In My Homestead Kitchen February, looking back on January 2026.

Happy February one and all! I will start off with this first fact complaint. January was a cold one, this year! Not every day, but often for a week or more at a time. We even got a skiff of snow!  We don't have a lot of cold winter weather routinely in Texas. When it visits, I instantly remember why I moved away from Wyoming! But all that cold weather did help me concentrate on a lot more kitchen activities. Which I am pleased to share, as we join Sherry for In My Kitchen! 

A couple of additional things happened in the cold weather. 

I did not get all of my daily steps in (my goal is 6000+ each day), and my hunger literally exploded! I don't think I have been that hungry ever, before. Not even when I was carrying my babies! I don't own a scale, and it just might be a good thing! Usually there is so much outdoor work to do, I have no trouble getting my steps in. But the garden is at rest, even the chickens are less work. There are still leaves to rake up, and general windy weather clean up. The usual sticks, fallen limbs and a few pieces of dry trash that might blow in. But it seems winter is the idea time to travel if you live in East Texas, and I think I need to start planning for just that. 

Only one kitchen/dish purchase, these shallow soup/salad bowls. 

I love the handled large mugs I shared last month, but I knew we needed something else one night when we wanted to dish up dinner and catch a movie at the same time. We did not have a dish that was spill proof as we enjoyed our dinner. 

And these inspiring cookbooks. 

Just to insure that our meals don't get too boring, plus I am having my hubby bookmark a few recipes that look good to him. The Farm to Table has lots of recipes I hope to try. 

Here is the new kitchen activity we had the pleasure of enjoying this month!

Honey Almond Granola Bites. I loved these so much more than I thought I would! Plus the ingredients are of your own choosing. As written this is a recipe with no refined sugar. Needless to say, I cannot wait to make up another batch...they keep very well in the fridge. 

Honey Stewed Apple Chunks. Two ingredients, organic apples and honey. A bit of time in the slow cooker, and that's it. Done! Prefect any time. 

How about an easy way to Cook Barley in Your Instant Pot (or stovetop model)? Cook, cool and freeze. Barley is one of those fiber types your gut needs. 

For the low histamine folks out there, Traditional Meat Loaf, Low Histamine Style.   For anyone who is till on a reduced histamine eating journey.  

We love a big bowl of Pho. It was time to get this favorite dish perfected at home, come and take a look at Our Favorite Faux Pho! We love to jazz it up with any veggies we have available. Definitely not traditional, but very delicious.  

Mary's Garbanzo Bean Salad, showed up from time to time for Sunday dinner. This is another recipe form my mom, Mary. Sharing her recipes is one of the ways I honor her. I hope you enjoy this simple salad as much as we did. 

What's In Your Crisper Drawer, let's talk green onions. Come and take a look at processing green onions for the freezer to avoid waste. Plus delicious recipes calling for green onions. 

Cauliflower and Potato Soup. Another delicious sipping soup for (yep, you guessed it!) the cold weather. 

Powered Up Honey Almond Granola. This style of granola is my new favorite! More protein, fiber and nutrition. Plus I cannot wait to make another batch of Honey Almond Granola Bites using this granola. 

And that closes out January's new to us, kitchen success! Thanks for dropping by, I appreciate it.

 

#wholefoodingredients

#scratchmadefoodforyourfamily

Thanks for stopping by!

We offer new and delicious recipes as well as DIY ideas for your home, regularly. Feel free to drop us an email request for any question or recipe you may be looking for. In addition, like all our guests, we invite you to come for a visit again and again for new recipes, and my down-home take on frugal ways to keep your home in tip top shape.

Hey you, don’t miss a post! Please consider following Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household. To follow by email, and/or by RSS feed, complete the application located on the right-hand side of the blog. Please Note, some posts may contain affiliate links, thank you for supporting Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household. 

PS, friends, and family who love good food and household ideas might love us too! Tell them about us, and thanks for the referral! 

You may also enjoy, Creative writing From the Heart... stories of life, living, and family. Now, From the Heart Vol II can be found here. 

Scratch Made Food! & DIY Homemade Household proudly shares with these generous link parties featured here.