Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Minnesota

Just keeping the woodstove filled and us warm.

Better days are coming...



Sunday, January 20, 2019

Happenings at the Sprucehaven

This morning we were greeted by 3 wolves. I got some pics (with my phone) and a small video of them. They are about 200 yards from our house so, needless to say, the hound doggies had a conniption fit!





I couldn't get them all in a picture but there were 3 all together. So, for the time being the doggies will be quarantined to the pen only. It's breeding season for the wolves so maybe for the next month or so the doggies will need to stay closer to the house.

I'm not sure what happens when it gets cold but it puts me into hyperspastic cooking mode. I wish it put me more into hyperspastic cleaning mode. Not super helpful with the new eating plan but it will pass.



Biscuits are just 2 cups self rising flour, 1/2 stick butter (cold), and some milk or buttermilk - enough to make the dough.

The bread is a good recipe but I can't link it, I can't find the link anymore. Blogger won't let me upload a pdf file either but it's basically a white bread recipe and then I used lard to oil the pans, generously. It is soft and super good! I made (but forgot to take a picture) Salisbury steak to go with it and green beans. I didn't have a recipe for Salisbury steak, just added what I thought would work.

I bake with recipes but I rarely cook with them. I can remember asking my Mom how to make certain things like how much of this or that to add and her response was, "Until it looks right." - Really? Well, now I'm doing the same thing so I guess it has come full circle.

Here's the thermometer at our place on Saturday morning - Sheesh!


That's air temp - a bit colder with windchill.

Friday, January 18, 2019

Reality Check

It is currently 8 degrees below the donut with a real feel of -18. This is definitely a downturn to what our weather this winter has been to this point. This is when the locals start flocking to warmer climates. If I were retired I can honestly say I would be joining them - UFFDA!

It all started earlier in the week when we woke up to the beauty that only a good hoar frost provides



You instinctively know that things are about to change. 2 days later we were in the deep freeze. Tonight the wind chill is supposed to reach -35.

But still we are blessed with beauty - Check out the moon dog!


Card night was a bust again - They won.

Saturday, January 5, 2019

Great day for a mini roadtrip

When I got up this morning I was greeted with this beautiful sunrise.



And that was just the beginning. It was a beautiful, warm winter day. I don't know what the warmest temp was but it was melting so...above freezing. That's good enough for me.

Plans at work fell through so we decided to get in the car and head to a nearby town to do some thrifting. We had a great time and left most of it behind for others to enjoy :)

Had a nice lunch and headed back home to get ready for card night. I made a new brownie recipe that flopped so I threw in some microwave popcorn and called it good. We watched a live feed of game cameras in Georgia while we played cards. Got to see possums, deer, and a rabbit.

P.S. They won 😝