Canning Green Beans: Using Water Bath Method

My personal favorite way to eat beans, fresh with tators and onions.

Do you have green beans growing in your garden? Do you have too many green beans to eat fresh? Why not can them to enjoy this winter. Canning green beans using the water bath method is a great way to preserve them. 

Supplies needed to can green beans using the water bath method:

• Fresh green beans
• Salt, optional
• Quart or pint canning jars
• canning rings and lids
• Stockpot, blue granite cooker or pressure canner
• Dishtowel 

Instructions to can green beans using the water bath method:

1)    No matter your choice of using a large stockpot or pressure cooker, the first thing you need to do, is to head out to your garden and pick the green or yellow beans. For the best results, you will want to can them as fresh as possible.

2)    Wash the green beans before starting the canning process. This is not a hard process, in a clean sink; rinse the beans in cool water.

3)    Snap off the hard end of the green bean, and look to see if there are any bug bites, or damaged parts, which need cut out.

4)    Next, snap your green beans into bite-sized pieces and wash the beans and wash again. They do get dirty as they grow so close to the ground.

5)    Take your large stockpot and fill it with water to heat. Wash the quart or pint jars in hot soapy water, rinse and turn upside down until ready to use. Put your canning lids in a small pan of hot water until needed.

6)    Now stuff the washed green beans into the canning jars packing them tight but leaving plenty of head space. Fill the jars with hot water, put a teaspoon of salt in the green beans and with a wet cloth wipe the lid clean. Remove a lid from the hot water and place on the top, put the ring on and snug tight.

7)    Put the jars of green beans in the boiling water and give them a hot water bath for 3-3 1/2 hours. Cover the pot with a lid to keep the heat in, after it is boiling you can turn down to medium heat.

8)    When your green beans have finished processing, take them out and set them on a dry dishtowel to cool. Make sure you leave plenty of room in-between the jars so the air can flow through them. As they cool, you will hear a ping sound to tell you they are sealed. The ping is a glorious sound to all who do home canning.

9)    Congratulations, you just canned green beans using the water bath method.

The water is a little low in these qts

Tips when canning green beans using the water bath method:

• Make sure you have enough water in the pot to cover the jars. 

• It is old-school to use salt while canning green beans it is an optional step. 

• Be careful while working with boiling water.  

  ***Disclaimer: there are some that say water bath method is unsafe that only pressure canning will do. However I am 62 years old and this is the way my mom did it year after year until I started doing my own. Since my children are grown and do only a few pints to hold us over the winter months, and also I freeze some.

Basic Crepe Recipe: Fill as you Desire

The Basic Crepe

Making a crepe starts with a basic recipe, then you use your creative skills to make the crepe for the meal or dessert you desire. This is a must-try easy recipe.

There is no need to head to IHOP or any other restaurant, making crepes is surprisingly easy to make at home. Crepes are great for a dessert or a meal depending on the filling and toppings used. Fruit crepes topped with powdered sugar or cinnamon sauce topping are great for parties or snacks, where as vegetables and cheese make for a nice lunch or luncheon. Making a crepe starts with a basic recipe, then you use your creative skills to make the crepe for the meal or dessert you desire. This is a must-try easy recipe. 

Ingredients for the Basic Crepe Recipe:

• 4 Large eggs
• 1 1/3-Cups milk
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1-Cup flour
• Salt, pepper and garlic powder

Instructions for making the Basic Crepe Recipe:

 

1. Heat 8-inch or 10-inch skillet and spray with non-stick vegetable spray.
2. Beat eggs slightly, using either whisk or electric mixer.
3. Add remaining ingredients and continue to mix until smooth.
4. Pour 2 or 3 tablespoons into hot 8-inch skillet or ½-cup mix into a 10-inch skillet.
5. Moving and tilting quickly the skillet around to spread evenly.
6. Brown lightly on first side, flip over and brown on other side.

Fruit filled crepes

Tips for making a basic crepe:

• 8-inch skillet had slanted sides with 6-inch baking surface.
• 10-inch skillet had straight sides; adjust the batter to suit your skillets  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mom's Cinnamon Sauce Recipe
 
 

Cinnamon Honey Facial Mask: Things in your kitchen

Look goofy for good skin!

With the cinnamon honey facial mask, you will not break the budget, and you will more than likely already have all the ingredients in your kitchen or pantry. Get great feeling skin with all these natural ingredients.

