Farm Adventures...cloudy...cooler

Less than 3 weeks until Thimbilena kids, the first for this year.
She may not look too big, but I know she's expecting.
Maybe she'll just have 1 doe, which would be fine, then the house would get some milk
too!!

                           Thimbilina's brother Bandit lives next door~

            See the red can on the roof ? That contains grain.

Bandit is convinced he can either climb the fence and get it,

or stretch and reach it.

                                          I told him he is not a giraffe,
            but like his mother, A. Wyse, he doesn't  listen.

Sunday Quotes....Sunny..much warmer

Orange~Oatmeal pie...Sunny...warmer

  Orange-Oatmeal Pie   
~~~~No Wheat, No Crust~~~~

3/4 cup oats
3/4 cup milk
2 T. melted butter
1/2 cup undiluted, thawed orange juice concentrate
1/4 cup water
3 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. orange extract
1 cup coconut shreds, optional
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, optional
1 cup mandarin orange slices, optional

Beat all ingredients except last 3 with mixer for 2 minutes.
If you using coconut, stir in now, or if you want coconut and cranberries stir in both. Pour into a generously buttered glass pie pan and bake at 350* for about 40 minutes.
Test with knife in center, if it comes out clean it's done. Decorate top with orange slices if desired.
Best served cold.

 

If winter comes...can spring be far behind...cloudy, 37*, windy

Nostalgic Nod to yeasteryear guessing game...snow...32*

Stop by and play with us today Check out the link below and get entered to for a chance to win our cookbook!!! https://www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction/posts/1371670789525851

Jonquil Season....Partly cloudy...46*

Once again we find ourselves approaching Jonquil Season.......... a favorite time of year for many, since starting our page...we've heard from many that have as fond memories of Jonquil's as we do.... as the season rolls around again, and we find ourselves emerging from another long winter... we'd love to hear your favorite Jonquil Tale.
If your just joining our page you can read the story  of our page here : http://jonquiljunction.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-journey-to-jonquil-junction.html

and find all our jonquil related stories, recipes and events here: http://jonquiljunction.blogspot.com/search?q=jonquils

From our ''Everything Season" Cookbook

check out this post on the farm girl bloghop here: http://farmgirl-unleashed.com/2016/02/farmgirl-friday-blog-hop-213/

Sunday Quotes..cloudy...cooler

Chicken Taco Soup....Sunny...warm...60's

Necessity is the mother of invention, right? Well having left over chicken, chicken broth and white beans on hand this week I took our Taco soup recipe from here: TACO SOUP
and made a chicken version, I do believe we liked it more than the beef version, try it and see if you do too!

2 cups cooked, chopped chicken

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 carrots, peeled and sliced

1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained

4 cups cooked great northern beans (or other white bean)

1 can Ro-tel, undrained

1 package taco seasoning

4 cups chicken broth 

2 tablespoons minced pickled Jalapeños OR 1 small can drained green chili's

 

In large pan sauté onions for 5 minutes, Add garlic & carrots, sauté 2 minutes or till garlic is fragrant. Pour into crock-pot. Add chicken, beans, corn, ro-tel, seasoning and broth, stir well cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. ( I like to cook on high for an hour or two to get everything good and hot, but if you aren't around 6 hours on low is fine!)

 Serve with any combination of the following:  crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa, chopped jalapeños!  

 

February Special.........Sunny, warm 60*

Have you stopped by our little Etsy store lately?? Lots of new items and a few days left for our February special too:
FREE shipping on ALL of our Jewelry with ANY other purchase! No coupon code needed just place an order for any item in our store, and order any jewelry and it will ship FREE!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Jonquiljunction

This also means if you buy two pairs of earrings or a necklace and pair of earrings you only pay shipping on the FIRST pair, second will ship for FREE! So if you've been considering shopping with us for yourself or a gift now is a great time!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Jonquiljunction

Nostalgic guessing game day...Sunny ...much warmer

 

Join us over on FB to see what Nostalgic item we are guessing about today!
IF you know it you could get entered to win a FREE digital copy of our cookbook Everything Season!  https://www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction/?ref=tn_tnmn

Farm Life....Cloudy and cold

I think the cats have Cabin Fever.
You know the cats that live in the house 24/7  BY CHOICE ,and have the choice of whether or not to go outside (unlike the humans who MUST go outside, WEATHER or not). The other night while I was sitting as close to the wood stove as possible, Marmalade climbed on the back of my chair.
I expected a lap companion directly, but instead heard a clang and a clamor and you see here where she landed. It was a five foot launch from the chair back to this little space on the top of the wood pile and into that little hole. WHEW.
