Boiled Cider

                 Now that you've made your vanilla for the upcoming baking season, have you ever made boiled cider? This stuff will change your life! Also known as apple molasses, boiled cider has become a autumn tradition at my house, we love it on biscuits, pancakes, warm bread from the oven and it's a must drizzled over apple pie! Super easy to make too, start off with a small batch and once you get a feel for the process, you will be boiling a whole gallon down, like I did over the weekend. Patience is key, it does take a couple of hours to cook down and be sure to stir it now and then so it won't stick. Just put 8 cups apple cider in a stock pot and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until it's boiled down to a thick sauce, once cooled store in the fridge where it will thicken up some more. A gallon of cider makes one quart of apple molasses, and a little does go a long way. It's the best thing since butter, I promise!

Time to Restock!

Homemade Vanilla

        
                    I'm cheating today and repeating a annual post because it's that time, time to make your own vanilla extract for the upcoming baking seasons! So, if your one of my loyal followers, this is just a gentle reminder for you, and for the rest of you, welcome to the "make your own" club, I promise once you make your own vanilla and bake with it, you won't go back to the imitation or store bought stuff! 

             This is super easy too, so don't stress but do have patience because the longer you allow this to steep, the richer your vanilla will be, that's why I like to start now or earlier so I have it ready, it's my secret ingredient in all my baked goods, but don't tell anyone, pinkie swear!

Homemade Vanilla Extract


There really are no recipes for this, ok, there are if you do a search but once you figure out your favorite ratio it's a piece of cake. The budget comes to mind here too, because your source for the vanilla beans might change your mind, but shop around. I get mine from a local health food store that sells them by the pound, but  since I only use 4, it only costs me $3.50. And I know, to some, that is alot for vanilla beans, but believe me when I tell you, it makes a HUGE difference in your baked goods. And if your like me who bakes for other's and gift giving, it all adds into it. And if you price the real vanilla, you will see this way is much cheaper and you'll have a big bottle that usually lasts me till the next fall, depending on how much I bake.

Ok, this part isn't my favorite so I usually have my hubby do it or I'll add to my groceries one week. You will need a big bottle of vodka (750 ml) or brandy, both work well, but I think the vodka is cheaper, here anyways. Now, just slice your beans down the middle length wise and you can either scrap out the seeds or leave them in. I leave them in adding to the flavor and if some gets included in a recipe, they will never know. Just place the split beans into the bottle of vodka or you can put both into a pretty decanter like I do.  Then, just shake it up daily for the next 2 months, keep in a dark place while the vanilla beans mix with the vodka to become vanilla extract.

       This makes a lovely gift for those bakers on your Christmas list too, wrapped in a pretty bottle or jar with a vintage printed label, tied off in a festive ribbon or bow!  This is one of those finer things in life, so spoil your taste buds and make your own in time for the best baking season ever!!

Seasonal Shift

              It's finally October, but time won't be slowing down for me until the new year, but I'm not complaining! Our youngest is getting married Nov.1 so there is alot to do yet, plus our annual fall fun nite here at the homestead is next weekend, complete with pony rides this year! Personally, I'm growing and I've taken the advice of a few and I'm working on going  dot com with a website that will combine my newspaper articles, so that is exciting, frustrating too, I'm doing all by myself! I've always said I like a good challenge and this may be it! But, you know, if you don't take a risk, you may never know and I don't want to wonder or miss a opportunity to go global. I'll keep this blog and will try to get more posts up, I do have some re-runs coming soon, those seasonal posts that are always a good reminder, for me too! The shift has begun, in more ways than one but it's all, life is good and needs to be celebrated, every chance we get!!!

Free to Fab!

          Blogging has been slow, taking a back seat to life and a new project, so sit back and check out my new prop for my photo shoots! Found on a freebie site on Facebook, I was first to snag this free chair, it's sturdy, somewhat clean and would look great in a field of flowers for a photo shoot, or in front of a barn. The ideas ran through my head as I headed to town to pick it up! After inspecting it closer, the bottom seat was iffy, so my handyman hubby made me a new one. I had 4 different fabrics in mind for the seat cover but went with the heaviest one, to hold up longer. Then the fun began finding the perfect trim, I had it all along in my stash, along with the fabric. All I had to buy was a small can of paint and stuffing, I spent less than $10 on it.

   And I love how it turned out! But then, another idea ran through my already crowded mind, have my handyman make another seat so I can change them out, he's in the process and probably hopes I don't find anymore freebies/projects for awhile! He's a good sport though and I couldn't do it all without him! By the way, yes I spray painted the back cushion, it was much easier and worked out great! I love a good freebie!!

