Wintry weather......

We've had a really wintry week.  Lots of snow and frigid temps.  It's beautiful but a real pain.  Schools have been out for several days and still are today.  May I add that we added 5" last night.  It's been a real hassle in so many ways because with kids there are so many concerts and festivities between school and church and they've all had to be cancelled.  It's really difficult if you're a small business owner.  December is such an important month for us and if we can't open Leola's for 4 days, it really hurts all of us.  And that goes for everyone who has a small business .  Just say a prayer that when it melts, people will really be in the mood to shop.

 My tree is finished and looks so pretty at night....

These are some of the first pictures I took with my new camera.   It's a Canon Rebel T3i and so far, I love it.  There's always so much to learn when getting a new camera.  By sticking with a Canon, lots of things are similar to my previous camera.  So much to learn but I've found the only way to learn is to use it and keep the instruction book close.

I tend to want to bake when I'm stuck inside (& not get out of my p.j.'s)....

Well, the sun is out and maybe we'll have a little melting.  The high temp today is only supposed to be 25 so probably not much melting will occur.  Anyway, I'm getting caught up with those things that have been stressing me so it's not all bad, and there's something so nice about reading in the afternoon with no guilt.

Happy Tuesday (or whatever day this is)!!!!

Kitchen paint choices.....

I've had some great suggestions on my kitchen wall color and still haven't made the definite choice but I'm leaning toward a mushroom color.  It will be the darker color in the cabinets.  The following picture is one I found on Pinterest and love.  The color seems a little greener then mine but close.

Really like this kitchen too.  The ceiling looks like mine (mine isn't as shiny).  Love the farm sink and the legs on the cabinet.

I've been making these cobblers in a jar and they are yummy.  It's a very cold day and I'm thinkin' I may just make a few more.  I use the refrigerater pastry and they make the perfect size for one serving.

Trying to stay in as much as possible these days.....seems everyone is sick.  Had to run to g'kids school yesterday and pick up Stella.  She and Sage have both had the flu but because they had the vaccine, it hasn't been as severe.  I just keep washing my hands.

Stay well and have a great Tuesday.

The best blueberry muffins....

What a beautiful weekend it's been.  It's very warm in the afternoon but evenings are perfect for the porch.  I've managed to get gardening done before it gets too hot.  Cut more lavender and enough basil to make a nice batch of pesto.

These cute little bottles came from Leola's and can't tell you how much I love them.  I've used them for herbs, flowers, fern stems and think I'll put wire bales on them for the Christmas tree.

After going to the farmer's market on Thursday night and buying lots of blueberries, I decided to make muffins.  This recipe is my all-time favorite blueberry muffins.  Thought you might enjoy them too.



Blueberry Muffins (the best)

6 Tablespoons softened butter

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

2 tsps. Baking powder

¼ tsp. salt

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

½ cup milk

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

Heat over to 375 degrees. In mixer bowl cream together the butter & sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs. Add the vanilla, baking powder & salt. Take off mixer & do final steps by hand. Mix in half of flour & half of milk, mix gently then add the rest & mix gently until all flour is mixed. Stir in blueberries. Grease muffin tins or use liners and fill.

Make streusel topping -

2 Tablespoons butter

2 Tbls. Brown sugar

¼ tsp. cinnamon

½ cup finely chopped walnuts

Mix together & put on top of each muffin. Bake 25-30 min. Makes 1 dozen.

Leola's 2nd annual farm sale is going to be this coming Saturday at my sister Linda's farm.  We all have so much "stuff" that we would like to get out of our garages.  Linda, Judy, & I have decided to sell most of our excess inventory and then hit the road.  We haven't been on a buying trip for so long and we're ready.  The prices will be garage sale prices, not shop prices.   Bargains will be abundant.  If you go on Leola's facebook page, we'll be posting pictures and directions.

Have a great week!

Recipe for artisan bread.....

For all of you who wanted the recipe, check this out:http://low-cholesterol.food.com/recipe/5-minute-artisan-bread-325571.  Don't know why it doesn't link automatically....just type it in.  If this doesn't work let me know & I'll find another link. 

