1Tess_W
Hello, my name is Tess. I’m once retired, but now a working part-time history professor. In my spare time I read, grow food, and can food. I also love on my children (2 boys ages 45 & 46) and 7 grandchildren (ages 7-25). Besides homesteading I like to READ and travel! I read historical fiction, history, and the classics 80% of the time. I am not that creative, hence no categories. I also can not function within any reading parameters, so I don’t’ create my own CATS. For the 2025 challenge, I will just keep a record of my reads by month and one of my favorite recipes for that month. I will participate in Cats/Kits when what I’m reading for the month fits!
My reading year is December 25 through December 24th--so I can start reading new Christmas books right away!
Number of books on TBR on Dec. 25, 2024:399
P.S. Some of the pics are mine, some are not--I usually don't take pics of my food! However, ALL of the recipes are mine, tried and true for many years.
Hosting Duties:
January Nature Kit Sheep and Shepherding
January RTT Look to the Heavens
March Cover Cat farm animals
March SciFi/Fantasy Kit Magical realism
April Scaredy Kit Arachnids, Insects, & Reptilia
September Random Kit
October Scaredy Kit Gothic
November Mystery Kit Psychological mysteries/thrillers
December Color Cat purple
2Tess_W
January 2025
Best Ever Yeast Dinner Rolls
Ingredients:
2 pkg. dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
2 eggs
8 cups flour
Procedure:
Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water in small bowl. Add 1 TBSP. sugar; set aside. Mix shortening and sugar until blended. Add salt, eggs, and 2 cups milk; beat. Begin adding flour, 2 cups at a time. Midway through, add yeast mixture. Then continue adding flour. Dough will be sticky to the touch.
Cover and let rise for 1 1/2 hours. Punch down. Make into rolls using flour hands. Set aside and let rise again until doubled in bulk. Bake at 400 for about 10 minutes.
Yield: 4-5 dozen
Degree of Difficulty: Difficult
Oven Temperature: 400°F
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Inactive Time: 3 hours
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Books Read
1.
Best Ever Yeast Dinner Rolls
Ingredients:
2 pkg. dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 cups milk
2 eggs
8 cups flour
Procedure:
Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water in small bowl. Add 1 TBSP. sugar; set aside. Mix shortening and sugar until blended. Add salt, eggs, and 2 cups milk; beat. Begin adding flour, 2 cups at a time. Midway through, add yeast mixture. Then continue adding flour. Dough will be sticky to the touch.
Cover and let rise for 1 1/2 hours. Punch down. Make into rolls using flour hands. Set aside and let rise again until doubled in bulk. Bake at 400 for about 10 minutes.
Yield: 4-5 dozen
Degree of Difficulty: Difficult
Oven Temperature: 400°F
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Inactive Time: 3 hours
Books Read
1.
3Tess_W
February 2025
Raspberry Muffins (can use blueberries, blackberries, or cherries)
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
Procedure:
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or coat with cooking spray or Crisco.
In a medium bowl, combine 1 3/4 cups of the flour, 1/2 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and combine. In a second bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla. Gradually add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined; the batter will be lumpy. Toss the berries with the remaining flour in a bowl. Gently fold the berry mixture into the batter.
Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full. Sprinkle the batter with the remaining sugar. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.
Serve warm.
Yield: 12 muffins
Degree of Difficulty: Very easy
Oven Temperature: 400°F
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Books Read
1.
Raspberry Muffins (can use blueberries, blackberries, or cherries)
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
Procedure:
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or coat with cooking spray or Crisco.
In a medium bowl, combine 1 3/4 cups of the flour, 1/2 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, and salt. Add the butter and combine. In a second bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and vanilla. Gradually add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and stir until just combined; the batter will be lumpy. Toss the berries with the remaining flour in a bowl. Gently fold the berry mixture into the batter.
Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full. Sprinkle the batter with the remaining sugar. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.
Serve warm.
Yield: 12 muffins
Degree of Difficulty: Very easy
Oven Temperature: 400°F
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Books Read
1.
4Tess_W
March 2025
Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Icing (A Martha Stewart Recipe)
Ingredients:
Cookies:
2 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/4 tsp. ginger
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened
2 cups packed brown sugar 1 15-oz can pumpkin (1 1/2 cups)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup raisins, optional, but delicious
MAPLE ICING
4 TBS. (1/2 stick) butter (salted or unsalted)
2 cups confectioner's sugar
2 TBS. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. maple extract
Procedure:
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a medium bowl, set aside.
