You Need to Try These

If you haven't tried these,

you need to.

Seriously.

I mean it.

They are sooooooooo good.

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

I had Linnea make some up and froze a bunch for snacks when the baby arrives.

Some Sentences

Summer is winding down.
I look forward to fall.  I think when you live in northern climates, fall is so gorgeous one can't help but look forward to it.
I look forward to the seasons wherein my flabby arms are covered by long sleeves and the sweating in unseemly places has ceased.
Linnea, Isaiah, and Andrew were each able to go to Bible Camp this summer.  Andrew is there this week and we pick him up tomorrow.  We were blessed with scholarships to make that possible.
Abram is 3 1/2 months old now.  He smiles ALL. THE. TIME.  Except when he doesn't.
I took Linnea and all the younger kids to the lake yesterday for the first time this summer.  We typically go once a week or more, so this summer has been very different.  Elizabeth is a little FISH---no fear.  Mama had some fear.
Christopher and Elijah are going to go play board games with Grandma Harriet this afternoon.  They love to do that!  I have little patience for playing or teaching board games and card games, so this is double fun for them--they get some time away for "just them" and they get to play games.  And no one is running off with or eating the pieces!  (at least not that I know of...)
Ruby and Elijah will both be in a wedding at the end of this month.  We talk about that event pretty much every day.
Maybe this kind of thing only happens with my toddlers, but now that Elizabeth can say "Daddy" (and did so probably 25 times so that I was SURE of it before posting it on facebook and on my blog), she won't say it on command by request.  She will, however, smile and shake her head no.
I've started walking again.  (I didn't really ever stop walking, what I mean is walking for exercise.)  I'm up to three miles per day. I like this.
I have the cabbage in the crockpot for supper.  This recipe from my friend Dawn is super yummy and super easy:  one head of cabbage, cut into chunks.  One pound (or more) of cooked ground beef/pork.  One jar of spaghetti sauce. Cook all day on low.  Serve over noodles or rice.  Boom.
I don't typically use trendy language much so I hope that was an appropriate use of the word boom.
Ivy pronounces computer "dumputer."
Plans for today include laundry, cooking, and cleaning.  Just like all the other 354 days of the year.

The end.

Boy, These Were Goooood...

Banana-Oatmeal Hotcakes

1/2 c. old fashioned rolled oats
1 c. water
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. oil
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. plain yogurt
1 banana, mashed
1 egg, lightly beaten

Cook oatmeal according to package instructions. Stir in brown sugar and oil; set aside to cool slightly.

In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Whisk to blend.

Whisk together the milk, yogurt, and mashed banana and egg; add the cooked oats and stir until well blended. Add the flour mixture to the oat mixture and stir just until moistened.

Pour 1/4 c. portions onto heated griddle. Cook until the top surface of the pancake is covered with bubbles and the edges are lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook another 1-2 minutes.

Drizzle with warm syrup.

And now, as usual, I'll tell you how I deviated from the recipe!
I didn't have any plain yogurt on hand but I had some sour cream. I put in about a tablespoon and increased the milk by about a tablespoon as well, figuring that would about equate the consistency of plain yogurt.

I also only had one banana that was really good and ripe, so even though I doubled all the other ingredients in order to feed my troops, I only used the one banana.

Some of the kids prefer to just spread butter and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over their pancakes or waffles instead of syrup.

I made these today for the first time. They really liked them. The kids said it tasted a lot like banana bread.

Additionally, we serve these "breakfast"-type meals at any time of the day. That's how I grew up, and I never knew that other people didn't do this. We often had pancakes or french toast for dinner or supper when I was growing up. (I grew up in a dairy-farming family so, yes, we had "dinner" at noon and "supper" at night...and still do!)
Were we the only ones who did this?
Who still do this?
I have had so many people say something like, "Oh--how fun! Breakfast for supper!" and various forms of surprised comments when they hear that we routinely eat pancakes, french toast, scrambled eggs, or waffles at a time other than breakfast.
What do you do?
I think it's a great way to spread the ever-important grocery dollar. We get eggs for free from a friend, and often free bread from a friend as well, so these are all very cost-effective meals for us. (Incidentally, if we don't have any "free bread" from our friends, I utilize the bread store where things are SSOOOOOO much cheaper than the grocery store. We buy like 15 loaves and put them in the freezer. Very cost effective!)

Anyway, all of that is to say, try these yummy pancakes!!!!!

