I Did A Thing Today

Well, I'm gonna try it. Old timers said it can be done, and they did, so I did too. The purple is coleslaw. Yes, you can, can coleslaw. And the one on the right is sauerkraut. You're welcome. 

You can, can coleslaw.  Old timers have done it for years.
Here is the directions to follow:

Click on the images and zoom in so you can see better
 For the coleslaw, when you get ready to eat it, open the jar and drain the liquid. Then you can add your mayonnaise,  vinaigrette dressing or any dressing you put in yours.

 I want to do a fermented version too. My MaMa Oliver did fermented sauerkraut all the time.  I just have to research it some more on how to do it.
I know that by canning it doesn't have as much probiotics in it, but I like the shelf stable life with canning. I only have so much room in my fridge to ferment some. I have planted about 36 cabbage plants and will need to put them up somehow. 😱😊
This also has apple cider vinegar in it too so that may be a plus.

Learning Alot

When your son passes on life lessons to his daughters, it is a blessing. Daddy told them if they worked hard today, they would get paid. Well, when they got here, Atleigh jumps out of the truck and says, "I want to work hard wiff you Gmaw!" And Caroline said, "Work hard!" 

They were so excited. We had two very tired little girls. Jossie wants to learn, so today's college and preschool homeschool class was Agricultural Science. Yes, they got paid when daddy got home Don't tell me you can't teach little ones anything.

  

When they want to put on their new pajamas in the middle of the day and wash dishes.....you let them.  

Dallas is doing good getting all of his assignments turned in to end the school year with. The school directors will be coming up with a time they will let students come pick up personal items from the school.  Our state is going to slowly start opening back up after May 1st. They will do it in phases. I will still choose to take precautions however. 

Earth Day

Well, yesterday was Earth Day and this is what mine looked like.

I had 25 pepper plants to get in the ground. 

I used a nifty little contraption my dear hubby got me last year. It is a drill auger. You put it on the end of a drill and drill away. It is so fast and convenient.  I used a homemade fertilizer to put in the holes when I planted. It is used coffee grounds, epsom salt and baking soda.

I got them all covered and mulched because it is still getting a little chilly at night here, and we are trying a hay method this year to cut down on hoeing and tilling.

Then I tilled a border around the square so Dallas will know not to weed eat those areas. I like my garden crisp, clean and weed free.  

Then I tilled a space to plant 2 rows of corn first. We plant two at a time to stagger our planting so everything is not coming in all at one time and I am overwhelmed and can not keep up. I fertilized and covered those as well. 

And of course I had to take time out to play with the kitty. She loves being with me when I'm outside.

I think it is all coming around just fine. 

The rest of the parts for my electric fence should be in today and my dear sons are going to finish it for me. 

I came in, and it smelled so good in the house. Dallas had cooked us some lunch. I ate and then took a much needed shower and just crawled in bed and passed out. I was already so sore I couldn't hardly move. I think I slept 2 1/2 hrs. Needless to say, I didn't do anything last night but sit and watch tv. Then went to bed and passed out again. 

It did however rain all evening and then into the night, so I hope my peppers are not water logged. I guess we will see. But at least everything is fertilized and covered. 

If you are considering putting in a garden, check out our Gardening Page by clicking on the subtitle in the header.

Today I got to spend time with my buddies again.  Jossie had some assignments to get done to turn in and a quiz to take. 

We have a little princess who has a hurt arm. She was playing in their trampoline and she hurt it. She kept crying and would scream when they touched it and they knew something was wrong. They took her to have some xrays and she has a little fracture. As young as she is and the little bone thatit's on, it is going to grow back just fine. We just have to keep an eye on her and make sure she doesn't do anything strenuous or rough housing.  She is being a trooper. 

We had a good day today. 

Today's Doings 😊

Why, yes, I think I will have a good breakfast to start my day.

Today I just took it easy because I was so tired from yesterday. My feet and legs hurt so bad last night from processing baked beans all day. I've still got more to do but I'm out of bbq sauce and would rather use it than ketchup. But dear hubby can't get any delivered and doesn't want me to get out unless I have to, I will just pause and find something else to do.

I put my plants out today to help harden them off. I will plant the peppers tomorrow and possibly plant a few rows of corn. We will see how tomorrow goes and how I feel.