In a mixing bowl, better butter and sugar on medium speed until fully blended and slightly fluffy. Mix in eggs and beat. Add pumpkin, raisins, and vanilla and continue to mix until well blended.
Add flour mixture, and mix until combined
Chill batter in refrigerator at least 15 minutes (this will help the cookies from spreading too much while baking.)
Scoop batter onto parchment lined or lightly greased cookie sheet using a cookie scoop or large spoon. (About 1-2 to 1 tablespoon)
Bake cookies in a pre-heated oven at 375 degrees for 12 minutes.
Cool a few moments on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack. Frost the cookies with Maple Icing while still slightly warm.
MAPLE ICING
While the cookies are baking, melt butter in a small sauce pan or in the microwave. Mix melted butter with powdered sugar in a large bowl, using a whisk until well combined. Add milk, and extracts. Whisk until smooth. Use a small knife or the back of a spoon to spread icing on top of cookies. If you frost the cookies while they are still just slightly warm, the icing will dry with a nice smooth finish
Degree of Difficulty: Moderately difficult
Oven Temperature: 375°F
Preparation Time: 35 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Books Read:
1.
Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Icing (A Martha Stewart Recipe)
Ingredients:
Cookies:
2 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/4 tsp. ginger
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly softened
2 cups packed brown sugar 1 15-oz can pumpkin (1 1/2 cups)
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup raisins, optional, but delicious
MAPLE ICING
4 TBS. (1/2 stick) butter (salted or unsalted)
2 cups confectioner's sugar
2 TBS. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. maple extract
Procedure:
Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a medium bowl, set aside.
In a mixing bowl, better butter and sugar on medium speed until fully blended and slightly fluffy. Mix in eggs and beat. Add pumpkin, raisins, and vanilla and continue to mix until well blended.
Add flour mixture, and mix until combined
Chill batter in refrigerator at least 15 minutes (this will help the cookies from spreading too much while baking.)
Scoop batter onto parchment lined or lightly greased cookie sheet using a cookie scoop or large spoon. (About 1-2 to 1 tablespoon)
Bake cookies in a pre-heated oven at 375 degrees for 12 minutes.
Cool a few moments on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack. Frost the cookies with Maple Icing while still slightly warm.
MAPLE ICING
While the cookies are baking, melt butter in a small sauce pan or in the microwave. Mix melted butter with powdered sugar in a large bowl, using a whisk until well combined. Add milk, and extracts. Whisk until smooth. Use a small knife or the back of a spoon to spread icing on top of cookies. If you frost the cookies while they are still just slightly warm, the icing will dry with a nice smooth finish
Degree of Difficulty: Moderately difficult
Oven Temperature: 375°F
Preparation Time: 35 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Books Read:
1.
5Tess_W
April 2025
Crockpot Turkey Breast with Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:
5-6 pound turkey breast (boneless or with bone)
14-16 ounces of cranberry sauce (canned or homemade
1/2 cup orange juice
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix (store bought or homemade)
salt and pepper to taste
Procedure:
Place turkey breast in crockpot.
Mix remaining ingredients together and pour over turkey breast.
Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 3-4 hours, until turkey is tender (but still juicy) and at 165 degrees F.
Serve with the cranberry sauce!
Crockpot Turkey Breast with Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:
5-6 pound turkey breast (boneless or with bone)
14-16 ounces of cranberry sauce (canned or homemade
1/2 cup orange juice
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix (store bought or homemade)
salt and pepper to taste
Procedure:
Place turkey breast in crockpot.
Mix remaining ingredients together and pour over turkey breast.
Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 3-4 hours, until turkey is tender (but still juicy) and at 165 degrees F.
Serve with the cranberry sauce!
6Tess_W
May 2025
Honey Mustard Chicken
Ingredients:
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
1-2 TBSP. olive oil
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. crushed red peppers 1/4 cup plain yogurt (Greek if possible, can substitute vanilla)
1 TBSP. honey
1 tsp. crushed brown mustard seed
Procedure:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat 1 TB. oil in a Dutch oven or oven-safe pan. Season the chicken with the pepper and the crushed red peppers. Place half of the chicken in the pan and cook both sides until golden. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add the second batch of chicken and and more olive oil, if needed. Brown both sides.
