Saturday, October 11, 2008
Saturday in the kitchen...
I like to have things in the freezer for breakfast or lunch on busy days, so I make my own "convenience foods," usually on Saturday mornings. I made stacks of pancakes (blueberry, buttermilk and carrot cake) and froze them for quick breakfasts over the next few weeks.
We love to eat buttermilk biscuits and would eat them with every meal! While I do enjoy cutting in the cold butter and working the dough, some mornings just do not allow for it. So today, I made a triple batch of dough, cut it with my biscuit cutter and froze them individually on cookie sheets until firm. From there, I put them into bags. When we want fresh biscuits, I just take out as many as I need and pop in them in the hot oven. I did bake one batch and turned them into sausage biscuits for the freezer.The boys each managed to grab one before they went into the bags. :-)
I brought in five pounds of sausage for the next several recipes, grabbed some potatoes, peppers, onions, and cheese and cooked up some breakfast burritos. Here is a fantastic recipe for homemade tortillas from a blog that I love.
I thawed seven loaves of bread dough and made stromboli for the freezer as well as olive cheese bread. Since I had some sausage left over, I made gravy to freeze in individual portions. After everything was tucked away in the deep freeze, I decided to go ahead and finish processing the apples into sauce. My youngest was the "taste tester" and reported that the applesauce needed no sugar. He said it tasted so sweet because Betty (the woman who owns the orchard) is sweet and she grows them. (I think he's right!)
As a surprise, I also made come caramel apples for the boys. Youngest Son has a very loose tooth and we're hoping this will do the trick in a sweet way. It's been a very productive day. Though my apron is pretty dusty, my freezer is full, and I enjoyed every minute.
Monday, October 6, 2008
A Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today
Monday, October 6, 2008
Outside my Window... crunchy golden leaves in the grass, Momma Hen with her (now six) babies, tractors going up and down the road
I am thankful for...my husband and his love.
From the kitchen... sausages,
sauerkraut and mashed potatoes, homemade buttermilk, apples to sauce
I am reading...the back cover of a novel (for review) that came today by mail.
I am hearing...the quiet of the house as evening settles in.
Around the house... boys resting (two are sick with awful colds).
One of my favorite things... the color red
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... the last harvest of tomatoes, putting the gardens to bed for the winter, harvesting hickory nuts, dentist appointments for us all, and homeschool co-op classes.
A picture thought to share for the day...
Looking back to summer's harvest...
Please stop by to visit Peggy to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Sixteen years ago today...
...we said, "I do."
It was a warm autumn day in a courtyard of a beautiful old mansion. I wore a vintage styled gown with beautiful beadwork. I was not yet twenty and had no idea what "for better or for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health..." even meant. The years to follow would be lessons in all.
Labor pains and four children-- one going back to the arms of Jesus. The loss of my father and grandparents as well as the near death of my mother and his dad. Moves, job changes, and going back to college. Financial hardships and gains. Sickness, tests, and fear of the results. A few extra pounds and a few gray hairs. Everyday life, laughter and love.
I don't know what we'll have to face together as time marches on, but I thank the Lord for my husband. We are far from perfect and definitely still learning, but I wouldn't want to be that young bride (well, maybe her size!) or trade what I know now.
I hope there is much yet to come. I look forward to growing older and rediscovering who we are. I'm glad we took those vows on that beautiful October day, but even more... I'm glad we meant them.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
A Bittersweet Day
On Grandpa's eightieth birthday, we bought him a little pup that he named Rosie. She was by his side when he went out do to the chores, and in his lap when he sat in the swing to drink his tea. He's been gone for eight years now, but Rosie has been on the farm all that time and is now in her fourteenth year. We've known that she was on borrowed time. Each winter, we wondered if it would be her last. In the back of our minds, we knew that the day might come where we would have to make a decision. Though we hoped it wouldn't come to that, yesterday was that day.
It was hard to say goodbye to her. She was the last living piece of Grandpa on the farm. But, each of us said our good-bye and my oldest son and I took her to her final journey to the vet. She was wrapped in Gram's blanket and Grandpa's shirt and is now at rest here on the farm. Our youngest son was especially sad. One of his first words was "Ro Ro," the name he has called her since. He was mainly missing his grandparents, and questioning why everything that once belonged to them seems to have died or gone away. "But we do have the land," I reminded him. Something that will remain forever.
Farm life has a way of going on, however, which is what makes it so wonderful. We awoke to the sound of not one, but seven little peeping chicks this morning! It was an unexpected blessing. Momma Hen had a nest hidden away in one of the hosta plants. They are just precious and we have enjoyed watching them today. It's quite chilly here, so I noticed that she stops frequently to warm them.
Yes, that is the big story here. It's COLD! I was able to get out a new soft pumpkin colored sweater that I was looking forward to wearing. There are no bare feet in our house today and the extra quilts are coming out at bedtime...maybe even before. I do look forward to these autumn evenings. The house just seems so cozy. Our family is all gathered in one place again and we seem to reconnect after the busy summer. It's a truly wonderful time of the year.
( The picture above is Grandpa and two of my sons, after doing chores. I know I have shared this before, but I dearly love this picture. When he comes to mind, I always think of him and his love for his grandchildren.)
Monday, September 29, 2008
Here come the harvesters...
They are harvesting our soybeans as we speak. Oldest Son has been driving the tractor and grain carts up and down the road all evening. A John Deere Combine in a dusty orange sunset certainly is a beautiful sight! I hope to capture it on my camera when they come to do the rest. We're expecting some rain with the approaching cold front, which may keep them out of the fields for a couple of days.
They are also calling for light frost this week, so Mom and I cut the last of the lavender tonight. It still smells heavenly! I tied seven large bundles to add to what we have already. These will be hung and dried for soaps and things. I can't believe that we are about to say good-bye to September, but I do love October. The crisp cool weather is so wonderful and makes me focus on our little nest and making it cozy.
This afternoon, I prettied up some pantry jars with homespun scraps and baked an apple pie.
I also made vegetable soup today from things that we grew in the garden (now preserved in the pantry or freezer) so that the guys would have something warm to heat up whenever they came in. It's nice to be back in comfort food season.
I am very happy to say that I have been feeling much better these days. If you have prayed for me, please accept my sincere gratitude. Each prayer is so precious and is heard. I feel blessed to have friends who would take the time to remember me, and I wanted you to know that I do feel those prayers. I have a very sweet friend who has been a real support to me during this time in my life, even though she battles her own illness. She has not been well lately and if you would please take a moment to pray for Missy, I would be so grateful.
Well, it is time to crawl in under the quilts. I'll have to add an extra one for the nights ahead. Though I welcome autumn, I am not quite ready to start up the woodstove!
Monday, September 29, 2008
A Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today
Tuesday, September 29, 2008
Outside my Window... our last warm day for a while begins. The sun is up and the chickens are singing their morning songs. There are leaves starting to fall...
I am thankful for...waking up to this brand new day. This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!
From the kitchen... blueberry pancakes for breakfast, a pot of vegetable soup, some bread to bake and an apple pie for supper.
I am reading...a lovely children's book about the writers of the traditional hymns of the church.
I am hearing...nothing but chickens and my tapping fingers! It's still really early here.
Around the house... our household is starting to stir and it smells of coffee. I have a load of laundry ready to hang out before school starts. I'm going to take advantage of this warm sunny day!
One of my favorite things... old farmhouses
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Our sixteen year wedding anniversary, a fieldtrip to our fire dept. for a fire safety class, making more applesauce, and hopefully, we'll see the movie "Fireproof."
A picture thought to share for the day...
Please stop by to visit Peggy to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
A Visit to the Country Fair
My great-great uncle's family established a wonderful farm, which is now a living history museum. They have several gatherings there a year, but one of my very favorite things is the country fair. It's a step back in time, to the mid 1800's. The men and women are dressed in their best, and the children are busy eating "Fairy Floss" and shaved ice. There's a large black pot with simmering beans and ham. The women folk have tables of fruits, vegetables, honey and preserves waiting to be judged.
Not only that, but mittens, socks, quilts and samplers, too.
There's a pie baking contest and everyone is lined up to sample the goods. My brother in law had the honor of being a judge. Though he needed only to sample each piece, he ended up eating SIX whole pieces of pie! (They certainly chose the right man for the job!)
We watched them make cider and were fortunate enough to get a taste.
Also the freshly churned butter...
(I am just in love with those red checked tablecloths!)
We enjoyed watching them make sweet sorghum molasses and I bought a quart jar to store for the winter. Our children played on the stilts and with the bean bag toss. There was a wagon ride through the pasture, and we walked over the bridge to the family cemetery where several of them are at rest. I noticed as I was watching a sweet Jersey cow in the pasture that the leaves are starting to change.
It was a lovely day at the county fair.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Homemade Blueberry Soda
We have enjoyed our Michigan blueberries so much this year! This is a very sweet treat. The lime is important and adds a wonderful flavor. I add lime to my blueberry jam and wouldn't make it any other way.
Blueberry Soda
20 ounces fresh blueberries, approximately 4 cups, rinsed and drained
2 cups water
7 ounces sugar
1 lime, juiced
Carbonated water
Place the blueberries and the water into a medium saucepan, set over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the mixture into a colander lined with cheesecloth that is set in a large bowl. Allow to cool for 15 minutes. Gather up the edges of the cheesecloth and squeeze out as much of the liquid as possible. (Taking care not to get any of the pulp into the juice.) Discard the skin and pulp. Return the blueberry juice to the saucepan along with the sugar and lime juice. Place over medium high heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a heatproof glass container (Mason jar) and place in the refrigerator, uncovered, until completely cooled.
To Serve: Combine 1/4 cup of the liquid with 8-ounces of carbonated water and serve over ice.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
An Autumn Day
We enjoyed lovely weather today. It's still warm, but comfortable with windows open. Soon, I won't be hanging clothes on the line and I'll really miss it. I've been trying to get some of the heavier quilts and things washed and hung out before they go back on the beds. It won't be long now, and we'll need them. I can't believe that we are nearly to October!
We still have several large logs (from the wind storm) to split and stack. We're running behind this year and the woodpile isn't where it should be, but we'll catch up. I had really hoped to have our outdoor furnace this year, but it hasn't happened. The stove we have now keeps us warm, but it's because I get up to feed it several times in the night. With my health the way it is, I don't look forward to broken sleep.
We made applesauce from the apples that were given to us. It turned out with the prettiest color-- a pink blush. My mom brought me four pints of honey from our neighbors who own the orchard. It's beautiful! I'll put it in the pantry and we'll enjoy it all winter. I also stock up on molasses for our winter sweetening. I always feel fortunate to have local honey. I will be thrilled when we have our own.
There are several festivals in our area this weekend, including an 1800's country fair, which is my favorite for obvious reasons. :-) We always look forward to this time of the year and all it holds. I just wish it lasted longer!
Monday, September 22, 2008
A Simple Woman's Daybook
For Today
Tuesday, September 22, 2008
The First Day of Autumn
Outside my Window... it's dark and still and I can see my crates of pumpkins in the porch light. Milo, our outside cat, sits next to them, peering through the window at me. There is a bright "mustard moon" tonight. There's also a slight chill to let us know that autumn has arrived. Should be a wonderful night for sleeping.
I am thankful for...a good night's rest.
From the kitchen...a meal to celebrate the season-- beef roast with carrots and onions, mashed potatoes, buttermilk biscuits and apple crisp.
I am reading...some beautiful devotionals that a dear friend sent to encourage me.
I am hearing...my youngest son asking if I will pull his two front teeth! After a wiggle or two, we decide that they aren't quite ready.
Around the house... things are tidy, supper dishes put away, evening chores are done and boys are getting ready for bed.
One of my favorite things... bittersweet vines. My Gram grew bittersweet here on the farm and every harvest season, she and I would gather it to decorate wreaths, shelves and such. It has such a pretty burst of yellow orange color.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Homeschool co-op classes this week. The weekend brings an 1800's Country Fair, The Garlic Festival, and an event at the hospital where my husband works.
A picture thought to share for the day...
Please stop by to visit Peggy to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook!
