Farm LIfe...Cloudy 25*

The last sunny day we let the pigeons out to fly, instead of
returning to the Loft roof they  chose this dead tree to perch in.
Naturalists will tell you some dead trees left in the woods are
important for wildlife and this is a good example.
Some day I'll have to tell you about THE "ICE STORM" and why we have so many dead trees.
(I'll do that on the anniversary, which is coming up soon .)
Once when cutting down a
dead tree we were startled to see a family of flying squirrels take flight as the tree hit the ground. They were probably even more
startled, poor things..............and then there was the time my husband cut the hollow tree and just nicked the tale of a sleeping opossum with the chain saw.... never a dull moment on the farm!
Thanks for following along on our adventures this year! 

How many pigeons can you see?

Share day and FREE Shipping...........COLD

Free shipping offer expires tomorrow!!!! Please stop by our ETSY PAGE HERE: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Jonquiljunction

TO check out all the hand-hammered jewelry that ships for free through the end of this month!!
And stop by our FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction/


To join in our last share day of 2015!!!!

 

Finally feeling like December....cloudy...30*

Walter and Butterscotch observing a truce over wood stove space.
This reminds me of a dear old lady I met here in the hills. When her
grownup son returned to the home place after years of working away he
moved his chair right up to the wood stove and stationed himself
there. One day during a particularly cold spell she told me "so & so,
bless his heart, sits right next to the stove and there's no room for
us". You'd have to know how lacking in floor space their cabin was to
appreciate this. She was a unique lady, was related to Jesse James,
and moved to the Ozarks in a covered wagon when she was a girl. I
recently saw a newspaper article mentioning a new book about Jesse
written by someone from this 'neck of the woods'. She has gathered
many stories and met a lady who had done likewise and now has put that
combined information into a book. It's called "Frank and Jesse James
Friends and Family" and is by Freda Cruse Hardison. It is on Amazon.
I'm going to buy one and surprise her son with it one day. I wish she
was still alive and I could give it to her. Some day I'll tell more
stories about her.

Sunday Quotes...more rain.....50's

Hem your

Blessings

with thankfulness

so they

don't unravel

 

 

A different Oatmeal cookie recipe....Rain coming

A surprisingly easy and good recipe that requires no flour, and is wonderfully tender and tasty!

 

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup & 2 Tab. old fashioned oats

1/2 cup evaporated milk (undiluted)

1 tsp. flavoring of your choice, almond or maple are wonderful

 Cream peanut butter & sugar, add milk & flavoring & mix. Stir in oats. Drop by spoonful's on oiled cookie sheet, makes about 20. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes, till firm but still soft. Let cool at least 10 minutes before removing to rack. If too soft to handle leave on pan longer. They will stiffen up.

These are delicious and guess what, no wheat for a change. Enjoy!

Digital Downloads......Clear, chilly

Have you considered a digital download???

          Quick last minute gifts for yourself or a friend!
                                             ************GREAT PRICES*********
No shipping, instant access, take it with you where ever you go on the device of your choice! Click here to see all our digital downloads https://www.etsy.com/shop/Jonquiljunction

Our "Everything Season" cookbook that is now available! ONLY $5.00 and NO SHIPPING!
For all of our friends who prefer working from a "device" you can now digitally download it!
28 pages, packed with over 30 recipes, tips, quips and lots of photographs...............
This cookbook has recipes for using the bounty of each particular season.
There's even a poem or two to carry you through the seasons

Full of our own country life photography, farm and recipe photos as well as reminisces about cooking, farm life and more...... here's a sneak peak at what it's all about!

In "Spring" we talk about "Everything" eggs, milk, fruit and have recipes and tips too!

"Summer" brings fresh veggies, canning, and how to deal with all that Zucchini (and other abundances'!)

