Did you know that Kale is the next super food? It is loaded with all kinds of great nutrients for your body.

My sister loves to make Kale chips. My school friends make Kale chips. My vegetarian school friends use Kale in everything. Well, by golly I was going to grow myself some Kale!

I was at Menards looking around for new ceiling lights for my family room and decided to check out the garden section. It was pretty picked over this time of year. I walked around to see what bargains I could possibly find and low and behold, I saw two pots that were labled kale.

I struck gold! Well, the purple and green kind.

I was so excited. I grabbed those babies up and plunked them on the counter and pulled out my debit card. I just knew I was going to be eating kale by supper time.

I went home and pulled out a planter that I thought would do. I loaded it down with potting soil and planted, what I thought would be my dinner in the middle of the planter. I went into the house and called my kale eating friends, bragging that I bought two kale plants.

My sister gave me advice, my friends gave me advice and my vegetarian friends gave me advice on how to make kale chips. I cut my little leaves off the kale plants and put them in a zip lock bag.

I decided to wait and take them to school the next day to show my kale vegetarian expert. I knew she would be so excited over my little bag of kale leaves.  The problem was, she was not at school the next day. No worries, I just decided to go ahead and bake them for lunch. I had more of the little gems at home to bring in to show her later.

I washed them off, oiled them down, sprinkled them with sea salt and waited for the magic to happen in the oven. It was not too long before I had a plate full of little kale chips. My taste buds could not wait any longer. I grabbed one up and ate the crispy little critter.

Cough…sputter…cough…spit…

They tasted terrible. They were bitter beyond belief. Was super food suppose to taste good?

I crunched down all 12 little leaves.

There, I ate my super food for the year!

Even though I had eaten, what had to be my nutrients for the year, I had a lingering bitter aftertaste in my mouth that no amount of water, altoids or even chocolate could get rid of.

What have I done? Have I poisoned myself?

I got on the Internet and, to my disbelief, I had  bought the wrong kind of kale. My kale was ornamental kale. You know, like shrubbery! YIKES! You are not suppose to eat my kind of kale. My only relief was that that, even though they are extremely bitter, they are edible.

Ornamental kale (that I ate) is on the left. Regular, eatable kale that you grow in your garden is on the right. It is so big next to the little ornamental kale, you can see right away why it is a super food.

The shame, the shame. I felt like my oldest daughter who does not cook, when I sent to the grocery store to buy  a zucchini and she came home with a cucumber.

I tried to get past the fact that I ate an ornamental shrub. I went out to lunch with my children and my oldest grand girl. We were standing in the front of the restaurant waiting for our little beeper to beep that our table was ready. She said, “look grandma, they have the same plants that you have.” I looked down and in their decorative planter containers were pretty purple and green ornamental kale.

Will that beeper ever go off? I am ready to eat some onion rings!

Becky

Whats up with the stores starting their deals on Turkey Day!!!

Isn’t Turkey Day supposed to be off limits…at least until 12:01 am on Friday?

I don’t know what my problem was, but I just could not wrap my brain around getting up at 5 am to go shopping when JC Penney’s was not giving away their cute little Disney snow globes this year!

Their new CEO is a Grinch!

Who wants one of their new give away buttons anywho…..hey Neiner Weiner, (nickname for big sis) I would like to take a gander at yours before you put it on ebay. : )

I did manage to go to Walgreen’s on Turkey Day. Not sure how I did it as I was on turkey overload. I probably would not have gone, but my oldest daughter who does not cook, got my coupons out for me, told me what to match up and even drove us there. She is a regular concierge!

I bought;

 3 Walgreens chapsticks

3 Walgreens cough drops

1 Carmex

2 Scunci hair ties

1 Dr. Teals Epsom Salt ( for tired aching feet)

1 Cepacol logenzes

1 Thermocare Heat Back Wrap

2 Welshes Sparkling Grape Juice

2 Skintimate Shave Gel

2 Herbal Essence Hair Shampoo/Conditioner

1 Crest 3D white toothpaste

1 Revlon Lip Gloss

1 Alma eye shadow kit

Total Spent: $42.17

Total Savings $33.76 (with coupons and Balance Rewards Savings)

Savings value 46%

PLUS I received $32.50 in register rewards and a $10 off coupon to use on my next purchase.

     cau

Now, just because I bought some shaving gel I still may not shave my legs untill the 1st day of Spring!!!

