mini burrata

A caterer friend of mine asked if I could make some miniature burrata cheese.  Burrata is fresh mozzarella cheese wrapped around a mixture of ricotta and heavy cream.  You usually see it in a larger format, but she was looking for little ones.  They came out really cute, kind of like a won ton or dumpling.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep

- quote from Robert Frost

I took a walk around the perimeter of my land for the first time this year.  Walking in the woods is the most peaceful and inspirational thing to do. 

I was pursued closely by the Kingsley Death Panther!  Actually this is Rudy, who followed me the whole way, which was the cutest thing ever.  I have walked in woods with dogs and goats, but never a house cat.

double your bunny

Licky & Blackie in the hen yard

she's my Rockstar

Disclaimer:  Margaret was NOT drinking this beverage.  A mechanic left it in their car and she was throwing it out.

big sky

A local boutique was having a spring cleaning sale, and I bought a very, very large piece of art:  a beautiful photograph of a stormy sky printed on vinyl.  I love skies like this, where there is sun in the foreground but dark behind

I took a photograph of the back of my house last year with similar light 

and a picture I cut out of National Geographic hat has been hanging on my bulletin board for years

the sweetest, gentlest creatures

Thank you, pretty cow, that made

Pleasant milk to soak my bread,

Every day and night,

Warm, and fresh, sweet and white

Do not chew the hemlock rank,

Growing by the weedy bank,

But the yellow cowslips eat,

They perhaps will make it sweet

Where the purple violets grow,

Where the bubbling water flows,

Where the grass is fresh and fine,

Pretty cow, go there to dine

- Ann Taylor

(1782-1866)

devilish

I love post-Easter deviled eggs, tinged with different colors

'sup?

The players start from N° 1, following their own paths

I got a vintage board game from eBay:  Peter Rabbit's Race Game, a large, intricately illustrated game for up to 4 players.  I love the graphics and plan to frame the board - it has great old British language, like, "Nutkin meets his friends and loses his turn whilst talking."

the game pieces are painted cast iron figurines

Because there was a fog in the sky that covered everything

- Aldo Kraas

Happy Easter

If you're reading this, I probably sent you these cookies

Easter eggs are in my basket

I saved a weeks' worth of white eggs so I could dye them.  I love dying Easter eggs and do it every year.

what to do with the leftover cheese samples from the farmer's market

Onion pizza with Boss Mouse herbs d'Provence montasio cheese

Come to Carl, Varmint!

gopher tunnels - East lawn

I'm.....alright!

I do too

sky study #106

Sunrise April 10, 2013

a new furry face

I agreed to take on another barn cat from some kind people who trap, fix and release feral cats.  This little lady came to me last week and is getting acclimated to her new surroundings and roommates out in the big barn.  She is very petite and I have not named her yet.  That's 5 cats at the farm now...note to self: monitor cat-lady status.

The smiling Spring comes in rejoicing, And surly Winter grimly flies;

 

from Robert Burns My Bonie Bell

rhubarb buds

the poppies survived the cryogenics

the Lady pros

My good friends and ultra accomplished food professionals Kristin from K2 Edibles, and Cammie from Epicure Catering (Mario Batali's peeps) spent a snowy and cold Spring day at Boss Mouse

kid Kurtas

Sue, Steve & Kay, 1970s

the best thing about living in the country

How much being outside contributes to your wellbeing

listen to Karl

"You have to live with your times.  Don't fight against the times; you'll lose."

- Karl Lagerfeld

what's that in the tree?

I thought it was a black plastic shopping bag...but it was the black barn cat!  She got herself down just fine.

be who you are

‎The greatest fear in the world is of the opinions of others. And the moment you are unafraid of the crowd you are no longer a sheep, you become a lion. A great roar arises in your heart, the roar of freedom.

- Osho

 

fromage fort

When you have odds and ends of leftover cheese in the fridge, the French make fromage fort (strong cheese) - it's easy and delicious:  put the leftover cheese (any variety / combination) in a food processor with a few cloves of garlic, white wine, black pepper and a little salt.  Mix until you have a nice, spreadable consistency, and broil on toasts or simply use as a dip or spread - it freezes well too.

one more thing from Austin

When Amy & I were in Zilker Park, we came across an outdoor weight room, nearby where the U Texas crew dock was.  It was straight out of Apocalypse Now, with palm trees and cactus, rusty weights and a weird tent.  huh?

gimme some bread

Home made loaf

Happy Birthday Mom

Margaret is 81 today

Licky with apple

She's the very sweetest bunny

Bare Knuckle / Birch Point Farm

My friends Michelle & Jess had a Hawaii party in  the greenhouse at their farm

The host & hostess

Brenin - the natural snack

real Hawaiian punch

ducks in the stream

stained glass on their house

shitake mushroom logs

start me up

home made sourdough starter - gettin' fermenty

Happy Birthday Steve

Happy birthday to my brother Steve  today!  Here's us as young'uns, 1970s Detroit

squishy

another shell-less egg from one of the girls - totally edible, but has the texture of a water balloon

ouch

I fall down a few dozen times at the farm every winter.  It's just how it is.  Here is the latest hit to my knee, simply walking from my car into the house.