We Have Moved

Take a look at our new blog site!!
http://pinecountryfeed.wordpress.com/

~MERRY CHRISTMAS~

Twas the Night before Christmas

Twas the Night before Christmas Poem

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Last Minute Gifts

Looking for last minute gifts?  We have got 'em for ya!!

~We have a great selection of jewelry, clothing, and gifts.   

~We have tack, pocket knives, spurs, saddles and cowhide koozies for men. 

~ We also have free gift wrapping

~ We are open until 4 on Christmas Eve so come on in and we'll take care of ya!

something you can't live without

A Letter we found~

This time of year is always filled with great tradition.  A tradition of mine is to make a gingerbread house.  It is great great activity that brings family together to have the opportunity to visit while spreading holiday cheer. 
This got me thinking about where the gingerbread house came from.  I started reading about the gingerbread house and found that it originated from the fairy tale published by the Brothers Grimm.  This fairy tale included the famous "Hansel and Gretel".  The fairy tale was published in the 1800's.  It never was a big deal overseas but, the gingerbread house really caught on here in the United States.
The gingerbread house in a simple symbol of the season for me and my family but the idea of a tradition carrying on for 100's of years makes me smile.  A tradition that brings a smile is more than just a tradition, it is a memory and a piece of you that you can pass on for years to come.  Our gingerbread party every year is not about the house we build, the candy, or the frosting.  It is about taking the time to cherish family and the moments you we have with each other.  Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukkah, Kwanzaa, or nothing at all, I hope you will remember the things that you bring you closer to the people you love are not only important but something you can't live without.
Happy Holidays,
      S.E. Walton  

We Need Your Vote!!

Mountain Connection does a Best of every year... The contest runs now
thorugh Jan 10... last year we tied for 3rd place, but, would love to win
this year!
Vote online at http://www.mtnconnection.com/
Vote as often as you like.. it says!
Click on Category on left of homepage put the name of the business you
support in the subject line and a sentence about the business in the email
message box and send!

P.S. vote for the gift shop and clothing too!

~From Us To You~

Family Joys
Christmas is filled with special joys,
And the very best of all
Is contemplating those dear to us,
And the memories we recall.

We often think at Christmas time
Of people, affectionately,
And we realize how blessed we are
To have you in our family.


(Poet - Joanna Fuchs)
found at: http://www.worldofchristmas.net/christmas-poems/family-christmaspoems.html

~Wonderful, Warm, and Cozy~

What to do with those pinecones?!?!?

Up here in the mountains we have mounds of pine cones.  We have more pine cones than we have blades of grass.  So... I got to thinking that we should put those cones to good use!  But how? 
Who knows best about these things other than Martha Stewart.  Here is one projest she suggested!

Pinecone Picture-Frame Ornaments

Step 1

Remove pinecone scales with small floral clippers

Step 2

Glue a photograph or photocopy of a picture onto card stock. Using a template for a circle or other shape (you can make it yourself or buy one at a crafts store), outline the shape onto your photograph with a pencil; cut out. Hot-glue pinecone scales around perimeter at the back of the cutout, so the scales peek from behind the edge. Alternatively, you can glue scales onto the front of the cutout photograph. Finish the ornament with decorative paper glued to the back with a few dots of craft glue. Glue a looped length of ribbon between backing paper and photo to make a hanger

easy as that!!

Found at: http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/pinecone-picture-frame-ornaments?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/pinecone-crafts#slide_0

~Christmas Joys~

 

Christmas Joys

Evergreen boughs that fill our homes
With fragrant Christmas scents,
Hearts filled with the loving glow
That Christmas represents;

Christmas cookies, turkeys stuffed,
Festive holly berry,
Little faces bright with joy,
Loved ones being merry;

Parties, songs, beribboned gifts,
Silver bells that tinkle,
Christmas trees and ornaments,
Colorful lights that twinkle;

Relatives waiting with open arms
To smile and hug and kiss us;
These are some of the special joys
That come along with Christmas.

