March Snow Storm

As we sit here in the dark the fire keeps us toasty warm. The power shut off about 8pm. The snow still falling not sure when it will stop. It's a wet snow. I'm sure the reason for the power outage. To look outside it's like a wonderful winter wonderland. So pretty. Just as long as your loved ones are home safe and dry. The family is sitting by the fire playing some games. It is kind of nice to loose power. Gives a family time to shut off and use the power of conversation.

School let the children come home early this afternoon. It gave them some great time to play outside. 

Not sure if you can see them in the picture. They are playing in the front of the pigs. I love watching them play together. 

When they were done they had time to play with the pigs. Russell is trying to hug them. They just think he has food. 

It's now 9:30pm power came back on just in time for bed. Good night!

Round House Farm Roasted Potatoes

Roasted Potatoes are a favorite side dish for my family.  They are so simple to make.  I always make extra and freeze some.  When someone wants a snack they are quick and easy to pop in a toaster oven or microwave to reheat.
http://youtu.be/WMeZCR4Yb4o
Follow the link above for the fastest way to make your families favorite Roasted Potatoes.  It is so easy you will not want to make them any other way.  It is great to bring as a pot luck dish.  A party favorite.
Enjoy!

Love our Goat Barn

Now that we have a homestead we look at everything close before we call it trash.  When someone states something is junk we want to find another purpose for it.  With winter coming we would be in need of a barn for our goats.  We could not afford a barn made out of wood at this time.  We had to become creative.  When looking on craigslist we noticed people were always selling cheap tag along campers.  It gave us an idea to find someone wanting to give away or sell one cheap.  We started looking and sending offers on campers.  Our goal was to only spend $100.  We didn't care what the inside looked like we were going to gut it.  Finally we found one that the person was willing to sell us for $100.  It was in bad shape.  But we seen potential.
We bought it, brought it home and went to work.

 First we stripped everything out of the inside.  Then primed the outside of it white.

We painted the outside a fun color.  Then added some fun shutters.  We made a couple of stalls inside.  There is a great place in the center for milking.  The best part of making the barn out of a camper is if we ever wanted to change the location of our paddock we can move the barn.  Its on wheels.  We just love it.  The goats just love it also.

Round House Farm Peanut Butter Bars, Family Fun

We never buy pre packaged foods.  Making our own crackers and treats not only helps cut cost it lets you know exactly what ingredients are in what we eat.  Here on the farm we experiment with all our recipes.  We try just mixing all kinds of ingredients together until we come up with a family favorite.  We have some misses but most of the time we find a real hit.  Plus its a great time to experiment with food.  The goal is to try and make things that cost less and are better for you.  If you can even cut a tablespoon of sugar out of a recipe I think you have helped your waist line.  So many times I try to cut out eggs and milk and use other ingredients.  Many times you never even miss them.  Some recipes you can cut those ingredients in half.  The bottom line is just try.  Worst case you feed it to the animals in your home.  They will love your experiments.  Today I will share with you a Round House Farm Peanut Butter Bar recipe my daughter and I created.  My family cant get enough of these.  It is simple and easy.  I am sure you always have these ingredients in your home.
Watch the video on
http://youtu.be/kn0MvEEszrk

If for some reason it does not get you to the link here is the recipe:
1 cup melted butter and 1 cup peanut butter mixed together
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
mix well now add 1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
mix well
add 3/4 cup oats
now place in foil lined pan and bake for 25 mins at 375 degrees.
Its that easy!

Flower Pot Ice Cream Treats, Yummy and Fun!

Melanie had her birthday in January.  She is a gymnast and we had a birthday party for her at her gymnastic school.  One of the fun party treats that Melanie and her brother had a great time making was this great Flower Pot Ice Cream Treat.  They were a big hit.

We started by picking up a clay pot for each party guest.  You can get whatever size you want but the small ones are fine.  

Then Melanie cut a lot of pictures out old gardening magazines.  Most of them were flowers.  She was expecting a few boys so she cut out some animals for the boys clay pots.  Then she took some modge podge glue and had a great time placing them on the outside of the clay pots.

They came out so cute.  

Next we baked a cake.  Just a regular box cake mix. We used a sheet pan 10x13.  Then let it cool completely.  We cut out wax paper into circles the size of the bottom of the pots and placed it in the pot.  We took some strips of wax paper and lined the inside sides of the pot.  You don't have to do this but we didn't want the food to have a funny taste.  

Now you take a circle the size of the bottom of the clay pot.  We used a drinking glass.  This is to cut out a piece of cake to place in the bottom of the clay pot.  Do this for every clay pot you have.  

Next you will take some of your favorite ice cream and fill the clay pot almost to the top. Place a cut straw the size of your pot in the center.  This is where you will place your flower. 

 You will need to leave room for your dirt.  Your dirt is a bag of Oreo cookies ground in a food processor.  But before you place the dirt on the ice cream we placed a few gummy worms in each pot on the ice cream for a sweet surprise.  Place the dirt over the gummy worms and you are done until the party.  Place your treat in the freezer.  When its time for the party take your flower pot and place your flower in the center straw and surprise your guest with a great Ice cream Flower Pot!