Yummy Pancake Recipe

"Bottom of the Box Cereal Pancakes"
1 1/2 c. flour
2 T. sugar
1 T. baking powder

1 egg
2 c. milk
2 T. vegetable oil
1 c. flake cereal


Mix flour, sugar and baking powder in a medium bowl; set aside.
Mix egg, milk and oil in a separate bowl until foamy.
Add cereal, let stand 2 minutes until cereal softens.
Add flour mixture and stir just to combine. (Batter will be lumpy.)

Pour 1/4 c. portions of batter onto preheated griddle.
Enjoy!!

Now, for my variations...
I like to use a cinnamon/sugar mixture for the 2T. sugar.
(I keep a shaker of cinnamon and sugar in the cupboard for putting on toast. I just use 2 T. of that. If you don't have that already, you could just add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon to the recipe.)

And instead of cornflakes, I like to use Life cereal--especially all the crumbs and powder at the bottom of the container!
Yum!

Correction

I have changed the way I use my
homemade dishwasher detergent.

Instead of the 2 T.,
I've only been using 1 T.
and I like that a lot better.

Perhaps it has to do with our water
(hardness level, etc.)
but there was a sort of film left on the dishes
using 2 T.

I put up with it, well,
because dishwasher detergent costs $$$$$.

So I tried less
and less is more!!

Just thought I'd let you know!

Applesauce Cake

Fall is a plentiful time for apples.

Need something to do with all that homemade applesauce?

I tried this cake this week and it is really good!

2 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce
1 1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. stick butter
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (which I didn't have, so I put in some cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg)
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking powder
2 large eggs

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9 pan; lightly flour.
2. Beat all ingredients in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan.
3. Bake 45-50 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool.

To make it a banana cake, which I also tried and loved, substitute 1 1/2 c. mashed ripe bananas for the applesauce, and buttermilk for the water. Omit pumpkin pie spice and increase baking powder to 1 tsp.
(To make your own buttermilk, just add a tsp. of vinegar or lemon juice per 1 cup of milk.)

Another Money Saver--Make Your Own Dishwasher Detergent

I also make my own dishwasher detergent.

This one is SUPER easy!

1 part baking soda
1 part Borax

I usually mix a cup of each in a little gladware container, mixing it with my hands.
Use 1 T. in the detergent dispenser of your dishwasher.

I also use vinegar in the rinse-aid compartment.

Cheap and easy!!

Money Saver--Make Your Own Laundry Soap

I started making my own laundry soap early this spring. I have made two batches. I cannot even tell you how much money this has saved us!!!

Here is the recipe I use:

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups hot tap water
1 Goat Milk Soap Laundry Bar OR Dr. Bronner's Castile Bar Soap
1 Cup Washing Soda
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

TIPS FOR LAUNDRY SOAP: I use Fels-Naptha Goat Milk bar soap, but you could use Fels-Naptha, Ivory, Sunlight, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile or Zote bars. Don’t use heavily perfumed soaps. Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found on the laundry or cleaning aisle. I couldn't find Washing Soda at Wal-Mart, but did find it at our grocery store.
I also couldn't find the Fels-Naptha at Wal-Mart, but found it at our little tiny grocery/hardware store in a nearby town with a population of 200.
Recipe cost approx. $2.

Now, as a farm wife, I had no trouble finding a five-gallon pail. Finding a clean five-gallon pail was the problem.
If you are NOT a farmwife, you could buy one at Fleet Farm or Home Depot.

I had Dennis bring me one from outside. Mine is quite fashionable--it says "Case IH Hy-Tran Ultra". It used to house tractor engine oil, and then was moved to the barn to carry feed and I think milk for the calves, too.

I had some scrubbing to do, but had no real choice because when I asked Dennis if I should just buy one at Fleet, he said something like, "for goodness' sake, don't BUY a bucket!! I've got plenty outside!!"

This recipe makes quite a bit--10 gallons total, five of the "concentrate" but you dilute it in half to use--so if you don't do as much laundry as I do, or just want to try it out, team up and share it with a few friends.
Since two batches has lasted me at least six months (I can't remember for sure when I made the first one), I imagine it would last more "average" households quite a while!

Let me know if you have questions!

Easy Yummy Homemade Applesauce

I made applesauce today.
It is delish.

10 cooking apples (we were given a bunch of 'em)
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2--1 cup sugar, depending on the tartness of your apples. Today I used 1/2 cup and it is plenty sweet.

Peel, core and slice apples.
Place in your crockpot.
Add other ingredients.
Cook on low for 8 hours, until very soft, stirring occasionally.

That's it!
So easy--and SO yummy!

