Sweet Homestead Alabama

Lest you think I’ve become a slacker…

2011-07-22T13:00:00.001-05:00

I know, I know. I up and disappeared on you. Sorry about that. It simply couldn’t be helped. My husband has spent a lot of time out of town over the past several months helping with the storm cleanup and repairs. Sometimes a mama just has to prioritize to get the important stuff done.

Like oven-drying figs…

These babies are divine!

(They’ll keep for up to a week at room temperature, and for a month or so in the fridge. Remove stems, halve, and dry in the oven on a parchment lined cookie sheet for 12-24 hours or until they reach desired doneness. Use your lowest oven setting – mine is 170 degrees.)

Apple and pear picking…

And, of course, canning.

(Fig preserves and spiced applesauce.)

Making fresh homemade pico de gallo (heavy on the onions and jalapeños) is a given for us.

And check out this Hill Country Red Okra that I just picked this morning.

Gorgeous. I know what’s for dinner tonight.

And lest you think my work is done… Not even close!

But, I missed you guys.

Aerial Footage of the devastation in Alabama

2011-04-29T09:28:00.001-05:00

Please keep praying…

Checking in…

2011-04-28T22:10:00.001-05:00

I appreciate all the thoughts and prayers you’ve sent our way in light of the awful weather event that occurred in Alabama (and elsewhere in the South) last night. There are no words for something like this. We’re fortunate that the most severe storms stayed slightly to the north of us. It was absolutely horrifying to watch it all unfold last night knowing that many friends and loved ones were in harm’s way, and that at any moment it could happen to us, too. We live just outside of Montgomery, Alabama. The county directly north of ours, Elmore County, was hit particularly hard. My husband is (at this moment) taking part in the search and recovery effort. The death toll is absolutely staggering. I type this message with tears and humbly ask for your continued prayers throughout this ordeal. I can’t even wrap my mind around the devastation that has occurred. In Tuscaloosa, in Birmingham, in Cullman, and the list goes on and on. Entire city blocks with buildings and homes have been completely leveled. We have friends who have lost homes, but fortunately, no confirmed deaths among anyone that we know at this point.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ~ Phillipians 4:6-7

He is mighty to save…

2011-04-22T10:16:00.001-05:00

Homestead Revival Give Away: Homemade Living - The Series!

2011-04-20T09:46:00.001-05:00

I’m so excited about this giveaway! I had to share… go check it out already!

http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2011/04/give-away-homemade-living-series.html

The BEST Gluten Free Sandwich Bread EVER!

2011-03-29T09:15:00.001-05:00

If you’ve been around here for a while, you know that I discovered last year that cutting gluten from my diet helped tremendously with my Crohn’s symptoms. You also know that I tried and tried to find a suitable gluten free sandwich loaf and was disappointed time and time again. My loaves were passable, but they weren’t great. They were either too crumbly or too gummy, or they had that off-flavor which characterizes so many gluten free breads. I’ve done my share of whining about the cost of store-bought gluten free sandwich loaves, and what’s worse, these loaves were not wonderful either. Far from it. We even did sourdough for a while, but I found that it sometimes gave me trouble.

I am so happy to tell you that I stumbled upon a recipe for the most delicious and versatile gluten free bread dough. We’ve made loaves for sandwiches with this dough. We’ve made pizza. (Yes, very good pizza!) This bread pairs well with a bowl of soup or stew. It would make fabulous buns for burgers or hot dogs. Cinnamon rolls are next up on the agenda. You can even roll it thin for crackers. You see, this dough isn’t like all the others I’ve tried. It’s not runny like cake batter. It’s dough. You can shape it. And it’s absolutely delicious! There’s nothing about this dough that screams gluten free. It’s incredibly crusty on the outside and moist and chewy on the inside (without being gummy). It reminds me of a nice loaf of Italian bread. My kids are begging me for a piece of this bread every time they think about it. The best part? You can mix up 4 loaves of this bread and store it in the refrigerator (for up to 5 days) until you’re ready for it. Hallelujah! We now have good bread again folks. And it costs me roughly $1 per loaf to make. I had to share it with you.

For me, the sad part is that I’ve owned this cookbook for quite a while. I bought it before we were eating gluten free. I used it for whole wheat bread and didn’t give the book a second thought when we switched to gluten free. I wish I had. There’s no telling how much money and time I’d have saved. Store-bought gluten free loaves are a thing of the past for this family. This is the only recipe I’ll ever need. No more failed attempts!

The farmhouse kitchen table

2011-03-28T09:03:00.001-05:00

I adore this farmhouse kitchen table. We’ve actually owned this table for almost ten years, but were unable to fully utilize it until we moved to the homestead 2 years ago. The ends of the table are actually comprised of 2 leaves which spent the majority of their lives in storage. The moment we walked through that front door I fell in love with this room because I knew it would hold my beloved table in it’s entirety. This baby seats 12 and is a dream to have when entertaining (which we do regularly – wouldn’t you with that huge inviting table?)

This house is pretty well suited for entertaining guests. I love that the kitchen is open to both the living room and the dining room. That probably has something to do with why I spend so much time in my kitchen. It’s always right there beckoning me. And I never feel left out of what the others are doing when I’m in there. I can see everybody from my workspace.

This is the view from the kitchen open to the living room. The dining room is separated from the living room by the staircase. Beneath the staircase is a nice pantry that for the life of me I can’t figure out how I ever lived without it. These rooms are connected by a loop which goes from the front door all the way around and back to the front door on the other side. That loop has made for some interesting games of tag on rainy days. We love it here. I feel truly blessed and thank God for bringing us to this place. If you would like to see the house as it was before we started renovating, you can click here and here.

Upstairs Renovation: Kids rooms & Playroom

2011-03-25T10:08:00.002-05:00

I always enjoy seeing other people’s remodeling projects, and I thought you might like to see our latest completion. Remember this trip when we left the project in full swing? Well, we actually finished the renovation just after Christmas. I just never got around to posting pictures. And since I’m still mending, I haven’t got anything else to do today. ; )

Before the renovation, the upstairs was actually a huge master suite. It was a wonderful space. You can see the before shots here if you scroll down through my old sewing posts. My sewing machine was parked in front of those gorgeous windows in Sara Lynn’s room.

You may be wondering what would make a person be willing to give up such a wonderful space. One word: STAIRS. My bones need all the TLC they can get these days. And the kids aren’t complaining about the swap one bit. Everyone’s happy with their rooms now.

Every piece of furniture in both of these rooms came from estate sales, yard sales, or flea markets. I much prefer the character and craftsmanship in older pieces. And the money I save buying things secondhand is a nice bonus. But mostly, thrifting is just plain fun. It just takes a little patience waiting to find the right piece at the right price.

Daniel’s bedding came from TJ Maxx on clearance and Sara Lynn’s came from an estate sale. It looks brand new and was obviously barely used on someone’s guest bed. I still need to deal with the walls and windows in both of these rooms, but they are for the most part done. Whew!

Are you familiar with Quercetti? Daniel received this gift for Christmas and he and all his friends love it.

It was just the right gift for a boy who feels he’s getting too old for toys but enjoys games and building things.

This is the view of the playroom from Daniel’s bedroom door. It’s never this clean, which has a great deal to do with why I never posted pictures before.

We have lots of books. (Mostly thrifted books). I can never seem to get enough of them, either for myself or the kidlets. We do use our local library frequently, but I don’t mind buying books either. Come to think of it, I can never have enough books, fabric, or seeds. Oh, and put a gardening book or crafting book in my hand and I’m in heaven!

With this remodel done, we have only the bathrooms left to tackle. Here’s what we’ve done so far:

Living room & Kitchen

Dining room (I don’t have a decent shot of this room – how did that happen? This is the before shot. Basically all that changed in this room was the installation of wood floors. But I can’t wait to show you my farmhouse table that seats 12! Next post?)

Sewing studio (Did I mention that this was the garage in it’s previous life?)

And of coarse, the upstairs. I’d love to see what you’ve been up to around your house lately!

Homestead Revival–Giveaway: Keeping Bees

2011-03-15T09:16:00.001-05:00

Head on over to Homestead Revival for a chance to win this fabulous book.

(It still hurts to type, so I won’t be doing much of it right now. But, I’m on the mend!)

Alive, but not (yet) kicking

2011-03-07T07:03:00.001-06:00

I just wanted to pop in and let you know that my surgery went as planned. No major complications.

I now have part of my right hip bone residing in my neck (an odd thought, for sure) and I’m taking it easy praying that the bones mend properly this time. And that they mend sooner rather than later.

Your well wishes and prayers have been most appreciated! Please keep them coming.

Gluten Free Pound Cake (Soaked)

2011-02-27T10:28:00.000-06:00

Oh me, oh my! This gluten free pound cake is crazy good. The wheat noshers in my family didn’t even balk a bit. That said, it isn’t exactly like my grandma’s pound cake (which is made with white flour and white sugar, of course.) This version is made with whole grains and Sucanat (natural sugar), but don’t let that scare you off. I made this cake last night and it’s already half eaten by my family of four. It was fabulous this morning with a cup of coffee and some fresh fruit. Bliss. I’m absolutely thrilled to have pound cake again!

I converted this recipe from here to be soaked in the Nourishing Traditions fashion.

Gluten Free Pound Cake (Soaked)

2 cups brown rice flour

1 cup kefir (OR buttermilk OR yogurt diluted with water to the consistency of buttermilk)

Combine brown rice flour and kefir. Soak overnight. (12 – 24 hours)

3 sticks of butter, softened but not melted

2 cups Sucanat

5 eggs

1 cup tapioca flour

1/2 tsp. salt (omit if using salted butter)

2/3 tsp baking powder

1 tsp xanthan gum

1 tsp pure vanilla extract (OR almond, lemon, orange…)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour a tube pan or 2 loaf pans.

With a mixer, cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating after each addition. Add tapioca flour, baking powder, and xanthan gum to the soaked brown rice flour and mix until moistened. Slowly add this mixture to the creamed mixture. Mix until smooth. Add in almond extract (or your choice). Pour into prepared pan and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. If the top of the cake starts to get really brown, you will need to lay a piece of foil loosely over it so that it can keep cooking internally without burning the top.

When it is done, remove it from the oven and let it sit in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a plate. If you do it sooner, your cake might fall slightly. Unlike most gluten free baked goods, I have found that this cake is even better when enjoyed the next day. It is VERY moist on the first day. Enjoy!

(Well, tomorrow is the big day for me. Any and all prayers would be most appreciated. I am very optimistic that this surgery will be successful. Blessings to you!)

Nesting??? (A tour of new my sewing studio)

2011-02-24T11:45:00.002-06:00

I think this impulse of mine to clean and organize has something to do with the appearance of these.

Daffodils… Hooray!

It’s official – I have spring fever. We’ve been extremely blessed with temps in the mid-70’s for the last couple of weeks. I’ve been soaking up sunshine and airing out the house with all of the windows open. Ahhhh… It’s so nice.

In other news, I’m scheduled for surgery on Monday. M-O-N-D-A-Y! I’ve been cleaning and organizing like a mad woman knowing I’ll be very much handicapped for weeks. Somebody should tell my bones it’s almost Spring, for crying out loud! They don’t have permission to misbehave this time of year. I’m yearning to get my hands dirty. But, that’ll have to wait. This time, my new neurosurgeon will be using bone from my hip to give my neck some extra help with the mending process. I’m hoping this will be my last surgery.

