December is here!

Where did November go?

I hope you all had a very happy Thanksgiving.  It could have been a little colder here (with a few snowflakes maybe) but we had a great holiday with lots of fun and family.

I have just a few offerings on Early Work Mercantile this month.  The sheep above, and an Olde Shepherd with his sheep below.  If interested, click HERE for more info.

I'm getting really excited for "Christmas in the Country" at 1824 Walker Farmhouse this weekend. I've still got so much that I want to finish.  It's always a great time with good friends and customers.

Thank you always for stopping by. I know my posts can sometimes be few and far between, so I truly appreciate it.

xoxo Jenn

Pumpkin Scones with Cinnamon Glaze

I like to get up early and bake before the sun rises on chilly fall mornings.  It makes the quiet house feel so homey and warm.  The scent of spices from these pumpkiny scones makes the kitchen even more cozy.  I can hardly wait to put on a pot of tea! 

If I start the day right, the rest of the day seems to follow with the same happy feelings.

Enjoy and have a lovely day!!

Jenn xo

Pumpkin Scones

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
7 TBSP sugar
1 TBSP baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
6 TBSP cold butter, cubed
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
3 TBSP heavy cream or half-n-half
1 large egg

Cinnamon Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar 
1 1/2 TBSP milk 
1/8 - 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Quickly, while still cold, cut in the butter, using a pastry blender, or a fork, until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

In a small bowl, combine pumpkin, heavy cream and egg.  Whisk until mixed together. Fold this into the dry ingredients.  

Form dough into ball and pat into a  9" circle, about 3/4" thick. Cut the circle into 8 wedges.

Place on parchment lined or lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake 12-14 minutes, until tops are lightly browned.

Combine ingredients for the glaze and drizzle over warm scones.

Serve warm or at room temperature.  Freeze right away if not eating that day. 

Makes 8 scones.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds ....or whatever kind of squash you have

October is here and it sure feels like it.  Hazy skies and gusty winds that keep knocking my sunflowers over on the back porch table. I just keep filling them back up with water and putting them back out there like a stupid head.
 

This kind of weather makes me want live in my kitchen all day long. A few weeks ago, I was reading my cousin's blog (Sea Salted Sunshine), and was inspired to buy a few kabocha squashes for great recipe she had posted.  Today I'm experimenting with the last one for a soup, which actually seems to be turning out all right.  I'll post more on that next week, when I'm sure. (Yep, I'm trying to keep this blog current!)

"Don't throw away those seeds" (my mind is saying). I really don't like how salty the shells are when you roast pumpkin seeds.  After a little searching online, I found this lovely recipe for roasting them.  Still a little salty but on the inside not out.  I love to eat them, shells and all.

Enjoy the recipe, and have a great weekend!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds 

After you've rinse and separated your seeds from all the pumpkin strings, measure what you have.  With my little kabocha squash I had 1/2 cup of seeds. Place those in a small saucepan and add 2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of regular salt. (Use these measurements for every 1/2 cup seeds.)  Bring to a boil and then simmer for 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and let drain.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Coat the bottom of a baking sheet with olive oil, about a teaspoon. Spread the seeds and toss them to coat them with the oil on the pan making a single layer of seeds.  Bake on the top rack until the seeds begin to brown, 5-20 minutes, depending on the size of the seeds. When lightly browned, remove the pan from the oven and let cool before eating.
 
*recipe found here
*kabocha squash image found here

October is here and you know what that means...

Please visit all the lovely artists over at Early Work Mercantile to see what is being offered this month.

Thanks and have a joyous day!
Jenn xo

Threshing Season Celebration at 1824 Walker Farmhouse

A little bit of rain didn't stop the fun we always have at 1824 Walker Farmhouse.

Mostly drizzle in the morning, clearing to gray skies.  It actually made the day feel like fall after the two weeks we've had of 90 degree heat.

Welcome!

I can't tell you how lucky I am to be a part of this little group of hard working talented people.  I wish I had a picture with all of them...next time.

 

 Many friends and good people I've meet through this wonderful place.

 

 As I look back at each picture, I see things that I wish I would have bought.

 I'm too anxious to look around during the show.

 

I would have loved this early needlework stand.

 and some freeze-dried pumpkins...

 I did manage to buy a few of these.  My favorite scent for Fall.

