School day memories

Yesterday afternoon  I found a picture of my sisters and me taken when we were quite young. I think I was maybe 9 years old  and my youngest sister was 5 years old . Our dog was named Skippy.  I noticed we were all wearing dresses ( that's what we wore when we went to school, no jeans or pants except when the weather was cold & snowy) then we could wear them under our dresses. Anyway, I was thinking back about how much work it must have been for my mom with 4 little girls wearing dresses to school everyday.. Her ironing must have taken forever to do. That was in the mid  50's. I remember my old elementary school and looked on line for a picture. This is the only one I found.  Roosevelt Elementary in Yakima, Washington.

I do remember the school being old with lots of steps up the front and inside it smelled of old paint stain and had really shiny polished wood floors.  Outside were two huge old trees where we sat, giggled and carved our initials in the trunk, when we weren't playing jump rope or hopscotch. Those trees are gone now & the school has been demolished and re built.

I recently purchased a lunchbox like I had when I went to grade school on Ebay.  My mom packed it with  a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, an apple or a banana and carrot or celery sticks and one cookie all wrapped in wax paper..I remember how that lunch box smelled after I broke the thermos and the milk soured, even after several scrubbings. My first grade class was in the basement, and we had a cafeteria where we took our lunches upstairs and bought milk for 5 cents for lunch and another 5 cents for afternoon snack during school or somedays we bought them for 25 cents.  We could also buy ice cream for 5 cents and sometimes I would spend my nickle on that instead of the milk, hoping I wouldn't get in trouble if my mom found out....I think we must have been really on a tight budget and 5 cents was not often extra change. Yes, those were the days...do you remember your elementary school? I have very good memories of this school that I attended for 5 years before we moved out of  the city.

Company Breakfast Ebelskivers

They are Blueberry Ebelskivers.
This morning I decided to make  my husband & our guest ( his brother) a favorite breakfast recipe. It takes a bit of time but well worth the effort. You will need an ebelskiver pan to make these round puffy pancakes. You can purchase a pan in any cookware dept of a kitchen store. I purchased mine years ago and it is a cast iron beauty.  These are left plain & hot from the pan, Sometimes I dust them with powdered sugar. Today I had them with pure maple syrup.  I will freeze the remaining for snacks to eat on a road trip.
Bon Appetite!

Blueberry Ebelskivers

Danish Filled pancakes
30 min
15 min prep

Makes  about 30 Ebelskiver

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 lemon, zest of

3 egg yolks

5 egg whites

1 1/3 cups buttermilk

3/4 cup ricotta cheese

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 pint blueberries

confectioners' sugar, for dusting

In a batter pitcher or bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, granulated sugar, salt and lemon zest. Set aside.

In another bowl, lightly whisk the egg yolks.

Whisk in the buttermilk and ricotta.

Whisk the yolk mixture into the flour mixture until well combined; the mixture will be lumpy. Set aside.

In another bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff but not dry peaks form. Using a rubber spatula, gently stir the whites into the batter in two additions.

Put 1/2 teaspoons butter in each well of a ebelskiver pan.

Place over medium heat and heat until the butter begins to bubble.

Pour 1 Tbs. batter into each well.

Place 4 blueberries in the center of the batter and top with 1 Tbs batter.

Cook until the bottoms are golden brown and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes.

Using 2 wooden skewers, turn the pancakes over and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 3 minutes more.

Transfer to a plate.

Repeat with the remaining batter and blueberries.

Dust the pancakes with confectioners’ sugar and serve warm.

For a savory variation fill  Ebelskiver with a well chilled butter with herbs cube, grated aged cheese, or pieces of bacon or ham and omit the dusting of powdered sugar.

Winter Birds of a feather....

We are still in the midst of winter and I saw these local birds on the lake this week. I wonder how they survive without me taking them under my wing, along with my chickens.  When I spotted these mallards I think of   the pair that return to our pond every year.  They should be coming in a month or so..I hope this year they have babies.  Pelicans live on the lake and this one was all alone. We drove around to the city park and came upon these geese along the river bank. Now I know I want to get some of these too.. But convincing Clay might take some negotiating. I know they are noisey and quite messy but.... I do love them.

Shabby Chic finally coming together...

