Looking Back

Another year has passed by, so swiftly! With a new year to come, new plans, new ideas, and new hopes are in the making. I look back on 2009 with much happiness and with a little sorrow of things that have happened.

The new year 2009, greeted us wearing an icy coat that shined like diamonds in the sun.
By February, I was going through last year's garden journals,

and planning out gardens in new journals for spring.

By March, the greenhouse was full of buds and blooms,

and Sophie and I found new treasures to dig up while on our long walks together.

April brought the many wildflowers that cover the grounds.....

with many gathered bouquets to enjoy at our table.

By May, the hot west Texas temperatures were baking the earth

and I had the worst time with a large bunch of bullsnakes who had discovered my hen house.

By June, the snakes were chased away, and egg production was so good that I started selling my eggs!

Rose ruled the nest and took claim to the best nest boxes.

By July, my zinnia garden was in full bloom

and we snuck away for a wonderful trip to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico.

By August, I was surprised to find green pumpkins growing along side my orange pumpkins...I could not figure that one out.......

and it was time for lemon meringue pie and lemonade on the porch.

In September, my heart was broken as I lost my sweet Hercules,

and Sophie would console me on our long afternoon walks.

By October, it was time to put the plants into the greenhouse and to seal it for the cold weather that was soon to come.

And as the cold came upon us, it was better to sleep by the fire than to roam the woods outside.

November found me gathering up the last of the garden bounty to preserve into relishes and sauces.

A time to slow down, to reflect, and to be thankful.

December brought the season's decorations and treats,

And we had the most beautiful white Christmas.......

Along this wonderful journey I have made the sweetest friends.......

you..........blogging friends. I have enjoyed visiting your inspiring and uplifting blogs and have so enjoyed you stopping by to say hello. May the new approaching year find you much happiness. I look forward to hearing from you this coming year! Blessings to all of you!

Merry Christmas

From where I am,

to where ever you are,

My best Christmas wishes,

to all near and far!

Have a blessed Christmas!

Farewell Fall

You have packed up all of your leaves and warm sunshine..... and I feel the wind that you must catch on the way,

must you go so soon?

You just got here..........

and I have so enjoyed your comforting visit.

Your perfume of cinnamon, apples, and pumpkin spice still linger slightly, and I will miss that when you leave.

I must admit......I am not looking forward to your sister's visit. Winter has such a cold personality.....

and once she's settled in, she almost never wants to leave.

So farewell, my most cherished season, I will look for you next year as soon as the pumpkins start showing their brilliant colors and the leaves whisper that you will soon be near. Don't stay away too long!

Kathleen

Frugal.....yet, sweet simplicity

Living away from town, I always try to make sure to keep the pantry stocked with the basic items needed for cooking. To go into town is a 60 mile round trip and an expensive tank of gas. So I don't jump into the car every day, if I am out of something I need............unless it's an emergency.

Today I decided to make sugar cookies. However, I didn't have sugar cookie sprinkles. So I made do. I first brushed a light frosting of powdered sugar mixed with milk onto the tops of the cookie.
Then I took 4 bowls and placed about 1/4 cup granulated sugar into each one. I then poured food coloring into each bowl and tossed around the sugar with a fork until the sugar was colored.

Although, they are not the fanciest cookies one has ever seen,

they are pretty and tasty enough to keep the" natives" happy around here. If you are looking for a wonderful crispy, tasty, sugar cookie recipe...just hop over to My Country Kitchen cooking blog...http://countrykitchenkat.blogspot.com where I have a wonderful recipe to share.

Now.......what do you make do with when you are out of something?? I would love to hear!

Christmas Wish

I told Santa my heart's desire and what I really wish for Christmas this year........

This was his reaction.................

I don't think I'm going to get what I want.

How about you? Are you getting your heart's desire for Christmas this year?

I would love to hear!

From One Extreme To The Other

We have had a good taste of Winter here on the farm. From a covering of snow just a few days ago,

to a thick coating of ice in the night and up to the morning hours this morning, to 60 mph winds and dirt by this afternoon.

Remember my plans for the greenhouse? It has been sealed in plastic sheeting and has an electric heater set at 50 degrees. As you can see, the plants are happy. I have a tomato plant growing inside as well!

Because of the frigid temperature, the heavy dirt, and wind, I have been inside, stitching away. My towel orders are done and I have made the decision to not take stitching orders for the next coming year. Instead I am going to be selling my hand made items, along with my pumpkins and zinnias at the farmer's market in the next town , this coming July. I spoke with the folks who put this together, and they welcome handmade items. I am really looking forward to this. How about you? Do any of you sell in your farmer's markets? Do you sell handmade items or just garden produce? When you go, what do you look for? I would love to hear!


Also, if you love sourdough bread and want the recipe for a wonderful, easy starter, just hop over to My Country Kitchen blog http://countrykitchenkat.blogspot.com/

I have finally found a sourdough starter that works and keeps on working!

This is not a box to place the 5 year old fruitcake in and then jokingly mail it back to your friend as you both do every year........

it is not a box to wrap shiny ribbons and flashy paper on.........

This is..... MY box...........

until further notice.

Snow

We were covered under a light blanket of snow in the early morning hours.

As soon as the school bus left,
I headed out to the hen house. The ducks were the only ones excited about getting out and walking around on the snowy grounds.

I have a wonderful view of the snow covered woods from where I work.

Every thing is still and quiet. The little bird cabin that was once filled with twigs, fluff, and bird busyness, is now vacant.

The sun is already out and dancing across the frozen earth.....

by noon the snow will be melted and just a memory.

Hope this finds all of you warm!

A Cold Damp Day

The woods are wet and cold. The trees are wearing their diamond shaped earrings made from the raindrops.

I love the woods when it rains. Even though at this time it is tired and almost bare of color, there is still so much color to be found......
the moss on the trees show up in their lovely hues of lime green

and blue greenish gray.

The bushes are showing off their colorful berries, attracting many birds to our door.

Color seems to be everywhere.....if you look for it. {:

The chickens don't seem to mind the cold, damp weather.....they are tromping around in the mud and crooning their daily song.....they are such tough little ladies.

Sophie comes in with me and settles into her favorite place by the fire to warm her soggy feet.

I kiss Salem on the nose, waking him from his deep slumber.......

"wake me up when it's warmer" he seems to say...and goes back to sleep.

I'm off to the kitchen to check my pantry for baking supplies. I plan to make peppermint bark with an assortment of cookies to send to loved ones across the miles this holiday. This candy is so easy make and wonderful to ship in pretty containers. And is has such a wonderful flavor. The recipe is posted on my cooking blog if you would like to try it. Just click on this link.

http://countrykitchenkat.blogspot.com/

How about you? Do you like rainy days, hot sunny days, or snowy blowy days? What kind of Christmas goodies do you like to make? I would love to hear!

Almost Gone!

The cold spell we are having made me go out into the garden to gather up the remaining bell peppers as well as the red and green tomatoes. I rummaged through old recipes until I found 3 of my favorite relish and salsa recipes.
One is from my husband's grandmother. It basically has everything crunchy and green tossed into it along with vinegar and spices. It's not just the taste of this wonderful relish , that makes me love it so..........you can always find many varieties at local farmer's market stands......


it's the memory of this sweet elderly lady......the way she cooked....the way her kitchen smelt......and her bits and pieces of wisdom she handed down in everyday conversation. I have a "chow chow" recipe and a salsa recipe that conjure up similar memories of other sweet women I have known in my life time. I will be working on their recipes this week. How about you??? Do you have a favorite relish or salsa recipe that has been forever in your family? What do you like about it most?? I would love to hear!