Pumpkin Cheese Ball, Using Salt in the Laundry Room, How to Make Christmas Tree Napkins, and Self Sufficient Living are this week's featured posts.
Hello and Welcome!
I cannot believe another week has gone by. With my job working at the organic farm and canning for our own household in the evenings after work, I am amazed at how much I am getting done. I never planned out exactly how I wanted my retirement years to go, but I think not working, after so many years of working was a bit harder on me than I thought it would be! I do believe we feel best when we are accomplishing things important to our heart's desires. Feeding my family (and apparently another family as well) healthy organic food is part of what I hold dear.
Home-canned plums from our own trees!
The jars you see in the sink are plums I canned from our own plum trees! This is exciting only because when we purchased our property last year, the fruit trees had not had any care or maintenance in many years. These jars are quite gratifying! I canned 28 quarts of plums, and will also fill the food dryer, plus there should be enough for a batch or two of jam. Now to have that kind of luck with the apricot tree!
When canning fruit in a sugar syrup I like to wash the jars (and remove the ring) before putting my bounty away in the root cellar. It doesn't take many trickles of syrup before the ants come marching in...
And now let's talk about dinner. Specifically, side dishes that you can serve to make dinner not only delicious but easy on the cook as well. Here are three of our favorites, plus they are all easy to make. Each one has an advantage, they each call for a cooking style that will complement your busy schedule.
Everyone needs this easy Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese recipe. This family favorite will be requested time and time again!
And now, for This Week's Encouraging Hearts & Home Blog Hop!
Join your Encouraging Hearts & Home Co-Hosts each week for encouragement and support for your heart & your home. We hope to provide a space that builds each other up and lends a helping hand along the way. With all the negativity in the world, let's shine a positive light!
And me, Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household.
The post with the most views from last week:
This informational post on using salt in the laundry room.
Use the form below to share your family-friendly posts this week, and please consider these nice things you can do:
- Follow and/or subscribe to your host's blog.
- Visit a few other bloggers and show them your support. We all love getting comments, and who knows what inspiration you may find? Be sure to share the love--that's what a blog hop is all about!
- Check out our Encouraging Hearts & Home Pinterest board where each host pins her 10 favorite posts each week.
- Join us every Thursday!
- If you are interested in co-hosting, contact Linda at Apron Strings & Other Things!
