New Soap

We are having a cooler period of weather but just got very little rain yesterday evening.  We will see what today brings. 

Yesterday morning, was a typical one:  Went out early; cleaned nests (no eggs); processed  milk; no puppy time this morning.  then decided to make butter with some half and half and the morning cream.  It didn't make much and took much longer to make, but I did get  about a cup or more finally.

My Iowa sis has become addicted  to my home-made goat's milk soap and she told me she had one bar left so I should get busy.  I couldn't find liquid goat's milk last time  I replenished my supply but found powdered milk and that is what I used.  I changed recipes and this time used Krazo's recipe but used the technique  for  powdered milk.  You blend the powdered milk directly into the warmed and  cooled oils and then add the lye water to that.  It worked beautifully.   This way you don't have to worry about the lye scorching the milk (I know Carolyn doesn't do that ice thing, but I always do and still have had some problems  with it).  The only negative is I like that tan color and this doesn't have it.  It seems to be a creamy light yellow.



I also increased the recipe by 25% so I would have more soap to  share.

I used the last of the lye so I called the local Ace Hardware and they ordered me more.  I will  pick up all of it Friday.

I ordered some interesting supplies from Bramble Berry.  I will be making chapstick next.  I also bought some new nourishing oils:  Apricot Kernel and Avacado.  Both are recommended for 'aging' skin and I qualify!  They sent some sample fragrance oils which I have never used since they are chemical based and I want to keep everything natural, but I am getting antsy to try the fragrances.  I may make a very small  batch just to use them.

I was tired after all that so lunch was very simple but I made myself  do a chicken pot pie for the evening meal.  I had cooked and boned the chicken earlier. 

For breakfast this morning I used the leftover biscuits by splitting and buttering (thank you Jewel) them and toasting them in the countertop oven.  We enjoy them that way very much.   Also had scrambled eggs and bacon.

DH has gone outside to do morning chores so I better follow.

Lost my Cooking Groove

We are still having  nice fall weather; no killing frost yet.  Most days are sunny but yesterday was a dreary cool, misty day.

I didn't realize about the mist until I went out to harvest more peppers that I had spied during my mowing escapade.  I picked a Walmart sack to bulging full.

Speaking of 'cooking groove', I have had this happen several times in my later years.  When I related it to my older Sis she said she had had the same thing.  What happens is I cook my normal recipes and somehow they don't turn out well.  The first was biscuits that I have made l,000's of times.  I know the recipe by heart.  I knew the dough was too soft but  I kept kneading in more  flour......to no avail.  They tasted fine but  were flatter than they should be and looked really strange.  My last batch of bread made a few days ago weren't top notch.  Yet, I had measured carefully and kneaded as always....bread was not lovely inside.....tasted fine but not primo.  I had better sense than to attempt a cake or pie crust!

This morning, I made biscuits again just to see if the black cloud had passed.  Thankfully, it had and the biscuits were up to my usual standards.


It is such a simple recipe:

2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 + cup of shortening (I use lard)
1 cup buttermilk

Cut shortening into flour mix until size of small peas.  Add milk.  Stir until just moistened.  Knead about four times.  Cut into size you like.  Bake at 425 to 450 degrees for about l0  minutes or until brown and done inside.

I talked to my Sis yesterday evening and she had the same cloud in Iowa.  She was making a  chicken casserole and wan ted to double the recipe of 2 cups of chicken broth so she added 4 'cans' instead of 4 cups.......then had to try and drain (after mixing the ingredients) the excess; add more bread, etc.  It was tasty but not as it should have been.  I told I jinxed her by telling  about my issues....Sisters are wonderful.  We often even cook the same  foods on the same day.

Update on the Mower:  We now have a new $55 tire.  The hole was beyond repair.  All that is left is to air up the front tire.  DH even got the tire back on and drove the mower up to the shop......he did warn me  about not driving it until he checked everything out.   My mowing days could be coming to a close (not really).  I do need to finish the area behind the garage before winter sets in.

Along the same Sister lines....two months ago she drove their mower into the mini horse panels (cattle panels) and BIL had to remove the panel to unhook it from the mower.  You could call us the Lucy twins.

Food:

Cooking yesterday was stir fried chicken over rice for DH and fried chicken livers with the same sauce over rice for me.  I sauteed my normal onion and green peppers (fresh from the garden last harvest) with the addition of leftover cooked carrots and broccoli cuts.

