Nature is an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we only will tune in.

George Washington Carver

I thought about these words over the past week as Sophie and I were out and about on one of our long walks.........

It seems that "nature" was calling out to me everywhere I turned.

Look at the detail in those fragile wings!

Sometimes, I find a surprise............when I really don't want to.

I spend a great deal of time..........chasing the elusive butterfly...........

this one looks as if it came right out of the pages of a vintage nature print book.........

doesn't it?

My zinnias are now coming into bloom....( a post for later)

 

and the butterflies find out very quickly.

This beautiful creature was flitting in and out, in front of Sophie and I and it suddenly came to rest and allowed me to get very close for it's photo...........

then it slowly opened up it's wings as if to say........
"now look!"

Aren't those colors beautiful?

I think it's white edged wings look as if they were crocheted.........

don't you think?

Out in the muddy cotton field, came these two , hopping along.......

they are under 1/2 inch!

No one likes the lonely stink bug.........

but they are wonderful models for a photo!

I am always amazed at how shiny it stays in the Texas dirt and dust..........

black cars are shiny, but they don't stay that way!

And this tiny little dragon........

the horned toad........

still so small.

No matter what species............

all babies are cute.............

don't you think?

How about you?

What has nature been broadcasting and what has God been speaking to you?

I would love to hear!

 



The sight of a field, that looks like it has been snowed on......

in the middle of summer, is not at all surprising...............

if you live in Texas.

 

because that "snow" is actually a field full of cotton..........which is a wonderful site, especially if you are a cotton farmer...........

Not many get to see the real beauty that lies in the field. It starts off with beautiful blossoms..........

some in pink............

some in yellow.............

( I can feel an embroidery design coming on!)

then hard green balls form..........

They have the prettiest color, as well as the leaves...........

The ball then gets dry and opens up to expose the cotton inside.

It is soft and fluffy, just like a cotton ball.................

but with lots of seed inside.

a good cotton harvest is not only important to the farmers.......

it very important for all of us.

If you like to wear jeans..............

if you like cotton sheets and linens on the bed..........

if you like a good drying towel for your bath or kitchen...........

and for me...........I love cotton embroidery floss..........

this all comes from a good year of cotton growing.

How about you?

Do you have cotton fields in your area.............or perhaps wheat?

What grows in the fields of your home?

I would love to hear!



As I posted in my last post..........the Brussels Sprouts

in my garden are now ready for harvesting.

I have never tried raising these before, (because I actually never cared to eat Brussels Sprouts)

until I came upon a wonderful recipe. Now I love them!

I purchase a handful of small 3 inch high plants early this spring and set them out into my garden. I have watered and weeded them all summer, watching them grow large stalks and beautiful leaves..........

and forming small balls on the stalks. I read that when the balls get to about 1 to 2 inches, it is a good time to harvest. I also read that to remove the balls and more sprouts are supposed to grow again..........

do any of you know that this is so?

The first time I tried eating Brussels Sprouts...............I was not impressed. They were tasteless and bitter little cabbage like balls...................

however, a few months ago, a friend gave me a bag of golf ball sized ones, straight from the fields of California. I found a simple method of pan roasting them........................

and oh................I am hooked!

Simply wash the sprouts. Cut them in half. In a large heavy (I used and iron skillet)
skillet, melt about 3 to 4 tbs butter and heat it to slightly brown in color( clarified butter).

Place the sprouts into the hot skillet, sprinkle with minced onion, minced garlic, and salt, to taste.

Roast on medium heat for about  15 to 20 minutes, slightly stirring, until sprouts are toasty and tender.

So delicious!

They are great as a side to go with a hot bowl of soup on a cold and chilly day.

I just discovered a new soup that tastes almost like a BLT sandwich!

If you would like this soup recipe, just click onto the link of my cooking blog

My Country Kitchen

How about you?
Have you at one time tried Brussels Sprouts or any other kind of vegetable and did not like it so well?

Did you find a better way to prepare it?

I would love to hear!



These past few days have been a time for gathering..........

The grounds are full of wild sunflowers, perfect for gathering large bouquets.

Sophie likes this time as much as I do.

Perfect for placing in this old pitcher for my kitchen table!

Do you love sunflowers as well?

The stores are filled with pots of chrysanthemums, a time for all of us to gather arms full to take home to plant.........

Have you brought some home yet?........

or do you have some already in your garden?

 

It has been a time for me to gather my favorite flower printed dishes...............

and to find a way to display them in my kitchen.

Out in the garden, it is time to gather the Brussels sprouts.........

I have such a good harvest of them this year........my first time to raise them!

I will post a delicious recipe for you to enjoy later in the week!

 

We have also been fortunate to have storm clouds gather and to bring us much rain!

How is the weather in your area?

Best of all, it has been a time for a handful of my friends to gather

. A couple of times in the year, my friends and I gather to celebrate birthdays.........where we meet at one of our homes to share........

a delicious meal.............

and to catch up on each other's lives...............

 

a time of good food, good laughs and good memories................

how about you?

Do you have fun gatherings that you love the best?

I would love to hear!

 



Here in Texas, the cowboy way...........

is..........just that.............

the cowboy way..............

 

Big hats, tall boots, cows, horses, and cooking outside on a mesquite fire.........

 

I love it, but I also love the history of pioneer and long ago cowboy days........when folks ran their daily lives out on the trails out of an old wagon, with only a few ingredients to make a decent meal. It has been something that has always intrigued me!

Once a year, my husband treats me to a trip to a cowboy/chuck wagon cook off.

We just got through going to one yesterday in Lubbock Texas.

As most of you know, these groups of chuck wagon chefs camp out all night and keep their fires going for this event.  Some start cooking at 3 A.M to make sure that food is ready for all of us hungry visitors.  Here a cowboy is fixing mashed potatoes......

 

Here is another, getting the biscuits into the hot iron dutch oven.

As you can see, the fire pits are in the ground. Don't you love the woman in the background dressed in her long dress?

Lucky for her.............instead of 100 + degrees this year, a cool front moved in......making the weather pleasant for the cooks and for us!

 

This is the gang that was preparing our meal. Mesquite smoke was in the air, everywhere.

I was so impressed with our chuck wagon group. Before we were served, the head man introduced his team, which was all family and ranch hands. Then he had us all say prayer before eating.

These two lovely ladies are here every year............look, they are making my favorite apple cobbler!!!

There were cowboy performers during our meal...........but I was trying to balance my food on my lap and trying to eat it at the same time............so I did not take their photos.

The food was so delicious! Chicken fried steak, pinto beans, mashed potatoes, the most wonderful buttermilk biscuits ..............and heavenly apple cobbler!!

Watching them all cook and knowing how long it took to prepare this meal really made me appreciate it even more.

How about you?

Have you gone to one of these............or even a barbecue cook off before?

I would love to hear!