Serenity in the Suburbs

Dreams Change...On to the Next Adventure

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 23:55:00 +0000

I am copying this post from my "Farm Beginnings" blog to this one, rather than re-typing it all :-) It is the end of an era, for sure!!! But I am excited for Bryan, and look forward to this next chapter of life that my gracious, beautiful, powerful, all-knowing, and loving Heavenly Father has me embarking upon!

Posting here on this blog hit the "pause" button as the farm business picked up in earnest, and my blogging efforts shifted to the official farm blog as well as my Capper's Farmer blog. Much work has been done to the outbuildings, and farm business efforts have occupied much of our time.

Over the past couple of years, Bryan has been learning much about life, and about himself. This next piece of news will be surprising, though we've seen it happening bit by bit, so it didn't shock us too much...but Bryan has come to the conclusion that farming alone is not something he wants to continue. He has loved his farm...the land, his beautiful house, his animals...but trying to manage 40 acres in production by oneself is, simply put, impossible. And that is beyond discouraging. The feelings of isolation he's experienced were never part of his dream.

"Dreams change."
I spent a total of 6 academic years plus 3 full-time summer semesters in college. I went through 3 changes of majors, and finally emerged with one bachelor's degree (I should have a PhD after all that time, LOL!).
So I get this, totally.
Cutting to the chase--Bryan has always been fascinated with all things "flight" related, and with astronomy. He is taking the first steps toward preparing to apply to university in order to study aerospace engineering! From organic sheep farmer to rocket scientist...that's our "dreamer" boy!

Time will tell if it becomes a reality, but he has been taking "refresher" courses in science and math with Kahn Academy, to get his brain back in academia-mode, and is now taking a couple of classes for credit at the local community college in town to bring his transcript up to the level required by the engineering schools in which he's interested. He already has his AAS Degree in Agriculture Production and Management, earned with high honors (see that Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society gold honors tassel and stole?), but only his English Composition and Speech credits will apply toward a Bachelor's Degree in the STEM fields.

Photo Credit: Christine Anne Photography

Meanwhile, back at the ranch/farm, we have hired the fabulous crew from Heartland Builders to perform the remaining finish-carpentry work as well as some remodeling work that remained upstairs in the farmhouse...work that is way beyond our skillset and abilities. This final push to complete the Farmhouse Renovation will be completed over the next couple/few weeks, and then we will commence with the remaining painting jobs, completing them over the winter.

And then...the farmhouse and the farm itself will be placed on the market! We are already praying for the next owner of this lovely place, and would love it if we would find them quickly! We know the timing is in the Lord's hands, and where Bryan will take his early classes will be determined by whether or not we've sold the farm. Prayers...plenty of them...are invited and appreciated!

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The Latest From the Farm!

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 17:02:00 +0000

I am still helping Bryan up at his farm. It's been a year now since we first arrived, and I am running out of steam, I must admit. That said, we continue to work to make dreams become reality! This week, we had a welcome relief from heavy, dirty jobs when the concrete and masonry crew took over! There are several posts on the farm blog to read and lots of pictures to look at...enjoy!

http://farmbeginnings.blogspot.com/

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Introductory Herbal Course Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 04:12:00 +0000

What a great giveaway opportunity from The Homestead Lady! This is something I've wanted to do for a while, but couldn't justify the expense, given everything else we're "funding" right now (like a new farm, and college...). Have a look, and good luck!
http://homesteadlady.com/introductory-herbal-course-giveaway/

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Book Review: "Mothers Book of Home Economics"

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 16:19:00 +0000

When Mrs. White at The Legacy of Home published her latest book, Mother's Book of Home Economics, I couldn't wait to read it...and it didn't disappoint!

This book is a 312 page collection of essays from Mrs. White's blog, The Legacy of Home, published by The Legacy of Home Press. Easy to pick up and read in whatever amount of time you have, whether that's minutes or hours, the book takes a novel approach to teaching the economic management of home to women of all ages. Rather than they typical "textbook/how-to" approach seen in most of the books I've read, Mrs. White invites readers to "apprentice" with her by inviting them into her home to watch her real-life, everyday work, practices, and decision-making.

Her style is more than engaging...spending time at Mrs. White's side through her book is like being with a gentle grandmother as she lovingly pours forth her wisdom, learned through years of challenges, mistakes, and successes. I was often compelled to slow down with a cup of herbal tea and a scented candle filling the room with gentle fragrance as I read this book; that is the "mood" and the pace...never preachy, never overwhelming, but definitely convicting.

Mother's Book of Home Economics covers topics from cooking and cleaning to budgeting and frugal-living to getting along in marriage, but the main focus of the book is on the heart of a wife, mother, and homemaker, and this is the what sets it apart from the overwhelming number of books on the market that have a "how-to" bent. The book doesn't teach the reader how to fold the laundry, to cook an egg, or paint a bedroom. It assumes the reader's knowledge and ability in the "how" of housework, and thus allows for any- and everyone's individual tastes, tasks, and practices, while focusing more on the why of our homemaking practices. With each vignette I entered, Mrs. White gently reminded me, in whatever I am doing in my home to take a moment...take a breath...keep the big picture in mind...and then to tackle a task, make a decision, or speak a gentle word needed to someone around me. As a driven, multitasking, "lion" personality, I wish I had this book while my sons were growing up, but even now that my nest is on the verge of empty, Mrs. White's encouragement toward a more calm, peaceful, and steady-paced lifestyle has been a game-changer for me. Here are a few samples that I highlighted:

"With so many problems facing Mothers, we need to work on having a peaceful attitude. Of course we are going to get upset, and worry about things. If we learn to seriously give things over to the Lord, and not worry about everything, we will have an easier time. To have a happy home is going to take a daily fight. We will fight bad news, irritating people, messes, accidents and sickness. These fights are in the mind. We fight off the negative, and work on remaining steady through it all, like the hand that does not shake in the midst of trauma. This takes practice."

