Chicken Scratch Farm

What a week

2012-01-27T14:22:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been so neglectful here lately!! We have had a few major things happen this past couple of weeks. Life is so uncertain and can change in a heartbeat. I wont bore you will all the details of my first dilema but to say it short and sweet the shop I was going to open fell thru. The owner of the building changed his mind and decided NOT to rent it out! So had to pack everything up and haul it back and get everyone their things that brought items for their spaces. What a mess but things happen for a reason and when one door closes another better one opens!!
We did get some news that has been terribly heavy on our hearts. My mom's precious boy "Axel" or known as my "boodah" was diagnosed last sat with lymphoma and basically it is so far gone that even with cancer treatments it wouldnt make a difference. One good thing is right now he is not in any pain and is so alert. He just isnt wanting to eat much but a few teaspoons of meat. We have cooked him chicken, beef roast, ground turkey, rice, barley, turkey breast but he really doesnt want it. He does have pneumonia but I think since being on meds for 5 days that is resolving. It just breaks our hearts!! It hasnt even been a year since we lost our beloved Bubba suddenly and that still stings. I go and check on him at my moms when she is at work and he gets up and wags that tail when he sees ya!! This guy was given to us at 6 weeks old and had been so abused and beaten we had to have surgeries on his right eye and he still lost it, he was burned and stabbed and left for dead in a parking lot. A dear friend of mine called and said she needed to find a forever home for this little baby and at that time we had 3 so my mom took one look at him and it was love!! She has taken him to the flower shop everyday since and it is so hard for her to be there without him, he has been laying on the couch most of the time or laying looking out the sliding windows he is 130 pounds of pure love and loyalty. He is a pit boxer mix. We have been spoiling him even more since we know the days are limited that we will have him with us. This is just the worst part of loving our pets so much we know they have such short little lives and make such a HUGE impact on ours that it is so hard to say goodbye. We will meet again though!! Gosh at one point while I was a kid we had 14 dogs, and they all were such love bugs with happy happy souls!! (my parents were just as much softies as me when people would either drop them off on our farm or I would find strays wandering around, well they would find me I think LOL)
Before I cant type anymore I am going to share some things from last weeks markets:

buttercrumb topped peach praline muffins

TOP::: Use a round biscuit cutter when putting a topping on your muffins to contain the crumbs!! Works like a charm!

Our "eggcellent" egg bread loaves

Apple cinnamon muffins with a brown sugar crumb top

All baked egg breads

Made another few batches of my honey cinnamon graham crackers

And some blocks I altered with chipboard and scrapbook papes and pearls, and some K&CO flowers and butterflies.

Spring is right around the corner!!

The birdies have been singing outside like crazy and it was 42 degrees outside today, not much snow left but we are supposed to get 4? inches tonight. I dunno it is just too nice and warm out to snow and it has been wayyyy too nice for doing chores and outside work while it is so nice out. Spinach is growing, the herbs are still growing like crazy from last season and things in the greenhouse are popping up!!

Will be back soon with more goodies!!

Take Care

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Family altered wood blocks

2012-01-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

This was the first of the family sets I did. I sooooo love this paper and will do another one similar. The rod was a great thrift store find, now need to figure out what other rods I can use. I am thinking maybe of making one for a sewing room with dowell and old spools on the ends.?? I can see it now! Better get in the craft studio and create art!! YEAH!

Here's another set of blocks I finished yesterday. Spring which will be here before we know it!! YEAH!! Using K&CO ephemera pack I added some frames and flowers and cut out some tags for in back of the letters also. A pearl is added to each letter and adds just the right amount of "bling" prim bling that is!

This was in our yard the other morning! Green grass one min snow the next.. That is michigan!!

I dont think I shared a pic of the dream blocks I did. They are strung on some great bluish grey vintage seam binding. Gosh love that stuff!!

So that is all for today I am working on yet another set of blocks and also some of my altered coffee filter books for babies. Just not enuf time at all!! Plus I need my lovin cuddlin time with my boys ya know!!

Have a great afternoon!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Snowstorm came

2012-01-13T09:28:00.000-08:00

HOWDY on this beautiful snowy windy day!!
We got quite a bit of that white stuff that we havent seen much of this winter! Here's some pics I took when I went out to do chores this am. Wasnt it pretty!!!

One of my little feeders snowcovered.

Love the way the snow clumps on the branches.

I worked on another wood sign. Dream...not sure if I am gonna hang them off a rod or attach them to a ribbon to hang.?

Patterened paper, stamps, chipboard letters and gems oh what fun!!

I so love LOVE LOVE altering chipboard frames and letters and little doodads. Paint them then stamp with partial images then dry brush antiquing on and edge em in black paint.

So here are the letters together.

Great in a baby girl room or for any glamour gal!

Girly girl bling and glitter added.

Ok I am off to work on more!! be back soon with more goodies!!

I may even add some things in my etsy shoppe today too!!

Enjoy the ***SNOW***

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

snowed in???

2012-01-12T15:25:00.000-08:00

*** we are expected to get 10 plus inches tonight!*** Finally snow snow & SNOW!!!
So gee whiz what is a gal suppossed to do???? I say a weekend of nothing but crafting and creating and playin with paper, glue, paint, scissors, stickers, and wellllllllllll everthing crafty!!! YEE HAW!! happy happy I dont have to do anything until monday!! Well I may just go to the kitchen this weekend and make some jam. But then again maybe not!~! LOL

I think I shared this idea last week but in case yall dont remember I am working on some things for the shop. Scrapbook paper, wood blocks I cut from my scrap heap, chipboard letters, paint and glue........

All I have to do is wait for the last coat of paint to dry on the rod and I can tie these letters to it.

Dream banner finished.

Here is another family block sign done. U can see I tied each one of the letters on the rod with vintage seam binding in dark brown.

I used all scrap pieces of paper I had. This one has words stamped on it and I love the green color with the brown chipboard letters. I used alot of this paper for my altered books I did,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, which reminds me I need to make a few more of them I only have a couple of them at the shop.. hmmmmmmmmmmm great idea for this weekend!!

After adheering the paper to the block I dry brushed antiquing medium ontop then stamped some postage stamp images on each one and also flourishes. Black drybrushing on the edges makes them pop!!

So before I crafted I made some of my espresso cookies that have espresso cream filling and some decorative chocolate drizzle.

These are just the cure with a cup of joe in the am. or as an afternoon snack, or a midnight snack with a cup of cocoa or cold milk.

Something new here. My chocolate dipped strawberry brownies. I started out with my decadent chocolate brownies then topped them with some strawberry butter cake but before spreading the cake ontop of brownie I added some mini chocolate chips. YUMMY!! YUMMY!! Also did a batch of "chicken scratch turtle" brownies which are chocoate brownie with homemade caramel sauce swirled on top then pecans and coconut mixed in. Those are yummo too!! I wanted to take pics but my card on dig cam was full!!! dangit!

I will hopefully be OPEN at the shop next friday!! Winter markets are going great and it is so nice to see our customers and meet new ones that didnt realyze we are there each week!!

Hope yall are enjoying your thurs and stay safe if you are experiencing this winter storm too!! Since we didnt have any snow it is kind of nice now!! I just want to get it over then we can get into spring!! My favo favo time!! WEll summer is awesome, and fall is a favo favo too lol LOVE all the seasons!!

Take care and have a blessed evening!!

HUGS

PS> have yall checked out pinterest lately???? so many ideas my head spins each time I look at all those awesome ideas!! stop on in!!

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

playin with papers and more

2012-01-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

Hello!~! I took some scrap pieces of wood I had in the barn and cut them up in different sizes. I love this paper I bought at hobby lobby it reminds me of fall but also would be perfect for anytime of year.

Using mod podge I put the paper on the blocks sanded the edges a bit then dry brushed black on the edges. The backs and sides have been painted too for a finished look.

These are gonna be tied onto a black rod and hang on the wall. Just have to finish that part of the project.

DREAM banner done. I like the pinks and browns together and just did some embellishing on each of the tags.

I added some butterflies and love the dark grey black pearls.

So those along with a few other things are making their way to the shop. I will take some pics tomorrow of shop. That is if I remember my dig camera. LOL I try to make lists of things not to forget but for some reason I misplace the stinkin lists!!! One day I will be more organized!! goodness it feels wrong to even say that "O" word!! but I have good intentions!!

Hope yall have a blessed evening and will be back very soon!! I have to share pics of the desk I am doing into a store counter!!

HUGS

Darlene

WED SOUTH HAVEN WINTER FARMERS MARKET!!

3-6pm!! GREAT WINTER PRODUCE~~and BAKED GOODS AND YUMMY SOUPS!!

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

$20.00 cabinet makeover

2012-01-02T15:08:00.000-08:00

Here is the cabinet my mom and I found at a local thrift store. $20.00 and I sure couldnt pass that up! I was even thinking if I dont use it at the shop it would be a great addition at our entryway. Could put a rod inside with hooks and hang the boys leashes in there too. But it is definetly goin to the shop!!!

And Buster Brown decided to not lay on his bed I brought for him but on the dirtry floor! silly boy!!

Here she is all pretty and blue!! I so love this color it matches the signs I painted which I still have to take pics of..... tomorrow!!

I did quite a bit of dry brushing burnt umber and white to it to distress her a bit!!

And the drawers I want to replace the gold knobs with glass ones just have to find them, I know I have a set in my studio somewhere!! somewhere under a bunch of cluttered junk they are that is!!

I cant wait to find more cabinets for there!! This one will look great for displays.

I did have 5 people request info for being in the shop and that is a great thing as each one does different things!! We will have primitives, folk art pieces, handmade unique and artful hats, girls dresses, wonderful handcrafted tote bags, awesome handmade jewelry ( a couple different kinds) garden accessories * birdhouses and feeders and more!! lots more!

Again if you are a crafter and would like info on the shop please email me or you can send me a message on facebook too!! WE need ya!! and have a low booth space fee with no other fees!!

Have a great evening!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

2012-01-01T04:19:00.000-08:00

WOW it is 2012 now!~ So hope yall had a safe and happy new years eve! We were in bed by 11 so no watching the ball fall here!
With the new year comes new goals, plans, and just looking forward to what another year brings us! We are excited as yall know I am opening an artists co-op shop downtown south haven and am looking foward to that as things are really coming together. LOOKING FOR ARTISANS for the shop!! Do you make somehting uinque and creative? we need to talk I want to have the shop bursting with artfully creative treasures in time for the ice breaker festival the beginning of feb! I am charging a low monthly space fee and you can really have unlimited space, no commission or consignment fees ontop of space fee either! I have been working on displays and would love to hear from you!!
I will go and take some pics of the big bookcase cabinet I am finishing up today, painted and distressed just have to finish the shelves today and she can go to the shop. I am very very happy with the color my mom and I chose for it, and it matches all the signs I have painted for the shop. I will say it is a soft blue color!

I have to get finishing up a couple more paper banners I started yesterday and also a couple of altered baby books I want to work on and I also need to work on some dog books this week. I could have sworn I had a tub with my altered books in it but must have sold them all, I looked thru alll my craft tubs in the barn but didnt come across any books at all. More things to do!! LOL I will get er done sometime!!
Hope yall have a blessed new years day today!!
Be back soon!
HUGS
Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

paper banner

2011-12-31T07:45:00.000-08:00

So here is the love banner I finished this am!! I am pretty pleased with the way it turned out this time! Just did a bit more embellishing.At first I was gonna add the x and the o like above but then decided to eliminate it altogether.

Love the little birds on it!

layering is one of my favo things to do especially with altered chipboard pieces.

Some pretty flourishes my favo stamps to use!! on each heart and some distressing!

Finished and ready to take to the shop and hang er up!!

Have a blessed day!! the very last day of 2011~~

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

playing with paper day

2011-12-30T15:21:00.000-08:00

Hey yall!! So are ya goin out and celebrating tomorrow night? WE are doing exactly what we love to do and what we have done for the past several years!!! ..............stayin home with the boys!! since neither one of us can stay up til midnight anyway it works great to lay around at home. And I am just not feeling quite back to myself yet still have a stinkin nasty cold but alot better than last week I tell ya!!
I worked in my studio today, finished painting the large standing sign that is gonna sit on the sidwalk infront of the shop and also a small one to put above the door. Plus I also finished up a paper banner that spells out handmades and I so ooooooooooo love it!!

