Dog Days........................

Summer may have been a little (ok a lot) late this year, but here we are in mid-August and it has arrived right along with the dog days, just like it always does this time of year.
It's hot, it's humid, it's terribly dry. The dogs are lazy, the cats don't know if they want to be out or in, and last night we killed a 4' long Rattlesnake with 10 rattlers, trying to get into the pet bunnies cage.
Yes, the dog days have arrived here in the Ozarks for sure!

The phrase dog days typically  refers to the sultry days of summer.
Historically it goes back to the Greeks and earlier referring to the time of the year the 'dog star' was in the sky.
In ancient times Dog Days were popularly believed to be an evil time when "the Sea boiled, the Wine turned sour, Dogs grew mad, and all other creatures became languid; causing to man, among other diseases, burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies (frenzies)." according to Brady’s Clavis Calendaria, in 1813..

In our neck of the woods, when we refer to the "DOG DAYS" we just mean a time of year when the dogs are 'dog tired' all the time, the cats are more lethargic than usual and the snakes shed their skins making them even crankier than usual!

What's your favorite way to pass the Dog Days of August??

Farm adventures..............

There's been a change of  the  'rooming' arrangements here at the farm, Valerie wasn't quite sure about Pocket moving in next door .................

 "We have a new neighbor and I'm checking him out.
  Mama A.Wyse always says:
'know your territory, especially those that live in your neighborhood, lest you get a rude surprise'.
He seem alright, rather small though."

Farm adventures

I'm working on a project that has me knee deep in notes
If you love cats and/or goats
Keep watching our page
for updates .................
meanwhile enjoy one of my favorite 'make ahead' recipes
                    Refreshing Lemon Ice pie

1 large can evaporated milk
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon extract
1 cup sugar
graham cracker crust

Place milk (Undiluted) in a large bowl and place in the freezer till just beginning to freeze around edges.
Beat with a stand or hand mixer until foamy, add sugar, continue to beat until soft peaks form add lemon juice and extract, beat just to incorporated and spoon into a prepared graham cracker crust(will be quite high, just pile it in.) Place immediately into the freezer and freeze for four hours or overnight.
Can be cut and eaten straight from the freezer for a refreshing summer treat!

Sophie, all tuckered out from helping me at my desk

Meet our Caprine Consultant

If you've been following along with our farm adventures "goat edition'' you've probably noticed references to 'A. Wyse', did you wonder who she is?, what she looks like ?,
what she does??

Mrs. A. Wyse  Ol'goat

She's our behind the scenes  senior advisor to the caprine community at JonquilJunction.
The self appointed "expert" on 'all things goat'.
And we have a feeling you are going to be hearing a lot more from her in the coming months.
(Rumor has it she's even writing her own book (with a bit of help of course)!

                                     Y'all come back now ye hear??

Everything.................Season

       When it's been ''Everything" season for awhile and your getting a bit tired of all the ways you've been fixing your squash, tomatoes and peppers, try this recipe for a

Delicious different way to have those veggies you've been eating all summer. 

                                                

 

                                                        SQUASH MEDLEY

 8 yellow (straight neck) or zucchini squash, medium size, wash and parboil whole, about 5 minutes

Make filling while squash cools enough to handle

                                                                          Filling

1 large bell pepper, chopped fine

3 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped fine

2 medium onions, chopped fine

3 slices cooked bacon or ham, diced

8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese

1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper

 

 

Slice squash in half lengthwise. Scoop out  center including seeds (could save in freezer for soup).

Fill squash cavities with filling and place on baking sheet.

Mix 1 and 1/2 cups fine dry bread crumbs with 4 TAB. melted

butter or margarine and sprinkle on squash filling.
Bake, uncovered, at 400 for about 20 minutes.
Enjoy!