Tuesday, January 31, 2012

OREGON TRAIL SOURDOUGH BREAD!!!

My new obsession! Who knew that bread could consume ones life! I have spent the last few weeks studying, gathering tools,( I had no clue what a banneton was), and equipment, reading about crusts and crumbs. I have baked bread most of my adult life...... just took a little flour, yeast, salt, water, oil and tadahhh! Bread! But sourdough is like the rocket science of breadmaking. I came across a sourdough starter some time back, originally from 1847, and used on the Oregon Trail. That alone tweaked my curiosity. I obtained some of it, trying to get up the nerve to see what bread with a hundred and sixty year old starter would taste like! It has been dormant in my refrigerator, getting a little nourishment here and there, when I was recycling leftovers and would shuffle it around. I had been hesitant to give it a try, as sourdough bread is my favorite, and knowing that if I tried it and it did not live up to my expectations, it would  put me in the funk for days to come.  The beginning of a  New Year and wanting to broaden my horizons, found me activating the starter, searching for the perfect flour, all the right tools, thoroughly studying different experiences of others with the sourdough bread venture, and this is where my quest has led. They look right darn tasty, if I do say so myself! Mind you, since I have also started curtailing my intake of carbs, I have not tasted one morsel of my sourdough bread. My recommendation comes from the three days from start to finish that it takes to make it. Anything that takes that much time, has got to be good! The bread is available in the Market on the weekends, at $3.50 a boule'. MARKET HOURS: Friday and Saturday from noon until 4:00 pm.  Call throughout the week for dairy pickup.  From our farmstead to your table thank you for all of your support!!!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

WONDERFUL RAIN AND.........FISH FROM ABOVE!!!

Will wonders never cease! As we scoped the pastures and gardens for the welcome effects of the continuous rainfall that has blessed the farm, we noticed some collateral damage from the storms, resting in the driveway. I have heard of the phenomena of frogs, worms and fish, falling from the sky during a violent tempest, but now I am a witness!The tiny fish, the Farmer, an avid fisherman, says  are shad......native to Lake Texoma and Ray Roberts. That is a long way to travel through the air. Brings a whole new perspective to Flying Fish! On a more sensible note, we are making headway in our preparations for Spring planting. The propogation houses are filling up with seed trays for planting. The ground is ready for the hoop house, that will soon be here. The Farmer's Son has jumped the gun a little and planted a round of onions. The market had its first week end opening, it was good to see our friends after a brief lull during the Christmas season. Our MARKET HOURS: Friday and Saturday from noon until 4:00 pm. We only have cow milk and cow milk products at this time. The goat milk will resume the first of March.The CSA is almost full-up. Thank you to all those who sent in their applications so quickly.  More information will be posted here as we get closer to the season, around the first week in April. Valentines Day is just around the corner, we will have some special treats in the market for that special someone. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!

Monday, January 23, 2012

E-mail crash!!

Our e-mail has a glitch, working on getting it fixed, so sorry......info@randcdairy.com  is under repair.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

MARKET OPENING FOR 2012!!!

Needless to say, I did not get my house cleaned, gather a box for the Goodwill, or reorganize my pantry! But I did have a good rest and am ready to put the Petals ( fruit & veggie blooms) to the Metals( rake,hoe, & shovel). The Farmstead Market will be opening on Friday of this week, with cow milk and cow milk products. We will be introducing a few new items. Our homemade laundry soap, our country breads, as well as our homemade preserves, soap, etc.  from our farms produce. We will have a few green onions and some mixed salad greens this week.  The goat milk will be available the first of March, and  we should have produce starting the first of April. The ground beef should be plentiful again in Feb. as should be the bacon. The all natural boneless, skinless, chicken breasts  will be available next week. Call or e-mail for more information.   The CSA information is posted on the website randcdairy.com. We have a few spots available. AND for all of you romantics, this year, we are going to be doing Specialties for your favorite Valentine. We are going to have Chocolate dipped strawberries, Candies, cookies, and, cakes. Nothin' says lovin' like  a dozen double dipped chocolate strawberries or a handful of pecan pralines! From our Farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!

Friday, January 13, 2012

THE STAFF OF LIFE!!!

And the main reason that my little red Scoot-A- Long is such a perfect fit! The new year brings another addition to the market.......Farmstead Breads. Nothing says yummmm like a loaf of all natural, freshly baked, bread. Honey Wheat, Cinnamon Raisin, Sourdough, Country White, will be some of the choices to be had. As is everything else in the market, what selection we have each week, will depend on what the Farmers wife, yours truely, gets baked.  Also, we have perfected our home made laundry soap recipe. Did you know that suds are completely useless in a washing machine? I was under the notion that the more bubbles, the better the soap was working. Not So!! Our all natural, special ingredients, (Hint:What has 4 legs, grows a beard, gives milk)  works good laundry soap, will be available at a bargain price. Our market is going to reopen on Friday Jan. 20. We will resume our regular hours. Fri. and Sat. from noon until 4:00pm. Cow milk is available at this time, with some of the cow milk products, yogurt, kefir, buttermilk. The goat milk will be available again the first of March. The Farmer and his Son are anxious and antsy, biding their time through this lull , making a few preparations for early Spring planting and the arrival of the new babies. I am enjoying a little down time, going to bed at 8:30 pm is heavenly, those two are driving me nuts! From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!

Monday, January 9, 2012

CSA 2012 INFORMATION

We are now accepting applications for our CSA 2012. A CSA is Community Supported Agriculture, where members provide support to the farm, by committing to a weekly share of what the farm produces.  We are planting a wide variety of fruits, veggies and herbs to accomodate the increase in requests we have had for membership. E-mail the farm at info@randcdairy.com or call  903-429-2319 and request the information/application be sent to you, or all can be picked up at the farm.  There are a limited amount of spots available. There will be deliveries made to host families in Sherman, Frisco, Aubrey, where produce shares can be picked up. There will also be a day scheduled for pickup at the farm. We are excited to begin the new season and are looking forward to sharing our bountiful harvests. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!

MY NEW BEST FRIEND!!!

It is all about ease and comfort, when age creeps up on you. The Farmer wants to make sure my old bones are saved excess wear and tear. This little contraption will get plenty of use this spring as I scoot along thinning and picking. I was a little offended at the size of the seat when I looked at it, but kept my comments to myself as I plunked myself down and gave it a little whirl around the patio, realizing it was a perfect fit! Thanks be to all the holiday goodies! The Winter itch has hit the farm. The Farmer is anxious to get things rolling for the new year.  The weather is cold and thankfully a little drizzly. We are spending the evenings pondering over the seed catalogs, trying to decide where and what to plant. The mama goats are moving slower and slower each day, their steps impeded by blossoming bellies. LuLu is finally earning her keep on the milk line. Along with Zoey, Poppy, and Godiva, they are keeping up with the demand for cow milk, during the goat milk drought. The market will reopen January 20. Cow milk can be picked up at this time by calling ahead and making an appointment. From our farmstead to your table, thank you for all of your support!!!