What you will need for the Cinnamon Honey Facial Mask:

• 1 Tbsp Honey
• ½ Tsp Cinnamon
• ½ Tsp Nutmeg

Alternatively, for larger quantity:

• ¼ Cup Honey
• 2 Tablespoons Nutmeg
• 2 Tablespoon Cinnamon

“Raw honey has long been prized for its healing properties. Used as a mask, it is excellent for cleansing and toning the skin. A cinnamon honey mask is rumored to help acne-prone skin. Raw honey can also be used with sugar as a scrub for glowing skin,” explains Kevin Trudeau
According to Acne Skin Site, “Nutmeg is wonderful when used as a spot treatment for pimples. It reduces inflammation, redness, and acne-causing bacteria. It will dry out the pimples quickly and with no further irritation to the skin. Nutmeg is much safer than using a topical acne treatment that contains ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Cinnamon works to kill acne by drying out the affected area and brings blood and oxygen to the surface to open the pores and unclog the bacteria and excess oil that settle there. A little goes a long way so don’t overdo it on the cinnamon. This face mask will show immediate results by leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth, while appearing noticeably less inflamed and reducing redness”

Steps for the Cinnamon Honey Facial Mask:
 

1) Wash your face simply spread on your face when you have time to relax and not worry about looking goofy.
2) Allow no less than 20-minutes for the mask to be on your face; however, I have let the mask on my face for an hour before taking shower to wash it off.
3) Using a circular motion scrub your face and then rinse the mask off, I find doing this before my shower is the easiest. I scrub looking into the mirror as to see where I need to scrub and then rinse off while in the shower, however, you can do this all while standing at your sink.

If you prefer to make the larger quantity, simply store in a zip lock baggie or an airtight container.

                                    

Kale Chips Recipe

Are you still looking for snacks for your next family get together or maybe your super bowl party? Not everyone likes greasy potato chips; however, do enjoy the crunch they provide. An easy recipe and much healthier alternative is making kale chips.


Ingredients for making kale chips: 

• A bundle of kale 
• Olive oil 
• Garlic powder
• Himalayan salt
• Black pepper 

Instructions to make kale chips: 

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 
2. Wash and thoroughly dry the bundle of kale. 
3. Chop the kale in piece roughly the size of a potato chip throwing away the stems. 
4. Drizzle olive oil over the kale and then rubbed it in. 
5. Sprinkle with garlic powder, Himalayan salt and black pepper. 
6. Place the kale in the oven and bake for 17 minutes. 

There you have it, see how easy it is to make a healthy kale chip.


Chicken and Cauliflower Poppers

                                   

Chicken and Cauliflower Poppers

I love getting recipe ideas from Facebook, family and by watching The Chew. Last week Daphne Oz made Chicken and Cauliflower poppers. I did modify the recipe a touch to fit our family Daphne used fresh parsley where as I have an abundance of oregano from the garden and I like it so much better than parsley. The second substitution was a sweet onion from the garden replacing the scallions she used. Last but not least, instead of grinding chicken I used already ground turkey I had in the freezer.

 

I wanted to make the chicken and cauliflower poppers Friday night for supper without telling my husband what they were as I wanted an honest reaction for the new recipe. Well, it was well received and he almost did not leave me any. 

 

Not frying all the poppers I refrigerated the remaining mixture thinking it would make an easy meal Sunday after church or even Monday evening. The hubby liked the poppers so much; he requested I fry up the rest tonight. With the chicken cauliflower poppers we had Kale chips for a delicious supper.

 

Ingredients to make chicken and cauliflower poppers:

 

• 1 small head cauliflower; cut into florets
• 1 small sweet onion; chopped
• 3 tablespoons oregano; dried
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 pound ground chicken or ground turkey
• salt and black pepper
• oil; for frying

Instructions to make chicken and cauliflower poppers:

 

1.     Using a food processor, combine cauliflower florets, onions, oregano, garlic and soy sauce; puree until a chunky paste forms.  Add the ground chicken or ground turkey, salt and pepper and pulse until the mixture has evenly combined.

2.     Heat enough vegetable oil to cover a medium sauté pan over medium high heat.  Using a tablespoon, scoop the meatballs into the pan being sure not to crowd the pan.  Cook on each side for 4-5 minutes.

3.     Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

 

http://abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/chicken-and-cauliflower-poppers-daphne-oz

We loved the chicken and cauliflower poppers, serve them up for your family, it's even a great super bowl party recipe, they will love them.

                                   

Trash Can Turkey: Moist and Delicious

I had never heard of trash can turkey until 2012 when our son-n-law and daughter heard about it  and then made it for us as the Thanksgiving Day main dish. Oh my it was moist and delicious. I have had it since then, once in the summer months, turkey does not have to be saved just for Thanksgiving. If you like grilling out, you need to try trash can turkey.

