Prairie Flower Farm/Gooseberry Patch Party!!!!

PARTY CLOSED........until next time! 


Hello sweet ladies!!!!!!!!!!


Okay.......this is a little update later in the day on Saturday......I will explain why I am back here.  While I was putting up the post today.....I grabbed the wrong cookbook for the giveaway...........and took the picture and then put up a different Butterscotch Bar recipe then what I had made....(it looked different from the one I had made at the college, but just thought I was tired)......yup....leave it to me. The real cookbook was suppose to be......... 

Meals in Minutes, 

Gooseberry Patches 10th Anniversary Edition

All I can say is LIFE happens here on our farm!!!!!!!! We will have two winners....

the lady I draw first will be able to pick the cookbook of her choice 

Either...

Meals in Minutes

or

Rush-Hour Recipes.

1st winner 

will receive the cookbook of her choice and the apron.

2nd winner 

will receive the remaining cookbook.

I am so so sorry for the mix up.....but it has made the party a little more exciting!!!!!!! Right? 

March 31 thru April 11th

sign up over at noon (central time)

It's time............for a 

Prairie Flower Farm

&

Gooseberry Patch Party!!!!!!!!  

It is time for another

One of my favorite things to do!!!!!

I am so excited to tell you what Gooseberry Patch has been up to. Of course it is another cookbook that is full of lots of wonderful fast recipes and those helpful little hints at the bottom of each page. I just love to read those!

A toasty touch for soups! butter bread slices and cut into shapes using mini cookie cutters. Heat on a baking sheet at 425 degrees until crisp and then garnish filled soup bowls before serving.

The Gooseberry Patch Cookbook is called........

Rush-Hour Recipes......

(go here to buy, if you would like)

the cover is beautiful don't cha think?

The contents.........

5 Ingredients Favorites

One Dish Dinners

Slow Cookers to the Rescue

Soup's On

Make-A-Meal Sides

Speedy Potluck & Party Foods

The first recipe I made was for the college kids. 

Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Bars........EASY!

Old-Fashioned Butterscotch Bars

1/2 c. butter melted and slightly cooled

2 c. self-rising flour

1-3/4 c. brown sugar, packed

2 eggs, beaten

1 tea. vanilla extract

1 c. chopped pecans

Garnish: powdered sugar

In a large bowl, combine melted butter, flour, brown sugar and eggs; mix well. Stir in vanilla and pecans. Spread in a 13"x9" baking pan sprayed with non-stick vegetable spray.Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center tests clean. Cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar and cut into bars. Makes about 2 dozen.......you have to have a glass of milk with these.......they are delicious!!!!!

I didn't put in the pecans, so many kids are alergic to nuts at the school.

This recipe is a must try.......you will like......make some up for a shut in.......that would make their day!

Now you know I love to have these parties and I love to also have a little giveaway to go with the Recipe books. I have been stitchin' on a new little apron for the celebration. You can wear it in your kitchen, garden, a sewing apron, as you are working on your crafts or any way you would like.

My little Prairie Flower Girl with a Girlie! 

The apron has 4 different size pockets you will find useful.  I will have a pattern later, just not enough time in my day! 

Okay.....are you ready for the party??????

All you need to do to win is sign up.........don't feel pressured to do all the votes. Just what you want to do!!!!!!!

vote 1 

leave me a comment, you could tell me something about yourself.....like what you like to do in your spare time. 

vote 2

become a follower if you are not and tell me if you are.

(find along the side of my blog at 

"Sweet Followers")

vote 3......

leave me a note on my 

Prairie Flower facebook

let me know you have left a note please
become a follower if you like

vote 4

Now this is the sweetest vote.......please go to 

Gooseberry Patch facebook....

become a follower if you like, but for sure leave them a little love note~  If you do please let me know you did  and tell them I sent you. If it wasn't for them......we wouldn't be having a cookbook party

Anyone is welcome to sign up for the party.......

overseas, Canada.......it is open to Everyone!

I love hearing from old friends......and I love meeting new ones!

Can't wait to see who comes to our party............

Hugs to you sweet ladies! 

May the Lord bless you and yours!

