Little Place Back in The Hills

Royal Red Butterfly Bush Photograph

2008-06-22T19:43:00.002-04:00

Photo of Our Royal Red Butterfly Bush -
at dinnertime...

Little Place Back In The Hills

Snow photos - pictures of our little place

2008-03-08T18:22:00.002-05:00

Looking up towards the front drive
March 8, 2008

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

The true meaning of life...

2007-04-16T22:42:00.000-04:00

my favorite quote this month...

The true meaning of life is to plant trees,
under whose shade you do not expect to sit.
~N. Henderson

Little Place Back In The Hills

Christmas Morning Rolls Recipe

2006-12-23T18:13:00.000-05:00

This recipe is great because you put it all together
the night before you serve them.
When you Wake up, simply pop them in a pre-heated 350 oven for
30 minutes and you have warm - delicious - home made cinnamon rolls

Christmas Morning Rolls

1 bag (abt 20) frozen dinner rolls
1 pkg. butterscotch pudding mix (not instant)
1 cup chopped pecans
1 stick margarine
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Arrange rolls in a greased Bundt pan.
Sprinkle dry pudding over rolls.
Sprinkle brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans over rolls.
Melt margarine and pour over all.
Cover tightly with foil and let stand on counter overnight.
Next morning, bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Let stand 5 minutes , then place large serving plate on top
and invert carefully.

Little Place Back In The Hills

BUTTERFLY MILK WEED PICTURE NATIVE TO KENTUCKY

2006-06-24T22:24:00.000-04:00

Good evening,
I hope you are having a great weekend.

We went for a walk this evening back in our woods, to see if our wild hydrangea was in bloom and we were surprised to find a splash of color back in what we call the prairie field. I just had to share what we found 'hiding' amongst the weeds.
A beautiful wild Butterfly weed. I have also heard it called Pleurisy Root Plant.
*"The root of the butterfly milkweed, was officially listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1905 and in the National Formulary from 1916 to 1936"

The color is so vibrant,
this picture does not come close to the true beauty of this Native Kentucky Plant.
You very rarely find these plants growing naturally.

Butterfly Weed
Butterfly Milkweed photo
'asclepias tuberosa'

(c) 2006

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

WARM WATER BATH CANNING & OUR STRAWBERRY PRESERVES RECIPE

2006-06-17T17:17:00.000-04:00

WARM WATER BATH CANNING & OUR
STRAWBERRY PRESERVES RECIPE

Hello Friends !
I shared this in another blog but the info is so important I decided to also place it here.
The raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and elderberries will be ready soon.
I will share more of our recipes, tips and hints when they ripen up and are ready to be stored.

Today, Lets talk strawberries...
We grow 'earliglo' strawberries because we like the taste, the texture and the deep red color. We picked several quarts and decided to make fresh strawberry preserves.

The canning process makes you realize how important it is to be organized in your kitchen. You can't stop what you are doing and run and get supplies.

Have Clean and ready to use:

Canner with rack (for sterilizing & canning)
Large Stock pot (for mixture)
small saucepan (for sterilization)
canning jars
jars, lids, rings
wooden spoons
stainless spoon
extra dish towels
jar lifter
tongs
magnetic lid lifter
funnel
ladle
glass 2 cup measuring cup
timer

BRIAN'S OLD FASHIONED
STRAWBERRY PRESERVES RECIPE

2 quarts fresh picked strawberries, washed, capped & hulled
(approximately 8 cups)
6 cups sugar

In a large stockpot:
Place clean strawberries. Crush with a potato masher.
Combine sugar to crushed strawberries.
Bring slowly to a boiling point, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves.
Cook rapidly until thick, about 40 minutes,
stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
We added 1/2 tsp of butter to help prevent foaming,
If needed you can skim off any excess foam with a
stainless steel spoon or skimmer.

All at the same time...Have Simmering On the stove:

1 small saucepan w/ water simmering for sterilizing lids.
1 warm bath canner with rack, water is simmering first for sterilizing our jars and second for the actual canning process.
(To conserve water we are using the same water for both steps.)
1 teapot with backup hot water (just in case we need to add to canner to make sure the jars are submersed correctly.)

1 stockpot with the strawberries / sugar mixture

Pour hot jam / preserves immediately into hot, sterile canning jars
be sure and leave 1/4 inch headspace.

Wipe jar rims with a clean towel and adjust lids.
Only tighten finger tight, if you over tighten the rings the jar will not seal.
Process the sealed preserves for a minimum of 10 minutes in a boiling water bath.

Yield:
8 half-pint jars
or 4 pint jars

The end product...

Next time we are going to use 1/2 pint jars so we can give them as gifts.
Great on toast, hot biscuits, thumbprint cookies, ice cream...

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

FRENCH TOAST RECIPES WITH MAPLE SYRUP AND BUTTER

2006-04-08T19:10:00.000-04:00

OUR FRENCH TOAST RECIPE

8 slices of bread
(placed on tray to get a lil stale)
3 eggs
1 T vanilla
1 1/2 c milk
dash of salt
Maple syrup & butter

First beat the eggs, add the milk, vanilla and salt.
Dip the bread in this mixture, one slice at a time, drain a moment and fry in sufficient butter crisco to keep from sticking in skillet.
Cook until a delicate brown, try to turn only once for even browning.

Top with Maple syrup & butter.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar right before serving.
~Served with sides:
fresh seedless grapes and / or bacon & sausage

^^

FRENCH BREAD RECIPE

Approximately 12 slices bread, ½ inch thick
3 eggs
2 cups milk
½ teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar &
Maple syrup

In small bowl, Beat the eggs, add the milk and salt.
Pour the egg mixture into a large bowl or rectangular casserole dish.
Dip the bread slices into the mixture.
Place bread in hot skillet with a little crisco , turn, until the bread is
a beautiful delicate brown
Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve hot with Maple Syrup.

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

TAPPING SUGAR MAPLE TREES FOR SYRUP

2006-03-26T12:26:00.000-05:00

OUR SUGAR MAPLE SYRUP TAPPING EXPERIMENT
A HOME MADE TAP FOR SUGARING

For the sap to run the nights must be cold (mid 20's F) and the daytime temps must get above 40 F. We decided to try and tap our tree on February 24th, 2006.
According to History the settlers learned sugaring from the Indians. It has been recorded that the Indians collected sap in hollowed out logs and steamed away the water by dropping hot stones in the collected sap. At their 'sugar camps' they not only made sweet water & heavy syrup but also maple sugar. There are some areas here in the U.S. that have Tappin' parties when it is time to collect the sap and start the syrup making process.

There are several names for this Season of the year.

Sugaring Season
Sugaring Time
Tappin' Season

The first step is to pick a Healthy Maple Tree.
Its diameter is about 3 feet and it is about 50 feet tall.
Pictured below is the Sugar Maple tree we are going to try and tap.
We have four large maples in the 'yard' of the old cabin we found in our woods.

Picking the sunniest side of the tree,
he gently removed some of the bark from around the tapping area.

We decided to try and make a home made tap.
Here we are harvesting a branch off of one of the elderberry bushes
we found while exploring in our woods. Using the drill bit as a guide, he is checking to make sure the tap hole and the actual tap sizes will match. You must match up the hole in the tree with the size of the tap.

He is making a tap (spile) for the sap.
Using a pocketknife, he is trimming off the elderberry bark and cutting the
branch to the desired spile length.

He is hollowing out the elderberry tap. Making sure the sap can flow evenly through the spile...

Placing our homemade tap in the tree. He drilled the hole with a slight upward slant
approximately 2 to 2 1/2 inches deep. Right away the sap starts flowing.

The sap is running VERY well. Even Better than we had expected.

We decided to use a clean galvonized 6 gallon can with lid to catch the sap.
The can and lid are secured in place. We hung a small screw in hook to hang the can in place. Securing the can with bungee cords because we aren't sure how heavy the can will be or even how much sap will be harvested.

The can has been filling for about 24 hours, we have had to empty several gallons out so it did not spill over. We are scrambling to find enough containers for the harvested sap. We used clean gallon milk jugs and stored them in the refrigerator until we start the evaporation process.

The wood stove that we are going to use to boil the sap is very old and we got it free from a local recycling flea market website. We are using logs that he harvested from downed trees in our woods for the fire.

He surrounded the stockpot with a clean recycled heating duct to
help keep the sap clean and free from flying insects and curious cats.

I am surprised at the appearance of the sap. Most of the sap's content is made up of water. The liquid is totally clear and tastes like mild sugary water.
In the next picture, the sap is starting to boil nicely. As the sap boils down, he fills the stockpot, continuing to boil down the liquid. From time to time he skims the top with a spoon to remove surface foam and other unwanted particles.

Notice the color change from the previous picture. The sap is boiling down and the water is evaporating s l o w l y. The smell of the boiling sap is amazing. The harvested sap had no smell at all but as it boils down, it starts to smell like syrup !
After it has finished boiling, he brought the syrup inside and strains it using coffee filters and metal strainers.

On average it takes about 10 gallons of sap to produce one quart of syrup.
He worked on boiling sap for several days. Stoking the fire, stirring, boiling, filling and straining but at long last...

The finished syrup is bottled, chilled and ready for the blueberry pancakes.

:)

SUGAR ON SNOW RECIPE

First:
Harvest a pan of clean snow.
Here are some Snow Ice Cream recipes.
Make sure you have clean snow.

Second:
Drizzle or Dribble some of your just cooked hot thick syrup over the snow and stir to make a rich taffy, that is known in syrup country as 'Sugar on Snow'.

This Taffy Recipe is very famous up North in
many areas that have annual Maple Syrup festivals.
You can visit a working sugar house and sample all of the delicious
Maple Syrup products. This is one of my dream trips, maybe
some day...

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

Maintaining Garden Tillers

2006-03-25T11:24:00.000-05:00

Maintaining Garden Tillers

If you've put off your annual garden tiller maintenance until now, you can still get the old tiller back into shape for breaking up some dirt early next Spring. Plants needed planting. Brush needed clearing. And every other chore seemed so much more important than getting the garden tiller ready for winter storage. Some simple maintenance procedures, listed below, will help keep your garden tiller in top shape. We've used these tips for our 6 year old garden tiller that we bought new and they have kept it running smooth and sound.

Annual Maintenance for Garden Tillers

* First, for safety sake, disconnect the spark plug when you are performing any maintenance on your tiller.

* If it's broke, fix it. A broken bolt or support can seriously weaken and stress the whole garden tiller. If you don't get the broken tiller parts fixed quickly you may soon be buying more than the one part due to stress failures.

* Replace any worn or broken belts, or chains, if so equipped. Also adjust any loose belts as they can cause needless wear on the gears and the tiller engine itself.

* Change your tiller's spark plug at the very least once a year.

* Oil should be changed as recommended by the tiller manufacturer.

* You should be keeping the air filter and pre air filter clean during the season. Try to replace the tiller's main air filter at least once per year. Most tiller pre air filters can be reused until they cannot be serviced any longer.

* If you haven't drained the fuel from your tiller and can't find the time, add some fuel stabilizer to keep the fuel from breaking down during the Winter. Make sure you run the engine for a short period, about 5 minutes, to distribute the stabilizer throughout the fuel system.

* If you will be draining the garden tiller's fuel tank over Winter, drain as much fuel as possible, then start up the tiller and let it run until it totally runs out of fuel. Unscrew the bolt on the bottom of the carburetor bowl and remove the bowl. Clean out any dirt particles and spray the inside of the bowl with carb cleaner. Replace the bowl.

* While you're at it, now would be a good time to replace the tiller's fuel filter and check any fuel hoses for cracks or leaks. Should you find any, replace the hoses that are damaged.

* If you know where all of the grease fittings are on your tiller, get out the grease gun and fill these fittings until you start to see the new grease pushing out the old grease. If you don't know where all of the grease fittings are on your garden tiller, they should be noted in your tiller manual.

* Check the blades of the tiller tines. If you have a lot of rocks in your soil, the blades may be pretty dull. The tiller tines are pretty easy to remove and sharpen on most garden tillers. If they need it, sharpen them, but wear a pair of leather gloves to prevent cutting yourself. If the tiller tines are bent, you really need to replace them.

