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In: In The Garden

Late summer brings us an influx of grasshoppers and other creepy, crawly things that like to jump out at me when I’m out and about on our property.  Thankfully, Mother Nature has sent us our own pest control company.  Like clock work, they start out on the north side, then migrate all the way around to end the afternoon back where they started.  I can tell when they are on the west side, the squirrels chatter and chatter at them.  I’m sure the squirrels don’t like the turkeys hanging around their walnut tree.  When they reach the east north and east side the dogs start barkingRead More →

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In: In The Kitchen

This big pan of rich, chocolate yummy-ness may also known as Texas Sheet Cake, but this version is by far our favorite.  The combination of chocolate, cinnamon and buttermilk is pure heaven.  The cake is light, the frosting like fudge.  I remember the first time I had it, my Aunt Barbara made it at one of our family reunions.  I am a confirmed chocoholic so I was immediately hooked!  I’m so glad she shared her recipe!  This is definitely one that will have you licking the beaters and the bowl. Brownie Sheet Cake Cake: 1 cup water 1 cup butter 1/4 cup cocoa powder 2Read More →

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In: In The Garden

It’s almost Labor Day and time to enjoy all the traditions that come along with it.  We like to stay home for the long weekend and take care of last minute Back-to-School preparations, relax and enjoy our last Monday of sleeping in for a while.  This is also the perfect time to start getting the garden ready for fall so it’s not a mad scramble to get it all done before first frost (been there, done that, got the t-shirt).  I know it sounds odd to be thinking of frost when it’s almost 100° out, but when you’re busy with work, school and everything else it sneaksRead More →

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In: In The Kitchen

The zucchini are really coming on and will be ready to harvest soon.  Time to break out all my recipes for everything zucchini!  One of our favorites is Grandma Rachel’s zucchini bread.  Moist and delicious served warm with a little butter, oh my goodness.  I especially like it with my coffee in the morning, can’t wait! Grandma Rachel’s Zucchini Bread 2 cups sugar 3 eggs 1 cup oil 2 cups grated raw zucchini 3 t. vanilla 3 cups flour 1 t. salt 1 t. baking soda 1 t. baking powder 3 tsp. cinnamon Mix all ingredients and place in a greased bread pans.  Bake atRead More →

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In: In The Garden

School starts here in a little less than two weeks, also marking my pear picking time.  Every year, after dropping my son off for the first day of school, I come home and start picking our pears.  Within a few days all the pears are picked and depending on how many we get I usually can some in a light syrup, make spiced pear jelly and pear butter.  My favorite is to just eat them fresh and they are delicious in a crisp green salad with sliced beef, dried cranberries and parmesan cheese.  Of course, we always have some to share with the critters. When picking pears, it’s bestRead More →

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In: In The Kitchen

This unusual recipe came from my great-grandmother Emma (Cook) Lee and I am lucky enough to have a copy of it written in her own hand.  Originally, Emma came from Vermont, then moved to Iowa then she eventually ended up in Oklahoma.  Honestly, I have tried to make this and I just can’t seem to get it right.  They have been too watery, too lemony, too sweet, not sweet enough and just plain weird.  I think I will stick with having my watermelon served cold and dripping down my chin. Watermelon Preserves Made with the red part, seeds removed – cut up in pieces.  To 6 lbs. of melon and 3Read More →

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In: Reflections, Thoughts and Ideas

I first met my husband’s grandparents, Gus and Rachel, in the late 90’s.  Everyone loved Gus, he was funny and kind.  Rachel had the sweetest smile and made the best strawberry jam you ever tasted.  Their gardens were amazing.  When Brad and I moved to Idaho Rachel gave me a paper sack with some hollyhock seeds from their flower garden.  Not realizing what a treasure I had, those seeds got put on a high shelf in the laundry room for a very long time.  Between unpacking, setting up our new home and getting our son ready for preschool, I completely forgot about them. It wasRead More →

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In: In The Kitchen

The height of summer always brings a lot of zucchini, a lot.  One plant yields enough of the squash for my small family of three, and then some.   This is a favorite side dish of ours and is how I finally got my son to taste zucchini, now he loves it.  I have never measured for this, I just kind of eyeball how much I need for the amount of squash I’m going to cook so adjust accordingly. This is what I do for one medium size zucchini: Wash and slice the zucchini, it can be in rounds or spears.   In a gallon zip lockRead More →

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In: In The Garden

My garden has been invaded.  They seem to have shown up practically overnight and are eating all my favorite plants and flowers.  The dreaded earwig, better known in my family as a pinch bug.  I can’t stand them, they give me the creeps.  I am trying several ‘natural’ remedies before I resort to insecticides.  After trimming out the majority of damaged and dying foliage my first experiment is going to be shallow dishes of olive or vegetable oil near the worst infestations.  The nasty creatures are nocturnal so the idea is that they will come out at night and crawl into the oil and notRead More →

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In: In The Kitchen

Who doesn’t love a great barbeque in the summer?  Chicken, ribs, steaks, burgers and the list is endless.  There are so many sauces and rubs to choose from, but have you ever made your own?  My uncle Marvin did, this is his recipe.  It has a mild, tomato-y flavor, it’s great on burgers and even meatloaf.  Quick, easy and you probably have all the ingredients on hand.  Fire up the grill and give it a try, I think you’ll like it. Marvin’s Bar-B-Q Sauce 3/4 c. catsup 2 t. Worcestershire Sauce 1 t. mustard 1 T. brown sugar 1 T. vinegar 1/2 c. water Mix all ingredients together.  IRead More →