Recipes for a Snowy Day

For some reason, a snow day means I need to cook and bake.  I figure if I'm not really going anywhere, I might as well do something I enjoy to spend the day inside. 
Yesterday, I made some delicious soup! Now, I am not a broccoli person, usually, but I loved this recipe, and can't wait for a chance to make it again. 

Southwestern Broccoli Cheese Soup

Recipe from Taste of Home's Light & Tasty

Annual Recipes 2005

4 cups water

4 reduced-sodium chicken bouillon cubes

4 cups fresh broccoli florets

3 cups frozen southern-style has brown potatoes

1 cup chopped carrots

1 cup chopped celery

1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper

3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

2 cups fat-free milk

6 oz. Velveeta (I want to try this with our Hill Folk)

1 cup chunky salsa

In a large saucepan, combine water, bouillon cubes, vegetables, salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Combine flour and milk until smooth; gradually stir into the soup.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes, or until thickened.  Reduce heat to low.  Add the cheese; cook and stir until cheese is melted. Add the salsa; cook and stir until heated through.  Makes 2 quarts (9servings)

1 cup= 1 serving

160 calories

3 gr. fat

883 mg sodium

27 gr. carb

3 gr. fiber

9 gr. protein

Today, we had the leftover soup for our lunch, and I decied we needed something to go with it, so I made Chive Whole Wheat Drop Biscuits...these are my favorites! I make them with every type of soup.

Chive Whole Wheat Drop Biscuits

Recipe from Taste of Home's Diabetic Cookbook 2004

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 Tbsp. toasted wheat germ, divided

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives or 1 tsp. dried chives

2 tsp. sugar

3 Tbsp. cold margarine

1 cup fat-free milk

1/2 cup shredded cheddar

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, 2 Tbsp. wheat germ, baking powder, chives, and sugar in a medium bowl.  Cut in margarine with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse meal.  Add milk and cheese; stir until just combined.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart.  Sprinkle with remaining wheat germ.  Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove immediately from baking sheet, serve warm.  Makes 12 servings

1 Biscuit= 1 serving

125 calories

4 gr. fat

5 gr. protein

18 gr. carb

2 gr. fiber

237 mg sodium

And we had chocolate chip cookies for dessert, and a snack once in awhile. Emily had fun helping.  She likes to pour the measured ingredients in.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe from Taste of Home's Diabetic Cookbook 2004

8 Tbsp. margarine, softened

1 1/2 c. packed light brown sugar

2 egg whites

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/3 cup fat-free milk

3/4 cup (4 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped pecans or walntus (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray cookie sheets with non-stick spray. (I use parchment paper)

Beat margarine and brown sugar in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in egg whites and vanilla.  Combine flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl.  Add flour mixture to margarine mixture alternately with milk, ending with flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if desired.

Drop dough by slightly rounded tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheets.  Bake about 10 minutes or until lightly browned.  Cook on wire racks. Makes about 6 dozen cookies

1 cookie= 1 serving

56 calories

2 gr. fat

1 gr. protein

10 gr. carb

0 gr. fiber

61 mg sodium

Now I need to figure out what to fix for dinner, that time is getting close. 

Aside from cooking, my day today has been busy doing tax books and laundry.  Can you say "fun"?!

On an exciting note, we have 4 wheels of cheese that were ordered earlier today that will be heading to Tennessee. Also need to cut up some cheese for Saturday farm market in Marietta. Just hoping the snow takes a break so that I can make it!

Thinking warm thoughts of spring...it can't be far off, can it??

More Baby Calf Pictures

Took my camera with the fresh new batteries to the barn last night.  Finally got a few pictures, and it was at the perfect time, bottle time for babies.

This is one of the older babies. 

Emily is now old enough and big enough to hold

the bottle and feed babies.

Al feeding 2 babies at once.

Emily loves having her tricycle at the barn. She loves

playing with the babies and Annie.

Emily scooted close to this cow for the picture,

and it looks like the cow was wondering

what Emily was doing so close.

Me with Emily and a baby.

Washing up the lines and milkers after milking is finished.

This is 2 milkings of milk in our bulk tank. 

The paddle in the middle stirs it every so often

so that the cream doesn't rise and it is mixed and

stays cold.

