Made from the heart

Have I mentioned I LOVE our new computer?

Just in case I haven't....

I LOVE our new computer!!!!

My blogging world is soon to be much, much better!

Things are moving much more quickly (in computer terms).

Now -- I just have to get on the ball and learn how to use these updated versions, new editing programs, etc.

SO -- basically -- still have patience with me.....it's a long road ahead!

I'm so excited about my latest addition to my spoon collection.  

I guess I should say -- my STIRRING PADDLE.

LOVE it!

Handcarved by my Dad, of course.  In case I haven't filled you in on that little tidbit -- my Dad carves things out of wood.  As in -- from scratch.  You know -- it starts out looking like a tree limb, log or branch.  And turns out looking like.......

THIS!

Each spoon I have from my Dad is very special and one-of-a-kind.  My Dad and I share a love of food and cooking (although, I fall very short to his level of culinary skill).  I'm able to use my spoons on a daily basis, and they are something that I will have always.  My daughters will have them....like I said -- super special.  

Hey -- no need to be jealous.  If  you would like one -- he sells them.  OR if a tree falls in your backyard  (as long as the wood is a type that is good carving wood) -- share the wood and he will make ya one (right, Dad?!?).  

There actually is one more use for these spoons......and this didn't come to be until recently.  

Disciplinary actions.

We've had friends to tell us of their "spanking spoons".  I use to cringe at the thought.  

Then we hit the year of the double-dose of strong-willed children.

Sugar: Mom, you know that new spoon that Poppa gave us?

me: Yes......

Sugar:  Well, it's also called a PADDLE.  It can be used for SPANKINGS!!!

(thank you, Ms. Patty!!)  :)

These next few pictures were taken one Sunday after church.  All eyes in the same direction -- YAY!!

Wouldn't you smile, too?!?  (thanks, Trev!!!) 

One more thing..

I'm loving my new Le Creuset cookware!!!  Everything cooks better and tastes better!!  

Sure, it does!

Outstanding in the Field

If you ever get the chance...

DO THIS!

OUTSTANDING IN THE FIELD (OITF)

It was a fun and unique experience. Where else can you go to a farm, hang out with ~120 other people (some strangers, some not), and enjoy farm-fresh food family style?

This was OITF's first trip to Arkansas.

THANK YOU for coming to the natural state!

It was so enjoyable.

Loved it, loved it, loved it!

This group travels all over the country, as well as overseas, to deliver a wonderful dining experience.

We chose the one at Scott Heritage Farm in Scott, AR.

It really makes you respect where and how your food comes to be.

With all of today's technology, they are using the pigs to do the plowing! Now, that's going back to the basics! 

We arrived at the Scott Plantation Settlement not fully knowing what to expect. Don't get me wrong, I had checked out their website, friended them on facebook and read their blog. BUT, it's totally different when you are getting ready to walk across a field carrying a chunky camera and two plates.

The weather was absolutely perfect. It could have been a little cooler in the afternoon, but it was a gorgeous day! 

We placed our plates down with the others. This is a tradition of OITF. Each person is asked to bring their own plate (no worries - they bring some too if you happen to leave yours at home). You will never guess which ones were ours. (There was no strategy in bringing our BIG, OVERSIZED white plates. Wink, wink.)

They gave us a glass for water, wine and/or beer.

Our host farmers:  Jody and Barbara 

Setting up the famous TABLE. 

(celebrity siting: P. Allen Smith is in the background)

The kitchen for the evening

I snuck in a shot of P. Allen between takes

Please take note in how they were able to get the table nice and straight and aligned. It's not as though it was even terrain. Impressive!

New chickens

Let's not even talk about it.

Our tour of the plantation

This little store was used in the Hank Williams movie that is soon to be released.

Time to pick up our plates and head to the table!

The extra plates 

Beware. You may experience watering of the mouth.

(Sorry Hubs, this was my only shot of the quail legs) 

War Eagle Mill oat crusted quail legs with pepper jelly 

Pimento cheese and fresh baked soda crackers

Yep.  Yummy as well!

Old Spot rillettes and pork rinds with fig mustard and dill pickles (FRESH pork rinds. They were SUPER good, but as I said before, let's not talk about it.)

Sweet potato biscuits and blackened corn bread with dill butter (the blackened cornbread was one of my favorites! Loved the dill butter...or maybe they called it butter with dill pickle juice.  Whatever it was - it was delicious!)

