Anything Crisp!

I know this photo doesn't look as appetizing as it truly tastes, but..... it is a wonderful comfort food! I've used this apple crisp recipe for years, and have tried it with apples, peaches, blueberries, rhubard. It's funny b/c most crisp recipes use oats and this one doesn't. It is one of those kind of desserts that you can make in a big hurry when you need it quick and it goes so fast, too.
We took another blueberry picking excursion on Wednesday. Yes, it's late, but here in Oregon, the fruit seems to be quite a bit later than usual. The blueberries we picked first were a sweeter, larger type, which filled the buckets faster, so we were already spoiled. When the kids and I got out into the fields on Wednesday, we were much lazier, knowing we already had some put away for winter. We basically just used them up that day.
I just found out I'm getting FREE pears and plums! I love it! I just love getting the stuff in the jars and the freezer. I love it in winter when you can take the things out and not have to take a trip to the store. And especially now, with prices so high. Even the produce to can is high this year, so the more free stuff I can put up, the more I can offset the cost of...peaches. I'm definitely going to have to pay for those.
There are so many apples around here, too! We usually have a big party, a huge potluck, and lots of strong guys cranking on our cider press. Everyone is carrying around a cup tasting the wonderful results. It's always good to have a party and have everyone bring apples, b/c the mix of the different apples is what makes the best juice.
This year, I want to have a bar-b-que/bluegrass/cider-pressing party! I've got a lot to do b/f that can happen, but I'm thinking Oct. 4th. Good food, great fellowship, fine music! Life with friends and sharing your home! We love to have them over!

Recipe for Crisp:

6 or 7 Sliced Apples (or 4-6 cups of other fruit)
2 T. flour
3/4 Cup Sugar
1/2 teas. cinnamon (I don't add it to blueberry)
Mix together in 11X7 pan.

Topping:
1 Cup Flour
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Teas. salt
1/2 Teas. Cinnamon
1 Beaten Egg

Stir together well. Sprink over fruit.

Drizzle with 1/2 cup melted butter. (Real butter is best)
Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

I love the Autumn-ey Smells

I like it when fall comes and the stores get the spicey smelling candles and air fresheners in. I dont' really like flowery scented candles, but I love spices and fruits. Yesterday, Chantel and I went to Bath and Body Works and got some yummy smelling scents. This week, we are scrubbing down the kitchen cupboards and walls, etc., although I'm not exactly finished with canning, but school starts next week, and I'm anxious to have it done before we get into starting school.
So, in anticipation of my nice clean cupboards, and yep, getting the stove and refrigerator out and cleaning under them, and taking the light fixture glass pieces off to wash, we got some wonderful smelling stuff. Like Caramel Pumpkin and Cinnamon and Clove Buds. Oh my gosh, my house smells so wonderful, I don't need to clean it...just kidding. On top of that, I got the cutest little jack'0-lantern dispenser with pumpkin scented handsoap in it for free, I just had to spend $10.!! Well, now I've got a cute little guy full of soap that my kids can go through like water.

All that weeding and watering pays off!

Yum, now the work of the garden yields it's fruit! We had fresh corn tonite, so fresh that the pot of water was boiling as the corn was picked. There is nothing like fresh homegrown corn-on-the-cob. And tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes with a little mayo and a little salt......I could eat those for a meal in itself.
I don't know if all the tomatoes (which are loaded) are going to ripen in time for the "earnest rain" we'll no doubt soon get, before a blight gets them, etc., but I'm sure hoping I have a good harvest. I have some jars of tomatoes left from last year, but not enough, and NO salsa left either. I've checked the prices locally and at $22. a box, I'm really hoping for my own tomatoes more than ever.
I have been able to harvest a lot of applesauce and apple pie filling for basically the cost of the sugar I added to them, since my mother-in-law bought me a LOT of jar lids. I've canned several pints (enough for our family) of pickled beets, again, free. I've got berries and rhubarb mom picked and gave me. My greenbeans came from my own garden this year, instead of paying $1.75 a pound for them. So far, I have a lot of things put away with just work invested. I know I'm going to have to buy the peaches, which are an expense, but necessary. And I still need more blueberries, but those are only .85 a pound, and basically organic. We'll get out the cider press soon, and that will put a dent in the juice. I didn't grow enough corn to freeze for a year, which I should have, but we'll just have to pay the price through the year. All in all, not a bad year for putting stuff away. There are a lot of people who are into recycling, but not a lot of people make use of food going to waste. I'm not poor, but if I was, I'd sure be out there asking to pick the apples people let rot on their trees, or blackberries that are plentiful in our area.
It frustrates me, ok, I know I'm griping, but I hate it when I am so careful about how I shop for groceries, staying on a budget, etc. I hardly ever buy junk in a box premade, can't afford it and it isn't that healthy anyway. I get up to the cash register and I'm next to someone (It happnes every time, I'm not kidding) who has a huge load of groceries. I've caught myself feeling jealous that they can afford all that food and I can't. Then they whip out the food stamp card and out the door they go with food a lot of hard working Americans can't afford to buy.
I'm not against helping people who need help, but our welfare system is out of control. People do take advantage and food manufacturers don't help. You know a LOT of food companies would squeal if food stamps couldn't be used to buy potato chips or pop or boxed foods or candy. I believe that if people on food stamps were forced to actually buy food that is nutritious and has to be prepared, you'd see a lot of people getting tired of eating oatmeal. I know, now is NOT a good time to complain, when so many people are out of work. Well, don't send me hate mail, I truly wouldn't want to see anyone go hungry.

