Blog Archives - Monica King

Peach Cobbler

11/30/2017

The basic recipe:

6 peaches, peeled and sliced
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine peaches and 1 cup sugar and set aside for 10 minutes. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Pour in milk and stir until smooth. Pour melted butter into a 13x9 baking dish. Pour batter over melted butter, then put the peaches on top. Bake for about 1 hour.

WHAT I DID TODAY:

Melted the butter on very low flame in a well seasoned cast iron skillet, was very careful not to burn it. In a separate bowl I combined the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, salt and milk, stirring until smooth. Dropped that on top of the butter. Then topped with 2 pints of home canned peaches. These were already nice and sweet so instead of using the 1 cup sugar I decided to lightly sprinkle brown sugar over the top of them. The butteriness, not sure if that is a word but sure does apply here, is fantastic. It was not too sweet like this, and when I make it again I will probably add a little cinnamon or possibly vanilla also. Would be very easy to alter to use any fruit.

Project Area #2 - The Loft

11/30/2017

So the loft is were my office currently is along with all my items for sale and lots of stuff in storage. This area is going to be turned into a temporary mini museum to start to show off some of the collections as well as continue to display the gallery items that are for sale. I am starting with the top of the stairs and sorting through every box and drawer. Something needs to be done with the OSB flooring, but for now it will probably just get a coat of paint to protect it.

The UHaul boxes are full of Archaeology Books that are being sorted. I posted many of books on https://www.prehistoriccollector.com/books--publications.html I wanted to keep them all but we need funds to get the museum started. Eventually we will a have library focused on the Southwest and Native American Cultures available for use.

The plastic drawers are full of "smalls" for sale. I just went through 12 out of 54 drawers. These were all prehistoric pottery shards. We have many jewelers that make cabochons or wire wrap these. All these pieces are available at https://www.prehistoriccollector.com/pottery-shards--partials.html I still have many more to list, but they are in another location.

PROJECT AREA #1 - The Stairs

11/30/2017

So, Dan still would like to do a "ma & pa" type private museum that would only be open a few days a week and/or by appointment only. So I have decided to make his dream come true. I am going to attack each project area and make each spot unique and a "must see" and also make it were people want to come back to see what is new. I have tons of ideas floating around in my head. So let us start with PROJECT AREA #1 The Stairs........ It really has had nothing done to it since it was constructed. So it is a blank canvas. It even needs molding. Those that know me are aware I like to jump from project to project so there will be a few projects going on at one time. Stop back by for updates!

I have an idea of what I want to do here..........I just need to go over it with Dan. I don't think he will oppose it. The collections are of antlers and artifacts.........so I would like to tie the two together and paint each rise with a different scene taken from Native American pottery that depicts hunting. The steps would be just stained with matching stained wood molding. The floor needs the concrete crack patched and then will just be painted for now........or perhaps I may have some pieces of something laying around to do this small area that would look cool.

La Gitana Cantina - Arivaca, AZ

11/28/2017

If you ever find your way to the little town of Arivaca in Arizona. The La Gitana Cantina is a must stop. Some very cool artwork on the walls.

Here is a sample of their menu:

Disguising Leftovers - Pork Fried Rice

11/27/2017

Last night for dinner we had Breaded Pork Chops, Sauteed Swiss Chard, and Chicken Flavored Tarragon Rice. So for lunch today the leftovers became Pork Fried Rice. Here is how:

1) Add a little oil to pan. Can be any oil you have or prefer. Today I actually used home rendered pork lard. You are just looking for anything so that the rice doesn't stick to the pan. I actually use a cast iron skillet.

2) Dice up leftover Pork. Add pork and leftover rice to pan and start to fry.

3) In a separate pan cook up some scrambled eggs.

4) Add peas (I used reconstituted freeze dried from my pantry), the scrambled eggs, and a dash of soy sauce to the pork and rice. Stir fry until heating thoroughly. I threw in a little of the leftover swiss chard on this batch.

5) You can add some Chinese Five Spice powder if you like, I did not on this one as there were enough seasonings already on the items from the previous nights dinner. I like to top mine with Sriracha Hot Sauce.