Enough of that… would you like a peak at my new sewing studio?

I’m not quite finished with it, but I’m happy with how it’s looking so far.

The paint color is Faded Ink by Martha Stewart. I adore the color for these walls.

I pulled out my favorite fabrics from my stash for display (and hopefully some inspiration.)There’s so many projects I’ve been wanting to tackle, but my neck hasn’t been cooperative. I’m optimistic that’ll change soon.

If you don’t yet have one of these nifty storage caddies, go out right now and get one. They’re perfect for holding sewing notions and patterns. The best part? I can roll it right over to where I need it. Bliss.

I love looking at everything all organized and color coded. It brings me joy.

It’s all about the simple things people.

This little gem has wheels, too. I am a blessed seamstress.

The bottom shelf holds all of my knitting needles, and the black cabinets hold my children’s art supplies.

Wonder of wonders, I actually enjoy sitting here again! This space has been in disarray for months.

I don’t know why I waited so long to do this…

Oh wait, that’s right. My neck. But now that I know they’ll be fixing me up Monday, I figured it didn’t matter if I wiggled something out of place!

I adore old mason jars. They’re wonderful for storing so many things.

I actually use them to store dry food goods as well. (With new lids, of course.)

If I happen to be sitting here, I most certainly have Pandora blaring. Coldplay radio. Give it a listen.

First up when I get my neck in working order is this precious memory game. That Alicia Paulson is one crafty chic!

I highly recommend Stitched in Time if you enjoy sewing for your family. Love it.

Before I let you slip away, I just have to show off this bench and shelf my sweetheart made for me.

Isn’t it wonderful? I think so. And best of all, we now have a proper place for our shoes and coats.

(And a temporary place to put sleeping bags until they make it to our weekend backyard campout.)

I could never be a vegetarian

2011-02-03T19:14:00.002-06:00

… and this is why. Oh-so-yummy, grass-fed, locally raised beef. Enough said.

Not only does it taste divine, but I also believe grass-fed meat (bone broth and butter in particular) has many health benefits. That’s not to say that we eat a large slab of meat at every meal. I’m also very frugal, and steak is a rare treat. We enjoy beans and locally grown organic produce in abundance.

I make just about everything we eat from scratch. Yes, it takes up a good portion of my day, but I look at is as an investment in our health. I use my crockpot on the days I lack inspiration (or energy). It just feels right for me to be in the kitchen. I mill my own grain into flour, and I’m sure to soak all grains (and nuts and beans) before we consume them. We drive a considerable distance to obtain raw milk. I could go on and on about nourishing food and traditional food preparation methods, but I won’t. Suffice it to say that I really wish we’d been eating this way all along. Maybe then I wouldn’t have Crohn’s disease (DO NOT click if you are faint of heart!)… or be suffering with degenerative discs in my neck… or need 2 more cervical spine surgeries. Ugh!

Enough looking back. I’m moving forward these days. I’ve been eating this way for a little over a year now. My digestive system is healthier than it’s been in a long time. We regenerate our bones at the rate of 20% per year. The way I see it, if I keep eating nourishing foods, in 5 years I can have new, nourished, healthy bones!

Allow me to be a blessing to you – take my advice: get your own copy of Nourishing Traditions. Please don’t wait until you are sick to think about what you are putting into your mouth. My grandmother always told me, “You are what you eat.” And that’s the truth, my friends.

“When you eat the labor of your hands,

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.”

~Psalm 128:2 (NKJV)

“Peasant food” at it’s finest

2011-01-31T09:46:00.002-06:00

I don’t know what it is about winter that makes me crave soups and stews, but I don’t fight it. My crockpot sees a lot of use this time of year. I throw in whatever meat I have on hand (yes, we eat meat almost everyday – but we keep our portions small) and pile on the root veggies, herbs, and seasonings. By that evening, our mouths are watering and the entire house is filled with the aroma of a good, wholesome meal. The best part? I haven’t had to slave over the stove all afternoon.

I also crave beans and greens more this time of year. Beans are a wonderfully frugal meal option and they’re so easy to prepare. I soak dry beans overnight with a little ACV (to neutralize the phytates) and rinse them the next morning. Once they’ve simmered for several hours with a little sea salt, EVOO, onion, and garlic, they simply can’t be beat. I like to eat mine with a bit of sauerkraut. So delicious and nutritious!

My digestive systems really appreciates it when I eat this way. It rewards me by not getting bloated, crampy, and miserable. A return to traditional foods and preparation techniques has benefitted the whole family. We rarely get sick with those nasty viral bugs that seem to go on a rampage this time of year. And, I believe I would have healthier bones if I’d been eating this way all along. But alas, all I can do is move forward. I’m grateful for the wake-up call of Crohn’s disease which made me realize that all the processed foods were harming my family. Now, I know. Now, I can nourish my little ones. And myself.

Tea party time

2011-01-28T09:32:00.002-06:00

I stumbled upon this little tea party Sara Lynn had set up for her babies. My heart melts.

To see my sweet babe caring for her babes... doing what mamas do. My cup runs over.

It swims around in my head from time to time… this desire to be a good mother. A good example to follow.

My hope is to give the best parts of myself to my family. And to hold back those things that are less fruitful.

It keeps me on my knees… not a bad place to find oneself.

Blessings to you as you journey through your days. Let’s make the most of them.

Happy Starter

2011-01-26T09:26:00.001-06:00

Happy starter makes mama happy…

~~We’ve~~ I’ve been making lots of sourdough bread lately. I’m happy to report that I tolerate wheat/spelt very well as long as it is allowed a long fermentation period. And really, this is the most nutritious way for anyone to enjoy bread. It can be soooo yummy! You just need to learn how to make it.

Here are the instructions I used for making starter (which worked so well).

Here is Wardeh’s (delicious!) recipe and instructions for making sourdough sandwich bread.

And in case your wondering, here’s why sourdough is so nutritious.

No more high-dollar gluten free bread from the health foods store for this family. And admittedly, I was never completely comfortable with the ingredients list on those packages. I really tried, but I was never able to master baking gluten free sandwich loaves (with nutritious ingredients). I feel good about our bread again.

I have an appointment tomorrow. I’m not very excited about it. I’ll be having a painful procedure (you know it’s going to be bad when the doctor forewarns you that it will be painful and you will not be able to have anesthesia! Sigh.) but hopefully we’ll have a better idea about what is going on with the discs in my neck/back. On a better note, my Crohn’s flare seems to have finally subsided. I have traded my oral pain medication for a topical cream that is giving me some relief. I appreciate all your well wishes and prayers more than you can know. Blessings to you!

As promised: quilt pics

2011-01-24T20:47:00.002-06:00

It’s been a long time coming, but here are the promised pictures of the whole cloth quilts I made for Daniel and Sara Lynn this past Christmas. I really enjoyed the entire process of making my first quilts, even if there was no actual piecing involved. I have to say, I was feeling much better this time last month, and I am ever so glad I took advantage of those days to give my little loves something mama-made. It feels so right.

Here’s a close-up of the quilting. I chose to do a grid pattern on Daniel’s quilt and straight lines for Sara Lynn’s quilt. I couldn’t be more pleased with how they turned out. I just adore the puckered, antique look. It’s exactly what I was going for. And I’m happy to report they were very well received.

Give Away: Levi's Lye Soap

2011-01-21T08:51:00.001-06:00

Check this out…

http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2011/01/give-away-levis-lye-soap.html

I love a giveaway, and since I’m not making my own soap right now, this looks good to me!

Some days are better than others

2011-01-20T17:22:00.002-06:00

Can I be honest here? I’m having a really tough time lately. And that’s okay. Sometimes life doesn’t make sense, but there’s no use crying over spilt milk. I’ve learned that the hard way. We’re in God’s hands and only He can see the big picture of our lives. So, we must keep going - putting one foot in front of the other, and praying for better days.

Sometimes, everybody hurts. Everybody hurts, sometimes. ~REM

I’ve found that the key to surviving the difficult times is to focus on today. What can I do right now? I try not to think about all those things I can’t do. I try not to worry about tomorrow, because honestly, today has enough trouble of it’s own. Right now, these words are very real to me. I trust that the Lord will not put on my plate any more than I can bear. I remind myself of Paul’s words:

“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

So, I cook for my family. Gluten free peach crisp.

I make sauerkraut.

I marvel at 2 cabbages that barely half-fill two quart-size mason jars.

I prepare sourdough bread for my loved ones.

And on the days when mama hurts too much to move, we eat take-out pizza by candlelight.

I find myself in the midst of a severe Crohn’s flare-up and unable to take medication to ease the pain of two more degenerative discs in my spine.

But, I know that there’s a better day coming…

A Handmade Christmas (and my first whole cloth quilt)

2011-01-05T10:33:00.002-06:00

I’ve wanted to learn to quilt for what seems like forever. This Christmas, with one week to spare, I finally decided it was time to bite the bullet. I made each of my children a whole cloth quilt (mostly because I had no time to make a proper quilt and partly because I was scared I’d mess it up) as an early Christmas gift. We took them with us on the long drive to Disney and now the quilts have been rightfully dubbed our “Road Trip” quilts.

I really love the way they turned out. Unfortunately, I haven’t taken the time to photograph the finished quilts and it’s raining out. More pictures will come later. I’m most in love with Daniel’s quilt. I simply adore the fabric combo and colors. All of it was purchased at Hobby Lobby where you can print out a coupon online that’s good for 40% off (in-store purchases) most weeks. Oh, yes. I’m nothing if not frugal.

I really enjoyed making my first two quilts, even if I was a bit pressed for time. I completed both quilts in less than one week. I finished the binding of my baby girl’s quilt on the oh-so-long trip down. I believe hand-finishing the binding was actually my most favorite part. Stress relief at it’s finest I tell you.

There was also a good bit of knitting done on this trip, but I only have one UFO to show for it. I’m still trying to get the hang of knitting, and I can’t tell you how many dropped stitches I’ve had to deal with. I should probably frog it and start over. It sits abandoned in my knitting basket for now.

This is exactly what I felt like when I was halfway through marking the lines on Daniel’s quilt.

And this is what I felt like when I finished. My mom gave me this cute pencil sharpener. I love it.

Good gravy… that was a lot of marking!

In case you’re interested on getting started in quilting, here are some tutorials which helped me tremendously:

http://www.crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/ You’ll find links to picture tutorials of all the basics in Amanda Jean’s sidebar.

http://anyonecanquilt.typepad.com/my_weblog/machine-quilting-tutorial/ This is the method I used for basting - easy.

Oops… Apple Oat Muffin recipe errata

2010-12-23T09:43:00.001-06:00

Oh, guys… I’m so sorry! I’ve just realized that the muffin recipe uses 1 cup of rolled oats not 2 cups. I’ve corrected the recipe and I sincerely apologize. Happy baking! (We enjoyed a batch of them just this morning.)

MIA…

2010-12-22T21:24:00.002-06:00

Oh, yes. We went to Disney World. In the midst of a busy holiday season, we decided it was time we took the littles to see the Mouse. It was one of those spur of the moment decisions we’re really glad we made. Thirteen years ago, the man and I went on our honeymoon. Ever since that first magical trip, we knew we’d one day take our children. Well, finally, just as Sara Lynn hit 44 inches in height (the magic number for many rides), we decided that there is no time like the present. Carpe Diem, my friend!

