Mother's Day Weekend

PART I

Mother's Day at the farm. Saturday afternoon the kids all gathered for the afternoon and made dinner for me. We spent the day outdoors because the weather was perfect. The guys worked on the boat and went to check their jug lines. The girls stayed home and played with Ms. Princess, and cooked. We rounded out the day by giving haircuts on the porch and playing baseball in the front yard.

We took a ton of photos, but I'll just share a few...

Her first Mother's Day

Opening a gift card from Cold Stone Creamery, Mr. B thought it said "Cold Stone Cemetery"!

My extended kids! 7 + 1 Grand!

3 Generations

Gifts for Mother's

Undercover Princess

See Ya'll later!

 PART II

I love mom!

Mom of two!

Pictures for Great Grandma

"A" great cast!

Her first Mother's day - wearing her Mother's Day shirt!

C showing T how to get the job done!

He loves his mom too!

P isn't holding his mouth right!

This is where the fun happens.

With this many fisher-people, someone is bound to catch something!

We fish.

Kitty!!

Standing around.

We're cute!

First visit to the pond.

This is how you hold your mouth when you fish.

But he didn't and look what he caught.

Dock fishing.

Catch and release.

It took all day but he finally caught one!

Father and son...and cousin.

Got a fish!

Father and Son fish.

Square Foot Garden

As promised I'm going to continue in my new garden adventures and try my hand at square foot gardening. The idea is simple, a raised bed that you plant in square foot plots. I started by doing a lot of research through Pinterest (is there any other way?). I pinned several sites and read lots of blogs and then decided to just dig in....get it? dig in...oh that was bad.

Mr. Hubster built a frame for me (well, he put three sides on - in case I want to expand it later). Mine happens to be 5 ft by 10 ft. BUT, in the future they will only be 4 feet wide, I learned the hard way! It's not easy to reach the middle for me at 5 feet, so make it easier on yourself and stick with what you can reach. Four feet if you can walk all the way around the bed, or just 2 feet if it's against some sort of structure.
We layered cardboard in the bottom of the frame to deter those pesky weeds, and rocks that grow so generously around here. Then we filled it in with some black dirt/compost mix. I got my dirt free, so I got to use what I had, I think I would go with a screened mix, this one still had some sticks in it. They will still decompose, no problem, but just not as smooth looking as I would like.
I then took about 40 pounds of a compost/manure mix and raked it into the surface of the soil.

Time for a water break! Keep yourself hydrated, and while your at it, give your garden a little drink too. You don't want it muddy, just moistened up a little if it's dry. 

Phase 2 - Make the grid!

I took some long roofing nails, big hammer and tape measure out to the garden and measured off 1 ft sections, placing a nail along the frame at each foot. Leave it just in far enough to hold it tight, and leave sticking up to help hold the string for the grid.  Now it's time to string it up. I searched for our roll of string, but I didn't find it, so I used yarn. 

My son helped me run the string. We had fun throwing the yarn ball back and forth. Just wind it around the nails a few times and go to the next one. We did it all in one continuous string line, I guess if  you wanted to stop and tie it off on each nail...but why?
Next....I would have done this step next if I had the forethought, but I learn better from mistakes, so I did this after everything else was done....but for you...I'll let you in on it now!
This is completely not that necessary, but I tied a short string at each string junction. Partly to hold it in place and I'm a little obsessive over details!

Now it's time to get planting. I had already decided what I wanted to plant and made a plan. I drew it all out on paper and took the paper out with me. *Side note....I also did a little research on companion plantings, I wanted to make sure I planting plants together that will be happy, not unhappy (who knew?)

Since my garden was so wide, I chose to plant things up the middle that will be easy to handle later, onions and garlic right now. I left 10 blocks on the open end without anything in them, they will be for pepper plants later. It still needs to warm up a bit here. 

This is my watering set up. I just took a soaker hose and ran it through the grids. This is another, wow, it would have been easier to do this first...or possibly bury it....but....I didn't, so it's actually tied in place with some yarn. I gave it a good 30 minute soak.....and then the next day we received 4 inches of hard rain!! When the plants start coming up they may be all mixed together and radishes with carrots and lettuce with beets....who knows. It was a LOT of rain! I'll update when they start coming up.

The other section of a raised bed sort of garden is my strawberry pool. I took our old little plastic pool, and we gashed some holes, well, some more holes, in the bottom. A good layer of straw topped off with more of the black dirt and compost. I then planted my strawberry plants and since I had some soaker hose left with nowhere to go - I wound it up in the strawberries.

I promise some updates as things get growing around here. I hope this works...because Mr. Hubster is not convinced it will, so I must prove to him it will!

