Here we GO!

Just sitting here getting ready for a pretty busy week.  Orientation at a new job!!  I have a few classes I have to take this week so I am trying to brush up on a few things.  So while I am studying I decided I needed a little brain food.

Yep!! Good 'ol Cookies n' Cream.  Just what my brain needed and my BUTT didn't.  

Before I go I do have a quick story for you guys tonight.  It snowed several inches a few days ago so the chickens have not ventured out much.  I opened the coop door yesterday to check on the food and water and I must have startled Chicken Little, the oldest rooster.  He started making all this noise and flew straight for the house.  The problem is I think the chickens get disoriented when they take off flying and then realize there is just white everywhere.  I do not think they know where to go.  So this is where he landed...

Yes, in the bush by the back door.  I finished doing the coop chores and went up to the house and he was just sitting there like.."you can't see me can you"?  I didn't know how long he would just sit there looking all freaked out so I just picked him up and he flew back to the coop.  Safe and sound back at home he started doing what he does best... prancing around in front of the lady hens!!  

Over and out for now...Hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed Monday!!

Yummy! Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Another dinner update.  Last night we had a wonderful Roasted Red Pepper Soup with a Ham and Cheese Panino.

FYI- In Italian Panino is the word used for sandwich. The plural form (meaning two or more) is Panini. So for all those American's that like to list their daily special as Panini's you are wrong. Technically that is like saying today we have Sanwiches's. So now that I cleared that up let get down to business.

Another quick and lovely creation by the hubby... Roasted Red Pepper Soup.  We had an abundant amount of red peppers this year so before they went bad we decided to roast them, slice them, and then freeze them.  Tonight we took a portion out of the freezer to make the soup.  Adding some homemade chicken stock, milk, a bit of this and a bit of that (I can barely keep up with him in the kitchen), we broke out the hand blender and pureed the boiling hot pepper mixture.

Next, I did manage to see a glimpse of some basil being tossed in at the end.

TIP: We finely chop Basil mix with minimal Olive Oil in a food processor and then spread the mixture out flat into a freezer bag and freeze it.  Then when you want that fresh taste of basil for your nightly dish you just break a piece off and toss it in.  Some people also use ice cube trays.

While the soup was being prepared I was in charge of the ham for the panini. Nothing fancy just browning the ham in a wok.  Nicky then used two or three different cheeses added the ham and into the panino maker they went.

A few minutes later voilá!! Another delicious homemade meal.

The good thing about this meal is you could make a ton of soup and freeze into individual portions for lunches during the week.  Make a couple extra Panini or just use crackers.

Till next time...

Hawks & Visitors

There is a quite persistent hawk in the neighborhood.  Quietly stalking out the ladies....and it isn't to make friends with them.  Besides the neighbors dog our local hawks have been the hardest prey to get a handle on.  I not only prefer the chickens to free range during the day, they also seem to lay better especially in winter when they can get outside.  But seeing as it is less than 20 degrees for several days now I can't exactly camp outside and keep an eye on them. Unless of course I want frost bite!  So the only solution for the moment is to keep them in the coop for most of the day with a break late afternoon for some outside, grass, and bug time.
Just when you think it is safe-------SWOOP, you see something flash past the office window.  I ran to the window...looked, next window....looked, then decided to step out the back door to check on them.  What ya know as soon as the back door opened there it (the Hawk) went gliding out of the tree RIGHT OVER THE COOP!!! After making a brief fool of myself screaming and waving my arms around, the hawk was gone.  I am sure it will make its presence another day unless the flailing about really scared it.  Hopefully if I keep them secured long enough the hawk will eventually move on realizing chicken is not on the menu!!


Here is a story for the kids!

I want to introduce everyone to Twanda and her friends!

A very special friend of mine surprised me today by letting Twanda come for a visit via snail mail.  Twanda and her friends went on a whirl wind trip with us all the way from Tennessee to Washington.  These three characters kept us entertained the whole way.  We drove through many states and had the privilege of visiting several tourist sites on our journey.  Never a dull moment with the five of us on the road.  One our first famous stops on the cross country tour was the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota.  This place is one of a kind.  Every year they pick a theme and decorate the whole building with CORN.  Corn (of all colors), corn stalks, wheat and grass adorn the entire outside.  The inside is huge as well and is currently used for many different venues. 

