Strawberry/Rhubarb Farm Pie Recipe!

Click recipe to print off. Enjoy! Tell me what you think.

When I was growing up in Alaska when I was little my Grandma Reid always had rhubarb for us in the summer. It grew by the back door of her house. Mmmmm. I loved it. She would cut off a stock and then would give me a crystal glass that had sugar in it. I would dip the rhubarb stock into the sugar and repeat until it was all eaten! I do the same now with my grand children.

This Strawberry/Rhubarb Farm Pie sold very well for us at Farmer's Market this summer. It is one of my favorite pies. We froze a lot of rhubarb this last year, so I can have this anytime I want. It is so easy to freeze rhubarb. Just cut into 1" pieces and put in freezer bags. We also bought a lot of strawberries at reduced price throughout the summer. It is also easy to freeze. Cut into fourths and freeze on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Don't let strawberries touch as you are freezing. Place cookie sheet into the freezer. After strawberries have frozen solid, put them into a freezer bag and take out as needed. Maybe this summer you can do the same thing we do and then you will be all set through the winter months. We also like to buy lemons when they are on sale. Cut them in half, put in freezer bags and take out as needed. We love to make Lemon Curd to go with our scones. It is another favorite!!!!! Mmmmm I can taste them now. Do you have any helpful hints for all of us on what you freeze?

Oh, forgot to ask. Do you have any rhubarb recipes that you would like to share? If you do, you can either put it in the comments or email me. I will put them up for everyone else. Another idea is send us all over to your blog. Now that is a fun idea. We could come visit you!!!! I like that idea best. Hugs!

Also a sweet friend of mine at Our Bluebell Country is having an apron giveaway. Go see. Tell her I sent you!

From my kitchen to yours.........

Linda

Signs of SPRING!!

It is looking like spring around Prairie Flower Farm! I am so excited. I can't hardly stand it!!!!

Look at my rhubarb!

This little baby rhubarb is making my mouth water. It is making me think about the Strawberry/Rhubarb Farm Pies we made for Farmer's Market. I will get that recipe up for you tomorrow! It is so nummy!

You have to tell me is it doing the same where you all live?? The other day the sun was shining so nice and warm. I feel like we are thawing a little bit.

Strawberry/Rhubarb Farm Pie

Phil came into the house and said, "you have to see this". When we moved last year from our old farm to the family farm (that Phil grew up in), we had to move during the cold. It was one of my most miserable memories. We moved our refrigerator and had to store it in the barn. The front is still off and Mrs. Cluck decided to make her home in the freezer section. Smile. For some reason she had two eggs on the outside and was sitting on two. Looked so funny!!!
Well isn't Mr. Tom happy this morning. He was a gift from our oldest son's family for my birthday last year. He is huge!!!!!! He fits so good on our farm. His wife died, so he needs a new one. Need to go to the Farm Store!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. and Mrs. Duck have been jumping in and out of mud puddles. I can't wait f0r her to start laying on a nest. Spring is close and I just can't wait. Need some warm weather, so I can get outside and start playing in the dirt. Are any of you having a garden this year? What are you planting? It has been a long hard winter. I am glad it is almost behind me. I need sun!!!!!!!! real bad!!!!

Love you all!!!! You make my heart shine! Please tell me about your garden plans. Do I need to know something that I need to plant on Prairie Flower Farm?

Blessings,

Linda

Sweet Ladies,

First off thank you, thank you, thank you, everyone of you who took the time out to make our party so successful. You were all so kind!!!!! I wish I could give every one of you something!

If you have followed my blog or been a part of one of the drawings you know that it is one of the most delightful things for me to do! This drawing was no different. When Gooseberry Patch contacted me I was so excited, honored and wanted to share something fun in the celebration! Prairie Flower made new friends and for that I am so grateful. Your kind words were so nice. The fact that at the same time we started the party, soon after, I lost my Dad. Hearing from all of you brought sunshine to my day, just what I needed. You were all such sweethearts!!! The prayers for our family got us through a very difficult time. I am so grateful to my God who shined Himself on our family, by using all you precious ladies. Thank you so much. Words are just not expressing what I am trying to say. If you were here in front of me, (now that would be wonderful), I would hug you!

