Blue Jeans and Cotton Tees

It’s that time once again – the weekend that my children look forward to all year – it’s time to go camping.

We’ve spent the last week finding things, packing them, unpacking and repacking them.

Sleeping bags were aired out, food prepared, camera batteries found.

Towels were selected – good enough so I wouldn’t be embarrassed that they were seen in public – but old enough to potentially get ruined or forgotten.

Lists were made, checked off, remade, and adjusted.

A million little details were taken care of.

All of this for 3 days.

Days full of hot dog roasts, creek wading, and playing Frisbee. These are long days and short nights with mosquito bites and sunburn.

But – we’ll spend those days with each other – no distractions – no i pods, mp3 players, computers, TV, or radio – there isn’t even cell phone reception!

We will eat way too much, laugh till we cry, and make some amazing memories.

Is it worth all the trouble, the time spent preparing, the 3 hour car drive, and the sunburns?

You bet!

I’m just as exciting as the kids are!

Have a wonderful July 4th weekend!

My most exciting find at this summer’s garage sales was a Salton Yogurt Maker.

I had one years ago, but over time had broken some of the glass containers. I’ve tried other ways to make yogurt – but none were as successful and drop dead simple as the Salton.

My recipe comes from the tried and true More-With-Less Cookbook . I just reduced it down to fit in my Salton.

Homemade Yogurt

Combine in measuring cup:

1 cup powdered milk
2 cups warm water

Mix thoroughly and add:

5 ounces of evaporated milk or scalded whole milk.

Remove a small amount of this mixture and put in a small container. Add to this 3-4 ounces of vanilla yogurt made with active cultures. (The active cultures are very important! It should say so right on the label.)

Blend till smooth and add to the remaining milk. Mix well. It’s very important to get the starter mixed well into the base!

Pour into the yogurt maker and let incubate overnight.

The beauty of a yogurt maker is the consistent low heat (about 110 – 120 degrees).

To serve, you can simply add a little vanilla, or some fresh fruit, or maybe a little flavored jello. I’ve even added a small amount of sweetened kool-aid mix – which gave it a lovely color and a fruity flavor.

I love how easy and economical homemade yogurt is – my kids just think it tastes great!

Mom gets a bumper crop of radishes – and my seeds didn’t even germinate! Maybe she’ll share – I will admit that I’m drooling as I read this!

Our daughter, Teresa, was visiting this spring as we were planting the garden and suggested we do as she does: plant the radishes and carrots together in one row. As you pull the radishes it gives the carrots room to grow and keeps the weeds to a minimum.

It worked so well that we have had a bumper crop of radishes for the two of us to eat! (The rows of carrots are looking great, too!)

How many radishes can you eat at a meal? How many radishes can you slice on a salad?

How about cooked radishes? Slice and place in salted boiling water, cook until fork tender. Drain unless you want pink sauce! Pour some half & half over the radishes – however much you want to eat. Add a tablespoon of butter and just heat until first bubbles appear. Season to taste with salt & pepper. Serve.

I’ve also served them with a white sauce made with flour, butter & milk. But prefer the simplicity of the half & half.

Enjoy!
Nana Shirley

Once again Mom brings some wonderful insight into an area we all can use some work on! By the way – I spent several hours in my own garden today weeding, and it still doesn’t look as good as Mom’s!

Several weeks ago Pastor Brian gave 10 Tips for a Healthy Family in his sermon. The last one: “Make sure to Weed & Feed” comes to mind every day as we deal with our garden.

Our goal is to have a “healthy” family. To accomplish this we have to pull out (weed) and get rid of what is hindering the growth of a healthy family or individual. We have to encourage (feed) attitudes, habits & traditions with the Word of God individually and as a family.

The weeds have been growing in both the vegetable and flower gardens where we have not mulched. They start out small, but grow with roots that take nutrients and water from the plants we are growing for eating & beauty. If left the weeds will literally “take over”! But they are hard to pull!

Last night we had a nice gentle rain. It watered both the weeds and the garden plants, but it loosened the soil enough to make the weeds easy to pull.

So like the water of God’s Word in our lives. It loosens & “feeds” the “soil” of our hearts allowing growth for the good and strength & wisdom to “weed” out the sin that could take over!

Weeding & Feeding on the Prairie,
Nana Shirley