Heritage Schoolhouse

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

~a picket fence~

Mr. H. recently built a little fence to close in a portion of our front yard

so the doggies can enjoy being outside and still be safe.

I've always wanted a little picket fence. :-)

While it was being built,

we thought we were going to paint it white

to match the trim of the house.

But, I ended up liking the natural wood so much,

that I think we've decided not to paint it just yet.

Love the morning and evening sun on it.

Now my "babies" can enjoy laying out in the sunshine

and I don't have to worry about them wandering off.

The sweetness of a picket fence! :-)

At the Ranch

Every so often I accompany Mr. H. when he heads out to his parent's ranch in central Texas.

Recently, his Mom and Dad had some repair work to do at the ranch,

and were planning to sell a couple of cows to pay for the supplies.

I was able to go along on this trip to help out.

Well... I'm not sure how much "help" I actually am,

but I do love to tag along. :-)

On the way I got to see some of the effects that the recent Texas wildfires have had on the area.

This picture is from a spot less than one mile from the ranch!

There was one night last month that our family thought the ranch was going to burn,

but we were extremely blessed and the firefighters were able to control the fire before it reached the ranch.

It wasn't until I saw this, though, that I realized how very close it got.

On this trip out to the ranch I got to see one of the newest babies. :-)

So sweet.

Mr. H. and his dad got the trailer hooked up and prepared to load the cows.

They were young and pretty small,

so they made quick work of getting them in the trailer.

This Momma was none too happy with them for taking her baby. :-(

#20 is loaded up and ready to go.

And here comes #19.

Ready to head to the auction barn.

Mr. Bubba was too young to leave at home for the few hours that it took to get to the ranch and back, so he went along for the ride. :-)

After the cattle were secured for the upcoming weekend sale,

all that was left to do was to grab a quick hamburger and fries at
Herk's Country Store - were they serve up the burgers on homemade jalapeno cheese buns.

It's some good eatin' for the ranch hands...

and the "helpers". ;-)

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Fall Comfort Food at It's Finest :-)

Mrs. H.'s Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
4 servings

4 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons oil, divided
1/2 cup flour
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon corn starch
1 1/4 cups half and half, divided
1 cup flour
1/2 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet. Add 1 tablespoon oil. Coat chicken breasts in flour and then brown each piece on both sides in skillet; set aside. In a large sauce pan melt the other 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the other tablespoon of oil. Saute onion, carrots, celery and garlic until tender. Add broth, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper to saucepan. Bring to a boil, add chicken and cook until chicken is done. Remove chicken and shred with two forks; set aside. Stir cornstarch into a bit of water and then add to saucepan. Cook and stir for one minute until thickened. Add 1/2 cup half and half to saucepan and stir. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add 3/4 cup half and half and mix until dough forms. Drop dough by spoonfuls into simmering chicken broth and let cook for several minutes. Add chicken back to pan, spoon up hearty bowlfuls and enjoy!

Linked to Farmgirl Friday Blog Fest #1
and Little House Living Old Fashioned Recipe Exchange

"The way to be truly happy is to fill up every passing hour
with something useful.

Let us not wait for some nobler and higher work to do. . .

It is the humble work that makes life noble."

-The Old Farmer's Almanac, 1873

Monday, October 10, 2011

Harvest Morning Pumpkin Muffins

Harvest Morning Muffins
makes 1 dozen

1/2 15 ounce can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup milk
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour
1/4 cup oat bran
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup cinnamon baking chips
1/3 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup oats
for topping
1/8 cup sugar
1/8 cup oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine pumpkin, sugar, oil, milk, egg and vanilla. Combine flour, oat bran, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Blend flour mixture into pumpkin mixture. Stir in cinnamon chips, chocolate chips, and oats. Spoon into paper lined muffin tin. Combine sugar, oats, and cinnamon and sprinkle over muffins. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!