CHICKEN STOCK...OR...HOW I SPENT MY MORNING

It amazes me how this mess of veggies and meat (the "after" photo)
turns itself into...

this....
After just an hour of roasting the veggies then mixing them with about 8# of chicken wings and simmering on the stove for 2-3 hours.
10 quarts of homemade chicken stock ready for spring soups.
Like potato leek soup.
Or spinach soup.
Or tomato soup.

YUMM-O!

And easy-peasy!

NEW LIFE AT THE FARMETTE

Last fall we had a mama cat and her tiny, baby kitten come out of the corn field adjacent to our farm, both of them near starvation. We kept them in the garage, and called them our "garage cats", as we had no barn to keep them in.
Folks were already beginning to call us those "crazy cat people", as we already had 3 of 'em.
Now with mama Sophia (so named cause of the black eyeliner look to her eyes!), and her baby we had 5!
Gave away kitten to a friend of Avery's, but Sophia kinda just joined us here in the house when the weather got too cold.
Due to a serious lack of funds, we never got Sophia neutered, tho all our other pets have been fixed.
Come February, she went in heat.
And 12 days ago gave birth to 5 of the cutest kittens ever!
After she is done nursing, we ARE getting her neutered.
There is a place about half an hour from here that will do it for $20.
For right now, she and the kittens are in the back of our closet, away from the other cats in the house.
Not sure what they would do to them.
They look like big, fluffy mice, so we are concerned they would hurt them.

Now, anybody want a kitty?

RAINY...WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS!

This is a photo of our pond this morning.
In the 7 years since we've lived here, we have never seen it so high.
The dock is nearly totally under water, and the tree directly behind it is usually on the shore.
It started raining Saturday morning and rained hard for most of the day.
Sunday we had more rain.
And there is more on it's way for this afternoon.

So what do you do when you are itching to be outside working in the gardens, but instead are stuck in the house?
Meatball sandwiches, that's what!
I made homemade meatballs, then baked them on a sheet of foil in the oven till done.
No greasy stove to clean up!
Put meatballs in a pot with a jar of whatever spaghetti sauce you have on hand.
I think mine was Prego.
I added a bit of minced garlic to the sauce, and simmered for about an hour on low.
Just enough to thicken the sauce and tenderize the meatballs.
Split open a chunk of Italian or French bread.
I tore out a bunch of the bread...who needs all those carbs...
and put 4 meatballs with sauce on each chunk.
Sprinkle with a bit of mozzarella cheese, and wrap in foil.
Bake for just 5-10 minutes, or till cheese is melted.

Now THAT'S amore!

A LIFE ROADMAP

.

One of my favorite blogs in the whole world is Holy Experience. This is a re-print from her blog from October, 2007. I had printed it out, and it remains at the back of my Bible to this day. It is an incredible reminder of why I exist. My only regret is I did not pen these words myself. It is enough tho, that they speak my heart. I pray they speak to yours as well.

A LIFE ROADMAP

Remember the question?

From Mary Oliver's Summer Day
from a
"Poem a Day for American High Schools"

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"

Life is the little walk before. How one takes this walk determines the forever destination. Doesn’t the jaunt require a map, an intentional, purposeful course? For we are a pilgriming people, en route to Somewhere. This is my plan, my chart for the one and only glorious life I’ll ever have:

I plan to rise and pray. Eat and pray. Work and pray. Laugh, cry, dance, wonder, read, wander, embrace…and pray. So I’ll intimately know the curves and deep places of His heart when I birth out of this life and into His arms and Home. I have no other end but Him, and it will be but the beginning. I need to know the language of my country when I get home, the culture, the landscape. So I plan to pray now and enter into His presence, enter into Him, enter in. I plan to make this life about communing with Him whose hands are upon me, who has shaped and formed me, who bends low and whispers, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” I plan to pray and fall in love too.

I plan to tilt it all back, and drink the marrow right out of this gift cup, right to the last drop. I know: joy’s cup is sorrow’s cup by another name. But I am going to wildly drink it dry—entirely empty---anyways. So that just before I take my flight Home, I can turn to Jesus and whisper with Him, “It is fulfilled. Yes, all of it.”

