a number of things

popcorn!

 

Way back in the early spring, we decided to plant a small patch of popcorn as an experiment of sorts.  The variety we chose is called calico popcorn and it was such fun to see all the different colors!  Some ears were solid red or yellow or orange, but some had all three of the colors mixed into one ear.  So beautiful.

 

When they were ready, we harvested the brightly hued ears, peeled back the shucks and left them to finish drying out on the back porch.  (Amelia even used some of the shucks to make a corn-shuck doll following the instructions in The American Girl's Handy Book.) A couple weeks back, I spread out a sheet on the porch floor and gave the kids the "task" (they loved it) of taking the kernels off of the cobs.  Some used their fingers while others employed tools I am fairly certain our ancestors would not have bothered with.

 

They were amazed at how soft the empty, dried cobs were and even more astounded when I told them that corn cobs were frequently used as toilet paper in outhouses as late as the 1930's. (ew!)

 

We didn't plant much, so we didn't expect much and we were quite thrilled to find that we ended up with a little over a quart of popcorn. 

 

Well, today I finally popped some.  It did not pop up as evenly as "store bought", but the lessons learned more than made up for any unpopped kernels.  After lunch, I think we will sit down for a bit of popcorn reading and perhaps pop up another bowl.  Yum!

   

Gardens of Grace shop update

A few new things for autumn will go up in the Gardens of Grace shop tomorrow at 3pm EST.  Pop in and take a peak if you would like! 

Have a terrific day!

   

corners ~ outside looking in

This is a view of our favorite reading spot, taken from where Isaac and I sat having our morning tea on the back porch a couple of days ago.  All the kids have been down with colds (+fever & coughs) for the last week and a half, and basking in the sweet October sunshine is just what the doctor (mom)ordered.

I have been working on a few new things for Gardens of Grace, but not too many.  I only have about seven weeks left of this pregnancy and I can feel myself slowing down a bit.  I am hoping to have the new pieces up in a week or so and to also get a bit more baby sewing in soon.

Have a beautiful October day!

  

vinegar cake

Autumn breezes have me in a baking mood. This recipe was given to me by a friend (Thanks Jenni!) years ago when we were in the throws of dealing with food allergies with our third child.  It is so yummy, however, we still make it even though Isaac has (thankfully) outgrown his allergies (especially when I am low on eggs). The original recipe on my card lists the title as "No Dairy / No Egg Chocolate Cake", but we call it simply "vinegar cake".  It is incredibly moist and tender and quite delicious eaten drizzled with a bit of simple powdered sugar icing.

 

Vinegar Cake

• 3 cups flour
• 6 Tablespoons cocoa
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

Combine the above ingredients together in one bowl.  In another bowl, mix the following:

• 2 cups cold water
• 3/4 cup oil
• 2 Tablespoons vinegar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Add the liquid ingredients to the dry and blend well.  Pour into 2 oiled 9-inch pans (or whatever you like using) and bake at 325 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes.  Test with a toothpick near the end of the baking time - do not over-bake!

To add extra chocolatiness, dump a half bag of milk chocolate chips into the batter. It would, of course, no longer be dairy free. :-)