{ "version": "https://jsonfeed.org/version/1", "title": "Cooking on Marshmallow Ranch", "icon": "https://avatars.micro.blog/avatars/2026/36/1962506.jpg", "home_page_url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/", "feed_url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/feed.json", "items": [ { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/06/12/my-love-affair-with-griz.html", "title": "My Love Affair with “Griz”", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I grew up cooking in cast-iron skillets. Grandma had a few. Mom had several. I had a LOT that I picked up along the way. When my grandma died, Mom got a couple of Grandma’s skillets. Then they were handed down to me when Mom died. When my husband died, I decided to downsize greatly, and now I cannot believe I let all that beloved cast iron go! It makes me sick to this day. But they didn’t fit into the lifestyle I was creating for myself, and I couldn’t see paying for storage when I settled down again.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I lived in a thirty-foot camper by myself for most of the four years after Mr. Virgo died. I traveled all over the country writing about it on my blog, Marshmallow Ranch. When I came to my home state of West Virginia for my high school reunion, my uncle asked if I could come off the road and take care of the family farm, which I gladly did. Here I was, living in my grandma’s farmhouse on seventy-three acres, being the farmgirl I always dreamed of …without that beloved cast iron.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It wasn’t long before I started picking up a skillet here and there. I didn’t know much about the cast iron itself…just how to cook in it. That’s when I stumbled across the love of my life…Mr. FixIt, my high school buddy. We both love hunting in antique stores for great finds. I can’t remember where we were, but my sweetie showed me a nice skillet.

\n\n\n

It was a Griswold. *swoon*

\n\n\n

I started my love affair with “Griz,” a No. 8 skillet. Smooth as a baby’s butt on the inside. Seasoned to perfection. I’d never had such a beautiful piece of cast iron. The Griswold Manufacturing Company was established in 1865 in Erie, PA. They initially produced door hinges and hardware before they branched out to cast iron cookware. The mark on the bottom determines the age and, therefore, the value of Griswold cookware. The earlier pans, skillets in particular, are highly sought after by collectors. Griswold was bought out by Wagner Cast Iron in the ‘50s, and the quality was greatly reduced. I’ve never bothered checking to see when mine was made because I know by the light weight and smooth finish that it’s an older one. Besides, it’s priceless to me.

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n
\n\n\n

I had some leftover biscuits from the other night, so I made some sausage gravy yesterday morning to go over them. “Griz” didn’t let me down. I protect that seasoning like it’s Fort Knox.  There are sources all over the internet that teach you how to season a cast iron skillet, so I won’t get into that today. Protecting that seasoning is essential to maintain its non-stick properties.

\n\n\n

Here are a few tips to keep your cast iron seasoned:

\n\n\n\n\n\n

Every love needs to be nurtured and protected. That includes your treasured cast iron cookware. I know it seems like a lot of work, but consider it a meditation ritual. Be present and enjoy the process. Think about the generations to come that will be cooking with the same pans you did. Because, with care, these treasures will last for generations to come.

\n\n\n

💜

\n\n\n
\n\n

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.   Proverbs 31:10 ESV

\n\n
\n\n\n
***Gratitude Journal***   Today, I am grateful for the tools I need to cook clean and healthy meals for my family. I’m happy to serve God’s food instead of highly processed convenience foods. We are healthier and happier with this new way of living.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-06-12T04:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/06/12/my-love-affair-with-griz.html", "tags": ["The Farm","Cooking","Country Life"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/05/22/ginnys-sourdough-buttermilk-pancakes-with.html", "title": "Ginny’s Sourdough Buttermilk Pancakes with Fresh Milled Flour", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Image created through AI via Copilot

\n\n\n

I’ve been baking with fresh milled flour (FMF) for the last month or so. It’s become the latest craze on social media…like sourdough or home-brewed vanilla during the lockdown. I’ve been studying the techniques from several FMF enthusiasts and homesteaders for the last year, and finally have decided to try it myself. I revived my sourdough starter last week, and with just a couple of feedings, it’s bubbling away! I think I will invest in a grain mill for my kitchen. Now I need to decide if I want a manual stone mill or an electric model. From a self-reliance standpoint, a manual model makes sense, but they’re slower and take a lot more effort.

\n\n\n

Do any of you mill your own whole grain flour? If so, what model of mill do you use? What would you do differently if you were just starting today?

\n\n\n

Ginny’s Sourdough Buttermilk Pancakes with Fresh Milled Flour

\n\n\n

Ingredients:
1 cup fresh milled Soft White Flour
1 cup fresh milled flour blend of my choice (I used a combination of Einkorn and Kamut that was left over from baking on Tuesday)
1 cup fresh sourdough starter discard
1 cup warm buttermilk + ½ cup warm water
1 large egg
2 tbsp oil or melted butter (plus more for cooking)
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp vanilla extract (I used my 4-year-old home-brewed extract…extra special!)

\n\n\n

Instructions:

\n\n\n
    \n\n
  1. Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the sourdough starter discard, warm buttermilk-water mixture, egg, oil/melted butter, honey, and vanilla until smooth.
    2. \n\n\n
  2. Add dry ingredients: Sprinkle in the fresh milled Soft White Flour, fresh milled flour blend, and salt. Here’s where you can adjust the thickness. When you’re happy with the consistency, add the Baking Powder and Baking Soda and use a whisk to quickly blend them in. Don’t overdo it or you’ll make the batter tough. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes to allow the flour to hydrate. Don’t worry if it’s a little loose. It cooks up beautifully.
    3. \n\n\n
  3. Heat & cook: Preheat a griddle or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Grease with butter or oil. An oil spray bottle works great! Pour ¼ cup of batter per pancake and cook until bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook until golden brown. I use a large cookie scoop to get consistently round pancakes.
    4. \n\n\n
  4. Serve & enjoy: Stack high, top with fresh fruit, warm syrup, or a dollop of butter, and dig in!
    5. \n\n
\n\n\n

Tips for Perfect Pancakes:

\n\n\n\n\n\n

Yield: 18 four-inch plus 7 six-inch pancakes.

\n\n\n

ᓚᘏᗢ

\n\n\n
\n\n

And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs[a] of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” Genesis 18:6 ESV

\n\n
\n\n\n
Gratitude Journal Today, I am grateful for the many cooks who have helped me grow my skills over the course of my 70+ years.
\n\n\n

📌 Save this recipe & tag me when you make it! 💬 Let me know your favorite sourdough creations!

\n\n\n

*Note: Image created with AI via Copilot

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-05-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/05/22/ginnys-sourdough-buttermilk-pancakes-with.html", "tags": ["Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen","Fresh Milled Flour","Recipes"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/04/22/living-a-rich-life.html", "title": "Living a Rich Life", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I thought about my grandma a lot yesterday. She pops into my mind most days…usually when I’m cooking. My cousin Tammy seems to have been thinking about her as well because she sent me this precious meme with a grandma and her littles. It brought tears to my eyes.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Homemade Buttermilk Pancakes

\n\n\n

We live a rich life here on Marshmallow Ranch. We pinch our pennies and make do with what we’ve got a lot more of late. But we don’t feel deprived in the least. Even when we’re doing something as mundane as a doctor’s visit, we still make it fun. Mr. FixIt has a bad back…too many years of hard work, hard play, and abusing his body has caught up with him. We’re making progress in getting him some relief so yesterday was a very good day. This strong man never, ever complains. I really admire him.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I found the mug my own littles gave me for Mother’s Day a long time ago!

\n\n\n

We stopped at Sam’s yesterday and bought a crate of eggs…seven and a half dozen for $22 and change. That’s $10 less than a month ago…one of the bright spots in my day. We got home and I brought all the groceries in and put them away, then we just hung out together all afternoon. Mr. FixIt dozed off around 5:30 and I went in to start supper.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I didn’t feel like cooking a big meal earlier, then I thought of my grandma and how she could feed a crowd with a chicken and some fresh veggies from her garden. I took out some chicken thighs, broccoli, and corn on the cob and set to work. I wanted to make a dinner like my grandma’s so I washed four thighs, patted them dry, dipped them in buttermilk, then coated them well by dredging them in seasoned self-rising flour. Yes, self-rising flour. Baking soda gives fried foods a really crispy crust. If you don’t have self-rising, just add some baking soda to all-purpose flour and it does the same thing. Also, I let the thighs sit aside for a bit to let the coating dry a little. I fry them on medium heat in a skillet with canola oil and butter. Grandma used butter alone, but I think that tastes a little too heavy for me.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

While the chicken was frying, I cleaned the corn and heated up the water with about a tablespoon of sugar and some salt in it.. When I could see the chicken was almost done, I brought the water back up to the boil, popped the ears of corn in, turned off the heat, and immediate put a tight-fitting lid on the pan and let it sit while the rest started to come together. I steamed the broccoli, sliced and buttered the fresh bread I baked on Tuesday. Everything came out perfectly and at the same time. We had dinner together in the dining room. I like that so much better than eating in front of the TV. It forces us to chat about life and what we see out the big picture window. The dinner was perfect and I know it would pass Grandma’s inspection. Especially the bread. She LOVED homemade “yeast bread” and I would indulge her on my visits home by baked a few loaves and hot rolls.

\n\n\n

By the time I was finished, I was too tired to do the dishes. I always like my kitchen to be clean in the mornings to start the day right, but we’ve been busy and we’re not caught up yet from traveling. They’ll still be there this morning. I have to go back into town yet again this afternoon. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

My view as I head out to the camper at dusk.

\n\n\n

Isn’t it beautiful outside?!

\n\n\n

🩵🌷🩵

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.””  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬

\n\n
\n\n\n

***Gratitude Journal***   Today I am grateful that we are finding some relief for Mr. FixIt’s back pain. Chronic pain really wears on a person and I hate it when he hurts.

\n\n\n

#CountryCooking, #FarmLife, #FriedChicken

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-04-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/04/22/living-a-rich-life.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/26/egginabasket.html", "title": "Egg-in-a-Basket", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Seeing my downstairs neighbor from the apartment building in England on Monday brought back so many fond memories. The trips to town to shop at the market. The beautiful displays of all kinds of sweets at the local pastry shop. The walks down the canal to Pop’s Antique Shop located in a 400-year-old building. Such a time of youthful innocence and joy.

\n\n\n

When Hubby #1 had a night off, we went out for breakfast in Newbury. We usually ordered what we called a grill which consisted of an egg, a banger (short fat sausage), smoked streaky bacon, mushrooms, baked beans, and toast. Sometimes we met Cindy and her husband at the White Swan…a local pub down by the canal where the wild swans swim. We’d order a Cornish pasty and a pint. More often than not, Cindy and I had a Baby Cham…a light and sweet champagne-like drink.

\n\n\n

There is a dish in England called Toad-in-a-Hole. It’s traditionally made like a casserole with fat, savory sausages peeking out of a batter. I rarely go to that much trouble so I make Egg-in-a-Basket every once in a while from my homemade bread. It’s a great way to use bread when it’s still good but it’s just a little past its prime. Today I’ll make French Toast because the bread is nearing the point of being stale. 

\n\n\n

I can’t say the food in England was all that great. There were a lot of boiled dinners. We didn’t have much money so we ate a lot of things like Hamburger Helper and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. There was a BX on base where we shopped. We could find food there from the states that we were more familiar with. But there were things we bought at the open air market like meats….usually chicken and lamb. Beef was pretty hard to come by. Besides, the meat over there tasted funny to me. Probably because it was grass fed without antibiotics.

\n\n\n

The pastry shops were to die for. I was pregnant when Cindy came from the states to live with her husband downstairs. The displays of cakes and tarts were mind boggling and I wanted to try everything. That’s probably why I weighed 190 pounds and had a 5 pound baby. I always wanted to go back to England to live for a year or so. I don’t know if I’ll ever get the chance to do that again, but I have wonderful memories of the two years I lived there in ‘73 and ‘74. 

\n\n\n

Have any of you lived in a foreign country? For how long? Where was it and what was your favorite thing?

\n\n\n

💚

\n\n\n
\n\n

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”   ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n\n
\n\n\n
***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for the memories I’ve made over the years. They will sustain me in the coming years when my short term memory becomes less reliable.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/26/egginabasket.html", "tags": ["Memories","Friends","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/23/bread-baking-day.html", "title": "Bread Baking Day", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Since my sourdough has been a little unpredictable lately, I decided to make a double batch of Japanese Milk Bread. It’s the same recipe I made for the Thanksgiving hot rolls. So tender and soft! The recipe shows the loaf made in four pieces in the loaf pan. I did that the first time but didn’t see the point other than looks, so I just made it in a regular loaf shape. The recipe makes one loaf so I doubled it and it worked just fine. You can find the recipe here.

\n\n\n

As I was working up this bread, I was reminded the dough is deceiving. I waited the requisite 60-90 minutes for the first rise and it only puffed up a little. I thought I’d messed up another bread batch, but I decided to heat a small saucepan of water to a boil then put it in the bottom of the oven. That brought the rise up much better. I’ll bet I let that bread rise between 2.5 and 3.0 hours. Then I shaped it and let it rise in the pan another 1 to 1.5 hours before baking it.

\n\n\n

Bread baking is a science, but it’s also an art. After you’ve baked for a while, you get a feel for the dough. And there are so many factors that affect the rise. Temperature, humidity, quality of ingredients, and barometric pressure all make a huge difference in your results. 

\n\n\n

Other than the baking, we didn’t have much else to do yesterday. It was quite a bit cooler last night than it has been, but I toughed it out in the camper anyway. I just turned the little ceramic heater on, turned the electric blanket up a bit and I was snug as a bug in a rug. Mr. FixIt goes bowling tonight so I’ll have my little bit of weekly quiet time. Who knows? I might learn something new and share it with you this week!

\n\n\n

Hope you have a Blessed Sunday!

\n\n\n

💚

\n\n\n
\n\n

“And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”   ‭‭Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n\n
\n\n\n
***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for a safe travel day for Big as she went home for Spring Break. They’re planning a big meal today with her favorite green chili that her Mimi makes for her.
\n\n\n

#Bread, #Baking, #Family

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/23/bread-baking-day.html", "tags": ["Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/10/this-bread-is-makin-me.html", "title": "This Bread Is Makin’ Me Crazy!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Look at this beautiful dough!

\n\n\n

Y’all…I couldn’t believe how my bread turned out yesterday. Instead of that light, fluffy loaf like last week, it was the dense brick of the week before. Same recipe…in general. Week before last, I added a tablespoon of Vital Wheat Gluten. I read somewhere that it helped with the rise. Last week, I hit the ball out of the park with perfect loaves and realized afterward that I forgot the VWG. I made bread yesterday with three changes. I added the VWG, I used oil instead of butter, and I used White Lily all purpose flour instead of my usual King Arthur. I honestly think it was the extra gluten, so I’ll try eliminating that next week. I made a pan of Cinnamon Rolls yesterday and Mr. FixIt and I had a small one with a cup of tea before bed last night. They were disappointing, too. They tasted good, but just not the way I wanted them.

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n
\n\n\n

The dough was light and puffy, but the loaf was dense and didn’t rise much. Maybe I overproofed the dough?

\n\n\n

I did as much as I could with the taxes yesterday. I can’t find the receipt for the real estate taxes last year so I need to call today and get the amounts. I know I could let someone else do our taxes but, even though I complain about it every year…I actually don’t mind doing them. And I don’t want to pay someone else to do them. As long as I can keep doing it, I will.

\n\n\n

I FaceTimed with Daughter #1 yesterday. Saturday was the one year Angelversary of her half-brother’s passing. I cannot imagine what that has been like for his parents. Even though her father and I have been divorced for 46 years, I still care for him and his wife. Parents aren’t supposed to bury their children. There’s a word for losing a parent or a spouse, but there isn’t a word for a parent who has lost their child. Some use “orphaned parent” but that’s convoluted. The word vilomah is perhaps the closest I’ve found. In Sanskrit, it means “against the natural order.” Losing a child is definitely against the natural order of things.

\n\n\n

I’m heading to knitting group this morning. I’ll take cinnamon rolls with me and see if these gals can give me any feedback on what they think went wrong. The weather will steadily get warmer all week. I need to get out in the hedgerow and cut through some big wild grape vines before they choke out the tops of some trees. Outdoor work is looming!

\n\n\n

💚

\n\n\n
\n\n

“The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.”   ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬

\n\n
\n\n\n
***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful we can still take care of ourselves. We have good health, strong-ish bodies and sound minds.
\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/10/this-bread-is-makin-me.html", "tags": ["Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/03/08/memories-of-my-moms-kitchen.html", "title": "Memories of my Mom’s Kitchen", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Image created with Meta AI

\n\n\n

I’ve talked to you before about my mom’s kitchen. It had never been updated…not for want of me trying to convince her. I think Mr. FixIt has a hard time with change? That woman…as wonderful as she was…did not want anything changed, save for the occasional fresh coat of paint or maybe window curtains.

\n\n\n

When she died and I was left to fix the house up to sell, the kitchen was the first thing I tackled after the belongings were dispersed. I talked to Wanda Belle a lot in those months living in my childhood home. It was healing and cathartic and made me wish she would have let me do this for her.

\n\n\n

Mom was NOT a very good cook. I’ve told you the story of her making her hamburger gravy down by adding instant coffee, right? But there were two things she made that were out of this world…Pineapple Upside Down Cake and Potato Soup. They were legendary and she always fixed them for me when I came home to visit.

\n\n\n

I’ve tried to make my potato soup taste like hers to no avail. Maybe it tasted so wonderful because my tastebuds were young. Remember when you just just taste the green of a hot summer day? But, I’m more inclined to think the cake and the soup were so delicious because my mom made them for me. There was love in every bite. I miss that. I miss HER.

\n\n\n

There’s never an easy time to lose your mom. Mr. FixIt lost his mom when she was in her 50’s. My mom was 78, and I thought that was way too young to lose her. That’s only six years older than I am. I remember when I thought 78 was ancient. Thinking changes when you’re slipping into the last decade or two of your life. Suddenly 78 doesn’t sound so old.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt took good care of me yesterday. I sat in my Big Red Chair on a heating pad all day and he made supper…a grilled ham and cheese sandwich and a bowl of my potato soup warmed up. It was so warm and soothing. 

\n\n\n

Kinda like a hug from my mom.

\n\n\n

🩵

\n\n\n
\n\n

“but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.”   ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

\n\n
\n\n\n
***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful for warm memories of my mom…I can look at my hands and see hers more and more as I age. I’m grateful for a loving husband that takes care of me when I’m not feeling strong. I’m grateful I can walk in the kitchen and pull fresh food from the fridge and pantry to feed us, draw fresh water from the tap with a twist of the wrist, a soft place to lay my head, and a safe roof over my head. I have been rich and I have been poor. The key to a good life is being grateful no matter where you’re standing.
\n\n\n

(Image created with Meta AI)

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-03-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/03/08/memories-of-my-moms-kitchen.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/02/27/baking-day-at-marshmallow-ranch.html", "title": "Baking Day at Marshmallow Ranch", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I’m finally getting a rhythm with this baking. I’ve found a recipe that I like and can replicate if I keep myself on task and don’t get distracted by sparklies. I fed my starter on Tuesday afternoon when I got home from the farm. It had more than doubled by bedtime so I started the levain. A levain is an interim step between the feed and mixing the dough. You add starter, flour, and water. It’s really like a BIG starter. (This recipe uses a cup and a half of levain.) Then you cover it and let it set out on the counter overnight.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I used my go-to Ruth’s Soft Sourdough Sandwich Master Recipe. I can make two loaves of bread, a small pan of cinnamon rolls, and a pizza from one batch of dough. It’s nice to get so much in return for a few hours in the kitchen. It all came out great but I think I let the cinnamon rolls bake about five or ten minutes too long. They were just a little tough. You can see the glaze is a rich caramel color. I added some coffee to it and it really added a new dimension to the flavor palette.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

There was a real feel of spring yesterday. It got up to 67° and was just lovely. Walking out in that just feels like velvet on your winter-parched skin. Mr. FixIt and I worked on the center console of his truck. The latch broke and we were trying to get the pieces out. So far, we haven’t found a place to buy the replacement latch…but we’ll keep looking.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Daughter #2 came home from the hospital late yesterday afternoon. She’ll need oxygen and home nebulizer treatments for three weeks but she says she’s breathing much better now. Her wife is still pretty sick but she doesn’t have asthma so fortunately she’s not as bad. I sent them some ginger ale and Gatorade Tuesday night so they’d have it the rest of the week. #2 doesn’t have to go back to work till Saturday, so hopefully she’s feeling up to it. They’ve been very accommodating at work.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It’s back to the taxes today. Argh…not my favorite time of year. I sure hope I find those external hard drives soon!

\n\n\n

🩵

\n\n\n
\n\n

“But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

\n\n
\n\n\n
***Gratitude Journal***   
Today I am grateful that my daughter was discharged from the hospital and is on the road to recovery. Prayers answered! Continue praying for their health and for all who are suffering illnesses that are spreading.
\n\n\n

#Baking, #Sourdough, #Family, #Healing

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-02-27T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/02/27/baking-day-at-marshmallow-ranch.html", "tags": ["Family","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/02/09/he-went-tokroger.html", "title": "He Went To……Kroger!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When either one of us go to town, we can just about bet one or the other of us will stop at Sam’s. We have a large pantry and I keep it well stocked. There were times both of our families experienced food uncertainty, so I am a food hoarder. I always have been. In the past, I automatically bought two of everything when I shopped for food. Fortunately, Mr. FixIt has helped me become more frugal in our years together so I don’t feel that compulsion to over buy. Still, we have enough food to carry us through at least a few months.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt had an appointment in town last Wednesday, so he called me from Sam’s to see what we needed. We were getting low on eggs and they are…well, scarce as hen’s teeth. Sam’s carries those crates of eggs with 7.5 dozen eggs. It came it to $4.10 a dozen so I told him to go ahead and get them. Then I had to make some room for them in my fridge. 

\n\n\n

We eat a lot of eggs. Now that I am making these Sourdough English Muffins, I fix us a breakfast sandwich that put the fast food joints to shame. It tastes a lot better and I know what’s in it. We eat grits a couple of times a week with a couple of over-easy eggs on top. If we have pancakes, Mr. FixIt likes a couple of eggs on top of his. Of course I need eggs when I make French Toast. I think I’ll bake a quiche today for our supper.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt’s league is bowling at 1:00 today so everyone can be at home for the Super Bowl. I’m always excited when the Eagles make it there. Mr. Virgo loved the Eagles since he was from South Philly. Every year we were together and they would tank, he’d say, “They just break my heart…every single year.” They never won the Super Bowl till 2018…five years after Mr. Virgo died. Oh, he would have been SO excited! That’s why we have to cheer them on in his memory!

\n\n\n

I hope you find peace and joy in your day. We all need that right about now.

\n\n\n

💜

\n\n\n
\n\n

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭21‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n\n
\n\n\n
***Gratitude Journal*** 
Today I am grateful to have a pantry full of ingredients to make nutritious food for my family. I am grateful for a well stocked kitchen with the tools I need to produce good meals. I am grateful to have an appreciative spouse who loves my cooking. 
\n\n\n

#eggs, #cooking, #SuperBowl, #PhiladelphiaEagles

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-02-09T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/02/09/he-went-tokroger.html", "tags": ["Marriage","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/01/29/make-it-a-good-day.html", "title": "Make It a Good Day", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Monday was such a bummer finding Grandma’s house had been broken into. I sat with those feelings of disappointment, anger, confusion, disbelief, and violations for a while. Then, like I always do…I had a little conversation with myself. I could carry it, or I could do what I could and make it a good day. I called the Deputy Sheriff and answered all his questions then I sent all the photos I took and he said he’d look into it. I know it’s low priority and nothing may come of it, but I did all I could do and moved on.

\n\n\n

My big chore of the day was baking bread. We were down to just a few slices of sandwich bread so that was on the docket. RuthAnn Zimmerman shared “Kate’s Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread Master Recipe” from the blog “Venison for Dinner” the other day and I decided to try it. I’ve been getting mixed results with my sourdough. Sometimes it’s light and airy and sometimes it’s like a brick. I’ve had to throw too much of it away. When I made King Arthur’s Sourdough English Muffins last week, the recipe called for sourdough starter AND regular yeast. It was exactly what I was looking for in an everyday loaf…the tang of sourdough and the predictable rise of store-bought yeast.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The recipe called for whole milk, but we don’t really drink milk anymore. It said you could substitute plant-based milks or buttermilk. I had some buttermilk in the back of the fridge from baking biscuits the other day so that’s what I used. The dough was perfect, easy to work with and shape, and made a really good loaf. The flavor was wonderful and the crumb held up to spreading a shmear of butter and jelly. There is nothing like a warm piece of bread fresh from the oven!

\n\n\n

My friend Loretta gave me a jar of black raspberry jelly the other day and I could hardly wait to use it. My grandma always made what she called “black cap jelly.” It isn’t made with traditional red raspberries. And black caps aren’t blackberries either. Black raspberries are smaller, more tart, and have a thinner skin than blackberries. Loretta went berry picking last summer and didn’t have time to make the jelly so she canned the juice. Now she can pull a jar of juice from the shelf and make this elixir of the gods anytime she wants. And I was a lucky recipient of this treasure.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I remember going berry picking with Grandma when I was a little girl. I wanted to relive the experience one summer when I came back for a visit. I took my berry bucket and hiked up on the hill to the old home place. It took me a little while to get my bearings and find the berry bushes. Everything was grown up and unrecognizable but I finally found them. It was a little late in the berry-picking season and I didn’t get very many. But I did get something for my efforts…chiggers!

\n\n\n

I don’t know if you’ve ever had chiggers or not, but those little buggers are awful. They are a tiny mite that is so small you can only see them with a magnifying glass. They live in moist, grassy areas like lawns, brush, and out in the woods. To keep them at bay, you should wear long pants and socks pulled up over the bottoms of the pant legs. A long sleeved shirt is a must. The problems is, they’re active right in the peak of the summer heat and humidity and no one wants to bundle up like that when it’s hot.

\n\n\n

It took me a while to realize what was wrong when my ankles and the tops of my feet were on fire. Itchy red spots broke out around my waist and ankles. I was miserable. Calamine lotion did nothing. I used an old home remedy and painted each spot with clear nail polish. I’m not sure if it was that or just the tincture of time, but they finally got better after several weeks and I was left with dark brownish purple spots for quite a while.

\n\n\n

After our snack of bread and tea, I went out to help Mr. FixIt take out the old headlights on his truck and install the new ones my bonus son gave him for Christmas. It took a little trial and error but we got one side finished before it got too chilly. Mr. FixIt has a little trouble with the dexterity of his fingers so he’s my walking instruction manual and I’m his hands. We make a good team. I learn about things that really interest me, and he still feels useful.

\n\n\n

I have to run to town today to get the tags on my truck and get it inspected. I also need to get the oil changed and the tires rotated but I’m not sure I can get all of that done in one day. We’ll see!

\n\n\n

❄️🩵❄️

\n\n\n
\n\n

“However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭33‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n\n
\n\n\n

#baking, #mechanics, #marriage

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-01-29T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/01/29/make-it-a-good-day.html", "tags": ["Positive Energy","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/01/22/you-are-precious.html", "title": "You Are Precious!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When we find ourselves navigating rough waters, it’s easy to start feeling helpless and it’s not a long stretch to hopeless and worthless. The path behind us may have felt much lighter than the rocky road ahead and you may wonder how you will ever navigate this new world. If that’s happening to you, know God is always with you and he’ll never leave you.

\n\n\n

You aren’t alone…you are precious!

\n\n\n

When it’s difficult to find the motivation to get up off your couch and do something other than doom-scrolling or mindlessly playing games on your phone or computer or watching endless TV, just remember…dark times never last forever. Darkness, fear, and anger does not come from God. It comes from the enemy. The Bible tells us we will have trials and tribulations in this world, but fear not because Jesus has overcome the world. If you feel tired or defeated, ask God to come sit beside you and give you a pep talk.

\n\n\n

You aren’t alone…you are precious!

\n\n\n

There are so many things you can do to lift your spirits. I was feeling pretty bummed this week so I got my big mixing bowl and ingredients and mixed up the dough for a loaf of artisan sourdough and a batch of English Muffins to do an overnight ferment in the fridge. I will do some baking today. I may even make some sandwich bread, too. It has been SO cold here in WV. Monday night got down to -9 here. It only got up to 18° degrees here today.

\n\n\n

Please stay warm and safe, my friends!

\n\n\n

❄️🩵❄️

\n\n\n

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n\n\n

***Gratitude Journal***
Today I am grateful for my grandma and all those who taught me to cook at a young age. I can make just about anything to keep us fed…deliciously and economically.

\n\n\n

#cooking, #baking, #precious

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-01-22T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/01/22/you-are-precious.html", "tags": ["Faith","Baking","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/01/18/let-the-sun-shine.html", "title": "Let the Sun Shine", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

OMGosh, y’all…the sunshine was amazing yesterday! It was 43° and it felt glorious after the deep freeze we’ve been in the last two or three weeks. Today. Will be warm as well, but there’s an 85% chance of rain! The downside of that is, the polar vortex is coming in with a vengeance and will stay through the week. I really don’t mind…as long as I don’t have a lot of places to go. I’m happy to be a hobbit and bake and crochet this market bag I’ve been working on.

\n\n\n

We did have to venture to town yesterday. We had a very late breakfast at IHOP where I got a free stack of pancakes with my reward points. Way too much to eat so I brought half of them home. Then we picked up our prescriptions and headed right back. With more cold weather and snow in the forecast, and being a Friday, the store was packed wall to wall with people grabbing up milk, bread, and toilet paper like it was a precious commodity.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt napped all afternoon in his Big Red Chair then went out to fill the feeders. He was having some trouble walking on the snow when he turned his ankle a little and by evening it was pretty swollen. We’ll have to keep an eye on that. 

\n\n\n

When it was time to cook some supper, I took stock of my supplies and settled on Broccoli Cheese Soup. It’s the easiest thing in the world to make. I don’t usually keep broth in the pantry but I do have a jar each of chicken and beef soup base. I added a good tablespoon of the chicken base along with four cups of water and a heaping tablespoons of chopped dehydrated onion. I sautéed half a container of sliced white mushrooms and chopped about three cups of broccoli and added that to the pot. I added some black pepper and a couple shakes of Cajun seasoning. That always boosts the flavor of soups. I brought it to a light boil and let it simmer for five minutes. I mixed a whole can of evaporated milk and a tablespoon of Wondra Flour to make a white sauce and poured that into the soup pot. That simmered for three minutes till it was thickened. I added two cups of shredded Colby Jack cheese and stirred till it was melted then used my immersible blender to make the perfect creamy soup. I took some of the bread I made on Wednesday and toasted it for dipping. It was delightful!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It was a beautiful day and we had fun getting out and about for a little bit. Hopefully Mr. FixIt’s foot is better this morning or else we’ll have to go to town to get it looked at. Say a little prayer for him, please.

\n\n\n

❄️🩵❄️

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” ‭‭3 John‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n\n
\n\n\n

***Gratitude Journal***

\n\n\n

I am grateful we have adequate health insurance coverage as we age. There are so many who have none and they are left to fend for themselves. I’m grateful for our medical care team who take such good care of us. 🙏🏼

\n\n\n

#broccolicheesesoup, #inthekitchen, #soup, #comfortfood

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-01-18T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/01/18/let-the-sun-shine.html", "tags": ["Gratitude","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/01/08/english-muffins.html", "title": "English Muffins!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Finally! I got the English muffins to rise enough to bake. They were tangy and crunchy when toasted and tasted great with butter and jam. However, they were still pretty dense and a bit chewy on the inside. Really, the only room in our house that stays toasty warm is the family room but even with the bowl of dough sitting right next to the gas stove, it was still too cool to get a proper rise. I even tried to set the bowl on a heating pad but it kept timing out and turning itself off after 10 minutes. Sourdough is a tricky animal. Its performance is highly dependent on perfect conditions. I think I’ll try a different recipe next time.

\n\n\n

I haven’t ventured out in the snow yet. Mr. FixIt has to run to town today, but I’m staying home. I will have to give in and go sometime soon. When I was flossing last night, one of the caps on my front teeth came off. I’ll need to get in and have that cemented back on. If it isn’t one thing, it’s another, right?

\n\n\n

We watched the special ceremony at the capitol last evening when they brought President Carter’s coffin into the rotunda to lie in state. As they were firing the cannons in the 21-gun salute, I teared up. For one thing, it reminded me of the gun salute at Mr. Virgo’s funeral. I still can’t hear Taps without tears stinging my eyes. As the camera shot from the top of the Capital Dome down into the Rotunda, I was struck by the goodness of that man. He may not have been the best president we ever had, but he sure ranks up there with the most honorable.

\n\n\n

We finished off the last of the beef stew yesterday. I have a piece of fish in the freezer. I think I’ll take that out and we’ll have fish and rice and a nice salad for supper. What are you all cooking these days?

\n\n\n
\"🩵\"
\n\n\n
\n\n

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n\n
\n\n\n

#snow#sourdough#baking#homebody#hygge

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-01-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/01/08/english-muffins.html", "tags": ["Baking","Cooking","Home","Hygge"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2025/01/07/do-you-know-the-muffin.html", "title": "Do You Know the Muffin Man?", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I’ve been working with this English Muffin recipe and I almost dumped the dough yesterday for the second time. It just wasn’t rising like I wanted. So I decided to go a different route and set the dough on a heating pad. That did the trick! The dough started rising like crazy. Once it was doubled, I popped it into the fridge for an overnight cold fermentation. This gives the finished product a much more complex flavor that I prefer.

\n\n\n

While I was waiting for the bulk rise, I mixed up a batch of sourdough crackers. They were delicious and crunchy, but I sprinkled a bit too much salt on them. This is a good way to use up sourdough discard. I’ve been trying to use the cowboy method of keeping sourdough starter which goes without the discarding. But, creature of habit, I know that a regularly fed starter is going to stay healthy so I’m back to my original method. In exchange, I’m trying lots of discard recipes so nothing’s wasted.

\n\n\n

You know…French Fries did not originate in France. But English Muffins do have their origins in the UK. I wish I would have known better when I lived over there. I could have learned so many things that would have served me over the years. In the early 1800’s, the muffin man would walk around his neighborhood and sell these wonderful golden rounds with plenty of nooks and crannies to hold the butter and jam we spread on them. I think they’re best toasted so you get that little bit of crispy crunch.

\n\n\n

English muffins are different than crumpets in a few ways. Muffins are griddled on each side then they are split, either by slicing or by poking all around the sides with a fork and prying the two halves apart. I prefer the second method as the little bits of bread that sticks up add even more crunch when they’re toasted. Also, English muffins are made with yeast…either regular or sourdough.

\n\n\n

Crumpets are made with a thick batter that you pour out on the griddle. It is griddled on the one side and top cooks through from the bottom up. They are made with a different leaven like baking soda. They have nooks and crannies, too. But they’re more like a tunnel that fills up with that yummy melted butter and jam or honey.

\n\n\n

We really got clobbered with the snow. We ended up with a full ten inches! Mr. FixIt stayed on top of things by running the snowblower frequently. We haven’t had a snow like this since I’ve live here. The last time I saw a snow like this was in February 2015. My aunt and I had parted ways and I watched a friend’s house for two months. Then I moved Big TOW-Wanda to another friend’s place where I could plug in to the utilities. We had a big snow that month and I remember I pretty much stayed in bed for three days to stay warm under an electric blanket. That was quite an adventure, let me tell you. Looking back, I remember feeling so proud of myself for soldiering on when things got tough. I thank God every day for our warm and happy home here with Mr. FixIt.

\n\n\n

I also want to thank you all for your warm and loving words yesterday regarding my 25th Anniversary of sobriety. That’s something else I am proud of and I know I’d never be here if it weren’t for Jesus walking with me…and sometimes carrying me.

\n\n\n

I’m hoping I’ll get these muffins baked today then I can start on some bread. I’m so glad we don’t have to go out in this weather. It’s going to be frigid in the next few days, then another winter storm will be coming through. I’m praying you all are safe and warm today!

\n\n\n
\"🩵\"
\n\n\n
\n\n

“he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,” ‭‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n\n
\n\n\n

#snow#frigid#baking#sourdough#englishmuffins

\n\n", "date_published": "2025-01-07T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2025/01/07/do-you-know-the-muffin.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Baking","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/09/15/a-day-in-the-kitchen.html", "title": "A Day in the Kitchen", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Hey, y’all…I just thought I’d drop in and say hi! It was another really busy week with trips to town every single day. Oy! But there were some good things in there. I went to my favorite grocery store and stocked up on the things to cook from scratch instead of buying ready made stuff. I’ve gotten a bit lazy and started buying more convenience foods. Mostly out of necessity because of time constraints. Mowing and travel just took it out of us this summer. I also took the camper in to get a tire replaced. The sidewall had all kinds of bubbles on it. I just bought them in late June so they shouldn’t have done that. I was so surprised…and grateful…that the owner of the tire shop replaced BOTH tires for free! We always buy all of our tires from her so she goes out of her way to make sure her customers are happy. Nice lady!

\n\n\n

I used up the last of my almond milk this week so I made some from scratch yesterday. It was a lot of work, but I know what’s in it and there are no preservatives. It’s flavored with vanilla and real maple syrup and tastes SO much better than the store bought variety. After the almond milk was finished, I started on the yogurt. I used a good quality whole milk from grass-fed cows. I also used a good quality Greek yogurt culture. I love a rich and thick yogurt so I’m hoping this does the trick. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When you make almond milk, you have nut pulp left over and there was no way I’m going to waste that goodness. I decided to make some muffins. I used a cup of the pulp, 2 eggs, a couple of tablespoons of butter, a cup of the leftover milk from the yogurt, two teaspoons of cinnamon, the grated peel and juice of one orange, and a couple of spoonfuls of my homemade vanilla extract. I mixed all that up in one bowl. In another bowl I added two cups of organic all purpose flour, one cup of oat flour, one teaspoon of baking power, two teaspoons of baking soda, a pinch of salt, a tablespoon of chia seeds, a couple of tablespoons of ground flax seed, and a cup or more of chopped pecans. I stirred the dry ingredients to combine them then folded them into the wet ingredients. I filled my cupcake pan for a total of six large muffins and topped them with some pearl sugar that I found in Denver. I baked the muffins at 425° for fifteen minutes, but I think next time I’ll bake them at 375° for 20-25 minutes. They had a very small spot in the crown of the muffin that could have used a few minutes more but they were getting pretty dark.

\n\n\n

In the middle of all that, I made some wonderful roasted red pepper hummus. We had a nice little snack while we watched the WVU-Pitt game. Next up was CU-CSU, so both of my “homes” were represented on TV. We don’t always get to see those teams. It was a beautiful day and it felt so good to work in a well organized kitchen. I’m hoping with repetition, these things will become easier and quicker to make. Even though I enjoy it, it was a long day on my feet. I don’t know that I’m saving myself any money, but at least I know what’s in our food!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weather wherever you are. And, if your weather is less than perfect, I hope it turns around and gets better soon! Have a happy and blessed Sunday!

\n\n\n

💙

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.” James 5:7 ESV

\n\n
\n\n\n

#InTheKitchen, #Cooking, #Hummus, #Muffins, #Yogurt, #AlmondMilk, #ScratchKitchen

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-09-15T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/09/15/a-day-in-the-kitchen.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/08/10/this-is-more-like-it.html", "title": "This Is More Like It", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt had a couple of things to do in town yesterday and that gave me the whole day to myself. I didn’t do much till around noon when I decided I’d better go to the farm to mow. The grass was long but not as bad as I thought it would be. I got it mowed pretty quickly and took some time to sit on the front porch and contemplate how peaceful it was. The birds were singing. A little western blue-tailed skink wiggled out from under my chair and soaked up the sun till I moved and he went on his way in a hurry. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

This was exactly what I needed to center myself and feel anchored. I was home. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It wasn’t long before the temperature spiked and it was time to head back home. I stopped first at Happy Jim’s Trading Post. When I bought those cook books there in June, I left behind a few that I regretted picking up. I was thrilled to see they were still there, plus a more on sewing that I had to have. I mean, for $4, how could I resist? A quick stop at Piggly Wiggly to pick up a few things and I got everything put away before Mr. FixIt got home. 

\n\n\n

I was happy when he said he’d like to have hotdogs for supper. That always makes for an easy time in the kitchen and a quick cleanup after. After the news and a couple of episodes of Big Bang Theory and I was ready for a little after dinner sweet. Remember when we were in Colorado and bought “sugar biscuits” at Whole Foods? They were a whopping 400 calories…each! I knew I could make them for less. I’ve been baking biscuits in my air fryer for the last few months. I adapted them and the results were delicious!

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n
\n\n\n

I put about 3 Tablespoons of sugar in one pie plate and a few tablespoons of evaporated milk in the other one. I dipped each biscuit in the milk then the sugar and placed them in the air fryer, turned the heat to 330°, and cooked the first side for 10 minutes (I actually did 7 minutes and checked them then added 3 more.) I turned the biscuits over and cooked them for another 3 minutes. I popped a couple biscuits in each bowl, added about a cup of lightly sweetened strawberries and topped with sugar free whipped cream in the can. It came out to about 400 calories. Twice the volume for the same calories as a sugar biscuit alone from Whole Foods.

\n\n\n

My sister-friend in Florida has dubbed me MommaPie because of my baking skills. I’ll take that. I ended the day feeling energized and ready to really re-enter everyday life again. That’s always a “thing” I have to go through every…single…time!

\n\n\n

🩵

\n\n\n
\n\n
\n\n

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

\n\n
\n\n
\n\n\n

#TheFarm, #StrawberryShortcake, #ReEntry

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-08-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/08/10/this-is-more-like-it.html", "tags": ["The Farm","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/06/18/the-art-of-keeping-cool.html", "title": "The Art of Keeping Cool", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I rarely ever take a nap anymore. I used to when the kids were little. And during Covid. Escapism at it’s finest. But the older I get, the more napping steals away my normal-such-as-it-is sleep cycle. The hot weather makes it more difficult to get a good night’s sleep and it caught up with me. 

\n\n\n

I was working on my laptop in the Big Red Chair. Mr. FixIt was sawing logs over there in his chair and I was nodding off. So I went in the bedroom to just stretch out for a minute and an hour-and-a-half later, I hear Mr. FixIt tiptoe down to hallway trying not to wake me. It was about time to fix supper anyway, so I got up and browsed the fridge for leftovers.

\n\n\n

There was the smoked pulled pork, of course. Another sandwich was in order. There was a homegrown cucumber and half a Vidalia onion. I sliced them both into a bowl and sprinkled salt, pepper, sugar, a tablespoon or so of cider vinegar and filled the rest of the bowl with water and set it aside.

\n\n\n

There were four ears of corn so I cleaned them. There was a a small container of leftover creamed tomato gravy. I heated everything up. Once the water was boiling, I dropped the corn in, turned off the heat and covered the pot. I set the timer for five minutes. Then I sliced the strawberries, sprinkled a little artificial sweetener on them and set them out at room temperature to soften and get juicy. When the timer went off, I threw everything together and we had a wonderful WV summer supper!

\n\n\n

After the news, I whipped up the berry cheesecake ice cream to a dipping consistency in the Ninja Creami and served it over the strawberries with a healthy dollop of sugar free whipped topping. Cooking on the stovetop didn’t raise the house temperature appreciably and the dishes were finished in a jiffy.

\n\n\n

Man, was it hot yesterday and it’s going to be more of the same over the next few days. By the time I was ready to get in the pool, there was thunder threatening, so I gave up on the idea. We had to get up really early this morning to take the truck in for service, so I called it an early night. I hope you are keeping cool. I’m going to have to mow both here and at The Farm sometime later this week and I don’t think there’s any one day better than the next. I think I’ll go out and stay overnight so I can mow early before it gets too hot. 

\n\n\n

I was happy to find out Daughter #1 finally got home from her trip to NJ for a family graduation. They had mechanical difficulties so they put her up in the airport hotel for the night. At least she got some sleep, but if you have kids, you know how it is. They’re never too old to worry over. This is exactly why I don’t fly anymore. I used to love it, but the idea of eating stuck and having to stand in lines and people getting unruly on the plane and dicey maintenance…I’m happy to drive and see the sights and sleep in my own little bed as we go cross-country.

\n\n\n

☀️

\n\n\n
\n\n

“As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.”

\nLuke 21:30 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-06-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/06/18/the-art-of-keeping-cool.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/06/14/seventyone-birthdays.html", "title": "Seventy-One Birthdays", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Remember when seventy-one seemed ancient??? I remember my great-grandfather dancing a soft shoe across the back porch of grandma’s house when I was little little girl. He was my age then…still raising cattle, frequenting auctions, and tearin’ up jack on the backroads in his Chevy. But he seemed older than Methuselah. I think we are younger old people now. In general, our health is better and we’ve remained active with intellectual curiosity. We didn’t have to work as hard as our elders and it shows.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I love this picture. Grandma grabbed me and the camera in one arm and the cake in the other and ran out the front door to get a picture of me with my first birthday cake. The house didn’t have running water then. No indoor bathroom…just an outhouse on the other side of a rickety bridge that ran across the “crick.” Uncle Buddy yelled, “Bring that cake back here!” Grandma  paid him no mind…she was on a mission.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I look back now over my birthdays and I can’t really remember many of them. Mom gave me a surprise birthday party when I was thirteen. When I turned seventeen, my first boyfriend sent me roses. When I turned twenty-one, I was very pregnant and had my first child four weeks later. When I turned thirty, I was working hard putting my husband through medical school. When I turned forty, I had a child in college and a three year old. When I turned fifty, I was left on my own…trying to find my way after a tough split. When I turned sixty, I was a new widow. When I turned seventy….ahhhhh, when I turned seventy I was finally coming into my own! Happy, healthy, active…living in my home state and married to my best friend.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Yesterday was a perfectly wonderful birthday. People called and sent texts all day long. I put the pork butts in the smoker around 11:00. They should have gone in hours before that and since they didn’t, they were still in the smoker when I was writing this at 9:00 last night. That’s ok…we still had a nice meal and the pork will wait in he fridge till tonight. We did cut into my little birthday cake and I fixed some ice cream with my new Ninja Creami. After dinner, we went out and soaked in the pool. It was really hot yesterday and that pool felt great.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

So, as my bestie Gail called it, National Ginny Day is over for another year. I want to thank you all for your wonderful birthday greetings. You all are the gift that keeps on giving and I am so grateful for your presence in my life!

\n\n\n

🩵

\n\n\n
\n\n

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

\nNumbers 6:24-26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-06-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/06/14/seventyone-birthdays.html", "tags": ["Aging","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/05/11/a-lazy-day.html", "title": "A Lazy Day", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Supper…yummmmm!

\n\n\n

Honestly…we didn’t do mucha nuthin’ yesterday. We slept in, had our breakfast, and sat firmly rooted in our Big Red Chairs all day. Along about 4:00, Mr. FixIt said he was getting a little hungry so I made lamb chops with rice and asparagus. I sautéed mushrooms and Vidalia onions in butter and removed them from the pan. I seared four lamb chops seasoned with Tabitha Brown’s Sunshine Spice Mix with a little extra garlic then deglazed the pan with a splash of Fre…red de-alcoholized wine. I drizzled a little buckwheat honey and fresh orange juice over the chops and set them aside to rest for a few minutes. Then I tossed the mushrooms and onions back in the pan with a pat of butter and served that over steamed white rice. I also steamed some fresh asparagus with lemon and butter in the microwave. The whole meal was finished in thirty minutes and was as good as any you’d find in a restaurant for less than a quarter of the cost. Mr. FixIt gave his hearty approval and you know it feels great to please your man’s tummy!

\n\n\n

We read on the internet that the Northern lights might be visible if we happened to get a clear sky late last night so we made plans to drive out to the Calhoun County Park. It’s about fifty minutes from us, but it is a designated “Dark Sky” area and we figured we might get a better view from there. I have seen the Aurora Borealis twice before in my life. The first was when I was a little girl…maybe about five or six. We were staying out at The Farm over the weekend. My dad came in and woke me up to tell me he had something special to show me. He carried me outside in my jammies and pointed up to the sky. There above us were green and pinkish yellow bands of light dancing across the sky. It is one of the few good memories I have of my dad doing something nice with me.

\n\n\n

The second time I saw the lights was about midnight sometime in the mid-00’s. Mr. Virgo was still living and he always went to bed really early so I stayed up…probably to play a game on my iPad or work on my genealogy. I was calling it a night and went to the door to check the lock when I caught a glimpse of something in the sky over the Flattops Wilderness Area. It was unmistakably the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. I thought of waking him up, but he had to get up at 3:00 and had a long day ahead of him so I just watched by myself. It didn’t last very long and they just faded away. I’ll let you know tomorrow if Mr. FixIt and I catch sight of them.

\n\n\n

Other than that, it was a pretty low key day. I learned another one of my mom’s cousins passed away last week. She was 95 years old…the oldest of her branch of the family and the longest lived. I spoke to my cousin Tommy’s widow. It’s been several years since Tommy passed away and she has found love again. She never would have dreamed it would happen. They are such a good match and I’m so happy for her. It was much cooler here yesterday with rain off and on. And, today I am meeting the Former Mrs. FixIt and our daughter at the library for a needlework class. Fun weekend ahead with Mother’s Day!

\n\n\n

🩵

\n\n\n
\n\n

“And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.”

\nGenesis 1:14-19 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-05-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/05/11/a-lazy-day.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/02/18/one-more-try.html", "title": "One More Try", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When I woke up yesterday morning, the sun was shining brightly and every twig on every tree was frosted with snow. We didn’t get a lot…the sidewalks and roads were bare. It stayed chilly all day and when I sat down to write this, it was 22º. It didn’t get much over freezing during the day. I really enjoyed having coffee with you yesterday morning! I think we should do that more often, don’t you?

\n\n\n

I made a nice breakfast…grits and eggs, my favorite! When we were finished and the dishes were done and put away, I sat at my little table in the family room and prepared to work on that cussed blanket. I’ve been trying for over a week and I know i told you yesterday that I was done, but….

\n\n\n

I am not one to give up easily. 

