November in Montana

This is the oddest fall. Ever.  Probably because it's the first time in my life (aside from when I was in Ecuador) that there hasn't been snow in November! It's been like 8-12C on an average! I went for a walk up to Little Rock Hill yesterday and was wearing my t-shirt for the most of it. In the middle of November. weeeirdd. However, it is gorgeous! Clearish sky, sun and no snow! 

Bringing in some cows. I like to walk once they're all together and follow them in 

The dog and the cow checking each other out

 

This is where Jed proposed!

                                        Yucca Plant

I heard some crackling going on and realized it was the bulls, right out our window! 

Coconut Granola & Almond Biscotti

I have these plans of what i'm going to do all day and then Jed comes home from work early (like 10:30am early) and my plans get forgotten. However, I did manage to make some Coconut Granola! I eat granola with yogurt all the time, and it's cheaper to make it than buy it. Plus, you can put whatever you want in it!

 I sort of followed a recipe I found on pinterest (of course) but it's granola. So no real need to follow a recipe exactly! You can find the recipe I followed right here 

It's a good thing I ate some otherwise it wouldn't fit in the jar! 

I used hemp hearts, chia seeds, and no almonds because I was saving it for the biscotti! I think I ate about half of the granola yesterday. So full of deliciousness! 

Jed had told me that he has a good recipe for Almond Biscotti, and it was in one of his sketchbooks.  Meaning it could be in any of his many sketchbooks he has! Luckily enough, he knew which one and found it promptly.  I don't think I have ever had biscotti because I am not a coffee drinker and have trouble paying for a little piece of biscotti which likely costs $4 or some way overpriced number.  

 Jed made this almond biscotti and I realized then just how hard it is to Not snatch up some batter when it's not you making the batter. I was itching so bad to sample the dough.  Kindly enough, Jed left me a few crumbs to eat out of the bowl!
We let these cook for about 50 mins in total! They were so delicious with our hot chocolate!

Because this recipe only has eggs and some extracts for liquids, its a very dry mixture which you just pack into log shapes! 

Almond Biscotti:

1 cup blanched, sliced almonds

1tsp baking powder

1/8tsp salt

1/2tsp almond extract

2 cups flour

3/4cup sugar

3 eggs

1tsp vanilla 

1) toast almonds at 300F for 8-10 minutes, flipping occasionally 

2) beat eggs and extracts together

3) mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together

4) gradually add the egg mixture into the flour mixture

5) add the almonds about halfway through mixing the egg and flour mixture together

6) divide dough in half and roll each half into a log (10x2)

7) bake 35-40 mins or until firm to touch.  Cool 10 mins

8) slice off in diagonal slices 

9) bake 10-12 mins on each side 

*Jed used a wooden spoon to mix dough, and then his hands. The batter doesn't 'roll' out but rather you pack it into 2 log shapes! 

English Muffins

We bought some English muffins at Safeway a few weeks ago, and I re-realized that I love them! I don't eat a lot of wheat, generally speaking, but English muffins just shouldn't count. They're so good toasted English muffin with coconut oil and fresh honey on it! And of course, for Eggs Benedict.  I decided I would try and make some. I've made Jed some little French loaves a few times, but all I have is a handheld mixer, and that's no match compared to bread dough! And again, it proved true. My poor little hand mixer.  Soon, I will get a stand mixer. Soon. 

The recipe I used was pretty straight forward. You can find that recipe here. 

It said to roll the dough out to be about 1" thick. I did it thinner, just because it was rolling so nicely, and I've never had dough roll as good as this one did. So I didn't dare stop.  I'm glad I didn't because I did use the last bits and pieces of the dough to make it a bit thicker and those muffins are huge. 

I just made the dough, let it sit for a bit and then toasted each side

And then baked them in the oven for about 15 minutes, longer for the massive ones

Then they were done! I think it was the easiest bread recipe I've made so far!

I don't think any are the same size

Young Living, Thieves Oil

First of all, I am slightly obsessed with Essential Oils at the moment.  If you don't want to read about any oils, stop now, otherwise, read on and learn about the Thieves oil! 

The last few weeks, our house, us, our bedding, our clothes, our everything, has been smelling like the wonderful Thieves Oil!  For those who Don't know, Thieves is a Young Living Essential Oil   I personally believe it one of the best oils out there. It is a blend, consisting of Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Rosemary, Lemon and Eucalyptus Radiata. The blend of those oils are combined to kill practically every germ that tries to reach you! Plus, it smells like fall.

Our whole town is sick it seems, and Jed has been working with his brother who is sick with a cold as well.  I've (we've) been putting Thieves on our feet, diffusing it, putting a drop on our tongue, putting it in water, etc etc.  It is an oil that can be taken internally, so I have been making Jed some "magic" water to take to work. I put some Thieves, peppermint, and lemon in it. It's basically horrible. But it does the trick! (so far)

Some uses of Thieves:

• put a few drops in a spray bottle and use to sanitize countertops, tables etc
• use that same spray bottle and use as an air freshener
• add to floor washing water
• put 4 drops on a cotton ball and then into a baggie-open baggie to inhale the aroma
• put a cotton ball with a drop of thieves in your shoes, purse, fridge, etc to eliminate odors 
• apply a drop to your feet to help fight the germs
• mix with 1 cup of baking soda and 6-10 drops of thieves to use to scrub a shower/tub
• stung by a bee? Put a drop of thieves directly onto sting for pain relief 
• add a few drops to your dishwasher or dishwater to eliminate smells and help clean the dishes! 
• diffuse to help kill germs in the air
• Thieves is also able to be taken internally-add to a cup of tea, hot cocoa, or water, put a few drops in a capsule to support your immune system 

This is just to list a few uses of the amazing Thieves Essential Oil.  Thieves is by far, the most used oil around our house! If you are interested more about Thieves oil, other products or signing up with Young Living, let me know. There are some great deals for when you sign up! 

Mailday Friday

Maildays are my favourite days I believe. Especially lately as we've been getting things in the mail, good things!  Things we've bought ourselves, or gifts. Today I got my pay-it-forward gift from Denise; some davidstea! The day only got better. My father in law gave me a big container of locally grown honey-yum!   I've been motivated for the last few days to do some canning/dealing with fall produce, for the first time on my own. Yesterday I cut open an average sized pumpkin and a small one. From those two pumpkins, it gave me: 13.5lbs of purée, some pumpkin seeds to make sweet and savory, pumpkin butter and a pumpkin loaf! Now I have about 20 more pumpkins to deal with!  In the past two days I've made a bunch of pumpkin stuff, soup for Sunday, yogurt and soup!  I think I've likely washed about 100 loads of dishes. By hand. 

Some of the bigger ones

The outcome!

Free samples too!

Local honey

Arg. I'm having a horrible time trying to get those two above pics side by side, or even centered. According to the toolbar, they are centered. Or any photo organized.

Making tomato sauce!

All it made

I have a super easy recipe for Crockpot Yogurtand haven't bought yogurt for months, I love it! It makes about two full yogurt containers full. We have company coming Sunday so I made a big pot of the best corn chowder soup ever!

Making yogurt

And Mom's corn chowder soup!