One Big Job

I took this photo back in March of this year, in hopes to locate a barn salvage person or company.  

This challenge is one of our big jobs on the "to-do" list right now.

Well, the first two did not want the barn - not old enough, not "enough wood" to mess with.  Not long ago few men stopped in after the corner collapsed in a rain storm.  We talked, Hubby got in touch with them.

Homemade Fire Cider ~ Winter Illness Preventative

I decided to leave a few cayenne, jalapeno and our only hot banana pepper plant in the garden a bit longer.

I wanted the peppers to make more ground cayenne powder and also use the jalapenos for making our very first Fire Cider.

....from the handiwork journal

. . . still working on the scrap crochet blanket.  I had plans to donate it, but Hubby and one daughter are fighting over who will get it.  We'll see.  This is my project to unwind on cooler evenings here. Right now it's 55 inches wide by 42 inches long.

Random Tidbits ~ Camper Everything ~ More Cleaning

Yesterday's chores were still getting worked on when the kids got home from school.  I had to get everything washed and on the line as rain (storms) are expected today.  

I got all the rugs washed and dried too.  Speaking of rugs, our 18 year-old daughter took the peach colored (crocheted in cotton yarn) rug for her dorm.  I just read somewhere that they cannot have rubber backed rugs, so that worked out nicely.  So, if you kiddo is heading to college, a handmade crocheted rug would come in handy for her/him.  The ones you see on my clothesline are from old sheets, old jeans, and scrap cotton yarn.  They all wash up nicely too.

 

I forgot to dump my ice trays and bag it, so I could freeze all the organic collards I had yesterday.  I managed to get half of them froze.  I have more to freeze today.

Homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate

With cooler weather coming upon us, the kids have been hankering a fall weather beverage.  A nice hot cup of hot chocolate sounded good.  This time we made a mint hot chocolate.

I simply place the peppermint leaves into my tea infuser, then pour boiling water in it.  Close the top, and steep about 3-4 minutes.  You can use fresh or dried leaves.

Homemade Flour Tortillas with Lard ~ From Pile to File ~ Fire Powder

I mentioned a while back that I would try another tortilla recipe, but this time I used lard.  I forgot I even had the recipe until I was looking for my whole wheat pancake recipe one day.  Tip:  Tortilla presses are more for corn tortillas (or masa), so you'll need a rolling pin for this recipe.

This recipe got all thumbs up from the family.  The tortillas are softer and we all like these better than the tortillas I have been making with organic canola oil.

Chickens ~ Garden

Yesterday I decided to let the chickens have free run of the entire property.  They were so excited.   I needed them to chow down on some grasshoppers, and other over loaded bugs in the garden.  One went missing so I hope she found her way back to the barn last night.

Random Tidbits ~ German Potato Salad

My ladies have been slacking in the egg production department lately.  Considering the amount of feathers out in the run, I'm guessing they are molting.

The weather is now cooling down at night, but the forecast for the end of the week is in the upper 80's again.  

 I'm so glad I got my garlic planted this past weekend.  One more thing off my list.

Wood splitting has resumed.  Thank goodness.  

I was getting worried.  Although the dead trees are still standing (patience is a difficult thing). We need about six more good Saturdays to finish it up.

My Herbal Journey ~ Calendula Oil ~ Calendula Salve and Lip Balm

My pot of calendula has been growing wonderfully.  It was recently time to cut and dry them, and make a jar of calendula herbal oil.

From "Stash to Trash" ~ Corn Chili Bake

I'm progressing at working on that pile of recipes to try.  It's hard to keep up it with it.  I still like my usual from "garden to table" recipes, like the one we recently enjoyed - boiled cabbage with potatoes and added cooked sausage.  It was so nice to enjoy something straight out of the garden.

The next recipe to try ~ Corn Chili Bake.  It came from Nourish and Heal magazine (2014).  I of course looked online to see if it was posted on their site, but I could not locate it.  So, I am posting it here with by adapting organic ingredients (and beef vs. ground turkey).  You can get all of the vegetables and black beans from a garden.  And you can also make your own fire-roasted tomatoes.  I had dehydrated cayenne peppers and had my own homemade powder on hand.

