Getting to Know My Kitchen Questions

Two thoughts...then 20 statements.  My sister "complained"  (which I thought was very sweet actually)  that I haven't blog much in the past week.  I began 2 different posts and then thought they were silly..or uninteresting..or my thoughts were too scrambled.  So I will try to post more often if only a simple something. 

Do you ever browse old post from favorite bloggers?  I love the bloggers at Dewey's Treehouse.  They homeschool, are frugal,  loved garage saleing,  books, and cooking.  This is an old post that actually began at The Common Room, another of my favorite bloggers.  I loved reading their answers and wanted to see what mine would be.  You all are really just there for me to find myself.  Wait,  I already did that.  OK, to find  my thoughts and what to do with them.  I feel sorry for you.



1. How many meals does most of your family eat at home each week? How many are in your family?
 We eat most  meals at home.  If we have a crazy week I will pick up pizza or we will eat off the dollar menu at Wendy's.  Every couple of weeks my husband and I go out for dinner.  We have 6 in our family but at least once a week we have more..like last night we had a total of 22.  And it was a blast!




2. How many cookbooks do you own?
 Around 30.  I use a few all the time and some I have picked up at the library book sale because of the history or because they looked interesting.  I would love more time to try out some of these recipes.  I am also collecting some for my girls.  With three of them,  I could essentially buy three times as many...woo hoo!!



3. How often do you refer to a cookbook each week?

Every day, but not just for recipes. I read cookbooks for pleasure.  I have one on the Pennsylvania Dutch.  It reads like a historical and cultural book.  I have others about Old Salem, and one written by Pearl S. Buck on foods of the Far East.  YUM!!

4. Do you collect recipes from other sources? If so, what are some of your favorite sources (relatives, friends, magazines, advertisements, packages, the internet, etc)

I collect other recipes from everywhere. The internet  is useful but I find there is too much.  I have to narrow down the sites I visit like crock pot cooking or this one I want to try.  She is located in France.  I love to try cooking other nation's food.



5. How do you store those recipes?
  I used to paste some in the back of my well used cookbooks.  I finally put together a binder with page protectors and slip the ones I want to reuse in them,  keeping the ones to try in the pockets.  I also have a  box I received as a wedding present.  I probably need to get a larger one. 



6. When you cook, do you follow the recipe pretty closely, or do you use recipes primarily to give you ideas?

I must follow the recipe exactly or I get lost.  After a few YEARS...yes years,  I may try to do something a little different.  But my family REALLY prefers for me to keep to the recipe.  I think it comes from being such a literal person.

7. Is there a particular ethnic style or flavor that predominates in your cooking? If so, what is it?
 My family prefers southern comfort food like mac and cheese,  chicken and rice casserole,  and hamburgers.  I prefer Mexican,  Chinese,  European, Middle Eastern,  Indian,  and whatever else I can try.



8. What's your favorite kitchen task related to meal planning and preparation? (eating the finished product does not count)

I like the menu planning, choosing recipes,  and making my shopping lists,  cooking with music or ONE child (I have a very difficult time cooking with more that one person.  I can't stay on task!) 



9. What's your least favorite part?  Cleaning up!!


10. Do you plan menus before you shop?
 Definitely!!  I would buy out the whole store and then some because everything would look good to eat. 


11. What are your three favorite kitchen tools or appliances?  My blender, my cutting board,  and my dishwasher.

12. If you could buy one new thing for your kitchen, money was no object, and space not an issue, what would you most like to have?

A double oven.  We bake so much it would come in very handy!

13. Since money and space probably are objects, what are you most likely to buy next?  An electric kettle.  It might save energy cost.  We drink  lots of tea around here.


14. Do you have a separate freezer for storage?
  A small chest but we are currently looking in the paper for a large one.  We plan on buying a cow and pig to freeze.

15. Grocery shop alone or with others?
 Almost always with "others"  but I have trained the "others" to bring books to read at the front of the store (it is small) and then I feel "alone".  It has to do with that distraction thing again.


16. How many meatless main dish meals do you fix in a week?
 I try to make 2 a week, for dinners,  which could include leftovers for lunch the next day.


