cheesy grits and meatballs

I have been back in the kitchen these days.  I did really well for about 15 months with the menu planning and then when tee ball started it kind of fell apart.  I could find every reason not to cook what was on the menu and either eat out or just eat whatever and we all know what that does to your budget, not to mention the waist line.  This week I got focused and we are back on plan.

Last night I made The Pioneer Woman’s Comfort Meatballs.  The recipe is not on her blog but in her cookbook, “The Pioneer Woman Cooks”.  If you have not added this to your cookbook collection what are you waiting for?  I was able to pick one up off of Amazon for around $12 and I must say worth every penny!

What do you think of my dish?  Mr. Miller found it for me on a Urban Treasure Hunt to the DAV a few weeks ago, not bad for .50 cents.  It isn’t Pyrex but Maid of Honor, I don’t know much about that line but if anyone does feel free to share.

We also had Cheesy Grits last night.  PW has a great recipe in her book also but I have a no fail that works for my hungry man.  Super simple and the kids eat it right up.

BAKED CHEESY GRITS

3/4 c. grits
3 c. water
1 c. grated Cheddar cheese
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp. butter
1/4 tsp. salt (optional)

Bring water to boil and stir in grits and cook according to package directions. After cooked, pour into a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Mix in the butter, egg and cheese, stirring constantly until thoroughly mixed. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until top is set and lightly puffed. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serves 4 to 6.

Fix a quick veggie and you have an amazing dinner!

By the way the diet progress is slow but I finally hit 20lbs gone this last week.  I have had ups and downs and I have a long road ahead of me but I know I can do it!

the store is back open

 

I have been feverishly working on diapers and such, not only for the Market but for my etsy sight.  Green Acres Closet finally has a few items in it.  I even figured out how to put a window on the side of my blog.  Not bad for the girl who still has issues sometimes with the computer.

I have really found a love for sewing again.  I am enjoying that creative side that had been buried so deep for so long.  Sewing is my therapy.  I talk about time outs and such during the day with the boys but truth be known sometimes Mama needs a timeout herself.  That is when I escape downstairs to my room.

I know I won’t make millions with my sewing but if it brings in a few dollars here and there then that is good with me.  It truly is an inexpensive form of therapy.  If you get a moment take a peek and let me know what you think.

{this moment}

~ a brief moment from my week that warms my heart

summer cobbler ~ a redux

I know that I shared this recipe with you last August but after making it this week I felt it was a must to be relived, enjoyed and shared again.  So indulge me if you will, you won’t be sorry.  This was a recipe I found through my friend Heather, check her blog out here.

SUMMER COBBLER

1 QRT FRUIT OF YOUR CHOICE

3/4 CUP GF FLOUR OF CHOICE or ANY FLOUR OF CHOICE

1 STICK BUTTER SOFTENED

1 CUP GF OATS

3/4 CUP BROWN SUGAR

Mix dry ingredients and butter in large bowl. This will be crumbly. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350. Take cake pan and line bottom with your fruit. Be careful not to over fill or you will have mess in bottom of oven. Spread topping over the top. Bake for 35 min or until golden brown and bubbly.

I had some blueberries left after making the muffins on Sunday morning and I had received 4 small peaches in my Fresh Connect order on Friday so I thought what the heck that will work.  Let me tell you it has been a great breakfast all week!  Enjoy!

a very special day

I have a little boy that loves green, John Deere green that is.  On Father’s Day Mr. Miller and Cameron got to take a special trip.  They went to Newton to help Mr. Tom harvest the back 80.  Cameron was so excited on the way down that he didn’t even eat the fresh blueberry muffins that Mama baked for their road trip.

Mr. Tom farms the land for our family and we are very grateful for the love, care and attention he gives the land but also to Gigi. 

Cameron was invited to ride in the combine and help.  Mr. Tom and Mr. Miller figured out that the last time Mr. Miller had been in a combine was when he was Cameron’s age and it was with Mr. Tom at their place. 

We were worried that the wheat would be too wet early in the week but we got the call Friday night that it was a go!  I know kind of ironic that a  Gluten Intolerant girl is married to the descendant of a wheat farmer.  We get great chuckles over that one.  Who knows maybe one day Cameron will be farming that land?

Mr. Tom informed Cameron that the wheat he was harvesting is sold to Dillon’s for their bread and to Tony’s pizza for their crust.  He thought that was very cool.

They had a great day and I had to very tired Farm Hands at 8:30 Sunday night.  A big Thank You to Mr. Tom, Mr. Lenny and Ms. Norma for making one little boy and one Daddy very happy.  I think this might have been on of Mr. Miller’s favorite Father’s Days.

give me strength and courage

I am back after a little break last week.  I am sorry to have been away but I had a little going on here at Green Acres.

