Pam's Perusal

Well, as you can see, I have been really negligent with my blogging…so, here goes! We have internet service in KY now, and I always have a myriad of things to write to you about; I’m just not usually at a place where I can drop everything and get on the computer! For instance, the new clothesline that Brian hung here was a great blogging occasion…it has been a while since I have hung clothes out to dry, so I was excited to get back to it! (Yes, I know that makes me strange!) Anyway, it occurred to me while hanging out the first load, that the work of putting clothes on the line had put me into a very pensive state of mind. Then I wondered…is it even possible to formulate ideas while throwing a load of clothes into an electric (or gas) dryer? I don’t believe that I ever have…that’s just sort of a mindless activity, whereas the physical labor of hanging out the laundry gave TIME to think and stretch and drink in the wonderful fresh air - all while accomplishing a needed household task!
And, lest you think I’m reduced to telling you about laundry because I don’t have any more good food to write about, I will let you know that we have had the best tapioca pudding on the face of the earth! Kayla has, of course, become a wonderful cook and likes to wow us with different things…so, she made some tapioca pudding; I know it doesn’t sound like a dramatic dessert, but by using our perfect fresh milk and our perfect fresh eggs, something as simple as that pudding becomes positively gourmet! As a family, we always comment about it becoming increasingly difficult to get good food when we go out to eat simply because we eat so good at home! There is just no substitute for growing your own foodstuff! I think the satisfaction of doing the job yourself actually makes the food taste better…kind of like hanging out the laundry makes the clothes (and you) feel better!
Gotta run for now, but I have more to tell you about, so, hopefully I’ll be back soon!

OK, I do love good food! I really like rice, anyway, but this morning, I took some brown basmati rice that I had already fixed (overnight in the crock-pot,) and heated it ever-so-gently on the stove with a generous amount of Minnie’s fresh butter and cream…you do know, don’t you, that “generous” is the only way to go when handling butter and cream, right?!?! I also added a half teaspoon of sugar (we use organic evaporated cane juice crystals) for each half cup of rice. Oh my word, what a positively divine breakfast! I told the kids that I don’t care if I ever see another bowl of oatmeal…I believe I could eat this rice every day! (Yes, they think I’m nuts!) It was just a bit too sweet to me, so next time, I’ll use a little less sugar; I want to taste RICE!

Well, I made mayonnaise this week…this was not the first recipe that I had tried, but it definitely was the best. The end product was ultra-thick and BEAUTIFUL!!! (Did you realize, before now, that mayo could be beautiful?) I promise, it CAN! And, to top things off, it is absolutely delicious…and I’m not exactly a mayonnaise connoisseur! To me, it has always been something to moisten your sandwich…or a medium for your chicken salad and such. But this mayo is a stand-alone gourmet food product-not that you would want to eat it by itself…it’s just that it has character!
Anyway, the most important aspect of this mayo is that it is fantastically HEALTHY! Now, since I used someone else’s recipe, I don’t think that I’m supposed to share it here, but let me implore you to obtain, read, and study Sally Fallon’s book Eat Fat, Lose Fat. I know that the title sounds faddish, but it actually contains very good info- scientific AND common sense. Her other book, Nourishing Traditions, is an invaluable resource for nutrition information and yummy recipes.
While I’m talking food (which I’m sure to do quite often!,) I have to tell you all about the latest cheese that we have discovered. You simply must try the Raw Milk Cheddar from www.heinis.com. It is GREAT food and comes at a GREAT price- less than $30 for a 6.25 pound bar!
I do suppose that’s all for now…Do visit our website often, as it is a work in progress. And, by all means, leave us your comments and feedback; we would love to hear from you!