STRAWBERRY PECAN BREAD

What does one do on a cold...wet...gray...May day in New England?...you give a new recipe a try...this recipe comes from Jayme... of the blog "The Coop Keeper"... Jayme's tweaked version of Strawberry Pecan Bread... unfortunately for me it is a bit to early for strawberry season here in Maine..and if the weather trend continues...meaning... cold and rainy... who knows when the berry fields will be ready...I happened to have these strawberries on hand...not local... when I saw Jayme's recipe post. Then blogger took the post away before I captured the recipe... (due to blogger issues) but luckily for me... the original post returned...

This recipe delivers a delicious moist bread....three small loaves and one large. As suggested by Jayme I added four cups of berries in place of the original two which the original recipe called for...however...I had no strawberry extract on hand...need to put this item on my grocery list...I found this to be a perfect bread to accompany strawberry cream cheese with diced berries on top...Thank you for sharing this recipe "Coop Keeper" it is the perfect afternoon snack for a cold... dreary...wet New England day...so if you have strawberries on hand I suggest you give Jayme...The Coop Keeper a visit and I promise you won't be disappointed!!

AND THE RAIN BEGAN....

Friday... being one of those days...weather wise..that New Englanders patiently wait for...sunny... cool... breezy.... and knowing the weather forecast calls for rain...rain...for the next five to seven days...everyone in the neighborhood had their main focus directed towards the care of their yard. I being no exception... The rich color... emerald green... is all abound... fluffy daffodils with their sweet fragrance still delights one's senses...the weather warm enough to don shorts...and a gardening hat was well in need... Friday morning...prior to gardening ...I went to a tag sale hosted by Tiff of the blog Folded Gingham...two perfect garden containers were just sitting waiting for my arrival ...a galvanized tool box like carrier...which for now I have placed my $1.18 Wal- Mart Stock flowers in...I do recall when Tiff did a post on this find and I thought to myself why can't I find treasures such as this? Lucky me...she was willing to part with it... secondly... a perfect little red wooden bucket which I quickly filled with Alyssum...a perfect little white lacy flower which dresses the bucket up quite nicely...and by the way just the right touch needed for the front door step...thank you Tiff... I love my finds.

Okay...after this post I promise to get off my Wal-Mart soap box...but if you reside in New England... you know and live with the evil dreaded "Black Flies" ... a tiny gnat which can drive a sane man crazy... they fly in your ears...up your nose...in your mouth...give a red welt which eventually itches to no end...but there is a new weapon in town...a product by OFF...I was skeptical...but for $8.50 I was willing to give it a try...Clip it to your clothing...turn the fan on...and it really did keep the bug population away...now mosquitoes season has not hit yet...but... I hold out hope this little battery powered machine will help keep the insects at bay...it runs for twelve hours...comes with batteries and a refill insecticide package...

Now... If you have a diabetic dog such as Winslow Homer...let me just say...100 syringes for $12.58 Wal-Mart...we had been purchasing them 2/$1.00... finally...my gardening side kick... Iris...a Buff Orpington...buffs are some of the sweetest chickens you will ever meet...friendly...talkative...and a pro at weeding...if you do not keep chickens...you just don't know what your'e missing...

finally...thank you to all who commented on my prior post...as most of you know there was an issue with Blogger which appears to have been resolved...however... when the post was reposted...the comments were lost....have a great week everyone...someone send me some sunshine!!!

TIGHTENING UP

First... let me say I do shop locally...small town hardware stores...mom and pop businesses...farmer's market... feed store...but with the cost of items skyrocketing... I do admit...yes I do...I shop Walmart...As most of you realize with illness comes the high cost of medical expenses...Winslow Homer as most of you know was diagnosed six months ago with diabetes...our first purchase of insulin $52.00 dollars...second bottle two months later increased to $62.00...on a whim my husband stopped by the Walmart Pharmacy and inquired as to their cost...$27.00! I confess I am a Walmart consumer...I hold my head high......Yes...today while at Walmart I happened to walk by the garden center...and the most wonderful fragrance was floating through the air...I recognized this lovely scent as Stock....a garden plant favorite and one that can be hard to find...if you have never made a place in your flower bed for this lovely fragrant flower I would suggest you do...and of course Sweet William too...and again the price was right... My new purchases will not be planted in the garden as of yet... as we here at Dog Trot Farm are still having a wood fire at night...just enough warmth to take the chill off...

