end of the weekend :(

Well it is Sunday evening again,the snow is falling in big wet flakes. In Southern Maine we have about 1 inch on the ground. I love Sundays but I hate saying good bye to the week end, and my time at home. It is very trying times for so many people ,I am thankful to have a full time job with a good company but I love being home. Bob is on the sofa watching football and Lager is at his feet.Friday I bought a freezer package from the local butcher, and Bob and I wrapped everything it was nice to fill the freezer.Soon the freezer pig will be ready and we will add him as well. Saturday,was sunny and nice both paddocks got cleaned out. Bob is delivering all the manure to the potato fields over at the club, to be spread in the spring. Lager likes to run alongside the tractor,he is getting very tall and his posture shows his Rottweiler pride.Today Bob and I went to Tractor supply,we bought Lager a bigger choke a new bucket that hangs on the wall for Joey and pig ,chicken and rabbit feed. In the past Joey ate from a grain bucket on the floor but the hens were getting more of his meal then he was.I purchased a "better" laying pellet for the hens. We are getting 2 eggs a day, I would LOVE to get 4. The NEW , better feed was 1.50 more then what I was feeding, but if they produce more eggs it will be worth it.

Thinking about the Menu?

Winter Strougles

It is a huge challenge as we continue to strive to buy local and eat local.We are currentley at only 40-50%local, we were at 80-90 this summer. One more challenge realized in the winter,in Maine and I suspect all of New England. We had periods of sunshine on Sunday and again today. Today's high temperature was 32.At the moment it is very cold 11, almost everyone is in the barn. Bob and Lager are on the sofa. The drop in wind and the rise in temperatures is a blessing for the animals and people at Hooves and Hounds.The local news reports we have gained 20 minutes. The chickens have been able to get outside a couple times this week. In total we have collected six fresh eggs from our four hens in five days,not great odds. On Sunday I worked on my bread making,with a Portuguese sweet bread. The suggested temperature for rising dough is 68,a temperature our house has not seen in some time. On Tuesday I picked up our fourth winter CSA,the halfway point. This weeks share had lots of carrots,parsnips,apples some red and white onions, frozen blue berries and fresh cider however I was most excited by the Organic Sunflower Oil and Maine Sea Salt.Our CSA is from Wolf Pine Farms, the sea salt www.maineseasalt.com and the oil from Henrys Organic Oil. Our summer came from the production of one local garden , our winter share comes from a number of local farmers who join together.The summer share was weekly and the winter share is picked up every three weeks.On Sunday I also made a roasted chicken, I wanted a turkey however the fresh local Turkey was in my opinion over priced. Anyway I roasted a chicken , partly so that I would be able to make broth and then soup. I made a soup last night with lots of the garden share veggies, Kale from the freezer and turkey meat balls. This weeks menu will be a challenge, I am at a lost for fresh ideas and Saturday is card night hmm.I have two trays of sprouts on the counter to add to Lagers meals.

-8 to 21

Winter cold! When we woke and started chores it was very, very cold. We brought the big boys into their barn and they had ice in their whiskers, as you walked the frozen snow crunched under foot.I thought they might never want to go back outside. We took blankets off, and fed breakfast before going to get a second cup of coffee. The Belgians were in for a couple hours and napped, then we put them back outside. By eleven the sun was bright,Bob and I went and got a truck load of hay.By noon Nickel and Jake were toasty worm and ready to enjoy paddocks.I made another attempt at making bread,I am still struggling.I am loving King Arthur's Flour,the web sight and products are nice.However even with the products, I do not have great results. I am going to try two more times then I am going to go with plan B ,finding a local who can make nice bread.

Naked Belgians

Today was a beautiful,clear and sunny winter day in Maine. I was finally able to get lots of the paddock cleaned up,and strip the Belgians naked. Nickel and Jake have had blankets on sense last weeks storm.Bob and I blanket them as little as possible. Less blanketing builds tolerance, is more natural and encourages a healthy coat.When the temps. (or wind chills) go into the negative numbers we blanket. One of the issues with blanketing Belgians,is once they are blanketed they tend to get very heated up and even sweat.Once they sweat you have to find the perfect time to disrobe avoiding a chill. Today was that perfect time!The sun was shining and the wind was still, time to disrobe. Look how sexy they are Ala natural , no halter no blanket just beautiful naked Belgians.I'm in love,still.

