Flat Aggie's Arkansas Snow Drill

Flat Aggie and I had a snow drill on Christmas Eve to prepare for the predicted three to six inches of snow the weather man was sure would happen in Northwest Arkansas on Christmas Day. We practiced our snow and extreme cold weather  readiness all during the day on Christmas Eve. While  Santa was checking his list of gifts, we were checking our lists for  the items we might need to make sure we could care for our cows and calves in extreme winter weather   like heat bulbs for the water  well pumps, diesel for the generators  in case of power outage and extra feed for the cows and calves.

 

 

 

 

We were ready on Christmas morning! It was sooo cold and windy and looked like it could snow any minute. Flat Aggie dressed in her warm Arkansas Razorback coat and hat. We watched for the snow while we fed older   calves in the pasture  and baby calves in the hutches and as  the dairy cows were fed and milked. 

We watched all day and night but not one flake of snow on the dairy farm!

 

 

 

Even though we didn't have any snow,  Flat Aggie learned that we  use all our snow drill skills every day--snow or no snow-- to care for our dairy  calves and cows around the clock whatever the conditions.   

Merry Christmas!

                                                                          
The Birthday Of A King

                                                          

In the little village of Bethlehem,

There lay a Child one day

And the sky was bright with a holy light

O'er the place where Jesus lay!

 

Alleluia, O how the angels sang!

Alleluia,how it rang!

And the sky was bright

With a holy light;

'Twas the birthday of a King!

 

'Twas a humble birthplace,

but O how much God gave to us that day!

From the manger bed what a path has led,

What a perfect holy way!

 

Alleluia, O how the angels sang,

Alleluia, how it rang!

And the sky was bright with a holy light;

'Twas the birthday of a King!

 

           ---William Howard Neidlinger

                 We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas from down on the dairy farm!

Celebrating Birthdays and Friendships

What do you give a friend for her December   birthday  who has everything and  tells you not to buy any birthday gift ?   Birthday cake seemed the perfect choice--not a purchased gift,nothing to dust but straight from the heart to celebrate a friend's special day!    Rave Reviews Coconut Cake is a great cake for any occasion and from past experience,  it's always a tasty treat for any celebration.

Rave Reviews Coconut Cake

1 package yellow cake mix (2 layer size)
1 package (4 serving) Jello Brand Instant Vanilla Pudding
1 1/3 cup water
4 eggs
1/4 cup oil
2 cups sweetened  coconut flakes
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Blend cake mix,pudding mix,water,eggs and oil in large mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed for four minutes. Stir in coconut and nuts. Pour into three greased and floured cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans for 15 minutes,remove and cool on wire rack. Fill and top with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting.

Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
4 tablespoons butter
2 cups sweetened  coconut flakes
1 package 8 oz. cream cheese
2 teaspoons milk
3 1/2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in skillet, add coconut,stirring constantly over low heat until golden brown. Spread coconut on paper towel to cool. Cream 2 tablespoons butter with cream cheese; add milk and beat in sugar gradually. Blend in vanilla. Sitr in 1 3/4 cups of the coconut. Spread frosting  on top of each layer,stack and ice top and sides. Sprinkle remaining coconut on top.

Arkansas Welcomes Flat Aggie

Flat Aggie from Miss Allard's first grade class in Nicolaus, California, rode into Bentonville, Arkansas, this week  on a cold north wind after an exciting visit on a Minnesota dairy farm with dairymom Janet Bremer and her family.  I loved reading about Flat Aggie's experiences  at My Barnyard View!

Since arriving on our dairy and beef farm in Northwest Arkansas, Flat Aggie has been helping me take care of Farmer Ryan as he recuperates from major reconstructive shoulder surgery this week. It's taking both of us to do this nursing job!!

One of our  main jobs is to make sure  our patient is getting plenty of good nutrition. During the healing process from any surgery, extra protein,vitamins A and C and increased calories are needed.  Dairy foods  provide the perfect power punch needed to aid healing since dairy  contains  nine essential nutrients, including calcium,magnesium,potassium and phosphorus, in addition to 48 percent of the daily value of protein.

I'm looking forward to showing Flat Aggie around the farm and really appreciate the extra help during the holiday season!

Dairymom's Thankful Thursday

 

 

We care for our dairy cows by providing a nutritious diet every day. This year's drought has created many challenges in the quantity and quality of feed that is available. I'm thankful for our dairy nutritionist who assists in making   sure that our cow's are enjoying a nutritious,balanced diet to produce high-quality milk.

Ninety Years Young

As we drove into the yard by the Logan Community Building in rural Benton County this afternoon, it was obvious by the number of vehicles and the people standing in line to enter the building that it was one whale of a party for our special friend, Ava. Celebrating your 90th birthday is a very Big Deal!!

Ava is a cherished icon to many of us in the county--a retired dairy farmer,wife,mother,dedicated 4-H leader and supporter of all 4-H activities and Benton County Fair superintendent for decades. Ryan and I also have another special connection with Ava as she was a childhood friend of my grandmother and Ryan's mother. We've heard lots of stories about fun in the good old days! Ava is a perfect example of how farm families live and work in their communities for decades volunteering to make sure that the community grows and thrives.

 

Ava's enthusiasm for life is contagious and her family made sure that her 90th birthday would not only be a celebration but completion of an item on her bucket list--a ride on a motorcycle!

 

90 years young!!

 

Busy Day Cake

Even though I enjoyed being with Ryan away from home for the last three days, I was excited to see the Christmas tree lights shining brightly as we drove down the lane to our house. I saw some beautiful Christmas decorations while in Nashville but there's just no place like home!


Any day is busy on the farm but tomorrow is going to be extra busy with catchup work, a special choir practice for our church Christmas program and our extended family is getting together late in the afternoon for our traditional extended family Christmas.

Thank goodness for small favors--chocolate cake is one of the items I am to provide for the family dinner! Chocolate Sheath Cake is a family favorite, easy to make and festive when served on a pretty pedestal or holiday cake plate.

Chocolate Sheath Cake

Ingredients:
1 stick butter
1/2 cup Crisco
4 Tablespoons cocoa
1 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspooon cinnamon
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon soda
2 eggs,slightly beaten

Bring butter,Crisco,cocoa, and water to a rapid boil. Pour over the sugar and flour and beat well. Add buttermilk and soda,vanilla and eggs. Beat, then bake at 400 degrees F. in 18 x 12 in. metal loaf pan for 20 minutes. Cover with the following.

Icing:
1 stick butter
4 tablespoons cocoa
6 tablespoons milk
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar,sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup pecans (optional)

Bring butter,cocoa and milk  to boil. Add powdered sugar,vanilla, and pecans. Beat well and pour over cake while hot.