WORDLESS WEDNESDAY- future golfer?

Menu Plan Monday

Good Morning, and welcome to another Menu Plan Monday! We have so much in the freezer right now and I really need to get some things used up. Hunting season is just about upon us and I really need to clear some things out to make room for more venison. With this in mind this is our menu plan this week....

MONDAY- Stuffed green peppers*, cheesy potatoes, apple crisp

TUESDAY- Meat loaf, baked potatoes, corn (oops, I was supposed to have this last Friday but didn't)

WEDNESDAY- Vegetable soup, grilled cheese, fruit

THURSDAY- Blueberry pancakes, sausage

FRIDAY- Cabbage stew with pork steak, homemade bread

SATURDAY- We are going to the apple fest! We are pigging out on whatever!

SUNDAY- On our own!

For more menu plan ideas check out http://orgjunkie.com/

Stuffed Green Peppers*

5 to 6 med. green peppers

3/4 cup uncooked brown rice

1lb. lean ground beef

1 med onion, chopped

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

1/4 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tsp salt

pepper to taste

Remove tops and seeds from peppers. In a large kettle, bring water to boil; cook peppers for 5 minutes. Remove and drain. Cook rice according package instructions. In a skillet, brown beef and onion. Drain and add tomato sauce, herbs, salt and pepper; cook 5 minutes. Stir in rice. Stuff peppers with the rice mixture. Place upright in a shallow baking dish or casserole. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes. Yield 5 -6 servings If cooking for two: Leftover peppers will freeze well to enjoy later.

Apple crisp and Rice pudding recipe

I have been extremely busy this morning since I didn't get all these veggies and apples I accumulated yesterday done or even started. Since I didn't have room in the refrigerator for any of these, this was a task I needed and wanted to get done today. I froze 6 quarts of carrots. I saved a bunch for later use to use as fresh. I also made an *apple crisp with the apples and *rice pudding ( from scratch, hey what the heck, I was on a roll here) I froze 4 quart bags of green pepper and saved a few choice nice ones to make stuffed green peppers with .As for the 2 huge heads of cabbage, I'm still not sure what to as of yet. I have really felt blessed this week when it comes to food. I am so thankful! I thought I would share my *rice pudding and* apple crisp recipe. Enjoy!



*Apple crisp

Place in buttered 10x6x2 baking dish 4 cups sliced apples. Sprinkle with 1 tsp Cinnamon, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 cup water
Rub together 3/4 cup flour 1/3 cup butter, 1 cup sugar
Drop mixture over apples. Bake 350 degrees about 40 min. Serve warm with cream



*Rice pudding

1 cup white long grain rice
2- 1/2 cups water
Cook this in a rice steamer. If you don't have a steamer cook according to package directions in a saucepan.

In a large pan or dutch oven combine 4 cups whole milk ( I use 2%) 2 egg yolks ( whisk together with milk) 3/4 cup sugar, 4 Tbls. butter, 1/2 cup raisins, optional.

Simmer for about 10 min., stirring constantly until slightly thickened

Add 2 tsp. vanilla and juice of 1/2 lemon
----------------------------------------
Brown sugar and nutmeg on top
Pour into a 2 quart serving dish. Sprinkle with brown sugar and nutmeg. Serve warm or cold. Keep leftovers in refrigerator.

Note: You do not bake the rice pudding in the oven!

Fall cleaning

Spring isn't the only time for fall cleaning and sprucing up your home. Yesterday, I was in a fall..ish mood. I put out all of my fall decorations inside the house. I haven't started on the outside yet. The calendar says it's fall, but, the past week here in Indiana summer has been trying to hold on. The weather forecasters say it's going to cool down now. Yay!Anyways the beginning of fall signals season chores that need to be done to get our home ready for fall and winter. This is my checklist to do in the next few weeks.



1. A through window cleaning Ugh! I can't believe all the huge amount of dirt and grime. This will be a good time to check the weather stripping and seals around the windows to make sure no repairs needed.



2. Wipe down the outside of our exterior doors to remove moths worth of dirt.



3. Seasonal closet overhaul! The closet areas are overflowing with junk! Go through all the closets and pantry to remove clutter ad organize. Make sure seasonal clothing is stored properly.



4.This is important! Inspect furnace. Replace filter, clean vents.

5. Clean mini blinds, curtains, upholstery, carpeting and floors.

Spring cleaning seems to get most of the attention but, I think fall cleaning is really more important .....at least in cold climates. It readies your home for a new season.

Things I love Thursday

Today I was given a bunch of fresh fruit and veggies. I love fresh fruit and veggies!

I will cut up these peppers and freeze for later use in goulash, pizza,ect.

