DITL - A Good Day

I managed to get a few things done that I haven't been able to do due to my back and neck injuries. I woke up early in the morning to say goodbye to our friend who camped out overnight. Then I realized that I was feeling better, so I took advantage of the situation. 

I made 3 loaves of 9-grain bread. I've only baked bread twice in the past 7 months.  

I potted a plant that our friend gave us.

I lit a candle. FYI - Some of the WoodWick candles are
marked down $10 at Wal-Mart.

I turned on some worship music first thing in the morning
and enjoyed a cup of Jane. (Tea)

I spent the day before playing games in the truck camper
with our friend.

I really have not been cooking very much. Just enough to get by and we have been using some unhealthy packaged foods. I made Number One Husband oatmeal for breakfast and tostadas for lunch. I made a batch of chicken salad to go with the bread. 

There were plenty of dishes and I got caught up on the laundry. It's been raining, so it has not been possible to hang out all the clothes. We had a break in the weather, so I managed to get two loads dried outside.

We have been experiencing problems with our solar system. It looks like we have to have the whole system replaced. The war is impeding our progress on our water project also. When it rains, it pours but the sun always returns.

I am trying my hand at sourdough soon when it warms up just a little bit more. I will be sharing this adventure here on the blog and more...

Have a blessed day,

Mrs. Smith

DITL - Ramblings - Shabbat Shalom

We had a snowstorm come through overnight the other evening. I needed to tend to some early morning chores outside before I even got dressed for the day. I hoped out of bed and put on my robe, boots, gloves and hat to attend to the chores. It sounds strange, but fleece pajamas are warmer than regular clothing. It was only six degrees, and the wind chill was well below zero. 

I needed to check on a sick chicken, clear the snow from the solar panels and the porch. I made quick work of it. The wind cut like a knife. It was brutal. Unfortunately, the hen did not make it, so I also needed to dispose of her body away from the house. 

Later that night, the coyotes found the dead hen and were so loud that they woke us up from a sound sleep. They were rejoicing over their find and fighting each other for a much-needed meal. The cycle of life can be brutal sometimes. 

After nearly a week of being absent from the ranch, I had a mess from unpacking. A plethora of paperwork from the hospital. I took my studies with me, but I wasn't able to read one chapter of my new Inductive Study Bible. However, it was comforting that it was there with us. 

We are starting to get back into a new rhythm. The keyword being "new". Life can change in an instant without any warning. It is fragile and should be treated as such. We are grateful to God for His mercy and grace. 

We had a friend come to share a Sabbath meal with us. We had pan seared Ahi tuna steaks with quinoa, broccoli, sweet potatoes and salad. We played the game Quarkle. It was a nice evening. Our friend is a great blessing to us. 

3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all

Philippians 1:3-4 NASB

Shabbat Shalom,

Mrs. Smith

 

Life Off Grid -Meal Prepping - DITL

I decided to try my hand at corn tortillas using Maseca instant corn masa flour. I tried regular corn flour a couple of times, but I just couldn't get the consistency right. Let's just say that the chickens really enjoyed the treat. 

This stuff is the bomb! It was so easy and fast that I had to ask for help from Number One Husband. He prepared the meat and toppings while I grilled the tortillas. Once he was finished, he was able to lend a hand pressing out the tortillas. 

I chose Maseca as one of our grocery items
on our No-Spend Challenge. I'm really glad 
that I did.

Yields up to 7.2 pounds of homemade tortillas for $3.98.

The results were perfect and much better than storebought corn tortillas. 
They were soft and supple with an outstanding fresh flavor. In addition,
there are no unwanted ingredients in them. 

My Central Coast Woodworks Tortilla press has been an indispensable
kitchen tool. Tortilla Press 

I topped mine with a few Pickled Mexican Carrots that I can up when 
I have extra carrots that I need to use up. Pickled Mexican Carrots

Yummy!

I have plenty of tortillas left over to make enchiladas or more tacos. I made a pot of pinto beans in my pressure cooker and rice in my Saratoga Jack's thermal cooker. Check out my posts here: Saratoga Jack's Thermal Cooker I like to use the thermal cooker for rice. Each grain is individual and not soggy. So, bean and cheese enchiladas with Spanish rice is on the menu. I make my own homemade enchilada sauce. This is the recipe that I like to use: The Best Enchilada Sauce

We have been enjoying breakfast cookies Ultimate Breakfast Cookies This time I used nuts, seeds and cacao nibs with just a few dark chocolate chips per Number One Husband's request. We have had a couple of cooler days, so I baked the last of the frozen cookie dough and a couple of loaves of bread. 

We had a few while they were still hot. Storing cookies in half gallon Mason jars are
a great way to keep them fresh. 

I bake bread late in the evening while the windows are open to keep the house cool. The bread takes several hours to cool off, so I have to wait to put up the loaves. The crust would dry out if I waited until morning. 

It's that time of the year when I have to keep one of the loaves I bake in the refrigerator. Last week, I lost half a loaf because it molded. It is also time to bake three loaves instead of two to reduce how much I need to use the oven. It's just too hot to bake. I will freeze the extra loaf. 

I have started using my solar ovens recently.  Sun Oven Unfortunately, the wind has been fierce for the last week, and it has been somewhat cloudy. If at all possible, I use my solar ovens. Using them helps to keep the house cool and reduces our propane bill. 

I meal prepped Mexican Pinto Bean soup this evening to cook in the sun oven tomorrow. I found the recipe here: Mexican Pinto Bean Soup I just love Calvin and Marie from Southern Country Living on YouTube. They are so sweet. This stuff is really good with cornbread. I think I will bake a small pan in my other sun oven while the soup is cooking. Tomorrow is not supposed to be windy or cloudy. I will put both of them on in the morning and let the sun do its thing. It is really cool to be able to use the sun for cooking and electricity. 

