In The Cookie Jar

This weeks "In the cookie jar" is a recipe I got years ago when I first began blogging from a friend who was on HSB with me. I have been making these ever since and they are so good.

Pumpkin Donuts

2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup canned pumpkin 2 eggs 1/4 cup milk 1/4 cup shortening or 1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine, softened

Directions: 1 FOR DOUGHNUTS: In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking soda. Add pumpkin, eggs, milk, and shortening, butter, or margarine; beat with an electric mixer on low speed till mixed. 2 Spoon the mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip with a 1/2 inch opening. Pipe onto 2 greased baking sheets in 3-inch circles. Bake in a preheated 375* oven for 10 minutes, or till golden brown. Cool doughnuts on a rack over waxed paper.

It's Hay Making Time

Yes it is that time of year again, where you find me out in the fields helping to bring in the harvest, and when I'm not needed picking raspberries along the edges of the fields.

A Tuesday Evening Stroll

After a rainy day and a whole lot of cleaning indoors, I decided to take a little evening stroll around the barn yard Tuesday evening. HB had to work at the pond as my fountain head fell off again, so while he did that I walked around.

Jill was running around chasing Justin on the lawn

 Jill loves to be silly.

Jayne was out inspecting Dad's work.(take notice of the railing in the back of her falling down. It was to heavy from my baskets. So HB has yet another job ahead of him)

HB got the fountain working again. (Thanks Hun)

Hi Brew, coming for a walk?

 Molly came for a walk as well.

First stop was over to sit awhile with the ducks. (I could spend hours sitting and laughing at the Indian runners)

 Next to see the horses at the paddock.

 Hi Charlotte, how have you been? I think you need a BATH.....

The side window box is finally filling out nicely. A little dead heading as I walked by.

 HB moved over from the pond to the tractor to get the equipment hooked up for the morning to go to the field.

There you have it. A wonderful evening I would not change it for anything. Even all the smells of the animals.

In The Cookie Jar

In the cookie jar this week is my Great grandmothers Molasses cookies

Molasses Cookies

1cup sugar
1 cup shortening
1cup molasses
1cup cold water
1TBSP soda
1TBSP ginger
1 TBSP cinnamon
about 4 cups of flour (enough to roll out)

roll about 1/2 think and cut with cookie cutter. Bake at 350 for about 10 mins pending on oven

Thursday Tib bits

Yesterday we decided to get a little cleaning done in the girls rooms until the yard dried up a bit after the night shower we had.
We took the rooms apart and gave everything a good washing. We made a goodwill box,and Jayne changed around a few things in her room and put a bug in my ear of some new things she was wanting in her room.
I made up a meatloaf for supper and made a big pan of fried rice to go with it,along with some yellow beans. We got everything done and just sat down to eat when HB got home from work.
After supper HB took off to the field right away to cut,and Justin went to cut a lawn for a new girl that moved into a friends place down the road for a year. (she is a nurse and is renting as our friend moved out west for a year with her boyfriend)
Justin also has work for the next week or so starting today on the next road for the raspberry farmer. Justin never stops to long. (Just like Dad)
Today I was up early and seen HB off. Let the ducks out and fed them along with the hens.I put bread and rolls on to rise. Did a couple loads of laundry and made pancakes for breakfast(as Justin requested them this morning)
It is a cool morning out and there was no dew at all this morning. To bad HB was working because he would have been able to go to the field early and cut this morning.
I need to pick the rest of the first crop of radishes today and make some relish and pickled radishes, before they get to big.
My kitchen floor is in much need of a good washing as well. It should have been done early this week but I hit my knee cap on the stairs in the pool Sunday night and it has been bothering me a lot. I have been having a hard time bending down the last few days and today is the first day it is not bothering me. So I can get down and scrub.
I took out some cut up chicken and a bottle of BBQ sauce out of the freezer to have for supper with some potatoes and a green salad.
Jill has been after me to help her make up a pan of brownies. If we get everything done I think I will try to make some for desert to have with ice cream.
Well I better get off the computer if I am going to get these floors done.
Have a great day everyone.

