slowcooker sausage + apple stuffed acorn squash

I shared a picture of this recipe last week on our Facebook page and received a lot of requests for the recipe.  This is so easy to put together and cooks in about 4 hours on LOW in the slowcooker, so it is a great weekend dinner.  Although, if you have a slowcooker with a timer you could do it while you are away from the house. 

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Slowcooker Sausage + Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash

2 acorn squash, halved with seeds removed

1 apple, chopped

1/2 onion, minced

1 stalk of celery, chopped

1 lb of ground sausage

5 sage leaves, chopped

1 egg, beaten

Parmesan, small handful

Salt and Pepper, to taste

1 1/2 c. of chicken broth

Saute apple, onion, and celery in pan until soft.  Let cool a bit and combine with remaining ingredients (except chicken broth).  Stuff squash with mixture. Place in crockpot (I used my largest one so that they would all fit). Pour chicken broth into bottom of crockpot.  Cook on LOW for about 4 hours or until cooked through, Enjoy!

tractors and ice cream

Dairy Store Employees/Students circa 1950s

Last week, we finally had a sunny day so Mike and I took the day off and took our kids on a road trip to Lincoln. I wanted to find the Backyard Farmer's garden. We never found it, but we did see the show's host! And we found lots of other cool stuff on East Campus.
First, we saw some signs directing us to a tractor museum. The Larsen Tractor Museum showcases antique tractors. It is in a very modest building, but the kids LOVED it. It's also a free will donation to enter. The staff was SUPER kind, too.
Then we got a free tour of Nebraska Horsepower Testing Site. I learned that Nebraska is the only place in the Western Hemisphere that tests ALL the tractors that are made here. It was a great tour given by a UNL student. This student then sent us to the Dairy Store. Did you know that UNL has a working dairy farm? And they make ICE CREAM and CHEESE with the milk??? I did not. And I went to school there. Needless to say, we all got ice cream. It was delicious. You can even watch them make the products!
We ended the day at a new park development (where I say the BYF host!) with an amazing Children's Garden.  It was a great end to a great day. Please check these places out. You won't regret it!

things i love

I haven't done one of these lists in a long time. But we all know sharing is caring. (Wink!) So here's some things that make my life a little more enjoyable.

My kids LOVE the Squooshi. They are seriously so easy to fill and clean.

Double Duty Nail Coat. This stuff has lasted through multiple loads of dishes, MAJOR errand running, gardening, and a night out. 4 days in and not ONE chip.

6pm.com. Stride Rites for my darling, flat footed daughter. Cheap, cheap, cheap.

Just enough chocolate chips lend sweetness to this otherwise healthy muffin. So easy to put together, too.

THIS bag is the best bag for mommies and daddies. Best part? Handmade in my hometown. Artifact Bag Company is a finalist for Martha's American Made Contest, too!

Kids never brush their teeth long enough. Until now. Firefly helps me prove to my kids they need to keep brushing. And they're fun!

I think this is the best home espresso maker. Plus, Cook's Illustrated agrees with me. Hendrix found me one at the thrift store for $4.95! It makes my mornings better.

a gift to my future self

The children of my future self ALWAYS want a snack. The minute I sit down. Or when we are in a hurry to get out the door. Or anytime when I REALLY do not want to make a snack. Sure we have designated snack times at our house. Growth spurts and incessant whining don't care about the clock, though. Also, my kids LOVE prepackaged snacks because they are fun and at their eye level in the grocery store. I like them because they are easy and (sometimes) good portion control. I hate them because they are more expensive.
So, a couple of weeks ago, I bought a box of Ziploc snack size bags. Then I divided the boxes of goldfish crackers, Graham crackers, and almonds into the bags. I cut up all the fruit and vegetables and did the same. I ordered some Squooshi bags from Amazon, too. Every few days I fill them up with applesauce and green smoothies. (I also use them for oatmeal and savory purees, too.) And, guess what? My future self loves it. It takes me about 20 minutes every week and is priceless when my kids (or me) are DYING for a snack. It has made packing lunches and after school snack a breeze. Also, kids are kinda gullible. Mine are, anyway. So guess what snack size Ziploc bags are in my house?? Kid Size Bags. Duh.
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Green Smoothie for Squooshi
2 cups of frozen berries
1 banana
1/2 cup of chopped kale
1/2 cup of almond milk
1/2 cup of OJ
Squirt of honey
Blend until smooth. Divide into Squooshi bags. Serve or Freeze for future self. 

Hello, Fall

Hello! It was a very busy Summer here. We sold out of all of our Weekly Bounty Boxes, had  a ton of play dates, went to fairs, learned how to swim, and more. Now Hendrix is in his final year at St. Patrick's in the pre-K program. I'm so thankful I didn't have to send him to kindergarten this year. My heart would of broke. Ha!
We continue to have huge harvests from the produce and the chickens are laying eggs daily (sometimes twice a day!!). Here are some pictures of what we have been up to these past few months:

Eggs from our chickens!

