In My Homestead Kitchen January, looking back on December 2025

December was long and short all at the same time. Long because we had two cold snaps where the temperatures dropped below freezing, and stayed there for three days. And short because at the last minute before Christmas I realized I had not gotten everything I had planned to do, done...as we join Sherry for In My Kitchen!

I had noticed early in the month that some of our everyday dishes should be replaced. 

Honestly they had taken on a darkening in color around the edges, and I could only contribute it to microwave use. Now I have used that brand of dishes for years, decades actually and this was new, and the dishes were new as well. Purchased about a year ago. I like so many others have also used a microwave for reheating food, also for decades. But not until buying these pieces, did I ever notice this change in dish color come about. 

With it being jus the two of us, we don't need a lot of dishes. So we settle on four dinner plates, four sandwich/dessert plates and two squatty soup mugs. They will serve us well. 

I have to be honest cold weather can (and does) stop me in my tracks! 

It is one reason I prefer to live in a warm climate. But December is our cold month, here in Texas and honestly we simply got our usual cold snap. But isn't it funny that they seem windier, longer or colder each year...

In recent months I have become a daily walker. Having set a goal of 6000 or more steps each day for myself. This goal easily helps me get in two or more miles, step by step. Some days many more with garden and homestead chores. But I will confess right now, when you look at my walking journal where I list my daily steps, you have no problem seeing the cold snap days! While I did get out and get a few steps in, I fell short of my daily goal on the cold snap days. 

 

I probably need to be more like these edible pod pea plants, they took the cold like a champ! Not a single leaf even drooped, even after two cold snaps! And yes that is a bloom you see in the photo. Having donated all our cold weather gear form Montana and Worming when we moved here, I may actually need to buy a winter jacket...

Both households have scaled back on Christmas baking. It just happened naturally through the years. 

Years ago I would host an annual Christmas cookie exchange baking twelve dozen or more cookies depending on how many friends were coming to the exchange. Fast forward 30 years and it turns out we don't eat that many cookies or that much dessert any more. My husband is a different matter, he has quite a sweet tooth, but his preferred dessert is ice cream. He is in charge of the procurement of said item based upon his whim for the flavor of the week. But I did manage to develop one new cookie recipe that we will be making on repeat because it is the second favor favorite for my hubby, cheesecake...

 

Chocolate Crusted Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars were gone pretty fast. I did make a second pan to take to a shared dinner with the kids, in the name of recipe development and proper critiquing for any successful new recipe. And yes, they will be made again... 

And I shared this recipe for Pork and Bean Bread. 

This recipe has been enjoyed by all of us for decades! My mom made the first loaf about 40 years ago and it was a hit from that first loaf. My only change to the original recipe was to go whole wheat! While adding pureed beans to a dessert recipe is fairly common today, it wasn't 40 years ago. My guess is the Van Camps company was looking for more sales when they developed this loaf, and I have to tell you, it is a good one! I have in years past added more dried fruit and given it a spritz of brandy and served it as fruit cake! 

Introducing Pork and Bean Bread, AKA the Van Camps loaf! This old recipe has never lost it's edge, still delicious, still bakes up moist and a great source of fiber. 

And I had to share my love of Christmas stockings! 

I have made a Christmas stocking for each member of my family. They don't match so they don't look coordinated when hung up after being filled. They are like each of us, different from the other, unique and individual! This one happens to be my grandson's Christmas stocking. And tucked into the toe is the written history of how this stocking came to be, what it was crafted from and that all his family played a part. I won't be there when he has his own home with children, but hopefully this stocking will and he will know it's history while making history of his own. from Stockings From the Heart, for Homestead Sunday #14.

Busy days require easy but delicious food. I have come to realize that will never change!

And this Pork and Beans Braise, a dinner idea! is one I have made a couple of times and decided that I can't be the only busy cook that needs a quick but delicious dinner on the table in 20 minutes. Plus the play on words is fun! Some evening a lighter dinner is all we want. But for those who are really hungry this goes great with a baked potato or bread and butter. 

And that wraps up December and 2025. 

Happy New Year everyone, may 2026 be all that you want and need it to be! And as always, thanks for your visits. 

#wholefoodingredients

#scratchmadefoodforyourfamily

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