Cleaning Quail

This morning Bri went quail hunting with his Dad,brother and brother-in-law. He come home with two quail. The boys were excited to learn how to clean them. They will taste great with our dinner leftovers from last night!




Leat

Favorite Recipe Friday

For the past several years, I've been making fresh pumpkin pie rather than the traditional recipe on the back of the pumpkin can. This year I used pumpkins that we grew in our garden.



Fresh Pumpkin Pie

2 cups cooked pumpkin
1/2 cup honey
1 Tablespoon molasses
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ginger
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
dash nutmeg
dash cloves

Put all ingredients in a blender. Blend until combined. Smooth out in an unbaked pie crust. Bake 1 hour at 350 or until knife comes out clean.



Leat

Grill Roasted Turkey

3 cups wood chips,soaked and drained

vegetable oil

1 (12-14lb) turkey

2 tablespoons unsalted butter,melted

salt and pepper

1.Place the wood chips in a disposable aluminum tray and rest the tray directly on top of the primary burner. turn all the burners to high,close the lid,and heat the grill until very hot and the chips are smoking,about 15 minutes. Clean and oil the grill. Leave the primary burner on high and turn off all other burners.

2. meanwhile,remove and discard the gizzard packet from the cavity. Pat turkey dry with paper towels,then brush the breast side with half the butter and season with salt and pepper. Lay the turkey breast side down,then brush the back of turkey with remaining butter and season with salt and pepper.

3. Arrange the turkey over the cooler part of the grill. Cover and grill-roast for 1 hour.

4. Flip the turkey breast side up using clean potholders or kitchen towels. Make sure the side that was facing the lit burner is now facing away from it. Continue grill-roasting covered for 45 minutes.

5 Leaving the turkey breast side up,carefully rotate the turkey around and continue to grill roast covered until an instant read thermometer inserted deep into the thigh registers 175 degrees,15-45 minutes longer.

6. Transfer the turkey to a carving board,tent with foil,and let rest for 30 minutes before carving.



For a Charcoal grill:

Build a medium hot banked fire.(All to one side of the grill) Place the wood chips or chunks directly on top of one pile of coals.(My DH uses two empty tuna cans to hold the wood chips)

Place the turkey over the cooler area. Cover and grill-roast 1 hour. Add 12 fresh briquettes and flip the turkey as above. Continue grill roasting 45 minutes. Rotate turkey again and continue grilling covered until thermometer in thigh reads 175.



We have found the weather plays a big part of the timing. If it is windy, it usually takes longer to grill. But the taste and smell of smoked turkey is soo worth it!

Have a great day!

Leat

Thanksgiving Week!

Psalm 100

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,all ye lands.

Serve the Lord with gladness:come before his presence with singing.

Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us,his people,and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:be thankful unto him,and bless his name.

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.


Have a great day!

Leat

Favorite Recipe Friday

I got this recipe a couple years ago from my Sister-in-law, Laura. We were visiting their family and she served this coffee cake with breakfast one morning.

Light Cinnamon Coffee Cake

1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup oil
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Topping:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tb flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp butter,melted

In a mixing bowl, beat milk,oil and egg. Add dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Spoon into an 8 inch square baking pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Combine topping ingredients,sprinkle over batter. Bake at 375 for 25-28 minutes.

Optional: Spread 3/4 batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle topping on. Drop remaining batter on topping by spoonfuls. Bake as directed.

This coffee cake is so light and delicious. I always make it the optional way. It can also be easily doubled and baked in a 9x13 inch dish.

Have a great weekend!

Leat

Break Out the Garlic

It never fails. Around Thanksgiving time our family comes down with the first colds of the season. A couple boys have stuffy noses, one a sore throat,one an occasional cough and sneezing, Bri has the beginnings of an ear ache. So it's time to get our families cure all;Garlic.

You can read all about how amazing garlic is here:

http://www.bulkherbstore.com/Garlic-Minced

What I do for colds and congestion is to make GOOT. GOOT stands for Garlic Olive Oil Treatment. It is 3 T olive oil,3 T coconut oil, and 3 T minced FRESH garlic. Combine all in a blender and strain through a seive. Place the liquid in a small jar and refrigerate. After 1 hour,take a paper towel and rub some of the goot on the bottom of your feet, put on socks. The oil goes through the soles of the feet and gets the garlic directly into the bloodstream.

For and ear ache,finely mince 1 clove of garlic. Stir it into warm coconut oil. Using a q-tip, dip the q-tip into the garlic infused oil and gently rub in the ear.