By Joanna Fuchs found at: http://www.poemsource.com/Christmas-poems.html

Muddy Buddies!! Great Holiday Treat!

A college party staple...Chex cereal mixed with chocolate and peanut butter. Also affectionately known as Puppy Chow.

Serves about 12 people

9 cups Chex cereal (any variety)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Place cereal in large bowl. Place chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter in medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in high for 1 1/2 minutes or until mixture is smooth when stirred. Stir in vanilla. Pour chocolage mixture over cereal, stirring until all pieces are evenly coated. Pour mixture into large plastic bag with powdered sugar; shake until all pieces are coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. Makes about 9 cups.

We found this at: http://www.christmas-cookies.com/recipes/recipe87.muddy-buddies.html

Tack Sale

Tack Sale
December 13 - December 19
20% Off - Tack, Saddle Pads and Saddle Blankets
Great selection
Working Tack - Blingy Tack - Fun Zebra Tack - Harness Leather - Browbands -
One Eared
Matching Breastcollars and Reins

What a great gift!

Reason for the Season

Reason for the Season
When eggnog's generously filling
Each and every Christmas mug
And siblings tour miles and miles
To greet you with a hug
There's scarce else I'll be wishing
Than this simple little prayer
Of peace and calm and blessings much
On Christmas Day this year.
found: http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/poems/poetry_page_1.htm#nearly 

Oh Holy Night- Carrie Underwood

The Perfect Gift

I know that everyone is looking for the Christmas gift that is just right and I can't help but think we may have just the thing you are looking for.
We have an entire room here at Pine Country Feed devoted to consignment saddles.  We have a huge variety of styles and prices to fit everybody and every budget.
Some of our saddles are well loved, some nearly brand new, some for the new rider, the experienced rider, the young rider, the wild rider, and the competitive rider.  We have it all.  We would love for you to came by and take a look!  We'll even let you take a few down to see how it feels.  Please feel free to call or stop by for more information!!

Contact Name: Kathryn Hoffman

Company Address: 13581 Glen Drive, Pine, CO 80470

Company Phone: 303-838-5186

Company Email: Kathryn@pinecountryfeed.com              

The History of the Stocking

According to legend, a kindly nobleman grew despondent over the death of his beloved wife and foolishly squandered his fortune. This left his three young daughters without dowries and thus facing a life of spinsterhood.

The generous St. Nicholas, hearing of the girls' plight, set forth to help. Wishing to remain anonymous, he rode his white horse by the nobleman's house and threw three small pouches of gold coins down the chimney where they were fortuitously captured by the stockings the young women had hung by the fireplace to dry.
http://www.allthingschristmas.com/traditions.html

Christmas Cookies!

One of the best things to do this time of year it to bake cookies.  The sweet smell floating through the house, flour all over the counter top, and then eating that great Christmas cookie paired with a hot cup of coco while I am wrapped in my favorite blacket watchinga Charlie Brown Christmas!  I love it!! 
I love making cookies done by Martha Stewart.  This year we tried a fantsic recipe!  Here it is!

Makes about 5 dozen

To create the meringues, use a new small paintbrush to brush two or three evenly spaced stripes of gel-paste food coloring onto the length of the inside of a pastry bag fitted with an open-star tip. Fill the bag with meringue, and pipe star shapes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Each time you refill the bag with meringue, paint new stripes inside

