From the Gratitude Journal . . .

Today I am thankful for:

. . . for Hubby cooking me breakfast on the weekends

. . . for my washing machine and clothesline

. . . for soft pillows

. . . for our coffee maker that brews in 3 minutes

. . . phones

. . . for fragrant candles my Mom gave us

. . . good ol' fashioned, to-the-mailbox, mail

. . . the sun shining today and warmer weather

. . . God's availability, always there, always listening

. . . pens and pencils

. . . for my 19 year-old daughter getting a job yesterday.  She's officially employed.

. . . for locating an alpaca farm not too far from here.  You may hear more about this later.



Today, the weather is to be up in the 60's, so the washing machine is getting a workout.  So are my clotheslines.  The kids have not been counting eggs, so I may skip the egg count this year.  I have a few new tulips and hyacinths to plant today, and add yet a bit of more pink and purple to the gardens.  Bills need paid today too.  

The herb garden is looking nice already, and my green onions need divided out.  I am replanting a new rosemary plant, since I left mine out all winter (oops!).  The chives are looking great and my sage is doing good (lost them the previous winter).  Even parsley has popped up here and there, and the same with cilantro.  We may be planting peas tonight.

 



        

Thrift Finds

As I mentioned in a previous post, Hubby and I walked through a thrift store last week. Although prices there were higher than I would like, I brought home. . .

. . . a cookbook for grilling fish

From the Homesteading Journal . . .

 . . . installed our very first rain barrel (USA made).  We plan to install more, but want to check out more options on styles (and making them ourselves).  This one holds 55 gallons and will be close to the garden for watering it.  I also have a recipe to make this water drinkable, if ever it was needed in an emergency.  I have been doing some research on rain barrel care, and recently read that you should paint your barrel a darker color, in order to keep the sun from affecting the water inside.  This one can be hooked to another barrel, and we do plan to consider making our own.  Our goal is to install 2 (possibly 3-4) more in the next few years.  Here is a link to information if you are considering installing a rain barrel:  The Redeemed Gardener:  Maintaining a Healthy Rain Barrel.



. . . made a batch of homemade goat's milk ricotta cheese.  I used it to bake Lasagna Ruffles and some cookies.

. . . started cleaning out my flower beds. 

. . . Misty (our youngest goat) gave birth to a baby boy. 



 

Camping Capers

If you have been a follower on my blog, you may remember our Camping Funny Post.

Well this time, this is what happened this past weekend. Yikes!  Look at picture #1 and then at #2.  See anything odd?

We left to do some fishing and when we got back, the awning was completely blown on top of the camper.  

Hubby I took the younger two girls camping, and once again, the weather man was wrong.  Instead of warm, sunny 60's, we had cold, cloudy, and very windy weather.  We fought the weather every day, until Sunday.  Cooking over the fire was a bit of a challenge.  I am glad we could borrow the camper, as it had electric heaters that we did have to use.  It was that cold Friday night.

Either way, and although we did not catch any fish (had a few tugs), we still had a good time.  Festivities were cards, glow-in-the dark Frisbee, and journaling.  The girls spent quite a bit of time writing stories and journaling (when they could).  I of course took a book, crocheting, and a journal.

About the card game.  I played go-fish with my youngest, but was instructed that when I would say "go fish" that I had to say "meow."  And it couldn't be just "meow."  It had to be enunciated in different tones and vocals. Ha ha ha!

We are back home today, and already have one load of laundry on the line.  Hubby and I do not own sleeping bags, so our home bedding went with us.  I think the kids sleep better with their own pillows too.  

Today is Hubby's last day of vacation, so we may go fishing this afternoon yet.  Although the camping trip was for relaxation, it was also a good time for the girls to practice their fishing skills.  We hope to catch a lot of fish to supplement our meals this summer.

Someone asked what fish we catch in our area.  Depending on where we go, catfish, bass, bluegill, perch, and in some areas trout. 

I hope your weekend was great too!      

Thrift Find ~ Clothespin Apron

(reversible, and handmade)

As promised to some folks, here is the photo of the clothespin apron I purchased for $1.50.  I found it at a thrift store, when I was really not looking for anything in particular.  I love it when I find useable thrift items.  I just have to keep the shopping prudent.

