the Prairie Cottage

compassionate and humble

2012-01-28T22:17:00.000-07:00

live in harmony with one another,

be sympathetic,

love as brothers,

be compassionate and humble.
1 Peter 3:7-9

Cooking (and freezing) dried beans at high altitude

2012-01-24T07:20:00.000-07:00

We live at 6,222 feet elevation.

True story.

That’s almost 1,000 feet HIGHER than the famous “mile-high city.'”

On top of the the whole thin air/less oxygen thing, it is a pain learning to cook and/or bake “up” here.

Brief scientific explanation: At high altitudes, the atmospheric pressure is decreased, making water boil at a lower temperature. This lower boiling point means foods cooked in water will require more time to cook. (Like dried beans).

And don’t even get me started on pasta.

Or rice.

OK. Back to the beans: Getting them soft enough for human consumption is a challenge. I once soaked black beans for 12 hours, drained and simmered them in a crockpot for 24 HOURS. . . and they were still CRUNCHY after 36 hours of cooking!! (but the dogs loved them:)

Tried some tips I found on the internet for cooking beans, including using fresh beans (old beans have a harder seed coat) and not adding ANY salt, seasonings, meats or vegetables to the cooking water until they are soft (they make the seed coat harder to penetrate).

Aaand. . . yeah. Still had crunchy beans. Even though they are a healthy and cheap food that can be used in many dishes, I did, in fact, almost give up on dried beans.

Until I read these 2 revelations somewhere awhile ago: YOU DON'T HAVE TO SOAK THEM and BAKING SODA WILL HELP SOFTEN THEM.

Hallelujah, it WORKED! (I might’ve even thanked the Lord out loud). Seems baking soda softens those seed coats and cooks them right up!

It’s really easy!

High Altitude Dried Beans (with freezing directions)

1. Put any amount of dried beans in a Dutch oven or stockpot (no soaking necessary). Cover with double the water. Add 1/2 – 1 teaspoon baking soda (depending on how many beans you are cooking).

2. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower heat to keep beans at a simmer for about 1 hour to an hour and 15 minutes. Taste test to see if they are done to your liking, they should be soft enough to eat, but relatively firm - don't let them get too soft at this point.

3. Pour them into a colander and give them a quick rinse.

4. Now you can add the remaining ingredients from your recipe and continue cooking.

5. OR: To freeze for later use: Measure and place 1.5 cups into into each freezer container or Ziploc freezer bag. You definitely can freeze in smaller or larger amounts. I prefer 1.5 bags/containers, as they are equal to one 15 ounce can from the grocery store :)

4. Add a little cold, fresh water. Just enough to prevent drying. There should still be 1 to 2 inches space to allow for expansion in the freezer.

5. Label, date and freeze until ready to use. Easy as that!

One pound of dry beans will yield about 6 cups of cooked beans, equal to 4 cans from the supermarket. (There are about 1.5 cups of beans per can when you drain the liquid).

Red beans and rice.

Even if you don’t live at high altitude, cooking and freezing beans at home is less than HALF the cost of canned beans. Plus, you can freeze a much broader variety than are available in cans.

mercy and compassion

2012-01-21T18:08:00.000-07:00

“This is what the LORD Almighty says:

‘Administer true justice;

show mercy and compassion to one another.

Zechariah 7:8-10

Yarn wrapped Valentine hearts

2012-01-20T19:58:00.000-07:00

I am really in love with anything yarn-wrapped lately. A fast and easy way to use up leftover yarn. . . what’s not to love?!

Hearts are the latest thing I’ve subjected to the yarn wrap. You could make them any size, but I made some smallish ones to use as bowl and vase fillers.

Start by drawing hearts onto cardboard. I traced around a cookie cutter onto a box leftover from Christmas morning.

Cut them out. Don’t worry if they’re not perfect! The yarn will cover up any uneven edges or stray pen marks. Begin wrapping around the heart. You can secure the first strand of yarn with a piece of tape or just hold it for a few wraps, until it’s covered.

Switch directions while continuing to wrap the heart. Make sure as you wrap that you are covering the heart evenly and hiding the cardboard, so it doesn’t peek through at all.

Once you’ve completely covered the heart, tuck the end under a few strands of yarn and add a dab of hot glue.

Use as filler in bowls, vases, centerpieces.

VaLeNTiNe BLeSSiNGs!

It’s Pinteresting

2012-01-19T00:06:00.000-07:00

These are some photos I’ve added to my Pinterest boards lately. I am needing to make myself a new duvet and another for the guest room. There is no shortage of inspiration on Pinterest! :)

Source: bhg.com via Prairie on Pinterest

Source: curly-girl-crochet-etc.blogspot.com via Prairie on Pinterest

Source: itslizeylou.blogspot.com via Prairie on Pinterest

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Prairie on Pinterest

Source: mcardlet.smugmug.com via Prairie on Pinterest

Lots of bright, pretty colors!