He gives only one life and there are places I choose not to go: I plan (give grace, Father) not to go to the places, innocent though they may seem, that dull me, weaken me, impair me, blind me. For these places, though they may gleam in the sunlight and be marked as “must-sees” sights, are sin to me. I plan to detour that wide and deceptively alluring road, and take that steep and stony path off to the side. I have faith it leads to better sights and heights. And along the journey, I plan to scratch it down, testify, give witness. Leave traces of His grace.

I plan (give grace, Father) not to grumble over the way, the stumble and the scuffing of knees, but to keep pointing, rejoicing, singing over the brimming dawn on the Horizon, the coming of the Son and the wondrous forever light that is seeping into time.

I plan to take this little while and walk before and use it all up with love. To fall, head over heels, in love with Lover, so I may love and pour it all out for those who cross my path. I plan to use the power of His love to grace others with happiness’ warmth, with care’s touch, with hope’s hand. By His grace, I have the power to make others feel love, hope, joy. That is something I can do.

I plan to take this one and glorious life, and use it to die.

That is all: I plan to pray, to drink the cup He gives, to take that stone-strewn way, to leave tracks, to give thanks, to love. It doesn’t seem like much. But this little plan may be enough: "He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" (Mi 6:8 RSV).

I plan. But only You make it so, Father.
Please do.

Re-printed with permission from my friend, Ann Voskamp.

NEWSPAPER PLANT POTS

Better late than never, I suppose.
I finally got around to making my own plant pots today, and started some Roma tomatoes.
Simple, simple directions found on the web.
http://www.ehow.com/video_1745_create-seed-starting.html?utm_source=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ehow.com%2fvideo_313_grow-basil.html%3futm_source%3dhttp%253a%252f%252fwww.ehow.com%252fvideo_1745_create-seed-starting.html%26utm_medium%3dRelatedLink%26utm_campaign%3dRelatedLinkPod&utm_medium=RelatedLink&utm_campaign=RelatedLinkPod

Click above, I think!
Never saw such a huge "link" before!

Though these should have been started 2-3 weeks ago, I am taking a chance that they might just get a good enough start to get into the garden after the 1st week of June. Tomatoes do NOT do well with chilly temps, and I have heard that they will actually do better if you wait a bit into June before transplanting.
I'm taking no bets, tho.

MY "ODE TO EARTH DAY"

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth......

Then God said, "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.....

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea; over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth......

Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good."

Genesis

CRANBERRY WALNUT SCONES

One of my all-time favorite scone recipes....so simple a child could make them!
Low in sugar, too, for those of us who watch out for that.

CRANBERRY WALNUT SCONES

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour (I use bread flour, as that's what I have on hand)
1/4 c sugar
1 TBL baking powder
1/2 teas. baking soda
1/2 teas. salt
1/2 teas grated nutmeg

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, cold, cut into bits
3/4 cup dried cranberries (or chopped, dried fruit of your choice...I'm thinkin' apricots?)
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional (I chose walnuts)

Beat with fork:
1 egg
3/4 cup buttermilk (or milk plus a bit of lemon juice to sour)

Glaze: Beat together...
1 egg
1 TBL milk

Heat oven to 400.
Combine all dry ingredients in large bowl. Cut butter into flour mixture, using a fork or pastry blender, until mixture forms coarse crumbs.
Add cranberries and optional nuts, tossing gently to coat with flour mixture.
Add buttermilk mixture and gently fold in until blended.
Additional flour may be necessary if dough is too sticky to handle.

On a floured surface, divide dough in half, and pat gently into a 5-6 inch circle. Cut into 6 wedges and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.Repeat with other half.

Brush tops with egg glaze.

Bake 20 minutes, or until golden.

Cool on a wire rack.

Optional glaze:
1 cup or so of powdered sugar
juice of 1/2 orange
zest of 1 orange

Mix together and drizzle over scones.