After walking around the huge corn palace we headed back out on the road.  Twanda was quite thirsty but we were low on cash.  We heard from some locals that a drug store up the road had free water to quench your thirst.  So you got it, Wall Drug became the next stop on our tour.  Once we arrived in Wall, South Dakota it was not to hard to locate the drug store.  It seemed like it took up a whole city block...and this ain't no BIG city.  Wall Drug is a mix between an old-time drug store, 5 & Dime, soda fountain, we have one of everything store, and a restaurant.

During the winding journey through Wall Drug my friend and I somehow got separated from Twanda and the gang.  We knew just where to look!! Yep, the water station.

After we got nice and hydrated and had some treats from Wall Drug we piled back into the car.  Off to Mount Rushmore.  We were all very excited about this one.  A huge national monument and none of us had been there before.  But you know when you are traveling with animals you always have to keep your eye out.  They are always looking for some stray to pick up and take home.

Uhhh, yes that is Twanda trying to make friends inside Mount Rushmore!!! 

Like we needed another mouth to feed.  After rationalizing with Twanda and the gang that it is a federal offense to remove any property (including wildlife) from a National monument she dropped it.  Finally back in the car for one last leg of the trip.  We didn't have any more planned stops but we were ahead of schedule and stumbled upon another historical treasure.  The site of the Battle of Little Bighorn where General Custer died.  So to take in a little history we decided to stretch our legs and go for a walk.  It was not only filled with history it was also a huge cemetery with many unique headstones.  

By the time we were done at the Battle of Little Bighorn it was getting a little chilly.  The sun was going down and we were also increasing in elevation.  As we pulled into out destination late that night Twanda and the gang starting scoping out their new home.  And for many years they lived with my friend happy and healthy.  BUT, today they arrived in Ohio ready to take on the farm life.  Hopefully they will adjust well and learn to get along with the chickens!! Wishing my friend the best and I will take good care of Twanda and the gang!!

Yummy! Venison Stack-ilada

I have decided all my Blogs about food should have Yummy in the heading.  Why, I don't really know because obviously if it wasn't good I probably wouldn't tell you about it.  Anyway, last night Nicky whipped up some delicious Mexican food. At first he said we were having Enchiladas and then he decided to stack them instead. Reminded me of a Mexican Pizza but since he made homemade enchilada sauce I chose to name them Stack-ilada's.

First he made homemade corn tortilla's which are delicious alone.. or with a pat of butter!!

After he cooked the tortilla he brushed them with homemade enchilada sauce and started layering them (3 high) with Venison and cheese in an iron skillet.

Once they were complete into the oven to finish them off.  I topped mine with additional sauce and sour cream.  Accompanied by some black beans and rice. Delish!!

On a different note it's getting close to crunch time deciding what is going in the garden in case we have to hunt down seeds. If you have any suggestions feel free to comment at the bottom of this post.  

Frigid COLD....

Well I have only one thing to say... COLD!!! Yes, this is what my phone said at about noon today. And this was the high for the day!!

Needless to say I really found no need to leave the house. Work never called so I spent my day studying for a class in front of my cozy little space heater.  I only took two breaks today: one to give the chickens some warm oatmeal (SPOILED) and once to make myself some dinner.

When I say make dinner it was nothing extravagant. With the hubby not home tonight it was just me and a nice biscuit pan full of Redneck Nachos.  One of my culinary delights.  You would be amazed at how delicious they are when you are hungry and LAZY!!

Don't they look Delish!! Chips, cheese and HOMEMADE Salsa is really all you need. BUT tonight I wanted to spice it up a bit so I broke out the sour cream and a jar of my HOMEMADE Jalapeños. Now I must give away my personal secret...I like to put the salsa on the nachos before they go in the oven. Nicky prefers to add his salsa after they come out of the oven.  I promise you one thing, those jalapeños from my garden are HOOOTTT! I love it!

That's it for now. If you are around here stay warm tonight... and if you aren't from around here send some $ for our heating bills.

