The Old Fashioned Homestead

Friday, February 17, 2017

Thursday, February 16, 2017

My Favorite Enchiladas

Enchiladas

1 lb. ground beef

1 pkg. organic onion soup

¼ c. organic catsup

About 1 cup water

organic enchilada sauce

Corn tortilla shells

5 hard boiled eggs

Shredded cheese, any

Brown hamburger. Add soup, catsup, and water, simmer till juice disappears. Put enchilada sauce in small saucepan, add one half can of water (bring to medium consistency). Heat to almost boiling. Coat tortilla shells with sauce and fill with meat, sliced eggs, and cheese. Place in baking dish. Cover with remaining cheese and sauce. Bake at 350 for 20 to 30 minutes, or till sauce is boiling at edges.

Thursday, February 9, 2017

On The Homestead As Art

Have you thought about putting a painting of your homestead in the house? Old English estates usually displayed paintings of the home, the land, and the favorite animals. Often, you would find carefully drawn floorplans of the home tucked in the corner.

(pictures from various sources, owners retain rights)

Saturday, February 4, 2017

This Fridge....

The Anything Casserole

½ pkg. onion tater tots

1 bag any kind of shredded cheese

1 bag any frozen vegetables

1 can any cream or regular soup

Salt and pepper to taste, other spices as desired

Optional: 2 cups uncooked instant white rice and 1 cup water

Optional: 1 can tuna fish, chicken breast, or other canned meat, or chopped uncooked hot dog.

Combine vegetables, soup, and spices, in large bowl. Carefully stir in meat and/or rice if desired. Preheat oven to 450. Place tater tots in a single layer on bottom of 9x13 or so casserole pan. Add soup/veggie mixture. Sprinkle salt and pepper, then cheese as desired. Bake for 1 hour.

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

The Honest Working Man

Marie Joussaye

As through the world we take our way

How oftentimes we hear

The praises sung of wealthy men,

Of prince, and duke and peer.

The poets tell us of their fame,

They are lauded o'er the land,

But you very seldom hear them sing

Of the honest working man.

They praise the wealthy banker,

The purse-proud millionaire;

Their pockets have golden lining,

So they're praised from everywhere.

Let others sing the praises

Of those darlings of the land,

But mine shall be a nobler theme--

The honest working man.

Let monarchs prize their glittering crowns

And all their royal host,

Let lordlings brag of their blue blood--

They have nothing else to boast.

But what is all their rank, compared

To our hero, true and grand,

One of fair Nature's noblemen--

The honest working man.

His hands may be both rough and hard,

His clothes and speech be plain,

But you will find his manly heart

Without a spot or stain.

And there are some whose clothes are fine.

Whose hands are soft and white,

But the secret records of their lives

Could never bear the light.

May Heaven's choicest blessings fall

Upon that hero's head,

Who bravely toils throughout each day

To earn his loved ones bread.

You'll find no monarch who can show

A record half so grand.

God bless great labor's true-born knight--

The honest working man.

So now of Fortune's favored ones,

Henceforth let less be said,

And more be spoken of the man

Who toils for daily bread.

God bless each hardy son of toil

That labors in the land.

Friday, January 27, 2017

How to Dress Up the 'Stead

It's winter, everything is buried in ten feet of snow, and you are on the couch thinking, "This is boring. I wish I had something constructive to do."

Suddenly, you think of this article, and you're inspired!

You plug in the trusty old scroll saw, pull out a bit of wood and your pencil, and get crazy.

Later, your spouse comes home and says, "What on EARTH did you do?"

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes," they agree, as you both stand back and survey the magnificent work you have done.