If you are anything like me, you like to make things yourself instead of buy them. I can't stand spending money on something that I can do myself and I really hate letting some big manufacturer decided what chemicals are going to be in my food! Now, I have been cooking for a very long time but the one thing that has been beyond my capabilities has been pie crust. For whatever reason, I have NEVER been able to make a decent crust. Until now. My friends, I present to you a very easy, very tasty pie crust courtesy of Mary Jane's Farm magazine. This is the recipe I used in the Tomato Pie from the other day. It makes 1 double crust 9" pie or 2 single crust 9" pies...Like how I did that math for you?!
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 C. Flour (calls for all purpose but I used whole wheat)
1 Tsp. Sugar
1/2 Tsp. Salt
1 C. Cold Butter, diced
5 Tbsp. Ice Cold Water
Combine dry ingredients in a food processor or bowl. Process or use a pastry blender to cut in the butter until it resembles course meal.
Add water, 1 Tbsp. at a time until mixture forms a ball.
Shape into 2 disks and chill for an hour (this can be frozen for up to 3 weeks at this stage)
Roll out each disk to fit into pie plate.
So easy even I couldn't mess it up!
A little side note for you-I was reading about how you can use whiskey in place of the water for a really flaky crust. It says that the alcohol cooks out so you aren't getting all boozy eating the pie and leaves the crust extra flaky. Have you ever heard of that? Have you tried it? I thought it was a bit interesting so I think I may try it...if hubs will spare the whiskey!!!
Sharing at The Prairie Homestead, Frugally Sustainable
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Tomato Pie
Now don't be turning your nose up at the thought of Tomato Pie. It is sooooooo good. When my father in law first mentioned it, I thought EWWWWW! Then my mother in law made one and sent a few pieces over for us to try. Oh. My. Word. The kids and I were scarfing it down so fast I had to beat them away from it to save enough for hubby to try it. Yes, it was that good. So without further delay.....
INGREDIENTS
1 Pie Crust, precooked and cooled
3-5 Ripe Tomatoes, sliced 1/2" thick and sprinkled with salt and placed in a colander to drain for at least 15 minutes.
2 C. Shredded Cheese-anything you like. I used Mozzarella
1 C. Mayo
Pepper, Basil and Oregano to taste
Layer sliced tomatoes in pie crust and sprinkle with seasonings. In a small bowl, mix mayo and cheese together. Spread mixture over the top of the tomatoes covering all the way to the pie crust. Bake at 425 for 25-30 minutes until browned and bubbly.
This is good hot or room temp. and reheats well.
Being shared at The Prairie Homestead
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Happy 4th Of July
Happy Birthday America!!! Hope everyone has something fun and fantastic going on today. We are having a cookout with friends and family. We were going to have it outside since there are too many people to fit comfortably in my house but we got one heck of a storm last night and all my patio furniture is soaked and we are expecting more rain today. After several weeks of no rain, I am NOT going to complain! We are just gonna get REAL CLOSE inside!!!
We are having the standard fare of grilled hamburgers. I make my burgers by combining ground beef and ground deer in a 2:1 ratio. Then, for every 3-4 pounds of meat, I mix in 1 envelope of Lipton Onion Soup mix. The burgers are to die for!!! I also make my own buns. I thought that I had already shared my recipe for buns but, after a quick scroll through my post list, I see that I have not. No worries. I have a NEW recipe that I just discovered the other day that is really good...maybe even better than the original! I'll be sharing them both soon.
You can't have a cookout without potato salad and my mother in law makes THE BEST potato salad!!! Just for me, she puts big chunks of dill pickle in it. No little itty bitty relish! I love pickles!
My mom is bringing fruit salad which is so cool and creamy for a hot day! One of our friends is bringing a rice dish that my entire family loves. I don't make it anymore because it calls for canned soup, but once I redo that recipe, we will be eating it again. Th original recipe is one can beef consomme, one can french onion soup, 1 cup long grain rice (can be white or brown), 2 Tbsp. butter. Mix all together and put in a casserole dish and bak at 350 for about 45 minutes (a little longer if using brown rice). Scrumptious!!!!!!
To keep everyone from starving to death while the burgers are grilling, we will have chips and dip (doesn't everybody????) and a great little dip I found on the blogoshphere called Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip. It is outrageously good with graham crackers or apple slices....or a spoon!
I'll be sharing that recipe soon, too!
To end the meal, I will be making a blueberry crisp with blueberries from my bushes and crisp from...my pantry. AND I came across this little firecracker cake on ziplist. It will be making an appearance at my house this afternoon!
