Chocolate Stars.............

are a fond childhood memory!  Today hubby had a Dr. appointment so we were off to Topeka for most of the day.  I went to Goodwill while he was at the Dr. office, more on that in a minute, we then ate a very late lunch and went to the grocery store.  In passing the candy isle I noticed right on the end a bag of chocolate stars.  I mentioned to hubby when I caught up with him that I saw them and hadn't seen them for a long time and didn't even know if they still made them.  Ok, we stop at another little store on the way home to check out any specials they might have and you guessed it, I saw another bag of chocolate stars...............I really am not looking for chocolate stars, honestly.  I said, "there are chocolate stars again".  Next thing I know hubby has grabbed a bag and we are on our way to the check out.  (Not too fast, I ran into an old friend and we had a nice little chat.)  So on the way home we snack on......Chocolate Stars!!  Now, for the meaning behind this story.  When I was little and my folks and I would go to Emporia shopping Mom would buy chocolate stars and we would eat some on the way home.  My Daddy really enjoyed them.  So they brought back a very fond memory for me. 

Well, I had a great Goodwill shopping trip.  I found 6 pair of slacks in various colors that fit me!  I tried on a couple more that didn't fit perfectly so put them back.  Most times I would be happy enough with the way they fit and made do.  I couldn't believe what was available today.  Also got 2 knit tops and a pretty little soap dispenser for the bathroom for 68 cents. 

The phone rang this morning with the news that our chicks were at the post office.  We had plenty of time to get them settled in before having to leave.  They seemed pretty happy when we got home, had only lost one.

I was very thankful that they did not come yesterday as the weather was COLD!   It was 52 when I got up and never got above 57 all day!   Today started out pretty chilly, but this afternoon the sun came out and was really nice later.

That cool weather made for a nice day to work in the kitchen.  I made 6 batches of grape jam, it is yummy!  Got 6 peach pie fillings frozen.  And one ready to use tomorrow.  Also am working on 14 day sweet pickles this week.  I hope to get apples picked tomorrow.  However since we were running around today, I didn't get any baking done for Saturday's Market..........so tomorrow will be a busy day.  One good thing (I guess) is that we don't have produce to get ready now.  That really takes a lot of time to pick and wash.

Better get to bed as I need to get up and going fairly early in the morning.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

A Thursday Morning

It's still early here and all is quiet. So far this morning I have gathered a couple of eggs (production is slow these days) enjoyed toast with blueberry lime jam, coffee with cream, and pulled my flip flop from the jaws of the puppy...twice.

Yesterday's labors produced twenty more quarts for storage. Ten quarts of tomato juice, ten quarts of pearsauce. Middle Son is under the weather and has been for a couple of days now. Seems it's just a cold, but that's enough to make anyone feel poorly. It reminded me that I need to start going through our medicine and remedy chest to make sure that we are prepared for winter. Winter. It's so hard to think of it when it's been ninety all week!

Tomorrow morning I go for tests. Two hours of MRI's. I am not looking forward to it, but trying to remember who will be right there with me in the room. Every test and trial I have had has made Jesus so real to me, as though he was right there holding my hand...

 "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." Isaiah 41:13

Well, I have several things to get accomplished today. There are lessons to teach, laundry to hang and a meal plan to make for the next two weeks. Once that is all done, there are pears, of course. And I just bet that if I walk back to the garden, there will be some tomatoes as well...

Busy Summer Days

These days have been busy ones.  Last week we had almost 200 broilers processed.  The end of the week brought many visitors to our little homestead.  We were blessed with folks wanting to buy critters!  While it is hard to see them go, I realize that with winter coming and feed prices rising it is necessary.  We were able to sell some extra Muscovy male ducks, all of a small breed of ducks, some laying hens, and 3 goats.  The goats were ones that had problems kidding in the past, so they needed a home where they were wanted just for eating weeds and being pets.  We are wanting to cut down on hens for the winter, feed costs are too high to have a lot of hens to feed when they stop laying.  We have 200 chicks coming tomorrow or Thursday to replace them.  They should be starting to lay about February.  We need to get on a schedule in the future so we will have some pullets starting to lay about now for eggs through the winter months.

So, first thing in the morning we have to get the place ready for the new chicks.  I have the feeders and waters out, but still have to wash them up.   Intended to get that done today, but it didn't happen.

Today was quite warm again, but it is cool tonight.  Tomorrow's high is to be in the upper 60's.............Sounds like fall doesn't it!

We picked some grapes last evening, got 2 bushels of peaches today and have apples to pick at the neighbors asap.  Sounds like I will be busy for a while.  Our tomatoes have really slowed down to almost nothing.  I sure hope they will produce some more as I would like to do some  more canning of them.  Another neighbor offered me some if not.

We plan to put a few does in with Bubba our little buck this week.  I don't think we should put them all in at once since he is young.  All of those girls flirting with him might scare him.  lol  Since the sale of the does over the weekend that leaves us with 20 does, which is a good number for us.  Some of them need a little more time to get into good shape before breeding anyway.  Some have had worm problems over the summer and need a little extra feed.

