At Home on this Mountain
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Food Links
Posted in RamblingI am not going to put up a whole long post this morning but thought I'd share a couple of excellent food blogs that I have been frequenting of late. Then y'all can share in the tasty goodness.
First off, we had this for breakfast this morning and everyone enjoyed it. It does require a bit of advanced planning but then it's all hands off and just enjoy it in the morning when your brain is perhaps not at its best. Kimi's blog is great and full of practical ideas and recipes for getting nourishing food into your diet on a regular basis.
Then there's this scrumptious little number, which I made last night. Honey and I ate two each, in the name of not dirtying a plate and fork for just one little lemon bar. That would be wasteful. I haven't checked out the rest of that blog yet but the recipe was too good not to share. The only change I made was the type of oil used in the crust. I don't use canola oil so I used olive oil but in the future will probably go with melted butter.
Finally, I have been greatly benefited from this gem: Crunchy Procrastinating Perfectionist Keep going through her pages further back. The front page is full of recipes today but there's much more than recipes here! I can't wait to serve up her teriyaki salmon cakes since teriyaki and salmon are two of this family's favorite words. Also check out her weekly menu plans (for all 3 meals!) and stay tuned for a 3 week newborn-baby-in-the-house menu plan. I hope we'll need that at some point in the future.
And now I am off to put together the last of my quilt blocks for the swap over at Teresa's place. Ok, who am I kidding? I am off to make all of the quilt blocks. But I do have the fabrics all picked out. They're not ironed or anything but they're all on the cutting table. That's a start, right? I have the added advantage of living less than 5 miles from Teresa and Chas :D
Once the quilt blocks are done I get to move on to the project I am really looking forward to- cleaning out the big shed. I know that sounds crazy but I am really itching to get that thing straightened up. I think it's because of all the work I did yesterday in front of the house- like the FlyLady's shiny sink theory, now I want the whole outside to sparkle like those mums and that pumpkin :D
Have a blessed day!!
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Thursday, May 15, 2008
Stay tuned
Posted in RamblingI am going to turn this into something I won't be embarassed to post on the internet. I really am.
And yes, that is lard. What about it?
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Monday, May 12, 2008
Thanks (and so much more!)
Posted in RamblingThanks for all the help with my crazy plants. I bought them at a little tiny nursery in a lady's backyard. She is very knowledgable about plants but her knowledge somehow doesn't follow one home from the greenhouse. I know that I do indeed have cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, zucchini and yellow crookneck squash. The nursery lady told me that if I plant the melons close to the squash ( I think!) that the melons might taste funny because they may cross-pollinate. Honey says that the melons are pretty much an exercise in futility anyway so just plant them and don't worry about how they taste because "they" probably won't grow at all. I prefer to hold to the belief that this just may be our year for serious melon potential (people grow acres of them up here every year!) and I would hate to grow 15 watermelons that taste like squash.
Anyway, I think I have a consensus on which ones are the melons so I will plant those at one end and the squash at the other (with the cukes somewhere in between maybe, because I don't remember where they fall in the making-each-other-taste-funny spectrum) It's really still too wet out there to run the mantis with the furrow attachment right now. If it dries out today we may do it this evening after supper. Otherwise I will do it tomorrow. I do love to run that tiller!
We also have the hot pepper plants to put in the ground and we need to plant some okra. Honey also wants to put in 4 more rows of corn (in addition to the 400 or so feet we already have!) Corn, okra, tomatoes and yellow squash are my favorites from the garden (yes, I honestly prefer them all to the melons, when they grow) so I just hope we get a decent crop of those things. And of course some good hot peppers for salsa and sweet peppers for the freezer. We have discovered a TON of blueberry bushes in our woods so I am keeping my fingers crossed about those. Have to beat the deer and birds to them. Do deer eat green blueberries?? I don't believe we're going to have nearly as many blackberries this year as we did last year (I still have enough blackberries in the freezer for one last coffeecake or batch of muffins!)