We hadn't planned any fireworks due to the extreme drought and the simple fact that we didn't want to burn our farm! I really am okay with that. We will probably watch some on tv tonight if we are in the house. If not, cest la vie. We will enjoy ourselves anyway!
Have a wonderful, SAFE, fun, SAFE, enjoyable and SAFE 4th of July!!!! Feel free to share with me what your family is doing for the 4th. I would LOVE to hear it, er... read it!!!
We are having the standard fare of grilled hamburgers. I make my burgers by combining ground beef and ground deer in a 2:1 ratio. Then, for every 3-4 pounds of meat, I mix in 1 envelope of Lipton Onion Soup mix. The burgers are to die for!!! I also make my own buns. I thought that I had already shared my recipe for buns but, after a quick scroll through my post list, I see that I have not. No worries. I have a NEW recipe that I just discovered the other day that is really good...maybe even better than the original! I'll be sharing them both soon.
You can't have a cookout without potato salad and my mother in law makes THE BEST potato salad!!! Just for me, she puts big chunks of dill pickle in it. No little itty bitty relish! I love pickles!
My mom is bringing fruit salad which is so cool and creamy for a hot day! One of our friends is bringing a rice dish that my entire family loves. I don't make it anymore because it calls for canned soup, but once I redo that recipe, we will be eating it again. Th original recipe is one can beef consomme, one can french onion soup, 1 cup long grain rice (can be white or brown), 2 Tbsp. butter. Mix all together and put in a casserole dish and bak at 350 for about 45 minutes (a little longer if using brown rice). Scrumptious!!!!!!
To keep everyone from starving to death while the burgers are grilling, we will have chips and dip (doesn't everybody????) and a great little dip I found on the blogoshphere called Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip. It is outrageously good with graham crackers or apple slices....or a spoon!
I'll be sharing that recipe soon, too!
To end the meal, I will be making a blueberry crisp with blueberries from my bushes and crisp from...my pantry. AND I came across this little firecracker cake on ziplist. It will be making an appearance at my house this afternoon!
We hadn't planned any fireworks due to the extreme drought and the simple fact that we didn't want to burn our farm! I really am okay with that. We will probably watch some on tv tonight if we are in the house. If not, cest la vie. We will enjoy ourselves anyway!
Have a wonderful, SAFE, fun, SAFE, enjoyable and SAFE 4th of July!!!! Feel free to share with me what your family is doing for the 4th. I would LOVE to hear it, er... read it!!!
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Dang It's Hot!
I don't know what the weather is like where you live but here, it's hot. Not just any kind of hot but someone-turn-off-the-oven-and-quit-baking-me-alive hot. We had 2 gloriously cool mornings this past week and then hell took over our weather. We went to eat and to Home Depot last night. When we left there it was 8 pm and 106 degrees! What, pray tell, is the purpose for evening temps to be in the 100's???? I find no logical explanation. Yesterday was so hot that we had to put a hose in the chicken coop, set on mist, to keep my chickens from frying in the heat. I was sure I would look outside and see them spontaneously combust! I implemented an idea I got from one of my favorite blogs, Hickery Holler Farms. She takes used water bottles and fills them and freezes them. Then, in the morning she puts them in the animal pens to help cool them off. Throughout the day, she exchanges the melted ones for frozen ones. She has so many great ideas, please check her out! Anyway, I put some frozen bottles out there yesterday in the places they go to cool off. Nobody died so I am counting that as a victory!
On the gardening front, I am swimming in tomatoes. I am NOT complaining, however! Most of them are my grape and cherry tomatoes so they get eaten pretty quickly. You know the deal, they are on the counter so every time I pass by, I eat a few. Could be worse. I could be grabbing m & m's instead of tomatoes. BUT I AM NOT!!! The m&m's are already gone :) I think I will be pulling up my yellow squash plants. They have been producing heavily for a couple of months and are looking a little ragged. Also, my green beans that were planted in full sun are about done. They look terrible and aren't producing much anymore. They ones planted in partial shade still look pretty good so I will still be getting some beans. I am getting a little okra but I am not impressed with the plants. Not much growth on them, shaded and full sun alike. I noticed that I have several watermelons growing away in the field and the pumpkins are just starting to get a bit of orange color on them. I planted sugar pumpkins because I want to can my own for pies. Which reminds me, I REALLY need to get some more jars. I have never canned this much before so I have run through my stash. Mother in law said Big Lots had a bunch of them on clearance so I will go check.
