~Simply Loving Home~

A Childhood Friend

2012-02-05T13:29:00.001-05:00

May sound silly, but the "Old Man" was a

friend of a lot of us as kids...

As we drove through The Notch yesterday to visit

some dear friends, it was rather sad to see the

"Old Man of the Mountain". The face fell

down 9 years ago in May, never to over look NH again.

He wasn't an 'idol' or an 'ego of NH'

He was just a beloved old friend who was

always there and ALWAYS awaiting company!

Old Man or no, the majestic mountains

are well worth the trip. I'm just glad I know who

the TRUE ROCK is. He is the one I put

my trust and security in, and HE too is

always awaiting our company!

He is the Rock, his works are perfect,

and all his ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong,

upright and just is he.

Deuteronomy 32:3-5

For who is God besides the LORD?

And who is the Rock except our God?

Psalm 18:30-32

Hands

2012-02-02T13:09:00.000-05:00

Hands... they are so everyday,

so simple and used.

And yet, they are really complex,

important and incredible!

Did you know that there are 27 bones in your hand?

We have 8 carpals, 5 metacarpals, and 14 phalanges

(each of your fingers has 3 phalanges in them -

proximal, middle, and distal.

However,

there are only two phalanges in your thumb,

proximal and distal.)

(Thank you Answers.com)

When you stop to think about it....

our hands do some incredible things!

The next time you have a baby around,

stop and look at their hands & fingers!

They are sooo small and yet intricate at the same time!

They flex and grab.

They wrap around objects and those

little fingers pick up the smallest things!

By the time we grow into adults most of our hands have

wiped away tears, written letters, washed dishes,

prepared meals, played a piano or guitar, buttoned shirts,

shoveled something (snow, dirt, rocks).

We've created, broken and fixed something.

We've been cut or broken and healed up again.

We've learned a skill ... whether it is typing, teaching,

baking, sewing, building, driving, doctoring,

pastoring or whatever...

your hands are pretty amazing!

From newborn to elderly,

our hands are a big part of what we do each day!

And to think... since we are made in the image of God,

His hands must be even more amazing!!

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."

Psalms 139:14

A Month of Letters

2012-02-02T08:20:00.000-05:00

Here's an awesome challenge!

I just found this today as I was looking around at some of

the blogs I enjoy reading. Do you remember the

exciting feeling you get when you actually

receive a letter in the mailbox that IS NOT A BILL or

AN ADVERTISEMENT?

Check out Mary Robinette Kowal 's website to see

what she has to say on the subject!

Here's her challenge:

I have a simple challenge for you.

In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs. Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch.

Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items.

All you are committing to is to mail 24 items. Why 24?

There are four Sundays and one US holiday.

In fact, you might send more than 24 items.

You might develop a correspondence that extends beyond the month.

You might enjoy going to the mail box again!!

So are you with me??

Go bless someone this month!

Roasted Butternut Squash Lasagna

2012-01-30T20:03:00.001-05:00

3 lbs. butternut squash, halved & seeded

3 TBsp. olive oil

Preheat oven to 450*F Grease a baking sheet and put

the squash on it to bake... brush with the oil.

Bake 45-50 minutes, until the

squash can be easily pierced with a fork.

Set aside to cool.

Cook up 9 lasagna noodles!

1 sweet red pepper, cut up

1/2 cup Vidalia onion, cut up

1 tsp. minced garlic

Saute in olive oil then set aside.

1/4 cup butter

1/3 cup flour

1 quart milk

Melt butter in a large sauce pan. Add flour and mix quickly.

Add the milk slowly and whisk until it thickens.

After it thickens stir in the cooked pepper/onion/garlic.

Add a little salt & black pepper to taste.

Scoop the squash out of the peel, mash

it up in a bowl then add it to the thickened

milk, pepper, onion.

(ooops, I forgot to take a picture!)

(fresh spinach & 1 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese)

Reduce heat in the oven to 375* F Grease a

9X13 baking dish. Pour 1 Cup of the butternut

squash sauce into the baking dish and place

3 lasagna noodles on top. (You can use either the

No-Cook noodles or the pre-cook ones)

Spread 1/2 of the remaining squash sauce,

top with freshspinach (optional) and

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.

Place another 3 noodles on top, spread the remaining

squash sauce, more spinach (optional) and 1/2 cup of

Parmesan cheese.

Top with the last 3 noodles and pour

1 cup of non-fat Half & Half (or heavy cream) over the

top of the noodles and then top that with 1/3 cup of

Parmesan cheese! Cover with aluminum foil.

BAKE in the preheated oven 375*

for 30 minutes then

remove the foil and bake another 15-30 minutes

until the top is bubbly golden brown.

Allow to rest 5-10 minutes

before serving! ENJOY!

You Are My Portion

2012-01-22T10:38:00.004-05:00

"You are my portion, O Lord."

Psalm 119:57

"The Measure"

Let the grace of the Lord be the measure of your sufficiency;

Let the peace of the Lord be the measure of your quietness;

Let the power of the Lord be the measure of your strength;

Let the goodness of the Lord be the measure of your contentment;

Let the love of the Lord be the measure of your service;

Let the faithfulness of the Lord be the measure of your trust;

Let the beauty of the Lord be the measure of your worship;

Let the fullness of the Lord be the measure of your joy;

Let the sovereignty of the Lord be the measure of your confidence;

Let the promises of the Lord be the measure of your expectations;

Let the coming of the Lord be the measure of hope!

(I do not know where I read this. I do not know the name of the author.

It touched me when I read it, I wanted to share it with you too.

If you know... please let me know so I can give proper credit!)

2012-01-18T10:21:00.000-05:00

I found this beautiful quilt while looking

at Keepsake Quilting!

It's called "Blue Moon Bali".

I really like the stained glass window effect

that the black has around each of the blue pieces!

So, I thought I'd TRY to get a similar

effect using yarn.

Here are the pieces so far...

three kinds of blue, with one row of black.

Not sure this will work, but I'm going

to continue! I'll post the finished product

and you be the judge!

Have a wonderful, windy Wednesday!

A Touch of Spring

2012-01-17T07:21:00.000-05:00

Oh, what a pretty bouquet of yellow

will do for a room!

Happiness in a vase!

A splash of spring like sunshine!

A hostess gift...

THANKS FRIENDS!

Happy 1st Birthday AJ!

2012-01-16T15:41:00.002-05:00

Do you remember this post?

AARON STUART CORROW JR.

Happy 1st Birthday AJ!

You are such a blessing

and a joy to all of us!

May your upcoming

year be full of

love,

adventure

and peace!

Have fun learning about life as
you start walking, running,
talking, CLIMBING
and investigating EVERYTHING
just like your daddy did!

"For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

WE LOVE YOU
BUNCHES!

Hello to 2012 With Purpose....

2011-12-31T11:27:00.002-05:00

I've heard it before.
I've said it myself.

2011 was....

Hmm, how does one

describe this year?

Delightful

for some...

(Weddings, new babies

new apartments!)

Challenging

for others...

(Loss of jobs, loved ones,

too much on the plate,

loss of self worth)

Isn't this how every year stacks up?

Some people just have better years than others.

Maybe that's how it is suppose to be.

Ponder this...

I think we are suppose to be

so intertwined with each

other that when one of us has a

bad day, week, month or year,

others of us are there

to offer the open arms for a hug,

a listening ear, that proverbial glass

of cool water....

As a society, we've become quite

self focused. We've forgotten what it

is to be so much a part of another

person's life that we feel their pains & joys!

All of this to say, as this new year 2012

rolls in, my personal goal is to be

more PURPOSEFUL.

Purposeful in my use of time,

purposeful in my eating & activities
more purposeful in growing in my
faith walk with God,
and more

purposeful in making and taking

time to 'smell the roses' along the way!

And, I'd like to say that I've seen the ocean,

at least once in this new year....

Geesh, it's only a couple of hours from here!

"For I know the plans I have for you,"
declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T07:09:00.003-05:00

Can you even imagine the thoughts

of Mary during her pregnancy or

the years of raising 'the Son of God'?

"The angel replied, ".......For nothing is impossible

with God." Mary responded, "I am the Lord's

servant. May everything you said about me

come true." And the angel left her.

Portions of Luke 1:35-38

"Mary gave birth to her first child, a son.

She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid

him in a manger, because there was no

lodging available for them."

Luke 2:7

I pray that this during Holy-Day weekend

you will ponder the Truth about Christmas.

Remember that the same baby whose

birth we celebrate at Christmas, was born

for you and each of your loved ones!

He came that you and I would have LIFE...

not as we know it here on earth, but

LIFE with the Father in Heaven.

"For God loved the world so much
that He gave His one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in
Him will not perish but have
eternal life. God sent His Son into
the world not to judge the world,
but to save the world through Him."

John 3:16-17

You are greatly loved!

Merry Christmas!

Favorite Christmas Traditions....

2011-12-19T14:23:00.002-05:00

We all have favorite Christmas traditions,

a few of mine are...

Christmas caroling,

Decorating our tree as a family,

Listening to Christmas music,

crocheting gifts & ornaments....

Watching
"White Christmas" and "It's A Wonderful Life",

Cookie Swaps....

And...
Spending an afternoon with Gary making Chex mix
and singing Christmas carols!

Gary is mixing up the "Puppy Chow"...
2 1/2 gallon Zip Lock bags are perfect
for mixing up batches of Chex Mix!!

Gary is filling up the cup so he can ...

pour it in to all of the gift bags!
Now he's all ready for Christmas....
Shhh... don't tell!

Gary and Lilly relaxing on the couch!
Ahhhh, now I'm almost ready for
one of the greatest, most important days
of the year!

Cookie Swap Fun

2011-12-18T14:07:00.001-05:00

Last weekend some friends and I gathered

to have a cookie swap! We had a fun pot

luck lunch and Yankee swap too!

We each made 4 dozen cookies ... some made

two batches of 4 dozen cookies!