"Fall" is dedicated to sweet potatoes, preparing for winter and fall fruits and nuts

"Winter" is a time of simmering soups, warm breads, and comforting desserts

This is a digital download ONLY.
A physical item will not be shipped, but will rather be directly downloaded onto your personal computer for immediate use!
One click of the download button for instant access to your file, once your payment has been processed.CLICK here to buy https://www.etsy.com/listing/254958239/digital-download-cookbook-digital?ref=shop_home_feat_2

 

 

 

Also available as digital downloads some of our country captures photography

stop by out ETSY page to read the story behind each of these photos and download them for your own personal enjoyment

https://www.etsy.com/listing/234355216/digital-download-cat-flowers-desktop?ref=related-2

You may use them however you want , whether it be prints, desktop image, canvases, personalized decor, greeting cards, stationary, backgrounds, mouse-pad (wouldn't a cat picture be perfect for that?) , you may print it as many times as you wish for these purposes.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/235018787/digital-download-photograph-desktop?ref=related-3

https://www.etsy.com/listing/234902738/digital-download-cat-photograph-desktop?ref=related-7

https://www.etsy.com/listing/237276118/digital-download-photograph-rose-antique?ref=shop_home_active_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/234903942/digital-download-goat-photograph-desktop?ref=shop_home_active_12

Home is where the Heart is....clear and cold

"Could we all brighten Winter by spending time with family and
friends?"

Here's a thought from our archives.
"Home is where the Heart is", my mother always said.
I wonder  sometimes what home held heartfelt memories for her.
Her mother died when she was 12, and her father left soon after.
So her new home was with relatives, not her parents.
I do remember her talking about the large brick home with the wrought iron fence that joined the sidewalk that she lived in when she was four. I wish I knew where that home was.
But wherever the location, part of what joins our heart to a particular home are fond & soothing memories of time spent with family and friends. I wonder if young folks today are building those memories when they seem to isolate themselves with technology.
 Please everybody, unplug, cook, share meals, play a game, share views, share memories, share crafting, there's no better time than winter!


The heart which gives freely, is never lonely

 

Creamy & Tangy Sweet Potato soup...clear...chilly

Creamy & Tangy Sweet Potato Soup
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large sweet onion
2 teaspoons ground cumin
3 large sweet potatoes
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups plain yogurt ( for less tang use 1 cup yogurt and 1 cup half & half)
Garnish of chopped parsley and/or cilantro and toasted pumpkin seeds and yogurt

Sauté onion in oil in your soup pot, adding in cumin. Add peeled,
cubed potatoes and chicken broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat and
simmer covered for 25 minutes. Remove cover and stir to cool, stir in
1 3/4 cups yogurt and puree in blender until smooth. ( Reheat
carefully if necessary) Place in bowls and garnish with dollop of
yogurt and parsley and pumpkin seeds.
This is surprisingly good and a nice way to add a vegetable at the beginning of the meal.

Shop handmade....rain....cooler

Welcome to JonquilJunction we're so glad you stopped by, you can browse through our store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Jonquiljunction
And if you have a minute we invite you to read our story here, to journey back to a simpler time and place! First a bit about the name,

Jon-quil n.) A fragrant flower with yellow or white blooms
Junc-tion n.) An act of joining; A place or point of meeting
We live in the rugged Ozark mountains, each spring scattered about all the old home places the jonquil’s still bloom, a welcome sign every spring!
I envisioned a place where we could all meet, a place to find ‘country wisdom’ , unique crafts, recipes, and memories of a simpler time......From that “seed” of an idea, and a lot of time and effort, in between everyday life and chores, grew Jonquil Junction’s Blog, Facebook page and Etsy store.


At JonquilJunction I wanted to connect crafters and customers .
My husband and I have both tried various crafting projects and venues over our 30+ years of living here , but the remoteness of our location prevented us from having our items seen by many potential customers' . Even though we love the simpler life we live here in the remote Ozark mountains, we needed a way to show our handcrafted items to a wider range of people so we are thankful (sometimes) that the invasion of the internet has allowed us to share our products with folks far and wide .