I had left over large chipboard letters from a previous project and it just worked out that I had all but one for this banner. I had to cut a couple apart to make a second a but you really cant tell.

Vintage seam binding in white and brown are gathered on the bottom edge of each tag, oh and the backround is just old pages from a book added to file folder tags.

I also added some silver glass glitter along the edges of tags for some paper "bling" ya know, ;) wink wink!! buttons and some little white flowers I inked with pink.

When I put it up at shop I will take a pic of it all together, it is pouring outside so I couldnt hang it on the outside anywhere.

This is another banner I am putting together but not sure if I am happy with the embellishments so glad I didnt glue anything yet. My Minds Eye lost and found papers are just my favo favo!! I bought a bunch of them last week and the 3 oversized tags have one sheet on them. The back side of this cardstock page is a nice dark red and white polka dot so I cut the hearts from them, have a couple more hearts to put on this. Edges have been inked with distressing ink by Tim Holtz (another favo favo product) and K&CO paper pack with various ephemera and images. I am gonna finish this up later.

it doesnt show too good but the swirls and letters have red glitter on them.

love the flourishes and also the little red sparkly banner

After inking the edges with antiquing gel I outlined the cut outs in black then also stamped various images on with chestnut brown.

so that was all I got done today, and plan on a productive weekend. Painting and playing with more papers!! GLORIOUS!!!

So hope yall have a very safe and happy new years!! 2012 here we come!!

~~HUGS~~

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

a shop pic, breads & more

2011-12-28T18:08:00.000-08:00

Hey yall!!!

I'MMMMMM back with pics!!

Here is a built in cabinet at the shop, my primitive signs look awesome in it.

Here's one of the stamped warsher necklaces I made. This one was for my stepdaughter Brandi. They were a bit plain so I added some thin wire and wrapped each warsher and added some tiny glass beads.

Family was a gift to my mother inlaw. Each block has pattered paper which is distressed with Tim Holtz distressing inks and sanded a bit. I stamped a flourish on each letter with brown ink and then attached the chipboard brown letters to each. I forgot to take a pic of the way you display this. A black iron towel hanger and some black seam binding to tie the letters on the rod. I did drill 2 holes in each top of the blocks and tied the binding on each one.

Red Velvet cupcakes for market last week, cream cheese filling.

Cinnasugar topped pumpkin spice muffins

Cinnamon struesle swirled babka loaves.

coconut macaroons~ yummy!!

So that is it for today. I hopefully will be painting my bookcase tomorrow!! and I will have 2 signs finished for yall to see for the shop.

HAVE A WONDERFUL NIGHT!!

Hugs

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

HEY

2011-12-28T03:29:00.000-08:00

Hey there everyone!!! I hope yall had a most Blessed Christmas!! I missed xmas with the families. Been sick since before xmas, I finally went to the doctor and got 3 prescriptions so should be back to norm soon!! I hope!! allergy infection, bronchitis and inner ear infection, now hubby knows why I have been talking so loud! well when I can talk there has been quite a few days I couldnt really talk my throat was so sore and raspy!
Things are progressing along with the shop in fact my mom and I went to a couple of thrift stores yesterday and bought a great large bookcase cabinet that I am gonna refinish in ivory then distressed or I have a gorgeous light blue that I have used to paint my signs for infront of the shop that would look great distressed. I actually am leaning towards the blue. Will share before and after pics when we go pick it up, w had her car and could not fit it in there so will go pick up tomorrow. It is old and has 2 drawers on the bottom that actually work fine too. My hubby can raise it up on maybe old spindle legs we have that way it is off the ground a bit and more eye level. I am hoping to find a couple more but well need to get one done at a time ya know!! I get myself too bogged down with too many projects. Right now I am finishing up some stamped metal warsher necklaces that I started before xmas. They turned out very cool, madeone for my hubby's grandma, my sis in law and my step daughter and they liked em alot. Hubby had a set of metal stamp letters so I just hammered away!! I did some everyday words on them like dream, hope, faith, create, inspire etc. and then wrapped with thin silver wire and added some tiny glass beads. Will share those later today, I haven had a chance to get the pics off camera yet.
The boys had a great xmas Santapaws was good to them since they have been such little angels all year they got lots of new toys, bones, treats, and of cource balls!! The love tennis balls, and stuffed animals!! Barney and Bruno carry stuffed animals all over the house and my goodness we got to bed at night with at least 4 usually more stuffed animals in bed with us. We have to go to bed with Barneys Tiger and a favo duck he has and Bruno cannot go to bed without Word Bird and a red bear he loves!! LOL they are some crazy kids!! But I love em sooooo much!!!
Well I better get bundled up and head outside to do chores, looking forward to the brisk fresh air, it is only 27 outside right now but no snow!! they were saying we were getting a couple of inches!! Just flurries yesterday and then gone again!! ok by me even though yall know how much I do LOVE SNOW!! I am just not in the mood for it right now! ??? probably in jan!
Have a great day will be back tonight to share pics!!
HUGS
Darlene
~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

cookies and show pics

2011-12-17T16:48:00.000-08:00

Here's the first of my cookie trays done.

white vanilla almond coated very vanilla pizelles!! yummy yummy!!

A few boxes done up of asst cookies!

This one was for an order from a very special sweet customer!!

some of my booth

festive looking entryway goodness I soooo love the floor!!

AND here's JOE!! who did a most wonderful job singing for us!! HE ROCKS!!

Katina brought these so handy and useful market baskets!! so many uses for these they are big too!!

Joan brought some great ceramics!! look at those buttons!! gorgeous

Laura does an amazing job with hypertufa for outside. She has made me several several heart shaped stones for our little furry angels we have lost!

All natural body scrubs and bath salts

Dawn brought some wonderful jewelry!

Awesome cat/dog clay ornies!! Sally did a wonderful job on all of them!

this chicken pitcher is soooooooooo me!! Made by the very talented Dawn Soltysiak from Knenu Studio

more of Dawn's great pieces!!

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

shop news!~

2011-12-17T14:07:00.000-08:00

HEY YALL!! My mom and I went today to pay and sign lease and we got the KEYS~!! to our new shop!! Eagle st. handmades will be the name!! Now I have to see if I can get an ad in the paper for next week and also print up some flyers and paint a sign for out front on the sidewalk and oh yeah start moving things in! YEE HAW!!!
Too much to do but I will get it done!! I would like to be open on tues!! I feel a sudden burst of high energy and excitment!! (maybe it was the 2 mickey d's hot mochas I have had this afternoon and about 4 cups of coffee?? but who's counting anyway!)
I am goin to do the shop as an artists/crafters co-op and have a small montly booth fee to see how things go. Tomorrow I will take some display things there and also some of my primitives at least I have alot of things made up already to fill the shop!!
So I will post pics tonight from my main computer of todays baking!! I did up some gingersnap shortbread, my peanut butter cookie pies, cranberry lemon pecan cookies, kolachky dough to be baked next week and filled with red raspberry or apricot preserves, chocolate mint cookies, and more shortbread trees. And we got snow!! *** and some sleet but it sure is pretty and I love goin out this time of evening to do chores in the freshly fallen snow, there is such a sense of peacefullness and tranquility outside. LOVE IT!!
Be back soon!!
HUGS
Darlene
~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

COOKIES!! COOKIES!!

2011-12-13T17:07:00.000-08:00

WHAT A DAY!! I left early this am and got home late tonight!! what was I doing all day??? BAKING COOKIES!! and more cookies!! LOL and it was all kinds of fun!!
Here's a list from today:
Gingersnap triangles
Shortbread trees
Mocha Wands
Butter Spritz wreaths
my newest concoction!! Shortbread pinwheels filled with peanut butter chocolate chip cookies!!! souds great huh! they are yummy and I am not a peanut butter fan!! only grilled peanut butter n raspberry jelly sandwiches!!! My grandma Rose used to make em for me and they were sooooo good. U know I make em for me once in a while when I have to have one but never tastes as good as my dear Grandmas! Miss ya Grandma!!
back to the list:
Cherry filled linzer tart
Cranberry lemon pecan cookies

Here's the pinwheel cookies

butter cookie rounds

pinwheels sliced up

Nekked chess pie

There's the lemon buttermilk filling. This is actually a really old recipe of my Grandmas and I honestly dont remember her making it too often. It is a southern specialty and a delish one too!

I also got done some cheddar pepper topped foccacia loaves, Butternut squash soup, vegetarian white bean chili, creamy tater soup,

the shortbread trees complete with green sugar and colored non pariels.

gingersnap triangles that need to be dipped in chocolate yet

These are fun to do you use a large star tip and pipe them out into strips with a little extra at the ends.

mocha wands that get 1/2 dipped in melted milk chocolate

so what a day!! I am beat and goin to bed early. Tomorrow is our artisans market and also my last show of the season. I am sad but also glad as this has been wayyy too much extra work. Still working on opening a shop just waiting for a liability insurance policy and I can open!!

Hope yall have a great night!! Oh I gotta get a skate done for an order for tomorrow!!

Good night yall!!

HUGS!!

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Artisans Market Foundry Hall

2011-12-13T02:58:00.000-08:00

TOMORROW is our farmers/artisans market from 3-6pm at FOUNDRY HALL IN SOUTH HAVEN MI~~
We have a great selection of handmade offerings!! This week we will have: birdfeeders, herbal products, homemade soaps, beeswax candles, food gifts, cookies, baked goods, produce, glass ornaments, beautiful handcrafted jewelry, afghans, cards, woolen mittens, cutting boards, lamps, gift baskets, floral centerpieces and decorations, wreaths & swags, pine bouquets, painted wood signs, beaded earings, wax firestarters and more~ and we have live music from Joe Foster our most excellent karaoke guy!!!
Hopefully it wont be raining as they are calling for rain tomorrow and thurs and last night it was 50 degrees outside!!
hope yall have a wonderful day I am off to get baking at the kitchen!! Lots of cookies to do today!! will share tonight!!
HUGS
Darlene

Here's a couple more pics from last weeks market

Inside this doorway is where I will be opening my handmade shop!!

And my brother Joey along with his job coach on left and my sweet dear wonderful mommy!! in black sweater.

And a very dear friend of mine Sue with her new baby!! Neville is such a doll, she rescued this little bundle of joy only a couple weeks ago and he is already very very attached to her!! and of cource she is to him too!! Such a doll!!

Nekked foccacia loaves

Carmelyzed onion topped foccacia

these are my popular black olive and sage baguettes!! YUMMY!!

C YALL TOMORROW!

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Creating, baking and SNOWING

2011-12-10T01:51:00.000-08:00

One of my recycled kids skates into a little winter lamp. These are so much fun to do just really difficult to find the double runner skates nowadays.

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK ALOT LIKE WINTER OUTSIDE NOW!!! Woke up this am to *** **** **** **** snow on the ground!! and it is just lovely!! Last night was our cafe art market and that went very well!! It is in Everyday People's Cafe and we always have a great time there!! My friend Ruth and I shared a table and did very well.
Wed night was our farmers/artisans market and that was very well recieved. We ended up having 18 booths full of handmade treasures, gifts, and unique one of a kinds!!
The next artisan market we will be doing is Wed december 14th~~
We had fun even though we didnt have a band and next week we will have Joe who is an awesome karaoke singer~ we does our saturday market and really is an asset to our markets.
Well I will be in Kalamazoo today at the Bank Street Market in the bingo hall from 8-1 today. I got up at 3.30 and it is now almost 5am and boy I am ready for a nap!! LOL I will be back home with my little family soon enough and me and the boys can take a nap then!!
Yesterday at the kitchen it was all about xmas cookies! I did up some iced shortbread snowflakes, my cranberry lemon pecan cookies with lemon cream filling, cinnamon maple cream filled gingersnap shortbread sandwiches, smores, brown sugar shortbread trees, cherry filled linzer tarts, and some chocolate brownies with homemade caramel sauce swirled in so it was a productive day and I also made up a batch of my black olive sage baguette loaves for today too.
Hope yall have a great weekend!!
Be back soon!
HUGS
Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

painted skate & more snowmen

2011-12-05T15:51:00.000-08:00

Hey yall!! So what a great day! just gloomy out and rainy today. I got lots of cookies done at the kitchen today and made some french onion baked burgandy soup. YUMMY!! Here is another little frame I couldnt load up this am.