\n\n\n

I knew if I put my mind to it, I could figure out this planet pattern. It’s simple really…you just have to knit 14 rows of each color. The trick is being extra careful to set your counter the same way every time you change color so you have the exact same number of rows in every square. I sat down yesterday after breakfast and set my mind to my work and kept distractions to a minimum and before I knew it, the first strip was finished perfectly. If I don’t overwhelm myself and do one strip a day, I could have the blanket knitted in about two weeks. Much faster than doing it by hand, but still time consuming. When it’s done, it will look like Buffalo Plaid and I’ll use it for a throw when camping.

\n\n\n

I had a video chat with a dear friend of mine who was honored to sit with President Biden yesterday for a meeting. She said it was a surreal experience and a memory she will cherish forever. In Mr. Virgo’s line of work, he had the pleasure of meeting many presidents, dignitaries, royalty, and celebrities of every stripe and he was always humbled by it. 

\n\n\n

I’ve met or seen several celebrities in my time…Harry Belafonte, Gene Shalit, Marilyn McCoo, Danny DeVito, George Hamilton, Beverly D’Angelo, Kurt Russell, John Denver…just to name-drop a few. When you live near Aspen, your chances of running into celebrities creases exponentially. We were always careful to give them a wide berth. They weren’t zoo animals…they were people trying to live their lives as uninterrupted as possible. But I will say this…it was lovely to share space with them…even if for just a moment.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt and I watched a couple of episodes of Bull then I had a video chat with my brother. He got a hair and beard trim yesterday afternoon and he looked really sharp. We are both thrilled we can see each other via the Echo 8. I wish I would have gotten him one a long time ago, but I was afraid he wouldn’t be able to use it and it would just frustrate him. They have made these devices more adaptable for people with disabilities and it’s made it much easier for him to use.

\n\n\n

I fixed my famous lamb chops with sautéed mushrooms for supper last night along with seasoned air fryer potatoes and steamed broccoli. I’ve got this recipe down now and can whip together a restaurant quality meal in 30 minutes or so. You know what they say…the quickest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. 

\n\n\n

🩵

\n\n\n
\n\n

”There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.“

\nHebrews 4:9-11 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-02-18T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/02/18/one-more-try.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","Happiness"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/02/07/the-recipe-box.html", "title": "The Recipe Box", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When I was a young bride, I bought a green plastic box that held 3x5 cards. I diligently collected recipes from family and friends. I clipped recipes from magazines and glued them to cards from time to time. Recipe cards often arrived in the mail, or attached to newspaper inserts or products in the supermarket. Along the way, I learned from repetition what recipes worked and what didn’t. When I became more adept at cooking, I rarely looked at a recipe. Nowadays, we have this magic little device we keep in our pockets that will give you ANY recipe for ANY dish ever made. I don’t have any idea where that little box ended up. But, I love the memories I conjure up as a newlywed learning her way.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt had a procedure yesterday which has him enjoying his Big Red Chair a bit more than usual. There were a couple of errands we needed to attend to before we headed home. I’m always thinking fifteen steps ahead so I decided to make tuna noodle casserole for supper. That’s because I sat in the waiting room working on a teddy bear I knitted and thought of that little green box and tried to remember what my favorite inexpensive go-to casserole was.

\n\n\n

I think my first cooking class was a summer camp at the Vienna Community Building. I specifically remember making Green Bean Casserole…something I have NEVER liked. Tuna Noodle isn’t a very big stretch from there. I made it in many iterations, including one with turkey after the holidays. We affectionately called it “Turkey Tetrawhatzit.” As I picked up a few things at the grocery, I threw a bag of frozen peas in the cart and headed back out to the truck.

\n\n\n

When we got home, I got Mr. FixIt settled in his chair and started supper. I was absolutely certain I had tuna in the pantry but I did not. I did have salmon, and if I could make Tuna Casserole with turkey, I could make it with salmon in a can. Add in the noodles, a can of evaporated milk and a cup of chicken broth, a cup of frozen peas, a can of salmon (drained), a little onion and garlic, salt and pepper. Mixed together and placed in a greased 8x10 casserole dish, topped with buttered breadcrumbs and grated cheese. Baked for 30 minutes in a 350° oven and…voila…

\n\n\n

Salmon Tetrawhatzit!!!

\n\n\n

SO good! Comfort food that brings up warm memories is a perfect way to end a day of loving on your hubby. And, the fact that there are leftovers for today?

\n\n\n

Priceless!

\n\n\n

🩵

\n\n\n
\n\n

”Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.“

\nPhilippians 2:3-4 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-02-07T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/02/07/the-recipe-box.html", "tags": ["Memories","Marriage","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/31/the-art-of-customer-satisfaction.html", "title": "The Art of Customer Satisfaction", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Ya’ll, I’ve got a great story to tell you today. When the Ninja brand of smoothie blenders came on the market, I kinda thought the brand seems sketchy. Like Ronco or some fly-by-night “As Seen on TV” company. You know…QVC or HSN caliber. Not that there’s anything inherently wrong with that, but the brand screamed cheap plastic junk from China. I bought one of the blenders and was pleasantly surprised by the quality. Then, in 2015, they launched their first coffeemaker. As it turned out, we needed a new coffeemaker at the time. Again, it was really good quality.

\n\n\n

Since then, I bought one of their air fryers and a food processor…all good quality. About three years ago, a friend of Mr. FixIt’s called at Christmas to say he’d been working part time at Kohl’s and he could get us their friends and family discount on anything they carried. Our pots and pans were on their last legs, so I hinted to Mr. FixIt that a new set of pots and pans would be an awesome Christmas present. And they were under the tree come Christmas morning.

\n\n\n

They were awesome. I especially liked the ten year warranty. Being non-stick, I was afraid the coating would come off quickly but I was pleasantly surprised when month after month, the pans continued to be rock solid. A couple of months ago, I notice a small bubble in the coating on one of the saucepans. I checked the other one more closely and sure enough, it also had a couple small bubbles. A few weeks later, I could tell the coating was beginning to slough off, so I called customer service at Ninja Kitchen.

\n\n\n

I spoke to a helpful gentleman who actually put me on a video chat and had me show him the bottom of the pans and agreed that was covered under the warranty and he would send me the 2.5 quart and the 1.5 quart saucepans. In less than two weeks, I received a box from Ninja, but it was the 3.5 quart saucepan…bigger than the one I used most often. Then yesterday, I received a 5 quart sauté pan which is a skillet with straight sides. Both wonderful pans, but not the saucepans I needed replaced.

\n\n\n

I made another call to Ninja customer service and explained that I had received two pans, but they weren’t the one’s I needed and could she help me. She pulled up my warranty claim and saw the original request then she searched her computer for the 2.5 and 1.5 quart saucepans. She found the 2.5 but the 1.5 could take 4-6 weeks before they could get one to me. I told her that was fin…I understood they are a big company and I was willing to wait. 

\n\n\n

I was shocked when she said, “No, you need your cooking pans and since we cannot get the 1.5 quart to you in a timely fashion, and the two pans you received were wrong, I’m just going to send you a whole new set!” Hokey smokes! That’s a $300 set, plus the sauté pan at $130 and the 5 quart saucepan which is probably around $90. Now THAT’S good customer service!!!

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt said I’m going to have a boat load of pots and pans. He’s right! I may need new kitchen cabinets! Nah…not really. I just need to get rid of several old pans that I don’t use. That’s for another day. I just wanted to tell you all what a great job Ninja did for us. In a world where so many people do nothing but complain, I wanted to tell you about a big company that takes customer service seriously. And that’s good news!

\n\n\n

🍳

\n\n\n
\n\n

”The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.“

\nPsalm 23:1 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-31T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/31/the-art-of-customer-satisfaction.html", "tags": ["Positive Energy","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/19/the-big-red-chair.html", "title": "The Big Red Chair", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I swore I would NEVER eat in front of the TV again after Mr. Virgo died. Actually, I swore I’d never have TV again and I didn’t for several years. Every night he would put a thick bath towel on the coffee table in front of us and we would have to sit and watch whatever it was he wanted to watch. I hated it. I didn’t care for TV and I certainly wasn’t crazy about some of the TV shows he watched, but he was my husband and you can’t always get your own way in a marriage. There were some shows he watched that I enjoyed, like The West Wing and Law & Order. But overall, I don’t care for a lot of television.

\n\n\n

That being said, I married another TV watcher. He does hold off on the shows he knows I won’t watch and saves them for times I’m busy doing something else. But most of the time we sit in our Big Red Chairs and watch the news or whatever show we’re interested in. Again, I don’t get to make all the choices in this marriage either. And really, we’re of an age where things just aren’t such a big deal, right?

\n\n\n

When I got up yesterday morning, I realized I was going to run out of one of my meds and of course, I called it in and it was out of refills. They were predicting a big snow storm for last night into today and I wanted to get that prescription so I didn’t run out. So, guess what we did yesterday afternoon? That’s right…another trip to town. On the way in, I suggested Ham & Potato Soup for supper, which was the perfect dish for a cold night.

\n\n\n

I grew up with Potato Soup. My mom made the BEST ever. I’ve never been really good at it and I don’t think I’ve ever made it for Mr. FixIt, so it was time to try. We bought a small bag of red potatoes and some celery at the store. I sautéed a chopped onion and one chopped up celery heart in some EVO. Then I washed the potatoes and cut them up in cubes and added them to the pot. Salt, pepper, garlic powder, and celery seed along with about three tablespoons of butter. Then I added one box of chicken broth, covered the pot and let it simmer for about 40 minutes. As soon as the potatoes were tender, I added about a cup or so of cubed ham, half a cup of heavy cream, and enough milk to make the desired consistency. Just before serving, I took a potato masher and mashed up just enough of the potatoes to make a nice creamy soup. 

\n\n\n

You know how certain smells and tastes can transport you across a lifetime? Well, I was sitting in my Big Red Chair eating my soup, but my heart was with my sweet mama at the little Formica table in our sparse kitchen on 55th Street. In my mind, I was just a little girl, at home, sick from school with a cold, in my flannel granny gown as my mom took care of me. I can still feel her soft, cool hand on my fevered brow. In four days it will be twenty years since my mama died. Two decades. I always know how long it’s been because Big was born just six weeks after her great-grandmother died. 

\n\n\n

We’ve all had losses in our lives, but losing our moms is one of the hardest things to deal with. If we had a wonderful and loving relationship, we grieve that loss profoundly. If we had less than a stellar relationship, we mourn the fact that there’s no more chances to get it right. I wish I would have been a better daughter to my mom. I comfort myself in knowing she is in Heaven and I’ll see her again and all will be forgiven. Isn’t that glorious?

\n\n\n

After supper, I went to my studio and knitted up another pair of mittens so I could do the handwork in the Big Red Chair while we waited for the snow storm. And watched a little TV. 

\n\n\n

*sigh*

\n\n\n

❄️🩵❄️

\n\n\n
\n\n

”You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.“

\nPsalm 74:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-19T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/19/the-big-red-chair.html", "tags": ["Crafts","Cooking","Hygge"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/17/snow-day-in-west-virginia.html", "title": "Snow Day in West Virginia", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

We awoke to about three inches of fluffy powdery snow yesterday morning. Schools were closed and traffic was light so all was still in this fresh winter scene. It was about 14° and the window was over. I slept like a baby. Poor Mr. FixIt comes in every morning and shivers as he makes his way to the window to shut it. Then he sits on the side of the bed and we have a lovely little visit. He’s a real sport about it, too. 

\n\n\n

Sometimes, I wake up before him. I get the kettle on, make my coffee and have a little time to myself to read my devotional before he’s up and about. Such was the case yesterday. I had a package waiting for me at the Post Office so I asked if he thought the roads would be clear later in the afternoon. He reminded me our county road crew is really good at keeping the roads clear, so I headed out in the snow. 

\n\n\n

The hardest part about that drive can be getting out of the driveway, but I just shifted the truck into 4WD and didn’t have a bit of trouble. And, like Mr. FixIt said, the roads were clear. I ran to the Post Office, got my package and stopped in the Pig to get some ground beef for a pot of chili. It was sure a chili kind of day!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I set up my new machine and started working on it. The last time we had Knitting Group, one of the gals had just gotten the same unit and she was having trouble getting it to work. It had a tendency to split the yarn. When I sat down to work on mine, it did the same thing, but I remembered what the gals did last week to make the knitting machine work so I followed suit.

\n\n\n

It has a tendency to split the yarn on the first two to three roads, but if you use a loom pick to lift that stitch to its correct position it starts working eventually. I decided to use scrap yarn for the first 10 rows or so and that really helped. I managed to make a couple little preemie or doll hats. They were so, so little and sweet. I started working on a baby blanket, too. I want to make some things I can take to the birthing center at our local hospital. Hats and blankets are most appreciated because there are babies that go without much in the way of a layette waiting for them.

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n
\n\n\n

I spent some time in the afternoon watching TV with Mr. FixIt and crocheting on the market bag. I made a big pot of chili and let it simmer on the stove all afternoon. It was so yummy! I love chili on a snowy day. We are getting the deep freeze that’s been plaguing the Midwest this week and as I was writing this last night it was 14° with a wind chill of 7°. Still, not as bad as a lot of the country, but cold enough. 

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt has to go to town today, but I’ll stay here and get some things done. I hope you all are faring well in this deep freeze! Be safe!

\n\n\n

❄️🩵❄️

\n\n\n
\n\n

”She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.“

\nProverbs 31:21 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-17T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/17/snow-day-in-west-virginia.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Crafts","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/15/a-chilly-country-morning.html", "title": "A Chilly Country Morning", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt loves light covers and a very warm room. I like more covers and a very cold room. I cannot sleep when it’s too hot and he can’t sleep if it’s too cold. So, most of the time, we sleep in separate rooms these days… me with the window open and he in his happy little sauna. We’ve actually found we are much happier together when we BOTH get a good night’s sleep. 

\n\n\n

I never thought I’d be “one of those couples” who sleep in separate rooms. Those were Mr. Virgo’s words when I suggested I try to get some sleep in the spare room when his snoring kept me from getting any sleep. “We aren’t going to be one of those couples who sleep in separate rooms.” I swallowed my feelings and stayed in the same bed every night till he died. I was constantly sleep deprived.

\n\n\n

Now I know how to set healthy boundaries and if we aren’t getting adequate sleep, we sleep separately and make up for cuddle time in other ways. Everyone is different, every marriage is different, and it’s really ok to set boundaries for yourself…in a marriage especially. And you shouldn’t feel guilty for doing something that’s healthy for you at this age in particular. You cannot pour from an empty cup and if you are not resting, your cup is far from full.

\n\n\n

The wind blew like crazy Saturday night. I finally figured out how to keep the door from rattling with the wind currents by wedging a sock in it when I closed it. I was toasty warm, but the top of my head was cold. Along about 6:30 in the morning, I heard Mr. FixIt up doing something. It turned out, his room was getting hotter because the cold air was going under my door and tripping the thermostat. Since his door was closed, his room kept getting hotter and hotter. I got up and closed my window and suggested he keep his door open to let the heat out into the hall. Voila! Problem solved!

\n\n\n

I always gauge what to make for breakfast by Mr. FixIt’s sugar. If it’s higher, he gets proteins and very little carbs. But if it’s normal like it has been, anything is fair game. I always give him a couple choices and he wanted poached eggs and toast. I talked him into poached eggs on grits…one of my all time favorite country breakfasts. Grits count as a green food on Noom so I can eat them every day if I want to. It’s a stick-to-your-ribs comfort food that keeps you filled up for hours and it’s SO yummy!

\n\n\n

I worked on the Class Page most of the day yesterday. FB has changed the way you handle and edit files in a group. You can no longer create a document on the page itself or edit it like I’ve always done. So I finally figured out if I create a master file in PDF form and leave it on my desk top I can edit it there and upload it to the page and remove the outdated version. I know…it sounds complicated and like a lot of work. It is, sort of. But I wanted to do this for the class, so I’m satisfied with it.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt was called in to substitute on the bowling team last night, so I was left home to enjoy the Big Red Chair and watch/listen to the fireplace video on YouTube. I’m making progress on the market bag I’m crocheting. I go to knitting group this morning. Unfortunately, my new 22-needle knitting machine is sitting inside the post office and it’s closed today for Martin Luther King Day. I’ll have to wait till tomorrow to get it. Bummer!

\n\n\n

I hope you had a good weekend and that you are staying warm this week. It’s going to be a cold one so be careful if you must go out!

\n\n\n

❄️

\n\n\n
\n\n

”From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and cold from the scattering winds. By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast.“

\nJob 37:9-10 ESV\n
\n\n\n

#Cold, #Knitting, #ComfortFood

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-15T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/15/a-chilly-country-morning.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Crafts","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/10/rain-rain-rain.html", "title": "Rain, Rain, Rain!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I kept waking up during the night to the sound of rain on the tarp covering the air conditioner outside the bedroom window. I thought we might wake up to some snow, but it continued to rain all day. Those prayers I asked for last night helped. My brother was in the ER Monday night with flu symptoms and I was so worried about him. All of the tests they did on him were normal so they sent him back home. I did get a chance to speak with him for a few minutes when he was getting ready for bed. I was relieved to hear his voice, even though he sounded exhausted. 

\n\n\n

I contacted someone I’ve known for decades and asked if she could help my brother with some adapted electronics so we can FaceTime each other. Her daughter was injured in a skiing accident when she was five years old. Alice has dedicated her life to helping disabled people with technology to improve their lives. I’m looking forward to being able to visit with him more often. I think it will help both of us. With the weather as it is, and money being tight, I can’t get to Colorado to see him for a little while.

\n\n\n

I spent the day crocheting a mesh market bag. We were keeping tabs on someone special who had surgery yesterday and were so relieved to hear she came through the surgery ok. That is the other person I asked for you to pray for. So thank you all so much for those prayers. They were most appreciated.

\n\n\n

I put a pork roast in the oven mid afternoon and cooked it whole instead of cutting it up in chunks. I realized it would cook differently and when I was ready to serve supper, it wasn’t nearly done. We ended up having some leftovers and we’ll try again today. We’re supposed to get a lot more rain and some wind today so I’m blessed with another day to stay home and work on some projects. We actually saw some sunshine yesterday! What a treat!!!

\n\n\n

❄️

\n\n\n
\n\n

”A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.“

\nProverbs 17:22 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-10T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/10/rain-rain-rain.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Prayer","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/07/january-th.html", "title": "January 6th", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Knitting in front of the “fire”!

\n\n\n

A monumental day in my life and the lives of all of us. My re-birth day was marred three years ago when the Capitol was stormed and of course, with it being an election year…we’re going to revisit it from every angle. For me personally, I was left traumatized by the events of that day. To my parent’s generation, it was Pearl Harbor. To mine, it was JFK’s assassination. And now…well, what ISN’T traumatizing these days? School shootings, train derailments, natural disasters, grown a$$ adults acting like idiots on network television. I just want it to stop. I want my great grandchildren to grow up in a world where these things aren’t normalized. And I want to stop feeling traumatized every time I watch the evening news. I think I’m going to have to go back to avoiding it again and get my news online from trusted sources. Not sticking my head in the sand. Just opting for sanity and keeping my environment as peaceful as I can. This isn’t a political rant…just a statement of desire. Peace.

\n\n\n

Yesterday was a lovely, peaceful day. We both slept in later than usual. We’ve discovered sleeping in separate rooms gives us both a better night’s sleep and keeps our marriage calm and joyful. I fixed a nice breakfast and went to my studio to make the hat and scarf to take to Mrs. FixIt 1.0 today. I think this one will fit her better. Our second great grandson is turning FOUR years old this week. He is the sweetest little guy…a real Papaw’s boy. 

\n\n\n

I puttered around a little with the things I brought home from the farm yesterday. I did a little research on a senior portrait I found mixed in with her papers. I posted it on the county genealogy page for the county where they graduated and got a hit. A gentleman posted that he forwarded it to the lady’s niece and she’ll be contacting me to retrieve the photo.

\n\n\n

I called about the table I really wanted, and…even though it wasn’t a bad price, I decided to wait before I jump on it. I want to see if anyone I know might have one they want to part with first.

\n\n\n

I’ve pulled out some more yarn to make another “Tote of Many Colors!” When I get a few things made ahead, I’ll have some of my handmade things for sale here soon. I would LOVE knowing things I made with my own hands are gracing your lives! 

\n\n\n

I made the Chicken Parmesan yesterday for supper and that dish just does not disappoint! SO yummy!

\n\n\n

If the weather permits, we’ll head into town today for the little guy’s birthday party. If not, we’ll just hang out here at the house. Either way, life is so good. I’m sure glad I stuck around for the “fourth act”!

\n\n\n

❄️

\n\n\n
\n\n

”Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.“

\n2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-07T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/07/january-th.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Peace","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/05/the-tote-is-done.html", "title": "The Tote is Done", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I finished the tote Wednesday night and got to use it for the first time yesterday. Mr. FixIt wanted a new pair of shoes for his birthday so I told him we should head to town, go to the mall, then our to dinner at Mary B’s. I had a few things I needed to get at Sam’s…one of which was a large bottle of vodka to make more home brewed vanilla. I was afraid we would drop the bottle carrying it into the house, so I stuck it in the new tote I crocheted and it worked great. Very sturdy and I felt like, even if we dropped it, the tote is so thick and soft, it would have cushioned the blow. So, crochet for the win! I love the idea of “using it up”…in this case, about six skeins of yarn that I wasn’t going to use for anything else.

\n\n\n

I’m now going to keep my eyes open for yarn in garage sales and on FB Marketplace. I did have to buy two skeins of yarn yesterday to make a gift for someone special…the former Mrs. FixIt. I made a hat for her for Christmas, but the yarn I used didn’t have a lot of stretch so the hat was too tight. Now I’ll make one with this soft and stretchy yarn that will fit her. And, I’ll throw in a scarf to match. 

\n\n\n

While we were at dinner, I told Mr. FixIt that I would like to have a couple of days at The Farm. It’s been quite a while since I’ve been out there and I miss it. But now we have a winter storm heading our way this weekend, and I don’t want to get stuck out there. The bigger problem would be losing power. So, I’ll have to wait a while for my sabbatical. 

\n\n\n

I’m going to do a little cooking today. I have some bananas that are just pleading to be made into banana bread. I want to make some small loaves to freeze. Then I can deliver them to folks who may be shut in for one reason or another. I have chicken breasts defrosted to make Chicken Alfredo for supper. And, I have a pork roast to cut up in quarters. I’ll cook a quarter of it tomorrow and freeze the other three quarters for our make up Christmas dinner. 

\n\n\n

I think I’ll pull out some more yarn and start on another basket/tote. And start on the new hat and scarf. One of the gals who came to knitting group on Monday said, “You’re a really busy person, aren’t you?” Ohhhhhh, she has no idea. 

\n\n\n

☺️

\n\n\n
\n\n

”Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,“

\nColossians 3:23 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-05T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/05/the-tote-is-done.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Crafts","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2024/01/03/using-it-up-cooking.html", "title": "Using it Up: Cooking", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I sat in the Big Red Chair for a few hours yesterday and worked on the basket/tote that I’m crocheting using scrap yarn. It’s coming along and looks so pretty. I love the colors and feel good that I’m ever so slowly reducing my stash. We watch some shows on TV and Mr. FixIt snoozed a little in his big comfy chair. Along about 3:00, I asked him what he’d like to have for supper. 

\n\n\n

We both thought about it a while. In the past, I might have suggested he run over to town and get some hamburger and I’d come up with something. Instead, “Use it Up!” Went through my mind. I had a couple of pie crusts out to make an apple pie for our family Christmas, but with so many of them not coming due to covid, it was still in the fridge. I went through the ingredients I had on hand and one recipe came to mind…Quiche!

\n\n\n

I love when a plan comes together and tastes yummy to boot. With things I already had on hand, I baked a beautiful Broccoli and Bacon Quiche in about an hour.

\n\n\n
BROCCOLI & BACON QUICHE  \n\nPreheat oven to 375°.\nPar-bake a readymade pie crust for about 10-15 minutes.\n\nTurn the oven down to 350°.\n\nBeat four large eggs. Add 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream. You can use Half & Half instead of the heavy cream. Add 1/4th tsp each of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Herbes de Provence (a blend of savory, marjoram, rosemary, thyme, and oregano.) Add 1/4 cup softened cream cheese and beat with an electric mixer till smooth and combined. \n\nWhen the crust is par-baked, sprinkle some grated mozzarella, crumbled bacon, and chopped broccoli in the bottom. Then pour the egg mixture over the top. Sprinkle with a little paprika and place in the oven on the middle rack. Bake for 50-60 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for ten minutes then cut and serve.
\n\n\n

It was delicious, but it was a little too rich. When I make it next time, I’m leaving out the cream cheese and just using milk instead of adding the cream. If you try it, leave us a picture and tell us what you think!

\n\n\n

I’m having some of our knitting group over this morning for some fun and fellowship. We usually meet on Mondays and since Christmas and New Year’s Day were on Monday this year, I thought we might gather here. I hope you have a wonderful day, dear ones!

\n\n\n

🩵

\n\n\n
\n\n

”Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”“

\nActs 27:34 ESV\n
\n\n\n

#Cooking, #Quiche, #UseItUp

\n\n", "date_published": "2024-01-03T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2024/01/03/using-it-up-cooking.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/24/i-love-my-life.html", "title": "I Love My Life!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I finally made a hat for me!

\n\n\n

Ten years ago when I faced my first Christmas without Mr. Virgo, I could never imagine a life without him let alone one with all this joy in it. I cooked a nice breakfast of grits, eggs and turkey sausage. When the dishes were done, I headed to the studio to play. I made four hats and sorted through some antique hand-pieced quilt blocks I picked up this summer. I absolutely love these blocks. They’re shabby and aged with the occasional stain on them. I can’t decide what to make with them…whether I want to make a small quilt, or divide them up and make several wall hangings. I thought of making table runners, but for now I’ve bundled them in packets of nine blocks to keep them safe and in the back of my mind.

\n\n\n

I brought the hats upstairs to do the finishing work and ended up doing a little holiday baking. I made two full sheet pans of Rolo Pretzel Cookies and a batch of fast Two-Ingredient Fudge. You can find my fudge recipe here. Well, three ingredients…I added walnuts! I made a big pot of White Chicken Chili. OMGosh! It’s been years and years since I made that and it was SO yummy! With the tender chicken, chunks of onions, carrots, white beans and fire-roasted corn in a thick rich broth, it was comfort food without a ton of calories. I trimmed the calories down by eliminating the tortilla chips, cheese, and avocado and adding carrots as an extra veggie. You can find the White Chicken Chili recipe I used here.

\n\n\n

I enjoyed several phone calls with family far and wide. We watched football while I did the handwork on the hats. It was a beautiful, relaxing day. I’m so grateful I have spaces in the house to work that are away from the heat of the family room. Mr. FixIt keeps it pretty warm in there and for some reason, it about made me sick. So, I just retreated to my own comfort zone. I usually sleep in the spare bedroom because of our different heat preferences. I keep a board over the heat register and open the window…even when it’s in the twenties outside. Poor Mr. FixIt comes in of a morning and shivers, bless his heart. I’ve never slept better in my life so I think we’ve found a happy medium. Life is too short to be miserable or to take offense. We have plenty enough fun to make up for the time spent in separate corners of the house.

\n\n\n

I think I’ll play in the kitchen some more today. Not sure what’s on the menu yet! Cookies? Another pan of fudge? Those sugared nuts I’ve been talking about? Who knows? Maybe I’ll do a Facebook Live! That would be fun to get to visit you at Christmas.

\n\n\n

And here it is…Christmas Eve. I have such a clear memory of my brother and I kneeling on the floor of the living room…looking out the picture window…hoping against hope that we’d catch a glimpse of snowflakes for Christmas Eve. We had just moved to the new house. It was a mansion compared to the ratty old houses mom and dad had rented. Christmas was always slim pickin’s at our house, but that year we felt like Richie the Rich Kid!

\n\n\n

Fond memories. I’ve known a few people whose entire childhood was filled with perfect holidays with the perfect family. That wasn’t us. But now…as an adult…I choose to focus on the GOOD times. Too many people go through life blaming their problems on their upbringing. I know…I was one of them for far too many years. You can’t rewrite history, but you CAN change the narrative!

\n\n\n

May this years’ story be the best one yet!

\n\n\n

🎄

\n\n\n
\n\n

”In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.“

\nLuke 2:1-5 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-24T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/24/i-love-my-life.html", "tags": ["Holiday","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/20/canning-in-december.html", "title": "Canning in December", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The last three days, I had a big pot of beef bones simmering in a big canner. I browned the bones in a 400° oven till they were a rich, golden brown. Then I put them in the canner, covered them with water and simmered on the back burner for twenty-four hours. Then I added onions, celery, and garlic and let it simmer for another full twenty-four hours. Yesterday was the day to put up the broth. At first I thought I’d strain the broth from the vegetables and bones, but it all looked and smelled so yummy, I decided to purée everything together and can it in pint jars. I ended up with seven pints of very concentrated bone broth that’s going to be a great vegetable soup base this winter! I canned them in the pressure canner at 10 pounds pressure for 25 minutes and them let them cool on their own. I know you can take those bones and keep cooking them over and over till every bit of nutrition is out of them and they crumble into nothing. But I got to thinking about how much gas I used to cook that and decided that was enough. We’ll see if it tastes amazing before I decide to do that again.

\n\n\n

I spent the rest of the day making things. I finished a hat and scarf and another Christmas stocking. And I crocheted some more scrubbies. It was a really lovely day with my sweetheart. We watched some more college football and Christmas shows. There was a skiff of snow on when I woke up and I was really happy to stay in.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt has to go to town today. I need a few things, so I think I’ll send him with a list and stay home to work on more things that I can offer in my shop. I’m looking forward to getting back into selling some things I make with my own two hands. After all, that is the root of my humble beginnings here at Marshmallow Ranch.

\n\n\n

I found out yet another of our classmates that attended the Christmas Dinner on the 8th has come down with Covid. That’s either nine or ten out of twenty-nine. And, if I were a betting woman, I’d swear I’m coming down with something, but so far the test is negative. We’ll see what it says this morning. I’m praying I don’t get it, but if I do, I am terribly grateful for the vaccines and how much they have protected us. They gave us time to develop a herd immunity  as the virus morphed into a less violent and deadly version of itself. I’m grateful for the knowledgeable scientists and doctors that worked for decades to find a delivery system for vaccines that would carry the information directly to the cells. This same mRNA technology is going to be used in ways we can’t imagine yet. I’m excited to see where the science takes us. 

\n\n\n

I hope you’re having a good week and you’re healthy and doing well!

\n\n\n

🎄

\n\n\n
\n\n

”The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.“

\nPsalm 41:3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-20T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/20/canning-in-december.html", "tags": ["Health","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/12/a-day-on-the-town.html", "title": "A Day on the Town", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Doing a little shopping…for little bananas? Have you ever eaten one of these? What’s the point?

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt and I are together all the time. We love to be together and enjoy the same things for the most part. And, every once in awhile, I need a day that I can take just for me. I do that at The Farm whenever I can, but I seldom get a day to myself in town. Our trips to town usually entail one or both of us having an appointment or shopping. I had an appointment yesterday for my eyes and Mr. FixIt had the roofers at the house, so I went alone after knitting group. 

\n\n\n

I got up too late to have breakfast before knitting so I stopped at my favorite diner…Mary B’s. Pancakes, eggs, and sausage. Knowing how and when and what to eat is easier when you’re writing everything down and keeping track, but it gets tougher when I get in the driver’s seat.  I’m getting down to the end of the Noom course and I made an executive decision to renew for another six months. Winter is my nemesis when it comes to eating and I want to be sure I can get through without regaining the weight I’ve lost.

\n\n\n

I didn’t wander around town as much as I thought I would. I did go to Michael’s to check out their sales and picked up a few things. Throw in a quick stop at the store and to pick up Chinese food for supper and I was home well before dark. The roofers are winding up their job and it looks great! This roof ought to last us the rest of our lives. Isn’t that a sobering thought? I remember the first time we put a roof on a house back in 1990. We had our whole lives ahead of us. And now…two husbands later, we’re putting (hopefully) the last one. 

\n\n\n

I knew we were going to get old someday. I just thought it would take longer to get here. Not that I’m OLD, mind you. Age is just a number and I hear 70 is the new 50. It breaks my heart to see my contemporaries getting sick and dying. All the more reason to not wait to visit people. Call your friends when they come to mind. Add it to your calendar to check in. We don’t know when we’ll run out of chances.

\n\n\n

I’ll get to stay home the rest of the week and I’m knee deep in holiday gift making. I may even start on some of the baking and candy making. Have you all started making things or am I really late to the party? I’ve been looking at toffee and pralines recipes. Doesn’t that sound yummy? What’s your favorite treat to make for the holidays?

\n\n\n

🎄

\n\n\n
\n\n

”A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.“

\nProverbs 17:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-12T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/12/a-day-on-the-town.html", "tags": ["Fun","Holiday","Baking","Memories","Crafts","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/12/07/popcorn-pancakes-and-the-perfectly.html", "title": "Popcorn Pancakes and the Perfectly Prepared Pan", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I’ve seasoned a couple dozen iron skillets in my day and I’ve never quite gotten it right… till now. It started with that griddle Mr. FixIt bought at a junk shop in Colorado. I read about all kinds of methods. Stove top, outdoor grill, oven. Water, never water. Lard, avocado oil, vegetable oil, grape seed oil. Metal spatulas, NEVER touch with metal. Low and slow heat, turn up your oven to the highest setting. It was all so confusing. So, this time I kind of chose a little of this and a little of that and did it intuitively.

\n\n\n

I cleaned the skillet well, with salt and grape seed oil and a paper towel. I wiped out all the salt and oil and let it sit overnight. The next day. I put a very small amount of grape seed oil in the skillet (about a teaspoon) and wiped the the entire skillet, inside and out. I turned the oven up as high as it would go which on my stove is 550°F. I placed a sheet of foil on the bottom rack of the oven and when the oven came to temperature, I put the skillet upside down on the upper rack, shut the door, and set the time bake to one hour. That cuts the heat off and I can go about my day. When the pan was cooled, I repeated the process. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I was concerned about that mottling, but it didn’t stick so I’m good.

\n\n\n

The real test to see if a skillet is seasoned is to use it. I mixed up a batch of Long Table’s Popcorn Pancakes, heated up the skillet on medium heat, and cooked the pancakes two at a time till the batter was used up. I didn’t put oil or butter in the skillet at all. The pancake batter has enough butter in it to keep the pancakes from sticking and man…that skillet was as non-stick as any commercial nonstick skillet. I was amazed. I asked my dear friend, Kate…the Campground Gourmet and she said I’d seasoned it enough if it wasn’t sticking at all. I trust her with ALL things cast iron!

\n\n\n

We had a lovely day yesterday. I did the shopping at Sam’s while Mr. FixIt had his appointment. Then I had my annual mammogram. At the risk of a little TMI…losing thirty-three pounds made a HUGE difference in the comfort level. Compression wasn’t nearly as painful as it normally is. Ladies…please don’t put off preventive health care. We need to take care of ourselves or we can’t take care of anyone else.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

A nice early supper at our favorite diner and we were home before dark. The roofer comes today. AND….drumroll, please….today is the LAST day of open enrollment for Medicare so let’s hear it for reduced spam calls, emails, texts, and annoying 45 minute commercials that yammer on and on and on! Whew. Now…if the 2024 election was over, I’d be a really happy camper!

\n\n\n

📞

\n\n\n
\n\n

”An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.“

\n2 Timothy 2:5 ESV\n
\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

Simply Joy…make it a mocha in this minimalist mug!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-12-07T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/12/07/popcorn-pancakes-and-the-perfectly.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/11/24/a-bountiful-turkey.html", "title": "A Bountiful Turkey", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

For a little ten pounder, this turkey sure gave us a lot of meals. The two of us didn’t eat very much of it. I got a good-sized container of meat for sandwiches and maybe a casserole. Then I cooked down the carcass and got two quarts of wonderful, rich broth. I also got two containers of broth with meat and veggies for soup. And a quart of meat to make turkey salad. That’s a lot of potential meals from a ten pound turkey.

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n
\n\n\n

As I was preparing to spatchcock the turkey, I got out the camera and tripod to take a video to demonstrate the process. I went through the whole thing, stopping and starting the camera. It was going great! Then I sat down in the afternoon to edit the video and… all I had was snapshots. I didn’t have the camera on video at all! So, you get photos today instead of a cooking video.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I had quite the fright on Tuesday evening. I’d been having trouble with my iPad for a few days. First it was crashing regularly. Then it said the memory was full. I started taking stuff off of it and it still said it was full. I disconnected it from the cloud and that removed 36,000+ photos and it STILL said it was full. When it crashed again, I knew there had to be some sort of bug involved. I figured the only thing I could do was erase the iPad and bring it back to factory settings. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

All went well. I downloaded the apps I needed to write my posts. Then, when I went to schedule yesterday’s post… I couldn’t get into Facebook. I couldn’t access any of my writing. I lost all my copies of the part that I post on Facebook. I could feel anxiety creeping in but I managed to create the post on my phone and decided to have a good sleep and work on it in the morning. I often sleep on a problem because the next morning, it seems the answer is right in front of me. I took Facebook off the iPad and re-installed it. And sure enough, it works perfectly! 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I remember when my mom died in 2004 and I spend six months in West Virginia renovating the house for sale. There was no earthly way I should know how to do half the things I did, but I had books on electrical, plumbing, and all manner of fixit things. When I lay down at night, I read a little about what I needed to do the next day but it didn’t always make sense to me. I didn’t know what the tools were called or what the procedures were called. Then, when I woke up, I just KNEW. It was uncanny.

\n\n\n

I am finally at a place where I can just knit and work on Christmas stuff. There are still so many things around the house that needs done, but I can get to that after the holidays. Now that I have so much of my list completed, I can just enjoy December. What a treat!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. Did you try a new menu or do something different? How did it turn out. Share a recipe or links so we can try it, too. Maybe we’ll have Virtual Cookie Exchange sometime before Christmas!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n\n

“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.”

\nEcclesiastes 5:18-20 NIV\n
\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

Dear Santa…I can explain!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-11-24T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/11/24/a-bountiful-turkey.html", "tags": ["Holiday","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/11/22/holiday-preparations.html", "title": "Holiday Preparations", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Breakfast here at Marshmallow Ranch is determined by Mr. FixIt’s blood sugar. When it’s low, he gets a nice, breakfast and yesterday we had French toast. I made a cooking video of the preparation, but my iPad is running critically low on memory. I need to do some housecleaning in there and get some room back before I can edit and post it.

\n\n\n

I had the afternoon to myself as Mr. FixIt went to town and I waited for the furnace dude. As I started decorating, I took some videos of my special ornaments I’ve toted around with me for decades. Again…no room on the iPad to edit, so they’ll have to wait, too. I didn’t put as many things out this year. I wouldn’t say I went minimalist, but I definitely went for a curated look. Mr. FixIt was really happy with it all when he got home.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The heat exchanger was riddled with holes! It’s no wonder it didn’t work…and it’s a miracle we weren’t overcome by carbon monoxide!

\n\n\n

The furnace man came at 1:38 and was done at 3:10. He showed me the old heat exchanger and it was riddled with holes. When he was finished, I was happy to discover there was no more rank smell coming from the exhaust outside. I’m guessing our gas and electric bill will improve with the new efficient heat exchanger and every penny saved is a blessing.

\n\n\n

Noom gave me a day off yesterday so I didn’t have to record my food. I am nearing the end of the course and they are preparing me for living my life without their daily support. I’ve been down this particular path many times before. I’ve lost the same fifty pounds so many times, I’ve lost count. But, this time feels different. This time was more personal. I’ve been on weight loss programs before, but they were auditory based. I’m definitely a visual learner so reading the lessons every day, especially in the way Noom presents them, has had what I feel is a lasting, lifelong effect on me. This is the first time I’ve really felt confident his is a lifestyle change and not just a fad diet and I’m really excited by that. Again, if you decide you would like to try the app, you can use this link and get two free weeks and 20% off. And, I’ll be happy to help you in any way I can.   https://noom.com/r/JthjXSfaA 

\n\n\n

After Mr. FixIt got home, he helped me put all the boxes for the Christmas decorations back down in the basement so the living room is clean again. I seasoned the cast iron griddle for the second time and took a video of the process. I only need to season it one more time. I love how it came out, so I’m thinking of repeating the same process with my two favorite cast iron skillets and my griddle. They are getting tacky from the kind of oil I used and I’d like them to feel exactly like this new-to-me griddle feels.

\n\n\n

I was supposed to join my brother on Skype this week for his semi-annual IP meeting, but it’s been rescheduled for next week due to the holiday. I’ll spend some time in the kitchen today. Mr. FixIt will do the Turkey Trot on Thursday morning with our son’s family. I am more than likely going to stay home and start the turkey so we can have our own little Thanksgiving Dinner in the afternoon. Then the family gathering will happen on Sunday.

\n\n\n

If you are traveling this week, do be careful. There are supposed to be storms in the east and we want you all to be safe. My prayers for travel mercies go with you all. And if you’re staying home like I am, I hope you enjoy your day and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy by  living in a free country!

\n\n\n

🍁🦃🍁

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,”

\nPsalm 50:14 ESV\n
\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

“Let’s Stay Home”… a different configuration of yesterday’s sweatshirt. I love the hygge vibe!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-11-22T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/11/22/holiday-preparations.html", "tags": ["Holiday","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/11/21/intuition-overtime.html", "title": "Intuition Overtime", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

My Noom lesson yesterday started delving into intuition vs. instinct and how we can train our minds and bodies to become more in tuned. If you are unsure the differences between the words, don’t feel bad. I’m a “wordie” and I wasn’t entirely sure of the absolute meaning either. Intuition is based on past experiences and is often expressed as a gut feeling. You just “know.” Instinct is a reaction… screaming at the sight of a mouse or jumping when someone scares you for example. 

\n\n\n

In my experience, there are many levels of intuition. I feel intuition is often times the Holy Spirit whispering a warning to be careful, or an affirmation that you’re going to be ok. I got both yesterday. I was heading out to help Mr. FixIt with something yesterday and got the nudge.

\n\n\n

“You’re going to fall.”

\n\n\n

That was alarming. But just as quickly I got “But, don’t worry…you aren’t going to get hurt. Sure enough, I stepped on a railroad tie and didn’t get my foot quite on it solid and down I went! It was the kind of fall we called a “garage sale” during my skiing days. It means stuff was flying everywhere…namely my arms and legs. And, just as the warning said, I didn’t get hurt. A little sore from moving in ways I’m unused to perhaps, but not hurt. I sure keep my Guardian Angel busy!

\n\n\n

I had a nice time at knitting yesterday. There were three of us then a fourth came by to visit for awhile before she headed out of town for the holiday. One gal was working on a blanket with some incredibly thick yarn and knitting needles the size of broomsticks. The other gal was knitting a doll. I finished another hat for a christmas present. When I got home, I started another one. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

A Star with a History

\n\n\n

When I stuck my head out the door to call Mr. FixIt in for supper, he pointed with pride at his newest decoration… a lighted star hanging from our pergola. This star is an important piece of history in the town we grew up in. Some of my earliest memories surrounding Christmas was shopping downtown with my mom. Market Street was always decorated every year with either stars, trees, candles, or lanterns stretched across each intersection. These decorations were rotated around and ultimately phased out when they were no longer usable. Mr. FixIt’s dad owned the old Palace Theater in East End and somehow he managed to get one of the stars. It’s been in Mr. FixIt’s big building out back for years and I just found it recently. I asked him if he would hang it at Christmas and… there it is, in all its glory! After this holiday season, I’m going to see if I can get it to look like it did when it hung over the streets of Parkersburg.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

In another little bit of good news, the part for the furnace is finally in and the furnace dude is coming today to put it in! Timely, as the temps are taking a nosedive in the coming days. 

\n\n\n

I’m looking forward to the rest of the week…spending time in the kitchen, decorating the tree, gathering with the family, watching football, and knitting. This is what I worked so hard all summer for!

\n\n\n

🍁🦃🍁

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”

\nPsalm 107:1 ESV\n
\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

Looking forward to cozy nights in? So am I!!! Snuggle up in this soft and cuddly sweatshirt. Tis the season for hygge comfort.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-11-21T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/11/21/intuition-overtime.html", "tags": ["Holiday","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/11/15/a-late-late-post.html", "title": "A Late, Late Post", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I’m usually finished with my post by 10:30PM at the latest. Last night I didn’t even start till quarter to twelve! There isn’t an ounce of creativity left in me, I’m afraid. Mr. FixIt was gone all afternoon so I tore through the house like a mad woman. And STILL didn’t get that living room done. I made progress. But I kept getting distracted by sparkly things and just couldn’t help myself. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I made supper with that Cabbage Roll Casserole I shared with y’all a while back. It’s so quick and easy and really yummy. I worked all evening on a t-shirt design that came to me while I was cleaning. I kept thinking of the words of Christmas and started visualizing them in my head. Then I arranged them and voila! I came up with the CUTEST Christmas shirt and I’m sharing it before I head to bed. 

\n\n\n

I also wanted to share something I found the other day at the Kroger Store. I think I told you about it the other day, but if you haven’t ever seen it, you should try to find it. Pear’s Soap. It’s actually made in India and I used to buy it when I lived in England. That and Yardley and Crabtree & Evelyn. Pear’s soap is a translucent amber color and I love the smell it has some sort of fragrant herbs in it. If you ever find it, you should give it a try. It’s very gentle on the skin.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I’ve also started using a new lotion to try to stay ahead of my inevitable “winter skin.” It isn’t greasy and I love how it makes my skin feel. I put it on at night so it has a chance to soak in while I sleep. My dermatologist recommended it so it’s got to be good, right?

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

So, that’s all I’ve got today. I tried my hand at recording a cooking video but I’m going to have to do some serious editing! lol Do you all find you don’t like your voice on tape? I never have, even though others say nice things about it. So, maybe I’ll get brave one of these days and do one. I promise I’ll get an earlier start tomorrow.

\n\n\n

Wednesday and the week’s have over!

\n\n\n

🍁

\n\n\n
\n\n

“In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”

\nProverbs 14:23 ESV\n
\n\n\n

#Work, #WinterPrep, #Organizing

\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

Christmas Words! This design came to me yesterday while I was cleaning and it took me a long time to get the design just right. I love it!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-11-15T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/11/15/a-late-late-post.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/11/07/self-indulgence-or-self-care.html", "title": "Self Indulgence or Self Care?", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Sometimes you just have to do it. It isn’t selfish to do something just for you. It’s healthy, and something I wish I would have learned a lot earlier in my life. I joined the craft group at one of the local churches yesterday morning. And by morning I mean 9:00AM. Ok, it was 10:00AM to my body, but still… I don’t usually get moving around much before that and I’ll never schedule an early morning appointment in town if I can help it. I spent all my life either getting up at the crack of dawn for work or for kids. I don’t do it if I don’t have to.

\n\n\n

There were only three of us there, plus a woman who is part of the lay ministry there. She’s thinking of getting back into crocheting. I originally met one of the gals in the Post Office this summer just before we left on the big Colorado trip. We got to talking about crafts and I asked if there was a group that meets. She said yes and invited me to join them. I told her I had to wait till the summer travel season was over but then I definitely would come!

\n\n\n

One was working on a crochet project. And the other was using a round loom to make slippers. I worked on the afterthought heel on that pair of socks I started at the beach in April! I did NOT get much knitting done this year. Between the king sized quilt, the wedding, camping, mowing…well, you get it. I’ve been busy. So yesterday was a much needed break to chat with other women.

\n\n\n

It’s fun getting to fellowship with other women, especially those who live in our community. I’ve lived here for six years and I’m only just beginning to recognize people at the grocery store. I love hearing their stories and watching their projects. It’s also a great way to learn about the little town we live in. There are so few opportunities to do this. I’m still going to check into doing something at the senior center. 

\n\n\n

It’s not that I’m lacking in things to do. When I got home from knitting, I tackled the pile of documents that I set aside to be dealt with this week. We have to go to town today for Mr. FixIt’s follow-up appointment for covid. I have a list of things that I need to do… get the oil changed and tires rotated, get the truck inspected and the new tags, and get the transmission flushed. These are all things that get put off till mowing season is over. And thank goodness it is!

\n\n\n

Are you having trouble with the time change? I was sitting in the family room yesterday along about 5:00. I looked at my husband and asked, “Is it time for bed yet???” He just laughed, but he agreed it felt a LOT later than it was. That’s also because I woke up at 4:30 yesterday morning and couldn’t get back to sleep. I hate that. I go through periods where I sleep like the dead, then there are others where I toll and turn all night. Maybe it’s the moon!

\n\n\n

I think I’ll hit the family room hard when we get back from town and get that camping gear downstairs. (No, it didn’t go anywhere…I was taking care of a sick hubby.) If I get a good portion of that done, I might be able to go to the farm for a couple of days and work on the fast internet.

\n\n\n

When it was time for supper, I asked my sweetheart what he wanted. He’s never really sure, but since he’s had Covid, his appetite comes and goes. He wasn’t on top of his game yesterday, so I told him I had some chicken and I could make Chicken Parmesan if thought that sounded good. He perked right up and said YES. It was SO easy. I pounded a huge chicken breast with a tenderizing tool. I dipped it flour then beaten egg, then Italian style Panko break crumbs, back into the egg, and finished with panko. I sautéed it in an iron skillet till the breading was getting crispy. I topped it with just enough Italian Sausage Spaghetti Sauce to cover it. You don’t want to cook tomato sauce in an iron skillet. The acid works on the cast iron and gives an awful metallic taste. I covered it lightly with a sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil and popped it into a preheated 350° oven for about 25-30 minutes. I cooked some spaghetti al dente, topped it with half the chicken on each plate and sprinkled parmesan over it. OMGosh! It was as good or better than any restaurant. Mr. FixIt did everything but lick the plate clean so I think it passed his approval. It’s definitely good for company!

\n\n\n

So, that was my Monday. A good start to a good week!

\n\n\n

🍁

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Give us this day our daily bread,”

\nMatthew 6:11 ESV\n
\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

Ho Ho Ho! Cute little Santa to brighten your tree!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now and Support my Small Business…please and thank you!!!

