Posted in Summer Fun and Recipe

We went to Honduras to see my dear uncle and aunt, "JB" and "D".  Their daughter and son in law, "B" and "H" live there.  It seems that they can rent a lovely 4 bedroom 5 bathroom home and supply it with a full staff for much less than it costs for assisted living here in the states. So here are some photos of our accomodations.  By the way, I am ready to move!  (It's the staff part that I like!)

This is JB and D in the great room.

This is the dining room.  Now this is the size of table I need!

 

 

Rena and Carmen, the housekeeper and cook

Just one of our lovely breakfasts.

Can you believe it was actually cool enough for a roaring fire in the mornings?  Tegucigalpa is up in the mountains, and can get pretty cool. Most of the time it's between 60 and 85 degrees.  (Which is why the plant life is lush green as opposed to crispy brown sticks like we have this time of year in OK!)

Molly sweet puppy!

Here are some photos of our yard.  Yes, my friends, it was very difficult! 

Here is the front portico.  You can see that there is a large concrete wall with razor wire on top as well as an electric fence for security.  Also, the American types generally live in these types of neighborhoods where crime is not as big a problem as it would be down in the city proper.

Tomorrow I'll show you some photos of the house church and other scenery and of course Frederick the cat ant "H"'s rooster.

Posted in Summer Fun and Recipe

 My fascination with the blackberry began when I was a child.  My grandma and grandpa had a patch on the side of a cliff in the back of their house at Lake Tenkiller.  Grandma would hand me an old metal bucket and I would traipse down to the cliff.  It was pretty treacherous picking!  But I loved it.  Something wonderful happens in my spirit as I spot the black beauties, get all scratched up, and pull the berry free.

I made the most wonderful discovery three years ago. My husband's cousin's wife told me about a blackberry farm about 20 min. from my house! I have been going ever since.  I couldn't go last year, though, because when I called them, they said there were no berries because of the drought.  Well, we have had so much rain this year that the berries are probably slow to develop from lack of sun!  This has been a weird year in Oklahoma.  We are beginning to think that we are in New Orleans instead of OKC!

Today was fun day, as Ma Jane (my mother) and I trekked out to the farm.  What a time we had, as you can see!  At the end of this post I will give you Jean's (the owner) recipe for blackberry cobbler.  I'm going to try to make some with splenda and whole wheat flour so my husband can have some.  I'll let you know how that goes!

I kept wishing I had brought some children with me.  Look in your area for a farm like this and take your kids this summer.  I guess I'll just have to go back with my little nephews!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The blooms are pretty too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Somehow, Ma Jane just doesn't look like a farm girl!

 

 

 

 

 

  Look at the size of those babies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And look who came to visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jean weighs my batch (seven pounds and something!  woo hoo!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ma Jane doesn't pick as fast as I do because she doesn't have all of that experience from Grandma's cliff!

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bonus sighting as we were leaving!  For those of you who are neglecting your birdwatching, this is a roadrunner! 

God bless you all!  Hope you are having a homeschool summer rich in love and fun!

 

 

If you live in Oklahoma, the farm is Sorghum Mills Christmas Tree and Blackberry Farm, 7121 Midwest Lane, Edmond, OK  73034   phone  405-340-5488.  Jean can give you directions on how to get out there and what days that they are open.  (I think it's Tues., Thurs eve. and Saturday.)

Sorghum Mills Crock Pot Blackberry Cobbler

You need a rectangular crock pot for this, so that you can spread the crust thinly on the bottom. (Jean says she has gotten this just perfect!)

Ingredients:  Blackberry Filling: 4 cups blackberries, 1 1/4 cups sugar, 1/4 cup flour (scant)

Microwave above ingredients until almost boiling.

                        Crust:  1 cup flour, 2 Tbsps. sugar, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, 1/8 tsp. salt, 1  egg lightly beaten,  1/4 cup fat free milk, 2 Tbsps. canola oil.

In a bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. In another bowl, combine egg, milk, and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until thickened, (batter will be thick.) Spread batter evenly onto the bottom of the crock pot coated with non-stick cooking spray. Pour hot berries on top of batter.  Cover with lid and cook on low about 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean. Top with frozen vanilla yogurt or ice cream.  Makes six servings.

I'm going to go make some right now!  Tootleooo!