Breakfast table Blue Sky Farm

Snow on the ground again but, today is no exception. These Quail are here daily for their Breakfast and anything they leave behind they return for during the day. They are such beautiful birds.

Our first measurable snowfall

I received a new camera for Christmas, Now I will attempt to take better shots & then post them. One is a footprint that Clay took and one of Buster coming down off the road. and prints left walking to the end of the driveway. We have about 4 inches. It is pretty.  

Project completed ...Finally

I am sure I am not the first, last or only person to start a project and never get back to it in a timely manner... I am proud to say Today I finished a big soft white scarf that I started knitting over 4 years ago... I would bring it out and have full intentions of knitting a few more rows.. something always took priority over it...plus  I have the handicap of not ever taken a knitting lesson so perhaps thats one reason I would put it away for another day...Thanks to my sister Judy who knits beautifully and quickly I picked up a few tips but
she lives in Arizona  so thats another reason it was put on the back burner. I inserted a few spaced rows of colored feathery textured yarn to give it some color. She suggested I use circular needles  ( I thought all needles were circular) instead of 2 straight needles since I often dropped rows as well as stitches.. So It is completed now and we are expecting Snow tonight. I finished it in just the right time for Christmas. A pressie for me.. I was thinking about knitting stockings but.... changed my mind, maybe I'll try mittens...or not..It is a great feeling to finish a project and have it wearable...
You can bet I will be wearing it and smiling from ear to ear when asked "Did you really knit that?

Merry Christmas to all....

'Twas the night before Christmas & out on the ranch

The pond was froze over & so was the branch.

The snow was piled up belly-deep to a mule.

The kids were all home on vacation from school,

And happier young folks you never did see-

Just all sprawled around a-watchin' TV.

Then suddenly, some time around 8 o'clock,

There came a surprise that gave them a shock!

The power went off, the TV went dead!

When Grandpa came in from out in the shed

With an armload of wood, the house was all dark.

"Just what I expected," they heard him remark.

"Them power line wires must be down from the snow.

Seems sorter like times on the ranch long ago."

"I'll hunt up some candles," said Mom. "With their light,

And the fireplace, I reckon we'll make out all right."

The teen-agers all seemed enveloped in gloom.

Then Grandpa came back from a trip to his room,

Uncased his old fiddle & started to play

That old Christmas song about bells on a sleigh.

Mom started to sing, & 1st thing they knew

Both Pop & the kids were all singing it, too.

They sang Christmas carols, they sang "Holy Night,"

Their eyes all a-shine in the ruddy firelight.

They played some charades Mom recalled from her youth,

And Pop read a passage from God's Book of Truth.

They stayed up till midnight-and, would you believe,

The youngsters agreed 'twas a fine Christmas Eve.

Grandpa rose early, some time before dawn;

And when the kids wakened, the power was on.

"The power company sure got the line repaired quick,"

Said Grandpa - & no one suspected his trick.

Last night, for the sake of some old-fashioned fun,

He had pulled the main switch - the old Son-of-a-Gun!

-anonymous

The packages are wrapped...

I wrapped Clay's packages today, while he was out "shopping for me" At least thats where he said he was going... I didn't see any packages come through the door however... I wonder where he put them? He told me not to start looking around the house, so I am sure he hid them well. I love Christmas Festivities & Giftgiving.   This year I am completely finished shopping and wrapping and there are still 9 days  til Christmas. Annie is watching over the gifts and saying "Hurry up, Santa get your sleigh ready!"

More Christmas Decorating

  

 Fudge &  Baked Goodies ready for the neighbors...

Oh Christmas tree...

Tree is up.
It looks so much better with the lights lit at night.
Now it feels like christmas!

It's beginning to feel A lot like Christmas

I am in the mood... Christmas is in the air, Its snowing outside, the house is aglow with christmas lights & poinsettas... My friend Gail & I just made & decorated Christmas Sugar coookies.
Yesterday, I decorated the tree and today I posted a few Christmas cards.. The "UPS  " truck has found its way a few times down our driveway..dropping off packages.. at the door...I have been told   NOT to open  anything I didn't order and  if it didn't have my name on it.. and yes, I will follow those instructions!...

Honey of a gift from Blue Sky Farm

Our first crop of honey ready for gift giving.

What a great experience raising the bees this year. We learned a lot about bees and hope that we can harvest more honey next year. Right now the bees are snug in their hive, doing what bees do this time of the year, keeping warm and eating from the honey we left inside the hive. We only took one frame this fall and got enough for us and a few extra for gift giving. Unfortunalety not everyone on our Christmas list will receive a jar this year...I made the labels and think they are perfect! What do you think?

Main Street in Klamath Falls

Last night Clay & I went to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants and  the City is decorated for Christmas.  I love living in a town like Klamath Falls, especialy at Christmas. We don't have snow downtown yet, but it is snowing tonight here at Blue Sky Farm. The street lights and lighted banners remind me of my childhood in Yakima. I found this photo of Christmas last year with the snow. Now doesnt this being back childhood memories for you too?