Strawberry Jam

Although we had a few flurries this morning I still can not forget about SPRING coming!! Between looking out the window for HAWKS coming after the chickens and flipping through seed catalogues all I can think about is what to plant. It is so nice to have home grown products stuffed away during winter.  One of my favorite things that I have tucked away is Homemade Strawberry Jam.  If you are lucky enough to get some of this jam then you are special.  I have to admit that I have not made it yet. I get it from my friend Amanda.  Amanda and her mom have a tradition of making several batches every spring once the strawberries are ripe and ready.  There is nothing like a nice homemade jar of jam.  I sometimes panic when I get low (Amanda is in N.C.) but this year she really stocked me up. There is a ration program that we have to follow so it lasts us all year long..kidding... but I do keep an eye on how much is left. Amanda and her mom even put these cute labels on last year.

People are always looking for something special to give as gifts, especially to those who seem to have everything.  Most people would be more than happy to receive something homemade/handmade. Whether it is food, a scarf, or a nice photo in a frame.  Nicky and I have given small baskets of our homemade goods and it always brings a smile.  Plus if you make it in advance it's always ready to go... just add a bow and GO!!

THANKS Amanda and Cindy!!

Strawberry Jam

• 5 Cups cleaned/crushed Strawberries
• 1 box of fruit pectin
• 2 Tablespoons Butter (may use less according to the internet)
• 7 Cups granulated Sugar

* Bring Strawberries, butter, and pectin to a boil. Add sugar and bring to a boil for 1 minute, no longer.

* Scrap off excess foam and ladle into HOT sterilized jars. Make sure top is clean and seal with lid.

* Turn jar upside down till cool. (The Ball Blue Book says to process in a water canner for 10 minutes)

I am sure if you ask around there are hundreds different varieties/opinions on how to make this but I know this one is Delish. And for those of you who aren't sure I just saw this handy Jam Maker online. 

PS- all this talk about jam has made me hungry...I'm off to get some toast!!

Peeling Eggs

If you are anything like me you LOVE a nice deviled egg (or "angel egg" as Jeremy Stout, my pastor, would call it).  I do not require anything fancy with my deviled eggs but I know everyone has there own little recipe. Oddly enough I once saw a book at a friends house that was all about recipes for deviled eggs.

Can purchase on Amazon

However you like to make your eggs there is one step we all have to endure...peeling them.  If you get store bought eggs it's usually not that big of an issue BUT if you are lucky enough to get farm fresh eggs it can pose quite the problem.  The fresher the egg the more difficult it is to peel. The shell tends to stick to the inside membrane. As the egg gets older it pulls away from that outer membrane thus making it easier to peel.  I found this problem out the hard way. Two years ago I boiled two dozen eggs (from my chickens) at my in-laws and it was a disaster.  Half the white would peel off with the shell.  So after a little research I started my own study.
Everyday when I collected my eggs I would date one and set it aside in a designated carton.  After I collected about one months worth I boiled them all at once and started peeling. As the eggs got older and older it became more easy to peel.  So I determined if I want to make deviled eggs I need to set the eggs aside one month in advance.
However, there may be another alternative.  Recently Nicky's cousin, Geraldine, gave us an Egg Punch.  First you start with some beautiful and FRESH eggs.

Then you grab the egg punch. Can buy them on Amazon.

As you can see in the picture there is an EXTREMELY sharp pin that you poke into the broad end of the egg prior to boiling.  Nicky has used the egg punch several times with good success.

So whether you like you deviled eggs sour, HOT, fancy or not try these two tips for easy peeling.

PS- make sure and bring me some to try when you make them!!!

Spring Planning

I know I may be crazy already thinking about Spring but I feel like I have so much stuff to do before Spring gets here. Between the garden, meat chickens, and a possible pig I have lots of planning to do.

Last year we tried a few new plants in the garden. Some worked and some didn't. So the task now is to start planning for this year. We always draw the garden dimensions on a spreadsheet and make rows. That way we know exactly how much planting space we have. Last year we left enough room between the rows to get the tiller down each row...who knows what we will do this year? Once the spread sheet is set up we start deciding which plant will go in each row. Sounds easy right!? You have to figure out how much you want to grow, then determine how much space between each plant depending on the variety. It is a fun process figuring out what is going in the garden each year. After the chart is done we make sure we have a enough seed and determine when the seed needs to be started. Some plants we start inside because of Ohio's temperatures.  Needless to say the mud/laundry room is a bit messy during April and May.