Our products are as varied as the weather in these hills:
My husband makes the Hand-hammered copper jewelry
After years of experience with precise woodworking and working with the springs, gears, and metals in his clock-making business, When a customer asked him to make a copper chain for a pocket watch, he used his knowledge of "work hardening" metal to design and craft a chain for the watch. That experience soon led to a line of copper jewelry, with a focus on earrings. He designs each piece in his head first then makes an individual ‘jig’ to bend and hammer the piece into the shape he desires. This time consuming process results in a unique and beautiful piece that you will never see in a mass-produced jewelry store.
All parts of his jewelry/earrings, except the ear-wire, are handmade and hammered, from the hammered body of the earring, necklace or bracelet right down to each individual , intricate and tiny piece .

Our daughter helps us with the internet side of the business as well as making all the hand-sewn items we offer- from the Handmade biscuit and rag baby quilts, denim rag purses, aprons, notebook covers, embroidered tea towels and more, she’s always trying something new.

I write for the blog , and capture photos featuring our menagerie of four footed and feathered friends as well as our beautiful country landscape, cook, develop recipes, and write in my 'spare' time

Do we have a favorite or best selling item?

Our favorite is our photography because is captures the essence of
our locality and our lifestyle (for better or for worse)
Our best selling items lately have been the handmade denim purses and egg aprons my daughter sews!

What do we like most and least about having a small business?

Most: The interaction and personal touch with people near and far.
Least: Time spent promoting--we’d rather be producing!

We're sure glad you stopped by and took a minute to read our story
feel free to follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction
and on our BLOG too www.jonquiljunction.blogspot.com

Sunday Quotes....rain....

Mom's Gingerbread...cloudy...warm

  MOM'S GINGERBREAD
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup molasses
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup hot water

Cream shortening and sugar, add egg and molasses and cream well. Add
dry ingredients alternately with hot water and stir well. Pour into
greased 8x8" pan and bake at 350 for at least 45 minutes. Check with
knife blade in center of cake. Cool on rack. When served warm cut with
serrated knife. A treat at our house was to serve this warm with
whipped cream. When cream wasn't available Mom would make a frosting
out of cream cheese, powdered sugar and orange juice.

Add caption

                                                            Enjoy!

Cookbook offer...sunny...warm for December

Exciting News! They're here! We had such a great response to our cookbook offer that we ordered a few extra SO if you haven't ordered yet, there is still some to be had, and still time to get them ordered in time for gift giving if you act fast!

If you would like to buy a copy, here's the info:
Our "Everything Season" cookbook that is now  available for sale, is just about recipes like this
In "Spring" we talk about "Everything" eggs, milk, fruit and have recipes and tips for all of these
"Summer" brings fresh veggies, canning, and how to deal with all that Zucchini (and other abundances'!)
"Fall" is dedicated to sweet potatoes, preparing for winter and fall fruits and nuts
"Winter" is a time of simmering soups, warm breads, and comforting desserts
Recipes for all these things along with quips and tips from 'our neck of the woods'
 This is a soft cover cookbook PACKED with recipes, helpful hints, quips & reminisces as well as many farm life & recipe pictures.$15.00 each $3.00 shipping for one $5.75 shipping for 2 or more, so order one for yourself and a few friends and SAVE on shipping! They'd make great gifts~ you can never have too many cookbooks!
Just private message us with your email and how many you'd like and we'll invoice through paypal so you can pay safely!
 Click here to order:

https://www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction/

IF YOU DON'T DO FB JUST SEND A PRIVATE MESSAGE TO US RIGHT HERE ON THE BLOG!

 Free digital download with each printed copy through the end of the month!

 

Sunday Quotes.....Sunny...40's

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.
Let him step to the music which he hears,
    however measured or far away." 
                                                               Henry David Thoreau

Sweet Potato Relish...Frosty...Sunny...30's

Here's a unique snack to go with cold weather indoor activities.
You'll be surprised at the combination of flavors, and it's nourishing as well.


