...and Teddy Picked Willow

We wrote down all the names of the the nice people that entered the give away from Farmhouse and Teddy's paw landed on Willow ! Congratulations, Willow. Send me your address and Teddy and I will get it in the mail to you so you can enjoy it.

Our email is: myfarmhousekitchen@yahoo.com

Thanks for all the kind words...you are THE BEST !!!!

We enjoyed the give away...and hope you did too !!!

Sending love,

Kary and Teddy

Sunday Night Comfort Food

I really am in need of some comfort food for Sunday night supper around here on the Farm. We are tired...been making lots of visits to the hospital..then out to dinner after with the family. So tonight we are taking a much needed break and staying home for supper. I think if you told me you would fly me to Rome tonight for supper at any restaurant I want...i would say thanks...but no thanks. I want to be home tonight.So I found this recipe from Giada for an Italian chicken and pasta casserole. Just the word casserole makes me HAPPY !

That little bowl of sauted chicken is you-know-who's supper..and he just ate almost all of it. Now he is sound asleep. Good Boy Teddy.

Even Whiskey Sour got in on the action. What ya cookin' mama?

It calls for bread crumbs on the top but I just put on some grated parmesan and some mozzarella.

It's easy cause everything goes in one bowl.

I had some spinach that needed to be cooked so I added that.

I used just the tiny farfalline pasta. The recipe calls for 1 cup dried pasta, cooked. It didn't look like very much but it was plenty.

Chicken and Pasta Casserole from Giada

Cook 1 cup tiny pasta and drain

Saute 1/2 a diced onion

Saute 1 cup cubed chicken

I added some cooked spinach....called for italian chopped parsley..but i didn't have any

Put everything in a bowl

Add one 14 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice

Add one cup mozzarella

Stir and put into a casserole

Add salt to taste

Cover the top with more shredded mozzarella and some grated parmesan

Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Good Bye Cherries * Hello Apples...almost

I took a ride out to the Avila Barn yesterday and the lady said that this would be one of the last cherry pies. The cherries are just about over for the season. I LOVE cherries and always hate to see them go...but cheer up because that means that the apple farms up See Canyon should be opening real soon.

Took a ride out to See Canyon and the first farm had a closed sign on it.But isn't it a cute sign?

See Canyon is an old country road that winds its way through the canyon...most all of the farms have apples.

My FAVORITE farm is the one that sits on the end of the road. It is called Gopher Glen Farm and they feature many different apples during the season. Gravenstein are always the first apples. I always like to buy the cider they press from the Gravenstein because it is real tart being the cider is pressed with these tart first of the season apples. I freeze it to have for Halloween night. I have to have cider and cinnamon sugar doughnuts from Dolly Doughnuts on Halloween. I read in the paper that Gopher Glen will be opening next weekend. Teddy and I can hardly wait.

See Canyon Road...late afternoon...July 16, 2010

A friend along the way. I wish I could take him home with me.

Farmhouse Sprig Teacup Give Away

It's Farmhouse Kitchen's one year anniversary and my 255th post...so I have decided it would be nice to do a give away. This year of blogging has been life changing for me ... I have been overwhelmed by the kindness and support by all of you. My dear blog friends. You have been with me in happy days and sad days....good times and bad times. The loss of Buddy and the happiness of Teddy.Cooking, gardening and just living life here on the Farm.There are alot of wonderful people out there in this huge world...and this July as I look back over my blogging year I realize that I have been lucky enough to have made friends from all corners of this beautiful earth.

I consider each of you a friend...and I love you all.

I will let Teddy pick a winner with his paw on Wednesday, July 21st.

Sending love,
Kary and Teddy

Where Teddy Sleeps

This is our bedroom and it is where little Teddy sleeps...right up against the middle pillow. When I look out the window my view is of a 110 year old Farmhouse on Church Street here in San Luis Obispo.

That is little Teddy's baby bear and a bacon flavored chewie.

I saw this lamp post on QVC (my favorite t.v. station) and ordered it the other day. It is solar and comes on when the sun goes down...and I LOVE it. It sits right by the door coming in from the garden to the kitchen. And YES ! I got out my scarecrow. I got him 2 years ago at Michaels and I just couldn't bear to toss him out after the season. So I saved him. And brought him out the other day. He is tattered and worn...but I just love him.

Went to Miner's Hardware yesterday and just couldn't pass up these zinnias. They look so mid-summer to me.

Sunflowers

I set the flowers up on an old table by the side of the kitchen door.

I LOVE this old apple box. I have had it for years. Holiday Apples from Lynn, Mass.

Teddy's Turkey Meatloaf

I wanted something old fashion for supper tonight and decided on making turkey meatloaf. And I'll tell you the whole truth...I even bought a can of gravy to go with it. Yep. Canned. It's Campbell's. Making steamed spinach with butter and couscous too. And somebody (Teddy) loves turkey. So I made a baby meatloaf for him without the onions in it. I hope he likes it.

I got my first issue of Taste of Home magazine today. I subscribed. Gourmet went under and I am not in the mood for Food and Wine magazine these days. Just looking for comfort on the farm. And I think this will fit the bill nicely.

These are sitting on my drainboard. Aren't they beautiful They are the Rainer variety. They are almost as big as apples. Teddy likes them too. I bite off a piece and give it to him. The season is so short so I better get them in while they are here...because before I know it...they will be gone.

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Turkey Meatloaf .... Teddy-Style

1 lb ground turkey

1 carrot, diced

2 celery ribs with tops and leaves, diced

1/2 yellow onion, diced fine

1 big handful italian parsley

(here is the farmy part)

a package of meatloaf seasoning mix

about 3/4 cup bread crumbs

1 egg

a splash of water

Mix all together

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

Back To Normal

Wow...what a stress filled first half of the year. But things seem to be simmering down. Looks like my father-in-law is in for a long haul on the recovery from his stroke and we are all trying to get back to normal. As you can see...little Teddy is feeling pretty happy about things here at HOME. See that GIANT pig ear ? It is just about as big as he is...and he LOVES it. He is so funny when he grabs it in his mouth and rips around the house with it. He sure has brought life and happiness back to this house. I am trying to get back to my blogging and cooking. I sure miss everyone and visiting with all of you.

Sending Mid-Summer Best Wishes

Kary and Teddy