11/21/2017

11/22/2017

Uh the dreaded errand day............but first, back out to the wood pile. Dan asked if I needed any wood cut for my projects and I said "OH YEAH!". I trimmed some trees and moved some wood as he got the saw ready. Some pine was seeping sap and I watched some of the bees taking it away for making propolis to use in sealing their hives of drafts. So as I pulled nails and screws from the recycled 4x4s, Dan cut them into 2 foot sections for my beehive stand legs. Once this was done it was off to town.

I left to make the errand run but forgot I needed to return a swarm call from the night before. On the drive I spoke with the homeowner and it seems this swarm had landed about three days ago and was slowing down on its activity level. She was worried that the bees were ill. I did a palm to forehead smack as I had just removed everything for removals from my truck. Note to self.....leave some emergency equipment in! So I ran to Tractor Supply and bought a veil for $12.99. If you can call it a veil! more like mosquito hat!!! horrible, cheaply made, waste of money, but needed in this emergency so I got it and a roll of duct tape. The homeowners donated a trash can to the cause. I had a screen in the truck so after all the scrambling to get a make shift swarm catch done, the queen and her attendants are now at our place starting on their new home. They were given sugar syrup and the queen was caged. She will get to stay in there a few days until the workers start putting food stores into the comb I gave them and hopefully they will decide it is a nice place to live.

My last note of the day is this awesome yogurt made with 100% pure USA honey..........

11/20/2017

11/22/2017

Pottery Day. We have a Fremont Culture jar in for restoration, today I did the second sand on it while filling water barrels for Dan to haul. Worked on adding a little information to the page of potter, Mary Cain, of Santa Clara Pueblo

Worked on painting a Salado Culture Pinto Polychrome bowl, but I am not 100% happy with it yet.

Went back out to the wood pile...........still not finished out there but plugging away at it a little at a time. Found a cute Banded Gecko. They are so freaking cool looking.

We keep really small pieces of lumber for projects that might require a small chunk. I like storing them in this old washing machine bin. Keeps them contained and water runs right through should it ever rain. I need to find a few more of these.

Enjoyed the sunset tonight. Never get tired of sunset photos.

11/19/2017

11/20/2017

Personal Day...........that means I get to take the day to clean and organize. I was supposed to work on the chicken coop but the skunk we killed there the night before had such a bad odor left behind I elected to start a different project. I really needed to sort our wood "bone yard" for pieces to start the next two projects: Nuc Beehive Stands and Raised Bed Gardens. I went as along as my back held out. Found many small pieces of scrap 4x4s - am in need of 30 two foot sections. Also need 20 2x4s cut to 20". This starts the hive stands, will need many, many more. Wasn't planning on starting the raised beds for the garden until later in the winter but I have so much wood that is not good for much else that it would be nice to get it out of the way so that I can pile better wood in its place. I pulled all the screws and nails I could from the recycled wood that has been donated to the farm from friends and got it all organized. Am ready to start cutting but tomorrow is pottery day.

Another plus in cleaning the pile is - I found dinner! a rattlesnake was coiled under the pile and all parts will be utilized. Wonder if this is where my two kittens went that I am missing? Seriously though.....to prevent this I should have not had the rattlesnake habit to begin with. Getting the wood off the ground will prevent rats, mice, snakes, and termites.

Here are my before and after photos of the "bone yard". Will this inspire you to get out and get organized?

11/8/2017

11/9/2017

Dan has been printing photos that he wants to keep, he is old school, not trusting computers, and has certain ones he wants hard copies of. My computer screen shows nice crisp pics but when sent to my printer they come out much darker. He ends up going through my black ink and asks me to fix the problem. Not being extremely fantastic with this technological stuff, I try a few things, get frustrated, then turn to google. Others seem to have had the same issue. My printer is a Hewlett Packard Color Laser Jet Pro M477 series and most posts about this very same problem say that I need a Firmware update. I do the download, but cannot test to see if the problem is cured as I need to get black toner in town.

