Friday, June 20, 2014

Monday, June 16, 2014

suzie

says hello!

Today they are out in the pasture enjoying the sunny weather and fresh green grass! Everyone is doing well. Maggie has not come down with milk fever and I think she's going to pass by it this time. I think the calcium pills must have helped. I'm relieved too.
All is well and quiet on the farm today. We are getting ready for our haying season. The weather should be nice for a good 5-6 days in a row!!! That is a lot for us this year. So hopefully we can get our first crop in. The fields are finally ready!
Have a great Monday all!

Saturday, June 14, 2014

new life

Oh this time of year on a farm!!! Maggie had her baby yesterday.


On her due date no less! Just before the rain came in, about 1:30. Missed the whole thing. Totally bummed about that.
 When we did chores yesterday morning we checked her out, and she didn't look like she was gonna have it. They slept in the barn due to down pours the night before. I'm glad she didn't have the baby during the night. The kiddos and I had lunch and then were headed out to check on things and there was the baby, fresh wet and super cute. I ran in the house and called my husband, but didn't reach him. He was pulling in the driveway as I was dialing his number. He was coming home to check on me. Apparently I had left the phone off the hook, for almost 2 hours, and he was concerned. I ran out to tell him about the baby, my camera in hand. We walked out to the pasture  and I snapped the above photo. Then tucked the camera under my shirt, because it was starting to rain. He grabbed the calf's back legs and looked...
a heifer!!!!!!!!!!
 As you can see Maggie is cranky. She has had 5 calves, and this is her 4th with us. She didn't charge at us, (as the picture would indicate she would) we had a stick in case she did. She shows a great deal of tough, and throws her head and paws the ground. We know her, and we know our limits with her. We are always careful.  My husband picked up the calf and I kept the stick close to Maggie's nose in case she decided to be funny. She didn't try anything. She stuck close to my husband and mooed as we walked to the barn. I think she must trust us with the babies now. She has calmed down since the first one she had with us. She is a great mom.

Mmmmm yummy colostrum.
Maggie looks pleased with herself. She has given us 3 heifers in a row. So I'm pleased. I'd be happy  if it were a bull calf. But I'm not gonna lie, I'm very pleased it's a heifer!!  I just want everyone to be healthy. And this little girl is healthy.


Cuteness all over the place!! We are in love with her already. Her name you wonder?

                                              
                                                      Black Eyed Susan AKA\ "Suzie"

She is named after one of our daughters favorite flowers. She is her calf.

 So far mama and baby are doing well. We are watching Maggie closely. Her last calf she got milk fever, but we caught it early and she came out of it, without too much complications. We gave her a calcium pill this last night, and she'll get one later today. So that hopefully will keep it away.
Have a great day all!

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

whats cookin in my kitchen

So maybe I've been a little busy. Or just sitting in the sun that actually made an appearance the past few days. Yes we actually had SUN and warm weather for three days in a row!!! Oh the joy and happy dance I did. That is very rare here this year, so far. I even got a nice tan...err rather burn first then it became a tan!  And not to be too excited, today its pouring. So very sad. I love warm sunny weather...makes me very happy!
anyways...
So I told you last time I would post something wonderful, and today I will make good on that. Go ahead, I'll wait while you drool....


This is so amazingly good. I promise!  If you like lemon and cream cheese. BUT I will say that the frosting (that is where the lemon and cream cheese are) light, creamy, and dreamy. I've already made this 3 times. So I should know, right?! And I have not been disappointed.
So what it this dreamy dessert? You wonder. It's called (a copy cat that I actually modified again) Olive Garden Lemon Cream Cake. Where did I ever find such an amazing combination of wonderfulness you ask yourself? Pinterest of course!

So easy to make. Really. Easy. The recipe follows if you are inclined to lemon and cream cheese.

The cake:
 Yellow box cake mix.
Gahhhh I shudder to think. This gal don't go that way. So I decided to make Pioneer Woman's Red Velvet Cake. What?! Wait a minute this cake is NOT red. OK, so here is my other thing. I HATE red velvet cake, it tastes like a chemical to me. Gross.  I use this recipe for any yellow cake I make, I just leave out the red dye and chocolate that she puts in it. This cake is so good and moist and well I just love it.  But if you like box cake mix go ahead. I won't judge. (But if you want the recipe I used it's called Red Velvet Cake by Pioneer Woman).
But make the cake you want, and put it in 2 greased round 8-9 inch pans and bake until done. Cool.

The frosting/filling:
8 oz cream cheese (room temp)
2 C powdered sugar
3 T lemon juice
1 C heavy whipping cream
 Beat cream cheese powdered sugar and lemon juice together until smooth and creamy.
Whip the cream to stiff peaks.
Gently fold in the cream cheese mixture in to the whipped cream. Put in the fridge to keep it cold and the flavors to blend to a perfect creaminess.While the cake cools

* Crumb topping:
1/2 C flour
1/2 C powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
4 T butter
Cut together till crumbly
*I  only make half of this. It makes a large amount.

Once the cake is cool cut each in half. Put on a plate and spread half the frosting/filling on it. Then put the top on and put a little more frosting on top. It's all good if it oozes out the sides and down the sides of the cake. Sprinkle some crumb topping on it. Repeat with other cake.
Keep in the fridge so it won't spoil.
I put some lemon slices on top to make it look pretty. So there you have it. I just love this cake. It's light and creamy. Mmmmmmmmmm. I think I might have a large slice for my lunch!
Enjoy your day!