Resolutions!! Are you making them????

Well 2012 is almost here and I'm almost giddy!!!  :)    I never do the whole New Years thing - I'm actually babysitting this year for a few others who are enjoying there time out - - but I'm excited about making "Goals" for the new year and all that I'm going to accomplish - I have a plan and it's exciting!!!

I can already check one item off my list - MEAT Rabbits - we bought a doe and buck today and brought them home - I will share pictures later this weekend!!  So excited about it!

I'm excited about our upcoming Homeschool year - excited about the weight I'm gonna lose (yes I know everyone makes this one but YES I AM!!:) - - I'm excited about all the produce I plan to grow and sell - - excited about being part of the Farmers Market this year - - I'm excited about Home Shows with The Olde Farmhouse - - excited about my baby girl turning 1 in January, she has been a total delight this past year!! - - excited about my new work/home life schedule that will allow me to do more and be home more - - excited about all the NEW IDEAS for http://www.collyottfarm.com/ - -wow I'm so excited I could keep going because I'm sure your tired of hearing me say "excited"  but like I said I'm in a giddy like state of mind!!!!

Lets say it Ducks Chicks and Pigs OH MY.. ok so Dorothy used different animals but I'm excited -----

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone - may you have a wonderful year and know how blessed you are..

Join us on Facebook - New Homeschool Group

We have created a NEW Homeschool Group on Facebook - Homeschooling in the Backwoods.  You don't have to live in the backwoods to be a part of this group.  You just need to be a homeschooling mom or dad, family member, someone interested in learning more about homeschooling, a supporter of homeschooling or even a mom who would like some ideas of hands on things to do with her children.

This group was created for us to support one another, make friends in the homeschooling community, offer support and encouragement, share pictures of family and fun projects (even the science project that BLEW up!!), share kid friendly recipes, stories and adventures, links to great homeschooling, lapbooking, worksheets sites and more.  

Click here to ask to join:  http://www.facebook.com/groups/220833204634015/#!/groups/220833204634015/

Layered 4th of July Drinks

OK the minute I saw these I fell in love with them.   What cool looking drinks - patriotic to boot!!  They are non-alcoholic so you can invite your kids to join in the fun of making these!!

See the entire tutorial and instructions online at http://www.thesistercafe.com/

Enjoy!!!!

ONLY 3 LEFT - taking $10 off to move inventory - don't miss out.......

Our Awesome Dip Coolers are a must have and great wedding, birthday or gift to self!!!   They are hand thrown so no two are the same. American made - Missouri made!!

We have 2 Sage Green and 1 Amber left - we are selling these at an AWESOME discount to move inventory and make room for new colors!!  They are dishwasher, microwave and oven safe.  Fill with ice to keep your dips and cheeseballs cool or add water and microwave to keep butter and sauces warm. 

They are at this sale price only while these 3 are in stock - - grab our 3 dips for $8.00 special and you have the perfect gift or setup for your summer BBQ's!!!  Click here to be directed to sale coolers   ==  http://www.collyottfarms.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=Dips 

God Bless America!!

Collyott Farms wishes you each a SAFE and FUN Fourth of July!!!!  My you have a wonderful weekend with family and friends. 

Weekly Special over @ The Farmhouse

We don't do this often but I thought we would share our weekly special with you this week - it's a great way to stock up for those summer gatherings!!

Buy 5 dips at regular price and receive 2 FREE!!!!

You can view them online at www.collyottfarm.com

Spinach Herb

Garlic Galore

Pantry Ranch

Dilly Dip

BLT

Zesty Tomato

Con Chile Queso (see crockpot recipe below)

Tomato Horseradish

Down By The Bay (seafood dipper)

Salsa Mia

Over the Border (hot)

Cheesecake

Tropical Cheesecake

Sweet Curry Dip & Dressing

** All natural, no MSG

**Warning - these dips may be addicting - we are not responsible for any addictions as a result of devouring these yummy dips

Oatmeal Delights

OK so you know how I mentioned I am trying to substitute "honey" for "sugar".  Our entire family is 10 days into a 30 day fast off of white sugar and white flour - my kids have been allowed to cheat a couple of times, you know the cupcake that was passed out to everyone on the ball team - well I decided NOT to be that cruel.  Anyway as only a sugar addict would I'm tearing through my pantry like a "MAD" woman wanting something anything - a candy bar - an entire cookie bowl full of cookies, cupcakes SOMETHING!!!

