Posted in Wordless Wednesday
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Posted in Everday Life
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My sister, Robin, encouraged me to show the world the bookshelf my husband made last August. So here it is. The beginning.  The middle. The end.
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Posted in In the Kitchen
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For years I have struggled with making pie dough. (Betty makes it look so easy) My crust is either too dry and tough to roll out or when I do roll it out...it doesn't want to transfer easily to the plate. I have rolled dough out in a large gallon plastic zip lock container and then cut the bag away and transferred the dough to the pie plate. This does work. But, you use up a perfectly good bag in the process. Memory escapes me as to how I learned of the techniques in the following pictures (forgive me if it is one of my readers). I DID learn from a 4H meeting recently that the colder the water is when making dough...the better the results!  Place a few drops of water on the counter top and then place a piece of waxed paper over the water.Roll out the dough onto the paper in the normal fashion.  Invert the dough and waxed paper over the pie plate. Peel the waxed paper off GENTLY AND SLOWLY.  Flute the edges to your liking. You have a pie crust ready for some filling. Enjoy!I share my cooking experiences with you because I am not an excellent cook. When I find something that works for me, I want to share it. (there has gotta be someone out there that struggles in the kitchen as I do) |
Posted in Everday Life
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I was so blessed with the following beauty on my walk this morning. It is beautiful EVERY morning, but this morning I took my camera to share with you.  I started walking 10 minutes north and 10 minutes south in March....got a little side tracked, but am back on schedule. Now I walk 22 minutes north and 22 minutes south and THIS MORNING, this was the view as the sun was coming up. (don't worry, I don't walk in the dark, it just looks darker than it is)
 As I looked north I saw the eye of a hurricane (Go Figure!!! I live in Indiana). God was just messin' with me.
 At this point I have made my 22 min. north, and am heading south.
 Another pretty view. This is a hill. I live at the other end of it. When I first start out, it is a nice stretch out for the old legs. Then up hill I go and I am on a incline/level out/ incline level out for 22 minutes. On the way back. I still huff and puff (you would think it would be DOWN hill on the way back ????) This is my final obstacle. Going up that last incline after taking it easy for a little while is tough, but not as tough as it used to be! May YOU be blessed in YOUR exercise today! |
Posted in Everday Life
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I have lost 5 pounds since starting my exercise/food reduction plan. It is tough. Just wanted to share. |
Posted in In the Kitchen
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My mom makes the best noodles in the world. I had not yet learned how to make them before I moved out of state for a few years. One Thanksgiving-time in Central Texas I longed for noodles so much that I went on a quest to find the instructions for such. I thought they would be a great addition to the Thanksgiving dinner I was making (my in-laws would be traveling from New Orleans for the holiday). I read all the 'church' cookbooks that I had brought with me from Indiana, Mennonite cookbooks that I had bought while living in Georgia and just couldn't quite get the kind that Mom made. Mom always cut her noodles and had them strewn all over the kitchen table and counter tops to 'dry'. It just wasn't happening for me. So I tried trusted Betty Crocker (of ALL places). Her recipe was just right. I have came up with a couple different 'drying' ideas from different cookbooks and people. The pictures that follow aren't really 'drying' them. I just freeze them. So look at these photos and see if they help you in your noodle making. These particular ones are cut 'fat' and will cook up 'fat'.  Separate the dough in to three sections. Roll out on a generously floured counter top til thin. Generously flour the top of the circle and roll up like a burrito. Don't worry about too much flour, it will shake off later.  