Favorite homemade bread.....

This past summer I purchased the book "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" after someone suggested it as a good, easy way to make my own bread.  Every time I look at all the ingredients in ready-made food, I become more determined to make my own.  It's also such a waste to buy a loaf of no-taste bread and end up throwing over half the loaf away.

It is just the best bread and just a few simple ingredients.  I've started buying my yeast in bulk at our local health food store, Mamajeans.  It's so fresh and is much cheaper then the yeast we've always used.  You put the warm water, yeast, & salt in a plastic refrigerator container (I also buy sea salt that's chunky in bulk at the health food store....such a bargain).  I grind the salt a little in an old coffee grinder.  The yeast and salt don't have to dissolve before you dump in the flower and just mix it together (no kneading required).  Let it set out on the cabinet for about 2 hours & it looks like this.



The dough then should be placed in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours or up to a week.  I take out enough for a small boule and then put the rest back in the frig.  You just form the boule and let it raise for about 20 min. while the oven pre-heats.  I bake mine on a pizza stone.  This is what the dough looks like while rising.

The crust looks hard to chew but it isn't and it is wonderful for a sandwich.  I slice it at a slant and it makes the perfect sandwich.  It also makes the best toast with my home-made jelly. 

If you want the recipe, let me know but I suggest you buy the book because it's loaded with great recipes and ideas.  They now have a recipe for pizza dough that is supposed to be amazing.  That's the next thing I'm trying.

We have winter storm warnings tonight so we'll see if Leola's is open tomorrow (my work day).  If not, I loaded the back porch wood box with wood and I have lots of books on my Kindle.  Not to mention all the projects I'm trying to get done for our Spring Open House.  Guess we'll just see what happens.  

Baby, it's cold outside........

It is so cold here this morning that I couldn't make myself get out and go to an antiques show with Judy.  It takes a lot to keep me from an antiques show.  After having such a mild winter, this is brutal.  At least the sun is out.

It may seem strange on such a cold morning, but I really wanted a smoothie.  Smoothies always make me feel good.....maybe because they have so many good things in them.  Here's how I make mine......

I start with about 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt (vanilla), then squeeze the juice of 1 orange, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1 banana, a couple frozen strawberries, about a 1/2 cup ice & I use 1 scoop of whey protein powder.  Blend until a nice smooth consistency & enjoy.  There's always enough left that I can freeze for dessert after dinner. 

After reading about the orange juice that we buy, I've started squeezing my own orange juice.  I use just a little hand-held juicer & if you use the big oranges, you only need 1/2 of an orange.  There's nothing to add to it....just straight orange juice.  I'll never go back.

Bought my first Florida strawberries at the store yesterday and guess what I had for dessert last night???  I had Gharadelli chocolate squares left over from Christmas baking so stuck it into the microwave (according to directions) and look what I got.

There were originally 8 strawberries.  They are so expensive at the local candy store and so easy to make.  They're like muffins.....every time I make muffins, I look at them and figure out that at $2.95 each at the bakery, I've saved so much.  Have to love that!

I'm going over to stay with the grands this afternoon and evening.  They're getting to the age where it's easier to go to their house sometimes so they can play with their own things.  Besides, I think they just like a day to hang out at home (they call it a pajama day).

Have a great weekend!

Since it was pretty chilly outside today, I decided to just stay home & get some things done.. After trying to organize my sewing room & cleaning the bathrooms, I decided to bake something & since I'm going to the kids for dinner, it should be dessert-ish. My new favorite cooking blog is http://mennonitegirlscancook.blogspot.com/ and I found this recipe for Almond Puff. I didn't have almond flavoring so I used vanilla & pecans. IT IS SO YUMMY! I had to test it before I took it to the g'kids -- just in case it wasn't good.

I have a busy weekend planned. Hopefully, it will be warm enough to work outside. I also have a few pieces of furniture to work on. Pray for sun & warmth. Have a great weekend.!