A Delay in Posting means Life is Crazy!

As you might have guess it, I have been too busy, and way to tired to even try and compose a thought.  I think if I have tried it might look something like the paragraphs my seven year old tries to write.  The ones with incomplete sentences, typos, and numerous missing thoughts.  Not that my writing is all that great, but usually I have a point.

After all the storms on Tuesday, I really needed a nap!  I love sleep, and it seems to have dissed me lately. I am not sure what I did to cause the strain in our relationship, but obviously something has happened.  A week with no sleep, and this Mommy is a grouch!  The Little Man woke up very unhappy Wednesday morning.  Like at 4:30 in the morning, and inconsolable.  He finally fell asleep around 7:00, and I convinced Scott to wait to leave for work until I took Pickles to school.  Around 8:30, the Little Man is awake, and burning up!  Not the type of hot that is from being under the covers, the type that tells you we have a fever.  I got the thermometer, and my instinct was correct.  101.5.  Lovely!  Just what I need, a sick Little Man.



The Little Man trying to take his temperature...Praise the Lord for new technology!


I called the pediatricians office, and thought that it might be due to a tick bite he had oh, about 10 days ago.  I am scared of tick bites because in Livestock Entomology class we learned about all the diseases that are carried, and I knew my Little Man had to have Lyme disease.  It was a deer tick I plucked out of his head after all.  Thank goodness I can can still identify my ticks all these years later.  Anyway, the sweet nurse informed me that there is very little Lyme disease here, and that I should bring him in.  I try and make the appointment for 11:00, but she insists that we come in now. 

I catch a glimpse of the weather before we leave, and it looks like there are now more storms headed our way.  I am thankful she insisted that we get this out of the way.  What I didn't realise is that these storms are now turning out to be a repeat of the previous nights storms.  There are tornados developing everywhere, and I am taking my sick Little Man to the doctor.

We make it to the doctor, and the Little Man has strep.  Not Lyme disease, but strep. No one in our house has has strep, so not too sure where it came from, but at least we know and are on antibiotics.  On our way home from the doctor, a beep, beep, beep comes on. "This is a message from the National Weather Service," never a good thing.  I continue driving as  I am trying to listen to this important message, but the rain is coming down so hard I could hardly hear, or concentrate on driving.  Basically the jist of the warning, is I am driving into the path of the storm.  I know that the median is too wet for me to even attempt to turn around, and if I make it to the next exit, I will be past the storm, so I prayed, and prayed some more, and kept on driving.  We made it home safely, and I was very thankful to be home!  Now, if I can only get the sleeping Little Man into the house and in his bed, maybe he will stay asleep! 

He slept for a little while, and I took a moment to myself.  Once he woke up, his fever continued to climb.  For the next 24 hours, we alternated between Motrin and Tylenol every two hours just to make him comfortable.  So, my lack of writing is partly because I had a toddler permanently attached to me for a few days.

Even more conveniently, Scott had a business trip to Chicago. He rarely goes out of town for business, but when a child is sick, it is inevitable.  Pickles and I were really glad he was gone, because we wanted to watch all of the coverage of the Royal Wedding!  We had a great night while he was out of town, with the exception of a sick little brother who ruins everything in Pickles eyes!

We watched the Royal Wedding at 4:00 a.m. on Friday, and I was overjoyed to see such a wonderful ceremony.  It is like they are truly in love, and have their own agenda.  I think Kate is one of the most elegant ladies I have every publicly watched, and to be just a commoner, she must have been to some fabulous charm schools!  What a class act, and a naturally beautiful woman.  I am also impressed with her selection of dresses.  She wore her dress exquisitly, and the dress didn't wear her!  Everything about the day was magical to watch, I can only imagine how it was for her!

After watching the wedding, I am determined to wear hats more often.  Some of the hats were over the top, but most were just beautiful! I love hats, and definitely love those with huge bows and feathers.  I am sure people will think I am certifiable, but who cares.  I have a ton of hats I never wear, so I am going to break them out!  I am going to try my hand at tying some huge bows and adding vintage pins and animal feathers. Who knows, I might start a fashion trend here in Mississippi!