Left to Right

Cindy, Rhonda, Rita, Jaqueline, myself

(Anne taking the picture)

Below, I'm taking the picture

and Anne is between Rita & Jaqueline!

(Sadly, a few friends had work

committments they couldn't get out of)

Cindy & Anne checking out the

pretty packaging on one of the gifts!

Cindy was dubbed 'The Queen of Christmas'

We all had a wonderful time together!

Christmas Must Be Something More

2011-12-16T07:42:00.001-05:00

I don't know if this

is a new song or one that has

been around for a while.

I just discovered it...

and I LOVE IT!!

At my first listening,

it made my eyes all misty.

This song touched my heart and

I wanted to share with you!

Sugar Plum Fairy

2011-12-14T12:24:00.001-05:00

This is sure to make you smile!

My Christmas Organizer

2011-11-26T08:22:00.003-05:00

I found that "My Christmas Organizer" was

a very helpful tool for me last year and

decided to make another one for this year!

It is very simple to make...

Let's untie the bow and check it out!

The ribbon is attached on the back

only with double sided sticky tape

so I won't lose the ribbon when

I untie it to use!

Simple enough to make... using one sheet of

colored card stock paper, I folded it to

accommodate the note paper I chose to use!

(Last year, I made a smaller one and cut down

note book paper.) This year, I didn't want to

be bothered so I used sheets from a

5X7 mini legal pad of paper!

I have enough pages for lists of stores I need

to go to, page per person in my family for ideas,

family pages, crafts I'm working on and

shopping lists for them etc.

Separate sections for food items for the

events that happen this month!

(Cookie Swaps, Tree Decorating Day,

Christmas Brunch, Christmas Dinner etc.)

I even included a page for "New Recipe Ideas"

that I may try this year....

I included three envelopes! I folded the flap inside

and had to cut a little bit off the bottom so that

it would fit, but reinforced it with pretty paper!

There is an envelope for Store Receipts, Coupons,

and Misc. (maybe to hold a recipe card?)

These work great for section dividers!

Over all, I think it took me a couple of hours to

make, but it will help me keep all of my

Christmas ideas, lists, receipts etc. in one

place so I'm not soooo scattered all over!

It was fun to look back into last year's organizer

to see what I did, where I went etc.

I may even adapt a calender page to

fit in it for next year!

God Speed Kim....

2011-11-22T07:06:00.002-05:00

It's hard to say good bye.

The time has flown by so fast.

I'm thankful for the love and happiness

you've brought back into his life.

We will all miss you.

Your parents,

Your husband,

Your daughter,

Your grandson,

your friends,

and your extended family!

Praying that you'll be

untethered from this earthly

shell and on your

way into the Lord's arms

very soon.

We love you Kim & Andy!

Happy Birthday Travis!

2011-11-12T06:50:00.001-05:00

Happy 24th Birthday Travis!

"Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.

For the Lord grants wisdom!

From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.

He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

He guards the paths of the just and protects

those who are faithful to him.

Then you will understand what is right, just and fair,

and you will find the right way to go.

For wisdom will enter your heart, and

knowledge will fill you with joy.

Wise choices will watch over you.

Understanding will keep you safe."

Proverbs 2: 2-11

God Bless you and Keep you Sweetheart!

Apples....

2011-11-09T16:16:00.001-05:00

Just when you think you're finished.... someone you love brings home a bushel of apples! No, I'm not complaining. I made applesauce, we ate lots of them fresh, I've made apple pizza, apple bread, apple cake... and now, I'm trying something new to me!

Freezing Apple Pie Filling

24 cups sliced, peeled baking apples (6-7lbs.)
3 TBsp. lemon juice
4 1/2 Cups sugar (I use half brown, half white)
1 Cup Cornstarch
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
10 Cups water

In a large bowl, toss apples with lemon juice and set aside. In a large kettle, over medium heat, combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt & nutmeg. Add water and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add apples, return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until apples are tender, about 6 - 7 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes. Ladle into freezer containers or freezer bags, 1 quart per container, and cool to room temperature before freezing! This is enough to make about five 9 inch pies!

After thawing, put it in a pie crust, dot with butter and seal with a top crust! I'm hoping it will be as yummy as it was smelling!

I made one and a half times the recipe, that's why there's more then 5 bags ready for the freezer!

This Morning...

2011-10-28T07:07:00.001-05:00

Do you see what I see?

What do you see?

Snow

Cold

Extra layers of clothes

Windshields to scrape

2+ inches of snow on the railing

Walkway that might be slippery

Need of winter tires

A future of shoveling before work

COLD toes & fingers

DO YOU

SEE THE
SUNSHINE...

shining over the trees and

reflecting off the garage?

I SEE HOPE!

It may be the beginning of winter...

but I still know spring is on the way!

Life is all about perspective isn't it?!

I've always been a Pollyanna...

I've actually been called that by a few.

Well, anyone can see the doom and gloom.

It's so obvious, it's ready to ruin your mood

or day if you let it!

YOU CAN BE CREATIVE!

FIND SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE

AND HOLD ONTO HOPE!

A-Z Get to Know Me

2011-10-22T11:19:00.002-05:00

A. Apples or oranges?: Like them both... but apples make better pies and aren't so messy!
B. Bed: Queen size with quilts!
C. Chore you hate: Vacuuming the floors, don't know why, but I've always hated it!
D. Dog: Have had 3 dogs .... 1 as a child and 2 now!
E. Essential start to your day: Cup of hot tea with milk.
F. Favorite Color: Medium pinks, periwinkle blue and sage green!
G. Gold or Silver: Gold
H. Height: About 5' 5" I'm now the shortest in my house.
I. Instruments you play: Does the radio count? Played clarinet & bassoon in high school, but not anymore!
J. Job You Most Liked: Working at home with children!
K. Kids: Two adult sons and an adult daughter
L. Live in: New England and love it!
M. Make of Car: Don't have one at this time.
N. Nicknames: Mom, Mel, Auntie Mel
O. Overnight Hospital Stays: Tonsilectomy at age 4 then childbirth as an adult!
P. Pet Peeves: People who claim to have integrity but don't live like it.
Q. Quote from a movie: “Houston we have a problem!"
R. Right or Left Handed: Right
S. Scary Movies-yes or no: Absolutely No!
T. T.V. Shows: Crime shows; NCIS, In Plain Sight, Castle and Feel good shows like; Everwood, Wildfire etc.
U. Underwear: Yup!
V. Vegetable You Don't Like: Lima Beans, Shell Beans... GROSS!! Pretty sure it's a texture thing!
W. What makes you run late: Sometimes the kids, sometimes the husband, most of the times... me, remembering the last minute things!
X. X-Rays: Teeth...
Y. Yummy Food That You Make: I like to make LOTS of things... breads, soups, pizza, jellies, pickles, roasts....
Z. Zoo Animal: I like the looks of giraffs... The last time I was at a zoo I was 4!

Want to play along?

Copy and paste the A-Z questions to your blog

and then change the answers so others can

get to know you too!

Roots & Squash Soup

2011-10-21T17:06:00.002-05:00

Here's an interesting soup I made for dinner tonight!

After reading the recipe from "Stuff I Feed Brian"

and having been wanting to use butternut squash as a base

for soup, I'm trying this recipe!! I used the recipe almost as

written... but made a few adjustments for our family's

taste. It is a soup that will be making its

way into the regular rotation here!!

ROOTS & SQUASH SOUP

1 small to medium butternut squash (or winter squash of your choice)

2 medium to large sweet potatoes

3 medium to large beets

Dash of salt

Peel & boil these veggies with just enough water to cover them.

Sweet red pepper - diced

1/4 vidalia onion - diced

1/2 tsp. minced garlic

Continue to boil until the veggies are soft.

Using a slotted spoon, remove about 3/4 of the veggies and put them

into a bowl. Use a potato masher to mash them up and then

add back to the remaining veggies still in the water/juices.

Stir in well. (You could also put the veggies into a blender

or food processor to mash or use an immersion blender!)

Add a hand full of cut up kale and/or beet greens and

cook on low for a few minutes, just until the greens are wilted.

Serve warm with optional toppings of

sour cream, grated cheese, parm. cheese or plain yogurt

and salt & pepper to your own taste!

(Warm cornbread is yummy with it too!)

Be prepared for a DELICIOUS SOUP!

Your taste buds will be very excited
with the combination of flavors!!

(Next time, I think I'm going to add
some back beans to it! Maybe make
it ahead and keep it warm in the crock pot!)

OH, THE IDEAS ARE ENDLESS!

Grape Jelly

2011-10-15T15:31:00.002-05:00

My mom called the other day.... she had LOTS of

grapes on her vines and would I like some!?

OH YEAH.... we're in business now!

First of all I needed to get the majority of

the vines & twigs out of the grapes!

I added just a little bit of water... maybe 1 to 1 1/2 cups

so they would begin to boil and smoosh easily!

Handy old potato masher mashes them down

really easily and within the hour the grapes are

simmering and the juices are smelling sooo good!

Using one of my favorite kitchen tools.... the

'Foley Food Mill' the seeds, skins random twigs

all get separated on top and the juices and 'meat'

press through the mill into a pot or bowl below!

Voila! In no time at all the juice is ready

for

JELLY MAKING!

32 Cups of grape juice.....

Grape Jelly

5 Cups grape juice

1 Box of Sure-Jell

Bring this to a boil and then add

7 Cups of sugar and bring back

to a roaring boil (stirring continuously!)

Boil for a full minute (or two). Skim the foam

from off the top and then carefully

pour into canning jars. Seal with lids and rings.

Each batch makes approx. 8 cups of jelly!

NOTE:

DO NOT DOUBLE THE RECIPE!
JELLIES & JAMES NEED TO BE MADE IN

SINGLE BATCHES... ALWAYS!

They all must be put into a boiling bath for 5 minutes.

Remove from the water and allow to cool!

Store in a cool dark area!

Here are two of the 5 batches I made today!!

I always put the little bit of leftover jelly

in a mug for immediate use!

I'd like to figure out a recipe to make

BBQ sauce with grapes.

