Harvest of Jeruselum Artichokes day!

Some new things are happening around this Homestead provoking the garden dig activity. All roots/tubers, annual herbs,grape vines and Blueberry bushes are being put into pots and placed into a "cold bed" by the house front. It is too early to go in more depth but it looks to be another adventure coming this way.
I could not believe the amount of Jerusalem Artichokes we dug up from just 4 tubers planted last May.
I will pick out 10 small tubers for the next garden season, leaving us enough for winter enjoyment.

Freshly dug covered in wet soil.

I found this interesting tidbit at "What I'm eating now" which is a great read for those who enjoy their potatoes:

"Starting in October through the early spring, they’re at their sweetest and peak Delicious.
When cooked (boiled or roasted or sauteed), they’ll resemble a slightly creamier cooked potato, but because of their unique carbohydrate profile (see below), they’re slightly lower in calories and have a much lower glycemic index. In other words, their impact on blood sugar is minimal compared to a similarly-sized portion of regular potatoes. This makes them a good potato-substitute for potato-loving people with diabetes or for anyone looking to help control their appetites by eating foods that don’t cause major spikes in their blood sugar levels.

A modest 1/2 cup serving contains about 14% of the daily value for iron, compared with approximately 4% in the same sized portion of baked potato. "

I happened upon the site while looking for more ways to utilize the harvest. This soup posted there looks to be the winner for tonight's meal:

You can make them into a creamy soup by sauteing 1 chopped onion in olive oil until soft and sweating. Add about 3 cups of sliced Jerusalem artichokes and 4 cups of broth (chicken or vegetable… whatever you prefer). Bring to a boil until the Jerusalem artichokes are nice and tender. Using an immersion blender (or transferring the mixture to a blender), puree the soup until smooth. Add 1/2 cup of fat free evaporated milk (it’s thick like cream) or low fat milk or rice milk (to keep it dairy-free) to the puree and add salt and pepper to taste.

I may add some veggies like sweet peas and carrots to the above. The kids dug up a few carrots we could use with this. Gotta check on that. May need to go dig up a few more.
If soup is not your style how about as chips! Imagine...Jerusalem Artichoke chips! Susan of the Well Seasoned cook was a guest blogger over here and shares a recipe for Sunchoke Chips.
I guess you can make "chips" out of pretty much anything you slice.
Here is the mini greenhouse/cold frame Frog and I built the other day. I have some Brussel sprouts to space in there. Seems they grew a bit close due to the small hands who helped plant seed.

And switching subjects again, Panda has decided all presents from her will be homemade. We have picked out a very nice pattern for clothing to fit American Girl dolls. Her cousin and Best friends have them, so it's perfect. Not just as a gift but as something she can make with confidence.

She is also making beaded jewelery. Bracelets and necklaces. So the girls will each get an outfit for their dolls and matching bracelets. Good thing the beading supplies are 40% for a few more days. I can not deal with the shopping crowds.

Now I need some brainstorming for the boys on her list...
If you have not already, be sure to enter our giveaway for the Tea cake Nordic Ware pan!

Sweetest Dreams,
~Tammie

Nordic Ware Giveaway!

Scones are nice but a bit of diversity in Tea parties makes it all the better. Frog has her own "nook" in the living where she has the typical plastic kitchen center and a child size table. This is where many hours of imagination burst out. The dolls and animals rounded up and placed into their seat. A reminder given to them as to how they are to use their manners and be careful with the dishes. Her stash of dress up clothes include a variety of hats and scarves. Some of course too big for the small guests present at her table, yet no less fun.

She came to me the other day asking for "cakes" to serve her guests and we decided it was time to try the Tea cake pan with a Lavender tea bread glazed with a citrus topping we spotted at this *link*. Perfect child size and for adult size get togethers, this recipe is a perfect example for this pan. Be sure to read the comments for the tip on a citrus glaze and about adding vanilla plus removing the lavender buds from the milk before mixing. We used 1 heaping Tblspn of lavender. which was the perfect amount instead of the 3Tbspn in the recipe..

The new Giveaway is for this beautiful Nordic Ware Tea Cake pan which can be used for chocolates, Jello's, and of course Tea mini cakes.Open your mind to the many possibilities and this will be a very often used pan in the Kitchen. I see this as the perfect pan to use in baby showers, dinner parties, reunions, picnics and of course a wedding shower and reception.

        "Create miniature tea cakes chocolate candies or jiggling jello in the familiar shapes of our popular bundt pans. exquisitely detailed shapes include:elegant heart chrysanthemum sunflower rose cathedral bavaria fleurde lis star tri star and the original bundt".

    If you have not already, be sure to check out this link to read up on their Green Sustainable Business practices. Besides being Made in The USA, their practice of no Harsh metals or PFOAs used in their bakeware are all the more reason to delight in their products.