Fried black-eyed peas (A first for me. At first glimpse, I thought they were peanuts. What a surprise! I think this is a regular snack at the Capital Bar and Grill)

Unfortunately, there were times when I got too caught up in the moment, and the food, to get a picture. Here should lie a photo of the delectable mixed green salad with pickled beets, spiced pecans, Two Goats Farmstead chèvre and sorghum vinaigrette. The description doesn't do it justice. Doesn't it sound WONDERFUL?

Susan Harper from Two Goats Farm in El Dorado came and told us about her two goats (Julia Childs and Martha Stewart, if I'm not mistaken). It was interesting to hear how she started making goat cheese and the fact that it was about a two week process to have enough cheese to provide everyone's goat cheese at the table. It was fabulous!

Next up:

Stuffed eggplant, roasted plum tomatoes and mustard greens

Stuffed eggplant

Greens and tomatoes

Not a better pair shall meet! I guess when you think of all that's involved, it's more than a pair. But, whatever. My point is that it was SO, SO, SO GOOD. It may have been my favorite course but, I'm not committing to an absolute most-liked. It was ALL so delicious!

My mind was obviously overwhelmed, because I DO NOT have a picture of the MAIN course. Curses! 

Main: Sorghum roasted Aylesbury duck from Moss Mountain Farm (thank you P. Allen) with Arkansas rice grits, black apples, turnips and muscadine glaze.

I did get a picture of the grits.

We were stuffed at this point. Can you tell?

One of my Physical Therapy professors and his wife attended the dinner as well. Arkansas proves time and again that it is a small world. I love that about our state. 

The infamous bus. This crew travels around on this bus for dinner after dinner after.

 

Know that this blog post doesn't do the experience justice.

Check it out for yourself!

Only a phase....

I've never liked the phrase "Terrible Twos".

But, gracious me...I see where and how it was coined!

Little Miss Spice...

a bundle of FIRE!

She amazes me everyday with new words, insights and entertainment.

On the other hand...

She is testing every boundary and border possible within the realms of parenting.   She pushes me to my

limits, and many days beyond (for that I am not proud).

Parenting is not easy.  Noone told me it would be......but it is NOT easy. 

Thankfully, the joys tremendously outweigh the aggravating and frustrating moments.  The times you are ready to pull your hair out are pushed aside by the thrills of meeting milestones and sweet smiles and squeezes from the most precious little person.

For instance.....

if things get quiet.....

get worried!

or at least go looking.....

because they're probably doing something like this......

what?  who?  me?

It's like their little minds are going 100 miles per minute.  They are so curious, so inquisitive.

They're hard to keep up with.

Literally.

SO -- if I have to put up and pick up a little of this..........

and this........

to get a little bit of this.............

I will.  :)

Wouldn't you for this face?

Our photo session ended after this picture.  She picked up the "doodle" she was pointing to.....

Yeah.  GROSS!!

On a side note...

Want to know something fun about having this in your kitchen?

THIS!!

Oooooh lah lah so yummy and oh so simple!!  A couple slices of cheese (mozzarella would have been nice, but since I didn't have any at the time, I just used cheddar), a couple of cherry tomatoes halved, and a couple of torn leaves of basil, roll in tortilla, zap in micro for 15-20 seconds -- and as Sugar says, "CRESTO!" (presto!) -- you've got yourself a tasty morsel!  I will say -- watch out for those tomatoes -- definitely a hot spot!!

Have a great day!  :)

5 Months Old!

My sweet baby girl.....5 months old!

Little Bean....

Child development -- nothing short of amazing.  Every aspect is truly miraculous and very profound.  Tonight I saw a tiny two week old, and had already forgotten just how tiny Lola was 5 short months ago.  Her appearance has changed.  Her sounds have changed.  Her gaze has changed.  She's coming in tune to the world.  She is watching things, people,.....everything so much more closely than even a month ago. 

Her physical strength is increasing daily.  She presses up while on her tummy.  She is a little roly poly.  She grabs those precious feet and brings them to her mouth while she's lying on her back -- one of my favorite milestones.  

She is truly entertained by her sisters.  She stays awake for longer periods in the car just as content as can be while watching Sugar do what Sugar does. 

She brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes just by looking at her.  This little girl has me right where she wants me. 

And she doesn't even know it yet.

Thank you, God...for my precious girls.

thank you, bebe for the cool bat tee!!

when put in just the right position...those Coffee cheeks shine through!

Big sisters at same age.......

Sugar

Spice