Happy New Year

From my front porch to yours, best wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.

Many thanks to all of you who read, comment, or refer to my blog.  I appreciate the time you take out of your day to pay me a visit.  

Post Roast Sliders

At the present moment I seem to be drowning in beef products. Really, there are worse problems I could be having. I have been trolling the internet, and my beloved Pinterest, in search of new recipes for beef. You know, the type of recipes that make my family say, "Wow Mom, you are the best cook ever."  Or....something similar.  

So, I took out my beloved crock pot and placed a three pound roast inside of it with the following recipe: 

1 cup beef broth

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon red pepper

4 cloves garlic, chopped 

I let it cook all day on low and had a very successful roast for the supper hour.  And, this prompted me to save the leftover liquid,and beef,  for sliders.....I love them.  

After skimming off the congealed fat, (icky), I mixed a small amount of the liquid with cornstarch to thicken my mixture.  Then, I added it to the rest of the liquid in my pan.  

I added the shredded beef to the warming liquid and allowed it to come to a low boil. 

And then, I plated myself up a little slider....or two, since no one else was home :)

Yes, it was good and I offered to share when everyone else came home.  

Dirty, Dirty Jobs

I am all for women's liberation and all of that, but I have to say that there are times when I have the excuse of doing laundry. 

Typically, in our household, the chores are somewhat divided.  I do laundry, cooking, etc..., and Secret Agent Man does a lot of the farm chores. 

After catching him working on the fence, with a sideways hat and distressed face, I was even more than glad that I had, "household", chores to do. 

I am glad to say that he has The Deerslayer to help him out at times like these. 

Does this mean that when The Deerslayer moves out I will have to hold the post/use the drill?  

Oh dear....

Thoughtful Thursday

Ahhhhhhh.......nothing like Christmas in the tropics.  Okay, so it was just the Sunshine State, but it was in the seventies, warm, and delightful.  

Time spent with family during the holidays makes me feel blessed beyond measure.  Add safe travels on top of that and well.....life seems very excellent. 

Merry Christmas

I will be scarce in the blogging world for the next few days as I spend time with family and friends.  

I would like to take a moment and wish all of you the best that Christmas has to offer.  

~Michelle~ 

Here We Are

If you are reading this, you survived the end of the world prophecy made by the Mayans. 

I made it through the entire day with the prophecy hanging over my head and the winter solstice shortening the day.  

It's all good here in the farmette neighborhood. 

Thoughtful Thursday

I am simply wishing for a white Christmas.  

Nothin' But Gray Skies Do I See

Gray skies are everywhere today. Maybe not so unusual for December, but they seem to produce nothing but rain. Heavy downpours, thunder, lightning, and darkness permeated the day. 

Having just read, Flight Behavior, it reminded me of the main character's dilemma with the weather.  The constant rain in Appalachian, in months when winter should have taken hold. 

Weather that plays with the delicate balance of life in all areas. 

The afternoon found some wet dogs around the farmette. 

The rains did cease with an afternoon of golden light.  Just for the briefest of moments. 

I even caught a friend posing. 

For an even briefer moment. 

"On the fifth day, which was Sunday, It rained very hard.  I like it when it rains hard.  It sounds like white noise everywhere, which is like silence, but not empty."  

Mark Haddon 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Race Is On

Only three days of work this week.  Already I am wondering what my students will have to say about Friday's tragedy. 

Last minute shopping this weekend for family Christmas celebrations.  

Made a batch of my homemade hot chocolate mix as gifts for friends. 

I also made this cake last night.  Mennonite Ladies really can cook.  

If you have any little ones, the Reindeer Cam is a lot of fun.  Santa even shows up to feed them :) 

Stay merry my friends.  

Taking a Moment

The events of today have shocked me beyond belief and given me pause to be enormously thankful for my family and all I have in life. 

I hope you will join me and send up prayers for those affected by the school shooting.  

Thoughtful Thursday

Though this church was erected in 1890, its congregation first requested a preacher in the year 1795.  And, this congregation still remains strong.  It sits on a corner lot on Main Street and the Neo-Colonial house to the right came on the scene in 1904.  

"This town of churches and dreams; this town I thought I would lose myself in, with its backward ways and winding roads leading to nowhere; but, I found myself instead." 

Magic in the Backyard~excerpt from American Honey

Kellie Elmore 

Where Is Your Christmas Spirit?

This gentleman has enough Christmas spirit for all of us and then some.   We should all have such a positive attitude toward our job.  I hope this puts a smile on your face today.  Enjoy! 

Simple Sunday

Today was a simple Sunday here at the farmette. No errands to run and just a couple of afternoon items to complete. Rainy, dreary, and a tad chilly, it was the perfect day for staying inside. 

Cooking and baking ruled the late afternoon. 

And, I was glad for it. 

"Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week."  

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow  

 

Pondering

Against the advice of my teenage son, I decorated a bit outside of this old farmhouse.  In his wise words, "Why do you want to decorate outside?  No one comes down our road to see it."  Now, it seems a wreath is resting on the front lawn.  A wreath that I placed on a second story window by hanging outside said window.  Now, I find myself thinking, "I could just leave it off the window...no one comes down here to see it missing."  

The cows from yesterday's post belong to my neighbor.  Ours went to...."market".  That is the delicate way to put it.  Secret Agent Man picked up the beef from the butcher and brought it all home in a black hefty bag.  Oh....the charming ways of country life.  

I would like to think that after all these years I am acclimating to country life, but maybe not.  While putting the beef in the deep freeze, I came across mystery items wrapped in paper dishes.  After inquiring Secret Agent Man let me know that they were hearts....or kidneys....or maybe tongue.  

I like 'ta died.  

They are now in the deep freeze of people who appreciate that sort of thing.  Not this city country girl.  

Peace out my friends.  

Thoughtful Thursday

"There's nothing like sitting back and talking to your cows."  

Russell Crowe 

Cold Blows the Wind

"Cold blows the wind, the frozen rain and fleecy snow descend;  for, freezing winter's come again, and so the year does end."  

So says the current Farmer's Almanac, but seriously it felt like a pleasant spring day here at the farmette.  With temps in the seventies, it was really hard to believe that December had arrived.  

The almanac forecast for my, "zone", describes my weather as turning, "unsettled", starting tomorrow.

We shall see.

If it were not for the weather, what would I blog about at times?

 

 

Wishing

Before I head out to observe a three hour softball practice, (seriously), my canine friend and I would like to wish you a great Sunday afternoon and a marvelous week ahead. 

"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down." 

Oprah Winfrey