Monday, October 28, 2013

A weekend at the Homestead


It isn't often that we get a weekend away with no cell phones or internet, but this last weekend we enjoyed a trip to Jamie's homestead in Marion, AL. Jamie was born in Marion in 1982 and remained on his family's dairy farm until his dad took a Job at Auburn University in 1987. His family has since stopped the dairy business and some now are catfish farmers and some retired. Jamie's Aunt Joyce and Uncle John are whom we were visiting this weekend and it is where we call home during hunting season. They allowed their children and Jamie to build a bunk house as Joyce calls it, the Hut as we call it, behind their home to house all of us during the winter months. Now for all your women who long to go to the hunting camp with their spouses (if there are those women) there is nothing spectacular about the Hut. It is simple and comfortable. No cable tv, no central heat or air, but we do have window units and hot water. Surprisingly this city girl loves it. We do have heat in our room and there is something about waking up to that chill in the air and then cooking breakfast while the men come in from hunting! There is never a dull moment when we are all together!

Here is the hut:
It sits up on a hill behind the main house.
This is our room! There are a total of five bedrooms in the hut.
The bathroom and the one room I used to be scared of. It is much better than camping! And the guys do a great job keeping it clean!

This weekend our main goal was to see Jamie's Uncle who had a heart attack back in August and to do some clean up on the roads between the green fields. Hunting takes a lot of work! 
This is before the work day began. I think Jamie was surprised I had volunteered for manual labor!
Jamie started on the first road with his pole saw making quick work of limb removal. While Brady and I cleaned up limbs.
Jamie actually gave me a machete to use, I am not sure what he was thinking.
Proof that I can handle manual labor!
Jamie working in a tree stand.
I don't see how they climb these stands in the dark with guns and back packs. I could barely do it just holding a bag of zip ties.
The final stretch of road. I was on buggie duty at this point. As we were working the roads we came across one of the neatest/creepiest places in the farm. The grave yard! These head stones date back to the 1880s.
There are hundreds of graves and some tombs on this land. It is a little creepy but at the same time it amazes me that these are in the middle of the woods and have mostly remained untouched and undisturbed. There are a few that have suffered damage and decay.
After our grave yard visit we went to town and these two clowns just had to have their picture taken with the game warden truck.
Watching football with Uncle John at the nursing home!
On the way to town I saw this cotton field and asked if we could stop on the way home and pick a piece. Dispute growing up in Alabama I have never touched cotton in its natural state. It was hilarious when we pulled back up and they were cutting the field! 
Still got my picture!
Huge blocks of cotton.
At the end of our long day we went to the clay pit for some target practice!
He was right on point.
Less than thrilled about all my photo taking! But this was at the end of a long long day on the farm! The weekend was capped off with a short trip to Birmingham to surprise my niece at her last softball game of the season!
Sweet Emily!
We also saw this cutie play fall ball! Here are some action shots:
Epic aunt fail my phone died during Carter's game!
And then the ride home. We had a wonderful weekend full of family!

B


Friday, October 25, 2013

Cookbooks


I started my culinary journey with this book.
By far a cooking bible if you ask me! I have read it from cover to cover and cook atleast a quarter of the recipes. I have always said that if you are unsure about cooking or baking, that the best way to learn is by buying a cookbook. Most cookbook authors include kitchen must haves and FAQs to help a new cook. There is also recommended list of things you should keep in your pantry and refrigerator! Here are a few of my favorite cookbooks!!
Any southern living Christmas Cookbook I will buy!
Ina really teaches you some Upscale dishes and techniques.
Trisha's cookbook is all about southern flair and flavor.

The pioneer woman needs no introduction! Her cookbooks are wonderful and well illustrated if you need help! She is definitely a cooking icon of mine.
Considering we live in AU this is great to have on hand!
This is a bakers dream cookbook it gives so many great idea for different flavors and decorating techniques!
The chocolate bible!!!!

I would recommend these for purchase to anyone needing to learn about cooking or baking! I will pick up a cookbook to read before I will pick up a novel!

I hope everyone has a great weekend, Calley's Kitchen is closed and I will have a blog about the weekend on Monday!!

B

Monday, October 21, 2013

Taco Soup

Tuesday is Mexican Night in the Brady household, so tonight I made Taco Soup! I do tacos, enchiladas and fajitas often but this cool fall weather calls for something warm and scrumpitious! This is one of the few soups I cook, we just aren't soup people!

Here are the ingredients:
You can switch up the bean types as you wish. But you need the following:

1.5 lbs lean ground beef
1/2 of a large onion
Can of Pinto beans
Can of Black beans
Can of whole kernel corn, drained
Rotel
Can of stewed tomatoes, Mexican
1 oz taco seasoning
1 packet of Ranch dressing mix

I start this recipe the night before while cooking dinner. 
Sauté the ground beef and the onion with a little olive oil over medium heat.
Cook until ground beef is cook through. 
Drain meat and onions and let cool until the mixture is at room temperature.
Spoon into a ziplock bag and store in fridge until ready to use the next day or freeze for up to a month. Now the next morning:
Open all your cans and be careful, I sliced my finger on one. 😩
Pour everything in! I drained everything but the tomatoes.
Add the meat mixture.
Add ranch and taco seasoning.
Add a can of water.
Stir all the goodness together.
Set it on low and forget it till dinner time! The one think I dislike about this recipe is I have to smell it all day!

I serve with Fritos, sour cream and cheddar cheese!

Tomorrow on the blog: 
Parmesan Asparagus Orzo!

B