Had A Real Scare Yesterday!!!

Yesterday was not a good day. We had been here all morning working on getting fence post in for some new fencing. We had also been talking about how cool it was to hear are rooster some what competing with our newer, younger rooster. He is just learning to "crow". Sounds like he has the croup, but he is trying.

We all decided to call it quits for the day and go get some lunch before it was time to pick up the kids from school. We left here about one or so. Upon our return, my husband went out to feed the calf and to collect the eggs, this is the last chore of the day. In just a few minutes he came back to the house asking me "when was the last time you saw Cluck?", our farm rooster. I told him it was right before we had left to get something to eat. He said "He's gone and I found some feathers". My heart dropped and I ask him to keep looking and that I would look some when he was finished. When my husband came back to the house, he told me he had found a few more feathers. I took our ATV and searched the whole property, I found more feathers. It was hard for me to go into the barn, where my husband said he had found the most feathers, but I was really hoping to find Cluck hiding somewhere. I picked a very large pile of feathers, most of them Clucks beautiful tail feathers. I did not find any blood and no sign of Cluck, I even called out for him. He is so friendly and will follow you around the farm. Still nothing. I came back to the house and we went on with the evening. All I knew was that the best rooster we have ever had was gone.

My husband went back outside to finish up some fence work. He had not be outside long when I heard "Cluck is back"!! call David, "I need some help". David is my brother in-law, he lives behind us.

I ran outside expecting to find a very naked, injured bird. I even said to myself, if he's O.K. he's staying inside tonight. When I first caught sight of him he looked perfect, except for obviously missing all but one of his tail feathers. Poor guy, if only he could tell us what happened. He had came from the road area of the property leading me to believe this was a dog and not a wild animal, which would have more than likely taken Cluck into the wooded area of our property. But right now all I cared about was seeing to Cluck. If not for the missing tail feathers and I'm sure a good deal of his pride, he seemed to be in good spirits, in spite of his ordeal. He was taking it way better than me. I spent the rest of the evening setting on the ground next to the chicken run watching Cluck fluff his feathers and crow. This told me that he would be O.K. I can not wait to finish the fencing, this will make much safer for my chickens. When I told my sister about what had happened with Cluck, and his one tail feather, she said maybe we could change his name to "One Feather", laughing as she spoke. She obviously has not had a rooster that she bonded with, maybe I'll get her one for Christmas. Shh it's a surprise.

Cluck king of the roost, with all of his beautiful tail feathers

Cluck stripped of his title, now "One Feather"
Poor guy!

                            Babka

Made this sweet bread for the first time ever. I had heard of it, but never made it. The dough was fun to work with and turned out beautiful. My family really enjoyed this bread. The dough for me was a lot like that of sweet rolls. lightly sweet with a perfect chewiness. The chocolate swirl was the best combination for this delicious bread. I would make this bread again and again. This is a recipe from King Arthur Flour April Bakealong challenge. For the recipe and all the details visit link below.

                       www.kingarthurflour.com

                 Best Rib Eye Ever

A friend shared with us his secret to a delicious steak every time. It is a store bought merinade, that for me has been the only steak merinade I use. I've been using this marinade for about twenty years, and it has brought happiness into my life. I have not used any other merinade since trying this one, nor do I have any desire to try any other. For me the magic happens when you merinade your steaks over night. Place your rib eyes or steak of  your choice into a large zip lock bag, add half a bottle of the merinade. Let merinade over night or at less 2 hours turning bag whenever you go into your refrigerator. We prefer our steaks grilled, but cook to your liking. Perfect every time. Most grocery chains carry this marinade, it comes in "Original" and "Hickory Smoke" "Teriyaki" and "Hot and Spicy". We always use the original. I buy two bottles at a time, so that I always have it on hand.

Grilled to perfection

This steak was part of my Anniversary dinner, yum!

That included  a salad and homemade rolls

The merinade is "ALLEGRO"

                Check it out at www.allegromarinade.com

       Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup

Winter is not quite ready to let go. We are still having some chilly weather. Today, I feel like some nice hot soup.

                Homemade Vegetable Beef Soup

2 cups beef broth
2-3 pounds stew beef (I cut each piece in half)
1 medium onion ,chopped

Simmer the stew meat in the beef broth, for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until tender. Adding chopped onion last 15 minutes.

Beef and Onions

1-15 oz. can tomato sauce
1-15 oz. can chopped tomatoes
2-15 oz. cans of peas, drained
2-15 oz. cans carrots, drained
2-15 oz. cans green beans, drained (I used kitchen cut)
1- 24 oz. bag frozen corn
5 medium russet potatoes, cut into small cubes
salt and pepper to taste

Using a large pot, set on medium heat. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, carrots, peas, green beans, frozen corn and all of the beef mixture, including the liqiud. Simmer the the cubed potatoes, on medium heat, for 15 minutes, drain and add to other vegetables.

Carrots and Peas

Ready to serve

Plenty for sharing and enough for leftovers, sharing with family