Choice Central: A Place for Choosers

Chicken Portraiture ~ For The Fine Hen In Your Life

2011-12-18T20:01:00.003-06:00

It was that perfect light ~ you know, the moments before sunset when the brilliance of the daytime gives way to the warm glow of evening shadows.

I'd taken L'il Bonnie Blakely to Silver Oak Farm . . . mainly because she'd suffered yet another mishap with a neighborhood critter, thinking they'd snag an easy lunch.

Not so.

Not my L'il Bonnie Blakely.

She's the hen with nine lives (well, seven now, but whose counting?).

Day five of the recovery period left my little convalescent desirous of getting out an about, but she couldn't quite take Rudy the Rooster's insistence she join the rest of the gang in their free-range moments of afternoon bliss. So she'd ran to me for cover and safekeeping. That's when I decided she'd tag along for the ride. After all, there was surely a turnip green in it for her.

Up we gathered the dog-crate-turned-chicken-hospital, and soon we were roaming the acres of sunshine and tall grasses. Bonnie wasn't really interested in hobbling around, so I carried her under my arm until the saw horses under the oak tree. What a perfect roosting place . . . and while I'm at it, I thought, I'll take her picture.

Bonnie was so co-operative, so . . . involved . . . with the process that it hit me.

I've become Angi, the Chicken Photographer. Fine Chicken Portraiture, for the discriminating bird in your life. LOLOL!!!

The Grocery Game: A Month Later

2011-12-04T18:18:00.001-06:00

I remember when I fell in love with the Black Bean.

The Black Bean was a tender, tasty morsel, snugly hidden within the delicious insides of Chili's Southwestern Eggrolls. My BFF Angie Beland and I would dine on them from time to time, and I was always surprised at just how good those beans actually were.

These days, the pantry is scarcely without them, and they've been utilized from stem to stern in my kitchen, particularly since the $300 a month grocery budget institution began. Black Beans are the Cream of the Crop when it comes to health benefits, they just simply can't be beat, as I've said on more than one occasion . . . but can you believe I've never made a Black Bean Soup before?

It's true.

I didn't want to recreate a spicy version of Black Beans in soup format. Yet I've been intrigued time and time again by this creation or that ~ all wooing me to the stovetop to create a delicious harmony for the tastebuds.

Well, today's weather was just right for a soup of some kind, and as the times would have it, a friend had just gifted me with black beans, complete with a seasoning packet (of which I am now anathema. or, something close to it. LOL) I decided today was the day. I scanned carefully the seasoning packets' description of contents and was pleased when a ham bone was a great compliment to the mix. There was no question now. Black Bean soup it was.

I put the beans on for their quick simmer, and set out looking for a good recipe with which to create my new masterpiece. I found it here, at Simply Recipes. A few variations due to the contents of my cupboards, and before long, the house was filled with the aroma of hearty goodness.

This script did not disappoint. I must say, it was fantastic over rice!

Beside this delectable soup peculated a new batch of Chicken Broth, and a set of Pork Ribs for future Chinese meals.

An overcast, windy, sometimes rainy Sunday made all the better by the warmth of a kitchen filled with wholesome foods, fresh as currently possible, and the knowledge that the price tag was pennies.

Not too shabby at all, in my book. Not too shabby at all. :)

The Grocery Game: Black Bean Soup

The Grocery Game: Day 30-ish

2011-11-10T22:14:00.001-06:00

I know. I know.

I know you think I forgot you.

I know you think I would leave this cliff-hanger of a series on a high wire.

Well, you're just wrong.

I'm extending it!

LOL

Look, people. YOU try to wrangle five kids. You try to wrangle the Loud Family.

Just try it!

Tonight I made Spanish Rice by request, and Scones because I could.

Yesterday I picked up a box of organic produce.

I mean, it's not like I'm eating bon-bons over here, folks . . .

I'm just drowning in kiddos. Wonderful, rambunctious kiddos.

:happy sigh:

I'll be back tomorrow to post recipes for these delectables, and information on how I'm proceeding with The Grocery Game. :)

Enjoy! :)

The Grocery Game: Day 29 (Sorta)

2011-11-08T21:56:00.001-06:00

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the planet.

I know this because I managed to polish off that fantastic little Mexican casserole I made AND leap tall buildings in a single bound. :)

I knew the weekend was going to be busy, what with all the preparations being made to give my son, the actor re-entry into all things Mississippi, but I wasn't quite prepared as to how helter-skelter the schedule was going to be.

Well, all that is over now. The Boy is here. The house is overflowing with every family member possible and life is loud and large right now.

Yet! I have no plans of leaving you bereft another day without some morsel of frugal goodness to grace your family table.

So, the fantastic little Mexican dish, made with items you've already stored in the freezer (especially good the next day!), a fresh batch of drop biscuits, and a freebie recipe we lovingly call "Gruel" 'round these parts! :)

Enjoy!

City Cricket's Salsa, Mexican Casserole, Drop Biscuits, Cabbage and Keilbasa - The Grocery Game: Day 29

The Grocery Game: Day 25

2011-11-04T22:30:00.000-05:00

Thank goodness for those Oatmeal Raisin Cookies! They kept my engine running when there wasn't time to stop and do a full fuel of the engine . . .

I'm telling you, I've not worked so hard since we were putting up fence at Silver Oak Farm.

You see, My Son, The Actor is coming home next week. He's been traveling the globe like a vagabond (ok, not really. But almost.) and I've not seen him since the end of June. It's high time he came home and took out the trash! And the DellDog? Despondent, I tell ya. Despondent.

It all began immediately after he left. I engineered a project that involved three bedrooms, a homeschool library, and the entire life belongings of Gil's Dad, which had taken up residence in my space while I was away. I was determined to reclaim those rooms . . . but life just continued to happen . . . and managed to bulldoze me right along with it.

So, having one room 3/4 finished meant two other rooms were 150% shamble-ized in order to accommodate almost finished room #1. Week upon week upon week it stared me down, daring me to set at naught it's power over me.

Well.

I'm twisting it's arm, sistah. No lie. :)

I had to divert from the original plan, but no matter. It's getting done, and that makes me happy.

So today? Peanut Butter Toast for breakfast and last night's leftover chili for lunch . . .and supper! It's amazing how far that chili went . . . four of us ate of it at supper, one serving for me at lunch, two servings last night ~ and that was the frozen batch! :) Not too shabby for my $1 bag of beans, eh? :)

If I had gumption tonight, I'd toss you a few lagniappe recipes off the top of my head . . . but truth be told I'm slap exhausted.

After all, it's not every day one puts a 20+ year old dresser in decent shape out curbside, and has it picked up within the hour . . . :)

And that was just the easy part.

:)

Love ya, Choosers! Let's make the most of our fridge this weekend! :)

The Grocery Game - Day 24

2011-11-03T22:07:00.000-05:00

Ok. I'll fess up.

I'm a Chicken Broth Snob.

It's true.

Give me Swanson's, or give me death.

Well, I do suppose that's a bit drastic . . .

but it's true.

I've hunted the world over for a rich, fulfilling chicken broth and Swanson's has always come through for me.

But the price tag has gone through the roof.

And besides ~ why should I pay someone to make my chicken broth? And why should I pay someone for a tin can??

The new $300 a month grocery budget set me on course for to find the best possible homemade chicken stock I could muster. I searched high. I searched low. I then found Alton Brown's script . . . it still wasn't quite right . .. when suddenly, I found the Top Secret Ingredient.

It made my broth shine.

It added depth.

It added richness.

It added a pungently warm and soothing aroma.

It wasn't *quite* Swanson's . . . but it was WAAAAAAY better than any other C.B. I'd ever made. Ever.

I was hooked.

I made it once.

Twice.

Three times.

I even melded it with my Vegetable Broth script once.

It made me happy.

So I'm going to share it with you. :)

My .16 cent eggs for breakfast (soon to become FREE eggs for breakfast) (I've now TWO hens laying! YAY!) twirled my morning straight into a mid-day apple, which was to hold me until slighty after the noon hour for lunch. I never got it. (anyone surprised?) Therefore, by 3 pm I was STAH-ving, Dahling . . .

. . . and nothing short of an oatmeal cookie was going to hold me. I could tell.

So, since I already had the Chicken Broth a-goin' on the stovetop, I decided I'd make an even bigger mess.

I pulled the remaining chili out of the freezer for supper, (I knew I'd be detained in the kitchen on the broth, cookies, and the freezer prep thereof.)

By the time it was all said and done, I had a beautiful, fragrant broth readied for the refrigerator, to chill, that I might remove the fat easily tomorrow, and stashed six cups (in two cup portions) of shredded chicken meat into freezer bags.

I didn't do the math on everything today, but the whole chicken cost me $5. I'll get many meals out of it's sacrifice.

I salute the chicken.

:)

What? What's that? You want to know what the Top Secret Ingredient is???

Well - what'cha waitin' for? Go take a look! :)

Savory Chicken Broth, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies - The Grocery Game: Day 24

The Grocery Game: Day 23

2011-11-02T21:57:00.001-05:00

Can I just say what an utterly exhilarating, all the while exhausting few days it has been?

As I sit down to pen tonight's Grocery Game write up, I'm a bit chagrined.

You see, today? I fell off the wagon.

It wasn't that I went out and bought any groceries . . . no . . .

The day had started out normal, and I opted for a couple of boiled eggs and a cup of coffee. There was an appointment on the books, and the driving circuit I'd have to take meant that I'd be on the road quite awhile.

But then, a call came in to cancel the appointment. Suddenly I had the afternoon free! What would I do? I knew I had a Chicken Stock on tap, and if I didn't make a batch of salsa soon I'd lose my tomatoes to age.

Suddenly, it was as if God decided I needed a little help on a long term project that was supposed to be short term, but turned out to be MEGA huge due to circumstances beyond my control, leaving me utterly overwhelmed. I had all but abandoned it.

Then God.

God in the form of my daughter and a text message: "Mom? Do you need any help with that project today?"

The sun began to shine a little brighter, and it was obvious the Chicken Stock would not be happening.

Well . . . seven hours of hard labor later, I can attest to the fact that my daughter and I worked our patooties off. And *that* was the reason for my wagon-hop.

You see, the apple I'd dined on for lunch wasn't intended to keep me for seven hours of hard, physical labor. No . . . it was supposed to tide me over for about two or three, until I could get supper going, and I could begin munching on the veggies and what not I'd be preparing.

The weakness and faint feeling from hunger began about the time we were undoing screw number 75 from the wood frame of the item we were disassembling.

I knew I'd not make it through a dinner prep ~ not to mention a dinner prep seriously invaded our project steam.

So I made and executive decision.

I went to Subway.

[peeking through my fingers]

There. I said it.

I spent fifteen dollars on two footlongs and four bags of chips (because I'd never make it home until I could open that sandwich, and the KBoyz were clamoring for them). Tiffany and I scarfed those babies down (sharing with the boys, of course) and sighed a happy sigh of contentment.

Then we got right back to work.

This brings me to an important note about our grocery budget. I rarely eat out on those funds. Sometimes, yes, mostly, no. Funds for meals out come from an entertainment side of our budget. However, Gil isn't quite ready to call eating out entertainment, thus, a story for a different blog post. :) We've eaten out less and less and less and less this past year. In part because of the national crunch, in part because of our goals with Silver Oak, and in part because of some financial restructuring we've done.

With the grocery items creeping up in price, it's served us well to limit our dining out (even though I miss it very much.)

So, I'm curious. Do you use your grocery funds to support any dining out you do? Do you dine out at all?

What about hard physical labor? When was the last time you worked so hard you got giddy and laughed out of sheer exhaustion? :D

I suppose I could post a recipe tonight. I'll call it: How To Drive To Subway.

LOL

Sleep well, Choosers . . . I know I'm gonna! :)

The Grocery Game: Day . . . 22?

2011-11-02T01:13:00.001-05:00

I don't know about you, but it seems I've missed a few days. My last post was on Saturday, Day 19, which should technically set this post at Day 22 . . . except it's after midnight when I post this, so that makes it Day 23, right? LOL

Well, at any rate. Never fear that you've missed something incredibly yummy. I've been munching on leftovers (Lentil and Brown Rice Taco filling in tortillas with cheese like a quesadilla) (Egg-Spinach-Bacon Burritos) (and lots of Apples) . . . oh, and I can't forget the fresh beans I've been plucking in the garden. YUM! :)

You see, the Conference threw me way off routine. Then, there is Silver Oak Farm (again) and all it's dedicated time consuming tasks (have I mentioned I planted three different varieties of garlic on Sunday?). It's been nothing but organized chaos around here, and all I've got to show for it is a VERY yummy set of Chinese dishes.

But you don't mind, now do you? :)

First! You must meet Sam.

Sam makes my husband very happy.

That's because Sam has know-how on all things construction. Gil has invited Sam to be a part of the Barn project. Sam agreed.

Of course, in order for the Barn project to move forward, Gil must first repair Black Jack Bridge.

Without Sam around, he's a little less happy. I don't do chainsaws. :)

Well . . . after this rigorous day ~ what with me planting garlic and the GilGuy hob-nobbing with Sam and fixing the bridge and all . . . it turns out we were both slap exhausted. Too exhausted to lift a pinkie finger, it seemed.

But we still had to eat supper.

So, while Gil cleaned up, I tooled about the kitchen, looking for something quick and tasty. I found it! A perfect choice, too, because we'd only eaten about half of the pineapple I'd sliced the night before.

Stir Fry Chicken in Sweet and Sour Sauce. This little dish is fast, easy and oh so good, with a light flavor. Just right for a workin' man.

I tossed some Jasmine rice in the rice cooker and set about adding some vegetables to the table as well. Even though the tastes were likely to collide, I opted for a Spicy Orange seasoned sauce for the vegetables.

We dined like kings that night. It was so good, I wished I'd had some for leftovers the next day . . . but I couldn't stop eating. So, stuffed on veggies and fruit, I stumbled away to the bed to dream of garlic cloves and dirt.

All in a day's work, eh? :)

Stir Fried Chicken and Pineapple in Sweet and Sour Sauce, Stir Fried Green Beans in Spicy Orange Sauce - The Grocery Game, Day 22

The Grocery Game: Day 19

2011-10-29T22:07:00.002-05:00

Things are getting earthy 'round here.

Need I say more? Yesterday I received the first egg from my little brood of five hens and a rooster. I was so excited! This morning, another was laid, and they are both beautiful. :) I suspect the little red hen laid them both, as she was hiding from me the other day, in a secret nest while out free ranging. Thankfully, she laid in the Bunk House, which made finding these treats so easy! :)

In between egg gathers, I spent the last few days in prep and participation of a Lysa Terkhurst event. It made for very little time in the kitchen, but great fun making new friends and connecting with old. Today, when I arrived home, Gil asked me to go to Silver Oak with him. Totally gun-ho, I had big intentions of doing this and that while there ~ only to hit a wall, where nothing but a nap was going to fix me!

So nap I did, but I woke up ravenous, and looking at a very large trombocino squash that had self-harvested when I attempted to fix the trellis it was growing on. I had a pretty good idea that squash was going to be supper. LOL

Of course, I had no idea what to do with it.

Quick was the most important feature for my supper, so I opted for a stir fry. That's when it hit me - I could eat a stir fry of nothing but items harvested from my fall garden!

Out came the green beans (yes, another harvest this week!) a baby bok choy that didn't really look big enough, but had enough stalks on it to make me think it was ready enough, AND half a cayenne pepper that I rescued from the rooster!

I set about steaming the squash and beans for a few minutes, since I didn't know how the squash was actually going to behave.

It peeled very easily with a vegetable peeler, and I was able to slice it into firm rounds, a very pretty color of green:

This particular squash grows long, like a trombone, but it can be harvested at any size. Mine was long, but not as long as some I've seen in photos. It houses seeds in the bulb section of the fruit, so a long seedless neck is available for the eating.

Olive Oil, diced onion, minced garlic, the cayenne pepper diced small, saute'd in the skillet, before I added the squash, the beans and the bok choy. A little salt and pepper, and voila`! Supper was ready! :)

The trombocino was delicious, held it's texture well. It reminded me of a cross between a turnip and a potato . . . but lest you think that sounds gross, I'm not talking about the flavor . . . it just had that kind of bite to it. The flavor was light, and would pick up any flavor pairing well. A basalmic reduction, perhaps?

The remaining squash I blanched and prepared for the freezer ~ a total of six cups of vegetable! I'll use this for other stir fry's, or in soups . . . really versatile. :)

With my tummy now full, I think I'll get a little shut eye. Tomorrow, I might just bake a cake with the pineapple that I finally diced! :)

The Grocery Game: Day 17 & 18

2011-10-28T14:48:00.002-05:00

I sure am glad there are many leftovers in my fridge. It's keeping me fed while on a huge whirlwind of unexpected events, company, in addition to my scheduled activities. LOL

I'll be back tomorrow, continuing the series

The Grocery Game: Day 16

2011-10-27T01:10:00.002-05:00

You want some.

You know you do.

Come on . . . confess!

You're drooling, aren't you? :D

Nothing sets a tummy to happiness like a Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry.