In celebration of the royal wedding, we had a little history lesson in Pickles' class, complete with wedding cake cupcakes, cookies and punch.  I loved it that some of the little girls knew that we were enjoying "tea and crumpets!" They were quite the delight, and I am so glad I was able to share this with them.  Most had watched part of the wedding before school, and all the little girls had too dreamed of being a princess too!



Our wedding cupcakes





The students...ready for a snack.


Hopefully this catches you up to date on our crazy life!  I am so thanful to share it with you.  I am working on a load of new recipes for you, and can't wait to share.  I have been asked to work on some for a friend, so I think you should be included.

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

Rain, Thunderstorms and Hail!

What a wild ride we experienced last night.  The weather men have been warning us for days about a "significant weather event."  Let me just tell you, they wern't kidding!  About 4:30 yesterday afternoon, they broke into live, wall to wall coverage of the storms.  They were popping up out of nowhere, and spawning tornados left and right.  Being from Oklahoma, I am not afraid of storms, but I am respectful.  We don't have a frady hole, so the best we could do is the bathtub. 

I guess it was around 8:00, I hear, tornado warning for Panola county.  OK, I am not too concerned, it is a big county, and then the tornado sirens in Como start sounding.  I am a little worried now.  All of the sudden, the bottom falls out and it sounds like mortar shells hitting our house.  Lightning struck somewhere in our neighbors yard, and even the Little Man ducked into a corner, and said, "I scared, Mommy!"  Pickles, the Little Man and I all head for the bathtub with our pillows and blankets.  I don't know that I have ever gotten into the tub fully clothed and with shoes on for an extended stay with pillows.  My Mommy instincts took over, and we decided to camp out.

I also didn't realize the faucet was leaking so much!  I was stuck near the faucet, and needless to say, I ended up wet.  As soon as the hail stopped, I got everyone out of the tub, and we tried to continue on with our evening.  That is, until about 10 minutes later, and the hail was back.  This is not just some little hail falling from the sky, it was between golf ball and baseball sized hail. My poor tomato plants are sure to be just sticks in the ground now, but that is OK, I have plenty to replace them with.

During this whole ordeal, my husband thinks that I am certifiable.  He can't belive we are taking cover, and that nothing is going to happen.  He is out standing on the porch watching the hail hit... Praise the Lord, his life insurance is paid, and as my Sister-in-law says, you can't fix stupid! I mean, we would miss him, but obviously he is the one that needs the room at Lakeside!




Hailstones we brought in...




After I was brave enough to go out and take a picture...




A hailstone broke through the cup that is the temporary home to a tender jalapeno plant...


As I am writing this, we are now under another tornado warning.  The storms I drove through to take Pickles to school made me a nervous wreck!  It looks like this will be the pattern all day, so we are in for another ride.  I guess it is good that I have nothing that has to be done today, and can stay inside and iron clothes!

On the bright side, we have plenty of moisture in the ground, and for that I am thankful.  My family in Oklahoma is praying for rain, and needs it desperatly.  I am thankful I haven't planted the remainder of my garden, it would be washed away.  I am thankful for God's grace.  We don't have any damage to our home, or property, and our home is on a conventional foundation, so we are not threatened with water approaching our house. I was able to physically show Pickles hail, and we learned about how hail stones are developed and the rings that they gain as they are tossed up and down into the atmosphere.

I hope everyone is safe, and weathering these storms.  Remember, this too shall pass, and be only a memory.

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

Summer is Close...A Healthy Lifestyle is Mandatory

As the temperatures warm, I am constantly reminded that summer will be here before we know it, and it will be time to wear a swimming suit.  I am excited about summer, but not so much about wearing a swimming suit.  I know many of my friends feel this way as well, so I have decided to let you help me stay on task.

Cupcakes are out, and fruit and vegetables are in.  I know...boring.  I will try and keep this fun and lively as I get bored with food really fast.  I might even throw in the occasional cupcake, but not daily.  To help me on this journey, I rejoined Weight Watchers.  I have had great success in the past on the plan, and know that I can do this again. 

