Squash! Squash! And More....Squash!

It's summer time and most gardens are billowing over with yummy summer squash and zucchini. Are you running out of ideas of what to do with your squash? Wondering what's for dinner at the Darrows? Here's a new recipe for you to try!

Happy Gardening....and Happy Cooking!!!


Zucchini Casserole

4 cups of diced zucchini (or a combination of summer squash and zucchini)
2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
1 diced tomato
1 cup bisquick
3 eggs
1/2 cup oil

In a large bowl mix the first 8 ingredients. Mix well and put in greased 9x13 baking dish. In a small bowl, beat eggs and oil well and pour over mixture in baking dish. Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

White Potato Pie

Today in the Darrow kitchen I will be preparing White Potato Pie. As soon as some got wind of this...they wanted the recipe right away. So, here...at your request!

White Potato Pie

3 med. white potatoes, cooked and mashed
2/3 c. butter
4 eggs, beaten
1 c. sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. milk
2 tbsp. lemon extract
1/2 c. whipping cream


Combine potatoes, butter, sugar, and salt. Mix well. Slowly add the rest of ingredients. Add beaten eggs last. Bake 50 minutes at 350 degrees or until knife cuts cleanly in a regular round pie shell (prepared uncooked) pie shell. Serve with Cool Whip, if desired, when pie has cooled.

Enjoy.....and do let me know how yours came out....and how you liked it!

Happy Baking!
~Tammy

~Getting The Most Out Of Your Compost~

This summer I've been "composting as I go" - for tips on how to do this refer back to my earlier blog on June 2, 2011 called "Black Gold." As summer continues on I've started "juice composting" as well - and my garden is lovin' it! I separate my daily veggie and fruit compost and bring it to a boil while we're eating dinner. By the time dinner dishes are done it's cooled down to a temperature that it can be added to the garden. I then take the solids and add it to the compost pile. I've found little information in the garden forums about it - but it is apparent that some gardeners are also engaging in the practice. As long as my garden is lovin' it....I'm doin it!

Get out and get your toes in the fresh dirt...and enjoy your garden! It's good for the belly and good for the soul!

Happy Gardening!
~Tammy

Squash Pudding Delight

My squash plants are thriving and producing quite a crop this year! Now that they're coming in we are enjoying squash in a variety of ways. It's definitely one of my favorites.

At your request, I'm posting my recipe for Squash Pudding. Enjoy!!!!

~Squash Pudding Delight~

2 C. yellow squash, mashed slightly
1/4 C. butter, melted
2/3 C. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. flour
1 2/3 C milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Slice and steam squash. Mash slightly. Add butter. Mix sugar, salt and flour. Mix into squash. Add milk and vanilla. Pour into dish. Sprinkle on nutmeg. Bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

Yummy!!

Remodeling On A Budget

The blog has been quiet but the Darrow household has not been. We've forged full speed ahead with the remodeling project that Joe started pre-brain tumor. It's been a challenge of sorts. We went from "who cares what it costs" to "remodeling on a pauper's wage." However, it's enabled us to get back to our life of Simple Abundance - and it feels great!

I'm on a real "color kick" at the moment. I love color. I want color. I need color! We have been scouring the paint departments in search of our next "oops" paint and finding some wonderful deals. If you've never searched out the "oops" paint - make it a point to visit the paint department of store and ask them to direct you to the "oops" paint. It's not usually right out front sporting a "clearance" tag. It's generally tucked in and hard to find. Now keep in mind - you cannot be choosy about the paint and you have to shop with an open mind. But always remember, if you buy paint that you have no use for or would never use - it's not a bargain. It's just throwing hard earned money out the window!

I, myself, love color. I shop the paints with excitement and anticipation of what and where I may be able to add a splash of color - and the "oops" shelves have yet to disappointment. We can easily find gallons of paint that were once $25 - $50 for a mere $5! Now that's what I call a deal!

After seeing a picture of a friend's living room in Chicago, I got a sudden hankering to add some texture to our living room walls. This soon turned out to be a project in itself. Once completed it will be an accent wall in the living room, which will carry into the stairwell. And color...yes! It has a lot of color. All found on the oops shelves!! Total cost of the project $20. That included the joint compound that I used to "age" the wall, wall paint and trim paint. Score!

There are a lot of things you can do to eliminate the huge costs of remodeling. Here are a few ideas:

- update your kitchen hardware

- install new light fixtures

- cover old linoleum for vinyl tiles

- add area rugs

- add a fresh coat of paint - yes, off the "oops" shelf!

- attend auctions looking for treasures - don't forget your creative eye!

- shop salvage stores - like Ollie's, for instance. If you don't have an Ollie's in your area, google "bargain outlets" or "salvage outlets" in your area!
I was just able to pick up a perfect carpet remnant at our local Ollie's for just $165! And it was not cheap carpet! I shopped prices before going there and they won out...hands down! The stores aren't glamorous but they sure leave your checkbook intact! Who needs to the glitz when you're saving so much money!

Times are tough...bucks are tight! Be nice to your checkbook today!

Now I'm off to check on my drying wall!

Happy Shopping...On A Budget!
~Tammy