Little Things in June... Strawberry Shortcake Recipe....

 

This Monday morning finds me on the blog... Its not typical but its raining and my kitchen Monday will wait longer today.

Summer in the Zook Household and a little update on us...

Justin... leaves the house early. I don't see him because his lunch is already waiting at the door the night before. His hours go with the sun since he hauls wide loads so this time of the year has him leaving earlier because the daylight hours allow more time. He loves baseball and is very good at it. He plays basketball most everyday here and works out and runs to. He likes healthy eating. He was at the same seminar Dave was speaking at last week and its great to see him educate himself and learn non-conventional life stratagies.

Justin's girl...:) Eva... She works on the sales team at Horizon Structures everyday but Saturday.She thrives in her space there!  She is back to making cupcakes for the summer. You can look her up on Instagram at "Eva's Treats". Her goodies are always so yummy!! She keeps her little property with her horses in top shape and we have seen her blossom in every way this past year! We love you Eva!!

Jordan... leaves the house early now since he is done with his 10th school year... He starts work at 6. He does anything and everything around the shop. He fills in where needed. He hauls things from here to there for whoever needs and he delivers and picks up odds and ends. He did his first trailer run with his uncle Peter's truck last week and he was nervous. He said "I was that guy today that everyone wanted to pass and get around!" lol!!  Sometimes Justin takes him with him for a delivery if he feels he will need help getting the shed in place. Jordan is blessed with opportunity and he is still finding his nitch. He LOVES his friends. Plays baseball and gets in real late as many nights as possible even though I tell him his body needs more sleep! (life at 16!)

Jenika... is with me. We do a lot together. I love it!! She is a great house helper and right now she is into making shortcake for any party we have or even to make in small tins to give away! She truly makes the best shortcake all by herself!

Her recipe is complicated but she has it down pat. She cleans up as she goes and after she is done all her counters are wiped. I'm so proud of her and her dad and brothers love her shortcake with fresh strawberries from our patch!! (I'll share her recipe down below)

Her love for animals is evident everyday!! She always goes to care for her horse first thing everyday. She loves on the puppies next door these days and we hear talk around here of maybe keeping one for Javon!... "Oh boy" says Dad!!...:)

We are still working on a summer routine for her. Chores are not her thing she thinks. She would much rather play and party. She has no time for laundry work or so she thinks! She says she knows all the house keeping skills real well already and her training is already over and done.

Her thought process goes... "Just let me go outside to the animals!" She keeps me laughing! I find it best to make her a chore list instead of throwing chores at her all day long. She has a personality that thrives on feeling accomplished and productive so we are finding ways to keep her hands busy and still have her playtime!

We got her a new bridal, a riding helmet along with some peppermint horse treats and fly wipes at Tractor Supply the other day. She hopes to ride Rage real well by summers end. (prayers appreciated)

Javon... He's all about pranks and jokes in this stage of his life!  (I remember it with the big boys to) He loves to be outdoors and he loves his siblings! He pretty much took over Jordan's "Steel Plate" business. He is fast. He did 24 boxes of plates all on his own the other day to surprise Jordan by filling out his order for him (while Jordan was out doing another job that day) He gets five cents a steel plate and he did 1,200 in only a few hours! He loves earning money...:)  We can already tell he will be motivated, fast and on top of his orders without much nagging at all. Jordan was his wonderful and patient trainer these past years as Javon often helped him bend plates!

Here he is Saturday morning along the river where Jordan took him and Bryant fishing for a few hours... Let me add... "everyone wants a big brother like Jordan!" He is so lucky to have wonderful big brothers!!

The past week was so busy for Dave! He was out most every evening last week and Friday and Saturday he was at this event...

Dave loves these settings!

 He had a few speaking slots and he does awesome! I'm so proud of how far he has come and how he teaches so well the things that he has been learning these past years! Some things he is still learning... he has some issues going on in the present with some of his multifamily investments and it works on him but at the same time it stretches places that must need to be stretched and the learning process is proving to be valuable even though its all still pending....

We are so BLESSED!


These are the things that bring "Me" a bit of pleasure these days...SUMMER smells and sights!! HONEYSUCKLE!! (once again I wish I could record the smell on here!! I'd refer back here so often!...:))

This tree... I want one!! Anyone know what its called? It smells AMAZING!!

 I'm always busy with house work, yard work and gardening and flowers is my hobby. I want to be out all day everyday this time of year! I feel BLESSED to serve here where God has me right now and I learn to say no to things so my family has stability and a place of refreshing rest right here at home. I like to work during the day and then be done by the time the guys get home. This makes for an evening of refreshment for all of us.

Elderberries anyone?!

I love these bushes around the pond... Dave says we have a fish pond but you can't even see it because of your bushes! What he don't realize is it keeps the kids away better and it helps shade the water from the sun... (which helps with the algae)

RUNNING BEAUTY... In June...

Abundance of yummy berries...

 

 

They rolled in for the last afternoon with back packs.... Good bye school schedule!!

 

 

The shoes and clothes are worn... The lunches are on the shelf. The school supplies went into a lug marked 2018-2019 school year. We closed the books and made the first visit to the library for summer reading program... Summer we love thee!

 

 

It's the "Little Things" in June that bring daily joy!

 

 

Today I'm fighting a low iron count. It makes me tired. Constantly. I've done research. I'm not sure what is causing it but when I went to give blood at a blood drive last week they couldn't take my blood for low iron. I immediately had a light bulb moment like... This is exactly why I'm so short of breath, tired and achy these days! I got on some extra high iron stuff right away but I still feel tired today. It is Monday and it is raining so it might all be in sync...

 

We are BLESSED to have a slower paced week ahead. We enjoy June as much and as long as we can because its just the best in Lancaster County!

 

Have a BLESSED week... I'm off to start my Kitchen Day... Late but I'll get er done...

 

One last thing.... Jenika's shortcake recipe...

 

 

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (softened)

3 cups sugar

5 large eggs

3 cups soft all purpose flour (we use organic regular)

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 (5 oz) can evaporated milk

2/3 cup heavy cream

3 Tbsp vanilla extract (real stuff not imitation)

 

We double and use a large glass pan and make a few small tins on the side to bless others with...:)

 

Instructions...

 

Preheat oven 350'

 

Grease pan

 

Place butter in a bowl of stand up mixer and beat at medium speed for six minutes..(until real light and fluffy)

gradually add sugar and beat for an additional minute.

Add eggs one at a time beating only until the yoke disappears.

 

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt.

 

Combine evaporated milk, and heavy cream.

 

Add flour mixture and cream mixture to butter mixture alternately beginning and ending with flour mixture.

 

Beat at low speed after each addition.

 

Stir in vanilla.

 

Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 1 hour. Keep checking it because the small pans will be done sooner and some oven don't bake the same so the times can vary.

 

Add fresh strawberries, ice cream or homemade cream when serving.