Not Smooth Sailing - Baby Chick Update

The first time I went to my parents to visit the chicks, my mom already had a problem identified.

We had a "picker". This sweet little girl, was picking the eyes of other chicks. 

After lots of research, it was determined the best thing to do was to separate her. She would outgrow it.

So, wire fencing was put in. 

The other girls with injured eyes all healed, thankfully.

Mom emailed this picture later. No improvements. I think the subject of the email was "Bad Girl".

Something along those lines anyway.

So, I went and picked her up and brought her back to the farm. 

We had a broody hen, I read that "sometimes" a broody hen will adopt a chick.

That didn't work. 

I became the mother hen. Little one spent some time with me out cleaning up the raspberry patch.

We didn't have to worry about her running away. She wouldn't think of leaving my side. Or neck.

Then we did what we should have never done. We named her. I named her. I named her Sally.

Meet our newest pet, Sally.

Italian Cookies ~ Ally's Kitchen A Passport for Adventurous Palates

I am so glad that today is finally here, and I get to share with you about Ally's Kitchen ~ a passport for adventurous palates. I am so fortunate to have received an advance copy of this one of a kind cookbook.

Let me tell you a little about Ally. I have the pleasure of knowing Ally online, where you are able to meet up with so many like minded people. People who inspire. People who guide. Ally is one of these inspirational people. When I found out she was from South Carolina, I wasn't the least bit surprised... You all know how much I love South Carolina, and the people that live there!

"Ally's Kitchen ~ a passport for adventurous palates" will have you joining Ally on her magic carpet ride around the world. She has dishes from around the world that will having you wanting to taste her recipes, as well as get your passport dusted off and see a fraction of what she has seen! The passport stamps throughout the book really add to the charm.

Ally encourages you to take each recipe and make it your own. Experiment. Try new things. Ally is Bohemian Bold, and it shows!

I have so many recipes flagged that I am excited to try. Truckin' Man is even excited to try Ally's Lemon Pepper Grilled Steak with warm butter herb sauce. 

I decided to share with you Italian Cookies. Ally learned how to make this cookie while in Italy. Honestly,  as I was standing in my kitchen, working this cookie dough... reading Ally's words....the scent created by these simple, but amazing ingredients... I almost expected to hear some Italian music start playing in my kitchen. I am sure at this point, Ally would encourage you to find an Italian CD to pop in and that would be the perfect "Mood Maker". There are lots of Mood Makers listed with recipes, just another fun way each recipe is enhanced to the next level.

I have never made a cookie with no dairy, and no eggs. But, let me tell you... It. Is. Amazing. The only change I made to this recipe is that instead of a Chardonnay, I used a Pinot Gregio. We don't drink much wine at all, and when we do we prefer red. So, this was perfect use for our remaining Pinot Gregio.
The flavor in these cookies is like no other. Light. Fruity. 

For a chance to win a copy of Ally's Kitchen ~ a passport for adventurous palates,
scroll down for the Rafflecopter entry.

To see more of Ally, visit her website at: Ally’s Kitchen Website

A trailer for the cookbook:  Video Trailer 

Blog tour: Visit more of Ally’s foodie friends in the virtual Blog Tour 

Italian Cookies    (Source: Ally's Kitchen)

4-5 cups self rising flour, divided
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp sea salt (I used kosher)
2 cups sugar, divided
1 cup Pinto Gregio

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

On your countertop (or cutting board), place two cups of flour, and make a well in the center. To the well add extra virgin olive oil, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and salt. With your hands work the sugar into the oil. Add  one cup of flour, and start working that in. (Ally tells you it's messy here, but just hang in there).  Work in the flour that is around the oil mixture. Add half cup of flour, continuing to mix with hands.

Slowly, add the wine. I added about 1/4 cup at a time. Continue to mix, and add wine until all is added. Add more flour until dough can be shaped into a ball.

Tear off small about of dough, and roll into a rope. Shape as desired. Ally suggest pinwheels, knots or donut holes. I made most of mine into knots.

Add remaining 1/2 cup sugar to small plate. Dip each cookie into sugar, covering well.  Place cookies on prepared baking sheets. Bake 17-21 minutes or until just light golden. Be careful to not overbake.  Cool for three-five minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

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The Newest Additions

We have babies! Baby chicks that is! We decided (ok maybe it was just me) that we wanted to add a few more chickens to our flock. My parents wanted some chicks too, so lucky for us my parents are going to raise our four chicks for us until they get a little bit bigger. 

The poor chicks got off to a rough start. Something happened with the post office that I could not get a clear answer on, so lets just say I will not be ordering chicks to be delivered through the mail ever again. I will drive to the hatcheries and pick them up. That would be fun to see anyway.

With lots of pampering, and extra vitamins, they seem to be doing well. They are cute as ever, and I am so excited for them to be able to come home and join the rest of my flock.

In case you want a little more cuteness in your day, here is a short video of our chicks!

Hunting Morels

Hunting for Morel Mushrooms in the woods is something I have been doing as long as I can remember. I am pretty sure my parents had my sister and I out hunting, as soon as we were able to handle the terrain of the woods.

A special shout out on this post to my friend Carla, from The River. I hope that this might help you and your family find some morels in your neck of the woods!

You have to be patient when you are on the hunt.

A good place to look is by old elm trees. 

Not sure if it's an elm tree? Better off to just look around it and be sure.

(Be sure to look under those Mayapples)

My grandpa says that the elm tree needs to still have bark on it for it to be an elm hot spot.

 You have to keep your eyes open and be careful where you step. 

They can be hidden by old leaves, pieces of bark, and many other pieces of nature.

Morels are not always in the deep cover of the woods. They can be in a grassy meadow.

Do you see it?

 By the end of your trek, be it 30 minutes, or 3 hours as it was this day, I hope you have some delicious morels to take to the kitchen!

While you are looking for the ever elusive morel, 

you are sure to see many other exciting signs of spring.

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