More Mixes...

Homemade Gravy Mixes

Apparently, I was on a roll the past few days. We weren't doing a turkey for Thanksgiving, as I'd found a perfect lovely pork rib roast and was gifted home grown acorn squash from my co-worker, Theresa. That left me with a lot more time to play with jars and mixes. 

First, I made homemade gravy mixes, and when I was finished, I had quart jars with mixes for multiple batches of chicken gravy, beef gravy, and mushroom gravy. No running out to the store for those anymore.

I looked but couldn't find any recipes for turkey or pork gravy mixes, so I'll still get those, making sure they're non-GMO or non-bioengineered. Those are the ones I will make and serve here.

Homemade Rice Mixes

While I was doing the gravy mixes, my order was delivered with the bulk packages of Zataran's long grain rice, as well as more of the organic tomato powder, and I was stocked to make my seasoned rice mixes.

The two I immediately put into jars were the Herb Butter Rice Mix (like Uncle Ben's Original Seasoned Rice Mix), and the other was a Spanish Rice Mix. 

I started by putting the seasonings in the bottom, and then rice on top. Although the recipe didn't call for it, I used white and brown rice in the herb butter variety. The seasonings went into the jar first so that when I vacuum-sealed the jars, it didn't suck the powders out the top. After the jars were sealed, I shook them up to mix them, and then put labels on the lids.

In case you'd like recipes for these, They're from a YouTube channel called "Plow and Pantry". HERE is the link. In addition to these two, she also makes chicken, curry, beef, and onion rice mixes. I saved those recipes, but only made these two for now. I'll make the others later.

I pulled the gravy mixes off the Internet and don't have the links with me right now, but I'll share them later if anyone is interested.

I hope you all had a lovely and enjoyable Thanksgiving. We're expecting a doozy of a storm that should begin overnight tonight. We're not sure how much is going to fall around here, but in the Midwest, you just never know.

Handsome and I have hair appointments on Saturday morning, and once the snow starts, we'll know whether we have to reschedule or not. Honestly, when the weather gets crazy, we just prefer to stay home. Oh, and I'm breaking a hard and fast rule today. I'm out of birdseed, and didn't find it out until I went to fill the feeders yesterday afternoon. As all the stores were closed for Thanksgiving, I want to run out and get what I need before this storm hits so the birds will have food. Believe me. Absolutely nothing else would get me out of the house today! Well, except work. I work my three hour shift starting at 4, and if we're slow, I'll be coming home early.

Another weekend has rolled around, so put your feet up, eat your leftovers, and have a great weekend, my friends. I'll be back tomorrow with another Steve the Otter meme (or two).

November Craft Day...

November Craft Day - L-R: Donna, George, Adrienne, Linda K, and Marie

Our November group was small, but all the participants are held closely in my heart. Linda is one of my dearest friends, and I've known her since I first moved to Portage in 1976. I lived there until 1981, when I came back to Fond du Lac and met my now husband. 

Linda and I have stayed close ever since, and as I've shared previously, her daughter Marie, granddaughter Adrienne, and now Adrienne's children, Belle, Bowen and George are also dear to me. Being able to see them so frequently is just like a mini family reunion, and getting together to craft is just a welcome excuse.

This month, Marie rounded up her paper and paint assortments, wooden tree forms from Hobby Lobby, and plastic peel and stick tiles from Dollar General. From there, we painted, cut, and glued our projects together to see what is photographed above. Aren't they fun?

I especially loved Marie's color theme, but every single one of theirs is unique and wonderful. Of course, I immediately focused on the music-themed papers and settled on one that had a cardinal in the corner. Once I fussy cut the design to fit my tree, the rest came right along. I may still add a star to the top of my tree, but I haven't decided what it will be yet.

George came up with the idea to cut a tree topper out of the tile, and then his mom followed suit. He was pretty darn proud of his once he finished it, and of course, we all told him how talented he was (is).