Using Up

It's been a while since I posted anything regarding the Dark Days Challenge.  Yesterday, breakfast was fresh farm eggs, and organic waffles.

Dinner was a pasta dish using my home canned tomato sauce, frozen (garden) green peppers and dehydrated mushrooms.  My home canned, organic applesauce is a wonderful side for breakfast, lunch or dinner (or for baking too).

This week I have had a hankering for iced tea.  I have been making a gallon almost every day.  Mmmm!  

Today, I will be scrambling up 2 dozen eggs, and adding onion and green peppers (from last year's garden), and adding frozen spinach.  This makes it easy for hubby to grab a quick breakfast burrito before he goes to work.

Evening, wind down time, usually involves hot tea.  I purchased organic, loose leaf tea from a small (privately owned) local business.
 

$5.00 Vintage Tablecloth

I'm sharing a few thrift store finds and bargains, that I got before getting sick.

Ten Minutes of Torture ~ School Closed ~ Playing Hookie

I am feeling better somewhat, so I walked 10 minutes on the treadmill.  This was torture, considering I coughed a few times (I was told you should not exercise with a cough).  I took it easy, but those ten minutes felt like 2 hours.  I have not walked, nor exercised for several weeks now.  I think I heard bones creaking - ha ha ha!

School is closed today.  It works out for us, although we have some errands to run, before Hubby and I run away for the weekend.  Yep!  We are on the road, so say a prayer.

First we need to go visit an insurance office.  Our current insurance company first quoted us $4,600/year for insurance (with the two sold and a new one to replace), then she called back with $3,600.00.  

We didn't like this woman, as she avoided our questions, and didn't answer us on others.  My son was the driver in an accident over 3 years ago, and we asked about her reviewing our coverage, and possibly going down.

So....hubby got on the phone and got more quotes for car insurance.  This time we were told, that accidents go off after 3 years, however, hubby had a speeding ticket a year ago (tsk, tsk, tsk).  Anyway, she's quoting us a much lower rate - $2,400/year.  The other place told us that it is 4 years (she "thinks" that accidents are removed). 

Hence, the trip to town, on icy roads to get the better insurance today.   Say a prayer for our safety today and this weekend.

Farm updates:  We are low on wood and hay (very low).  We are searching for hay, which is the worst of our problems. 




A year of quotes:
"It's time to start living the life we've imagined."
   ~ Henry James

Buttermilk Cornmeal Pancakes

I know folks have different views on buying any food that has been marked down, but I wanted to share another delicious recipe.  Again, it is from a book from the library.

I bought a 1/2 gallon of antibiotic free buttermilk for $1.25.  I used to be able to find it for $.75.  In the winter, organic milk is very expensive (to make buttermilk homemade).

This recipe would need to be doubled for a large family.  Unless of course you add some eggs and a type of meat for a side.  Yum!  They are tasty and light.
  

Buttermilk Cornmeal Pancakes
(adapted with organic/local ingredients, from Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook, by Cheryl Day and Griffith Day)

1 1/2 cups unbleached, organic all-purpose flour
1 cup organic cornmeal
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 Tbsp. organic sugar
2 large farm fresh eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
8 Tbsp. unsalted organic butter, melted (1 stick) *6 Tbsp for the recipe and 2 for cooking them.

Butter for Serving


In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking soda, salt, and sugar.

In a large measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, and 6 Tbsp. of the melted butter. Whisk the wet mixture into the dry mixture until just combined.

Heat a griddle or heavy skillet over medium-high heat (electric griddle should reach 350-375°F).  Grease the hot griddle with the remaining 2 Tbsp. melted butter.

Pour 1/4 cup of the batter onto the hot griddle for each pancake, making 3-4 pancakes at a time.  Bubbles will start to form on top and around edges.  After 2-3 minutes, lift each pancake up halfway with a spatula to see if it is golden brown and the edges are crispy; if so, the pancake is ready to turn.  Flip the pancake over and cook until the underside is golden brown, 2-3 minutes more.  Serve with butter and syrup.      