Jewelweed ~ Milk Weed ~ Poison Ivy Remedies

This is the jewelweed solution prepared by an acquaintance.  She simply boiled it in water, strained it and cooled it.  She gifted it to us in an old soda bottle.

Sandwich Bread ~ Tidbits

Now that I am back to baking bread, I made a new sandwich bread recipe, that my Uncle told me about just a few days ago.

. . .from the Handiwork Journal

. . . making progress on the scrap crochet blanket.  I have not repeated a color yet.  

Random Tidbits ~ Dehydrated Organic Ginger ~ Poison Ivy Remedies ~ Garden Treasures

Remember the organic ginger I dehydrated?  Well, I recently made a cup of hot tea using it with my tea infuser.  You could use a disposable or reusable tea bag too.  Anyway, the infused color is different from using freshly grated ginger, but the taste was pretty close to using fresh, just not as strong.  I'll be drying more when I find it available.

Herbal Journey ~ Catnip Tincture ~ Bug Spray

The mosquitoes are terribly thick this year, and we are seeing swarms of them in areas we never saw before.

So......

I decided to dig a bit deeper and found a recipe on Mountain Rose Herb's blog.  Less messy, and easier to tote along for possible camping trips. They posted one using catnip, other essential oils, and witch hazel extract.

I had all of the ingredients but a few, and even found catnip to make the tincture for it. 

Canning Applesauce ~ Extreme Clean Continues ~ Feta Salmon Pasta

Although Tiger is not supposed be sleeping on this good quilt, it was hard for me disturb him, as cute as he was.  That's how I feel at the end of the days here lately. Just give me a bed to curl up on.  I hate not feeling good.  And try to get me to rest when there is no one here to tell me.  Ha! 

Yesterday I tackled 12 pounds of organic apples.  I have to buy these at our grocer.  All of the orchards around here spray, and our trees have not started to produce yet.

 

8 pints of delicious, sugar free applesauce.  I use the ball recipe, but only add the organic lemon juice.

Operation "Garden" ~ Flower Seeds ~ Salsa Chicken

Last week, I told the kids it was "Operation Extreme Clean" and to not expect anything but cleaning the house.  This weekend?

"Operation Garden" if the weather cooperates.

I have officially started the gutting of the garden. The girls won't like me, but it needs to be worked on.  The barns may be next, so it's time to pull it all out.

 

It was very humid, and when I took my camera lens off yesterday, it immediately fogged up.  I have only gotten two hours out there, and much to do.  I only got 1/4 of the distance down the carrot row, beet row and green bean row.  I found many beets yet, and even carrots.  The carrots are no bigger than three inches in length (most are 2 inches or less), so I'm pulling them all out.  It will feed us a few meals, but won't be enough to freeze this year.  Some of the tops will go to Milo, our pet rabbit.

This is what all of the vegetable gardens look like.  Full of grass, thistle and various weeds.  Today the grass pulled easily, so I could find the dead plants to pull (or other surprises).  I am going to need to move my pea fence too, so that will determine where I plant my garlic next.  I can't move it to the south, because my asparagus is there.  I may move it completely to the new plot we are going to put in. 

 Lots and lots of weeds in those gardens.  Rain was due at 11am, so I stopped, but at noon, rain never arrived.  I should have worked another hour or two.

Tidbits ~ Egg Dip

I spent part of my day cleaning out the refrigerator.   It was hot and humid, and a good day for laundry too.   I had to do some sewing, so I got that done as well.  

Although I felt better, I woke up at 3am with a killer sort throat.  I guess I'll be drinking hot ginger tea today.  I ran out of chamomile, but have fresh organic ginger on hand. 

The rain fell yesterday, so I may run out and start gutting the garden.  I got a text from Hubby to "stay out of the garden" but it needs started.  The girls can help this weekend, and get it done faster.

Comfrey Poultice ~ Tidbits

This was my first time to actually use comfrey for anything.  You could call this a "pile to file" recipe too.  The first time I planted it (live plant vs. seed), it died.  This year I planted organic/non-gmo seeds and was successful.  This year however, I am making comfrey poultices to put in my freezer.