New stuff

2012-01-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

Embroidered John 3:16 Valentine

Hello all!
I’ve been updating the shops since it's the new year. I always try to keep up on the things that have been popular in the past, but there are a few new designs in there too. Click on the pictures to visit my shops. . . Hope you find something you like!

Granny Heart Garlands

Granny Hearts Afghan

New elf hat colors

Monkey earflap hats

great love

2012-01-14T22:01:00.000-07:00

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

Lamentations 3:21-23

Compassionate and gracious

2012-01-07T22:04:00.000-07:00

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger,

abounding in love.

Psalm 103:7-9

Lamp Makeover

2012-01-04T18:36:00.000-07:00

Found this shade-less lamp at a local thrift store and gave it a little makeover. . .

Taped off everything I didn’t want painted and gave it a good sanding, then painted it with chestnut brown spray paint.

Since it came with no shade, so I used a lamp-less red shade I’d saved from a broken lamp.

You may have seen it in this recent photo:

It looks sooo much better and I love it!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

Wishing you a year filled with abundant blessings and joy!

Happy New Year

Waiting

2011-12-31T23:57:00.000-07:00

I wait for the LORD,

my whole being waits,

and in his word I put my hope.

Psalm 130:5

Source

Creamy Crockpot Hot Cocoa

2011-12-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

Tried this recipe for hot cocoa I found on Pinterest, but it was a little TOO creamy for us. Also, it doesn’t make very much. Or maybe our mugs are bigger than the ones used for the recipe. Any who. I changed it just a bit and it solved both problems nicely!

Here’s how I made our slightly less creamy hot cocoa :)

CREAMY CROCKPOT HOT COCOA

1 cup heavy cream
1 can of sweetened condensed milk (14oz)
2 cups milk chocolate chips
8 cups of milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Stir all the ingredients together in your crockpot. Cover, & cook on low for 2 hours. Whisk occasionally.

I used my immersion (stick) blender before serving to froth the cocoa a bit. It makes it lighter, but is definitely optional.

When it’s smooth and heated, ladle the hot cocoa into mugs....

and garnish with marshmallows or whipped cream. Or just plain is fine, too!

Now relax with your family and enjoy your cocoa :)

Are you a “take it downer” or “keep it upper?”

2011-12-26T03:34:00.000-07:00

Via

I am definitely a keep it upper! I love the bright and happy décor of Christmas and enjoy it even more after all the ~~stress~~ rush of Christmas is over.

Once New Year’s Eve has come and gone and Christmas is all packed away, my winter wonderland theme will take its place… it helps make cold, drab and windy January a little more bearable!

Source: etsy.com via Prairie on Pinterest

But whatever your packing style, as we put it all away, may we keep the wonder, love and joy of Christmas in our hearts…and may His light fill our ordinary days.

Happy Birthday!!

2011-12-24T21:42:00.000-07:00

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful day with your family and friends, celebrating the most wonderful birthday!

May you know the beauty of salvation this blessed Christmas day and may you experience with fullness the sweet gift of Jesus. May your soul feel it’s great worth because of his appearing so many years ago.

Merry Christmas!

Linus knows what Christmas is all about…

2011-12-23T03:04:00.000-07:00

joyful, patient, faithful

2011-12-17T22:11:00.000-07:00

Source: etsy.com via Prairie on Pinterest

“Be joyful in hope,

patient in affliction,

faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

the Mighty One Christmas wall art

2011-12-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

So. I wanted to make a collage art piece, using this verse:

Only here’s the thing. I had a general idea of how I wanted it to end up, but not a clue how to get from idea to finished painting…

Started with a board and used gel medium to glue old phone book pages all over the top and sides of the board:

After it dried, painted it with gesso and added some shading around the edges with brown:

When I got to the actual painting part, I realized, hey, I have NO idea how best to go about this.

And thus ensued a massive amount of trial and error.

At which point I decided it would be best to leave the art tutorials to the um, actual artsy type peoples of the world.

So just picture lots of: a) painting and b) repainting… mmkay?

Anyway. This is how it ended up:

It was fun trying something new and I will give it another shot sometime :)

Merry Christmas!

The Nativity Story {digital style}

2011-12-16T03:27:00.000-07:00

Reflecting today on the perfect gift that God has freely given us… the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

my strength

2011-12-10T22:56:00.000-07:00

Source: etsy.com via Prairie on Pinterest

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks,

and send some to those who have nothing prepared.