A country girl can survive. Home grown and canned green beans, home canned potatoes, home canned pinto beans, corn bread and yes, fried Spam.

This is another way we save money. We will buy something in bulk and repackage it into meals and vacuum seal.

Well, I think I'm done for the night. I'm going to prop my feet up and get caught up on episodes of When Calls The Heart. 

Days Around Here

Days around here look something like this. On the days Jossie has class work to do with her teachers on line, I keep the girls busy. They do school too. We are working on letters, numbers, shapes and colors. We draw and create things. 

Then there is Science class. Bugs, birds, blooms and of course, a little water. 

Then we have some free time and watch a movie and eat popcorn. 

I love naptime cause I get all the snuggles I want.

Lesson for the high schoolers is putting up tposts and cattle panels in garden to get ready to put tomato and pepper plants. We are installing a solar electric fence this year because I can not loose  my garden to deer and racoons this year.

When your mother in law aka: Nanny tells your son if he gets him a rabbit or squirrel, that she will make him dumplings, this is the result. They were yummy rabbit dumplings. That is one less rabbit that want be eating my broccoli and cauliflower.

I love this little visitor when I'm sitting at my bedroom window reading my devotions in the mornings.

All these years of teaching your kids how to cook has paid off. Dallas made us some salmon one night for supper.

I did a thing and I'll do it again. I knew there was something you could do with pineapple cores and the peelings. People in Jamacia boil them down and strain the juice and add tumeric and ginger and a sweetner. Yummy cold or warm.

One morning I made a whole batch of pancakes and froze the rest to have breakfast on hand.

Today was a busy day. 8 hours later and I have 21 quarts of beautiful baked beans. My feet and legs are killing me so I am not doing any thing the rest of the  night except watch some tv.

I hope everyone is doing well. We are almost to the end of our peak time for shelter at home order. Our governor will be slowly opening things back up at the end of the month. Not that I'm gonna flock to town anyway. Cause I don't really like going unless I have to or there is just something I really want to do. 

Canning Dried Beans

On our Canning and Preserving Page, I have a picture tutorial of the way I have always canned dried beans like Pinto Beans. However, sometimes I just can't get them to turn out right all the time. Sometimes the jars evaporate some of the liquid out during processing leaving the top part of the beans in the jar either dry or scorched, or sometimes they get too mooshy. When I open a jar, I always just add a little more water and cook on the stove a little. Now, I have searched and searched for a better and easier way to can them, and let me say, I love this method better. Disclaimer: This is not USDA recommended. I am just a rebel and wanted to expierment. So I will leave this tutorial here in this post and I will add it to our Canning Page so any time you want, you can book mark the link. 

No Soak Method:

Step 1 and Step 2: Wash beans and pick out any debris, rocks, or bad beans. 

Step 3: I get a little vinegar and paper towel ready for wiping jar rims.

Step 4: Wash, dry and sanitize jars and keep warm in a warm oven. 

Step 5: I warm up some water in a big aluminum pot on the stove, and in another pot I will boil my lids and rings. 

Step 6: I prepare my canner with water in the bottom and rack. Check your manufactures directions for how much water to put in your canner. 

Step 7: I get a work station set up with my boiled water, pot with hot lids and rings, jars, bowl of vinegar and a paper towel, wooden spoon and my funnel. 

Step 8: I put one cup of dried beans into each jar. 

Step 9: I pour the hot water from the aluminum pot into each jar about 1" head space from the top. 

Step 10: I take a wooden spoon and stir really good to loosen any debris or bad beans, and get out air bubbles. 

Step 11 and 12: Bad beans and debris floats so you will want to remove them.

Step 13: I will wipe each rim of jar off with the vinegar I have in my little bowl with the napkin. (not pictured, sorry.) Then I will place hot lids and rings onto jars and just screw them on finger tight. Don't torque them too  tight or use alot of elbow grease. 

Step 14: Place jars in canner and put lid securely on the canner. 

