Spring Beauty

On Thursday we spent a couple hours in the woods. I love being in the woods! Every time I get out in the woods I realize, again, just how much I love the forest.

The forest abounds with life! There is such a variety of plants, trees, birds, creeping, flying and leaping wild creatures.

I spy a squirrel!

The woods are quiet and still, and yet, at the same time, they are full of noises and motion. There are no cars rumbling and beeping. No electronic humming of refrigerators, dishwashers, or humidifiers. No ticking of clocks. But, there are bees buzzing, woodpeckers tapping, Cardinals singing, streams babbling, wind hissing, squirrels barking, limbs creaking, frogs chirping. The water glitters as sunlight reflects from it's surface.

When I go to the woods I feel a sense of peace and calmness. I have an enormous amount of gratitude well up within me. I thank God for the opportunity to be in such a beautiful place. I thank God for giving me senses to observe and take in the sights, sounds, and smells. I Thank God for putting variety and beauty into his creation. And, since I am in such a grateful frame of mind I think of so many, many blessings to thank God for providing. I am sure we all have special places where we feel in particularly reminded to be grateful and thank God. The woods is one of those special places for me.

As we walked through the woods we saw Spring Beauties, Violets, and Toothwort blooming.

It is early spring here, judging by the plant life. We have had a very long winter and spring is coming late. It is definitely welcomed! I only saw a few May Apples poking up through the leaves. Most years they have been up and unfurled for at least month by this time.

I didn't even see a single Trillium in bloom.

A lot Trout Lilies were up. I only saw a few that had flowered.

This little tree frog blended in well with his surroundings. I am surprised that we saw him.

My two year old was delighted! :)

I was very happy to see some Virginia Bluebells. They are lovely!

Psalms 40:5

 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Frugal Meal Planning: Chicken Leg Quarters 59¢ Per Pound

We bought a 10 pound bag of chicken leg quarters for $5.98. I made 9 meals (not counting leftovers) for our family out these chicken quarters. We are a small family with only 2 adults and one toddler eating.

This is how I divided up the chicken quarters.

8 chicken leg quarters:
Chicken legs = 2 meals
Chicken skin = 1 meal
Chicken thighs = 4 meals
Chicken bones = 2 meals

I cut all the drum sticks off. 8 drum sticks makes 2 meals for us. I can grill the legs or roast them. They can be marinated for extra flavor.

I took the skin off of the thighs. The skins will make one meal. I fry them like bacon, and can make breakfast for dinner. I will save all the fat that renders out of the skins as they fry (almost 1/2 cup). The fat goes in a jar in the refrigerator for cooking and baking later.

I de-boned all the thighs. I chopped the thigh meat up and put two thighs worth of meat, a piece, in freezer bags. I can use the chopped thigh meat for stir-fry, sweet and sour chicken, and refried rice.

The bones are thrown into a pot for making broth. I strain the bones out of the finished broth and pick any meat off the bones for soup. I make soup with the broth. I can make many various soups depending on the ingredients I have on hand.

What types of meals would you make with 10 pounds of chicken leg quarters?

We eat a lot of chicken leg quarters. They are super affordable and very flavorful. Sometimes when we buy chicken leg quarters I make fried drumsticks and thighs. Chicken leg quarters make really good chicken cacciatore, too. I have also cooked the legs quarters in the crock-pot all at once. I pulled the meat off of the bone and used it in several Mexican style dishes and BBQ sandwiches. I usually make our chicken salad out of dark meat, too. I probably would not serve it to company just because most people are accustomed to chicken breast in their chicken salad, but we like it made with thighs. The dark meat goes really good in chicken tetrazzini, too.

Tell me in the comments what you make with chicken quarters! I'd love to hear from you!

We Have A New Baby!

Our new bundle of joy is now 3 week old. He is growing so fast! Yes, I said, "He," we have another precious boy!

I was 13 days over due and getting really tired of waiting to have our baby. Everything went smoothly and peaceful when I finally did go into labor.

I had a uneventful planned home birth. Our new little boy was 8 lbs. 10 oz. at birth. He is growing heathily and put on 13 oz. in his first week! We are so grateful for him!

Psalms 127:3 KJV

 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.