Hi All! You may know I've been without a stove/range for months. If not take a look at my search in the post Looking For A Stove What A Job! I searched high and low for the perfect one and have come to the conclusion there is no such thing. So not to sound like I'm complaining but I've been without one for almost 3 months now. Let me tell you that can be challenging for anyone. It pays to be adventurous and creative! Today I share the things that have helped me make it through these months.
Believe it or not, if you give yourself about twice as long to cook a meal it can be done. Hey, it's a win that it can be done at all.
I love Prime Rib, don't you?
Dec 31, 2020
How To Cook Christmas Dinner Without A Range!
Dec 29, 2020
Simple Christmas Porch
It is amazing how a few simple touches can be all that is needed. We all know and this year has made it abundantly clear as to what is most important.
I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. I wish for all a Happy New Year! It's going to happen you'll see.
Dec 25, 2020
Merry Christmas
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” -Isaiah 9:6
Dec 22, 2020
Did You See It?
Isn't the photo above wonderful! My thanks to Ed Piotrowski of WPDE for allowing me to use it and his explanation.
Ed says, " Here it is! My photo of the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn through my telescope just after 6pm tonight. In addition to the planets, 4 of Jupiter's moons were visible including Europa, Ganymede, to & Callisto. Saturn's Titan moon was also visible. I stacked many images for more clarity and color but also so you could see the moons and planets (different exposures used) in the same image. Equipment included Nexstar Celestron 6SE with Nikon D750 attached."
I'm so glad he shared that with us!
Thanks, Ed
Ed Piotrowski WPDE Facebook Page
Thank goodness he had his telescope with a camera and took great pictures! I wanted to share from the expert first.
We depend on him and his most accurate weather information here!
My photos are not so great in fact they look a little ridiculous. I'll share them anyway. I was so excited! Well, you'll see!
Dec 20, 2020
Dec 18, 2020
Brussel Sprouts Cauliflower and Broccoli Casserole It Is Delicious!
Today I found myself with a fridge full of fresh vegetables. Well still fresh but in a few days will have to be thrown out to the chickens if not used. We had tons of them as many as we could hold on the vegetable tray this past weekend.
What was I to do, what was I to do? Oh, I know make a casserole! If this doesn't get them eating vegetables then I don't know what will. This is a meal all by itself very filling and so delicious!
Dec 14, 2020
Raspberry Fruit Dip
Sharing a dip recipe for fruit. It is great with sliced pears, apples, strawberries, blueberries, and many other fruits.
We all enjoyed this the other night with our fruit platter. We had a vegetable platter with ranch dip it was good but didn't get hit as hard as the fruit platter.
The meat and cheese platter was very delicious as well. Homemade ham biscuits a huge variety of cheeses, crackers, an assortment of bread, etc.
Dec 5, 2020
The Star of Bethlehem December 21, 2020 Saturn and Jupiter Will Align
Dec 3, 2020
Look At The Chicks Now!
It's been a while since I've posted anything about the baby chicks now young hens. We lost one sadly it was my pick of the litter, not that it mattered any loss is a loss. The white one with the most personality was taken by a snake I believe.
Nov 29, 2020
Advent What It Means
MPK photo / Getty Images
Advent what is the meaning? The first season of the Christian church, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays. Observed in most Christian denominations as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for both the celebration of the Nativity of Christ at Christmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming.Nov 28, 2020
Coleslaw
Coleslaw do you like it? Do you make it or bring home readymade? I have some family members that make really delicious coleslaw. However I rarely make it yet love it! I wonder why?
Today I'm sharing a 'Todd Wilbur Copy Cat Recipe' from KFC and the Original Chick fil A Coleslaw Recipe: two of the most at one time readily available and well liked versions.
Nov 26, 2020
Nov 19, 2020
SMOKED HAM with PINEAPPLE BROWN SUGAR GLAZE
Nov 16, 2020
I Had A Wonderful Birthday This Year!
Nov 10, 2020
Thanksgiving Menu Must-Haves
Today I'm going into the post archives and sharing the absolute must-haves in a Southern Thanksgiving Menu Main Course.
