Timber

We had one main goal to accomplish over the long holiday weekend.

Take down the big pine tree at the farm.

The poor thing had so many broken, dead branches that would fall at all of the wrong times.

(walking under it was a hazard!)

The pipeliner said its time for that thing to  go!

We tied it off to the old Ford as a guide for where it should  fall.

Then the pipeliner fired up the chainsaw.

TIMBER!

It fell just where it was supposed to.

We spent the rest of Saturday night feeding branches into the yellow mulcher next to the tree.

I have a truck load of fresh mulch to last me the rest of the summer!

Then it rained, and rained. And rained some more!

We spent most of the rest of the weekend parked in these chairs watching the rain fall.

The only thing I got planted in the garden was a row of spinach.

One of us sure didn't mind the wet weather.

The Shaggy sure had a good time wading thru the rain!

Good thing she has an appointment at the groomers tomorrow!

Hope your weekend wasn't as soggy as mine!

Liz

Lasagna Chicken Roll-Ups

I have been trying to get my freezer cleaned out, along with the pantry.

Lots of mixed pieces of chicken that got bagged, tagged and thrown in the back for later use.

A few canning jars left of tomato sauce and tomato juice that needs to be used up before this canning season starts.

Last nights recipe put to good use all of my extras!

Lasagna Roll-Ups

3 cups cooked chicken

1 cup low-fat Ricotta cheese

1/4 cup crumbled feta

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup milk

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 cups spaghetti sauce

8 cooked and cooled lasagna noodles

Combine the chicken, cheeses, milk and pepper.

Spread a 1/2 cup of the mixture onto your lasagna noodle.

Roll the noodle up and lay it seam side down in a 13x9 inch pan that has been spread with 1 cup of your favorite spaghetti sauce.

Spoon the other cup of spaghetti sauce over the top.

I sprinkled the roll-ups with a little grated monteray jack cheese and basil before baking them.

Cover with foil and bake in a 375 F. for 35 minutes.

This is a recipe I found on pinterest awhile back.

It was pretty good. But the next time I make it I might add a few more spices to the chicken mixture.

The pipeliner liked it, and sometimes thats all that really matters!

Liz

Computers & Gardens

I hate when computers get the best of me!

That has been my problem of late.

But I am back up and running.

I am so far behind in my garden!

It was finally roto-tilled sometime last week.

We had a wedding out of state over the weekend, that meant no garden time, 

but lots of fun with friends.

Photo-booth funnies!

This week  the temps have been hot and the humidity high. Not very good for having the baby outside.

I did manage to get most of my hostas dug up and divided.

Friday morning the daughter flies in for a 4 day weekend. 

She is so excited to see her little guy!

It has been almost a month!

And this will give grandma plenty of time to work in her garden!

Until then I keep going over lists of things to plant. 

Adding to my list of plants to pick up from the greenhouse.

And drawing designs of what goes where.

I hope everybodys gardens are growing by leaps and bounds right now!

Is anybody else as far behind as me?

Liz

Rhubarb Apple Crisp

Did I mention things were still crazy around here?

That you schedule your " to do" things around 4 month old babies.

But how can you not want to spend every moment with this cute little guy?

The daughter still has about a month left of Army life then she is home for good!

Cornmeal English Muffin Bread

I am still experimenting with breads to make for the Farmers Market this season.

 

 

I came across this simple recipe on pinterest.

 

Cornmeal English Muffin Bread

 

 

 

I thought this sounded like a great bread to toast up over the weekend.  And boy was I right!

 

This recipe is for the bread machine, but I made it in my Kitchen aid.

 

 

Large Loaf

This is the recipe I used

1 1/2 cups water

1 large egg

1 1/3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup yellow cornmeal

3 cups bread flour

2 1/2 teaspoons regular dry yeast

 

 

 

Medium Loaf

1 1/8 cups of water

1 small egg

1 tablespoon sugar

3/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup yellow cornmeal

2 1/4 cups bread flour

2 teaspoons regular dry yeast

 

Directions

Put in your bread maker according to manufacturers instructions.

Set machine for large loaf or medium loaf

Set for medium crust

Sit back and wait for it to be done!

 

This is how I made mine.

 

I mixed the water, sugar and yeast together, than let sit for 5 minutes for the yeast to activate.

 

I mixed everything in the kitchen aid with the paddle attachment until combined.

I put the dough hook on and kneaded for 6 minutes.

Next I put in an oiled bowl, covered it with a dish towel and let it rise.

 

 

I have found with granite counter tops breads take longer to rise than normal. I usually put mine on a heating pad set on the lowest heating for faster rising.

After the dough had doubled in size I punched it down, then formed my loaf.

I put the loaf in a pan and waited for it to rise a second time.

 

Which it did nicely!

 

I baked the loaf in a 375F. preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Time may vary, my oven tends to run hot.

 

The loaf came out nicely browned.

 

 

The texture inside was firm and chewy!

 

 

It came out of the toaster nice and crunchy!

(We were so excited to try it I forgot to take a picture!)

 

The pipeliner and I enjoyed a big slice with the last jar of pear preserves!

 

It made such a big loaf I gave the other half to my parents to enjoy.

 

I really recommend this bread to start out any day!

 

Liz

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Keeping busy!

Things have just been busy,busy around here!

We have had a couple of showings on our house in town.

That means making sure the place is in tip top shape.

It hasn't been easy with rain and puppy prints on the hardwood floors.

 I have to load the baby up with all of his gear. Along with the dogs and their cages.  Then we have to disappear from the house for an hour or 2.

Thankfully we have the farmhouse for a retreat.

Sadly no offers yet!

May Day Babys

I sure forgot how much work a 3 month old baby can be!

 

 

Whew!!!

 

 

 

The little man arrived on Sunday night.

I have been knee deep in diapers and bottles.

 

But waking up to this smile in the morning sure is worth it!

 

 

Grandma sure loves bath time just as much as the baby.

 

 



His mommy is a little sad today because it is her birthday.

 

We sent her a birthday greeting early this morning.

 

 

 

She was my May Day baby!!

 

Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter, and

Happy May Day to you!

 

 

Liz