Snackin' Squirrels

It didn't take long for my squirrel friends to

finish off the first corn cob I left them...

The squirrels think I'm being nice.

Little do they know,

it's just my ploy to keep them busy

so I can get close enough for pictures! ;-)

Gotcha!

My favorite smell on earth!

Mr. H. ~smoked~ some corn tonight while he was cooking the steaks. Have you ever had smoked corn?? It is so delish!

Loving the Vintage Desserts

Mocha Brownie Torte
12 servings

1 package brownie mix

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup oil

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon instant coffee

shaved chocolate

Heat oven to 350°. Butter 2 layer cake pans. Blend mix, water, oil and eggs. Spread in pans. Bake 20 minutes. Cool 5 minutes in pan; remove from pans and place on wire racks to cool completely.

In chilled bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken.

Gradually add sugar and instant coffee;

continue beating until stiff.

Fill layers with 1 cup of the cream mixtures.

Frost with remaining cream; sprinkle with chocolate.

Chill at least 1 hour before serving. Enjoy!

Another vintage recipe from the

Betty Crocker recipe card library.

From the ~spectacular desserts~ section. :-)

Linked to Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup.

~a cutting garden~

Blueberry Morning

Blueberry Pancakes and Blueberry Syrup

4 servings

for syrup
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 cup fresh blueberries
for pancakes
1 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup fresh blueberries

In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water until smooth. Add blueberries. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; cover and keep warm. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Combine eggs, milk, sour cream and butter. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in blueberries. Pour batter onto a greased hot griddle. Turn when bubbles form on top; cook until the second side is golden brown. Serve with blueberry syrup and enjoy!

Linked to Sweet Indulgences Sunday, Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup Family Favorites, Gooseberry Patch Recipe Roundup Summertime.

Chicken Update

Have you been wondering...where are the chickens???

Well, it has been a bit more difficult than we thought it was going to be to find the chickens we want. Or maybe Mrs. H. has been a bit more picky than Mr. H. expected. ;-) After spending many, many days and many, many hours calling, going, and running into dead ends, we've decided to go a different route. Instead of trying to start with older pullets, I've had a change of heart and decided I want to start with baby chicks.

So now I am even more nervous and even more excited. I have placed on order at My Pet Chicken! My baby chicks will be hatching July 26th and on their way express mailed to me when they are just a few hours old! I so hope that they arrive safely and that I am able to keep them alive. They will have to be in a little chicken brooder with a heat lamp until all of their feathers come in at about 5-6 weeks of age. Then they can move into their wonderful coop. This is going to be an ADVENTURE! :-)

Daily Bible Reading 2010

Today's reading -
Ecclesiastes 1-2
Psalms 17
Proverbs 17
Matthew 22