Family, food, and fun...

 What a fabulous weekend.  Family, food, and fun.  Kelly's family from Minnesota came out to turkey hunt.  We had a great time. While the guys hunted, Tricia, Mya, and I found all sorts of things to do.  Baking, shopping, hiking, and of course sitting and visiting over coffee and watching the turkeys in the yard while the men are out in the woods hunting. 

My GREAT niece, Mya, enjoys baking as much as I do and has always wanted to try making a French Chocolate Silk Pie.  I found a recipe at  The Best French Silk Pie: Copycat Perkins at Home - Wholesome Farmhouse Recipes

For the chocolate silk filling

• 4 Ounces Unsweetened Chocolate melted and cooled
• 1 Cup Unsalted Butter softened, 2 sticks
• 1 ½ Cups Granulated Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 4 large eggs or pasteurized eggs if preferred

For the whipped topping

• 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 2 Tablespoons Powdered Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• Chocolate curls or shavings for garnish

Instructions

• Prepare the pie crust. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and transfer it to a 9-inch pie pan. Trim and crimp the edges. Prick the bottom with a fork, line with parchment paper, and fill with pie weights or dry beans. Note. A purchased unbaked crust will work just fine for this recipe. But you can make your own. We have a flaky pie crust recipe.
• • -Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15 minutes. Remove weights and bake another 10–12 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely.
  • -Prepare the filling. Melt the unsweetened chocolate in a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl. Let it cool slightly.
    -In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar for 5–7 minutes, until light and fluffy.
  • -Add melted chocolate and vanilla. Beat to combine.
  • -Add eggs one at a time, beating on medium-high speed for 3–4 minutes after each addition. This gives the filling its silky texture. ⚠️ Note: This recipe uses raw eggs. Use pasteurized eggs if concerned about food safety.
  • Assemble the pie. Spoon the chocolate filling into the cooled pie shell. Smooth the top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • -Make the whipped topping. In a cold mixing bowl using a hand mixer, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spread or pipe the whipped cream over the chilled pie.
    -Top with chocolate shavings, curls, or chocolate chips to garnish.
  • Chocolate curls or shavings

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It was fun trying something new and it was delicious.  We are putting that recipe in the cookbook for sure.  I also made a S'mores, strawberry, and banana cream pie.  It seems like a lot of pie, but with 7 people made short work of them.  My husband did the cooking, and I was in charge of baking.  We had to rely on the smoker, as we still don't have an oven.  I was pretty apprehensive how pie crusts would work on the smoker, but everything turned out grand. He found a new recipe cheeseburger tater tot hot dish.  You top it with pickles, mustard, and ketchup.  Yum.  Then Kyle brought monster steaks and shrimp.  As I said it was family and food.  During one of the meals we were all sitting around the table eating and laughing.  I was filled with an overwhelming sense of contentment.  

Fun is also in the works whenever they come out. We didn't just eat.  Tricia, Mya, and I explored a new antique store in Deadwood.  I was able to show them around my school.  We always go to Hill City and wander through the plethora of shops.  After the guys filled their turkey tags, we also went for a hike up to Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon.  

It was a beautiful day to hike and luckily there weren't a lot of people on the trail.  The water was cold and clear.  The stream was filled with trout, and we were lucky enough to see the American dipper.  It is a rare bird here in the hills.  I wasn't able to get a good picture of it.  They are pretty cool little birds as we watched it swim under water looking for food. 

Traditions are important and I can't think of a better tradition than the Fuller Turkey Hunt.  Kyle and Tricia have raised some amazing kids and it has been a joy to watch them grow.  Whenever we are together there is laughter, stories, and adventures. 

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day and was able to spend time with their family. 

April snow showers bring May flowers...

 April showers did bring May flowers.  My tulips and daffodils are looking good.  I never have much luck with tulips as they rarely come back after about 2 years.  These yellow ones have held on for a long time.  

I am super happy to see the bees made it through the spring.  Usually, they make it through the winter and then I lose them in April because it warms up and then freezes again.  They don't like those big temperature swings. 

As always, I can't help but do close ups of my flowers.  The intricacies enamor me.   