I also had fun going over to Gooseberry Patch's Blog and reading the comments that you all left there. Hope you enjoyed them also. Gooseberry is trying to get 1OO,OOO fans on Facebook. Check it out!

A big thank you to Gooseberry Patch also for blessing me so. They are such a wonderful company and if you have never seen their online catalog it is a must! All their cookbooks are fantastic! I have a lot of them. Smile!

Well, I am sure you are all waiting to see who won the Prairie Flower Market Bag. Sooooo..... it was,

Michelle Grimes

she said,

Dear Linda,

I just visited Gooseberry Patch. It was wonderful to even learn a little more about you, since I have only been reading your blog for about 3 months. The Market bag is beautiful. I love the fabrics.

May God bless your weekend.

Michelle Grimes

Thank you sweet Michelle for being a part of our party!!!! So glad you won! God knew that you needed a little love!!!!!!!

Well you know me, I can't just look at that bucket and

not pick more then one person, so the other winners will get a little something in the mail.

2nd place was,

Cathy McNabb

from,

Live Long, Laugh Often, Love Much

Cathy's blog is beautiful also!

Thank you Cathy, I love your store on your blog! You are such a sweetie and faithful follower!

3rd place was,

Linda Ford

Just wanted to let you know that I subscribed to your newsletter, and left a comment on Gooseberry's facebook post, and became a fan on face book, but I can't leave a comment on your blog as I don't have my own blog.

Thanks for entering me to win!

Thank you so much Linda, for not stopping and sending me an email. It was so nice meeting you! I am so excited you are a PFF follower!

4th place was,

Dawn from,

Journeys in Grace

she said,

Love your blog! The bag is adorable and love Gooseberry Patch! Yeah for you!

You have such a pretty blog Dawn. Love your heart!! Wonderful to see your love for your family! That is tops in my book!

and 5th place was,

Dana from,

Wild Hope and Stubborn Faith

she said,

You have a beautiful site, and the bag is adorable!

Please enter me in the drawing.

Thank you!

I enjoyed looking at your blog Dana, I think I will learn a lot of things from you. Can't wait! You are a sweetie!

Thank you everyone for being such a special part of our party. Stay tuned I have some fun things in store. Still working on Claris's Apron. Hope to have it done soon.

Blessings to you all! You make my heart smile, everyday!

I always thank God for you..... I Corinthians 1:4

Hugs, Linda

P.S. I tried to contact all the winners. Please contact me if you didn't get something from me. Thank you!

A Special Day For Momma!

An act of "Love" lived out by 3 precious young ladies in my life!

We do not have a bathtub in our home, only a shower. Now I am thankful for the shower, but I have always loved bathtubs. Our friend Alicia who we adopted as one of our own kids has a new home (renting from our middle son Josh and his wife Tonya). She lives right next door to my Grandchildren! Can you get better then that? Alicia invited my girls over for a fun night on Saturday. They all cooked up a "Spa Afternoon for Mom" after church yesterday, just for me. We all went to her church together. It was really a wonderful sermon on the talents. As I was listening and gleaning from the sermon, I had no idea what the Lord had in store for my day. Three sweet young ladies where going to give me such an act of kindness that I would never forget and nor would the Lord. He was watching as they served me. After the sermon we went out to Alicia's home. They greeted me with a beautiful glass filled with homemade Blueberry Lemonade. Then they made me close my eyes. Tressa and Taylor put two different fragrances of Bath and Body for me to choose from. Mmmmmm num! Then they scurried back to the bathroom. Then they all entered the room. Alicia had towels wrapped over one arm (now that was cute) to where I was sitting and said, "Welcome to our spa!" They led me to the bathroom.

1. When I entered the bathroom it had a beautiful tray of fruit, cheese, pistachio nuts, candies and brownies. There were candles lit everywhere and beautiful stemmed roses along the side of the tub, so pretty. I had so much time to relax and reflect thanking my God for my precious girls.