It is amazing how much less you mindlessly snack when you have to write down everything you put in your mouth!  If I gain nothing from this experience, I know that if I consistently journal, I will eat better. Nothing like looking back and seeing that you felt bad and ate only junk!  I started this adventure yesterday, and have been able to exercise both yesterday and today.  I am so thankful the Little Man loves to be in his stroller.  That is, if the stroller is in motion.  If I am running, he is even happier, and quite the little encourager. Today, he kept saying, "Go faster, Mommy!" 

Personally, I do much better sticking to a healthy eating plan when I am prepared.  Part of my preparation involved making some all vegetable soup.  I know it is hot outside, but vegetable soup can take the edge off of hunger and help to keep you full. So, today for lunch, I made a batch of soup, and I am surprised at how much I have missed it.  I based the recipe on the one provided by Weight Watchers, but used what I had on hand.   If you too are trying to adopt a healthy eating lifestyle, this soup is a great filler, and lots of fiber!

Guiltless Vegetable Soup

1 onion, chopped
2 stalks of celery, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon chicken bullion
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
4 cups water
1 zucchini, chopped
1 bag Brussels sprouts

In a large saucepan, combine onion, celery and carrots.  Cook over medium heat, covered and stirring occasionally, until onions are soft.  Add bullion, garlic powder, pepper and water and bring to a boil. Allow to boil for about 10 minutes.  Stir in Brussels sprouts and zucchini and cook for 5 minutes more.  Enjoy!

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

Fruit Salad...a Healthy Alternative to the Easter Bunny's Treats

I often wonder what happens to all the candy the Easter bunny drops off.  The first day, massive amounts of chocolate and candy are consumed in our house, and then the candy is put away.  This year, the Easter bunny must have been hungry, because there is an overabundance of candy in our house! Compound that with the fact that I am trying to diet and lose weight, and it looks like the candy will be sent to work with Scott.  I have resisted the temptation of the chocolate eggs and mini Snickers bars, but not too sure how long this willpower will hold out.

In light of all the sugar overload, we are trying to make sure we are eating healthy.  Our family loves fruit. All types of fruit. I know, it still contains sugar, but of the natural type.  Easter Sunday, I made a fruit salad that everyone loved.  We had some friends over, and they even wanted the recipe.  This is the most basic of all fruit salads, and was quick to throw together.  Strawberries, bananas and grapes, topped with a yogurt smoothie.  That is all.  Super simple and super tasty.  It was Pickles' idea to add the smoothie, and it was a great choice.  Here is the recipe, and I hope you enjoy this as well.

Summer Fruit Salad

1 pint of strawberries, coarsely chopped
2 bananas sliced
2 cups grapes, sliced
1 3.1 ounce strawberry banana yogurt smoothie (I used Danimals)

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well.  If your fruit is tart, you can add a little sugar (1 tablespoon) to sweeten things up a little.

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

Deviled Eggs...the Perfect Easter Side

Yesterday, Pickles and I spent time dyeing Easter eggs. After reading Facebook, it seems many of my friends had the same idea.  Unfortunate for me, no one in my house eats boiled eggs.  I tried to feed them to the Little Man, and he just looked at it, and pushed it to the side of his tray.  Typical.  He definitely eats with his eyes first!

As part of our festivities at church, we are having a deviled egg contest after the children's Easter egg hunt.  I must say that I don't go out of my way for deviled eggs, but once in a while they are a great treat.  I imagine there will be trays and trays of deviled eggs, just like my mother-in-law makes.  You know the kind that have sweet relish, mustard, mayonnaise and then are lavishly sprinkled with paprika.  I thought I would try something that is a little outside of traditional. 

I had a few leftover caramelized onions, and thought they would make a nice addition along with some blue cheese and capers, a little spicy mustard and mayonnaise, a splash of red wine vinegar and a little salt and pepper.  Suddenly, I think I might be onto something.  I then stirred in a few bacon bits, and we now have a delicious deviled egg, that is anything but ordinary. I was still not impressed with their appearance, so I went out to my herb garden for a little garnish.  I decided rosemary was just what I was looking for. I topped each egg with a caper and a sprig of rosemary for a truly Southern touch.

So, if you too are looking for a different deviled egg, here is the recipe. I hope you enjoy, and I will let you know how they faired in the contest. 

