This is the BEST, BEST, BEST!!!!

OH MY - this is the best thing I have eaten in years - I am not kidding!!!

From my sacks full of books and magazines I brought home from the library I found this recipe in the Martha Stewart Living Magazine dated May 2009. It is called
"Cherry Clafouti" It takes only 45 minutes to make, serves 4 but I managed to eat it in two days without sharing.

2 large eggs, l large egg yolk, 1/3 cup all purpose flour, 3/4 cup creme fraiche, plus more for serving, 3/4 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus more for the dish, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 12 ounces cherries, halved and pitted, Confectioners' sugar for dusting.

Preheat oven to 375. Butter a 9 inch baking dish, 1 1/4 inches deep. Coat with granulated sugar; tap out excess. Whisk eggs, yolk, and flour in a medium bowl: whisk in creme fraiche, milk, granulated sugar, vanila and salt.
Arrange cherries in prepared dish. Strain batter over cherries. Bake until browned around edges and set in the center, 30 to 35 minutes. let cool slightly. Dust with confectioners' sugar, and serve warm with a dollop of creme fraiche.

Trust me - this was so great I had to call my Mother to tell her about it and I NEVER do that just for food. I have made several copies of this and put them into the mail for those who love something really great to eat. Now comes the taste test - YES it is best the first day, but I managed to refrigerate some (it was hard to not eat the whole thing) and tested it for the next day. Do not heat in the micro wave but rather just let it come to room temp and it still is amazing. The third day it is a tiny bit rubbery but the taste is still wonderful. Now my brain is thinking of what other fruits would do well with this - I am thinking for fall gatherings maybe a well ripened fig, what would be your fruit selection???

Try this and I am sure you will be sending this recipe out to all those who really love to eat something wonderful. ENJOY, I know I did...

What's for Lunch??

With the change in the weather "SOUP" sounds like a winner for today's menu. A hot bowl of "Roasted Tomato Soup" with my homemade crackers. The crackers are really simple and you control what is on them. The base is just wonton wrapers - a blank slate. This batch I brushed on melted butter, a lite sprinkle of coarse salt (very little), fresh ground lemon pepper, garlic powder and a very well aged cheese. Then pop then into the over at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes - watch closely. Once golden remove from baking sheet and eat or let cool completely and store in a glass container.

As for the soup this is another easy recipe. Take fresh tomatoes - your choice and either roast in the oven or over a flame. Peel blacken spots off and remove all skin. Place in a pot with chopped onions, garlic and either leeks or red peppers. You can use both but I found the taste gets a bit too much. Let the veggies start to cook and when the onions get golden then take a potato masher and go to town. Season to taste with salt, pepper, fresh basil and a splash of Maggi and then taste. Adjust seasonings to your taste. Then if you wish you can run it in a food processor or manual seive. Then return to the pot and add a bit of heavy cream to just enrich the soup. This really is an easy soup, you can do the same with canned Fire Roasted Tomatoes when you are in the middle of winter. This is far better then the Yucky canned soups we all grew up on. It is the kind of soup that has you licking the bowl - I know not in front of company but a piece of bread will do if you are eating in front of others.

Enjoy!

In honor of my new house guest

I know most folks do not have or would want to have BATS in there house such as my sweet little one but I must say I found a way for you to play with my version of BAT WINGS. After my new house guest took a fly by turn of my kitchen and livingroom I thought what fun to have those wonderful wings. The motionless glide they can achieve without a bit of effort. Mother Nature has such a creative spirit and with that notion I went to my dye pots. The silk rods where dyed to look like those thin wings that flap in the night air - Hope I did Mother Nature Proud.

I am BATTY

Along with all the new creatures who have shown up at the farm lately I was surprised when the other night I had a bat fly into my kitchen. Yep, a sweet little bat.. Now I know most wave their arms, scream like they are going to drink your blood and run in towards the nearest exit. My forest has many bats and I love the hard work they do in keeping the bug population to a liveable limit but this is a first. This sweet little thing for what ever reason has decided to work near the house and make him or her self right at home on my home. A log home gives many creatures the idea that they are in the forest and not on a man made structure and this sweet one is no different. It has decided to go way back into the corner outside my kitchen window and pearch. Now many folks would say "Kill it" or "Chase it away" I say what a perfect little house guest. Besides - one less Halloween decoration to put out and what a great conversation piece for that outdoor dinning experience. I must say it sure has gotten me into the holiday season - scarey movies, bat's in the house - What is next - Alien crop circles or maybe a witch running around in my forest making strange noises and leaving rocks outside my tent????

Only the Shadow Knows

Saturday was Cooking Day at the Farm

Doesn't that look Yummy???

Well, looks are not all that go into a good muffin. I tried a new recipe from a book I took out of the library - a High Altitude Baking book. I had such high hopes but I must admit this muffin was Bland, Boring and needing much revamping. The texture was good but the taste flat so I will try again with my tweaks and later this week post my version. I had two and gave the rest to the chickens - they have lower standards then I - they gave it a three out of five - what do they know they eat bugs...

Where does TIME GO???

I do not know if it is just me but I seem to be lossing more time then ever before. You know when you where a kid that time seemed to drag on when you where in school and how the summer just flew by within a blink of the eye - well for me I seem to be in FAST mode all the time. I swear I have no idea where this last week went..

All I know is that I must find a flow that works better for me - I feel guilty when I am not doing it all but it just is NOT WORK???

On a HIGH NOTE - while having to go into town Friday I treated myself to a movie. I went to see HALLOWEEN II - Yes, I am a freak about horror and sci fi... I am the one who never jumps, that is very hard to scare and knows the plot line in the first two mintues. I agree plot lines are thin in a Halloween movie but still I have to be the first to see it. I must admit there is nothing like the first of any horror series but I have every Halloween movie and I watch them over and over - I know, this from a down to earth farm gal but it is true I always have been a horror nut since I was a little girl and I am sure I will be one till my dying days. So keep those "B" horror movies coming - this farmgal loves every moment of it.

Callling on Sewing Gals

Remember I told you I went to my STASH the other day - I really was shocked - those crafty stacks of fabric have been busy multipling and I could not believe my eyes. Rows and Rows, Shelves and Shelves, Boxes and Boxes of wonderful fabric. My thoughts went wild, plans, patterns and creations all flooded my brain. Where to begin, what to make, when to find the time - what a great bunch of problems to have.

So here is where I am asking for your help. I unearthed a ton of flannel - lovely patterns, all girly girl flannel left over from my sewing business some 23 years ago. Well, I need your help

What is you favorite PJ or Nightgown pattern that would work well with flannel???
I do not need fancy but rather something quick to sew, something that would keep this body warm during the cold nights of winter, something that would work for this farm gal who is known for running out in the middle of the night to check on a expecting animal or chase a predator away while only wearing her nightgown and muck boots. You know Farm Gal Style. I sure would appreciate your assistance. Just leave your suggestions in the comment section if you would - the help is greatly appreciated.