It started innocent enough...

It started innocent enough.  The local winery is closing.  Not just any winery the Prairie Berry.  The very reason I started making wine.  I had their Red Current Honey Wine and fell in love with berry wines.  You know when you are getting old when you see businesses start and end.  The Prairie Berry was somewhere I always took visitors when they came to the hills.  I am pretty sad to see them go.  

My husband knows my feelings about the place, so when we saw they were selling their wine barrels for $50 he snuck down there to surprise me.  Surprise me he did.  He did not come back with some little $50 wine barrel.  He operates by the theory go big or go home.  In this case he went big and still came home.  He wants to make it into a bathroom vanity.  Problem: It won't fit through the door.  I'm sure we will figure something out.  For now it graces our porch.  It holds 132 gallons and called a puncheon. 

It was nice this weekend and I got to enjoy some hot cocoa outside by our little fire table.  I can't say how much I enjoyed just sitting outside watching the chipmunks freshly out of hibernation.  

I also drove over to Gillette to see my nieces rodeo.  I'm so proud of them.  They can drive a fully loaded horse trailer like it was nothing.  Practice and take care of their horses all while going to college.  They set up camp at the rodeos.  Ride hard.  Know everyone on the rodeo circuit and still take time to sit and visit with their crazy aunt Bonnie.  I brought them a bunch of cookies.  I love this photo a professional photographer took.  Her sister mentioned that they were unable to capture her leading them to the gate.  It is wonderful how they support each other. 

I managed to throw my back out this weekend, but I was determined to not let that stop me from our weekly walk in Spearfish.  I took a hot shower, did some yoga, took ibuprofen, and rubbed it with some sort of snake oil they were giving away at a conference I was recruiting at.  It all worked.  My husband and I did 3.25 miles in our fastest time ever 18-minute miles.  The ducks were gone today, so I guess they weren't decoys.  I can't move now, but it was worth it.  

I have done a terrible job of taking sunrise, sunset, and moon photos.  I've seen some real beauties lately but have never had the camera ready or was driving on the interstate.  I even saw the blood moon and didn't get a picture.  I'm slipping. 

I don't know much else.  It was a super busy weekend, but a good busy.  I got to see family and spend time with my wonderful husband who spoils me.  Do you have a memento from a business or a place that you frequented?  What is it?  

Making it through March...

 Despite the warmer weather, we still have quite a bit of snow at our cabin.  Unfortunately, it is wet, sticky, and not much fun to snowshoe in. 

We've been going to Spearfish to walk on the weekends.  We did 3.25 miles this weekend.  It is nice to just enjoy the walk and not worry about slipping or sliding around.  Visiting and walking is a great way to exercise. It was also much warmer there.  I suppose that is because the wind isn't blowing over a sea of snow.

We saw the exact same two ducks in the exact same location.  Still sleeping.  I almost wonder if they aren't decoys. 

These three mallards were fishing like crazy.  It was fun to watch them dip and dive.  

This beautiful wood duck was also looking for a meal.  We watched him for some time.  He wasn't too worried about our presence.  

He certainly is dapper looking.  

I met a friend for hot yoga on Sunday.  Words can't describe how energizing it feels to do hot yoga when winter doesn't seem to be ending soon. It is always good to share a cup of coffee with a friend and talk about life.  

I'm getting very impatient for warmer weather.  Our weekends together are pretty limited at the cabin as the snow is everywhere.  I'm ready to plant.  I want to be outside, but even the porch is too cool to sit very long.  It sounds like another snowstorm is coming this weekend.  Needless to say I am far from pleased.  Just sitting here counting the days and passing the time visiting. 

What are you doing to make it through March?  Do you have snow?  

Sunshine on my shoulders...

 It has finally warmed up here.  We went to Spearfish to walk on the trails, and they were filled with people.  Everyone was enjoying the 50-degree day.  

Even the ducks were dozing in the sunshine.  It felt nice to be out without worrying about slipping on ice or not being able to feel your face due to the cold.

My niece in Minnesota made my favorite blueberry muffins.  It makes me happy we can share a love for baking.  She even made some with raspberries in them.  

This isn't the best picture.  I should have smoothed everything out.  I'm still plugging away on the quilt.  Everything is ready, so next weekend I should be quilting.  

We were pretty busy this weekend making railings for our staircase, quilting, walking, and even went to visit a friend for her birthday.  It was a nice visit.  Before I knew it the weekend was over.  

I am super happy to have warm weather and sunshine.  It is supposed to snow on Tuesday, so we enjoyed it while we could. What did you do with your weekend?  What is your favorite muffin?  Hope you are also enjoying sunshine. 

Lemons, peaches, and (of course) snow...

 The weather was fabulous this weekend.  My husband and I went to Spearfish for a walk.  They have many walking paths and keep them cleared off better than they do their streets.  It was a beautiful day for a walk.  When we got home, I dug my way into the greenhouse. 

Things looked great in the greenhouse.  I sure wish it was closer to planting.  It was good to go in and sit on the bench for a few minutes and make garden plans.  

We got some beautiful lemons last week.  I squeezed them for lemonade and grated the peels.  

I made some lemon sugar scrub.  Mix one and a half cups of sugar, 4 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of grated lemon, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons of coconut oil.  I have used this recipe for years in the shower.  It keeps my skin smooth, soft, and moisturized. 

Today seemed like the perfect day for peach strudel muffins.  They are delicious.  I used peaches I canned this summer.  

