I will make note of month changes or plan changes so they can be compared for next year.
Homestead {Yard/Garden} Plan - 2014
I will make note of month changes or plan changes so they can be compared for next year.
Good Cheer!
Well, where is yours? Are you one of those that is ready for Christmas in September, or is it more like you turn around and wham! There's Christmas Eve? Somewhere in the middle?
I certainly am in the middle. I used to agonize over what to get my family that would be useful and practical at the same time that it was desirable and beautiful. While a present or two might fit all those requirements once every few years, it's nearly impossible to recreate a perfect gift each year. What's more? If you do find that perfect gift, who's to say you can afford it? I mean, I'm sure own desire for a milk cow is well-known in my family, but it's such and impractical gift as to make it ridiculous.
Instead I strive for simple gifts that are practical for the person. Each member of my family receives what I think they'd like best. Failing to find a physical gift, a gift card works very well. Nothing extravagant, but it allows whoever to freely make a choice of gift. Though, I do try to avoid gift cards when I can, as I see them as somewhat of a last-minute gift. Or a sign that I was unwilling to take time to think of that person and what they may like.
You know what's a fool-proof gift? Food. Everyone eats. At least, everyone I know does. Nearly everyone likes cookies, especially homemade ones so close to the holidays. Even diabetics can have cookies, in moderation of course.
I like tailor each gift to the individual person, and I thought you might like to see what I gave each family member.
And so, she has no use for frippery. What are you supposed to give a person like that? Well, in my estimation, she thoroughly enjoys spending time with her family, and takes that as her gift. She enjoys seeing the family together, spending time with us. We play Rummikub and try to beat her, even though she is the far superior player.
Just small things that are practical, or that allow the receiver to choose what's best for them. It feels good to give others something, especially something they may have wanted, but wouldn't have bought for themselves.
Of course, the real reason for the season is the celebration of the birth of our Savior. He came humbly into the world, but left it a far better place. Thank God! He is ever merciful. I am ever so grateful for the gift of Salvation!
I'm hoping you had a Merry Christmas too!
Until next time,
I certainly am in the middle. I used to agonize over what to get my family that would be useful and practical at the same time that it was desirable and beautiful. While a present or two might fit all those requirements once every few years, it's nearly impossible to recreate a perfect gift each year. What's more? If you do find that perfect gift, who's to say you can afford it? I mean, I'm sure own desire for a milk cow is well-known in my family, but it's such and impractical gift as to make it ridiculous.
Instead I strive for simple gifts that are practical for the person. Each member of my family receives what I think they'd like best. Failing to find a physical gift, a gift card works very well. Nothing extravagant, but it allows whoever to freely make a choice of gift. Though, I do try to avoid gift cards when I can, as I see them as somewhat of a last-minute gift. Or a sign that I was unwilling to take time to think of that person and what they may like.
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You know what's a fool-proof gift? Food. Everyone eats. At least, everyone I know does. Nearly everyone likes cookies, especially homemade ones so close to the holidays. Even diabetics can have cookies, in moderation of course.
I like tailor each gift to the individual person, and I thought you might like to see what I gave each family member.
Gramma
Gramma has long since stopped giving gifts, and for the most part, we (her family) reciprocates. I know she much prefers to have a clutter-free home. What's the point in keeping something in storage if it's not useful? I'm not talking about the spare bed we keep upstairs against the wall, I'm talking about decorations, redundant kitchen items, and the like.And so, she has no use for frippery. What are you supposed to give a person like that? Well, in my estimation, she thoroughly enjoys spending time with her family, and takes that as her gift. She enjoys seeing the family together, spending time with us. We play Rummikub and try to beat her, even though she is the far superior player.
Mom
Mom likes practical gifts, but she's a sucker for penguins. So, I got her a Christmas card, and a small stuffed Ty brand penguin. A pine-scented candle, since those are her favorite, a few pieces of candy, a homemade candle holder, and plenty of tea-lights to go in the holder.Siblings
Siblings are, by far, the most difficult to shop for. Holly got a candle holder like Mom's, along with candy. Ben got an Amazon gift card and more candy than the other two (Mom and Holly), because his little box was empty feeling. Becca did not come home for Christmas, and so has not received her gift. I'm choosing to keep quiet about that yet!Friends
With friends I like to keep it simple, so I limit gifts to my best friend. I gave her a tin filled with her favorite candy (Reese's), and at the very bottom, a gift card to Panera Bread. Panera was recently put in the nearest city, and she's been enjoying the heck out of it.Just small things that are practical, or that allow the receiver to choose what's best for them. It feels good to give others something, especially something they may have wanted, but wouldn't have bought for themselves.
Of course, the real reason for the season is the celebration of the birth of our Savior. He came humbly into the world, but left it a far better place. Thank God! He is ever merciful. I am ever so grateful for the gift of Salvation!
I'm hoping you had a Merry Christmas too!
Until next time,
Pumpkin Roll Scones
Mhmmm...
Don't these look good?
Who am I kidding? I know they do!
I saw a trick to make food photographs turn out better, and I think it worked! Awesome.
I have never made scones before, and so this was a real adventure. One of the local coffee shops makes some excellent cinnamon scones, so they're next on my list to try! Definitely make sure you have some people to share these with, because you'll be tempted to try and eat them all!
