Backyard Chicken Eggs

I am sure there was a time that it wasn't considered desirable to collect your own chicken eggs from your backyard. I am sure when people were able to go to the local store and by eggs they were happy about it!!! I think things have come full circle and we are getting back to basics. We realize it is good to know where you food comes from. I know where these eggs came from, they came from my friends backyard. My chickens are not laying yet, but a lady I met at a chicken swap (you heard me right) has an abundance of eggs. She gave me a dozen multi-colored backyard chicken eggs. They are from organic free-range chickens and tasted amazing! I can't wait until my chickens start laying so this city slicker doesn't have to rely on the supermarket for her eggs!

Has anyone given you anything amazing? Have you done some nice for someone else? Share that with all of us at Give Back Thursday, starting July 7th!!

Announcing Give Back Thursday--New Meme

Who?  Anyone

What?  A place to share how we give to others(time, gift, act of service, word of encouragement)

When?  Every Thursday!  Join us for some fun starting July 7, 2011.

Where?  Georgia's Cookie Jar and Living So Abundantly will be co-hosting this meme. 

Why?  To inspire others to give

I've seen many inspiring ideas on blogs and websites.  What's amazing to me is when others take those ideas and give back to others.  Making someone's day--priceless!

Give Back Thursday invites you to show how you give to others.  Giving doesn't always mean an actual gift.  Maybe you took your children to the park and played with them.  Perhaps you took your neighbor a dinner for their family after a cancer treatment, when there was no energy for them to make dinner on their own.  You might have brightened someone's day by sending them a card with a note letting them know you are thinking about them.  We want to focus on others and how we can meet their needs, in even the smallest way.  Whatever it is, in whatever way you give, let us know!
 
It is more blessed to give than to receive. ~Acts 20:35b

Thankful for friends

This last week has been a trying one for me. My children and I have all been sick with the stomach flu. One by one we all fell victim to this horrble bug. Poor Savannah has been hit the hardest. Atlanta and I are feeling fine now but she still keeps throwing up. I went to work Monday and sent Savannah to the babysitters. She hadn't had a fever in 24hrs and seemed to be doing better. I stopped by at lunch time and she was doing well. As I got into my car at 4:30pm to pick her up the babysitter called. She started throwing up again. When I got there to pick her up both Savannah and Atlanta wanted my attention. I still had to go home and make dinner for everyone. I was tired and worn out. My good friend and babysitter came by around 7pm and played with both kids while I made dinner and took a much needed shower. I was so thankful at the moment for her friendship and kindness. Well today, I was able to give back to her. She called and my lovely children shared the stomach bug with her. She was throwing up and not feeling well. I took her some medicine and gatorade this morning, and made a nice dinner for her family. Nothing is worse than not feeling well but still having make dinner for you family. It always makes you feel good when you get to give back to a good friend that has helped you.

What has a good friend done lately to help you out?

What have you done to help someone else?

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NKJV

If you like sharing stories of how you or someone you know "gave back" join me and my friend at Living So Abundantly with our new meme starting July 7th called Give Back Thursday. Look forward to seeing you!!!

Click here

Click here

Freezer Meals, Container-Free Storage

Choose a container that you will reheat your freezer meal in(individual or family-size).

After freezing it long enough to form the shape, remove it.

Wrap in the access parchment paper by folding it over.

Wrap and label in foil or desired freezer protection for a double layer. 

Tip:  When you choose to reheat the meal, it is already in the shape of your container.  Simply pull from the freezer the night before(or even that day!), put in the dish, and reheat in the oven or microwave.  You can even put heating instructions, if that is helpful.

My mom came up with this clever idea.  It allows you to store MANY more freezer meals without monopolizing your containers.

