January 14, 2010 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 2 Comments
I’ve started 2 trays of tomato seeds. Can you see the 2 tiny little sprouts? One in a plum tomato and the other a large tomato called ‘muchamiel’ and these tomatoes have red bottoms and green tops. Last year the only ones that did well, were the cherry tomatoes, of which I will plant more of this year too. I had cherry tomatoes until December! All we needed was a few everyday! Also, I save all the containers our meat comes in from the market and use these to start my seeds in.
January 12, 2010 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 2 Comments
I realized, that I am nearly out of oregano! Yes, I can buy it here; but since I have the seeds, why not just grow it?
It has been just freezing here…literally! The snow is on the ground and even the greenhouse is cold. I have a tray of oregano started in the kitchen under a light along with my tomato seeds. I noticed today that my oregano has started to come up. It’s very exciting!
December 30, 2009 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 3 Comments
Anita and I did some canning over the Christmas holidays. Above is the photo of some meatballs and bolognese sauce I made; 22 jars of one and 17 of another. I also canned chicken, butter beans, & taco soup (with ground beef, hominy etc). It’s funny to say that it’s fun and work at the same time! I even think it’s relaxing/satisfying…go figure! I guess that’s what hobbies are all about! The pressure canner that I use is on the carousel below.
December 29, 2009 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 3 Comments
One of my favorite Christmas gifts from John this year was a new bread pan. With the help of our daughter Jesseka, who purchased it, boxed it up and had it shipped to us, I now have this…
December 15, 2009 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 3 Comments
Please leave your comments.
One of my favorite things to do is can meat. It relaxes me and gives me a sense of satisfaction when I see all the jars lined up on the shelves.
canned turkey
I always know when it’s time to can when I have a shelf of empty jars, so I start making my plans. This week I hope to can about 10 quarts of goulash. I’ve never canned this before but it would be nice to have it on the shelf. My sister-in-law, Vanita sent me spices as couple of months ago and it’s perfect for this. I’m also running low on my Spaghetti Meat Sauce seeing that I only have 2 jars left on the shelf.
The one of the things I would like to can is lamb, which would be excellent for Shepherds pie but I need to find it at a good price first.
Anita (child #5) will be here next Monday and we hope to squeeze some canning in for her too. Nice to travel down with empty jars and take up full jars of food and meats. They are very handy. I can have most every casserole ready in just a few minutes, no thawing of meat, just open the jar and add the already cooked meat to the other ingredients. Easy!
November 26, 2009 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 4 Comments
We scrimped and saved for this meal to share with our friends and it was worth it! Here are some photos below. It was an American Thanksgiving with a few splashes of Spain added.
15 of our best-est Spanish & Brazilian buddies came to the house.
November 8, 2009 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 2 Comments
Day 19:
Today I spent: $0 on groceries
Total spent these last 19 days: 70,35€
Average per day: 3,70€
We called about a turkey at another market and got a better price: 3,95€ kilo! That’s better than the 5,40€ from the poultry store here in Loeches. Anyway, we ordered two 5 kilo birds because those are as big as they have them here.
All we invited are coming and we are so glad to have a shared day with them. I’ve prepared a Power Point with some photos and a mini presentation to project on our living room wall… just to teach them what THANKSGIVING is. As we Americans know, it is a day that we celebrate for very specific reasons.
I hope to post more updates after the 16th of this month.
After church today I opened a jar of my chili with beef that I had canned and we ate that over rice with a salad. For supper it will be more of the same or egg and toast.
November 5, 2009 - Posted by pearsonsprogress - 4 Comments
Day 17
I spent today: 11,50€
1 dozen eggs- 1,50€ (village food cost more and I forgot to bring my eggs!)
2.5 kilos of pork- 10,00€
Total spent for the past 17days: 70,35€
Average per day: 4,13€
NOT great if we are eating all of that food but these are meats that I have canned. Today I canned 39 jars of meat; both ground beef in 3 flavors; taco, southwest and fajita, and pork in taco flavor.
The idea may interest you from the standpoint that if you have canned meats on your shelves, then you have the makings for many “instant” meals. For instance, Seasoned Ground Beef can become:
Sloppy Joes
Spaghetti Sauce, when added to your home-canned sauce
Pizza topping
Casseroles
Instant Soups, when combined with your home-canned vegetables
Tacos
the list can go on and on, just use your imagination.
Won’t it be nice to have canned meat for quick meals right there on your shelf and less time to cooking when guests come or you’re just busy with other things?
I’ve started 2 trays of tomato seeds. Can you see the 2 tiny little sprouts? One in a plum tomato and the other a large tomato called ‘muchamiel’ and these tomatoes have red bottoms and green tops. Last year the only ones that did well, were the cherry tomatoes, of which I will plant more of this year too. I had cherry tomatoes until December! All we needed was a few everyday! Also, I save all the containers our meat comes in from the market and use these to start my seeds in.
Madrid
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