The cooking onions think it’s springtime and are growing!
2 organic chickens, 8 cups of stock, 3 onions, 6 carrots, and 2 bay leaves
My son is like I was at 16 years old. As soon as spring was in the air and the ground becomes mud, I wanted to be in it. I remember one spring when I rubbed mud from the dirt road on my face (I was so weird when I was 16) and guess what happened? My face turned sore from the road salt in the mud.
ETHAN was outside with his little brothers. They started out on the trampoline, but as I drove off to pick up Jacob from school, I saw the four of them tramping off into the woods, all in BARE FEET. Mind you, there is still quite a bit of snow and was only 46 degrees. They were all thrilled to do it, and Ethan was kind enough to carry Seth part of the way. I wish I had a picture of them disappearing into the trees as a clump of happy, joyful country boys. They told me later it was a “barefoot adventure”.
I had to get some groceries after I picked up Jake and there were flowers 75 percent off. I bought 2 bouquets of roses for 5 dollars.
Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity. John Ruskin
I love having flowers and plants in the house.
While I worked on dinner, Seth, David, Sherlock the cat, Caleb, Sammy the cat, and Sarah watched a Winnie the Pooh movie. (the one from 2011, I love it, it’s such a cute movie).
They looked so cozy that I had to take a couple pictures. I adore how they snuggle up together.
I had to laugh when I looked down at the dog while I was taking pictures of the children, he was waiting for his turn.
He even brought his own prop to the photo shoot.
What he really wanted all along was chicken bits. 🙂
I left Jacob (my hardworking helper) to dice the cooked chicken and veggies while I once again drove to school, this time to get Grace.
As soon as I got home, we finished everything up.
veggies, chicken, and gravy; right before I put the biscuits on top
The children were all eager for it to get DONE. I made a double batch — a big lasagna pan and a 9 by 13 pan.
Comfort food
I’m hoping that if you want the recipe, you will click on the photo and it will enlarge enough for you to read it, as it is quite a bit of typing. I remember when I started making this dish almost 20 years ago. It was a recipe I found in a Taste of Home magazine. Rich’s grandma used to renew my subscription every year and I enjoyed studying each issue. I wasn’t used to cooking or baking when I got married and I found this recipe laborious. It is still time consuming, but much easier to put together. Rest assured, with practice, working in the kitchen gets more enjoyable every year. It just goes to show that if you stick with something you WILL get good at it!
The children all liked the meal, I think, although Seth did object to carrots. “Don’t you remember, I throw up when I eat these?” And I know for a fact that Caleb didn’t appreciate the mushrooms because he had to tell me; “I LOVE the mushrooms, MOM.” So I wouldn’t feel bad because I’m a mind reader and know that he doesn’t like them. David simply said nothing and left all his mushrooms in his bowl. I ate them later on. Jacob asked me if we could add flour to the gravy to make it thicker even though it was already completely baked. Rich said, “mmmmmm”.
If you have read a book that is impossible to put down because it is so well-written and fascinating, I would be grateful for the title. I’m getting ready to go on vacation on Monday and I need a few books on my kindle. I’m reluctantly leaving War and Peace at home because it weights so much. thx
Good to be Home 
I love the series of three books by Traci DePree: A Can of Peas; Dandelions in a Jelly Jar; and Aprons on the Clothesline. Somehow, I think you will enjoy them.
Marcia, just the titles sound comforting and interesting. Thank you for the recommendations, I just downloaded a sample of the first book.
That dinner looks delish! Here are three books I’ve read recently that I specifically think you would like: The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, and State of Wonder by Ann Patchett.
You might also enjoy this easy-reading Christian book series written by my friend Terri Kraus: The Renovation, The Restoration, and The Renewal. Oh, and she and her husband, Jim, cowrote another interesting 4-book series called the Circle of Destiny: The Quest, The Treasure, The Promise, and The Price.
So many good books out there. Enjoy your vacation!
Hi Luann, Thank you! I did read The Language of Flowers and it’s still in my mind as being such a bright, unique story. I just looked up the others you recommended and downloaded some samples. You’re right, there are so many good books out there. I’m thinking I may do a book post soon, to share some of my own personal favorites.
Do you like fantasy? What about The Deed of Pakksenarrion, by Elizabeth Moon. Has a Tolkien feel, but the language is easier to get through.
The chicken looks yum!
I do like fantasy, and I’ve read the Lord of the Rings books so I’m interested to try these. Thanks, beth! 🙂
Mmmm, such a yummy looking meal! I will have to try it. Thanks to you, I figured out an oatmeal bake that we like, and it is one of the things that David’s stomach will accept, so I make it every week with goat’s milk he can eat, and lots of berries.
I really enjoyed “City of Tranquil Light” by Bo Caldwell. It is a fictional missionary story, but based on her grandparents, and she used journal entries from her grandmother, and interviewed her grandfather. Set in China for the most part. Amazing hardships, but they loved their life there because of all God did.
In the just for fun category, Susan Wittig Albert writes a series with fictional tales about Beatrix Potter and the Lake District. Animals talk to one another. It is Fun.They are mysteries, so often there is a crime that must be solved. The first is, “The tale of Hill top Farm.”
Jenny, you sound like a homeschool mom. 🙂 You’re great THANK you for adding to the list, I got the samples of the books, I’m so happy!! I’ll let you know how it goes. Hugs.
This looks ABSOLUTELY delicious! I am a comfort food hog lately with this never-ending chilly weather! Thank you for sharing 🙂 Your dog and Sherlock the cat are so cute!!
I recently read ‘The Age of Miracles’ by Karen Thompson Walker for my book club I really enjoyed it 🙂
So happy to hear from you! I tried the cinnamon oyster crackers and you are right, they are delicious! My children love them and I gave a couple to our dog, too.
I’m going to try the book you suggested, too.
If you have a smart phone, see if you can find/borrow an electronic version of your book. Have a great vacation!
Thank you for stopping by my little blog.
The photos of your family and pets are beautiful.
You have such a lovely space here, I’m off to check it out some more.
Have a lovely day. x
Your posts are always so warm and inviting, Shanda! It’s still too cold here for ‘bare feet adventures’, though. Another front moving in keeping us below normal for at least another week, and maybe longer, with snow in the forecast. Thank you for sharing your recipe. You make it look so yummy … my son detested carrots, too, but would never pass up lima beans, or brussel sprouts! 🙂
Looks like you have some wonderful suggestions for your vacation reading … have you heard of, or read, The Stonewycke Trilogy, by Michael Phillips and Judith Pella? It has great reviews on Goodreads, and highly recommended to fans of Christian and historical fiction. It’s been a few years since I’ve read it, but I remember I couldn’t put it down! Right now, aside from the Bible, I’m reading Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts and growing a more grateful heart! 🙂
I left a quick reply to the comment you had left on my site, but I wanted to thank you here again for dropping over! I do hope you have a wonderful and relaxed vacation!
The Chicken and Biscuits look delicious! I always love reading the antics of your children and all of the funny things they say and do. 🙂 The flowers are beautiful, and such and incredible steal on the price! Hope you have a wonderful vacation!
I loved this book: (Waiting for Summer’s Return – Kim Vogel Sawyer)
It’s Christian Historical Fiction (My Favorite Genre)
Oh my goodness that meal looks delicious!!!!! I have chicken…I have veggies….hmmmm …supper tonight?