I decided to it was time to redecorate my bathroom. So out with the old ( into Clay's Bathroom) and in with the Shabby Chic (girlie )Bathroom.
I called Gail today & she met me for coffee this morning & then lunch later at a favorite cafe & a day of shopping. Thrift and also Ross had a great sales. I purchased another down alternative comforter and sheets for our bedroom. Also 6 new thick thirsty towels for each bath. This is a table I bought at The Keepers' Corner  (one of Gail & my favorite places for thrifting. ) I love the small touches I also found there like the pink vase, & the shabby chic tin for my washcloths and the flowery box for whatever I decide to use it for....I have a new shower curtain coming I got on auction at Ebay.. I will  take a picture of it when it gets here and I hang it up.  It was a very nice day.  I can not wait to go again..perhaps next week I will find  that perfect little lamp I am looking for.

Happy with My Country Style

I was just thinking today about How I would describe my home...and as I look around  I think it is basically inspired by Nature, and with Country fabrics & colors sometimes bright & Cheery. My Country Style is a bit informal in some rooms & and in others I love the frilly soft tones. Plain & Simple and Inspiring. Weathered old and recycled things in their natural state, some polished up pretty and shiny with country finishes. Some recycled to be used as something totally different than its purpose. Lets face it with todays economy it helps to have a bit of creativity.
Handicrafts, Quilts and collections have always had an important place in my country home. Out of necessity, I am often stepping over the threshold of  a thrift  or antique store to find that special piece to bring home. By bringing a bit of outside inside like displaying flowers, herbs, fruits and vegetables enables me to enjoy the textures and delicate perfumes of nature all year round. Using baskets of all shapes and sizes help  organize me as well.  Irrisitable aromas of cooking make my country kitchen the heart of my home. Oh how I love to cook, and my cookbook collection continues to grow.
I really  like the warm inviting color of red in the hub of  my activies.  Somehow the kitchen is my center..and it is full of chicken things.....that spill into my diningroom... I can honestly say it is like playing house, and you are never to old to do that.  Spring will be coming someday soon.  ( I hope) and  I know I  will be working on adding a few New touches so that will mean more trips to the fabric store, collectors corners and the bank account. That's where it may get challenging.... going over the budget I'd better go count my pennies, I wonder if there are coins in the couch? and ya know I am sure glad I don't need to buy film for my camera....batteries are bad enough.

Comfort is spelled CHOCOLATE CAKE

It has not stopped snowing! It is warm and cozy inside. The Hens are also warm & cozy. Plans for dinner will include Pork Steak  to me that is a comfort food.. But best of all Comfort means A Chocolate fix.  Fresh out of the oven and frosted ready for Dessert.. Wanna piece?

Now look at the snow accumulation. I cannot get out my front door,  (If you are coming over) you will have to come in through the garage... bundle up and drive slow.

Now & Then...Silent and it's own beauty

I was thinking how quickly the weather can change our scenery. We need more water here and snow would be nice for all concerned. This one picture was taken yesterday of the trees behind our house. The sky was so blue..

This morning I can barely see them.   The snow is accumulating quickly this is only about 3 hours of Snow showers...
I think I will stay  inside now that I have watered, fed the "girls"  some warm pasta, sunflower seeds & scratch, changed the heat lamp in their studio and gathered a few eggs this morning. Who knows what tonight will look like.

Is it dinnertime?

This was taken a few minutes ago.. I noticed how cold it turned and saw the chickens out back, I went to gather  any eggs and they followed me back to the Picnic Table as if to say" Is it dinner time?"  afterall, "we gave you 4 jumbo eggs." I hurried inside and made a cuppa noodles for them..When I went back to give them the goodies they were  onthe table.. They Love pasta of any kind and I think that it warmed them up... they jumped down off the table and gobbled up the warm pasta.. warmed my heart too...I am such a softie...

Can we talk?

"Really, Mom , We need to talk.... I do have something to say & I just want you to know..... I know you don't understand everything I have to say even though you think you do... Like when I go stand by the back door  or the window watching the birds... I just want to play with them, but you are so parinoid that I will catch a quail again... Sheesh! I got in big trouble for that twice, I sure wouldn't go out & do that again....Come on.. Just look into my eyes & tell me "No".   (I wanna go to the store with you, or wherever you are going &  I know you are going somewhere cuz you put on our coat)....and .....well lets face it ... If you do say no I will go ask Dad... and he always says yes...  unless he tells me I need to stay home & babysit the house & chickens.. And btw  what is the going rate these days to babysit? I think more than a pat on the head and a dry doggie cookie.  How about some real "people" food in my bowl?"

C U T E Banner...Room complete.