The "peeps" Loretta is growing...forging ahead into that awkward adolescent phase...her feathers are filling in and her feet...I have never seen so many feathers on a girl's toes...

the nursery is always in motion... grand attempts at lift offs...and chest bumps...I must admit the chest bumps have me worried... in the past I had never noticed this type of behavior...ROOSTER...is this ROOSTER behavior? anyone...suggestions...? Introducing... Buttercup...a porcelain feather footed Cochin Bantam...a sweet little girl who likes to be held...and quietly endures a bath when needed...

Loretta...Buttercup...and Annabelle...a yellow Japanese Bantam...

and there you have it...I have publicly admitted I am a proud Walmart shopper...I clip coupons...and carry my reusable bags...in this economy it pays to find a bargain...goodnight from all of us here at Dog Trot Farm...sweet dreams...

MY TUESDAY IN PICTURES

Fern...first in line for breakfast...yogurt and raisins... a scene from my morning two mile trek...the calender may say spring has arrived...however...hoods were up and gloves were on...

a friendly discovery...I do believe Mr. Gnome is still in hibernation... lilacs... patiently waiting for warm sunny weather... can there be anything as lovely as a warm spring day... windows open... the heavenly fragrance of the sweet lilac drifting in...I think not...

crab apple in bud...

a pansy face...one of the first flowers on vibrant display in our neck of the woods...you either love them or hate them...I love them...especially in shades of tangerine...

a quick stop to "the farm" one of my favorite places to visit...there are always so many friendly faces to see...

the greeter...

the new kid in town...

and I am at a loss of words over this Tom Turkey...just look at that face...quite freaky...I mean please someone tell me what is all that skin for...
On another note... I would like to thank everyone who took the time to comment on the loss of our girl Pip...looking back...I now realize the tension in the hen house... which I felt was due to the arrival of spring scents...skunks...owls...hawks...and now the dreaded fox....was actually due to Pip's health...I am quite sure the girls understood there was something not quite right with Pip much sooner than I did...Tension has eased and things have returned to normal...whatever normal can be in a coop full of women...My little "peeps" are growing in leaps and bounds and Winslow Homer...is holding his own...he is being a naughty little boy rolling in all kinds of nasty stuff...if you get my drift...but he is enjoying life...and I am just happy he is still here with us...life is good...

SADNESS IN THE HEN HOUSE

Today is a day of sadness... Today we buried our sweet Pip...our blue egg laying Ameraucana hen...It is never easy to lose a pet...whether it be dog..cat...or farm animal... today... in my case a pet chicken...Sweet Pip...also know as Pip-A-Roo died late this morning in the company of Winslow Homer. Yesterday morning Pip appeared fine...later in the day however, I went to let the girls out for an afternoon romp and noticed Pip remained in the nesting box making odd sounds...At first I thought she was in the process of egg laying..( my girls do make odd sounds during their egg laying)...so I gave her some privacy and went out into the yard. Slowly she made an appearance but remained in the coop run and just sat. It was then that I realized something was drastically wrong. Her breathing was labored and the muff on her face was clearly "pecked off". I cleaned my girl up and brought her into the house to the chicken infirmary. Winslow stayed by her cage keeping a watchful eye on her. I administered drops of water via a syringe and began to massage her crop... I could not feel anything hard or out of the ordinary. I then gave her a couple of drops of mineral oil massaging once again...I firmly believe there was something blocking her airway and I nor DH could dislodge it...I had purchased their organic feed earlier in the week and the feed store did not have the usual mash... just pellets...so I opted for pellets...my girls have never consumed pellet grain before...I am wondering if Pip somehow got a pellet lodged in her airway...my hens noticed Pip's odd behavior before I and began pecking at her. Chickens can be cruel...even highly pampered chickens such as mine. I feel terribly guilty... I was unable to help her in her time of need. Pip is now buried in the flower garden...beside my dear hen named Georgia. We will miss Pip dearly here at Dog Trot Farm... she was a very sweet girl, would come when I called her name and "scooch down" to be picked up. She was the very first girl to lay an egg in the flower box and also on the outdoor grill. Dear Pip...please know that you were loved.... a favorite here at Dog Trot Farm...and thank you for all the wonderful blue eggs and all the surprise egg findings...we will miss you...and Winslow Homer too...

BECAUSE YOU ASKED...

"THE BOMB"
First let me say I have learned there are many names and variations to this recipe, however, in our family we refer to it as the "BOMB"and is made as follows:

1- chocolate cake prepared according to the directions on the box.

2- packages instant chocolate pudding, also prepared according to the directions on the box.

