Archive for the ‘Celebrations’ Category

I’m so very thankful the spring/summer weather! But what is even more exciting about this time of year is all the babies! Right now we have baby birds nesting in our barn. I love to listen to them chirp! Soon we will have baby rabbits, chicks, and kid goats. We will be busy this summer running an animal nursery, but what fun! And once all that is over, we will have our own baby in November.

Another favorite part of spring is homeschool book shopping. As one school year ends and another begins, all the homeschoolers come out from their busy schedules and start the hunt for next years curriculum. I love this hunt! We hit used book sales, state book fairs, catalogs, teacher supply stores and online retailers. We spend time planning out next year and then try to fit all we want to do in our schedule and our budget. This is my favorite time of year!

And with warmer weather brings out the desire to clean up outside. So we have setup the BBQ pit and porch swing and take advantage of it whenever we can. I love picnic tables, potato salad, hamburgers, and watermelon. They all scream of summer!

Although I don’t get to garden this year, I am looking forward to all the farmer’s markets and fresh produce available! There is nothing better than a vine-ripened tomato. And farmer’s markets have more to offer than just produce. You can find fresh breads, fresh cut flowers, homemade items, jams and jellies, and so much more. I even found homemade tamales one time.

Summer also has to offer many fun events. There are summer reading programs, fairs and carnivals, summer camps, field trips, and family reunions. Take advantage of this wonderful time of year. I hope I have inspired you to get moving and enjoy the weather and the many opportunities around you!

What to do with all the leftover turkey?

Turkey Pot Pie is one of my favorites because it has endless possibilities.

Chop how ever much turkey you want to use – 2 cups is a good amount for a deep dish pie plate.

Put the turkey and your selection of veggies into the pie plate. I use a combination of frozen peas, frozen corn, diced potatoes, chopped carrots, and frozen broccoli (or whatever I happen to have in the freezer).

Cover the meat and veggies with cream of chicken soup. If you are using canned, use two cans and some milk. If you make your own you don’t need to add the milk.

If you want to make it cheesy add shredded cheddar to the mix.

Cover your pie with drop biscuits and bake according to your biscuit recipe.

Cream of Chicken Soup

In saucepan melt 3T butter.
Add 2 T arrowroot powder and whisk.
Add 2 cups milk and stir constantly on med-high heat.
Add 1 T Chicken base or powdered bouillon. (If you have leftover turkey or chicken you can add it in too.)
Add a little salt and pepper. Stir until thick.

For cream of mushroom I add 1 can of mushrooms.

I would like to start now and blog about what to do with that leftover turkey (or anything else for that matter). So join in! I will be posting recipes of what we do with our leftovers, please comment and leave your own ideas.

Turkey Tettrazinni

1 pkg spaghetti noodles (~12 oz)
1 1/2 – 2 c cooked turkey meat
1/4 c chopped bell pepper
1 can cream of mushroom soup (or make your own like I do)
1/2 c turkey broth (I use chicken base and water)
1/8 t celery seed
1/8 t salt
1/2 chopped onion
1 1/2 c shredded cheese

Cook spaghetti until almost done. Drain. Add remaining ingredients except 1/2 c cheese and toss. Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 45 min.

Yum!

With the holidays, sugar seems to follow. What do you do??

My rule is you can go to Grandma’s and eat anything that is offered, but only one of each questionable item. We don’t eat pork, so on Christmas my kids can go eat ham, but only one slice. They can pick one dessert, etc. This gives them some freedom and doesn’t upset their stomachs too much. Who wants to spend Christmas and have to say “no” all day?

Of course, I offer lots of special, sugar-free or low-sugar, treats! Here are some ideas and recipes.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
I use bittersweet all-natural chocolate chips to melt and dip the strawberries in. The trick is to melt the chips with a little milk. Then dip, cool, and eat!

Homemade Hot Chocolate
6 cups milk
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup agave nectar
pinch of salt
1 t vanilla

Mix cocoa with salt in saucepan. Add milk and wisk together as you heat on low. Add agave nectar as you stir. Heat to just under boiling. The trick is to heat it slowly so it doesn’t get that scalded milk taste. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Serve!

Other ideas are substitutions!
Sucanat is great in cheesecake, brownies and pies.
A dab of maple syrup is great in salad dressings or smoothies.
Agave nectar works wonderfully in beverages.
Use molasses in cornbread or other quick breads.

Hope that gets you off to the right start for your holiday season!