"I've been thinking a lot about material goods. Television is full of nice houses, nice cars, and people spending money on things that seem like necessities. I see people all around me with newer homes good paying jobs, and cash with which to splurge. I have to shake this all off because that is not my value system. I crave a spiritual life with fewer possessions. My permanent home is in heaven. I pour all my energy on my children, my husband, and my family, seeking my reward in the next life. ...Somewhere along the line, the American Dream spiraled out of control. It is not about being surrounded by fine things. It is about having a HOME and a FAMILY."

And this sample, which I consider to be classic Mrs White:

"It is raining and pleasant this early morning. The lush Vermont landscape is inspiring. It makes one want to shut off all the technology and enjoy the pleasant tasks of homemaking. I will sweep and polish by lamplight in my old country kitchen. Our little homeschool will start in just a few minutes. While my teenage student is working on math, I will do some baking as I listen to the rain falling and the birds singing. I will do a little laundry and delight in the folding and the sorting. It is lovely to put out fresh towels and do those little touches that make this place a home."

Mother's Book of Home Economics is a great book for any woman, of any age, who desires to build a peaceful, beautiful, love-centered home without a hint of "Martha-like" perfectionism. I think that this, and any of Mrs. White's books, would make a lovely gift for a teenage daughter, and also for a bride-to-be! It is available at Amazon.com for just $15.19...but the wisdom this book imparts makes it worth so, so, so much more.

Disclosure: I received this book from Mrs. White as a gift for review purposes...however, I have happily purchased her other books, and would have gladly purchased this one, as well!

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A Year of Sacrifice...Two Weeks of Rest

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 18:54:00 +0000

There hasn't been a new post here for several months...I've been blogging our family's adventures on our son's new (old) farm over at a blogspot dedicated to it (find it HERE). But I thought I'd share a quick summary on what we're up to these days.

First of all, I am beyond tired. Physically, emotionally, I am often spent. While I have for years dreamed of a life in the country, and am now basically living it, it isn't exactly what I was dreaming about. Not that I over-romanticized the amount of work that it would be...I didn't. But the life I dreamed of was mine...it was ours (mine and my dh's). The life that I live now, on the other hand, is one of service, and of sacrifice. The farm isn't mine. It's my son's. And it is, simply put, too much for a "green" 21 year old to do all on his own. So, until he and the Lord decide otherwise, I need to be there to help.

This means that I cannot be at my own home, which dh and I would desperately like to sell, but cannot, as it needs much time and attention and work before it would be ready...and I am not here to do what needs doing, and my dh is working so much that he's not able to, either.

It means that my dh has to be a "bachelor" of sorts. I come back once a week, for a brief 24 stay. He seldom has time to come up to the farm because of work, and other obligations here at home. It is hard. And I'm growing weary. But this is a time of service, of giving, and of sacrifice, praying that the Lord will continue to guide and direct our steps as He has over these many years of preparation for just this very time. We have times of fun and joy, and as many times of discouragement and downcast spirits. We see the Lord's hand of provision in so many ways, and yet I still, at times, wonder how He's going to pull this off. Notice that I lay this burden upon Him...I am beyond my strength. I do what I do for Christ. I don't do it for me, I don't do it for my son. I do it for my Lord, because He has told me to.

Just this last week-and-a-half, during the coldest days of winter this area has seen in decades, we were blessed to take our last "full family" vacation with our farmer son joining us. Once the livestock joins the farm this spring and fall, he will no longer travel with us. We had a beautiful and mostly sunny and warm vacation to the Bahamas and then Florida. On the days that were too cold and windy to swim in the ocean or the pool, I thanked God every hour that I was enjoying 60 degree temperatures along with the wind and rain, while it was 80 degrees colder in Illinois and Wisconsin! The vacation was a wonderful time to reconnect with my full family, and to slow down and savor a two week time of rest in the middle of this year of sacrifice. Our second day in Florida was 80 degrees with a chilly but not impossible-to-stand ocean. We spent the day on the beach basking in the sun and enjoying the rough surf. I watched a number of "silver heads" strolling the beach together. They looked to be 10 to 15 years ahead of me and my dh. I pray that in 10 to 15 years he and I will be in a place to be able to come back to this our favorite little spot in Florida and stroll the beach together...just the two of us. For now, we are still in the incredibly stretching and emotionally exhausting years of launching young adults. So our life is not our own, and seems to be turned on its head. It is difficult to be so scattered, and tomorrow we will begin to scatter again as our youngest heads back to university. I will carry my warm memories with me throughout the rest of this winter apart.

From the cruise, it was on to our beloved Vero Beach...

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Come See What's New at the Farm on the Hill!

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 22:22:00 +0000

Just finished a new post updating the latest at Bryan's farm! Visit my "Farm Beginnings" blog to see what's new!

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Visit My Newest Blog...Bryan's Farm Progress!

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Sun, 23 Jun 2013 03:56:00 +0000

While Serenity in the Suburbs continues its "summer vacation," I'd love it if you'd visit my newest blog which chronicles our adventures in helping Bryan start up his new farm, the Farm on the Hill! The blog is called "Farm Beginnings," and you can find it HERE. Stop by and say howdy!

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Fare Thee Well...My Own True Blog (for a while, anyway!)

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:08:00 +0000

I'm grateful for the folks who have commented here over the years, and have encouraged me, especially recently. Thanks for visiting! I'll continue to visit my usual blog-stops, but Serenity in the Suburbs is closing down for the summer in a few days. This blogger is "spent." Selah.

Bryan moves into his farmhouse in about 3 weeks, and I will be a summer houseguest who helps him clean, paint, organize, cook, and eat. I'll leave the heavy outdoor labor to him and his brother and their young friends :-D Once his website is operational, I'll post it here, and share it with you!

Have a wonderful summer!

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Sharing a GiveAway

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Sharon over at Legacy of Home is having a little "Home Remodeling" GiveAway! Visit her contest post to learn details and enter!

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When Dreams Become Reality

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 06:57:00 +0000

Life certainly has its chapters. My blog here has made twists and turns, but primarily it has been a family story. I started this blog because I had one special story that God put on my heart to share...it was (is) a story of His great faithfulness, of His perfect plan, and of His ability and kindness to do more than we can ask or even think. My blog began with part one of, "I Wish I Could Go To A Farm." It is the story of a young boy from the mega-suburbs of Chicago, and his relentless desire to pursue a place he had never been to...a real farm.