Now, I'm off to take some cheese to mail out to Tennessee.  I'm going to let Al do the driving, since the truck slid with me when I was coming down off of the hill from the cheese house. Finally able to get some sawdust today as well! The cows will be thankful for the dust.

Cows, Calves & Chickens

I took my camera to the barn this morning and took a few pictures.  My batteries were slowly giving out on me, I've been saying that for several days, but I keep trying to make the camera work anyway.  (I did get new, digital camera approved batteries today and will have more pics).  So, with that in mind, the pictures did not take as well as I would have liked, plus, baby calves do not hold still for a camera...especially a camera that takes forever to get the flash ready. 

The cows were cooperative.  They are naturally nosey, so they were more than happy to stare at the camera, they did look confused at the flash.  Probably wondered what the little blue spots were...

We had two babies born last night, within minutes of each other.  Both little girls. We're doing good this year for heifers.  Thank goodness too! We've had about 3 years of mostly bulls.  We're due for a heifer year.

I have to sneak a picture of Pinky in.  She's been feeling a bit left out with all the cows, calves, other cats and dog.  And of course she's not to sure about having Emily live in "her" house either.  This cat puts Garfield to shame at times.  This picture of her was taken at a happier time, before we used that gadget to trim her claws.  It was either do that her just do without furniture or trim work on the doorways.  That gadget that they advertise on tv really does do a good job.  Pinky would disagree, however.  Poor thing...

We did get our eggs yesterday, as I mentioned.  I have been asked if you can freeze eggs. You sure can.  I use freezer bags, they're cheaper and easier.  I put about 2-3 eggs per bag after I whisk them in a bowl, and put them in the freezer.  I can't remember how long they can keep this way.  I'll check and post that.  I don't plan on freezing any of these eggs, we've been eating so many at times.  Seems like these cold mornings call for a good hot breakfast instead of a bowl of cereal.  Of course, talking about eggs reminds me of my chickens, the ones who are not laying any longer. Well, imagine my surprise when I was sorting through some pictures from this past summer of the chickens and Emily.  I should have realized then that the girls were calling it quits. 

Ok, I'll admit, that's sad.  But, couldn't help myself.  Had the idea from a comment left on a previous post.  :)

 I print some pictures out and take them to farm markets and festivals with me when I set up to sell cheese.  Some people are not sure what a Jersey cow looks like, so this is helpful.  A really famous Jersey that you may know is Elsie the Borden cow. 

Well, just checked the time, and I'm running late getting to the barn! I need to put hay into the girls or they will not be "happy cows". 

Take care & Stay Warm, anxiously awaiting spring and the girls can get out on some green grass!

Sunny Saturday!

It has been awhile since we've seen the sun! It's nice for a change! And, even some of the snow melted. Of course that means mud, but at this point, we'll take it!

Emily and I made it to the farm market, and we were happy to get out for awhile.  It started out slow, but it picked up.  Now that we're open until 1 p.m., I've noticed several people wait until a little later to show up.  I guess that makes sense, who wants to get up and out early on a Saturday when it's cold out?? We had 4 degrees this morning when I left home. 

We also stopped at the Goodwill, as I've said before, my favorite place to go when I'm in Marietta!! Found Emily some nice shoes for church, I didn't realize how much her feet have grown! Found a few dresses for her, that are more appropriate for the cold weather when I venture out to church. 

My sister-in-law made it up for a visit, and to bring us 19 dozen eggs in exchange for a bull calf.  Al got him tattooed and registered, and we loaded him up in the back of her van.  This baby bull is going to have it good!  I'm excited about the eggs! Only a farm wife could get this excited over that many eggs!!  If anymore snow storms move through, we will not be hungry! We have eggs and beef in the freezer, and I stopped at the grocery yesterday, so we're good. 

No more baby calves born yet, and I still need to get batteries for my camera to take pics of the ones that have already been born.  I imagine the cows that are due, will decide to all calve at once.  They like to have their babies in the middle of the night.  We sometimes take turns walking to the barn during the night.  We like to make sure that the cow doesn't have any trouble.  Usually they don't, but once in awhile we have a breech, or a first calf heifer has trouble.  We also like to make sure the baby gets some of that good milk the mama has right away.  Keeps the baby good and healthy. 