Oct 29, 2020
Soup For A Rainy Day
Is there nothing better than a hot bowl of soup on a rainy, cool, windy day? We like it around here. The great thing about making a pot of soup is that you can use many items that otherwise might not be used. It seems that the relatives always used what was on hand and the pots sometimes had to be changed out for even larger ones as the soup just grew and grew! Enjoy some soup today...
Oct 21, 2020
Things That Go Bump In The Night
This photograph was taken in our yard after the last downpour
Oct 19, 2020
Shrimp and Cheese Grits!
Oct 10, 2020
Looking For A Stove What A Job!
Guess what? As you may imagine things are pretty much at a standstill or slow-moving due to this blame mess aka you know what I mean it starts with a C and it ain't a cookie (lol)!
Sep 22, 2020
Fall Has Arrived!
Speaking of food do you bake during warmer weather? I do but my grandmothers didn't they would save most of their baking until cooler weather. Fall and Winter were the main baking times. It was probably because they didn't have central air conditioning and had to keep their homes cooler. I guess the cooler weather does make one want to bake for the warmth anyway. I felt like a chocolate cake the other day and it was good.
Sep 21, 2020
Tomato Pie
Enough talk now for the recipe. It's pretty good too (even if I say so myself)!
Sep 16, 2020
Aprons, Aprons, Aprons
Listing aprons this week!
Aprons made with family heirloom patterns
These were made with Cora pattern I adjusted for a larger bib area
A little more coverage than the original pattern
Hope you enjoy the newest additions to our sewing room
Website: dolly's designs
Sep 10, 2020
Pear Preserves
Some of my fondest memories are of eating some with one of my grandmama's homemade biscuits. I liked them a lot! Funny thing is in all these years I've rarely made them.
This year I'm excited to have a bumper crop of Kieffer pears. They are a rather hard pear at first. Actually, they are ready for picking before they ever turn soft. You have to pick when ready and place in cold storage until ripened. This took a few weeks, sorry I didn't time it but some were ready in a couple of weeks sitting in front of an air conditioning vent. I'd move them around separating and removing some with overripe spots.
This post is how I made the preserves and there are many ways to make but this is how I remember the grandmother's making theirs with one big exception. It seems they simmered theirs forever until canning This is simple just combine sugar with fruit put in the fridge overnight and make preserves the next day.
Sep 4, 2020
Lobster Apron Anyone?
Visit Handmade Artists Shop dolly's designs
Aug 29, 2020
The Prepper's Medical Handbook by William W. Forgey, MD
Aug 18, 2020
Junior Johnson Racers, There Were Two!
I love that each had their own very distinct personality and did things in their own way. I know that my Uncle Jr Johnson did what he loved and that was racing. Did he do it for notoriety? Heck no, he did not! He did his best and didn't give a rip about all of the 'hoopla' that comes with winning. He, shall I say, was a true southern gentleman and smiled through it all. Fans love winners especially good-natured winners and he was one of them win or lose. Notice I said fans, other drivers weren't so fond of him winning week after week. Hey, that's racing!
I remember Dale Earnhardt driving the uncles' cars when he started out and those were some good times. I can't say that he drove smooth, but will say he kept the suspense high on the nights he did drive some in his early career on our local tracks.
Uncle Jr and his brother (my other Uncle) Cecil were great drivers and race car builders as well as my brothers in later years. Chippy grew up at Uncle Junior's shop and as daddy once said, "That boy is good at what he does that's for sure". Big named racers wanted him and my other brother Steve to come work with them, but they like their uncles loved home and family. They still do some work around cars, but things have changed. Racing isn't what it used to be by any means. Sadly it like most sports has become a money-making venture that seems to have taken over the true racing of the past. My cousin Judy was very involved in the racing and all that was included. She could probably write a book!
I would be remiss if I didn't add one other member of the Johnson racing team his name is 'Cat'. Now that is a character who might as well have been a part of the family. The stories he could tell.
Friends of the family too numerous to name were also very important parts of our extended family. To this day these friends are still considered family.
We all miss the uncles, my dad and our cousin (Junior's son) Slick as he passed away from a wreck at Daytona. Now the other family members still build and race go-carts. Maybe one day I'll get Chuck to tell us something about that. He a cousin and other cousins that flat grew up in the shop and learned from the best! All have stories to tell.
