Don't forget your New Year's dinner. 

Black eyed peas, turnip greens, and hog jowl. 

A lot of people substitute cabbage for turnip greens and that's fine.  Green and leafy for money, peas of any assortment for coins, and hog jowl (eating high on the hog). We use fat back.  Some substitute bacon and I figure that's fine but it's eating mighty low on the hog.  Although with the price of bacon these days if you can afford it on New Year's I suspect that's a sign of prosperity!  Lol! 

Happy New Year from the Gray Family!

One Last Look Back

In reflection…..

　

2011 was a year of firsts. The first year of mom being in the nursing home, the first Thanksgiving without her at the table, the first Christmas without her here, and the first birthday without her calling. It was a tough year for me.  I don’t want to go back and start it over. But I did learn from it. Both about others and myself. Some good and some bad; some weak and some strong. I learned that the ‘Be Aware” wasn’t just about being aware of others as I’d thought. It was also being aware of yourself and what you do to impact others. I succeeded sometimes and I failed miserably most of it. I take some small consolation that I realize where I failed in hindsight. That, at least, means I have grown to some slight degree.

On to the next……


I’m ready for the new year. I’m ready to look ahead and move forward. Last year we were aware of where we are, now lets look ahead to where we are going.

One step at a time, bit by bit, and day by day.

Moving forward in 2012!

Recipes will return next week! 

Thanks for your patience and the time off!

Love to you all!

34 Today!

Where has the time gone?

Update

Hope everyone had a great Christmas weekend.
　

Last week leading up to Christmas was a bit hectic. The week started off with a power failure. The power was off for about an hour and a half. Seems there was trouble with a transformer in the area. Due to that most of the digital projects I had in mind to accomplish got tabled instead. It was just as well though, for I stayed behind all day. I just couldn’t seem to catch up no matter how hard I worked. I stayed busy and the day passed faster than I would have liked.

Monday evening we brought out the grinder and ground most of the deer he got over the weekend.

Tuesday was spent making fudge and pecan logs for Charlie to take to work.

I got up at three on Wednesday morning to make cinnamon rolls and sausage balls for Charlie to take to the guys at work. Fifteen minutes in and elbow deep in rolling sausage balls the power goes off. We lit the coal oil lamps and two eyes on the stove and I went ahead with making the dough. The sausage balls went into the frig to wait until the power came back on. I can use the eyes on the gas range if I light them with a match but the oven works strictly off of power.

The power finally came back on at 5:30 just in time to pop the rolls in the oven. I was thirty minutes later than I had planned but the rolls made it and everyone seemed to enjoy them.

If we had a wood cook stove complete with an oven I wouldn’t have been late at all. Just goes to show how dependant we are. There’sa something to be said for those living off grid.

After we dropped the food off at hubby’s work, Zach and I went for a mother-son breakfast and had a great time. We then went shopping for a few odds and ends. I enjoy his company so much. I know I’m partial but he IS a great kid. We get along more like friends most of the time whether that’s good or bad is yet to be seen. But the lady that waited on us at breakfast did remark on how well mannered and polite he was. Made me proud. I preened like an old mother hen!

Thursday was a miserable rainy day but also a perfect opportunity to finish up a few things around the house before the holiday dinners and guests.

Friday I went to visit Mama and take her presents to her. The throws turned out better than I thought they would. Now to see how well they hold up to being laundered in industrial washers and dryers. Doesn’t matter though, they were a joy to make.

When Charlie got home on Friday he worked on the wood shed. 

First he took off the back tin. 

Then used it make a lean-to roof.  Then we stacked the wood from the side under the new lean- to.

The neighbor's horse came over to see what we were doing and beg for a nose scratch. 



I had to work on cheese logs for the dinner at his mom’s on Saturday and then sat back and waited on Christmas to arrive after that.

Christmas was very good to us this year. I received insulated bibs and jacket for working outside this winter. Zach got a set too. The guys got me a night gown (I needed that) and dishtowels ( needed those too), and for my birthday, a coffee percolator to use on the wood stove. ( now I can have coffee even if the power goes off this winter - love that!)

Me in my new bibs moving wood from one pile to another.  Love this pic because Buddy is climbing on the wood pile.

