While I've Been Away..

As usual, I can't make any excuses for the severe neglect that this dear little blog of mine has been suffering.  My only excuse is that I've been super busy in the great outdoors.  Mr. MoonCat and I have been working on expanding the chicken runs and temporary coops.  I have great things planned and my hardworking, ever-suffering hubby usually is the one to make them into reality.  Good thing he loves me...

 A few pics to show why I've been preoccupied elsewhere:


My two-day old babies



Are YOU talking to ME?



My baby blue roo



Voracious appetites

When I am inside the house I spend a lot of time:

Saying "Aren't they cute?":

Then acting as referee:



She's MY mommy & I want to lay in her lap
~Notice my normally rotten Porkchop just
ignores them & continues with his nap


And, trying to convince a large hound that I can still see him behind a tiny pillow:

"Maybe she'll think I'm part of the sofa.."

So that's just a tiny peek at what we're doing around here.  I won't make any promises as to when I'll see ya next ~ I'm not very reliable that way lately....

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all,

whether your kids have skin, fur or feathers.

I miss you Mama

Cowboy Up!

We had a fun time out at the ranch today.  After having a lively breakfast, horseback riding was the scheduled event.  The star of course was Rowan!

Our favorite little nephew dude dragged his parents and his Grandma up to visit Aunty Julie, Uncle Mike and Papa Bill.  He was sporting his brand new cowboy boots and told them he just had to go on the long drive to see us.  We weren't fooled though, he really came to see the horses, the chickens and Adolph the dog!  We're all aware of our place in line :)  I think the tractor we call "Greenie" has also moved ahead of us..

Rowan was all dressed up for the occasion

-Uncle Mike, not so much

Rowan on Hailey, Uncle Mike on Ace

"Tickle, tickle Hailey!"

Rowan showing Papa Bill how to drive "Greenie"

He's a natural farmer!

It was a fun way to spend a sunny morning with loved ones who don't live close enough to see as much as we'd like.  We're already looking forward to Ro's next foray into cowboying.  Look out Hailey!

Recipe - Basil Beer Bread

While I do grow most of my basil from seed, I sometimes can't help myself and MUST buy a beautiful plant when I see it.  I recently snagged two gorgeous basil plants while out shopping.  I was pleasantly surprised when one of them had the following recipe included on the plant marker.  Because I had all of the ingredients on hand and just reading the recipe made my mouth water, I tried it.  And I loved it....So here it is...

Basil Beer Bread

3 cups self-rising flour
3 tbsp granulated sugar
12 oz warm beer
1/2 cup chopped basil

In large bowl, mix all ingredients together.  Pour mixture into a well-greased loaf pan or dish.  Put loaf pan into an unheated oven.  Turn the oven on and set at 350 degrees.  Bake for 50 minutes or until lightly browned on top.  Remove from pan and place on a wire rack to cool. 

***I think I would leave it in the oven for a few minutes longer and just keep a close eye on it.  This first loaf didn't get quite as brown as I would have liked.

The basil smell alone was enough to get the hubby wandering into the kitchen to find out what I was up to.  I  sliced it up while still warm and used some of this overly delicious herbal butter that I had made up the day before.  I followed the recipe I found at my idol Nancy aka The Lemon Verbena Lady's blog.  (Be sure to visit her site for great recipes and herbal wisdom.)

It was a huge success as we skipped dessert and opted for another piece of bread instead.  Needless to say, this will be a recipe that we'll use quite a bit in the coming months.  Many thanks to the lovely Nancy for the awesome herb butter recipe :)

Dawg Days

The little tyrant tells him off and then attacks

(Cailen and Pippi)

  

The old man ignores them all

(Muttley)

Bottoms up!  Vole hunting..

(Chandler, Cailen & Pippi)

How can you stay mad at this face?

(Pippi)

Mama's big baby boy

(Chandler)

Chandy has the toy and is ready for take-off!