Another Love Wink From the Universe

Hello, friends.  Last week, our freezer reached it's limit of 10 gal Ziploc bags of veggie scraps, so I defrosted them and made broth.  As usual, I let them simmer on the woodstove overnight, then strained and canned the broth the next morning.  The cherry tomatoes that are still ripening in the house are fairly tasteless at this point, so I made the decision to add all the ripe ones, almost all of them, to the broth, to get whatever nutrition they may have.  That seemed the best use of them.  I used the $20 credit I had at Vitacost, in addition to a code for 20% off, and 4% cash back through Swagbucks on an order.  We've had a really dry few months, and have been on well water for several weeks.  After building up through several showers, it makes my hair feel like straw.  Yuck.  Once we're back on rainwater, I'll do a vinegar rinse.  There's a slight chance of rain today, but doesn't appear to be much accumulation, if we get any.  

While J was cutting wood one day, this heart appeared.  A little love wink from the universe.  I made a double batch of cashew parmesan, as we decided to have Giada's pasta with olives and bread crumbs for Christmas dinner, and parmesan is one of the ingredients.  We enjoyed dinner with our granddaughter on the 26th, then headed to an upscale village nearby, where we viewed a large gingerbread display in the lobby of a hotel.  This year, the gingerbread had a Whoville theme.  My new car key was ready to pick up.  As it was only 15 minutes from our granddaughter, we went by there on the way to pick her up.  I tried inserting the key and removing it 25-30 times, and it seems to be working well.  The parts department told us if it didn't work, I'll probably need a new cylinder, which made J think they've had this issue before with my car.  Hopefully, the key is all I need.  Saturday was a warm, sunny day.  It was enjoyable spending time harvesting carrots.  May the New Year on the horizon usher in greater hope, peace, love and light for us all.

Happy Winter & Happy Holidays to You

Hello, friends.  Last week, the holiday baking was accomplished.  Four types of cookies were made, and more than half of them have been handed out so far.  I needed more sugar while baking, and not knowing about some J had put in storage, I ground sugar cubes that have been in our preps for some time.  I got the cubes, knowing they'd last in long term storage, better than a bag of sugar, and they worked fine this way.  Suet was made for the birds.  After having a massage and delivering soap 45 mins. away,  I had some car issues, and J had to come rescue me.  I believe the car itself is fine.  I just couldn't get the key to turn in the ignition.  J thinks it's likely just a worn down key, and I've ordered a new one.  Hopefully, that will take care of it.  If not, I'll need a new ignition lock.  I do have a back up key, which is what J came with, but it's as old as the one I use (15 years).  For all I know, that key was the previous owners main key, so I'd feel safer having a new one.  Our Christmas tree is up, and the lights are hung.  Next up, ornaments.  Wishing you and yours a holiday filled with peace and all the things you love.  

Laundry Pals

Hello, friends.   A few dandelions are still blooming.  Well, maybe not after tonight, as we're forecast to get down to 13, and we're often a little lower than the forecast.  I added a wheelbarrow of leaves to the chicken coop, to add a layer of warmth, and hung all the windbreak shower curtains, around their feeding area.  Vitacost was running a deal, where if you spent $120, you received $20 to spend on a future order.  As I needed several supplements, it was pretty easy to do that, and I've already received the code for the $20.  On the order, I also used a code for 20% off, and went through Swagbucks, for 4% back.  Not bad for one order.

A creative project I've wanted to do was finished.  I matched up fabrics with microfiber cloths, sewed them, and are gifting them with my kitchen soap.  Two of them went into packages mailed out for the holidays.  During the week, there were two canning days.  First were black beans.  Next, the bone bag was pulled from the freezer, which included the carcass of J's turkey breast from Thanksgiving.  This was simmered on the woodstove overnight, and the bone broth and bits of meat were canned the next day for Guinness' future dinners.

There were some windy days last week.  When I went to take the laundry off the line one day, I was greeted by this sight, which made me smile.  A tree is casting a shadow, so it's not the best pic, but these laundry pals made me happy.  Biochar materials were gathered... some pinecones, but mostly sweet gumballs.  I appreciate that it's a chore that gets me outside, this time of year.  We received some flurries off and on one day, with a brief period of large sleet or small hail, not really sure which.  My brother was playing some jazzy Christmas music on Friday, with a group in Greensboro, and J & I went to see them.  They did several Vince Guaraldi tunes, which are some of my favorites.  It was a lovely evening, and one I'll especially cherish, as now that my brother is 70, he intends to significantly scale back his music gigs.  It's one thing to take a flute or violin into a venue, but to bring in, set up and take down a drum set is another thing entirely, so I understand his decision.  We'll be having my family gathering this week, so there will be more to cherish.  I hope you find moments that fill you up this week.  Addendum:  I just thought to share a holiday video my brother posted.  I hope you enjoy.  

Amish Tomato Prep

Hello, friends.  I did get some of the ripening tomatoes canned last week.  There were four pints, though one didn't seal, because of a tiny chip I missed on the jar.  That's alright.  I just used it in pasta sauce the next night.  With tomatoes on my mind, I also prepped four pots of tomatoes for spring, as in Stacy's video on Amish tomatoes.  I took advantage of the woodstove, melting soap oils and cooking small sweet potatoes for Guinness.  It's been cold recently, and I've been enjoying huddling up by the woodstove, whenever I need some warmth.  Wood heat is such a toasty heat.  Lettuce and chard were harvested, including some for the chickens.