Living Fenceposts

I'm going to shake it up a little bit in my garden. I've had a garden for 25 years now, so it's due some tweaking. Thanks to Pinterest, and who doesn't love Pinterest?, I have spent the past several weeks studying on various garden concepts. There were a couple that caught my attention that I got serious about. Square Foot Gardening and Living Fenceposts. I didn't want to make too many changes at once and overwhelm myself. So I'll just take you on a little walk through my garden and do a little show and tell.

Let's start with the Living Fencepost - cool name!

 This is what the finished project looks like. Now, I'll tell you what I did.

The night before planting, I cut the potato sets and let them scab over. I have never done this to potatoes before, but I'm trying to follow the directions I had read. I also kept all the potato sets at least golf ball size. Once I had my potatoes cut I just left them out all night on the kitchen table. What I read about pre-preparing the sets this way is that it helps prevent potato rot. Sounds good, right? We'll see.

I got the husband and sons to help me prepare the "post". They took a large fence panel and rolled it into a circle. They could have used woven wire, or similar material. The main thing that is important is that the straw will be supported.  Once you have the post prepared it's time to start making it "come alive!"

Add about 10 to 12 inches of straw into the post. Then make a "bird nest" and hollow out a little of the center and push up a little taller around the edges. Fill in the nest with pure compost. My recipe said to use straight compost that contained no manure, but, it was hard to find, so I ended up with a little mix of manure compost. I hope it doesn't jinx me! Then grab a hose and water, water, water. You want it completely wet/soaked.

The next step is simply to plant the potatoes. Put your potatoes sets around the perimeter facing the eyes out towards the straw.

Add about 6 to 8 inches of straw and start repeating the layers. Straw - compost - water - potatoes, Straw - compost- water - potatoes. Easy! When your post is full or near the top you can plant a top layer. Some grow other plants in the top, but I just went with more potatoes. The top layer I planted potato sets all over, not just around the perimeter. I put about 5 inches of straw on top of the last layer. Grab your hose again and give it all a very thorough watering.

Hopefully in a few weeks, it will look something like this:

This photo was borrowed from the site I gleaned most information from for my fencepost.

Urban Farmers of Seward

I might add that the quest for pure compost motivated me to start my own compost pile. I used a round bale ring that was just sitting in the barn lot and started throwing in some rotting logs, straw, newspapers, grass clippings and vegetable scraps from the kitchen. The main rule I have is, no animal products (with the exception of egg shells). I watered it all down and now I wait, a long time, but it has to start sometime!

Mmmm Mmmm Good!

We have a "go to" meal around here, it requires a little effort and a little time, but not much in the way of ingredients, so it's an easy fix with the cupboards are bare! Around here, the cupboards seem to be bare all the time! I call it Chicken and Noodles, but my husband calls it soup - you know, po-tat-o, pa-tat-o. I got the recipe from my mom. It's one of those home comfort foods. I don't know that I remember eating it much as a kid, but I remember my kids eating it and asking her to make it often. Grandmothers will do anything for their grandkids! Okay, let's start with the recipe and then I'll tell you my secrets! I triple the recipe, but you don't have to, unless you have an army to feed like mine!

Chicken & Noodles

2 TBS butter, softened (I use the real thing baby!)

2  eggs

1 tsp. salt

1 1/3 cup flour

Chicken stock 

2 chicken breast or other chicken

2 ribs celery 

2 carrots

1/2 med onion

bouillon if desired

1 TBS parsley flakes

* If you are making your own chicken stock (which I do), then do this first. If you are using premade chicken stock - skip this step.

Step 1: The stock

In a large stock pot add 2 cubed skinless, boneless breasts and about 4 quarts of water. Set on med high. Meanwhile, take the vegetables and prepare them. If you want larger pieces of vegtables you can slice the carrots and celery,(note: I love to add some of the celery leafy tops) if you have some picky kids that you want to force some veggies in, then run them through the food processor. Add to pot. At this point you can season with salt and pepper if you desire, or add some bouillon for a stronger flavor. Personally, I love the Tone's Chicken Base from Sam's Club - it's way better than bouillon! Let this come to a boil and then lower it to a simmer while you prepare the noodles. 

*You can also use "stewing" chicken and boil and debone, then add back to pot. I usually save the frames from turkeys or roasted chickens and put them in the freezer. I plop that into my pot and make broth a lot! You'd be surprised how much chicken is still on them! Enough for soup for sure!  My other tip...speaking of leftover turkey - If you don't want to freeze the frame, you can boil the frame in a very large pot - covered with water. I will make turkey broth. I strain it and put in mason jars. Sometimes I put the jars in a boiling water bath for about 20 minutes to seal and store in my pantry, other times I will use those plastic canning jars and put them in the freezer. Instant broth when I need it and no peeling those little cubes! One turkey frame will yield about 6 - 8 quarts of broth!! And yes, I interchange turkey broth with chicken broth all the time!