7. If you have a decorating theme in your kitchen, what is it? Favorite kitchen colors?

 I like simple in the kitchen.  (I am beginning to wonder if I am ADD!!)  I have blue painted bead board with simple cream-with-ties curtains.  I would love to paint the cabinets cream distressed.  Don't tell my husband.  He may run away.


18. What's the first thing you ever learned to cook, and how old were you?

I tried to make "soup" with a friend when I was 10.  It was disgusting.  We dared each other to eat it and neither ones of us would.   My first dish  may have been boiled eggs.  I can't remember what we ate when we first got married.  We were  a little short of cash so I know we didn't go out to eat.  My 6 yr old can cook more than I did at 23.  Sad but true.
19. How did you learn to cook?


Little by little and with lots of mistakes .   I actually didn't learn to cook until I got married. Not that my mom didn't try. I really feel sorry for her.  I had two cookbooks at first.  Betty Crocker and Cotton Country  (I am from the South!).  Both were life savers.  I bought one at Sam's titled From the Backs of Bottles, Cans. and Boxes .



20.  I would love for you to gather your thoughts on your kitchen and send me the link in the comments section.  I can't wait to read about you. 

thanks for reading,

Reb

It was a dark and dreary night..

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.  (Matt 24:6-8)



We live in the "storm zone" of the last week.   My few pictures are on  "not my" camera,  but let me assure you,  it was DARK,  WINDY,  SCARY,  AND WET.   I am not really fearful in storms,  but these came a little closer than usual,  as in I saw a funnel cloud being formed and watched it zoom off to the north. 

It was a  interesting,  but then I am glad I could watch it move away. 
 

We did have some areas destroyed close to us and I am thankful for all the help they are receiving.  I pray these storms will cause some to think of where they are headed after this life and turn to Christ for salvation.

One thing these storms, (and earthquakes, and wars, and rumors of wars) have done is cause my children and myself to think more on heaven.  Christ's return.  On the pull of the here and now verses the pull of heavenly things.  And I am thankful for that.  We are SUCKED into house decorating, clothes shopping, book collecting, toy buying, garage saleing,  party throwing,  and I am glad God sends reminders our way to bring us back to reality.  These "things", "events",  "daily activities"  are only temporary,  as fleeting as the dew on the grass.  Our "real" life is only a few years away,  and will be for eternity.  May we think of thoughts, actions, attitudes that need to change so our lives can reflect where we are going,  not where we are now. 

thanks for reading,

Reb

Something Borrowed..Something Green, PInk, Yellow, but No Blue

This morning has been very calm and peaceful.  Just what the Lord knew I needed after Crazy Monday.  Which is EVERY Monday. 

I walked outside with my favorite son and we stopped and listened.  We watched a Blue Jay peel bark off new branches and plucked small twigs, most likely to build a nest with his mate waiting in the branches above.  I have never seen a Blue Jay in the process of  making his nest.  We were fascinated.

Next we heard a humming sound that seemed to get louder by the nano second.  A colorful Ruby Throated Hummingbird buzzed by our head to let us know he was watching us.  We looked as he drank sugar water from our feeder, then zoomed out to meet his mate waiting in the Rose of Sharon bush close by. 

Then we watched a large bumble bee land on the Azaleas and proceed to find all the pollen he could, and flit to another flower to do the same. 

Don't be shocked....but I borrowed my daughter's camera and am now going to show you a picture.

Can you see the black spot in the middle?  I am thankful I could give you this shot, but I do wish it were clearer.  His colors were so deep.

My youngest daughter scrambled around under a HUGE hosta and found a frog.

  We had to find a house for it and try to feed it a worm.  Not sure how that is going.  Will let you know it's fate later.

Next we looked at the chickens.  Can you see in the middle of the tree?

There were four chickens hiding in there.  They are so silly.

  Pretty soon they will be too big and I am sure a fight will break out.  They are constantly battling for "queen"  and so far there are no winners.

We decided to head to the garden and see what has grown in the last 12 hrs since I last drooled walked by.  Oh look what a week does to a garden!!!  I am in love with growing things. 

These are beans.   I love how they send up tiny tendrils that curl and seek out a place to catch hold.  I try to go by and gently place them on the line.

