Sugar Cookies

 I received a special delivery in the mail from my cousin Kris.

A recipe from her grandma, Marie Kinney.

These cookies melt in your mouth.

Sugar Cookies

Recipe from the kitchen of 

Marie Kinney

1 cup butter

1 cup cooking oil
  1 cup of sugar

1 cup powder sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cream of tartar

4 cups flour

2 tsp lemon extract

Roll in balls.

Flatten with a glass bottom dipped in sugar.

Bake 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minuets

Enjoy!!

 

It is 3:15pm Somewhere ~ Hodgepodge

 It is Wednesday and that means it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun!

1. We've reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday? Is that typical? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what's your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?

I was having a snack.

Check out the top photo of that chocolate chip cookie made by my youngest son.

Is having a snack typical at 3:15pm? Yes it is.

My energy level is about 5, that is why I need that snack.

 2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball...which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.

A party!

My flower gardens are bursting with blooms. That makes creating bouquets so much fun. It is also fun just to walk the garden, with butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

 3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.

1. Having another Carla ... to re do the chair my parents found for me at an auction.

2. Having another Carla ... to keep up with weeds in the flower garden.

3. Having another Carla ... to keep up with the watering of the garden.

Ha! Ha!

During the month of May, when school is wrapping up, planting the garden begins and the boys shooting sports started, I shared with my husband I thought I should clone myself.

He told me that was not a good idea, it would get confusing. 

Ha! Ha!

 4. Do you think you're strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?

Physically strong, yes, I am physically strong. I grew up on a dairy farm. Making hay, carrying milk buckets and feed sacks.

I am thankful that I have been able to keep the strength as I have gotten older.

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What's your favorite book set sometime in the past?
I do enjoy historical fiction.

I recently listened to  Lilac Girls on audio.

I recommend it, very well done.

 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Our family enjoys creating different infused water.

Raspberry Mint was a favorite.

Do you make infused water?

Do you have a favorite?

 

Chuckle on Tuesday

Chuckle on Tuesday

I was visiting my son last night when I asked if he had a newspaper that I could borrow.

"This is the 21st century," he said. "I do not wast money on newspapers. Here you can borrow my iPad."

I can tell you this, that fly never knew what hit him!

 

Garlic and Garlic Pesto

 Way back in October of 2016 I planted garlic.

Breaking off cloves you plant each clove.

 My garden of garlic.

 You will see the garlic growing in the spring. A fun sight in the garden, green in early spring!

 As the garlic continues to grow. It will form a scape.

The scape is the flower that emerges from the middle of the garlic stalk. The theory behind harvesting them is that it forces the garlic to put its energy towards making a bigger bulb instead of making a flower. I harvest mine when they just start to curl themselves into a circle. The longer you wait the spicier and tougher the scapes become.

With my garlic scapes, I make garlic pesto.

 Garlic Pesto

2 cups garlic scapes, roughly chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup walnuts

Pinch of salt

Pinch of pepper

1/2 - 3/4 cup of olive oil or sunflower oil

*note: feel free to mix in other herbs like basil, mint, cilantro, parsley or even kale to make the pesto more mild. We love garlic, so we do not mind!!

1. Add garlic scapes, Parmesan, walnuts, salt, and black pepper to food processor and scrape sides to make sure all ingredients are incorporated.

2. Turn on processor slowly add 1/2 cup oil. Once added, stop the processor and scrape sides to make sure all ingredients are incorporated.

3. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

4. If pesto is thick,  add more oil while the processor is running.

5. Process pesto once more until it is creamy, about 1 minute.

6. Load the pesto into your preferred containers and store in your chest freezer for up to a year.

We enjoy using our pest for a dip with pretzels or chips.

We also use on homemade pizza.

The link below is where I found helpful tips on growing garlic and the pesto recipe.

Creative Vegetable Gardener

Zingers

Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could pass all my zingers to you and then I would never behave badly and you could behave badly all the time and we'd both be happy? On the other hand, I must warn you that when you finally have the pleasure of saying the thing you mean to say at the moment you mean to say it, remorse inevitably follows. 

You've Got Mail

There is a person who helps at our community garden who seems to feel it necessary to make comments to me or give his opinion of me and my work. Or just has to say stuff. 

The problem is it is childish stuff. I am in my 40's. Why? Why say stuff like...  And is coming from a man well in his 60's.

Regarding my hair ~ "Why does Jeremy let you play with the electric outlet?" 

Regarding my boys ~ "Why are they not doing this activity or helping with this?"

Regarding my garden ~ "Growing your share of weeds."

I do not say anything back. 

I never do. I never have. 

It is making this summers time at the garden, not as fun as years past. I am one  to mind my own business. When I do visit or say something to someone, I like to try to have it be positive, even if I am trying to correct something.

I would love to say something.

Just like Kathleen Kelly in You've Got Mail.

 

Coffee Ice Cream

Coffee Ice Cream

3/4 cup sugar

3 large egg yolks

2 teaspoons all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

3/4 cup whole coffee beans

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the sugar into the egg yolks, until they are thickened and pale yellow. Beat in the four and salt. Set aside:

 

Combine the milk and coffee beans in a heavy medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat, cover and keep warm for 20 minutes.