Tonight, I served company this dish over brown Jasmine Rice, with an accompaniment of Chop Suey.

It was good.

You know it was.

Come on . . . confess!

You want some, don't you? :D

Well, I'm going to give you the recipe's for both of these, but first, I want to discuss a handy tip for shopping that can weigh in your favor at the checkout counter.

Ethnic Stores.

Have you taken the time to visit your local Hispanic grocery? What about the local Thai Asia Market? The Cuban store?

Many times one can find great prices inside! For instance, a local Mexican provider might sell limes .10 a piece, instead of .33 at the large chain just down the street. Saving 20 on each lime you buy? Now that's worth a trip inside the store! :)

One of my favorite markets is the Asian shop just down the road. It's where I buy all my ginger root, and, until my bok choy is ready to harvest, bok choy, alongside many other veggies and goodies.

See that very large bag of bean sprouts? I purchase that two pound bag for two dollars and some change. However, if I go down to the local chain store, I'll have to pay almost four dollars for half a pound! It's very worth it to me to check out the ethnic shops.

See that Jasmine Brown Rice? The local chain doesn't even sell it. The list goes on and on. Rice Sticks for .89 a bag . . . Bok Choy for pennies . . . etc. etc. etc.

Why not take a field trip to your local ethnic store and do a price check on items that you regularly buy, or items you would like to purchase but don't, because of the markup at your local chain store? You'll be glad you did! :)

So. Supper was quite tasty tonight. Lots of vegetables and tons of flavor, all for a small amount of money. Tonight's fixin's fed three adults and a four year old. YUM-my! :)

Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry, Chop Suey - The Grocery Game: Day 16

The Grocery Game: Day 15

2011-10-25T23:58:00.000-05:00

Hey Evereee-bodieeee! (said in my best Grover imitation)

Didja miss me? ;D

Not only have the past three days been exceptionally full, they've been filled with the GilGuy, as he was able to take the first weekend off in many this past weekend. It was exhilarating to have him near, and totally distracting, I might add. LOL

Because of a slew of house guests, our regular routine has been interrupted, and the time spent in the kitchen a tad skewed over the past three days.

The most productive kitchen day was Sunday, and it's those recipe's that I'll be sharing today. Thanks to an old friend, JoAnn, I was totally jazzed to be startled into the realization that I could create my own pumpkin puree for my recipes. This jarring happened about a year ago, and I have no idea why I hadn't ever used the very simple method before. After all, why should I be paying someone to roast my pumpkins? Why should I be paying for a tin can????

Well, I don't anymore, and I'm glad of it! :) Fresh. Fresh flavor, freshest distribution of vitamins and minerals . . . just all around better in every sense. :)

These delicious pumpkins produced 8 cups of pumpkin puree for me! I immediately used 2 cups in the pumpkin bars recipe, and froze the remaining in 2 cup increments for future use. To roast your own pumpkins means a vibrant pumpkin color, as opposed to a grey-drab color from being over processed and over heated. :yuck:

The use of fresh pumpkins meant that I had LOTS of pumpkin seeds to roast! :)

These yummy treats are to be crowned, since they deliver to your body a great deal of iron. Fiber is next on the charts for it's vital nutrients.

But who can resist a delicious pumpkin bar?

These tasty morsels are better than cake. Better than cookies. Better than Strawberry Cheesecake on a winter's day. I promise. :)

Heck, they are so good, I can even make them gluten free!

Simply replace the regular flour with a gluten free flour mix, and you'll scarcely be able to tell the difference.

Yes, Pumpkin is worth it's weight in gold when it comes to adding flavor to your $300 grocery budget. A bright, sun-shiny spot in an otherwise eat-to-live life. :)

Roasted Pumpkin, Pumpkin Seeds, Pumpkin Bars, Brown Rice and Lentil Tacos - The Grocery Game Day 15

Now, the Brown Rice and Lentil Taco filling finished cooking in the rice cooker about the time the first guest arrived, so I didn't end up taking any photos . . . but let me tell you ~ lentils and brown rice are significantly cheaper than hamburger, and this dish is a very good and very healthy substitute. So good, in fact, that we often chose this dish over regular beef tacos. :) Thanks to my e-maginary friends who passed this recipe on to me, now you, too, can enjoy! :)

Tomorrow, another look at a grocery shop, and the culinary fun really begins! :)

The Grocery Game: Day 13

2011-10-22T21:48:00.000-05:00

The most amazing thing happened today. My husband, who has been working Mega-OT for months, is spending the weekend at home! :)

Of course, we haven't stayed at home, instead checking out Silver Oak Farm status! :) So, a brief post tonight to deliver the promised recipes . . . I was *stunned* to find I could not put my hands on my GF pizza crust recipe . . .???? I scoured my books/papers, then decided it must be stored in my online scripts . . . no dice. :(
I do apologize, I'm completely perplexed.

Here is a great healthy breakfast muffin and the Pizza base we use at our house. Enjoy! :)

Banana Oatmeal Muffins, Pizza Crust, Pizza Sauce - The Grocery Game: Day 13

(Oh, and . . . I could have shopped today, but I didn't, cause my guy was around. :swoon:) :)

The Grocery Game: Day 12

2011-10-21T22:26:00.001-05:00

Have you ever had breakfast for supper?

Well, at our house, it's not unusual to have popcorn for supper.

That's what happened today, after a grueling series of twists and turns in the agenda. Now, I suppose that's not completely accurate, as we did dine sumptuously on the leftover Minestrone Soup (YUM, YUM!) at later than normal hours . . . but as far as my frame gracing the kitchen with culinary magnificence, it was a no-go!

This delicate piece of corn-flesh is soooooooo good! I wish you all could taste some!

Oh! Wait! You CAN!

I can simply give you the 'recipe' and tell you how the GilGuy makes FANTABULOUS popped corn with very little old maids (unpopped kernels)! YES! A splendid idea, if I do say so myself! :)

Because of my extreme weariness, I'll cut the verbosity tonight . . . but I'll swing back by the subject tomorrow and pick up where I left off; along with my homemade pizza fixin's (including a GF crust!).

Gil's Ultimate, FANtabulous Popcorn - The Grocery Game Day 12

The Grocery Game: Day 11

2011-10-20T21:50:00.001-05:00

The nip in the air was a little less nippy today, but it was a fall day nonetheless, so I set about putting together a delicious and aromatic soup to soothe the soul.

But first, errands to run and tasks to accomplish, so I pulled from the freezer two ziplock baggies of a homemade vegetable broth I'd constructed about six weeks ago. I placed it in the stock pot still frozen, unopened, and prepared my morning eggs. I had half thought I'd make myself a 'breakfast burrito' with scrambled eggs, onion, pepper, spinach and cheese rolled in a tortilla - only to change my mind last minute because I was loading last nights' dishes in the dishwasher.

The morning sped by, and come lunch time, I imbibed on a salad, an the rest of the Black Bean Hummus which had mellowed with age. I'll still be dropping the amount of lemon juice next time, but it was definitely less tangy. (How much ya wanna bet it was my rockin' fresh lemon, and the idea that *they* had used bottled lemon juice?) hehehe. :)

By the end of the noon hour, the vegetable broth was well on it's way to liquefying, so I began the soup process.

Into the skillet went the veggies for a quick saute', then added to the now bubbling broth. A dash of this, a dash of that . . . the garbanzo's at the ready from the freezer; the one cup of remaining black beans from last night's hummus; I even added the frozen roasted pepper once slated for another batch of hummus! Simmering, melding, creating . . . on and on it readied itself for our supper this evening.

What is so special about a minestrone soup, you might ask? Well, it is chick full of vegetables for one. Second, those handy-dandy protein and fiber rich beans. Third - it just tastes good, all without the need for a meat base. On those occasions when the meat supply is low, a minestrone soup can set a wholesome, abundant tone for your home and your tummy. Pair it with a warm, freshly baked loaf of French Bread - also inexpensive on the ingredients - or, a rich and sweet cornbread straight from the oven. It is the perfect compliment to those cold days and evenings when soup is what the doctor ordered.

This particular medley today? Perfection! It was so good, I 'overate'. LOL

Bon appetite'!

Vegetable Broth, Minestrone Soup, French Bread, Cornbread: The Grocery Game Day 11

The Grocery Game: Day 10

2011-10-19T22:42:00.007-05:00

If someone would have told me today was going to be as it was, I probably would have snickered.

I mean, I have a project going on that was supposed to have taken me three weeks . . . and I'm now pressing four months. There was little chance I'd be movin' and a-shakin' in the manner in which I actually did!

So much for a warm, delicious minestrone soup on this cold, chilly day.

Nope. My house looked similar to what The Cat in the Hat accomplished when he entertained the kiddos - only I wasn't entertaining kids, I was hosting a *very* impromptu visit from the carpet cleaning folks! Yes, they came to save my situation at the behest of the GilGuy. It was a stroke of genius on his part, a marathon only begun on mine!

I had already moved the contents of one room into the kitchen when he called and redirected my own personal efforts to that of a company. And that company? Likity-split, and they arrived at my front door. 45 minutes it took them to arrive, no lie.

The cleaned every room in my house (thank you so much!) . . .

. . .and then he told me the carpets needed 4-6 hours to dry.

HOURS.

Oh. my. word.

How would I keep a young, active boy contained in the 3x3 space that I'd carved out for myself when I'd moved the furniture? How could I keep him sequestered upon a bed top?

I realized the only answer was to leave the house.

So much for The Project. Again.

Well, we set about to busy ourselves elsewhere successfully. The untold effort I would have spent on my own project I spent on my daughter's ~ and she now had the cleanest house in the county, I kid you not.

So, while I sent the carpet cleaning men away happy that they'd scored Peanut Butter cookies for their time and commitment, I nary had time to look at food, let alone cook any.

That's when those black beans I had prepared last week came in pretty handy.

It was nigh 9:30 pm when the day finally shimmied back to the hacienda, and the kitchen was removed of it's ginormous contents. Gil munched on some leftover lentils, but I decided to put my hand to the Black Bean Hummus recipe my mom had sent me.

A handful of ingredients made the decision easy. I tossed everything into the food processor, warmed a tortilla for 10 seconds, then wrapped that baby, sitting down to finally eat.

I was fairly happy with the results. It had a tang to it ~ but I couldn't decide if the tang was because I hadn't allowed the flavors to meld, of if there was too much lemon juice. I'll try the rest tomorrow, and see if it has mellowed any.

So, let's discuss black beans, shall we? These little black morsels are power-packed with all kinds of good stuff. My favorite write up on the subject is put out by Whole Foods: click here.

In other words: When in doubt - eat a black bean! :)

I never intended for today's post to be a short list. Please bear with me ~ I've a slew of recipes to share, and ideas to give . . . it just so happens that today, in real time, you got to see how the frozen beans made all the difference between me reaching for a Peanut Butter cookie . . . or some protein and dietary fiber. :)

Try this, and let me know what you think! :)

Black Bean Hummus: The Grocery Game: Day 10

The Grocery Game: Day 9

2011-10-18T20:40:00.002-05:00

I feel despondent.

Almost.

Would you like to know why?

It's because of HIM:

Yes, him ~ Ruby the Chicken turned Rooster.

You see, I let my chickens out today to enjoy the fresh fall air - and they came to visit me on the front porch! I was so excited. They gingerly stepped up each stair, and came running when they saw me outside. So enamored was I that I reached for my camera and began clicking away.

Then the camera stopped.

Flummoxed, I discovered I'd filled my memory card to the brim.

Therefore, I set out to remove a few of the shots already stored on my hard drive.

Which led to my current [almost] despondent place.

I've discarded my beautiful photos of my beautiful breakfast . . . my beautiful oatmeal!!!

:wah:

(Alright. I think I'm over it now.)

With all that excitement done, I returned to the kitchen where, finally, a beautiful stir fry was in the works!

Can you believe it? I'd already pulled the broccoli, the baby bok choy, the spinach, the celery, the onion, the garlic . . . all kinds of goodies from the mouth of the refrigerator.

I set about chopping and dicing, getting all the veggies in a state of readiness ~ because when you are making a stir fry, one can't go about preparing while cooking. Things happen fast around that skillet, and ya have to be at the ready.

Tonight's medley would include two left over breasts from the other day - the Honey Soy Chicken to be exact.

That is one beautiful thing about a stir fry, it can blend and meld and be whatever it wants to be, each and every time you make it . . . so ya never get bored of it! :)

Here are a few photos of tonight's concoction:

It was heavy on the green ~ but that's quite alright! Any and all vegetables you can pour into your system - as close to the harvest as you can get - are excellent for you. They aid in digestion, the fuel the body with healthy carbohydrates, they are extremely low in calories, and chock full of trace minerals and vitamins.

Veggies, veggies, veggies . . . it's what's for supper. Lunch. And heck, breakfast too if ya want! :)

Here is a previous stir fry I've made:

This one was filled with lots of color - another excellent vegetable rule. Each veggie color group provides different types of mineral/vitamin benefits. Here is a listing of fruits and vegetables by color. How many of these to you buy and utilize regularly?

As I've already stated, breakfast this morning was a delicious oatmeal with almonds and coconut. Lunch was a hodgepodge of snacking. One peanut butter cookie (couldn't resist!) and lots of fresh picked green beans from the garden. I almost ate the whole harvest from today - RAW! Yummy!

While I was at the garden, I took a good look at my baby bok choy . . . it won't be long before I'm harvesting my own, and will not need to purchase at the store! WOOT! Isn't it gorgeous?

In addition to the green beans and baby bok choy, I've also turnips, carrots, beets, lettuce, squash and broccoli/cabbage and red cabbage growing. In the next couple of days I'll be planting garlic. I'm so excited!

But, I'm getting slightly off topic, what with all this talk about my chickens and my garden and all . . . you've come here because you want to know how I manage to feed the fam on a $300 a month grocery budget.

:cough: Yer lookin' at it! Go fresh - as close to the harvest as you can get - on every purchase. The health benefits will be at your beck and call; the price tag will lower because you aren't buying processed, packaged, and puree'd. Be willing to do a small amount of prep work for future moments when you are short on time.

Tonight's supper cost the price of a McDonald's meal:

The two chicken breast: .86 each
broccoli sprig: 2.28
baby bok choy 1.48
onion .33
celery .33

$6.14

The beautiful things about this stir fry is that it can be extended to feed a crowd when served over rice.

This morning's oatmeal? Pennies to fix.

Are you ready for some delicious yumminess? Here ya go:

Oatmeal with Coconut and Almonds, Chicken Stir Fry The Grocery Game: Day 9

What will it be tomorrow? A minestrone soup? Or perhaps those yummy quinoa patties???

Stay tuned! ;D

The Grocery Game: Day 7 and Day 8

2011-10-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

Yep ~ it's getting down and dirty 'round here. Can you feel it? Did you sense the shift in the solar system as my world sped up and began spinning?

It's one thing to be ready for a non-intensive food prep weekend ~ quite another to be waylaid by life circumstances and the attempt to keep up with the mayhem. However, the pre-planning and prep I had accomplished last week certainly aided when time pressed and I had to think fast on my feet today!

Yesterday, Sunday, was supposed to be a typical day. It wasn't. We began with toast and peanut butter . . . and that's about the last I remember. LOL

We were invited to an impromptu lunch with friends, which turned into a four hour long visit, which meant meeting other neighbors, which meant I had a fresh satsuma orange, plucked right off the tree! I also came home with some great garden goodies, but that's a post for another time.

The clock ticked on, and a task soon loomed large on the horizon, so a quick tortilla and Red Pepper Hummus was the ticket to keep me going until nightfall. I once again attempted to make Gil's Ultimate Popcorn - only to discover that we were slap out of popcorn kernels! (Yes, I cried.)

Today wasn't much of an improvement . . . the day began with an oversleep, I don't even remember having coffee, let alone breakfast! By lunchtime, which was actually about 2 pm, the only thing I could wrap my brain around was a delicious Tuna Sandwich.

I whipped one up in short order, and inhaled it. Keller joined me, but he decided to nibble on his. :) But that's not all . . .

Did You Notice Last Week Was 99.9% Gluten Free?

The only exception being a flour tortilla, for which a corn tortilla can be substituted, there were NO boxed gluten free products, no expensive, fancy preparations. Just wholesome, close-to-the-harvest-as-we-could-get foods, prepared with love.

Now that's pretty cool.

You have to admit. :)

I had found a particular Peanut Butter cookie recipe that appealed to me (saying a lot, as I already have a #1 Peanut Butter cookie recipe!) I decided I had enough time to try it out, and get supper made before the clock would strike again, and I'd have to be gone.

So I pulled the ingredients, and began mixing away. While I eschew gluten free pre-packaged products for the most part (particularly in a $300 food budget month!), I do say that the one item I will readily have on hand is a multi-purpose gluten free flour. Bob's Red Mill brand is my favorite. I have made my own, and will make my own . . . but GF flour is very handy both in pre-planning and in a pinch. It is just simply a make-sense item.

For instance, even though these cookies are made with flour, you could substitute GF flour easily with very good results.

This batch was the trial run of the new recipe, so they were made as written, and they are very, very good.