I did do a search and found the

grape jelly and add stuff to it, but I

wonder if there is a way to just

make and can the BBQ sauce ahead of time?!

Hmmm, gonna have to think on that one ...

I know more grapes are on the way next week!

I shared this on Simple Lives Thursday!

Go check out what other fun ideas have

been shared this week....

Have You Ever Tried Mincemeat?

2011-10-10T15:24:00.002-05:00

I've heard of mincemeat.

I've said no thank to mincemeat.

I've looked at recipes

for making things with mincemeat.
And then, I've put those recipes away!

And now, finally...

I trying my hand at MAKING mincemeat!

(I will admit, it is at my husband's request!)

OK, it is on the stove top.....

I just tasted it for the FIRST TIME EVER.

I have to admit, it wasn't bad!

Pete's 89 year old aunt shared this recipe

with me ... so I had to try it!

Green Tomato Mincemeat

2 Quarts ground green tomatoes

2 Quarts ground apples (firm apples)

4 Cups brown sugar

1 1/2 Cups vinegar

3 Cups raisins

3 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ground cloves

3/4 tsp. allspice

3/4 tsp. pepper (I used 1/2 tsp.white pepper)

2 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. mace (I used nutmeg instead)

3/4 Cups butter

Chop apples & tomatoes and drain.

Add this and the remaining ingredients

except the butter in a stock pot and

bring to a boil. Simmer for 3 hours.

Add the butter and stir in until melted.

OK, here is what I did. I read a few

other recipes, including the one in the

Ball Blue Book. In the Ball book, it

said to combine all the ingredients and

simmer for 15 minutes then ladle into

hot jars and PRESSURE CAN both

quarts & pints for 90 minutes!

So, I compromised... I used Pete's aunt's recipe

with the exception of mace. I didn't have any.

When I looked it up to see just what it was,

I discovered it was kinda like a peppery nutmeg,

so I used nutmeg instead!

Also, since I wasn't

sure about NOT at least water bathing the

jars, I decided to follow the Ball Book

instructions to be on the safe side and

used the pressure canner!

This recipe made

3 quarts and 3 pints

AND 3/4 cup that I held out!

NOW... to try this stuff in a recipe!

SOFT MINCEMEAT COOKIES

1/4 Cup softened butter

3/4 Cup brown sugar

2 eggs

3/4 Cup mincemeat

1 1/2 Cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. salt

1 Cup Choc. chips

1/2 Cup chopped walnuts (optional)

In a mixing bowl, cream the butter &

brown sugar. Add the eggs & mincemeat

and mix well. Add the dry ingredients and

mix well before adding the chocolate chips

and walnuts. Bake on GREASED cookie

sheets at 350* for 10-12 minutes or

until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

Yield: about 4 dozen.

I shared this on Healthy 2Day Wednesdays and
Simple Lives Thursday!
Go check out the other wonderful posts!

Sun Dried Tomatoes ... Who Knew?

2011-10-03T07:46:00.009-05:00

Who knew it was this easy?!

We LOVE sun dried tomatoes!
(Ok, technically... dehydrator dried!)

It is nearing the end of the garden season and

I am TIRED of canning tomatoes.

I never thought I'd say that... but I am.

I think it is mostly because the more I can, the more space

I need to come up with to store it!

(But that's a discussion for another day.)

I decided to give the dehydrator a try. Check this out!

Saturday night was my test run was with 2 apples and

one tray full of fresh picked cherry tomatoes ...

washed & cut in half!

I sprinkled the tomatoes with a little bit of sea salt

(didn't do that for the following batch)

and I lightly sprinkled the apples with cinnamon sugar!

Can you say DELICIOUS!!! I AM SOOO ExCiTeD!

Sunday night I loaded up the trays with more cherry tomatoes

and left them overnight (roughly from 9PM to 5AM)

and they came out perfectly!

Storage for these little guys is a mason jars

with olive oil and in the back of the fridge!

There is a total of 7 dehydrator trays in these 2 jars.

It doesn't look like much... but it is!

You ask, 'now what?'...

I can't wait to use them in pesto-chicken,

turkey sandwiches and can't you just smell

the bread cooking!?

Ahhh, I'm going to start drooling if I don't stop now!

I'll share pictures with you as

I figure out more recipes to use them in!

The apples came out awesome too!

I only did two apples... but everyone like them!

I'll definitely be doing more of these as well,

but, most likely without the sugar!

I need to do some more investigating,

but I've seen both tomatoes

& apples stored in zipper type bags (remove air)

and store on a pantry shelf or in the freezer.

I'll let you know how that all works out!

Next up.... regular sized tomatoes. I'm going to try thinly slicing them and then adding a little basil & sea salt before dehydrating them!

(Posted on Healthy 2day Wednesdays )

A Quiet Sunday

2011-09-25T09:58:00.000-05:00

"The grass withers and the flowers fade,

but the word of our God stands forever."

Isaiah 40:8

Having Fun with AJ

2011-09-24T07:24:00.001-05:00

Go look at the post from January 16, 2011

Here's the same little boy

eight months later!

AJ is honestly, one of the most happy

babies I've had the privilege of loving!

How can anyone resist baby feet!?!

They have yet to walk in the grass, run along a beach,

jump in mud puddles, crunch the fall leaves as he walks,

or make snow angels in the snow!

He is one happy little boy!

I wonder what wonderful things are

in store for him as he grows up?

A Crockpot Kinda Day

2011-09-16T11:48:00.000-05:00

It's a rainy day.... a day with appointments to keep

and time to save! A perfect day to try one tried and true

and a brand new (to me) recipe....Have you ever made

Crockpot Lasagna?

No, well me either until today.

Ingredient list:

Spagetti sauce (I used one can Hunt's, one jar of

home made and 1 can of paste)

Sweet sausage & grond beef

Package of frozen cheese ravioli

Fresh baby spinach (optional)

Shredded cheese

Crock Pot

(size depending on quantity you want to make!)

Directions:

Cook the sweet sausage and ground beef then

add the sauce to make a nice thick spagetti sauce.

(I also added about 2 TBsp of my frozen pesto for added flavor)

I sprayed the inside of the crockpot with an

olive oil spray to keep things from sticking...

this is totally optional.

Put a little bit of sauce on the bottom then start layering:

frozen ravioli (enough to cover the sauce)

a little fresh spinach

a little shredded cheese

top with sauce

Repeat until you've used up your ingredients... top with cheese!

Turn the crock pot on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 4.

Serve hot with garlic bread... DELICIOUS!

Now for desert, how about a little APPLE CRISP

with vanilla ice cream.... yummy!!

I can hardly wait to come home and smell this all cooking!

Peel and cut up 6-8 good sized apples

(enough for 6-8 cups) put into a large bowl add

3/4 Cup brown sugar

1/2 Cup flour

2TBsp water

1 Cup oats

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 TBsp butter (cut up)

Mix all of this together and put into a 4 quart crock pot

(Previously sprayed with olive oil so it won't stick).

Cook on low for a few hours!!

Seriously, most crock pot recipes are very forgiving...

if you cook it a LITTLE bit longer or

shorter length of time it will be ok.

You can also USUALLY cook on high for

almost half of the time.

Corn

2011-09-13T16:25:00.003-05:00

My hands are tired from all the picking,

husking & cutting of corn! BUT... thinking

about the rewards of eating yummy fresh-tasting

corn during the cold winter months

make it all worth it!

I picked three rows of corn and blanched the ears about

8 at a time (roughly 6-8 minutes in boiling water,

followed by immersing the ears in ICE COLD

water to end the cooking). The ears fit into a

medium sized laundry basket and the cut

off kernels fit into two large bowls

and a 9X13 baking pan!

I packaged the corn in quart and gallon sized

freezer bags... the larger bags will be perfect for

corn chowder or shepard's pie and

other yummy recipes!

Roughly, 58 cups of corn all neatly packaged

and ready for the freezer!

Corn stalks cut down and ready to go

feed the pigs!

This has been shared on Healthy 2Day Wednesdays
and Simple Lives Thursday!

Recipes

2011-09-07T08:06:00.001-05:00

I have one of my grandmother's cookbooks. It isn't too old... a copyright of 1946, but there are some 'interesting' foods you can learn to cook such as roasted 'squirrel or opposum'!

I can't say I've tried these recipes, but I have read some of them! Old cookbooks are a lot like history books. You can learn about the culture through the foods they ate (or that was common for that generation). I've read about rendering fat... that still comes in handy when butchering pigs!

Honestly, I cannot picture my grandmother preparing some of these things, but you just never know. She did what needed to be done to feed her family of six.

I did come across a couple of notes that my grandfather had written tucked in the cookbook! One was a score card for a game they had played and on another he was figuring the cost of gas! Can you remember when gas was 14.9 cents per gallon! These are treasures!

I wish I had more of her hand written recipes... but I do have this book, one hand written recipe and a fews recipes of hers written by my mom, so that's ok! One of her recipe follows....

Put N' Put

One of my childhood favorites!

The recipe name was given

because you put and put and put

ingredients repetitively

in to the pot, right up to the top!

The idea is to layer the contents:

bottom layer:

cut up stew beef or chicken

or meat of your choice (not cooked)

then a layer of cut up:

potatoes

carrots

onions

a layer of 'dumplings'

then sprinkle with salt & pepper

(Basically the dumplings are a 1 1/2C flour, 3/4 tsp salt,
3 TBsp shortnening, 3/4C water or milk. Mix dough then

rolled out and cut into strips or rectangles.)

Then start layering again:

meat, potatoes, carrots, onions,

dumpling, then salt & pepper.

Finish layering the ingredients in your

soup pot and then fill it with water.

Cook this on low till the veggies are

soft and the meat is tender.

The dumplings will thicken and the water will

become a yummy broth!

Ahhh, the kitchen will smell delicious (and more

so if you've made bread or dinner rolls to go with it!)

These are things childhood memories are made of!

Applesauce

2011-09-03T14:39:00.004-05:00

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!