Having my tree photographed

Marie always shares our monthly projects with a craft group she belongs to on Facebook, so we always take photographs of each participant with their piece. Mine made it onto my camera this month, so here I am with my musical tree. Hmmm. Perhaps my tree topper should be a bell or a drum? I'm going to see what I have in my embellishment boxes that might be appropriate. (I know I have some grand piano buttons and a pin.) 

Linda's Owl Shawl

A few months ago, I saw this wonderful owl shawl crochet pattern and had to share it with Linda. She loves to crochet and is very good at it. She told me she bought the pattern and was working on it.

Well, after fifty or sixty hours' worth of work, she finished it and wore it Saturday. It is really magnificent! I had to share it with you. The pattern didn't call for the trim on each feather, but she used a sparkling brown yarn, and it was just the perfect finishing touch.

She told me she purchased a dragon shawl pattern at the same time, and Belle said if her great-grandma made it, she'd absolutely wear it. I told Linda Belle could wear the goldwork dragon brooch I made for her on it, too!

I hope you enjoyed seeing what we did for our monthly play date. I was on my way home by noon, so I spent the rest of the weekend with Handsome. We put up our porch lights yesterday, because the weather is forecast to get ugly later this week, and I really don't want to be doing that in frigid temps or biting winds. 

We turned the lights on last night just so we could see how they looked, so I guess I'm guilty of "decorating before Thanksgiving" now. I have a different idea for a tree this year, so I'll share that once it's accomplished. There are other things to write about first though. You'll have to come back tomorrow for that. 

Give Thanks - Web Image

Today's Agenda...

I have a lovely frozen turkey that I refrigerator-thawed over the last few days. Our sons have gone to their in-laws' homes since we lived in Florida, so they set new traditions. I'll likely roast a turkey breast for us, rather than do a whole bird. 

Sooooo, today I'm pressure canning a thirteen pound turkey. I plan to can some of it for soups and stews, more for pot pies, and the rest in spring water to use in other ways later. Once I've cut all the meat off the bone, I'll take my saved vegetable trimmings, spring water, and the carcass to make a lovely bone broth. 

Work went well yesterday (thank you compression stockings!), and I'm up and at 'em today, raring to go. I'll be back tomorrow with photographs of my efforts. I plan to "make hay while the sun shines", and the sun is shining brightly today. See you tomorrow!

The Day After...

 

It's the day after Thanksgiving. Many will be rushing out to shop for great gift-giving bargains for Christmas, but that's never been my thing. Usually, I'd spend this time relaxing, or engaging in creative pursuits. 

 

Last night, there was a request for a cashier to work to help someone who had a family emergency. This ol' workhorse answered the bell. I'll be at work from 10-4 today instead of working this evening.

 

 

It was just Handsome and me yesterday, so I joyfully prepped and cooked in the kitchen all afternoon. We stuffed our turkey and popped it into our Nesco™ roaster. While that was cooking away, I made an apple pie with streusel topping and then a mini onion pie as a side dish. 

When everything was nearly ready, I boiled the potatoes Handsome had prepared, along with cooking peas for another side. Once the potatoes were mashed, I pulled out the completed pies and turkey, and we were enjoying our Thanksgiving meal in no time.

This was only a ten pound bird, but there's plenty of leftover meat for sandwiches, etc. We realized that I forgot to make my homemade cranberry sauce, so I'll do that when I get home from work. I'm probably going to take much of the turkey and cut it up (along with carrots, celery, onions, and peas) to make homemade turkey soup to pressure can. That way we'll be able to enjoy something hot and hearty this winter.

We did catch up with all our loved ones yesterday, and have plans for tomorrow with Son #1 and his family. For now, I'm going to get ready for work so I'm not late. I'll be bundling up today, as it's cold and windy. We got a dusting of snow last night, but we realize winter is here in earnest now. Time to get out the long johns! 

If you're busy traveling away or back home from a holiday trip, please stay safe. 

 

Happy Thanksgiving...

 

No Black Friday Here...