• 3 large egg whites
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
• Red gel-paste food coloring
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; secure corners with masking tape. Fit a pastry bag with a small open-star tip (such as Ateco #22). Set aside.
2. Make meringues: Put egg whites and sugar in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer. Set bowl over a pan of simmering water, and stir gently until sugar has dissolved and mixture is warm to the touch, 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Transfer bowl to an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Mix on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Mix in peppermint extract.
4. Using a new small paintbrush, paint 2 or 3 stripes of red food coloring inside the pastry bag. Fill bag with 1 to 2 cups meringue. Pipe small (3/4-inch-high) star shapes onto prepared baking sheets. Refill bag as necessary, adding food coloring each time.
5. Bake cookies until crisp but not brown, about 1 hour 40 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks.
6. Meanwhile, make ganache: Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until just simmering. Pour over chocolate in a small bowl. Let stand 5 minutes. Gently stir until smooth, about 5 minutes. Let ganache cool at room temperature, stirring every 5 to 10 minutes, until thick enough to hold its shape, about 45 minutes. (If ganache sets before using, reheat in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; repeat the cooling process.)
7. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a small plain round tip (such as Ateco #5) with ganache. Pipe a small amount onto bottom of 1 meringue. Sandwich with another. Repeat with remaining ganache and meringues. Transfer to wire racks; let set 30 minutes. Cookies can be stored in a single layer in airtight containers at room temperature up to 2 days.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Peppermint Meringues with Chocolate Filling - Martha Stewart Recipes

Make That Cowgirl Smile- this one is for you boys!

For those cowboys other there, we now it can be tough this time of year to know what to get your girl.  We understand that you rather poke needles in your eye than go shopping at the mall and standing in a line full of "giddy with Christmas cheer" women makes you want to throw up.  So... we have the answer for you.  Wouldn't it be great to do your Christmas shopping at a feed store complete with dirt, boots, bags of "Cow Kibble" 8 feet high, and a cashier who can help you with just the right gift but still has barbed wire sown on the pockets of her jeans? 

Pine Country Feed is your place for Christmas.  Above our feed store we have a complete cowgirl boutique that plays host to the coolest jeans in town and just the right jackets, shirts and boots to go with that pair of denims.   

  We also have the gift shop that provides for all of your home decor needs from art to- towels- to the perfect home accessory.  

While you shop upstairs, we'll load your pick-up down stairs and you're set to go.  Stop in or call and your Christmas shopping will be done in no time!  

  http://www.pinecountryfeed.com/

Classic- Picture of the Week!

Tomorrow- Holiday Open House!!

We will be having a trunk show for Lane Boots tomorrow. Come in and pick out your favorite style and we will special order them for you.

 

Double J Saddlery - Purses, Totes and Wallets

 

Adikted and Cowgirl Up Jeans - We have 60 pairs and they will be selling for $40 a pair... normally priced at $75 to $100 dollars.

 

Ryan Michael Mens shirts - Size Large several color options to choose from

 

and of course our Open House Sale 15% off Gifts, Home Decor, Holiday and Jewelry

 

Free Gift Wrap w/ Purchase!

 

Snacks and Cider will be served!

Let's have a PARTY!

This time of year warents parties!  Cookie parties, gift wrapping parities, have all the girls over 'cause it's Christmas time parties, and ornament making parties.  I love ornament making parties.  A christmas ornament is a memeory for me.  I like the think back to where I bought or made it, who I was with, the fun time we all had.  So today I am going to share with you a great idea for making a Christmas Poka-Dot ball ornamet!  Here is how to do it!

What you'll need:

• Glass ball ornaments
• Red and green acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• ribbon
• empty egg carton

How to make it:

1. Turn the empty egg carton upside down. This will serve as your stand as you decorate.
2. Place ornament upside down on egg carton, resting it between egg cups.
3. Using the handle end of a paint brush, dip the end of the handle into paint then dot onto the ornament. You will need to re-dip after each dot.
4. Dot all around the ornament and let dry completely.
5. Once dry, tie a piece of ribbon through the hanger hook on the ornament.

Tips:

• You can use clear glass ornaments for this easy project, or if you prefer, use frosted or colored bulbs, adjusting the paint color accordingly.
• Glass ornaments are available in abundance at most stores that carry holiday decorations. You may even have some packed away in your Christmas boxes!
• Change the size of the polka dots by using different sized paint brushes.

