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Calling It Quits

25 Saturday Jan 2020

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work, Farm Girl Food

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storytime-farm life-dairy farm-cows-farmers-barn cats-spoiled pup-strawberries-flowers-spring

     Alrighty….this is it. I’ve decided to end the story writing and move on to other things. I’m going to reach for other dreams and goals. I’ll send off with a few more dairy farm pictures. 032      This is our favorite barn cat. He’s always hogging the heater and parks himself right smack in the way. This is where we warm our cold “paws” when the weather gets to be wicked cold.033      Now that Michael is off to college during the week Marshall has had to step it up and help carry the heavy load. Sure is nice to have plenty of help. 144      Yours truly…..still milking those bossy bovines….morning and evening. It’s dirty work and the cold and mud makes everything miserable. I cannot wait until spring and warmer weather.010     Speaking of spring….check out my peonies. I have a few that are popping out of the ground. Now that is a beautiful sight to see!!058              And you know the rules for January…….dip strawberries in chocolate to keep your sanity. Yep….the madness has begun. One of my favorite treats. 019          We’ve been grazing the cows on wheat when the weather permits. The pasture is across the road. We string up a flimsy wire fence to give them a few guidelines and off they go. They usually head straight for the green grass unless you’re a naughty girl. Then you have to push the limits and see what you can get away with. 055       And then we have the “double trouble” duo. Matching sweaters?!?! Now I’ve seen it all! Haha That’s pretty much what we’ve been doing this month. Milking cows, feeding calves, scraping cow poop, plodding through all the deep mud, and keeping the little “Dixie chic” warm.

      Thank you so much for coming along with me and reading all my stories about farm life. It’s been a learning experience and fun to share our little corner of the world with you. I’m hoping for a great year of gardening and life on the farm. Life is good! Love to all………………………..Carol

 

A Dairy Farm Christmas

07 Tuesday Jan 2020

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work, Farm Girl Food

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holiday-Christmas-dairy farm-family-food-memories

       We survived the holidays and we’re trying to get back into the groove of things. I cooked and baked like a domestic goddess the whole month of December. Basically I’m burned out. I’d like to tell the family to just please eat cereal for the whole month of January. Can you imagine?! Here are a few highlights of our downhome Christmas……………..174      One of those really cold and foggy mornings. So, does that mean 30 days later we are going to have inclement weather?!?! Help me if we do! This is our little farm house decked out for the holidays. 157

        I did my annual Santa hat photo shoot with the calves. It takes forever to get a decent picture. All they do is shake their head and the hat falls into the poop. They think it’s total nonsense and I think it’s totally cute. 031.jpg      My family came to visit and that made it special. We always feel left out because we can’t travel for the holidays. So, they come to us and we always have a great time. My brother comes from the big city so this is a big thing to get him out into the dirty barn. He borrowed some boots and a coat and helped Candace and Marshall feed calves. Yee haw! 028.jpg     My parents were also here. I wish they would come more often. My Mom loves to clean and you know my farm house is always dirty! What a lovely couple! 188.jpg     I made peanut butter balls. These were Marshall’s favorite. I baked more cookies than I did candy. My mouth is watering just looking at these……..003.jpg     Christmas eve was the best. I fixed mulled cider and we had a shrimp boil. We were sipping and feasting all night.021.jpg     I line the table with a plastic tablecloth and then lay down newspaper and just dump the whole mess right in the middle of the table. We eat with our hands or if you must….I’ll let you have a fork…..and of course lots of melted butter.148 ……..and then we all fell into a heavy food coma. We slept for hours and hours. Haha Only the “chic” is allowed to do that.033.jpg      Aside from all the food and fun, we continued to milk the bossy bovines morning and evening. They never take a holiday.  We are survivors. I’m still trying to get all decorations back into storage. I’m ready for spring………………………Carol

 

 

Energy Bites

25 Wednesday Sep 2019

Posted by Dairy Living in Farm Girl Food

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energy-fiber-quick food-snacks-chocolate-makes everything better-healthy-delicious

     Here’s a quick little energy tip to help you through the day. If you don’t have the drive to go milk all those cows or feed those calves. Try popping one of these in your mouth. Doesn’t everybody have cows to milk….in some form or other? Just try them……………..003.jpg      I don’t always put M&M’s in mine, but they have some pretty cool colors right now for Halloween. It’s all about the presentation, right? Makes them taste better.

