Happy New Year! Greens, Beans, Pork and Cornbread Recipes

 

Southern Tradition
History

It all began with the Civil War.  

2022 Very Simple Quick Christmas Decorations

I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas!  Ours was a simple but excellent gathering with loved ones.

Today I'm sharing our simple quick decorations in pictures.  We were only a few days away from Christmas, December 23rd to be exact!

Christmas is Upon Us!

This is a just-for-fun post.  

I've seen more Christmas movies in the past month or so than I have in a lifetime. 

Southern Banana Pudding Recipe Favorites

Traditions, family gatherings, good food, and conversation are things most families have in common.  What differs is what foods people like to eat.  Recipes that their families cooked ate and handed down through the generations.  Cultures, countries, and regions, all have something to do with what is commonplace at the family dinner table. 

Today I'm sharing what is on our family dinner tables on special occasions, or just a pleasant Sunday family meal.

Fall Vegetable Garden Seed Saving & Cleanup

 

Oh my, I'm behind in the Fall cleanup. I caught the flu!  I've only had it once before and that was over fifty years ago!  Dolly doesn't do well laying up sick.  A month later I'm thankful to God for healing me.  I'm singing Hallelujah!  

Now back to the topic of garden cleanup. There were tomato plants, cucumbers, and sweet peas in cages that needed to be removed.  We live in a very windy location and there may have been cages blown down to the swamp if I didn't get on this job! My sweet neighbors behind the swamp may not need any of those.  I had to get to work! 

Today we also have an easy Amish way of saving heirloom tomato seeds!  Ways to save some money and time in this inflation-filled world.  Let's get to it friends!

Why The Nativity?

 

This is an excellent Docudrama released three days ago!

I thoroughly enjoyed it, and you will too.

Happy Thanksgiving 2022

Happy Thanksgiving Week

A few posts from the archives here for some cooking this week!

We Have A New Refrigerator! The Old One Is Jealous Of The New Opal Sonic Type Ice Maker!

Check out this video a cousin shared with me the other day!  

What a great refrigerator for 1956!  Heck, I'd buy one now if I could find one!  Isn't it so cool?  I think so!

I found a great GE Opal ice maker the other day on sale at Amazon.  You may remember that the ice maker in the Electrolux never really worked. Lazy me was getting tired of making ice. I knew it had to be a new addition to our home! The kids love this type of ice too!

The Opal ice maker is EXCELLENT!  We love it!  Finally, I can put away the old ice trays. Yay! 

Wouldn't you know as soon as we plugged in the new ice maker! I kid you not at the exact moment I plugged in the Opal do you wanna know what happened?

This Little Cabin Is Always So Cute!

 

I really like this little cabin.  It has so much character, no matter the season.  It almost decorates itself for all. The marigolds are still blooming!  Plant seeds friends you'll have many more blooms for the bucks!  The pumpkin was given to me by my daughter and it makes a stand-alone statement!

Sharing the beautiful fall colors in a simple way.

Country Home Thoughts Memories and Traditions in the South

Imagine what life was like in this home

This little house reminds me of one that Grandma and Granddaddy lived in. Some of the walls were covered in newspapers as wallpaper.  We would stand and read the articles.

We never know just what memories our children and grandchildren will have of us. Let's hope we make the most of our time together so they will enjoy looking back on these times.

Today's post is about simple times memories and traditions in South Carolina.

Drilling a New Well

I'm so excited to get this well and pump in! Let me introduce you to Miller's Well Drilling. We met them and more of their family when we were building Hibiscus House.  They installed the first well here on the property, which by the way is still being used.  

You know that I garden a lot and have many chickens that need water.  Plus, you never know when you may want or need a water source that isn't powered by electricity. 

I thought at first I would put a well closer to the chicken yard but have since changed my mind. I chose a spot between the house, gardens, and the chicken yard. That will give us a source close to all.

Today I'm sharing the drilling of another well.

Late Summer and Into Fall Blooms Plus Baby Copperheads!

I need to paint the Garden Cabin but somehow it seems so peaceful and rustic with its worn paint.  That will be a project for the future. 

Simple and inexpensive flowers bring such beauty to the gardens. I love checking to see the new blooms every morning!  It makes me smile!  I hope they put a smile on your face as I share them with you today.

SUNDAY CHICKEN DAY: Baby Chick Seeing The Real World!

 

How in the world did that little thing get way up there on the highest roost?  I had to laugh and was amazed!  This will be a very short post today.

I have some coop & chicken yard cleaning to do when they are all settled in. Chickens can be messy, but they are such fun to have. We love the rich healthier eggs too! I hope you enjoyed the video.

Have a happy & blessed Sunday!