Cut thick or thin, but make sure they are all thick or all thin. The dough will be a little soft and you will think the noodles will stick together, but the flour will help them unroll nicely. Roll each section out and layer in a long pan. Create layers of noodles by using wax paper, with a layer of wax paper over the top. Freeze over night. The next day, take the stiffened noodles and break them into smaller pieces (or leave them long) and place in a freezer bag and put back in freezer til needed or cook them right up into chicken and noodles or beef and noodles, or just plan noodles cooked in chicken broth. They take about twenty minutes or so to cook.Here is the recipe: 2 cups of all purpose flour 3 egg yolks 1 egg 1 tsp salt (Betty calls for two tsps, but I opt for one) 1/4 to 1/2 cups of water yellow food coloring, optional make a small well in the flour / salt mixture and add egg and yolks. (you may wish to add a few drops of the yellow food coloring to the eggs first to give them a richer look), mix. then add the water one tablespoon at a time, mixing in between, til the dough holds together and is pliable, but not sticky. (when it comes down to it, I would rather the dough be more pliable than stiff and dry-it is easier to work with that way) |
Posted in Wordless Wednesday
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Posted in Lulu Posts
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On occasion we let our small flock of chickens with one large white leghorn rooster, out into the yard to forage and enjoy a little freedom. Sweet Maggnolia is very hesitant to go out of doors on those days for fear of getting attacked by the rooster-Foggy. He is a beautiful bird but very protective. When he is out, I tell her to take the broom and the dog with her if she goes outside. I too, take the broom with me in hopes of getting some batting practice in-to no avail. This situation has me to thinking about all the uses of a broom. Obviously, you can sweep the floor with it (a rarity for me), you can brush the cobwebs out of the corner of the ceiling with it ( rarity-again), you can use the handle to slide between the washer and dryer or other appliance to get something that fell in between them, you can use it as the middle post in your sheet tent in the living room, you can trap a spider with it til Husband comes to the rescue, you can brush the straw off of someone who has been 'handling straw'. Of course, you can use it as a weapon to protect yourself from roosters, you can shoo unwanted animals away from your garden with it,...etc etc etc. Let me know how YOU use your broom. |
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Finding a moment to post, I thought I would update you on what has been happening. Somewhere around March 10th I got this wild idea from an article I read, to start walking (a form of exercise) and eating better. So, I started walking twice a day and eating better. Didn't last long. On March 18th my husband hurt his knee while warming up and stretching out to go walk with me. A week later he can hardly walk on it and on the 27th was admitted to the hospital for an infection in his leg. They called it cellulitis. (It ended up being Methicillin Resistant Staphalocuccus Aureus) Two days later, surgery to remove the infection, four days later another surgery to remove more infection. He left the hospital April 7th with two open wounds (left like that for the infection to drain) He had three days of i.v. infusion through a picc line in his arm. We changed the dressing every other day. (no time to walk and less time to eat right) On April 18th & 19th we went to the Indiana Home Educators Convention in Indianapolis. (plenty of walking...still not eating right) The doctor encouraged him to walk as much as possible and so he DID. He went fishing yesterday and tomorrow we go to court to finalize his adoption of Sweet Maggnolia. Not sure, but I THINK after that we can take a breather!  Oh, and I started my exercise/eat healthier plan again! |
Posted in Announcements
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The Iditarod! How exciting. A homeschool email brought this site to my attention. Go to www.iditarod.com and have a great time. We have been following it and it is very exciting. They are on day 7 and are arriving and leaving Ruby, Alaska on their way to Nome. |
Posted in Literature-Then and Now
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I just finished reading Rising Tide by John M. Barry. I heard about the book from the Spike Lee documentary, "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts". While the documentary is not for the faint of heart or children (the language is atrocious), the book is very readable. Words that are now politically incorrect are used to effectively draw the reader into the darkness of that day. The story brings you through different histories of people lives that are directly involved with the Mississippi River. I was never so on the edge of my seat while reading of the break in the Mounds Landing crevasse. Mr. Barry captured the essence of how money, power and pride can be more important than the lives of people. Overall, looking back, the book is not a feel good book nor could I find a silver lining behind the cloud. It seems to have a dark cloud over it throughout. I was wanting a happy ending, but found none. But I do recommend it to adults who like to read thought-provoking books. You will never think of the Mississippi River the same again. |