Enjoy with your morning coffee!
I did!

KEEPER OF THE KEYS

I have recently been reminded of an old cookbook I bought in the late 70's titled "Laurel's Kitchen." Much of the cookbook I disregarded, as the recipes were really intended for a vegetarian lifestyle (of which I was not), and the authors were very much into meditation and guru's and the like.(which I also was not)
But there was one chapter that really impacted me called "The Keeper of the Keys".
The authors talked about the role of the woman in the home and how important that role was.

I began asking myself if I take the role of wife, mommy, and homemaker seriously, or am I just playing house. For years I thought that Hamburger Helper and a can of green beans was putting a decent meal on the table. (those that know me now would think that is the biggest joke!!!)

After I got saved in 1978, the Lord began changing my priorities and slowly, over the years, I became the woman I am today.

But this journey is far from over!

In the past 10 years alone I took piano lessons, learned to knit, taught myself to sew, planted my 1st real veggie garden, ran 2 5k races, got my 1st brood of chickens, homeschooled my children, buried both my parents, my father-in-law, my step-father and my only sister.

I have moved out of my "comfort zone" in the kitchen. I now crave foods I had never before even heard of!
Indian cuisine. Mediterranean foods. Meatless entrees!

Veggies like kale, chard, eggplant, and rutabagas are now on my weekly shopping list!
(3 years ago I couldn't point out a rutabaga if my life depended on it!)

Now what lies ahead for this "keeper of the keys"?
Not completely sure, but I think I have some ideas.

I have been asked to teach a cooking class on frugal cooking from the garden.
I will be starting a new blog for my local CSA in the next few weeks, focusing on using what's new in the garden that week.
My grandson, who has been living with us for the past 20 months, will finally be going home to his mom, so I will have a whole lot of time to pursue other interests.
A new batch of hens will be arriving in the next few days.
The gardens will get some extra attention.
My bicycle will come down from the garage storage area, and I will be getting some much needed exercise!

I DO know that I will spend very little time watching the news, or TV in general.
I have been accused of burying my head in the sand by those I love.
No matter.
I have peace of mind when I lay my head down at night.
My mind is NOT filled with the latest murder, abduction, rape, stock market numbers, or serial killers.
I see enough to keep me informed, but no more.

Most important of all, will "the heart of my husband safely trust me"?
And will my children "rise up and call me blessed?"

The keeper of the keys...my journey continues.

THIS is what we've been waitin' for!

Un-freakin-believably beautiful day!
Sun, sun, and more sun!
High about 67 degrees, with more of the same forecast thru Saturday!

Herbe garden, above, all cleaned out, rocks removed, weeds pulled from between rocks, rocks set back in place.
Unbelievable amount of work involved.
Lots of help from son and Farmboy.

Perennial/veggie garden mostly cleaned out.
Unbelievable amount of work.
Did it all by myself, NO help from anyone!

THIS is the stuff I spent hours hoiking out of the above gardens, all by myself.
So pretty to look at....I hope it's not some funky ground cover I forgot about!!!

See these nasty holes in my garden gloves???
My ship better come in quick!
I need gloves!
These used to be oh-so-pretty pink!

THIS is what happens to fingers when garden gloves have holes in 'em!
Eeeewww!

IN MY KITCHEN GARDEN...

While cleaning out the lettuce/radish/arugula/carrot beds last week, I found these!!!
I was looking everywhere for them last fall!
Pretty much non-edible, as they were tough and stringy, so I tossed them off the side for the bunnies.

Here is what is growing in my kitchen window...
Leeks, basil, and cucumbers.
This week I hope to start some tomatoes and parsley.
Tho I belong to our local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), there are veggies I can never get enough of.
Tomatoes are one, for sure.
I love being able to go outside, pick them, and have them on the table 20 minutes later.
And as we eat salads nearly every day, all year long, I always grow a good variety of lettuce.

Outside last week I planted Lincoln peas, arugula, French Breakfast radishes, and swiss chard.
Thursday the lettuces go in.