This frame is a wood one from dollar store $$ 1.00 cant be better than that! LOL I made the snowmen using some styrofoam ornies I had in my stash and took apart and cut in 1/2. Flat sides are glued to the frame, I did use a piece of my favo papers My Minds Eye and made a little mini wreath with a star in the center. Joy are Making Memories scrapbook stickers.

The little green buttons on his belly are just paper brads that I dipped in triple thick glaze and glitter.

He is ready for the shop.

One of the little kids skates I bought finally done. This one has a little battery votive candle in it.

One side is double snowmen decorating a tree the other is the snowman head.

And a rusty safety pin holds a tag that has believe on it.

A few more skates are about 3/4 done and drying in my studio, a couple ornaments need to be finished up and I also have more snowmen heads to finish up. Not sure what I am gonna do with them but will figure that out soon enough.

Hope yall have a wonderfully restful evening. Tomorrow a couple friends and I are gonna go and decorate the hall for our artisans market on wed.

Foundry Hall South Haven MARKET WED 3-6pm or later!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

snowman bottle and another frame

2011-12-04T15:50:00.000-08:00

Hey yall!!! What a gloomy dark and wet day we have had here! But it actually was in the 50s this am and now down to 45 so not too bad!! So we are moving forward with the shop just have to get a couple more things in line and we are OPEN! WOO HOO!! YEE HAWW!~! we are so excited!! and we have decided to also do some scrapbooking classes there too!! FUN FUN FUN!! Since there are 3 of us that scrap we could do little stations like one maybe a book, or card, or layout and another doing altered tags **WINK WINK*** that would be me!@!@ LOL so lots to plan and we so hope this months trial will go good, then we can be open all year!!
So here's more goodies that will be at the shop and show this week.

This is an old bottle I had that I found out in our garden so thought it would be perfect for this project. Merry and Bright are Making Memories stickers and I also added some pearls and glitter inside the bottle for extra sparkleness!! Glitter flakes by Martha Stewart are added to this snowman's head and of cource his sheet music hat too. I did sprinkle with white paint afterward and added a bit of green velvet ribbon under his silver scarf.

Well I guess that is all I am sharing tonight for some reason the rest of my pics wont load here to blogger!! >>>>///????? URGGGGG!! oh well hope yall have a blessed evening and I will be back tomorrow!@! Baking day and making cookies!!

HUGS

Here's my schedule this week:::

Wed- Foundry Hall farmers/artisans market 3-?

Thurs Allegan Market 11-1

Thurs-Everyday People's Cafe artisan show 5-9pm

Friday- Bronson Winter Market 10-2

Saturday- Kalamazoo Bank Street Market 8-2

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

shop pics

2011-12-02T05:40:00.000-08:00

I am calling these yummy little treats PIE POCKETS" these are filled with thick pumpkin pie filling and are just delish. I think next week I will do cherry.

Made some linzer tart cookies and these not only look good they do taste good. trying to get a jump start on xmas cookie varieties and thought these look nice and festive.

Cherry preserves inside a butter cookie.

Isnt this just the cutest entry!! This is Foundry Hall I talk about so much, where we have our farmers market each week. I put pine wreaths on teh gates and also our banners but my batteries were dead so I couldnt take more of it once I had all the decorations up.

Inside main entry! LOOK AT THAT FLOOR!! love it! I have always wanted black and white in my oun kitchen but never have done it. HMMMMMMMMMMMm maybe time huh!!

And this is the entry to the shop we are going to rent. I love it!!

Inside the shop, you can see it isnt alot of space but we can fill it up I am sure of that!

I really am not a yellow fan but this is a nice and mellow and yet bright color.

Very welcoming to me and cozy, this cabinet is a built in and would look great with holiday gifts.

We are hoping to get things tied up this weekend and can start moving in next week!! Also next week is our Farmers/Artisans market!! I have at least 20 different crafters/artists coming along with our farmers so should be fun!! My friend and I are going on tues to decorate. I have bought up every artificial garland I could find and and white lights for them too. Of cource I will take more pics of our process.

Hope yall have a wonderful friday! I was feeling quite under the weather last night and am really worn out, feels like maybe an allergy infection or something so gonna take a nap with the boys.

Talk soon!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

baking day

2011-11-29T17:40:00.000-08:00

Hey yall!! Well I got alot done at the kitchen today and a new recipe called "Smokey Joe's turkey tart", a cornmeal pastry crust topped with shredded turkey breast, black beans, tomatoes, onions, and sweet corn, parsley, olive oil and montery jack cheese.

The innerds of the turkey tart

Cream cheese n chocolate chip swirl brownies

Double chocolate gooey butter cake

Here's the tart shell goin in the oven

topped with sauteed veggies and cheese

And the cookies were great!! these are actually Martha Stewarts spritz cookies using a press I did them in wreaths with little green n white sprinkles

All nice n light golden brown edges

The turkey tart out of oven. I should have made this for us but I did give one to my mom to try for me!! cant wait to see wthat she thought of it!

Lemon glazed lemon blueberry cake

Gooey chocolate cake

So a pretty productive day was had!! I did miss creating prims but will get up extra early to work on things before heading to the kitchen. I am making little hand pumpkin pies tomorrow and also more cookies then it will be off to market!! SOUTH HAVEN FOUNDRY HALL tomorrow! 2-6 tomorrow and I will take pics of our new shop!!

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Shop opening~~ and more primitives

2011-11-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

I GOT THE OK TODAY TO OPEN OUR HOLIDAY HOMEMADE SHOP~ It will be on Eagle Street in South Haven Mi and there are at least 6 local artisans that want to 'rent a spot" inside so we will have a great variety to choose from!! YEAH!!!
kind of like a co op of handmades!!
SOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED!! I will post more and pics this week!~!
In the meantime here is what I got up at 3am to do this am!! LOL

Joy is the first one done. I used stryo ornaments I cut apart and used some drywall compound and flaked glitter on to make the snowmen body.

I also have another one on my work table not done with peace on it.

Another round head snowman ontop another .20 cent jar! this one I didnt put lights in, just a white feather tree, glitter. I love painting these and have 5 more waiting on me.

Also I did up some snowmen head that will go on sticks but have to finish them too. TOO MUCH TOO DO!! LOL and I really need to get to the kitchen and get things ready for markets!!

Hope you have a wonderful day!! Will be back soon to share more!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

spoon ornies

2011-11-28T02:43:00.000-08:00

I finished these guys up late last night and wanted to post em quick this morning. Busy day at kitchen today I have 3 markets this week so candy making and baking today and hopefully time in my studio when I get back!
I bought this big box of old silverware at a flea market this summer and there was only 2 big spoons in the whole box, at least my mom and I found some at the thrift stores this weekend so I could make more. I do have 6 more on my work table right now that are drying. It takes a bit but after sanding and basecoating this guys are fun to do.

Obviously this batch was just snowmen but the next ones are with sheep too.

I bend the handle part of the spoon back and make a twine hanger with little homespun tie.

quicky took a pic of em hanging off a box in my studio. A rusy bell is attached to a litle curled wire embellishement.

Some glitter and on a couple I used some tiny little stickers from in my scrap stash.

They are coated with lots of triple thick glaze and some teeny tiny shimmery glitter. Happy with the way they turned out. I will be back later to share another round head snowman creation and also hopefully the other spoons will be finished.

Have a great monday!!

Hugs

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

one of my thrift store jars...

2011-11-27T07:31:00.000-08:00

I did get a couple things done last night and finished this guy up using one of my .20 cent thrift store jars. I made a round head snowman head and painted his face then did a nice coffee stain on him for that distressed aged look.

These jars are perfect for this. You really cant see it but I did put a feather tree in the jar, attached down with some E 6000, some glittery snow flakes and a string of mini white lights.

On the front I speckeled it with snow and added a couple pieces of some scrapbook gem flourishes and the words let it snow.

The cheesecloth scarf is perfect for him with a rusty star.

The black stovetop hat is just osnaburg fabric painted, sanded, and then rubbed with some cinnamon. I have 6 more of these guys hanging on my clothesline in my craft studio drying, cant wait to make something with them next. I also painted some old large spoons we found and basecoated some tins for painting snowmen on. Lots to do today!! Hope you have a wonderful sunday!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Snowman projects and repurposing

2011-11-26T05:08:00.000-08:00

Hey Yall!!! My super super mom and I took my brother out shoppin yesterday. We hit almost every thrift shop we could and came home with her car bursting at the seams!! LOL I bought up 2 full bags of garlands with white lights and even extension cords for $4.00, (they will come in handy for our shop and then around the farmstand) 6 boxes of new white mini lights for get this.......$1.00 a box!! 100 count even!! That was a great deal!! We got some really nice new looking heavy sweaters for Joey for .........another deal..........$1.00 each!! Found some old clear big jars for snowmen projects for .20 cents each!! oh and my favo of cource was 2 pair of kids double runner skates for $3.50 a pair!! I always am on the hunt for those babies! they are difficult to find and before winter comes they are pretty reasonable. AND we seen a ton of red berries along the way on beautiful branches so pretty we decided to stop along the road and snip a few!! they are gonna be wonderful in floral arrangements, on wreaths, and well maybe just a bunch of em in a vase with white twigs and silver glittery sticks!!
I did also find a few very cool picture frames I just had to alter!! I am a huge fan of Linda Albrecht and took her paperclay sculpted snowmen ideas to make a few of my own. So with My Minds Eye wonderful glittery snow pack and pieces n parts of all my stash I came up with these!!

These are the little glass tiles I used to make the alphabet pendants but love the look of em for this. and the foam letters are just from a scrapbook store long ago.

I did take apart some glittered flourishes to make the swirls on here too.

Glittery snowflakes from Big Lots and some silver mesh wired ribbon from a thrift store, the eyes are black tiny glass beads and the nose was just a piece of a wooden skewer painted orange.

The frame did require a bit of painting and sanding and dry brushing then antiquing but I think it fits perfectly.

The snowman here has the snow stamped on his little banner. Twig arms make all the difference.

I like this one best so far!!

And I finished up a couple more banners. Inspire has some great ephemera on it. I cut out some old milk caps that I scanned and printed so each letter has a different one on it, some little flowers, a mini word stamped on using Just Rite stamps, ribbon and I painted and sanded and stamped and antiqued the little chipboard frames I had in a stash pile.

I am leaving this one seperate so you can hang them anywhere and anyhow your heart desires. The chipboard letters are also painted, sanded and then I used a bit of Tim Holtz distressables on the edges.

WISH is another banner done.

Another thrift store frame painted sanded and antiqued along with lots of Martha Stewart flaked glitter and of cource another rusty tiny bell on top the hat. Hey this was up at the top part of post!! >???? dont know why it got moved down here or even how? LOL

So that was it and now I am off to get more creative things made. I have wayyyyyyyyy too many things to get finished!! always that way huh!!

Have a wonderful saturday!! Maybe my mom and brother want to hit a few more thrift stores in another town!! ROFL<<<<<,,,well I better use up some things before brining more projects to work on huh!!

HUGS

Darlene

Tag banners and marshmellows

2011-11-24T15:22:00.000-08:00

Hey YAll!!! HAPPY TURKEY DAY!! hope yall had a blessed holiday today! My wonderful mom brought over a plate of their turkey and homemade stuffing and oh my goodnesssss SO YUMMY!! Hubby is still at work and hopefully will be home before the boys and I eat all this yummness up without him!! LOL

So since hubby had to work I got to work in my little studio today with little "mr boopie woopie boo" in the chair next to me!! I wanted to do some inexpensive girly girl things for my upcoming shows.

I LOVE My Minds Eye papers and thought they would be perfect for this dream tag banner but after taking a pic of the letters I realyzed the black backround was too dark to see the letters good enough.

These are the tags, I used old manilla file folders I had laying around in my studio and some beaded trim I bought long ago at hobby lobby. Love that trim too.

I used some Martha Stewarts hot pink glitter for the edges of the crepe paper rosettes. Gold and purple glitter got mixed together so that was the :bling : on the chipboard letters.

All finished up on a piece of pink groisgrain ribbon.

The next one is WISH on more tags using more My Minds Eye papers!! I distressed the edges again with Tim Holtz's distressing ink. Vintage lace trim around the bottom edge, and some vintage black seam binding for the hanger.

I used sheet music paper for the rosettes and Martha Stewarts mica flakes for the edges.

