Goats and snow

Yesterday the goats stuck their heads out the door and decided they wanted nothing to do with the snow.  Even the ducks wouldn't come out.  Today the sun was shining and the winds light so we decided to take them out to catch a few bites of greenery left in the woods.  The goats love to walk in the woods with us and it was usually a daily ritual to take them.  Now with the weather turning colder, I will miss our walks in the woods.

Making butter

Today I decided to make butter from a quart of heavy whipping cream.  Not only did I get almost a pound of butter but a little over 2 cups of buttermilk as well.  All you have to do is pour the heavy whipping cream in a bowl.  Since my bowl was small it took me three times longer.  So use a bigger bowl and make it all at once.  Then with a hand mixer and the wire whip attachment, whip until you start to see some liquid.  Push the almost butter to the side and strain into a cup.  I used my measuring cup.  Then whip some more until it holds together.  Using a spatula I squished as much of the liquid out as I could and strained it again.  Put the butter and buttermilk in containers and frigerate. That's all there is to it.  Can't wait to use the butter on the rosemary rolls I have raising to go with tonight's dinner!

Homemade sour cream

Yesterday I started my first attempt at making homemade sour cream.  I found many recipes on the internet and decided to use the overnight method.  Use a quart canning jar or something similar and rinse with hot water.  Then add 2 cups of half and half and 3 tablespoons of buttermilk.  Place lid on and shake ingredients together.  Leave out on the counter over night until desired thickness is achieved.   Stir before serving.  Will keep about 3 weeks in refrigerator.  This really tastes like what you buy from the store but less expensive and you can make it the day before you want to use it.  How simple is that!  After tasting this I won't be buying sour cream from the store anymore.

Perfect day to read a book

The sky is cloudy and it looks like rain.  It's chilly, in the 40's, when I go to milk Bonnie and feed the other 2 goats.  Evan takes care of feeding the ducks and getting them all fresh water.  The perfect morning to have Evan make a small fire to take the chill off.  I then decide to settle on the couch by the fire to read.  A week ago I checked out from the library "29 Gifts" by Cami Walker.  Earlier this month on the Today show, there was a story about her and this book.  I read it non-stop along with a box of tissues.  This is a very inspiring story written by a women with MS.  There is also a website to check out http://www.29gifts.org/  I highly recommend this book!

The rest has finally fallen

The dead tree that has stood on our west border has finally fallen.  Last Thursday the winds were gusting over 25 mph and took its toll on the tree.  We were so thankful it missed our power line.  Now to get it cut up and added to our woodpile for heating the home this winter.  Last year we found a very reasonable place about 3 miles from us that sells a cord of mixed wood for $110, you pick-up.  Hopefully we'll save some on our heating cost unless it's a harsh winter.

You have to make these!

I love the Pioneer Woman's site for all the detailed recipes.  I saw this recipe last week and decided to make them Saturday while doing some more loping.  WOW these rolls are great!  Here is the link so you can bake these too.http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/10/buttered-rosemary-rolls/  I let mine raise too long but they still turned out delicious.

Reclaiming the woods...bye, bye, honeysuckle bushes!

With the nice weather we have been having I decided to start cutting the honeysuckle bushes down by the tree house. I was amazed how much I could clear in a few hours. It gave me a lot of motivation to keep going. The goats love to come and eat what I have cut down. Next week the weather is supposed to be nice again so I'll be taking the goats with me and clear some more.