I should have been more patient and waited to catch a bumble bee, but I was busy.

We have turkey hunters coming on Wednesday, so I had to finish up my spring cleaning.  Mainly washing windows and mopping the basement.  My husband got all of the bedding washed.  Dollor was tired just watching me.  

Hope your weekend was productive.  Do you see any bees out around your home?

Still snowing...

 Well, typical April.  It is still snowing.  All week when I'm at work it is beautiful and then Friday night snow and more snow.  Drat.  

I Dollor got lots of walks in.  He loves the snow and the cold.  He ran with abandon.  Meanwhile I trudged along gloomily.  

At least it was still pretty watching the next wave of snow blowing in.  

There is green grass under there.  I'm sure I will see it sometime.  Meanwhile, I just keep cleaning house.  Maybe it won't stop snowing until I'm done with my spring cleaning. 

The goldfinches are so bright and cheerful.  I have quite a few around the cabin.  

The only flowers I see right now are in the cabin.  My Thanksgiving cactus is confused and blooming and one of my orchids surprised me with some blooms.  

I don't have anything else exciting at this end of the country.  Still no oven, so no baking.  The weather isn't good for gardening.  Just spending my weekends washing down the logs and cleaning all of the nooks and crannies.  Are you done with your spring cleaning?  

I didn't do anything...

 It snowed again.  Nothing major, just enough to take the wind out of your sails. I had a long week at work and to be honest I really didn't do anything this weekend. 

It did finally melt and my little wild tulips poked out to say hello!

It's hard to not be doing something,  but once in awhile a person just needs to relax.

Did you have a productive weekend?  Is it hard for you to relax?

Honey do...

 Another busy weekend.  Worked on my log planter idea. Completed a project for my husband.  Gardened and got ready to garden. Racked and bottled some wine. Took the dog for numerous runs, none of which tired him out. I, on the other hand, am exhausted.

The log planter is shaping up.  I did a lot of sanding.  I'm still working on rounding out the inside so a pot will fit in the middle.  Funny thing is a few years ago while taking my noon walk at work, I found the best chisel/crowbar in the ditch.  It was like new and works like a charm to remove bark and shape the inside.  Finders keepers and the loser I'm sure is weeping. 

The project for my husband was to braid a turkey beard hanger.  It is no secret we enjoy having company during spring turkey hunting.  This is a place for people to keep their memories.  The internet is a great place to find ideas.  He showed me one and asked if I could make something like it.  It took me a few tries, but I figured out a way to make it work.  Creating new things is always a fun challenge.  It is also nice to cross things off of HIS honey do list:)

I was a little frustrated two weeks ago when the crocuses came up.  I was certain I had planted a bunch, but not many were showing.  I was afraid I had imagined planting them.  Lo and behold a bunch more came up this week.  Thank goodness.  I was afraid the bulbs were in the same place as the missing mosquito repellent and seed starter lids.  

This weekend we had to go to the farmer supply store.  What did I see, but this metal planter I've been eyeing on the internet for a few years.  I just couldn't bring myself to pay $200 for a planter.  Well, I'll be danged if this one wasn't on sale for $89.  I was so excited.  Of course, my sweet husband quickly got the last one.  Crossing things off of his honey do list pays off.  

The planter was a bit deeper than I would need.  That was easily fixed utilizing the hügelkultur method.  This is a form of composting that utilizes woody waste to retain soil moisture and fertilizer. Logs are placed in the bottom of the planter or plant bed.  The layer with rough compost. In my case I had some alfalfa, but you can use leaves.  Then you top everything with a layer of fine compost. The nitrogen rich additives will heat up sooner and as they break down will improve soil fertility.  This is my new herb garden.  I will fill it with my basil, rosemary, parsley, sage, thyme, lemon balm and chives.  I can't plant it yet, as I'm sure we have cold days ahead.

I bottled the pear wine.  Why it is purple?  I have no idea.  The pears were completely green.  It is a very smooth wine.  Normally my pear wine is extremely high alcohol content.  Again, no idea why.  I don't think this batch is as potent.  As you may have observed from this paragraph, I'm not the most scientific of winemakers.  It sure looks pretty.

