12 Thursday Sep 2013
Posted in heart and soul
Don’t forget that everyday of your life counts.
The day that you took your first breath was very important…but so is each one.
We don’t want to take even one day for granted.
Each day is an opportunity to do the job that God has placed before us.
Each day is a gift.
A precious gift from the Creator of all.
Lord, please help me look at life this way.
Always learning,
11 Wednesday Sep 2013
Posted in Culinary Style, fluffin' the nest, heart and soul
Did I introduce you to Betsey? Yes…I did in a quick post the other day. In case you missed it, Betsey is my version of the cow head on the wall thing that people are doing. I love it! Have you seen it? Miss Mustard Seed has one and has made it very popular. I love her. Don’t you? Anyway…one day I was a a yard sale and I found Betsey. She was lying there on the table….(Can one lay down if one is only a head?)….and it dawned “uponst” me….that I could have my own version of a cow head on the wall…for a smidge of the price. Now…that is not to say…that I wouldn’t love to have a big one…but for now…Betsey will do just fine. I am sad to say that I do not have a before picture, so get your imagination up and running. She used to be white with golden, glowing eyes. I believe that in her former life…she was a towel holder or something. Now she is just beautiful….watching me cook. (Btw: That is my very own preserved Boxwood. You can do it!) Betsey is a doll…in her espresso makeover. The other post about Betsey were pictures from my phone. We will call this Betsey’s glamour shot. 😉
So now onto my favorite pumpkin. I’m just throwing this in because it’s almost fall. The pumpkin, I’m thinkin’, was marked down last year because it was getting close to Christmas. I love it. It’s my favorite fake pumpkin of all time. Now the little bowl has a chip…so I got it at TJ Maxx (another fave!) for a song. (No…I didn’t sing and dance…but I would have…if they had asked.) It was a very thrifty price.
Last but not least….the Joy of Cooking. I found this little blue beauty at a yard sale the other day. I was in love. The color. The popularity of this book. The grease splatters from the woman that owned it for years. The notes left inside. The history of this cookbook. All of it. It was so worth the two dollars. I believe that this one is a third edition. There is something about old books that just grab me.
I don’t want to let you go without mentioning what today is. In my quiet time this morning, I thanked the Lord for keeping us safe since the dreadful day, twelve years ago. I was expecting our second child and it was a very scary and sad time. My heart goes out to those…that will never recover from that dreadful day. Not fully anyway. There are so many that lost so much and I pray that today they are comforted by those that care and hold them up in prayer. I am also very thankful for those that have fought this battle. I don’t ever want to take for granted those that serve to make this country what it is.
May God continue to bless America,
p.s. Thank you to all that commented on my last post! It was a joy to read what you had to say! I LOVE your comments!
09 Monday Sep 2013
Posted in Culinary Style, Yum for the Tum
Do you all do that whole week meal planning thing? I really want to know. I think that it’s grand. I am not that way. I am more of a day before meal planner. When I go to the store I buy basic ingredients that I can turn into all kinds of things. I’m always wanting to know what people are having for supper. After all…that is our big meal together at the Farmhouse. We even have a little fb page called What’s for Supper? Nosey aren’t I? 😉
I follow one person on Instagram that does the month of freezer meals. Isn’t that awesome!? That would save so much time. I actually know a lady, that works with my husband, that used to cook all weekend to have food ready for the next week. What an organized thing to do!
I have to have a little flexibility in my routine. With both of the above ideas…you could do just that, just in case one night in the week you felt like celebrating and going out for pizza or something. (The Mr. is probably nodding while reading this. I am known for my spur-of-the-moment ideas. Hey…it makes life fun.)
I really do want to know what is for supper at your house. Or….at your cabin…in your neck of the woods. I love to hear about families sitting down and sharing a meal together. It’s a wonderful thing. Tonight…along the dirt road we are having roast. In fact, here in just a bit, I’m going to go in the kitchen and put it on. That’s what you do with a roast right? “Put it on.” Well…that is what my family tree of gals have always said.
I love preparing for my family. I love it when I pick the kids up and they ask what we are having for supper. Most of the time…it’s positive feedback. You know how that works. They all like roast though…so I think that they will be pleased.
Have a wonderful day, Dirt Roaders. I love your comments…and I really want to know…what is on the menu for supper at your house.
