Happy Thanksgiving

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.   As rough as life can get sometimes we all have a lot to be thankful for.  From the really big to macro happenings in our lives. 

This is a beautiful Poinsettia I picked up at Hen House.  I love the reds and pinks and this is so Autumn, called Nutmeg.    I plan to keep inside and plant in the garden this spring.   I have had good results with other Poinsettias , they would grow but I would forget to get them back in before a cold snap.   I'm going to be on the ball with this one : )

Take good care
linda

Warm'n Up in the Cast Iron Kitchen

Yes its rough look'n but oh is it warm.  This Woodland woodstove has made our winters not so bad.  Even helped when the power is down and dinner needs cooked.   I've read, knitted and warmed frozen hands after morning chores by this woodstove along with a cup of coffee for a few years now.   Yesterday was beautiful fall weather and today its winter.   This pic was taken a couple of years ago but it stills looks the same today.   Wonderful warmth!   We use hedge wood, it crackles and pops , heats up really hot , so gets dampered down alot.  Along with this type of heat the smell of hedge is so good.   Great for using on the grill to.  It's my favorite wood to burn.  

I give the stove a cleaning with stove paint to blacken it up and almost looks new.  My cabin kitchen is turning into cast iron.  Guess its like potato chips for me, "can't have just one". 

The really big skillet has been in our family for many years.   Used on many a fishing/camping trips.  Fried bacon and eggs in the mornings and fried fish after a good days catch in the evenings.  One time I made a pancake for my uncle in that pan, it was the size of the pan.  The outsides measure 16" so maybe a 12" or 13" pancake.  He was surprised I could flip it, so was I. 

 Theres just not enough room in the kitchen for pots and pans so the wall makes a good spot for the cast iron.  It gets pretty worn so springtime after using the woodstove then a nice clean up will happen. I plan to use stone behind the stove for a more outdoorsy look. Get rid of that metal piece.

Theres a wok hanging on that metal , its well season altho I have not used it for awhile.   My first meal I made in the wok was chile, lol.   It makes wonderful Asian dishes : ) 

  I use my skillets all year, inside and outside by the Outpost.   Food taste so good cooked in these skillets and good for ya too!

My new buy is a couple of Lodge flat skillets , the kind that some restaurants will bring out steaks/chicken w onions and peppers, oh my!    I have not use them yet but look forward to some good eats using the woodstove.

My other find a couple of years ago was this Dutch oven with a pretty dome lid.  Not sure if I shared this before but thought I'd share if not.  It has dried beans stored in it now ready for a bean and cornbread dinner.                                                                                                       

My outside cooking I use the three legged camp Dutch Ovens.  The kind you put coals under and on top of the flat lid.   I love those and have made some good eats, esp the peach cobblers , yummmmmm

Yep its hard for me to past up a good buy on cast iron.  It cooks our food and warms my heart.

Oh I need to put another log on the fire!

Thanks for dropping by, Holidays are around the corner ; )
linda 

The Hen Den

I have been enjoying my Booted Bantams and  little rustic chicken house.   It sets right in the garden with the pen that will be for spring,summer and fall,  facing North for coolness and shade and then moved for a Southern exposure for warmth during those cold sunny days. 

I'm doing a little Steam Punk on the side and plans for a Steam Punk rooster weather vain. I love going out and watching the chickens and sit on the bench with a cup of hot coffee.   The garden is close to the living room windows so I can enjoy them inside while I'm spinning and the woodstove fired up for the soon to be cold days.

   
 The side door is where I will be gathering the eggs this spring.  Theres 4 nest boxes, can't wait!   Those gears almost look like flowers.  I could add some metal stems and leaves. 

The outhouse in the background I use for a garden shed, its nice and handy.   I placed a bucket in the hole part for smaller tools.

Moved the other day for that Southern exposure, the chickens seem very happy in their new quarters.

 

The day I got the chicken house a fox ran across about 20 ft with a couple of hounds following.   I have not seen a fox on the place and now that I got chickens he will be one to keep a look out for!   I love the wildlife and go with what my Dad use to say when the wild wanted a chicken dinner "build a better pen".   Easier said then done sometimes.  


Garden clean up, gathering seeds and raking lots of leaves.   And working on the wood pile always! 

Spinning and knitting everyday : )

Thanks for dropping by
linda