For the last 13 years, he has pursued his dream. And now, finally, the dream has become a reality.

On Friday, April 19th, Bryan signed the contracts and closed the real estate deal...he is now the blessed and thrilled-beyond-belief owner of the Farm on the Hill, located in southwestern Wisconsin! Since he is allowing the current owners to stay in the home until their high school age children finish their school year, he will not move in until June. But the farm is his, and the dream has become a reality!

Jeremiah 29:11 says, " 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.' " It is the verse that Kevin and I chose for Bryan when he was born as his "life verse." God put His plan in Bryan's heart, inexplicably so as far as I could understand, when he was just eight years old. I didn't know any farmers. But God did. God knows lots of farmers. And now, my son is one of them.

A look back at this amazing path God had us on, and a look at the farm in Wisconsin which Bryan now owns and will be moving to this June...

The petting zoo at our County Fair...the only place I could think of to take him
when he said he wanted to go to a REAL farm!

Nowhere else Bryan wanted to be...day and night he was there!

Age 10: Bryan spends five days and nights at The Country School Farm
in Amish Ohio...this is where the real spark happened,

and a childhood vision began to take hazy shape.

He would return here for two more summers, and fall more in love with this life.

Kline Creek Farm...the spark ignites into a flame,
and the vision becomes clearer.
Bryan would spend about 8 years volunteering at this living history museum and farm,
and would be a staff member for a summer during college.

The Farmstead B-Inn-B...where Bryan realized that
he did NOT want to be a dairy farmer after all...
it was the sheep he wanted to work with.

Bryan starts his knife sharpening business at age 15, and begins to save
for the incredibly expensive farm start-up he dreams about...

Harvest Home Farm in Whitehall, Wisconsin...

Bryan's vision of sustainable, pasture-based, organic sheep farming
comes into focus, and the radical learning shift away from the industrial model begins.

The degree in Agriculture Production and Farm Management

...a good thing to have, but the real learning would happen away from the college which taught the industrial model of agriculture, something Bryan wants little, if anything, to do with.

(Photo courtesy of Christine Anne)

Preparation for the REAL world of sustainable farming...

Three fabulous days and nights, living and working at Polyface Farm,
despite being incredibly sick with the flu!

Followed by 7 months of internship at

Sap Bush Hollow Farm in NY

After he finally returned home, the hunt for a farm was on in earnest!

A little classified ad on a Rodale site led us to the 40 acre property
which Bryan would ultimately purchase and name the

"Farm on the Hill"

"For I am confident of this very thing,

that He who began a good work in you

will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 1:6)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight

(Proverbs 3:5-6)

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Honest Food Fight...Yep, This is a War We're In

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:10:00 +0000

My Journey to Honest Food

From "TakePart.com"...

"When the Senate passed a budget resolution Wednesday that appears to prevent some of the potential damage from sequestration, the Continuing Resolution included several food- and agriculture-related earmarks.

"But one inclusion in particular is especially controversial. The “biotech rider” would require the USDA to approve the harvest and sale of crops from genetically modified seed even if a court has ruled the environmental studies on the crop were inadequate. This aspect of the bill infuriated many sustainable food and agriculture groups, who nicknamed the bill the “Monsanto Protection Act.” If signed into law by President Obama, here’s what the rider would do: ..." Read the rest of this brief but informative article HERE. And please sign the petition that is to be sent to the President...do it NOW!!!

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Doggone! Not My Organic Apples, Too...Journey to Honest Food

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:15:00 +0000

My Journey to Honest Food

Yep, even our organic (OG) apples and pears are sprayed with antibiotics. I had no idea until I read this today:

"Every time you eat an organic apple or pear, you expose your gut flora to measurable levels of streptomycin and tetracycline," explains the Organic Consumers Association (OCA). "This increases your chances of developing resistance to these important antibiotics, both of which are essential to treating human disease."

Take the link below to read the rest of this article from Natural News: http://www.naturalnews.com/039472_antibiotics_organic_fruits_petition.html#ixzz2NR79QAw0

I'd been just water-rinsing my OG apples, but now I'm thinking I should go back to the fruit-and-veggie-wash stuff I used to use on my conventional produce before I went OG. Must I peel every doggoned apple I want to eat?

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I Wish I Could Go To A Farm (Bryan's Story)

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 23:23:00 +0000

If you're not familiar with Bryan's story, you can read it HERE. It was his story that prompted me, years ago, to begin blogging. How fun to come to this point...we've been praying, and taking action, too...still praying, but the final chapter of that story (as far as this mom is concerned) is getting really, really close to being written...so keep praying with us!

When God finishes this chapter, I'll post it in detail. For now, we are resting in Him, continuing to pray, and waiting on His timing.

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Rest in Peace, Sweet Sunny-Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 23:54:00 +0000

It is never easy, saying goodbye to someone you love. This past Tuesday morning, I took my beloved Sunny-Dog to the vet and had her "put down." We've known this day was coming for some time now, but it was still one of the hardest things I've ever done. Sunny was 12.5 years old...that's quite old for a labrador retriever. She was a genetic-nightmare...purebred, AKC registered, but with severe allergies to grain and dust, and hip problems. Her hind legs have been weakening over the last year, and she limped a lot. The vet had told us that she had nerve damage in the hips. Sometimes she had trouble lifting her hind foot properly when she walked. We knew that the time would come when her hind legs would simply give out. Over the past month, we saw a dramatic decline. She limped a lot, and had much difficulty standing up once she was down. Monday night, she began to drag her right hind leg behind her with each step. She fell twice. And the itching from her allergies was so bad, she chewed a 3 inch wound into her leg and it bled...alot...all over the house. She was moaning quite a bit with the itching. So we made the difficult decision that night to take her in the following morning. My vet and her office staff were so precious...so tender with me and with Sunny. She told me that once these dogs get to this stage, it would be only be about a week, two at the most, before she would no longer be able even get up, and she agreed that it was time. Today in the mail I received a condolence card, signed by all the doctors and staff. They have cared for Sunny and her many health maladies for the last 12 years, and I'm so thankful for them. Here is a little look back at our life with our precious Sunny-Dog... August 2000Hmmm...which puppy should we choose? They are all 7 weeks old...

