Around the Homestead

It's really hot here in Texas, but there are chores on the homestead that have to be done no matter what, so it's onward we go. The big Celeste fig tree is outdoing itself this year as always. We've eaten so many we look like a fig now and we haven't made a dent in them. Reidel and I peeled figs Saturday and put a whole dehydrater load on to dry, then peeled enough for me to make fresh fig bread today. Making the fig bread is only one of many things I've got to accomplish today so this posting will be shorter than usual. I'll come back later to post the recipe and a comment on how the fig bread turned out. I only like to post recipes that I've tried myself so I know how to tell someone to adjust for this or that to make it a better recipe.

Another one of my to-do things is to sow some raddish seeds. I've got an idea to make raddish salsa, but I've got to grow the raddishes first. It won't take too long I don't think unless it's just too hot for them to grow well. I may shade them somewhat and maybe that will keep them cool enough to produce enough for the salsa. I also have to repot an ivy and a bird's nest fern that are making sad faces at me. Then although it will take several hours, I'm going to do that dreaded job of cleaning out under the bar so I can make better use of the storage space. The bar is a 4ft. by 8ft. bar and the space is sorely needed to house my Tupperware collection. It's just so well made that I don't waste my money on cheap plastic anymore. The refrigerator pieces alone saves me more money than I can figure up. So there is the first commercial on this blog space. LOL Yes, I can order Tupperware for you, but I don't do parties and such. I only order for people that actually want to have better storage for their homestead or their home in gereral for that fact.

I'll be back later to let you know about the fig bread... stay tuned!

I'm happy to report the fig bread is wonderful!!! I changed the original recipe so much (I just can't leave them alone!!!) so the recipe I made is below:

Fig Bread

3 eggs
2 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups mashed peeled figs
3/4 cups oil (your choice- I used olive oil)
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts)

Beat eggs, add sugar and beat well. Add mashed figs and oil. Sift together flour, soda, salt and nutmeg. Add the fig mixture alternately with the buttermilk. Beat well. Fold in nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour in greased and floured loaf pans. Yield: 3 loaves

Today is my youngest granddaughter's birthday so the afternoon was spent making many bows for her hair to go with the tricycle that we bought for her gift. Elizabeth is 2 years old today. Happy Birthday Lizzi !!!