September This And That (Half Being Food-Related) :)

"By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. "   ---Hewbrews 11:7

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1.) Oh! Have you heard of Tree Change Dolls? The 'afters' are adorable and unfortunately sold-out for September. (Less expensive ones can be found here. Or get your creative juices flowing and create your own!) 

But to view these cuties, here's a Facebook link, here's the Etsy link and here's how it all began. 

Beautiful, not to mention inspirational.

2.) Here's a video from Homestead Tessie about where you might find free food in your area. Very informative and helpful, especially at this wild time in our Country's history.

3.) At times I've mentioned Eat Right For Your Blood Type and Honey, it's helped keep me feeling wonderful. Well, that is, unless I wander away from its advice like I did on Tuesday when I had, shall we say, a perfect storm of my own making for stomach issues. Er hem.

Anyway, this book was a godsend over a decade ago and as long as I stay away from my personal 'Foods To Avoid'? I'm one Healthy Hannah. (The oldest issue of the book is probably cheapest and just as helpful as later issues.)

4.) My canning jars arrived from Tractor Supply and so I've continued my Homestead Tessie Jar Game and had the best time. Seriously, when you follow Grace, her lead and timing, even preparing for emergencies is a blast. 

5.) One reason Tom and I so enjoy The Rockford Files is that his (scary-looking) mobile home sits in the parking lot of a beach and taco stand and Jim Rockford so often eats tacos, even for breakfast! Oh, the cravings we get for tacos.

So now I often make 'stacked tacos' for lunch and before eating them I quip, "In honor of Jim Rockford." シ

Here's my recipe:

8 corn tortillas

1/2 lb. ground beef

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 tbl. hot peppers (optional)

1 Tbl. taco mix (or to taste)

1/2 can diced chilies

1/4 to 1/2 c. fresh tomatoes

A few olives (optional)

1/4 c. corn

1/4 c. canned tomatoes

3/4 c. shredded cheese

Hot sauce, salsa to taste

Warm the tortillas in just a little oil. Remove to plate, cover. Brown ground beef with onion, peppers, and taco mix. Drain. Add corn, chilies, fresh tomatoes and olives. Stir.

Place canned tomatoes on bottom of baking dish (to keep tortillas from sticking). Make a layer of 3 tortillas (sides touching, not stacked) then spread 1/3 of the gr. beef mixture over them, topping with 1/3 the cheese. Repeat twice more (top layer will have just two tortillas). Top with extra cheese if desired.

Cover. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 (or so) minutes.

As with all my recipes, you can make all sorts of substitutions and just keep going until it looks and tastes right to you. heh.

6.) We've a local NY group called Abandoned 716 which takes photos of--you guessed it--abandoned places. Always wonderful to imagine who walked through the halls or homes of such places. (The photos I'd meant to share aren't 'sticking' here. sigh.)

7.) A few things beginner preppers often forget to store:

a.) Pet food

b.) First aid supplies. Rubbing alcohol, witch hazel, etc.

c.) Make-up (for those who wanna look their best during any disaster.)  ツ

d.) Alternative ways to cook.

e.) Alternative ways to heat and light your home.

f.) Battery-operated radios, clocks, etc.

g.) Candles, votives, tea lights, matches.

8.) Here's a creative video about how to reuse bottles and jars. Here's another and here's one more. Youtube has others; check them out for tons of easy craft and decor ideas! 

9.) Last month while sweeping our patio I was stung by an invisible wasp! Well, I didn't see the bugger anyway. After the initial pain, it mostly itched. For days. But I read that witch hazel helps (it does) and thanks to my previous prepping over the years, I had a bottle of it handy.

Anyway, I survived. Whew.  ツ

10.) I keep hearing (and keep hearing) about impending food shortages. Please do all you can to stock-up so I don't worry about you all, okay?

11.) My candle wicks arrived! As I empty future (used) wax melts into custard cups, I'll place the wick in the bottom. But as for ones already made? I'll use my handy dandy ice pick and run the wick up through the wax. This homemade candle, below, has been burning for 3 days. Smells nice, too! (Another photo not working...)

12.) Oh! And I am so enjoying The Garden Girls Cozy Mystery Series. I'm now on book #6 (thanks to my free trial of Kindle Unlimited) which is perhaps my favorite, though I've enjoyed each! 

(Though ok, I don't recall anyone actually doing any gardening and Gloria's farm mysteriously runs itself which, hey, sounds splendid to me!)  シ

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." ... Matthew 6:14,15