Homestead Giveaway Winner!

Dear contest participants and casual observers,

Congratulations to our giveaway winner - Lori!

Lori will be receiving one copy of Carleen Madigan's The Backyard Homestead, courtesy of Storey Publishing, along with a few Dotal Anecdotes bookmarks and recipe cards!

Feeling as though you'd like something free, too?  Download this PDF with two of our most popular blog recipes, and print it for your personal records - just a little something to soften the blow!

Thank you again to everyone who entered the giveaway!

Mrs H
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Spring Giveaways - Backyard Homestead!

Dear weather-watchers and grub-grubbers,

With spring in full bloom, everybody is happily troweling away in the dirt!  Did you have some frost-buried annuals that burst up through the ground, or some slow-unfurling buds anticipating honeybees and pollinating breezes?  Are you already thinking about canning ... preserving ... and maybe growing a few chickens?

With everybody looking for creative ways to save money, it's only logical to spade in a few seeds and double-quintuple the return on your money with home-grown vegetation or even animals for food!

If you are curious about any of these endeavors, one of my favorite publishing houses, Storey Publishing, would be a great resource for you.  They publish books on country living and recently sent me a book to review, which I thoroughly enjoyed (it was also recommended to me by at least half-a-dozen industrious ladies I know), about backyard homesteading ... hence the appropriate title:  The Backyard Homestead!

I am loving this line-illustrated, tastefully written book!  Everything from raising pigs to canning recipes to laying out a garden plot in your backyard is covered in delightful detail.  If you're just growing on the porch and want to expand your backyard repertoire, this is the book for you.  If you're a semi-pro with an acre of goats and chickens and want to start adding your own wheat and nuts, it's covered!  If you live in an apartment (that's me!) and you want to cold-store winter squash, can in season, and have a few pots outside the kitchen window, welcome to your new study guide!  This would be a phenomenal resource for a homeschooling family because - if you're anything like we were - every chapter is a new project that teaches the kids and benefits and provides for the family!

I am giving away one lovely copy of this delightful book - so enter the competition below in the comments section!

Here's what you do to win: write your first name, email (like this: andrea . globetrotter (at) gmail . com), and where you'll be homesteading (on the porch? back 40? a quarter-acre? a glass-enclosed terrarium?).

I will randomly select one winner by May 21, 2011 - and I will contact you via your email account to get your address for mailing!

Thank you for participating and I look forward to hearing about your homesteading pursuits!

Mrs H
twitter.com/_mrs_h

Mr H's Favorite Dinner - Man food!

Thanks for reading this post, I'm so excited to visit with you!  

After you've gleaned all the good information you need, visit our new blog platform at www.farmandhearth.com to read even more fascinating tidbits from the kitchen and the fields. 

Dear friends and family,

In honor of our upcoming 2nd anniversary and Mr H's pending graduation, it seemed appropriate to post this recipe!  This simple dinner is one of Mr H's very favorite dinners ... or breakfasts ... or lunches ... he really likes this food any time of day!  It's exceedingly easy and quick to make - especially if there are two of you in the kitchen!  There are no quantities really because it is just based on how much we have in the cupboard at the time!  His recipe has never been written down anywhere, so you're about to see the first edition!

I'll just call it ....

Mr H's Favorite Dinner
This is a great meal after you've had a long 12-hour day of running, swimming, cycling, weight lifting, running, swimming, cycling and weight lifting.  Not that any of us does that...  It's just that that is what I've been told by somebody who does! 

Potatoes, peeled and cubed into bite-size pieces
Onions, peeled and coarsely chopped
Garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
Sausages, chopped into bite-size pieces
Jarred chilies
Olive oil
Any seasonings you like (a blended seasoning like Penzey's Ozark Seasoning, Slap Yo Momma Cajun, or just plain ol' S&P, parsley, italian seasoning ....)
Optional ideas: shredded cheese, canned beans, frozen corn, chopped sweet peppers

Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan, and add potatoes, onions, garlic, a little seasoning, and sausages.  Cover and let cook until soft, stirring occasionally (20 - 30 minutes, depending on your pan and how many potatoes are in it!).  Add chilies, corn, and any additional seasoning you may need.  (If you are adding a can/jar of beans or corn, throw them in here!) Cover again and let all heat through, stirring occasionally.

If you like, top with shredded cheese before serving.  Enjoy your meat 'n potatoes!
If you are eating vegan or vegetarian, just leave out the sausage and cheese! 

Suggested Accompaniments:
Indian Fry Bread
Hot Fruit Compote
Immensely Popular Cheesy Bread
Strawberry Jell-O Salad

Waiting patiently,

Mrs H
twitter.com/_mrs_h

Soon Enough! And ... Jell-O!

Dear patient ones,

Soon enough, I will see my husband!  In a few days is our 2nd wedding anniversary.  A few days after that I'll fly to his training camp with my mom, friend, and parents-in-law to see him graduate!

