Enter for a chance to win a NutriMill Grain Mill

Laura, over at Heavenly Homemaker, is in kahoots with Paula's Bread. They're giving away a NutriMill Grain Mill and you really need to hit this button so that you might win one.

Fruit Trees!!!! I've got Fruit Trees!!!!!

This has been a long time coming...

I've wanted to plant fruit trees since we moved to this property 10 years ago. We tried to go the less expensive way and buy bare root trees. We brought them home and immediately placed them into water for 12-24 hours, as was suggested by the producer. Then we planted them.

They Died.

The next year we tried again. Again we followed the producers instructions, even check marking off at each step. AND!

They Died.

I gave up. Well obviously not entirely, cause fast forward to this year - 2011. I was driving past the farmer style store (obviously not fast enough - I'll have to work on that.) on my way home about a month ago, and there was a sign calling out my name: "Fruit and Shade Trees." I stopped and talked to the man in the greenhouse area. They were NOT bare root. They were three years old. They looked healthy. They were budding out appropriately for the time of season. They were outside, and had been outside for several weeks. I left. 

I obsessed about them for two more weeks. I went back to the farmers style store. I bought six trees.

1. 1 Sweet Sixteen Apple
2. 1 Granny Smith Apple
3. 1 Lapin Cherry
4. 1 Rainier Cherry
5. 1 Bartlett Pear
6. 1 Sungold Apricot

We planted them yesterday. 

Quincy helped.

Oh, and this time we used a Miracle Grow product to "fix" the roots system and help them establish easier.

I still need to buy and plant:

• 1 more Apricot - for cross pollination. They didn't have another type, so I didn't buy a second.
• 1 more Pear - for cross pollination. Same deal.
• 2 plums - I want one Italian and one Red type.

I'll be watching, and watering and worrying about them for quite awhile. Sure hope this works.

 

Oh, and we also decided to plant a couple children to see if they would grow more:

1 Boy Tree
1 Girl Tree

Yeah, cause that's what we need. More children.

Planting in the Yellow Greenhouse

Here we go... Planting in the Yellow Greenhouse this past weekend is FUN!

I started 40 Super Beefsteak tomatoes and 40 Roma's.

 I would have done more, except that I ran out of paper pots. 

I could have sworn that I made more, so back inside to collect more of my dear husbands read newspapers... It's important that he's already read them. Take note!

I bought this wonderful little tool at: www.underwoodgardens.com

PotMaker

I tried to use a drinking glass one year, but this little guy (gal?) is just easier to use. It was created for this purpose, after all!

This is a super important step in my "Plan to Can" everything that grows in our garden, for our family.

But perhaps the best part of the day still remains that I got the first flower of Spring 2011 from my sweet baby girl!

Our Yellow Greenhouse

I should have posted this earlier, as we were making it. I publicly and officially apologize for my lack of foresight on your behalf. PLEASE forgive me. But as life goes on the farm sometimes, I NEEDED to just get it done! Especially because it's Spring and planting season is just around the corner.

So enough apologies, I'm telling you about it NOW!

You see we wanted a greenhouse. For years we've wanted a greenhouse. I can't really say that it was a need, because obviously we've survived without one, although every year we address the fact that we want one. And for years we've said we'd buy one with "our next income tax return." But for some reason the income tax return would always cover our immediate needs, but never our wants. (God IS Good to us!)

We own a yellow school bus (long, boring story) that we've been using for storage. We NEVER have enough storage buildings. Okay, we only have ONE storage building; and it's full! Envision sides bulging out.

So I've been (obsessively) thinking about what we could do (cheaply and affordably) to "create" a greenhouse out of things we already have. Or at least mostly have (I did have to buy some things... like duct tape and plastic.)

Our Yellow Greenhouse!

Our bus is parked with the rear door facing south so that it gets sunshine all day.

We lined most of the inside of the bus with heavyweight plastic, held up with duct tape. 

A LOT of duct tape!

We bought the heavyweight plastic (weatherproofing that was on sale for half-price!) at WallyWorld. The only time we had to cut plastic was for the front entrance and rear emergency exit.

At the front walkway and at the rear "emergency exit" we overlapped the plastic so that we can get out easily. 

In the hotter part of the summer, we'll remove  (and store) all the plastic to reuse in the fall and winter. 

Our heat source is a cheap little ceramic heater that we already owned. We brought power to the greenhouse with a long extension cord through the driver's side window and duct-tapped it shut.  

This will work until it starts warming up, and then it's easily removed so that the window can still be used for air circulation. I'm am thinking about putting a small fan that we already own in that window later on in the spring/summer. 

Held in place with duct tape, of course! In the really hot summer, we may have to abandon the greenhouse, but we'll see... I might come up with something yet!

Perhaps an air-conditioner????

 "Husband? Can I buy an air-conditioner for the greenhouse?" (Yeah, right!)

Southwestern Coleslaw

I haven't made this, but it looks like something that I'd like, and it would go great with the Pinto and Beans Dinner. Think I'm gonna have to try this.

Plus, with summertime coming up there is less chance of getting "the gift that keeps on giving" because there is no mayonnaise in the recipe.

