Friday, May 17, 2013

The Day After The Rain Came






Have you ever noticed how the land seems to recover and everything comes back to life after a rain?  We have been living with drought now for so long in Lampasas County that what happens after a rain is now very special instead of common place.  My wife and I took time to drive around the place today and notice the land and birds coming back to the way they should be.  I just hope this is not a tease and we get enough rain to keep the grazing and give all the wildlife a chance this year.  I took pictures from the picnic table at our barn bird feeders, out in the pasture and even over the fence on my Uncle Bob's place.  Some are of flora and fauna while others are of past property owner's history that still stands as testimony to those that made a go of it in this part of Texas. I hope you enjoy them all.  Get out when you get a chance and notice what happens after a rain.  Sometimes all we need to fix the land is to just add water, Wild Ed





 


 




 






 

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Our House in the Country





Lots of family and friends know we are building our dream home in the country on acreage outside of Lampasas, Texas.  Everyone keeps asking how it is going and where we are on a time line.  I thought it might just be best to post a few pictures from this last week.  So as the saying goes a picture is worth a thousand words.  We have made a lot of new friends in the area and will be making more I am sure.  We are looking forward to having many of our friends and family out to visit our little place in the country. 
Wild Ed









 







 

Thursday, April 25, 2013

PINK PEANUT PATTIES



 


Remember when you used to get to go on a hunting, fishing or cross country trip with your Dad, Grand Dad or Uncles and they would stop to get gas at one of the little country gas stations.  My bunch always brought us kids a soda water of some sort such as an RC, Big Red, Buck Grape or the sort and would pitch a Pink Peanut Patty or two into the seat for us to share. There used to be all sorts and brands  of those pink candy patties in almost every gas station or country store, these days I rarely see them.  Once in a while when I find them I grab one or two even though I am not supposed to eat sugar anymore.  They keep for a long time and can withstand heat in the truck, camp or boat.  They have a unique flavor and always bring back good memories for me.  I ran across this recipe and thought you might like to make them for yourself or the kids.  These aren’t perfect as I didn’t use a thermometer and I may have beat them a little too long, but they taste pretty dang good and brought back some good memories.  Get out and make some memories of your own.  Wild Ed


 

Homemade Pink Peanut Patties

2 1/2 cups white sugar  

2/3 cup light corn syrup  

1 cup evaporated milk  

1 tablespoon butter  

3 cups peanuts, canned or raw your choice
I used canned mixed nut because that was all I had and they worked just fine.  I bet pecans would be good also.

1 tablespoon vanilla extract  

1 dash red food coloring (optional) If you don't eat the stuff.  I have already had enough to kill a horse so a little more won't matter.

 Directions

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, evaporated milk, and peanuts if using raw peanuts. Bring to a slow boil, and stir to blend once heated. Let boil until the mixture reaches a temperature of between 240and 250 degrees F, or until a drop off of the stirring spoon dropped into cold water forms a ball that flattens somewhat when it hits the bottom of the glass. This may take up to an hour. If you are using canned nuts add them when the drop starts forming a loose ball so they can cook in the mixture for just a little while.

Stir in the butter, vanilla and food coloring into the candy mixture once the mixture has reached the proper temperature.  Beat until mixture starts to set. Spoon out onto buttered waxed paper or parchment paper to form patties.  Cool until set.

I am sure this is not the original recipe but it is close enough to pass the grandkid inspection and taste test.