* If your garden tiller is dirty, give it a good wash. Rust may form from moisture trapped between dirt and the tiller surface. Carb cleaner can be sprayed around the engine area to remove oil and grime. Not really done for aesthetic purposes, but to help you more easily locate any leaks, should they develop.

These tiller maintenance tips are provided to help you extend the life of your garden tiller.

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

GARDEN BENCH HOW TO BUILD IT YOURSELF PROJECT

2006-02-09T19:04:00.000-05:00

OUR GARDEN BENCH
HOW TO BUILD IT YOURSELF PROJECT

Hello Friends,

We have been gathering scrap wood for several years for projects
around our Little Place. I wanted to tell you about Garden Bench we made for the little frog pond that we found in our woods.
We have been cleaning up the area as we are able.
see post from Monday Feb 6th, 2006 Garden Bench Frog pond info & pics...

We decided to use some of our wood to make our latest project
a small garden sitting bench.

Sometimes when I need to take a few moments to
gather up or - pitch away, my thoughts ...
I go to the little pond.

Now I have a place to sit !!!!

The weather was so mild last weekend, we decided to finally put a
sitting bench down there.
The following is a photo journal of our Garden Bench project:

Picking out just where we want to place our bench

Pre - measuring the bench seat & the support boards

digging the holes for the leg posts 18 inches deep.

He decided to make the leg posts 36 inches long.
That leaves the seat a comfy 18 inches above ground.
Leveling out the bench seat.

Securing the seat on the poles he sunk and treated.

We decided to add a few rocks and some leaves for a more
'natural look'. He is going to add more rocks to the area in Spring.
We both like to add things around our little place that look like
they belong or have been here for a very long time.

We then treated the seat with boiled linseed oil.

I am so glad we treated it.
We had a pretty good snow this weekend.
It is perfect for watching the water rippling or for seeing the most
amazing sunsets...

*sigh*

See Our NewGarden Bench covered in snow.

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

THE LITTLE GARDEN POND WE UNCOVERED IN THE WOODS

2006-02-06T03:46:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends,
Today I want to tell you about our Frog Pond.
The first photo is one I took with an old 35 mm camera and scanned into our computer when we first moved here a few years ago.
I was so excited to find a little puddle of water that was NOT seasonal but held water all year round. We didn't realize how large the 'pond' area was, until he started cleaning out brush, downed trees, weeds and briars. We affectionately call it our frog pond since we are serenaded most of the year by hundreds of frogs that live in it.

We have been doing all of the work by hand so far, using a push mower, wearing out one pair of snippers, breaking 2 rakes, 1 hoe, 2 shovels and shattering 1 axe and 2 chain saws are history. We also used a weedwhacker but we lost it in the recent fire.

Here is a pic I took January 2006, the first snow of the year
Big difference, isn't it !!!

It is such a beautiful area.
The biggest problem we have is not being able to
clean it out very well. Our chain saw is now out of commission so we are at a standstill as far as trimming tree branches and large saplings and we still have a few mature trees we are wanting to clear out. The leaves from the oak (which I wish we could move, not cut down)
make the water look black and sometimes slimy. He has been tilling the area by hand and is making me a easier walkable path around our little pond.

Here is a pic I took on Saturday Feb 4th 2006 during our latest snowfall.

The actual area is approximately 25' wide and 25' across.

I need to resize all of my photos from our Garden Bench project, so it will be tomorrow before I can show you how he made our garden bench last weekend when we had a warm spell.
It is hard to believe how much our weather here in Kentucky can change so drastically from one day to the next. When we made our Garden Bench last weekend, we didn't even need a jacket...

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

ALL I WANTED WAS AN EGG SANDWICH

2006-01-30T20:36:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,
Tonight I am going to share one of my most embarrassing moments,
something that actually happened to me.
It was, I believe, a year or so ago.
It all started with me wanting to make an egg sandwich.
Simple, huh?

Not really.
It was after midnight when I decided to go to the 24 hr
Walmart in the closest big city, to pick up some Kitchen staples.

Not the kind that go in the staple gun, silly, you know milk, eggs,
bread, Cat food...Chocolate.

On the way back home. I was toodlin' down the road when I realized I didn't know where I was.
I had missed my ramp and was on a little 2 lane country road, in the middle of 'I shouldn't be out here alone' road , hair-pin curves and all. The fog was rolling heavy and boy it is dark in the hollers of Kentucky. I am drivin' and lookin' and lookin' and drivin' all of a sudden right in my path in the road, there were several pairs of eyes lookin' back at me.
It was a pack of raccoons,
little baby raccoons.

I slammed on the brakes so I wouldn't hit them
and all my groceries went flying!

I decided to throw them some bread or maybe some cat food,
I know, I know.
But they were babies and soooo cute!
And where was their momma? I was trying to find a safe place to pull over.

'Bout that time a Car came up over the hill towards me with their bright lites on and blinded me so... I decided I had better not stop, the road was too narrow and slippery. I went on for a while and the fog got heavier and the inside of the car window fogged up, I could hardly see.
I tried to slow down and wipe off the window.

No towels.
No kleenex.
Nothing.

Well, I decided I would just use my bra, I had to clean off that inside window somehow.
I was having trouble seeing the road. I had only seen 1 sign on the road and I couldn't make it out. I passed a lil gravel road. Slowed down and backed into it, just far enough where I wouldn't be seen from the road. I had my bra unhooked when I glanced around and realized I was in a cemetery. Not a city kind of cemetery, mind you, but a country one. No lights AT ALL and those old tombstones that are covered with moss and leanin forwards a little.
That fog just hung over those tombstones.
Gave me the creeps.

I started singing "When the roll is called up Yonder" just to calm myself down. I was singing at the top of my lungs, I tell you. You can bet that all the dogs in that county were howling up a storm, as I could carry a truck before I could carry a tune.
I about had my bra off when I looked in my rearview mirror.
I saw 2 people walking through the fog, walking TOWARDS me!

I immediately thought of that old movie, "Night of the Living Dead".
I panicked!

Why would anybody be in a cemetery, in the middle of nowhere at 1:30 in the morning?
I floored it.
ACKKKK!!
I still had it in reverse, gravel went flyin everywhere... they ducked and jumped back, in the fog it looked like they were doin a ballet leap or something. I got it in gear and floored it again, gravel was flyin and I realized I was still singing. Just as I was turning the steering wheel I felt something on my hand. Looked down...

A SPIDER...
Oh Lord How I HATE & fear spiders.
I flipped him in the seat and grabbed up one of my Walmart bags and pummelled him while I was makin the turn to get out of there.

Then it hit me, just turn on the wipers,
the moisture was on the OUTSIDE of the windshield.

Well, long story long,
I finally made it to a Shell station and got directions on how to get home.
I was exhausted and my throat hurt from singing so loud and I realized two things...

1) My bra was hanging, from one shoulder, down and out the back of my shirt.
2) The bag I flailed around to kill that spider had my eggs in it.
*sigh*
Now,
you see why I don't get out much.

My Honey just shakes his head and trys really hard not to grin as I relate these things that happen to me. You can see his lip quiver as he trys not to burst out laffing, then his voice starts to quiver, he starts biting on that lip and he says um, I'm so sorry you uh ....
bout that time he busts out laughing.

I broke all the eggs but one,
so I at lease I got my egg sandwich...

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

A FIRE AT OUR LITTLE PLACE BACK IN THE HILLS

2006-01-28T02:38:00.000-05:00

Hello friends,
I must apologize for not keeping our sites updated more regularly.
At first I wasn't going to say anything about our fire but I wanted to share with you
the main reason there has been a lot going on here on our little place.
We have had several setbacks, one is due to recently having had a fire and have lost most of our stored items. He has been working hard trying to rebuild our storage shed and that has been tedious not having any extra funds for supplies.
We lost all our tarps, our back-up kerosene heater, most of our harvested cedar and house lumber, some tools, our weedwhacker, a shed full of odds and ends, too many other things to mention.

We have been trying to go thru the wood from our fire and salvage what we can.
It saddens me to see the fire damage to all of our timber wood and miscellaneous 'store bought' lumber we were harvesting & collecting to build our home and workshed. Every time I see the damage, I realize that It could have been so much worse. We were also very lucky that it did not spread to our trailer.

Here is what our wood looks like now...

:(

Here is one of our wood projects that he was working on for a present for me.
I am trying to salvage it.

Be sure and check back in soon.
I will be posting before and after photos of our frog pond
as well as our latest project
Our Frog Pond Garden Bench.
See you again soon...

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

SWEET POTATO AND YAM RECIPES

2006-01-16T03:41:00.000-05:00

YES MA'AM IT'S CALLED A YAM

Are sweet potatoes and yams the same thing????
Yes and No.

As I said before, I am very interested in regional foods and how things got their name.
I also smile when I imagine the first person who, more than likely, accidentally found a potato, pulled it all the way out of the dirt, looked at it and said to themselves
"I am gonna wash this up and eat it"
;)
Sweet Potatoes and Yam or Yams and Sweet potatoes, many think the names are interchangable. It really depends on how you look at it. I did some research and botanically, scientifically they are not related at all.
Although it is true that both the yam and the sweet potato grow underground and
both have an orange-yellow flesh, but that is about where the similarity ends.
I found a statement from: The North Carolina SweetPotato Commission,
they currently urge the world to spell "sweetpotato" as one word but also state
"it's an uphill battle"

YAMS : 'Dioscorea Species'
plant family: Yam DIOSCOREACEAE

Yams are larger, very starchy, edible tuberous roots.
In Africa, the Yam is used as a staple food in daily life.
The African word "nyami" referred to the starchy, edible root of the Dioscorea genus.
The English form of this plant is "yam".
Yams in the U.S. are actually sweet potatoes with relatively moist texture and orange flesh.
They grow in tropical and subtropical climates and require 8-10 months of warm weather to mature.

Yam facts that surprised me:
Yams are believed to have been around since 50,000 BC.
Yams can grow two to three feet long and some can weigh as much as 80 pounds.
(Wow, that would make a heck of a caserole)
In the United States today it is possible to find 'true' yams in some urban Hispanic markets, they are imported from the Carribean. Although the terms are generally used interchangeably, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the label "yam" always be accompanied by "sweet potato."

***

SWEET POTATO: Ipomoea batatas
plant family: Morning glory CONVOLVULACEAE
Some of the Most well known types of sweet potato:
'Nemagold', 'New Jersey Orange' and the 'Nugget',
have the lighter and drier (sweet potato) flesh.
The two most popular varieties that used to be known as Yams are:
'Centennial' and 'Puerto Rico' which are moist-fleshed varieties.
Each variety of sweet potato bring different tastes, textures, and colors to your diet.
Many believe that the two different potatoes became merged and called "Yam" simply by the everyday shopper being told by grocers, all orange potatoes are Yams.
The 'early' sweet potato producers attached the word Yam to all of the deep orange, moist fleshed varieties of Sweet Potatoes in the marketplace, they then called the yellowish, smaller, drier fleshed potatoes, Sweet potato.

Sweet potato facts that surprised me:
Scientists believe the sweet potato has been around since Prehistoric Times.
Sweet Potatoes are in the Morning glory family

^^

Here are a few
SWEET POTATO & YAM RECIPES

Basic Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

2 lbs sweet potatoes
1/4 C brown sugar
1 t cinnamom
1 t nutmeg
1 TBS melted butter
1 1/2 C mini marshmallows, divided

Preheat oven to 350°.
Cook potatoes and mash to 3 cups.
Mix with spices, butter, and half the mini marshmallows.
Place in a greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish.
Top with remaining marshmallows.
Bake for 25 mins. or until puffy and
marshmallows are delicately browned.

^^

Sweet Potato Biscuit Recipe

1 medium (8 oz) sweet potato
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbls butter, at room temperature
6 Tbls milk

Wash potato, prick with fork, wrap in paper towel,
and microwave for 6 minutes.
Remove from microwave and cool.
Next, Cut the potato in half, scooping potato meat into a bowl and mash.
Sift together dry ingredients, mix in potato,
butter and milk until doughy.
Flour a flat surface and knead dough until smooth.
Roll out dough to 1/2 inch thickness.
Cut biscuits out with biscuit / cookie cutters.
Place on greased baking sheet.
Bake 12 minutes in preheated 450 degree oven
Serve warm with a little butter or fruit jam if desired.

