Piper Here!

Well hullo, there! I’m Piper and I’m waggingly-happy to be your FARM DOG guest blogger today. OK, so I’m not truly a farm dog every day but, heck, my peeps were raised as farm dogs (think Lassie) and I like to channel that rich heritage. Especially here at beautiful Merry Mount. And it was beautiful last weekend when my mom Vivi and I drove down to the farm to hang out with Rett and Pat, their dog Minnie (who, excuse my language, can sometimes be a little bitchy), some other friends and goats, chickens (yum!) and a curious little cat.

Boring start to the weekend because the grownups just wanted to talk and hug and talk some more and whip up stuff like blackberry-gin-mint cocktails and goat-cheese-and-sauteed-cherry dip. I say, where’s the beef?

 

We did get to take a walking tour of the property, though, and saw a HUGE garden that Rett has planted with tons of vegetables and herbs (can you grow bacon?), and her lovely rose garden that looks like a great place to maybe take an afternoon nap.

 

But whoa, what’s that SMELL? I usually like strong stinky stuff (even to roll in sometimes), but this billy-goat tops them all. He reeks! I think he’s trying to get a date with one of the pretty little girl goats. They like to tease him but by golly, I don’t think they’re ready for any deep relationship with Walt. He’s all a-flutter though and can’t stop yodeling and sticking his dang tongue out to try and get their attention. Whew-ee and P.U.

 

The chickens are pretty fun, especially in their moveable chicken wagon that Rett built. I say, a box of chicken is always fun! Preferably deep fried!

We sniffed flowers – lots of colorful flowers! Boy that Rett sure does have a green thumb. Everything looks so pretty at Merry Mount.

 

Especially the “big sky” down here. Mom took some neat photos.

The weather cooperated and everyone could, as they say, have dinner al fresco on the back patio. Well, by everyone I mean everyone but me and Minnie. The grownups had pork tenderloin with peach/mustard sauce, potatoes and roasted asparagus and a salad. Me? I had Earthborn Meadowfeast. Oh yeah, and their dessert was a white Russian sorbet. Now that sounded good! (I know mom liked it!)

Next morning I woke up early. Mornings at Merry Mount can be very pretty! We hung out w/ the animals and enjoyed the peacefulness

at the farm. And breakfast was served on the patio (Yes! There was bacon!)

Here are some recipes for you!

Appetizer: goat cheese with sautéed cherries and pistachios

8 oz soft goat cheese, room temp

1 cup fresh summer cherries, cut in half and pitted

1 T plus 2 t. olive oil

½ cup pistachios, lightly toasted and roughly chopped

1 t chopped fresh thyme

Mound the goat cheese in a pretty serving dish. Run the back of a spoon through the soft cheese, forming peaks and valleys.

Warm 1 T of the olive oil in a sauté pan; add cherries and sauté until fragrant and beginning to caramelize, about 5 min. Spoon warm cherries over and around the goat cheese. Sprinkle with pistachios and thyme. Drizzle with remaining olive oil. Serve with crackers. (NOTE: Mom thought this would be even better with some finely diced jalepeno peppers for a little "heat"!)

White Russian Sorbet

3/4 cup of decaf espresso, brewed

1/3 cup sugar

single serving packet of decaf instant coffee

 1 T corn syrup

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup vodka

1/4 cup kahlua

1/2 cup nonfat milk

Add all to blender and blend. Refrigerate for several  hours. Whisk and process in ice cream maker!