Add the remaining ingredients to make a dressing.
Add a sprig of rosemary. (Optional)
Return all of the chicken to the pan, drizzle the dressing over the chicken, put the pan in the oven and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Honey Mustard Chicken
Ingredients:
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
1-2 TBSP. olive oil
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. crushed red peppers 1/4 cup plain yogurt (Greek if possible, can substitute vanilla)
1 TBSP. honey
1 tsp. crushed brown mustard seed
Procedure:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat 1 TB. oil in a Dutch oven or oven-safe pan. Season the chicken with the pepper and the crushed red peppers. Place half of the chicken in the pan and cook both sides until golden. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add the second batch of chicken and and more olive oil, if needed. Brown both sides.
Add the remaining ingredients to make a dressing.
Add a sprig of rosemary. (Optional)
Return all of the chicken to the pan, drizzle the dressing over the chicken, put the pan in the oven and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
7Tess_W
June 2025
Baked Steak with gravy and mashed potatoes (My hubby's fav)
1-2 lbs. of round or cubed steak
If round steak, pound it to tenderize. Coat meat in flour and brown. Place in crockpot and add 2 cans cream of mushroom soup (or make your own). Cook on high 5-6 hours or low 7-8 hours. Remove meat from crockpot. If more gravy is needed, add 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch dissolved 1 cup of milk or water to crockpot, stir, add lid and cook for 10-15 minutes until thick. Put meat back into crockpot while mashing potatoes. I actually double this recipe because we think it is better on the 2nd day!
Mushrooms are optional, but really deepens the flavor.
Read
1.
Baked Steak with gravy and mashed potatoes (My hubby's fav)
1-2 lbs. of round or cubed steak
If round steak, pound it to tenderize. Coat meat in flour and brown. Place in crockpot and add 2 cans cream of mushroom soup (or make your own). Cook on high 5-6 hours or low 7-8 hours. Remove meat from crockpot. If more gravy is needed, add 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch dissolved 1 cup of milk or water to crockpot, stir, add lid and cook for 10-15 minutes until thick. Put meat back into crockpot while mashing potatoes. I actually double this recipe because we think it is better on the 2nd day!
Mushrooms are optional, but really deepens the flavor.
Read
1.
8Tess_W
July 2025
Ham and Bean Soup
1 lb. beans (great northern, lima, navy, or pinto; I prefer great northern)
Soak beans for 12-24 hours in cold water, covered.
Pour off water and rinse thoroughly discarding any beans that appear discolored or bad.
Put beans in pot with 8 cups of water. I also add 1/2 lb (or more) of cubed ham chunks. I always make this right after Christmas when we have a ham bone remaining and use that in place of the ham chunks.
Optional: carrot coins (fresh) or grated carrots, I always add 1-2 packets of sodium free chicken bouillon powder--makes it so much more tasty@
Bring pot to boil, turn down and simmer until the beans are the consistency that you like them. (usually around 90 minutes for me). Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with hot cornbread slathered with butter!
Ham and Bean Soup
1 lb. beans (great northern, lima, navy, or pinto; I prefer great northern)
Soak beans for 12-24 hours in cold water, covered.
Pour off water and rinse thoroughly discarding any beans that appear discolored or bad.
Put beans in pot with 8 cups of water. I also add 1/2 lb (or more) of cubed ham chunks. I always make this right after Christmas when we have a ham bone remaining and use that in place of the ham chunks.
Optional: carrot coins (fresh) or grated carrots, I always add 1-2 packets of sodium free chicken bouillon powder--makes it so much more tasty@
Bring pot to boil, turn down and simmer until the beans are the consistency that you like them. (usually around 90 minutes for me). Salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with hot cornbread slathered with butter!
9Tess_W
August 2025
Scalloped Spaghetti, Cabbage, and Cheese
An Old Amish Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 lb. spaghetti, cooked
1 cup cabbage, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 TBSP. butter
2 TBSP. flour
1 cup milk
1/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated
6 TBSP. bread crumbs
Optional: You can add ham chunks.
