The Rainy Days

Although April brings us sunshine we've been deprived of all winter it also brings showers. I try to appreciate the rain after working all week and spend a day indoors. There's nothing better than a good book with some hot tea and a little bit of baking.
I love learning about local history and the Civil War so I settled for a classic,

~Gone With The Wind~

Homemade Bread



~5 Cups Flour (wheat or white flour)

~3 1/2 T. Yeast

~8 Cups Hot Water

Mix and let sit for 10 min.

Add:

~3/4 C. Oil

~3/4 C. Honey

~2 1/2 T. Salt

Add flour until it doesn't stick to the side ( I almost use a whole bag of flour). Knead for 6-10 min. on a clean countertop. Place back in bowl and let rise for 1 hr. Punch down and form into loaves, dividing dough into 5 greased bread pans. Cover and let rise again in pans (usually 30-45 min).  Bake

at 350 F for 35 min.

 

 

Work Days With My Farmer Boy

Calloway County's spring break was this past week, so bright and early Monday morning I put on my rubber boots, tucked my hand written " wish list" of things I wanted done in my pocket, and went to work with my farmer boy. The week was filled with many chores and spring cleanup jobs.
               Day 1 we loaded up the dairy cows and took them to the vet where we could trim their feet, this took all morning and we managed to experience a cow on the loose in the process, but we came home with a trailer load so no one got left behind. That afternoon we got my strawberries sprayed, and spent the rest of the afternoon at the basketball court.

 

Calving season is here so day 2 was spent fixing new pens for the expected calves soon to be here. The rest of the week consisted of cleaning out old metal, fixing his truck, painting his new gun cabinet                      
  and the daily milking.















 After the chores were done, we would spend several late nights in the shop, listening to the Willie and eating pizza while working on my strawberry sign and chalkboards I wanted built. After several hours spent and a couple trips to Lowes, my sign was complete. It made for a good week!  
                                                                               

 

                 

March Sunshine And Daffy Ducks

 

 

March is always an exciting time on our farm. Spring has officially arrived and new life springs up in many different forms. Daffodils (daffy ducks) are blooming and little hands bring in homemade bouquets for mamma. The vibrant yellow colors fill our kitchen with smells of fresh new life and sunshine.Our basement is filled with chirping of assorted poultry bought at the farm store. Buff Orpingtons are our favorites; a large fluffy golden blonde hen, laying large brown eggs. As the end of March/first of April brought 70 degree days, I finally got to test out my new saddle on a day ride to Soldier Creek with my little sister Rachel and sweet friend Audree Harper. My lovely, 16 hand, quarter horse Big'en decided to take a bath with me still on....lets just say we both came out wet. We picniced at one of my very favorite spots- primitive Soldier Creek Church. A mason jar of  lemonade and weeding the strawberry patch completed the day. 

Caden catching craw daddies in the creek