Long Time, No Post....

Well - it has been a solid few years since I last posted.
So much has changed - so many adventures have happened. I have returned to Wyoming and the Pryors a few times, I went to Nashville to see the Opry, the sights and Jake Owen last April. Last summer, I made it to Vegas to see Mr. George Strait belt out all 60 of his number ones. I took a last minute trip to the Pryors to clear my head last August.

BUT - my favorite thing that I had happen was meeting Jake.

Jake - it was love at first sight. We connected instantly. Oh - by the way, Jake is a horse.

Jake came to me from the person who had been boarding Scooter at the time. A family friend of hers had been leasing land to someone for numerous horses and that person just stopped paying and left the horses. Eventually, he went through the process of making the horses his legally and my friend went in to see if any of them could be useful.

She brought back 6 horses and a mule. These animals had not been handled in over 4 years.
The first encounter I had with them - I just walked into the group of them. Eventually - this big blue roan came right up to me and just buried his face against my body and wanted love. At that second - he had me. I told my friend that if she could get on him without his freaking out, I would buy him if she wanted to sell him.

I have now owned him for 6 months. 

It has been interesting. It has been challenging. It has been rewarding.The more I get to know him, the more I am figuring him out. I know nothing about his past life. He can stand tied for hours. You can get a saddle on his back no problem. He seems a bit clueless with a bit in his mouth, He trailers like a pro. I suspect he may have been a pack horse.He has a large, deep scar on his rump. he can also be a bit nervous about things behind him. Something spooked him once and he remembers.

When I first got him - he was easy to catch, handle and get a halter on. One day in the big pasture - his rival charged us as I was haltering him. After that, he started to swing his rear end at me in protest. I have been working on that and it has dissipated. When I moved him to the new ranch - he was great to catch in the quarantine pen. We worked on his stubbornness on the lead rope. After he was put into the general population, catching him and haltering became a nightmare.

It's funny - I can get him isolated from the herd quite easily. He will follow me. When I need him to come to me - all I have to do is crouch down and he will come to see me.He will follow me into a pen and that is where I would work with him to get the halter on. A few times - it was hard. The last 2 weekends, I was able to just slip the halter on with no resistance at all. When I ca do that - I am so proud and happy. Every small accomplishment I have with him is a huge win. I feel that he is trusting me more and more.

I am guessing him to be somewhere between 10 & 15.

When I bought him, I had his feet done right away.. They had not been done in years. He was nervous but he did well. I had one of the best guys I know trim him.
After I moved him, I decided to use the farrier that the ranch uses. I admit - I was quite nervous about how he would react, especially considering his sudden change in behavior. I tell you - I could not have been more proud of him. And 
fella who trimmed him taught me a lot and could not have done a better job. He said that he could tell Jake had a good mind and that he should be easy to work with. I was happy to hear that from someone who has decades of experience working with horses. My optimism is through the roof. I wish I was able to go more - but I am having to board them fairly far away due to my old guys special needs for winter feeding.

Another reason I felt good about buying Jake - he and Scooter hit it off immediately. After that mare I had - who I clearly sold - I think he was happy to have a brother who likes him. There was one of Jake's buddies that didn't seem to like Scooter. The day I introduced Jake and Scooter over the fence - that horse was getting a bit snorty and huffy at Scooter. Jake just bit him on the chest and chased him back from the fence. Then he and Scooter touched noses through the bars on the gate and squished their nostrils together.






I can walk them together like dogs - and I am hoping to be able to pony Jake off Scooter - that should tell me if he was a pack or trail horse.
I spontaneously decided to put a saddle on Jake - and a put a bit in his mouth and I took him to the round pen. It was windy and we didn't do much but regardless - and work with him is progress.
I have no idea what I am really doing - but I am learning as I go. And the first ride I take on him will be the most rewarding part of this whole experience.

Silly Faces of Miss Montana

I tell ya - this girl makes some goofy faces!

Here are a few!

 

Welcome To My Little Herd Montana!

So... I was CASUALLY thinking about looking for another horse... or donkey or mule.

There was a potential donkey... but that fell through due to some very sketchy circumstances.

Then I spied a mule on a Facebook group. The list before me was a mile long. I threw my hat into the ring. Alas... he was snapped up.

A few days later I was messaged by a gal who runs a rescue/rehab for horses suggesting that a mare that she had might be a good fit for me after a friend of mine mentioned it to her. We chatted some about her and then decided to go see her.

So on Saturday - that same friend of mine dragged her trailer down to Alix Alberta with me to see this mare.

Montana is a 10 year old Percheron cross. Crossed with what - I have no clue. She is green broke but has the fundamentals and the right attitude and a willingness to please. She is friendly and well mannered... except when we went to load her. Haha. Had a little bareback ride on her in the round pen. She was a bit hesitant and I was a bit clueless... and nervous having 2 riding instructors watching me. But in all fairness - we were new to each other and the trust will take time.

