Seasoned Crackers

Soup has been on the menu around here a lot lately.

It's the time of year when I am drawn to that section of my recipe repertoire.

A good crunchy bruschetta is always a welcome addition, but the other night I didn't have any crusty bread to make the easy recipe.

So, I improvised...

                             with...

                                     crackers.

Saltines are something I usually keep stocked in the pantry, so I thought I'd give them a try.

A Chicken Full Of Spunk

Betty the chicken…full of spunk…she’s a flier!

She’s one of the new girls in our colorful flock of chickens; a barred rock beauty full of spunk.

She frequently flies the coop (well she actually flies the chicken yard)…

                     …is she trying to impress the others

                                       …does she think she’s full of super powers

                                                       …does she think she’s better than the others

                                                                       …or…does she do it just to perturb me?

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

May all our hearts be filled with thanks and giving as we spend time with our loved ones today, and always.

~ Lori Leigh

Fresh Cranberry Orange Salad

Today I want to share a fresh cranberry and orange salad recipe with you.
It's easy to make and comes together in just a few minutes.

To me, cranberries are associated with this time of year and with holiday meals.
When cranberries are plentiful at the grocery store, I buy a few bags and freeze them.  This way I can enjoy them throughout the upcoming months in different recipes as well.

Another fruit that signifies this time of year for me is oranges.
We always buy a box of navels from our school's FFA organization (Future Farmers of America).

The simple combination of cranberries and oranges (along with some sugar) offers a welcome sweet/tart contrast to all the cookies and pies coming my way.

Blogger Award

One of the best things about blogging is the people that I have met!

I have 'met' some amazing bloggers and readers of blogs.

I would not have had the opportunity to meet you if it were not for my little blog that I started a little over a year ago.  Reading comments and emails from you truly brighten my day!

I was recently nominated for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award from Susan at the blog Of Every Moment.  Susan writes on a variety of topics while making the most of every moment!  What a statement, huh?  I have learned a lot from her and hope you visit her, if you've not had the pleasure to do so yet.

The goal of this award is to learn a little more about our fellow bloggers.  I enjoyed reading Susan's answers and learning more tid bits about her. The nominator asks ten question to which the nominee responds.  The award is then passed on to other bloggers with ten questions.

Shredded Italian Chicken (Very Easy Crock Pot Meal)

Don't you just love a good crock pot meal?

The only thing better is...
a no prep crock pot meal.

Meaning there is no prep work to get it ready for the crock pot...

No browning the meat.

No dicing the vegetables.

Introducing New Chickens To An Existing Flock

When adding pullets (or grown hens) to an existing flock, care must be given.

Have you heard the term pecking order?  The term, even used with humans, derives from hens.  Chickens physically peck at other chickens, showing dominance and ranking order.  Even a mild-tempered chicken can peck at a new one coming into her territory.  It's all a natural order.  When I say the term is also used with humans, think about middle school - a teen (or set of teens) showing their dominance to others by being mean, not allowing them to hang out with them, not wanting outsiders to sit at their lunch table, etc.  Pecking order!

A flock of existing chickens are accustomed to their surroundings and have established 'friends' to hang out with.  They also have a leader in place.  Adding newbies can offset the balance in place.

This was our first experience with adding new chickens to an existing flock, so I thought I would share with you how we did it and how it is working out.

To read more, click HERE to read my latest post at CommunityChickens.com.

A website from Grit and Mother Earth News magazines.

Grape Salad

Grape Salad is decadent enough for your holiday table,

yet simple enough for a summer cook-out.

The crisp bite of the grape

combined with the crunch of the walnuts

all creamed together with sweetness

equals delicious!

Easy Shepherd's Pie (or Cottage Pie)

It's that time of year when my cooking turns from garden fresh to comfort food.
When possible, I try to make comfort foods using the frozen vegetables from my summer garden.
But, lets keep it real...sometimes I buy a package of frozen mixed vegetables.

As the weather turns cooler, one of the things that I like to make is a delicious casserole.

One Pumpkin, Four Uses

WOW!  Did I get my money's worth when I purchased this pumpkin.

With one pumpkin, I  got four uses out of it.

First, I used it as seasonal decor - practicle!

Second, I  roasted the pumpkin seeds - yum!

Third, I made pumpkin puree - I froze it to make a pie for Thanksgiving!

And fourth...

the chickens loved what was left over!

If you missed the posts on how I decorated with the pumpkin, made roasted pumpkin seeds, or made pumpkin puree to use later, just click on the orange highlighted words above ;-)

Have a great weekend!

Fall Party (using things from around the home)

We recently hosted our annual fall party.

Although it is mainly geared toward our daughters, their friends, and our church youth, I will be the first to admit that we adults have plenty of fun too.

Kids and adults alike love a good s'mores!
Just look at these ginormous marshmallows!

My little s'mores station consisted of graham crackers and marshmallows in glass containers.
They stayed fresh inside the containers and made for easy access when ready to grab.
Small candy bars were the perfect size to sandwich between two graham crackers.
The humongous marshmallow melted the chocolate to perfection.

These large containers usually hold flour and sugar and are displayed on my kitchen counters.
 I borrowed them for the night, storing my flour and sugar in plastic containers (and out of sight).

Prepping The Homestead For Winter

This is our first year having cows at LL Farm so we had to do some extra prepping for the winter...

Handy Hubby built a lean-to off the barn for the cows.  I will use an outdoor stain to help protect it from the weather and Hubby will shingle the roof.  Although the work is not completed on it yet, the cows are already enjoying it.  They took cover one morning during a cold rain.