Anniversary Lunch ~ Rosemary Update ~ Back to the Grind ~ Garlic Fermented Honey Update

 

My husband and I had one last day to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, so we drove to the lake for an island lunch.  We dressed up for the occasion.   I will admit, it was a messy burger, but good.  The fries were "truffle" fries.  They are fried in mushroom oil.  I have never heard of that.  The garlic aioli was for dipping the fries.  The whipped feta hot honey dip is our favorite.  The menu was limited, as the larger part of the restaurant was closed at the time.  I wasn't a fan of the drink, but overall it was a nice lunch. 

We have planned a few hikes for the future, as we could not do them due to the muddy conditions.  

It's back to the "grind" as they say it.  December is a busy month for us, in the way of celebrations, and we are back on track with projects and regular good ol' housework.

I did my best to keep my rosemary plants alive, but one is dead, and the other is hanging on by a hair.  I cannot, for some reason, ever dig them up and keep them alive indoors for the winter.  Honestly, I should have left them outside, as our weather has been in the 50-60's this month.  Anyway, I tried.  I even used different soil for them.  On the other hand, the propagated rosemary is doing fine.  It's just not very big.

Although the weather has been much warmer for a winter here, it brought a lot of rain.  Any outdoor projects, including the new coop, are all put on hold until the rain leaves us.  I think everyone in the area is looking forward to the rain ending.

Are you doing anything just for you this busy holiday month?  I was gifted some shower fizzers, and have enjoyed the lavender.  I am now on the hunt for peppermint (septic safe) ones.  I think peppermint would be a nice pick me up in the morning.  Don't forget to do something nice for yourself every week.

Speaking of waking up, the garlic fermented honey worked great for recovering from whatever bug I recently had.  I can tell you if you grind fresh ginger, and steep your tea first, then add the honey and squeeze a fresh lemon, it goes down pretty well.  There is something about the lemon, that keeps the garlic from being to intolerable.  I was not able to drink it in other teas.  The garlic was too strong.  Anyway, this is my update on that.

Anniversary Lunch ~ Rosemary Update ~ Back to the Grind ~ Garlic Fermented Honey Update © Dec 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

This and That ~ Finishing the Unfinished

 

Although only for one night, we were able to travel a few hours away, to visit a 4.8 million Christmas light display, stay at a Historic hotel (which we loved), and visit some local shops, to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.  It rained on us, but we were still happy to travel and celebrate.

Christmas is over with, and we have had the strangest weather.  We hit 64°F I think they said, and today it's rain and in the high 50's.  The nice part of not having a lot of decorations up, is we have very little to put away this year.

Christmas has been much different, with Mom not here to celebrate, so we will need to work on new traditions for next year.  I've come to terms with the fact, it will not be the same, and we will make changes.  It's hard to believe I made it past Christmas, and only baked one Christmas cookie.  I've had a request to make one more, before the month is over.

I don't know how, but I managed to finally finish this book.  I started reading it early in the spring. The garden/other projects keep me busy, with little time to read.  

I finished this one as well.  I know, a bit shocker.  I think this makes book 5 for this year.  I typically read a lot more.

I read most of Leslie Meier Mystery books years ago, but our library did not have some of the series.  I do enjoy them, but would like to venture into other books I have at home.

If you are looking for a Christmas movie to watch, try Netflix movie Holiday in the Vineyards.  We very much enjoyed it.

We tried a new deviled egg recipe, and we really like it.  The recipe says to put the extra filling on crackers, and it would be delicious on a cracker.  We loaded it all on the eggs.  It is a recipe from The Southern Lady Cooks, and the pimentos make it colorful for a Christmas side dish.  

I used my homemade garlic powder for the recipe, and just the small amount adds a good amount of flavor.  They are not low in calories, but I'm glad we tried them.

This and That ~ Finishing the Unfinished © Dec 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Crockpot Creamed Corn

 

A winner in the "tried new" recipe category.  So good!  The only ingredient I did not add, was the red bell pepper, because I didn't have any in the freezer at the time.  I will be adding it and making this again.  A keeper recipe.

The recipe is online at The Southern Lady Cooks - Slow Cooker Creamed Corn.

If you freeze your corn off the cob with butter, you can use that and add less butter too.  I save bacon grease, so I used that, and already had some bacon cooked that was leftover from another meal.  The sugar could be left out too.  I mean, it's only 2 Tbsp, but we freeze our corn with butter and sugar so I can leave it out.

A win-win recipe if you freeze your corn off the cob, and freeze your garden bell peppers.  Saving your bacon grease is always a frugal tip I share often.

Sharing for those looking for a new side dish for your own meals, or for potluck meals.  I've tried other variations in the past, and we really like this one.