Linda


IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BLOG LEAVE ME YOUR EMAIL ADDY on my prairieflowerfarm@gmail.com, put gooseberry party on subject. 

Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcake.......my way!

Hello sweet ladies,

Today a storm was brewing........it wasn't by us, but we could watch it growing in the east and southeast. It is definitely looking like spring......and now it is acting like spring. Praying for the weather.......I dislike storms. I wouldn't mind if you had a storm shelter. One day......maybe.

I said I would show pic's of these delicious cupcakes I made at work. They are doing some new things at work. They are selling lunch boxes.......with really neat lunches in the inside.

I had to make the dessert. I had seen a Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcake on Pinterest. I liked it okay, but wanted to change the recipe. I had an idea.  I only had a little bit of time to get everything done. I used the the graham cracker crust part of the recipe........then I made up a white cake mix. I had to make 35 cupcakes. I spooned 1 tablespoon of graham cracker crust into the bottom of the cupcake paper. Then I filled with white cake batter. Bake at 350 degrees for the amount of time on the box. After the cupcake is cooled I take the baked paper off and place the cupcake in a clean cupcake paper. Looks better. 

I whipped some whip cream/with powdered sugar to taste. Then added some pureed strawberries. Just enough to make it pink. I piped that into the white cooled cupcake. Then I put just about a 1/2 tea. of pureed strawberries on the top of the cream. 

I made a cream cheese, butter and a little bit of cream... frosting. Then I cut up some fresh strawberries into little pieces. Folded the strawberries into the frosting. Piped it with a star tip (I think that is what it is called) in a little swirl on top of filled cupcake.

After I got them all frosted I had cut about 10 slices leaves and all from a large strawberry and press each slice into the top of the frosting..........loved how it looked!!!!!!!!!

Sweet idea!!!!!!

Yesterday I was thinking about a way I could transport the cupcake in each lunch box........would you know this was on Pinterest. Thank you Lord!!!!!!! He is always thinking of me and my needs! I thought it looked adorable!!!!! I could just imagine those ladies opening up their boxes. 

This is what it looked like inside. I had made focaccia bread for the sandwiches.  Here is the recipe I use. I have posted it before HERE so so easy to make and makes wonderful sandwiches. 

Each lunch had two salads, sandwich, water, table services, chips and the cupcake. I hope they enjoyed. We really had fun doing them up. I think this will be a regular happening!

Oh my, I am so tired.........today was beautiful outside and we had three little ones who came to the farm........two families from the college.......talk about special! I will post tomorrow about the time. When the little girl Jewel (she was 4) was ready to leave she said, "I am going to tell Daddy I am a cowgirl!" Taylor led her on a horse ride........the little girl was adorable! 

Fun was had by all....... OH..........except when Willow hopped their fence......and ran all around the section. That part was not fun! 

Hugs to all..... tomorrow is Friday......that means I come home.......that is a good thing!!!!!!

Linda

Peace Creek........A Peaceful Place!

Hello Sweet Ladies,

This afternoon was not windy..... but very beautiful. Our daughter in love (Tonya) and her children wanted to go fishing not far from our farm. Our family has always enjoyed going to Peace Creek a creek that is not far from our farm. My sweet man's siblings, our children and now grandchildren have fished and played in that creek for a long time! It is a peaceful place.

Tonya took this pic of Tay. See how the bobbin is in the distance. This is a precious pic!

Vitaliy  caught a big carp......they don't taste good, but they sure

are fun to fish. 

So thankful my children have experienced farm life. It is hard work........but when you get to rest.......you get to rest. Look at the grass Tressa is sitting on.......so pretty!!!!!!!!! It is not drought time now.....praying the Lord will continue to give us rain..........PLEASE......He heard me.....that is a good feeling!!!!!!!

I am so thankful for the.................

My Tonya took these pictures........I think she made some

memories for her children and her sister in loves....now we have photos to remind us!!!!!

As you know those who leave the home to work outside the home is hard hard labor. I have always been able to be home.....and loved every minute of it. When the Lord called us out it changed our lives. But His Word has told us HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US (Hebrews 13:5)........what a precious comfort!  It wasn't that we wouldn't fall into bed at night after a 16-17 hour day working on the farm.......but now the work is nonstop from 6 in the morning.... giving giving giving........and the day wears us out differently! Again God has our days planned and we can definitely trust Him. 

