Food Favorite

I have discovered this wonderful seasoning!

I watch a woman's videos on YouTube and she always uses this seasoning. At first I thought, eh, what I use is fine, I'm happy with my normal spices. 

Then, I was in the store and getting some spices and saw that it wasn't that expensive, so I'd get some and try it out.

Oh my gracious people!! I don't know why I lived under a rock that didn't include Zatarain's Blackened Seasoning! This stuff is wonderful!

It gives food a spice kick, without a lot of actual "spicyness", while still creating TONS of flavor.

I have used it in soups and stews. I have used it in meat rubs, and meat brines for marinating. Used it in taco meat, in meatloaves (YES! It can make even the BEST meatloaf, better!!), I bet even in hamburgers it would be good. I used it to spice egg salad (yum!) and have used it in potato salad as well. Even added it to gravy. 

Let me tell you, if you haven't tried this seasoning, it is absolutely worth the "go for it!", because it adds wonderful enhancement to things you normally make.

Happy Homemaking!!

Weather Watch

Howdy Homemakers!!

This is a different kind of a post, but relates directly with our homesteading and homemaking. 

The weather. Knowing the weather. Ultimately, being prepared for the weather.

In my neck of the US, the weather can get really frigid, and really precarious, very quickly. Even if our last couple of winters have been what we Wyomingites would consider 'mild', we still have to prepare for these storms. 

We are supposed to have some snow blow in tomorrow and the next day. It isn't that we are supposed to get that much (8" at most 1" at least) snow, but the storms that blow the storms in can cause a ruckus. 

What I have found is that it is much easier to track the weather systems in your area and the areas surrounding your town, and prepare; rather than be caught off guard and not have what you need.

If you have wood stoves, bring in that wood.

If you have medications that are needed, make sure plenty are stocked.

Make sure water is there, if pipes freeze.

Generators, batteries, flash lights, candles for back up light sources. 

Being an organized homemaker goes a long way here as well, as there is no fumbling in the dark. 

Being aware of your weather surroundings, ultimately helps you be able to have all you need, in case you can't get out, or hunkering down becomes the only option.

Today I got errands ran, and last minute things stocked. I will pick up some ground beef and milk and make one last stop at a store to return an item that I ended up not needing. 

Also a great way to motivate you if you haven't picked up dog messes in a while, is to get them cleared before a storm.

I hope little reminders like this help you build a lifetime of good habits to carry into the lives of your children. Preparedness is a great character attribute. 

Happy Homemaking!!

What's For Supper Tonight?

Hello Homemakers!!

Today started out slow, and ended up being my sisters, daughter, niece and I doing some shopping and having lunch together. It was a beautiful thing. I very much enjoyed the sisterly fellowship, and shopping with my daughter. Watching her try on clothes that fit and that she likes herself in. As I said, it was a beautiful thing. 

I wasn't in the mood to make anything fancy for supper, but definitely wanted/needed something filling. It is cold out, all of 22 degrees right now, so I wanted it to be warming too. 

I had 2 quarts of left over chicken soup that we ate a few nights ago. I made it over noodles originally, but didn't save it with noodles in it. 

Since I had them sitting in the fridge, and I was tired, I figured this was a perfect time to reinvent that soup into something for tonight's supper. 

I quickly chopped and whipped up some mashed potatoes (don't forget to skim those impurities!). 

I dumped the 2 quarts of chicken soup in a pot. I added some flour to thicken it like a gravy, and some more spices. Mainly more salt and pepper. 

Then I just boiled up some green beans.

That was it folks. That simple. 

I served the "gravied" soup over the mashed potatoes, with the green beans on the side. 

Nothing fancy, yet very warm and filling. Exactly what I was going for.

I of course added some pepperoncinis and garlic stuffed green peppers to the side of my supper. I love to eat both of those as a compliment to almost anything. 

I hope y'all enjoyed this quick meal. It is truly a no-brainer and something the whole family enjoys.

Happy Homemaking!!

Helpful Homemaker Hint

Howdy Homemakers!!

This here is my next helpful hint!

STEEL WOOL!!

This stuff is fabulous. 

I use it for so many things, but mainly, I love to clean the bathtubs with steel wool. We have those newer tubs, that are the tub and walls all combined. It is a "vinyl/plastic" sort of material.

Anyway, I have used magic erases and wash cloths, every cleaner under the sun...to only partial happiness with the cleanliness of my tubs. 

Here enters, Steel Wool!!

It cleans deep down into the grit of the soap scum, shampoo, grease, and everything else that gets left on a tub and shower surface. It cuts through a water ring where baths are take often, as if it were butter. 

I am telling you what! If you have a hard to clean item in your home, grab some steel wool and elbow grease and get to crackin'!

It has made a world of a difference in my cleaning that is for sure.

Enjoy and....

Happy Homemaking!!

Helpful Homemaker Hint

Howdy homemakers!!! 

Today, I bring you a small, yet wonderful tip.

It is something that I never did/used for a long time. Then I decided when I got new baking sheets, I would give it a whirl, to try and prolong the blackening of my pans.

Have you guessed it??

Parchment paper!! 

This is a handy, simple, fairly cheap (especially with coupons!) little kitchen helper that I have found to be a lovely addition! 

Baking is easier, pans are cleaner, clean up is easier! 

This sounds like an all around win to me.

So, if you haven't ventured into the use of parchment paper, and are still using greases, sprays and lard for your baking needs....I say, Step on out into using parchment paper, and save yourself some hassle!!

Happy Homemaking!!

Helpful Homemaker Hint

Today, I am going to talk about coffee!!

I love coffee. Granted, I didn't start drinking it until a few months after the birth of my second child, I have grown very fond of coffee, and it is a daily drink in our home. 

Now, good coffee can be very expensive. Unless you have the money to spend, or budget well (or have a coupon!) bulk coffee is the best bang for the buck.

The bad part? Bulk coffee sometimes doesn't taste too well. Or the flavor is too strong, or not strong enough.

There is a simple way to fix this, to add flavor and robust to a cup o' joe!

When you fill your filter with coffee, simply add some spices. Here is a short list of some spices that would add depth and flavor to your brew:

Cinnamon (I like sticks, but ground would do fine)
Nutmeg

Allspice

Pumpkin Pie spice

Ginger

Cayenne (YES! Not too much, but a little will add a spicy kick and roasty depth)

Chinese 5-Spice powder

That is a good start! If there is anything you like to add to your coffee grounds, that I didn't mention, I'd love to hear what you have done!

Happy Homemaking!!