My Gooseberry Patch cookbook has arrived!!  I'm excited! I picked out Farmers' Market Favorites and I can't wait for some free time to sit back with it and plan meals for this coming week!  I get so excited of the smallest stuff! Which means each day for me can have a lot of little blessings, and that makes me happy!

We made a trip into town yesterday, along with stopping at the grocery, Emily and I went to the library.  She loves going there.  I found a really great book for diabetics, and if I ever see a copy of this one to buy, I will.  I've already found several recipes that I can't wait to fix.  It's called Mr. Food's Quick & Easy Diabetic Cooking. 

I also forgot to mention that last week I received 2 letters from Gooseberry Patch!

They will be using 2 of my recipes in their upcoming book called Slow Cookers, Casseroles & Skillets.

The recipes are called Renae's Cheesy Shells and Yummy Pork Chops. Can't wait to receive this one!

I figured with all the cold and snowy weather we've been having,

a picture of the girls out on green grass in the sunshine may keep

us looking forwad to spring! Not too far off...

Have a great weekend!!

Calving Has Started

We generally start "calving season" right about now. We may have one or two calving in December and January, but once February through May comes, we're busy!!  So far we've had 6 babies born this week, 2 bull calves and 4 heifers.  So far so good! We hope for heifers, since they are the ones that grow up to produce milk, and that produces a milk check.  Bull calves we send to the stock yards, or sell privately to those who want a bull to raise for either beef or breeding.  When those little guys get about 2 years old, watch out! They get mean, and wouldn't think twice about killing a person.  This time, it turns out, we'll be sending one bull calf to my sister-in-laws in exchange for about 16 dozen eggs.  I need the eggs right about now, because my poor hens have gone on strike.  Makes me wonder why I'm feeding them so much!  Spring comes, the eggs will come too.  Of course, with all the babies bouncing around the place, my camera batteries decided to die.  I'll try to get some pictures this weekend after I get to town and get batteries.  They are so cute when they are little. From the looks of our breeding wheels hanging here in the office, we've got about 7 more cows due to calve within the next 10 days, and another 10-12 before March, once march comes, we're looking at about 20 more.  We'll be milking around 50 cows by April 1.  This is a wonderful thing!  More milk means more money, most of the time!  As long as the milk price holds this year.  Don't think we'll survive another big bottom out of the milk price.  This past year hurt!!

We're still dealing with snow, and as of last night freezing rain has joined in.  Made the driveway and our road fun today.  I'm scared to walk down the lane to get to the barn.  Our barn inspector made it in today. Good weather for it! Hoping it made it home without any trouble.  Our roads in our county are not the best, and I think most farms are on the worst.

I have to admit, after spending 4 days here at home, not going anywhere, I started feeling a bit cooped up.  So, we got in our 4WD pickup, and ventured to town, which is only 2 miles away, but on our road, it seems longer.  It's slick out there.  We stopped at our little Convenient store, picked up a few things that are reasonably priced (which is not much!), and made it back home.  Still haven't seen the mail go, so I suppose they did not run today. 

Found a link to a news article in the Columbus Dispatch.  They featured Ohio cheesemakers, and we're listed!  It's still amazing when we see our farm name listed in articles.  You can see it here: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/travel/stories/2010/02/14/Cheese_Trail.ART_ART_02-14-10_F1_RKGH1D6.html?cat=&sid=101&title=Food%20tours%20take%20cheesy%20turn%20in%20Ohio&type=rss
I also put it on our Twitter page and Facebook.

I've also got some new recipes that I've been trying since being snowed in, and I plan on posting those in the next day or so.  Planning on getting to Marietta on Saturday,and looking forward to it!  It may be my chance to get out for a few hours and then do some grocery shopping.  They are calling for another snow come Monday.