Passions

            The kids are back to school and summer is heating up, after a mild reminder that life does have a way of equaling it's self out!  The garden is a hot mess, how quickly the weeds can take over if you miss a weeding or two...maybe three? But, it's been very productive, and the summer has been one of my favorites by far! Made another batch of salsa yesterday and picked a good pound of elderberries too, those got picked over and placed in the freezer for a flu syrup this fall, there are more to ripen and I hope to get to them before the wasps do. Spaghetti sauce and ketchup has also been made from our tomatoes, my basil and dill are both huge, great crops this year, must be all the rain and milder temps. Yummy corn and tons of potato's have feed us many meals so far, with more to dig, then sweet potato's will be ready! Harvest of happiness to say the least! It's been the best gardening season ever! Even the wild flowers have been blessed by this summer's weather and reprieve. I've been using basil and cilantro in all my cupboards since I have so much, I just cut a bunch and throw it in the back of each cupboard, it's been keeping the country mice at bay.  I love those scents of summer!

       Another passion of mine has been keeping me busy as well, and last weekend I had a wedding to shoot, my ex husband and his third wife. I was his first, he was my second and so on...but we are all friends, and if a marriage has to dissolve, the friendship shouldn't, especially if children are apart of the union, as in our case. We have 2 sons together, his only children and I'm so glad we were able to show them how love really works.  This is just one of my favorite shots from their wedding, it speaks without words, like life at times. I hope your summer has been full of passions, flowers, harvests and family! Love life!

If you'd like to see more of my photography and this wedding, check out my Facebook page:
Shots by Sue

My Space

    Remember that social media hub, we'll I'm not talking about that, I was never into My Space but I am into this space of mine, my craft room/office that under went a little makeover recently. Top photo shows different curtains from my stash, love the checks! I also got rid of my corner desk and opted for a fold up table I already had, now I have 5 more feet of work space where I type from, sorry it's not in the shot!

   This huge and heavy cubby shelf was kept outside till I bought it, originally for a future greenhouse but since that project won't be built till next spring, I got the notion of bringing it inside for all my fabric and stuff, so I painted it blue and at the risk of a hernia, my awesome husband got it in the house, it weighs a ton and a half, maybe 2! But, for $20 I knew I had to have it and it's perfect in here! Of course, when you rearrange, you have to find a new home for old things so the hutch that used to sit here is now in our bedroom and right at home! It's the little things in life that make you happy, and the big blue beast is a big one!

Pickles and Politics!

                  What a busy summer this has been, not only is the garden heating up, so are the politics here in Missouri! We vote tomorrow on many issues but the one I'm mainly concerned with is Amendment One. We already have the right to farm, but due to the tricky wording on this bill, many will vote yes thinking it will keep that right, but it won't! If passed, big corporations and outside companies can buy up Missouri land, allow Monsanto to take over and control farms. Not only that, but even small family farms will be affected, all the way down to our drinking water that could be contaminated  if unsafe meat producers are allowed in. I'm voting no, to keep my right to farm/garden in the way the current bill allows. It's a shame big government has to trick us with vague wording to get us to vote their way! I'm a small voter who will fight to keep my rights to garden and raise chickens!
     The garden has been the best one ever, I can't remember a summer that has been so nice with rains just when we need them. The kitchen is a busy room with produce being processed weekly: salsa, sauce, pesto and pickles, alot of pickles! I can't imagine not having a garden, fresh and organic produce for our family is priceless! I can only hope and pray that everyone reads the ballot good tomorrow, and not rush through it! One wrong vote could change everything! Pickles aren't the only thing fermenting!

UPDATE: We lost by half of a percent! But, there is rumor of a recount so were still hopeful. At least this tight margin supports a second look and has made the concern aware and out there!

One Heck of a Surprise!

         What do you get 2 little girls who are hard to buy for? A surprise pony party of course! A friend of mine has a therapy horse program that she takes to nursing homes, community events and parties of all kinds! Jenny and her ponies are wonderful, very professional and eager to teach anyone interested in the ways of the ponies. Her program is called Mini Blessings, and she was a big blessing to us, as I had kept the party a surprise from the grandkids, and the look on their faces and the fun they had made my day!

    My oldest grand daughter May, above, thought she was too big to ride, she wasn't and loved it! Now, she's interested in helping Jenny and learning more, and of course she now wants a pony but this girl loves animals and is so down to earth, makes my heart smile! So, if your ever stuck for a unique gift idea for the kids or grandkids please consider something like this and if your in my area, look up Mini Blessings Horse Therapy on Facebook. Jenny and her boys are just wonderful and the ponies are adorable!

