Coat of many colors... or maybe just two.

 My dear husband, Cameron, is an avid hunter.  Just like the post office, no matter the weather, he makes it to the woods.  Deer season starts this week and for his birthday, he requested a wool camouflage coat.  I have made him several coats over the years using the same pattern.  He really likes it, so the only problem was finding wool in a camo print.  Hunting stores sell very expensive wool camo coats, so I was sure I would be able to find some.  However, I could find NONE.  I tried every search combination I could think of.  I got nothing.  Discouraged, I mentioned it to Cam.  He suggested we just make it from drab green.  We had recently seen some wool army surplus blankets in a catalog for pretty cheap.  I went online to order, only to find them out of stock.  Luckily, a local store in New Albany, SOS Survival I think it's called, had one.  The blanket was the perfect color, size, and weight.  It gave me plenty of fabric to make the coat.  The one problem was that Cam wanted it two-toned.  I searched Hancock and Joann, only to find their wool selection was pathetic.  So, Cam again came to the rescue and decided to dye the fabric for the collar, yoke, and pockets using walnut hulls.  It came out just dark enough for some contrast and we were both really pleased.  Here's the finished product:

Oh, here's the awesome thing!  Wool by the yard costs anywhere from $10-$30.  I would have needed at least 2 yards.  This whole project cost less than $10!!!  Cam made the buttons from a deer antler and all the rest came from the blanket.  Woo hoo!  Here's to upcycling!

Persimmon Puddin’


Persimmons are smaller than plums, but bigger than grapes, round, a beautiful orangey rust color when ripe, and very soft. Persimmons grow wild on Persimmon Trees. They are indigenous to this area. We have several on our properties. In fact, last spring when we had a field cleared of trees and brush to turn it into a hay field, we purposely left some persimmon trees standing. There are male and female trees, but just like humans, only the females produce fruit. Tasting an unripe persimmon is a *Terrible* experience. Imagine eating an entire orange peel, but worse. The ripe ones, however, have a very pleasant, slightly sweet taste I associate with fall.

(Lila enjoying persimmon pulp)

Anyway, today on our family walk, we stayed close to home. We have been hiking or biking at O'Bannon Woods not too far from us, but Cam had a horse injury a couple weeks ago that left his leg a little uncomfortable toting an extra girl around by Ergo or bike trailer. So, we borrowed our neighbors jogging stroller and each pushed a girl around our "neighborhood". We happened to pass a Persimmon tree along the road that was dropping fruit; so on our way back, we stopped and picked some up. This afternoon, Lila and I smushed the persimmons through a conical sieve to make pulp and get rid of the seeds, skins, and tops. It's a messy, but fun process that we both enjoyed.

(Lila hard at work)

We used the pulp to make Persimmon Pudding. Yum! I'm guessing persimmon pudding is a very regional thing. I didn't grow up eating it, but I always heard its name. Texture-wise, it's somewhere between a cake and a pudding. We serve it topped with a glaze, warm and, if you're lucky, with ice cream.

(Maggie helps me clean the beater, or "beaver" as Lila used to call it)

Here's the recipe if you'd like to try it yourself:
2c persimmon pulp
2 eggs
1 c milk or buttermilk
1 c sugar
1 T butter (soft)
¼ t baking soda
1 t baking powder
2 c flour
Mix first four ingredients together. In a separate bowl, mix butter, soda, baking powder, and flour together. Add to first mixture. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.


Glaze:
1 c sugar
1 ½ T butter
1 ½ T flour
1 c water
Combine water and flour. Add sugar and butter. Bring to a boil. Pour over warm cake.

Prima Ballerina

 After class on Wednesday, I was relieved to see the sweet little cherubs marching out in a row, Lila included. However, Miss Hawley immediately made her way over to me... dum dum dum. She asked me if it would be possible for us to come to the earlier class (AKA "The Cry Class") as Lila had "cried a little bit" during class.  Hmmmm..... I knew she had been upset at the beginning when they wanted her to wear a name tag.  "Was it just at the beginning, related to the name  tag?" I asked. 
"Well," she said diplomatically, "It was off and on."
When I told Lila what Miss Hawley had said, she corrected me, "No, Mommy, I cried A Lot!".
So, to The Cry Class we go next week.  This is the class where there are several little girls who become upset.  It's really not a bad deal, because in the other class, I couldn't see Lila at all.  At least this way I'll get to watch her flittery little self and hopefully make her comfortable enough so that eventually she won't need me there.  But, until then, I guess I'll don my ballet... socks... and plie with some three-year-olds.

As American as Apple Pie

We have apples coming out our ears now.  So, I spent a good part of my day doing something with them.  My dad came over to keep the girls company while I got into my apple peeling, coring, slicing groove.  I made two apple pies, dehydrated apples with cinnamon, and made apple butter.  It was a productive day and I always love to make use of our farm products.  I started making apple pies in high school.  Cam says it's one of the reasons he married me.  =)  I usually add some little doo dad on top for decoration.  Last weekend I made one to share with our music buddies who came over for rehearsal, and I put a musical note on top.  Today, Lila requested a chicken on top.  So, there you go.   

On another note, Lila will start Ballet Lessons tonight.  We went last night to meet the teacher and kind of get her used to the building, etc.  Her history of surgeries can really make her anxious about new situations- she's always a little afraid they're going to catheterize her or something worse.  But, Miss Hawley came out to meet her last night ooooozing sweetness.  She acted like she had known Lila for years and immediately snuggled her like a beloved family member.  Lila went for it hook, line, and sinker and very happily joined Miss Hawley for the class that was happening last night.  She will also, unexpectedly, be taking tap lessons, just. like. NANA! So exciting.  =) 

Oh! The Pain!

Really, Maggie is in no physical pain in this picture.  Her little heart has been broken by.... well... something i don't even remember.  It seems anything can cause this reaction these days.  To quote one of our favorite books, "Llama Llama, no more drama!"