2. I left them a love note in the bubbles. Heehee. That was so fun! I can't even relax in a bath tub with bubbles and not create!!!!!

3. Then I was off to the next part of my spa. A pedicure!!!!!! Now that is love!!!! They had an area all set up for me to sit and get my feet done. Can you believe it? Talk about sweet!!!!

4. They had rocks, rose petals, salts and warm warm water. Lovely!!! I know that is Alicia's word, but my word for today! They put on a Chonda Pierce video on that was fantastic! We laughed and cried. Then they......................

5. ......... placed my feet into the water, which had Arbonne Aromassestials Unwind Bath Salts and rocks on the bottom. I soaked for what seemed like forever. They would continue to put warm water in the pan. Lovely! Then they rubbed my feet with Arbonne Aromassestials Awaken Sea Salt. After they got them all scrubbed and massaged they put on this wonderful Mentha Foot Tingling Cream from C.O. Bigelow all over my feet. It was wonderful! Who needs a professional pedicure, when you have family that loves you? It was such an act of humility, kindness, service, honor and love. I thought of when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. He humbled himself to teach these men service. I am thinking about who is in my life, that I needs to have their feet washed. That doesn't mean we just have to wash feet, it could be acts of kindness also.

6. Thought you might like to have the recipes of the desserts they served me. They are so tasty and maybe you could do what was done for me to someone you love.

Blueberry Lemonade

1 cup plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar

2 cups water

1 pint fresh blueberries

1−1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about

10 big lemons, including pulp but not seeds)

First make a simple syrup by combining 1 cup sugar and water in a saucepan

over medium heat, stirring until the mixture boils. Lower the heat and allow

the syrup to simmer for another minute. Remove from heat and let cool. In a

blender or food processor, puree the blueberries with 2 tablespoons of

sugar. In a pitcher, combine the cooled syrup, lemon juice and blueberry

puree. To serve, pour 1/4 to 1/3 cup of base into a glass and fill with

water. Makes base for 12 servings.

Brown Sugar Bars

1 box yellow cake mix
1 c. brown sugar
2 Tbl butter, melted

2 Tbl honey
2-3 eggs

1 c. chocolate chips

opt. 1 cup chopped nuts

Mix cake mix, brown sugar, butter and eggs.

Batter will be very stiff! Stir in chocolate chips and spread

in a jelly roll pan. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes.

Cherry Swirl Brownies

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup chopped well-drained maraschino cherries
1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice
1 egg
1 box brownie mix

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom of 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with

shortening or cooking spray.
2. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, cherries,

cherry juice and 1 egg with spoon; set aside.
3. Make brownie batter as directed on box, using water, oil and

eggs--except spread half of the batter in pan. Spread cream cheese

mixture over batter. Spoon remaining batter on top; spread gently to cover.
4. Bake 39 to 49 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches

from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely,

about 1 hour, before cutting. Store covered in refrigerator.

I am doing better. I am thinking of new goals for my life. Spend more time with my honey and girls, is at the top of the list. That will be fun for sure!

Please remember to sign up for the drawing! Scroll down to the Market Bag, only 2 1/2 more days. I can't wait to see who wins!!!!!

If you want to leave a comment of a day that someone loved on you, please do. Maybe we could all learn some new ways, that we can touch people that are in our lives. I love stories!!!!!

Love you all for the sweet comments you left over the last few weeks. They encouraged my heart so much. I will always be so grateful for you all at this time of grief. The Lord noticed!

Blessings,

Linda

Poppa's Flag

I write with such gratitude to every one of you precious ladies. You were such an

encouragement to my family and sister during this really rough time. I know I have said that before, but we truly are so thankful that so many of you wrote to tell us you were praying. We truly felt the prayers of His people. The funeral was incredible. One thing stood out to our patriotic family though. We sat in front of Poppa's casket and draped over it was the American Flag. That was when our whole family lost it in emotion.Two young Navy men dressed in uniform stood before us and folded the flag in front of our family. It was truly the most precious time for all of us. One of the men kneeled before my sister and I and said the message above. Like I say our family loves our country with all heart and it made us proud to be an Americans.

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance."

