Tomatoes and Garlic

Tomatoes and Garlic

Welcome to The Rancher’s Daughter

Home. Nothing is as sweet as home. We’ve had some wonderfully warm weather here considering it is already mid-October. I can feel the wind changing a bit, though. Cooler morning and evenings. I’ve been trying to sneak a swim in whenever I can because I know how much I will miss that once fall and winter set in for good. The water is cold, though.

Even though it is cooler, the grass still needs cutting and there’s always some wood to be chopped, land to be plowed, and fallen limbs to be burned. I always burn limbs and debris from the woods in the fall.

It usually takes a day to get leaves and limbs all burned. LB usually cuts down any dead trees, and we get those chopped for firewood if possible. The rest goes in the burn pile. The day usually ends with a crackling warm fire, and we roast wieners and have hot dogs. We follow up with roasted marshmallows and make s’mores. We have many pleasant memories surrounding the fall fires; we’ve had these mini bonfires since Magpie was very small.

Halloween is just around the corner, fall breezes have a slight chill. Magpie got up one morning about a week ago and was flabbergasted that “smoke” was coming out of her mouth when she went outdoors early one morning. Yes, that time is upon us.

I’ve already started drinking hot chocolate and spice tea in the early mornings and late evenings. The southeastern Alabama wooded acres are losing their leaves and acorns abound. Soon the leaves will be sparse, and I’ll be able to see the dirt road down back; but, I won’t be sad. Spring will be here before you know it, and the leaves will return. I love fall, but I do love summer, too.

Winter does have its charms. LB has the fireplace ready to go, and the wood is cut and stacked. I’m digging up recipes that are for cooler months, such as casseroles, soups, stews, chili, gumbo, and spiced tea mix.

The lizards are still running about. LB encountered a rattlesnake about a week ago in the early morning hours; it is a good thing we keep ample lighting about the place where we walk. We have had many encounters with rattlers and copperheads. Magpie was taught early on how to watch for them, she has a very keen snake eye.

Our place is heavily populated with squirrels, a wonderful bird population, and my wonderful rescue Wonder Dog named Mickey. We also have a very loving black pug named Clarence.

The garden is ready to have its summer leftovers tilled under. I will plant turnip and mustard greens, not sure what else yet. If the winter is mild, and it usually is here in the deep south, I can plant lettuce and it won’t be affected by the winter and will last through til spring. We did have the most abundant pepper crop ever, using Epsom salt and coffee grounds as fertilizer. Be sure to catch that post. The results were AMAZING.

We hope you will visit us often and try some of our wonderful recipes. The pinto beans and cornbread recipe is now posted, a tribute to my mother, Juanita. My cousin Donna offered up a wonderful Chili Recipe, and Magpie posted her chili recipe also.

The Hot Link Farmhouse Sausage Sandwich is posted, every time I read the title it makes me want one. We are also starting up a section on home canning and preserving. Whether you have a large farm or a small garden, you can always benefit by knowing how to preserve and can your garden harvest. I came across a farmhouse egg sandwich recipe that has me chomping at the bit to try, and add my own unique touches. I’ll get that up and posted shortly.

We do love our beans and cornbread, but there are also a lot of other tasty treats being prepared in my kitchen just about every day of the week. The rancher’s daughter loves to cook. On our website, you’ll find articles on: gardening, composting, vegetable gardening, cooking, herb gardening, container gardening, cooking with garden vegetables, growing potatoes, growing tomatoes.

We also love our dogs and we talk about dogs too, and other general interest articles we like to share. Oh, and we talk about our daughter, the PIE. Watch this week for some NEW recipes sure to tickle your Cooler Weather Hunger Desires.

We have a mayonnaise poll going on and need your comments. Seems Kraft changed their recipe, so we are exploring new mayo brands and would love to know what you think.

The Rancher’s Daughter wants you to experience our warm southern hospitality. I love to cook. I love to garden. I love to experiment with different gardening techniques, and I will plant a vegetable anywhere. Literally. And I love LB. I do so love that MAN! After all these years, he still warms my butter and stirs my grits.

The Pie is getting so grown up, drives and works. She is spoiled rotten, we know caused we are the ones who spoiled her.

Recipes to come this week include: creole stuffed peppers, crockpot corn, chicken noodle casserole, corn bread fritters, the best egg sandwich, homemade spicy mayonnaise, turnip greens (MY special version) and cornbread, and southern pecan pie.

Oh, and my fried fruit pies! LB loves them. Apple? Peach? Cherry? Rhubarb? No matter, they are ALL good. Made fresh, and oh my heavens how these DO taste warmed up lightly and topped with a good brand of vanilla ice cream.

Come on in, get barefoot, soak your feet in our pool and enjoy Southern Country Comfort. You won’t be able to soak the feet much longer until Spring, unless you just like cold water. Good Ole’ Country Comforts! Deep South, we DID get snow this year! I got pictures! I’ll post them soon! Hugs to all Rancher’s Daughter Followers!

the Rancher’s Daughter