Amish tomatoes

I've been working on my to-go bag, or bug-out bag.  If it wasn't possible to remain in our home, or I was away from home, this is meant to keep me going for a few days in an emergency, whether it's due to weather, fire, or some other catastrophe.  J & I went to the local army-navy surplus, where I picked up a few things that would be helpful.  I hope this is never needed, but I'd be so grateful to have these things, if it was.  If you're interested in putting together something like this, there are multiple resources online.  The Prudent Homemaker has a list here.  The lists vary, so you may want to read a few, then decide what would be best in your case.  I used up all the carbon material for biochar the week I worked at the gallery, so I need to gather more.  These cans will become the newest retorts.  I noticed in the Prudent Homemaker post, there was a mention of charcloth, which I learned is made the same way.  I may have to give that a try.

I made colcannon, using a portion of our last cabbage.  With the holiday season, my soap shop has had lots of orders coming in.  I'm grateful.  J & I went to get our Christmas tree on Sunday.  One of the local schools was selling them as a fundraiser.  We got the last small one (4-5'), for $40.  All the others were 8' or so, and cost $90 and up.  We're not quite ready to put it up, but I'm glad we went when we did.  J put the trunk in the pond, so the tree will be better off than at the lot, in no water.  I'm thinking about starting to wrap and decorate, making things festive.  I hope your week is peaceful, and meaningful in the ways that matter to you.

Tomatoes

Hello, friends.  As I mentioned, I was working at the gallery last week.  Besides bringing a book to read in between customers, I brought soap to wrap, thank you cards to write, which I include in my orders, and  holiday cards to write.  It's enjoyable to be a bit more social than usual, talking with customers.  It's also very nice to have time to take care of some personal things during the down time.  Our tomatoes continue to ripen.  Shortly before I started work at the gallery, I was able to can a few pints, and it looks like there will be a few more to can.  I'm cutting up the imperfect ones for the chicken mash.

Being I was gone every day except Thanksgiving, not much got done at home.  We had a simple Thanksgiving.  J prepared a turkey breast for himself, and I made mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy, roasted brussels sprouts, and fresh cranberry sauce.  The pumpkin pie I froze last week was heated.  We opened a bottle of Prosecco, to make it a little festive.  I'm very excited to see that Temple Grandin will be speaking at a local theater in March.   I've cared about the treatment of animals since at least the 80's, and have followed her for some time.  She's a beautiful example that despite being different, you can make a huge, positive influence in the world.  There was a wonderful movie about her in 2010, and I see there's a new one on Amazon.

Sunday was all about playing catch up.  Lots needed to be put in its proper place.  Groceries were bought on the way home Saturday.  I was pretty tired by the time I got home, so produce was washed and prepped on Sunday.  The chickens were happy to receive their mash again.  I've also been opening their gate, after I bring the mash, so they can wander.  It made them happiest of all, I think, to have some freedom again, after having to stay in their yard all week.    Wishing you a cozy week.

Handmade Goodness

Hello, friends.  I've recently been blessed with some lovely handmade gifts, and thought I'd share them with you.  Above is a felted northern flicker my niece bought for me.  I have it hanging in my sewing room, and it makes me smile every time I see it.  My dear friend (we've been friends since 9th grade, so over 50 years now!) gifted me this wonderful felted wool potholder and woven towel from Boone.  I so enjoy using handmade items in our home.  They have a soul that massed produced items don't.  I know I'm a lucky woman.

Last week, I went thru Swagbuck for 4% cash back, with a coupon code for 20% off a food purchase, a business supply purchase for 2% cash back, with redeemed points for an additional $6 off order, and an order for my soap shop, for 3% cash back.  Every little bit adds up.  I've started my annual week of working at the gallery.  I worked Saturday, and will work through Saturday next week, except for Thanksgiving.  We'll be keeping it simple that day.  A pumpkin pie was made on Sunday, and frozen, so that's done.  I hope you enjoy good food and good cheer on your Thanksgiving holiday. 

Good Trolls

Hello, friends.  Last week, the Thanksgiving cactus began blooming.  I didn't do a good job of making notes last week.  I do know I doubled the recipe for GF pizza crusts, enjoyed one for dinner, and froze the other three.  I pulled vegan mozzarella and homemade pizza sauce from the freezer to use on the pizzas.  J had some outpatient surgery last week, and knowing I'd be waiting for several hours, I brought reading material, and needle and thread, to sew a button on a shirt.  Some of the other buttons were getting a little loose, so I shored up those, while I was doing it.  I did get an odd look from someone, but what can I say, I like to make use of down time.  J did well, and is recovering well.  We go back for a check this week, and he'll hopefully be better than new before long.  For some time, I've been wanting to check out the seed library in our little local library.  I finally did, and picked up packets of gazania, cosmos, carrots (Little Fingers variety), and four lettuces.  I look forward to trying them next year, and hope they do well enough that I can return some seed to the library.

The weekend did involve trolls, but these were the good kind.  If you've not heard, Danish artist Thomas Dambo has created more than 150 giant trolls, which have been installed around the world.  There have been several recent installations in NC.  A longtime friend and I went to a concert in Durham Saturday night.  Before heading home on Sunday, we checked out the five trolls that are in Raleigh.

Please forgive the quality of these pics.  There were SO many kids, dogs and people.

The trolls are entirely made from reclaimed wood, pallets, fallen branches and other natural materials.

They are spread out in a park.  We got our steps in, walking 3.5 miles to see them all.  Happily, it was a beautiful day.

That's it for this week. I hope your week has a happy surprise or two, and maybe a little bit of magic.