The Gothic Homesteader

We will be selling at the Shiprock Flea Market tomorrow, trying to make some money to keep us going at the homestead. Gas, Food, and More... Living out in the desert is not easy, but it is so worth it.  I make soaps, jewelry, and up-cycled Gothic and Steampunk clothing.  Robby, he makes hemp jewelry and does photography. That along with odd jobs keeps us afloat, along with our food from being gothic homesteaders...but that doesnt start for a few more months out here.   Tis not a life most would chose, but to be honest... neither of us are at home at any other kind of life anymore... I will get back to normal Gothic Homesteader post in March.  This move has been trying... ~ Morria

A Chomping Good Meal! 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs 1/4 cup parsley 2 cloves garlic 3 stalks celery 3 carrots 1 lb. ground turkey 2 lbs. lean ground beef 1 lb. ground pork sausage 1/2 teaspoon thyme 3/4 teaspoon oregano 3 eggs 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon paprika 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce 3 teaspoons lemon juice 2 - 3 tablespoons heavy cream *  Set aside your breadcrumbs. * Chop finely in food processor parsley with garlic, celery,  carrots, and 1 onion. * Melt butter and olive oil together. * Add the celery mixture and sauté until soft and onions are translucent. Remove from heat to cool. *  In the large mixing bowl, mix in the remaining ingredients below, adding the parsley and garlic and the breadcrumbs. When the vegetables have cooled, add them to the mixture. * Shape the meatloaf into a Zombie on a large baking sheet or pan with low sides; placing a sheet of aluminum foil in the bo...

This year, my husband, Robby and I are celebrating Halloween Addams Family style, in that we are having a marathon of the 1960's Addams Family (on DVD) and the 1990s Addams Family Movies (also on DVD).  I made us Bat Cookies, we have Barq's Root Beer, which has Licorice in it.  I found Black Cat Peeps, my favorite as they too are Licorice flavored.  And I got us a large bag of Purple Caramel Pop Corn just for tonight.  This is such a treat, an evening all to our selves.  Rain pouring down outside... so dark and gloomy! Twas Halloween Evening " Twas Halloween Evening and through the abode,  not a creature is stirring, not even a toad.   Jack-o-lanterns are hung from the gallows with care,  to guide sister witch as she guilds through the air, dawn by 8 beautiful bat.  And she calls to them,  'Come Flitter! Come, Flutter! Come, Flapper and Flyer! Come, Chitter!  Come, Chatter!  Come, viscous Vampire!...

In honor of this fine Halloween Season, I felt it only fitting to share with my fellow Gothic Homesteaders the delightful list of pumpkins and squash I have found while hunting for Black Plants and other Gothic Plants.  While the traditional orange pumpkins and normal squash are wonderful, I felt these deserved a nod and some attention as well! Blue Moon Pumpkins Silver Moon Pumpkins Full Moon Pumpkins Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins Blue Banana Squash Table Queen Acorn Squash Butter Nut Squash ( It has a rich orange flesh inside! ) Navajo Gray Hubbard Squash ~ Morria

Fall is coming to our Gothic Homestead... and with it Harvesting season!  We have been picking and drying beans for some time now.  It is just awesome to be learning how to dry and string "Shucky Beans" the old mountain way.  Soon the corn will all be brought in, and the sweet potatoes dug up.  Wonder if I will find any arrow heads in the garden this year? This time of year excites me, for the days are growing longer and colder, and soon the snows of winter shall grace the landscapes.  Tis time to be pulling out the velvet, the corduroys, and the wools.  Tis time for fire in the fire place, pumpkin pies, and hot cider.   At last, colder weather is here! ~ Morria

This year beside our family gardens, and my deck garden, we have been honored to get to help out at the community garden hosted by Immanuel Baptist Church.    Community Gardens are so important, because they give those who might not have access to gardening space, a place to grow.  They provide food for those in need, enrich neighborhoods, bring people together who other wise might never rub shoulders, and just are fun! Are there any abandon lots around your area?  Maybe see if you and a few others can get together and purchase it for a community garden area. Are there any already in operation community gardens in your area?  Maybe join them and learn more about gardening and homesteading there. Are there local farmers markets?  Why not shop at them as much as possible to support those who are growing foods local? There are so many ways we can be Gothic Homesteaders, and we're just scratching the surface.  I cant wait to discover more! ~ M...

A popping chicken dish! 3-4 cups cooked Chicken 1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup 1 8oz container of Sour Cream I tube of Ritz Crackers ½ stick of Butter melted 2 Tablespoons Poppy Seeds * Place Chicken in casserole dish.   * Combine sour cream and soup.   * Spread the sour cream/soup mix over chicken.   * Melt butter.   * Break crackers into crumbs.   * Mix cracker crumbs and poppy seeds into butter.   * Spread over the top of chicken and sour cream/soup.   * Beak uncovered at 350 F for 30 minuets.   * Serve at once! This is a tasty treat, my husband, Robby, and I just baked for the whole family, much to their great delight.  We had purple wonder potatoes and Navajo blue cornbread to the side.  Tasty! ~ Morria