First, I grind the leaves in my food processor (worked better than my blender) with a touch of water.  Most recipes I found said to add flour to make the "paste."  I also read that chia seeds works well too.

365 Day Recipe Challenge? Collard Frittata ~ Frog in the House

I think I have enough new recipes to challenge myself into trying a new one every day.  For a year. Sigh....

Guess what I found?  More recipes.  

I pulled my favorite crock pot cookbook off the cookbook stand to clean, and found a few recipes held together with a clothespin.  Top one looks like it may be good too.  Well, I guess meal planning won't be so difficult this fall.

As for that collard frittata recipe?

Wine Journal ~ Journal Junkie

This journal junkie has yet another journal to share.  I had to blow the dust off of this one.  I had so much trouble removing wine labels that I put this journal away for years.

I was talking to my sister-in-law, and found out she has one, and has these nifty label removers.  I went in search for some, and gave them a whirl.

Fall Blooms ~ Extreme Clean Continues

Despite lack of weeding, the front flower beds are full of color.

Extreme Clean ~ Stocking Up

Who knew what could be lurking in my desk drawer?  Ha ha!  Remember these?  Go ahead.  I dare you to clean out one drawer today, ha ha!

Cleaning has been prosperous.

Baked Onion Rings ~ Freezing Onion Soup ~ Onion Powder ~ Freezing Caramelized and Raw Onions

Just one simple vegetable from the garden can bring us a lot of help over winter.  I am making the most of what little we got this year.

Sorghum Molasses Butter with Whiskey ~ From Pile to File

I have found yet another way to use sorghum molasses - flavored butter for winter squash, sweet potatoes, or carrots.  If you don't want the extra brown sugar on your acorn squash this winter, it is a nice substitute.

Tiger in a Pot ~ Random Tidbits ~ Sore Throat Pops

In between running here and there, I have brought in more onions.  I am so glad we planted over 300, or we would have had zero.   

Tiger, can smell certain foods a mile away.  I caught Tiger trying to get in a pot that I had used to bring in some onions.  Hilarious!   There was nothing in the pot a few scant onion tops.  He loves squash, watermelon, corn cob husks, and onion tops.   The pot was on the floor, because I made too many dirty dishes that day.  Don't worry, the pot was sanitized.

Canning Ketchup ~ Black and Blue Cheese Butter with Whiskey

The bad news?

This is the last of the tomatoes that I picked the other day.

The good news? 

Raisin Bread and other tidbits

I decided to bake my first cinnamon-raisin bread. Yes, that is today's big news story.  

This "pioneer" woman has not baked this tasty treat until yesterday.

Rainy Days ~ Herbal Winter Illness Prep

I got the joy of filling out the large stack of papers the school sends home the first day.  Hubby was too tired after work, so I got the glorious job.  At least it was only for two kids this time, and not six.  The school however, has been sending me emails, containing a PDF files (letters on every subject you can imagine) and they kept coming throughout the day yesterday.

It's been continuing to rain off and on, so I have not yet been able to check the tomato situation.  It's kind of a relief not be out in the heat this month (or canning).  It's actually not even comfortable to sit on the porch (too humid).  However, the weather man says it will cool down this weekend.

I'm still taking advantage of, not only having the extra time, but a reason to be working indoors.  I found more scraps of yarn hiding in different places, but still have not found my #3 crochet hook, ha ha!

Random Tidbits ~ Extreme Clean

Can you tell today is the first day of school for the younger two? Ha ha!
 
I lost my #3 steel crochet hook.  I have doubles of almost every crochet hook there is, but not my #3.  It was time to go back into the closet to clean and sort.  I had to keep myself busy yesterday, as I waited

Chickpea Stuffed Shells ~ On the Road

Last night's dinner - chickpea stuffed shells, corn off the cob mixed with sauteed onion, butter and zucchini, and a pot of baked beans with sliced cooked brats in it. The beans/brat pot was Son's only request at dinner.  