Hubby got my clothesline poles put up recently, one little problem, he put them up at his height instead of mine!  I suppose standing on tippy toes to hang things up is good exercise??  Anyway, I will enjoy using them............the smell of things hung outdoors is priceless!

The old wooden pole is shown in the picture, it now is a hanging flower pot holder...........

One more picture to share with you, a couple of weeks ago our kids were here and I happened to get this picture of hubby with the grandkids.

Country Blessings,

Marilyn~at Heritage Hill Homestead

The eve of back to school

The long weekend is over and summer holidays seem to be winding down as well...it's time to peruse the local papers for deals on "back to school supplies"

But of course others really don't care because they are too busy having fun and know that mom will purchase everything they need...besides what could be more important than hockey?

There is a nip in the evening air that tells me Fall is just around the corner.  The sun is setting  earlier than a few weeks ago....  and it's time to light  our candles.

The First Day of September

"The breezes taste
Of apple peel.
The air is full
Of smells to feel-
Ripe fruit, old footballs,
Burning brush,
New books, erasers,
Chalk, and such.
The bee, his hive,
Well-honeyed hum,
And Mother cuts
Chrysanthemums.
Like plates washed clean
With suds, the days
Are polished with
A morning haze."

John Updike, September

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I just love pears. They are one of my favorite things to paint! Most any of my folk paintings will have a bowl full if I can sneak it in. :-) I spent the morning making tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce and tomato juice. Tomorrow morning, we go pick up our new freezer and with a heart full of gratitude for the continued harvest, I'll begin to fill it.

A Simple Woman's Daybook

 

Please stop by to visit Peggy to peek into the lives of other "Simple Women," and to read the guidelines for creating your own Daybook!

Pieces of the Past

"The true economy of housekeeping is simply the art of gathering up all the fragments, so that nothing be lost. I mean fragments of time, as well as materials. Nothing should be thrown away so long as it is possible to make any use of it, however trifling that use may be..."

--Lydia M. Childs, The American Frugal Housewife

I mentioned back in Spring that when we work ground, bits and pieces of the past resurface. Once a useful household saucer and cup, butter crock or bottle. Blue Willow, milk glass, Fine China and Mason jars now reduced to lovely bits...

It may be my sentimental nature, but I gathered them as we went along in hopes of creating something with them. This farm has been in our family for nearly seventy years, but was originally established in 1803. I can't help but wonder who these belonged to and what their lives were like. There are many years of occupants. Who were they? What was life like for them here? Perhaps someday, someone will find and gather the evidence of my days on this ground and treasure the fragments that remain of my life here.

You may obtain your own copy of The American Frugal Housewife here.

Newsletter

            

The Farmer's Market...In My Kitchen

It's been a nice Sunday. We attended church and then came home and had a fried chicken dinner with all of the trimmings. I spent some time in the garden this afternoon and picked six sacks full of tomatoes! In the beginning of the garden harvest, I would walk from row to row and fill my apron as I went along, but these days, my apron isn't large enough, so I have started carrying extra sacks and baskets in the truck. I was able to share with three friends and still had enough left over to make a batch of spaghetti sauce and ketchup this evening.

I picked some lovely basil and harvested my garlic and hung it to cure. I also picked some bell peppers, pears, and a large basket full of pie pumpkins. The kitchen looks so beautiful with all of the bowls and baskets full of colorful fruits and vegetables. When my husband walked in, I welcomed him to our "farmer's market." :-) If only it could be like this all year long!

Tomorrow is Labor Day and we are planning a little "Farewell Summer" get-together. The boys and their cousins want to take "one last swim" before the pool is closed for the season. Personally, I think the water is a bit too chilly even now (we've had such cool nights) but that will not stop a bunch of boys. In fact, of anything, it encourages them! 

My heart is heavy tonight and with those in the South who are facing the storm. I am especially concerned for Kitty and her family who are unable to evacuate due to her mother's health, and also for Karen and Shaune. I pray the Lord's protection over them and that they will have the "peace that passes all understanding" in the midst of this storm.

Different Lives of Meatloaf.

As the clouds continue to roll in bringing with it lots of rain, it seemed a great day for Meatloaf...I know, I know there are lots of jokes out there about Meatloaf, but thankfully our family loves this dish...everytime we make it, we change the ingredients as to never have the same kind twice...it's lots of fun coming up with different ways to enhance ground beef...Daniel decided it was his turn to cook and he wanted to think of something interesting to add...some of his ideas didn't quite fit...but we did come up with a few things to add that 'he" thought the family would love.

Then of course Ethan hears that Daniel is cooking and wants to get in on the fun...so he was in charge of the potatoes, but he wanted to do something a little different also...again, some ideas were "way out there"...but eventually he decided to keep it "simple".

With the abundance of peaches that we have been blessed with...peach pie was definately on the menu...this is one of my favourite because it has kind of a custard/pudding mixed in with the peaches and I LOVE anything "custard like".  Of course one pie isn't enough to feed our gang, so we always make two.