I love the smells, the cooler night air,

the beauty and bounty of the garden in full growth,

the leaves just starting to turn, ahhhh...

don't you just LOVE IT TOO!

My husband brought in a 4 1/2 gallon pail of field apples!

(My definition: apples picked from a tree that was not

sprayed or cared for like those in an orchard!)

It's applesauce time!

Applesauce is SOOOO EASY to make and store!

Simply cut up the apples.

No need to peel or seed them.

Add a little bit of water to the pot and start

cooking over low to medium heat. The apples

will soften enough to mash with a potato masher

and stir around with a big spoon.

Next, I use my FAVORITE TOOL... the Foley Food Mill

to take out the seeds, stems & peels and into the bowl

goes smooth and delicious sauce! (It is wonderful to use

when making spaghetti sauce too!)

Back into the pot and add a little sugar (personal taste here)

add some cinnamon if you want to (I don't) and heat it back

up to boiling. Put into pints or quarts and water bath

the jars for 20 minutes!!

Aren't these beautiful!!

4 1/2 gallon bucket = 15 pints of sauce!

I love the way the skins make the

sauce pretty in pink!
(Applesauce is also EASY to freeze!
If you don't want to can it, simle put the finished
sauce into freezer bags or containers after it
has cooled down, seal and freeze!)

IT IS YUMMY EITHER WAY!

PS. If you want to make apple jelly too, you can

peel the apples before cooking. THEN after the

sauce is made, boil down the peelings and hang

them up in cheese cloth or in a NEW white pillowcase.

Use the juices to make jelly!

The jelly has an awesome flavor too!

This post was shared on Healthy 2Day Wednesdays
and Simple Lives Thursday !

Sunny Sunflower

2011-09-01T21:05:00.000-05:00

Toby and Lilly

2011-08-30T05:42:00.002-05:00

I think they've become friends!

(But, maybe it's more of a tolerance...)

Granola

2011-08-27T15:47:00.001-05:00

Doesn't this look yummy?!

A friend posted this on facebook and

I tried it today. Of course I adjusted the

recipe a little bit to suit our tastes!

Here's the original recipe in black and the

adjustments I made in blue!

GRANOLA

3 cups rolled oats (4 cups)

1 cup slivered almonds (1 1/2 sliced almonds)

1 cup cashews (1/2 cup pecans)

3/4 cup shredded coconut (1 1/2 cups shredded coconut)

1/4 cup plus 2 TBsp dk br. sugar (scant 1/4 cup dk. br. sugar)

1/4 cup plus 2TBsp maple syrup (1/4 cup + PURE maple syrup)

1/4 cup vegetable oil (1/4 cup Smart Balance oil)

3/4 tsp salt (none)

1 cup raisins (I haven't put any raisins or craisins in yet)
I also added 3/4 tsp. of ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 250* F

In a large bowl combine the oats, nuts,

coconut and brown sugar.

Combine the oil & maple syrup in a separate bowl

and mix then pour over the dry ingredients and mix.

Pour this onto 2 large baking sheets

(or 1 large turkey pan).

Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes,

stirring every 15 minutes.

It is finished when it is an even tan color.

Remove from the oven to cool,

mix in the raisins and store

in a large plastic lidded container.

Next time I make this, I will add sunflower seeds and

pumpkin seeds along with the coconut & nuts and I'll triple

or quadruple the recipe!

THANK YOU KAREN OWNBY!!

Preparing for Irene

2011-08-27T09:14:00.001-05:00

Listening to the news & weather over the past few days will do one of three things to a person. It will either make you totally freak out and plan as if we are facing an apocalyptic style catastrophe, be totally lethargic remembering how many previous storms we've prepared for only to wake up to nothing or next to nothing happening outside, or to simply keep putting one foot in front of the other!

I tend to take the last option, I'll keep one eye on the weatherman and the other on my 'to do' list! I went to the grocery store this morning. I bought cat food & dog food because the current bags are almost gone, oatmeal & coconut so I can try a new granola recipe, cereal for the hubz, lunch meat because we are out, sandwich bags, apples & bananas and a gallon of milk! OH YA... and my two purchases for the hurricane: M & M's and Chocolate Kisses!

Now honestly, I'm NOT taking this storm all that lightly. We will have water in 5 gallon pails in the tub for flushing & we already fill jugs at the spring for drinking, so we are set there. There are candles in the cupboard from years of waiting for the nor'easters to hit, and the pantry is stocked because the garden is in full season of producing veggies!

We still need to put the lawn chairs in the shed & batten down the rabbit hutch, maybe I'll get a batch of cookies made and perhaps start a pot of soup... JUST IN CASE! Here's to preparing for the worst and praying for the best!! PLEASE IRENE, take a sharp right as you leave the Carolinas! Praying that you are all safely tucked in as Irene makes her presence known!

Lemon Cucumbers... Dill Pickles

2011-08-26T11:36:00.001-05:00

I've never heard of 'lemon cucumbers' before

this spring. We were given a package of

seeds to try!

They look like lemons ...

They are perfectly round and when less ripe,

they are slightly yellow!

When ripe, they become 'lemony' in color

and size! QUITE INTERESTING INDEED!

CHECK THIS OUT....

All sliced and pickled

and in a dill brine!

Don't they look like lemon wedges!?

I can't wait to try them!

This jar belongs to the friend

that gave us the seeds!!

Lilly's New Sweater

2011-08-26T06:30:00.001-05:00

Okay... my kids told me I'd probably become

'one of those' people!

I didn't want to believe them.... but, it's only been

a week and a half and already I've

crocheted a little coat for her!

Maybe they were right!

Ziploc Vacuum Freezer System

2011-08-22T10:30:00.001-05:00

After seeing the Ziploc Vacuum system, I thought I'd

give it a try. The cost wasn't too bad...

(If I'm remembering correctly, it was

only $2.99 for the pump & 3 bags

and maybe $3.99 for a dozen bags!)

and they are available at the grocery store.

The bags are a different texture then the regular or

freezer Ziploc bags and they have a little patch

in the upper corner.

After the bags are filled, you zip it shut and put the

plunger to the corner. It works like a bicycle pump,
work the plunger until the air it gone!
Wipe off a little bit of juice

and viola... it is ready for the freezer!

I don't know how these bags will compare to other

freezer, air tight bag systems. But it was easy

to use! I'll let you know....

Introducing Lilly

2011-08-17T13:30:00.001-05:00

Here's Lilly

She is an eight year old mini -

dachshund that needed re-homing.

Toby and Lilly made friends

pretty quickly!

Well we got through the first 24 hours....

I think she'll be just fine!

Purple Plus Green Equals... Green!

2011-08-15T07:41:00.005-05:00

If you've ever taken an art class... you know this

is just NOT going to work out on a palette..

but, in the garden & canning world,

it's a different story!

We planted green & purple bush beans and no,

I don't remember the specific names... but they

are fun & pretty to watch grow!

(FYI: Green beans have white flowers &

purple beans have a light purple flower!)

We've picked & canned quite a few already, but

Sunday afternoon they were ready to pick again!

I don't know how many this is... maybe

1/2 to 3/4 of a bushel or so.

Toby LOVES veggies from the garden!

He is intently watching Pete's hands

just waiting for him to toss a tail or two his way!

He's such a funny dog... lucky for him, there

were some beans that were just too big!

Here they are

all cut up and in the jars!

Aren't they pretty!

Now, off to the canner they go....

25 minutes in the canner at

10 pounds of pressure for quarts!

(20 minutes at 10 pounds for pints)

The cool thing about the purple beans...

when they are cooked, they turn green!

They are tasty & tender and hard to

tell the difference once they are cooked!

ENJOY!

From this pile of beans we canned

12 quarts & 9 pints!

This post shared on Healthy 2day Wednesdays
and Simple Lives Thursday!

Sending Chickens To Freezer Camp

2011-08-09T18:13:00.005-05:00

FOR MY SQUEAMISH FRIENDS... PLEASE STOP HERE!

DO NOT CONTINUE READING THE REST OF THIS POST!

I PROMISE THERE ARE NO GROSS PICTURES!

OK, you've been forewarned! Proceed with caution...

We got 30 day old chicks 9 weeks ago...

It is amazing how fast they grow!
(We lost 3 over the nine weeks)

This isn't our first time raising meat birds...

but each year we learn a little something new

or something to do differently next time!

We belong to a group called

Small & Beginner Farmers of NH

where we share experiences and equipment.

Our family oversees the MPU (Mobile Processing

Unit) for our county. We teach others how to use

it and rent it out to members.

Above, you see the trailer that everything is

housed in... the removable 'cones' are attached to

the doors. We have portable pens that can be

set up (behind the door area) for the "poultry in waiting".

After the head is removed and blood drained,

the carcass is dipped in HOT water (about 150*)

in the scald tank for a few minutes, just until the
feathers can be pulled out by hand.

The Featherman Plucker works really well!

In just a few minutes the birds

are all ready for the next step!

Evisceration... a fancy word which

means 'to gut out'.

The chill tank... is kept filled with ice so that

the core temperature is brought down FAST

and they are ready for the freezer!

Sitting pretty.... awaiting bagging and

weighing and then off to 'freezer camp'!
(Average weight... 5.65 pounds)

All in all... the process is not bad or hard.

My husband and I finished up all

27 birds in just a few hours.

(Not including the clean up!)

As to cost effectiveness.... you decide.

I kept track of EVERYTHING this time around!

Our total price per pound is $1.29

We are happy!!

Sharing this post on

Healthy 2day Wednesdays and

Simple Lives Thursday!

Ana Sapphira at Soulfest...

2011-08-08T06:28:00.005-05:00

Travis & Austin

playing together in their band

Ana Sapphira

at Soulfest in

Gilford, NH

Travis, John, Doug, Austin
(Jordan is to the right of Austin)

on stage... playing for a large

crowd of over 500 people!

Austin & Jordan

It was so much fun to watch them play.

They have matured in their music and

have gotten really tight as a band!

The end of this week they go on

tour... NH, VT, NY,

with another local band.

