Now Cook'n at the Hillside

No matter where the kitchen it is "love in the kitchen with Della"

I am at the base of the hill, still a beautiful view from my kitchen and still just a glance away from the Creek.

Since getting back from North Carolina to the Clara Cabin (home) the kitchen has been busy.  Or should I say, the cook has been busy.  The sour dough started rests in the refrigerator and every second day a loaf of sour dough bread is started.  It takes 24 hours from start to finish but oh so worth it.  Sour dough bread has less carbs, no yeast or preservatives.  I use all purpose, bread flour, rye flour, wheat.  Whatever the mood is as to what one or mixture I use.  This week I am going to try for a little buckwheat flour too.  Not much because Buckwheat does not have gluten and that is what is needed to make a good bread.  The lasagna is not the typical recipe.  A guy thought of me and brought up a smoked/leek cottage cheese.  Yes!   I could not believe it could be smoked, it is delicious and my first thought was a stuffed pasta or lasagna with it.  Today will be the tasting.  Lasagna can be anything as long as it is layered with whatever ingredients you like.  From noodles, vegetables or any type of meat.  As long is it has a delicious filling and sauce.  Red sauce or white, makes no difference.  Think out of the normal and come up with your own creation.  Fun in the kitchen.  If it doesn't turn into what you expected, next time :)

We have been busy planting, getting gravel spread, starting vegetable beds, flower beds, painting and of course mowing and trimming.  Four blueberry bushes, several mulberry trees, apple trees and soon grapes.  Yes this little 1 1/2 acre is proving to hold quite a bit.  The good thing is the lawn takes about 10 minutes to mow giving up plenty of sunshine hours to enjoy watching the flowers, trees, veggies grow and the birds.  We have so many new birds this year.  I really think they like the feeders on the side hill where they can feed and hide in the trees and low lying bushes.  Ellie and Quincy are also busy outside.  They love catching chipmunks and red squirrels.  Ellie is best at it, in fact she caught two at the same time!  She plays with them, throws them up in the air, lets them try to get away, brings them back and puts her paw on them and it starts all over again.  Until.......they are dead.  Quincy goes straight for the kill, no playing.  That is why Ellie is so good catching them, to keep them away from Quincy so she can play with them.  You make think this is cruel but.......there are many, they eat way too much bird seed and get into our garage and shed.  Survival of the fittest.  

It looks like this week is going to be a dandy with warm weather and lots of sunshine.  Just remember it is May and we still will get frosts, cooler weather and maybe even a flake or two.  It has happened many times and will again.  For this week, enjoy and take time to relax. I am sure this will be the first days of overdoing outside.