I also finished the Bed & Breakfast Guestroom, I posted pictures of a couple days ago. I had painted a cute frame  red  * it was purchased  lasts year at a thrift store and was dusty and Black and had a broken hook* .... So I made the  valentine heart banner from calico fabric scraps and chenille  and hung it on the  two hooks..The room is complete now ... I don't think I could add anything more except family or guests coming.. I better check the calendar... The hearts fabric shapes are fused together with heavy  iron on material  (I found at Joanns in a package, You can buy it by the yard )and strung with the red ribbons.. C U T E!  I say!

My 2010 "Vision/Goal Board"

Thank you Rene' Groom of Mary Janes Farm girls for reminding me of this project.

I decided today that I would make my "vision" or Goal board. It has been said that if you write down your goals you are more apt to being successful at acheiving them. I didn't make a New Years resolution but instead thought silently of what was important to me to do or continue doing in 2010. I started with a blank bulletin board and a few magazines.  I found them very inspiring and helpful and best yet another good way to clean out the magazine rack of past issues. I clipped the things I found to be speaking to me... I have room for new thoughts that come to me as I begin the journey into the new year.
I have a few things added  that  I simply Like and those also make me happy and inspire me to plan ahead.  It is an ongoing  fun project. I put it on the wall in my "craft room" as incentive to get that room decorated and organized. Someday it may even be another guest room...

Pink flowers & pretty a work of Love

I found this tablecloth last weekend at the Goodwill Store. It is in perfect condition and hand embroidered. Somebody has put hours of love into this piece. All those pink flowers..I wasn't sure it would fit my table but sure enough it does. I will probably use it only for "Chick Lunches.  Pretty pink things make a luncheon special, I think.  The napkin rings are ones I purchased years ago in England . They match my China Tea Set "Old Country Roses."  ( another time a blog idea)

With Valentines Day coming it seemed fitting to use it now... even if its just for me to enjoy right now. It will definately be added as one of my favorite things.

Old Green & and now Cherry Red

Okay, Project  Re make of the 60's bread & spice box completed.. What do you think? I am using the bread storage cubbie for my everyday napkin storage, the drawers for cookie cutters, packaged spices, cookie decorating dye & sprinkles and the secret drawer with the lid is CHOCOLATE reserve...(shhhh.. don't tell anyone) there are chocolate chips in there...

Domestic Goddess Day

As I look ouside my "Sunroom" window I do not see the sun, instead rain, clouds and Winter.

I had planned to do a few Domestic  Goddess Duties, like change the bedsheets, clean the bathroom, do some laundry. It  sure would have been nice to hang out the sheets on my clothes line but as you can see they would never dry with rain & snow predicted and only mid 30 degrees.  With the Goddess duties now completed, I decided I would put on my " painting apron " head out to the garage and paint a thrift shop treasure I found last summer. I purchased Cherry Red paint and will redo a 60's breadbox for my kitchen.. It will not be used for that but as you will see when it's finished, the Martha Stewart side of my brain has taken over. I wonder what else I can create?

The Bed & breakfast...Bedroom

Yesterday, I decided to make our guest room a bit more cheery. Instead of the pink & lavendar quilt and pink accessories, I found a great bedskirt and two pillow shams at the thriftstore that I could not pass up.  Red plaid was screaming my name....Now the room is red & white. I call it our Bed & Breakfast Guest room for family & friends..  The white dresser came alive with the red don't you think?  I have some redwork embroidery to add and a few more red things. It looks like Valentines Day has come to visit..very fresh and Lovely...

Pondering

Pondering


Simple Definition: (To weigh in the mind with thoroughness and care.
To think or think about carefully and at length: chew on (or over
think out, think over, think through, turn over.)



I often sit and ponder about many topics, and with Spring so far away, I push thoughts of gardening away.. Our growing season is very short and nobody ( real gardeners ) don’t start planting until June 10th. I do have a few seed catalogs laying around, but I havent really read them or drooled over what herbs & veggies I plan to grow. But,

I did contact a landscape company Saturday, and will call on another this week….Hoping to have an ambitious talented person come check out my yard, pond and driveway to give me some ideas about what my endless possibilities are.. I am sure it will be costly but hey, a few  free professional  suggestions can’t hurt. Right? 
We know we want to get some major curb appeal going here. Trees, shrubs, flowers and to enhance the pond feature as well, and to beautify the entrance to Blue Sky Farm…Clay wants a hot tub added to  the back deck *which  we need one first* and I want lots of color… So Pondering we are doing, you may even call it dreaming… and hoping the budget can handle any new purchases.. Sadly some wont be visible, like underground water system and more good garden soil.. Why is it our fabulous ideas outweigh the pocket book? I suppose we will just do a bit now & add more as feel comfortable. In the meantime I shall make my list of wants and sit with the wishbook.