This one seems to like us...

So cute! We're falling in love fast...

She's been socialized nicely by the breeder's little girl...

Dad likes her...

Yep, she's the one!

First look at her new home...

Oh...my...heart...
God outdid Himself when He created labrador puppies...

Sunny's first toy...

Tummy rubs and wiggles...

New puppy...New puppy-owner

First day of school (in our "before homeschool" years)...

2001-2013

Children grow up alongside of Sunny...

Sunny joined us on vacations...

She joined us on walks...

She took the boys for walks...

She made doggy-friends wherever she went...

Joie de vivre (especially in the snow!)...

The octopus...her favorite toy!

Getting Older...

Always smiling...

Always begging...

"What??? No more food?" Sad...

Dogs' ears are always entertaining...

Always loved to visit the hibiscus pots...

Lovely...scars and all

My silly old dog.

My beautiful Sunny-Girl.

Thank you for 12-1/2 precious years of your unconditional love.

May you rest in peace, sweet dog...you were loved, dearly.

Sunny

July 1, 2000 - February 19, 2013

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Honest Food Movement: Help Needed NOW to Stop GM Salmon

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:44:00 +0000

My Journey to Honest Food

I received the following in my email today from the Weston A Price Foundation...your help is needed immediately!

FDA poised to approve GE Salmon – Take Action!

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is poised to give genetically engineered (GE) salmon its final stamp of approval. We have until February 25 to submit comments to the FDA asking them to stop their mad rush to put GE salmon on our plates!

The GE salmon has been genetically altered to produce extra growth hormones, allowing it to grow faster and bigger than natural salmon. There are no independent studies on the salmon’s safety. FDA instead relied on the false assumption that GE foods are equivalent” to natural foods, as well as data provided by the company that created, and stands to profit from, the GE salmon. At the same time, FDA ignored the concerns raised by thousands of Americans and dozens of legislators and scientists, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

Since it will not be labeled, people will have no way of choosing to avoid GE salmon in the stores if this fish is approved. In addition, the GE salmon poses a threat to those who wish to eat wild salmon or other seafood. If the GE salmon escape from the fish farms, which is all too likely, they could devastate native salmon populations, as well as the fish and marine mammals that depend on salmon for their food. Scientists have predicted that escaped GE salmon would likely wipe out wild salmon populations, which will destroy the livelihood of coastal communities that depend on fishing.

Yet again, the Administration is willing to gamble with our health for the financial benefit of one biotechnology company. US citizens have the opportunity to comment to the FDA, expressing their opposition to genetically engineered salmon.

Please speak up now!

TAKE ACTION

Please submit your comments to the FDA, urging it to halt approval of the GE salmon. Comments must be received by the FDA no later than February 25, 2013.

ONLINE: Go to http://www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FDA-2011-N-0899-0001

* There is a time limit on the government’s online system. We encourage you to write your comments and save them in a document on your computer, then copy and paste them into the online comment form or upload the file.

* For the required field “Organization Name,” please enter “Citizen.”

* Remember to hit “submit comment” when you are done.

BY MAIL:
Division of Dockets Management
(HFA- 305), Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852

Include the following docket number in your mailed comment: FDA-2011-N-0899.

SAMPLE COMMENT

Please personalize these comments! Include a personal statement about who you are or why you care about this issue at the beginning of your comments so that it’s not just a form letter. The personalization can be just a few sentences, but it does make a significant difference.

Docket FDA-2011-N-0899
I am writing to urge you not to approve genetically engineered (GE) salmon. The agency’s draft assessment does not adequately examine the risks posed by the first genetically engineered food animal, both to people and our environment.

First, the draft assessment does not adequately address the many potential food safety risks posed by GE salmon. There are potential human health impacts from both the increased levels of hormones and the increased allergenicity. The agency should not approve a genetically engineered food animal for commercial production and sale without independent, long-term studies on its health effects in people.

Second, the draft assessment also fails to adequately address the major environmental impacts of GE salmon. The agency assumed that the GE salmon would only be raised in the type of facility specified in the company’s application. But once approved, it is very likely that GE salmon will be raised in other, less secure, types of facilities, such as open net pens in the ocean. The persistent problem of escaped fish and the spread of diseases from commercial salmon farms where this GE salmon could one day be produced must be evaluated before approval.

I urge you to put human health, the environment, and the economic well-being of coastal fishing communities first. Please delay approval of GE salmon until the results of independent scientific studies show that genetically engineered fish is safe to eat and harmless to the environment.

Please also require the labeling of GE foods, to allow consumers to make an informed choice.

Sincerely,

Name

ADDITIONAL ACTION

If you would like to do more, please contact your legislators, asking them to block the approval of GE salmon.

To find contact information for your representative and two senators, go to:

* House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

* Senate: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Call or email each of your legislators with the following message:

“My name is___, and I am a constituent. I urge you to take action to stop the approval of genetically engineered salmon by the FDA. There is absolutely no independent research showing that it is safe for people to consume this GE fish, both because of the increased levels of hormones in it and its altered DNA.

To add the potential for harm, the salmonwouldn’t even be labeled, so Americans won’t know what they’re eating. The fish also poses a threat to the health and economic viability of wild salmon and our coastal fishing communities. Please take action today to halt the agency’s approval process for GE salmon.”

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TPP: Workshop Cleanup

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:48:00 +0000

I have begun the process of cleaning out 12 years of living in our beautiful home in preparation for selling it this spring, Lord willing! It is beyond overwhelming to think about it as a whole, so I am simply placing one foot in front of the other, and taking small steps each day. Over the next 3 months, I desire to give God ALL the glory for what He will allow me to accomplish!