Did I mention that we left an upstairs remodel unfinished so we could go off and play? Yes, we did. No regrets. At this point, I’m just wondering when I’ll find time to bake with 10+ loads of post-Disney laundry to do and no less than 1 inch of drywall dust coating every surface in this house. (Sigh.) But it was definitely worth it.

Gluten free apple oat muffins (soaked in kefir)

2010-12-07T21:22:00.003-06:00

I’ve been meaning to post this recipe for a while now… thanks for the nudge, Diane!

These muffins are a family favorite and a (quickly disappearing) staple around here. I promise you can serve this to guests without apology. No one would guess that they are gluten free! They’re not too dense and they’re very moist and flavorful – attributes I accredit to soaking the flours overnight in kefir. Try it. You’ll be hooked, too.

Apple Oat Muffins

1 c. rolled oats (I use certified gluten free oats)

1/2 c. brown rice flour

1/2 c. millet flour

1 c. kefir

Combine above ingredients and allow to soak overnight (up to 12 hours)

The next morning, blend in the following ingredients:

2 eggs

1/2 c. honey

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. sea salt

3 tsp. cinnamon

1 medium apple, unpeeled, cored, and grated coarsely

1/2 c. raisins (optional)

1/2 c. walnuts (optional)

After mixing all ingredients, fill paper-lined muffin cups until almost full. Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes or until done.

Don’t let the use of rolled oats scare you here. Soaking them overnight makes them tender and delicious. Really, you won’t notice that they are in the finished muffins. A nice variation we often enjoy is substituting 1 c. pureed pumpkin for the apple, no raisins, 2 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. ginger, and 1 tsp. nutmeg. So delicious! You may find you need to add extra flour if your pumpkin puree is too thin, which is often the case with homemade pumpkin puree. I usually add a little brown rice flour if needed.

***It’s important to note that gluten free batter will not be as thick as a whole wheat batter. Gluten free baked goods have a tendency to be dry if the batter is too thick. Always err on the side of more liquid than less liquid if in doubt. Often, the batter should be thin like pancake batter.

***EDITTED TO ADD: You may use buttermilk or yogurt diluted with water (to the consistency of buttermilk) in place of kefir.

Making kefir and a Banana Nut Bread recipe

A little bit of sparkle

2010-12-06T20:34:00.002-06:00

I love putting up the Christmas tree with my family. I know where each and every ornament came from and who gave it to me, all the way back to the very first Christmas my husband and I shared together. Now, we have two little ones who relish placing the ornaments in just the right spots, and they even make new ones each year. It was Sara Lynn’s turn to place the herald angel atop the tree this year. I like to look at it and imagine Christ’s birth. Oh, how the angels must have rejoiced when Mary delivered Him! What wonder and awe Mary and Joseph must have felt to hold the Son of God in their arms…

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ~Luke 2:8-12

Chai it… and you’ll like it!

2010-12-04T09:00:00.002-06:00

This time of year (and anytime, really!) I adore a nice cup of hot Chai tea. Soothing and uplifting all at the same time, this tea is a perfect pick-me-up. In the past, I’ve always bought organic Chai tea bags and brewed the tea that way. But after Diane’s post, I really wanted to try making my own loose Chai tea. Unfortunately, Mountain Rose Herbs was sold out of several of the spices I needed. Rats!

Not being the patient type (at all), I proceeded over to Amazon where I found a loose Chai that I absolutely adore. This mix has a wonderful balance.

Frontier Loose Organic Chai Tea is fair trade certified and absolutely delicious. I’m hooked! I’ve been making it in my French press and it works beautifully. Best of all, this tea is priced for less than what I could buy the spices and make it myself, and it qualifies for Amazon super-saver free shipping. Yes!

Gratitude

2010-11-24T15:53:00.002-06:00

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

¹ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
² Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his^[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Taking fermented cod liver oil painlessly, tastelessly, WITH NO BURPING!

2010-11-19T09:46:00.002-06:00

I’ve finally found a way to get this stuff down without having to wrinkle my nose up. And more importantly, I’ve found a way to get it into my children without having to implement a battle cry. They now take their daily dose with a smile, and it also helps that they each get a small piece of dark chocolate for a reward. A mama’s gotta do what a mama’s gotta do, right? Right.

I can’t take credit for this handy-dandy trick… my friend, Katie, is the one who recommended it to me. And, for the record, I am tremendously grateful! All you do is:

1. Dip your spoon in honey.

2. Put your dose of CLO on top of the honey.

3. Drizzle a little extra honey over the CLO to completely cover it.

4. Quickly, and without working it around in your mouth, take the CLO much like you would a pill.

5. Have a drink ready to chase the mixture down.

Easy as pie. And best of all: no tasting or burping the CLO afterward! I’m not sure why this helps with the burping, but my theory is that the honey (which is full of enzymes) helps digest the CLO in rapid fashion. YAY!!!

I sure wish I’d thought of this sooner… sigh.

I’ll leave you today with the view out my front window early this morning. If you’ll look closely, you can see the leaves falling in the middle of the photo. I’m soaking up (with tremendous gratitude) these last few days of Autumn. Thank you, Lord!

***Edited to add: If you are interested in learning about the benefits of taking cod liver oil, click here.

Homemade yogurt + homemade granola + raw honey = BLISS!

2010-11-16T07:42:00.001-06:00

This flavor combination makes my taste buds do the tango! And because all of the ingredients can be made ahead (or even store-bought if necessary), it’s a quick and easy breakfast for those mornings when you may be slim on time. We love it any old time!

I make crispy nuts every few weeks in the Nourishing Traditions fashion. Soaked and dehydrated, these tasty little gems go great in school lunches and they’re perfect for snacking, too. I use them in any recipe that calls for nuts.

They’re easily stored in mason jars until you’re ready for them… Yum! My jars don’t stay full for very long.

And, I can’t recommend more highly this recipe for soaked and dehydrated (in my oven!) granola.

It is seriously good! I make a half recipe every two weeks and it fills up 2 quart size mason jars. I like to keep a jar in the car for snacking – it helps me resist the temptation to eat unhealthy foods when I get hungry. And actually, I just LOVE to eat this granola! It’s delicious and nutritious.

The first time I made it, I soaked my nuts right along with my oats and dehydrated everything together. This last time, I added crispy pecans to the finished granola… I like it better this way. You can really taste the nuts. I also added a generous amount of raisins to the finished granola. When making half the recipe, I use 1 cup of honey substituted for the date paste Wardeh uses to sweeten the granola. Just laziness on my part, but it turned out great! My yogurt came from an Amish family who makes it from raw cow’s milk – so, so, good. One day, I’ll be brave and try Amanda's method for making yogurt. This granola recipe sounds more complicated than it actually is… give it a try!

Oh, my… pumpkin pie!

2010-11-12T08:51:00.002-06:00

There’s been a fair amount of this going on around here the past few weeks…

I haven’t met a winter squash I didn’t like. So far this year, we’ve enjoyed Blue Hubbard (new for me this year), Acorn Table Queen, Butternut, Delicata, and that sweet little pie pumpkin up above. We enjoy it as a side dish or as pie (of course!)

Here’s the recipe for the pumpkin pie filling from Nourishing Traditions (see my sidebar) and this is a decent gluten free pie crust recipe. Let me warn you though, I was not able to roll it out the way the recipe suggested (maybe I didn’t – okay, I straight up did not let it spend enough time in the fridge). I ended up squishing it into the pie plate much like you would for a graham cracker crust. And the next time I make it, I will probably pre-bake the crust a bit. One other difference was that I used raw cow’s milk in my filling along with freshly prepared pumpkin flesh… DELISH!!!

Twilight on the homestead

2010-11-10T19:06:00.000-06:00

This is my favorite time of day…

Just as the sun is setting…

All is washed in hues of gold…

I even find golden hope for a few last tomatoes…

And the hammock begins to beckon me…

Who am I to resist?

Just a few stolen moments of quiet rest refresh me…

And I know I must still tackle those pesky dinner dishes.

Nourishing Traditions Meatloaf (gluten free version)

2010-11-08T10:07:00.001-06:00

This meatloaf is so good! I must admit, I’ve always been a big fan of meatloaf. My mom has a wonderful recipe that I’ve made for my own family for years now. What I like about the Nourishing Traditions recipe is all the added vegetables that are tucked inside it!

Seriously, look at all those veggies! And every member of the family eats this dish with glee… (mama is smiling.)

I adapted the original recipe to suit our family’s needs: gluten free rolled oats were substituted in place of the bread crumbs, I omitted the chili flakes (for the kids), and kicked up the cracked black pepper. I chose to use a mix of ground turkey and ground beef in equal amounts, and I omitted the ground heart and fish sauce (mainly because I didn’t have these ingredients on hand).

This is the meatloaf all ready to go into the oven. IT’S SO GOOD!!!

If you’d like to give the recipe a try yourself, you can find it recipe here.

A family heirloom quilt

2010-11-04T20:00:00.002-05:00

This quilt was made by a woman I never met - my great-grandmother. I can’t help but feel a deep connection to her, and the past, when I wrap up in this old quilt which was stitched with love many years ago. I wonder if she thought about who might wrap up in the quilt she made. I wonder if she thought about her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren yet to be born.

I wonder if she hoped it would be cherished as she hand-stitched each piece carefully together… these little bits of flour sack and old garments rearranged to make a family heirloom. I’ve heard stories of how she and the local women would gather to quilt and converse in the afternoons once the chores were done. I’ve heard of her quilt cabinet which was stuffed to overflowing with her handmade quilts. I’ve heard stories of her cooking and her love. I feel blessed to hold this little piece of her in my hands and in my heart.

I will cherish it always, Mama Jones.

Banana Nut Bread: Soaked and Gluten-free!

2010-10-26T15:56:00.001-05:00

If you’ve been around here for a while, you probably know that I love banana nut bread.

It was one of the first recipes I set out to perfect in a gluten-free version.

I must say, I’m not going to miss my old recipe at all… This banana nut bread is heavenly!!! (Thank goodness!)

I adapted this recipe from Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions cookbook. If you are concerned about eating in a healthy, nourishing, traditional way, you SERIOUSLY need to check out this book. It is an excellent investment. I reference my copy almost every day. Not only does this book explain why our body needs certain foods, but it contains recipes for almost every dish imaginable! (It also explains why processed food should be avoided.)

Without further adieux, here is my new recipe:

Mel’s Banana Nut Bread: Soaked and Gluten Free

1 c gluten-free rolled oats

1 c gluten-free oat flour

1/2 c millet flour

1/2 c brown rice flour

2 c buttermilk, kefir, or yogurt (if using yogurt, dilute it with water to the consistency of buttermilk – 2 c total yogurt/water mixture)

3 eggs, slightly beaten

1 tsp sea salt

1/4 to 1/2 c maple syrup

2 tsp baking soda

1/4 c melted butter

2 ripe, mashed bananas

1/2 c crispy walnuts, chopped

Soak flours together in buttermilk, kefir or yogurt in a warm place for 12 to 24 hours – bread will rise better if soaked for 24 hours. (Those with milk allergies may use 2 cups filtered water plus 2 TBSP whey, lemon juice, or vinegar in place of buttermilk, kefir or yogurt.) Blend in remaining ingredients. Pour into a well-buttered and floured loaf pan (preferably stoneware). Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.