SO.... needless to say the trailer didn't come back empty! Meet Montana! Looking forward to learning and growing with this girl!

Bird Nerd

I love birds. It's always a treat when I can photograph them!

Here are some adorable chickadees from the farm last weekend!

Growing Like Weeds

These little guys are getting so big!

The runt is still tiny. I didn't see her when I got there yesterday and was afraid she may have died. But then I spotted her little butt poking out of the hay.

Sadly - 2 more have been lost and there are only 19 left.

The hazards are obvious when you have mamas weighing hundreds of pounds versus little ones weight only a handful. :( Such is farm life.

 

 

The runt. She is so cute.

 

 

Above is the dad of all these babies. He is so patient. He goes for a nap and almost all of the  babies swarm him and cuddle up to get warm.

 

 

Charlotte.

My Twist on Sherpherd's Pie

As per my Saturday usual, I found myself playing min the kitchen again.

This week: Shepherd's Pie.

 

I don't do a traditional shepherd's pie by any stretch.

Here is show I make mine!

What you need:

2 or so carrots, halved and sliced

Handful of garlic cloves - minced

A shallot or an onion - finely chopped

Celery (I use the tender center part of the celery, leaves and all), roughly chopped

Mushrooms - I used a half pound - roughly chopped.

Frozen peas and corn. Fresh if you can!

Olive Oil

Butter

6-8 good sized potatoes. I used up some reds from last weekend and added yellows.

Sour cream

Grated cheese

Can of mushroom soup

Packet of gravy power

Salt

Pepper

Smoked paprika

Basil

1lb ground beef

1lb ground pork

 

In a large pot, heat up some butter and olive oil.... or just oil. Start to cook down the carrots as they will take the longest.

Add the shallot/onion and garlic, mushrooms, celery and some salt and pepper. I cracked the pepper myself with the mortar & pestle. Add some basil if you'd like.

In a bowl, mix the coup and the powdered gravy and ass a little paprika. I just love the smoky taste - it's not necessary though.

Get the potatoes boiling.

Once the veggies are cooked down, add the frozen peas and corn - I did about 3/4 cup each.

Mix the veggies with the soup and set aside.

Brown the meat in the same pot. I use a pot that can also go in the oven to save on mess.

Once the meat is cooked, dump the veggie/soup mix into the pot - or mix all together on a casserole dish.

When the potatoes are ready, drain them.

melt a quarter to a third of a cup of butter in the pot and get some minced garlic cooking.

put the potatoes back in the pot, mash and add about a cup of sour cream.

Spread over top of the meat mixture. Top potatoes with grated cheese and bake in a 350* oven for about a half hour.

If the gravy bubbles up over the cheese - skim it off, add some more. toss a little bit of bread crumbs on there and broil if you want that crispy cheese crusty top. That's the best.

 

 

Let sit for a bit and then enjoy!

For days....

 

 

More Piglet Photos

A little dose of cuteness for you!!

I took about a thousand photos on Sunday...These little guys are just so ridiculous to watch!!

 

 

Here is the runt. She is so adorable. And doing very well!

Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf

So I made a meatloaf.

I have done this one before and it is a popular one with the male population.

It's a miracle if you eat it without having chest pains. So if you are a health nut, this is NOT a meat for you!

 

Wanna know how I make mine? Keep reading!

 

 

Here is what you'll need: 

Approximately 1lb lean or regular ground beef

 Approximately 1lb lean ground pork

1 package of bacon

1 cup bread crumbs

2 eggs

A few handfuls of grated cheese of your choice - I use marble

6-8 good sized mushrooms - I prefer crimini - coarsely chopped

1 shallot - or you can use onion - finely chopped

4-5 cloves of garlic minced

1 package of powdered grave - I used a mushroom one

Salt and pepper to your liking

Sprinkle of basil

Smoked paprika - if you smoky flavor

Water or milk. I used water

 

Line a casserole dish with bacon. I use a round one because that's what I have.

Use whatever is big enough to hold everything, but I wouldn't go too shallow. 

 

Heat up  some olive oil on the stove in a pan. Sautee the garlic, shallots and mushrooms and season with a little S&P, until they look done. Remove from heat.

 

In a large bowl, mix the meat, eggs, bread crumbs, basil, sprinkle of the paprika, handful of cheese, powdered gravy, a bit of salt and pepper and your sautéed mushrooms and whatnots.

Mix together either with your hands or a wooden spoon. I use a wooden spoon because it's cleaner.

 

Dump meat mixture into the bacon lined casserole dish and sprinkle the top of the meatloaf with some more grated cheese if you'd like and then fold the bacon over top.