PLEASE keep them in prayer ....

as a mom, of course I think of all the

'obvious' things like
SAFETY, TRAVEL, SLEEP, FOOD...

but the unseen and less obvious things
could be even 'more important'.

Please pray for the dynamics of the band

members while traveling together.
For their witness as Christian young men.

For their dealings with the other musicians.

For WISDOM in the decisions that
need to be made, etc.

It is awesome to see how God is using these guys!

Yes, I'm a proud mom. It is fun to see

them grow and mature!

Curious as to their style?

Go to youtube!

Beans, Beans and More Beans...

2011-08-02T15:58:00.004-05:00

I have been buying and saving dried beans with the good intentions of making; baked beans, re-fried beans, black beans & rice, hummus from chick peas and so on... well, they've been stored in large plastic containers and I've just never used them. I'll admit to cheating... for the sake of ease, I've bought the large cans of kidney beans to make chili and the cans of black beans for soups & black beans and rice... BUT NO MORE!!

I discovered in a favorite old cookbook of mine, a paragraph written by a Mennonite woman, Ada Beachy, the NEW TO ME concept of canning the dried beans so they are all ready to use! I LOVE THAT CONCEPT... if you want to read her paragraph, check it out here!

I checked out online how other people did this and found a great lot of advice of what to do and what NOT to do too! (Like... LOOSELY fill the jars with the prepared beans NOT solid pack and then fill the jars with the hot water leaving the head space.)

I'm SOOOO EXCITED!! I tried kidney beans and black beans first... it was a lot of work, but I think it will be well worth it come winter time! NOW, I'm going to try the navy beans & pinto beans & chick peas... and keep on going!

Since I didn't soak the beans overnight, I quick boiled them, timing it for a couple of minutes after they started to boil then soaked them in this hot water for an hour.

Afterwards, drain and rinse the beans and then fill the pots back up with fresh, water and allow them to boil for another 30 minutes.

NOW drain the beans (KEEP THIS LIQUID) fill the quart jars LOOSELY to the shoulder area of the jars.

Add 1 tsp. of canning salt and then add the saved liquid allowing 1 inch of head space. (The headspace allows for the beans to expand a bit more during processing.)

You need to use a pressure canner (NOT a water bath)... 90 minutes (for quarts... 75 minutes for pints) at 10 pounds!

It's so much fun to see the jars starting to line up on the pantry shelves!

PLEASE: IF you are going to try this method... do your own research! Different areas of the country require different pressure canning times. (ie: the length of time may be greater if you live higher up in elevation!)

This post shared on Healthy 2Day Wednesdays and Simple Lives Thursday! Go check out some of the other ideas!

SIDE NOTE: I did try to can chick peas (garbanzo beans) the next day. I tried the dry method putting a scant 1/2 cup in a pint, 1/2 tsp. salt and boiling water leaving 1 inch of headspace... pressure canner for 75 minutes at 10 pounds of pressure. I can't say I'm overly thrilled with this outcome. They didn't fill the jars like I assumed they would. It could be they were too old. I will try again using BOTH methods and see if it is the peas/beans being a little too old or if the 'presoak/cook' method just works better for me. I'll let you know! :)

Dill Pickles & Canned Green Beans.....

2011-08-02T14:49:00.001-05:00

The processes are different...

but the end results are the same!

Food put up in jars

for the long winter months ahead.

Our family favorite... DILL PICKLES

This recipe has been used for a few generations

on my husband's side of the family! I used

my mom's recipe for a while... then after

trying this dill pickle, sorry mom, but

this is got my vote!! I've been making

this recipe for the past 28 years!

Ingredients above.... cucumbers, grape leaves

and dill heads! Yup... we grow our dill and use

the heads. I've also used the fern part too

when I run short! (SIDE NOTE: the ferns

are awesome in cucumber or potato or tuna salads!)

Wash the grape leaves & dill heads. Put one

in each WASHED & WELL CLEANED quart jar.

Then, wash the cucs, slice and put in the

jars too! Top with 1 tsp. of alum and

add the BOILING HOT brine.

(10C water, 5C cider vinegar, 1C salt)

(USE CANNING SALT)

Seal the jars with hot, clean lids & screw tops!

This recipe as it has been handed down doesn't

call for water bathing. BUT... I KNOW THE USDA

GUIDELINES SAY THEY OUGHT TO BE. IF YOU

MAKE THESE PICKLES... PLEASE USE YOUR

DISCRETION & READ UP ON THE GUIDELINES

FOR YOURSELF & MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICES.

NEXT on our agenda for the day was green beans!

Pete, being the wonderful, helping husband that he is,

picked, washed & cut up all the green beans! HE EVEN

FILLED ALL THE PINT JARS FOR ME!!

I added 1/2 teaspoon of

canning salt and then boiling water leaving 1 inch

of head space before putting the lids on.

IF I WAS USING QUART JARS

I'D NEED TO ADD 1 TSP OF SALT

(Head space is the amount of air space between the

top of the vegetable or fruit in the canning jar

and the underside of the lid.)

Now the jars go into the pressure canner. Inside

I had about 2 inches of hot water. The jars are added

and the top put on and sealed. The stove heats up the water

and pressure builds... this type of canner is controlled by

the heat from the fire. If it has too much pressure, we turn

down the fire or if there is too little, we turn it up.

CHECK THE USDA GUIDELINES FOR

WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR WHERE YOU LIVE.

I cook them at 10 pounds of pressure

for 20 minutes for pints.

Family Cookout Turns.... Surprise!

2011-07-28T09:39:00.002-05:00

My mom, my Aunt Donna (mom's sister)

and my cousin Michelle

Audrey & Pete (Andrea on the couch...

in the background)

Betty, Aunt Trudy & Raymond

Uncle Ronny (mom's brother)

Andrea & Chloe, Darlene, my dad & Bob

chatting on the deck.

SURPRISE!!! Mom & Dad's 50th wedding

anniversary was July 15th!

Aunt Donna had a cake made with a picture of

my parents on it! The picture was taken on the

bridge over my grandparent's pond. Well, they are

both gone now, but my cousin Alicia lives here now...

and the cookout was held at the same place

the picture was taken! It was a lot of fun!

Bob & Nancy (family friends forever!)

my cousin Alicia & my mom.

Back to the camera is Marc, to the left is Ethan,

Darlene, Pete, Travis & Austin!

Back to the camera is Uncle Ronny & Aunt Trudy

and Betty & Raymond!

Ethan (Marc's son) & Michael (Alicia's son)

Brent (Michelle's son)
Boys having fun!

Marc, Mom & Dad and me...

I LOVE looking

back at all the fun we had!

Kale... It Isn't Just For Decorations Anymore!

2011-07-28T08:25:00.002-05:00

About three years ago that I discovered how delicious kale really is! Up until this time, the only thing I knew it was used for was to decorate a plate with a couple of slices of twisted oranges in restaurants! How wrong I was! It grows pretty hardily here in the north east... maybe it grows well everywhere, I really don't know.

I was invited to a friend's house for a visit and lunch one day.... she made Portuguese Soup. I'd never tried it before but basically it has a clear broth with white potatoes, mild but spicey Portuguese sausage and kale as main ingedients. It was VERY good! But KALE... ??

Well, I decided to buy some and to try my own hand at using this new, odd veggie! I came up with my own version of Kale Soup. It has been a HUGE HIT at our house ever since!! I've shared the recipe before... check out KALE SOUP if you want to check it out it!

After purchasing the kale and making my soup, we decided to try growing it... viola! We discovered it grew VERY WELL! Still being on the learning curve, I wasn't sure how well it would 'freeze' or 'dry' or 'can'... I did try to freeze it and it was... ahhhh, ok. THEN... I pulled out the dehydrator to try that method and can now say, it is totally amazing! The 'queen of green' has found its way into our hearts! :)

Last year I dehyrated a few batches... enough to fill up a 60 oz. plastic 'pretzel container' that I get when I buy bulk and then I crushed some to fill a quart sized canning jar. (An easy way to add the nutrition to spaghetti sauce or other sauces!)

THIS YEAR... I have already picked three times! My newest discovery is that the more often I pick, the more I'll get! It keeps growing back ... like spinach! I am already almost done filling my second LARGE plastic container and I have at least a couple months left!

Maybe you already know all this .... but just in case you didn't, I wanted to share with you! Plant kale, pick often, try new recips and methods of food storage! You'll be glad you did! Oh and by the way... check out the nutritional value too!

Sharing this on Simple Lives Thursday!

Just Wanted to Share....

2011-07-16T06:53:00.000-05:00

Aren't they pretty!

Basil... It's A Wonderful Herb!

2011-07-12T18:02:00.004-05:00

I planted three plants of basil this spring. I grew some last
year too, but I didn't realizethat I could have harvested
MUCH more then I did had I picked it every few weeks!

Just so you know, you pick the individual branches just
above the bottom 2 sets of leaves closest to the ground!
I read that by picking more often I should get
about 20 cups of leaves PER PLANT!

Here is a picture of the plants this afternoon
prior to my picking it!

And... here are the plants afterwards!

The harvest....

Add the basil leaves, some minced garlic, olive oil

and Parmesan cheese to the food processor...

Press the 'go button' and VIOLA!!

FRESH, DELICIOUS PESTO!

And now it's ready for the freezer!

Oh, and one more thing, some people add
pine nuts or pecans when they are making
pesto. Personally, I like to add fresh
slivered almonds when I am
making a dish calling for pesto!

At this rate, I'll be able to make a few batches of pesto,
dehydrate some and even freeze some leaves whole in
ice cubes for that 'close to fresh' flavor in
spaghetti sauce later in the winter!

SERIOUSLY.... the hardest part of making pesto...
picking off the leaves and
getting the food processor off the back shelf to use!

Sharing this post on Simple Lives Thursday ...
a fun and AWESOME place to visit!

Strawberry, Peach and Strawberry-Peach Jams...

2011-06-30T14:04:00.003-05:00

'Tis the season....

