It's been a bit since I've posted here. The holidays are busy for our business and then it's always nice to take some time off afterward. Of course, we're never "off" with a business but we were able to slow down quite a bit.
The temps have been all over the place. We received snow for Thanksgiving and then some warmer temps in December that pretty much melted it. The coop girls got excited thinking that winter was over (they greatly dislike walking in snow), despite our warning that we weren't even close to spring. We were without snow for a week or two and then received another light coating of a couple of inches. Since then, we've received another 2 inches and some flurries today actually. As you can imagine, the coop girls are less than impressed.
Let's see....what has been happening around here.
One evening in December we went out for dinner and then drove down to Clifton Park (or is it considered Malta?) to go through the free Christmas lights display. It was nice and the best part? No line! You never know which evening is the best to go, and we seemed to pick correctly this time.
vegan low-oil and low-sugar peanut butter cookies (they are delicious!)
homemade lentil-sweet potato soup and a loaf of my homemade no-knead artisan bread
In The Kitchen
It's soup season, so lots of soups and stews were made, as well as a few loaves of bread and a small amount of baked goods. We try not to consume much sugar, so I didn't go crazy with the holiday treats.
I tried a new pizza recipe this month and I wish I'd taken a picture of it - Peter Reinhart's Perfect Pan Pizza (also the name of the book that features the recipe and numerous instructions). It's a new recipe but also a new set of instructions in making the dough. Initially I felt a bit overwhelmed that the fact there was a book, albeit small, to provide instructions for creating this pizza. (I didn't care for the layout of the book as it didn't seem to flow easily, but, as with all of Peter's books, it was chock full of information.) I checked it out from the library and set it aside, not sure if I'd delve into it or not. I'm so happy that I did!
The end result is kind of like a blend between focaccia and pizza - a thicker crust that is pillowy soft and crunchy and just absolutely delicious. It's a 2-day process to develop the dough flavor, and then it's slowly dimpled into a sheet pan over the course of an hour or so, with little chunks of mozzarella scattered throughout before allowing it to rise. As it rises, the mozzarella gets tucked into the dimples and adds even more creaminess once baked. (it's also very good without the cheese) I've reduced the oil and now that I know the process it's simple, so I've added it to our monthly meal plan. It's SO good!
In The Coop
We are getting eggs! Only about 8 per week, but at least the newer girls are finally laying again. We were able to complete a thorough early winter coop cleanout as we did have some warmer temp days. I added all of the removed litter to the compost bins.
We lost another Coop Girl this month. One of the older girls passed, as we've expected would happen. We still have 7 older girls that are hanging on, so every morning and evening I make sure to check on them.
Jackson
He's being a brat. This will not surprise you. At all. He loved his Christmas gifts (new toys) and plays with them every day, but he also is into an attention-seeking phase again. He yells at the top of his lungs when he isn't receiving enough attention (not new but is happening more often) and has taken to sticking his claws into our legs when we don't respond the way he would like us to. This is new and not welcomed. He seems quite pleased with himself when this results in our telling him "no, that is naughty!" He is, in general, a good boy but my goodness does he still have a naughty streak! He'll be 14 in March. Can you believe it?
What I'm Reading
I was able to read!!! I don't have photos of everything, but here's what I've been reading the last couple of months:
I enjoyed Bootstrapper: From Broke To Badass On A Northern Michigan Farm by Mardi Link. It's a memoir and revolves primarily around the year the author separated and then divorced her husband. I appreciate Mardi's humor and her struggle to save her farm and take care of her boys. There is certainly a fair share of swearing in this book, so if that's offensive, you may want to skip it, but it's because she writes as she speaks (my assumption), which I find appreciation in.
I liked the idea of The Unsettlers: In Search of The Good Life In Today's America (by Mark Sundeen) and, although it didn't end up being the book I thought it was, found it a good read. Mark tells the story of 3 families who chose to live a simpler life, opting out of the norm. Interspersed in their stories is his own tale of finding his way to the life he longs for. I will be honest in saying that I did skip and skim parts in each of the stories, but as a whole am glad that I read it. Although the people written about have all chosen what I would deem as more extreme lifestyles than I'd ever imagined for myself, there are parts of all their stories I still think about and feel like I've learned from.
