Author: Julia

I am a retired software solutions architect. I have been married to my husband, Bruce, for over forty years. We went full-time RVing for 3.5 years and saw much of the United States. After deciding to stop RVing, we bought a ranch house halfway up a hill on five acres. After Bruce and I talked about names for our five acres, we settled on Blackberry Homestead as a homage to the wild blackberries on the hill. We are working on creating our homestead. I love cooking and enjoy sharing recipes. I am also an artist, and I’ll share my current projects. Gardening and reading are my favorite hobbies.

Strawberry and Rhubarb Pie Pictures

Yesterday, after work, I made a strawberry rhubarb pie with star cutouts for the top crust. The cooked version was not nearly as pretty as the raw version. The rhubarb is freshly harvested from my garden and the strawberries are from Costco. I like using cardamom, as well as cinnamon and a little bit of […]

More Flowers and a Hummingbird Moth

Iris and Poppy Blooming

May 15, 2020 Yesterday, as I took the dogs around the front yard, I discovered my mid-size purple and white Irises had started blooming, as well as my poppies.

Around the Yard

May 12, 2020 Spring is here! At lunch, I took a walk around the yard with my iPad, and took several pictures of flowers, buds, and new leaves. I just hope we don’t get any snow now!

Southern Fried Apple Pies

I have been craving the food my grandmother used to make. I dreamed about making chicken and dumplings with her a few nights ago. I’ve also been thinking about her fried apple pies, so this weekend I made Fried Apple Pies. In my minds eye, I can see my grandmother in one of her checked […]

Spring Trim for Nox

May 11, 2020 This weekend was time for Nox’s spring trim. We trim her in the spring, and it seems to take all summer for her wire hair to grow out for the winter. Here are some before and after pictures. Quick update on Luna, she is eating and being more active. The medicine that […]

Sourdough Discard Southwestern Crackers

My favorite use of sourdough discard is making crackers.

Luna Is a Little Better

April 27, 2020 The new medication the vet prescribed has helped my little Luna. Her appetite has picked up and she is eating a little more. She hasn’t had diarrhea since we started giving her the medication. She has been taking advantage of my lap since I have been working from home. She lies on […]

Luna Not Feeling Well

April 20, 2020 To paraphrase one of my favorite quotes from my daughter when she was four: Luna is having lots more troubles, she can’t help it, she’s just a sick little dog. Last week, the vet gave us the news that Luna’s numbers were worse. They weren’t as bad as they were after the […]

Julia’s Vegan Red Beans and Rice

Here’s my vegan version Red Beans and Rice recipe. You can cook the rice while the red beans simmer. Serves 6 to 8