We got this from http://crafts.kaboose.com/polkadot_orn.html.
So... Have the girls over or the family and have a party and spice up that tree a little!!
Hope you enjoy!

http://www.pinecountryfeed.com/

Christmas Joy By The Truck Load!

Well... here at Pine Country Feed we love Christmas.  The snow, the lights, the food, the cozy slippers, the cookies, the decorations, the list goes on and on.  So here on our blog we are going to celebrate to the fullest.  We are going to be the Christmas blog of the year and we hope you will enjoy what we have to share.  We plan the share cookie recipes galore, ornaments making ideas by the bunch, classic Christmas songs by the load, the perfect party fashions by the cluster, and complete Christmas joy by the truck load.  We are so excited for the holidays to be under way and we can't way to share our delight with you!!  

White Christmas by Bing Crosby

A Christmas Poem

It's Christmas Timeby Bob Lazzar-Atwood.

Put your problems on probation

Run your troubles off the track,

Throw your worries out the window

Get the monkeys off your back.

Silence all your inner critics

With your conscience make amends,

And allow yourself some happiness

It's Christmas time again!

Call a truce with those who bother you

Let all the fighting cease,

Give your differences a breather

And declare a time of peace,

Don't let angry feelings taint

The precious time you have to spend,

And allow yourself some happiness

It's Christmas time again!

Like some cool refreshing water

Or a gentle summer breeze,

Like a fresh bouquet of flowers

Or the smell of autumn leaves,

It's a banquet for the spirit

Filled with family, food and friends,

So allow yourself some happiness

It's Christmas time again!

A Thanksgiving Poem From Pine Country Feed; Happy Thanksgiving

T is for the trust the pilgrims had so many years ago
H is for the harvest the settlers learnt to grow
A is for America, the land in which we live
N is for nature and beauty which she gives
K is for kindness, gentle words, thoughtful deeds
S is for smiles, the sunshine everyone needs
G is for gratitude... our blessings big and small
I is for ideas, letting wisdom grow tall
V is for voices, singing, laughing, always caring
I is for Indians, who taught them about sharing
N is for neighbors, across the street, over the sea
G is for giving of myself to make a better me
by Judith.A. Lindberg

~Holiday Open House~

Join us for our Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 4th, from 9-5!  We will have-

~15% off entire purchase from our Cowgirl Boutique and Gift Shop- Includes clothes, art, home décor, and gifts
~ Giveaway’s
~ Free holiday gift Wrap
~Snacks and Hot Cider!
We would LOVE to see you there!!

A Bit of Fall

A bit of fall at Pine Country Feed

Faith Hill & Carlos Santana - Breathe

when you rescue a horse, you aren’t just helping an animal, you are rescuing a soul

We have a guest blogger today.  Here is her story-

I was 10 years old and earning my keep at a horse stable near my house.  I had been helping out for about three months when a new horse arrived.  The story was that this horse was a rescue.  She was young, almost a year old, and she had been abused, beaten, yelled at, and mistreated her whole life.  Her name was Sunfire and she was as mean as they come.  It took us three weeks to get her comfortable enough to clean her stall with her in it and another four to be able to touch her just on the shoulders without her throwing a raging fit.  She was huge and beautiful.  The top of her back was over my head and she had a coat that glistened whether the sun was shining or not.  Her black mane and tale stood out against her rust colored fur.  She was as smooth as silk but as angry as I have ever seen.  Being only ten, I didn’t like her.  I was terrified of her and her of me.  We would glare at each other and resisted any and all contact with each other. 

