The dogs formed a tribunal (and four other things from the homestead)
Hi friend,
It's been a full week on the homestead. The canner barely got a day off, the freezer got dessert, and a plant I nearly killed has moved into my greenhouse uninvited. Here's what's new on the blog.
The Smell That Woke the Dogs: Canning Beef at $3.99 a Pound
Beef roast went on sale, I said "obviously" out loud in the meat aisle, and five quarts of raw-packed beef are now sitting on my towel waiting for winter. My dogs, who sleep through everything, reported to the kitchen and sat in front of the canner like a tribunal. Twelve meal ideas are fighting over five jars. The full process follows NCHFP's tested guidelines.
Quality Control, Live From the Laboratory
With the canner running behind me, I declared it time for quality control and popped open a bottle of tart cherry soda. Two ingredients: tart cherry juice and my ginger bug. Look at that fizz! My ginger bug still doesn't have a name, so if you've got a good one, hit reply or email me at [email protected].
Two-Ingredient Ice Cream, Plus a Plastic Problem I Need Your Help With
Heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, a stand mixer, and a day in the freezer. That's real, scoopable homemade ice cream with no machine. The catch: I'm going plastic-free, and the only thing keeping ice crystals off the top right now is plastic wrap. If you have a plastic-free idea, email me at [email protected]. If yours works, you get a shout-out on the blog.
Future Me Will Thank Me: Unsweetened Apple Cider
My friend Kathi brought apples (thank you, Kathi!), the pressure cooker turned them into deep amber cider, and seven quarts are canned up plain. No sugar, no spice. In January, future me gets to decide what it becomes. Recipe and NCHFP-tested canning steps are in the post.
She Let Herself In: My Nasturtium Gone Wild
I forgot her for a week and planted her out of guilt. She took over the herb garden, squeezed under the greenhouse door, and is blooming across the greenhouse floor in October. Bonus: she's edible, and surprisingly peppery.
That's the week! Thanks for reading, and for being part of this little corner of the internet.
— Granny
📸 real photos