Lettuce.  We had a wonderful salad last night with this lettuce and some spinach.  I am sure it was extra healthy.  See the little fern like plants growing in between?  I guess the kids planted carrots and lettuce together.  We'll see how it works.

This is a long post,  but with a camera in hand there is so much to talk about.  SEE???   These are some plants growing around the house.  I am NOT a green thumb.  In the past I have only successfully grown hostas and ferns.  But I think with age I have more patience.  At least with plants.  Hopefully God will help me transfer that to people. 

Wasn't that so much more interesting than just words?  Thanks to my eldest who loaned me her camera. 

My husband thought a post about all the camera's I have had in the past and what has become of them would be interesting.  I couldn't really remember much,  so I think I can't post on that.  Maybe a post about how things get lost,  children break things,  and life is crazy homeschooling with four kids would be better.  Or maybe one on forgive and forget and buy a new one would be good.  I will have to ponder this. 

thanks for reading,  (and looking!!)

Reb



http://peacecreekontheprairie.com/memes-hosted-here/nature-study-tuesday-info%22

Still Eating out of the Freezer




I did NOT realize how much food we had in the freezer.  I can go two more weeks not buying meat.   I don't know if that's good or not.  I think it would be good if we had bought things using a budget and stocking up.  But I think it was just buying. 

I have been looking at using coupons,  and I must confess. it is very confusing to me.  And time consuming.  And confusing.  And I don't use most of whatever it is that has coupons.  I could probably use them on paper goods and hygiene products,  but really that is about it. 

I looked at snippets of the new show Extreme Couponing.  I must admit it was interesting to see how much STUFF they could buy for so little. But when I saw all the shelves they had to buy to hold the STUFF, how much storage space they needed to house the shelves,  how much STUFF they had,  I had questions about the saving money part.  Then I really watched the snippets and thought a few thoughts.  Those people are either a) bored and need something to do  b)  have a fixation with paper, scissors, notebooks and scanners,  or c)  should really be over on the Hoarders show.

So I am confessing on this blog once and for all....I DON'T USE COUPONS AND AM VERY VERY GLAD OR HAPPY OR RELIEVED OR SOMETHING.

There,  I feel better and now on to the menu for the week. 

Mon.  Chicken salad in pita bread using lettuce and spinach from our garden.  How fulfilling.  And hopefully filling.  he he

Tue.  Fajitas with chips and homemade salsa.  Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake.  The recipe is from Weight Watchers and is very moist and delicious.

Wed.  Baked Talapias with fried okra and sweet potatoes.  Yum, Yum.

Thur. Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo.  I think this has been on the menu for 4 weeks now.  We just haven't gotten around to making it.  Not that we went out or anything...I think I was just too tired the nights we were supposed to and...I am NOT giving you any more excuses.  We just didn't and we will should and you will know next week.

Fri.  Breakfast.  Pumpkin bread,  scrambled eggs,  organic sausage.  The coffee cake from last week was AMAZING!  One of my skinny children ate 3 helpings and snacked on it the next day.  I will post a recipe soon...with pics from my husbands camera.  I hope.

Sat.  Pizza from Little Caesars.  It is work day at the church and I will be TIRED.

Sun.  The men cook breakfast at church after our Resurrection Service,  then  a BBQ back at church that night.  Probably a salad and cake. 

Next week I will still be using things out of the freezer.  It will be VERY creative and I will be scouring the internet looking for ideas. 

thanks for reading,

Reb

Pictures and other Thoughts

Let's begin with other thoughts.  I have pondered and wondered...studied and tested....and it is very true.   I would blog more often if I had a....

CAMERA!

I am a very visual person and love to see photos on others blogs.   It helps me understand and FEEL the intention of the blogger.

So....what would I be blogging about if I had a camera?

1.  I have a brilliantly dressed Cardinal outside my kitchen window chirping and eating on a window feeder I found at a garage sale last week.  I would love to show you but alas...

2.  We have added 2 more chickens to the coop.  They came from the co-op where there were 10 chicken on Tues and only 2 left by Thur.  Something found a fast food chicken eatery close to home.  I had to save the last 2.

3.  The chickens are growing so quickly.  My husband and son built a door over the coop entrance to keep out the "somethings".  Wouldn't you love to know the book I got it from and what it looks like?