"I can do all things through Him Who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13 NASB)

Entrance to the Basement Workshop

I had a burst of energy on Saturday (thank you, Lord!), and was inspired to attack the basement workshop, where Bryan does his knife sharpening. I couldn't find my camera, so (blessedly) I do not have "before" pictures to show you. Suffice it to say, the small area was crammed full of the boys' Airsoft weapons, BB's (which were not only in their container jars, but also rolling around on the floor), boxes half-filled with the cardboard safety sheaths we put on customers' knives after we sharpen them (more on this in the photos below), and miscellaneous used-up sharpening stones (why, when they are worn down and completely used do they go on the floor and in cabinets, instead of in the trash???). There was a cabinet filled with Lord-only-knows-what that hadn't been emptied out for cleaning in 10 years (we simply crammed more into it), and a shelving unit FILLED with old paint and stain. Totally unusable.

Step 1: I filled 3 big boxes with the old paint and stain, and called my dh downstairs with orders to take them to the chemical recycling center. (Hint: when cleaning out workshop cabinets, get your dh OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR AN HOUR OR TWO...makes things oh-so-much-easier!!!)

Step 2: I went through the cabinet, and took everything out of it, one shelf at a time. Garbage went into the trash bag, "keepers" were placed on the freezer chest. The now cleared shelf was washed, dried, and the "keepers" were dusted off, bagged or boxed as appropriate. This routine was repeated for the remaining shelves until the whole thing was clean and clear.

The result:

Step 3: With the vacuum hose attachment at hand, I pulled out all the boys' Airsoft things which were laying in piles across from the sharpening table (you could barely walk through there!). Into a large box they went to keep them together, and out into the main basement to free up the space. These toy weapons are going to be offered for sale shortly. Then I began to vacuum up all the lint, bugs, and BB's from the floor, walls, ceiling joists (ok, ok, you're right...there weren't any BB's on the walls or in the ceiling).

Step 4: We have the safety sheaths for the knives shipped to us by the case lot. These boxes were stacked on the floor under the table, and around the table. We kept them closed, so the sheaths are totally clean, but lint gathers around the outside of the boxes on the floor. I vacuumed off the boxes, moved them out of the workshop temporarily, then vacuumed all the lint from beneath the workshop table. I also vacuumed the walls and window areas by that table.

The result:

Step 5: Since all the old paint and stain were off the shelving unit, I had a whole new storage area! It got vacuumed, damp-wiped, and dried. I decided to devote all but the bottom shelf of that unit to Bryan's sharpening supplies, which had previously been on the sharpening table (decreasing his work space) or on the floor beneath the table.

We have an old refrigerator in the basement, right in that space, which was damaged in our last move. The side panel (inside, not outside) cracked, and it can no longer hold the bins that are typically mounted inside your fridge door. I had saved them, thinking they might be handy someday. NEVER DO THAT!!! I just got lucky, as they turned out to be the perfect size for Bryan's safety sheaths! (The typical plastic "shoe box" storage bins are too short for the sheaths.)

The result:

Top Shelf: Extra box of sheaths; alcohol for cleaning blades, rubber bands, scrap sheaths
2nd Shelf: Refrigerator bins used for holding safety sheaths, labeled by size
3rd Shelf: Blades in bin purchased at flea markets, for students' use in Bryan's sharpening school, and bottles of distilled water, which is used in the sharpening machine to keep the blades cool during grinding.
4th Shelf: 3 custom color paint cans so we can recreate the color when we go to repaint...I will copy these formulas down somewhere later, and we'll get rid of the cans; also, boxes with various tool jigs for Bryan's machine.

Step 6: The final step was simply to pick up any remaining scraps and bits and empty boxes (after putting sheaths in the bins) and to throw away and/or recycle, then to vacuum up the area one last time. There are a few things still "disorganized" on Bryan's work table, but it is for him to decide where he wants these items, and how he wants to organize the space.

The final results:

View when you first walk into the workshop

From total mess to...well, this ISN'T supposed to be where we rest, LOL! But it IS a great, usable, functional space!

The boxes at left are the extra sharpening machines...one is Nathan's, and one is going to be used by students at Bryan's sharpening school. The box on top is empty, Bryan uses it when we do farmers markets in the summer and we're moving his machine in and out each week. The large blue bins beyond the vacuum are the market bins we use to haul everything we need for the farmers markets.

I believe we filled 4 large garbage bags, recycled about 8 old boxes, plus the 3 boxes of old paint that went to the center. It sure feels ~~good~~ GREAT to have this project finished! Bryan was very pleased when he saw it. He had been away for two weeks, at a conference and at the woodworking school in Texas that he'd been waiting to attend since he was just 16 years old (he's 21 now)! It was my "welcome home" present to him!

Next week I will be sharing my efforts at preparing my home for selling, probably beginning upstairs in the bedrooms. Even today, I cannot wrap my mind around what I am about to do, but thanks to Leslie's blog posts about staging her own home for selling, I now have a roadmap...something that had been completely missing before. She helped me to see the process in a different light, and I will share how it's working for me as I go along. I'll try to remember to take "before" pics this week!

Thanks for visiting, please leave a comment to let me know you were here, or to let me know what you are working on this week! Each encouraging comment brightens my busy day tremendously!

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DeCluttering NOW So Spring Cleaning is Possible

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 19:00:00 +0000

It's time to break out my old "Tuesday Project Party" button, but this time without the meme-linky. My target "share day" is Tuesday...so I shall try to have my updates posted by then.

So...it is SERIOUSLY time for me to roll up my sleeves and break out the contractor's trash bags...you know, those big-ole bags that are used for serious loads of trash. I am, Lord willing, 3 or 4 months (okay, I'll pick four) away from putting my home up for sale. I already grabbed a "Big Deal" from Angie's list, to have two painters in my home for 8 hours for a low, fixed price. I need to have them in by early March. We will use them to paint the two stairway walls (which require makeshift scaffolding, we have long, tall staircases) and the "cathedral" type ceilings in two of the bedrooms. If there is still time, we will have them paint all of the ceilings, as I have an old whiplash-type injury (sustained during my work as an RN), and cannot bend my head back for more than a few moments without pinching off all the nerves in my shoulders and ending up in tremendous pain for a couple of weeks.