      1 cup quick oats

      1/2 cup peanut butter

     1/4 cup honey

     chocolate chips to taste

     M&M’s

     Mix together and shape into a ball. I like to use my pampered chef small cookie scoop. Then I refrigerate them and store in a container. Every time you walk (or run) past the fridge grab one for the road. They are delicious! If you’re hardcore…..throw in an iced coffee or Dr. Pepper / Pepsi. You will be unstoppable! There ain’t nuthin’ you can’t do. Now a quick side note. The recipe calls for whey, flax seed, wheat bran…..you know that fiber stuff? I’m not there yet….I’m only 49. So, it may be something you’re interested in adding. Just saying……………………Carol

 

Another Year Older

22 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by Dairy Living in Dirty Work, Farm Girl Food

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celebrate-birthday cake-older-dairy farm-time slow down

      Today I’m going to tell you how I celebrate my birthday living on a dairy farm. First off…..having a birthday at my age is bittersweet. Bitter…because I do not want to be another year older…sweet….because it gives me an excuse to be lazy and not feel guilty. 012.jpg      On your birthday…you bound out of bed…grab a coffee to go…and race to the barn because you can’t wait to milk those bossy bovines! NOT! On second thought…you throw the alarm against the wall and go back to sleep! Wake up an hour later and quickly grab your “black” coffee before trudging out the door. I’m only smiling because it’s my birthday! 010.jpg    I looked everywhere for #49 but could not find her. I finally decided she’s dead (not a good sign) and instead I settled on #39. That’s going to be my age from now on. I’m not mentally prepared for the 50’s and that’s that! 009.jpg     I’m so sorry to my Facebook friends that you have to see this picture again. Candace and I got off the farm for a few hours and had a little girl fun. I bought myself a cake and have been enjoying every bite. 016.jpg        We had to be back for evening chores because the farmer was busy doing field work and the boys were off at school. So celebration time will continue until we all get our fill. I just want to get this week over with and “mooooove” on. Another year older…………………Carol

 

Homemade Applesauce

11 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by Dairy Living in Farm Girl Food

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green apples-tart-homemade-applesauce-freezer food-canning-preserving food

      Does anyone else still make applesauce or am I the Lone Ranger? Growing up we always made homemade applesauce. I didn’t even know bought applesauce existed……… 028.jpg       I haven’t done this in several years. My freezer was empty and I was buying applesauce. Oh, the shame of it! So, when I got word that there were apples on the tree……I recruited some help and went a pickin’. They were beautiful! Here is the first step….washing and cutting. 027.jpg       I started this process after my morning chores. You cut them in half and snip out the stem and bottom bits. Then quarter them and you’re ready to start the cooking process. 029     I had two kettles going and I was rushing around to keep up with them. You put a little bit of water in the pot so as not to scorch the apples…..(who wants burned applesauce) and let them cook until soft and mushy. If you add too much water the applesauce will be watery and runny. I learned that the hard way…..back when I was young and inexperienced. Now I’m old and I still don’t know anything…….031.jpg       Now for the fun part. Pour the hot apples into the top of the “strainer” and start cranking. The seeds and peeling of the apples goes out the end and the sauce runs down the “chute” into the pan. Mmmmmm…..warm applesauce is delicious! 035.jpg      The kids have always loved to make applesauce. Everyone was busy that day, but I did get the “youngest farmer” to do some cranking for me. 037       I came to the point where I was seriously dragging and I decided…..screw it…..I’m fixing myself a big ‘ole iced coffee. I figured I deserved it………it was fabulous. 039.jpg     I persevered and this is what I had at the end of the assembly line. Does that not look fabulous?! It was some of the best applesauce I’ve ever made! Add just a little sugar because the apples are tart. 041.jpg       Wow! What an awesome feeling. All that hard work and the end result is a freezer full of delicious applesauce. Goodness! I think I went a little crazy! Never underestimate the power of a farm girl. Your favorite Milkmaid………………….Carol

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Berries

16 Tuesday Apr 2019

Posted by Dairy Living in Farm Girl Food

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chocolate strawberries farm girl treats marshmallows divine tasty favorite