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-11-07T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/11/07/self-indulgence-or-self-care.html", "tags": ["Fun","Crafts","Friends","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/11/02/a-day-at-the-keyboard.html", "title": "A Day at the Keyboard", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

With the first day of NaNoWriMo under my belt, I came out with 11,550 edited and proofed words. That doesn’t mean that’s the final draft… it’s just the beginning of my working draft. But it’s a good beginning! It took me over an hour to just FIND the manuscript. It’s been so long since I’ve worked on it that I couldn’t even remember the working title I was using. I finally found a copy as an attachment to an email. I tried every which way to open it and nothing worked. I broke for a second cup of RYZE and remembered… I wrote all that on my iPad. When I searched it, there it was. 

\n\n\n

I’ve decided to move it all to my laptop. For no other reason than it is new and more reliable. It’s painful to write thousands of words and then lose them in the ether. I learned that the hard way a long time ago. “Save early. Save often.” My mantra. I saved the iPad file into a Word document and emailed it to myself. Voila! 

\n\n\n

I haven’t worked on my book since probably 2018. Fortunately, the last time I worked on it, I did some heavy editing but I hadn’t accepted the additions or the deletions. I spent the rest of the day working on that and some formatting issues. I think spending time away from the work is critical. It allowed me to read it from a fresh perspective and I am happy with today’s results.

\n\n\n

I need to take breaks away from the screen throughout the day. I have dry eye so I need to use eye drops several times a day. It’s really easy for me to get swept up in what I’m writing and forget to do that. If I don’t, I pay for it with blurry vision and twitchy eyes. Unfortunately, I didn’t do a great job with that task yesterday so I must do better today.

\n\n\n

I tried something new yesterday. I seldom succumb to the lure of a flashy Facebook ad because I was burned by a couple of things I tried a few years ago. I’m much more discerning these days. I’ve been very happy with Noom, the weight loss app, and RYZE, the mushroom coffee and I hooked up with them through Facebook. So I was intrigued when I recently saw an ad for Popcorn Pancakes. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I LOVE PANCAKES! But most pancake mixes lack flavor and they’re sorely lacking in nutritional value. All hat… no cattle, so to speak.

\n\n\n

The creators of Long Table Pancakes were featured on Shark Tank. This guy knows what he’s doing. The whole thing started when he wanted to impress a certain beautiful acrobat. She needed some pretty nutrient-dense food to fuel her long and grueling workouts. Entrepreneur Samuel McClure Taylor to the rescue. Samuel was a former actor. He wanted to make a light pancake that was nutrient-dense for the woman he was smitten over. Most whole-grain pancakes are dense and heavy. He wanted that lighter-than-air pancake that was bursting with great flavor AND wholesome nutrients.

\n\n\n

Hence… this pancake mix was developed through much trial and error. The wheat we eat today is what I call “Frankenfood”. It’s been genetically engineered to produce fast crops with high yields for less investment. Samuel went to the farmers who grow heirloom grains. These are the grains our great great great great grandparents ate and the seeds have been passed from generation to generation. Samuel tried popping popcorn from heirloom kernels and grinding it into “flour”. With the addition of other heirloom grains like organic wheat flour, organic oat bran flour, and almond meal… these showstoppers had the folks on Shark Tank swooning. It does have some cane sugar, but real quality cane sugar has such a pure sweetness, it doesn’t take much to delight your tastebuds. 

\n\n\n

I can tell you from personal experience…I have NEVER tasted a pancake like this! It was truly flavorful. I mean packed-with-a-punch flavor that made me want to take tiny little bites to make breakfast last a while. Long Table Pancake Mix is only available in a handful of boutique stores. But they have a booming business online. As with all things that are really good for you, it’s a little pricey, but for a special breakfast treat… I think it can’t be beat!

\n\n\n

With all that, Samuel didn’t get an offer from The Sharks, but that didn’t stop him. His company continues to contribute to sustainable agriculture practices by teaming up with actual farmers developing nutritious products that will not only. Change your breakfast experience… it will change the world. One pancake at a time. If you are interested, I’d encourage you to give Long Table’s pancake and waffle mixes, as well as artisanal maple syrups a try. Support entrepreneurs and small businesses this Holiday Season. Long Table Heirloom Pancake & Waffle Mix

\n\n\n

🍁

\n\n\n
\n\n

“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

\n‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭ESV\n
\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

Who doesn’t love pancakes? Get this comfy shirt for those frosty mornings when nothing but a piping hot stack of flapjacks dripping with butter and real maple syrup will do. More pancakes, please!!!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now

\n\n\n

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-11-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/11/02/a-day-at-the-keyboard.html", "tags": ["Writing","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/29/a-speedy-saturday.html", "title": "A Speedy Saturday", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

You know, for not doin’ much a nuthin’, the day sure got away from me. I basically piddled doing one thing or another without accomplishing a lot. I did move the black walnuts over to the garden. The hulls need to rot off and if I leave them in the buckets, they’ll just mold. Grandma used to take them to the basement and spread them out on old newspapers to dry. But to be honest, I don’t have the square footage available here to do that…in the basement or in the building. I spread them out in a single layer and shut all the gates. I can see the garden from the bedroom so if something gets into them, I should hear/see the nut snatchers. I don’t think a bear would scale the tall fence for walnuts when there are plenty down by the creek. The deer can’t get in with the gates closed. So, if anything gets into them, it’s got to be something small.

\n\n\n

I worked on the computer a lot yesterday…designing some Christmas ornaments for the shop. In the middle of the day, I decided to bake Mr. FixIt a Pineapple Upside Down Cake. It’s his favorite and I’m trying to get some calories in him to build up his strength. He’s feeling better every day. He’s still congested, but he hasn’t had a fever for a couple of days now. I’ll run another Covid test on him tomorrow, but I think the worst is past us. I’ll test myself again tomorrow, as well. God was watching out for him, I’m telling you that.

\n\n\n

Along in the afternoon, I moved the dresser away from the wall in the bedroom and vacuumed the cool air intake vent. I did the same in the hallway and guest bedroom. I don’t think there is a blockage on the supply side of the furnace. And, there doesn’t seem to be any blockage from the blower into the rooms. Personally, I think our son might be onto something. He thinks maybe bees got down into the exhaust from the furnace burners and it’s tripping a safety switch. Either that, or the motherboard is faulty. We have to figure this out pretty soon. The temps are taking a nosedive in the coming days and it’s going to get pretty nippy in here!

\n\n\n

Isn’t it sad about Matthew Perry who played Chandler on Friends? He passed away from an accidental drowning in his hot tub. He has struggled with the disease of addiction for many years and I know from personal experience how terrible that is to live with. I was blessed…my miracle came instantaneously after I overdosed. I never had a desire to drink or abuse prescription drugs after that. Others aren’t so lucky. They fight and lose over and over and over till that particular demon takes them. My prayers go out to those who knew and loved him…both in real life and those who loved the characters he played.

\n\n\n

I think I may try to sleep in the camper tonight. It will be quite some time before the temperature will be above 50° at night. Mr. FixIt hasn’t needed me at night since the first couple of days he was sick so I can slip away. I need to get out to the farm and get the furnace and the gas stoves turned on and make sure everything is working right.

\n\n\n

I spoke with my sister-in-law in Utah last night. They are Jewish. We talked about the war in Israel and how everyone in the Jewish Community knows someone or is related to someone there. It breaks my heart. I am so worried for my Jewish friends and family and for everyone affected by the violence perpetrated against them. I pray earnestly for them all.

\n\n\n

Please pray for peace.

\n\n\n

🍁

\n\n\n
\n\n

“And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.””

\nExodus 33:14 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/29/a-speedy-saturday.html", "tags": ["Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/25/cleaning-out-the-pantry-and.html", "title": "Cleaning Out the Pantry and Freezer", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

This monstrous sycamore is right across the dirt road from the near field.

\n\n\n

I feel like the ant…busy, busy, busy getting things ready for winter. Putting things to bed for the year. Clearing out the old and unusable stuff out of the pantry and the freezer. Today is trash day and I throw the old foodstuffs out the night before so as to keep the neighborhood wildlife at bay. 

\n\n\n

I’ve never been good about going through the pantry and cleaning it out. I have a gazillion other things that seem to take priority. But since I deep cleaned the kitchen, the pantry was the next logical thing. I had noticed pantry moths this fall, and I can’t have that. I have a pair of really expensive LLBean washed wool slippers. I hadn’t seen them for a while and found them under our bed…moth eaten! It broke my heart. So, I’m cleaning like a mad woman. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt found a good deal on ground turkey at Sam’s club the other day. Five pounds (two 2.5 pound packages) is usually $15.92 but he got it for $13 and change. I needed to do something with it yesterday other than my usual MO…stuff it in the freezer before it goes bad. That’s a bad habit because so many times it just sits in there and gets freezer burn. I’m making a pledge to reduce the amount of food that gets thrown away. It’s terrible! Since I was puttering in the kitchen anyway, I got busy and did some cooking. 

\n\n\n

I bought some Pork Sausage Seasoning at the Piggly Wiggly last night. It had 8 ounces in a packet. Zero calories. I had to do some math to figure out how much to put in with one package of two-and-a-half pounds of 93% lean ground turkey. I also added 1.5 cup of Panko crumbs, 1 cup of self rising flour, and two eggs as an extender. It made sixteen good sized patties at 177 calories a patty. I had one for breakfast and put the rest in servings of 2-3 patties in vacuum seal bags for the freezer.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I still had two-and-a-half pounds of ground turkey left so I mixed up much the same recipe but used different spices to make turkey burgers. We had that for supper. It made ten bigger patties for only 282 calories each. They are also in vacuum seal bags. I fried the sausage patties and the turkey burgers for a few minutes on each side to get the browned look, then finished them by baking in a 350° oven for 20 minutes. I turned them over and baked for another 5-10 minutes to make sure they were cooked through, but not too dry. Both kinds of patties came out really good but I was especially pleased with the sausage. We usually eat Jimmy Dean’s or Butterball Turkey Sausage and I am not happy with their seasonings. These tasted all the world like pork sausage patties.

\n\n\n

I went out on the mower late yesterday afternoon and started mulching up the leaves along the hedgerow…keeping a weather eye out for the bear, of course. I saw more fresh sign and have paid special attention to the trees and underbrush. I found a place down by the creek that had been dug up by something BIG, but not sure why. We have a lot of voles down in that area of the field. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It’s time to start looking for seed for the pollinator gardens for next year. My friend Aimee is an Education and Outreach Specialist at West Virginia Conservation Agency and has the 411 on all things pollinator. She’s guided me to Ernst Seed to look for heliopsis. I’ve protected my five little milkweed plants with my life and they have opened with a proliferation of seed. Aimee says in three years, it will be everywhere!!! I’m praying for monarchs!

\n\n\n

🍁

\n\n\n
\n\n

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

\nGalatians 6:9 ESV\n
\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

The calories between Christmas and New Years don’t count nearly as much as the calories between New Years and Christmas! This cute sweatshirt is perfect for those Cookie Exchange Parties!!!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/25/cleaning-out-the-pantry-and.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/10/21/cold-and-rainy-days-call.html", "title": "Cold and Rainy Days Call for Comfort Food!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

A sesame seed brioche bun is the perfect canvas for this savory pulled pork topped with Duke’s Moonshine Barbecue Sauce.

\n\n\n

There’s something so cozy about a chilly, rainy day in West Virginia. The clouds are  grey and heavy with rain. Periodic downpours plink-plink-plink on the exhaust pipes stick out of the roof. I spent the morning on the computer in the office. I didn’t accomplish much other than cleaning and organizing so I can work more easily. I brought some more things in from the camper…my knitting, primarily. But I didn’t take the time to work on it. I will soon.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

After tossing the chunks of pork in the dry rub to coat evenly, the initial sear creates a crust on the meat that keeps the flavor sealed in!

\n\n\n

When Mr. FixIt went to town on Thursday, I asked him to get me a good sized Boston Butt roast. We both love roast pork. Sometimes I just make it fairly unseasoned so I can serve it in several different ways. But when I’m feeling all bougie-like, I make Dutch Oven Pulled Pork from Our Salty Kitchen.  Honestly, it’s the best pulled pork I’ve ever made and is a reliable recipe, time after time. We had pulled pork sandwiches last night for supper. SO delicious!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

You only add one half cup of water to the Dutch oven and the meat braises in it’s own juices, rendering down into its own “barbecue sauce.”

\n\n\n

Another taste treat I pull out of the cupboard on cold days is my faithful tin of Blue Lotus Chai. It is a traditional Masala Chai. It’s something to be savored. I love it, but I’ve had this same tin for ages. I divvy it out like gold. I was really feeling it yesterday because I had THREE cups! I’ll probably be buzzing all night! I usually add a decaf teabag to the cup for a little richer flavor. Sweeten how you like. And I used about a quarter cup of Silk Original Almond Milk. I worked at the desk, sipping my chai, and listening to the rain out the window. What an incredibly relaxing afternoon!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Masala Chai…it comes with its own tiny wooden spoon for measuring out about a quarter teaspoon per cup.

\n\n\n

This is such a treat…slowing down and nesting after being on the go since…well, all year, really. Mr. FixIt went to town yesterday to get a part for the furnace and, unfortunately, that didn’t fix the problem. It’s supposed to be pretty chilly this weekend and we’ll probably be doing without the furnace, but I have all the trust in the world in my husband’s abilities. He can fix anything!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Mmmmmm….leftovers!

\n\n\n

Today will probably be spent much the same way. I do need to do some designs for the shop and get back in the swing with that. I kind of slacked off during our trip. I’m sure the rain and wind will bring down much of the beautiful color we saw earlier in the week. The woods look so lonely and bare when they’ve been stripped of their foliage. That’s when the long, dark nights of winter become a little harder to take. I’m vowing to keep myself active and occupied all winter so I don’t get the “grey gloomies” like I usually do!

\n\n\n

🍁

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Give us this day our daily bread,”

\nMatthew 6:11 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-10-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/10/21/cold-and-rainy-days-call.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/08/25/what-a-week.html", "title": "What a Week", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

We couldn’t tell which way to turn on Tuesday. It started out with this great breakfast…French toast, turkey sausage, and a sliced fresh peach. It was divine and pretty lo-cal considering. Then I had a hankering for spaghetti last night so I trimmed down my usual recipe to make a passable meal.

\n\n\n

Other than a little cooking and cleaning and a quick trip over the hill to the Post Office, we didn’t do much. I worked on the computer in my Big Red Chair and watched Andy Griffith reruns. Mr. FixIt made some phone calls and stretched out in HIS Big Red Chair. Then we watched the news.

\n\n\n

Sigh.

\n\n\n

I don’t care what side of this whole debacle you land on. I’m staying neutral in here and hoping to keep it a politics free zone for the coming year and a half. Am I looking forward to another contentious election season? Heck no! But I’m going to keep it out of here because we all need a safe place to land…especially those who are grieving. Am I sticking my head in the sand? Absolutely not! But in here, talking politics is like talking about hemorrhoids at a dinner party. We may skirt around it a little, but we aren’t going to show it to anyone. Deal?

\n\n\n

That being said, I will say this. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, yesterday was a sad day for the state of our country and I’ll continually pray we get this right…not only for us, but for our great-great-grandchildren. Amen.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Now, back to yummy stuff.

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n
\n\n\n

Here’s the recipe for the French Toast:

\n\n\n
Ginny’s French Toast

3 eggs, beaten
2 heaping teaspoons Truvia Brown Sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened Almond Milk
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Vanilla
Dash of salt
4 Slices of 35 calorie per slice bread. I used Heiner’s Whole Wheat.

Heat a skillet to medium high heat. Spray with either non-stick spray or olive oil spray. 

Whisk the ingredients together and dip each bread slice into the batter, coating each side. Fry till golden brown and serve with Sugar Free Syrup. 

Makes four slices. Two slices equal 186 calories! I love sausage, so I’ve started buying Jimmy Dean Pre-Cooked Turkey Sausage Patties. Two patties is only 120 calories. I also had a fresh, juicy peach that added 104 calories. So…for a breakfast fit for a Queen, it was only 410 calories. Compared to my usual French toast that is packed with cream, real brown sugar, and butter…this is something I can have, totally guilt free. I do limit it to once a week or so.
\n\n\n

And here’s the recipe for the Spaghetti:

\n\n\n
Ginny’s Spaghetti

Ok, this is no big secret. I buy a jar of sauce that has no more than 50 calories per serving. I also buy Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage Crumbles. They’re precooked. I put in about a half a bag which is 300 calories. The full jar of sauce is 250 calories plus the 300 in the Turkey Crumbles so there’s 550 for five servings. That’s 110 calories per serving. I use Barilla Protein+ Spaghetti which is 190 calories for 2 ounces. My spaghetti dinner was only 300 calories. MUCH less than the calorie fest I used to cook. I used to eat twice that amount of pasta and used fat packed Italian sausage. I made the breakfast sausage taste more like Italian by adding a healthy dose of oregano, garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes. And, I skipped the two slices of Texas Toast Cheesy Garlic Bread that we normally had.
\n\n\n

So, there’s a couple of recipes to add to your repertoire and cut some calories out of your daily budget. We head to town for an appointment today then a pretty lay low weekend ahead. Just what the doctor ordered! Whenever I feel overwhelmed these days with too much to do, I just remember that God made all the stars and knows them by name. I can get my paltry little first world problems taken care of. They’ll be done when they’re done.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“He counts the stars and calls them all by name.”

\nPsalms 147:4 NLT\n
\n\n\n

#Calm, #Order, #Stars

\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

I Love Fall Camping! It’s my favorite season to get out in nature and grab the last of the nights under the stars, talk quietly outside the camper in our comfy chairs, a warm sweater wrapped around me to ward off the chill, and a steaming mug of tea. The air smells of woodsmoke and leather and damp leaves. It’s a magical time to be out in the woods!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-08-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/08/25/what-a-week.html", "tags": ["Choices","Change","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/08/13/cajun-food-and-a-tornado.html", "title": "Cajun Food and a Tornado", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I got up early yesterday to meet my high school girlfriends for coffee. There were only seven of us. It’s still a busy time so I’m sure more will come in the fall. The first three of us to arrive were widowed…ten years, five years, and one year. Another was supposed to come, but something came up and she had to cancel. I can’t speak for her, but at two months, there were a LOT of things I cancelled because I just wasn’t up for it. In fact, when I was at two months, I was trying my hardest to get lost in the wilderness and backroads of Colorado. 

\n\n\n

I stopped to pick up one of the gals who can’t drive these days because her vision is so bad. She offered to pay me for gas and I said that wasn’t necessary. Then she offered to pay for my coffee. I told her, this was a blessing for me…surely she wouldn’t rob me of my blessing! We smiled at each other. She lost her husband five years ago and still can’t talk about him much or she cries. I so understand where she is. I was just tickled that they ventured out!

\n\n\n

I had a wonderful conversation about faith and the condition of the church today with a sweet friend who is very involved with the Methodist Church. Another is still healing from a bad fall she took a couple of years ago. I went all through school with a couple of the gals. We were Vienna kids.

\n\n\n

When I was finished, I called Mr. FixIt to see what he was up to. He reminded me he’d be coming to town a little later for his hair cut. So I ran a couple of errands then called the former Mrs. FixIt to see if she’d like some company. I went over and spent a couple of hours chatting and sharing pictures of our summer escapades. It was really nice to catch up. Finally, Mr. FixIt called to say he was finished and when he found out where I was, he came over, too. 

\n\n\n

It was getting closer to our supper time and we decided to go to a new-ish restaurant not too far away. Southern Craft Restaurant and Bar has been the talk of the town the last couple of years. It’s pretty small…maybe ten tables or so…and it’s always crowded. Especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Owned and operated by the DeAngelo family, Southern Craft has brought a taste of New Orleans to da ‘Burg. Authentic, real live Cajun food, y’all!!! 

\n\n\n

Oh, my word!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt ordered the Shrimp and Grits and I had a bowl of Gumbo with Chicken and Andouille Sausage. We literally sipped each luscious spoonful and swooned! We tasted each other’s dishes and vowed this was our new favorite restaurant. The seasoning was spot on perfection. So full bodied and it brought just enough heat to complement the dishes without destroying the depth of flavor. 

\n\n\n

Louis DeAngelo, his wife and their three sons handle all the food prep and the waitstaff is friendly, prompt, and helpful. If you EVER find yourselves anywhere near Parkersburg, WV you simply must stay over and enjoy a meal at Southern Craft. Tell them Marshmallow Ranch sent you!!!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

We ended the night with tornado warnings. There was one sighted over in Ohio and another in South Parkersburg. We had an incredible lightning show but it didn’t turn into anything much here. I hope you all remain safe from the increasing storms!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.””

\nDeuteronomy 31:6 NIV\n
\n\n\n

#Storms, #CajunFood, #Tornado

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-08-13T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/08/13/cajun-food-and-a-tornado.html", "tags": ["Fun","Choices","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/08/03/embracing-the-august-cool-down.html", "title": "Embracing the August Cool Down", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Ahhhhh, the low Tuesday night was 56° and I slept in the camper with the windows wide open. After the deadly heat of July, this is a most welcome change for us. The house stayed cool with fans running and we didn’t have any heavy work to do. I had Mr. FixIt pick up a pork roast when he was in town Tuesday so I popped it in the slow cooker so it wouldn’t heat up the house. When it was time for supper, I dished up the tender fall-off-the-bone pork and added a garnish of Chow Chow Relish on the side. I shucked a couple of ears of corn, opened a jar of my home canned half runner beans to heat up, and sliced both fresh tomatoes and cantaloupe and called it good. It was a perfect summer supper!

\n\n\n

When I was growing up, Grandma would walk over to the kitchen garden on the other side of the creek and bring in a mess of sweet corn. She’d shuck it…or get us kids to when we were old enough…then she would boil it to death till is was tough and gummy. We ate it all like we hadn’t seen food in a month of Sundays, but I never knew what GOOD corn was till I lived in Colorado. Not to steal any thunder from Silver Queen, but there is nothing like Olathe Sweet Corn. It’s like crack…you can’t stop once you’ve started. But I learned a trick when I lived in the Rockies. You put your water on to boil while you shuck the corn. Then, as soon as the water comes to a rolling boil, you drop your corn in, cover the pot tight, and turn off the heat. In five minutes, your corn will be piping hot and the kernels will just pop all that juicy sweetness with every bite. I firmly believe you should never COOK corn…you should heat it in that hot water and eat it al dente. SO good!

\n\n\n

After supper, and the news, I asked Mr. FixIt if he’d like to go for a walk with me. We drove over to the park in our little burg and walked three laps and greeted the most beautiful standard poodle that waited patiently for us to come around every lap for more scratches behind her ears. She was a sweetheart. After our walk, we drove around to see what has happened while we were gone. The little mom & pop grocery store closed while we were out of town and that was very sad. They’ve finished the work on the water system in town and made significant progress on the new addition to the medical clinic. Other than that, it’s just the same.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When we got home, I realized I was out of yogurt for my usual bedtime snack, so I made my collagen protein shake instead. I added a fresh, juicy peach and a cup of blueberries and it was Purple Peach Passion with a dash of Pomegranate. And the added bonus of hydration. I never drink enough fluids and run a little dehydrated most of the time, so this was good for me. It also satisfied my sweet tooth!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The fields look like a manicured golf course. No water, no seeding, no fertilizer…just God and Mother Nature…doing their thing! I love summer. We caught this beautiful sunset from the top of the hill on the way home. Fall will come and the leaves will turn and fall off. Then my beloved woods will lay dormant…their bare naked arms reaching for their blankets to ward off winter’s chill. I want to bottle up these temperate days and save their beauty for January and February. 

\n\n\n

It will be here all too soon.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.”

\nPsalms 74:17 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-08-03T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/08/03/embracing-the-august-cool-down.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/07/13/what-a-fun-day-in.html", "title": "What a FUN Day in the Kitchen!!!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I got up yesterday and went to the grocery store to buy the things I needed to teach the girls how to prepare several traditional Jewish dishes. I was so enamored with the King Soopers near Ben and Sue’s house that I wandered around for an hour and half just having a completely marvelous time! I’ve been doing a lot of the cooking and cleaning up to help Sue since she’s still recovering from knee surgery. She still gets in there and does a lot, but I swore I would NOT allow her to wait on us while we’re here.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Daughter #1 and Little came over around 1:30 and Little’s friend and her mom came at 2:00. We promptly got to work. The first thing to do was mix up the matzo ball batter and get it chilling in the fridge. Then I taught the girls how to pare and core the apples, chop them, toast the walnuts and chop them to make Charoset. We added cinnamon, honey, brown sugar, and Kosher red wine then popped it in the fridge to chill.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Next up was the Matzo Ball Soup. We poured a large box of low sodium chicken broth into a stock pot with a tight fitting lid. Little filled the broth container with water and we poured that in as well. While it was heating up, we sautéed a mirepoix…chopped onions, celery, and carrots till the onions were translucent. We added that to the pot and adjusted the heat to a simmer. We did add about half of the soup mix packet that comes with the boxed matzo ball soup mix.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

We removed the matzo ball batter from the fridge and started forming small balls around the size of a big marble. You need to do this with wet hands. This allows the surface of the matzo ball to be smoothed out to seal any cracks, thus preventing them from falling apart while cooking. You keep the lid on the pot while it’s simmering, then remove the lid quickly when you add a matzo ball then put the lid on fast. This traps the steam in the pot and makes your matzo balls fluffy.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Once that was done, it was time to start the Hamantashen. These are triangular shaped cookies filled with a variety of different fillings. We chose raspberry jam, apricot jam, and chocolate. Traditionally they are filled with poppyseed paste, but I couldn’t find any. I think it’s usually only sold for Purim in the spring. We mixed up the dough and it needed more flour than the recipe called for. We finally got it at just the right consistency. We rolled it out between two sheets of parchment paper then cut it in circles with a biscuit cutter. We placed the circles on a cookie sheet (I forgot to line it with parchment paper so they stuck a tiny bit). Then we dropped a scant teaspoon of one of the fillings, folded up three edges and pinched the three resulting corners together.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

We also needed to bake the cookies about five minutes longer than the recipe called for. Once the last sheet of cookies was in the oven, we started making the potato kugel. Daughter #1 has discovered a brilliant hack to make this a much easier process. Traditionally, potatoes are peeled and then grated into ice water to keep them from turning a dull grey. Once they’re all grated, you have to squeeze all the water out. If you have any arthritis in your hands, this is a killer. So my brilliant daughter just buys a big bag of shredded hash browns. So smart this girl.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

My daughter added about a half a cup of vegetable oil to a 13”x9” pan and popped it in the oven to get hot. We added about half of a chopped onion, half a cup or so of matzo meal, and salt and pepper to the hash browns and tossed that together. Then, we whipped up six eggs and poured it over the hash browns and combined them well. Once the pan was hot, we poured the potato/egg mixture in and baked it in a 400° oven till crispy and browned around the edges. Yummmmy!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The last dish we prepared was Matzo Brei…a sort of Jewish French Toast. We took six sheets of matzo and crumbled it into a bowl then put hot water over it to let the matzos soak it up. In a separate bowl, I beat four eggs with a heaping tablespoon of brown sugar, added a few shakes of cinnamon, and a generous tablespoon of my home brewed vanilla. We scooped up handfuls of the now soggy matzo and squeezed as much water out as we could and put it in the egg mixture. Once all the matzo was in the bowl, we mixed up the “batter” and dropped it by spoonfuls into a medium hot skillet with melted butter in it. We fried them till they were golden brown on each side then removed them from the pan and worked on the next skillet full.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

We were just finishing when Mr. FixIt and Ben walked in the front door. They took the camper to the cattle ranch out on the eastern plains. I was tickled when I learned they were able to park it under cover to protect it from severe weather. I fed the guys with all that yummy Jewish food and called it a night! My back hurt and my feet were cramping from standing on them all day. But it really was a fun afternoon of cooking foods I haven’t made in ages. I left the photography to Little so I’ll just post the ones I have. We didn’t get every dish but you’ll get the idea. I’ll try to leave a link to the recipes we used. Some were just in our heads because we’ve made them for so long.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.”

\nColossians 2:16 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-07-13T00:00:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/07/13/what-a-fun-day-in.html", "tags": ["Fun","Cooking","In the Kitchen","Mental Health"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/05/23/appalachian-cooking-on-a-diet.html", "title": "Appalachian Cooking on a Diet?", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Why…yes, as a matter of fact! When we were camping last week, we went into Yokum’s store to look around. They had a little diner in the back and we decided to sit and have a salad. I wish she would have told me how big the salads were because we each bought one. My word…we could have easily fed four people and had some left over! 

\n\n\n

As we left the store, I happened to notice there were one pound bags of fresh ramps for $10 in the cooler. I overheard the clerk telling someone ramp season was nearing it’s end so if we wanted any, we’d better snap them up now. Not one to miss out on something, I rummaged around and picked the freshest looking batch they had.

\n\n\n

Now…I have never had ramps. My first father-in-law was from Richwood, WV…the self-proclaimed “Ramp Capital of the World!” He would tell me stories of the ramp feeds when he was growing up and it was a flat out right of spring to eat at least one mess of ramps. It was considered a spring tonic to cleanse your blood after being inside all winter. Ramps are a good source of Vitamin A, Selenium, and Chromium so I suppose they have some nutritional value.

\n\n\n

We talked about ramps the other day, and yesterday had to be the day to use them or they were going to go bad. I took them outside and swished them around in a bucket of cold water, emptied it out and refilled it, them washed them again. Ramps have a bulb on them like green onions, but the tops look like Lilies of the Valley. So, when you find them in the woods, take a good whiff of one of the bulbs because the Lily of the Valley is poisonous. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

These were most definitely ramps. They smell like a cross between an onion and garlic. The guy in the old country store said this was a fine year for ramps because they weren’t too strong. I guess some years they can be downright rank. But this mess was very mild. I cleaned and cleaned till I had all the sand and any leaves that were turning wilted and slimy removed. I cut off the root end, cut the bulb from the stem, and sliced everything up…tops and all. I saved a few of the ramps that were beginning to send up a flower shoot and I’m going to find a place in the woods down by the creek where I can plant them and see if I can establish a bed. We’ll see.

\n\n\n

You do not want to cook ramps in your house…no matter how mild they are. You won’t get rid of the smell for weeks! I asked Mr. FixIt to light the grill for me then I brought out the utensils I was going to need. I found a recipe for a ramp and potato frittata that sounded great, but some of the ingredients were NOT on my Noom plan…namely a cup of heavy cream and grated cheese. I decided to see what I could use from the pantry and I was SO happy with the results!

\n\n\n

I ended up with about two cups of chopped leaves and sliced ramps. I had two cans of sliced new potatoes that I drained well. I beat eight eggs n a bowl with salt, pepper, a heaping tablespoon of goat cheese, and half a can of evaporated milk. I put about a tablespoon of vegetable oil in the cast iron skillet and set it on the grill. When it was hot, I put in the potatoes and shut the lid on the grill to bring it up to frying temperature. I opened the grill and turned the potatoes from time to time to keep them from burning. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

As soon as the potatoes started getting a little brown, I tossed in the ramps and tops and cooked them till they were softened and become translucent. Then I poured the egg mixture over everything and immediately shut the grill for no more than a minute. When I opened the grill, the edges of the eggs were getting browned and I started lifting and turning the eggs to then would set and stay fluffy.

\n\n\n

The timing had to be perfect…too little and you have pockets of runny egg. Too long and the eggs get rubbery. You just have to watch them close. I plated up the eggs and were rushed in to sit in the dining room and enjoy our feast. I wish I could tell you I took a picture of the dish when it was completed, but we were in such a hurry to eat…well, you know. We have leftovers and can have more tomorrow if we want. We took some over to my bonus daughter because she hadn’t had them either.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

My bonus daughter took a white peonie and put it in water with blue food coloring. The peony took up the blue and it shows in streaks on the petals. When I looked at it, I could see a very tiny drop on the tip of the stigma. It had also taken up the blue dye and it looked like a tiny gem dangling there. It wasn’t as big as the head of a pin, but it caught the light just right.

\n\n\n

While we were eating, I remarked to Mr. FixIt how incredibly mild they were…you could hardly taste them. Then…about thirty minutes after eating, I guess they kicked in because I couldn’t get to my toothbrush fast enough! I brushed and rinsed and brushed and rinsed a couple of times and I wouldn’t be surprised if you can still smell them on my breath today. But, they really were surprisingly good. I don’t think I’d go out of my way to go buy ramps every year, but if they were available, I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to cook them again.

\n\n\n

How about you? Have you ever had ramps? 

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n
\n\n\n

Our peonies finally bloomed yesterday!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”

\nGenesis 1:29 NIV\n
\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

If you do decide to cook some ramps, you’d better have a nice candle to banish the “aroma”!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-05-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/05/23/appalachian-cooking-on-a-diet.html", "tags": ["West Virginia","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/05/12/what-did-you-say.html", "title": "What Did You Say?", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Our new pollinator spaces are already producing native wildflowers!

\n\n\n

Land’s sake…Mr. FixIt and I can’t hear each other more and more often these days. Remember that time we went on a road trip and we’d pass people who were weaving on the road? He’d say, “Yep…he’s a Texan!” I couldn’t figure out how he knew that or why Texans are such poor drivers. Finally I passed someone and I saw for sure they weren’t from Texas…they were from New York. So, when he said, “Yep…he’s a Texan.” I turned to him and said, “Gotcha…he is not! He’s from New York!” He looked at me puzzled and said, “What are you talking about?” I said, “Well, every time we pass someone weaving, you announce he’s a Texan.”  He started laughing and said, “Textin’! He’s a textin’!” We laughed our butts off over that one!

\n\n\n

Most of the time it’s not at all important and we finally figure it out, between hearing loss and Appalachian phrases. We had a long day mowing yesterday and were taking a break in the shade of the maple tree. 

\n\n\n

“When we get this mowing finished, you wanna go in and have a salad for supper?

\n\n\n

“Sure.” I said…even though I’ve had way too much salad this week. Then he mentioned we needed more paper plates. I told him we had some in the camper. Then we went on with our mowing. I finished before he did and went in to take a most welcome shower. I took a couple of pieces of salmon out earlier to thaw, so newly washed and cooled off, I set to cooking supper. I decided to have a proper meal and make baked salmon, quinoa, green beans, and the leftover salad from last night.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt came in and looked at me working in the kitchen.

\n\n\n

“What are you doing?”

\n\n\n

“Well, I decided instead of salad we’d have a cooked meal tonight so I’m putting the salmon in the oven.”

\n\n\n

“I thought you wanted to go out to dinner?”

\n\n\n

“I’m sorry…what?”

\n\n\n

“I asked you if you wanted to go out for salad after we finished mowing and you said yes.”

\n\n\n

“No…you asked if I wanted to go in for salad after we finished mowing.”

\n\n\n

“I said “IN”…meaning “in to town for salad.”

\n\n\n

“Oh, my gosh! I totally didn’t get that from what you said. But now I have this great piece of salmon ready to cook. We can go tomorrow night if you want salad in town.” 

\n\n\n

He just shook his head. I know now he meant to take me out so I didn’t have to cook, but honestly? I’d much rather have a home cooked meal than to go out. And after his shower and his yummy salmon, he was pretty darned glad we didn’t go “in to town for salad.”

\n\n\n

It got really hot yesterday…in the 80’s. I mowed slathered with 70 spf sunscreen and carrying my golf umbrella. It took a little bit longer to mow around the new pollinator gardens, but they’re going to be worth it when they’re grown up and developed. When I got closer, I could see native wildflowers popping their little heads up in the grasses. It was so pretty. And my little patch of buttercups are still blooming. Now I have the best of both worlds…the beautiful groomed fields with big free form pollinator areas. I can see more beauty in our future!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

\nPsalms 145:9 NIV\n
\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

Sometimes words are hard to find when comforting a bereaved friend or relative. I know when I lost Mr. Virgo, I craved soft fuzzy blankies. Here’s a beautiful sunset I found and thought it would be perfect with a Scripture on it. Feel free to send the link to others who may need just the right gift for such a time.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-05-12T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/05/12/what-did-you-say.html", "tags": ["Choices","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/05/04/may-the-fourth-be-with.html", "title": "May the Fourth Be With You!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I have no idea how they came up with the name for Noom, but they hit it out of the park with their app. First off, let me say…I’ve lost FOUR pounds since Monday. I know…the first few pounds are water weight, but I’ll take anything I can get! I haven’t been a bit hungry and I have eaten anything I wanted. Yesterday morning was Mr. FixIt’s fabulous oatmeal. I mixed mine with blueberries and dehydrated peaches.

\n\n\n

My sweetie always adds a heaping tablespoon of brown sugar, and adds cinnamon and my home brewed vanilla. So, so yummy. We never eat lunch but I had a midday snack of a cup of green seedless grapes. I fixed salmon, baked potato, and sweet kale salad with a little French Vinaigrette. I was so full afterwards, but as I’m writing this, I am sure I’ll have my daily yogurt before I go to bed.

\n\n\n

It’s so easy to keep track of what you eat. If you’re cooking a dish that you make over and over, you can create a custom meal then you only have to enter all the ingredients once. You just name it, then the next time you make it, you just select the meal and everything in it goes on your food list. I didn’t get very many steps in yesterday. I had every intention of walking in the park when I went to the Post Office to mail Little’s birthday present. Once Little opens their birthday present, then I can share pictures. OMGosh! It was so cold and drizzly, I just didn’t have it in me to exercise. It will be warming up now, so it won’t be such a difficult thing to accomplish. 

\n\n\n

Seriously, if any of you want to try Noom, I can send you a link for a free trial and $20 off. Just send me a private message with your email address. I already have one person doing it with me. It can keep us accountable if we have a group to support each other. I think the statistic said that having a friend do the program with you increases your odds of reaching your goal weight by, like…32%. That’s pretty impressive.

\n\n\n

I’m looking forward to having some sunny and warm weather so we can mow. Honestly, it looks like you could bale hay out in our field! I’ll have to cut the grass high, then run back over it cutting it to the normal height. We didn’t go anywhere yesterday and I still didn’t get all the things done that I wanted. Our internet was really dicey…probably because of the rain. If it’s still out today, I’ll have to call them. I write on my iPad and it uses cell service for data. But I’m out of luck when I need to use my laptop to work on my shop.

\n\n\n

That’s about all the news from here. As I write this, I’m sitting in the camper…typing as I listen to the rain on the roof. It’s one of the things I love the most about camping. It’s so relaxing and I have to fight to keep from snoozing till it’s time to go to bed for the night. I continue to sleep so much better…I think I’ve found the right combination of “treatment” for my insomnia. It’s so wonderful to wake up after a solid night’s sleep!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.”

\nDeuteronomy 32:2 NIV\n
\n\n\n

#Spring, #Rain, #Cold, #NOOM

\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-05-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/05/04/may-the-fourth-be-with.html", "tags": ["Choices","Change","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/04/18/another-cold-spell.html", "title": "Another Cold Spell", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

My new shoes in the “Ocean Waves” pattern. I got them for the beach!

\n\n\n

OMGosh! It’s been really chilly the last couple of days but it warms up on Wednesday. The low last night was predicted to be 39° and 36° tomorrow night. I took the quilt top to the quilter yesterday morning. I stopped for donuts on the way in case there were folks there and sure enough, the parking lot filled up right after I arrived. We all sat around and talked about the projects we’re working on and nibbled on our pastries. It was so much fun. I miss having a stitching group to get together every week. Maybe this fall I’ll organize something!

\n\n\n

I got a notification that a couple of samples I ordered from my shop had arrived so I stopped at the Post Office to get them. Then I headed home to help Mr. FixIt clean house. We got in the habit of stacking books and magazines beside our Big Red Chairs and we have a tendency to throw our jackets on the back of the sofa. So it just took a little while to get things put away. 

\n\n\n

We have to go to town today for an appointment and to pick up prescriptions. I noticed some little black ants in the camper this weekend so I need to get some ant poison to leave in there. I really need to move the camper around to the back of the house and get it away from the maple tree because that’s where the ants are coming from.

\n\n\n

By late afternoon, we were ready to stop for the day and I fixed supper. I thawed out some salmon and made saffron rice with mushrooms and steamed asparagus. OMGosh! It was SO yummy. Mr. FixIt never complains about my cooking, but he has…only once…told me something was good but I didn’t have to make it again. *giggle* He’s such a gentle man. Anyway, he raved about this meal so I need to make it more often. I think I only have one more meal left out of that large salmon filet I bought in late January. Fish is really good for you!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

He had never had saffron rice before. I haven’t made it in years. I bought some saffron at the store a year or two ago and finally decided yesterday was the day. I don’t know if you’ve ever cooked with saffron or know where it comes from. It originated in Greece but today it comes primarily from Morocco, Greece, India, and Iran. It comes from the saffron crocus and looks just like the little caucus that blooms in the early spring except the stigmas are longer. Each flower only produces three strands of saffron that are harvested in the mid morning while the flowers are still closed. And all this is done by hand. It takes at least 1,000 to produce one ounce of saffron which can costs $60.00 an ounce or more. You can get a .07oz tin for under $14 through my affiliate link on Amazon HERE.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I take a couple of good pinches of the saffron and put in a tiny dish. If you have a mortar and pestle, grind it with a half teaspoon of sugar then add 2-3 tablespoons of warm water. Stir and let sit for the the saffron to “bloom”. Then add a little salt. While the saffron is soaking, caramelize some onions and sliced white mushrooms. Stir in the cooked rice and the soaked saffron along with another pinch of the dried saffron and you have a beautiful, rich side dish that goes wonderfully with seafood, chicken, or lamb.

\n\n\n

Two more sleeps…it’s time for a road trip, y’all!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.”

\n1 Corinthians 8:8 NIV\n
\n\n\n

#Saffron, #Cooking, #Salmon

\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

“What happens at the campfire, stays at the campfire”

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-04-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/04/18/another-cold-spell.html", "tags": ["Health","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/04/07/hokey-smokes.html", "title": "Hokey Smokes!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The bottom of our Dwarf Rhododendron doesn’t look so good.

\n\n\n

Yesterday was one of those days when all I did was make more work for myself. I sat down to continue working on the taxes and I couldn’t find our receipt for the real estate taxes anywhere. So, off to our little village I went. I picked up a package at the Post Office then headed to the County Courthouse. After greeting the very nice guard at the entrance, I headed down the hall and ran into one of my Facebook friends. Rain and I hadn’t met in person yet. We came to be friends online through our mutual friend, Sparky. I introduced myself and we stood in the hallway for forty-five minutes. She loves to fish. Me, too! She makes jewelry out of old silverware. Me, too! (Though not for some time.) She loves to read, write, and takes awesome photographs. We love a lot of the same things so I think we’re going to be fast friends.

\n\n\n

After we said our goodbyes, I went on down the hall to the Sheriff’s Office. I asked for a copy of our real estate taxes. She asked, “Paid or Due?” Turns out, the new ones are due at the end of the month so I just went ahead and paid them while I was there. I mean, it’s only money, right? Oy.

\n\n\n

Next stop was the Piggly Wiggly. I love to tell you about my trips to the Piggly Wiggly because I just love to say…Piggly Wiggly. Whoever came up with that name deserves an award or a side of ribs or something! The Pig is the kind of grocery store you find in a town with 706 souls. There’s a large selection of locally produced items like jams and jellies and the like. There’s a small produce section that keeps the staples you need when a trip to town is out of the question. It’s got everything but alcohol. I think the section I love the best is all the Piggly Wiggly Merch. T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, socks, tote bags all with the uber cute Piggy mascot. There are a couple of t-shirts with our town name on them and of course the local high school team has a strong presence. It’s small town living at its best and everyone is so friendly and nice.

\n\n\n

I spent the rest of the day making phone calls and chatting with customer service over an item that needed returned. Finally, I looked up and saw the time. It was going on 5:00 and I needed to start supper. I took liver out of the freezer a couple of days ago and it had to be cooked last night. I had a package of ready made mashed potatoes in the fridge, but I was really disappointed to see they were bad…even though they were still in the “use by” date. So, out they went. I found some instant mashed potatoes in the pantry, but I think they were perhaps around since the Civil War. Out they went. In a last ditch effort, I got two cans of sliced white potatoes out and put them on to fry.

\n\n\n

We wanted sautéed liver and onions. When I cut into the onions, they were rotten so I had to call Mr. FixIt in town to buy more. Finally, finally, finally I got everything cooked including some of my home canned half-runner beans and we ate high on hog, I’m telling ya!

\n\n\n

I never did get back to the taxes. They’ll have to wait for today. Mr. FixIt kept busy all day working on the last of the hallway trim then he started on the big bathroom. By the end of the day, we were whupped. And mowing hasn’t even started yet! The cold front came in Wednesday night and it will be noticeably cooler the next few nights, so no “camping” for me till it warms up again. Mr. FixIt told me I need to get back out to the farm before I miss all the spring flowers! Soon, soon.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

 “Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”

\nHebrews 4:11 ESV\n
\n\n\n

\n\n\n

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

\n\n\n

When life hands you lemons, grill some salmon!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Shop Now!

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-04-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/04/07/hokey-smokes.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/03/03/seldom-a-dull-moment-at.html", "title": "Seldom a Dull Moment at Our House", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Our Giant Sycamores in the Hedgerow

\n\n\n

I can’t say I never have them. Dull moments come to us all. Yesterday was one of those days that things just seemed to need doing, like…right now. I was in the middle of my work on the project when Mr. FixIt decided it was time to do something about the gas stove in the family room. I have noticed the walls were getting discolored up by the ceiling. Then, I saw something that wasn’t supposed to be there…under the stove itself.

\n\n\n

On closer inspection, it was soot. The stove has never produced soot before so I knew something was wrong. I did a little research online and we finally figured out the logs were not positioned correctly. When we had the new carpet put down, we moved that stove. When we put it back, I noticed the logs had become displaced so I put them back as best as I could remember. I had no idea whatsoever that they have to be in a certain position in order to work properly or they create soot. There’s even a photo of the proper placement in the instruction manual. Because I didn’t know this, it didn’t occur to me to say anything to Mr. FixIt or he would have caught my error. Now we have to repaint the family room. But, I was getting tired of the bluish grey anyway. I want to paint the whole house with the same color we used in the hallway…Swiss Coffee. It helps sell a house if the rooms are all one color and we’re still planning on moving to town before too much longer.

\n\n\n

Once we got that messy job finished, it was time to fix supper. I bought a big salmon filet at Sam’s week before last and cut it up in meal sized portions and froze them. I took a bag out Wednesday night for last night’s supper. 

\n\n\n

We have a set of Ninja Cookware and I love that you can put the skillets in the oven. I baked two medium sized potatoes. Then I melted a little butter in the pan. I sliced up several big mushrooms and placed them in the skillet, put the salmon on top of the mushrooms, then nestled the potatoes on either side. I sprinkled Tabitha Brown’s Salt Free Sunshine Seasoning on top and added some fresh ground pepper and a squeeze or two of lemon juice. I covered the pan and put it in a 350° oven for about 15-20 minutes. I removed the pan and placed asparagus spears on either end of the salmon and popped it back in the oven for another 5 minutes or so till the spears were just perfect. Oh. My. Gosh! It was amazing!

\n\n\n

So, we got some things done that needed doing and we had a veritable feast afterward. I love when a meal comes together and it’s the crowning touch to a busy and productive day!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

\n1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV\n
\n\n\n

*Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The products I link to are items I have personally used or have been used by someone I know and trust. On occasion, I may share something on my wish list. Your purchase price is not affected by my affiliation.

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-03-03T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/03/03/seldom-a-dull-moment-at.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/01/30/stretching-your-food-dollars.html", "title": "Stretching Your Food Dollars", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I cracked the egg in the skillet and it became the shape of WV!

\n\n\n

We are big breakfast eaters here at Marshmallow Ranch. When I askMr. FixIt what he’d like to eat, sometimes I get an answer. Other times it’s… “I don’t know.” Those are the mornings when I have the green light to just make whatever I want and he never complains about what’s put in front of him.

\n\n\n

Like most everyone, our food dollars are getting stretched to the max. I’m always on the lookout to find ways to use up leftovers so nothing gets thrown out. (I’m not always successful.) I follow the Facebook Page for Sugar Butte Farms out of Logan, Ohio. It’s run by a young couple and I admire their work ethic. They have a lovely page where they share videos and recipes. 

\n\n\n

The other day, they were featuring breakfast foods and posted a video for making sausage patties in bulk. They packaged them up and stored some in the fridge and some in the freezer. I watched the video again yesterday as I mixed up a double batch of these delicious patties. We both loved them!

\n\n\n

I remember my grandma telling me about adding “fillers” to their meat during the Great Depression. They would add oats or flour to extend the servings. When Hubby #2 was in medical school, I added TVP (Texturized Vegetable Protein) to hamburger to make meatloaf, chili and spaghetti sauce. This recipe for the sausage patties reminded me of that.

\n\n\n

I was in the Piggly Wiggly Saturday afternoon and picked up a pound each of regular and hot sausage with this recipe in mind. When Mr. FixIt didn’t have a breakfast request yesterday, I knew just what to make! Here’s a link to Sugar Butte Farm’s video, as well as the recipe.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
Farmhouse Breakfast Sausage Patties from Sugar Butte Farms\n\nPreheat oven to 350° and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper\n\n1 pound Ground Breakfast Sausage\n1 cup Flour\n1 cup Grated Cheese, your choice of variety\n1 Egg\n\nAdd ingredients to a mixer bowl and mix till well blended. Form into patties and place on the parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 15 to 20 minutes. (Mine were a little thicker so it took closer to 25 to 30 to get done. I turned them over halfway through so they’d be evenly browned. Like I said, I doubled the batch and used one pound each of regular and hot breakfast sausage. When I make them next time, I’ll use all hot sausage because it really wasn’t very spicy at all. I think the extra ingredients toned down the flavor. We served them on a toasted bagel with a fried egg on top. Yummm!
\n\n\n

I needed a fast meal yesterday afternoon so Mr. FixIt could eat before he went to the bowling alley to hang with his buddies. I had some sauerkraut, a Polish Kielbasa, and a can of cubed potatoes. I put all the ingredients in a covered saucepan and simmered them for thirty minutes or so. We just served it on the plate with a dollop of mustard and called it good!

\n\n\n

The weekend was lovely and restful and I’m ready to hit the ground running this morning. I hope your weekend was grand!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table.”