I can hardly wait.

my little sister proudly wears her Navy shirt!

In the meantime, spring seems to have made a tentative appearance here with a few sunshiny days between the rainy days!  My cousin and I took advantage of the fine weather to take a carpet outside and wash it and dry it, laying it across the picnic table in the warm sun!

My camera disappeared for a few days, but happily my mom found it in my shoe basket.  One glance at the last picture on the camera and it is easy to see why it was in such an odd place .......

Since warm days are coming, it is only fair and just to crack out the first Jell-O salad recipe.  This is a family classic that I stole from my Mom; you can make any of a thousand variations on this, but the original is a huge hit whenever we make it.  I made it the other day and left out the strawberries, cause I didn't have any!

Strawberry Jell-O Salad

1 package (6 oz) Strawberry Jell-O (or raspberry!)  You will NOT be adding cold water as instructed on the package
2 cups boiling water
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened (chop it and let it sit out a while)
16 oz carton Cool Whip, thawed
16 oz carton unsweetened, frozen, whole or sliced strawberries, your choice

Dissolve Jell-O according to package.  Blend in softened cream cheese and Cool Whip; stir in strawberries. Chill until firm.  If you like: Top with more whipped cream or Cool Whip, and/or additional strawberry slices!  Add blueberries for a patriotic touch .......... Go Navy!

Out to soak up some vitamin D!

Mrs H
twitter.com/_mrs_h

Today is Easter!

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Dear Gentle Reader,

When he left, he said he'd return soon, and I told him to hurry back!  I don't know exactly when he'll be back, and in truth, nobody does - if they say they know, I can honestly tell you they are lying!  

Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 

While he's gone is not the time for me to sit back on my heels and moan about the situation, or fritter away our savings and do nothing.  I don't hide everything that reminds me of him and ignore my responsibilities.  Rather, I spend my days diligently preparing for his return.  Things need to be taken care of at the homestead, and I am the one who sees to it that all is accomplished in due time.  

But the wise took oil in their vessel with their lamps. 

I tell my little sisters about his letters, remind them about what he is doing; I put reminders by my door, by my bed, on my wall, on my ring finger,and I even wear a special necklace to remind me of him because I want to think about him constantly.  Pictures, chosen passages, every letter he's written to me saved, treasured, read and re-read.  In the morning I spend some time writing him a message, knowing that, while it brings me great personal joy to talk with him, and helps me to build our relationship from my end, it brings him even greater joy to hear from me.  

My voice you shall hear in the morning. 

He is constantly on my mind; I have so much love for him that it is hard to do anything without considering what he would think of the situation, or what his decision would be when I try to choose something.  He's left me some instructions for things I need to do while he's gone, and they are not obligations or duties.  Rather, they are personally fulfilling services, acts of love that I do for him because I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make things work.  I am a willing love slave.  

He that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. 

I yearn for his presence, but I take comfort in knowing that he is accomplishing what needs to be done for both of us.  He is making sure I am safe, our family is safe, you are safe, our country is safe.  He has given himself up for me. What can I do but love him and support him with all my strength in return?

My soul waits for the Lord

More than those who watch for the morning - 

Yes, more than those who watch for the morning. 

Marriage is a picture of the relationship Christ has with the Church.  But I think it is the military marriages that illustrate it best. 

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it. 

This thought is on my mind today as I consider another Man who gave Himself up for me, sacrificed his personal comfort, gave everything willingly.  My friends, the tomb is empty ... He is returning. 

Be ready!

In anticipation... 

Mrs H

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Next: The first trip: Seattle to Chicago for graduation

Verses I referenced above: 

Matthew 24:42

Matthew 25:4

Psalm 5:3

Psalm 130:6

Ephesians 5:22

Thank you to Sheila Carson Photography for the gifted photo shoot!

This post is linked up at Marriage Mondays - click the link to read more about a Christ-like marriage.  

Journal Giveaway Announced!

Greetings to those who entered the competition,

The randomly selected comment was number 6, belonging to Jessica of Spokane, Washington!

In a giveaway inspired by Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts, Jessica will receive a beautiful blank journal.  In her book, Ann describes keeping a journal of thankfulness; every day, she keeps the journal open on her counter and adds to her ever-growing list of things she is thankful for!

Of course, Jessica's journal includes a few bookmarks from the Dotal Anecdotes collection - and just so you don't feel left out, I'll include a free download below if you want to print them out at home to use or share with somebody! 

Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway - these are such fun to hold and I am delighted to be able to give gifts away!  If you have a blank journal at home, start listing your gifts - you'll be surprised with how many you can think of.  And you'll find that, throughout the day, you'll start labeling delights that you see as gifts so you can remember to write them down in your journal - just the beginning of developing a true attitude of thanksgiving!

And now for your free gift!  Download and print these bookmarks to use and share!


Bookmarks Set One
Bookmarks Set Two

Thank you again for participating!

Mrs H
twitter.com/_mrs_h