Winter Magic

 

  Some people dread the snow. It has to be shoveled and it's awful to drive in but when it comes on a weekend when you don't really have to leave the house for anything special what's not to love about it?  Last night just after dinner as we settled into our snug for the night we watched the rain turn to snow for the first time this year. Giant snowflakes fell like feathers glistening in the glow of our front porch light. I don't know when it finally stopped snowing I just knew It would be beautiful outside when I got up today.  And, it was!

 Boz and Max went out to shovel and took a walk about around the garden and then a short trek on the trails in the woods across from our house.
 

The raised beds look pristine under a bright blue sky letting dapples of light through the trees.

Oak Leaf Hydrangea

Lady Banks Rose

 I wish Max enjoyed the snow more! :) Sorry for the indecent exposure shot...He's shameless when it comes to  playing in the snow!

He's giving Boz, " the look ".  Corgis are bossy in the most charming way! I swear this dog can talk me into just about anything with just a glance.

 Bred to herd, corgis can run very fast with their little pork-chop legs. He asked for  a flock of sheep  for Christmas but we just don't have the room in our suburban farmyard. In stead we gave him a little stuffed lamb to dissect while we opened our presents on Christmas day. Hardly an equal substitue but he took it quite well. See photo below: HAPPY MAX

 Later in the morning I went out to check on the girls!

They needed fresh food and water and all were accounted for. They are all done molting and have their new feathers in for winter.

The green house has survived Hurricane Sandy and the Nor' Easter that followed her.  It's also held up very well in high winds so far due to the fact that Boz anchored it down very well when he put it up last year. 

 As for Max, well, he's just tickled that he got to go for a run with papa and play in the snow today and I have to admit, I was ready for some winter magic. What better way  to usher in the new year than fresh fallen snow?

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 89

Happy Farmgirl Friday # 89 friends! 

 It's where we gather to flaunt our farmgirl/boy spirit every Friday no matter what! I hope you're all enjoying a little break after Christmas! We are taking it easy and dreaming up new things to do in 2013!Can't wait to share all the fun plans we have in a future post.. But, for now it's jammies and slippers time. I bet you're cooking up some wonderful things too! 

Farmgirls love anything to do with homesteading, keeping chicken's, embroidering, sewing, knitting, spinning, quilting, natural home remedies for health care and cleaning, horses, goats, cows, organic gardening and cooking, caring for their loved ones and friends and are community minded. Re-purposing and UP-cycling are high on their list of " fun things to do too! "FARMBOYS like to join in from time to time and we are glad to have'm.

  Your Farmgirl Friday Hostesses are:
Heidi of My Simple Country Living
Dolly of Hibiscus House and me of course!

You know, I get such a thrill out of hosting this blog hop because you make it so much fun! I've been paging my way through last weeks entries with my best friend and constant companion.

Here are Max's picks for last week! 

Let This Mind Be in You  shared her saggy shelves in her food pantry. This made Max a little nervous because he hates to see any food go to waste. Especially after all of the hard work that goes in to producing, cooking and canning! Any ideas for propping up these saggy shelves?

Heather of Scratch Cradle blog shared some outstanding chicken snow day images... Max  really enjoyed them too because they reminded him of his Cottage Hens in the snow too! Last but certainly not least Mindy of Purposefully Simple blog shared a fabulous paper flower tutorial for the Bloggers Unite for Cookies and Crafts for Sandy Hook. A tribute to the entire Newtown, CT. community.

Max says thank you Mindy for your generous heart and he really likes your flowers too. You didn't know he enjoys crafting did you? Wait a minute, maybe it's being crafty he enjoys? Either way, Max and I thank all of you for your wonderful entries! 

Now, it's your turn to link up for yet another, weekly dose of farmgirl soul food!

 Here are the rules for the Farmgirl/guy Blog Hop!

1.) Write a post about your farmgirl lifestyle and brag a little about your farmgirl talents while your at it! Share what being a farmgirl means to you. Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals,  quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea!

2). Leave your entry in the  Linky tools space to your  Farmgirl Friday post.

3). Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends!
4.) Enter up to three entries per hop! 

 DON'T BE SHY~  

Be sure to leave a note if you're new to the hop!

We want to get to know you better! 
Have a great week and I'll see you on the hop! 
 Thanks to all who participate and welcome new linker- uppers!

 If you haven't clicked that follow button yet, please join us and be sure to stop by our FACEBOOK page and like us there too!  If this is your first visit, come on back and join the hop!

Thank you all for your continued participation! I'll see you on the hop!
Love,
Deb 

PS. Don't forget about YOUR Farmgirl Friday Recipe Box on Pinterest! I'm adding new recipes each week!  It's become a terrific resource for meal planning here at Dandelion House!

MOM -AN -MY- WAFFLES

  "And in the morn'in I'm mak'in waffles!" Does this phrase ring a bell?  It's from the movie Shrek for those of you who might have missed in when it came our a few years back. We adopted it for our very own the minute we heard it because Boz really does make waffles!  His waffles ( a combined recipe that started out as his mothers and he has embellished over the years, hence the name MOM- AN- MY- WAFFLES) are always a welcomed treat in our house especially during the holidays.  People have been known to drive for miles for one of his waffle breakfasts!  They're nice and fluffy, with just the right amount of crispness on the edges. You've got to try them!

 MOM AN MY WAFFLES

3 1/2CUPS FLOUR
2 TABLESPOONS BAKING POWDER
1 TABLESPOON GRANULATED SUGAR
1/2 TEASPOON BAKING SODA
1/4 CUP GRAPE NUTS CEREAL ( SET ASIDE )

4 EGGS ( FARM FRESH IF YA GOT'M )
3 CUPS MILK
2/3 CUP BUTTER
1/2 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT

Combine Dry ingredients ( EXCEPT GRAPE NUTS) .
Melt butter and warm milk, combine with vanilla.
Separate egg whites from yolks, adding 3 yokes to wet mixture and beat wet mixture.
Mix wet into dry- do not over mix batter.

Whip egg whites until stiff, fold into batter.

Pour on hot ( oiled ) waffle iron and lightly sprinkle some grape nuts cereal on top prior to closing down the lid. Cook until steam ceases to escape from iron.

 " FIRST BATCH IS UP "! 

 TOPPINGS~   Boz says, " there is no need to add butter" .  I beg to differ darlin'. We ( the kids and I ) smother them in butter, homemade syrup, cream cheese, strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and sometimes nuts. NO, not all at once! Oh wait, I take that back. I think it's been tried it at least once...wink, wink.

 Any number of fruit toppings or a warm compote would be tasty we just happen to love strawberries!

 STRAWBERRY SAUCE~  
One bag of frozen strawberries partially thawed, ( or one large basket of fresh strawberries ).
Place strawberries in blender.
Add 2 Tablespoons of granulated sugar.
1/4 cup of water.
Blend until smooth. 

  MOMANMY WAFFLES are perfect for a slow weekend or holiday breakfast.
Waffles for Dinner? Oh ,yeah... we've had many waffle Sunday suppers!

Sharing with Tilly's Nest Down Home Blog Hop !