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

Blue Cheese and Onion Deviled Eggs

1 dozen eggs, hard boiled, cooled
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon spicy mustard
1/4 cup caramelized onions, cooled and finely chopped
1/4 cup blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup real bacon bits
1 tablespoon capers, chopped
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Peel the hard boiled eggs, and cut in half lenghtwise with a sharp knife.  Carefully removed the yolks.  Place yolks in a medium bowl and place egg whites on a plate. (If there are remnants of yolk  on the whites, feel free to rinse them under cold water, and allow to dry on a paper towel.)  Mash yolks with a fork, and add the remainder of ingredients.  Continue mixing and mashing until a smooth paste is achieved, with the exception of a few chunks.  Transfer mixture to a sturdy freezer bag.  Snip off the corner of the bag, and pipe the mixture into the egg whites.  Top with a caper and a sprig of fresh rosemary if desired.  You could also top with fresh black pepper.

A Day Off from School...Adventures Abound!

Today, Pickles was out of school for their Easter holiday.  For some reason, it is impossible for us to stay home and relax.  Instead, we have made a full day of our adventures. We started out this morning by dyeing Easter eggs.  Scott thought he was being super daddy when he purchased two different types of egg dying kits.  Not sure why, but when it came time to begin the fun, he was nowhere to be found...typical!

We started with the pearled dye, and I must say, it was painless. You simply squeeze the dye into the plastic bag they provided and rub it around.  Before you know it, you egg is completely dyed, and not a mess to be had.  I only boiled one dozen eggs, so we quickly colored those, and then had to boil another dozen.  Not too sure who is going to eat all these boiled eggs, but I am sure they won't go to waste.  Anyone up for deviled eggs? 

We then made an essential trip to the grocery store, and it was Pickles turn to chose our lunch venue.  We tried a new fast food Japanese restaurant in Hernando, in the old Huddle House. It was great!  Super reasonable, and fast.  The Little Man loved the fried rice, and couldn't eat it fast enough!

The remainder of the day has been fairly quiet. Here are a few pictures to catch you up on the gardening adventure around our house.  I am ready for our garden to be in full swing!



Baby Basil...I need you to grow really fast...I want pesto!




Lavender...smells so delicious!




Thyme




Greek Oregano...This one is tough, and survived the winter!




Lemon Balm...Not super excited about this one, it reminds me of Pledge...




My poor tomatoes.  I planted them, and two days later we had a major storm.  I think they will be fine.




Lettuce.  Might have enough to make a small salad.




Two ant hills that appeared overnight.  They are now annihilated...I have declared war!

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

All Natural Fats means Lard is making a Comeback!

During the last few weeks, I have noticed that in many articles I read, lard seems to be making a comeback, and in a huge way. When I think of lard, I envision a little grandma in the kitchen frying up dinner in a cast iron skillet.  Not necessarily lard out of a tub, but leftover bacon grease that then is used as a frying agent.  As I reflect on this image, the generation that survived some of the worst times in or history seemed to have a magical ingredient that helped them live a long life.  They worked hard every day, and ate foods that were rich, but unprocessed.   Biscuits were made with flour, lard and buttermilk, not Bisquick.  Breakfast was a sit down meal, not a bar consumed in the car.  For all the advances we have made in the last century, we might need to look back and find out what they were doing right.

Heritage breeds of pork have been making a resurgence, simply for the lard.  Farmer's markets have vendors selling lard in tubs.  I personally don't know that I have ever purchased a tub of lard, until yesterday.  I have been on a mission to eliminate all processed foods and ingredients from our diet.  I wanted to make a recipe that called for both shortening and butter.  I know there is a reason for this, more than just to eliminate butter.  The shortening gives the cake a tender crumb.  I refuse to use shortening, but thought I might see what lard will do.  It is a test after all.  I know that in many other cultures, lard is still a staple.  Tortillas made with lard are delightful. I understand pie crust made with lard is super flaky.  Grandma loved lard, so to get back to flavorful food, maybe lard is the key that we have tried to eliminate.