I have a couple more on the work table I have to finish up tonight or tomorrow.
Yesterday Susan and I had a blast making homemade marshmellows.......................wellllllllllllllllllllll a big STICKY MESS!! LOL we had marshmellow up to our elbows, stuck to everything in the kitchen!! but it was fun and oh so worth it!! Let me tell you if you have never had marshmellows you are in for a real treat if you make em or buy em homemade. I am planning on listing some in my etsy shoppe soon!!

So this was the start of our gooey mess.

letting it cook up to 252 degrees

then it gets mixed with the bloomed gelatin and you mix.............

and you mix,.......................and.......................

you mix.........and...................... you reazlye it is gonna go over your bowl so you have to use the big girl for this now!!!

it was cool to watch it go from tan to white along the way too!!

Sooooooooo much of it was stuck in the whip I had to use my gloved hand to try to pull some of it thru the spokes.

And here it is cooling in the pan, we tried to smooth it as much as can be

pulling the parchment off the top

now just have to dust with a bit of cornstarch

oh there it is!! the yummy gooey stick goodness!! I had made some graham crackers and also melted some milk chocolate discs to make choc bars to fit the grahams

layered together these were divine!!! I packaged some of for market last nigth. I did tie them with some red and white bakers twine and a cute scalloped edge tag.

So they will be made again very soon and I want to do some peppermint swirl ones with hot cocoa mix for my shop.

Hope it was a great day for you!! Will be back soon I am going to go to a primitive show in the morning and then gotta get wood cut for more signs.

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

holiday lights

2011-11-22T16:54:00.000-08:00

Thrift store redo!!

The wreath I found at the first thrift store we went into and thought I would add some fabric snowmen I am making but then I found the slate painted snowmen sign and thought it would be perfect in it. I added some glittery snowflakes I bought at hobby lobby and some red berries I had and some red checkered ties.

We went to Douglas to walk around the stores and look at the lights. Here's my mom behind some lighted trees in town.

This was the most spectacuar display. White lights (my favo) and red shiny ornaments and the pretty green pines. JUST holiday perfectness!! These shops win my award for best decorated this season!! Way to go!!

Look at that decorated urn JUST GORGEOUS!!

We made and decorated some pine wreaths at home for sale. I love adding all the pretty shiny embellishments!! Lots of holiday bling!! LOL

I finished up painting these signs for my show next week. AHHHHHHH snowmen!! My favo favo things to paint!!

I got alot done at the kitchen too. Caramels are ready for market, brittle is bagged up, pretzels dipped and packaged up, made some cherry filled linzer tort cookies, (which still need to be put together) graham crackers packaged up just need to label them, egg bread ready, foccacia ready, muffins done and ready and the cookies are done. And I made some sweet tater casserole, cabbage n kielbasa, vegetarian minestrone, and some bean soup. WHEW!! that is about it. Tomorrow we are tackling homemade vanilla marshmellows!! kind of dreading it but also cant wait. It looks like quite a bit of trouble but well worth it!!

so I better get a good nights sleep and rest up. Market tomorrow! Foundry Hall South Haven.

Have a great night!!

Darlene

HUGS!!

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

FOUNDRY HALL

2011-11-22T05:43:00.000-08:00

I went to the kitchen early early yesterday so I could get home early and finish up some more of my painted signs. So love painting snowmen!! AND as much as I personally love LOVE** LOVE*** snow I am actually happy as can be we dont have snow yet. It is suppossed to be in the 50s almost 60s this week!! It does sound like lots of rain but that is a ok by me right now.

Love the soft greens for backrounds with snowmen. Softens it up so much.

And I do like the blues, today I plan to do some tans.

For some reason blogger isnt let me add any more photos?? URG!! I did take some of the things I did at the kitchen yesterday which were homemade soft n chewy buttery caramels, my eggcellent egg bread (challah) whict today is gonna be made into pure decadent love......pumpkin bread pudding!! my favo!! Also made black olive and sage foccacia loaves, cookie dough to bake today, pumpkin pie spice pecan brittle (this is a great snack) and if you love pumpkin pie spices you would love this. I will try to break the recipe down it makes 5 pounds of candy. Today is pineapple cake with coconut icing, 3 bean soup, some butter toffee with almonds, and cinnamon roll muffins. Maybe a few other things but depends on the time.

So with that said I will mention again our Winter Farmers Market at Foundry Hall in South Haven. 3-6pm and also our holiday artisans markets december 7th and 14 at the hall also!! We have 17 spots full right now and a great variety!!

Have a great tues!! I will be back tomorrow with more goodies to share!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

altered ornies, croissants and more

2011-11-17T16:52:00.000-08:00

Hey yall!!! I was able to devote some time to crafting!! YEAH! YIPPEE!! so I made some altered ornies with microscope slides and solder.

I love this silver xmas tree stand. I bought it at a local shop and just cut the bells and candy canes off the branches and added my ornies to it. Love the shiny sparkly silver!

A dog lovers ornie. I did solder a double heart charm on the bottom of each one and added a few little glass beads to the top with ribbon hanger. $5.00 plus travel expenses for each ornie. I have alot of different ones, if interested email me or leave me a comment here for details.

Ham n swiss croissants

Croissant dough rolled out

Black forest ham and sliced swiss cheese

Maple Apple Pie I decided to do a bit of cute decoration on top so adhered some cut out maple leaves to each top

OH and these are absolutely divine!! Pumpkin goodness and yummy!! Pumpkin hand pies!! These so are being made next week for market! we had them warm from the oven and oh oh oh is all I can say!! total yummyness!! can u tell I love punkin pies!!

Lemon glazed blueberry cake. This were adorable and yummy!! I found a couple of small bundt pans and bought them and oh too cute!!

And made hubby some mini apple pies baked in my jumbo muffin tins. YUMMY!! again!!

So that is it for today~~ I do want to say if yall are near SOUTH HAVEN MI!! I am putting on 2 evening market events. Our local farmers are teaming up with some local crafters/artisans to bring you great locally handmade gifts. We will be at FOUNDRY HALL on Eagle street in south haven on DECEMBER 7th and 14th from 3pm-? Live music, refreshments and snacks and lots of goodies for you. Support you local independent small businesses and come on over!

I will share pics of the hall as soon as my mom and I decorate it up!!

Have a great evening!!

HUGS!!

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Sweet tater pie sew many ways blog WEEK 40

2011-11-14T13:43:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY MONDAY!! Oh what an absolutely fun fabo monday it has been!! WHY?????? because I have been working in my studio since 6 this am!! and just finished up a bunch of new ornies and soldered pendants.
First off I want to share my Grandma Rose's sweet tater pie with pecan struesel topping recipe!! Over at "Sew Many Ways" it is pie week so here we go!! this one is yummy!
Grandma Rose's Sweet Tater Pie
4 sweet taters
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 lg eggs
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 12oz can evaporated milk
pie crust of your choice (this makes 2 9in pies)

Cook taters until tender, cool throughly.
Remove peels from taters when cool, place in mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
Add sugar, mixing well, then add eggs one at a time mixing well after each one. Add cinnamon and vanilla, blend well. Reduce to low and add milk. Divide into pie unbaked pie crusts.
Struesel topping:
1/4 cup softened butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger)
Blend with 2 knives or pastry blender to blend into cource crumbs.
Top pies and bake in preheated oven 425 degrees for 30-40 min.
Take out and cool, top with some homemade whipped cream or ice cream.

I will be making this next week or my csa and also for at home.

So I will be back in a bit to post pics of what I have been working on today.
Have a great afternoon!!
HUGS
Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Foundry Hall market

2011-11-10T14:30:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THURSDAY!! Last night was our little market in South Haven at the Foundry Hall I thought I would share a few photos of last weeks offerings. The guy with the guitar is our entertainment!! HE IS AWESOME TOO!! he sings and plays all kinds of great music and also does it at our summer market on sat. What a nice addition he makes too!! it just welcomes you into the hall.

This pic is a bit dark, sorry, it is of my dear friend Ruth.

She makes and sells herbal products and her balms are the best of the best!! I use them and also used them on all my dogs for itches, scratches, scrapes, irritations and so on u get the idea.

This is Fleming Farms table and let me just say one word.........YUMMO MAPLE SYRUP! ok ok 3 words to be correct!! really........... they make the best I use it all the time.

This is Joann who is from Summer Sun farm and they are awesome, she and her daughter are gonna be offering lots of veggies this winter in their heated hoop houses.

This is Ray and his son Kenneth. They have some great choices for apples and will bring them most of the winter. I didnt take any pics of my stuff, u see that enough on here huh!!~LOL

So a new idea popped into this country gals blonde head last night!! For 2 nights in december we are gonna be combined with some local artisans for unique gifts and shopping along with live music and refreshments. I have 5 of my friends signed up already for booths and a few more to let me know. I am trying to have one of each kind of booth so we offer a good variety. December 7th and 14th will be the days from 3-6pm. So far we have all our market people offering produce, baked goods, cookie gifts, maple syrup, herbal teas and soaps, my painted signs and snowmen crafts, my mom is making some floral centerpieces, Joe's herbs bird treats, unique jams/jellies and recycled remade clocks, handmade cards and lots more coming!! Sounds like fun huh!! Stop on by if yall are in or near South Haven MI!! If you come and mention you read this on my blog you will get a little gifty from me!!

Well have a wonderful blessed evening! Talk more soon!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

new brownie love

2011-11-08T16:07:00.000-08:00

Ok so I am gonna share this new brownie recipe with yall!! It is my favo now!!
Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Brownie with Walnuts
YUMMY!! a perfect fall treat!

You first layer your choc brownie in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. I made a double recipe since I like my browies super thick, this is in a 1/2 sheet pan with a pan liner.

You make pumpkin cheesecake and drop it on top of the brownie base

Then give it a nice swirl and I added chopped walnuts to the top.

Baked up so pretty

U can see they are nice n thick!!

So here is the recipe for yall!!

in mixing bowl beat 3 oz cream cheese and 1 tablespoon melted butter. Add 1/4 cup sugar. Beat until well combined. Scrape sides of bowl occassionally. Beat in 1 egg, 1 cup pumpkin puree and 1 tsp vanilla. Blend well, add 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg. Mix well and set aside.

Brownies=

In bowl stir together 1 1/4 cups flour, 3/4tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, set aside.

In lg saucepan combine 6 oz unsweetened chocolate chopped and 3/4 cup butter. Cook and stir over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Gradually add 2 cups sugar beating with electric mixer on low speed just until combined. Add 4 eggs one at a time beating well after each one. Beat in 1/4 cup milk and 2 tsp vanilla. Gradually add flour just until combined.

Spread brownie mix evenly in pan. Drop cream cheese mixture ontop of base in mounds. Using a knife gently swirl cheese into brownie mix. Top with 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Bake about 60 minutes or until tester comes out clean ( I temp them at 190 degrees) in 325 degree preheated oven. Cool in pan.

Makes 36 brownies

HOPE U ENJOY!!

So onto today's baking;;

Onion pan rolls, these are just my bread dough scaled out to bun size 4 1/2 oz each, after the first rise I dip them in melted butter and knead some dried parsley, minced dried onion, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and a bit of salt into them then dip each one's top in melted butter and some extra spices.

They are really yummy, had to try on ya know.

I also made a couple of loaves of cheese bread using a great extra sharp white cheddar cheese.

Snickerdoodles, these are gonna be baked til crispy then I am gonna make a cinnamon butter cream filling and sandwich them together.

I also did more of my delish pumpkin muffins.

I love this look for their little tops. Just brush on some melted butter while they are still warm

Then dip in cinnamon sugar mixture. Ok so that is it for today. I still have to make a few things in the am for market tomorrow and then it is market tomorrow night at Foundry Hall in South Haven.

