OUR OLD LADY

Thinking about our cat Winky.  She's approaching a ripe old age for a cat.  She turned 14 years old on April 23rd.  I know this because that was the first date Bob and I had and I got her 6 weeks later.  I'll never forget the look on his face when I brought her over to his house.  I had gotten her from a friend that needed to get rid of the family of kittens that she had and me, being a sucker for a cute face, took one.  I had two cats already and a dog.  Bob looked at me and asked, "Do you know that having another cat is for life, right?  That's like another 15 years or so that you'll have to take care of her."

This was his prelude to our future life.  Good thing he got over it.  I mean we have had as many as 75 animals at once on this farm.

Again, I am a SUCKER for a cute face and helping people out when they need a new home for their animals.  I've taken in goats, cats, dogs, chickens, horses and ducks.  And loved everyone of them!  I would not change a thing.

Winky's been around a long time and has copped an attitude. Mostly because of her first experience in life when i brought her home to my house in Crystal Lake, Illinois when she was a little squirt. I set her down next to our dog Nigel and he immediately attacked her! Chased her around the house and tried to eat her alive.  She was never the same after that…Can't blame her there!

She was always stand offish for the most part, staying only with Sam and hanging with her best bud Fuzzy.  But when we moved here, she basically became the barn cat.

 Never came near the house.  An after Fuzzy died, she wouldn't even talk to us anymore.  Until this winter.  She decided that the house was a little bit warmer than my 55 degree studio or the -10 degree barn.  We let her in and she's been hanging ever since.  She knows and we know.  She's feeling her age.

Except for the other day when I caught her playing!!! She was playing with the window shade string.  Cute.  it lasted about 30 seconds, but she played!
Way to go Winky!

And she took over Cashew's beddy-bye basket!

MAKING THE PECAN WHOLE WHEAT WAFFLES FOR ROCHESTER WOMEN MAGAZINE

One of the many privileges I have by working for Rochester Women magazine is that sometimes I get to  do the cooking (and eating) for one of the articles.  This issue I was fortunate enough to get to make the Pecan Whole Wheat waffles! This was an easy recipe and everyone that lives here agreed - these were awesome waffles!

This is a bonus step-by-step, not found in the article. I just figured that since I was able to make them for the finished images for the step-by-step article on making maple syrup (check out page 42-43),  I might as well do a step-by-step for making the waffles too. Bonus!!

So whip out your waffle maker and let's get started!

PECAN WHOLE WHEAT WAFFLES

Pecan-Whole Wheat Waffles

1 cup each all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour

4 tsp. sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

3 eggs, separated

2 cups buttermilk (or sour milk)

1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. butter, melted

1/3 cup chopped pecans, optional

Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring to mix through.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, buttermilk and melted butter.


While stirring, gradually blend the dry ingredients into the liquid until no lumps remain.

In a small bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks.


Fold whites and pecans into the batter.

Bake in a greased waffle iron until golden.

Find some fresh berries.
 and some local maple syrup..

and eat!

Pecan-Whole Wheat Waffles

1 cup each all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour

4 tsp. sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

3 eggs, separated

2 cups buttermilk (or sour milk)

1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. butter, melted

1/3 cup chopped pecans, optional

Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring to mix through. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, buttermilk and melted butter. While stirring, gradually blend the dry ingredients into the liquid until no lumps remain. In a small bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. Fold whites and pecans into the batter. Bake in a greased waffle iron until golden. Serve hot with maple syrup. Serves 6.

LA NOTTE DELLE DONNE - AN ALL WOMEN ART SHOW

Had another art show this past weekend and it was fabuloso! This art show was an exhibit of 6 local women artists: Heather Jerdee, Cassandra Buck, Anne Black-Sinak, me, Laura Rice and Susan Waughtal. The Exhibit will be an eclectic mix of mediums and styles. Mediums included photography, mixed media, acrylic and oil on canvas. In spite of being a little sick and not able to help out too much, I made it!  I was sleeping for nearly 16 hours a day the whole week and of course, since I never get sick, Murphy's law says it would have to happen at this time!  Haha!  Oh well, I made the most of it, there was a great turnout and everybody had a nice time.  That's all that matters.  

ONE NIGHT OF ART! - TONIGHT!!!!

You MUST be there tonight!  It's awesome, it's fun, organic, unpredictable and crazy!  and some of the best artists in Rochester are showing their work.

Even the Post Bulletin did an article on it this week.

and some of my work too. : )

GOAT CHEESE, SPINACH, BACON, SWEET POTATO AND WALNUT ARTISAN PIZZA

Its winter and I find myself making more and more comfort types foods for dinner and lunch. Yesterday I cooked up a chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy!  Oh gosh, I forget how awesome gravy tastes!  Anyway, I am still thinking comfort food sounds like a good idea, and it's time for pizza.  And you know me - regular ol' pizza will never do, I have to have "good food" pizza. Made with the best, fresh ingredients I can find and if I grow them myself - even better. Well, I had some of these ingredients I grew myself, like the sweet potatoes, but the rest I bought from the Farmer's Market or the Good Food Store. Now I'm thinking I need to challenge myself to make the "Artisan Pizza of the Month." I've been eying up those beets I bought a while back that might need to be used up soon….

