Well, this year our garden pumpkins were dinky (again), and I was going to say I didn’t know why– but I think it do. They need feedin’, and we didn’t feed them. All the manure went to the other plants and flowers, and our pumpkins struggled along as best they could. Enter Jean, an older …

I like changing oil; it’s a good dirty job that needs to be done and doesn’t take long, and I can save a bundle doing it myself. Besides, it’s a good time to check other fluid levels in the vehicle, look at the air filter, and generally ensure I know what’s going on under the …

Abby Long’s Homemade Twix Bars Crust: 2 cubes butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 2 cups flour To make crust, cream butter and sugar. Add flour. Knead (or mix) and pat into a jellyroll pan (deep cookie sheet). Bake at 350 for 15-20 min., or until golden brown. Let cool. Filling: 2 cubes butter 1/4 cup …

Well, it’s the best angle I could get for this shot. Each of these shelves goes back two feet, and we tried to space them for maximum efficiency (as we did for the rest of the house), but even then not all the jars fit in the space. Iin this shot you see canned nectarines …

Well, I’m back in the office. And on Monday, I actually got the GLASS onto the GREENHOUSE! It was the second hardest job I’ve ever done (besides being a parent) since the pieces were over 7’ x 4’, had no edges to grab, weighed about 200 lb. eeach, and had to be lifted at least …

Jessica made both of these last night. For the cinnamon bread she rolled the dough from this recipe out flat, smeared it with butter and a generous sprinkling of cinnamon, rolled it up again, and plopped it in the pan. We had it toasted for breakfast this morning, along with our homemade apple oatmeal. Next …

This actually happened almost a week ago, last Friday, in fact. The snow stayed in shaded areas for upwards of four days. It’s been cooooold out there! January weather, sometimes. Way too cold for October, and I’ve been burning firewood frequently. That said, we’re back to more normal fall weather now. It’s welcome; I still …

Date night One of my highest priorities has been to spend time with my kids, regardless of how busy I am. So at our house Tuesday nights are designated Date Night with Dad, and each daughter gets a turn with Dad to do anything she would like to do that evening. (By the time Jacob …

I think last Friday I failed to mention that every Friday I would be posting one of Jessica’s recipes. I asked her to send one today, and she wrote a whole blog post! So without further ado, may I introduce my very very very special guest writer, Jessica The Magnificent: Here is the promised recipe …

When you live in the woods, your driveway is gravel, and your front lawn is all green stubs in dust, your leather shoes need shinin’. We try to do it twice a year whether they need it or not. On a Sunday afternoon after church, Dad breaks out the rags, the shoe polish, and the …