I am curious what you think.  Would you use lard instead of shortening?  I know that to find unhydrogenated lard, you either have to buy it from a local pork producer, or at a Mexican grocery.  Let me know what you think, and your opinions.  I am curious to hear what you have to say about this one.

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

A Leftover Remake...Delicious Mushroom Tacos

I love leftovers, but seem to be the only one in my family who shares this sentiment.  With the exception of chili and lasagna, my family doesn't eat leftovers.  For that matter, my husband doesn't like Mexican food, so I try and get my fix during the lunch hours.

Last week, I had an interesting mix of leftovers, and stirred together, made a fabulous filling for tacos.  I can't give you exact measurements, because I used what was leftover and mixed it all together with a few fresh ingredients.

Here is where I started...I had a 1/4 of an onion and a dab of browned ground beef.  I also had a few baby portabella mushrooms that were begging to be cooked.  I chopped and sauteed the mushroom and onion, stirred in the ground beef, and added salsa and corn.  I then realized I had a little bit of Philly cooking cream, Santa Fe flavor, so I stirred in a little of that. I then warmed some corn tortillas and filled them with the delicious filling.  Chopped up some fresh Greek oregano, and I had a great taco lunch.

I share this with you, as maybe an inspiration to try something new and different.  I had no idea what I would come up with, and I ended with a delicious concoction.  Food is as much about experimenting as it is nourishment. 

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

Palm Sunday...A Children's Celebration

I love the tradition of Palm Sunday in our church.  Every year, the children parade through the church waving palm fronds and singing Hosanna In the Highest.  It gives such a personal touch to the start of Holy Week, and the true meaning of Easter.

Today, in Sunday School, we learned the entire story and background about the significance of Palm Sunday.  I am always amazed at how their young minds comprehend such lessons.  Immediately they associated the fact that Jesus rode into town on a donkey, just like his mom Mary, rode to Bethlehem on a donkey before his birth.  That the donkey was borrowed, just like his tomb, and that he was a King of the people.

I promise you, I receive the greatest blessing with these children in Sunday School.  It is encouraging that they are so eager to learn more about our risen Lord! Here are a few photos of the day.




With the choir singing,  let the parade begin...

 



They even let rotten little boys in on the fun!





What a great group...doing exactly as they rehearsed.

 



A wonderful duet, featuring our own little Pickle!

 As you remember this Holy Week, and the celebration of our Risen Lord known as Easter, it is important to know Jesus died on the cross for everyone!  He is the reason for Easter, not a little bunny. Because of Jesus, we can have eternal life, and a happily ever after!

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

Polish Soup... perfect for a rainy day

Every once in a while, I crave soup. Not sure why, but I know it is inherited from my Mother. She would order soup even if the temperature was over 100 degrees outside! Today, the early morning rain, and the slightly cooler temperatures had me craving soup.  I have a few ingredients in the refrigerator I needed to use, and this is what I came up with.

This soup is really easy, and requires little more than being able to chop a few ingredients, adding everything to the pot and allowing to simmer.  It doesn't even require simmering for days on end.  Only until the potatoes are tender.  I hope you enjoy as much as I did for lunch today.

1 package Polish Kielbasa, sliced into 1/4 inch slices
1 onion, coarsely chopped
3 stalks of celery, chopped
5 red potatoes, washed well with the skins still on and chopped
6 cups chicken broth, or bullion and water to make 6 cups
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 head of cabbage, coarsely chopped
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, add Kielbasa, onion, celery, potatoes and broth. Bring to a boil, and simmer until potatoes are tender.  Add soup and cabbage, and simmer for a few minutes more until cabbage is tender, about 5 minute.  Add salt and pepper to taste. 

See, it's that easy, and you have a delicious, warm soup!

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

No Bake Caramel Peanut Butter Cookies

Nothing says comfort like a freshly made cookie.  Today, I was in need of one of those tiny morsels of comfort, and decided to stir up a batch.  It has been a whirlwind of a week, and I still don't know where my time has gone.  As I was planting blueberries and blackberries this afternoon, I noticed the plants have already set fruit.  I know, I should have planted them three weeks ago when I picked them up at the garden center, but I couldn't decide where they would thrive.  I finally decided to plant them out at our farm.  One of my favorite summer pastimes is to go and pick blueberries.  This is definitely a Mississippi trait I learned. In Oklahoma, I would have picked them up frozen at the local grocery, but now, I look forward to the few weeks when you can visit a blueberry farm and pick your own. 

