Archive - June, 2012

Hidden Protein

June 30, 2012 in Fresh Off the Farm with 0 Comments

On an innocent trip to the raspberry bed, I ran across hundreds of red berries.  They were my only goal.  I did not realize it, but this harvest would reveal hidden protein.

black bird, red-winged blackbirdI expected it to be a hot day.  So I got out right after breakfast to pick the fruit.

The sounds in the air captured my attention.  Birds sang to me while I picked.  The rooster crowed, while the hens clucked about their lastest accomplishments in the nest.  I enjoyed listening to the outdoor music.

Kitty soon joined me as he rubbed up against my ankles.  Birds scolded, “Scat, scat!” to turn the cat away from their neighborhood.

Occasionally a cool breeze refreshed me.  At other times the hot sun warmed my neck and back as I bent down to gather the berries.   Perspiration began to collect on my forehead.

red raspberriesAt long last, with the pail filled with tangy-sweet raspberries, I went into the kitchen to process them.

Now, berries are a carbohydrate, but protein lurked in my pail.

(To be continued.)
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A Do-List on the Farm

June 28, 2012 in Fresh Off the Farm with 0 Comments

This morning, before getting on with my day, I read my Bible and spent time thanking the Lord for the world He has provided here for me to live (and work) in.  Before I got started with my chores, I asked the Lord for guidance to know which things He wanted me to attend to for the day.

clothesline, clothespins

Luxurious Clothesline

Some of those things included:

  • hanging clothes out to dry  (We have the luxury of a clothesline.)
  • folding laundry
  • dusting my bedroom
  • picking red raspberries (My daughter and I picked 2 gallons today.)
  • fixing steak for lunch
  • planting potato peels (the eyes will grow in spots where my seed potatoes failed to come up)
  • taking a walk for exercise
  • repairing a children’s book my kids used for my grandchildren to use
  • driving tractor to
    green tractor,
    A Must-Have Tool on the Farm

    take a load of hay over to our sister and brother-in-law’s barn for storage.

My day is not over yet.  But you get the idea.   I live in the country and there is plenty to do.

Was I hilariously joyful in all of those jobs?  Not likely.  But I did ask for the Lord’s guidance and I looked for details about the tasks and that I did enjoy. 

Ask for His guidance.  Looking for details can be a treasure hunt that the Lord has in store for you.

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What God Has Accomplished

June 26, 2012 in Snippets with 0 Comments

Psalm 57:2 says, “I will cry to God Most High, to God who accomplishes all things for me.”

I have read that verse many times before and considered the “all things” of which it speaks.  I gazed into the future and daydreamed about what God may do for me.  But the future is so hazy that I cannot rejoice in the specifics of what God may do for me.

Today, I looked back at what He has done.

  • He gave me loving parents and hand-picked my family members .
    Sunrise, Lake Superior, Chequamegon Bay, Ashland, Wisc., oredock, Sunrise on lake
    Ashland, WI on beautiful Lake Superior
  • He let me grow up in the north country  to see His Majesty through Lake Superior.
  • He has provided a getaway cabin in the north woods for us to enjoy.
  • He granted me the desire of my heart.  I wanted to be a wife and a mother.  He provided a prince of a man to be my  husband. 
  • He took me through childbirth four different times.  He lifted me up and held me when I miscarried. 
  • He gave me hope when I was depressed.
  • He saved me from death when I needed emergency surgery.
  • He protected me and my husband when we had 2 potentially fatal accidents within 5 minutes of each other.
  • He has comforted me with the recent loss of my Dad.
  • He provided food and shelter for us even when money was scarce.
  • Before I was created, He loved me and sent Jesus to this earth to be the source of my eternal salvation.

Take a little time today and look.  Can you see what God has accomplished for you?

Enjoy some time thanking and offering Him the praise He deserves today.

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In Defense of Weeds

June 24, 2012 in Snippets with 0 Comments

Useless weeds take away nutrients and water that ought to nourish the crop.  They can choke the plants in the garden and make them fruitless.  They can also be harmful.

I don’t want them in my garden.  So I cultivate around plants and between the rows.

Jewelweed,

Jewelweed in bloom

Are these plants totally useless?

Without them:

  • soil erosion would be more of a  problem
  • wildlife would not find as many hiding places
  • more animals would suffer hunger
  • this world would not be as colorful
  • some are noxious, while others have healing power

Maybe there is use for them after all.  But not when they are out-of -place and out-of-control.

God has made all of creation.  There is much to learn about Him in it.

nettles,

Nettle with its Characteristic Jagged-edged Leaves

I found a noxious weed in my raspberry patch.  Nettles are a pesky weed that stings the bare skin.   It is very irritating to the victim.

In His wisdom, God has provided the antidote for the nettle-burn.  In its natural habitat, the nettle’s neighbor is jewelweed.  The juice of this weed applied to the nettle-sting will counteract it.  Yes, there are jewelweeds growing in my raspberry bed.

How wise our Heavenly Father is.  We can learn about Him as we explore His creation and His Word, The Holy Bible .