***Note: If you aren’t gluten-intolerant, simply substitute 3 cups of whole wheat flour for the gluten-free flours in this recipe. Soak as directed!

If you want the why’s on soaking (and a good introduction to nourishing, traditional food preparation methods), click here.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I used kefir in this recipe. A while back, my very generous (and wise) blogging friend Diane sent me some of her kefir grains. This was the first recipe I tried using homemade kefir. Success! I really believe that the kefir made my bread rise a little better and it gave the bread a nice flavor, too. I’m hooked!

I took Diane’s advice and made kefir using raw goat’s milk. While I’m not crazy about drinking a glass of it alone, I will be adding it to all my baked goods from here on out. And I’m working toward being able to drink it. It’s a bit more sour than yogurt, but it would be great in a smoothie. As Diane has told me, “Sour is good for you!”

Kefir is so easy to make yourself. I followed these instructions.

There are also instructions for making kefir in Nourishing Traditions, but sometimes it’s nice to see pictures.

Now, what to make next?

Paula’s Bread Pizza Kit Giveaway @ Passionate Homemaking

2010-10-23T08:44:00.001-05:00

Another great giveaway… Go check it out!

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2010/10/paulas-bread-pizza-kit-giveaway.html

Fermented Cod Liver Oil Giveaway @ Kitchen Stewardship

2010-10-22T15:53:00.001-05:00

Hurry on over to this amazing giveaway… many will win a bottle!

http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2010/10/22/giveaway-green-pasture-fermented-cod-liver-oil-twenty-winners/

A trip to the Smokies

2010-10-21T08:18:00.002-05:00

This is a picture heavy post (and it will probably bore you), but I think that the Great Smoky Mountains are quite possibly the most beautiful place God created on this earth. We try to make an annual pilgrimage because it’s only a 6 hour drive for us, and it’s one of our favorite places.

This is at Clingman’s Dome, the highest peak in the Smokies. Absolutely breathtaking view!

And because it’s so high up, it’s cold up there year round. We’ve been before in July and had to wear our jackets. It’s quite a novelty to those of us who are steeped in humidity most days of the year.

Daniel was enamored with the ice!

Check out that beyond blue sky. Gorgeous!

This was the view from the front porch of the little cabin where we stayed. We loved it there.

There is so much history in these mountains. This is a little one-room school house tucked away high on the side of a mountain. I wouldn’t have wanted to walk to school in the winter if I had attended there. I read that some children traveled as far as 9 miles to get to this school.

And before you freak out, let me assure you that we do not allow our children to ride in the back of the truck on an open road. This was the driveway that took us to our little cabin.

Sara Lynn was so happy when her Daddy stopped to pick her flowers. I can’t help but smile, too!

It was such a nice trip in the midst of a busy season for us. It’s essential to take a retreat every once in a while, IMHO.

This is a shot of Daniel on our cabin’s little porch – complete with rockers, a swing, and a hot tub. Sigh…

Cade’s Cove is one place you must visit if you ever make it to the Smokies. So much history!

All of these last photos were taken in Cade’s Cove. It’s so much fun imagining what life would have been like for the people who lived there 100 years ago. I hope you get the chance to visit the Smokies at least once in your life!

Putting up peaches the easy way

2010-10-18T08:43:00.002-05:00

This is a post I meant to write a couple of months ago. Sigh.

At the end of the summer a dear friend gifted me with a half-bushel of local peaches – talk about a good gift!

I feel so blessed to live in Alabama where we have access to a wide variety of local food year round.

I’m trying my hand at a fall/winter garden this year, and I’m longing for broccoli, turnips, and spinach!

Our weather is just now cooperating and accommodating to cool season veggies.

But, back to the peaches… these are soooo good!

I really meant to get a batch of preserves made, but it didn’t happen.

I have a feeling that my family won’t mind all the winter cobblers we’ll be having when there’s no more fresh fruit.

The freezer is stocked!

A busy season (and I’m still here!)

2010-10-14T20:12:00.002-05:00

I’ve had an incredibly busy season around here the past few weeks. Actually, I quite literally bitten off more than I could chew!

I’ve been teaching a bible study, attending another, substituting for Daniel’s class, planting my fall garden, learning to cook without gluten (more on that later), and trying to maintain my sanity while keeping up with all of my usual chores… WHEW! I’m still here. Tired, but here.

I must tell you that I feel incredibly blessed. I have wonderful friends and family (thank you to those who asked about me!), a little homestead in the making, and access to good nourishing food – truly a blessing.

Last week, one of our girls laid a gigantic egg (look at the top middle photo above) that had a double yolk. It was destined to become an egg and cheese sandwich. So, so delicious. And, I’ve been absolutely delighted to find out that giving up gluten didn’t mean I had to give up bread.

I was frightened at even the thought! We LOVE brownies, muffins, and bread. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE.

I’m now soaking ALL my grains (even though they’re gluten-free) and it’s made a tremendous difference. Before, I would soak if I remembered to, but not always. (Shame.) I just didn’t understand how truly important and necessary the process was. And I’ve been sick not realizing that it could be SO EASILY remedied. Now, I’m meticulous in the kitchen. It’s made a difference in my health. You can read about preparing nourishing foods here. (Do yourself a favor and check out the link.)

I’m making bread (I’ll be trying sourdough with gluten free grains this week) and crackers and yes, BROWNIES! All with gluten-free grains. It wasn’t as hard as I imagined it would be, and I’ll be sharing my new favorite recipes with you soon. I’ve long loved lacto-fermented veggies such as sauerkraut, but now I’m learning to enjoy kefir (thanks Diane!) and kombucha as healthy additions to my diet. I feel better than I have in a very long time.

Here on the homestead, life is good. God has blessed us with a few fall tomatoes (with more vegetables forthcoming), fun times spent together in the great outdoors (now that it’s finally cooled off a little!), and hope for the future. Did I mention we’ll be getting goats soon? Oh, my goodness!

Mel’s Banana Nut Bread (revisited)

2010-09-10T08:23:00.001-05:00

Seeing these on my counter always means one thing: banana nut bread must be made.

Remember these? They did not disappoint! Just look at those sunshiny yolks… Girls, you make mama proud.

Around here, I mill my own flour. I can’t recommend it to you more highly.

This is my recipe for banana nut bread. I did change it up some this time - I can’t seem to help myself. I almost always change a recipe in some way, usually because I have different ingredients on hand. This time I had an extra banana, so I threw in 4 bananas. And I had an extra egg, so in went 3 eggs. I also love changing up the flours. This time I used 1 cup of whole wheat flour and 1 cup of spelt flour. I must say, it turned out soooo good! Even better than the original version. Spelt is one of my favorite flours. It seems to make baked goods more tender, light, and moist. Who would argue with those results?

Mmmm…. it smells good.

And it tastes good, too!

Nesting

2010-09-08T10:25:00.001-05:00

As I expected, the girls were a little leery of the nest boxes at first.

But, without other options, what’s a girl to do?

Sara Lynn and I have been on egg patrol for the past few days.

Our hen house is separated into two spaces. One space is for the girls and the other space is for their supplies.

We have this handy-dandy door for making our egg checks. It’s not fancy, but it works. And our shoes stay clean.

And Mama stays happy.

There’s also a full-sized door for those times when we need to get in there and clean things out.

Both spaces in the hen house have a skylight... I think I could live here. Really, I do.

A nice popcorn tree provides shade during the heat of the day. In a few weeks, that tree will be gorgeous all aflame with the brilliant colors of autumn. Our entire property is studded with these trees… I can hardly wait! This is my absolute favorite time of year.

Did I mention that the girls figured things out?

I think I’ll do some baking today.

There’s good news and bad news

2010-09-06T09:33:00.002-05:00

The good news is that our hens are laying…

The bad news?

I found 26 eggs under the hen house this weekend.

It’s my fault, really. I should have anticipated this could happen.

After all, they love to hide beneath anything they can crawl under.

So, back into confinement they go until they figure out that their nest boxes are for nesting…

And we’ll need to enclose the space beneath the hen house so they can’t get to their preferred laying environment.

Goodness, that’s a small space they’ve been squeezing into!

I hope they figure things out pretty quickly. I miss our afternoon visits already.

And in case you’re wondering, Emilie is doing great these days. That’s really good news around here!

Just look at those oh-so-kissable cheeks… they don’t get much rest around me.

Our girls (the ones who lay eggs)

2010-09-03T09:17:00.002-05:00

Our girls are almost 6 months old now… which means we’ll have fresh organic eggs very soon.

While they do have a run, we’ve chosen to let them free-range during the day, although we do supplement with organic grains and kitchen scraps.

It’s been a crazy dry and hot summer.

We’ve found that they do not wander very far from the hen house. This is a view from inside our front door. I love it when they come to visit.

They typically go no further than 100 yards away from their ‘home’. And, thankfully, we haven’t had any losses.

We started out with 18 hens, and then we bartered or sold 9 of them. We simply didn’t have it in us to put them in the freezer as we had originally intended. They had become beloved pets before we even realized that it had happened. I know. This could be a problem if it becomes a habit around here. We’re working on it. It’s still our first year on the homestead after all. We’ll do better next time. I’m thinking meat and dairy goats will be the next addition to the homestead. Hopefully, it will happen this fall.

This is by far girls’ favorite spot. It has a comfortable fence for roosting and my (now scraggly) herb garden for scratching and dusting.

It’s such a joy to be able to watch these girls scratch around the homestead. They’re amazing creatures. Really, they are.

And have I mentioned the eggs? We’re really looking forward to those eggs!

Here’s a wonderful source if you’re interested in having a few girls in your very own backyard:

http://www.backyardchickens.com/

Learning a new skill: knitting

2010-09-01T12:43:00.002-05:00

Broadly defined, homesteading is a lifestyle of simple, agrarian self-sufficiency. While knitting isn’t particularly agrarian (unless you indeed have sheep to sheer), it definitely qualifies as a simple skill which leans toward self-sufficiency. And, it’s just plain fun… not to mention relaxing.

Knitting has been at the top of my ‘list’ for a long time now. I tried once before to pick up knitting but wasn’t entirely successful. I kept dropping stitches and accidentally increasing. Online tutorials just didn’t cut it for me. Not being one who gives up easily (and one who has no knitters among friends and family), I purchased this DVD and gave it another go… with sweet success! I just needed a few pointers, the patience of a skilled instructor, and the pause and rewind buttons on my DVD player. I was knitting within a few hours. It’s the best $20 bucks I’ve spent in a long time.

Feeding picky eaters

2010-08-27T09:29:00.001-05:00

I have some tricks up my sleeve for getting picky eaters (of which my husband and daughter are the pickiest!) to eat their veggies.

In my experience, tucking the (offensive) vegetable in with meat and a starch works wonderfully. Seriously, this little discovery has changed our lives. We have a much broader diet these days. In the past, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, and even squash were on the list of banished veggies. We subsisted much of the time on carrots, peas, and beans.