 

 Supplies to make a Trash Can Turkey:

o 1 Roll of heavy aluminum foil
o A shovel
o 1 foil covered 2-inch x 2-inch wood post, rebar rod or doll rod
o Bricks; optional
o 1 Big bag of your favorite charcoal
o 1 Turkey; big enough for your family event
o 1 New and never used metal trash can
o Wheelbarrow or bucket for ashes
o 1 Pair of Heavy Gloves

Instructions to make Trash Can Turkey:

1. Even though you are using a new trash can, you never know who has been handling it, use hot water and rinse it out. However, just washing the can is not enough. You have to burn it out several times to get all the galvanized chemicals out so they don't cook into bird!
2.  Bury the post, whichever you choose to use, about 6-inches deep in the ground. Then cover it with foil then cover the ground for about 2-3 feet around your post with foil. 
3. Our son-n-law then added 2 foil-covered bricks beside the post for the turkey to rest on. As an added bonus, he made a ring of bricks to go around the trash can and for the coals to rest in.
   Using another large patch of foil start some charcoal burning down to use to bake the trash can turkey.
4. After the coal have started burning good, place your turkey on the post legs down 
5. Place the trash can down over the turkey, making sure to center the trash can over the turkey.
6.  Shovel the burning coals around the outside of the trash can, pile the hot coals around the entire base and up approximately 1-2 inches over the lip of the can. ***This is where the bricks come in handy; they help keep the coals piled up where needed.
7.   Cover the bottom of the trash can with hot coals. Now just set back and let the turkey bake.
8. Using the heavy gloves grab and lift the trash can. The can will be extremely hot, PLEASE be careful. 
9. Carefully remove the baked turkey with a large fork or other of heavy utensils, serve up and enjoy.

Serving up the Trash Can Turkey

 

I teased our daughter that she was serving us trashy turkey, however, this turkey was not trashy, this trash can turkey was moist and delicious. Trash can turkey would be great for a super bowl party treat.

Coffee Can Bird Feeder: DIY Recycle and Reuse

Red Finch enjoying black oiled Sunflower Seeds

We are staying somewhat sane this frigid winter with drinking hot coffee and by watching and feeding the birds, it only made sense to reuse, recycle, and make a DIY project coffee can birdhouse.

This do it yourself project, is designed around the brand of coffee you drink, and the shape and size of the coffee can. Let your mind go wild and use your imagination. We personally bounce between Folgers Coffee and Maxwell House which ever is on sale. Saving money on coffee is essential; therefore, recycling the coffee can (as well as a old metal coat hanger) with a DIY project makes sense.

One of the Red Finch enjoying the seeds

Assess the shape and contour of the coffee can you have chosen to use, it does not take a blueprint so just start designing. The hardest part is measuring and cutting the holes. You do not want them too small for the bird. Ours is large enough they can get the seeds easily and often even go inside the can to eat.

Recycle and reuse those coffee cans, design and make your own coffee can bird feeder the red finches, sparrows, doves, snow birds and even the squirrel is enjoying feeding time at the farm.

           

Bird Watching 

*****I'm not sure what is going on but I am not being allowed to respond to comments.

Go Fund Me

I had never heard of gofundme.com until this morning when my nephew Todd set up an account to help his ex wife and daughter. In December, Amber was in the backseat of her mom’s car when a drunk driver hit them. This has left them with medical problems and other needs.

Todd is so frustrated living several states away from his daughter. When I asked him for a quote this is what he had to say, “It's hard to get a lot of the facts, Pammy, it is so frustrating right now, I try to help her I can only do so much, and therefore, that is why I set up this Go Fund Me thing. Heck when I even asked her to give me her information so I could add it to the account, so that she can get the money directly; she tells me that she doesn't have time to mess with stuff like that.”

Many people will help with animal rights in every conceivable way are you willing to help a young girl and mother in need? This young girl happens to be my great niece.

Read more about Amber on: http://www.gofundme.com/k9l21s

Frozen Fog and Beautiful Indiana

I woke up this a.m. to a frigid Indiana day and the temperature was -2 degrees. As I do every morning, I checked my email and Facebook postings and saw the neighboring town has school delays.

 I was confused as of why since it was not snowing, therefore I asked. It was due to the frozen fog on trees, weeds, buildings, cars and streets. Frozen fog can make for dangerous traveling conditions, however, made such lovely photographs.

Ice covered chain.

Frozen plants and field.

