My Blessed Cottage

new template - new day

I fiddle faddled with my template last night until too late, then I couldn't sleep - I'd better keep with my rule to turn off the computer by 9:00 p.m.! Today soon I'll be leaving to work at the thrift store. I didn't have time for my Bible study because I watered outside then came in and got on the computer - I need to keep with my rule not to turn on the computer until noon. It can certainly overpower everything else!

A high school classmate is trying to get all 23 (or less - some passed away) of our class of '69 to share their lives. One guy would like to have a 50th reunion - in 10 years that just may happen if we start now.

Applesauce Date Cake

Applesauce Date Cake
Yield: 12 Servings
Further proof that something sweet and delicious can still have significant nutritional value. This cake keeps well and is great for snacks or with lunches.

2 c Flour
2 t Sodium Free Baking Soda
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t allspice
1/2 t nutmeg
1/4 t cloves
2 eggs
1 c Brown Sugar, Packed
1/2 c Unsalted Butter, Softened
2 c Applesauce
1 c Dates, Chopped
3/4 c Pecans, Coarsely Chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9X9X2" pan with non-stick vegetable oil spray.

Stir together flour, soda and spices. Add eggs, brown sugar, butter, and 1 cup applesauce. Beat at low speed just until the ingredients are combined. At medium speed, beat 2 minutes longer, occasionally scraping the side of the bowl. Add remaining applesauce, dates, and walnuts; beat 1 minute. Pour batter into pan. Bake 50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan.

Featured Blogger~Mama Hen

Welcome to this weeks Featured Blogger!

Help me congratulate
Mama Hen!

Great posts
Lots of neat ideas
Pretty pictures
Very nice little home on the web
Go by and let her know you enjoy her blog

Blessings,
Chasity L. Burrell
Senior Editor Homesteadblogger
Heritage Acres Homestead

how to clean

Just thought this was very helpful information

Cleaning 19 minutes a day:

Kitchen, 4 ½ minutes daily - Start with sink - keep empty and shiny, will motivate to also clean counters, refrigerator doors, and the stovetop.

• Wipe down the sink after doing the dishes
• Wipe down the stove top and counters
• clean floor 

Bathroom, 2 minutes daily
Clean basin and around the edges of the tub and toilet.
• Wipe the mirror and faucet and spray show curtain

Bedroom, 6 ½ minutes daily - make bed first thing
• Fold or hang clothing and put away jewelry
• Straighten out surfaces and dust

Family room, living room, foyer, 6 minutes daily
Tidy sofa, pick up crumbs from it, dust furniture and straighten up

my home town - Main St.

More on Fermenting Foods

Posted by HSB Front Porch
01:48 PM, Jun. 29, 2009 .. 0 comments .. Link

I found some information on fermenting and a few recipes in a book I discovered at the library this weekend- Fresh Food From Small Spaces- The Square Inch Gardener's Guide to Year-Round Growing, Fermenting, and Sprouting by R.J. Ruppenthal.  The directions for making Kimchi say to cover the jar loosely with the lid or a cloth for 2 days, or until you get that "fermenting" smell; then, cap it tightly and put in the refrigerator.  Maybe that is what I've been doing wrong.  I put the lid on at the beginning; perhaps it needs to "breathe" a bit first???  The author recommends Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz, which sounds like a very interesting book on the subject.  I plan to look into reading this one, too; and am going to make another attempt at kimchi soon.   Wildfermentation.com was created by the book's author, and if you click on the resources button, you can find his recipe for sourkraut and pickles, plus a troubleshooting area.  Hope this info. helps some of you who are having the same struggles as I am in learning the art of fermenting food!

Blessings,

Catherine

 

today - a new week

Posted by Jill
12:42, Monday, June 29, 2009 .. 0 comments .. Link

Today - a brand new week - took my dear daughter to camp (actually the church where they met to go to camp ). Now I have all day to do whatever I like - which is laundry, organize bookshelves, fix food, clean, etc. etc. On way home I dropped some things off at a thrift store and went in to shop. I got 2 of those necklace trees which I've been wanting for a while, also I got 2 of the heavy things you put on the floor in front of an outside door to keep the cold out. They are like little cows with a ringing bell and new. One will be for a wedding present for my niece who will be tying the knot in Aug. 8. She's only 19 but I'm convinced totally it's perfect for her.