Zach got lots of goodies. An air soft gun and target, he’d been eyeing them for a while, a new style nerf gun, a new radio charger for his iPhone and a new cover for his iPhone. Plus a new XBOX game. One that he can play with his dad.

Zach opening a present with Buddy opening one at his feet

For Charlie we got a book by his favorite author and a 54 disc set of a favorite tv show of his.

Plus he picked up new gloves and new pants last week all that counts for Christmas. And we put lots of chocolate in his stocking.

The cat got treats, the big dog, Bowie, got bones and a toy, and Buddy got a toy and chew bones and thought every other present was his too. For the rest of the day when you rattled paper he came running to see what he got this time.

It was a very nice Christmas. A beautiful day with the sun shinning.

This week is going to be busy. Chuck took the week off and we are wanting to knock out a lot of things that need doing around here.

Tuesday is my birthday but we will celebrate it on Wednesday since I have a doctors appt then. They’ll take me out to eat afterwards.

Daddy is giving us his wood stove. So we have to go pick it up this week. And possibly get it installed into the shop.

There is a shed to extend and more wood to chop and a wall to finish in the mudroom. Plus having to trim out the door into the stove room. I’m sure Charlie will want to work on tanning that deer hide and hewing out his boards in there some where.

I'll try to post when I can this week. 

Hope everyone has a great week and a safe New Year. 

Until next time.......Kristi.

Blessings from The Grays

Charles, Kristi, and Zach

Say What?

Drilling a hole in his arm? 

Things Off the List

I spent last week working on things I’d been putting off. It wasn’t the most pleasant week ever but I got a lot of things completed that had been bugging me.

Price list updated
Contact list updated
Pictures sorted
Plastic bags made into plarn ( don’t worry I’ll explain later)
A few new recipes completed
Craft patterns printed out and filed
Christmas food grocery list completed and purchased
Autumn decorations put back in storage
Leaves put in compost
Outdoor rug started
Food storage list inventoried and updated

Charlie completed things off his list as well

Made kindling box
Moved last stack of firewood to side of shed and tarped
Top shelf in mud room installed
Rain barrel top cut off
Brought home more meat for the freezer
Got started on tanning a hide
Started hewing boards for misc. projects

Hope to have pics up later this week.

Counting down the days until Christmas!

Have a great day…Kristi.

A Just 'Cause Post

The socks were hung by the wood stove with care,

Hoping they would dry in the warm, cozy air.

It Shrunk

Leaving the sawmill with kindling.

Stacked up nice and neat.

It looked like a whole lot more in the back of the truck.

( By the way, this is my 300th post.  Thanks for making that possible.  I wish we could celebrate with a give away but Gray Days just isn't big enough yet.  Maybe in the near future.)

Christmas Goodies Continued

I had planned to separate the following recipes into two weeks but that would be putting us down to the wire and you might be able to use some of these now. 

I decided to gather up recipes that I've made in the past for Christmas parties.  There isn't any rhyme or reason to them.  They are just lumped together.  Hope you enjoy!

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Turtles

14 oz caramels

2 1\2 Tbsp. Evaporated Milk

2 cups chopped pecans or peanuts

Combine caramels and milk in microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2-2 1\2 minutes stirring frequently. Add nuts and mix well Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Freeze for 2 hours. Melt chocolate almond bark in microwave according to pkg. directions about 2-2\12 minutes. Add shortening to bark according to package directions.  Dip in chocolate and place on wax paper to cool. About 3-4 dozen.

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Pay Day Balls

1\2 lb melted white chocloate coating

1\3 c. peanut butter

1\2 c. marshmallow cream

melted caramels for dipping

chopped peanuts

Mix together first 3 ingredients. Roll in logs or balls. Freeze. Dip in caramel and roll in peanuts.

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Bon Bon Chocolate Covered Cherries

1\4 c. softened butter

2 lbs powdered sugar

1 can condensed milk

jar of maraschino cherries

Mix together. Form into balls, place well-drained maraschino cherry in center of ball. Chill well. Freeze before dipping in chocolate. Best if left to sit for a week. These taste more like the store version if left for several days to sit and let the cherries release more juice in the centers.

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Easy Fudge

2 sticks butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla

3 Tbsp cocoa

1 lb powdered sugar

1 c. peanut butter

walnuts (opt)

Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer. Pour in 8x8 pan. Place in refrigerator for 20 minutes. Cut into squares.

