Friday, August 10, 2012

small harvest

So where have I been? What have I been doing? Not on the computer for sure! Two good questions. Grab some Starbucks Lemon Loaf and sit down and see. Oh you don't have a Starbucks near by because you live too far in the country to do downtown and get some!? Well then just make some. It's really good!
See...
 Or just make some of these...

On the left you have Thin Mints. The right you have Tagalongs!
Oh yes I did make them too! With one of the kiddos. But my husband had the camera, so no pics of making it. If you want the recipe leave me a comment! I'll share them!
Now on with the stuff...
My SIL came over. As she and her family do lots of, and we go to her house. Anyways she was out in the barn while I was milking and she said I should show her how to milk sometime. I looked at her and smiled. "OK." I finished milking the back two quarters. Then showed her how to milk. She got down there and I was like "Oh no, now it's your turn to milk. Might just as well start now!" I moved off the stool and let her have a go at it. I had to get the camera and take a pic. She didn't want her face on there so I zoomed in on her hands.  Now I have a relief milker!! We usually wear gloves, and milk in a stainless steel pail, but I was going to dump this for the pigs so no gloves and a plastic pail!  See...

This was back in 2010 when we first got Maggie, and she came fresh. See her little bull calf in the back?! He's peeking over my shoulder. We lost him. But now have a healthy heifer from her! I've also gotten better at milking and much more comfortable milking now. I still enjoy it. I've been milking lots lately too. Takes me about 20 minutes to milk start to finish. I think that's pretty good, if I do say so myself!

 Had to bite the bullet and buy a new canner. The one I had my mom bought me at Walmart a very long time ago when I first started canning. I've been able to get replacement parts for it all along, until this year. I can no longer get parts, and I needed a gage. So I got a new one. Not at Walmart either. A hardware store and the Presto Brand, and I know I can get parts for it!  So I've been canning. Not as much as I have in past years due to the late start due to rain, and now due to lack of rain.

I've gotten some green beans. They are my favorite thing! Not much though. I'm thankful for what I have gotten so far.
And
More Garlic Dill pickles! So many cucumbers! I've also enjoyed many cucumber sandwiches too!
I also canned soup starter!

I think some of you were waiting for the recipe. I haven't forgotten! It's coming!
And

plain Summer Squash. I plan to saute onion and garlic with some E.V.O.O, then add some Kielbasa, and throw in the summer squash, this winter. When it's done I like to put some Parmesan cheese on it with some salt and pepper. yup, I like it! Something I like to eat in the summer, and figured it would be good in the winter too. Also some sort of cheese sauce if I can get the recipe! (A different recipe from the before mentioned)! Just some new ideas on what to do with the food I grow for winter. A little summer when it's cold out is nice!

Other then regular stuff like laundry, barn chores and house work that about sums it up. Haven't been to the ocean. Gotta go soon though!
I've ordered school books for the up coming school year. Yikes! I don't know if I'm ready..

7 comments:

  1. yes, recipes, please!!! That lemon loaf looks amazing! And the cookies too....can't ever have too many cookie recipes. :)

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  2. Ok, now I'm needing the lemon loaf recipe.

    But in exchange, here's cheese sauce:
    2 tbsp butter
    2 tbsp flour
    3/4 cup milk
    1 1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used Monterey Jack)
    a pinch of nutmeg

    Melt the butter, add the flour and stir until it's slightly browned. Add the milk slowly, and stir until it gets thick. I usually do this on a med-low heat. When it's thick, add the cheese and lower the heat. When the cheese is melted, add the nutmeg and stir in. It's amazingly good on summer squash. I poured it on top and set it under the broiler to brown. Beautiful!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing Jocelyn! I can't wait to try this on some summer squash. I love cheese!
      I will be posting that recipe very soon!!!!

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  3. You've been so busy this summer!

    Glad to know that you have a relief milker too!
    I've never milked a cow. My hubby grew up working at the dairy... so I guess he could show me :)

    Enjoy this weekend!

    Smiles :)

    Kerin

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  4. I've really been enjoying your posts! That takes dedication, milking by hand. Do you milk one or two times per day? A relief milker is soooooo valuable. Hang on to her! :) And one more thing...I'd love those cookie recipes! I made your Snickers Fudge a few weeks ago, and it sure didn't last long. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Two time a day we milk. My SIL is one of my closest friends, so I will hand on to her!
      I'm glad you liked the snickers fudge! It is rally good, and never lasts too long here either.

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  5. Yes, the lemon loaf please!
    Twenty minutes to milk the cow is really, really good! It takes me almost that long to milk my goat! LOL!! Nice to have a reliever in the wings too!
    I just got my pressure canner about a month ago and have only done carrots so far. Does the squash get really mushy?

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