Last Week On The Homestead: Food Prep, Taxes, Eggs, and Snow!

 

There will be a common theme throughout the winter LWOTH posts and that is....snow.  We received snow last night and earlier last week, although not much.  We also received rain, so our driveway and walkways were cleared (after we shoveled, of course) and the snow has remained everywhere else on the property.  It's so pretty to look at.

One of our trees was loaded with robins one day.  We don't usually see that many at once in January.  They were loving the berries the tree provided.  After we saw them, we realized that we haven't seen any woodpeckers yet this winter.  Usually, we have quite a few who frequent the many dead trees that surround our property, including the quite large pileated woodpeckers.  They are stunning and so fun to watch.  I was sure I had photos from previous years, but I can't find them so if they visit us this year, I'll try to get a photo.

I prepped some of my meals for both fresh eating and for the freezer.  I've mentioned before, that because we eat quite differently, it's easier for me if I can have my meals either 15-minute meals made that day or pre-made meals put up in the refrigerator or freezer.  This allows me time to cook Jay's from scratch each day while not spending the full day in the kitchen.  My meals prepped were: black bean burgers, veggie potstickers with whole wheat wrappers (I'm going to try spelt flour next time just to see how they are as well), minestrone soup, and hummus.  From previous weeks I have veggie lasagna, split pea soup, bean enchiladas, and black bean soup in the freezer in addition to plenty of veggies and cooked beans.

I also made bread (jalapeno and regular) and banana cake.  We don't have bread or dessert every week, but last week they sounded good, so I decided to add them to my to-do list.  The banana cake we actually like more than banana bread and it's just as easy.  

I've had questions about the jalapeno bread.  I use my No-Knead Artisan Loaf recipe and stir in maybe 1/2 cup raw jalapeno slices (I don't measure, I just pour from the bag I store sliced jalapenos in the freezer in) with the flour.  When I'm prepping the dough for baking, I do some stretch and folds (like you do with sourdough) to help the dough keep a shape.  I bake as directed in the recipe.  Leftover bread can be sliced and frozen.

I completed our taxes.  Woo hoo!  That is a wonderful thing to be done with!  I mentioned late last year that I had neglected to keep up with bookkeeping, with caring for Ollie, Jay, and all of the other events that happened, so I was a bit behind.  It was nice to have it done.  I had to sit myself in a chair for one full day and just finish it.  I do love to procrastinate tasks I'm not fond of.  Do you?

Jackson is still obsessed with his new bed.  Jay also made him a new window seat for the window in our closet (he can see pretty much the entire property behind the house), which has made him incredibly happy.  He loves windows and spying on everyone and everything - he's a very nosy guy.  

Also, for those of you who look forward to Felix updates (our feral cat friend), he is still coming for food every day!  When we've had a heavy snowfall, he skips a day, but I can always count on him coming that night or the next day.  I think he has a little bit of a hearing problem which probably contributes to his skittish-ness, but he seems to be doing well. 

The chickens are laying eggs again.  Their morale has not improved, however, as they have been so disappointed by the snow.  They want to go out and scout for goodies, but they don't want to walk through snow to get there.  Sigh....such is life, I tell them.  

On the menu for this week:

Me:

Bean Burgers with Salad

Chow Mein (I use this recipe from Pick Up Limes minus the sweetener)

Lasagna with Salad  (I use this recipe from Cookie & Kate and add more greens)

Jay (all include a veg not listed):

BBQ Pork Ribs with Baked Stuffed Jalapenos

Chicken Cacciatore

Turkey & Dumplings (still using up frozen leftover turkey from Thanksgiving!)

Cream Cheese Spaghetti 

Chicken Meatballs with Dipping Sauce and Rice

Sticky Honey Chicken (trying this recipe from Spend With Pennies) with Rice

Skillet Pork Chop with Homefries

I have vanilla beans coming so that I can make another huge batch of vanilla extract.  Do you make this?  I think the vanilla flavor is really outstanding.  Not that anyone wants to hear about Christmas 2024, but if you would want to make vanilla extract as Christmas gifts, you'll want to get it started now.  I've hear that many people begin using it after it's set for 6 months but I like it best after 10 months or more.

That's life on the homestead.  I hope all is well with you and wishing you a wonderful week ahead!