Today was a beautiful, cool day – something we’ve not had for a long time! It was the perfect day to spend in the kitchen, and as my husband pointed out, it was the last Saturday until November that we will have free to be home getting work done. Ready or not, soccer season – here we come!
I sent two of the boys outside with the shop-vac and some old rags to clean out the van. Wow, did it ever need it! (Pictures not included. It was too scary and I was too embarrassed busy to snap a shot.) Matt sent the other two boys outside with a bucket with instruction to bring in as many peaches as they could from our tree. We were blessed with a beautiful crop this year! (Amazing, since we’ve had such little rain.)
Matt then spent quite a bit of time slicing the peaches for the freezer. For lunch today, I had peaches, leftover chicken, peaches, and a side of peaches. Best lunch ever!
In the meantime, I was making several rounds of Homemade Peanut Butter. Remember how I said that typically, when I make one batch of peanut butter, I make three or four – just to be efficient? Yup, the food processor got a work-out that’s for sure.
Instead of putting the last round of peanut butter in a jar, I used it to make a double batch of Chewy Granola Bars. These are now individually wrapped and ready to grab to take to games for snacks.
I then made some Corndog Muffins. I often get lazy with these – so they always turn out ugly. Truly, the dog is not supposed to be showing, but there they are, in all their hotdoggy glory. We’ll eat them just the same. But it sure would be nice to have a pretty picture to show you instead of well…this one.
I did not quite finish all the tasks on my Getting Ready for Fall To-Do List. I never got around to the Whole Wheat Graham Crackers or the Whole Wheat Calzones . Why? Because I did everything else on the list and now I’m tired. That’s the simple truth. I just decided to be done. My freezers are full. My jars are re-stocked. My kids’ books and assignments are ready for school. My house is clean (relatively). And several days after we finished organizing it, the Lego Room is still in good shape. It’s a miracle!
Thanks for coming alongside me this week as I worked through my list. School, soccer, gardening/canning season? Bring it on! I’m ready.
Just as soon as I clean the kitchen….
Laura, do you use raw roasted peanuts for your p.butter? Or is just raw okay? Or would that come out too gritty?
I usually use organic, roasted peanuts from Azure Standard. I think if you have raw, you’d want to roast them first, but I’ve never made peanut butter from raw so I can’t say for sure.
Your peaches look great. Do you spray them in the spring? If so, is it an organic spray? I’m having trouble with worms.
No, we don’t spray anything on them and while we do have a few worm issues, usually it’s not too bad. Last year, something nasty got into all of them and we lost our whole crop but this year has been great!
Laura,
How do you store your goodies in the freezer to prevent freezer-burn? I really want to stock my freezer (fall is a really busy time at our house too), but I am afraid of having to throw things away due to freezer-burn….
One more thing…how do you reheat? Do you thaw, or just stick them in the oven (or microwave) frozen? Thank you so much for sharing all this with us!!!!
I use pyrex dishes or ziplock freezer bags. To reheat, I usually put the items into the oven still frozen. For a casserole, I my thaw it on the counter for a few hours, then add a little baking time if it is still frozen in the middle.
I’m working on an ebook right now that will help answer more of these questions specifically! :)
I look forward to it:)
Regarding the peanut butter: do you do anything special other than put it in the jar and twist the lid on? I think it’s supposed to be refrigerated after opening…just wondering how long it stays good in the pantry (indefinitely, I hope?)?? Thanks!
Ooh, and those granola bars look awesome – will definitely be making a batch for the school lunches. :)
Nope, although I do refrigerate it to help it stay fresh and to keep the peanut oil from separating.
What is your process for freezing the peaches. Do you use fruit fresh, sugar syrup or just freeze them straight naked?
Just naked. :)
Here’s a post I wrote about it a long time ago. We don’t take the skins off anymore though. :) https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/freezing-and-canning-peaches-for-winter
Wow, those peaches look good!!!
You have been inspiring me: before school started (today) I made three batches of whole wheat waffles (your recipe) and two batches of breakfast burritos. Both came in handy this morning when we had to get up earlier than last year to get to school.
Hi…silly question. I see your food processor…does it come with the meat grinder and sausage stuffer attachments? Can you buy them to fit your model? What is your model? I’m in the market and need some info from people who ‘use’ them. Thanks so much!!
Here is the link that talks about what food processor Laura uses. https://www.heavenlyhomemakers.com/my-new-kitchen-aid-food-processor-and-a-little-frozen-fruit-drama
She doesn’t have any attachments for it.