We have had a ton of rain, which led to a wet basement.  UGH!  Luckily nothing was ruined it just added to my full day on Monday.  I had a full house with all my kiddos this week.  It was fun, crazy and inspirational all at once.  It gave me a little preview of what the fall will be like once I have “M” again full time.  “R” has started and will be here throughout the summer.

I took any spare time I had to get more diapers done.  I finally have a pattern I love and all of my bamboo velour came in.  I went to Farmer’s Market on Saturday and had a nice positive response.

Last but not least it has been a learning experience for me and Cameron this summer.  We are struggling with what to do to keep us busy.  I know he gets bored easily and I try to come up with crafts and puzzles but sometimes I just don’t feel like I can keep up with him.  We have had a few melt downs this week, but I know this is all part of the “puzzle” per say.

The drive to Topeka on Friday was hectic to say the least.  Henry was tired and cranky thanks to that 4th molar that came through last night.  Mr. Miller had worked a long week, Mama was a little short and not just in stature and then poor Cameron was just overwhelmed which led to extra stemming and chattering.  At one point I just closed my eyes and prayed, “Oh Lord, please enlighten me.  Give me the strength and show me the way…”  When I opened my eyes this is what a I saw.

Thank you Lord. You once again inspired me and showed me that there is a light at the end of this tunnel called Life and that I am not alone.

i did it…

 

Well I did it this weekend.  I cut my hair.  I have been growing it out since October of 2009, well that is the last time I had a major haircut.  I had a slight trim at Christmas but that has been it.  I have always been intrigued by Locks of Love but they want you to have 10 inches and I had just over 9 and was ready to do this, and you know how it is once you get the courage you have to do it.  I found Pantene Beautiful Lengths, same concept as Locks of Love but you only need 8 inches.  There you go problem solved.

I know you are wanting a picture of the finished product and I don’t have one of myself.  I will get one I promise.  I do love my hair.  I went with a stacked bob.  It is still wash and go and with my curls that is nice especially with the Missouri humidity.  This winter I will be able to straighten into cute style. 

If you have ever thought of doing a completely unselfish act, this might be for you.  Being the daughter in law of  a Colon Cancer Survivor these programs hit home with me.  The Deacon was lucky and didn’t lose her hair with the Chemo but others are not so lucky.  So what do you say?  It is only hair and it will grow back.

{this moment}

 

~ a brief moment that warms my heart…

                                                      ::6th generation Miller Man to walk this piece of land.

the boys of summer

 

Last week we had temps in the 90’s already.  I know, what the heck?  It is only the first week of June and I thought it was the end of July.  Patches of my yard were starting to reflect their angst toward the sweltering outside so I decided to take care of two things at once.  First, water these patches and second, get the kids out of the house!  We have great shade in the front and I knew that I need about 10 minutes of water each in about 4 areas so here we went. 

We called Jack over from next door because I knew Mike was going a little stir crazy too.  I lubed the boys up with sun screen and said “you have 40 minutes and the sprinkler is going to move around the yard, so chase it guys!”  This was Henry’s first experience, boy did he have fun! 

It was an eventful 40 minutes when Cameron lost his 4th tooth, we had blood, screams, laughter and tears when we had to turn it off.  It had all the ingredients of a good summer movie.  The tears were cured  when Mimi and Pops stopped for a “drive by” kissing on their way to St. Louis.

Now if I could get my rain barrels installed and have Mr. Miller get a pump at work oh the fun we could have. 

 

“the incredible, edible egg”

I love eggs! Can I let you in on a secret? I want to raise chickens. OK Dad, you can pick yourself up off of the floor now. Your “city slicker” daughter has not lost it, completely, well not yet. But, she values a good egg and the flavor of a free range chicken.

Mr. Miller thinks that I would name them all and they would become pets and not his Sunday dinner. I know there would be some separation anxiety and I would have to learn how to do everything but I think I could do it, maybe? I know I have a tutor on the “demise” of the chicken in my “sister from another mother”, Diane. She raised chickens and used to bring me eggs on a regular basis.

I would make sure the “chickens didn’t die in vain” as Mr. Buffett sang about. Of course my son Cameron would have to have a moment of silence and prayer, the Deacon is sure we have a future member of the Episcopal Clergy on our hands.

But alas, I live in the city limits and there are stupid rules on where a coop or chickens could be and my yard is too small. So for right now I will settle for these little beauties that get delivered to my doorstep every Friday from Kevin and Brookie Lee.