I like to try new recipes exactly according to instructions, and ingredients.  Next time I will swap the corn starch with arrowroot powder and see if it makes a difference in consistency or flavor.  I do by organic corn starch, but for us arrowroot would be a healthier option.

Tip:  We cook up an entire package of bacon, and save half for a second meal or use it in another recipe.

Enjoy!

Crockpot Creamed Corn © Dec 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Garlic Fermented Honey

 The problem with winter gatherings with lots of people, are the germs that spread.  I had good intentions of cleaning the house, after the gathering we had here, and I failed.  I love my family, but with them come germs.

By "clean" I mean to disinfect bathrooms, door knobs, and the like.   Not all hands get washed (especially little hands when no one is watching), and I had not gone anywhere other than the library.  My husband said to me, "I don't get it. You haven't been anywhere but the library."  Yep.  Also, he can bring germs home from work (as we have found out back in October).

I caught a bug of some sort, which started with a runny nose, then sore throat and watery eyes etc.  I instinctively took Four Thieves Vinegar, but later remembered I made garlic fermented honey.

I have been sipping hot teas with the garlic honey, and will report back as to if it helped shorten the length of this said bug or not. 

I'm still finding reasons to get outside to get fresh air.  I'm hoping this bug passes quickly.

Random wise words I recently heard:

"Words come from the lips.  Actions come from the heart."

I have no idea if these are famous, or who said them, we heard them in a movie recently.  I had to share.

Garlic Fermented Honey ~ A Family Christmas Tradition © Dec 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Sour Cream Softies ~ A Family Christmas Tradition

 I thought for sure, that I had posted the recipe for these cookies, but so far I have not located it on my blog.  So...

Here is the recipe for Sour Cream Softies, a traditional Christmas cookie, that was passed down from my Mom.

I had no idea where the recipe came from prior to my Mom, but she loved to sit and listen to a radio station, where recipes were shared (definitely a thing in the past that is not done today on the radio). It is possible she obtained it from the radio station, but I am not for certain.

Sour Cream Softies

3 cups sifted all purpose flour (we use organic)

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 c. butter softened (we use organic)

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 eggs (we use farm fresh)

1 tsp. vanilla (I made this homemade)

1 cup (8 oz) sour cream (organic)

Measure flour, salt baking powder, and soda into a sifter.  Cream butter with sugar until well blended.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Sift in flour mixture, alternating with sour cream.  Drop by teaspoonful on parchment paper lined baking sheets (spread each teaspoonful out a bit).  Sprinkle with red/green sugar sprinkles.  Bake at 400°F for 12 minutes.  Cool on wire racks.  Store in an airtight container.

I never got the chance to make homemade sour cream, when we had Lamancha dairy goats.

Sour Cream Softies ~ A Family Christmas Tradition © Dec 2023 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Tuesday Tidbits

 

The aftermath of the Christmas gathering has all been cleaned up.  Dishes are washed and put away, the Christmas tablecloth removed and washed, living room debris picked up, floors swept and mopped.....the worst part of hosting is the clean up.  One thing I have learned, when someone says they are coming early to help, don't count on the help.  Two, don't count on people bringing what food they say they will bring.  Hence the dip I made at the last minute.  

I also learned that the day after a gathering is the best morning to have a make-ahead breakfast ready to simply pop in the oven.  We did not, and I did regret not having one ready.  I will definitely remember next time.

Finished!  Off the list now.  My husband's scarf is done.

I mentioned we tried a new dip recipe - Sausage Artichoke Dip (The Southern Lady Cooks, link goes to the recipe online).  It is very good, although we think we may use "hot" breakfast sausage (or homemade) next time we make it.  Everyone loved it.

Bonus:  It's a crock pot dip recipe, and can be thrown together very quickly.  We keep canned chilis on hand for several recipes.

The new gadget I mentioned the other day - a water pump for a 5 gallon water jug (we have well water).   You simply charge it, and put it on the top of the jug.  No expensive water system, and no flipping it upside down.  It works great, but we did notice that not all 5 gallon jugs are the same.  We first got a jug at a farm store, which the pump worked, but did not securely attach.  Other stores sell the jugs that properly fit this, but we love it.  No more filling 10 gallon jugs, and having to make room for them.  

(available on Amazon, and inexpensive, and no I am not an affiliate for this product, as it was just recommended)

Happy Homemaker Monday

Grab a cup of java this morning!  I didn't mean for the post to be so long today.  Ha ha!  Sorry folks.  Hope you enjoy it anyway. 

No one had any advice on cleaning the tomato stains from the freezer containers.  I have now just accepted they will be future containers to freeze anything tomato.  I can't afford to throw them out and buy new ones (as one of my friends suggested).

