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Blizzard Stella and other Random Ramblings

I woke up early this morning, grabbed a cup’a coffee and headed out into the Tundra-that-was-not, Blizzard Stella as they are calling it ( Same name I gave our cottage – how funny is that!) to feed the horses, rabbits and chickens. T’is true the predicted winter blizzard has just begun, and maybe I’m pushing it a little, but I don’t see this as becoming a major storm. Already the snow fall prediction has dropped. Just hoping the wind doesn’t pick up dramatically.

The horses are in for the day with clean bedding, hay and water and their breakfast grain.

Same goes for the chickens out in the coop – and the chicks on my porch are waiting for their morning treat of hardboiled egg mashed for their convenience. No, this is not cannibalism. Egg Yolk is the nourishment a chick feeds from while developing in the eggshell.

Notice the new feathers, which have sprouted practically overnight –

Saw this kitchen on FB – love everything about it.

I’m not going to spoil my day by bringing up the Orange Scream and those who continue to lie and twist and contort facts versus fiction. No… instead I will share with you a delicious lemon loaf recipe I made the other day. Apparently Starbucks has an enviable Lemon Loaf recipe. I don’t go there because I’m probably one of the few on the planet who doesn’t like Starbucks coffee – too bitter.. or something. Anyway…this recipe is delicious if you love lemon – give it a try!

Better Than Starbucks Lemon Loaf

If you like Starbucks Lemon Loaf, then you’ll love this moist, delicious Lemon cake! This easy to make recipe is loaded with delicious lemon flavor, and topped with an amazing lemon frosting.

Author: Erin @ Delightful E Made

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Serves: 10

Ingredients

1½ c. flour
1 (3.4 oz.) package, instant Lemon pudding mix
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
3 eggs
1 c. sugar
2 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. lemon extract
⅓ c. fresh lemon juice
½ c. oil
¾ c. plain Greek yogurt
zest of one lemon
Frosting:
3 Tbsp. Butter, soft but not melted
1½ c. powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom of a 5 x 9″ loaf pan with a piece of waxed paper. (With a pencil, trace the bottom of the pan on a piece of waxed paper and cut out with scissors.) Spray the pan, and waxed paper with non-stick baking spray. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, pudding mix, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With a stand or hand mixer, combine the eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, lemon extract, lemon juice, oil and yogurt. Mix until evenly combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the lemon zest, and mix until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55 minutes, or until center is fully set, and a toothpick inserted comes out crumb free.
After baking, let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the pan, invert and remove from the pan, removing the waxed paper from the bottom. Cool completely on a cooling rack.
For the frosting: Combine the butter, lemon juice and lemon extract with hand or stand mixer. Gradually add the powdered sugar, and beat until smooth and creamy. Evenly spread the frosting over the top of the loaf. Refrigerate to let frosting set completely before slicing. Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container.

Bare wood and the Egg Plant

Stella’s floors are sanded and awaiting a final coat of stain/satin finish – and then… and THEN! when the water is turned back on in April on the island (not really an island as it’s attached by land but it’s called that for some reason) … I get to furnish with all those finds I’ve been sharing with you here and decorate! I’m also looking forward to working out in the little garden areas surrounding the cottage.

After all that joyous springlike weather, today we’ve got snow, with really cold temps on the horizon and more snow, up to a foot in the coming week. Bleh. The dogs and I mope around the house on days like this – I’ll be on the computer most of the day working on two editing projects for our town.

The horses are reblanketed, K and I brought more hay down from the back barn before the snow.

The chickens who live out in the coop have their heat lamp on once again. As for the littles, they’re doing well – all have survived the first week of chickdom and that’s a good thing.

Speaking of the outdoor chicken coop… for the past few days the guys have been renovating it to accommodate the new girls once they’re old enough to join the others. I call this the Egg Plant. The sign I made for it originally rotted with rain, I’ll have to make new one.

Pepper, Ethel, Rose, Ruby and Star, among others, stood around my feet when I first let them out into the newly wired section clucking away, saying.. OMGsomethingNEWwhatisTHISawesomenessBUTisitSafewheresthetreats,Cheeriosmaybe?