4.  I have "something" hopping around my house today.  She is awfully cute.  Wish I could show her to you.

5.  We made some DELICIOUS choco oatmeal cookies with all Great Value ingredient.  You would love to see them,  I am sure.  NOT that I am pushing Great Value products, but as my son say,  "I wish we would buy other products.  I don't like the blue and white stuff.  Isn't it cheap?"

6.  My mom used to make a LOT of my clothes, and I LOVED it.  She has so many grandkids she makes things for now,  I am usually ignored  being gracious and giving my once coveted personal seamstress to the children.  But this year I begged, cried,  pleaded  asked her to make my Easter skirt and I can't wait to show you how it turns out.  OH....I think you may not get to see it.  BOO HOO

7.  We have a very full week with  school stuff and church stuff and shower stuff and friends over stuff and Easter stuff,  but if I don't get a CAMERA SOON  you may not see any of it. 

8.  Why do I feel the need to go on to 10?  I think I will stop here.  There is more...TRUST ME!  

So I will try to take my whining and complaining elsewhere...and appreciate the fact that I can blog.  With black and white words.  And hope they bring about pictures....IN YOUR MIND!


thanks for reading,

Reb
 ps.  Because I couldn't stand it, I found a picture online of the book I mentioned my husband and son used.  But it is only a portion of one.  I would love to show you the wonderful illustrations inside..but....

Getting to Know Me..Five Questions at a Time

1. What is your favorite sign of spring?



The first warmish day,  birds singing,  daffodils popping up,  keeping my windows open all day.  I LOVE SPRING!!

2. What was your best birthday ever?

It's difficult to choose.  I have never liked being "in the spotlight" even for birthdays.  I am ok with not much celebrating.  That being said,  I have had a few surprise parties that were very thoughtful and fun.    My 21st was a surprise party involving Cajun dancing and great friends and family,  my 25th was another surprise from my husband and 3 week old first born (not sure she helped much),  my 40th was a surprise involving my ENTIRE church. 




3. What is your favorite dessert?

DO I have to choose?  I always ask for Key Lime Pie made with real key lime juice for my birthday dessert, so maybe it is that.  Or creme brule from Brave New Restaurant.   Or homemade chocolate chip cookies when the going gets tough.  OHHH,  I hate making these kinds of decisions.





4. What is the best excuse you've ever used to get out of a ticket?

Ok,  Look,  I can't get out of a ticket to save my life.  And for some reason I have more than my husband, mother, and sister put together.  My last ticket I tried to tell the guy I had just gotten one and to please be nice.  He pretended he didn't know I had one, and I said,  "Come on.  You were just checking up on me.  You had to have known."  I get a little irritated when they pull me over and I think it shows,  so I don't get out of tickets.  BOO HOO


5. Do you wake up before your alarm, with your alarm, or after hitting snooze several times?

Before, with and after and sometimes I don't hear it.  It depends on...lots of things.  My IDEAL is to get up right before the alarm and have a wonderful hour with my tea, bible, and quiet.  I dream of this, and revel in it when I get make it happen.  When all my children are gone, my mom says I will miss the noise, the activity, but I don't think I will ever miss the craziness that comes with waking up WITH my children and not BEFORE them.  We'll see.  I have a ways to go.


Now you know,

thanks for reading,

Reb

What's Cookin'?

Here we go again.  Food, food, food.  I love food, but I don't like thinking about it all the time.  I mean,  I DO think about it all the time, but I don't like it.  I think THINKING about it makes me gain weight.

We didn't eat all the meals I thought we would from last week, and I am not sure why.  So,  there are a couple of repeats on here.  I also pulled out the spring/summer menu list to refresh my memory on what we like when it gets HOT.  And it has been HOT for spring.

Do you change out your menu ideas when the seasons change?  I would love to get some new ideas.  I would also love to grill more,  maybe grill a couple of times a week and eat leftover meat with salads and pastas.  Which means I need to learn how the grill works and how to grill well.  Nothing worse than dry, burnt meat.

So here it is.

Mon.  Corn Beef Pasties.  We had leftover corn beef and I will make buy pie crusts to put the leftovers in and bake them.

