My Day

Didn't do a whole lot today beside cooking.  I made a nice pot of vegetable beef soup so we can have it when we get home tomorrow.  I thought it would be something easy on the stomach after having anesthesia and it just sounded good.  I put a brisket in the oven at noon at 300 degrees, made a dish of mac n cheese from scratch and opened a jar of squash and had a nice supper.  

Don't have to be at the hospital until 9 AM and you usually have to get there at least 2 hours before.  I'll be lucky to go to surgery about noon and surgery takes about 2 hours so it will be a long day.   

Another Early Morning

I was up again this morning before 4:30.  I got out my camera, set up my background and took some pictures of the some of the vintage canning jars that I am selling on ebay and then listed several of them.  Taking the pictures, editing the pictures, writing up the ad and then posting them takes a little time.  Then went outside about 12:30 and took a lot of pictures outside of more of the jars.  It was a nice sunny day and the pictures taken outside look nicer.  I edited the pictures after we ate supper and now I need to write up the ads and will put more on ebay next week.  

Tomorrow I will give the house a quick once over, wash a load of clothes and try and relax.  I want to make sure I get things all done before Thursday.  

Where does all this Dust Come From???

Giving the house a good cleaning before I have surgery and the dust is horrible.  I always try and keep the house clean and have no idea where all the dust has come from.  We have baseboard hot water heating so it's not from the furnace.  Could be from having the door and windows open and all the wind we have had.  I would rather clean toilets than to dust the furniture but don't have a choice and have to do both, lucky me!
As a young child I remember my mom telling us that we always had enough dust under our bed to make a person and I never wanted anyone living under my bed so I would dust under there.  I'm not sure the pictures on the wall can support the weight of a person so I dusted them.

Pumpkin Bread

I made 4 loaves of pumpkin bread today, 3 for the freezer and 1 to enjoy now.  It was a cool morning and thought it was a nice way to warm up the house, pretty good excuse :)   After the bread came out I stuck in a pork shoulder roast we are going to have for supper.  I will be adding a jar of the potato/carrot mixture I canned a couple weeks ago and call it a meal.
I hate planning meals, if someone would tell me what to make that would be wonderful.  When I ask what they want they never have an answer.  When I worked I would plan the weeks menu on Sunday and get the stuff out of the freezer for the first 2 meals so it could thaw.  Now that I am retired I plan the meal that morning and sometimes not until an hour or so before we eat.  Having all the canned items helps this last minute planning.

Not Much Going On

Yesterday made a trip to get my much needed hair cut then to Walmart to pick up a few things.  It was such a beautiful day to be out and around.  Brandon came to spend Friday night and we all went out for supper.  We then spent the evening with me researching how to make an incubator so I can hatch turkey eggs next spring while Ron and Brandon watched TV.
Today we went to an estate sale by our house and came away with nothing.  We then went to an auction and looked around and left with nothing.  Stopped and picked up a few groceries and on our way to take Brandon home we stopped along a country road and picked up some dropped pumpkins from the side of the road and then saw some spilled corn and picked it up.  The chickens and turkeys loved their free treats.  Then after we dropped Brandon off we stopped and got some ice cream and while we ate it sitting in a truck parking lot we saw some like new lumber that someone threw away so we picked it up.  We got 9 2x4's and 2 2x8's  that will come in handy when constructing a structure for the turkey poults next spring.  My goal is to construct the incubator and make the turkey structure for free or very little money spent.  I have until next spring to gather everything needed and I love a challenge.

Noodles and Pasta Making Day

Up at 4:30 because I couldn't sleep.  Decide I might as well make noodles and pasta since it takes me all day and wanted to get it done.  Made egg noodles, pasta with tomato powder, pasta with vegetable powder and chocolate pasta.
Recipes used:

Egg Noodles               Fettuccine Pasta      Chocolate Pasta
12 eggs                       6 eggs                     6 eggs
2 TBSP cold water     2 tsp olive oil           3 TBSP vegetable oil
4 tsp salt                     2 tsp salt                 1 TBSP vanilla
7-8 c flour                   3 1/2 -4 c flour       pinch salt
                                                                 6 TBSP sugar
                                                                 3/4 c cocoa powder
                                                                 6-7 c flour