Do any of you have a gift in a jar idea for pint jars?  A recipe perhaps that most people in general will like?  I was thinking Mocha Coffee, but I'm still having trouble locating sugar free (non-gmo) peppermint syrup.  I can locate mini bottles of peppermint schnapps however (he he!).  Any ideas would be great, as it is late in the "game" this year. 

Random thought:  I was looking for my stocking shelf hooks, and found one of the kids stockings.  I embroidered each kids name and glued them to the stocking with some trim.  It reminded me of how much time I dedicated to my kids while they were growing up.

I would race to the school to sign up for the Christmas parties.  6 kids,, 6 classes, and other holiday parties too.  So....I remembered the year I bought those small stockings (ornament size), and hand embroidered each student's name, and glued them to the stocking.  I hand wrapped each one for each student.  

It also made me realize, that during all those years, I put my kids first, and me last.   There were not only classroom parties, sports, band, class events, choir, contests, a lot of volunteering, doctor appts, church events......the list is endless.  Six kids kept me very very busy.  

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

The Weather . . .

View from the porch on Sunday - dreary, dark and raining.  I'm so glad I got to see such a beautiful sunrise on Saturday.  If you didn't see the photos, it is in my previous post.

Today?  Windy, snow showers, high of 36°F

Right now I am . . .

Sipping coffee, and getting this post up.

Thinking and pondering . . .

Mountain Rose Herbs has been my "go-to" store for years for medicinal teas, and supplies, but not lately.  I have had to search our new sources, as their products are so often out of stock, and higher in price. Also, the shipping costs are much less elsewhere, or free on Amazon.  I do try to grow and forage for what I can however.

How I am feeling . . .

Better, but the dental work affected my sinuses, caused headaches, and is taking a long time to heal.  

On the breakfast plate . . .

Chorizo/potato, and egg (and cheese) breakfast burritos.  Next up is pumpkin pancakes and sausage patties. 

On the lunch plate . . .

No idea yet.

On the dinner plate . . .

Leftovers.

On the menu . . .

I need to write this up today.  I have not thought about it.

On the reading pile . . .

I'm back to finishing up this book.

On the TV . . .

Movie:  Holiday in Handcuffs, a Christmas cabin movie, where a young woman kidnaps a young man to pretend to be her boyfriend (to impress her parents).  

Looking around the house . . .

We are switching from buying gallon jug water refills to a 5 gallon water jug.  We have well water, and although we have a salt softener system, it can cause build up on the coffee pot and other appliances.  So....I have a new gadget to try soon.  I'll be sharing it as soon as we obtain the 5 gallon jugs.  We are able to refill them for $1.00 each.  

To-do List . . .

-make seal and brew tea-bags
-muck coop
-finish up laundry

-empty dishwasher

-paint closet floor upstairs

-return library books

-dust (again)

From the camera . . .

Sour Cream Softies.  A recipe that was handed down from my Mom.  We make them every Christmas.  They are delicious with a cup of morning coffee/tea or just as they are.

Something to Share . . .

If you are concerned about your food containing GMO's, you'll be happy to know that Menard's sells Deluxe mixed nuts that are GMO free!

No added bad oils!  So happy to find them, so I can make holiday treats without having to buy all the nuts and roast them myself.

Also, I found a tea recipe for "stress reducing" on another blog (Backyard Patch), which you can find HERE.  I have two of the ingredients. I need to locate some Holy Basil, and then I can start brewing this delicious-ness.

Christmas DIY's, Ideas, Tips, and Recipes . . .

50 count cake pop sticks, about 58 oz. mini marshmallows, 2 - 12 oz. bags of light cocoa candy melting wafers.

Dipped in melted chocolate once.  Let cool.

Dipped a 2nd time, then coated in mini marshmallows, let cool.

Hot Chocolate Stir Sticks to Gift.  Mint Chocolate would be delicious too!  Gift with Homemade Hot Cocoa in recycled, decorated jars.

Tip:  When using melted chocolate wafers, spread any leftover melted chocolate onto a sheet of waxed paper.  Allow to completely cool.

Break the chocolate up, and store in an air tight container or bag, in a dark cool location until you need it again.

Also, I have a new recipe we tried for a dip (appetizer) for our Christmas with the kids.  I will talk about that in tomorrow's post, as this post has gotten way too long, ha ha!

Devotional, Bible Verses, Prayers . . .

Prayers for a couple that were killed in a 3-car collision recently (locally).  They couple had a infant son that was not with them.  The driver that caused the collision, according to the news, had 60 priors.  The community is gathering to help raise money for their son.