Yesterday I bought

5 1/2 pounds of eastern peaches and

6 pounds of strawberries

I want to show you how easy this whole process is!

I've been making jams & jellies since I was in

high school. Jams, jellies and pickles were the first things

I learned how to can! You can do this...

From this....

Fresh Strawberries &

Fresh Peaches (forgot to take a picture)

Minus a few of each for fresh eating...

To this.... water bathing the 8 oz jars

And, finally this....

8 pints of strawberry-peach jam

8 pints of peach jam

18 pints of strawberry jam (only 9 pictured)

HARDWARE YOU WILL NEED:
Large cooking pot (mine is 6 quart)
wooden spoon or heavy stirring spoon
ladle (I use a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup)
a large cereal bowl with hot water for the lids
8-9 eight ounce Ball Jelly jars with lids & rings
Large cooking pot to use as a water bath (9 qt. stock pot will work)

The recipes I used came from the book Saving the Seasons
(How to Can, Freeze, or Dry Almost Anything)

STRAWBERRY JAM

5 Cups crushed strawberries (washed, stemmed & cut up)
1 Box Powdered Pectin
7 Cups sugar
1/2 tsp. butter (optional... I leave this out)

Put the strawberries in a large cooking pot and stir in the pectin.
Measure out the sugar and put it into a separate bowl.
Bring the strawberries to a full roaring boil (STIRRING CONSTANTLY!)

Stir in the sugar and stir in quickly, returning to a full boil and boil for
1 minute (STIRRING CONSTANTLY!) Remove from heat and
skim foam off the surface of jam. Ladle quickly into clean jars,
leaving 1/4 inch of head space.

Tighten lids and process for
10 minutes in a boiling bath. Makes 8-9 half pints.

To make the peach jam you'll follow the directions above but
make the
ingredient changes to the following:

PEACH JAM
4 Cups peaches (washed, peeled & diced)
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Box pectin
5 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon butter (optional)

Cooking method & water bath method is the same as above.

STRAWBERRY-PEACH JAM

I had 2 cups left over cut up peaches
so I added 2 cups of strawberries and then
followed the peach jam recipe & water bath!!

It turned out VERY TASTY!!

Ahhh, it feels good to be canning again!

I'm sharing this on Simple Lives Thursday!
Go check out the other awesome ideas
everyone is sharing from across
the globe!

FYI: The difference between jams & jellies is that jams use the whole
fruit and it is included in the jar where jellies only use the juices of the fruits!

Check for yourself next time you
are in the stores....strawberry jam vs. apple jelly
(you can see through the apple jelly!)

A Fun New (to me) Word "Juxtaposition"....

2011-06-30T07:57:00.000-05:00

I was reading a friend's blog this morning. In her writings she used the word 'juxtaposition'! I've never heard of this word before. My 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Bowie would tell me get a dictionary and look it up! Over the years, I found myself echoing that teacher (and many of my teachers) to my kids... get a dictionary! Although, I will say, I never told them to get a dictionary to look up a word to figure out how to spell it! That is one frustrating memory from my early elementary years! Ha ha ha... oh the odd things we remember! Enough digressing...

Times have changed some... now I just need to click over one tab and type in the word and up comes many choices. I have used information from both "Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" and "dictionary.com"

JUXTAPOSITION: (noun)
1) two random objects moving in parallel, a technique intended to stimulate creativity.
2) an act or instance of placing close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.

USED IN A SENTENCE: The interior designer like the juxtapositional look of my totally white kitchen with its blue backsplash!

What a fun word! Fun to say, fun to think about things that are juxtapositional! I thought it would have something to do with how things are positioned or seen as positioned...

ORIGIN: 1655–65; < French < Latin juxtā side by side + French position position

OK, enough English lessons for today! (PS.. thanks Heide for unknowingly spurring me on)

Today, Friday, June 24th

2011-06-24T09:45:00.003-05:00

Outside my window... stands an empty clothesline. Thankfully
the clothes made it inside before the rain started.

I am thinking... about my summer to do list.

I am hearing... the rain gently falling, the birds chirping outside and the hum of the refrigerator.

I am wearing... wool socks, jeans & a warm shirt... it's a chilly morning here in New England.

I am remembering... how easy life seemed to be when the kids were all little and safely tucked in at an early hour.

I am hoping... and praying for each of the kids (young adults) knowing that they have a Heavenly Father who is watching out for them.

From the garden this week... the veggies and seeds are all planted. Now we need to wait patiently, but we did pick a little rhubarb!

I am pondering... over the verse, "Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better then silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1

Around the house... the house stands quiet today. I wonder what tales would be told if these walls could talk?

One of my favorite things... baby feet. These little feet are only

one day old!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Sprouting... I'm Trying It Again!

2011-06-22T14:06:00.003-05:00

I decided to give sprouting a try again! I found this

Easy Sprout kit and bought some organic seeds

for sprouting. These seeds are a 3 part salad

sprouting mix... alfalfa, broccoli and radish!

First you put about 2 Tablespoons of seed into the

liner cup (it has holes on the bottom) and rinse the

seeds, swishing them around a little bit.

Then, you put the liner into the outer cup and

fill about half way with water, up the cover on and....

let it sit for 5-6 hours on the counter

out of the way of direct sunlight.

Rinse thoroughly... and now get at much

water out as possible. (twirl the cup with your hand

in the sink. The centrifugal force will

pull the excess water right out!)

It was amazing after soaking about 2 tablespoons

of seeds for 5 hours, you could really see them

swell up already!

You do this every 12 hours for about 5 days....

End of day 2

End of day 3

Middle of day 4

Day 5 starting to green up

I'm not sure if I put enough seeds to make the sprouts
grow up to the top of the container.
But they are close!!

They are DELICIOUS on a salad and in a sandwich!
I'm amazed at how easy this was...

Check it out on Youtube:
Sprout People
They make it look soooo easy! And
it really is!

I also have a plastic lid with screen to use on a
mason jar!! You really don't need to
spend alot of money on sprouting!

I'm also sharing this on Simple Lives Thursday!

Crochet Project Hex Squares Tote

2011-06-20T12:17:00.001-05:00

I found a neat looking project online a couple of weeks ago.

It is one that involves making 'hex squares' instead of 'granny squares'

and them attaching them to form a bag.

Colors... well, the finished ones I found online had all sorts

of colors! Some were orange, yellow & brown, others were

reds, blues, yellows, greens etc... I chose to go with

a bright & happy looking bunch of colors.

These were easy enough to make... I've never liked

switching colors (I really don't like all the tails!)

but it worked out ok!

Attaching them was easier then I thought!

I'm not happy with the funky bottom, but I'll figure

that out with my next one...

The handles - straps were relatively

easy to make too! Now I just need to

pick out some fabric and make a liner

and it will be finished!

Below you can see the next one I'm working on...

all blue with a yellow center! I think I'll make two

different shades of blue... and see how that looks.

LINKS for lessons on how to make this fun tote

can be found here:

Future Girl's Hex Tote

I think I will make myself a 'granny square afgan'

now that I know how crochet the squares together nicely!

Roasted Veggie Soup.... A Corn Chowder Variation....

2011-06-14T12:05:00.000-05:00

It is yet again, another cool, rainy day here in New Hampshire... but, it is ALWAYS rainy during this week of the year. It is motorcycle week! The bikers have had a rainy 'celebration-festival' more times than not lately, but they keep on coming! When we were kids... this was a weekend event, but for quite a few years now, it has turned into a full week (plus the weekends on either end) of events! Have fun and be safe!! (Yes, it can be done.... contrary to my brother's opinion!)

Well, since I am home and can't hang out the laundry, I might as well tackle this idea that has been mulling around in my head... corn chowder but with a twist.

Roasted vegetables... mushrooms & zucchini and maybe even roast the potatoes & onions too! I looked online at the site I go to when I want to see if it has been done already... and I found roasted cauliflower soup (that looked good!) but not what I was looking for. SO... maybe this experiment will find me with another family favorite! I'll let you know what they said! Here goes!

First, I start the 'smoked ham hocks' in a little water. This will add nice flavor. I'm not using lots of water since I don't want to dump the flavor down the sink when I add veggies & milk! Now I know most people don't hocks in their freezer, and that's OK. Sometimes I use bacon, sometimes ham... this time, ham hocks.... so whatever you like or have on hand will do just fine! (I'm wondering how sweet sausage would taste in a corn chowder... but that's for another rainy day!)

Now, on to the veggies... I washed and cut up 6-8 small zucchini squash & some mushrooms & sweet onions.... tossed lightly with some oil and just a little bit of salt. Bake this at 450* for about 30-35 minutes.

Now use the same process to roast some red potatoes.... cut up the potatoes (when using red potatoes, I leave the skins on!) Bake till tender, approximately 35-40 minutes at 450*. Add all of the veggies into a stock pot and add your corn....

Then add your choice.... milk, Half & Half, heavy cream or a combination thereof! I use milk... and 1% milk at that, but I also add instant potato flakes to help with thickening it up a bit!

IT SMELLS DELICIOUS! The hardest part of this recipe is not nibbling on the roasted veggies or having a small serving of soup before everyone comes home for dinner!

Now I'm off to make some dinner rolls to go with it!

ENJOY YOUR RAINY DAY!

Granola Bars

2011-06-12T14:34:00.001-05:00

I tried a new recipe today.... it's one that I found online and after jotting it down, I neglected to add where I found it. I NEED to get better at that detail!!

"GRANOLA BARS"

4 Cups quick cooking oats

(Toast oats on an ungreased sheet for about 15-20 minutes.

Stir once twice. Remove from oven and let cool to room temp.)

1/3 Cup of melted butter

2/3 Cup honey

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine these ingredients in a large bowl then add oats

and mix thoroughly.

3/4 Cup chocolate chips (I used mini chips)

Be sure the oats have cooled first or the chips will

get soft! :)

Spread into a 9X13 pan, lightly oiled and press

firmly to flatten. Bake 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

Let cool and then cut into bars.

ENJOY!

