Summer Bread

At the store today R and I ran into our neighbors. We asked about their garden and found out they don't even have any squash planted this year. We told them we would bring them a batch. Then R added with relief, "We'd love to get rid of some. We're eating it for breakfast, lunch, and supper!"

So, I'm glad I got some good looking squash recipes emailed to me. The first one I tried was a BIG hit! It's called a bread, but it's more like cake. It was great for breakfast or snacks. Nobody gives a hoot that it's full of squash~ it's just good.

Summer Bread

3 eggs
1.5 cups of sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1 T baking powder
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 cups finely shredded summer squash

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with Pam. In a large bowl, beat the eggs till fluffy. Beat in the sugar, oil, and vanilla. Add all dry ingredients and mix. Gently fold in the squash. Spread into baking dish and bake about 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Squash Recipes?

I just figured out how to make the counter visible, so now you can see it in the side bar. It counts the hits here at Pecan Bluff. I am amazed at how many of you friends are out there following our adventures every day... but you surely are a quiet and meek bunch! Don't be shy~ speak up!

So, here's a challenge where you may be able to help me out. I need great summer squash recipes. We are sort of drowning here in butternut, yellow crookneck, and zucchini. Any fabulous (and easy) squash recipes for me?

Just One Day

HW is showing you the harvest ~

 a handful of potatoes, a baker's dozen eggs,

 lots of yellow squash, a variety of peppers,

 zucchini galore, a couple of onions, 

and a batch of grape tomatoes. 

This is the bounty from one day here at Pecan Bluff. 

One day!

So far, we've saved about $300 this month

 on groceries by Living Off the Land!

 I'd like to tell you that money will go toward something fun.

 Instead it went straight to the pediatric dentist.

 Oh, well. 

Straight From the Little Gardener's Mouth

After some gardening, the sweaty kids cooled off in the shade.

 They each chose a popsicle, and seven-year-old HW said proudly, 

"I can name all the popsicle flavors:

Yellow is lemon.

Green is lime.

Red is strawberry.

Blue is blueberry.

And purple is eggplant."

Sliding Into Summer

It's Splash Camp here at Pecan Bluff! Cousin J is here to play, and we are finding out just how much water fun 5 kids can pack into each day. J brought a super cool awesome Slip 'n' Slide, and they gave it a workout! Gram and I had a great time laughing at the faces, the moves, and the wipe-outs.

Hope in Shinshicho

The link below takes you to the Holt Blog, where there is a touching story about work being done in Shinshicho. This town is very important in the life story of our precious Baby S and has a special place in our hearts.

While we were in Addis, we had the privilege of discussing the plans for this wonderful clinic with one of the doctors who worked tirelessly to get it up and running. The need is so great in that region, and this facility and its medical staff are now able to alleviate so much suffering. I hope you will enjoy reading about it!

Holt International - Ethiopia - Where We Go From Here

Too Close for Comfort

At dusk last night I walked out onto the front porch to gather up little socks and shoes that were strewn about. While there, I decided I better check and make sure HA had turned the water off completely after their fun splashing in the kiddy pool.

I walked barefooted to the end of the porch and looked down into the flower bed to check for critters before I reached down to crank the faucet. The water was already off tightly, and I turned to go back to the front door. Then I heard a big lizard in the flower bed next to the porch, just a couple of feet from me. I turned to try to catch a glimpse. But, it wasn't a lizard. This was staring me in the face, and just as I saw him, he struck.



This photo is not of the actual venomous copperhead snake that tried to bite me last night. Fortunately that copperhead snake was blown to smithereens by my dear husband with his 20 gauge shotgun. Thanks, babe.

When I reached for the water faucet, my hand had been about 18 inches from the coiled snake. When it struck at my leg, I was about 2 feet away.

Last night I went to bed very thankful. Thankful that I was home, to tuck my children into bed. Thankful that I slept in my own bed, instead of a hospital bed. Thankful that today I can run and play and sing and work and feel great. Every good and perfect gift comes from my Father, and I praise Him for the blessing He bestowed on my front porch at dusk.