Rhubarb Crunch

I adapted this family recipe with homegrown, organic ingredients.  The original recipe is from my own Mom, and called for "shortening" so feel free to use organic shortening if you can't find real lard or process your own lard.

The crunch is also a thin dessert.  It is not thick and will go quickly, as it is so good.  

Rhubarb Crunch

1 cup flour

1 tsp. Baking powder

2 Tbsp. lard (or shortening)

1/2 tsp. salt

Cut lard into dry ingredients.  Add 1 beaten farm fresh egg.  Pat into the bottom of a 13 x 9 in. baking pan.  Scatter 2-3 cups of diced rhubarb over the crust.

Mix:

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup butter

Cut butter into mixture and sprinkle over the rhubarb.  Bake at 350°F for 30-40 minutes.

Infused Oil Question and other Chit Chat

We were blessed with another sunshiny day, and no rain.  I went way out to the garlic and tried to recover it, lining up the holes.  Didn't happen.  Hmpf.  I then tried to hand hoe it.  Didn't happen.  Too wet, which put me instantly in a depressed mood.  It's not drying out, we can't till.  We can't plant.  Clouds moved in by 2pm, so the sun didn't last too long, but we warmed up to the low 70's.

I sat on the porch and chatted with a daughter, contemplating my options for the day.  Previous to that, I pulled weeds by the side door (what a mess).  I decided to clean the porch and get some things out of the barn.  Daughter helped, and soon it was swept, and furniture out and looking cozy.  I just need flowers, hanging pots and flower beds weeded now.

Question for you all.

I have always infused my oils with dry herbs.  Everything I've read states it is safer.  I'm also reading that chickweed loses it's value if dried.  So, has anyone infused oil with fresh chickweed?  And what process did you use to do it?  Would love to hear your input as chickweed is available here now.

I had a vulture swoop down onto the old barn and sit.  There must be something dead out there.  I had to laugh when a small bird swooped in and pushed it off the post it was previously sitting on.  I wonder if those small birds do that to keep them from eating their baby birds?  Or do vultures only eat dead animals?

If you recall, our nuisance neighbor moved out of state to start another home business.  Well, word is (just hearsay at this point) he spent all his money and guess who is back?  Yep.  When we returned from our cabin retreat, I noticed the frame that was started for a barn several years ago (and abandoned) was taken down, as well as a greenhouse at the house (no one bought the flowers he grew and sold, so that business may have gone down the tubes too).  Hm.  Yesterday, a Sheriff was down there for a long time.  Could get interesting.

Oh the possibilities...

I literally made a "possibilities" list yesterday.  The sun came out (shocker), and the rain was only 10%.  I had no idea what to tackle first.  Garden?  Herb garden?  Garlic? Wash rugs?  Clean off the porch?  Fix the vacuum?  Harvest chickweed, plantain and clevers?  Start another jar of Four Thieves Vinegar?  Take a lawn chair out into the sunshine and read a book?  Oh, so many possibilities.

I just wrote out a list and went with the flow, starting with anything that could be washed and dried outside (taking a chance).

First off the list - leaning tower of dishes.  Put them away only to get most back out again.  Oh look!  Rotten bananas!

Second off the list - rugs washed and on the line.  I could not believe the sun was out and the rain went away for a day.

Next?  I had all good intentions to get the bathroom scrubbed, tidied, swept and mopped. After checking the garlic and asparagus I noticed the rhubarb needed tops trimmed.    First thing I typically make is Rhubarb BBQ sauce, but not yesterday.

Then I brought this in, and made this . . .

Rhubarb crunch. I'll be posting the recipe soon.  Asparagus was saved for another meal.

I weeded the herb garden, and brought this in....

... and made this.

Chickweed pesto.  I need to make chickweed tincture, and dry a ton of it for tea and oil infusions.

So this happened.  Again.  At least the herb garden has been weeded.  Again.  Tomorrow we have a 20% chance of rain, so I am praying the garden dries up.


Hubby is now working 10 hour days for 6 days straight, so it's odd for me to adjust.  Even so, he wanted a short motorcycle ride, which didn't happen.  I knew he'd be too tired, and he was, but the intention was good.

A friend sent me tomato seeds, but it's too late to start the for this year.  I will save them for next season.

All of the chickens are finally getting along.  I just can't let the younger ones out in the run just yet.  Too many hawk and eagle sightings to take a chance. 

Tuesday Tidbits

It was my turn to take the lead for the day, as Hubby was super tired, exhausted, and plain worn out.  

The rain continues to fall, so the expensive electric dryer has been humming more often than not lately.  I'm not happy about it, but I can't do anything about the rain but pray it quits.

I think I need a second Mother's Day off from cooking.  Whew.  I dirtied so many dishes yesterday.  After getting a breakfast casserole mixed up, I had to wash dishes just to make dinner.

Granola bars - cherry, chocolate chip with hemp seeds.

Breakfast casserole.  I dug out my frozen organic cottage cheese for this one.  Worked perfect.  I had to taste it since I never made this one before.

Dinner - Chicken spaghetti, and at the last minute decided on corn vs. asparagus.  I'd like to pick a bit more for another meal.

Sorry it's all food pictures.  I'm pretty sure you don't want to see rain and clouds.

Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm joining Sandra today at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

Now that we have gotten through Hubby's birthday and mine, and Mother's Day, it's back to the grind.  I was lucky to hear from 3 of my kids on Mother's Day, and a few on my birthday, but tickled that one actually came over to visit me yesterday. 

I just love the wind chime she brought me, along with all the other goodies.

I don't try to expect anything for my birthday nor Mother's Day.  My kids are not the best at calling or even texting, but sure know how to show up when it's their birthdays.  I'll be making changes to that this year.  

Hubby is still working a lot of hours.  He worked 2nd shift last night, getting home after midnight and has to return this morning for first.  But bless is heart for giving some cash to our youngest daughter, so she could go out and buy me a birthday card, cheesecake, flowers and a gift card.  She also wrote me a long Mother's day letter and left it at my "blog station" as she called it.  Bless her heart and for my very tired Hubby making sure I had a nice birthday and Mother's Day.  

And...and yes Hubby gets the award for making my weekend special.  He got home after midnight Saturday night, and got up and made that delicious breakfast (see below), he also took me to a local ice cream shop and brought me home some Amaretto Cherry ice cream.  The business is local, and voted the top ten ice cream stores in the US.  The ice cream was delicious.  He also bought me locally made potato chips and some chicago style popcorn (which is addicting).


On the breakfast plate . . .
Eggs and toast, but this is what Hubby got up and made me for Mother's Day breakfast:

It was so good - potatoes, green bell pepper, onions, bacon, and cheese.  Oh my do I miss his omelets.  It just made my morning.  And toast with wild violet jelly.  Oh my...

The weather . . .
Even though days have passed since I last updated on the rain, as of today, once again 15 days of predicted rain.  We have been hanging around in the lower 50's, cold and cloudy.  We may see a heat up, but the rain hasn't gone away just yet.  I have not even been able to till the garden to prep it for planting.  We should be planting this week.  It's raining this morning.


On my reading pile . . .
A book from the library.  If I get time to start reading it, I'll let you know.


On my TV . . .
Movies we borrowed from the library


On the menu . . .
Chicken spaghetti, asparagus
Tuna and noodle, beets
Pesto past of some sort
....have no idea as we get back to normal around here


New recipe I want to try . . .
Hot Taco Dip, Freezer meat sauce


On my to do list . . .
-master bath
-bedding, laundry
-dust
-tidy up computer area
-try and fix vacuum (urgh)
-make a meat sauce to freeze (may not happen this week)
-check asparagus
-deliver soap saver bags to the massage business to sell
-make granola bars



Looking around the house . . .
I have a vase with a rose in it, and a vase with mixed fresh flowers.  Just makes me smile and gave a good day.


From the camera . . .

A cardinal came to the window last Saturday and chirped until I came to the window.  Just so beautiful.


What I am creating . . .
Still finishing up a knitted dishcloth, and actually had some time alone to start on these new items:

Hand crocheted teabag travel totes.  I'll have them up for sale as soon as I get my house back in order.


One of my simple pleasures . . .
Lighting some candles and taking a long relaxing soak in the tub.


Prayers . . . 
A special request from a friend who said her husband is in the hospital, one friend who had surgery, and other personal requests.

Tidbits

Hubby: "When is your birthday?"
Me: "Tomorrow."
Hubby:  " Oh Sh*t!"

That was Thursday night, ha ha!

My birthday morning excitement was getting up at 5:30am and packing Hubby's breakfast and lunch, making my own breakfast, running the dishwasher, feeding the animals, washing a pair of jeans, and making a tea infusion.

I visited Mom and took her a Mother's Day gift.  Hubby didn't have to work 2nd shift, but it was a rather boring birthday.  No flowers, no gifts, no cake or ice cream etc.  I know he's working a lot of hours, so I gave him a pass.  As for the older kids, I'm lucky to get a "Happy Birthday" text message.

Hubby and our Youngest daughter later took me out for a steak dinner, which was pretty good.

I checked on the hens early.  Move in day was Thursday night and it was the battle of "Who is large and in charge."  I went to make sure they were all okay.  They are skiddish, but they'll just have to put the big girl panties on and fight for the food and water.

The slackers are finally giving me some blue-green eggs.  Haven't gotten any for months.  

Steak Sheet Pan Dinner ~ Whiskey/Blue Cheese Butter

I made a steak/potato/asparagus sheet pan dinner the other night, and all of us were disappointed in the steaks - organic ribeye and expensive.  They were more fatty than I have ever purchased.  These are typically not available until "grilling" season starts, and I was super excited to have them again.  This time?  Not so.  I'll be checking out a new organic, grass fed farm that is one hour away.

I however, made our delicious whiskey/garlic butter (Black and Blue Cheese Butter) to top the steaks and potatoes, so now I have to use up that butter one way or another.

The recipe for the sheet pan dinner is from Rachel Ray's show.  Just google it.  Super easy, I just need a new steak to use for it. 

Please be patient with me catching up with your blogs.  I have so much to catch up on in my kitchen alone right now.  Hmpf.  I know it'll be so nice when I'm done.  Now, if I can get Hubby to start on that bathroom.  Again.

Rain is in the forecast for the next 15 days.