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The lunar eclipse was last night. The temperature was about NINE degrees. We were blessed with clear skies for the event. We set the telescope outside on the patio, grabbed the camera and binoculars and turned off the power to the outside security light. A person needed their warmest clothes and definitely their warmest gloves. There is nothing that says "February in Indiana" better than trying to push the picture-takin' button on your camera and really not knowing whether you actually were able to move your finger or not. You THINK you moved it...but it didn't move...you try again...this time with force.....nothing.....then you concentrate really hard and push with all of your might and the tiny little button on the camera feels your frozen-stiff finger's contact and takes the picture. Ah, the picture has been taken....but all you get is a big blurry white blob. At this point, husband and daughter have gone back inside because, one) they didn't have enough warm clothes on and two) they went back to their movie and said..oh, we can see the moon from the kitchen window just fine. I stayed outside, trying to get a better view with man-made instruments, sitting on a chair and watching my breath float through the air. Then out of the dark....came a sweet little cherub carrying a warmed-up rice bag for her half-frozen mother. HOW SWEET. I disregarded the instruments and just relied on what God gave me, my eyes and senses. The sky was full of stars that seemed to be shining as bright as they could-just for me. I looked through the bare arms of the maple tree and as the stars shone through, it looked like they were twinkling Christmas ornaments on the branches. WAY TOO COOL. I came back inside and finished watching the movie with husband and daughter, while husband warmed my very cold fingers. All in all....a very nice time. |
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I like EASY little lunches. I took ingredients from a Mexican Pork Chop dinner that I make and turned it into a neat little lunch. At 9 a.m. ish put the following in a small crock pot. It will be ready by 11:30 or so. Cook on high and keep an eye on it. 1 1/2 cup water 3/4 cup long grain, uncooked white rice 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning When serving....put some Mexican cheese on it and enjoy. |
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The recipe for this apple crisp was found in the Taste of Home Magazine several years ago and I just recently made it for the first time, with help from Sweet Maggnolia. It was submitted by Julie Jahnke, Green Lake, Wisconsin. Thanks Julie and the rest of you....ENJOY! 5 MEDIUM COOKING APPLES, PEELED AND SLICED 1 AND 1/4 CUP OF WHITE SUGAR ...DIVIDED 1 AND 3/4 TEASPOONS OF GROUND CINNAMON....DIVIDED 1 CUP OF ALL PURPOSE FLOUR 1 TEASPOON OF BAKING POWDER 1/2 TEASPOON OF SALT 1/2 CUP COLD BUTTER 1 CUP OF WATER In a bowl, combine the apples, 1/4 cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Transfer to an 8-inch square baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and remaining sugar, cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over apple, pressing down to smooth top. Slowly pour water over the top, sprinkle with remaining cinnamon. Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve warm. Serves 8. Go to my following friends for more tasty food. Sweet Maggnolia (magg93) for German Apple Pie Robinlyn (her recipe section has Snazzy Pretzels..yummy, plus a whole lot more) Danaover40 has some tasty tidbits and an award winning recipe for bread from the King Arthur Baker's Companion. If you have never had the pleasure of looking at the King Arthur Baker's Companion cookbook.....treat yourself. Check it out at the library. It is kind of pricy to buy...but well worth the money. |
Posted in Lagniappe
