Feeding the crew...

I have had the privilege of having a crew of men stay at The Lodge for the past 6 weeks or so.   They have been a delight to be around.  I don't normally cook but I do for these young men cause they work from early in the morning till after dark each evening.  They enjoy my cooking and I enjoy cooking for them.  Hope you enjoy some of my pics of the good food we have shared.  I always appreciate new recipes and several have passed on their favorites to me and I try them out on "the crew"

 Bacon wrapped cheeseburgers and jalapeno brats are always a big hit

 perfecting the art of making gravy

 this recipe for Habanero Cheddar Jalapeno Bread was a big hit and we have served it often

 Joel request the Pork Loin covered with a rub and simmered in the crock pot all day

 Morgan taught me a new Breakfast casserole which is delicious

 The large mushrooms are stuffed with Buffalo Chicken Dip.  Yummy...

 Sometimes we serve pizza

 They had never tried 15 Bean Soup before

Pork Steak on the grill

 Zucchini Bread cooling

 Home made cookies warm from the oven

 These are a special group of men and I certainly will miss them when they go home.  I think they need their own reality show.  Heck,  they are much smarter and funnier than the Duck Dynasty guys...

 They enjoy my cooking and haven't found anything they don't like,  except maybe oatmeal...

 Joel always has a smile on his face morning or night

being away from friends and family is always hard and cell phones are wonderful.  Although getting good reception is not always so...

Hope you enjoyed my little food preview.  Some new members have been added to my imaginary Walton family here in the country.  Living the good life and sharing it with others!

Strawberries straight from the patch

I have a friend who has a strawberry patch so I ordered some freshly picked strawberries to serve my guests.  Come with me as I drive out to pick them up.

How delicious do these look?  Ready to be picked up by the customers and taken home to have some whipped cream or bananas added to.   Or how about strawberry shortcake? 

You can either pick your own or they will pick for you.

I put them in a couple of my antique bowls and added a banana and served them to my guests for breakfast this morning.  They enjoyed them with their Amish Breakfast casserole,  biscuits hot from the oven and some zucchini bread while sitting on the deck listening to the turkeys gobble.  Ah, the simple pleasures of life!

Right out of the oven....

This morning I'm baking Zucchini Bread in these cute little individual loaf pans for my guests.  Won't they be great with coffee for breakfast or as an evening snack?
      I can thank my dad who raised the zucchini and then grated and packed them , froze them and delivered them directly to my freezer.  And I think I have about 50 bags.  I appreciate very much him doing that for not only me but he also did the same thing for my other sisters!
   

The Pioneer Woman

I'm sure there is no one on the planet that hasn't heard of this woman by now but just in case I'm posting her web site.  She must be my sister from another mother is all I an say.  She likes living in the country,  cooking,  photography and gardening.  And she loves blogging about all those things.  Check her web site out at http://thepioneerwoman.com

Healthy Smoothie

Here's a great smoothie recipe I found on YouTube by Dr. Oz's daughter so you know it is healthy.  She said her dad called it the "Magic Drink" when she was little.  The one I made this morning just had yogurt and bananas and strawberries and yogurt in it but think I will try her version next.  And if you don't like the things she puts in hers just leave them out and I'm sure they will taste fine.  But it will be healthier if you put them in.

                                Daphne's Superfood Breakfast Smoothie
1/2 cup yogurt, 1 cup fresh fruit, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1 tsp. honey, 1 tsp psyllium husks, 2 Ester-C tablets (broken open), 1 cup Ice.  Blend all together and serve! It's $1.79 per person and has all the nutrients and vitamins you need already in it.  Drink it every morning.  It's good for you!  Kids will love it also!