Peach Strudel Muffins 

 Crumb Topping 

 1/3 c. Brown Sugar 

 1 T. Sugar 

 1 t. Cinnamon 

 1/4 c. Butter melted 

 2/3 c. Flour Muffins 

 1/2 c. Butter softened 

 1/2 c. Brown Sugar 

 1/4 c. Sugar 

 2 Eggs 

 1/2 c. Yogurt 

 1 t. Vanilla 

 1 3/4 c. Flour 

 1 t. Baking Powder 

 1 t. Baking Soda 

 1/2 t. Cinnamon 

 1/8 t. Allspice 

 1/2 t. Salt 

 3 T. Milk 

 1 1/2 c. Diced Peaches Glaze 

 1 c. Confectioners Sugar 

 3 T. Cream or Milk 

 ½ t. Vanilla 

 First, make the crumb topping. Mix ingredients until crumbly. Preheat oven to 425º and spray muffin tins. To make muffins beat butter for 1 minute, add sugars and beat for 2 minutes until creamed. Then add yogurt, vanilla, and eggs continue to beat. Slowly add dry ingredients and continue to mix. Slowly fold in chopped peaches. Pour batter into muffin tin then top with strudel topping. Gently press topping into the muffin. Bake at 425° for 5 minutes. Then turn oven down to 350° and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes. After they cool top with the glaze.

I'm still able to snowshoe though the snow was pretty sticky today.  There was a beautiful spring breeze making the trek all the more enjoyable. Fresh air and exercise is the cure for everything.  It was a good weekend.  I'm certain the cold weather isn't over, but it was a nice respite.  

How is the weather in your area?  What was the last thing you baked? Is there still snow where you are?  Hope all is well.  

Oh my...

 I'm afraid I've got next to nothing to report.  It has been below 0 for the four days I had off from work.  My husband and I went out for breakfast and took a very chilly stroll in Spearfish.  Our cheeks were numb, but we still went for a Valentine's Day walk.  I also went snowshoeing over the weekend, but there was absolutely nothing to report there.  No tracks nothing of interest.  

I did a little work on my quilt.  Things aren't turning out like they should so I'm pretty irritated with that project.  I am frustrated with my computer.  I can't leave comments on most of the blogs.  It keeps telling me to sign in.  I sign in and it still tells me I'm not able to leave comments.  The poor basil plant took a dive.  It must have been too close to a cold window.  I trimmed it way back and can only hope to bring it back from the brink of death.  I went to wash my poor salt covered Jeep and the local car wash wouldn't open the doors for me.  I can hear the corrosion happening while I drive to and from work. The turkeys have taken over my bird feeders.  So my poor jays, nuthatches, and chickadees can eat, everything is hanging haphazardly on the porch.  After a while, the turkeys figure out how to get to them and then I have to move them again.  My windows are full of handprints where I have been banging on the windows to chase them away.  

My only positive is I was stuck in the house with my husband.  I am so thankful for him.  We are both going stir crazy but have managed to not get on each other's nerves.  In fact, it's been the opposite we giggle around like school kids.  We've watched old movies, played cribbage, made meals, moved snow and keep asking each other when will spring get here.

I hope you are all staying sane.  I've read the weather is pretty crummy everywhere.  Wish I could comment.  How do you keep from going crazy when the weather inhibits activity?

Making tracks....

 Things are starting to look up.  At work, we have one out of the two water heaters working, pumps are replaced, and a leak has been identified and will hopefully be easier to fix than first anticipated.  It has been a true test for all of us as a team.  I'd like to think we have passed.  It is pretty stressful having students and staff depending on you to make the right decisions and you have a monster cold. 

Also, my thoughts are moving towards spring.  My seeds have arrived, and I am elated.  A few more months before I start them indoors, but I am ready.  I went through my stash and was surprised at what I had left from last year.  

Of course, I went snowshoeing again this weekend.  I don't go anywhere fancy.  I just head out the door.  To me it is exciting to see what is going on in our neighborhood. 

We have two coyotes.  They make a weekly trek on our ridge.  Here is there trail.

My favorite is the little mouse trails.  As long as they aren't around the cabin.  

There are always turkey tracks.  Easy to identify.

This is a little trickier.  It is where a ruffed grouse hunkered down during a snowstorm.  They let the snow cover them and stay cozy and warm.  The black dots are snow fleas. This cave was from a while ago.

These are the tracks that have me baffled.  They are either a pine martin or mink.  They wandered back and forth on our ridge.  I think it is a pine martin since it went from pine tree to pine tree.  They were super fresh, so I was really hoping I would come across it on my travels. No luck.

Here are my tracks. I am happy to report there were no mountain lion tracks.  I always carry a gun just in case. 

I made a little trail for my husband.  A tribute to Valentine's Day. 

I made a lemon cobbler to try and stave off the winter blues.  It turned out pretty good. 

Magic Lemon Cobbler

The magic happens when you layer a tangy-sweet lemon pie filling over a rich buttermilk cobbler batter in your baking dish.

5 from 2 votes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

 

Prep Time: 15minutes mins

Cook Time: 55minutes mins

Total Time: 1hour hr 10minutes mins

 

 Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk or whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp lemon extract optional
• 21 oz can lemon pie filling or lemon curd

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place butter in a 9×9 inch baking dish and melt in preheated oven for 3-4 minutes until fully melted. Remove from oven.
• In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
• Whisk in the buttermilk, vanilla, and lemon extract (if using) until a smooth batter forms.
• Pour the batter evenly over the melted butter in the baking dish (do not stir).
• Spoon the lemon pie filling or lemon curd evenly over the batter.
• Bake for 45-55 minutes until puffed and golden brown around the edges.
• Remove from oven and let cool slightly. The lemon filling will be a pudding on the bottom!
• Serve warm, topped with whipped cream, ice cream, lemon slices, powdered sugar, or desired toppings.

Magic Lemon Cobbler  
 

That is it for me.  I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have January and all of the water issues behind me.  I am looking forward to starting seeds.  I know I have a while, but it is nice to look forward to something.  What are you looking forward to?  Do you have all your seeds in order?