Have a great evening!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Monday evening

2011-11-07T17:18:00.000-08:00

Well another week ended and another started. Tonight is our favo favo show two in a half men, even without Charlie we still like it but not as much!! Miss Charlie! Mon and Wed are our favo nights and we ususally dont miss either. Survivor is another favo we have watched since the beginning of this show and even though we have dvr we still must be in the house to watch it live!! LOL Supper is over, dishes done, pjs on, the boys have had their supper and are all laying on the couch with me, hubby is sitting in his recliner and welllllllllllllllll all is right in our little world tonight!
Tomorrow will be busy busy, hubby got my truck done today so I have lots of time lost without being at the kitchen this weekend or today. I am gonna try a couple of new recipes if I can, some chocolate ganache filled mini tarts, lemon cookies with raspberry cream filling and maybe something pumpkiny? I do have orders this week for my pumpkin muffins, my grandma Rose's old fashioned southern peach cobbler, and some onion pan rolls so those things will have to come first.
I do have to say I am totally addicted to "PINTEREST" have yall been there yet? oh what fun!! My goodness there is hours and hours of fun things to look at!! OH and what inspiration!!! TONS of craft studio ideas that are just amazing!! and tons of primitive crafting things to make!!
my id is Darlene Stumpf-Westfahl follow me if ya like and I will follow you and your boards!! be sure though to "chick" it out!!
I did get some creative craftin time today!! YEAH!! started painting 2 snowmen signs, 3 skates and managed to play with my little cricut in making signs for market. I cut out and put together 2 standing ones that we will use on the sidewalk at Foundry Hall for our wed afternoon market. Will try to take a pic of them tomorrow.
So it is about time for our show to come on so I will go for now and will be back to share things baked tomorrow! Have a wonderful monday evening!!
HUGS
Darlene
~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Whats good wed??

2011-11-02T08:25:00.000-07:00

One good thing today is just another day of having my wonderful loving family here with me!! AND it is just a beautiful day outside!! It is absolutely positively gorgeous!!!
And it is wonderful because we have market this afternoon in South Haven at Foundry Hall!! I get to be with some amazing people and one of my best friends Ruth.

On my csa menu this week was vegetarian alfredo lasagna, chicken n stuffing bake, vegetable rice salad, creamy cauliflower soup, creamy tater soup, vegetarian minestrone soup, lemon buttermilk muffins with blueberries, parmesan toppped foccacia, butter crumb topped apple pie, apple dumplings.

So the above pic is my lasagna.

The innerds of the lasagna, sauteed fresh broccoli, onions, carrots and corn. Topped with a homemade alfredo sauce.

This little mini apple pie was for my hubby! He loves apple pie.

Another apple pie this one is bigger and for market tonight.

Butter crumb topped apple pie.

Lemon buttermilk muffins with our flash frozen blueberries from this season.

I made up a batch of mini pumpkins out of brown sugar shortbread cookies to hand out to customers tonight.

I have never seen these bushes so full of gorgeous berries.

I can just see these little gems into a wreath for on the farmstand door.

Holly bushes at kitchen, they are really loaded with berries too.

My Mr. boopie woopie boo was nestled on Busters bed among some of his stuffed animals. Too cute! Love this little guy!!

And this I thought would make a great greeting card hmmmmmmmmmm maybe even on my desktop!!

So have a wonderful wed! When u have a moment today think of at least 2 things that make today a wonderful wed. Makes ya smile!!

HUGS!!

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

2011-10-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

Hey yall!!! Goodness it is almost november!! I sure hope tomorrow will be nice outside for all the kiddos to have fun trick or treating or going to halloween parties!! I remember having snow and ice here one year for halloween and it was miserable!!

So what did I do last week??? Well I made some new things like below this Martha Stewart recipe for a carmalyzed onion potato tart. Ok NOT my favo but some of my customers really liked it. I did however make it to my liking by omitting sliced taters and sauteed some fresh zucchini and garlic. THAT was delish!!! I will make that again!!

It is just pie dough, u can buy pie dough in the store but I love my old pie dough recipe. Carmalzye your onions with a bit of salt and pepper. On the pie dough spread some herbed cream cheese, the recipe called for 2 tablespoons of italian seasoning. Which is basically equal parts of dried basil, oregano, parsley and a bit of salt and pepper. Top cheese mix with (in my case) one sliced and sauteed zucchini, then onions and fold over edges. I did do an egg warsh on the dough and a bit of sprinkled seasoning. YUMMO!!

Parmesan topped foccacia loaves. Just about ready to come out of the oven.

And since It is almost halloween I thought I would add a couple of my handmade scarecrows.

And punkin heads on sticks

My favo pair of scarecrows. I leave em up on my mantle year round!! I need to make some for next year. Maybe if I start now they will get done by oct next year!! LOL

So this week I have on my menu vegetable minestrone, creamy cauliflower soup, creamy tater soup with cheese, vegetable alfredo lasagna, a vegetable rice salad, some black olive sage baguettes, foccacia, lemon blueberry muffins, apple dumplings, butter crumb topped apple pie, fresh chunky maple applesauce, and a chicken n stuffing casserole bake. So it should be a pretty busy mon tue getting these things ready. Which is ok then I have market wed and thurs. So friday and Sat are me days!! hopefully crafting days!!

Hope yall have a spooktacular day tomorrow!!

be back soon with pics!!

HUGS

Darlene

**dont forget if yall are near me I can deliver my chicken scratch gourmet items to ya***

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Beautiful fall days

2011-10-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

WOW it has been just gorgeous this week!! A bit of rain but also sun and in the 60s!! The news just said we could have sprinkles tomorrow thru monday each day but nice and dry today!! I wish this could last into november and then snow in december!! LOL I put my order in but not too sure it will deliver but I tried!! LOL
So this was a busy busy week so far and I am sure feeling it, today is our first winter market in South Haven at FOUNDRY HALL and tomorrow is our last thursday market in ALLEGAN!! So that meant I only had mon and tues to get things ready instead of m-w this weeek. Makes a huge difference but next week things will be calmer!

I did some cranberry orange muffins

Chocolate brownies with peanut butter chips

And some cinnamon roll bread pudding. I have to say I usually make some french bread for my bread puddings but decided to use my egg bread instead. OH MY GOSH! CAN U SAY SUPER YUMMO!! I will never never use just french bread ever again!! LOL this was absolutely the bestest bread pudding I have ever made or eaten. So rich buttery and amazing!! I did make a creamy vanilla cinnamon sauce to heat up and pour over it. I used our fresh eggs to make this bread and you can see the richness of fresh eggs in the color of the bread nice and creamy yellow/gold color.

Fresh out of the oven!! a bit crispy on top which was so good as is but then with the sauce on top oh my cinnamony goodness!

Fresh from the oven cranberry muffins

On my csa list was chicken pot pies. I did them with my flaky pie dough crust and some rosemary sprigs added. These smelled so good!! The filling is rotiserrie chicken, some local taters, onions, carrots, and zucchini squash. and some herbs.

I watched food network the other day and Sandra Lee's show had this potato carmalized onion tart that sounded good so I thought I would offer that. Made up my flaky butery crust a bit thicker for these, there is a layer of herbed cream cheese spread ontop of crust, then top with thinly sliced taters and top with onions. I also put a bit of italian seasoning on the top and a bit of parmesan cheese.

They look pretty and had a good taste but I would change something next time just not sure what yet.

Parmesan crusted foccacia loaves

And I did up some vegetarian lasagna rolls. Cooked noodles, then added some cooked fresh spinach mixed with ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and a bit of sour cream then added some of my homemade tomato sauce. Rolled up and put ontop a bed of chopped tomatoes and sauce.

They turned out good and I will make them again. I did try them with fresh homemade noodles but they were way to soft to roll and just tore too easy so bought some organic ones at a local health food store and they worked alot better.

My mom and I also made some baked ziti casseroles, butternut squash soup, harvest potato vegetable soup (which was really thick, flavorful and comforting) and some pumpkin muffins.

Looking forward to next weeks menu I am thinking maybe some creamed spinach, ministrone, a chicken pasta dish and apple dumplings.

If you are near us and want to order any of our menu options you can email me, or like us on facebook at chickenscratchfarm and I can arrange to bring it and meet you.

So I am off to get ready to get to the kitchen early today since I am going to be at market this afternoon.

LOTS to do!!

Hope yall have a blessed day and I will be back soon with more goodies!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

week 4 csa options

2011-10-20T14:35:00.000-07:00

This weeks options were: entrees= chicken rice casserole, pesto chicken pasta, vegetarian zucchini ricotta bake, apple stuffing stuffed acorn squash (pictured above) vegetarian stuffed pepers, carrot soup, and white chili

And here is the carrot soup. I have to say I do love fresh carrots but I LOVE this soup. This will be a recipe I am sharing for yall it is divine!! Coconut milk makes it vegan also and lends a really smooth creamy flavor to this soup. I added dried parsley to the recipe and also used crysallyzed ginger (which is really a nice flavor in here)

The chicken rice casserole is really yummy with tostitos multi grain chips and the pesto pasta was really yummy too.

Local tomatoes, onions, zucchini and organic black and white beans

And some red velvet cake truffles dipped in white chocolate and accented with a bit of red swirl

Here's the chix rice casserole, I made it so we can try it out topped with some fresh chopped cilantro. I really wanted to put a dollop of sour cream on top but actually for the first time ever didnt have any here at home. I have 2 large tubs at the kitchen but none here!

White chili soup.

Next week we start our csa/winter market at Foundry Hall in South Haven on wed from 3-6pm. Our summer markets are about over so it is time for indoor markets!! wish we would have been inside today, I took my orders to market and left due to the terrible winds and rain and it is darn right coldddddddddddddd!! BRRRRRRR!! too early for this cold, but I did work in my craft studio on some micorscope slide ornaments for xmas and some painting on my smen signs for a consignment shop. YEAH!!

and I have a fire in the furnace goin so it is nice and cozy in our little house. =) My boys are curled in a comforter on the couch next to me so all is good in the world right now!! Hubby should be home anytime now. I think we are having some acorn squash tonight and wellllllllllllllllllllll not sure what else but I do have bacon out so something with bacon for sure!! YUMMY!!

Hope yall have a great evening!

Be back soon

HUGS!!

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

windy windy day

2011-10-15T02:51:00.000-07:00

No market today! This is my first saturday all season to miss market!! (except our vacation) due to weather. It is so incredibly windy there is no way my things are going to survive so I will set up times to deliver the csa orders and then I think I am goin to work on some snowmen things I have been wanting to make!! YEAH!! WOO HOO!! craftin time! LOL and maybe a nap with my boys today too.
Yesterday was a full day at the kitchen too. These cinnamon swirl buns were rising and boy did they rise!!

As u can see the rose nice above the top of the muffin pan. Nice n light n fluffy too.

They are a bit plain so had to do the "farmgirl bling" thing! A healthy drizzeling of a cinnamon vanilla glaze.

I had more orders of my tomato mushroom quiche so those got finished up.

I also made some cheese ravioli and a nice tomato basil sauce on top.

Another view of the finished buns. I talked with a friend of mine who owns Evergreen Lane Creamery, they make artisan goats milk cheeses along with other dairy products, and will be brining and offering that to my customers at markets and in my CSA this winter to see how it goes. They make amazing goat cheese and I thought it would be fun to make some homemade crackers to go along with it or maybe some nice french bread baguettes. YUMMY!! She is taking a cheese cource in Vermont so will start that as soon as she gets back. How exciting!!

Things are goin great with my csa program so I am just thrilled. If you are near Fennville, Allegan or South Haven MI leave me a comment if you would like info on joining and recieving my newsletter emails. My program is weekly, no committment no minimum orders. I will be delivering this weekly thru the winter and also have some avaialble at my winter markets too. I want it to be affordable for everyone. I sure am havin a ball going thru all my old cookbooks digging thru my grandmothers books to find ideas. And I am also offering at least one vegetarian option too.

Hope yall have a wonderful weekend! I am hoping to get a few things accomplished so will let yall know how that goes!! LOL

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

CSA workin wed

2011-10-12T17:29:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!! WHEW!! What a wild wed it has been!! This am I took my brother to his job, he volunteers with a job coach at Habitat for Humanity resale store. He wipes things down and dusts shelves and so on. His regular lady who he has had for umpteen years had to resign her position and we all miss her but I have taken on some of her things she did with him. We had fun!! when I got back it was time to get my butt to the kitchen and get things ready for tomorrow!! This week's csa menu had the main entrees of : tomato mushroom quiche with a cornbread crust and fresh thyme, a pasta casserole with andouille sausage from Young Earth Farm and my homemade tomato sauce, our homemade cheese filled ravioli with a tomato basil sauce and then for bread options they had cheddar pepper bread or italian herb foccacia.

The filling chopped ingredients for quiche

Brought a couple dozen of our chicken eggs for the quiche it took 22 eggs!!

