Use Your Words: Life on the Homestead

Today’s post is a monthly writing challenge. If you’re new here, this is how it works: participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words or short phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once. All of the posts will be unique as each writer has received their own set of words. That’s the challenge, here’s a fun twist; no one who’s participating knows who got their words and in what direction the recipient will take them. Until now.

At the end of this post you’ll find links to the other blogs featuring this challenge. Check them all out, see what words they got and how they used them.
I’m using: homestead ~ wine ~ mailbox ~ elephant ~ black dog

They were submitted by: Eileen's Perpetually Busy.

Here on ye olde timey Tornado homestead, life is tough. Though our land often hosts much wildlife: rabbits, turkeys, deer, raccoons, possums, they do not provide sustenance. Nay, all they are good for appears to be providing us with organic fertilizer. Good thing we don't have elephants.

And although the young 'uns were off to college, seems the older learned about the Homestead Act, and has returned to challenge us for proprietorship of this here domicile. In the spirit of "possession is 9/10 of the law", he's laid claim to a bedroom, a bathroom, all common rooms, the kitchen and all contents thereof.

Meatless Manicotti

We didn't raise us no dullards, Hubs and I, so the battle will be long and drawn out, but we do still have a few tricks up our sleeves. Since we're still paying the mortgage and saddled with the taxes, we're fighting back, staking our claim. 

Being a settler with priorities, the first field of battle will be the heart of any G-d fearing woman's home, the wine bar.

My strategy for defending this sacred spot is simple, he cannot have what I've already drank. It's a challenge, but I'm a woman of hearty Russian peasant stock, not easily defeated. I will conduct myself in this battle with black dogged perseverance. And if I do not succeed, I'm sure my effort will be worthy of a Purple Heart.

Commence the wine consumption strategy . . .

. . . You know {{hiccup}}, now that I give thissssh some thought {{hiccup}}, who wants all the chores and resssssponsibilites that come with owning a homestead {{hiccup}}? Let him have it. I think {{hiccup}}. Where was I? Oh yeah, I think I'll be perfectly happy {{hiccup}} living in the mailbox.

I need a housewarming gift for the new landowner of ye old timey Tornado homestead. Wonder where I can get an elephant.

Links to the other Use Your Words posts:

Spatulas on Parade

The Momisodes
Sparkly Poetic Weirdo 
 Southern Belle Charm
Rena's World 
Never Ever Give Up Hope 

 Dinosaur Superhero Mommy
The Bergham Chronicles 
Eileen's Perpetually Busy 
Confessions of a part-time working mom 
Someone Else's Genius 
Climaxed 
 The Angrivated Mom

Meatless Manicotti

                                                                        ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients:
1 (15 oz) container of ricotta cheese
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cups shredded mozarella 
1/4 cup shredded provolone
1/4 cup + 3 TBSP grated parmesan
1 box (10 oz) frozen spinach, defrosted 
2 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 cups HOMEMADE MARINARA
12 - 14 manicotti shells
 
Directions:
*Preheat oven to350 degrees. Lightly grease a 15 X 10 baking dish. 
*Drain the defrosted spinach. Press between towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
*Mix the egg, mozarella, provolone, 1/4 cup parmesan, spinach, sugar, cayenne, salt and pepper.
*Place the marinara and 1 1/2 cups water in a pot and heat until hot.
*Using a knife, carefully stuff the manicotti shells with the cheese mixture. Use the tip of the knife to work the mixture inside the shells. It's easiest to work from one side, then the other. Be careful not to crack the shells. 
*Place the stuffed shells into the prepared dish. Leave space between them as they will expand.
*Slowly and carefully pour the hot sauce over the stuffed shells.
*Cover tightly with heavy tin foil and bake for 45 minutes. *Carefully remove the tin foil, sprinkle with the remaining 3 TBSP parmesan and return to the oven, uncovered, for 10 minutes.