\nProverbs 14:23 MSG\n
\n\n\n

#Frugal, #MealPlanning, #Cooking

\n\n", "date_published": "2023-01-30T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/01/30/stretching-your-food-dollars.html", "tags": ["Choices","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/01/26/eating-from-the-pantry.html", "title": "Eating From The Pantry", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

My cousin in South Carolina is wicked smart. She can go shopping and come back with a car load of goods and more money in her purse than when she left the house. It’s incredible! I am always in awe when she posts on FB about her bargains and I try to emulate her financial acumen…though not nearly as successfully.

\n\n\n

One thing she does at this time every year is eat out of the pantry for a month and buy little to nothing save for a few perishables. We were out of eggs yesterday, so I did ask Mr. FixIt to pick up some when he was in town. I stood in front of the pantry and looked at what we had. I chose spaghetti. Then I had a peek in the fridge and grabbed the last four slices of bacon and two big cloves of garlic. 

\n\n\n

I cut the bacon in little pieces, put about half a cup of water in a skillet and dumped in the bacon. I gave it a good stir and set the heat to medium while I smashed and minced the garlic. I put the pasta on to cook. The water evaporated on the bacon and it fried up so nice and crispy. Once the bacon was done, I strained the crispy pieces out and put about a teaspoon of the bacon grease back in the skillet.

\n\n\n

Still on medium heat, I gently stirred the garlic for about 30 seconds till it was lightly golden brown. You do NOT want to burn garlic or it gets terribly bitter and you have to start over. I put the garlic in a bowl along with another scant tablespoon of the bacon grease. Then, when the grease was cool enough not to fry them, I added three fresh eggs and one extra egg yolk and one cup of finely grated parmesan cheese, a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of freshly cracked pepper.

\n\n\n

I carefully drained the water from the al dente pasta and reserved a cup of the hot cooking water. It was pretty starchy, and I needed that for the sauce. After I put the pasta back in the pan, I gently poured a half cup of the pasta water in the egg mixture and whipped it carefully. Then I poured the sauce in the hot pasta and added the bacon. I tossed it several times over the next two to three minutes and watched that raw egg sauce magically cook by the heat of the spaghetti. Voila! Spaghetti Carbonara! Everyone should know how to cook this incredibly easy dish. It’s quick, economical, and looks like you’ve been slaving in a hot kitchen all day. So, so yummy!

\n\n\n

Yesterday was one of those days where I felt like all I was doing was cooking and cleaning. I made French Toast and bacon for breakfast. It was NOT a low fat, low carb day. But we seldom eat so rich. It’s just nice to know you can whip up something so delicious with stuff you have on hand. Oh, and by the way…Dollar General has had eggs at just under $4.00 so we got two dozen.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt and I talked the other day about getting chickens. I guess we aren’t the only ones because there have been several stories in the news of late about the truth of rearing chickens. I’ve heard of people adding up the numbers and, not only was it a full time job keeping up with the hens, they ended up paying about $18 a dozen. We are at a point in our lives where we would just as soon pay someone else’s to raise our food. I’ll buy in bulk from farmers and farmer’s markets before I’ll spend all that money and maybe not have good results.

\n\n\n

I worked at my desk yesterday and wasn’t quite as productive as I’d been the day before. There’s a big learning curve in what I’m doing but man is it a blast! I finally reached my brother. He has lost two phones since Thanksgiving! I have no idea what’s happening to them, but they can’t find them anywhere. He has a land line which is how I spoke with him, but he can’t hear very well on it. We’ll be going to Colorado this summer sometime so I’ll make it a point to straighten all that out. 

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt is at the beginning stages of purging the house. He’s lived here since the late ‘70s so it’s going to be a huge undertaking. It’s like when you catch your kids doing something awesome. You want to thank them and point out how happy you are, but you don’t want to jinx anything so you let it go! lol Let’s just say, I’m tickled to death and I’ll do anything to support him while he gets to work. I’ve already done the big purge when I sold the Colorado house. I know what he’s up against and it isn’t pretty nor is it easy. But it IS satisfying.

\n\n\n

The week is half gone and we’re sliding into the weekend soon. Mr. FixIt is going to the WVU Basketball game on Saturday with his son. I elected to stay home. I have so much to do and I am not crazy about crowds. While our little county doesn’t have any reported cases of Covid, you KNOW it’s here. They’re just not reporting their positive tests anymore since we’re taking our tests at home for the most part.

\n\n\n

It’s been an ordinary day in the ordinary life of some ordinary folks. But man…we sure do have fun with it!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“…Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!”

\n1 Peter 4:7-11 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-01-26T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/01/26/eating-from-the-pantry.html", "tags": ["Choices","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2023/01/08/my-birdies-have-me-trained.html", "title": "My Birdies Have Me Trained", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I awoke before Mr. FixIt and went into the kitchen to make my tea. As I walked into the family room with my steamy mug of my “not coffee”, I heard a racket over by the window. There was a Tufted Titmouse pitching a fit as soon as I walked into the room. It would go into the clear plexiglas feed and peck around for a little bit, then it started pecking the window and squawking like crazy. It fluttered around, grabbing on the window frame then flit back over to the top of the feeder. 

\n\n\n

I walked over closer to the window. In the past, this was enough to scare the birds off and they wouldn’t come back till I moved away from the glass. Not this little birdie! This one kept looking straight at me and pitching a fit! I took out my phone and took a video to show Mr. FixIt because I was sure he wouldn’t believe me. Finally I figured out the bird must be hungry. The bird feeder was looking pretty close to empty and apparently this little dude (or dudette) wasn’t having that!

\n\n\n

I put my tea down and went to the building to fill the window feeder. Once I got the feed drawer back in the feeder, I walked inside to see what would happen. That little titmouse was in the feeder in second and ate and ate and ate! After about five minutes, the little bird took off to do its little birdie things and I had my answer. 

\n\n\n

I’ve been trained by a bird to fill up its feeder on demand!

\n\n\n

Cool!

\n\n\n
\n\n\n

I did a few things yesterday. I’m trying to back up my photos from my iPhone onto an external hard drive. I wasn’t very successful and haven’t figured out why yet and eventually gave up for the time being. I knitted some on the next little Christmas Stocking. Then I decided to made a Hummingbird Cake, since the theme of the day was hunger and birds.

\n\n\n

A Hummingbird Cake is a southern staple. It gets its name because it is “SO sweet, it could attract a hummingbird.” I don’t know the accuracy of that statement, but I will tell you it’s the sweetest cake I’ve ever made. We don’t need decadent sweets in the house on a daily basis. So, today I’m going to cut it up in slices and wrap them individually for the freezer. That way we can take a slice out from time to time when we want a little snack and not overeat sweets.

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n
\n\n\n

I’ve finally started sleeping better. I’ve been really frustrated this year. I’ve never been a terrific sleeper and a long time ago, I took Trazodone as a sleep aid. Trazodone is an old school antidepressant with a welcome side effect of drowsiness and it isn’t addictive. I’ve tried several over the counter remedies like Benadryl and Melatonin and Magnesium. I’ve tried meditation and 432hz sound therapy. I know what good sleep hygiene is and I routinely practice things like turning off the screens an hour before bed and cutting out caffeine. I’ve tried the Military Sleep Method. Some things work a little bit for a short time but nothing has really fixed the problem.

\n\n\n

When I saw my primary care provider this week, I told her my memory was slipping. After many questions, I off handedly mentioned my sleep issues and she zeroed in on that. Sleep deprivation can affect your memory and your mood. Once she found out I’d tried all the non-medication routes, she asked if I’d ever taken anything prescription for it and I told her about my experience with Trazodone. So, we’re trying it again and if Friday night is any indication, we just might be onto something here. I slept like a stone by Friday!

\n\n\n

I hope you are enjoying your weekend. I’d say I’m enjoying mine, but every day is a Saturday for us so it doesn’t seem to make much difference. 

\n\n\n

Sunday Blessings, dear ones…

\n\n\n

Ginny

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

““Work six days, but the seventh day will be a holy rest day, God’s holy rest day…..”

\nExodus 35:2-3 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2023-01-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2023/01/08/my-birdies-have-me-trained.html", "tags": ["Baking","Crafts","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/21/food-glorious-food.html", "title": "Food Glorious Food", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Yesterday was a culinary delight and yet it was simple from start to finish. Every morning, I ask Mr. FixIt what he’d like for breakfast. Yesterday he elected to have French Toast. I make a pretty mean version with heavy cream, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and my homemade Vanilla Extract. It is light and fluffy and not overly sweet. My vanilla gives it a wonderful depth of flavor. Balance that with sausage patties and sugar free syrup and you have a breakfast as good as any quality restaurant could serve.

\n\n\n

We took our tea to the family room and while I finished the third Christmas stocking, Mr. FixIt watched his shows. At some point we went out to start up the generator. We pulled and pulled and finally he went to the garage and came back with some starter fluid that you spray into the carburetor. Afterwards, it only took one quick pull and it started right up. We let the gennie run for about 10-15 minutes then shut it down and stored it on the covered front porch area. Now it’ll be ready for the big storm front coming in at the end of the week. 

\n\n\n

We won’t be getting a lot of snow, I don’t think. But it’s going to be bitter, bitter cold and very windy. It’s the wind that gives us trouble here in the Mountain State. We have lots and lots of trees and the wind knocks limbs and trees down across wires and takes them out. We can easily go days without power here, so we are ahead of the game…just in case.

\n\n\n

Along about 4:00 in the afternoon, I decided to start making a quiche. And I’ve got to tell you…I think it was the best I’ve ever eaten. It’s certainly the best I’ve ever made…and I’ve made some really good quiche in my time. Again, I do not cook with recipes except to find out recommended cooking times and temperature. I’ll do my best to tell you how I made it.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It was a really good day and I was thrilled to stay home to enjoy it! I still have lots of things to do, but we won’t be celebrating the FixIt Family Holiday Extravaganza till the 30th. 

\n\n\n

There’s plenty of time!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams, springs, and deep water sources, flowing in both valleys and hills; a land of wheat, barley, vines, figs, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you will eat food without shortage, where you will lack nothing; a land whose rocks are iron and from whose hills you will mine copper. When you eat and are full, you will bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”

\nDeuteronomy 8:7-10 CSB\n
\n\n\n

#Cooking, #Quiche, #Winter

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-21T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/21/food-glorious-food.html", "tags": ["Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/10/a-change-of-plans.html", "title": "A Change of Plans", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I responded to the invitation with a very solid “We’ll try to make it.” At this time of year, there’s just WAY too much going on. There was once a time when I thrived on the chaos, but that ship has long left the harbor. I love our high school friends…I really do. I don’t particularly love the restaurant they chose for dinner last night, but even that wasn’t my deciding factor. 

\n\n\n

What kept me home? Just sheer over it up to here’s-ville. We were happily cuddled up under our cozy throws with the fire roaring and an interesting show on. I was knitting a miniature Christmas stocking for one of the babies. We each had a piping hot mug of tea. When the moment of truth came and a decision had to be made…yay or nay…I said, “Let’s stay in. I’ll fix you a meal better than what we would get at the restaurant, and we don’t have to drive 45 minutes each way on a narrow, winding country road in the dark dodging deer.”

\n\n\n

So, that’s what we did. We stayed in. I cooked a feast that couldn’t be beat. The kitchen is a mess…yet again. And I’ll clean it up this morning. There are some things more important than going out. I’m making our health and well-being a priority this season. I think Mr. FixIt was relieved…he didn’t put up much of a fuss, anyway.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Since I finished the last sweater, and since the hair fiasco has been largely rectified, I finally got back to the quilt I’m making for our WV granddaughter’s wedding in June. I have the first row of blocks pieced together. I used an acrylic square to trim the blocks to exactly 10.5” so they piece together nicely. That make the top nice and even for the final quilting. I haven’t made such an intricate quilt in years and it’s fun getting back to it. I’m using the pool table to lay the blocks out on. It makes it so much easier to join the blocks correctly for the pattern.

\n\n\n

My cousin is in sales. She buys end lots and sells things for a bargain price. I bought two big boxes of some clothing items she got her hands on and they arrived yesterday. Now I have to figure out a way to wrap them. I hate spending a lot of money on boxes to wrap Christmas gifts in. Last year, my dear friend Gail sent me some sock yarn for Christmas. She made the cutest little sack out of holiday fabric. I’m going to go to town today to find some inexpensive fabric and make my own cloth gift bags. They’ll be cuter and cheaper than buying those gift boxes that may not be the right size. And, they’re reusable!

\n\n\n

As I sat writing this post last night, the rain was pitter pattering on the roof. I wonder if we’ll have a White Christmas. I tried to watch Chevy Chase’s Christmas Vacation the other day and it just didn’t hold any allure for me. We did watch White Christmas, so that kicked off the holiday season. I have all these plans for cookies and cheesecake, Christmas cards, maybe a little more decorating. But, so far I’m not getting much done on that list. It’ll either get done…or it won’t. I’m just not going to stress about it this year. Nor am I feeling guilty!

\n\n\n

We’re just going to live in the moment and enjoy what comes our way!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”

\nColossians 3:2 ESV\n
\n\n\n

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-10T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/10/a-change-of-plans.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Cooking","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/07/step-one-is-done.html", "title": "Step One is Done", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The making of tamales is a laborious undertaking. After going through a week of cooking for Thanksgiving two weeks ago, I’m not going to do an all day marathon and get these things done in record time. I’ve watched a great video…multiple times…on the how-tos of tamale making so I think I have a pretty good idea of what’s involved. 

\n\n\n

The cook in the video makes everything from scratch, including the red chili sauce. I don’t have access to dried red chilis like guajillos, ancho chiles, or chiles de arbol here in the nether regions of West Virginia. So, I am making do with a ready made red enchilada sauce from a can. Yesterday, I seared medium chunks of a good sized Boston butt pork roast. I placed the meat in my 8 qt. cast iron Dutch oven along with half an onion, two bay leaves, some Kosher salt, some whole black peppercorns, and four whole cloves of garlic. I added 10 cups of water, brought it to a boil, covered it with the heavy lid and lowered the heat to a simmer for about three hours. 

\n\n\n

The meat came out fork tender, just like the lady in the video said it would. I scooped the meat out of the broth, shredded it with two forks, and covered it tightly with Saran Wrap. When it was cooled, I strained the broth into quart jars, covered them tightly, and everything went into the fridge. I’ll assemble the tamales today sometime then steam them. It’s labor intensive and I can see why women get together in groups and make hundreds of them at a time. It is a tradition in most Hispanic cultures.

\n\n\n

Other than that, and cleaning the kitchen twice, I didn’t get much else accomplished. We’ll see what today brings. The nice thing about getting the pork prepared yesterday…if I don’t feel like making the tamales today, I can bag up the cooked meat and freeze it then get it out when I’m ready. Easy peasy!

\n\n\n

And the big bonus? It was still nearly 60° T 11:00 last night! Guess who slept in the camper???

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”

\nIsaiah 32:18 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-07T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/07/step-one-is-done.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/12/06/the-big-birdhouse-is-back.html", "title": "The Big Birdhouse is Back!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

FINALLY!!! After being in the shop more than we actually had her, the a-frame is back from the camper doctor. And she looks absolutely perfect…almost like a brand spankin’ new camper. I say “almost” because when we opened her up for her final inspection, the very first thing I saw was a huge scratch across the front of the refrigerator door that wasn’t there the last time we saw her in September. Oy! It’s ok though…they are ordering a new refrigerator door that will be delivered to us and we just have to pop it on. No problem! 

\n\n\n

We stopped at Menard’s and bought some new tarps. The one on Joy, the ‘67 Franklin is ripped so we needed a new one for her. We also needed one for a couple things we have stored outdoors. And I wanted a great big one that absolutely wraps up the a-frame so there isn’t the least bit of chance it will leak. Then, in the spring, we’ll put her up for sale.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt and I were talking about the details of all she’s been through and he was worried it might deter someone from buying her. But, here’s how I look at it. Every new camper…no matter how expensive or well made…is going to have bugs to work out that first year. That’s what the warranty is there for. This particular camper had a few more bugs than usual, but we’ve stayed right on top of it, addressed each issue, and rectified it with repairs that made her better than new. So, I feel confident someone is still going to get a beautiful, useful camper that will give them years of pleasure. Really, the only reason we wouldn’t keep her is our age and Mr. FixIt’s balance. It’s meant for a younger, stronger person who wants to get out in the woods and have some fun. And besides, we have Grace, the 2021 Jayco.

\n\n\n

It was almost dark when we got home. We quickly parked the camper and covered her up for the winter. We tied the tarp down with sturdy ropes instead of bungee cords. Bungees seem to deteriorate so fast out in the sun and rain. We had supper on the way home from the RV dealership. After we watched the news, I made some peanut butter cookies with the recipe I shared in a video for National Cookie Day. They were delish! Here’s the recipe:

\n\n\n
Peanut Butter Cookies

1 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg 

Mix ingredients together. Chill ti stiffen dough. Roll into balls, place on parchment lined cookie sheet, and flatten with fork or press a chocolate kiss on top. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes till done. Let cool some before removing to wire cooling rack. Makes about a dozen medium sized cookies. Enjoy!
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I received a book in the mail that I ordered from eBay and I was so excited to get it. It’s about knitting Fair Isle and I really want to master that this winter. Imagine my dismay when I opened the package and it was a book on crocheting granny squares! lol Don’t get me wrong…I love granny squares, but this was NOT what I was looking for. I immediately wrote to the seller with a photo of the book I received and he apologized profusely for selecting the wrong one from the shelf. He’s sending me the correct one today and told me to either keep or donate the book that was sent in error. That was so kind of him…the only thing I dislike more than getting the wrong item, it’s having to package it all back up to return it. It’s a king-sized hassle. Instead, I’m going to gift it to Daughter #1 who crochets! Win/Win!!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

So…today is “Tamale Tuesday”!!! Yay!!!!!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.”

\nMicah 7:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-12-06T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/12/06/the-big-birdhouse-is-back.html", "tags": ["Fun","Baking","Cooking","Big Birdhouse"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/11/27/recipe-roundup.html", "title": "Recipe Roundup", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Who doesn’t love a little pie with their topping?!

\n\n\n

Many of you have been asking for the recipes I used for this year’s Thanksgiving Extravaganza, so I’m going to leave them here for you with my critique/comments, for what it’s worth. 

\n\n\n

I made a wonderful Apple-Cranberry Compote but without the figs. They’re kind of hard to come by around here. I found the recipe on a website for diabetic friendly recipes. You can find the recipe HERE.

\n\n\n

The turkey was a fresh twenty-one pounder from Butterball. I followed this recipe:

\n\n\n
\n[www.wyseguide.com/citrus-dr...](https://www.wyseguide.com/citrus-dry-brine-turkey/)\n
\n\n\n

I adapted Kaleb’s recipe for dressing. I made half with Italian sausage and the other half with oysters. I couldn’t find chestnuts. This recipe puts the dressing in a slow cooker and I’ll never make it any other way!

\n\n\n
\n[www.wyseguide.com/easy-slow...](https://www.wyseguide.com/easy-slow-cooker-stuffing/)\n
\n\n\n

I baked the bread for the dressing as well as the hot rolls from a recipe I’ve used for thirty-five years. I actually won First Prize in the County Fair with this recipe. It makes four loaves, or two loaves and two dozen hot rolls, or…four dozen hot rolls. Perfect for a crowd! The recipe is from America’s Best State Fair Recipes by Catherine Hanley. You can purchase the book online HERE. I really recommend you get this cookbook…there are so many wonderful recipes in it. My copy is worn and stained so you know it’s that good! The recipe was submitted by Elaine Janas of Minneapolis, Minnesota for the Minnesota State Fair. I am hoping it’s ok to share her recipe here with adequate recognition and praise because it really is awesome!

\n\n\n
“Sweepstakes White Bread\n\nWhen an exhibitor wins a blue ribbon in the same \"lot\" three\nsuccessive years at the Minnesota State Fair, she or he must skip two\nyears before entering in the same classification again. So Minnesota\nhome bakers now have two years to try for the top prize in white bread\nas Elaine Janas takes her brief hiatus. In a state where superb yeast\nbakers abound, the bread categories are so competitive that judges\nhave to resort to using fractions of points to award ribbons. But Elaine\nJanas is the all-time champion, as her bread wins the sweepstakes\naward for the best-of-all bread entries, in addition to blue ribbons for\nwhite bread. Besides sharing her recipe here, she also offers some of\nher baking secrets that have never been published. See Elaine Janas'\nYeast Baking Tips, pages 80-81. She credits state fair judges with\nhelping her perfect her yeast baking as she studied score cards and\nmade changes to improve her recipe and technique during the nearly\n25 years since she entered her first loaf of bread. Her big three-rise\nrecipe makes four loaves of bread.\n\n2 (1/4-oz.) packages active dry yeast (5 teaspoons)\n1/2 cup warm water (110F/45C)\n1 teaspoon sugar\n2 cups milk, scalded\n1/3 cup sugar\n1/3 cup shortening\n2 tablespoons salt\n1-1/2 cups cold water\n5 to 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour\n5 to 5-1/2 cups bread flour\nButter\n\nIn a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water with 1 teaspoon\nsugar. In a large bowl, combine scalded milk, 1/3 cup sugar, shorten-\ning and salt. Add cold water to cool mixture to lukewarm. Stir in\ndissolved yeast, 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 2 cups of bread flour.\nBeat well, until smooth. By hand, stir in enough additional flour to\nform a stiff dough. Turn out dough onto a floured surface. Knead a\nminimum of 10 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. Wash\nand grease large bowl. Place dough in greased bowl. Cover with\nplastic film; let rise in a warm place, 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until doubled in\nsize. Punch down dough. Cover; let rise 30 minutes. Punch down\ndough. Divide dough in 4 pieces; shape in oblongs. Cover with an\ninverted bowl and let rest 15 minutes. Grease 4 (8-1/2'' × 4-1/2') loaf\npans. Shape dough pieces in loaves. Place in greased pans and lightly\ngrease tops of loaves. Cover and let rise until loaves are light and\nalmost as high as you want them when baked, about 45 to 60 minutes.\nPreheat oven to 400F (205C). Bake in preheated oven 45 minutes or\nuntil loaves sound hollow when lightly tapped. Remove from pans.\nImmediately butter tops of warm loaves. Makes 4 loaves.\n\nElaine Janas \nMinneapolis, Minnesota\nMinnesota State Fair”
\n\n\n

I made my sweet potatoes a little differently, too. A long time ago, when I was on one of my many weight loss journeys, I learned about this method and have used it quite a bit over the years. Peel about six good sized sweet potatoes and thickly slice them. Place them in a large glass casserole dish, dot them with butter, and cover with foil. Bake at 350° till they are fork tender. Then I place them in a bowl, add a couple good shakes of cinnamon and a couple cups of fresh cut-up pineapple and mash it all together with a potato masher. Spread in a casserole dish, brush with melted butter and sprinkle about three or four tablespoons of brown sugar on top. About thirty minutes before supper, put them back in a 350° oven till they are heated through and the brown sugar is a little bubbly. (In the diet days, I used Butter Buds and Brown Sugar Substitute which will cut down the calories and sugar a good bit.)

\n\n\n

For the Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, sauté several slices of bacon cut up in little pieces and till crispy, toss in a bag of whole, trimmed Brussels sprouts, stirring to coat and pop that in the oven to roast for about fifteen minutes or until they are tender.

\n\n\n

And the last dish was the Winter Vegetable Salad with Maple Balsamic Glaze. You can find the recipe on my Pinterest page HERE.

\n\n\n

And, that’s it. Any of this would be just as good for Christmas Dinner, too! It was one of the more labor intensive meals I’ve prepared, but it was really special. I invited the kids to take whatever leftovers they wanted so things were pretty well cleared out in a hurry! That’s a good testimony of a successful dinner party, I’d say.

\n\n\n

It will be time to start baking for Christmas before we know it, but I’m going to take a little time to recover from this week before I start in on that! I didn’t do a thing yesterday but put the dishes away, eat leftovers, and take a nap! Nothing wrong with that, either!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

\nHebrews 13:16 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-27T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/11/27/recipe-roundup.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/11/26/blessings-abound.html", "title": "Blessings Abound!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

What a day! Other than missing the loved ones who couldn’t be with us, the day was truly perfect. Every aspect of the meal came out to the minute to be served at the same time. I think I could have put the turkey in 30-45 minutes earlier and it would have been right on the money. But it didn’t disappoint and that dry rub was AMAZING! The meat was tend and juicy and well seasoned throughout. The Winter Vegetable Salad with the Maple BalsamicGlaze was a big hit. The hot rolls were devoured in a flash. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It’s funny…as we filled our plates in the kitchen and made our way to the dining room table, I turned to everyone and said, “Listen…I love you all as my own, so I’ll tell you like I’d tell my kids. I have been cooking since Monday. Let’s sit and savor this meal with each other. This is such a treat to have you all here with us.” And…it was perfect. I think it was the longest meal we’ve had together and it was delightful!

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n
\n\n\n

The kids went downstairs and played pool. Mr. FixIt went down to “show them how it’s done.” Us girls sat upstairs and gabbed and watched the football game. When everyone left, Mr. FixIt and I cleaned up the kitchen to that’s behind us. Today we can just veg out and eat leftovers. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It was an all around success and the kids couldn’t thank us enough. What an absolute treat!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”

\nPsalm 133:1 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-26T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/11/26/blessings-abound.html", "tags": ["Family","Gratitude","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/11/25/gearing-up-for-the-big.html", "title": "Gearing Up for The Big Day", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

First, I truly hope you had a good Thanksgiving Day if you celebrated yesterday. And for those of you…like me…who are having their dinner today or over the weekend…hang in there, kiddo. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.

\n\n\n

I’ve been cooking since Monday. Every day…all day long…cooking and cleaning and planning. I’ve done this all my life…work on something till I drop. And when I drop, believe me, it isn’t pretty. Mr. FixIt has a long held tradition with his kids and their mom and aunt and anyone else who joins them. They go to the City Park and walk the Turkey Trot along with about 4,000 other health conscious individuals. I always elect to stay home. For one thing, I’ve got way too much to do. For another…this is their thing…something they’ve always done. I want them to still have that one thing. I have things I do with my kids alone. It’s ok. And, it gives me a little space to check in with my physical, mental, and emotional heath to see how all this rushing is affecting me.

\n\n\n

It took a long time for me to learn to listen to myself…to care, love, and nurture myself. In the past, I’d keep pushing till I crashed and burned…and beyond. Yesterday morning, I kissed my husband goodbye and gave him the obligatory warning to be careful. I mixed up one batch of dressing and put it in the garage refrigerator. Then I sat down and checked in. Immediately…the feelings I’d been pushing down all week came bubbling up and over. I let them flow. And, instead of negative self talk, I asked the little worker bee who is me…”What do you need to do right now, sweetheart?”

\n\n\n

“Sleep, please.” My inner voice sounded tired and frazzled.

\n\n\n

“Ok, darling…let’s go take care of YOU!

\n\n\n

I climbed in the bed in the guest room. It’s dark in there when you draw the curtains. I snuggled down under the soft, fleecy blankets, and turned on the 432hz music I’ve been sleeping to. And drifted off to sleep. This was at around 10:30am. I woke up at 1:30 in the afternoon. My body needed that and I didn’t feel at all guilty about it. I got up and got back to work in the kitchen.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt called on his way home from town and asked if I’d thought of anything I needed from the store. I thought about it for a moment and said, “You know what? If they have ready made pies, why don’t you pick up a couple? That will be one less thing for me to worry about making.” I know I’m known for my homemade baked treats, but I decided to work smarter…not harder. I doubt our guests will care one way or the other.

\n\n\n

After getting both pans of dressing baked, I loaded them up in the two slow cooker crocks and put them back in the garage refrigerator. I’ll take them out this morning and let them come to room temperature and turn the cookers on. I got the turkey cleaned and rubbed down. Kaleb on Wyse Guide said to run your hands under the skin to separate it from the meat and put your dry rub in there as well as the cavity and then on top of the skin. Then you set the whole thing in the fridge on a rack in a shallow sheet pan, uncovered, so the skin can air dry. That helps it get really crispy and golden brown in the oven.

\n\n\n

I placed the giblets and the neck in a saucepan, added about half a box of chicken broth, three sticks of celery and a carrot cut in chunks and a minced shallot. I threw in a few stems of fresh thyme and a generous couple of shakes of poultry seasoning, covered it, and set it on the back burner of the stove to simmer for an hour or so. I strained off the broth and set it in the fridge for tomorrow’s gravy. Then I nibbled on the neck bone. Not a lot of meat there, but what’s there is sweet and tender. 

\n\n\n

I realized when I got everything tucked in the fridge…I hadn’t taken the time to eat more than toast all day. I cut up an avocado and put it on top of some cottage cheese and called it a day. I’ll start back at it this morning and we’ll be sitting down to eat around 3:30 this afternoon. It’s amazing the amount of work that goes into a spread like this. The new recipes added some time to the prep this year, but if we like the new dishes, they can easily be incorporated next year. You know, once you make something, it’s usually easier the second time.

\n\n\n

I saved a video from Martha Stewart making the BEST New York Cheesecake. It’s time to make that again…but certainly NOT today! Christmas is a month away!!!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God.”

\nHebrews 6:7 ESV\n
\n\n\n

#Thanksgiving, #Blessings, #Food, #FarmLife

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-25T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/11/25/gearing-up-for-the-big.html", "tags": ["Family","Holiday","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/11/23/is-it-wednesday-already.html", "title": "Is it Wednesday Already???", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Maple Balsamic Glaze for the Winter Vegetable Salad

\n\n\n

I spent the majority of yesterday in the kitchen. I needed to get a good deal of prep work out of the way before the rush starts to prepare the actual meal on Friday. There were three main components of the meal that I wanted to knock out. First, as always…there’s breakfast. Then the obligatory cleanup. THEN I could get started.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt headed to pick up the kids and go to the dump to empty the load of old shingles we gathered when the roof was replaced. I headed into the kitchen. The first thing I did was make a Maple Balsamic Glaze for the Winter Vegetable Salad. When I say the first…I mean the first and the second. I burned the first batch. I thought I was letting it thicken when in actuality I was letting it boil till it made a savory rock candy. Bad.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Maple Balsamic Glaze

\n\n\n

I hated like the dickens to throw that pricy real maple syrup and balsamic vinaigrette down the drain. And, I used the last of my balsamic so I had to run to the store. Once I returned, I started over and it worked much better because I didn’t let myself get distracted and I kept the fire very low. It was really easy to make. Two cups balsamic vinegar and about 3/4th cup of real maple syrup. Whisk together in a saucepan, bring to a boil then turn the temp down to a slow simmer with small bubbles. Let it cook till it reduces by half. Remove from heat and cool then put into a jar with a tight lid. Store in the refrigerator. It was SO delicious! It can be used drizzled over a salad or basted on oven roasted veggies.

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n
\"\"
\n
\n\n\n

The second thing I made was the Citrus Dry Rub for the turkey. This was a little more labor intensive. You can find the recipe on Kaleb’s website, Wyse Guide HERE. I measured the spices out in a nonstick skillet….I used mixed peppercorns, coriander seed, fennel seed, and fresh bay leaf. The directions said to grind this mixture in a coffee grinder. I looked for one in our little burg and they didn’t have one. I picked the next best thing and bought a mini food processor. After toasting the spices over a low to medium heat till they became aromatic, I put them in the little processor and hit go. 

\n\n\n

About half the spices ground up easily, but the white peppercorns were still hard as a rock and that wasn’t going to work. I stood there going over and over in my head, trying to figure out what I could use to grind them up when it finally hit me….the pepper grinder! I took the tricolor peppercorns out and set them aside. I put in the part of the rub mixture that was still intact and put it in the pepper grinder and got to work. It took quite a bit of time to turn and turn and turn the grinder, but it worked exactly like it was supposed to! When that was finished, I put all the aromatics in a dish.

\n\n\n

I added the Kosher salt, grated orange and lemon zest, and the ground up herbs along with the brown sugar and the baking powder and rubbed it all together between my fingers till it was completely combined. I put it all in a pint jar, put a lid on it, and stored it in the fridge till I rub down the turkey on Thursday. Next, I made toasted and seasoned pecans to top the Winter Vegetable Salad and set them aside. I sautéed the Italian Sausage for one of the pans of dressing and stored it in the refrigerator in a covered container.

\n\n\n

I cut up a fresh pineapple for the Baked Sweet Potatoes. I reduce a lot of sugar by using pineapple instead of brown sugar. I add some pecans, butter, a handful of dried cranberries, and a little cinnamon and nutmeg and bake them in a baking dish. A lot better for you, too! That being said, I fried about 1.5 cups of bacon pieces to use on top of the Brussels sprouts that I’ll roast. I drained them on paper toweling and stored them in a ziplock sandwich bag in the fridge.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The Purple Heart Wandering Jew the former Mrs. FixIt gave me this fal is blooming!

\n\n\n

In between all of these things, we got the Christmas decorations out of storage and put them in the living room. My back was better yesterday, but not completely. By the time I got all this stuff done I was fried and ready to just sit for a little while. 

\n\n\n

I will bake some bread today to tear up and dry out in the oven for the stuffing. Thursday night I can make the Butterhorn dough and bake them last thing before I cut the turkey. I’ll get everything ready to bake the pies on Friday morning. It’s a really good thing we have two ovens. I could actually use three. I think that’s it. (I really need to sit down and write out the menu so I don’t miss anything!)

\n\n\n

I’m tired just thinking about the next three days…but ohhhhh, I do so enjoy it!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.”

\nProverbs 15:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-23T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/11/23/is-it-wednesday-already.html", "tags": ["Fun","Holiday","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/11/21/let-the-cooking-commence.html", "title": "Let the Cooking Commence!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

No, we’re not having venison. But this beautiful boy was in the near field when I got home last night. An 8 point white tail buck! I haven’t seen one this big in quite a while. The field was full of deer. There was a smaller 4 point buck, as well as the twins from this spring!

\n\n\n

There is a Kroger Store across the river in Ohio that I always go to when I’m on the hunt for something special. It’s as close to a Colorado grocery store that I’ve found in this area. They carry a lot of hard to find items and let’s face it…if you’re going to go to all the trouble of making a Thanksgiving dinner, it might as well be fabulous, right? 

\n\n\n

I’m making the stuffing from scratch this year. I’m going to make a new Brussels Sprouts salad I found on Pinterest that looks heavenly. I already made the cranberry sauce last night while Mr. FixIt was bowling. I used a recipe I found online as a guide and did my own thing, which is how I roll.

\n\n\n

Speaking of rolls, I’m trying something new in the bread department, too. Kaleb from the Wyse Guide blog has a video that he made with his grandma where they make Butterhorns…a buttery crescent roll that’s been around since as long as I can remember. I’m looking forward to trying that, as well.

\n\n\n

I’m also going to try Kaleb’s Citrus Dry Brine for the turkey this year. You don’t need to do a wet brine for a fresh turkey because it’s pretty darned juicy on its own. But this dry brine gives the meat a well seasoned flavor and a crispy, brown skin that’s just gorgeous to look at and tastes great, too.

\n\n\n

Usually I just do the same old things, but this year I want to shake it up a bit. We may be having some extras around the table and there’s nothing I love more than feeding people. Like I said before…cooking is my love language. And, it’s something I really enjoy doing. I texted our friend Richard last night and he’ll stop by today for a jar of the cranberry sauce I made. I don’t know that there’s anyone in the family but me that really loves it, so this way it won’t go to waste.

\n\n\n

Here is the recipe for the cranberry sauce. I’ll include more recipe links tomorrow.

\n\n\n
Ginny’s Fresh Cranberry Sauce\n\n2 apples, peeled and chopped\n1/2c. Maple Syrup\n1/2c. Water\n1/2c. White Wine\n1 Bag Fresh Cranberries\n10 Dried Apricots, cut in small pieces\nJuice and Zest of 1 Orange\nDash of Ground Cloves\nDash of Ground Cinnamon\nDash of Ground Nutmeg\nDash of Salt\n\nCombine all ingredients in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer till apples are tender and mixture is thickened. Mash the sauce with a potato masher. Pour into jars and cover. Let cool then store in the refrigerator. Can be made several days in advance. I’m sure you could can this as well.\n\nYield: 2.5 pints\nI used two wide mouth pint jars and one jelly jar. Honestly, I think this is the best cranberry sauce I’ve ever made. When you just use straight cranberries and sugar, it can be kind of overwhelming. The apple and apricot in this sauce mellows out the bitterness you sometimes get. Yummy!
\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.””

\nLuke 6:38 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-21T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/11/21/let-the-cooking-commence.html", "tags": ["Gratitude","Farm Life","Kindness","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/11/19/winter-is-creeping-in.html", "title": "Winter is Creeping In", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Every once in a while, I have a night where I sleep like a baby. I woke up suddenly at 6:30 yesterday morning to the incessant chirping of Mr. FixIt’s phone announcing an impending snow storm. I was sure I was awake for the day, but I fell back to sleep and woke up at noon! I rarely do that and it was delightful to wake up thoroughly rested. Still, not rested enough to want to do much of anything.

\n\n\n

We need to do some cleaning for company coming on Friday. We’ll be observing the FixIt Family Thanksgiving that day and we love to have the house all pretty for them. I want the tree up, too. So, there’s lots to do. Some time in the afternoon, Mr. FixIt suggested we start cleaning and I begged him to take this one day off and enjoy the snow and each other’s company. That’s what we ended up doing and it was so peaceful.

\n\n\n

We had a snow squall yesterday afternoon that made the ground white in thirty minutes. The temperature didn’t get over 33° all day. I was going to cook a pork roast yesterday, but I didn’t get up in time to put it in the slow cooker, so I’ll do it today. We can put on some music, clean the house, then put up the tree. I bought some new lights to replace the burned out ones on the pre-lit tree. It’s still perfectly fine to use and the new ones are so expensive.

\n\n\n

There are certain areas of my life where I’ll scrimp. Making do, reusing, upcycling…I’m all about that. Eggs? I passed them up at the Pig when they wanted almost $7.00 for eighteen eggs. But the fresh turkey? I won’t pass up a fresh turkey. Frozen turkey can’t compare to the moist and flavorful meat of a fresh bird. 

\n\n\n

I remember so many Thanksgivings of my childhood when Grandma baked the turkey in a brown paper grocery bag because she read it made it tender and juicy. I loved my Grandma, with the white hot heat of the sun, but she cooked meat to death. The turkey, while a beautiful golden brown, was dry as a bone. That’s how I learned to eat the dark meat. It was hard to make the dark meat too dry.

\n\n\n

I have cooked approximately forty Thanksgiving dinners in my lifetime and I have always searched for the perfect turkey. It wasn’t until I discovered brining a fresh turkey till I found nirvana! I have the turkey and the brining bag. I still need to buy the brine mix and whole cranberries. I think I’d like to put chestnuts and oysters in the dressing this year so I’ll have to go to the store sometime early next week. 

\n\n\n

Have any of you cooked your dressing in a slow cooker? Kaleb of Wyse Guide…a blog I follow…has a wonderful recipe that I want to try. He also has his grandma’s recipe for Butterhorns on there. They sound incredible! You can find his blog HERE.   https://www.wyseguide.com

\n\n\n

I always get excited about cooking a big traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. I grew up in Appalachia, and subsequently lived twenty-seven years as a Jewish Mother. I’m all about feeding people. It’s my love language…to make sure you eat the best meal of your life at my table. Sometimes I miss the mark, but I’ve gotten pretty good after all these years. I especially love planning a unique dessert. You can NEVER have too many desserts!

\n\n\n

Do you have big plans this year? Is there a new recipe you’re going to try? What’s your favorite Thanksgiving food? Let’s share some recipes and get excited about this!!!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.”

\nPsalm 7:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-11-19T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/11/19/winter-is-creeping-in.html", "tags": ["Holiday","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/30/a-slow-sunny-saturday.html", "title": "A Slow Sunny Saturday", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Saturday is college football day at our house and the Mountaineers are the center of the universe. We had a late start to our day and WVU had a fairly early game, so that made for a lovely brunch in front of the television, cheering on our favorite team. I still had some cornmeal mush leftover so I sliced and fried it in butter. I have to remember to cook it longer next time because it was just a little too wet. That makes it too soft and it falls apart easier. Still, if you fry it up crispy and golden and serve it with butter and syrup…oh, my! It’s SO good. We had the leftover biscuits from Friday along with sausage patties and eggs over easy. It was a filling, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast that lasts all day.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt left in the afternoon to go help his friend Joe with a few odd jobs so I had the afternoon home alone. This doesn’t happen too often, so I curled up in my recliner with my knitting and binge watched Tipper Pressley and Brenda Gantt videos on YouTube. Of course, now I want to make butter…and pecan pralines…and the perfect corn bread in a cast iron skillet. Those shows always make me hungry and just when I thought I’d have to get up and bake something, Mr. FixIt called to say he was on his way home.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Just before he came home, I put Pumpkin kitty in her great big building and did a little walk about to see what’s growing around the yard. I noticed the ground moles have tunnels dug all through the yard that mash down when you step on them. I pulled a couple of handfuls of seed pods off one of the redbud trees in the hedgerow. The leaves have all but finished falling off the pear trees. I found two or three pears but only one I could reach. It came off in my hand when I touched it, but it’s as hard as a rock. I brought it in and placed it on the windowsill in the kitchen to see if it will ripen. 

\n\n\n

We have a little mom and pop grocery store in our town. They grind their own burger and man is it ever good. My sweetie brought some home the other day and we had hamburgers from it. There were a couple left over so I heated them up for a quick supper. Mr. FixIt wanted pork and beans so he opened a can. I can’t hardly eat those after growing up with them. Most of the time, Mom would just open the can and dump them in a serving dish cold, stick in a spoon, and call it good. To this day, I won’t touch them unless I’ve doctored them up with a little BBQ sauce, brown sugar, bacon, and onions, and bake them.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I caught a beautiful shot of the trees on top of the far hill glowing in the last of the setting sunlight and they were remarkable. It just about takes your breath away, the beauty that surrounds us every day. I see bounty at every turn. Mr. FixIt finished unloading the firewood so the trailer is free to go pick up the roof shingles…hopefully tomorrow. We took an old wood pallet and stacked the wood on it to keep it up off the wet ground. Some of it was dry, but the majority of it is still green, so this will be for fires next year.

\n\n\n

Hmmmmm….I’m still thinking of those pecan pralines. I think I’m going to HAVE to make some!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”

\nProverbs 22:9 ESV\n
\n\n\n

#Bounty, #FarmLife, #Pears

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-30T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/30/a-slow-sunny-saturday.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/29/after-the-jab.html", "title": "After the Jab", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The last time I had a Covid Booster, I kinda felt puny for a couple of days. This time, not so much. My arm isn’t even all that sore today. I suppose I still had enough antibodies in my system to not react terribly, but I’m awfully glad we got the vaccines. We still are vigilant with mask wearing and hand washing and social distancing. We’ve relaxed a little bit with restaurants, but then only mid to late afternoon and ask to be seated in a far corner booth. I’m feeling really confident that we can get through the holidays a bit more at ease than we did last year.

\n\n\n

I am perfecting the two ingredient biscuit recipe I learned this summer. I made a batch yesterday and it is indeed the most forgiving dough. The biscuits were perfection! I fried up some sausage and eggs to go with them and we had a fine feast before a day of chores.

\n\n\n

My stepson called yesterday morning to ask if we wanted a load of firewood. Mr. FixIt jumped on that, hooked up the utility trailer, and headed over to help. While he was gone, I did a little cleaning and knitting while I watched Celebrating Appalachia videos on YouTube. It’s such a peaceful oasis in the storm of news and social media. Yesterday was a particularly awful day with the attack on Speaker Pelosi’s husband. I’m sure you join me in prayers for his speedy and complete recovery. Some days are harder than others to deal with the brokenness of this world. 

\n\n\n

When Mr. FixIt returned with the load of firewood, I went out and helped him unload and stack it by the fire-pit out back. It wasn’t a lot of wood, but we could both feel it in our backs by the time we finished for the day. The kitchen was completely out of hand so I did a thorough cleaning before I sat down to watch the news. When it was done, I came out to the camper to write. I was thinking of ”yard camping”, but decided to come back in after I finished this post. I’m not soft, but I didn’t want to spend the entire night with my arms tight under the covers. I guess I’m relegated to occasional visits or naps. *sigh*

\n\n\n

I have a couple of prayer requests to add before tomorrow. My dear friend Sue has hit a bump in the road in her recovery from knee surgery and could use some prayers for strength and healing. Little has had mono for a month and is still struggling with fatigue. And my friend Gail asked for prayers for Chuck for a brain bleed with upcoming surgery on Tuesday. Big is in her first big college swim meet this weekend. Prayers for safety and strength. Thank you!

\n\n\n

We need to go get the roofing shingles today. And…I found the electric blanket! It was folded up inside a quilt I had taken off the guest bed this spring. It was stuck behind the “Tub-o-Yarn” I bought when the knit shop closed this summer. Mystery solved!

\n\n\n

What’s going on in your neck of the woods this weekend?

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

\n1 Timothy 4:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/29/after-the-jab.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/23/the-dastardly-deed.html", "title": "The Dastardly Deed", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

About a year ago, we bought a beautiful set of Ninja pans from Kohl’s on a really super deal. I’ve never had a great set of pans. Other than my cast iron, most of what I have ever cooked on have been cheap “buy a pan here and there” kind of cookware. Nonstick pans are notorious for flaking and scratching whether you follow the directions or not. But this set? Ohhhh, this set has been primo and I love them.

\n\n\n

I’m really careful when I use them. I never use a metal utensil. I follow the directions to a T and never use nonstick cooking spray. I use very little oil and then it’s high quality. I was popping the waffles in the toaster yesterday (my leftover homemade waffles…not the mass produced variety) when I turned around and there was my beloved…spraying my precious skillet with “Crap-in-a-Can”! Gahhhhhh!!!!

\n\n\n

Please keep in mind…I’ve cut out caffeine and coffee in general the last few weeks. I hadn’t even had my decaf tea yet. So…there’s that. But I let out a squeal and a bloody “Noooooo!” that made Mr. FixIt jump a foot. What I thought was perhaps a momentary lapse of memory was apparently something that had been going on for months.

\n\n\n

Bless his heart.

\n\n\n

He used the spray. A dastardly deed! And…as the package insert said it would…the egg stuck. Apparently from not using ENOUGH spray, I’ve been told! So, I (eventually) let it go because it’s just a skillet. But it’s been a really GOOD skillet, darn it.

\n\n\n

We were just finishing breakfast when the former Mrs. FixIt called and asked if my sweetheart could take her to pick up some shelves she bought. She doesn’t have a truck. He asked if We had anything going and I said, “No…go help!” So off he went. I cleaned up the kitchen and made a batch of cornmeal mush so we have some to fry up on our camping trip.

\n\n\n

I spent the afternoon watching my favorite guilty pleasure…Appalachian cooking videos with Tipper Pressley on her YouTube channel “Celebrating Appalachia.” I knitted a little and chatted on the phone. When I got hungry, I decided to make a fried egg sandwich. But….the skillet! Argh!

\n\n\n

I decided to just see what I could do with it. I ran some hot soapy water and washed the pan thoroughly. I dried it well, then set it on medium to preheat. I cracked the egg and dropped it into the skillet…no oil, no butter, no spray…and hoped for the best. And, sure enough…that thing didn’t stick! Eureka!

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt called on his way home to see if I needed anything. He told me he was bringing me some fried chicken livers from Miller’s Chicken in Athens. I told him he was no longer in the doghouse over the frying pan debacle because I got it cleaned up and it works like it’s supposed to. (We had long since apologized for the pre-tea tempers.) And, the chicken livers were SOOOOO good!

\n\n\n

The weather was warm yesterday and if you are from around these parts, you know that the first warm day after the first cold spell brings out those nasty vermin we all love to hate. The Asian Lady Beetle. Between them and the Stink Bugs, it is a scourge that honestly takes part of the fun out of fall.

\n\n\n

I cannot believe God actually told Noah to add Stink Bugs and Asian Lady Beetles to the ark! What was He thinking???

\n\n\n

Hmmmmm…maybe Naamah caught Noah fouling her cookpot so she slipped them in as revenge!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

\nPsalm 34:8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/23/the-dastardly-deed.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Marriage","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/10/02/the-first-fire-of-the.html", "title": "The First Fire of the Season", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I’m one of those who want comfort first. I don’t play that game of “let’s see how long we can go before we turn on the furnace.” Why? Because, I know what I want. That being said, Mr. FixIt and I have two entirely different thermostats. If it is June and it’s 70 degrees in the house…Mr. FixIt thinks it’s too hot. Gotta turn on the AC! However, if it’s October and it’s 70 degrees in the house, it’s too cold. Gotta turn on the furnace! 

\n\n\n

My sweetie ran to town yesterday to get a haircut and while he was gone, I cleaned the house and sat down to knit. It was chilly and raining so I decided to get the gas fireplace ready for its winter workout. I’ve watched Mr. FixIt set it up every fall, but I’ve never done it myself. I put fresh batteries in the remote and in the stove itself. It has an electronic ignition and thermostat. I fiddled with it for a minute then I realized the gas was turned off at the wall. Once I turned it on, I got it started right away. It was soon way too hot in the living room so I turned it off, but Mr. FixIt was really impressed when he saw the pilot light lit.

\n\n\n

I made a big pot of chili yesterday and a pan of biscuits. My bonus grandson and his family came out for a visit and an early supper. Big Boy is three and Little Boy is eight months old and they are cute as buttons. I was afraid they wouldn’t know us because it’s been quite a while since we’ve seen them, but those little guys just snuggled right in to us and it warmed our hearts. Their mama wants to learn how to make biscuits next time she’s out. She’s going to need to know how with a house full of men to feed!

\n\n\n

I defrosted a peach cobbler I made in late summer, but the kids were gone and there it sat on the counter. We each had a small piece with our tea and called it a day. I didn’t have little boys. I don’t know the first thing about interacting with them or what they like other than food and trucks. So food and trucks it is! They do wear me out, though. So much noise in our quiet little life.

\n\n\n

God knew what he was doing when he gave me girls. I can play tea party and dress up with the best of them. But I also taught them how to do things that were not typically associated with young ladies at the time. I thought it was important for them to have a broad knowledge base and I think it has benefited them immensely.

\n\n\n

Our eldest “Great Grand-Little” turned five years old this past week so we are going to a birthday party today at…Skate City! You know how long it’s been since I went to a Skate City??? A good long time, let me tell ya! And no….we are NOT skating!!! I’ll let you know how it goes. 