Five Months

Lager is now 5 months old and 60lbs He is really learning his way around the farm.he has a little routine. Lager likes to go into the barn and seek out Kitty, and rub against her. Playtime with Elvis has become part of the daily routine so has kissing Nick under the fence.Spring will bring new adventures.

Morning Siesta

Taking these photo's made me late to work,but these boys are awesome!They know where it's at, they eat their big breakfast before the sunrise ,graze on some hay and then a morning nap.

Feeling Pent Up

Yay temps in the 40's a heat wave , everyone got out to run , jump , pee and slobber!You have to know blood hounds to understand.Our bloodhounds were beginning to get a bit pent up. I have been trying to give each of them time at night to take each one for a long walk and a run around the barn , but they are pent up. The daily temps have been 30 and below and the wind has been active so they are not getting the 8 and 9 hours outside that they are accustom to.They love there outside time, but I worry especially of Huck. Look at this pack how cute,Farlap Bloodhounds posted this picture

Book Review

OK I do not post allot of book reviews , because I do not read a lot of books. I read tons of magazines. The thing is magazines are easier to read one page at a time over a period of time,good for a bizzy schedule.I love books and have a nice collection of cook books, I like books that teach things.I struggle with novels because I do not have lots of time or retention to get me from beginning to end. But I love this book I got for Christmas, I have read it from cover to cover. It is a reference book, one you could just pick up and read a page or two and put down if you have self control. However I carried it back and forth to work and enjoyed every page.The book covers one of my favorite subjects homesteading and much of what goes into that. Tonight I plan to one of the bread recipes, I need to get powdered milk.

Graduation

Bob and I have found it to our advantage to have a mannerly dog.This has proven to be especially true with a Rottweiler.When you take your Rottweiler out in public you face a bit of stereo type,they get a bad rap.When raising a Rottweiler you have to start before you bring him home with a good breeder,one who cares about the breed and socializes their pups. We selected Lager from www.Giantrotts.com, if you visit the sight you see happy healthy pups interacting with humans of all ages. It is our belief that there are bad owners but not bad dogs. Basic commands will make your dog a better canine citizen. Bob and I just completed puppy kindergarten classes with the Lager, it gives him a good start, future training will be built on this foundation. This was a class that accepts puppies from two to five months of age, it offers lots of play time. It takes about two months to complete the class. The instructor Amy covered the basics: sit, heel, down and recall or come. There are definite advantages to each. Sit and heel are great helps when walking your dog. Who needs a puppy that walks between your legs,tripping you as you carry hay or grain. We are working to have Lager walk like a gentleman on our left side. The recall is very important if your dog either escapes from the yard or breaks his leash and you need to call him back.Our Rottweiler Lancer listened to Bobs tone of voice as well as commands. If Bob called him Lance, would judge his tone of voice and decide what speed to return to his side. Remember, it is essential to have an obedient Rottweiler. Bob would call Lance, Lance would come running and Bob would say "that might save his life one day". We want Lager to have every chance at success and a long happy life, as well.

Snowy Sunday

Snowy Sunday in Maine LOTS to get done before the Pats game.

Two Cheese Braciola w Sunday Gravy

A three day week end of snow, is the perfect excuse to cook!
Friday the First of January I made
two cheese braciola with 'Sunday Gravy"
You purchase a Flank Seak
pound it flat ( I used a rolling pin)
top with 1/4 c Parmesan Cheese
1tsp Basil
1tsp Oregano
Layer of Prosciutto
Layer of Provolone Cheese
Salt and Black Pepper
Olive Oil
roll as tight as you can and secure with butchers twine (I had no twine used a skewer)
Sear outside of rolled steak in oil in heavy pan ( I used cast iron)
Transfer rolled steak to crock pot
De glaze the pan with
3/4 cup wine scraping bits in the bottom to reduce until 1 TBSP.pour into blender
Add 1 can tomatoes28oz diced onion , carrot and celery 4 cloves garlic puree. ( I used hand held blender.
Pour into crock pot cook 4hr high 8hr low
Remove meat to rest
Boil pasta
mix pasta with tomato gravy in crock pot
slice beef serve over pasta sprinkled with Parmesan.

How many can you name?

Tracks in the snow