Sounds great, yes? Well, yes...sort of. But here is what needs to happen first:

Our carpeting, which begins at the stairs and goes up them, into the upstairs hallway, and into the 4 bedrooms, needs to be replaced. It is 12 years old, and has been destroyed by a rambunctious dog and two boys. The dog's hind legs are just about shot (big dog, bad hips), so she doesn't climb stairs anymore. We want to tear out the old carpet before the walls have new paint, so the walls don't get scuffed, scratched, and dirtied by the carpet installers.
The bedrooms (one of which is my office) are filled with 12 years of accumulated clutter, and the management of not only our own home's monthly needs, but the 2 businesses I operate from home, my parents' financial and medical management (I take care of everything for them), and my husband's mother's stuff leftover from the massive cleanout of her home this past spring and summer (yes, there's STILL stuff here...old photos, old family records from Czeckoslovakia, receipts, yeesh). In order to recarpet the bedrooms, we'll have to empty them out.
The closets are overstuffed, and I know that the boys do not wear everything that's in their closets and drawers...and neither do I! Just wait til they come home from conferences in Texas and from the university...ha!
Our basement also has old carpeting in it which should be replaced before the house goes on the market. The basement is FILLED FILLED FILLED (you can barely walk in it) with my mil's old furniture, which Bryan will take to his farm (if you're reading carefully, and you know me from past blog posts about Bryan, you'll ask, Bryan's farm??? Did Bryan get a farm??? Hmmmm...
The basement is also filled with homeschool curriculum, which I am desperately needing to sell...visit my used homeschool curriculum sale! I need to get EVERYTHING cleared out of the basement in order to have it re-carpeted.

So, the Angie's List great deal on painters...yes, it's a good thing. But it's really lit a fire under my tail now...you have to pay for these deals right up front, so this is bought and paid for....use it or lose it!

It's time to get brutal in my home...with stuff. You cannot organize clutter. You can organize your dear, precious, useful things, but not the clutter. Clutter can be hidden, to an extent, but if we're hiding stuff, we must not really need it.

I always love a home the most when I have it up for sale...because it looks its best. In a few months, I hope to feel like I will miss this home when I leave it! For now, I can't wait...it's just too much house to care for with just me and dh in it most of the time!

I'll post photos and updates each Tuesday. If you are working on a big or somehow overwhelming project, share it with me in a comment...we can spur one another on! The commitment to blog and share photos of progress is always something that provides a needed "shove" in the right direction for me.

It's funny, I started this Project Party as a meme years ago, after my SSiC (Sweet Sister in Christ) Mary stopped doing her Tightwad Tuesday meme. She has now resurrected her TWT posting (click the image at left to go over to her blog, you'll love these!), and I'm resurrecting my TPP posting! Two old-new ways to be inspired on Tuesdays!

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Holiday Happenings...2012 Becomes 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 05:52:00 +0000

Christmas Eve with my parents, Tom and Marianne...

(Below...the "Swiss Alps Christmas Eve Dinner")

My precious boys...

My handsome hubby...

Us...

Christmas Day with my husband's mother, Lorraine, at Sunrise Assisted Living Center...

Nathan making me tea at "The Bistro" at Sunrise

December 28th we left for a wonderful family getaway with dear friends, which lasted through New Years Day...a winter wonderland awaited our arrival in the beautiful state of Wisconsin! The area received 20 inches of snow just a few days before we arrived!

Tomorrow, January 2nd, we have an important meeting...a matter we've been praying about for many years now. May our perfect and precious Lord lead us all the way!

Happy New Year to you and yours!

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Having a Swiss Alps Christmas Eve Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Happy Christmas Eve!

Tonight my beloved parents will join my little family for Christmas Eve dinner. My dinner menu replicates, to the best of my ability, the dinner I saw on the plates of the sweet family who live high up in the Swiss Alps, in the little village of Gimmelwald. Each Christmas Eve I love to watch my "Rick Steve’s Christmas in Europe" DVD, and...hands down...my favorite segment of this DVD is the Swiss Alps Christmas. I've included the two video clips (each about 5-1/2 minutes long) below, for your enjoyment :-) fyi, the 2nd clip starts with the dinner.

I'm not sure what the other little side dish on the plate is...it looks like something shredded, but I can't tell. Is it what he is calling "mountain cheese?" I always thought the cheese was part of the description of the scalloped potatoes. Anyway, we decided to try a new recipe for "Swiss Green Beans." It is a creamy casserole with slivered green beans tossed in a white sauce, covered with shredded Swiss cheese and buttered bread crumbs, then baked. If it's delicious, I'll post the recipe later!

My menu, then, for tonight's dinner is:
Ham
Scalloped Potatoes (made with Gruyere cheese)
Lingonberry Sauce (I'm pretty sure that's what I see in the video)
Salad made with butter lettuce...so smooth!
Swiss Green Beans

We will have Snickerdoodles for the cookies, as I already have them on hand (Nathan loves them, so we baked them last night). I will also try to make a quick gingerbread in an 8X8" pan, and will whip up some fresh heavy cream to go with it.

Now, my Christmas Eve offering to you...my favorite clips from "Rick Steve’s Christmas in Europe." Take an eleven-minutes-long break from your activities, and enjoy! I love the peacefulness, the simplicity, and the picture of the family generations coming together, and sharing the Scripture reading of the birth of Christ. I hope you love it, too!

Rick Steve’s Christmas in Europe ~ Part 9

Rick Steve’s Christmas in Europe ~ Part 10

May God bless you and your families as you focus on the beauty of God’s plan for His children,
and all that "Emmanuel" means to you.

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Joyous Noel!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 01:16:00 +0000

Wishing You and Yours a Blessed & Happy Christmas!