 

Remove the coffee beans with a skimmer or slotted spoon. Slowly beat the warm milk into the eggs and sugar. Pour the entire mixture back into the pan and place over low heat. Stir constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon until custard thickens slightly. Be careful not to let the mixture boil or the eggs will scramble. Remove from the heat and pour the hot coffee custard through a strainer into a large, clean bowl. Allow the custard to cool slightly, then stir in cream and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until cold or overnight.

 

Continue to make your custard in your ice cream machine.

 

 

Slowly cooking the coffee beans, to make the flavoring.

Finished product! Yummy!

Sound Off

Sound Off

Sound Off

Our little village is taking on our village board.

Our village was hit with soft ball sized hail from the F3 tornado that hit about two miles from our home. Most village residents have hail damage. Siding, windows, screens and roofs are some of the building type damage that most of our neighbors have.

Sadly, all of the Village of Cameron residents received in the mail a letter sharing that we needed a STORM DAMAGE REPAIR PERMIT, and yes, it was in all capital letters.

With the expense of repairs, insurance deductibles and the fact that we did not plan the storm to hit our homes. Many people got upset and protested at the Village Hall.

The above article explains what the residents of Cameron are protesting.

Have you ever had to protest something in your hometown?

I did not attend the protest. 

I do agree with the protest.

Our roof work is scheduled for the end of July or the first of August.

And at the time of this post, we have not gotten a building permit. We are going to wait and see what happens with the inquiry.

 Memo:

I will be away from my desk for a few days.

Wishing you all a great week!

And ponder what we should do regarding the permit.

I do not want to be writing from jail. Ha!

♥

Going on a Road Trip!

♥

Carla

 

 

Hey! It is the Hodgepodge!!

Glacier National Park

 making memories

 It is Wednesday! And that means it is time for the Hodgepodge.

Joyce asks the questions.

We answer the questions.

Click here to join the fun. 

 1. When was the last time you chatted with a neighbor? About what? (sharing that last bit is optional)

Monday, we stopped over to visit our neighbors who are heading out for a camp trip. We will be taking care of the home, pets, mail and any packages that are delivered. 

We visited about our To Do List for while they are away, about what they plan to do and storm damage, yep, we are still talking about the tornado that went thru our area May, 16th.

 2. River, lake, ocean, or waterfall...which one are you most like and why?

I am like a river, ever changing...yet the same. 

My boys are growing up so fast, I hardly feel I can keep up. Our oldest is a senior in High School this year.  Working, saving for a Jeep, college applications and taking on more responsibility.

When I look at photos like the one above, I am in shock at how fast and yet wonderful it all has been.

I have been blessed to be a mom to my boys.

As my life is changing, my nest is starting to see one fly, I will always be MOM! 

I am so blessed for that!!

3. July 13 is National Delaware Day. Ever been to Delaware? Delaware is called 'the first state' because it was the first to declare independence from the British. What's your state's nickname and does that moniker make sense to you? If you were in charge, what nickname would you give your home state?

No, I have not been to Delaware.

As far as Wisconsin goes, well we like nicknames in this state.

Whereas there is only one Wisconsin motto, there exist a number of state nicknames for Wisconsin:

"The Badger State"
Back in the 1830s the Wisconsin lead miners who worked in mines in Illinois were called badgers.
These miners lived in temporary caves cut into the mountain and these housings were called badger dens.
The Wisconsin miners eventually brought this nickname back with them.

"The Copper State"
This Wisconsin state nickname is a reference to the northern copper mines of the state.

"The Dairy State", "Americas Dairyland", and "The Cheese State" Wisconsin is a great producer of cheese and butter, hence all these Wisconsin state nicknames.

I will pick the ... 

"The Dairy State"

My parents are proud Wisconsin Dairy Farmers.

I say "YES, Wisconsin cheese makers make the best cheese in the U.S.of A."

4. What dish did you contribute to the last pot luck meal you attended? Do you have a go-to recipe for pot luck suppers? 

We attended a 4th of July party. 

I brought appetizers for the party.

I dipped pretzel rods in white chocolate and sprinkled them with Red and Blue Jimmies.

I like to bring my Homesteader Bean Dish, it is easy to transport and well liked by all who have tasted it.

 5. What is your number one tip for a brand new parent?

ENJOY

Life is fast enough with all our social media, fast food, hurry to do this or that.

Just enjoy. 

My number one tip. Limit how many activities your kids are in. 

THEY DO NOT NEED TO BE IN EVERY SPORT OR CLUB! 

My heart hurts when I see these frazzled mom's running to this and that. Hockey, Soccer, Volleyball, Football.

 Good Grief, I ask them how and when do you do family time.

"We do not, there is not time"

One mom even shared with me that they have not gone on a family vacation in years because of sports practice that starts in the summer. If your child misses more than two practices, they can not start on the team.

So we took a different path. We set a limit on how many sports and extras would be added to our family life and our own life.  

 6. Insert your own random thought here.

 My Li'l Toot

look at those shoes

Be YOU

Be You

Have you ever struggled with needing to fit in? 

Trying to be someone else to fit into what others want you to be?

I recently had this discussion with my boys.

It was a good reminder for me as well.

You have been made to be YOU.

You do not need to be anyone but you.

Know yourself, be yourself, like yourself.

There is nobody just like you. Never has been, never will be. Only you can be you.

Be You

The poet e. e. cummings wrote:

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing 

its best, night and day, to make you everybody else

means to fight the hardest battle which any human 

being can fight; and never stop fighting.