No more. Last night’s dinner consisted of organic pasta, mild Italian sausage, and yes (gasp!) cauliflower. It certainly helps when the vegetable blends into the dish, as in the above photo. And, texture is a key here, too. You want the cauliflower to be tender enough that it isn’t offensive on the discriminating palate. A little butter never hurts either. Another key is to make the pieces very small. Even mash it if possible. Trust me, this works. We’ve also enjoyed some mashed acorn squash mixed in with some chicken and rice this week. No one was the wiser. (Mama smiles.)

Cauliflower is probably the easiest vegetable to start with. It has a mild flavor and blends in easily. Just steam it until tender, add a little butter, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Then, mash or finely chop it, and add it to your dish. You can also do the same with broccoli. For winter squash, cut it in half (or quarters depending on it’s size), scoop out the seeds, and rub the flesh with a little extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. Roast it in the oven @ 400 degrees F for about an hour or until tender. Then scoop out the flesh, mash it, and add it to your dish. YUM!

I’ve also been know to add finely shredded kale to spaghetti sauce. It doesn’t need to be steamed first. Super easy and delicious. The sauce will look like you went heavy on the herbs. Soups and stews are another great way to slip in noxious (to them) veggies. I’m not ashamed to admit I’m a sneaky chef. Good nutrition is important. It’s a priority around here.

Here’s one of our favorite easy recipes if you need a jumping off point:

http://sweethomesteadalabama.blogspot.com/2010/04/in-kitchen.html

Just be sure to chop the vegetables very finely at first. As your diners realize that they actually like their veggies, you can chop them more coarsely.

Another last…

2010-08-25T07:06:00.000-05:00

It’s watermelon this time. I noticed today that the majority of my last few posts dealt with lasts.

The last of the tomatoes, the last bit of summer vacation, the last harvest.

Well, we enjoyed our last watermelon this week. And it was so very sweet and delicious!

With plenty of seeds for spitting… and saving.

I preserved them the way my Papa showed me how:

Let the seeds sit in a bowl of water until the seeds sink and the pulp floats.

Pour off the pulpy water and rinse the seeds.

Then, let them sit on a cloth until thoroughly dry.

I let mine sit on the counter for a few days before I transfer them to a labeled and dated envelope.

These are next year’s Sugar Baby Icebox Watermelons.

They certainly lived up to their name… Super sweet and small enough to fit in the fridge!

We all agreed that this was the perfect size watermelon for us. Perfect for the 3 of us (the hubs does not eat watermelon – I know, the horror!) to share on a hot summer afternoon.

The last heirloom tomatoes of the season

2010-08-23T09:07:00.003-05:00

This has been a difficult gardening year for us. We’ve only had a few significant rainfalls all summer. Once a month just doesn’t cut the mustard in a large garden.

And the record breaking heat (in an area already known for tremendous heat and humidity) has made it nearly impossible to coax sustenance from the ground. But with lots and lots of watering, we were able to enjoy a few varieties of tomatoes, eggplants, okra, zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, an abundance of peppers, watermelon, cantaloupe, and lemon cucumbers. The corn was a complete and utter bust, but we did get a few peas and beans.

Knowing that this was it from my garden, I wanted to really taste the veggies. We actually enjoyed this meal a few weeks ago, but I haven’t forgotten how utterly delicious it was… I opted to roast the veggies right on top of chicken tenderloins with just a bit of EVOO, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. I almost always choose the simple over the complicated. Popped in the oven for half an hour at 425 degrees amounted to absolute dinner perfection. I particularly enjoyed all the flavors together… Green Zebra, Cherokee Purple, Gold Medal, Jubilee Yellow, Homestead, and Brandywine tomatoes… eggplant… zucchini… yellow squash… Cajun bell peppers… Sigh.

There’s nothing quite like eating homegrown produce.

Back-to-School

2010-08-20T08:34:00.002-05:00

Well, school is off to a great start this year… Daniel is finishing his first full week of school today.

I’ve got to tell you, I have a feeling this is going to be a great year. That’s his teacher on the right up above.

She’s so full of love and wisdom where children are concerned – what a blessing!

It was her idea that we have a class picnic out here on the homestead, so that the newcomers could get to know everybody before school started.

What a fabulous idea! I could see some serious bonding going on out there.

And it gave us parents a chance to get to know each other outside of school.

We had such a good time that I’ve decided to make this a tradition.

The trampoline was a big hit…

The hammock was turned over a time or two…

Daniel, our resident fisherman, helped his friends with their fishing.

Did I mention the trampoline?

Yep. Big hit.

The girls were enamored with the hens, but afraid of them nonetheless. Sara Lynn to the rescue!

Looking back, I probably should have had a few rules where the trampoline was concerned…

But no injuries, so all is good.

I can’t believe that our summer vacation is officially over. Can’t. Believe. It.

I’m on the verge of planting my fall garden. Football season and cooler weather are just around the corner…

Hallelujah! I can’t take much more of this heat. Seriously, it’s the hottest summer we have on record.

Many, many days of 100+ degree days.

Come on over October…. I’ll be your best friend.

Summer’s last hurrah

2010-08-05T20:36:00.002-05:00

Sorry I’ve been out of pocket lately. It couldn’t be helped. Both my kiddos start school next week, and we were busy soaking up that last little bit of summer. And yes, that’s OIL on our beach. I’m so sad. We chose to love it from afar this visit. They (massive tractors and cleaning crews) were coming through each night while we slept plowing up the dirty sand, but it didn’t help enough for me to let my precious littles play down there. A local water park came to the rescue.

To be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t have gone had I realized the oil was making landfall. I have MANY friends who said there was NO oil down there. I guess they expected to see oil slicks rolling in… It wasn’t like that because of the TOXIC dispersants BP used. And if you didn’t have a view like we did, you couldn’t even SEE the oil. I was shocked at the number of people frolicking in the gulf despite the MANY posted warnings. I just wish this had gotten the media attention it deserved. If I had known, I wouldn’t have gone. And hence, the lack of media coverage. Homage paid to the almighty dollar. So sad. God, help us. We know not what we do…

Pickling Lemon Cucumbers – spears and slices

2010-07-28T20:39:00.002-05:00

I’ve been a busy woman lately. The lemon cucumbers have been prolific around here…

And aren’t they gorgeous all quartered, salted, and ready to be pickled?

I thought so.

I chose another recipe from the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving:

Pick-a-Vegetable Dill Pickles (page 16) for all of you who might have the book or be interested in what this beautiful goodness actually is…

Garlic, jalapeño, red bell pepper, and dill seeds. It smelled heavenly!

Yeah, this makes mama happy.

And while I was busy in the kitchen, my sweet boy was out picking figs. Fig preserves, anyone?

These are the slices – absolutely perfect for a sandwich, if I do say so myself.

Just look at that big guy up there! Most laid flat, but I wanted you to see this one.

They are admittedly a little seedy, but I didn’t let that stop me. Nobody is perfect.

And these are the spears… or wedges, is more like it.

These are the most beautiful pickles I’ve ever canned. Lemon cucumber dill pickles – a new favorite is born.

There’s just something about those stripes that does it for me.

And just so you know, the figs are beyond delicious… words fail me. Fig preserves will be happening soon.

In case you’re wondering how I keep my littlest one entertained while I can…

We have lots and lots of puzzles…

And lots and lots of breaks!

No better way to start the day

2010-07-26T08:22:00.001-05:00

Pancakes, butter, REAL maple syrup, and all natural bacon… this is my favorite breakfast.

I must admit that breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. So much so, that sometimes I serve it up regardless of the time of day. We all love grits and eggs, and they’re so easy to whip up on a day where maybe I haven’t had as much kitchen time as I would have liked. Served with a bowl of fresh fruit or a couple of tomato slices, we have a balanced meal in minutes. Omelets with fresh spinach and cheese is another favorite. And no one ever complains when I serve breakfast. So, I’m thinking we all have a serious love affair with the meal.

Wishing you many good breakfasts throughout the week!

Sweet little Emilie is home!

2010-07-23T07:29:00.001-05:00

I am beyond excited to tell you that Emilie is finally at home where she belongs. We were able to visit today and love on that sweet baby girl and her precious big brother (who is turning 3 this week). All is right with our world today. Thank you, Lord!

My final summer harvest…

2010-07-22T07:46:00.001-05:00

And, honestly, I can’t complain. I pulled in a wagon load (literally) of Sugar Baby watermelons, Amish melons (cantaloupe), and lemon cucumbers today.

It. Was. So. Hot.

Beyond hot. I’ve lived in Alabama my whole life, so I’m accustomed to the heat and humidity which might suffocate others.

This is different. Record breaking heat (as if our summers aren’t hot enough!)

My poor plants are withering in the garden.

So, I picked all that I could, and we’ll be tilling the garden under this weekend. Giving up the fight.

But, not before we enjoy a few Green Zebra tomatoes.

And some more eggplants, red bell peppers, and Yellow Jubilee tomatoes.

You know you’re in trouble when the eggplant, tomatoes, and peppers can’t take the heat!

I’m starting to plan my fall garden… and I’m dreaming of cooler days.

Cherokee Purple Tomatoes… YUM!

2010-07-21T08:42:00.001-05:00

These tomatoes are not only beautiful, they’re delicious!

The plants are slow to produce fruit, and they don’t set lots of fruit, but they have been an enjoyable detour from my old standby – Homestead tomatoes. I must say, I’m happy to have them… remember this?

I’ve been enjoying them on grilled cheese sandwiches.

Grilled to perfection with a bit of butter in the skillet… sigh.

I know what I’m having for lunch!

Lunchtime favorite

2010-07-16T08:52:00.002-05:00

We eat a lot of sandwiches for lunch around here. And we don’t mind it one bit.

Especially when there are fresh tomato and cucumbers from the garden. That’s a Yellow Jubilee tucked between those slices of whole grain bread. Along with a bit of organic ham and lettuce (which I had to purchase from the store because it’s entirely too hot for growing lettuce around here), this is my favorite lunchtime treat. I usually pull out all the stuff and let my kids build their own. There’s almost always cheese involved. I would have a slice on my own sandwich, but the little people enjoyed the last two pieces on their sandwiches.

Some days, I make bacon and eggs for a change of pace, and we have BLT’s or bacon and egg sandwiches. Some days we’re in the mood for simple peanut butter and jelly. Each of us prefers a different jam or jelly. I’m a blackberry jam kind of girl, while my son loves apple jelly, and my daughter simply must have strawberry jam. There are also days when we get a little crazy and have tuna or chicken salad sandwiches. Sandwiches are a staple on my lunchtime table, especially during busy canning and gardening days. And we don’t mind it one bit.

Finally… eggplants and okra!

2010-07-15T18:18:00.001-05:00

In this crazy heat, these are probably the last of the peas we’ll get. These southern peas stand up to the heat better than your regular garden variety green pea. The beans around here have been long gone. I’m trying to talk the hubs into tilling that part of the garden under this weekend. We’ll be planting our fall garden in a few more weeks.

On a happier note, I picked my first Cherokee Purple and Yellow Jubilee tomatoes this morning. Beautiful!

I think a roasted chicken is in order for dinner tonight…

Smeared with olive oil, garlic, dried herbs, and coarse sea salt. I roast the organ meats right alongside the chicken (it helps to leave them in the cavity so they won’t be overcooked), and I slip them into casseroles with the leftover chicken. They're good for you. And this is pretty much the only way I can get my family to eat them.

This makes me happy.

Check out this gorgeous Brandywine tomato… and there’s a Yellow Jubilee hiding beneath it.