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Honest Food: Trying Einkorn, An Ancient Wheat

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 23:23:00 +0000

My Journey to Honest Food

Over the last 10 years, I've done a lot of reading and learning about food. I've been a raw foody, a vegan (briefly, but I felt better than I had in decades doing this...I just couldn't keep it up with a young homeschooling family to care for who did NOT want anything to do with my food schemes!), a junk-food junkie, a fast-food junkie, a...well, you get the picture. I recently came across a doctor who was interviewed about his book titled, "Wheat Belly." Fascinating! I love breads...comfort foods. I mostly buy organic, or grind my own organic wheat into flour to make my own bread. I love that (*smiles)! Even so, for the last few months, something in my system has felt "off." I'm not getting any younger, and I know I need to be more careful with my health each passing year. My love of breads and pastas has caught up with me! But I will NOT jump on the so-called "Paleo Diet" bandwagon. Just as I don't ever want to go "vegan" again. God gave us these good foods to eat, and Jesus ate them. So how to reconcile that?

As I listened to the "Wheat Belly" doctor's interview, he talked about the problems that can occur with our modern wheat. It was fascinating to me. I know that not everyone has a problem...but I think I'm developing one, and I want to stop it in its tracks. So I did a search for ancient wheat, and I found this stuff:

Photo from http://jovialfoods.com/blog/2012/01/einkorn-wheat-berries/

It's called "Einkorn" wheat. It is the only remaining wheat that has never been hybridized, making it the genetically purest wheat available today. The photo above is an einkorn wheat field in Tuscany that was featured on the Jovial Foods blog (Jovial provides the einkorn wheat that I bought...it can be purchased at www.jovialfoods.com ).

Since I'm trying to get to a place where I only will eat foods in their original state (that's a looooong, tall order, btw, one that is going to still take time if the good Lord allows me more of it!), I thought I would give this new...I mean, this OLD wheat a try! Einkorn wheat has been on the earth for many thousands of years! (Learn more about it at the Jovial website, HERE.)

Their recipe looked simple enough...grind a pound of einkorn berries into flour, mix with water, yeast, honey, and sea salt. Stir together with a spatula...no kneading...let rise, pour into oiled bread ban, smooth dough with a wet spatula, let rise, then bake. Bryan helped me with it so I could photograph...

The Einkorn berries are different from modern wheat berries...they are lighter, "fluffier," not so hard. They are slightly powdery (kind of like oats have a little powderiness to them). I forgot to photograph them in bulk, but here are the last few being pulled into the grinder:

Looks just like wheat flour :-) but it smells different...less pronounced, milder, somehow.

While we were grinding our berries, I had the yeast, water, and honey mixture "proofing" on the counter. My friend, Helen, surprised me a few weeks ago with a jar of her home-farmed honey...now that's a sweet gift! I used this honey to feed the yeast in this recipe.

Bryan poured the yeast mixture into the flour and sea salt blend:

Then came the very simple, gentle stirring with a spatula (I used the stiff, plastic one that came with my food processor). No kneading!

The dough is sticky, but still pretty easy to work. It took Bryan about one minute to incorporate the flour and liquid together into the dough. We covered the bowl with a towel, and left it out on the countertop to rise for 30 minutes, after which it didn't look like it had done much rising. My yeast is a little old, though it did proof, so I figured I would give it an extra 10 minutes with the benefit of a barely warm oven and making the cover towel damp. That did the trick, and after another 10 minutes (so 20 in the oven, total), it had risen nicely, though I don't think it quite doubled.

Lots of air "windows" or holes, or whatever you call them!

Next, we plopped it into the greased bread pan (I used butter, and a little coconut oil spray on top of it), and used a wet spatula to smooth out the top. The dough is still very sticky:

Another 30 minutes rise...this time I went straight to the barely warm oven, and covered it with the damp towel! It rose really well, all the way up to the towel! I had to peel the towel off, and it left a messy top:

I scraped a bunch of dough off of the towel, and decided to put it on the bread for fun:

Into a 375 degree oven for 35 minutes, and it was done!

Baking bread with a buttered pan makes for a brown crust...yum!

Now, if you thought that I was going to let that bread just sit there and cool completely off, you were totally WRONG! I wanted to see and taste the end result of this new adventure! I let it cool halfway, and then...

How to describe this delicious bread? It is lighter than the bread I make with modern wheat, more "air-y." It is much moister, too. The wet, sticky dough hints at that, I suppose! And the flavor...hmmm...overall, it tastes like wheat bread, but with a definite difference. The weight of Einkorn bread is lighter, the texture is air-y-er, and the wheat flavor is lighter, too...more delicate. I've been thinking of an analogy that would work, and I've come up with nut butters. If you know what peanut butter tastes like, and then you try, say, almond butter...they're similar, but almond butter is less nutty, it's a more delicate flavor compared with peanut butter. It's kind of like that with Einkorn wheat bread vs. modern wheat bread.

Not to mention that this was the easiest loaf of bread I've ever made!!! It was pretty much just like making a quick bread mix, other than the two rising periods. I'm in love...

Next we'll see what kind of pastry flour Einkorn is. There's no "hard" or "soft" Einkorn...it's all just real, God-created wheat. I wonder if this is the wheat that Jesus ate? Good food for thought.

Thus says the Lord,

“Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,

Where the good way is, and walk in it;

And you will find rest for your souls."
(Jeremiah 6:16 NASB)

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My Used Curriculum on Ebay!

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 03:52:00 +0000

It's been an ebay sort of week...I'm slowly but surely moving some of my Used Curriculum Sale over to ebay for auction! If you're looking for junior high to college level stuff (just added a biology dissection kit, too!), visit my ebay auctions. If you're in the market for DVD's, character-training items, Vision Forum audio CD's, or junior high to high school curriculum that didn't yet make it to auction, head over to my Used Curriculum Sale here on Blogger. I have LOTS of stuff, and I really need to move it out of my house so we can clean up and get this place on the market ASAP! Thanks for visiting!

PLEASE SHARE MY SALE WITH YOUR HOMESCHOOLING FRIENDS! THERE'S A BUTTON YOU CAN GRAB ON MY SALE BLOG...THANK YOU!

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Man Knows Not His Time...

