Meatloaf...Perfect Comfort Food!

Gooseberry patch has reached 50,000 fans on Facebook! So, that means the 3rd chapter in their printable online free cookbook is available! I can't wait to try some of these recipes, and for me, fall and winter is the perfect time to cook up comfort food!
Hope you enjoy these! And if you get a chance, stop by their Facebook page and become a fan! :)


25 Meatloaf Recipes by Gooseberry Patch

Thanksgiving is Getting Close!

Thanksgiving is close, and it's good to take a day to be thankful. But, I really like to think of the whole month of November as being a good time to be thankful. Even during tough times, there is always something to be thankful for. 

We've had a rough year. But I can think of so many things that I am thankful for.

Last night, as I walked to the kitchen to get a drink, I stepped on a toy dinosaur, a marble and various stuffed toys. Our house looks as though Toys R Us exploded. I could see the toys as clutter and messy. But, I'm thankful that I have a wonderful daughter to scatter her toys out. And, thankful that I have a house that can get messy.

We still have our farm, and are doing what we love. Although some changes had to be made this fall, they seem to be for the best, and we'll continue hanging in there, and we'll see how we do things come spring.

I have a job, and it's close, and enjoyable. I am able to be home with Emily for the most part. And even on my latest night working, I'm usually home no later than 8:30. That's a blessing!

Our pantry is full. We even splurged and got a turkey early for Thanksgiving. And my dad will be coming this year!!

After several years of not speaking, my dad and husband have made peace and have a good relationship.

That is just a few things that I am thankful for. I really could go on with my list.

Of course, since Thanksgiving is getting close, I'm going to share a recipe that my Grandma made every year. As a kid, I did not like sweet potatoes, so I never ate this as a kid, but remember it was something that was made. Now, I love it! Not the best for my diabetes, but I'll just have a tiny bit!

Sweet Potato Casserole

1 (16 oz. can) sweet potatoes

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 egg

4 Tbsp. melted butter

1 pkg. mini marshmallows

Grease a baking dish (8x8). Mix all ingredients except marshmallows. Place 1/2 of mixture in baking dish. Dot with about 1/2 marshmallows, then add remaining mixture. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes. Remove from oven and dot top with remaining marshmallows. Return to oven and bake about 10 minutes.

A Good "Go To" Recipe!

I have been out of the blogging loop lately! Between working and having a stomach bug and then, most recently, a cold bug, I've just not really been up to doing much online.

I posted on Facebook that we were having Delicious Drumsticks tonight for dinner, along with mashed potatoes and a veggie. I've been asked for the recipe for those drumsticks. If you like Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, you'll find this recipe in their Farmhouse Kitchen cookbook. 

Delicious Drumsticks

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. pepper

6 chicken drumsticks

1/4 cup melted & cooled margarine

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Mix flour, salt, paprika, and pepper in a bowl (I usually use a large Zip-Loc bag). Dip chicken drumsticks into the margarine and then coat with the flour mixture. Arrange in an ungreased 8x8 baking pan. Bake uncovered for about 50 minutes.

Makes 6 drumsticks.

This is a great recipe to put together when you are in a pinch, or just want something easy. It's a definite favorite in our house!

Who Likes Chocolate Chip Cookies??

Or should I say, who doesn't like chocolate chip cookies? They are my favorite! And with holiday baking coming up, cookie recipes are a must!

Gooseberry Patch has the newest chapter of their printable cookbook online!

25 Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes by Gooseberry Patch

Where did September go???

I can't believe that tomorrow is October! I'm excited! I really like the month of October. Fall is officially here, the leaves are starting to show their colors! Our anniversary is tomorrow. It's been 10 years! Al's birthday is October 4, and my birthday is October 8. On October 10, Emily and I will be traveling to my dad's to visit with him. That week will also be the Fairfield Co. Fair, and we will be going to that while we are there.

A lot of stuff going on around here this past month.