But they still don't take my first place. :)

Just about the time these beauties came out of the oven, I realized I'd computed the time wrong . . . and I had to leave: PRONTO! :eek!:

No time for another cookie sheet of cookies to be baked . . . No time for stir fry . . . however, if I were to employ Mr. New and Shiny ~

I would still be able to prepare lunches for the rest of Gil's work-week.

Therefore, it was definitely time to pull MRNS into service!

The result was a quick throw together of lentils and garbanzos - you know, the ones we prepped last week? Yep . . . tossed into the pot, stirred, put on high, and off I went, with nary a care in the world.

When I returned home? The house smelled wonderful, and the concoction was finished . . . ready to be portioned and frozen, in ziplocks, in the same manner as all the other legumes from last week.

When the GilGuy arrives home, he'll have a tasty meal waiting for him:

For his lunches, likewise.

What did I end up having for supper, you ask?

Well, another Tuna Sandwich, of course. :)

All told, the day's meals came in under the $5 mark, with the can of tuna being the highest priced item, at $2.38.

While I didn't feed a crowd today, I could have. I would have tossed another green salad to go with the sandwich (well, with the lentils, too, for that matter!) and pared the pineapple sitting in the fridge for a tasty side/desert. Or ~ I could've sliced some apples, or made a quick broccoli salad.

Lots of protein and dietary fiber floating around today . . .calcium and iron are really stocked in the Lentils - and plenty of Vitamins A and C . . . just an all round wholesome food day, once again, even on the fly, even though things didn't go as planned.

Now as for those cookies . . . LOL

Tuna Salad, Gil's Lentils, Peanut Butter Cookie #2 - The Grocery Game, Day 8

The Grocery Game: Day 6

2011-10-15T23:44:00.000-05:00

The day was crisp and beautiful, with a nip in the air as I stepped outside first thing. Feeding the chickens was top on my list, and I was glad for the red sweatshirt. While I knew the morning chill wouldn't last long, let alone all day, it was evidence of changing seasons elsewhere on the continent, even if our seasonal change was a meager one.

Before I returned to the door, Keller was there, greeting me enthusiastically, and grubbing for breakfast, as if he would not make it another minute. I decided a treat was on tap ~ a chilly yet deliciously robust treat ~ a perfect compliment to the chill out of doors.

I began pulling the ingredients from the fridge: kiwi. peach. strawberries. white grape juice. A banana was already on the countertop, and the honey just above my workstation. Breakfast would be served in no time!

A smoothie is a great source of Vitamin C, and, if you are like me, and don't care for bananas eaten alone, a dynamic way to garner a double dose of potassium without the choke down.

There was much to be accomplished today, and the light and easy fare of a quick intake of power-packed fruits would set us on a course for getting it all done.

By late morning, the fuel was wearing thin, and fortunately, I'd prepared a great pot of chili the day before. It would simply be a heat up of the flavorful concoction, and we'd be back on our way once again.

The chili was a warm spicy, just right for the fall palette.

There would be no heavy kitchen activity today. And much of the prep work for many days ahead was accomplished already, making the next few weeks look simpler in nature. A good thing, knowing that many days "supper on the table fast" is all I'd be able to muster, given the schedule.

As I've shared a bit of strategy with you, you've shared strategy with me, and I'm lovin' it! Here are a few of the comments and ideas that have come in over the past few days:

I tried something the other day that worked out pretty good- I cooked red bell peppers, onion, and garlic in the crock pot. Now I can quickly add this to whatever I'm cooking. I use that combination in a lot of recipes. ~Tammy

Cooking beans is a bit of a challenge up here at 6,500+ elevation, but mostly just takes more time and zero salt till they are done. I've had beans work and not work up here at my elevation, but the last few times they've worked. ~ Jan

I have heard disbelief as well when I state my belief that fresh fruits and veggies are not an expensive luxury. I try to buy lots of whatever is in season. Some stuff, like bananas and lettuce remain fairly constant throughout the year. Potatoes, apples, pears, squash and the like are in season now. I'll buy more of those and save the strawberries for June. (when I will buy as many as I can and freeze some for winter treats) ~ Cheryl

And Pamela was kind enough to share one of her lentil recipe's with me. She can be the jump start on those, since I haven't introduced you to them here, yet! LOL That will be posted on the recipe document.

Chili is a veritable nutrition powerhouse, with dietary fiber reaching beyond the 50% mark. Protein levels are high, as is iron, calcium, vitamins A and C . . . manganese, phosphorus, selenium, potassium . . . yes, it seems to have it all. :) Inexpensively, too.

For this particular pot of chili, I spent 1.15 on a bag of beans; spent .99 on tomatoes, using three cans, 4 dollars and some change for the hamburger, .30 for an onion, and let's say another .50 for all the spices, according to their use per teaspoon. Eight dollars for a large pot of earthy soup that packs a health punch? That will feed a crowd? Five generous servings were imbibed today, and barely made a dent in the pot. This batch will easily serve another five, making .80 a serving a nice price in today's market.

The smoothie? Equally inexpensive and healthful. The ingredients within totaled approximately $1.50 and made four generous servings, a little over 1/2 a cup each. That's less than .50 a cup. Again, plenty of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, calcium . . . a great treat!

Well, that about wraps up today's meal. Still well under budget per daily eating, and overall, no sense of 'somethings missing' . . . well except maybe the chocolate. We can fix that! LOL

The GilGuy worked today into the evening, so popcorn will have to wait. Perhaps tomorrow? :D

Smoothies, Chili, Skillet Lentils - The Grocery Game: Day 6

Enjoy!

The Grocery Game: Day 5

2011-10-14T22:09:00.000-05:00

I suppose it was bound to happen.

I just didn't think it would be today.

I didn't have what I needed in the pantry, and I'd already begun mixing the recipe.

:groan:

Don't'cha hate it when that happens?

******

The day had been fairly routine. We'd enjoyed the Quiche for breakfast as we each headed out the door to our respective tasks.

Lunch was simple, with Tortilla Wrapped Hummus and a Red Leaf Lettuce Salad at the ready.

Gearing up for the weekend, I knew I'd keep supper simple, and also prepare a batch of chili for easy fixin's when we would come in from Silver Oak Farm. The plan was a yummy Stir Fry.

That is, until I got the phone call.

A task that would take me through the supper hour was now on the horizon. I would have to prepare something that could cook without me. No time for chopping veggies and stirring marinades. Nope.

It was time for Mr. New and Shiny:

I pulled him out of the cupboard and set about making a family favorite: Honey Hoisin Chicken. I knew it would simmer in short order, but yet buy me time as well. I decided to round out the meal, I'd make a pot of brown rice:

. . . and break out the freshly plucked green beans from the garden!

Oh, I was *so* excited about those green beans! I'd gone the entire summer with a bust of a garden due to a significant drought in our area. Then, we'd decided to break ground on a 3000 square foot garden plot at Silver Oak Farm. I'd ordered heirloom variety seeds for a fall garden - and it was/is performing gorgeously!

This harvest was the second I'd taken in a week. Those tasty, full-flavored pods were sure to adorn our dinner table with gusto. I couldn't wait!

Anyway, the Honey Hoisin Chicken was easy-peasy to prepare. I added the soy sauce. The honey, from a local source. I reached for the hoisin sauce ~

It was gone. Every whit gone.

I shuddered.

With google to the rescue, I salvaged the near crash and burn. "soy sauce" "honey" "chicken" were the key words I used. Thankfully, all I needed to round out flavors was some ginger (grabbed it out of the freezer and grated), garlic (skinned, peeled, and minced!), and onion (I had a few rings of a purple onion left in a ziplock). I tossed in the chicken breasts, put the brown rice in the rice cooker, and satisfied myself in the knowledge that the green beans would be a fast fix upon my return.

With a few minutes left before I had to go, I browned up some hamburger and onion, added the thawed chili beans that I made earlier in the week, tomatoes, and my home concocted seasonings, and brought that mix to a gentle boil, turning it off once I saw steam rising. I placed the lid, turned out the light, and moved into the next task.

******

By the time I returned my house was an aromatic bouquet of welcome. The chicken was ready, the rice was ready. I turned the chili on low and began snipping the ends of the beans. Gil was home, Keller was happy, and I was happy ~ our first meal together at the table in many, many days (due to Gil's work schedule).

It's so easy to be overwhelmed when something goes awry in the kitchen. Unless your emotional state is at it's utter end, and you need to be swept off of your feet to a six course meal to make your life joyous and peaceful once again (let's face it, sometimes we NEED that!) . . . you CAN meet the challenge of a missing item or two, or three from your pantry.

You CAN!

The example I experienced today was minuscule compared to some I've had. ~ Boy Howdy~

And there are days when I could just kiss google's double o's . . .

Yet this meal was fresh, wholesome, delicious and good for us, no doubt.

Just take a look see:

The Chicken: 28 grams of protein, high in niacin, phosphorus, selenium, and B6
The Rice: 4.5 grams of protein, 6% RDA of iron, 2% calcium, high in manganese
The Beans: High in dietary fiber, vitamin A and C Low, low calories!! :)

Now for the price tag:

The chicken: .86 each breast
The rice: .14
The green beans: free

A healthy, tasty meal for a 1.00 per person. Not too shabby, eh? :)

There were two adults and one toddler at the table tonight. Three breasts remain, the rice and the green beans are gone. I'll re-purpose the breast for that Stir Fry (finally!) LOL

The chili, you ask? Well, it will sit tonight, melding all it's yumminess. Tomorrow it will shine, and I'll not have to slave over the stove at all, because it will already be ready! :)

Honey Soy Chicken: The Grocery Game Day 5

Stay tuned for tomorrow's installment - tidbits from YOU to share, along with Gil's Ultimate Popcorn recipe!

The Grocery Game: Day 4

2011-10-13T23:26:00.000-05:00

What with all those beans 'n all, I knew today had to be a 'bust out the veggies' kinda day for y'all . . . and I shan't disappoint, even though my plans changed as the day progressed.

You see, I fell asleep.

Uncharacteristically.

Twice.

But enough about that! Let's get down to business.

Breakfast was a bust. Keller munched a Banana Oatmeal Muffin from the freezer, I skipped, then slept, which took me straight to lunchtime. Therefore lunch was my breakfast, but I didn't actually eat until two p.m., so it was really brunch. Then again, brunch happens mid - to late-morning, and this was mid afternoon.

Color me confused.

I ate.

Remember that Roasted Red Pepper Hummus I made yesterday? Out of those yummy garbanzo beans? It became the star player in a flour tortilla, and was paired with a Romaine and Red Leaf Lettuce salad.

Hummus is chock full of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, manganese . . . and it's caloric count is mega low, meaning you can eat two tortillas filled with hummus for a very small 'price' tag, if you are a calorie counter. But, I dare ya to have two of these babies for lunch. They are incredibly filling! When coupled with the greens, it's top notch healthy!

This particular salad pairing, the lettuce with a grated carrot and sliced cucumber, packs a health punch. Dietary fiber, iron, potassium, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamins A and C, calcium . . .makes ya think twice that salads aren't so healthy, eh? :)

For a dressing, I love to make vinaigrette's. The one I used today was a homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette,

I generally make a Red Wine Vinaigrette, which I will be sharing the recipe for today.

That takes us to discussion about oils and fats. Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, and butter are the fats that stock my pantry. When I can get my hands on a grass-fed processed hog, I'll be adding lard to that list. These natural fats are fuel for our nervous system, you'll feel more satisfied, and more. As people have moved farther and farther away from healthy fats, toward the supposed 'better for you' low fats, health has declined. Return to the wholesomeness of Olive Oil and Coconut oil. You'll be amazed at how much better your food tastes, and how much better you feel. We'll get to more technical details on these items as we go along.

For now, it's important that you understand that I was planning a gorgeous stir fry tonight.

But I fell asleep.

:)

When I awoke, my planned (gluten free) Quiche for tomorrow's breakfast was suddenly What's For Supper. :)

. . . and that ended up being okay, because it was just Keller and I tonight. Although Bethany arrived, she stunned me by telling me she doesn't like quiche! (How can someone not like quiche?!) LOL

So, I've still a gorgeous quick breakfast for tomorrow morning, and likely a late night snack for the GilGuy when he arrives home. If there are any left after that noshing, I'll decide whether or not to freeze the rest, for a future harried morning. My instinct tells me they will be gonzo.

I'm okay with that. :)

That takes us to tally time.

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus per Tablespoon = .16
Flour Tortilla = .20

Red Leaf and Romaine Salad with carrot and cucumber = .41 per serving

Bacon, Spinach, Squash, and Cheese Quiche = .12 each

Um, yeah. I ate well for less than a dollar today.

Sure did. :)

All 24 quiche totaled 2.50, the Salad totaled 1.65. Had several family members been present, we would have maybe topped the five dollar mark. Loosely speaking, of course. :)

And that doesn't include the celery and hummus I had for snack tonight. :D

Not too shabby, eh?

Now, if I could just remember that today is Thursday, not Wednesday . . .

Enjoy the goods, as you put them on your family's plates:

Red Wine Vinaigrette, Crustless Bacon and Spinach Individual Quiche: Day 4

The Grocery Game: Day 3

2011-10-12T23:59:00.000-05:00

Beans, beans, beans.

I decided I'd tack on a second day of discussion about the beans, first, because I needed to prep some pintos for chili later this week; and because if I'm going to prep one batch, I might as well prep three.

Honest.

Three.

This is a common sight at my house. The more dried beans I've cooked and frozen, the simpler and easier my life is at some harried juncture down the road.

It's the equivalent of the pre-prepared items we [used to] pay an arm and a leg for. No preservatives. No heavy processing. And best of all? I'm not paying anyone for a tin can, nor filler liquid!

Pass me the bean bags, please . . .

This morning began very similar to yesterday, therefore, I put a pan of beans on each burner, quick boiled them each for two minutes, lidded them and walked away. When I returned, hours later, the pre-soak segment of their life was officially over, and I could continue.

Each pot of beans had a specific purpose. These pintos?

The whole lot of 'em were becoming chili beans.

Darn good ones, too.

The garbanzos?

A hummus future for at least 2 cups worth, maybe four; and one 2 cup bag for whatever rolls my way.

A roasting? Or maybe a soup addition? :)

The Blacks?

There was no doubt the Blacks were headed for supper tonight.

Also 2 cups to the freezer for an additive over salad. Yum, yum, yum! :)

Let's discuss why beans are so important to your diet, since we've already discovered why they impact your wallet.

Beans are chock full of dietary fiber - which produces not only good digestion, but the sensation of fullness and satiate, all while burning fat for a living! Wonderful minerals such as iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and thiamine . . . all vital to a healthy functioning body.

Toss beans with rice? You've a perfect protein, guaranteed to stick to your ribs!

Why fill up with empty calories? Why pay exorbitant prices for empty calories? Buy beans, dried, in bulk if possible, and begin to transition your way into better health.

I can hear you asking now. How on earth do I manage all three burners, and keep everything straight?

Well, first of all, as I said, if I'm going to do one, I might as well do multiples. This type of day flows best when I've a focused task, such as loads of laundry, or admin that has me sitting at the table. Not a busy, moving about much kind of day, where it might be easy to mis-manage the time. Once you've mastered one day of doing it, you'll continually find it easier and easier to accomplish each subsequent time. (Of course, if all else fails, pull out Mr. Old Trusty and Mr. New and Shiny Crockpot, and let them work for you!) :)

When each bean was fully cooked to a tender bite, they began to transform into their final product. You'll find the recipe's on today's document. I also roasted two red peppers and put Lime Rice in the rice cooker. Here's how that all played out:

This batch of Red Pepper Hummus will feed us for lunch tomorrow, plus snacks through the week. One pepper went into the hummus directly, the second - into the freezer for a future batch.

The Lime Rice became the base for the Spicy Black Beans, which was tonight's supper:

All this delicious goodness, plus, store for the freezer:

Time for some tally work, eh? :)

The Spicy Black Beans:

4 cups cooked Black Beans: .80
2 cups homemade Chicken Broth (made previously, don't have a tally, I'll use $1)
1 jalepeno from the garden: free
1 med onion .33
1 clove garlic .05

Lime Rice

1 cup rice: .25
2 cups homemade Chicken Broth: $1
1 lime: .20
clinatro: .10

Total: 3.73

This meal fed 3 adults and two toddlers, with leftovers which went into the freezer for a future date.

For breakfast we did the egg and grapefruit juice trick, so 1.31 there. I ended up not eating a lunch, while the KBoyz had a PB&J. I usually can't skip a meal, but today it happened. I dunno. Apples are always a 'yes' snack - and the boys at at least two each. With the 5 lb bags at 98 cents each and filled to the brim? I'm sure they were a pretty [cheap] penny. I'll do the math on that later. :)

So are you ready for delicious? Here is your passport:

Spicy Black Beans, Lime Rice, City Cricket's Super Salsa, Chili Beans, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus: The Grocery Game: Day 3

Enjoy!

Tomorrow, you'll see me pull out the veggies with a vengeance! Don't miss it!

The Grocery Game: Day 2

2011-10-11T22:25:00.001-05:00

Why should someone else boil your beans?