Most of my sunflowers have bloomed and dropped their petals. Can't wait to have fresh sunflower seeds. I need to find out how to go about drying them. I have no idea how long I need to leave them in the ground. They are looking a bit sad right now and they are all planted right in front of the front door so anyone who comes to the house has to pass the drooping flowers. That is okay because we don't get too many visitors out this far unless it is family (they know better than to comment on my droopy flowers) and the UPS guy. Lately, he has been coming at least 3-4 times a month. I am just glad he is not driving OVER my droopy flowers!
The blueberry bush is producing more than I thought it would. This will probably be the last year for these bushes. They are in an area that needs to be reworked and they may have to go. It's all good because, once we get started on the new house, I will need to replant everything anyway. I am hoping that my muscadines make it. We have been under a severe drought. No rain in over 2 weeks (and none in the forecast) and temps in the 100's make it hard to keep everything watered. We do not have a sprinkler system so everything is done by hand. They are looking as droopy as my sunflowers. Today, I will be concentrating on getting them watered good. They like water but they don't like their "feet" to be wet. Something tells me that won't be a problem today.
One benefit of not having a sprinkler system and no rain is that my lawn doesn't need to be cut often. I tried mowing yesterday to knock down the hay that is sprouting up but everything is so dry and brittle that it was only shredding the yard. Oh darn, I can't mow so I guess I'll just stay inside all day. Thank you Lord for air conditioning!!! Stay cool out there!
UPDATE
Saturday, our temps we over 114 degrees. We built an extra shelter for our chickens as the only shade they had was under the coop and a small bush. We put a sprinkler in the pen to spray cold water all around and refilled all waterers with ice cold water. At 8 pm, we were still over 100 degrees. When the kids went out to shut the coop for the night, they found one of the hens dead. My sweet Matilda made it all the way up the ramp and then died in the doorway. Even after spending all day trying to keep them cool, we still lost one. Please keep a close eye on your animals! If you have a husband like mine who refuses to let you install a room air conditioner in the chicken coop (yes, I really suggested it) then you must be extra vigilant about keeping them comfortable...and alive!
On the gardening front, I am swimming in tomatoes. I am NOT complaining, however! Most of them are my grape and cherry tomatoes so they get eaten pretty quickly. You know the deal, they are on the counter so every time I pass by, I eat a few. Could be worse. I could be grabbing m & m's instead of tomatoes. BUT I AM NOT!!! The m&m's are already gone :) I think I will be pulling up my yellow squash plants. They have been producing heavily for a couple of months and are looking a little ragged. Also, my green beans that were planted in full sun are about done. They look terrible and aren't producing much anymore. They ones planted in partial shade still look pretty good so I will still be getting some beans. I am getting a little okra but I am not impressed with the plants. Not much growth on them, shaded and full sun alike. I noticed that I have several watermelons growing away in the field and the pumpkins are just starting to get a bit of orange color on them. I planted sugar pumpkins because I want to can my own for pies. Which reminds me, I REALLY need to get some more jars. I have never canned this much before so I have run through my stash. Mother in law said Big Lots had a bunch of them on clearance so I will go check.
Most of my sunflowers have bloomed and dropped their petals. Can't wait to have fresh sunflower seeds. I need to find out how to go about drying them. I have no idea how long I need to leave them in the ground. They are looking a bit sad right now and they are all planted right in front of the front door so anyone who comes to the house has to pass the drooping flowers. That is okay because we don't get too many visitors out this far unless it is family (they know better than to comment on my droopy flowers) and the UPS guy. Lately, he has been coming at least 3-4 times a month. I am just glad he is not driving OVER my droopy flowers!
The blueberry bush is producing more than I thought it would. This will probably be the last year for these bushes. They are in an area that needs to be reworked and they may have to go. It's all good because, once we get started on the new house, I will need to replant everything anyway. I am hoping that my muscadines make it. We have been under a severe drought. No rain in over 2 weeks (and none in the forecast) and temps in the 100's make it hard to keep everything watered. We do not have a sprinkler system so everything is done by hand. They are looking as droopy as my sunflowers. Today, I will be concentrating on getting them watered good. They like water but they don't like their "feet" to be wet. Something tells me that won't be a problem today.
One benefit of not having a sprinkler system and no rain is that my lawn doesn't need to be cut often. I tried mowing yesterday to knock down the hay that is sprouting up but everything is so dry and brittle that it was only shredding the yard. Oh darn, I can't mow so I guess I'll just stay inside all day. Thank you Lord for air conditioning!!! Stay cool out there!
