Fall Treats

Fall has to be my favorite season of all, but I say that about every season.  There are so many things that capture my heart during the fall:  the crisp weather, the outside beauty, and of course the food!  I love the smell of hearty soups and stews simmering on the stove or the aroma of fresh baked bread in the oven.  Who can resist a slice of apple pie and a cup of coffee? 

One of my favorite quick snacks for fall is to combine candy corn and peanuts in a pretty serving dish.  Everybody loves this simple sweet and salty treat.  The English Mastiff that lives here especially likes this combination so I have to make sure it is out of her reach!

Don't be fooled by her sleepy eyes.  Trust me she is watching and waiting for us to leave any goodies unattended for her consumption.  She finished off a bowl full of jolly ranchers recently.  On the upside, she did have fresh fruity breath!

Next post, I will share our family's fall apple cider recipe with you.  Our second son loves this warm concoction so much that I keep it made up and stored in the downstairs refrigerator.  All he has to do is heat it back up a cup at a time.  When the outside temps recently dropped down into the 70's, Josh was asking for me to make Hot Apple Cider for him!

grace and peace,
julie

Fall is in the Air

We finally had a break in the heat this past week.  I was so thankful to see rain and cooler temperatures.  Our grass was thankful too!  This past week has had a fall feeling to it.  I have been celebrating the feeling of fall by burning candles and baking treats.  This morning I made homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  This afternoon I made yeast rolls and a peach cobbler.  Since I have started working, I find that I enjoy baking on the weekends.  I don't have time during the week to bake much, so I take advantage of the extra time I have on the weekends.  My kids are very appreciative of the weekend treats. 

I have also spent a large portion of my weekend time sitting on our front porch enjoying the breeze and grading papers.  The hummingbirds have been in full force these past few days.  I guess they too are enjoying the fall weather!

The cooler weather also made our Friday night football game more enjoyable.  We played in Knoxville so Matthew was able to drive down to watch the game with us.  One of Joshua's friends also came down to watch the game and to spend the weekend with us.  I love it when friends from Greeneville come and spend time with us.  We spent ten years getting to know the kids from Greeneville, and I miss them now that we have moved. 

Well, it is time to prepare for another week.  Bedtime is calling my name for sure!  I hope you have a blessed week.  Let's not get so busy that we forget to enjoy the journey!

grace and peace,
julie

Remember the Moments

The last month has been pretty much a blur in my world.  Going to work has eaten up more brain cells than I have to offer.  I sent the 7 year old to school without studying his spelling words.  I didn't even think about it until the day after the spelling test.  I sent the 14 year old to school without any lunch money.  He came asking me for some money at school and I had none. I had to send him to find his brother to give him some money.  Which reminds me, I still owe that 17 year old $25 for a parking sticker.  I find myself forgetting to lay out the meat for supper, and I seem to be always  behind on the laundry.   I am enjoying my new job, but I am having to adjust the way I do things on a daily basis. 

As I was working on the computer this afternoon, I realized that it was September.  Keep in mind that it has been September for the last four days, but it startled me to realize that August had already passed.  Then I remembered that I forgot a very special day.  I haven't forgotten this day for the last 5 years.  This was the first time, and I was saddened a bit that it could slip my mind so easily.  It also scared me because I don't want to let the memory of a father be forgotten.  It has been six years since my father went to be with the Lord...six years since I heard his voice...six years since I saw him smile...six years since I heard him say, "Julie Bell".  

I know that forgetting to pause and mark the day of his death doesn't really mean much in the grand scheme of life.  I know that just because I got busy and forgot the day doesn't mean that I will get busy and forget him.  I also was reminded of a card that was given to me this summer by an  old friend.  The front of the card read,  "We do not remember days, we remember MOMENTS."  I hold those moments with my father close to my heart, but I can't tell you what days we shared them.  The same holds true with other people in my life.  I may not remember the days, but I most certainly remember the moments. 

grace and peace,
julie

A Happy Gift

I was sitting at my school desk one morning this past week when I heard a sweet voice say, "Julie."  I looked up and saw  a friend that I just met several weeks ago.  She had this GREAT garden bag in her hand as a gift for me.  I was so surprised!

When I turned the bag around, I saw that she had filled the other pockets with all sorts of school supplies for my classroom!  She wrote me a special card with a very kind note, and this gift just made my day.  I smiled each time I looked over at my desk and saw it. 

Thank you, Marcy for such a kind gesture.  You just have no idea how much this meant to me!

grace and peace,
julie

The End of The Summer Garden

Our garden has produced a tremendous amount of vegetables this year.  We have enjoyed eating fresh from the garden as well as filling our pantry with canned goods.  This has required a lot of time, but it is coming to a close for now.  I can't say that I am sad to see the hard work go, but I am sad to see the fresh food go by the wayside!

