January Keeper's Meeting....

 

 

Good day everyone! I hope you are doing well. We have been having some funny weather lately. It's in the 30's one day and then single digits the next. I don't know about you, but....

 

 

 

Since that will take a while, I'll just tell you a bit about our January keeper's meeting.

Again....I forgot to snap some pictures! I am so bad at remembering to do that. Next time, though.

 

We had a wonderful meeting. There were around 15 of us. That includes 2 husbands! My lovely friend Marianne showed us how to cook on a wood cook stove. I had a chicken stew and biscuits all made ahead, while Marianne brought a very tasty apple pie that she cooked in the oven of our cook stove.

 

I told the ladies that I didn't think I'd make a very good pioneer woman. I didn't like feeling like a slave to the cook stove. That was the feeling I got when I was making the chicken stew and biscuits that day. I made everything from scratch. It took me a bit to figure out where the hottest spots were on the stove top....boil, simmer, warm. If you've never done it before, it really is a learning experience. I started everything at about 10 am, and finally finished around 4 pm. That's a whole day and only 1 meal! I'm sure with time I'd get better at it and it wouldn't take so long. Can you just imagine what it was like when that was the only way to cook?

 

Some of the women at our meeting could remember when they were young and that was how their life was. My mom said it was very difficult, because it wasn't just the meals that got done on the cook stove...soap was made on the stove, canning got done on it, boiling water for laundry and baths if you didn't have the reservoir. Winters wouldn't have been so bad, but can you imagine having to sweat over that stove in the summer heat?

It really makes me appreciate that I have a choice.

 

Marianne brought a book with her that was a great resource for anyone interested in wood stove cooking. You can find it here.

It's a wonderful book with lots of pictures and recipes.

 

At the end of the evening we all made our own "Apple Blossoms" to take home and cook.

Mmmm! Don't worry, I'm leaving you with the recipe...

 

Apple Blossoms

Serves 4

 

4 apples peeled and cored. (I like to use Cortlands)

 

Crust:

4 c. flour, plus more for dusting

1 tsp. salt

1 3/4 c. shortening

1  lg. egg, lightly beaten

1 Tbsp. vinegar

1/2 c. ice cold water

 

Filling:

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

 

Combine sugar, butter & cinnamon, then stuff inside apple. If you like you can add some golden raisins, chopped walnuts or craisins to this mixture, as well.

Roll out pie crust into small circles...6-8" depending on size of apple. You only want enough crust to wrap around, covering each individual apple without having too much extra.

 You can brush the outside of the crust with and egg wash if you wish to give it a nice golden look.

Bake the apples at 350* for 45-60 min. It really depends on the size of the apple and how well done you like it to be. I don't like mine too mushy.

 

Once it's done, pull it out of the oven and let it sit for 5 or 10 min. before eating. It's very hot! Enjoy it with a nice scoop of ice cream or this wonderful caramel sauce...

 

Sauce:

1 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. flour

Mix well and place in saucepan.

Add and bring to boil....

1/4 tsp. salt

2 c. water

1 tsp. vanilla

 

Turn off and let sit until thick and warm. Now pour it over your apple blossom and you are in heaven!!

 

This is so good, but I will warn you....

 

They can be addicting!

 

I wonder how my keepers enjoyed theirs? I did get the chance to talk to Marianne, and she and her husband really loved them.

They are a nice treat on a cold night, with a side of ice cream and a cup of hot cocoa. (smile)

 

It's so good to visit with all of you. I do hope you are staying warm. Thank you for taking the time to stop by.

 

Blessings,

Julie 

 

 



A Little Ride in the Country….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There's something so relaxing about a ride in the country.

Hollie's face is proof of that! LOL!

 

Joe and I decided to get out yesterday and just take in the beauty of winter. I took a few photos to share with you. You'll notice a lot of them are of the Amish. My husband REALLY likes the Amish and their way of life just fascinates him.

 

I love the picture of the two Amish boys and the horse drawn sleigh.

