Farm Life

We just came home from visiting the farm for the second time this year...so much to learn, so much to do, so many people to see, animals to be born, corn to be harvested, animals to feed, birthdays to celebrate, cheese to make, open house for the cheese store, eggs to collect, a garden of vegetable to bring in and can, curtains to sew, so much packed into five days! And here is just a glimpse of it...

Seth's new business, oven roasters for the freezer!

Silas taking a rest on Daddy while waiting for a calf to be born...it was taking too long!

Josiah explaining the proper way to help deliver a calf from a twisted uterus...he knew exactly what should be done.

dinner time...

Josiah was intrigued by the cheese making process.

New baby kittens found in the hay loft!

For some reason those kittens didn't seem to trust Silas.

Aunt Hannah and Tia making Chinese Jack-a-lantern (I think that was the name) dried bouquets for selling at the market.

The kids had a blast in the pool but it was almost as cold as the Arctic Ocean.

Happy Birthday Aunty Sarah!!! How old would you guess!

Tia helped serve the delicious cheese pie.

More pictures coming!

Spinach Frittata

There were 2 half eaten bags of pre-washed spinach in my fridge...what to do with them was the question. As I planned my meals for the week I thought a frittata would be fast and simple, very little clean up, and a one pot meal. So off I go to scrounge a little more in my fridge...there were some scallions needing to be used, a partly used carton of eggs, some leftover bacon, and a half eaten block of cheddar cheese. I put it all together adding a little of this and that and hoped for good results. One of the most satisfying things for me in the kitchen is using up all kinds of leftover scraps in the fridge or freezer and making it into a whole new dish. Frittatas are so easy and versatile, and there is no need to have precise measuring. It turned out delicious, and here is what I used:

2 T olive oil

3-4 cups chopped fresh spinach

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 c chopped green onions/scallions

2 T bacon bits

6 eggs

1/2 cup milk

dash of nutmeg

pinch of salt

dash of pepper

4 oz of shredded cheddar cheese

Turn broiler on. In a large non stick, oven proof, skillet heat oil on medium heat and saute spinach, adding in onions and garlic. Saute for about 3 minutes or until garlic and onions are softened. Wisk together eggs, milk, nutmeg, salt, and pepper then pour right into pan with spinach on medium to low heat. Sprinkle in bacon bits and top with shredded cheese. Cover pan and cook on medium low for about 5 minutes. Once eggs begin to set, place pan under broiler for only a few minutes until cheese begins bubble and brown slightly and eggs are completely set, watch closely! Remove from pan using rubber spatula, slice and enjoy.

Camping

Our campsite for one night.

Silas, Selah, and Judah are busy filling a water gun with rocks...they had so much fun together, I'm sure they are more than ready to go camping again next week.

Concord Grapes were enjoyed by all as we walked around the lake.

Judah was busy eating his concord grapes, pits and all, you could hear him crunch, crunch, crunch.

Some chaotic playing of mini-gulf by the kids.

Silas lost his ball under the tunnel.

The kids really enjoyed the small lake and mini beach.

Asher was happy and content, as usual...living up to his name.

Silas had fun steering the paddle boat, lets just say they played bumper boats with Judah and Selah steering in the other boat:o)

Jordan and Isaiah did a great job manning the campfires.

Feeding time at the zoo.

A very proud big girl who got Asher to sleep.

No camping is complete without roasting marshmallows and eating smores!

Getting all cozy and ready to sleep, Silas was so excited.

Our delicious morning chow...thanks Duane and Mary!

Yup, only 10 weeks old and on his first camping trip slept 10 hours straight, I think maybe we should do this more often:o)

The Best Possible Service for the Lord

Here is an encouraging quote we heard during Asher's baptism service yesterday for us Mothers.

By C.H.Spurgeon, in his book Come Ye Children

"O dear mothers, you have a very sacred trust reposed in you by God! He hath in effect said to you, "Take this child and nurse it for Me, and I will give thee thy wages." You are called to equip the future man of God, that he may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work. If God spares you, you may live to hear that pretty boy speak to thousands, and you will have the sweet reflection in your heart that the quiet teachings of the nursery led the man to love his God and serve Him. Those who think that a woman detained at home by her little family is doing nothing, think the reverse of what is true. Scarcely can the godly mother quit her home for a place of worship, but dream not that she is lost to the work of the church; far from it, she is doing the best possible service for her Lord. Mothers, the godly training of your offspring is your first and most pressing duty. Christian women, by teaching children the Holy Scriptures, are as much fulfilling their part for the Lord, as Moses in judging Israel, or Solomon in building the temple."

Keep this in your mind the next time, and not the only time you need to discipline a selfish child, or when teaching them how to pray, or again showing them their sin, or reminding them to honor others, to share, to be loving, putting others first, being responsible to pick up their toys, to be helpful, or when you need to deny your child its pleasures, and reminding him to say please and thank you etc...the list can go on and on. Not to mention the spilled milk, soiled laundry, dirty toilets, dusty furniture, and cranky children that need lots of love. Our task is a great one, but remember it is the best possible service we can do for our Lord.

Chicken and Grape Skewers

Here is another great recipe, low in fat and a wonderful and somewhat different combination of flavors!

Recipe from Ellie Krieger, Food Network

1 lb Chicken breast cut in 1 inch cubes

2 T olive oil

lemon zest from one lemon

1 T lemon juice

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 T cumin

1/2 t coriander

1/2 t salt

green or red grapes

Combine all ingredients, except grapes, in a resealable plastic bag, and marinate in refrigerator for about 2 hours, turning once. When ready skewer grapes and chicken as pictured and grill them until internal temperature is about 160 degrees. Don't overcook the chicken...nothing worse then eating dry chicken. Enjoy!

I served it over brown rice along with green beans almondine, and here is the recipe for the beans:

Recipe from America's Test Kitchen

1/3 c almonds, toasted in skillet

3 T butter

2 t lemon juice

2 lb beans

1.2 c water

1/2 t salt

Toast almonds in skillet over medium low heat until fragrant, add 3 T butter and brown them, do not burn, watch it closely. Pour into a bowl, add lemon juice off the heat and set aside. Add beans and salt to a large skillet over medium heat, sauté beans for 2 minutes or so and add 1/2 c water, cover and steam for about 8-10 minutes. When water is evaporated mix in almond mixture and serve. It is so delicious!

Bathroom Remodel Finals

Final Pictures for those who haven't come to visit...yet.

A most wonderful shower experience...

Notice the little niche in the wall to hold bottles of all kinds.

An amazing transformation from what it was, take a look at this previous post.

Here is my ingenious husbands work of this past Saturday, no one would ever know it if we didn't put it on the blog:) Medicine is now hidden!