Winter on The Farm & Apple Cake!

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The shipment of sheep pelts has just arrived at the tanner which signals the close to harvest and preserving for 2022. I have such an appreciation for the artisan trades and traditions. They understand how to bring out the complete beauty and heirloom qualities of the wool pelts. I admire that. The wait to receive the finished pelts feels like forever but I know these processes take time and much attention to detail. Teaching our young generation the skill of working with our hands, creating and completing a task of value and worth to them and possibly those around them brings confidence, self-worth and a sense of ownership. This has been a focus since raising our family and now helping imprint on our grandchildren this golden gift. We also thoroughly enjoy having young people come to our farm to interact with the animals and gardens. To see the delight in their eyes as they pull a carrot from the garden or pet our wooly sheep is great joy!

One cycle is ending and another one is beginning. Breeding season……. It takes thought, purpose and intentionality to continue to build to full potential. As it is with most things in life…. We have two new rams offering unique genetics, fleece color and conformation to our flock. April is when we reap the reward from our planning in the late summer with a new crop of lambs. Chance and Freckles are the two new guys on the block!
We appreciate those that have supported our farm by offering a kind word, have a curiosity about why we farm and enjoying the fruits of our labor by purchasing what we produce. We extend a hearty thank you! To share the goods from our farm brings us great encouragement and joy. I have had the opportunity to share our story of why we farm during a few interviews these past months. It has been a good exercise for me to really be mindful and reflective in answering the questions. When I was asked if I ever wanted to throw in the towels, I said “Just hide the towels!” Of course, there are hard days when we have wondered what on earth we were doing but we’ve coped with them by remembering that amazing experiences we wouldn’t trade for anything are right around the corner. It just takes a bit of country grit to carry through. So I say to all of us, country living or otherwise, carry on with a little grit and grace!
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Honey Apple Cake

This recipe was made originally by my great aunt Marie. She and Uncle Johnny owned an apple orchard in the mountains of Colorado. Uncle Johnny found great joy in tending to the orchard and Aunt Marie used her love of cooking to showcase the beautiful apples.
Enjoy this super moist cake for a delightful dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of warm cream sauce. A sweet breakfast with a little yogurt to the side is never a bad way to start the day either!
I have put my spin on the recipe by using whole wheat Einkorn flour but using an unbleached or whole wheat flour is delightful as well.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup softened butter
  • 2/3 cup honey
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3 cups shredded apples I leave the peels on.
  • 1 1/3 cup whole wheat Einkorn flour or 1 ½ cup unbleached or whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Cream the butter and honey together, well. Add the 2 eggs and vanilla to the cream mixture. Mix well. Stir in the shredded apples and then add the mixed dry ingredients. Mix well.
  • Pour into a greased 9”X9” baking pan.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes.
  • Serve with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce or this custard cream sauce.
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Custard Cream Sauce

This sauce is a frequently asked for recipe. It is rich, silky and slightly sweet. A perfect combination for a number of desserts.

Ingredients

  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 cup cream or half n half
  • 1 Tbs vanilla
  • 3 Tbs maple syrup

Instructions

  • Whisk all the ingredients well in a small pot.
  • Cook on a medium-low heat, whisking often. The sauce will start to thicken.
  • As soon as the sauce coats the back of a spoon, pour the warm sauce through a fine strainer and then serve warm or refrigerate for later.
I have a new item in the shop that is practical and fun to use. Our needle felted trivets make a unique gift and a nice addition to your kitchen. There is still a little time left to place an order for a custom made Nativity set. For the knitters and spinners there is a nice selection of yarn and roving. Visit our shop!
Unique Gift Ideas!

As we enter into the season of Advent and Christmas we extend a warm holiday wish to each of you.

Love from Julie, Gene and the flock

 

 

Kindness is like snow~ It beautifies everything it covers.

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