Fresh Fruit Cake

Fresh Fruit Cake, not to be mistaken for a ‘fruitcake’, this light cake is quick  to make, healthier than most cakes and tastes great simply topped with whatever fresh fruit is in season.

 We've been eating strawberries for a couple of weeks here now, blueberries and cherries will be ready soon followed shortly after by blackberries and peaches..........use your favorite to top this cake!

 

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. Almond flavoring (you can use different flavoring

                                              depending on what kind of fruit you will be serving with)

1 cut flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 cup milk

1 Tablespoon butter

 

 

In small sauce pan combine milk and butter, scald (heat till small bubbles appear around edges) while you make the rest of the cake.

In mixing bowl beat eggs well, add sugar and flavoring and continue beating till until very light and thick, 2-3 minutes ,( a large wire whisk works best for this).

Add flour and baking powder all at once and stir together, add hot milk and quickly beat together, pour into greased 8 x 8 inch pan and bake in a pre-heated 350* oven for 24-30 minutes till tests clean when a knife is inserted near center.

Cool on and top with crushed fresh fruit.

Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Peaches...................................................

Old roses................

How do you save your volunteer wild rose bush from the goats? You build a fence around it, because everyone (who owns goats) knows rose bushes are right up there with blackberry bushes as the favorite delicacy of the Caprine community!

Cherokee Rose

A native of southern China and Taiwan, this rose was introduced early to North America(around 1759) and has now become thoroughly established here. Georgia's  official flower. The Cherokee Rose is a mounding bush to about 5 feet, or a thickly foliaged climber to 15 feet with neat, apple-green leaves. In the spring, fragrant, pure white, 5-petaled flowers appear and cleanly drop their petals to disclose star-shaped sepals. It is one of the best for naturalizing in the South,  and offers an outstanding floral display in return for very little care.
5 to 15 feet Z7-9                   
Cherokee roses are ramblers. If you grow one as a freestanding mound, it will reach a height upwards of 5 feet and maybe twice this wide.
If grown up into a tree, it can climb to 30 feet. It does not always need to be trained to climb either. This self sufficient species rose has been known to scramble into the canopy of a tree by means of its sharp thorns.
                                    The Legend of the Cherokee Rose :
In response to the tears the woman cried along the Trail of Tears, the Cherokee roses sprung up.....................

• The white flowers represent the tears of the Cherokee maidens.
• The gold stamens symbolize the gold mined from the hills.
• The 7 leaflets of each leaf stand for the 7 Cherokee clans.
• The sharp thorns are a symbol of the toughness of the Cherokee people.
• Rosa laevigata's habit of rooting where its stems touch the soil represents the tribe's love of and connectedness to the land.

And speaking of old roses and gardening, I'd like to share one of my favorite garden reads with you:
            "People with Dirty Hands" By Robin Chotzinoff
         If you can find it , it's a wonderful read, one I've read over and over again. She covers everything from old rose bushes to (really) hot peppers! All in a very entertaining way!

Featured crafters.............

Here are the direct links to the stories we have featured about some of the crafters from our area! Why not grab a cup of coffee, read their stories and have a stroll around our blog while your at it?

EXOTIC CUTS AND GIFTS read blog post here: http://jonquiljunction.blogspot.com/2013/11/featured-this-week_25.html
An "exotic" little store in our hometown, where you'll find a variety of gift items and a full service
beauty shop all in one.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Exotic-Cuts-and-Gifts/124931750870693
 
PINE GROVE TRAILS read blog post here: http://jonquiljunction.blogspot.com/2013/11/featured-this-week.html
Featuring trail rides on a 4,000 acre wooded ranch
https://www.facebook.com/pinegrovetrails
 
LESLIE, ARKANSAS  read blog post here: 
http://jonquiljunction.blogspot.com/2013/12/featured-this-week.html 
Our hometown, A step back in time for most people of the 21st century,
 a place where time moves more slowly.
https://www.facebook.com/lesliearkansas
 
Hand Cranked socks by Kat's Creations  read blog post here: http://jonquiljunction.blogspot.com/2013/12/featured-this-week_19.html
Socks are cranked on an Erlbacher Gearhart antique style sock machine using wool/nylon sock yarn. 
https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.bergeron.10/photos?ref=br_tf
kathryn_b@windstream.net
 
Cynthia's Weavings read blog post here:
http://jonquiljunction.blogspot.com/2013/12/featured-this-week_28.html
I'm a self taught weaver with a focus on clothing and household items.
 https://www.facebook.com/CynthiasWeavings
 