How can you win it? Well I think I will throw a twist into this plot. One person will be randomly picked using a number generator but the comment must include a wedding day theme tip for my dear friend White Willow. She is planning a Mountain countryside wedding with a Nature Hippie theme. Bridesmaids in true Hippie style sun dresses (not patchwork or such. Think to the style, not the multi colors), garland of flowers in her hair, Candles galore. Flowers, ferns, barefeet. I am growing White and yellow sunflowers for her tables and would love to hear any other ideas to pass on to her which she can mull around in her planning.I am ever so excited for her. I can envision what she describes and am so honored being asked to join her wedding party as a bridesmaid.

Just wanted to put a little more thought into this giveaway. It's nice to throw in a "kicker" once in a while.

I am leaving this one open until Midnight of December 1st, 2009. The day of our Etsy shop opening.

One entry per person. Must have link to profile which I can Contact you through (such as an email link or a blog which I can leave you a comment). If there is not a way to contact you through a link (such as a profile set to private OR no blog), you will be disqualified and a new winner will be announced. I do appologize for this, but I must have a way to contact the winner.

Coming soon. A sneak peek at a few labels for our new line of Herbal Fruit Tisanes!

Best of luck to all that enter. Only one will win but there are more chances for more prizes soon to follow.

Sweetest dreams,

~Tammie

Grab that turkey! Check out these windows and we have green!

There are times in the life of an aspiring succesful homesteader, there are some things you just do not think about. Despite the vast knowledge she may devour from books and internet, the little things seem to get over looked.

Where should I begin? Ahh yes, it was mid morning as I head out with scraps for my lovelies. My favorite Tom "Stuffing" purrs out his beautiful greeting gobble. His pale head and neck skin becoming red as he becomes more excited, being that my presence meant treats. As he gets a bit closer, I notice something on his chest, slightly coming out from under the feathers. I'm trying to check it out as he ravishes the pasta and other leftover plate scrapings. Trying to maintain a non freak out moment of "What the H is on his chest.", Thanksgiving comes running up to get his share. (Yes I have yet to process...This weekend for sure...maybe). I notice he too seems to have something like a burr on his chest area.

As I stood there contemplating where they would have wandered that burrs would be and what if it is not a burr, I started slowly creeping up on them. As they slowly eased away with that look of "what the H is she doing", the chase began. I'm freaking out. The turkeys are freaking out and I have The Captain yelling out "Is today the day?". I guess he thought I was trying to catch Thanksgiving....

So I get these guys cornered in the pen. Now consider the fact a turkey wing span is about 5 times that of a chicken. And stronger. Much stronger. I finally got Stuffing in my grasp, most likely because he was too fat to jump the fence like his friends who gobbled "C'ya sucker" as they ran for the hill.

His wing kept smacking me in the face and I finally got him in the football hold a few face scratches later.

 He is staring at me and is obviosly not happy of his capture.

So I grab that burr and...Well. It turns out this Unusual Farm Chick as she went through her checklist of what is that on his chest, did not factor in...Turkey Tom's grow beards. On their chests.

So let that be a lesson to all who travel this way, Tom Turkey's grow beards and they look like a burr when they start to grow one.

As to my windows, I must share what I was given from an old home. It was the kind of excitment that had me doing the giddy dance. Pefect for my Pit greenhouse. The right look. The right amount. The right price. FREE!

The larger window you see in the middle, opens and has wood frame screens which have an odd hooking system but makes it where they too can be swung open. I already envision a summer night with the windows fully open and being safe from the bites of mosquitos hidden away watching the moon from the comfort of my Sun Pit.

I had a tiny problem with framing of which i hope to have fixed this weekend. More rain. More cold. So Saturday The Captain will be home and we will try to finish up.

I started Spinach, Brussell Sprouts, and I think it was scallions (see profile for unorganized gardner) up in my mini winter cold frame beds. Friday I am working on a mini greenhouse for the garden so I can continue with our Fall/winter growth.

We have compile a list of what vegetables are consumed in this home. How often are they consumed. The same for Fruits, herbs and items we grow for the feathered and furry. This is to help make a better garden plan so we may try our hand at growing every vegetable we would consume from late summer 2010 to the next in 2011. This will also help keep things a bit more organized in the starting season and as a way to get my large garden space put to a more out putting use. ( The Captain seems to think I am joking about taking over his garden space. I'm not. He will just have play pumpkin and corn farmer in his plot.)

I hope the weather holds out for a special photo shoot of my wee ones which will be for one of our Tisane labels. I spotted the most perfect 1907 picture I had hoped to use for this particular Tisane which unfortunately is now owned by someone new... So I will do my best to imitate the feel and look of the picture which will of course be B&W.

