Weekly activity during the quarantine of CoVid-19

This has been a hard time for everyone. I had many projects and have decided that is the perfect to start getting them done.

 You have probably seen this photo before. I have finally gotten my canning caught up. I had several bags of tomatoes in my freezer that I just didn't get to in the fall. I made tomato sauce. I won't need any for a while.

 I have been working this lap afghan for the veterans since November and finally finished this. I will wait November to donate it the veterans home.

 This is a baby afghan I crocheted while listening to a book. I like to have several on hand just in case. Some of them will go the veterans who are active duty.

 This is my stove and we decided it was time to pull it out and give it a good cleaning. It really wasn't that bad.

 I sewed up four burp rags. I have more to sew but ran out of the binding.

 Two bibs were also sewn. Again didn't get them all done because I ran out binding.

The boys were excited when we decided to make homemade ice cream. Yes we could buy it from the store but this taste so much better.

I still have a few more things to finish and will have time to do so. Life is getting a little boring and trying to find things to change it up is a challenge. I know we need to stay home and get through this.
I hope you all are safe and until lnext time enjoy your family and day.

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steaks Recipe

I have another recipe for you today. I got this recipe from The Knead homesteader. She has a you tube channel and she posted this recipe a couple of years ago.

 These are the ingredients you will need for this recipe.

 Sprinkle any type of seasoning you like on your burgers. I am using Weber gourmet Burger seasoning.

 You need to pre cook the patties to seal in the flavors.

 In 4 cups of water you need to dissolve two good size spoonful's of beef base.

 In the slow cooker you will need  to add some onion powder, chives, dried onions and parsley. I don't have any amounts to give you just what you think looks good or to your taste.

 Add the liquid into the pot and mix up the spices.

 You will add another 2 cups of water with 2 packets of brown gravy. I used 6 tablespoons of gravy mix.

 This is what the burgers should look like before you add them to the cooker.

 Putting the patties into the cooker.

 Make sure the patties are covered with the liquid. You cook them on high for 4-5 hours or on low for 8 hours.

This is what it looks like after it is done. It was really good and the family likes it.
I hope you will give this recipe a try.

Cinnamon Crisps Cookie Recipe

This is a new recipe that I have decided to try. I got this recipe form one of cozy mystery books. I am almost positive that it came from the Hannah Swenson series. I can't remember which one though. We have eaten a few and they are delicious. So here is the recipe.

 Here is everything you will need . I did forget to put the eggs in this picture.
2 cups melted butter (4 sticks); 2 cups brown sugar (loosely packed); 1 cup white granulated sugar; 2 beaten eggs ( just whip them up with a fork); 2 teaspoon vanilla; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon cream of tartar (critical!); 1 teaspoon salt; 4 1/4 cup white flour (not sifted);
Dough-ball rolling mixture: 1/2 cup white sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.

Add the sugars together.

 Melt the butter and add to the sugars. Mix well and let the mixture cool to room temperature.

 Beat the eggs and then add them to mixture.

 Add the vanilla, cinnamon, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Mix well.

 Add flour in increments, mixing after each addition.

 Not a very photo but this is what it should look like.

 I transferred to another bowl and put it in the refrig. I had to finish this recipe later in the day.
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Use your hands to roll the dough into walnut-sized balls. (If dough is too sticky, chill for and hour before rolling).

 Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl to make the dough-ball rolling mixture. )Mixing it with a fork works nicely). Roll the dough balls in the mixture.

 Then place them on a greased cookie sheet.  12 to a standard sheet. Flatten the dough balls with a greased or floured spatula. I didn't do this step, but my cookies came out just fine.

 Bake for 10-15 minutes. (They should have a touch of gold around the edges). I had to bake mine for about 19 minutes because I made them a little bigger and didn't flatten out.  Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes, then remove the cookies to a rack to finish cooling.

Here is what they look like. I bag them up for the boys lunches and left some for us to eat. This yields approximately 8 dozen cookies depending on the size of the cookie.

I hope you give this recipe a try. Let me know what you think. If you have a recipe you would like me try just leave me a comment below.
Until next time enjoy your day.

El Paso Bean Recipe

Here is a recipe that I ate a lot of when growing up. I have a very basic recipe and will give it to you. I will tell you what I added and the steps of making this since my recipe doesn't have that information.

 My basic recipe is as follows. 1 pound of dry pinto beans; 1 pound lean ham, 1/2 inch cubes; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon crushed Oregano; 4oz diced salt pork (optional); 1 cup chopped onions;  2 8oz cans tomato sauce; 3 cloves minced garlic; tabasco sauce. Most of the items are shown above. I forgot to bring out the garlic. I didn't have ham so used stew meat instead.

 This is just over 1 pound of stew meat. I  didn't cut it to 1/2 inch but did cut it into bit size pieces.

 Here I am browning the meat until a light pink. It will finish cooking in the broth.

 I also didn't use dry pinto beans. I had some pinto beans that I canned earlier in the year. I used three quarts. I also rinsed them.

I added everything into the pot. I rinsed my cans of tomato sauce and put the water into the pot. I also added 4 cups of water because there wasn't enough liquid. I put in some pork bouillon seasoning. I also added some black pepper. I let it simmer for several hours.
What I like about this recipe is that you can use left over meat and add or subtract what you do or don't like. I didn't have fresh onions so I used dried instead. If you like a tomato taste add less water. I will admit 4 cups of water was a little much but I do like my broth.
I encourage you to give this recipe a try and let me know what you think.

Mini Peanut Butter Tarts Recipe

I am back with yet another recipe. This recipe came from the Paula Deen Magazine that I use to receive in the mail years ago. I don't make this one very often but I have been going through all of my recipes and realized I haven't made this one in awhile so here it is. I hope you enjoy it.

 These are the ingredients you will need. 1 cup butter, softened; 1 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy); 1 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar; 3/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup chopped honey-roasted peanuts.

 In a large bowl, beat butter and peanut butter at medium speed with a mixer until creamy.

 You can do this by hand as I did.

 Add sugars and vanilla; beat until fluffy.

 Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

 In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

 Gradually add to butter mixture, beating just until combined after each addition.

 You will need to chop your peanuts. I used a small processor to do this. It sure made it easier.

 I just did a few quick pulses.

 Stir in the peanuts.

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 (24 cup) mini muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray.

 Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

 Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until centers are set and tops are lightly browned. I baked them for 12 minutes.

 Cool in pans for 10 minutes.

Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks. Store in airtight containers up to 1 week.
I put three into a sandwich bag and stored them in the refrig for the boys lunches. This made a lot.

I hope you give this recipe a try and let me know what you think.
Until next time enjoy your day.