So how did I come up with this kind of pizza?  My step-daughter told me how her brother-in-law made a pizza very similar to this one when they were visiting once.  So I made it and never looked back!  Best pizza - EVER!  I get a craving for this pizza at least once a month, and I don't know what it is, maybe its the salty taste from the goat cheese and bacon and the sweetness of the sweet potatoes, or the ton of garlic I add to it, but it is so darn good, I can't help but eat half of it!  and then eat the other half for breakfast.

GOAT CHEESE, SPINACH, BACON, SWEET POTATO AND WALNUT ARTISANAL PIZZA

8 oz goat cheese (use herbed goat cheese if you dare)

2 cups chopped spinach

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (use candied or spiced ones if you are really in for a taste sensation)

1/2 lb bacon ( I've been known to use a whole pound - shh!  don't tell my doctor)

2 medium size sweet potatoes - baked

1 tbs garlic

1 tbs garlic salt

1/2 cup milk

1 tbs butter

1 12" pizza crust - Gluten-free if you prefer.

Bake the sweet potatoes until soft and once cooled, remove skin and place in a bowl.

Add milk, garlic, garlic salt, and butter.

Make into mashed sweet potatoes.  This will be your 'sauce.'

Spread onto the crust (I added rosemary to the crust for even more flavor)

Chop the spinach and toss onto the pizza pie.

Chop the walnuts and add to the awesomest pizza ever.

Cut the bacon into small strips and fry it up in a pan (and never ever let you forget you're a maaannn - oh! sorry) until semi-crispy or to your liking. Drain on paper towels.

Add to the pizza.  At this point you will be salivating heavily.  Find a napkin and wipe your chin.

Add the goat cheese.  Unless you are like me and want to eat half the goat cheese by licking the soft cheese off your fingers the whole time as you are trying to break it up and put it on the pizza, freeze the cheese while you are making everything else and it should crumble better.

If using a regular crust, bake in a 400 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until crust is browned and toppings slightly brown.

If using a gluten-free crust, which will be partially baked, cook under the broiler for 5-8 minutes, again until top is lightly browned.

And there ya have it!  The best, most incredible, taste tantalizing, awesome, drool inducing pizza in the world.  I shared this with you.  You will be forever grateful.  You are welcome.  I take credit cards. And cash.

GOAT CHEESE, SPINACH, BACON, SWEET POTATO AND WALNUT ARTISANAL PIZZA

8 oz goat cheese (use herbed goat cheese if you dare)

2 cups chopped spinach

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (use candied or spiced ones if you are really in for a taste sensation)

1/2 lb bacon ( I've been known to use a whole pound - shh!  don't tell my doctor)

2 medium size sweet potatoes - baked

1 tbs garlic

1 tbs garlic salt

1/2 cup milk

1 tbs butter

1 12" pizza crust - Gluten-free if you prefer.

Bake the sweet potatoes until soft and once cooled, remove skin and place in a bowl.

Add milk, garlic, garlic salt, and butter.

Make into mashed sweet potatoes.  This will be your 'sauce.'

Spread onto the crust (I added rosemary to the crust for even more flavor)

Chop the spinach and toss onto the pizza pie.

Chop the walnuts and add to the pizza.

Cut the bacon into small strips and fry it up in a pan until semi-crispy or to your liking. Drain on paper towels and add to pizza.

Add the goat cheese.  

If using a regular crust, bake in a 400 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until crust is browned and toppings slightly brown.

If using a gluten-free crust, which will be partially baked, cook under the broiler for 5-8 minutes, again until top is lightly browned.

HAPPY BOLIDAYS! I MEAN HOLIDAYS (I keep hitting the B instead of the H - what's that telling me?)

Happy holidays!  and if you know me at all, I do my best to eat well and healthy.  But I always agree with letting loose a little now and then, and what better time then the holidays!  I got this in an email the other day and found it to be quite humorous.  Enjoy!

 FYI - very important!

 **********

 HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

    1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet
 table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots,
 leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

    2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare... You
 cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that
 it has 10,000 calories in every... sip? It's not as if you're going to turn
 into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for
 me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

    3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of
 gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your
 mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

    4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk
 or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car
 with an automatic transmission.

    5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to
 control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat
 other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

    6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New
 Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is
 the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table
 while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

    7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like
 frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself
 near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the
 center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave
 them behind, you're never going to see them again.

    8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each.
 Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have
 three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

    9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the
 mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some
 standards.

   10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the
party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read
tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember
this motto to live by:

And one of my favorite sayings :

    "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of
 arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid
 in sideways, chocolate in one hand and wine in the other, body thoroughly
 used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

    Merry Christmas!!

DARK DAYS CHALLENGE - VEGETARIAN!