That's today's valid and very concerning question on Day 2 of The Grocery Game . . .

and furthermore - Why should the consumer pay for a tin can and the processing price that comes along with it? Why should the consumer give away the right to all the nutrition found in the center of a legume?

For the price of one can of beans (any variety) - 15 ounces - two cups - one can purchase a one pound bag of dried beans and net themselves six cups of cooked legumes as well as retain a higher ratio of nutrients.

*That's* smart spending, folks.

All it takes is a little forethought and know how . . . and if you happen to know how, but forget to fore think . . . never fear! The crock pot is near! :D

Let's pause here a minute, we'll come back to this thought.

Yesterday I told you you'd get to see the inside of my fridge today. I shall not let you down. It just so happens that talking about the fridge actually ties right into all this discussion of beans . . . and you'll see why.

Do you notice anything? Anything different from, oh, let's say the *average* inside of a refrigerator?

What should be quite apparent is that this device is chock full of fresh as possible, fresh as it can be got fruits and vegetables. The only exceptions to this are the bottled apple juice (yes, even though I prefer fresh juiced, Keller downs juice a mile a minute. I purchase ONLY 100% juice. Ever. End of story. No 'cocktails' - no added sugars! You'll have to do the math for your tribe.), the tortilla's (flour for us, corn for the gluten free GilGuy), the eggs, and the apple butter/jam/quinoa.

Absolutely everything else is a harvested item.

Did you get that? A harvested item!

~~No cans. No boxes. No preservatives. No processing.~~

Vegetables. Fruit. Fresh.

Now, tell me truly. When you ask someone if they buy fresh vegetables, what do they say?

They say, "OOOOoooo! That's SO expensive! I buy canned!" -or- they say, "By the time I get there in my shopping trip, I'm out of money!"

This, folks, is bunk. I'll tell you why:

Remember that 66 cent grapefruit I drank for breakfast yesterday? I obtained from it the freshest vitamins and minerals it offers, gave it to my body in a manner in which the body will assimilate those components, AND . . . I've a grapefruit for the next 13 days - i.e. the next shopping trip! Would a bottled juice last me that long?

Let's use the 64 fl ounce jug of white grapefruit juice I purchased on Sunday as our guinea pig. How long would that jug last me, at 8 oz of juice a day? Eight days. And how much will each 8 oz glass cost? .37 cents. So I would need to purchase a second bottle of juice to carry through to the next shop, or, five servings. That equals .42 cents. Cheaper than the grapefruit, right?

Wrong.

The vitamin and goodness content of the bottled juice has been processed and heated and aged until the goodness left does not resemble the goodness found in the fresh grapefruit squeezed just before breakfast.

When we give away our food to the power of a mass producing processing machine, we loose quality.

I'll pay the extra .22 cents. It goes nicely with my .16 cent eggs, thank you very much. :)

As we discussed in the opening of this post, this math doesn't always equal logic. The dried bean purchase will ALWAYS win over a canned purchase. There you see the benefit largely in the pocketbook.

In the fruit and vegetable section, the benefit is found in flavor and health.

So, what to do? How does one make the vegetable aisle a priority?

Why, by shopping it first, of course!

Yes. I shop the vegetables and fruits FIRST before entering into [cue scary music] The Processed Zone.

If it had to be put in a bag, or a can, it has already lost significant health benefit to me. I've given away my quality to a machine.

It is not unusual for me to spend $70 in this department.

After you pick yourself up off of the ground, I reiterate: I don't like it - I don't like that fresh is higher priced than it should be - but I will gladly pay it, if it means I can be around to enjoy life for a long time to come.

So, how then do I spend the $80 left in the bi-weekly grocery budget?

Repeat after me: Fuits and Vegetables * Beans * Rice * Eggs * Cheese * Meats.

The most important on that list? Fruits and Vegetables * Beans * Rice

What one is looking for is the denominator: How close is this to as fresh as possible? Has it been processed in any way? Are there any chemicals found within?

The above list of priorities will net you the closest to the bottom line denominator as possible.

I'm going to be showing you how to make very delicious meals with very little meat (even though I love meats of all sorts). Meals you can tribulate on, if need be.

Which circles us back around to the beans.

Why should someone else boil your beans???!!!

One Dish Meal was on the schedule tonight. This is my Grandmother's recipe, I remember her making it many times when I was a little girl. A sort of stew . . . which goes great with fresh home baked bread, or freshly made cornbread . . . or simply saltine crackers, or . . .nothing. Hearty, wholesome, and simple. One Dish Meal.

The key players in this recipe are best when simmered in a slow oven, but more often than not I put it in the crock pot, where it does it's thing.

Today, however, I was rushed (remember that forethought bit? well, I didn't do it!) so, I had to think quick on my feet.

When my feet hit the floor, I put a bag of dried beans in a soup pan, and covered them with water. Turning the dial on high while I made my coffee and got my chicken's breakfast ready, I let them come to a full boil for two minutes. Then I took them off the burner, covered them, and set them aside. They needed to sit for one hour in this fashion before I could proceed.

I ran a couple of errands, then returned to the house. I pulled out Old Mr. Trusty ~ The 25 year old crock pot, and turned him on 'low'. I drained the beans, poured them into the crock, added water and the other ingredients, lidded it, and walked away.

I turned my attention to the other components of the One Dish Meal, quickly prepped all of that, 20 minutes tops, and put those ingredients in Mr. New and Shiny Crockpot, on high.

I left the house again, and as life coursed about me, I returned many hours later to fully cooked legumes, and a One Dish Meal awaiting them. I added three cups of beans to the recipe, and let that simmer together another hour.

The remaining three cups of beans went into a freezer bag, for use in Chili, coming up not many days hence.

My job was done. All we had to do was eat.

What did the One Dish Meal cost, you ask?

Hamburger, 5.5 lbs split into four segments: 3.99 each
Three cups Red Kidney Beans: .54
Three carrots, sliced: .30
Seven potatoes, diced: .70
One yellow onion: .33
Three stalks celery: .40
One 28 oz can diced tomatoes: 1.24

For a total of 7.50.

I actually made a lesser portion than I normally do, however tonight this meal fed four adults and two toddlers, easily. Everyone satisfied.

Take that, McDonald's! :)

****
Today's Document will list how I make my beans (the added components) and the One Dish Meal recipe ~ it will also include a listing of what components I already had on hand, to aid those who would like to be prepared for the days ahead and cook alongside me. The grocery receipt coupled with the listing will assure the reader that they are prepared for whatever will land on my table . . . because there will be no special shops for this 30 day stretch . . . nope. It's you, me, the pantry, and we all have to get along. :)

Beans, One Dish Meal: The Grocery Game, Day 2: click here

Any questions? Comments? Speak up! :)

Enjoy!

The Grocery Game: Day 1

2011-10-10T22:15:00.001-05:00

I don't know how you feel about today's grocery store prices. I don't know how you feel about nutrition, for yourself or your family.

I simply know that my Mom did her level best to feed us wholesome meals, introduce us to a variety of vegetables, and to regard treats as just that - treats. When Gil entered our lives, he was a recovering vegetarian. Well, more specifically, he was a pharmacologically induced gluten free man, and chose to eat accordingly, which meant he ate quite a bit of veggies, happily. I remember asking him to teach me how to cook for him; and I recall many a time when he groaned at the topic of food ~ you see, he eats to live . . . and we love to eat. His perspective on our dinner table was that we did not eat healthy in the least. Of course, he was of utmost politeness about all this, and never refused what was set before him, and my staunch position at the time was that we did indeed eat quite well! My children capable of eating a wide variety, and practically every meal made from scratch or close to it - compared to the national statistic of families who existed on packaged and processed food on a daily basis, for almost every meal.

He went about his suffering quietly, and I finally got fed up with it. I began researching his dietary needs on my own, and creating ~~-disgusting~~- dishes for his enjoyment. This delighted him to no end, so I continued. Along that road, I began adopting a 'gluten free and not a pre-packaged product, either' mantra. This meant that I leaned more and more toward creating foods that were simply natural, and as fresh as possible. The process was pretty easy, too.

Enter TTapp. When I began the TTapp program, and removed a whopping 50 inches of post-partum baby fat off of my 5'4" frame in a few short weeks, I was hooked. I began reading and researching everything Teresa Tapp had to say about this program, nutrition, and dietary guidelines. That meant she influenced me even further toward vegetables, as fresh as I could get them, in large quantities. She encouraged me even further into the world of coconut oil and olive oil and red wine. Her dietary idea of two non-carb days followed by a carb day was easy to follow, and I found myself more and more satiated by proteins and healthy oils than I ever recall being.

Me. The pasta snob.

It literally transformed my kitchen, and my cooking, even though outwardly, it would appear that very little has changed.

And do you know what? I'm becoming a freshness snob. :) But that is a story for another day.

So, let's roll out the picture book, shall we? Today is the official Day One of 30, living on $300 groceries a month, for a family of 8, reduced to 3, about to return to 4 (Yes, my Mom reminded me that my teen aged son is about to return to our home from Hollywood. He will indeed be a hungry boy.) and often swelling into the 5's, 6's, and 7's. Not to mention the meals made for others, or the dinner guests, or . . . You get the picture. :)

But I digress.

Breakfast!

We go through a LOT of eggs around here! Don't let the media fool you ~ eggs are exceptionally good for you, especially those obtained from free range chickens. In addition to a being a protein powerhouse, an egg enjoys these benefits to a body:

Low in sugar
High in phosphorus
High in riboflavin
Very high in selenium
High in vitamin B12

Our breakfasts are generally very simple, alternating between eggs, oatmeal, and toast. I do enjoy making muffins, and some breakfast goodies that I divvy up into ziplocks for the freezer. While I used to purchase cereal for my family, I rarely ever do now. Not only have the prices of cereal gone through the roof, by the time they are processed into their respective shape and flavor, all life is wrung out of them as well. I'm not saying I'll never purchase another box cereal again . . . I'm just happy not going down that very expensive aisle, thank you.

So, here we have it this morning: two boiled eggs, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice (one fruit makes a perfect size glass) and . . . since Keller only ate half, I polished off the second half of the peach he ate this morning.

If you are in the habit of buying bottled juice, or concentrate even, I challenge you to a fresh juice survey. Pull out your juicer, and juice that orange, or grapefruit, or . . . and do so for one week. Now try to go back to your bottled concoction. I just dare ya. :)

Grapefruit is one of my favorite friends! It is strong in the vitamins A and C, and packs 4% RDA of Calcium. (For me, a non milk drinker, I'm alright with that!) Potassium, dietary fiber . . . the list continues for fresh grapefruits benefits. Peaches are similar in nature, adding niacin and iron to the mix.

So this meal, fresh, wholesome ingredients, cost approximately $1.31 (even though the grapefruit I purchased was marketed at 5 for 3.47, one of the bags had seven fruit in it. Score!)

Next up? Lunch! Of course I had leftovers! I remembered them on the drive home this morning, and I couldn't wait to dive into them. While I failed yesterday, today I did not: a photo of lunch - a porkchop and a cup and a half of mashed cauliflower:

This was not on The List, so I'll forego the tally, however, the Roasted Garbanzo Beans I ate for a snack this afternoon? Can't be beat! A 16 ounce bag of dried garbanzos cost $1.57 (they'd gone up by 56 cents since the two weeks previous) and cook to net six cups of ready to use legumes. I roasted a mere 1 cup of these tasty morsels today, a healthy, nutritious snack that cost .26!

I love what garbanzo's bring to the table: protein, calcium, tons of iron and manganese, vitamin c . . . the goodness of these tasty morsels just won't quit! Ya can't even by a one ounce bag of chips for that price, for less nutrition! :)

For supper tonight, a cheat of sorts ~ an event wherein I knew there would be a snack table loaded with goodies, both fresh and healthy and sinfully delicious. Therefore, the One Dish Meal I had planned for the day went by the wayside. I'll be making it tomorrow.

This light fare day nets us only one recipe, and a simple one at that.

Roasted Garbanzo Beans

Line a cookie sheet with foil, pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil over pan. Add cooked and patted dry garbanzos, rolling them to oil each surface. Sprinkle with seasoning of your choice, today I merely used sea salt.

Bake in a 400 degree oven until beans shrink and brown slightly. For a full cookie sheet, this can take up to an hour, the cup I roasted today took approximately 20 minutes.

Serve/eat warm. Delicious!

Tomorrow, we'll take a look at the inside of the refrigerator, dine on a vintage family recipe, and find the value in making the crockpot work for you. :)

The Grocery Game

2011-10-09T23:47:00.001-05:00

So, I went to the grocery store today.

As has been the case for m o n t h s now, I walk away feeling like I'm getting little bang for my buck. Each trip slices this off the list, or that.

We're far from going hungry, please don't misunderstand. It's just that I've had to rev up my shopping smarts in new, diverse ways; plan accordingly, and execute the plan well.

Where it was once easy to toss a few pre-made snacks in the basket, or indulge in an extra block of cheese, or [fill in the blank desired gastronomic pleasure], it is becoming more and more difficult as inflation pushes the prices up at the local market.

At times like these, I've always been glad I like to cook.

As I scrubbed the fridge and filled it, and prepared the evening meal, I had no idea I was about to do what I'm about to do. It happened at about bite number five, with the idea popping into my mind. It occurred again at the second helping, this time with gusto, the idea becoming visual as I kicked myself for not taking a photograph of said platter. Then, the thought simmered awhile on the back burner.

I almost discarded it.

After all, there are tons of food blogs and economic/frugal living blogs (including my friend Michelle's No Spend Month blog) . . . who am I to add yet another to the mix?

Yet, I couldn't help but consider that . . . even though I utilize the many that are out there, no one in the blog-o-verse has my specific spin on the kitchen.

And then I remembered the calendar.

One year and some months ago, I had been tracking my daily food preparation in a large planning calendar. As a matter of fact, I can't even remember why I was doing it . . . I just was. And it was empowering. Eye opening. It made me pleased with what I had accomplished on what we had.

So, here's my thought. My idea. I am going to blog about my meal plan/food prep/shopping/utilization for the next thirty days. You'll hear the good, the bad, and the ugly. You'll say 'eeewwww' and "YUM!" and likely adopt a few ideas as your own . .. or not.

It might bore you to tears. Or, you might be totally jazzed and excited, because, after all, my adventure is your adventure, right. (And let's face it . . .Choice Central has been pretty adventure-less lately. At least in the posted-publically adventures. I assure you, there have been more than enough things happening to keep me hopping!)

Regardless of how you respond to the idea, I'm sure you'll like the ride, because, as is usual here at CC, my life is rarely boring, and this project is likely going to be peppered with lots of life flavor.

Well? Whaddaya say? :)

As Keller says these days: "Ready, Steady, GO!"

********

Here's the starting point: October 9, 2011. My grocery receipt: (click on the image to make it larger, click on it once it opens to zoom)

Right here and now, I can tell we need to get a couple of things straight. Yes, I shopped at Wal Mart. No, I don't much like that it's my choice these days. However, I did a notebook price comparison recently, and WM came out as top dog in the grocery store department, so, WM it is. Plus, there isn't much other choice in these here parts, anyway. :)

This list is going to feed my family for the next two weeks. The static number of peeps currently is three, however, I never know who, when, why and how there will be extras around the table, up to 8, and certainly not limited to that number. Even with the downsizing of the grocery basket, I still feel relatively prepared that I can feed a crew in a pinch. I'm accustomed to feeding a crew in a pinch. Trust me on this. :)

I came in, put groceries away, and began supper. Tonight's meal was not taken out of The List, but it will serve as our opening volley, just to give you an idea of what I'm planning to do here.

The menu?

Pork Chops
Mashed Cauliflower
Stir Fried Green Beans

Have I already mentioned how *incredible* this meal was? I have? Oh. Well. It was.

Even though I failed miserably in not taking photos (yes, I will fix that!) I will still share my recipe's here, for your own dining pleasure:

Super Supper for October 8, 2011!

As the project gets rolling, I hope to streamline into a pretty good system. Give me some grace as I go? :) Thanks. .

Of Comparing Apples and Oranges

2011-09-30T15:23:00.001-05:00

I've been admiring an orange tree from the side of the road.

This is amazing, due to the fact that I live in Southern Mississippi.

One just doesn't see orange trees all that much.

Yet, there it was, in all it's heavily-fruited splendor, just waiting for me - no - make that, beckoning me to draw near and partake of it's lusciousness.

So I did.

At first, I just pulled into the driveway. I plotted my approach. That determined, I stepped out of the car, picked up the delivered newspaper that had landed in the drive, and marched with it under my arm up to the front door. Things looked a little too . . . stuffy there. I decided no one had used the front door in at least three months. Therefore, I meandered around to the side of the house, and rang the doorbell of the obvious entry point. Of course, I needn't have ~ the yappy little creature of a dog on the inside made my presence known quite well.

No one answered.

Were they avoiding me, thinking I was some type of sales person or scam artist? Didn't they know I was their NEIGHBOR, for pete's sake? Well, after a reasonable amount of time, I set the paper down beside the door with care, and retreated to the car.

