The Ladies

     My "ladies" (chickens) have started laying eggs.  I am SO happy about that!  Today, I wanted to share with you some of the ways that I care for my chickens.  I hope this will be useful information to you.

5 Ways To Care For The  "Ladies":

1.)  Let them roam around the yard during the day.  They like to explore and eat bugs.

2.)  Feed them lettuce from your garden.  They like to each a small bunch of lettuce every day.

3.)  Check on their water often.  Chickens need clean, fresh, cool water frequently.  In the summer, their water gets really hot so put some ice cubes in their water dish.  In the winter, their water can freeze so make sure that they have access to thawed water at all times.

4.)  Put flowers in their nesting boxes.  They like it!

5.)  Clean their food & water dishes often.  Chickens are messy and they poop everywhere, all the time.  I use vinegar mixed with essential oils in a spray bottle to do this.

Jambalaya

     This dish is hearty and freezes well.  If you decide to freeze it, do not add the rice until you thaw it out.  Have a blessed Sunday!

Jambalaya:

1/2 c chopped onion
1/2 c chopped celery
1 1/2 T salt
1/4 t pepper
dash of Tabasco
8 c water
1 whole chicken
1/2 c green pepper, minced
1 T minced garlic
1 lb sliced smoked sausage
2 c diced tomatoes
2 c rice
3 c chicken stock
1 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 T sugar
1 1/2 T Worcestershire sauce
1/2 t thyme
1/2 t Cajun seasoning

Combine chopped celery & onion, salt, pepper, Tabasco & water in a large saucepan.  Bring to a boil. Add chicken & cook until done.  Skin & debone (reserving the stock, celery & onion).  In a large pot sauté onion, pepper, garlic & sausage.  Add chicken, celery & onion.  Mix well.  Add tomatoes, rice 3 c chicken stock, salt, pepper, sugar, Worchesterchire sauce, thyme & Cajun seasoning.  Simmer 20-30 minutes.

Strawberry Bowl

     This is a simple recipe to use strawberries.  I make it as a side to go along with dinner.  You can use other kinds of fruit or berries but, I prefer strawberries.  My daughter really likes this recipe with whipped cream on top but I prefer to eat it without.

Strawberry Bowl:

1 carton sliced strawberries
1/2 c roughly chopped pecans
1/2 c chopped dates
sprinkle of cinnamon
whipped cream

Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl.  Serve with whipped cream if desired.

Buttery Crescents

     I got this recipe several years ago from a dear friend of mine.  It is one that they use in their family for holiday gatherings.  It turns out delicious every time that I make it.  Have a blessed weekend!

Buttery Crescents:

1 pkg yeast
1/2 c warm water
1/2 c warm milk
1/2 c butter
1/3 c sugar
1 egg
3/4 t salt
4 1/2 c flour

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water.  Add milk, butter, sugar, egg, salt, & 2 c flour.  Beat & stir in enough flour to form a soft dough.  Place in a greased bowl & let rise 1 hour.  Punch down the dough.  Divide the dough in half.  Roll each half into a circle & cut into 12 wedges.  Roll up and place on a greased baking sheet.  Cover & let rise 30 minutes.  Bake at 375 degrees for 12-14 minutes.  Brush with melted butter.

Digest zen

     Over the weekend our family went to see a movie in the theatre.  It was a treat for us because we don't go to the theatre very often.  My daughter LOVES popcorn!  She ate a lot of it while we were there.  On the car ride home she said that her tummy wasn't feeling well.  I talked to her about listening to your body when it tells you that you are full.  By the time that it was time for her to go to bed she was still complaining that her stomach hurt.  I rubbed fractionated coconut oil and five drops of digest zen on her stomach (Doterra essential oil).  Within minutes she was feeling better and she slept through the night.

Yummy Summer Salad

     I like to eat a lot of salad when the weather is hot.  My husband calls salad "chick food".  He is not a fan of salad but every once in a while I can get him to eat it.  The recipe that I am posting today came from a picture that I saw in a magazine.  It looked delicious so I thought that  I would try to duplicate it (with a twist of course).

