Mom's Favorite Biscuits

I found this recipe some time ago and we have fallen in love with it. It makes biscuits similar to those found at KFC. I always make several batches to freeze so they are handy to make. Just make them as usual, place them on a cookie sheet (before baking) and "flash freeze" them and put them in a freezer bag. When ready to use them, place them on a lightly oiled cookie sheet and bake as usual.

6 cups - all-purpose flour
6 tsp - salt
4 tbsp - sugar
4 tbsp - baking powder
2 2/3 cup - milk
1 1/3 cup butter, softened

Preheat oven to 425 degrees (unless you are making a "freezer batch")

Lightly stir together flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and cut in until it is crumbly...I usually use my hands but you can use a pastry cutter or two butter knives. Add milk and mix well to form soft dough. Turn onto floured surface and gently knead 6-8 times. Pat or roll dough into 1/2 inch thick circle. Cut into biscuits. Place on lightly oiled baking sheet and bake in oven for 10-13 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes approximately 36 biscuits. Serve with hot gravy or butter and jam!

Have a great day!

Mavis D.

Spring Flowers at Grandma's house

Barbeque Sauce

This Barbeque sauce is a great alternative to the store-bought stuff that's loaded with things you can't pronounce and other things that simply aren't healthy for you. If you like it with a little spice to it...double the cayenne pepper.

2 Tbs oil
2 large onions, chopped fine
1 large can tomato sauce (institutional size)
3 cups brown sugar
3 cups Worcestershire (from the $1 isle available in most stores)
1 1/2 cups prepared mustard
2 tsp salt
2 tsp pepper
1 Tbs garlic powder
1/2 Tbs ground cayenne pepper

Put oil in large stockpot and add onions. Sauté until onions are clear. Stir in spices and brown sugar; mix well. Stir in mustard, Worcestershire sauce and tomato sauce; adding tomato sauce last. Stir well and simmer uncovered on low heat for 15 minutes. Pour hot into pint jars and process in pressure canner for 20 minutes at 10 pounds of pressure. Makes 12 pints.

Wordy Wednesday

These are two of my babies. That big one there is now serving in the Army National Guard in Iraq. We're thankful for your prayers.

Low Cost Gardening Supplies

Have you been buying your bags of mulch and compost from your local garden center? The cost of those bags is unbelievable especially if you have a large garden or flower bed that will take many bags.

Instead of purchasing those bags, try calling your local landfill or county road department. Most of them shred tree limbs and other yard debris and process it to make mulch or compost and it may be purchased in bulk. Our local landfill charges $10 per pickup truck load...that is a lot of mulch! Even if you cannot use that much, you can share the cost with a friend or neighbor and still come out far ahead of the game. They usually have mulch in brown or red and many times those bags you are buying were processed at that same landfill... a local company purchased it in bulk and packaged it for sale.

Be sure to call early for compost as it usually disappears fast in the spring. Mulch is usually available year round, especially if you have recently had storms in your area.

Have a great day and happy gardening!

Mavis D.

Sloppy Jo's

1 lb ground beef
1/2 medium onion, chopped fine
1/2 cup tomato catsup
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 t. ground oregano
1/4 t garlic salt

Brown ground beef and onions in a skillet until no pink remains. Drain fat off. Stir in remaining ingredients and simmer on low for 15 minutes. Serve on buns or toasted bread. Makes 4-6 servings.

This is one of our boys favorite meals. We usually serve it with oven fries and coleslaw. Of course, we avoid catsup that has hydrogenated oils or high-fructose corn syrup.

Going "Girly"

Ok...it's weird...maybe it's my age or maybe it is because I've lived for 20 years as the only female in our home but some strange things are taking place around here. You have noticed the blog. Flowers? Who would have thought it? I love those little Gerber Daisies...they are so cute!

I have always been a "tomboy" so girly things were just a little foreign to me but lately I have started changing things to look more feminine and I'm not sure where that change has come from.

Some of the changes...besides the flowers on the blog...are that I have started wearing a lot pinker, lacier stuff and I am learning to knit. I am learning many things I always considered girl stuff.

Still, I haven't given up all of my tom boyish ways. I like playing in the dirt but we call it gardening now and I have to watch my speed when driving....I like to race but I think that comes from my mom so I don't know if it's a guy thing or not! I still hate to wear dresses and I am most comfortable in my jeans and t-shirts. I do not wear make-up and I think anything more than brushing my hair is a nuisance. Maybe I am not changing as many things as I think I am. Hhhmm Well...maybe there is hope for me yet!

Have a great day!

Mavis D.