The Silent Sister: A Novel by Diane Chamberlain was a good read. I would recommend it. This book does deal with suicide, rape, and abandonment, so fair warning if those are triggers. I thought the story was a good one and, in general, appreciated the way she writes. I'd never read a book by this author before and plan to add more of her books to my list. That being said, through much of the book I did find myself longing for more character development.
Most of the story focuses on the main character, Riley, dealing with the aftermath and family secrets she discovers after the death of her father. I found myself wanting the author to give me more insight to Riley's past as well as that of her family members, to better help me understand who they were and why they responded to things in the manner they did. Additionally, some things were glossed over that I thought she could expound on. As I type this, I fear it sounds nitpicky and don't intend for it to be.
I started a new series - The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. I've read 2 (of the 4) books so far (The Thursday Murder Club and The Man Who Died Twice) and have enjoyed them. I highly recommend them if you enjoy this type of read. This is a different style of book than those I typically am drawn to, but a UK based youtuber that I follow recommended the British-based series and I'm so glad that I started it.
It takes place in a retirement home where 4 of the residents have formed a Thursday Murder Club. What started as a group to review unsolved crimes, evolved into a group that would work on (and solve) recent murders. The characters are wonderful and each of their personalities is very distinct which I enjoy, and although it can be silly at times it is witty, endearing, very well written, and a quite enjoyable read.
This book series has been adapted to television and will be a new release sometime this year on Netflix.
I very much enjoy the Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny and was able to read The Long Way Home (#10 in the series), The Nature Of The Beast (#11) and A Great Reckoning (#12). If you've never read it, I highly encourage you to try the first book (titled Still Life) and see if it interests you.
This is a murder mystery series that is not gory or violent at all but very detailed and thought provoking. The series follows Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec as he works to solve murders and crimes in and around Quebec, including the town of Three Pines, a fictional town created by Penny. There are currently 18 books in the series, and I believe she is continuing to add to it. There is a fair amount of swearing in the books although I don't find it takes away from the story.
Amazon Prime turned this into a limited series that they have since cancelled. You can currently watch the episodes from their initial run. I will be honest in saying I was not impressed with it as a television series. I thought Amazon did not do justice to Penny's ability for storytelling and detail. It's too bad.
I'm sure more happened but currently that's what I can remember. I anticipate posting regularly again in the next couple of weeks and hope you'll join me here!
Hoping this finds each of you doing well. Take care and stay warm, my friends!
What a beautiful sky in that last photo. And the snow! I'm glad you had some good reading time, and shared them here. I've added one to my library list. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Laurie! I was heading out to the coop one evening and the sky was magnificent, so I took a quick pic before I went. Happy you found a book to add!
DeleteYour weather has been all over the place! The pix of the snow are glorious!
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry about the loss of one of your girls. It’s never easy to lose those we care for.
Thank you for the booklist and description. I’m always looking for new books. I have read several Nancy Thayer books and enjoyed them.
Sending warm hugs across the miles.
Thanks Daisy. Yes indeed, the weather has been interesting. Thank you for letting me know about Nancy Thayer - I will try another in my next library order. Hugs to you as well!
DeleteI just realized that my name didn’t show up on my comment. daisy
ReplyDeleteI made a pizza dough recipe recently that took 48 hrs in the fridge and while it was lovely my normal recipe I make on the same night gave me just the same taste and texture so I'll stick to the normal one below.
ReplyDeletePizza Dough Recipe
320gms warm water
1 Teaspoon White Sugar
1 Teaspoon Dried Instant Yeast
350gms 00 flour
150gms Fine Semolina
1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
20gms Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Makes 3 pizzas
Sounds delicious Kathy!
Deleteit is definitely soup and bread season. I’m currently wearing three layers - not stylish, but warm (ish)! What a nice drive through the Christmas lights - and the snowy pictures and red building are just beautiful - and that naughty Jackson! They know exactly what they’re doing, don’t they? I’m sorry you lost one of the coop girls-it’s never easy - each one has her own personality. I hope you’re enjoying a little post-holiday downtime, staying warm and relaxing when you can.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary. Keeping warm is definitely priority over fashion for the next couple of months! 😊
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