This day is sacred to our Lord.

Do not grieve,

for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10

Toy Memories Christmas Tree

2011-12-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

I started this tree when my oldest 2 (who are now in the 20’s) were toddlers! A coworker had one and I thought it was such a great idea. Even with just 2 kids under 3, we were amassing a huge amount of dolls and stuffed animals. We had weeded out a few that they weren’t fond of, but most of them were much loved and they didn’t want to part with them.

The problem was solved with the stuffed animal tree…

Their beloved friends were saved from the goodwill box. My kids still are filled with wonderment every year, seeing their long-loved animal friends again! So cute!

And the rest of the year, the animals are neatly stored in Rubbermaid boxes…

Smaller animals and dolls go at the top, gradually getting larger toward the bottom, Save the biggest to go around the trunk. Double knot the yarn around the neck and keep stacking those animals onto the tree.

If you use lights on your animal tree, make sure they are LED lights, as they will be resting against the stuffed animals in some places.

My coworker had an elaborate wood and chicken wire, cone-shaped structure that her husband made. It’s really heavy and nice, but it doesn’t collapse and we don’t have room to store one! Our animals are simply tied onto a cheapo 5 foot artificial tree.

The teddy bear toy soldiers presiding over the top of the tree are the oldest toys in our collection and my favorite…

My Grammy tied them on our Christmas packages many years ago and they’ve been a part of Christmas ever since!

When you are ready to pack it away, just clip the yarn and repack the toys in their boxes. Simple!

So. If you have room to store them, consider saving those cherished animals and dolls for a toy memory tree…

Merry Christmas!

Santa’s Beard Advent Activity

2011-11-30T19:10:00.000-07:00

Saw this on Pinterest and thought it would be fun to make for Nolan and Skyleigh….

Source: oopseydaisyblog.com via Prairie on Pinterest

My version has a little brighter colors, but it’s close :)

Santa is a little different, too.

Sorry for the picture quality. I was racing to get Santa to the post office before they closed!

Hope they like it!!

Easy Coffee Cake with Variations

2011-11-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

A basic, from-scratch coffee cake with 4 quick and easy alterations. Fast, easy and the texture is always perfect… moist and fluffy.

I made blueberry today :)

BASIC STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/3 cup margarine or butter (softened)
1 cup milk
1 egg
STREUSEL:
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 Tbs. margarine or butter
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

{Mix all of the streusel ingredients until crumbly. (I use my kitchen aid). Set aside while preparing the batter}

Dump the batter ingredients in your mixer bowl. Mix on low 30 seconds, scrape bowl and beat for 2 minutes on medium. Spread 1/2 of the batter in a greased 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle batter with 1/2 the streusel. Top with rest of batter and spread around a bit, but it doesn’t have to fully cover the streusel layer. Sprinkle with remaining streusel Bake at 350 degrees 35-40 minutes.

RAISIN SPICE VARIATION:
When mixing batter, add: 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg and 1/4 tsp. allspice. Stir 1/2 cup raisins into the batter before pouring into pan. May be made with or without streusel. Either way, bake 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees.

ORANGE (or LEMON):
Use 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup orange (or lemon) juice instead of 1 cup milk and add 1-2 tbs. grated orange or lemon peel to batter ingredients.

BLUEBERRY:
Omit streusel. Spread 1/2 of batter in 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle with 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries. Top with remaining batter. Sprinkle with another cup of blueberries. Bake 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool slightly and prepare the glaze:
GLAZE:
1 cup powdered sugar,
1 tsp. lemon juice
1-2 Tbs. milk
Mix until smooth. Use 1 tbs. of milk to start and add more if the glaze is too thick. Drizzle over warm cake.

Sunday inspiration

2011-11-27T01:47:00.000-07:00

I will praise God’s name in song

and

glorify him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T16:14:00.000-07:00

We give thanks to you, O God,

we give thanks,

for your Name is near;

men tell of your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 75:1

the Prairie Cottage

compassionate and humble

Cooking (and freezing) dried beans at high altitude

mercy and compassion

Yarn wrapped Valentine hearts

It’s Pinteresting

New stuff

great love

Compassionate and gracious

Lamp Makeover

Happy New Year!

Waiting

Top Posts in 2011

Creamy Crockpot Hot Cocoa

Are you a “take it downer” or “keep it upper?”

Happy Birthday!!

Linus knows what Christmas is all about…

joyful, patient, faithful

the Mighty One Christmas wall art

The Nativity Story {digital style}

my strength

Toy Memories Christmas Tree

Santa’s Beard Advent Activity

Easy Coffee Cake with Variations

Sunday inspiration

Happy Thanksgiving!