Next time I make these, I may make some substitutions like:

peanut butter in place of butter

maple syrup in place of honey

nuts, sunflower seeds, and-or

pumpkin seeds in place of chocolate chips.

Here Piggy, Piggy, Piggy, Piggy.....

2011-05-30T06:16:00.000-05:00

Home Made Pesto Chicken

2011-05-18T19:19:00.003-05:00

I was planning on making one of our family favorites for

dinner tonight.... PESTO CHICKEN!!

I had it all figured out only to discover that
I didn't have a jar of pesto in the pantry...

THEN, I stopped and thought about it...

I MADE PESTO IN THE FALL!!

I HAVE ALL THE PESTO I NEED IN MY FREEZER!

Here are a few blocks (ice cube sized) and

the bowl in 5-6 blocks all thawed & stirred!

The basic ingredients for my pesto chicken dish are:

pesto

cooked chicken

sliced almonds

sun dried tomatoes

pasta

I boiled down a chicken (that we raised!) cooled it

and picked the meat off!! AND, I have almost

3 quarts of chicken broth for a soup!!

OK, my second dilemma was... I didn't have any sun dried

tomatoes on hand either! :(

THE POOR PLANNING ON MY PART

turned into a terrific brainstorm!

I roasted 4 tomatoes (sliced, sprinkled with a little bit

of oil & garlic powder on a baking sheet).

Roasted at 400* for about 20+ minutes... and YUM!!

I think I like this even better then the way I've been

making this dish over the past few years!

I used ravioli instead of angel hair pasta!!

Boil the ravioli (or other pasta) until cooked, drain

and return to the pot.

Add the cooked chicken ... bite sized pieces,

sliced almonds (amount varies on amount of pasta)

I think I used about 3/4 cup.

Mix the chicken & almonds in then add the

pesto and re-stir well! NOW... add the final touch

roasted tomatoes!! Gently mix... and serve!

I may look odd, but the flavor was phenomenal!

GROWN AT HOME:

chicken (grown & processed at home)

basil (grown at home & made into pesto)

these tomatoes weren't grown at home,

but they were roasted at home!!

(This summer some of our home grown

tomatoes will be designated for roasting!)
Now, to check out making my own pasta!!

Shared on Simple Lives Thursday 44th Edition!!
Check out the awesome ideas everyone is sharing this week!!

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T06:31:00.001-05:00

Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful mom!

Thank you for all the love you've poured into my life,

for the example of what it means to be a woman of integrity

and a woman who follows after God! Thank you...

I love you!

Happy Mother's Day to my mother in law! Thank you

for the precious gift of your son, my husband!

He is a blessing to me, and I know he is your blessing too!

Thank you for the love you share with me and

every one who enters your door way. You have a

special gift of hospitality and generousity!

I love you!

And, to all my friends who are 'moms',

may your Mother's Day be blessed and filled with love.

May you know how your role as a mother has touched the next generation.

May you remember to pray for your 'kids' even if they are now adults

making their own way in the world.

A mom's role changes year by year, but the job stays the

same: 'unconditional love'!

To all the dads who have had to step into the role of being both

Mom & Dad... good job!!

You are very loved & appreciated on this day too!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Drinking Glasses

2011-05-05T11:58:00.000-05:00

As common as it feels to me, I thought I'd share our drinking glasses. My mom asked me the other day why I use the pint jars to drink from...

I have several reasons...

Mason jars are rather durable!

I don't break them nearly as often as regular drinking glasses!

I am not concerned when doing the dishes that they'll break (no, I don't have a dishwasher).

I can buy 12 at a time for around $10.

You can drink hot or cold drinks in them.

The set is EASY to add on to or replace, as the style stays the same, and the stores generally have them!

There is no guessing as to how much water I'm consuming!

I can add the lid to the jar for storage or to mix gravy or salad dressings!

THEY ARE AWESOME!

Check out other ideas and recipes at Simple Lives Thursday hosted by Sustainable Eats!

Introducing... Albert II

2011-05-04T17:48:00.001-05:00

This is Albert II (he's #2 because Travis's first

fish was Albert... and he was a pretty betta too!)

He is a Crown Betta... his tail is gorgeous!

We haven't had a tank in 9 years so it was time!

Maybe this is just a tease... a new 20+ gallon

tank would be a wonderful new addition!

Too bad we don't have the space!

Welcome to the family Albert!

"Trailing Arbutis" Otherwise Known as "May Flowers"

2011-05-01T06:42:00.002-05:00

This is the flower with the most memories attached

to them in our house!

EVERY YEAR (28 so far) my husband searches the bankings

beside the roads to find these sweet smelling beauties!

His dad would do this for his mom too.... ahhh, some

traditions are worth repeating!

I know you can't really tell, but there are some white blossoms

and some pink ones too!

The leaves are not perfect and the flowers are a little blurry,

but the love that they represent is strong!

Thank God for sweet, thoughtful men....

Baguettes... My First Attempt

2011-04-28T17:25:00.002-05:00

I love to bake bread... this is my first attempt at baguettes and I thought I'd share the recipe and process with you!

CLASSIC BAGUETTES

INGREDIENTS

"STARTER"

1/2 C plus 3 TBsp cool water

1 Cup all purpose flour

Pinch of yeast (between 1/8-1/4 tsp.)

Mix well in a bowl. Place a clean kitchen towel over the bowl and allow it to sit at room temperature for about 14 hours. I did this the late in the afternoon the day before I wanted to make the baguettes! Also, I used a mason jar and very loosely put a lid on the jar.

"DOUGH"

All of the starter

1 tsp. yeast

1 1/4 Cup luke warm water

3 1/2 Cups flour

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. sugar (optional)

Put all of the starter and add all the ingredients for 'dough' in a large mixing bowl. Mix very well with a wooden spoon or mixer (I use a wooden spoon). Knead well then place the dough aside in a warm place and cover with a kitchen towel. Allow it to rise for about 1 hour. Deflate and knead and then let it rise again for another hour... and repeat this step once more.

Divide the dough into three pieces and roll into 3 cylinders about 2 inches thick. You may want to flour your hands or surface to do this. Allow the dough to rest for about 30 minutes. (Grease the baking sheet)

Preheat oven to 400* and place a broiler pan on the lower rack. After the dough has risen, paint the tops with a little bit of water using a pastry brush. (The water prevents the knife from sticking in the wet dough.) Slash the loaves with three diagonal slices each and place them in a hot oven.

Pour 1 Cup of HOT tap water into the broiler pan and close the oven door quickly. Bake for about 25 minutes or until browned and firm to the touch.

Allow them to cool and then
cut them up and enjoy!

This was a big hit with my family.... but EVERY kind of homemade bread goes over great!!

I shared this on "Sustainable Eats" website... where they host Simple Lives Thursdays. Check it out...

3 Men, 3 Crosses, 1 Hill...

2011-04-24T06:34:00.001-05:00

‎3 men,
3 crosses,
1 hill.

One man cursed,
one man prayed,
one man promised.

One died condemned,
one died forgiven,
one died innocent.

One died in sin,
one died to sin,
one died for sin.

One was held by death,
one was released by death,
one conquered death.

One lost life,
one gained life.
One was life.

What a way to look at the cross!
Praise God for the ONE who conquered death!!

Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter Everyone.....

2011-04-23T07:14:00.001-05:00

Canning Navy Beans

2011-04-21T05:15:00.002-05:00

I have had this cookbook for at least 28 years. It is one of the ones I was given or bought just before I got married and one that I recommend highly! "More-With-Less Cookbook" has lots of recipe suggestions by the Mennonites on how to eat better and consume less of the world's food resources!

I took some time perusing through this cookbook yesterday. I was looking for a specific bread recipe, but I came across a hint typed in an upper corner of page 299 which states:

"Often when I want to use beans I don't have them soaked and ready, so I can 7 quarts at a time in my pressure canner. Soak 7 pounds of navy beans overnight. In the morning divide the beans into 7 quart jars, add 1 teaspoon of salt to each jar and fill to the neck with water. Process in the pressure canner for 1 hour at 10 pounds of pressure. Beans are ready for soups, baked beans or whatever you want."

Submitted by ~A. Beachy, IN~

So now I have to try this.... I thought I'd share the idea in case any of you would like to go on a food adventure too! I won't make too many up ahead, but 7 quarts would be OK! I wonder how they'd be in a cold 3 bean salad?? Are any of you ALREADY doing this? How do the beans come out??

For other ideas check out "Simple Lives Thursday" hosted by Sustainable Eats and 4 other blogs! Each Thursday you'll find this blog hop hosting lots of ideas from all over the globe!

Maple Season 2011 Is Finished!

2011-04-16T06:43:00.005-05:00

Here's our 'sugar house' as we call it....

It has progressed over the years from an open

flame surrounded by cinder blocks and a

roasting pan to a reworked 250 gallon drum with

an actual finishing pan on top!

You can see Toby, our trusty yellow lab watching.

He likes to sit half way between the sugar house and

our house, this way he can 'properly greet' anyone

who shows up in either location and

not miss ANY ACTION!

A beautiful sight to behold.....

Ethan our nephew, had come over to help hang the
buckets and he came back to help empty them!
He had an eye opening experience as to all the work
involved in making maple syrup!
He was a trooper and everyone had fun
showing him the ropes! Yeah Ethan!

Emptying the hanging buckets of

sap into 5 gallon buckets....

Carrying the full buckets back to the truck to pour

into the 30 gallon buckets.... (heavy & tiring work!)

Toby, the ever ready dog!

He was in on most of the action too...

Our 'evaporator' system!

You can see the white barrel to the left... the guys

lift & pour the sap into this container. The sap then

travels through the orange hose into the pan at a

slow drip or stream, depending on the heat &

quickness of evaporation!

It takes LOTS of wood, time and patience!!

Remember that it roughly takes 40 gallons of sap to

produce 1 gallon of maple syrup!

The guys take it 'off the fire' at about 220*F, strain

it back into the 5 gallon buckets and then bring up to

me. In the kitchen I pour it into my 'soup kettles'

and bring it back to temperature (220*) and then

pour it into the plastic storage containers!