Charming Chicks Benefit Bazarr

I want to take this opportunity to tell you about the Klamath Falls Charming Chicks. I started this chapter of "Farm Girls living in my town and close to it last spring. Our objective is to be a support to each other, while learning from each other how to live a more sustainable life. This is a time for us to become "friends". Our chapter is adopted from The Mary Jane Farm Girls Connection an online forum of over 700 chapters around the world.
 We have 9 members now . I have posted a link to Mary Janes Site  to the right, please go read and possible give it a thought to join. Its totally free.
Right now this month, We  have dedicated our chapter to support one of our members who's  daughter is receiving treatment for Breast Cancer. She is only 28 years old with no medical insurance. We are only doing what any "farmgirl "would do in supporting one of our "sisters." Lip balm, candy, cookies, pillows, have been made by our chapter  to benefit her at a local Bazarr this weekend. It warms our hearts to be able to help out in her time of need. Some of the gals also donated handmade & crochted Chemo-caps to the local Cancer Research Society. We went the extra mile and adopted a local family in Need for Christmas. A Complete Christmas will be furnished by our chapter, from the tree to the dinner. We are proud to share our blessings and creativity with each other. Check out the Website also linked from here.  I hope you enjoy the website and become a follower visiting often.

Surprises we found

A couple places we came across on our Thanksgiving break from the Blue Sky Farm.
Wouldn't it be cool to decorate  this house for christmas? I wonder how many strings of lights it would take?


Oregon's Oldest Continuously Operating Lighthouse

The lighthouse and historic home are open from April to October. The lighthouse tour, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The Cape Blanco is the most southern of Oregon's lights, and is the westernmost point in Oregon. Proposed in 1864,

Perched high atop a cliff, jutting into the sea, a brilliant beacon guiding mariners past jagged, hidden rocks for well over 100 years. It was the first lighthouse in the state outfitted with a first-order Fresnel lens in 1870.
Cape Blanco is rich with history of ancient peoples and early explorers traversing the coast line. Today the romance of the lighthouse draws thousands of visitors to the grounds to learn its secrets.
Lighthouse history is shared with guests from all over the world, through a partnership between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Oregon State Parks, the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians, Coquille Indian Tribe, Curry County and the Friends of Cape Blanco


Hughes House

A fine example of late Victorian architecture, the Hughes ranch house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1898 by P.J. Lindberg, it was a celebration of 38 years of hard work by Patrick and Jane Hughes.

The historic Hughes ranch house is a two story, eleven room house solidly framed of 2x8 old growth Port Orford cedar. The rectangular structure with cross axial wings, has over 3,000 square feet, and was constructed in 1898 at a cost for $3,800.

The house stands on a terrace on the north side of Cape Blanco. There are vistas of the distant hills, the Pacific Ocean, the Sixes River and the fields above and below. This location protects the house from the worst of the winter southwesters, but northwesters are still frequent visitors.

Guests now as then enter the front hall where soft light from a rose colored gaslight is reflected in the polished dark wood spindles and shiny balusters of the central stairway. The sharp odor of homemade furniture polish—probably equal parts turpentine, linseed oil and vinegar—lingers in the air.

Hughes House tour is conducted by knowledgeable volunteers and is free, but donations are gratefully accepted and help fund restoration and maintenance of the house.

Thanksgiving Escape Photos

We left the beach behind this morning, but returned with great memories and many photos of our Thanksgiving Escape.  These are taken from Sebastian Cape off Hwy 101
just south of Gold Beach.
 At the mouth of the Rogue River and on the North Jetty looking across to Gold beach city we found this miniature village set for feral cats. Locals built shelter for them and bring them food & fresh water. To our surprise they are also housing a family of racoons. What do you  think about that?

We also visited a cool lighthouse and the Hughes homestead I will post another time. We thoroughly enjoyed our time away, but it is always nice to be Home.

Thanksgiving at the Beach

We are going to spend Thanksgiving at Gold Beach  on the Oregon coast, this year, I am taking along a small turkey and all the trimmings. The Weather will be stormy but  we will have a nice fireplace & hot tub for warming up. I have  a long list of things to do to get ready and a few projects to take along. I am sure the three nights here will be fabulous. I will be posting  more pictures when we return. Buster is going with us as the cottage is a pet friendly. Happy Thanksgiving to you all..

Back on line

Boy, Having  no computer access was a bummer.. but  I am back on line finally with a new system and ready to start posting again. I will recharge my camera and get some pictures up this coming week.. I missed my Blogger friends. Check back soon for new post. Have a great weekend.. Stay warm & drive safely.

Coconut Shrimp Yummy

Delicious, fresh and yummy. I made this easy dish for dinner tonight. Such a treat.