 

This is what I worked on yesterday. We had a lovely, quiet day, so I had time to stitch for a bit. We're getting together with #1 Son's family today, so I did a little baking to contribute.

Our dear daughter-in-law can't eat gluten due to health considerations, so I've baked gluten-free dinner rolls, a g-f raspberry torte, and corn casserole. The recipe for the torte is from a Wisconsin restaurant I went to in the late 70's-early 80's called the Jamieson House. It was near where I lived in Portage, and it was also a bed and breakfast upstairs (I never stayed there). Anyway, years later, I saw recipes from the Jamieson House in a magazine for this torte, and also for Devonshire Cream (which I had when I was there for dinner). That dessert was served at Handsome and my wedding reception. I would have made the Devonshire Cream for today's meal, but was really curious about the torte. I'll let you know what everyone thinks.

You can see I made a little progress on this frog, too. I have to finish its back feet and leg, but I'm still deciding on the colors for the oval on its back. I guess we'll find out all together what I choose. I'll get back to it on Saturday.

If you followed me for more than eleven months, you'll know that I don't do Black Friday events in the stores. I may take advantage occasionally of a good cyber deal, but no way this ol' girl is going shopping out in the wild. I just don't see taking a day to be thankful for all my blessings, and then running out the next day to buy more stuff. No thank you, very much. You can always find me right here if you need me. 

If you're going out, be safe out there, and I'll meet you back here tomorrow.

Thanksgiving Blessings To You...

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving From Our Home To Yours!

 

Preparing Our Goodbyes...

 

It snowed again yesterday. Some of the white stuff is still on the ground, and it's perfect for our family's mood these days. My nieces are troopers, in spite of the soul-crushing weight of their grief. Her aunties are helping where we can, but there are some pains only a mother can soothe, and theirs is gone now. I'm sharing this photo today because it seems to be a quiet, warm scene for the end of a hard day.

 

I worked all day pulling photos from albums, as well as my online photos that will be mounted onto picture boards for her memorial service in about ten days. My sisters are doing the same so we'll have quite a collection when we get together to do the boards. 

 

I'm also responsible for the large photograph that will be framed to sit above her urn during the church service. We all agreed on a beautiful, happy photo I snapped of her on one of her visits to Florida when we lived there. It's been hard here, too - which is a massive understatement.

I have to run to town to get more photo paper first thing,  and I need to get her large photo image to a printer for framing. After I print the last of the images I've pulled, I'm going to sit down and stitch. I need to sit down and stitch. My mind can only concentrate on one thing when I put needle and thread to fabric...and that's what I'm working on. It's time for a little rest, and that's the best way to rest I know.

I've been trying to leave replies to comments over the past week, but regardless of the time I sit down to type, I frequently get a message that my reply has "failed to post". If you haven't seen a reply from me yet, that's why. I want you to know I've read every single message, and again you've warmed my heart. Thank you. I promise I'll get replies posted as soon as Blogger allows. I'll just keep trying at various times until it takes them. 

Thanksgiving will be here before I know it, and we're spending some time with our elder son and his family over the weekend. We're sharing the cooking, which will certainly lighten the load, and my spirits. The actual day, though, Handsome and I will celebrate together here at the farmhouse. I'm enjoying reading what you're planning, too, so feel free to share. 

I'll close for now. I'm going to have my morning cuppa, take care of the barn girls, and then I'll be off on my errand. The sooner I'm out, the sooner I can get back and finish my assigned task for the memorial service.

Thanksgiving Update...

I'm getting a late really late start on today's post. I was much busier than I probably should have been on Thanksgiving Eve Day this year. I'd done a little shopping with Jan the day we made our Taco Bell trip, and came home with large quantities of meat and veg that was on sale. Rather than wait until after Turkey Day to process my haul, I jumped right in on Wednesday.

As a result, I pressure canned five pints of lovely carrots, five pints of rutababa (from ONE vegetable), and four pints of sweet potato (also from ONE huge potato).

