Indoor Herb Garden

With the warmer than average winter, I've decided to take advantage of the sun and start a windowsill herb garden. I have lettuce, basil, and thyme growing and I am so excited to use it all in my cooking. The pot was found at Home Depot and I am using Miracle Grow soil to give my seeds the boost they need. With seeds included, this is a $20 project that I was able to put together one night after work. A little water each day and these little sprouts are growing like crazy!

Lettuce, Thyme, and Basil

If you want to start your own indoor herb garden, here are the 5 best herbs to grow:

Chives: Chives are versatile, can be used with almost any meal, and are very easy to grow. One thing to keep in mind once you start growing them, they need to be snipped back on a regular basis to keep them from falling over.

Thyme: Any variety of thyme is great for growing indoors. Once established, the plant will need to be trimmed. The more you trim, the more it will grow. Thyme is perfect for use in Italian dishes or with chicken.

French Tarragon: Great to use in dairy or egg dishes, this herb will also taste great in winter comfort foods like soups and pot pies. Tarragon is a worry free herb and likes a lots of water.

Marjoram: Goes great with Italian cooking and pairs well with oregano. This is an easy-to-grow herb that grows tall and does best in a pot by itself.

Sage: Sage comes in many varieties and each type grows a little bit different so be sure to follow the directions on the package. Sage is very versatile, goes well in teas or on meats such as beef or chicken.

Pie Crust

I've had a few requests for my pie crust recipe to make with the chicken pot pie. Here it is; super easy, just a few basic ingredients. Don't over process it or it will turn out like rubber. Basic lesson here is: the less you touch it the better it will be!

Single Pie Crust

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening
3 tbs cold water

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients in one medium sized bowl. Use a fork to cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles crumbs. Drizzle 3 tbs cold water over the mixutre and continue to mix with the fork.
2. As the dough starts to come together use hands to squish in all of the flour. If dough falls apart add in a few drops of water being careful not to overdo it as dough can quickly become too wet.
3. On a floured surface kneed two or three times.
4. Push dough with hands into a round disk, lay on the floured surface.
5. Roll out dough with a rolling pin.

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie is one of my favorite comfort foods for the winter months. I made this Sunday night and it provided great left-overs for lunches the following day. This receipe is easy, tasty, and a good thing to make if you have company arriving!

Chicken Pot Pie
Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:
1 cup red potato, diced
1 cup onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 cup carrot, diced
1 cup frozen peas
1/3 cup melted buter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp rosemary
4 cups chicken, cooked and chopped
2 pie crusts (store bought or your own recipe)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Saute onion, garlic, celery, carrots and potatoes in butter for 10-12 minutes.
3. Add flour to cooked mixture, stirring well, cook one minute stirring constantly. Mixture will be thick.
4. Add chicken broth and milk to mixture.
5. Cook over medium heat stirring often until thickened and bubbly.
6. Add peas and spices.
7. Pour into shallow 2 quart casserole dish. Top with pie crust. Cut slits to allow steam to escape.
8. Bake for 45 minutes or until pastry is golden brown.

The Wonders of White Vinegar

In an effort to stay green, cost effective and provide a healthier environment for my family, I have started making my own cleaning products. It is so easy and inexpensive! I can't believe I went so many years buying expensive store bought brands which are filled with chemicals. White vinegar is my absolute favorite thing to clean with, I use it everywhere! Try these tips to clean your home faster, better, and cheaper:

Countertop Cleaner
1 Cup White Vinegar
1 Cup Water

Use this receipe to clean kitchen countertops, lightly soiled range surfaces and backsplash areas. Also use in the bathroom on countertops, floors, and exterior surfaces of the toilet. For stubborn surfaces like shower stall doors, try heating the solution until warm. Spray the surface down and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub and rinse.

White vinegar will dissolve dirt, soap scum, and hard water deposits. It is even gentile enough to clean hardwood flooring and won't stain grout on tiled surfaces. White vinegar is a natural deodorizer so it will absorb odors instead of covering them up. And don't worry about the smell, the aroma will disappear when dry.

Undiluted white vinegar is wonderful for making quick work of tougher cleaning problems. Use it to scrub out your toilet, while using a pumice stone to remove any remaining hard water rings. Or use undiluted white vinegar to clean shower heads that have been clogged with mineral deposits by removing the head and soaking it in a bowl of undiluted white vinegar. If you are nervous about removing the shower head, you can also place 1/2 cup of vinegar in a plastic food storage bag, and secure the bag to the shower head with a rubber band. Let stand for 2 hours or overnight, then rinse and buff the fixture with a cloth for a shiny finish.

White vinegar is also a great addition to your laundry routine. Try adding a cup to the rinse cycle istead of standard fabric softener. White vinegar will soften the clothes and will cut detergent residue which is great for anybody with skin allergies or sensitive skin.

Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head

 The rain is here and the yard is starting to get muddy! If you're like me you may have animals to feed, or you just enjoy wearing rubber boots around town for fashion purposes. Take a look at some of my favorite boots. All are functional, and fashionable to keep your feet dry, and mud free throughout the winter months!

Butternut Squash

I have recently discovered the wonderful taste of butternut squash. I've always passed them by in the produce section of my local grocery store out of fear of not knowing how to cook them. I am afraid no more! This squash is now a staple in my kitchen and a side dish that is cooked up at least once a week. It is easy to prepare, and packed with flavor and Vitamin A.
Here are my easy directions on how to cook butternut squash:


A squash 12 inches long is generally enough for 2-3 servings. If you have a large family, multiple squash may be needed.

Cut squash in half and scoop out seeds.

