PRESERVING & STORING EGGS

Chickens are easy farm animals to have - provide them a safe space, quality feed, clean their coops weekly & provide fresh water daily. 

Hooterville Homestead Logo

We seem to have an abundance of eggs. Many homesteaders use the water glass storage method for their eggs, some crack an egg in cube trays & freeze (great for baking), other dehydrate (no idea how they do this last method)  I do know that when you dehydrate, you should store in freezer.

Not being a person that likes to "reinvent the wheel" I am sharing a link on tried and true methods. For those that are not aware of the many methods to preserve eggs!

https://www.thepurposefulpantry.com/how-to-preserve-eggs/

 Stock up and get ready for the colder months when eggs are scarce. 

Happy SPRING!

Hooverville Homestead

NEW AL HOMESTEAD - A FIXER UPPER

Welcome Hooterville - https://www.hootervillehomestead.com!  I am back, now that we have a long awaited property, I can concentrate on the homestead living aspect of life and blog.

It has only taken 17 years!! I have waited 17 years to finally move to a farm!  We settled in a new state  - 25+ acres - 2 ponds - 1 large barn (needs work) 

• Chickens purchased - 10 to start
• Planted 25 fruit tries so farm - 10 peach and 5 apple - 10 pear-  more coming... 
• Can't wait to get the garden started! - so many plans in the works.

Husband has his area of the farm, he has his own orchard and various other trees to go along with his 'food plot" - always the hunter! 

My plan is to "pay it forward" - I want to provide a non-profit farm to help the community, with eggs, and various fruits and vegetables.

Stay tuned! 

Meanwhile - some Photos of the homestead

 

Nancy @ Hooterville

THANKSGIVING THANKFUL - GOD - FAMILY - FOOD - FRIENDS - GRATITUDE

 I am thankful!  I have a new Home State - a New Homestead - Renewed Relationships - a New Beginning! Excited for sure! 

I lived for 17 years in Virginia - it was such a horrible experience for me - from getting a very disfunction job with Dept. of Interior - working and living in a hostile environment - Non of this was pleasant, I was depressed, unhappy, miserable - Yet, I remain grateful for that experience, I learned much about myself, became a better person.  I guess I needed to be in that situation to get to where I am now! That is how God works - Grateful, Thankful!

My talented Daughter drew this!

Who else is excited to cook this year for Thanksgiving?

I want to share with y'all  a new "food find" - I rediscovered the best ever flour! Check out my favorite mill - You will not be disappointed!  

https://www.palousebrand.com

Using Palouse Brand I made:  

Whole Wheat Bread

Whole Wheat Blue Berry Coffee Cake

Melt in your Mouth Sugar Cookies

For a quick cookie to make on the holidays or any day actually the "Melt in your Mouth Sugar Cookies". This recipe is so easy! Low on sugar - a very popular cookie - you will eat the crumbs out of the jar. 

Providing you a link to my favorite cookie!

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/10856/melt-in-your-mouth-shortbread/

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FIND FRIENDS AS AN OLDER ADULT WHEN YOU MOVE?

and I add "fit" into an established community/coworkers!   

Speaking from experience, I can say that moving from coast to coast is more difficult for older adults, making friends takes emotional, and sometimes physical effort, as I have aged, making those efforts became harder to pull off.  

It is important to know friends can always be made, just be one!

As I prepare to move away from my home of 14+ years,  I take with me valuable lessons.  I had more than a difficult time "fitting in" when I came to Virginia, this was not the case for the first year I lived in Maryland, my new friendships flourished, I thrived, I was happy.  Moving & living in Virginia brought me to my lowest point of unhappiness ever in my life, I survived, learned and grew.

Lessons I learned on how to find new friends:  

1. Make the First Move.

• Don’t be shy. Take the initiative and introduce yourself to your new neighbors right after you move in.

2. Just Say Yes.

• Say yes to any and all invitations and opportunities in your new city. 

3.  Volunteer in your community. 
     *best thing I did, met many a wonderful gal pal!

• Seek and search out how you can help your community, work in a food bank, find a senior in a nursing home, read to children, become a big sister or brother.

