Spring is Just Around the Corner!

      I keep hoping if I say this enough, it will happen! Almost every other day, we have had threat of snow! We actually have gotten a few flakes, but what happens here mostly is ice. Thankfully, that melted quickly! Today was predicted that we would have inclement weather in the form of snow/ice, but alas, only a very light layer on the picnic table and car hoods. It has melted as I write this. We are expecting round 2 for tomorrow. They cry wolf so often that people get tired of it and go on about their way. That's why accidents happen. People don't believe there's any ice until they wind up in a ditch! I prefer to stay in if temps are under 32 degrees and rain/snow. 

      But Spring is around the corner! I saw Robins in town the other day! I haven't seen them in my yard yet, but they are probably out there somewhere! My hens haven't started laying yet, but I'm hoping that won't be long! Before I know it, I'll have eggs running out my ears! Jill Winger from Prairie Homestead helped me with my frustration of not having eggs. She said that she embraces egg laying as a season. Just like harvesting corn or beans. One doesn't expect to get those all year long; and one shouldn't expect to get eggs all year long. At least not from older hens. I quit stressing about eggs after I read this. I will embrace eggs when they come! We will eat lots of custards, puddings, pies, and anything else made with eggs!

      I intended on writing a post last week, but when it rains, the internet doesn't work. Or it is very slow. That messes with blogger. So today, even though there is a light rain, I'm writing before it gets messed up. Plus, I had a bad head cold and felt terrible a few days. I'm so much better now! I got behind with my crafting and cleaning but we've been eating good! I broke down and bought beef this week in the form of a shoulder roast. I cooked it in the pressure cooker, then added carrots, potatoes, and onions and pressured a few more minutes. It turned out delicious! I love using my pressure cooker even more than my crock-pot! I rarely use my crock-pot. The pressure cooker is so much faster! And the food tastes good cooked in it! My grandmother always used her pressure cooker, so I guess that's why I'm not afraid of it. Speaking of pressure cooker, I'm about to can some beans! We are out of black beans, Skylar's favorite, so I ordered those and great northern. I get them from the food co-op. They are organic and I can purchase them in bulk. Makes them cost about the same as the grocery store. If your'e not familiar with canning beans, go to http://www.pickyourown.org/canningdriedbeans.htm or http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/04/how-to-can-dry-beans.html They will teach you what you need to know about canning dry beans. That's how I learned; so if I can do it, you can do it! Home canned beans are so much better than store bought. They keep well and all you have to do is reach into your pantry.

      I finally made lotion bars. They are wonderful! They are made with organic ingredients and smell so good! I don't use them to cover my whole body, just dry, chapped parts. Like hands, fingers, lips, toes, feet, elbows. You get the idea. They really helped heal Randy's cracked thumbs. He didn't even need any today. I rubbed it on his dry, cracked feet and they are so much better! I like making something at home that helps our bodies! It's not hard to do. Here's the link: http://www.mommypotamus.com/lotion-bar-recipe/
I also made melt and pour soap that I've been wanting to make for a long time. It was so easy! I had some that I purchased from Hobby Lobby a long time ago and I added some color and fragrance oil to it. It turned out pretty good. I'm going to try making it again as I sets up really fast.

      Have you planted your tomato, pepper, herb, and eggplant seeds yet? If you live in my zone, now's the time. I should have planted them a few weeks ago, but they are planted now. I just hope they germinate and grow. The seed starting mix has a funny odor. I hope it doesn't affect the seeds! If I don't see signs of growth within a week, I'll start over. I hope ya'll stay warm and safe during this unpredictable winter! Remember, Spring is just around the corner! Blessings from Bama!

The roast cooked into a stew!

We didn't get to spend much time with these two this weekend.

I don't mind the drive to get this flour!

Melt and pour soap. I didn't have red color.

Yummy lotion bars!

Randy worked in the rain to put up the last truss for the carport. It's tall so the camper can go under it.

Five pounds each! Waiting to be canned.

I love when the dough is bubbly!

The pizza was the best yet!

Can you believe he washed it in the rain?

Waiting for them to germinate!

We are really enjoying the bread cooked in this Dutch oven!

I made these for these two. I actually cut the crown from wood. The other is a thrift store make-over.

Spring Homestead Happenings

      I'm so glad the temps have warmed up today! We are at the 60 degree mark, but with lots of wind! Ya'll know I don't like the wind so I haven't been outside much. I've been walking on the treadmill and jumping on the rebounder for exercise. I love a good workout!

