Creamy Cucumber Spread

This is one of our favorite spreads to top freshly cut cucumber slices with.  My goal is to make the cream cheese from our goat's milk, but that may not happen until we have 3 in milk.  We just are not getting enough milk for any more cheese making this season.

A few years ago, I found the recipe on-line, as well as in a book from the library.  However, the link does not work any longer, so I am sharing the recipe.  And of course, for the milk, I used our goat's milk.

My Healthy Lifestyle Changes

A little "support" can go a long way.

If you have been following my progress in the sidebar of my blog, I am making healthy lifestyle changes this year, and my 11 year-old daughter has joined me.  We do not use the word "dieting."  We are making permanent changes to keep our bodies at a healthy "size" and in the best health we can be - spiritually and physically.

We were all getting to the gym on a regular basis, but as life goes, life got in the way.  By life, I mean Hubby having to work overtime, kids going here and there, emergency repairs, and suddenly "boom" we are not going to the gym.  We slouch it off, walk away and say what my kids say - "whatever."

From the Homesteading Journal . . .

(all the old roofing loaded up by my son and Hubby's brother-in-law)

. . . it took two days, but the leftover roofing was removed, and half of the new roofing was put on. Hubby miscalculated on his measurements and we need to do an exchange for longer roofing. 

. . .we were blessed with enough cucumbers for me to can 7 more pints of bread and butter pickles. I purchased another bushel of corn and stocked that up in the freezer.  I also purchased 5 lbs. of beets, and added 1 pound from our own garden, and canned one batch of spiced beets.  And I purchased local peaches and canned 15 - 1/2 pints of peach jam. And that's not all.  I purchased 36 hot banana peppers and canned 4 quarts of Hot Pepper Mustard Sauce. I also canned 5 - 1/2 pints of Ruby-Red Grapefruit Jelly (another new recipe I wanted to try).

Healthier Zucchini Cake ~ Blackstrap Molasses and Honey

I happened to be thumbing through a book I got for free at the library, and found a recipe for a healthier zucchini cake.  Although the book had outdated information on healthy eating, some of the recipes looked good enough to try (Foods that Heal, by Maureen Salaman and James F. Scheer, © 1989)

I had purchased blackstrap molasses from my last trip to Amish country (where it has been the only location to find it other than on the internet).

Hubby's co-worker shared two large zucchini's with us, so I made the cake to try, and shredded the remaining zucchini for freezing.  

The only thing I forgot to buy to finish this cake, was the slivered almonds.  Tip:  One of my daughter's suggested simply sprinkling chopped almonds on it next time.

Zucchini Cake

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups zucchini, grated

1 c. slivered almonds

1 c.  apricots, chopped

1 lime (or lemon)

1 c. safflower oil (cold press)

1 c. honey

1/2 c. blackstrap molasses

2 eggs

2 t. baking powder

1 c. spring water

Beat eggs.  Add honey and molasses while beating.  Grate rind of lime and add with lime juice.  Mix flour and baking powder.  Add water and oil alternately.  Add zucchini and apricots.  Place in 9 x 13 baking dish.  Sprinkle top with slivered almonds.  Bake 350°F in the oven for 40-45 minutes.

Note:  This cake is moist if using fresh apricots, which is what I used.  I did have to bake it a bit longer.  My family devoured it. 

Reading, Recipes and Stocking Up

While the internet and cable was out, we did a lot of reading around here. We've been visiting the library much more often this season.  I was able to can a few things too.
 

One of the books I read, was A Killer Maize, A Farmer's Market Mystery, by Paige Shelton.  It was pretty good too.  In the very end of the book, the author shares recipes.  I have never made strawberry syrup, so I saved up 2 lbs. of my Ever-bearing strawberries and made some.  Although the recipe states you end up with 7 - 1/2 pints, I had 5.  Not sure why, other than the strawberries I used maybe.  Next time, I will use more if I have them.  This giveaway is closed now.  Winner is posted.

Preparing for Winter

These photos do not even show the last two or three truckloads the guys brought home this week.    Hubby's brother-in-law happened to see a home with a downed tree, and a sign saying it was free wood.  

The bad part was, that it was cut into those gigantic pieces that most folks do not want to mess with.  Hubby, his brother-in-law, his nephew, and my son, took the wood splitter up and cut it all. There were a few near accidents, but the all came through it in one piece (thank goodness).

We are thrilled.  It's red oak.  The best wood to burn for heat. We are ever so grateful for it.  They guys also took a rake to clean up the person's yard before leaving.

Proud "Mom" Moment:  Hubby said a woman across the street asked where that "young man" was, that had been out helping, and she told Hubby she never saw such a "hard worker."  His brother-in-law told him the same thing.  That "young man" they were talking about is my son.

They brought home 7 full truck loads.  And guess what?  There are more in neighboring yards, and they came out and asked if Hubby wanted it too.  I guess we're getting more wood.  Oh, and the wood is oak too.

Stitched Stationery

Without a television to watch in the evenings, I am finding myself working on my crafting projects more and more.

I just started the art of "stitched stationary" and love it.

I was looking over a few patterns over at Sublime Embroidery, and saw "Stitchable Stationary" but found it was out of print.

Looking a little deeper, I located the blog, The Stationary Place.  She posted instructions that got my mojo going to give it a try.

I searched the internet for coloring pages that were printable.  I re-sized them to fit my note cards.  I used her tip on punching holes over the pattern, and into my cardstock.  I simply held the printed picture with an office clip, and used a bright light to see where I was punching holes with a pin.

I then took embroidery floss and connected my dots, using my pattern for guidance.  I started with this basic cat.  But one thing led to another. 

I found this cute goat, and made him too.  And it kept going from there.

I challenged myself with this barred rock.  Boy, there were a lot of holes for this one.

 And of course I had to embroider a camper (he he!).

If you are interested in making these yourself, I simply cut cardstock in half, width-wise, to make two cards.  I cut white cardstock so it was just a bit smaller than the front of the card itself.  I embroidered the pattern, then attached it to the front of the card with double-stick tape.  I hand stamped the back with a rubber stamp that says "Handmade with Love" and I signed my name underneath where I had stamped.

Oh, and I don't know why I just kept on making cards with the farmyard themes, but I plan to expand on that too.  Maybe flowers, a cabin, cookery, camping, and all those fun things in life.