Monday, November 28, 2016

The never ending project (part 2)

The project began in early October. 

 

 

 

At one time 3/4 of the back yard was covered in 2'-4' of brush. Cutting it down was probably the easiest part of this project. 

Saturday, November 26, 2016

The never ending project (part 1)

Honeysuckle. It might be pretty, provide privacy and smells good when in bloom, but it is a nasty, invasive plant that is taking over our prairies and timbers. I knew the honeysuckle had to go, the sooner the better. I hadn't known it was going to be the chore it was! 

 

The before picture take this summer. That's honeysuckle around the chimney, some sort of volunteer weed tree to the left of the chimney, honeysuckle overtaking the cedar tree right of the air conditioner and that is honey suckle and some lilac at the corner. 

Monday, November 21, 2016

Magic Meatloaf

The theme for Novembers cookbook club was Crock Pot. I had originally planned on making beans as I worked Friday and needed something that could cook 10 hours. Early last week I changed my mind. Both recipes and a few others I'd like to try came from the Gooseberry Patch Cookbook; 101 Slow-Cooker Recipes. 

 

Magic Meatloaf

2 lbs ground beef
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c green pepper, chopped
1/2 c onion, chopped
1 c milk
1 c saltine crackers crushed
0.87 oz pkg brown gravy mix
1-1/2 tsp salt (I omitted)
6 to 8 new redskin potatoes

Mix all ingredients except potatoes in a large bowl. Mix well and form into a loaf; place in a lightly greased crockpot. (I used a crock pot liner and didn't grease. I could have sprayed the bag, but didn't think to.) Arrange potatoes around meatloaf. Cover and cook on low setting 8 to 10 hours, or on high setting for 3 to 5 hours. (Mine was done after 9 hours, maybe earlier.)

It was good. I love meatloaf and while the other members went back for seconds, I didn't think it measured up. 

(Jenna's plate, I was being good and ate a lot less.)

 

In addition to Magic Meatloaf there was Spanish Rice and Hot Fudge Cake. 

(This was my bowl. See how small the serving was!) 

 

It's always surprising that the meal turns out rather balanced as we don't know what each other is making. We'll see if that continues as I've already got my recipe picked out for next month and it isn't a main dish! 

Saturday, November 5, 2016

November Garland

The November garland has been hung. It's turkeys and pumpkins, hung by mini clothes pins on jute. I'm not entirely happy with the pattern, so might change it. 

 

 

 

 

I used scrap book paper and Google found turkey and pumpkin templates. 

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Halloween 2016

My first Halloween as a home owner is in the books! 

 

Note that the windows and front door are open. It was a warm upper 70's Halloween night! 
  
I'm also noting to myself how blah the front beds are. All in do time, I just wish that time had been this year! 

 

My parents came over to hand out candy. The lights were on, a lantern hung to light the way and plenty of Halloween candy available. 

 

 

So how many trick or treaters did we have? None! Zero!  Maybe next year...