Feeling Accomplished

With everything said and done. I ended up with 49.5 quarts of tomato puree out of 2 bushels. 1 quart jar of dehydrated yellow peppers from about 1/4 bushel. 1.5 quarts of Sweet Hungarian peppers dehydrated from 1/2 bushel and a pint of dehydrated green peppers from 6 average peppers. I was also able to get 6 bags in the freezer of 28oz each of pumpkin puree. That came from 17 pie pumpkins.

Not sure if I'm going to do anything else. But I know for this week I'm done. With yarn projects on the hooks and house cleaning to do. I think its still going to be a busy weekend!

Shared at:

Yart

Oct. 2nd

Today is the day of Pumpkins! I searched Pinterest for new things to share with you this year! There are crafts, recipes and lots more! To see more just click on the picture!

Remember come back everyday this month to see new things to help spice up your October... Plus, there might be a giveaway to two this month!

Yart

Punkin Chunkin Time

Here are a few recipes that I stumbled across that I thought you might be interested in.

Pumpkin Bacon Pasta

Pumpkin and Pancetta Pasta

Pumpkin Pierogies with Pecan Sage Cream Sauce

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds with Sea Salt

Apple Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin Chili

Yart

hmmmm

You know everyone has bugs in the garden. Especially, if your on a farm or have a farm close by. But I live in the city…. There is no farm any where near me.  My noisy neighbor only grows tomatoes. So where did the bugs come from that have eaten most of the leafs off of the bean plants. 

And where the hell did the bug come from that did this damage. I mean really… Do they fly 30 miles to eat my pumpkin vines. I was so looking forward to having my French pumpkins this year. Now I need to find out if I can save them or if I have to rip them all out. Man o man am I pissed right now.  There is a ton of new growth. So I don’t know… Anyone have any suggestions. For those of you that don’t have a clue what I’m talking about here is a great explanation of the Squash Borer Bug.

Yart

Never a Dull Moment

First let me say I did not get pictures. I had my hands full.

It is finally bearable outside. So off I go to water the garden. I figure that even though it was a warm day not super hot my plants needed a drink. Good think I went out there. I water 3 of the beds and go to water the fourth. And to my surprise, yep I yelped.... there was a robin trapped in the netting I put around and over the strawberries. I called for Grim. We were able to get a hold of the bird and he cut out a huge section of the netting. The poor thing once caught twirled itself around, so Grim had to cut the netting string by string as I held it. The whole time praying that I wouldn't break something or accidentally kill it. And of course two of the monsters were right there watching.... No pressure! We were able to completely free it. Once I let it go it was able to fly to the fence... It didn't put any weight on the foot. But that's ok, it can fly... Job well done.... and the netting is gone. It was suppose to keep them out not trap them.

I got my first batch of jars washed out yesterday. I still have a lot more to do. These are the remainder of the first year canning adventures. With each success, I made more and more. Yep, just a little compulsive... LOL! It is bittersweet. I hate to see all the food wasted, but I'm glad that I had it in the first place. We ate quite a bit out of the pantry while Grim was laid up. I have a better idea now what works for us and what doesn't. This year I think will be an easier year. I have the steam juicer. I can't wait to start canning again. Yummm!

Oh, I have some exciting news. Last year I got a warty pumpkin... You know the kind Judy... They are french.... ohhhhh lala. Anyways, while I trying to prepare them, my pyrex blew up in the oven.... So I never even had a chance to try one. But I was smart and saved the seeds. Since I have never saved seeds and used them, these were the Guinea pigs so to say. I planted a handful of seeds in each of the 4 holes. I didn't count as I really didn't think I dried them right (so nothing was going to grow anyways, right?) Wrong, I have 14 plants, I am scared to thin them as they all look so healthy. Remember half-a$$ed gardener here. Mind you they are all in a 4x4 raised bed. I know your shaking your head laughing cause you all know what is going to happen.... right around harvest time these plants are going to eat me... LOL! One day I will tell you about my first garden. It put me on the path to never garden again. I figure my yard is going to be completely over run and I will have 18 thousand pounds of pumpkins..... and seeds galore to dry and give away.

On to other news from the garden. I really do have grapes growing. I have only had the vines for 3 years and have never seen grapes start out itty bitty. They start out like a little cluster of green pods.... tiny though.... then those pods turn into a type of flower again very small. Then the flower fades and there are these very small green round ends.... sorry I have no idea what any of the technical terms might be. There is very little information on line for grapes at this stage. The blueberry plant that I bought this spring has a ton of berries growing. The other two I have had are just growing, no sign of berries, maybe they are late bloomers. Almost forgot I got a fig when I bought the blueberry. It has two little pod things.... I don't know if they are flowers or if they are the fruit. Will keep you updated on this. All of the pear blossoms fell off and died, except for one. Keeping fingers crossed. My apples all look like something attacked them. They have small scratch looking marks on them. Like I said before I am in no way a master gardener.... half the time I wouldn't even consider myself a gardener.... I just get things to grow... sometimes to my own detriment..... Attacking Pumpkins... LOL!