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Bon Bons

8oz cream cheese

8 cups powdered sugar

3 tsp vanilla

1 1\2 c pecans

1 c butter

Chocolate Almond Bark

Mix, make into balls and dip in chocolate almond bark.

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Sausage Balls

1 lb hot sausage

1 lb cheddar cheese, shredded

3 c. baking mix

Blend all together. Roll into balls. Place on cookie sheet ungreased 325* for around 15-20 minutes until light brown. Freezes well. (24-36 balls)

　

Recent Projects Completed

I finally got Mama's flannel lap throw finished, all snipped, and edges frayed. One side is yellow and the other is pink.

The guys got the new handles on the wheel barrow. One of the old ones broke.  They replaced both to be safe.

The doggie door is in place.  Who knew the most difficult part of the whole project would be getting the dog to actually use it.  (He's doing better now)

Charlie installing a block and tackle like he fixed for the woods.  This one will be handy for afternoon hunting.  If it's getting dark in the woods, he can bring it home and process in the shop.  Just spread some plastic on the floor and you're ready to go.  They actually got to try it out over the weekend.  A friend gifted Charlie's dad a deer and Charlie helped his dad process in our shop. 

One other project I completed was that I got my Christmas gifts wrapped.  I didn't do in my traditional manner with the Christmas movie playing in the background.  I did however do it in the bedroom floor behind a locked door and a nervous disposition.  But they are wrapped that's the important thing.  Now about that movie....................

Until next time....Kristi.

Back Again

First of all, thank you for allowing me to have off the last half of last week. I needed that time to practice cooking on our wood stove. Plus learning the temperament of it. We are slowly coming to accept one another in a begrudging sort of way. For instance, instead of calling him Mr. King as I once had, I took to calling him Miss Scarlet for his haughty disposition. He apparently resented that. But we have compromised. I no longer resort to name calling and he tries to accept the fact that I actually am quite fond of him. Seems like he is beginning to realize that and he is starting to feel useful once again.
As long as I feed him, he tries to please me, so we are coming along in our relationship. ( that last line sounds a lot like marriage doesn’t it?)

I didn’t spend my whole time away just feeding the fire. I declared Wednesday an anti-procrastination day. I spent it trying to finish up projects I’d been putting off. I finished the flannel lap throw for Mama. I was to the point of sewing it together last month when I decided to add a few more strips to make it longer. It would only take just a few minutes to add three strips on each side but I put it away instead. To sit in the closet and gnaw at my peace of mind for the next month. I hate when I do that. Have I learned nothing from my soap box preaching on here? But it is complete all except for the snipping all around. And I’m not putting that off, it’s just going to take several days to get each one cut. My hand can only hold out for about fifteen minutes at a time.

I’ve also been putting off wrapping Christmas presents. My tradition is to usually pop in The Preachers Wife and have a marathon wrap session but I haven’t had any alone time and wrapping my son’s presents while he is here is an adventure. I can lock myself away in my bedroom to wrap them as I’ve had to do in the past but I can feel him trying to see under the door the whole time. I’ve also been reluctant to wrap them because then I get the twenty questions per day…. PER DAY! Things like, “how much is the most expensive gift or which box was the most expensive or I’m just going to shake it lightly ok?” . All these are necessary questions in trying to determine what is in each box. Though he knows the fun is in the waiting, it’s the same thing every year. So this year I’ve been acting like I haven’t even went shopping for him yet. Like I just haven’t had the time. And I have just slid under the wire because every time I turn around his dad is telling everyone we are finished with our shopping! Sometimes men are truly the enemy. It’s like a conspiracy to make life difficult for the women folk then they smile and wave as they exit the rubble to go hide out at work. Gives us plenty of time to think up ways to nuke their little behinds too! (smile) ‘Tis the season for giving! Bwahahaha!