I added about 3 TBSP of tomato powder to one batch of pasta.  This summer I had an abundance of cherry tomatoes so I dehydrated some and then put them through the food processor to made tomato powder.  I use it for added flavor to soup and decide to try it in the fettuccine.  I also made some vegetable powder with some of my dehydrated veggies to also add to soups and added about 2 TBSP to a batch of the fettuccine.
I downloaded a free book on my Kindle this summer and found the recipe for the chocolate pasta and thought I would give it a try.
After the noodles and pasta was dry I bagged it up in 8 oz packages and put it in the freezer.  I was able to freeze 8 bags of noodles and 4 bags each of all the pasta.  For supper I made some fettuccine and then cooked up some of the chocolate pasta.  For the fettuccine I opened a pint of chicken and added it to a jar of Alfredo sauce and put in some dehydrated mushrooms, it was wonderful.   For the chocolate pasta I cooked it and drained it.  I opened a can of sour cherries put them in the sauce pan, added 2/3 c sugar and heated until the sugar melted.  I then poured this over the chocolate pasta and put it in the fridge to cool.  The recipe says to serve the chocolate pasta with your favorite sauce and this is what I came up with.

A couple years ago my husband made me this noodle rack.  Used 4 pieces of recycled wood and some dowel rods that were free.  I drape a white table cloth over the back of 2 chairs to cut down on the mess and then put the rack on the back of the chairs. 

Egg noodles drying.

Egg noodles, pasta with vegetable powder, pasta with tomato powder and chocolate pasta drying.

I'm pretty messy.

Egg noodles bagged up and ready to be put in the freezer.

http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/10/barn-hop-85.html

For Sure the Last Day of Canning for a While

Today was my last day of canning for a while; I canned 5 pts of calico lima beans and 11 pints of lg lima/butter beans.  I now need to give the stove a good cleaning and put up the canner after I give it a good cleaning.  I have a week to do the noodles and pasta and will do both on the same day.  When I make noodles/pasta I use a couple dozen of eggs and it takes me most of the day to do it.  The kitchen after noodles/pasta is always a flour mess.  For sure next Wednesday or before I need to do a deep cleaning on the entire house and will take about a half a day to do.

Had a doctor appt today for my physical before the surgery and then off to the hospital for blood work and an EKG.  This all made for a lot of sitting and waiting this afternoon and that is not my favorite thing to do.  I took my Kindle with me to help pass the time and that helped.

Sure enjoyed the nice warm day today, tomorrow we have a 90% chance of rain and then Friday it is going to be only 50.  I looked at the extended forecast and it looks like fall is finally here to stay :(

Canning Beans for White Chicken Chili

One of the things on my never ending list was to get the beans canned for white chicken chili.  Last night I soaked about 7 lbs of beans.  I wanted to use up all my opened bags so I used navy beans, pinto beans and great northern beans.  Rinsed them first thing this morning and added spices.  No recipe just added spices like I was making a pot of the soup.  Boiled this for 1/2 hour and then put it in quart jars and processed for 90 minutes at 11 lbs pressure.  I now have 12 qts and 1 pint & half jar of the beans.  When we get ready to eat this all I have to do is use 1 qt of beans, 1 qt of chicken broth and 1 pt of chicken.  Simmer this for 10 minutes and serve.  I could use turkey broth and turkey pieces with the beans and have white turkey chili.  Both are delicious and simple to make at a minutes notice.

Jars filled with the beans.

Added some of the broth that the beans were cooked in, left a good 1" head space.

Beans cooling.

http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/10/barn-hop-85.html

Silly Chickens

I took a quick trip out to the chicken coop to gather eggs while the canner was heating up.  I had the eggs in the basket and was bent over talking to and petting some of the girls when one of the girls jumped on my back.  It startled me and she started walk around when I suddenly remembered how they poop everywhere and all the time.  I stood up slowly and she proceeded to jump to one of the roosts.  When I came in the house I looked in the mirror and thankfully no poop but some muddy marks from her feet.  Their run is like a swamp in places with all the rain we've had.  Lucky me, silly girl.

Canned My First Jars of Meat Today

OK bring on the beef, pork, chicken and turkey I am hooked, I canned my first jars of just meat today.  I've put ham in beans but that it is. I was up at 5 this morning so I got an early start.  I canned 3 pts of turkey pieces, 19 pts of shredded chicken and 2 pints of chunks of ham that was leftover from yesterdays lunch.  My mind has been thinking of all the possibilities to use the stuff I canned; chicken and noodles, chicken noodle soup, chicken vegetable soup, shredded BBQ chicken, turkey noodle soup, creamed turkey over biscuits, scalloped potatoes and ham, quiche with ham.  Canning more meat will have to wait for a couple of months.
Tomorrow I will be canning dry beans flavored so I can use them for white chicken chili.  This will be the last canning I do until after I recover from my hand surgery next week.
For supper tonight we had quiche and used a frozen pie crust I made last week, eggs from the girls, cream from the raw milk we got this weekend at the Amish dairy, homemade cheese, left over ham from yesterday, dehydrated onions, peppers and mushrooms.  A delicious meal using items I had put up.

