The Wonders a Week Can Do

June 11, 2013 / makingofahome / 2 Comments

Good morning, friends. Although it has been less than a week since we took a walk through the gardens together, so much has changed. I hesitate to say it because I fear I may jinx it…But we have been getting some fabulous rain, and beautiful temperatures of late. In fact, much of the rain has fallen in the late afternoon and evenings, blessing us with partial or full sun during the daylight hours. Our garden seems to be loving this, because I must say I don’t think I have ever seen it this healthy looking in the five years we have lived in this house.

And so today, I ask that you join me once again for a tour of the gardens…

Early June Happenings

June 5, 2013September 1, 2015 / makingofahome / 5 Comments

The Fagan home is abustle now that school is complete, and the long-awaited summer is underway. We are taking full advantage of the crisp mornings by getting chores done and out of the way well before eight o’clock, and then we spend our time basking in the balminess of the afternoon warmth, sipping citrus-infused water and reading in the warm sunlight. Sneak in there time for summer homeschooling sessions, baking some ambrosial honey-infused dishes, and testing out new homemade personal-care items, we have truly been filling those hours of extra daylight the summer so graciously offers us.

Here are the happenings around here during this first week of June…

~The peonies are in full bloom, painting our landscaping with breathtaking pink vibrancy.

~Learning doesn’t stop over the summer months. The girls and I spend the first hour or two of each day completing a few homeschooling lessons. My heart melts when my little ones say, “I love summertime when you can be our teacher Mommy.” Love.

~I came up with a lovely vegetarian spin to a lip balm recipe I found in Long Way on a Little by Shannon Hayes.

~A. MAZE. ING. “Everyday Oat Bread.” Better watch out Tyler, because I think I have a new love. The recipe can be found in Amanda Blake Soule’s The Rhythm of Family.

~Our first attempt at growing hot peppers seems to be working out so far. Fingers crossed.

~I’m not quite sure if there is a better combination: sun, wine and good reads.

~My girls actually came up with the idea of drinking “fancy water” (as they call it 🙂 ) while we catch some rays outside.

~A fairy garden in full bloom. Such a beautiful birthday gift for a four year old little girl.

~Salad for dinner with greens from our garden, topped with a dandelion vinaigrette. The vinaigrette recipe can be found in Taproot Magazine Issue 1 :: Soil.

~It’s strawberry time! Woohoo!

~Oh the garden…Always work to be done, but always a place of peace and beauty.

~And for a snack after all of that energy is expended in the garden: “Holiday Rounds” from Keeping Bees by Ashley English. Another great dessert that uses no refined sugar. Yummy.

What have you been up to lately? Share a link to your early June happenings in the comment section.

Honey-Sweetened Oatmeal Cookies

May 30, 2013May 26, 2013 / makingofahome / 2 Comments

Again, in an attempt to lighten our refined sugar load, I have been playing around in the kitchen a bit to find some alternatives to our favorite dessert recipes. Replacing the granulated and brown sugars in traditional oatmeal cookies with local honey, created a wonderful cake-like cookie. The floral taste of the honey, paired with the nuttiness of these local oats, makes this cookie one you just must try!

Honey-Sweetened Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 cup butter (softened)

1 cup local honey

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup wheat flour

1 cup all purpose flour

2 cups rolled oats

Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and honey. Then add the ingredients to the mixer in the order listed, being sure each ingredients is fully incorporated before adding the next.

Scoop out the dough by the tablespoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 minutes. Enjoy!

*A note about all my recipes: I use all organic ingredients, local when available. I use non-homogenized milk, and all of the dairy we use is from animals raised on pasture. I also use oils that are non-GMO verified. All our meat is raised locally on organic feed, and our beef is grass-fed, grass-finished. All our spices and cane sugar are fair-trade certified and purchased through a cooperative.

Garden Tour

May 29, 2013May 26, 2013 / makingofahome / 4 Comments

Although at a snail’s pace, we are getting our garden planted and the space is looking a bit less like a field of dandelions and a smidge more garden-like these days. Join me today on a tour through the gardens…

Dairy Free Ice Cream

May 28, 2013May 26, 2013 / makingofahome / Leave a comment

The littlest Fagan just celebrated her 4th birthday, and this soon-to-be-chef had been planning her party menu for months. At the top of her list was The Pioneer Womans’ Blackberry Chip Ice Cream. Well, unfortunately for my tiny girl, a few days before the big shebang, we were told by her new doctor to avoid dairy and refined sugar. Huh. This placed quite the damper on our birthday party edibles.