Makes 8 good sized biscuits

^^

Sweet Sweet Potato Caserole

3 c. sweet potatoes, mashed
1/3 c. butter, melted
2 eggs
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix together and put into a casserole dish.

TOPPING
1 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. flour
1/3 c. butter, melted
1 c. pecans, chopped

Mix together and sprinkle on top of mixture of potatoes
Can also add cinnamon on top of mixture before baking.
Bake uncovered for 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

^^

Sweet Potato Cookies

1 c. sweet potato, cooked & mashed
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
3/4 c. margarine
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
3/4 c. quick cooking oatmeal
1 c. pecans
1 c. raisins

Mix butter and sugar together.
Add eggs and dry ingredients and
then pecans and raisins.
Drop by teaspoons.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.

^^

BAKED YAMS

Cut yams into large serving-sized pieces.
Wrap each piece in aluminium foil (or banana leaves)
as one would wrap baking potatoes.
Bake in a hot oven (400 - 425 degrees) for 1 - 1 1/2 hrs
or roast on an outdoor grill until tender.

Serve with salt, pepper, and butter.

^^

Roasted Yam Recipe

Peel and wash the yams in salted water; dry with paper towel;
Roll in flour and bake in a 350° F oven for about
30 minutes or until tender and browned.

Cut in half and scoop out the interior flesh;
Mash with a little milk, a pinch of salt and some
butter as you would for mashed potatoes.

serving suggestion:
Trim the shells to form little "boats"
fill each one with the mashed yam mixture
sprinkle with parsley and if necessary
return to the oven to heat through.

^^

CINNAMON YAM MASH RECIPE

5 pounds of yams
2 quarts hot water
1 Tbsp. salt
8 oz. butter (sliced)
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp. white ground pepper
1/2 cup brown sugar

Place peeled and diced yams in large stockpot
Add hot water and salt and bring to a boil for 35 minutes.
Drain water and transfer into mixing bowl and mash.
Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

^^

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

JANUARY GARDENING TIPS GETTING READY FOR SPRING

2006-01-12T20:44:00.000-05:00

CHECKING STORED PRODUCE AND
OTHER JANUARY GARDENING TIPS

ARTICLE COURTESY:
Charlie Nardozzi, Senior Horticulturist
National Gardening Association, and
Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor
University of Vermont

Checking forcing bulbs, stored produce, and watching indoors for fungus gnats are some of the gardening activities for this month.

You can improve your indoor environment--and the health of your plants--by increasing the humidity level. Place houseplants on shallow trays covered with pebbles. Add water to the trays until it just touches the bottom of each pot. If you use a wood stove, keep a pot of water on the top of the stove to add moisture to the air. Humidifiers can also be used. Adding humidity is especially useful in homes with forced air heat.

If you've noticed tiny black flies that look like fruit flies around your indoor plants, they are probably fungus gnats. Though annoying when they flit about, the 1/8-inch long adult insects are harmless. Their tiny, worm-like larvae feed on organic matter in moist soil, which can include plant roots. To control them, allow the soil to dry out between waterings, use sticky traps, or spread a thin layer of sand on the surface.

When you're finished with holiday evergreen boughs, use them to mulch tender perennials and shrubs. They make a lightweight, but insulating, layer that helps protect
plants from alternating temperatures like a thaw followed by a deep freeze.

Now is the time to order bare-root fruit trees online or through catalogs, sources that offer a wide selection. Bare-root trees are shipped in late winter or early spring before they start to grow, but in time for immediate planting in your area.

Potatoes, onions, carrots, turnips, and other root crops that you have stored in your basement or root cellar should be checked regularly for signs of decay. Any vegetables that show any rotting should be removed and eaten (if possible) immediately so they don't spread the disease to other vegetables.

Geraniums that you brought indoors this winter are probably getting tall and leggy by now if they're not growing in full sun or under artificial grow lights. Take 4- to 6-inch cuttings, strip off the bottom set of leaves, dip the cut ends in rooting hormone powder, and stick the cuttings in a pot filled with moist peat moss or perlite. Keep the soil moist, and they should root in a few weeks.

Other gardening tips for this month include fertilizing flowering houseplants, keeping bird feeders filled, and ordering seeds online or from catalogs for spring sowing.

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

GARDENING QUESTIONS FOR JANUARY

2006-01-11T22:11:00.000-05:00

GARDENING QUESTIONS YOU
MAY ASK IN JANUARY

article courtesy:
Dr. Leonard Perry,
Extension Professor

The North Country Garden Calendar, published jointly by Cooperative Extension in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, had as its theme for 2005 common garden questions each month. Questions we get, and that you may ask, this month concern the most common winter houseplant problem, how to know what plants will grow in your area, and whether woodashes can be spread on gardens.

With so many exciting new plants and seeds, I find gardeners often don't know where to begin their planning, or how to narrow their search to what may grow in their area. A good place is the plant hardiness zones, developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, shown in their well-known and often seen map. Find your location on this map, and identify your zone. These zones refer to "average annual minimum winter temperatures", and so are only guides but good places to begin.

Keep in mind local variations in climate, called microclimates, can modify these zones. Such variations are caused by altitude, topography (hills and valleys), proximity to bodies of water, or nearness to buildings for instance. Your local master gardeners, or trained garden store professionals, can help you sort out such variations and their effects.

Plants in catalogs and books will have a hardiness zone or range listed. These may vary among sources, so it is best to consult several and go with the average. If you want to be safe, stick with the warmest zone listed for a plant.

The lower the zone number, the colder it is. Plants have a good chance in your zone, or colder ones (lower numbers). Depending on those microclimates, they may even survive if rated for one zone warmer (higher number). So if you are in zone 4, plants listed for this and zone 3 should survive, and perhaps even some rated for zone 5.

Margaret Hagen, with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, says that the most common indoor houseplant problem in winter is overwatering. My own philosophy is, if in doubt, don't water. Here is a case where less is better.

Suspect overwatering if your plants' lower (older) leaves are yellowing and dropping. Overwatering prevents roots from getting oxygen for proper growth. The result is root rot, and possibly death. Rotted roots can't take up water, so plants wilt. Gardeners often mistake this for dryness, so water more and make the problem even worse.

To avoid overwatering, you can purchase inexpensive water gauges at complete garden stores. Or look at the soil surface. Dry soil will often be lighter in color, and will not glisten. Check the weight of the pots immediately after watering, and water only when pots begin to feel light again.

Use a growing medium with good drainage (soilless ones are best indoors), and use pots with at least one drainage hole. Plants in pots four inches or larger may only need to be watered once a week. This, of course, depends on plant size and your home. Large plants in small pots will need water more often. Plants in homes with forced air heat will dry out faster than with other forms of heat, especially in winter when the heat is on often.

Lois Berg Stack, from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, says you can spread woodashes in your garden, or on your lawn, as a substitute for lime. Wood ashes behave as lime, raising the pH of the soil, making it more alkaline and less acid. Use only a light layer, as too much can make your garden too alkaline for good plant growth. It is best to add them according to soil test results.

Wood ashes are good to use, as they make good use of an available resource. They work more quickly than lime to raise the soil pH. They also add potassium, phosphorus, and small amounts of other elements important for plant growth. Don't add wood ashes, though, from burned trash, cardboard, or painted and stained wood. These may be toxic to plants.

Find more about Endless Summer Hydrangea

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

CROCK POT PORK CHOPS SCALLION MASHED POTATOES BUTTER CREAM BISCUIT RECIPES

2006-01-06T23:11:00.000-05:00

Today's Menu:

Crock pot Pork Chops
Bacon Scallion Mashed Potatoes
White Corn
Butter cream biscuits
dessert: fresh orange wedges

CROCK POT / SLOW COOKER PORK CHOPS

4 to 6 bone-in pork chops
1/4 seasoned pepper
1/4 salt
abt 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp of bacon drippings
1 Envelope (1oz) dried onion soup mix
1 Envelope (1oz) pork gravy mix
3 cups Water

Place chops in slow cooker.
Add seasonings, soup and gravy mixes and water.
Cover and cook on low 6 to 8 hours.

~~

BACON SCALLION MASHED POTATO RECIPE

2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
4 cloves garlic, peeled
5 strips bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup thinly sliced scallions
1/2 cup low-fat milk, warmed
1/2 cup low-fat sour cream
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

In a large pot, cover potatoes and garlic with lightly salted water.
Boil until potatoes are fork tender.
Fry bacon in skillet until crisp; drain on paper towels.
Pour out all but 1 teaspoon bacon grease from pan.
Add scallions to grease, cook until soft, but not brown.
Add bacon.

Drain potatoes and return to pot.
Mash potatoes with milk, sour cream, salt, and pepper.
Stir in bacon and scallions.

Reheats well

~~

WHITE CORN
Canned / store bought

WHOLE KERNAL CORN tip:
Whether using white, yellow or mixed corn:
I always drain the corn,
place in a small saucepan
add a little salt
add some butter
just heat thoroughly and you are done.

~~

BUTTER CREAM BISCUITS RECIPE

2 sticks unsalted butter
8 ounces sour cream
2 cups unsifted self rising flour

Melt butter and cool to room temperature.
Stir in sour cream until creamy and smooth
Stir in flour
Blend Well.

Spoon into greased muffin cups,
filling 2/3 full.
Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes.
Makes 24 medium biscuits.

options:
Make shortcakes by adding 1/3 cup of sugar to the flour
before stirring it into the butter/cream mixture.

You can pat the dough out on a floured board and cut
with a large biscuit cutter to make larger shortcakes.
Bake on ungreased baking sheet until golden brown.

Good hot or cold.

I hope you are having a great day !!!

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

KENTUCKY THUMBPRINT COOKIES USING KENTUCKY SEEDLESS BLACKBERRY & PEACH JAM

2006-01-05T20:05:00.000-05:00

Let's Be B O L D
Let's try some new recipes this month.

A few weeks ago while at a local store, looking for grape jelly for my
lil smokies recipe, I stumbled across a brand of Jam
made right here in Kentucky.
__

From the label :

'Countryside Jam House'
all natural
made in Scottsville, KY.
__

I purchased 2 jars;
1 Seedless Blackberry Jam and 1 Peach.
In addition to serving it with toast and hot biscuits
I am going to make a batch of thumbprint cookies.
I have never tried them before. I have always wanted to
try homemade thumbprints, but I am a little leary to try
a new recipe, especially if I have to buy special ingredients.

Here is an old recipe I found years ago,
for these delightful hand molded cookies.
I think I am going to give them a try
this week.

KENTUCKY THUMBPRINT COOKIES

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 C packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 Cups reg flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 Cups finely chopped walnuts
3-4 Tablespoons jelly or jam - your favorite flavor
*I am going to do 1/2 the cookies with the
Seedless Blackberry Jam and the other half Peach.

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy.
Separate eggs.
Place whites in a small bowl, lightly beat, and set aside
then beat yolks and vanilla into butter mixture.
In another bowl, stir together flour and salt.
Add to butter mixture, blending thoroughly.
With your hands, roll dough into 1 inch balls
Dip each ball in egg whites then roll in walnuts.
Place on greased baking / cookie sheets.
With either your thumb or the tip of a small spoon,
make an indentation
right in the center of each ball.
Neatly fill each indentation with about 1/4 tsp of jelly or jam.

Bake in a preheated oven 375 for 12-13 minutes or
until lightly browned
Let Cool on baking sheet for about a minute,
then move to wire racks for complete cooling.
Store in an airtight container.

makes approximately 40-42 cookies

I will come back after I make them and post a photo of them.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2006-01-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

Wishing you blessings in this new year...

2006

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE WITH ME

2005-12-31T01:31:00.001-05:00

I Need to stick to cooking,
as long as my food doesn't.
Stick,
I mean.

This morning I was down at the old cabin we use for storing all of our 'harvested & drying', free - if you haul away , free at the lumber yard scrap pieces of wood, trying to get a few pieces so I can finish one of my many projects.
These projects, mind you, are mostly in my head.
I will be sharing pictures with you as they progress.
This day I was gonna finish one of them, well, at least start.
Yes siree,
Today I was going to start one of my projects.

I can't budge the thing I need,
I tried for almost an hour to get to it...
I am not even sure what to call it,
I know what I need when I see it.
4 by 4, no maybe a 4 by 2,
I don't remember the names of such things.

