Happy Birthday to my Brother -- Brett!!!

I'm so lucky to have a big brother -- Although I don't get to see him often -- He's on my mind and in my heart.  I'm learning to reminisce and enjoy the memories of younger days.

Beautiful Day and Working Inside

Saturday morning started beautifully.  Cool 65 degrees.  Opened all the windows and started cleaning and vacuuming window seals, baseboards and any corner where Halloween décor was building.  Yes, seems this time of year, we end up with small spider webs in every corner, nook and cranny. This lead to a conversation - "what do you want to do today?" 

Last weekend we gardened outside in +90 degree temps.  This weekend, the project after cleaning, we worked indoors, laying temporary flooring in our back door foyer until we can start kitchen / bathroom renovations.  The new flooring will need to go throughout the full area -- but I was tire of walking on concrete fiber board and carpet remnants and tripping on where thresholds are supposed to be. 

Although, temporary, a nice change to the back entrance.    

Dinner out, hot tea on the porch w/the cats and dog - looking forward to a full moon, COOL night's sleep with all the windows open.

Nice Sweet Pecan Recipe -- Pecan Pie Bars

SO SIMPLE!!!  -- I doubled the recipe and used an 17.2 x 11.2 x 1.5" baking dish for the Alamo Area Beekeeping Association meeting on 9/17/2013.  I'll post any feedback / results of the dish. 

Credit goes to Robyn @ Add a Pinch.com  -- Below copied from Robyn's site so I won't lose her recipe in case she ever takes her blog/site down. 

http://addapinch.com/cooking/2011/11/23/southern-pecan-pie-bars/#.Ujdp40go5_9

Oh boy, do I have a treat to share with you! These Pecan Pie Bars are absolutely scrumptious and something I think you’ll want to make soon!

The shortbread crust topped with pecan pie makes an impressive addition to any holiday table or for entertaining.

Now, I love a good pie crust, but this shortbread crust is a delicious change with pecan pie that I think you might just love, too. Light, flaky, and so very easy to make that even if you are pie crust challenged, you can whip out these pecan pie bars and impress your guests.

Southern Pecan Pie Bars

 

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

45 mins

Total time

1 hour

 

A delicious recipe for Pecan Pie Bars with a shortbread crust.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup confectioner’s sugar

For the Pie:

• 3 eggs
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• ½ stick butter, melted
• pinch salt
• 2 cups pecans

Instructions

For the Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 350º.
2. Mix together butter, flour, and confectioner’s sugar.
3. Press into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking pan.
4. Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.

For the Pie:

1. Beat eggs. Add sugar and mix.
2. Add corn syrup, salt and vanilla.
3. Mix in melted butter.
4. Add pecans and pour onto crust.
5. Bake 30 minutes until golden brown.

A restful weekend -- Not on this farm!

Saturday started early back and forth to the Kendall County Brush and Mulch facility where we loaded and unloaded 7 more loads of mulch for the garden.  Temperatures are still up into the mid 90's so an early start was required. Hot, dusty work - but will be worth it when the garden delivers.

Sunday early start too:  spreading the 7 loads of mulch out.  Mostly has to be done by hand (pitchfork is my tool of choice).  Still a few bare areas; so this means another Saturday weekend hauling mulch.

We did make it to the nursery and got our fall veggies; cauliflower, broccoli, kale, red and green cabbage, bib leaf lettuce and mustard greens.  I'm sure we'll get some more in the ground later; but this is a good start.

Will keep you posted on the goodies.

Good Bye - Sierra and her two doelings!

Another sad day to say goodbye to one of the sweetest breeds of goats I've ever met.  The Saanen breed is so friendly, quite and gentle.  Never had to worry about her head-butting any humans.

Our girl, Sierra has given us several kids of the past several years.  All were white with patches of tan or black.  She was the best mother, never having difficultly with birth; or getting her kids on milk and keeping up with her. 




2011 - Sierra gave us the first twin Saanen/Pygmy mix doelings (Pearl & Opal)

2012 - Pearl kidded triplets:  Saanen-Pygmy / Toggenburg-Nubian mix (2 girls - 1 boy)
2012 - Sierra kidded triplets: Saanen / Toggenburg-Nubian mix (2 boys - 1 girl)
2012 - Opal kidded twins:  Saanen-Pygmy / Toggenburg-Nubian mix (2 boys)
2013 - Sierra kidded triplets again:  Saanen / Nubian mix  (2 girls - 1 boy)

A total of 15 goats in 3 seasons - where she was either the mom or grand-mom!!!

I hated to get rid of her, but, if we are going to stick with one breed to avoid the mix breeding drama - Nubians seem to be the way we  should go.