Another use for garlic is a poultice. Finely mince a clove of garlic and wrap it in a paper towel. Run the paper towel under as hot of water as you can stand. Gently squeeze out excess water.Place the poultice on chest,ears,or bottom of feet.

The raw garlic is very strong and can potentially burn the skin if left on too long. Start with just 45 seconds to 1 minute.

More effective than antibiotics,no side effects (Just a little smelly)
Praise God for Garlic!

Have a great day!

Leat

Menu Review Wednesday

I remembered all 7! You are all very impressed,I know. Anyway, here they are.

Chili burger Supper

Pea soup, corn bread

Homemade Pizza

Out for Dinner

Oven baked Chimi Changas

Roast chicken,mashed potatoes,gravy,cheesy green beans,pumpkin pie

Chicken and noodles,corn bread

Have a great day!

Leat

Nathan and Thomas

Our youngest boy, Nathan, is crazy about Thomas the Tank Engine.

A few weeks ago Bri and I were at Goodwill and he found this little couch. It had no price on it so we asked a salesperson. The manager come over and said,"Oh, how about $2.99." We snatched it up! Later Bri did some research and found that new it retailed out for around $45.00!



Nathan sits on it most days and looks at books. For the first several days he pulled it all over the house. He would sleep in it for naps and even at night. He is back to sleeping in his own bed again, but still loves his Thomas couch! (as well as anything else Thomas!)



Leat

Library Books

Our family went to the library over the weekend. Of course we came home with a good size stack.

One of the books I got is called The Prince by Francine Rivers. It is about Jonathan,from the Bible.

It is one of a series of five books called The Sons of Encouragement Series. She "tells the stories of five men who faithfully sought after God in the shadows of God's chosen leaders". These books really bring to life the stories of these men from Biblical times.

I am planning on reading it aloud to the boys. Another book I got in this series is The Scribe. It tells the story of Silas. If you get a chance, check your local library for these books.

Have a great day!

Leat

Favorite Recipe Friday

40-Minute Hamburger Buns

From Taste of Home's Best of Country Breads Cookbook

These rolls are make great homemade hamburger buns or just quick dinner rolls. Like the title says, they just take 40 minutes start to finish.

2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water (110-115 degrees)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
3-3 1/2 cups flour (can use 1/2 wheat flour)

In a mixing bowl,dissolve yeast in warm water. Add oil and sugar;let stand for 5 minutes. Add the egg,salt and enough flour to form a soft dough. turn onto a floured surface;knead until smooth and elastic,about 3-5 minutes. Do not let rise. Divide dough into 12 pieces;shape each into a ball. Place 3 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Bake at 425 for 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove form pans to wire racks to cool. Yield 1 dozen.


For dinner rolls, just make smaller balls. I can get up to 18.
I also like to brush the tops with butter as soon as they come out of the oven.

Have a great weekend!

Leat

Got Perfume?

I was reading my Bible this morning and came across these verses.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16a
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death;to the other,the fragrance of life.

Is my "spiritual odor" such that it draws those around me to Christ, like the aroma of fresh baked bread draws everyone to the kitchen?

Or am I the dead mouse buried in the pile of junk giving off such a hideous smell others avoid that area?

I choose the Bread of Life.

Leat

How Old Is Your Brain?

How old is your brain:

http://flashfabrica.com/f_learning/brain/brain.html

It's written in Japanese so here's what you do:

Click on start

Wait for 3-2-1

Memorize the number positions on the screen, then click the circle from the smallest number to the largest.

At the end of the game the computer will tell you how old your brain is.

Menu Review Wednesday

I woke up this morning trying to remember all the meals we have eaten the past seven days. I can only think of six. I'll have to start writing them down on the calendar each evening after dinner. :) Here are the six I do remember.

Taco Salad

Tuna Casserole

Ribs, fried chicken,parsley potatoes,tossed salad,jell-o salad,bread,cherry pie YUM!
(this dinner was at Bri's folks house)

Hot dogs,s'mores (Friends campfire birthday party)

Bacon egg and cheese biscuits

Bierocks

Have a great day

Leat

Gathering Recipes

Last Saturday we went to the co-op and bought a 50# bag of corn. What on earth are we going to do with 50 pounds of corn,you ask? Grind it into cornmeal! So now I am on the search for recipes with cornmeal in them.

After two tries I found a good corn pancake recipe. Now I am on the hunt for the best corn bread recipe. I have a couple waiting to be tried out.

Thankfully fall is really here and we are all in the mood for soups and stews and chili. All of which are great with cornbread.

