June Foodie Pen Pal

This month I had the privilege of "meeting" two wonderful ladies.  Karen, the foodie

pen pal who sent me a box of goodie and Debbie who I had the honor

of sending a box to.

My box arrived all cheerful and exciting.  I just loved how she used a recipe card to

address my box.   Inside you can find a box full of goodies from her area...beef jerky (which I actually had to hid because my family LOVES the stuff), hot pepper jelly for me to put over cream cheese and crackers (again, a family favorite), meat rubs for the grill, honey (another fav) and peanut brittle (which is no longer in the house!!!)  I haven't had a chance to use the meat rub but I am planning on using it for one of my grilling ventures.  

 

Thanks so much Karen -- for a wonderful box full of goodies.  You were such a joy to "Message" and get to know. 

 

Debbie was also wonderful to "meet"  -- you can look at her blog to see what she has to say about the package I sent her.  She mentioned she loved jams & jellies.....well, I didn't have a problem with that

at all......I LOVE making jams, jellies & curds!!!!  

 

If you are interested in joining the Foodie Pen Pals you can visit here and

sign up.  Its just a wonderful way of meeting people around the country and getting a little

taste of their area/culture.  Or getting some wonderful healthy foods to try!!

I have been lovin it!

 



Tis the Season ............ to be Growing.....

 My SIL moved to a place that had a nice strawberry patch waiting for her....

she was so kind to share!!!!  So far I have made some jelly, dehydrated some for snacks, and made some fruit leather.  I found some wonderful pins on pinterest. You can find some of the yummies

here where I stashed them.

Now is planting and tending time!  With patience and hopes that you have done something right!!!  This year Steve spread straw around the plants in hopes that it would cut down on the weeds taking over.....here hoping it works!!! Anything to keep those little boogers out of the garden.  However, we have deer coming in pretty close so I'm worried they will decide that we put a feast out for them!!! The fence (below) is for the peas!!!  We have:  tomatoes, peppers (sweet & hot, different varieties), radishes, carrots, corn, peas, sweet potatoes, zucchini, spaghetti squash, yellow squash, lettuce, spinach, cucumbers and more.  I plan to dehydrate more this year than what I have done in the past.  Anyone want to share ideas I'd appreciate it!

 Raspberries and blueberries -- finally getting some on our

bushes!!!  YUMMMMMMMMM

May/June 2013 - Daily Life

One of our favorite fruits around here.....cherries.....I really NEED to get a cherry

tree planted....maybe a couple trees......

 Love getting fresh eggs from our neighbors.....well....they moved, but

still share with us.  Think that is on our to do list: 

Get a chicken coop set up.

 Tried my hand at making Kale Chips....you can find the recipe here --

turned out pretty good...though they are not Trader Joes....the nutritional yeast, doesn't

smell the best when dehydrating so be sure to have your vent going....but other than that it

wasn't too difficult. 

 So I have been watching my carbs -- and in the process trying to make meals for the entire

family that are low carb and something that they will all eat....

parmesan chicken....grilled Brussels sprouts (I wanted to give you the link to these but can't

find the correct recipe...I think I kindda mixed em in my notes. Parmesan and bacon!! !YUM)

 Polenta with melted cheese....The family enjoyed the meal.

One of Claytons favorite things to do in the summer evenings is have

a bonfire.....gotta get him some roasting food!!!

 Time for the garden.......

 Broke down and made a couple rhubarb crumb pies.....however, a couple of em hit

the freezer.

 Shalene did a fundraiser for her missions trip....krispy kreme donuts....

So wonderful....a van full of em and the smell was just dreamy.

Well, I couldn't just drive past the store when I went to pick up the donuts.

Since we do not have a Hobby Lobby in our area, I gotta stop when I can.

I found this most wonderful recipe on pintrest....at Kayotic Kitchen --

it was just wonderful.  I purchased a "wonder" chicken at Weis (kindda like the rotisserie but with

more seasonings) and used that.....used no sugar mayo with it also....added a bit more shredded cheese than it called for (as we LOVE cheese) and you want to talk about a marvelous chicken salad!!!