The Homemaking Party

Welcome to The Homemaking Party! Today we're celebrating my husband, Jamie's, 37th birthday! When he gets off work tonight, we'll have ice cream sundaes and presents. Everyone is super excited! Happy Birthday, Jamie!

Thanks for linking up at The Homemaking Party!

Will Bake for Produce: Zucchini Recipes

Thanks so much to my mom, Christy, for guest posting today!

barter: to exchange things (such as products or services) for other things, instead of money.

Bartering is something that has been done for hundreds of years, though it seems to have faded out in the last couple of generations. I think this practice of bartering would benefit a family, especially a large family. This is an excellent way to save money. Do you have friends or neighbors who would like to barter? I am lucky enough to say I do!

My husband's co-worker has a huge beautiful garden, but limited time, as she works lots of hours at her outside job. I was not able to put in my garden this year, but being a stay at home wife has allowed me plenty of time to bake and cook.

This sweet lady has been sending all kinds of wonderful fruits and vegetables home from work with my husband to gift to me. In return, I have been making delicious baked goodies and snacks for her and her family. With the price of groceries the way they are nowadays, it is a win-win situation for all!

Yesterday this lady sent me a gigantic zucchini, corn which had been shucked, blanched and wrapped to freeze, and two jars of pickles! She must have had some extra time this week. I was pleasantly surprised.

Today, in return for her generosity, I made several loaves of zucchini bread, which I will happily share. This is the zucchini bread recipe I have been using since 1975!

Zucchini Bread 

3 eggs 

1 cup oil 

2 cups sugar 

2 cups grated zucchini 

3 tsp pure vanilla extract 

3 tsp cinnamon 

3 cups flour 

1 tsp soda 

1 tsp salt 

1 tsp baking powder 

1/2 cups of chopped walnuts 

Beat the eggs, oil, and sugar. Stir in zucchini, vanilla, and cinnamon. Sift dry ingredients and stir in. Stir in walnuts, if desired. Pour into 2 greased loaf pans and bake at 350º for 1 hour. Remove from pans, cool and wrap overnight.

Ours usually does not last over night, but I will have my husband deliver to his friend tomorrow.

I also made fried zucchini to have with our lunch today.

Fried Zucchini 

Slice zucchini into 1/4" thick slices and dip in an egg wash. (Egg slightly beaten with milk or water) Roll in flour and fry in olive oil until brown. Salt and pepper both sides while frying.

I still have enough of my giant zucchini to grate and freeze for winter baking! What do you have to barter with this week?

60 Days 'til England!

Look what came in the mail last week! It's the 2016 Jane Austen Festival programme---so excited! This year, our tour begins in Manchester---from which we will go on to York, seeing the former home of Lord Byron; and then Haworth, to visit the Bronte parsonage. After that, we'll be off to Bath---stopping off at Warwick Castle along the way. We'll spend three nights in Bath and attend the Jane Austen Festival. We'll attend the annual costumed promenade and a Regency ball that evening. I'm planning to stay on in Bath a couple days longer to visit some of my favorite places, attend church at Bath Abbey, (I'm making friends there! Ha!) and spend time writing.

I'm so so looking forward to this trip and will be planning and starting on my costumes very soon! I'll be sure to update you all when I begin sewing.

Have a lovely Saturday!