Look at the contented appearance she's displaying, I think she was
ecstatic to find her own space. It took a lot of coaxing to get her
down so I could go to bed. I didn't dare leave her there wondering
what would be tipped over on her re-entry to the floor.
Only 34 days till spring!!!!!!! (Yes, I'm counting)

"I'm not looking at you, so you can't see me"

"My eyes are closed, so you can't see me"

"Well, now that I have decided it's time to come down, I'll come when you call me"

Sunday Quotes......COLD!

The heart which gives freely..........
Is never lonely
~Author Unknown

Apple Blondie's...colder....30's

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup applesauce-unsweetened
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups, peeled and grated apples

Cream peanut butter, oil, applesauce and sugar together, add apples and vanilla, mix baking soda and flour together and add to mixture. Will be dry at first continue to stir until evenly mixed batter will be stiff. Spread into a well greased 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake at 350* for 25-35 minutes. A knife inserted near center will come out clean when done.

Wonderful just the way they are, warm with coffee OR milk. But if you prefer your desserts iced try these with our Browned Butter icing recipe :HERE

Just a word of warning though, don't leave unattended for long....Like to say go get the camera.... or when you come back they may look like this

Thinking of Spring....Sunny...30's

Well, the calendar says its only 37 days till spring, but the weatherman says we have to go through some more winter before we get there :)
Stepping back in to the archives today, we thought we'd share this 'spring-y' Tutorial with you since we know seed packets are already 'springing' up in the stores!

Just click on the Link below next picture to take you to the full tutorial!

        http://jonquiljunction.blogspot.com/2015/03/spring-cleaning-leads-to-craft-tutorial.html

Nostalgic Guessing game...COLD!

Join us over on FB to see what Nostalgic item we are guessing about today!
IF you know it you could get entered to win a FREE digital copy of our cookbook Everything Season!  https://www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction/?ref=tn_tnmn

Snippets and Snatches...Very windy and cold 31*

Here's a Snatch from the past. Who remembers this dish?
These dishes came in boxes of powdered laundry detergent. But I'm not sure if I'm
remembering the brand name correctly.  Do any of you remember?
On the outside of the box was an indication of what was inside. These were my
dishes when newly married, gathered one at a time when soap was
bought. First, the necessary ones of course 2 plates, then 2 bowls,
then 2 dessert plates, and so on. When we were first married my
husband earned $1.25 an hour working for a landscape contractor.
They couldn't work on rainy days, and often started out, only to return
after a part day. It rains a lot in N.E. in the summer!!!!
Their clients ranged from Haverhill, Ma. to Concord, Ma. where they did the
yard of Mr. Crocket who was just beginning the Victory Garden show on
PBS!

Sunday Quotes...partly cloudy...warm

The heart is like a treasure chest, that's filled with souvenirs.
It's there we keep the memories we gather
through the years!
  Author unknown

Special Day Pancakes....Sunny,cooler

Special Day Pancakes or Waffles
These take a little more time to make but are worth it. Serve with fruit.

1 1/2 cup buttermilk
3 egg yolks
1/4 cup melted shortening
1 1/2 cup sifted flour
1 tab. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
pinch salt
3 egg whites, beaten stiff

Combine 1st three in bowl. Sift dry ingredients into large bowl, then stir in wet mixture (don't beat) only until smooth.
Fold in egg whites gently and cook on hot griddle or waffle iron, browning both sides.

 

Baby Goats...coming soon.... Sun 30's

Here's Thimbilena, doesn't she look suspicious of me?
She's due before the middle of March, just a month away and even though she may not look very big to you, she's bigger than last year when she had her first kids, twins.
 Last year her nieces, Tempest and Gale were born the third week in March during
quite a storm. You can read that post HERE   (By the way they are still here looking for a new
LOVING home!)
We're hoping this March event will be quiet and during the day, PLEASE.
Anyway in the meantime we're working on her mother's book about dealing with humans.
Hope to have a copy to show you soon. :)

And the answer is..... sunny and cold

A clover cutter  for poultry

Nostalgia Guessing Game...Windy...50's

 

Welcome to our "NOSTALGIC NOD TO YESTERYEAR" guessing GaMe/Sharin' day........................ https://www.facebook.com/jonquiljunction/photos/a.811988788827390.1073741828.810022969023972/1352515678108029/?type=3&theater
DETAILS: Every Wednesday we'll have a picture of
an old timey object, one which few if any, still use. We want you to comment with your guess as to what it is and what it was used for! You can guess more than once but each guess needs to be in a separate comment.
If you have a FB page you may tag it as part of your answer! We'd love it if you'd S.H.A.R.E too so more people can join in!
The post will stay up from 8am Wed. till 8am Thurs. When we'll reveal the answer! All correct answers will be saved and entered into a random drawing on Thursday February 25th, the winner will get a F*R*E*E digital download of our Everything Season Cookbook!

 

 

