start cleaning up bedroom to prep for carpet removal (probably will take a few weeks or more, as the carpet is in the walk-in closet too.

Plans for this week . . .

No plans, other than to get back to home repairs/renovations

What I am creating . . .

I'm still working on a blanket for us.  Trying to finish a scarf.

My simple pleasure . . .

Journaling.

Looking around the house . . .

I need to take some yarn upstairs that I have collected from around the house.

From the camera . . .

Bible Verse, Devotional, Prayers . . .

Seedling Heat Mat

 First time to try using a seedling heat mat to start the hottest of the hot peppers.  I typically do not have any problems starting my jalapenos, but the hotter peppers like the Serrano etc. I do.

I bought my heat mat online, and about $10.00 less than at our hardware/garden store (be sure to check reviews).

The one I bought was a simple, plug it in and put your seed tray on it.  There were a lot of "don'ts" so I put my mat and tray on my wood stove hearth (we are not using the wood stove right now).

In 6 days the serrano pepper seeds started to sprout.

In 7 days the cayenne started to sprout.

In 9 days the Datil started sprouting.  Did you know these are native to St. Augustine, FL?  I just learned this fun fact.

In 10 days the Cherry Bomb peppers, and Anaheim peppers started to sprout.

My hot banana have not sprouted yet (those were saved seeds), so I will keep an eye on that.  So far, it's helped the hot peppers to sprout much better than without the mat.  My jalapeno are not on the heat mat and have all sprouted.

Sprouts for my Chickens

I'm growing sprouts for my ladies (chickens) right now.  So easy to do, healthy and fun for the chickens, and in expensive to do.

I bought a large splatter screen at the nearest Dollar Tree store.  You can of course, order a seed sprout lid online as well.

I then used my quart jar to draw a template, and then cut those out to match the tops of the jars.  Simple right?

Fill your quart jar with water to the top.  Each day, soak, dump and rinse.  You can get complete instructions online (never leave them soak over night).

After each day of that process, I let it sit upside down on a towel for a bit.  I wanted to make sure all of the older water was out before leaning the jar on it's side, and covering with a towel.  It gets air flow, and sprouts grow this way.  They have gadget kits for standing your jar(s) tilted.  I'm just easy peasy, use what I have right now.

In about 3-4 days your sprouts will look like this.  Fun for the ladies and healthy for them too. 

Has anyone sprouted other grains or beans for their chickens? So far, I have only used green lentils.  

Freezer Clean Out ~ Finds ~ Frozen Tomato Line Up

Painting  has been paused.  I wish I could be in the gardens, getting them ready, as the temperature warmed up to the low 60's.  It's so wet out there from the down pour we got.

I, instead, did a freezer clean out.  It wasn't too bad actually, but I rotated some, so the older was on top in the meat drawer.  I did find a small bag of jalapenos from 2021 (sheesh).  Oh and some homemade sweet potato butter that didn't make the cut.

I made a list of what was in stock, and meals will be made as I rotate items out.  I noticed I still have a good amount of tomatoes in the freezer, so I may be focusing on that first.  I hate to have them wasted.  

What's cooking this weekend?  First, walleye.  It's the last bag in the freezer.  

While digging around for a box of homemade vanilla (I need to refill my kitchen bottle), I saw a grocery bag with stuff in it.  Odd.  Ha!  Not sure how it ended up in my closet, but I found boxes of canning lids and some bond tape.  I decided to do an inventory check on canning lids when I put them away.

I had plans for that tape last summer, but last year was a bit stressful.  I hope to get that done this summer and share.  I noticed it is 3/4 inch width, and I need about 1/2 inch.  It went in my sewing box.

(seedlings under a grow lamp)

Anyway, I mostly had a mundane day, but feel good I got the freezer in order.  I feel  like most mornings I do not get to enjoy my coffee, as I am either unloading the dishwasher, baking, cooking, doing dishes, laundry, taking care of floors, the trash, the chickens. tending to my garden seedlings....so, I make time for coffee, crochet....

...the cooking channel.  I have been learning a lot on here, and have taken down some notes on tips and tricks.  With all of our upcoming repairs/builds and renovations, I feel like I should be watching "This Old House" ha ha!

What I learned:

Use a whisk instead of a spatula when folding ingredients.

Brush oil on your tortilla when making a stove top quesadilla vs. putting oil in the pan. Use 8 inch, fold, and sprinkle oiled sides with salt to make them crispy.

I wrote up a list of menu ideas for my frozen tomatoes, frozen tomato sauce and canned sauce.  I'm sure there are recipes I make I'm not thinking of right now, but...

Chili

Crockpot Sweet potato Chili

Goulash

Crockpot Fiesta Chicken and Black Beans

Slow Cooker Chicken Bolognese Pasta

Crockpot Enchilada Shredded Chicken (Healthy Fix-it and Forget it Cookbook)

Taco Stew