Oh how I love me some eggs!

weekending

We spent Sunday Morning at the City Market instead of church.  There I said it, don’t you always feel better after you admit your guilt.  I guess I could look at it as we spent time in the Sunshine with my Sister’s family enjoying all that the Lord has given us.  OK so that makes me feel better. 

If you are in KC and have not been to the City Market on Sunday morning you should go.  It is not as crowded and they have vendors with vintage items for sale.  I did find the boys some matchbox cars which they loved and at .50 each I felt I could splurge.  I also found a beautiful set of Pyrex Nesting Bowls and Cast Iron Pans, but after much deliberation Mama decided that those were definitely a want and not a need.  If there is anything I have learned in my search for simplicity it is the difference between wants and needs.  Now some of you will say the cars were wants, maybe so, but I will give up things to get treasures for my boys especially when they didn’t even ask for them.  They had so much fun on the side walk with them.

So forgive me as I indulged in my black and white button while we cruised for vintage treasures and just had a wonderful morning together.

{this moment}

 

~a brief moment from my week that warms my heart…

::3 generations

the circus train

 

Last weekend while we were in Newton we got to see a really cool train.  Newton is known for its trains.  In fact the High School mascot is the Newton Railers! 

Newton got its beginnings as a rough and tumble cow town. In fact from 1871 –1873 it was known as “bloody and lawless – the wickedest city in the west”. This reputation was much due to the 1871 Gunfight at Hide Park, which resulted in 8 men being killed.

In 1872 the western terminal for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and the railhead for the Chisholm Trail were established here. Newton served as the Middle Division dispatching headquarters for the "Santa Fe" until the mid 1980's when all dispatching for the Chicago to Los Angeles system was centralized in the Chicago area.  Newton still has a lot of train traffic through the center of town and we got to see the circus train this trip!  We did go “on adventure” to try and find the animal cars but we had no luck.  I am not sure if they had those stationed a little closer to Wichita or not.

Newton is a great little town full of history.  I am glad that Mr. Miller’s family history runs deep in Newton and well our little family has history there too, Cameron was born in Newton.  Our little men are 6th generation to run the land out at the farm and I think that is pretty cool!

Pumpkin Muffins and our final winner!

“Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to live fully in each moment and look at all beings with eyes of compassion.” --Thich Nhat Hanh

The Deacon had this posted this morning on her page and I found it quite moving.

My boys are playing trucks and the sun is shining, bread is rising and I have hot coffee in my mug so I ask what better to go with my hot coffee? Muffins and Pumpkin Muffins at that. I have a great, go to GF Pumpkin Muffin recipe. It also makes a loaf too. Just bake it in a greased 8x4 for 55-60 minutes or until done. The boys gobble these up and I make them pretty regularly.

pumpkin muffins

4 tbsp butter, melted

1/2 c sugar

1/2 tsp ginger

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 1/3 c GF flour mix, I use Pamela's it is my favorite

2 large eggs

1 cup of pureed pumpkin, canned is fine

Preheat oven to 350. Beat butter, sugar, eggs and spices together. Add pumpkin and flour mix well. Scoop into greased muffin tin. Bake 18-20 minutes until done. Yield: 12 muffins.

We have a winner for the pendent! Loriekay! Congratulations and thanks for all for entering!

memorial day 2010

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend. Ours was one full with Market, a trip to the family Farm, remembrance and healing.

Mr. Miller’s side of the family is from Newton so on Sunday we loaded the Urban Farm Truck and headed to South Central Kansas. The boys love visiting Gigi on the farm. We made one stop first, Greenwood Cemetery. We have a lot of family there and we promised the Deacon we would take care of the Patterson and Kurz plot. Mr. Miller’s Great Uncle Karl and his Grandfather Patterson both served in WWII so this was a chance for us to show the boys about Memorial Day and a little family history.

Greenwood has designated a beautiful memorial for those who have served our country. The flags around the cemetery used to have a name plate for each member served, now they have a paver garden with each persons name. This was very moving and wonderful to experience and a chance for Mr. Miller to tell stories about his grandparents.

On the drive home yesterday we came across the highway that our dear friend Jon was killed. We were able see and get a true sense of what transpired that fateful afternoon. This is all part of the long healing process of losing a loved one in such a traumatic way. Thankfully the boys were sleeping peacefully in the truck and Mr. Miller was able to spend some time alone on the hill. Please remember when you are out driving on these beautiful days that we share the road with our 2 wheeled companions too. Keep your eyes open and lets hope that no one else suffers the same way.

I have decided to keep the drawing open for the Pendant open thru today. Please leave a comment here on the blog to be entered. I will draw the lucky winner in the morning.