Something about the sun-ripened berries, the sweat while picking, and the delicious fresh taste, prompted me to try my hand at growing my own.  I will keep you posted on the berry adventure, and if we happen to have fruit, I would love to have you over to enjoy my front porch and some cobbler.

So, back to the cookies.  I have a cousin who lives in Japan, and she has asked me to share all of the no-bake cookies I can imagine.  See, in Japan, homes don't typically have an oven. So Karen, this is for you.  I also have may friends who refuse to bake in the summer because their ovens heat up the entire house.  I like cookies all year long, and this is a perfect recipe for a hot summer day since the oven is not used.

I have shared a recipe for chocolate peanut butter no-bake cookies.  These cookies have cocoa powder and peanut butter along with oatmeal for a fudgy cookies.  Well, when I decided these would be the perfect cookie for today, it dawned on me that I am out of cocoa.  I could have run to the store, but thought a caramel peanut butter cookie would be a delicious alternative that wouldn't require me running to the local DG.

I am sharing the recipe with you, as I was negligent in taking a picture of the finished product.  You see, we have had a few pesky little black ants show up at our house.  Today, the house was sprayed for ants, and other spring bugs, and I guess this has driven them from all of their hiding places.  While the cookies were cooling we went to our farm and took care of our daily responsibilities.  When I returned home, the cooling cookies had little black specks on them that were moving.  Good thing I tasted them while they were hot, as I was mortified, and threw them quickly in the garbage.  They were quite tasty, and a great treat for anyone who is not so fond of the chocolate variety.

No-Bake Caramel Peanut Butter Cookies

1 stick of butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup of milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups oats

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.  Add milk and sugars.  Stir well and bring to a boil.  Boil for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and peanut butter.  When well incorporated, add oats.  Stir well, and drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto wax paper.  Allow to cool, about 20 to 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

A New Life for an Old Dutch Oven...Rustic Italian Chicken

Last week, I was reading a cook book, and ran across a recipe that required a cast iron dutch oven.  I quickly realized, I don't have a cast iron dutch oven, and only own one cast iron pan, and it is a skillet my sister-in-law gave me and I use to make cornbread.  I have a complete set of stainless steel cookware, but it doesn't include a dutch oven.  My memory jogged, and I knew I have seen a cast iron dutch oven somewhere, and it was not that long ago.  So, like any country girl on a mission, I fervently tried to remember where, oh where could I have seen a dutch oven.  Finally it came to me...Maw Maw!  She had one collecting years of dust on a shelf in her garage.  I quickly picked up the phone and called, hoping she would be having a great day, and would understand my need to rescue the old dutch oven and lovingly restore it back to health.

She answered the phone, and it so happened to be a good day.  She not only let me have the one I was looking for, but she also gave me a big one that has little feet on the bottom.  I am not sure what I will do with it, but it needs to be loved too.  I brought the sad, lifeless, dust coved dutch oven home, and contemplated what in the world was I thinking.  There has to be a reason why people have moved away from cast iron...it is such a pain in the neck...why would I want to try and scour old, dried on beans from a pot that has been in a garage for the last decade.  With the recipe in my mind, I quickly overcame my doubts and doned my rubber gloves and attacked the dutch oven with a brand new SOS pad. 

I know you are not supposed to scour a cast iron pan, that you will ruin the "seasoning."  That the patina will be gone forever.  I just couldn't stand the thought of decade old beans cooked onto the dutch oven.  I started cleaning and soon, the bean residue was gone, and it had a fresh coat of oil on the once loved dutch oven.  I put it in the oven and let the oil season the pan once more.  Soon, the stuck on, dried on beans were only a memory, and the dutch oven was restored to it's former glory.

Now, you know, I was dying to try something in my new dutch oven.  Ok, it is not new, but it's new to me!  My family is not much on stewed meats, but for some reason a chicken dish using all of the legs and thighs i picked up a few weeks ago on sale sounded super good. We all love pasta and Italian food, so why not a delicious chicken dish cooked with tomatoes.  My Mom made a chiken dish she called "Red Chicken."  I know, super original...here is the jist of the dish.  Place the chicken pieces in a pan, cover with Pace picante sauce, and bake until it falls off the bone.

