Crazy October Winter

Halloween is know for Trick or Treat – that has nothing to do with the weather.  There are areas in NJ and PA that were covered with snow.  Trees full of leaves don’t like snow.

We have pepper and tomato plants in the greenhouse – our first year of trying to extend the season into the cold weather.

It feels funny watching mature plants while starting baby sprouts for planting by St Pats day.

If  this works it will be cool.

Strange year – 4 cuttings of hay – nut trees totally full – hints of a hard winter

Take care ya all

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time is helping – looking to the future is good

Time is helping the healing.  I miiss both my parents so much.  Now with Daddy gone - it brings the loss of Mommy back lke a slap in the face.

The doctors tried to help with new meds – the help was cruel and brutal – instead of helpful,  on top of that I got walking pneumonia.

This makes me know I better find a project or I’ll have a meltdown.

Today I had a meeting with my Lehman’s editor Sarah with my ideas for future articles and one for a  project. She agreed on the direction.

The garden is getting busy – fresh tomatoes and peppers.  Oh, pasta with slow cooked meat and veggies – My stomach is growling.

 I am looking at learning to combine rest and slowing down with the thoughts being able to go forward. 

Need to start my slow cook supper.  Lunch coming home with Keith with the fresh ingredients we don’t grow for supper – ground meats and bread I didn’t get a chance to make.

Healing with Time

Time is helping me heal – although I will never stop missing my parents.  Time has a way to slowly heal the pain.

Back to work writing for Lehman’s in between doing things for my father’s estate and working on giving my parent’s – now mine – home a facelift.  New paint in the home thoughout.  Hardwod floors and new carpet in the master bedroom.   New bedroom and living room furniture to change things up and make the home our own.

Spring has certainly sprung!  The flowering trees are so pretty – though the weather has been crazy – warm – then cold – then T-storms – then freeze.

Old Fashion Comfort Foods

When weather turns cold and emotions are raw – comfort foods you grew up on can be the answer.

Meat loaf with gravy and mashed potatoes

Fried pork chops with chilled apple sauce and home-fried potatoes

Traditional pasta and meatballs in a rich thick tomato sauce

Vegetable rich beef stew cooked slowly in the crock pot

Just a touch of culinary Yumminess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

March – in like a lamb – out like a lion

March has tumbled on the scene,
exits mild, but enters mean…
Winter waves a fierce goodbye,
while robins promise Spring is nigh.

Daffodils are peeking through…
forsythia is budding, too.
Clouds are racing, sun is cool,
in like a lion is the rule!

Birds all seem to know it’s time
to answer Mother Nature’s sign;
they listen to an innate command,
and there goes March, out like a lamb.

© Joyce P. Hale

Daddy’s Memorial

Mr. Joseph Walter Herbst, age 84, of Dobson, NC passed away at his home on Thursday February 17, 2011. he was born in the Borough Manhattan, New York on September 12, 1926 to the late Jacob and Williema Bourgerhausen Herbst. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Juanita Bruce Herbst. Mr. Herbst was a Hunter, Fisher and Loved to work in his Garden. He was a veteran of the US Navy having served in WWII.
Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law Dori and Keith Fritzinger of Dobson, NC; grandchildren Rachel Hurt and Joshua Fritzinger; great granddaughter Caitlin Hurt ; three brothers Warren Herbst of New Jersey, Bedfort Herbst of California, and Richard Herbst of Dobson, NC.

There will be no services held. Moody-Davis Funeral Home in Dobson is serving the Herbst Family.

Temperatures in the 60′s

To be teased by Spring seems so unfair.  We here in the foothills of North Carolina will be in the mid 60′s this weekend.  I hope to get out side maybe even get the garden turned over.

The bunnies have been put together for Easter and babies should be here in 28 days. 

Bees are ordered for replacement hives to be picked up in April.

Mother goats are getting wider daily, interest in doe babies – encouraging.

Fishing increasing and the bass are definitely awake.

Life: Tears and Smiles

Waiting month after, after month.  Soon we’ll have a baby calf.  This has carried through all we do on the farm.   Here we go ready for the baby. . . then the tears fell… stillborn – the final sentence.  Why?   Such effort – yet only death

Now what ?  Burial -decisions. Do we keep the cow and try again, sell her?  These are the hard parts of farming. 

We have decided to put some calves on the cow and re-breed the cow

Today we turned it back to Smiles – 2 little bulls have a new Mommy

One has fallen head over with Bella Cow the other little guy is just now

 getting hungry.   We haven’t picked names yet.

Pork Scaloppini

Scaloppini – this delicate dish was made with veal but is just as good with thinly sliced pork.

8 (3 ounce) very thin slices of pork or chicken – (pound with meat mallet  to make  thinner if needed)

Seasoned flour for frying – 1 cup flour, 2 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon white pepper, 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

2 teaspoon chopped parsley

1 teaspoon fresh grated lemon peel

½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper

2 Tablespoons butter

2 Tablespoons shallots finely diced

1 garlic clove grated

½ cup white wine (Riesling is wonderful here)

Combine parsley, lemon peel, and pepper, set aside

Dredge meat in seasoned flour – set aside

In a large heavy skillet melt butter slowly, add garlic and shallots.  Place dredged meat on top. Sauté until lightly brown the turn over and lightly brown other side – (about 2 minutes each side).

Place on serving platter – Sprinkle with parsley mixture – Top with pan sauce

(Note: very good served over angel hair pasta)

Flank Steak Later in the Week

The flank steak dinner you made on Sunday is likely to have delicious left-overs you can plan an entire new meal around.

Flank Steak Sandwiches

Slice your steak very thinly cross grain and serve on deli rolls with tomato, lettuce, and your choice of spreads.

Roasted Baby Potato Salad

Use your left over roasted baby potatoes from Sunday and your favorite potato salad dressing