Procedure:
Combine cooked spaghetti and cabbage. Melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour, then add the milk, and cook, stirring until thickened and smooth. Add the cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Combine with spaghetti and cabbage. Place the mix in a greased 1 1/2 quart casserole and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Servings: 6
Scalloped Spaghetti, Cabbage, and Cheese
An Old Amish Recipe
Ingredients:
1/2 lb. spaghetti, cooked
1 cup cabbage, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 TBSP. butter
2 TBSP. flour
1 cup milk
1/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated
6 TBSP. bread crumbs
Optional: You can add ham chunks.
Procedure:
Combine cooked spaghetti and cabbage. Melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour, then add the milk, and cook, stirring until thickened and smooth. Add the cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Combine with spaghetti and cabbage. Place the mix in a greased 1 1/2 quart casserole and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Servings: 6
10Tess_W
September 2025
Spanish Rice
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 15-oz can tomato sauce
4 cups prepared white rice (2 cups dry = 4 cups prepared)
1 green pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
Procedure:
1 In a large stock pot, brown ground beef, onion and green pepper. Pour out any extra oil. Add rice and tomato sauce. Stir until combined and heated through. Salt and pepper to taste. Turn off heat and add cheese if using. Leave sit 2-3 minutes Stir to combine.
Serve with cornbread!
Servings: 6
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Spanish Rice
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 15-oz can tomato sauce
4 cups prepared white rice (2 cups dry = 4 cups prepared)
1 green pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
Procedure:
1 In a large stock pot, brown ground beef, onion and green pepper. Pour out any extra oil. Add rice and tomato sauce. Stir until combined and heated through. Salt and pepper to taste. Turn off heat and add cheese if using. Leave sit 2-3 minutes Stir to combine.
Serve with cornbread!
Servings: 6
Degree of Difficulty: Easy
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
11Tess_W
October 2025
Apple Maple Turkey Burgers with Maple-Dijon Sauce
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground turkey (I use 93/7)
1/2-1 cup bread crumbs (the more water/fat in turkey, the more you will need)
1/4 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup chunky applesauce
2 TBSP maple syrup
1 tsp poultry seasoning
salt and pepper to taste (I don't salt as the bacon is salty enough for me)
Mix all and make 4-6 patties, fry in skillet with little oil until cooked through (they do fall apart easy if grilled)
For the sauce:
1 TBSP Dijon Mustard
2 TBSP Maple Syrup
1/4 cup Mayo
The sauce MAKES these burgers!
Apple Maple Turkey Burgers with Maple-Dijon Sauce
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground turkey (I use 93/7)
1/2-1 cup bread crumbs (the more water/fat in turkey, the more you will need)
1/4 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup chunky applesauce
2 TBSP maple syrup
1 tsp poultry seasoning
salt and pepper to taste (I don't salt as the bacon is salty enough for me)
Mix all and make 4-6 patties, fry in skillet with little oil until cooked through (they do fall apart easy if grilled)
For the sauce:
1 TBSP Dijon Mustard
2 TBSP Maple Syrup
1/4 cup Mayo
The sauce MAKES these burgers!
12Tess_W
November 2025
Mongolian Beef (a copycat of PF Changs)
Ingredients:
1 lb. flank or sirloin steak, thinly sliced across the grain
1/4 cup cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
vegetable oil, for frying
2 green onions, thinly sliced
For the sauce:
1/2 cup soy sauce (or amino acids)
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. grated, fresh ginger (or equivalent dry)
2 tsp. vegetable oil
Procedure:
In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, 2 tsp. vegetable oil and 1/2 cup water. Heat soy sauce mix in a medium saucepan until slightly thickened, about 5-10 minutes, set aside.
In a large bowl, combine steak and cornstarch.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet. Add beef and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain off excess oil.
Add soy sauce mix to beef over medium heat and cook until sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in green onions.
Sprinkle on toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Optional: top with grilled asparagus spears or broccoli florets.
Servings: 4
Mongolian Beef (a copycat of PF Changs)
Ingredients:
1 lb. flank or sirloin steak, thinly sliced across the grain
1/4 cup cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
vegetable oil, for frying
2 green onions, thinly sliced
For the sauce:
1/2 cup soy sauce (or amino acids)
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. grated, fresh ginger (or equivalent dry)
2 tsp. vegetable oil
Procedure:
In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, 2 tsp. vegetable oil and 1/2 cup water. Heat soy sauce mix in a medium saucepan until slightly thickened, about 5-10 minutes, set aside.
