Wednesday, July 31, 2013

{Th} read

This week I have two books I'm reading.
And they're my own books - not borrowed from the library or a friend. 
I can't even remember the last time I got a new book,
and in a week's time I got two. :-)


The first book was a gift from my secret sister at church.
In the note attached it said that it was one of her favorites.
I've finished the first two chapters and I am really enjoying it so far.
The setting is on a farm in 1931. :-)


Hidden Places by Lynn Anderson

The best part of this book, though, was the bookmark that came with it!


So pretty!  I just love it.


The other book I'm reading, I just got over the weekend, when we went to Houston.
I got to spend a few minutes in one of my favorite places to "window shop" -
I just drool over everything in there.  
And, I also wonder what kind of folks can afford most of the stuff they sell.
On this visit I got a chuckle over a $20 jar of frosting.
$20!!  Granted it was cute packaging and it looked yummy, but still. ;-)


Chicken and Egg by Janice Cole

There are always a lot of really nice cookbooks to look at Williams Sonoma.
I spotted this book last fall and thumbed through it.
This time it was on a clearance rack for 1/2 price
so I snatched it right up. 
It's a memoir of chicken keeping with lots of recipes included.
I think I'm going to like it a lot!

As far as crafting goes - this week I started a blue baby blanket 
for a nephew due in late November.  
I've made this particular blanket before
and it is definitely a "thinking" project,
meaning it takes a lot of counting and full concentration.
I was a little unsure if I should tackle it right now
seeing that my lazy days of summer are swiftly coming to an end,
and I will be a busy girl as soon as school starts back.


But, you know what I did?
I looked at the pattern again.  The blanket is 229 rows long.
I simply divided the number of rows by the number of days I had to work on it 
in order to be finished by the end of November. 
 I quickly realized that even if I only knitted 3 rows a day 
I could still be finished with it by the middle of October! 
 Looking at it that way made it seem SO much more doable.  


And aren't so many things like that??
Something can seem so daunting when faced with the big picture,
but when you break it down and just do a little bit each day,
one foot in front of the other as they say,
all of a sudden it doesn't seem so bad.

Finishing a project, loosing 10 pounds, saving for a vacation, reading a book,
cleaning out a closet, etc...

It's all easier if you just break it down and take it one step at a time. 

So whatever you're facing right now, just put one foot in front of the other
and before you know it you'll reach your destination! :-)

And, isn't it the getting started part that is the hardest? ;-)
As all knitters know that is definitely the hardest part of knitting.
The first few rows are always tight and hard to knit,
but after you get going it's much easier. 
I would say that's probably true for most things...



Sunday, July 28, 2013

He's still here...

Blake Shelton, that is,
the "accidental rooster"
who was named Miranda Lambert the 2nd 
until he started to crow. ;-)


Taylor Swift and Patsy Cline the 2nd are almost always right beside him.
They are a little pack of three and if I see one of them,
the other two are usually very close behind.


So far he hasn't turned mean.


In fact, he seems to be being bossed around 
right now by the Ameraucana, Carrie Underwood!


He is really getting big.  It's amazing how much bigger he is than the hens.


I do keep my eye on him, though.
I don't entirely trust him and 
I watch my back!


He's only a little bit crazy. ;-)

Menu Plan


Supper Menus
July 28th - August 2nd

Sunday
leftovers

Monday




Tuesday




spicy romano chicken

Wednesday




beef and broccoli stir fry

Thursday
leftovers

Friday
company over for pizza, salad, dessert and games

Saturday
leftovers

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Update on the Baby Calf


The baby calf has been here a week today
and I am happy to say that he seems to be doing well.
He hasn't wanted to take a bottle with milk replacer,
but he is eating sweet feed happily.


Either on his own or of out of my hand. ;-)


He's drinking and sleeping well and learning to chew his cud.
I even heard him moo a little this afternoon!
He seems really interested in the other animals also.
He's always watching the chickens, LuLu and the dogs and cats.
It's so cute!