1st Husker Game!

Slow Roasted Tomatoes 

Last Picture of the kids with  Gretal who passed away in August.

Scallop Squash stuffed with corn, bacon, and eggs!

Watermelon!

Birthday flowers from Hendrix. Chocolate Zucchini Cake.

The farmer's daughter ready for the County Fair.

Huge Scallop Squash!

We built a fairy garden!

hello summer vacation

School's out! I typically look forward to Summer Vacation since it means that I don't HAVE to have Hendrix somewhere at a specific time. Although now that he is older he is wanting to spend time with friends more so summer requires a little more planning. Hopefully we can successfully relax and have fun this Summer without too much screen time.
Violet Alice is in full blown Into Everything All The Time Mode. It's intense, man. She also is starting to throw mini tantrums when she is frustrated. Plus, she now has five teeth coming in at once...so I'm sure that doesn't help. Juggling two kids on the move while planting season is happening can be challenging some days. The kids are 4 years apart so I sorta forgot how active (and daringly dangerous!!!) 1 year olds can be. And Violet is. Whoa.
That being said, I love having a sweet, lovey-dovey baby around again. Two kids can be both way more time consuming than I ever thought while being a blessing. Hendrix is nurturer by nature and takes wonderful care of his sister. He even wants to play with her 80% of the time. Which is great. I need to work on not meddling in their affairs more. They probably could problem solve better if I just sat back and observed more. But. A year into this new family life...I think we are doing pretty good.
It's always something around here and Violet is LOVING (I.e. super attachment issues) me again so hence the lack of posts. I do a better job of posting on Facebook since I can do that quicker. If you LIKE our Facebook Page (clementine's produce and provisions) you can see almost daily posts like our Weekly Menu, chicken pics, recipes, and more.
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Most everything has been planted and is doing well. We got a couple of frosts that killed off the basil, some eggplants, heirloom tomatoes, and peppers. So those had to be replaced. Thankfully, Mother Nature has brought some humidity and that has helped things really take off. We installed drip irrigation which has made all of my dreams come true. Mike is a genius and I might want to renew our vows because drip irrigation is fucking awesome. We are using plastic mulch/landscape fabric on a lot of our growing areas. It was TOUGH to roll out, but will be worth it when the weeds like to take over in mid June.  Currently, we have rhubarb, tarragon, chives, and oregano available. Soon we'll be able to put together a mini bounty box to give customers a taste of Spring.
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I'm going to work on our online purchasing and store this weekend. So soon online orders can be placed. Looking forward to seeing all of our customers!!
--XO!

an open (love) letter to my daughter on her first birthday

In the hostipal

Meeting Hendrix for the first time.

Hendrix picked her Wild Violets while she napped.

The Farmer's Daughter

Summer Lovin'

Halloween

9 months

Christmas Eve

Dear Baby Girl,
Today you are one. You're a May Day Baby celebrating her Golden Birthday. You are the joy of this family.  There are not enough words to describe the joy you bring to all of us. You are quite simply so happy being Violet Alice that you don't concern yourself with anything that would not bring you joy. We could all learn something from you in that regard.
It took you weeks after you were born to even really cry.  You took to nursing almost immediately.  You took 4 ounces of formula in your first couple hours on this planet. You slept through the night at 6 weeks.  Your father and I are pretty much speechless with how easy it is with you.  That is just your way. You toddle along in life. Pleased as peaches.  Unless someone looks at you or smiles at you. You are not fond of "strangers". At all. You are very fond of eating.  So you don't handle hunger well. But those things are easily remedied.
Every morning, I come in your room and you receive me with a giant smile.  And a hug to beat all hugs. Who knew a baby could give a bear hug. Throughout the day you will find me to give me a hug.  In all my days, I will cherish those hugs with everything I have.  You will never know how much I love those hugs. You are the cuddlebug I always dreamed of.
Hendrix and you are quite a pair.  No one can make you laugh like he does.  And no one is as concerned with your safety as he is.  I hope you always love each other this much.
In a year you have learned how to walk, nod your head yes, grown three teeth, sign "done", clap, and more.  You are starting to get on Hendrix's old Big Wheel and scoot it along.  Being outside and eating are probably your favorite things.  As well as, giving all your dollies and stuffed animals hugs.
I love, love, love, love, love having a daughter.  You make me a better mother and a better woman. Your easy way makes us a better family. This year has brought us more joy than we could of imagined. We cannot wait to get to know you more and watch you grow more and more.
We love you more than cheese and wine,
Mommy and Daddy

She's Golden!