I hope everyone had a wonderful mother's day! I really did although I didn't get to see my own mom. I do see her quite a lot (especially considering that we live 120 miles apart- we see each other twice a month on average) and next weekend all three of her children will be together for the first time in over 2 years. We're all going to the zoo together with her on Saturday. The following week we're all going to Dollywood together- even Dad gets to go to that one (he has to work on Zoo-day) and all 6 of her grandbabies (plus the bun in my sister's oven ;)) I am so excited to see my baby sister and her babies again! It has been FAR too long.
Speaking of my mom, please go visit her brand-spanking-new blog right here. Be sure to tell her I sent you!
I'll leave you with another kitten picture. I will shamelessly call it mother's day-related because they are with one of their mommies. I put all 8 kittens in the same box with both mamas. There's more room for the babies now and the mamas can take turns feeding them. It seems that Roxy has more "turns" at mothering than Tinkerbell has. Her kittens are only 3 days younger but Tinkerbell seems to think that makes Roxy the more necessary mother.
Honestly, y'all, I am not normally a photos-of-kittens kind of gal. I have never owned a photo of cats or other animals wearing costumes (or babies playing jazz instruments for that matter) I am no Angela Martin, but I can't seem to resist pulling out the camera at least once a day to snap a pic of these little critters.
And now, I must feed my children and continue washing my eighty-eleven loads of laundry. I was actually ready to start putting stuff in the dryer this morning if the weather didn't straighten out, but my computer tells me I can dry stuff outside today and tomorrow so I should be able to get all caught up- hooray!!
Have a blessed day!!
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Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Kids are funny
Posted in RamblingI love to listen to little boys playing their little games. Their sound effects- beeps, whistles, chirps, engines "vrooming" machine guns spitting all over their place. Their intense dialog- peppered with phrases from television and movies like Transformers and Star Wars. They're hollering back and forth across the living room about transponders and borderlines and the enemy fleet.
Suddenly a feminine voice pipes up, equally intense but not without the sweetness she can't seem to drop even when she's angry. "I have my BACKPACK!" she screams, as if the entire army depended on the knowledge that she has a "new" Dora backpack from the thrift store and she has it in. her. hands.
Everyone will be safe now.
She has her backpack.
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Friday, January 11, 2008
A good week
Posted in RamblingI am feeling pretty pleased with myself right now. First of all, we did lessons every day this week! That's unprecedented, literally. I blogged about our lessons every day over at my other place, mostly for my dearest's benefit and my own sense of accomplishment.
Other accomplishments- I made up a double batch of nearly 100% whole wheat french bread and it turned out really well. We still have one loaf's worth in the freezer for a weekday pizza lunch at some point this month (probably when I am feeling tempted to run out) I have the second to the last load of laundry in the washer and it's not supposed to rain for the next 3 days. Dearest put up my good clothesline last weekend so I can actually hang out all the washing. My kitchen is clean- no detritus except for that from today's breakfast. Christmas is put away, the big box just needs to be taken to storage by Dearest.
I have a few plans for the day- wash eggs and make a run to the vegetable stand and Chas's house to deliver them. Pick up chicken feed at the feed store. Take a bath and shave my legs during nap time (a regular Friday occurence, whether I need it or not
) Get this washing pegged out and clean my floors (especially the hard ones) and my bathroom. We've had a warm spell and all the flies woke up and somehow made it into the house- blech. We've been killing them for days and I think they're just about gone. I'd also like to clean out the van and I need to finish a little sewing project for a birthday party tomorrow (my first use of the embroidery aspect of my new machine) I'll post a pic of that when it's finished and I have a break. Oh, and I want to vacuum under the couch and get the last of the Christmas garbage out from under there- can you say "chocolate coin wrappers?"| 3 comments | | Link
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Happy birthday...
Posted in Rambling...to ME!!
Yes, it's my 30th birthday today and I have had a wonderful day so far. My precious husband and children made and brought me breakfast in bed (bagel, sausages, coffee and juice!) and gave me some lovely gifts- new earrings from AC, a homemade ornament from TH and a doodad for playing my iPod in the van from Honey! After breakfast I did what all birthdays should be spent doing- nothing that I don't like :) I watched some TV (last night's Doctor Who again- woohoo!) cooked an easy and tasty lunch, worked on putting up the Christmas decorations some more and worked on my Christmas gifts for Honey's family in WA.
