I'd Always Rather Be Home...

This image was just the warm, homey inspiration I was hoping for today. The sentiments is equally appropriate. Work went really well. It was comfortable indoors and lots of restaurant and station visitors kept Teresa and me busy. The day went by quickly. 

When Handsome picked me up it was 4ºF. Not my idea of fun at all. Carly had a late vet appointment for a checkup, so we went from work right to the vet's office. We didn't get home until 7 pm, and I was chilled to the bone. 

Turkey soup to the rescue! I changed into a pair of comfortable (and warm) sweats and heated up a jar of the soup I just canned. I added an equal amount of turkey broth, and then a bit more water. Paired with warm dinner rolls (I brought some home from the station), and we were full in no time. Top that off with a hot cuppa tea, and I was one happy, toasty warm girl.

I have to go back outdoors to get a few things at the grocery store this morning. Paper products, more all purpose flour, and just a couple other things. Once I do that I'll be raring to get back home. Then, my plan is to spend a little time working on my brooches.

I hope you have something planned that brings you joy. When the weather is like this, keeping busy (as much as possible) indoors is just the ticket. Take care and I'll be back again tomorrow.

Weekend Production...

Turkey Meat in Broth, Turkey Soup/Stew Mix, and Turkey Broth

Over the weekend I made more bread for the freezer, and then did a bit of canning on Sunday. I made four loaves of farmhouse bread, and then added a round loaf of Asiago bread. The whole house smelled wonderful and the kitchen was a warm spot, too. Bonus!

On Sunday I put a mostly frozen turkey in the pressure canner and cooked it along with vegetable scraps and spring water from the local artesian well. To make my life easier, I tied the turkey in cheesecloth with a separate bundle for the veggies. It was a snap to pull the turkey without it falling apart back into the broth, and all I had to do was pull and toss the vegetables.

After opening the turkey "bag", I pulled all the meat off the carcass and set it aside in a large bowl to cool down a bit. I tied all the bones back up in the cheesecloth and then tossed them after they were completely cooled.

Turkey Meat and Broth on the left. Turkey Soup/Stew on the right

I have a big can of Augason Farms Vegetable Medley Blend for soups and stews. They're dehydrated, so easily stored. It also contains a soup seasoning, which is nice. I added about a half cup to each pint jar, and topped it with about a half cup of the turkey, leaving an inch of headspace. Then I added turkey broth from cooking the bird. 

After I jarred up all the soup/stew mix, I canned six pints of just the turkey meat and broth. That can be used for casseroles, potpies, or even sandwiches later. I did set one pint aside for the casserole I made for us for dinner.

When all was said and done, I had five pints of turkey meat in broth, ten pints of soup/stew mixture, and three quarts of turkey broth. I left them covered on the kitchen island overnight, and will clean and label everything this morning. All the jars have already sealed. yay!

I'll take it easy today as I'm working again tomorrow. I have some mail to get ready to post, and a few boxes yet to pack for shipping. That should keep me busy for the rest of the morning. 

It's darn cold here, so the girls aren't out for very long at all. Crystal always teases to go out, so I've opened the door for her, only to have her curse something in cat talk and run back up the stairs. I have to laugh every time. Tease. Tease. Tease. Nevermind. lol

I hope you're all safe and warm. I know Tennessee has been hit pretty hard with ice storms. I contacted a friend who lives there, and thankfully, they still have power and are okay. How are things where you are? You're all on my mind as this weather passes. Take good care.