Boys and Blooms

I had been wanting to catch the local orchard in full bloom for a few years now and this year I finally remembered.

Girls in pink flowing dresses would have been lovely- but I will take little boys
with mischievous grins any day. I Love my nephews. If you haven't noticed:)

 

 

If these photos seem effortless to you- looks can be deceiving. There were marshmallow peeps for bribing, and very, very silly songs sang to make these boys stand still, and look at the camera.

Hi, Faith and Charity, I hope you are having fun in Indiana without me.

Love to all,

Aunt Hope

The Board

Creative title I know. But It all really started with a dirty, ugly, board. I'm always dreaming up new things to create. I think my husband gets weary of my ideas at times. But this time, since it was working with wood, he helped my dream come true.

I sanded a rough walnut board down that we had and a lovely wood grain appeared. Josh helped me put the finish on just in time for my mother-in-law's birthday dinner. There is something fulfilling about carrying out a idea you have in your head.

My idea was to have a long board down the middle of our table with a finished surface so I could put food straight on the board. I wanted the board to create a relaxed atmosphere of fun- with a meal that had lots of components and place them on the board. Then folks could create their food as they talk and eat whatever they wanted to.

A soft taco bar, an idea come true.

Homemade tortillas, go here for the recipe. 

Just roll them out thin and fry them on a griddle instead of in oil.

The calm before the storm...

... and the wind came.

It really was a fun, relaxing evening. We talked about all sorts of things as we grabbed and growled. Awkward doctor visits and such. Not sure how that conversation got started. Too bad the board doesn't have a voice recorder to record all the conversations that will be spoken over it.

Happy birthday to a wonderful mother-in-law.

Hope

Slugs and snails and puppy-dogs' tails...

...that's what little boys are made of. 

I wished for a niece but I am pretty

smitten by my four nephews.

Here are a few photos of my little,

nephew Caleb. He is growing like a weed.

 Sweet, sweet baby.

6 weeks old and needs to see the barber.

His mother claims she won't cut his hair until

he is one. Looks like he will be sporting piggy tails.

Norman Rockwell worthy.

These two are quite the pair.

A happy Auntie,

Hope

Homemade Doughnuts

Happy new year to all.

Last week when it snowed I decided

to make homemade doughnuts.

I called my mother for her recipe and

took the plunge of making them alone.

Thank goodness my dear friend, Karana, stopped by 

on her way home from work to help me fry and glaze them.

 Let raise twice. Roll and cut out. Let raise again and fry.

 Fry, glaze and eat.

Homemade Doughnuts

5 cups water

5 Tbsp. dry yeast

1 Tbsp. sugar

 1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup butter, softened

5 eggs, beaten

4 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. vanilla

2 tsp. nutmeg

15 cups of flour

Glaze
2 lbs. powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Dissolve yeast and sugar in 1 cup of warm water. Set aside.

In a very large bowl: cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs,

salt, vanilla, and nutmeg. Mix until combined then add yeast mixture.

Add flour alternately with remaining 4 cups of water.

I used my small hand mixer for the first few cups of flour- 

then I used a wooden spoon to mix the rest of the flour in.

Cover and let raise double, punch down. Let raise double again.

Mix together glaze ingredients. Set aside.

Half dough and roll out to 1/2 in. thick. Cut circles and lay on a lightly

floured surface. Stretch doughnut centers out as you lay them down.

Let raise double again. Heat lard, canola oil or Crisco to 375 degrees.

It's important to maintain that temperature as at this temperature 

the oil seals the outside of the doughnut so it doesn't soak in. If the 

oil is too hot the doughnut will get too brown and crisp on the outside 

before the inside has time to be cooked through. If the oil is not 

hot enough, the doughnut will absorb too much of the oil and 

the texture will be soggy and greasy.  

Fry until golden brown. Lay on paper towels for a minute or so.

 Place doughnuts in rows on a wooden stick or wooden spoon handle. 

Lay across glaze bowl and pour glaze over doughnuts with a ladle. 

Let drip for a minute and place on trays. Eat as many

as you can fresh because they are the best!

Freeze for another snowy day.

Enjoy,

Hope

It's Christmas!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Yesterday morning it started to snow. When I looked

out the window and saw the snow I screamed real loud.

My husband was worried until he looked outside-

then he knew, because I act like this every year about snow.

Even though it was a skiff- it was still fun to watch it come

down and drink hot chocolate. Around here we call that

a Swiss Alps experience.

But we have things more exciting than snow!

We have a Savior who came to save us from our sins-

and he can make our sins as white as snow.

I am just so thankful for Him and His sacrifice

of coming in a manger and then dieing for us

on that wooden cross. Praise be to Him!

Duke in dog heaven. He loves when Josh gets out the four wheeler.

Duke enjoying a drink after chasing Josh on the four wheeler.

 These two are quite a pair.

I just can't help but think of the parents who lost their children

in the school shooting. It makes my heart hurt for them.

Hold the ones you love a little closer this year-

and live life like you mean it. With a purpose.

Because in the end that's all that really matters.

Thanks to all of you who follow me here-

it has been a wonderful journey.

Blessings,

Hope

Cajun Chicken with Avocado

I noticed that avocados were on sale at two 
grocery stores this week so I stocked up. I wanted 

to make chicken with fresh avocado topping
and came up with this. The first time I made this Josh

was concerned that I didn't put it on the blog.

So, this evening I wrote down the recipe

while I made it. When he took his first bite

he said, "this will be a hit on the blog."

Funny he is and sweet, too.