Yummy Summer Salad:

1 honey dew melon (cut into bite sized pieces)
1 bunch of dark green lettuce (torn)
1 c blackberries
1/2 c feta
sprinkle of cinnamon
1/2 c chopped pecans
drizzle of honey

In a large bowl mix together the melon & lettuce.  Gently stir in the blackberries & feta.  Sprinkle with a tiny bit of cinnamon and drizzle with honey.  Top with pecans.

Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate

     I am going to stick with the strawberry theme today and give you the recipe for strawberry lemonade concentrate.  You can mix this concentrate with water, ginger ale, sprite, vodka, etc.. and serve it over ice.  I take a mason jar with concentrate and an empty mason jar and pour half of the concentrate into the empty jar.  I then fill both jars with water (or whatever you want to use) and ice.  Serve with a straw and an umbrella if you are in to that sort of thing.

Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate:

6 c strawberry purée
6 c sugar
4 c lemon juice

In a large stock pot, add purée, sugar & lemon juice.  Stir well.  Heat over medium high heat to 190 degrees.  Do not boil!  Skim off the foam.  Pour the concentrate into jars & process 15 minutes.

Strawberry Muffins:

     I bought a 15 pound bucket of strawberries this week.  I have been canning jam and strawberry lemonade concentrate and I still have strawberries left.  Today, I am going to make some muffins.  I thought that I would share the recipe with you.  Enjoy!

Strawberry Muffins:

1/2 c. butter
1 c sugar
1 egg
2 c flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 c milk
1 t vanilla
1 1/2 c strawberry purée
1/2 c chocolate chips

Mix all of the ingredients well in a large bowl.  Grease a muffin tin and fill two thirds full with batter.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Quote For The Day

     Here is a quote for today:  "The devil doesn't come to you with his red face and horns, he comes to you disguised as everything you ever wanted."

Tasty Cherry Milkshake

     Sometimes a milkshake sounds good.  Here is a recipe for one of my favorites.  Have a blessed Thursday!

Tasty Cherry Milkshake:

1 c milk
2 large scoops of vanilla ice cream
1/4 c chocolate syrup
1 small handful of pitted cherries

In a blender, place the ingredients in the order given.  Blend until smooth.  Pour into a glass & serve with a straw.

Garden Salad

     My daughter came up with this recipe to use some of the produce out of our garden.  She enjoys cooking as much as I do.  We both hope that you enjoy it.

Garden Salad:

Radishes
Chives
Lettuce
Carrots
Tomatoes
Spinach

Cut up all of the veggies and mix well in a large bowl.  Serve with ranch dressing and croutons.

Chocolate Chip Skillet Dessert

     Have you ever wondered what to do with a small cast iron skillet?  I have.  I always thought they were pointless until a few months ago.  I went to a restaurant with some friends and had one of the most divine desserts that I have ever eaten!  Here is my version of that recipe.

Chocolate Chip Skillet Dessert:

1 batch of your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough
1/2 stick of butter
vanilla ice cream
chocolate syrup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a small cast iron skillet melt the butter.  Swirl it around the sides of the pan so that it is greased really well.  Press the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan and bake until golden brown.  (8-10 minutes)  Place two scoops of ice cream on top of the cookie & drizzle with chocolate syrup.  Serve immediately in the skillet.

Headaches

     Nothing is more annoying than having a headache.  I don't get headaches all that often but when I do I want to get rid of them quickly.  Here are some natural remedies that have helped me to get rid of a headache.  I hope some of these will help to bring you some relief.

1.)  Reflexology - rub the tops of your big toes

2.)  Herbal - drink rosemary, lime blossom or chamomile tea

3.)  Aromatherapy - rub Doterra lavender & peppermint to your temples and into the back of your neck

4.)  Homeopathic - take two tablets of Belladonna and dissolve under your tongue

Father's Day

     Some people have earthly dads who are absent.  Maybe it is because they are not living anymore or maybe it is because they chose to be absent.  Whatever the case may be, there is a Heavenly Father  who is always present,  who fills the hole in a broken heart and who never changes!  Happy Father's Day!

Grandma's BBQ Ribs

     I found a good price on spare ribs yesterday.  We don't eat them very often but when we do the whole family enjoys them.  Here is my grandma's recipe for making BBQ ribs.