Copper Earrings  by Richard    read blog post here: http://jonquiljunction.blogspot.com/2014/01/featured-this-week.html
All parts of his earrings, except the ear-wire, are  handmade and hammered,
from the hammered body of  the earring right down to each individual , intricate and  tiny piece .
 https://www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction
  jonquiljunction@windstream.net
 
GREENLIMB STUDIOS   read blog post here http://jonquiljunction.blogspot.com/2014/02/featured-this-week.html
 Handcrafted soap, handsewn gifts, quilts, aprons and more.
http://greenlimbstudios.blogspot.com/
www.greenlimbstudios@gmail.com
Read more about each crafter here: www.jonquiljunction.blogspot.com

Clarabelle....babysitter dog

                Continued from the other day, read Clarabelle's story HERE
.....................and see her earlier babysitting work HERE

Now kids, stop bouncing off everything....

Valerie, I said NOT to go behind that tree... your about wear me out!

 

Those babies wore me out!

Button and Flossie, they're all yours,

                                                                  I'm going to take a well-deserved nap here under the Forsythia bush

                                                             Y'all come back now, ye hear?

 

Clarabelle...babysitter dog

Continued from the other day..... see post HERE 

Clarabelle, babysitter.

 

No, no, you mustn't climb that tree........ 

 

Valerie , you must settle down now....

 

No don't go there, you could get stuck again.......

 

To be continued, Y'all come back now ye hear?

 

 

New earring styles and win a free pair!

New style of earrings- Hammered copper 2" long  $24. free shipping
for sale on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction

New style of earrings, double twisted strand 2" long $34. free shipping
for sale on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction

And don't forget our contest going on to win a free pair of earrings shown below
CONTEST ends MAY 31st ENTER TODAY!

 

 

Win a pair of hand-hammered copper earrings............

To celebrate 1,500 followers on Facebook and to help make sure no one misses out on our blog posts

we are having a contest with ONE pair of hand-hammered copper earrings as the prize.

Here's what you need to do to enter.

1) Like our Facebook page (if you haven't already)

2) Sign up to follow our blog the way that suits you best

(there are several options on left side of our blog page)

3) leave us a message letting us know you signed up

Either under this post on FB or under this blog-post

(just comment "done" and your name so we can enter your name in the drawing)

Contest will run until May 31st and winner will be announced Monday June 2nd

Free shipping in the USA still applies, people from  out of the USA can enter too but will have to pay actual shipping costs.

Good luck and thanks for helping us spread the word!

Y'all come back now, ye hear?

 

 

 

Clarabelle........farm dog

 Our nine year old plot hound mix, Clarabelle, is our all around good farm dog! 

A rescue puppy we brought home at about 2 months old, {the first of three brindle dogs all with different backgrounds and unique stories, that would make it to our farm over the next few years}

we had her spayed before we knew what a wonderful asset she would be to our farm, and have wished many times since we’d let her pass on her intelligence to another generation!

 

A self trained defender of our farm in many forms, everything from  keeping the coons out of the chickens ,  letting us know when snakes are nearby, alerting us to strangers coming down the drive,  to  getting soaking wet while  trying (unsuccessfully :} ) to drive the thunderstorms away, by charging through the storm, looking at the sky and  barking in the direction the thunder came from!

 

She was a farm dog from day one when she climbed through the fence to the pony’s pasture and happily swung on his tale, the fact that he allowed this made them life long friends!

Clarabelle  loves all our animals (well, love might be a strong word for the feelings she has for the cats, but she tolerates them nicely) but when the baby goats come is her favorite time of the year! Due to an over protectant mama goat (Button) she has learned to keep a safe distance while they are in the barn, but when they start having their outings with out mom, she keeps a close watch on them. Happily wining in pleasure that she gets to ‘baby-sit’ for awhile!

"Hello, Valerie & Grace, I'm Clarabelle"

 

 

                             "Nice to meet you Clarabelle, but don't tell mom I got this close!"

 

                                     To be continued, Y'all come back now, ye hear?

The adventures of Valerie & Grace.....

So many things to nibble on when your a goat......

What's that? Why is she calling us? What's 'come get your grain' mean?

 

"No Grace, I’ve got this one figured out, we EAT it don’t walk in it!"

 

 

Y'all come back now, ye hear?

 

Win a pair of hand-hammered copper earrings..........................