I also found large packages of chicken thighs for $1.99 a pound, so each four pound package was around $6. I put up five pints of thighs with Mexican seasoning, and then four more pints with water only. (One pint didn't seal, so it's in the canner with everything from the first photograph when I took this one. These are the same carrots in the first photo, too.)

Just for an idea, one pint of chicken thighs provides enough meat for two people if I make enchiladas, tacos, chicken spaghetti or a casserole. So, the final result of eight pints of chicken thighs (for approximately $12) will provide eight different meals for us - of course, adding side dishes. I don't know about you, but I think that's pretty awesome!

This is our canning cupboard in the pantry as of today. We've consumed or shared things out of this prior to this photograph, too! 

Top Shelf l-r: Applesauce, two jars of store bought jalapeños that will become Cowboy Candy, salsa, ketchup, Cowboy Candy, stewed tomatoes, dehydrated portabella mushrooms, canned tomatoes.

Second Shelf l-r: Zucchini relish, empty Weck jars to be used soon, canned pears, more Weck jars, assorted jams and jellies.

Third Shelf l-r: Chicken breast, Mexican flavored chicken thighs, plain chicken thighs, turkey, beef roast, and venison roast, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, sweet corn, rutabaga, and beets.

Whew! By the time I was getting close to finished with the canning, Handsome came in wondering what I had planned for dinner. We were both getting hungry! I pulled a jar of venison, and heated it with the broth, sauteed onions and sliced cheddar cheese. I boiled potatoes and mashed them, and steamed peas as a side dish. Within twenty minutes, we were sitting down to dinner while the last batch of vegetables processed in the canner.

The last thing I did before I cleaned up and closed the kitchen for the evening was a gluten-free pie crust in consideration of our daughter-in-law. I put the crust into the fridge to wait until Thanksgiving Day.

I formed the crust, mixed the pumpkin puree' with the spices, etc., and then filled the crust. I popped it into the oven to bake. While the pie baked, I made a caramel pecan mixture to top the pie as soon as it came out of the oven. I haven't done this before, so it was an experiment. 

I can tell you our daughter-in-law appreciated the fact that I'd made this gluten-free. She hasn't had pie in ages because she said it's not something she purchases just for herself. She loved this pie, and it actually was a very tasty, flaky crust. I just made the same crust I always use, but substituted the GF flour cup-for-cup. We left what remained of the pie with them when we were ready to come home.

The last thing I prepared for our Thanksgiving dinner was a sweet potato gratin. This was an idea from my sister, Jan. This is made with a roux (also using GF flour), milk, asiago and parmesan cheese. I added salt, white pepper, onion and garlic powder to the cream sauce. Into the oven until everything is baked. This was also a hit, and I'll definitely make it again.

Two images from Thanksgiving Day...daughter-in-law in the kitchen with Grandson (out of frame). This was taken after dinner, and we're sitting down to pie and coffee.

Handsome with #1 Son. Who knows just what world problem they're solving at this moment? I can say, all of us were ready for naps! 

Son made a beautiful beef pot roast for dinner. We brought the side dish, and there was fresh bread. It was a truly memorable meal spent with people we love very much.

As I stood in the kitchen, visiting, the usual critters moved through the yard between our son's home and the neighbors. They even stopped to check us out. This is a usual dusk ritual, according to the kids. Isn't that cool?

They went to the back yard, and then turned and went back to the front yard and across the road, where there is a vast marsh.

We finished our dessert and a little more visiting before we packed up to leave. They live about an hour from us, and we needed to get home to air and feed Tag, Bella and Carly. Trust me. By the time we got home, they were ready to get outside!

We had a perfectly wonderful celebration, and every day is a day of gratitude for us. We're so very blessed, and hope that your day was equally filled with all things family and friends. 

You know we don't ever leave the house for Black Friday. We'll be doing things here at home today, and for the rest of the weekend. If you're one of the brave ones, be safe out there!