Step 15: I process at 10 lbs pressure for 90 minutes.Be sure to check you manual too for lbs pressure for your altitude.  In this photo, my pressure got a little high, so I had to back down my heat some. You have to find your stoves sweet spot some times when canning. 😄😄😄

Step 16: After they have processed, I move the canner off stove to cool and let pressure come down so I can safetly take off lid and take out jars to cool. And you know they are sealed when you hear those "pings". You need to check the lids to make sure they have all sealed too. You can thump the top and if one is not sealed, you will be able to hear the difference. It will sound more hollow. 

To me they look so much better than the way I was doing them. 

They do look different than the other way of processing. I personally love it better. When it is time to have a jar for a meal, I just open the jar and empty into a pot on the stove and cook for a few more minutes. Wholah!!!!

Homeschool Lessons

Preschool Homeschool today. Agriculture,  Art, Letters,  Numbers, Shapes and Colors. And lots of Reading.
Mommy had lessons to do and is almost done with in of her classes for the semester.

What Happened After Easter?

Well, it didn't end there, that's for sure.


After Jesus rose from the grave he spent the next 40 days appearing to several people,  followers,  and his disciples. He had to because people were still in shock and disbelief. Even Ole' Doubting Thomas. He had to remind them again of what the scriptures said that all that happened was what was suppose to happen and was still going to happen. He reminded them what they were suppose to do and that was go and spread the gospel.  The next thing that happens is Christ's Ascension.  This is something I'm going to study next. It's called Ascension Thursday and Ascension Sunday which is 40 To 43 days after Easter. Than 10 days after that is the Day of Pentecost when Jesus sends the Holy Spirit. You can read about these accounts in the Last chapter of Luke and the last chapter of John and starting the first chapter in Acts.


Here is a link describing the Ascension and some further study.

https://www.learnreligions.com/ascension-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-542462

Early Sunday morning, several women (Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Salome, and Mary the mother of James) went to the tomb and discovered that the large stone covering the entrance had been rolled away. An angel announced:

"Don't be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen." (Matthew 28:5-6, NLT)

On the day of his resurrection, Jesus Christ made at least five appearances. Mark's Gospel says the first person to see him was Mary Magdalene. Jesus also appeared to Peter, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and later that day to all of the disciples except Thomas, while they were gathered in a house for prayer.

The eyewitness accounts in the Gospels provide what Christians believe to be undeniable evidence that the resurrection of Jesus Christ did indeed happen. Two millennia after his death, followers of Christ still flock to Jerusalem to see the empty tomb.

Sunday's events are recorded in Matthew 28:1-13, Mark 16:1-14, Luke 24:1-49, and John 20:1-23.

Up from the grave he arose, with a mighty triumph ore' his foes,

He arose the victor from the dark domain and he lives forever with the saints to reighn....

He arose, He arose, Hallelujah Christ  Arose!

Easter 2020

On this day in Holy Week, it is called Preperation Day. Today a man from Arimethia named Joseph came to Jerusalem to ask Pilate for Jesus body so he could properly take care of the body but Jewish custom. Now the thing is, this man was a member of the Sanhedrin  court,  the very court that plotted Jesus death and his trial. However, Joseph was a secret follower of Jesus and was afraid to come forth in  regards that he would be punished. Another man named Nicodemus came to help with preparing Jesus body. Nicodemus was also a member of the Sanhedrin court. However, he was also converted and Jesus explained to him earlier what being Born Again meant. 

Pilate gave the authority to give these men Jesus body. They brought many spices and oils to wrap Jesus body in. Myrrh is one the spices which has significant meaning as one of the gifts that the Wise Men brought Jesus after he was born. 

After preparing his body, Joseph rolled a stone in front of the entrance to close it. Later, a guard went to Pilate and reminded him what Jesus had said about rising again in three days, so Pilate orders guards to stand at the tomb.

Today we had the graveside service for dear hubby's nephew. I did not take any pics because I was recording the service for some elderly relatives who didn't  get to go. 

I'm so glad dear hubby got to come home for funeral and he got to see his girls hunt Easter eggs this evening.  We chose to do it this evening for one the weather is suppose to get really bad here tomorrow with 100 %   chance of tornadoes and severe weather.  Also, dear hubby has to leave back out to go back to work. We kept it to a minimum of just 7 people.  We were outside so we are fine. 

I wonder when all this is over if we are going to be just as careful, conscious and lenient about germs and hygiene this fall when flu season hits.