Usually I just hold out my arms for a size or explain what I am needing it for and my honey will say in technical , mathmatical, carpentery terms, exactly what I am talking about.
He's not here right now.

When I am having a high "pain-level day" , days like this, sometimes, I feel like just giving up. Since I am already having one of those days, I decided to take a break from the dishes, the cleaning and the grocery list, the daily tasks that you lay awake at night and think about.
I know you do too...

I grabbed a hot cup of coffee and booted up the computer.
Out of the corner of my eye I happened to see one of the kittens
crawling into my boot and I thought awwww,
idn't he cute, I need to get the camera...

then I realized it was the one that refuses to use the litter box.

Of course, by the time I came to this realization, it was too late.

I tried to get there in time, but when I had originally sat down, I had wiggled my chair around trying to get comfortable and my houseshoe was caught up underneath a chair roller and when I sprang (uh huh) to my feet.
yep.
I tossed & tumbled
me , the keyboard, one long haired cat, the chair and the coffee.

I cleaned up that pooey mess and decided to sit back down and browse on-line, I believe those in the know call it surfing? I finally got settled back down so I could enjoy my last cup of coffee. Don't you just love a fresh brewed hot, steamy cup of coffee.
One of life's little blessings.

I absolutely have to have milk and sugar in my coffee.
I put the last of my milk in this cup so I am gonna savor every single drop.

Being a multi-tasker (again uh huh) my hands feel so rough from the lysol and anti-bacterial cleaning soap, I decided to lotion them down as I browsed the web.
I pressed down on the top a bit too zealously I'm afraid, and the lotion splatted everywhere, and of course a nice , greasy big blob landed directly in the middle of my last cup of coffee...
*Sigh*
ummmm, how is your day going so far ?

Only one recipe today. It is a very old recipe for a main dish for dinner or supper. It's called Corn Bread Pie. This is a very old recipe. Pre -World War. And it is not really a Pie, it is more of a casserole, well, read on and you'll see...

CORN BREAD PIE RECIPE

Place in skillet :
1 lb. ground beef
1 lg. onion, chopped

Brown well. Then Add:

1 regular can tomato soup
1 1/2 c. water
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1 can whole kernel corn
1/2 c. chopped green pepper

Mix well and let simmer 15 minutes.
Turn into a greased casserole dish
Top with corn bread (see recipe below)

Corn bread for topping:
3/4 c. corn meal
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 egg, well beaten
1/2 c. milk
1 Tbsp. bacon drippings

Mix and Turn onto beef mixture.

Bake casserole in a moderate oven about 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Do not worry if this topping sinks during baking.
It will rise again, and cook crispy.

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

*sigh* I need more coffee.....

APPLE RAISIN BREAD PUDDING

2005-12-28T21:43:00.000-05:00

APPLE RAISIN BREAD PUDDING

8 slices cinnamon raisin bread, cubed
2 medium Golden Delicious apples
peeled, halved lengthwise, cored, and thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons sugar
3 cups half-and-half
6 large eggs

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Arrange bread in 1 layer on a cookie sheet.
Place bread in oven and toast until pale golden, 10 to 12 minutes,
then let cool on baking sheet.

Meanwhile, toss apples with 3 tablespoons sugar in a bowl until coated.
Cook about 15 minutes, in a nonstick skillet over moderate heat,
turn apple slices over occasionally, until tender & golden.

Combine bread and apples in a 2-quart deep baking dish.

In medium bowl, whisk together half-and-half, eggs, and remaining 1/2 cup sugar with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Pour mixture over bread and apples. Let sit at room temperature 15 minutes.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes, in a water bath until edge is set but center still moves slightly when dish is gently shaken Cool pudding to warm in baking dish on a rack, about 1 hour.
( will continue to set as it cools.)

-original recipe courtesy : Gourmet Magazine

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2005-12-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

CROCK POT POT ROAST BROCCOLI CASSEROLE BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

2005-12-23T11:31:00.000-05:00

Todays Menu:

Pot Roast
Mashed Potatoes w/ gravy
Broccoli casserole
Buttermilk Biscuits

CROCK POT POT ROAST

2 to 3 pound round steak
1/2 cup water
2 envelopes of dried onion soup
2 cans of cream of mushroom soup

Wash meat and cut into pieces and place in your crock pot.
Mix together all the other ingredients in a bowl
and pour over meat and stir.
Cover and cook 6 to 8 hours.

This makes a rich gravy that
would be great over mashed potatoes.
I will share some home made mashed potato recipes
another time, since we are making a broccoli casserole,
I suggest using the boxed flakes...
Just this one time
;)

BROCCOLI CASSEROLE RECIPE

2 packages of frozen broccoli or
frozen cauliflower and broccoli mix
1 8 oz package of cream cheese (softened)
1 envelope of dry onion soup mix
1 8 oz tub of sour cream
1 small can of water chestnuts, sliced and drained
Sharp grated cheese
Ritz cracker crumbs
stick of butter

Cook broccoli until tender drain well.
Place broccoli in large bowl. set aside.
In a medium sz bowl: mash the cream cheese,
sour cream and soup mix.
Add to drained broccoli stirring to mix well.
add chestnuts.
Place in lightly buttered casserole dish.
Top with grated cheese,
cracker crumbs and dot with butter.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes
if topping is not browned enough, place under broiler for a few seconds.
*You may cut this recipe in half.

DOT'S BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

3 cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter
cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in large bowl to blend.
Using fingertips, rub 3/4 cup chilled butter into dry ingredients until
mixture resembles coarse meal.
Add buttermilk and stir until evenly moistened.
Using 1/4 cup dough for each biscuit, drop biscuits onto baking sheet,
spacing 2 inches apart.
Bake until biscuits are golden brown on top,
about 15 minutes.
Cool slightly.
Serve warm.

Makes 12 servings.

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

GARDEN IDEAS WINTER LANDSCAPES

2005-12-21T23:11:00.000-05:00

Garden Ideas-
Winter Landscapes

As any avid gardener knows, time is at a premium from Spring until the first frost of Fall. Many displaced Gardeners are looking for ways to fill their time during the winter months. When your garden is sleeping you have the time to go to the library or a bookstore and browse for new ideas and gardening tips. If your friends and family are looking to you for Holiday gift ideas, books on tree identification, composting and organic gardening will appreciated, especially for the upcoming season.

This is a perfect time to fulfill your dreams about building a greenhouse, researching that 'hard to plant' landscape or basic landscape design. It will help you chase away the winter blues if you sketch out plans for some new flower beds. How about one entire bed dedicated to your favorite color? Maybe planning a special moon garden, they only include flowers and plants that bloom white !

BUNDLE UP AND TAKE A WALK !

Here in Kentucky, Fall and Winter are my favorite times for walking in the woods, bird watching and making plans for Spring flower beds. Often, because of the lack of foliage and leaves this time of the year, the sun creates luminous colors not seen at any other time. I have taken some of my favorite wildlife and nature photos in the middle of Winter. I like to watch all the birds, not just on the feeders, but in the plants and on the ground. While you are enjoying the landscape around you, take notes about areas that may seem somewhat bare and need extra planting attention come Spring. Many of us who love nature, plant garden beds, shelter trees and plants specifically for the birds in Winter. As you are removing dead vegetation and making plans for Spring, consider planting a hedgerow of Evergreen or a Leyland Cypress. If you are concerned about your garden budget, consider starting a garden club. That way you can trade plants and ideas with others who are biten by the garden bug.

You are only limited by your vision !

SUGAR PLUMS RECIPES & INFORMATION

2005-12-19T22:35:00.000-05:00

SUGAR PLUM RECIPES

1 cup raisins
1 cup bite-size pitted prunes
1 cup dates
1 cup currants
1 cup candied cherries, dried cherries, or dried cranberries
1 cup walnuts
1/2 to 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
granulated sugar

Using a meat grinder or a food processor,
grind the fruit and nuts and mix well.
Work into the mixture as much confectioners' sugar as it takes to form 1-inch balls.
Roll in granulated sugar, then place on a rack to dry for 24 hours.

*For crunchy Sugarplums, preheat oven to 350 degrees, place Sugarplums on cookie sheet,
Bake 15 minutes, remove from oven and cool for 15 to 30 minutes.

The following are some Sugarplum definitions passed down through the years :
sugar coated coriander
plum compote with chocolate coating
a small round or oval piece of sugary candy
plums preserved in sugar
an actual fruit, called the sugarplum
small confections, often consisting of fruit such as dried cherries and apricots,
surrounded by fondant.

Sugarplum "trees" were also a big hit in Victorian England. Small cones were pierced with toothpick laden sugarplums to create a vision of a tree flowing with sugarplums.

The idea of sugarplums have been around for sometime now,

dating back to at least 16th century England where a

sugarplum cookery quote called for cooks to:

"Take your apricocks or pearplums, & let them boile one walme in as much clarified sugar as will cover them" and then "let your fruits boile leysurelie 3 or 4 walmes,

then take them foorth of the syrup"
*cookery quotes courtesy of Elinor Fettiplace's Receipt Book
dated 1604

SUGARPLUMS
recipe:courtesy of kid chef

Ingredients
2 cups whole almonds -- toasted, chopped fine,
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon,
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1 cup dried black mission figs, finely chopped

Directions:
Combine honey with spices.
Stir into chopped fruit and nuts that have been
processed in a food processor.
roll into balls.
roll in powdered sugar.

about 2 dozen sugarplums

CAJUN CHICKEN BAYOU BEANS and RICE & BISCUIT FLATBREAD RECIPES

2005-12-19T01:10:00.000-05:00

CAJUN CHICKEN , BAYOU BEANS and RICE & BISCUIT FLATBREAD RECIPES

CAJUN CHICKEN RECIPE WITH HOMEMADE CAJUN SEASONING

4 boneless chicken breasts
small amt of oil for frying
cajun seasoning (you can use bottled)
large onion
bottle of italian dressing

Home made Cajun seasoning:
3 tb Salt
1 tb Paprika
1 tb Onion powder
1 tb Garlic powder
1 tb Cayene pepper
1/2 ts White pepper
1 1/2 ts Whole thyme
3/4 ts Black pepper
1/2 ts Whole oregano

-Place 4 boneless chicken breasts in a bowl with enough Italian dressing to coat;
allow to marinate at least 30 minutes in refrigerator.
I leave mine overnight.
-Grill marinated chicken in a lightly oiled pan,
10 minutes before being done, add sliced onion to pan,
-sprinkle chicken and onions with cajun seasoning.
cook until chicken and onions are done.

variations:
After chicken is done -
can be topped whole with monteray jack cheese
can be cut into strips and placed over pasta
can be cut into 3/4 pieces and used in chicken quesadillas

BAYOU BEANS and RICE RECIPE
courtesy: 'The Little Mountain Bean Bible Cookbook'

* 2 cups red beans
* 1 onion, diced
* 2 cloves garlic
* 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
* bay leaf
* pinch sugar
* cayenne pepper, to taste
* ham hocks
* cooked rice
* smoked sausage, optional

Wash beans, soak overnight and drain.
Cover beans and all ingredients with cold water.
Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer until done.
Serve over rice.

variation:
Large link smoked sausage, added at the last 30 minutes of cooking
gives delicious seasoning. Makes a complete meal with the beans and rice
simply add a side salad and your meal is complete.

CHEESE 'N BACON BISCUIT FLATBREAD
courtesy: Darla & Steve

1 (12-oz.) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup pasteurized process cheese sauce or Chez-wiz
10 slices bacon, cooked and chopped fine
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Heat oven to 400 degrees
Lightly grease cookie sheets.
Separate dough into 10 biscuits.
Place one biscuit in the center of
greased cookie sheet.
Arrange remaining biscuits in circle, edges
slightly overlapping, around center biscuit.
Gently press out into a 10-inch circle.
Spread with cheese sauce; sprinkle with bacon.

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 13 minutes or until biscuit edges
are golden brown. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Serve warm.