We all got our gussie on and took a family photo for the Christmas cards. Then we went out to the "city" for dinner. It was supposed to be the 6 of us but my folks, grandfolks and brother and his lovely girlfriend met us there (a 2 hour drive for most of them) as a surprise. We went to a Japanese steakhouse with the big crazy grill and your food cooked at your table- very tasty! I received a lovely new, super soft robe, a sort of wrap/cape thingy that I can't wait to try out (if I ever gets cool again) new pinking shears (which I asked for) and a great songbook full of kids' music that I should be able to plink out on the piano. I also got a very neat doodad (highly technical) for tracking calorie consumption and weight loss, etc. My mom knows that I am very serious about losing this extra "mommy weight" right now so it was a very thoughtful and useful gift. I am awfully well-loved.
So I am 30 years old now and it feels a bit strange. My brother says I am now a member of the old folks club (he is all of 26) and wonders that my mother can even remember my birth, since she is the founding member of the aforementioned club. I am quite happy to be turning 30. I have felt like an adult for most of my life but always felt like I couldn't really claim to be one. Now I am really a grownup and demand to be taken seriously
In all seriousness (as if I am capable of that) I told my husband on the way home, I have it pretty well. A great husband who is more attractive and attentive and wonderful now than when we met 10 years ago. I have 4 gorgeous, brilliant and amazing children (if I say so myself). I've still got my looks (I think) and I think I'm funny, even if no one else does. My life truly seems to get better with each year that passes. I know I have a home in heaven waiting for me. Old age (although really still a looooong way off, I do know) holds no fears. I know life is not alwaye perfect or even wonderful but it's good. And that's enough.
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Saturday, November 3, 2007
Updated sidebar
Posted in RamblingWoohoo! Thanks to my kickin' best friend I have managed to add something to my sidebar! Now you can see what I am reading. Aren't y'all excited??? I know I am
That's all for now. I need to go take a shower and make some salsa before my tomatoes rot on the counter. Thanks also to my best friend for giving me some of her habaneros. The bugs got most of mine because I didn't weed. How's that for full gardening disclosure?
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Monday, September 10, 2007
What color crayon are you??
Posted in Rambling***You Are a Purple Crayon***
Your world is colored in dreamy, divine, and classy colors.
You hold yourself to a sky high standard, and you are always graceful.
People envy, idolize, and copy you without realizing it. You are an icon for those who know you.
And while it is hard to be a perfectionist, rest assured it's paying off!
Your color wheel opposite is yellow. While yellow people may be wise, they lack the manners and class needed to impress you.
What Color Crayon Are You?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatcolorcrayonareyouquiz/
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Monday, May 14, 2007
A busy week
Posted in RamblingWe had a busy weekend. We processed 22 chickens- 12 on Saturday and 10 on Sunday. I took pictures and hope to put together a long and graphic post before too long. Betcha can't wait
I have a lot to do this week and my mom is coming this weekend for MJ's 2nd birthday. She's coming up Friday early and we're going to drive a couple hours to this store. So although I have a lot to get done I only really have 4 days to do it all. I figured I'd post a list to try to keep myself accountable and really get the job done. The first part is what I hope to accomplish today. The second will be the things that need to get done this week at some point.
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*wash, bag and freeze remaining chicken feet and organ meats in fridge
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*clean bathroom
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*fold 3+ loads in living room
*hang up clothes in living room
*read aloud to children from library books that need to be returned soon
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sometime this week:
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*finish all books from library before Wednesday
*wash, dry, fold and put away remaining laundry
*prepare deposits (Tuesday)
*dinner menus for next two weeks (Tuesday)
*order MJ's birthday figurine
*clean out closets for yard sale Memorial Day weekend
*lessons Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
*banking, shopping, library (Wednesday)
*make MJ and Gigi dresses for MJ's birthday
*cancel Netflix subscription
I know there's more to it but I have finished my lunch and need to prod the children to do the same so they can get their naps going. I will hopefully update this as I am able to check things off (or add more
)Have a blessed day!