At the beginning of the garden year, we decided to plant  a traditional row garden.  This was in order to save time and money.  After working in the traditional garden this year, I think we have changed our minds about raised bed gardening.  I don't think we will spend the money or time to do a raised bed garden in the future.  This year's garden has been by far the best garden that we have ever grown.  It hasn't taken much time.  In order to weed it, Michael has ran the tiller down the rows.  It is quick and to the point. 

We have experienced a drought this year.  If it had not been for our drip tape, we would have lost most of our garden.  I am thankful that we still used our watering system even though it was a bit more of a challenge in the traditional row garden.

As with any garden experience, we have made our share of mistakes this year.  For example, we only planted about half of the amount of green beans that we needed to can.  We will fix that problem next year.  Our second corn planting didn't come up, so we should have replanted more corn.  We just didn't pay attention, or realize it until it was too late.  We also let the weeds take over the herb garden.  My herbs are still producing, but I did lose my Thyme in the process.  I can't tell the Thyme from the weeds!  I will do better next year.

The next chore on our list is to clean up after the summer garden.  We have to roll up the drip tape, and till the old plants under.  It is also time to get my fall garden planted.  I have been trying to hold off on planting my plants due to the heat.

grace and peace,
julie

Friday Night Football

It's that time once again here in Rhea County! 

Josh is a senior this year.  He is wearing number 54.  Although we got beat, he played a great game. 

His brother drove 3 1/2 hours just to watch him play.  I sure am glad he performed well.

grace and peace,
julie

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 

 Once again I didn't mean to take such a long break from the blogging world.  Life has swept me off my feet lately, and there just hasn't been much time left for me to write.  I have started teaching at our local high school.  This has been a huge change for our family.  I love the job, but when I get home there isn't much time left for the computer.  Our garden has produced an enormous amount of food this year.  I think it is safe to say that this has been the best garden that we have ever grown.  I wish we would have planted more green beans and corn, but we will make those adjustments next year.  We are running out of canning jars this year, and I have to admit that there is something very fulfilling about seeing our once empty jars filled with food.

We even had success growing watermelon this year!  I think it had something to do with the soil and the heat.  Missy hasn't enjoyed being outside much this summer because it has been so hot.  She follows me everywhere I go so she is often in the garden in the early morning before the heat comes.

My summer has been filled with flowers.  Our zinnias are getting tired just like the rest of our garden.  Shortly, we will be tilling the plants under in order to make room for our fall garden.  I have already planted my seeds in our shop greenhouse.  Under the grow lights, I have lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage plants. In a few short weeks, we will be planting these all out in our fall garden.   I am ready for a break in the heat!  If I am honest, I am also ready for a break from canning.  It will soon be time to pack away my canner, but for now I am still busy canning tomatoes and jalapeno peppers. 

grace and peace,
julie

Weekends

Weekends come around and the list of things to do grow longer.  I love taking Saturdays and accomplishing unfinished tasks around our home and garden.  I also love taking Saturdays and spending some time enjoying my home and my family.  I sometimes struggle with finding the right balance between working and relaxing.  Today I have enjoyed the work that my hands have found to do, and I have also found time to enjoy the ones I love.  For me, this is the perfect balance on a hot Saturday in July.  I hope you enjoy your weekend as well.

grace and peace,
julie

A Day In Court

Today you will not find me in front of the stove with my canner.  I will also not be found in the garden enjoying my summer bounty.  Instead you will find me in a far away county in the courthouse standing before the judge.  Well, I won't be standing before the judge.  No sir.  I learned my lesson about driving fast when I was in my early twenties.  You will find me with my son who will actually be the one standing in front of the judge explaining why he was speeding.  In the state of Tennessee, any teenager who receives a ticket also gets a trip to court to visit with the judge.  Notice I didn't say a free trip to court.  Nope...it will have to be paid for by the one who broke the law.  His ticket will also have to be paid by him along with his date with traffic school.  The state doesn't say who has to pay for all of these items, but Michael and I demand that the teenager must be the one to pay.  That is our rule, and thus far it has worked out well for our family. 

At first, I told Michael that it was his turn to stand in front of the judge with our child.  I went to court with our first son when he got a ticket so it only seems fair that Michael should go to court with our second son.  He was in agreement with our arrangement.  Then it dawned on me that if our third son went to court for a traffic violation that it would once again be my turn.  Now I love our third son, but he is always a handful and I am never for sure what he might do.  I decided that I would rather go with our second son rather than our third.  Our second son is easy going and you can always count on him to be responsible.  I went back to Michael and begged for the opportunity to go to court today.  I hope this doesn't back fire on me.  I would hate for Michael to get the idea that I love going to court with our traffic violators/children!

