Happy December everyone. It was 27 degrees here this Tuesday morning…we think winter has wandered in!  Craig is busy with pecan harvesting.Tyler,Lindsey and I are the shipping department.  The crop looks great this year. We are just like a mother-hen with her chicks; we take good care of our pecans trees and are proud when they do so well!

Pecan Shells Anyone?

Many of you have asked for pecan shells…we listened. We are pleased to add pecan shells for your cooking and gardening pleasures.

All those southern cooks can’t be wrong. You can also use the shells as flower pot/bed mulch: the shells will discourage cats and slugs.

We love total use for any agricultural product–sustainable agriculture at its best!

December Pecan Recipe….Just for those special mornings!

We had so many great, yummy, easy to make recipes…what to share with you all? Christmas morning! We are inspired by all that family time, and we hope that this recipe will hit the spot–it gets a high five for quick and easy. We hope you enjoy it!

Pecan French Toast

Ingredients
4 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
8 ounce loaf French bread, cut into 12 one inch thick slices
1/2 cup chopped Sandy Creek pecans
2 tbsp. melted butter

Directions
Lightly coat the bottom of a 12×8 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla in medium bowl. Place bread slices in a single layer in the bottom of the prepared dish. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Sprinkle bread slices with pecans and drizzle melted butter over. Bake about 20 to 25 minutes until bread slices are puffed and pecans are deep brown. Serve immediately.

Serves 4 to 6.

Underneath the Pecan Tree…Reading!

I just finished Rifles for Watie by Harold Keith. What a great way to brush up on the role the Indian Nations and our southeastern Oklahoma played in the Civil War.  Did you know that Cherokee General Stand Watie (weighty)  was the LAST Confederate general to surrender at the end of the Civil War? This book is a fictionalized account of what happened here in our area. I really enjoyed it. There is something for everyone:  adventure, romance, suspense, and war action. It would make a great Christmas present for a young male reade r (7th grade-12th grade).

P.S. It is a Newberry Award winner too!

Merry Christmas to Everyone! We appreciate all your calls for pecans! We are so grateful for your support!

You can call us at (580) 443-5518

Website: www.sandycreekpecans. com

Oklahoma Food Cooperative- we are members!

We ship world wide and to  your house too!

Blessing to your family from ours!

The Garones’

The first American Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621, to commemorate the harvest reaped by the Plymouth Colony after a harsh winter. In that year Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving. The colonists celebrated it as a traditional English harvest feast, to which they invited the local Wampanoag Indians. Here we are, 389 years later preparing to celebrate a day of thanksgiving with family and friends. We started a tradition our home several years ago: we look all year for people that we think will not have a family to celebrate Thanksgiving with…and we invite them to ours. It is always so much fun.

Sustainable Ranch Tour

In our quest to be the best sustainable ranchers and pecan growers that we can be, we hosted a Sustainable Ranch Tour in October. We were so proud that Argentinean rancher and sustainable agricultural expert Dr. Anibal Pordomingo was the main speaker. Dr. Pordomingo is a researcher of sustainable agriculture and grazing expert. What an encouragement to know that others world wide are working on sustainable agriculture.

November Recipe: Pecan Caramel Apple Squares

Enjoy! If you can’t find our recipe for Pecan Pumpkin Dump Cake

( incredibly easy and yummy)

email us, and I will send it to you.

Pecan Carmel Apple Squares ( I know… I am dreaming about them already!)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 apples, peeled,cored,chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans from Sandy Creek Pecans
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup of caramel

Preparation:

Cream butter and sugar, beat in egg, then mix in apples and pecans. Sift dry ingredients and work into the first mixture. Pour into a buttered, 8 x 8-inch baking dish. Drop spoonfuls of caramel on the top and drag a fork or knife through.
Bake at 350 degrees 40 minutes.
Yields 12 to 16

We send out best wishes from our home to you and hope that your Thanksgiving is one of joy and fellowship….and good food ( that has pecans!)  The Garones’ and Sandy Creek Pecans

Need some pecans?

E-mail us at sandycreekpecans@hotmail.com

Call (580) 443-5518

We ship world wide!  And to your house too!

We are excited…fall is coming and that means pecan season is coming also. The nuts are getting ready to go from our trees to your tables!

Flowers are everywhere. Here are some beautiful yellow ones along side our road.