We had a fun dinner too, as Oldest Daughter called and said she had "three hungry teenagers" and stopped in with them.  Of course they are her age, but it was fun to have them here for dinner.  Then just as they arrived, Hubby pulled in with Youngest Daughter's friend.  It was a full house, but lots of laughs, and plenty to go around.

I don't see that I have ever shared this recipe...

Shopped 'till we dropped....and other tidbits

The family gathering went well on Saturday, although we could have had better weather.  It was a bit humid.  I sent each family home with a bottle of organic blood orange Italian soda.  

Sunday, I never got the chance to even lift one of my library books.

Books ~ Reliable Sources

It's "party" day today.  I'm off to mop the kitchen one last time.  It rained last night, so hopefully it will be less humid outside today too.

We are still working on the "big" barn project.  I may have more news by Monday.

Dandelion Vinegar Update and "Mr. Clean"

Remember the dandelion vinegar I made?  

This is a late update on it, but I drained my quart jar, and got about a bit over a pint of the dandelion vinegar.  Sadly, I have to buy all of my greens, and salad mixin's this season, but the vinegar adds a nice flavor.

Random Tidbits ~ Needle Tatting

I am starting the day with breakfast on the porch, although a bit later than normal for me.  I need a peaceful moment with nature first.  Hubby is home too, so he'll join me too, before the kids get up.  We are letting them all sleep in.  The kids went to the movies in Son's new car last night.

Son is happy with anything I cook lately, as the food he has eaten at the chow hall was all processed.  He's pretty proud to see his 16 year-old sister can grill meat very well too.  She's my go-to grill girl now.

We are still cleaning the house, but my two younger girls are giving me resistance.  Their 18 year-old sister is working almost every day now, so the work load falls on them now.

Today the bathrooms get a top to bottom cleaning.  If the bathrooms are clean, I'll be happy, even if we don't get the rest spotlessly clean. 

More "Feel Good" Moments

I have been busy in the kitchen again, dehydrating heirloom cherry tomatoes.

Camping Trip!

Hubby was so excited to try out the new canoe, he hooked up the camper a night earlier than we had planned, and away we went. 

Hubby's Shopping Trip

While I was shopping for school clothing and supplies, Hubby was on his way home from work.  However, he stopped to shop also.

Photo Moments...

The start of my scrap blanket.  I'm using all the yarn I have leftover from other projects.  It's my "five minutes for me" handiwork when I need a change of pace from the other current handiwork.

Big fluffy clouds.

A butterfly that often visits the front porch flowers, and....

More Tomatoes and other Tidbits ~ Chicken Funny

I did a quick walk through one area we planted tomatoes.  All  those green ones are turning red (although I don't see new green ones yet).  These romas weighed in at 10 lbs.  I'm holding out a few more days to see if I'll get more before deciding on what I'll can.  I need 45 lbs. to make 7 quarts of seasoned tomato sauce.  And of course these are not all very big, most are pretty small in size.

Out with the Old ~ Tidbits

Out with the old one....

He Provides

This week has been super productive, and I got another batch of sweet pickle relish canned.  I actually froze beets (first time to get any in my freezer). I'm in the kitchen again today.

You would not believe this.

Busy Sunday ~ Beet-Cabbage Relish ~ Corn Relish ~ Bubbles and Squeak Cakes

Sunday's work list was changed once again.  While Hubby continued to work on the truck, I went straight out to water flowers.

Watering with a rain barrel takes patience.  The water doesn't just spray out like a hose hooked to the house.  We have drained one barrel, and almost a second one, leaving me two more to water with.  I don't like to completely drain them, or a good swift wind will take them sailing, and I'll be replacing water spigots again.

A Day with the "Queen"

I couldn't hold myself back any longer.   I mean why not?  Hubby is still fixing his truck, so the tree(s) still stands.

I found this recipe by purchasing a discarded library book at a library book sale. You never know what you'll find at one.

And a note:  I do not go looking for recipes like this one, they seem to find me.  And I really enjoy making them, and trying them.  I've been making this one for four years now.

Blooms ~ Blue Sky ~ Vintage Find

The flower beds are creating new color, and the gladiolas are blooming now.  The phlox is drawing attention to large butterflies and we are enjoying them.  Evidently,