Not All Cornmeal the Same

Today's scones were the second batch of scones I made with the last bag of cornmeal that I bought. The last batch was awful. I forgot the cornmeal altogether and added it after everything else. The scones burned quickly and tasted like cornbread.

Finally, I dumped the batch and made another today. As I pulled the tray out of the oven, disappointment welled up in me. The scones had the dark brown burnt coloring. I tried less time and then a lower temperature. Finally, it dawned on me. The only difference from the first scones I made was the corn meal. The last bag bought was "Yellow Cornmeal" and it did look different that the previous one that I had gotten in a smaller cardboard container. Now, I realize that it was not "yellow", but must have been white that I needed. At the store I had noticed there was cornmeal and cornbread, but it did not dawn on me to check the color of the corn meal. :(

The next batch will have to be far less cornmeal and a little more flour!!! Or, maybe I can dump the bag and get the cornmeal I had before. I did a search and found out that Texas A & M did a study and found that cornmeal is a powerful fungicide!--- I could spread it on the garden soil. There really hasn't been any fungus around that I know of.... so, I suppose I ought to just use the cornmeal sparingly and not waste it!

And, if I am not glum enough about that. While getting the cranberries at 2-J's, I just happened to notice the label. It read SWEETENED dried cranberries. This probably offsets the cutting back on sugar!!

On the bright side, Christopher's butterscotch-chocolate chip cookies turned out excellent.

Wind--blustery and dry

Actually, even though the wind was pretty strong, it was a nice wind and it WASN'T cold! Its nice, in that it is drying off all that moisture in the "wire" grass that we want to get rid of! Right now the mower plugs up almost as soon as you start to mow!

Wire grass is terrible grass, as you try to walk through it, it is like trying to walk through bobby traps. It all snags together and your shoe gets tangled in it. I probably put on quite a show for the neighbors passing by, as I try to get through this stuff!!! You can just walk along and then all of a sudden your shoe is trapped on the spot and you come to a screeching halt when you don't expect it! Or you just trudge through the heavy spots barely able to lift your foot. But soon---it will be gone. (I hope.)

Kat brought back pictures of camping at Crystal Lake. They had a wonderful time. Its hard to believe that it is so close to home and we had never heard of it before. More camping ahead--hopefully we will have some of those sizzling hot days to enjoy the sun and water!! But not too many of those days at a time....we don't want to lose our garden and we don't want our state to go up in flames!!

Today was a good day. I talked to all the children and all was good. God is good and I love Him.

The Passing Storms

Late this afternoon the storms came rumbling through again. Dark clouds, thunder, and some lightning, filled the sky as the rains fell. I had just made some scones and was sitting in Kat's rocker and watching tv, while I tested the freshly baked bread with my tea. A storm had just came through and another was coming in. There were no good detective shows to watch so I turned to the Gaither Show and they sang the song "Til the Storm Passes By". It was awesome, like God was right there watching us. (The song is on itunes)

Kat and Andy took the kids and went camping. I pray they may find shelter in His hand tonight. Rain and hail is forecasted throughout the night.

I looked out the window at the dogs right after a huge clap of thunder broke open the heavens. Sammy was sitting off the deck and looking at me as if I had just made that noise!! Saw Freckles and Little Black running out of the fields and heading over to the neighbor's barn. Guess they want to be dry AND look for mice!

All is good. The Lord is coming soon and we are in His care.