Hope you found some great savings too on Black Friday!

Becky

All I wanted this morning was a pair of matching socks to wear to work.

I did not think it would be that hard to find a pair. My oldest daughter had just done my laundry. I had socks galore. The only problem was, they were still wet this morning. Since I do not like my clothes dried all the way, and prefer to hang up my clothes, damp on the hanger to dry, my socks did not get completely dry. In fact they were just plain wet.

I was not wearing wet socks to work.

So….I had to look for a older pair of socks in my drawer….that matched.

I don’t know why I am so hung up on the matching sock thing. The stores sell mis-matched socks now. They are called Little Mismatched. I have even bought some for my nieces for Christmas. So, why am I worried if my black socks are out of one weave and the other black one has a gold toe. I just am.

It is kinda like holes in your jeans. When I was growing up (back in the covered wagon days) if you wore ripped jeans to school it would mean that you could not afford a better pair. Now, you pay top dollar for a pair of “distressed” jeans. I watched a video on how jeans were made recently. They pay workers to destress jeans and actually put them in a big washer full of rocks to further destress them. No lie!! How Jeans Are Made is the video. The last few minutes of the video show workers sanding down jeans, then using a lazer dye machine on them and lastly throwing them in a big washer with volcanic rock. Think about that next time you plunk down your credit card for a pair of worn out jeans.

I still bought a pair of (spandex) skinny jeans. : )

Socks are different.

Maybe, it is because growing up with two sisters, matching socks were hard to come buy. Knee socks were very popular but hard to find too. Somehow, I always got the socks in the bottom of the clothes basket.

The cast offs, the mismatched. The socks that started to lose it elasticity and would creep down your calf as you walked. A sure sign that you probably had holes in your socks too. Is there anyone out there who ever took a rubber band and put it at the top of a pair of knee socks to keep them up? If you fold the top of the knee sock down just right, you could hide the rubber band under the fold.

Where has the time gone?

This morning I took so many things for granted. A warm house, a refrigerator full of food, a car to get to me to work….having a job and matching socks.

I should have been thankful I had a pair.

Gee…I sometimes hate when I need to learn a lesson.

It was time to go to work. The bells at school do not stop ringing just because I could not find dry socks.

So, I found a pair of somewhat matching socks.

And,  decided to be thankful I only had a hole in one sock instead of two.

I am truly blessed!

Becky

I can always tell when I have bought too many great holiday cooking magazines.

I am on recipe overload.

It happens to me this time every year.

I am looking for yummy recipes to make for my annual goodie trays I make each year as gifts. I like to change it up a bit and make at least one new tasty treat to add each year . When I was looking at bread, candy and pies recipes, I kept running across granola recipes.

Who makes their own granola anyway?

When I ran across another granola recipe, and this one had cranberries and dark chocolate chips added in, I decided I might have to give it a try. I looked up several recipes and started comparing them. I had no clue you could make granola so many different ways. I decided to put two recipes together to make one that had the, “right goodie,” combination I was looking for.

Buyer beware. Homemade granola is not cheap to make. My biggest expense was the honey and maple syrup. I went to the local natural health food store to purchase most of my items. I spent almost $33. Did you faint? Do you need some smelling salts???? The cost sounds worse than it really is. I only used 1/4 cup of the maple syrup that I paid a little over $10 for. I used 1 cup of the honey I paid almost $13 for. I have enough left over for 3 more batches. I also have enough of everything else for one more batch. BUT, I already had most of the nuts at home in the freezer. So, the cost does not include the almonds, pecans and walnuts or even the chocolate chips.

I can tell you, my oldest daughter who does not cook, loved it. My oldest grand girl loved it. I took a mason jar full of granola to work today for a gift because it just looks so good. It also makes at least 12 cups of granola. Enough for you to hide a couple of cups to keep all for yourself.

Are you tempted to make some yet?

Does eating warm, fresh granola right out the oven convince you?

Look how easy it is, and maybe you will answer yes. Here is how you make it.