I wadded through a ditch and a jungle of grasses in my flip flops to get a picture of these. I just kept saying” Here I come” really loud hoping that would warn any critters!

Up close–they are really pretty. The bees loved them too! They gave me about about two nano seconds before they buzzed me and the camera!

Recipe Time!

This month we are excited to share a recipe for our customers and friends who bake with a sugar substitute. These are tasty, healthy, and just dog gone good for you!

Whole Wheat Cranberry and Apple Muffins

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup of milled flax seeds
1/2 cup of Splenda or other sugar substitute
2 tsp. of baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 egg beaten
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 1/4 cup of dried cranberries

( substitute other dried fruit if you do not like cranberries)
3/4 cup apples
3/4 cup chopped Sandy Creek Pecans

A) Mix dry ingredients together in bowl and set aside.
B) In second bowl, combine egg, olive oil and milk.
C) Mix dry ingredients. Add cranberries, apples, and nuts. ( Batter will be thick and lumpy).
D) Fill muffin cups full and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

Makes 12 muffins to share.
(Thank you Cindy McPeek for the recipe).

Read Any Good Books Lately Under Your Pecan Tree?

I would like to recommend Bill Wallace. He is an incredible author. One of my students recommended I read  A Dog Named Kitty. It is a wonderful book, with great descriptive writing and boy, did I give that student heck when a sad part in the book came! Your kids at home from 9-15 yrs. would really enjoy reading this book under your pecan tree. I just had to read it to find out what happened in each chapter.

Cows are Mooing

I wish I knew what they are always mooing/talking about.  I wonder if I would be surprised, embarrassed, or amused.  I walk in the evenings with my dog, Abby and the cows see us and always seem to have a comment!

Ta-ta, Adios, Blessings, and Happy October everyone!

Remember you can find us on the web at sandycreekpecans. com or check out the great opportunities for slow, healthy living including our pecans at the Oklahoma Food Cooperative website .

We have pecans now for your eating and baking pleasures. Just email us at sandycreekpecans@hotmail.com for prices and delivery information!

What the Pecans Did During Their Summer “Vacation”

We thought you would like to see what the pecans are doing right now. They are formed nuts and are  growing and gaining nutrients. On our search for a picture, we found a cluster of five nuts, which is pretty rare. Most trees have clusters of three or four nuts.

Strawberry Pecan Salad with Sweet Red Wine Vinaigrette

What better way to welcome summer than with this simple salad that is dressed with delicious vinaigrette. Strawberries – the perfect food for women, – are low in calories and high in iron and vitamin C. Strawberries are also a good source of folic acid, fiber, potassium, and cancer-fighting antioxidants. Combine these with green leafy salad mix and you have everything you need for an anti-aging health boost.

For the vinaigrette, use good quality red wine vinegar, as it is important for flavor. Even this ingredient provides heart healthy resveratrol, a red pigment shown to promote cardiovascular health. You can make your own red wine vinegar by opening a bottle of red wine, enjoying a glass or two, and then allowing it to sit for a few days on the counter. The wine will gradually oxidize into delicious red wine vinegar.

Salad:
6 cups fresh salad mix
1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, halved
1 1/2 cups Sandy Creek pecan pieces

Vinaigrette:
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup honey
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1 1/2 tbsp minced onion
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar

Mix salad greens and halved strawberries in large salad bowl. Top with pecans and sweet red wine vinaigrette. Serves 12.

Pasture Happenings

Pecan trees on “vacation” enjoying the sun!

Large flock of cow birds came visiting….

… and the pecans just keep growing…..

Reading Underneath the Ol’ Pecan Tree

Reading a sci-fi thriller called Mergers by Steven Layne. Again, I am on a quest to find books that high school boys would like to read. This is a perfect book for those who like science fiction.  All races have been merged into one being type and yet, there are four young teens with super powers who might be able to restore the world as we know it.

Check it out…..

I made a Summer Bucket List-things to do before summer kicks the bucket, and I have been working hard to cross off all those must do items. One of my most important things to do every day is walking. I don’t know if it is just because I am walking now, that I am noticing how many people I know walk. There is no gym membership, no special equipment or clothes: it is just me and the dog walking a mile through the pecan trees each evening. (Before you start worrying about chiggers and snakes—my husband very sweetly mowed me a course.) If you have always wanted to start walking—start. Don’t push yourself, enjoy the view, and do something good for yourself.

