Happy Fall!

Ahhh, I love fall! The crisp feeling in the air, the changing colors of leaves & foliage, the comfort foods we reserve for this special time of year....breathe it all in deeply and enjoy every moment while it lasts!

We've been extra busy around here preparing for upcoming shows & events, and now even have some new special orders to fill! We are so grateful for each and every one of you who choose to continue to support our business, thus supporting our little family, and our dream!

Come see us this weekend at the Homespun Holidays Juried Craft Show on Saturday, October 10th from 9-2 at the Willard Senior Center. Email me if you need directions or more info!

Neglected

Wow, this blog has been neglected by me. Summertime has me focused on other things, I guess. Gardening, kids, 4-H, and just enjoying each moment... I'm going to post more often here, I promise.

Calico Beans Recipe

I'm often asked to bring these Calico Beans to family functions and cookouts. Today I'd like to share the recipe with you, so you and your family can make them a favorite!

This recipe freezes so well, I like to freeze them in ziploc freezer bags so they can be thawed and baked or put in the crock pot.

Since this hearty bean recipe contains so much meat, it can also be served as a main dish, perhaps with some cornbread and a salad.

Calico Beans
by June Billman,
www.RubyJunes.com

Serves at least 16...a good-sized batch!

1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground turkey ( you can use 2 pounds beef or 2 pounds turkey, whatever you prefer)
2 c chopped onion
44 oz pork 'n beans
30 oz kidney beans
30 oz butter beans
1 c ketchup
2 t prepared mustard
1 T + 1 t cider vinegar
1 1/2 c brown sugar
1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

Cook ground beef, turkey and onion until meat is cooked through and onion is tender.
Drain grease. Set aside.
Open cans of beans, draining juices from each can into a large bowl, don't add beans yet.
Add the ketchup, mustard, vinegar & brown sugar to the juice.
Using a whisk, stir juice mixture until well mixed.
Add the beans, ground meat/onion and bacon to the juice mixture.
Stir to mix well. Salt to taste, if desired.

If freezing, now is the time to put mixture into freezer bags...push out any extra air from the bag, seal, label & freeze.

To serve: Thaw. Put into a casserole dish. This recipe will fill TWO 2-quart casserole dishes. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve hot.

If desired, you can add shredded cheddar cheese to top before serving.
If your mixture seems too "juicy", feel free to skim some of the juices off after baking.
If you prefer to prepare them in the microwave after thawing, bake before freezing, being sure to cool completely before packaging for the freezer.

Enjoy!

Happy Memorial Day!

Memorial Day...a day to honor and remember...those that have fought for our freedom, loved ones no longer in our lives...a day to spend with family and friends, making memories. Enjoy this special day together!

Tattoos, Anyone?

Just yesterday my sister-in-law and I were discussing tattoos...do we have any, had we ever considered getting any, etc...

Well what do ya think of this one?!

I love it, but am certain I wouldn't be brave enough to add that to my chest! Amazing! Read more about this tattooed gal.

DC, Spring Fling, Gardening...

Oh my goodness, where has the time gone!?! We've been so busy around here that this bloggy stuff has been neglected!

My son & I went on a school trip to Washington, DC, just had a splendid time with some Farmgirl Friends at dear Dawn's Spring Fling, and we've been focusing on our gardens here...

Will be back very soon with photos to share and more details on the above--thanks for stopping by!

HOPE

Check out this video about an amazing inspiration to so many...9 Minutes of Hope on The Ellen Degeneres Show site.

An accomplished author, climber, speaker, and cancer survivor--Sean Swarner shares freely about his struggles and his journey--to provide HOPE to all.

I went to school with Sean in Willard, Ohio. I am encouraged by his story, and thought we all could enjoy some "good news" in these times!

Apron Giveaway at Not Quite June Cleaver!

I love aprons...there's just something so nostalgic about them. I wear one almost daily at home, and have collected several vintage ones, and made quite a few new ones myself! My Grace enjoys donning one of her lil aprons when she's cleaning, cooking, or playing with her toy kitchen stuff. She put on her "spotty apron" this afternoon to do her dishes and straighten up the living room. ("spotty" = multi-colored polka dots!)

Today I re-discovered a favorite blog about aprons, and all things domestic-ish...visit Not Quite June Cleaver to share in the Apron Addiction, and while you're there, enter to WIN an apron! Enjoy her GREAT list of links to other Homekeeping, Homeschooling, Cooking, Green, etc. blogs and sites!

Snow Day Soft Pretzels

Last Wednesday, the kids had another snow day. The kids and I decided to bake soft pretzels. We tried a new soft pretzel recipe, and were pleased with the results. Kneading the dough, rolling out long ropes of dough and shaping the dough into pretzels was great fun!

Bay's way of saying "I love you" to Grace and Mama.

Miss Grace stirring up the yeast mixture.

Here you can see how many shapes & sizes were created with our double batch of pretzel dough.

My favorite one...I think I like the swirly-ness of it! This was one Bay made.

A successful traditional pretzel shape, made by Grace.

Grace made an "A", for whatever reason.

Bay even fashioned a "Chevy Bow Tie" out of some of his dough.

SEE what fun baking pretzels is!

Snowy January, 2009

Snow. I think it's one of those things you either love or loathe. I think it's quite lovely to look at from inside my cozy home when I don't need to go out in it...otherwise, I'm not really fond of it!

We enjoyed this gorgeous sunrise last week as we headed out the door to school.

A glimpse into our backyard...bear in mind we've gotten lots more snow since these photos have been taken!

A basket o' snow on the deck.



School was delayed again today, due to the blowing, drifting snow. Grace's class led chapel, on the plagues in the Bible--hearing about the plagues from 3rd & 4th graders was quite entertaining! They always do such a nice job, and I am so thankful they have the opportunity to study God's Word at school.

The boys went skiing today with members of Bay's class that earned the trip for meeting their reading goals this past marking period. I admit I was anxious, praying all day no one would sustain any major injuries! They returned home tonight after 7pm, both barely able to walk from all of their frosty fun!

We enjoyed another snow day off from school this past Wednesday, photos of our fun that day and a recipe, coming tomorrow!

Happy New Year!

wow, 2009 already?! I'm praying this will be a blessed year for everyone. Hope to be blogging more regularly!