More Catching Up With Photos

This was our Halloween ensemble a la Lil'Bug. She wanted to be a spider. Then she wanted me to be the web and Blueberry to be the egg sack hanging on the web. It worked out pretty well I think. I used a Mei Tei for the egg sack, stretched webbing over a hula hoop and purchased a spider outfit for the tot.

We went roller skating soon after her birthday. She was not a fan, but had a pretty good time with friends anyway.

We've been building. Lil'Bug asked me to include this picture in the blog. She's just become aware of the blog and is excited, curious, and wants to participate in content. Cool.

Giving Thanks for Food!

Every meal that we say grace Lil'Bug says, when it is her turn, "I AM THANKFUL FOR OUR FOOD!"
I am too.
The last couple weeks I have taken pictures of a couple beautiful food moments.

This is the very successful attempt at preparing a Shank Boil. I altered the recipe just a bit. I used a Dutch Oven, skipped the parsnips, and instead of cooking on the stove top, used my oven at 350 degrees for 3-4 hours. Good stuff. One of the best beef meals that we've done from our grass fed local side of beef, ironically on of the cheapest cuts and I was so nervous about it I set aside the cut with the tongue, heart, and liver. Sooooooo very good.

This is how we roast pumpkin to make pumpkin puree for pies and soups. Under each half is a tablespoon of salted butter.


Beans and ham. Easy. The beans are actually underneath the onions too. This is the heartiest, simple meal I know of. Usually I also add celery, but we were out. Another local mama adds cabbage. I want to try that in the future. The beans soak overnight, the soup cooks all day until the ham falls apart. Even yummier as leftovers and freezes very well.

One random afternoon Aunt Bee showed up bearing these. Tur-oreo-crispins. A play on turduckens of our heritage. She is so cool. I am thankful that I lent her my kids a cookin' cook book. ;)

I am thankful that we eat as well as we do, for less than most families manage, and that we've been blessed to live the life we do. Food is our fuel, how we maintain our bodies and mind, nourish. We thank God for the abundance we are granted, the generosity of friends and family that have helped stocked our pantry this year after our miserable garden output.

May you and yours also be blessed this Thanksgiving and the Thanksgivings following.

The Cousins from Nebraska came a visting on Beggar's Night and I forgot to post the pictures!

We decided not to go door to door and instead set up an indoor trick or treat. It was fun!

Blueberry is getting so big, but maintains her serious gaze. Cousin D. caught her in the moment at the park.
Later she snagged some watermelon off the table. Good stuff that.

Cousin D.'s middle child is about six months older than Lil'Bug, but it was if we reunited long lost twins. They were attached at the hip the whole day and even developed insider jokes that sent them into fits of giggles only four year olds can know!

I am so glad they came and I hope they make the trek more often once we have the farm! We are planning a Spring visit westward as well.

Fairy Godmothers

My Aunt Deedle. She's been a light in my life, a safe place to call home. She and my uncle nurtured my curiosity, work ethic, and generally gave me a chance to love and to learn how to be loved. They were proud of me. They questioned my choices respectfully and taught me that adversity is not a handicap, nor is a "handicap" an adversity. My uncle passed away seven years ago and my aunt moved to Galveston, TX and opened a bed and breakfast. A pink one.

The hurricane damaged her home this fall, but not as much as some of her neighbors and friends' homes. Still, she needed a break and took a "hurrication" to visit Iowa for Thanksgiving. She doesn't come up here often because our estrangement from her sister makes visiting a delicate balance and a force of drama. But this year there was the hurricane and new babies and our upcoming move and she decided to come anyway.

I am so glad she did. :) Lil'Bug and Blueberry took right to her. She spent all day with us on Tuesday and we showed her the town our style. Science Center, art class, and lots and lots of good, fresh Iowa food. At one point she burst out over dinner and asked my uncle if he would believe this, Mama Podkayne can cook!? Yes, I suppose that is something of a miracle. Considering I actually have kitchen fires, 2nd degree burns, and food poisoning requiring hospitalization under my belt.......Still, her exclamation brought me to tears.

Anyway, we delighted in her company. Looking at the above photo, I actually see a family resemblance I had not previously! Neat.