Have a great last dog days of summer, the Sandy Creek Pecan gang-the Garones’

Abby, my ever faithful walking companion, ready to go!

Weight Control and Pecans

A review of pecan and other nut research, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (September 2003), suggests that nuts like pecans may aid in weight loss and maintenance. The review cited studies indicating that nut consumption may increase metabolic rates and enhance satiety. When used in conjunction with a healthy low-fat diet, nuts also offer increased flavor, palatability and texture that can lead to greater dietary compliance, according to the review.

A one-ounce serving of pecans (approximately 20 halves) contains 196 calories, 20.4 grams total fat (1.8 saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 0 grams sodium, 2.7 grams dietary fiber and over 19 vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin E, calcium, potassium and zinc. Pecans are also a good source of oleic acid, vitamin B1, thiamin, magnesium and protein.

Southern Style Catfish with Pecan Sauce

The Sauce:
1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco sauce to taste

The Catfish:

1 cup white cornmeal
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds fresh catfish fillets, rinsed and patted dry with paper towels
Vegetable oil for frying

To make the sauce, in a bowl combine all the ingredients and stir till well blended.

To make the catfish, combine the cornmeal, flour, salt, and pepper on a plate and mix well. Dredge the catfish fillets in the mixture and place on another plate.

In a large cast-iron skillet, heat about 1/4 inch of oil over moderate heat and, in batches if necessary, fry the fillets about 5 minutes on each side or till nicely browned. Drain on paper towels.

To serve, spoon a little sauce over each fillet and serve hot. (Thanks to James Villas and the Georgia Pecan Commission).

Reading Underneath the Pecan Tree

In view of the political climate, it seemed like a good read of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was called for. Are the seeds of a change in the air? What lessons can we learn from 1776? Take the time. This is a great read!

We rejoice in our freedoms and celebrate all that is good! Our best thoughts go out to you all –

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Can You Believe It?! Nuts Are At It Again!

The Archives of International Medicine published a study called “Nut Consumption and Blood Lipid Levels-A Pooled Analysis of 25 Intervention Trials. The study was funded by Loma Linda University and by the International Tree Nut Council Nutrition Research and Education Foundation.

The researches reported that individuals who consumed approximately 2.4 ounces experienced a 5% fall in their cholesterol levels (7% drop in ball cholesterol levels). These individuals also experienced a positive shift in their good (HDL) and bad (LDL) ratios. The benefits were evident in both groups of people—those with high and those with normal cholesterol levels.

The impact of adding nuts to one’s diet was found to be linked to quantity too– the more of them you eat, the bigger the impact. Yahoo!

Homemade Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup  chopped Sandy Creek pecans
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half cream
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a small skillet over medium heat, sauté pecans in butter until lightly browned, stirring frequently. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan over low heat, stir together brown sugar, eggs and half and half until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in cream, vanilla and pecans. 
3. Eat and enjoy–perfect for 4^th of July!

Reading Underneath the Pecan Tree

Just finished reading a great book about rescue work by teens during the Holocaust. It is titled Heroes of the Holocaust, True Stories of Rescues by Teens by Allan Zullo and Mara Bovsun.

The book is written so that young teens could easily read and understand the stories. It would be a quick read for adults. The stories are all true and for those who want additional information on the Holocaust–this book should be added.

“Maria Andzelm was a Catholic teenager growing up in Nazi-occupied Poland. Her family hid two Jewish men in a box underneath the floor of their barn. Maria brough them food everyday for two years–and paid a terrible price….”  You will be inspired and encouraged by their stories.

Nutcrackers! Oh, Yes!

Did you ever wonder about nutcrackers, you know, how they are a study of history and cultures through out the ages? Okay, we didn’t either until we started Sandy Creek Pecans!
Believe it or not–there is a nutcracker museum in Leavenworth, Washington. They have a website with some great information and pictures if you are interested in increasing your nutcracker knowledge.

http://www.nutcrackermuseum.com/history.htm

Green Apple Pecan Summer Salad

Here is a fantastic summer salad and of course, it features Sandy Creek Pecans and one of our favorite fruits- apples.

Enjoy and thank you for all your support. We appreciate you more than you will ever know. The Garone Family

Under the Pecan Tree…Reading

I just got through reading The Wave by Todd Strasser. It will part of a Holocaust unit that I am teaching in summer school. The book is about a social studies experiment that happened in a California classroom in the 1960′s. The students who felt like Nazism could never gain ground in American found themselves in the midst of an experiment in social discipline that almost went too far. The book is also a made for TV movie that can be downloaded and watched online.