 

Bake on 350*F for about an hour and a half. If you are using a thermometer, it should read 155*F when done. As you can see - I had to cut into mine - BEFORE I took the picture - as I don't have a meat thermometer. I am going to buy one. Haha!

 

Now - for sides - one thing I like to do is make mashed potatoes.

So make your favorite mashed potatoes. Mine are usually with white or Yukon golds - but last night I used red... Because I am cheap. Haha!

I boil the potatoes to the point of being ready to mash.

Drain them and leave them in the colander in the sink.

Take a good heap of butter - as much as you and melt it in the potato pot.

Add a ton of minced garlic and cook it down.

One thing I like to do sometimes is get the butter to the brown point. That one you have to watch like a hawk. The second that butter turns brown you have to remove it from the heat.

I didn't do I that way last night though.

When the garlic is cooked - add your potatoes back in and mash them.

I like to add sour cream, but I forgot to get some yesterday.

Because why should the potatoes be any less unhealthy than the meatloaf? 

 

NOW - the gravy.... At some point during cooking - maybe more than once, pull the meatloaf out of the oven. As it is cooking, it is releasing juices and fat and shrinking in the dish. Use a turkey baster to suck out all of those juices.

Put them in a pot.... add some water if you'd like - and a package of powdered gravy. Yes - I cheat.

Gravy - again - make it to your liking. Add some pepper or herbs. I added a bit of starch to thicken it because I wanted more gravy than what the package would allow. Buy two packages if you want. You can use flour... I added more of the meatloaf juice as I went along. Really - just make your gravy. There's no right and wrong way!

 

Finally - pick your favorite veggie to serve with it as well so you don't feel too guilty about all that bacon and meat and cheese and butter... and VOILA! Bacon wrapped meatloaf just happened.  

 

The beauty of meatloaf is that is - just like my pasta sauce - is a blank canvas. Don't be afraid to tweak it... don't be worried if you aren't accurate with measurement... I rarely am unless I am baking.

Cooking is like art. You can express your creativity through food.

 

ENJOY!

Pasta Sauce Revival

 

I seriously have BARELY cooked since I have been back in Alberta.

Who was I going to cook for? It was never worth making the mess just for me. Alas - I ate take out, salads, fruit, veggies, soup....

 

Cooking has always been something I love to do. A creative outlet. Especially cooking for people.

 

So now that I am seeing someone, I have started to dabble in the kitchen again.

I did 2 half assed slow cooker meals - a stew and a meatloaf - for him, as well as my rouladen. That's the one with the beef, Dijon, onions, bacon - wrapped around a dill pickle, simmered in wine. Then I make a gravy and serve it with mashed potatoes. Garlic, butter, sour cream and some of the left over bacon. It is good. I will make a post about it next time I make it.

 

Pasta sauce has always been one of my favorites to make. You can take it anywhere. The pot and the tomato sauce are like a blank canvas just dying to be turned into something amazing.

 

This sauce I made last night was a good one to get me back in the game.

This one was made by pan frying to the point of ALMOST done, one pound each of ground beef and ground pork with some oregano.

I set that pan off to the side and in my most favorite pot EVER(the one my mom always used and said I could have when she was dead... so unfortunately I know have the pot), I started to sauté minced garlic and thinly sliced shallots in some olive oil. Once they started to soften up, I added chopped celery - about 7 ribs and one zucchini. I like the rustic feel to the sauce, so I tend to chop my veggies into larger pieces.

I then added in 4 diced roma tomatoes and the juice of half of a lemon, and a LOT of thick sliced mushrooms. Probably over a pound, white and crimini both.

Once I started to see a bit of browning on the bottom of the pot, I deglazed it with some red wine. I also added some of the juices that had cooked out the meat. Then I added my spices. Oregano, basil, a little thyme, some rosemary that I ground up with my mortar & pestle, smoked paprika, peppercorns - the colorful ones - that I cracked up myself, sea salt, parsley... and I think that was it.   

I let that cook down a bit and then I added a large can of tomato sauce, a drained can of diced tomatoes, some balsamic vinegar and then I let it simmer for a bit. I dumped the meat in and let it simmer down a lot, adding a few more spices to taste as I went along, as well as a bit of corn starch to thicken it up.

THEN... garlic bread.

I minced up garlic - put parsley, basil, smoked paprika, salt, pepper and a little lemon juice. Spread that on the French bread that I cut in half, Then I topped it with grated marble and parmesan cheese and tossed it under the broiler.

The sauce finished up. I served it over rotini, topped with grated parmesan... and it was fantastic!

And there was a ton of it so I have left overs galore! It is even better the next day. :) 

Piglet Pictures

As you were warned.... here is some incredible cuteness from Wednesday! The piglets are getting so big and active now and Charlotte has her babies out with the group. Still holding at 21.