Tonight after the girls came home from the creek they were able to have an afternoon of peace and quiet...... they were so blessed. They did not have to listen to huge loud pans falling on the floor.....no gossip......just birds singing and fish swimming......a good day!

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

                                Thank you my sweet Jesus for Your peace.

A Beautiful day........trust yours was also........

blessings sweet ladies,

Linda


P.S. Have you all received your seeds.........or if you haven't sent yours out yet, please contact your seed partner and make contact!!!!!!! Please don't leave anyone out.


If you haven't heard anything please contact me. 


Just wanted to also say thank you to those of you who sent me something also......you sweeties!!!!!!!!

Hope You All Have A Good Day!

Hello Sweet Ladies,

The other day I was at Hobby Lobby and found these adorable fat little jars......in three sizes........I think they are the cutest! If you had them what would you use them for? I am going to make strawberry/rhubarb jam. I have a favorite that I found on a blog a few years back. Strawberry Rhubarb Jam Recipe. It is the best I have ever made. 

I also found these cutie jars.......they are not for canning, but I could make strawberry whipped butter and keep them in the fridge. I would like to see this every time I opened up my fridge wouldn't you? They are soooooo sweet!

My sweet girl Willow!!!!!!!

Today I wanted see if I could get a little closer to Willow........look at what she let me do. SSSSSqueal!!!!!!! Sooooo soooo happy! She trusts me, course she wants grain also, but it is a start! Now to get our babies to do the same. They are still jumpy! 

Juneau's baby bump.......we can't wait for her to have her baby!!!!

Our farm is busting out with babies these days. We also have a Momma horse named Juneau who is showing signs of a baby real soon. Due date is on my birthday April 8th......sure would like that to happen, but we think it might be sooner. I will keep you posted!

Her tummy is hanging down and she sure is walking funny! 

Went to the garden to see what is coming up volunteer. My spearmint is starting to grow. I enjoy sweet tea in the summer time.......so easy to make fresh! If you click on the picture you can see little feathers all tucked under the spearmint. 

These are my winter onions....getting huge. Will be nice to have for cooking!

Tonight we were able to borrow a rototiller from a sweet family.........can't wait to get my potatoes soon. Will plant some spring garlic, Blue Lake green beans, onions, some more strawberries, asparagus, snap peas and more.......love to garden! I also was given some unique seeds.......different from what I am used to. Yellow watermelons? I will try. Our friend said they are delicious. If we have a freeze I will just put big jugs over the top to protect them. 

Thank you all who are new followers and of course all the faithful ones.......also thank you for all the precious emails. You ladies are the most precious woman! Truly you are! 

Blessings and may the Lord bless your Homes and families with His presence. I ask Him to grow you and encourage you if you are in tough times.........love you!

Linda

A Busy Day

Hello sweet ladies,

Mondays are always full for me it seems. The morning started out with another Momma kitty having her first baby kitten right as we were leaving for work. That is when it is really hard for me to leave our home. We had to put her in a box and get to the school. She ended up having 5 babies. Seems to be the number for the momma cats this spring. Woody (her name) is a first time mom and she is doing so well with her babies.  One little grey one, two cream and two a little darker cream. Sweetness! 

When I got home I ran around the farm......checking on chickens and gathering eggs. It was good to be back home......lots of eggs today..........good girls! I think it is the warm weather.......all this week it will be in the 70's........very nice. 

When I got to the milk house tonight the cage to Miss Milly was open. I had a clothespin to hold the door together.......it must have gotten bumped off. Her little yellow chick was dead. Her little black ones are all okay. Sad to lose the only one that was going to be like her. 

I am getting closer to Willow, Twig and Leaf.......I hope to have them eating out of my hand soon. Had to move the chicken cage out of the little shed.......Twig was on the inside..........of the cage. Silly baby lamb! 

Kansas Beauty!!!!! Kansas really does have beautiful skies!

Has anyone noticed all the birds singing? Love it.......I bet they are praising the Lord! 

