SageHill Ranch Journal

[Baymule]

Eggnog. Store bought or do you make it? Would you like my Great Grandmother’s recipe? My mother said Mamma Wall made eggnog on Christmas morning and everyone had eggnog, even little children (her). My Grandmother made eggnog, I had to watch her make it to capture the recipe.

Mamma Wall’s Eggnog

12 eggs, separated
12 heaping tablespoons sugar
12 shots bourbon
1 pint heavy whipping cream
A little milk

Beat egg whites until stiff
Beat whipping cream until stiff
Beat egg yolks, add sugar slowly, beat between each spoonful
Beat yolk mixture, add bourbon slowly while beating mixture, 1 shot at a time
Fold in whipped cream
Fold in egg whites
Add a little milk
Enjoy!

I’m not much of a drinker, so I cut the bourbon to 6 shots. 12 shots will blow my head off. Add it slowly, beating well, or you will have scrambled eggs. My non drinking parents thought it perfectly ok for me to get wasted on eggnog on Christmas Day. Mamma Wall lived to 102, I attribute her longevity to eggnog. LOL She is the one who made hook rugs. She did all sorts of handwork, quilts, smocked pillows and was very talented. When you make eggnog, raise a cup and toast Mamma Wall.


Copy, paste and print. Mamma Wall’s Eggnog can become your family tradition.

 

[SageHill]

"A bunch of panels, a sort gate or two . . . . " Tell yourself that as you add equipment to your wish list!

Make sure to have several gates within the chute to keep the sheep pushed up to the sort gate. If the chute is more than 3-4' long, they will back up or try to turn around. Having gates within the chute means you can keep them moving along

I love helping my dear friends spend their money!

but of course - spending is fun! And directed spending is even more fun - less mistakes .
What I've got "works" - but then we all know just how great "works" is. With all the years (oh geeze decades) of working and setting sheep for trials I dream of those chutes we used. Nice a long, not too long, with lots of gates in the chutes. SO SWEET to work with.
I can use the tilt table with it's headgate, and I have, so with that a headgate isn't on the top of the list (yet). I've been looking for the same thing and they just don't seem to be around anymore. Mostly what I find are solid sides. I'll have to bite the bullet and give up the stubborn "what I want" if I buy them and don't build. I'll still need the gates so there's that.

 

[SageHill]

Copy, paste and print. Mamma Wall’s Eggnog can become your family tradition.

Ohhhh that looks yummy major drool. I'll definitely print it out and add it into my binder of "Good Things". The eggnog I have is store bought. I don't think I've ever had homemade. I may have to buy eggs <gasp> since all I have are "old" or frozen. The "girls" went on layer-strike Christmas vacation a month ago.

 

[SageHill]

Back on the graze this morning. I did the "oh that looks like a good spot they haven't been" --- and was rewarded with sheep standing still doing nothing and a dog who looked at me like "what the heck?". So we moved on down the ranch road and the sheep decided where they wanted to dine for breakfast. Sigh. I know better, and I just have to try once in a while. The animals know best. I need to set aside time to read the Provenza book on nourishment.
Out on the graze said hello to Murphy. He didn't watch for long.
As I was standing on a hill watching I caught movement on the owned, but abandoned avo grove to the south. Some brush and a lot of dead and almost dead avo trees - sad, the owner died and the kids (in their prime like us) can't agree or decide what to do with it other than shut off the water. But back to the movement. It was coyote (of course) and moving strangely. Like almost on three legs. I was pulling a bead on it and watched and followed - to find it wasn't a 3-legged or lame movement - it was in perfect "suck up" mode. Ah geeze. Watch, watch, there's TWO - of course, that's what suck up mode is all about. I have a bead on it and as it gets to the more dominant pack member I squeeze off - and poop. Damn - not enough juice behind the pellet. Left over from yesterday. Recock -- coyotes didn't notice even (thank goD for that favor) I shoot and they split but still hang in the area. Damn - missed. Reload and put a bead on the closest. It's going through the brush - I follow with my aim and am right on every time I catch sight. Pull the trigger, I hear the pellet cut through leaves of a bush and then the coyote ran off in a flash. Probably hit it.
I'm pretty sure the area they were in is where they are living. I'll be adjusting my grazing path so I can be high and have clear aim into that area to start rather than at the end of the graze time.
We hung around where I could keep an eye on the coyote "home base" for awhile. So I could have a little more target practice, but they didn't return while we were out. I did hear Murphy about 2 minutes after my last shot. I know what he was barking at! The sheep decided that then would be a good time to stay close to me........ (and still nibble away some)......

Tools of the trade - a dog, a stock stick, and something.
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A chin scratcher.
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A "nibbler" aka "Snow" who was named by the neighbor's grandkids.

 

[Ridgetop]

Mostly what I find are solid sides.

Solid sides are actually the best for chutes since they keep the sheep moving when they cant see through to freedom, and discourage jump overs. However, you can convert any open panel to solid sides by cutting 1/4" plywood into pieces to fit on the panels and wiring them on. I like the open portable panels because they are lighter to move. There are some mfgrs. who make aluminum panels which are even lighter. Most of the steel portable panels come in shorter lengths (5'-7')which are light enough for one person to carry and set up.

Back on the graze this morning. I did the "oh that looks like a good spot they haven't been" --- and was rewarded with sheep standing still doing nothing and a dog who looked at me like "what the heck?". So we moved on down the ranch road and the sheep decided where they wanted to dine for breakfast. Sigh. I know better, and I just have to try once in a while. The animals know best.

Damn - not enough juice behind the pellet.

You really need a .22 for those coyotes, especially if they are starting to form packs and breeding pairs. Once the females whelp their pups you will have troubles.

 

[SageHill]

You really need a .22 for those coyotes, especially if they are starting to form packs and breeding pairs. Once the females whelp their pups you will have troubles.

My thoughts exactly. I was actually thinking that when I was out there this morning.

 

[SageHill]

Harvest Day.
First thing this morning was harvest time. I've been looking forward to this, and now it's a little wait time until taste time. Camper has left the ranch for freezer camp, though he'll hang around for a day or two before he is assigned his cold cot.
(sorry, sometimes I can't help myself ). DH delivered the innards to DS & DDIL for their haggis making. Not their first time for that. Though I'm guessing their freshest ingredients ever.
I'm really looking forward to enjoying a lot of good meals. All home grown. Veggies and lamb.
Lovin' the life.

 

[Mini Horses]

Did you do this at home? You have a mobile butcher?

 

[SageHill]

Did you do this at home? You have a mobile butcher?

A mobile harvest/butcher. I didn't know there's such a thing as butchering competition - learn something new every day. He competes and does well - so I'm really looking for good butchering.
I've only done pheasants, ducks, and some other upland game birds. Nothing this big. So I called in the pro. Thank goodness I called a few months ago he books out way in advance!

 

[Ridgetop]

We used to have a mobile service but not for the past 20 years. I am lucky to have one in driving distance!