7 Quick Takes: Food and Fall

As always, check Jen out!
**1**
In Rockford, IL which is about 45 mins from my home, there is a horrific abortion mill. It isn't just a women's clinic or a place where babies are killed, it is truly a den of evil. For years now us pro-lifers in the area have been praying and fasting for it's closing. Priests in the area have also been saying prayers of exorcism over the place. The owner is a man filled with hate and anger for God and His people. My parish in Lent did a 40 Days for Life for the closing of this clinic and many wonderful people are always there praying. Well tonight, there is some great news. The state has shut down this clinic due to many health violations. Hopefully it is permanent, but only time will tell. I wanted to share this news with all of you because so often we don't see the fruits of our prayers. Praise God!

**2**
In lighter news, I finally used my bread machine for the first time! We got it as a wedding gift and I always wanted to use it, but I had to run it empty first and just never did that. Well my wonderful husband cleaned and ran it empty for me last week (while I napped with babykins!!) I just cut up our first loaf of whole wheat bread and it smelt and tasted AMAZING.

**3**
I'm never buying bread in the store again! It always bothers me when I look at the list of ingredients and it contains a bunch of stuff I've never heard of before. This way I know exactly what I am eating and giving to my husband and child. Plus I save money and it is much tastier! Bi-Winning.

**4**
I'm one step closer to never buying any foods in the store that I could easily make myself. I partly blame my farm upbringing and partly blame Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship. Love, Love, Love her site. If you haven't checked it out, do it! There is so much to read so you may want to pencil a few weeks in you calendar to absorb everything.

**5**
I also made cinnamon pumkin pancakes for dinner tonight. Yum Yum! I love this time of year. Though I have to say I am mourning the end of my garden. But I think I'm ready to embrace Fall.

**6**
Yesterday my family made homemade apple cider with homegrown apples and the ole cider press.

It is so tasty, and always brings back great childhood memories. Thanks to my grandpa and siblings for picking up all the apples!

**7**
As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, I'm in the midst of some intense spiritual warfare. I'm doing my best to keep the evil one at bay and am clining tight to sweet Jesus.  I've been going to adoration at least once a week and even made it to daily Mass today, where Dominic did great! I didn't have to take him out once and it was awesome. The battle rages on and St Michael, and my guardian angel are staying close.

Have a great weekend!

First Spoils of the Garden

I hope to have another Thrift Thursday soon,

but in the meantime I just have to share something awesome!

I have a shared garden down at my parent's-in-law's house.

It is a 10 minute walk from my house which has been giving us lots o' exercise.

I am sharing the garden with my sisters-in-law Robyn and Chris

who have been doing a great job helping keep it nice!

So today when I was down there watering and weeding I noticed that the basil was ready!

Thus my first spoil from the garden.

I tried to make the picture scratch 'n sniff,

but apparently that technology hasn't been invented yet.

Someone get on that please. Thanks.

The tomatoes and garlic are from the garden, but soon will be.

Mmm, garlic, italian sausage, tomatoes, basil, pasta....yum!

The Strawberry Patch

Last week my grandmother called me.

They were going to Texas for a few days to visit my brother and some other family.

She asked if I could do her a big favor.

"Dacia, while we are gone would you mind coming out to pick the strawberries 

and take them home to eat?"

Hrmm, I dunno grandma.

I'm not a big fan of home grown, farm fresh, delicious, organic strawberries.

But if I am doing you a BIG favor, then I guess I can manage.

So last night Geoff, Dominic, Payton, and I treked

(as much as a 10 minute drive can be a trek)  

out to the farm and pick the most yummy strawberries in the world.

I picked a little over 3 quarts in a short amount of time.

On tonight's agenda, old fashioned strawberry fruit leather!

Just like we used to make when I was a little girl.

Blizzard BBQ 2011

It's a cold winter day.

The wind is blowing,

The snow is unrelenting,

And I love every second of it.

It is a true winter wonderland tonight.

We celebrated by firing up the grill!

In the past few years, whenever we have a blizzard warning,

We host a Blizzard BBQ.

This is only our second one, and it was awesome.

Everything was so tasty.

And we made our statement to nature.

Yes you may give us you coldest and fiercest weather,

But we will not be defeated.

More than any statement, it was just plain fun.

I should say though, the men did the grilling whilst I was cozy inside.

I did bundle up and a spend some time outside a little later to appreciate it all.

Good times.