Puttering and Watching the Gulf~

 

As I sit here typing in the darkness of the kitchen, caused by the rain clouds that were blown in by sudden winds,  I hear the heavy raindrops beating out of sync with the satisfying "pop...POP's!" of the cranberries that I have heating on the stove.  I am making some cranberry juice from cranberries I bought on deep discount last winter and froze, while hubby is intently watching the Weather Channel and the latest breaking news on tropical storm Barry.  Such is life on the gulf coast.

Tropical storms can be devastating, and although they are not predicting Barry to hit our area, it never hurts to keep an eye on the Gulf when storms are a'brewin'.  All in the path of the storm will be in our constant watch, thoughts and prayers.

This past week was a quiet one as my daughter had a four day weekend for the fourth of July holiday.  She didn't make any plans other than r&r-ing to recover from working many days straight the couple of weeks before.  Since she was home, we got to spend some mother daughter time together just hanging out, giggling and girl talking. We also went to a nearby Hispanic grocery store looking for some vanilla.  They didn't have what I was looking for so we decided to stop in at the Indian grocery store since it was on our way home, just to see their offerings.  Just walking in them, with their sights and smells, instantly brought back fond memories.  I left each of them with a mental wish list of herbs, spices and other products (this is one♡) that I can't wait to go back and purchase.  But first, I want to think a bit more and make a proper list before I go back.

the coleus that has self seeded everywhere, lol

I took some cuttings of plants (coleus, pothos ivy, english ivy) that I wanted to propagate in water. Honestly, I have self seeded coleus popping up all over our property but the one I took a cutting of is a white/chartreuse variegated variety that I would love to have more of.  I'm thinking of doing the same with my grape vine (the one that has actually been producing grapes, not the freeloader!).  I have propagated cuttings from our turkey fig tree as well and they have taken off nicely.  What a wonderful way to have more plants without spending money!

I spent a little time mending one of our couch pillows by hand, the project of which had been on my to-do list for quite awhile.  I had not done any hand sewing in a long time and had forgotten what a beautiful type of meditation it could be.  It really was a welcome task that caused me to slow down from my usual flitting and fluttering from one project or job to another.  

In the kitchen, along with all the other necessary meals and snacks, I made up some refreshing cold brewed coffee.  We love having it in our beverage rotation to enjoy on those sweltering, dog days of summer!

And before I go...look what I found out in the garden while trimming branches!  I believe they are creeping cucumber but they look like Lilliputian watermelons!  

The garden is always full of surprises!

I would love to hear how you spent your time this last week!

Have a great week ahead and thanks for stopping by!~TJ

Still Eatin' on the Cheap~ And Other Tales of Tightwadery this Past Week

When it rains, it pours, they say.
I can attest to that! Both literally and figuratively.

We have had some glorious, soil soaking rains this past week that have allowed me a break from having to water the garden on a daily basis.

On the "figurative hand", our gate needs replacing and our television has decided it doesn't want to entertain us anymore.  Replacing the television can wait.  The HOA is not as forgiving, which leaves us even less wiggle room in our budget than normal.

It is during these times that I look for ways to tighten up on spending even more than I usually do.  The first two areas I look to to save money are groceries and the second is "wants".

I've been very vigilant about making my shopping lists and sticking to them.  I usually very easily get distracted and tempted by items when I browse during my shopping trips. So, I've been extra mindful to remain focused on my list while shopping.  I put my "blinders" on, so to speak, make a beeline from item to item on my list, put them in my basket and get the heck out of the store!  NO SIGHTSEEING WHILE SHOPPING!

I've also tightened up on electricity monitoring around the house, making sure that if we aren't using lights or fans etc., they get turned off.  I'm beginning to love the romance of candlelight when the sun goes down!

I had also become lax about dishwasher and laundry loads, running both at times when they weren't at a maximum load.  I am aiming to become more efficient at loading the dishwasher and doing loads only when both are truly full.

Another small thing I have begun doing again is requesting samples that interest me and are useful to me or one of my family members.  This week I received samples of a packet of emergency prepared food from the Wise Company, a Vichy skincare product sample and a sample of Dermablend face makeup.  We are especially excited to try the pasta as we have been thinking of researching options for emergency food supplies.

Of course, there is always the offerings, however small,  that the garden gives.  I've gathered some grapes from our grapevine, some sage and a small bunch of celery that grew from a planting of the rooty stalk of store bought celery.  The celery was an experiment that surprised us with a new bunch!

In the kitchen this past week, along with the usual fare, I decided to dust off my old stovetop waffle maker (there's a similar one here) one morning and whip up a rare treat for breakfast.  It's been so long since we've all had waffles the family was pleasantly surprised!  I love honey on mine, hubby loves maple syrup~opposites attract!

I also made an easy cinnamon roll cake that always hits the spot, day or night, with ingredients I had on hand in the pantry.

Of course, I spent a little time in my studio preparing a new apron pattern for future offerings in my Etsy shop.

All in all, I had a productive, wonderful week doing what I love most, making our house a sweet home!  I hope you all have had a happy week and are looking forward to special moments in the week ahead!

Thanks for stopping by!~ TJ

This Past Week's Doin's~

This past week kept me busy around the house.  I try to stay home as much as possible for many different reasons.  The main one is to be available to care for my hubby, who, as I've mentioned before, is disabled due to a stroke. The secondmost important reason is that, the more often I go out to run errands or grocery shop, the more temptation there is to spend money.  We have several different big ticket items that need to be taken care of so I'm trying to save in every area I can.

I simmered a big ol' pot of chicken broth for 36 hours, using a whole chicken, some carrots, celery, a bit of apple cider vinegar and assorted herbs and spices.  I portioned out and froze the resulting liquid gold and will use the broth in several different recipes.  I purposely don't add onion to my brother so that I can add the Nourishing broth to my dog's food as well.  The resulting cooked and cooled chicken meat was also portioned out and frozen for use in future recipes.