Good Intentions!

           I sit here, only because I'm grounded from a allergic reaction from a red wasp sting yesterday, but I have been meaning to update sooner than this, I had good intentions! Really! Truth be told, I've been thinking about re-vamping this blog, it turns 10 next year and it may be time for a change? True, I'm busy elsewhere, as we all are and I don't want it to become stale so bare with me, your patience will be rewarded!

    A quick update, the summer has been a odd one, we get a couple of days of normal or above temps, followed by a cool front and rain, needless to say, our garden is the best it's ever been here! I've even created a potting station ( above) or should I say, more space to put plants! A lean-to greenhouse is in the works, a birthday gift from my handy man hubby.  My photography and newspaper gig are both going well and keeping me inspired. And we have a wedding in the fall, our daughter so there will alot to do there but life is good, busy is good. Thank you all sticking with me, I have the best of intentions!

Are You Man Enough?

                Here I sit, missing for a couple of weeks in my hectic but wonderful life that I'm blessed to be living and it's almost Father's Day! June is on the same race track as May was, or is it that I'm just getting old and time is speeding up? Your probably wondering about my post title? I'm choosing to write about a subject matter that effects ALL women and most men, yet they don't get the credit or attention, it's menopause, and is your husband man enough to handle it in a loving way? I'm 54 and I first noticed the little signs years ago, things like not having to shave my legs that often, I was cranky for no reason or my eye sight wasn't as good as it once was. Last fall, on a routine doctor visit, I had him check my hormone levels in a blood test, positive! I knew that but wanted someone else to tell me. Then the hot flashes started, nothing too harsh or unmanageable. One day this winter, I woke up and had a pooch of a tummy, not to be confused with my pooch of a gut, that I've always had, it was little and now I don't mind it but this monster under my breasts has to go! It's uncomfortable and unsightly! Now, I'm noticing women my age and older with a belly bump and not of the baby kind, it's almost like were marked! The hot flashes have been upgraded to night sweats that can happen any time of the day or night, paired with this belly bump, I'm miserable!
     I'm not completely sure if my husband understands just what I'm going through, but he is patience and keeps apologizing for it, a hug helps too! Were in this together, it's written in our marriage vows but it's not fair! It's called MENopause but we women go through this, it's no journey or curse but as long as my husband continues to be patience, we shall survive this too! My Mother never spoke of it or how it was for her, I wish now I had asked, it seems her's will effect yours, so ask your Mom and take notes, it may come in handy for your daughters too! So ladies, this is where I am, I'd like to think I'm on the other side of this phase but were all different and I'm thankful for that! I'm armed with herbs and natural ways to keep my sanity, doing more sit ups than ever and praying harder! Puberty was a piece of cake!
      So, when you wish your man a Happy Father's day this Sunday, remind him of your vows and ask him if he's man enough! Keep him wondering!
   

Dream Chaser & Catcher!

            I have a dream, many really with some coming true like I never thought they would! I'm having a pretty good year, my photography has taken off, for the last few months, I've been sharing a recipe weekly on the food page of my local newspaper, and now I have my own garden column " Garden Thyme" every Wednesday! I'm so excited!!! I'm eager to dig in and cover some new content, I feel like most publications recycle their articles and I'm craving some new information and ideas! I hope to explore all issues regarding gardening, there's so much more to it than plant, weed and water. I'm still sharing a recipe each week, and I love a good challenge, so deadlines will not scare me nor will the boots I have to fill, Jim Long used to supply the garden column, but the newspaper is revamping the page and I'm honored to be apart of it! So, you see, you are NEVER too old to chase and catch your dreams! Just don't give up, anything is possible and I'm proof of that! I'm not a expert gardener but I am a learner and I share well with others! I'll be adding some of my articles here too, and you can always check me out online at West Plains Daily Quill.

Blackberry Winter

             It's cold, wet and May! Ozarkians call it blackberry winter, a cold snap when the blackberries are in bloom, yep! But it's green, so very green! I've been sick, busy and blessed. I did a engagement photo shoot over the weekend at this famous mill here, this place never gets old and I must say, a perfect spot for a photo shoot! The garden is loving the 3 inches of rain so far, the chicken coop is slick as snot and fun at all. The weeds will take over at rapid rate once the sun comes out, leaving our chores in overtime. But, we had all winter, a long winter, to relax so no complaints here, even if I have to turn the heater back on tonight! And how is life in  your lane?

Gardeners Unite!