I spent a little time being sick earlier in the week. Chills and achy and that was after the sinus shot. Can I just say they should have you read and sign a waiver with those things? I mean it’s like they are packing Quik-Rete in those syringes. I drug my leg around for the rest of the day. It felt like there was cement in my shoe. AS the day wore on I was calling out, “Save yourselves! Go on without me just leave me a little food and water if you can spare it. “

And that was after I got home. Never mind having to take the thing in the first place. Now I’ve had shots in the hip before but this was something unlike anything I have ever experienced. She tells me to take all the weight off that leg then you’re going to feel a little stick. I’m thinking ok yeah there’s the stick, not so bad. What she failed to say was the stick is going to be the good part. When she started squeezing the medicine in, the leg that was holding me up started to give and I’m crying out in my mind “ She’s taking on water boys! We’re going down! " But then in the next instant it’s all over and my breathing is returning to normal. I turn to take two steps to retrieve my jacket and of course I start out with my now lame leg and thousands of pins and needles are spreading in my hip and heading for my sitting cheeks. I stop in mid sentence and grab my hiney and start doing Lamaze breathing techniques all the while trying to remain dignified in front of this nurse, who, by the way, is looking at me as if I am the first to ever experience any of this. Yeah right, save it sister! Needless to say I had to start my sentence over.

I kept waiting for them to stop me before I got out the door because there’s no way someone can drive in this condition. But no they all just smile pleasantly and say have a nice day. I know good and well they were peaking through the blinds and watching me load my leg into the vehicle with both hands. And probably placing bets to see if I could drive out of the parking lot or not. And yep you guessed it. It was the accelerator foot attached to that leg.

Any way we made it and I survived but I am convinced that shot had no healing qualities other than to make the sinus problems seem minuscule in comparison.

Until next time…….Kristi.

Christmas Goodies Part 1

It's already that time of year.  Can you believe it?

Time to start preparing for Christmas dinners, parties, and pageants. 

That means food and lots of it.  I always prefer to think of candies and finger foods and cookies this time of year.  One reason being we just got over the Thanksgiving feast so who wants to do the whole huge production of a groaning dining room table all over again.  I say smaller foods that are faster to eat that way we get to the presents faster!  (where are our priorities?)  :)
Over the next few Wednesdays we'll cover some Christmas goodies that hopefully will help you in your menu planning.

First up this week, things to eat with crackers and chips.  The dip recipe can even be eaten with veggies such as celery sticks. 


Note: These cheese logs can be shaped in several different ways.  A rolled log to be sliced and served on ritz crackers, or flatten the roll into a rectangle, slice, and serve with club crackers (my fav way),  or roll into a ball.  The ball isn't my favorite choice because the servings in the center of the ball get cheated out of the chili pepper and paprika mixture that give it the extra flavor.  But any way you choose to serve it,  you're sure to get compliments. 

Cheese Logs

1/2 lb bacon, cooked and chopped (best way is to run through food processor or mini chopper,  believe me it's easier to shape and to slice if you do)
Garlic powder to taste
1/2 lb cheddar cheese ( buy the shredded and then run through food processor to make really fine)
8 oz cream cheese softened
6 oz pecans, finely chopped or pecan dust makes life a whole easier

Mix good then roll in equal parts chili powder and paprika.  Makes 2 rolls.  Wrap and refrigerate.  I like to make these a day or two ahead.  Let's the flavors mix and the powder coating soak in. 
See note above on shaping logs.

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Chicken Buffalo Dip

2 (8oz) packages cream cheese
1 (10 oz) can chunk white chicken, drained
1 cup ranch dressing
1/4 cup hot pepper sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
crackers, chips or celery sticks for dipping

In casserole dish, microwave cream cheese on medium power  2-3 minutes until softened.  Stir in chicken, dressing, hot sauce and 1 cup cheddar cheese.  Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.  Microwave on high 2-4 minutes or until hot and bubbly. 

(I like it better cold the next day, but that's just me)


Happy eating!

Kristi

Last Week

Some notes from last week:

Charlie saves his hinged lid Altoid mint cans and gives them to a friend at work. His son uses them to store his little collections of interesting things. This past week Charlie, Chuck to everyone else, received this thank you note.

So cute!  

And talented. Notice the Angry Birds character on the right?

Love it!

It is currently on display located on the frig.

*******************

Also had to cut more wood while we had nice weather. But it is deer season around here and tromping through the woods can be a health hazard if not careful. Too bad we forgot to drag out the flare orange. Luckily Charlie had a vest and a boggin in his truck and his chainsaw is orange. It was a very mild day and wearing the boggin got hot very quickly. So Zach took the vest and I ,with the help of a scrunchie and clips, attached the boggin to my bun and it worked out well.

