Raising Chickens

I recently invested in a batch of 50 chicks and 2 ducks. The chicks are Cornish Rock crosses and the two ducks are Indian Runner. They are a week old today and are all doing well! They have doubled in size due to their unending hunger and thirst. I give them food 3 times a day and fill their water at least twice a day. I am trying to devise a new area to keep them in. I definately did not expect them to grow this fast. Either way they are still adorable. The chicks will be ready to butcher in 8 to 12 weeks from start to finish and the two ducks will be pets. Here is a few pictures of where I am keeping them.

We keep a heat lamp on them 24 hours a day. Sometimes I have to move it up or down depending on how warm it is outside.

The ducks and chicks seem to get along just fine. They all love to eat!

Vanilla Bean Marshmallows

I originally found this post on another blog that I follow regularly called My Baking Addiction. Her version of the marshmallows did not involve vanilla beans so I used them instead and found some other tricks helpful that were not in the directions.

Vanilla Bean Marshmallows

3/4 cup water, divided

3 (.25 ounce) packages unflavored gelatin
2/3 cup light corn syrup

2 cups white sugar

2 vanilla beans or1 tablespoon *WHITE vanilla extract

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Step1: Pour about half of the 3/4 cup of water into a bowl of a stand mixer. Add in 3 packages of gelatin and let it sit while it sets up and absorbs the water. (Make sure to put the whisk attachment on the mixer).

Step 2: Pour the rest of the water into a sauce pan and add in the white sugar and corn syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and stir frequently to make sure it doesn't burn. Boil rapidly for 1 minute.

Step 3: While the mixture is coming up to a boil, slice the length of the vanilla bean open and scrape out with a spoon tip or knife. Do this with both beans and then drop the insides into the gelatin mixture. (If you are looking for another purpose for the used vanilla bean pods, just throw it into a Ziploc bag or container with some white sugar and let it rest for a few days up to a month to create your own vanilla sugar-it is amazing).

Step 4: After the mixture has boiled for 1 minute, let it cool for another minute to take the edge off. Carefully pour the mixture into the mixing bowl and begin mixing on low for a few seconds to combine then crank it up to high for about 15-18 minutes or until stiff peaks form. (If you are choosing to use vanilla extract then add it in towards the end just enough time to get it combined.)

Step 5: While everything is being whipped, take 2 sheets of plastic wrap and spray it liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Use a 9 x13, a 9x9, or a 9x11 pan for your set. Lay one of your sprayed plastic wraps in it and press into corners.

Step 6: After the stiff peaks have been reached, work fast and dump the marshmallow fluff into the pan. Spread out evenly into all the corners and try to even out the top as much as you can, but do not fret if it isn't perfect-that is the beauty of homemade and not processed marshmallows :) Cover it with the other plastic wrap oil side down. Let them set up for 4+ hours on your counter.

Step 7: Combine the cornstarch and confectioners sugar. Liberally sprinkle some on the cutting board. Used a greased knife to cut marshmallows into whatever shape you would like. After cutting a few roll around in the sugar cornstarch mixture to coat them enough so they aren't sticky. Set aside on a sheet pan.

Step 8. Take a few marshmallows at a time and put in a strainer/colander to shake off the excess powdered sugar. Repeat process until all are shaken. Store in an airtight container. (I prefer to use glass Mason jars).

The end result is delicious. These melt in your mouth and hot cocoa. Enjoy!

The Owl Hat from Etsy

I am pretty sure that my niece Elena could not get any more cute! I bought her this hat from Etsy as a Christmas present. I think she likes it...the look says it all! It is a little big for this season, so I am hoping that she can still wear it next Winter.

DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte

My latest obsession is the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. It's not just pretty good, it's damn delicious. I decided to try my own version at home and it turned out pretty good!

First I heat up some milk. Then I use my fancy Switzerland Caotina Blanc which is a white hot chocolate.

Then I throw in some instant coffee grounds to taste.

Then I put in a few dashes of Pumpkin Pie Spice. Oh Goodness!

Then I inhale the amazing smell of Fall and Christmas. Ahhh pure bliss.

Vanilla Beans

I have been waiting for my order to arrive for a little over 2 weeks now, and yesterday they finally arrived!

My Indian organic vanilla beans arrived to my door in a little cloth pouch.

This was new to me. My address was just written on the front with ballpoint pen ink.

I could smell the beans through the cloth. Oh boy, I was definately in for a treat. I had ordered 50 of them. They came wrapped in bubble wrap and a plastic bag wrapped snuggly around the group of pods.

I have read about various places to store vanilla beans in and decided to go with an extra large mason jar.

The beans I bought were A+ grade that were 7 to 8 inches long, so they are nice size.

Ahhh my beans at last, tucked away for a years worth of baking and ice cream making.



Beer-Batter Cheese Bread

This is one of my favorite go to recipies for a quick easy bread. The ingredients are usually all in the cupboard or fridge and it only uses one bowl while making- easy cleanup! I actually got started on this bread by going to a Tastefully Simple party and ended up buying an overpriced mix to make this. I looked in my trusty Cooks Country cookbook and found this recipie. It is the exact same I swear. It is super delicious-hope you enjoy it.

Beer-Batter Cheese Bread

1 cup shredded cheese of your choice (Use a block of cheese and shread it yourself people)

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3 Tablespoons white sugar

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 1/4 cups of a light bodied beer (Budweiser, Budlight, Busch light, etc...)

3 Tablespoons of melted butter for dough

1 Tablespoon of melted butter for on the top

First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease your loaf pan.

Combine in a bowl the shredded cheese, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir. Pour the beer into a measuring cup and wait for the foam to go down so the measurement can be accurate.

Dump in the beer and 3 Tablespoons of melted butter. Stir until it is well combined.

Put the batter into the greased loaf pan and even out the batter with a spatula. Get another Tablespoon of butter and melt it down then pour over top.

Put it into the oven and bake for a total of 40 to 45 min depending on your oven. A toothpick should be inserted and come out clean, that is when you will know it is done. About 20 minutes into the cooking I like to rotate the pan so it bakes evenly. After it is done make sure to cool it and keep it in an airtight container. This bread is excellent served a little warm.

Cat Nap Positions

For the past 3 days I have been busy doing homework at my parent's house, soon to be ours, in the sun room. This is the best room of the house and apparently the cats think so too. I do homework on the couch while Be Bop sleeps on the chair. I think he is going to need a chiropractor after this weeks naps. Okay I will grant that this is pretty cute with the pillow and all.
This is Monday's position.




This is Tuesday's position...





This is today's position...










Oh my.

Location:Holy Cross, Iowa