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

““Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—”

\nDeuteronomy 4:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-10-02T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/10/02/the-first-fire-of-the.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/21/camping-people-are-the-best.html", "title": "Camping People Are The Best!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I’ve missed out on a ton of fun in my life. For years and years I tried to get my second husband to get a camper or an RV and it just wasn’t his thing. He was a city boy and a doctor…not a camper. For a very brief period, we had a VW Vanagon popup but it had a lot of mechanical problems. We were poor as church mice so we sold it to have a down payment on a house. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It was so cloudy yesterday morning, you couldn’t see across the river!

\n\n\n

I never realized how great camping people were till I lost Mr. Virgo and bought Little TOW-Wanda. When I went on my first Grand Adventure as a widow, I met some of the nicest people on my way through the wilderness and backroads of Colorado. Some I’ve even stayed in touch with. Some have followed me on my adventures ever since.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I like to cook outdoors when we camp to keep the smells and grease out of the camper.

\n\n\n

As I’ve told you, I met my true match when Mr. FixIt and I found each other again. My daughter tells me I can talk to a tree. She’s right, of course. And my sweetheart is exactly the same. He attracts and collects people and we always have the most interesting conversations with people from all over the country.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When we were sitting out by the river yesterday, the folks in the campsite next to us came over for a visit. Of course, in the first five minutes, we found out we knew a ton of the same folks. She had worked with the Former Mr. FixIt. His sons bowled on Mr. FixIt’s league. We had been chatting for about an hour when I told them the story of losing Mr. Virgo and how it caused me to create this blog.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The gal went on to tell me she’s never really gotten into reading blogs…she reads what’s on FB. That’s ok…not everyone is into long winded storytelling. I get that. But when I mentioned Marshmallow Ranch, she whipped around and looked at me with a huge surprised smile on her face.

\n\n\n

“Ohhhhh!!!!! GINNY!!!!”

\n\n\n

I couldn’t help but laugh. She said, “I see you on Facebook all the time! I read what you post on FB!” Mr. FixIt just shook his head and smiled. He might know everybody in town, but I’ve got peeps all over the world! And that’s pretty cool!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

We fiddled around the campsite all day. I cooked a big camp breakfast in the outdoor kitchen, then set the pot roast to cooking in the crockpot for the day. It was my bonus daughter’s birthday so we talked with her a few times. I sat under the awning so I could stay out of the sun and protect my face. I started knitting a baby sweater on Monday so I worked on it all day. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

We packed up hot roast beef and sandwich fixings and went to a fishing hole we found. We took our chairs. I knitted. Then we ate supper along the lagoon as the sun started to set on a gorgeous September day. This is my all time favorite time of the year to camp. Crisp nights, sunny days. I’m packing all these memories up to tide me over the winter when we are stuck inside for months.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Foggy river morning.

\n\n\n

And….did I tell you? We LOVE this new camper! They called to say the Big Birdhouse is ready to pick up so we are going there Friday. A week of camping!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n\n

“There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows.”

\nEzekiel 47:9 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/21/camping-people-are-the-best.html", "tags": ["Camping","Fun","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/09/04/labor-day-weekend.html", "title": "Labor Day Weekend", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

\n\n\n

We didn’t do a heck of a lot yesterday. I worked on the quilt some. I now have three rows of eight blocks pieced. Once I get all sixty-four completed, I can lay them out and make sure I arrange them in a pleasing way. Then I can piece them all together, make the borders, then it can go to the machine quilter to be completed at her leisure. And I can get back to knitting!

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt loves Louisa the Lincoln! So much so that he searched the internet high and low to find a replacement piece for the top part of the grill…the part that connects to the hood. It was surprisingly affordable and it sure makes the car look shiny and new. He took off the old piece yesterday and put the new on and took me out to look at his handiwork. Great job, babe!

\n\n\n

I took a break in the early afternoon and drove to town to buy some groceries. Some of the kids are coming today for a cookout and I wanted to make sure I had enough food. The guys are going to measure so we can order the supplies to put on a new roof. Hopefully we can get that done before winter. We’re just going to have hamburgers and smoked sausages and assorted cream salads like macaroni, potato, and cole slaw. 

\n\n\n

I also bought a big pork butt roast and put it in the slow cooker. I am going to use half of it to make pork green chili and the other half can be frozen in servings big enough for two to pull out later on for sandwiches or whatever. I bought a huge container of strawberries and I’ll bake sugar biscuits for strawberry shortcake for dessert. You make sugar biscuits the same as regular, but you add a little sugar and vanilla to the dough and top the biscuits with decorator sugar crystals. Perfect for little individual shortcakes.

\n\n\n

I think we are getting close to the end of pool season. We really didn’t get a chance to use it much this summer. It seemed to take forever to get the chemicals just right and we were always cleaning it. It’s more trouble than it’s worth, honestly…but the kids love it and it is nice to get in after a hot day mowing. So I suppose we’ll keep it up another year.

\n\n\n

Once I got the pork roast in the slow cooker, I read some of the paperwork on the sewing machine and serger while we watched a back episode of America’s Got Talent. Mr. FixIt was thrilled that college football is back although I fail to be enthralled. I do like to go to the games, but only on that cusp between “OMG I’m dying of the heat!” and “I can’t feel my toes!” Too far either way and I’m not interested. 

\n\n\n

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,”

\n1 Thessalonians 3:12 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-09-04T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/09/04/labor-day-weekend.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/30/preparation-and-planning-and-prayer.html", "title": "Preparation and Planning and Prayer", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

There was nothing I would have liked more than to get started on that quilt yesterday. However, Mr. FixIt had an eye appointment and he needed to have that super duper extra strength eye dilation done. He asked if I’d drive him. Of course! How could I turn down this sweet man? I had a couple of errands to run in town anyway, so while he was in the doctor’s office, I took care of them.

\n\n\n

When we finally got home, I mixed up a batch of cornbread and heated up the soup beans. Even though it was 95° yesterday, those beans tasted great! And speaking of beans, I recently watched a YouTube video about canning beans and decided those would be great to have on the shelf for quick meals in the winter. I bought an eight pound bag of pinto beans yesterday at Walmart. That should make about 12-14 quarts of beans canned in my pressure canner. All for under $6.00! Too often, I buy beans, forget to put them on to soak, then change my mind and make something else. Eventually, the beans get too old and hard and no matter what you do to them, they won’t soften up and cook right. This way I have them, I’ve canned them myself, and I know what’s in them.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

In case you’re wondering, that is a generous squirt of spicy brown mustard on top of my beans. I grew up eating mustard on my beans…I have no idea why. I can’t imagine eating them without it. I added the chopped onions, but it turns out they weren’t Vidalia onions and they were WAY too strong for me. So, I fished them out once we sat down to eat.

\n\n\n

We have seen multiple signals that the inflation is easing, but I still want to be prepared just in case we ever get into a food crisis like what happened during the pandemic and resultant supply chain issues. The more food we have put up in the cellar, the easier I will feel about the future. I have things set up here where I can do things like sewing for people if I needed to make extra money. I’m not saying that’s what’s going to happen. I’m just saying I’m a good Girl Scout and I believe in being prepared.

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt and I talked yesterday on our way back from town. I want to set up a sewing space where I can leave things out and not have to put everything away at night. We decided the game room downstairs would work great for now. There is a sliding glass door down there that lets in a lot of natural light. I can set up my tables there and I won’t disturb Mr. FixIt if he’s watching TV. And vice versa.

\n\n\n

I picked up some sewing thread yesterday and got the buttons sewn on the sweater, so it’s officially finished! I’m very happy with it. I have the same yarn in a darker blue that will go really well with denim. I already have it in my knitting bag to start on the next one. One of our fellow readers commented yesterday how productive I am. I had to smile because I surely don’t feel very productive at times. I think of all the things I’d love to do, but all the other stuff gets in the way. Still, I am accomplishing more in my golden years than I did in the first half. I figure, as long as the people I love are happy, and I have something to show for my efforts, and I continue to find joy in that, I’m good!

\n\n\n

Life is fleeting and it is what we make of it. This isn’t a dress rehearsal and all it take is to start pushing 70 to bring that into clear focus. My sweet mama just lived to be 78. We don’t know the number of days we’ll be given here, so we’d darned well better make good use of the ones we have, right? We can’t know what will happen in the future, but we can prepare ourselves as best we can and pray all good things will come to those we love.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.””

\nJames 4:6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-30T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/30/preparation-and-planning-and-prayer.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Crafts","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/29/on-to-the-next-project.html", "title": "On to the Next Project!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

My Uncle Bud gave me the 1/2 gallon Ball jar and the other two I’ve picked up along the way. One of the quart jars is a #13. They are rare because moonshiners broke them. They were considered bad luck.

\n\n\n

The sweater is finished…all but sewing on the buttons down the front. The sleeves are the perfect length. It’s soft and warm and not at all itchy. I’m still not sure if it’s mine or if it’s a gift. We shall see.

\n\n\n

I finally got the beans cooked. I got the smoked ham hocks out of the fridge to put in the cooking pot with the beans and they had mold on them! I was really disappointed, but I also had a package of ham bits and slices for cooking so I put a good couple of handfuls in the slow cooker along with an onion, quartered, and a generous amount of black pepper. Before we had time to eat them, Mr. FixIt decided he was going to go to town and sit with the guys at the bowling alley and visit. He misses bowling with his buddies so he was excited to go shoot the breeze for a little while. I packaged up the beans and we’ll heat some up tomorrow along with a cast iron skillet full of crusty cornbread for supper.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

A yummy pot of soup beans and ham. I’ll bake up some crusty cornbread in my favorite iron skillet later on today. That’s good eatin’ right there!

\n\n\n

I actually did laundry yesterday. I hate doing laundry in our washer/dryer. The washer is billed as “high efficiency” that’s supposed to use less water and doesn’t have an agitator. It doesn’t do a full load and I cant see how that is any more efficient than doing half the number of wash loads in a regular washer. I get really frustrated with it because there’s always soap scum left on the clothes and I end up running them through an extra rinse cycle. So, usually Mr. FixIt does the laundry. But, yesterday I decided to give it another go and, while it really wasn’t any better than my first attempts, I stuck it out and got most of it done.

\n\n\n

When Mr. FixIt left, I decided to run to town to Walmart and pick up some sewing notions. It’s been a gazillion years since I’ve had a sewing machine that worked and when I downsized, most of my supplies were stolen when the storage unit was broken into. I’m kind of starting from scratch. I needed a cutting mat with a rotary cutter and ruler and a small ironing board to keep beside me as I sew. I bought a carry case for the sewing machine, but when I got home, I think it’s too small so I’ll return it next time it go to town. I needed thread and quilting pins and machine oil for the sewing machine. Today I can set up my temporary sewing nook since we aren’t ready to fix up a more permanent sewing/craft/office space for me yet. There’s always some other project that takes precedence. Maybe we’ll get to that in the coming year.

\n\n\n

We need to get out to the farm this week and prime the pump. And we’re hoping to have a family gathering over the Labor Day weekend so there’s planning that will go into that. The grass is still growing so there’s not slacking off the mowing at this time of year. I’m so grateful to have had a slow, laidback weekend. I’m ready to hit the ground running today and get some things accomplished!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

\nPhilippians 2:14-16 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/29/on-to-the-next-project.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Crafts","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/28/smack-my-headi-forgot-the.html", "title": "Smack My Head…I Forgot the Beans!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I added about half a teaspoon of baking powder to the self-rising flour this time and I love how high these biscuits rose…and so light and fluffy!

\n\n\n

Ever have one of those moments where you just KNOW there’s something you’re forgetting to do? Well, when I woke up yesterday morning at 6:00 (why that early, I have NO idea), I checked to make sure my post actually…you know, posted. It did. And you wonderful people started talking about how good those soup beans and ham hocks and iron skillet cornbread sounded, I was like… “Dang! I knew there was something I was supposed to do before I went to bed!”

\n\n\n

I forgot to put the beans on to soak. I know there are shortcuts like bring them to a boil then cover and remove from the heat. Or cook them in a pressure cooker. But they never quite taste great unless I cook them the way I always do…in a slow cooker seasoned with a couple smoked ham hocks and chopped up onions and a generous grind of fresh black pepper. I’ll try again today!

\n\n\n

Since I woke up so early, I decided to get up and work on the sweater and get it finished. And I did. However, when I tried it on, the sleeves were too short so I ripped them back out to the point before decreasing for the cuffs and added a couple of inches. I’m not exactly sure what went wrong other than the fact that it’s hard to read the length correctly till you try it on with both sleeves. Of course, it could be that this is only my second sweater and I just don’t have the technique down yet.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt lounged around this morning and didn’t get up till “brunch-time” so I fixed a big spread…sausage, eggs, fried potatoes, cooked apples, and homemade biscuits. I used Tipper’s recipe again and I’m telling you…I am SOLD. Seriously the best biscuits ever. I stored the leftovers in a plastic food container, then before bed last night, I warmed two of them up in the microwave for twenty seconds, spread a nice portion of real butter on top and a dollop of my homemade plum jam. 

\n\n\n

*swoon*

\n\n\n

Other than those two things…I didn’t get a thing accomplished yesterday. Mr. FixIt went out after it cooled down to wash and wax the Lincoln. We live on a gravel road and the dust is terrible. Then you get a sprinkling of rain and you can imagine what it looks like. We watch a lot of reruns of Law & Order and last night we watched an episode of America’s Got Talent that we had recorded last week.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It actually felt pretty good to not have anything pressing to do. It’s supposed to be in the 90’s today and tomorrow, so there may be a whole lot of nothing getting done around here the next couple of days, as well. And that’s ok. One doesn’t have to be totally productive every single day. Accomplishing self-care is still an accomplishment.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

\nPsalm 127:2 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/28/smack-my-headi-forgot-the.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Baking","Crafts","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/22/a-job-well-done.html", "title": "A Job Well Done", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

What beautiful Georgia Peaches…and they taste SO good!

\n\n\n

My cousins over in the mountains near the panhandle of West Virginia routinely can hundreds and hundreds of jars of food every year. They butcher beef and pork. They raise cattle. One has a high tunnel and they sell plants, flowers, and veggies. Their larders look like something out of a magazine. So, when I accomplish what I did this weekend, I feel a little like… “Meh, they do this all the time. It’s not a big deal.” Yeah…tell my feet that! lol

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Scalding the peaches for a minute then plunging them in cold water lets you slip the skins right off of them…easy peasy!

\n\n\n

I didn’t start working on this stuff till rather late on Friday afternoon. Then it wasn’t just dig in and do. I had bags of groceries and produce all over the kitchen…that had to be carted in from the driveway. When I have a zillion things to bring in the house, I sweetly ask Mr. FixIt why on EARTH he decided to build the garage/building/driveway so FAR from the door. Oy!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

This is the first time I’ve tried dehydrating peaches. I’m thinking of adding them to oatmeal in the deep winter. doesn’t that sound yummy?!

\n\n\n

So, in forty-eight hours’ time, I dehydrated two big containers of mushrooms, canned twenty-eight quarts of tomato sauce, one and a half pints of tomato paste, fourteen quarts of peaches, a dehydrator load of peach slices, and fourteen quarts of vegetable beef soup plus enough to can another four quarts, I think. I took the last canner off the heat last night just before midnight. I was going to save the soup for today, but I got my second wind and Mr. FixIt had to substitute on the bowling league last night, so I just went for it!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Parsnips, carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, fresh corn cut from the cob, garlic, the tomato paste I made Saturday, a large container of V8 juice and six containers of low sodium broth (beef, beef bone, and chicken), a head of cabbage coarsely chopped, and two large bags of sweet kale salad mix that had lots of yummy veggies in it (and it was one sale!). seasoned to taste and easy on the budget. This will taste so good when it’s snowing!

\n\n\n

I ran two canners last night. One has the little weighted gauge…you just select what pressure you want to run and then you can pretty much do what you want as long as you are within earshot of the kitchen. You have to listen for the “jiggle, jiggle” of the steam rattling the weighted gauge. The other canner has a dial gauge. It’s a lot trickier. You have to watch that gauge and adjust your flame to keep it at, or a little above, the pressure you want. Because, if it drops too low, you have to start timing all over again. The processing time for vegetable beef soup is eighty-five minutes at ten pounds pressure at our elevation. I got my knitting and made myself as comfortable as I could on the bar stools and finished the first sleeve of the sweater I’m knitting.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I heated the soup up enough to pack it hot, but not so hot as to cook the veggies. pressure canning will cook them plenty during the processing time.

\n\n\n

While the second canner was processing, I cleaned up the kitchen and emptied the first canner and cleaned it so I can run the last bit of soup today. And that’s it for a little bit. I still have some jams I’d like to make, and a batch of apple butter and applesauce. But other than that, I should be finished with the canning. Now I can focus on clearing out the old freezer downstairs so we can get a new one. I’d like to be able to buy some things in bulk and freeze them.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Doesn’t this look yummy?!

\n\n\n

I’m not a “prepper” by a long shot, but I am a good homemaker and I like to have enough set by to be prepared. A lot of us didn’t have things in place when the pandemic hit and I’d like to avoid that kind of uncertainty again. I like to be able to help people out with a meal should they need one without a lot of planning or running to the store. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

We’ve had a lot of thunderstorms here the last couple of days. You can feel the change…fall is creeping in ever so slowly. I went out yesterday and checked the milkweed to see if we have any monarch butterflies coming out and I didn’t see a single caterpillar or chrysalis either one. I did see a sweet little butterfly on our African Lilies, but no monarchs. I hope they come back. I’m even more determined to build a pollinator garden now!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it.”

\nProverbs 15:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-22T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/22/a-job-well-done.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/20/in-my-country-kitchen.html", "title": "In My Country Kitchen", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I got up pretty early yesterday. Well, early for ME. I ran to Riverbend Farm for see if I could get some of her wonderful tomatoes, but alas…I believe I missed the window. It’s getting a little late in the season for tomatoes. I did the next best thing and went to one of my two favorite farm stands. Ward’s Market is where my mom always used to get her produce in the summer. They had canning tomatoes…a half bushel for $15. I bought a bushel and a half…which equates to 75 pounds of tomatoes. 

\n\n\n

I dropped the half-runners off to the former Mrs. Fix-it and she gifted me a big pot with two different varieties of Wandering Jew…a plant that is pretty near impossible to kill. Which is good, because I am NOT good at keeping houseplants alive. I showed her my tomatoes and gave her the biggest one in the box! It really was the prettiest tomato of the season, I think.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

After our visit, I headed to the Kroger store in Belpre, OH. It’s the closest to a Colorado grocery store that we have in this area and I just love it. I bought all the ingredients to make Vegetable Beef soup that I’ll can. On my way home, I pulled into Witten’s Farm Stand and bought a head of cabbage for the soup and a half bushel of peaches for $40. I’ll can those and make a batch or two of peach jam. We went through what I made last time and it is so, so good!

\n\n\n

I got started on the tomatoes and I was so happy with this Weston Tomato Press & Sauce Maker. So quick and easy to turn quartered tomatoes into purée while expelling the skins, seeds, and cores into a separate container. If I had chickens or pigs or a compost pile, I would have disposed of all that pulp that way. But, I don’t so out it went. 

\n\n\n
\n\n\n

I was nearly finished straining the tomatoes when Mr. FixIt called me out to help him with the railing. It’s been way too hot to work out there midday so we needed to get a lot done before dark. As it was, we could barely see when we cut the last board and screwed it in place. I am really proud of the job my sweetheart (and my stepson) did on these steps. You can sure tell an engineer built them because they’re sturdy as can be. If we need to grab a railing to keep from falling, that thing isn’t budging!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I also sliced two large containers of mushrooms and put them in the dehydrator.

\n\n\n

So, as I sit here typing, it’s going on 10:30pm and I’m whupped. I have a canner load in, working it’s way up to 10 pounds of pressure. When it gets there, I need to I start timing and making sure it stays there for 15 minutes. Then I can turn off the heat and let it cool overnight. I don’t have room in the fridge for the rest of the tomato purée so I’m going to put it in a crockpot to simmer overnight to thicken. My stepdaughter and her husband are coming over this afternoon to help us get some things done. She’ll help me with the canning and he’ll help Mr. FixIt with hauling brush.

\n\n\n

It’s going to be a busy and productive day here at Marshmallow Ranch!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.”

\nProverbs 13:4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/20/in-my-country-kitchen.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/08/11/runnin-like-a-chickennbsp.html", "title": "Runnin’ Like a Chicken\u0026nbsp;", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The morning dew on the Elephant Ears.

\n\n\n

There was a goodly portion of the day yesterday that was pretty laid back. Mr. FixIt had to go to town to get his hair cut. Big to-do this weekend…gotta look good, right? While he was gone, I thought I’d just sit and knit a while…which I did. Then he called and said he found a used car for us and wanted my input. We’ve been wanting to get something that would be lower mileage and get better gas mileage. His old truck has surpassed 200,000 miles and that is not a reliable vehicle should you need to make a long trip. He went by and gave it a test drive. I trust his judgement so today we’ll go pick it up. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

A 2002 Lincoln Continental with only 52,000 miles on it. Sweet!

\n\n\n

The parts came in for the stove yesterday so I tore into it and got the right control panel installed. The oven works now! Hooray!!! Now I can return the other part and get my money back. I asked Mr. FixIt if he was suitably impressed with my skills. He said, “You’re some kinda woman!” I take it that’s a yes! lol

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

You can learn how to make this simple and delicious staple HERE. (Photo courtesy of In the Kitchen with Matt)

\n\n\n

I gave him a list of things I wanted from town, so when he was on his way home, I started supper. As I was knitting, I watched cooking videos on YouTube. As I thought of a certain food, I looked up how to prepare it. It’s fair season here and that reminded me of the food trucks that sell Navajo Tacos and Navajo Fry Bread out west. I had a package of ground beef in the fridge so I fried it up with taco seasoning, heated up some refried beans, and made fry bread. It’s kinda like a tortilla, only thicker. It’s soft and foldable and makes the BEST tacos! We had some wonderful sweet corn, on the cob…dripping with butter. SO good!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I love doing that kind of cooking from time to time, but man does it ever make a mess! By the time I got it cleaned up, the news was over and it was getting close to time to write. We got one heck of a thunderstorm right about then and it poured so hard, it filled the pool up. The former Mrs. FixIt called to say she was driving through standing water on the city streets and several of the parking lots were full of water. As I write this, storm warnings continue to arrive on my phone.

\n\n\n
\n
\"\"
Bumblebee
\n\n\n
\"\"
Morning Glory
\n\n\n
\"\"
Mildew
\n\n\n
\"\"
Sourgrass
\n
\n\n\n

I’ve made great progress on the sweater. A few more inches on the bottom and I can knit the ribbed edge. I walked around between storms and took some pictures of the flora. Even with all the rain, it was a beautiful day and I feel like I got a lot accomplished. And isn’t that what we are supposed to do every day? Accomplish something that improves our lives and the lives of others? A noble endeavor, indeed.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

\nPhilippians 2:13 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-08-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/08/11/runnin-like-a-chickennbsp.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Crafts","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/04/16/chag-sameach-and-happy-trails.html", "title": "Chag Sameach and Happy Trails!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

As I write this, it is the first night of Passover. Oh…the memories this brings me. One of the most beautiful aspects of Jewish life is the rich holiday traditions. If you’ve been around here a while, you know I lived a Jewish life for twenty-seven years. I actually started following Judaism when I was a single mom back in 1977 or so. I had a roommate who was Jewish. I had been on a quest to find the faith that spoke to me. At that time, it was Judaism. Then, when I met Hubby #2 and he was Jewish, we were peas and carrots.

\n\n\n

As the wife of a prominent doctor in the community, our family was in the forefront of Jewish holidays and traditions. Our pictures often graced the local newspapers when the Jewish holidays rolled around. Our first year in our new home, we entertained about twelve people for Seder. By the time we stopped having it at home, we were upwards of forty people and I knew we’d outgrown our space.

\n\n\n

The following year, we started gathering in the basement of the local Presbyterian Church. That was the year I realized I needed to relinquish some of the cooking to others because it was getting out of hand. It was only about a month after having a total hysterectomy and I cooked for about seventy-five people. I prepared turkey, brisket, potato kugel, matzo ball soup, and homemade gefilte fish. Each table had its own Seder Plate and there was a Haggadah at each place setting…sit down, with linens and real dishes. It was beautiful…and it about killed me. 

\n\n\n

I continued a Jewish life for several years after my divorce from Hubby #2 and eventually returned to the faith of my youth and became a Christian. It seems Passover falls the week we are at the beach, but one of these days, I’d love to cook some of these wonderful Passover dishes for my FixIt family here in West Virginia. I think they would love it! 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Our drive to our typical overnight spot was fairly uneventful, save for the traffic backed up for the fire and a bad wreck. The fire was pretty impressive from a distance but we only got this one picture. I always have these pictures in my head of what I’d want to take and I forget when I ask Mr. FixIt to grab his camera, he can’t see what’s going on in my noggin. So we take what we can get and remember the rest! The accident was a rear-ender, but it resulted in three lanes of traffic being squeezed down to one during rush hour, so you can well imagine what that was like.

\n\n\n

We stopped at a rest area and had lasagna that I heated up in my handy dandy Hot Logic Mini portable cooker. The one I bought plugs into a 120v outlet, but I also purchase the power converter so I can plug it into the 12v outlet in my truck. I baked a big pan of lasagna on Thursday and divided the leftovers into three portions. Yesterday morning, I put two of them in the cooler for later in the week and I popped one of them in the Hot Logic Mini and plugged it in when we left home. Around 4:00 in the afternoon, we carried the little package to a picnic table and had a nice, hot, home-cooked meal and avoided all that salt and junk at the drive thru. Win - Win! Click on the photos if you want to get one. They make great gifts for your traveling and camping friends. I use it plugged into the regular power outlet in my camper and it acts like a slow cooker without all the weight and cleanup.

\n\n\n
\n[www.amazon.com/dp/B07K7V...](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K7VP9LC?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_3CDV8QQRMVRGV829F2RM)\n
\n\n\n
\n[www.amazon.com/dp/B087WP...](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087WP9KZZ?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_ZFXJMTNMCQ2F49AQFJXV)\n
\n\n\n

Today…the beach!!!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

““These are the appointed feasts of the Lord, the holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at the time appointed for them. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is the Lord’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the Lord; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work. But you shall present a food offering to the Lord for seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work.””

\nLeviticus 23:4-8 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-04-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/04/16/chag-sameach-and-happy-trails.html", "tags": ["Travel","Holiday","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/03/28/west-virginias-state-food.html", "title": "West Virginia’s State Food", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I don’t remember pepperoni rolls when I was growing up. I think the first time I had them may have been when I came home from living in England in 1975. I’ve tried my best baking them over the years without much success. Which isn’t a real problem because you can find a decent pepperoni roll at just about any gas station or mom and pop convenience store. Around here, bakeries make them alongside fritters and cream horns and you can buy them by the bagful.

\n\n\n

We have a local bakery in our little burg that makes really good pepperoni rolls, but the demand isn’t too high so they only make them on Fridays and Saturdays. I seem to be busy on those days. I do indulge in their donuts mid-week so I feel like I’m supporting them.

\n\n\n

I was sitting in my recliner, knitting another pair of mittens and watching basketball yesterday with Mr. FixIt. I got a hankerin’ for a good pepperoni roll but wasn’t about to get up and go out in 30° temps to try to find some. I’ve been ruminating since Christmas about the dough I use to make my homemade cinnamon rolls. I wrote a post about them HERE. They use an interesting dough that stays soft and chewy for days so I decided to try it for pepperoni rolls. 

\n\n\n

Oh…My…Gosh!!!

\n\n\n

They were heavenly! Light, moist, chewy…divine! I brushed them with butter before and after baking. I also dusted them lightly with grated parmesan cheese and a bit of Italian seasonings. I think next time, I’ll try just brushing with butter after the baking as I think it contributed to the darker crust. Also, I wasn’t please with the parmesan cheese. It was hard, dry, and brown by the time they were baked and the flavor wasn’t on point for me.

\n\n\n

I filled the rolls with about six of the big slices of pepperoni and used the only cheese I had available at the time…sliced Colby Jack. Next time I’ll probably add more pepperoni and try mozzarella…maybe in string cheese form. You can use hot pepper cheese to turn up the heat a little bit. That’s always good.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I finished one mitten of a new pair I’m knitting with the superwash wool I bought at our local yarn shop on sale. I can get one pair of mittens or one hat from one skein with just a bit left over and each skein only cost me a dollar! These will be lovely gifts come Christmas. I shipped off some hats to my Colorado grands last week and I’m looking forward to hearing what they think of them.

\n\n\n

Today is another chilly day so I’ll be staying in and knitting again. Not too many more days like this. I can HEAR the grass growing! We should be up to 80° by Wednesday!

\n\n\n
\n

“Give us this day our daily bread,”

\nMatthew 6:11 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-28T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/03/28/west-virginias-state-food.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/03/27/soup-beans-and-corn-bread.html", "title": "Soup Beans and Corn Bread", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

My recipe for soup beans is very simple. Soak 1 small bag of navy beans overnight. In the morning, wash and sort through for any errant stones, then place in slow cooker. Add a good sized smoked ham hock and a medium yellow onion cut into chunks. Add enough water to cover the beans by an inch and add fresh cracked black pepper. Cook on high for 4-6 hours till tender then drop to warm till meal time. Serve with hot cornbread fresh from the oven.

\n\n\n

Even though we don’t technically live on a farm, we do have five acres out in the country. We garden and mow and put up food in the fall, just like we did when I was growing up, so…I call it a farm life. I love it. The peace and quiet. The spring peepers (little tree frogs) calling. The great variety of birds that visit our feeders. All the great flower beds we have around. Our property is essentially a trapezoid-shaped chunk of land bordered by two creeks and a country road. It’s our little slice of “Almost Heaven”. 

\n\n\n

When I was a young bride, all I wanted to do was to get the heck out of here. When I became a single mom, I elected to stay in Denver for the greater educational opportunities my daughter would receive. When my second daughter was born, any thought of moving to West Virginia was impossible till she grew up and finished college. By that time, I was married to Mr. Virgo and he had no desire to move back here. He’d spent his entire life trying to get to Colorado and that’s where he would stay till the day he died.

\n\n\n

Once he was gone and I passed that one year mark as a widow, I pulled up roots for a number of reasons and made the big break for my home state. God has plans for us to prosper, and I’ve prospered emotionally big time since arriving in West Virginia. It is the home of my heart. Living on my grandparents’ farm was such an incredible blessing. Then, running into Mr. FixIt again and eventually marrying and moving to this plot of land…my life has come full circle.

\n\n\n

I’ve kind of slacked off the baking and country cooking over the winter, but occasionally I just need to pull out all the stops and go for a great meal of comfort food. Last week, I cooked a pot of soup beans with a great big smoked ham hock, a quartered yellow onion, and a few dashes of cracked black pepper in them. We’ve each eaten a couple of bowls of beans from that pot and there was enough for each of us to have one big bowl yesterday. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I put the beans on to reheat in my grandma’s old waterless cookware pan that she cooked potatoes in. Then I set to mixing up a batch of cornbread. I’ll share a link to the recipe HERE. I used my #8 Griswold cast iron skillet to bake it and….oh, my….it was SO good. Crispy on the outside and deliciously moist on the inside. I don’t like a crumbly cornbread. But I also don’t like it to be too cake like or overly sweet. This recipe was perfect and it has gone in my arsenal to make again. The recipe calls for milk, but I like buttermilk in my cornbread so I easily made the substitution.

\n\n\n
\n\n\n

We enjoyed a lazy Saturday. It was cold and either raining or spitting snow off and on all day. Hopefully, this is the last of Old Man Winter, but we could still get a cold stretch in April. I finished the black wool hat to match the mittens and worked on the shawl I’ve been knitting. Hopefully I’ll have it finished for the trip to Colorado in May. I’d like to wear it to the graduation since it will be outdoors. It’s still pretty cool in May in the Rockies.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It’s hard to believe March is almost over. Our fruit trees are trying to bud out but we’ve had two nights in a row below freezing, so I doubt we’ll see pears and crabapples this year. I have the new bedding out in the Big Birdhouse so hopefully I’ll get a little time out there today dressing the twin beds. I need to check the fridge, and if it’s still not working on electric, then give it a try on propane. If it isn’t working, I’ll need to call the dealership tomorrow to schedule repairs.

\n\n\n

I can’t wait to go on a real camping trip!!!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.”

\nGenesis 1:29 ESV\n
\n\n\n

#Comfort, #SoupBeans, #Cornbread

\n\n", "date_published": "2022-03-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/03/27/soup-beans-and-corn-bread.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/01/23/more-cast-iron-more-knitting.html", "title": "More Cast Iron, More Knitting, More Snow", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

My son-in-law’s mom texted me yesterday. She found a really cool piece of cast iron in the shed they’re cleaning out and will hold it for me till we get there in May. This is called a Gem Pan. Our grandmas and great grandmas made Gem Cakes in these back in the day. It looks like you could also use the pan to bake individual tarts or mini quiches, as well as corn cakes.

\n\n\n

My grandma didn’t have anything as fancy as this. She had two or three cast iron skillets. My mom had several. I took them with me when mom died and I cleaned out her house and of all things…they were amongst the items I let go of when I downsized. In the end, it’s ok. Because, one cast iron pan is as good as the next for cooking in and this way, I’ve been able to concentrate on collecting Griswolds. I do have several pieces that are unmarked save for a size number.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I finished the tube portion of the first sock in this pair yesterday. Now I need to cut in the heel. I want to finish this pair quickly because my sweater yarn arrives next week and I can hardly wait to start on that. I chose three colors…a soft heather grey, a medium rose heather, and a dark heather grey. I have the supplies I need and I’ll print out the pattern. This one doesn’t have a tutorial video. I found those to be so helpful when knitting the socks. I saved them on my YouTube channel so I can go back and view them when I need clarification on a particular step.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Now that I know my surgery will be coming up sooner rather than later, I do need to get some things done around the house in preparation. I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to be traveling or I know I’m going to be down for a while, I like to have the house in order, the pantry stocked, and maybe even some dishes prepared ahead of time to make meals easier upon my return. Remember…we were talking just the other day about being a good scout and always being prepared.

\n\n\n

I am so grateful that my family members with covid are getting over it now. Thank God for vaccines…they really did their job in protecting them from severe illness. I was talking with a couple of my cousins this weekend and we marveled that we had managed to avoid getting it. Then, I woke up yesterday morning with a scratchy throat. The older I get, the more easily I choke on my own saliva…or air, for that matter. I got choked Friday afternoon, so I think that’s why my throat was a little sore. I’m going to watch it and not get up in Mr. FixIt’s face for a couple of days. I mean, after all this time staying well, wouldn’t it be a bummer to get covid right before I’m scheduled for surgery?

\n\n\n

My girlfriends from my class are gathering for coffee on Saturday, but I’m not going. Other than going to the hospital for my pre operative testing, I’m sequestering myself from everyone. I don’t want to run any risks. There will be time for gathering for coffee after this surgery is done.

\n\n\n

The temperature was 3 degrees at our house yesterday morning. I think it’s going to be warmer in the next few days. Isn’t it funny when you start to call the 30’s “warm”? It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? We have a 62% chance of snow today.What’s it doing in your neck of the woods?

\n\n\n

❄️?❄️

\n\n\n
\n

“It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.”

\nPsalms 127:2 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-01-23T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/01/23/more-cast-iron-more-knitting.html", "tags": ["Health","Family","Peaceful Moments","Farm Life","Crafts","Cooking","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/01/18/a-beautiful-day-in-the.html", "title": "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

As it turned out, we got quite a bit more snow that I thought we would, given the meager amount when I went to bed Sunday night. The sun was shining for a while in the morning and it was pristine. Mr. FixIt waited for a while before he went out to blow the snow off the sidewalks. Our snowblower is battery powered and the snow was deep and pretty dense. He had to take it in two sessions to give the battery a chance to recharge.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It never got over freezing yesterday. I was so glad we had nowhere to go. I put a pork roast in the crockpot in the morning and worked on the socks I’m knitting. When my sweetie came back in from his second trip out in the snow, I warmed his tummy with a plate of roast pork, sauerkraut, and fried potatoes. Comfort food is so good on days like this.

\n\n\n

I’ve been thinking of my mom a lot the last couple of days. We are coming up to the eighteenth anniversary of her death soon. I was trying to remember what she would have served us when we came in from playing in the snow. She wasn’t much of a cook, but she made the BEST potato soup I’ve ever had. I’ve tried so many times to recreate it with only nominal success. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I don’t think anything you make in your adult life will stand up to comparison with something your mom or grandma cooked for you when you were a child. Even a grilled cheese and tomato soup from a can tasted better when Mom made it. There was such a huge dollop of love in everything they prepared for us in the kitchens of our youth.

\n\n\n

When Grandma made pies, she always took the extra crust, sprinkled it with salt, and baked it. I swear, I could take a whole recipe of pie crust and bake it that way and be hard pressed to not eat the whole thing. I’ve never been terribly taken with the filling in pies anyway. Just give me the crust with salt…or maybe with a little strawberry jam or apple butter on it…and I’m a happy camper.

\n\n\n

I will forever miss my mom. 

\n\n\n
\"Mom\"
\n\n\n

Her cool hand on my forehead when I was sick. Her warm hugs that comforted me when I cried. The way she stroked my head with her soft fingers when she was putting me to sleep. Humming “Bye oh, Bye oh” when she rocked me. She smelled like powder and love. Her full head of wavy black hair was accentuated by the ruby red lipstick she wore. 

\n\n\n

I could make her laugh till she flew into a coughing fit. She didn’t have an easy life with my dad, so I lived to make her laugh and forget her troubles…if even for just a little while. I wish I would have been kinder…more generous…more available to her in her later years. I lived in Colorado for forty years and came home every summer for at least two weeks, sometimes longer. She came to visit me a few times. 

\n\n\n

I never understood her insistence that she live here in West Virginia. Till now. And here I am… 1400 miles away from my kids and grandkids. I’m sure they don’t understand my insistence that I live here, either. I spent my entire adult life wishing I lived “back home”. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have Colorado and West Virginia closer to each other. I understand my mom a lot more now than I did at any other time in my life.

\n\n\n
\n\n\n

We have no place else to go today and I’ll be finished with this pair of socks in another day or so. We aren’t expecting any more snow in the next couple of days. As I expected, school was cancelled here today…because it snowed yesterday…so the kids get a four day weekend. Maybe their mamas will fill their little tummies with a nice bowl of potato soup when they come in from sledding.

\n\n\n

That would be nice.

\n\n\n

❄️?❄️

\n\n\n
\n

“fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him,”

\nPsalms 148:8 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-01-18T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/01/18/a-beautiful-day-in-the.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/01/09/step-by-step-by-step.html", "title": "Step by Step by Step", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It was a beautiful day yesterday. The sky was clear and blue. The sun was shining. And it wasn’t quite as cold as it was on Friday. I knitted. Surprise, surprise! I also cooked a little and cleaned the kitchen. Sometimes I get discouraged with cooking because it’s immediately followed by cleaning…again. But, you can’t live on sandwiches all the time and I had a hankerin’ for biscuits and sausage gravy. That right there is a stick-to-your-ribs (and other miscellaneous body parts) kinda meal. I pulled out my biscuit bowl and cast iron and had a heyday.

\n\n\n

I am making rapid work of these socks. I can’t believe I’ll have a pair knitted in one week. That rarely happens for me. I usually get bored after a while and have to work on something else. But these are different and I really like this method. I think I’m going to try a toe up technique at some point. That way, you can make the foot of your sock plenty big enough and just knit the top till you run out of yarn so you don’t waste any.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

As I sat knitting and watching football, notifications came in on my phone. Most of the time I didn’t bother looking, but occasionally I peeked in to see what was going on. Someone shared a meme that gave me pause. It was about forgiveness. I’ve learned to forgive others for trespasses against me. I’ve learned to forgive myself my human frailties. I shudder to think how much time I’ve spent hoping those who hurt me would say “I’m sorry”.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Take my dad, for instance. Or the men who molested me when I was a kid. Or those who wronged me in relationships. For all of those traumas, I’ve had to heal without an apology. It’s painful. And it’s wrong. But…the lack of an apology was not my fault. No more than the trauma itself was. People are who they are…good or bad, right or wrong. They make their own decisions and it’s a reflection of who they are. As long as I keep my side of the street clean, take ownership of my errors and do my best to make amends, I’ve done all I can do. Life isn’t a neat and tidy package all wrapped in pretty paper and a bow. It’s messy and sometimes downright ugly. I think God gives us many chances to learn from our mistakes. That’s why life sometimes feels like the movie, Groundhog Day. Humans are presented repeat opportunities to learn and grow. It’s up to us if we actually wear that mantle and rise above our trials. And leave them behind. It isn’t easy. It takes a lot of introspection and hard work. I have to say, I think I have a little better handle on that at sixty-eight than I used to. One of the perks of aging, I guess.

\n\n\n

We are expecting rain today. I am expecting to finish these socks and start on something else.What are you expecting in your neck of the woods?

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Stay with what you heard from the beginning, the original message. Let it sink into your life. If what you heard from the beginning lives deeply in you, you will live deeply in both Son and Father. This is exactly what Christ promised: eternal life, real life!”

\n1 John 2:24-25 MSG\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-01-09T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/01/09/step-by-step-by-step.html", "tags": ["Forgiveness","Farm Life","Healing","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2022/01/02/one-down-to-go.html", "title": "One Down, 364 to Go!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

We were thrilled to have absolutely nothing to do yesterday. As a matter of fact, we went to bed before the ball dropped. We decided 2022 needed to come in on tippy-toes without a big fuss as far as we were concerned. We lay in bed and followed our nightly ritual of watching funny videos. We didn’t even know what time it was…then we heard a loud “bang” and looked at the clock. Sure enough, the old year had slipped away quietly and the new year took its place without a lot of fanfare, save for a kiss…for Auld Lang Syne.

\n\n\n

We slept in, luxuriating in the fact we had NOTHING to do. I will have to say, though…there was a lot of football on TV yesterday and I really wasn’t interested in that…at all! I found my Bluetooth headset, turned on my rainstorm/campfire soundtrack, and happily knitted away all afternoon as the rain poured heavily outside. We kept the main door open and I can watch the rain from my recliner through the full length glass storm door. It was delightful.

\n\n\n

We’ve been holding off making that wonderful supper of scallops and lamb chops originally scheduled for Christmas. When we bought the scallops a week and a half ago, Mr. FixIt happily told me how he likes them prepared. With nothing but butter and garlic. “No lemon?” I asked. Nope…nothing but butter and garlic.” As I prepared the meal yesterday, do you think that information even came close to passing through my head? Nooooooooooo.

\n\n\n

Now, my sweet husband has never, EVER complained about anything I’ve fixed for him. There have been a couple of times when I didn’t hit it out of the park, and I could tell it wasn’t to his liking. But he has never said anything…until yesterday. He looked at his plate with delicious anticipation and his shoulders slumped. He was quiet. I asked him what was wrong and he said, “I don’t like them like this.” Ahhhhh….it all came crashing back into my head! Why didn’t I remember that? Maybe because I had a procedure a couple of days ago where they gave me a drug that erases the memory banks. I don’t know. But I felt really bad. 

\n\n\n

He was quite the good sport and ate them anyway, but I promised I’ll make the other half of the bag tonight…with nothing but garlic and butter! I will have to say…the lamb chops were excellent. Lemon pepper, a few herbs like rosemary, and honey with a little bit of red wine…cooked to perfection. They were really tasty and we have enough left over to have more today.

\n\n\n

So, here we are…a new year is before us. We step into the unknown, hoping and praying for the best. For healing…in so many ways. For love…between us all. For happiness….after so much pain and disappointment in the last couple of years. For joy…as we dare to hope covid releases us from its talons as more and more of us present with antibodies, either from having had the illness or from having had the vaccine. For hope…in knowing God has this handled already and all things will work out for our goodness in some way unbeknownst to us.

\n\n\n

One down…364 to go. What will you do with yours?

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.”

\n1 Timothy 4:4 NLT\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2022-01-02T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2022/01/02/one-down-to-go.html", "tags": ["Marriage","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/12/21/tidings-of-comfort-and-joy.html", "title": "Tidings of Comfort and Joy", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I want to start out today with a HUGE praise! Remember how we’ve been praying for my dear friend Gail’s son-in-law, Tommy? He was diagnosed with a terrible cancer that had grown so large in his chest, it very nearly killed him before he could get to the hospital. With four little ones at home, one not much more than a newborn, the terrifying journey of massive chemo began. They were so very careful of Tommy ever since because he couldn’t get the Covid vaccine. Still, a couple of weeks ago, the whole family got Covid and we prayed even harder. His chemo finally ended and he had a PET scan done. They went to Cleveland to get the results yesterday and….THE CANCER IS GONE! He has a little inflammation left from the Covid, but the cancer has been kicked to the curb. This was absolutely a Christmas Miracle!!! God is AMAZING! The family would like to thank you all for your continued prayers!

\n\n\n

Now, to the more mundane here on Marshmallow Ranch. We have taken to sleeping in a little later during the winter months. There’s no pressing chores to be done outside so we are enjoying a little hibernation. Still, Mr FixIt usually gets up a little before me and I linger under the covers, reading and replying to your comments here. Yesterday, Mr. FixIt came in and said one of the kids was coming over to pick up a Christmas gift, so we scurried around and picked up the living room before they arrived.

\n\n\n

I cleaned up the kitchen from baking so I can bake some more. Then I sat and knitted while I watched A Christmas Story and my sweetheart snoozed in his recliner. When it came time for supper, I was at a loss for what to make. I didn’t have any hamburger set out or I would have made chili or spaghetti. Mr. FixIt had ham sandwiches for lunch, so that was out. I thought I might make grilled cheese and tomato soup, but alas…no cans of soup. I could have made some from canned tomatoes, but I had a strike of inspiration!

\n\n\n

I’ve never made this before, and I didn’t have a recipe nor did I take the time to look one up. I just flew by the seat of my pants. Remember last week when we talked about buying bulk at Sam’s and how expensive beef has gotten? I picked up a BIG bag of broccoli florets and had about a half bag left. I had three thick slices of Colby cheese from the deli and about a quarter pound of sliced ham. Voila! Cheesy Hammy Broccoli Soup!!! OMGosh! It was SO good. Again, I don’t cook with a recipe, but I’ll tell you as best I can how to make it.

\n\n\n
Cheesy Hammy Broccoli Soup

Melt half a stick of butter in a good sized sauce pan over medium heat. Stir in about a half cup or so of all purpose flour. Stir continuously to make a roux. When it starts to look a little golden, pull it from the flame and set aside for a minute. You don’t want it to scorch.

Steam about 3 cups of broccoli florets. I use a steamer basket over about an inch or so of boiling water and put a lid over it. 

While the broccoli is steaming, chop the ham and cheese and set aside in a bowl.

Put the pan with the roux back on the flame and pour in about 3-4 cups of milk and whisk it till smooth. Bring to a low boil, stirring constantly and cook until it thickens. I used this seasoning blend called Farm Dust. I love it and have no idea what’s in it but you can season yours with garlic and pepper or whatever you like. Be careful not to add a lot of salt because both the ham and the cheese is salty enough.

Add the ham and cheese and stir till the cheese is melted then spoon in the steamed broccoli. If you like a smooth, creamy soup, you can use an immersion blender, but I like mine chunky. So, I used a meat chopper that I bought up in Amish Country. I couldn’t find one on Lehman’s website, but here’s a link on Amazon.

Once everything is combined, ladle it up in big soup bowls and serve with the crackers of your choice. Also goes well with hot rolls or homemade buttermilk biscuits but I didn’t get all “fancy like that.”
\n\n\n

There’s nothing like a big bowl of hot soup to comfort a wounded heart and ward of the chill of a winter’s night. 

\n\n\n

❄️

\n\n\n
\n

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

\n

\nPsalm 73:26 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-21T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/21/tidings-of-comfort-and-joy.html", "tags": ["Comfort","God","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/12/11/if-its-christmas-it-must.html", "title": "If It’s Christmas, It Must Be Time For Aebleskivers!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The #32 pan has a lip on it which keeps the oil from spilling over into your flame when it bubbles up.

\n\n\n

I never heard of aebleskivers till my friend Judy showed me how to make them back in the ‘80s. Aebleskiver literally translates to “apple slices” in Danish and the filled spherical shaped pancakes of the same name are made in a special pan. A long time ago, I had a nonstick aebleskiver pan and used it a few times. It went to the wayside when I downsized and sold my Colorado house. A few years ago, I bought one off of Amazon and when it arrived, it was cast iron. And not the nice smooth cast iron of years past, but the rough cast iron that’s made nowadays.

\n\n\n

I’ve been told that with enough use and good seasoning, these rough pans can become usable, but I’m skeptical. I never had much luck with a Lodge pan, for instance. The surface is so rough and pitted and the food always ends up sticking. I returned the aebleskiver pan to Amazon and didn’t think much of it. These days, if I buy a piece of cast iron cookware, it’s going to be a Griswold.

\n\n\n

The original Griswold foundry was established in Erie, PA  in 1865 and they made door hinges. However, in the 1870’s, they branched out into cookware and became the most respected name in the business. The company lasted till 1957. Their cookware is prized and highly collectible and people hand down their cast iron pans with as much circumstance as handing down family jewels. In many cases, in the hills and hollers of Appalachia…cast iron skillets WERE the family treasures.

\n\n\n

I have a couple of Griswold skillets. I have my grandmother’s cast iron waffle pan, but I cannot recall if it’s a Griswold…I’ll have to look sometime. Mr. FixIt knows by now not to even bother showing me a piece of cast iron unless it’s a Griswold. So, yesterday, when I was sitting in the living room knitting, he sent me a text from Facebook Marketplace. As soon as I opened it, my heart skipped a beat. 

\n\n\n

An Antique Griswold #32 962 Cast Iron Aebleskiver Pan for $85!

\n\n\n

I didn’t even know Griswold MADE an aebleskiver pan! And, not a bad price, apparently…I looked them up and some went for at least $135…sometimes more. I looked over at him. He smiled.

\n\n\n

“Offer them $75.”

\n\n\n

It’s what you do. 

\n\n\n

“It’s only been on there for fifteen minutes. They aren’t going to take that!”

