Wednesday ... dinner, wool and what's going on with the garden

I had three goals today to get done before noon and heading to work in the city ... make my dinner to take to work, work in the garden and card wool.  Score! Mission accomplished.  Plus I was able to go out and play with the sheep for bit. 

Dinner I made a Jamaican type baked fish. 

I wanted to make shrimp but we agreed we have so much food to try not to buy anything for two weeks... we had cod, so fish it is. 

It turned out great. 

I carded some of my wool from our Rommeldale lamb. 

Got two rolags done to get things going. Winter isn't here but when it arrives I want to be spinning. 

This year gardening was so frustrating . Yes, the greenhouse did well  and our squash and pumpkins that we plant late in the year.  But parts we planted like all the grass seed , new plants, and vegetables like peppers, onions and tomatoes (our type of trinity) were destroyed by weather.  We got hammered time after time this year with hail and draught... devastating.  I kinda gave up and threw my hands up in the air. I wouldn't have survived homesteading in the 1800's out here like my relatives.

As you can see it is a gorgeous day. No jackets required. 

Ugh, look at this "garden" … horrid.  Looks like the Addams Family graveyard... uh, garden. 

But after reading a bunch of gardening books from the library I have a spark of hope.  I removed the parsley from the outside garden to the greenhouse so I can beef up the soil during the winter with compost, leaves, manure and soil. 

The little bit that we have in the greenhouse is doing great. 

We will go through the cabbage today and remove any not doing well. 

 I went in the storage container  this morning(the kind that comes off a train) and found Dude had sorted and got rid of a lot of stuff. He is getting ready to sell stuff we no longer use.  Always a great way to make money but this was a lot of work.  He also went to therapy for his shoulder,the library for me and burned some trash.  The dog was lucky to have a walk too. 

We are closer to the weekend. Hope you had a great day. 

peace 

Salt Dough Ornaments

One thing that reminds me of Christmas during simpler times is flour and salt ornaments.  It is a simple and easy way to make a clay to make ornaments to remember.

Tuesday , for me, is Tuesday with the Toddler.  My grandson turned two today.  We set out to go spend the morning with him before I had to go to work. Any time with my children and grandchildren is precious.  Even if I saw them every day it wouldn't be enough for me.

Last night I made a few ornaments so he would have some to paint.  I also wanted him to make the dough, mold and cut out ornaments too.  I brought the ingredients in a large ziplock bag.  Here is how I did it:

1/2 cup of flour ,  1/4 cup salt and 1/4 cup water.  (this is easily doubled) The best part is to mix it all together... by hand. It comes together well and quickly.  Roll it out with a rolling pin. Cut or shape to desired ornaments.

Bake 300* for one hour... yeah, that's the bummer part.  One hour... ugh. That's why I made some the night before since I needed to get to work without being late.

Here are the ones I made last night. 

Here is the small bit of dough we made today. 

We used markers but paints would work great.  I only had a small amount of time before work. 

We did use glitter spray over them later. I did have him do hand press ornaments so I could have one as he great older. 

Kids love to use a rolling pin. 

I hope you give it a try. It was fun and simple.

peace 

Bread pudding with bourbon sauce and making a pillow case

My son did a bit over-kill when he brought over the rolls for Thanksgiving. I decided to make bread pudding .   I had been reading Tales of Gletha the Goatlady last night when I got my inspiration. They talked about how Mondays were Bread Pudding Day because Mondays his mother baked fresh bread. That meant any old stale bread became bread pudding. 

Here is how I did it. 

Preheat oven 350*

Grease an 9x13 inch pan

5-6 cups of old cubed bread - we had dinner rolls

5 eggs - thank goodness we have 5 hens laying in this cold weather... the rest are not giving us any eggs. 

3 cups of milk

1/4 cup butter - sliced

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla 

3/4 cup raisins 

In a large bowl combine eggs, milk, sugar, salt, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Add cubed bread and raisins.  Press the bread down until it is all soaked in. Let it sit for 10 minutes to soak it all in. (I went to find some fabric).

Spread and press into your baking dish.  Bake for 40-45 minutes. 

While it bake I went to the sewing room. I needed to make a pillow case for my grandson's birthday. He is turning two soon.  I got him some gently used books, a wooden train, and now, the pillow case. The pillow case is super easy and done in 30 minutes to an hour. I had someone waiting for me to assist in my sewing. 

She approved of the fabric choice … an old fishing panel.  Cats love fish.

I decide how wide I would cut each piece of the fabric.  I would use the width of the fabric for the size.  The main piece is 23 inches, the trim is 1 inch (next time I will make it 1.5 inches) and the end border is 10 inch wide. 

Take the trim piece and border and folded in half longways wrong sides together.  Press.

Sandwich the three pieces together with raw edges to the outside. 

Stack them together and sew. 

Press out on the right side.

Fold the whole case right sides together and sew around the two raw edges. 

 Snip the corners.

Turn rightside out, press.  Done!

Back to the pudding....

Time to make the sauce...

In a sauce pan heat together..

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 2/3 cup of water

3tablespoons of butter

2teaspoons of vanilla

1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg

While that comes together take 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and mix some of the liquid in a small cup , stir together so there are no lumps.  Add to the mixture with 1/8 cup of bourbon.  On medium heat cook to desired thickness for the sauce. Serve over warm bread pudding.  Delightful. 

Three hours later and it is time to head to the party. 

Happy birthday little fella.

peace 

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Sauce … people either love it or hate it.  I love it.  I could eat it year round and do.  I decided to make a bunch of small jars so we don't waste a lot and anyone who likes cranberry sauce can take some home.  This recipe is from someone at work, Will.  He shared it with me a few years ago. It is quick, easy and turns out every time. 

8 cups of cranberries... or two bags

4 cups sugar 

4 cups of water.

Mix together over heat.  Cook until it boils, let boil for 5 minutes.  Then simmer until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. 

The recipe said 15minute but with my altitude it took 30 minutes. 

Put in a water bath for 15 minutes.

I love hearing the cranberries pop as they cook not to mention how beautiful they are. 

We are including many other canning goods from this year.  Orange marmalade, strawberry jam, pickled cucumbers and okra from my sister, The Major, aka Pat, and pickles from my niece, The Sailor, aka Christine - carrots and cucumber spears...ohboy!

Dude had made deviled eggs. 

And ham already.

Early in the morning the homegrown turkey will go in the oven, wrapped in local pepper bacon.  

Salad with cranberries, apples, walnuts and homegrown lettuce will be made. 

Dude is making the stuffing and mashed potatoes.  I will make the green beans, blackberry pie and Watergate salad. 

Family will bring the rest. 

We are so thankful for all who take an interest in our homestead.

We pray all those celebrating American Thanksgiving has a safe and wonderful day and yes...

peaceful.