      

Lay face down in a greased baking dish. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees (larger squash or multiple will need longer baking times)

After baking, scoop out insides of squash into bowel. Mash with fork, (squash should be tender), add one tablespoon butter and one tablespoon brown sugar. Mix in. Serve and enjoy!



Tea Towels

It's Saturday and I am in full-blown cleaning mode. While mopping the kitchen floor, I noticed that I am in need of some new kitchen towels. Etsy is my favorite place to shop, so take a look at some of my top choices for new additions to my fleet of kitchen tea towels!


Pepper & Polly
http://www.etsy.com/listing/88301224/100-linen-tea-towel-hand-screenprinted



Lulu & Luca
http://www.etsy.com/listing/88595618/art-deco-rose-tea-towel

Paint Robot
http://www.etsy.com/listing/88231924/tea-towel-personalized-with-your-name-or

PonyAndPoppy
http://www.etsy.com/listing/87837977/tea-towels-flax-linen-choose-any-two

ShopAmySullivan
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76732318/modern-mustard-hand-printed-tea-towel

goodmeasureshop
http://www.etsy.com/listing/74242778/tea-towel-linen-allium

Chile Verde

This is an easy recipe to make as long as you have the time to cook on the stove. Recipe is also well suited to make entirely in the crock pot as long as the pork shoulder is cooked in advance. For a less spicy version add in only 1/2 can jalapenos.

Chile Verde

6 Servings (Recipe can be doubled for more servings)

2 lbs shredded pork shoulder

1 can verde enchilada sauce

1 bottle Juarez salsa verde

2 7oz cans chopped green chiles

1 tiny can chopped jalapenos

1 lbs tomatillos diced

4 garlic cloves

1 medium onion diced

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 chicken boullion cube

1 cup water

To cook pork shoulder, for best results cook in crock pot for 12 hrs on low, or 8 hrs on high. Drain liquid and shred with fork.

Dice all ingredients.

Combine all ingredients with exception of pork and liquids in pot, cook on medium until tender.

Add pork and liquids. Cook on low for 4 hrs for best flavor.

Serve with rice.

12 Ways To Tie a Scarf

Winter is finally here! It's cloudy, there are reports of rain and snow in the mountains, and I am finally in my boots and sweater. Cold weather means one important fashion item: a scarf! But how do you tie a scarf? Take a look at this handy dandy diagram I found on Pinterest (my new obsession). 

The Beauty of Birding

Since I was a little girl I have been in love with birds. Growing up we always had bird feeders and bird baths in the backyard. In fact, my parents carefully chose each shrub and tree in their landscaping to help attract birds and butterflys of different sorts. Now that I am grown, I carry the tradition of feeding the birds. Ryan and I have several bird feeders; hummingbird feeders, millet feeders, seed feeders, and finch feeders like the one below. Even on a windy, cold day we can look out our back windows and see the birds swoop in and eat their breakfast.

For under $20 you can purchase a bird feeder, bird seed, and enjoy the birds like we do. On Saturday I took this picture of my favorite bird which visits our backyard, the American Goldfinch. They feed specifically on niger thistle seed. This feeder is directly out our kitchen sink window, for our viewing pleasure. My picture doesn't do their bright yellow coloring justice, but this is as close as they'll let me get!

The Sparrow

Author Unknown

Glad to see you, little bird;
'Twas your little chirp I heard:
What did you intend to say?
"Give me something this cold day"?

That I will, and plenty, too;
All the crumbs I saved for you.
Don't be frightened--here's a treat:
I will wait and see you eat.

Shocking tales I hear of you;
Chirp, and tell me, are they true?
Robbing all the summer long;
Don't you think it very wrong?

Thomas says you steal his wheat;
John complains, his plums you eat--
Choose the ripest for your share,
Never asking whose they are.

But I will not try to know
What you did so long ago:
There's your breakfast, eat away;
Come to see me every day.

Homeade French Bread

I made a soup today but didn't have any bread to serve with it, so I decided to make some french bread. It was my first time making bread of any kind. It was so easy and tasted sooo good. I will definately make this each time I need bread for dinner! Have fun with this, and please share with your friends!

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 5 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups warm water
• 1 tablespoon cornmeal
• 1 egg white
• 1 tablespoon water

1. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast and salt. Stir in 2 cups warm water, and beat until well blended using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.
2. On a lightly floured surface, knead in enough flour to make a stiff dough that is smooth and elastic. Knead for about 8 to 10 minutes total. Shape into a ball. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn once. Cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled.
3. Punch dough down, and divide in half. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Roll each half into large rectangle. Roll up, starting from a long side. Moisten edge with water and seal. Taper ends.
4. Grease a large baking sheet. Sprinkle with cornmeal. Place loaves, seam side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water, and brush on. Cover with a damp cloth. Let rise until nearly doubled, 35 to 40 minutes.
5. With a very sharp knife, make 3 or 4 diagonal cuts about 1/4 inch deep across top of each loaf. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 20 minutes. Brush again with egg white mixture. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until bread tests done. If necessary, cover loosely with foil to prevent over browning. Remove from baking sheet, and cool on a wire rack.

Winter Where Are You?

Normally by this time of year we are enjoying cloudy skies, cool temperatures and waves of rainstorms passing over. This year however we have had nothing but sunny skies, 70 degree days and no rain in sight! I'm not complaining about the nice weather, but I miss winter! Most importantly, I miss wearing my boots, sweaters and scarfs! Winter, where are you, I miss you! Instead of a rain dance, I'd like to take the time to post a few pictures of winter scenes from other parts of the world. Enjoy!

Stockport, UK. Courtesy Daily Mirror, 01/13/2012



Cordova, Alaska. Courtesy bradenton.com, 01/11/2012

Wisconsin. Courtesy examiner.com, 01/11/2012