In a large bowl, combine steak and cornstarch.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet. Add beef and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain off excess oil.
Add soy sauce mix to beef over medium heat and cook until sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in green onions.
Sprinkle on toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Optional: top with grilled asparagus spears or broccoli florets.
Servings: 4
13Tess_W
December 2025
In 2018, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, which led to extensive surgery and radiation therapy. When I recovered from that grueling experience, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I didn't have any of the common cancer risk factors, except for being overweight, so I embarked on a diet and exercise program. In no time, I lost 100 pounds. There were no secrets—just cutting my food intake by 50%. (I still need to lose 30 more pounds.)
I also became more mindful of what I put into my body. Since then, I've probably had fast food only twice, and we rarely eat out because I can't control what goes into my food when dining out. My love for canning has also played a big role in teaching me about food—both its preservation and preparation.
This is "Big Bertha," my 23-quart pressure canner. I currently have about 800 jars (pints and quarts) of organically grown food stocked up, which I can choose from whenever I need it. My pantry includes potatoes, carrots, green beans, corn, chili, green pea and ham soup, chicken, roast beef, beef stew, jams, cranberry juice, tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, salsa, Italian sausage, broths (chicken, beef, and vegetable), pumpkin, applesauce, apple pie filling, cherry pie filling, blueberry pie filling, peaches, many types of beans, and pears. I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few items, but you get the idea.
People often ask, "Does it taste the same?" I’ll be honest—nothing beats fresh food, but the preserved versions are a close second. Have I ever canned something I wouldn’t do again? Yes—rope sausage, beets, pickles, and apple butter. And I'm reconsidering canning corn. It takes an excruciating 8 hours for two people to shuck and remove the kernels from the cobs! Plus, fruit can be too sticky and messy for my liking.
People also ask why I don’t freeze more food. I do freeze, mostly meats. But what happens if the power goes out for more than a day or two? I feel safer with canned goods, knowing they don’t depend on electricity to stay preserved.
Bon Appetit my friends!
In 2018, I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, which led to extensive surgery and radiation therapy. When I recovered from that grueling experience, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I didn't have any of the common cancer risk factors, except for being overweight, so I embarked on a diet and exercise program. In no time, I lost 100 pounds. There were no secrets—just cutting my food intake by 50%. (I still need to lose 30 more pounds.)
I also became more mindful of what I put into my body. Since then, I've probably had fast food only twice, and we rarely eat out because I can't control what goes into my food when dining out. My love for canning has also played a big role in teaching me about food—both its preservation and preparation.
This is "Big Bertha," my 23-quart pressure canner. I currently have about 800 jars (pints and quarts) of organically grown food stocked up, which I can choose from whenever I need it. My pantry includes potatoes, carrots, green beans, corn, chili, green pea and ham soup, chicken, roast beef, beef stew, jams, cranberry juice, tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, salsa, Italian sausage, broths (chicken, beef, and vegetable), pumpkin, applesauce, apple pie filling, cherry pie filling, blueberry pie filling, peaches, many types of beans, and pears. I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few items, but you get the idea.
People often ask, "Does it taste the same?" I’ll be honest—nothing beats fresh food, but the preserved versions are a close second. Have I ever canned something I wouldn’t do again? Yes—rope sausage, beets, pickles, and apple butter. And I'm reconsidering canning corn. It takes an excruciating 8 hours for two people to shuck and remove the kernels from the cobs! Plus, fruit can be too sticky and messy for my liking.
People also ask why I don’t freeze more food. I do freeze, mostly meats. But what happens if the power goes out for more than a day or two? I feel safer with canned goods, knowing they don’t depend on electricity to stay preserved.
Bon Appetit my friends!