I’m pretty sure by the cluster of clucks.

Chairs and Chicks and Checks and Balances

I must confess I did not have a personal caning experience with the Western Union Operator stools we picked up recently. Nope. I chickened out. When we took a closer look, it was possible I could really screw up the wood when trying to get the old embedded caning out of the seat . We found a furniture doctor in a nearby town that does caning and he did a great job. I just need to use some sort of treatment oil to keep the caning supple – tung oil is recommended or a furniture polish with high oil content.

Have you ever marveled at how birds develop so quickly from egg to flyaway? The typical wild bird takes about 21 days from the time the egg is laid in the nest till they are feathered enough to fly away from the nest. That time period does vary among species, but it’s an insane growth rate, don’t you think?

That’s K discussing Domestic Policy with Emmeline.

As for chickens – they are considered mature between the ages of 16 and 20 weeks. If you’ve experienced raising chicks, you know that their growth rate is amazing. The changes are witnessed daily. When they were day old chicks they had no wing feathers – if you look closely, just five days later, look at their wings –

I’m happy to report that Nora, Florence, Emmeline, Elizabeth, Rosa and Coco are doing well. I give them one mashed egg yolk daily with a little grit mixed in, plus they get medicated chick feed and plenty of clean water. A Heat lamp is necessary at this stage but as they mature the heat source is slowly raised and then removed before they move out to the coop.

I’m safely guessing that whether you are a supporter of the current administration or as offended as I am by them, you’re as disgusted with all the turmoil in the news regardless. When Washington is in total chaos, we all look like fools and I really, really hate that. We as a nation are collectively so much more than that circus. It does not represent We The People and yet we all will be held accountable.

Here’s a thought – All this Russia-gate crap, the denials, the accusations, all of it from both sides of the proverbial isle….. I don’t know if it holds any water. But…. why initially omit or lie about meetings, why deny Russian interference in our election process which was proven and even Agent Orange admits occurred now… Why not just release your damned tax returns so that all those who are using that as a reason they don’t trust you and believe you have Russian ties can be set to rights by your proven innocence? Isn’t that what Obama did for the Orange Scream when he accused him of not being born in America? When you are accused, you provide proof of innocence. When you refuse… who wouldn’t draw the conclusion you’re hiding something?..only natural, and so easy to set the record straight.

As for accusing the previous POTUS for illegally wiretapping your private residence before your election ON YOUR TWITTER ACCOUNT, and without providing any evidence, well.. that kind of behavior is dangerous, reckless. This man is everyone’s President – at the very least he owes the larger half that did not vote for him behavior and actions that will give us some sort of ability to be able to trust him. So far, he’s done nothing, has not provided a thread we can swing from in an effort to weave a fabric we can all respect regardless of policy views. Any man in the Presidential position owes that to all the people of this country. Ain’t happen’n from what I can see.

I have friends who voted for Agent Orange and for varying reasons. I still respect them, regardless because I understand and commiserate with their gripes about our government. The ones I don’t respect are those who will defend absolutely every single action of this new administration, no matter how intolerable it would be if it were anyone else. First, lets kill all the hypocrisy.

Chick Day!

Currently I have 13 chickens in my coop. I’m guessing about six of them no longer lay eggs due to age. Some folks would get rid of them at this point, send them off to auction in a crate or give them to a neighbor who uses them for chicken broth. (gah!). My girls are retired here on the farm and will live out their golden years in peace. There will never be a chicken in every pot on my watch!

Now, that coop is full. It’s a ten chicken coop and I have 13 living in there – they’re happy enough, but space is very limited. The Mr. has been itching to do something, as if Stellas resurrection weren’t enough, right? But that’s OK, because my chicken coop is getting an overhaul to accomodate more chicks. He feels the farm needs to function more like a farm, therefore more young chickens need to replace the older girls in the workforce around here. He did mention a fella who wanted my aging hens for his chicken broth – but then he tucked that crazy back in and all I had to do was lift a brow.

Anyway… the boys will be here this weekend ripping out some of the coop to expand it enough to house my new crew.

