Taters!

This morning Floyd Michael brought me a bowl of small potatoes from the garden. We didn't actively plant potatoes. They seem to grow from compost material. Apparently we also have a compost tomato plant too.

We are really having so much fun with the garden. Floyd refers to the garden as his "crops", and communes with them both morning and evening.

Jason has his own strawberry plants, which he waters and checks for progress each time he visits.

The garden fits in really well with our preparedness and provident living goals.

We are especially looking forward to a ton of zuccini this year, since someone (me) meant to grab one more plant at Lowe's but instead grabbed a multi-pack of four (to add to our existing zuccini stash. Daniel should be thrilled, as he can't get enough zuccini. Hopefully we won't turn into those people who foist huge zuccini off on all of the neighbors!

Review: Honeyville Farms Scone Mix

Another weekend purchase. Just for fun.

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy these were to put together. Dissolve yeast in water, add to mix. Let the Kitchen Aid knead it for awhile. Roll out. Rest for 20 minutes. Fry (yes, fry).

One-half of the dough had raisins mixed in (for Floyd Michael). The other half had chocolate chips mixed in (for Jason).

When Jason realized they weren't chocolate chip pancakes (I'm pretty sure he thinks my role in life is to keep him stocked in chocolate chip pancakes), he announced the didn't like scones. No suprise there! When I let him sprinkle a little sugar on top of the warm scones, he decided they might be worth trying. He loved them (chocolate, sugar, fried, um, why not?). He decided next time he spends the night he wants chocolate chip scones AND chocolate chip pancakes. We told him we'd have to rotate, and he seemed okay with that.

They were great. And I was impressed at how fast I was able to have a hot breakfast treat on the table. Definitely something I will want to have while my in-laws are visiting later this summer.

I believe they can be baked, too, and will definitely try that next time.

Review: Ova Easy Egg Crystals

One of these days I'll remember to get pictures, but wanted to write the review before I forgot.

We made a trip to Honeyville Grain in Rancho Cucamonga this past weekend, and bought a few new items for our storage.

Some storge staples scare me more than others. Eggs are pretty high on the list. This was my first foray into the dried/powdered/dehydrated egg category.

Figuring there was no time like the present, I made them this morning. Everyone ate them, from our grandson who was spending the night, to everyone else in the family. No one knew. Even I, who obviously "knew" found them perfectly acceptable. And easy. Add water, wait a few minutes and cook. Smelled like eggs. Looked like eggs. Tasted like eggs. I definitely see more of these in our future. I highly recommend them.

Dawna's Favorite Fudge Brownies

I have tried so many brownie recipes over the years, and could never find one that was really "it" for us. I've finally found it. This is the brownie recipe to end the search.

Dawna’s Favorite Fudge Brownies

Adapted from King Arthur Flour

1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
2-1/4 cups sugar
4 eggs
1-1/4 cups dutch-process cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
½-teaspoon expresso powder
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups flour
2 cups chocolate chips
walnuts, if desired

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9x13 pan.

Melt butter. Add sugar and stir together. Return to heat just until hot (110 to 120F) but not bubbling. **note** heating a second time dissolves more sugar, which gives a shiny top crust like “box” brownies.

Beat the eggs, then beat in the cocoa, salt, baking powder, expresso and vanilla. It takes awhile to incorporate.

Add the hot sugar/butter mixture to the egg mixture, and stir until smooth. Gently fold in the flour and fold in chocolate chips. Add walnuts if using. Don’t overmix when adding flour.

Pour into pan. Give Floyd Michael the bowl and spoon to lick. Bake for 30 minutes.

Cool on a rack. Cut. Hide some from the kids so Floyd Michael can have some.

I work a lot

Need I say more? I really do work a lot. It seems I've spent most of my life saying "I can't do that, I have to work". "Hold on one minute, I'm working". "I need to work more". "I need to work less". There are some things I enjoy about working. There are others I definitely do not enjoy. I just wish work-life balance was easier to attain.

My Girl

Today is Destiny's birthday. Happy birthday to my girl!

Parents tend to have a list of things they want for their children to do, or to be. Mostly, I want my children to be happy. I want them to be thinking, thoughtful people. I want them to know success in the world, rather than struggle. I want them to find work that means something to them more than simply a paycheck. I want them to have solid, meaningful, fulfilling relationships. I want them to have health. I want them to do good in the world. I want them to give, rather than simply take.

I admire Destiny. I appreciate the hard work and long hours she is putting in at this stage in her life. She is loyal and hard working and responsible and reliable. She is out there working for the future that she wants. We have wonderful conversations that show me only glimpses of the girl that was, but even more the woman she has become. She is an amazing granddaughter, and I so admire and appreciate the relationship she has carved out with her grandparents. She is an absolutely amazing Aunt, and Jason adores her.

I couldn't have asked for a better daughter. I can't wait to see the great things that are yet to come for my girl.

Time for an update

This is the last family photograph we had taken. Wasn't Jason a cute baby? Jason will be five in a few weeks. Yes, five years old. And Jason at five is so adorable there aren't words to describe it. Only a new picture will do. Clearly, it is time for an update! Now if I could only find a day that everyone is available...