There are also chili peppers, Cajun bells, and red bell peppers in there.

I don’t fry very often (no more than a few times per year actually – makes too big a mess and we prefer healthier ways to cook), but the first okra and eggplant of the season insist upon it.

And fried green tomatoes. Sigh. Cooking doesn’t get any more southern than this, folks.

I slice and soak my veggies in buttermilk for about five minutes, and bread them with cornmeal seasoned with a little salt and pepper.

So delicious!

Some steamed yellow squash thrown in for good measure…

And a succulent roasted chicken.

Life is good, people!

H-E-A-T-W-A-V-E

2010-07-14T19:25:00.001-05:00

As I write this post at 7:20pm with the sun setting across the pond behind me, it’s still a blistering 96 degrees here.

Miserable.

And, the humidity makes it unbearable to be outside even early or late in the day. I’m ashamed to say I haven’t checked on my garden at all in the last several days. I’ll certainly be making an early morning harvest in the morning and checking on the state of things. Personally, I wouldn’t hold it against my plants if they wilted in this heat. I can’t bear up under it.

A friend of mine summed up my feelings pretty well the other day. She said that if the guy who invented air-conditioning were still alive, and he needed a kidney, she’d give him one of hers. Yep. Me, too!

Like Maybelline, I’ve got my sights set on October.

***I wrote this post yesterday evening. I’m very happy to report that we just had a nice little downpour which cooled us off significantly. Yay!

Someone had a birthday this weekend!

2010-07-13T07:16:00.002-05:00

How is it that my firstborn is 9 years old? Precious time passes so quickly these days…

He’s poised to make his birthday wish and blow out the candles.

He told me he got EVERYTHING he wanted. My sweet boy. I do love you, so.

Slip and slide fun!

It’s tradition. We do this crazy thing every year. No one complains.

My precious parents. Mom and Dad, thank you for everything... I appreciate you so much more now that I am a mom myself.

I caught my Dad and brother sneaking a cast or two. Can you blame them? Nope.

My oldest and dearest friend, Kellie, came with her husband and sweet niece Carly. She and Sara Lynn were fast friends.

A good time was had by all!

Please pray for baby Emilie

2010-07-12T10:27:00.002-05:00

It wasn’t long after I took these pictures of baby Emilie that she was diagnosed with a digestive disorder. She remains in the hospital at this point, but we are hopeful that her condition will resolve on it’s own. It’s been hard on her mama to leave her behind, and to only be able to visit for short periods, but I’m praying that very soon this ordeal will be but an unpleasant memory and little Emilie will be at home where she belongs.

Emilie Madison

2010-07-07T06:57:00.001-05:00

I have a new niece. And she’s absolutely perfect. I’ve got to go now… and kiss those sweet baby toes.

So, she still sews…

2010-07-06T18:02:00.001-05:00

Yeah, but not very often this time of year. Summer is for digging in the dirt. For being outside as often as possible.

For picnics. And camping. And swimming. And canning.

But when the need-to-sew bug bites, who am I to ignore it?

I started making these little potholders as practice for quilting. I’ve wanted to make a quilt for a long time.

But, the whole process seems so intimidating to me. I’m a small project kind of girl.

I love to whip up Sara Lynn an outfit in an afternoon. I’m not so big on those non-instant-gratification-projects.

I purchased the fabric for my first quilt well over a year ago… maybe even 2 years ago. Time to bite the bullet.

And break out the handy-dandy walking foot.

It wasn’t so bad after all.

Except for that darning foot. Little bugger.

No matter how hard I practiced, I was simply awful at free-motion quilting. (As evidenced in the bottom potholder above.)

Oh, well. I guess that means my quilt will have nice little symmetrical lines. That appeals to me. What a relief!

I’m up to my ears in tomatoes!

2010-07-05T19:13:00.003-05:00

Do you remember these? Some of them were finally ready to be canned today.

I chose to do half of them with an Italian herb seasoning (recipe in the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving).

And the other half went in au naturel.

There’s my fluke… right over there… in the bottom right corner. Yep. I canned him, too.

Here’s a batch of tomatoes all blanched and ready to peel, core, and quarter.

According to my very scientific calculations (guess-timation – you’ve heard of this method, right?), I canned somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 tomatoes today.

I should warn you, I have an unnatural affection for canning jars.

And lately, I’ve become quite obsessed with seeing these jars fill up.

Delicious 100 % Whole Wheat Banana Nut Bread

2010-07-01T07:12:00.000-05:00

I’ve always had a fondness for banana nut bread. Not only do I love the flavor, but also it appeals to the frugal cook inside me - never wanting to waste bananas that are past their prime to eat out of hand. My grandmother, my mother, and I made this banana nut bread for many years. The old recipe is delicious, but my new banana nut bread recipe is tasty and better for you than the original version. No white flour or white sugar allowed in my kitchen these days. I’ve spent the last year or so perfecting this recipe, and I believe I’ve finally nailed my idea of the perfect banana nut bread. It’s rich and moist, and not overly sweet. And it’s crusty good on the outside. Oh, yeah! We never make it waiting on this bread to cool… it’s so yummy still warm from the oven.

Go ahead and give it a try. It’s super easy…

Mel’s 100% Whole Wheat Banana Nut Bread

2 cups whole wheat flour (Use freshly ground hard red wheat if possible. If not, store bought whole wheat flour works, too.)

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup oil (Organic canola oil is great, and butter works, too.)

1/2 cup evaporated cane juice (Organic sugar – go ahead and double this if you have a moderate sweet tooth.)

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

3 medium very ripe brown speckled bananas

1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl (I use my KitchenAid mixer) beat together bananas, oil, vanilla, and eggs for about 1 minute. Directly to mixing bowl (you can combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl first, but I skip this step with no adverse effects) add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix on low speed just until combined and somewhat smooth. Fold in chopped walnuts. Pour into a greased tube pan or two loaf pans. Bake 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Enjoy!

Canning Season

2010-06-30T07:17:00.002-05:00

Slowly but surely, my canning pantry is beginning to fill up with deliciousness.

There are plum preserves… and fig preserves will soon follow. The figs are plentiful, but not quite ripe.

And one of my favorites, bread-and-butter pickles. I have a dear friend who gave me some yellow squash pickles this winter and I knew I would make these this year. Aren’t they gorgeous? I’ll make some dill pickles out of my lemon cucumbers soon. I’m planning to pickle them whole which I think will be lovely.

And I’m on the verge of a tomato canning marathon. There will be salsa, spaghetti sauce, and stewed tomatoes to enjoy this winter. Yum!

I had to share this fluke with you…

Have you ever seen such? I’d never seen anything like it, and oddly enough, a friend of mine had a couple of these turn up in her garden, too.

It’s a mystery to me.

Yes, it brings me happiness to see these empty jars being filled. I know we’ll appreciate all of this hard work come winter. There’s nothing I’d rather be doing than nourishing my sweet family. It just feels right to be doing these things.

I don’t plan to do much canning this summer. Only tomatoes, pickles, preserves, apple pie filling, and applesauce. I simply won’t live without these things in the winter. For everything else, we’ll enjoy it while it’s in season. I’m planning a fall and winter garden this year, and we’ll enjoy what the ground offers then. It just makes sense to eat this way - with produce at it’s peak. Besides, I love cabbage, rutabagas, turnips, broccoli, and other cool weather veggies. There will also be stored winter squash to enjoy, as well as onions and potatoes.

I am grateful that God allows us to enjoy the fruits of our labors and find joy in the simple things. This is such a good life He has given us. I purpose to make the most of it each and every day.

What a magnificent creation he has given us to enjoy!

Getting back in the swing…

2010-06-29T07:12:00.001-05:00

I’m thankful for quiet distractions these days. For early morning garden harvests, lemon cucumbers, and bell peppers.

For Mississippi Silverskin peas, Pink-eyed Purple Hull peas, and Fordhook limas that just won’t wait. They keep me busy.

And give us something to do with ourselves. Something to do that makes us smile at dinnertime. Life is good around here people.

Beloved Papa

2010-06-24T15:18:00.002-05:00

Father. Brother. Fisherman. Friend. Beloved Papa. Until we meet again at Heaven’s gates, you will be missed.

Bitten by Blight

2010-06-23T09:20:00.002-05:00

Want an indication of how things are going around here lately? Here you go…

Ugly blight.

Miserable blight.

I’ve just pulled up 9 plants, all of which were Homestead tomatoes, and disposed of the diseased material.

Fortunately, my other heirlooms seem to be doing well. These are Yellow Jubilee tomatoes.

This end of the bed is looking okay for now.

I spotted my first Cherokee Purple tomato.

And a gigantic Brandywine.

My yellow crookneck summer squash is looking bad, too. There are signs of black rot… but I’m holding out hope for it yet.

I harvested 3 healthy squashes from it and pruned back some of the wilted foliage.

The Black Beauty zucchini is doing much better.

And the Black Beauty eggplants, too.

The kids are thrilled to have several Sugar Baby watermelons growing nicely.

But, I am not thrilled to have had to harvest all of these green tomatoes. I guess I should be thankful that I have these tomatoes at all.

The fruit is fine. It will ripen on it’s on and go into canning jars for us to have this winter. They’ll be a mere shadow of the glorious tomatoes they would have been if left to ripen on the vine. But, I couldn’t risk letting it spread to the other plants… and they may indeed develop blight before it’s over. Fingers crossed. Prayers said.

I love this little girl… wearing my glasses and examining my tomatoes. Just like her mama.

We call her the ‘Chicken Wrangler’… little girl loves her chickens.

And you’re probably wondering what has gone awry in my garden. We’ve had intermittent periods of drought followed by storms so severe we lost power. Torrential downpours in the evenings which are not good for the health of a garden. We’re making the most of what God has given us, thankful for his many blessings.

I’m off to see my Papa this morning. I hope you’re garden is growing better than mine!

Time for comfort food

2010-06-22T07:14:00.001-05:00

I’m sure you’re aware by now of my love for all things Fannie Farmer. If not, let me be clear… She is a fabulous cook!

Going with Maura's advice from a couple weeks ago, I decided to give the applesauce cake and chicken and dumplings a try.

Heaven on a spoon… That’s what this meal was!

You must, must, must make these. Preferably, with freshly snapped green beans from your garden.

One day, you will thank me for this advice. I just know it.

The only changes I made to the original recipes, were to substitute whole wheat flour for the white (1 cup white = 3/4 cup whole wheat) and butter where it calls for shortening. Yum! Try to use all natural and organic ingredients when possible.

My precious, exhausted family has been in need of this kind of meal lately. Comfort food. There has been meatloaf and mashed potatoes, hearty bean and vegetable soup, and anything else I can think of that might bring us comfort as we face my Papa’s failing health.

Sometimes, you just need a hearty meal. It nourishes the body, and the soul.

A difficult season

2010-06-21T09:30:00.002-05:00

For the most part, I try to keep what I share here uplifting. I enjoy sharing things that will help you or encourage you in your own homesteading adventures. I guess that’s why I haven’t posted anything at all lately.

