Garlic scape pesto

Luckily for us, the previous owners had not harvested the garlic. My hubby and boys were very curious as to what was growing along the fence line, so they pulled up one of the plants. They kept telling me that they were onions, but I had a gut feeling that it was something else. So I peeled away the outer layers, and what I held in my hand was actually a very small head of garlic. 

In that moment I had remembered hearing about garlic scapes being edible. Garlic scapes are the flower stems that the garlic plant produces right before the bulbs mature. Many garlic growers remove the scapes in order to produce a larger head of garlic, by doing so it averages 17%-49% large- according to the University of Maine.

After browsing the internet for garlic scape recipes,  I chose to make garlic scape pesto.

Donation

When I was in college one of my classmates had suddenly and unexpectedly lost her husband, he was in the military. Due to the sudden shock she had developed alopecia, permanent hair loss...she even lost her eyebrows and lashes. Through her I learned about Locks of Love, I immediately knew it was a cause I wanted to donate to, but sadly out of habit I would get highlights in my hair or couldn't tolerate the longer length. And after many years I was finally able to complete the task. The minimum length for a donation is 10 inches and I was able to donate 15, and I'm already looking forward to donating again. It's a great cause and I would highly recommend giving it a try. www.locksoflove.com

Easter / Spring 2014

Even though my boys are getting older,  I couldn't resist getting them these Star Wars Easter bunnies and Darth Vader "eggs".

This is our first spring in this home and we're loving all the beautiful surprises around our property. The only thing we haven't enjoyed was the huge pile of manure our neighbor farmer dumped across the road from our home, which just so happened to be in the direct wind path toward our home, therefore it was a rough couple of weeks trying to do anything outside.

Luckily, it has been spread on the fields and the stench has cleared, so I can now hang my clothes out to dry on the clothes line.

blood moon

We, like many people, were curious to see the blood moon, so our family woke up at 1:45 this morning to witness the phenomenon. I had only used my phone to take the pictures, therefore they're not the greatest, however it's better than nothing.

Camouflage

The boys didn't have any luck getting a Turkey this weekend, but they did have fun with the camouflage face paint as well as eating the camo cake I made for them today. The cake even had the hunters bright orange icing.

Spring Turkey Preparation

The boys are getting ready for the youth Spring Turkey weekend,  and they're excited.

Saturday Night

After the hustle and bustle of the work week, there's nothing better than gathering around a fire pit with your loved ones. I find it to be quite comforting to my soul...the warmth from the fire, the aroma of the burning wood, the hypnotic dance of the glowing flames. These are the  moments I will cherish forever.

A Farewell

Today was my last day working in a position I had held for a little more than one and a half years. The wonderful ladies I work with surprised me this morning with flowers and goodies. Luckily I'm staying within the same system,  but I'm truly going to miss these ladies.

Archery mishap

Our boys have been interested in archery, so we bought a few cheap youth bows and arrows. The boys were practicing...and (I won't mention who it was) one of the boys happened to hit the vinyl fence. Jason had informed me on what had happened, but I didn't realize it went through completely. I guess it's better than a broken window.

Turtle love

Anyone who truly knows me know how much I love turtles. So while I was sitting here at work, my hubby and kiddos were out in our field looking for signs of turkeys    and deer, (spring turkey season is quickly approaching), when our youngest boy happened to find this turtle, and he just had to share it with me via goofy picture.

wood shop

Ian had been working hard in his wood shop class making us this wonderful cutting board. We could see the excitment and pride in his eyes when he brought it home to us, which made our hearts melt.

Wildlife

There have been a few family members who have doubted us having wildlife on our property. I don't understand why they would think this considering we live out in the country.

So to those nay sayers...here's the proof from our trail cam.

Leo waiting

Austin had spent the night at one of his grandma's houses, and Leo was waiting there by the window for Austin. It was so sweet,  yet heartbreaking because he occasionally would make a loud sigh.

View of the sky during my drive

A little too big

Tonight I was called into the living room to find Leo laying on Mattie's bed.

Practical Gifts

Oh, how did I manage to forget to post about Christmas???  Well,  one thing I will share is how much I love the gifts that our parents give us.

My mom usually gives us gift cards to the movies and other places for family fun. And my mother-in-law seems to usually give us items that we want and/or need. And my dad usually gives everyone cash...you can't go wrong with that! Lol!

And we usually try to give our children things they like and yet at the same time things to get them more active outdoors. For example, a Children's bow and arrow set. -which now we really need to invest in a metal detector because the arrows have gone into the ground and we can't locate them, lol!

Here are just a few pics from my phone...

Country Boy

This was our conversation with our youngest son while driving him into town so he could spend his some of his Christmas money on a Nascar game.

Papa- So why do you want a Nascar    game? Nascar is boring, take a left turn, left turn again, and again.

Ian-Nascar is awesome! Since I like Nascar I guess that means I'm more country than you!

Mama-(looking at papa and sarcasticly says-) He's got you there.

Papa-You're not more country than me,  you city slicker! How was Nascar even started? -The history of it.

Ian-That's easy. They started on dirt tracks, then eventually moved to asphalt tracks.

Papa-No. That's not what I'm asking.

Papa & Mama (simultaneously)-It was from bootlegging.

Ian (looking confused)-What?!

Mama- Back in the days alcohol was illegal.

Papa- It was called Prohibition.

Mama- The drivers, bootlegging the alcohol,  would do whatever they could to speed up their cars, and once Prohibition was over they eventually started racing against one another to see who's car was the fastest.

Ian- Cool.

Snow Shoveling...

All my guys were outside this afternoon shoveling the driveway. Even Leo was out there with them, and at one point it looked as though he was supervising , lol.

So while my guys were out in this chilly weather,  I decided to make them homemade hot cocoa- even with marshmallows.

Oddly enough, we have to shovel off our deck because otherwise our miniature poodle will refuse to go outside. Heaven forbid her paws get covered in snow.

The Freeze

It has been awfully chilly and snowy around here the past month, the kids are loving it, due to the many snow days they've had, but the papa of the family is SO ready for the kiddos to head back to school, lol!

In our household, the one who is enjoying every minute of this weather is my sweet fur-baby, Leo. Boy, does he LOVE going for walks out in our woods! Just the mention of the word "walk" and his head perks up and his eyes grow wider.

I can honestly say that I don't mind this weather -since I grew up in the mid-west, but the drivers in this area make me very nervous...too many of them don't seem to realize the need to slow down and use caution on icy roads...