Meanwhile, we have to also figure out when we want to raise our meat chickens. We actually have to figure out when, how many, what breed and how to house them.  Last year was our first year to raise meat chickens and boy did we learn a lot.  Nicky made a chicken tractor out of pallets, plywood, and chicken wire.  Then I painted it with reject paint from the hardware store.

We ordered Cornish Cx birds and said our prayers.

We did manage to freeze about 10 birds last year but as we found out (or better RAN out) we realized we needed to raise more. This year I think we will do things a little different so we do not lose as many birds before harvest time as we did last year. It is definitely a fine art.

So not that we do not have enough to think about we want a PIG?!? We had a pig last year briefly that someone had given to us.  We knew nothing about raising a pig on the day it arrived. Again...thank goodness for the internet and FREE pallets.  It was not doing very good when we received the pig which is one reason why we took it. It needed some TLC.  After being hand fed with lots of goodies added to the feed like garlic, and ACV (unfiltered apple cider vinegar) to help ward off any infection she really began to perk up and thrive.

But unfortunately I guess some pigs get certain diseases for unknown reasons and she passed away.  We were offered a replacement but decided to wait till Spring. Mainly because I am much happier hauling water/feed when it is warm than when it is COLD!!! So perhaps we will try it again this year.

So if you are wondering what is going on here... PLANNING, PLANNING, PLANNING!!

I challenge you to grow something this year.  Just one thing.  You may be surprised at how rewarding it really is.  If you have room for a flower or plant you have room to grow food.  Some vegetables and herbs can grow right in a pot. Let your kids grow something too.  My nephew always uses a flower bed on the side of the house and plants a couple pumpkin seeds.  Try a tomato plant or pepper plant in a pot or cucumbers with a trellis. Just pick something you usually buy at the store and try to grow it yourself.

Happy Planning!!

Printer in the House!

There are a few things in life that I find quite impossible to purchase despite the research you put into learning about them. A printer and a mattress. No two stores have the same printer models and everyones reviews are different.  After having read and shopped around for three days now I bit the bullet and just bought one. I feel after all the research I put into learning about these printers I should not have such a knot in my stomach purchasing one. But I do!!! Probably because for every really amazing review there is one that is equally as bad.  So after much contemplation, research, note taking, and questioning of sale people I did it. I bought a new, shiny, beautiful Canon. I really tried for an Epson but ended up with the Canon. I am very excited to try it out but I sure hope it lives up to all the reviews. It is wireless which I am really excited about and it has a tray for the paper so the paper is not constantly hanging out of the printer. Much cleaner look than my current BUSTED HP. I will let everyone know how it turns out once I have time to play around with it.

Other than that it went from 64 degrees yesterday to 27 degrees tonight...to say the least I am hanging out in front of the fireplace tonight.

Stay warm and have a great night!!

All DUE! and Winter's coming back...

We are currently bracing ourselves for the cold again. After having two days in the upper 50's and lower 60's winter is headed this way again.  It gave us time to get some outdoor tasks accomplished: power-washing our latest auction find and cleaning the chicken coop. Oh and it also gave us time to call the furnace guy because it just so happen that three days ago the furnace quick working. I feel quite blessed that it was 50 degrees this weekend and not 15 degrees. But now that the cold is arriving I will be back indoors.  This will give me plenty of time to get caught up on some housekeeping duties related to the good 'ol nursing license. I am not sure how or why but every single license and certification I have is all due this year by September!!! Yes, ALL of them.  Texas and Ohio license due, CPR, PALS, CPR instructor, and continuing education.  Now the goal is to see how fast I can get it all done. Oh wait....I can't print anything because the printer is BUSTED.  Yeah, remember the invitation post...still looking for a printer. I guess that will be the goal for tonight so I can purchase it tomorrow.  Now off to start the continuing education... after I get some dinner!! =)

But last night Nicky and I went for Pho at Buckeye Pho.  I love Vietnamese food.  After dinner we headed over to the International Market in the same shopping center.  It is always a learning experience to see what ingredients other cultures are using.  It was a good thing most of the packaging was also in English or I would not have known what half of the food was.  We snapped a couple pics of the more interesting selections.