Icy peppermint plant

Icy Rose of Sharon bush

Frozen bushes

Old barn

3 Red Finch setting in the Walnut Tree

Plastic snowflakes

I hope you agree with  me that on this frigid Indiana day, the frozen fog looks so pretty.


                       

Indiana is in a Frigid State

Brrrr is the feeling here in Northern Indiana. We started January 8^th 2015 with -11 degrees with the promise of reaching 10 degrees, however, at 2:00 p.m. it is still actual temperature of -1 and the wind is 5 mph with gusts of 21 mph making the wind chill far below that.

Today’s Homecare client called off today as the schools were closed, therefore, she assumed too cold for me. I offered to clean tomorrow, however, the forecast is much better; therefore, I am not sure and probably will not know until tomorrow a.m. if I am to work. 

 

I took the opportunity to stay home and be somewhat lazy; I stayed in my pajamas, watched a movie, Television and clean a little. I did not hit the gym even though I could have as the roads are clear and I should have. I really had intended to get on the exercise bike and I still might.

I have barely peaked my nose outside today. I only opened the door enough to let my dog and out and to take a picture of the water bowl as I could not believe my eyes. It is so cold my dogs heated water bowl cannot keep up and it is even somewhat protected from the winds.

Technically winter is only a couple of weeks in, however, many such as me are longing for spring.

For all you readers in warm places the Midwest is jealous as it is frigid in the state of Indiana.

Homemade Fabric Softener: Inexpensive Recipe

Hyacinths would make a great scent for fabric softener.

Everyone knows the prices of the essential things in life just keeps rising, therefore, making your own homemade fabric softener with this inexpensive and easy recipe is a must try.

Vinegar has many good properties and fabric softener is no exception. I know people that use nothing but vinegar, however, I like my clothes to smell and feel a little better.

Ingredients for Homemade Fabric Softener:

• 6 Cups water
• 3 Cups of white vinegar
• 1-15 ounce bottle inexpensive hair conditioner/cream rinse
• Empty bottle

 

Instructions for Homemade Fabric Softener:

1)    Knowing you were going to make your own homemade fabric softener you saved the last bottle from the one you purchased. If not any plastic jug will work.

2)    You can purchase the vinegar and hair conditioner at any store using any brand. The dollar stores or local grocery stores are a great place to purchase them. Our local Martin’s grocery store features V05 products many times very inexpensively.

3)    By using hair conditioner, you can make your fabric softener any scent you prefer. I like the light floral scents.

4)    Vinegar is the same way; no need for the overpriced name brand, the cheap store brand white vinegar will work; when it is on sale simply stock up.

5)    Mix the vinegar, water and hair conditioner in a bottle, shake up and use!

There you have it, another inexpensive recipe. This one is homemade fabric softener, have you tried my homemade laundry soap recipe? 

http://angelgirlpj.blogspot.com/2015/01/homemade-laundry-soap-recipe.html

Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe

Ingredients for homemade laundry soap

Have you joined the ranks of consumers who are tired of paying inflated prices at the stores? Have you ever considered making your own laundry detergent to help save money? 

Using three ingredients, you can make 5-gallons of liquid laundry soap for pennies per load. Why waste your hard-earned money; make your own laundry soap and save money.

Ingredients for Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe:

• 1 bar Fels Naptha Laundry Soap; grated 
• 6 cups water
• 1 ½ cup Arm and Hammer super washing soda
• 1 ½ cup 20 mule team borax
• 5-gallon bucket
• Empty laundry soap bottles/milk jugs
• Mixer; optional 
• Lavender Essential Oil; optional

Instructions for Homemade Laundry Soap Recipe:

1.     Using a large pan, heat 6 cups water, add the Fels Naptha soap and keep simmering until the soap melts. If you need more water, simply add hot water.

2.     While still on low heat, stir in washing soda and Borax, continue stirring while keeping it on the heat and until the powder is dissolved.

3.     Taking the 5-gallon bucket, fill it ½ full with hot water, add the hot soap mixture and stir.

4.     Fill the 5-gallon bucket with cold water to make 5 gallon of homemade laundry soap; mix until well blended. After cooled add a few drops of lavender essential until desired scent is reached.

5.     Let the laundry soap sit for 24 hours. The soap will thicken and look like gel. Using a mixer, (I was blessed to have an electric drill with dough hook from elephant ear making days) stir the bucket full until it is smooth enough to pour into empty jugs.

6.     Use ½ cup for each load of laundry.

Mix or shake up to pour in bottles

There you have it, 5-gallons of easy to make and inexpensive homemade laundry soap. Wow why buy commercial laundry soap when you can save money by making it at home.




Homemade Fabric Softener