Where is winter? The past couple of days has found me out cleaning rabbit cages and chicken pens in a tee shirt and jeans. This is January and I should be bundle up in a coat and gloves. Kinda disappointed in Old Man Winter this year. I have been working out a breeding schedule for the bunnies so their babies will be ready to go to at Easter time. I never seem to have enough baby bunnies but this year hope to have plenty to sell. The hens are still laying everyday. Usually in the winter they slow down a little but so far we have more than enough for us and our customers. I have 2 extra goats for a little while. A friend is having to move and with work, looking for a place and packing they aren't able to keep a eye on Sissy who is expecting. She is staying here so I can keep an eye on her and her boyfriend Buckwheat came to keep her company. They are part Nigerian Dwarf and part Nubian. Very friendly and loving so I am enjoying having them here. I finally know Blackie (my Nigerian Dwarf) is pregnant for sure. Her udder has filled up with milk and she is not wanting to stay around the other goats. She goes off by herself a lot. Those are a couple of signs that she is getting close to delivery day. I still for some reason have a feeling Hayley will be the first to kid. Don't know why, just a gut feeling so we shall have to wait and see. The duck is still sitting on eggs. Not sure if any will hatch as she is young and first time she has tried to hatch. She keeps moving the eggs around and rearranging her nest. Not just once in a while but all the time. Another wait and see. There is alot of wait and see around the homestead these days. And for someone that has no patience it makes for some long rough days. 
Here is a recipe for Apple Pie that was my mother's recipe. She made this for my daughter Melody who rather have apple pie than birthday cake.  She used a can of store bought pie filling but since I have lots of apples I make my own.

Bonnie's Apple Pie
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 oz softened cream cheese
1 can apple pie filling
Mix sugar, egg, vanilla, and softened cream cheese. Pour into a unbaked pie shell. Pour apple pie filling over top and bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 350. Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing.

My homemade apple pie filling

6 apples (peeled and sliced)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 cups water
Put everything into a saucepan and cook over medium heat 20 to 25 minutes or until apples are tender. Let this mixture cool before you use it in your pie. It will make enough for 2 pies.

My Pie Crust recipe
Combine flour and salt in medium bowl, cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.
 Sprinkle water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, over flour mixture, tossing lightly with a fork until mixture forms an even dough. Form dough into ball and refrigerate, wrapped in plastic, for 1 hour.
 Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface into circle about 12 to 14 inches round.
 Carefully fold in quarters, lift gently and unfold into 9-inch pie pan.Gently press pastry against bottom and sides of pan. Trim overhang to 1/2 inch, then fold the edge under. Pinch edges to flute.

Now its off to a good book, a cup of hot chocolate, and a nice warm fire. Have a wonderful evening and don't forget to count those blessings!

Don't forget to count those blessings. See you tomorrow, Peggy