New At This...

Learning how to eat from our garden.

Every step is a learning experience.

From how to harvest and how to preserve or use

the produce to it's fullest potential.

We learned how to pickle our first batch of beets.

Tom jumped in to lend a hand (or two).

These are really delicious!

And the best part is,

there are so many more beets waiting in the garden.

Next... we might try canning some.

:::::::::::::::::::::::

The lettuce is doing so well!

This is for dinner tonight, when our family 

comes for dinner!

Menu: Chicken Caesar Salad, crusty bread,

and pickled beets on the side.

At Grandma's house, there is always dessert...

Root Beer Floats tonight.

With tempertures up in the 100's, it will be a perfect dessert.

Freshly picked carrots are a great way to start off the evening.

I hope they washed the carrots first.

 

How do you use your garden produce?

~~~~****~~~~

"If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land."

Isaiah 1:19

 

Happy Birthday Kimmy!

Look at those CAKES!

For Kimmy's birthday, 

the kids had a Cake Bake-Off contest.

Each of her children came up with a design,

baked it and then decorated it.

The Judges Table

Kimmy and Mark...

The Judges

The kids wanted them to pick ONE winner.

They didn't want to have a second place.

~*~

Levi and Silas teamed up together for their design.

The Tie-Dye Cake

It also had a "egg and bacon" smily face.

~*~

Ila May baked a 

Lemon Curd Cake

So fancy and coloful! Nicly done.

~*~

Lulu came up with her orginial cake...

Lavendar Lemon Cake

~*~

The Contest Rules:

* You had to carry your own cake to 

the Judging Table.

* Answer questions from 

the Judges about their cake.

* Cut a slice for the Judges.

Ila May getting some moral support from

her youngest brother.

Big cake, Big knife

~*~

Next,  the boy's cake

Questions asked...

Levi was thrilled with the compliments.

Look at the inside!

~*~

Lulu went last.

She made the cake and came up with the decorations!

Fresh flowers on top, along with blackberries.

The sides of the cake were mashed blackberries.

After sampling each cake the two Judges

stepped out of the room to discuss each cake. 

When they came back in, you could cut the 

air with the cake knife! 

TENSE!!

After long and careful consideration...

it was announced that this year's winner of the

Cake Bake Off... is....

Lulu 

and her Lavendar Lemon Cake!

Lulu recieved a certificate and $25.00 prize money.

A few disappointing moments but in the end.

we all agreed, Lulu's cake was the winner.

~*~

The little guys baked a Lego Cake.

But didn't make it to the 

 contest.

They ate their cake for breakfast!

Everyone was really the winner because 

we all ate to our hearts content after the contest.

There was plenty of cake for everyone.

Until next year!!!

(personally, I won't be eating cake until then!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIMMY 💓

🎂

Cashing In- #3

Levi's turn to cash in his

 Christmas present of a gift certificate, 

for an overnight and fun!

So far, each overnight has been very different!

This one was no exception!

Levi is 11 years old.

A game of card with Papa is a must!

Levi KNEW what he wanted to eat and what he wanted to do.

Pizza!

Not just any pizza, Idaho Pizza. 

So that's what we did.

~Idaho Pizza Restaurant~

Ahh, Levi is getting so big and mature!

His heart is so tender and compassionate. 

Next, we went

"Boy Shopping"

Because this was "his day",

he wanted to go to the Combat Sports Store. 

Not your typical store!

He was so excited!

Levi had saved up his money and bought an soft-air gun.

He practices all the time in their huge backyard.

Safety first... eye protection and all the safety procedures.

This store was a first for both Tom and I.

We actually learned quite a bit about soft-air guns and gun safety.

Levi left with a bag full of supplies for his air soft guns.

Back home,

it's always fun to take Banjo for a walk.

For dinner Levi requested his favorite dinner that I make.

Taco Rice Casserole!

(recipe at the end of post)

This recipe was handed down from my mother.

It has so much History in our family.

(For one thing, it was the first meal Kimmy ever cooked!)

After dinner was THE MOVIE!

Levi choose a Star Wars movie!

The only Star Wars movie I've ever seen, 

was way back,  May 25th, 1977.

So this was a big deal for Levi (and me!!!).

He was soooooo excited for us to watch together.

He made sure I understood what was going on.

He kept filling me in on the characters and what they were doing.

(Now I've seen two Star Wars movies.)

Our time with Levi, came way to quickly and 

the next morning he headed back home to

his excited brothers and sisters.

~~~~****~~~~

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,"

Jeremiah 29:11

Update for those who want the Taco Rice Casserole Recipe....

This recipe is so old I have reworked it.

I use frozen corn, not canned.

Sorry, it's so blurry.