\n\n\n

“Well, you won’t know till you ask.”

\n\n\n

I sent the offer and she accepted! Hmmmmm….maybe I should have offered less. Nope! The offer was just right. No need to be greedy! We made arrangements and were in the truck heading to town in five minutes. I was so excited to find this pan and add it to my collection. And, it’ll be another new tradition I can start with my grandchildren…making Aebleskivers together. I still have the Aebleskiver Cookbook so I’m really looking forward to cleaning up this pan and seasoning it.

\n\n\n

You never know when you wake up in the morning what is going to come your way. What kind of adventure is right around the bend? Who are you going to meet that’s going to change your course? I am firmly convinced our lives are like a mountain stream. We have twists and turns. Sometimes it is rough and rushed. Sometimes it’s slow and placid. But every inch of the journey is an education. I always know God will lead me right where I’m supposed to go.

\n\n\n

Today, I’m happy a funny, lumpy little pan fell in my path.

\n\n\n

For more information about Aebleskivers, check out this website for The Solvang Restaurant.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

\nProverbs 3:5-6 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-11T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/11/if-its-christmas-it-must.html", "tags": ["Holiday","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/12/06/old-stuff-and-new-stuff.html", "title": "Old Stuff and New Stuff", "content_html": "\n
\n\n\n

Daughter #1 tagged me in a post over the weekend. It seems she was going through items that had been in a storage shed for 15 years and came across a tin of hand made Christmas ornaments she and I made together when she was little. They were salt dough gingerbread men and I’m amazed they lasted this long. Three of them were broken beyond repair and disintegrating, but she laid them out on a paper towel and took pictures of them so I could remember with her.

\n\n\n

I got a tiny bit verklempt. I still remember the day we made them. We didn’t have a ton of money when she was a child so we handmade a lot of things. I remember cutting the hole in the top with a straw so we could string that curly ribbon through it to hang. I remember how proud she was to paint the Girl Scout. I think she was only in Girl Scouts a couple of years so this had to have been elementary school. I don’t remember what we painted them with, but I do remember putting a coat of something like ModPodge on them to make them last.

\n\n\n

It’s so cool to make memories with your kids when they’re growing up. And you don’t know what activity is going to stick with them and give them warm memories of their own. She remembers long bike rides and trips to the library because they were free. She also remembers what it was like to eat black and white boxes of macaroni and cheese and whatever you could grow in the yard out back. She remembers trips to West Virginia and combing her great grandmother’s long hair. This is the daughter that is not overtly demonstrative. She is a much more matter of fact, rub a little dirt in it and keep going, shake it off kind of person. I wouldn’t expect her to cry at a Kodak commercial. But this gal will drop what she is doing and run to your side in a moment’s notice if you need her. Sharing this little memory made my day.

\n\n\n
\n\n\n

Talk about making someone’s day, I made Mr. FixIt as fine a country dinner as I’ve ever cooked last night. My bonus daughter gave us some venison tenderloin the other day. Now, I’ve eaten deer meat maybe once or twice in my life and was never a fan. I wasn’t really sure how to cook it. I remembered Brenda Gantt did a video this fall about cooking the backstrap so I watched that a couple of times. I soaked the deer meat in water and squeezed the blood out, then I soaked it in buttermilk for a few hours. I cut it in strips, salted and peppered it and dredged it in flour. I put some homemade cornbread in the oven, heated up some pinto beans, fried potatoes, and then fried up the deer meat. It all came out piping hot at the same time. Of course, my kitchen looked like a bomb went off in it, but it was a great meal. I think the only thing that might have made it better would have been some collard greens.

\n\n\n

Still didn’t get the decorations on the tree. I almost did, then my sweet husband snored his way through a couple of football games and I didn’t want to disturb him. So I just sat here and knitted happily enjoying a peaceful afternoon. I have another chiropractor appointment today. The back is MUCH better! So…maybe when I get home? We’ll see. I don’t seem to be in a terrible hurry with it this year, for some reason. It’ll get done.

\n\n\n

❄️

\n\n\n
\n

“Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.”

\nGenesis 9:3-4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-12-06T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/12/06/old-stuff-and-new-stuff.html", "tags": ["Family","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/26/let-the-games-begin.html", "title": "Let the Games Begin!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I just had to show you this AMAZING sourdough starter. I bought a one ounce jar of starter from King Arthur Baking Company and was thrilled to see it arrived fresh. And look…after only two days of feeding, this thing has taken on a life of its own. It is aromatic and rich and so active…I’m just thrilled! I can’t wait to get in the kitchen and started baking sourdough again.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Another Thanksgiving is in the books…this one decidedly low key. Mr. FixIt got up at the crack of dawn and went to walk with the kids in the Turkey Trot. I elected to stay home and not overtax these aching bones of mine. I’m hoping after we solve the hyperparathyroidism issue, I can get back to my normal way of life and I can go play with the kids again.

\n\n\n

Our town delivered Thanksgiving meals to our door yesterday morning, so we didn’t even touch the soup beans I had in the crockpot. I’ll make cornbread today and we can have them today. I also decided to wait till today to put the tree up. I love when it’s up and the lights glow in the window, but the idea of slogging everything up the steps and putting it up is not as exciting. As with most things, this Gemini has to be in the proper space to get anything creative done.

\n\n\n

I loved all the video calls I had yesterday. Seeing the kids helps make the distance shrink just a little bit. They look good, they’re healthy and happy and thriving. One cannot ask for more than that in this life.

\n\n\n

I hope your holiday was filled with moments that warmed your hearts. I hope you held close the memories of those no longer with you. And, I hope you made new memories to take with you as we move on down this road of life.

\n\n\n

Life isn’t always easy at this time of year. Pace yourselves, dear ones. Eat well. Drink plenty of water. Get good sleep. Go outside and walk every day. Touch the earth, kiss the sky, and embrace nature. It’s good for what ails ya!

\n\n\n

They’re predicting a little skiff of snow on this morning. And so…it begins.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”

\n‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-26T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/26/let-the-games-begin.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Holiday","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/23/getting-started-on-the-starter.html", "title": "Getting Started on the Starter", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I woke up yesterday and smiled at Mr. FixIt.

\n\n\n

“I’m makin’ waffles!”

\n\n\n

“Hey…that sounds great!”

\n\n\n

I padded into the kitchen, got my coffee brewing, and started to gather my ingredients. I like to make high protein pancakes because I try to keep tight control on Mr. FixIt’s blood sugars. Poor man doesn’t stand a chance, marrying a Diabetes Educator. Regular pancakes will cause a spike in blood sugar then when the simple carbs burn off, it’s crash city and that not only feels bad, it’s not good for you.

\n\n\n

I had the buttermilk, milk, and butter combined when I reached for the eggs and came up empty. Well, we had one…I needed three. I went in to tell my sweetheart I was running to town to get some eggs. While I was there, I picked up some more flour, another container of pancake mix, and some sugar free syrup. If you ever want a really good sugar free syrup, try Smucker’s. It tastes great and it’s thick, like regular syrup. Most sugar free syrups are runny. I got back and made a big batch of waffles. I had enough to freeze for at least two more breakfasts. You can just pop them in the toaster like the ones you buy in the freezer section.

\n\n\n

While I was at the store, FedEx delivered my package from King Arthur. I ordered a sourdough crock and a starter. I thought it would be dehydrated, but I was thrilled when it arrived and was fresh! After breakfast, I cleaned the kitchen, filled my flour container with the fresh flour I bought, and fed the new starter. It smelled great. Kinda of sweet and fruity with a hint of sour. The one I was using for the last year and a half had developed a lovely fermented aroma with hints of wine and apples. It had matured so well, and I was hopeful it would last me a lifetime, but I neglected it beyond repair.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I set the bowl aside with the new starter and saw Mr. FixIt off to run errands. Then I washed all the windows in the family room. I want to put the tree up so I needed to get those windows sparkling clean. I don’t know if you have ever used Norwex products, but I swear by their glass cleaning system. It consists of two cloths. One is a microfiber terry. You wet it and scrub the glass with it. You never use soaps or chemicals with these cloths. The second cloth is smooth and has a kind of sheen to it You wipe the glass dry and polish it with that one. When the cloths get soiled, you boil them in plain water and stir them with a wooden spoon to remove any dirt, let them dry on the back of the kitchen chairs then fold and put them away the next day. So, so simple and they work without streaking.

\n\n\n

By the time Mr. FixIt got home, I was cuddled up in my recliner under my throw. My cousin received her books yesterday and texted. She LOVED them! She wanted to know if I had all those photos so she could scan them. I did her one better. I’ve already scanned them all so I’m in the process of emailing them to her. I can only send five photos in each email because our internet is so slow. But hey…where else do I need to be? It’s a small labor of love for my sweetest cousin.

\n\n\n

I bought candied fruit at the store yesterday so I’ll look for my Aunt Marge’s White Fruitcake recipe today and get started on that. I’ll have Mr. FixIt bring the decorations up from the basement so we can get that going as well. It’s going to be pretty cozy in here soon!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“for the customs of the peoples are vanity. A tree from the forest is cut down and worked with an axe by the hands of a craftsman. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so that it cannot move.”

\nJeremiah 10:3-4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-23T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/23/getting-started-on-the-starter.html", "tags": ["Holiday","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/22/update-on-all-the-things.html", "title": "Update on All the Things", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I received an email over the weekend from the daughter of the soldier named on my POW/MIA bracelet! She was thrilled to hear of another of her father’s bracelets out there and thanked me profusely for taking the time to find her. She shared her mailing address and I’ll get the bracelet sent off to her this week. The internet is still good for sharing love and light around the world. Like all tools, it’s what you use it for that makes the difference.

\n\n\n

I fiddled with my new phone yesterday. I’ve been puzzled by something for the last several years. Somewhere along the line on one of my phone upgrades, I went from around 500 contacts in my phone to nearly 3,000! Nearly every name had multiple entries of the same name with all the same contact information. Also, my calendar might have one person’s birthday listed three or four times on their special day. 

\n\n\n

I just couldn’t figure it out. I talked with the people at the Apple Store. Nothing…making the term “Genius Bar” seem somewhat dubious. I’ve asked in various forums. I Googled it. The answers I got varied from “Here…buy this app. It’ll fix it” to long detailed instructions to “get to this setting and click on _______” but the place they wanted me to click didn’t exist. Every once in a while, I’d sit down and delete or link the contacts, but they inevitably came back. I just couldn’t make heads nor tails of the whole thing and figured it was something I had to live with.

\n\n\n

Yesterday, I sat down with the phone and explored the settings. I know it had to be something simple like a switch was selected, but where it was eluded me. I closed my eyes and let my mind wander the “streets” of my phone. What would make something be repeated so much? Then I remembered seeing a drop down menu that listed my five email accounts that I use: one for personal, one to use when I need an email to sign up for something and don’t want to get inundated with spam, one for the Cloud, one for my Apple ID, and one for my business.

\n\n\n

I pondered those five accounts and remembered seeing “Yahoo” on one of the multiples, but not on a different one. I wondered if it could possibly have something to do with the fact I am using so many email addresses. When I went in the drop down menu, there was a place to click on each one. And sure enough, each one consisted of multiple tabs I could select…one of which was “Contacts”. Another was “Calendar”. I went through and unselected everything but email on all of them except for my personal email and the Cloud. 

\n\n\n

Sure enough, I immediately went WAY down on the number of contacts. I spent about an hour linking what few were left as duplicates, as well as deleting names of people I couldn’t even remember. I ended up with 499 contacts! Voila!

\n\n\n

My new sourdough starter should arrive today. I woke up in the middle of the night last week and decided to order a fresh, new batch of starter with a covered crock specifically to use with it. I’ll throw out the old flour and get fresh, new flour and get a nice new batch of sourdough started. It’s about time to get that going again. I’m also going to look up my Aunt Marge’s White Fruitcake recipe and make some fruitcakes soon. And some of Grandma’s Raisin Filled Cookies. 

\n\n\n

Our little town delivers Thanksgiving meals to anyone who wants them. You don’t have to qualify…they just want to share a good meal with everyone. I love our town. We don’t have a stop light in the whole county and we look out for one another. My friend Diane shared the number, so I called and ordered two meals. That means I don’t have to cook a big meal this year. Instead, I’ll start my holiday baking and put up the Christmas decorations this week. We decided our phones are our gifts to each other. That takes a lot of pressure off of holiday preparations and I think we can just sit back and enjoy the whole season this year! That’s the plan, anyway.

\n\n\n

You know what they say about plans, right? lol

\n\n\n
Come…take a walk with me!
\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

\nProverbs 16:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-22T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/22/update-on-all-the-things.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Holiday","Farm Life","Crafts","Cooking","Home"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/16/kitchen-mishaps.html", "title": "Kitchen Mishaps", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I’ve been pretty lucky in the kitchen over the years. I have won a box full of ribbons for my pies and cakes and for canned and baked goods in various fairs and contests over the years. I’ve been featured in a couple of local papers when I lived in Glenwood Springs and was known as “The Pie Queen”. I taught baking classes and baked for a couple of the restaurants in town. I can remember two major mishaps in the Colorado kitchen. 

\n\n\n

I was in a hurry to get my cakes to the judging table at the Colorado Mountain Fair one summer. I had to park quite a distance and Daughter #1 helped me carry the cakes. Unfortunately, she tripped and the cake flew into the air, did a flip, and landed on it’s top on the ground. She was devastated and I felt so bad for her. I couldn’t have cared less about the cake itself. Another time, the face didn’t turn out the way I wanted, and at the last minute, I tried to turn it into a kind of trifle thing and it was a disaster. 

\n\n\n

When you win a lot of ribbons, expectations begin to be placed on you to continue with bigger and better desserts. It really was a lot of fun, but it was an incredible amount of work. The refrigerator was off limits to my family and heaven forbid they eat something I’d been working on as a main ingredient for a complex presentation. Presentation is as important as the flavor and texture of anything you enter in competition.

\n\n\n

I haven’t baked like that in years. I finally quit competing when I overheard someone say the contests were getting less entries because my two friends and I took almost all the ribbons…year after year. My last year competing, I won four blue ribbons and one second place. I didn’t figure I could do much better than that. I decided if I quit before being perfect, it would help me stay humble. 

\n\n\n

During the lockdown, I…like so many in this country…began baking. I taught myself how to bake sourdough bread which was quite an undertaking. One of my friends is Kate Dunbar…the Campground Gourmet and currently BBQ Pit Boss on the production of the prequel for Yellowstone, 1883. Kate lost her precious husband a little over a year ago. Just before he died, she sent me some of her dehydrated sourdough starter. 

\n\n\n

I’d been wanting to bake sourdough for years, but it was never the right time for me. Being home a lot presented that opportunity I’d been waiting for and I threw myself into it with great fervor. There are several pounds of sourdough on my backside as a result, but man…was it ever good. I kind of got a little burned out on it after a year. I did continue to feed the starter about twice a month to keep it going. Little and I baked sourdough this summer, and now that the weather is getting colder, I got the starter out to feed it and get it growing.

\n\n\n

I fed the starter last week and it grew like crazy. I decided to feed it one more time before I baked my first loaves of the season. When I looked at my starter the next day, there were grey streaks running through it and I knew something was terribly wrong. I took the link off and it had an off odor and I realized I’d picked up some bad bacteria. Unfortunately, that was my only working starter and I knew I had to throw the whole thing away and sterilize anything I’d been working with…jars, spatulas, measuring cups. 

\n\n\n

I keep the bottle of filtered water and a jelly jar by the stove. I use the jelly jar for the water and warm it up slightly in the microwave before adding it during the feeding. And I use a small coffee measuring cup for the flour. I got into the habit of setting the measuring cup in the top of the jelly jar as it just fit. When I picked everything up to clean it, there was mold on the bottom of the measuring cup. I had inadvertently contaminated my sourdough starter.

\n\n\n

Fortunately, I dehydrated a batch of starter last spring so I’d have some to fall back on should something like this happen, but I was really sad I’d killed my starter because it was really ripening well and had picked up some nice wild yeasts along the way. It was starting to develop a really good flavor. I have started feeding a new starter so we’ll see how that goes. Hopefully I didn’t kill the yeasties with too high heat in the dehydrator. I won’t know for a while.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’””

\nMatthew 4:4 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-16T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/16/kitchen-mishaps.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/11/grandmas-kitchen.html", "title": "Grandma’s Kitchen", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

(I’m not sure I would attempt to make this recipe as written. I think the measurements are off.)

\n\n\n

This is the cozy time of year…when you’re more apt to fire up the stove and do a little baking just for the comfort of it all. The smells, the tastes, and the memories they bring to mind are just one of the things I love about fall. I’ve always loved the change of seasons when the colors are rich and glorious and the light is filled with gold. I’ve always felt a little melancholy along with the fade from summer to winter, but this year feels a little different. We had such an incredibly busy year, I’m really looking forward to the down time winter inevitably brings.

\n\n\n

We did some needed chores around the place today…Mr. FixIt outside and me mostly inside. It was a beautiful day…warm enough for short sleeves. We didn’t have the stove running in the family room today, so we didn’t have a plethora of pests trying to invade our space. That’s not to say they didn’t dive bomb us when we were outside. Mr. FixIt and I moved the little a-frame around to “the campground” here on Marshmallow Ranch (aka The Ponderosa). We chained it up to another camper and covered it for the winter.

\n\n\n

I worked on a couple of projects today…the family room and the farm memories book I’m putting together for the family. I really need to get it finished so I can order them in time. I was going through a box this week trying to find the property taxes from last year. In the box, I found Grandma’s steno pad where she wrote down her favorite recipes. Honestly, there aren’t very many and for the most part, she didn’t cook with a recipe. But there are a few that just evoked such wonderful, warm memories of the kitchen at the farm.

\n\n\n

Grandma had certain recipes that she made all the time. She always had Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. She said when her kids were growing up in the depression, the ingredients for those nutrient rich handfuls of heaven were affordable and with a glass of milk from the dairy cows she kept, she could always rest easy knowing her kids were getting something good to eat for breakfast. She often made Raisin Filled Cookies in the fall when the walnuts and hickory nuts had fallen. She made box cakes but always dressed them up. Pineapple Upside Down Cake was my mom’s favorite. My Uncle Bud and I loved the Yellow Cake with Penuche Frosting. I made Grandma’s Brown Sugar Pie for Thanksgiving the first year I moved back to West Virginia and my Aunt Peeps swore you couldn’t tell the difference between it and the ones Grandma used to make…a high compliment coming from her.

\n\n\n

Grandma always said she couldn’t make a pie crust that was fit to eat. That’s not entirely true. There were many times when she took the extra crust, laid it out on an old flat pot lid, sprinkled it with salt and baked it plain. I could eat my weight in that…seriously. But, often her pie crust was dry and flavorless. When I found her pie crust recipe in the notebook, I had a rush of memory. I made pies for her and she raved over the crust. I told her how I made mine and she wrote it down. I don’t think the quantities are exactly right in this recipe, but it is pretty much the one I used when I baked for competition. I can’t guarantee you this would come out right if made the way it’s written so I’ll just say…let’s look at it as a great example of my grandma’s handwriting and her love for me that she would attempt to write down my recipe.

\n\n\n

Anyway, as I read through and did some editing yesterday, I took pictures of the recipes most of us would remember and added them in the book. I know everyone will love seeing them in her own handwriting. I certainly do. I’ve got the price down to $42 a copy. I know that’s exorbitant for a memory book, but it’s the best I can do with Shutterfly. If you know of any other place to self publish high quality photo books, please let me know.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

\nGalatians 6:9 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-11T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/11/grandmas-kitchen.html", "tags": ["Family","Farm Life","Baking","Memories","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/11/10/bugs-and-buttermilk-biscuits.html", "title": "Bugs and Buttermilk Biscuits", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

This was before they got bad!

\n\n\n

Oh…the continuing saga of the lady beetles. It was a wonderfully warm day yesterday. And, you know what that means? The uptick in the number of lady beetles takes an astronomical leap. This is my fifth November in this house and I’ve never seen an infestation this bad. Actually, now that I think about it, last fall was fairly light in the beetle department, so maybe that’s what they’re so bad this year. I vacuumed them up several times during the day clear into the evening. This is the worst I’ve seen since 2004 when my mom died.

\n\n\n

The day started out good, though. I had a hankerin’ for buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy for breakfast. I’m getting better at making them. Like learning how to bake with sourdough, these things take time to perfect. I think this batch was the best so far and I actually ended up handling the dough more than usual. Maybe I haven’t been working them quite enough out of fear of making them tough.

\n\n\n
\n[youtu.be/pev2kxd5Y...](https://youtu.be/pev2kxd5YCU)\n
\n\n\n

Once things were put away, we got to work scrubbing the little a-frame and getting it ready to put away for the winter. We had it under the maple tree which was a HUGE mistake. It had little black spots all over it that looked like mildew. But, with a lot of elbow grease and a scrub brush, we finally got it clean. We’ll move it around to the “campground” tomorrow so it doesn’t run the risk of a limb falling on it this winter, then we’ll do a little work on it and sell it come springtime.

\n\n\n

It was a day of putting things away and doing laundry and changing beds. I cooked my own version of a rotisserie chicken in the Ninja combo pressure cooker/air fryer. It was yummy with those leftover biscuits, crinkle cut fries, and macaroni salad. We’ll need to do some mowing today. I thought for sure we were done for the year, but alas…we don’t seem to be. We need to run the snake down the drain out back again before the winter rains set in. Mr. FixIt is going to start cleaning out the big building soon. And I need to go through the boxes downstairs and get rid of more stuff. 

\n\n\n

We are having an early Thanksgiving Dinner tomorrow with the FixIt Family! I can’t wait!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.””

\nGenesis 8:22 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-11-10T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/11/10/bugs-and-buttermilk-biscuits.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/16/how-to-celebrate-years-of.html", "title": "How to Celebrate 50 Years of Marriage? Breakfast for Supper!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

While I’ve been having a wonderful visit, and I really haven’t been running around like I usually do when I’m in Colorado, it turns out…I’m two years older with hyperparathyroidism symptoms that knock my socks off sometimes. I’ve been planning a nice supper to celebrate Ben & Sue’s 50th Wedding Anniversary ever since we arrived. We’ve also been talking about making homemade Buttermilk Biscuits with Little. So, I decided to make a big southern breakfast for supper last night.

\n\n\n

Little got out of school at 1:00 yesterday. Daughter #1 invited me to come early and she’d give me a tour of her school and introduce me to staff. Afterwards, Little and I went to the grocery store to buy the necessary ingredients. Mr. FixIt and I brought a tote from West Virginia with some things they left when they came for a visit. One was the biscuit bowl I bought for Little. 

\n\n\n

When we got back to the house, we made three batches of biscuits to make sure we got it down pat. We also took a video of the whole process and Sue wrote down the directions. I made a huge skillet of fried potatoes, a double batch of sausage gravy, half a pound of bacon, and a pan of grits. We had several kinds of jams and a jar of Honey Butter I picked up from Whole Foods. 

\n\n\n

I know not to eat late…especially rich foods like that. Yet…ohhhhhh, they’re all so good. And sure enough…I’ve been paying the price ever since. I was supposed to go have lunch with my sweet friend Michelle today, but I knew by the way I felt last night, I wouldn’t be very good company today. I took a rain check for the next time I’m in. I’m disappointed. I’m sure she is, too. A third friend was supposed to join us but she was possibly exposed to Covid on Tuesday, so she couldn’t come either. 

\n\n\n

Sometimes, disappointing or not, you just have to say no. We have a huge drive ahead of us in a couple of days and I need to be at my best. Today I’ll take it easy and do a little laundry. Mr. FixIt is going to get the new tires on the truck. The kids were over till late last night and will come back Friday evening to say goodbye. I can’t believe how fast it’s going. It really has been a wonderful trip.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

\n1 John 4:16 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/16/how-to-celebrate-years-of.html", "tags": ["Family","Baking","Littles","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/09/06/my-moon-pie-and-me.html", "title": "My Moon Pie and Me", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I was in mid sentence when Sue looked out the window and exclaimed… “There she is!!!” I jumped up, pulled my mask on as I ran out the door and into the waiting arms of my baby. My 31-year-old baby, but still…she’ll always be my baby! We hung onto each other for the longest time…feeling that familiar heartbeat next to mine…smelling her hair…feeling her hands on my back. I haven’t seen Daughter #2 since August 3rd, 2019. Way, WAY too long. I was greatly relieved that she was feeling well. She looks wonderful. She’s happy, healthy, and thriving. What more could a mother want?!?!

\n\n\n

We sat and talked for hours. Everyone kind of went about their business and left us alone to visit. The kind of easy conversation we’ve always had between us. It’s wonderful to talk to your adult children and learn more about who they have become. What they’re into now. What they like. What they’ve set aside. Their beliefs and values. She’s returning today with her wife, whom I’ve also not seen since the wedding. Maybe we’ll go do something. Maybe we’ll just sit and visit. Whatever we do, its always easy and fun and memorable.

\n\n\n

When she finally left for home, I fixed supper for the four of us. I hadn’t made stir-fry in quite some time so I used some of the veggies fresh from Ben’s garden. Mr. FixIt went for a long walk earlier in the day so he was ready to tuck into some of my home cooking. I love when he compliments my food. After supper, we sat around and visited. Ben and Sue are so easy to be around and we always feel at home here. Daughter #1 and family were off doing their own thing yesterday but we’ll see each other soon.

\n\n\n

As the sun was sinking low in the west, I walked out after supper and took a picture of Ben’s dahlia’s. They are stunning! I’ve never grown them, so I think next year I need to invest in some tubers. While the day was certainly hot, the nights are quite pleasant and we have truly enjoyed sleeping in the camper out by the garden. I awoke at 4:00am yesterday morning to the sound of a train whistle off in the distance. It brought me back to the first year after losing Mr. Virgo. I spent a good deal of time down here in Denver with my first little camper, parked in exactly this spot. You know how some sounds or smells take you right back to a particular moment in time? That’s what the train did. I could feel the tightness in my chest, the inability to take in a deep breath, the long, long hours stretched before me as I grieved. I couldn’t help but compare where I am today to where I was this time in 2013. It’s the difference between night and day. A whole new life. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe I lived through that. But here I am…here WE are. 

\n\n\n

Life is a mystery, isn’t it? It can be so difficult and painful. And it can be so incredibly beautiful and sweet. The past has taught me many things…not the least of which is to cherish the little, simple moments of life. The hug of a grown child. The smell of teriyaki stir-fry. The delicate petals of a perfect dahlia. The laughter of easy friendship. And the hug of an appreciative spouse who loves me to the moon and back. 

\n\n\n

The feelings are quite mutual. 

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

\nJohn 13:34-35 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-09-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/09/06/my-moon-pie-and-me.html", "tags": ["Colorado","Family","Gratitude","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/07/05/when-every-week-has-a.html", "title": "When Every Week Has a Three-day Weekend", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Retirement, sweet retirement. I remember packing as much fun as possible into those few three-day weekends we had when we were working. This while also trying to catch up with the laundry and cleaning the house. I honestly don’t know how we did it all. The truth is, we often didn’t. Or, more accurately…we didn’t do it well.

\n\n\n

I was never one to have my house spotless when the kids were growing up. I quickly learned what was “good enough”. Now that we have all this “free time”, we keep a much neater house. Little is a typical teenager and in the nine days she’s been here, her room is pretty trashed. I’ve truly forgotten what it’s like to have a 14-year-old girl at home. I asked her at supper last night to pick it up this morning. We’ll see if she’s any better at it than her mother was at that age. lol

\n\n\n

Little and I had a lot of fun yesterday. We baked two loaves of sourdough, made sourdough pancakes, fed the next sourdough starter, and took the dehydrated sourdough starter out of the dehydrator and bottled it up. Some day, Little might want some of my starter, and as long as it’s stored in a cool, dark place…it’ll last for years. 

\n\n\n

As I’m writing this, I just did the dishes and we are preparing to go out to see the fireworks this evening. I do hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend. Little and I are going to go antiquing Tuesday, pack for camping Wednesday, camp on Thursday and Friday, come home on Saturday, do laundry and get her ready for her mom and Big to come pick her up Monday. 

\n\n\n

Just like that…their vacation will be over and we will miss each other again. 

\n\n\n

In the meantime…there is FUN to be had at Nana’s house!!!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“You have fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you have made summer and winter.”

\nPsalm 74:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-07-05T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/07/05/when-every-week-has-a.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","West Virginia","Holiday","Peaceful Moments","Be Joyful!","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/20/the-buzzard-and-the-crow.html", "title": "The Buzzard and The Crow", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

A Crow “Mobbing” a Turkey Buzzard…aka Vulture

\n\n\n

I grilled burgers last night for supper. We’ve been working hard, and I though it would be nice to enjoy a meal on the deck. A reward, as it were. When we finished eating, we sat back and looked around at our handiwork in the yard. It was a lovely evening. The neighbor’s rooster was crowing. He crows a LOT. And every single time, it makes me smile and reminds me…we really DO live in the country. 

\n\n\n

As I was lost in reverie, Mr. FixIt asked, “Is that a bird up there?” I followed his gaze to a dead branch in the top of a tree…silhouetted agains the sky. Whatever, it was…it was really BIG. I went inside to get my binoculars and focused them on the hill beyond the two-lane hardtop. I saw the distinct red head and said, “Turkey Buzzard.” Mr. FixIt took the binoculars and soon agreed.

\n\n\n

The Turkey Buzzard isn’t really a buzzard at all…it’s a vulture. They are listed with two separate names in most of the world, but in America…the names seem to be interchangeable. Buzzards have sharp beaks and talons and most often kill their prey. Vultures eat carrion…dead animal carcasses who have met their unfortunate demise. In these parts, mostly road kill. 

\n\n\n

After a while, I looked up and there was a second bird there…much smaller. I looked through the binoculars again and there was a crow. They seemed to be eyeing each other and soon, the crow dove with outstretched talons at the bird. I’ve often wondered why small birds are so brave and attack birds three to four times their size or more. And, why do the bigger birds take it? Even though the vulture was no threat to the crow, she was probably protecting a nest or chicks or even just her own turf.

\n\n\n

This made me think of mamas and how they protect their babes at all costs. And, just because your chicks have left the nest, you don’t stop trying to protect them. And you worry about them. I’ve been doing a lot of Bible study lately about fear, anxiety, and worry. God must have known by our nature that we humans would worry about stuff. That’s why He tells us at least a hundred times in the Bible…don’t be afraid. Cast your worries upon Him. Who can add one hour to their lives by being anxious?

\n\n\n

One of the devotionals I’ve been reading talks about God giving us an order. “Don’t be afraid.” If we worry which turns to anxiety and fear, we are not doing what God commanded us to do. Disobeying God is sinful. Thinking of it that term, it’s been a little easier to stop myself before I go too far down the rabbit hole of fear.

\n\n\n

I’ve been trying to figure out why I am so much more prone to worry and anxiety lately and I think I finally got it. Last year, while there was concern about getting covid…there was also comfort when all my peeps were at home and in their houses. Nothing much can happen to them when they’re safely ensconced. But this year…everyone is traveling everywhere. Daughter #1 and Big are on a big road trip. Little is going to fly alone for the first time on Monday. My son-in-law will fly to meet them the following week.

\n\n\n

I realize how totally irrational it is and that it’s all about control. As I am wont to do, I chastised myself for being so silly. Then I read a news story about families going from Cabin Fever to Separation Anxiety with the world opening back up. And…I got it! I’m not alone. It is reassuring to know others are feeling the same things and I’m not “crazy.” Like the moms in the article, I’ll get used to them being out and about in the world and stop being a “helicopter Nana.” Pretty soon, I’m sure.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The Little Bathroom is Coming Right Along!

\n\n\n

In the meantime, we continue to get much done here. Mr. FixIt is making great strides with the small bathroom off the master bedroom. He got the walls and trim painted yesterday. He got the hardware back on the door so he can mount it when he’s finished with everything else. I cleaned the kitchen in time to dirty it back up again. I fed the sourdough again so Little and I can have a good, active starter for bread when they arrive. I made Cherry Hand Pies and Faux Beignets for dessert. “Faux Beignets” are so easy. Just fry pieces of pie crust (I used ready made from the refrigerated aisle) then dust them in powdered sugar when they’re still hot. I cut circles out of the pie dough, put a couple cherries from the pie filling in the middle, topped with a second circle and crimped the edges then fried the pies. Drizzle with a little powdered sugar glaze. And that was it for the day.

\n\n\n
\n\n\n

Dining al Fresco…waiting for the burgers to grill: Cherry Hand Pies: Faux Beignets: Yummy dessert!

\n\n\n

Today is Father’s Day…a difficult day for many. I didn’t have a relationship with my own dad. I decided two marriages ago never to look for my father’s love through a relationship. I’m happy now in a new marriage and we are equal partners here. So, where to look for that “dad” I never had? Turns out…I only had to look up! My Father will love me forever, never leave me, never hurt me, never put me down. Best decision I ever made, by far!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.”

\n2 Corinthians 8:11 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-20T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/20/the-buzzard-and-the-crow.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/06/16/preparing-to-teach-at-marshmallow.html", "title": "Preparing to Teach at Marshmallow Ranch", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

In just over a week, Daughter #1 will be pulling into our driveway toting Big and Little. Big is really big now...seventeen and preparing to visit colleges with her mom  the following week. And Little isn’t so little anymore. She was only five years old when Mr. Virgo died. She’s fourteen now. It doesn’t seem possible...especially since I haven’t seen any of them since August 2019 when Daughter #2 got married.

\n\n\n

Although Big came with her mom to visit me here in WV when I was fixing up my mom’s house, she doesn’t remember it because she was only nine months old. They did come several years ago to visit the farm and my Aunt Peeps, but I was working in Colorado at the time and couldn’t get away. So, this is their first visit with Nana in the country. While I doubt my “time travel” plans will be terribly impressive to a seventeen year old, I’m firmly convinced Little is going to enjoy what I have planned for her. She is staying with us for two weeks while her mom and Big go on their college tour.

\n\n\n

Little has always been SO much like me. She is bright, funny, incredibly creative, loves looking through old boxes of junk, loves to cook and sew, draw and paint. I’ve been thinking of all kinds of fun things to do with her. I want to teach her to bake sourdough bread and buttermilk biscuits and grits. I want to teach her to knit dishcloths. We’ll garden. She’ll learn about the mower and the weed eater. We’ll plant geraniums. We’ll “camp” out in TOW-Wanda. I want to take her to a nearby park that has been named a Certified Dark Sky area so we can lay back and look at the stars. I want to spend time with her at the farm and teach her about the night sounds and the different birds and grandma’s flowers. I want to share the family stories that I have been entrusted with. We’ll explore the countryside and maybe visit some cemeteries and find the names on her family tree chart I made for her. I purposefully left the birth and death dates off so she can learn where to find that information.

\n\n\n

All in two weeks. Think we can do it? I’m 99% sure we can, and she’s going to love it. I remember taking Daughter #2 on a three week road trip for her 13th birthday, and a trip to Cozumel for her 16th. The difference between those two trips was remarkable. So I hope I’m getting in under the cutoff date when Nana’s not so cool anymore. Thank God Big has come back around and we have great conversations again. 

\n\n\n

Little is an old soul, and I’m truly looking forward to exploring with her.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Hear this, you elders; give ear, all inhabitants of the land! Has such a thing happened in your days, or in the days of your fathers? Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation.”

\nJoel 1:2-3 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-06-16T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/06/16/preparing-to-teach-at-marshmallow.html", "tags": ["Family","Fun","Gratitude","Farm Life","Littles","Crafts","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/04/01/a-sweet-homecoming.html", "title": "A Sweet Homecoming", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Happy April, everyone!

\n\n\n

I took my time over at the farm yesterday morning. I was awakened early by a hard rain driving down on the old tin roof. That house was built at least 85-90 years ago and it has the original roof on it...to the best of my recollection. That’s not 100%, you know. I laid there for at least an hour listening to the roar before I drifted off to sleep again. Having just that little sheet over the window kept the morning sun from rousing me too early. When I finally woke up, the creek was roaring. Unfortunately, I forgot to put the rain gauge out on Tuesday so I am not sure how much rain we had, but judging by the creek I’d say upwards of a half to three-quarter of an inch.

\n\n\n

I love the window right beside the bed in Grandma’s room. You get a nice breeze in the room without it being too cold. As time went on, Mr. FixIt and I texted our “Good Mornings” to each other. We both slept well. Finally, I decided it was time to gather my things and head back home. There’s always the prerequisite tidying up and packing the truck and having one more cup of coffee in Grandma’s chair. By the time I left, it was nearly 2:30. 

\n\n\n

As always, Mr. FixIt and I were tickled to see each other. Just a couple of days away is a nice break but not so long that we can’t stand it. I walked in the house to the sweetest smell of a Pineapple Upside Down Cake baking in the oven. My mom wasn’t a terrific cook, but she was known far and wide for this cake and she taught me how to make it...therefore, I’m a bit of a snob about it. I have to tell you...my husband makes an awesome version. His has a little less brown sugar, a little more butter, and he uses some of the pineapple juice in the cake batter making it incredibly moist. I rarely bother with the Maraschino Cherries any more, but he added them and I just thought he did a terrific job.

\n\n\n

The only job around the Ponderosa yesterday was removing the old storm door we are replacing. We need to paint that door as well as the end of the house, but we are in the middle of a few days of rain...and maybe even a little bit of snow! Last night’s low was predicted to be 29 degrees. Tonight and tomorrow night are 22 and 23 respectively. It’s hard to go back to chilly weather when you’ve had nice, hot days...but at least we don’t get spring blizzards like they do in Colorado.

\n\n\n

I am watching the redbud very closely because I’d like to make a batch of Redbud Jelly this spring. My friend Stacie gave me a jar of it last year and...oh, my....it is such a pretty and delicate pink. This time last year, I was still baking two loaves of sourdough bread every week and it tasted wonderful toasted with a slathering of real butter and some of that jelly. It’s no wonder I have all this weight to lose after eating my way through the pandemic! You can find the recipe for Redbud Jelly HERE.

\n\n\n

Today is my annual pilgrimage to see my dermatologist. I had a melanoma (in situ) removed from my arm in the summer of 2005, so I am extremely careful to get checked regularly. As we, ahem...ripen, it is vitally important that we watch our skin for any changes. We were the sun-worshippers, were we not? My girlfriends and I used to mix up a bottle of baby oil and iodine and use it for suntan lotion. Then, in the ‘80s and ‘90s, I used a tanning bed...never giving it a thought. My wrinkles are reminding me of those carefree...and careless...days of my youth. Get yourself checked, dear ones. I want you all safe and healthy and happy!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“and distributed among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed, each to his house.”

\n2 Samuel 6:19 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-04-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/04/01/a-sweet-homecoming.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Baking","Marriage","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/03/01/day-rain-peepers-and-apple.html", "title": "Day 350: Rain, Peepers, and Apple Pie!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I love sixty-four degrees! We keep the thermostat at 64 degrees year round. We have a gas stove in the family room that keeps us a little toastier, but the rest of the house stays at 64. In the summer, the AC is on...until the heat of the summer breaks. Then...as soon as I see the outdoor temperature is 64, the AC is turned off and the windows are thrown open wide. The opposite is true in the winter. As soon as the thermometer hits that magic number, I can breathe again. It means spring is well on its way...even if there are more freezes, or even snow after.

\n\n\n

We had heavy rain yesterday. When I woke up, I could see the water dripping from the eaves out the window and knew the rains had come. I could hear the roar of heavier rain as it came over the far hill....louder and louder as it made its way closer and closer...till it pounded the roof over my head. I smiled. I love, love, love rain. Maybe that’s why I love West Virginia so much. We have received between 1.5 and 2.5 inches of rain from this storm.

\n\n\n

Sometime in the afternoon, I got up from my comfy red chair to make that apple pie I told you about. As I peeled the apples by hand, I mentioned to Mr. FixIt it was a good thing I don’t like to peel apples very much, because I dearly love apple pie and we’d be having it far too often. I make my pie crust in my food processor because it’s ready in no time. But peeling the apples. Ugh. I try to make it a meditation, but that doesn’t always work. I glanced at the clock and decided I knew the perfect way to pass the time.

\n\n\n

I moved our little Amazon Echo into the kitchen where I sat at the breakfast bar. I knew my Colorado peeps were gathered at Ben & Sue’s house to celebrate Big’s birthday, so I made a video call. As I finished the apples, and rolled out the dough, I visited with my family and sang Happy Birthday with them. It was so much fun! We all laughed as Big opened her box in a box in a box times five to get to the money she requested. Her mom is taking her to the Olympic Swim Trials this summer to observe, then they’re coming here. We will keep Little with us while they go look at college campuses. (How is this possible???) I cannot tell you how incredibly excited I am to get my family here!!!

\n\n\n

I heard the very first sounds of peepers up the holler last evening...their bright and cheery calls beckoning their mates to do what little froggies do at this time of year. The creeks are roaring and our yard is filled with water, but our work on the drain last week was successful. It’s working like it’s supposed to, which is a great relief. 

\n\n\n

As I write this, I again remind myself of our many blessings for which we are so grateful. I think of my dear friend who lost her only sister yesterday. I think of another dear friend who lost a cousin to suicide last week. And another dear friend whose niece is suffering “locked-in syndrome” after a brain bleed and a major stroke right as they were about to have their first baby. It kind of makes any complaints I may have seem pretty puny in comparison. God is so good to us and provides for our needs. I am so grateful I have His presence in my life...to lean on in times of trouble. It’s easy to forget to thank Him when things are going great, so I’m especially mindful to express my gratitude.

\n\n\n

Goodbye, February...Hello, March!!! I hope you have a pleasant Monday and things go well in your world this week.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

\nJames 1:17 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-03-01T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/03/01/day-rain-peepers-and-apple.html", "tags": ["Change","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/02/20/day-chocolate-chip-cookies-fix.html", "title": "Day 341: Chocolate Chip Cookies Fix Everything!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I’ve been on the prowl for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe for the last three decades. There was a bakery restaurant in Glenwood Springs called The Daily Bread. It was THE place to go for breakfast and lunch and I’ve spent countless hours lingering over Terry’s Eggs Benedict or my favorite salad that was served in something akin to a wash tub. I’d order mine with extra turkey, avocado, and no croutons. As soon as the server took my order to the back, I’d hear John call out...”Ginny’s here!!!” I loved that place.

\n\n\n

And, as much as I loved all the wonderful dishes they served, their signature was a huge chocolate chip cookie. It was a good four inches around and nearly 3/4 of an inch thick. It was dense and chewy and rich...the perfect balance of buttery goodness, deep dark chocolate, and chunks of pecans. Oh...they were divine. And, try as I might, I could neither pry the recipe out of Terry or deconstruct the cookie myself to recreate it. Nothing I ever made came close...until this week.

\n\n\n

One of my little guilty pleasures the last few months has been watching cooking videos on Facebook. Cooking with Brenda Gant and Emmymade are my very favorites. Emmy is bright and young and spunky and she always tastes her creations and gives a solid critique which makes you almost taste what she’s made. Brenda, with her grey ponytail and her southern drawn and her praise for Jesus mixed in makes her recipes for things like her Buttermilk Biscuits and Sawmill Gravy seem like something I absolutely HAVE to try.

\n\n\n

I also enjoy watching Kaleb share recipes from the kitchen of The Grey Boxwood Farm where he lives in his grandma’s house. Sound familiar? When I saw his recipe for the Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie, I knew right then, I needed to try it. This recipe uses a couple of ingredients you don’t usually see...molasses and malted milk powder. The former I had in my pantry, but malted milk powder was nowhere to be found in our semi-rural area...not even over at the Belpre Kroger store, which is a darned close comparison to the grocers I was used to in Colorado. You can find a much wider variety of hard to find items there, but alas...no malted milk powder. I had to order it from the internet.

\n\n\n

Baking, for me, is something I must be in the right frame of mind in order to do it well. Much like writing, if I’m not in the right headspace, you can just about guarantee the results will not be worth the time and effort put in. I saved the video in my Facebook files to look at when the mood struck me to bake them. That happened this week when we were snowed in. Like I told you the other day, when I bake cookies, I really want to mix, bake, and eat them in relative short order. These cookies are more involved and the dough really should chill in the fridge for twenty-four hours to get the best flavor.

\n\n\n

It was all I could do to resist baking even one pan full of cookies before that time was up. But I resisted and I have to say, the results were surprisingly good. Still not the Daily Bread chocolate chip cookie my memory carries, but maybe I’ve just built them up so much in my mind that I’m remembering something bigger and better than they really were...I don’t know. But these are really, really good. Crispy golden around the edges, thick and chewy in the center, with a depth of flavor you don’t normally find in a Tollhouse Cookie recipe. I attribute that to the malted milk powder and molasses. Just enough difference to make you sit up and take notice.

\n\n\n

I was so engrossed in mixing and baking these and staying present in the moment, I didn’t take any photos, so I lifted a screenshot from the video itself. I can’t take credit, but those are exactly what my cookies looked like. We dropped off a container at the former Mrs. FixIt’s house yesterday when we went to town for birdseed and prescriptions and ham hocks for my sweetheart’s Split Pea Soup. (That soup is NOT my thing, but I love him.) We are slowly polishing off the rest of the cookies, even though I packaged them in six-to-a-bag ziplocks for the freezer. (No...they never made it downstairs. Sue me.)

\n\n\n

If you want to try a really great chocolate chip cookie, check out the Wyse Guide Facebook page HERE. If you make them, come back and let me know what you think.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“But don't forget to help others and to share your possessions with them. This too is like offering a sacrifice that pleases God.”

\nHebrews 13:16 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-02-20T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/02/20/day-chocolate-chip-cookies-fix.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/01/10/day-give-us-this-day.html", "title": "Day 300: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Zuppa Toscana

\n\n\n

Oy...it’s been a long time since our lives changed. It seems like three hundred YEARS already. I’m trying to make some changes and put some structure back in my life. I’m having a problem with my days and nights being mixed up. I go to sleep later and later and get up later and later. Yesterday morning, I woke up, took a cursory glance at my phone to see what time it was...7:23am. I turned over and went back to sleep because it was probably 4:00 before I even settled down to sleep in the first place. The next time I look at my phone, it was 1:37 in the afternoon! Good grief!

\n\n\n

I got up and padded into the living room, my hair all tousled, and Mr. FixIt smiled. 

\n\n\n

“Good morning, sleepyhead!”

\n\n\n

“You mean, good afternoon!”

\n\n\n

I made my coffee and toasted a bagel and sat cross legged in my super duper new recliner.

\n\n\n

“Anything new in the world?”

\n\n\n

My sweet husband just stared at me with that curious grin.

\n\n\n

I felt like Sleeping Beauty...just not quite as beautiful.

\n\n\n

I pulled my fur throw over me, set my laptop on my nifty little lap desk, and continued copying my posts from Facebook to my blog. I have now entered the beginning of 2016. A lot happened in that year, so I’m really looking forward to reading as I copy over. That’s the year I lived at the river, took my camper everywhere, visited Colorado three times, worked out like crazy and got really fit, went to my 45th High School Reunion, moved into my grandma’s farmhouse, and by the end of the year, started dating Mr. FixIt. I just have a few month’s worth of writing to copy over then I’m done with this HUGE project I started in December of that year!

\n\n\n

As the world simmers on a hot plate of violence, I am turning inward and putting my focus on what I can control. I’m not saying I’m ignoring what’s going on because I’m definitely not. But there are so many other places where the ugliness is the focus. I admit, I dipped a toe in that from time to time over the last year. It isn’t helpful here because that’s not what we’re....I’M...here for. I’m here for the respite from the harsh parts of life.

\n\n\n

I’m sure I’ll be focusing on a lot more recipes, and projects, and stories and a lot less on what’s going on outside my door. Maybe that’s good for you, too. In the meantime, I’ll share the best soup recipe in the world!

\n\n\n

The other night, Mr. FixIt wanted Potato Soup. My mom used to make really good potato soup. I never have quite gotten the hang of it. I told my sweetheart, what I was really craving was Zuppa Toscana from Olive Garden. His eyes lit up. I told him I was sure I could find a copycat recipe and sure enough, I found one that is very nearly identical but with a lot less sodium!

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

You can find the recipe for this amazingly great soup HERE.  

\n\n\n

I cut back on the red pepper flakes to only one teaspoon and I added a couple of tablespoons of Wondra Flour to the cream before I added it to thicken the broth a little. When I make it again, I’ll add a little more flour as it wasn’t quite as thick as I wanted. This recipe made enough for three meals for the two of us...one of which Mr. FixIt had a second helping. As with many soups, it tastes even better the second day. Add a tossed salad and breadsticks and you’d be hard pressed to think you weren’t sitting in that famous restaurant in town!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

\nMatthew 6:11 KJV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-01-10T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/01/10/day-give-us-this-day.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2021/01/06/day-baking-buttermilk-biscuitsthe-old.html", "title": "Day 296: Baking Buttermilk Biscuits...the Old Fashioned Way", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Along with grief comes a lot of triggers to bad, sad, traumatic and scary memories that can be really hard to deal with. I had PTSD after Mr. Virgo died and I really wanted to just turn off my brain and never remember anything again...ever. Thank goodness, that’s not how it works. I had “grief brain” for a couple of years, but as the bad memories faded to the background, I was really pleased the good memories could billow up in their place.

\n\n\n

I was scrolling through the suggested videos on Facebook the other night. I watch a lot of cooking videos. And, those cute little “talking” dachshunds...Moonpie Starbox and her little sister, Buttercup. I get the biggest kick out of “Cooking with Brenda Gantt.” She is so country...she could be my kin. She has great cooking videos. Nothing fancy, she just shows you how it’s done. Well, how SHE does it. I love her!

\n\n\n

I came across this video about making biscuits in a dough bowl and something way, way deep back in the recesses of my mind flickered. I had to think about it and cogitate a bit till I placed where I’d seen this before. My grandma’s sister-in-law was a small, wiry woman that lived in a little house a few miles from the farm. Aunt Ann was great! She always had a feedsack apron on over her house dress. She might have anything from a little chick to a baby squirrel or fresh farm eggs in her pockets any given time. She had those thick lenses in her glasses that magnified the ornery sparkle in her eye and a laugh like rainwater...smooth and clear and easy.