Turkey, chicken and ham.

http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/10/barn-hop-85.html

Ground Turkey and Canned Turkey Broth

Last night Ron and I cut all the meat we could from 5 whole turkey breasts we got last month.  I put the meat in the fridge for the night and all the bones and scraps in the roaster along with some seasoning and simmered it all night.  This morning we ground the meat packaged it, strained the broth, canned it and Ron picked through the bones and got some very small pieces of meat.
Stats:  $38, 38 pounds, 24.2 lbs ground turkey, 12 qts of turkey broth and 3 pts of turkey scraps.

The ground turkey breasts waiting to be packaged.  I put plastic wrap over the scale to keep it clean.

http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/10/barn-hop-84.html

Turkeys and 3 Brown Speckled Sussex Hens

Yesterday afternoon I was looking on craigslist to see what they had and saw an ad for 2 free turkeys and 3 hens.  I first mapped the community to see how far it was from our house and it was about 1/2 hour.  Next thing I decided to just call and get more info on them.  After talking to the gentleman I asked if we could see them this morning and he said sure but we were the second person who called and the other lady was also coming today.  I then asked if we could see them last night and he said yes and gave me exact directions to their farm.  Ron loaded our portable cage in the truck and off we went.  The owner came out and Ron drove the truck back to where the pen was.   The reason they were getting rid of the turkeys was that they had bought them for their grandson and he lost interest in them and was not taking good care of them.  The only reason there were 3 chickens was someone came last week to get the chickens but came when it was dark out and did not bring a flashlight and they thought they got them all but the next morning that there were still 3 hens.  The hens are Brown Speckled Sussex and are almost 1 1/2 years old and lay nice brown eggs.  The Bourbon Red Heritage turkeys know how to breed, set and brood.  They will lay 15 to 25 eggs in the spring and again in early summer.  I want them so I can raise our own turkey meat.  If all goes well we should  have our first turkey to butcher next fall.
I've been wanting to get turkeys for a while and just couldn't justify the cost and this way if it doesn't work out the only cost will possibly be their food.  Our 22 hens sell enough eggs to pay for their feed and should be able to pay for the turkeys feed.

Ted the turkey, 4 yrs old.

Ted walking around so proud.

Thelma , 3 yrs old and the 3 Sussex hens.

Thelma, Ted and the 3 Sussex hens.

The 3 Sussex hens, I noticed the one on the right limping around this morning.  Ron caught her and she had a piece of fishing line tangled around her leg and it was pretty tight around one of her toes and it has turned black.  After we took it off she seemed a little better.  We will keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get infected.  It looked like it had been on it for quite a while.  It's a shame people don't pay attention to their animals better. 

Canning Mushrooms and Amish Shopping Day

Got up really early this morning because I couldn't sleep so I canned the 6 lbs of mushrooms I got yesterday at Aldi for 49 cents for 8 oz.  I got 9 half pints and 4 pints which is pretty good.   After turning off the mushrooms we made a trip down to Cuba, IL to take the canning jars to the Amish, picked up a couple of items, got some milk from the dairy and then back home.  It has been sunny most of the day which is nice since we've seen so little of it lately.  The owners of the bulk food store told us that they are moving back to the Arthur area by next spring and another Amish family hopefully will be buying the store.  Also they just had their 13th child in August and she only weighed a little over 3 lbs.  She was only in the hospital a week and is up to 6 lbs now.  I'm not sure how old she is but she also has grandchildren.  I hope that they are able to find a buyer for the store because this is where I get the majority of my bulk food items.

The Kaufman's were picking their corn and here is the wagon that will transport it back to the barn.