Well being the Good Girl that I am I decided to create the  best of both worlds a SNACK but made with honey and unbleached whole wheat flour.  Here is the Oatmeal Delights we had - and yes they were edible and good. 

1 cup of butter, softened
1 cup of honey
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 - 2 cups Whole Wheat Flour (going to try with Rice Flour next time)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups Oats (I used Quacker as that is what I had on hand - would like to try with some whole organic oats!)

1.  Heat oven to 350 degrees

2.  Mix together butter, honey, eggs and vanilla in a bowl.



3.  Then mix together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and oats.   Gradually add to honey mixture.  If you need more flour or oats add til thick and will drop off a spoon.

4.  Drop dough by the teaspoons onto a cookie sheet and bake about 10 minutes are until done - should be golden as the honey darkens the dough!!

OH then ENJOY!!!!

We are still playing with the ice cream recipes- when I find one I can't live without I'll share so far not much luck - Happy Day!!

Dumb Rooster!!

So I posted on Facebook yesterday "Don't chase me in my own backyard or you will become my supper!!"  Well I have this dumb rooster who got out of his fenced in yard a couple of days ago and he chases ONLY THE FEMALES humans- you can already tell he male can't you --- "birdbrain"

Well hubby was gonna catch him last night so I could make some yummy chicken soup today - - well we did'nt get it done and I wake up this morning to find some bit of "wildlife" enjoyed my rooster - so see I had to go and get mad at him all over again --The wildlife around here eat well at my pocketbooks expense = lol!

Why Homeschool: Interesting study - corn syrup causes you to gain ...

Why Homeschool: Interesting study - corn syrup causes you to gain ...: "A sweet problem: Princeton researchers find that high-fructose corn syrup prompts considerably more weight gain : ---------- A Princeton U..."


I soooo try to stay away from the evil of high-fructose corn syrup - it's amazing what all you can find it in - even baby formula - why really does a baby need this - blech!! I have been learning to use "HONEY" as a sweetener. There are tons of health benefits to honey as well. We'll share some of those sometime - but right now my next project will be to attempt to make some homemade ice cream using honey instead of sugar - you know that wonderful summer treat - I LOVE ice cream and hope this turns out yummy. Stay tuned for pictures and recipes later this week...................

Chicken Chile Con Queso

I made this yesterday in the crockpot and am enjoying some leftovers now!!!  Nothing makes a house more inviting then a YUMMY crockpot concoction simmering.

Chicken Chile Con Queso uses one of our yummy dip mixes - little bit of cheesy chile flavor - definate southwest flavor - -

1 whole chicken (grassfed is best of course!)

1 Con Chile Queso mix from Collyott Farms (http://www.collyottfarms.com/)
1 can of your favorite flavored diced tomatoes (we used fire roasted garlic by Hunts)
1 can of corn

any other vegetables you prefer - we once used canned zucchini instead of corn - so make this an original!!

Put your chicken in the crockpot...

Then add your tomatoes, corn and/or other choice veggies

Then top with your Chile Con Queso Dip Mix

Add about 3/4 cup water over mix

Bake at either HI/Lo according to your crockpot directions.  High should probably be about 4-6 hours and Lo about 8 hours or more. 



Then ENJOY!!!  Goes great with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, salad and bread.  Here we have used the crockpot juices as a gravy for the potatoes.  Let us know what you think - -

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

Tomorrow is June 1st and for all strawberry lovers this is the season of the STRAWBERRY.  Those sweet sometimes tart delectable pieces of fruit!!  I share with you here a very YUMMY way to serve strawberries that look fancy and look like you went to a lot of work (we won't tell your guests how easy it was)!!