I placed my camera bag on the hood, and unzipped the compartment. Since I was operating without explicit permission, and I was definitely in the neighbor's yard, I decided to go with the lens I had on ~ my trusty macro. With one swift motion I was at the tree - still laden, still beckoning, still drawing me to it's side.

But it was a ruse.

A bonafide, deliberate, apparent deception on the part of the tree toward me, the candidate upon which it had thrust it's lusty self.

It was no orange tree at all!

Furthermore, it wasn't an apple tree, either.

Nor a persimmon.

Whatever it was, it sure was something I've never laid eyes on . . .

So I began taking photos.

One by one; this angle, that; snap, snap, snap.

I was highly aware of the traffic behind me, and the house before me, and that yappy little dog shut up betwixt us.

I decided I'd better skedaddle.

And I did.

**********

Once home, I realized - I hadn't honed in on the uniqueness of this fruit. It's ruffled edge, it's characteristic peach-like bottom . . . I'd been too aware of offending the neighbor.

I knew right then and there ~

I'd be going back.

Maybe this time, they'll open the door.

:)

The Olla's and I

2011-09-01T11:51:00.000-05:00

In a twisty-turn-y series of events, Silver Oak Farm now has a garden plot in the works! I'm GRADUATING from a Square Foot Garden (wherein I've learned MUCH!) to a regular garden area!! WOOT!

I've already planted several varieties of heritage beans for a fall crop, which are poking their heads through the ground now:

These are set in four natural raised bed areas.

I also determined I wanted to try my hand at an age-old watering technique: the use of Olla's. Of course, I searched high and low in my area, and couldn't find Olla number one, anywhere. So, the GilGuy kicked in, and suggested I have some ceramic pots made and fired, but not glazed.

So I did! Here they are! The four, new, faux-ollas for the purpose of watering in the garden!

I prepped a 4x4 parcel in the new garden plot, and determined the best placement of Faux-Olla #1:

Then, I dug a hole as it's home:

Filled it with water, which had sat out 24 hours, to leach any chemicals (currently there is no water to the property, have to haul it in, to be fixed in the next few weeks.)

Then I augmented each seed hole, planted, covered seed, then covered the olla with a temporary cap. A saucer now sits in it's place.

And now . . . I wait!

Here are the Baby Trobocino squash plants, poking their tiny heads above the ground. Aren't they interesting? :D

I'm excited to see how these work, long term. If they work well, I'll have to discover a new way to get my hands on some (inexpensive) olla's, as the ceramic ones were a tad pricey to do in a large plot.

Stay tuned! :D

My Husband And I Don't Always Get Along.

2011-08-31T09:05:00.000-05:00

The other day my husband referenced me as being 'crazy'. You know ~ *that* kind of 'crazy' . . . the woman with the wizened eyes, the wild hair brought about by intense emotion of the enraged sort; the about-to-stick-my-nails-in-you kind of 'crazy'.

I stopped to ponder this comment.

You see, no one gets my goat the way my husband does.

No, not that goat.

So close, so intertwined are our lives that the buttons that push the door marked CRAZY are easily accessed by any casual or careless, or :gasp: innocent remark or look that has no ill-will attached to it whatsoever.

I know you know that which I speak of.

So last night, I decided I'd take him supper (an act of service, which he loves) as he was working on a late night project for his employer.

While it wasn't his favorite meal or anything, I do believe he was touched by the kind gesture, and he greeted me with a smile and a pleasant demeanor.

This, of course, made me very happy, because I don't like grumpy.

I didn't say I was never grumpy, I said I don't like grumpy ~ whether it be mine, his, hers, or . . .

Anyway, for some reason, our conversation took a turn that referenced the aforementioned negative 'crazy' comment. In a flash, a memory was in my mind, fresh as if he had just penned it, the words of my Beloved, typing on a keypad, sending forth good vibes in hopes of snagging me, the one in whom he'd developed a strong attraction.

He said, and I quote:

I loved speaking with you last night. Your laugh reveals a heart that is full of joy, the 2nd of the gifts of the spirit. The little side conversations with your children reveal the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 9th gifts of the spirit. Your drive to and from Houston, the 7th gift. Hmmmm, #3? Peace. May the peace of the Lord be with you always, Angela! You revealed so many gifts to me in our zigzaggy conversation . . . I am blessed richly . . . each gift a gem. Where shall I put them? Proverbs says that an excellent wife (a wife of valor) is the crown of her husband. I see. The gems belong to you. But an excellent wife crowns her husband. I see. The gems of the spirit of an excelent woman (wife means woman in Hebrew, eh?) make her husband into a king. I guess I feel like a prince, then.

With this memory, I placed a question upon the table. A simple question:

"Do you remember [that] you said I encapsulated the gifts of the spirit?"

He declined a response until he could refresh his memory with a reread in the archives.

I smiled, because, being a woman . . . a romantic woman at that, I remembered every word, and that quite clearly.

I drove home in the inky black night considering this state of being in a committed relationship. The one that argues passionately on the one hand, deeply embedded in frustration or other negative emotion ~ and the equal and opposite reaction: that of euphoric thrill of knowing the company of your heart partner, deeply embedded in joy and and intense love that overlooks all fault.

Perhaps this marriage thing is all about those unseen rough edges that our partner manages to tackle with gusto. Sandpaper to board, whistling while working on smoothing out the splinters that keep catching and encroaching upon the finer points of relationship.

While I'd rather stay on the smooth side, I'm beginning to [finally] understand a few of my husband's beefs' with me. And he's right. They ain't pretty.

I guess fruit, even spiritual fruit, is plucked from the tree, and is consumed to the benefit of those who come in contact with it's lush goodness. But every harvest demands a winter, a sleep, until spring comes again, and the production starts all over again.

I suppose I'll need some grafting done, to assure that the wild fruit of crazy is pruned out of me.

Meanwhile, I'm going to put myself in remembrance of more of the GilGuy's words to me, oh so long ago:

If you find me attractive, perhaps it is because you see in me a dim reflection of Jesus Christ our Lord and savior, as through a glass darkly.

That I do, my love, that I do. . . . Splintered wood from the cross and all . . .

Photographic Evidence That She Is A He (or) Whatever Happened To Chloe of the Mountain?

2011-08-30T11:09:00.000-05:00

So it was Chloe's fault.

She triggered the mechanism that has been holding the gates of the Wilderness of Silence wrapped tightly about me. In her revelation that she is not who she purports herself to be (in name only, her posts are the depths of her heart), I found myself face to face externally with the internal battle going on within me. That of withholding for the sake of privacy, under my given name.

In so doing, I've cut myself short. I've hindered the expression of who I am and what I think about and what I do, in essence building a privacy fence about my little blogspot in the cybersphere.

I *hate* privacy fences.

Give me wide open spaces in which to roam; let the wind whip through my hair ~

But I digress. Most of my readers are unaware of the battle within, merely aware that I've rarely posted for some time. Anemic, occasional posts. Well, okay, maybe not so anemic. But in the realm of what has been going on in the depths, behind the scenes of ChoiceCentral? Anemic.

I, Choosers, *chose* to lock myself up. A cage of my own making.

And that's when The Bunk House came into play.

You see, I've failed to journal for you The Life and Times of my six little hens. Bonnie Lee Blakely and her miraculous recovery has been a mere pebble in the exciting adventures of my chickens. Oh, sure, a select handful obtained some news here and there.

But ChoiceCentral? The HEADQUARTERS of all things varied and interesting?

Yep. Missed the memos.

I apologize.

So it was that while I was moving The Bunk House this morning (which now has a SpacePort, but I digress, again), it was at an awkward angle, and I had to lift it higher than normal to shift it. And, since I hadn't moved it while the Girls were snug in the coop section, when I did, they ALL ran out from under the fence, and began chasing bugs in true free-range fashion.

Hmph.

It was a sight to behold, those chickens, moving past their set boundary into the wide open.

So I got out my camera.

And that's when it hit me.

I hadn't even told you that she was a he.

Yep. My beloved Ruby is . . . well, a Rudy, it appears. And he is one fine, handsome specimen of a rooster, if you ask his brood of five little hens.

See the differences?

The shine,

the size,

those tail feathers

~ the size of those FEET!

And let's not forget his comb, perhaps one of the most tell-tale indicators.

It was no mistake, that all these circumstances happened within twenty four hours of one another.

Nope. If Chloe of the Mountain (RIP) can do it . . .

If my dang CHICKEN can do it . . .

Then I can too.

I'm out. Wide Open. Again.

Whew.

I may or may not pick up a psuedonym. That remains to be seen. The more important thing, methinks, is that I stop editing myself, and get back to blogging and telling it like it is, from the headquarters of ChoiceCentral.

BlackJack Bridge

2011-07-16T20:52:00.001-05:00

There's just something about dirt, hills, and boys, no matter the age.

The GilGuy and Keller took right to the mounds, each determined to conquer them in their own way. :)

This particular area is a branch that needed to be crossed in order to further develop a straight route to the homestead site. We've named it the "lake bridge" because the low-lying area was a favorite haunt of four-wheelin' folk who found the water irresistable. Over time, the area became wider, and wider, and never fully drained nor evaporated, hence, "the lake." Of course, this summer's drought changed that, and the overall want of the land became our opportunity to tackle the project, sans mud. Our little span of the "the lake" has been dubbed "the bridge" even though the bridge is made of earthen materials hiding a culvert. :)

Very near this area, we've discovered yet more BlackJack Oak ~ amazingly resilient, these majestic trees can withstand harsh conditions, including brush fire. Some of the BlackJacks have indeed been burned to a crisp, and show it . . . but they put out leaves like nobody's business!

Many are short of stature, but do not be fooled by their size! These oaks are easily 30 years old, if not older. The wide-palmed leaf is the signature of a BlackJack Oak:

The GilGuy and I both hope to do an inventory of the stately trees that grace Silver Oak Farm. We are beginning to think our original estimate of the number of oaks is too low. :)

Funny Thing About Large Families

2011-07-08T10:37:00.000-05:00

Or, perhaps, a more suitable title would be "What No One Told Me About Raising More Than One."

In the league of "What No One Talks About When Your Grandchild Is Born," the phenomenon of how a parent might meander the myriad of emotions that accompany watching your child yet and still make choices and grow up isn't discussed. Anywhere.

So, I'm here to talk about it.

Egads.

I love my children, down to the last drop. When my grandson Keeton was born, I was overwhelmed with a love for him that completely took me by surprise. It was The Emotion That No One Talks About When Your Grandchild Is Born. Oh, sure, grandparents joke about how they can enjoy the child, then send them back home, about how great it is that the grandchild is energetic enough to warrant a young person parenting him or her . . .

But no one says how captivated your heart will become the instant you lay eyes on that wailing, protesting piece of related DNA that they put on the scale to weigh and take vital signs. The moment you hold that little on in your arms, you think your heart is going to burst, the love is so overwhelming. The honeymoon phase doesn't leave, Choosers. I'm here to tell you, that familial love only expands and expounds as that little grows up into a walking, talking specimen of related DNA. I could swallow up my grandson in a bubble of love that he'd never find his way out of. Oh, wait. I've already done that. :)

Well, so it is with your children as they grow and become and stretch their wings and find their place in this world. As the first one leaves the nest and begins to experiment with this adult responsibility and that, your heart begins to let out, like a kite on a string.

The winds may blow, as you hear news of your child's life experience, and threaten to take your kite - your emotions - and dash them into a storm cloud . . . but then, through faith and hope, and because you are a parent given to prayer, the winds subside, and your kite - your heart - is happily flying again in a peaceful, contented state, as your child's circumstance settles into a happy ending or new normal.

Then along comes the next newly minted adult child. Now, you are flying tandem heart-kites. One is flying contentedly, and the other, flying nearby, gets caught by a gust of circumstance that grabs and tosses your heart-kite to and fro. The complex maneuver of having to keep those two kites from colliding is enough to keep a parent on their toes. More faith. More hope. More prayer. And then, peace once again in the sky of life.

Try adding a third heart-kite to your active group of heart-kites. You thought you were cruising along and enjoying this adult child experience with little challenge? Then you haven't yet crossed the threshold of having three adult children . . . each making decisions, finding their life-path, going from euphoria at successes to the depths of despair at adult realities and responsibilities. Of course, on the surface, you are calm, and available to that child for wisdom, advice, and a shoulder to console upon. In secret, you are in the prayer closet, seeking God's face and favor, His grace and mercy on their every move.

A nail-biting experience at times . . . a cacophonous swell of pride and love and excitement at others.

But wait! There's more! A fourth child-adult . . . a young man pushing at the adult gate a wee bit earlier than most, with special circumstances surrounding him . . . and the press is much more transitional than the parent would like; too soon, it seems, on the heels of having just launched the third heart-kite.

And so the parent juggles the accomplishments, the fears, the disappointments, the concerns of each of their children no longer in the safety and boundaries of the nest. A typical day might have one of each of the aforementioned details occurring, one per child, per day! The phone call from Young Adult One being exciting; hanging up to answer Young Adult Two in a state of fear; processing that, when lo and behold! Young Adult Three shows up on the doorstep concerned and needing to talk about this, that, and the other; while you open the mailbox to a note from Young Almost-Adult Four detailing the disappointment of heart they are feeling.

No one talks about parenting from this angle, that of the multiple adult-child syndrome. I suppose that is because it's not fully parenting any more, is it? No, it's the transition of the parent into a close confidant, a wise adviser or counselor who leaves the final decision to the Young Adult they've just spoken with.

No one said that when my children grew up that I would have to.

The transition into adulthood is just as much mine as it is theirs.

With one child, it's doable. Two? A bit of a thrill. Three? Complex. Four? Challenging.

Hanging on to my heart-kite strings with skill and dexterity is required of me. Loving well my dictum.

Thank goodness I've got two toddlers hanging at my knee, that I might resort to the simplicity of those three year old encounters to still my soul . . .

Singin' In The Rain

2011-07-02T21:40:00.000-05:00

What Was That Masked Pan?

2011-06-30T12:38:00.000-05:00

I'll bet you think you know what this is, don'tcha?

Huh? You do? You think it's a yummy chocolate cake, covered in chocolate frosting?

Nah.

Not it.

Nope!

It's HEALTHY! and YUMMY! and Oh so delicious! :D

It's Katie's Granola Bars, with my special twist!

Now, I don't exactly know who Katie is . . . but I do know that her homemade chewy granola bars have been a perfect solution for my previous, once-upon-a-time addiction to Quaker Chewy Granola Bars:

Yes, I kicked them to the curb, in exchange for less preservatives, a healthier, more natural sweetener, and a more cost-effective treat. ("Cuz, let's face it. I could eat a case of QCGB without blinking an eye lash I like 'em so much!)

Here is the original recipe:

4 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour, or spelt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup butter, softened*
1 cup honey

Add-ins: 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup chopped walnuts, or try any combination of 2 cups or less of dried fruits, sunflower seeds, coconut, nuts…

With my personal twist(s):

Replace 1/2 cup of the butter with 1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix the butter, peanut butter and honey together first, then add the oatmeal, flour, baking soda, spices, and vanilla. Then add the mix ins of your choice. Put in a well buttered pan, then into a 325 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Just before the cooling process is complete, open up a jar of this:

and use it as a "frosting" over the entire pan of wholesome goodness!

Slice into bars, scoop one out and enjoy! :D

It's almost too good to be true, isn't it? The idea that whole oats, honey, raw pumpkins seeds, raisins, and unsweetened coconut could be better than the listed preserves on the back of the QCGB box? :D

True Photographical Education

2011-06-14T09:37:00.000-05:00

If one wishes to improve their photography skills, may I make a suggestion?

Photograph chickens.

Yes, I said photograph chickens.

'Cuz chickens are a dickens to photograph.

The staccato movements of these unusual, yet uniquely beautiful creatures makes the photographer work ten times harder than normal to capture the perfect chicken photo. - And I ain't talkin' using the constant shutter release, either. I'm talkin' deliberate, one-shot-at-time photography.

Don't forget the added challenge of taking the perfect photo through chicken wire, also!

It might just lead one to back off the hard stuff, and lean toward something easier, with a slower pace . . . like the turtle!

Yup. If ya want a true challenge, turn to the chicken. If you're looking for life on easy street, find the nearest turtle, and interrupt his trek for a few moments of fame.

Little Bonnie Blakely

2011-06-05T22:56:00.002-05:00

I suppose it sounds like a morbid moniker (one could reference it to the demise of Bonnie Blakely of Hollywood fame . . .) but I mean no ill intent, as I find the love-phrase rolling off of my tongue as I check on and feed my recovering hen. Try as I might to curb it, the phrase continues still. Little Bonnie Blakely is a survivor, alright. Hangin' with the Big Peeps, like she never missed a beat . . . (click on the photos, for an awesome up close, detailed treat!)

Even though she isn't moving at full speed yet. :D

Little Bonnie is on the mend, and now fully integrated into the hen house once again. Low on the totem pole though she may be, she is happy, and chirpy, and mobile enough to get in and get her share of the goods. :)

Happy hens I have. Yep. Yessirreee.

Keller-isms

2011-06-02T21:39:00.000-05:00

L'il Man has said some amazing things in the last few days.