One day the vet was coming over to take a look at her.  Ever since she came to us, she had a limp and after working with her for four whole months we decided that she might be able to handle a vet taking a look at her.  I was there in the arena, looking on from a distance.  Suddenly I was called over and told that I was to ride her.  Bare back.  She had never been ridden since with us and everyone thought that my small frame would help her adjust without too much trauma.  I didn’t want to ride Sunfire but the vet insisted that she may move differently with someone on her back and to properly diagnose the issue she would need a rider.  You see, this limp Sunfire had was a mystery.  X-rays, shots, massage, and different therapies had revealed nothing and not helped at all.  She was finally given up and rescued because of this mysterious limp- her previous owner was properly dealt with by the way. 

Anyway, I was to get on this angry beast.  She was mad, so was I, she petrified, so was I, but all the same I was lifted atop her back and praying for my life.  Rusty, the lead wrangler at the time, had a hold of her lead but she huffed, stomped, and squirmed so much I had to hold her mane with a death grip to stay on.  The longer I sat on her the more irritated she got and more terrified I got.  They had her walk in circles, limping the whole time, getting more and more mad.  They had her trot and canter, still limping and still boiling angry.  I was doing all I could to stay on her back.  Her agitation, her angry breathing, and her choppy limping made it a chore just to keep from bouncing my brain silly. 

Finally, she had had enough and she went crazy, jumping, huffing, and rearing up.  I threw my arms around her neck, squeezing for dear life, and kept saying “it’s ok, it’s ok”.  Suddenly she calmed down, her breathing slow and controlled.  I sat up and starred at her along with everyone else.  As soon as I let go of her neck, again she panicked, again I clung to her neck saying “it’s ok” over and over again.  Again, she calmed down.  This time I didn’t let go and just kept talking to her, saying anything I could think of, even singing to her.  Again the vet had her walk, trot, and canter.  This time though she held her head high and guess what.  NO LIMP!  It just disappeared.  Just as mysteriously as it was there, it was mysteriously gone!

From that day on we were friends.  Her eyes changed, I was the only one that she allowed to run my hand the length of her body and even down the back of her legs.  She wouldn’t eat until I got there in the morning and I was the only one that could get a saddle on her. 

I realized that even though we had cared for her diligently in those first four month she was with us, what she need more than that was a hug and to be told “it’s ok”.  Later, she got to allow more and more people to touch her and handle her and she became one of the most caring and gentle horse I have ever been around and she never again had that limp.

 She made me realize that horses are more like people than we realize and when you rescue a horse, you aren’t just helping an animal, you are rescuing a soul.

~Alex Witt~

Xandrepress

 ~www.pinecountryfeed.com

Thankful Thursday:Father Suprises Daughter - Homecoming From Iraq

At Pine Country Feed we are thankful for daddies who love their little girls and little girls who love thier daddies!

Recipe~ ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS!!

This recipe is about as simple and delicious as you can get.  This is a great past time snack that will never loose its ability to bring a smile to my face.

ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups raw whole pumpkin seeds
• 2 teaspoons butter, melted
• 1 pinch salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
2. Toss seeds in a bowl with the melted butter and salt. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 45 minutes or until golden brown; stir occasionally.

Found at http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/roasted-pumpkin-seeds/Detail.aspx on November 17th 2010

10 steps to be ready for winter

With the first real snow of the season on the ground, we got to thinking about how things can change for our animals in the winter.  We know that cold weather can bring issues and concerns so here is a ten step plan for perparing your cattle herd for the winter.

1. Analyze hay for feeding value and 

develop a supplementation program to

meet energy, protein and mineral

requirements.

2. Keep hay or adequate pasture available

for cows at all times.

3. Record body condition scores on cows.

4. Make sure there is enough feed on

hand for the winter season to feed the

number of cattle on the farm.

5. Separate heifers, thin cows and old

cows from the main cow herd for

feeding purposes and separate lactating

cows from dry cows.

6. Re-group the cattle during the winter

as needed so that cattle that get thin

can be fed separately.

7. Cull chronically thin cattle, old cows,

and cattle with dental or health

problems.

8. Adjust rations as calving season

approaches to provide more energy and

protein.

