More Snow Pictures

Our snow has finally stopped (I hope)! We ended up with about 22 in with drifts much more than that. I think someone said the official report for Floyd was 30 in but I’m not for sure on that.

Anyway, it is definitely beautiful and we have eaten all the snow cream we want. Time for spring now!

So after showing you a few of the beautiful snow pictures I thought I would show you the down side of all that snow. This is the hill going up the main road at our house. As you can see, nothing has traveled it except the tractor.

This is the main road going down from our house. These pictures were taken late yesterday. As you can see, we are definitely stranded here. Thank God we are people who are comfortable being at home or we might be going a little crazy by now. If you look closely you can see where the road should be. These drifts are too deep for the tractor so I guess we’ll be waiting on the state to come and clear them. It is a state maintained road so they will come eventually.

This is the road. This is going down toward the milk barn.

The graveyard at the top of the hill.

My girls having fun.

I will leave you with another beautiful picture. If you look closely to the left of the hay barn you can see our house where we are snuggled in with a warm fire, hot chocolate and a good book. Enjoy your day and God bless.

February 15, 2014 6

Pie Crust

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup cold butter

4 to 5 tablespoons cold water – may take more

Combine flour, salt and butter in a food processor until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Blend in enough water just until flour is moistened.

Divide dough in half; shape each half into ball. Roll out into pie crust.

I got this recipe from http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/2092/butter-pie-crust

February 14, 2014 0

Snow

We are definitely getting some serious snow here in Floyd. This morning we had 14 inches and it has been coming down hard all day.

We probably have another 3-4 inches accumulation today.

It is SO pretty!!!

Hubby went out this morning and emptied the snow out of the bird feeders. He gave them some fresh bird feed and they have been happy all day!

We made snow cream last night for supper and will be making more this afternoon. I love days like this. Snuggle in and watch it snow! I hope you all have a wonderful day and God bless.

February 13, 2014 4

Homemade Bread Crumbs

Okay, so I realize sometimes I am a little late to the party. Most of you have probably been doing this for years but I am just now starting to make my own bread crumbs. For one thing, bread crumbs is not something I use very often so it just seemed easier to buy them from the store. About the only thing I use them for is salmon cakes. Salmon cakes are a favorite here. Many, many thanks to my friend, Retia, for sharing her salmon with us last fall. You can read about canning the salmon on this post if you are interested https://merryheartcrafts.com/2013/10/08/canning-salmon Okay so back to making bread crumbs. I found this recipe on line at food network. It is Alton Brown’s recipe for Homemade Italian Bread Crumb. I will now join the thousands of women who make their own bread crumbs. So easy and my house smells wonderful.

Enjoy your day and God bless.

February 8, 2014 3

Homemade Italian Bread Crumbs

Ingredients
4 ounces stale bread, cut or torn into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Place all of the ingredients into a blender carafe, cover and pulse until coarse crumbs form, about 2 minutes. Spread the crumbs evenly on 2 half sheet pans and bake until the crumbs just begin to brown and are crisp, about 5 minutes. Cool the crumbs on the pans for 15 to 20 minutes, and then transfer to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Recipe courtesy of Alton Brown Food Network

February 8, 2014 0

Ice

We got a little ice last night. Nothing too serious but enough to make us change our minds about going to C-burg for a dentist appointment. Looks more like a snuggle in day to me.

We will be working on school instead, enjoying tea and coffee and doing fun things. I took more bread over to R G Cattle yesterday. So far, everything is selling. I am so glad. I made a new bread yesterday- Cinnamon Swirl. I had never made it before and didn’t get to sample it before I took it so I am a little anxious as to how it turned out. I think I may make another batch of it today for us, just so I will know how it is.

I also have a new place to start taking my bread. Tomorrow I will take 4 loaves to Highland Hardwoods here in Floyd. I appreciate your prayers concerning this new adventure.

Well, the ice is melting already! Hubby thought he heard a robin this morning!!! Maybe spring is closer than we think. I am definitely ready for warmer temps. We have really went through the wood this winter. We only have 2 rows now so I guess we will have to have some wood cutting days as soon as weather allows.

I hope you all have a great day and God bless.

February 5, 2014 3

Snow

Well, we finally got enough snow to make snow cream. The girls (and myself) are very happy. Even though we have had little snow, we have been COLD here. Temperatures at zero with wind chills way below zero. I definitely do not like cold-snow yes-cold no!

We took some more bread over to R G Cattle yesterday. So far, all the bread has sold every week. I usually take at least 4 loaves. I was glad to get back home though because the roads were starting to get bad. Jessica even has snow at her house, which is very unusual.

I really like this picture. The blue of the sky and the white of the snow. God is good to share such wonderful things with us. I hope you all have a wonderful day and God bless.

January 29, 2014 6

Cinnamon Rolls

1/4 cup water at room temperature

1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix (3 tbsp)
1 cup warm milk
1 egg, room temperature
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups bread flour
2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar

4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup chopped pecans(optional)
1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons milk
Directions

In the pan of your bread machine, combine water, 1/4 cup melted butter, vanilla pudding, 1 cup warm milk, egg, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt, bread flour, and yeast. Set machine to Dough cycle; press Start.
When Dough cycle has finished, turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a 17×10 inch rectangle. Spread with 1/2 cup softened butter. In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture over dough.
Butter a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Roll up dough, beginning with long side. Slice into 16 one-inch slices; place in prepared pan. Let rolls rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Bake rolls in preheated oven until browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
Stir together cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 1/2 teaspoons milk. Remove rolls from oven and let cool until warm; spread frosting over warm rolls.

I got this recipe from http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cinnamon-rolls-iii/

January 24, 2014 0

Visitors

We have lots of deer in Floyd. Yesterday evening, Jasper started barking. A look out the sitting room window showed why. Deer visit often but I seldom get a picture. There were 5 of them. They stayed for a while then moved on down the field. That’s fine by me as they can do tremendous damage to a yard or a garden.

We also had a little skiff of snow. They were predicting lots more but for some reason it didn’t happen here. The girls were a little disappointed as they really wanted to make snow cream.

Oh well, winter isn’t over yet. Enjoy your day and God bless.

January 23, 2014 5

Good Morning

Good morning everyone! I hope you are all having a wonderful Friday morning. Things are good here. We were blessed with another beautiful sunrise this morning. Thank you, Lord!

Yesterday was a nice day. We did have some snow but not enough to make snow cream. The girls worked on school and I worked on various little things around the house. I made two loafs of banana bread. I plan on freezing one for later use.

We took some more baked goods to R G Cattle Co. Wednesday. We are hoping they sell. Seems like I am having a hard time thinking of what to write about this morning. I guess it is because today is our anniversary and I am thinking about how blessed I am. God is so good and faithful.

Enjoy your day and God bless.

January 17, 2014 5