I spent some time working on listing items in my Etsy shop.

I collected some basil and snow pea seeds from plants that I purposely let go to seed this past season.  (I posted a quick video of my basil seed collecting on my TJ's Sweet Home instagram account .)

I also sowed several varieties of seeds in the garden: mina lobata (Spanish flag), snapdagons, salvia, forget-me-nots, zinnia, shasta daisy, dill, cucumber, summer squash, jalapeno, oregano, basil and tomato.  Being what I feel is still very much a novice gardener, I do a lot of experimenting with when and where I sow seeds.  I have not had great success following seed packet instructions always, so I figure, what have I got to lose by "breaking the rules"?  I plan on using up the seeds I have on hand and if I never succeed in growing certain veggies or flowers, I won't be buying those particular ones again.  In the meantime, I am going to vary the times and ways I sow the seeds that I already have.  

A few things that we have enjoyed from the garden's offerings have been: lemon balm (for delicious tea!), kale, green onions and tiny johnny jump ups.

I hope you have had an enjoyable week!

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

Daddy's Favorite Cake~

This is how I made the devil's food cake for my husband (Pawpaw as our grandson calls him) for Father's day weekend.  It's very simple and I like to post the recipes I make so that my children and grandchildren can refer back to this blog in the future for any of their favorite recipes and kitchen tips.  If anyone else reading my little blog gets anything useful out of the things I post, well...that's a bonus.

Daddy's Favorite Cake

you will need:

•1 boxed devil's food cake mix (I used one from Aldi but feel free to use your favorite)

•1/4 cup of real mayonnaise  (again I used an Aldi product, but use your favorite)

Prepare the cake according to the directions on the box, blending in the mayonnaise. 

(tip:  I used cold, strong coffee in place of the water that the directions called for on the box)

Bake according to the directions on the cake mix box. 

When the cake is completely cool, add the cream cheese frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting 

you will need:
•8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature 
•1 stick (8 ounces) butter
•1 pound confectioners sugar, sifted
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Blend the cream cheese and the butter with an electric until well blended and fluffy.  Add the powdered sugar and vanilla.  Combine well with the mixer on low speed.  If frosting is too soft, it may be refrigerated for 10-15 minutes to firm up slightly before using.

If you make this cake, I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

Weekend Puttering~

This past Father's Day weekend was so pleasant!  The weather was nice, as the humidity wasn't very high.  I did some baking, sewing for my Etsy shop, sowed some seeds in the garden, did a little reading and enjoyed the company of my family.

the studio guard cat

I baked some peanut butter cookies using the only recipe that I have used for years, some of which I made into thumbprint cookies, using some strawberry jam that I had in the pantry.

On Father's Day, I made a quick and easy devils food cake with cream cheese frosting, because that is my husband's favorite type of cake.  I did cheat a bit by using a cake mix, but I added my own twist to it to make it a bit...extra, as the kids say nowadays.😃

I hope your Father's day weekend was enjoyable and spent with those you love!

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

Summertime Backyard Sittin'

the view from my patio chair at dusk

This past Saturday, the weather was so delightful, what with it's low humidity and all, I couldn't help but harness up our kitty Galahad, and head out back for some sky gazing.

The soft, warm breezes delicately caressed my face as I cuddled up in the gently descending blanket of dusk.  Galahad lay in the grass nearby, taking in the wonders that the dreams of indoor kitties are made of.  Cicada song, toads chirping and seeing sights that only his keen feline vision could detect in the inky atmosphere. 

And then, after a little while, when the darkness had descended full on, the buzzing began.  Surrounding us.  I tried to be brave, as whatever it was flew from plant to plant.  But then I could take it no more.  I unleashed Galahad and scurried inside, much to his dismay.  I'm OUT!

You see, we have palmetto bugs in these here parts, which for the uninitiated, are basically big ol' roach-y bugs that can be over an inch long.  And can fly (I'm getting heebie jeeebie goosebumps just thinking about the times I have been chased by them).  And they tend to live in palm trees.  There's their condo right there...

It was nice while it lasted.

I hope you had a weekend full of adventure as well!

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

Coming Out of Hibernation, Going into Hibernation~

self seeded Johnny jump ups

It has been a long winter.  Yes, I realize winter is long over and we are now heading into summer.  Some seasons in our lives feel cold and desolate no matter what the temperature is outside.  I am just now feeling the warmth in my heart again to reflect the rising mercury on the thermometer.  Coming out of hibernation.  

My dad went into the hospital a couple of weeks before Christmas last year, due to his ongoing health battle.  In March, shortly before what would have been his birthday, we had to say goodbye.  Being the introvert that I am, it's times like these that I tend to turn inward. To reflect, regroup and recharge.  But time marches on, carrying healing with it.  And life is for the living.  I know he would want nothing but the best for each of us.  And so, since this little online journal of mine brings me joy, journal I must.

self seeded coleus and four o'clocks 

As much as has changed, many things remain the same.  The "dailies" that must be done to keep the family and home well nourished and loved.  And then there's the puttering in the garden, sewing, and the myriad other things I do, just because.  These are the things that have gotten me through the past half year.

And as the temperature rises, I go back into hibernation~ of a different sort.  Yes, as the heat rises and the humidity blankets us, I am hibernating indoors again in the cool of the air conditioning.  I know I've mentioned my aversion to the heat and humidity before so I will try not to bore you with it again, lol.

For now, I will sign off.  I have a few outdoor chores this evening that I have to take care of now that the sun is not high in the sky.  But I'll be back...

As always, thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

"where flowers bloom, so does hope."~ lady bird johnson