I've seen many a potato fried in my life. My Grandma and Grandpa Kincaid lived and worked in logging camps in the "north woods" of Wisconsin and Michigan. Fried potatoes were a staple. No one could fry em up like my grandma!
I don't fry things too often. Especially the way she did - with lard (boy they sure were good!). There are all kinds of frozen varieties of potatoes at the store one could use. However, making them from scratch is easy.
You can add all kinds the extras you want. I also love them with diced bacon ends
(oops, my toes...I already ate this or I would take a new one) Now that is a "logger's" breakfast.
Here is how you do it. Dice up your raw potato; I did reds and russets. This is 3 cups. You can even use the wrinkly older potatoes that you might have tossed.
Add these to a pan with about 3 T olive oil - or enough to coat the bottom of the pan - not too much. Let the oil heat up a bit and then throw the potatoes in pan. Salt and pepper to your liking and cover the pan - leave it alone. The burner shouldn't be hot, rather medium heat. You don't want the potatoes to burn. Key is to heat up the oil first.
You can see, not too much oil.
While the potatoes are cooking, dice up the veggies you want to add. I did onions, garlic, celery and a variety of peppers.
After about 8-10 minutes or so, take the lid off the potatoes and stir them around. Add the veggies, more salt and pepper and cover it again. I did add a bit more olive oil.
Pretty steamy...keep it covered while cooking. When the potatoes are fork tender they are done. Yummy.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Linking to: http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2014/07/foodie-friday-july-11th.html
I bought a bike at one of the auctions I was working. It is really cute!
I really don't exercise. Don't get me wrong, I can load, stack and unload over 100 bales of hay per wagon; I can pick up a dresser and move it up a flight of stairs; I am strong - I'm just not athletic.
I've set some small goals for myself when it comes to exercise. I was pleased last night when I even exceeded one. We live not too far from the Mountain/Bay Trail. This is a multi-county managed bike, walking, snowmobile trail from Rib Mountain to Green Bay. We have walked on this trail, Al and the girls have rode their bikes on the trail many times, but I never did. That is until now. My bike isn't fancy, or even a bike made for off road, but the trail by us is so nice. It was actually easy to ride on. We rode from Ringle to Hatley and back, which is maybe 9 miles or so. I had so much fun.
I also was able to see the bench that our 4-H club purchased as a memorial for one of our past members who passed on. I have wanted to go on the trail and see it, but it just seemed so far to walk or ride to. I was so happy to make it to the bench and see what a nice spot it is in. Derek was a great kid, young man - he would have loved this spot!
I was slower than Al. I kept telling him to not to wait for me, but he did. He said he was just happy I came along. This is something we will continue to do as "empty nesters."
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Some of my favorite blogs have been linking up to Hodgepodge Wednesday - looks like fun so - I'm in.
My past week in a few pictures:
Love, love, summer wildflowers!
Love, love this cute birdhouse I picked out of someone's garbage...in town..
My view while loading the hay wagon - lot's of chaff...
Why oh why?? Dolly, if left outside and alone too long....will find the stinkiest pile of chicken poo! She hates baths, I don't understand why she keeps doing this....
How was your week?
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Linked to: http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2014/07/front-porch-hodgepodge-sittin.html
This week, we made string art. Thanks to Pinterest, string art has become popular once again. I didn't get a picture of some of the finished projects, but they all turned out great.
All you do is start out with your wood choice. I had tree slabs, cabinet door panels and small wood plaques to choose from. They could do a finished look or rustic. After you choose your wood, you may paint it and the outline of image you will apply the sting too.
Some of the kids "free" handed their ideas to the wood, while others made a pattern and taped it down. Then you take small nails, we used panel nails, and start nailing them in to form your pattern. Once all the nails are around the pattern, you pull away the paper and your image is ready to string.
You can use all types of string, embroidery floss, yarn, jute and even wire. Tie on your string to one of the nails with a double knot, cut off the tail. We didn't hold ourselves to a pattern, we just wrapped the string from nail to nail in a free form manner. You can download patterns that tell you what nail to run each string to if you want to make very intricate designs. We found it easier to wrap the string around each nail twice and then move on to the next nail. You can push down the string and make multiple levels of string if you want. Once your image looks the way you want, you can run the string around the exterior to finish off the design. Then tie off the string in a double or triple knot and cut off the tail. That's it - really easy.
I did open Jacky's Craft Camp to other 4-Hrs not in our club. This week we had a 4-H family sign up that even show in a different county - that's awesome! Thanks for the donations, as this project was FREE for 4-Hrs as well!
(By the way, if you have old craft supplies and want to donate them, let me know. Thanks.)
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
We made hay this past weekend. I love to ride the wagon and stack the hay - unloading the wagon - another story. While we were unloading the hay, Anna screams..."it's wrapped around my leg - it's a snake!" She threw the bale down. I've seen those tiny red belly snakes in the bales before, but this - never...
This is what we call up here a Pine snake. I tried to pull it out of the bale. I was sure it was dead, but as I pulled the snake, he struggled to crawl deeper into the bale. Anna ran and got a scissors and we cut him out of the bale.
He quickly slithered down the side of the hay wagon
We watched as he tried to get away, only to find some curious hens, to which he was striking at. So, Al picked him up and moved him to the manure pile. I don't hate snakes, I just don't want them in my hay or near my chicken coop.
So, for this Motivation Monday, keeping this snake story in mind...you might find yourself like the "snake" struggling to free yourself out of a situation beyond your control. I know I have tried to work my way out of a tight spot a time or two. Sometimes, the more we struggle, the more entangled we become. I consider myself to be a rather strong person, both physically and spiritually. I really don't like to ask for help. Actually, this snake didn't, couldn't - I just helped him out of the bale. He did the rest by sliding down the wagon.
Once he was on the ground, he was moving rather slow, but still had energy enough to strike at those hens. You know what they say, "that which doesn't kill you only makes you stronger..." I'm sure this snake learned that lesson.
We can too. Every trial we face, is a lesson. The next time you find yourself in a tight spot - think of this snake story. We all need a helping hand at times. If you know of someone who is struggling, BE that helping hand. Don't wait for them to ask for help - maybe they can't/won't - just do what YOU can to help them. They might "slither" away and strike back at you - they might not even say thank you - help them anyway.
Just my observations....Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Linked to: http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/07/homestead-barn-hop-166.html#sthash.it1wo6HT.dpbs
http://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2014/07/the-homeacre-hop-78.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:
We have some very pretty birds of prey around our farm. I wish I had a better camera to get close ups. We have a tree on the edge of the field that a Red Tailed Hawk is usually perched in. This is an excellent spot for hunting. We also have some American Kestrels that nest in a house that was put up on our barn to attract them. We have had a family of Kestrels return for 10 years. This year was the first that they have decided to stay this long. I see them and hear them every day. They are so pretty.
Yep, I'm taking your picture
The Kestrels do NOT like this hawk, as I have seen them dive at him while he is in this tree. I did some research and found that Red Tail Hawks would eat a Kestrel. I love watching them.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Banana Blueberry Bread
1 C sugar
1/3 c soft butter
Cream together, add
2 eggs
1/3 c water
2 large ripe bananas
1 t. almond extract
beat together just till blended, add the dry
1 2/3 c flour
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. baking powder
blend together
1 C blueberries dusted with flour (so they don't sink in the batter)
stir in with a spoon
Spray a loaf pan, bake 350 for 50-60 minutes
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
