Homemade Hotpockets

2 tubes biscuits (10 count if you get the small ones)
1 bag mozzarella cheese
5 slices of ham 10-20 slices of pepperoni
Garlic Salt optional*

Preheat oven to 375°.
Take 2 of the biscuits and fold them into each other making them one, then flatten it out like a pizza.
Place the biscuit on a baking sheet.
Place 1/8 of a cup of cheese on the biscuit, then deiced which meat you are going to use, or make some of each.
Use 3 slices of pepperoni or 2 slices of ham on top of the cheese.
Atop of the meat, add another 1/8 cup of cheese.
Repeat step 2 and place it on top of the cheese and pinch the sides to close up your pocket.
Finally sprinkle with garlic salt* and bake in oven for 8-10 minutes.
Dip in pizza sauce to make it more like a calzone if you like.
15 minute meal when you add a salad.

This is what happens when kids take the pictures for you!

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Roasted Sunflower Seeds

2 pitchers water
1/2 cup salt
2 1/2 lbs raw sunflower seeds

Place sunflower seeds, water, and salt into a large pot.
Bring it to a boil for about 10 to 15 min then lower the heat and let it simmer for an hour.
Strain sunflower seeds and place them in a single layers on a paper towel so they can dry completely.
Preheat oven to 350°.
When the seeds are dry place then in another single layer on a large baking sheet.
Bake them for 30 to 40 minutes.
Stir occasionally.
They might start to crack when they are done.
Remove them from the oven and let them cool.
Store in an airtight container.

P.S. I would love to meet you on Facebook or on Twitter! 

Harvesting Sunflowers

My method for harvesting sunflower seeds is a hands on approach. When the flowers droop and the petals start to curl you know it's about time to start harvesting your sunflower seeds. If animals or birds are a problem, you can cover the heads with fine netting or paper bags as soon as the petals begin to wilt. If the seeds appear grey they are ripe. When the seeds are fully ripened they will beginning to loosen from the head of the flower. Using a sharp knife cut the stem about one inch below the head. Now briskly rub the *capitulum from the seeds with your knife or your hand. I used a knife since I have pollen allergies. Using a spoon, fork or your own nails you can scrap or pluck the seeds out of the flowers. Make sure to check them for any damage from ants or worms and discard those. Allow the seeds to dry before storing in an airtight container.

This is where I scraped the capitulum from the seeds.

I used my nails to take my seeds out.

A couple of fun facts for you- Did you know? *That fluffy yellow growths that appear on the flower above the seeds are individual flowers called capitulum. One tablespoon of sunflower seeds has 4.5 grams of protein. Sunflower Buds will follow the sun across the sky - called Heliotropism. But once they bloom they lose this ability.