Grandma's BBQ Ribs:

3-4 lbs spare ribs

1 lemon

1 onion

Sauce:

1 c ketchup

1/3 c worchesterchire sauce

1 t salt

1 t chili powder

2 dashes of Tabasco sauce

1 pint hot water

Cut the ribs and place them in a roasting pan meat side up.  Thinly slice the onion & lemon.  Place the slices on top of the ribs.  Roast for 30 minutes at 450 degrees.  Turn down the heat to 350 degrees.  Mix together the sauce ingredients in a saucepan.  Bring the sauce to a boil.  Remove the onion & lemon slices & pour the sauce over the top if the ribs.  Bake for an hour and a half longer.  Enjoy!

Goulash

     I was barely able to made dinner tonight.  While I was cooking on the stove, my stove decided to stop working.  Thank goodness for propane and a camp stove.  It turned out delicious even though it took longer to make it.

Goulash:

1lb ground beef
2 T brown sugar
1/2 t chili powder
2 (8oz) cans of tomato sauce
salt & pepper to taste
1 T worchesterchire sauce
1/2 pkg shell noodles
1 c shredded cheese

Cook the noodles according to the package directions and set aside.  In a large skillet brown the beef over medium heat.  Drain the grease.  Sprinkle in the brown sugar & chili powder.  Add the worchesterchire sauce & tomato sauce.  Cook until the liquid cooks down a bit & the sauce gets thicker.  Add the salt, pepper, noodles & cheese.  Serve hot with bread.

Beet Salad

     When I was a child, I thought that beets were nasty.  Now that I am an adult, I can't get enough of them.  I think that they have a great flavor.

Beet Salad:

3 large beets
2 carrots
3 c water
1/4 c nuts
pineapple balsamic vinegar

Place the beets in a glass baking dish.  Cover with tin foil.  Bake at 400 degrees for one hour or until done.  Let them cool.  Remove the skins and slice the beets.  Place the slices in a bowl and set aside.  Peel & dice the carrots.  Place them in a saucepan of boiling water & cook until  tender.  Drain the water & place the carrots in with the beets.  Chop up some nuts (pecans or hazelnuts are my favorite) and sprinkle on top of the carrots & beets.  Drizzle with pineapple balsamic vinegar.  Enjoy!

Bacon Scramble

     I like protein for breakfast!  Here is a delicious recipe that will satisfy you until lunchtime.  Have a  wonderful Wednesday!

Bacon Scramble:

1 pkg bacon
6 eggs
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 c cilantro
1 T minced onion
1 T parsley
1/2 c shredded cheese
1/2 c your favorite salsa

Cook the bacon according to the package directions.  Save 1 tablespoon of grease.  Crumble the bacon and set aside.  Heat up the grease in a skillet and add the eggs, salt & pepper, cilantro, onion, & parsley.  Cook until the eggs are almost done.  Add the bacon, salsa & cheese.  Stir together until the cheese is melted.  Serve with toast.

Indonesian Layered Soup

     I had a really yummy Indonesian soup today at an MAF conference that I attended.  Here is an Americanized version of the soup that I recreated.  I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

Indonesian Layered Soup:

1 head of cabbage chopped very thin
3 c cooked white rice
3 c shredded cooked chicken
3 c cooked bean threads (or cooked angel hair pasta)
6 c chicken broth
1 T ginger
1/4 t pepper
1 c diced carrots
1 bunch green onions chopped
1 c chopped nuts

Layer rice, chicken, bean threads & cabbage in soup bowls.  In a large pot heat up the chicken broth, ginger, pepper, carrots and onions over medium heat.  Simmer for two hours.  Ladle the chicken broth mixture over the layered ingredients in the bowls and top with nuts.  Eat hot.

Paper Cut

     I got a magazine in the mail the other day.  It had a bunch of perfume samples in it.  I just love those things!  Anyway, I throw out all of the stinky ones and keep all of the good smelling ones for later.  This morning I got a good smelling one out and rubbed it all over myself.  My neck started to sting and I realized that I got a paper cut on my neck.  Oh well, at least I smell good..

