Happy January!

Wow! It has been over a month since my last post. I can't believe I went this long without posting anything, but we have been so busy this past month and a half I just couldn't find time to keep up with my blog. I am back now and have a few posts and recipes lined up to share with you all so stay tuned!

I suppose I should update you on what has been happening on my Minnesota Homestead this past month so here is a quick run down. The holidays are always a busy time, but since my sister had her baby right before Christmas, her and her husband couldn't come to visit us as usual. So, we had to bring Christmas to her in KC. On Christmas Day, the girls, the hubby and I packed up our presents and headed down to KC to spend Christmas with my parents, sister, bro in law and new nephew. We had an amazing time! It was great to have all of us together.

And of course, love on this little guy!

We had a quiet New Years with my cousin and her family. We realized how old we were when the adults were ready to go to bed before the kiddos. I am proud to say that we did make it to midnight to see the ball drop in Times Square, but we immediately went to bed afterwards :) We are wild and crazy I tell ya!

After New Years our entire family got sick! I seemed to get the brunt of it as usual. I am pretty sure my husband was sick for a day while I was sick for an entire week....how does that work? Since then we have kept busy. I am definitely ready for spring. The winter here in Minnesota has been pretty mild especially compared to last year, but this is the time of year when us Northerners get pretty stir crazy! Most of us take vacations somewhere warm around this time of year as is evident by my Facebook newsfeed filled with pictures of my friends in tropical locations (so jealous!) I am already dreaming of warmer days spent outside with the girls, trips to the cabin and getting my hands dirty in my vegetable garden.

I think our chickens would agree that it is time for spring! They have been cooped up most of the winter, but since it has been so mild lately, there are actually patches of grass for them to walk around on. So, I have been letting them free range and stretch their wings these past few weeks. Although there isn't much for them to eat and forage, they appreciate the opportunity to get out! I don't blame them!

Quilting

Ok, so I promised that I would announce "big news" today on a new venture. Before I do that I wanted to post about a little hobby of mine. Yes, that's right, I quilt. I have been sewing since I was in elementary school. I used to make my own clothes and strut around the playground in my very florescent creations (florescent colors were soooo cool when I was a kid). I loved it. Soon, however, sports, dance and my all consuming teenage years took over and I stopped sewing.

A few years ago a friend from law school asked if I wanted to take sewing lessons with her. She had received a brand new sewing machine from her mom and grandma for Christmas a few years prior. They were avid quilters and wanted her to take up the hobby. The problem was she had no idea how to sew or how to use her very expensive machine. It sat in her closet for a few years before she finally decided it was time to learn how to sew. She knew that I used to sew and had expressed an interest in taking it up again. So, we did some research (being the good lawyers we were) and found a beginning sewing class in St. Paul. It was a great! I was able to re-learn how to use a sewing machine and my friend finally learned how to use that almost forgotten Christmas gift. The class taught us how to buy fabric, read a pattern and sew a simple item (I made some pajama pants, my friend made a Christmas stocking).

After that first class my friend wanted to take a quilting class. She liked sewing, but she really wanted to start quilting like her mom and grandmother. So, again, we did some research and signed up for a class at Bear Patch Quilting in White Bear Lake. We were hooked! We took that first beginner class, then another class, then another, until we were taking at least 1-2 classes a season. We became friends with a woman in our first class, Jean, and began getting together at her house to quilt (it was much cheaper than taking a class). We still take at least three classes a year, but for the most part, we get together 1-2 times a month at Jean's house. Since taking up quilting over three years ago, I've made over 15+ quilts, some of them are pictured below.

And so, here is my big announcement. I've decided to turn this little hobby of mine into a semi-business. I've decided to sell my quilts on Etsy.com. I only have a few quilts posted so far, mostly baby quilts. I have a few more quilts that are almost finished and will be posted soon. I plan on expanding to baby swaddle wraps, stroller blankets, baby bandanas and burp clothes. Coming this spring my mom is going to contribute hand painted ceramic tiles for baby nurseries.

I have only been up and running for two weeks and although I haven't sold anything yet, I have had numerous people "favorite" my items and shop, which is promising. The way I see it, if I don't sell a single quilt, that's ok. I always know someone that is having a baby, so I will have baby gifts for years. I just wanted to keep doing a hobby that I love and maybe make some money from it. If you are looking for a unique baby gift, check out my shop here. Below are some examples of quilts in my shop. I am selling these quilts, but I can also do custom quilts beyond what I have posted. Facebook message or email me if you are looking for a custom quilt and we can chat. If you follow me on Instagram I am going to start posting pics of newly posted items as I finish them.

Today I completed my first baby swaddle wrap. I plan on testing it on my super cute nephew for size and functionality over Christmas before I make more.

