This Weeks Menu & My "New" Pressure Canner

Look what I got today!!

A 21qt. pressure canner for only $10!!

Yay!!

I'm not sure how old it is but it seems to be in pretty good shape. The gage on top looks like it's bent but after looking online at a few pictures of similar ones, it looks like it's supposed to be like that. If it is bent, we should be able to get a new one for around $12-$15.

We also may have to buy a new gasket for it. But I'm OK with that! Considering I found a 16qt. on e-bay for about $80.

I'll be taking it to my local County Extension office soon so they can check it out for me.

Just by looking at it, it doesn't seem to have any cracks so I'm really crossing my fingers & hoping it's in good shape & ready to use!

I have been wanting one of these for quite a long time.

This will be wonderful to have! Now I can can meats, beans, potatoes, & vegetables!

I'm a little nervous about using this. I have never used one before, only watched.

Luckily, my Mother-in-law has offered to come over & help us the first time we use it.

I would love to hear some hints, tips & suggestions about using a pressure canner!!

Here is this weeks menu:

Tonight we had: Grilled BBQ Chicken with fresh veggies

Tuesday: Enchiladas

Wednesday: Chicken & Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Thursday: Beans

Friday: Homemade Pizza
Saturday: Swiss Mushroom Chicken
Sunday: Crock pot Spaghetti

Seed Starting

Last night we finally started our seeds for our garden!

I should have started them a few weeks ago, but as always, I'm behind!

We planted 50 different tomato plants & some bell peppers & jalapeno peppers.

Looks like I'll be making some salsa this summer!

I'm thinking I may get some herbs started too. Maybe some cilantro & parsley.

I found a great way to make little seed pots instead of buying them. All you need is newspaper, tape, & a soup can!

Take 1 piece of newspaper & cut it into 3 strips. Stack the 3 strips of newspaper together & roll around the soup can.

 Tape the end of the newspaper.

 Fold the excess newspaper over the top of the can & tape.

 

Pull the newspaper off the soup can & you have a little pot!

When you are ready to transplant your seedlings, all you have to do it put the whole thing in the ground.

 

 

We had a little friend visit us while making the pots!

Here they are! All lined up!

 

Grow little seeds, grow!

 

Have you started your seeds yet?

 

 

 

Our New Critters & This Week's Menu

Look what we got!

Aren't they just the cutest things?

Last week we picked up our baby chicks & baby ducks. I was so excited, I couldn't hardly stand it!

We got 5 Khaki Campbell Ducks,

10 Rhoad Island Red Chicks,

10 Black Australorp Chicks,

&

 5 Barred Rock Chicks.

There's no special reason why we picked these breeds, this is just what we like. Although, we did get the ducks because they are well known for their egg production, averaging 300 per year!

I really enjoy watching them in their box. They are so cute when they are eating, sleeping, drinking water, running around...just cute all the time!

I know the "cuteness" won't last long. Soon they will be big beautiful girls giving me lots of eggs!

I never thought I would be so excited about having chickens!

Now onto this week's menu:

Tonight we had Beef Taco Bake (new recipe)

Tuesday: Pancakes, Sausage, & Fruit

Wednesday: Pasta with Peas & Ham

Thursday: Beans

Friday: Bean Burritos

Saturday: Ham with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy

Sunday: Leftover Ham

Hope you have a great week!



Pasta Storage & New Recipe

Have you ever found bugs in your dry pasta?

Yuck!

Source

How nasty is that??

It's a little bug called the grain beetle or the grain weevil.

If you have ever found these in your pasta, more than likely the eggs were in the box when you purchased it at the grocery store.

Let that sink in just for a minute...

OK

Now that you have thought about it & realized that you have probably been eating bugs, & are totally grossed out, how in the world do you get rid of them?

It's really very easy!

As soon as you come home from the store, put the box of pasta in the freezer & leave it there for a couple of days.

That's not hard is it?

Then, take the box out & set it on the counter for about an hour so it can defrost.

After that, just pour into a container with a tight sealing lid.

Some people put a bay leaf in the dry pasta in order to keep out bugs. Which is probably a good idea too.

I just like to kill anything that is in the box already & that way there is no chance of anything hatching out!

Now that you know how to store your pasta, Here is a yummy recipe.

Veggie Ham Medley

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni

1 cup diced fully cooked ham

1 Tbsp. minced fresh basil

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

2 Tbsp. butter

1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables

1/4 cup sour cream

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ham, basil & garlic powder in butter for 5 minutes. Add vegetables & cook until tender. Drain macaroni & add to the skillet. Stir in sour cream & 1/4 cup of the cheese. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; cover & let stand until cheese is melted.

Enjoy!





This week's menu

I have to say...I worry about myself sometimes.

I'm either getting old...Or I'm just plain lazy!

Last week was spring break for the kids & I.

I had planned on getting alot of things done around the house. Things like, cleaning out cabinets, organizing the pantry,& defrosting the freezer, but I didn't get any of that stuff done.

I think I might just blame it on the weather. It rained all week long!! All I wanted to do was lay around & watch a good movie or read a good book.

Now don't get me wrong, I wasn't a slug all day everyday last week. I did some laundry, cooked a few meals, got a haircut, did a little shopping, & took my son to the doctor. But I did sleep in everyday & stayed in my pj's a good part of each day.

I think sometimes we just need days like that. We seem to be on the go all the time. We just need a break from all the crazyness!

Here is our menu for the week:

Tonight we had Ham & veggie melody

Tuesday: Chicken Cordon Bleu

Wednesday: Fend for yourself night

Thursday: Pizza Casserole

Friday: Enchiladas

Saturday: Meatball Subs

Sunday: Maybe Grilled burgers( if it's nice outside)

What are you eating this week?



This week's menu

As I sit here & type this, I can hear heavy rain coming down outside.

I don't really like storms!

All day long our local weather guys have been talking about this "major weather event."

Floods & severe thunderstorms, maybe even tornadoes.

Yuck!

I'm the type of person that will stay up & watch the weather until the "all clear" has been given.

I just want to know that everything is going to be OK while I sleep.

Call me crazy!

It was pretty cloudy off & on all day, but our heaviest rain didn't come until late this evening.

Onto this week's menu!

Tonight we had Taco Salad

No real recipe here, just taco meat, lettuce, tomato, Frito's, shredded cheese, & kidney beans all mixed up together.

Tuesday: Homemade Pizza

Wednesday: Pork Carita's (New Recipe)

Thursday: Beans

Friday: Swiss Mushroom Chicken

Saturday: Mammy Night

Sunday: Veggie Ham Melody

What are you having this week?



Menu

I think the time change & a crazy weekend has got the best of me!

I am so tired tonight!

Tonight I'm just going to quickly post this weeks menu.

Tonight we had Mini Ham Sandwiches

Tuesday: Spaghetti

Wednesday: Tater Tot Casserole

Thursday: Alfredo

Friday: Tilapia

Saturday: Mexican Chicken Lasagna

Sunday: Ahhh! Who knows?? :)

Have a good evening!