 

I tried to take a pic but it’s difficult to see my trend setting hair switch! ;)

It was a beautiful day.  Hard work but beautiful.

Until next time.....Kristi.

Mud Room

Lots of things going on around here lately and the blog has suffered. It was one of the first things to be put on the back burner and I apologize. Hopefully things will settle down once we get this mud room finished. 

Here are some pics of the progress.

(Not only will this be a mud room but it also houses the wood stove.)

I'll post pics of the inside after we get the shelves  up and things in their proper places. 

Have a great day!!

I can make a mess with the best of them!

Quick and Simple Recipes

You're probably expecting recipes that use up leftover turkey or chicken, but I figure you are tired of even hearing those words uttered. 

So........a few quick and simple ground beef recipes today. (smile)

Homemade Rice-a-Roni

 1 lb ground beef
1 med. chopped onion
1 cup rice
8 oz spaghetti, broken into 1 inch pieces
4 Tbsp marg or butter
4 cups broth or water and bouillon
Salt and Pepper
Shredded Cheese optional

Brown beef and onion in a large skillet.  Drain.  Brown rice and spaghetti pieces in marg.  Add in beef, onion, and broth.  Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender and spaghetti is fully cooked.  Season with salt and pepper.  Can be put in casserole dish and topped with cheese.  Bake in oven until cheese melts.  ( Or just sprinkle with cheese in skillet ) 

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Vegetable Beef

Cook a pound of ground beef with onion and bell pepper and garlic.  Season with salt and pepper.   Add in a small can of vegetable soup( yep the cheap stuff, even the one with abc's if you like) and simmer until thickened.  Really good!   



Happy eating!!!

And happy last day of November!  (already?)

Sustainable Laundry Thoughts

I have been contemplating alternatives to the washing machine lately.  We've been kidding about getting a wringer washer.  Only kidding because finding one that is in decent shape is next to impossible.  I noticed an article on a bicycle powered washing machine and that piqued my interest more than a little bit.  Exercising while getting your clothes clean?  I mean that is multitasking at it's greatest!

We had a front loading washer and it used very little water but used more electricity.  We then went back to the top loader and immediately the change was noted on the water bill.  They do take less time and electricity to run but waste more water. 

I thought maybe if I had a rain barrel I could use buckets of it to start the wash cycle then it would fill up to rinse off the meter as normal.  That would at least cut my city water usage in half. 

Just tossing ideas around right now but I happened upon the article below that I thought was interesting.  I had heard of using the plunger method before but never had anyone give the results of such a process.  It will be nice to see how well this works and what problems they come up against and the solutions they find to solve them. 

To read the article click below:
Going Sustainable With Laundry

Again just thinking of ways to be more self sustaining in the event I have to be.  Don't get me wrong I love convenience but I don't want to get to the point that I rely on it and panic without it.

 Oh well, there is always the stump and laundry paddle to fall back on.  One man stated that there wasn't a stain anywhere that could stand up to his grandma and her paddle! 

Until next time......Kristi.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin Part 2

If you will be venturing out for the holiday deals immediately following turkey day please be safe. Be careful not only of all the traffic and irate shoppers but please be mindful of your surroundings at all times especially if you will be out during the very wee morning hours. Remember not only shoppers will be out at that time. Take a buddy with you or try to stay with a crowd while walking to your vehicle.

From our house to your house……Happy Thanksgiving!

Now on to the food!

　

Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Filling

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup pumpkin

1 teaspoon lemon juice

¾ cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon ginger

½ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon salt

Filling:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

4 Tbsp butter or marg

1 cup powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla

In large bowl, combine eggs and sugar, beating with an electric mixer until thick and light yellow in color. Add pumpkin and lemon juice, mixing until blended.

In separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, spices and salt. Add to egg mixture, mixing well. Spread batter into greased and waxed-paper lined 10 x 15 jelly roll pan. (large cookie sheet with sides)

Bake at 350* for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool for 15 minutes. Place cake on clean tea towel sprinkled liberally with powdered sugar. Cool 10 minutes longer. From 10 inch side, roll cake up in towel. Set aside.

 While cake is cooling in towel, prepare filling. Beat together cream cheese and butter; stir in powdered sugar and vanilla and blend until smooth.