Well we'll go swimmin' every day 

No time to work just time to play 

If your folks complain just say, 

"It's summertime" 

And every night we'll have a dance 

Cause what's a vacation without romance 

Oh man this jive gets me in a trance 

Because it's summertime 

Easy Mexican Rice

Easy Mexican Rice

1 1/2 tablespoon of vegetable oil

1 1/2 cup long grain rice

3 3/4 cups cold water

3 teaspoons salt

3 teaspoons garlic powder

1 cup of tomato sauce
2 strong shakes of hot sauce

In a skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add rice and cook until lightly browned. Add water and remaining ingredients, bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until rice is tender.
Serves 6

Pinto’s and Cheese

Pinto’s and Cheese
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can refried beans
1 Tbl. Taco Seasoning (or whatever mexican seasoning you have)
1 can mild enchilada sauce
2 cups Cheese, shredded, divided

Take can of Pinto Beans, put into a 2 quart casserole. Mash with a potato masher. Add about 2/3 can of Enchilada Sauce. Sprinkle on Taco Seasoning and mix well. Add Pinto Beans and 1 cup cheese. Mix well and smooth out Bake in 350 oven for about 25 minutes. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over top, then top with the rest of the cheese. Put back into oven for about 5 minutes or until cheese melts completely. Serve with Tortilla’s.

Yield: 6 servings

Optional: Riverwalk Guacamole, Diced Tomatoes, Chopped Fresh Onions, Shredded Lettuce, Sour Cream, Avocado Slices, Tortilla Chips, Mexican Rice

Can also be heated in microwave instead of the oven.

WARNING: Riverwalk Guacamole is from over at "Mennonite girls can cook blog." These ladys can really cook up a storm. RSS Feed worthy stuff. I've gotta tell you that this guacamole is fabulous, and it doesn't need anything else with it. (No, I'm not kidding.) Just get out your spoon, sit down with a nice glass of limeade and scoop it up! (Well, if you must you can use Tortilla chips.)

Menu Plan Monday 4/13 - 4/19, 2009

It's Menu Plan Monday over at I'm an Organizing Junkie. I have been so bad about planning lately, but we have put ourselves on a budget and I need to get back on board making sure we stick to it!

Monday
Breakfast - Toast, Homemade Applesauce, Milk
Lunch - Ramen Noodles,
Dinner - Slow Cooker Chicken BBQ, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Peaches

Tuesday
Breakfast - Banana Bread, Milk, Apple Slices
Lunch - Egg Salad Sandwiches (or crackers),
Dinner - Crock Pot Cheesy Potatoes, Peas

 
Wednesday
Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs, Toast
Lunch - Cheese Quesadillas,
Dinner - Burritos, Green Beans

Thursday
Breakfast - Oatmeal w/Maple and Brown Sugar, Toast
Lunch - PB&J Sandwiches,
Dinner - Chili over spaghetti noodles with Cheese, Cornbread Muffins, Home Canned Cherries

Friday
Breakfast - Swiss Muesli
Lunch - Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks
Dinner - Hearty Tater Tot Casserole, Home-canned Cherries

Saturday
Breakfast - French Toast,
Lunch - Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Homemade Tomato 
 soup with Crackers,
Dinner - Mexican Pizza, Hawaiian Pizza,

Sunday
Breakfast - Fried Eggs, Toast, Applesauce
Lunch - Leftovers
Dinner- Leftovers

Today’s “Home Brew”- Secret to great iced coffee without great expense

Thank you Southern Plate! I got some of this on my counter "brewing" for tomorrow, right now!

Oh NO! I'm late!

It's not what you think! But I have to admit, that'd be a nightmare right now.

I meant that I'm late getting my Menu Plan Monday onto my site. It has been a crazy busy week for me.

Monday
Breakfast - Toast, Bananas, Milk
Lunch - Ramen Noodles
Dinner - Slow Cooker Chicken BBQ, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Peaches

Tuesday
Breakfast - Banana Bread, Apples
Lunch - Garlic Bread Pizza,
Dinner - Baked Potatoes, Fresh Fennel,

Wednesday
Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs, Toast
Lunch - Cheese Quesadillas,
Dinner - Burritos, Green Beans

Thursday
Breakfast - Oatmeal w/Maple and Brown Sugar, Toast
Lunch - PB&J Sandwiches,
Dinner - Chili over spaghetti noodles with Cheese, Cornbread Muffins, Home Canned Cherries

Friday (Income Tax Return should arrive!)
Breakfast - Swiss Muesli
Lunch - Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks
Dinner - Hearty Tater Tot Casserole, Chilled Pineapple Chunks

Dessert or Appetizer (to take to a party at a friends house):

Saturday
Breakfast - French Toast,
Lunch - Egg Salad with Crackers,
Dinner - Mexican Pizza, Hawaiian Pizza,
Sunday

Breakfast - Fried Eggs, Toast, Applesauce
Lunch - Leftovers
Dinner- Leftovers

Menu Plan Monday

It's time for Menu Plan Monday over at I'm an Organizing Junkie once again. Here's this week's plan:

Monday
Breakfast - Microwave Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal, Toast, Bananas,
Lunch - PB&J Sandwiches, Raw Carrots
Dinner - Spiral Cut Ham, Buttery Bread Machine Rolls, Roasted Winter Veggies,

To Do: Make Ham Stock for tomorrow

Tuesday
Breakfast - Fried Eggs, Toast, Applesauce, Milk
Lunch - Garbanzo, Tomato and Pesto Salad, Bread or Crackers
Dinner - Jacked-Up Split Pea Soup, Chips or Crackers

Wednesday
Breakfast - Malt-O-Meal, Toast, Milk
Lunch - Cheese & Crackers, Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Dinner - Super Easy Crock Pot Sausage & Potatoes, Green Beans

Thursday
Breakfast - Pancakes, Homemade Maple/Vanilla/Cinnamon Syrup,
Lunch - Chicken Salad, Crackers, Roasted Beets
Dinner - Taco Soup, Easy Biscuit Muffins,

Friday
Breakfast - Poached Eggs, Toast, Applesauce
Lunch - PB&J Sandwiches, Raw Carrots
Dinner - All-American Cheeseburgers, Carrots, Chips

Saturday
Breakfast - Dutch Apple Pancakes, Applesauce
Maple Vanilla Cinnamon Buttery Syrup
Lunch - Egg Salad, Toast/Crackers, Bananas
Dinner - Pot Roast, Roasted Potatoes/Carrots/Onions

Sunday
Breakfast - CrockPot Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole, Bananas, Milk
Lunch - Leftovers
Dinner- Leftovers

Menu Plan Monday - 1/26-2/1 2009

I am trying my hardest to get more organized. Being pretty much a "wing-it" type person, I have always had a pantry full of food. Being a frugal person, I've always purchased on-sale/generic/bulk products. Then I get them home and "wing-it!" O.K. so we live in a VERY small house. We don't have unlimited pantry space. And my pantry is overtaking the kitchen! So... I'm gonna give it a try, hoping beyond all hope that this works for us.

I am participating in Menu Plan Monday at:




Menu Plan Monday (1/26-2/1 2009)

We got a lot of carrots at the last WSU Cooking Class, so you’ll see them being used a lot. Thank goodness most of us like carrots. Baby Princess... not so much!

Monday
Breakfast - Toast, Bananas, Milk (coffee for me!)
Lunch - Tuna/Egg Sandwiches, Raw Carrots,
Dinner - Crock pot Scalloped Potatoes & Smoked Sausage, Green Beans, Home Canned Cherries

Tuesday (We go to WSU Cooking Class today, so we’ll see what we come home with!)
Breakfast - Oatmeal, Crock pot Applesauce, Milk (coffee for me!)
Lunch - Toasted Cheese Sandwiches, Cream of Tomato Soup, Raw Carrots, Apples
Dinner- Crock pot Spaghetti, Oven Roasted Root Veggies

Wednesday
Breakfast - Snickerdoodle Muffins from freezer, Bananas, Milk (coffee for me!)
Lunch - PB&J Sandwiches, Raw Carrots
Dinner- Calico Beans - Crock pot, cornbread

Thursday
Breakfast - Malt-O-Meal, Toast, Bananas, Milk
Lunch - Cheese & Crackers, Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
Dinner - Ho-Bo’s, Buttery Bread Machine Rolls

Friday
Breakfast - Mom is Great! She Give Us Breakfast Cake w/dried Blueberries in it,
Lunch - Fried Cabbage, Sliced Canned Ham, Raw Carrots, Bread
Dinner- Homemade Pizza (Hawaiian and “Meat Lovers”)

Saturday
Breakfast - Pancakes, Homemade Maple/Vanilla/Cinnamon Syrup,
Lunch - Garbanzo, Tomato and Pesto Salad, Bread or Crackers
Dinner- Lentil Stew in the Crock pot, Easy Biscuit Muffins

Sunday
Breakfast - Cinnamon Toast, Bananas, Milk (coffee for me!)
Lunch - Leftovers
Dinner- Leftovers

Skillet Granola

I have made this without any additional nuts or dried goodies. It is great plain, and my kids love it as a snack any way I fix it.

2 Tbls. Olive Oil

4 cups Rolled Oats

1/2 cup Butter

1 tsp. Vanilla (or other flavoring of your choice)

4 Tbls. Honey

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 cup chopped Almonds (or any nuts you have/prefer)

1/2 cup dried Cranberries (raisins, blueberries and/or cherries)

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Oats then cook and stir until starting to brown and crisp about 5 minutes. Push the Oats around in the pan and stir to combine. Cook and stir for another 5 minutes or so to make sure to coat thoroughly. Pour out onto the cookie sheet and spread to cool.

Once cool, transfer to an airtight container and stir in the "goodies." You can add about 1/2 tsp. cinnamon or nutmeg if you'd like. You can change Vanilla for Maple flavoring or add equal parts (Yummy!). This recipe is very forgiving.

I never make small batches, because I can always put additional in small bags and store in the freezer. It makes better use of my stove. I like to thaw them in the microwave, and eat while warm.