Happy Thanksgiving...

I'm sharing just a couple of images from Thanksgivings past. The tablecloth I quilted from a vintage tablecloth is on our table again this year.

We're traveling to Son #1's home to spend the day with his family. I'm taking along a sweet potato gratin,

made from a creation shared by younger sister, Jan. I've also made the pumpkin pie (with a pecan caramel topping from a Thanksgiving dessert made by an old friend).

If you're traveling as we are, whether the distance be short or long, 

we'll pray for a safe journey there and back again for you and yours.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Hickory Hill Farm,

Donna & Handsome

Tag, Bella & Carly

Claudette & Crystal

A Full and Satisfying Day...

My Beautiful Eldest Nieces

 

My day began at 6 am. Up early and off to have breakfast with the beauty on the right side of this photograph. Her sister, on the left, is my eldest niece and goddaughter. She hadn't yet arrived in town, so I had a lovely visit with my second eldest niece, who was visiting from out of state. I haven't seen her in at least ten years.

We sat and visited for over two hours. It was much-needed Aunty/Niece time, and it seemed over much too soon. We parted with damp eyes and warm hearts, promising to chat again soon. (Isn't FaceTime a wonderful thing?)

With goodbyes done, I jumped into my Explorer and drove to my girlfriend, Wendi's salon a half hour south for my scheduled hair appointment. More visiting and a few giggles.

Our Elder Son and Daughter-in-law

When I arrived home, not only was Handsome here to greet me, but our son and his wife stopped to visit before heading to a local bed & breakfast for an overnight wedding anniversary getaway. If they're not careful, they'll catch up to Handsome and me! 

I gave my daughter-in-law her belated extended Birthday gift of the quilt I finished yesterday. She was thrilled with it, and couldn't wait to get it home and installed in the room I had in mind when I chose the colors. It warmed my heart to know that she will put it in a place of prominence in their home - also a handy place to use it on a chilly Wisconsin evening. (I forgot to get a photo of the presentation, so I'll ask her to send a picture in their home once they get back.)

I was glad I'd made a quiche last night, so we had a light lunch before sending them off about their celebration. Shortly after they left, I went upstairs, changed my clothes, and settled in on our new sectional. It wasn't long before I dozed off and slumbered while Handsome watched a football game. It was a day filled with love, tears, laughter, gratitude, and a little rest...the best kind of day to have. 

Sunday, our younger son and his family will join us for a Thanksgiving lasagna dinner, so today I'll get caught up on a few projects, and then rest up again for tomorrow. 

 I'm planning a Cyber Monday sale for my online shop, so I'm going to be working on that, too. I hope you're enjoying your Thanksgiving weekend, and look forward to our next visit.

My Thanksgiving Turkey...

Brynwood Needleworks - Thanksgiving Tag

We all hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving. I can't say ours was uneventful. Tag gave me a bit of a scare, but he reminded me it's his story to tell. I'll just let you know that he's okay, and he's making all of you wait until Tuesday to tell you - in his own inimitable way - what happened. 

I can say that our celebration was subdued. I shared a midday meal with Andy and Shelly, and took a homemade turtle cheesecake to them for dessert. We ate and visited for an hour or so, and then I came back to the farmhouse and took a nap. 

Sorry I can't tell you more, but Tag would be a real pain if I don't let him tell you all about it. Handsome will be home Sunday, so that's where my attention is right now. He left Florida early this morning, so I'll be keeping in touch with him as he makes his solo trip home. Bella will be beside herself to see him...and so will Tag and I.

You know I don't do Black Friday, so I'll likely spend most of my day in the studio. I'll be back tomorrow to show you what I've been working on. If you're going out, please be safe. 

Happy Thanksgiving...

Brynwood Needleworks - Count Your Blessings (via FaceBook)

 Today, I count all of you among my blessings.Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks  via bibleversestogo.com

 

Sunday Scripture...

Brynwood Needleworks via EveryDaySpirit.net

 

Celebrating Home...