Doesn't Chicken Curry sounds good?

With winter still lurking here in Klamath Falls and I am sure Spring is still sleeping. My thoughts turn to soups, stews and curry dishes. I made a chicken curry last night and it was quite good. Usually my preference for chicken is breast meat, but I had thighs thawing , those are Clay's favorite. I know you are thinking.. "Are they eating their own  hens"? Absolutely NOT.

We could never eat them, Only their eggs...

The "seasoning part" can be tricky, too much pepper and its over the top..  too little and its bland. If you like med hot spicy food this recipe may need to be altered. Taste as you cook. Always a good Chef rule.

Chicken Curry

4 chicken thighs

1 can chicken stock

3 T tomato paste

1 can diced canned tomatoes

3 carrots cut in 1” chunks

½ Gr. Pepper cut in 1” chunks

½ med. yellow onion cut in large chunks

3 ribs celery cut in 1” chunks

2 cubes S&B Golden Curry sauce mix ( found in Asian section of grocery store) I use Med-Hot

1 cup chopped cilantro

½ cup shredded fresh basil leaves

Sprinkle top of dish with Coconut to garnish & serve.


Sprinkle chicken thighs with generous seasonings by a coating of curry powder, ground chili pepper, paprika, black pepper. Fry in ¼ cup vegetable oil. Drain when browned. Set aside ( heat of dish depends on amount of hot peppers added) adjust to preference.

Place vegetable in Dutch-oven in 2 T butter. Cook all vegetables 4 minutes. Add chicken stock , tomato paste, tomatoes and 1 cup water. Bring to boil.

Reduce heat, to simmer, Stir in 2 cubes of Golden Curry sauce mix until cubes are melted. Toss in cilantro & basil and stir. Let all ingredients rest on low heat until ready to serve over cooked jasmine rice.

Coconut gives the dish just the right bit of sweetness balancing the spicy hot.

Bon Appetite!

What's for Breakfast?

Breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day.. I must admit I often pass on breakfast... It's not that I don't like it because I love eggs.. and would eat them every day.

My girls are doing their part to insure we have plenty. Sometimes we even have them for dinner. I am down to 6 hens and they are providing us with 4-5 eggs a day. Not sure who is slacking but it doesnt seem to matter. I have two dozen waiting to be eaten.  Perhaps I should bake a cake... How does Chocolate sound?

Simplicity

It has been said that "Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough." ~Author Unknown


To live simply is not an easy task. I think often that I too must think and live more simply. I have made a list of simple pleasures and realise how much I have in my life. The New Year is here and as I think about the things I'd like to do this year,  the changes I'd like to see and the goals I want to acheive. My list is not a simple list, It involves others and they too have their lists to do...so I will start with me because I know me best.
I did not make a New Years  Resolution to lose pounds and inches, if it happens it will be because I have simplified my eating habits. I am working on a Simple exercise program and do plan to spend 30 minutes each morning working out on it. I will try to drink more water... to not stress out about the small stuff that I have no control over. To laugh more at my shortcomings, and to allow myself time to experience new things. To trust my instincts and to meditate by scheduling 5 minutes of stillness and silence twice a day and most important to remember to Breathe...
These are a few Simple things I am thinking about as I sit quietly. I think I can be successful carrying just this much baggage....
 

The Pretty New Dresser in Guest Room

The Dresser looks very pretty in the room.. I have a white glass basket with raised roses filled with Vanilla Potpouri and Vanilla candles on the top of the dresser.. I found the basket last summer on a trifting trip. I loved it but really had no place to put it..It has been packed away until today.. The dresser is old and was painted. I will leave it as it is... for now as it matches the nightstand and a blanket chest already in the room..

New Thrift Store Treasures

Yesterday I met a few of the Charming chicks to go to some antique and thrifts stores. We had a grand time and I found some great bargains. I went with plans of buying a few items I really needed to organize my kitchen. I have wanted a new desk as well. It was a great day I found exactly what I wanted and at super great prices. The heavy pot rack is a "recycled wrought iron display shelf." I removed the 4 glass shelves and added some "S" hooks to hang my pots on. Now I have more to purchase  more as I have more pans that need to be hung. I love the new look..
I found the desk first and at another store there waiting for me was the bookcase, of course I had to buy it. All my cookbooks fit nicely.
Thankfully I had friends along to help transport my goodies. I also bought a dresser for our guest room. I will post that picture when I get it moved into the guestroom.. Yes, I think I did well..  best part I only spent $245 for everything and the Charming Chicks had a great day together.