      How about those chocolate covered strawberries?! One of my favorite treats. These are what kept me going the whole month of February. I always dip strawberries for Valentines Day and this year I just kept on dipping and dipping and dipping…….   183.jpg       ……and I ate and ate and ate. It was a bright spot in the midst of the “muck and the mire”. I’ll share with you some of my tips for this special treat. When buying your strawberries you always look carefully through every container slowly turning in all directions. Once you’ve inspected every single one….you go back to the first one you picked up. Happens every time. I always give them a quick rinse and let them air dry while I’m milking.     182.jpg      I have tried many different kinds of chocolate chips and this is by far the best. I’m a big fan of dark chocolate. Not just that, but definitely “Ghirardelli” brand. This melts so nice and smooth and has perfect consistency.  184.jpg     Next find a microwave safe bowl and dump in about half the bag or just take a wild guess what you’ll need. Don’t panic…..I have the perfect solution for any leftover chocolate. I microwave 10 to 15 second intervals….stirring between each one. Once you have a nice smooth consistency it’s time to start the fun.  189.jpg       I grab them by the tops and slowly dip making sure to leave a little red showing. Makes them look pretty. I might give them a little “shake” to let any excess chocolate run off and then lay them onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. I have a hard time keeping the “farmers” away to give them drying time.   187.jpg    I don’t always use the white chocolate, but I wanted to make these special. Just use the same brand of chips only white and repeat all the steps. Then use a cake decorating bag and cut a weenie little hole in the bottom to squeeze the white chocolate through. Just swirl back and forth….the messier the better. And here is the secret for all leftover chocolate. Take a bag of marshmallows and some toothpicks and start dipping. Leave a little white showing to make them look fancy. These are absolutely divine! 191      And there you have it….a farm girl’s goodness. These make everything right with the world once again………………..Carol

 

Beat the Heat

25 Saturday Aug 2018

Posted by Dairy Living in Farm Girl Food

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jalapeno poppers-farm to table-fresh produce-homegrown-summertime treat-spicy heat-delicious-milkmaid favorite-farm food

     Happy Friday! I’m still ticked off at the calves for trying to cut my leg off. So I’m going to talk about food and put “cattle” on the back burner. How about those poppers? The only reason I plant jalapeno plants in my garden is so that I can make poppers. Can you take the heat? They are fantastic…….       045.jpg      First on the list is to take out most of the seeds. Leave just a few to give your mouth a good burn. And ALWAYS wear latex gloves! I use my milking gloves. They work great. If you live next door to a milkmaid she may let you borrow a few. Otherwise, you are on your own.      046.jpg     Next comes the filling. Cream cheese and chunk cheese (don’t get me started on shredded), and a few diced onion to give it pizazz. I’m assuming that everyone always keeps chunk cheese and cream cheese in the fridge at all times. Never run out! Those are the rules!    047.jpg      Aren’t these cute?! Fill all your little pepper boats with cheese. I know these are very time consuming, but they are worth it in the end. I think. Just don’t ask Marshall. He had a major meltdown after trying one a few weeks ago. He will like them some day……I hope.      048.jpg       Next comes the beautiful bacon. I cut mine into thirds.  I need to keep enough back for breakfast.     049.jpg      Almost to the finish line. May I remind you that this will be worth it in the end.  Do not share with your neighbors and friends. Make them prep their own. Too much time invested……enjoy them yourself.     050.jpg        Alrighty…..now for the barbeque sauce. I always use Head Country. The best in the West! I buy it by the gallon. My “carnivore boys” love barbeque on everything.  Here is the recipe……….

20-25 jalapenos

8 ounce package cream cheese

1 cup grated Colby cheese ( I prefer Colby cheese over cheddar….and I never, ever buy shredded. That is taboo! )

2 Tablespoon finely diced onion

1 lb. bacon cut into thirds ( I never count the bacon slices. Just slice and dice until your poppers are wrapped. )

Bake at 350 for about an hour or until the peppers are soft and the bacon is done. Grilled is delicious too, but I hardly ever have time for that.     030

    I will sit down and eat 12 of these dudes back to back no problem! Milkmaids have big appetites…………………………..Carol

 

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

25 Wednesday Jul 2018

Posted by Dairy Living in Farm Girl Food

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chocolate-zucchini-garden fresh-farm to table-secret ingredient-delicious cake-

      I haven’t talked food in awhile. It’s zucchini time. Fresh from the garden. Did you know that zucchini is delicious in cake form? Chocolate cake at that. I make this cake every summer. I finally let the “cat out of the bag” and told the boys what the secret ingredient was………zucchini. They took it quite well. Surprise! Surprise! They don’t normally eat “green” food. They’re still very much carnivores.      058.jpg       This is the finished product. It is delicious! It’s actually better the next day……gives it time for the moisture to soak in.      052.jpg       Here’s the shredded zucchini. I always peel mine first. Simply because the less green the boys see the better.      053.jpg      Ready for the oven. I never measure the chocolate chips. I sprinkle according to how my day has been going.        054.jpg      Hot out of the oven. It’s difficult to allow for cooling time. I want to dive right in. And by the way……we put a fork in the pan and everyone stops and takes a bite as they walk by. Does anyone else do that? 058          Now back to the finished product. Give it time to cool and then sprinkle powdered sugar on top. Fit for a king or queen or a milkmaid! Here’s the recipe……

1/2 cup butter, softened (real not fake)

1/2 cup oil

1 3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 1/2 cup flour

4 tablespoon cocoa (a little rounded won’t hurt)

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground cloves (weird but important)