Lots of work, but oh the sweet reward!

This has also been shared at http://www.sustainableeats.com/
for "Simple Lives Thursday", April 14th edition!
Check out all the other wonderful ideas
shared on their website!

Did You Know...

2011-04-01T17:52:00.002-05:00

that ladybugs leave foot prints?

Look, it's true!

The windows were all steamed as a result of boiling

potatoes for dinner. Audrey & I noticed these

two ladybugs walking around and marveled

at the 'foot prints' and patterns they

were leaving as they walked!

Who would think of that, besides

our amazing Creator of course!!

"And God saw that it was good."
Genesis 1:25

Awesome Find at Goodwill Today... "Diet Soup" Recipe

2011-03-23T17:52:00.000-05:00

I had some extra time today while waiting for my student to get

out of school, so I went to Goodwill! I ALWAYS check out

the book section... and today I am glad I did!

Look what I found...

"The Pleasure of Herbs"

"A Month by Month Guide to

Growing & Enjoying Herbs"

By: Phyllis Shaudys

AND the best part...

it was ONLY

NINETY-NINE CENTS!

Before even leaving the school parking lot,

I found the first

recipe I was going to try!!

'DIET SOUP'

(page 34)

I know, it sounds too good to be true...

I remember the idea of this recipe

from back in the 80's!

Here goes....

"Diet Soup"

(This will keep in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.)

1 Head Cabbage (cut up)

1 large onion (I didn't have one on hand, I used onion powder)

2 Cubes low-sodium beef bouillon (I used vegetable 'Better Then Boullion')

1 large can tomato juice (I used my own canned tomato/basil sauce/soup stock)

1 package frozen cut green beans

1 medium sized can diced tomatoes

1 tsp. each celery seed, garlic powder, parsley,

thyme and black pepper (I used celery salt, garlic powder & parsley)

Optional, but nice: diced celery, carrots, and green pepper slices

(I used matchstick carrots ... next time I'd add a bit more of them & diced celery!)

Add the cabbage, onion, carrots, celery

and bouillon cubes to tomato juice.

When the cabbage is half cooked, add the green beans,

tomatoes and seasonings. (I added a little extra water too!)

Simmer on the stove top until the veggies are soft.

Serve and enjoy!

The flavor is even better then I remembered!

Thankful for...

2011-03-14T20:28:00.000-05:00

family...

this beautiful crocus blooming inside while

there is still snow outside....

(thank you Phebe!)

friends...

an ALL knowing, ALL capable, NEVER changing,

UNconditionally loving God...

PRAYING FOR:

the survivors of the tragedy in Japan...

New to Me Recipe... Graham Cracker Muffins....

2011-02-23T11:31:00.001-05:00

I thought I'd share a recipe that I found....

Adapted from: MOSTLY MUFFINS by Barbara Albright & Leslie Weiner, copyright 1984

Graham Cracker Muffins

Preheat the oven to 400*

Makes 12

1 1/4 Cup white flour (OR 1 Cup white and 1/4 Cup whole wheat flour)

1/2 Cup graham cracker crumbs

1/2 Cup wheat germ

1/4 Cup sugar

1 1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Cup buttermilk

1 Egg

1/3 Cup oil

1/3 Cup Molasses

1/2 Cup Raisins (optional)

Spray baking spray on a regular size 12 muffins tin or coat with shortening and flour.

Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well.

Stir in the raisins and then spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin.

Optional: sprinkle the tops of muffins with cinnamon sugar before baking.

Bake 15-20 minutes or until it tests done (springs back when touched).

OPINION: I used white flour, no raisins, Smart balance oil and low-fat cinnamon graham crackers! I also sprinkled the tops with at little bit of cinnamon sugar. The muffins are moist and have a pretty good flavor! (Yes, I did put a little bit of Smart Balance butter on it!) Ymmmmmm....

INDIVIDUAL Breakfast Casserole

2011-02-19T08:49:00.001-05:00

Individual Breakfast Casseroles                   (4 servings)

2 English muffins
1 tomato, diced
3/4 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/4-1/2 cup grated cheese (I used mozzarella, next time cheddar)
Olive Oil
8 eggs   (2 per serving, so altar this if you are making less)
1/2 cup milk     (1/4 cup per 2 servings)
1/2 small onion, chopped (preference; sweet onions)
dash salt
dash pepper
1 tsp. crushed basil
1/2 tsp. crushed garlic OR garlic powder

I have 16 ounce baking dishes which are perfect for individual sized meals!! The original recipe called for both halves of an English muffin, I used one half per dish. Now, depending on WHEN you prepare this recipe... omit this step!!! Since I decided this morning that I was going to make this for breakfast, I wouldn't have time to put them in the fridge overnight, so... I added a couple of tablespoons of HOT water (tea kettle hot) onto each of the muffin halves. My thought is that this will soften the bread like the eggs would if they were 'soaking' overnight! Now, on to the rest of the preparations....

2. In skillet, heat olive oil

3. Add chopped tomatoes, mushrooms, onions and red peppers and saute for about 10 minutes until soft. I did each separately because we don't all like mushrooms or onions! :) Add to the baking dishes on top of the muffins. Sprinkle the top with a pinch of basil & garlic powder (or fresh garlic)

4. In bowl, whisk eggs & milk

5. Pour egg mix over everything

6. Add the grated cheese on top and then sprinkle on the salt & pepper.

7A. Wrap with cellophane and put in refrigerator overnight.

7B. (OR, IF YOU DID AS I DID AND WANT TO BAKE THIS NOW, PUT THEM IN THE OVEN AT 375* AND BAKE FOR 50 MINUTES!)

8. The next day, take out and keep at room temperature for 45 minutes

9. Cook for 50 minutes at 375F

New Project to Share...

2011-02-17T13:01:00.001-05:00

Queen Anne's Lace Scarf

It looks hard but it really isn't!

I made the first one using Red Heart's 'country blue' and

the second one that I'm working on is Red Heart's watercolor!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-10T12:20:00.001-05:00

I found an easy, EASY pattern to make these awesome little hearts! I'm not sure just what I'll do with hem yet... but they are fun and FAST to make! The finished size is about 1 inch tall and 1 1/4 inch wide. Check out Little Birdie Secrets to watch her YouTube instructions!! Happy Valentine's Day everyone.....

2011-01-28T06:55:00.026-05:00

(Photo credit EPA/NASA)

Twenty-five years ago today, January 28th. I remember where I was. I was working at the Pemi bank in downtown Plymouth as a teller. We had the radio on and we were all listening to the excitement as the Challenger was readying take off! This time, the shuttle was carrying one of New Hampshire's very own... Christa McAuliffe, a school teacher!

Then, not very long after take off the unthinkable happened.... it exploded. It just exploded in front of family and friends and spectators all around the United States. The bank became silent as we stayed focused on helping our customers. I remember being very relieved that I had to work that weekend, as that day I only had to stay till noon! I spent the day at a friends' house cuddling with her son Bradley and watching the news casters replay and try to figure out what went wrong.

The day is one of those that we remember forever. I may not remember the exact date or time, but I will always remember the emotion of the day and the name of a beloved school teacher from NH.

Dream big, Love bigger and Live each day as if you'll meet God face to face at anytime!

Commander Dick Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialist Ellison Onizuka, Mission Specialist Judy Resnik, Mission Specialist Ron McNair, Payload Specialist Gregory Jarvis, and Payload Specialist and Teacher Christa McAuliffe.

This One is For You AMS! Tutorial "Chap Stick Holder"

2011-01-18T14:36:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine wants lessons on how to make these sweet little holders! After taking a look at the one she bought for her daughter, Audrey & I determined that it wouldn't take too long to figure this out and soon started our own production! Start with an H hook and some acrylic yarn! (A perfect way to use up the leftover balls of yarn!)

1) Step one... begin and chain 4, connect to make a circle using a slip stitch.

2) Step two... 8 double crochet (putting hook through the center of the circle)
connect the end stitch to the first one with a slip stitch.

3) Step three... for the next 10-14 rows, 8 single crochets all the way around.
Continue 'round and 'round until it is the right size.

4) Step four... 10 rows should be enough for the standard chap stick...

I made 14 rows for my tube of Carmex.

5) Step five...  After completing the rows, chain approx. 80 stitches
                        and attach to the opposite side from where you began the chain.
                       This makes the chap stick holder into a necklace.

Other options: Instead of chaining 80 for a necklace, chain approx. 20
and then connect. This can be used on a pocketbook strap, add hook and it
can be used on a zipper! Add buttons or not... the ideas are endless!!
Have fun creating!

Pumpkin Bread .... Easy, Moist & Delicious!

2011-01-17T20:02:00.000-05:00

Pumpkin Bread

2/3 C. of butter or margarine (I use just a little less then 2/3 C. canola oil instead)
2 2/3 C. sugar (I cut this down a little bit)
4 eggs (I use 3)
3 1/3 C. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
2 C. canned or fresh (cooked & mashed) pumpkin
2/3 C. water
1 C. nuts (optional) I use sliced almonds
1 C. raisins

Cream butter (or oil) and sugar add the eggs & pumpkin and beat well. Add the dry ingredients and water and stir until well mixed. Stir in the nuts & raisins. Pour into 2 small or 1 large loaf pan. Bake at 350* for 45-50 minutes for the small pans and 1 hour for the larger pan. EASY to double this recipe and use two large loaf pans!! (If you double, you can decrease the total eggs to 3.)

The original recipe is a part of the Plymouth Bicentennial Cookbook, copyrighted in 1976. This recipe was donated by Audrey Prouty.

(As a side note, Audrey's husband attended the church we use to go to 25 years ago. She had since passed and John had remarried another wonderful woman named Winnie. They were the most loving couple. They way John spoke of his beloved Audrey made the name sooo beautiful to me. It was because of him and how he spoke her name that caused me to fall in love with the name too! Thus... our daughter was named Audrey!)