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The waiting game….
….begins again! And this time with added suspense! Embryologist Dr. Jim Evans implants English embryos into our cows….always a bit nerve-wracking but particularly since these little ones were tied up in England for almost three years because of a mystery virus that hit a number of herds and sheep flocks. Looking on are Jane Narrimore and Duane Ard who served as our wranglers. For recips this time we selected from our own herd….our 10 best cows with unblemished records of breeding, calving and mothering. We were determined to do all we could to improve the odds. Dr. Evans was also particularly selective…and knocked out four as not being perfectly ready…
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Bob Simon, R.I.P…..
….an old colleague, good reporter and good man died overnight. Bob Simon of CBS News was killed in a New York City car crash after cheating death many times as a war correspondent. We were last together at a reunion of old Viet Nam reporters just over a month ago and I’m particularly grateful I was able to express my appreciation for his kindness to my late wife. I met Bob when we were both covering Viet Nam for CBS in 1967-68 and he was still going full-bore at the age of 73 as one of the anchors of 60 Minutes. It was during an earlier reunion, when my wife left her bed at the…
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Here’s the recipe….
….for that Maple Mustard Ham Steak with Sherry-Raisin Sauce. Son-in-law Bill found it in the “Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook.” 1 cup apple cider 1/3 cup dry sherry 1/4 cup raisins 3 Tablespoons maple syrup 1 teaspoon unsalted butter 4 teaspoons country-style Dijon mustard 1 pound ham steak + preheat the broiler, coat broiler pan with cooking spray + in a small saucepan, combine the apple cider, sherry, raisins, and one 1 Tablespoon of the maple syrup. Bring to a boil over a medium-high heat. Boil 11-12 minutes, until reduced to 1/2 cup. Remove from the heat and swirl in the butter. Keep warm. + in a small bowl, combine…
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You’ll have to use your imagination….
….impressed by the various dishes she’s seen here, daughter Linda sent in her own. It’s (or was) a maple mustard ham steak with sherry raisin sauce. Words like “delicious” and “fantastic” accompanied the photo…but nothing about “come on over and taste it!” This is actually the first time she and Bill have tried our Thistle Hill pork. (Paying customers come first!) Maple mustard ham steak with sherry raisin sauce
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We’re in the very best of hands….
….that is if you depend on locally-grown food from a farmer you can trust. If you’re depending on the USDA, not so much. The Government Accounting Office has investigated the USDA’s testing procedures and found them serious lacking. Turns out the government checks only a miniscule amount of foods for toxic residue…..and when it comes to genetically-modified foods, it’s even worse. An official admits they don’t even check Monsanto’s Roundup and its’ deadly glyphosate. The explanation is that testing for that would be “too expensive”. Here’s a summary of the eye-opening report from Dr. Joseph Mercola: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/01/27/glyphosate-gmo-pesticide-residue.aspx?e_cid=20150127Z1_DNL_RTLB_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20150127Z1_RTLB&et_cid=DM67623&et_rid=820169969
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Known by our chefs….
….people like Bill and Diane Earle of Hume. Bill had a nice phrase accompanying a picture of their Christmas ham…..”best ever”. Bill wrote that he finds Thistle Hill pork “consistently excellent” but the ham was the best ever. We were going to break out a ham for Easter but the photos have us thinking we’ll move that treat up a little!
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Not all “hoodies” are dangerous….
….just because gang bangers and Bill Belichick wear them. Thanks to Renate Shields of Orlean, Virginia. (No this is not a Devon)
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Calories in – calories out….
….another writer says not so fast. This is the latest in a series of stories de-bunking the long-held perceived wisdom on dieting. Along the way it also questions that government’s past nutritional advice, which has left us a nation of unhealthy, overweight zombies. My only other comment is I must be subconsciously thinking it’s time for a “trim”. (sorry, link fixed…and scroll down) http://www.marksdailyapple.com/7-common-calorie-myths-we-should-all-stop-believing/?awt_l=Oih4F&awt_m=JNNDRlgs1xWvYa#axzz3O9iHJoUO&utm_source=Jan+11+News+Alert+-+Updated+Template&utm_campaign=150110&utm_medium=email
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Dirt….just plain old dirt….
….as the foundation of civilization. Okay, soil if you prefer. An article in the National Geographic summarizes the main points. It’s been our main focus at Thistle Hill for a number of years though Wooz prefers to look at our Devon. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/12/141205-world-soil-day-soil-agriculture-environment-ngfood/ Source: Brown Ranch, North Dakota Facebook page.
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A domestic scene….
….the second generation of our English Traditional Devon are now gracing our pastures….here and in South Carolina. Pictured at Thistle Hill are two moms and their offspring….the “mums” are Tilbrook Cashtiller daughters by Cutcombe Jaunty. The AI bull calf in front is by Millennium Falcon….the heifer in back by TDA Highwayman.