But, the most encouraging thing about his behavior 
is how hard it was to get this picture of me with him.
Last week I was petting and scratching him like you would a dog.
That worried Mr. H. because you really shouldn't be able to do that to a cow.
I told him it was because he was missing his Momma, 
that he was going to grow up really tame after being here with us, 
how I'm a cow whisperer, etc, etc! ;-) 


Well, it was really just because he was weak and not strong enough to show his displeasure.  Haha!  
I was so happy today when he was acting ornery, 
NOT wanting his picture made with me,
 and showing me just how much stronger he's gotten!  Yay! :-)

And he has a name now.
My daughter named him, "Uno" - the first cow. :-)

More the Merrier Monday



From The Farm Blog Hop



Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Heritage Schoolhouse Button


Yay!  I made a blog button.
(With only the teensiest bit of help from Mr. H. ;-)
I am feeling so techno savvy.
But, now my brain is so tired that I'm headed straight to bed. :-)


You can grab the button from my side bar.
Please feel free to add it to your blog if you follow 
Heritage Schoolhouse. :-)


Peach Scones with Cinnamon Glaze


I love peaches.  I love scones.  
Why have I never made peach scones? :-)


Peach Scones with Cinnamon Glaze
8 servings

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2  teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
5 tablespoon butter, chilled
3 peaches, pitted, peeled and chopped
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla


Preheat oven to 425°.  Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Fold in peaches.  Stir in milk until just combined.  Sprinkle flour over work surface and pat dough into a flattened circle.  Separate dough into 8 triangles and place on parchment line cookie sheet.  Combine egg and water.  Brush egg mixture over scones.  Combine cinnamon and sugar.  Sprinkle over scones.  Bake at 425° for 20 minutes.  Remove scones from cookie sheet and allow to cool.  Combine powdered sugar, cinnamon, milk, and vanilla.  Drizzle over scones and enjoy!


Wise-Woman-Builds

More the Merrier Monday

From The Farm Blog Hop


Monday, July 22, 2013

A Bucket List :-)

I didn't do a 30 before 30 list, or a 40 before 40 list and I don't think I could come up with (or do!) a 50 before 50 list.  So, I thought I would just make myself a bucket list of things I'd like to do.  Yes, most are probably pie in the sky, buy hey, if you're gonna dream, dream big. ;-)  If I had the time, funds, and opportunity these are things I truly would like to do one day.  What would be on YOUR list? :-)


tour the english countryside
swim with the dolphins
go on an overnight trail ride
ride in a hot air balloon
climb west spanish peak
go on an african safari
camp on a beach
hike cinque terra
snorkel at Grand Cayman
visit all of Texas' state parks 
(I have a friend that is currently sharing her texas state park adventures!)
visit all of the US's national parks
write a homemaking/cooking/country life book

Fajita Chicken Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing



4 servings

ingredients needed -

for the fajita chicken
juice of 1/2 lime
1 1/2 tablespoons oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 jalapeño, seeded and minced
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 pound boneless chicken tenders, sliced into strips
1 tablespoon oil
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1/2 onion, sliced

for the cilantro lime dressing
juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup cilantro
4 tablespoons oil
2 tablespoon vinegar
1 garlic clove
salt and pepper to taste

for the salad
romaine lettuce 
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1 avocado, diced
2 ounces cheddar cheese, cubed
4 tablespoons sour cream


Combine first 8 ingredients in a bowl.
Add chicken and marinate on counter for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile prepare the dressing.
Combine all dressing ingredients and pulse in a blender.

Divide lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and cheese onto four plates.

Heat one tablespoon of oil in a pan over high heat.
Brown chicken over high heat.
Reduce heat to low, cover chicken, and continue to cook until chicken is done.
Remove chicken from pan, increase heat to high,
add peppers and onions and brown over high heat.
Reduce heat to low and continue to cook peppers and onions until softened.

Top salads with cooked chicken, peppers, onions, a dollop of sour cream, and dressing.

Enjoy!


Wise-Woman-Builds

More the Merrier Monday

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Menu Plan

Supper Menus
July 21st-27th

Sunday
leftovers

Monday


fajita chicken salad with cilantro lime dressing

Tuesday



mandarin chicken salad with sweet and sour vinaigrette

Wednesday



summer sub sandwich

Thursday



farm fresh pasta sauce

Friday


mashed potatoes
fresh green beans

Saturday
out for supper

Linked to Menu Plan Monday

~Sunday Afternoon Sweetness~


What do you do on a Sunday afternoon when the whole 
family is quietly napping and some much, much, much needed
rain is falling on the roof?


Bake some soft sugar cookies of course! :-)


Soft Sugar Cookies
makes about 3 dozen

3/4 butter, softened
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375°.
Cream butter, cream cheese, and sugars.
Add egg and extract.
Blend flour, baking powder and salt.
Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture and combine until soft dough forms.
Roll out dough and cut with cookie cutter.
Bake at 375° for 10 minutes on a parchment lined cookie sheet.


Frosting
for 3 dozen cookies

1/6 cup butter, softened
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/8 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
food coloring

Combine all ingredients and mix until smooth.


I often like to sandwich the delicious frosting in between the cookies.
This makes it easy to package up some cookies to give to friends.



More the Merrier Monday

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