To celebrate 1,500 followers on Facebook and to help make sure no one misses out on our blog posts

we are having a contest with ONE pair of hand-hammered copper earrings as the prize.

Here's what you need to do to enter.

1) Like our Facebook page (if you haven't already)

2) Sign up to follow our blog the way that suits you best

(there are several options on left side of our blog page)

3) leave us a message letting us know you signed up

Either under this post on FB or under this blog-post

(just comment "done" and your name so we can enter your name in the drawing)

Contest will run until May 31st and winner will be announced Monday June 2nd

Free shipping in the USA still applies, people from  out of the USA can enter too but will have to pay actual shipping costs.

Good luck and thanks for helping us spread the word!

y'all come back soon, ye hear?

Adventures of Valerie & Grace.............

So much to see! So much to learn...................................

 

           Mom says this is called a 'tortoise', it sure does move a lot slower than my sister and I do!

Weather and Coffee cake................

It may be May but it feels more like March here today! We've had over four inches of rain since Sunday and the temperatures are in the 40's today FOR A HIGH!! The wind is howling and it is still raining, so what to do?? BAKE of course! Warm the house, warm the heart, warm the tummy!

Cinnamon coffee cake

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

1 box yellow or white cake mix
1 package instant vanilla pudding
3 eggs
1 cup unsweetened plain yogurt
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
Beat all ingredients together by hand just till combined. Spoon half of batter into greased 9x9 inch pan sprinkle with half of crumbs, repeat with rest of batter and crumbs.
Bake at 350* for 45 minutes to one hour or until a knife inserted into center comes out clean.
let cool in pan 15 minutes, then slice and  serve warm with coffee or milk!
(it's very good cold too)
                                                  Crumbs:
2/3 cup brown sugar
6 T. flour
1 T. cinnamon
5 T. butter
Mix first three ingredients together in small bowl, cut in butter till crumbly.

 Lemon-Blueberry coffee cake

1 box Lemon cake mix
1 package lemon pudding mix
3 eggs
1 cup unsweetened plain yogurt
1 tsp. lemon extract
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
Beat all ingredients except blueberries together by hand just till combined, fold in blueberries and
 spoon into greased 9x9" pan. Sprinkle with crumbs.

Crumbs:
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
4 T. butter
Mix together and cut in butter till crumbly sprinkle over top.
Bake at 350* for 45-60 minutes or till a knife inserted near center comes out clean, cool 15 minutes then enjoy warm with coffee or milk!
 Y'all come back now ye hear????????

Goats......

                                                Copper, at just two weeks old, and in true goat fashion,
                                                                wasn't about to be intimidated by his first
                                                                    face to face meeting with his father Riley,
                                                 and Riley was more than willing to 'get down on his level'!

Babies outing.........

Penny, Copper, Valerie & Grace enjoy their first time out of the

barn without their mom's, while papa Riley looks on

 

Veteran momma Button enjoys the peace and quite in the barn while

first time momma Flossie, isn't sure it's a good idea!

 

 

Y'all come back now ye hear??

 

 

Better for you Banana bread.....................

This recipe is for all those banana's that you buy and then somehow they don't get eaten right when they are at that peak moment of perfect banana ripeness.  Toss them in the freezer then make up a loaf of this at your convenience!
Really wonderful grilled and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and plenty healthy enough for a quick breakfast!

Better for you Banana Bread
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Large eggs
1/2 cup fat free plain yogurt
3 over-ripe bananas, mashed smooth (to equal 1 1/2 cups mashed)
1 tsp. maple flavoring (or vanilla)
1/2 cup grape-nuts cereal
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 rounded tsp. baking powder


Beat butter, eggs,sugars, bananas and yogurt together, add flavoring and grape-nuts. beat well. Add flour and baking soda and powder, stir just till combined.
Pour into 2 greased loaf pans (light colored ones works best, since it cooks a long time) I sprinkle the top with cinnamon sugar and  bake at 350* for 45-50 minutes till tests clean when a knife is inserted near center.
Cool five minutes, remove from pan and cool completely then refrigerate.
This bread is even better the next day  !!!!!

The adventures of Valerie & Grace

Today in the adventures of Valerie and Grace the girls discuss  a goat topic as old as time :)

                                  Grace : "Come on Val, let's go on an outing."      
                                            Valerie: "  What's an outing?" 
                                  Grace: "It's when you break out and go somewhere.
                                            Valerie: "Oh OK, sounds like fun, I'm coming"
                                  Grace: No not there, come over here, where the holes are bigger."

Y'all come back now, ye hear?????