Not that he's a stranger to saying amazing things, out of context against his three year old frame . . . it's just that . . . HOW does he manage "adult" so well? LOL

* * * * * *

Scene 1: Snuggled on the couch, reading The Bee Tree, we come to the line that says: ". . . and they broke into a dead run . . ."

Keller stops me. "What is a dead run?"

I pick myself up off of the floor and answer his question.

* * * * *

Scene 2: I'm cleaning the kitchen, music is playing in the background, the singers singing this refrain: "The Lord is the Rock, He is the Rock Eternal . . ."

"Mom, what does 'Rock Eternal' mean?"

I pick myself up off of the kitchen floor, and answer his question.

Farm Girl Meets Pharmacist Girl . . .

2011-05-26T11:22:00.001-05:00

I was about to get in the shower, but decided to go outside and check on the hens in The Bunk House, since it was their first experience in the rain.

I opened the lid, and was greeted by five happy chicks . . .

FIVE?

Where was the other? I searched the run. . . nothing. Nowhere.

I then checked for illegal entry signs. None. Nada.

I was totally perplexed. Did a snake get in, and out, and have lunch without leaving any evidence? Because . . . that was a big mystery: There were no feathery evidences of an intrusion!

Totally perplexed, I decided to begin circling a radius about The Bunk House.

Once in awhile, I thought I could hear a chick alarm cry, but it wouldn't continue, and the cacophony of birds singing post rain was almost deafening . . .

I turned back toward The Bunk House, when I saw my cat come out from underneath the neighbors porch . . . but she was relaxed, and acting normal. I turned again, when I heard the alarm cry sure as shootin'!

I redoubled my efforts, this time going into the neighbors back woods . . . that's when I saw the big white lumbering tom cat. A harmless housecat my neighbor brought home from the Humane Society ~ but, who has been eye-spying my hens every time he was outside!!

He was looking at me, while I was looking at him, when the pullet cried out again, and I saw her move in the brush!

Trooper the tom cat saw her too, and got to her before me ~ but I shooed him away.

Bonnie was glad to see me, and moved toward me, whilst I reached in between the brambles to pick her up. No feigned attempts to get away, no chirps indicating to her peers where she was . . . she leaned into my hand, my arm, my body, and sighed a deep sigh.

I shored up The Bunk House with her in hand, then headed indoors.

Taking inventory of her injuries, which seemed mostly superficial, I devised a plan of action.

Her tail end was the area of deepest wounding, even though those weren't very deep; the top of her right wing, and strange marks under each wing (which I finally determined were claw marks) seemed to be the extent of need of nursing.

I chose Q-tips, hydrogen peroxide, and antibiotic cream and got to work. Bonnie seemed content to let me doctor her, until I determined I needed to pour the peroxide on the deepest wounds ~ but that was because she wasn't happy about getting wet! The antibiotic cream must've been soothing, because she sat patiently, waiting for me to finish.

Because she had been in the rain, or at least under rain-covered leaves of the woods, I determined to put her under the heat lamp to warm and dry her, as opposed to on my lap, which is where my heart wants to hold her . . .

Did Trooper actually perform a break and enter without *any* evidence remaining? Did Bonnie jump out, without my knowledge this morning, when I had the roof open to feed and water them?

Trooper is an outdoor tom cat wanna be. He lives his days on Nine Lives cat food and scraps from the table . . . I'm sure his city-fied ways actually saved my hen, that he did not actually know what to do with the 'prize' he found.

I am perplexed as the day is long . . .but I'm grateful my hen is alive. Each hour she survives will settle me that she'll be none the worse for wear . . .

Any one up for a prayer vigil for a chicken?

Resting, after the Incident.

An aerial view, of her tail end.

The Bunk House

2011-05-23T10:10:00.001-05:00

When I set out to build a 'chicken tractor' for little to no expense, and began rifling through our pile of scrap materials stored off to the side of the shed, I had to forego my vision of a lovely little chicken coop, the likes of which are oft advertised in bird-dom. We just didn't have that type of lovely scrap materials lying around. We *did* have, I discovered, the frame of a long-used bunk bed, complete with it's hardware. Bingo! It took a few days for the idea to fully meld in my mind, as to how, exactly, I could employ it successfully for this purpose, but once it did? I knew it would work!

So, herein lie the photos of the making of The Bunk House for my new girls. The lovely Buff Orphingtons, The beautiful and stately Rhode Island Reds, and the somewhat quirky and unusual Black Sex Links, chosen by my teenaged son. They've already visited their new digs during the construction phase, and I can attest: they like it already! :)

So, without further ado, I bring you a photographic essay on the making of The Bunk House. Please feast your eyes upon this monstrosity, and wonder.

Humble beginnings

"The wheels on the coop go round and round . . ." er, wait a minute! lol I don't know how long the zip ties will hold, but they will have to do. There are nails, but I didn't have washers for the outer spacings, thus, zip ties it was!

Found some flooring tiles, new, still in the box, so . . . they will come in handy, on top of this:

The pallet-turned-chicken-coop-floor. Wired the underneath to keep out varmin. :)

An old futon frame became further reinforcement of the run.

and, another layer of wire reinforcement to keep out varmin. This sits just below the beginning of the coop.

A piece of particle board, became the chicken coop door, the opening to the run!

The coop floor, being attached to the run.

Israel's strength was a big help when it came to attaching the coop to the run - and he's pretty handy with power tools, too! :)

A perspective of the entire tractor.

And another . . .

Now for those floor tiles!

A couple of crates will serve as laying boxes. I'll be attaching a ledge across both of them, as well as a partition in each box, to make four laying boxes total.

A perfect fit, really! :)

The side walls go up on the coop!

. . . and the beginning of the roof. In reality, Israel got ahead of me at this juncture, so the roof is missing some supporting frame. The roof is coming off, and being re-fortified to withstand use and to weatherproof the hinged opening. That particular day, it was just such a relief to be at a stopping point, neither one of us was ready to undo. lol

A glimpse inside! :) The door will have a "walkway" gangplank to the ground.

And a finished product picture of sorts. The top wire will be further stretched and secured; a security bar will be put around the perimeter of the run at the ground, and "handles" - simply a 2x16 bar - will be attached along the sides to bear the weight of the entire unit when it is moved.

The grand total of materials used for this particular coop is under $20. The 2x16's, some hardware, and the chicken wire (we got it at a mega sale, and I did not use an entire roll, thus . . .) were the only purchased items. All the other materials we had laying around, just waiting to be put to use. When the unit is complete, I'll post those pics, but it is in a finished enough state, I knew you'd love to see how it all came together! The hens will begin spending their days out of doors this week. A heat lamp will still be provided for a couple more weeks, but they are feathering out nicely.

No doubt, they are ready to get some grub! :D

When The Desire Comes

2011-05-04T20:35:00.000-05:00

I was in California with my son, The Actor many moons ago when the bug bit me. I'd returned home for a Hollywood hiatus, and began researching, reading, and talking with others.

I was totally, 100% convinced I wanted chickens. Backyard chickens. Just a few. You know, for eggs.

The GilGuy, however, was not so impressed with my plan and idea. He deep sixed it before I could even say 'Chicken Tractor, the red one, please . . ."

To bide my time, I took up other interests, like . . . Hobby Farms magazine. Backyard Poultry magazine. Murray McMurray Hatchery catalouges, and such.

More time in California. LA livin' and drivin' and . . . where do the chickens fit in? Yet I did not waver. I knew one day the chickens would be mine.

Enter Silver Oak Farm and Hudson's Treasure Chest Farm Equipment sale . . . we'd perused potential items for the farm, ultimately selecting some gates and a few other supplies . . . including a chicken feeder, water-er, and chick feed. WOOT!

So today, it was a trip to the local feed store to pick out a few chicks to call our own. The KBoyz and The Actor tagged along, and we all had a great time.

The day has been sweet, watching them play, peck, determine pecking order, eat, drink, and peep. After supper, I went to the garden and harvested three pea pods. I sliced each pea in half, and gave them their very first treat. They loved them! :D

I suspect that when The Actor returns to the streets of Hollywood, he's going to miss the new addition. :wink:

Exhaustion In His Eyes

2011-05-01T23:52:00.003-05:00

L'il Man had been going full swing through the weekend. He'd endured a four hour 'shopping' extravaganza - enduring blazing heat in an *almost* old fashioned auction type setting on Saturday, followed by a fence post planting event. His Sunday experience was that of more fence posts . . . and more fence posts . . . what kept him content the day long was the plentiful harvest of wild huckleberries dotting the landscape. Even when Dad began bush-hogging, when he found a bush full of berries, he left it for L'il Keller-Man to imbibe.

So it was that the final hours of Sunday were filled with the noise of a tractor laying trash vegetation low; the discing of otherwise wild territory; and the chasing of bumble bees while the little boy waited.

Literally, we sat in the iron rocker, mere inches away from a bee who was so busy with his nectar harvest that he paid us no mind whatsoever! (click on photo to enlarge! Woot!)

It was peaceful ~ the wind rushing through the tops of the pine trees and brushing our unkempt locks against our brow. The drone of the tractor behind us as we sat, waiting. Oh, for the day to end, the Little One would pine - for the briefest of moments, before finding yet another earthy sight to hold his rapt attention.

Berries, berries, and more berries as Dad drove 'round and 'round. Then suddenly, the Black Eyed Susan's come into focus -

and it was time to gift Mom.

While he is such a patient child, and easily entertained by his own exploration, surely this day . . . this weekend . . . was the largest he'd taken on. The exhaustion could be seen in his eyes.

At the first opportunity, he fell asleep hard, sans a very necessary bath.

For Keller, this 'farm' business is for the bees.

:D

20 Percent and Counting . . .

2011-04-29T16:33:00.000-05:00

It was the third time, and the second in one week ~ the interminable wait in a doctor's office on Keeton's behalf. Because he'd broken his wrist "just so" and because they had to press it back into place, and because they were watching for the need of surgery, frequent x-rays were on tap for the little guy.

Today's wait consumed the better part of two hours before we were called, only to then be sequestered in a tiny cubicle of a room for another hour. Once, I give grace. Twice, quite an annoyance. Three times? Really uncalled for!

So, the patient three year old and I had to pass the time somehow.

Every magazine had been read.

Every song had been sung.

Every game had been played on the iphone.

We'd even brought the camera out for an impromptu photo session.

We were now into videos. There was only 20% of juice left. I determined that when the juice ran out, we were leaving, doctor or no. An hour for every year of your age is just. not. right.

As Murphy's Law would have it, of course the doctor came in as soon as I made that mental decision.

Fortunately for Keeters, we hadn't left, as he is now sporting a half cast with vibrant colors. :D

My Mom Says . . .

2011-04-22T09:16:00.000-05:00

. . . that when I don't blog for a space, she gets a bit tweaked: "What's going on with that girl?!"

So, a photo montage, for your viewing pleasure. :)

Of Lizards and Tar Babies and Stuff . . .

2011-04-04T13:51:00.000-05:00

The cathedral was an oak lined canopy of green, the backdrop of our work area, and the stage of birds of all kinds, singing their hearts out to the King of Kings. The morning air was crisp, and the day lay before us as an unpainted canvas, awaiting the strokes of a brush.

The brush just happened to be in my hand . . . as I was the "tar baby" extraordinaire.

Must. tar. the posts. I repeated to myself, just to maintain the motivation to complete the task. Having waterproofed countless posts the day before, and myself in the process, well, it just wasn't appealing. Yet it had to be done.

Brer Rabbit would have been proud! One by one, those posts were done! :D

We were just shy of completing the first northern strip of fencing ~ and it was a thrill (outside of the tarring, of course!) Each post that was planted in the ground became a waymarker for our efforts. A visible cue to the progress of the task at hand. With each post planted, I found myself more and more excited ~ we were one step closer to the completion of the 'master plan!' 425 feet down, only 3575 feet to go! LOL

Here are a few 'in progress' photos:

We had everything lined up, stretched, and ready to attach to the posts with u-nails, when we discovered we had a visitor.

Perhaps it was the Bureau of Fence Managment, sending out one of their men, you ask?

Nah.

How about a disgruntled neighbor, stopping by to stop the show?

Nah.

It was him..

The distant relative of the Geico gecko.

You know ~ him!

He poked his head out to say hello . . . or, rather, HEY! What are you doing?

I think he was just as surprised to see us as we were to see him! He captured my attention because he wasn't the run-of-the-mill omni-colored lizards so common around here.

He was a bit pudgy around the waist, with a creative design covering his body. His eyes were encircled by a starburst of stripes. He moved just like any other lizard, but I felt like I was looking at a distant relative of an iguana . . . or maybe a gila monster . . .

I was just tickled he hung around long enough to let me get a few photos of his inspection . . .

Gil would later look up his breed. He is almost as far west as he will go, this Eastern Fence Lizard, isn't found any further than the southern-most tip of Louisiana.

Wait a minute . . .

EASTERN FENCE LIZARD???

Egads.

Did he show up just because we've been building fences? Or, has he been living in these oaks so long that he's grandfathered in? Will we meet the rest of his family? Does he know the Water Moccasin bunch down stream??

Oh. So much to think about . . .

Pass me the mineral spirits ~ I've got tar stuck to my arms.

A Bit Of A Problem . . .

2011-04-01T09:01:00.000-05:00

By day's end after the driveway had been finished, the GilGuy and I were taking in the finished product. I was thrilled! Mesmerized by it's pristine beauty (as far as roads go), I carried on and on about it . . . but Gil was looking over the edge where the drive meets the stream bed.

"This isn't good." he said, in his conversational manner of assessing a situation.

"What do you mean?" I replied, in a state of non-committal disbelief.

"See this side of the culvert? It's two inches higher than the upstream side."

Ugh.

He was right.

About that time, the man who had created the driveway arrived, and we begin a hearty conversation about the state of the culverts.

"They'll settle." he assured us.

It made sense, his lengthy explanation of how the culverts would respond to traffic ~ but, rain was on the way, which would be the true test of the virtue of the placement of the new waterway.

Rain it did, while we were away for several days. Our very first stop upon returning home was the driveway. The property owner next to us, was outside talking to the property owner on the other side of us. Sure enough, minor flooding had occurred, and we knew we had to begin repairs immediately.

Water was flowing through the pipe system, however, it took the water table rising to make it do so. Once the water table was lowered, we'd be back to the same issue.

A full discussion, and a solution was negotiated with the property owner, which set us in motion toward a fix within the next few weeks. On the way home, however, the GilGuy (aka McGilver) hit upon a temporary aid. Suddenly, our first day home was planned, and we were on tap for some waterworks of our own!

His plan? Siphon water through and beyond the height of the barrier, until we could get to the digging out of the culverts and repositioning thereof.

It was cold and windy as we set out. All bundled, but ready for anything, our first task was to get the temporary hose through the culverts.

Gil on one side, I on the other, each of us up to our knees in water . . . Israel was the go between, handing us tools as needed, and clipping thorn brush behind me as I maneuvered the new channel. Starting a water flow would be challenging, as we weren't dealing with a simple irrigation tube, but a full length of hose. Once again, Gil and I were faced with meandering his way/her way ideas.

Keller? Keller was in charge of the safety battalion, keeping watch with his handy "gun" and "killing" every lizard which attempted to foil our project! LOL

Soon, a request to move downstream was given to me, and I began to turn . . . only to find my boot stuck, and within seconds, myself in the water . . . covered with SPIDERS! :eek!: I'd landed near or on a momma spider with babies . . . :shudder: and I was wet, and muddy, and . . . I could feel I'd injured my foot and hand. How on earth?

Ah well. Such is the life. Israel gave me a hand up and out, and we carried on, as if nothing had happened, with the exception of a tell-tale limp on my part.

The hose is securely in place and functioning, until such time we can get in there with a crew and reposition the culverts . . . perhaps this weekend?

As for me, I've no plans to return to the creek bed bottom. One water initiation was enough for me! LOL

Ya Get What Ya Ask For . . .

2011-03-27T21:16:00.002-05:00

I could scarcely believe my eyes the other day, hours after my post of complaint about how long it was taking for our driveway to be completed . . . I shimmied up to the property to find a whole lot of production goin' on! WOOT!

The bulldozer, the dump trucks, the culverts!

My heart began soaring with thrill and delight! By the following morning . . .it was complete - or in a completed state. The branch had been crossed, the foundation laid down!

This end product will 'cure' for a spell, then we'll be laying down the topping, making it road ready for construction vehicles!

In celebration, I'll share a few pics I've taken from around Silver Oak, in between post hole digging!

There is just something about this place . . . serene . . . the wind wisps through your hair . . . the crickets and frogs sing in unison . . . the bird's dance with their voices across the tree tops . . .

I daresay it's the most wonderful place . . .

. . . and since I've been experiencing afresh getting what I ask for . . .

~ When ya comin' over? Huh? :D

Big Wheel Keep On Rolling . . .

2011-03-25T11:36:00.000-05:00

One wouldn't think that a l'il ole driveway could cause one such fits . . .

I mean, it isn't too much to ask, is it??? A driveway? Of our own? To access our property for ourselves on our own thoroughfare?

