I am SOOO hungry!!

I'm sure I could add the audio effects of my stomach growling. As I try to catch up, I smell my 7 A.M. roast that I just checked and is all deliciously done; the meat falling off the bone, the vegetables' flavour permeating the meat and juice. All it lacks is some "Bosch Potatoes"!!

If you hadn't noticed, we've been uber-busy. Now that it seems things are slightly better, we are working 16 hour days (or midnights), but we are digging in our heels and "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 3:14

Praise Reports:

*Healed Ankle

*2 Babies Potty Trained (3 yr-boy & 22 mo-girl)

(This is by no means a complete list of all prayers answered)

There has been so much accomplished that I have to categorize and post at a later date. I'll try not to wait so long.

I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES!!

Psalm 34

"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate."


KJV

Granny Along

I've been bitten by the Knit/Crochet/Quilting Bug. I learned that I could be doing handwork while I watch little ones and do my work later. I've had a much more relaxed day, but that might be because I'm still in my pajamas!! Anyway, this is my 1st time to make a granny square with directions with the intent to make many squares. I had to keep these from many hands wanting all the swatches!! I found two old knitting swatches from eons ago and finally took them off the needles. I made this one sorta-kinda in a pentagon and learned where to make it less or more for it to lay flat. It's in a dark red, navy blue and green with a charcoal border. I don't know the fiber content of the navy, but the red is acrylic and the other two are wool. I know, but these are my scraps and I love how they look together!! I will most likely make squares so I can put them together. If I wanted to make pentagons or hexagons, they would probably be coasters or hot pads for tea kettles. If you would like to join me, let me know. If you can send (e-mail) pics of progress, I'd be glad to post them with your notes or comments!! I'm planning on making one per day. So, in about 2 months I should have enough for a throw, if I don't get sick of them. I would LOVE to make Ellen Bloom's "Vintage Afghan" on grannyalong (dot) blogspot (dot) com. I think it's an easy way to start if you don't want to switch colors.

Italiano!

I was hunting for something else to make with the hamburger, potatoes and onions. I came across this recipe and decided to fix it. At the table I added cottage cheese. It was like...mmmm...lasagna, ummm,uh, ok, potatoe lasagna...lasagna cassarole...CASSAROLLI!!! I raise the flag to lay claim to this new word for this dish. Tonight, I make-a cassarolli! (obviously said with an accent--yes, italian)

Hamburger
Onions
Garlic
Salt
Pepper
Basil
Parsley
"Tomato Concentrate" -I had it, it sounded close enough to tomato soup
I forgot I wanted to add Celery
Oh, and the beans...the recipe said kidney, but I figured Garbanzo, Split-Pea, Black-Eyed Peas, Pintos and Lentils would work.

Yeah, Cook Meat...add spices, throw in crockpot and forget it til the Potatoes are done(roughly 3hrs on High). Real Difficult. Oh, the Beans had already been soaked and cooked.
The recipe said to cook meat then put all in the oven to cook for 2 hours (1hr covered, 2nd uncovered) I didn't want to think about a spill-over on the element...so the crockpot.

Clouds and wind without rain!

This was taken this evening, to the northeast, as a mini front moved through.

We trimmed and mulched around most of the blueberries today for a few hours.

"She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands."

I realized if I apply my time, besides running a country, I could get in my stitching! I have this lovely embroidery that I plan on making into a quilt with some red toile of women doing outdoor chores.

At naptime I was able to begin a lesson. Number 1 thread the needle the first time!! I see a sampler in the next couple of weeks! This was all inspired by the granny-along! I think I will be rotating the embroidery with a traditional granny square afgan.

All the Beautiful Flowers

The past couple of weekends we have been planting Raspberry plants. Digging in the sandy soil is not difficult, but it is still good work!! The little ones were digging in the old garden spot and filling it with water, making mini ponds about 1.5 feet by 5 or 6 feet. Their white socks were no more, but were as dark as the soil. I think it was last week; we finished putting in more fruit trees. It’ll be nice to pick our own fruit…like last year’s pears!! The pear is already flowering as well as the apple and cherry trees. It's beautiful. I hope we can put in some regular garden vegetables. Last year we had so many cherry tomatoes...I should have made lotsa salsa. Maybe this year, with onions and garlic and peppers!! These are the end of the season berries last August.