However, I still plan to uproot the nettle.  It is out-of-place and troublesome there and has to go.

photo credit: Bretta Grabau
photo credit: Bretta Grabau

A Weed in My Garden?

June 22, 2012 in Snippets with 0 Comments

The World Book Dictionary defines weed as “a useless or troublesome plant.”

lettuce, weed, glove, hand, pulling weeds, garden I have been weeding my garden over the past couple of days.  Some carrot and beet seedlings are so small that I could barely see them in the row.  As they grew, so did the weeds.  I purposed to remove the weeds and get the garden looking like a healthier place for my plants.  So in the early hours, I got out in the cool of the day to remove those useless, troublesome plants.

While pulling them up, my mind went back to some words of Jesus in John 15:1 (Living Bible).  He said, “I am the true Vine, and my Father is the Gardener.”

Have you ever thought of God being a gardener?

What do you suppose is in His garden?

Later on in the passage in John 15:5, Jesus continues, “Yes, I am the Vine; you are branches.”  People are His crop.

If you were the gardener and your life was the crop, what would you see?  The crop, the weeds or both?

Squash, weed, glove, hand, pulling weeds, gardenJesus says in Matthew 6:33 (KJV), “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness . . .”  Are there things in your garden that cling so closely that you cannot seek the kingdom of God?  Are they choking you and preventing you from seeking His righteousness?

Maybe it is time to evaluate what really is growing there.  Pull up whatever makes it difficult to seek the Lord and His righteousness.  If you do, you will not miss out on anything of value.  Matthew 6:33 goes on to say, “. . . and all these things shall be added unto you.”

The Head Gardener will be pleased with His crop.

Photo credit: Bretta Grabau
Photo credit: Bretta Grabau

Consider the Lilies

June 20, 2012 in Snippets with 1 Comment

cali lily, yellow cali lily, one-petal flowerThis spring like many others, I set out bulbs that I had kept indoors over the winter.  This particular bulb came to me as a gift from a friend.  I planted it with my other bulbs when the weather was suitable for them.

Just a few days ago, I saw this gem peering through the ground and now it beams at me when I go out the front door.

Jesus mentions that we are to consider the lilies and how they grow.  “They toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say to you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” Matthew 6:28b-29 (KJV).

Solomon, born into royalty, asked for and received great wisdom granted to him by God.  His riches were unsurpassed in this world.  Even the clothing that his servants wore was breath-taking.

In II Chronicles 9:4 (KJV), we learn that Queen of Sheba visited this famous king.  Among other things she saw the spendor of his servants.  Scripture says, “…the attendance of his servants, and their clothing, his cup bearers, and their clothing , . . . there was no more spirit in her.”  What an impression they made!

Yet Jesus compares the lily’s  adornment to the royal glory Solomon experienced and displayed.

cali lily, yellow cali lily, one-petal flowerThe lily has its unique qualities programmed into its very being.   The root is given these traits by its Creator.  Where it is planted it draws nourishment from the earth, the sun and the rain He provides.  It grows according to its Creator’s design.

The lily’s existence does not depend on the lily, but on its Creator who cares for it.

Like the lily, you have unique characteristics that God had given you.  Be like the lily and grow according to His design.

photo credit: Bretta Grabau
photo credit: Bretta Grabau

A Tisket, A Tasket

June 16, 2012 in Family Ties with 2 Comments

doily, crochet,flower-filled baskets; ecru baskets, red flowers; pineapple stitch,I like to share real beauty.

My eldest daughter made this exquisite gift and gave to her younger sister for Christmas this past year.

It took thought to decide what to give and it took thoughtfulness and self-discipline to set the time aside to crochet it.  Its value far exceeds the dollars and cents required to produce it.

Can you guess how many stitches went into the creation of this gift?  I can’t, but I do know each stitch was made with love and gladness.

crochet, crocheted baskets,pineapple motif, doily

Detail shows baskets full of pretty red posies.

You may have a craft in which you are proficient.  Or you may have one you would like to perfect.  Use it.  Take the time to make handmade gifts for your loved ones.  It may not be very costly, but it will be valuable especially when in is made with love.

photo credit: Deena Hall
photo credit: Deena Hall

From the Berry Patch

June 14, 2012 in Fresh Off the Farm with 0 Comments

Red strawberries, strawberry plantWith my strawberries ripening in the patch, I went out to fill up my pan.

I returned with 4 quarts of red, sweet, tasty morsels.

At the urging of my daughter, I used this picking of berries for a simple treat.  Originally it came to us as a beverage syrup from The Settlement Cook Book .  But we also use it on ice cream or on pancakes and waffles.  We call it Strawberry Syrup.