Psalm 33:12 This scripture has been a prayer for my family.

This is a picture of our littlest grandson from last year. It pictures how even a little one can love the flag. After the funeral "everyone" of our grandchildren had to hold the flag. Like I said it was a very special part of the celebration of letting go of our Poppa to the Lords care and know that without a shadow of a doubt we will be with him again. The grandchildren were crying and so Itold them that we would make a memory flower garden on the farm for Poppa. One little one said, "And we can have a flag! Life goes on doesn't it."

My heart is not hurting as it was after my Dad died. I was so tired and worn out from the up's and downs of his illness. I will now take the baton and run in a way that would make him proud. I will have more time to invest in my grandchildren. Can't wait for the "Grammie and Poppa Camps". We were not able to have our Valentine party. We will now.

Just wanted you to know, I was able to see Claris at the manor when Shannon and I went to go see Momma. She is going to be teaching us the feather stitch and she told my daughters that they "had" to get a thimble. It was a must she said! I look so forward to some fun in my life with my girls. Maybe some normalcy can come into our life. Whatever that means. smile!

I am taking Shanny to the airport today. Hmmmm...............not going to be easy. We will go to the quilt shop. That will be nice to do together. Can't wait to see what I can't find.

Love you all bunches!
Linda

This Is So God!!!!!!

My sister's devotion said,

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are

their children who follow them.

~ Proverbs 20:7, NLT

This is so precious for Shannon and myself. God spoke to us this morning. Now we will take the baton from Poppa and run. So our children can follow, as we keep our eyes on the Lord. He will not fail us.

Needing prayer this day, thank you!

Blessings,
Linda

His Mercies Are New Every Morning!

I am pinning a little rose on every one of my grand babies clothing,

so they will have a memory of their Poppa.

You are welcome to take this photo for your encouragement on

your blog if you wish.

Just wanted to check in with everyone. Thank you for all the sweet comments. Today we will have the viewing and tomorrow we will bury Poppa. Shannon my sis is here and we have been enjoying one another's company. We are sleeping in the same bed at night and talking the night away. She snores, I don't. She says I do, but I can't imagine that I would do such a thing. She was totally humming this morning in her snoring. I wish I would have had a tape recorder. I know the good Lord has been giving us times of great laughter. The days are getting easier, just because I know that Poppa is breathing the best air ever. Isn't that so wonderful? One of his pastors told me that yesterday. Makes life tolerable to think more of Poppa then me.

One more thing, when I get all nerved up, I get fever blisters. Now that is just not cool in my book and it would be okay if I could just stay home. Well, I will only have to see a few hundred people........ personally.......... face to face............. sad for me. My Tressy said, "They will understand." I know that's true, but it doesn't make me feel any better. My sister said that she has some psychedelic bandaids. She is not funny either. If any of you have had a fever blister you know that every day it grows. Oh man, I am just not happy about this. So again I ask for prayer. I have been begging God. I am an old women, so maybe He will answer. Maybe if a whole bunch of us will ask????? Thank you sweet ladies.

I have one more fun thing to add. I was in my Dad's closet well not in it looking through it for a suit. I saw this big red sweat shirt. It said, Red Socks (I thought). Well, it was kind of in funny style letters. One of my darling daughters said, "Momma why are you wearing that thing?" I said, "Well Poppa liked the Red Socks and it is warm. Then both the girls laughed and said, "It doesn't say Red Socks it says Hip Hop!" So I have a problem reading. Honestly it looked like the words Red Socks. We giggled and laughed so hard. The other thing was Poppa liked the Dodgers. I didn't know that. I think I am going to get new glasses. Also, I am still going to wear his sweatshirt. It is to my knees, but it is warm. Plus it will remind me of someone very special in my life.

The guineas just made a whole bunch of noise out the window. My sister said,"what is that? We told her that it was the guineas making noise, she said that she thought it was a ring tone. Tressa said, "That is when you know your from the city."

Please remember to sign up for the Market Bag drawing if you haven't already. Love the comments!!!!! They have been the sunshine of my day's this last week.

You are such precious ladies!!!!
Linda