These fresh carrots I can maybe freeze or can up. There is so many!

I will make a pie or apple crisp with these apples. Yummmmmm!
The 2 huge heads of cabbage I am not sure about. Besides freezer slaw or sausage and cabbage
does anyone have any ideas?

Autumn days are here again

Do you enjoying the fall season? For me, fall is my favorite season of the year. I love the cooler temps, the smell of burning leaves aah! Summer ending can be very depressing for some. Not for me. although I have to admit I hate to see my garden go. We have enjoyed an abundance of fresh veggies from it this summer. The first day of autumn starts today. It's the day when the sun crosses the celestial equator moving southward, or as they say, the autumn fall equinox. Yes, it won't be long before the leaves will be changing. I have already noticed the daylight hours are already shortening. In the fall there is so many cool things to do and see. Some of the prettiest sunsets here on the lake have been in the fall, with milder temperatures with the heat lifting and the humidity lessening. The beautiful colors from the foliage...could you ask for anything better?Hubby says sometimes the best time to fish is in the fall. The fish either don't bite or they will bite like mad. As the water begins to cool in the fall, bluegill often move into shallower water more often, and midday fishing success improves. Unlike in the summer when morning and evening are the best times to fish. Yep, It is hard to believe summer has come and gone but, fall is a great time to enjoy the outdoors. So, enjoy the season and all it has to offer.

MENU PLAN MONDAY

Is it menu plan Monday again? Geesh, the weeks go so fast anymore. This is what I plan on having this week.

MONDAY- chopped beef steak, mashed potatoes, Cole slaw, cherry cobbler

TUESDAY- bluegill, french fries, tossed salad ( this is what we were supposed to have last Friday and somehow it didn't happen)

WEDNESDAY-tacos

THURSDAY- out???

FRIDAY- meatloaf, twice baked potatoes, corn

SATURDAY- spaghetti, tossed salad

SUNDAY- On our own today!

For more great menu ideas check out http://orgjunkie.com/

To blog or not to blog

I apologise for being a bit delinquent on my postings this week. A part of me has questioned if I should blog or not to blog. After all I have never considered myself a writer and at times blogging has been a daunting task for me. So, again, I have to ask myself should I continue to blog or not to blog?I have to say blogging has been a source of great pride, excitement, and a place to share my thoughts. One of the biggest benefits of blogging is meeting other fellow bloggers. All of the people you meet that you never would of met if not for blogging. and the fun thing about blogging; it seems no matter where you go someone you blog with will be somewhere near that area and you find out what a small world it is! Blogging has opened a whole new field for me .Never in my dreams I thought I could blog. Myself , being what somewhat not the most computer literate person. After thoughtful consideration I decided Yes, I am back to blogging! I will try a little harder not to give in so quickly. I hope to meet more of you fellow bloggers and post everyday. Will I ever be able to write well? Probably not, but I sure will give it a good try. To those visiting my blog for the first time, I hope you will visit again. and those that been visiting regularly. Thanks so much!

Menu Plan Monday

I am a slacker! I'm a little late again on my menu planning this week ( seeing as we already ate our Monday night) This weeks plan is:

Monday: grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken corn chowder, leftover lemon angelfood cake

Tuesday: green beans, chicken and noodles, fruit

Wednesday: fried pork chops, garlic potatoes, peas

Thursday: eating out?

Friday: bluegill, tossed salad, french fries

Saturday: the best shepherds pie, fruit, apple crisp

Sunday: leftovers, defend for yourself!

Thankful Thursday

Welcome to another blessed thankful Thursday. Today I am thankful my dad is going to be alright. He has been sick and I was very worried about him. Those that know me, know I am close to my dad and closer to him that I have been in years. I am thankful for the opportunity of getting to know him as a person over these past years and try to appreciate every moment I spend with him now. Hubby and I enjoy his company when he comes over for coffee as well as fishing with him off the pontoon. It is a relationship, I have wanted for years but never had like I have had the last year or so .My relationship with him is the best it has been. He was supposed to come for coffee the other morning but, never showed up. I later found out that morning he was very sick in bed. First thing I thought was he had the dreaded H1N1 virus or maybe the swine flu or just something terrible Many dreaded thoughts raced in my head. I know , that probably sounds silly. Heck, when you are up there in years like him it is hard to fight something as simple as the flu or any virus for that matter. He went to the doctor this morning and he has an inner ear infection. Now, though this is not good, it is good it is not the flu or something along that line. The doctor gave him medicine and I am confident he will get better now. Hubby and I are looking forward to his recovery and another morning with coffee and fellowship. Thank you Lord for another week of faithfulness!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Eeeew! Whats that floating on top of the water? Looks like scum on top of the water but, actually it's pollen. It is very common to see this material this time of year. After becoming water logged, the pollen sinks to the bottom. This is a natural event and doesn't effect the overall water quality of the lake.