Almost forgot to tell you that my back is so much better. After I went to the chiropractor it got better each day after. Sorry I couldn't talk much with the internet off. Really through me off! Thank you so much for all your prayers, I so appreciated them!

Calling it a night.........hope all is well with!!!!!!  

Morning will be coming soon. 

Blessings sweet ladies, 

Linda

Redeeming Love

Good morning precious ladies,

This was me, my sweet man......and my little boy..............I love my Father in Heaven.......He made me His! He does that for all who want Him! 

Last night my sweet man, our girls and granddaughter went to see October Baby click here.  When I sat there watching, it opened a wound in my heart. As some of you know "my story" as a young teen was not a pretty one. I was not raised in a CHRISTian home.......it was not filled with godliness. Instead it was a life that did not know what it was to be filled with truth. If you want to read my story you can go here. My Story. It is not what I live now, but none the less I have realized that my Heavenly Father "never" wastes a thing! Especially a life! Even a life that has made huge mistakes.......in fact that is a life He can use, because that life knows what it is to be forgiven. In October Baby there were choices........choices that had been made for a young lady that was not of her doing. Abortion in our country has come and torn at the very fiber of our land. I am writing here from my own heart. I know that I was faced with the choice of that very thing, abortion or life when I was 19. I am not making any excuses here. I had found myself pregnant and not married. My parents had just gotten a divorce and my life fell apart. I chose to live a life that was not what the Lord would want for my life. But in His mercy He took me and a precious little baby boy and gave me a gift. At the time I was given a decision to make. To continue to live for myself or accept His Redeeming Love. I must say that my flesh led me to make a lot of horrible choices.......but.......the Lord continued to bring me back to Himself. I never had an abortion.....but I could have. I got into His Word.......I read......I studied......and then one day exchanged His way for mine. If He could use the Samaritan women.....He could take my life......and by His Holy Spirit.......if I  would choose Him.....He would take make my story........ one that could be changed to a new story. He did just that........so when I sat and watched the movie last night.....I could see that His Love had taken my life and made it new!  He can come at a time of crisis......and give Hope. I want to be there......to tell those who have found themselves with little ones in their tummies and not married to choose LIFE! Don't end it and if you have........there is forgiveness for that also. Nothing in this life is to big that it can not be cleansed by the blood of the Lamb!!!!!!! Not because I say so, but because of the very nature of Jesus. He will take ANY situation and help you. That little baby today has three young boys of his own. They know Grammies story......but they know that God is a God who WILL redeem a life and make make it new. I am NOT that same young lady........I have a new heart......a new way of thinking and I am forgiven. What a precious gift the Lord will give.........if only we give Him permission to take our life.......repent of our way of life and He will exchange His for ours....now that is redeeming LOVE!

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.   

                                                                         Romans 6:23

God bless your SONday..........and if any of you need encouragement.........please email me at prairieflowerfarm@gmail.com

God bless you precious ladies.......know that you are loved

by me.......and Jesus, that is TRUTH,

Linda

Hugs sweet ladies!!!!!!!!!! I am back!!!!!!

HELLO SWEET LADIES!!!! 

Oh my is it nice to be back!!!!!! It was so so hard at work to try to do much of putting any post up. My back was so so painful. I love to do work on the farm, but not bending my knees while I scooped up the "stuff" made it for a very painful back. I am always having to pick up huge pans at work.........no problem.......but not easy when you have already put your back out!!!!!! Annnnnyyyyy wayyyy. I am better now and will be more careful next time. Teennnnnny scoops!

I am soooooo excited. Spring is everywhere!!!!! The wheat is just beautiful, the trees are all budding out!!!!!!! Look at my rhubarb? I love making strawberry and rhubarb farm pies! I do have a recipe for that......I will get it for you. Plus strawberry and rhubarb jam........num!

Radishes........about 3" tall. Are they not the cutest? I can't wait to taste one!!!!!

The lettuce and spinach will soon be ready to transplant. I can't believe what the rain has done for my garden. It has exploded 

so much in the last week. Very grateful for the rain the Lord has sent our way. Not sure how much........our rain gauges are not out! Need to do that!

More babies........Momma Josie has had 5. I told you spring is here..........sweet babies!!!!!!!