In a large bowl or container (I had to switch to a bigger one) measure out the rolled oats, sunflower seeds, coconut, wheat germ and oat bran. Next add the combination of nuts you want to use. I used a cup each of almonds, pecans and walnuts. You could use all one kind of nut if you want to.

In a sauce pan, measure out the brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, salt, vanilla and cinnamon.

Pour oil in the sauce pan and stir. Bring to a complete boil.

Pour the hot, bubbly mixture over the oat mixture. Stir, Stir, Stir until all the little oat pieces are coated.

Take half of the granola mixture and spread out on a large foil lined baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes and stir. Bake another 10 minutes and stir and bake an additional 2 to 3 minutes dependant on how dark you want it. Be careful, right now, you can over cook this really easily. The oats will harded when they cool off. 

When the granola cools completely add some raisins or cranberries (or any other sweetened dried fruit) and some chocolate chips. This time I used dark chocolate chips. You can also leave these out. Have fun and just eat it how you like it.

Have I convinced you to make some yet??? or do you think I am a nut and a flake…..

Homemade Granola Recipe

Ingredients:

8 cups of rolled oats

1 1/2 cups of wheat germ

1 1/2 cup oat bran

1 1/2 cup fancy shredded dried coconut

1 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup finely chopped almonds

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

1 cup finely chopped pecans

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

3/4 cup honey

1 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons cinnamon

2 tablespoons vanilla

2 cups sweetened dried cranberries or raisins

1 to 2  package of dark chocolate chips

Directioins:

In a large container mix together oats, wheat germ, oat bran, coconut, sunflower seeds, pecans, walnuts and almonds.

In a sauce pan measure in, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, vanilla and oil. Bring to a full boil stirring constantly.

Pour over the oat mixture and stir together.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a large foil lined cookie sheet, spread half of the granola mixture out and bake for 20 to 25 mintues. Be sure and stir ever 10 minutes.

Do not overcook. Granola will harden when it cools.

Cool completely

Add cranberries and chocolate chips.

Enjoy!!

Becky

If you read my earlier post here, you already know that I went to The Old Home Place with my parents last week. Before the big trip we always discuss the most important things we need to take. Forget about tools for taking down the door, or toilet paper for the fancy two-seater outhouse or maybe some wet wipes.

 No, we worry more about whats for lunch.

Mom said Aunt Lily was making stew and if we were lucky enough to have Aunt Corene come, we might even get one of her famous apple pies. I asked Mom what she was bringing. I was thinking maybe her yummy sugar cookies.

She said turnips.

Uhmmmm….turmips!

I have never seen my mom make turnips in my life.

Just like fried chicken. My mom does not eat chicken, so why would she waste good crisco for frying chicken. That is what the Colonel is for. With his 11 herbs and spices fried to perfection, why would my mom bother. Instead she will take a all beef hot dog with a side of ketchup.

She brought all beef hot dogs too….just in case her sisters brought mystery meat from the farm. You know…squirrel, deer, wild turkey maybe a raccoon. Ok, maybe not a raccoon but a rabbit, yes. Maybe I should bring a pack of all beef hot dogs too or stop and pay the Colonel a visit.

Anywho, back to the turnips.

Mom had fresh farm turnips from a farmer at church to bring and cook for us. She brought  four slices of thick slab bacon too. Everything taste better with bacon right? This is sounding better all the time. She was so excited.

The first thing mom did was wash and peel the turnips.

Then she slice them.

Next, she fried 4 slices of bacon until slightly crispy.

Next, she pour about 1 1/2 cup of hot water into the pan of bacon and bacon grease. Be careful because it will steam up.

She put her turnips right on top of the water and the bacon.

She sprinkled about 2 tablespoons of sugar on top.

She sprinkled a bit of salt and pepper on top.                         She found a lid that fit and she covered the turnips.

She gave me permission to stir the turnips up a bit and season just a bit more with salt and pepper.

These turnips were looking and smelling pretty good!

Here they are all done and ready to eat.

I have to tell you…..they were really good!

I was hopeing no one would turnip for dinner so I could eat them all.

Old fashiony simple and good.

Sometimes simple is best!

Becky

My Mom’s Old Fashioned Cooked Turnips with Bacon

Ingredients:

4 large turnips, washed peeled and sliced.

