Tag: jeanetta darley

Miss February 2016 – Jeanetta Darley

Hello there, I’m Jeanetta:  an artist, writer, and sometimes homesteader (yes, totally made that last title up myself). Arkansas Women Bloggers (and the other state communities it has birthed) have been an amazing support to me over the past few years and I am thrilled to share some things with you here.

Jeanetta Darley artist, writter, sometimes homesteader

So if I’m being completely honest, when I was asked to wear the crown of Blogger of the Month my first reaction was, “What took so long?!” I can be a little full of myself. Then my second reaction was, “CRAP! Now I’ve got a lot of work to do!”  I am also a procrastinator. Here’s a quick overview. I drink coffee. A lot. All day. I can be bribed with boxed chocolates. I’m a Whovian-Star Wars-Harry Potter fanatic.   love my garden, good food, good beer, and a good fireside.

I am a maker (I honestly have no idea how to turn that off). I believe all humans really are no matter how loudly they protest. We were made in the image of the Great Creator after all how can we not be driven to create.  I have been doodling and painting and creating little things out of anything I could get my hands on since I can remember.  My subjects range from whatever catches my fancy — vegetables in my garden to mythological beasts. My style may change with my mediums or just what I am feeling at the time. I dislike the concept that artists must box themselves into one particular “style” or way of creating art. Being creative is an outpouring of ourselves. Why would we want to contain that!

Artwork by Jeanetta Darley

I write about the day to day victories and failures (many of them) with my art, family, farming, gardening and life in general. So nailing what I blog about down to a couple of words as a description can be difficult sometimes. Writing is not my first avenue of expression. But there are times that the words and stories just bottle neck in my brain and scream to be let out. Thank goodness for blogging because talking about the voices in my head might have committed me in those early years of motherhood.

I say I’m a “sometimes homesteader.” Sometimes I get things right more often than I get things wrong but I keep trying. I am passionate about the self- sustainability movement and am fully embraced in the struggle to implement the practices in my day- to- day life. Growing, raising and preserving the food my family needs means a lot to me. I believe reviving the knowledge of craftsmanship and sustainable skills can bring everyone to a better understanding of what is important such as becoming better stewards, innovative problem solvers, and resourceful citizens of the world.

Sometimes homesteading Collage

Ten years ago this coming summer I started blogging.  It was such a different world on the wide web back then.  My blog was for getting thoughts out of my head and selling the things I made at the time while I stayed home with the kids.  Actually, not a lot has changed.  Other than the kids are almost on autopilot and comment regularly that such and such friend found pictures of them doing some craft project online from some old blog post of mine.  If I had to boil down what I like to blog about to one word, it would be “try.”  Just try the things that interest. Try to draw or cook or grow your own food or raise chickens.  Okay, that last one might be a bit more involved but if it’s something you wish and dream about more than a few times a day, then do it.

All of my snarky comments aside, I really am honored to be representing Arkansas Women Bloggers this month.  I promise to “try” to be on my best behavior during my reign (I’m working on my wave just in case there’s a parade.)

Connect with me online:
Instagram 
Twitter 
Pinterest 
Website 

 

Jeanetta Darley: High Okra {Foodie Friday}

A bumper crop of okra

August in Arkansas and it’s hotter than hot.  The past two summers spoiled us with the frequent rains and cooler temperatures.  The lack of water and brutal sunshine can take its toll on farmer’s crops as well as a home garden.  But you can always count on okra to shine in the face of hot dry weather.

Unless you have spent much time down South, you may not be familiar with this green slender pod-like vegetable.  I am an okra lover.  Give it to me anyway I can get it.  Fry it. Pickle it. Slice it up and add it to curry, gumbo or stew.  Roast it on the grill.  My son and I recently took a bite of it raw just to see what it was like.  And it wasn’t bad at all! 

At the moment, I have bags of okra falling out of my refrigerator every time the door is opened.  I’d like to be pickling it but I haven’t found the time.  Right now I am simply washing and freezing the okra.  Because this okra will likely be coated and fried or added to another dish, I slice the pods into 1-2 inch lengths and freeze them in large gallon bags.  

So when you come across a great deal on okra at the farmers market or your own garden is producing a bumper crop remember these easy storage tips.  You can also try this great recipe that highlights some other great farmers market or from the garden finds.

Funny looking okra jeanetta

High Okra: Okra, Tomato and Purple Hull Peas
Serves 6
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Prep Time
32 min
Cook Time
2 hr 5 min
Prep Time
32 min
Cook Time
2 hr 5 min
Ingredients
  1. 1/4 pound strip bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
  2. 1 cup onion, diced
  3. 1 1/2 tablespoon garlic, chopped
  4. 3 cups fresh okra, cut into rounds
  5. 1 cayenne pepper, sliced
  6. 1 sweet banana pepper, sliced
  7. 2 cups cooked purple hull peas (recipe follows)
  8. 2 cups diced Roma or paste tomatoes
  9. Salt
  10. Pepper
Instructions
  1. In a large sauté pan, cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside.
  2. Sauté onion and garlic in bacon drippings until soft.
  3. Add okra and peppers and cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
  4. Add purple hull peas and tomatoes and cook an additional 5 minutes.
  5. Season with salt, pepper and toss in reserved bacon.
Black-Eye Peas
  1. Add peas to a large sauce pan and cover with water.
  2. Add the onion, bacon, bay leaves, and black pepper. Over high heat, allow to come to boil then reduce to simmer and cook for about 45 minutes or until beans are firm but cooked.
  3. Season with salt.
  4. Let the peas stand in liquid for 15 minutes before draining.
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Headshot-Jeanetta Darley

 Getting to Know Your ARWB Foodies

Jeanetta Darley
So I Was Sayin’

What food reminds you of childhood?
Rice crispie treats

What is your favorite international cuisine?
I love it all; why pick?

What is always in your refrigerator at home?
Beer

What is your most used cookbook?
Better Homes & Gardens red checkered cookbook

What is your favorite kitchen gadget?
My canner.

Do you have a favorite food indulgence?  
 Not really because I don’t deny myself much. Everything in moderation.

What is your go-to ingredient that you use time and time again?
.Onions

What is your favorite food meal to cook at home?
Fried egg sandwich

What is a cooking tip that you would like to share with beginning cooks?
Just try it. If it flops throw it out or feed it the chickens and try again.

When you’re not cooking, what are your favorite pastimes?
Art

What else would you like us to know about you?
I’m honest. I usually only bite my food. I love Jesus but I drink a little.

Jeanetta is a crocheter & coffee addict, chicken keeper & goat wrangler, a farmer girl & maker of drunk jellies. You can find her online at So I Was Sayin’ or on twitterpinterest  & instagram . You can also follow her on Periscope (Jeanetta) and join with her for #Arkanscopes. Catch her session with Kellee Mayfield  (@DeltaMoxie) on Periscope at #AWBU.