Look What I Found FREE on CraigsList

More details tomorrow.  Bourbon red turkeys, tom is 4 yrs old, hen 3 yrs old and 3 18 month old speckled hens (chickens) that lay brown eggs.

http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/10/barn-hop-84.html

Where's the Sun

It's been a typical fall week here in central Illinois; rain, wind, very little sun and cool.  The trees are really loosing their leaves with the wind and rain.  The rain is filling the well and that is much appreciated.  I had to dry a load of clothes in the dryer today and hate when I have to do that.  Hopefully tomorrow I can wash and hang sheets out to dry.  Our gas/electric bill has gone done $13 a month since I have been drying clothes outside.  I like to get outside everyday and hanging the laundry out to me is nice way to get outside.  Not sure how I'm going to handle it after my hand surgery but if you know me I will do my best and find a way to do it.    

Checking Pie Crust off of my To Do List

Today I made pie crusts, lots of pie crusts.  I started out by mixing up 5 batches of crusts, 4 batches I used lard that I had rendered this spring and the 5th I used shortening.  After mixing up all the batches I put them in the fridge to rest before the long task of rolling them out.  I ended up with 14 double crusts, 4 single crusts and 4 small double crusts.  Two of the double crusts are made with shortening and the rest lard.  I package the crusts in zip lock bags and put one double crust per bag and the single crusts have 2 in each bag.  I have a couple bags of single crusts already in the freezer so these should last until next fall except for the small crusts.  I will need to make more of that size if I make some potpies.  Doing this many at one time makes for a back breaking day but I would rather make one big mess than several throughout the year.
After making the crusts I made a pot of chicken a la king and baking powder biscuits for supper.  We haven't had this in several months and it was very good.  There is enough leftover to freeze for another meal which will come in handy when I have surgery.

Roll the pie crust on the rolling pin and then transfer it to the pan.

The edger/cutter.

I turn a pan upside down and use it to cut the top crust.  I just cut it about 1/2" larger all away around.

4 single crusts, 14 double crusts and 4 small double crusts.  The top crust is wrapped in plastic wrap then laid on top of the bottom crust.

http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/10/barn-hop-84.html

Product Review, Ball Pint & Half Jars, Day 2

Ball Pint & Half Jar

I used the Ball Pint & Half Jars this morning to can some acorn and butternut squash.  I now have 5 jars of acorn squash and 3 jars of butternut squash in the perfect size jar.  Again I love that the jar is wide mouth and it's nice slim shape allows me to put 8 jars in the canner at a time.  If you want a jar that is larger than a pint but not as big as the quart this is the jar to use.
I understand that the jar is sometimes hard to locate, I got mine at Big R, a farm type store where I purchase my chicken feed.  If your area stores don't have this size ask the manager to order some.

5 jars of acorn squash.

3 jars of butternut squash.




I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it and no other compensation was received for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinions.

Using the Items You Put Up

After the time and money spent on canning items you need to make sure you use them.  I recently got almost 100 canning jars that had to be emptied of food that was canned in the 70s and 80s.  It was interesting that someone took all that time to put up the stuff and then they didn't use it.
This past week this is how I have used several jars of items I canned; made taco soup using corn, black beans, chili beans and tomatoes.  Had potato soup using the potato soup mix I made and added a can of evaporated milk.  Beef roast and used a jar of potatoes; ham and beans and made some corn bread to go with it; bacon, fried potatoes and eggs using canned bacon and canned potatoes.  Chicken noodle soup using canned chicken broth, a pot of chili made with chili beans, tomatoes and tomato juice.  Tonight we are having meat loaf made with ground turkey, calico lima beans and squash.  Several nights a week I eat beets and pickled carrots that I canned and will open peaches for a snack.  Several of these meals also contained dehydrated items and a couple were made using convenience mixes that I have made up.  So use the stuff you can, dehydrate, mix up or freeze; don't let it go to waste.

Right side of canning closet.

Left side of closet, note the pull ring (white jar ring) to turn on the light.

Back row; l to r; shredded yukon gold potatoes, sweet potatoes, cherry tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, lemon and orange slices.  Middle row; l to r; vegetable powder, peppers, carrots, garlic, cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup.  Front row; l to r; cilantro, coriander seeds, tomato powder and cream of chicken soup.