9. Provide minerals at all times based on

requirements for the local area.

10. Provide adequate shelter from wet or cold weather.
Found at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/disaster/drought/10ptplan.pdf on November 15, 2010.

~Too Cute~

I found this picture online the other day.  Too Cute.

Toby Keith - American Soldier

Got to love Martha~ Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

We found this in MarthaStewart.com.  Looks wonderful!!

 



From marthastweart.com



Ingredients

Serves 4

• 1 1/2 pounds new potatoes (4 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces
• Snipped chives for garnish, optional

Directions

1. Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add enough cold water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil; add 1 tablespoon salt, and cook until potatoes are very tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 20 to 25 minutes.
2. Drain; place in a large bowl. Mash with a potato masher, then add buttermilk and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Mash until smooth and combined. If desired, garnish with snipped chives.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes - Martha Stewart Recipes

A Snowy Tradition

A story four you~

“When I was six years old I was warm and cozy, cuddled in my bed.  It was about 2 am and suddenly I heard a voice call my name.  I sat up in bed, a little startled, and saw a silhouette in my door way, a dim light warming the hall.  The person in the door was my sister, she had her coat, hat, and mittens on.  “Come here” she said.

She was home from college for Thanksgiving.  I walked to her as she stood in the hallway with a grin on her face.  She stuffed a hat on my head and put my coat on me.  I was so confused, but excited too.  She took my hand and led me to the kitchen.  Sitting on the table was a box of donuts and two steaming cups of hot chocolate. 

“Come on!” she squealed.  She handed me a cup and grabbed the donuts along with the other cup of coco.  She flung open the back door to our deck outside.  There was fire in our fire bowl and Mom and Dad were bundled up, hot chocolate in their hands. 

“What are we doing?” I asked. 

“Celebrating the first snow!”  My mom cheered with Dad smiling next to her.

We stood out there in the cold, the first snowflakes of the season hitting our cheeks.  We talked, laughed, drank our coco, ate out donuts and started a tradition that has lasted for 24 years.  Without fail you would see our little family of four out on our deck, snow falling, treats in hand, and fire warming our toes.  This is one of the great traditions our family shares and this season is the first season that I will get to pass our “first snow fall celebration” on to my children.  My little Anna turned six years old this last July.

Bring on the FLAKES!”

Crystal P. ~ Duluth, Minn.       

 ~www.pinecountryfeed.com

A Goodie For A Puppy

I was out on a walk with my dog the other day.  You know how they are.  They think that going on a walk is the very best thing that could have ever happened to them.  My little buddy was grinning from ear to ear the whole time we were out and behaved like a prince.  When we got home I gave him a biscuit, I grabbed a bowl of ice cream and before I knew it, there he was, tongue hangout out, eyes fixed on my bowl.  My first instinct was to explain to him that begging was rude but then, I got to thinking.  After a nice long walk he comes home and gets a boring biscuit and I get a great big bowl of ice cream.  Not fair. 

He’s not allowed to have ice cream, too much sugar for a dog, but he can have plain yogurt and peanut butter, which is one of his favorites.  So…I mixed him up a treat that made him think that he had died and gone to heaven.  In an effort to not be selfish, we thought we would share this simple delicacy!

First- get a bowl that your dog is allowed to eat out of and make sure that it is not metal, it is going to go into the microwave.

Second- scoop out about one table spoon of (preferably natural) peanut butter- crunchy or creamy is fine- into the bowl.

Third- place the bowl into the microwave for about 20 seconds or until the peanut butter is melted.  *do not over microwave the peanut butter, it will dry out and be unable to use.

Fourth- put about 2-3 table spoons of plain, no-sugar added yogurt (Brown Cow or Mile High Yogurt is best and can be found at any grocery store) into the bowl and mix with the peanut butter.

Fifth- take one small biscuit and put it in a zip lock bag and crush it and sprinkle the crumbs on top of your mixture.

