A New Season.....

Dearest Readers,

My, it is good to visit with you today....I have been away from the computer for awhile as we have had much transition here at Honey Hill Farm.

Our youngest Darling started College and he is now happily ensconced in his dorm surrounded by books and new friends.  It has been wonderful and bittersweet for this Momma to embrace this season of change.  I know that he is anxious to see what his future brings...so many amazing possibilities abound.  I offer up a prayer of protection each and every day for him, knowing that he is held in bigger and better hands than mine.

My Sisters-in-Love have been watching over me, ready to step in if they see even one of our chickens sporting a bonnet or apron sewn by yours truly! I have threatened to hold a Chicken Fashion Show, just to keep me occupied, LOL!

They were not even phased when, during a melancholy moment, I put up the fall decorations in 90 degree weather. I have also decorated the inside of my little home with an abundance of leaves, pumpkins and acorns. (I will post pictures soon.) I just need to keep busy until I get used to the fact that my littlest chick has flown the nest.

In keeping with this change of season, I hope you don't mind a little change here at Honey Hill Farm? I hope you enjoy it!

I will endeavor to stop by each of your blogs this week and say Hello. Until then,

Bless  you,

Shan

 

A Day in the Kitchen.....

Dearest Readers,

I have been much occupied in the kitchen today.  The lamps are glowing to chase away the shadows (a large cold front is on the way, with snow expected in the mountains)...a glorious day to spend tucked inside, humming while I work.

Homemade laundry soap.......in the making

A bit of ironing.....by the window

Preserving the bounty of the garden....

Makes for a productive and gentle day tending to the little things that make a house a home.

Many blessings offered up by a thankful heart for a day such as this.

Yours kindredly,

Shan

Pictures: A delightful lamp sits next to my sink and casts a lovely glow...old jars and a grater are still in service after many years....this old ironing board/step-stool was Great Aunt Lettie's....my "food processor"...a bowl that belonged to my Grandmother has a new use as a home for my potholders (it is cracked and can no longer be used for food)...sweet simple things

A Recipe to Share.......

Dearest Readers,

Thank you for your interest in my BBQ Chicken Pizza Recipe.  It is a family favorite and is very simple to make. Please keep in mind that I just make this by "sight" and don't really use a recipe!

This recipe makes one large pizza:

Dough for 1 pizza or your favorite refrigerated pizza crust (1 tube)

3 cups shredded, cooked, chicken (or meat of your choice)

2 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (you may wish to add more to the pizza)

2 cups Cheddar or smoked Gouda (this is especially nice) cheese

1/2 cup red onion, diced

Any other veggies that you would like to add

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425

Mix together the chicken and BBQ sauce, (you could do this ahead of time, I think it enhances the flavor) set aside.

Spray cookie sheet or pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray, arrange dough on sheet by pressing and forming a rim around the edges.

Bake just the crust by itself for 8 minutes, remove from oven.

Your crust is partially baked, now add the chicken and the BBQ sauce, add more sauce if it seems too dry (sometimes it seems that the chicken will absorb more and sometimes less).

Now add the cheese....mmmmm

Top with the diced onion and any other veggies

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is melted

Call everyone to dinner!

Forgive me for not including a picture....I forgot to take one the other day!

Yours kindredly,

Shan

I am SO Happy......

Dearest Readers,

It is my pleasure to report that a dear, dear lady, Jewels, has re-opened her blog Eyes of Wonder!

Please visit her and her delightful family.  She truly lives a beautiful and simple life full of faith and laughter. If you are new to her blog, please take the time to read through the archives...you won't be disappointed.  They are quite extensive, but if you just read a little each day, you will be blessed, I promise.

I had never read a blog before last summer....I know, where had I been?  Wasn't I blessed that one of the first blogs I read was Eyes of Wonder!  I began to realize that there were dear friends just waiting to be found.  I was not alone in this desire to live simply.  I was not an oddball because I was completely happy to be at home... content to serve my family and those around me. 

I must say that last year when Jewels decided to close her blog, I actually cried.  This may sound silly to some, but she had become my mentor, my Titus 2 blessing.  How happy I am to find she has returned....I have so much to learn.

I know that you will cherish her as much as I do.

Yours happily skipping everywhere today,

Shan

What a Pleasant Day......

Dearest Readers,

Finally, we had a break from the heat wave!  It has been pleasant and cooler today with temperatures in the 80's.  A nice cool breeze has kept our dear old Honey Hill comfortable.

It was a wonderful day to attend to the smaller chores. The garden needed a little weeding and we plucked summer squash and a sweet red pepper! I plan to freeze the squash for use in soups and stews this winter....yum! We will grill the rest with other fresh veggies, oh my that will taste good.

A wonderful visit with the littles (the nieces and nephews) and my dear Sisters-in-Love who had spent the better part of an hour cleaning out the chicken house. We all live out here on the family acreage and it so nice to spend time together. We had a wonderful chat in the cool shade about this and that, but mostly about school which starts next week.  I so enjoy their little voices and sweet stories.

I got around to some sewing that had been calling to me and Dearest headed out on a few errands.  He brought home 2 large water barrels (recycled food storage barrels) that we will use in conjunction with our soon to be installed gutters.  He also bought a very sweet screen door for the chicken house.  Those gals need more fresh air!  We were delighted that he found something that would fit...the door is 30'x 80'...that is quite an odd size for a doorway. He is putting it in as I type. What a guy!

I will be making homemade BBQ pizza for dinner tonight and since I'll have the oven on, I will make some Banana Bread too.  If you would like the recipe for the pizza, leave me a comment and I will include it in a future post.

Later, I plan to sew the bias tape onto my Edwardian Apron.  I need to finish it soon....I ordered Western Slope peaches from the Rotary Club and they will be coming next week.  And you know what that means....canning season! 

I took a few photos the other day, as the light was just right upstairs.....here are a few photos of our Master Bedroom.....

What a pleasant day indeed.....

Yours very kindredly,

Shan

P.S.  I don't think that the room is quite as PINK as it is here on my blog, LOL!