Honey Butter

     Don't you just love butter on your toast, biscuits, rolls, bread, etc..?  Here is a yummy recipe for a sweet butter that tastes really good on any kind of bread.

Honey Butter:

1 stick of butter (softened)
1/4 t cinnamon
1/4 c honey
1 T sweetened condensed milk

Whip all of the ingredients together in a bowl until light and fluffy.  Serve on any kind of bread or scoop it out with a spoon and put it directly into your mouth!

Natural Healing

     My mom is visiting from out of town and she has a chest cold.  I have been trying to treat her illness naturally.  I gave her the essential oil breathe (Doterra brand) with fractionated coconut oil to rub on her chest.  I have also been giving her one tablespoon every two hours of a garlic, onion, cayenne pepper and horseradish tincture.  This has worked really well to clear out the junk in her chest.

Veggies

     I have been enjoying fresh veggies from my garden.  Here is a healthy recipe for you to enjoy:

Veggies:

Swiss chard
spinach
kale
broccoli
sugar snap peas
carrots

Sauce:
1 T soy sauce
1 T rice vinegar
1 t sugar
1 T sesame seeds

Pour ingredients in a small saucepan & heat until the sugar is dissolved.

Rough chop all of the vegetables.  Heat 2 T coconut oil in a skillet over medium high heat.  Pour in the vegetables and cook until they are just starting to get soft.  Place them in a large bowl and pour the sauce over the top of them.

Scrambled Eggs With Asparagus

     Several weeks ago, I was in Spokane, WA with my girlfriends.  We ate at a French restaurant called Madeline's.  The food was amazing!!!  One of the breakfast items that they served was scrambled eggs with asparagus.  I tried to duplicate the recipe as best as I could.  Enjoy!

Scrambled Eggs With Asparagus:

1 bunch of asparagus
5 eggs
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 c cream
1/2 t parsley
1/2 t minced onion
1/4 c shredded cheese
1 T olive oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Wash asparagus & cut off the ends.  Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray & spread out the asparagus on the cookie sheet.  Lightly drizzle the asparagus with olive oil and sprinkle with course salt.  Bake for 6 minutes.  Meanwhile, crack the eggs into a bowl and beat until smooth.  Add salt, pepper, cream, parsley and onion.  Stir until combined.  Cut the asparagus into bite sized pieces and add to the egg mixture.  In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Pour in the egg mixture and stir to scramble.  Turn off the heat while the eggs are just a little bit underdone and let them finish cooking on their own.  Sprinkle with cheese.  When the cheese is melted, serve the eggs along side of fruit.

Airport

     I am sitting at the airport with my daughter waiting for my parents.  I always come early so that I can go to the gift shop.  Of course I get suckered in to buying a four dollar bottle of water and a three dollar container of Nutella.  Why do I come to the gift shop hungry snd thirsty?

Homemade Bread

     Nothing smells better than walking into a room and smelling freshly baked bread.  Yum!!!  I cannot imagine a world without bread.  That would just be WRONG!!!  I have several recipes for homemade bread.  They are all delicious.  Some are really sweet, some are soft, etc..  This recipe came from my dear grandma.

Homemade Bread:

2 T lard
1 T sugar
2 c hot water
2 1/4 t yeast
1/4 c lukewarm water
6-7 c flour

Combine sugar, lard & salt in a large bowl.  Slowly pour in  the hot water and stir.  Let this cool to lukewarm before you proceed.  Dissolve yeast in a small bowl with the lukewarm water.  Add to the other ingredients.  Stir in the flour a cup at a time until you get a soft dough.  Let it rise in a greased bowl for 1 hour.  Punch down the dough & divide between two greased loaf pans.  Cover the pans and let the dough rise for 30 minutes.  Bake at 400 degrees for 50 minutes.

Movie

     If you haven't seen Mom's Night Out at the theatre, I recommend that you grab your closest girlfriends and go see it right away.  The movie is hilarious!  I laughed until my sides hurt.  It is a clean movie .  And by clean I mean no potty mouth, nudity, etc..  It is rare to find a clean movie these days.  When I left the theatre, I didn't feel like I wasted my money like I usually do.  I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.