Step 2: The noodles

I use a kitchen aid mixer. If I didn't have it, I would be handicapped!  In the mixer bowl add the butter, eggs and salt. Using dough hook attachment add about 1 cup of the flour and mix until combined with the egg and butter. Then add the remaining flour and mix until it's all combined. If it's dry and crumbly, add a little water about 1 TBS at a time. If it's very sticky, add a little more flour. 

Here's my super tip for rolling out any kind of dough. Use a flour sack tea towel to roll on. I wish I could take credit for this, but a very sweet lady from my church taught me this, and it is valuable information!!! I fold the towel in half and sprinkle with flour. I don't end up with sticky mess on my counters and I don't have to use near as much flour. I use this on anything that requires rolling out!

On the floured towel, turn out your noodle dough. (When I triple this recipe, I roll out one third at a time). Pat it into a disc and then turn it over and sprinkle top with a little flour, just so things aren't sticky. Roll, Roll, Roll and then roll some more. It will seem like it's not flattening at all for a while, but trust me, it will, keep after it! I roll until it's very thin, about 1/16" maybe. If you like thicker noodles like dumplings, then don't roll so thin. They do "fluff" up while cooking. When you have this rolled out, you're ready to cut the noodles. There's two ways to do it, Mom rolls hers up like a jelly roll and then slices it with a knife into noodles, then unrolls the strips to dry. I'm a rebel and I leave mine rolled out flat and take a pizza cutter to it to make thin strips, zoom, zoom, zoom, done! I then separate them a little by picking them up and dropping them on the towel. Then gather the corners of the towel to make a little hobo bag and give them a little toss. This coats the cut edges with flour so they don't want to stick together. Either way, spread them back out on the counter (I leave mine on the towel) and let them dry at least 20 minutes. (If I'm using boned chicken, this is when I go to the pot and debone it and put the chicken back in the pot).

Step 3: Cook the noodles

After your broth is ready and your noodles are dry, it's time to cook the noodles. Bring your broth to a good boil. You want to try and maintain a boil, but not too hard. I take my noodle hobo bag over to the stove and very slowly add noodles a little at a time. By a little I mean, two or three at a time. If you dump the whole mess in there you end up with just that, a mess! Watch out because that leaping, boiling broth will splash up on you and it hurts! Give the pot a stir after about each fourth of the noodles. Just to make sure they separate and none are stuck together.  Once you have all your noodles in the pot start timing. I make thin noodles so about a 10 minute boil is enough. If you make thicker noodles adjust the time. Give it the taste test to see if they are done. Add some salt and pepper and the parsley just before serving. I like to thicken the broth with a  little cold water and cornstarch slurry, but that it totally optional. 

Enjoy!!

Easter

I love Easter. Not only because I love candy, and holidays, and traditions, but because Easter brings promise. The promise that spring is coming very soon. Most importantly, the promise that we can have new life. No matter how old we are, how bad we think we are, our nationality, there is nothing that can take away  that promise, we must only accept it.

I'm talking about the gift that Jesus Christ, the Son of God offers. The simplest gift every given, but so many refuse to receive it. The truth is, none of us are worthy of that gift. But once we realize that he offers the gift of eternal life based on our faith and not our actions, we are then ready to partake in his gift. 

The Holy Bible tells us , "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23.

 Focus on "all", no one is exempt here, we've all sinned, and we all fall short. But we don't end here, God loves us with such a big love, that it can't be contained, or limited. 

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

Imagine, sacrificing your own son for any reason. I have two sons, and the thought of losing them is beyond my comprehension. But God's love for us is so big, and so true, that He would allow nothing to separate us from Him. He wants our company. We are that important and special to Him. 

Let's talk about sin. Such a small word with such a big meaning! Most people understand that sin is something bad that we do or even say. There are infinite sins, or ways to sin. A sin is anything that in contradictory to God's plan for our lives. Most have heard about the Ten Commandments. Some would look at them as rules or "shalt nots". The list is more a plan for life. It's a good place to start if you want to know what a "sin" is. (Exodus 20). There are no degrees of sin, sin is sin. It's a sin to take the life of someone and it's a sin tell a lie, there are no differences in the sin. The truth is, sin is what separates us from God, so God sent his only Son, born as a man, to take the place of that sin. Jesus Christ, took our sin and lived it out and took it to the cross. He did this all for you and me, and everyone. 

