Update

We sent our computer to the shop and so we've been without technology for some time. It's been absolutely miserable. You don't realize how much you use the internet until you don't have it. Music, contacting people, recipes, ...and everything else under the sun that you might want to look into, understand or discover.
So here I am on my little laptop finally getting a chance to "see the world" again. What a pleasure!
As far as life has been otherwise, the work is still steady (I've been working more for the neighbor lately as he has taxes to get done), the winter is cold (I think we've set a record for the number of days where the high for the day was quite a bit below zero), and coffee is frequently consumed!
In the few spare moments that I have I've been reading the book "The Tipping Point" by Malcolm Gladwell. It's quite fascinating so far, as I would expect from this author.
I enjoyed visits from numerous friends during the holiday season, and on January 22nd I turned 22 so it was fun celebrating my golden birthday. Everyone made it so much fun... I went out one day with my friends Kay Lee & Sandy (and of course baby Josie), and then some friends from church and my family surprised me on my birthday by bringing gingerbread cookies to frost/decorate and eat!! So yummy, and I was TOTALLY surprised... I had no idea what was going on even after they arrived!! Haha!! Then of course, my favorite tradition with my dad: breakfast at the Norske Nook. :) ....and last but not least I had an unofficially official birthday party up and my sister and brother-in-law's house! I am truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life and for all of the good times I have!!!

Anyways, It's crazy to think that January is already almost over. It's been a good month (in spite of the cold). Time flies when you're having fun. 
Until next time.....
Cheerio.

A Tale of A Rad Cat

Last Spring a family wanted to get rid of their long-haired calico cat named Buttons. We sort of chuckled amongst ourselves because a cat with long hair is going to get pretty dirty on a farm, but they didn't want it an we were looking to expand our cat clan with some color variation beyond just black and white fur. Buttons was a snob. She wasn't too sociable and it took forever for her to become even remotely friendly, but it wasn't long before she had a litter of adorable kittens and redeemed herself. There were probably six little beasts in all. One long-haired, black kitten that the kids named Charcoal, one with short black hair that I named Wax, an orange kitten named Maxine, two orange and white kittens that looked practically identical (one of which was adopted) named Fall and Winter and then there was Monkey. Monkey had long fur and was a cream, black and brown calico. Sort of a weird looking kitten with distinct features and I didn't like it that much. Wax was my favorite.

It wasn't long before they started dying off one by one. This sort of thing happens on a farm and it is just a part of nature. Charcoal loved to get warmed up on vehicle tires and was run over. Likewise Winter happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and met it's death by tractor tire. For some reason our dog Tanner felt like his territory was being threatened by these baby fur balls and suddenly the ration of milk we'd give the animals each day wasn't all Tanner's to drink. He didn't like this and he'd nip at a kitten that would get in his way. His nip was a bit too much for a wee cat and we lost Wax and Maxine that way. After punishment Tanner left the remaining kittens alone and things have been fine since though it's been just Fall and Monkey along with the few older barnyard cats running about.

One day I decided to pet Monkey while milking and then walked away to continue with my work of milking the cows. She followed me. So I pet her again and left. She followed me... and so we went on like this. I laughed and had to show my brothers because Monkey would let me completely stretch it's face in a giant stroke and do funny things with it's fur and she loved it! Most kittens would get annoyed eventually or get sick of chasing me down for a short stroke on the head, but not Monkey. Monkey was so persistent. It made me think of how, when driving a car and noticing that the gas tank is needing to be re-fueled, we scan the road signs for the next rest stop or gas station. So I nick-named Monkey “Next Cat Stop – 20 Miles” … of course this is much to long of a name to use frequently so it was shortened to “Cat Stop”.

Cat Stop and I became good friends. She eventually decided it was too much trouble to run up and down the parlor pit waiting for me to pet her and started climbing on me for a ride. So we'd have our routine each milking: I'd set up the parlor for milking, bring around the cows, hop in the pit to start milking and Cat Stop would hop onto my left shoulder. She'd nuzzle my cheek with her tiny, cold, wet nose and tickle me with her whiskers to produce a pet from me. She was a mangy little thing. Her long fur was often matted or dirty. She smelled of old milk. My friends would come over and look at me like I'd lost my mind when I'd tell them that Cat Stop was my favorite cat. They'd gravitate towards the other cats with cleaner, more groomed fur.

Truth is, I've never been much of a lovey-dovey sort of person. I prefer a good conversation to a hug. This lack of physical touch applies to humans as well as animals. I'll pet a dog or hug a relative or friend because that's just what you do. ...but somehow this little cat snuggled it's way past my rigid countenance, as if it knew that beyond the one-pet-every-“20 miles” I'd find the time, patients and pleasure in carrying it around on my chest while going about my daily milking duties.

It was annoying to have a little cat clinging to my jacket when I'd have three cows kicking their milkers off or have other things I needed to get done. There were times when I'd need to go into the freezing night to bring in more cows. I'd walk to where the other cats would sit on the heater and lean over as if to indicate that it was time for it to let go of my coat, but Cat Stop would continue holding on with it's claws and look around with it's big black and green eyes in an innocent I-have-no-idea-what-we're-leaning-over-for sort of way. I'd laugh and tell it, “Fine! If you want to freeze your butt off...” and take it with me.

It knew how to get along without me as well, and during clean up Cat Stop was content to do other things. I loved that about her. She knew when it was time to chill with me and when it was time to find amusement elsewhere. The fact that she was a cat and couldn't speak wasn't a problem. Words weren't necessary. She and I just spent time together, each pleased with the other's attention. Of course I'd talk to it occasionally because that's just what humans do with their pets.
It wasn't really that it was such a beautiful cat. Nor was it the cleanest, strongest, smartest cat either. It was just a rad cat. There is something about an animal that is wonderful. They are like small children, or babies in a way. They cannot talk to you, they require your protection and your care. It's wonderful when they come running to you because they need or want you. Animals and babies, alike.