Italian Sausage Soup

 

Chuck and I really like Italian sausage.  It is so good in many soups we like as well, like Toscano and this tomato vegetable pasta-based soup. If you want a very easy full coarse meal in one pot this you will like. 

Who Wants A Dirt Bath?

Chick's first out in the real-world outing!

I can tell you this new two-week-old chick wants no part of it!

It is so funny and cute to see how the mom is trying so hard to teach 

And the little one wants no part of it!

Sharing two very short videos of this dirt bath tutorial.

Simple Butternut Squash Soup with Kale Chips and Dill Garnish

 

I never remember my mama cooking butternut squash when growing up.  I know they didn't grow it and probably didn't even carry it in our grocery stores at the time. We've grown to love this sweet rich vegetable. Today I made a leaner version of butternut squash soup and It was pretty good!

SUNDAY CHICKEN DAY: THE NEW CHICK

I was so tickled to have a hen suddenly become broody.  It's so rare to have one that does that now.  The trait seems to have been bred out of most hens. 

Drying Basil and Other Delicate Herbs in the Microwave

I've grown herbs for a number of years now. They make your meals so much more flavorful, don't they?  Have you priced them lately?  That in itself makes it worth your while growing them.  They only take a small spot to grow a sunny window or patio is all you'll need. They smell wonderful too! Today's post is about drying delicate herbs in the microwave.

GOOD AND BASIC SPINNING WHEEL PRODUCT REVIEW

Joseph Bjork contacted me on behalf of him and his wife Aubrey. They are the husband-and-wife team who run Good and Basic Manufacturing. This design team 3-D Print and Sell Products. He asked if we would be willing to do a product review on one of their products a 3-D Spinning Wheel with accessories.

Finding Simple Ways To Save Money

 credit 

These days of inflation make saving money more difficult and that is a fact. Do you find yourself counting your money? 

Summer Fun

These summer days fly away so quickly!  It has been a hot one for sure!  I love it when I get to see these guys!  You know I love to enjoy every minute!  

Today's simple 'Mimi's Brag Book' post in pictures. 

TEXAS SUPER SWEET ONIONS

I've been working so hard I've neglected blogging.  I'll be making up for lost time with a few gardening posts.  They tend to refresh my memory when the next growing season comes.  I hope you enjoy them.

I harvested the onions on June 4th of this year.  It is such fun to grow and then pull these beauties up.  I'm glad that Paul Nelson gave me a source to find a great sweet onion.  We've been enjoying them for a month now!  I can tell you they are delicious tiny green and larger dried.  Talking onions today! 

BREAD AND BUTTER PICKLES TEST KITCHEN'S RECIPE

I really like this recipe!  It is a little different than the ones my grandmama made.  These are not as sweet but have a very good taste!  Chuck couldn't wait to open one and I had one that I wasn't too sure of the seal so I said go for it and taste some of these.  He sat down with a plate of them!  He likes them!  Tonight I tried one and between the Hoss Straight Eight Cucumbers picked small and this recipe I call them another addition to our pickle family. 

FLAG DAY

Today is Flag Day you can learn more about it here in What is Flag Day.

  Our Flag and What it Means can give you some insight into the meaning behind our American Flag. 

Petunias, Verbena, and Lemon Bee Balm

I really like the pink, purple, lavender, and white combinations.  Petunias and verbena are all-time favorites with us.  The newest in this mixture is the Lemon Bee Balm.  It is delicate and pretty.  The pollinators love it for sure.  It is always covered with bees and butterflies.  I've yet to make tea from it but I've heard it's good. Today sharing pictures of these little beauties in the cute white planters.

Memorial Day

'Johnson and Johnson Band Aid Kids'
Carl & Earl

83rd. Chemical Mortar Battalion

One came home and one didn't

Memorial Day

Memorial Day to all who fight or protect our country in any way I thank you.  To the ones that this particular day is all about I honor you.  You gave your all and we remember on this day.

The photo above hung in the living room of my parents home my entire life.  The soldier on the left is my daddy and hero.  The soldier on the right was his buddy Earl and I believe daddy said his sergeant.  I can't be positive about that it was just in my memories.

I never heard my daddy mention his name, only that he had been right next to him when he was killed in action.  Those three words have so much meaning 'Killed in Action', even as a child I knew how important that was and how sad. 

            read the post with some pretty interesting facts along the way from the archives  Soldiers, Movie Star and Memorial Day Thoughts  here

Handling and Disposal of Dry Ice

It's a wonder I've not blown us up in the last two years!  

I've been handling the dry ice in the food delivery boxes all wrong!

Google and you will find many links but most all seem to tell you what not to do and not how to dispose of.  I found a few links that help with the disposal, so I thought I'd share them with you. So you won't blow up yourself or your loved ones!

