Produce

One way I've decided to challenge myself and my family (a bit) is by being creative with all the "funky" veggies we get in our kitchen basket. The first year we belonged to a co-op I did this, but then we got away from it when we got our chickens. They really enjoy chard, kale, beets greens, you name it! I justified giving the chickens these veggies 1) by they didn't get to roam as much as we would like and 2) we would be getting the nutrients in our eggs. So in my mind we are eating the veggies!(not- i know a bit gross)

Yesterday was our pick up day and we got 2 big bunches of kale (can anyone say yuck). I decided that night was the night for Kale Chips! Mmmmmmmmm. Okay, I'm still thinking gross! Anyhoo, I got all my dicing of our abundance of peppers, dill and cilantro done and put in the freezer. Then I washed and remove the rib from the kale leaves. It really was a pretty color of green. I then found a couple of recipes online and went from there.

Basically you toss the kale in olive oil and sea salt (salt of your choice). You mix them together in a big bowl, place on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 10 to 15 minutes. Just until the edges are changing color.

Here's what they looked like after. Very crispy and pretty tasty( I would not say they tasted like potato chips)! They would definitely take care of any greasy, salty food cravings. I was surprised. I did add to much salt, but I would definitely serve these again. They are simple, quick and easy. I would just add less salt.

I'm sure many of you have given these greens a try, but if you haven't you really should! I may actually start growing some in our home garden.

julie

Kale is very low on the glycemic index and super high on the anti- inflamtory!

Conversation Holders

We've had a crazy good week already and I will share some later. I wanted to pop these up of my Valentine Candle Holders. Ummm they were nice. Yup, I said were. I only have one left. The candy kept mysteriously disappearing! Note to self: shellac whatever I don't want eaten. I mean gee whiz!

julie

Tea for Two....

Getting caught up in perfection can be haphazard to my health. Today the Little Chef found a tea set that I don't let the girls use very often. Not because there are Disney Princess' on it, but because it is breakable. Hmmmmm.

Usually I feel as though we need to plan for a party. Make or at least have some sort of cookie in the pantry. Get tea and honey out etc. Well, not today and not because of my own doing! The Lord orchestrated this very simple but terribly fun time!

This morning I saw a commercial amidst the news hour about a little girl having popcorn at her tea party. No fancy cakes, pastry or cookies. She was drinking fake tea. Yes, I know the commercial was an add for popcorn but I was allowed to see it at the right moment. To prepare me for my little ones plea...

So when the Little Chef ran in excitedly asking for a tea party and her older sister suggested apple juice and crackers, was there any doubt I would say yes? Actually, to be honest for a split second I thought no, we have this and that going on today ( blah, blah, blah). But I didn't say no and I'm so glad I didn't!

I was summoned to tea moments later. The Little Chef played "mother" and poured. We brought out some strawberry preserves to fill up any empty pots. She was dressed in this weeks favorite ball gown and we had tea. This in turn brought all the other ladies running for their turn at tea. Impromptu and so much fun!

Perfectionism get out of my way! I need to take tea with my Ladies.

Thank you dear Lord. You've taught my daughters and myself about spur of the moment hospitality and me to let go (a little bit more) of perfection.
julie

Double Whammy

Today is a double whammy. I wanted to show you how wonderfully yummy School Girl's bread turned and it's Works For Me Wednesday over at We Are That Family. My thought is: they learn to make it and I don't have too!

Fresh ground whole wheat flour. As simple as flipping a switch!

See how easy.

Preparing the yeast.

Milk makes for a tender crumb.

Honey and Olive Oil

A lot of flour.

Mom's inspection.

A little dough.

Wah La! Beautiful girl and delicious bread.

She made 2 loaves of sandwich bread, 1 loaf of cinnamon raisin and a batch of french boule.

WFMW Aprons! I use camp dry spray to repel liquids and messes.

Just spray it on a new or clean apron and hang outside to dry for a day or two.

Helps keep aprons looking great much longer!

So get some new cute aprons and keep your cute clothes drom getting ruined!

Do you wear aprons and how often?

julie

Polls

And the 4 Sweet Sisters poll says! Look over to you right and answer my little survey. Sometimes we SAHM can feel like we are the only people going through whatever it is at the time. I know that I can feel very isolated at times. Anyhow, I was interested in knowing what your daily routines are like. I'll share mine next week! The good, the bad, the ugly. Hopefully more good than the other two!

The middle Chickadees and I are heading to the kitchen to make a batch of french boule bread and teach them how to make sandwich bread. Pictures to come! Farm Girl didn't have time to get to the heart wreath project. We'll update when that happens also.

julie

Getting Crafty

Oooooooooooo. I'm so into decorating the house for Valentine's Day. I never do, so this has come as a big surprise to me! Here at 4 Sweet Sisters frugal is the game. There are a ton of neat craft ideas out there, but the ole budget just wouldn't budge. So thinking cap went on and I headed to some of my favorite craft blogs(Skip To My Lou and Little Birdie Secrets). I usually do not dream up the wonderful ideas I post here, but I do tweak them to make them all mine.



So total cost was $5.00 for glitter and swirly hearts.





1st up: A rag heart wreath. I accosted all my FB friends looking for wire hangers and I had left over fabric from past projects. Farm Girl plans on making one after to school. I'll post her results later. (Bribery can be good!)

Next: Glitter! I'm in desperate need of a glitter fix and I can't get enough. It's the dieting. I've turned to glitter.

Can you see the red glitter? It really glistens in the sunshine.


Here's another wire wreath. This one was the tops of two pillow cases from my Craft Room storage curtains. I quickly stitched 2 rows and fed the coat hanger through.

And finally aren't these Love Birds cute? They are my year round salt and pepper shakers that Superman made me buy when I saw them on clearance. Almost to cute to use because you know what can happen in a house full of children. Mama can break the shakers!

I still plan to make a candle arrangement for our coffee table with canning jars and Conversation Hearts. I'm also looking for a cute front door wreath idea. It has to withstand a very hot and sunny southern exposure.

Any ideas? I really need to craft. Leave your ideas here with links please.

julie

Hope your weekend is going well. Quite damp and chilly here. A great day for crafting!

I wanted to post this link to Brandy's blog: The Prudent Homemaker . Her pantry rates up there with our neighbors from years past. Excellent pantry and great tips on canning, urban gardening etc. Hop over and enjoy!

I'll be back Monday with my craftiness! Have a beautiful weekend.

julie