Clinton days

Clinton Days

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Embry Abby had a blast on the rides!!! 

This is my sister in law when she was hypnotized hopefully she doesn't get mad at me for posting this, but it was pretty funny. The Hypnotist convinced her that she was dancing with a really hot guy (toilet brush) and the other girls dancing with the other guys (Mops) were jealous. It was hilarious the whole thing was funny.   

Just before the fireworks

Brown Sugar Zucchini Bread

Brown Sugar Zucchini Bread

This recipe is moist and delicious with a lightly spicy, complex taste thanks to the combination of cinnamon and cardamom (and if the latter isn't a staple in your pantry, resolve to change that right now), and light crunch of brown sugar that glistens on the top. It is wonderful all by itself, but equally good alongside a summery bowl of bisque, or spread with a sweet or savory cream cheese.  Welcome and try it once and it will be your go-to recipe for all time.

1 extra-large egg
1/2 cup oil
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup grated, unpeeled zucchini (about 1 medium)
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped pecans

2 tablespoons dark brown sugar (for top)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a loaf pan with vegetable spray. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar in pan, and rotate to cover bottom and sides. 
In a large mixing bowl, beat egg well. Add oil, sugar, and zucchini; mix thoroughly. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, soda, and spices.  Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until combined. Fold in chopped nuts. 

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.  Crumble dark brown sugar over the top to cover.  Bake for 1 hour. Remove to wire rack and let rest for 5 minutes. Invert onto rack to cool completely. 

Goat milking

How to get started

Make a goat stand we found ideas on you tube....

This our wonderful creation we call a goat stand... It helps to keep our female does where we want them to be, so we don't get kicked or walked over while were in the process of milking. my husband Justin did a fantastic job making this!!! I just helped him a little bit probably mostly in his way though. Anyways, because our German Shepard and now just recently our Black lab chases the goats, they make it so we don't have to tie the does (females) up each time we move them out of the stall and back into the stall. They actually go straight to the goat stand and straight back into there stall as soon as they're finished being milked. 

This is kind of how it works when your milking the goats. I usually milk with both hands personally it makes it a lot faster and easier. 

Raising dairy Goats and the Benefits to goat milk 

with each doe we average about 3 quarts a day for 10 months — to feed our family all year long its especially nice because we have a 1 year old  baby that drinks almost a gallon a week. Add a few more goats and you'll have enough milk for making cheese, yogurt,and even ice cream.

More of the world's people consume goats milk than cows milk. Goats are hardy animals: They adapt well to heat and cold, productively forage and graze, require little space, and are inexpensive to keep. Since mature does (females) usually weigh between 120 and 135 pounds (dwarf breeds can weigh between 35 and 85 pounds), they're much easier to handle than hefty cows, which can weigh 1,000 pounds each. Goats may surprise you in other ways, as well. They're highly intelligent, remarkably friendly creatures. And, since they're active, extremely agile and very curious, their antics can amuse you for hours. With all that in mind, it's easy to see why dairy goats can be the ideal addition to today's family farm or homestead.

The Dairy Breeds

There are more than 200 different goat breeds worldwide; six primary breeds dominate the dairy goat arena: Alpines, Oberhaslis, Saanens, Toggenburgs, LaManchas and Nubians. While all breeds generally do well in most of the country, the first four breeds listed are well-suited to cooler climates since their origins can be traced to Swiss mountain regions. LaManchas and Nubians hail from tropical and desert climates where it's warmer, and they tolerate hot summer conditions better than the Swiss breeds.  

We own a LaMancha and a Alpine...

Before milking the goats

Because goats can only produce milk for 10-11 months they will need to be breed every year which is okay with us, because... aren't their baby kids so cute?

Cookies (Alpine X) Baby twin kids                               Missy's (LaMancha) baby twin kids

Fishing with the family

Fishing

So Fishing is always so relaxing this wasn't an all day thing, but it was still a nice day to go fishing. It was especially fun because I've never seen a fish being caught as big as the one Jay caught... It was fun seeing Abby's reaction too... Is that bad to say I thought it was hilarious when she was sort of freaking out? After fishing we went and explored for family cabins which surprisingly it was interesting and fun.   

Splash park

Spending time with family and grasping memories is something I've always loved to do. Going to the splash park has been such a fun time with the kids, hanging out with my grandpa, my sister Crystal and other days at the park with some girl friends its nice to get out and have fun with others. 

Fourth Of July Oakley Rodeo

Happy 4th Of July Everyone!!! 

So I had a Fantastic 4th of July this year we went to the Oakley Rodeo, Camped, Went to Parades, Watched Amazing Fire Works. And best of all I got to spend it with Family and Friends. On 4th of  July I wish you joy as a wide as blue sky, success as high as the puple mountains, prosperity as rich as the fruited plain and happiness as deep as the shining sea... Happy 4th of July 

Clearfield day Parade 2013 

The Parade was  such a joyful experience for the family it is true when they say 

that when your children or grandchildren experience new things for the first time. It becomes a whole new experience for ourselves, So Abby was scared of the parade at first and would run to grandma and grandpa to save the day. Especailly, when people would be throwing candy out to her... After awhile though I think she thought... wow!! how cool is that. I LOVE CANDY!!! and there just giving it to me? COOL! 

(I'm pretty sure that's what she was thinking) Sabrina was in the parade cheering on for her team (Clearfield high school Cheerleader) Great Job Sabrina!!! 

So the Oakley Rodeo was so much fun!!! It has been a tradition for years for Justin's family to attend the Oakley Rodeo on the 4th Of July. Especially, because Justin's dads family is from there its great that we can see their family as well as going to an amazing Rodeo. Even if its a small town out of all the Rodeos I've been to the Oakley Rodeos have been my favorite.

 "May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder" 

-John O'Donohue

Day at the park with the girls...

@ The Clinton Park

Its so nice to have such a great sister and friends to hangout with and get out of the house and talk, eat and come home with are kids exhausted. I know staying at home all day is not healthy, So Thank you Crystal and Talaya I had a great time and Abby did as well. This is the day that Abby decided she loved sand boxes... Not sure if that a good thing. 

Happy mothers day!!

Happy Mothers day mom!!! 

So I know this post isn't posted on mothers day. I was having issues with my phone, but I wanted to finish it now. My mom, Crystal, myself and all the kids had a day out together we went to Zupas Restaurant. my mom loved it!!! Basically, if you have never heard of it... You choose between two for a combo meal a salad a sandwich or a soup. it also comes with some bread and a chocolate covered strawberry their drinks are amazing as well. I would go check it out!!! Anyways, we ended up going to the Layton duck pond afterwards. It was such a nice day to go for a walk and play in the park with two amazing mothers. Some people are nice in the things they do, and some in the things they say, but none are quite like my mom. I love her so much. Crystal is the same way I mean they have their hard times in life, but they do what they can and their happy because of it. They boost me up and remind me that being a mom can be hard, but it has greater blessings in store.

Dear mom, 

not to get a gushy and mushy, 

but now that I'm not in my teens

I truly and totally appreciate

everything you've done for me.

And being such a great example. 

You are truly an amazing mom. 

Thank you. 

Love you mom...

Alyeska and Abigail 

My proud mom swinging her grand kids.