St. Patrick’s Day is only a few weeks away. Looking forward to the fun of St. Patrick’s Day and the festivities?
We have some awesome home decor items left in stock at the market. Just hop on over to countrylovingmarket.com and take a look. 
What is Thankful?
What does thankful mean? As we walk thru our life journey it’s impossible to take in every moment and understand how a brief interaction with one person can guide our path. We take on bad moods, frustration and stress. And then in the middle of our bad day someone says or does something that seems to make our bad day worse. Or….we aren’t our best and pass on our mood and frustration. And so the snowball goes down the hill.
This Thanksgiving let’s focus on the meaning of THANKFUL. Let’s be thankful for every person we meet, no matter their mood, or if even they aren’t kind to us. Let’s be thankful and and our part to make their encounter with us a positive one. Maybe we can offer a type of pay it forward for a Thankful attitude. Say thank you and smile today. We’ve got this!
Something to Laugh About
Have a great day and I hope this provided you a giggle.
Fall at the Market
Fall, don’t you just love the colors, smells and crisp weather? Here are a couple fall items available at the market. Just hop over to countrylovingmarket.com and check us out.
Life’s Lessons
Fighting a little asthma flare the last couple of days. I love fall, all of it’s colors and activities but…..there is that change of season that can cause allergies and asthma flares. I’ve been blessed, my asthma condition is controlled pretty easily overall. This little snare has made me stop and think of those that suffer daily and struggle for control. Learning companion for others thru our own trials and struggles. There is a lesson for us to learn every day.
Soft Pretzels
Well, fall is coming. I always feel the need to start baking when the weather gets cool. This morning I tried my hand at soft pretzels. I thought I would share my recipe. They turned out really good.
1 1/2 cups warm water – don’t use the microwave to heat the water because it gets too hot
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 package active dry yeast
4 1/2 cups flour – all purpose
Vegetable oil, for pan
10 cups water
2 tablespoons melted butter
2/3 cup baking soda
1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Pretzel salt
Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it starts to foam. Add the butter and flour mix until combined. I use the hook attachment on low speed and then switch to medium speed. Continue to mix until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. This takes a few minutes. Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap and a towel. Place in a warm place for an hour. It should double in size.
Grease two baking sheets and set aside. Preheat the oven to 425.
Bring baking soda and 10 cups of water to a bowl in a large dutch oven.
Place the dough onto an oiled surface slightly flatten with your hand and cut in to 9 pieces.
Roll each piece in to a long rope 18 – 24 inches. Fold in to a pretzel shape and set aside. Place the pretzels one by one in to the boiling water. This is foam. Remove from the water after 20 seconds and place on the baking sheet. Brush the pretzel with beaten egg yolk and water mixture and sprinkle with the pretzel salt. Bake until brown in color. Baking should take approximately 12 – 15 minutes.
Enjoy!
IT’S ABOUT FALL
I don’t know anyone that doesn’t just love fall. The apples, crisp air and all the vibrant colors and festivals. I am a fan of all the seasons but I just love designing fall and Christmas wreaths. Here are a couple new ones. These are available at Country Loving Market Etsy and Ebay.
Let’s Get Shucking
The corn crop in Indiana has been really nice this year. It’s an awesome sight to drive down the country roads lined with corn on both sides. Although Indiana is known for many crops, corn is the main one.
I know I posted how I prepare corn for the freezer last year, but thought I would post it again because of the questions I’ve received recently.
FREEZING CORN
Freezing corn is a pretty simple process.
Shuck all the corn making sure to remove as much silk as possible
Place corn in boiling water for 3-5 minutes
Remove the corn carefully and place in a cold water pan for approximately 10 minutes
Remove from the cold water pan and place the corn on a towel to dry for a few minutes
Place the corn ears in to a freezer bag and remove as much air as possible
Or, if you wish cut the corn carefully from the cob and place in freezer bags.
Corn will keep in the freezer for around one year
My How Time Flies
It’s hard to believe that it’s almost August already. This year seems to be flying by. I guess that’s not unusual as they all seem to fly. I’m not sure if we are all running faster or perhaps slower and always in the catch-up mode.
I’m learning to just enjoy every day, be happy with my current situation and continue to strive for my next step forward to be positive. Always try to accomplish one new thing every day but realize all tasks not accomplished can be put on tomorrows list.
Our time on earth is short, love life and one another.
Today I choose. I choose to be respectful, helpful and loving to others. Today, I choose to be create happiness. And tomorrow, I choose the same. As I move thru life on my journey the memories I want in my old age are those that have made someone smile, comforted the frightened, fed the hungry or that special look a homeless person gives when offered a meal or warm drink or even a coat or blanket. Oh yes, I will strive to succeed and excel professionally but personally I want to make sure I don’t miss those special moments of helping someone in need or putting a smile on the face of a stranger. What do you choose?
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