Hand Pies

Strawberry-Rhubarb Hand Pies

3/4 cup diced strawberries
3/4 cup diced rhubarb
1 T cornstarch
2 T sugar
2 1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup sugar 
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup lard or shortening
3 T cold water

Toss the finely diced fruit with cornstarch and 2 T. sugar.
Mix flour, salt, and 1/4 cup sugar. Cut in butter and lard. Stir in water. Knead slightly. Roll out the dough and cut with a biscuit cutter (about 2 1/4 inch).

Spoon a teaspoon or two of fruit filling in the center of the dough circle. Dampen the edges of the dough with water and top with another dough circle. With a fork, crimp the edges. Cut a slit on the top. Optional: You may brush tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Eat warm or at room temperature. These are best eaten in a day or two.

Wednesday

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Hello everyone!  Yesterday the girls and I made another trip down the Parkway to get cherries.  This time we were getting the culls.  They sell them for $10.00 for a 5 gal. bucket.  We brought them home and used the steam juicer to make juice.  We got enough to make 2 gal of juice.  We had some this morning and it was VERY good.  We had not had any homemade juice in about 3 months.  I’m  hoping this year to can more juice than we did last year.  After having the real thing, store bought tastes very bland.

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This is one of the most popular spots along our section of the Parkway.  It is called Mabry Mill.  Lots and lots of people visit this spot.  They have demonstrations  of how things were made during the time this mill was in operation.  Yesterday, we noticed as we drove by they were demonstrating basket weaving. 

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On our way home yesterday, we decided to take a different route than the Parkway.  This house was David’s Grandmother’s home.  We thought Dave might enjoy seeing a picture of it. 

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And this is our home.  The rock lillies are blooming so pretty this year.  I almost forgot to tell you all,  we made some homemade cherry ice cream yesterday that was so good.  I got the recipe from here:  http://homejoys.blogspot.com/2012/06/homemade-strawberry-ice-cream.html  I just used cherries instead of strawberries.   I want to try it with honey sometime but did not have enough honey yesterday so I used sugar instead.  It was very good.  I think the best fresh fruit ice cream I have ever made.  It is definitely a keeper.

Today we will be doing school and working on the garden.  I hope you all have a great day and God bless.

What’s Blooming

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I thought I would show you ladies a few pictures of what is in bloom around our home.  First, these lilies are huge this year.

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I wish I could tell you the name of these, but I have forgotten what it is.

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I love yellow and purple together. 

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I know the name of these-strawberries!!!  We just planted these this year but they are doing very good.

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Our raspberries are looking good this year.  We love raspberries.  They are just now starting to ripen.  YUM!!

Today is a beautiful day here in Floyd.  Our temperature is in the mid 70’s with a good breeze.  Nice day for sitting in the shade and relaxing.  We are having chicken and veggies on the grill for lupper and homemade ice cream is churning as I type.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and God bless.

Irises

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Our irises are in full bloom!  These were given to us several years ago by a friend from church.  It has taken them a while to get going but I think they are looking pretty good this year. 

We have been busy this week.  Does any one think this is becoming the norm?  Seems like spring is a busy time.  Anyway, we went to the dentist on Tuesday.  Both girls got a good report.  Then on Wednesday, we went to Sam’s club and bought our bulk items.  Yesterday, we went down to Jessica’s.  Today is full as well.  Our church is doing a Mother/Daughter banquet this evening.  I am bringing rolls.  I also have to take Hubby’s van in to Little Town to get 2 tires put on.  I was hoping the girls and I could get the nests made today for the little chicks.  Hubby also wants to work on the floor for the new boxed in part of the back porch when he gets in from the job site.  We’ll see. 

 School has taken a back burner this week with all that has been going on.  We only lack 15 more lessons in math and we’ll be finished with it for the summer.  We are calling quits to language when math is finished.   Then we plan on doing history and science during June and July and taking August and September off.  These two months are so busy here with canning.  It is much easier for us to take those months off.

I also hope to make strawberry jam today.  Yesterday, while down at Jessica’s we got 2 gal. of strawberries.  I put one gallon in the freezer yesterday evening and hope to make jam with the other gallon today.  I think Jessica is planning on making jam tomorrow.  I am going to try using the liquid certo this time.  I just haven’t been having success with the powdered sure jell. 

Well, that’s about it for now.  I better get busy if I am going to get anything done.  I hope you all have a great day and God bless.

Irises

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I think irises are very pretty.  These were given to us by a friend at church last year.  When we planted them, we were not sure they would live but I think they look pretty good.   Today has been a beautiful day here in Floyd.  Temperatures in the mid 70’s with a gentle breeze.  A beautiful day to hang clothes out on the line.  Today Hubby and I set up the wringer washing machine for us to use.  We had it set up and ready last fall however the line froze and burst so Hubby had to do some repairs.  We are ready now.  The girls and I washed 3 loads of clothes on it today.  It was hard to keep them focused on school because they wanted to help with the wash.  I’m sure this thrill will wear off before summer is over but we’ll see.  It is a little more work than the automatic machine but more fun to use.   I am very thankful to have it.   Yesterday, I made some strawberry-rhubarb jam.  I used some of the  strawberries we got Saturday in N. C. and the rhubarb came from our patch.  This is the first thing we have canned for the year.  I am looking forward to much more.  I really enjoy canning our own food.  It is a lot of hard work but I think it is worth it.  At least I know what’s in the jar I’m opening for supper.  Well, I have much to get done.  Take care and God bless.

More Signs of Spring

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I could hardly wait to post these pictures!  The crocus are so bright and beautiful.  The rhubarb is coming up nicely.  I LOVE SPRING!  This has been a busy week for us.  All day Tuesday spent in Roanoke at the eye doctor.  Wednesday was a fun day spent with our friends, the Horns.  Today has been a beautiful day here.  Temperature around 60 degrees.  We can hardly believe it.  I hung our clothes out on the line-they will smell sooooo good!   I plan on having london broil on the grill tonight, probably home fries and corn on the cob (from our garden last year).  I purchased some strawberries at the store today.  I usually don’t do that this early in the season but they looked so good.  Strawberry Shortcake for dessert tonight.  We usually go down to Jessica’s in early May.  There is a” pick your own” strawberry patch.  We love it.  We try to pick a lot, freeze them for winter.  We also make lots of fresh strawberry jam.  YUM!  Anyway I have a praise.  My truck is fixed!!!!  Hubby and his brother worked until dark last night but we are back on the road.  I never imagined how much I would miss that old truck until I had to jiggle my schedule with Hubby’s.  One vehicle can be a little trying to say the least.  The girls and I don’t go a lot of places but it sure is nice to be able to go when we want to.   I guess I better get busy cooking supper, Hubby is looking in the pantry so he must be hungry.  Take care and God bless.

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