I have school lunches to ready for the kids and a certain Frog who seems to wake at odd hours like her Mum.

Coming soon! Another Nordic Ware Giveaway! A hint? It's not a scone pan but makes breath taking beautiful tea Breads.

Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie

My odd pics and winner of the week!

This beautiful weather has afforded more time to finish the Solar pit greenhouse. I am building the trusses and should have the old windows in place on Monday. I rarely have time during the week to do much of anything that is outside which leaves me with little time just for me.

So I escape. Escape into my mind and just let it create images. I wrap my mind around how I could recreate those images. Where can I go to take the shot? What sun lighting or time of year would be needed? And the outfits...How I so love thrift store shopping in my rare alone time looking for outfits , of which I may use in my rather odd secret escape of photography.Don't laugh..O.K you may very well laugh and wonder what was I thinking to set up and snap these pics...

(Don't ask...I have no idea why my mind comes up with these things...)

Sometimes I get these images in my head for pictures and it becomes overwhelming. I know at that time, it is best to grab the camera. Try to attempt what my sublimal mind is screaming. I kinda think of these as my horror movie picture series but that was not the intent. Being the photographer AND the subject makes it rather hard to get that perfect image you are after. 3 hours into setting up and snapping pics, I gave up. I could not get the face angle right, The clothes to flow as I wanted or just could not get it timed perfect with the timer.

Much easier to do when YOU are not the subject of your own photographs.

The image still breezes around in my head and I have at least pacified those creative screams for a little while longer. But I already feel it raring up again with all this beautiful weather.

My "looking for the rabbit hole to hide in" or "scared girl running through the woods barefoot as a creepy loner follows her path" picture:

This one was my attempt to create a woman swirling in the morning's sunshine as it beams onto a forest path. Grass still cool from the evenings mist.

My "Gypsy laughter" through the forest.

I have no idea what to say about this one.... but I rather like it.

After getting the images downloaded, I edit them into sepia or B & W. Adjust a few things and play around until I feel it is the best at the moment.

I can not wait till the Pit greenhouse is done. I already have images running through my head along with a child's tea party. I need to expand my thrift store playground. I need to find more vintage clothes...

But that all may likely bore you and I have stalled enough. Frog stirred and flipped the many names in the bean pot and finaly pulled out 1 slip of paper. On that paper the name was....

Maria!

So we now have a winner for the first Nordic ware Giveaway.

Congratulations Maria! I wish you much happiness and many many years of wonderful scone making.

No worries to all who entered and did not get the Scone pan. I have plenty more Nordic ware for over the next month and you have more chances to get your hands on another AWESOME bakeware product which Nordic Ware has ever so generously provided for our giveaways.

Of course not every prize will be bakeware. I have a wonderful company who has been in business for over 100 years and is sending some very cool items for you to chance at. (tea related of course).

Now, I must be off. That Solar pit greenhouse will not finish itself. I have Frog's 4th birthday on Monday and a "waterfall tinkerbell cake" to whip up....Plus I have a turkey which will be given some extra love and thank you's this week. After all Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And in our home, I always say my "gratitude prayers" and give extra yummies to any animal who is providing my family with food. I think it may be from the Indian way's I picked up when my Gypsy roaming family followed the Pow Wow trail many many moons ago. (No we are not Gypsy descent and I mean no insult to those who may be. I use the title as reference to the homeless life we lived).

I hope those who have this sunshine to enjoy are utilizing it to hit the trails and find some wild foods to forage for winter. I plan to hit my favorite rose Hip area once more before the sun is shadowed once again with clouds.

Sweet dreams,

~Tammie

And the winners are.....

as picked from random.org

**Update~ my pre typed Nordic ware giveaway post is just below this one. I can not seem to switch the 2 so be sure to visit that post for entry**

Here are your random numbers:

3
9
Timestamp: 2009-11-07 07:58:57 UTC

skipping my comment and a returning comment from Tansy that makes Connie & Wwillow15 (Katy Bug) our winners for the King Arthur Scone mix.

Congratulations to both of you!

Watch for a second post of the announcing our next giveaway.

Just a clue as to who....

Thinking Viking in their logo!

Connie and Katybug shoot me an email with a shipping address and I will forward it to King Arthur for shipping of your prize.

Let me know if you would still like the scone mix you mentioned in your comment or a different flavor from their site.

Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie

Nordic Ware "bakeware" Giveaway!

So much talk of scones has our home emanating fresh baked scents. The blueberry with lemon glaze scones are a huge hit with my kids. I found this light distinct scone recipe over on the Food network web page by Tyler Florence.