Valentine's Day

I am usually not a Valentine's Day person.  Never was, well except for when I was a kid and candy or a stuffed toy was involved.
I used to feel if I didn't get roses, then it was a bummer of a day. 
I don't feel that way anymore.  Valentine's Day, to me, is now about love.  And not just the romantic love, but love for others, love for God, and of course the love we receive from God. 
Also, this year, more so then other years, we just don't have the extra money to spend on flowers, candy and stuffed toys.  Not practical.  I'll admit, we're living by a thread right now, but the amazing thing is, our needs are constantly being met. 
So, this year, for Valentine's Day, it's been so good.  Al did morning milking and chores, while Emily and I went to church for a.m. services. Thankful for our 4WD pickup that can get us up that hill to our church. Emily did get a little stuffed giraffe for her Valentine's gift.  It went to church today. I was hesitant because I know how ornery a little stuffed toy can get during church.  It all turned out good, Emily's friend Kassie brought her new pink bear, so the girls both had their gift, and the bear and the giraffe hit if off right away.  Such a relief. :)  The two girls looked so cute walking together when junior church was dismissed.  So thankful that Emily has such a good friend. 
There was food after church.  Had several ask if Emily and I were staying, but we did not.  I didn't want to be eating there, while Al was finishing up chores.  Plus, as good as the food looked and smelled, it was not what I would have been able to eat.  I've been keeping my glucose in such good control (not going above 130 in the past several days!!!!), I did not want to mess it up now.  I made us a nice lunch of Tuna Melts, baked beans and some cottage cheese.  I feel good eating good food, so I like that part of healthy eating too.  I think that Al was thankful that we came on home.  We get to spend time together.  We'll be taking a ride to nearby town of Woodsfield soon, just to get out and about.  From what I hear, more snow will be on the way this week, so we may as well enjoy a little go out and look around time. 
I did make it to the farm market yesterday! I'm so happy that I did.  Business went well, sold quite a bit of cheese, considering how cold and snowy the day was.  But it was good, after 3 weeks, to get out and chat with everyone.  I'm so glad that I did not allow myself to sit around and feel sorry for myself.  I've got too many blessings to allow myself to do that. 
I do believe that a lot of food was collected for the food drive, boxes and boxes, and a lot of grocery bags were filled.  I love how the people of Marietta just get out there and do for others. 
I picked up a really nice CD today at church.  I've not had a chance to listen to it yet, but plan on it this evening.  It's called "Cleanse Me" by Lois and India Rasquinha.  13 songs, and some were written by them.  They are the daughters of missionaries. They spend time in both India and USA.  If anyone would want a copy of this CD, let me know and I can find out how you would be able to locate a copy. 
Well, I have rambled a bit.  It's a rambling day for me.  I'm feeling really good lately, and positive, even though we have a lot of difficulties facing us in this coming year, as it is with most farmers we know, we feel optimistic. 

Emily with Kassie at Vacation Bible School last July. 

Have A Heart With The Market

For anyone who is in the Marietta, OH area, and visit or would like to visit our farm market at the fairgrounds, we are open Saturday's, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. for the winter hours.  Tomorrow's event is "Have a Heart with the Market".  Non-parishable foods will be collected to go to the area food pantry. The Lions Club will also be taking any unused eyeglasses as donation.  The YMCA will be available with information and free passes, Selby Hospital will have Tobacco Prevention information, and The Marietta Fire Dept. will be taking blood pressure. All this and our usual vendors will be set up.  It's a good opportunity to get out if you've been snowed in!
I'm am keeping my fingers, toes and eyes crossed that I will be able to get out tomorrow and be there myself with our cheese.  But...our road isn't good yet.  For local folks in the Marietta area, you shouldn't have any trouble making it in.  That's what I get for living over an hour away! :)  But, I can still promote what is going on from here. 
Hope you are able to make it by and see us! Hoping I'm there too!! 

Still snowing..

It think this title for my blog is getting a bit repetitive.  Snow seems to be the main topic of any conversation. My dad called this morning to let me know that a family friend had passed away, but "snow" was also mentioned. I've noticed that most folks on Facebook are talking about snow... wonder what we'll chat about when it melts?  I really don't mind it this year.  Usually I am NOT a winter person in any way.  But, as of the past couple of years, winter is just about our only kinda sorta down time.  Taking care of the cows and heifers is a little more involved this time of year, but no cheese making until next month, given that we can get the truck and milk tank pulled up the hill.  If it's snowy and icy, no making cheese.  Too much of a hassle keeping the cheese house warm.  No furnace running during actual cheese make, it blows dust around that you do not want in the milk/curds. 