In the kitchen…putting the roast on,
05 Thursday Sep 2013
Posted in everyday stuff, fluffin' the nest, Simply...living
Are you drying bushels of hydrangeas today? You aren’t? Well…you can. I am going to tell you how. Even though you could Google it…I will provide you with the info…free of charge. Yes…yes…I am sweet that way.
So….if you have a hydrangea bush…or a friend with a hydrangea bush, please don’t dress in all black and rob your neighbors in the night, (not very friendly) it’s pretty simple and amazing the way that dried hydrangeas last. Have you seen them everywhere? They are so pretty. Ours turn pink and green. What a pretty combo.
So…basically…the short of it, is this:
1. Cut your blooms off of the bush after they are dry and papery. (Not while they are still tender.
2. Cut in different sized stem lengths and remove leaves.
3. Bring inside…after debugging them…and put them in jars with water. Give each flower head enough space to breathe.
4. Set them out of direct sunlight and just leave them be…until they are dry. If they are still not dry after all of the water is gone, add more water and patiently wait.
I think that baskets of them are lovely. I also love the look of an old dough bowl with dried hydrangeas. They will last and you will have a beautiful floral arrangement in your home. Try it…you might like it. 😉
When mine are done for this year…I will try to remember to let you have a look. Why? Because you are Dirt Roaders…and you need to know these things.
Waiting on my hydrangeas,
03 Tuesday Sep 2013
Posted in Culinary Style, Yum for the Tum
Hey Guys! How was your long weekend? Our was fantab. We celebrated a birthday and made lots of fun and one not so fun memory. (We hit a deer. Not so fun.) Anyway…all in all it was great. I had plenty of time to count my blessings and that is what makes me the happiest.
Soooooooooooooooo….that brings me to this. Chicken. Do you love it? Do you hate it? What do you do with it? This is my dilemma today. I have, said chicky. I don’t even have to go to the store for, said chicky. I just don’t know what to do with….yes, you guessed it, said chicky. 😉
What I have are chicken tenders. Maybe I will butterfly them and just cook them in a little olive oil and add a dash of sea salt and cracked pepper. I also have a really good lemon pepper that I love. I love it so much…I could burn my family out on it. I’m trying to hold back. We may just have that and some lightish sides to go with it. I’m so glad that we had this talk. You guys are great and helped me out so much.
I hope that your mmmMonday! on Tuesday is treating you right. You deserve it! After all…you are Dirt Roaders. 😉
Much love…from me and the chicky.
30 Friday Aug 2013
Posted in everyday stuff, fluffin' the nest, Simply...living
First of all….the internet has been down again. Thank heavens for Smarty Pants phones. 😉 (I’m still not sure that I can justify it. Put it under the recreation heading.) 😉
I have some exciting news for you though! Our Araucana laid her first egg this week! You can be sure that I’m crazy about the color!
Didn’t she do good? Easter eggs in August.
We also had a little kitchen project this week. I will give you a little sneak peek and then next week…do some blogging about it and give credit to our inspiration. I am in love.
Do you see it? 🙂
I hope that your weekend is second to none. Celebrate by doing no labor. You’ve earned it.
Eating green eggs and ham, (not really)
29 Thursday Aug 2013
Posted in everyday stuff, RaMbLiNgs
You know what? It was rainy and cool and gray…in the Ozarks…for weeks. It is not like that now. It is smokin’ hot!!! So today…just because I’m sweet this way…I’m gonna post a few dreaming pictures for you. Do you know what that is? Of course you do! My Dirt Roaders are smart. Here we go…..
Is it helping?
I hope so.
Aren’t sugar molds just lots of fun?
Uh oh! That’s too cold! NOT ready for that yet!
In these dog days of summer, I hope that you stay as cool as a cucumber, my friends.
I know…but I couldn’t resist.
Sitting in front of the open refrigerator, (Just kidding Babe!)
27 Tuesday Aug 2013
Posted in Culinary Style, heart and soul
Today…..I went through my baking cabinet. You know, the one that holds all of the sprinkles and flavorings and seasonings. It made me excited. It made me dream about days of baking Christmas goodies and party food.