By the way, you may not want to call me today. I have a bad habit of not turning off my phone.  I sure would hate to make the judge mad!

grace and peace,
julie

Summer Thoughts

Summer is racing quickly away to a new school year.  Just a little over two weeks left before our kids start school.  I have so enjoyed the slower pace of summer days.  The garden is keeping me busy, but that is a fun kind of chore.  I have been canning and freezing almost every day, but that too is somewhat fun.  I sure am enjoying watching my canning shelves fill up with food.  There is still a lot of canning ahead of me before summer slips away into autumn. 

With the new school year comes a new teaching job for me at our local high school.  I am so excited about the new chapter in our life, and  I am so thankful that the Lord opened up this door for me. 

grace and peace,
julie

Summer Thoughts

Hope you are having a relaxing summer just like Missy and Seth!

grace and peace,
julie

Creative Fun for a Summer Afternoon

Our daughter enjoys watching shows like Cake Boss.  She would love to decorate cakes someday.  She sits around and designs cakes in her free time.  What is a wanna be cake decorator to do when she can't find any fondant to use for practice?  Hope took play dough and made roses.  I was impressed with her creativity as well as her flowers.  I now have many play dough flowers sitting on my side table as decorations.  I was pleased with her success.

grace and peace,
julie

Garden News

Forgive me for such a long pause since my last post.  I have been busy enjoying life!  (By the way, Happy 4th of July!  We celebrated last weekend in Kentucky with our family so I almost forgot today was the actual holiday)!  One aspect of life that I dearly enjoy is the garden, and our garden is doing very well this year.  I have had much loot from the flowers that I planted.  These flowers have resulted in endless smiles and bouquets for me.

These sunflowers just make me happy!  I have pitchers filled with happy sunflowers all over my house.

What other bounty from the garden are we enjoying?  Lots of zucchini and finally some yellow squash are showing up on our dinner table.  Our cucumbers are just starting to spit out one of life's finest summer treasures. (You can find one of my favorite ways to eat cucumbers here.   Just scan to the bottom of the post for the recipe).  We picked our first red cherry tomato last night.  Michael ate it, but he did find one more to share with me.  For just a minute, I was very unhappy with him.  Green onions are still abundant, and our okra is producing just a bit.  It hasn't  made enough for a meal yet, but soon enough we will have our fill of okra.  I also have baby cantaloupe along with  watermelon blooms.  Our green beans should be ready to pick some time this week.  The neighbor did share a 5 gallon bucket of his green beans so you can find me canning green beans this morning should you happen to need me.

And this will be my view from the stove...a beautiful  arrangement from our garden along with an English Mastiff thinking about her next adventure. 

grace and peace,
julie

A Father's Day Letter to the Love of My Life

As I sat around yesterday and enjoyed the laughter of our children, I realized that these children are who they are because of the father that you have been to them.  You have a firm hand that comes with a soft heart. You know when to discipline, but you also know when to love.  You have a witty sense of humor that comes with many words of affirmation.  You have shown our boys what it is to be a man that isn't afraid to love.  You have shown our daughter what a husband and father should be.  That doesn't mean you are always right, but you surely know how to say "I'm sorry."  What is the best gift that a dad can give to his children?  To love their mother unconditionally, and you have done just that since the moment  we became one standing in my parent's backyard saying our wedding vows. How could I ever ask for anything more?

In all ways,
For always,
i love you

Everyday Happenings

Finally, I am in the flower business.  My zinnias are blooming as well as my sunflowers.  I have fresh cut flowers in my house, and all seems right with the world once again!  Just ignore the fact that I have dirty dishes in my sink and my laundry hamper is overflowing.  On the up side of things, my kitchen table doesn't have folded clothes on it because I haven't done any laundry! 

With the encouragement of my fresh cut sunflowers and zinnias, I am heading downstairs to make chicken and dumplings, sweet potato casserole, and fried zucchini for supper.  Don't even bother to tell me that fried zucchini doesn't really go with that menu.  I already know that.  However, I did promise a certain 7 year old that we would eat it this evening for supper, and he has been literally watching the zucchini grow.  I can't disappoint him by not honoring my word. 

grace and peace,
julie  

Brotherly Love

Growing up in a home full of boys can be hard, but it does come with some rewards.  Here Hope is enjoying her oldest brother's hugs.  Shhh...don't tell anybody, but she really misses him living here at home.

grace and peace,
julie

Ravioli Casserole

Do you happen to have a lot of lettuce growing in your garden?  We sure do, and it seems that I plan my meals around salad these days.  I also have a nice herb garden complete with fresh basil so I decided that I wanted to make an Italian dish for supper.  My family loves Italian meals, but the problem is that most of those meals are time consuming.  It doesn't bother me to simmer a pot of sauce for hours if I am going to be at home.  On occasion, I have used the crock pot to cook my sauce.  However, I have been on the lookout for a good Italian meal that is quicker than the average homemade Italian dishes that I usually serve my family.  I found that dish in the new Taste of Homes Church Supper magazine. The recipe was submitted by Margie Williams and it was wonderful.  ALL of my kids enjoyed it, which is amazing because it doesn't contain any meat!  Hope you enjoy!!!