Tue.  Crunchy Poppy Seed Chicken Salad with rolls

Wed.  Beans and lime/cilantro rice  (By the way,  the Chipotle Barbacoa was AMAZING.   My kids loved it,  I loved it, and it would be great to serve to guests.)

Thur.  Fettuccine Alfredo with salad and bread sticks.

Fri.  Coffee cake, bacon/egg casserole, and fruit

Sat.  Hot dogs, homemade baked fries, and edamame (I know, weird veggie but I am NOT going to the store for anything other than milk this week.)

Sun.  Probably a Wendy's run to be with the church family.  We need to eat together more often.  He He

Hope your menu and eating goes well.  I would like  to add great discussion to our menu,  so I may be bringing questions and thoughts to stimulate the mind as well as the belly.  I think they go well together.

thanks for reading,

Reb

Look What I (Was Going to) Eat Today

I think I am in love with veggie gardens.  Today was overcast, but with a nice breeze.  I got up early to check on a brisket I had cooked all night (for a BIG family dinner today,  can't wait!).   I went outside with my tea and read through some material we are discussing in Sunday School. 

THIS was not the SS material.  But it was fun to look at also. :)

I noticed my garden looked dry and went over to water it.  I love watering my garden.  As I watered I noticed the SPINACH WAS READY TO PICK!  My hands were shaking, my heart was beating faster, and my mouth was watering.  I couldn't wait to put them in my yogurt shake. 

Isn't this the most beautiful looking spinach?  I went to make my shake and came out to enjoy it with my youngest daughter.  As we were talking, I noticed some green things on the table.  MY SPINACH.  Well, I ALMOST had spinach for breakfast.  We decided to wash some and eat it raw.  OH. MY. GOODNESS.  God is amazing and good to me. 

Have a great Lord's Day.  Spend a little time thanking Him for the simple things.  Air to breathe,  a mind to think,  birds singing a good morning song,  food grown in a garden.  You can think of more I know.



thanks for reading,

Reb

ps.  I can't figure out why the words went from aligned left, to center. Sorry!



Questions...Questions

1. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?


Consistency..I just want to be consistent in SOMETHING!   Does being inconsistenly consistent count???



2. Write about a time when you got lost.

My family rarely went to the movies when I was growing up,.  But every now and then a movie would come out and we would ALL have to go see it.  I think this was one of the Star Wars movies,  and we went to the mall.  I remember being in a store with my mom,  and then looking around and not being in the store with her.  I didn't feel panicky or anything.  I just walked until I found a security guard and he paged my parents.  They came running, we hugged and went into the movie.  Happily ever afters are my favorite endings.



3. Camping or 5 star hotel?


Everything in me says we should camp more often.  We have in the past and we plan on it again in a couple of months,  but I REALLY prefer a 5 star hotel.  Who wouldn't??  The beds,  the pillows,  the clean when I get there,  the bathroom shining,  the elevators.  I could go on but you get the picture. 





4. Have you donated blood?

I have in the past because it was handy.  I haven't in a few years cause I am afraid of that question,  "Have you taken Tylenol or Motrin in the past 24 hrs".   I would have to answer yes and then be booted out the door.  I am a great blood donor though.  My type is useful,  my blood flows quickly and I don't get woozy.  I always feel guilty taking a coke and cookie to keep my blood sugars up or whatever it does,  but take it I do.  Did.  Will.  Sometime.







5. Do you have a budget or do you 'fly by' most months?


I would love to say we have a great budget,  but we don't.  Usually my husband just says,  "Don't spend anything for awhile."  And I try not to.


thanks for reading,

Reb

Spring Break....Again!

You know we homeschool...right?   And you know that lots of rebellious people homeschool...right?  And you know I was rebellious before homeschooling became popular...right?  So what are you gonna do about it if we take 3 WEEKS OFF FOR SPRING  BREAK?   

Actually,  we took of 10 days in Jan. for Florida,  then a week off in March for the flu,  and NOW  we are just taking off for fun...or as my kids said.."I thought we weren't supposed to work on Spring Break?"  I am not sure WHO they have been comparing notes with but I think they talked to the wrong people.

Here is what we have done this week.   