Excuse me please as I got long-winded talking about the family. I love family! Now for the real story from a very accomplished writer and historian Mr. Dargan Watts.....
Aug 13, 2020
Alzheimer's Disease, Covid, Losing A Loved One.
A few days ago we laid a dear loved one to rest. We are all a little sadder and life will change because she is gone. The main thing that keeps us stable is our knowledge that she truly is in a far better place. God gives us this to live on and we will. Plus she was a person that lived life to the fullest and would expect no less from us!
Aug 5, 2020
Honey Ham Glaze for Baked Smoked Ham
Y'all know I like a baked ham always have. I've been ordering my groceries and picking them up. Finding a smoked ham is almost impossible. Harris Teeter had a Spiral Cut Smoked Ham to go on sale recently so I was thrilled to get one of those.
I wasn't thrilled to read the ingredients of the Honey Ham Glaze packet they included with the ham. High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar (who knows what kind I don't like the GMO beet sugars extra info), All kinds of preservatives, artificial flavors, etc. Nope, not for me.
Jul 31, 2020
Larry's Tomato Pie Recipe
Jul 22, 2020
The Chicks Are Growing
Jul 20, 2020
Kieffer Pear Tree A Cat And A Dog
I'm busy in the kitchen canning tomatoes today and hoping to make more to can. We do love tomatoes around here and homegrown home-canned just can't be beaten!
Jul 13, 2020
This That and Another: The Tiger Lily The Pear Tree a Turtle!
My love for these and in fact these came from the gardens of my now deceased mother in law Genolia. She was an avid gardener and was very accurate with her information about each plant. She loved to read her gardening books and shared her knowledge with others. If you knew or were related to her you already knew this. A gentle, soft-spoken beautiful lady she was indeed.
She told me to pop off as many of the little round black seeds as I wanted and start my own garden. So, I did and now moved miles from the old homeplace I still have some of these beauties.
You know the things that do best in your location are the things you should try to help flourish, (I'm reminding myself as well). I need to pop off some black seeds and begin more lily gardens.
Today I share a few pictures of these lilies and the pear tree. The pears most of them are still hanging on the tree. A few have fallen off or maybe even had some help falling off, but many remain.
Jul 5, 2020
Sunday Chicken Day Chicks Are two Weeks Old!
The baby chicks have grown some and the yellow/white one is really taking on the wing coloring of the father Midnight a Silver Campine. Hopefully, it is a she and not another he. I find myself calling them he when talking about them. Our track record here whether hatching or buying sexed chicks has always been roosters 2 to hens 1. Here's hoping that record will be broken this time. Hey as a matter of fact the father Midnight was sold as a sexed pullet but began crowing at a young age.
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I trust you all had a good 4th of July. We cooked out our small in house group and it was delicious, but sure missed those that couldn't be here with us.
Today is Sunday Chicken Day.....
Jun 28, 2020
HYDRANGEAS 2020
Jun 23, 2020
Summer is Here: This and That
The Hydrangeas are as usual a beautiful sight with their many-colored blooms. The roses well that is another story, the daylilies are beautiful. My new garden this year in buckets and pots is coming along. The pears are still loaded on that one tree. The grapevines are coming along.
Our grand-pets are thriving and that is good. The little chicks are thriving and growing. They are a little over a week old now. They've learned how to come up and down on the ramp from the two-story coop! Whew, that is a blessing. I was bitten hundreds of times by mosquitoes one night trying to train them. Silly me like the mother hen didn't have that in hand. They are so adorable!
Jun 21, 2020
Happy Daddy's Day!
Today talking about daddy, car shops, racing etc....
Jun 15, 2020
The Last Chick Has Hatched!
This year as you all know has presented some unusual problems in all areas. It is time for us to buy new chicks so our family egg production will continue on. Thankfully this surprise broody hen made this possible.
Jun 13, 2020
We Have New Chicks 2020 Hatch!
May 31, 2020
Beginner Recipe: Easy Microwave Steamed or Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts
May 27, 2020
MAD AS A SETTING HEN!
Don't get me wrong I am thrilled that some now will even go broody and want to sit on eggs and have baby chicks. Sadly, that one basic instinct has almost entirely been bred out of the chicken breeds these days.
Today's post I'll tell you it has been a battle and I'm mad as a setting hen! 😏