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 21:51:00 +0000

For some years now, I've enjoyed Jenny's blog, "The Last Frontier." She and her husband and their two young sons live off the land in the wilderness of Alaska, and her posts describing their life there have always been fascinating to me. She hadn't posted in over a year, and I just now learned that she lost her husband in a tragic accident. Please keep Jenny and her sons in your prayers. You can visit her amazing blog by clicking this graphic:

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Used Curriculum Sale...New Items, Lower Prices!

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 23:55:00 +0000

(Click the graphic above to visit the Used-Curriculum Sale...
and please share this sale with your homeschooling friends!!!)

Are you looking for great prices on used homeschool curriculum? Wondering how you'll afford homeschool-high school curriculum? Well, look and wonder no longer! My oldest is graduated form college, and my youngest is graduated from our homeschool high school, and I have a LOT of fabulous, used homeschool curriculum to sell! Most is high school, but I also have items for younger kids, as well as LOTS of character-training and family-values items from Vision Forum, Above Rubies, Answers in Genesis, etc.

I really need to clear out my shelves...my prices are low (I provide the price it would cost you to buy the items new from Rainbow Resource or the original source if Rainbow doesn't carry it), so you can see how much you'll save.

Save $$$...buy used!!! Click HERE to visit my Used Curriculum Sale.
Please send this link to your friends!

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Save That Leftover Turkey! (Re-Posting...Again!)

noreply@blogger.com (Illinois Lori) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 06:29:00 +0000

From a couple of years ago...part of Mary's old "Tightwad Tuesdays" meme!

LEFTOVER TURKEY MASTER BLEND

This "Master Blend" can be used to make any one of a number of dishes,
or you can serve it "as is" over rice, toast, or in a pastry shell.
The recipe calls for 4 cups of shredded turkey…if you don’t have that much, you can either add some shredded chicken to make up the difference, or cut the Master Blend recipe in half, and be sure to cut any recipes and baking dish sizes you use the Master Blend in by half, as well.

4 cups shredded turkey

4 Tbl. unsalted butter (1/2 stick)

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups chicken stock (may use canned chicken broth, but not bouillon)

1-1/2 cups whole milk, half-and-half, or light cream

Lemon juice, salt & pepper, nutmeg to taste

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.

Add flour, and whisk until smooth. Cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly.

Add chicken stock and whisk until smooth.

Whisk in milk, half-and-half, or light cream. Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture just to a simmer, whisking constantly.

Remove pan from heat; scrape the inside of the saucepan with a wooden spoon or heat-proof rubber spatula, and whisk vigorously to break up any lumps.

Return the pan to the heat and, whisking, bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute.

Stir in the shredded turkey (4 cups worth), and cook for 1 minute more. Remove from heat.

Season to taste with a few drops of lemon juice, salt and pepper, and a couple pinches of ground nutmeg.

That is your "Master Blend." You can use this immediately in one of the following recipes, or you can save it for use another time. Here are four recipes to choose from:

Turkey Pot Pie

Prepared dough for pastry crust (use your favorite recipe…you can use biscuit dough, too…even the pre-made doughs you buy in a tube at the grocery store, like crescent rolls or "Grands" type doughs will work here! You’ll be covering a 13X9 pie.)

2 Tbl. unsalted butter

1 medium onion, chopped

3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick

2 small celery stalks, sliced 1/4-inch thick

3/4 cup frozen peas, thawed

3 Tbs. fresh parsley, minced

1 egg, beaten

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 13X9-inch baking pan.

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until foam starts to subside. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook, stirring often, until barely tender–about 5 minutes.

Stir the cooked vegetables into the Turkey Master Blend along with the thawed peas and the parsley.

Pour the turkey/vegetable mixture into the prepared pan. Now you’ll cover the mixture with your dough:

Biscuit dough: arrange biscuits on top of turkey, overlapping the biscuits if necessary.
Drop biscuit dough: drop small biscuits on top to cover.
Pie dough: roll dough out into the shape of your pan, place on top of turkey, and tuck the edges in against the pan sides.

Brush the top of the dough with about 2 Tbs. (1/2 an egg) of beaten egg for a goldeny-brown glaze.

Bake 25 to 35 minutes until the turkey mix is bubbly and the topping is nicely browned.

TURKEY TETRAZZINI

1-1/2 Tbs. unsalted butter
8 ounces sliced mushrooms (about 2-1/3 cups)
8 ounces spaghetti, macaroni, or egg noodles
1/2 cup slivered or sliced almonds, toasted lightly
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 13X9-inch baking pan.

Heat butter in large skillet over medium-high heat until the foam begins to subside.

Add sliced mushrooms and cook, stirring, until tender…about 5 minutes.

Stir the mushrooms into the Turkey Master Blend.

Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted water until tender. Drain well. Stir pasta into turkey mixture along with almonds.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake 25 to 35 minutes until sauce is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.

TURKEY CHILI PEPPER CASSEROLE

One or two 4-1/2 ounce cans of chopped mild or hot green chili peppers, drained (the amount you choose is determined by how hot you want this!)
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
4 ounces tortilla chips, lightly crushed (don’t pulverize these…should have 2 to 3 cups after crushing.)
8 ounces grated Cheddar cheese (2 cups, lightly packed)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 13X9 baking pan.

To the Turkey Master Blend, add chili peppers (be sure to drain them first!) and cumin. Mix well.

In the prepared pan, layer the turkey mixture alternately with layers of tortilla chips and cheese. End with a layer of tortilla chips sprinkled with cheese.

Bake 25 to 35 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.

TURKEY AND RICE CASSEROLE

1-1/2 Tbl. unsalted butter
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced (about 2-1/3 cups)
3 cups cooked white rice or wild rice blend
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
1/3 cup dry, unseasoned breadcrumbs
2 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tbs. melted butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 13X9-inch baking pan.

Heat butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until the foam begins to subside. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring until tender–about 5 minutes.

Stir the mushrooms into the Turkey Master Blend along with the cooked rice and toasted nuts. Pour the mixture into baking pan.

In a bowl, mix together breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and melted butter. Sprinkle over top of casserole.

Bake 25 to 35 minutes until sauce is bubbly and the crumbs are golden brown.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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