I also made my Sis's recipe  for bread pudding only to find DH wasn't too impressed.  The only difference  is it called for  stale white bread instead of Mom's recipe using stale biscuits.  I think I like the biscuit better too.

Mundane Daily Life

Sunday 1/19/14

Up way too early again.

Made breakfast, eggs, bacon and frozen biscuits.  I have changed my recipe a little and they are raising better and the frozen ones bake up high exactly like the fresh ones.  I just dropped  the fat to 1/3 cup.  A nice benefit is the reduced calorie content.

Mopped kitchen and part of bedroom where the new cable comes through. Hands and Knees mopping, my favorite.

Folded two loads of laundry.  (Remember DH does the laundry; I do the folding and putting away).

Made a new recipe of potato soup for lunch. I got it from Chickens in the Road.  Here it is. 

Morgan’s Favorite Soup


How to make Cheesy Broccoli-Potato Soup:
4 medium baking potatoes, peeled and diced
10 ounces chopped broccoli
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
ground black pepper (LOTS)
6 cups milk
8 – 12 ounces Velveeta (optional)
1 teaspoon garlic salt (or to taste)
1 – 2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Boil the diced potatoes till soft, drain. While boiling the potatoes, I go ahead and put the frozen chopped broccoli in a medium-size slow cooker on High and start defrosting it right in the crock.
In a large skillet, melt butter. Add flour and stir to make a roux. I start adding pepper now. Probably altogether, I use about a tablespoon of pepper, but I add it as I go, testing. Start adding the milk, a cup at a time, and stirring to make a smooth sauce. I add the first four cups in the skillet and bring it to a simmer to thicken, adding the cheese to melt. (I go with 12 ounces. You can use 8 ounces. Or 4. Or none. This soup is good without cheese at all, but Morgan wants it cheesy.) Once the cheese is melted and the sauce is thickened, remove the skillet from the heat.

Add the potatoes to the slow cooker along with the sauce. Add two more cups of milk along with the garlic salt and crushed red pepper. (We like spicy. You can leave this out or reduce it if you don’t.) Season to taste. Slow cook on High until everything is piping hot then keep on Low until ready to serve.

You can serve this straight as a soup, but I always serve it over rice. It could also be served over pasta. For a heartier soup, you can add sliced kielbasa, chicken, shrimp, or whatever you like! This is a very versatile soup, and delicious!

Note from me: I used white American Cheese and not quite as much, also cut back on red pepper. Also I will use frozen chopped asparagus instead of broccoli next time.

Monday 1/20/14

Up very early, 3 AM. Today is supposed to be warm...then down again tomorrow. We need to run some errands this morning:

List of errands:

Deliver a set of dishes to The Kitchen (I bought a end of year bargain from Macy's) These are the new ones:

 

I must admit to having a dish fetish.  If I had space I would have several different sets, just for 4, maybe with the new shelves I can indulge a little.

Stop by MIL's. She was having a problem installing a printer cartridge. I am pretty sure she wasn’t successful but she won't tell me Note:.She had successfully installed the cartridge. I am so proud of her.

Pick up a lighter foundation at Merle Norman's (I fade during the winter)I(We forgot this one!)

Shop for a standing tool chest for all our scattered tools and see if this will help DH put things where they belong! (this has been an outstanding bone of contention between us for a few years now!)WE got one at Harbor Freight but it is been to darned cold to gather up all the tools and store them.

Errands completed.

We replaced the trim in the bedroom....now need to install the faceplates (will do that when new tool arrives tomorrow).  Note: Tool arrived but still to cold to search for anything related to the job.

I spent more of my Christmas gift certificate at Amazon....bought a deep Lodge cast iron chicken fryer with a glass lid. I do love the glass lids and save all for use on my All Clads. Some from some cheap WM pans that have deceased fit them!

I also ordered a wireless fence system for Sugar.  I found  that it will not work at all with our steel siding.  I should have realized this but didn't.  The description of the item on Amazon also did not mention this, I have called that to their attention!  Now I have the aggravation of packing it and returning it.  I may fight them on the return fee.  Sugar has now started running to a couple of the neighbor's when we let her out.  She stays for several hours.  One of them who is so nice and an obvious dog lover has returned her twice on his ATV with her trotting along side on a lead.  We have two options....leave her loose and see if she will stay home; maybe she doesn't want put back into the pen or (this has been suggested by two neighbors, get her a playmate)

I wanted to thank the neighbor for being to nice so I baked bread again.  This time, I made 4 loaves of honey, whole wheat (light on the whole wheat) and DH took a loaf to him.