So you know when I heard that plan today, what I immediately went out and accomplished after barn and coop cleanup chores and before 11 a.m, right? Because lets not leave any room for someone to change their mind on this thing.

Meet Rosa, Elizabeth, Emmeline, Mary, Nora and Coco. If one of you guesses the origin of all of those names correct, I’ve got a prize for you. And if no one guesses the origin of those names, but gave it a good try and got SOME, you’re the winner – of not a chicken dinner.

Shelly

So we’ve got a little “driveway” at Stella’s roadside. It was just a dirt patch before, then became a mud hole with all the workman traffic. We debated what to do with that little area and my choice was crushed shells – I have always loved that look when I have seen it at other seaside residences. Cottages aren’t supposed to be formal in my opinion. The shells for me represent a simpler more natural look than pavement or even processed stone. Because we rarely do something without debate in this house (jeez, it’s not just the politics!) … I was under the impression I had lost out on my bid for a crushed shell driveway. Despite my pleas to keep the natural element vibe and not bring in more foreign material that would look too “processed”…. it seemed as if processed stone were going to be delivered to Stella any day, regardless.

On friday we pulled up to the cottage…. lo and behold!… my son and our friend Steve were intsalling CRUSHED SHELL! in the parking spot. THIS… is an indication that sometimes… some times….. when I stand tall and proud and loud in my attempt to do what I know is right in a situation… I am heard.

Nevertheless… she persisted.

Leaning In

T’is true, we’re in mud season and I’m doing a happy dance. New England is known for it’s erratic weather behavior and I’ve lived here long enough to know Mother Nature may throw us a few more zingers before Spring arrives, but the past few days have been lovely and tomorrow even lovelier. The Snow has melted for the most part and farm chores are a heck of a lot easier, and certainly dirtier.

I’ve been doing some spring cleaning in this late winter reprieve – paddocks mucked, horses blankets aired out, coats brushed…

..the coop has been raked out, fresh bedding replaces old, the girls wander around the yard while I work. Occasionally a hen will walk right up to me and tell me what she thinks about all the ruckus around “campus”… or that she’s waiting for me to leave so she can lay an egg in peace.

There are days when I ask my self why I have decided to continue on with all the barn and coop work for all these years – mostly when the weather is awful and I’m out in it when I’d rather be in sitting by the fire, or when the arthritis flares. But I keep coming back to the same answer – and it’s as simple as this – I love my animals. I love being around them, caring for them, they bring me peace in an ever turbulent world. They keep me grounded.

I wasn’t going there today but heck, here we are. Let me share two experiences that I have had with my animals and I suppose I need to change the post title.

I will never forget several moments I had years ago during a horrible time in our lives. My daughter had been in a car crash and had been in a coma for weeks. Her future was uncertain. The first time I came home from the hospital after the accident I laid on my bed and cried, didn’t know what else to do with myself. My littlest dog, Rudy, now deceased, laid down next to my sobbing self and wailed like I’ve never heard a dog wail. He knew I was in great pain and decided to join me in mourning.

A few weeks later, I came home from the hospital to change clothes, take a shower and go back to be with her. While home, I walked out to the barn and stood with that horse you see above… and cried. And cried.. and sobbed till I couldn’t breath. He stood in his stall with his head down, just letting me lean in. At that same time a squall had blown in. Normally, my horse would be spooked by the sudden roil of thunder and flash of lightning. This time he stood stone still. That particular storm was bizarre – very quick – torrential rain, wind, the works… five minutes start to finish. When it was over the sun shown so bright – I left Opie’s stall and walked back to the house feeling.. renewed? Recharged. The demeanor of my horse and the shock of that sudden violent storm and then the radiant sun breaking through the clouds was a message. I’m not religious but I do believe that was a message. I couldn’t know it at that moment, but the next day my daughter woke up.

So why do I continue to toil over these critters who aren’t really working farm animals as much as they are pets? It’s those relationships we forge, the connections I won’t be without. I actually feel sorry for folks who never come to know the love and companionship of an animal.

This is Bailey telling me it really is past bedtime, Mom, can’t we please go to bed now?

