Oh how cruel to have the sun shine so brightly yet hover in temperatures keeping one inside.I made use of the day bu deep scrubbing the tile kitchen floor. I decided to empty the bags of onions and potatoes into the 3 tier basket I have hanging from the celiing. In the middle tier, I discovered 5 sweet potatoes from last years harvest. I forgot all about them! They are Georgia Jet sweet potatoes which surprisingly hid through winter under onion peels. And now... They have slips growing all on their own. So I put them in an old bread pan to further them along. Looks like I need to rearrange the garden plans again.
   I finally found my Long Pie pumpkin seeds which were saved from the garden of 2009. I planted 3 per pot just in case germination is poor. I will not grow any other pumpkin. I was hooked the first time I baked with these. Amazing taste that  rivals any pie pumpkin I have had. I've had them last well into March when stored in my basement. They are my key ingredient for Pumpkin Empanada's I would sell at the Farmer Market events in Fall. They would sell out so quick, I received orders for more!
The children did not mind the cold and begged to play under the weeping cherry trees. My oldest is such a sweetheart. Indulging her baby sister when she is begged to play "Fairies". They are not bothered by this crazy chill unlike the plants & myself. I prefer to hide inside. Thank you very much.
To brighten the spirits of my rosy red cheeked children who were reluctant to come indoors, I baked them a pie. I used one of the last small bags of our Blackberries in a pie of apples & Honey. I keep frozen some premade crusts which speed up the process on a busy meal day. My husband bought me these beautiful cast iron pie pans as well as 2 cast iron bread pans from a sportsmen catalog. I beyond love them! Cooking & baking in cast iron is different yet very enjoyable. I have just a few more pieces to acquire before I am content. Although I dream of having a BIG caulfron to cook over the fire outback or use in the fireplace for stews and such to feed family & friends. My little one is barely big enough for my family of 5...
In the morning we are to wake to more showers but an afternoon high of 70. Hopefully I can get that door on my Potter shed & get to work on the roof being there is nothing more I can do pertaining to gardening.
My darling son just brought me a slice of pie and is requesting to cuddle as we indulge of Blackberry memories. I must bid you an evenings adieu.
Sweet Dreams,
~Tammie