Well . . . the driveway production continues . . . and as long as the weather holds out, we might just have our heart's desire before too long . . . I hope! lol

Here are some pictures of the process thus far:

There is a slight downward slope that gives way into a branch, or a creek bed, which begins on our parcel at this point, opening up to a larger, swamp-y-er portion of the property, about two acres' worth by the time it's run it's course. Can you say, "A River Runs Through It?" lol

The moisture content of this area was such that a sturdy, built up drive was necessary, reaching down to a wide swath of 'flood prone' (using that term loosely) ground, where the creek overflows it's banks when there's a heavy rain. Here's the eensy, weensy creek bed we're talkin' about here:

As you can see, not much to it. But, the spring for this creek is about two miles upstream, and uphill, so in heavy downpour, this area becomes the first 'catch all' of the water. It flows over it's bank by about six feet on one side, and perhaps thirty on the other. We do not want to eviscerate the eco-system that thrives here, rather, to co-habitate with it, so we are taking measures to span the width of wetter ground in such a manner that it benefits both parties. Our solution?

Rif-Raf.

Also known as Rip Rap.

But I don't like that term, so I call it Rif Raf.

I can be choosy that way. LOL

Well, we managed the first stretch of drive easily, and then, it rained solid for a week. We were back to square one, waiting for enough drying to occur to get back in there with heavy machinery. Boy was I excited when the first load of Rif-Raf, or, cement chunks recycled from the demolition of a foundation somewhere, was in place, to be bull-dozed down, creating the first layer of water-seepable-yet-sturdy-enough-to-uphold-a-vehicle! :)

Progress, right?

Well . . . no.

It sat.

And sat.

Until I felt like the kids in the Cat in the Hat before the Cat arrived. We'd check on progress day after day . .

Until finally, one day, the rif raf load #1 was in place! WOOT!

More waiting ensued. I'm not really sure why, even though lines of communication were open . . . until yesterday, when, lo and behold ~ load #2 of rif raf arrived! WOOTY!

It was cause for celebration, I tell ya! We danced a jig on the driveway as-is, and even had a wheel-throwing contest, just for fun!

Next step is to lay down the culverts, giving the creek full access to it's desired path, then more rif-raf on the other side to the 'higher' ground beyond. Then, fill dirt, and limestone or it's equivalent, then . . . we're on! :D

We are grateful for neighbor's nearby that have given us generous access, yet, it's time for us to move forward without relying on that generosity of others. Having the drive in place opens up all kinds of windows for progress, the likes of which will bring the fullness of Silver Oak Farm to a completed state! YAY!

So, while we appreciate Proud Mary, and her ever-turning water wheel . . . we'd really like to see the "big wheel(s)' of construction turn on down our little lane for some rollin' on the Oak Farm . . . :D

"Hey Dad! What's Up?"

2011-03-23T08:30:00.000-05:00

"Hey Dad! What's Up?!" Dwain was anything less than meek when he jovially greeted the elderly gentleman who sidled up to the counter behind him. The octogenarian return the reply, and a hearty conversation began.

I assumed it was Judith's dad ~ another Cajun on tap to meet our little crew for supper. It wouldn't be a stretch that her dad would join us, as Judith's entire family was in town for a funeral. Gil walked up about the time the conversation began to wane between Dwain and Dad . . . and I could tell by Gil's body language he thought the same as I. As Gil engaged the man, however, a totally different story emerged: The old man was the owner of the eatery we had entered.

Drago's.

A New Orleans fixture as old as the fleur de lis on the iron bars that graced the city.

Dad was Drago ~ and a newfound respect and social grace entwined each of us. Drago smiled ear to ear as he shook our hands, and he was keenly interested in Keller, whose curls attract almost everyone who sees him. Dad spoke heartily of his family, and his grandchildren, shouting above the din of the packed restaurant.

As conversation became a tad more labored, we turned to allow the man his privacy. The hostess had caught eye that we'd been speaking with the man, so she summoned Gil and Keller over.

Reaching deep in the cabinet, and fishing out an insignia'd t-shirt, the gift came across the glass case. Gil responded by immediately dressing L'il Man in their wares.

Keller wanted none of it. It was too late to repair the situation, though, as our table was called.

We were soon dining on sumptuous fare that was full of flavor explosion and intricacy. The company we were keeping was quite enjoyable, and laughter filled the air. Interestingly, we were in the direct line of sight of Mr. Drago himself, who seemed to be enjoying the fact that we were enjoying ourselves, in his establishment.

When Judith excused herself to the powder room, and Keller mistook her for me, chasing her down the hall past Drago, Drago about came out of his skin for worry about the little boy left behind.

Keller, realizing his mistake, turned on a dime, and tried to find me in the flux of people coming and going . . . and soon let out a partially panicked wail. As I chased him down, calling his name, and Drago shouted out at me to 'catch' him before he was injured, I felt like saying, "Hey Dad, What's up? ~ I've got him!" LOL

But his concern was sweet and valid, and revealed the heart behind the business man.

None of us could get over the fact that we'd spent the evening with Drago . . . nor that Dwain had so impressionably engaged him. "Hey Dad" quickly took up residence as a buzzword for our time together.

Dwain.

Never a dull moment.

:D

And Then There's Dwain . . . (Sung to the tune of "Maude")

2011-03-22T08:30:00.003-05:00

One never knows what to expect when meeting someone new. Especially when it involves the history of your spouse, the DNA of your spouse's cultural heritage, and the 'immersion method' of getting to know that person.

Yep. I was on tap for Three Days of Dwain.

Being a pretty fun-lovin' gal, I wasn't too worried about it ~ I get along well with most, and can have fun in practically any situation. Yet, it benefits one to own an internal reserve of . . . 'cope juice' . . . should the event turn awkward and go awry fast.

I was flat outta 'cope juice', I tell ya. It was a do-or-die situation.

So, I strapped on my seat belt, and hung on for the ride.

I shouldn't have worried.

First off, Dwain is from a fantastic gene pool of kind and willing-to-help folks. Help he did, right off the bat:

He handled that wagon like he'd done it all of his life. Took us right into the mix of Baton Rougians all riled up for a St Patty's Day parade . . .

Dwain immediately made his way into my heart with his savvy little Pentax camera. A photo buff like me, I'd knew we'd get along famously from here on out! We took some fantastic photos of the Mississippi river all foggy and ghost-like. I even caught a pic of the two pals together.

But that's not all! Dwain is also a food connoiseur as I am . . . another foodie! YAY! While Gil ordered celery sticks and tofu off of menu's throughout the great state of Louisiana, Dwain and I thrilled over delicacies from here to there, relishing ever bite! :D Dwain took a family photo for us, after we dined at Ralph and Kuko's:

Dwain and I braved the French Quarter to purchase some masks for his friend back home, whilst Gil drove around in circles waiting for us (after all, we had decisions to make!) and then we joined more Cajun DNA for supper at Drago's (a tale for tomorrow, all on it's own!).

Choosers. I want to make it clear: Dwain is fun spelled F-U-N ~ but nothing prepared us for Dwain's passionate participation at the Irish-Italian parade on Sunday afternoon!

He'd originally arrived with a small gift for Keller: a duck call. Before the weekend was over, though, Dwain had put that duck call through it's paces!

As you can see . . . Dwain worked hard for his portion of parade goods. Overtime, even.

I kid you not, the details I share here are not the full scope of our time together! When the dizzy-ing pace of our race to do everything that came to our mind came to a close, we were all wiped. out. Happily so.

As a matter of fact, we've invited Dwain to a respite at Silver Oak Farm, and he's already accepted the invitation.

The View From Bumbly-burg . . .

2011-03-21T14:07:00.000-05:00

What with working non-stop for months of weekends in a row upon our new-found love Silver Oak, it was bound to happen that the GilGuy and I might possibly hit a wall ~ and finally descend into the abyss of "his way/her way" disagreements. Emerging from that marital discord intact required a lot of effort on both our part, as, truth be told, both "his" way and "her" way were right and correct on their own merit. Alas. The give and take of compromise must be reached - and was reached - but sent us both ring side to catch our breath.

Enter Dwain.

The weekend had been on the books for some time, so it couldn't be classified as an impromptu get away. Nay. This was carved into asphalt, and the SUV would be trekking across the state line yet again, for another adventure. Was it mere coincidence that the trip came on the heels of our conflict/resolution? Or, was it the hand of the Lord, seeking to grant us reprieve from the fish bowl syndrome?

Methinks the latter.

You see, on the eve of the globes' largest full moon in twenty years, my Love and I were downtown New Orleans . . . not just anywhere downtown . . . no, we were at the bus station, which doubles as the train station, which was the mode of transport our [sic: at the time Gil's] friend Dwain had chose to employ in his journey south. On a good day, one would be alert in the vicinity thereof. That night? Triple alert.

Gil waited while I snapped a few photos of the iridescent moon overhead, and didn't leave my side until I climbed into the driver's seat, vehicle running. Then, he turned on his heels and off he went, in search of the indefatigable Dwain.

I people watched - a twenty-something man approached Gil almost immediately - and took in the sights that accompany the bus station and New Orleans in the early hours of inky blackness pierced by the brilliance of the moonlight.

My estimation is that Gil and I saw him at the same time, the one who was making a beeline for me and my car and my toddler sleeping in the back seat. I tensed myself, ready for vehicular movement if necessary, when, simultaneously, I saw Gil in my peripheral view. He soon took all of my attention, as I watched him chivalrously move to protect his wife and child. I posted on Facebook of the incident:

Wow. We were in a bad segment of town, I stayed with the car whilst Gil met our friend. Several homeless/ne'er do wells about, one approaching our car. I watched as Gil stepped out of the eave, picked up a rock, and readied himself to aim. The man shifted, and turned to go the other way. :feelingloved:

Truly I did! While I've oft been reassured of my husband's constant love and deep commitment to me, we'd not disagreed in such fashion for some time. Every gal likes to sense and know of the security that envelopes her via her husband's love. Thus, Gil's actions that evening at the bus station spoke volumes to me, leaving me teary-eyed and with my heart in my throat.

~ There was no time to ponder on the wonder of it all. Before I knew it, Dwain was in the car, and we were off! A weekend that splashed with fun and vigor, most of which happening spontaneously and couldn't have been made to happen if we'd planned it.

So, it was by daylight this morning, when I felt Gil's kiss upon my brow, that I was awakened to the reality of the situation I've just outlined for you here.

Grinning from ear to ear, the GilGuy stood before my bleary-eyed state mid-strut, stoked by my public words of affirmation to his gallant attempt to save me. There was more to the story, he assured me, so I propped myself up on the pillow to listen.

It seems my assessment of his bravado was marred. To aid the reader in understanding, one must, rather, envision an episode of Veggie Tales in which Larry the Cucumber has donned his "Larry Boy" super cape to protect the town of Bumbly-burg. A tale of epic proportions (and plenty of bumbles) is about to unfold!

Yes. Gil caught sight of the man headed straight for me under that full-moon. So (as he relates it) he reached for his cell phone to dial my number, at the same time he began moving toward a grass-covered area just outside his range. Inexplicably, while keeping his eyes on Ne'er Do Well #1, he tripped and found his phone to have left his secure grip - directly over the cement drive!

Averting disaster, Gil began to fumble-bumble furiously, tapping the phone mid-air until he was able to bumble it onto the grass, that it might land safe and sound. In one fell swoop, then, he reached down deftly and scooped it back up with his left hand, tossing it to his right, and putting the receiver once again close to his ear. What did all that bumbling produce before my eyes? The appearance that the GilGuy had reached down to pick up a rock to aim toward the one bent on harming the bride of his youth!

:groan:

We both experienced the man making a sharp turn and averting his path directly toward me, and heading another direction. Full moon? You bet. Weird.

As Gil laughed with delight this morning over the differences in viewpoint, he parted with these most profound words: "Angi, it's New Orleans . . . there aren't any rocks on the ground . . ."

LOL

Ah, well. What a picture of what it means to have differences of vantage and what they mean to a situation. Whether it be work or play, I encourage others to take a moment to step back from the situation, listen with fresh ears, and hear what the other person is saying.

After all, you may both be right.

:)

Thus Far . . .

2011-03-12T20:58:00.000-06:00

I've purposely refrained from posting updates on our newfound project in an effort not to bore the reader with incessant photos of nature;

repeated stories of the GilGuy bush-hogging ground whilst I walked around in circles;

and the ever present challenge of having to wash the DellDog after each and every visit to the property. :)

However, it is high time to share the latest and greatest happenings 'round these parts. I'll begin with today's victory first: Houston, we have a fence.

Well, *almost*.

We began the fence today after an arduous procedure of preparatory steps. I am not exaggerating when I say it took us three hours to get supplies to the appointed place, and well over two hours to seat the first 200 lb rail road tie into the ground.

~ But from there on out? It was like taking candy from a baby. Slicing butter with a hot knife. Let's see that again:

That was, of course, until I lost the keys to the truck.

Yeah.

Ah well. We have reason to celebrate, and we are! :D

Here are a few shots from today's endeavor:

If today brought lesson in any thing beyond How To Stick A RailRoad Tie In The Ground, it was How To Work Together To Accomplish A Decided Goal.

His ideas, my ideas . . . rarely congruent in the nuts and bolts of 'how-to' even when we both agree on the outcome. So, it was give and take, Try Mine, Try Yours today. Thus, I've entitled this last photo a pertinent title.

In honor of working together to figure it out, I submit: Glove Love

Let's all get along, shall we, Choosers? :D

That Was Then . . .

2011-02-09T20:50:00.000-06:00

. . . and this is now:

I'm telling you . . . American Gothic meets Mississippi ~~Redneck~~ Maverick couple!

Tickled pink today, because the tractor arrived.

Look, people. I've been awaiting this day for . . . months. days. hours. minutes.

Why, you ask?

Because my husband goes about these things with a scientific mind. And, once he's made up his mind, he thinks some more. He might even scratch that, and think about this for awhile, just to keep up the suspense.

Finally. Today. He. chose.

He chose his choice in a tractor, and they delivered!! WOOT!

For all the research he's done, I'm confident he's chosen well. It's a smart little tractor, new to us, but with quite a bit of life yet in it. It even has a road safety triangle, so he can drive it to work . . .

. . . to work on the new DRIVEWAY that is!!

I, Queen Tractor Vixen Angi have decreed it: Driveway Development Shall Commence Forthwith! Immediately!

Even Sir Keller agrees! Chop, chop, Dad!

Who can argue, since he won a tractor race with his Dad in the driveway?

The Property Line

2011-02-04T10:07:00.001-06:00

I'm not sure why the photo isn't showing on screen as it should ~ but, click on the words "full screen" at the bottom of the black box, and it will take you to the slideshow. Also, you can manually scroll by pressing the stop button, then clicking at your readiness the forward button. I put about 15 photos, with commentary, in this fashion, thinking it would be a tad more enjoyable for the viewer . . . but, might not use this format again. :D Enjoy!

The Road Home

2011-02-02T09:59:00.000-06:00

In the most recent weeks, since I met Tonka, much has occurred.

First, we opted to pass on Tonka, with his best interest in mind, as he would likely live alone for some time. Horses, being social animals, fare best with a companion, and we certainly didn't want to be the source of loneliness and heartbreak for him. In addition, we weren't quite ready for him, as we've still fence-mending to accomplish.

Fence-mending, you ask?

Yes, we've bought the farm.

Er, make that the piece of raw land.

We'll build the 'farm' as we go.

Super excited about this adventure, as it will prove to be an ongoing project, one in which we hope to prepare a place that will be a benefit and a security for our children and grandchildren.

Not only that, but, finally, I'll manage to have those chickens I was once so bent on owning! LOL

So, join us, won't you, Choosers? On this next adventure of ours?

Oh sure, we've still got The Actor and LA. We've still got the KBoyz and the Beautiful Girls we call daughters; there is rarely a day go by that there is not something to laugh about or reflect upon . . . we're just adding to the adventure ride ~ a new twist that, prayerfully, will produce the road home in the hearts of the generations yet to come.

You know - "over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go" - that warm, cozy, enjoyable, happy place that fosters memories and serves as a foundation for good and honest living.

That road home.

Well, This Explains Everything.

2011-01-01T09:00:00.001-06:00

You see, I've been living a lie.

I'm not such a Chooser after all.

No.

In reality, I am:

Julia.

as in, Julia Roberts.

My dear friend, Andrea was kind enough to point that out to me yesterday, and I feel grateful. I really do.

I mean, what's so great about living a life as someone you're not?

:dreamy sigh:

I always wanted to have twins.

Now, if I could just get ahold of that nanny . . . .

:D

Got A Tough Job? Get A Tonka . . .

2010-12-28T20:28:00.000-06:00

I'd spotted the ad. It's posting date had been about three weeks before Christmas. Now here it was again. Blinking, I re-focused my eyes.

Yup. There it was again. New post, new date.

He'd already caught my eye, this muscular beast of burden. His height alone made me shiver. 17 hands? That was some horse. I'd not been near such a large equine since my cousin Brenda owned her Morgan, Doc. That same Doc had managed to plow me face first into the snow and dirt one Nebraska winter. I don't recall ever being on him again, although most likely, I was - after all, Dad taught me well: if you fall off, get back on.