The cornbread crust with a bit of fresh chopped thyme from Joe's herbs

Baked up and nice n golden

Cheddar pepper bread

nice and brown in the oven almost ready to pull it out!

my tomato basil noodles waiting for sauce

and there is the sauce

I thought it would look finished with a bit of farmgirl "bling" LOL yepper it isnt just for baked goods!! LOL some fresh chopped baby spinach and some parm bread crumbs

I also got some double chocolate gooey butter cakes made, some pumpkin cake rolls filled with cream cheese filling, red velvet cake frosted with cream cheese frosting, red velvet cupcakes, pumpkin spice bread, pistachio bread, pumpkin muffins with cinnamon sugar tops, and the italian herb foccacia. So WHEW!! I am one tired chic here. NOW it is time to kick back and watch surviror and eat my wonderful supper my dear sweet hubby made. We are having breakfast which is fine by me!! LOVE bacon, eggs, hash browns and my fresh cheddar bread!!
Have a wonderful evening!
HUGS
Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Happy fall monday

2011-10-10T07:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Happy day here!! I am so doing a happy dance right now!! Last week at market my necklace broke which had my silver heart charm on it my hubby bought me last year for our anniversary, it was special to me as he and our Bubba dog went to pick it up after being engraved with my boys names on it!! As some of you know we lost our Bubba in feb this year and it just made me treasure it even more! So this while goin thru my bags there it was on the bottom under some papers!!! WOO HOO!! YEE HAWW~ so happy happy now!

So here is a pumpkin guy I finally finshed up yesterday. He is gonna greet customers in the farmstand but not for sale I like him too much to sell him!! LOL

This clump of trees is in our pasture and every fall it gives off such a wonderful show of color I had to take another pic of it!

These are along the pasture just starting to change.

I made up some soft n chewy pumpkin cookies and topped them with a bit of "farmgirl" bling. Some clear sugar crystals.

Glazed pumpkin latte cakes.

Smaller version of the pumpkin latte cake

And made some more of my pumpkin poke guys. They are just too darn cute to stick around here and there. I sold all of what I had at market so made up13 more.

one more of my sweet punkin jack.

It is gonna be another beautiful fall day here in the 70s so I am off to get my grocery shopping done and maybe head to the kitchen to get a few prep things done up. I just really really want to stay at home and play outside with the boys ya know. Oh well hope yall have a wonderful monday and will be back soon with more fun things!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Stuffed cabbage and soup day

2011-10-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

Week 2 is here already and it was a gorgeous gorgeous fall day. Sunny and warm this afternoon so my mom and I took my brother to pick apples which are absolutely wonderful I forgot my camera but will try to take it as we are getting more tomorrow, we have red delicious, golden delicious, and macintosh. I see apple dumplings for market this week! and maybe apple oat bread or apple pies or welllllllllll apple stuff!! LOL

Early this am I made hubby a pot of tater corn chowder soup. He loves taters and will actually eat the carrots in the soup since I chop them up really super small!! Using as much local produce I am making soups daily now. This was one of my featured soups last week.

This is my favo soup I make!! My creamy tomato veggie soup with homemade egg noodles. OH MY GOODNESS!! I have to say this might be the best pot of this kind of soup ever!! I make it all the time in the winter when we have tomatoes frozen but I used fresh ones and some cream and roasted some red peppers that I put in the processor with some sweet basil from my brothers herbs. YUMMY!!

I love it but hubby is not a fan so I will take some over to my mom and dads and make another pot, hopefull just as good for my markets this week!! I love being a guinnea pig sometimes! LOL

So tomorrow we will be making stuffed cabbage rolls, and getting prep work done for a busy busy wed. I like to get all my veggies cut up and prepped for the week on mondays and tues, and try to get all my dry ingredient mixes up and ready so wed I just add the wet and bake everything. My menu this week also has on some smothered fresh green beans with red peppers and bacon and onions. We will have some tonight to try it out and tweek it a bit to make wed for my csa menu. I am also doing a vegetarian dish so it will be black bean vegetarian chili. A chicken enchilada casserole will also be on the menu. Made this before and hopefully I can remember how I made it since it was really good. Another dish for my csa this week. I will be offering black olive sage baguette bread, cornbread or muffins, And for desert options they get to choose either pumpkin cake, pineapple cake with coconut icing, or apple cinnamon bread pudding with a creamy cinnamon sauce. So that means to make some french bread too. Goodness I need to write these things down as I make it and forget all I put in something. *NOTE TO SELF* write it down!!!! LOL

So hope yall had a wonderful monday!!

Talk to ya more tomorrow!! with pics at the kitchen!!

HUGS

Darlene

This week~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

CSA and baked goods

2011-10-01T18:15:00.000-07:00

My first week of the CSA program went really well!! THANK YOU to everyone that ordered and bought from me!! I have some ideas for next weeks menu options like stuffed fresh cabbage rolls with homemade tomato sauce, chicken enchilada casserole, eggplant casserole, stuffed acorn squash and maybe some broccoli something soup. I got beautiful fresh cabbage, squash, eggplant and broccoli from market today!! I so love getting and using locally grown produce for us at home and also now to offer my customers. So you get the idea each week will be different depending on what is available at market. I do have to say Fleming Farm and Visser Farm have the best produce around!! THANKS guys for bringing it to us. We grew some things in the garden but ya know I got so busy with baking that the produce here kind of fell by the wayside, I have tomatoes and some taters but overall not enough to use for my offerings.

I made some pumpkin bread pudding with a creamy cinnamon sauce using our french bread loaves. OH MY GOSH SUCH PUMPKINGOODNESS!! I have to say of all the bread puddings I have done this is the bestest ever! the pumpkin custard is just so velvety smooth and just yummy!

Susan sauteed some fresh veggies and chunked up tofu to fill homemade egg rolls. This was a trial this week which we are baking them instead of frying and they were good. A quick homemade sauce and yummo!! BUT next time no tofu and she is gonnna use cabbage and some thin oriental noodles too. I am not a tofu fan at all but to keep a vegetarian dish we tried it.

All rolled up brushed with olive oil and ready for the oven.

This was so delish!! A pumpkin sour cream cake, I topped it with a bit of my butter crumb struesel and some chopped toasted pecans.

That recipe was so excellent I decided to make another batch up for muffins!! those sold out within an hour this am!

Another pumpkin sour cream bundt cake with a cinnamon glaze. So good!!

Only 2 more satuday markets to go in South Haven but dont fret...........we are coming on wed from 3-6 november thru april at Foundry Hall!! Will fill yall in more in the next few days.

Hope yall have a wonderful weekend.

IF you are out and about our area today and tomorrow was our annual Blue Coast Artist Fall Tour, a great road trip around the lakeshore area of local studios and private galleries. My dear friends studio KNEUMU is a must stop!! she is off 113th ave just a few short minutes from our farm. SHE has the most amazing raku fired pottery!!! and has a great farm with lost of "girls" running around (chicks and more) stop and say hey to DAWN AND ROB!!

Off to get some much needed rest tonight!!

Talk more soon!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

My new ideas

2011-09-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

So with my hubby loosing his job I have been trying to come up with some new ideas for my markets. Thus Chicken Scratch Gourmet CSA program is now underway!! So far this is what I am doing= I send an email out to my customer list on sun/mon, they will get to choose an entree item, a bread item and a desert item from a list of options.
Here is what the first week of it looks like=
Entrees= white chili, potato corn chowder or vegetarian chili
Bread= rustic herbed biscuit loaf, cornbread or rosemary foccacia
Desert= fresh apple crisp, spiced baked apples, mini pumpkin pie, or an asst box of cookies
I am goin to do this by the week to keep it affordable for customers. $13.00 this week.
Obviously I am pretty new to this so I am gonna put it out there for any of you to leave me advise or comments or ideas. It is greatly appreciated!!
Today was such a beautiful fall day cool in the am and a bit rainy then now at 6pm it is 63 degrees and sunny.
Today all I did was make a few batches of pierogi, and some mixes up for this weeks baking. I am gonna do some almond spritz cookies, maybe pumpkin shapes and dip in an orange glaze for this weekends fall tour group.
My precious boys are doing wonderful and hubby is comin up with some new business adventure ideas for him too.
I wish we had the funds to buy a food truck and go a few times a week to the city to sell lunches and early dinners. But that isnt gonna happen any time soon. Darnit! LOL I just think that would be so much fun!! to be creative with food and go to the people!!
Kind of on a larger scale than markets and I just love doing markets.
Hope yall have a wonderful night~~ I will be back soon with pics of what I am making
HUGS
Darlene
~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

pumpkin cookies

2011-09-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

Well today was a wet and chilly day outside. It rained from the time I got up this am and is still raining tonight. We really did need some rain it was quite dry out. Next week looks like we should have a few pretty nice fall days so Buster and I can take our golf cart with a trailer and head thru the woods gatheting kindling for the wood furnace. We have fun doin that and I usually have at least 3 big piles of sticks.

Remember my little nekked punkin cookies from friday?? Here they are all dressed for fall.

I just made a quick butter cream frosting and piped on a couple of little curly vines on each.

This is a pic of a blurry pic but it is the top of my pumpkin cake roll.

These are fun to make and taste sooooooooooo yummy!! this was ours at home. Hubby and I love pumpkin goodies. This week for markets will be all about pumpkins!!!

My grandma Rose's spiced pumpkin pie bread, pumpkin pie cake, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin muffins with maybe a cinnamon butter streusle topping, pumpkin mini pies and pumpkin bread pudding (which by the way is my most favo of my bread puddings) comes with a creamy cinnamon sauce.

I also have some fresh apples we picked so I am thinking maybe maple apple bread pudding, apple bars and some caramel apples. Fun fun fun!

I should do some apple butter and pumpkin butter but not sure I will have time. I have orders for pierogi and cookies for the weekend. Blue Coast Artists fall tour is this weekend and I want to make some special desserts for our farmstand.

Hope yall have a restful evening. I am off to watch the season premier of one of my favo shows.............. Desperate Housewives!! love that show and have watched reruns of old episodes on lifetime several tims over!! LOL

Talk soon!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

First day of fall baking~

2011-09-23T17:29:00.000-07:00

Today was the offical start of fall here in beautiful sw michigan it was gorgeous!! The trees are just starting to show some colors and I cant wait til they all show their beauty. Fall is my favo favo time of year!! The colors, the sounds in the air, the smell around us and the fact that it is almost halloween!! my favo holiday to decorate for.

These are my butter crumb struesle topped zucchini muffins

plain ol zucchini muffins

butter crumb walnut struesle topped apple bread

Apple pie cakes, with butter crumb topping

these look and smell yummy, they are in the oven right now

I love how tall these muffins got! and soooooooooo yummo!

nekked punkin cookies

nekked sugar cookie leaves

they will have some yellow and reddish color frosting on them.

I also made some white chili, stuffed peppers, potato corn chowder soup, my glazed pistachio bread and some banana muffins and mango passion fruit filled thumbprint cookies. And some peanut butter cookies with chocolate chips, lavander shortbread flowers and some chocolate chip brownies. A few other cookies and I am ready for market tomorrow. We have a 60% chance of rain and storms tomorrow sunday and monday and tuesday but wed and thurs look gorgeous!!! I will be decorating for fall tomorrow after market so hope it doesnt rain tooo much1!
Hope yall have a wonderful weekend!! Talk to yall soon!!
HUGS
Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Back from the tractor show

2011-09-15T01:35:00.000-07:00

Well vacation is over and it is back to work. We got back monday and had lots to do the last couple of days, funny how we have so much work getting ready for vacation, during vacation and when we get back home huh! Anyway it's all good!! We had a wonderful time and the boys loved camping. This was Bruno's first tractor show and I think he had a great time. Buster has been goin with us since he was a pup and he is 10 now so he is quite the experienced camper. LOL they enjoyed seeing all the people and love to lay on our bed to look our the front of the 5th wheel and see everyone and everything goin on plus they all go for rides on the golf cart around the campground.

thursday night was our annual tractor cruise where we get a police escort into town and drive down to the beach. This year I think they said there were 60or so tractors? the last couple of years it was well over 100 tractors and doodlebugs too.

It was windy and really cold outside that night so maybe that kept a few away. This was the view from the front of our H tractor.

A dear friend and his son in the cruise. He just got this pretty Allis Chalmers done in time for the show. LOVE that orange!! GREAT JOB!!

My niece Carissa sitting on our Allis tractor.

On sunday a few men from the American Legion came over and did a special memorial with the boy scouts for 9/11 and that was very touching! Seen alot of teary eyed folks attend it was something special.

Another front seat view goin to the beach

My sister in law being Silly mommy!! Carrie posing for Carissa.