HOLIDAY MENU FEATURING KENTUCKY BAKED HAM with BOURBON GLAZE

2005-12-18T01:01:00.000-05:00

KENTUCKY BAKED HAM
with BOURBON GLAZE RECIPE
recipe courtesy :Cheryl Smith

1 12 to 14 pound smoked ham
Cloves

Glaze:
1 cup bourbon
2 cups molasses
1 tablespoon peppercorns

Remove skin from ham, leaving 1/4 to 1/2-inch of fat on ham.
Score the fat into diamond shapes and insert cloves in a decorative manner.
In a saucepan, bring bourbon, molasses, and peppercorns
to a simmer, to cook off the alcohol – Careful, the alcohol will flame a little.
Allow to cool.
Put ham on a rack in a baking pan, add 1-inch of water,
baste with the glaze and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven.
Depending on weight of the ham, the time will vary.
It will take approximately 20 minutes per pound.
Bake for 3 hours covered and last 1/2 hour uncovered,
basting every 20 minutes with glaze.

ORIGINAL GERMAN HOT POTATO SALAD RECIPE
Recipe Courtesy: Dorothy Bublick

9 med. potatoes - peeled, sliced
1 large onion - sliced thin
1 Lb. bacon - prepared, crumbled, grease reserved
1/2 cup flour
2 1/4 cups water
1 1/4 cups white vinegar
1/2 cup granulated sugar

Boil potatoes until soft.
Combine crumbled bacon, potates, and onion in a bowl. Set aside.
Melt bacon grease in saucepan and stir in flour.
Heat until bubbly.
Add remaining ingredients and cook until smooth and bubbly.
Once sauce has thickened, pour over potato mixture.

NOTES : Serve hot!

Boarding House Biscuit Recipe

3 cups flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon plus 1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup shortening
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup milk

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder,
cream of tartar, and salt, mix well.
Cut in shortening with a pastry blender until
mixture resembles coarse meal.
Combine egg and milk and then add to flour mixture,
stirring until dry ingredients are moistened.
Turn dough out on lightly floured surface.

Knead 8 or 10 times.
Roll dough to 1-inch thickness; cut with biscuit cutter.
Place on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes: app ~ 15 biscuits

~Merry Christmas

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

SWEDISH PANCAKES RECIPES & A COWBOY CHRISTMAS CAROL

2005-12-16T18:54:00.000-05:00

Today I would like to share a Breakfast Recipe
and Christmas Carol with you.

SWEDISH PANCAKES RECIPE

2 cups milk
4 eggs
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 Tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Lingonberries or raspberries
Seedless raspberry jam
or fruit spread, warmed

Whipped topping

In a blender, combine the first six ingredients.
Cover and process until blended.
Heat a lightly greased 8-in. nonstick skillet;
pour 1/4 cup batter into center of skillet.
Lift and tilt pan to evenly coat bottom.
Cook until top appears dry; turn and cook 15-20 seconds longer.
Repeat with remaining batter, adding oil to skillet as needed.
Stack pancakes with waxed paper or paper towels in between.
Reheat in the microwave if desired.

Fold pancakes into quarters.
serve with berries, seedless jam and whipped topping.

Christmas For Cowboys
S. Weisberg (c) 1975

Tall in the saddle we spend Christmas day
Driving the cattle on the snow-covered plains.
All of the good gifts given today;
Ours is the sky and the wide open range.

Back in the cities, they have different ways,
Football and eggnog and Christmas parades.
I'll take the blanket; I'll take the reins;
Christmas for Cowboys and wide open plains.

A campfire for warmth as we stop for the night;
The stars overhead are the Christmas-tree lights.
The wind sings a hymn as we bow down to pray;
Christmas for Cowboys and the wide open plains.

It's tall in the saddle we spend Christmas Day,
Driving the cattle on the snow-covered plains.
So many gifts have been opened today;
Ours is the sky and the wide open range.
It's Christmas for Cowboys and wide open plains.

OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS LOG RECIPE

2005-12-16T00:06:00.000-05:00

OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS LOG RECIPE
(courtesy of Drusilla Dougharty)

1 box vanilla wafers *
1 can dime brand or eagle brand milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped walnuts

Mix all ingredients together.
Place on wax paper and form a log.
Chill for 2 to 4 hours and then cut log into rounds.
(This will make 2 logs)

* food processor works well on the vanilla wafers ---
"it should be like powder".

MORE CUTE HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS ON A BUDGET

2005-12-14T15:08:00.000-05:00

MORE CUTE HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

Microwave Christmas Coffee Mug Cakes

1) Buy Christmas mugs (12 oz. size) at the dollar store.
2) Put together the cupcake mixture,
and the glaze mixture , be sure and put them in separate Zip Locks
or sandwich bags with twist-ties.
3) Place both bags inside the mugs with directions attached to each mug.
Tie pretty ribbon on the mug handle with the cooking directions
after covering with cellophane.

Cupcake Mixture Instructions:

1 box regular yellow cake mix
1 3/4 oz. box instant vanilla pudding mix
Place dry cake mix and dry pudding mix into a large bowl.
Whisk together.
This will make 8 mug cake mixes app ~ 1/2 c. each.
Place mixture into 8 small plastic bags

Glaze mix instructions:
Mix 2 2/3 c. powdered sugar with
1/4 c. powdered flavor mix.
(powdered flavor mix is lemonade powder, cocoa, etc...)
Divide this into 8 small plastic bags

*you can use any flavor of cake mix or pudding mix.
For the glaze, use a complimentary flavor of powdered mix, such as lemonade for lemon cake mix, cocoa for chocolate cake mix, yellow cake mix and chocolate glaze.
Mix and match however you want !

Cooking Directions for gift tag:

"Microwave Cupcake Directions:
Coat inside of mug with cooking spray.
Empty contents of cake mix packet into cup.
Add one egg, 1 T. oil and 1 T. water to dry mix.
Stir, microwave on full power for 2 minutes.
While cake is cooking, place ingredients from
glaze mix package into a very small container and
add 1 1/2 teaspoon water. Mix well.
When cake is done, pull sides of cake away
from edges and pour glaze over Mug cake in cup,
letting the glaze run down inside."

FRUGAL HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS ON A BUDGET

2005-12-13T19:52:00.000-05:00

Good evening,

For all of us who are on a very tight budget and
just L O V E a good bargain...
Frugal Gift Ideas.

"The man who will use his skill and constructive imagination to see how much he can give for a dollar, instead of how little he can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed."
~Henry Ford

BATH SALTS GIFT RECIPE

2 cups of Epsom Salts
30 drops of your favorite essential oil
(dollar store has them $1 a bottle)
5 to 8 drops food coloring
whatever color you prefer.

Pour the Epsom salt into a wide-mouth jar
and add the essential oil.
Stir or Shake vigorously.
Add in the food coloring, mixing
until the color is evenly distributed.

Cover tightly and let stand for 2-3 weeks,
stirring every 2 to 3 days.
You can either make a label for the jar
or a small card to tie around the top with
your special greeting and the Bath Salt directions.

tag example:

"Merry Christmas Vicky!
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon in
a tub of hot bath water.
Grab a book and Enjoy."

These salts can be given in small Mason jars,
you can tie green or red rafia around the lid.
Decorate them any way you like, Have fun!
or
Buy a box of clear, glass Christmas ornaments
from the Dollar Store.
Fill the ornament 1 /2 with the bath salts,
attach a Holiday colored ribbon or bow at the top.

This makes a perfect Hostess Gift, party favor or
great gift idea for a teacher, newpaper delivery person,
postal service employee, your favorite bank teller
or someone at the office.

HOLIDAY GIFT BASKETS - CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS

You can buy inexpensive baskets at second hand stores
like Salvation Army or Goodwill and wash them in the kitchn sink
with warm sudsy water..
Let them air dry, spray paint them gold or silver if necessary.

After you fill your gift basket, wrap them with cellophane
and tie on some curly ribbon.
Be sure and attach the gift card with the theme for the basket.
If you would rather not use a basket,
most dollar stores carry tons of cute theme bags for a dollar.

You could do any theme you want.
If you take a few minutes and look around you will be
surprised at all the 'goodies' you can get.
You can fill a basket from $5 - $10.

Dollar General, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, Everything's $1, Deals,
All of these places are filled to the brim with goodies at frugal prices.
If you shop at the larger stores, they usually have an area over in
Health and Beauty aids for trial size products.
Great for stockings or gift baskets.

Theme gift baskets / bags can include:

"A Warm Winters Night"
2 coffee cups, each with a packet of cocoa mix.
(2/$1 at Dollar store)
box or bag of cookies
The recipients favorite Magazine
or Garden seed catalog
pair of fuzzy slippers
or cozy socks.

"Movie Night"
a blank video tape,
gift certificate for one free rental at the video store.
a couple of bags of microwave popcorn
box or 2 of milk duds, thin mints, etc...
(also at Dollar store)
At party stores I have also seen
some popcorn bags that look like the old
fashioned ones.
seasoned salt.

"Let's Build a Snowman Kit"
2 mugs with cider packets
or 2 mugs with cocoa packets
marshmallows
a pair of mittens or gloves
chapstick
Your snowman ingredients:
a carrot, 2 large buttons, snitch some of the
cocoa marshmallows for a mouth,
a toboggin or old scarf.
Dollar General has toboggins for $1 each or you can
make a hat from newspaper.

"Think Spring Gardeners Basket"
seed packets
garden bulbs
pretty vase
garden gloves
trowel or small garden goodies.
(whatever you can find)
a personalized coupon from you
for example:
"I owe U 1 hour for help with Spring Garden Cleanup"
Wall Calendar
(Family Dollar has canvas ones for $1)
old farmers almanac

"Book Lover's or Writer's Basket"
Peppermints, any kind of munchies,
cute bookmarks
(again $1 at Dollar General)
novelty note pads,
( I bought some today shaped like 1950's dresses for $1 each)
Journals, Pencils, pencil sharpener,
Pens, stationery,

"Basket Of Beauty"
Hankies, perfumes,
bath salts, soaps,
body lufas, shampoo,nail polish,
lip gloss, emery boards,
face mask, scented soaps,
new brush, barettes,
brooches.

"Teachers"
one shiny apple
lapel pin or brooch
hankies, bookmarks
Blank Cd's, red pens,
pencils, pencil holder,
magnet, journals

"Kitchen Helper"
measuring cups, apron,
bowls, mugs, candy dish
glasses, utensils,
potholder, dish rag,
dish towel,
jar opener,
flashlight & D batteries,
refrigerator magnets,
spices (2/$1 at DG)
pastas, the possibilites for
this basket are endless

Here are a few more themes,
You'll have so much fun and the
person who receives it is always
surprised and overwhelmed thinking how special it was
you picked out items especially for them !

"Scrapbookers Basket"
"Sewers Basket"
"Handyman's Basket"
"Sportsman's Basket"
"Children's Basket"
"Night of Romance"
"Pets Basket"
"Coffee Lover's"
"BBQ Chef"

Use your imagination,

Ask yourself these questions:
What hobby do they have?
What hobby are they wanting to start?
maybe scrapbooking or a craft...
Would I like to receive it ?

Have Fun and have a blessed and safe Holiday Season.

HOLIDAY DRINKS NOGS CIDERS COFFEES WAISSAIL HOT BUTTERED RUM

2005-12-12T19:55:00.000-05:00

Good Evening Friends,
Today we are sharing our Holiday collection of
Hot Beverages for Cold Winter Nights.
I hope we will have something you like.
Hot Drinks this time of year will warm you up
and help chase away the chills of Winter.
Snuggle up with a book, a blanket and a
mug of your favorite...

*The first 3 recipes contain alcohol*

CAPPUCCINO NOG
courtesy: Darla & Steve

3 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Dash of salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup hot espresso coffee
1/2 cup coffee liqueur or brandy
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 Tbl packed brown sugar
Shaved chocolate or ground cinnamon, if desired

Mix eggs, granulated sugar and salt in heavy 2-quart saucepan.
Gradually stir in milk.
Cook over low heat 15 to 20 minutes, stirring constantly
just until mixture coats a metal spoon; remove from heat.

Stir in vanilla.
Mix coffee liqueur.
Gradually stir coffee mixture into custard mixture,
keep warm.

Just before serving,
beat whipping cream and brown sugar in chilled bowl
with electric mixer on high speed until stiff.
Gently stir 1 cup of the whipped cream into custard mixture.

Pour eggnog into mugs.
Top with dollops of remaining whipped cream.
Sprinkle with shaved chocolate.
Serve immediately.
**Immediately refrigerate any remaining eggnog.

