MerryHeartCrafts.comMountain Momma… Country Living

I guess this is why I always gain weight in the winter.  There’s just something about winter that makes me want to bake and try out new recipes.  This pumpkin cake and cream cheese frosting recipe came from my (and Jessica’s) favorite cookbook.  Mennonite Country-Style Recipes and Kitchen Secrets.  If you get an opportunity to own the cookbook, it is fantastic.  I don’t think I’ve made anything from it that was bad.  All has been good.  I made 15 bean soup for church last night.  It turned out really good.  I basically follow the instructions on the bag except  I add some browned sausage and hamburger to the recipe.  Also instead of canned tomatoes, I use spaghetti sauce.  It is a very affordable soup.  If I didn’t miss count anything, it will feed about 20 people for about .50 cents a serving.  Pretty good huh.  I’m always looking for ways to feed my family inexpensively but healthy.  Sometimes these two words do not go together.  You know,  like at Wendys.  Do we buy the $1.00 chicken sandwich or the $5.00 salad?  Depends on the cash flow this week.  Honestly though we very seldom eat out, so the $1.00 chicken sandwich is a big treat for us all.   Well speaking of eating, time for me to cook supper.  Tonights menu-sauteed (fried) cabbage with hamburger, potatoes, onions, garlic, green peppers, and spinach.  It’s a one dish meal, inexpensive, healthy and delicious.  Of course a meal like this has to have cornbread with it.  Remember I grind my own corn to make the cornmeal, and of course for the dessert, the pumpkin cake.  Gotta go, I’m getting hungry.  God Bless.

Ok, so I’m really getting tired of cold weather and I thought I would have a little summer .  Garden growing, clothes drying on the line.  Mr. Scarecrow on duty.  That’s right.  Stop.  Take a deep breath. Imagine summer in full swing.  Not wind chills below zero, frozen water lines etc. Today has been a nice day, church was good.  The bad news was yesterday.  I went up to my cellar to get some canned goods and discovered my canned green beans had frozen.  I counted 40 quarts frozen and decided I didn’t want to count anymore.  I just shut the door and walked away.  I have never had cans to freeze before so I’m not exactly sure what to do.  I researched this and from what I have discovered,  as long as they stay sealed they should be okay.  I pray this is so.  So much work to lose them all.  Anyway,  it’s all part of life.  I’ve been busy making aprons and discloths to sell.  I have 3 aprons finished and working on the 4th one.  I have about 4 dishcloths made.  I am also working on another wall hanging.  This one will be for Julie.  Oh yea, I also have an afghan in the works.  This is all done in my spare time.  (What spare time?)  Well, it’s time for bible study.  Tonight’s menu includes brunswick stew, green beans(guess who’s bringing them) cornbread, mac & cheese and 2 different desserts, unknown at this time.  God Bless.

Today has been a foggy, cool day in Floyd, so I thought we would all enjoy some summer flowers.  I love fall but I do dread to see the flowers disappear.  My grandmother loved flowers and I like to think my love of flowers comes from her.  One of my fondest memories of her involves her holding my hand, taking me through her yard and telling me the names of all her flowers.  So not only do they remind me of summer but also of her.  Today was one of those homeschooling days when you just know it’s all worth it.  School went by steady without interruption.  The girls were focused and so was I.  A good day.  Sometimes as a homeschooling Mom,  I wonder “Am I really doing this right?”  Thank God for days like today.  It’s almost like God wants me to know every now and then that I am doing exactly what He wants me to be doing.  Tomorrow I will be seeing an old friend.   We don’t get to see each other very often as we now live far apart.  I can’t wait to see her and get caught up on things.  True friendship is hard to find and I value her greatly as a friend and also as a Christian Sister.  I now have dinner to cook.  Tonights menu is baked pork tenderloin, potatoes, (fresh dug from the garden) and canned green beans (also from our garden).  I also baked fresh gingerbread to go with it.  What do you all think?  Cornbread or biscuits with this feast?  God Bless.

Pumpkin growing in our garden

This year as a gift from God we have pumpkins.  Quite a lot of pumpkins.  We have decided to harvest them a little early as bugs have decided they like them too.    The pie was made completely from scratch as you probably can tell.  The crust is a very simple recipe that doesn’t require being rolled out.  I like things simple.  The filling recipe came from an old lady at a farmers market we visited years ago.   If anyone is interested in these recipes let me know and I will post them.  Today has been a good day.  The girls played piano at church today.  Grace played the special and Julie played the congregational.  Big step for Julie-playing while others sing with her.  They both did great.  When I hear them play like that I think all that money and time for lessons was REALLY worth it.   It’s almost time to leave for Sunday Night Bible Study at church.  We are using John MacArthur’s study on the book of Daniel.  It has been a very interesting study so far.  The pie is for church tonight.  After bible study we always eat(Its the Baptist way)  Tonight we will be having a feast.  Pinto beans, cornbread, onions, tomatoes, hot dogs, cole slaw, and pie.  Who could ask for more.  As I tell my oldest daughter, we really do study, the food is just extra.  Gotta go and God Bless.