~Something sweet for you~

Written by Sue, Tuesday, September 24, 2013            simply beautiful weather today, high 70's

Do you like relish? I do, and use it on hot dogs, hamburgers and in so many recipes! I also like to make my own. Why? I know what ingredients went into it, we grow the veggies for the recipe, so therefore it is chemical free, and I know the hands, and appliances that prepared it were scrubbed clean.

1- These are the ingredients you need for sweet relish: all veggies grown in our garden.
1 qt. of chopped cucumbers
2 cups of chopped onions
1 cup each of sweet green and red peppers
1/4 cup salt
3 1/2 cups of sugar
1 tablespoon celery seed
1 tablespoon mustard seed
2 cups cider vinegar
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2~Place chopped cucumbers, onions and peppers in a large bowl, mix well.
3~pour salt over veggies, add enough water to cover, let sit for 2 hrs.
4~ Drain the veggies, rinse well with cold water, drain again.
5~ Combine vinegar, sugar, and spices , bring to a boil, add drained veggies, simmer 10 minutes, place in hot sterilized jars,with caps, process in water bath for 10 minutes.
6~ Here we have our own sweet pickle relish.
So simple to make and so delicious, and all ingredients are readable. These make excellent gifts along with jams, jellies., and other homemade goodies.
*note* I doubled my recipe, and when you do, you don't need to double the sugar, and spices, just use your judgement.
**note**You don't need a large garden to grow these veggies just a little space in the back yard will do. These came off of a few plants that were planted late in our garden, due to all the earlier rains.

Ladies, I had some me time today, and decided I would try and make a collage, so how did I do?
Enjoy your day, tomorrow I will be putting fall decorations out, finally. ~smile~

Hugs, 

Sue

~Still Beautiful~

Written by Sue, Sunday, September 22, 2013                 cloudy. showers, cool, 70's lovely first fall day.

 On a beautiful pre-fall day, Mr. P. and I decided to take a ride to a little country restaurant in a small country community where I spent most of my childhood summers, and a few years of growing up and going to school. As we passed this church, memories of past times came to heart. I asked if we could stop by on our way back and take some photos.

This church holds wonderful memories for me, if you stayed at my grandmothers for any length of time,... you went to church, either with her, or other churches in the community who were having "Bible School" or revivals. This was fine with me, because I got to see my friends every day for a week.

At the end of the week of Bible School we had a commencement, this is where parents and grandparents would come and hear songs being sung, and bible verses recited from memory from their precious children. As a child I had a great memory and wasn't bashful at all, so I was selected to lead our group.
Psalms 71:5~For thou art my hope, Oh Lord God; thou art my trust from my youth.
A few days later one of the parents was visiting my grandparents, I over heard him tell them what a great job I did leading, and he was amazed at my memorization. I never forgot those words of encouragement by this kind man, to this day I can still see him sitting in his car and talking to my grandparents. Imagine a child of seven or eight never forgetting this moment.

I have always tried to give encouragement to others,especially to children, as I know how this impacted my life. This man never knew how much those encouraging words meant to me And you too, may never know how your words of encouragement  are making a difference.

When I attended Bible School here there was no water from a faucet, just a hand pump, nor indoor plumbing of any kind, the only bathroom was a "Privy" out back. This photo shows where the hand pump was, and it produced some of the freshest and coolest water.

As you can see it is a long established church, I was so amazed at how well kept it was, and services are still held there. This was such a wonderful day trip for us, BTW the country meal was super delicious.~grin~

We noticed the sign and made plans to return for this service, which would have been last night, but due to DH"s sudden illness, (vertigo). We didn't make it, but for sure we will keep our eyes open for future events. Just maybe I will run into some old friends. that is, if we can still recognize one another. LOL

Aren't memories like these one of the greatest blessings from God? I felt like a child again! 

Blessings,

Sue

How about those candles?

Written by Sue, Friday, September 13, 2013         beautiful pre-fall day temps. 80's

Do these candles look real to you? Grin~ I found these flameless LED wax candles last year just in time for Christmas, they were half price and I had a 10% coupon off. They run on AA batteries and last for months, here is the neatest thing about them... there is timer on the bottom of the candle that turns the candle  on automatically at the same time each day, and it stays on for five hours, how neat is that, plus they flicker like a real candle. I liked them so much I went back and bought  more, I have them placed in sconces, in table arrangements and have enjoyed them all year, and now I am about to place them among my fall decorations, I love coming home at night and walk into my  home that has flickering candles spread about, it gives me such a warm feeling.

It has been a busy week here at the farmhouse, next week seems to be moving in that direction too.

Love, 

Sue

~Photo Friday~

Written by Sue, September 6, 2013                              a beautiful day indeed.

One of my favorite cakes, ten layer chocolate. yummy! the most requested cake at the farmhouse!

Linking  up with Katie's Photo Friday, I almost forgot about this party, sorry for two back to back post, thank you Katie for hosting.

Blessings,

 Sue

~All God's Creatures~

Written by Sue, Friday, September 6, 2013     beautiful sunny, temps. 80's low humidity. 
 Here are a few visitors to the farm, that I was able to capture with my camera lens. I love nature, and if you think your children and grandchildren might like these feel free to download them.
These were feasting on my blueberry bush. I wasn't to impressed with these.

 I found this one napping.

This one just wanted to strut his stuff. Dragon flies are very friendly, and love to pitch on our shoulders, or hands.

 This one is a first for me, look at the details,his skin looked and felt like leather. If you can identify please let me know. God certainly has a sense of humor, only a mother could love this face. ~smile~

As you can see it doesn't take much to entertain me. Though I have been very productive this week, making applesauce, and apple juice. I can now say the  apple trees in the orchard are bare of fruit.whoopee!!! I added no sugar, didn't need any, but know if I want to I can add spices and sugar later. So nice to know I can pronounce the ingredients in the applesauce...apples and water.

I have no fall decorations up inside the farmhouse yet, hopefully next week.

Until next time, 

love, 

Sue