If anyone knows me they know that a meal without meat is, well, a meal that is lacking in one of the most important things in life ( I live by Basset mentality).  But I was challenged this week by our team at the Dark Days Challenge: to produce a fully SOLE (sustainable, organic, local, ethical) meal that was VEGETARIAN, one that  lacked that all important ingredient - MEAT!  Ask Louisa, my hound dog, and she will tell you - no meal is complete without ~ meat! (She prays every day that meat will fall from the sky - she does!)

So  I did it.  I went and looked at what I had in that there cupboard and found some sweet potatoes (our fav!), some salad greens and homemade herbed goat cheese and local walnuts.  What to make, what to make?!?!?

Well, here ya go - I did it!  I made a vegetarian meal that was to die for!

SWEET POTATO LATKES WITH GARLIC AIOLI AND A CRISP MIXED  GREEN SALAD

Oh baby!

 I took a couple sweet potatoes and shredded them, added some seasoning, egg, flour and mixed it all together, placing them on a cookie sheet and coking them in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes. Next I made some homemade aioli with garlic to top off the latkes.

Next I took the greens I got from the Farmer's Market a week and a half ago and topped it off with some home made herbed chevre, some local walnuts and added a bit of balsamic vinegar.

Add a slice of homemade bread and life is good!

Yeah, you wish you would've thought of this one yourself, didn't you?

DEATH IS ALL AROUND A FARM

I was out enjoying the beautiful weather the other day with my camera in tow (of course!), and looked up to notice something on the side of the barn.  Luckily I had my 70-200mm lens on my camera so I could take a better look at what it was.  Sadly it was a bird who apparently had went to enter a hole in the side of the barn and it's foot got caught in a crack under the hole.  I looked and looked and couldn't determine if it was alive or not.

I thought for a moment, " If it is alive, I can't just leave it there to suffer!"  So I walked out to the pole barn looking for the long ladder.  Then I thought to myself, "If it's dead, I would have just carried a 100 lb ladder over to the barn for nothing."  So I thought maybe I would go get my 300mm lens and see if I could tell if it was alive or not before I did something like that.  It didn't look like it was moving but sometimes you just can't tell with the wind and such.

Well, I am truly sorry to say but the little thing was dead, caught in the side of a barn by it's leg.  It must've flapped and flapped it's wings until it just passed out.  Do animals that go through something like that, just admit defeat and die?  OR do they stay there until they starve to death?  I think they admit defeat and die, the way it should be, without too much suffering.

I wish people had such options as that.  Makes me think that we hang on to things longer then we should in life, if something isn't working, let it go.  If we aren't in the right position, let it go.  If we are dying, let us go.  Why hang on? I like to live my life to the fullest every day, linger in the moment and know that each day is a blessing because who knows how much time we have?  Animals do that, they live in the moment, why as humans do we let our selves suffer and run the rat race in hopes that someday we can retire?  I'm already retired: retired to a lovely little farm, with great animals, friends and beautiful gifts of life.  I actually worked on the computer for 8 hours yesterday; I felt like I had one of those real jobs, ya know the 9-5 jobs most people have?  And I got down on my knees and thanked the dear Lord that I will never have to have one of those!  I couldn't possible do that!  I'd die, just like that little bird did, flapping my wings repeatedly hoping someone would notice me dying and then, just give up.

No siree!  I am meant to be a farm girl!

DARK DAYS CHALLENGE

More info here.

Work has been plentiful this month and I am really enjoying it! So needless to say, bloggin' gets put on the back burner.  Honestly - I think I could post 4 times a day with all the things that happen here, but I'm lazy sometimes. Ha!

So here's the Dark Days challenge I missed a couple weeks ago.  Since I was gone to Illinois that week and the challenge of the month was Valentines Day Treats (and if any one knows me - I shy away from cookies, cakes, pies, etc as much as possible - my thighs jiggle enough)  - I passed on that challenge.

We had a couple of good friends over for dinner that night, Kari & Ryan, and in exchange for me taking an image for my Ryan's next play poster, he made me dinner! Ryan is a very talented writer and actor and I am always willing to help out a friend, and yes, ya know I am a sucker for food, you can pay me in food anytime!

This is what we produced out in the studio!
 of course with some help from a great graphic artist.

We made a fine dinner of grilled local pork chops, with a sweet potato mash made by Kari with local carrots and raisins, and served with a colorful salad of spinach, local tomatoes and cucumbers.  Nummy, nummy!

The pork chops were from Hidden Stream Farms - Elgin, MN.

Sweet potato mash made from local sweet potatoes from Whitewater Gardens and included local apples from Seekap Orchards, Rochester.

Spinach salad with cucumbers and tomatoes from Whitewater Gardens as well.

We had a fine Chilian Carmenere, although not locally made - locally bought and from an organic winery.  Does that count?

We were having a good time with locally grown, excellent food and fun, wonderful friends, what more could anyone ask for?

She loves him, really she does!