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23

Eternal life, spending life living forever. Spending eternity in the presence of God. Heaven, the place of perfection. In contrast, eternal life can be spent in hell. In a perpetual state of turmoil, pain, fear, sadness and suffering. We imagine heaven as living on a cloud, strumming a harp and floating around on white feathery wings. It's the most beautiful place imaginable. And God is there waiting for us, we only have to be willing to accept Him. It doesn't matter what we've done in our past, He already knows anyway. He loves us unconditionally.

It is so easy to accept this gift from God. He only asks that you believe and accept it. 

"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13.

It's very simple. If you haven't ever received this gift of salvation and would like to have eternal life with God in heaven, you can do that today. There are three simple steps. 

Admit you are a sinner and in need of salvation from God

Believe that Jesus Christ, the only Son of God took your sins and died on a cross because He loves you so much. 

Choose to trust Jesus alone for the forgiveness of your sins. 

If you are ready to accept Jesus and would like to know how to pray and ask for his forgiveness, I'm including a small prayer model for you. You simply pray the prayer to Him sincerely. 

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.

I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.

Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved.

Thank you Jesus, for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself.

Thank you, Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.
Amen.

   

If you just said this prayer and you meant it with all your heart and you have repented for your sins, we believe that you just got saved and are born again.  You may ask, "Now that I am saved, what's next?" First of all you need to get into a bible-based church, and study God's Word. Once you have found a church home, you will want to become water-baptized. By accepting Christ you are baptized in the spirit, but it is through water-baptism that you show your obedience to the Lord. Water baptism is a symbol of your salvation from the dead. You were dead but now you live, for the Lord Jesus Christ has redeemed you for a price! The price was His death on the cross. May God Bless You!

I would love to hear from you if you have accepted Christ today. I am praying for you now. If you would leave a comment below, I will continue to pray for you by name. 

 

Peep Show!

Well, that's a real show stopping title if I do say so myself. And it's true, I'm doing a blog post on a peep show, but not in the traditional sense. My peep show has to do with homemade peeps! Those gooey birds of goodness that we used to only get at Easter time. Now we can get them for most every holiday, but when I was a kid, I couldn't wait to get those yellow, sugary sweets in my Easter basket!

Sometimes, I like to find crazy, hair brained ideas and make things that have forever been only "factory made" In fact, sometimes this is done out of necessity! Today I went on a quest for "how to make peeps" I scrolled through Pinterest until I finally found a recipe. My response, "Challenge accepted!"

The recipe was pretty much ingredients I already had on hand. I only had to make a grocery store run for the unflavored gelatin. Here's the recipe:

Homemade Peeps

1/3 c. cool water

1 pkg unflavored gelatin

1 cup sugar

1/4 c. water

colored sugar

Put the 1/3c. cool water in large mixer bowl. Sprinkle unflavored gelatin over top of water and set aside for at least 5 minutes (or while you prepare the rest of the mixture). In a saucepan add 1/4 c. water and 1 cup sugar. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Boil and stir until temperature reaches 238* on a candy thermometer (soft ball stage). Pour over gelatin and start mixer. Mix on med high until soft peaks are reached, about 8 to 10 minutes. 

Put the fluffy cream mixture into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe a long oval for the body and then build up a head and pull forward for the beak. Do this on waxed paper that has a little sugar sprinkled on it.

 After you have piped your peeps sprinkle the colored sugar over them to cover. For eyes, dip a toothpick in black or blue food coloring and dot the eyes with the toothpick. Easy peasy!

I had the cutest little helper!

Okay, I would say that it was a mostly successful venture! The homemade peeps taste sooo much better than the store bought variety! Even my little grand-daughter thought so! I did learn a few things to remember for next time. I will share them with you, just so you won't have to wear the "Why didn't I do ...." hat! 

1. Have EVERYTHING ready before you get started! The marshmallow mixture sets up pretty quickly and you don't want to waste any time with it!.

2. Use the biggest decorator piping bag you can find! I used the largest one I had and it only held about half of the mixture. As I messed with the first batch, the second batch set up and couldn't be piped. Instead of throwing it out, I left it white and dropped spoonfuls into white sugar and wrapped them in waxed paper. I'm calling them "Bunny tails" instead of peeps. 

3. Use a bigger decorator tip. My peeps are about half size, but it was the biggest that I had on hand.

That's it, I hope you enjoy my little peep show! Have a blessed Easter with those you hold dear to you. Easter is my favorite holiday because it celebrates the total and complete love of Christ. His great sacrifice for us and our horrible, sinful selves.