You can't tell, but one of the boys is heading up the team of horses, while the other is being pulled behind on wooden skis. I guess they're not all work and no play after all!

How fun would that be!

 

I can remember the good 'ole days where, as kids, we'd stay outside and play in the snow all day. Our snow covered mittens would be hanging off our hands, our scarves would be frosted over where our mouths would be, and our socks would have traveled down our boots to the end of our toes. We still didn't have the minds to get in out of the cold. Sometimes I miss those days, but then again, as I get older, I'm really enjoying winter from the inside. LOL!

 

The warmth of the wood burning fire, a hot cup of tea, and a good book. Yah, I think I like it this way.

 

Thank you for visiting me and taking time to read my blog. I appreciate all of my loyal blog friends, and all of my new readers as well!

I do hope you come visit me again soon!

 

Blessings,

Julie

My husband wanted me to mention that you can click on any of these pictures to enlarge them. (smile)

 

 

Happy New Year.....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Do you make resolutions? I have to admit that I don't.

I know that I would never keep them...and a little piece of me doesn't really believe in making them. I feel like I'm setting myself up for failure.

What are resolutions anyway? Well, they are a way to mark the beginning of changes in our habits and lifestyle. The most common ones being, weight loss, stop smoking/drinking, and financial freedom.

Did you ever wonder how they even got their start? I did, so I looked it up. This is what I found...

The first recorded New Years resolutions were made by the Babylonians around 4000 years ago. It revolved around returning any borrowed farm equipment, as their New Year coincided with the start of their farming season.

I guess it became a popular thing to do, because we're still doing it!

Well, no matter what your resolution may be, whether it's a re-do of the last resolution, dieting, getting a better job, keeping your home cleaner, or being kinder... just "keep in mind that our mistakes, our failures, our poor choices don’t have to keep us from our God-given destiny. With God, it’s not about the way you start in life, it’s about the way you finish." Joel Osteen

Many blessings to you and yours in 2014!
Julie

Pumpkin Sweet Roll Recipe…

 

Don't they look delicious? Well I can tell you that....THEY ARE!

Although I did stop at just one, I had a hard time doing so.

I found these on Pinterest. Do you ever go there? I am in love with that place and find that I need to really be careful of how often I get on that website, as I will get lost and spend much more time than expected on there. It can be a time stealer for you if you're not careful!

Anyway, I ran across this recipe and thought you might like to try it. It's very simple and easy to follow....and the results are simply delicious!

 

 

On another note...how is the weather in your neck of the woods? We are still in the middle of hazardous weather conditions. Have been since Friday. I believe they said it was going to last into tomorrow morning. Seems like it's been this way for a week now. Snow, rain, snow, rain. I wish it would make up it's mind.

 

Joe has been out on the snow blower digging us out of the mess old man winter has been sending our way. I think he likes it out there. His mom always loved a good snow storm.

 

 

 

I hope you are all inside snug as a bug in a rug. One thing I love about a snow storm is the ambiance and romance of it all. You know, like in One Special Night with James Garner and Julie Andrews. Did you ever see that movie? You should, it's a good one!

 

Well, I can tell you that I'm going to stay inside where it's warm, and enjoy a hot cup of tea by the fire....and maybe another sweet roll!

 

 

 

Blessings,

Julie

Our Keeper's Christmas Party and a Prayer Request....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good evening everyone! It's so cold outside....-10*F. Brrr!

I hope you're warm.

 

Last week was our Annual Keeper's of the Home Christmas Party.

As you can see, we had a lovely time. Lots of food, games, laughs, food, but most of all...great friends!

 

I'd like to ask everyone for some prayers. My mother's sister was involved in a bad car accident yesterday and is in the intensive care unit. She has multiple injuries, and is in a very depressed state of mind. If you could just remember her in your prayers over the next few days/weeks, we'd be very grateful. Thank you!

 

Stay warm!

Blessings,

Julie