Midweek Catch Up

Is it just me or do you find the weeks of Summer just flying by? What ever happened to the old saying the "the lazy days of Summer" Last Friday I went and had nice visit with my Mother at the hospital and she was having a good day and my Dad was going to be around for the weekend and her Sister was coming from Moncton (which is about three hours away) for a visit,so we decided to try once again and go to the trailer for the weekend. We had a very hot and wonderful weekend. We went to the tiny little town about 20 minutes away Saturday morning after a big camp breakfast of pancakes, sausages, and scrambled eggs. We went to a few of the shops there and I was able to pick up a nice dip at their market for a late afternoon treat. When we got back we had company waiting for us. HB's friend and his family had came for the day. Their children at the same age as ours so they swam,played and hiked all around. We had hotdogs,corn on the cob,salads,dip and chips for supper. All in all it was a pretty great day. We came back after breakfast Sunday as the girls had birthday pool party o attend on the next road and we did not want to miss it. They had a ball , and the weather was perfect. Monday we got a lot of yard work done in the hot and humid temps. We all we ready by supper time for the pool. Where we spent the next few hours cooling off. HB helped and we worked more on the new pond I am putting in. We got the fountain running not to high, The falls working good. HB used his small crawler and we were able to spread out the gravel around the pond. Yesterday I made bread, took out some pork chops,cleaned up and did a little laundry. We picked beets out of the garden and went to the feed store to get pig,and chicken feed. We stopped by my Mother in laws and she gave us 12 fish for our pond. We came home and got them settled into their new enviroment. The sky's got dark so HB decided not to go to the field to cut hay. I made supper of mashed potatoes,baked pork chops,beets,and a loaf of warm homemade bread. We had a poor mans pudding for desert. The rain began as a light mist while we were eating. The girls cleaned off the table from supper as I went to help HB and Justin saw lumber at the mill for my new Kitchen floors. (fall Reno project) Jill and Jayne came up after they were done the kitchen. They bagged wood chips that were at the planner before the rains came. They put them on the four wheeler and we brought them to the feed room. We all got pretty wet outside but we are so happy to see the rain. We all came in and washed up got ready for bed.It rained all night as a light mist. My gardens are smiling. HB is back on day shift for the next 5 days and the weather is suppose to and humid again. He is hoping to get to the field for a hour or so each night after work to cut. I am hoping as well as the raspberries are finally ready and they grow so nice there. Well I'm off to make breakfast for the wee ones as they will be up soon. Grill cheeses,yogurt,and sausages are on the menu this morning. Have a wonderful day everyone.

In The Cookie Jar

Thank you  all for the lovely comments on my families oatmeal cookie recipe. I could not believe how many people enjoyed it, so I have decided to use my Monday posts for the next little while and decidate them to a cookie of the week that is either in the cookie jar or one of our families favorites. Every Monday I will post a recipe for them.

This weeks "In the cookie jar" is our families chocolate chip cookies. I love this recipe because it is so simple and takes no time at all. They are a soft cookie and a dear farming friend shared it with me years ago. It has been my families favorite ever since.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
mix together till fluffy.
mix flour mixture then add to first ings.

1cup flour
1/2tsp. baking soda
1/2tsp. salt
1/2 bag of chocolate chips

drop by teaspoons
Cook at 375 degrees for 8 mins.
cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Oatmeal Cookies

As a request I thought I would share my oatmeal cookie recipe with everyone. It is the one I grew up with that my aunts made all the time.
As a special treat they would often roll them a bit thinner and made a fudge frosting to go between as well. I only do this when I have a whole lot of time on my hands(so my family hardly never get them this way hehe!)

OATMEAL COOKIES

1cup of brown sugar
1cup of shortening
1 egg
1/2 cup cold milk
1tsp. vanilla
1tsp salt
2 cups of oatmeal
2 cups of flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
start by leaving your oatmeal shortening milk and egg sit for 10 mins. then add remaining ing.
my aunt always said (and I have this written right on my recipe card) to add more flour if sticky. I usually always have to.

I roll mine out a smig less then 1/2 inch thick and cut them out with a crimped cookie cutter.

I sprinkle a little sugar on them before they go in to the oven.

I bake them in a 350 degree oven for about 15 to 20 mins. or until they start to turn golden brown (my oven is not very hot so I just watch them.)

ENJOY!!!


Filling for oatmeal fudge filled cookies

1cup of brown sugar
1/4cup cream
2Tbsp butter
boil together 2-3 min. Beat well add sifted icing sugar until stiff
spread thin layer between 2 cooked cookies and enjoy

Wednesday In Our Neck Of The Woods

The weather is just getting warm, but the winds are keeping everything from getting to hot. Except for my annuals which I seem to be watering so very much. (They are coming along so nice if I can keep the wind from burning them.