Emily is loving school! They had "picture day" yesterday, and I'm anxious to see her pictures! Along with her class picture...I may be able to put faces to the names that she chats about when she comes home. 

I have also taken on a part time job, outside of the farming and cheese business. We're still doing what we've always done...just in this economy a part time job may add a little more income and we won't have to worry so much this winter about groceries and utilities.  I'm working at our local diner, Beallsville Diner, which in my opinion is the best place in our area to eat! I have been trained as short order cook, but am going to be trained in everything... so that I can help out wherever I'm needed. I have to say, short order cook is not easy! On a busy lunch, dinner or football Friday night, it makes milking cows look easy!  I really enjoy working there, especially since I'm actually getting the hang of what I'm supposed to be doing. During the first week there, I felt totally lost!! :)  I'm thankful that the folks I work for are working with me on my Saturdays, and I'm able to make it to the farm market and sell cheese. 

I received a letter in the mail on Tuesday! It was from Gooseberry Patch!! In January I will be receiving their newest cookbook because they used one of my recipes! I'm so excited! Al doesn't mind my collecting cookbooks when I get a few that feature one of my recipes in it! Although...I have to admit, the size of my cookbook collection is getting a bit much! But, I don't think I could part with the, and I do make use of them.

That pretty much sums up our September so far...
Our weather is really feeling like fall, today it is rainy and cool. Perfect!! And I smell coffee, so I think I'll grab myself a cup of coffee, with pumpkin flavored creamer and then head in to work.

Emily is Officially in Kindergarten!

On Monday, August 30th Emily woke up at 6 a.m.
She wanted to know if the bus was coming. The bus comes by our place at 7:30 a.m. We got her dressed, brushed her hair, made sure her lunch was packed and ready (because the chicken patty on the lunch menu sounded weird) and made sure her backpack was ready. Her backpack is almost as big as her!

We waited in the milk house for the bus around 7:15, early because she kept asking if she was going to miss the bus while we were at the house. 

The bus pulled up, I walked with her across the road and she climbed up in the bus like she had done it every day! The bus driver gave me the look that said "you can go now, mom. She's fine."  I wonder if he has more trouble with us mom's than he does with the kids. 

She's loved school each day. In fact she was really bummed out that she didn't have to go to school this weekend, or Labor Day.

The "Back to School" Countdown

Why do I hear "The Final Countdown" music playing?

So, we take Miss Emily up to the school today to meet Mrs. Hendershot, her Kindgergarten teacher...we had to practice saying Mrs. and not Mr. We also had to answer the question, "what's the difference?"

Mrs. Hendershot is a really nice lady, and it turns out that we've met her son and husband, as they've been here at our farm before buying some cheese, usually around holiday time.  Emily did great, marched through the office doors..down the hall, and to her classroom. Then we walked into the classroom. My child went from a confident little girl, to an unusual growth on my leg.  We had to literally pry her off!

The funny part is, back in March when we took her up for registration, she cried when we had to leave, she had that much fun. I'm having some really scary visions of our first day of school. She's already stated that she wants to ride the bus. Wonder if she will be getting on of her own free will? Hoping that she warms back up to the idea of school by the 30th. Fingers and toes are crossed.

I've also broke out the camera today. Well, I should admit, I actually found it. It's amazing that I lost it in the first place. I don't know how I do it, but I lose things. All the time. And forget stuff. How early does a persons mind go wandering??

We've found ourselves "blessed" with about a dozen cats. They are cute. So, I took a few pictures of the littlest one. I call her "Chubby". She is very chubby.

Emily snuggling with "Chubby's" sister. We haven't named her yet. And I doubt that

 "Chubby" will remain the other cats name...but it is sticking for now.

I took this picture of one of our "dry cows" the day before she

had her baby heifer.

A baby heifer with her Mama. She is about

2 days old in this picture.

I just can't leave out my "feathered girls". They are so tame, that the white hen

actually came in the house...more than once!

I am off to make something for our lunch tomorrow.

 We are making cheese tomorrow and I like to have our lunch made ahead of time. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!