This picture is Wengen, Switzerland - I found it because my cousin's name is Wenger and I think it came from this little village in Switzerland.

Baked Beans, Texas Ranger Style

Posted by GrandmaRosie
3:09 AM, Mon 29 Jun 2009 .. 1 comments .. Link

Baked Beans, Texas Ranger

1 (28 ounce) can baked beans with pork
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium bell pepper, diced
4 links spicy pork sausage, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons chili powder
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt to taste
1 dash cayenne pepper (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a Dutch oven, combine the baked beans, onion, bell pepper, and sausage. Season with chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, garlic powder and salt. Add a dash of cayenne if desired.
Cover and bake for one hour in the preheated oven.

sad news here........

Posted by GrandmaRosie
3:49 AM, Sun 28 Jun 2009 .. 3 comments .. Link

I had a tragedy today. I found 4 of my bunnies dead. Two were breeding rabbits and two were pets. I also lost a buck earlier this week. That makes 5 rabbits.

On top of that I lost a one of my Barred rock hens. It has been hot, but no hotter than is usual for here.

 

I also have a question about Passion Vine. One has grown up into the rabbit barn this year. Could this have poisoned them if they chewed it?

 

A sad Grandma Rosie

Honey Grilled Chicken

Posted by GrandmaRosie
10:34 PM, Sat 27 Jun 2009 .. 0 comments .. Link

Honey Grilled Chicken

This chicken is excellent. It is very juicy and has great flavor.
Just be sure to not over cook or it will dry out.


2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Preheat a grill for medium heat. Melt butter in a skillet over medium
heat. Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in
honey and lemon juice. Reserve half for basting, and brush the other half
onto the chicken breasts. Lightly oil the grill grate, and place chicken on
the grill. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, turning frequently. Baste often
during the last 5 minutes. Chicken is done when the meat is firm, and juices
run clear.

5 WAYS TO BLUNT BLOOD SUGAR

Posted by GrandmaRosie
4:00 PM, Sat 27 Jun 2009 .. 0 comments .. Link

5 WAYS TO BLUNT BLOOD SUGAR

 

These strategies can lower the overall effect of a meal on your blood sugar.

 

1.  ADD BEANS.  Only have time to make instant rice?  Just add some beans.  Throwing in a low-glycemic-index food brings down the GI rating of the entire meal.

 

2.  DEPLOY GOOD FAT.  Bagels for breakfast?  Slather with a tablespoon of peanut butter. Fat slows absorption of sugar into the bloodstream.

 

3.  GRAB A CHEESE STICK OR PRECOOKED CHICKEN STRIPS.  For less than 100 calories, a stick of string cheese or a few pieces of chicken can transform a potentially blood sugar-raising snack (such as crackers or a piece of toast) into an oasis of satisfaction that will last for hours.  Like fat, protein slows digestion and absorption of sugars.

 

4.  HAVE A SALAD WITH VINAIGRETTE.  Start lunch or dinner with any vinaigrette-dressed veggie medley--field greens; chilled green beans; even a half cup of steamed, cooled, red Bliss potatoes.  Arizona State University nutritionists discovered that vinegar prevented blood sugar spikes after eating.  They suspect that acetic acid (the compound that makes vinegar so, so sour) interferes with enzymes that break down carbs.  Just 2 teaspoons per meal could help tame glucose.

 

5.  SPRINKLE ON SOME CINNAMON.  Just half a teaspoon of cinnamon each day--dust a little on your morning toast, add a bit to your afternoon skim latte or your dinnertime sweet potato--improves your body's ability to obey insulin and take up glucose, report researchers at the USDA's Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland. Cinnamon contains a compound called methylhydroxy chalcone polymer that makes cells absorb glucose faster and convert it more easily into energy--so your blood sugar stays lower.

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