Creamy Fruit Dip

8oz cream cheese, kefir cheese or labneh (yoghurt cheese), at room temperature
1/3 c sour cream, plain yoghurt or creme fraiche, at room temperature
2-4 T raw honey or agave nectar
1 t vanilla extract

Add cream cheese, sour cream & vanilla to stand mixer. Use the whisk attachment to blend until well-combined. Drizzle in your honey or agave. While running the mixer, blend until light & fluffy. Store in refrigerator. This is good on sweet crackers & served with fruit for dipping.

Ranch Dressing/Dip

1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup buttermilk or dairy kefir
1/2 cup sour cream, crème fraiche or plain yoghurt
2 T minced onion
1/2 t dried oregano
1 t dried parsley
1/2-1 clove minced garlic
1/4 t paprika
1/8 t cayenne pepper
1/4 t each salt & pepper or to taste

Combine all ingredients. Mix well. Leave at room temperature 7 hours (If you've already fermented your mayo, skip this step). Chill before serving (If you fermented your mayo, and you are not leaving at room temp for 7 hours, be sure to chill for at least 2 hours to allow the flavours to mingle).

This Christmas....

Today I am an emotional wreck. There are many loved ones who are suffering this Christmas season. I am so sad that so many people are hurting today and during the season of Christ & the beginning of His sacrificial life. We've (my family & I) had such a rough year & I've actually been "in the spirit." After the year we've had, this is the first time this year I've REALLY had something to look forward to. Something big- family, food, giving. The only thing missing are those we've lost, and those we're not near right now.

Then today comes & I keep welling up in tears. It dawned on me a few minutes ago why. I'm excited about Christmas this year, but at the same rate, I feel bad because I know my parents are having a hard time, and at the same time, I'm homesick today. I miss our families.

This year, we've tried to do for others. We've plucked paper angels off the trees at the stores in hopes that a child with little or nothing would smile on Christmas morning. We took food on Thanksgiving to an exchange student (that is now here on a work visa) from Brazil. He hasn't been home, nor has he seen his family in almost 2 years. We're planning on taking him breakfast on Christmas morning as well.

I wish everyone could feel the Joy I have had in my heart, yet I wish the roller coaster I'm on would come to a stop, so that *I* can be Joyful again. I'm praying for those that are hurting.

I pray that all of you that read this, for all those that we love- you have a very blessed Christmas. Know that I am praying for you.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

4-6 slices bacon
1 pound sprouts, ends cut off & halved
1 medium onion, diced
3T oil (butter, coconut oil, rice bran oil, olive oil, etc)
1/2-1 t garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste

Fry onions & bacon til crisp & browned oil (I used CO). Add salt, pepper & garlic powder, toss with halved brussel sprouts, mix to coat the sprouts in oil & spices. Roast til browned.

I baked mine 45m at 350º

My oldest son said these taste like egg roll filling. This past Thanksgiving was the first year I was able to get him to actually EAT, not one, but 2 servings of them. Each year past, I've been able to feed a single taste to a scrunched up nosed face.

Can you say SCORE!?!?!

Menu 12/6-11

I'm finally getting back here to blog a little. This past week has found me near invalid stage. I managed to do something to my back, though I don't know what. All I know is Sunday night it began hurting. By late Monday morning I was in tears over the pain. I tried stretching, aleve, excedrin, hot packs, hot baths, Tiger Balm, etc. Tuesday found me in not AS MUCH pain. I wasn't in tears over it. We went grocery shopping on Wednesday & I knew it was bad. I'm walking across the parking lot & this little old lady zoomed right by. No, I'm not kidding!

By Friday I was in the urgent care, knowing if I didn't get some relief, there was no way I could work on Saturday. I was prescribed flexeril & pain meds and sent off with a note to keep me from working on Saturday. Flexeril is now my new BFF. Except that second F part. I'm still a bit tense today, but I'm not in absolute pain.