I don't think my family would like hominy so I won't bother making that. But I am planning to try making mush and homemade corn tortillas.

Here is the winning corn pancake recipe.

Cornmeal Pancakes

1 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons oil
2 eggs

Sift dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Add wet ingredients. Stir til just combined. Cook on a heated griddle; I use just under 1/4 cup per pancake. Batter will be a little thin.

Have a great day.

Leat

Verses For My Sons

Psalm 133:1
How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

Proverbs 6:20-23
My son,keep your father's commands and do not forsake your mother's teaching. Bind them upon your heart forever;fasten them around your neck. When you walk,they will guide you;when you sleep,they will watch over you; when you awake,they will speak to you. For these commands are a lamp,this teaching is a light,and the corrections of discipline are the way to life.

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath,but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,and your plans will succeed.


Proverbs 16:32
Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

Proverbs 22:29
Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings;he will not serve before obscure men.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on your guard;stand firm in the faith;be men of courage;be strong. Do everything in love.

Leat

Favorite Recipe Friday

Today's recipe is Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

A good friend of mine always brings these when our families camp together. They are so moist and delicious they never last long. I have four pumpkins sitting next to my fireplace that we grew in the garden this year. I know at least one of them will be turned into these muffins.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 15 oz can pumpkin
1 1/2 cups cooking oil
1 12 oz package chocolate chips
3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda

Mix eggs,sugar,pumpkin,and oil. Add Dry ingredients mixed together. Mix thoroughly. Fold in chocolate chips. Drop mixture into greased muffin cups. Bake 10-15 minutes in a 400 degree oven. Makes about 30.

Have a great week end.

Leat

Quilt Givaway

Hi all. If you go to this blog site,you can sign up to win a beautiful handmade quilt!

http://sewingwithabbie.blogspot.com/2008/11/win-this-quilt-my-givaway.html


It is a beautiful quilt with a beautiful story behind it.

Leat

Menu Review Wednesday

Wednesday again already! Here is what we ate for dinner the past seven days.


Spaghetti and Meatballs,Homemade french bread

Chicken Stew with Basil Dumplings

Biscuits and Gravy

DQ Hamburgers,fries

Homemade Pizza

Chili and Cinnamon Rolls

Baked Potato Bar


It is a chilly,windy,rainy day here. Kind of matches our mood about the outcome of the election.

Have a good day!

Leat

Please Pray Today

Election day is finally here. Bri and I voted by mail in ballot a week or so ago. Nice to not have to go stand in line for a long time with four boys to keep entertained. Pray the American people will show some common sense when casting their votes today. Not just for President but local elections as well.

My youngest woke up not feeling well this morning. He has since thrown up twice, but has kept down two saltines and is showing more of his usual energy. Hopefully everything is out of his system that was making him feel puny.

All of the economic stuff has wrecked havoc on the company Bri works for. Starting this Friday, they will start laying off up to 25% of the work force. They will do this each Friday at least until the end of the year. Also on Thursday, Bri flies to Chicago to give a speech at a conference.

Thank You for your prayers!

Leat

Perfect Day

Ever have one of those days that you just don't want to end? Saturday was a day like that. We got up and I fixed our traditional Saturday breakfast of Breakfast Burritos. Then we loaded up the trailer with the kayaks and headed for the lake.

The weather was perfect. Just jeans and a sweatshirt kind of weather. The lake was so still. The sky and trees had a perfect mirror for their reflections. Once on the water everyone just kind of meandered each their own way. The trees were a beautiful mixture of green,yellow orange,gold and just a touch of rust sprinkled in. After a couple hours we brought the kayaks home and reloaded to pick up the boys Book It pizzas.

We got the pizzas to go and headed to their favorite park. I had brought the leftover homemade pizza from the night before for Bri and I. After a picnic lunch, everyone played a while. Then home for naps. Waking up it was still too nice to be inside. So we loaded up again. We ended up at DQ for a hamburger dinner. Then stopped by the boat store to check out all the sailboats sitting on the lot. Back home the boys started a camp fire.

I read a current library book aloud by flashlight. It's a great story by Jean Van Leeuwen, called Cabin On Trouble Creek. It is about two brothers aged 11 and 9 who go to Ohio in 1803 with their Pa to start a homestead in the dense forest. After clearing a spot and building a log cabin, Pa goes back to Pennsylvania to get the rest of the family. The two boys stay behind to finish preparing the land for the family. So far it is a great story! As the fire dwindled, so did we. Off to bed after a wonderfully perfect day.

Have a great day!

Leat