Days that I clean out the cabinets and the pantry…and even the fridge….I feel very blessed. I feel like I’m doing a good thing…just organizing what we already have. I’m not at the store piling more and more in my cart…I’m just looking through what has already be given by the Provider.
This is such a simple post today. No big project…which is not surprising. Our life, while we have some of those now and then, is really about being inspired by what you have already been blessed with.
I am thankful to be the type of person that gets joy out of these things. Now that’s not to say that I don’t love to shop now and then. I also love to go junking…which you already knew. I just find contentment at times in telling myself “Nah…I don’t need more of that…I already have enough at home.” I have to have a healthy balance or I start feeling overwhelmed.
On a little organizational note: Have you tried storing your cornstarch, baking soda and baking powder in wide mouth canning jars? It’s amazing. Perfect for scooping. Just be sure and label the tops. 😉
What are your thoughts on hoarding collecting, Dirt Roaders? Does too much overwhelm you? Do you love having just enough? I want to know. I also want to do better myself. Please pass the yard sale sign. 😉
Sorting through the piles,
26 Monday Aug 2013
Posted in Culinary Style, Yum for the Tum
Hey there…Dirt Roaders! Are you ready for another mmmMonday!? I have learned that there are two types of people: Those that love Monday and those that do not love Monday. Whatever the case may be for you, I’m here today with a little recipe that is bound to make your mmmMonday! a little easier…if you choose to make it next week. (Or the week after…or the week after that.) 😉
Last mmmMonday! our kitchen was in the process of being “beadboarded.” I needed something quick and easy as far as serving and clean up. I had saved some taco meat in the freezer the previous week and decided to use that for a base in a soup. I also asked my family first about making soup that day…because I tend to burn them out on it and it is still pretty (very) warm here…again. (My name is Kelli…and I am addicted to soup.) My Mr. is not a fan of big ol’ pots of bubbling soup and chili when it’s hot outside. I respect that. 😉
That being said…we haven’t had soup ALL summer. I was really itching for a bowl. Sooooo…..I used what I had at home and came up with this. I may have even said a prayer or two…hoping that the good Lord would bless my concoction so that it would be a keeper. Guess what? It was! I am sooo thankful! It won a coveted spot in my recipe journal. That is where the keepers go. I will be making this again. Our teen even said “This is seriously….like the best soup that I have ever had.” Um….WOW!
So…without further ado….and you guys know how I roll, a dash of this and a sprinkle of that….here is the recipe for………(drum roll please)……….
Thrifty Soup
leftover taco meat (that has been seasoned with taco seasoning)
1/2 head of cabbage, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
2 medium zucchini, chopped
2 cans of tomatoes
2 tsp. minced garlic
1 potato, diced
2 tsp. beef base
1 can of cream of mushroom
salt and pepper to taste
1 can of tomato paste
Put all ingredients in Crock Pot and let it simmer….deliciously all day long.
I cannot stress to you…just how yummy this was. We ate it with saltines…to save time and clean up….but cornbread would be amazing too. You can add as many or few cans of tomatoes as you want. You could add different veggies or beans also. We also grated some fresh Parmesan on ours. DEE-LIGHTFUL! So, the next time that you have a dab of taco meat leftover…don’t pitch it. Put it in a freezer bag….until you are ready for a soup day. You won’t be sorry, Dirt Roaders. Thrifty Soup….is the soup of your dreams. 😉
Happy mmmMonday!
25 Sunday Aug 2013
Posted in Gettin' all Crafty, sCoRiN' some JuNkItY JuNk
Have you noticed that people are hanging deer antlers on their walls and fake cow heads? It’s true. It’s the thing to do.
The other day I was out junking with my momma and ran across this little beauty. I believe that she was a towel or necklace holder in her former life. She had a price sticker on the back from a store that was in business here…yeaaaaars ago. It was called West Gibsons and then later West’s.
When I saw Betsey…..I knew that she needed to come home with me. I had spray paint in mind. I could see my own little version of the ever popular cow head.
I am so pleased that I found her. Betsey is right at home in the Farmhouse kitchen. She watches me cook. That is fine by me.
Happy Sunday evening, Dirt Roaders!
Kelli
p.s. I had a picture of Betsey’s “before”…..but I think someone me accidently deleted it. Anyway…she was white…with crazy gold eyes. Much better now!
By Rana Renee Dimmick
Along the Dirt Road 