Blog Changes

So I'm not quite sure why or what happened but there's some of you that have fallen off my blogs "follow".  I have updated the gadget (that's what they call the button to access) so if you click on "join this site" you should be able to add yourself as a follower and then receive my posts.  I know I post my blog to Facebook "Most" of the time but I would love if you would join if you are following so I can see who is following. 

If you have a problem "joining" let me know.  I will see how to help you fix the problem.

Those that do so will be entered to win a $10 amazon card.  You must join before June 15, 2015 at midnight. (A little incentive)

thanks
Stacey

Betty Crocker Day

Went to stitching group this morning - left without my stitching but had a great time visiting with my group.  Half the time we talk the whole time anyway.

When I got home I had a quick bite and then started my cooking -

I made homemade ricotta cheese (tastes so much better than store bought!)

Then  I made this lemon blueberry ricotta cake they had at the farm.........

I made 6 muffins and one pan

I made two loaves of french bread

I used the whey from the cheese in the bread.  It's loaded with protein.

I made a salad with arugula, spring mix and baby spinach mixed with sugar peas, beets and tomatoes. With the homemade ricotta on the side.  (thanks Aunt Irene for showing me how to make it)

Then chicken with Swiss Chard (didn't know about that until I ate it on the farm from Sarah's Greenhouse- Cold Moon Farm) made with Kale which Justin made while we were there and I got the idea from him to make this wonderful dish.  

I then made some raviolis to go with that I bought just had to boil; from Harris Teeter......

Goat Cheese with Basil. 

Then I had a watermelon that was either going in garbage or needed to make something so 

what better than Watermelon Ice Cream- I would say it's a cross between a sorbet and ice cream.  Very very yummmy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Then I made Baked Ziti 

After clean up - I watch the movie Selma 

A movie based on a true story 

I thought well written and worth seeing. 

Good cast.  

**********************************************

Tomorrow hoping for a win by the Rangers.  Hubby has been pretty good about tolerating the game watching.  :) 

Night for now. 

How to Wash a CAT - Priceless!!!

Vermont Finale

So it's been a little crazy getting back to reality from being gone for the week.  But I wanted to complete the rest of my Trip.

Thursday the gang showed up around 1:30 pm (Keith, Justin, Austin, Mia and Rachel).  They had a bit of a rough night the night before - Keith, Mia and Austin arrived around 11:30 pm into Hartford and Justin and Rachel arrived around midnight.  Keith got the car and while waiting had texted me to find somewhere for them to eat.  They had no time in Baltimore to get anything.  Mia and Austin were starving and midnight is about normal for Keith to eat.  Justin and Rachel had eaten in Atlanta so Keith was going to drop them at hotel and we found a Denny's not too far from the hotel.  So we thought.  Keith dropped Rachel and Justin off and headed with Mia and Austin to Denny's to find it was "under construction" however, Denny's neglected to post that on their Locations portion of their website.  So it was a McDonald's night and about 4 hours of sleep for them.  They were actually in a much better frame of mind than I expected when they arrived.

They stopped for breakfast on the way and I think they were all a bit over tired..........

Austin and Mia

Rachel and Justin 

(Keith no clue picture was taken while he paid the check)

(Keith realizing they're taking pics)

They were all happy to meet the new baby goat Chaia.  I showed some pictures and video in my earlier post.  She was really cute.  Here's a few more pics of everyone having their moments with her........

The dogs were a tad bit jealous 

Rachel trying to feed Chaia her bottle while the dogs inspected the situation.

"Finally getting her bottle"

Mia having a turn feeding.

Great Picture Rachel got of Chaia.

Justin having his moment outside with her.

Austin enjoyed his time too

One of the guests took some candid shots of Mia playing with the goats outside...........

 We decided Mia's new name was the Goat Whisperer.

We had lunch at Ponce's on Friday- aka the place we had lunch 3 years ago with the long table - per Austin.  He had the exact same sandwich he had then.  A ham and tampenade sandwich - We all had an amazing lunch except my husband Keith who for some reason decided to order the two things he hates most in one dish.  Meatloaf Tacos..........now anyone that knows him - knows that would be the last thing on earth he'd order so I'm not quite sure what he was thinking or I should say NOT thinking but luckily Justin ordered an antipasto in addition to the tacos and Keith at that..

When we got back Keith gave the dogs a stick to play with and the did play tug of war.......

On Saturday I went Tag Sale hopping and found quite a few treasures.  I found my Aunt a sewing machine in amazing condition- Brother Brand - for $10.00 she was ecstatic  I also found an old wood butter churn bucket for $10.  A few other things I ended up shipping home.  

The other 5 went hiking..........

Because the goats are dairy goats we were able to enjoy fresh milk every day- homemade yogurt; soap from goats milk in the shower; homemade goat milk ricotta and homemade breads and cakes from the goat's milk. 

Rachel enjoying her goat milk yogurt with berries. 

Me enjoying mine with homemade granola and honey from their beehive. 