Brynwood Needleworks - Vintage Tablecloth Turned Into Quilt

 

I finally finished the tablecloth I started last year. I shared HERE how I started with a vintage tablecloth and turned it into a table quilt. My friend, Kathy D. helped me set it up on her longarm machine, and after two days at her house, I had a completed quilted tablecloth. All I had left to do was trim and bind the edge.

 

I was so gassed from the quilting part, that I set it aside...until Wednesday afternoon.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Dining Room Table

I cut the fabric for the binding to match the backing, and after I was finished making the binding, I attached it to the quilt. A mere three hours later, I declared it done! Handsome helped me put it on the table, and I added the pumpkin table runner, which fit the quilt design perfectly.

Yesterday, family sat around the table and enjoyed a meal prepared without our oven. After everyone went home, and the kitchen was cleaned up, I made a cup of tea and walked into the dining room to look at the tablecloth again before turning out the lights...pretty happy that I hadn't delayed another year before completing it.

If you quilt - or even if you don't - this is a great way to update a vintage tablecloth. I have a few Christmas ones that I'd love to do the same way. I think I may get out my small one (with Christmas drums all around it), and quilt it on one of my own machines. But I don't think I'll plan to finish it before Christmas. It's nearly December, and that means it will be time to begin Christmas gifts!

That's for another day. Today, I'll be staying home...celebrating my happy life, and counting my blessings. See you tomorrow!

 

We've Got This...

Brynwood Needleworks - Our Kenmore Range

 

Well, I'm not sure if I told you about how this range came to be at the farmhouse. I guess now is as good a time as any. Two years ago, Handsome and I were looking for a gas range, but, as we weren't sure how we ultimately want to upgrade the kitchen, we didn't want to get something brand new. 

 

Of course, we went to the "Marketplace" (surprised?) and I found a five-burner range within 20 miles of us. It was a dirty mess, but the price was right, and I was willing to exercise some serious elbow grease, so we bought it. They even delivered it to us!

 

It took me about four days of concerted effort, and I ordered new oven shelves. We also had it converted from natural gas to lp, so it could utilize the fuel that already came into the farmhouse. When all was said and done, we had this great gas range/oven to serve us for meal preparation, canning, and breadmaking. We've always had electric ovens, and this being gas was new to me. I couldn't have loved it more. 

All that came to an unceremonious end late last week. While my range top still lit and performed, I realized that the oven would no longer light. It took until yesterday for a repairman to come. No one local works on Kenmore products, so I was given the number of a company out of Madison, WI that has local service reps.

Rich got her around 5 pm yesterday, took the lower part of the oven apart, and then told us that the igniter was the culprit. There were also wiring issues that would cause this issue to recur. We were ready to go ahead with the repairs, until he gave us the total cost. It was going to cost much more than half the cost of a new range! Considering this range is somewhere between ten to twelve years old, Rich gave us a number of reasons why it would be better to buy new. (He doesn't sell appliances, by the way, so he has no vested interest.) He also said that this model utilizes a more expensive igniter than the usual $30-$40 ones. (Of course!)

So, we'll be cooking our turkey in the trusty Nesco™ roaster, with the sides being prepared in our countertop convection oven, or on our still-functioning stovetop. I may start cooking some of the sides and desserts today to make life easier tomorrow.

 

Don't feel bad for us. Handsome and I did a whole Thanksgiving meal together over 35 years ago without a range at all. The small turkey was roasted on a mini grill, and all we had for the rest of our food preparation was an electric frying pan, a toaster oven, and a slow cooker. We did just fine, and our meal was delicious. We certainly are better prepared and fitted-out all these years later. Plus, we'll get to shop for a brand new gas range. We've got this! 

I won't be writing a full post tomorrow...just posting my annual Thanksgiving wishes. If you're traveling, please be safe. I'll be counting you among my blessings as we say grace with our family. 

Happy Thanksgiving Eve to you and yours.