MerryHeartCrafts.comMountain Momma… Country Living

This picture of our grapevine was taken on April 12.  This is what it looked like last week.

It seems to be growing every day and full of baby grapes!

This makes me very happy.  I hope to make some jelly this year and lots and lots of grape juice!  We so enjoy having our own juice to drink.

Our weekend was a busy one.  I didn’t get to tell all about it on yesterdays post.  It was late and I was tired.  Anyway, on Friday, our church had a mother/daughter banquet.  It was lots of fun with about 25 ladies attending.  Then on Saturday, we had to go to Jessica’s to start working on some things her ins. agency said needed to be done.   After we got there, Hubby realized we would need the scaffold, so we came back home Saturday evening.  We went back down on Sunday and finished it up.  Jess, the kids, myself, Julie and Grace went to the Farmers Market on Sunday.  We had a great time just walking around looking at everything.  Okay, so I have to tell you, we rode Jessica’s van to the market.  7 of us.  We took the double stroller and the small stroller, plus, of course, all the other stuff you need for small kids.  Needless to say, her van was packed.  Then when we get there, the first thing Jess sees-2 HUGE hanging baskets, that would look just perfect on her front porch.  Now if you would like to have seen something funny, you should have been there in the parking lot watching us try to get all that stuff back in the van.  It really was hilarious!!  We finally did it though and didn’t even damage her new hanging baskets.  I guess we are just talented. 

Our lunch break is over and so I must get back to school.  Enjoy your day and God bless.

For the first time this year, the kids got to play some of the games outside before it got dark.  This was a lot of fun and much cooler than in the basement.  I, for one, was extremely hot downstairs but then I should have known not to wear a long sleeve shirt.  We girls got our hair cut yesterday.  I decided to make a batch of  cinnamon buns to take to the lady who cuts our hair.  We all sat down and enjoy them while they were still warm before we started our haircuts.  It was a nice visit. 

Today it has been pretty chilly here in Floyd.  We have kept a fire going all day.  While the girls worked on school, I have been busy making pumpkin puree to put in the freezer.  I used part of the puree to make a pumpkin pie for supper.  It is in the oven now.  The recipe I used is:

2 cups pumpkin puree, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 1 egg beaten, 1/3 cup plain flour, 1 tsp vanilla,  1 tsp pumpkin pie spice.  Stir all ingredients together and bake at 350 degrees until done.  Pie is done when toothpick stuck in middle comes out clean.  Start checking for doneness at about 45 min.  Years ago, we were at a farmers market and this older lady was selling pumpkins, cushaw and other fall squash.  I ask her about a pie recipe for them and she just told me all the ingredient and their measurements, right from memory.  I was of course very impressed.  I hurriedly wrote them down (before I forgot them) and have used this recipe ever since.  It is a favorite fall dessert around here. 

Take care and 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.