Country Time Acres Blog

Old fashioned Blue Berry Muffins

Nothing says country than a fresh batch of muffins made with real blue berries! Here is a recipe that is quick and easy. Pre-heat oven to 400. In mixing bowl mix 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 egg, 1/4 cup milk, 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1/2  teaspoon vanilla. Once blended gently stir in 3/4  cup of blue berries, fresh or frozen ( if frozen do not thaw berries). Put batter into muffin tin and bake for 18-22 minutes. Serve warm.  Did you visit?  Leave a comment!!!

This project is simple and elegant.

This week the girls at Country Time 4-H made tissue boxes. This box is one of my camp favorites because it’s simple and elegant. Because glue must dry, each side must be done separately. I like to use Elmers gel glue but the regular white glue is ok, too. Have a selection of noodles and each child does their own design. When all sides are decorated and dry (don’t do the back) the box can be spray painted with gold color.  Did you visit?  Leave a comment!!

Lamb Construction is a proud sponsor of Country Time 4-H.

If you love trail mix, you will love this cookie!

This cookie has everything in it but, the kitchen sink. Or, so it seems. I love trail mix so I just had to try them and they are one of my favorites. Here is what you need: Heat oven to 375. Mix in bowl - 1 cup sugar, 1 cup packed brown sugar, 1/2 cup of margarine or 1 stick of butter , softened, and 1/2 cup shortening. Stir in 1 1/4 cups quick oats, 2 teaspoons vanilla and 2 eggs. Stir in 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup wheat germ, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Stir in 1 cup peanut butter. Add 2 cups candy coated peanut butter candies, 1 cup peanuts and 3/4 cups of raisins. Note: Do not over stir or cookies will be runny!  Drop by rounded tablespoons about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 9-10 minutes or until cookies are brown. Cool 5 minutes or until set so they don’t fall apart. Makes about 5 dozen. Enjoy!  Did you visit?  Leave a comment!!

There is nothing more important in any relationship then "undemanding time".

A few weeks ago a friend of mine was having problems getting close to one of her horses.  It was a new horse that had been neglected and didn’t trust humans. The mare also had a 4 week old foal that no one could touch. I explained that sometimes doing nothing is what we need to do.  I suggested “undemanding time”. This is where you simply go into your horses paddock area and sit. Don’t watch or stare at your horse as this can create pressure on the horse. Watch your horse or if your horse is comfortable, groom them. The point is you don’t ask them to do anything. Most people are always asking their horse to do something, stand, walk, ride, etc.. This is your time to just hang out with your horse. My friend’s son went out the next morning and did just what I had told him. I received this heart warming picture of him and a foal that came to him, just because she wanted to.  Isn’t that amazing! If you really want a relationship with your horse they have to know you are there for them in this very simple way. Try it, over time you will notice a difference.Did you visit? Leave a comment!!

Peanut Butter Bars, a tasty treat for a rainy day!

What better way to spend a rainy day than baking a yummy dessert?  Today the girls of Country Time 4-H made these awesome peanut butter bars. Here is what you need: In large bowl cream 1/2 cup butter (softened), 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter. Beat in 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup quick oats, 1 teaspoon baking soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt, gradually add to creamed mixture, add 1 cup chocolate chips to mixture or spread mixture into 13 X 9 pan and sprinkle chips  on top. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. For icing combine 1/2 cup confectioners sugar, 2 tablespoons milk and 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter. If to runny add a little more sugar. Drizzle over bars. Cool completely and cut into bars.  Did you visit?  Leave a comment!!!

Foals, Summer and Libby enjoy playtime.

Yesterday, I returned to Whirlly Bird Farm to help Elaine and her sons with their horses and to check on their progress. A few weeks ago I played with 2 week old Summer (the white one) and was able to play with a string and almost got her haltered. During this visit she came to me within a few minutes. Our shy little foal, Libby wouldn’t get close enough to touch but did get within a few feet of me. The two foals enjoy playtime away from their mothers. I also got to see the newest arrival, Sadie who was just a few hours old. It was extremely hot and both mother and foal were due for some much needed rest.

During this visit I played with two of their miniature horses demonstrating the use of the friendly game with a carrot stick, the porcupine game to move the front and backend of the horse, moving the backend with a carrot stick and backing the horse up with the stick and using the porcupine game. I also demonstrated the yo-yo game. With all these babies there will be plenty of playtime projects and Elaine and the boys will continue to work on haltering so they can begin leading the mothers and foals around the pasture. The best thing about this family is they aren’t in a hurry and understand that’s so important in the building of any relationship. I look forward to hearing their progress and my next visit.  Did you visit?  Leave a comment!

Playing the friendly game with the halter.

Fourty five minutes later I was able to touch Lady all over.

A few weeks ago my friend, Elaine asked me if I could help her with a few of her horses. She had two mares (miniature horses) that each had foals. Breezy had a two week old foal and Lady’s was four weeks old. Lady had been neglected, she didn’t like being touched and her foal wouldn’t let anyone near her. I am a firm believer in natural horsemanship and find that Pat Parelli’s seven games is the best place to start. All games begin with the friendly game. If we are to build a relationship with the horse they must first know we do not intend to hurt them. I began by playing with Breezy, first by rubbing her all over with my hand. When I went to pass behind her she turned. This tells me the horse does not trust me. When this happens I go back to the beginning, starting at the head and play the game until she lets me go all the way around her.After sucessfully playing the game with my hand  I played it with a savvy string and with a rope halter. While playing with her I played with her baby Summer too. Playing with her feet and legs is important and eventually I was able to get the halter on her foal. I didn’t tie it, I will save that for another day when she is more comfortable with the idea.

Lady on the other hand was a different story. I let her and her foal stay in the pen while I worked with the other horses. From time to time I would get close enough to let her sniff my hand. I never let her know I wanted to touch her, it had to be her idea. Eventually I was able to touch her face and then rub her on her body and even hug her. Libby, her foal wouldn’t let me to close.  While hugging her mother I would stroke her back gently and then take my hand away. The idea was to get her use to being touched without asking for to much.  Elaine, was quite emotional when she saw me with Lady. She really wanted to get close to her horse. If we take small steps it will make a huge difference in the relationship with our horse.  That night Elaine and her son went out to play with the horses. While she was successful with Summer and Breezy she was quite upset that  after almost an hour of trying, Lady wouldn’t let her near. She wanted to be with this horse so much that she didn’t realize the pressure she was putting on her. It’s like when someone is giving you a dirty look or starring at you, you can feel the pressure without them even touching you. Once she understood this she tried again and was more successful. I look forward to more stories about the horses of Whirlly Bird Farms.   Did you visit?  Leave a comment!