UPDATE
Saturday, our temps we over 114 degrees. We built an extra shelter for our chickens as the only shade they had was under the coop and a small bush. We put a sprinkler in the pen to spray cold water all around and refilled all waterers with ice cold water. At 8 pm, we were still over 100 degrees. When the kids went out to shut the coop for the night, they found one of the hens dead. My sweet Matilda made it all the way up the ramp and then died in the doorway. Even after spending all day trying to keep them cool, we still lost one. Please keep a close eye on your animals! If you have a husband like mine who refuses to let you install a room air conditioner in the chicken coop (yes, I really suggested it) then you must be extra vigilant about keeping them comfortable...and alive!
Monday, July 2, 2012
God's Blessings
I have had something on my mind for quite some time now. I even thought about going and talking to my pastor about it. Eighteen years ago, hubby and I got married. It was his 2nd marriage and he had his 3 kids in his custody. Being an only child, I wasn't really prepared for what I was about to get into becoming a wife and step mom (we never liked that term and the kids made me swear to never use it) to a 6 year old boy, and a 5 year old and 3 year old girls. Yes, there were problems. His ex never really took much of an interest in the kids and, when she did, it was a really bad influence. However, I adored being their mother. They were great kids and we really wanted more. My husband had a vasectomy when his youngest was born and, after we got married, he had it reversed. It was a success but I still could not conceive. We tried for 5 years and nothing. We finally sought help and agreed to try in vitro. I was implanted with 2 embryos and it was a total success. I gave birth to our son and daughter and we froze the remaining embryos. We always knew we would use them, eventually. Then, we fell into a financial nightmare that has only just lifted. We sold our house and moved to another state and began living a totally different lifestyle. When I turned 40, hubby and I felt that maybe we were done having kids. The twins were 10 and didn't need as much hands on time. When we went somewhere, we could actually have fun and didn't have to worry about strollers, diapers and nap times. We felt very good about that decision so when the storage fee for our remaining embryos came due. We decided to donate them to be used for implantation technique practices (not to be implanted into anyone.). I hadn't really felt any "urge" to get pregnant and I figured that if it hadn't happened (without medical intervention) in all the years we had been married, there was no need for birth control. Fast forward almost 3 years and I have been struggling to come to terms with what we did. It hit me all of a sudden that we essentially murdered our future children. We never asked God to guide us in that decision. We relied on our own understanding instead of His. Several months back, I got the overwhelming feeling that I would like to have more kids. I talked with hubby and while, if it happened naturally he would be fine with it, but he didn't want to go through the whole in vitro process again. I began praying that God would again bless us with more kids. Then it hit me. He HAD blessed us with a successful in vitro procedure. He HAD blessed us with 6-8 embryos that were unused and in a deep freeze. And what did we do with that last blessing? We threw it away! That realization broke my heart and continues to break it each day. Why would God give me the blessing I was asking for when I so carelessly didn't accept it before? These are feelings that NO ONE from the fertility clinic tells you about. If you are in this situation, PLEASE don't make any permanent decisions right away. Years later you may regret it. And you can't change it. No matter how hard you try. I know God forgives me for what I have done. I have fallen to my knees and repented. But just because He forgives me does not mean He will give me what I ask for. Maybe that is my punishment. I wish I could change things. I am in a different place in my walk with God than I was when I made that decision. My eyes have been opened to what God expects of me as a believer. Children are a blessing from Him that should never be turned down. The regret that I live with now is crushing me but I know that my Saviour is still holding out His hand to me, waiting to pick me up. And I will continue to praise Him even though He may never bless me with more children. He knows what I need so much better than I do.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Immoral or Simply Immodest?