Well I just wanted to pop in and let yall know I am back and will be back to work. I have market today so it is an early day for me. Made some new treats including a banana cake with maple crumb topping, fresh red raspberry scones, apple muffins with maple topping, red raspberry muffins topped with cinnamon pecan streusle, red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting, pineapple goo cake with coconut icing, and some herbed dumplings for Allegan Market today. Hope yall have a great thursday!! Cold here it is only 45 this am!! crazy!! 90 last week and now chances of frost! so not ready for cold weather we have to get our wood supply ready.

Will be back with more tomorrow!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Wet wed!!

2011-08-31T02:58:00.000-07:00

There is something so serene and peaceful to listening to a light rain fall!! That is what woke me up this am at 3.30. We are suppossed to get rain most of the day which actually is a good thing it was gettin a bit dry out there. I just love warm summer days with a light rain it feels so refreshing and the smell is heavenly.

peach blueberry muffins

my red raspberry jalapeno jam super yummmmmmmmmmo

peach raspberry loaves

cardamom bread

pistachio bread fresh out of oven

peach blueberry pound cakes waiting for glazing

my favo combo peaches and blueberries

peach blueberry pound cakes

Dale and hubby working on a project at tractor show

a peek of the corner of archway hubby is working on I dont want to show all of it as it will be unvieled at show but I can say it is gonna be awesome and look just perfect for the spot it is goin

This week has been a busy one but after labor day things tend to wind down at markets a bit which means I have some extra time to work in my studio!! CANT WAIT!! been way too long. I have alot of halloween things I want to make for fall. Fall ahhhhhhhhhh my absolutely favo time of year, the mornings have been more fall like the past 2 weeks so it is a comin!!

My list of things made this week and to also finish up today at the kitchen have been: peach blueberry pound cakes, peach raspberry cakes, peach blueberry and peach raspberry muffins, peach pecan muffins, peanut butter cream filled peanut butter cookie pies, banana nut bread, pistachio bread, cardamom bread loaves, peach and apple pies, and some mini pies, and 2 batches of my red raspberry jalapeno preserves.

The savory chicken scratch gourmet items this week are: stuffed peppers, stuffed shells with homemade tomato sauce, chicken veggie pies, roasted red herbed tater slices, and hopefully I will get done today eggplant casserole.

Plus 3 kinds of pierogie and lots of cookies! So we have been busy busy but fun busy! I love trying and making new things and am so very thankful for alll my customers that allow me to prepare things for their families to enjoy! It really gives me a sense of joy and pride to provide unique menu options and using all local farm fresh produce helps our local farms also. A win win situation here! Thanks to Fleming Farm's for all the wonderful squash, cuckes, pickles, taters and peppers and Thanks to Visser Farm's produce also it is amazing!

We have been goin to the campground here and there, our 5th wheel has been out there since aug 1st and we are enjoying gettin away with the boys overnight. I just say "who wants to go camping" and they all do about 500 miles an hour running around the house and to the door and back! they love goin and I so enjoy seeing these guys happy. LOL IT will be different this year for tractor show since we dont have our Bubba with us, he loved goin camping too and hubby would take him for a ride everynight before bedtime, cruising around checkin on all our tractors, Buster has been goin the longest, we started taking him when he was not quite a year old in 2001 and he's been there every year with us and enjoys it as much as we do, but this year we have our new guy Bruno who is lovin goin also. Home away from home. My three little campers!! LOL

I better get to printing my labels for market stuff and then head over to the kitchen, today is Alesabeth's last day, she's movin out of state, I sure have enjoyed her working with me this summer and will miss her! THANKS for all your hard work!!

Hope yall have a great wed and I will be back soon!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

A quick-n-easy pie recipe for yall!

2011-08-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

This was our supper last night and absolutely delish!! I used an already made rotiserrie chicken in it and some fresh locally grown veggies, zucchini, sweet pepper, onion, taters, carrots and celery all from within 20 miles of us!! YUMMY! I made a few more for market tomorrow in ALLEGAN.

When I made the homemade crust it is actually my pie dough but with one addition! some fresh minced rosemary. Not only did it taste yummy is smelled divine!!

Homemade spincach pasta drying, fresh locally grown wonderful spinach

These are my peach pecan muffins for market tomorrow too, Gold Coast Farm's fresh peaches and some toasted pecans make these irresistable for sure.

I had some red raspberries in the freezer so made some buttermilk raspberry muffins

NOW I want to share something easy peasy and super delish with yall!! My mother in law made this pie for us last weekend while camping and literallyl it takes minutes, 4 ingredients and one bowl and spatula!!

You take a 20oz can of crushed pineapple, drain it then top with one box of lemon instant pudding. Mix together, the pineapple will thicken up then add a container of cool whip and fold until blended.

I cheated and bought an already made graham cracker crust but you can certainly make your own.

Scoop it into pie shell and chill!! OH yummyness!!

I want to make this with mandarin oranges and vanilla pudding, or strawberries with cheesecake pudding! Too many things to try but at least this is one easy and quick dessert!~ Hubby ate 1/2 the pie so I needed to make another one for him.

Well I am off to finish things at the kitchen for markets this week.

Hope everyone is safe and sound and makes it thru this stromy day ok!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Pickles and butterflies

2011-08-22T16:53:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HAPPY MONDAY!! Well today was a fun day making pickles! I did 48 pints of bread n butter pickles for markets since we were sold out quick.

I did round slices and then also long slices for sandwiches or burgers.

The first batch just out of canner

ready for labels

This guy was outside on the butterfly bush looking so so pretty

Stinker everytime I tried to get it's pic it would turn around

That one was the best

Sour cream cinnastrueusle filled muffins

blueberry bread

these pound cakes were delish!! orange poppyseed with a nice orange glaze ontop

I just love bundt cakes!! this week since we are in peach season I am making fresh peach pound cake, peach praline crisp, peach praline muffins, and some peach bread. Also I bought a couple of rotiserrie chickens and am making chicken veggie pies, stuffed peppers, and some fresh spinach fettucini.

Markets this week

Thursday-=Allegan

Saturday=South Haven

if you want to order anything and pick it up at markets just call or email me!!

I will gladly make it up and bring it for ya!

Have a happy night!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

A beautiful day~

2011-08-15T14:33:00.000-07:00

this was an absolutely glorious monday!! It was almost 80 degrees and sunny and just sw mi perfection!~!~ these are what our summer days are and we throughly enjoy with no humidity!

After running a few errands this am my precious boys and I took a nice long nap this afternoon and sat outside and enjoyed the weather on our deck.

The weekend was about as miserable as they get at market. Saturday was our big blueberry festival in South Haven and it was just terrible outside. I got there around 5 am so I could get my booth set up before the storms were coming in, it was thundering over the lake and by 5.15 the lightning was actually scary and striking all around us, I got the canopies up and everything unloaded and the rain started, it was a downpour!! My neighbors and I had secured our canopies down but the wind kicked up so hard it ripped a side and bent the pipes on their canopy. We held it down but it still broke.

The rain stopped for a short time and by daylight it looked like the sun might come out and it was clearing up... we could at least dry off a bit but oh no.........rain started up again and then just a steady downpour!~! it was like that for a couple of hours and by 11.00 they were saying there was another storm coming thru with high winds and torrential downpours. We packed it up! Enough was enough. rain and baked goods just dont mix LOL

Here are some of my cheddar sweet pepper foccacia loaves

For my thursday market

I made some eggplant casserole! YUMMY. I am not an eggplant fan but I would definetly eat this for supper.

Blueberry bread loaves cooling off

Blueberry cheesecake bars these have been a big hit at makets~

squash, peppers and brown rice simmering for my stuffed peppers

My stuffed peppers for market

This was a new recipe and will definetly be made again it was a keeper and super yummy!! Blueberry and cream cheese filling in sweet bread braided.

My blueberry cheese filled bear claws

Blueberry crumb cakes

Blueberry and peachy blueberry mini pies

braided bread loaves

After market on saturday I met my hubby and boys and my inlaws out at the campground. It was nice to camp overnight. We are goin back this comin weekend and we cant wait. We have projects out at the flywheelers to finish up before the big antique engine and tractor show in sept! That is our yearly vacation and we have a blast! There are some great people there and my family and friends and best part my butt is in a tractor seat almost all week! LOL

So hope yall have a wonderful monday and I will try to post regularly, just have one more big market week for labor day and things will slow down! YEAH!! I am exhausted these days.

Thursday is Allegan Market

Friday is Saugatuck Market

Saturday is South Haven Market

Thanks for stopping by!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Blueberry Festival this weekend

2011-08-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

OH MY GOODNESS this summer is just goin by wayyyyyyyy too quickly~~ cant believe it is August and the big BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL is this weekend in South Haven MI~ We will do alot of blueberry goodies this week including my blueberry cheese bread, blueberry cheese crumb cakes, my blueberrry jalapeno preserves, blueberry orange preserves, blueberry cheesecake bars (so yummy) blueberry muffins, blueberry cheese pie, fresh blueberry pies, country blueberry jam, peach blueberry jam, blueberry coffee cakes and welllllllllllllll more blueberry things!! along with my other goodies. And dont forget this weekend we offer blueberry cheese pieorgies for markets too!~

So here are a few of the girls out roamin around with Donald our white peking duck and Ms Luella Alcott our female peacock.

We had a little visitor on our deck rail the other morning and I just had to grab a pic or two. It was so cool looking, some kind of moth after the second pic it flew away but was so pretty!~

Never seen one like this, it reminds me of a mideval kind of plate or something.

filing for my stuffed zucchini last week!! those were good! I just chopped up a bunch of sweet peppers, asst squash and some onions along with a topper of crushed crackers and parmesan cheese and butter and stuffed them in little zucchini boats.

They were a big hit at markets so doing more this week for Allegan Market on thursday.

Lavender shortbread cookies were also a big hit!

I had an idea since I just love dipped pretzels, (it has been such a hot humid summer I havent made them for markets yet) but to incorporate this into a cookie, So our newest cookie was born!! Chocolate chip cookie dough, homemade caramel sauce swirled thru then added chopped pretzel sticks!! Ok can you say YUMMY???? they sure were and a big hit at markets!! I have to try and get another couple of batches of them made for this week.

these were my brownies but baked in a mini muffin pan and then their little bums were dipped in white chocolate and they had a bit of it drizzeled on their tops too.

Some blueberry banana muffins and lemon poppyseed muffins ready for market.

Their is Ms. Alcott now!! She is so pretty but her mate Prince is beautiful, I keep trying to coax him into fanning out his big gorgeous tail feathers while I have a cam in hand but havent gotten him yet!

I did up 5 batches of my dear sweet Grandma Rose's polish dill pickle slices and have about that many more to do today and more of my bread and butter slices. too bad cukes dont hold up better longer but with the high humidity we have had they start molding very quickly, infact a few hours after picking they start with powder mold on the surfaces so have to work with them babies asap!

So hope yall are enjoying this beautiful time of year and have a super monday~

I will try to share more this week but it is just a busy busy week for us and I am off to the kitchen to work now~ ENJOY

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

It is HOT!!

2011-07-19T16:08:00.000-07:00

My goodness it is hot and not just hot it is really really HOT! This is so unusual for MI to be so warm this long! we took the "boys" swimming in the lake the other night and it wasnt even refreshing, the water was warmer than bath water!! LOL oh well Buster Brown loves swimming so that was well worth goin for.
My mom has been planting and plantin in some new gardens around the farmstead lately and they needed some..........?? Chickens of cource!! LOL

I cut these out of wood and attached them onto metal stakes. There are 5 more ready to be finished and attached so they can play and scratch with the other girls!

This garden in on the corner of the property right by my big farm sign.

A newbie for markets!! I made some lavender shortbread mini pie shells, filled them with a non dairy homemade whipped cream and topped them off with a dollop of homemade lemon curd

My mom and I picked enough black raspberries last night for 2 more batches of jam.

The blueberries are ripening and are huge this year!! and oh so tasty!!

Peach crisp

Banana blueberry muffins and breads

A wonderful recipe that will be a sure keeper!! almond poppyseed muffins and bread, with an orange almond glaze (will do glaze tomorrow)

This is a jazzed up version of my grandma Rose's southern buttermilk biscuits!! Lemon poppyseed that will be used for some blueberry and cream shortcakes.

pistachio bread loaves and banana bread

My grandma Rose's old fashioned southern buttermilk biscuits

Almond poppy seed bread loaves.