I work around the house for a few hours doing odds and ends then make a run to a friends house. They are moving and cannot take everything with them. I have been offered all the pavers and decorative block that I want so I have been making a few trips getting them as well as some other things for the farm. Today's trip I pulled a peach tree that was recently planted, they were worried that it would die while the house was being put back on the market, so I dug it up and put it in a large planter for the winter, it will get put in the orchard come spring. The dogs also were gifted an igloo dog house. While I was out I had to buy gas for the generator and truck - there goes $75!

Before we moved I had found bags of batteries at a local thrift store. One of the employees told me they were from Walmart from when packages broke. The batteries where wrapped with packing tape to not allow the contacts to touch metal and drain so I figured could be a good deal. I bought this entire bag for around $6 then put it into storage and forgot about it for two years. I had been buying batteries in the mean time and when I unpacked this box, my eyes glazed over - DUH! What an idiot! Luckily not all the batteries were bad and I could still salvage them though the packing tape is really stuck on now. In the end I still ended up saving money. A total of 10 D's, 9 9V, 10 AA, and 31 AAA Whew!

Did do some work on Native American Pottery restoration. This Fremont pot is in to be worked on and is now a little over 50% done. Another layer of patching material, fine sanding, then painting is still left to be done. For more information on pottery restoration visit: rarepottery.info/protect/ArticleRestorationEnhancement.htm

Made an early dinner, fed the animals, gathered eggs, grabbed a shower and hit the road. Had to go to Office Max to get the black ink before going to the Southern Arizona Beekeeper's Association Meeting. This presentation was on winter projects and equipment.

Self Sustainable?

11/8/2017

Everyday I think about exactly how self sustainable we are. As I prepare breakfast and plan the days meals I try to figure out how we can better live off the land and our local surroundings versus running to the big stores. So I have decided to figure alternatives to certain products as well as what we need to add to our farm.

This is a list of items we used in one day:

Coffee - Ok......don't touch my coffee! A staple that I will always have to buy as long as it is available. I did go without for a period and know I can if I have to......but I don't want to. :)

Creamer - I don't have access to milk nearby and we don't use a lot of it so I tend to buy powdered creamer. So I was thinking of trying goat milk but haven't gotten around to it yet. Goats can be very versatile for small farms and may be something to think of adding to our menagerie.

Honey - Provided by our farm. See "Beekeeping"

Side Pork - This came from a locally raised pig that a friend butchered and I processed the meat off. At this time my hubby says "no pigs" on our farm.

Flour - A staple no doubt. The Sonoran Desert provides many plants that can be turned into flour however the taste is not what we are used to. If the need arises I know I can provide some sort of flour.

Eggs - Provided by our farm. See "Chickens"

Pure Maple Syrup - We are spoiled. This is the only syrup we use on our french toast, waffles, and pancakes. I can make prickly pear cactus and saguaro syrup as an alternative if needed but nothing beats pure maple syrup.

Bread - Purchased loaf - Need to bake.

Peach Ice Tea - Purchased a box of flavored ice tea bags from a friend at the Arivaca Farmers Market. It was $1.00. I couldn't say no to that. If needed our tea will be made from the different herbs already grown in our garden but I need to buy Mint again as it was attacked and destroyed by our kittens last year then froze and never came back. Mint is one of our favorite ice teas.

Elk Steaks - A friend gave us some elk meat and we had grilled it the previous night and used the leftovers today in a salad.

Cheese - Again no milking cow, no goat, so no cheese. Wanting to purchase goat milk and experiment with cheese making prior to adding goats to farm.

Lettuce - Need to add to garden

Carrots - Need to add to garden

Purple Cabbage - Need to add to garden

Tomatoes - In garden but need to increase amount of plants because the ones we have are not keeping up with our consumption.

Ranch Dressing - Need to make from scratch. Need to research making alternatives.

Pork Chops - Again, from a pig a friend had.

Soda - Can't stop Dan from his soda and I can't say anything unless I stop drinking coffee. ;)

Being self sustainable doesn't stop here though. How did the food get prepared? Did we use propane? What fodder was used for the chickens to provide the eggs? Feeding bees supplements and syrups to keep them healthy costs money....... When it comes down to it, can we ever be self sufficient?

Side Pork

A friend gave us some hens that lay gigantic brown eggs!

San Marzano Heirloom Tomatoes in the garden