Rachael Eliker's Blog, page 85

An Angel With A Tractor

Jack out in the cold drilling holes while I made Thanksgiving dinner.When most people think of angels, it's usually a heavenly messengers clothed in white but more than once, I've thought of a person and their kind gesture of nothing short of angelic. This past month, our angel came the evening before Thanksgiving in the form of a neighbor with impeccable timing and a tractor.
I'd made arrangements to rent a towable auger that could drill the 85 post holes we needed to put in the last permanen...

He Is The Gift

One of my new favorite Christmas videos. Enjoy!He Is The Gift
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Creamsicle Jello

I have to give credit to my sister's in-laws for this yummy side dish. It is a staple at their family gatherings and we made it for our own Thanksgiving. It was by far the most requested dish by the girls. It can be made in any combo too: Orange Lemon, Raspberry Vanilla, Banana Strawberry...whatever you're in the mood for. Ingredients:

2 small (or 1 large) jello
1 cook and serve pudding
1 instant pudding
8 oz cool whip
1 cup milk

Cook pudding according to package instructions. Place in fridge to chi...

Tractor Driving Lessons

Watch out world! I have a tractor and I know how to use it!Though a good majority of the goals I set at the beginning of the year (that I'll actually be able to achieve) are already done, there's still time to check a few off the list before beginning anew in the upcoming year! Learning how to drive a tractor has been on my mind since having a farm of our own but since we didn't have one or know anyone who did, I was out of luck to learn how to operate one.
I want one!Since putting u...

Butchered

Rufus, Chess and Twinkle out for an early morning stroll.Whenever chicks make their way to our farm, I'm continually hoping they'll end up hens. I may be biased, but I prefer girls over boys, at least usually when animals are involved. After all, the ladies provide the milk, eggs and babies along with meat and wool and in general, are a bit more even-tempered.
Our beautiful ram, Magnus, right before he started knocking down the hollyhocks.We've had some experience with unneutered livestock. Ma...

Sesame Noodles

If you aren't in the mood for cooking, this dish is perfect--you don't have to sacrifice flavor for convenience! Serve with grilled chicken and steamed broccoli and you're set for a main dish or pair with other Asian cuisine as a side. Either way, it's delicious.
Even the girls gobbled it up!Ingredients:

12 ounces thin noodles (think angel hair pasta, rice noodles, Ramen...), cooked and drained
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 Tablespoons sugar
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 Tablespo...

Push

Our truck gets a good workout quite often.When we get ready to go out of town, it's no small ordeal. On top of tidying up the house and packing food and clothes for five people and a dog, there are animals that are left behind that need to be planned for. Since our disastrous hay situation last Halloween (no barn + crummy tarp + raging storm = moldy hay), we decided to go with predominately round bales this year. They're lined up nicely on the yard but since we're traveling sooner t...

Michele

Photo CreditThis Sunday, my aunt Michele passed away. I never have words adequate to express what I feel when someone goes on ahead. It's a mixture of sadness and loss, mingled with hope. This is the hymn that always comes to mind and probably most accurately portrays my sentiments at the moment, through word and music.
Jesu! The Very Thought is Sweet!

Au revoir, Michele.

Capital Warrior Run 10k

Run, Rachael! Run!Thinking I could fit in one more race this year, I signed up for a 10k mid-October when the weather was warm, but not too hot and I was loving start of autumn.
Getting started!This morning, I rolled out of bed before six and wondered what on earth I'd done. I told Jack no photos of me from behind because he always gets me mid-jiggle. This one was acceptable.With the girls happily in tow (because they got funny, smiley worm-looking donuts for coming so early with Jack and me),...

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Muffins

We had these delectable muffins the day the cold snap started. They were about the only thing that made the weather bearable. They're moist and flavorful and are pretty quick to whip up. Pair with soup and you'll be warm enough to endure the chill.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
1 cup milk
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla.

Preheat oven to 375F. Sift together the flour, baking powder and...