15Tess_W
Paul's 75 Group Reads
January : Prelude - Europe in the 19th Century (European Literature of the 19th Century) The Kill by Emile Zola
February : The Journey Begins - A Wider Scandinavia (Books by authors from Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland) Something by Hans C. Andersen or Smilla's Sense of Snow
March : Into the Red Zone - Books from authors from Countries which were part of the Warsaw Pact) Hadji Murad Tolstoy
April : Scimitar and Cross - Books from authors from European Countries within the Ottoman Empire Chronicle in Stone Ismail Kadare
May : Interlude - Non National Languages - Books originally written in European languages that are not tied to a particular nation i.e. Yiddish, Regional languages such as Catalan, French, Spanish and Portuguese outside their borders including Latin America, Africa etc) The Stories of Tevye the Dairyman by Sholom Aleichem
June : Caesar to Meloni - Books written originally in Latin or Italian. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri
July : The Germanic World - Books written by authors writing in German from Germany, Austria, Switzerland The Second Rider (Europa International Mysteries and Crime) by Alex Beer
August : Anita Fameulstee Memorial Month - Books by authors from the Benelux countries (Netherlands, Belgium. Luxembourg) The Discomfort of Evening by Lucas Rijneveld
September : Interlude #2 - Books About Places in Europe (Travel, Non-fiction) Bill Bryson.........
October : La Belle France - Books by Authors from France Emile Zola
November : The Iberian Peninsula - Books by Spanish authors The Time In Between
December : Welcome Back to the Future - Translated Literature in the 21st Century A General Theory of Oblivion Trans from Portuguese
75 Non-Fiction Reads
January-Lesser known prize winners V13 Niche Market Newspaper of the Year Award (2024)
February-Cartography Maphead by Ken Jennings
March Espionage and Counterespionage The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix
April Revolutions Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death by Patrick Henry
May Modern China (since 1911) The Last Manchu Paul Kramer
June Natural Disasters A Furious Sky by Eric Dolan
July Fish and Fishing What a Fish Knows by : Jonathan Balcombe
August Movies, Movies, Movies - books about the making of movies, the movies themselves, women in the movies, and even biographies of movie stars, so yes, Mommie Dearest would work here as would Barbara Streisand's tome. Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder by William Shatner
September Transportation Ghost Road by Anthony Townsend
October bibliophilia limit it to those who love to read or collect books. Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
November Holidays and Cultural Events The Magi: Who They Were, How They’ve Been Remembered, and Why They Still Fascinate
December-As You Like It TBD
AOTM Reads
RTT Quarterly Reads
Jan-March Renaissance A Chaste Maid in Cheapside
April-June 17th Century The Suitors of Yvonne Crow Hollow
July-September 18th Century Maria or the Wrongs of Woman
October-December Napoleonic Era A Place of Greater Safety
Zola Reads
January 2025 The Kill
March 2025 Money
May 2025 The Dream
July 2025 The Conquest of Plassans
September 2025 The Ladies of Paradise/The Ladies Delight
November 2025 Pot Luck
January : Prelude - Europe in the 19th Century (European Literature of the 19th Century) The Kill by Emile Zola
February : The Journey Begins - A Wider Scandinavia (Books by authors from Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland) Something by Hans C. Andersen or Smilla's Sense of Snow
March : Into the Red Zone - Books from authors from Countries which were part of the Warsaw Pact) Hadji Murad Tolstoy
April : Scimitar and Cross - Books from authors from European Countries within the Ottoman Empire Chronicle in Stone Ismail Kadare
May : Interlude - Non National Languages - Books originally written in European languages that are not tied to a particular nation i.e. Yiddish, Regional languages such as Catalan, French, Spanish and Portuguese outside their borders including Latin America, Africa etc) The Stories of Tevye the Dairyman by Sholom Aleichem
June : Caesar to Meloni - Books written originally in Latin or Italian. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri
July : The Germanic World - Books written by authors writing in German from Germany, Austria, Switzerland The Second Rider (Europa International Mysteries and Crime) by Alex Beer
August : Anita Fameulstee Memorial Month - Books by authors from the Benelux countries (Netherlands, Belgium. Luxembourg) The Discomfort of Evening by Lucas Rijneveld
September : Interlude #2 - Books About Places in Europe (Travel, Non-fiction) Bill Bryson.........