Are you tired of being told what you should NOT eat? Nutrition expert and author David Grotto decided to research the best foods for the highest quality life and the result was the best selling book 101 Optimal Life Foods.

“In this revolutionary guide, leading nutritionist David Grotto shares everyday foods that will help to remedy health issues large and small. From headaches to joint pain, acne to anxiety, chronically cold feet to depression, 101 Optimal Life Foods takes on thirty of the most common health issues–and shows you how to introduce healing fare to your diet through delicious, easy-to-prepare recipes.”- Amazon Book Reviews

Any guesses why we are so excited? Pecans made the list!

Here is one of the recipes from the book. It is courtesy of the Georgia Pecan Commission.

Black Cherry, Gingersnap and Georgia Pecan Parfait

This retro-inspired, but modernly-flavored dessert is best made at least 30 minutes ahead of serving, allowing time for the gingersnap crumble to soften slightly.

Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking/Baking time: 0

Ingredients:
8 ginger snaps
1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted if desired
2 (6-oz each) containers non-fat black cherry yogurt
2/3 cup fat-free whipped topping
2 kiwi, peeled and chopped
1 black cherry for garnish (optional)

In a medium size re-sealable plastic bag, combine ginger snaps and 1/4 cup pecans; seal bag. With a rolling pin or large heavy spoon, gently pound mixture to crumble cookies and pecans. (The mixture should be somewhat coarse, not finely ground.) Set aside.

In a small bowl, mix all yogurt together. Add whipped topping and gently fold in to blend. Do not over mix.

To assemble in individual 6 to 8 ounce glass serving pieces, spoon 2 tablespoons gingersnap-pecan mixture into bottom of each glass. Top each with 1/4 cup yogurt mixture. Portion the chopped kiwi into each glass and top with about another 1/4 cup yogurt mixture to use all that’s remaining. Top each serving with remaining gingersnap-pecan mixture. Coarsely chop remaining 1/4 cup pecan halves and sprinkle on top for garnish.

Refrigerate parfaits at least 30 minutes or up to two hours. Serve chilled. Serves four.

Coffee and a Book Time–

Are you a WWII fan?

Leon Uris’ book QB VII draws the reader into the world of courtroom drama and onto the road to justice for those who cooperated with the Nazis. Uris’ books ( Exodus, Mila 18) are meaty books that pull the reader into the lives of his characters.  Once you get started reading…you will have to finish to see who is lying, who is telling the truth and if justice indeed will have her day in court.

Happy Spring…enjoy the invigorating spring breezes, baby calves frolicking in the pasture, and the squirrels playing tag across the tree branches.

If you come to Milburn Old Settlers’ Day on May 8th-look for our booth. We will have fresh cinnamon pecans for sale.

Cheers- the Garones

A person hears all sorts of stories about pecans, thought we would pass this one to you.

………………………………………….

On the outskirts of a small town, there was a big, old pecan tree just inside the cemetery fence. One day, two boys filled up a bucketful of nuts and sat down by the tree, out of sight, and began dividing the nuts. “One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me,” said one boy. Several dropped and rolled down toward the fence. Another boy came riding along the road on his bicycle. As he passed, he thought he heard voices from inside the cemetery. He slowed down to investigate. Sure enough, he heard: “One for you, one for me; one for you, one for me.” He just knew what it was. He jumped back on his bike and rode off. Just around the bend he met an old man with a cane, hobbling along. “Come here quick,” said the boy, “you won’t believe what I heard! Satan and the Lord are down at the cemetery dividing up the souls. “The man said, “Beat it kid, can’t you see it’s hard for me to walk. “When the boy insisted though, the man hobbled to the cemetery. Standing by the fence they heard, “One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me…”The old man whispered, “Boy, you’ve been tellin’ the truth. Let’s see if we can see the Lord.” Shaking with fear, they peered through the fence, yet were still unable to see anything. The old man and the boy gripped the wrought iron bars of the fence tighter and tighter as they tried to get a glimpse of the Lord. At last they heard, “One for you, one for me. That’s all. Now let’s go get those nuts by the fence and we’ll be done.” They say the old man made it back to town a full five minutes ahead of the boy on the bike.

