Home Made Eggnog

I am sooooooooo excited to share this with you!

Home Made Eggnog y'all!

Home.Made.Eggnog.

Rich aaaaand thick...  this stuff is good!

My Dad and I are the only ones in our family that like eggnog, so I guess that's why I have only been exposed to the stuff you buy in a carton.  Now, don't get me wrong, the stuff in the carton is good, but I was curious...

...curious to know what homemade eggnog tasted like.  So I looked up some recipes, found ones that were fairly simple to make, tweaked just a tad, and BAM!  Homemade egg not is good   great   fabulous   OUTSTANDING!

Our ladies (also known as chickens to some people) have finally started laying eggs again, so I thank them for their part in this recipe.

Although not necessary, I used fresh nutmeg for this and may I just add...it smells amazing!

Because this recipe makes one quart, of course I put it in a mason jar.  Ahem, this will make a neat little gift. ;-)

Home Made Eggnog
6 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1.  In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and sugar together.
2.  In a saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine the milk, cream, and nutmeg.  Stirring often, bring the mixture to a simmer.  Do not boil.
3.  Mix a big spoonful of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture.  Repeat a couple more times to  temper the eggs.
4.  Once tempered, pour the egg mixture into the the milk mixture that is left in the saucepan.
5.  Continually whisk for a few minutes, heating through. 
6.  Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
7.  Pour the eggnog into a covered container and refrigerate until chilled.  It will thicken as it cools.
8.  Serve with a sprinkling of nutmeg on top, if desired.

* Also shared at CommunityChickens.com *

Christmas Mantel 2017

And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

Although my Christmas mantle is simple this year, there is exciting news...

I hung Christmas stockings on the mantel for the first time...

...and they haven't caught fire yet!

Even without a fire, it is a cozy little spot that we all enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

You may also like:

2016 Christmas Mantel

2015 Christmas Mantel

2014 Christmas Mantel

Winter Planning With Chickens

Although just a dusting, the snow seemed to make everything more beautiful!  I don't think the little chickens shared my enthusiasm though.  Just look at them talking about 'that white stuff'.  Funny girls!

Before the snow fell this year, we did some preparation for our flock.  Click HERE to read my article at Community Chickens.

Adventures in Raising Turkeys and Thanksgiving in New York City

Did the title make you turn your head and say "what?!?!?"

It guess it proves that my husband is right... You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl!

While recently traveling home from New York City, I received an e-mail pertaining to my 2015 article about raising turkeys for our holiday meal.  I had to chuckle when I thought about what I had just experienced...Thanksgiving dinner at Hard Rock cafe in New York City!

For the first time in my life, I didn't celebrate Thanksgiving at a family table.  This year we were in New York for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  No homemade food, and certainly no homegrown turkey this year.

We did however have a traditional American Thanksgiving meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, and pie.

It was delicious!  And fun!  YOLO! (You Only Live Once)

You can read about our turkey experience HERE.  It was a challenge, to say the least, raising that turkey for a true farm to table experience.  An adventure that included a crazy turkey and a cow friend.

Life is an adventure...do something today that makes you laugh!

Easy Homemade Applesauce

Making your own applesauce is easy peasy!

Two ingredients are all you truly need.

You don't even need to write this down or print this out...you got this.

Apples and water.  That's it!

Simple, simple, simple...it's my mantra for life...although not always achieved. ;-)

Any type of apple will do, as long as they are firm, not mushy.

If you're feeling like you need some sweetness, add some sugar.

If you crave a little spice in your life, add some cinnamon or another warm spice.

If you are feeling smooth, puree the apples into a smooth sauce.

If you're feeling like you want some depth, mash those babies with a potato masher and enjoy a chunky applesauce.

I have made this from my Mom's 'recipe' many times...you know the one where you 'add some apples and a little water' to a pot.  But for you my friends, I tried to pin down some measurements...

Easy Homemade Applesauce
4 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced.
1/4 to 1/2 cup water (basically enough water to prevent the apples from sticking/burning)
In a sauce pan, combine the apples and water.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and cook until the apples have softened, 10 to 15 minutes.
Mash with a potato masher, puree in a blender, or blend with an immersion blender, to your desired consistency.
Store any left overs in the fridge.

And, if you are feeling like a domestic queen, make plenty to freeze or home can.

Pumpkin Log Recipe

Oh hello pumpkin log.  I look forward to greeting you every fall.

The smell of pumpkin wafting in the air evokes all the autumn feel goods, while the sprinkling of powdered sugar ignites my love for snow that  will soon be here.

Recently, when I went to make this,  I could not find the recipe in my over crowded recipe basket.  Thank goodness I had it on the blog!  Just in case you misplaced your recipe ;-) I thought I'd share it again...just in time for the holidays.

Whether this is your first time making a pumpkin log or you are a seasoned pro, I hope this pumpkin log recipe finds you cozy!