The first thing I did this morning is get the coffee started and then I went out to the garden to see if there was anything worth picking. I came back in with peas, kale and broccoli. In about a week we'll be eating fresh green beans and in a day or two more squash and zucchini. I've even got little green tomatoes!! I then came in and made a pheasant sandwich for hubby to take to work. Pheasant? Yes, I was going to fix a fancy dinner with pheasant and it never was accomplished and I had 2 already thawed out so I decided to put them in the crock pot. I am most certainly not going to waste such a delicacy!! I've made a couple sandwiches from them and I think I'm going to make some broth with the rest. I've got some veggies to throw in with them, and herbs of course. I've been wanting to have some on hand, and don't want to wait until Thanksgiving when I make the turkey broth, so this will work perfectly. There's really nothing like homemade chicken, vegetable or beef broth. There's absolutely nothing to making it. You put in the meat and/or veggies you desire, bring it to a boil, turn it down and let it simmer for 2 or 3 hours; then drain it into jars and seal. Simple as it can be. It is a little messy and somewhat time consuming but the results are exceptional when compared to the store-bought stuff. My tomato soup calls for chicken broth and this will fit the bill perfectly. In the Winter the days get so dreary and when you find yourself with a cold and feeling right terrible and don't feel like cooking anything – and I do mean anything - a can of chicken broth with some astragalus root thrown in is the perfect food to fill your weak stomach and is medicinal as well.
I'm washing all the rugs and shower curtains, and stuff like that today along with a couple loads of clothes to stay caught up because next week when I start the cooking process for the reception I won't be likely to have much time for the normal stuff.
I went out to the herb garden to assess how much weeding I was going to have to do and needless to say, there's always way too much; but what's so amazing is it's getting more difficult and more difficult for the weeds to grow since the herbs are actually starting to take over the weeds!!! Hallelujah!!! And the flowers, oh my!! Calendula is just beginning to start flowering, chamomile is blooming, zinnias are just now budding, and the bee balm buds almost look like little balloons, they are so ready to explode in color – by tomorrow I believe. The golden yarrow is in bloom now along with the wild yarrow. I have already cut some wild yarrow for drying and grinding. I don't know if you realize it or not but yarrow is a wonderful styptic powder which basically means it stops bleeding. It's also a great fever reducer as well. I'll put the fever reducing tea on my Recipe Page and you can make your own. It's also a toning herb and is used as a salve for treating hemorrhoids, varicose veins and bruises. If at all possible, and you have a spot in your garden, plant some wild yarrow. It has a white bloom but be careful because it will spread.
Well, I've talked and talked and talked and I could actually talk some more but my blog is getting long and I know you all have other things to do so I will stop.
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And they all said – “AT LAST!!!!!!”