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

1 package of Plain or Tropical Cheesecake from Collyott Farms (http://www.collyottfarms.com/)

Strawberries (fresh picked is best)

To make the Cheesecake Mix you will need:

8 oz. Cool Whip

8 oz. Cream Cheese

Make Cheesecake according to package directions.  Set Cheesecake in fridge.  Wash strawberries, and cut the tops off - then take a knife and slice them in 2 ways making a cross or plus sign - do not slice all the way through just enough so you can open them up.  If you wish them to stand you may take a tiny tip off the bottom to make them flat.  Line them up on your serving platter.  Then take the Cheesecake mixture and spoon into a small ziplock bag.  Cut a tiny piece off at the corner and squeeze the cheesecake into the strawberries.  Make sure to save some for your guests!!!!



anniescupboards: Cake Plate Tutorial

anniescupboards: Cake Plate Tutorial: "This is a fun and easy tutorial. You will have to make a trip to the thrift store for most of your crafting supplies on this one. You need t..."

Farmers Market - - -

Tomorrow is April 1st and lots of Farmers Markets will be opening their doors this month.  I love the Farmer's Market - fresh produce, baked goods, quality food, wonderful people to meet and chat with - they are surely the highlight of my mornings in warmer weather - and since the Farmer's Markets are opening that IS a sign of warmer weather - RIGHT???!!!!  This has been such a rough cold winter - I love winter but it's time to say GoodBye for awhile.

If you are local to the Cooper County area come say HI to us at this Saturday's market (April 2nd).  We will be located in the PALACE building downtown Boonville to accomodate those in town for the Muddy Folk Festival - - after this week the Farmer's Market will move to their normal location on Orshcln's parking lot.  We will have handmade wood pieces and our gourmet all natural dips for your sampling pleasure - mention you saw our BLOG and get 10% off your purchase.  Hope to See You There!!!!

Welcome Charleigh Aspen

Well as you might notice we've been MIA with good reason.  Charleigh Aspen entered this world on January 19th and I am just now rejoining the living!!  Having babies when your OLD takes a little more out of you - - -

This picture shows Charleigh  Happy at 2 months!!  She has been a JOY and DELIGHT -

Welcome Charleigh Aspen to Collyott Farms!!!

Privies & Prims Blog: I Think God is a Quilter~#links#links#links#links

I found this poem and just had to share - I LOVE IT!!!  Thanks to Privies and Prims for sharing with us all.

Privies & Prims Blog: I Think God is a Quilter~#links#links#links#links

New Year Ramblings

Well my brain seems to be on BLOG vacation - but I have lots of thoughts up there.  Do you ever "ramble" my husband has accused me of rambling a time or two (probably more)!!  I don't make New Year Resolutions but I do consider my year make plans and goals - here are just a few NEW things rolling around in my brain!!

First, today is our first day of homeschooling our 2nd grader - it has been a FUN day - my son could not wait to demonstrate his science project to his dad at lunch (probably because it gets everything WET more than educating my husband!!) but he was able to explain what he learned about "air pressure" so something besides WATER soaked in!!  As we enter this new venture expect to hear great homeschooling stories - I'll share our ups/downs, ideas for others who homeschool etc.  If you are a homeschooling mom I would LOVE to have you join us share as well.

Second, well lets just say I'm 8 1/2 months pregnant and "hanging in there" whew can't wait for this baby girl to get here - a new addition will definately make this year different, exciting and blessed.  Can't wait to share all those details with you (I'll skip the birthing ones though~)

Third, my brain has been on "business" overload, deciding what projects to make, how to advertise and market, what to add, etc.  I also have been busy planning all the new "farm" additions from vegetables to grow to ducks to raise - sometimes you have to restrain me because I go a little nuts!!

But all the planning is FUN and I cannot wait to see what 2011 holds.  We will be switching our blog up a bit and introducing TAB w/ topics since we will have a little bit of everything.  We hope this makes it easier to find the resources and posts your most interested in whether it be recipes, homeschooling, farm life stories, pictures or our latest and greatest Farmhouse wood creations.  May God Bless each of you in the new year - we are glad you are making the journey with us.    Stay tuned as we will have a give away later this month - don't miss it!!