David Austin Roses Teasing Georgia and Geoff Hamilton

I know you've heard me talk about our two David Austin Teasing Georgia Climbing Roses.  They have been real troopers here, no matter the weather, they produce the most beautiful prolific blooms. These roses never cease to amaze me! You can't go wrong with them.

Geoff Hamilton is another gorgeous David Austin Rose.  This rose is currently in a huge pot because it wasn't enjoying being in the ground.  Thankfully it is now thriving!

Mother's Day 2022

 

Tomato Seed Varieties

The plant on the left is one of the Heirloom Seed Tomatoes

It is the Brandywine or the Tie Dye Pink 

This post sat in drafts and I've just realized that I'd neglected to publish it before now.  I'll use this as a guide for next year. I started many seeds in my MiracleGro AeroGarden and was well pleased. I had almost 100% germination!  

As of this day May 4th I have many plants growing like crazy as shown in the picture above on the left.

These are the current seeds I have on hand. I'm trying to decide which to grow now and which for later. to choose and grow.  I'm excited and can't wait for the first taste of freshly grown tomatoes this year. 

Frugal Talk For Times Like These

You'd have to be living on another planet not to have noticed the increasing cost of just about everything these days.  Even if you are independently wealthy why would you waste your money needlessly?  

Spending your hard-earned money needs to be more planned now. I for one need another course in thrifty frugal ways.  I'll admit it, " I am a Food Hoarder!" 

Today's topic is frugal saving money without getting into the trap of spending more trying to save more.  Do you know what I mean? 

Cubed Steak & Gravy...Old Recipe

Who likes an easy to cook and very filling recipe?  This is one of those easy recipes cooked in an electric frying pan.  Little preparation all that is needed is a little patience.  This recipe well at one time was at least an affordable yet delicious main course. 

We've cooked this for years through the family some a little different manners but all delicious.

Sweet Peas aka Garden Peas English Peas or Ball-Bearings. What?

Sweet peas Garden peas English peas or even as the husbands and my daddy named them ball-bearings you can't go wrong.  I love these delicious tiny morsels.  Pop them in your mouth raw quickly steamed or cooked into stews soups anything. Add a little butter and what a treat! I like them but it seems if you don't you won't. The topic of today is Peas.

Feed and Seed Talk

Do you garden? There is nothing like planting seeds watching them grow and reaping the harvests. As I age it seems my gardening is changing. What our forefathers thought about constantly for survival we as generations since have taken for granted. We are truly blessed I know but we've lost that edge for doing things ourselves. Our food has been produced for us.  We no longer have to do it for ourselves, or should we? Talking about seeds, growing, and becoming more self-sufficient today.

The Dogwood Is Blooming!

I was so excited to see this little tree finally blooming and more than one or two!  It is a few years old now and really has almost died yearly so this is a joy to see!

This was yesterday and it was very warm. Today we've had severe storm and tornado watches and warnings. Windy, goodness yes it's been windy!

Sharing a few pictures and the Legend of the Dogwood.

This n' That Mar 2022

Busy here planning and my the plans that are rolling around in my head!  Getting things transplanted into the garden is exciting.  You know I'm always cooking in this house and for the moment still doing that.  Just not the seven-course meals and trimming corners to save time (for planting) and money.  Gosh knows, we can all use some of that right? 

This quick post up and about to get back into the garden!

Hibiscus House Hydrangeas

Oh my goodness it's the first day of Spring!  This is my absolute favorite time of year!  Happy Spring Y'all!

I ran across many Hydrangea posts this morning.  These beauties always amaze me. It seems I've taken many pictures of them over the years. 

Yes, What They Said!

 

This describes how we are "To a T" There's another one "TO A T" and it means to Describe something perfectly or exactly right!

We do tend to protect and love our crazy people in the South, and if we can't find one we'll pretend we have one on call.
Join me today as we talk about it...

Simple Pound Cake

We love pound cakes around here and they can't be beat if you are using fresh eggs gathered daily from the hens.  The deep rich yellow yolks make the prettiest cakes for sure! 

This recipe is so old my card is stained but is still loved.  A family friend gave it to me many years ago. I call it our Carnation Milk Pound Cake.

It has a softer texture than our best-loved Sour Cream Pound but is still very delicious!  Add lemon flavoring along with the vanilla and it will bring back old-time memories at grandmas' I'll bet!

Let's Talk About Onions

photograph credit

Right off the bat, Catie is telling me to try to calm down this post is going to be too exciting for most to take in! She also said this may have to be a two or three-parter! Doug said, "You may have to because you know onions have many layers" 😀 We may have to call in security for all of the paparazzi!

