There will likely be a standard theme all through the winter LWOTH posts and that’s….snow. We obtained snow final evening and earlier final week, though not a lot. We additionally obtained rain, so our driveway and walkways have been cleared (after we shoveled, in fact) and the snow has remained in every single place else on the property. It is so fairly to take a look at.
Certainly one of our bushes was loaded with robins someday. We do not normally see that many directly in January. They have been loving the berries the tree offered. After we noticed them, we realized that we’ve not seen any woodpeckers but this winter. Normally, we’ve fairly a couple of who frequent the numerous useless bushes that encompass our property, together with the fairly massive pileated woodpeckers. They’re beautiful and so enjoyable to observe. I used to be positive I had images from earlier years, however I am unable to discover them so in the event that they go to us this 12 months, I will attempt to get a photograph.
I prepped a few of my meals for each recent consuming and for the freezer. I’ve talked about earlier than, that as a result of we eat fairly otherwise, it is simpler for me if I can have my meals both 15-minute meals made that day or pre-made meals put up within the fridge or freezer. This enables me time to cook dinner Jay’s from scratch every day whereas not spending the total day within the kitchen. My meals prepped have been: black bean burgers, veggie potstickers with entire wheat wrappers (I will strive spelt flour subsequent time simply to see how they’re as nicely), minestrone soup, and hummus. From earlier weeks I’ve veggie lasagna, cut up pea soup, bean enchiladas, and black bean soup within the freezer along with loads of veggies and cooked beans.
I additionally made bread (jalapeno and common) and banana cake. We do not have bread or dessert each week, however final week they sounded good, so I made a decision so as to add them to my to-do checklist. The banana cake we really like greater than banana bread and it is simply as straightforward.
I accomplished our taxes. Woo hoo! That could be a fantastic factor to be executed with! I discussed late final 12 months that I had uncared for to maintain up with bookkeeping, with caring for Ollie, Jay, and the entire different occasions that occurred, so I used to be a bit behind. It was good to have it executed. I needed to sit myself in a chair for one full day and simply end it. I do like to procrastinate duties I am not keen on. Do you?
Jackson remains to be obsessed together with his new mattress. Jay additionally made him a brand new window seat for the window in our closet (he can see just about your complete property behind the home), which has made him extremely completely satisfied. He loves home windows and spying on everybody and all the pieces – he is a really nosy man.
Additionally, for these of you who look ahead to Felix updates (our feral cat good friend), he’s nonetheless coming for meals day-after-day! Once we’ve had a heavy snowfall, he skips a day, however I can all the time depend on him coming that evening or the subsequent day. I feel he has somewhat little bit of a listening to drawback which in all probability contributes to his skittish-ness, however he appears to be doing nicely.
The chickens are laying eggs once more. Their morale has not improved, nonetheless, as they’ve been so disenchanted by the snow. They need to exit and scout for goodies, however they do not need to stroll by means of snow to get there. Sigh….such is life, I inform them.
On the menu for this week:
Me:
Bean Burgers with Salad
Jay (all embody a veg not listed):
Hen Cacciatore
Cream Cheese Spaghetti
Hen Meatballs with Dipping Sauce and Rice
Skillet Pork Chop with Homefries
I’ve vanilla beans coming in order that I could make one other large batch of vanilla extract. Do you make this? I feel the vanilla taste is absolutely excellent. Not that anybody desires to listen to about Christmas 2025, however in the event you would need to make vanilla extract as Christmas presents, you may need to get it began now. I’ve hear that many individuals start utilizing it after it is set for six months however I prefer it greatest after 10 months or extra.
That is life on the homestead. I hope all is nicely with you and wishing you a beautiful week forward!