So, please check out my shop an let me know what you think! I would love some feedback, both positive and negative. If you think anything needs improvement or change, let me know. I am really excited about this new venture in my life and would appreciate any advice! I wouldn't be a Homesteader if I didn't quilt, right?

Big News!

I apologize, I have been MIA lately. I have good reason, though. Along with the holidays, which is always a busy time, I have been busy with a new venture (more on that tomorrow) and I have more big news! I am an auntie!! Yes, my sister had her first baby six days ago. He was due on December 26, but decided to come early.

Eric James was born on December 9, 2014 at 11:50 pm. He was 6 lbs 12 oz and 19 inches long. He is named after my brother, Eric James Harms, who tragically passed away almost six years ago. I know his uncle is looking down from heaven proud as can be.

My brother in law and sister are over the moon in love with this little guy. He is the first grandson on both sides. He will definitely be spoiled rotten by his many cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. He is just so stinking cute.

I got to meet him this weekend thanks to my amazing in laws and husband that took over kid duty here at home. My sis lives in Missouri, so I wasn't able to visit until a few days after he was born, but I got to stay over the weekend and it was awesome! He is so sweet and a little cuddler! I just love this little man!

So, that is why I have been MIA lately. I have been visiting this sweetheart. I have also been heavily involved in a new venture that I plan on announcing on this blog tomorrow so stay tuned!

Seed Savers Catalog

It's here! Oh happy day, Christmas has come early! That's right, I got my Seed Savers Exchange Catalog this week. It's the first of the seed catalogs to make it to my house and by far my favorite. I love Seed Savers. If you have never heard about Seed Savers check out their website here. I love seed savers because they are a non-profit that is committed to preserving seed diversity. Not only that, but the history nerd in me loves the story of each seed they get. The catalog is filled with veggies, fruit and flowers that were all given to seed savers over the years by their members. Each seed has a history that usually goes something like "this seed came from Joe Giovanni whose family has been saving this seed for a century after their great-great grandpa brought the seed over from Italy." I just love reading about the history of the seeds and figure that if families have been saving this seed on their own for so long it must be good.

Oh, look at those tomatoes! I can just taste them now....Only 7 more months until I do...

They have both dry and snap beans. I grew the "Cherokee Trail of Tears" black beans pictured above last year and they were fantastic. I saved some of the beans/seeds and will definitely grow them again. Still deciding what other beans to grow, so many to choose from.

I grew the "Aunt Mae Bib" lettuce pictured above last summer. Loved it! Definitely will grow again. I think I will plant a few more varieties next summer. Lettuce always does so well and I just love having fresh lettuce all summer long.

Peppers! The bane of my gardening existence. They never do well in my garden, but every year I dedicate a space in my garden for them. I just don't learn my lesson. I have solemnly vowed not to grow them this year. Isn't that the definition of insanity. Doing the same thing and expecting a different result or something like that. No more peppers, but those habaneros look so cool, no, no, not happening.
 

I have heard this is the new cool thing to grow. Maybe I'll have to put this in my experimental garden, what do you think?

This is another thing I love. Throughout the catalog they have tips on how to save seeds.

"Bee's Friend" was a great addition to my veggie garden. I planted it solely to attract pollinators and boy did it deliver. There was always bees buzzing around this plant.

They have an amazing selection of herbs.

I am definitely getting those Morning Glories again. They were just beautiful.

The only bad thing about getting seed catalogs in the dead of winter is that it makes you wish for summer. Unfortunately its over five months away, argh! I am going to order most of my seeds this year from Seed Savers and the rest from Bountiful Gardens (another non-profit committed to heirloom and open pollinated plants). I am only going to heirloom and open pollinated plants this year. No more hybrids. Can't wait!

Holiday Leftovers Pizza

So, you still have a ton of leftovers from that holiday meal and are wondering what to do with them. Well, this pizza is the perfect way to get rid of some of those leftovers and have a new, delicious meal. This pizza is great because it not only gets rid of leftover turkey, but it uses up cranberry sauce, onions, garlic and cheese from that huge meat and cheese tray everyone was too full to eat.

Ingredients: pizza dough, cranberry sauce, butter, onion, garlic olive oil and leftover turkey.

Start by roasting your garlic. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Chop the top off an entire head of garlic. Place it in aluminum foil, sprinkle with 1 tsp of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Completely cover the garlic with the aluminum foil creating a ball. Place in the oven and roast for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, take your raw pizza dough (homemade or store bought), place it on a clean, lightly floured surface and roll out with a rolling pin. Roll it out to the size you wish. The thinner you roll it, the thinner the crust. Place the dough on a pizza stone or baking sheet, cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest while you prepare the rest of the ingredients, about 20-30 minutes.

While your dough rests and garlic is roasting, cut your onion into slices.