Fried Gluten??? Not sure what this is for?

EVERYTHING is better wrapped in Pork skin

AND some interesting trail mix

This market had everything. We ended up walking out with Spicy Peas, Wasabi Peas, and Fava Beans.    We definitely learned something and can not wait to use some different ingredients!! What is life without an adventure every now and then.

Oh, and here is the hair for the peeps who wanted to see it. 

Have a Blessed Week!!! and eat some Pigs Feet...

Making Invitations

Just a quick blog in between making a wedding invitation for my lil sis. We have been going back and forth via email, phone, and text trying different layouts, colors, fonts, wording and even paper type.  It has been fun to use different programs on my computer to try different things. That being said sometimes you run into some compatibility issues. After wanting to pull my hair out night before last I finally got it resolved today.  Always a learning experience!  A few things I learned during this process: one, my printer stinks (and that is as nice as I can put it), two, with out the internet it would take me forever to learn anything, and three, patience and stepping away from the project for a minute or two makes a world of difference.
I admit I had fun making the invitation and I am glad for all the mistakes too.  Next time I can take what I learned and expand on what I did this time. I would love to post a pic so you could see the progress but then it would spoil the big reveal when folks get them in the mail.

FYI: In the end I used a template for the monogram and then uploaded into Pixelmator, did some tweaking in Pixelmator (made a BORDER!!, margins, layers, etc.) and saved it as a PDF. PDF was a must to get it uploaded and printed. Especially since my printer is busted.

Ironic I can describe a three day process in two sentences.

Links for invitations: You can get ideas and DIY help for many types of invitations at the following links:

Zazzle
Etsy
Paper Source
Invitation Consultants
invys
paper and more
Wedding Paper Divas
Pinterest
weddinghchicks
Ann's Bridal Bargains
Basic Invite

Expand your creative mind and try making your own invitations next time. You might even surprise YOURSELF!!

Canvas is HERE

The snow is finally melting here in Ohio. Today the chickens had the run of the yard again. It didn't take them five minutes to realize they could go right to the back door and POOP! Yes, I think they all decided to run straight to the house and leave land mines on the sidewalk.  

Anyhow, I have a bit of a spring cleaning bug coming on pretty strong so everything in this house had better be on it's best behavior or it could go straight in the TRASH! But before the cleaning is to begin I get to hang my new canvas that I finally received in the mail today.  It does look nice but I did learn one lesson from this experience.  The company I used convinced me to send them the unedited file of my photo instead of one that I had photoshopped.  I should have sent them exactly what I wanted because they didn't crop everything the way I had explained. Oh well there is always next time. I ordered the 3 panel photosplit but I like the first panel with the truck so much I may not even hang the other two.

Next on the agenda as always is my dinner. Tonight Nicky made a really good Broccoli and Potato soup. Delish! For further instruction see below per the CHEF.

1- Sauté the broccoli stems with some white potato and onion in butter until translucent then add some chicken stock and cook until very soft. 
2- Puree and add some milk mixed with a touch of flour, and seasonings… salt, pepper, cayenne, etc…
3- Caramelize some sweet potatoes, blanch some cubed white potatoes and broccoli, and crisp some bacon.
4- Mix it all in one pot with some cheddar

YEAH!! 1,000

This is the shortest post ever to just say how excited I am that I have 1,000 pageviews on my BLOG!!!!
I am sure half of them are my mom and my husband but who has to know.... THANKS to everyone for reading. Feel free to comment anytime at the bottom of each post and if you want to join just hit the button on the right side of the page that says "Join this site".

Thanks Again,
ME

PS- I love my new haircut!!

What a way to START the day!!

