The first hunting trip of the season ended as Lon pulled into the driveway today. He saw 2 deer, but was unable to get either of them bagged for the freezer. Although he came home empty handed, I believe he had a good time any way. Just like I suspected he would.
With the rain falling at a steady rate and the temperatures dropping with the brisk winds. It felt like a perfect day for a hearty pot of soup and fresh baked bread for his welcome home meal. A warm welcome composed of a bowl of hot soup, bread and a fire in the fireplace, you just can't beat that on a blustery day like this. I have been making soup on a weekly basis since the beginning of September. The majority fixed for our family lunches on Sunday's. I checked out 2 books from the library a couple of weeks ago and have enjoyed looking at all the recipes they offer. Many I hope to try over the next 2-3 months, as I plan to make a soup meal one day a week during the Fall/Winter seasons. Tonight we had one that I had copied off of the Food Network home page of the "Barefoot Contessa", entitled Lentil Sausage Soup. It uses several different veggies and spices that blended into a very savory soup. It makes a large pot and was so yummy that I don't think we will mind eating it again for lunches this next week. The projected forecast is calling for the lows to dip down to 32-34* for a few days and soup will be the answer to staying warm and fed.
Bread making is becoming a regular activity in our home as of lately. I have always been fascinated by the idea of fresh bread coming out of our oven and straight to the table. Anyone who shops at a grocery store with an in-store bakery knows the tempting aroma that is piped throughout the store to draw you towards a purchase of a hot loaf not on your list. The catch is they usually want a price for the bread higher than the list of so-so ingredients that is used to bake it. I have purchase a few when on sale, but often wondered what it would really cost to make them. Trouble is when looking at the list of ingredients I can't pronounce most of them or find the rest to duplicate what I hold in my hands. But I do have in my kitchen a bread maker, used not as frequently as I had hoped when first purchased.
This renewed interest in eating whole foods has me searching my recipe files for easy breads to make. One in particular that we have been enjoying and I have been having good success with is an Oatmeal bread. A hearty bread full of whole grain oats, great for sandwiches and makes the best toast for honey. I've tweaked the recipe some, which I usually don't do. As I try to follow the recipes as written at least for awhile before I venture out with changes. But this bread is so forgiving and it has turned out well for this okay "want-a-be" bread maker. My collection of bread recipes has been growing since I bought the machine, for oh . . . . we won't say how long ago. ;) But my big thrill this week was when The Bread Book I had ordered came in the mail. The copy I picked up at the library a week ago was a delight to look through. I knew right then I needed one? or should I say wanted, even had to have a copy of this book. With it's indepth teaching aids and numerous recipes to fill my home with the fresh baked goodness that makes your mouth water. So now I have an arsenal of temptations waiting to be tried out. If anything should flop I know the backyard birds or our chickens for that matter will hungrily gobble up my oops!
Yesterday I went back to Walmart to check out the clearance bins of yarn in the craft department. After seeing them last week on a quick stop with Lon, I knew I would need to come back and check out the prices and options for future projects. I found 3 different colors to make some home needs and give aways. I also found two small leaflets with about 6 or so beautiful afghans to make. Right now I am committed to finish a specific project for the "Covered in Prayer" ministry at my church. So these new ideas will have to wait till I an free to start one or two. Maybe, better yet I should finish the lap quilt that I started last Fall first.
Dropping by JoAnn's Fabrics on the way to buy groceries created even another project or two for my craft basket. When I get the chance I day dream over the pattern books and make my list of favorites, then sit in waiting till they put the specific brand on sale for $.99. I missed the Simplicity sale last week, but I was able to snag 2 McCall's patterns for the same $.99 price this week. I chose a Autumn craft pattern with a friendly stuffed turkey and table decor and plan to make 2. One for siting next to our fireplace this Thanksgiving and one for Leah to set out at her house. That is if she doesn't carry it around like one of her babies. Picking out the fabric was both fun and challenging, with trying to choose the colors from all of the options available. The other pattern was for a old fashion cloth doll that is stated to be a part of a series to be featured in the McCall's pattern books for the next year. Each one teaches a new doll-making skill to go along with the project featured. I can just see Leah surrounded by all the new dollies, what memories we will make together. Having birthed only sons kept me from being able to play dollies with a little girl. God knows my heart and has been so gracious to give me the chance to play dollies, have tea parties and other girlie things with a precious granddaughter instead.
I have missed her this week as she only came on Monday to stay with me. Illness caused her mommy to be out of work for a couple of days and she stayed home instead. I usually do not have her on Thursdays and Fridays. So an inspired plan came to mind on the trip from one store to the next and took form as I "kidnapped" her from the daycare yesterday. But before you call children's services, I had permission for the escape. Delight shown in her eyes and from the sound of her squeals I believe it was a good plan. We didn't have much time together before her mommy got off work, but we squeezed out of it all that we could. I think I wasn't the only one who missed her this week, after returning home today Lon mentioned that they needed to bring her over for a visit soon.
Deborah
No comments:
Post a Comment