4 slices thick slab bacon

1 1/2 cups of hot water

2 tablespoons sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Fry bacon in large skillet until slightly crispy and the bacon grease if rendered out. Do not cook bacon until the bacon grease turns brown because it will discolor the turnips. Very carefully pour the hot water into the skillet with the bacon and bacon grease. Be careful because it will steam up. Add the sliced turnips. Then add the sugar, salt and pepper. Turn the heat down on the skillet. Put a lid on the turnips and cook until the turnips are slightly translucent and fork tender. Do not cook to long or they will get mushy.

Salt and pepper again to taste if you need to and serve.

Enjoy!

Becky

I had the day off on Friday!!!

I hardly ever take a personal day just for doing something fun!

But I did on Friday.

I woke up and felt like I was playing hooky. I knew it was going to be a great day when I heard,”Da Turdy Point Buck,” song on the radio as I started the car. That song cracks me up every time I hear it. Click on the link and take a listen….you will laugh too!

I was heading to the country with my parents and brother to the old farm house my great grandfather built.

My Mom’s family call it, “The Old Home Place.”

My Mom’s family lived in this house for several years while she was growing up. There is a pond, that they call the “goverment pond.” There is also an old barn, chicken house, ice house and  old turkey house. In a sudden decision, my grandfather sold the house and farm and moved his family to a nearby town. He always regretted it. My Aunt Lily, rents the house now for the family to enjoy. My uncles and aunts, Mom and Dad have been fixing this house up for the next generation to enjoy.

I guess that means me, my brother and sisters and my 50 to 60 cousins. I come from a large country family.

Today, I get to help decorate the house for Aunt Lily’s annual family Christmas party. There will be some cleaning to do too. We also have to tell the mice that they are not invited.

To get there we have to open the cattle gate and drive down a narrow road through the cow pasture.

My oldest daughter let me borrow her Jeep Cherokee even though she hates driving my car. We needed her tall vehicle and maybe four wheel drive to get through the pasture. I am so glad my brother is driving. If something happened to her car I could always blame him. Sorry, Robert! No worries, we made it, past the ditch, the washed out road, the cow patties and safely to, The Old Home Place.

When we got there and opened the door Aunt Lily was already at work.  I wanted to run back out side!  The inside of the house smelled like something had died in it! My eyes where even burning. Yikes! Get me out of here and open the door. Aunt Lily told us that the refrigerator had quit and everything was spoiled inside it. That fridge had to go.

Thank goodness my little 6 ft 2 brother came with us. He had the fridge out in no time. At least that was after he almost had to take the door off, move a table and take the door knob off the door to get it out.

There is it! PEEEUUU

Now all the men just have have to fix the door and the knob. (Brother Robert, Dad and my cousin)

It was time to decorate and get in the Christmas spirit. I tried to sing, Pretty Snowflakes, as I was sweeping little mice droppings.

Here is a picture of the original wood logs at the bottom of the stair case.

The narrow stairs lead to the two upstairs bedrooms.

Time to go back downstairs and decorate!

We worked pretty hard all day.

Mom cleaned out the fancy two-seater outhouse. Dad cleaned out the shed.

Aunt Lily was busy decorating.                                                              Brother Robert was needed on Christmas lights.

We were starting to get hungry!

Mom made us cooked turnips, Aunt Lily made stew, I brought some  store bought cookies for lunch.

We also had garden tomatoes and cucumbers with a few hot dogs.  We put ice in a bowl from the cooler for our tea.

We had a feast!

Two hours after lunch, this is what it looked like when we got it all done.

 the Christmas plates are out now.                                                    Sitting down for a much needed rest.

It was about time to go.

Mom, Dad and I walked out to the jeep to leave.

We waited!

And waited!!!!

Finally Brother Robert showed up.

He got locked inside the fancy two-seater outhouse.

OOPS!

I was trying not to laugh.

I was laughing all the way to the cattle gate. Dad got out and closed the gate.

It was the end to a wonderful day at, The Old Home Place!

I just wondered who turned the outside wooden latch on the door of the fancy two-seater outhouse while Robert was paying it a visit.

My guess, it was the mice!

HEE HEE!

Thank you for letting me share my day playing hooky with you!

Becky