Sweet Potato Relish or Dip

2 cups cooked Sweet Potatoes, cut in small pieces

1 cup cooked black beans, if canned beans are used, rinse and drain
3 Tablespoons finely chopped sweet onion
3 Tablespoons finely chopped parsley or cilantro
5 ounces Rotel tomatoes, drained
1 Teaspoon taco seasoning
Juice of 1/2 lime
Shake of salt (to taste)

Combine all ingredients, and let sit a few minutes to blend flavors.
Serve with tortilla chips or bacon flavored crackers.


You can find this and many other unique recipes in our "Everything Season" Cookbook!  If you would like to buy a copy, here's the info:
Our "Everything Season" cookbook that is now  available for sale, is just about recipes like this
In "Spring" we talk about "Everything" eggs, milk, fruit and have recipes and tips for all of these
"Summer" brings fresh veggies, canning, and how to deal with all that Zucchini (and other abundances'!)
"Fall" is dedicated to sweet potatoes, preparing for winter and fall fruits and nuts
"Winter" is a time of simmering soups, warm breads, and comforting desserts
Recipes for all these things along with quips and tips from 'our neck of the woods'
 This is a soft cover cookbook PACKED with recipes, helpful hints, quips & reminisces as well as many farm life & recipe pictures.$15.00 each $3.00 shipping for one $5.75 shipping for 2 or more, so order one for yourself and a few friends and SAVE on shipping! They'd make great gifts~ you can never have too many cookbooks!
Just private message us with your email and how many you'd like and we'll invoice through paypal so you can pay safely!
 Click here to order:

https://www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction/

IF YOU DON'T DO FB JUST SEND A PRIVATE MESSAGE TO US RIGHT HERE ON THE BLOG!

 Free digital download with each printed copy through the end of the month!

Cookbooks and Cats...sunny..chilly..36*

Exciting news ! The cookbooks have arrived!!! Thanks to ups tracking I knew they were coming and cleared off the kitchen table to photograph them, as so often happens I got busy doing something else for a few minutes and when I returned to the table with the camera this is what greeted me!

 

 

After removing Marmalade to the chair in front of the stove

 

I was able to return to my original project!

 

They're here! We had such a great response to our cookbook offer that we ordered a few extra SO if you haven't ordered yet, there is still some to be had, and still time to get them ordered in time for gift giving if you act fast!

If you would like to buy a copy, here's the info:
Our "Everything Season" cookbook that is now  available for sale, is just about recipes like this
In "Spring" we talk about "Everything" eggs, milk, fruit and have recipes and tips for all of these
"Summer" brings fresh veggies, canning, and how to deal with all that Zucchini (and other abundances'!)
"Fall" is dedicated to sweet potatoes, preparing for winter and fall fruits and nuts
"Winter" is a time of simmering soups, warm breads, and comforting desserts
Recipes for all these things along with quips and tips from 'our neck of the woods'
 This is a soft cover cookbook PACKED with recipes, helpful hints, quips & reminisces as well as many farm life & recipe pictures.$15.00 each $3.00 shipping for one $5.75 shipping for 2 or more, so order one for yourself and a few friends and SAVE on shipping! They'd make great gifts~ you can never have too many cookbooks!
Just private message us with your email and how many you'd like and we'll invoice through paypal so you can pay safely!
 Click here to order:

https://www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction/

IF YOU DON'T DO FB JUST SEND A PRIVATE MESSAGE TO US RIGHT HERE ON THE BLOG!

 Free digital download with each printed copy through the end of the month!

 

Share day ...sunny, cold..30's

Share your page, your favorite page, share this post, shop small and support us all!  Have a great Week!
Just stop by our FB page!
https://www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction/photos/a.811988788827390.1073741828.810022969023972/1308973809128883/?type=3&theater

Farm Adventures....partly sunny...40's

Tempest Pearl and Clover Gale turned 8 months old last week! Yes they are still here and when they do find a home, probably not until spring, parting will be harder now that I know them so well.
If you're new to our blog, you might like to see our tutorial, 
"The predicament of  posing cats and kids----A tutorial" made when they were newborn. You can read that post HERE