On the Tenth Day of Winter

The sky was clear and beautiful.

It was a very busy day yesterday, we started by feeding the neighbors cows since he was out of town for the day. It sure was nice to be around the cows. Don't get me wrong, I like our sheep, but I sure miss the steers and I'm ready for when they come back again. After chores we continued our digging out from the storm on Christmas.  Over the last few days we finally got dug out from around the house and sheds enough to start clearing a "road" back to the pasture.  Then we were able to put the sheep back where they belong... until the next storm comes along.

Feeding the cows.

Bill and I patiently waiting in the feed truck while JM clears a road in front us.

Gus waiting to help us move the sheep.

Unstuffed Green Peppers

simple and easy in one pan

1 Cup Green Peppers, diced (fresh or frozen)

1 lb. Ground beef

1/3 C Onion, diced

1 C Crushed tomato, undrained (or whatever kind you have around)

1/3 Cup White Rice, uncooked

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp Basil

1/2 Cup Water

1 Cup Shredded cheddar

Pepper and salt to taste

Brown meat and onion, drain.

Stir in tomatoes, rice, Worcestershire, basil, water, salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 18-20 until rice is tender.

Stir in 1/2 cup cheese and peppers, top with remaining cheese.

Bake in 350 degree oven, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

(If not using a cast iron skillet prepare the rice mixture in a sauce pan and then pour into a casserole dish before putting in the oven.)

On the Fifth Day of Winter: Christmas

The snow started blowing.

It started Christmas morning and it hasn't quit yet. The drifts just keep getting bigger and bigger, I hope it lets up soon. I'm glad after opening presents yesterday we decided to moved the sheep and horses into sheds.  Getting to the sheds now to check on the sheep is tough but we can get it done.

As of this morning we are doing alright.

Bill trying to figure
out what's going on.









The snow is just
as bad in the front
of the house. Luckily
we have a side door
so we can get out.


Snow drifted up
to the roof on
the two story
horse barn.




 Big drifts.

On the Third Day of Winter

It snowed.

All that snow piled on top of the frost and the power went out. We had a couple hours when it came back on so I was able to publish my post and do a few things around the house in anticipation of it going out again...and it did, but it's back on this morning
The power outage put a damper on some of my holiday baking but I got the soup stock made since our stove top is propane.  Soup for Christmas is a very important tradition in my family.  My mother's side is Italian so we've always had Cappelletti soup for Christmas (and Ravioli on Thanksgiving) along with all the regular fixins. I planned on getting the Cappelletti made yesterday but I'll be doing it today.
I think my Great Grandma would be proud to know her family traditions are still being upheld even if I have to make soup with no power just as she did.
 

Great-Grandma Rita

On the Second Day of Winter

Everything grew fur.

Yesterday had a cold frost that hung in the air all day and clung to everything. I think it's the longest "frost fur" I have ever seen. I'm surprised our power is still on with all that weight hanging on the lines. We've had a lot of flickering so we'll see if it stays on.
My hens haven't been laying many eggs on account of it being winter, cold, and their age. But I think they must know I need some eggs for my Christmas baking because today I got 4 eggs. Recently I've only been getting 1 or 2 a day.
I helped JM with morning feeding, spent half the day mending jeans, then did odds and ends around the house. In the evening we went to a neighbors for some penny poker. I lost all my money, twice, but then JM won the "all in" pot in the last hand so we made out all right.

This was early in the day, we have "frost fur" as long as 3 inches now.

Favorite White Loaf Bread

This homemade bread recipe makes good toast.

2 Pkg Yeast
1/2 Cup Warm Water, 110-115 degrees (use an instant read thermometer)
3 1/2 Cups lukewarm Milk or Potato Water
1/4 Cup Sugar
1 Tbsp Kosher Salt
1/4 Cup Butter, room temperature
10-12 Cups Bread Flour
     (Sometimes I substitute 3 cups of whole wheat flour for some of the bread flour)

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar taken from the 1/4 cup of sugar, set aside to proof.
Combine milk, sugar, salt, and butter in a large bowl.
Add 4 Cups of flour and mix well.
Add yeast and beat well with whisk until smooth and spongy.
Work in the rest of the flour, then knead until smooth, about 10 minutes.
Round up in a greased bowl, cover and let rise until double, about an hour and a half.
Punch down and knead a little.
Shape into 3 loaves, place in greased (and corn-mealed, if you like) bread pans.
Let rise until double, about an hour.
Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes.
If the top of the loaf starts getting too brown during baking, loosly set foil over top of loaves.

On the First day of Winter

It rained.
I spent the day indoors making bread and almond roca, then vacuuming and laundry. Continued on with some ranch bookkeeping, then finally cooked a supper of fish and baked potatoes. Meanwhile, the dogs waited patiently for JM to return from his outside work.
Not very exciting but I feel like I accomplished a lot yesterday.

Yesterday

All our ewes are (hopefully) bred so we gathered all our sheep and sorted off some of the thin ones and tagged some that had been missed. Our thin ones will be put in a small area close to the house where we can give them some extra groceries. They can also be used to help us get Dott started on her training.  After we were done the big bunch went to the pasture with the artesian well so no more chopping ice, except for the horses. Looks like it will be just in time because our nice weather is coming to an end.

Went to town yesterday to pick up our pup, Dott, from the vet. She got fixed so we are supposed to keep her inactive for 5 days. Ha! Trying to keep a border collie inactive, especially when there's a million other dogs around, nearly impossible. It's like trying to keep a fish from swimming.
On our way to town I also got our Christmas packages mailed out. I'm glad I finally got that out of the way. Everyone got homemade candy this year since it's budget friendly to make. Hopefully my hands will recover within a few weeks from all that stirring and rolling.

Dott is not happy about sitting around inside.

The Chinook is Here

JM and I spent Tuesday working sheep for shearing at a neighbors and of course it had to be cold because we had to be outside all day. But then yesterday the wind turned to a Chinook and warmed up. It was beautiful! Today should hopefully be more of the same, I'm going to enjoy it while I can.

Chinook Wind Tidbits

• Loma, Montana holds the United States record for the greatest recorded temperature change from chinook winds. On January 15, 1972 the temperature went from -56F to 49F in less than 24 hours.
• “Chinook”, derives its name from a word in the language of the Chehalis Indian Tribe. In their language chinook means “snow-eater”.
• Most Chinook winds are accompanied by a wide band of flat clouds that hover at high altitudes. This can provide great scenes for photo bugs.
• Unfortunately, when the chinook wind recedes, winter usually comes back full force. 

Enjoying the warm weather while feeding corn to a small group of our ewes that are selected for a different breeding plan than the rest of our ewes.

Winter is Here

We haven't had much winter weather since our October snowstorm but yesterday winter finally came back. There hasn't been much snow accumulation but it's been cold and blowing to near white-out conditions. We've had to break ice for the animals every morning for the last week and now we are out breaking a couple times a day. In a couple weeks we can move the ewes to a pasture with an artesian well that we won't have to break open, I'm looking forward to that!

Sheep and Chickens

Our loan was approved so we are now officially in sheep business. It's been a busy whirlwind around here getting the bucks, hay, and corn in.
I'm also excited because when I got back from my trip to St. Louis JM surprised me with new laying hens that he got from a guy he was day-riding for. Then he built a new coop closer to the house to try and keep these chickens safer from the raccoons that ate my last hens.