Melt your butter in a large, heavy bottomed pan over medium-high heat.

Throw the onions into the pan. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and turn the heat down to medium-low.

Carmelize the onions by cooking them over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes. Low and slow is the key to perfectly carmelized onions. When they reach that nice, brown coloring and are very soft like pictured above, they are done. Set aside.

Sprinkle about 1-2 Tbsp of olive oil over the pizza dough and spread with your fingers. (Sorry for the blurry pictures).

Next take your roasted garlic and squeeze the cloves out onto your cutting board.

Take a butter knife or spatula and smoosh the garlic until it becomes a paste.

Spread the garlic over the pizza dough with your fingers and sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper. Turn the oven temp up to 425 degrees. Place the pizza dough in the oven.

Bake the crust for about 12-13 minutes until it begins to brown.

Slice your Brie. You can use any mild cheese you have leftover from the holidays. Gruyere, goat, Manchego, mozzarella or a mild cheddar would be nice. Mix them if you have little bits of each. Any way you do this, it will be cheesy delicious!

Top the pizza crust with the cheese.

Chop up the leftover turkey into bite size pieces. Top the pizza with the turkey and carmelized onion. Place the pizza back into the oven for about 7 minutes until the cheese melts.

After you take the pizza out of the oven, dot the pizza with the cranberry sauce. If you don't have cranberry sauce, slice up some fresh or dried cherries and add those when you top the pizza with the other ingredients and bake. The cranberry sauce and sliced cherries sound weird on a pizza, but it really compliments the richness of the cheese and the savory of the carmelized onions and turkey.

There you have it, a new meal to use up those leftovers. This pizza is great any time of year. You can leave out the turkey and make this as an appetizer for a party. The key to this pizza is the richness of the Brie, the savory of the carmelized onions and the sweetness of the cranberry sauce. As long as you keep that combination, you will have a delicious pizza!

Holiday Leftover Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 medium ball of pizza dough, store bought or homemade
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 head of garlic
• 2-3 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 wheel of Brie or any leftover, mild cheese, sliced or shredded (about 2 cups)
• 1 cup of leftover turkey
• 1 cup of cranberry sauce
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice the top off the head of garlic. Sprinkle 1 tsp of olive oil over the garlic. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Wrap in aluminum foil and roast for 30 minutes. Set aside.
2. Roll the pizza dough out to fit a pizza stone or baking sheet. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rest while you make the toppings, about 20-30 minutes.
3. Thinly slice onions. Melt butter in a large, heavy bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Once butter melts, turn heat down to medium-low. Add onions and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Cook onions over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once onions are very soft and are a nice brown color, turn heat off and set aside.
5. Sprinkle 1-2 Tbsp of olive oil over rested pizza dough. Spread the oil around with your fingers.
6. Squeeze the roasted garlic out of their papery shells. Smoosh the roasted garlic with a butter knife or spatula. Spread roasted garlic over the pizza dough. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper over the pizza dough.
7. Turn oven up to 425 degrees. Bake pizza dough for 12-13 minutes until it starts to brown. Take out of oven and set aside.
8. Slice Brie (or shred whatever cheese you have). Chop the turkey into bite size pieces.
9. Top the pizza crust with cheese, onions and turkey. Place back into the oven and bake for another 7 minutes or until cheese is melted.
10. Take pizza out of the oven and dot with cranberry sauce. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving! Like I mentioned in my last post, I host Thanksgiving for 50+ people. It is so much fun. Every year there is lots of food, football and family time! Here are some pics from our Thanksgiving this year. 



Turkey veggie tray. Don't worry, I'll do a post on how to do this.

Three turkeys ready to carve.

 

Family enjoying appetizers before the meal.

Dessert and Beverage table. That plate of lefse was gone in about 5 minutes of being placed on the table.

Our buffet set up. With 50+ people there is no way we can have a sit down dinner. My hubby went last and was upset that there was no potatoes and gravy left. Auntie Sylvia, you will have to make more potatoes next year. Apparently he hasn't had potatoes and gravy for Thanksgiving in three years. It's always the first to go!

Everyone relaxing and visiting after the big meal.

Someone saw grandma eating pumpkin pie and had to come over and get some.

So, we gave them both their own piece of pumpkin pie. I think they liked it.

Despite the fact that it was 10 degrees, the brave youngins and some older folks played our annual football game. Of course we had a fire going to warm everyone up.

Diggin some holes to mark the boundaries.

Looks like a pretty serious football game.

Love the cousins!

It was such a great Thanksgiving this year. I have so much to be thankful for. I have the best husband a girl could ask for and two amazing kiddos. I have wonderful parents, sister and bro in law and an amazing extended family that makes holidays so much fun. I have so much to be grateful for! Happy Thanksgiving to you all!