The Keys to The Wine Cellar???

In my travels along the garage sale/estate sale paths this summer, I came across these neat heavy old brass keys. I got them from a man who had a ton of gorgeous antiques, but I know nothing about them. He told me that they were keys to vineyard wine cellars, but how do I know that? I thought they were neat, though, and haven't decided to sell them or to group them on a wall. They are heavy brass and have a neat patina, neat coat of arms, too. I think they would be neat on a wall outside of a wine room. Maybe my husband should give one to the owner's of the house he's building. They have a wine room! While I'm at it, I may as well brag about my husband's work. He is a very skilled carpenter, of course I'm very proud of him and the houses he builds. We laugh b/c we actually don't live in a house like the ones he builds, but when he comes home after building these gorgeous houses, he says he likes our home best, because it is a home. Later, when I find his pics of the house he's building now, I'll put up some pics. I have to say, it's nice to be proud of my husband. It's nice that he's a good contractor and people speak highly of his work. I hear people talk about poor contractors and how they have problems with them, and I just thank the Lord that my husband has integrity in his dealing with his customers and with the actual craftsmanship. OK, I've bragged, you'd think I was his mom!

Canning in the Rain, Just Canning in the Rain...

I am definitely not ready for fall, we haven't had enough sun yet here in Oregon. I'm going to have just accept that yes, it's a rainy day here in Oregon. Again. We live where it's beautiful, everything is green, can't keep up with mowing and weedeating, but, if it keeps raining I'm going to have to go to a tanning booth, close my eyes, and pretend I'm in the sun!
But, I always think God does give us what we need, whether we think we need it or not! So, today I'm going to use my day doing a LOT of indoor stuff. I've been canning apples, applesauce, greenbeans, stuff like that. My tomatoes aren't ready or my corn, and I haven't gotten any cucumbers yet to make pickles. BUT, I often need beans for soups, etc, and I hate not having beans already cooked to make soup quickly. In the store they're expensive too, so it's kidney beans in the canner today. That and pintos.
I had read somewhere several years ago, that when you're canning meat, and you don't have a full canner, you can take some dry beans, fill the jar with water, add some salt, and process them along with the canner of meat, to make use of the canner space. My daughter has done it, but I never did do it yet. But, last night I soaked beans overnight, and now I'm getting them into the cooker today.
That's one project, my sewing room is still needing more attention. I've been getting ready for school, we'll probably start mid-September. So, let it rain, I'm going to get productive anyway!
I'm going to share a "chili" recipe that a friend gave me. It's more of a soup, but our family loves the way the flavors meld together in this yummy soup.

Glenda's Chili
1-2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup chopped onion
garlic (I use probably 2 tablespoons of the stuff in the jar)
2 teaspoons salt.
Brown the ground beef with the green pepper, onion, garlic and salt. Drain.

Add:
1 qt. crushed tomatoes
2 cups water
2 quarts kidney beans, with juice
3 hot dried chilis
1/2 teas. cumin
1 teas. dried red pepper
4 teaspoons chili powder
Bring to boil, then simmer, at least 1/2 hour, but the longer, the better.

I've got to clean up my sewing room!

I've seen photos of other people's craft/sewing/studio rooms that you wonder how they find anything in there. Well.....lately, I'd say I could win an award for the messiest crafting room! I've still been able to find things, but, let's just say, I need to invest some time into it.
I've found a lot of neat treasures this summer, things I intend to list on Etsy or Ebay and just have not had time. I guess there's too much to do in the summer? Or maybe it's just the gathering season, and when fall comes, it's time to get onto the listing bandwagon. Whatever, I need to get that room cleaned out.
I've been working on some rug hooking projects, really wishing I had a teacher that had skin on so I could ask them tons of questions, but I've got some books, the internet, etc. I've got some neat inspiration at my friend's house. Her mother-in-law, I believe in the 40's, hooked some huge rugs that are so awesome it's unbelieveable. I've had the pleasure to visit her, and her rugs. I've been collecting wool at garage sales, goodwill, etc., felting it in the washer and drying it, getting it ready for the many tubs I seem to be growing, just so I can have an assortment of colors. Next, I'll want to learn to overdye the wool, I'm sure. Anyway, this wool is adding to my mess. But there is always a method to my madness, and it will get done!
I think I have disorganized genes! My mom is soooo picky about what is supposed to go where, I guess I must have OD'd on that particular habit. I try, but... it's hard. Especially in that room. Plus, I have a lot of interests, and they all take room.
Besides my sewing room, I've got things that I need to get ready for my next sale. I just need to push myself out to get it done. I've got painting to do, a new idea for our booth to work on, tags to get made, etc. I'm determined to not do my usual and wait till the last minute. Now, my bread business works good for the "last minute personality". The bread is as fresh as it can get!
I'm going to share some photos of some of the rugs my friend introduced me to. Her mother-in-law hooked these in the 40s. I'm sure you'll love them! Look at all the detail in these rugs. Some of these are over 9 ft. long!! What a lot of work!

Thanks Pammie!

Pammie, from Farmhouse Primitives just honored me with an "I Love Your Blog Award"

Thanks very much Pammie, that was very thoughtful! And now, my turn! I am nominating some of my primitive loving friends:

1.Simple Folk
2.Bird in Hand Primitives
3.The Gathering Room
4.Rock River Stitches
5.My Red Cape
6.Magpie Cottage
7.My Father's House
1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated.