We got our first picking of green beans and a handful of jalapeno peppers from the garden. We also got some gooseberrys and a few more black raspberries today as well. Our garden isn't doing as well as it usually does, but I suppose it probably has to do with the crazy weather we are having.
Just thought I would give you all a little sneak peak of the throw I'm designing to share with all of you. Like I said, it's simple, but it works up fast, it's summery, and reminds me of my favorite flower!!!
I knew that summer was here, but to me it was official today when my tiger lilies opened up. Mine are hand me downs from my step family. They are planted in front of my porch. Soon I'll need to thin them out, and plant some in other places, but for now, aren't they just lovely?
My father in law loves fresh black raspberry pie. So every year with my first pick of berries I make him a pie. I make everything from scratch, including crust and crumbles.
The crust recipe I use is incredibly easy, and requires no rolling...AND you mix it in the pie plate!!!!
Here is the recipe for that
1&1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 cup oil
2 tbsp. Milk
1 tbsp. Sugar
Measure all ingredients into pie pan and toss together with fork. Press into shape in pan with hands.
If you need the crust for a no bake pie, just bake it at 400 degrees for 10-12 min.
Now the crumbs for the topping are easy, and store well in the freezer for future use. This recipe makes enough for up to 5 pies, so I always have some on hand.
3 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup margarine or butter. (I use butter)
Just mix together until crumbly. Store in a zip lock bag in freezer.
Now, for the pie filling.
4 cups of berries
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of water
1 tsp lemon juice
3 tbsp. Cornstarch
Mix everything in a pan, and cook until thick and bubbly. Stir it constantly so it doesn't stick to bottom.
Pour into crust, sprinkle well with crumbs, and bake at 350 for 25-30 min our until edges of crust is the shade of golden brown you desire.
Enjoy!!!
This has been a long week, with lots of stuff happening. Our family lost a very good friend, and her ceremony was today. Things have started growing. Our egg production has increased.
I love watching my chickens. They are really entertaining to watch. I love the way they just kick the shavings or of their way, or expect scratch when Frank goes up to see them. What's even funnier is how I know they are taunting Sam when he's barking at them. The actually.talk back to him.
Our squash and zucchini plants have tiny squash and zucchini on them. I've started checking them daily, but they aren't growing as quick as I want them too.
I picked some black raspberries today. There is a ton more to get, but Frank is going to have to help me with that. There are too many spiders in the brush for me...I hate those things.
Here are a few pics I took this week. Going to have a new recipe, and hopefully a crochet pattern for you guys this week!!!!
Its been a crazy few days around here, so I've gotten a little behind in my farm work, and house work. Today however has been catch up day. Went to town, paid some bills, and went to the tractor supply store. I picked up some pine shavings. They had the store brand for 5 dollars a bag, which is awesome...so I got 5 bags.
So when I got home, I drug a bag up the hill, and into the chicken run/coop...open the bag, and start with the coops I thought it would take about a half a bag for each coop...nope...half a bag did each coop, and covered the whole front part of the kennel. I still need to get under and behind both coops, but I have a feeling the way the girls were going at it in there it's going to get spread around pretty good. So my plan is to wait until tomorrow evening and take another bag up there and fill in the bare spots. For now though I'm going to let them have their fun pecking through.
Oh, and for anybody who is counting with me, we're up to 13 eggs.