Where did the summer go?

Can you believe its September 8th already? I mean.....Where did the summer go? It seems as though it just got started and quick as a flash its over. It hardly feels as if we have had a Summer here in Northern Indiana. For the most part its been cool with very few hot days scattered here and there and a rainy pattern. Hubby will start taking docks out this Thursday. Most people will be heading back to Florida again already including our neighbors. It doesn't seem possible. Hubby says our dock will be taken out sometime in mid October. I am hoping we can get more fishing done out on the pontoon between now and then. We finally got our worm bed made and now have thousands of fishing worms enjoying their new home. DH has hunting on his mind.( sigh...) It has been raining the last couple of days and if it ever dries up some I have my winter onions to plant and the garden needs cleaned up. I am not sure if the rest of my tomatoes will ripen on the vine with the cooler days and nights Pooh!. We may be bidding goodbye to summer, but lets not forget that autumn is a great time to enjoy life here in Northern Indiana. The air is crisp, the nights are cooler and the humidity is comfortable.Autumn colors is just ahead. There is something to be said for a beautiful fall day. Early fall is okay with me but, I'm in no rush for winter.

MENU PLAN MONDAY

Time for another menu plan Monday. This is what I have come up with so far. Nothing fancy, just plain simple meals with what I have on hand.

MONDAY- Leftovers form the weekend

TUESDAY- Swiss steak with mashed potatoes, peas

WEDNESDAY- macaroni and cheese, salmon patties and green beans

THURSDAY- cabbage with smoked sausage

FRIDAY- vegetable soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, cottage cheese

SATURDAY-salsa chicken, corn casserole

SUNDAY- on our own

You can also find lots of great menu plans over at http://orgjunkie.com so do not forget to pay her site a visit as well!

Thankful Thursday- friends

Welcome all to another addition of Thankful Thursday! At this moment I am thankful for many things in my life. The Lord has blessed us greatly this week! My hubby was given 2 large bags of name brand, nice immaculate clothes from the neighbor across the road who him and his wife also happens to be a good friend of ours. This is such a blessing as DH's clothes are much to be desired and most are rags and so he was in real need for new ones. Today I am thankful for wonderful friends. I was just thinking what it means to be a real friend. Real friends don't take advantage of others kindness. Good friends do not need verbal communication to tell something to each other. They can perfectly understand each others thoughts and can respond accordingly. Treat her or him like you wished to be treated and see yourself in your friend. We should listen what our friends are telling and should help them overcome their problems and try to assist them in each and every situation. A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself. Friendship is precious. Today, I thank God he has given my hubby and I some really great friends and the wonderful moments and friendship with each and every one of them all carefully planned by God. So, there you have it. Now, it's your turn. Lets hear what you are thankful for.

Making a worm bed

The Hubby and I have talked about making a worm bed for quite some time now. Having one can be handy when you get the notion to go fishing. You will have worms right there ready for you, and not to mention this is cheaper by far than going to the bait shop to buy them. The worms can make a great soil which is good for putting in pots or even spreading in the garden. The soil from the worms can be real rich and makes your plants thrive on them. So far we have 2 - 5 gallon buckets of worms started. They are rabbit manure worms compliments of my Dad. I add table scraps and dirt to the buckets. I don't use any meat or cheese. I just use fruits, veggies, even coffee grinds. I guess you could say I'm feeding the pet worms and I swear they are producing more worms in these buckets. The buckets are plastic so as not to attract alot of heat for summertime conditions. Sometimes I stir it up a little so it doesn't get hot. Now, of course these worms are doing okay in the buckets but, making a worm bed would be more of a permanent home for the worms. A worm bed is quite simple to make and requires very few materials and very little maintenance. Not only do we have all the materials needed but also have the perfect location. You need to choose a location that is not in direct sunlight all day long. This will make it easier to keep moisture in the worm bed. We can form the walls of our worm bed by creating a square with cinder blocks. Cinder blocks measuring 6" high, 4" wide and 8" long. We will butt the ends together making sure that the edges match up well. Then we will line the inside with thick landscaping plastic. This will cover the bottom and all sides. Shredded newspaper or cardboard in water will then be placed inside the bed, filling the worm bed halfway with paper. We will then pour enough compost or manure over the shredded paper to fill the worm bed to the top and mixing well. Covering the top of the bed we will use chicken wire or something like that. Covering it will keep critters out. Now, we can add the worms and let nature take its course. I am really looking forward to getting this worm bed made and having lots of our own worms to fish with.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Ashley riding a bull. Are you nuts girl?