Two Trout & Some Soggy Feet

After yesterday's chores, it was time for an ice fishing adventure. It was fun until Alistair's feet got wet. We caught two trout!

Here we go!

Testing the ice for safety.

We got one!

Warming up their soggy feet. They had the bum warmers on too!

Goats are Weirdos

With everyone's help, we got the house cleaned up and the barns mucked out. The sheep were happy to have clean, dry straw for their beds but quickly turned their attention to their hay feeder. The chickens, on the other hand, just wanted to spread their new bedding all over the muddy outdoors. And the goats? They decided to eat their fresh bedding for brunch. Goats are weirdos.

Grey Days

We have had a couple really grey days lately but it is warm! We are hovering around zero degrees; pretty crazy for the end of January. Looking forward to the next blue bird day. Time to break out a good book!

Roaring Fire

While Charlotte lounged in front of a roaring fire, I worked. Three grant applications submitted in the last week and a half. Not too shabby, though the house needs a good clean and the plants need to be watered. Maybe I’ll spend some time in front of the fire this weekend!

Oh, Hay There!

Seems we have some freezing rain coming and I have an at-home helper today, so it was a good time to move our hay delivery off the driveway and into the barn. Seamus is feeling a bit better. The rash seems to be moving down off his face but now his legs are entirely covered. He is less itchy. Maybe some fresh air and exercise will soothe the body and the soul.

Filled up!

The Plague

We don't actually have the plague but Seamus' entire body does look pretty heinous. He has managed to get the worst case of fifth disease caused by parvovirus B19 of any of our boys. At this point it is no longer contagious and is not life threatening but it sure is unsightly and oh, so itchy. Poor Seamus. Oatmeals baths and calamine lotion in spades today.

Tuesday morning.

By Tuesday afternoon.

Grey but Yummy

Tried something new. Green bean casserole. It looks kind of grey and unappetizing in the photo but it was actually really good. Yum!

Sunday Sunset

Sunday is not very exciting when you spend it working. Not the fun working of planting seeds, mucking barns, or weeding flower gardens. The working that comes with grant writing, proofreading, CV updating, budgeting, and firm submission deadlines.

Ha ha. You had to work all day!

At least I caught the sunset. And it was beautiful.

Dreaming of Carrots

 The gardens are sleeping...

But my seeds are here!

WAKE UP!  I am ready! But if I have to wait, I will dream of carrots.

A Little Less Work and a Little More Sleep?

 Work, work, work versus sleep, sleep, sleep. I think I got the wrong end of this bargain.

Easy Come, Easy Go

Baked by 6:45am. Look at those blisters!

Devoured by 7:05am.

 At least we have full tummies and more flour.

Farm Fresh Double Yolkers

Nothings says farm fresh eggs like soft boiled double yolkers! We have lots of eggs folks - let us know if you need some. 

$6/doz or $50 for a 10 week egg plan (farm pick up only).

Broccoli & Brioche

Tonight's supper was broccoli soup with brioche buns. The soup was delicious. Buns were thumbs down - fluffy texture was delightful, rubbing alcohol aftertaste was disgusting. Oh well, they can't all be winners.

Looks can be deceiving. Very ew.

Dropping Like Flies

It figures that as soon as I mentioned how wonderful it was to make to through the whole Christmas holiday with everyone healthy, family members have started dropping like flies. Seamus somehow has managed to get an ear infection in both ears at the same time and Liam's strep throat test came back positive today at the doctor's office. Both boys are now on banana medicine. Ian got raised eyebrows at the pharmacy this afternoon and asked what the heck is going on in our household. At least Alistair is still on a high from his birthday weekend and is healthy...for now. Who knows what lies in wait?! 

A Very Ducky Sunday

Happy Sunday from Emma (or Abby - they are identical so no one can really tell). The ducks are back to laying eggs again which means that the days are getting longer. Before we know it, springtime will be here! Though, admittedly, Emma and Abby do love the snow.

Plan B

 Sometimes things do not exactly go as planned. Alistair's request for his 5th birthday was for a "cheese factory road trip" and a "real birthday cake from the store". I had everything organized and ready to go - from the freezer aisle fresh "real" cake (lol) to the road trip gift bags full of fun car activities and sweet snacks to the farm animal sitter scheduled. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans. After the big storm overnight Friday, the Saturday morning roads were in pretty terrible condition and our weather app showed that the storm was going to shadow us pretty much the entire way along our planned route. Suddenly our 4 hour driving adventure was looking like it might take double the time so we made the sad decision to reschedule.

Our weekend adventure away turned into a quiet weekend at home with no plans. We tried to make things special - a trip to the swimming pool, special smoothies, a sprinkle donut - and Alistair was a trooper. We might have also promised a future trip to Great Wolf Lodge as a replacement adventure...I mean, turning five is a BIG deal! Wishing our baby (who is not much of a baby anymore) the happiest and healthiest fifth year ever. We absolutely adore you, Alistair!

Sausage Overload

It was the annual Scout leader alumni sausage making night hosted here at Gael Glen Farm. We are always happy to have the camaraderie and joy of this group fill our kitchen with laughter, stories, and way too many sausage jokes. Even though it took them 96 emails to get tonight organized, I am already looking forward to next year.

Channeling Mexico

For dinner it was lime rooster extravaganza. All we needed was palm trees and a pool bar. Instead we have a snowy barnyard. A girl can dream, right?

Downtown Tour

Spent some time downtown today in between research interviews and a work dinner. Must say, didn't see a loaf in any bakery that rivaled mine!

Had a latte in an actual cafe!

Walked past the restaurant where we had our wedding rehearsal dinner. Still lovely.

This morning's bake. That's right - oooh, ahhh....

Blizzard Food?

Do you have a meal that shouts "Blizzard!" to you?  For us, it is soup or stew. To celebrate today's snowstorm we made creamy leek and potato soup with cheddar scallion biscuits. We are so grateful to be cuddled up inside tonight in warm jammies with hot soup filling our tummies. Stay safe and warm everyone! 

Foul weather a brewing!