This was probably at capacity of my mixer.  It made a very large amount of dough.
 
This time I let it go an extra raise before making loaves.
You can see where I punched it down the first time.
I do think it gives the bread a finer texture.
and the finished product,


Yesterday was spent opening boxes from Amazon (dog fence, and new chicken fryer).  I was also on the phone most of the day.....that seems to happen once in a while, usually my Sis and my daughter.  I don't mind  at all.

I had planned  a banana  cake for us.  When I finally was off the phone, it was late in the day....I made the cake anyway.

I do like this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens old cookbook:

Banana Cake BH&G Page 80 (old issue )

2 cups all purpose flour

1-1/2 cups sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

¾ teaspoon baking soda

1 cup mashed ripe banana (usually two)

½ cup buttermilk or sour milk

½ cup shortening

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all dry ingredients and ½ teaspoons salt. Add bananas, buttermilk, shortening, eggs and vanilla

Beat on low until mixed then on medium for three minutes.

Pour into 2 greased and floured 8 or 9 inch cake pans. Bake 350°for 30 to 35 minutes. Test with toothpick .Cool for l0 minutes before removing from pan.

Note: I ice with cream cheese icing and freeze one in pan for later.

Post Thanksgiving -

Up at 3AM, 37° now but a cold front is moving in.

Dinners (yes, I said dinners......nuf said) over, family is gone and we are back to normal....as normal you can get with a new puppy in the house.  Sugar is doing really well; lets us know when she needs to go out and seems to like everyone.  Our granddaughter was really taken with her and so was our daughter and SIL.  He took over puppy duty while here which was nice for me.  She goes to the vet Wednesday...that should be interesting.  I am shopping for a harness and a bed for her today.  She is almost to heavy for me to carry very far.  If we have to carry her in, DH will get to do it.

The dinners went well but two turkey dinners back to back are a bit much.  I swear each year I will have the nerve to stop it but maybe next year......

Farm

The great doors  project is done!  They came two days before Thanksgiving and finished up.

This is the Milk Parlor door.  My daughter thinks I shouldn't paint the patch work; looks very cottagey...I think she may be right....I am thinking some Grandpa Otts on a trellis in front......


The old chicken house (west side of yard)

and the east  building,

I have booked them to paint the milk barn in the spring; will have to remind  them probably but that is OK.

Still haven't got the bill  yet; that may be a shocker.  I don't stress over repairs and upkeep; they are what keep a property looking good and holding value (I hope).

We had a serendipitous moment after the job was finished.  We had them haul the bulk tank to their place to take at  their  leisure into town  for salvage....meantime someone  they knew came by and wanted to buy it!  Good news.  He is a dairy systems installer  and he came over  to get some peripherals that go with the tank if used and I talked to him about rigging my stall with a unit to milk Willow into the fresh cow bucket.  He said it would be a simple job and promised me Wednesday or Thursday.  I want all options open. It just takes 3  minutes  to milk by bucket.....cleanup is more but if I have a flareup with my
hands, DH can milk!  I just reminded DH, he could milk her  then....he  was not nearly as excited about that as I was.

Cooking

I am living proof you can teach an old dog new tricks.  I have been making biscuits for over 50 years and just learned a new technique from Thibault's Table (thank you Ann).  We both use the same recipe but I have never used the folding technique with the dough.

Here are the results from this morning:

Note: I forgot the dimple so I did have a couple lean a little sideways.



I like those little layers....also the biscuit breaks open easily instead of just the top as sometimes happens.

Here is why I should have done the dimple:


Check out her blog for explicit directions and the recipe.

It is a cold morning, 26° and still windy.  We are supposed to warm up toward the end of the week.

I was  up at my normal 4 AM this morning so I think my body is finally getting back  to normal....I  think I just have one more month on Prednisone which is a very good thing.

I don't make New Year's resolutions formally, but in my mind I have general ideas of  what I want to do better in the coming year. 

I  started our New Year this morning (I don't count yesterday with company still with us) with biscuits and eggs. I still haven't perfected my biscuits using coconut oil.  I need to cut back the oil even more.  I did do a test on something.  I have always read and believed that once you add the liquid to a baking powder recipe you should bake it immediately to get the best rise because the baking powder starts acting as soon as the liquid is added.

Well, I have been watching a new cooking show with Chef John Besh from New Orleans and he just  said it is best to let your biscuits set at least 15 minutes (30 is better) before baking!  I held back two this morning and let them rest 15 minutes before baking.....they rose just fine.  How on earth can there be two such opposite directions out there.