Please note this is where I use those mayo type of jars.  Also this week at Aldi they have mushrooms on sale for 49 cents for 8 oz so it would be a wonderful time to dehydrate some or can some.  Hum, I've never canned mushrooms before so this might be the perfect time to do it, I usually dehydrate them. 

http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/10/barn-hop-84.html

Forced Downtime

Three years ago I had the basal joint in my right hand replaced and swore I would never have it done to my left hand.  If you look up basal joint surgery you will see how it is done.  One of the ways and the way it was done on my right hand was to put a pin in it that sticks out the side of your hand.  The pin was removed after 4 weeks and the pain was horrible.  The doctor that did my first surgery has left the practice and the surgeon who replaced him does not use the pin method.  I have had 3 steroid shots in the joint and that is all they will give.  My two choices are to be in pain all the time or surgery.  Well surgery has won out.  Almost every night for the last month I would say the first thing in the morning I'm calling the doctor.  But then in the morning it doesn't hurt as bad so I didn't call.  This morning when I got up it was really bothering me so I called the ortho office.  They had an appointment today so I took it.  Saw the doctor and am having surgery on November 1st, recovery for this surgery is at least 3 months.  With my left hand not my dominate hand it can take up to 6 months to get back to full use.
Now I have a growing list of things I want to accomplish before surgery.  I have been putting off making pie crusts, noodles, pasta and lasagna for a while now.  If I don't make them in the next two weeks I won't be able to do it for at least 3 + months.    I also need to grind the 5 turkey breasts that are in the freezer and can the broth I will get from boiling the bones.  Tomorrow I will start my list by canning the winter squash I have and then go from there doing a little each day.

Product Review, Ball Pint & Half Jars

Ball Pint & Half Jar

I've been wanting to try the Ball Pint & Half Jars since I saw them earlier this season and today I got the chance.   They are wide mouth and would be excellent for whole green beans or asparagus.  For me I wanted them for things like potatoes and carrots to add to a roast.  I usually put 4 small potatoes cut in half and a few carrots in the crock pot with a roast when I have them.   This size of  jar was PERFECT for this.  If I buy a pound bag of carrots they go to waste.  I'm the only one who eats carrots and canning them with the potatoes makes it perfect for us.  Because of the waste I seldom had carrots with a roast.  
I have some winter squash that I'm going can this week and will be using this size for it.  This size is perfect and being a wide mouth jar makes it so easy to fill and wash.  This is a keeper for sure, love them.

Ball pint & half jars with carrots.

Ball pint & half jars with the potatoes added.

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it and no other compensation was received for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my honest opinions.

Canning Jars, Free Canning Jars

I put an ad on Craigslist a couple weeks ago that said I was looking for canning jars, dirty or clean I would take them.  I had someone answer the ad this morning saying that he had a couple dozen and left me his phone number.  I called and left a message and he returned my call and my husband and I made arrangements to go pick them up.  We went and picked up for FREE 5 DOZEN PINTS and 5 DOZEN QUARTS and 3 half pint canning jars.  He also asked if I wanted any "mayo" type jars and I said sure.  He gave me about a dozen of them.  I have used "mayo" type jars many times when I water bath something but never in the pressure canner.  Right now I have such a huge amount of "real" canning jars I don't need the "mayo" type but the Amish where we go to in Cuba Il would take them.  Right now I have about 20 dozen "mayo" type jars we are taking down to them next Saturday.  I would rather take them to someone than to see them in the landfill.
The gentleman we got the jars from goes to about 3 auctions a week and get jars all the time.  He cans but only uses a certain Ball quart ball jar and the others he gives away.  He asked if I would take more when he gets them and if they were dirty would I take them.  Of course I said yes.  I told him what I don't need I will take to the Amish and he was very happy with that.  He said he would keep my number and only call when he has a nice amount to come and get.  He buys certain items at auctions and then sells the stuff, this is how he makes his living.
The reason I put the ad out there was I had several people tell me that they had canning jars and couldn't find anyone to take them and threw them away.  If you do this of course make sure you follow all safety precautions.  

Ball Pint & Half Jars

Look what I got by UPS delivery today.

3 boxes, 9 jars in each box, of the Ball Pint & Half Jars, Bread & Butter Pickle Mix, Classic Pectin and Low or No Sugar Pectin.  This is like Christmas to me.  Ball sent me the items to review.

I am really excited to put the stuff to the test, the pickle mix will have to wait until next season but the jars and the pectin will be used in the next couple of weeks.
I have some grape juice that I canned when we were in Texas and will use the pectin to make some Wild Grape Jelly.  I will try both of the pectin's to see which one I like best.
I have been so wanting to use this size jar on things that a pint is not enough and a quart is too much.  I will be using them to can some pork and beans, potatoes/carrot/onion mixture to use for stew and some butternut squash.  I will keep you update when I use the products.  I love the look of the jar, wide mouth, and straight up and down.  My brain is churning at all the possibilities for this size and shape of jar.

