Gardening: A Family Affair

I am so thankful that my children love to help with the vegetable garden. This year we have had a bumper crop of green beans. To date we have harvested 46 quarts. Most of these we have canned. One of the joys of having a garden is eating the produce fresh, so we have enjoyed a few meals with fresh green beans. I am running out of space on my canning shelves so I believe it is time to start sharing our bounty with family.

Here is my beautiful daughter Bethany helping pick. Her favorite part is breaking the beans.

Nothing says Summer like S'mores

One of our families favorite things to do is sit around the firepit. We talk, sing, laugh and you guessed it....eat s'mores. Once cooked to the desired doneness–black and crispy, barely warmed or somewhere in between–they are quickly smooshed between two graham crackers with a piece of chocolate.

So how do you like to roast your marshmallows?? Over an open fire, the flame from a gas stove, over a barbeque grill, or maybe a chafing dish? Whatever your method is, nothing says summer like s'mores!

Blue Jean Quilt

We all have old worn out blue jeans and if you love frugal living you will love this idea! Why throw them out when you can recycle them into a denim quilt! Even the novice sewer can make this. It can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. They are warm and durable. They are great for picnics and camping. Teenagers love it and if your child is wanting to learn to sew this is a great project for him or her.

All you need is alot of old denim jeans, shirts, skirts etc. Decide on the size of square you want and start cutting. It is easiest if you have a rotary cutter and mat. After cutting you are ready to start sewing them together.

I chose to sew the wrong sides together with about an half inch seam allowance. Then I clipped the raw edge seams about every 1/2 inch.

Here is my finished quilt. Be sure to use the back pockets off of your jeans too! It really gives it a neat look and the kids love the idea of putting things in the pockets!
I made a few pillow shams since I decided to use it as a bedspread.

The Joy of Canning

I grew up around canning, but it was not until I was an adult that I came to know the true joys of canning. There is something about planting, growing, harvesting and preserving that gives me an inner feeling of satisfaction. In my early adult life I canned tomatoes, salsa, pickles and jelly using the hot water bath method. I stayed away from pressure cookers. When I was a child I thought a pressure cooker was a time bomb getting ready to explode and I carried that fear into my adulthood. But as the old saying goes wisdom comes with age. My journey into pressure cooker canning began by asking family members about it, then one summer I helped my 80 year old adopted grandmother can green beans. I still had no desire to own a pressure cooker or attempt it by myself but I was warming up to the idea. I had someone offer me a pressure cooker and I turned it down. Oh, to go back in time. I now live in a place where I can have a larger garden, so last year I asked my mom to teach me how to use the pressure cooker. I found it such a joy to learn from my mother. As she was teaching me, there was a time that I asked her "Why do you do it like that?" Her answer was simple "Because that's the way my mother did it." It was in that moment that I realized a legacy was being passed down. I look forward to the day when I can teach my children to use a pressure cooker. When they ask me "why" I know just what I will say. But for now, they volunteer to help and when the jars are taken out they try to guess which one will seal first. I can't help but join in the game.
Now don't you want that same incredible sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and creative fulfillment from putting up your own food as I get. Go ahead try it! There's nothing to be afraid of!

A Sunflower Day

Planting Sunflowers in my garden is a must. Each year when I pick out my precious vegetable plants and am trying to choose the right seeds I can't seem to pass up sunflowers. I usually grab at least 2 packages and on the outer edge of my garden I plant a row of sunflowers. They are so easy to grow. Just put them in the dirt, cover them up and forget about them. But you won't forget about them for long. Their beauty will catch your attention on those hot days of summer. It seems like when everything else is wilting and drooping from the hot summer sun the sunflower stands tall and vibrant. Every time I look at my sunflowers a smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. I think about how the Sunflower turns her head towards the sun every sunrise and follows the light till each sunset, then it does it all again the next day. Oh how I want to be a sunflower. Keeping my eyes upon my heavenly Father, following the Light each and every day and for that reason alone being beautiful.

Maybe you have fond memories of tall yellow sunflowers that you planted as a child. Next year grab a packet or two of seeds and rediscover the joy they brought you those many years ago.

Free DVD for Homeschoolers

The History Channel is getting ready to air a series called America The Story of Us. It premieres this Sunday (April 25'th) at 9/8 central. It is a six week event that provides a fascinating look at the stories of the people, events, and innovations that forged our nation.