Unroll cake. Evenly spread filling over cake. Roll up cake and wrap in plastic wrap. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Slice before serving. Keep leftover slices refrigerated. Roll freezes well. Slice before freezing then take out only the amount you need.

Note: I’ve found that you can’t dust too much powdered sugar on the towel or any thing for that matter that the roll might stick to.

Some say don’t even attempt to unroll before it has cooled, rolled up in towel for twenty minutes otherwise it will crack. Some say the less time the better. I’ve made this by the recipe several times and have had great results and then again had some crack so bad that a 4 wheel drive couldn‘t get out of it.. It probably depends on mixing times and cooling times and weather and PMS and whatever else you want to throw in there! My advice to you is if it cracks then don’t serve it in log form. Go ahead and slice it before anyone sees it and then you can always claim it happened on the way to the table! Cracked or not, either way it tastes delicious! Even less than die hard fans of pumpkin like this dessert.

　

　

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Pumpkin Dessert

1 can (15oz) solid-pack pumpkin

1 can (12oz) evaporated milk

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 package (18-¼ oz) yellow cake mix

¾ cup butter or margarine, melted

1-½ cups chopped walnuts or pecans can be used

Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream

In a mixing bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Transfer to a greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with dry cake mix and drizzle with butter. Top with walnuts. Bake at 350* for 1 hour or until knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream. Makes 12-16 servings.

Good Morning, Freedom!

We've tried our hand at different ventures over the years. We have called ourselves many things. Tightwads, frugalists, former spend thrifts but one thing we have never uttered....self sufficient.


Enter Mr King.

Our first small, yet major, step toward self suffiency.

Isn't Mr. King stunning?

He certainly feels freeing.

Good Morning, Freedom!

Just A Note......

Busy, busy weekend with lots of running.  I'll try to be back on track tomorrow, but not to worry, Wednesday's recipe will post as normal.

 Have a great day!

FYI: Dollar Tree Deals

Dollar Tree had a few great deals that I noticed and wanted to share with you.

32oz Lemon Juice for $1.00, that beats Save-a -Lot's price of $1.99 for the same size. (32oz) A savings of .99 cents!

Black Olives $1 verses $1.29 at Save-a-Lot.  Not a significant savings but a good buy if you're there already. 

They also have large size spices right now, ( 2oz)ginger and nutmeg.  Our local supermarket has the Sauer's 1oz ginger and the 1.12oz nutmeg on sale for $1.98 this week.  So not only larger size but  .98 cents less at Dollar Tree. 

Just a few good buys I noticed and wanted to pass along.

Have a great day!

Pumpkin Part 1

With Thanksgiving coming up, I thought I'd dedicate the next two weeks to pumpkin.  First up is my favorite pumpkin pie recipe.  I think I got it off the back of a can of pumpkin almost 15 years ago and I've used it ever since.  The older versions, the one's made with evaporated milk,  tend to be kind of bland in my opinion.  This one uses sweetened condensed milk and individual spices that give it plenty of favor.  Please remember that pumpkin is full of fiber, so eat in moderation.  (Uhh hmm...Charlie)

Pumpkin Pie

Makes 1 (9 inch) pie

1 (15oz) can pumpkin  (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
Topping optional

Preheat oven to 425*.  In large bowl combine all ingredients except pie crust; mix well.  Pour into prepared pie crust.  Bake 15 minutes.  Reduce oven heat to 350*.  Continue baking 35-40 minutes or as directed for topping if using. If crust starts over browning then cover edge with foil. If knife inserted 1 inch from edge comes out clean, it's done.  Cool. Can garnish with whipped topping if desired.  Store in refrigerator. 

Topping:

In medium bowl combine 1/2 cup packed brown sugar and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour;  cut in 1/4 cup cold butter or marg until crumbly.  Stir in 1/4 cup chopped nuts.  After pie has baked 30 minutes at 350* sprinkle evenly over top.  Bake 10 minutes longer. 


Someone gave us a tator pumpkin last year.  I cooked it up and stored it in ziplock bags in the freezer in 2 cup portions.  Last time I made the above pie I used my home cooked pumpkin in place of canned and that made up more than my pie shell would hold.  I ended up with about 1/2 cup left over.  Instead of throwing it out or saving it to add to pancake batter ( because I knew I'd forget about it and have to throw it out anyway.....)  I got to wondering what would happen if I put it in a batch of brownies.  Only one way to find out. They turned out pretty good.  Kind of chewy pumpkiny brownie bar.  Anyway here's the ingredients. 