I froze two containers and kept one in the fridge.
I probably could have just put them all in the fridge, as it made about 4 pints. Our kids really like applesause, and really like the homemade kind.

Granted, applesauce isn't all that expensive. But if you have an abundance of apples, or know someone who does, this is a great way to use them up!

The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread

I recently discovered that there are bags of frozen onions, already chopped and recipe-ready in the freezer section of the grocery store!

Who knew??
And if you knew--why didn't you tell me???????!!!!!!

My eyes tear up so badly when I chop onions.

I am lovin' my new discovery!!!

Who says I'm hard to please--I quite obviously am easily impressed!!

Letter Pancakes

My dad used to do this for us when my brothers and sister and I were kids.
I should do it here more often than I do.
(read: I should do it again...)

So easy--and they think it's SO FUN!

My Recipe Box

Q: What does it say about me if the bulk of the recipes in my recipe box are in A and C?

A: I bake mainly with Apples, Chicken, and Chocolate!

This is Soooooo Good

Taco Hot Dish

2 c. Doritos, crushed
1 lb. hamburger
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 c. chopped lettuce
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 c. chopped tomato
1 c. sliced black olives
diced onion
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Crush chips. Brown meat. Add taco seasoning to meat. Dilute cheese soup with 1/2 can milk and add to meat. Stir well. Put chips on bottom of an 8x8 pan. Add the meat mixture, lettuce, onions, tomatoes, olives, and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve with sour cream.

Oatmeal: a title that begs to be read

After years and years of harboring guilt, I feel like I've made a major accomplishment:
My kids will eat oatmeal. (OK, to be honest, it's only some of them...)
I've always felt so inadequate admitting that all they ever ate was cold cereal--honey smacks, froot loops, kix, even pop tarts...
But since the beginning of January, when I ran out of cereal and it was going to be awhile till I was able to go to the store again, I've been cooking breakfast.
I've read this over and over again--cook breakfast instead of feeding boxes of sugar coated air. But I wasn't convinced that it would be cheaper. I've been pleasantly surprised. It may not be drastically cheaper, but it's not more expensive. And it's better!
Six eggs, scrambled, feeds four of my younger children and me. I also make a small pot of oatmeal each morning and some of them like a scoop.
I've tried serving oatmeal before--always the microwave kind. Thinking back, I may have tried to cook some quick oats a loooong time ago when my bigger boys were small. Either way, it was unsuccessful.
I tried it this time around with the regular oats--not quick oats or the microwave pre-packaged kind.
One of my kids tried it and gagged and ran to the garbage to spit it out. I'll be transparent enough to admit that.
However, my 2 year old ate FOUR helpings of it yesterday morning! I cook it according to the directions on the container, except I mix milk in for some of the water to make it a little creamier. I like my oatmeal to be thick so I use slightly less liquid than it calls for on the package.
For the servings I make, I use one and a half cups of water and a fourth cup of milk. Bring this to a boil and add one cup of oats.
I add about 2 T. brown sugar, a dash of vanilla, some cinnamon and a sprinkle of nutmeg and yummm: my kids eat oatmeal!
(My bowl gets topped with some walnuts from time to time. The kids think they don't like nuts, so they don't want them on theirs.)
I am able to make a cozy, warm breakfast that's pretty cheap. The best part is that it's good for them, too!
I still keep a couple boxes in the cupboard for emergencies (like Cheerios or honey smacks), but they last a long time now.
I feel better knowing my kids are eating healthier, as fruits and vegetables are hard to fit into my grocery allowance.
Oats are a heart-healthy food--it says so right on the box!

yummy...

We had this for supper the other night. It is SO good.
I'll give you the recipe as it was in the cookbook, and then I'll tell you how I modified it.
(For future reference, "supper" is our evening meal and "dinner" is our noon meal. I grew up on a farm and married a farmer, so that's just how it is. I also call this a "hotdish" because I live in Minnesota. Others may call it a "casserole", but a hotdish by any other name is still a hotdish...)

Chicken Wild Rice Hotdish
1 (6 oz.) pkg. long-grain wild rice mix
3 T. + 1 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. salt
dash of black pepper
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk
12 oz. chicken broth
2 T. butter
1/4 c. onion, chopped
5 c. cooked chicken
1/4 c. parsley, chopped

Prepare wild rice mix according to package directions. Add all remaining ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.


How easy is that???? And cheap, too! No weird things that my kids won't eat, either.
I doubled the rice and halved the chicken (of course) and it was enough to feed the 8 of us at the table, with leftovers afterward.
I'm thinking that this would make a good take-along dish for Christmas, too.
Let me know if you try it and like it!