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Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Why I don't love the USPS
Posted in RamblingI shipped the outfit pictured in the previous post on Monday April 30 (hopefully to be on time for a May 4th birthday, but it wasn't a huge deal if it was late) Today I received the Priority Mail flat rate envelope back in which I had mailed it. It was empty. The outfit and card were lost. It arrived in Seattle empty and not sealed. I knew I should have asked the clerk to tape the envelope. Sigh. I am really disappointed. I guess now I have the impetus needed to get back in the sewing room. I've been quilting so not spending much time at the machine.
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Friday, March 9, 2007
Chickens!!
Posted in RamblingWe got our second batch of chicks today.
!["Photo]("http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/MrsKamorri/Homestead/DSC00241.jpg")
!["Photo]("http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/MrsKamorri/Homestead/DSC00242.jpg")
There are 55 chicks total- 25 for meat and 30 layers. We ordered 6 different breeds for the layers; five each of barred rock, cinnamon queen, araucana, cherry egger, buff orpington, and black austrolorp (which is what we already have).
It was two years ago that we got these pretty ladies:
!["Photo]("http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h305/MrsKamorri/Homestead/DSC01973.jpg")
Sadly, only 6 of the original 15 remain. One was a rooster who we ended up eating. Our dog got 5 more a few months ago (we no longer have a dog). Five of the remaining 6 are currently laying which is great. They should keep us minimally supplied while the others grow to laying age.
We really enjoy having chickens and don't find them to be much trouble at all. Even the brand newbies are so cute that we don't mind the little bit of extra work and worry that they provide. They grow so fast (even faster than the children!) that they're full grown before we know it.
The meat birds are a new project for us and we're still doing our research on what to feed them and how and when to butcher them. We're working on eating everything in the freezer so we'll have room for them in a couple of months when they're all bagged up and ready to freeze.
Our layers are free-range with just enough supplemental feed to keep them on our land and friends with us. We live on 11 acres of white oak trees so ticks have always been adundant but since we got our first batch of chickies we've seen exactly 2 ticks that weren't directly traceable to someone else's land. Chickens rock!!
Some of the breeds we got are supposed to be good mothers so we're hoping that next year we'll end up with some babies the old-fashioned way. I would just love to see a mama wandering around the yard with a little line of babies behind her.
Now we need to start working on getting some cool weather veggie starts in and we'll really be homesteadin'
If only we could get our act together in the goat department. we'd never have to leave the house! Not to mention finally getting rid of some of this brush that keeps us from enjoying all of our trees.| 6 comments | | Link
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Preserving the Harvest 2008
~June 22nd~
*11 half-pints
honey-sweetened peach-strawberry jam
~June 27th~
*7 half-pints and 2 pints
honey-sweetened peach jam
~June 28th~
*24 home-grown chickens in the freezer
(7 whole, 17 cut up
plus feet and backs for stock!!)
~July 6th~
*8 pints and 14 half-pints
honey-sweetened peach jam
~July 16th~
*18 cups fresh green beans,
blanched and frozen (a gift from the boss)
*12 pounds ripe bananas,
cut into 1 inch chunks and frozen for smoothies
~July 22nd~
*32 ears home-grown corn
blanched and frozen in meal-sized packages
~July 27th~
*8 pints cream-style corn
(home grown)
~July~
about *8 cups blackberries
and *5 cups wild blueberries
from around our property,
in the freezer
~August 4th~
14 pints
4 half-pints
and 1 quart
hot and spicy tomato salsa
(that's 18 cups altogether)
What I'm reading
The Bible- currently in the book of Ezekial and Romans
The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
The Hobbit (on CD) by J.R.R. Tolkien
What I've Read Recently
One Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
At Large and At Small by Anne FadimanHow To Be Good by Nick Hornby
The Book of Joby by Mark FerrariThe Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
World Without End by Ken FollettAnne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery (for the 12th time or so)
What I Watch
The Office
30 RockDoctor Who
HeroesEureka
Scrubs2008 Crafty Stats
Yardage In:
13.5 yardsYardage Out:
3 yardsItems Made: 2
Money Spent:
$58.06
Recent Entries
Weekly menu
Go check it out
Food Links
A few things
Blechies
Blogs I Read (almost)Daily
Money Spent:
$58.06Recent Entries
Weekly menuGo check it out
Food Links
A few things
Blechies