Today was fridge purging day. It has become a jumbled mess with all the produce coming in out of the garden. There were a few gallons of old milk to go as well. Our chickens LOVE fridge cleaning days! Nothing ever goes to waste here on the homestead either the chickens or pigs get it. We actually have very little to compost.

Late this evening after feeding we started back on the high tunnels. Even though they are not complete we amended the soil in one half to try and get some seeds in the ground. We tilled in compost and some organic cow manure and got the bed raked out and smooth. Tomorrow some seeds go in!  

A Prepper Pantry Meal

Last night I decided to play around with some of our food stores. I never really fix a meal just for me when hubby is gone but this time I thought what the heck. For an add water only meal it wasn't too bad!

I grabbed a box of my grand daughter's mac and cheese, some freeze dried hamburger, freeze dried green onions and some chili powder.

I refreshed the hamburger for about 15 minutes. Then I dumped in in a pot with all the other ingredients I pulled out. Ta Da! 

Pretty tasty! And plenty of leftovers too!

And Yes... More Pepper Preserving

 I had really planned to take the day off from preserving. Hubby is out of town until late evening and it's been cloudy and rainy. I have a couple of books I would like to read without falling asleep mid first page! I did some housework and took care of critters. I picked up a book and read a few pages but the bucket and bags of peppers kept calling. Preserve me...you won't be sorry....I'll be so yummy this winter...  Fine! Fine! So the better part of the afternoon was spent slicing up all the beautiful bell peppers and freezing for fajitas and various other dishes that use them sliced. I have to say the colors were amazing and a beauty to behold.

I placed them on cookie sheets, let freeze and vacuum sealed them like I do my okra. 8 bags stashed in the freezer with a bunch more waiting to be picked.

Then I started on the banana peppers. I picked out the straightest ones, sliced in half and seeded them. (I'll chop the wonky ones for soups and cornbread) Then I stuffed them with a mixture of cream cheese and grated sharp cheddar. They too went on a sheet to freeze and then I stacked them in a container with wax pepper between the layers. They will be a treat this winter to pull out, bake at 350* until hot and bubbly and devour! 

No I wasn't sorry. I love preserving the harvest. maybe I will take tomorrow off though! ;-))

Never Forget

 What a somber day it was. I like everyone else will never forget where I was and what I was doing when the towers were hit. My heart morns every soul lost and is grateful for all the brave men, women and search and rescue dogs for all their sacrifices. I remember weeks afterwards I'd look at the sky, see a plane and feel a knot in my stomach. Let's never forget. God bless America.

On a somewhat brighter note I finally harvested my Greasy Beans. They are an old Appalachia pole bean. Years ago I was gifted a bag of them that had been dried by stringing them up and letting them hang for several weeks and are called leather britches. I found some seeds this spring and have been excited to try yet another way of preserving the harvest. I strung them on dental floss but any type of thin string will work.

How cool is that? So far I have 3 strings done with more beans to harvest. I'll share the end results in a few weeks!

Piles Of Peppers

 The peppers are coming on strong! Hanging full of all kinds and colors. The cowboy candy I made ealier has been a huge hit and today I canned another 12 jars. I'm probably going to have to do one more round to get us through until next year. ;-)

I also froze several more bags of okra cut up and dusted with flour and vacuum sealed.

I am almost beside myself with this counter full of happiness! Now to make room in the pantry.

Plenty Of Peas!

 Yesterday I finally finished shelling the bushels of peas picked on Monday. Today was preserving day. I canned 28 pints of crowders and 4 pints of butter peas. I have more butter peas to pick and get canned sometime this week.

While waiting for them to process I shucked the last of the late corn and got it cut off the cob and cooked up for the freezer.

Another long day in the kitchen but well worth it come the cold winter days!

High Tunnel Getting Closer!

 Happy Labor Day!

And labor we did.. Hubby spent most of the day working on the high tunnels. Friday they poured the footings. Today he dug out the weedy dirt, put in stone, hauled in some better dirt and a load of compost. 

While he worked there I was in the garden for several hours. I picked crowder peas, butter peas, the last of the corn and LOTS of peppers. After tending the animals I sat and shelled peas in between opening gates and doing footwork for him. It was a long day but very happy with what we got accomplished!

Let's Catch Up!

Well the last few weeks have been a blur of activity here on the homestead! The garden has continued to bless us with it's bounty.

 Canning has been a daily activity. Lots and lots of yummy goodness has been tucked into the pantry and freezer. Basil marinara and fig preserves

Basil pesto

More jalapenos, this time seeded and in chunks since they have been so hot!

And our new favorite Cowboy Candy. Jalapenos canned in a syrup for a sweet and spicy treat that is amazing!

Our late corn is coming in as well as the peas. In the freezer they went!

We finally got the custom tarp on the hoop houses. They look much tidier now.

The high tunnels are about to be started. We laid out the corners and skimmed the grass off.

We sold our last 2 Kune Kune sows. I have 3 Large Black Hogs reserved. 1 gilt and 2 barrows that will be ready in a few weeks. Our plan is to cross the gilt with our Kune Kune boar for faster growing piglets. 

Lastly we added this little cutie. A gift for my granddaughter who adores rabbits.