Container Gardening

Let's face it. No matter how hard I try, the hard truth is I live in the middle of a densly populated city. I can almost reach out and touch my neighbors house from my bedroom window if I tried hard enough. If that wasn't bad enough my yard is all sand. I guess that is the price you pay for living so close to the beach, but it doesn't help when it comes to growing things!!!! It took me quiet a few years before I perfected the way to get just about anything to grow in my backyard. I fill just about anything with some dirt (I do have to buy the dirt from the store...since my backyard is all sand) and plant me some seeds. I am sure with some time I will make my container garden look a little better, but for now I am just happy to be growing something!!!!!

In this "container" I have basil, oregano,cilantro, a sunflower and a zenia.
This pot was my first attempt, and as you see it worked out well!



Savannah "helping"



Planting peppers and 4 o'clock seeds.

A not so happy little girl. She was trying to dump out
my precious dirt.

Happy Sunflower! Growing it for the chickens :0)

Also, check out my good friends post about container gardening here.

Bottle Feeding a baby goat

We went to a wonderful farm called Uncle Donald's Farm about a year in a half ago with Savannah. We had such a great time. I've posted some pictures here from that trip before but never these photos!! They aren't the best quality as it was difficult for  my husband to postion himself to take them but he managed! It was so much fun getting to feed a baby goat or a "kid". I tried to play it off that it was all for my Savannah but secretly I had a blast. I've always said I'm a city girl with a farm girls heart!!

Freezer Friendly Meals

Ok, so I know these freezer friendly blog posts are a dime a dozen. I have read at least a dozen or so of them myself. Why am I writing this?? Just as a reminder to myself and you why freezer meals save you money! Most of us think of freezer meals as a time saver. While that is true, it can also be a big money saver.

• For those of us who are busy or working moms, nothing is more tempting after a long day at work or with the kids than going out to dinner. A freezer meal is a quick option with out much effort.
• When ground beef or chicken is on sale, stock up and make some freezer meals using the meat.
• Long night up with the baby or a sick child? Frozen homemade waffles work everytime for the rest of the family when mom is to tired to make breakfast. Also works well if you have unexpected company and no time for a nice breakfast.
• Pantry week. Let's face it. We've all had weeks where the money for groceries just isn't there. Having a few freezer meals made ahead can help in a pinch like this.
• Ever sit on the couch with your husband and wish you had dessert but don't feel like cooking right then? Don't head out the door, head to the freezer for some frozen made ahead desserts. My fav? Frozen cookie dough. Bakes up in no time for some no fuss homemade cookies!

Check out my recipe page for some good make ahead recipes to add to your collection!!

click here

My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe

Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup butter flavored crisco
1 1/4 cup brown sugar,packed
1 egg
2T water
1T vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups chocolate chips
(I use Ghiridelli's double chocolate chips)

In mixer cream together the first 5 ingredients. Mix well. Add dry ingredients. Mix until dough forms. Add chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfulls onto prepared baking sheets. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 10mins.

Garlic Beef Enchiladas/Freezer Meal

Garlic Beef Enchiladas

Filling

1 pound ground beef

1 medium chopped onion

2T flour

1T chili powder

1 t garlic powder

1/2 t ground cumin

1 16oz can stewed tomatoes

Sauce

4 to 6 minced garlic cloves

1/3 cup butter

1/2 cup flour

1 can beef broth

1 can tomato sauce

1 T chili powder

1t ground cumin

1/2 t salt

Corn tortillas

Shredded Cheddar cheese

In a skillet over medium heat, brown beef and onion. Drain. Add flour and seasonings listed under filling mix well. Stir in tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.

In a saucepan saute garlic in butter until tender. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually stir in broth; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for about 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings listed under sauce. Remove from heat once heated through.

Pour about 1/2 of the sauce into an ungreased 9X13 baking dish. Warm corn tortillas as directed on package. Fill each corn tortilla with a spoonful of meat, a sprinkle of cheese and roll. Fill whole pan with filled tortillas. Pour remaining sauce over filled tortillas. Top with cheese. Bake at 350 covered for 30-35mins. Remove cover and cook for another 10 minutes.

 

This meal freezes very well. I like to make it into two separate casseroles. Eat one the night I make it and eat the other one in a week or two.