Little too much honey.  I didn't realize it would be sweeter than the store bought honey.. 

We enjoyed meeting Sarah who is new to us and the farm.....

She is awesome.  I really enjoyed our time together getting to know each other. 

Justin and Keith put a heat lamp in the Pig "Juliette's" house - she was getting ready to have piglets. It was in the 30's at night.  Friday night we went to town for dinner and when we returned the pig hut was glowing from the lamp.  We all started to laugh - the pig wasn't in the house.  Poor thing probably thought she'd be bacon.  

(sorry didn't get a picture of hut)

On Sunday before we left we went to Bromley Mountain for everyone to ride the flumes and play miniature golf. I was able to catch a short video of Keith, Justin and Rachel at the end of the flume.  

Mia got her face painted whie we waited. 

We got to the airport on time and upon the return home Justin and Rachel went home with Rachel's mom waiting for them at the airport.  Mia, Austin, Keith and I headed out for dinner.  But before we left Keith went to get the car while we got the luggage.  When he arrived he said something died in my car and it smelled like a garbage can.  Well he wasn't kidding.  OMG..............it was awful.  Mia even opened the hood to see if something crawled under the hood and died. NOPE.  We looked under all the seats.. NOTHING.  We drove to Cary to the Hibernia and when we got there I was determined to figure it out.  Well.......................something clicked to look inbetween the console area.  Sadly - there was the culprit. We had gone to breakfast with Mia and Austin the Sunday before and I had a piece of Ham and Cheese omelette left over.  Keith stuck the container in the little shelf under the navigation screen.  Well with it being so hot and the car being shut down it fermented to say the least.  My poor car.  With some airing out and lots of Febreeze the eu de la ham omelette scent is about gone.  It was beyond GROSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Puppies and kitties were excited to see us and Monday I picked up Rachel, Justin and Holly (my grand-dog) and took them back to Greensboro.  She was really good on the ride home. 

Leo (the grand - cat)  was happy to remain at our home. 

Today was grocery shopping and lab work.  

I will be posting some really good recipes soon.............I learned a few things to make that are beyond amazing while on the farm.

If you have time and want to find out more about their farm and B&B go to 

Click her to see Cold Moon Farm B&B

Take Time To Be Grateful!

Memorial Day

  Memorial Day is the holiday set aside to pay tribute to those 

who died serving in the military.  

I haven't blogged in a few days and although I can't wait to update you about Vermont I thought it more important to focus on Memorial Day today.  

Many use the word "Celebrate" , some say "Happy".  This day is most importantly a time to remember those that have served, died and fought to provide the freedom we all have.  So rather than say "Happy" Memorial Day - 

I want to say THANK YOU to all those that have died and fought for our freedom.  

I also want to encourage everyone to take a moment EVERY day to show a smile or simply say thank you to those that have, and continue to serve. 

A small gesture goes a long way!

Thursday - Wow this weeks flying! :(

It's 11:20 pm - just now getting a moment to blog.................

The rest of the Larson gang and their girlfriends arrived safe and sound in Hartford late last night and at the farm around 1:30pm today.  Once settled in we all left for town to a huge used book store.  Everyone found some treasures with the exception of Austin and Keith.  We grabbed some coffee at the local bookstore coffee shop - and I have to admit the coffee was amazing.  They had a sign that the closest Starbucks was 48.7 miles away.  It was cute and I have to admit.  Their coffee definitely surpassed my expectations.  From there we headed to the antique shop.  I went yesterday but had no time to post my treasures - this is what I found yesterday on my excursion-

some wood bowls and a shaker box

this was also a picture from yesterday of my Aunt feeding Chaia. 

Today Mia got a turn feeding her ....

 

even Austin enjoyed his time with her

I took some pictures of the raised beds

the veranda of the back

a comfy chair to sit out front on

This evening we came back and Mia and Rachel milked the goats - Mia also helped Sarah their "farm girl" who I have to say is amazing.....gather the eggs and feed the other baby goats in the barn. 

My uncle smoked a turkey - my aunt made roasted potatoes I made a salad , Keith finished the turkey and made a mushroom gravy - Justin carved the turkey and everyone helped with clean up..  All in all it was a very nice dinner.  

Mia and Austin even made smores after dinner.  

Everyone is passed out and we are off to bed to get some rest for our venture 

Tomorrow to the Vermont Country Store - 

Here's another video to enjoy and I'll hope to post more tomorrow. 

til then - GOODNIGHT!

Day 2: Raindy Day but bringing Sunshine and GREAT weather!

It's raining on the farm but well needed. It's been really dry - I woke up to the smell of fresh sausage (from their freezer camp); coffee, a brioche (fresh bread); fresh cut fruit; homemade granola with goat milk fresh made yogurt and honey from their bees, Orange juice on the table and coffee brewing. The doors to the back were open allowing a - a beautiful cool breeze (54 degrees).

above:  the view out the back

brioche - hot and crunchy crust - YUM

Chai video day 1-

Play time around the house this morning- 

off to adventure----------be back later :)