Mmmmm...Homecookin'

Breakfast was slightly, but pleasantly different. Making Eggs 'n' Toast every morning can get monotonous. I included leftover-leftovers! :) For dinner last night I took leftover mashed potatoes and put them with a hamburger gravy. (Carrots, celery, onions, garlic, salt and a bit of parsley saute in a white sauce and added to the cooked hamburger.) It was yummy!! This morning I took the leftover gravy and put it with biscuits and had eggs on the side. Gingermon (just ground cinnamon and ginger) and honey on the biscuits!! I usually make a chicken potpie with leftover mashed potatoes.

I have, now, some Nutty Bread rising (I put every nut and seed in it) and I need to make another batch of just Oatmeal Bread.

Pumpkin, Sunflower, Millet, Walnuts, Pecans, Almonds, Sesame, Ground Flax, Oats. With Cinnamon, Ginger and Nutmeg.

I hope to also make my scrumptious Chocolate Cake.

Chocolate

It's cold again and might snow. The aromas of a newly baked chocolate cake are in the air.

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)

3/4 cup butter

2 eggs

1 cup honey

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup milk

Mix dry ingredients. Cut in butter with pastry blender. (You can beat the batter like other cakes, I just found that this saves extra dishes.) Add liquid ingredients and stir until well blended. Put in a GREASED 15x10x2 or just try something new and fill any pan 1/2 to 3/4 full and adjust bake time. Bake at 350 F for 20 mins. When it pulls from the side of the pan...it should be done. Rotate this with Pumkin Bread, Banana Bread and Cookies for easy, fast, warm desserts that are perfect with a cup of tea!

It has a mild flavor, not rich...*taking another bite*...this is enough sweet for me. If I should make it any sweeter, the honey will change the texture, consistency and baking times.

Read to Me

I didn't realize the awe that children have for a good story. I've read plenty, including Green Eggs and Ham, but the fascination and questions of intrigue that followed after reading several chapters in Little House in the Big Woods amazed me! I am so happy to see them listen and watch their faces as their minds paint pictures. I am looking forward to story time now, which happens to be several times during the day. :)

Another backyard pic from the last snow we got that drifted to 3 or 4 feet. (drifts not shown, but on standby)

With the change in weather, I put on my wool leg warmers (the arms of a favourite sweater I shrunk) and turned on the oven. I made a batch of whole wheat bread, tried putting pumpkin bread in a muffin pan and round cake pan (I was able to shave off the top burned layer and turn it over for a perfect top!) and made a beef and potato stew for dinner.

April Showers

As I sit down with my tea, the sun comes through the clouds and makes the room brighter than the light bulbs. (A truly odd occurrence, since the windows are north facing) The tea is chamomile, fennel, spearmint, ginger, red raspberry leaf and nettle. It tastes pretty much like newly mowed yard, but it helps with a myriad of things!! I could add abit of honey and/or lemon juice or peel, but that's just an extra step.
If you need a tea to help you go to sleep or just extremely relax, Lavender is perfect! Don't have it during the day unless seriously stressed. I had trouble staying awake yesterday. The first time I had it I was so calm and turned into Perfect Mama: so very soft spoken.

DinnerTime

I will be, if I remember, posting my meals. It'll be the start...of something beautiful...I mean, the menu planner with pics and possible recipes. There is no sugar, no white flour, no processed products allowed. I am only writing now because I haven't thought of anything to make yet.

This Chicken Pot Pie/Shepherd's Pie is probably what I'll be making. Now what am I going to do with those beans...?

The name says it all.

Bella: Italian for beautiful

Mama: Universal for the best

Prairie: Where I live (mainstreet is just 10 steps away, just past the old oak)

Life: Still not sure, but learning to deal with it every day

The picture is out my back deck around 6 a.m. one day about a year ago-I think.

Can you hear me??!!

I am typing my very first blog!! ...I am getting my first writer's block, I'm sure I'll soon recover. Until then, ciao.