Gotta Run,

Yart

Best layed Plans

I had an awesome post about my pumpkin. I was going to show you what it looked like. What huge seeds were in there needing to be washed and dried to save. Then on to how pretty they looked going into the oven. And that unfortunately is where the story ends...... Wa...wa...wa! 

This is going to be a safety post instead. I have been using pyrex cake pans for years. I have never had a problem with them. Well, I forgot to add some water into the pans with the pumpkin. So I had Grim do it while I washed my hands. He used hot water and one of the pans exploded. There was glass everywhere. Luckily, he was quick enough and got back and I had just walked out of the room. Now I had heard years ago not to put a hot out of the oven pyrex pan on a granite counter top. Because of the temp change could cause this to happen. My pans were only in the oven for about 20 minutes before we added hot water. Trust me it was a lesson learned. Not only did I loose one of my pans but I tossed out my pumpkin cause the glass went everywhere and I didn't want to take the chance of glass shards in the pumpkin puree. Please be careful when using glass in the oven. I was complaisant, it won't happen again.

On a brighter note..... I still have the seeds. They are clean and drying. If everything works out I will have pumpkins galore next year. And Grim said I could go and get another warty pumpkin.... I will probably get a whole lot more.... LOL!  I never use to like squash or a lot of other things either. Then I quit smoking and my tastes changed. Now I love squash and sweet potatoes!!! I can't get enough of them.

I'm looking forward to getting beans and pumpkins in the garden next year!

Gotta Run,

Yart

It's pumpkin time again

Since I have a huge pumpkin that I will be cooking up this weekend. I thought that it was a perfect time to look for some pumpkin recipes.... And boy howdy did I!

These are in no particular order:

Pumpkin Spice Bread

Pumpkin Waffles

Pumpkin Pie-sicles

A whole slew of Pumpkin recipes 

At the Pumpkin Nook there is a ton of foods to drool over but the one that sounds so good to me is the Pumpkin Banana Pancakes.... I don't even like pancakes and I want to try one of these!!!

 Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

(Aunt Janet's) Pumpkin Dump Cake.... What could be easier?

Blueberry Pumpkin Muffins

It's a good thing I found this link last.... It is Delish.com.... All I can say is this ain't your grandma's pumpkin pie site... WoW! Now I'm starving.... Let me leave you with how to cook a Pumpkin - Pumpkin Recipes

Gotta Run,

Yart

Pumpkins

Here are the pumpkins all done and placed outside for their big night!

I won again

I entered myself into a drawing over at The Modern Pagan. I won!!! Not sure which prize I won but WOW! This is my second time winning this month and I'm entered into several other drawings as well!

Grim, wants to get the monsters to carve their pumpkins tonight before the festivities of the weekend begin. We have to be up at Mouthy monsters school for the parking lot parade! The kids in costumes all walk around the parking lot showing off! They have a ton of fun doing it and we have lots of fun checking out the costumes! Mouthy went to school with cat ears. Now this isn't her costume... she will be a fairy with pretty pink, sparkley wings and a wand of pink satin! But since I didn't want these to get ruined before the real deal... She will be a kitten today! The reason I don't trust the good stuff not to get ruined.... I sent her to school in a brand new sweatshirt (pink) and she came home with marker all over it.... front and back!

I have to say that the lentil stew is just as good if not better the second day! I had enough leftover for a couple of lunches and another full meal. I will freeze the rest and see how that works out. Since the monsters will be gone to grama's for a few hours tonight, Grim and I will be having hotdogs and French fries for dinner.... It is quick and I don't have a huge clean up to do. Then we are going out with a blast from the past for a drink.... Gotta love facebook! We used to 100 years ago hang out so her and her DH and me and mine are meeting up tonight!

Tomorrow Band monster has an all day competition. She is going to miss out on Halloween. The other 2 will be going to grama's to spend the night. We are going to the post for a Halloween party. Grim is going as Michael Myers from Halloween and I am going as an English Tavern Wench! I love the ren fest! That is where all of my costumes come from! I need to pull it out so that it isn't wrinkled. I even have a cloak to wear so I don't freeze to death... LOL!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Thursday Afternoon

I have been busy trying to get stuff done. Yesterday I made the weekly bread. Good thing to, cause tonight I want to make grilled cheese and soup. It is still in the 60's after our little bout with Indian Summer yesterday. But the chill is starting to set in the basement as I type. I think I am going to look into getting electric baseboard heaters. Since we live in a town that makes its own electicity it is way cheaper then heating with gas. Once we can get the basement dug out so that it doesn't leak anymore, we will be able to finish it the right way. But until then it gets fricking cold down here.

