Backyard Camp Out

 The tent area.

The Campfire Cooking Area

Six girls camped out and cooked some of the food (some fell off the grill (ha ha ha!) over the fire.  This morning, they made coffee over the fire, and waited patiently for it.  Here is the recipe they made.  It's from a 1969 cookbook that my mother gave me many years ago.  I forgot I had it on my bookshelf, but the kids found it.

Cafe Au Lait

Brew 4 cups of coffee in the way you prefer.  Heat 1 quart of milk in a saucepan until bubbles appear at the edges.  With both liquids hot, pour them simultaneously into cups.  Add sugar and cinnamon, if desired (they did add this and it was delicious.  According to them, it was "refreshing" for a hot drink.  Makes 8 cups.

(Cookbook for Family Camping, by Elizabeth Williams, 1969)

Horse Show

Oldest daughter brings home more ribbons

A View From My Porch

Toad Does Not Give Up

I can't tell you how many times we have removed the toad from my tree pots.  He/she has now made a home in the other pot.  We removed him/her from there and yesterday it was sitting on the edge of the rim.

No matter where we put this toad, including way out in the vegetable garden, it finds its way back to my redbud tree pot.  I may have to replant this tree into another container, but that toad will probably burrow into it too.  Our best guess, is that this toad is a Mom, and has eggs buried in there.  I guess time will tell.

Queen Anne's Lace Jelly

If my kids think I went nutso, by making the Dandelion Coffee, the Dandelion Jelly, and the Milkweed Flower Bud Quiche, they will really think I've fallen off my rocker now.

I have been going through old cookbooks, and reducing my supply.  I found a recipe for Queen Anne's Lace Jelly.  

Instead of cleaning my much needed bathroom, I walked around the property and plucked about 18-19 full heads of Queen Anne's Lace (not to be confused with Hemlock).

I soaked them in water to remove unwanted "guests" and then rinsed them twice.

Chillover Blueberry Sherbet

 We are experimenting with Chillover Powder (alternative for animal gelatin), and have come up with this recipe to share.  Again, it's all experimental.

Wild Berries

 (Before Baking)

2 Wild black raspberry pies made from about 16 cups of berries.  Yum!  Oh....the first one had way too much liquid and was served in a bowl with ice cream.  Everyone laughed, but it's the first time for me making pies with these berries.  Now if I can get them to help pick about 10 more cups, I can make jelly also.  Amazing how far wild berries will supply us.