Homestyle Chicken Dinner w/potatoes, carrots & fresh green beans

This is one of the easiest dinners you can prepare, especially when you are running low on time.  Here's what you will need:


*4-5 carrots, peeled/cleaned

*1 qt green beans

*10 potatoes, cleaned, partially peeled

*10 chicken tenderloins, skinless, boneless

*1/3-1/2 stick butter

*S & P

*1/3 C Italian Dressing (I used Newman's Own-Organic)

*1/3 C Parmesan cheese

*1/4 C Mayo



-Place carrots in medium pot. Add a dash of  S&P, pat of butter; turn on low heat; cover.


-Place green beans in medium pot. Add a dash of S&P, pat of butter; turn heat to medium; cover.


-Wash potatoes with scrubbie. Partially peel and cut into small cubes. Rinse. Place in large water-filled pot to boil.  Boil until soft.


-Meanwhile, using your favorite non-stick skillet, add the chicken tenderloins to cook on med-low heat. Add a sprinkling of ITALIAN SEASONING AND 2-3 T WATER; Cover; Be careful not to let them stick. Cook until done. When done, drain any excess water. 


-Add to the chicken, 1/3 C italian dressing, 2 pats of butter, dash of pepper-salt only if desired, Cover and simmer.


-Allow to simmer until vegetables are done.


-While the chicken is simmering, come back to your potatoes. Drain about 3/4 of water from potatoes and add mayo, Parmesan cheese, S&P, and 3 T butter. With your mixer, slightly mash the potatoes before you blend them.  This will help them to blend easier. Now, turn mixer on and gently blend together. Taking care to mix all ingredients, scraping sides as you go; set aside.


-Don't forget to check your chicken and stir the carrots and green beans.

When all veggies are done, serve with cornbread and freshly brewed iced tea.


Total prep time: 25-30 minutes


Serves: 3 adults and 3 children


Note: one thing you'll want to know about using italian dressing is that it will absorb into the chicken and that is just what you want it to do. It will cause the chicken to become very tender and juicy!  It will be yummie and very moist.  You won't even have to add salt or much other seasoning except the italian seasoning. Enjoy!!


Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy this easy and quick meal idea! Come Again~Kimi

A lesson on shoeing a pony

Over the last 1 1/2 weeks we have noticed that our littlest equine creature has been walking slowly and acting a bit more cautious than usual.  We decided to bring him into the little area we have set aside for my chickens and keep him penned up until the farrier could arrive. Yesterday the farrier came and trimmed all the horses and took a look at 'Smokey', our little pony.  Even though the news was not good, it was expected.  We could tell by his symptoms that Smokey had probably foundered.

(Here's his little hoof all trimmed and ready to be sized for the shoe.)

Foundering is a condition that occurs to an animal when their diet is changed or other elements arise, such as a change in pasture, stress with in the herd or even drinking too much water.  "There could be 10 different ways an animal could founder," our veterinarian told us, "And ponies are prone to it."

After a thorough exam of Smokey's hooves, our vet determined that keeping him up was the best.  Placing shoes on Smokey will help to keep the 'frog' and 'coffin' of his hoof off the ground when he walks and also allow for it to heal over the next 8-9 weeks.  Yes, he's going to have to be stabled for at least 8 weeks. Thankfully he will recover, but it is going to be a slow and careful process.

(Here the blacksmith is preparing the shoe for Smokey. It must be a fitted shoe or the pressure could cause more damage to his little hoof.  The blacksmith remarked that Smokey was the easiest one he's ever shod.) 

We have been trying to figure out the cause of his foundering condition. When the new grass begins to grow in the spring, it comes in so quickly that the horses just eat and eat and eat. 

(A black paste is spread onto the underside of the hoof.  It will dry somewhat softer than the consistency of dried out playdo. This gives a 'cushion' for the iron shoe to 'sit' on. It also protects the underside of the hoof from infection.) 

Statistically, most horses will never encounter foundering because of their size in relation to how much they eat, but it is always a possibility.  Riding them regularly also helps them adjust to  the new grass.  Ponies on the other hand are, of course, smaller and their digestive system works differently.  They also eat with out taking a break as often. The new grass coming up in the pasture is probably what caused Smokey's condition. 

(The smaller shoe is fitted exactly to his hoof, then attached with small nail-like drivers that keep the shoe in place for about 4 weeks.)

(There will be 6 little 'nails' tapped into the end of his front hooves.  It lookes like it may hurt, but it's no different than putting a straight pin through the end of your fingernail.) 

(The few final taps and his shoes are set.)

(Now he just needs the nail tips to be trimmed off and then filed down.)

(The farrier and blacksmith took great care with our little guy, continuing to pet and stroke him to keep him calm.  He really did a great job standing.)

Thanks Tanner and Craig for taking such great care of our Smokey and for coming over so quickly. You are definitely #1 in our book! Well, I guess we better get started on that little corral we need to build, so Smokey can at least get out of the chicken run.  Since he's so small, we can keep him in there for a couple of days, until his corral is ready. 

Watch for updates on Smokey as he progresses. And please say a little prayer he heals speedily.

Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend.

Busy on the home front

It has been a busy several months around here.  After moving into our new home, we have not let a minute go to waste.  From building a fence, unpacking more boxes, taking a quick trip to see family out of state, to sorting through all our stuff that won't fit into our new home and having a yard sale that beats all yard sales so far to date, we are getting settled in and enjoying these warm days of spring. Yes, I am definitely planning a garden as well as canning what I grow.  I am still raising my chickens (and harvesting the eggs). I am absolutely still milling my own wheat and making my own bread. I am still attending college to get that degree. I am planning a few new endeavors also...one has to do with 'BEES', another with 'painting', and still another with 'wood' and another with 'pasta'. I am so excited about the new ideas I can't wait to share them.  Do you have any??  

School and lessons for the children are wonderful. They are doing so awesome!  In addition to all their lessons they are such 'willing' helpers around here on the farm. Starting their day with outdoor chores and then working on lessons, and maybe even a horse-back ride afterward brings such a contented and satisfying feeling.  I thank my Lord and Savior for this opportunity!  I haven't ever had a hard time going to sleep.  I look forward to what every tomorrow will bring and cherish the memories of what yesterday holds.  Most of all,I treasure the peace that comes from knowing the One who has given it all. 

Thanks for coming by to visit...I hope your day is blessed, wonderful and that you make it something to cherish also.  The Lord Jesus Christ be with you!