Pumpkin Brownie Bars

1/2 cup of above seasoned pumpkin batter
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350*.  Melt butter in pan in oven.  (9 x 9)  Combine ingredients, then add in butter once melted.  Mix well.  Pour in pan and bake about 30 minutes. 

(I didn't add eggs since there were eggs in the pumpkin batter.  If the batter seems a little dry to you, add an egg. )


Next week in pumpkin:  Pumpkin Roll
                                        Pumpkin Dessert

Until next time.......Happy Eating!

Full Circle

A lot happened last week and over last weekend. We sold Mama's trailer and got it moved out. Now the spot looks empty, like it's waiting on something to take it's place. I'll be glad when we can get the dirt work done on it and make it mowable in the places where it isn't and make it more mower friendly in the places that need it. Below are pics of the whole moving process.

Front and back of trailer before we started getting it ready for travel.

First, the back porch and ramp had to be taken off.

The deck minus the roof being moved.

Part of the ramp waiting at the side of the driveway.

Underpenning off and axles and wheels put on. 

Starting to move.

Headed up the slope and onto the road.

Waiting on the highway.  You can see the empty spot in this picture.

Starting down the road to it's new home.  We wish them well.

Thanks to all that helped to get it on it's way.  My father-in-law, for the use of his equipment and expertise.  My mother-in-law, for the company.  B and B Movers, for the great job they did getting it out without a scratch.  And to the new owner, Brandi, and her dad, Mr. Jones, for the hours they spent over here as well. 

To new beginnings.........Kristi.

November Update Part 1

Lots of things in updates this week so I divided it into two parts. So not to bore you to tears in double time this time! :) First up I made two loaves of bread this week. It was so good! I have always chickened out on making bread. It used to be that I was intimidated by using yeast. But through the years I started making things that took yeast, cinnamon rolls, doughnuts, and pizza crust, and had success on them. But white bread was still my Mt. Everest. I couldn't have asked for a better first batch. I'm not bragging, don't mistake what I'm saying. I'm saying it with excitement, disbelief and a little awe. This week I'm thinking that I'll only make one loaf and make rolls out of the rest. I'll let you know if it works.

Zach's birthday was Thursday.  I made him a cake, a sheet cake, I know I'm a terrible mother, it isn't even fancy or decorated and he had to put the candles on the cake himself.  But it's what he asked for.  He wanted white on white so he could share with the dog since we would be celebrating his birthday also. 

While fixing the batter, I decided to make the dog his own cake instead of giving him a slice of Zach's.  So I saved out a little batter and put in my smallest cast iron skillet.(  about 6 inches in diameter.)  Then we put icing on it and for candles we cut a Pup a Roni dog treat in half and stuck in the top. 

Yes, I know, the dog's cake looks fancier than my sons.  Like I said I'm a terrible mother, but I make up for it by being a good dog owner.  (smile)

One of his gifts.  A nerf water blaster.  He also bought a new scooter with some of his bday money.  Plus we took him out to eat at his restaurant of choice....O'Charley's.  He came away with a new video game as well.  We had a lot of fun shopping in town together.

Zach trying his hand at splitting wood. 

We had toyed with the idea of heating with wood.  It was going to mean adding on to the house and purchasing a stove. So the idea got scrapped until his father started talking about adding on to their house and making a wood stove.  That set Charlie to thinking and now it appears we are going to start our addition pretty soon.  We have decided to go ahead with the room because it will serve as a mud room (something I have always wanted).  Then we can add the stove later as we find a used one or Charlie can find the time to build us one.  In the meantime, we came across free wood and took advantage of it.  A tree had fallen across his uncle's field road and we offered to help him move it, so he gave us the wood.  Yay!  Remember the rule:  cheap is good, free is better. 

This isn't all of it, but this is what we had at the end of the first day.  One whole row and almost half of a second. 
This kind of stuff is exciting to me.  It reminds me of my childhood, going to the woods with mama and daddy to chop wood for home.  Good thing I married a man that enjoys it too!  ( since he had to split it all)

Hope you have a nice week...........Kristi.


Tomorrow, update number two-moving the trailer.