Secondly, what on earth kind of purpose could I . . . we . . . possibly have with a draft horse? It seemed far fetched that I'd investigate. But what was this? "Rides well . . .with or without a bit, with or without a saddle." "Gentle Giant"

A well-trained horse was definitely on the table, as he'd be the horse for the GilGuy, an equine newbie.

Therefore, knowing that Gil wanted a large, well trained horse, I figured it couldn't hurt to at least look into this beast, just down the road a spell from our place.

Off I went, daring the sunny, noon time crispness in the air.

********

Bethany and I saw him at the same time. We both gasped. His physique towered over the woman handling him, yet, he handled like silk to her gentle touch. Only a halter graced his head, and he waited patiently as we exited our vehicle.

I wasted no time. Moving fluidly, but without hesitation or reservation, I began moving from the tip of his nuzzly soft nose to his front fetlocks; down his girth to his rear hooves. Asking for each hoof to be lifted, the Gentle Giant was willing . . . but too my amazement, had such weight on those limbs that I could scarcely lift them!

I chuckled a bit to myself, then stepped back to get a full view. He'd not flinched one bit.

Soon, a flurry of activity began around us. A man, an adult daughter, two children, 10 and 3. Chatter. Laughter. Seriousness. Conversation. The saddle.

Climbing aboard, each of us in turn, this hulk of a horse surprised me with his fluid movement beneath me. I could scarcely believe it! Only later would Bethany confirm she'd had the same experience, the Giant responding to her voice first and foremost, to her heels second, her hands third. Hm.

We followed this unlikely find to the round pen, where he performed even further his fluidity of motion. There was no escaping the rumbling of the earth beneath us as his hooves landed at the edge of each gaited step.

I could envision him - Tonka he'd been named, aptly so - working the fields, bearing the plow, gaining the clearing as a prize of his own making. Having come from an Amish community to begin with, I supposed my musings weren't too far from the truth. It could be advantageous, if one were in need of some heavy lifting, or burden bearing. Giving this steed a job to do was the right thing for his mental and emotional health.

Never before had I entertained the idea of a work horse such as this, of owning a surry or a wagon . . . but suddenly it seemed feasible and right. Tonka had completed his first heavy task: that of gaining entry to my heart.

'It's not enough' - I shook the thoughts from my mind. Too many variables and considerations to be put on the table.

As Bethany and I drove away, the Gentle Giant watching us go, I couldn't help but wonder if we'd see him again, or no . . .

Poor DellDog

2010-12-27T22:37:00.000-06:00

Poor DellDog.

He's paid a high price in the name of keeping (me) warm this cold, wintry Mississippi eve. Oh, sure, he feigned cooperation, but I'm here to tell ya: he had had enough of that consarned photographic contraption hanging in front of his nose, whirring and clicking.

Yup. It was all he could do, not to reach over and bite the hand that feeds him.

Evidence is everywhere.

It began simply enough ~ I in my kerchief, and he in his cap, had just settled down for a . . . wait a minute. Who are we kidding here? I'd just returned indoors after taking this ~~mutt~~ four legged friend of mine on his final relief break of the day/night. The cold was so crisp it seared through my jacket, and drove itself into my lungs. There would have to be some serious heating going on once we made it back inside.

The DellDog instinctively knew where we'd be setting up camp. He got there first, but that slight delay on my part was only due to the fact that I'd spied my camera sitting nearby, and heard it calling my name. I heard Dell groan from across the room.

He knew he was in for it, and there was little he could do about it.

And I, being the wonderful individual I am, took full liberty with his angst.

Of course, there were a few precious moments, ones in which he was a little less annoyed, and more . . . resigned to his fate.

He was very glad for the reprieve, when I discovered that fluffy textured socks make for some great close ups:

Yep. It's cold here, Choosers. Nothing better to do than to move in close and snuggle with the one you love. Or find highly annoying, whichever the case may be. :)

"Well, Ma . . . It's Time To Call The Sheriff." A Christmas Tale

2010-12-26T10:10:00.000-06:00

I'd spent three days in the kitchen, preparing, mixing, baking, cooking, tasting and eating. Now that the Christmas Day feast was over, and the carnage thereof evident, I needed a change of pace. And fast.

Gil and I have found a Shangri-La of sorts ~ a unique and hidden away spot that, when hiking, brings a great deal of soothing, peaceful comfort to one's soul. Driving this shangri-la-ish retreat, however? A whole 'nuther story, which can result in wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Literally.

Yet, let me not get ahead of myself.

You see, we'd determined early in the day that we'd take a tour of our hideaway via our handy dandy SUV. We loaded up all the available people still hanging out at our house, and headed for the hills. The GilGuy had pre-arranged entry to this place with a nearby landowner, who had given his express consent to utilize his property line for access. We buzzed on in, excited to experience the flora and fauna on this crisp, cold Christmas Day from the warmth of a car heater.

"OOooo! Ahhhh!" Majestic oaks were seen; panoramic vistas visually digested and obscure four wheeler paths called our name. Sitting in the very back of said vehicle, I and Keller were trounced and bounced acre after acre. That is, until.

Yes, the adventurous GilGuy determined he'd try an unchartered route ~ you know, the one that traversed the gully? The deep and cavernous gully?

He'd only ventured half way down the hill when he changed his mind.

But it was too late.

Reverse in this old SUV didn't seem to work any more, as the tire wheels spun and sputtered in a brand new mud track made for such a time as this. Hm.

This didn't look good!

No matter! Never fear! said the GilGuy, optimism high . . . all we need is a tractor, and our entry-point guy has just the one for our rescue!

After a tad of humming and hawing, it was decided the entire entourage would trek back to the homestead and ask to be pulled out of the . . . gully.

Well, it didn't take us long to complete that hike, with Gil in his hiking hat and scarf, John in his aviator jacket, Tiffany in her boots and toting her designer purse . . . nope. Not long at all.

Thing is . . . once we arrived back at the homestead on the range, no one came to the door. But we were met by a band of roving, vicious lab/pit bull mix puppies. Oh, and a rather large chihuahua.

Nonplussed, we simply decided to make a new plan. Inexplicably, less than an hour before, Tiffany had insisted on driving her car to the resort. We cajoled her to join us only when her car could no longer gain entry to the rough yet beautiful terrain. She had obliged. That car was now a mile and a half away as the crow flies, and the GilGuy made a command decision. He'd be hiking back to the car, whilst we waited.

All right.

So we did.

Wait, that is.

and wait.

and wait.

It was John who instinctively took charge and said, "Let's begin hiking back." So we did. Rounding the corner to the road, we threw up a loud cheer as we saw the GilGuy drive up in Tiff's spiffy little car.

************

We were now back at the house, driven here by Tiffany the Speedster, and awaited word anxiously as to Gil's return. Would he have the SUV? Or would he be driven home by the other neighbor, whose four wheel drive vehicle showed up in the nick of time?

I felt slightly miffed at being left out of the action, but, it was what it was, and besides, the warm house had a slight advantage over pulling out a stuck truck: Pumpkin Pie. So it was all right.

Tick, tock; tick tock . . . the clock slowly moved forward.

John finally had to exit, and, well, if he was going, so was Tiffany. Keller and I sat alone at the hacienda, as day turned to dusk, and still no Gil.

************

When the front door finally opened, the GilGuy was as the Cheshire Cat, grinning from ear to ear.

Yes, it seems he'd narrowly escaped a trip to the local jail house, when his story of having obtained permission to enter the property panned out. The two sheriff's who had gingerly walked on to the property discovered Gil and the four wheelin' neighbor successfully extricating the SUV from it's perilous place. Imagine their surprise, as they found not one "trespasser" but two! No . . . make that three! As the four wheel drive neighbor carried his son along with him. Yup. Danger was afoot . .. and these men best be showin' some ID.

As logic and levelheadedness prevailed, the entire party, deputies and all, returned to the little hacienda on the plain and had further speaks with the little old lady who lived inside.

Apparently, her lifetime love of a husband had failed to relay the very important piece of information that he had given the GilGuy permission to trek across their back half.

All's well that ends well, however, as the little old lady sheepishly apologized for causing so much trouble.

Gil was soon on his way home, and happy to have been given freedom at zero charge.

Me? I'm still a wee tweaked that I have nary a photo of the GilGuy being grilled by law enforcement.

Not one.

Now *that* would be some blog fodder, eh???

A Merry Christmas to all, and Happy Holidays as you close out the year, 2010! :D

Culinary Disasters and Other Sordid Tales

2010-12-16T22:09:00.000-06:00

I shouldn't have been surprised. The morning had been full of high notes and high fives, several important items on my list of . . . important things had been crossed off or come to a closure point. I rounded the foyer to a waiting kitchen, and an exciting culinary purpose.

Measuring, mixing, mixing, measuring . . . all in a day's recipe, I thought. By the time the first batch of delectable meatballs was ready to come out of the oven, I just happened to look over at my workstation, where I saw sitting, as pristinely as I'd placed them, the three eggs.

Yes, the three eggs.

egads!

I forgot the eggs????

Yup. I had.

Well, any a burger had been made without eggs, so perhaps this mistake wasn't truly that bad. After all . . . those meatballs sure looked good.

That is, until I pulled them out of the oven. :/

I'd had to frankenstein a baking rack, and had done so using the turkey rack. Uh-huh. The one with the wide slats to, you know, hold a turkey. I felt concern as I placed each meatball securely between each slat, as if it were swinging on a hammock of steel . . . but, they seemed sturdy enough, that I thought all would be well.

It wasn't. Those wide slats only allowed my meatballs to drop in-betwixt them . . . a swayback meatball, anyone??? But that wasn't the half of it. As I began to retrieve each meatball with loving care, the damage of no eggs began to shout out at me. Rip! Shred! Stick!

UGH!

I was bereft. What else was there to do, except call the fixer of all things? The GilGuy answered, and readied himself for action.

Me? I had to take a break.

So, I visited the cat.

The broken meatballs would serve as fodder for supper, whilst I prepared a new batch a'la Gil.

Aubrey liked 'em. Israel liked 'em. Gil and Angi liked 'em . . . but Keller? Keller St John? He never got to 'em.

That's because at the sound of the dinner call, he decided to jump from the ottoman into mid-air as his brother unsuspectingly walked by.

The resulting and ensuing carnage was more than he could take. His little busted nose wanted nothing to do with Spaghetti and Meatballs, and by golly, he was going to go to bed.

All I want to know is . . . who's going to do the dishes??? :D

EEEF I Told You, I'd Have To KEEEL You . . .

2010-12-13T22:01:00.000-06:00

To quote an old popular phrase! :D

It's been non-stop 'round here. I'm still trying to capture that red cardinal just outside the driveway, and the gingerbread cookies are delish.

Trust me. The stories will be worth the wait. :)

You Thought . . .

2010-12-12T06:56:00.000-06:00

You thought I forgot, didn't you?

Huh?

Come on, confess! :D

Well, I didn't. Nope. Not me.

Never mind that I've passed the midnight stroke of the clock. "Ignore the man behind the curtain . . ." as the great and incredible Oz was wont to say . . .

Day 12 is on tap, and there is plenty to discuss. Stand By, Choosers. :D

10 Days In, And It's All Giggles Around Here . . .

2010-12-10T22:13:00.000-06:00

As I mentioned yesterday, the cook-fest had a by-product of kiddos mingling nearby, putting up the Christmas tree and other teen/young adult antics. Since it is never nice to make fun of the disabled on in the group, I am sticking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. You'll understand:

Yes, it was time to deck the DellDog . . .

But all he could think is: "Where the heck is Rudolf? They can't possibly pay me enough for this . . ."

He dutifully posed, this way and that . . .

Then took the bribe, hoping desparately that the kiss would set him free . . .!

Sure enough, it worked! The girls moseyed over to WhoVille, to visit Cindy Lou Who. I'm sure you remember her:

Just as lovely as ever . . .

Er, well, um . . .what I meant was . . .

LOL

Never a dull moment in these here parts. Neva.

:D

Day Nine: Marathon Kitchen Klatch

2010-12-09T21:44:00.000-06:00

Swabbing the deck . . .

Wiping the counters . . .

Finally resting my feet . . .

With a glass of excellent Riesling at my side ~ I've been in the kitchen for eight hours straight, I kid you not!

I've had a day-long cook on tap for several days, but even now, I've had to fit it in. The morning was full of many tasks outside the house, so once I locked on, I was locked in! :D

Here's a look at the menu:

*Sugar and Cinnamon Almonds (oh. my. gosh! Thank you TTapp forums!!!)

*Homemade Hot Cocoa (because it's been indescribably cold here!)

* Spicy Black Beans (kudos to Amy's Table for this delicious dish!)

* 1-2-3-4-5 (Pork Ribs in Asian Sauce for multiple dishes, Thank you, Charlotte!)

*Bethany's Refried Beans with out the Refry (because I'm rehabilitating my boy . . .)

*Pioneer Womans' Burritos (paired with Bethany's Refrieds, to rehabilitate my boy . . .)

then . . . because I hadn't yet done enough! A batch of

* Chicken Marinara (an amazingly easy dish, that pleases everyone in my house!)

I sliced and diced no less than four onions, a whole garlic bud, three jalapeños, and have lived to tell about it! :)

My freezer is well stocked now, my tummy is full, and I'm happy to report my family is equally happy this eve. Hearing the noise of their delighted putting-up-the-Christmas-tree antics was well worth the foot wear.

While I've no photos of my delectables, I do have pics of the antics. Wanna see? :D

Ok, wait a minute . . . I"m wiped! There is no way I've the energy to edit these pics, as fun as they are . . . Choosers, use your imagination.

Tomorrow's post, comin' right up! LOL

:D

Day Eight ~ Grousing About

2010-12-08T20:13:00.000-06:00

I used the last of the oatmeal first thing this morning.

That should have been clue #1 that I'd be chasing my tail the day long!

Honestly, the past few weeks have been so busy I can scarcely keep my eyes from crossing, and today was no exception. But I got to play with my camera.

Which makes everything All Right. :D

My son, the actor, had an audition on tap, this one with specific instructions to submit in quicktime format. I had the right tools ~ but I'd never needed to use them until today. So . . . I sat upon the learning curve at every step. What usually takes a maximum of 2.5 hours, today took about 5 ~ double the normal man hours.

I walk away much more educated about my camera, though, so I'm happy. Add to that, we finally replaced our defunct printer with a new one, it's predecessor. The speed with which this mighty machine spits out images is amazing! The photo quality? Wow!

I might not manage 40 winks for another hour or so, but let me tell you . . . I'm blogging, if it snoozes even the hardiest of readers. After all, I"m on a rehab track, which, to my knowledge is like double secret probation.

We all know we don't want the Blogger Police coming after me.

Now don't we? :D

Bean Sprouts Over Halfway!

2010-12-07T21:30:00.000-06:00

I'm really excited to post today's blog ~ this makes number SEVEN in a string of twelve, designed to rehabilitate my inner blogger.

While nothing happened today that was as nail biting as yesterday's scenario, I guarantee the day was NOT boring. :) Sparing my readers the intrinsic details, and fast forwarding to supper, I'm certain to garner cheers from the gastronomical crowd as I wow and impress you with my last minute triumphant meal!

Our story begins after I left the mechanic shop, at least two hours past the time I expected to be home, without my vehicle, and now in step with my husband's schedule, and in his car. The Pork Loin and Roasted Vegetables would have to wait for tomorrow.

Our last stop before home led me straight to the doors of the new but old Asian Grocery. They had just moved into new digs, and I'd missed a couple scheduled deliveries of bean sprouts because . . . well, they weren't being delivered! Surely tonight there would be some delicious sprouts, not sprayed with preservatives and packaged in polyurethane-style packaging . . .

I was right! Snagging the sprouts, and some baby bok choy, the kitchen was calling my name. There, I made this:

Chop Suey

1 lg boneless chicken breast, diced (optional)
2 TB coconut oil

Saute' then add:

1/2 diced onion
2 celery stalks, diced
1 sm green pepper, julienned
2 baby bok choy sprigs, diced
1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves
1 can of water chestnuts

Stir fry the above ingredients, adding 1 tsp of salt and using black pepper to season to your liking. Then add:

1 1/4 cup chicken broth
1 - 2 cups bean sprouts

Bring to a gentle simmer until heated through.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, add 2 TB cornstarch to 1/3 cup cold water. Mix well, then add 2 tsp soy sauce and 1 tsp sugar. Mix again, then pour over vegetables, heat until thickened slightly, serve over rice.

My only disappointment with this quick, easy and healthy little meal is/was that I DIDN'T TAKE ONE PHOTO!! EGADS!

:Whatonearthhappenedtome?:
:HowcouldIhavefailedsothoroughly?:

In this case, you'll have to forgive me, go straight to your stove top, cook up your own batch of melt in your mouth deliciousity, and see for yourself.

And hey! If you happen to be halfway toward a personal of goal of any kind, you can rest assured this meal is a great way to celebrate. Honest. :D