 This one is my favorite I loved how they spread over the old rocking chair. A lady came today to buy some yarn from me and just fell in love with it as well.(Made me feel real good)

 HB's window planters stood up the harsh winter.

 all Jayne's pansies grew well in the green house this year.

 the urns are finally filling

The front yard is finally taking shape

Yesterday HB and I celabrated our 13th anniversay. (Yes I was married the day after my Birthday, for a couple of reasons. First being that it was my great grandmothers birthday and 2nd being my HB will never have a excuse to forget hehe!) We did not do anything special as HB is working nights right at the moment and it is like a zoo around here with so much going on, but we promised each other that once everything slows down we will do something special.

Yesterday I did the usual clean, tidy up and do some barn work.Even got a batch of oatmeal cookies made up.

They must have been good cause there is none left now.


Today I got up early and did my barn work before the heat hit. I even burnt the garbage in both stoves as the house was chilly.
I worked in the garden and then moved with my cup of coffee to the front yard and worked in my flowers till the weeones crawled out of bed. I made scrambled eggs,toast, and yogurt for breakfast. Justin packed as he was going on a all day fishing trip with the farmer over the road. I made him a lunch to take with him,with a few oatmeal cookies and he was off. The girls and I cleaned up and got ready to go into the town to do a bit of girly shopping. We went to the salvation army store, the country gift shop,and the supermarket. I bought a new sign for my living room wall and a berry sprag with little metal stars in it. I also picked up a battery operated candle to make a little craft I was thinking about making. Jill bought her dolls a tea set for .25 cents at the thrift store and Jayne bought a board game. We picked up some bananas at the supermarket and headed back home to make supper before HB went to work.
I did a bit of crafting and then had a lovely visit with the lady who came to buy yarn. We had pork chops in cream of mushroom soup, rice, and honey garlic noodles. and I used up the rest of the sausage buns to make garlic cheese bread. (Which reminds me tomorrow is bread making day again.) I don't know but I think all my family does lately is eat. It must be all the swimming in the pool making them so hungry.
I watered all the animals and gave them their grain for the night. I watered my plants and the girls went for another swim before coming in for the night. I just have to go and put the ducks in, and then it PJ time for me. I think I will crochet a bit before bed. While I wait for Justin to get home. His supper is in the fridge waiting for him. I hope he gets some trout as he loves them and works so hard to get them.
Mom was told tonight that she will be moving out of ICU as soon as there is a bed on the floor ready for her. She was happy about that, as were we.
Tomorrow besides making bread,I think I will try to get the bedding all washed and on the line. I love the smell of a fresh bed. (I sleep so much better)

Busy Busy Busy

It has been none stop here in our neck of the woods. Last week we got caught up indoors while we had a few days of rain. We cleaned most of the house.On Thursday I made 6 loves of bread and 2 dozen rolls, some sausage buns and hamburger buns. I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and a lemon bread. The smells throughout the house were amazing.
Friday we worked outdoors and the rain had stopped we cleaned up around the barnyard and finally finished up this years shearing and then HB worked at his hay making equipment to get it ready.
Friday night we went to our farm friends for coffee and a nice visit.
Saturday morning after the barnwork was done we decided to take the beetle and the girls as Justin was working for the farmer over the road for the day, and go to the city. We stopped along the way at the farmers market in the next town. It was so nice to shop around and see and smell all the goodies. We stopped and talked to a friend who was selling his goodies there and then went to the city so Hb could buy a boat motor.
We took the long road home and enjoyed our day out. My Mother was having a good day and my Father was visiting her so we decided after supper we would head to the trailer for the night. We quickly packed and were off.
We had a quite early evening with a camp fire.We decided to go to bed and get up early to have a big breakfast and spend the day on the lake. BUT at 7:00 the next morning came a tuk tuk at our trailer door. It was the park rangers looking for me to come and call home as something had happened to my Mom. I called and my Dad had told me that early that morning she had taken a bad turn and had to be moved to ICU. We quickly packed and hurried home. We were back home by 9 and I went to see her. She is stable again but sure is not out of the woods yet.
Last evening I got home after 7 and had supper that HB had made up. Burnt hamburgers and hot dogs he had barBequed. (He is to sweet,that I did not have the heart to say a word about them and ate them anyway) After I ate I decided to take the last few hours before dark and mow the lawns. Mowing the lawns is a full time job around here it seems. You just get it all done and it seems that it is time to start over again.

This morning I was up early and made a big breakfast of eggs,pancakes and sausages as Justin was leaving early to go fishing before going to work for the farmer for the day.The girls got up and made me wonderful birthday cards as today is my birthday. 35 years old today. HB sat down next to me and smiled and said your Birthday gift is not ready yet and I don't want to tell you anymore. It will arrive in the next few weeks and you will never guess. Now hearing that from my HB is a bit exciting but at the same time scary. I never know what to expect from him as he always get me the greatest gifts but very different.