~

IRISH COFFEE
(alcoholic version)

1 cup (8-ounces) heavy cream
3 tablespoons granulated sugar (divided)
6 cups hot black coffee
3/4 cup Irish whiskey

To make your whipped cream:
Beat the cream with 1 Tablespoon of sugar with an electric
mixer until soft peaks form.
Set aside.
Combine 2 Tablespoons sugar, coffee and whiskey
Stir well.
Pour into mugs and top with your whipped cream.
Serve immediately.

~

HOT SPICED CIDER

(alcoholic version)

1 Gallon Apple Cider
1 cup Sugar
2 tsp Whole Cloves
1 Whole Nutmeg
2 Cups Orange Juice
1/2 cup Lemon juice
3/4 cup Apple Brandy

Combine cider and sugar in large pot.
Tie spices in cheesecloth bag,
add bag to cider.
Bring to boil,
reduce heat & simmer 15 minutes.
Remove from heat, add brandy.

Makes 2 1/2 quarts

~

HOT WAISSAIL

4 cups Unsweetened apple juice
3 cups Unsweetened pineapple juice
2 cups Cranberry juice cocktail
1/4 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
1 Cinnamon stick
3 Whole cloves
Lemon slices
Combine all the ingredients in a large kettle
and simmer for 10 minutes.
Serve hot.

~

HOT PEACH COBBLER

1 1/2 oz Non-Alcoholic Peach Schnapps
4 oz Hot Apple Cider
Pinch of Cinnamon
Combine ingredients in a mug
Stir with cinnamon stick.

~

COLONIAL HOT BUTTERED RUM

2 cups Brown sugar
1/2 cup Butter
1 pinch Salt
3 Sticks cinnamon
6 Whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
2 cups Rum
Heavy cream, whipped
Nutmeg

Place Brown sugar, Butter, salt, cinnamon & cloves in crockpot.
Add 2 quarts hot water.
Stir well.
Cover pot and cook on LOW for 5 hours.
Add rum; stir to blend, use slotted spoon to remove cloves.
Serve in warm mugs
with a scoop of whipped cream and a dusting of nutmeg.

~

KENTUCKY COFFEE

1 1/2 oz Non-Alcoholic Coffee Liqueur
5 oz Hot Coffee
Combine in a mug,
top with a
Dollop or 2 of Whipped Cream

Warm Winter Wishes from our Home to yours ~

Return to Little Place Back In The Hills

TRENDY HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS SONG LYRICS

2005-12-11T20:01:00.000-05:00

TRENDY HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

With so much information thrown at us daily (most people get bombarded with around 200 ads a day), fast computers, and the speed of technology and life itself, it's no surprise that serenity currently is in vogue. While most gardeners find tranquility and peace in their gardens, you also can give a gift of "serenity" to your favorite gardener this holiday season.

For a start, there are many gifts relating to water gardening. Consider a gift certificate to a garden supplier of pre-formed pool liners or water plants, or a good reference book for a "new" water gardener. For the established water gardener, how about night lighting for the pool, a fountain, a statue, or books and gift certificates?

Old-fashioned or heirloom gardens are still popular, the reason again being, the search for a more "peaceful" and less technological time. Lots of references abound on this topic now, along with old-fashioned garden ornaments, such as gazing globes and iron benches.

Many people still want a lifestyle that's ecologically sound and in harmony with nature. For them, consider composting supplies, books or supplies for organic gardening, and gift certificates for suppliers of organically grown and native plants. Or choose accessories for bird and butterfly gardening, such as heated birdbaths for winter or hummingbird feeders for summer.

How about some new or different bird feeders? There are dozens available. Does the person you are shopping for have a feeder to hold whole, raw peanuts for the blue jays and finches, for example?

Other trends include night gardens (outdoor lighting and white and/or fragrant flowers as gifts); gardening with kids (stuff a stocking with seeds, kids' tools, kids' gloves); and vine gardens (how about reference books, trellises, or plants?).

Many gardeners also enjoy incorporating a bit of "whimsy" into the garden. Whimsy can be as silly as pink flamingos or as classic as serious statuary. Personally, I like to intersperse a piece of whimsy in each garden bed, not making it really obvious, but rather something the visitor just happens upon. This might be a metal garden fairy or other figure on a stake, a ceramic frog, or a spider made of metal rods.

Theme gardens also are currently popular, such as by color (blue or white flowers, for instance); by use (such as a pizza garden of pizza ingredients); by geography (a Mediterranean garden--lots of non-hardy plants here to bring indoors in winter); or even by literature. Children's books, such as The Secret Garden or adult ones such as Shakespeare's plays, may serve for themes. Use your imagination to come up with appropriate gift ideas.

When choosing trendy plants, pots, and other supplies, think pink (especially with orange). Terra cotta, butter yellows, blues, and greens (like earth and sky) also are popular, again as part of the "serenity" search.

Or focus your gift ideas on the metallic hues such as gold, silver, and bronze, both in plants and garden accessories. This past year I saw a garden done just in silver accessories and foliages, like Artemisias, eucalyptus, (not hardy for Vermont, so treat as an annual), silver Plectranthus, and many others.

So, when the mail order catalogs arrive this year, and you're overwhelmed by the offerings, focus on these trends to narrow your choices. Hopefully, these ideas will help you shop for that gardener, or if a gardener yourself, give you some ideas to share with others (hint, hint!).

article courtesy:
Dr Leonard Perry
Extension Professor

It's the most wonderful time of the year
Eddie Pola, George Wyle 1963

It's the most wonderful time of the year.
With the kids jingle belling,
and everyone telling you,
"Be of good cheer,"
It's the most wonderful time of the year.

There'll be parties for hosting,
marshmallows for toasting and
caroling out in the snow.
there'll be scary ghost stories and
tales of the glories of Christmases
long, long ago.

It's the most wonderful time of the year.
There'll be much mistletoeing
and hearts will be glowing,
when loved ones are near.

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

HOLIDAY IDEAS & CHRISTMAS LEGEND OF THE ROBIN

2005-12-10T18:01:00.000-05:00

CHRISTMAS LEGEND OF THE ROBIN REDBREAST

The Legend of the Robin

On the night that Baby Jesus was born, a plain brown bird was
watching from her nest in the loft of the stable.

During the night, a cold breeze came through the drafty stable,
and Mary was afraid the Baby would not stay warm.
Joseph built a small fire, but it was not enough.

The bird was watching from her nest and knew that this Child
was very special. She flew down to the fire and gently flapped
her wings to fan the fire. She was very close to the fire and
became so hot that her feathers turned red and her chest was cinged by the heat.
But she stayed by the fire all night to keep the Baby warm.

The breast of the robin has been red since that night to remind
us of the love and dedication she showed.

MAKE YOUR OWN HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

As the holidays approach, you have a wonderful opportunity to express yourself by making natural decorations. At the same time, you can help your home take on a truly festive spirit.

Holiday decorations are not hard to make. You will catch on to the simple principles quickly, and in a short time your results may surprise everyone, including yourself.

Most of the materials you need are inexpensive or free for the asking in many sections of the state. But remember to get permission before cutting branches or fruits on someone else's land!

For plant materials, evergreen twigs and boughs are the most important. You may be surprised at how much material goes into even small decorations. If you have a cool, moist spot free of drafts for storage, you can start gathering greens as early as Thanksgiving. Or you can buy greens, usually in bundles, from garden stores and many outlets selling Christmas trees. In any case, keep them away from heat, wind, and sun.

The most common evergreens include balsam fir (the most common), spruce (needles don't last as long as fir), white pine, and hemlock (needles will drop in dry air). Other less commonly used evergreens are white cedar or arborvitae (foliage fades to yellow in a few weeks), red cedar and other wild junipers (sharp needles, so use sparingly to add variety, color, texture, and form), and broad-leaved evergreens like rhododendrons. One caution about using yew or taxus is that all plant parts are poisonous, especially the attractive seeds.

Other plant parts you can use for interest, and to give arrangements that New England "country" appearance include cones, grasses, pods, and berries. The latter can be found in many colors. For red or orange, try sumac, crabapples, hawthorne, and mountain ash. For a touch of blue, use nannyberry, arrowwood, or junipers, and for yellow, crabapples. Christmas shops may carry more exotic plant parts such as lotus pods, holly, mistletoe, and baby cattails.

Some people like to add artificial decorations like bells, balls, and fake berries to their natural arrangements. Red ribbons also are popular although hundreds of other styles and color combinations of ribbons are available. If using outdoors, make sure you select a ribbon rated for that use. Keep the width in proportion to the size of the arrangement.

In addition to plants and other decorative materials, you will need something for a base for most decorations. Wreaths require a wire, foam, or straw wreath form or a coat hanger bent into a circle. Rope makes a good base for garlands or roping. Florist foam, which comes in "bricks" that can be cut to fit any container, may be purchased at florist or craft shops.

Other essentials include a pair of clippers or utility scissors, florist picks (to hold greens to straw bases), and florist wire. The latter is a thin green wire, available in several widths, that is used to hold everything together, such as cones to wreaths, greens to frames or rope, and decorations to walls.

The range of decorations you can make reaches far beyond what you may think is possible. So, don't hesitate to try out new ideas. Just keep in mind that whatever you make should be in proportion to, and harmonize with, the surroundings.

To make wreaths or ropings, you will need individual branchlets or bundles of them. Simply cut small branch pieces four to six inches in length from main branches, and wire or pin them directly to the frames. Or you can wire several together into a bundle, then wire the bundle to the base.

Overlap one branchlet or bundle over the cut ends of the last to hide them and the wire. Proceed down the rope or around the frame in this manner. Finally, once the greens are secured, add a bow and a few ornaments of interest, such as cones, berries, or artificial decorations.

To make a table arrangement, start with a wet block of florist foam, either free standing or cut to fit a basket or other decorative container. Use a saucer under the wet foam, unless the container is water tight. Place sprigs of green in the foam, followed by ornaments such as berries and artificial ornaments. Berries can be wired to a florist pick, then stuck in the foam. Follow the same design principles as you would if arranging flowers.

Many other decorations are possible using wire or Styrofoam bases in the shapes of candy canes, cones, or balls, among others. Simply follow the above procedures and your own creativity!

article courtesy:
Dr.Leonard Perry

HERBS WITH HOLIDAY HISTORY

2005-12-09T20:31:00.000-05:00

"From December to March, there are for many of us,

three gardens -

the garden outdoors,

the garden of pots and bowls in the house,

and the garden of the mind's eye."

~K. S. White

HERBS WITH A HOLIDAY HISTORY

Although any aromatic herb is ideal for holiday decorations, wreaths, and table centerpieces, four have biblical links with Christmas. Many crafts shops and florists carry these dried herb plants along with the baskets, bowls, and other trimmings needed for decorating.

ENGLISH PENNYROYAL--This perennial herb was said to have been placed in the manger on the night of the Christ child's birth and burst into bloom the moment the child was born. English pennyroyal adds a fragrant aroma to wreaths but can be toxic if ingested, so keep out of reach of pets and children. It is often used in potpourri and cosmetics and is native to southern Europe and western Asia.

ROSEMARY--One of the most beautiful and fragrant of the seasoned herbs, rosemary, according to folklore, will bring happiness for the coming year to anyone who smells it on Christmas Eve.

During the flight into Egypt, Mary spread her child's garments on a rosemary plant to dry. The flowers, originally white, turned blue and acquired the sweet scent they have today.

Another legend claims that at midnight on Jan. 5, the "old Christmas Eve," rosemary plants will simultaneously burst into flower in celebration of Christmas. Rosemary plants add attractiveness and fragrance to holiday wreaths and are especially suitable for tussie mussies, which are small bouquets made with dried flowers, doilies, and ribbons for use at individual place settings on the holiday dinner table.

WILD THYME--This pungent herb, a member of the mint family, was collected from the fields outside of Bethlehem to make a soft bed for Mary during the birth of her child. It is thought to have antiseptic properties and was burned as incense later in history by the Greeks. Today thyme is a popular culinary seasoning but can be used in dried flower arrangements, bouquets, and potpourri during the holiday season.

