Deborah’s Blog – Page 27 – The Gourmet Farm Girl

On a hike through the Smoky Mountains…

the beauty is breathtaking…

God speaks in many ways…

Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid…for the Lord thy God is with thee

whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:9

ENJOY your Sunday…

Good Morning… Read More »

BLT Grilled Chicken Breast with Mozzarella

The Gourmet Farm Girl

This recipe is for 2 sandwiches; double or triple if serving more

2 skinless boneless chicken breasts
2 slices fresh mozzarella cheese
4 slices of smoked bacon
Leaf lettuce
Sliced tomatoes
1-2 Tablespoons Mayonnaise (optional)
1-2 Tablespoons butter
2 whole wheat or whole grain sandwich buns (toasted)

Fry bacon on medium to low heat till semi-crisp; remove and drain on a paper towel;
set aside

Heat grill to 400 degrees; pound out chicken breasts to tenderize;salt and pepper to taste; grill for 3-4 minutes on each side till cooked through; remove and place on a plate, top each breast with a slice of cheese; cover with foil and tent; let rest for 4-5 minutes in order for the cheese to melt.

Butter top and bottom of buns and place on grill or under broiler and toast till golden brown; spread the mayo on each side when cooled

Build the sandwich by layering the lettuce, chicken breast with the melted cheese, bacon and sliced tomatoes.

Serve with chips or fried potatoes
Sliced onions are also good on this sandwich

ENJOY!

Supper idea… Read More »

When the great Smoky Mountains were discovered in the 1700’s by European’s they discoverd a tribe of Indians that were one of the most culturally advanced on the continent. They had permanent towns, cultivated croplands, sophisticated political systems and extensive networks of trails.

By the 1830’s the Cherokee had adopted the ways of the whites to the extent of developing a written language, printing their own newspaper, and utilizing the white man’s agriculture and architecture.

However, most of the Cherokee were forcibly removed to Oklahoma in the 1830’s in the tragic episode know as the “Trail of Tears.”

By the 20th Century the agricultrual pattern of the Smoky Mountains changed with the arrivial of lumbering. Within 20 years the self-sufficient way of life was alomost entirely replaced by the dependence on manufactured items, store bought food, and cash.

Loggers were rapidly cutting the great primeval forests that remained on these mountains. These course of events were changed with the intervention and creation of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in 1934. The forest- at least twenty percent or so that remained uncut within the park boundries- were saved.

The few Cherokee who remained or managed to return to these mountains are the ancestors of the Cherokee living on the reservation near the park today.

photos taken by and are personal collection of The Gourmet Farm Girl

Land of the Cherokee Indians Read More »

In these meadow lands of the Great Smoky Mountains sits an old church with a captive presence of days that have passed.

Its simplicity speaks of the life once lived here…

and a quite resting place for for the generations…

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.

John 14: verses 1-4

Enjoy this day!

The Gourmet Farm Girl

A simple life… Read More »

Good Morning!

I have returned from a short vacation in the Smoky Mountains….

here are some of the beautiful views…

I will be cooking soon and sharing some great recipes!

ENJOY your day!

The Gourmet Farm Girl

The Great Smoky Mountains Read More »

It sure is hot out…

I have Nothing better to do!

I bet it’s a lot cooler in where you are?

Poor Georgie!

photos by The Gourmet Farm Girl

The Lazy Days of Summer…and Georgie! Read More »

Nightime…and it’s beauty.

The Peace and Understanding that God Gives….may you all be blessed!

Enjoy your evening…

The Gourmet Farm Girl

The Day has Closed… Read More »

Crawford County Fair

1848-2010

The county fair was always one of the great anticipations of the summer and a big event for kids growing up in the country. I remember being so excited and could not wait till the time arrived to take the animals and all the gear that would be needed to the fairgrounds.

Yep…that is me helping my brother get his pig ready.

As soon as you arrived it was a mad dash to pick out your spot in the hog barn or dairy barn or goat, or sheep, or rabbit or poultry or well you get the idea… the spot was important because of the antics that would take place for the next 7 days so you had be close to your counterparts; such as the wheelbarrow rides with a pile of manure in the bottom and a fresh layer of straw on the top to cover it up. There would be an invite to an unsuspecting target to partake in a wheelbarrow ride…get the idea? Oh…and the 5 gallon bucket of water precisely placed on the rafter of the barn with a pull string attached, get the picture of what happened to our next prey…this usually started a water fight with hoses and lots of buckets, it was all in good fun!

My sons getting their dairy beef calves ready for the fair…or the one watching the other one???

Yikes…me again with my heifer.

You just knew the week would be a ton of fun with friends and new acquaintances…and sometimes a new heart throb. (Ahhh… the teenage years) I learned the truest of commonality thru these years and so did my children. Perhaps the competition was not as intense as one might expect. Whatever your project was it was important, but more than anything it was a time when kids were allowed to be kids and for a few summer days every year families which included the young and the old spent taking some time out (remember the chores at home still needed to be done) but always made the necessary arrangements to create some memories at the county fair.