The adventures of Valerie & Grace

Continued from yesterday..........................

Grace: "take your time then slow-poke, I'm getting down"

 

Grace: "look there Penny, she's gonna make it!"

 

The adventures of Valerie & Grace

Continued from yesterday..........................

Grace: "Look Val , this way!"

 

Grace: "That's right, just follow me!"

To be continued....Y'all come back now, ye hear?

 

The adventures of Valerie & Grace

Today in the adventures of Valerie & Grace: In their  ever expanding world , the girls go out in the pasture and Grace finds something NEW to climb on, but Valerie needs a little convincing before she's ready to try it!

                                     Grace: "C'mon Val, give it a try!"

 

Grace:  "not that way silly!"

 

To be continued tomorrow........y'all come back now, ye hear?

 

 

 

Last summer/this spring Pasta sauce

Craving fresh from the garden flavor, but it's a little too early for tomatoes and squash right?
                 (((((Just planting our Tomatoes, cucumbers and squash this week here! ))))

This sauce is  just the thing, and more of a guideline than a recipe. :)
You can throw in any herbs that might be in the garden you enjoy --basil, parsley, rosemary or chives-- would be good and are all usually up and ready to go early,  other greens can be used instead of spinach too .Tender-greens, kale, baby chard, whatever is ready in your early garden.

Early green onions from the spring garden to equal about a cup
 if you don't have any yet dice one onion
sauté with 1 T. olive oil
2 cloves fresh garlic, crushed
1/2 lb hamburger (IF desired--it's really just as good meatless)
when onion is soft and meat done add:
1 T all-purpose flour
1 cup frozen shredded zucchini or yellow squash (I always put lots of this up every summer when we have squash coming out our ears!)
1 pint home-canned tomatoes (Un-drained)
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1 T. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. garlic powder (or to taste)
simmer till starts to thicken about five minutes
add
1 24 oz can tomato sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce can be used)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup red wine (optional)
let simmer 10 minutes
add 1 cup fresh spinach torn into very  small pieces, stir it in well and turn burner off. (1/2 cup frozen spinach can be used if needed)
let sit COVERED while you cook -
8 oz. pasta of your choice according to box.
Serve with sauce and a sprinkling of shredded cheese

Summer flavor a bit early :)
and the best side dish??  Fresh steamed green peas!

The adventures of Valerie & Grace

Today in the adventures of Valerie & Grace: Grace makes a new discovery in her ever expanding world and Valerie finds herself in a bit of a tight spot.

                               Grace: "Hey Valerie, Come look at this,
                                             I found something new to climb on.......................
                                                    and there's tasty stuff on top"

                         Valerie: " I'd love to Grace, but I can't right now, I'm a tad  stuck"

The adventures of Valerie & Grace

Today in the Adventures of Valerie & Grace:
Something has been bothering Grace ever since the visit to the neighbors yesterday.
 I've been thinking about it all night and even though mom says we're kin there is something different about Penny, but I just can't put my hoof on it!

                                Grace: "Come on Valerie let's go next door for a visit,
                       there's just something not quite right about that Penny goat I tell you!"

" Hey, Valerie, Come check this out!!!

 I knew something was different about her.

Maybe she's not related"

 

Can you see what Grace saw that made her think Penny was so different????

 







 

The adventures of Valerie & Grace

Today in the adventures of Valerie & Grace the girls discuss another adventure and the weather.

 

Grace: "Hey Val, let's go meet the new neighbors"

       Valerie: " I'd rather stay here and be warm, why is it so

cold this morning anyways??"

       Grace: "Mom said it's because it's 'Blackberry Winter',

                       and if we don't like it to just wait a minute

because it'll change"

 

Later: Outgoing Grace can't wait to get nose to nose with Copper and Penny

While Valerie is ready to head back to  her side of the cozy barn!

Blackeberry winter here in the Ozarks

It seems to happen every year, when you least expect it. The days have turned warm, the Jonquil's, the redbuds and the dogwoods have bloomed ,everything is growing, you have planted your early garden items (and maybe even your Tomatoes and Beans if your feeling particularly confident) , the blackberries are blooming, and then it hits.
Winter's last  fling,the cold snap that comes just when you think spring is finally here at last .
Known here where we live as BLACKBERRY WINTER. Songs and books have been written about it more than one music group has chosen it as their name.
Last year we had snow on May 3rd! This year we were in the 70's back in March and this morning May 1st was 39* ! And sure enough a quick look reveals the Blackberries are blooming.