Monday, September 5, 2016

LABOR DAY 2016 AND WEEKEND UPDATE

It's been and hit and miss weekend.  Hotter than Hell on Saturday (we're still in the 90's with high humidity) and Sunday it was nice for a bit but then storms built up and it poured rain...


We got some things done, I'll have pictures and posts up.  Harvested jalapeƱos from the garden (a couple dozen!), our first harvest of okra too, though 2nd Man is ambivalent, he doesn't think he likes okra, but I'm going to teach him about fried okra.  I did a few small projects inside and out and got everything mowed but no edging, it was just TOO hot for too much of anything outside. 

Oh and there were snakes and spiders as well...


2nd Family horse Artax was in their back pasture (which is basically our front yard, separated by a fence, ha) and so it was nice to watch her.  There is something so peaceful about a horse grazing in a pasture.  And she of course came to "her corner" and I gave her carrots.  

She was happy... 

We were happy...

Win win.

And as usual, it's been a good weekend of eating...


Saturday night it was steak and oven roasted potatoes...


...and Sunday night it was oven roasted chicken, pasta with butter and parsley and green beans with tomatoes.

Hope your weekend is going well!

Day off for us today, staying in town and doing errands around here.


17 comments:

  1. The food looks amazing as always! Don't forget that okra makes a wonderful addition to soups and stews. (It acts as a natural thickener). Okra also has some good health benefits. Not only does it have high levels of mucilaginous fiber, but recent studies seem to indicate it helps stabilize blood sugar for diabetics!

    http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/okra.html

    I had a pretty good haul of jalapenos (and tomatoes) as well. I grew the variety Mucho Nacho jalapenos and those suckers are HUGE! My day today is making sauce and salsa. Happy Labor Day!

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    1. Thank you!! It's that "natural thickener" that turns off 2nd Man, haha!!! I will read up on that, pretty good to know!

      JalapeƱos crazy this season!!

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  2. Happy Labor Day to one and all.
    Received no rain here on Sunday but sure was hot and humid. Worked on our porch window awnings and hubby finally finished up with them early this morning.
    Nice to see Artax once again and nice a nice shady spot to stand in while eating his carrot treats.
    Your meals look delicious by the way. I can't seem to get enough of the breaded okra; absolutely love it. When we go out to eat at our favorite eating establishment that is what I always order as my side dish. 2nd man, you will enjoy okra if you just try it.
    Like I have always told my daughters and grandkids; 'don't say EEWWW until you chew.' :}

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    1. Thanks for the kind words (and the cooking tips!). Yep, I told 2nd Man what my parents always said, don't knock it till you try it! I love okra!!

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  3. Happy Labor Day! Yikes, more snakes stories to come! Your meals always look so mouth-watering delicious!

    Deer ate all of my okra this year. I got one little okra and as big my little finger all summer. Okra is very good roasted in the oven too. Sprinkle the pods with a little olive oil and roast until they are a little brown. A lot of okra haters like them that way.

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    1. No bad snake stories...

      Thanks for the kind words. Deer like okra? Who knew! I have a feeling we are going to have a LOT of okra it's coming in like gangbusters. I'll have to try the oven and olive oil, yum!i

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  4. Artax is such a beautiful horse. It must be wonderful to sit on your front porch and watch her and all the Nature at your Farm.

    We’ve had thunderstorms all weekend; this morning we’ve had a series of them.

    Sounds like some good food upcoming from your garden harvest! 2nd Man will be surprised at how delicious breaded fried okra is. He sure made some great weekend suppers for y’all.

    Happy Labor Day!

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    1. Thanks, it's nice to see and enjoy the view, that's for sure.

      Food is always great around here, ha. Thanks!!

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  5. A horse you only feed carrots and stands so patiently is lovely. If you are going to make cornbread with the okra, leave 1/4 cup of the batter in the bowl. Dumped the salted and peppered okra into the bowl with cornbread batter, stir, and pour out in hot skillet. The okra separates and fries beautifully. I refuse to eat okra, but friend says it is perfect that way.

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    1. Thank you, she's a beauty and very friendly. Cornbread coated okra? Sounds delish!! Thanks!!!

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  6. I say just fry the okra and let 2nd man experience nirvana!

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  7. I've never had FRIED okra, but what I have had has been slimy and I was an ewww after the cheew! Don't see it served much around here either.

    Re your candied jalapenos .. I see Trader Joes has some that are sweet and hot .. I got a jar today but have not tried them yet ... the liquid seems thin that's around them ... I expected thick like Karo syrup ... but if good, will let you know. You are working way too hard on the farm ... hope the day comes when you can move there full time and spread out the chores!!

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    1. He doesn't like the slime either (doesn't bother me in the least, ha). Fried will be good.

      Trader Joes candied jalapeƱos? Yum!!! Let us know if good.

      It's hard work but only cause I make it hard. I try to do too much but it's hot in our summers and it gets difficult at times, ha. Thanks!!!

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  8. Our favorite way to eat okra is very simple! Heat up the fat of your choice - bacon grease, olive oil, butter, whatever- in a frying pan on med high heat. Add the whole okra - do not remove the cap and stem. Cook the okra, turning often, until it is blistered or browned on all sides. Remove from pan and sprinkle with sea salt. Mix up a dip with equal parts sour cream and mayo and add horseradish to taste. Dip the okra into the dip and enjoy! The stem makes a great "handle" that you toss away!

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