      There's so much to do in this house, I don't ever get it all done! I try though! For the past two days, I've been canning beans. The canner has to be watched closely so the pressure stays at 10 lbs. I have to adjust the temp on the stove quite frequently, so that means I have to be nearby. If I go off in another room, I may forget about the canner and the pressure may go up or down. Either way is not good. I still like canning since I won't have to think about beans for a year or so. It's worth a little babysitting to get that many beans! Plus, home canned beans taste way better than store bought beans! And I bought organic beans at Whole Foods and Publix, which turned out to be the same price as non-organic beans at Walmart! I hope I inspire ya'll to can some beans! They are not hard at all; just plan your time and they are done in no time at all!

      I have some photos of the does. I hope they are expecting! They look like it, but they have been consuming a lot more hay since the boys have been with them. I guess since the boys eat a lot of hay, the girls feel they have to as well. They seem to compete when it comes to food. Unless ya'll can help me, we won't know for sure if they are preggos for another month. By then they should be protruding quite well.

      I've been keeping the bread machine going this week. I made our daily bread and some cinnamon bread. The cinnamon bread isn't sweet except for the raisins, so that's a plus. Of course, Skylar won't eat it since it's not very sweet. But he doesn't eat my homemade bread anyway. Or my homemade pizza cause he doesn't like the crust. I know, typical spoiled teenager! But I love him! 

      I have a pack of ground deer in the freezer I'm cooking tonight. I think I'll make spaghetti or some casserole. I know I should menu plan but I really don't enjoy all that planning! I think about what I want and see if we have the ingredients. I keep the pantry and freezer with things I know we'll eat so it's really not a problem to cook this way. Do you menu plan? I shop the sales each week and that plays a big role in our menu. If I find something worth buying on sale. The sales are not really sales anymore. Except at Aldi. I usually buy several things there each week before going to the other stores.

      The first day of Spring is tomorrow! As many of you have, we have experienced a very long, cold winter! It will be so welcome to see sunny, warmer days! The sun hasn't shined here this week, except for a few minutes this morning! I don't like that! I don't think I would make it up North with all that cold and snow! Maybe by the weekend it will be sunny and warmer! I hope so for you as well! Have a great week! I hope you enjoyed this post! Blessings from Bama!

That's your nose uncle Randy!

So much going on in this picture!

I love to watch her jump!

Canning kidney beans.

Twenty pints, two not shone.

Canning pinto beans.

Fourteen pints pinto beans.

The pear tree with pretty blooms!

Does she look pregnant?

How about Delilah?

I couldn't  resist sharing another photo of this pretty nectarine tree!

The forsythia finally in bloom! We've had these bloom in January!

I wished you could smell these blossoms!

Apricot blossoms.

Sourdough bread, canning beans, and digging in the dirt!

      It sure does smell good in my kitchen! And it's been several hours since I baked the sourdough bread! It is so delicious! I can hardly believe I made sourdough with my own wild yeast! It's amazing! I tried this before, but it didn't taste good. This tastes wonderful! I'm glad I tried the process again! I'm almost out of sourdough starter, so I'm feeding it everyday! I have dough rising for pitas, but I'm not sure if it's going to turn out. The recipe called for water, but I didn't add all of it because it made the dough too wet. I'll let you know if it turns out.  

      I got most of the beans that came in the co-op order, canned. I had twenty pints in all. That should last us a good while. I love kidney beans so that was what most of them were. I also had five pints of baby limas, two of black beans and two of Adzuki beans. I don't know why I love to can beans, but it is very satisfying to me! I guess I feel like I've 'done something' when it's completed!

      The weather was so nice today, 62 was the predicted high, so I got my shovel and went to work! I turned under three beds before I came inside! I thought I could do more, but that is a pretty good workout! Especially after I'd already worked out upstairs! I still want to make some "Energy Bars" since the girls are coming tomorrow. They only have three ingredients: dates, nuts, and dried fruit and you process it in the food processor. I think this will be a healthy snack for me and the girls. Hope ya'll have had a good week! Looks like our temps are going to be a lot warmer next week! Spring is definitely here! Have a nice weekend! Blessings from Bama!

A canner full of beans!

A very large canner!

A work in progress.

This was after they were finished but  were still cooking. The bubbles didn't show up here.

The completion of the process!

Sourdough rising.

Finished product! Delicious!