Strawberry Syrup

Gather the Equipment you will need:

  • Potato masher (I don’t like using a blender.  It tends to make the berry mash so fine that the juice will not seep easily through the jelly bag.)
  • Flat pan in which to mash the berries
  • Candy thermometer
  • Several layers of cheesecloth or a jelly bag
  • A canning funnel to aid in a clean pouring of syrup into the jars
  • 5 or 6 half-pint sterilized canning jars with lids and screw bands 1/2 pint, sealed canning jar; white screwband/fruit ring on lid; white doily, strawberry jelly, jelly

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups mashed berries
  • 4 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water

Place the mashed berries in a jelly bag to extract the juice.  (You will get approximately 1-1/2 cups of juice.)

Cook sugar and water together until it reaches 234° F.  When it reaches this temperature, add the strawberry juice and bring to a boil again.  Remove from burner.  Skim the top of the syrup.  While still hot, pour the syrup into the sterilized jars and seal with lids and screw bands.

Waffles. strawberry syrup, whipped cream; strawberry garnish, china plate, white yarn place matTwo teaspoons of this syrup mixed in a glass of cold water makes a sweet fruit drink.  It also goes great with waffles and pancakes or it can be used as an ice cream topping.

Note:  We also use this recipe with red raspberries and black raspberries.   It can also be made with currants.
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photo credit: Deena Hall
photo credit: Deena Hall

Dad, Do you Remember?

June 11, 2012 in Family Ties, Verse by Verse with 0 Comments

(Excerpt from the book, Tales From Heritage Farm)  This poem is written in honor of my own dear Dad, Ervin A. Yankee.

 

portrait, baby in sweater, baby shoes, smiling clasping handsDad, do you remember when

First you saw my baby face?

It was red and scrunched together,

Still I was yours, in any case.

 

Do you remember, Dad

How you used to carry me?

You held me in your big, strong arms.

I rested comfortably.

 

I hurt so deeply long ago,

Black and white photo; 1950s trike; The day my puppy died.

Can you still see those second-grade tears?

I could not help but cry.

 

Remember when you taught me how

To ride my new, green bike?

You steadied me, then let me go–

From then on, no more trike . . .

 

Green and Pink ice cream, ice cream cones. . . You took my brother, Jim, and me

On trips out to the cabin;

Pony rides and ice cream cones–

Memories worth havin’. . .

 

Small child face, baby sleeping; baby fingers, baby hand

Dear Little Sister

 

. . . Remember  when you brought me home

To show me my new sister?

I longed to stay and play with her,

But I just hugged and kissed her.

 

The day I left for college,

It was hard to say good-bye.

Yet your confidence in me

Gave me strength to try.

Blonde toddler boy; tow-head child

Little Brother

 

Remember how sweet it was,

Our hearts were filled with joy,

You and Mom had another son–

A towhead baby boy.

 

Remember the day you held my hand

Grandpa, small children, ice cream conesAnd squeezed it for a while?

You walked me to my lover’s arms

As we walked down that long aisle.

 

Now you have a bunch of kids

Who love to call you, “Grandpa.”

Can you believe I have seen the day

When one can call me, “Grandma?”

Grandpa, red hat, crooked cane

Dear, Dear Dad

 

Dad, I hope you realize

That we love you so.

You’re dear Dad and fun Grandpa

I just had to tell you so.

 

photo credit: Johnson, Ashland, WI
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Photo credit: Wendy Grabau
Photo credit: Deena Hall

Victoria Sauce

June 9, 2012 in Fresh Off the Farm with 0 Comments

rhubarb stalks, red rhubarb

Picture Perfect Rhubarb

Along with asparagus, rhubarb is the other first crop in my garden.

Bulbous blossoms form on the plant which I cut off.  The blossoms will take away from the growth of the leaves which I plan to harvest.  That harvest will last until early to mid-June.

Ceasing to pick the rhubarb for the remainder of the summer will give the rhubarb plants time to recover from the leaves lost in the picking.  It strengthens them for survival till the next harvest.  My rule of thumb is to stop picking the rhubarb when the strawberries are done bearing.

When the leaf stems have reached an appropriate length I pull the whole stem loose from the plant.  I generally have a knife in hand so that I can cut off and discard the huge leaves before returning to my kitchen. The stems measure 10 inches or more when clipped.

I wash and trim the stems, cutting them into 1/2 inch pieces.  I  freeze them in freezer containers to use another day, or I can make jam, or other yummy rhubarb desserts.

One delicacy I make is Victoria Sauce.  I found the recipe in the Ball Blue Book.  It is easy to make and is a delicious sauce for eating with meats.  It compares with sweet-sour bottled sauces that one finds at the grocery store.

Rhubarb-lovers will like this.

                                                Victoria Sauce

2 quarts chopped rhubarb                            1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped onion                                 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1-1/2  cups chopped, seedless raisins         1 teaspoon ground ginger

3-1/2 cups brown sugar, packed                  1 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 cup vinegar

Combine rhubarb, onion, raisins, sugar and vinegar.  Cook until thick, about 25 minuties.  As mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking.  Add spices; cook 5 minutes longer.  Pour, boiling hot, into hot Ball Jars, leaving 1/8-inch head space.  Adjust caps. Process 10-15 minutes.  Yield: about 4 pints.
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