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Sing to the tune of Rawhide! Oh, wait, it IS Rawhide. (If you don't know the tune to the great song Rawhide, ask your grandparents). When you see YAH!, say it with passion like you are really getting those cattle movin'. When you see SNAP!, you need to make the sound of a snapping whip. Yes, I sat and listened to the song twelve times in a row, just for YOU, so enjoy! YAH!.....SNAP!......YAH!.....SNAP!!!!!... background someone sings...(rollin', rollin', rollin'). Keep movin', movin', movin'. Though, they're disapprovin'. Keep them doggies movin', RAWHIDE. (several 'moos' softly in the background) Don't try to understand 'em, just rope, throw and brand 'em. Soon we'll be living high and wide. My heart's calculatin', my true love will be waitin', waiting at the end of my ride. Move 'em on, head 'em up, head 'em up, move 'em on, move 'em on, head 'em up...RAWHIDE. SNAP! Cut 'em out, ride 'em in, ride 'em in, let 'em out, cut 'em out, ride 'em in. RAWHIDE................(hold "hide" for about 12 seconds) while some one sings rollin' rollin' rollin', in the background. YAH!.....SNAP!......YAH!!!! RAWHIDE.........(hold "hide" for about 12 seconds)...........YAH!....SNAP!!.....SNAP!!!! (second verse)(at the end of the show) (rollin', rollin', rollin') Keep rollin', rollin',rollin' Though the streams are swollen, Keep them doggies rollin', RAWHIDE!!! Through rain and wind and weather, hell-bent for leather, Wishin' my gal was by my side. All the things I'm missin', good vittles, love and kissin', are waiting at the end of my ride. Move 'em on, head 'em up, head 'em up, move 'em on, move 'em on, head 'em up, RAWHIDE. (SNAP!) Cut 'em out, ride 'em in, ride 'em in, let 'em out, cut 'em out, ride 'em in. RAWHIDE! (rollin'rollin'rollin'rollin'rollin'rollin') YAH!.....SNAP!.......YAH!......SNAP!...... (rollin'rollin'rollin'rollin'rollin'rollin') YAH!....SNAP!.....SNAP!.... P.S. Clint Eastwood plays Rowdy Yates and Eric Fleming plays Gil Favor, trail boss. |
Posted in Everday Life
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Acclimate means to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment or situation. (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary Eleventh Edition). As winter plods along dutifully, I had an occasion to ponder the word 'acclimate'. The weather in Indiana starts to chill around October. There are warm days and cooler days. November brings chillier days. December brings even chillier days. But there are no words to describe our beloved January, February and March. Global warming doesn't cross my mind in these three months. Thankfully, God has made it so that with each month, you become MORE acclimated to the weather. It's not 90 degress one day and then 20 degrees the next and that is all there is to the changing of the season. It is a gradual process for the most part. (yesterday was the exception: 50 degrees in the afternoon with thunder/lightning.....a few short hours later ... blizzard-like conditions). As cold as the temperatures can get, I can say there is NOT a more beautiful sight than looking up into a crisp January night sky and seeing a multitude of celestial bodies gleaming right at you. God makes them shine just for ME. (or so it seems) They seem close enough to touch. As I stand looking up in awe....somehow the 14 degree temperature doesn't bother me a bit. I guess the stars help me become acclimated. |
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I often struggle with the word 'school' and sometimes use the word 'educate' instead. To me, school seems more rigid to a schedule (probably something I acquired in public school). I find that 'education' happens all of the time. It happens DURING 'school' and AFTER 'school'. Instead of Homeschooling 101, it (to me) is Education247. I can say that when we tell folks we homeschool, we don't get as much of the negative response that my sister, Robinlyn, and her family received when they started homeschooling so many years ago. I am thankful for those who have helped blaze a trail for the rest of us, so that our journey isn't so tough. So thanks to you all and may YOU be encouraged in YOUR homeschooling (or home education) today! |
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My daughter was to be named Margaret Ann. A combination of Ann-Margret and Margaret Thatcher. (Would she have beauty AND brains?) It seems that God wanted her name to be something else. So, He blessed me with such severe morning sickness, that one day while laying on a make-shift bed on the floor and wondering if I were actually going to survive, He said to me..."My grace is sufficient". And then I knew her name would be Margaret Grace.
My sign would have to say....Got Grace? Thank God.
P.S. She turned out OK on the beauty and brains, too!
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Posted in In the Kitchen
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At nine a.m. put the following items in a small/medium crock pot and stir. Cook on low til around 11:30 or noon and you have a wonderful lunch. 2 regular cans of Campbell's Cream of Chicken Soup 1 15 ounce can of Swanson's or Butterball Chicken Broth 1 8 ounce bag of dried egg noodles...I use Inn Maid. This is a nice stick-to-your ribs lunch.
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Here is a recipe that is also a BIG thumbs up. So simple it may make you cry.