October : La Belle France - Books by Authors from France Emile Zola
November : The Iberian Peninsula - Books by Spanish authors The Time In Between
December : Welcome Back to the Future - Translated Literature in the 21st Century A General Theory of Oblivion Trans from Portuguese
75 Non-Fiction Reads
January-Lesser known prize winners V13 Niche Market Newspaper of the Year Award (2024)
February-Cartography Maphead by Ken Jennings
March Espionage and Counterespionage The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler by John Hendrix
April Revolutions Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death by Patrick Henry
May Modern China (since 1911) The Last Manchu Paul Kramer
June Natural Disasters A Furious Sky by Eric Dolan
July Fish and Fishing What a Fish Knows by : Jonathan Balcombe
August Movies, Movies, Movies - books about the making of movies, the movies themselves, women in the movies, and even biographies of movie stars, so yes, Mommie Dearest would work here as would Barbara Streisand's tome. Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder by William Shatner
September Transportation Ghost Road by Anthony Townsend
October bibliophilia limit it to those who love to read or collect books. Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
November Holidays and Cultural Events The Magi: Who They Were, How They’ve Been Remembered, and Why They Still Fascinate
December-As You Like It TBD
AOTM Reads
RTT Quarterly Reads
Jan-March Renaissance A Chaste Maid in Cheapside
April-June 17th Century The Suitors of Yvonne Crow Hollow
July-September 18th Century Maria or the Wrongs of Woman
October-December Napoleonic Era A Place of Greater Safety
Zola Reads
January 2025 The Kill
March 2025 Money
May 2025 The Dream
July 2025 The Conquest of Plassans
September 2025 The Ladies of Paradise/The Ladies Delight
November 2025 Pot Luck
16GraceCollection
>3 Tess_W: These dinner rolls look absolutely mouthwatering!! Thank you for sharing these recipes.
17LadyoftheLodge
Your recipes are great, as are the pictures. Thanks for sharing those goodies.
22DeltaQueen50
Congrats for being up and ready for 2025!
23mstrust
Those recipes look good, thanks for your generosity in sharing!
Wishing you a year of great reading!
Wishing you a year of great reading!
24lowelibrary
I found a couple of recipes for this noncook to try. >7 Tess_W: and >8 Tess_W:.
25Tess_W
>24 lowelibrary: Amongst the easiest and more people ask me to make the steak and gravy than anything else!
27MissWatson
Congrats on a very yummy setup, Tess! The Ham and Bean Soup is something I will try soon!
On the reading front, Paul's 75 Group Reads are very enticing, I think I'll pop over...
On the reading front, Paul's 75 Group Reads are very enticing, I think I'll pop over...
28mnleona
I always like to read your posts. Great recipes. I used to can pickles when I had my large family. I freeze my rhubarb since it is easier.
Good luck on your 2025 challenges.
Good luck on your 2025 challenges.
29Tess_W
>27 MissWatson: Hope you enjoy! Having them tonight for dinner---first snow of the season!
>28 mnleona: TY!
>28 mnleona: TY!
30clue
I look forward to following your reading again in 2025 not to mention the cooking, gardening, canning and all other things you tell us about from your busy life!
31MissWatson
>29 Tess_W: We had our first snow on Thursday, and I put chicken soup on the menu. It's simmering now...
35susanj67
This is a delicious thread, Tess! I love the recipes :-) Good luck with all your challenges.
38lsh63
Good luck with your reading Tess! I really want to try to make the dinner rolls and the Spanish rice. I used to make rolls with my mother when I was younger, then I started buying them when one day my rolls didn't rise and my father and brother made fun of me lol.
39Tess_W
>38 lsh63: LOL, not rising has happened occasionally to the best of us. Most of the time, so I surmise, is the yeast is old!
40Tess_W
Dec. 25 is my official beginning of a new reading year! This has been a tradition for years to sort of jump start and "allow" me to begin reading books that I received for Christmas. As always, I try to read from my shelves. I have 399 books including tree books, audio books, and ebooks to select from this year.
What am I reading now:
The Tiger Queens by Stephanie Thornton (Medieval RTT) Done
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller (SS)
The Goddess Abides by Pearl S. Buck
Nicholas Nickelby
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
What I will begin in the next week:
The Kill by Emile Zola
V13: Chronicle of a Trial
I'm still due 9 books for my Thingaversary in December. I will purchase throughout the year.
What am I reading now:
The Tiger Queens by Stephanie Thornton (Medieval RTT) Done
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller (SS)
The Goddess Abides by Pearl S. Buck
Nicholas Nickelby
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
What I will begin in the next week:
The Kill by Emile Zola
V13: Chronicle of a Trial
I'm still due 9 books for my Thingaversary in December. I will purchase throughout the year.
43Tess_W
My first read of the "new" year!