 My pictures are a mix of what we all had to offer. You can find us here:

 1824 Walker Farmhouse

Cabin Goods
Rabbit Hill Primitives

Sisters Three and Me

The Garden Shed 

Feeling thankful and very blessed today.

Jenn xo

Your threshing season will overlap with the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will overlap with the season of planting grain. You will eat your fill and live securely in your own land. 

~Leviticus 26:5

Happy July! New Early Work Mercantile Offerings

It's July! 

Fly on over to visit Early Work Mercantile 

and see all the lovely offerings this wonderful group has to offer. 

 I have a few more offerings there as well!

xo Jenn

June so far....and finally the Granola Bar Recipe

We all have such busy lives, its amazing how fast time flies by and you don't even realize it.  Next thing you know, it is June and you have another birthday.  

What's that?? 

Dino, being busier than any of us (me and Lydi), threw a little last minute party.  I just love that guy.

I am blessed with so many good people in my life.

birthday surprises

 So, I always have this crazy dream that once the school year ends, we will have long lazy summer days. 

Ha! Those long days go fast. There are many grand plans to “get things done”.  Gardens to maintain, closets to organize, repainting the front porch, etc...

Lots of little projects around the house to finish and check off the "list".  If you're like me, there is a steady balance of checking off and adding on to that list. 

my big june "kitchen makeover on a budget until I can have my dream kitchen" project.  its almost finished, here's a peek

June also brings us many reasons to celebrate

…graduations, birthdays, and lets not forget Father's Day. 

All those days that make life truly special.

Wishing you are all well.  I hope you have been enjoying your summer.  

xo Jenn

~~~~~*~~~~~

Here's a little recipe I've been working on since April and have been trying to post since May.  We are all addicted around here.  

Rabbit Hill Granola Bars

1 Cup Oats

1/2 Cup Flour

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/8 tsp Salt

1/2 Cup Coconut Flakes (sweetened or unsweetened - your preference)

1/3 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup Butter

1 TBSP Honey

1/4 Cup Flax (optional)

1/4 dried fruit or almonds (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl.

In a small saucepan melt the butter and honey.

Add butter mixture into dry ingredients.

Press into 8x8 pan lined with parchment paper (or sprayed).

Bake 15-18 minutes until golden.

Cut immediately and let cool in pan. Then cool further on baking rack.

I wrap them with wax paper and tie off with twine.

*I've also made these gluten free using Trader Joes gf flour and their gf rolled oats. They cook a little faster so check them around 14 minutes.

Yum!

June Update on Early Work Mercantile

Hello!  The months are now starting to go by fast.  So much to do with the end of school/dance year; planting up the garden; and sewing when I can.  I have also added another project to my list....The "My Kitchen Makeover on a budget until I can have my Dream Kitchen" project.  I just finished chalk painting my cabinets and this week will tackle painting the wall and adding a tile backsplash? Should be very interesting because I've never tiled before!

Also a new recipe is coming. I will be sharing in the next few days.  Many friends and family have tested it and say they like it, so we shall post and see what you all think!

 As for now, I have 5 new offerings on Early Work Mercantile for June.

I don't know which is my favorite, they are all so near and dear to my heart.  For more info and to see the other talented offerings, click here.

Have a lovely week my friends.

xoxo Jenn

p.s. Big shout out to my sister who is turning XX today!  Happy Birthday Tracy!!!

May Yay! May Day!

"May brings us armfuls of delight, Bird-song, warm sun and gardens bright"

~tasha tudor

 Happy May Day you all!  I had a few things on Early Work Mercantile this month but they sold right away ~ thank you to the best customer in the world!

Everything is so green and flowers are just bursting open with color here.

I love spring.  

and so do they.  Fortunately, I don't plant to many flowers that they like to eat.

  

This little sweetie decided to visit us and nap in the garden for a while, until Iris (our big bad kitty)  scared her away.

It's going to be a busy week ahead, and I have many things that need to be finished for the 1824 Walker Farmhouse Spring Gathering next Saturday.  The weather is supposed to be delightful!  Just like that lovely quote up there from Tasha Tudor....bird-song, warm sun and gardens bright.  I will have to be strong and WORK!  Either that or garden by day and work by night, hmmm....

 Happy May Day and May month to you!

xxoo Jenn