  Sprinkle chicken with seasonings and let set a few minutes.

Heat oil in skillet and fry until done.

 Serve on a bed of cheesy potatoes.

Cajun Chicken with Avocado

10 small chicken breast

2 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

Mix together Cajun, salt and pepper. Sprinkle on both sides

of the chicken and let set a few minutes. Heat a 1/8" canola

oil in a skillet and fry chicken on medium heat until done.

About 4 minutes per side.

3 large avocados, cubed

1/4 onion, diced

1/2 juice of a lemon

salt and pepper to taste

Mix together and put in fridge so flavors can set.

Cook some cubed potatoes in butter, salt and pepper.

When soft add a few slices of white cheese, (provolone or farmers).

Pour in a little half and half. Heat until cheese is melted.

Spoon potatoes on a platter and top with chicken

and avocado mixture.

 A sneak peek of a few Christmas decorations around here.

Fresh greens are my favorite this year.

Enjoy,

Hope

There's Another Boy!

Charity and Wes welcomed a little boy

into this world last evening.

 Caleb Paul Weaver is this handsome

boys name. A gift from God indeed.

We were sure it was a girl-

but we sure were wrong.

Here are some photos for Grandma

and Auntie who live in Indiana.

 Precious little Caleb, I got the chubby cheeks I wished for.

He had a hard day sleeping- hence the yawns.

Proud parents. Charlie is not sure about the new little one.

So much for him being the center of attention. Sorry Charlie.

So this is where all the heart burn came from? 
Your poor mother ate lots of tums for your gorgeous locks.

We love you so much. And we thank God for this answered prayer.

Love,

Auntie

Christmas Wreath Making

Tonight was the annual Christmas wreath making.
Yes, I am the queen of making things annual.

Go here and here for photos of previous years.

Christmas music filled the air while we sipped

coffee and hot coca. There were stories 

to be told, about things of old.

Okay, my corny poem is not making sense.

My husband would say that I'm on a Christmas glitch.

Hannah brought an old wooden cheese box to fill.

What a wonderful idea it was. 

Thank you ladies for the festive evening.

Blessings,

Hope

Christmas Cookie Bake 2012

Today was the 6th annual cookie bake/exchange

with Noel farm ladies and my friend Karana.

It was another wonderful time with

family and friends. It's so nice to have such

a variety of cookies to take home. 

Go here for last years photos.

Here are photos of the cookies and candies from today.

No, I am not telling you where I put them.

It's hard enough to keep my husband out of them.

Blessings,

Hope

Three Colored Coconut Candy

Three colored coconut candy is my husband's

favorite candy. Therefore I have learned how

to make three colored coconut candy.

It is a wonderful candy with an interesting texture.

The gelatin makes it slightly spongy.

 The cutting process.

Box and hide them from your husband. Then give away.

He is always complaining about me giving away all the goodies I make.

Three Colored Coconut Candy

2 cups sugar

1 cup milk

1/2 Tbsp. butter

dash of salt

1 1/2 Tbsp. unflavored gelatin

3 Tbsp. cold water

1 1/4 cups of coconut

1 tsp. vanilla

Dissolve gelatin in water and set aside.

Combine first four ingredients in a saucepan and heat to boiling.

Stirring constantly, boil to 232 degrees. Remove from heat.

Spoon gelatin into a mixing bowl and pour hot sugar mixture

over top. Mix on medium-high for about 4 minutes. The

mixture will turn white and creamy. Add coconut and vanilla.

Beat a until coconut is mixed in. Pour into greased 9 x 13 dish.

The mixture will be similar to melted marshmallows-

you will have to get a spoon and spread it out.

Repeat layer 2 more times. For the second layer add a few 

drops of red food coloring with the coconut. For the third layer 

add 3 Tbsp. of coco powder with the coconut. 

When cool- cut into pieces, as shown above.

This recipe is in the Esther Shank cookbook. I use milk

instead of cream. I also added a few directions.

Enjoy,

Hope

Homemade Marshmallows

I am trying to go back to the basics this

Christmas and make most of our gifts.

 Homemade goodies in cute packaging

are just as good as a pair of socks- if not better.

I started last night with homemade marshmallows.

They are like little squares of Christmas cheer.

Next is homemade hot chocolate mix to pair with these.

Once set, flop your marshmallows out onto a area dusted with powdered sugar.

Cut in 1.75 squares, and then quarter. Dust sticky sides with powdered sugar.

Bag and enjoy. We are eating them like candy around here.

I'm going to have to start smacking some fingers.

Homemade Marshmallows

3 Tbsp. unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup cold water

1 cup water

3 cups sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

Soak gelatin in 1/2 cup cold water for 20 minutes.

Combine water and sugar. Bring to a boil and cook until syrup

reaches 236 degrees. Remove from heat. Place dissolved gelatin

in a mixing bowl and pour hot sugar mixture over top.

Beat on medium high for 10-15 minutes until mixture becomes thick

and fluffy. Add salt and vanilla. Pour into greased 9x13 dusted with

powdered sugar. Let set overnight. Flop out onto area dusted with

powdered sugar. Cut into 1.75 squares and quarter the squares.

Dust sticky sides with powdered sugar and bag.

This recipe is from the Mennonite Community Cookbook,

with a few directions added.

Enjoy,

Hope

p.s. More homemade gift recipes coming...

It's a Boy!

Another nephew to spoil. I'm so proud.

He sure is a peach.

The 'big' brothers, thing 1 and thing 2.

Never a dull moment with them.

A happy Auntie,

Hope