For the last 2 weeks, my Papa has been in ICU fighting for his life. We almost lost him. My Papa is an amazing man. Growing up, he always had a backyard garden. He took the time to take me fishing, and taught me how to bait my own hook. At a family reunion, when we were short on beds, he was the one who slept on the floor – wouldn’t have it any other way. He taught me to play the piano and let me play in his shed. It was his backyard where many of my happy childhood memories were made. I remember catching lightening bugs, having a fish fry, and playing baseball there. I remember sleepovers where he and my Nanny would let me stay up late and eat anything I wanted. Yes, Coca-cola was had for breakfast. He’s the best. So, I would appreciate any prayers you are willing to send his way. There’s so much I still need to learn from this man.

Breaking it in…

2010-06-07T09:32:00.002-05:00

I’ve wasted no time getting to know my new kitchen. I feel right at home in this new space.

Have I introduced you to my old friend Fannie Farmer? You really should get to know her yourself.

She makes the most amazing apple cobbler. Oh, my! This stuff is soooo very delicious.

This morning my garden offered up Contender green beans, yellow crookneck summer squash, rosemary, tomatoes, and a Cajun bell pepper.

Sliced and roasted with a little extra-virgin olive oil and sea salt, they were divine.

These will be next year’s Cajun bell peppers.

And last but certainly not least, a whole grain English muffin lightly toasted and filled with all natural sausage links and an organic brown egg.

Yes, I still enjoy washing dishes here!

The Big Reveal!

2010-06-04T06:31:00.001-05:00

When we moved into our farmhouse early last fall, we knew we had a lot of work to do.

I’m very happy to tell you that we’ve tackled our first and second major projects:

installing hardwood floors in the main living areas
remodeling the kitchen

The result is very farmhouse chic, don’t you think?

I’m very happy with the granite countertops. There was much debate on which way we would go.

In the end, we decided to invest (it really is an investment, IMHO) in the granite and rework existing cabinetry for the island.

I just love these silvery medallions featured throughout the backsplash.

And these cabinet knobs make me think of old drawer pulls on a piece of antique furniture.

My very favorite thing right now is this hardwood flooring. Sigh. I love the old farmhouse feel of it.

And this is my new favorite place. As a matter of fact, I’m sitting here right now!

I feel extremely blessed at this very moment. God is so good! My sweet husband was able to accomplish most of this work while my children and I vacationed on the beach. It would have been quite uncomfortable to live in this space (with little ones, no less!) while it was being torn apart and put back together. The house existed without a kitchen for a full week (gasp!). Now, there are no more floors to vacuum (which was impossible for me to do with my neck). No more stains on the carpet. No more worrying about children traipsing in and out the door. And to give you a little perspective on just how hard my family is on the furnishings around here…

Yep. Everything is now durable in these rooms. I am one happy mama.

On my plate

2010-06-02T07:42:00.001-05:00

Oh, my! Those tomatoes are insanely delicious.

I’ve waited (impatiently!) all Winter and well into Spring to be able to sink my teeth into these beauties.

I also picked my first red hot chili peppers and a Cajun bell this morning. I’m dreaming of salsa.

The garden is looking fabulous. These blooms are destined to become lemon cucumbers.

The sugar baby watermelon has it’s first bloom.

The Amish muskmelon (cantaloupe) is growing profusely, but no blooms yet.

The zucchini squash has begun putting out it’s first little blossoms.

The eggplants will be prolific this year… I counted 5 blossoms on one plant already. And I have 6 plants!

I must tell you that a squash blossom is one of my absolute favorite flowers. Beautiful. Brilliant color.

And I do declare we will be having yellow crookneck squash for dinner!

It' saddens me to show you this, but I’m keeping it real. I’m losing my war on weeds.

I mulched heavily with straw to keep the water in and weeds out, but it isn’t really working against the weeds.

Plan B; pull them up by hand. And I’m not looking forward to it.

The Homestead tomatoes are still thriving. See that cluster hiding in there? Yum.

I’m extremely happy to report that we’ve had significant rainfall for the past 2 days in a row.

And so you know that I wasn’t exaggerating about our drought conditions, I took these shots the morning before it rained.

The Contender green beans are hanging in there like champs. I’m sure the rain will make them happy again.

One can only irrigate so much. It just takes a good rain once in a while to keep a garden healthy.

And it’s looking like mama needs to break out the garden hoe here, too. Sigh.

But, all those fresh fruits and veggies will be so very worth the effort.

Hens, hens, hens!

2010-06-01T06:35:00.001-05:00

Our girls are growing fast these days.

This shot (and the one before it) was taken 2 weeks ago.

They’re now exactly 2 months old. All eighteen of them. And look! These little ladies are almost full-grown.

Sara Lynn loves to pet them.

Just not at feeding time. Poor baby!

It’ll be a few months before they start laying. But for now, we’re content to play with them.

I’m looking forward to all those fresh, organic eggs in our future! Yum.

Our trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast

2010-05-31T12:01:00.003-05:00

Last week, we made our annual pilgrimage to the beach. We decided to make the trip a little early this year, knowing that oil will soon make landfall. We always go to Orange Beach, Alabama so that our tourism dollars stay in our own state, and because it’s very beautiful and family friendly.

It’s so sad to realize just how much oil is spilling into the Gulf each day. Very likely, the Gulf Coast will never be the same. I can’t imagine how much time and effort will be required to clean up the mess.

So, we purposed to enjoy the beach. In a trip that may be our last for quite a long time. And it was absolutely wonderful.

This trip, my husband stayed home to work on several remodeling projects (can’t wait to share them with you!), so my cousin and I went together, both taking our 2 children. We had an absolutely amazing time together.

A chapter closed

2010-05-20T08:06:00.003-05:00

We’re closing a chapter of our lives today. It was a very good chapter. We’ve finally sold our other house and we’re closing with the new owners this morning. We feel truly blessed that God has sent us a precious family who will love and care for this home the way we did. It’s what we prayed for after all. I pray that they too will be blessed and have peace and joy each day they live in this house.

http://melissasews.blogspot.com/2009/08/open-house.html

I didn’t realize it would feel this bittersweet. Letting go. I imagined we would feel relieved when we no longer had 2 mortgages to make, and we do. But this house is special. It’s where we planted our first garden. And 10th wedding anniversary roses. It’s where we pressed our little one’s hands and feet into fresh concrete to preserve a special moment. So, yes. It’s a bittersweet day today.

I will count my blessings today and praise God for leading us to this new place. Our sweet homestead.

A garden update

2010-05-19T09:38:00.002-05:00

Well, I realize I’ve been away a while. But, I want you to know that I’ve been busy! The acupuncture and physical therapy are helping me get on with my life. The pain isn’t gone, but it’s lessened. So, I’m keeping at it! And I’m so happy to be in my garden again…

The peppers are thriving in this heat. Above is a Cajun bell pepper (spicy sweet!), Anaheim pepper, and red hot chili pepper.

I also have red bell peppers, mammoth jalapeño peppers, and sweet banana peppers. They’re just not producing yet.

The Amish muskmelon in doing well, but I do have a mound that didn’t germinate. Rats! Also above is sugar baby watermelon.

I love summer squash. In my garden are black beauty zucchini (left) and yellow crookneck (right).

I saw the first blossoms forming yesterday! (middle) Look closely at the base of the stems.

All six of my black beauty eggplants (left) germinated this year. Yay! And the lemon cucumbers (middle) are coming up nicely. But, I must say, the Homestead tomatoes (right) are enjoying a glorious year. I’ve never seen them do so well. I’ll always have some of these in my garden.

Also in my garden are Brandywine, Rose, Green Zebra, Cherokee Purple, and Gold Medal (left to right). I have Jubilee Yellow as well, but the photo didn’t make it. There are two of each variety above, and 9 Homestead tomato plants. I’m gonna be up to my ears in tomatoes very soon!

Just look… above are clusters of Homestead tomatoes. The plants are absolutely covered in blossoms. Yay!

Oh, my! Here’s my Jubilee Yellow (left). I knew I snapped it! Along with Clemson spineless okra (middle) and Contender bush beans (right).

We planted 10 (TEN!) rows of pole beans. The only economical way to stake these babies was with large wooden stakes and twine. The stakes are about 6 ft. apart, and the twine is ran between each stake, one foot off the ground, and up the stake at one foot intervals. Very inexpensive and easy to do. Be sure to use strong nylon twine and thick sturdy stakes for this – those beans will be heavy.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed how dry the ground is, but it’s D-R-Y. We’ve been irrigating a couple times a week, but it just doesn’t do the job like a good rain does. We’re praying for rain. It’s been 2 weeks since we’ve had a good rain, and we’re having 90+ degree days already. You can see our Trucker’s Favorite corn in the middle photo above.

I’m amazed at the difference one month makes in a garden. Just look!

A time to relax

2010-05-03T10:45:00.002-05:00

We’ve been taking full advantage of this gorgeous spring weather we’re having.

Every chance we get, the picnic basket is loaded up with goodies and we head outside.

A simple meal is turned into a treasured memory just by changing things up a bit.

I love this man. I love my wonderful family. I am so very thankful for special times like these.

For picnics on old quilts (of which this one is my favorite) and enamel fish mugs.

For sweet children who make sure that the pups get their fair share of food and drink.

Yes, we’re taking it easy these days.

Resting when we can, knowing that the harvest season will soon be upon us.

For now, we’re content with our easy Sunday afternoons.

Which are spent enjoying God’s creation.

And it still makes me smile when my littlest love brings me flowers.

For those of you who are wondering about my recovery process, things are going well. Slow, but well.

The acupuncture is helping, along with the physical therapy. I am hopeful that with time, I will make a full recovery.

If you are among those who deal with daily pain, I recommend you give acupuncture a try.

It’s brought me some relief, when surgery and modern medicine have failed me.

Alternative Medicine

2010-04-20T13:51:00.002-05:00

Well, I’ll be out of pocket over the next few weeks…

I’m scheduled for some intensive physical therapy and acupuncture.

Hopefully, this will bring some measure of relief and I’ll be able to fully use my left arm again.

I would appreciate your prayers.

See you soon.

In the Kitchen

2010-04-16T10:02:00.002-05:00

Throughout my ordeal with various health issues, there has been one thing I was unwilling to give up. Cooking for my family.

It’s a non-negotiable for me right now. It’s therapy. Yes, even if I must have a stool and can only use one arm at times.

I wouldn’t feel good about feeding my family convenient processed foods. Especially in light of my own health issues.

So, I cook for us. Everyday. It’s a good thing we like simple food. We know food doesn’t have to be fancy to taste good.

We’re true southerners. We like our fried fish (I only fry occasionally). We like our biscuits. We like our grits and scrambled eggs.

Comfort food. I’ve learned to cook in a healthier way. I use organic coconut oil for frying and for shortening. I use real cream.

Fresh, organic, local (for the most part) produce and meat. No pesticides. No preservatives. No unnatural ingredients.

It just tastes better. And it makes me feel better. Seriously. I feel healthier when I eat this way. All of those additives we consumed for years wreaked havoc on my digestive system. They’re poison, I tell you. Eating this way, I’m virtually cured of my Crohn’s disease. (Do not click if you are faint of heart. Graphic pictures are included in the description.)

And I feel really good about nourishing my family.

Here’s a simple, easy recipe that’s versatile, and it’s sure to get even the most finicky of eaters to eat their veggies.