I didn't have any Pace picante sauce...not even something I reguarally buy, so I came up with my own "Red Chicken." 

I started with a strip of bacon to season the pan.  Then I realized I don't have any onions, but did have a bag of pearl onions.  I put the entire bag in the pan with the rendered bacon.  Added two cans of petite diced tomatoes, lots and lots of garlic, a little chicken bullion, salt and pepper.  I then placed the chicken on top and placed the lid on the pan and stuck it in the oven.  I baked it for 2 hours at 350 degrees and waited to see the results.  I then removed the fall off the bone chicken and skimmed the fat.  Knowing that my sweet little Pickle will baulk at the any sight of onions, I quickly pureed the onions and tomatoes and then returned it to the pan.  On the stove top, I added a splash of red wine and a sprinkling of Italian seasoning, and boiled up some pasta.  We enjoyed the chicken with a side of pasta, garlic bread and a fresh salad.  This was definitely a delicious, warm lunch that was just the perfect meal for a quiet Saturday afternoon.

So, here are the pictures...



Start by rendering a strip of bacon over medium high heat.




Stir in one bag of frozen pearl onions...




Add two cans of petite diced tomatoes.




Lay the chicken legs and thighs on top.  I took the skin off to save a few calories.




Place in the oven with the lid on for 2 hours at 350 degrees.




Remove from oven and carefully extract the tender chicken.  Cover and keep warm.




Put the remainder of the tomato onion mixture into the blender and puree...if you like yours chunky, leave half of the mixture in the pan, and puree the remainder.




Add a splash of red wine, and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.




Serve sauce over some pasta of your choice.




Just for grins...the Little Man and the neighbor's puppy...so stinking cute!

 And now, the recipe...

Rustic Italian Chicken

3-4 pounds legs and thighs, skin removed
1 slice of bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 bag of pearl onions (These are in the freezer section with the frozen vegetables)
2 cans petite diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons granulated chicken boulion
salt and pepper to taste
splash of red wine
Italian seasoning

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Place dutch oven on stove top and warm to medium high heat.  Add bacon and stir to render the fat. Place onions in pan and stir to combine.  Add tomatoes, garlc powder, bullion and salt and pepper.  Stir to combine and place chicken on top. Cover with the lid and place in the oven for 2 hours.

Remove from oven, and carefully transfer the chicken to a plate or serving dish.  Cover chicken and keep warm.  Skim off any visible fat that is on the top and discard. Remove tomato and onion mixture and puree in a blender until smooth.  Return to pan,  add a splash of red wine and sprinkle with Italian seasoning.  Give it a good stir and cook over low heat while pasta cooks.  Serve chicken with the sauce and a side of pasta.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we did. This is a super easy, fix it and forget type of meal.

Untl next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

My Sweet Babies...Can I have a Pause Button?

Where does the time go?  I know that from the moment they are conceived, they grow at a rapid rate, but no one ever said, hold on, we are moving at warp speed!  Just yesterday, our lives were forever changed when Pickles greeted us with her beautiful blue eyes, and bright red lips.  Now, she is growing into a beautiful young girl.  It makes me sad and joyous all at the same time.  She is such a sweet, thoughtful young lady, and she challenges me each and every day.

I guess I have blinked, and maybe slept a little, and my Little Man changed from a baby to a mischievous little boy.  His eyes glisten with a sparkle that lets me know he is definitely up to something.  Blink, and your world is transformed into his playground.  Whether it is climbing to see if he can hide, chasing butterflies or kissing puppies, he is full of life!  I wish I could push a pause button just to catch my breath.  I don't want to miss a moment, but his never ending energy is making the Mommy feel really old!

Today, I am sharing with you a glimpse of what a photo session with my children is like.  There will never be that perfect posed portrait of my children, and it is a great thing that I prefer lifestyle photos.  I hope you see their personality and why I am so proud of these little munchkins.  I know I am partial, but I think you will understand.

