Planning our Valentine's Day...

Hello there dear hearts.. 

Hope you are all doing well.. 

Valentine's Day is tomorrow, eh!

We are expecting a big snowstorm here in New Brunswick tonight and all day tomorrow so I imagine that it will make short plans for a lot of couples..

We had planned on staying home anyway.. 

My plan is to make us something delicious and will set une table pour deux... smile..

We are never too old for romance and he is very dear to my heart as I think I am to his.. smile.. 

It is worth the time to do something a little special..

We need to take every opportunity to celebrate the wonderful and good things of life.. 

So... 

I am planning on setting the table with this china and linens.. 

I mean to add some valentine touches, though.. 

Here is an idea for you.. 

an old page of music can be a romantic place mat..

Mismatched silver is lovely when tied together with an old piece of lace and cloth napkins.. Right?

Perhaps some lovely romantic music can be playing...

Have you heard the song.. 

He Walked the Line... LOL.. just kidding. 

And I must not forget the candles... 

They really help set the mood... 

Now.. 

The food..  

 One of our favorites is this recipe for a rub for a whole chicken.. 

Here is the recipe in case you would like to use it.. 

Chicken Rub.. 

4 tsp. sea salt 

3 T. paprika

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. dried thyme 

1 tsp. hot pepper flakes

1/2 tsp. black pepper.. 

Mix together well.. 

Wash and dry your whole chicken well 

Rub mixture on front and back of chicken. 

Place in a large zip lock bag and put in your fridge for over night or several hours.. 

Roast your chicken as usual but baste every 30 minutes.. 

This looks like a BBQ chicken ... 

Probably I will make a loaf of homemade bread.. 

The no knead one only takes a couple of minutes and adds to the meal.. 

A nice green salad, baked potato and probably some type of veggie.. 

Then dessert.. 

I did make this cake.. 

Zucchini Pie

2/3 cup of brown sugar

1/4 cup of butter

1 tsp. of vanilla

1 egg

1 cup flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. cloves

1 cup of grated zucchini  

1/2 cup of nuts or raisins,,,

Just cream the sugar, butter and vanilla.. Then add egg and mix well.. 

Sift in the flour, soda and spices and mix for a minute or so.. 

Add the zucchini and stir well.. 

Pour into a greased 9 inch pie pan..

Bake in a 350 degrees F. oven for 25 minutes.

Turn out onto a rack and cool.. 

Meanwhile stir up an icing for the top.. 

1 1/2 cups of icing sugar

3 T. butter

1/4 tsp. cloves

3-5 tsp. coffee cream or can milk.. (whole milk will do)

Whisk together and spread on.. 

I have posted on this one before ... 

It is not fancy but just so satisfying and old fashioned.. 

We do not need many sweets really but I will try to make something chocolate, too.. 

Just because... smile.. 

Do you girls think it is important to celebrate special days? 

Here is my opinion.. smile.. 

When you are younger and have children it takes a bit more effort to do something special but I really think that Valentine's Day is a special time to celebrate.. 

Marriages need to celebrate.. 

Even if money is scarce there are so many simple ways to plan a special evening for you and your sweetheart.. 

Even if you have to wait until the kids are in bed or perhaps make them a part of some of it.. 

Thanks so much for your sweet visit and comments.. 

Enjoy your day tomorrow.. 

John 3:16 is the sweetest love story ever told.. 

For God So Loved the World

16 “For God so loved the world,[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

LINKED TO.. THE PIN JUNKIE

Some Fall Chores....

Hello everyone..

How are you all doing? 

It has been another busy week here .. It takes a bit of time to get ready for Winter, eh? 

Terry has finished doing our wood.. It is now in our basement along with lots of cedar for kindling.. He is always happy when that chore is done and me, too.. smile..

We also now have everything home from the cottage and I think most of it is put away..

We had to clean our cold room.. A chore that we neither one like doing but are always so glad when it is all done.. It is so nice to see all the preserves on the shelves..

We also have our sauerkraut and veggies put away .. I still have to do more pumpkin... I like freezing some and probably one more batch of jam..

Our squash did not do well this year so we bought a fifty pound bag and Terry peeled it  and then I cooked it and put it in the freezer.. We find squash does not keep well so we freeze it.. It is so convenient that way...

I am also putting blankets and bedding out on the line..

Sorting through the linen cupboards.. 

Of course, I take a break now and then... grin..

And sometimes when I do I try to find inspiration in such magazines as these ones...

A couple of my faves...

I love UK publications.. Do you?

And Mary Jane is one of the best..

Filled to the brim with lovely homemaking ideas..

We also put away a supply of beef..

I love making this with some ground beef...

Tiny meatballs to put into this lovely soup...

Italian Wedding Soup.... I posted the recipe HERE..

Also.. we received some lovely organic chickens..

We get them in exchange for our hay...

Today I put a Rub on one...

And then I put it in a bag and placed in the fridge until tomorrow when I will roast it for Supper..

This is a lovely recipe..

Guess where I found it?   smile..

In this little book..

Here is the recipe just in case you would like it...

Chicken Rub..

3 tsp. sea salt

3 T. paprika

1 tsp. cayenne

1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 clove garlic crushed

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. hot pepper flakes

1/2 tsp. black pepper..

Whisk together in a small bowl and the rub all over a washed and dried chicken.  Put in a large Ziploc bag and place in fridge overnight.  Or you can freeze it this way..

Roast in oven as usual ...

Baste every 30 minutes..

Looks and tastes like BBQ chicken.. Heavenly..

I have been getting ready for Keepers of the Home meeting on Saturday morning, also..

We are planning on having breakfast, a lesson on the Home and then doing a felting project plus learning a few other little things..

If you live in the area and would like to attend please just email me at houseofhenry@hotmail.com  ... We would love to have you..

It is held in Sussex...

Well, thank you sweet ladies for stopping by.. And welcome to the new followers of the blog.. So glad to have you all..

I will be looking forward to hearing from you..

Take care of your dear families and enjoy the wonderful Fall season  that our Lord has blessed us with..Winter is on its way... 

Isn't God good... He supplies all our needs.. 

He is so faithful in every way... 

Love and Prayers...

Faye..