It’s Too Cold Scavenger Hunt

Well, the first Scavenger Hunt Sunday of the year (topics in bold) brings the coldest temperatures of the winter so far.  We’re supposed to get down to -18*F overnight.

I’m surviving on a lot of comfort food.  I made vegetarian dumpling soup for lunch.

Soup:
32 oz. vegetable stock
1 cup sliced celery
1 cup sliced carrot
1 cup peas
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. parsley
1/4 tsp. leaf thyme
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Place the ingredients for the soup into a large pan and boil gently until the carrots are almost tender.  While it simmers, make the dumplings.

Dumplings:
1 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. sage
1/2 cup milk

Mix the dumplings and drop by small spoonfulls into the boiling soup.  Simmer slowly for fifteen minutes, or until the dumplings are tender.

Because I live in the country, my town is really my barnyard family.  Everyone is pretty miserable in this cold, but most are holding their own. (Pictures were taken before it got this cold.  They are not dumb enough to be outside in the dangerous wind chills.)

I do worry about my old goats (starts with the letter g) and my young ones.  I have several wearing coats today, including Joe.  Hopefully it will be enough to keep them warm through the night.

Joani and Joe

All I’m doing today is looking out for animals, and trying to think warm thoughts.  I’m doing my photographer’s choice with those flowers I bought to pretend it’s spring.

Finally, some words to live by.  These really resonate with me.  I might also add, “and if you can actually help someone, that’s good too.”

Hope you all have a great week and manage to stay warm and safe if you’re in the path of this brutal cold.

Sharing with Shadow Shot Sunday, Scavenger Hunt Sunday, Mandarin Orange Monday, Monday Mellow Yellows, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, and Inspire Me Monday.

Who’s Expecting?

I really wish I could answer that question.  I put about twenty-four goats in with the bucks last fall to make spring break kids.  It’s  now that time when I’ll be putting the boys and girls together to have June babies.  I only want to put the ones that didn’t get bred before in with the bucks because that’s the easiest for me with doing chores.  I don’t know know who all is and isn’t bred though.

Clover

I know Clover isn’t bred.  I’ve seen her come back into heat.

Maggie

I have no idea on Maggie.  She and Penny and Helen were the three I had no idea when they were due last summer, and I’m afraid I have no idea if any of the three are bred for spring break or if I should be putting them back in with the boys.

Star and Vixen

I still have Star and four other kids from last year to sell.  I’m not positive, but I think Vixen might be due over spring break.  At least I have a tentative date written down for her.

Sallie

I haven’t seen Sallie in heat all fall, but she’s looking a bit full.  I think she might be expecting over spring break, but it’s just a guess.

Coffee

I do know Coffee isn’t bred.  Marley, Myson and Bud have all quite regularly fallen in love with her.  I’m still milking her, but that will end when I put her in with Fionn to be bred for June.

Blaze

I’m pretty confident Blaze is bred.  I’m guessing she might have triplets again this year.  I think her twin, Bonnie, will also have spring break kids.

Maisie

I might just toss a coin for Maisie.  I have no clue if she’s bred for March or not.

Mary and Kizzy

I haven’t seen Mary in heat since she was with Fionn, so I think she’s expecting.  Thankfully, I’ve seen Kizzy come into heat quite regularly.  I really don’t want her getting bred through the fence again this year.  I think retirement is a much better plan for her.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is the other girl I’m milking that I’m certain is not bred.  She’ll get put in with Fionn too.  I think my third milking doe, Haley, might be bred, so I quit milking her.  I won’t guarantee it though.

Guess I’ll be doing a lot of guessing!  We’ll find out how accurate I was come March!

Sharing with Clever Chick’s Blog Hop and Shadow Shot Sunday.

Egg Nog Fudge

For some reason, I decided to try making some egg nog fudge a couple years ago, and I’m just now getting around to sharing it with you.  It is very egg noggy and very rich!

In a large pan measure out:

3 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup margarine or butter

Add 1 1/4 cup egg nog.  I used my homemade goat’s milk egg nog using my grandmother’s recipe, but you can use purchased egg nog too.

Mix it thoroughly.

Cook it over a medium heat stirring occasionally, just to keep it from sticking.

When it reaches the soft ball stage (238* F) remove it from the heat.

Add 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg.

After it has cooled to 110* F, beat it thoroughly.  Then spread it into an 8 x 8 baking dish that has been well-buttered.

After it has been thoroughly cooled, cut it.

You can take it out and let it dry a bit.

It’s sure to be a hit!

Sharing with Inspire Me Monday and Clever Chick’s Blog Hop.