It's Crafty Tuesday ~

Crafty Tuesdays is one day a week that I am trying to set aside for doing something creative. Whether it is Baking, Cheese making, soap making, herbal beauty products or another types of food items; herbal oils, vinegars, dressings, etc. Then there is always the slew of typical crafting projects to be done; sewing, crochet, quilting, painting, etc. It's for sure I will never be at a lost with something either new or old to create on Crafty Tuesday. As my interests are growing with each passing day. Not to mention the over stuffed closet, boxes and chest full of projects waiting to be started or to be finished.

Today I decided on making it a Crafty baking day. Anytime spent in the kitchen making a delicious meal or treat can be counted as a creative pursuit in my book. Stepping beyond the packaged items on the grocer's shelves, to a recipe and pantry stocked with basic supplies. Is an opportunity to use the resources at hand and add a personal, hands-on flair to a culinary delight.

The hard part sometimes is in deciding on just one or two items from the scores of cookbooks and collection of recipe cards I've gathered over the years of my interest in it. I have spent untold hours at the elbows of two creative cooks, my Mother and her Mother. It was in these early "tutorials" that I learned the secret of being a really good cook. You have to put your love into it. Trial and error will always be a steady teacher too. But anything seasoned with love will be accepted by the recipient, even if it is less than it should be. (as in turned out wrong/ over cooked, etc.)

Making something new for our breakfast has been on my mind as of late. As is having something quick to pop in the oven on our busy Sunday mornings before church. Seems like a good time to bring out the muffin recipes for a hearty nugget that can be reheated in the oven on low or in the microwave. Finally decided on making 2 batches of "Good for You" Muffins. A hearty combination of fruit, nuts and good for you grains.

Having extra goat's milk on hand right now lead the way to making some Aww Natu-ral Keifer. I had made a quart a few days ago that was waiting in the fridge to be flavored and sweetened. So I gathered some frozen fruit from our freezer to create a new healthy treat. Spinning some of the fruit blend around in a blender to crush it up first helped to create a slushie when added to the keifer. Letting the rest thaw before crushing add flavor to the rest of the jar. Ta-da! a Strawpineago Keifer for breakfast and the next few days. Yum Yum!

Conquering a new food creation spurred me on towards arresting a sweet tooth. In keeping with the baking theme and wholesome goodness. I started a batch of Chewy Coconut Pecan cookies. They are one of Lon's favorites and are great for snaking. They were easily blended, baked and are waiting on the counter for that perfect cup of tea with my feet up resting after a very productive morning.

Wish you were here to join me in a few and a cup of kindness,
Deborah

Spring Activities

Enjoying the Spring time requires being outside in order to capture all the goodness it has to offer. If you are like me, most of you have been itching to get outside and do a few gardening chores, soaking up the sunshine in the process. I have made use of the pretty days lately to do a few of my favorites things too. Like . . .

Putting up an old bird feeder by the garden. It is one that I brought from our old house that stood in a flower bed. You may not can tell from the picture but it has been nibbled on by the squirrels that often tried to raid it. My daddy built it and despite it worn appearance I could never part with it. So I filled it with sunflower seeds and will wait for the birds to find them. It is situated so I can see it from both the front porch and my bedroom window.

Cleaning out a flowerbed or two. There are a couple that I have started since moving here. All of which have new weedy growth popping up in them from the abundance rain and now warming temperatures. The broken birdbath came with the place and I plan to replace it with one I already have. The hosta I planted last year is showing emerging furls of new leaves.

I cut out a spring bunny from a panel found in the treasure chest in the barn. The "treasure chest" I am referring to is the huge plastic tote I found when we cleaned out the house that we are making into a barn. It was stuffed full of fabric scraps and yards of fabric. I pulled out all of the cotton fabric to wash and line dry. It is stacked in my craft closet for future use as what ever my mind can dream up. Among the pieces was a craft panel for a "Spring Bunny". I am thinking it would make a great gift for Leah. I may even try to cut one out for our porch decor too. Isn't she cute?

Cut brush along the creek bank. While the goats browsed this evening I trimmed the brush, small trees and BRIERS away from a section of the creek bank near the driveway. I love hearing the tinkling sound of the water as it flows over rocks towards some unknown destination. Clearing out the rubble will make it easier to see and enjoy. Besides what else can you do while watching goats eat?

Ate dinner outside on the porch. Lon and I have always enjoyed eating outside on the porch. At our old house we had two tables set up. One sitting on the back of the house was large enough for family to gather around and near the grill. The table and chairs we inheirted when his Mother died. It has been fondly used every since. The round one on the front porch was set with just 2 chairs instead of the 4 that came with it. That is where Lon and I ate intimate meals for just the two of us. It was a quite place facing the lake that was in front of our house. Here we have a small front porch that allows us to eat while rocking if so desired. Plans are to build a back deck off from the dinning room that will be big enough to house one of the outside tables. Not sure right now what I will do with the other one. Maybe tuck it under a shady grove of trees for some truly alfresco dinning.

Gotta love the outside ~ it is nature's sedative,

Deborah

A Rainy Friday Again

Rainy days are to be expected during the Fall season from time to time. I have read where the amount of rainfall can affect the color intensity in the leaves of deciduous trees, like maples, populars, oaks, dogwood, etc. The ones in the yard are starting to really turn now and I love to glance out the window to see their bright colors. This is our second spell of rain in a week's time, and the second Friday in a row. But I am not complaining at all, going through the drought last year makes one appreciate the heavenly water when if flows. The chickens on the other hand looked like a bunch of wet feather dusters as they wandered around in the sprinkles this afternoon. I am not sure if they were enjoying their impromptu shower or just happy to be out of the pen to look for yummies under the leaves.

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