Cheeseburger and Veggie Bake

3 medium potatoes

1 head of cauliflower or broccoli

1 medium onion

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

Garlic, salt, and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a cast iron skillet, add coarsely chopped onion, ground beef, garlic, salt and pepper to taste. (You can use a couple cloves of finely chopped garlic, or a couple tsp. of powdered garlic. In this recipe I like to use powdered because the fresh garlic burns easily. I use about 2 tsp. of sea salt and 1 tsp. of freshly ground black pepper.) Cook over medium-high heat, crumbling the ground beef as it cooks, until the onions are translucent and the meat is no longer pink. Set aside. In a 9 x 13 Pyrex dish, layer thinly sliced potatoes (scrub ‘em good and don’t worry about peeling them. The peel is good for you!), coarsely chopped cauliflower on top of the potatoes, and the ground beef mixture over the top of everything else. (Between the layers of vegetables, I also like to add a little salt and pepper.) Now, pour heavy cream evenly over the top of everything. I usually don’t measure, just eye-ball it. Can you ever have too much cream? I think not. And top with parmesan cheese (sometimes I use regular cheddar cheese, it just depends on what I have on hand.) Cover with foil (or a LARGE lidded casserole dish works here) and cook at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Delish! Even my picky eaters (my husband and Sara Lynn) eat this meal up with delight.

You can see pictures of the layering process and finished dish in the third row of pictures above. I served it with freshly snapped green beans on the side. (Do you recognize my newly found soup bowl? Perfect for serving this meal! We southerners love our food served up in a bowl. Yum!)

And to prove the versatility of this dish, I served it later in the week with potatoes, yellow squash, and chicken breast. You don’t even have to cook the chicken first. Just layer the raw breasts (I used 3) on top, cover, and cook the same way. (Pictures above as well.) I also substituted mozzarella cheese for a change. There are no rules here. You can’t go wrong with garlic, onions, cream, and cheese. And for those rare times that I have no cream in the fridge, I just substitute about a 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil. It still turns out fabulously.

Is there anything easier than a one dish meal? Gotta love it.

One more thing, I simply must share a recipe I found from GNOWFGLINS for Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits. They are nothing short of amazing. And because all southerners know that biscuits are supposed to be round, that’s how I made mine. Pictures in the 6th row above. (All pictures can be clicked to view a larger image.)

Feeling pretty special…

2010-04-15T07:50:00.001-05:00

That sweet man of mine brought me roses today…

One dozen red ones, and a single yellow rose…

Because this is my absolute favorite song.

And as if that wasn’t thoughtful enough, he gave me these. Pretty scissors…

Because he said I used them so often he wanted me to have a pretty pair. My heart is so full.

My sweet husband noticed that I’ve been a bit discouraged lately with where I find myself physically. I’m a 31-year-old wife and mother who struggles to maintain good health. And who also struggles with daily pain. Don’t get me wrong - I know I am a blessed woman. God has lavishly blessed me beyond anything I could have ever asked for. And I trust him in the midst of this place I find myself. But, I am human. And some days I find it harder to put one foot in front of the other. That’s when He carries me. When He sends someone to be Jesus’ hands and feet to me. To minister to me, and wrap His arms around me. And He lets me know that He truly cares about me, and He knows just how fragile I am.

Yes, I trust Him. He is faithful. He is the Great Physician. He is able.

Thrifty Treasures

2010-04-14T07:12:00.001-05:00

I’m a frugal girl. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I absolutely love shopping at estate sales and thrift stores.

We use cloth napkins around here, and I adore silver… so these gorgeous napkin rings made it home with me from the last estate sale I visited.

Also purchased was a vintage silver and glass coaster (in which my glass of water is now resting!) and beautiful handmade doily.

It really breaks my heart to see once treasured items going so cheaply. Really. Someone spent countless hours crocheting that intricate doily which I purchased for $1.00. So sad to me. But, I will treasure it.

I also picked up a cute little picnic basket that someone lovingly lined with fabric. We’ve already used it once for it’s intended purpose, and I’m sure we’ll use it many more times to come.

Have I told you how much I love vintage sheets? I like to sew Sara Lynn and I pajamas out of them. Recently, Daniel even requested his own pajama pants made from a sheet he picked out of my stash. I can’t imagine anything more soft and cozy to sleep in. Not to mention, you can get amazing yardage for very little money with sheets.

My heart leapt with joy when I saw this piece! I can hardly wait to make pancake balls.

Last, but not least, are these fabulous soup bowls and saucers. I love the poppies! And the two little handles. I can imagine soup (of course), oatmeal, or even grits (I’m thinking of you, Maura!) served up in these.

For under $25, I’m feeling really good about my treasures.

I wonder, do you enjoy thrifting or purchase items secondhand?

Easy Blueberry Muffins

2010-04-12T08:19:00.002-05:00

I love to bake. Most of what we eat, I cook from scratch…

So when I find an easy and delicious recipe that everybody loves, it fast becomes a staple on our table.

I use whole wheat flour almost exclusively. These blueberry muffins and my pie crusts are the exceptions.

For these, my family prefers the lightness of unbleached naturally white flour. You can certainly substitute regular whole wheat flour, and I’ve done so many times, just be sure to use 3/4 cup whole wheat flour for every 1 cup white flour.

Easy Blueberry Muffins

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

1 c. milk

2 c. unbleached naturally white flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Blend together butter, sugar, egg, and milk. In separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. Then blend together the two mixtures, being careful not to over mix, or your muffins will not be light. Fold in blueberries. Bake 30 minutes or until lightly golden on top.

These are so very easy. Sometimes I make them with strawberries or blackberries instead of blueberries. It just depends on what I have on hand. And all of the ingredients I use are organic. Give these a try! You won’t be sorry.

Today’s Catch

2010-04-09T21:06:00.002-05:00

We spent another gorgeous evening on the pond.

It makes me happy to see these two together. Their activity of choice these days is fishing.

Looks like a big one!

Poor Cocoa desperately wanted to help.

Daniel really got in there and checked this guy out.

3 lbs. 13 oz.

Sara Lynn wanted touch it, too. Fearless little girl.

Catch and release. Yep. That’s how we do it most days.

Sweet Sammy. She really irritated me by laying in my newly planted flowerbed yesterday.

I planted roses (on the far side, hard to see them here), marigolds, and purple pincushions (above).

Thankfully, Sammy didn’t squish many of them. And I’m happy to report my tomato and rosemary seedlings are doing good.

I still haven’t started any more peppers or ground cherries since these were lost. That task is at the top of my to-do list.

All in all, we’re doing pretty good around here. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Planting Day

2010-04-08T10:37:00.002-05:00

We spent another productive day in the garden yesterday.

The ground was broken and corn, beans, peas, and okra were planted.

As we planted our last row, we watched the sun go down together. And it felt so good.

As I type this morning, a nice soft, soaking rain is falling, nourishing our seeds. Good timing, indeed.

In all, 40 rows total were planted. I believe my sweet hubs was trying to make amends for those lost seedlings!

Fortunately for us, my Papa lives a short distance from us, and we were able to borrow his tiller and planter.

Those items are on our wish list… with so many other things we need and want around here.

It warmed my heart to see Daniel so eager to help his daddy.

They took turns with the planter, and the garden was prayed over by all…

You can see Daniel with his sweet hands pressed together in the photo above. My heart is so full!

For this event, I was relegated to a supervisory position (my neck is still mending).

I took notes and made decisions concerning what to plant in each row.

There are 20 rows of Trucker’s Favorite corn, and the other 20 rows contain 1 row each of 18 different varieties of peas/beans, plus 1 row of okra. Corn is easily cross-pollinated, so we stuck with one variety. (Trucker’s favorite is heat and drought tolerant and disease/pest resistant. It seemed like a good variety to me!) Cross-pollination doesn’t happen with peas or beans, so we’re trialing them this year. We’ll see which ones grow best in our soil and which ones we find tastiest, and those will be planted in abundance next year. There are an equal number of bush varieties and pole varieties. Cross pollination occurs in okra, so again we planted one variety: Clemson Spineless.

Earlier in the day, Sara Lynn and I repotted some tomato seedlings. These are all Homestead tomatoes which were my favorite tomatoes we grew last year. They really hold up well under our extreme heat and humidity better than other varieties I’ve grown. We’re also trying some new tomato varieties this year, but they are newly emerged seedlings and not yet ready for transplant.

I think it’s important to encourage homesteading/life skills early on in children. So, I gave Sara Lynn a few recycled pots, some potting soil, and seedlings of her own to plant. She happily potted her ‘peppers’ (she insisted hers were peppers even though I told her they were tomatoes!) while I took care of my own. We had a great time getting our hands dirty together, and I dare say a love for gardening was born in her little heart.

We worked up quite an appetite after our work was done. Cinnamon applesauce for me…

And ice cream for the little one.

I could tell she was all tuckered out after the planting fun.

When she asked me if she could take her nap outside, I thought, why not?

We rested on the back porch together. She with her teddy bear, and I with a good book. Bliss.

The Hen House

2010-04-07T09:39:00.002-05:00

I am smitten with this little hen house!

I wasted no time getting some marigolds into that cute window box.

And my favorite part of the hen house? This weather vane.

The chicks are growing visibly with each passing day. We need to get started on their run ASAP.

These longer days and warm weather keep us outside until dark nearly everyday.

Would you believe we’ve gone from record breaking cold straight into record breaking heat?

We’ve hit the 90 degree mark a couple times this week. Craziness! But, I’m not complaining.

My seedlings are thriving, except for the ones my hubs put out into the sunlight yesterday.

He thought he was being helpful, but they didn’t have true leaves yet. They keeled over big time.

Oh, well. I’m off to get started on some new ones. It was my peppers and ground cherries that bit the dust.

Seventy-two of them. Sigh.

The Perfect Easter Weekend

2010-04-05T20:28:00.002-05:00

We enjoyed a wonderful weekend around here… Bugs were caught, examined, and then released. Long walks (and runs) were taken around the pond.

The lavender smelled soooooo good. Sunset picnics were had on the pier (tuna salad, vegetable soup, corn chips, and fresh fruit – Yum!)

A new play set was erected, and fun times were had on the swings and slide. More seeds were started (red milkweed, bee balm, chamomile, dahlias, and more.)

There were baskets of treats and lollipops, games in the living room floor, lots and lots of good food, and a spectacular Easter egg hunt.

Those little egg hunters worked so hard… Sara Lynn really stood her ground when one of her eggs was stuck in a pipe.

And she wouldn’t rest until another egg was rescued from a hole way up high in a tree. A good time was had by all this Easter weekend.

Even my cousin’s sweet babe would agree. That’s him with my brother, and again with my Papa, and then with me. What a cutie!

We’re so blessed here… have I mentioned to you that most of my family lives just around the corner from us? That’s my Papa’s gorgeous house and grounds in the egg hunting photos, then my aunt, uncle and cousin live next door to him, and my mom, dad, and brother live just down the street. The rest of the bunch lives within easy driving distance (the furthest is 30 miles) from my grandfather (Papa). God has truly blessed our family.

Our Easter worship service at church on Sunday morning was very moving. One of Daniel’s long-time friends was baptized, and it has prompted much conversation here at home. It is my greatest mission in life to raise children who are followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. Everything else I do pales in comparison to that one goal.

Great Christ-centered discussion + my good hearted boy = a slightly weepy mama (tears of joy!)

And I’m pleased to tell you that mama was able to find her way to the hammock (more than once) this weekend.