\n\n\n

We used to go over to visit Aunt Ann when I’d stay with Grandma some during the summer. She always had ducks and geese and chickens and more fresh eggs than she knew what to do with. There were kittens and puppies and who knows what all running around her yard. We would sit on the porch and talk for a spell and eventually it was time to go home. I remember always feeling sad that it was time to leave. I’m so glad Daughter #1 has memories of her Great Aunt Ann, too.

\n\n\n

I will not swear on a stack of Bibles that it was Aunt Ann that made her biscuits like this, but that’s who I immediately thought of when I saw this video. I also remember my Aunt Peeps telling me about Grandma Teters’ (her first husband’s grandmother) making her biscuits in a dough bowl. They had a house along the “turnpike” where teamsters stopped overnight to rest. It was the predecessor to the B&B. When I went to visit my Aunt Peeps one summer and she sent me home with Grandma Teters’ crocks. 

\n\n\n

That big blue crock on the left was Grandma Teters’ dough bowl that she made biscuits in like Brenda Gantt in her video. The next blue crock is one I purchased along the way. The third blue crock was used for whatever was needed...serving at the table, carrying scraps to the pigs and chickens, or maybe mixing up a bowl of cucumbers and onions with a little vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and pepper...a sort of “refrigerator pickle” commonly served in the summer. Maybe with a little cut up tomatoes in it. Refreshing!

\n\n\n

The little yellow crock with the light blue and pink stripes around the top was Grandpa Teter’s “sody crock.” He suffered from a “sour stomach”, so whenever he walked past his bowl of baking soda, he’d scoop up a finger full and eat it, washing it down with some spring water. That was the early equivalent of Alka Seltzer or Tums. The two small crocks have cracks in them so I don’t use them. I keep them inside another bowl so they don’t get bumped and broken. 

\n\n\n

When I downsized, there were a few things that I absolutely refused to part with, and these crocks were among my most treasured possessions. And now, I have this vague memory and the knowledge of just exactly how Grandma Teters made her biscuits in that big, blue crock.

\n\n\n

You can watch Brenda Gantt making Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits the old fashioned way HERE.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Everything that happens has happened before; nothing is new, nothing under the sun.”

\nEcclesiastes 1:9 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2021-01-06T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2021/01/06/day-baking-buttermilk-biscuitsthe-old.html", "tags": ["Fun","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/23/day-special-deliveryjust-in-time.html", "title": "Day 284: Special Delivery...Just in Time for Christmas!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I’ve been feeling kinda blue about Christmas this year. Covid has us sequestered and the kids all feel like they could just as well be on the moon. Top that with our firm commitment NOT to buy each other gifts this year and the season has just been...blah. I certainly have no complaints about the gift thing. We bought ourselves new recliners this year. Then the microwave went out and we replaced that. We had a trip to the beach in October. And there was an unexpected assessment on the condo this year, so we figured that was plenty. There really isn’t anything we really need anyway.

\n\n\n

I’ve been so blessed to have all this time and supplies to do so much canning this year and those things don’t come cheap. But there’s only so much room in the kitchen and I’ve long since run out of space to store my small appliances. There are the shelves in the basement where I can store them but I know just as soon as I cart them downstairs, I’ll need one of them. Some of them are fairly heavy and unwieldy. An idea has been bouncing around in my mind for the last several weeks.

\n\n\n

My dear friend Ryb had a beautiful piece of furniture built in her Colorado kitchen to store her small appliances and baking pans. I always admired that, and vowed someday to have one. Then, divorce took away my big country kitchen and the house I built was just too small for such a cumbersome piece. Segue to 2020 and the Ponderosa. Another country kitchen, but still not enough room to house all my kitchen gadgets. I’ve been scouring Facebook Marketplace for something that might work but nothing was catching my eye. So, I did what I always do...I gave it to God and went about my business.

\n\n\n

Yesterday morning, I was having my coffee when a notification came across my phone...from Mr. FixIt...who was sitting on the other side of the living room. 

\n\n\n

“Look at this,” he said.

\n\n\n

It was a three piece, solid wood bookcase cabinet combo. An early entertainment center, really. But lovely. Country styling. Light oak. Interesting. I figured it would be way more than I wanted to pay. I kinda had a price in mind...$300.

\n\n\n

“Nice! How much to they want for that?”

\n\n\n

“$300!”

\n\n\n

“Each piece?”

\n\n\n

“No...total!”

\n\n\n

We looked at each other and smiled. I texted the lady and made arrangements and by 8:00 last night, the office was cleaned out, the furniture was in it, and it was holding all my appliances! I mean...if I would have measured out the space I needed to house my stuff, I couldn’t have done any better than this! It is so solid and heavy (thank you Harry and Joe for helping bring it home!) Seriously, it took three men to get it over here.

\n\n\n

As I carted my appliances from the floor of our dining room into the office adjacent to the kitchen, I placed each one in just the perfect spot. And with each trip, my heart got lighter and lighter. Because, I realize how truly blessed I am. I know there are people struggling mightily this year to just put food on the table. We are blessed this pandemic hit when we were retired and not when we were trying to raise a family. But, mostly...my heart was light because God always provides us with what we need. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Did I NEED that piece of furniture? No, I did not. Did it brighten my heart and fill me with a sense of awe that God hears us? Yes, it did. God isn’t a Sears & Roebuck Catalog. You don’t just send out wishes and He fills them like the genie in the lamp. But He provides and wants to hear from us about all our hopes and dreams and wishes. Sometimes He says no...a LOT of times He says no. But...sometimes He says yes! We have been so blessed to be able to help out food banks and assist a few people during these trying times. This gift makes it easier for me to be organized and cook and provide for others without breaking the bank so that we CAN keep helping others. I am so humbled that God is so good.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“You will be blessed in every way, and you will be able to keep on being generous. Then many people will thank God when we deliver your gift.”

\n2 Corinthians 9:11 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-23T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/23/day-special-deliveryjust-in-time.html", "tags": ["Faith","Uplifting Stories","Positive Energy","West Virginia","Gratitude","Change","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/17/day-baking-down-memory-lanegrandmas.html", "title": "Day 278: Baking Down Memory Lane...Grandma’s Raisin Filled Cookies", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

From as early as I can remember, I was in the kitchen making something. Out of necessity, I learned to cook the meals at home when I was still in grade school. Mom was...ummmm....challenged in the kitchen, as it were. Her culinary concoctions were enough to make me beg her to let me go to the cooking school for kids at our local community center one summer. Things were much better around the table at our house after that.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

As with many of us, this challenging year has driven me back to the kitchen and to my roots. As I was preparing to bake cookies this week, I was reminded of Grandma’s favorite cookie. She made a huge batch of Raisin Filled Cookies whenever my Uncle Bud and his family came to the farm for a visit. My uncle would whisk in, wrap his mom in a big bear hug, and reach around her for a handful of these delectably soft cookies before he headed back out the door to empty the car.

\n\n\n

My uncle lost his wife a couple of years ago, then continued to care for his sister...my Aunt Peeps...till she finally had to go into a nursing home. My aunt passed away this summer, and Uncle Bud has been on his own for the first time in his life. He was one of those men who honestly didn’t know his way around a kitchen. Aunt Viv was a stay-at-home mom and always took care of everything. As I went through my list of cookies I like to make, I thought of my uncle alone up on that mountain and decided I’d make Raisin Filled Cookies for him.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

These were never my favorite cookie. Grandma always used black walnuts in them because that’s what she had available. Back then, you used what you could produce on the farm and we had vast woods around us. My Uncle Bob would gather walnuts every fall...rubbing the husks off them till his hands were stained brown. They were like that for months. Then, in the winter, Bob would crack the walnuts and Grandma would pick the nut meats out and freeze them for use throughout the year.

\n\n\n

Black walnuts make my mouth sore when I eat them. I get blisters and I really don’t like the flavor as they’re quite strong. I called my uncle yesterday and told him I didn’t have walnuts and would pecans be ok. He said he actually preferred pecans, so pecans it was. I cooked the raisin filling and after the news, I made the dough. I ran out of dough and still had three to four cups of the filling left so I may make some Raisin Bar Cookies today.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I was really pleased with the recipe, but they were much sweeter than I remember my grandma’s to be. She was pretty frugal with her ingredients. Even though they’re a little labor intensive, I think they were well worth the effort and I’ll make them again. The sourdough starter is well fed and bubbling so I’m going to make the dough today and bake it tomorrow.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

You can get the recipe for the Raisin Filled Cookies HERE.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Get a large bowl. Then mix together wheat, barley, beans, lentils, and millet, and make some bread. This is what you will eat for the 390 days you are lying down.”

\nEzekiel 4:9 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-17T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/17/day-baking-down-memory-lanegrandmas.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Holiday","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/13/day-nailed-itkinda.html", "title": "Day 274: Nailed It...Kinda", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Have you ever seen those posts on Facebook where someone sees the cutest thing on Pinterest and tries to make it...only to fail miserably? However, in true optimist fashion...and with much self-depredation...posts a side-by-side comparison of the two? Yeah...well. I had one of those experiences yesterday. 

\n\n\n

First...the turkey is STILL too frozen to remove the giblets so it has to wait till today. Since the oven was unoccupied, I simply HAD to bake...right? I was so excited to use my new-to-me cookie press from the thrift shop. It came from Pampered Chef and had a dozen or more different extruded patterns...all for the amazingly low price of $5! I had the perfect score...or, so I thought.

\n\n\n

I found a video on YouTube with a recipe for the PERFECT Vanilla Spritz Cookies. It had a couple “secret ingredients”. Vanilla Bean Paste which I JUST happened to buy at TJ Maxx when I bought the Indian Ginger I used for the Appalachian Gingerbread. Powdered sugar...which I just happened to find a bag of stuffed in the back of the cupboard I cleaned out this week over the microwave. And, cornstarch. Apparently, these magic ingredients create the perfect light and crisp Spritz Cookies for your holiday baking needs.

\n\n\n

Right.

\n\n\n

It took for-e-ver to mix the dough. I should have used the big KitchenAid mixer, but opted for the handheld instead. When I finally got all those dry ingredients incorporated in the butter, it was a pretty stiff dough. Come to find out afterward, I really could have added some more flour because it was raining and high humidity outside and I was working with the kitchen window open. 

\n\n\n

Once I finally got the dough mixed and chose my design, I set to filling the tube on the cookie press. Back in the day when I tried this before, the press I had was only about an inch to an inch and a half across and made tiny little cookies. You could easily get three or four dozen out of a batch of dough. The Pampered Chef press is easily two and half inches across and one tube full of dough nearly filled a cookie sheet. The raw cookies were pretty big and I knew they would spread so I placed them pretty far apart. I only got eight on each cookie sheet.

\n\n\n

The first thing that happened was...the cookie would not stick to the parchment paper, even though I had tacked it down at all four corners with a bit of raw dough. I took the paper off and buttered the pan. Nope...still wouldn’t stick. The dough just lifted off with the press every time I picked it up. So, I tried putting the pan in the freezer for a few minutes. This time, about 3/4 of the cookies stuck. The rest I had to scrape off and try again till I was finally successful.

\n\n\n

The first batch was perfect...very slightly brown at the edges...but they were pretty flat and didn’t hold their pressed shape much at all. Disappointing. The second batch were placed in the freezer for a few minutes before I baked them. They came out too brown and no better shaped...but still edible. By the third batch, I was just about ready to throw the whole mess out the window...batter AND press. I had dough left and it would NOT stick, so I gave up, rolled the dough in balls the size of a small walnut and baked them anyway.

\n\n\n

Moral of the story is...sometimes those really great gadgets you find in a thrift shop are there for a reason. At least I was only out $5 and not what it would have cost new. I’ll just clean it up and take it back to the thrift shop the next time I have a bag of donations. maybe someone else will have better luck with it than I did.

\n\n\n

At the end of the day, I have to admit, the cookies were really tasty...light with a crispy bite and a melt in your mouth texture. Still, a full two and a half hours to bake two dozen cookies was not very time efficient. We ate some with a little ice cream last night after the news. So, all was not lost and a lesson was learned. I need a tad more “instant gratification” than that when I’m trying to make a ton of cookies for holiday gift trays. I’ll stick to bigger batches of drop cookies for that.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”

\nProverbs 24:16 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-13T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/13/day-nailed-itkinda.html", "tags": ["Fun","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/12/day-in-the-kitchenagain.html", "title": "Day 273: In the Kitchen...Again!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I couldn’t wait to get into the kitchen yesterday and start baking. I really thought I’d get more done than I did, but I was happy with the results. I decided to make the Appalachian Gingerbread I saw on YouTube. Actually, the video was originally posted on TikTok. I don’t know if you’ve seen many TikTok videos, but they are only sixty seconds long. Try to recite an entire recipe along with the video in just sixty seconds. She talks really, really fast! But, I was determined. 

\n\n\n

The first thing I did was sit down with my iPad and watch the video several times to make sure I got the gist of it. My friend Lynn actually managed to grab a screenshot of the recipe at the end of the video. As with many Appalachian cooks, the recipe wasn’t exactly word for word like the one in the video. I learned hot to cook in my grandma’s country kitchen so I am well versed in the “dab of this and dab of that” method of recipe interpretation. I added the sour cream they mentioned in the video, and used the buttermilk they mentioned in the recipe. And, I threw my own touch in and used butter instead of shortening or lard and added a teaspoon of salt for good measure.

\n\n\n

As often happens with making a new recipe, the results didn’t look exactly like theirs. They said the gingerbread was done when the surface cracked but mine didn’t. It also didn’t rise as much as theirs did, but it was really quite good. The recipe has a full eight tablespoons of ground ginger. Ginger is a hot spice. I bought two jars at TJ Maxx a month ago specifically for this recipe. I really don’t know a lot about ginger, other than the pickled ginger you get with sushi. This particular ginger came from India. I don’t know if that makes it hotter, or if it’s merely the quantity, but these gingerbreads pack some heat...in a good way. I think I may put a lemon glaze on them to balance the flavors.

\n\n\n

We took the huge turkey out of the fridge in the garage and placed it in a cooler full of ice overnight. I’ll put it in the oven today so I’m not really sure if I’ll get more cookies baked today. My next baking endeavor will be Spritz Cookies....a buttery, crisp shortbread cookie squeezed from a press with interchangeable disks to create different shapes. The spritz cookie press was invented around 1930-35. We never had one when I was growing up, but I remember the first time I saw these pretty little shaped cookies and tasted their rich, buttery goodness. I scored Pampered Chef’s version of the cookie press at a thrift store this summer for $5 so I’m really looking forward to trying it out.

\n\n\n

So it’s going to be another busy day here on the Ponderosa. Mr. FixIt had to remind me yesterday what day it was. I though it was Wednesday. This safe-at-home thing is great for our health but my sense of time is pretty well shot.

\n\n\n

It’s not forever...it’s just for now.

\n\n\n

You can watch the Appalachian Gingerbread video HERE.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

\n2 Peter 3:8 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-12T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/12/day-in-the-kitchenagain.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/09/day-sneaky-tasting-of-the.html", "title": "Day 270: Sneaky Tasting of the Treats!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Ok...I know you’re supposed to let fruitcake age. Wrapping it in cheesecloth soaked with the liquor of your choice acts as a deterrent to spoiling and allows the flavors of the ingredients to mellow and refine. Yeah, right. I made it about 28 hours and I had to cut into one of those little mini loaves. 

\n\n\n

Oh. My. Gosh!

\n\n\n

Even without the aging, this is some killer fruitcake here! I love the different textures...the sweetness of the candied fruit and the firmness of the nuts with just enough cake batter to hold it all together. Add a healthy dose of Cherry Brandy in the mix and it is just a taste treat. The only thing is, it’s still pretty soft and moist so it doesn’t slice cleanly. But, who cares? You just moosh all those crumbs together and yum, yum, yum!

\n\n\n

I also made a pot of chili yesterday. I usually make a huge pot and have enough leftover to serve another three or four meals. This time, I used a new chili seasoning from Sam’s Club. Kinder’s Woodfired Chili comes in a box with five pre-measured packets for $4.98. So, a buck a batch. Add two cans of diced tomatoes, a can of pinto beans, a pound of 90/10 ground beef, and 2-3T of dehydrated onions that I made this summer...you get a quick and tasty meal. We still had a couple pieces of the buttermilk cornbread I made on Sunday. I heated those up and they were the perfect side. 

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt likes a sweeter chili without heat. That isn’t my preference, but there are some compromises that are worth the effort. This was actually flavorful enough that I didn’t really miss the heat and my man was a happy camper. And isn’t that the bottom line? Give and take...even when it’s something as simple as a pot of chili...makes life sweeter. It’s the little things, isn’t it?

\n\n\n

I thought I’d bake some banana bread but just didn’t get to it. Instead, I sat in front of the fire with my sweetheart and knitted some Christmas ornaments. Maybe today. Maybe not. That’s the beauty of “off season”...there isn’t mowing or gardening or canning to do. It’s the holidays...why not just sit back and enjoy it when you can? Life is too short to stress over...stuff.

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

\nMatthew 6:11 KJV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-09T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/09/day-sneaky-tasting-of-the.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/12/08/day-the-gift-of-an.html", "title": "Day 269: The Gift of an Heirloom Recipe", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The first day of holiday baking was a huge success. After a relaxing start to the day and enjoying my morning coffee, I got to work in the kitchen. I grew up in the ‘50s and ‘60s when the obligatory holiday fruitcake came to our house...usually as part of my dad’s Christmas bonus package. Fruitcakes back then came in these really great heavy-duty tins embossed with festive Victorian holiday scenes. These tins often went on to become the button boxes many of us remember sifting through at our grandmother’s homes. 

\n\n\n

I really hated fruitcake. It was almost a rule of thumb that children and fruitcake did not mix and if you liked it, you never admitted to it. It was thick, dark, gummy, and so sickeningly sweet. Once in a while, I might pick out a candied cherry and eat it, but that was the extent of my experience with fruitcake. The fact that it’s often soaked in booze might have been a deterrent in my house growing up. (I received a cookbook as a wedding gift from my grandma and she crossed out the word “beer” in a recipe for barbecue sauce!)

\n\n\n

Enter, Mr. Virgo. Fruitcake, like opera and the Philadelphia Eagles, entered my world along with that tall, handsome man. Unfortunately, he liked traditional fruitcake. I happened to mention this to my cousin’s wife and she sent me my Aunt Marge’s White Fruitcake recipe. She assured me, even a diehard fruitcake hater like me would love this recipe. The following year, I made two loaf pans of fruitcake before Thanksgiving, wrapped them in cheesecloth, and started giving them a weekly drink of bourbon.

\n\n\n

The week before Christmas, I brought the fruitcake in from cold storage in the garage and cut a few slices for Mr. Virgo’s gustatory pleasure. He declared it the best fruitcake he had ever tasted. I felt this was a fine endorsement and he talked me into trying a piece myself. Being the good sport that I am, I complied...fully prepared to again, hate it. But...oh my GOSH, people! It was divine! Granted...it’s still not something I’m going to overindulge in. It is definitely an acquired taste. But as far as fruitcakes go, this is the bomb. And here’s where the bad news comes in.

\n\n\n

I cannot share the recipe with you.

\n\n\n

My Aunt Marge was an incredible cook. Legendary. She worked and perfected this recipe over the years and would never give the recipe away, no matter WHO asked. I was privileged to be gifted this recipe and had to promise I wouldn’t share it. (Trust me, I asked with you all in mind...no go.)

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

So, why am I sharing this when I can’t share the recipe? Basically, to share my love for my Aunt Marge. To share a tradition. And, yeah...to maybe brag a little that I finally found a fruitcake I can eat. Don’t be too dismayed. If you hate fruitcake as much as most people, you’ll just scratch your head at the thought people really eat this stuff. If you DO love fruitcake, you can Google “White Fruitcake” and find a recipe that might give you something like Aunt Marge’s. But I doubt it will be as good as this one. ‘Cause...it’s truly a family heirloom.

\n\n\n

Next up...Banana Bread!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Your wife will be as fruitful as a grapevine, and just as an olive tree is rich with olives, your home will be rich with healthy children.”

\nPsalms 128:3 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-12-08T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/12/08/day-the-gift-of-an.html", "tags": ["Family","West Virginia","Holiday","Be Joyful!","Farm Life","Baking","Memories","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/11/30/day-oh-rightnow-i-get.html", "title": "Day 261: Oh, Right...Now I Get It!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Recipe from @joyfoodsunshine

\n\n\n

I finally baked those pumpkins pies today. They still don’t taste like grandma’s but I have lots of pumpkin purée left so I’ll bake some more soon. When the pies were in the oven, Mr. FixIt ran to town for something, and I stayed home to deep clean the family room so we can put up the tree. NOW I know why I have been procrastinating! 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

First...I’m a pile maker. Creative people only LOOK disorganized. We know where everything is...just ask my husband! We have a table in the family room that has a long tablecloth draped over it. I have taken to stuffing things under there, but I actually need to move the table to make room for the rocking chairs that are actually supposed to be out on the front porch but they’ve been in the family room for the last three years taking up WAY too much room. Why aren’t they on the front porch, you ask? Because we never sit out there. We enter the house from the back door. The front faces the big road so it’s dusty, dirty, and noisy out there. And, the back deck isn’t covered and the rain would ruin my pretty wooden rockers. So, there they sit and I work around them. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The first thing I had to do was go through my books. The one thing Mr. FixIt and I do not have in our house is a nice bookshelf. I got rid of almost all my books when I left Colorado, but I’ve slowly accumulated more over the years. I suppose I’ll just have to put them in boxes till we get a bookcase one of these days. In the meantime, my piles are still on the floor around my recliner, waiting for me to return to them today. I still have camping stuff that needs to be taken downstairs. Stacks of papers. Projects. Cards and letters. It’s sort of ironic that one of the books in the piles there is “Get Organized”.  Oy! 

\n\n\n

I kept myself so busy this year, I just threw things on that table and now it’s time to pay the piper, so to speak. I’ll get through it today and get the decorations brought up from the basement. One step at a time...always forward!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“But do everything properly and in order.”

\n1 Corinthians 14:40 CEV\n
\n\n\n

\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-30T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/11/30/day-oh-rightnow-i-get.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/11/29/day-looking-for-my-merry.html", "title": "Day 260: Looking for my Merry Mojo", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I’m having trouble finding my footing with the change from uber busy spring-summer-fall to...indoors. There are a million things I could/should be doing, but I am not finding the wherewithal to get after it. I STILL haven’t made those pumpkin pies. Not that I didn’t try. I pulled the dough out of the fridge yesterday and when I started rolling it out, I knew something was terribly wrong. It was springy, like bread, so I knew the gluten got activated. Also, I used that cheap bargain basement flour from the Piggly Wiggly and it’s just not good for much of anything. I ended up throwing both the dough and the remaining flour away. I promise I’ll bake these pies today!

\n\n\n

We had company yesterday. It’s really something when you get super excited if someone comes over. The former Mrs. FixIt called Friday evening and asked if we had extra room in the garage freezer for a twenty pound turkey. This is the great thing about buying turkey after the holiday...you can get really good prices. Kroger had big turkeys on sale for $ .59 a pound so we asked her to pick up one for us. We already had a big twenty-four pound turkey in the downstairs freezer, so we put it in the garage fridge to defrost and put the new turkey in its place. Here’s the best part of the story, though. When she was checking out, the manager asked her if she would like a Black Friday Special. Well, who doesn’t want that, right? So, he sold her the turkeys for $ .39 cents a pound. Too bad there weren’t more turkeys (she got the last two) and we don’t have a bigger freezer. I would have bought several. It was really great to stand out in the sunshine and visit for a while and show her all the work we’ve been doing around the Ponderosa.

\n\n\n

My missing mojo shows up in my missing Christmas tree, too. I swore I’d have it up before Halloween, and now here we are after Thanksgiving and I’m procrastinating for some reason. Maybe my motivation will return today! I’ll start with baking those pies after church, then we’ll drag the decorations out, turn on White Christmas, and before we know it, the job will be done. Then I’m not taking it down, like...ever! lol I think the fact that we have had to forego having the family over for the holidays is what’s bumming me out. I can’t jump on a plane and fly to Colorado to see the family, either. 

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt made me a bowl of ice cream last night as we watched the news. He put a little chocolate sauce on it, and I added a couple spoonfuls of cranberry sauce on top. OMGosh! It was SO good. It tastes like chocolate covered cherries. I’m determined to try as many new recipes and methods of serving the leftovers. I will freeze a container for the turkey I’m thawing out.

\n\n\n

“Big” sent me a picture of her “Gingerbread Camper” the other day. I had to laugh. This was the grandchild who went camping and absolutely loved it, saying over and over, “We need to do this again, Nana!” Till the next summer when her adolescent self decided camping with Nana was infinitely uncool. Yet, here she is...I knew those memories would come back with fondness one of these days. It warmed my heart.

\n\n\n

Have you decorated for the holidays? If you are newly bereaved, you may find it very difficult. I managed to put up the tree the first Christmas then was promptly depressed the next day. The second Christmas was when things fell apart with my Aunt and we didn’t have any decorations. I don’t think I really decorated until I settled back on the farm in 2016. Do you have favorite ornaments? What about traditions surrounding trimming the tree? I saw a story where people are flocking to buy real trees this year because of the memories of the hunt for the perfect tree. I haven’t had a real tree in many, many years. Basically, because I feel it’s wasteful, but also there’s the fire hazard and mess it makes. I have a candle with a very realistic pine tree scent. That’s good enough for me.

\n\n\n

It’s time to get back up and get in the game. There’s work to be done and fun to be had and memories to make...no matter the circumstances!!!

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“It is truly wonderful when the people of God live together in peace.”

\nPsalms 133:1 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-29T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/11/29/day-looking-for-my-merry.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Farm Life","Baking","Memories","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/11/14/day-more-foodi-fun.html", "title": "Day 245: More Foodi Fun!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

OMGosh! The longer I have this new kitchen toy, the more I absolutely love it! I was skeptical when I saw the picture of the golden brown, perfectly roasted, crispy-skinned chicken in the little cookbook that came with my Ninja Foodi. I mean, who hasn’t had trouble getting a product to come out looking like the photo on the box, right? Well, I am here to tell you, I made the BEST roasted chicken last night for supper and it was a “piece of cake”, so to speak.

\n\n\n

When I saw the time had crept away from me and it was going on 5:00, I thought I’d have to wait another night before I cooked the chicken I bought Thursday. I was planning on trying the recipe for the Foodi and when I saw the times listed, I figured...what the heck, I’d give it a shot. Preparing the chicken itself was simple. 

\n\n\n

I removed the giblets from the cavity, gave it a good rinse, and tied the legs together with kitchen twine. I added lemon juice, water, honey, fresh thyme, garlic, salt, and whole peppercorns to the bottom of the cook pot of the Ninja Foodi. I place the whole chicken in the air fryer basket and lowered it into the cook pot and placed the pressure cooker lid on. I set the pressure to HI and the time to 22 minutes and set to peeling three Yukon Gold potatoes.

\n\n\n

A few weeks ago, I found a small pressure cooker at a thrift store. It’s not much bigger than a large saucepan. I placed the potatoes in the bottom on the steamer rack, added a generous cup of water, and placed the lid on but didn’t light the burner. I opened a jar of the half runner beans I canned this fall and set them on to simmer with a pat of butter and a tiny bit of bacon grease for flavor.

\n\n\n

I mixed up some gravy and set it on the back burner to simmer. About that time, the timer went off on the Foodi. I let it cool on it’s own for 5 minutes before I opened the vent and released the pressure. I gently patted the skin with a paper towel and spritzed the skin with a touch of olive oil, then sprinkled with cracked seas salt and ground pepper. I let the air fryer lid down but didn’t turn it on yet. I just wanted the chicken to stay hot. When the pressure cooker got up to temp and the weight started jiggling a little, I set the time for 8 minutes.

\n\n\n

I turned the air fryer on, set the temp to 400 degrees and the timer to 10 minutes. The timer for the potatoes went off a few minutes before the air fryer was finished. I let it cool a bit then released the steam. When it was almost finished venting, I ran some water over the lid to finish exhausting the pressure rapidly. I strained out the potatoes, put them in a dish with a little butter, and mashed them by hand.

\n\n\n

The timer went off on the air fryer at the same time the mashed potatoes were ready. The gravy had been turned down to simmer so it was hot, as were the green beans. All that was left was to take the chicken out of the pot and plate everything up. We had a delicious meal in less than 45 minutes! I was stunned! And ohhhhhhh....the chicken was as melt-in-your-mouth tender as a rotisserie chicken from the deli but without all that sodium. And the skin was indeed golden brown and crispy. Seriously, the only way you could tel you hadn’t roasted that chicken was how moist and tender the meat was.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

My forays in the world of kitchen appliances have not always been wildly successful, but I have to say, this was the best investment I’ve ever made. I can’t wait to try other things like ribs and roast.

\n\n\n

Oh, and speaking of appliances, Mr. FixIt and I were having our coffee yesterday, watching the news when he asked, “Do you remember if that microwave we ordered yesterday had a recirculating exhaust or external vent?” I remembered talking to the sales person earlier, but to be honest, I couldn’t remember if we discussed that feature when we actually placed the order. He called Lowe’s and, wouldn’t you know...it was the wrong kind of vent. We don’t have a vent that goes outside. So, we had to call and cancel the microwave. Mr. FixIt started researching more microwaves after supper.

\n\n\n

It’s always something, isn’t it? 

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“Jesus took the bread in his hands and gave some of it to his disciples. He did the same with the fish.”

\nJohn 21:13 CEV\n
\n\n\n

#NinjaFoodi, #CovidCooking, #AirFryer

\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-14T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/11/14/day-more-foodi-fun.html", "tags": ["Health","West Virginia","New Ideas","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/11/10/day-on-the-air-withginny.html", "title": "Day 241: On the Air With....Ginny McKinney", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I was up bright and early yesterday...padding into the kitchen, wiping the sleep from my eyes. I hit the button on the coffee grinder, filling the water reservoir to the whirring sound of the burrs. As the coffee drip, drip, dripped, I stared out the kitchen window at the beautiful, crisp morning. 

\n\n\n

I carried my coffee into the office and quietly closed the door behind me. Mr. FixIt was still snoozing and I didn’t want to disturb him. My laptop is not terribly old, but I don’t use it very often anymore. I do all my writing on my iPad. Every time I need to start that laptop, there is invariably 20-30 minutes of updates that slow it down. But, once it’s up and running, everything works great. 

\n\n\n

My interview with WSAZ was scheduled for 10:10 and I was ready. This was the second time I got to be on with them as a camping and travel specialist. The girls on the Lifestyle Desk are heading to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg this week in a really cool motorhome. Fortunately, someone from the RV dealership is driving down with them so they don’t have that learning curve to deal with on top of getting the camping experience under their belts.

\n\n\n

I love interviews. I was telling my dear friend, Janine Pettit...Camper in Chief for Girl Camper...these kinds of things are addictive. Every time you give an interview, you get a little more confident, a little more comfortable. And each time is more fun than the last. 

\n\n\n

You can find the interview on WSAZ’s website HERE. 

\n\n\n

?

\n\n\n
\n

“So I ask you to make full use of the gift God gave you when I placed my hands on you. Use it well. God's Spirit doesn't make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.”

\n2 Timothy 1:6-7 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-10T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/11/10/day-on-the-air-withginny.html", "tags": ["Travel","Camping","Girl Camper","Girl Campers","Road Trip","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/11/01/day-once-in-a-blue.html", "title": "Day 233: Once in a Blue Moon", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

A blue moon is the second full moon in one month.

\n\n\n

Happy November! Election season is almost over and I’m lining up my new activities for the coming months. First, we had a “Blue Moon” last night. It is the first time since 1944 that the second full moon in one month could be seen in all four time zones in the continental United States. It was also Halloween and the the end of Daylight Saving Time for 2020. Yes, kids...two more months and this year is behind us! I will not be sorry to see this one go, I’m telling you what. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Sycamore Leaves are HUGE!

\n\n\n

The day started out with dense fog here at the Ponderosa. We discussed our plans for the day over a pancake and sausage breakfast. We needed to run into town to Walmart and while Mr. FixIt took care of his errand, I perused the appliance aisle. I’ve been seriously considering getting an air fryer and after asking for advice on my Facebook page, I was ready. I decided on the Ninja Foodie because it doubles as a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, toaster oven, and dehydrator. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Our meager pumpkin haul for 2020.

\n\n\n

When we got home, we took out some of the fresh fish we brought back from the beach to defrost. While it was thawing, I helped my sweetheart with a few things around the yard. We needed to get Pumpkin’s building ready for winter. I got her bed ready with the platform heater and a fresh blanket. Then we washed her heated water dish so it won’t freeze when it gets cold. She is comfy and cozy out there and protected from critters. We decided to put her in the building earlier than usual, given it was Halloween and she’s a black kitty. We live in the country and we just didn’t want to take any chances with our sweet girl. As usual, we didn’t have any Trick or Treaters here.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The Ninja Foodie

\n\n\n

I unboxed my new kitchen toy and read all the directions. We wanted hush puppies and there was no way to make those in the air fryer. I did fry those in oil and drained them well. The French fries came out of the Ninja hot, brown and crispy. I placed them and the hush puppies on a baking sheet and put them in a 225 degree oven to stay hot. I normally like a wet breading on my fish but Mr. FixIt bought a dry cornmeal breading. I coated the fish and even though it browned in the air fryer, it wasn’t necessarily appealing and it was dried out around the edges. I made some homemade tartar sauce and it still tasted fine. It wasn’t bad for a first try.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Fish and Chips...Ninja style!

\n\n\n

We watched college football all afternoon and evening and around 8:00 we went out to see the full moon. It had just peeked over the hills across the two-lane and it was indeed beautiful. We have the pool finished now so it’s put to bed for another season. And now...it’s yet another Sunday. I hope you have a beautiful day!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.””

\nPsalms 89:37 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-11-01T02:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/11/01/day-once-in-a-blue.html", "tags": ["Change","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/31/day-well-butter-my-buns.html", "title": "Day 232: Well, Butter My Buns and Call Me a Biscuit", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I decided yesterday was a great day for an iron skillet full of yummy homemade biscuits. I first tried baking biscuits when I was old enough to stand on the kitchen stool at my grandma’s elbow out at the farm. I learned to cook the way she did...a pinch of this and a dab of that. She learned to cook when “receipts” had measurements like “put in a hunk of lard the size of a hen’s egg” or “add a scant teacup full of sugar”. Grandma actually had an old coffee cup that she used as her one cup measure. She was a good ol’ country cook and I have tried to be just like her.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I’ve tried every recipe out there and seldom make a biscuit that’s swoon worthy. As I learned to bake a mean sourdough this year, I’m vowing to perfect my biscuits this winter. My go-to method at the moment is Virginia’s Best Biscuit Mix from Big Spring Mill in Ellison, Virginia. It uses their self rising flour and they add high quality shortening right in it so all you need to add is buttermilk or whole milk. I use buttermilk. Three cups of biscuit mix and one cup of buttermilk makes a baker’s dozen of very tasty biscuits. 

\n\n\n

I find it takes much longer to bake than the 10-12 minutes recommended. I think the batch I baked yesterday took a good 25 minutes to get a nice golden brown. I used my new 11” cast iron skillet that recently seasoned. I added a teaspoon of bacon grease to the skillet and set it over a low flame to warm the skillet just enough to melt the fat. Then I spread it around with the back of a spoon and took the skillet away from the heat. You don’t want it too hot. 

\n\n\n

Working quickly, I mixed the dry and wet ingredients together and turned it out on a lightly floured surface. I dusted a small amount of flour over the top and on my hands and gave the dough three or four turns, kneading it till it was just incorporated. I didn’t even bother with a rolling pin. I just patted the dough out till it was about a half inch thick and cut all the rounds I could get out of it and placed them in the skillet. I took the leftover pieces of dough, gently pressed them together and flattened it out again. I only got a couple of biscuits that go round. The last little bit of dough was hand shaped into a biscuit and added to the pan. 

\n\n\n

I popped the skillet full of biscuits into a 425 degree oven and baked them about 20-25 minutes...but that was with opening the oven door a couple of times. You’ll want to watch them at around 15 minutes or so to see that they don’t burn. I always melt about three tablespoons of butter to brush on top of the biscuits as soon as they come out of the oven. Serving them hot with butter and my homemade apple butter was a wonderful treat on a very chilly fall morning.

\n\n\n

The rest of the day was busy...delivering food to a friend recuperating from surgery, running a couple of errands in town, and a stop at Joann Fabrics for a little sparkly thread for my knitted Christmas ornaments I’m making. I also have a project I’m making as Christmas gifts so I picked up some melting chocolate and lacy cupcake papers. I’m not doing anything this weekend except sit and knit. I need a weekend off.

\n\n\n

What do you want to bet it doesn’t quite turn out that way? lol

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“If you cook bread in a shallow pan for this sacrifice, use only your finest flour. Mix it with olive oil, but do not use any yeast.”

\nLeviticus 2:5 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-31T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/31/day-well-butter-my-buns.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/26/day-the-real-feel-of.html", "title": "Day 227: The Real Feel of Autumn", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When I woke up yesterday, I greeted my sweetheart and said, “How can it possibly be Sunday again already?” The time flies so, so fast anymore. I grabbed my coffee, Mr. FixIt his tea, and we headed into the family room for church. I know it is important to have fellowship with other Christians, but I’m telling you...I like not having to drive all the way to town and back on a Sunday. I like to sit in my comfy chair and listen to the worship music and the encouraging words of a good sermon. We can hit “pause” if we have to take a little trip down the hall. Hey, we’re older now. And, we can discuss and openly encourage each other as the message is being preached. 

\n\n\n

Yesterday, one of our associate pastors gave us a wonderful message. I love when visuals are used to demonstrate points. I have always been a visual learner and think in analogies, so I especially enjoyed it. You can catch it on YouTube HERE.  (They actually go live about 9 minutes, 45 seconds in.)

\n\n\n

I had a hankering for some comfort food yesterday. I bought a small chuck roast the other day so I browned it on either side and put it in my slow cooker around noon. Mr. Virgo used to put a can each of Cream of Onion and Cream of Celery soups in with garlic, onions, mushrooms, and a can of water. This always made a wonderful gravy. Unfortunately, I found my last two onions were too old to use and I forgot to buy mushrooms. Well, guess who dehydrated mushrooms and onions this summer and stored them away for occasions such as this? Me! I added about a cup of dehydrated mushrooms and 1/3 cup of dehydrated onions to the slow cooker, stirred it all around a bit, put the lid on and turned it to high. Five hours later, I served the roast with some of my home canned green beans, home canned applesauce, and herb roasted tiny potatoes. It was fabulous and we have enough leftover for tonight, too.

\n\n\n

I’m back to baking sourdough again. I took a few weeks off when I was so busy canning. While I wasn’t baking, I fed my sourdough starter once a week and kept it in the refrigerator. That slows the feeding down. I was thrilled when I took it out Thursday to warm up, fed it, and it overflowed the jar. That’s the sign of a good, strong yeast. I fed it again Friday night, then Saturday morning, I worked up my dough, formed the loaves, and set them in the garage fridge to rise overnight. A cold rise is supposed to allow the acids to build up in the dough and make a more sour loaf, so I’m looking forward to having some for breakfast this morning. I’ve found it doesn’t cut well and the flavor isn’t as pronounced until the day after baking.

\n\n\n

Once the bread was finished, I spent the afternoon writing an article for the winter issue of Girl Camper Magazine. The magazine comes out four times a year and you can’t get it at the newsstand. If you are interested, you can order a subscription HERE.

\n\n\n

I love Sundays and it was wonderful to have a nice, slow day...gentle rain...fire in the family room...the smells of homemade bread and a roast cooking...spending time with my sweetie. I was thrilled to get the news from my Colorado peeps that snow has fallen in the mountains. Hopefully, this will help knock out the wildfires and we can put that to rest for the year. I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you are staying healthy.

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week belongs to me, your God. No one is to work on that day—not you, your children, your slaves, your animals, or the foreigners who live in your towns. In six days I made the sky, the earth, the oceans, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That's why I made the Sabbath a special day that belongs to me.”

\nExodus 20:8-11 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/26/day-the-real-feel-of.html", "tags": ["Comfort","God","Peaceful Moments","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/21/day-doo-doo-doolookin-out.html", "title": "Day 222: “Doo, Doo, Doo...Lookin’ Out my Back Door”", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When we got back from the beach, we had thirty-three pounds of bagged and frozen fish filets in our huge cooler packed in ice. We have a refrigerator out in the pole building and I needed to move some stuff out of that freezer to make room for the fish. I had several bags of vegetable soup, a pound of hamburger, and a small chuck roast in there. I put them down in the refrigerator part and yesterday, I checked and they were just starting to thaw a bit.

\n\n\n

I carried it all inside and dumped the soup in a large pot. I added a quart of the tomato sauce I canned earlier this summer. Then I chopped up the hamburger, cubed the chuck roast, and tossed them in a little flour, added salt and pepper and cooked them till they had just lost their pink color. I added the meat to the soup, adjusted the seasonings, and brought it to a boil. Then I canned eleven quarts of fabulous vegetable beef soup. Now I have all this great soup to add to the shelves for winter. Canning is a lot of work up front, but it sure saves time when you’re fixing a meal. And there’s nothing better than homemade vegetable beef soup!

\n\n\n

As I was waiting for the last canner load to process, I sat down in the family room and looked out the back door. I caught this sliver of moon hanging low over the near field beyond the pole building. You can see the honeysuckle vines on the fence to the left of the back gate. The fog rolled in as night fell. I love the little treasures I find every day here in the country. After a day of standing on your feet and working, having these moments to catch my breath and share this beauty with my love is a blessing I still have to pinch myself over.

\n\n\n

A friend of mine texted the other day. She was the Human Resources Director that initially hired Mr. Virgo in Aspen. We’ve been friends ever since and she was the person who came to my home the week after Mr. Virgo died to help me begin to make some sense of the paperwork involved with dying. Anne was back at her Colorado house cleaning out more “stuff” when she came across a couple of pictures she had to share with me. They were taken at our wedding and one shows Mr. Virgo walking out and up the aisle to wait for me. I smiled when I saw him. I rarely see pictures of him that I haven’t seen before.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I don’t cry anymore when I see pictures of him. He has been placed in a safe place in my heart and I rarely take him out. I’ve learned how to live in the present and enjoy what God has given me this go ‘round. But I did have a dream about Mr. Virgo the other night. And my mom. Mom had passed the year before I met Mr. Virgo so he only got the stories. In my dream, I realized I hadn’t seen Mr. Virgo in a while so I told my mom I was headed to Aspen to see if I could find him. I’ve had that dream a couple of times since he died. The first time, I found him in my dream. He was working in an office. He was wearing a handsome hand-tailored suit and was shuffling papers at a large desk. We sat down and talked, although I can no longer remember what was said. This time, I couldn’t find him. It didn’t leave me bereft like the first time. It was more like, “Ahhhh, yes...I remember that love. He doesn’t live here anymore.” It’s ok now. It’s ok to move forward. It’s ok to have a happy life and to laugh and love again. And, it’s ok to keep those memories tucked in a safe place in your heart. Because they will never go away entirely. I am blessed to have a strong, secure man who gave me room to hold those memories.

\n\n\n

So, today I get my annual mammogram. Keep checking the tatas, ladies...it’s important. Then, I am going to go to the courthouse and exercise my right to vote. Who knows what I’ll get into after that? Mowing, probably. We are thinking this is probably the last time of the season since we have had two hard freezes here. We’ll have a little warm up in the coming days before the regular frosts of fall arrive. And you know what that means in West Virginia, right? The arrival of the Asian Ladybugs and those gosh awful stink bugs! Ugh...it’s just an infestation and I dread them every fall. Here’s hoping the blue Dawn and water solution I sprayed around the windows and doors helps to ward them off.

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the Lord I cut them down.”

\nPsalms 118:12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-21T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/21/day-doo-doo-doolookin-out.html", "tags": ["West Virginia","Wisdom","Farm Life","Widow","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/06/day-apples-galore.html", "title": "Day 207: Apples Galore!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

This is only about a third of what I worked up yesterday.

\n\n\n

I had five bags of apples and another dozen assorted loose apples in a basket and it was time to get started. I got a bit of a late start yesterday but I plugged right along for several hours...washing, peeling, coring, quartering, and slicing apples galore! I’d probably say, all told, I had almost a bushel of apples and I almost got them finished before I threw in the towel. I’ll get back to them this morning. They are resting in an acidulated bath overnight to keep them from turning brown. 

\n\n\n

I bought one of those apple peeler-corer-slicer gadgets a couple of weeks ago. I had one a long time ago and it worked pretty well. This one? Not so much. It’s made by Norpro and I have to say, I was pretty disappointed. The “blade” that peels the apple is curved and leaves a stripe of solid apple peel in between rows of white peeled apple. It takes more time and effort to clean that up than it does to peel the apple with a vegetable peeler and trim it up with a paring knife. A real pain in the keister.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

About halfway finished!

\n\n\n

I took a break in the late afternoon and went out to finish mowing. I noticed a lot of new blossoms on the pumpkin vines, but it’s way too late in the season to get new pumpkins. From what I can see I only have one medium pumpkins and one mini, and this is without really investigating amongst the vines and leaves. I need to plant them in a different place next year.

\n\n\n

I need to get this all finished before Wednesday because that’s when I need to start packing for our trip. Not so much with the clothes. We have a washer and dryer in our condo at the beach. No, what I want to pack is what I will need for the kitchen down there. It has the bare minimum items and I need to gather up what I will need to prepare the dishes I have planned. We don’t want to eat in restaurants or go into grocery stores out on the Outer Banks, so we’ll be taking everything with us. Good thing we have a full sized pickup truck!

\n\n\n

I need to pack my electronics because I have an article to write for the winter edition of the new Girl Camper Magazine. Oh, if you haven’t seen it yet, you need to check it out at www.girlcamper.com and see what a beautiful job Janine has done with the magazine. Very classy and professional yet cozy and homey. I also need to pack my knitting. I can hardly wait!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“Store up enough food both for yourself and for them.”

\nGenesis 6:21 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-06T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/06/day-apples-galore.html", "tags": ["Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/10/01/day-my-kitchen-is-my.html", "title": "Day 202: My Kitchen is my Happy Place!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Someone on my Twitter feed yesterday asked “What makes you happy?” Without hesitation, I responded with “Being in my kitchen!” As long as I can remember, the kitchen has held a special place in my heart. It’s where you pour secret ingredients like “Love” and “Hope” and “Prayers” into your family’s food. It’s where you create beautiful, wholesome meals from nothing but a handful of this and that. It’s where you work out the problems of the world over a cup of coffee with your bestie. It’s where you write out cards and bills and maybe...a letter! 

\n\n\n

The kitchen holds the heartbeat of a home. My earliest memories involve my grandma’s kitchen out at the farm...that place I still get to enjoy and soak up the wisdom she left in its bones. With an oilcloth table covering and a kerosene lantern as a centerpiece, I spent many wonderful hours in that kitchen. Another favorite kitchen was in the farmhouse we lived in when Hubby #2 was doing his internship and residency. A big old cast iron farm sink under a wide window you could throw open made cooking more pleasant, even on the hottest days.

\n\n\n

When I got up yesterday, I immediately set on a pot of beans for supper in the slow cooker. Then, I set to organizing my workspace in the kitchen so I could start canning the produce stand on Tuesday. By the end of the day, I had eighteen beautiful jars of cubed butternut squash that will make wonderful soup this winter. As the canner was chattering away, I whipped up some cornbread and baked it in an iron skillet. I took the smoked ham hock out of the beans and removed the tender meat from the bones so we could get some of that rich, smoky flavor in every bite.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

The ClearGel arrived yesterday so I can finally start on the apple pie filling. I’m really looking forward to that. I love baking pies in the winter, but don’t always want to take the time to prepare the apples. My cousin has always made pie filling so I’m going to try my hand at it. I think once I get that project done, I’m finished for the season. This has been a huge undertaking and I have to admit...the diversion has been a saving grace for me. It helped me get through some bumps in my road and now, I’ve got all this great food ready to go. I’ll have all these great memories when I put the food on the table or share the occasional jar with my loved ones.

\n\n\n

Well, that’s a wrap on September! Let us pray October brings us moments to pause. To sit with a cup of tea and marvel at the earth turning to gold. To close our eyes and catch a thin whiff of wood smoke and wet leaves. To hear the last faint strains of crickets and katydids before they are gone for the year. Ahhhh....sweaters and leggings, here I come!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”

\nDaniel 2:21 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-10-01T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/10/01/day-my-kitchen-is-my.html", "tags": ["Fun","Comfort","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/29/day-away-from-the-kitchenagain.html", "title": "Day 195: Away from the Kitchen...Again!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I wish I could find this variety again!

\n\n\n

I had every intention of canning my pie pumpkins yesterday. I got up and made my coffee and toast, then turned on YouTube on the TV to search for videos about canning pumpkin. I came across a channel called the Homesteading Family. They have lots of how-to videos. As I watched, I learned some things I didn’t know about pumpkins.

\n\n\n

Those big pumpkins you buy to carve and decorate with really aren’t the best for baking and cooking. They aren’t very sweet and they are pretty stringy. I’ve tried making pies with them in the past and was always disappointed in the finished product. They were fairly flavorless and had little of that rich pumpkin color you see in the canned pumpkin you buy in the store. 

\n\n\n

I finally discovered pie pumpkins a couple of years ago. Actually, the first “pie pumpkin” I ever bought was at a Farmer’s Market in Aspen. It was about eighteen inches in diameter but only about five inches high and was a deep, burnished red-orange color. The flesh was also a deep orange and slightly sweet. It was an heirloom variety they called a “French Pie Pumpkin” and I’ve never seen another one like it. It made the best pumpkin pie I’ve ever had and I’m determined to find seed for next year.

\n\n\n

Upon Googling “French Pie Pumpkins”, I came across a photo with my pumpkin! This is what it says about them:

\n\n\n

ROUGE VIF D'ETAMPES PUMPKIN

\n\n\n

These bright orange-red pumpkins are known as \"Rouge Vif d'Etampes.\" The name comes from the meaning “rouge vif” which in French is “vivid red.” Also known as “Cinderella” pumpkins, they are slightly sweet and make a great ingredient for pumpkin pie. The variety dates back to the late 1800’s, when they were the most common pumpkins in the Central Market in Paris.