Willow, Twig and Leaf as doing so well. Willow was out in the grass away from her pen. I called her name..........she looked up........good sign. I love being a shepherdess!!!!!!! Doesn't that sound sweet?

When I was out there calling her and she looked I thought of the verse. 

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

AS I thought "listen" .....it just jumped out at me......then He "knows" His children.......and that we follow Him. 

Precious truths..........I love "My LORD" so much!

Well, busy day ahead........trust you are having a good one also!!!!!!! So good to be connected to you all again!!!!!!!!

Welcome to all the new followers..........you have been noticed.....by me!!!!!!!!

Blessings to your day!!!!!!! 

Linda

P.S. Thank you for lovin on Sherry!!!!!!! You are such precious

ladies!!!! 

We have a winner!!!!!!

Hello..........sweet ladies, 

Being without the internet is so so not good! Smiling! It is still raining and will be raining again tomorrow.   Don't think we will be having it anytime soon. I guess electricity and rain don't mix...that is what my sweet man said.  

Went to the chiropractor and it was wonderful! I am not feeling better yet, but I will and I am making a promise to myself.......no more cleaning the coop! I will leave that to my grandkids! It didn't hurt at the time, but I really did a job on my back she said. Ice pack here I come!

Okay.......first I have to tell you ladies that you made the party so so special. I appreciate you all so much! We had 120 signups. That included all the different votes. I used Random Number Generator. I put in 120 and 113 came up............and the winner is 

Sherry Johnson

she said.......

Pls. put my name in your party for the lovely, may I say very lovely, washcloths all stitched up with love. 

Love them, love them, love them!

I think that she loves them.....yeeeaaahhhh!!!!!  

All you need to do Sherry, is send me your mailing addy........then  I will have them wrapped and ready to send off to you. 

Thank you everyone for joining in.....you are so so precious to me!!!! If you would like to make the wash clothes I will do my best to help you learn if you would like. If you want a video of it, I could try that. Just let me know! 

Blessings and I will check in with you tomorrow at work. 

Linda

Hi.....still no internet! Smiling!!!!!

Hello Sweet Ladies, 


I am typing this in Sterling on Tuesday night. Just wanted to touch base with you all beings we are still without internet.  :( Some electrical problem they told us, but no info on when it will be back up. You know every time I have a party it seems that this happens. I refuse to not have a party! 

I have sooooo enjoyed reading all the comments, thank you for taking the time. I always love seeing the faithful who have followed Prairie Flower for so long, blesses my heart!!!!!!  I also love making new friends and so I want to welcome all the new ladies that have signed up. THANK YOU!!!!!!

I am so glad some of you are going to use the pattern. That is wonderful. I do like the white on white and with a colorful ribbon and hanging a cute tag off it, it would be much appreciated by the one you would give it to.

Twig has the sweetest face!

Tonight after work Willow let me touch her face. It will take a little time for her to trust me........the other two are so silly! Love their sweet faces. 

Leaf hopped through the fence and then hopped back in.......silly boy!!!!!

Hope all is well with you all. I will not be able to tell you who wins until later tomorrow evening.  I have an appointment with the chiropractor on Wednesday and then I can go to a place with internet and let you all know....this is not fun being without internet. Don't we get spoiled sometimes?  


God bless your day!
Linda

Hi.......no internet!

Hello sweet ladies,

I do not have internet at home. We had bad weather early Monday morning and I guess lightening hit the electricity in a town where our provider is..........so I only have it here at work. I am on a little break and thought I would come and say hello and remind you to sign up for the party if you haven't already. Thank you to all who have put it on your blog and facebook! Go to last post and sign up if you would like to!

I could use a little prayer please. Cleaned out the large coop.......wrong thing to do. I wanted to get it done in a half an hour.......I did that with V's help.......but my back hurts horribly now. I still have to be at the college bakery, because we are short of help. Going to the chiropractor tomorrow (Wednesday) Yeah!!!!!!

Thank you to all who have signed up!!!!!!! You are sweeties!!!!

Blessings to your day and hugs sent your way.......it is going to be raining again today.........love it......so does my garden! God is sooooo amazing!

Linda