4.  My Tips 

• Don't expect all to fall in line immediately, the 'right' person will show up!
• Join an online group such as "Meetup" - https://www.meetup.com (you will find in App store)  I found some groups that hike and go out for group functions, even have a yoga meet up!

A Nancy Story: 

When I was recovering from my knee surgery, I was advised to take an aqua swim class, my first day in the pool, I was so excited and encouraged, as I was standing at the end of the pool, this older lady came up to me and told me I was in 'her' spot, I look around, and my first thought was "really" Grandma Gangster, this is a public pool! 

Without saying anything, I did move over, the Gangster Grandma Group later that morning did invite me to the hot tub and lunch after our swim, I fielded a few questions from the Gangsters. (lol)   I still see them from time to time.

My Gangster moment at one time would have crushed my feelings and lowered my spirits, but in my dealings with mean co-workers and a hateful community and the unwelcomeness (like I never ever had experienced), I knew now this was not about "me"  or anything I did or not do, it was all about their low self-esteem, short mindedness, rude and inconsiderate behavior.  

Just prepare yourself and know that not everyone is going to like you, don't deter, be yourself, be true to yourself.

HEALTHY, HAPPY THANKSGIVING

There was a time when I would hear "Healthy" I would think "YUCK"

Now I think! WOW, how can I make it taste better, real food, real good and healthy!

I won't compromise on one item at Thanksgiving... and that is Stuffing!!

I can low carb just about anything.... like the following:

1. Cauliflower mashed potatoes
2. Gravy (not made from fat drippings)
3. Desserts
4. Veggie sides

I say buy Fresh - 

Lemony Green Beans

Clean, and take off tips of beans about a pound - Blanche beans and put in an ice bath and drain...

In a saute pan add a tablespoon or more of olive and 1 tablespoon of butter, add a 1/2 tsp of freshly grated garlic.. saute, add the beans, and saute until the beans come soft....  add the juice of 1/2 lemon and 1/2 tsp of zest and sliced almonds, salt, and pepper.

There are so many blogs that cover all the basics of 'Skinny it up" that if anyone wants an idea how to help them skinny it up!  let me know.

BEST EVER POTATO SALAD - CAULIFLOWER STYLE

Are you a fan of potato salad?  Have you given this dish up due to the high carb content? 

This ‘mock’ recipe is absolutely delish!! 

INGREDIENTS

1 pound cauliflower florets, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces

Kosher salt

1/2 cup olive oil mayonnaise, I love Sir Kensington

1 teaspoon yellow mustard

1 ½ teaspoon fresh dill

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup finely chopped dill pickle

1 medium celery stalk, finely chopped

1/4 cup chopped red onions

1 tablespoon pickle juice

6 hard-boiled eggs, sliced

paprika, for garnish

This is AS tasty or Better

INSTRUCTIONS

Place 1 inch of water in a large pot with 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Add the cauliflower and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside in a large bowl.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, dill, pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.

Chop 4 of the eggs and add to the bowl with the cauliflower. Slice the remaining two eggs for topping.

Add pickle, celery, 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper, and red onion. Add the mayo mixture and pickle juice to the cauliflower and toss gently to evenly coat. Garnish with remaining sliced eggs and sprinkle with paprika.

Courtesy of:   https://www.skinnytaste.com/low-carb-potato-salad

HOMEMADE IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2021

I decided to repost this for 2021 - we all know the the cost of goods have skyrocketed, and money being needed for basic necessities - HOME MADE does not have to be expensive, it can be a simple cake, cornbread - anything! 

I so LOVE homemade over store-bought!   It does not have to be overwhelming, cost a ton or anything!   

I start buying certain ingredients in late summer…. So by November, I have what I need for MY DECEMBER Christmas/Hanukkah /Holiday BOX. 

   

I learned that my love language was food …. I love sending food! - to eat as soon as you get the BOX or to make!  

Some of my favorites: 

• Semi-prepared muffins, they can be tailored to any Holiday.  

Homemade: 

• Jar of Jam 
• Sugar Cookies  
• Cheez-it’s 
• Candles

Holiday Gift Box

I also made a book of pictures and stories from holidays past, (I took all those photo holiday cards from my family, put them in a binder, and each year, I pull them out, and add to it….  This would also make a great gift. 

Family is what you what to make of it, make each holiday count, was is precious!