compassionate and humble

 

live in harmony with one another,

be sympathetic,

love as brothers,

be compassionate and humble.
1 Peter 3:7-9

Cooking (and freezing) dried beans at high altitude

We live at 6,222 feet elevation. 

True story.

That’s almost 1,000 feet HIGHER than the famous “mile-high city.'”

On top of the the whole thin air/less oxygen thing, it is a pain learning to cook and/or bake “up” here.

Brief scientific explanation:  At high altitudes, the atmospheric pressure is decreased, making water boil at a lower temperature.  This lower boiling point means foods cooked in water will require more time to cook.  (Like dried beans).

And don’t even get me started on pasta.

Or rice.

OK.  Back to the beans:  Getting them soft enough for human consumption is a challenge.  I once soaked black beans for 12 hours, drained and simmered them in a crockpot for 24 HOURS. . . and they were still CRUNCHY after 36 hours of cooking!! (but the dogs loved them:)

Tried some tips I found on the internet for cooking beans, including using fresh beans (old beans have a harder seed coat) and not adding ANY salt, seasonings, meats or vegetables to the cooking water until they are soft (they make the seed coat harder to penetrate). 

Aaand. . . yeah.  Still had crunchy beans.  Even though they are a healthy and cheap food that can be used in many dishes, I did, in fact, almost give up on dried beans.  

Until I read these 2 revelations somewhere awhile ago: YOU DON'T HAVE TO SOAK THEM and BAKING SODA WILL HELP SOFTEN THEM.

Hallelujah, it WORKED!  (I might’ve even thanked the Lord out loud).   Seems baking soda softens those seed coats and cooks them right up! 

It’s really easy!

High Altitude Dried Beans (with freezing directions)

1.  Put any amount of dried beans in a Dutch oven or stockpot (no soaking necessary).  Cover with double the water.  Add 1/2 – 1 teaspoon baking soda (depending on how many beans you are cooking).

2.  Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower heat to keep beans at a simmer for about 1 hour to an hour and 15 minutes.  Taste test to see if they are done to your liking, they should be soft enough to eat, but relatively firm - don't let them get too soft at this point.

3.  Pour them into a colander and give them a quick rinse.

4.  Now you can add the remaining ingredients from your recipe and continue cooking.

5.  OR:  To freeze for later use:  Measure and place 1.5 cups into into each freezer container or Ziploc freezer bag.  You definitely can freeze in smaller or larger amounts.  I prefer 1.5 bags/containers, as they are equal to one 15 ounce can from the grocery store  :)

4.  Add a little cold, fresh water.  Just enough to prevent drying.  There should still be 1 to 2 inches space to allow for expansion in the freezer.

5.  Label, date and freeze until ready to use. Easy as that!

One pound of dry beans will yield about 6 cups of cooked beans, equal to 4 cans from the supermarket.  (There are about 1.5 cups of beans per can when you drain the liquid).

Red beans and rice.

Even if you don’t live at high altitude, cooking and freezing beans at home is less than HALF the cost of canned beans.  Plus, you can freeze a much broader variety than are available in cans. 

mercy and compassion

 

 

“This is what the LORD Almighty says:

‘Administer true justice;

show mercy and compassion to one another.

Zechariah 7:8-10

Yarn wrapped Valentine hearts

 

I am really in love with anything yarn-wrapped lately.  A fast and easy way to use up leftover yarn. . . what’s not to love?!

Hearts are the latest thing I’ve subjected to the yarn wrap.  You could make them any size, but I made some smallish ones to use as bowl and vase fillers. 

Start by drawing hearts onto cardboard.  I traced around a cookie cutter onto a box leftover from Christmas morning. 

Cut them out.  Don’t worry if they’re not perfect!  The yarn will cover up any uneven edges or stray pen marks.  Begin wrapping around the heart.  You can secure the first strand of yarn with a piece of tape or just hold it for a few wraps, until it’s covered. 

Switch directions while continuing to wrap the heart.  Make sure as you wrap that you are covering the heart evenly and hiding the cardboard, so it doesn’t peek through at all. 

Once you’ve completely covered the heart, tuck the end under a few strands of yarn and add a dab of hot glue. 

Use as filler in bowls, vases, centerpieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VaLeNTiNe BLeSSiNGs!

 

It’s Pinteresting

 

These are some photos I’ve added to my Pinterest boards lately.  I am needing to make myself a new duvet and another for the guest room.  There is no shortage of inspiration on Pinterest! :)

Source: bhg.com via Prairie on Pinterest

Source: curly-girl-crochet-etc.blogspot.com via Prairie on Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: itslizeylou.blogspot.com via Prairie on Pinterest

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Prairie on Pinterest

Source: mcardlet.smugmug.com via Prairie on Pinterest

Source: mcardlet.smugmug.com via Prairie on Pinterest

 

Lots of bright, pretty colors!

New stuff

Embroidered John 3:16 Valentine

Hello all!
I’ve been updating the shops since it's the new year.  I always try to keep up on the things that have been popular in the past, but there are a few new designs in there too.  Click on the pictures to visit my shops. . .  Hope you find something you like!

 

Granny Heart Garlands

 

Granny Hearts Afghan

New elf hat colors

Monkey earflap hats

great love

 

 

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

Lamentations 3:21-23