\n\n\n

But, that is for another time. I currently have five round pie pumpkins that are commonly referred to as Sugar Pie Pumpkins. I learned in the video that pumpkins need to cure for a while before you cook with them. They should be stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight for a few weeks. This allows the skin to harden and the flesh to develop the maximum amount of sugars and reduce stringiness.

\n\n\n

So, the pumpkins are going down in the basement till early November and I can turn my attention elsewhere. Unfortunately, both yesterday and today were/are tied up with errands in town. Mr. FixIt and I went to one of my favorite farm stores yesterday. Rural King sells everything you could possibly need for a homestead and I love browsing the aisles to see what they have. At this time of year, they not only have pallets of decorating pumpkins out front, but they also have huge bins of apples, onions, and potatoes for sale inside. 

\n\n\n

I bought four bags of apples yesterday to make apple pie filling for canning. Another thing I learned about through YouTube was a product called ClearGel. Not to be confused with SureJel, ClearGel is a thickener used for desserts and pie fillings and produces a translucent filling that isn’t gummy. It’s loose enough to allow the heat to penetrate the filling in the jar in order to safely preserve the contents. I had to order it through mail order and it’s supposed to arrive tomorrow, then I can proceed.

\n\n\n

In the meantime, I’ll continue gathering what we need for our trip. I won’t know what to do with myself at the beach, what with nothing to can or preserve. I’m taking my knitting and do nothing but visit and knit and sit by the ocean!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“Make your light shine, so others will see the good you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”

\nMatthew 5:16 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-29T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/29/day-away-from-the-kitchenagain.html", "tags": ["Marriage","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/27/day-food-prep-made-easy.html", "title": "Day 193: Food Prep Made Easy", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When I got up yesterday, I gathered everything to get started on the pumpkin when I remembered...I had all the ingredients in the fridge for some pre-beach food prep. Our spring trip to the beach was cancelled because of the lockdown and we chose our wedding anniversary as the substitute week. We’ve been watching the extended weather predictions as well as the Covid counts and it looks like we are likely to have smooth sailing on both counts in the middle of October. The cat is booked at the Kitty Hilton. We’ve cleared out the drain at the bottom of the stairwell out back so we aren’t likely to have problems with backed up water. Now it’s down to meal prep and packing.

\n\n\n

Sam’s carries these black plastic trays with clear lids that are about the size of a frozen entree. I used them a lot last fall when I was touring around in the raffle camper. They are the perfect size for two small portions or one large one so I bought a big pack of them the last time I shopped. These are the same containers I used in my Hot Logic Mini portable cooker. On my travel days, I put a frozen entree in the container, zipped it closed, and plugged it into the 12v “cigarette lighter” outlet (using an adapter) in my truck. By the time I arrived, I had a hot meal ready to eat with easy cleanup after. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Yesterday, I mixed up a triple batch of Bobby Flay’s Salisbury Steak and placed two portions with sauce in each container. I also made a batch of Italian Meatballs and froze them as well. I’ll make four pre-baked pizza crusts and freeze those a few days before we leave. And a good sized batch of homemade macaroni and cheese. I’ll also pack along a jar or two of the smoked pulled pork I canned for sandwiches. We have some family members meeting us there to stay in the “B” side of our condo. We will share meals out on the big deck as a safe way to visit without entering each other’s living space.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Once I finished with all that, I didn’t have it in me to start canning the pumpkin. There isn’t a real hurry because the pumpkin won’t spoil. I thought we might get to go camping before we head to the beach, but last night convinced me otherwise. I had decided after such a busy week, I would treat myself to a night out in the camper. But the cool nights are bringing the stink bugs inside in a hurry. After jumping up and down a dozen times to snatch them up in a wad of tissue, I gave up and came back inside. I guess that’s it for camping in Big TOW-Wanda. 

\n\n\n

Today is the Lord’s Day...and time for a much needed rest. We are almost to the tail end of mowing season. That’s a reason to celebrate right there!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“You have six days when you can do your work, but the seventh day of each week is holy because it belongs to me. No matter where you live, you must rest on the Sabbath and come together for worship. This law will never change.”

\nLeviticus 23:3 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-27T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/27/day-food-prep-made-easy.html", "tags": ["Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/26/day-an-apple-a-day.html", "title": "Day 192: An Apple a Day", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I knew this was going to be a busy week in the kitchen. I bought two bags of apples at the roadside stand earlier this week. I thought they were Braeburn apples, but turns out they were McIntosh. In all actuality, I’m glad of that because I love a tart applesauce and that was my main intent with this batch.

\n\n\n

I bought one of those little gadgets that peel, core, and slice your apples for you. You clamp it to the counter top, stick your apple on a rod with three prongs on the end to hold it in place, then turn a handle. As the apple moves nearer to the blade, the peel comes off in one long thin ribbon. It’s pretty neat, although it didn’t work quite as well as the one I used to have in my Colorado kitchen. Either they are making them cheaper or the apples themselves weren’t firm enough. I ended up not using the corer or slicer function preferring to quarter and trim the apples by hand with my favorite paring knife.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

As I finished each apple, I placed them in a bowl of water with lemon juice added to keep them from turning brown. I placed about 3 cups of apples in my food processor with the steel blade and added about a half cup of water. I processed this to a soft consistency and added it to my large 23 quart canner...the only pan I had big enough to hold all the apples. After draining the apple slices, I added them to the canner along with 1c. of granulated sugar and 3T. of lemon juice. You need that extra acidity to safely preserve the applesauce in a water bath canner.

\n\n\n

I cooked the apples till they started getting soft and then used a potato masher to break down the apples into sauce. I wasn’t quite getting the consistency I wanted, so I used my immersion blender to further break down the apples. I like my applesauce to have some small chunks in it so it looks homemade and not like something out of a baby food jar.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I filled my hot jars with the hot applesauce, leaving a one-half inch headspace, wiped the rim, then placed the lid and ring to just past finger tight. My water bath canner holds eight pints. Once they came to a boil, I started the timer and processed them for 20 minutes. When the time was up, I turned off the heat and removed the lid of the canner and let the jars rest for about 5-10 minutes before I removed them from the water and placed them on a clean towel to cool.

\n\n\n

I had a little over a pint of applesauce left and I didn’t want to run the canner again for one jar. So, I added a little brown sugar, apple pie spice, and butter then cooked it down till it was getting pretty thick. I had a half recipe of pie dough left in the fridge from the tomato pie earlier in the week so I rolled it out, placed the sweetened applesauce in the middle and drew the edges of the crust up and over to form a simple galette. I baked it till golden brown at 375 degrees...about 40 minutes or so.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

My memories of apples involves my grandma again. She had borrowed a large copper kettle and made a huge batch of apple butter one fall. I was very young and somehow my memory has us making it in the back yard over a fire, but I would not swear to that. I do know she used a big bag of cinnamon red hot candies in it for color and flavor, but they didn’t take into account the sugar content of the candy and it came out awfully sweet. Still, nothing ever went to waste on the farm and it was eaten with delight...most often by the spoonful right out of the jar.

\n\n\n

As I labeled the grape jam from Thursday and the applesauce yesterday, I marveled at how beautiful the jars are...all lined up on our dining room table. We have shelves in the basement and all this work is going to be gorgeous once the jars are cleaned and lined up for winter storage. I have my ear to the ground...looking for an attractive primitive wooden cabinet for the dining room to store all these extra appliances I have accumulated over the last few months. I hate storing them downstairs because I use them fairly often. I prefer to have them a few steps away from the kitchen when I need them.

\n\n\n

When all was done, Mr. FixIt and I drove to town, picked up a sandwich for supper, and ate it sitting on the tailgate of my pickup as we watched some locals fishing from the bank of the Little Kanawha River. It was a beautiful, productive day. 

\n\n\n

Today...I need to make Salisbury steaks and Italian meatballs for the freezer and work on the pie pumpkins. Another busy day ahead!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.”

\nColossians 2:16 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-26T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/26/day-an-apple-a-day.html", "tags": ["Gratitude","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/24/day-playing-with-fire.html", "title": "Day 190: Playing with Fire", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When I lived in Colorado, you knew fall was here when the roadside stands set up for fire-roasting green chiles. It was like any roadside stand you might see selling tomatoes and corn back east or in the south. But there, a gas fired chile roaster was set up. It looks something like a great big Bingo basket that gets rotated over a flame and slowly roasts the chiles till the skins are blackened and blistered. Then, the hot chiles were weighed out and packaged in plastic bags. All you had to do was grab a bag and take them home, clean the blackened skin and either cook with the chiles right then, or put them in freezer bags and freeze for use during the winter. 

\n\n\n

Any self respecting western cook had at least a few bags of fire-roasted green chiles in the freezer. I like to use them to make Pork Green Chile...a delightful change of pace from the traditional red chili with beef and beans. I also love green chiles in scrambled eggs or quiche. I’ve even seen them added to apple pie, although I have to admit I’ve never tried that...yet!

\n\n\n

One of the items a roadside chile stand sells is wreaths or ristras...long strands of red chiles that dry as you use them for winter decor. Sort of like putting out Indian corn or wreaths of dried leaves. You might also find jars of salsa with varying degrees of heat or perhaps red or green pepper jelly. I love a soft goat cheese on crackers with hot pepper jelly as an appetizer accompanied by smoked almonds and fresh figs or apples. That makes for a lovely treat on a crisp fall afternoon.

\n\n\n

One of my fondest memories of Colorado was when Daughter #2 was little. One of my best friends was Barbara, the wife of one of the surgeons in town. Her baby was about ten months younger than mine and we used to get together often to let the children play while we worked on cross-stitch projects. One fall day, we decided to can salsa. We went to the farmers market and bought our supplies and spent all day chopping and cooking and making the best salsa ever.

\n\n\n

I haven’t made salsa in ages...probably over twenty years. The other day Mr. FixIt asked if we could make some. I didn’t have enough of our own tomatoes so I bought a ten pound flat and some nice yellow onions at a roadside stand on Monday. Then I bought two kinds of peppers, garlic, and cilantro at the store and prepared to have another busy week preserving.

\n\n\n

There were several steps leading up to actually making the salsa and the first thing I wanted to do was fire-roast my peppers. I bought a couple of jalapeños for the salsa and picked up some beautiful Poblano chiles to make Chile Rellenos. I have never roasted peppers myself so I Googled how to do it. I know you can roast them over any open flame so a propane grill works fine. You can hold them over a fire and roast them like a marshmallow, but I wasn’t interested in starting a fire. I opted for roasting them over a burner on our stove since it’s gas and it worked great!

\n\n\n

The grates on our stove are sturdy and aren’t spaced too far apart so they work perfectly. All I had to do was turn the flame on high and lay the pepper on the grate. It snaps and crackles as the hard membrane on the skin blisters and blackens. It only takes two or three minutes to properly roast a pepper. Poblanos are a rather large, flat pepper with a fairly mild flavor although they can vary and sometimes you’ll get a surprise when they pack some significant heat. But in general, they are mild and make the best Chile Rellenos. I’m making some to freeze and take with us to the beach. 

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt likes his salsa very mild with pineapple in it. I like mine to pack a punch. Therefore, I divided the tomatoes and made half his way and half mine. I used a simple recipe I found on the Ball website. This particular recipe uses one of their electric Auto Canners, which I don’t have. I followed the directions except I processed the filled jars in a water bath for 15 minutes. I added some chile powder to both batches. I added crushed pineapple to Mr. FixIt’s and just a quarter of one jalapeño for flavor. It was sweet and flavorful...just the way he likes it. I added a little extra salt to mine, added the rest of the jalapeño plus another full one, and...just before I ladled it into the jars, I adjusted the heat by adding some more Tabasco and cayenne powder. Now mine has a nice kick to it without being overpoweringly hot. You can find the recipe HERE. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I finished with twenty half-pints of salsa...ten of each variety. These will be so nice to have for dipping with corn chips or for topping those Chile Rellenos or any number of other Mexican dishes we enjoy. Mr. FixIt was gone all afternoon so I had the house to myself, working happily in the kitchen as I listened to old-time bluegrass by the Stanley Brothers.

\n\n\n

It’s FALL y’all...and I’m in my element!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“Work hard, and you will have a lot of food; waste time, and you will have a lot of trouble.”

\nProverbs 28:19 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-24T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/24/day-playing-with-fire.html", "tags": ["Fun","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/23/day-im-makin-waffles.html", "title": "Day 189: “I’m Makin’ Waffles!”", "content_html": "\n
\n\n\n

In April 2001, a brand new movie came out that kids everywhere loved. Shrek was a green skinned troll with questionable social skills who paired up with a delightful donkey named...Donkey. They lived in the swamp and met up with Princess Fiona...a girl troll. It was fun and funny. Daughter #2 and I watched it a lot! She was eleven years old at the time...one of our fondest memories.

\n\n\n

Donkey wants a sleepover and he declares he’s getting up the next morning and making waffles!!! Ahhhhh....waffles. That was a very special treat at our house reserved for the occasional Saturday morning. We had a rather large waffle iron and the batter invariably stuck to the plates of the iron no matter how much you oiled them. But when they did come out well, they were decadent. The butter pooled in the little wells of the waffle, soon to fight for its place when the syrup was poured on.

\n\n\n

I had a nice waffle iron at one point. And it may be one of the things I saved to use in TOW-Wanda when I traveled. But I haven’t see it in ages so I started looking for one. People must not be making waffles like they used to because I couldn’t find a regular waffle iron anywhere. I did find a few Belgian varieties, but that’s not what I wanted.

\n\n\n

I’ve been in every store in town over the last few weeks just popping my head into the kitchen department and they were either out of stock or never carried them. I know God loves for us to come to him with even the most mundane requests so I asked Him to direct me to a waffle iron. And not just any old iron either. I wanted the big square one that made four smaller square waffles. And, wouldn’t it be wonderful if it was multipurpose like these new ones are now? Where you can open it up, lay it flat and turned the metal plates over to the smooth side to use as a griddle? That, please.

\n\n\n

Every time I go to town, I check someplace else. Then yesterday, I was driving down the main drag of town when I just “felt” that waffle iron was nearby. I looked to my right and there was Goodwill. Masked up and phone in hand, I wandered in. I looked up and down the aisles and was not finding any kitchen items. Then, I got the nudge. “Look there!” And there she was! Exactly what I wanted. It even has the accompanying booklets to go with it!

\n\n\n

I took my treasure to the front to pay and the clerk asked if I qualified for the “Senior Discount”. Part of me wanted to bristle up in indignation. The other part say, heck yeah...bring it on!

\n\n\n

“That’ll be $2.89, please.”

\n\n\n

Are you kidding me??? I was nearly giddy with the experience!

\n\n\n

So that’s the story of the $2.89 waffle maker. 

\n\n\n

Guess what WE had for supper?

\n\n\n

“I’m makin’ WAFFLES!”

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

\nPhilippians 4:19 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-23T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/23/day-im-makin-waffles.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Downsizing","Baking","Memories","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/18/day-ohhhhhtomato-pie.html", "title": "Day 184: Ohhhhh...Tomato Pie!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When Mr. FixIt and I were visiting the Outer Banks for our anniversary, we stopped in a seafood shop to check out what the local waters were offering. Among the many delicious varieties available was a seemingly out of place item...Tomato Pie. I asked about it and they said it was a southern thing and very tasty, however...the price was outrageous and you couldn’t buy just one piece. You had to buy the whole pie. I could only think of one thing...what if we didn’t like it? I would hate to throw all that food away. So, I vowed to try making it myself when my own tomatoes were ready.

\n\n\n

Over the weekend, we noticed the garden was heavily dotted with the bright red of ripe tomatoes. Yesterday was the first chance I’ve had to stay at home and play around in the kitchen. The first thing I did was check on my brined pickles. I hate to report they were a huge flop. I don’t know what happened. Maybe they were overripe. Maybe my brine wasn’t the right concentration. Maybe my jars weren’t sterilized. I don’t know. They were soggy and some were downright slimy. And there was mold on the surface. I wasn’t about to taste them. I just dumped them out and washed and sterilized the jars. That’s not bad...one failure in all the things I’ve cooked and canned during covid. It was disappointing, though.

\n\n\n

Once I had that mess cleaned up, I went out and picked a bucket of tomatoes. Not all of them were ripe but I hate leaving them out there for the critters to eat. I line up the ripe ones on the counter and windowsill till they turn red. I had about eight or ten medium tomatoes ready to do something with. I scalded, peeled, and cored them and gently pressed out the majority of the seeds. Then I put them in my new food processor with the steel blade and processed them till they were smooth.

\n\n\n

I put the tomato purée in a saucepan and simmered it till it was reduced by about a third and was the consistency of spaghetti sauce. I seasoned it with salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne and set it aside. I made some pie crust in the food processor and rolled out half. The other half went in the fridge to make something with today. I lined a 10” pie plate and set that aside. Then I made a roux. Are you familiar with that? You melt butter and stir in flour over a low heat. You keep stirring till the roux gets a nice golden brown, then you add the tomato sauce that has been cooling. Once the two were combined, I turned off the heat and browned some chopped up bacon till it was crispy. I drained it well on paper towels and sprinkled it in the bottom of the pie crust. Then I added a handful or two of grated mozzarella cheese. 

\n\n\n

I put the cooled tomato sauce back in the food processor on low and added four extra large eggs, one at a time till they were fully incorporated. I preheated the oven to 375 degrees, lined a baking sheet with foil and set the pie plate on it, poured the tomato/egg mixture into the pie shell, sprinkled another small handful of grated mozzarella on top, and popped it in the oven. I baked it for 50 minutes...watching it the last ten minutes or so to make sure it didn’t burn.

\n\n\n

We let the Tomato Pie cool a bit while we cleaned up then sat down to try it out. I have seen a dozen different recipes for Tomato Pie and it runs the gamut from nothing more than thickly sliced tomatoes baked in layers with grated cheese to a two crust version that looked kind of loose and runny. I wanted mine to look more like the one I saw in North Carolina...more like a quiche. And that’s exactly what this one looked like. And....oh, my! The flavor!!! It tasted like eating a big plate of spaghetti without the heaviness of all that pasta. I made a pie crust recipe that used butter only so the crust was very tender and flaky. It was fabulous, if I do say so myself. And Mr. FixIt loved it!

\n\n\n

We were in such a hurry to eat, we didn’t have anything with the Tomato Pie...but it would have been lovely with a nice green salad and a glass of wine if you choose. A luscious end of summer treat made extra special with our own tomatoes. You know me...I don’t really cook with recipes so writing it like this is the best I can do and you should be able to duplicate it in your own kitchen. If you try it, let me know how it tasted!

\n\n\n

It’s “Feel Good Friday” and cooking up something yummy in the kitchen on the Ponderosa makes me feel really good!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.”

\nGenesis 9:3 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-18T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/18/day-ohhhhhtomato-pie.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/14/day-so-this-is-what.html", "title": "Day 180: So, This is What a Weekend Off Feels Like?", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

A cozy “faux fall” day at the Ponderosa.

\n\n\n

I’m “retired”. I asked Mr. FixIt how we ever did all these things plus work time and a half and raise babies. He said we were a heck of a lot younger back then. True...but even two years ago, I wasn’t doing half what I’m doing now. I think part of that has been coping with Covid. Part has been the fact that I cannot eat all this Covid Comfort Food without working it off or I’m going to become unhealthy. Part has been an escape mechanism. But a very real part has been the sheer joy of celebrating life in the country with my best friend...gardening, mowing, trimming, growing, baking....aching! It just feels good, so I keep doing it.

\n\n\n

Taking two whole days off seemed decadent after the work we’ve put in the last few months. I kept thinking there was something I should be doing...or COULD be doing. Something more productive than football. I baked that cake on Saturday. I fixed us a nice brunch yesterday after online church. It was a lovely “faux fall” day. It rained off and on all day. It stayed cool. And the fog started rolling in by 5:00. It was cozy, and just what the doctor ordered.

\n\n\n

One of our fellow readers contacted me Saturday after reading I had wide mouth jar lids and needed regular. Her sister wanted to trade with me so I’m meeting her today...three boxes each. I only have eighteen quart and maybe eight pint jars left. I need to go out to the farm and get the food processor to make my End of the Garden Relish. I also need to shake up the vanilla extract I have steeping and check to see how the brine is coming on the dill pickles. Also, I need to pressure wash the smoker...I still haven’t gotten it cleaned since the last use.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Sunday Brunch at the Ponderosa...eggs, bacon, fried potatoes, and toast with my new plum jam. Yummmmm!

\n\n\n

Our next big outdoor chore is putting an extension on the drain pipe out at the creek. When the big rains come, the creek washes mud, dirt, and rock up over the drain. If we extend the pipe out another ten or twelve feet, there won’t be so much to dig out next time. We’ll have to go back out to the farm in the next week and take the pole saw to some more trees. Preventive maintenance is huge when you have so many acres to care for.

\n\n\n

I hope you enjoyed your weekend and you have a good week!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“The earth and everything on it, including its people, belong to the Lord. The world and its people belong to him. The Lord placed it all on the oceans and rivers.”

\nPsalms 24:1-2 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-14T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/14/day-so-this-is-what.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/11/day-breaking-a-record-in.html", "title": "Day 177: Breaking a Record in Canning", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It has been humid the last couple of days. Add all the pots of boiling water in the kitchen from canning and this last batch of Romas in the dehydrator are taking longer than usual to dry. I don’t have any real canning projects to do today, so the humidity in the kitchen should drop significantly. Maybe then the last tray of tomatoes will finally dry.

\n\n\n

I made two batches of plum jam and a batch of grape jelly yesterday. I also made my sourdough loaves and put them in the fridge to rise overnight. I’ll bake them first thing this morning and get the oven off before the heat of the day. I’ve now broken my official record for number of jars canned. I’ve done around 110, if you count what I’ve already given away. Everything is still sitting on the kitchen table. I have plenty of jars left, but I’m running low on lids. I have four boxes of wide mouth lids, but only regular mouth jars, so that doesn’t help me. Maybe I can find someone who would like to trade some with me.

\n\n\n

The former Mrs. FixIt came out last night and we sat on the deck, chatting about canning and great recipes. A friend of hers told her about eating fried cucumbers. I’ve never heard of such a thing, and neither had she. But she tried them and said they were great! She also mentioned a recipe she learned from an old Amish woman where she used to work. It’s called “Freezer Slaw” and she says it’s delicious. If I get the recipe and try it, I’ll let you know.

\n\n\n

I have a head of cabbage I was going to make another jar of sauerkraut from, but then I used the jars for dill pickles. Now I think I’ll make what my mom called “piccalilly”. I’ve also heard it called “Chow Chow” or “End-of-the-Garden Relish”. It’s usually made before the first frost so your green tomatoes don’t go to waste. It is essentially shredded and chopped veggies like red and green bell peppers, onions, green tomatoes, and cabbage with mustard seed, bay leaf, black peppercorns and turmeric mixed with sugar and vinegar. My mom would sit at grandma’s table and eat a whole jar of it with a spoon...it was that good. 

\n\n\n

That will have to wait till next week. After the bread comes out of the oven this morning, we need to load up the utility trailer again and head to the farm to mow before the weekend rains. Saturday is our high school class picnic. We are being extra careful with Covid now, but we can socially distance and visit a little while. 

\n\n\n

Mr. FixIt and I both had our flu shots last week, and he had his second pneumonia vaccine...Prevnar. I’ve already had both of mine. I think it is very important to be as healthy as we can be as we ride out the next few months in this pandemic. That’s one of the reasons I’ve been so busy canning and preserving food for the pantry. Good healthy nutrition, social distancing/masks/hygiene, vitamins, plenty of fluids and whatever supplements we feel we may need to maintain good health will be our way of getting through the winter. I’m making a list of indoor projects I’d like to accomplish and I have plenty of sock yarn to work with. I think I’ll get some cotton “Sugar ‘n Cream” yarn to knit dishcloths with as well. 

\n\n\n

We have one trip planned to our condo at the beach. Weather will have the final word whether we go, as well as the Covid infection rate locally. We think since it’s in the middle of October, we’ll be much safer than during peak tourist season. We’ll see how we feel when we get closer to the date.

\n\n\n

Speaking of dates...it’s been nineteen years since the towers came down. I will never, ever forget that day...what I was doing, who I was with, how it felt. Our country pulled together for the greater good in the aftermath of 9/11. I pray we can find that common ground today.

\n\n\n

If 2020 has taught me anything, it’s that God laughs at our attempts to make plans. So, I’ve discovered my new word for the year...even this late in the game.

\n\n\n

Flexibility.

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. Christ gives me the strength to face anything. It was good of you to help me when I was having such a hard time.”

\nPhilippians 4:12-14 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-11T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/11/day-breaking-a-record-in.html", "tags": ["West Virginia","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/10/day-beans-tomatoes-picklesyummm.html", "title": "Day 176: Beans \u0026 Tomatoes \u0026 Pickles...YUMMM!!!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Ok, yesterday was a marathon day in the kitchen here at the Ponderosa. I started out by packaging up the dehydrated mushrooms then rummaging through the garden to get a few more Roma tomatoes. I set what was ready in the dehydrator and turned my attention to the green beans.

\n\n\n

I had enough of the beans cleaned yesterday to set a canner on to process. Then, Mr. FixIt and I enjoyed rocking in the recliners, watching old Frazier reruns while I finished stringing and snapping the last of the beans between canner loads.

\n\n\n

I learned something yesterday. I should have weighed the beans, because apparently I had a LOT more than I thought. According to the weights and measures scale for produce, a bushel of snap beans should weigh between twenty-eight and thirty-two pounds. This should result in a quart of processed beans for every one-and-a-half to two pounds of raw produce. Initially, I figured I would get two canners full with enough leftover beans to cook up a mess for supper. (\"Mess is Appalachian for a batch...a dinner's worth with leftovers.)

\n\n\n

I ended up with four canners full! That's twenty-eight quarts. I did my math and I payed just over a dollar a quart for these babies. AND I got the fun and satisfaction of putting them up for winter. I know, I know...this is nothing compared to what my cousins can every year. They put up hundreds of jars of food. I'm a little limited by supplies this year as I was sort of starting from scratch in the canning department. I'll get more jars and lids next spring.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

When the last canner was filled and on the stove, I got out my fermenting equipment and got two quarts of dill pickles started. They will sit for one to three weeks in the brine till they get to my desired taste. I made one quart with hot red pepper flakes for a little extra pizazz. I would normally use dried whole red peppers from the spice aisle but Walmart didn't have them.

\n\n\n

And that was the end of my day. I was tired...but it was a good kind of tired. My hands smell like garlic and they're soft from working with wet beans for two days. My hips are sore from sitting so much. But, ohhhhh.....those beautiful jars of bottled summer take my breath away when I look at them!

\n\n\n

It was not till I was typing this last night to post this morning that I noticed the date. Today would have been Mr. Virgo's 70th birthday! It feels so unreal. He will always and forever be 62...a number I passed five years ago. I can't even imagine him at 70. He would have reluctantly retired. He had no hobbies other than golf and me. I never, EVER would have considered taking off in the camper by myself and having adventures without him. He told me when we were first dating that if I was the kind of woman who was going to leave him alone for long stretches of time, he wasn't interested. I had been in a two decade marriage with a workaholic who had dinner between 8:00-10:00 every night. I was ready for that one-on-one attention.

\n\n\n

Don't get me wrong...I absolutely adore Mr. FixIt and I treasure every moment we have together. AND, I learned I need some space to recharge from time to time...for my own mental health as well as the comfort of my spouse. Different people. Different marriages. Different expectations. Still...I think of that silver-haired man and smile now.

\n\n\n

Seventy.

\n\n\n

Wow.

\n\n\n

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mr. Virgo!

\n\n\n

❤

\n\n\n
\n

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

\nColossians 3:23 ESV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-10T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/10/day-beans-tomatoes-picklesyummm.html", "tags": ["Positive Energy","West Virginia","Gratitude","Wisdom","Aging","Peaceful Moments","Be Joyful!","Farm Life","Widow","Memories","Marriage","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/09/day-learning-in-the-garden.html", "title": "Day 175: Learning in the Garden", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I walked by the garden the other day and I noticed a few nibbled off branches on one of my tomato plants. My first thought was...the deer have been in here and snacking on my garden! At the same time, a distant memory swam around right under the surface and I knew there was something familiar about this particular scenario. I just couldn’t quite put my finger on it. 

\n\n\n

As you’ve seen in my posts of the the last few weeks, things have really been busy here on the Ponderosa. Between mowing, gardening, harvesting, canning, and baking bread, I’ve had little time to spend perusing the plants in our little tomato patch. As I pulled the wagon full of produce and groceries from the truck to the house yesterday, I looked over and now my tallest tomato plant was noting but sticks at the top. Now, I know deer can stand up on their hind legs to reach fruit in trees, but I couldn’t see that happening in the middle of a tomato patch without other plants being damaged. That’s when it hit me....that memory of a scourge in a garden decades ago in Colorado.

\n\n\n

The tomato hornworm!

\n\n\n

As soon as I emptied the wagon, I went out the the garden to look for the nasty beasts! And...there they were. Now, here is where it would have behooved me to do a Google search and learn something about this infestation before I made an unfortunate mistake. When I saw the worms with the white egg like sacs on their backs, I assumed they were eggs. I immediately plucked the stem with the offending monster and mashed it...”eggs” and all.

\n\n\n

Enter YouTube. Come to find out, that was what is called a parasitized tomato hornworm. There is a small wasp that lays it’s eggs on the caterpillar. They hatch and become larvae and burrow down into the hornworm...killing it. The trick is to find the hornworms, cut them in half with an old pair of scissors, and be done with them. Then, when you find one with the wasp eggs on it, you carefully snip off the leaf it is currently chowing down on and transfer it to a “sacrificial tomato plant”...one that maybe isn’t growing so well or producing very much. Essentially just giving it something else to eat till the wasp eggs hatch and the larvae kill it naturally. You actually want more of those wasps in nature. Unfortunately...I learned this too late for two hornworms, but now I know better.

\n\n\n

I told you yesterday I was going on the prowl for half runner beans and I found them. They are more expensive than stringless green beans because they are labor intensive to produce. The plants are a cross between a bush and a pole variety so they do grow vines. You have to put up stakes down the rows, then two or three times during the growing season, you string twine across from stake to stake and give the vines something to grow on. Half runners produce longer than bush beans and, according to my grandma, they make the best eating beans. 

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

We here in West Virginia cook our green beans to death. A country cook would think you were absolutely crazy to serve a green bean “al dente”. No, you clean your beans, remove the strings, snap them in two to three pieces into a good sized pot, add water and a little bacon or salt pork, some cut up onion, a little salt and black pepper and set it on the back burner to simmer on very low heat all afternoon. You have to watch and add water when necessary because there is no saving a pot of scorched green beans.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

After I had the dehydrator loaded with more sliced mushrooms, I gathered my tools and sat down in my recliner to string beans and watch old Frazier reruns with Mr. FixIt. It took me about three to four hours to do the first half of the bushel. I put the cleaned ones, and the remaining beans in the garage fridge to sit overnight and will get back to them today. I place wet hand towels over top of the bean to keep them fresh and moist. Once I finish, I can pack my jars, load my canner, and process them. 

\n\n\n

My canner holds seven quarts which takes about 14 pounds of beans. So, fourteen quarts will take about twenty-eight pounds and take two rounds with the canner. A bushel weighs about thirty pounds, so I will get fourteen quarts plus enough to cook for supper this evening. Each canner load only processes twenty-five minutes in the pressure canner at our altitude here on the Ponderosa...650 feet elevation, however adding the ten minute boil out time to time building up and reducing pressure naturally...you have at least an hour and a half or two hours per load.

\n\n\n

This may seem like an awful lot of work when you can buy a can of green beans for less than a dollar. I can guarantee you, if you haven’t eaten home canned green beans, you don’t know what you’re missing. Sure, home canning is work...sometimes long, hard, hot work. However, inside each sparkling jar of lovingly prepared food is a little slice of summer. It’s not just the food in the jar...it’s what’s NOT in the jar. No preservatives or chemicals....just love and memories and sunshine.

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“Don't let anyone tell you what you must eat or drink. Don't let them say you must celebrate the New Moon festival, the Sabbath, or any other festival.”

\nColossians 2:16 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-09T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/09/day-learning-in-the-garden.html", "tags": ["Fun","West Virginia","Farm Life","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2020/09/07/day-jam-and-jesus.html", "title": "Day 173: Jam and Jesus!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I love Sundays in the country. While they are supposed to be a day of rest, they most often turn into a different kind of worship...the kind I do every day. First, since we are staying out in the camper every chance we get, we are sleeping so soundly that it isn’t hard to completely miss online church. However, yesterday, I opened my eyes, smiled at my sweetheart and he said, “Good morning, baby...ten minutes to church!”

\n\n\n

I glanced at my cell phone to confirm and hopped right up. When your man is excited for church, you get moving! I was up, dressed, in the house with coffee in hand at 10:00...a new world record, I am sure!

\n\n\n

Church was really great, even though they played a repeat of the last sermon of 2019. For one thing, it was so cool to see what life was like just 9 short months ago. A little nostalgic, I have to say. Also, our pastor...as I am sure any pastor would be...was so animated and on fire in front of a congregation without restriction. Next Sunday they are going back to in person worship, but we will stay home and continue to watch online. We just feel safer that way and we still get spiritually fed. This is actually working very well for us under the circumstances but I will look forward to the day we feel it is a healthy choice for us to go in person. In the meantime, we do not feel deprived of the experience.

\n\n\n

As soon as church was over, I headed to work in the kitchen. I filled the dehydrator with sliced mushrooms and set it aside to do its thing while I turned to the main task at hand. I had peaches and plums that needed to be made into jam and I could hardly wait to try the new Jam & Jelly Maker. When I preserve food, I set everything out in an orderly fashion so I don’t have to go looking for something I need right in the middle of things. There might be a little wiggle room if you are canning tomatoes or green beans, but jams and jellies are absolutely time dependent.

\n\n\n

As I set to peeling the peaches, I asked Mr. FixIt if he would mind filming me while I did it. I wanted to show how easy it is to peel peaches and make jam. It was the first thing I learned to can when I started and anyone can do it...especially with this handy appliance. When Mr. FixIt was in high school, he ran the stage crew so he is quite at home behind a camera. However, from a technical standpoint, we made some errors so there is definitely a learning curve.

\n\n\n

For one thing, I not only had the window fan going, but I also had the exhaust fan on over the stove, trying to keep the house from getting too hot. That’s great for temperature...not so great for sound. The second thing we discovered...if you film in portrait view and compose the movie in the app iMovie, it converts to landscape orientation. That’s cool except...it cuts off the top and the bottom of the film. In other words, the top of my head is cut off, but you can hear what I’m saying, so we’ll just take it as a learning experience. Just a head’s up disclaimer if you decide to watch. I’ve added a link to my YouTube Channel. (Yes...I have a YouTube Channel...who knew? lol)

\n\n\n

It was a productive day. The Jam & Jelly Maker only makes four jars at a time. If there is a downside, that’s it. However, the upsides are awesome. It stirs itself and the temperature is preset so there’s no scorching. And, while one batch is cooking, you can get the ingredients together for the next batch. It went very smooth once I got the hang of it.

\n\n\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I ended up with eight jars of Peach Jam, but not enough mashed fruit left for a third batch. I pulled the plums out of the fridge and cut up enough to make up the difference and made four jars of Peach-Plum Jam. It was my favorite. The flavor combo was really special. Then I made four jars of Plum Jam but there were not enough mashed plums to make another batch. I put what was left over in a jar in the fridge and will buy some more plums today to add to it. So, sixteen jars of jam and a dehydrator full of mushrooms. Not a bad afternoon’s work.

\n\n\n

When we had the kids over on Friday for homemade pizza, I only baked three of the four pizzas. I covered the fourth one tightly and set it in the garage fridge to have over the weekend. It seemed like the perfect time yesterday so after the mess from the jam was put away, I baked the pizza on the pizza stone and I think it was even more flavorful than the others. The flavors had a chance to meld in the fridge and it was really delicious. I’ll do a pizza-making video one of these days!

\n\n\n

When all was said and done, I stretched out to edit and upload the video to YouTube. While I waited for the upload to go through, I fell asleep. Who would have imagined such a thing, right? I hate falling asleep that late, but it couldn’t be helped. It was a really good day. Sometimes worship comes in the form of putting food by for a rainy day.

\n\n\n

You can watch my “Making Jam with Ginny” video HERE.

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“Flowers and grass fade away, but what our God has said will never change.”

\nIsaiah 40:8 CEV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2020-09-07T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2020/09/07/day-jam-and-jesus.html", "tags": ["West Virginia","Gratitude","God","Farm Life","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/10/30/theyre-baaaaack.html", "title": "They're Baaaaack!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Asian beetles....not to be confused with the common lady bug. Lady bugs are sweet. They eat aphids. You see one on the rarest of occasions when it lights on your sleeve. You pick it up on your finger and hold it to the wind and make a wish when it flies away. Asian beetles? You walk into your house on the first really hot day after the first freeze and hundreds...HUNDREDS of them are on the Windows, the curtains, the floor. They're tap-tap-tapping on the ceiling. You vacuum them up only to have more an hour later. They stink if to smash them. They leave unremovable yellow spots on everything. Gross!

\n\n\n

Then, there was the invasion of the possums last night. I was eating dinner when I heard the familiar loud crunching in the cat dish. They simply do NOT have table manners! I've chased them off. I'd trap them if I thought I could stand to go near the trap afterwards. I think I would just catch one in the trap and then move to another state!

\n\n\n

The colors yesterday were absolutely amazing! The sun hit them just right and suddenly there are a lot of reds coming out. I went for a drive in the country and stopped at my favorite antique store. I bought a small section of a ladder from an apple orchard. I want to hang it from the ceiling and hang pots from it in the kitchen or herbs in the dining room. Or, I could prop it up against a wall and fold quilts over the rungs.

\n\n\n

Cold weather brings out the domestic goddess in me. I cooked a brisket in the crock pot yesterday that was killer. I served it with mashed red potatoes and the best Brussels sprouts. A baked apple topped it off for the perfect fall meal!

\n\n\n

Ginny's Brisket

\n\n\n

Rinse a medium sized brisket. Pat dry. Trim any extra fat on the bottom side. Sear both sides in a hot skillet. Place on cutting board and cut in large chunks. Place in crock pot. Sprinkle with a little garlic powder. Slice one large yellow onion and place the rings on top of the meat. Pour one bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce over all. Fill chili sauce bottle with water and shake then pour around the edge. Cover with lid and cook on high in your crock pot for at least 5 hours. Yummy!!!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“So heap on the wood and kindle the fire. Cook the meat well, mixing in the spices; and let the bones be charred.”‬‬

\n‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭24:10‬ ‭NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-10-30T01:30:39-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/10/30/theyre-baaaaack.html", "tags": ["Comfort","Farm Life","Baking","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/07/31/rhubarb.html", "title": "Rhubarb", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

My grandma always cooked rhubarb and served it as a sauce...sort of like applesauce. There was always a covered dish in the fridge with this sweet-tart, pale pink nectar of the gods. She had to swat me away from it or I would eat the whole thing.

\n\n\n

I used to cook up rhubarb when my father-in-law would bring us a mess of it. At dinner last night, my older daughter told us she often came home and there would be two buckets full of rhubarb on her porch and she knew Pop had been there.

\n\n\n

We celebrated my son-in-law's grandma's birthday last night. Since I'm not eating gluten, I didn't have cake. But I did splurge with a little vanilla ice cream with warmed strawberry-rhubarb sauce over it. Oh, that was heavenly...taking me back in time. The addition of strawberries gives just a little something extra to an already divine concoction. Grandma Lois turned 87 and she wanted me to share the recipe she used.

\n\n\n

Grandma Lois' Strawberry-Rhubarb

\n\n\n\n\n\n

This sauce is wonderful warm over ice cream. The family ate it over angel food cake last night although they are quite fond of serving it over warm biscuits. It's great as a side with roast pork. And...it's good straight out of the pan with a spoon. When I think of summer foods, I think of watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes, corn on the cob, cucumbers and onions, and rhubarb. Once I have had those foods, it's really been summer.

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“This is what the Sovereign Lord showed me: a basket of ripe fruit.”

\nAmos 8:1 NIV\n
\n\n\n

Photo Credit: sunnysidelocal.com

\n\n", "date_published": "2016-07-31T01:30:38-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/07/31/rhubarb.html", "tags": ["Family","Comfort","Farm Life","Memories","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/21/eat-colorfully.html", "title": "Eat Colorfully", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

Several of you have wondered what I'm doing to lose this weight. What's my secret? What am I doing to tighten up those abs or tone those arms? So, I'll do my best to give you an overview and make it as simple as possible, because face it....no one wants to follow a complicated diet and fitness program, right?

\n\n\n

Many years ago, I worked for an \"old school\" doctor who took me under his wing and taught me a lot. His diet was so simple.

\n\n\n\n\n\n

Seriously, if you do those things, you're just about guaranteed to lose weight. Then I met Trainer Paul in February and he gave me his dietary plan. It's great. I worked with it and this is pretty much what I do.

\n\n\n

First, I cut out gluten in the form of bread and pasta. I don't read labels to look for gluten because I don't buy stuff with labels. I don't eat out of a box or can if I can help it. No processed foods. I cut out sugar...period. And, I cut out diet sodas. I stopped all artificial sweeteners and use Stevia, a plant based sweetener.

\n\n\n

I eat a Greek yogurt with fresh berries, two tablespoons of gluten free granola and two of ground flax seeds for breakfast. Maybe twice a month I'll have a cheese omelet instead.

\n\n\n

For lunch, I have a salad with as many different veggies and fruits as I can get in it. For protein I'll either have chicken or quinoa or salmon on it. If I haven't had that omelet for a few days, I might have eggs and cheese in the salad. I use whatever salad dressing I like, on the side, and dip each bite in it for taste. You'd be surprised how little dressing you'll actually eat.

\n\n\n

I might grab fruit mid afternoon or maybe a little cheese. Watermelon has been my go to lately because it's been so hot out. I've been enjoying yellow rind muenster of late. Nice nutty flavor.

\n\n\n

For dinner, fish is my favorite. I try to only use wild caught but I'm not all that picky. I will not eat tilapia. I make a fabulous curried salmon...just ask Trainer Paul! I don't eat white potatoes but I do eat sweet potatoes. I also love quinoa, again for the protein and because you can dress it up with mushrooms, onions, etc. and get a really savory side dish. Spring had me eating a boatload of asparagus. I love summer and zucchini squash, green beans, caprese salad with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil. Once or twice a month I have gluten free pasta with spaghetti sauce. I like grass fed bison and eat that in my sauce.

\n\n\n

I don't count calories. Period. I am acutely aware of what I eat and mentally keep track. You know when you're overdoing it. I don't weigh myself every day. Muscle weighs more than fat. While I weigh around 170, my muscle tone has me looking much more trim than I did the last time I weighed 150.

\n\n\n

I try to eat superfoods every day.

\n\n\n\n\n\n

I use real butter. Not a lot of it, but when I need butter, I use the real stuff.

\n\n\n

Sweet potatoes, fruit, or a square of dark chocolate satisfies my sweet tooth. I don't crave anything. Ever.

\n\n\n

I don't drink alcohol. I do have one non-alcohol beer or one glass of de-alcoholized wine just about every night. I drink a lot of water but still not enough I'm sure. I have nonfat milk in my latte when I buy one and I always drink half and half in my coffee. I drink Spark from Advocare or Powerade Zero when I play hard outside in the heat.

\n\n\n

The word \"exercise\" is seldom in my vocabulary. I go outside and play as often as I can. I really like to walk and climb stairs. I love to ride my bike long distances. And I REALLY love paddling my kayak! I like to play pickleball but haven't this year. I try to use my resistance bands and weights for upper body toning. I just started doing planks...or as my friend Ryb calls it, water boarding. lol

\n\n\n

That's pretty much it. I did jumpstart my weight loss with the Advocare 24 Day challenge but I am NOT spamming you on that. Just telling you I used it. It included a 10 day colon cleanse. It's amazing the junk we carry around with us. That prepared my gut to absorb the nutrients in this great food I'm eating and you are seldom hungry when your body is actually getting fed.

\n\n\n

As with all diet and exercise programs, check with your healthcare provider to see if you are healthy enough to exercise. Enjoy your summer and get out there and play if you are able!!!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”

\nGenesis 1:29 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-21T01:30:43-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/21/eat-colorfully.html", "tags": ["Health","Choices","Insight","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/06/17/fitness-friday.html", "title": "Fitness Friday", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

It's not as easy to follow a fitness program when you're traveling. You have to plan ahead and make working out a real priority. Eating choices can be difficult when you visit people whose diet does not closely match yours. I am fortunate to have supportive friends and family who are very accommodating when I travel. I have my bike, weights, kayak, and walking shoes with me at all times. I have a number of people I can call at a moment's notice to exercise with. Fortunately, it's salad season and my brother/friend has fixed some wonderful healthy food. Yesterday I called a friend and caught her just before she left town. She was happy to walk three miles with me before she took off! I'll be doing a lot of walking this weekend so I'm feeling pretty good about my ability to stay on track.

\n\n\n

I was thrilled to get a message yesterday from a fellow \"Rancher\" who lives in town. We met for coffee and as soon as I saw her, I knew I'd met her before. Turns out she taught in the kinder garden class next door to my youngest's classroom. Ann...it was a delight to spend a couple hours catching up! What a treat it is to meet my readers!!!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”

\nRomans 1:12 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-06-17T01:30:32-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/06/17/fitness-friday.html", "tags": ["Health","Fitness Friday","Friends","Cooking"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/03/25/fitness-friday.html", "title": "Fitness Friday", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

This was a really good week. I worked out hard enough to see results but not so hard as to burn out or cause injury. I listened to my body and took a day off when I needed to. It's a delicate balance between pushing yourself and knowing when to back off. AND...making yourself keep going. I can get lazy if I take a day off because then I think maybe two would be better and before you know it, I'm back to square one.

\n\n\n

I am eating healthier than I have in years. Good, healthy salads with superfoods...i.e. dark green, leafy veggies, craisins, walnuts, avocado, EVO. Yummy stuff! I've discovered the joys of quinoa. It's a tiny grain that's packed with protein. I toast it a bit in the skillet, add veggie broth and cook till it's light and fluffy then I add a variety of sautéed veggies.

\n\n\n

My weakness is sweets. I came up with a great recipe yesterday. Sweet potatoes are a complex carbohydrate and they are packed full of fiber and vitamins. I usually bake six at a time and have one with dinner. I add a little butter, a few chopped walnuts and a little drizzle of agave syrup. Delicious! I'm having a dinner party tomorrow night and I want to serve a healthy dessert so I played around with a couple of the leftover baked sweet potatoes. OMGosh! This is SO good! You hardly miss having a crust. If you try it, let me know how it worked for you. I've only made it the once but it was super easy and came out great.

\n\n\n

Crustless Mini Sweet Potato Pies

\n\n\n\n\n\n

Preheat oven to 350°F.

\n\n\n

Peel cold baked sweet potatoes and mash in a bowl with a fork. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs till frothy. Add vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, agave syrup, and salt. Mix well and combine with mashed sweet potatoes. Beat till a smooth consistency.

\n\n\n

Spray a muffin pan with Pam Baking Spray. Fill each muffin cup to the top and sprinkle each with a few walnut pieces. Bake any extra mixture in a coffee mug.

\n\n\n

Place muffin pan on a cookie sheet and bake on the middle rack of a 350° preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until set.

\n\n\n

Yield: 6 individual servings plus a little extra, depending on the size of the sweet potatoes.

\n\n\n

Calories: 143 per serving

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

\n3 John 1:2 NIV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-03-25T01:30:00-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/03/25/fitness-friday.html", "tags": ["Health","Positive Energy","Baking","Fitness","Cooking","In the Kitchen"] }, { "id": "http://mashmallowranch.micro.blog/2016/01/22/the-sky-is-falling-the.html", "title": "The Sky is Falling! The Sky is Falling!", "content_html": "\n
\"\"
\n\n\n

I wrote this post yesterday afternoon as I sat basking in the warmth of the sunlight streaming in the south facing windows. It was the first time I've seen the sun in a week...one of the decidedly downsides of living in the Mid-Ohio Valley. We've been getting reports of an impending major snowstorm since I got in on Monday. Estimations of snowfall amounts change not only hourly, but with each flip of the channel or click on a weather app. This puzzles me.

\n\n\n

I've lived in Colorado nearly all of my adult life. My older daughter had ONE snow day in all of her school years and that was because it was so cold the school bus wouldn't start. I think it was about 30 below. Other than that one day, kids were expected to get their happy butts to school and we adults had darned well better make it to work, too! Medical staff were brought to hospitals via volunteer snowmobilers during the Christmas Eve Blizzard of '82. West Virginia's governor called a \"state of emergency preparedness\" on Wednesday...two days before said snowpocolypse. Yesterday, the local branch of WVU as well as nearly every county in West Virginia cancelled classes for today without seeing a single flake of Snowmageddon. Ok, that being said, driving in storms here is quite different than in Colorado. There's a boatload more ice here and I have to agree that's no fun to drive in. And still, the guys at the tire shop laughed at me when I had my four studded snow tires put on. Who's laughing NOW, huh?

\n\n\n

So, with all this talk of impending doom, I joined the rush on the grocery store to stock up on such necessities as half and half for my coffee, and some bottled water. People were clearing the shelves of eggs, milk, bread, and toilet paper. I don't know about you, but I've never in my life run out of toilet paper. Oh, maybe once or twice I had to resort to using Kleenex. But seriously...what are these people DOING with all this toilet paper??? Just how long are they expecting to be snowed in...six weeks? Six months??? I don't go through that much toilet paper in a YEAR! Holy cats!!!

\n\n\n

Anyway, I cooked a pork roast yesterday so I can make my favorite green chili. I have enough food in my pantry to last till June. I have ice cream and non-alcohol beer and eggs and cheese and...oh heck, I've got one of everything, two of most.

\n\n\n

And....I've got six rolls of toilet paper. That ought to get me through just about anything!

\n\n\n

❤️

\n\n\n
\n

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

\n2 Timothy 1:7 KJV\n
\n\n", "date_published": "2016-01-22T14:30:02-06:00", "url": "https://marshmallowranch.com/2016/01/22/the-sky-is-falling-the.html", "tags": ["Overcoming Obstacles","Gratitude","Cooking"] } ] }