1- large container Cool Whip

3 to 4 Heath Bar Candy Bars or you can use the Heath Bar Bits

Directions:
Prepare and bake cake according to the directions on the box, let cool and then cut into large cubes.
Make pudding according to the directions on the box.
Place Heath Bar Candy bars in a plastic bag and pound with a mallet or buy the Heath Bar Bits.

In a large glass bowl layer chocolate cake, pudding, cool whip and Heath Bar Bits, repeat. Be sure the last layer is cool whip and then candy. Refrigerate overnight. Easy and delicious!!!

THE BOMB

The "BOMB"...a decadent... chocolaty... mouth watering... sugar high inducing dessert... This delight was made and brought to Easter dinner by my niece Darlene...I had never sampled this type of dessert before... if you find yourself with a sweet tooth...as I...this is certainly the dessert to try. Chocolate cake...chocolate pudding...whipped cream and Heath Bar Bits...layered and chilled in the fridge a bit before serving...a most heavenly delight... and one which was well received by all! Thank you Darlene...can't wait to see what you come up with next!

DOG TROT DAYS

Today was lovely... the weather was warm and spring like. The peas have made their appearance in the vegetable garden along with spinach and lettuce... with another sowing completed today. Winslow and I took our daily walk through the woods where the birds were all in song and the pileated woodpecker drumming the old dead pine to beat the band. Shrubs are bursting forth with color and my "girls" are taking full advantage of these warm days.. sunning themselves... bathing and grazing about the yard. Life is good. Winslow Homer's health remains in check...however...we did experience his first low blood sugar episode...it began with Winslow just standing... staring... and then "boom" keeled right over... I quickly retrieved my KARO syrup filled syringe and promptly administered it into Winslow's mouth....momma mia talk about heart pounding stress...but once again he bounced back...truthfully I wasn't so sure I was going to... Today I returned to the feed store ...the feed store where I purchased my five new bantam chicks. The only purchase I made was organic feed for the girls. Since I watched that one episode of Animal Hoarding...the one where a gentleman had 168 chickens living in the house...can you imagine?.. I have had this secret fear that could be me...I mean It takes all the restraint I can muster not to bring each and everyone of those sweet little chicks home with me...

Loretta... oh how I love saying that name... Just look at that sweet face...I just pray Loretta is not a Leroy...these bantams were not sexed...bantams in my area do not come sexed...at least not at the six stores I went to... they all said the same thing nope NOT SEXED... but that was the chance I was willing to take...my heart has been set on bantam chicks...Loretta, is a Mille Fluer and she is one sassy gal... I am now pleased to introduce Josephine... a black Japanese Bantam...she is so tiny...just a wisp of a thing...but definitely the most vocal...her favorite place to be is on the bottom of the pile or firmly tucked in the middle amongst her sisters.

nighttime at the nursery...just look at those tiny tail feathers...

all tuckered out...it's been a long day...

Goodnight from all of us here at Dog Trot Farm...sweet dreams...

SPRING FEVER

Please indulge me for I have spring fever...If the day sports sunshine you will find me in the garden along with my sidekick Winslow Homer...my chore list is overwhelming...but I do not despair...for the sound of spring has officially arrived at Dog Trot Farm...even though his nose is a little out of joint...Winslow Homer would like to officially introduce you to LORETTA...one spunky little "peep" who now calls Dog Trot Farm Home...Isn't spring grand...

Oh how I love saying the name L-O-R-E-T-T-A and just look at those feathers on her itty bitty feet...I'm just enchanted by this little downy puffball... Okay I am off to catch up with everyone's blog...till tomorrow....Julie

HE IS RISEN

"The head that once was crowned with thorns, is crowned with glory now."
~Thomas Kelley~

EASTER BLESSINGS

We are ready....the table is set.... bunnies in place....

the peeps have arrived....

and some nice bunny brought me flowers....tulips....daffodils....

and chocolate eggs....

the table is decorated....

We will be thinking of loved ones who are no longer with us....but are tucked deep in our hearts.... and those who reside far away....Happy Easter to all our family and friends....from all of us here at Dog Trot Farm....

It's been a busy day....some bunny is plain tuckered out....Blessings....

EASTER DELIGHTS

It is beginning to look like Easter here at Dog Trot Farm....eggs have been hung...and a bird finds a home in an old primitive decorated pussy willow tree.... rabbits sport their finest....some shiny and new....

others collected from long ago....

there are dancing rabbits....

while others sport eggs....

a fuzzy peep.... eggs and grass....

delightful scents found everywhere....ti's spring ....

Awake, thou wintry earth~

fling off thy sadness.

Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth

your ancient gladness ~Thomas Blackburn~