Well as u can see we had quite a productive day and also made 2 batches of my pie dough, cranberry lemon pecan cookie dough, peanut butter cookies, lavender shortbread cookies and also some cherry almond muffins.

Tomorrow will be another full day of baking and prepping things for a big catering job I have on sunday. Gingerman race track will be the site of the party and will be a nice brunch. I will take more pics and share what we are working on. I am making a new line of savory goodies called Chicken Scratch Gourmet, which first on the line up to take to market this week will be my stuffed zucchini, and fresh made bruschetta and baguette bread loaves and also if I have enough tomatoes ready a fresh pasta sauce and fettucini pasta noodles.

Have a blessed evening and try to keep cool!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Wild wed

2011-07-06T17:05:00.000-07:00

What a great baking day!! We got so much done for market tomorrow I am very pleased and tired....LOL
so a couple of newbies to the baking family
One being a 6inch cheesecake that is topped with some homemade apricot preserves and fresh blueberries

I am so tempted to cut into one tonight but I will be good! LOL the crust on it is crushed toasted almonds and pate' brisee. Basically a nice and light and flaky buttery crust with almonds.

Lemon buttermilk cakes with blueberries and a nice lemon glaze

More hamb/sandwich buns

My choc dipped coconut macaroons, so yummy!

Another newbie: I decided to some mini pies since I didnt have alot of pie dough left, diced up peaches and a bit of an oatmeal crisp topping and these little gems are good to go. And yummy! I had one stick in the pan and didnt look very pretty after gettin it out so had to welllllllllllll sample it!! Quality assurance at it's best here!!

Banana bread, banana strawberry bread and also my zucchini pineapple breads done

Another new flavor of shortbread: chocolate chip orange with at touch of grand marnier in it! Note to self: next time add 3 tbsp grand marnier

Plenty of muffins

These were the almond crusts for the cheesecakes

So along with all that we got some of my peanut butter cookie pies done, cookies and some baguette bread too.

Tomorrow is Allegan Market so hope to see ya there.

Have a super night!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

HAPPY HAPPY 4th OF JULY YALL~~

2011-07-04T05:34:00.000-07:00

Hey YALL~~ hope you and your families has a wonderful fun filled fourth of July!~ and THANK YOU TO ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN who fight daily for our freedom!~

I cant believe it has been so long since I posted on my blog!! SORRY! things are just hectic and crazy busy at my markets and we had a problem with the puter so I wasnt on much last week at all. I have been making some new treats and some old ones and new goodies. This week since produce is coming in nicely I used up some sweet candy onions and peppers to make some salsas.

Pineapple black bean and Black bean pear were the two made and also I did up a gourmet tuscan pasta salad with a white balsamic vinagrette

This was really good, black kalamato olives and some fresh grated parmesan cheese and some olive oil were added to the veggies and some fresh pasta.

black bean n pear salsa This had a bit of heat from some jalapeno peppers but really was very tasty

Did up some foccacia breads, a parmesan topped one and also fresh rosemary topped ones.

My roasted pepper parmesan tarts went over very well. Just made some cornmeal crusted pie dough then added some parmesan cheese, oregano, red orange and yellow sweet peppers, olive oil and a bit of kosher salt

Red raspberries are starting so I did up some raspberry muffins topped with some toasted almonds

A favo of mine Cheese filled crumb cakes with red raspberries

packaged up and almost ready for market

So it was a busy fun week. I have to say I ran out and bought Martha Stewarts new pies and tarts cookbook!! WHAT A SUPER BOOK!! I love cookbooks and I do love Martha so this was a perfect adddition to my library. I definetly reccommend this book as it has some wonderful recipes, great and easy ideas and well LOVE all the gorgeous photos!! every recipe has a photo and I love that idea. Cant wait to make some this week!!

Lavender is ready so will be making a few goodies like my lavender lemon shortbread cookies, lavender topped lemon tarts and maybe something with lavender sorbet!!??

I will try to post more this week!

have a happy happy day and talk more soon!!

happy baking yall!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

baking and baking and more baking............

2011-06-15T16:42:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!! What a fun and exciting week so far!! I have made some new and absolutely delish goodies up!!
First is my new CHERRY BLACK RASPBERRY PIE, with a butter streusle topping, then I made up some ice cream cakes that were pistachio and red velvet with locally made vanilla ice cream (disaster happened to them) some strawberry lemonade sorbet, chocolate ganache filled chocolate thumbprint cookies with pistachios, rhubarb cakes, cardamom sugar topped black raspberry muffins,

I am trying to use up the rest of last years crop we had frozen, cardamom goes so well with berries I made a nice little sugary topping with some cardamom for these muffins.

My cherry pie filling along with some black raspberries for added sweetness and a bit of zing flavor burst!!

Some butter crumb streusle topping on top

all baked and ready for market.

My Grandma Roses's southern buttermilk shortcakes!

Scooped out middles of my red velvet cupcakes replaced with some cream cheese frosing

And the scooped out part makes a cute little hat for these guys!

These are my sweet roll dough filled with some cinnamon streusel crunch

A pretty pink peony in the garden.

Strawberry banana muffins

Another new one for me my Coconut Macaroon Pies

If u like macaroons then this is a must have for ya!! LOL I just have to drizzel chocolate in the bottoms and ontop and they would be perfect for me! LOL

Some graham crackers, hamburger buns, blueberry lemon buttermilk muffins, carrot cakes, and lots of cookies and I think that was about it for the last 3 days of baking. I still have some things to make for market on saturday but tomorrows market goodies are done! NOW on to our little disaster! The big freezer at the kitchen shut off in the middle of the night last night, of cource yesterday Susan and I made some wonderful little ice cream cakes and sorbet and some ice cream sandwiches made with my chocolate chip cookies that all became one bit melted glob at the bottom of the freezer! I so wish I would have taken pics of the cakes, they were so adorable and well we just had to try one too and we all loved it!! the bottom layer was my pistachio cake, then a layer of locally made vanilla ice cream then a layer of red velvet cake and top it all off with another layer of ice cream and some chocolate sprinkles on top. CUTE CUTE and YUMMO!! but all gone..........=( oh well I will make more on friday.

Hope yall have a great night!

Talk more soon!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

SW MI farmers market~!~

2011-06-12T07:53:00.000-07:00

All I can say is WOW!~ chickawowwow! We had a wonderful day at South Haven Farmers Market sat!~!~ Even with 11 bakers booths there we sold out of alot of my offferings! I offered my cheese filled ravioli and pierogies this week which sold out and all my muffins and coconut macaroon pies were a big hit!! I am just thrilled and so thankful for being able to do this and also make enough to stay in business and grow!! It was a cold day but everyone who tried the watermelon lime ice loved it!! More to make this week!~! I sold alot of cookies, my grandmother Rose's slovenien kolachky recipe went over excellent!! I did them with some of our homemade apricot preserves. Several hamburger/sandwich buns were sold and actually I had enough to bring a couple home for hubby and I for sandwiches today!! yeah!! It isnt often I get to bring things home and we enjoy them ourselves.
NEW THIS WEEK!!! My PB&J cookie pies were a HUGE HIT!! I used my fluffy soft n chewy peanut butter pies and filled them with some fresh strawberry infused buttercream filling!~! To use fruit in my buttercream's I simply puree the fresh fruits then cook a bit to thicken them up and then add small amounts to the filling. YUMMY!! I am not a big peanut butter fan but I had to have one of these guys!! and they were great!!
This week I have a girl coming to kitchen to help, scoop out dough and weigh out some ingredients so I can have a nice big variety this sat for the HARBORFESTIVAL IN SOUTH HAVEN MI!!
My mom and I did 40 pounds of pickeled asparagus "clucking hot' and mild available and are making strawberry peach preserves and more blueberry jalapeno preserves.
I will put my camera in my bag early tomorrow to be sure I have it with to share out newest creations this week!! FROZEN ICE CREAM PIES AND LAYERED CAKES using locally made ice cream and my made from scratch goods!!! and more ice's.
Hope yall have a great and peaceful sunday!! we have to go pick up a load of wood to start stockin up for winter and also need to do some farm chores and trim Ms Rosie May's and Beau's hooves! Soo much to do!!!
HUGS
Darlene
~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~~

Pickeled radish, watermelon lime ice and more

2011-06-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

HEY YALL!! What a baking week!! and a hot one outside too!! We have been in the 90s for 2 days now and humid as all!! GOSH what a difference from last week but that is ok tomorrow is gonna drop again in the 70s and be perfect!! except there is a 60% chance of thunderstorms which may or may not even happen!! We will see in the am, I have Allegan market unless it is stormin I am plannin on goin.
WE ARE MAKING FRUIT ICE NOW!! well similar to sorbet!! The first batch was a trial and is goin to markets this week!! Watermelon lime!! what a combo! So far all the taste testers love it including me!! I used a seedless sugar sweet baby watermelon and squeezed fresh lime juice then zested 2 limes to make 2 9x13 pans. This was super simple and used very minimal sugar like only 1 cup maybe for the whole batch which since the watermelon was so sweet I cut back to between 1/2 and 1 cup. U make a simple syrup and puree the fruit in a processor then mix the two to blend good and pour into shallow pans to freeze, you do have to stir it the first few hours on and off and break up the chunks but after that I left it alone overnight in the freezer. So refreshing!! We already have about 6 more different flavor combos to try out one being blackberry cardamom! this was Susan's idea, last summer I took her some black berries from our farm and she made a syrup with cardamom and oh my gosh it intensifies the flavor of the fruit so much!! I was gonna try a lavender lemon one and mabye a strawberry basil or peach basil one too!! so many cool things to make. We are on a roll with goin forward to making some ice cream cakes and frozen deserts I cant wait to start offering them at markets!!

This is my pickeled radishes!! I made a brine like for my pickeled asparagus then sliced some fresh red radishes from market and let them sit in it for a couple of days. It is really good, I had them on my turkey sandwich today.

A poor pic of my watermelon lime ice

I zested these limes then squeezed the juice for the ice with them.

A few pans of my lemon tea cakes, they just need to be dipped in lemon glaze.

And I made 4 batches of my honey cinnamon graham crackers. Instead of using a fork to poke holes in the grahams I used a round star tip. We have great tool to use now that cuts them into squares so I can get them pretty much the same size now!! YEAH!! WOOPIE!!

Also I made some strawberry banana bread, my glazed pistachio bread, choc chip cookies, my rustic roasted pepper n mozzarella tarts, cranberry pecan lemon cookies, peanut butter whooopie pie cookies, cheddar pepper bread, shortbread flower cookies, those little cream filled shortbread cookielets in strawberry and chocolate ganache' and some of my taco seasoning packages also. I think that might be it for now. I do have everything ready to bake some upside down caramel apple cakes and also some cherry almond crisp. Those will be baked tomorrow after market.

Allegan Market thursday, Saugatuck Green Market friday, and South Haven Market on saturday!! Full market week this week~ YEAH!!

So hope yall have a great night! Will be back soon to share more baking!!

HUGS

Darlene

~~LIVE LIFE JOYFULLY~~and SIMPLY~

Chicken Scratch Farm

What a week

Family altered wood blocks

Snowstorm came

snowed in???

playin with papers and more

$20.00 cabinet makeover

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

paper banner

playing with paper day

a shop pic, breads & more

HEY

cookies and show pics

shop news!~

COOKIES!! COOKIES!!

Artisans Market Foundry Hall

Creating, baking and ****SNOWING****

painted skate & more snowmen

snowman bottle and another frame

shop pics

baking day

Shop opening~~ and more primitives

spoon ornies

one of my thrift store jars...

Snowman projects and repurposing

Tag banners and marshmellows

holiday lights

FOUNDRY HALL

altered ornies, croissants and more

Sweet tater pie sew many ways blog WEEK 40

Foundry Hall market

new brownie love

Monday evening

Whats good wed??

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Beautiful fall days

week 4 csa options

windy windy day

CSA workin wed

Happy fall monday

Stuffed cabbage and soup day

CSA and baked goods

My new ideas

pumpkin cookies

First day of fall baking~

Back from the tractor show

Wet wed!!

A quick-n-easy pie recipe for yall!

Pickles and butterflies

A beautiful day~

Blueberry Festival this weekend

It is HOT!!

Wild wed

HAPPY HAPPY 4th OF JULY YALL~~

baking and baking and more baking............

SW MI farmers market~!~

Pickeled radish, watermelon lime ice and more

Creating, baking and SNOWING