1. Not sure what I was presupposing when I began reading The Tiger Queens: The Women of Genghis Khan by Stephanie Thornton. It’s billed as the lives of the women of Genghis Kahn. I was hoping to get totally immersed in the life of Genghis via his wives. I certainly did become involved in the lives of his wives, but feel cheated out of the more historical nature of Genghis himself. I felt that in this book Thornton focuses on the relationships of the women to the detriment of the historical (fiction), and since the women’s relationships are all fancy, I feel that ultimately, the book was lacking. It also felt overly long. 492 pages 3 stars
1. Not sure what I was presupposing when I began reading The Tiger Queens: The Women of Genghis Khan by Stephanie Thornton. It’s billed as the lives of the women of Genghis Kahn. I was hoping to get totally immersed in the life of Genghis via his wives. I certainly did become involved in the lives of his wives, but feel cheated out of the more historical nature of Genghis himself. I felt that in this book Thornton focuses on the relationships of the women to the detriment of the historical (fiction), and since the women’s relationships are all fancy, I feel that ultimately, the book was lacking. It also felt overly long. 492 pages 3 stars
44MissBrangwen
Happy reading in 2025! I am looking forward to following along here!
45Tess_W
2. Harold Harefoot by Mark Craster-Chambers A very short biography about a little known king. Harold I was a son of King Cnute and stepson of Queen Emma, Cnute's second wife. Emma did much to destroy Harold's reputation, but as to the truth, little is known except he reigned from 1037-1040. His body was disinterred and beheaded, chopped up, and thrown in the sewers in London, so the story goes. A local farmer found the body and buried it in St. Clements Dane Church in London, again, as the story goes. I bought this book for a nickel at a garage sale. There were multiple grammatical errors. 70 pages 3.5 stars (info only)
46Tess_W
3. The Heroic Legacy of the 6888th Battalion: How Major Charity Adams and the Six Triple Eight Overcame Racism, Misogyny, and War by Tiffany C Kingsbury
An inspiring account of their remarkable service during World War II. Tasked with an enormous responsibility, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Batallion were entrusted with sorting and delivering over 70 million packages and letters, stored across 70 warehouses in London, to the correct soldiers. Despite no prior planning from the Allies, particularly the U.S., they succeeded in this directive. Their work involved opening and reading letters to identify recipients, writing correspondence, and cross-referencing outdated military rosters. With only six months allocated, they completed the job in three months and were then sent to France to continue their mission. Despite their exceptional service, they were segregated from the regular Army and Air Force, forbidden to eat, sleep, or socialize with their fellow soldiers simply because they were Black. What a testament to bravery and patriotism. 124 pages 5 stars
An inspiring account of their remarkable service during World War II. Tasked with an enormous responsibility, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Batallion were entrusted with sorting and delivering over 70 million packages and letters, stored across 70 warehouses in London, to the correct soldiers. Despite no prior planning from the Allies, particularly the U.S., they succeeded in this directive. Their work involved opening and reading letters to identify recipients, writing correspondence, and cross-referencing outdated military rosters. With only six months allocated, they completed the job in three months and were then sent to France to continue their mission. Despite their exceptional service, they were segregated from the regular Army and Air Force, forbidden to eat, sleep, or socialize with their fellow soldiers simply because they were Black. What a testament to bravery and patriotism. 124 pages 5 stars
47Tess_W
4. The Constant Gardener by John Le Carre I listened to this on audio and I'm glad I did because I don't think I could have kept reading such a slog-fest! This is Le Carre's indictment of corporate greed set in Kenya. Justin Quayle, was a British diplomat who uncovered a multinational pharmaceutical company's illegal drug trials on unsuspecting Africans. Quayle's wife knew too much and so was "eliminated." The pacing was soooo slow! I'm not a spy thriller/espionage reader to begin with, and this book further confirmed my dislike for that genre. 17 hours 6 minutes (576 pages) 2.5 stars
Gonna slow down a bit on reading! Since Dec. 23 I've read for 2-3 hours, did a household chore, read 2-3 hours more, cooked dinner, read until I fell asleep. We had our Christmas early and my house is clean! Today I canned 6 quarts of ham and bean soup with leftover ham.
Gonna slow down a bit on reading! Since Dec. 23 I've read for 2-3 hours, did a household chore, read 2-3 hours more, cooked dinner, read until I fell asleep. We had our Christmas early and my house is clean! Today I canned 6 quarts of ham and bean soup with leftover ham.