 I got the house cleaned up and worked a little on the new pond we are putting in the front yard. I went to the hospital to visit with my Mom but could only stay a few minutes as she was going for different tests and would not be back for a couple of hours. I came home and my Mom in law was here. She brought me a wonderful card and a cute little solar light with bird on it that hangs.

I put a roast of pork in the slow cooker this morning and we had that for supper with mashed potatoes and green salad. We are now using the lettuce from the garden as well as the radishes. We had a early supper as HB was starting his first night shift tonight and had to leave early.

I made up a batch of oatmeal cookies after supper while the girls cleaned off the table and filled the dishwasher. They turned out good and they got to have one for desert. I had a cup of coffee with mine and decided to take a little break tonight.

Homemade Bug Spray

With Summer comes outdoor living and with that comes bugs,and bug bites. and if you are like my children the bugs love you. I always hate to put that commercial bug spray on them as it is full of bad toxins. So I found a great recipe for homemade bug spray that seems to do the trick.

Homemade Bug Spray

6-8 oz unused sprayer bottle & small funnel

witch hazel

lemongrass essential oil

geranium essential oil

citronella essential oil

I just put my funnel in the bottle and fill with witch hazel, leaving one inch headspace. I then add in approximately 25 drops of Citronella and Lemongrass Essential Oils, as well as approximately 15 drops of Geranium Essential Oil. Remove funnel, replace sprayer cap, shake up and it is ready to use! I would recommend trying on a small patch of skin first, in case of any allergic reactions and do not spray near eyes. You can find sprayer bottles & witch hazel at any drug store 

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful weather and less bugs.

Camping, Chicken Coop,And A Little Gardening

Good morning, I hope all of you are getting nice sunny days. We have had a beautiful weekend and yesterday was just perfect.

Saturday after Hb got off work, we packed up the truck and went camping at the camp ground for a night. (HB took Sunday off,so it was nice little break)
After we got there we unpacked and the guys went down to the lake to try out their new paddle boat. They fished on the lake till dark.
The girls biked the trails to see who was there and they of course was lucky enough to find a new friend or two.
Franny and I went for a nice long walk all through the trails and came back,and settled by the camp fire with my crochet.
The girls went and had hot showers at the shower house and had a campfire when the the guys got back with popcorn and marshmallows.

Sunday morning after breakfast we went for another walk as a family down to the lake and the girls went for a dip.

 the mountains are just beautiful here.

 Jayne said the water was so warm

It is great how they rope it off for the little ones to go swimming.


After we had lunch the guys took off again for the afternoon and the girls went to play in the park and come back and forth to check in for a little break with me and Franny.

I spent the most of my afternoon alone,(But hey that's ok sometimes) I sat in my chair being lazy catching up on the latest issue of O magazine, and a bit more crochet.

They all found there way back to the trailer and we decided to go for another run to the lake so that the girls could try out the new paddle boat.

 and there off

 they went out very far.

 And they are heading back

Hi guys did you have fun?


After we brought the boat back up to the trailer and had a cool drink.
HB and Justin decided to clean up so of the wind falls around the trailer.

 Franny always loves going to the trailer

We had a visitor come for some peanuts. he is hard to see as he blends so well,and is very tiny. Jill has named him Chippy.
We made supper and cleaned up and headed back home before dark. We were all pretty a bunch of pretty tired campers Sunday night and went to bed early.


Monday was a beautiful day here. It got hot and muggy early, so the weeones were in the pool by 11. I decided after going into the chicken coop, it needed to be cleaned. Justin and I went for a small trailer load of cedar chips up at the planner. I  shoveled out what felt like a ton of chicken poo and laid down new bedding. We filled the nesting boxes with clean straw,and the girls washed all the dishes. It took a good part of the afternoon, but it was well worth it.

For the rest of the afternoon I cleaned out the rest of what was left in the green house for bedding plants. Jill and I filled all our hanging baskets and planters. Jill put a few in her garden and we gave everything a good watering.

I came in and made some mac and tomatoes with hamburg for supper just as HB was arriving from work. We had supper and heading back outdoors to do some more yard work. I cut the lawns and did a bit of whipper snipping and HB work in his garage getting my Beetle ready to drive for the season.

I worked outdoors till dark and came in with a terrible headache. I think I did a little to much, and got a little to much sun.

Today the are calling for rain late in the afternoon and for the next few days, so I need to get out early and weed my garden.
Justin needs to go to work over the road and mow a ladies lawn this morning. I am going to go ahead and make up a batch of pancakes for breakfast and then hurry and head outdoors.

Have a great day everyone.