This year, being snowed in seems cozy.  We have plenty of food and this time of year gives me a chance to experiement in the kitchen.  This is just my thing!!

Later this afternoon, after my dinner insulin and dinner, Emily and I are going to walk up the hill to the cheese  house, and do at least an hour or so of work.  I need to cut up some cheese for the farm market this Saturday.  I'm being optimistic and counting on making it this week.  If I don't, my customers may be out to get me! I've been getting calls and emails.  I want to get the brine tanks scrubbed and ready for brine in another 3-4 weeks.  It should be set up a good week or so before you need it for cheese.  This gives the PH and acidity time to settle and develop.  Want to get the sales room organized.  My in-laws brought some supplies to us right before Christmas, and I have to find some room for it all.  I've even got some dark green wax now, want to use it on our Hill Folk Jersey this coming year, possibly. Depending on how much we have.  Hate to have to order more just yet.  That stuff is not cheap.

I put together a yummy lunch.  It came from the cookbook "Taste of Home Diabetic Cookbook 2004".  I received this book from my friend Laurie! Many many thanks to her!! 

Chicken Primavera

2 Tbsp. olive oil (you can use any oil, I chose olive)

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1 inch pieces

1 clove garlic

3 cups broccoli flowerets

2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

1 fresh tomato, chopped

1 pkg. (8 oz.) spaghetti or linguine, cooked and well drained (I used the Dreamfields pasta)

3/4 cup grated Parmesean

1 tbsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

3/4 cup evaporated skimmed milk

Heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat.  Add chicken and garlic.  Cook and stir 5 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Remove to serving plate.

Add broccoli, mushrooms and tomato to skillet.  Cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until broccoli is crisp-tender.  Return chicken to skillet and heat through.

Transfer mixture to large serving bowl.  Add spaghetti, Parmesean, basil, salt and peper.  Toss to mix. Add milk. Mix lightly.  Serve immediately on spinach covered plates if desired.  Makes 6 servings.

1 1/3 cup= 1 serving

Calories: 401

Fat: 10 g.

Protein: 40 g.

Carb.: 37 g.

Fiber: 3 g.

Cholesterol: 75 mg.

Sodium: 507 mg.

After waiting 2 hours after eating a serving of this, which by the way filled me up and I was not hungry, my glucose was just below my target, which is wonderful!! My target after meals is 126, today I was 122. One month ago I was sadly around 240.  Woohoo!!

I now have Applesauce Oatmeal Bread mixing in the bread machine on the dough cycle.  Will bake it in the oven with my own bread pan, since I'm not crazy about how a bread machine bakes, but loves that it mixes.  This bread is something I can have as a snack, or with our dinner, but just one slice! ;-)

Now I'm off to finish cleaning the crafting room, so I can actually have room to do a few crafts and scrapbooking once in awhile.  With Valentine's Day coming up, I have a few things I would like to make!

I Won!

Wow! This is really exciting!
I won a cookbook in the Gooseberry Patch giveaway for bloggers.
I can't wait to look through the cookbook.  I picked Farmer's Market Favorites.

We're having some of the leftover Taco Soup today.  It is so yummy on a snowy day like today.

We're now up to about 14 inches of snow or so.  It's still coming down. 

The sun popped out on Monday, and as we were driving on our road I took some pictures.
Al drove and I snapped the pictures.  The sun looked beautiful on the snow that was sticking to the trees and the branches. Our road was not the best, but we're used to that! They did plow it and put some stone down.

Hope everyone stays safe and warm!

Now off to find something for our dinner tonight & maybe I'll splurge a bit, and make a dessert!

Gooseberry Patch Giveaway!

Gooseberry Patch is having a blogging giveaway! Details are found on their blog.

So, here is my blog to enter the giveaway, because I love their cookbooks, and I'm all about getting something in a giveaway!!

Tonight I made Taco Soup from the book GBP Family Favorites.

I'm so happy to find so many recipes in my GBP collection that are diabetic friendly. Even without the nutritional breakdown, I can look at the ingredients and see right off if it is something I can eat. 

With this recipe, as with most things I cook, I did adjust it a bit for my own taste. I added about 1 cup of Dreamfields Pasta, which is diabetic friendly pasta. (YUM!)

Here is the recipe, it's a great one to share!