LAVENDER--The Virgin Mary is said to have dried her newborn's swaddling clothes by spreading them on a bed of wild lavender. This herb, also of the mint family, grows as a small evergreen shrub. It has grey-green leaves, light purple flowers, and a sweet floral scent. When dried it can be used whole for wreaths and centerpieces or crushed to use in sachets for closets or drawers or to scent a bath.

article courtesy of:
Dr. Leonard Perry,
Extension Professor

MENUS FOR A BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON

2005-12-08T12:21:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends,
It seems that time is at a premium these days,
especially this time of year.
We enjoy using the crock pot for dinner and supper
for 2 main reasons:

1). The way your house smells...
while your dinner is simmering your house smells amazing.
Well, it does if you followed the right slow cooker recipe.

2). The ease of clean-up.
We both love to cook and bake, but find dishwashing a chore.
I have recently installed a policy of "drawing straws" to see who does
the dishes. I keep 2 straws taped on the refrigerator just for this purpose.
Hmmm, come to think of it, I didn't see them this morning.
I'll investigate and let you know.

When we build our house, we both have agreed to
make installing a dishwasher a high priority.
It is hard to plan desserts for regular meals,
during the Holiday season.
With all of the heavy chocolate snacks and sugary sweets
available this time of the year,
I think you will agree Lemon Crisps are a real treat.

MENU FOR A BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON

CROCKPOT STEAK AND POTATO SOUP
courtesy: Darla & Steve

1 lb. beef boneless round steak
1 pound small red potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 medium stalks celery, chopped (1 cup)
2 medium carrots, chopped (1 cup)
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 cans (14 1/2 oz each) ready-to-serve beef broth
1 jar ( 6 ounces) sliced mushrooms, undrained
for gravy
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1. Trim excess fat from beef. Cut beef into 1 x 1/4-inch pieces. Mix
beef and remaining ingredients except water and flour in 5-quart
Crock-Pot slow cooker.

2. Cover and cook on low setting 8 to 9 hours or until beef and
vegetables are tender.

3. Last half hour of cooking
Mix water and flour. Gradually stir flour mixture into soup until
blended. Cover and cook on high setting about 30 minutes or until
slightly thickened.

* For accurate cooking times and proper doneness, cut all meats and
vegetables into the sizes specified in each recipe.

^^

CREAMY KENTUCKY CORN MUFFINS

2 pkgs. "JIFFY" Corn Muffin Mix
2 eggs
1 can (12 oz.) cream style corn
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375°.
Grease one large muffin pan well, or use paper liners.
Mix all ingredients together, blending well.
Pour into prepared muffin pan, filling about 1/2 full.
Bake for 22-28 minutes.

app~ 18 large muffins

and for dessert:

Lemon Crisp Cookies:
*these can be made the night before.

1 pkg lemon dry cake mix
1 cup rice crispies cereal
1/2 cup melted butter or margarine
1 beaten egg
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

In large bowl, combine all ingredients until well mixed.
Dough will be crumbly.
Shape by hand into 1" balls.
Place 2" apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake at 350' for 10-12 minutes or until set.
Cool for about 1 minute before
removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store tightly covered.

app~ 4 dozen

WINTER GARDENER HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

2005-12-07T18:19:00.000-05:00

Crafty Holiday Gift Ideas

You don't have to be Martha Stewart to turn every day objects into beautiful garden-themed gifts for holiday giving. In fact, these projects are so easy to do that the hardest part may be giving them away, as you will want to keep them for yourself!

GARDENING GLOVES--To make this gift you will need acrylic craft paint (available at any craft store or art supply shop); stencils of flowers, vegetables, or other garden-related items; small paint brushes or sponges; and a pair of white or cream-colored canvas gardening gloves.

Lay the gloves flat on a piece of newspaper. Tape a stencil to the back of the glove, and gently sponge on paint. Or draw floral designs freehand. If applying more than one color, allow the paint to dry between applications of each color. To further personalize the gift, write the recipient's name on the cuff of each glove.

TOTE BAG--Or add your own personal touches to a fabric tote bag. Again, cream or white is the best color as the design will stand out better. In addition to the bag, you will need stencils, paint for fabric stenciling, and a stencil brush or paint sponge.

Before you begin, hand wash the bag in cool water using a mild detergent. If needed, iron to remove wrinkles. When stenciling, it's a good idea to work slowly, carefully blotting the brush on a paper towel to avoid drips and smearing while applying paint. Add one color at a time, allowing the paint to dry between applications. When finished, let the bag dry for a week to 10 days.

Tote bags also can be embroidered or appliquéd. Choose a festive floral design, and don't forget to work the recipient's name into the design. For either stenciling, embroidery, or appliqué, it's best to plan your design on paper first, before you start to work.

Although the tote bag itself makes a wonderful gift, you could fill it with a variety of small garden items, including packets of favorite flower seeds, a pair of hand-decorated garden gloves, a trowel or other hand tool, row markers, and a garden book or blank journal for jotting down garden notes. Or how about a jar of homemade applesauce or blueberry jam? Be sure to add a card with washing instructions: Hand wash in cool water using mild soap.

FLOWER POTS--Decorated clay flower pots make the perfect gift for gardener and non-gardener alike. They can be used for a potted plant or a silk flower centerpiece, or even to hold pens and pencils on an office desk.

You can stencil, decoupage, or cover in mosaic tiles, being as flashy or as subdued in your choice of color scheme as you'd like. But regardless of the decorating method you choose, start with a clean terra-cotta pot.

Lightly sand the outside of the pot with sandpaper, wiping off the dust as you go. If the pot will be used for a plant, brush the inner surface with a water sealant (the kind used for wood) to prevent moisture from seeping through and ruining your designs.

For a stenciled pot, give the outside of the pot two coats of acrylic paint. You may want to paint the rim a different color. Next, tape the stencil to the pot. With a stencil brush, sponge, or foam brush carefully dab on paint.

For decoupage, you can use scraps of colorful fabric; pictures of flowers and vegetables cut from a seed catalog or magazine; or even the front of seed packets to decorate your pot. Arrange pieces on the pot, lightly marking where each will go with a pencil. Remove and coat the back with decoupage medium (available at craft shops). Place on the pot, smoothing gently to eliminate air bubbles.

Use a damp paper towel to remove excess medium. When you have finished, apply several more layers of the medium to seal the design, allowing it to dry between coats. Or you can spray with an acrylic spray varnish.

To make a mosaic pot you will need tile glue or adhesive caulk, grout, and tiny tiles or chips of colored crockery (place broken dishes and glasses in a bag and break into small pieces with a hammer). Brush glue or caulking on the pot in an even layer, doing only a small area at a time. Press pieces onto the pot, spacing them about an eighth of an inch apart. Let dry, then apply grout according to manufacturer's instructions.

Another option is to paint the pot in a solid, vibrant color--bright gold or a velvety blue would look nice--adding leaf prints to jazz it up. You can use either real or fake foliage, but choose leaves with interesting shapes or edges. Carefully brush fabric paint onto the underside of the leaf, spreading the paint evenly over the surface. Press this side onto the pot, gently rubbing the leaf with your fingers to make the print. Lift off and allow to dry.

You also can use this last technique to decorate placemats. Buy or make the mats out of a solid, neutral color like ivory or wheat. Silver or gold leaves will give the placemats a formal look. Use of autumn colors like maroon, brown, and orange or spring pastels tie the gift into a particular season.

PRESSED FLOWER NOTECARDS--For this idea you will need pressed flowers, leaves, and herbs; a heavyweight paper folded into notecard-size pieces; glue; and clear, self-adhesive contact paper. If you did not press and save blossoms and foliage from summer annuals and perennials, you can use herbs from your windowsill herb garden or foliage from houseplants. Or perhaps you brought your potted flowering plants in for the winter. For flowers, ones with few petals work best, such as pansies.

To dry, spread the blossoms and greenery in a single layer on a paper towel or sheet of white absorbent paper. Place a second sheet on top. Press by putting a stack of books or other heavy objects on top. The drying process will take about two weeks.

Arrange your dried flowers and leaves on the notecard paper, using a pencil to mark the position of each. Glue background pieces on first, then the focal flowers and accents. Add a message or quote in a nice ink, if you wish. Allow to dry, then carefully cover with clear contact paper to protect your artwork. Press firmly, and smooth out any air bubbles.

These are but a few ideas for holiday gifts to make using flowers and garden themes. Find other ideas by browsing through crafts books or checking out Internet Websites devoted to crafts projects. In addition, check with your local crafts shop to see if any demonstrations or classes are scheduled.

article courtesy of:
Dr. Leonard Perry,
Extension Professor
University of Vermont

~~

Enjoying your Garden,
even in Winter.

Ideas for the Winter Gardener

DON'T OVER DO IT

Winter and Fall are great times for enjoying garden tasks that may be too strenuous during warmer months. It is a great time to clean up your flower pots, containers, tools and garden area. How many times have you picked up your favorite trowell and thought it sure could use a good sharpening? Eventhough it does get dark earlier, you have plenty of time to get caught up with those things you may have neglected when you were busy startings seeds, planting, transplanting, weeding, shaping, deadheading and trimming. Now, you have the time to sharpen and clean your tools. You may even decide to totally reorganize your garden plots. There are many Garden utility carts and racks on the market. Perhaps now is the time to reorganize your potting shed or work area. If the weather cooperates, you could even construct a small CPV greenhouse. These can usually be completed in a weekend.

During the really cold days of winter, you can warm yourself by grabbing a hot beverage and snuggling up with Spring Garden catalogs. Right after all of the holiday rush is a great time to relax and make that wish list and make designs or detailed drawings for Spring. Making lists of what you may need for the upcoming season is always a good idea. It seems like one can never have too many pairs of gloves or garden markers. Now there is time to spread that new mulch or gravel on paths or other needed areas without getting overheated. If you enjoy do-it-yourself projects, handcrafts or woodworking, you could try some new tasks. How about building a window box, your own garden furniture, or trying your hand a birdhouse or a personalized bird feeder. The possibilities are endless.

"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle ...
a seed waiting to sprout,
a bulb opening to the light,
a bud straining to unfurl.
And the anticipation nurtures our dream."

POINSETTIA'S - NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

2005-12-06T15:39:00.000-05:00

Good Afternoon from the Frosted Hills of Kentucky.

I have bought Poinsettia's for gifts before but
have never purchased one for myself.
To tell you the truth it kinda made me sad to see
people discard them so easily after Christmas.

Today, I am sharing two articles on Poinsettia's
that I find informative and interesting.
I was looking through our gardening catalogs and
am amazed at all of the color varieties available.
If you are looking for a last minute Christmas Gift,
Poinsettia's are widely available.
We hope you are Having a Happy Holiday Season.

WHY DO WE HAVE POINSETTIAS?

With poinsettias the most popular flowering holiday plant in much of the world, most may not stop to think just how they got to be so popular. Their history begins in Mexico, in the early 1800's.

Poinsettias actually were around for much longer, having been cultivated by the Aztecs in Mexico before Christianity came to the Western Hemisphere. The plant was native to an area called Taxo del Alarcon in southern Mexico. Growing year round as a woody shrub, to ten feet high, it bloomed during the shorter days of winter. Research in the middle of the twentieth century showed the poinsettia requires a specific number of hours of darkness each night in order to bloom.

Because of its brilliant color, the flower was considered a symbol of purity by the native Mexicans. It was highly prized by Kings Netzahualcoyotl and Montezuma, even though they could not grow it in the cooler climate of their capital (present-day Mexico City).

The Aztecs used the plant they called "cuetlaxochiti" not only for decoration, but for practical uses. They made a purplish dye from its bracts (the colored parts we think of as the flowers), and used its milky sap or latex to treat fevers.

Perhaps the first use of the poinsettia for holidays, due to its time of bloom and beautiful color, predated its "discovery." During the 17th century, Franciscan priests near Taxco used the flower in a nativity procession, the Fiesta of Santa Pesebre.

The first of three people responsible for the poinsettia's popularity was Joel Roberts Poinsett, Ambassador to Mexico from 1825 to 1829. As a sidenote, it is he who later founded what we know today as the Smithsonian Institution. Mr. Poinsett was also a keen botanist, and sent some of these plants in 1828 to his own greenhouses on his Greenville, South Carolina plantation. From there he propagated the plants, sending them to friends and relatives.