All I plan to do today is take down the small tree....and then re-organize my pantry storage shelves.  My daughter gave me a set of glass storage dishes and she also brought back a shopping bag of my old containers.  I always load them down with food when they go home.  I need to find a good way to store all these things.

Now is a good time to talk about one of my first home projects for 2012.  I have several but I think we will do (correction:have done!) this one first.  I want a shelving system for the back porch from floor to ceiling and the length of the porch which will be about 10 feet taking out the freezer width.  This will include building a closet around the electric water heater with room for brooms and with a shelf overhead.  The good thing about having electric is I can safely store things  around it without fear of fire.  I want the shelves to be 15 inches deep and maybe have box like dividers.  I will store things like my Foodsaver, the crock pot, the maslin pan, and some other odd size pans and less used utensils where I can just look at open shelves and get what I want.  I want them out of pine and I will just clear varnish them, ala, Williams-Sonoma Swedish shelving.  I will be drawing up 'to scale' plans before talking to anyone.

I am happy to report the chickens are finally laying pretty well. We are getting 5-7 eggs almost  daily.  We must have a new chicken laying because we are getting a very dark brown egg and the shell is like cracking iron.

From Fall 2011

We have also lost an old chicken; she just died....a very normal thing with older birds.

This winter we are not using lights in the chicken house to stimulate laying, but we may when the temps drop way down at night.  It gives some additional heat to the girls as they roost.

I don't milk while company is here so we are down to just one quart so I will be going to the barn this morning.

Remember my new Jersey heifer I bought this summer?  Well she is just a delight.  She comes to us for a head scratch and wants to lick us....my SIL and GD were just really surprised.  Rodney is just a little intimidated by the cows.  He is definitely not a farm boy.  He was excited because she let him feed her right at the gate.  I have decided to call her Jewel.  That is part of the  name of the farm where I bought her and because she is just that "a jewel".  Her personality is so different from the Angus and Shorthorn cows who keep their distance from you at all times.  I hope  she stays this way forever.  I will  try to take some pictures of her this morning.  When her horns get about 3 inches long, we will have her dehorned.

I have bought a Kindle!  More on that whole topic next time  around....

Biscuits, Cookies and Gardening

For once the weatherman got it exactly right!  He predicted rain early, clearing and sunny and then afternoon rain.
I had cornered DH into helping me pull dead plants from he veggie garden so when the rains stopped I got ready to go out.  I saw a truck pull into the driveway....it was the fencing man we have been waiting on for several weeks.....there went my garden help!

I have always gardened unassisted so I headed out.  It didn't take much over an hour to pull up all the vegetation on the west side of the garden.  I did leave the row of Lutz beets.  They love the cool weather and the tops are gorgeous.  I pulled a couple to chop for the cow this morning...be interesting to see if she will eat them.

I stacked the dead plants in a sort of windrow on the north side of the garden and  will let them compost in situ.
I then used my new ergonomic, arthritis foundation recommended pruners by Fiskar to clean up the 40 foot garden fence.  This meant cutting large woody stalks of poke, KMOTGG that look like bamboo stalks, some roses and some volunteer tomatoes.  I also pruned about 4 clematis.  I am happy to report they worked like a dream!  My left wrist stays tender even on the Prednisone and I worried about that.....no problems at all.
I am a happy gardener and they were cheaper than Felcos at around $28.

I still have the east end corn patch to do and will use the loppers (new also) on that area.  The first nice, dry day I get, I will till the area.  I also need to stick some cloves of garlic in.  I am late with that and probably don't even need any but will do it anyway.

Today is roast beef dinner day.  I put the roast in the crock pot with a package of onion soup mix *(and yes you can make your own) and it should be ready around noon.  I have settled on the hot milk sponge cake and will make rolls later.  I love cooking with the crock pot!

This morning I made biscuits again using W-M's coconut oil and once again we like the texture better than lard.  Here is how they turned out:



I set another quart of buttermilk since I was down to a cup left in the jar.

Yesterday morning I made Cinnamon Ginger cookies.  We both miss having a mid-morning snack with our coffee.  I made them with the coconut oil too.  They turned out well. 

From Food

My sis from Iowa called (her husband was at a gun show) and we had a long talk about books.  Our tastes aren't exactly the same but close.  She has Kindle and is loving it.  I have a local library and am loving it! and mine is cheaper......