I used the dry beans that I cooked earlier. 

I also had some vegetables already chopped in the refrigerator, so I made some egg fried rice. I used the rice that I cooked earlier. I'm getting a jump start preparing for the Sabbath and the next few days of meals. 

I put together the ingredients for Number One Husband to cook his breakfast in the morning. I dislike cooking and eating and smelling breakfast. All he has to do is throw his hashbrowns and meat in pans and toast his bread. I usually clean-up afterwards, but it is a fair tradeoff. 

I froze the extra rice and beans to use at a later date. It is convenient to pull out a bag of this and that from the freezer and put together a quick meal. I know that I have the next four or five-days' worth of meals ready to go plus meals in the freezer. Meal prepping works great for me.  

I did my laundry a day early too. I had extra items to wash this week. They dried in record time due to the wind. I've done a bunch of dishes today. The chickens are happy campers when they have vegetable scraps. I have a nice bowl waiting for them for the morning. 

Well, it's getting late. I think I will veg for the rest of the evening. I slept in, so I had lots of extra energy to get things done. I took my time and did these things throughout the day. I'm sure that I accomplished other things too that I do out of habit, but I didn't share them. I enjoy doing things that help my family live this lifestyle that we have chosen to live. 

Shalom,

Mrs. Smith

Alone...

Coming Soon! Extending the Table Cookbook Recipe Series.

I spent a week by myself while Number One Husband traveled to see a sick friend. I would have traveled with him, but he gathered all his (male) friends to show up over two days for a surprise visit and I felt that I would have been in the way. All of my friends (wives) work, so I decided I would be more comfortable alone in my own home.

And stayed home I did. For a week I did not see another human being. I spoke to Number One Husband just a couple of times. Our phone connections were not the greatest. It was frustrating, but we survived. By the end of the week, both of us were more than ready for him to get back home. 

I stayed busy for the most part. I did some much-needed darning, organizing, cleaned house, ate freezer meals and cleaned out the chicken coop. Towards the end of my alone time, I prepared biscuit dough for the freezer, made and froze breakfast sandwiches, marinated pickled chicken breasts for Number Ones return dinner, baked bierocks and for the Sabbath I made a large pot of soup that lasted beyond the weekend. You can find the recipe here: Nora's Hamburger Soup

I still had hours and hours of time to burn. In the evenings, I would do my studies and go through my new cookbook. I read each little story that described each recipe carefully marking each recipe that we would enjoy. 

I watched some of my favorite movies like Out of Africa and Pride and Prejudice. I really enjoy time period shows. I watched the first two seasons of Empress in a short time. I stayed up until 3:30 am that night. I only had two episodes to go, but I couldn't keep my eyes open. I woke up at 5:30 am and couldn't get back to sleep. It was preparation day, so I just stayed up and did my chores.

I stayed off the computer for the most part, hence the lack of blog posts last week. I still had a lot of time on my hands especially in the evenings. I found little projects to keep me busy during the day, but at night I was bored stiff. I could only take so much television after my Empress marathon. 

It's amazing how little effort it took to keep the house in order with just me at home. It snowed for three days, so there wasn't much I could accomplish outside until the weather cleared. I opened the blinds one morning and was blessed when I saw a pair of bald eagles flying low during their mating ritual. Eagles mate for life and raise their young together just like humans do. I truly missed my mate.  

I cooked all of Number One Husband's favorites to have on hand for his return. I was able to plan his arrival within minutes. I had fried pickled chicken sandwiches on homemade buns ready to eat when he arrived. I just needed to deep-fry the hand cut fries. I missed him dearly and wanted to show him how grateful I was that he returned home safely.

We have both been catching up on sleep this week. We must have needed it. We are getting back into the groove of things. I caught up on the laundry that came back home. We emptied the car and put away his traveling equipment. (Ice chest, suitcases etc...) 

Number One's trip down South was marred with weather related issues. He was re-routed over a hundred miles due to heavy snow and blizzard conditions. Other roads had winds so strong that it overturned semi-tractor trailers and trucks towing RVs. The wind was incredibly strong. The weather was perfect on his return trip. 

Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my alone time. In fact, I seek solace daily for my studies, reading and to quiet my spirit and gather my thoughts. The world can be a very loud place. 

The sound of silence is just as loud. It is a constant dull hum from our eardrums trying to connect to any sound available. I really appreciated the sounds of the wind, birds and even the sound that the inverter made to help drown out that silent hum while Number One Husband was gone. 

This is what I have been up to lately and now it is time to rest. Have a blessed Sabbath...

Mrs. Smith

 

 

DITL In Pictures - Things To Be Happy About

 

Ice Sculptures

Old towns in the snow

Ice sickles 

Sleeping puppy

Funny puppy

Adventures

Old mine

Blooming cacti

New chicks

Beekeeping

God's big screen

Pack goats on the trail

Winding trees

Resting on the side of a trail

Beautiful sunsets

Big skies 

Spring storms

Warm socks

Pink

Spring birds

Low clouds

Little beggars 

Treats

Flannel pajamas

Training day

Fresh eggs

Tozer

Elk herd

Cinnamon swirl bread

Salads

Breads

More cacti

Big Chief

Bierocks 

Crazy bread

Baking day

Double rainbows

Low rainbows

Cheese balls

Sunrises

Downpours

Hailstorms

Happy Shavuot!

Mrs. Smith