Designing a meal

Tonight I designed an epic meal, one that we will remember for a while.

It started with a pork roast, the top of which diamond lines were cut into to allow the sauce to seep into as I applied it periodically. It was also studded with cloves. It turned out tender and tasty.

To this I added whipped potatoes and parsleyed carrots. (I'm stuffed).

I wish I took a picture, but I forgot.

Next I made this dessert:

It's a no-egg chocolate cake ( although it did not call for milk either-I did add some instead of the water. I also doubled the recipe to make a double layer). I then made a chocolate sauce and whipped cream. I poured chocolate sauce over the first layer and put on the top cake layer.  I put holes in the top layer with the end of a butter knife and poured the whip cream into them and over the top. I then drizzled the sauce over the whole thing. Yummy!!

I loved all the recipes-I will do it again.

New soaps, Apple orchards, and Scarfs

So tired tonight. I made soap...lots of batches of soap. Some of them are...Ginger Peach, Coconut, Lavender (with real lavender ground in and decorated with oregano blossoms), Red Delicious Apple (so Yummy!!-with dried rose petals on top of this pink soap), a plain soap bar batch for my mom, a small batch of lilac (very mild scented), oh! and a lovely chocolate topped with curled/grated chocolate soap on top...I think that's it.  I will take pics soon for you to see :)

Chocolate soap with chocolate shavings.

Red Delicious Apple soap with Rose petals.

I finished the ends of a bunch of scarfs that I bought. Someone had started to make them and never finished. I finished them (yes, I took on someone else's UFO project!)

I also sewed up a few blocks on my tessellation quilt before making supper.

Mom came over after lunch and we made a quick jaunt down to the apple orchard...which reminds me, I better go check the apple crisp in the oven....

Apple Crisp

In a Pickle

I made a batch of dill pickles today but didn't have enough cukes to do a batch (drat all that spring rain), so I used zucchini spears instead. I'll let you know how they turn out in a month or two (when we pop open a battle and try them.

I also harvested most of my broccoli today. De-worming them is a chore (I farm organically). Some have suggested salt water soaks, but the silly things attach themselves to the broccoli with fine silk. The trick I use is to pour hot tap water over the whole bunch and shake vigorously. Then I slice off pieces and put them under hot tap water while finely inspecting and separating branches. Then I blanch and freeze. Works great.

I finally decided on a solid black background for my daughter's hope chest quilt. I eyed the blue batiks that were on sale (buy one get two meters free) but I passed on it. The colors on the cathedral window quilt will stand out so much better on black.

I also found some old fashioned map fabric for my map loving youngest son. He needs a new quilt as well.

We helped my mom pick all her latest cukes and veggies from the garden. She kept one and gave me the rest, so guess what I'm doing tomorrow? Pickles! Mustard pickles. I should be able to make 2 batches (about 52 jars!!) I'm getting the kids to help, though!

August 29

Today, I put away the last of the peaches: another 12 bottles of sliced peaches. peach jam, and peach-n-blueberry jam. Turned out yummy.

My feet are so sore, though. I think my arches are falling again. A good soak in the tub helped.

I have curtains to sew for my sister and baby crib sheets for a friend whose expecting. Might work on that tonight, since I can sit for that.

The hurricane winds finally slowed down to a regular breeze tonight. It feels much more peaceful outside now.

I might make a trip to Fabricville tomorrow. I hope to get started on a new quilt for my daughter's hope chest (due in a year). I plan to make a cathedral windows quilt. I found this tutorial that was quite helpful and plan to use it.

Blueberries

I picked 16 pounds of blueberries on Saturday. It took me from 10:00 to 3:00, but it was worth it. Looking forward to eating these :)

The key to picking without a sore back was to take a low stool. Worked great. A straw hat prevented a heat stroke in the sun.

A trick my family and I use in cleaning them is to roll them along a tilted window screen that is placed in a tray. The good ones roll down and the debris stays on the screen. Works great and saves a lot of time.

Yum! Blueberry pies, muffins, jam, oatmeal....

Even the rejects look pretty!

Fruits of our Labors

Peaches from the local store (on sale)-the before shot.

After-15 bottles of peaches-all canned and ready to go!

Yummy Blueberries for the winter months.

Fresh Raspberries!

String Beans from our garden this year all bottled up for the winter.

My daughter's Homemade bread

Herbs and blueberries

I'm going raspberry and blueberry picking today! So excited to stock up on these for the winter :)

I also am happy to announce that my new shop, Acadian Homestead is now open. Currently I have handmade soaps, and dried herbs available. I also plan to put up sewn items, and knitted items.

www.acadianhomestead.blogspot.com

Summer pics

Asparagus ferns next to the old wood fence.

Such a beautiful fragrance from this rose.

Ready to eat (wish I could eat them all over again...oh well, I will enjoy them this winter.

Strawberries!

On the Homestead

Today I dried dill and parsley. It has to be dried quickly in order to crumble, so in the oven at a low temp is the easiest way to manage this. Dill may also be frozen with excellent results. I froze mine but dried the extras for sale.

I picked a big basket of snow peas today-so crisp and crunchy!

I had to redo my princess Leia costume today with better results. It looks more like her costume and less like a large white tent. I also sewed a modest bathing suit for a friend's daughter today. It went so quick and smoothly! So glad, 'cause I was tired by that point. Just a wookie costume to go and I'm done....

Dried herbs, Pricess Leia, and THUNDER

Today I have crumbled some dried herbs to put away for the winter, namely oregano and lemon thyme. My herb garden is lovely this year. I segmented the garden into small beds of each different kinds of spice. I have oregano, lemon thyme, regular thyme, basil, summer savory, sage, rosemary, and 2 garlic plants (I plan on replanting these).

I'm thinking about selling my extra herbs, so if anyone wants some, just let me know :)

I'm sewing costumes for my mom-in-love's 50'th anniversary party that we (the family) are putting together. Today I'm making a princess Leia costume (white dress) to fit myself as one of the songs is a Star Wars theme. I tried to find fur at our local Frenchy's (goodwill/thrift store) but nothing has shown up yet.

In the midst of a large thunderstorm and have set aside water in case the power goes out. I think this summer should be called the summer of the thunderstorms. We have had thunder from April on and with some doozies of storms too!