Onions, onions, onions how I love them!  I really do!  My sister used to sit and watch me eat a steak with raw onion.  It amazed her that I would peel cut pick up and eat the raw onion along with a delicious steak!

Although I may not pick them up and eat them like that as much as when I was younger I do cook with them almost daily.  It isn't a good thing for me to run out of them in this house for sure!  

It seems one either loves or hates them. Are you ready for this? It's time for onion talk!

Valentine Flowers and Seafood Coating Recipe

 

Chuck gave me these beautiful flowers the other day. He knows I love pink!  I fried the seafood a few days ago as well.  Yesterday we had wonderful steaks. I know you're not supposed to brag on yourself but they were so good. We've had our flowers seafood and steak what will we have today?

I really don't know what we'll have today.  Guess it will be a surprise to all. Heck, I may make Hamburger Helper, who knows?  

Today I'll be sharing a great and easy way to fry shrimp and scallops.

Sausage Garlic Cheese Grits Casserole

Good Morning!  Are you up for a casserole?  This is considered a breakfast dish but guess what?  We in the South have breakfast morning, noon, or night!  

One of my first jobs was in an office with a lady named Eleanor.  She talked of a casserole that she would prepare the day before and bake on Christmas morning.  She was always so excited because all of her family would be home. They all enjoyed this dish. This isn't her recipe, I don't remember the ratio of ingredients but she told me what was in it.  At that time she used a special garlic cheese. I've not found any of that so I improvised with cheddar and garlic.

We had this today for brunch and I thought I'd have to remove Chuck from the kitchen!  He just kept eating it.  😄

Today sharing a memory in a recipe!  

Freezer Down! Let's Have A Buffet!

What in the world am I going to do?

Eggplant Parmesan Plus How To Freeze Eggplant

This actually was delicious even though I had to use the frozen eggplant! 

Another Snow Day In South Carolina!

Look what we saw when we woke up this morning! It's rare to see one snow a year but two that is extremely rare.  This makes the second weekend in a row it has snowed here and it is beautiful.

I guess my children will get a chance for more snow cream!  Do you like snow cream?  Some have never had it before they tell us.

It is melting already and wetter than the last snow I think.  I didn't venture out in it today. I may yet!

Sharing a few early morning pictures.  We've certainly to my recollection never had back-to-back snow like this.  Fun times.

2022 Snow Day!

How about that?

We were all thrilled to see the most beautiful snow that fell here in the South

Which is such a rare occurrence it is celebrated by all!

Today I'm sharing a few very serene photographs taken in my quick walk around the yard.

Just when you get almost asleep I'll wake you up with a few fun pics and videos!

The Box Garden (Where are the Boxtrolls?) and It's Snowing Y'all!

 

I don't think new tender rose bushes can take ice and snow

 Chuck reminded me of all the delivery boxes he was going to take to recycle

Stroke of genius, 

I had forgotten that I used to use cardboard to protect plants in the past 

When expecting extreme weather.

While I was covering my newest roses I couldn't help but think of a cute movie. 

'The Boxtrolls' the grandsons and I went to see a few years back.

Last week we were expecting sleet ice and snow the first time I covered them

We didn't get the snow and thankfully no ice so I uncovered them.

Yesterday I covered them again  because here in South Carolina  

We're actually expecting SNOW!

I Am Not A Cold Weather Person

 

Are you a winter cold weather type of person?

I am happy for you if you are, but I definitely am not!

I tend to hibernate like a big ole bear this time of year.

The Year 2021 Summed Up In Posts

THE #10 POST PUBLISHED IN 2021

A Quick Garden Tour

Beautiful first blooms of the season 

I thought I'd do something a little different this year and add these selections that friends enjoyed.  Posts published in 2021 only.

You have to admit the year was I'll just say different in many aspects.  Holding on to and enjoying certain things made for some normalcy.

What I found was that people enjoyed gardening, family was more important than ever, entertainment.  People still are very patriotic, they have a love for our country still.  Faith, hope, love, and kindness are what we all need more of for the new year.

Join me today as we finish out 2021 and dive into this new year 2022!

The Most Viewed Posts of 2021 Always A Surprise!

 credit  photo itself without edits

The numbers say it all and are taken from the highest viewed posts of 2021 which include many published in past years.  Oldies but always goodies!

There are a few that are exceedingly viewed yearly!  2021 was a little different in that I've seen more of you raising backyard chickens.  You're gardening lots more evidently and being at home more has led to cooking more as well!  The recipes have really shot up in the number of views.

It is a sentimental journey and I love it!  Thank you so much all of my fellow friends and readers!

Come on let's see the results in the countdown.