Taco Soup

15.25 oz. can whole kernal Mexican-style corn
15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 14.5 oz. cans chicken broth
1-1/2 cup chunky mild salsa
Cheddar cheese, shredded for garnish, if desired
(I added 1 cup pasta, optional)

Combine corn, beans, broth and salsa in a Dutch oven.  Cook over low heat until thoroughly heated.  Top with shredded cheese if desired.  Makes 7 cups.  *If pasta is used, heat soup to boiling, add pasta, cover and simmer until pasta is tender.

And as part of the GBP blog giveaway, I have pictures to include.  Since I'm taking the pictures myself, it was a bit tricky, so I had to get 2 pictures.

Taco Soup, from GBP Family Favorites, pictured

also with our Boeren Kaas Gouda. Recipe calls

for Cheddar, but I'm always experimenting

with our cheeses that we make.  The result

was delicious!

Me, with the cookbook and my serving of soup.

Since today was a snowy day, this was the perfect soup!!

Hope that everyone is staying safe and warm during this snowy time.  At least snowy here in our neck of the woods in southeast Ohio! Will be posting more snow pictures tomorrow! Finally got them off of my camera and on the computer. 

We have SNOW!!!

Friday into Saturday we got our fair share of snow! I'd say we had at least 12 inches or better, and they are calling for more tomorrow into Wednesday!
Emily and I took a walk on Saturday, but it was so hard to walk through snow that deep!
It's a beautiful snow, and it sticks to all the trees.  Sun peeking out today and it really is pretty!

Will be shipping out cheese orders tomorrow morning, hopefully before the next round of snow hits!

So, anyone in the Athens, OH or Dayton OH areas, please check out The Village Bakery and Dorothy Lane Market~Oakwood Store.  Lola's in Cleveland also ordered some of our Hill Folk that they use in some of their yummy dishes! You can find their webites and info on our cheese site!

Buckeye Grove Farm Cheese is now on Twitter!

I just started up an account on Twitter for our cheese.  I have the link to it posted on the side of my blog.  I haven't done any updates on Twitter yet, as I'm waiting for some followers to actually read them! lol

Looking forward to using this as another way to keep our customers up to date on what we are doing around here! We'll have lots of updates in about a month or so!

You can also go to https://twitter.com/buckeyecheese/

Quiet Winter Days

Sitting back with a hot bowl of chili with homemade cornbread. Mmm...it's good.  Such a dark, cloudy day. The perfect comfort food for a day like today. 

Spent last Friday morning at the hospital. Outpatient D&C surgery.  Never felt so sleepy as I did after I got home.  I crashed on the couch and snoozed! Emily snuggled up against me and she fell asleep.  Felt good to snuggle with her.  She says that she's my "snuggle bug".  Just love that girl!!

I missed the farm market, and I really had hoped to go, but didn't realize I would be so sore and sleepy.  Decided to take the drs. orders and rest. 

I have taken the time this week to get some of my "spring cleaning" started a little early.  Because for us, once spring is  here, there will be no time for house cleaning.  Starting next month we'll be making cheese again, and soon after cheese making begins, the hay starts to grow, cows need to be turned out to pasture, so that brings a lot of fence work and getting water lines checked and run to each stock tank.  I find that February is the best time of the year to dig into getting the house in order. 

Orders have started coming in for cheese for the month. Yay!  Glad I'm feeling pretty good now, so I can get busy on getting back to business.  I will be making my calls to our stores tomorrow.  For those who are in the Athens Ohio area, The Village Bakery ordered today, so they will be getting our cheese in by next week.  Lola's restaurant in Cleveland will also be making some really yummy dishes using our cheese. 

I'm looking forward to going to the farm market on Saturday.  I have MISSED everyone so much!  Along with selling cheese, I look at my time with customers and other vendors as my social time.  I shipped an order to one of our regular customers on Monday.  So glad she received it in good shape! Love meeing folks!

Getting back in gear to get some recipes put together and get our cookbook started and hopefully finished before fall.  I want to have some available before Christmas.  Good chance for me to test some of the recipes out! 

Now, I'm off to see what I can get into this evening.  I'm really wanting to get my sewing machine out that I received for Christmas and do some sewing....just not sure what to make first!