What I like about this recipe:

~uses very little sugar
~I can use my farm fresh eggs
~I can use local cornmeal we buy from a Mill
~uses butter vs. oil - I may get my cow yet
~and of course I can make these "on a dime" when I find buttermilk on sale/clearance.

    

From the Homesteading Journal . . .

 . . . made my first homemade ginger ale and loved it!  I plan to make more of this (more so for health reasons) for a refreshing summer treat.  There are many recipes on the Internet.  I also made a hot ginger tea.  The recipe is from my sister's Indian cookbook.  I am enjoying this, in hopes to speed up my recovery from this cold/sinus/cough/chest pain illness.

Healthier Hash

 (before adding turkey and cream)

I made another new recipe - Tasty Turkey Hash.  However, the "tasty" part wasn't what I was thinking when I ate my first bite.

This recipe lacks flavor.  In a last minute effort to make this dish "pop" I mixed in 1/2 tsp. of my ground jalapeno/cayenne pepper mix.  

If you do try this recipe, I'd like to know what you added to it, to add flavor. 

I know ginger and garlic are good with sweet potatoes, but I'm not sure about the turkey.  What would you add?

Some of the kids topped it with shredded cheddar cheese and ate in it in a soft tortilla.   

Leftover Tip:  Add scrambled eggs for a breakfast burrito (any a hot sauce if you like it).

Tempting Turkey Hash
(adapted from Tired and Wired, by Marcelle Pick)

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 red or green bell pepper, chopped, organic
1/2 small onion, chopped, homegrown
1 medium sweet potato, diced, organic or homegrown
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, again home grown (no chemicals)
1 1/2 cups cooked turkey, cubed (home raised or organic)
Salt and pepper to taste
3 Tablespoons cream (we used organic milk)
*1/2 tsp. ground hot pepper (our addition, used a combo of cayenne and jalapeno, also organically grown)

In medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat and saute pepper and onion approximately 2 minutes, or until softened.  Add sweet potato and thyme, stirring occasionally, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender.  Add turkey, and season with salt and pepper.  Slowly stir in cream and simmer for 2-4 minutes, or until mixture thickens.  Serve.

Servings:  2     

Baking in Cast Iron ~ Naughty Horse

Baking continues - Irish Soda Bread (Before)

 Cooling....

Isn't it beautiful? Yum! 

I used a recipe I found on the internet, but used ricotta cheese in place of sour cream, and cut the 3 cups of raisins down to 2 cups.  I also baked it in a 12 inch cast iron pan vs. a 9 inch (didn't have one).  I just reduced the heat by 25 degrees about half way through the baking process.  The ricotta worked as well as the sour cream.  What can I say, part of our motto is "use it up."

Last night I woke coughed and coughed.  This morning I woke to a sore throat.  I am very low on honey so I cannot try the cough syrup Candy mentioned.  I hope to restock this weekend.   Two more girls are feeling ill now. 

Yesterday, while I was checking the soup on the crock pot, I looked out the window to see Blondie (my daughter's horse) with her head completely over the fence, eating the grass on the outside.  Hmpf.  I ran out and threw her some hay on the other side, to keep her mind off the grass out there.  She knows the fence is not electric.

Then when the three younger ones arrived, Blondie was doing it again.  So, out went my second oldest daughter, and got her head back in the fence.

Only a few minutes later, that daughter was back in, and my oldest was driving in the driveway.  In that short time, she (Blondie) go caught up in the fence and had her blanket half way down.  My son and I already straightened her blanket once in the morning.  She's been rolling in it already too.

Thankfully, the weather is warmer, and her blanket is off, but my oldest daughter had to fix the fence.  Naughty horse.   

From the Handiwork Journal . . .

 . . . I am up to about 52 feet on my braid of rags for my rag rug.  This was kind of forgotten about over summer and the holidays.  This project continues.

. . . still plugging away at knitting basket weave blocks for a blanket. 
 

. . . my 11 year-old daughter knitted her first bean bag.  She still needs practice, but she continues to learn.

 You may also like to read this post:  Crocheted Rag Rug