Yesterday, my mom and I took the twins to a waterpark for the day. Our temps here are skyrocketing higher and higher by the minute and we won't be getting our pool until next month so we figured a day in the water is just what we needed. Our day started early in the morning because the waterpark is an hour and a half away and we wanted to get there early. After some problems with the gps (it kept us going in circles in one town) we finally arrived for a day of fun. A worker led us to the cabana we rented for the day and, after stowing away our gear, we headed to the attractions. After awhile mom and I decided to go back to the cabana and relax. We had a great view of the park from our deck chairs so we could keep our eyes on the kids. Unfortunately, the park wasn't the only thing we had a great view of. Our cabana was right in front of an entrance to the lazy river tube ride and we could see all the people as they were getting on and getting off. My mom was the first to notice something. She pointed out this family that was about to go on the lazy river. I was shocked (not much shocks me these days but this did) at what I saw. First, a little girl about 7, wearing a cute little bathing suit. Nothing wrong there. then her sister, who was about 10-12 came into view. Poor thing was at least 50-60 pounds overweight. But that wasn't what shocked me so bad. She was wearing a STRING BIKINI!!!! I wasn't sure exactly what was more disturbing, the fact that this poor girl is not being taught much about nutrition (I'll get to her mom and grandma in just a sec) or the fact that a child was wearing something that showed almost every inch of her body. It was so sad. Then her mom came into view. At least 100-150 pounds overweight wearing a .....can you guess??? STRING BIKINI!!!!! I actually sat there with my mouth open! I could not believe it! Most of the bikini was hidden in the folds of her body so sometimes it looked like she was naked. Now, let me state for the record this is in NO WAY a condemnation of overweight people. I happen to be one of those who has a few pounds to lose myself and I feel for ANYONE struggling to lose weight. HOWEVER, I can not see how anyone can justify putting themselves in a STRING BIKINI when they weigh over 300 lbs much less put their child (overweight or not) in one. Grandma came into view and it was obvious that the entire family is struggling with weight issues. Grandma at least had the decency to wear a full coverage bathing suit. Does anyone else feel for the children in this family??? This was just ONE instance of bad bathing suit choices. I was really amazed (not in a good way) at what some people consider proper for public viewing. I am in no way a prude. I do not wear Duggar style bathing suits (nothing wrong with them, just not for me). I wear a 2 piece but the bottom is a shirt which hits about mid thigh and the top comes down past the waistband of the bottom. Like I said, I need to shed a few pounds myself but even if I didn't I could never wear a bikini in public! There was a girl, fantastic figure, wearing what looked exactly like a bra and underwear! I am not convinced that it was a bathing suit! Now, most people would not wear their underclothes in public but they don't have a problem in a water setting???? There was every body type under the sun there wearing every type of "water wear" imaginable and most of it was...shocking. And sad. If adults choose to show off everything that God them, then that is their choice (no matter how misguided it is) but to put a child in something that covers less than their training bras and panties is disgusting! I am really having a hard time NOT judging these parents. What are they thinking? ARE they thinking??? What message is it sending to their children? What message is it sending to the perverts that are out there? Come on people! If we refuse to teach and protect our children, exactly who do you think will? I was going to include a few photos to show you what I am talking about but I couldn't bear violating these children in that way. Parents, really take stock in what you dress your children in and be a good example to them with your way of dressing. You are to lead them and, trust me, they are following you.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Taco Thingamajig
I was searching through the fridge the other day trying to come up with something for lunch. That always seems to be the hardest meal for me to decide on. I hate having the same things over and over. So, during my search I found a tube of crescent rolls. I know, I know, whole food eaters shouldn't be eating bread from a tube but I have had it in there for months and needed to use it up so I came up with....
Taco Thingamajig!!!!
Yes, that is the best name I could come up with.
Anyway, it is really simple to make.
I browned a pound of ground beef then added some taco seasoning. You can use an envelope of premade stuff or a couple tablespoons of homemade. Add just a bit of water, as if you were making taco meat...cuz you are. Once that is done, butter a 13x9 pan and unroll the crescent rolls in it. Smoosh it all down and seal up the perforations. Make sure the rolls cover the bottom of the pan. Next, spoon the meat all over the rolls. Put pan in a 375 degree oven for about 15 minutes. Take pan out and add some shredded cheese on top of the meat. I added about a cup. Bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the rolls are cooked. Then add whatever toppings you like. I used some salsa, lettuce, sour cream and, of course, more cheese! This was a yummy way to use up the dreaded (but oh so tasty) crescent rolls. Lucky for me, I still have 2 more tubes of the stuff.
Yes, that is the best name I could come up with.
Anyway, it is really simple to make.
I browned a pound of ground beef then added some taco seasoning. You can use an envelope of premade stuff or a couple tablespoons of homemade. Add just a bit of water, as if you were making taco meat...cuz you are. Once that is done, butter a 13x9 pan and unroll the crescent rolls in it. Smoosh it all down and seal up the perforations. Make sure the rolls cover the bottom of the pan. Next, spoon the meat all over the rolls. Put pan in a 375 degree oven for about 15 minutes. Take pan out and add some shredded cheese on top of the meat. I added about a cup. Bake for another 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the rolls are cooked. Then add whatever toppings you like. I used some salsa, lettuce, sour cream and, of course, more cheese! This was a yummy way to use up the dreaded (but oh so tasty) crescent rolls. Lucky for me, I still have 2 more tubes of the stuff.
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