Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Favorite Lunch Salad

     I wanted to share my favorite lunch salad.  It takes a bit of work to chop up all of the ingredients but if you make it ahead of time it is an easy lunch for the week.  I eat this salad with Ranch dressing.(is there any other kind of dressing?)  You can choose your favorite dressing to top this salad with if you don't like Ranch.

Favorite Lunch Salad:

3 c spinach
1 head of broccoli (cut into bite sized pieces)
1 c cherry tomatoes (red & yellow)
3 diced carrots
1 can salmon
1/2 c diced cheddar cheese
2 diced hard boiled eggs
1 diced avocado
1/4 c slivered almonds

Layer all of the ingredients in a bowl in the order given.  Toss before serving.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Lavender - Lemon Tea Cakes

     I enjoy drinking tea.  I find it relaxing after a stressful day.  I have many fond memories of drinking tea with  special people in my life.  Here is a recipe for a light cookie that goes great with a cup of tea.  Enjoy!

Lavender - Lemon Tea Cakes:

1 stick butter (melted)
1/2 c brown sugar
1 egg
1 c flour
1 pinch of salt
1/2 t vanilla
3 drops of lavender essential oil
5 drops of lemon essential oil

In a bowl cream together the butter, sugar & egg.  Add flour, salt, vanilla & essential oils.  Mix until combined.  Scoop out by teaspoonfuls on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 8 minutes at 375 degrees.

Monday, May 5, 2014

The Ladies

     Yesterday, I cleaned out the chicken coop.  Today, I thought that I would tell you about what I do to keep my coop clean and fresh for my chickens. Here are six easy steps for a clean coop. (I let my "ladies" roam around the backyard while I do this.)

1.)  I scooped the chicken poop out and put it in my compost pile.
2.)  I emptied out the water dish, sprayed it with an orange vinegar solution and wiped it clean.  I did the same with the food container. Then I set both containers in the sun to dry.
3.)  I sprinkled diotemacious earth all over the bottom of my coop and spread out bedding over the top of that.
4.)  I filled up the food and water containers and put them back in the coop.
5.)  I picked a generous amount of tall green grass  and put it in their nesting boxes.
6.)  Gently I herded them back into their coop.  They were very happy!

That is it!  Pretty easy and my "ladies" are VERY happy.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Pineapple Smoothie

     Pineapple was on sale at the store today.  I bought some.  I am the only one in my family who will eat it.  I decided to make a smoothie out of some of it and it turned out delicious!  I hope that you like it as much as I did.

Pineapple Smoothie:

1 large handful of spinach
1 T flax seeds
1 t honey
1 c diced pineapple
1/2 c blueberries
1/2 c frozen strawberries
1/2 c milk

Place the ingredients in a blender in the order given.  Blend until smooth.  Serve immediately.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Baked Custard

     This recipe uses a lot of eggs so I do not make it very often.  It tastes really good in the evening along with a hot cup of coffee.

Baked Custard:

3 qts milk
12 eggs
1 1/2 c sugar
3 t vanilla
3/4 t salt
1/4 t cinnamon
nutmeg

Beat the eggs in a mixing bowl.  Add the sugar, salt, milk, cinnamon & vanilla.  Mix well. Pour into ramekins and sprinkle the tops with nutmeg.  Place the ramekins in a 13 X 9 pan and pour some water in the bottom of the pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Friday, May 2, 2014

Potato Salad

     I made pork ribs for dinner.  I was trying to think of a yummy side dish that I haven't made in a while and potato salad came to mind.  My potato salad is very plain but really good.  My family doesn't like anything green, crunchy or fancy in their potato salad.  If you have a picky family like I do then you will love this recipe.

Potato Salad:

5 Russet potatoes
4 eggs
1/2 c mayonnaise
1/2 t  seasoning salt
1/4 t mustard

Place the eggs in a saucepan with cold water.  Bring to a boil over medium high heat.  Boil for 15 minutes.  Let rest until the water is lukewarm.  Remove the eggs and set aside.  Peel and dice the potatoes.  Put them in the egg saucepan with water covering the top of them and bring them to a boil over medium high heat.  Boil for  20 minutes.  Drain the water and place the potatoes in a serving bowl.  Add mayonnaise, seasoning salt & mustard.  Peel and dice up the eggs and add them to the bowl.  Stir well.  Chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before serving.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Grandma's Corn & Tomato Soup

     Some evenings it is nice to throw together an easy soup recipe with bread and a salad.  When it gets warm outside, I am usually looking for a light recipe instead of something heavy for dinner.  This is one of those light meals.

Corn & Tomato Soup:

1 1/2 c corn (cut off the cob)
1 1/2 c diced tomatoes
1/2 onion (minced)
2 T butter
2 T sugar
2 c water
2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 t celery salt
1 can evaporated milk (6 oz)

In a saucepan melt butter.  Add minced onion and cook until carmelized.  Add corn & tomatoes.  Season with salt, sugar, celery salt & pepper.  Add water and bring to a boil.  Turn down the heat to low and add the milk.  Simmer for 15-20 minutes.  Serve warm with bread.