The past few days I've found myself working on sit-down stuff- menu planning, reading, inventory lists, grocery lists, etc. It's been nice, but I have to tell you sit-down work is NOT my cuppa tea! I'm ready to get up & go again....

Alas, that will be a few more days :-(

So here's the menu. Last night we had spaghetti. It was the first time in a week I was able to actually cook dinner. It was rather uncomfortable, but it needed doing! The first few days are relatively easy fix meals or meals the kids can help with.

Menu 12/6-11

Monday- Cowboy beans & cornbread

*pull roast for tomorrow

Tuesday- Roast & taters, green beans a'la crockpot

*Pull chicken to thaw

Wednesday- Filipino Chicken Adobo, rice, peas

*soak beans for tomorrow, pull meat to thaw

Thursday- Korean style pork, white rice, Kongjaban

*Pull cubed steak & hoagie rolls to thaw

Friday- Marlboro Man sandwiches, baked potato wedges, fruit tray

*Pull liver & steak to thaw

Saturday- Steak (For Hubba & Keenan), liver & onions, mashed potatoes, corn

***

Cinnamon Sage Honey

Remember the Cinnamon Honey I posted recently? I found that sage is a GREAT decongestant & dries up the nasal passages. So I added some sage to the mixture & WOW!!! It worked so well.

The measurements I devised are:

4 parts honey, 1 part ground cinnamon & 1/2 part sage.

Same dosage as last time- 1 teaspoon up to 3 times a day.

Glazed Sugar & Rosemary Pork Loin

Mix together

1/4 c brown sugar
1 t dried rosemary
1/4 t nutmeg
1 T apple cider vinegar
salt & pepper to taste

Rub all over a large pork loin (mine was probably 3-4 pounds). Set crockpot to low & cook 7-8 hours.

Cinnamon Honey

A few days ago I could feel a cold coming on & by chance, I stumbled across a recipe for cinnamon honey. It is so tasty (like candy). I have to warn you, the concoction is very gritty, and it’s so thick, you need a chug of water to help get it down. You can also mix it in a small glass of water & drink it that way. I’ve just been in such a rush to get things done that I’ve been eating it off the spoon, followed by water.

Enjoy!!!

Cinnamon Honey

1 part ground cinnamon

4 parts honey (raw & unfiltered from a local source is beat)

Mix well. Take a teaspoonful 3X a day at the first sign of a cold.

Coconut Curry Rice with Butternut Squash

1 quart bone broth (chicken or rabbit, preferably)
2 cups rice
1/2 cup butternut squash puree
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 t curry powder

Bring stock to a boil. Add rice, curry powder, puree & coconut milk, lower heat & cover. Cook 45 minutes (20 minutes if you're using white rice), stirring occasionally.

Toothpaste

Toothpaste

2 T coconut oil
3T baking soda (sifted)
1 T xylitol (birch based, sifted)
2 capfuls of peppermint oil (or about 1/2 t)

Blend all ingredients well using a fork. Store in an airtight container, dipping your toothbrush in to use.

Each ingredient serves a purpose as follows:

• Coconut oil not only gives the toothpaste a paste quality, it is also a natural anti-bacterial.
• Baking soda is a mild abrasive & also combats odors naturally.
• Xylitol gives the paste a sweeter taste, as the baking soda is extremely salty tasting. It has a cooling taste to it, making your mouth feel cool & fresh. The xylitol is also excellent for dental health.
  
• Peppermint oil (you can use other oils if desired) gives your mouth a clean minty feel & taste.

Homemade cat urine smell remover

I'd been looking for this for several weeks. It never dawned on me to check my old blog.

Homemade cat urine smell remover:

1/4c hydrogen peroxide
1/4 c baking soda
1/4 c white vinegar
1 T. dish liquid

Here's what I did:
mix well & put on area to be cleaned. Rub in well (I just used my hands). I sucked it up with our carpet cleaner, then used vinegar & water in the cleaner to go over it again. The vinegar reeks, but once it's dry, the smell of the vinegar is gone, along with the odors.