2 cup zucchini, shredded finely

1/2 cup chocolate chips (I sprinkle a least a cup)

      Cream butter, oil, and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk. Beat well. Stir together dry ingredients and add to first mixture. Stir zucchini in by hand. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Allow to cool and then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

     There’s more than one way to eat your veggies……………………Carol

The Sky’s the Limit

18 Sunday Feb 2018

Posted by Dairy Living in Farm Girl Food

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"chocolate lover" "love flowers" "bright and cheery" "hearts" "roses are red"

       Another Valentines Day has come and gone. Wanting to make the most of it……I did a little “after holiday” shopping. Maybe I got a little carried away, or maybe the “Mad Cow” was in full swing…..either way, I made a haul. I love to go “after holiday” shopping because everything is dirt cheap. I always come home and show the family what great deals I found and proclaim to them……”This was a steal!” They roll their eyes and shake their heads….Mother, Mother, what are you going to do next.       078.jpg            Yes, this is all mine. Well, I share with the family……sometimes. When I do this kind of shopping, I always tell myself…..”Man, I hope I don’t see anyone I know. They’ll think I’ve lost my mind.” Almost inevitably, I see a familiar face. What can I say when I’m caught red-handed hoarding sale items?! Something like this……Uh, I milk cows for a living…..this is what it takes to survive. Don’t judge me……That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!    069.jpg      The rules never apply on special days. They go flying out the window. It’s a “free day”……live it up. All the cookies you want, extra large iced coffee, and plenty of bright flowers. By the end of the day I’m pretty much “jacked up” on sugar and caffeine. I can always “detox” later. Don’t take life too seriously. Right?!    071.jpg       Farmer Brown bought me some beautiful roses. Ahhh….look at all the bright colors! That’s exactly what a milkmaid needs in the dead of winter….color.   060.jpg         I looked everywhere for this special “heart” and finally decided this is as good as it gets. So, I hope your Valentines Day was full of brightness, and lots of chocolate, or whatever your specialty is. “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get.” One of my favorite lines………………………..Carol

A “Dairy” Good Thanksgiving

29 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by Dairy Living in Farm Girl Food

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"Amish food" "thankful" "laughter" "family" "good times"

      Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. It was a week of feasting and family. We have friends and neighbors that are considered “family”. So, I’m going to bring you inside the crazy “family circle” of our holiday celebration. We always have a good time and have pretty much got the celebrating down to “art form”. From food to entertainment, it hardly ever disappoints.   021.jpg      Here we have some of the “offspring”. We’re missing a few, but this will give you an idea of what we’re dealing with. The boys definitely out number the girls, but that doesn’t mean the girls can’t hold their own. They can “scrap” their way to the top any day. 019.jpg       Is it really necessary to have “two” of everything?! Yes, it is! We wait for these holidays all year, let’s not get lean and mean. So, I had a turkey AND a ham smoked for our dinner. They were divine!023.jpg     Here’s the cold, hard facts. Our neighbor is the “smoker” man, and so I see no need for me to slave over the hot oven trying to brine and cook the meat myself. It’s so easy to just zip on over and pick up the meat…..smoked and ready to devour. Gene here, is a professional. He’s been doing this for years. There is no other way.    007.jpg     I put Michael and Earl to work carving the meat. They didn’t complain one bit. They thought it was important to “sample” and make sure it was ready for company. It passed the test. Haha   025.jpg            Let’s get this show on the road. Time to dig in. We do buffet style, because it’s easy. Kids at one table, adults at the other. Crazy but true….the adult table is always the loudest. Who’s to blame for that?! Oh, and we did “paper products” this year because we are getting lazy…..or smart?! You decide. 028.jpg       Entertainment and dessert all in the same shot. Pies and more pies. We didn’t need all that dessert, but it’s tradition. We all have our favorites. We don’t want to disappoint anyone.   031.jpg      My sister always brings the peanut butter pie. This is the favorite of the younger generation. It’s sinfully delicious. Hmmmm……looks like someone needs to lick that spoon.  030.jpg     Let’s not forget the date pudding. Dates!? Sounds like something only cranky, old people would eat…..but don’t judge until you try it. Layers of cake, pudding, whipped topping, and bananas. Another tradition.   027.jpg       Oh my goodness!! What have we here?! Amish? Yep! My sister dressed up in some Amish clothes and modeled for us. We just about fell off our chairs laughing. Now doesn’t she look so sweet and beautiful?! She is going to kill me. Hahaha We both still have a little bit of that Amish blood running through our veins. Scary!   014.jpg       Here we are back to normal again. Whatever normal is?! Either way, we had a fabulous day. Lots of laughs, gobs of food, and wonderful friends and family. Until next time………………….Carol

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