              I recently read a negative editorial on gardening, this editor went on in great length about all the work, pain, complaints and found everything wrong with gardening, he wasn't even happy to get the harvest, too much work! This kinda offended me, and got to wonder what kind of person would bash a farmer? I took offense and I only supply food for our family, but it's a labor of love!
     With the new age movements making gardening and homesteading hip again, I'm using my blog to encourage MORE to garden! Everyone likes to eat, and you haven't eaten a true tomato until you've had a heirloom tomato that farmers grew in the 1800's, with no chemicals, that's real food! Am I a farmer, heck no, but I do feed my family from a garden, eggs from the coop and I'm aiding Mother Nature by supplying host plants for butterflies and bees. The beauty I'm adding by planting flowers is adding to our home investment and it makes me happy! The herbs I grow are used for medicine, cooking, cleaning, and pest control. We are organic and it's working, so maybe I am a farmer of sorts? There is alot more to gardening than complaining about the sore back, the weeding or the bugs, it's a way of life, one that we can trust and have faith in. The weather, on the other hand, is a beast of it's own, and that is the biggest obstacle this season.

Mother's Day

             If it seems like I'm posting more recipes than ever, I am! The weather is back to being cold which keeps me tucked inside looking for a excuse to have the oven on! But, the garden is about 60% in, now just hoping for no freeze warnings tonight! As you know, this hutch of mine gets all decked out for each holiday or season and Mother's Day is one of my favorites, honoring the Moms in our family, past and present. So, below is next week's recipe, a classic chocolate treat that is good for breakfast or dessert!

    Mom's don't always get the credit they deserve, but they can get breakfast in bed at least once a year! Begin Mother's Day with a famous breakfast staple of the Ozarks, chocolate gravy! This depression era recipe is rich in taste and history, and quite common in the Ozarks, so treat your Mom to some chocolate for breakfast or dessert,  either way, she will be one happy mama! 

Chocolate Gravy over Biscuits

Biscuits: homemade or canned, country style 

1 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon butter

1 1/2 cups milk

2 Tablespoons flour

3 Tablespoons unsweeten cocoa powder

Mix all dry ingredients in a large saucepan and whisk till blended then add milk slowly, mix together well, no lumps. Cook over medium heat, stirring until thick. Remove from heat, add butter and stir in until melted. Serve over hot biscuits and enjoy! 

Spring Time Sweets

             Where did April go to? Working with the weather hasn't been trust worthy for the last decade, and the thought of  losing any one season just terrifies me, but the weather patterns are changing and leaning to the extreme of things, I'm not amused! It's looking like our loss of plant life from our winter isn't as bad as I thought it would be, I also thought the ticks and snakes would be less common but both have been out for weeks now, so nothing can be taken for granted.
      I did lose some rhubarb this spring, not to Mother Nature but to the tiller and a certain husband operating it, but I still have 2 plants to look forward too. One of my favorite ways to use it is in these easy and yummy bars, so if you don't have any fresh on hand, frozen works just as well. Below is my weekly newspaper article that got cut short due to ads, but it's the recipe you really want!

     The spring starlet of the Ozarks, this trophy crop with it's ruby red stalks is a true vegetable but cooked like a fruit? This gem is rhubarb!  Misunderstood,  it's one of the first crops to be harvested, tagged a perennial, the impatient gardener will have to wait until the second season to pick, but well worth the wait. Tart alone, many pair this old favorite with other fruits to sweeten the dish, but the old timers who grew up with this staple know that no matter how you eat it, it is always the first to enjoy. You can still find rhubarb growing on old homesteads, a prize in pies and jams, it's tangy taste is addicting, weather you grow it or buy it be sure to try my favorite way to use it. 

Rhubarb Bars

3 cups fresh or frozen rhubarb, sliced

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups quick oats

1 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup butter or shortening

1/2 cup chopped walnuts ( optional)

Grease a 13x9 baking pan and set aside.  In medium saucepan, stir together the rhubarb, 1 cup sugar, and the water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 5 mins. Meanwhile in a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and the 2 tablespoons flour. Stir this mixture into the rhubarb, cook and stir for one min. Remove from heat, add vanilla. Set aside. 

Preheat oven to 375. In a medium bowl, stir together the 1 1/2 cups flour, the oats, brown sugar and baking soda. Using a pastry blender or fork, cut in shortening or butter until mixture resembles crumbs. Add nuts. Reserve 1 cup of the crumb mixture. Press remaining crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread rhubarb mixture over top and sprinkle with reserved crumb mix. Bake for 30-35 mins. or until top is golden brown. Cool and cut. t that's ok, t

Homemade Cadbury Cream Eggs

       Long before Pinterest, we cooks and bakers had more of a challenge in finding those unique recipes that made our menu's stand out, and Easter is no exception, homemade has never been so easy, thanks in part to the internet, where any recipe can be found. But, this recipe for homemade Cadbury cream eggs was given to me from a friend who made everything by hand, long before the internet! I've only made it once but because Pinterest has helped us to be more creative, it's time to add serve up something sweet on Easter that won't be forgotten. 

