This & That

Yesterday I went to look at a little French Alpine buck that a friend has visiting her girls.  His owner is selling him and I may buy him.   I love his markings but couldn't tell too much about his structure with him scrunched up between the feeder and the fence.   It was mealtime when we arrived and there was much butting and pushing going on and I didn't have time to stay too long to get a better look or picture.  He was holding his own with the full sized does at the feeder though.

Before Dill came back to breed my two does this fall I had brought another little buck of my friends over to see if he was up to the task and my two girls were so mean to him I took him back a day later. I was truly afraid they would hurt him butting him.   He was so sweet and so very passive.   Therefor  I really appreciated this little guys ability to stand up for himself.   

All you goat folks.....  We knicknamed Dill - Elvis because he had this bunch of curly hair on his forehead just like this little goat has.   I've not seen that on other goats and Dill and this little goat aren't related.  Has anyone else seen this?  Is this common for goats / bucks? Dill's owner and I just scratch our heads about it.   Maybe it's more common than I realize but because most goats on the Internet are shown shaved I don't see it????  Anyone???

                        

                                        Dill   aka Elvis                                   New little buck

After leaving my friends house I spent the rest of yesterday returning electric fence pieces and parts I had purchased and didn't need.    After all the fencing issues I had a month ago or so, even though the electric fence still isn't up we seem to have gotten the existing fence issue straightened out and there have been no more wandering pigs.    I also realized that now isn't the time to give them the run of the place by extending their fencing.   Many people confine their pigs somewhat for the winter when there isn't any grow going on so they don't tear up pasture or land looking for food.   They just get hay and feed in a smaller area till spring growth starts again.   Since I'm so behind with projects this was a good and timely revelation.

With the fencing issue not looming over my head and my outside chores done yesterday, I had a day to spend in the kitchen.   This is something I've not had time for lately and very much missed.  First on the list -   a Devils Food layer cake with Buttercream frosting.

I didn't have much to decorate with so threw a few semi sweet chocolate pieces in the blender and sprinkled the processed bits on.  I then toasted a bit of coconut and added that as well. 

Buttercream Frosting

1/2 cup Crisco shortening

1/2 cup margarine

4 - 6 tablespoons cream, half and half or milk

pinch of salt

1/4 tsp of almond extract

2 tsp vanilla

5 cups of confectioners sugar sifted

In a large bowl using an electric mixer at medium speed beat together the shortening, margarine, cream or milk, salt, almond and vanilla extract until smooth  ( about 2 - 3 minutes).

Add in sifted confectioners sugar starting with  4-1/2 cups beat well until smooth and fluffy, adding more sugar or cream/milk until you achieve desired consistency. 

I used a double recipe of this to frost the cake above. 

I also made a carrot cake but didn't get the frosting done. I started some chicken soup as well and have some jalapeno corn bread in the oven to go with it. Tomorrow I plan to make enough bread to last a couple of months and the same with pizza dough.

Stay warm everyone!

Elizabeth