Mon.   Whined and cried and lolligagged around the house cause it was storming, cold and REAL dark outside.  I don't know what the kids did.

Tues.   Woke up determined to do SOMETHING productive this week.   We each had different projects going on.   My eldest was/is on a crafting frenzy.  I have been told this happens to people in the spring.  I have never experienced it.  My son caught and skinned a possum.  It took awhile and then he wanted to slice some meat and cook it.  But it sat outside for too long and I wouldn't let him.  Doesn't rat  opossum  meat spoil faster than other meat?

My girls played outside and got major sunburns...IN APRIL.  Who knew?  I guess the sunscreen needs to come out.  And hats.  And water balloons.  And pools.  Oh yeah,  we have a pool.   Full of chickens. 

I got busy putting things away, finalizing our last 12 weeks and just plain getting the house in shape.  It was needing some exercise.  Or was that me?  Never mind.

Wed.  I went early to Wally World and bought mulch and milk and came home and put the kids to work on the mulch.  They did a great job.  I also arranged a wall of pictures and such that I posted about in DECEMBER.  I am a lazy decorator.  I have to wait for inspiration,  time,  energy, and M M's.  I think it was the candy that put me over the edge. 

We also had some great friends over and had a wonderful dinner.

Thur.  I felt sick.  I think it may have been the candy,  the decorating and I don't know what else,  but we went to the park, shopping,  and running around.  Went to bed at 8:30 and didn't get up til 7.  Not sure what happened there.

Fri.  Woke up and went garage saling with my eldest for a date.  We found lots of good stuff for my son.  Then came home and felt distracted.   Had a great dinner and went to bed a little early again. 

Overall, it was a great week.  I am ready for us to get back to our school schedule again.  So much to learn and so little time.

thanks for reading,

Reb

Thur

Family

I love my family.  I love my immediate one,  my father and mother and brother and sister and their spouses,  and my parents families.  I think I have the best family anywhere,  not perfect but best. 

My mom has one brother and one sister.  My Aunt Betty lives in Florida and has always spoiled us rotten whenever she sees us.  When I was little, we were a very healthy eating family,  no sugar, no caffeine, no chips,  we grew our own bean sprouts, added fiber to our juice, and took lots of vitamins.  I have no regrets,  CAUSE,  when we would see Aunt Betty and Uncle Tommy they would provide all the junk we wanted,  Kool Aid,  Cheetos,  ice cream,  OH YUM!!  

35 years later,  my Aunt Betty still spoils me.   When we were there in January they bought us delicious Florida honey,  a real treat.  My parents just visited them a couple of weeks ago, and Aunt Betty did it again. 

I have dishes that were my dad's moms.

 They are blue and white from Currier and Ives.  I love the scenes displayed on them,  but much more do I love the memories I have of my grandmother when I use the plates.  My mom brought me a bowl from my Aunt Betty that MATCHES the dishes.  She had it in her cabinet and as they were cleaning up one day, my mom mentioned it looked to be a match to my dishes.  My aunt promptly said to give it to me.  What spoiling!!

I know there are good people in every family,  but I think I have most of them right in mine.  THANKS AUNT BETTY ...and not to leave UNCLE TOMMY  out.  Love you both!!

thanks for reading,

Reb

What Happened on Saturday

I have LOVED having chickens and fresh eggs at the house, right in my back yard.  I love to watch them scratching for bugs,  I love to hear them clucking and talking to one another,  I love they way they look, and I love going out to the  coop and gathering eggs.

I guess I wrote about the dogs eating 8 of my nine chickens about a month or so ago.  I was devastated and a little discouraged.  I thought we had trained our kids better about closing doors and gates, and I should have checked up on them.  One night all three gates were open and the chickens had no chance.  I felt a little guilty.

I brought two chickens home from our church to keep the one lone survivor company and they were happy together.  I was getting 2 or 3 eggs a day.  Then one morning my 9 yr old daughter went out to water them and found one of the little girls dead, no head and no leg.  We could see her insides and noticed an egg she was going to lay that morning.  The kids wanted to collect the egg before we buried her but I thought....NAW!!