One of these that received some of the first poinsettias was the second person responsible for promoting the poinsettia. Colonel Robert Carr, then owner of the famous Bartram Nursery of Philadelphia, introduced the poinsettia into cultivation and trade in 1829 at an exhibition of the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society. In 1834, another famous nurseryman in American history, Robert Buist, introduced the poinsettia to Europe.

This plant is a member of the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, and was first marketed as Euphorbia poinsettia. A German taxonomist correctly named it Euphorbia pulcherrima (most beautiful) in 1833, the correct scientific name to this day. The common name we use today was believed to have been coined around 1836.

The poinsettia was shipped around the country during the 1800's, more as an outdoor plant for warm climates. Around 1920 in southern California, a horticulturist named Paul Ecke became the third key person to promote the poinsettia. He felt this shrub growing wild along roadsides would make a perfect Christmas flower, so set about producing these in fields in what is now Hollywood. A few years later, due to development, he was forced to move south to Encinitas where the Paul Ecke Ranch continues to produce poinsettias today.

Through the marketing efforts of Paul Ecke and his sons, the poinsettia has become symbolic with Christmas. An Act of Congress has even set December 12, the death of Joel Poinsett, as National Poinsettia Day to commemorate this man and this plant. Originally only red in color, through the breeding efforts of the Eckes and others, the poinsettia you find today may be in all shades of red to almost purple, pinks, bicolors, and even white.

article courtesy of:
Dr. Leonard Perry,
Extension Professor

~~

CARING FOR YOUR POINSETTIA YEAR ROUND

People have different opinions about the poinsettia. Some consider it a holiday plant to be enjoyed during the month of December, then discarded with the Christmas tree. Others like to nurture and coddle their plants, coaxing them into bloom season after season.

Me, I subscribe to the former way of thinking. Although it may seem a shame to discard potted holiday plants, such as poinsettias, if you prorate the cost of the plant over the long period you are able to enjoy it, the cost isn't really much. We often spend many times the cost of a potted plant for a dinner or a movie that can be enjoyed only briefly. Besides, I don't have the room to keep this, then get more spring flowering plants, too!

There's also no guarantee that your poinsettia will bloom again next December, even with year-round care. But if you'd like to try, here are a few tips.

First, be sure you choose a plant with small, tightly clustered yellow buds in the center. Look for crisp, brightly colored, undamaged bracts (leaves). Avoid plants that are displayed in drafty areas.

Protect the plant from the elements on its trip from the store to your home. Wrap in layers of newspapers or a double brown paper bag.

Place the plant in a room with plenty of bright, natural light. Keep out of drafts and away from appliances and refrigerators, and never place it on the television set.

Water only when dry; discard excess water that runs through the pot's drainage holes. If wrapped in foil, make sure the pot doesn't sit in water inside the decorative wrap.

A good way to remember when to provide extra attention to your poinsettia is by tieing your care schedule to specific holidays. Here's how:

NEW YEAR'S DAY--Fertilize with an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer at recommended rates. Continue to provide adequate light and water for prolonged bloom for several weeks.

VALENTINE'S DAY--Check your plant for signs of insects such as white fly. If your plant has become long and leggy, cut back to about five inches tall.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY--Remove faded and dried parts of the plant. Add more soil, preferably a commercially available sterile soil mix. Keep the plant in a very bright interior location.

MEMORIAL DAY--Trim off two to three inches of branches to promote side branching. Repot to a larger container using a sterile growing mix.

FATHER'S DAY--Move the plant outside for the summer; place in indirect light.

FOURTH OF JULY--Trim the plant again. Move it into full sun. Continue to water and fertilize but increase the amount to accelerate growth.

LABOR DAY--Move indoors to a spot that gets at least six hours of direct light daily, preferably more. As new growth begins, reduce the amount of fertilizer.

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX--Starting on or near Sept. 21, give the plant 13 hours of uninterrupted darkness (put the plant in a closet, basement, or under a box) and 11 hours of bright light each day. Maintain night temperatures in the low 60 degree F range. Continue to water and fertilize. Rotate the plant daily to give all sides even light.

THANKSGIVING--Discontinue the short day/long night treatment. Put the plant in a sunny area that gets at least six hours of direct light. Reduce water and fertilizer.

CHRISTMAS--Enjoy your "new" poinsettia. Start the cycle all over again.

article courtesy of:
Dr. Leonard Perry,
Extension Professor

KENTUCKY COFFEE CAN BREAD RECIPE

2005-12-06T00:45:00.000-05:00

Lets talk about Bread

We'll be sharing all kinds of recipes with you.
Today, we are going to take a look at some old fashioned Bread recipes.

'Back in the day' when real Cowboys kept watch on the herd,
they often had fresh baked bread available to snack on.
When bread was considered a basic staple of life, fresh bread was cooked over the campfire.
They used dutch ovens, iron skillets, various pots and pans, cans, whatever was on the Chuckwagon.

I thought you might like to try an old Kentucky Favorite,
Old Fashioned Campfire Bread.
Now, be sure and use a metal coffee can and take off that paper label and plastic lid BEFORE you put it in the oven.

KENTUCKY COFFEE CAN BREAD RECIPE

3 to 3 1/2 c. flour, divided
1 package active dry yeast
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. oil
1/4 c. sugar
1 t. salt
2 beaten eggs
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Combine 1 1/2 c. flour and yeast.
Heat milk, water, oil, sugar and salt until warm (120°),
stirring to blend; add to flour mixture along with eggs and cheese.
Beat with an electric mixer or by hand until batter is smooth.
Using a spoon, mix in the remaining flour, (batter will be stiff).
Divide batter and spoon into two well-greased 1 lb. nekkid Metal Coffee cans.
Any brand of coffee will do :)
Cover with plastic lids.
Let rise in a warm place until batter is about
1/4 to 1/2 inches below plastic lids, app ~ 45-60 min.

*Don't forget, Remove plastic lids before baking
Because of the height of the coffee can you should check to see
if you need to remove one of your oven racks, before pre-heating your oven.

Place coffee cans in the pre-heated oven;
Bake at 375° for 30-35 min.
Cool for 15 minutes before removing from can.

Of course everyone has heard the story of the invention of hush puppies.
right?
You haven't ?
Well let me tell you what I heard.
There was cowpuncher....
ok, ok
I will save it for another day,
right now I want to share some more old time bread recipes...

CAMP FIRE BREAD RECIPE

10 Cups flour
3 tsp salt
4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp sugar
1 T lard
4 ¼ Cups water (or update to: 4 C water & ¼ C evaporated milk)

Sift and mix ingredients together.
Use lukewarm water-dough is rather dry.
Let dough set for 20 to 30 minutes.
Roll out into ¼" to ½" thin rounds and
cook in a hot (bacon) greased, cast iron, skillet or Dutch oven.

Prick with fork and turn when browned.

*(Original cowboy bread of the famous King Ranch, Tx, circa 1850's)

~~

OLD TIME COWBOY BREAD RECIPE

1 package yeast
1 quart warm milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
8 cups flour or enough to make dough stiff

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.
In large bowl combine all ingredients.
Let stand in warm place until doubled in size.
Grease 2 (9 x 13-inch) cake pans.
Pat dough into pans, especially in corners.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Dough will keep 3 weeks in refrigerator.
After refrigeration, there is no need to let the dough rise before baking.
*recipe courtesy of recipes to go

~~

AUTUMN PEAR BREAD RECIPE

2 Cups flour
1 Cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/2 Cup butter or margarine
2 eggs
1/4 Cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
1 Cup finely chopped ripe pears

In large bowl, combine dry ingredients.
Cut butter into mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
In small bowl, beat eggs, buttermilk and vanilla.
Stir in dry ingredients until just moistened.
Fold in pears.
Spoon into three mini loaves 5x2-1/2x2.
Bake 350F for 35 to 40 minutes.
Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing.

*

WELCOME to Our Little Place Back in The Hills

2005-12-05T01:25:00.000-05:00

Hello and Welcome To Our Little Place Back in the Hills.

"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle ...
a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light,
a bud straining to unfurl.
And the anticipation nurtures our dream."
~B. Winkler

With the holidays upon us,
I wanted to share with you my
Bread Pudding Recipe and 2 different sauces.

Kentucky Bread Pudding

preheat oven to 350 f

10 slices 'texas toast' bread, cubed
2 cups milk
1 stick butter melted
2 beaten eggs
1/3 c brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 box raisins (optional)

scald milk & butter in saucepan.
remove and set aside.
Beat together:
eggs, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon
when milk mixture is cool enough add egg mixture
making sure the eggs do not curdle.
Add bread cubes and raisins
stirring carefully to mix, do Not beat.
Place in an 8"x11" well-greased pan.
Cook app 40 minutes or until done.

**
White Sauce

1 C. whole milk
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 C. granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. flour
dash of salt

Mix all ingredients together and bring to a boil
for 3 - 4 minutes, stirring constantly.
Set a side to cool for about 5 minutes,
pour about 1/2 to 1/3 of the mixture on the warm bread pudding.
We use the rest for dipping...

*

Or if you would like a Bourbon sauce instead of the white sauce,
here is the Basic Kentucky Bourbon sauce recipe for Bread Pudding.

BASIC KENTUCKY BOURBON SAUCE RECIPE

1 cup granulated sugar
6 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup buttermilk
app~ 1 Tablespoon Bourbon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 Tablespoon white corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a sauce pan, mix all the ingredients.
Bring to a boil for 1 minute.

Pour over warm Bread Pudding.

*

Happy Holidays !

~sticklady

Little Place Back in The Hills

Royal Red Butterfly Bush Photograph

Snow photos - pictures of our little place

The true meaning of life...

Christmas Morning Rolls Recipe

BUTTERFLY MILK WEED PICTURE NATIVE TO KENTUCKY

WARM WATER BATH CANNING & OUR STRAWBERRY PRESERVES RECIPE

FRENCH TOAST RECIPES WITH MAPLE SYRUP AND BUTTER

TAPPING SUGAR MAPLE TREES FOR SYRUP

Maintaining Garden Tillers

Maintaining Garden Tillers

Annual Maintenance for Garden Tillers

GARDEN BENCH HOW TO BUILD IT YOURSELF PROJECT

THE LITTLE GARDEN POND WE UNCOVERED IN THE WOODS

ALL I WANTED WAS AN EGG SANDWICH

A FIRE AT OUR LITTLE PLACE BACK IN THE HILLS

SWEET POTATO AND YAM RECIPES

JANUARY GARDENING TIPS GETTING READY FOR SPRING

GARDENING QUESTIONS FOR JANUARY

CROCK POT PORK CHOPS SCALLION MASHED POTATOES BUTTER CREAM BISCUIT RECIPES

KENTUCKY THUMBPRINT COOKIES USING KENTUCKY SEEDLESS BLACKBERRY & PEACH JAM

HAPPY NEW YEAR

SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE WITH ME

APPLE RAISIN BREAD PUDDING

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

CROCK POT POT ROAST BROCCOLI CASSEROLE BUTTERMILK BISCUITS

GARDEN IDEAS WINTER LANDSCAPES

Garden Ideas-Winter Landscapes

SUGAR PLUMS RECIPES & INFORMATION

SUGAR PLUM RECIPES

CAJUN CHICKEN BAYOU BEANS and RICE & BISCUIT FLATBREAD RECIPES

HOLIDAY MENU FEATURING KENTUCKY BAKED HAM with BOURBON GLAZE

SWEDISH PANCAKES RECIPES & A COWBOY CHRISTMAS CAROL

OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS LOG RECIPE

MORE CUTE HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS ON A BUDGET

FRUGAL HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS ON A BUDGET

HOLIDAY DRINKS NOGS CIDERS COFFEES WAISSAIL HOT BUTTERED RUM

HOT SPICED CIDER

HOT WAISSAIL

HOT PEACH COBBLER

COLONIAL HOT BUTTERED RUM

KENTUCKY COFFEE

TRENDY HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS SONG LYRICS

HOLIDAY IDEAS & CHRISTMAS LEGEND OF THE ROBIN

HERBS WITH HOLIDAY HISTORY

MENUS FOR A BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON

WINTER GARDENER HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

POINSETTIA'S - NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

KENTUCKY COFFEE CAN BREAD RECIPE

WELCOME to Our Little Place Back in The Hills

Garden Ideas-
Winter Landscapes