Tuesday Twister

I am finally getting around to posting a Tuesday Twister, hosted by Wardeh at GNOWFGLINS.

After a rough year & a very rough summer, I jumped in the kitchen, after the whole family came down with a stomach bug & decided I HAD to get back on the wagon. And.stay.there.

On Thursday I got my act together & did water kefir, dairy kefir & kombucha.

We've also fallen in love with the egg drink. It's made the table regularly in an effort to cram as many nutrients in as possible. I've also added trace minerals, powdered vitamins & powdered greens to it, to pack more of a punch.

Yesterday was stuffed jalapenos for the freezer (after we snacked on a few).

A few other things we've worked on the past few days:

I cut up 2 heads of red cabbage. I pulled out 8 cups to make a double batch of coleslaw. Coleslaw is a semi-rare treat around here. This was SO pretty going together!!




The rest was layered in a 9x13 pan with salt & whey for kraut.



I also decided to try escabeche after seeing this recipe. It went into cold storage yesterday. It smells absolutely YUMMY! I'm looking forward to trying it! Again, this was so colourful & pretty!




Dinners started out bland after being sick. Chicken & rice; beef short ribs, mashed potatoes & watermelon (we've had a LOT of watermelon this past week to help combat dehydration); and yesterday we were able to eat spaghetti. I still have some cheats in my kitchen until my energy returns, but as it does, those cheats slowly will be weaned away again. Thankfully those cheats are organic, HFCS-free, natural, etc.

And totally off topic & not in the kitchen, I couldn't resist showing you this picture. We are loving this little critter.

Stuffed Jalapenos 2

1 pound jalapenos, cut long in half, seeds & membranes removed
1 1/2 blocks cream cheese (12 oz)
1 12oz pkg bacon, fried to a crisp & cut into tiny pieces, cooled
1 cup shredded cheddar
1 t each onion powder, garlic powder

Mix together everything except the peppers. Stuff each pepper half with the mixture & line up on a baking sheet (with sides) close together. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until cheeses are melted & they are toasty brown.

Addictive!!! There, you've been warned.

Egg drink

I have to share a recipe I saw on the web (I actually just got the ingredient list & had to come up with my own measurements, as well as some tweaks). I'll also let you know some additions we've tried & liked :D

3 pastured eggs
1/2 t ground cinnamon
2 T honey
2 T coconut oil or butter, or mix & match
1 cup boiling water (also, see notes following)

Bring to a whirl in blender all but boiling water. After all ingredients are well incorporated & frothy, slowly add boiling water while blender is running. Serve warm.

To serve cold, add about 1/2 cup boiling water instead of the full cup. After blending the water in, add 8 large ice cubes, & continue blending until mix is chilled & ice cubes are blended.

We liked this with 2 bananas added with the first 4 ingredients.

I have many more plans for this recipe as well!!!

A couple pics from around here lately

We got a new kitty!!! This occurred on Sunday, August 15th.

My poor babies, in the midst of being sick were actually getting along!!!

And wonderful things to those that are patient. My wee bub lost his first tooth on Tuesday, the 17. But not just a tooth..... TWO teeth!!!


Seriously, how lucky can a first-time-tooth-losing-kid get???

Yesterday I rocked the kitchen along....

As well as recuperation would allow!!

I rinsed & fed my cold storage water kefir grains....... After severely neglecting them.....


I finally rebatched my water kefir....... after severely neglecting it


I f.i.n.a.l.l.y got around to making a new batch of k-tea.....


.....after SEVERELY neglecting my last batch. I'm so ashamed. No, wait. Nevermind, I'm not ashamed. I think this one is funny!!!


I revamped my dairy kefir grains & hope for dairy kefir later today or tomorrow. These ones weren't TOO severely neglected, thank you very much!

Leaving a little bit of history....

We finished the flooring downstairs recently (pics to come), and since we had an existing concrete floor, I decided we'd let the boys do a little something special before we put down the laminate.