Sweetness...he is calculating his next move...



The closest to a formal portrait...




She is growing up so fast!




Trouble!  I love this boy!




Cheering for his Daddy, who is cutting Maw Maw's grass...




Little Man in action...he NEVER stops!




I love this one.  They are fascinated...




The neighbors dogs were barking.  A least they are looking the same way!





I Love my Babies!  I thank the Lord every day!

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

When Life Gives You Lemons...

There are times in every life where lemons are sent your way.  OK, sometimes these lemons are pelted at you, and you try your best to stay out of their way.  I have had a week that I don't want to repeat any time soon.  The lemons of life seem to be everywhere, and everyone is dodging lemons!  I like to think that these lemons are God's way of showing us our true inner strength.  Where would we be if we were never tested with life's lemons?  These tests help us to discover what we are truly capable of, and after the lemon is digested, we are amazed at our strength.

Tuesday was my Mother-In-Law's birthday.  She had to have a medical test, and I will give you an insight that it was not the most pleasant ordeal for a regular day, but especially on your birthday. We decided to wait until yesterday to celebrate, and hopefully she would be back to her normal.  She didn't want a birthday cake, so I thought a few cupcakes would be just what the doctor ordered.  I asked her what kind, and her reply, "anything lemon!"  She loves all things citrus, so this doesn't surprise me.  What she ended up with was a lemon cupcake with lemon curd filling and lemon buttercream frosting. She loved them, and I hope you will love them too!

I also shared with our neighbor's who live across the street.  They are wonderful neighbors who are always looking out for us.  Pickles made the delivery, and expressed her sincere joy that they were our neighbors.  This morning, I was out walking with the Little Man, and my sweet neighbor rushed to tell me how wonderful they were.  She needed the recipe so she could share them with her granddaughter.  I love it when people want my recipes!

Anyway, please don't be scared that it is completely from scratch.  You could use purchased lemon curd, but it is super easy to make, and not nearly as expensive.  Let me know what you think... 

When life hurls lemons at you, accept it as a gift, and make Luscious Lemon Cupcakes!

Until next time, keep adventuring and seeking joy in the small details of life!

Sarah

Luscious Lemon Cupcakes

Cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick of unsalted butter, softened (Definitely worth splurging on)
1/2 cup sour cream
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
zest of 1 lemon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour a 12-cup muffin tin, use baking spray or paper cupcake liners.

Mix together flour, sugar baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, or the bowl of the electric stand mixer, cream together butter and sour cream.  Add eggs, vanilla and lemon zest, and beat until well mixed.  Add flour mixture and mix on medium speed until smooth and satiny.

Using an ice cream scoop, portion the batter into each muffin cup.  Bake until pale golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  About 20 to 25 minutes.  Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

While cupcakes are in the oven, make the lemon curd.

Lemon Curd

1 large egg, plus one large egg yolk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (perfect use for the zest-less, leftover lemon)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 tablespoon cream

Whisk together egg, egg yolk, sugar and salt in a small saucepan.  Add lemon juice and cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly, until thick and puddinglike, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Remove from heat and add butter and  cream.  Mix well to incorporate.  Chill.

Lemon Buttercream Icing

7 tablespoons butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon finely chopped lemon zest
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon cream

Mix all ingredients with an electric mixer until well combined.  Turn mixer to high speed and beat until light and fluffy.  About 3 to 4 minutes.

To assemble:

Cut around the inside edge, about 1/4 of an inch from the edge, with a small knife at a 45 degree angle.  Cut all the way around and remove a cone of cake.  Cut off and discard, or eat the cone so that you have a flat disk about 1/4 inch thick.  Fill the cupcake with lemon curd, and replace the top.  Press lightly to adhere.  Using a heavy duty zip top bag, pipe the icing on the cupcake in a circular patter. Garnish with fresh lemon zest.

When cupcakes are cooled, cut 1/4 inch from edge at a 45 degree angle.




Remove core...




Cut core 1/4 inch from top and replace top on cupcake.






Place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the cupcake and replace the top.



 

Place Cream Cheese Frosting in a zip-top bag.



 

Pipe the frosting on the cupcakes.