The History Channel is offering this DVD set FREE to every school in America! And guess what?!? That includes Homeschoolers. To get yours CLICK HERE fill out the simple form before July 1'st and you will recieve your completely free copy (even free shipping) by August. Just in time for the new school year.

Baking Day

Me and my daughter Bethany had a baking day today. I just love spending time in the kitchen with my girl. Not only are we making memories but it is part of training her for her role as wife/mother that if the Lord willing she will one day have.

First we made bread. We used the American Sandwich Bread Recipe again. Dakota is wanting me to try some other bread recipes so I am in the process of searching for the perfect recipe to try next. One thing that I am also wanting to try is homemade cinnamon rolls. Today's bread turned out very good and I think I am starting to get the hang of this. It wasn't even lopsided this time.

While our bread was rising we tried a new cookie recipe.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chippers

1 Cup creamy or chunky peanut butter (we used creamy)

1 Cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

3/4 Cup milk chocolate chips

Granulated sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350

2. Combine peanut butter, brown sugar and egg in medium bowl until well blended. Add chocolate chips to the dough; mix well.

3. Roll heaping tablespoons of dough into 1 /12-inch balls. Place dough balls about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

4. Dip table fork into granulated sugar. Press sugar-coated tines of fork in crisscross fashion onto each ball, flattening to 1/2 inch thickness. Repeat dipping fork into granulated sugar to prevent it from sticking to dough.

5. Bake cookies in middle of oven until set, about 12 minutes. Led cookies stand on baking sheets for 2 minutes. remove cookies with spatula to wire racks; let cool completely. Store cookies in airtight container for up to one week.

I have tried other peanut butter cookie recipes before but this one took the cake....or would that be cookie.

Knowing my family like I know my family, I knew this would not be enough cookies to last us through the night, so we also made a batch of our favorite - Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Whether you want to say "good job" "congratulations" or just "I love you" cookies say it best. So grab an apron and go make a batch for your family.

I don't want no rock to cry out in my place.

I WILL bless the Lord, for HE is worthy!!

And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen.

Saying, Blessed be the King that commeth in the name of the Lord, peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.

And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

Luke 19:37-40

Chocolate Lasagna

This is an online copycat recipe of Olive Garden's chocolate lasagna that they no longer make. There are a couple of variations you will find but I like this one because it is the easiest. Tip: a cake slicer makes cutting the layers super easy. Mine is from "Wilton" I found it at Walmart in the craft section with all their "Wilton" products. Also: Duncan Hines brand cake mix did not turn out as well the one time I tried it

Chocolate Lasagna

1 18.25 oz box devil food cake mix
1 1/4 c. water
1/3 c. oil
3 eggs

Buttercream Frosting

1 1/2 c butter - softened
4 c. powder sugar
1/4 c. milk
1/2 tsp vanilla

also needed: 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate - cut up in tiny pieces

Preheat oven to 350 deg.
1. Make cake following instructions on box. (Use box ingredients if different from above)
2. Generously grease 2 round cake pans; bake cake and cool completely.
3. Make frosting- whip the soft butter with mixer at high speed. Add two cups of the powdered sugar, mix well, then add remaining powdered sugar. Add 1/4 c. milk & vanilla, then mix on high speed 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
4. Slice through cake making a total of 4 layers.
5. Frost between each later gradually increasing amount of icing as you near the top...after frosting sprinkle each layer with semi-sweet chocolate pieces.

Store in the fridge...set out to room temp before you eat...or pop in the microwave (one slice at a time) just a couple of sec's to take chill off

Snow much Fun!!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! And it has! We have had plenty of snow this year for sled riding, snowman building and any other snow time fun you can think up. One special treat my family likes is snow cream. All you need is:
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
large bowl of snow (about 3 quarts)

Blend milk, sugar and vanilla. Stir in enough snow to make snow cream into an ice cream consistency.

There are many variations for snow cream. For example you can substitute canned cream or whipping cream instead of the milk for a heavier flavor. You could add Nestles Quik or cocoa for a chocolate snowcream. You could add a beaten egg for a nog taste. Eat it plain or add your favorite toppings - you know your family's tastes.

The most important thing is to ALWAYS - ALWAYS make sure the snow is clean. It takes at least one to two hours for snow to clean the pollutants from the air, then use only snow that has fallen after that first cleansing snow. It also goes without saying(but I will anyway), make sure you don't collect the snow where animals have been. Cleanliness first. Stress that with the kids, because this is a treat even the younger ones can make for the whole family.

Here are some pictures of the snow family that me and Bethany made this year.