Till soon, friends –

Walking on Sunshine

The weather was absolutely glorious today – no jacket required. I loaded Frasier into the Jeep and we headed over to Stella’s neighborhood to get some exercise and dream a little of summer days to come..

There are approximately 140 cottages on the “island” – which is actually connected by land to the rest of the shoreline. Each is unique with it’s own charms. Some are tucked into the woods among the rock outcroppings, some are along the water. I love this one – about five doors down from Stella –

And this… one of the secrets to making a small space look grand is to add large accents – like the

double door here with transom over it and the large deck with spreadout stairs.

There is a lovely house on that island, not seen from this angle. Can you imagine?

After our walk, Frasier and I sat on Stella’s steps at waters edge and dreamed of warm summer days to come, kayak adventures and ……actually right here in this pic he’s very concerned I’m going to make him get in the water. Which I didn’t. Nevertheless, he persisted.

(couldn’t help it)

On the way home I stopped at the local apple orchard farm market and picked up a few fun things, plus some pepperoni for Frasier. My friend Raven had mentioned this find at that same market and I just had to get some for myself… Maple Milk. Then I spied Lavender yogurt… and since I have not found culinary lavender yet other than ordering online, this was the next best thing, as in I get to see what lavender tastes like in food. Right near the Maple Milk was this Beet Strawberry juice… and I’m here to tell ya….

WOW… all three, udderly delicious! Seriously – if you can find any of these in your local stores, well worth the little extra they cost for the treat. And they’re not bad for you either – win win.

I’m not EVEN gonna mention the Orange Scream today – not EVEN after that obnoxious “rally” in Florida. Earth to Agent Orange – Did you get in touch with Sweden yet? They’ve been looking for you since Saturday night’s ridiculousness in search of the terrorist attack on their soil that they don’t know anything about. Also… week four, and you’ve taken three Florida weekends so far – you really didn’t think you were gonna have to actually LIVE in the White House, did ya. Knowing you, you’ll find a way to get out of it. A girl can hope.

Oh Sh*t, there I go again..mentioning things. Would be awesome if he’d just stop giving us reasons, ya know?

Finds for Stella

When we bought the cottage, for a small additional price, some of her “stuff” came with. After purchase we discovered most of it needed to go in the dumpster as mice had taken up residence. A few pieces were reworked. The dining table and chairs were well worn but still in good shape other than refinishing. We know a woodworking guy who has a nifty machine that -sprays- a refinish on furniture, cabinets, etc. The finish is beautiful, better than I could have done with a bucket of paint and a brush. We figured the cost to have him do it would be cheaper than buying a new table and chairs, although indeed more money than if I had done it myself.

Well. That’s not exactly how it went. While it looks terrific!… turns out the cost was the same as if I had gone out and bought a new table and chairs. One would think the person doing the work would let you in on that before you commit to it…as the whole purpose was to save money. Live and learn. At least it’s one less bulk of furniture clogging a landfill, right?

Now that we’ve got both bedrooms squared away except for mattress purchase, we still need a couch and chair for the sitting area. Do you call it a living room when the whole cottage could fit in a living room? I am loving this tiny house nation we have joined, really loving it. Right now progress is at a halt until the weather warms. That’s when we’ll get to finish varnishing walls and sanding and restaining floors. With the water shut off for the season, I can’t even wash down the bathroom and kitchen. So…..

I love Homegoods – always find something unique and cool and usually for a very good price. A few days ago I needed some retail therapy even though the wallet would beg to differ. Why not go scrounge around for a few ‘house warmers’ for the old girl. My goal is to not have much clutter, and most things should be functional. Also, if they can have meaning, even better.

Find No. 1 – the bedding is going to be ivory and neutrals with a navy bedskirt. My mom and I are born and raised (Staten Island) New Yorkers, even though we moved to CT long ago. She will be spending much time at Stella too – I was looking for a nautical pillow or two, but this one is even better – It’s a good size, so no need for more. Meaning, functional, attractive – score!

I got this big blanket basket and soft seafoam colored blanket for under $40. Who can’t use a little cozy now and then.