I saw this recipe over on Buttered Side Up and gave it a try for brunch one morning. Need I say it? Excellent! If you'd like to see all the in-progress pictures, click above. To go directly to the recipe, click over here.
Until next time,
Don't these look good?
Who am I kidding? I know they do!
I saw a trick to make food photographs turn out better, and I think it worked! Awesome.
I have never made scones before, and so this was a real adventure. One of the local coffee shops makes some excellent cinnamon scones, so they're next on my list to try! Definitely make sure you have some people to share these with, because you'll be tempted to try and eat them all!
I saw this recipe over on Buttered Side Up and gave it a try for brunch one morning. Need I say it? Excellent! If you'd like to see all the in-progress pictures, click above. To go directly to the recipe, click over here.
Until next time,
Winter Projects
...in the house of course. It's much too cold now to do outside projects! It was 10 degrees Fahrenheit last night. 10! That's -12.2 degrees Celsius! Brrr.
We had a lovely Thanksgiving. All the family was home except for Rebecca, my sister, who is in Virginia. She came up for the holidays last year, but decided to wait until summer to visit when it won't be so cold and you can actually go outside and do things.
Some things can't be attempted until winter because if lack of time during the warm months, but something's just don't feel right until winter. Like major sewing projects. I'm planning on making another skirt. Also, a lot more baking and soup-making goes on here during the winter, so maybe more recipes will be forthcoming. I tried a new one just today that was excellent. I'll have to get pictures and share it!
Also, since it's now winter, I should be able to finish my post on how we make it without a dryer all year, all seasons, and all weather.
I need to get slats for my bed now that I have finally been able to measure it. (A certain tool was missing for a long time!) On the subject of wood, I took measurements for a certain size of table that mom would prefer, and so I may try to build one. But again, it's cold and we don't have a heated outdoor space big enough for that project, so it'll probably get tabled (haha, did you see what I did there? ;)) until warmer weather pops around. If I find a reasonably priced one in the correct size range, I won't be too upset though.
I want to cart all the big blankets to the laundry-mat and give them a wash. That's one thing we just can't wash here.
Beyond those things? General organizing is pretty high on the list, but nothing specific. Those are the ones I can think of right now, more will probably get added to the list!
Until next time,
We had a lovely Thanksgiving. All the family was home except for Rebecca, my sister, who is in Virginia. She came up for the holidays last year, but decided to wait until summer to visit when it won't be so cold and you can actually go outside and do things.
Some things can't be attempted until winter because if lack of time during the warm months, but something's just don't feel right until winter. Like major sewing projects. I'm planning on making another skirt. Also, a lot more baking and soup-making goes on here during the winter, so maybe more recipes will be forthcoming. I tried a new one just today that was excellent. I'll have to get pictures and share it!
Also, since it's now winter, I should be able to finish my post on how we make it without a dryer all year, all seasons, and all weather.
I need to get slats for my bed now that I have finally been able to measure it. (A certain tool was missing for a long time!) On the subject of wood, I took measurements for a certain size of table that mom would prefer, and so I may try to build one. But again, it's cold and we don't have a heated outdoor space big enough for that project, so it'll probably get tabled (haha, did you see what I did there? ;)) until warmer weather pops around. If I find a reasonably priced one in the correct size range, I won't be too upset though.
I want to cart all the big blankets to the laundry-mat and give them a wash. That's one thing we just can't wash here.
Beyond those things? General organizing is pretty high on the list, but nothing specific. Those are the ones I can think of right now, more will probably get added to the list!
Until next time,
Alfredo Sauce
I know.
We're all supposed to be "healthier" by eating food that had its natural fat rendered, skimmed, separated, or chemically removed. But you should know that fat is your friend. My favorite food-information website, Food Renegade, has some very good articles: Butter As a Health Food and More Fat in Your Diet should get you thinking if you didn't already know.
So, alfredo sauce, while rich, isn't bad for you. Moderation and fresh ingredients are the key.
Until next time,
We're all supposed to be "healthier" by eating food that had its natural fat rendered, skimmed, separated, or chemically removed. But you should know that fat is your friend. My favorite food-information website, Food Renegade, has some very good articles: Butter As a Health Food and More Fat in Your Diet should get you thinking if you didn't already know.
So, alfredo sauce, while rich, isn't bad for you. Moderation and fresh ingredients are the key.
Printable Version / Adapted from All RecipesWe make this about one a month with some pan-seared chicken breasts cut into slices over hot fettuccine. Add fresh bread and it's comfort food that can't be beat. I read some where that Alfredo was "grown up" macaroni and cheese, but I don't know, I like macaroni and cheese an awful lot to relegate it to "kid food"!
------------------------------------------------
Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Ingredients:
1/4 cup BUTTER
1 cup HEAVY CREAM
1 clove GARLIC, crushed
1 1/2 cups fresh grated PARMESAN CHEESE
Over medium heat melt the BUTTER. Add CREAM and gently simmer for five minutes. Then add GARLIC and CHEESE, whisking quickly. Reduce heat to low and stir occasionally until CHEESE is melted.
Serve immediately, preferably over hot fettuccine noodles!
*Note: Parmesan cheese is not a fast melting cheese like cheddar. It will take some time and patience for it to melt into this delectable sauce.
Until next time,
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