Respect

I have a lot of respect for the Mennonite community. Their work effect, simple lifestyle, and family values are to be admired.  While reading in one of my Farming catalogs this morning, I found the following quote from a Mennonite Proverb.

” I will charge thee nothing but the promise that thee will help the next man thee finds in trouble.”

 

December 9, 2011 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Contemplations

Winter

I know it is winter when the eggs from the chicken house are frozen. It is winter when there is ice on top of the rabbits water container. Winter is here when it starts getting dark at 4:30 p.m. What is the clincher for the arrival of winter is when I wear Long Johns  in the house!

No more turning up the furnace. No more wearing a vest, over a sweater, over a turtleneck.    I have been cold in the house for a week. No more! This morning I dug out the Long Johns.  It is official. Winter in Minnesota has arrived.  BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

December 7, 2011 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Contemplations

Seeds

I have promised myself that I will wait until after Christmas to read my new seed catalogs. It is hard. My favorite seed company is Bakers Creek Heirloom Seed. Their new catalog arrived yesterday.  It always has glossy photos, and lots of practical information. Every year, they have new varieties of heirloom seeds.

There is Christmas shopping to do, not to mention all the baking. I need to prepare for company, read the study manual for a  new class that I am taking, and catch up with some overdue paper work. We are expecting another litter of Great Pyrenees puppies in a week or so. The whelping box needs cleaning out and the puppy blankets have to be washed.  All this takes time.  It makes good sense to wait until after Christmas to pour over my seed catalogs.

However…………..

 

December 6, 2011 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Garden

Milk and Honey Farm Kitchen – Leftovers

My best Solution for lots of left overs is to do a STIR FRY.   Chopped up chicken, onions, garlic will start it off.  Added next, will be celery, carrots and raw potatoes.  Several handfuls of cabbage will be added too.  Now for the fun part. I love to play with different herbs and spices. They turn a boring dish into something special.  I will add cumin seed, mustard seed, turmeric, curry powder, coriander powder, coconut powder, and red chilies. Some salt and cayenne pepper will be added too. This will give a plain stir fry the flavor of India. The stir fry will be served on top of  Indian rice.

I would like a really nice WOK, but until that happens, I will make my stir fry in the old iron skillet.  Bob will be happy with tonight’s supper. He enjoys my experiments.  Only problem is that I can never duplicate the same flavors. They are always unique and different. Maybe I should write down just exactly what goes into each one.  But then again, that would take the fun out of it.

December 5, 2011 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Kitchen

Packers Rule

Packers RULE!     AGAIN!!!

December 4, 2011 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: News

Good Morning

I am in my favorite chair. There is a warm poodle sleeping on my lap. The Christmas tree lights are on. Christmas music is playing. The house smells like cookies.  It has been a good morning.  Smile.

December 1, 2011 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Contemplations

Games

The Christmas tree is decorated, the wreath is on the door, the candles are in the windows, and the lighted star is on the barn. The refrigerator has been cleaned out and the pantry is full.  Now is the time for some serious baking. Today, it will be chocolate gingerbread squares.

Let the games begin!

November 30, 2011 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Kitchen

The Refrig

My least favorite kitchen job is cleaning the refrigerator.  So, I put it off, and off and off! Today, was the clean up day. No more excuses, no more delays, I did it!!  Amazingly, I only found one undefinable substance growing on top of some leftovers.  It was clear  in the back of the refrig. and had been there a long, long, time.

Some of the questionable items got pitched out to the chickens. They were grateful.  The refrigerator looks good, smells good, and I am happy. Bob will be amazed.

November 29, 2011 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Kitchen

Christmas Tree

Every year, we cut down our own Christmas tree. This year was no exception. We have gone to the same Christmas tree farm ever since moving to Minnesota. There is something fun about tramping around looking for the perfect tree.  The tree was hauled home in the back of the Van. It will take several days to decorate it. I still have decorations that my boys made for me when they were children.  I have old glass balls that were given to me by my Great Uncle. There are little ceramic angels that my Mother gave me. Bob made some wooden decorations one year and I painted them.  The decorations bring back happy memories. Sometimes, they cause a tear or two.  I miss the loved ones who have gone ahead of me. Christmas is a tender time of remembering.

November 29, 2011 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Contemplations

Pumpkin Pancakes

When I made the pumpkins pies for Thanksgiving, I had some left over pumpkin pie filling.  Today, I used the pumpkin pie filling in our pancakes instead of milk.  Served with maple syrup, they were GOOD!  This is one of those kitchen experiments that will be repeated…and repeated…and repeated!

November 26, 2011 · Sarah · No Comments
Posted in: Kitchen