Eating from the Garden: Butternut Squash Medley

Hey guys! It seems like it’s been forever since I’ve sat down to write a post and so much has happened… the most exciting thing is that I’m a GRANDMA! I was able to spend a bit of time with the new parents and I got quite a few snuggles in with the little one before I had to come home. Mr. Awesome and the kids did a great job holding down the fort although the goats did get out and they ate my blackberry bushes. When I asked my husband about it he looked to where I was pointing and said ‘What blackberries?’… they have had quite a hard pruning but I’m hoping they’ll come back better than ever.

We’ve been busy before and after this little ‘vacation’ trying to get our winter gardens in place… the chickens had eaten some of our plants and then someone forgot to water them for a few days so we had a little bit of triage to do and we did have to replace s few things. While planting we are also harvesting what we can from what plants are remaining. I know we really enjoyed the Rosella greens last year so we definitely wanted to give them a go again. I also wanted to try to use some sweet potato leaves as a spinach alternative. I had read something the other day about how it wasn’t always hard to grow different foods but we need to learn to eat what we grow… I really want everything we put our time and energy into to provide us with something whether it’s just nice to look at, to smell, or to eat.

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Rosella: Florida’s cranberry

We have loved growing this plant and we have enjoyed trying it out in many different dishes… plus it is so pretty!

Just wanted to share this article about Rosella.

Green Gardening Matters: Roselle: Florida’s cranberry
— Read on greengardeningmatters.blogspot.com/2021/11/roselle-floridas-cranberry.html

We had a bountiful harvest before Hurricane Milton and it looks like we might have another smaller harvest soon.

Click HERE to see our Garden Progress on YOUTUBE!

We were able to make 8 pints of jam… 2 have been eaten already! I used the recipe from the Self Sufficient Me site to make the jam.

If we harvest more then I would like to dry or freeze some to use for tea. I think a rosella/lemongrass blend might be nice!

Have you tried Rosella? If so, please let us know what you think and share your favorite recipe for it in the comments below.

God Bless!

Friendly Reminder – Holiday Planning

Hey everybody!

I know it has been very busy around here and it seems that we truly have been jumping from one challenge to another here lately but we are surviving! We pray that you are doing well too and that everyone is starting to feel like they can breathe a little easier with all the events that have unfolded around us recently.

I really don’t want to think about the holidays yet but they are fast approaching. I know that they will be a little different this year but that’s ok. We are so blessed and thankful for all that we already have. I just wanted to throw out a couple little reminders of things that you can do now if you are planning any special dinners or events. We know that getting family and friends together can help lift everyone’s spirits and we like to try to have a few special events a year… this year has been a little extra but that’s ok.

Now is the time to start looking for Christmas decorations… if you wait much longer then they may be gone. Take a few minutes this weekend and look over your plans for Advent, Christmas, or Polar Express to see what things you may need to get so that you can start buying them now. If you are planning to do something for St. Nicholas Day then now would be the time to start looking for those gold-covered coins and any study guides or activity ideas that you would like to use.

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Polar Express Planning

It’s hard to believe that the year is over halfway through… so many things have changed this year but we are so very thankful for all the blessings that this year has brought. I’ve learned a lot this year and I’ve really been trying to focus more on the Biblical Feasts and Holy Days vs the Holidays but the Polar Express is a time that our whole family enjoys and it is a special time that our family tries to get together.

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Ultimate Holiday Planning: A 12 Week Strategy

Here are some posts that I put together last year about Getting Ready for the Holidays, maybe they can help you have a less stressful holiday season this year. I will update posts as I change things but they may give you a starting point.

You can also print out the Event Planning Guide or the Planning Notebook under the Printable Library Tab to help you get started with your plans!

Getting Ready for the Holidays Weeks 1 & 2

Getting Ready for the Holidays Week 3

Getting Ready for the Holidays Week 4

Getting Ready for the Holidays Week 5 – The Week Before Thanksgiving

Getting Ready for the Holidays Week 6 – The Week of Thanksgiving

Getting Ready for the Holidays Week 7 – The Week After Thanksgiving

Getting Ready for the Holidays Week 8 – 3 Weeks Before Christmas (St. Nicholas Day)

Getting Ready for the Holidays Week 9 – 2 Weeks Before Christmas (Polar Express)

Getting Ready for the Holidays Week 10 – Week Before Christmas

Getting Ready for the Holidays Week 11 – Week of Christmas

Getting Ready for the Holidays Week 12 – Week after Christmas (New Year’s Day)

You may also find a printable grocery list handy:

Weekly Meal Planning and Grocery List Printable