Homegrown Goodness

I was going to post last week about our trip to the farmer's market downtown, but due to a kidney stone interrupting my week, that didn't happen. I absolutely love homegrown veggies and fruits! The taste is far better in my opinion than anything you'll find in a grocery store. When my Cman was a baby, I tried to grab up as much homegrown goodies as I could. It was great living in the country where people would bring their abundance to church and pass it out! I never declined. :) It saved us SO much money to make his baby food from scratch. It only took about 3-4 hours of my day to make up batches of fruits and veggies. I only had to do that every 2-3 weeks, so it was well worth my time! Here are some pictures of our farmer's market from last weekend. At the end, I'll include links on how to prepare fruits and veggies for freezing. I'll also include a link on making your own baby food. So yummy! :)

 This picture absolutely makes me miss my Mama's cooking!

Is your mouth watering yet? Mine is!

Can't you just smell those yummy, juicy peaches?!

The sweet ladies at this table even let you taste some of their canned goodies!

Oh yeah...these are pretty much amazing...

I am so looking forward to the farmer's market this weekend. We don't fry hardly anything at all, but some crisp, green tomatoes are calling my name!

How to prepare some of this homegrown goodness for your freezer:

Tomatoes

Zucchini & Squash

Peas

Berries

Corn

Peaches

Bell Pepper

Making your own baby food:

These are some links I found useful.

Pureeing & Storing

Fruit Recipes

Veggie Recipes

Tips

I used a food processor to make foods softer, but when he was ready to move up to food with more texture I used a Grinder/Mill. This way, he could eat things we ate like casseroles, spaghetti, etc.

So Berry Yummy Popsicles!

I just had to share this simple yummy recipe! The temps out here in Texas are beginning to soar, and we all have to find creative ways to cool off that won't raise our utility bills. I found this recipe in my attempts to find healthy snacks, and I wanted to share it with you all!

Ingredients:

2 cups of fresh or thawed berries

In the ones I made, I used raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries.

2 cups of plain yogurt

1/2 to 3/4 cup of confectioners sugar

Blend all ingredients together in a blender or food processor.

Pour into molds and allow to freeze.

My little man absolutely loves these! I can imagine they'd make a great smoothie as well. :) I'd like to know if anyone gives these a try. I'm thinking my next batch will contain peaches and strawberries. Mmmm! Be creative and enjoy!

The berries :)

Adding the yogurt

Adding the sugar

Ready to be frozen!

My Cman enjoying his popsicle!

Linked to: Made by You Mondays at Skip to my Lou

Things I Love Thursday

 

  

I Love Love Love using Rosemary! Right around Christmas time, I found two little pots of Rosemary on clearance for like 28 cents each. Yippee! I bought them and put them in my windowsill. I can't wait to find some cute little pots and sit them outside when it warms up. We love adding it to potatoes. Mmmm...

I found this site Old Fashioned Living that I thought you  might enjoy!

Visit The Diaper Diaries for more Things I Love Thursday!

Mmmm!

Proceed With CAUTION!
The following recipe may induce a sugar coma!

One of my newest friends has become a recipe swapping buddy of mine! She is absolutely one of the sweetest people I've met. Below is a recipe she makes with her stepdaughters. Enjoy!

Here is her sweet note and recipe...

Hey Candace,

Here's a really easy dessert recipe. The girls help me make it and have a lot of fun rolling up the dumplings!

Apple Dumplings

2 granny smith apples
2 sticks butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 sm can Mountain Dew
2 cans crescent rolls
1.5 cups sugar
cinnamon

Peel and core apples. Cut apples in 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in crescent roll. Place in a 9x13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top. Then go to confession - quickly!!!

Potato Soup

I love making potato soup! It's one of my easy recipes that usually turns out well. I make mine with Velveeta, but I thought I'd try a new recipe tonight that came from a sweet lady we went to church with. I think Jason like the cheesier version better, but I thought I'd share this recipe as well. Enjoy!
The makings of a yummy BLT :)

BLTs and potato soup - best served on bachelor era apple plates and bowls :)
(We haven't broken down and bought a set of Corelle yet! haha!)

Potato Soup

Chopped Potatoes
1 Small Onion, chopped fine
Salt

3 Cups Milk
1 Can Cream of Chicken
1/4 c. Butter
1 8oz. Cream Cheese

12 oz. Bacon Crisp - Crumbled

Boil potatoes, onion, and salt until fork tender. Drain.
In sauce pan, combine milk, cream cheese, soup, and butter.
Heat until melted together.
Pour over drained potatoes and onions. (I mash mine up a little more)
Fry bacon until crisp. Crumble in potato soup and mix together.

I also add additional seasonings to mine while cooking and top with cheese before serving.

Corn Flake Gooey Goodness!

I am so in the fall mood today, so I felt like baking or making something sweet! :) Here is my recipe for Corn Flake Treats:

1 c. sugar
1 c. corn syrup
1/2 stick margarine
1 c. peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
6 c. corn flakes
1 c. salted peanuts (optional)

Boil sugar, syrup, and margarine for one minute. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter and vanilla. Stir in corn flakes and peanuts. Press into oblong pan. Cool. Cut into squares.

I couldn't wait for mine to cool! Still really good when warm! :)