1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
4 drops yellow food coloring
2 drops red food coloring
1 12oz. bag milk chocolate chips
2 tsp. vegetable shortening
Combine first 4 ingredients, beat well with a electric mixer till smooth. Add powdered sugar, a little at a time and mix by hand. Mix till creamy. Remove about 1/3of the sugar mixture and place in a small bowl. Add food coloring and mix well. Cover both mixtures and chill for at least 2 hours or till firm. Roll a small marble size from the orange mix and wrap a small amount of the white filling around the orange and form the shape of eggs and place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Repeat till done and chill for 4 hours. You want them to set. Combine chocolate chips with veg. shortening in a double broiler and melt down. Mix well. Take each egg and dip into chocolate and return to cookie sheet. Repeat and chill for 2 hours. Repeat the dipping process and chill again and your done! 

Birth and Days

            April is becoming busier by the day! Stormy today with a chance of tornado's but it's also Ruger's first birthday!! Hard to believe he was that sweet little puppy, and how time has raced by! But, he's still sweet, so smart and makes us laugh every day! There is no joy greater than a happy home, and Ruger made ours happy once again!
    And it's with a happy heart that I introduce you to my newest grandchild, Olivia Grace was born yesterday, she's our 6th! Pure joy and Miss Ellie will love having a baby sister! Life is good, always so good! Happy April!

Welcome April...

           Peeps, we made it!! I'm so thankful and happy to see April finally here, it means we made it through the toughest winter on record here in Missouri! March just buzzed by, dipped back into winter mode slightly but no major winter events but now it's full charge into spring and that means gardening season is here!! But first, I want to say, winters like this one, with all it's gloom and challenges, does teach us a thing or two! For me, it's knowing I'm driving better in white out conditions and being more cautious on icy roads and knowing when I should just stay home! I feel like I've run a marathon and won!
      Today, I started April in a positive way, walking a mile and knowing my knee can handle it as long as I don't race around the track! Must lose this winter weight! My hair got a makeover as well, cut short so it can grow back better and stronger! My gardens await me now, with many changes and makeover in mind, I hope to add a kitchen garden along with many new raised beds. I lost my rosemary bed and lavender too, this winter was just too cold for too long, but they are a cheap fix! Nature has a way of reminding us that we are stronger than we believe, and even though she has the upper hand, we can tame the winds, plant flowers and grow in so many new ways! Happy spring peeps!!

Spring Hutch & Stats

           
                      I don't think I've ever been this excited for a season to arrive as I have for this spring! Such a harsh and trying winter, that is still trying to hold on in small fits, but with April just days away, I think we can surely say, spring is near. And with the new season comes a new look for my hutch, refreshing and reminds me that we made it through a record breaking cold winter!
        Ever so often, I check my stats for this blog, just to see how I measure up, and I must say, I'm not getting the comments left but the stats prove I'm getting the hits! I had almost 7000 hits in February, with my hutch ranking high on the list of most viewed, along with the recipes. Thank you all for visiting!!! Country pleasures is more than a blog, it's a way of life, finding the simple ways to enjoy life, and food. It's changed many times since the beginning, I'm growing too and that's what blogging is all about. So, even if you don't leave a comment behind, I know you were here and together, we shall share and savor! Happy spring!

It's Lemon Season....

    Pucker up! If spring had a mascot, it would be the lemon! New seasons are all about switching up the menus to savor the foods of the harvest, and lemons always come to mind this time of the year. I was gifted decades ago with a crate of backyard lemons, that after much thought, turned into lemon curd, which I turned around and  gifted back.  This tangy and tasty spread is a British tea time favorite that is not only easy to make but it keeps in the refrigerator for weeks and can also be frozen for months. Lemon curd can also be used in many desserts or as a topping. Spring is officially the start of lemon season, so don't miss out on this refreshing citrus gift! 

Lemon Curd

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter (real and cubed)

1/3 cup lemon juice ( from lemons, don't cheat here with bottled) 

2 teaspoon lemon zest

Whisk eggs, sugar and lemon juice on low heat in medium saucepan. Once well blended turn heat up to medium and while stirring for 7-10 min. make sure it's not too hot or starts to stick. If it does, reduce heat. Fold in butter until well blended again. Mix in lemon zest and take off heat. Cover and chill in refridergate for 4 hours or overnight till thick.