But never fear, dairy alternatives are here! While big sis was at school, my little chef and I transformed our kitchen into a recipe test kitchen. We tinkered away for a few days and came up with a fabulous dairy free, refined sugar free version of The Pioneer Woman’s ice cream.

I hope you enjoy this summer treat as much as we did!

Dairy Free Ice Cream

Put 1 cup blackberries (these can be fresh or frozen) and 1/2 local honey in a blender. Blend until smooth and set aside.

Pour 2 13.5 oz cans of coconut milk into an ice cream maker. Switch the ice cream maker on and allow to run for 3-5 minutes. To the coconut milk, add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Once the vanilla is incorporated, add the blackberry/honey mixture.

Allow the ice cream maker to run until you notice a creamy consistency begins to form. Then add 3 oz. dairy free chocolate chips (we used these). Run the ice cream maker until the chocolate chips are evenly distributed throughout the ice cream.

Store in an air tight container in the freezer until you are ready to eat. (I suggest taking the ice cream out of the freezer about 5 minutes before you intend to serve it because the coconut milk tends to freeze pretty solid.)

Enjoy!

Spring Goodness

May 16, 2013May 15, 2013 / makingofahome / Leave a comment

It seems that after a very long winter…Spring has finally arrived! The flowers and trees burst with color, asparagus spears peak out from the surface of the soil, and dandelions and wild violets paint the yard with vibrant color. At this moment, I find it hard to think of a better time of the year.

This week finds us in the midst of school and home garden planting, retirement celebrations, dance recital rehearsals, and birthday party preparations…All enjoyed with a magnificent spring melody playing in the background.

I hope all of you find yourself in the splender of this season as well!

Better Late Than Never

May 14, 2013May 13, 2013 / makingofahome / 1 Comment

Now, I know I am a bit late…but…Happy Mother’s Day to all of you fabulous mamas out there!

Here is a photo journey through our Sunday…

Gratitude

May 9, 2013May 8, 2013 / makingofahome / 1 Comment

This morning I am so very grateful for…

~brightly colored tulips dotting our flower beds.

~the scent of fresh coffee steeping in my french press.

~kindergarten-sized hands planting seeds in rich soil.

~ballet and tap shoes strewn across the floor, mixed with some lovely pink feathers, in preparation for an upcoming dance recital.

~the Nadig family and the crew at Eikman’s Processing, and the delicious pork our family is now able to eat throughout this year.

~four garden beds beginning to sprout with life. (I’m just choosing the ignore the other 13 beds that are filled with dandelions and soil untouched since November. Ahem.)

~evenings spent discussing Nick, and Daisy, and Gatbsy…oh my!…with my husband, in preparation for The Great Gatsby movie release Friday.

~family who live close enough to spend Sunday with in celebration of Mother’s Day.

~only three more weeks until both of my babies are done with school for the summer! (How did the year go so fast? Oh my.)

~the peanut butter cookies I am about to bake…and eat for breakfast 🙂

Bathroom Redo

May 1, 2013April 29, 2013 / makingofahome / 4 Comments

{Before}

{After}

I recently completed a decoration redo of our main bathroom, and I must say, although it took me awhile to complete, I am quite happy with the results. The decor is definitely inspired by the natural elements, specifically a beautiful piece of wood from my father-in-law.

The photograph project was pretty easy, it just took some time to allow for drying between layers.

1. I first spread a very thin layer of Modge Podge on the back side of a black and white photograph. I carefully smoothed out the picture, mounting it in the center of the piece of wood.

2. Then using a sponge applicator, I applied two very thin layers of Modge Podge to the top of photograph (also covering the entire piece of wood). I allowed 30 minutes of drying time between coats.

3. I then took a very fine grit sand paper and roughed up the edges of the photograph.

4. Next I repeated Steps 2 and 3 four more times.

5. I finished off the project by applying 5 thin coats of Modge Podge to the entire piece of wood. (Allowing 30 minutes of drying time in between each coat.)

Breaking Ground

April 30, 2013April 29, 2013 / makingofahome / 3 Comments

After much anticipation, last week we began work on our school garden! Today I am thrilled to take you on a quick tour of our progress thus far. So strap on your garden boots, here we go…

We have a bit of structural work to complete this week because we are hosting a “School Garden Kick-Off Festival” on Sunday, where there will be garden tours, local farmers and a chef…oh my! We then hope to get the kids planting next week. I cannot wait!

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