Posts on Posts

It's springtime in our area, and my garlic is planted and already has growth of about four inches above ground.  The potatoes are in their box and starting to show a bit of growth.  It's time.  More than time.

We are ready to get other plants in the ground - and for us that is going to mean sectioning off a small bit of the north pasture so that it's A) readily accessible to water and B) keeps the animals away from the pear trees.  (They really did a number on the one near the fence last year - the tree in this post http://zentopiaacres.blogspot.com/2012/07/success.html had nearly its entire back side consumed by the donkeys and goats.)

Since the garden will be such a temptation to the animals we are doing this one up proper with  all wooden posts across, plus 2x4 no climb wove wire fence, and at least top and bottom wooden rails.  They should not be able to get through this at all!   Leftover posts and wire will become part of the kidding pens.  This is so exciting for us! 

FOOD!

Just a couple of quick food notes -
A banana, gone a day past when I would eat it, was entirely perfect for satisfying a serious sweet tooth.  Mash it with about 1/2 cup sugar, a spoon of molasses, a half teaspoon of salt and vanilla plus an egg.  Add in about 3/4 cup fresh goat milk, 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts, one dash (really - just a dash) of cinnamon powder and just enough self rising flour to create a stiff batter.

Pour it into a greased and floured loaf pan and bake at 375 until golden and a toothpick comes out clean, and you have deliciousness of epic proportions!

That preceded my favorite soup of all time!

Make a trip to your local Asian grocery store and buy a package of Pho Ga.  Bring it home.

Or Faux Pho with curry J 

This only took about 15 minutes to prepare.  Ingredient list:  Pho Ga powder, rice noodles, water, curry powder, coconut milk, onion, chili paste, shrimp, crab, carrots, sweet potatoes, fresh cilantro leaves, bean sprouts, jalapeno. 

(If Pho Ga powder isn’t available, you can use 6 cups of chicken broth to which has been added ½ tsp fish sauce and 1 tsp. soy sauce)

Make a trip to your local Asian grocery store and buy a package of Pho Ga. 

Cook and cool flat rice noodles (pho noodles or pad thai noodles) per package directions.  (usually simmer for 4-5 minutes, then drain in a colander and rinse with cool water)  Set aside.

In one pan, simmer salted water then add peeled carrots and sweet potato, peeled and cut into similar sized chunks.  Simmer only until just tender, then drain and set aside.

Boil 6 cups of water and add
2 tablespoons of the Pho Ga powder. Then shred in
1/2 of an onion - I use the tiny little hand mandolin for fine slices.  Then add about
1 and 1/2 tablespoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon chili paste (depending on level of heat desired)
1/2 can of coconut milk. 

(Save the cream to whip for a dessert topping, just use maybe 2 tablespoons of the cream, and the coconut water in the bottom of the can)  Simmer lightly then add

1/2 cup fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined and
1/2 cup crab meat, sliced.  (It's ok to use fake Krab for this since it's soup)

Cook until the shrimp is about done, and serve over cooked Rice Noodles with some of the carrots and sweet potatoes added in, and thinly sliced jalapeno and fresh cilantro leaves and fresh bean sprouts.  The shrimp will finish cooking in the hot liquid. 

Oh MY Goodness!! 

What a Sight!

I came home the other day to find all of the animals laid flat out in the pasture.  It looked like a sudden case of narcolepsy had taken over in the field... but no, they were all just enjoying basking in the sunshine of a warm spring day!

Lulu was perhaps less than thrilled that I had disturbed her

 peaceful afternoon amid the early grasses

Yep. Definitely annoyed.