Sunday, August 16, 2009

Southern Fried Green Tomatoes


Here's how I cook green tomatoes from the garden.

The tomatoes are usually cut into 1/4 inch slices, dipped in buttermilk and coated with cornmeal, breadcrumbs, or flour, then fried in hot oil or grease for about 3 minutes on each side until the bottoms are browned. Alternatively, one can dip the tomatoes into beaten eggs before coating with meal for a firmer dish.

The traditional recipe consists of green tomatoes sliced thinly and coated in plain coarse cornmeal. The tomatoes are then pan fried in vegetable oil up to a depth slightly shallower than the thickness of the slices. This keeps the tomatoes from floating, allowing gravity to hold the cornmeal to the bottom side.Oil may be drizzled over the top to allow it to firm up also.The reason for all this is that cornmeal without a "wash" like eggs tends to fall off in the oil; however, with a wash, the meal becomes thick and not nearly as crunchy. The tomatoes are flipped after a minute or so, depending on oil temperature. They are cooked to a golden brown and season with salt and pepper.

Alternatively,tomatoes can be fried in bacon fat.You can dress up this dish with sour cream on top.This is great as a side dish or with eggs for breakfast.Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Summer Update

The recycle bin project got completed.It's nice to have one place to toss all of our cans and bottles.



The garden is doing much better than I expected and we are sure to have tons of tomatoes soon.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Wild Raspberries!

BLACK RASPBERRY COBBLER

1/2 c. melted butter
3/4 c. cream
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 c. black raspberries or any mixed of berries that you like

Pour the melted butter into the bottom of a 7"x11" baking dish. Mix together the cream, sugar, flour and baking powder. Drop this mixture by the spoonful into the butter. DO NOT STIR.

Pour the berries over the batter and butter. DO NOT STIR.

Pour the remaining sugar over the berries. DO NOT STIR.

Bake the cobbler at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the crust is browned and set.


Went for a walk yesterday and discovered the wild raspberries that were growing everywhere.We thought it would be funny to collect some and soon we had about 3 cups(Just enough to make a cobbler)

Thursday, July 2, 2009

The Organic Veggie Garden


As you can see,our garden is coming right along.
Here's what we have planted:
Butternut squash 3
Eggplant 2
Tomatoes 6
Peppers 3
Mint 2
Lavender 5
Marigolds 10 (from seed)


Rustic Recycling Bin

Scott is crafting a "Rustic Recycling Bin Thingy" using logs and the chain saw to make most of it.The top still needs to be constructed.It will be stained too.We needed a place for all my pop cans....lol....I'll update you on this project.


                                                                                                       UPDATE

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Got camp set up

" Wall Tents began to see use in military camps in the mid 1750’s, primarily as an officers tent and for utility purposes. In the 1840’s the standard officer’s tent covered an area seven feet wide by about ten feet long, having walls about three feet high. The height of the tent at the peak was about eight feet. The pitch of the roof was the same as the wedge tents assigned to the common soldiers. The interior of the wall tent could be divided into a small section large enough for a cot and some personnel belongings, and an office area. These tents were also used for kitchens, hospitals and for storage. Wall tents undoubtedly saw use in the western fur trade,although there is only one reference one being used as a store for trade with the Indians in 1842"Hanson,Charles, 1980)


This tent was made by my husband years ago.





We will be in camp for the next 4 days.I'll take photos to post here.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Setting up camp at Rendezvous


We belong to a historical reenactment club.We do a reenactment of life in the fur trade days(1840'S).Every year re-enactment participants from all over the country come to display furs,demonstrate period tools,and guns,and prepare foods common in that era.Workshops on basket weaving,bead-working,and plants and medicines offer visitors insight into the lifestyles of the time period.With more than 600 lodges and tee-pees,this is one of the largest Midwest trading rendezvous.We will be setting up camp there tonight.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Return of the Hummers






I love hummingbirds,We are happy to see them return this Spring.

For our hummingbird food recipe,We use our tap water which is supplied from our well.
In the city,you'll have chlorine or fluoride added to your water.Boil the water to flash off the chlorine or fluoride,5 minutes of boiling should be sufficient.

We never add RED COLORING….Our hummingbird feeder is red.Anyway..naturally occurring nectar is clear and odorless.

Here is our hummingbird food recipe:

1 part cane sugar/4 parts water.Measure and add sugar, at the rate of 1/4 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water.Let cool and store excess in refrigerator until ready to use.

You will need to clean your feeder every few days,with hot water and a mild (10%) bleach solution to inhibit bacteria/mold. Rinse thoroughly before refilling with water syrup.See Migration Map for 2009 http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Sad News

We got this beautiful Lilac(James Macfarlane)planted this weekend.

The 24th brought sad news of a death in the family.



Friday, May 22, 2009

The Quilt and a Wrought Iron Headboard




I've been sort of inspired by the french country look.
This vintage poppy quilt was made by my husband's grandmother. I thought it was great and wanting to use it, Did some repair and cleaning.I'm happy with my efforts.
I think this pattern is from the 40's or 50's ??.... If you're a quilter , I'd love to know. Now, all I need is an old wrought iron headboard.

Decorating on the cheap



This dresser was about 70 years old and belonged to my husband's mother.I used the old hardware that was on it.I only needed to clean the handles.

Almost any piece of wooden furniture will do,if it's painted white.I collect pieces from flea markets,garage sales,and the attic.

Here's how I've refinished this dresser.


Prepare your workspace.Lay the furniture in the middle of a drop cloth or just news paper.If the furniture has drawers, remove the drawer and place the drawers on the drop cloth. Make sure there's room to move around the furniture as you paint.I put my dresser on of an old table.


One of the most important steps to refinish furniture is to lightly sand the piece before painting so the paint will adhere better. Don't worry about sanding out imperfections in the furniture - they will actually contribute to the shabby chic look.You could use a sander,but it works out much better if you sand it by hand.


Apply the first coat of white or off white paint and allow it dry completely for a few hours before applying a second coat. If the piece of furniture is large, If you are working in hot, humid conditions you might need to allow for more drying time.

After the second coat of paint is completely dry, use the sandpaper and lightly sand the edges of the furniture.Stain and rub it off before it has time to dry.The stain will give the white paint a vintage look.The sanded spots will take on a distressed," shabby chic"
look.

Paint the drawer/cabinet pulls (if your furniture has them) buy something vintage looking or unique from a hardware to store.

Wildflowers

Columbine



My woodland garden is getting a lot larger and the cost wasn't very much.I decided on a style that would look nice in a woodland setting.Found a good book about wildflowers in Wisconsin(Wildflowers of Wisconsin by Stan Tekiela)I was able to identify lots of native plants and include them in the garden as well.

I found Columbine(which isn't native)Thanks to the birds,it's growing right outside our door.Columbine is an easy to grow perennial.Hummingbird love it,It's a favorite of hummingbirds and bees because the flowers contain lots of nectar.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

My new life as a Homesteader.

Wisconsin River

Welcome......

I moved to the driftless area of Wisconsin just last Spring. Really enjoy living here. People of diverse backgrounds and experiences strive to accept their differences and co-exist. I live on 40 acres of woodland in the "Driftless Region" of the Wisconsin River Valley. The soil of this region is millions of years old, making it some of the richest in the world. It's beautiful here! Last year we were quite busy , setting up my studio/workshop, renovating the cabin, putting in a well, electricity and plumbing, as well as planning a wedding. I'm happy to share my adventures.This is where I've found myself down life's road.