1 package (25 oz) frozen cheese ravioli
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
1/4 cup white wine or chicken broth
1/2 cup minced fresh basil
3 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
3/4 cup grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
2 1/2 cups Marinara ( I used a Prego brand for convenience, but it would be fantastic with a homemade one)

Cook ravioli according to package directions.  Drain.  In a large saucepan, melt butter.  Stir in flour and salt.  Continue to stir until smooth.  Gradually add milk and wine.  (I used chicken broth because my husband said I couldn't open the special wine just for cooking).  Bring  to a boil;  cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened.  Remove from the heat.  Stir in fresh basil, 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

Toss drained ravioli with white sauce mixture.  Transfer to a greased 13x9 baking dish.  Top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce.  Sprinkle remaining cheeses on top.

Cover and bake at 375 for 30 minutes.  Uncover and bake 10 more minutes or until bubbly.  Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Serve with a fresh garden salad and homemade bread sticks!  If your men fuss about the lack of meat, you could cook up some fresh Italian Sausage and add it with the marinara sauce.  I am sure it would be fantastic!

grace and peace,
julie

Garden Progress

We have been enjoying fresh lettuce for several weeks now.   I always love the salads made with our garden lettuce. 

I cut my lettuce in the morning while it is still cool outside.  I use a bread knife to cut it, and then I bring it into the house and soak it in a sink full of cold water.  I then use my salad spinner to spin it dry.  I usually cut enough lettuce to last us at least several days. I store my clean lettuce in a plastic bread bag in the refrigerator.   It is a chore to wash and dry the lettuce, but I find that we use it more if it is prewashed. 

Since we are eating so many salads, this gives me plenty of free calories to enjoy strawberry cake and coffee on the front porch.  Okay, that may not actually be true, but it did sound plausible!  (Strawberry Cake recipe coming soon)!

grace and peace,
julie

Sunday Scripture

"...He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"   Philippians 1:6

Keeping It Real

Do you ever get tired of looking at homemaking blogs and wondering if these people are real?  It is amazing what details can be left out of a photograph!  For those of you who may wonder about our family being real, here is a little proof...

You will almost always find clean laundry on our kitchen table.  This is the spot that I always fold our clothes.  If you come to our home and there isn't folded clothes on the table, either you had an invitation or I got up early that morning.  The other scenario is that I saw you coming down the driveway and I quickly grabbed the clothes and made a mad dash to throw them on top of the dryer.  If that is the case, the laundry room door will be closed!

Speaking of laundry, I found these this morning in our dirty clothes hamper.  I have no idea who owns this pair of underwear.  I have no idea how they ended up in our dirty clothes hamper.  I assume that one my children wore somebody else's underwear home, but again I am unsure of the reason why.  I don't think it was my husband who wore them home, but he did wake me up at 6:00 a.m. asking me if he had any clean underwear.  I directed him to the kitchen table.  Isn't that where everybody keeps their husband's underwear? 

And speaking of husband, I did a bad thing this morning.  I sent him to work in a shirt that was in desperate need of ironing.  I kind of sort of mentioned that it needed ironing, but I didn't say much more than that.  I figured he is a big boy with better eye sight than mine so he was responsible for his clothing decision.  It was only after I had my first cup of coffee that I felt a little guilty about his attire.

I always have dirty dishes in my sink.  If the sink is clean, we are expecting company.  The other real thing about our dishes is that if you come to our home you will probably be drinking out of a mason jar.  We don't have enough glasses!  It doesn't bother me because I like the ambiance of a mason jar.  I am weird like that.

This is the view of our back porch.  It looks like a bomb went off, but don't worry it is just the kid's stuff.  Most people enter our home from this area.  I try to keep it cleaned up, but those kids of ours haven't gotten that memo. 

The entryway to our home brings me to my next real point.  For the first time in our 20 year parenting career, Michael and I both went to asleep last night without knowing for sure that our teenager got home safely.  Well, this one isn't on me because I always fall asleep early.  Michael bolted out of bed this morning asking me if Josh got home.  I looked in the driveway and his car was there.  However, I have no idea what time Josh entered our home.  This is a little disconcerting to say the least. 

And speaking of kids, this picture is the perfect example of our 14 year old aggravating someone.  This particular time Jacob decided to steal Matthew's shoe and hide it on top of the playground equipment.  Jacob loves the fact that he out grew his older brother in height, and he reminds Matthew of it any chance he can get.




If you want to stop by our home, you are always welcomed.  Just be aware that we are real people, with real children, and a real dog that  sheds real dog hair.  And you will be served a glass of tea in a real mason jar!

grace and peace,
julie