What's growin' in YOUR kitchen garden?

ARE YOU READY?

I can almost hear the rhythm of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.
He is alive.
And He is coming.
Are you ready?
He's not a baby in a manger any more.
He's not a broken man on a cross.
He didn't stay in the grave.
And He's not staying in heaven forever.

"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will be no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
1 Thessalonians 4:14-17

Have a MOST blessed Resurrection Day!

AS A LAMB...

....And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb..." Gen. 22:8

He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before it's shearers is silent,
So he opened not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7

"...with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption." Hebrews 9:12

"...For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin." Hebrews 9:22

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that WHOSOEVER believes on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

This brings me to my knees, for I am eternally grateful that He loves such a wretch as me.
Many of you know only the Cindy that shows up on this blog.
You have NO idea how very wicked I have been.
I thank God daily that He showed me my sin through the Law, and has saved me and set me free.

It truly is a "GOOD FRIDAY."

BONJOUR!

GOOD MORNING!!!

My morning ritual is pretty much just that....a ritual.
But, sometimes I like to veer off the well beaten path, and take the road less traveled.
That's what I did this morning when I opted out of the "get my coffee make asap" using my Bunn coffee maker (where my coffee is ready in about 30 seconds!) mode and slowed it down just a bit and used my French Coffee Press.

You start by putting 3 TBL of medium grind coffee in the bottom of your press.
My choice this morning is something called "Pantlind Blend", named after an old hotel that used to be the centerpiece of downtown Grand Rapids. It's the same blend the hotel used back in the 20's!

Pour 4 cups of near boiling water into the press, and over the grounds.
Stir with a wooden spoon, just to insure all the grounds are saturated.

Set the cover of the press over the top, and let steep a minimum of 4 minutes.
Then, ever so slowly, press the rod all the way down, until it goes no further and the grounds are safely tucked beneath it.

Pour into a favorite mug.
Mine is oh so vintage...stolen by my mom from the Army mess hall around 1950.
(Yes, my mom joined the army when she was 17!)

Then it's time for some daily sustenance!

How do you start YOUR day?

BERI DELICIEUX!!!

A quart of fresh strawberries resting in my beautiful, new berry bowl!
A gift from dear Joy.
I had never even heard of a berry bowl before and now I own one!
They are the coolest thing....
take the stem off your berry...
put it in the bowl...
rinse with a light mist of water...
and the water runs out of the little holes!

Berries,
sweetened ever so slightly with a sprinkle of raw sugar,
with just a pinch of freshly ground black pepper,
drizzled with a balsamic glaze,
and topped with a dab of whipped cream!

BERI DELICIEUX!

C'est Fantastique!

Angela, doing what she loves...

Amelie, Angela's bebe

Oh, how I wish I had more photo's to show how much fun we had this weekend! Joy took some of me (see my new header!!!), and her daughter Ang, took some of the two of us, but I have to be patient and wait for her to send them on to me. And I must be quiet about some of what we did, so others can finish posting.

We had plenty of laughs, let me tell you! You-Tube is a veritable goldmine of comedians! "Doubled over, nearly wetting our pants, can't catch our breath" funny!

And, as always, no sooner do we get there, then we are packing up and saying "good-bye".
No matter...we have cell phones and we have internet!

When was the last time you saw YOUR bestest friend?

TIME OUT

Joy and Cindy, spring 06'
(I only WISH I was this skinny again!!! 20# to go...eek!)


A much needed time out comin' up this weekend, when Farmboy and I head for the burbs of Chicago to hang with Joy and Don. It has been 2 long years since we have been there to visit, and the timing for this weekend was perfect. Not much $$$, that's for sure, but the plan is to sit around her kitchen pub table and visit face-to-face for hours on end. Then head over to Angela's farmette on Saturday for a quick visit.

Our mutual love for the Lord and His Word are some of the ties that bind us together.
The foundation, you might say.
Old stuff, fragrances, tag sales, thrift stores, grandbabies, and any other common interests we share, are just the icing on that cake.

Any special plans for YOUR weekend?