Dollor was unstoppable this weekend.  I don't know how many walks I took him on.  He finally laid down when he reached my husband's plowed ground.  He found the cool earth refreshing.  I took him home and had to tie him up while I was outside.  He wouldn't stop chasing the chipmunks.  I thought I had forced him to relax.  Then I looked over and he had dug a hole in the lawn and was proud as can be relaxed and laying on the cool earth.  Needless to say, I wasn't as happy as he was.  

  That was a short weekend.  I still had things I wanted to do, but they will wait for another day.  

What did you do this weekend?  What is your favorite planter?  I hope your spring days were as nice as ours.  

Project weekend...

 It was a busy weekend. We tried some new recipes, built some birdfeeders, gave Dollor a bath, and did some cleaning.  My seedlings are making good progress.  A friend at work told me to save my tomato seeds on a napkin. Then just tearing of a piece of the napkin and planting it.  As you can see below it worked a little too well.  I have a plethora of tomato seedlings.  

The basil is up, as is my pumpkins, squash, and melons.  All that is left is my rosemary and pokey peppers.  You may think it is early, but they will do fine in the greenhouse.  

In honor of spring and the Easter holiday, I tried making a lemon cream pie and it was fabulous.  

Lemon Cream Pie

For the Crust:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

For the Lemon Filling:

• 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step No.1: Make the Crust

• In a bowl, mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined. Press the mixture into a 9-inch pie pan, covering the bottom and sides evenly. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the filling.

Step No.2: Prepare the Lemon Filling

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy and well combined.

Step No.3: Assemble the Pie

• Pour the lemon filling into the prepared crust, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step No.4: Chill the Pie

• Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) until set.

Step No.5: Garnish and Serve

• Top with whipped cream and lemon slices before serving. Slice and enjoy!
• NO BAKE LEMON PIE RECIPE - Forfoodiefriends 

I have wanted to make a peanut butter feeder forever.  This weekend was the perfect time to get it done. It snowed on Saturday and it was cold and breezy.  I couldn't find any plans on the internet, but it couldn't be that hard.  Well, maybe it couldn't be.  Measure twice cut once is not my motto.  My husband came to my rescue after I cut the wrong end and had to start all over again.     

The boards are:

3 x 4 1/2

4 x 4 1/2

6 x 6 1/2

7 x 6 1/2

8 wood screws and a little dowl 

As you can see there is a little jar of chunky peanut butter fit in there perfectly.  I painted the roof forest green.  I can't wait to put it up.  I've been wanting to make them forever.  That might be how long it would have taken me to make it if my husband hadn't stepped in and helped me.  

Poof and then just like that the weekend was over.  It was fun, but way too short.

Did you try any new recipes this weekend?  Was it a busy holiday weekend?  I hope you were able to enjoy your time with family.

Here comes the crocus...

 The weather has been nice here.  There has been a lot of elk in the mornings on the way to work.  Someone left out their round bales, and the herd made short work of them.  

The crocuses are blooming and I took a lot of pictures.  If the turkeys don't get them the snow, we are predicted to get Tuesday probably will.  The dang turkeys snip them off.  They don't eat them, but they seem to think they need to be beheaded. 

We got some bentonite and put it in the bottom of my frog pond.  All of the construction around here has ruined the tree frog habitat.  I'm hoping this will give them at least one mudhole for their tadpoles.  

With the good weather we got a lot of projects competed.  One I have been pondering all winter was cutting up a downed aspen.  It was hollow and I want to make them into planters.  I will take off the bark (otherwise the ants will eat them), sand, and stain them.  The work on it so a flowerpot will fit in the hollowed part. 

My cousin took some photos of the sunset from her home.  I am a few miles away, but it was the same sunset, and I also took some pictures. The photo below was the sunrise this morning.  It sure has been nice the last couple of weekends, and we have taken full advantage.  It sounds like there is rain and snow in the future. 

What has the weather been like there?  Are your crocuses up yet?  Any garden projects you have been dreaming about completing?