I’ve tried, but can’t seem to close this post without chirping about that insane rant by the President yesterday. Holy cow, he’s come undone. If you don’t think so, I got nothing. This is way beyond differences in policy ideas, tightening the security belt, swinging over to the right. For anyone to think it’s OK to behave and speak and slander and lie in the ways that he does as PRESIDENT OF THESE UNITED STATES, that’s just not digestible no matter how you try to spin it. I’m not even gonna bother getting into the details. I’ve learned it just doesn’t matter – if you choose to turn a blind eye, you will be blind. Me? I will keep my eyes wide open.

*sigh

Cookie Love and another great find

I love cupcakes and cookies. My friend Raven shared these on her blog and I have stolen them to share here and on FB too. Terrible thing, but she tolerates me anyway 🙂 We’ve got more snow falling today so I plan to bake these for my people as a Happy Valentine. I do need to go out and find some culinary Lavender.

We checked on Stella yesterday, oh, how I look forward to showing you the progress. We’re at the stage where all that’s left is to refinish the floors – and then I get to furnish and decorate! We found a beautiful bedroom set at a local junk hunting treasure pot, same place I found Edith’s Chair… this time, an Ethan Allen Maple Queen bed and dresser for the second bedroom. An elderly woman had moved out of her large home and wanted to sell much of her furniture. It had been kept beautifully, we got a screaming deal.

My boy built this Clamming Rack for his new hobby – last year he discovered his love for clamming and now has the perfect spot in a great little clamming cove to keep all his “stuff”. Seeing this in place yesterday kinda made my day. Bigly.

If you haven’t caught Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicy yet, oh, please do. Easy to find on google. I haven’t laughed that hard in ages.

Till soon, Friends….

Snow and Thunder

Last night’s sky…. just beautiful…

No sooner did I brag about the mild winter we were having when a good ole nor’easter blew in. I woke up this morning, fed the dogs, sat down to read e-mails with nothing happening outside my windows. Half hour later there was an inch on the ground already as I went out to feed the animals.

The flood light is on in the henhouse, it throws enough heat to keep them cozy and the water from freezing.

The horses were fed, watered and given plenty of hay to keep them busy, they’re closed in while

the wind is blowing. And boy is it blowing.

This was 6 am-ish. The scene is much different already….

I’ve got a call in to the bird feeder repairman….. half the roof is sitting in the snow.

He’s out plowing and wasn’t amused.

We are actually experiencing thunder during this storm. Such a bizarre thing to occur with snow – sounds like someone’s bowling upstairs. Say a little prayer for my boys to come home safe. Oh and don’t I know the hypocrisy of someone asking for prayer when they aren’t religious. I believe being spiritual and being religious don’t have to occupy the same space to be valid, how’s that for an answer.

I drafted a letter to the President and made it a public post on FB just incase – here’s what I would love for him to read.

Dear Mr. President (and mouthpiece Spicer)

Your daughter knows the truth – ask her! Nordstrom notified her last January that her lines weren’t performing well. It’s a smart business move to cut losses, won’t you agree? Her products are still available in their stores though, she wasn’t Banned. Believe it or not, it’s not about you. As the so-called “Jobs President”, you are contradicting yourself by maligning and attempting to topple a large American company for your own purposes.

I want to stand by my President. I have respect for the highest office in the land. I believe in America and I love my Country. If you want to stop seeing fake news, if you want the larger half of the Country to stop the negativity and rally on your behalf and ours – you really have to stop the daily lies – the little lies, the big lies, the fake news you and your cohorts perpetuate daily. I’m tired of the political angst, the upheaval of everything, the frustrated posts on FB and blogs. I’ve been looking for the clearing in the storm, a reason to have hope… but you keep lying and tweeting ridiculous rants. So juvenile for the leader of this great nation.

Please – stop the lies and the tantrums and the unethical behavior. Do that if there’s an ounce of you that gives a damn about the rest of us. You work for us now, we don’t work for you. I’m really trying to find a reason to believe in the President of My United States, won’t you please rise to the integrity of the office you were elected so that we ALL can move on.

Sincerely –

Heading back out into the tundra to shovel the dog run for the second time. Till soon, friends…