Wonder how mine came out so perfect in shape and color? Oh my dear friends the secret is in the pan. But not just any pan will do. Your baking world will forever change with what I played with all week and have to share with you. A new one for you. Not the one I played with. I hold that in the secret bake ware cabinet where no other woman, man or child shall pass. My most treasured pans are stored in there for fear of someone getting the bright idea to use it for a purpose I would highly frown upon.(Think stove top or grill. Oh~ it has happened... Which is why the sacred cabinet was born.)

If you are not one of the lucky recipients of the King Arthur scone mix, no worries. Here is your chance for more scone delight and the perfect baking must have.

The Nordic Ware "Mini Scone" pan! A Heavyweight cast aluminum design.

Instead of the normal 8 portion circle pan, this is divided into 16 scones with a square shape. This way you can indulge like you are being naughty by eating that second scone (or third in my case), but truly it is like having 1 regular size.

I love so much about this company and their bake ware. I am deeply honored to have their participation with our giveaway.

Their bake ware is MADE IN THE USA. They follow Green sustainable business practices and have been recognized by their county and state of manufacturing with "Green recognition awards". They continue to make improvements moving their company to an even more Green status. Just click here for more information. A must read for those who wish to know more about their Green ways and non use of heavy metals & PFOA's.

These average in retail about $32. You can buy direct from their site here if your local store does not carry them. Of course they offer more then this scone pan. Have a look around and get those holiday wish lists going!

Now enough of my soapbox. What about the giveaway? No hoops to jump or mathematical equations to answer. A simple comment saying "I must have that awesome pan" will do. No you do not have to put exactly that. Just get your name in the "Bean pot" before November 14,2009.

Entry comments must be in before midnight Eastern time Friday November 13,2009. One entry per person.

I have a few more Nordic Ware items for you to chance at before this year ends. There will be a giveaway of a tea time related item(s) almost every week till 2010.

Why you may ask? Not just as a debut to my Tisane blends. It is because YOU deserve it. Those who tag along on our adventures through my blog and those who have been following along on our adventures from the very beginning almost 4 years ago. The ups, the downs. The fun and hysterical along with the sad and not so great times.

I have spent many days & hours researching the best companies and prizes to offer you. I wish I could send each and every one of you a great prize, but alas you would break the bank dearies. So I offer these giveaways as my Thank You for your support and friendship through the years and those who may have just stumbled upon my humble blog of adventures.

Your comments, your support, sharing your own adventures through blogging. You give me so many smiles and laughter with the occasional good cry. I have gone from feeling like a lone soldier in my way of living to the big meadow of many in "Blogdom".

Now enough sappy talk. Get your entry in!

Good luck to all! and of course...

Sweet Dreams,

~Tammie

....as Mary Poppins 10/31/09

How much is that turkey in the window?

If You have not done so, Be sure to leave your comment entry for the King Arthur Scone mix giveaway in my previous post here*. The deadline for entry is Midnight November 6,2009. Just 2 more days left!

As most know by now, I let my Chickens and Turkey's roam the property when I can get away with it. As of late it has been at their own leisure. Gate left open~ Come home when ya' want style. Of course they wander back to sleep ON the fence and not IN their coop. At least the hens use it to lay their eggs. Just not IN the nest box. Instead it is ON the ground in a corner of the coop. Can't win 'em all.
So where am I going with this...Oh yeah.. So of course the chickens and turkey's seem to mysteriously know where they are allowed and not allowed to go. They have about 2 1/2 acres for their bug eating pleasure. Not all on land we own but the connecting neighbors enjoy their visitors and the free bug patrol.
So one neighbor from way down the road saw my turkeys in the ditch doing that thing they do and parked his car all excited. My friend Jeannie came down the road and he waved her over "Look! There's wild turkeys up real close!". She looked at him like he was crazy and said "No. Those are Tammie's turkey's. She lets them out with the chickens to eat bugs and fresh grass." Then because she was able to utilize some fiction and fact from Tammie's almanac, rather smugly explained, "Those are Narraganset. They were bred from European turkey's and American wild turkeys when the Europeans brought their turkey's with them long ago". HA! I knew she was an excellent student. So they sat and watched the turkeys and at some point he said "So their not wild?"
Umm..... nope....


I have come to LOVE the big Tom we have named "stuffing". Hey- at least he is not named Thanksgiving like the other Tom! I have become so fond of him in fact, I feed from my hand each time I am out working in the yard. He may not always accept but I think he may be coming around.
Why else would he come looking through my house back windows and gobble. I swear he is trying to call my attention. As soon as I poke my head out the back door, he comes running. Of course The Captain can not let such a moment go unnoticed and commented"I draw the line at lap turkey's"...
Oh but honey, he likes me!"



Be sure to check back soon for another great giveaway beginning Saturday November 7,2009.
You will not want to miss all the great stuff I have for you to "chance" at winning.
Sweet dreams,
~Tammie