Happy Thanksgivings

We had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving this year. I kicked off the week with hosting a Thanksgiving style dinner here on Sunday. I tried some new recipes and some old favorites. Yesterday a bunch of us participated in the Folsom Turkey Trot, a family fun run/walk not too far from Loomis. I ran the 5K and had a great time. For dinner, we celebrated with both our families. It has been a week of family and fun and for that I am thankful.

New Heuchera Garden

Leading up to our front door is a triangle shaped bed that has been home to seasonal weeds over the last year. It is nestled underneath two Japanese Maples and a Birch tree so it gets partial to full shade. I have been wanting to plant something there, but hadn't found the right plant, until I discovered Coral Bells (Heuchera).

I'm not sure where I came across these plants, but when I saw the beautiful colors AND that they were deer resistant, I knew that I had to get some.

We were fortunate enough to find some varieties in our local nurseries in smaller 4" pots and even a few 6 packs. The named varieties are:

Dolce Key Lime Pie

Purple Palace

Pinot Gris

Melting Fire

We also got a couple that didn't have name tags:

I can't wait until the bed starts filling in and the plants flower next year. I think they will complement the Maidenhair ferns in the adjacent bed quite well.

Succulent Container Garden

After staring at a Jade plant that had been stored in a 5 gallon Home Depot bucket for a week or two, I decided to assemble this garden.

We already had the large Jade in the back. It was given to us a couple of years ago. The middle pot is now home to the Jade from the bucket. The smallest pot was previously filled with the tiny succulent specimen in the back. I added the broken Jade pieces and a few other small plants from a different pot.

Now these 3 pots are lined up next to our front door. I really enjoy seeing them as I go in an out of the house (it also helps remind me to water them).

Recipe Index

Bread and Dough
Amish Friendship Bread Starter (Part 2)
Barbecue Pizza
Homemade Dough Enhancer
Hot Cross Buns
Italian Flatbread (or Pizza Crust)
Whole Wheat Low Sodium Baking Mix

Breakfast
Banana Muffins with add-ins
Cinnamon French Toast
Healthy Cranberry Muffins
Homemade Granola
Homemade Pancakes
Spring Greens Frittata
Whole Wheat Orange Waffles

Soups
Chicken Noodle Soup, Low Sodium
New Year's Black Eyed Pea Soup
Savory Carrot Soup
Vegetarian Lentils

Salads and Sides
Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Vegetables
Mujadara: Lentil, Rice, and Onion Pilaf (with Cilantro)
Oven Baked Potatoes
Scalloped Potatoes
Sweet and Tangy Coleslaw
Tangy Guacamole
Tomato Salsa

Sandwiches
Avocado Bruschetta
Gourmet Grilled Cheese

Main Courses
Apple Cider Glazed Turkey
Chicken Cilantro Enchilada Casserole
Easy Paella
Garlic Studded Rosemary Lamb
Seasoned Fish Tacos
Spicy Scallops

Cookies and Dessert
Chocolate Nut Cereal Cookies
Double Chocolate Cocoa Brownies
Lemon Yogurt Cake
Meyer Lemon Cake
Sweet Potato Cookies with Orange Glaze
Very Berry Cake

Canning and Preserving
Hungarian Hot Pepper Mustard
Peppered Citrus Jam
Roasted Pumpkin Pulp

Other
"No Salt" Seasoning Mix
Low Sodium Chex Mix
Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

Mums the word

This little beauty was gift from my mom and dad (thanks mom and dad!). It sits just outside our front window so I can see it all day long.

Let us in!

The chickens were hanging out by the back door when I was making dinner the other night. I think if the door was open they would come in.

Sad news

In August, I gave an update on the chickens. Some time has passed and there have been some unfortunate events that have affected our flock. About two months ago we lost two chickens to a raccoon attack. We had left the door to the coop open and the raccoon had access to the hens. Since that night we have been very careful to make sure the coop is secure.

Now we are left with only two hens, one white and one brown. They free range during the day and return to the coop each night where we lock them in (and predators out). My husband and I were both saddened by the loss of the other two chickens, but we are still enjoying the two that are left. We have even started talking about getting some more chicks next Spring.