LOVE IT!!!

Saddling up..... AGAIN!!!

We've just battled the stomach flu. All.5.of.us.got.it.this.time. We have NEVER ALL 5 gotten the same thing at the same time. Usually it's 1-3 of us, or it's at least a week or 3 apart. It was BAD. BADBADBAD!!!! We're, thankfully, on the mend now. This year has sent us through so many loops & obstacles, that every time I get back up, dust my butt off & get our healthy lifestyle going again, something backhands me back to the ground again.

I'd just gotten through telling Hubba just a few days ago that this year we just haven't been able to get healthy & STAY healthy. I figured it out, just a day or 2 before the first of us got sick. It just wasn't enough time to fix it.....

I have so much to catch you up on, but first..... first I must get my home back in order. I must get my KITCHEN back in order.

For the umpteenth time this year...

*le sigh*

Life these days

Still haven't found my camera cord, but I'm hoping that will change soon :D I've got the primer coat done on the downstairs, and that means I'm ready for the top coat. Once I get that done, we'll begin setting up one end of the big room as our homeschool area. The other end will likely still be empty. We're hoping to get flooring in the next 1-2 months max. We'll floor the empty end of the room, then move the HS stuff to that end & finish in the other end.Tomorrow, I start my new again job. Last year I worked for the same company as Hubba. It was just a couple of hours a night, a few nights a week. It was more or less on my own schedule. I basically just stocked shelves, faced & fronted the store & did the merchandising. I enjoyed that it was in the evenings, and I didn't have to leave my kids home all day. I was presented with the same opportunity again a couple of weeks ago, but this time in a different dept. I'll have the same "hours," the same boss, the same job. I decided that when the girls started school, I'd no longer be watching children. It's going to be less than time & cost effective.

Now, don't get me wrong. If a daycare charge fell into my lap that was under school age, I'd likely care for them. I don't see that happening. One of my stipulations, and the one everyone seems to have a problem with, is that I no longer wait until the end of the week, pay period or month. I've been ripped off 3 times by 3 different families, and I'm out over $100. I figure if they're not willing to pay me up front, they're not willing o pay me at all. I say this because it's not like they have to have $200 up front for a full week or 2. I am ok with them paying up front on a DAILY basis. That typically only runs $20-25 at the most.So, anyway, it will be nice to work for this lady again. I did the math. I can earn more after taxes in less then 1/4th of the time that I do with one daycare charge.

Seb & Hubba have spent this past week in hunter safety classes. They were going from 6-9 M-F & then they did the shooting range Sat. morning 8:30-11:30. They are both now certified to "hunt safely." I'm so proud of both of them. Hubba got 100% on his final test. The instructor said that he's only the 2nd *man* that has scored 100%. Women apparently breeze through the test & scoree 100, but men don't typically score 100. Seb on the other hand got a 96%. PHENOM for a boy his age (even if that's only MY mom opinion, LOL). Next year, we want to sign Tris up for the classes & Kee the following year.

I asked Hubba to get a couple pics at the range. These are taken under a cover with a cell, so the picture quality isn't great (ok, it downright sucks). Here are a couple of Seb:



A friend of ours will be taking Seb hunting this year, even if Hubba can't always go. We're all pretty excited about this new chapter in our life.

I'm also praying for a HARD freeze in our bodies of water here. This past winter, we were supposed to go ice fishing (myself & aforementioned friend), but the water didn't freeze hard enough. If we get a hard freeze, we're aiming to do it this year!

Otherwise, life is good. The animals are doing well, the garden is ding well, all things considered.

God is a wonderful God!!

A little update

Still can't find the camera cord, but lately we have been so busy. We've been gardening, raising chickens & rabbits and doing all sorts of other things around the mini-stead. Since May 23rd, our downstairs still hasn't been the same. Most of our things from down there are still in the garage. Instead of bringing it in, we decided this would be a good opportunity to finish it. It's been drywall since we moved in almost 2 years ago. We've had a friend over showing us how to properly drywall & tomorrow we are hoping to get the bulk of it done. Today was spent moving things from the big room, hanging plastic & removing hardware from the walls.