It was odd. In the past week I've been especially enjoying having Cat Stop around. It's like the bonding process had reached a new level, though for some reason I was cautious about this. Cat Stop wouldn't be around forever, I knew that. But what if she were to grow up? Most kittens grow up, learn to hunt or have kittens of their own and no longer desire the petting and the attention as they used to. Then they become just another barnyard cat. Or what if she were to get run over, or nipped by Tanner? I can think of plenty of cats that we've lost due to age, maturity or accidents over the years: Oscar Meyer, Jax, Wolfgang, Margie, Crème, Stratus, to name a few that I can think of off the top of my head. I warned myself that it was likely that Cat Stop would follow in suit.

Maybe the heart can just sense things before they happen?
This morning I set up the parlor, brought the cows around, hopped in the pit to start milking and there was Cat Stop, as usual, waiting to be held. I picked her up and continued on with chores as her little paws were pressed against my coat in a relaxed manner (as if I were her horse and she were out for a Sunday stroll!). Cows were being feisty and I pawned her off to Patrick (she never liked being held by anyone else as much and would jump out of their arms if she got the chance to come trotting back to me). She leapt away from him and accidentally fell into a bucket of water, springing out as fast as she could. Patrick and I laughed because she looked so funny with her fur soaking wet! (we often joked that she looked like a baby orc hyena or a dragon... I'd call her a bear-cat, too). We put her in a dry spot and left to do our work. I came back in from getting more cows and found her lying on the cement floor of the barn dying. We don't know if Tanner had nipped her (he was standing nearby) or if possibly a cow had kicked/stepped on her. I picked her up and held her. I stroked her the way she always likes and then she was gone.

I've never liked cats that much. Don't get me wrong, I love animals! But I like some animals more than others. Dogs are better than cats. They are sweeter and desire your attention. Cats are self sufficient, stuck up and don't really need you. I've even heard that if you were to die and your cat was hungry it would eat you. Your beloved dog would never do such a thing as they are loyal.
But Cat Stop was different from other cats. Maybe it was still just as selfish as the rest. It probably would eat me if I died. But her persistent desire to be with me was quite out of the ordinary as far as cats go. I have lots of friends and a wonderful family around me, and on a logical note Cat Stop is just another cat, but I do spend a lot of time on my own milking cows... I don't see my friends all that often (either because they work as much as I do, or because they live a good distance away), and most of my communication with them is through some form of media, mainly texting. It's not all that personal. My family is wonderful of course. They are always around and it's often a jolly time we have together. But Cat Stop was like the friend who needs you as much as you need them, who is ok with hanging out during work hours, and who is always there, waiting for you, eager for your attention.... sneaking past the cold, mechanical formalities of relating and the unexciting droll moments of life to just hang there on your shoulder and steal warmth from your being.

If you've read this whole thing I'd be shocked. I don't exactly condone writing about pets ...too much, and I think sentimentality about cats is rather ridiculous. Just writing this is rather hypocritical of me. Maybe it's just because I've had so many cats come and go here on the farm. Nevertheless, Cat Stop was different and I suppose she's changed my perspective on the matter. When, in the future, I hear someone talking about their cat or pet, instead of rolling my eyes and pitying them for their silly attachment, I shall think of Cat Stop and smile.

A cat scurried by in my peripheral vision as I was finishing up chores this morning and I thought for a moment that it was Cat Stop coming to see me. I shall miss my little furry friend. The world moves on and other loveable animals will grace the wall of my barn, but it can be said without a doubt that Cat Stop is the most rad cat. Ever.

Chicken Milk

"DID YOU KNOW that "egg nog" in French is "lait de poule", which literally means "chicken milk"? This changes everything." - Josh Gross

For the past couple of years I have tried to make eggnog with little success. It's not that the stuff didn't taste good, but each trial I'd hoped for a thicker drink and it never got beyond a milky consistency with the whipped cream floating on the top.

A lot of folks don't exactly like the thickness of the eggnog they buy at the store. I know I always dilute mine down with milk or coffee. I mean, lets be honest, ...it's more like drinking some high fructose corn syrup with eggnog flavor.

What I've been aiming for was something between milk and guar gum. 

This Christmas season my family kept asking me to make eggnog and I kept putting it off. A lack of time due to work made for a good excuse but I think the real reason was simply a lack of success in the previous years. Yesterday we had the extended family over for a little New Years Day celebration and I got out the ole' KitchenAid, but this time I had a new plan. ....and it worked!!!! =D Eggnog was easy to make, it tasted good AND it had a thicker texture as well!!! Everyone loved it!

Here's the recipe:

4 eggs
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 pint whipping cream
1/2 gallon whole milk

Separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. Set whites aside. In mixer bowl beat egg yolks at high speed for 5 minutes. Add granulated sugar, vanilla and nutmeg. Beat for another 2 minutes. Remove to a different bowl and set aside. In mixer bowl (doesn't need to be cleaned between steps) beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold egg yolk mixture into egg whites. Slowly fold in whipping cream and milk. Pour eggnog into a pitcher and serve immediately as nutmeg will settle to bottom of container. A dash of nutmeg to each serving of eggnog is also enjoyable. Enjoy!

P.S. this recipe is easy to change up. More or less eggs... different types of sugar (I've tried maple syrup and honey before)... some people enjoy a little rum or bourbon in their eggnog... have fun and experiment around!