With the warmer weather this week I was able to get some pictures of some of the feathered animals on our little farm. The peafowl are doing really well. The oldest peacock has a lovely full set of feathers, but he never shows off when I have the camera handy.
This is one of the younger peacocks.
One of the peahens
The quail like to nest in the corners.
They are always eager for a chance at a treat though.
The turkeys happily pose every time I have the camera in my hand.
All of these feathered animals have become more like pets. It amazes me to see how they get used to not only me but the cats and Toby. They have such individual personalities as well.
I don’t know about everyone else, but we are still juggling bits of this and that from the holidays when it comes to food. I have extra apples and oranges — I see the possibility of making apple sauce and drying slices of orange for tea. I cooked a ham, and I’ll be freezing part of that. There’s candy, cookies, extras in the freezer....our larders are full!
My daughter went to Walmart today to get her groceries, and I went along with her. I didn’t really need much and actually walked out spending less than $23.
That’s it! My big shopping trip. A little bottle of vinegar, some salad dressing, some yogurt, some milk, and some stevia. (Not to worry though — I promise we have plenty on hand to eat!)
I don’t know why I didn’t photograph it, or if the photo simply didn’t “take”, but Carol (previously of CT on a Budget now on Facebook for those of you missing her blog like I was) has been encouraging us to make sure we don’t let any leftovers go to waste. Always a good frugal practice!!!!
After all the holiday indulgences we were craving some simple food and I made a pot of beef stew. Of course we had leftovers. I decided to turn the leftovers into a pot pie, which is missing from my saved photos. Since I was going to dirty the food processor anyway to make pie dough and have the oven going, I thought I may as well have it all do double duty. I made enough dough for three pie shells — double for the pot pie and single for this peach pie. I cooked the pot pie at the lower temperature that the peach pie calls for (only about 50 degrees lower than I would normally cook the pot pie anyway) and just increased the time.
I used not only the beef stew, but all the ingredients came from items I already had on hand including using canned peaches for the pie. I reduced the sugar content and made both dishes gluten free. The bonus, my husband absolutely loves peach pie, and he was a happy camper!
Here we have the Jewish (?) Police attacking the youth
The residents of the community of Amichai, which was built to house those evacuated from Amona last year, stated in a letter to Arutz Sheva that they refuse to vacate the structures they erected in the area of the settlement of Amona and submit to an ultimatum that the State Prosecutor's Office presented them two days ago.
The State Attorney's Office informed several of the evacuees that if the buildings were not dismantled within 48 hours, they would be confiscated. This is despite the fact that the land was legally bought.
The residents bought the land for several million shekels, and the deal was approved by the Civil Administration, but also requires the approval of the political echelon, including the prime minister and defense minister. Both titles are currently held by Prime Minister Netanyahu, who does not intend to act on the matter.
CORRUPTED SUPREME COURT OF ISRAEL:
Last week, Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit condemned the construction of the buildings and the mass immigration to Amona [. . .]
'Netanyahu's election campaign starts with evacuation of Jews'
National Union party attacks PM over evacuation in Amona. Smotrich: I hope Bennett and Shaked will condemn Netanyahu. (Poll reveals Smotrich preferred candidate to lead)
The evacuation of Amona taking place at this hour.
"Apparently the prime minister's election campaign begins with the evacuation of Jews from their land," the party noted sarcastically and emphasized, "The houses in Amona were purchased legally."
"The prime minister could solve the bureaucratic problems with a wave of his hand and strengthen the settlements. Instead he preferred to continue the tradition that he allotted his entire term and dismantle Jewish settlements,”arutzsheva
In my estimation, this is a tremendous move. Caroline is a strong supporter of a secure and FULL STATE OF ISRAEL.
These two powerful women will, hopefully, keep Bennett ‘on target’ with the Conservative agenda.
Pros and Cons of the US pullout from Syria
President Donald Trump’s sudden announcement Wednesday that he is removing U.S. forces from Syria shocked many. But it shouldn’t have come as a surprise, because the move is consistent with key aspects of Trump’s military and foreign policy.
Trump promised to bring the 2,000 U.S. Special Forces home from Syria in April. When his announcement sparked opposition from the Pentagon and from key allies, Trump said that he would give the Pentagon six months to complete its mission to defeat so-called “Islamic State” (ISIS) forces in Syria.
Seven months later, he announced the troops will be coming home.
Trump’s decision will have negative consequences. But it will also have positive consequences. Only time will tell if the positive implications of the move will outweigh the negative ones. But it is important to set out both to consider the wisdom of his decision. [. . .]
Good News
One of the consequences of the U.S. pullout from Syria is that Trump will finally abandon Obama’s pro-Iranian policy in Syria. True, he isn’t replacing it with an anti-Iranian policy in Syria. But all the same, by abandoning a pro-Iranian policy in Syria, the move will lend some coherence to the U.S.’s overall strategy for countering Iran’s growing power and influence in the region and worldwide.
Over the last few days I have posted the recipes and frugal living ideas that really struck a cord with you, my Dear Readers, today I am posting the recipes that I found the most delicious and ones I have made numerous times over the year.
For me, a recipe must be quite simple, be totally delicious and mustn't cost a small fortune, I believe the following recipes fits the bill perfectly.
I especially love the Tuscan Meatballs as it does make a huge quantity, is easy to make, is economical and great when the whole tribe is at home or a wonderful, cook once and eat at least twice or even thrice kind of recipe.
These recipes are in no particular order, just typed up as I remembered them, here goes-
And that's a wrap, now you know my fav's and I also know what recipes really floated your boat last year. Here's to another year of great, tasty, easy recipes that won't break the bank.
For January the weather in my part of the south is very warm. The high yesterday was close to 80 degrees. It feels very strange, but I am not complaining. I love warm weather. Warm weather means that I can get out in the yard. I realize I can go out when it is cold, but I do not like go out there if I have to bundle up in layers.
I took advantage of the warm weather to get out in the garden. The only thing from my fall garden that the chickens did not get into was the cabbage which are growing nicely.
I weeded some of the herbs and did some maintenance on them.
Catnip with the cage to protect it from the cats
Pineapple Sage
Lemon balm, thyme, and rosemary
Bell pepper
Poblano Peppers
Yellow Pear Tomato Blossoms
Tiny garden pea shoots - Garden peas are a winter crop here.
Tomato seedlings - These came up voluntarily when I prepped the bed to plant the garden peas. I only wish I could remember what variety I had planted there.
The January garden does always look so green and lush. I am sure cold weather will move in soon and the fun will be over. I am just enjoying it while I can.
