Brrr!

Temperatures got down to 15°F last night.  The sun is shining bright this morning.

Today I am Thankful for:

~a vehicle that would start so my dd could get to work.
~my husband, for driving dd to work.
~no frozen pipes YAY!
~cats who make me laugh at 7am when 2 cars won't start and one has no gas.
~God's forgiveness.
~old photgraphs.
~hugs from my kids.
~good music.
~having my mother's old sewing machine.
~the Internet where I can watch on-line sermons.

Baking Bread ~ Using Homemade Applesauce

Although I have found recipes for applesauce breads using yeast, I needed something quicker yesterday.


I used a Banana-Applesauce Recipe that didn't require any oil, butter, or shortening.  


This turned out nice, and we didn't even make the optional frosting for it.  I love recipes where I can utilize something I already have made homemade, such as my applesauce.

Blessed By Surprise Farmgirl Mail

Thank you Grace!  I am very thankful and grateful for this wonderful Christmas surprise. 

Handmade Ornaments ~ Just a Few More

Made with a wooden honey dipper covered with glue and beads and glitter.  Click on "read more" to see the rest of the post.

More Handmade Ornaments

There are still so many that I have not photographed to share.  Here is one that I posted a "how to" on my S.C.R.A.P. blog:

Cabbage and Carrot Cobbler

 According to my kids, it "sounds nasty" and looks nasty.  However, it tastes pretty good.  I've been looking for healthier meals, and more with vegetables we don't eat enough of.

The photo isn't that great, but it was taken at night.  Our lighting isn't that great in the kitchen.

It's baked with a crust and the vegetables are topped on it.  The recipe did not say to cover the dish, and the onions got crispy and delicious.  The onions are what gives this dish flavor.

Cabbage and Carrot Cobbler
1 cup water
4 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
2 onions sliced
1 1/4 cup plain White Wave dairyless (see notes)
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 tsp. low-sodium baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup soy or rice milk
2 Tbsp. olive oil


Preheat the oven to 375°F.


Place the water, cabbage, carrots and onion in a large pot.  Cover and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.  Uncover and continue cooking an additional 5 minutes.  Stir in 1 cup of the Dairyless, salt and pepper.  Set aside.


Stir the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a mixing bowl.  Add the remaining 1/4 cup of Dairyless, milk and olive oil, and stir just to mix.  The batter will be quite thick.  Spread in a greased 9 x 13 inch backing dish.  Spread the cabbage mixture evently over the top and bake for 35 minutes.


(Source: Eat Right, Live Longer, by Neal D. Barnard)


Notes:  I did not have any plain yogurt (use in place of Dairyless), so I used sour cream.  It worked great.  Also, I used regular milk, but when we have it, I will make this with goat's milk. 

Handmade Christmas Ornaments

I love, love, love to make handmade Christmas tree ornaments.  I've been making them every year for as long as I can remember.  My favorite time of the year to make them, prior to homesteading, was during the summer months.  I'd take my supplies outside and watch the kids play in their small pool.  Now that I garden in the summer, I have to adjust my time. 

These are just a few of my handmade Christmas ornaments, but wanted to share a few.  Each one brings back memories of when and where we lived when I made them.