Autumn on the Farm

Here on our farm it is starting to finally feel like autumn. Because we had a dry summer this year our leaves aren't turning the beautiful rusts and golds that we anticipate each year. But still it is nice to feel the cool, crisp mornings and evenings as we sit on the front porch and enjoy a warm cup of coffee. I took the picture looking down the road from our house last Fall when all the trees were changing color and we had a beautiful autumn. This is the road where I take my (almost) daily walks and it is really a treat when the air is cool and the scenery is so beautiful.

About a mile east of us is an old country cemetery that we like to visit now and then, especially on cool autumn days. It is called the Wright Cemetery and there are several generations of some of the families who have lived in this area for as far back as my husband can remember buried there. There are also a few headstones belonging to fallen soldiers from World War I and II. It has a very calm, peaceful feeling that I enjoy.

This is one of the prettiest autumn sunsets that I can remember seeing and I was lucky enough to get a picture of it from our front yard. The sunset itself has the rich colors of autumn spread out like a painter's palette ready for an artist to take up a brush and paint the leaves on every tree. I think some of the things I missed the most when I was a city girl were the beautiful sunrises and sunsets that were hidden behind high-rise buildings.

And what fun is autumn if you can't jump in a big pile of leaves.....or bury your big brother in them!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

15-Minute Chili

I got the original recipe from a wonderful healthy-living website called SparkPeople and adapted it to my family's taste. This is a quick, easy and delicious main dish your family will enjoy now that it's starting to get cooler outside!

1 pound ground turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 16 oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 16 oz. can northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 24 oz. can chopped stewed tomatoes
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 cup salsa

1. In a large pot, brown turkey with chopped onion.
2. Add beans, tomatoes, garlic, chili powder, and salsa to turkey mixture. Cook until hot.
3. Top with a dollop of sour cream and serve with cornbread if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Shadow is a winner!

My cat's a winner! Shadow was selected as "Cat of the Month" at Janet's Creative Pillows blogspot this month. Yesterday a package arrived in the mail for Shadow that held all sorts of goodies! Several yummy samples of catfood for him to enjoy, toys and even a brush to keep his coat nice and shiny.....what a nice surprise this was! Thank you Janet!!!

A little bit about Shadow.....he is a "farm cat" who loves roaming our farm but always comes home to eat and sleep. Shadow weighs about 25 lbs. but meows like a squeak toy which is really funny to hear coming from that big body!

Be sure to check out Janet's website and see all of the beautiful pillows she creates at Janet's Creative Pillows.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

Baked Potato Soup
Serves 2

2 leftover baked potatoes, skin removed
3 cups milk
2-3 T. flour
1 T. margarine
Dash of salt.

Melt butter in a medium size saucepan. Add flour and salt, and then add milk slowly. How much flour you add will determine how thick your sauce is so you may have to adjust the amount to your liking. Cook until bubbly, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add baked potatoes that have been cut into chunks. Top with any or all of the following: sour cream, chopped green onions or chives, shredded cheese, bacon bits.

Serve with a tossed salad and enjoy!

I've Been Tagged!

I was tagged by Christine at Two Sisters Bath and Body, and now I'm supposed to tell seven things about me that you don't already know and then tag seven other people. Hmmmm...well, here are seven pieces of trivia about Debbie's cozy cottage world!

1. I have 12 grandchildren ranging in age from 5 months to 15 years!
2. I have worn several hats in my life.....I worked for the local newspaper when I was in highschool, was a secretary for Getty Oil Company, worked as a medical transcriptionist for 20+ years, have been a teacher for 12 years, and own an online boutique.
3. I live on a farm in Arkansas where we raise cattle and donkeys.
4. I am a night-owl...I can stay up all night working on whatever my current project is, but don't do this very often because I usually have to get up for work the next day.
5. I believe in God, but I also believe in reincarnation.....I think God will keep sending me back here until I get it right!
6. Some of my best friends are online friends.
7. In my next life I would love for interior decorating and design to be my fulltime job!

So, now it is my turn to tag seven people.....check your email to see if it is YOU!

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

MA BARKER'S PECAN PIE

This recipe is contributed by my friend and colleague, Julie Nelson....thanks Julie!

Here is what Julie says about her pecan pie: "It's the one I baked for a restaurant in Fayetteville (AR), Coy's Place. It was also requested for Tyson Foods Christmas party one year...that about killed me!! 25 pies in 1 day!!"

3 eggs
2 cups Gold Medal flour
1 c sugar
3/4 c Crisco
1 cup white Karo
1 tsp salt
1/2 stick butter
1/3 c water
1 cup chopped pecans

Mix flour and salt. Add Crisco and cut into flour mixture. Add water and mix together until it forms a ball. Put in 9 inch pie plate.

Beat eggs with mixer in a bowl. Add sugar and beat 30 seconds. Add Karo and beat 30 seconds. Add stick butter and beat 30 seconds. Add pecans and beat 30 seconds. Pour pecan pie mixture into unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350 for 55 minutes. DELISH!!
(Easy way to make the pie crust is in a food processor.)

My newest obsession.....altered art!

I have been looking at altered art for awhile now and collecting bits and pieces to make something but I was never quite sure what it would be. Well, last week I decided to give it a try. I started with an old wooden cabinet door and a page from a vintage children's book and went from there. What I ended up with was a piece I call "Let us crow old together".

This piece is the love story of two crows who come from different "backgrounds" (read the handwritten note to the left of the nest), but are deeply in love (read the love note above the crows). They are watching over their three little pearl eggs and surrounded by shiny red apples and autumn leaves. The piece is embellished with vintage buttons, ribbon, glitter and paint. I have to say that I really had a good time working on this and plan to do more altered art in the very near future. To read more about this piece and see another photo you can go to my website.