Hope that brought a smile—

Happy April and a joyous spring from the Garone Family

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Pecan Salad Dressing

13oz. pkg. cream cheese
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup orange juice
1 T. lemon juice 1 T. sugar
1/4 t. salt
1/3 cup chopped  Sandy Creek Pecans

Reading Under the Pecan Tree

Are you looking for a book that will appeal to preteen and teenaged boys?

I would like to highly recommend James Patterson’s

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

This book has it all: aliens, danger,

sci-fi appeal

and on the edge of your seat drama.

If your teen gets hooked, the book is the first of a series!

……………………………………………………………………………………

Looking for  native pecans? We have them

Cracked halves ( meat only)

and  specialty pecans: Grandma’s Cinnamon Spice Pecans and Grandma’s Natural Cinnamon Spice Pecans ( only the best natural ingredients!)

email us at sandycreekpecans@hotmail.com

or call (580) 443-5518

or visit us at The Oklahoma Food Cooperative website.

Christmas Morning 2009

A warm fire really feels good. Thank goodness we had some wood stored by the door.  We like to use oak or pecan wood. Both make toasty fires.

snow-covered wood

Thank goodness my husband is an early riser. He had a fire going and the Christmas tree lights plugged in by the time everyone got up.

Christmas Cheer...tree, fireplace and presents!

This Christmas holds joy and sorrow for us. Our oldest son married this summer and his new bride joins our family.  My father died this last spring and it was just not the same without him.  He loved to play Santa Claus and pass out all the presents.  This year, he is having the best Christmas ever..in the presence of Father God, Jesus and all of my father’s family and friends.  That is the joy part for us too. No more sickness and suffering, only an eternal life in heaven. That is the best present ever and it was paid for 2,000 years ago.

Pecans!

We are all but done with the pecans. The frost finally did appear, and we have made a first round with all the trees. Now, we will spot shake trees and see what else might be out there. No complaints. Our mail order business really picked up this year, and we had many local orders. Grandma’s Cinnamon Pecans were presents underneath many peoples’ Christmas trees. Just glad that we could lend Santa a hand!

Whole native pecans fresh from shaking

We are excited about our website

http://www.sandycreekpecans.com

It has been a great experience building it and seeing the response. Does being global amaze anyone else besides me? Yikes, we can email across the world in a flash and search out information as quick as we can type it.

Our Christmas Wish

Joy to the World...a Savior has been born!

Our Christmas Wish echoes that of President Truman’s 1952 Christmas broadcast to the nation

Through Jesus Christ the world will yet be a better and a fairer place. This faith sustains us today as it has sustained mankind for centuries past. This is why the Christmas story, with the bright stars shining and the angels singing, moves us to wonder and stirs our hearts to praise. Now, my fellow countrymen, I wish for all of you a Christmas filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and many years of future happiness with the peace of God reigning upon this earth.

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous and Blessed New Year,

Sandy Creek Pecans and the Garone Family

Reading Underneath the ‘Ol Pecan Tree

Dr. George Washington Carver

by Shirley Graham and George D. Lipscomb

This month I read a great biography about Dr. George Washington Carver. What a phenomenal man! He experimented with pecans, sweet potatoes, and peanuts and developed hundreds of new products. Dr. Carver utilized waste products, made roads from cotton and paper from flowers. He freed the South from its dependency on cotton. What a tremendous life story-from slave to a doctorate degree to world fame as a scientist. This book was well written and is very easy to read.

Biography of Dr. George Washington Carver

His creed was ” Start where you are, with what you have. Make something of it. Never be satisfied.”

Happy winter reading

P.S. A Recipe from Dr. Carver

This is from his Bulletin No. 31 from the Experimental Station, Tuskegee Institute, Alabama

Recipe No. 81 —Peanut Divinity Fudge < We saw Pecan Fudge!>

2 and 1/2 cups of sugar

1/2 cup of syrup ( assuming he meant corn syrup)

1/2 cup of water

2 eggs

1 coarsely broken peanuts ( or pecans, of course-our idea!)

Boil the sugar, syrup, and water together until, when dropped in cold water, the mixture will form a hard ball between the fingers;beat the eggs stiff;pour half the boiling mixture over the eggs, beating constantly;return remaining half of the mixture to the stove, and boil until it forms a hard ball when dropped into cold water; remove from the stove, and pour slowly into the first half, beating constantly; add nuts, and flavor with vanilla; pour into a buttered pan, and cut into squares.

Yummy!