Friday, March 6, 2009

Mindless Fridays

I am so glad the week is over!!!


With weather in the high 50's yesterday, the chickens were in rare form. And we are down to just 3 roos now:( Both of our Rhode Island Reds passed on - which in a way is a relief, as they both were the more aggressive roos. But stilll.



Our Barred Rock Roo looks pretty funny since he lost the top of his comb to frostbite. Those single digit days did his comb in. And Angie, I was NOT up to putting vaseline on his comb and wattles to keep them from freezing (I did mention it to Todd that perhaps we should do that, and all I got was rolling on the floor laughing cause this roo is HUGE and does not like to be held).



I'm working away on my Bears in the Farmhouse and another baby quilt:



Slow goings due to the nice weather but......I'll get them done here shortly. Well, I HAVE to get the Bears in the Farmhouse done by Monday and the other one.....I think the baby is due the 13th of March.




Jessie's 4-H calves are growing - but slowly. We are planning on separating them this weekend so that the one who needs to gain a lot of weight (the red one - aka psycho calf - but we've been working him and he is doing much, much better) can eat to his heart's content, and the one who needs to watch his weight doesn't pig out. Yes, their pen is a mess. We have to get new tires on the skidder before we can even think of getting in there to clean it out (hopefully this weekend new tires will be brought and put on it). And as I told Todd in the case of the steer pen, the pitchfork DOES NOT fit my hand.



Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments and visits! I've enjoyed reading every one and trying new menus and planning all the wonderful foods we have been eating. I do have a bunch of awards that I have received recently - I haven't forgotten but I'm trying to figure out who to pass them on to - decisions, decisions. So I'm hoping to get that done here in the next couple of days.

And for those of you who have asked, here's some recipes:
Cheesy Broccolli and Rice Casserole:
6 cups rice, cooked according to package directions (I used 1/2 white and 1/2 brown)
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (I made my own, recipe to follow)
2 packages broccolli florets, steamed and thawed
3 cups cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp. salt and pepper
Mix rice, broccolli and 1 cup cheese, pour soup over top. Top with remaining cheese. Cover and bake 30 min. at 350. Uncover and bake an additional 15-20 min. until top is brown and crunchy.
Cream of mushroom soup:
1 lb. mushrooms, chopped, diced or sliced
2 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbsp water
Melt butter in saucepan, cook mushrooms until all liquid is absorbed. Add salt, pepper, thyme and bay leave. Add chicken stock and heavy cream. Simmer 20 min. Add cornstarch and simmer until reaches desired thickeness.
I didn't have any thyme, so I omitted it and it tasted just fine. And I didn't cook mine until really thick - I wanted it a little runny since it was going in the rice. And I don't think I used exactly the same amounts of salt and pepper......

Enjoy the nice weather if you're having it, and if you're not - I'll try and send some your way shortly!


Kris

13 comments:

Small House said...

Having grown up on a small farm, it's always fun to to read your blog. I still live where farms are all around, but all we have is a dog.

I have a chicken coop I got a few years ago, and would love to fill it with chickens.

Thanks for the fun post today!
Have a great day.
Sandra

Judy T said...

Good luck with the quilts. It's amazing how things tend to start revolving around outside and gardening tasks. It was beautiful here yesterday but I'm not going to hold my breath that it is truly spring yet.
Judy

audreypawdrey said...

The weather has been beautiful here, too this past week. I am so ready for spring! Good luck with your quilts this weekend and I always enjoy hearing about your chickens.:)

Susan said...

I can see where the poor rooster would just have to lose a comb if he is cranky....

Your Bears in the Farmhouse quilt is looking good.

Enjoy the nicer weather.

Lib said...

Hi Kris,
Like your New look.
We're in the 70s today and next few days.Loving it!
HAve a great wk.end!
Blessins',Lib

jacquie said...

nice that spring weather has finally come. hope you find some sewing time this weekend.

Patty Sumner said...

Thanks for the recipe. We will try that one out.

warren said...

What a hilarious post...chickens and quilting and cows and a recipe! Excellent! Have a great weekend!

Granny Lyn said...

The little calf is adorable,,,but I will miss the chickens, that was such a brilliant picture!!

I am giving the recipe to Mr. Wonderful, it sounds so good!!

isolada. by design said...

Kris...vaseline on a comb, frostbite? it just tickles me, because you write from the heart, and although we've never met, I imagine I know you write just as you are...wonderful, warm, full of life! It's a fun visit here, all ways, always!

Enjoy the weekend...weather, quilting, family, farm, friends!

Ana :)

2ne said...

Nice all your photos from the hen. Have a great day

Scrappy quilter said...

How did I miss this post? The pictures are great. Can't wait to see the finished quilt.

btw...I almost finished one yesterday with material from the box. I should be posting it later today or tomorrow.

Winifred said...

Poor little feller will his comb grow again?

Maybe he needs a balaclava!