Ain't she pretty?  Come on admit it, she is a pretty good looking girl.

Grannies Escort Service, Delivery Service

Hannah the 16 yr old granddaughter got hit in the face in gym on Wednesday and cracked her back tooth.  She wasn't able to get in to see someone until this morning and Gina had to work so I took her to the dentist.  She can either have a root canal with a cap or pull it.  Since it is a very back tooth and the huge cost difference Gina went with the extraction, good choice.  The root of the tooth is curved so she will need to see an oral surgeon on Monday.  Gina also works on Monday but the oral surgeon WILL NOT do anything unless her parent brings her.  Not a step father, grandparent or any other relative.  She was calling back to talk to the office manager to see what else can be done.  Last month I took her to the eye doctor and no problems, the dentist knew I was her grandmother and no problem.  Sometime I just don't understand, all I am doing is driving her to and from the oral surgeon.  Crazy.....

Beautiful, Windy Day

It was a perfect fall day; sunny and a little windy.  Worked out in the shed organizing the jars I got the other day, I have it all cleaned and organized.  I then sat out back for a while enjoying the day and watching the deer at the edge of the field.  The other night they were in the neighbors herb garden.  This is the herb garden that I tried to take care of because the owners divorced and he wasn't keeping it up.  They have since gotten back together so I stopped caring for it and they have just let it go to weeds.  It's a shame all that money going to waste.
I made a pan of cornbread for supper to go with some ham and beans from the pantry.  We use about 5 jars of canned items from the pantry a week, some weeks it's more.   Last week I used about a dozen jars.  It makes me feel so good to be able to do this and makes it so much easier to put a good healthy meal on the table.  Tomorrow we will have fried potatoes, bacon and scrambled eggs for supper.  For this meal I will use a jar of potatoes and a jar of bacon.  I get 14 to 16 eggs a day (have 19 hens) and like to have them for supper once a week.
Later, take care.

Canning Black Beans and Calico Lima Beans

Every time I can something else I say this is it for the season.  Today I canned black beans and calico lima beans.  I got 10 qts of the black beans which I will use in taco soup and Mexican dishes and the 4 pts of  lima beans for a side dish for a meal.  Having the beans canned up makes it so convenient to throw a meal together.   The only thing I hate about canning all day is I can't get outside to do anything.  On canning days I bring my laptop in the kitchen to help pass my down time.  Then if I still have something in the canner when Ron gets home from work I ask him to "baby sit" the canner so I can go out to collect eggs and usually take the laundry off the line.  I have to get outside a couple times a day even if it is just to take a short walk around the property; I call it my checking to see if there is anything new walk.
It was a cool sunny day and a wonderful day for drying the laundry.  I love to watch the clothes blowing on the line and the smell is something you can never get from a fabric softener.

Soaked and precooked black beans then boiling water to 1" head space.

Can you identify this?  This is some dehydrated sweet potatoes that I dried last November.  All I do is put several pieces in a small sauce pan, add water and simmer for about 30 minutes.  I then add a little butter and brown sugar and you have fresh mashed sweet potatoes.   We are having these along with some brisket that has been slowly cooking in the oven since noon.



http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2012/10/carnival-of-home-preserving-32-come.html



http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/10/barn-hop-83.html

 

Canning Chicken Broth

I canned 7 qts of chicken broth this morning made from the bones and scraps from the chicken breasts yesterday.   I had some broth left and made chicken noodle soup for supper.  Out of the $30 spent for the chicken breasts I got 21 pounds of ground chicken, 7 qts of broth and enough broth and also enough chicken from the bones to make noodle soup.  I wish I knew someone who was getting a cow butchered and didn't want their soup bones; I would make some beef broth if I could get some.
My afternoon was spent emptying canning jars and washing them out.  94 of the 600 jars we got yesterday had old food in them so I sat out back and did the stinky job of emptying them and bleaching them out.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.  After our yard sale this coming weekend I will organize the jars and store them in the shed.

Beautiful chicken broth.

When I was getting things ready to can this morning I opened the corner cabinet and out fell all this stuff.  Whoever put stuff away did not do it correctly and this is the result.  I'm not pointing fingers but my husband is the culprit.  A pie pan was the only thing that broke.


http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2012/10/carnival-of-home-preserving-32-come.html




http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/10/barn-hop-83.html