Tonight after dinner, when I get back from dropping the band monster off, I have a new recipe to try. It is thanks to The Vintage Sage, she posted the Pumpkin Bread with Chocolate Chip recipe. It looks like it is going to be a family favorite! Then hopefully, this weekend I am going to have the monsters help to make a whole slew of items that I found over at Cat In The Moon. She posted 3 yummy recipes that I just am dying (LOL!) to try! Homemade Marshmallows, S'Mores Hot Chocolate With Graham Crackers, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Oh, and before you get to the recipes you get to read a ghost story... It is very fascinating! Considering that it could be true...

I have one slipper done! And I'm half way done with the second one. By tonight I should have my feet in Handmade Slippers! Then I need to adapt the pattern to fit Grim's foot. He had picked out the yarn about a month ago. He has been patient waiting for mine to get done first. Remember the orange and varegated yarn I was telling you about I am going to make a hat. Well, maybe two if I can stretch the 2 skeins. It should work. They will be mirror images. That's if I get to it.

I have been looking on line at different activities for gift giving this year. I know, but we only have a short time for those of us who either procrastinated or didn't have cash until the last minute. I have seen what is being called a recycled Christmas/Yule. Where everything is bought at Salvation Army, Goodwill, yard sales or from a charity (Humane Society). I have already picked up a couple of things. My MIL is done (yard sale find), the monsters have a couple things I've picked up so far (yard sale finds), Grim will get new ( Just because I can't buy his gift used), my mom will get ?, she has enough stuff now, maybe a gift card. With my mom that's not a copout either. There is a Goodwill in another town I might try to take a trip to and see what they have.

Well, I've rambled enough!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Friday

Woo Hoo! No football game tonight. The monsters are just going to grama's for a visit and Grim and I will be heading down to our hometowns monthly walk. They have been trying to increase foot traffic in the city and they came up with this. The town museum is all done up for Halloween. It is fun every year.

Grim and I went to the farm market for the last time yesterday. I got a ton of squash, 100 pounds of potatoes, 50 pounds of onions, 50 pounds of carrots and a bunch of pumpkin's for the monsters. They were only $1.50 per carving pumpkin. Not bad the monsters were a little upset but they each got 2 to carve up so that made up for it. I also got 8 pie pumpkins. Oh, and a ton of green peppers and a hubbard squash made there way into the cart. I processed the green peppers and got 8 quart bags of chopped and sliced peppers for the winter.

I also got started on making the apple pie filling. Only problem was the apples that I got for that are more suited for sauce of some type. I didn't know this when I bought them, went off the recommendation of the salespeople. Not to fear. I cooked down some last night and the rest will go tomorrow. I will be making carmel apple butter. Haven't tried the recipe but it sounds so good. If it is I will post the recipe for everyone.

I will have pictures later to make up for the lack of a post yesterday, later!

Gotta Run,
Yart

Who knew?!?

I have just been obliviously unaware of some of the things that are going on in this country. I think the less I know the better it is for me and my family. I tend to jump on the panic bandwagon. I don't do it on purpose, but I take my job as the responsible adult of 3 kids, helpmate to my DH and barometer for the sheeple of the family, very seriously.

What has me in an uproar this time.... LOL! There is apparently a shortage of canned pumpkin. All over the country the slots on the grocery store shelves are bear. Those who knew of this disaster are freaking out. How will they have pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving?!? Last year, about 1/3 of the pumpkin crops were wiped out due to the weather, hence the shortage this year.

I'm feeling good about this one thou. I have like 10 cans on the shelf and last year I froze 2 gallon size bags of pumpkin (fresh cooked down). I know that we will have pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.

But, this brings me to another thought (as it usually does). What did the weather wreck havoc on this year? I know tomatoes and potatoes were hit with blight. Possibly peppers also were hit. Did grain suffer? What is still available to get and put up. I know I will be doing way more squashes for the freezer this year then I did last year. As they can be made into soup, ravioli, breads, and even made into a sauce. I'm just learning how versatile squash's really are. I will be getting 100 pounds of potatoes to carry us over for the winter. Normally, I get 50 pounds and it gets us to about March. And that's just with them sitting in the pantry. I canned up 22 pounds from my own garden and the second 50 pound bag will be canned also. That way I won't have to spend $2 a pound for potatoes....(hypothetical dollar amount, don't want to freak anyone one out!). I already have lots of tomatoes. And I still have a bushel that will be made into spaghetti sauce. If I have to I will bite the bullet and buy a couple more for sauce.

Two years ago I found out the same way that rice was in short supply and the demand was huge. Everyone was in a panic. I had enough to get us through. But that is what it means to have a well stocked pantry. I know that some try to have any where from a 3 month to a year supply. I really don't know how long we could last on what I have put up.

Gotta Run,
Yart