Anyhoo, I'm hoping my cord shows up soon, so I can show you all the neat things we've been doing.

Be blessed!

As soon as.....

I find my camera cord, I'll be blogging about the things we've done so far to prepare for this next school year. :D

Reusable canning lids bulk order "co-op"

Some of you have heard about the Tattler reusable canning lids. The more you order, the cheaper they are (in a bulk order of 500 or more). Is anyone interested in ordering these & how many would you want? Here's what I want to do- You tell me how many you want, I'll get a tally after a week or 2 (deadline TBA, depending on if there's interest) of how much they'll be & ship them to you for the total cost of the lids & Tattler's shipping + shipping & handling from me to you.

After I find if there's interest, I'll place an ordering deadline. Once we reach that deadline, you will have 1 week to get your money to me. I will accept immediate pay via paypal & I'll accept well-concealed cash & money orders via snail mail. I will NOT accept e-checks nor will I accept mailed checks. I'm looking to have these ordered by the end of July, which means orders & payment in by then.

Filipino Chicken Adobo

I found this recipe on a forum I was a member of quite some time ago. It is delicious served with rice. I like to double the sauce ingredients so we can ladle it over the rice.

3# chicken thighs
3 crushed garlic cloves
3 bay leaves
peppercorns (about 12-15, your preference)
1 c vinegar
1 c water
1/2 c organic soy sauce
2 T sugar
S&P to taste

Place chicken in a heavy bottomed pan. Add remaining ingredients. Cover & bring to a boil. Turn heat down to medium/medium-low. Simmer til liquid has thickened, and chicken is cooked. Remove bay leaves, & serve over rice.

Seminoe Reservoir, N Platte arm & beautiful Wyoming scenery & sky

April birthdays

Yup, way late posting this. Tris & Hubba's birthdays are the end of April. Here they are opening their pressies.

Yu-gi-oh cards from the brothers

Indiana Jones stuff from Meema

Nice shirt from Mamaa

And his own pick from Mom & Dad- fishing pole & a filet knife

Hubba got cards, money & a book. The book was from his Mom.

Kahlua

I am blessed. I have awesome Mom & Dad in-laws. Truly, I mean that! I emailed my Mom in-law a couple months ago. Several years back she shared a homemade kahlua recipe with me & in between lots of moves it got lost. So.... I asked for it again. Here's the email she sent me. I did change *names of the family members* she mentions:

I can't believe I found it! It had addresses on the back of where * Jane, Joanne & Sam* lived 30 years ago.

Here you go!

Kahlua (I'm not sure if that is correct)

3 Cups Water

3 Cups Granulated Sugar

10 Teaspoons Instant Coffee

4 Teaspoons Vanilla

1 Quart Vodka (Cheapest you can get)

Bring water, sugar and coffee to boil. Simmer 1 hour. Cool to room temperature, add vanilla and vodka.

Easy as pie!

Enjoy

Love,

Mom

See? I told you she rocks!!

Thank you Hunt's brand!

I had heard that Hunt's ketchup had gone back to a HFCS-free ketchup. While in the store a couple days ago, I saw it with my very own eyes. I'm very excited about this. While I know that Hunt's ketchup is still not the perfect food (neither is the organic stuff that's processed), this is one of our "compromise foods."

If you enjoy a HFCS-free diet, or you like ketchup, please send Hunt's an email showing your appreciation!
I did:

"I wanted to thank you for going back to a HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) free product with your ketchup. I had been buying organic ketchup, as in my area, it was the only ketchup I could find with no HFCS. HFCS-free foods are extremely important to our family. Thank you so much for making this change. We will be able to purchase Hunt's ketchup & do so more affordably now that we don't *have to* buy organic."

