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.