Showing posts with label Things To Be Happy About. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Things To Be Happy About. Show all posts

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Things To Be Happy About...


Things To Be Happy About:

Finding joy in the mundane

Cooler days 

A hot bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar, butter and cranberries

Beautiful sunsets

Shooting stars

Eating tomatoes warmed by the sun fresh off the vine

Curly hair

A large jar of matchbooks gathered from across the US

A courtyard filled with plants and flowers surrounded by brick walls

The aroma that fills the house from a lit candle

A long drive in the woods

A day of rest





Sunday, July 30, 2023

Checking Items Off Our List... Things To Be Happy About

 

I started a small batch of sauerkraut today. I hope to have the directions up on the blog soon. 


We have begun checking items off our list before winter starts. I know, we are still in a heat wave, but the one thing that is certain is that winter is coming. 

Number One negotiated the cost of propane last week and ordered a delivery. When is the best time to negotiate the cost of propane? In the middle of a heatwave of course...



Things To Be Happy About

Stoneware crocks

Funny goats

Background noise

Getting started and finishing a task

Fresh jalapeƱo cheddar bagels

Long skirts

Vibrant colors

Flip flops

The promise of rain

Quiet time


Have a blessed week,

Mrs. Smith



Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Preserving The Harvest...

We purchased a few packages of chicken thighs to make chicken sausage out of and stock up the freezer. I made a little over 8 pounds of sausage, and I rolled it into 1-pound logs and wrapped it in stretch wrap. I cooked the rest for breakfast. We really enjoy this sausage. You can find the recipe here: Copycat Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage   I used ground beef in the recipe, however, use any meat that you prefer. Chicken works well and is less expensive these days. I hope to put up more sausage in the future for the cold winter months.



I am still growing green onions and celery in the window. These can be dried or used fresh. 

This is the second batch of parsley that I am drying.

I just remove the washed leaves from the stems and place them in a paper towel or napkin lined bowl, toss them around daily until dry. This works well in our dry climate. 

Once dried, I crush the leaves in a baggie. 

There is no need to buy and expensive dehydrator if you have a BBQ grill or a vehicle and the great thing is that the sun powers both of them for free. I noticed yesterday that the BBQ grill was about 170 degrees inside before I turned it on. I was amazed at the temperature because I had it covered. The sun is a powerful tool. We use this wonderful gift from God every day to power our home. I have also used my vehicle as a dehydrator for drying veggies like sweet potatoes. I wouldn't advise using a vehicle as a dehydrator for strong smelling foods. 

Things To Be Happy About:
Moving on
A soft knit hoodie on cool mornings
The Son
The sun
Coming home
Staying home
Sugar
Cumin chicken baking in the Sun Oven
Giant baking potatoes
Refried beans
Being hungry, then full
The feeling of satisfaction
The smell of sagebrush when it is crushed under my feet
Harvest season
A refreshing cool breeze in the summer
The simplicity of a glass of water
Jute twine tied around a package 
The sound of a percolator percolating
The odd sound silence makes


Mrs. Smith



Thursday, May 25, 2023

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

Winter Preps - Stocking Up the Freezer