Snippets & Snatches....Clear....50's

Even though it is 71* as I sit down on the last day of January to write this account, when the weather man mentioned threat of a storm this coming week andsaid sleet/snow/ice with a low temp of 31* was possible.
I remembered I hadn't told you in detail yet of the ICE STORM of 2009.
Seeing  where the anniversary of the beginning of this event was just this past week I decided it was a  good time! I alluded to it here with my Snippet about the defrosting garlic http://jonquiljunction.blogspot.com/search?q=garlic
This storm occurred the last couple of days of January and what a doozy!
The weather man (I can still see his face) talked all day long about the danger
of what we MIGHT be in for.
So when you live in a remote location, your preparedness level rises
with every broadcast. Haul more wood, water, wrack your brain is there  
anything you can't do without for a few days?
Fill the kerosene lanterns, move hay closerto the pens.
Secure the vehicles from debris, secure the animals, etc.etc.etc.
Well during the early evening he stood there on the 6 o'clock broadcast and said
 "folks this will be a significant EVENT, up to 3/4" accumulation of ice!"
At 10 o'clock my husband, who thought I was worrying more than need be, stood outside for a few minutes, came back in and said "it's only raining out there and feels mild, it won't be too bad"
We went to bed and awoke to the sound of cannons!
First one, then another, and then the realization that what we were hearing were trees cracking.
It never quit, all night. 
We laid there until daybreak and looked out on a sight we
never imagined. Thick ice on EVERYTHING and downed trees everywhere.
And many limbs that started to tear loose but didn't, we call them
hangers, hanging from high up in the tree. All the next day and night we listened to this, which just added to the devastation we were seeing.
No way to remove them, and to this day you can still see many that have not let go.
Anyway, our driveway was 1/8 mile through the woods,
and it took the two of us 3 days to remove enough of the wood to be able to use it. That was only cutting and throwing aside, with the unhappy prospect of returning to actually clean up the mess at a later date.
Then we started on our end of a 4 mile gravel road, which others were likewise working on.
There was no point in calling for help as the damage was widespread and everyone was in the same mess. Every able bodied man who owned a chainsaw was out working from daylight to dark. First they cut themselves out, then they went to those who needed help the most, those who were sick or unable to cut themselves out!
Of course the electricity had left during the night so
now how to deal with food supplies became my concern.
 Don't open the door to the freezer, cover it with a wool blanket, and wonder how long before power is back on.
When my daughter and her husband drove 3 miles along the ridge leading to our house, before turning around (still 6 miles from our house) because the higher you got the worse the damage and reported that EVERY power pole along the road was snapped off, we got an idea just how bad it was!
Eventually a neighbor said "they're saying 6 weeks". What a letdown that was!!
The good news was it warmed right up after the EVENT, which meant working outside wasn't too bad. The bad news was it warmed right up after the EVENT, so how could you saveyour frozen food? Not by putting it outside, like other times, not by bringing in pans of ice to make an ice chest.
Eventually we lost it all. Some other folks cooked and canned all theirs, but with the animal chores and the chainsaw chores ( my husband needed my help to throw all those limbs/trees he was cutting out of the road off the chicken pens, etc...) I couldn't do that.
Well the dogs got meat, and the chickens ate a lot of fruit and vegetables.
On day 20 I saw the electric truck go up the road to the last house on
our road. Then I saw him go back by. NOTHING. The next day I saw that
neighbor and asked him when they said it might be back on. He got the
strangest look on his face and said "we got it last night".
Well they had forgot us!!!! just drove right by.
Boy you can imagine how quickly a
phone call was made! ( We never lost our landline, which did help
a lot at least we didn't loose communication with the outside world! )
Anyway, 21 days of no power, of the house settling in to
darkness at 3 p.m. (we face north) of stumbling around with 3 kerosene
lanterns to barely light the way enough to do all household tasks. (I'll bet in the "old" days people didn't have house cats, especially 6! when they used kerosene, I was constantly watching them for fear they would knock one over!)
The coziness of the lamp light had long worn off, and we were ready to be re-electrified!
One of my great regrets is that with all the extra work (on top of an already full farm schedule!) I only took TWO pictures the whole time! And they were on  ancient 35mm film, that is yet to be converted to digital!
Living so far from town and so high up we were out longer than some , but I know of other families that were out 20 days also, There isn't a person in our neck of the woods that doesn't have a story about THE ice storm of 2009, Some people even moved to town over it! (town was ONLY out of power for 10 days!)