Rose Hips

Sunday afternoon the family got cabin fever so we ran a couple errands and ended up at Dillons for Chinese for dinner. After ward we wandered around and I thumbed through a magazine called Back Home. Browsed an article on making Rose Hip nectar.

So yesterday I was comparing prices on another herb between two companies,one being the Bulk Herb Store. I click on different herbs that catch my eye to read about. I read about Rose Hips. Here is what they say
Herbs: Rose hips - cut
Quantity:

Common Name: Rose hips
Latin Name: Rosa canina

Rose hips are the dried fruit of roses. They contain a good deal of vitamin C and vitamin C complex. Rose hips are especially good for stress and fighting infections. Rose Hips also have bioflavonoid which affects the heart and circulatory system, particularly strengthening the capillaries.

Walking back from the mailbox yesterday,I notice the red berries on the wild rose bush out back behind the big barn.




Light bulb over my head moment! We have rose hips here! So I go grab an ice cream bucket and start picking. This of course captures the attention of the boys,so they bundle up and come help.



Between the 4 of us,(Nathan was napping) we get a little over a cup. Of course there was some taste testing going on too. ;)

During this time I am wishing for a photographic memory of the directions in the article. I think I have the jist,so this morning I took a stab at it.

This is 1/2 the recipe. It was COLD,out there picking!!
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup honey
1 cup rose hips



Combine all in small saucepan,boil 10-15 minutes until hips "pop" releasing their juice and seeds;stirring and gently mashing.



Strain,pour into jar. Store in a cool,dark place.



The boys can't wait to pick and make more!
I plan on using it as an addition in herbal teas.(1-2 tsp stirred in each cup) Sweet flavor,Vit.C,and healthy to boot!

Some Like it Hot

We have discovered Popyeye's Chicken! Especially their Red Beans & Rice. So as with all things we love out, I set out to look for a copycat to make at home. I hit the jackpot on my first try! You can adjust the heat level by decreasing or omitting the cayene,but the liquid smoke is essential!!! All of the family except Nathan loved it. He had granola for dinner. ;) Next time, which will be soon, I'll double the recipe so we will have leftovers for the next day.

This is also very budget friendly! Tasty and cheap,can't beat that!!!


Copycat Popeye’s Chicken Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Recipe from http://teasphere.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/copycat-popeyes-chicken-red-beans-and-rice-recipe/

2 cans of light red kidney beans.(undrained)
1 capfull (~1tsp) Liquid smoke.
1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper.
~1/2tsp garlic salt. (probably a bit more)
3-4tbsp real unsalted butter.
(I also throw in a 1/4-1/2tsp of powdered red hot pepper and a dash of garlic powder for good measure.)

Put all ingredients in a pot on medium heat until it begins to boil. Smash most of the beans with spoon as they soften to help thicken everything up and continue to cook and stir often, especially once it really begins to come together or it will scorch. I’d say about 8-10 minutes before smashing some beans, and another 20-30 cooking and stirring until they reach the right consistency which is a touch soupy but thick.

For the rice:

2 cups white rice
1 tblsp butter
1tsp garlic salt

Cook the rice as normal with the addition of butter and garlic salt.

Enjoy!

Leat

Busy,Busy

Ever have so much to do you just don't know where to start?

That's me today. But once I get get going I know things will be fine and get done. It's just getting started. I'm the same way with ironing. I don't mind when I'm doing it,it's just getting started. Same with exercising. Same with spending time in the Word. Why am I procrastinating?

Here is my want/need to do list for today. I'll get started just as soon as this posts.;)

1. make kombucha
2. make yogurt
3. laundry
4. school
5. exercise
6. quilt
7. read to the boys
8. read to myself ;)
9. sweep,dust
10.make dinner

Have a great day!
Leat

Sweet Home Sounds

Living with four sons and a fun loving husband,this house can get pretty noisy pretty fast. But right now,I'm hearing some of the sweetest sounds. The older boys are gently strumming their guitars and teaching the younger ones to sing Amazing Grace. Luke generously is letting Nathan strum on his lap harp.

I know it won't last long, so I'd better enjoy it while I can.

Have a great start to the week!
Leat

Caleb's 6th Birthday Party

Yesterday we celebrated Caleb's birthday with Grandma and Grandpa B,and Aunt R, Uncle A,and their two little boys.

We really enjoy being able to get together,wishing at the same time that our far away family could be there too.

Caleb wanted a Santa Fe Lake Cake this year. I couldn't do the whole lake,so we just did the south cove with the docks and beaches.












Have a great week!
Leat

Birthday Breakfast

Caleb turns 6 today!!!

As I've said before, on each boys birthday I let them choose the menu for the day. Caleb chose donuts and sausage biscuit sandwiches for breakfast. Lunch is still undecided,but Bri will be bringing Chinese home for dinner! Yay! I made donuts(actually mini long johns) for the first time yesterday and was amazed at how easy the dough went together. We are not big fans of frying,but I went ahead and followed the recipe. SOO GOOD! Then Luke and I filled them with vanilla pudding,and he and Jacob frosted them with a simple frosting that took all of five minutes to make. I'll post all the recipes on my recipe blog. :)

Caleb opened his gifts while I finished getting breakfast to the table.





He got more camping supplies that he had asked for. A camp ax,folding shovel,and another pocket knife for his collection.





The family party is on Sunday. Look for more party pictures on Monday!

Leat

Dreamland VS Reality

A couple months ago my best friend and her family sold their home,bought a 5th wheel and started traveling with the husband with his job.

Just for fun Bri started checking craigslist for motor homes. We talk a lot about how fun it would be to just load up and head south. Tired?,just pull over and go to sleep. Hungry? I would just take the few steps and whip up dinner while we toodle down the road.

On Saturday morning after running a few family errands,we stopped and looked at some class C's. They are the one's with the van front and rv back. Amazed at all the room they have. The boys loved the bunk over the cab. Back home we had lunch and then went to look at one we found on Craigslist. Spent over two hours looking and even took a test drive. Still just having fun.

Home again,we recheck craigslist and find a class A for sale at an unbelievable price. So we call and get directions. Go down have a look, go for a test drive. Bri tells the guy he is pretty serious. So they start going through EVERYTHING. Starting to think we will actually be writing a check. We leave after 4+ hours with the intentions to come back on Sunday after the batteries have been charged up and with Bri's Dad to check things out.

Sleeping on it, we realized how much money it would actually take just to keep the thing gassed up,it really only slept 5,we really like our tent camping set up,the extra headache of ANOTHER thing to maintain,and on and on. Bri called the guy back and said we would not be coming back after all. It is a great coach at a great price,they will have no trouble selling it.

Although the family was disappointed,we knew it was the best decision. The line between fun dreaming and reality can get thin at times. Praising God for giving us wisdom and common sense in this particular situation.

Have a great week!
Leat