Ketchup, Er, I mean Catch Up

Hubby and I (well, him mostly) cleaned out my garden pond Saturday, last, and whew, is that a job. Draining, cleaning, repotting plants, repairing, readjusting rocks, refilling. But it looks nice and clean. Now if I can just get it balanced for my fishies.

Planted a pretty big garden this year (for us). Lots of good stuff, if it grows. Getting rain, so that shouldn't be a problem. Hubby said today, that something (frown) is eating our broccoli leaves. Anyone know what?

We planted: potatoes, beans, corn, carrots, onions, radishes, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumbers, and I think sweet potatoes. More than enough to keep us busy canning and freezing--if it produces.

Talking about gardens, my friend Ann sent this to me. Thought you might enjoy it:

Better than Pie

2 cups Rhubarb (chopped & raw)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 box red jello (any flavor)

3/4 cup water

1 Box Jiffy Cake mix (white or yellow)

1/4 cup Butter (Melted)

Spray baking dish..Arrange Rhubarb in bottom of dish.

Mix sugar and jello together.(Dry)

Sprinkle over Rhubarb. Add water.

Sprinkle Cake mix (dry) over the above.

Drizzle melted butter over cake mix..

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes..

NOTE: I did not have Jiffy cake mix so I used 1/2 box of regular mix.

This is delicious!!(if you like rhubarb..)

Quote:
Our business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves--to break our own records, to outstrip our yesterdays by our today. --Stewart B. Johnson

Blessings!

How to Cook A Husband Recipe

From a cookbook from the 1800's

I saw this "tongue-in-cheek" recipe this morning and thought you all would get a kick out of it. Enjoy, and remember, there's more truth than fancy in this recipe!

A good many husbands are utterly spoiled by mismanagement in cooking and are so not tender and good. Some women keep them constantly in hot water; others let them freeze by their carelessness and indifference. Some keep them in a stew with irritating ways and words. Some wives keep them pickled, while others waste them shamefully. It cannot be supposed that any husband will be tender and good when so managed, but they are really delicious when prepared properly.

In selecting a husband, you should be guided by the silvery appearance as in buying a mackerel; not by the golden tint as if you wanted salmon. Do not go to the market for him as the best ones are always brought to the door. Be sure to select him yourself as tastes differ. It is far better to have none unless you will patiently learn how to cook him.

Of course, as preserving kettle of the finest porcelain is best, but if you have nothing better than an earthenware pippin, it will do---with care. Like crabs and lobsters, husbands are cooked alive. They sometimes fly out of the kettle and do so become burned and crusty on the edges, so it is wise to secure him in the kettle with a strong silken cord called Comfort, as the once called Duty is apt to be weak. Make a clear, steady flame of love, warmth and cheerfulness. Set him as near this as seems to agree with him.If he sputters, do not be anxious, for some husbands do this until they are quite done. Add a little sugar in the form of what confectioners call kisses, but use no pepper or vinegar on any account. Season to taste with spices, good humor and gaiety preferred, but seasoning must always with great discretion and caution.

Avoid sharpness in testing him for tenderness. Stir im gently, lest he lie to flat and close to the kettle and so become useless. You cannot fail to know when he is done. If so treated, you will find him very digestible, agreeing with you perfectly; and he will keep as long as you choose, unless you become careless and slow the home fires to grow cold. Thus prepared, he will serve a lifetime of happiness!

From the Yankee Kitchen Cookbook...Author and Date unknown, but from the early 1800's.

Happiness is hard to give away....it keeps coming back to the giver.



Here's a recipe from the Civil War era. I can't guarantee it's tastiness, so don't blame me if you don't like it! Laugh. Might be interesting to try though (if you're brave enough!)

Hard Tack Bread Recipe from the Civil War
Ingredients:
5 cups flour
1 cup water
1 tbs salt
Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Knead dough and roll out till it is 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into 3x3 squares, and poke a 3x3 series of holes in the center, evenly spaced. Bake in preheated oven, 425 degrees until dry and lightly golden brown.



Quote:
Have great hopes and dare to go all out for them!


Happy Easter blessings to everyone.