Oh I am so excited today!! Why, you ask???  It's hair cut day. Yeah I know that may sound a little corny BUT I love getting my hair cut.  The big question is always whether I should grow it out or keep it short. I like it both ways but it is definitely easier and quicker when it is short AND as many of you know I am not afraid to play around with a little color as well.  Blonde, Black, Red, who cares it will be different in 8-12 weeks anyhow.  It always gives me such a renewed feeling to get the old dead hair chopped off.  Two of the most difficult people to find in this world is a good dentist and a good hair stylist. After I left Texas (where I HAD the best Stylist and Colorist) I was on the search for someone just as good. After four salons and four different hair cuts I found her.... ahhhhhh. Miss Natalie at Waldo's on High.  Best of all she listens to what I want and gives great advice. So between the two of us we can rock a cut and color!! LOL

The other thing that got me moving today was this...

Yes those are my morning comfy clothes hanging on the Stocking hangers getting warmed by the fireplace. Thanks to the hubby!!!

Before I go I have to share with you the dinner we had last night. I know I have already told you guys about Perogies before but we changed it up a bit last night. We decided to add some broccoli and bacon to the mix! What could go wrong with anything you add bacon to??!! Nicky also put some cheddar cheese on his but I opted for just sour cream. They were delish!!

Have a GREAT day!!

Date Night

Like most people Nicky and I get on a roll sometimes and forget to stop and just enjoy each other. Soooo... we decided to have a date night this weekend since we had a couple gift cards from Christmas. Compliments of my Mom we had a wonderful dinner at Benihana's. If you have never experienced Benihana's it is quite the treat. They cook hibachi style right in front of you.  They have expanded their menu from what it was 10-15 years ago; including spicy items, teriyaki and a tasty sushi menu.  To start off we had a Spicy Tuna roll from the sushi menu followed by their soup and salad that comes with most of the entrees. For the main course I had Spicy Chicken and Nicky had the Benihana Experience which was Teriyaki Beef and Shrimp. The entrees also come with Chicken Fried Rice which is cooked with garlic butter and is probably the best in the WORLD!!!

After dinner we opted for a movie.  How, I do not know because we were so full I am sure we could have been just as happy to go home and SLEEP! But we were determined.  I had already done my research on what movies were out there and decided to call my PERSONAL movie critic... my Mom.  Yes I said my Mom.  My Mom and Dad go to the movies just about every weekend. I said movieS (plural), not movie.  Sometimes they may see three or four in one weekend.  So why not go straight to the source for recommendations. After some discussion we decided to see Silver Linings Playbook and it did not disappoint. It was a perfect date night movie in my opinion. This movie has something for everyone. Comedy, drama, and even a little romance.

Click for Trailer

Overall we had a lovely evening and after a full belly from Benihana's and the unmentionable snacks at the movie it was time for bed.

Make sure and spend time with the special people around you while you can... because you never know what the future holds!!

Happy 2013

2012 is now in the past... I am glad every one survived the Mayan calender end of the world.  I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's celebration.  I am sure a few if not all of you reading this have made a couple resolutions to start off the year.  Feel free to post your resolutions in a comment below... so I can make sure you are on track throughout the year! HAHAHAHAHA

All kidding aside Nicky and I had a relaxing but wonderful evening at Nicky's cousins house.  Had some wonderful food and then the CARDS came out.  While we were in Texas my Nanny and PawPaw showed us how to play Hand and Foot (Nicky called it Hand, Foot, and Mouth).  We ended up playing till 2am one night until I insisted on going to bed. We enjoyed it so much we decided to play on New Years Eve. You need quite a few decks, one deck more than the number of players you have and you usually play with a partner.  So at the party we had six people playing. Needless to say we left their house at 430 AM!! Yes AM!!! Now that's a party. 

Other than that winter is going full throttle here. It snowed several times last week and has been so cold it remains snowy white today.  In fact it was 7 degrees when I went to bed last night.  I am sure it is creating a bonding experience for the chickens.  Better to be next to someone and warm then trying to rule the roost with no one wanting to be next to you.  That lesson could transfer to real life as well.  I did have to pull out the heated water bucket so their water can't freeze.  Overall they seem to be hanging in there.  

Last week I snapped a couple quick shots after the snow. 

ENJOY!

They LOVE pecking at Snow

Nicky clearing the drive