New York State of Mind

The fellas and I made the trek north to NewYork, to visit family, while the Hubs is away on business. The drive was long, and trying, at times. It has been a great experience, full of wonderful learning and incredible laughter, shared with some of our favorite people.  I have so many wonderful stories to share with you, but only once we are back home, and settled in. until then, enjoy your family...live, laugh, love.

Peanut Butter Balls

For nearly 15 years, I have made peanut butter balls for my oldest brother in law. I haven't been such a great "sister" these past couple times that we have visited them. We've had two children, and sometimes, I get distracted. This tin, is the same tin that I have always used, when I bring him his favorite, homemade candy. I have told him many times, if he wants more, I need the tin back.

If you would like to make these yummy treats, here is the recipe that I use. These are approximate measurements, because over the years, I have misplaced the original. I can now tell if I need to add more sugar, just from the texture.

Peanut Butter Balls

1 small jar of CHEAP (off brand) peanut butter
1 box of confectioners sugar
1 package of meltable chocolate

Empty contents of peanut butter jar into mixer.

Slowly add the powdered sugar. The mixture will get increasingly harder for the mixer to turn, so you'll need to stop, and knead by hand.

Once the mixture is crumbly, and you can form in to balls, you've added enough sugar. (just about the entire box) Set the peanut balls into the fridge to set firm. (about 30 minutes)


While waiting, get your chocolate ready for dipping.  


Roll balls in melted chocolate and place on parchment paper to cool. 


Enjoy. :) 

Honey Graham Crackers

I decided to try making my own graham crackers. I couldn't find the required "graham flour" that many recipes suggested. So I used whole wheat flour, instead. Here is my recipe.

Honey Graham Crackers

2 cups whole wheat flour 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup self rising flour 1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup butter (softened) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk

1) Sift together the flours
2) In a medium bowl, cream together the margarine, brown sugar and honey, until light and fluffy.
3) Stir in the sifted flours, alternating between the vanilla and milk
4) Cover dough and refrigerate overnight.
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5) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Divide the chilled dough into quarters.
6) Roll the dough out, one quarter at a time. Make to desired thickness.
7) Use cookie cutters, or shape into desired shape.
8) Cover with cinnamon sugar, before baking. Place on greased cookie sheet.
9) Bake for 13-15 minutes. Remove from baking sheets and cool on wired rack.

Going Up?

As I sit here trying to stay awake until my husband gets home, my thoughts race as fast as I can blink.


Something that has been at the forefront of my mind, lately, is the rising food costs. With the drought hitting almost every corner of the U.S., farmers, both big and small, are feeling the affects. That cost has to be absorbed somewhere. Welcome to your local supermarket. For the past couple of years, I have tried, and mostly succeeded, in buying organic foods for my family of four. It's never been something that I questioned. I knew what I didn't want going in to my children's bodies. I knew what made me feel good, to feed them. So, I paid the extra for these organic products, and we made up the difference some place else, within our family budget. 


It's getting a little harder to do that. 


I'm feeling guilty. 


I know that I'm not always going to be able to purchase pastured beef, or free range chicken eggs. I know that the milk I love to give to my children, is going to get more expensive. The current price, for a gallon of organic milk, is roughly $8. We consume two gallons a week. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Milk is one area I refuse to make a compromise. I've read to much, watched too many videos, and did my own amount of research on commercial milk. 


It's not pretty. 


So, with these economic times, forcing us to tighten our belts, I'm torn. I will continue to purchase organic milk. I can live without organic coffee, I suppose. I prefer to purchase our meat from Publix now. At least I know that they refuse using "pink slime", fillers, and dye. I talked to the butcher, and he said they take pride in their meat, and that quality is important to them. He told me they PROMISE to never use any of those items, in their meat department. That makes me feel a tad bit better, at least I know I"m not feeding my children slime, when we make hamburgers. As far as there being hormones and such in there, he said that is up to the supplier. Well... we all know how that works. :sigh:


Profit. Fatten them up fast, sell them quick. Profit.


I will continue to make as much as I can, from scratch. At least that way I know what my family is eating. I just know that it's not always going to be sugar in the raw, or organic, stone ground flour.

But I just won't compromise on the milk.

Ever.

How are you dealing with the rising grocery costs?