My week long "internet sabbatical" in review

"A sabbatical is a period away from your normal routine - a time to immerse yourself in a different environment, a chance to see your life from a different perspective"

This past week I have taken time away from the internet to refocus & play a little game of catch up. I did get online each day to check emails, as that's how my jobs are doled out & how I head up the food co-op & homeschool group. I went into this week knowing that there was no way I could catch up 100%, but I wanted to begin.This is only part of the week. I have another post lined up with more pics & more stuff that we did. I also plan on catching up on more stuff over the weekend & & next week.

After the year I've had, I have gotten so far behind in...... well, everything. My home has taken a hit. Our homeschooling has taken a hit. The garden, the animals & "homestead" projects.... all have taken a hit. As a friend of mine said "it's been an armpit of a year."

So, I decided to shower my year, add some deodorant & pray for the best......Here is my week in review:

We spent Monday at the lake with some people we know. I think I found a true & good friend. They also helped BIG time when we had the sewage flood. I got burned horribly on my lower shins. We had fried chicken & chips & cake, and we fished. The kids got to go 4-wheelin'! It was a blast!



I got my bathroom back on Tuesday..... The sanitation crew came & took their last 3 fans & the dehumidifier



More importantly, I got my bedroom back!!! I love my bed!

I made another batch of mayo. This stuff is the bestest!

I used the delicious mayo to make a batch of coleslaw

I made a batch of homemade spaghetti sauce

We enjoyed that sauce with pasta, spinach salads & watermelon....

I started a batch of kraut in my new-to-me glazed crock. I got it for 2 bucks at a yard sale last weekend!

I made time to enjoy some hot tea. Mmmm.... Madagascar Vanilla Red.....

We played Uno

I did lots & lots of laundry. The good news is- I caught up from the sewage flood we had.

I fixed the gate to the chicken run

We enjoyed some DELICIOUS hard boiled eggs from the backyard. Oh.my.yum!

We watched the puppy play. We played with the puppy. We laughed at the puppy. We even had to get on to the naughty puppy some.

The joys of having a St. Bernard..... We vacuumed lots of fur..... lots.

I got sunburned twice. In the same place on my body..... YOUCH!

The bestest..... We had brotherly love.

We enjoyed many breakfasts & lunches together. Usually, I don't eat at the same time as the kids, so we tend to miss out eating together (except at dinner). This was one of the best parts of my week


I made kefir cheese

We had BBQ ribs in the crockpot


We did a lot of dishes..... A.lot.

I got to go to a "pre-yard sale" sale at a friend's house. We got some books & a rug, and a pair of shoes for Kee to grow into, and this (I have wanted one of these for ages!):


I made chocolate syrup


And I rescued my dairy kefir grains from the fridge


I rescued my sourdough starter from moldy neglect, only to find out..... it didn't work :-(


I made Amish Friendship Bread. Instead of mixing & baking, I allowed it to soak for 7 hours, just to see if it's work. I didn't get a pic because it went that quickly. Oops. Yeah, it worked!


I enforced some child labour


But we got the walkways dug & the garden beds raised. That aforementioned boy ROCKED!!!




I finished 2 of my recycled lilac limbs trellises


We planted bean plants & bean seeds, pepper seeds, squash plants & seeds, carrot seeds & I covered the corn plants again.

After going to the lake, the poor Uplander was in dire need of some TLC. We vacced & wiped & scrubbed the inside of that baby..... Sand, dirt, puppy fur be gone!

We tormented the poor little kitty. OK, no we didn't.


We fed the puppy a.lot. Another joy of having a Saint puppy.

I finally filled the pepper shakers. No more pinching it from the tub & then **OOPS** touching our noses. HAHA!!!


We tried a new recipe for pancakes..... RYE pancakes. Oh yummy!

I'm hoping to get back to blogging more. I'm aiming for at least once a week for now, so if I do that, expect longer picture-heavy posts. I hope you've enjoyed this one!