Coconut Shrimp with an Orange marmalade, Horseradish & Mustard Dipping sauce.

Recipe:
1 # large shrimp
1 cup panko flour 1
1 egg beaten with 2/3 cup beer
                                                        2 cups flaked coconut
      In a heavy pan bring vegetable or peanut oil to 350 degrees.  Maintain the heat throughout frying.
Dredge shrimp in panko flour, then dip into egg beer mixture, then cover with the coconut. Drop carefully into the hot oil... Shrimp cooks quickly, cook until coconut coqating is nice and brown.. remove and drain omn paper toweling . sprinkle with salt.
 Dipping sauce:  1/2 cup orange marmalade
                            1/4 cup grey poupn mustard
                            2 T horseradish.. or more if you like it hot.
Delicious and easy to prepare...  Serve with steamed rice....Enjoy!

If I knew you were coming ...

I would bake this cake....

It is very important to take  your time and  follow the recipe.. Although it looks complicated and long it is well worth  the process. So I think...

First you must prepare the pan with parchment paper.

  

Crack 12 eggs by separating the whites  (the eggs should be as close to room temp as possible) and use only the egg whites.. in a mixing bowl.  I pre-measure out vanilla, almond extract, lemon juice, sugar and then set those aside to use as directed.

 Sift the cake flour and also set aside..follow the instructions carefully.

Fold the flour into the fluffy egg whites carefully  mixing well and transfer into the prepared pan. Bake 45 minutes in 350 degree oven.. and let cool

See, it looks yummy  and  (yes,  there is a tiny slice missing.. The baker had to have a taste..It tastes pretty darn good too ) Now get those berries out of the freezer to thaw for the topping.. A treat for tonight.

Angel Food Cake

Recipe for cake from Emeril Lagasse 2003

Ingredients:

1 cup sifted cake flour

1 1/4 cup granulated sugar

12 egg whites  or 1 1/2 cup

pinch of salt

1 teas. cream of tartar

2 teas. lemon juice

1 teas. cold water

1 1/12 teas. vanilla extract

1/4 teas. almond extract

Cut parchment paper to fit pan ....Do not grease the pan

(sift the flour 4 times with 1/4 cup sugar) set aside

 sift remaining sugar & also set aside

With electric mixer beat egg whites  on med low until foamy

add the pre-measured salt, vanilla, cream of tartar, almond extracts & water and mix with whites until   nearly stiff.

Lower the speed and beat in 1 cup sifted sugar.   (2 Tablespoons at a time ) until mixture forms stiff peaks but not dry.

Remove bowl and fold in the flour 1/4 cup at a time..

Gently transfer to the prepared cake pan and bake.

Remove from oven and invert on pan legs or upside down over the neck of a sturdy bottle. Cool completely.. 

frost with a glaze or serve with fresh or thawed frozen fruit.

Bon Appetite!

Great Birthday Gift

My sister, Karen from Seattle sent me this great cookbook for my birthday. I love it.

She said the title caught her attention and I see why.
The two "farm chicks"  Teri Edwards and Serena Thompson  from Fairfield Washington, "share a clever  knack for thrifty creativity" and are stay at home moms. They turned their passion into a thriving business with simple foods, thrifting, and Antique Shows  with farm girl decorating. Check it out ~ join them in their kitchen and cook up some simple foods & warm your heart.  "Live Well, Laugh Often, Cook Much"
Country Living "The Farm Chicks  In the Kitchen."

Returning to Planet earth..and Home

It was a great visit  to Denver. Charlie's Birthday Party was a real "Blast". Costumes theme and all.. Michelle made the cute space suit for Charlie and everyone came as space cadets, characters and aliens. His daddy  looked really cool...

We took Charlie to the Pumpkin Patch to get his pumpkin.  He met some Ghostly friends.  He was busy entertaining us every day as only a 1year old can do. With smiles and silly antics  and by the end of my visit he was tired of photo taking. I have an album of 245 photos to prove it!

Flying to Denver for Birthdays

Hello everyone,
I will be in Denver for  the next 5 days so I wont be posting until I return. My youngest Grandson, Charles Nash   born Oct 19th last year on my Birthday will be ONE year old.  Where did the time go?
I will post pictures and news when I return Next Wednesday.
Be safe and Hug  your loved ones..

Impromptu Weekend Trip

Clay & I decided to take a quick trip to the California Redwoods. WOW  they are Huge. We took these  at the "Avenue of the Giants" south of Yureka. It is amazing that these "giants" are still living in these old growth groves.
They have survived floods, fires and  other  natural elements. We enjoyed our visit. The drive this time of the year was enhanced by the falls colors of the Oak trees, Maples and Medronas.  Buster loved running  on the beach chasing sticks and tasting the seaweed...A trip like this will go down in our memory book for sure.