Last month when I was browsing through my catalog from the health food co-op, I noticed a new (to me) natural sweetener. Have you ever heard of muscovado sugar? So of course I had to order a small bag. I've tried other natural sweeteners ~ sucanat, stevia, agave, demarra, turbinado, date sugar, and sorgum. So I thought I knew what to expect.

When my muscovado came, it was rock hard. No problem...I put the sugar in a glass jar along with half an apple. After several hours the sugar was soft like regular brown sugar.

I used this recipe here at a blog called Milk and Cookies. Maybe it's because I had to use nondairy butter and eggs, but my cookies were dry and way too sweet. (I didn't use the white sugar...there was already a lot of muscovado.) Nice experiment but I'll stick with my usual sugar. Anybody nearby want to have my last remaining cup of muscovado? According to the reviews I've read, it's supposed to have a fudgy taste. I don't agree...but maybe it's just me. But I'm serious, if you'd like to have a go at it, let me know and I'll get it to you.

I conducted a quiet little experiment with my family lately. They had no idea. I wanted to find out which they liked better, kale greens or collards. Kale won, hands down. We loved it. Even better than turnip greens. We don't eat this brand often because it's got a lot of rich ingredients, but every once in a while we splurge. Sure is delicious.Ruthie is doing very well now. I doubled her usual dosage of mullein, and then gave it to her 5x/day instead of 3x/day. What a difference! The doctor was impressed. So I went to the local health food store and bought the remaining three bottles. Wish I'd started sooner!
Last week I decided I was going to buy a little cactus to put in a planter I bought last year at the thrift shop. I've always enjoyed seeing little cacti. So off I went to the amish greenhouse where I'd seen a large selection.

Ruthie wasn't able to go, so she asked me to take pictures.

What different kinds!

Most of them are $2 each, more for the bigger ones.

Mr. Zimmerman says they have beautiful blossoms in the early spring...just missed seeing that!
I fell in love with the tall cactus on the left. Mr. Z said he's had it for many years...so many that he couldn't remember how many! So now that beauty is mine for $12!! I asked if I could come back two days later to pick it up...I had no pot for something that tall.

Oops, where did this pic come from? More cacti.

So I went to the Ross store and bought this large pot for $10.

The pot has a big hole in the bottom, so I had to buy a plate at the thrift shop. I hit the plate with a horseshoe (the only thing heavy within reach!) and it broke nicely...just the way I wanted it to!
In goes the plate, in goes the soil, in goes the cactus. Ouch!
I love it! I wanted to see if cacti are mentioned in the Bible. Not directly...but the desert is. “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.” Isaiah 35:1-2 KJV

Now I want to research my cactus to find out what kind it is, and what I need to know about making it blossom. Fun!
Two years ago I wrote here about our trip to Baltimore to see the Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra. Ever since, I've been keeping an eye on the concert schedule hoping for another freebie. Sunday, April 25th is the closest thing to a freebie...donations welcome. The only other concert available to the public is on Sunday, May 2nd. This concert requires a $10 donation which will go to an orphanage in Tanzania. That certainly appeals to us! Let me know if you are interested in going to either concert. Our family sure enjoyed it.
Sarah bought these two bee-themed fabrics for Maggie. Aren't they cute?! Mike, Allen, and Maggie inspected our honeybee hives this week...and the bees were flying in loaded with pollen. Hurray!

Tomorrow Ruthie has another appt. We expect the doctor to be very pleased. Hopefully we won't have anymore appts, maybe just a followup. PTL

Today I put a pork roast with sauerkraut in the oven to cook low and slow all afternoon. I was so proud of myself. Then I found out that five of my children were going to Grandaddy's home for dinner. Argh! This is getting to be a regular thing. I guess I'll have to check with my Dad every time I plan dinner.

Enjoy this lovely spring weather. My forsythia has turned green, and my tulip poplars are all budding. This morning I saw 6 doves outside my kitchen door. Such a lovely sight!

Many blessings ~ Kathie