Monday, February 1, 2021

Country Things.....

 Louis Dean has been shelling and 'peeling' pecans since we arrived down here in the country!

It's therapy to him and a blessing to me.
I love pecans but I don't have the patience he does to harvest them.


He's bagged up well over a gallon since we arrived on Friday.


This morning I fixed us an oatmeal breakfast using the instant oatmeal cups Louis Dean got from the 
'grab a bag' breakfast at our Galveston hotel.
It was extra delicious with the addition of some pecan meats!


We had a couple of visitors this afternoon!
The door was open so two black cats strolled in.
I thought this was the Mama cat - but it turns out this is one of her kittens.
Sherry pointed out to me that the ear was not notched.
Once they are 'fixed',  the vet notches their right ear.


I found the mama cat on the counter in the camper kitchen!
You can't tell from the picture but her ear is definitely notched!


See what I mean?


The sunset tonight on February 1st!

Dean stopped by on his way in from work and then Sherry came down after her work day was done.
This is one of the reasons we love being in the country.....knowing Dean and Sherry are here and getting to visit with them from time to time. I love our relationships. There's no pressure for them to entertain us nor we them. We are family and go with the flow. I still marvel at the blessing of  having this refuge from the world and the city. This is our happy place where we can come and just be. 


AND there's always the food!!!
We pooled our resources! 
Dean fired up the grill and Sherry gathered her ingredients as did I, 
and we made a meal!



We combined our dishes into a wonderful country meal!
I have never liked lima beans.....until I tasted the ones Dean made!
Sherry contributed tonight's wine and it was delicious!
Pacific Fruits Sweet Pineapple from Aldi....
We love all things Aldi!
On MeWe, there's a whole group devoted to everything Aldi!
I noticed Facebook has added groups I had not noticed before....one being Trader Joe's.
I think these two are related!!
Yes, they are~

Recipe for the Gouda Potatoes....

4 medium potatoes, sliced thin
1/2 onion, sliced thin
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup of smoked gouda cheese (Other cheeses work as well)
milk or half and half

Sherry came down and cooked these for us tonight.
She cut up the potatoes and onions, salted and peppered them and then barely covered them with water before cooking them until tender.
Drain them slightly and add the butter and cheese.
These melt into the potatoes and then Sherry added a little milk (or cream) to desired consistency.
Delicious!!!
Best thing about this - she let us have the leftovers!!
I love potatoes and especially these!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Recipe for Golden Cornbread......

1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 t salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup oil

I pour a bit of oil into an iron skillet and put it in the oven while I mix the cornbread recipe up.
I don't have an iron skillet here at the ranch - shame on me and I will have to fix that - so I used a Corning Ware dish.
I dump all the ingredients together and mix them up well, pour into the hot oiled dish and bake at 375* for about 20-25 minutes! Cut in pieces and serve with real butter!

*source*

Louis Dean loves leftover cornbread and eats it crumbled up in a glass of milk for a middle of the night snack!

We have enjoyed our days here at the ranch and don't really want to leave.
We have medicine through Wednesday so we must go home then.
Sherry and I still need to inspect our hives but it has been either too cold or too windy to do that yet.
Hopefully tomorrow.

I have been writing on my book some each day since we got here.
It's been - what?? Maybe 5 years or more since I started writing my memoir?
I purposed to finish it last year.....and that didn't happen.
I prayed that God would guide me and give me direction.
I am a writer. I've always written. Everything from lists to diaries to journals to planners to prayer journals and everything in between. But now I need to finish writing my book - and that in itself is overwhelming - and I have been flagging in this endeavor.
Eva is an angel sent from God in answer to my prayer.
She graciously offered to be my editor and I am so happy to have her expertise and imput into what I write. Thank you, Eva, from the bottom of my heart!


Everyone has a story......





15 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

I had been hoping you would give the potoato recipe, and now you have!!! I love your background today. Goodness, the cat just walked in and made herself at home! She must not be very feral.

Estelle's said...

It is such a joy to read about your days in the country....it is indeed a wonderful life there.....and oh honey,,,the food is just the best! Enjoy your time!!!

Changes in the wind said...

So nice to share your meals together and it not have to be anything fancy, just good. Can't imagine that cat just coming and and making herself at home. Hope you can check out the hives tomorrow and all is well.

Sandy said...

I would love to read your book when you’re finished!

Vee said...

So glad that you have an editor and that you are coming in for a finish. It has been a challenging and worthy project. Have you ever considered a DNA test to fill out the unknown chapters? You may have seen Phil Robertson's story of finding his daughter whom he never knew he had or vice versa. All the best with your book.

Deanna Rabe said...

God supplies all our needs, even the ones we don't know we have!

I'm so glad you have the ranch to escape to for some peace and joy!

MadSnapper said...

the mama and her baby look so much alike, you are in the real country when two feral cats wander inside. the cornbread woudl be my first love, my second the cheesy potatoes. potatoes are full of potassium. mine is low and I had french fries for lunch one day because they and a baked pototoe are the highest in potassium. it all looks good. sorry you have to leave your country home so soon

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

The pecans look wonderful. How nice he has the patience to do it so you can enjoy them. They are my favorite nut if I had to choose. I really love them all. And they are so good for us too. Don't give up on your writing. There's no time limit and what ever you get done is better than nothing. So keep on trying.

Susie said...

Linda, I loved seeing the pecans. LD did a fine job on them. I always add pecans or walnuts to Ted's oatmeal. So nice to relax with the ranch kids. I love the little saying at the end of this post. I am wanting to read your life story. Blessings to all, stay safe. xoxo,love you, Susie

Carole said...

Fantastic that you've been writing - and have an editor. Cheers

photowannabe said...

My heart sings with your last quotes.
Yes everyone does have a story...it's just the getting it out that is more difficult.
I cannot wait to see your Story unfold. Happy that Eva volunteered to be your editor.
I have often thought of doing my story too but it's always fits and snatches.
I guess that's why the blog is so meaningful to me. Doesn't go back far enough but at least there are some years in print.
Love your time at the ranch and the goodies you eat and the family you share it with.
I gain pounds just reading what you eat. Yumm-o on it all.
(((hugs)))
Sue

Arlene G said...

My granddad always had some cornbread and buttermilk before going to bed each evening...and he was thin as a rail. We also enjoy just visiting with family here at Grimmwood.( We got internet hooked up today!!) This evening we had a nice supper of meat loaf, chicken casserole and various veggies. Come spring we will be back on the porch enjoying the sunset together. It is 6:10 eastern time and still light outside. Yippee.

Wanda said...

Oh Linda I am excited that your are such a faithful writer, and your book will such a treasure.

Those Ranch old fashioned dinners are right up my alley. Grew up on that kind of food. Have to be so careful with Don's CHF for anything that is salty. We eat good, but lots of bright colored vegetabes and mostly fish and chicken. Once in a while I do a pork roast or Angus burgers.

Seeing all the cats make me miss the ones we've had in our past. As I think I mentioned, before grandkids we had cats...several were very allegric, so we went to Shih Tzu's which seem to be allegry friendly.

I love pecans, and everything is better with them. I put them or walnuts in almost everything I bake and love them in salads.

Looking forward to a good February. Love and hugs.

Susan~aredheadonthego said...

Thanks so much for the potatoes recipe Linda!

Eva said...

Oh, girl, you're doing all the hard work! I'm just pointing my finger now and then, and getting to follow your journey as I go. I envy your trips to the country, and oh, those pecans-mmm!