A couple of nights ago,  I asked around the family to make sure someone had closed the gates, got reassurances that they were closed, so I went to bed.  I usually look out at the chickens when I wake up, and Saturday morning I noticed the gates were open and there were no chickens.  Hoping they were behind the shed, I went out to find them,  and found feathers.

I was so SAD.   Was it worth it,  keeping these animals,  feeding them, naming them?   I think it is.  I have 8 more growing in the garage.  I am determined to have chickens and fresh eggs.  I want to here their squawking at each other,  here the cackling when and egg is laid,  see them running across the yard.  But THIS time I will be the checker for the gate.  No more taking it for granted.

Here are the  ugly  gangly little chicks.  

About now they have such long necks and their feathers are falling out and coming in all at the same time.  I love to hear them chirping. 

I have high hopes for this crew of 8.  I may be getting more in a few weeks.  I wouldn't mind having 12.  That's a GOOD amount of eggs.


thanks for reading,

Reb

Girls in the kitchen

The other night my husband and I went on a date.  I love to go out to eat and then head over to Lowes and see what project I would LOVE for us to begin.  I think my husband just loves the going out to eat and humors me by going to Lowes and looking just so I'll go on a date.

Anyway,  while we were out,  I asked out very handy 15 year old daughter to make some cupcakes for pot lunch the next day.  She called to say we were out of eggs,  (I'll tell you why in the next post!)  and please pick up some.  In my eagerness to get to Lowes and plan the project,  I forgot. 

Two days later she and her sisters decided to bake and decorate the cupcakes.  I had leftover icing from a couple of other baking projects and this is what they came up with. 

Not sure if the pic shows it well enough but they called it "Tie Dyed" icing.  It sure tasted good. 

The sprinkles are for fun.  I love the creativity of my girls.  They are learning to take what is available at home and make something good from it.  I pray as I live with and love on my girls, (and boy!)  they learn from me that contentment with what God has given us really does make us more joyful. 

I would guess from all the crafting going on at my house right now that they have already started learning it.   I haven't visited a Hobby Lobby or other craft store in weeks and they seem to find all they need right in the craft closet. 

Here is a link to My daughter's blog and all the crafting she is doing. 


thanks for reading,

Reb

What's Growing!!!

Did anyone else have spring fever in JANUARY?   Boy,  did I ever.  About a month ago my husband and kids filled in the raised beds. 

 I was so excited to plant an early spring garden.   Here in Arkansas we can grow 3 seasons of plants.  I searched in all the nooks and crannies and found seeds galore.  I guess I had been buying for a couple of years and I only had to buy one package of sugar snap peas.  I planted it all and then caged the chickens so they wouldn't EAT IT UP.  They did that in the fall and I was a little irritated. 

Look what 3 weeks or so does,  well,  actually what God did in those few weeks.

I go out every day and look at the plants....I even  TALK to them.  I believe it  helps.   Anyway,  my mouth just waters thinking of eating peas, carrots, lettuce, spinach,  radishes,  onions, cabbage, broccoli.  YUM YUM. 

thanks for reading,

Reb

Menu Monday

  I had trouble this week coming up with food ideas.  Some weeks are like that for me.  I think I tried so many different foods this winter, my family wanted down home and casual.  Last week chicken rice casserole went over great, so did breakfast. 

So this week I am trying to be "American" in my food choices.  Which is kindof funny because I have Mexican, Italian, and Irish on my menu.  But that is truly AMERICAN.

Mon.--Chipotles Barbacoa Beef with Cilantro Lime Rice---oh my goodness--my favorite Mexican restaurant ever.  I first ate at this place a couple of years ago in Dallas.  Some wonderful Texas ladies took me and no when I think of Mexican,  my heart goes there.  I can hardly eat anywhere else. 

Tues.--Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo with salad and homemade bread sticks.  I was having a difficult time coming up with menu items this week so I let kids pick.   They like pretty fancy food. 

Wed.--We have some wonderful long time friends coming over so I will be making Corn Beef and Cabbage with green beans,  rolls, and my Mamma Nell's pound cake.  Yum!

Thur.--Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

Fri.--Scrambled Eggs,  Sausage,  Muffins

Sat.--Pizza Calzones with raw veggies

Sun.--Family gathering so menu to be announced.

That's it for my week.  It looks to be full. 


thanks for reading,

Reb