Sixth- by now your little four legged friend is wiggling with excitement so simply place the bowl on the floor and let him or her enjoy.

** This recipe is for a dog the size of a moose so cut the measurements in half for smaller dogs.

I hope you and your trusty companion enjoy- but you may want to use separate bowls J          

 ~www.pinecountryfeed.com

Astonish The Rest

Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
Mark Twain

Fall Fashion in Full Swing!!

One of Our Reversable Cowgirl Tuff Vests

Well, fall is in full swing, complete with cool breezes and chilly evenings.  So with fall in the air our attire must change from summer casual to fall chic.  This time of year is great for warm sweaters with a great pair of jeans or the perfect jean jacket with that cozy flannel underneath.  Here in the mountains of Colorado, the weather can change in an instant.  You may get in the car in the morning have to wait for the windshield to defrost and by the time you get to your favorite coffee shop, that jacket you are wearing is to warm.  That is just how Colorado is so we girls out here have perfected the art of stylish layering, we layer with the best of ‘em!  A cute, sassy T-shirt, goes perfectly under a great thermal pullover that looks great with our trusty denim jacket.  Or, a faultless tank with just the right touch of bling goes great with a cotton button up and a cozy sweater.  And don’t forget the spaghetti strap paired with the perfect long sleeved “T” and a great Cow Girl Tuff vest.  The wonderful thing about layers like these is that they go great jeans and boots, leggings and a skirt, and cargos with your best tennis shoes!  

Cowgirls always have to look rockin’ good and we have just the right look for this fall.  We have all you need for a great fall look at our Cowgirl Boutique.  Call or stop by for more information or to try on our new fall line!     

~ 13581 Glen Drive, Pine, CO 80470

 ~303-838-5186

 ~www.pinecountryfeed.com  

~The peace of a quite moment~

With Thanksgiving being this month we thought we would talk a little about what we are thankful for.  Today life suddenly turned crazy and past by so fast it was hard to keep up.  It is so easy to get caught up in the chaos of everyday life so today, I am thankful of the times I get to slow down.  I am thankful for quite time.  For many, quite time is a luxury, it sure is for me.  I so enjoy the opportunity to have a cup of coffee out on the deck, read a book in a warm corner of the house, or just enjoy a peaceful evening in my favorite chair with a warm blanket.  I know that getting a chance to be alone, think, and be happy to just be is something that is a gift.  Our lives always seem to expect things from us but sometimes we are blessed with the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the life we have been given.  I cherish these moments and am forever thankful for the still of an evening, the calm of a summer morning, and the peace of a quite moment.

Bruschetta: A Recipe

With holiday parties just around the corner, we know how hard it can be to figure out what to serve before a to keep guests satisfied while they wait for the main course to be served.  We were recently at a party the served Brushetta as an appetizer before the meal.  This was a wonderful choice.  It was tasty, light, and got me hungry for a great meal!  We found this recipe for Bruschetta:

Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil Recipe

Ingredients

• 6 or 7 ripe plum tomatoes (about 1 1/2 lbs)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped.
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

• 1 baguette French bread or similar Italian bread
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Method

1 Prepare the tomatoes first. Parboil the tomatoes for one minute in boiling water that has just been removed from the burner. Drain. Using a sharp small knife, remove the skins of the tomatoes. (If the tomatoes are too hot, you can protect your finger tips by rubbing them with an ice cube between tomatoes.) Once the tomatoes are peeled, cut them in halves or quarters and remove the seeds and juice from their centers. Also cut out and discard the stem area. Why use plum tomatoes instead of regular tomatoes? The skins are much thicker and there are fewer seeds and less juice.
2 Make sure there is a top rack in place in your oven. Turn on the oven to 450°F to preheat.
3 While the oven is heating, chop up the tomatoes finely. Put tomatoes, garlic, 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, vinegar in a bowl and mix. Add the chopped basil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4 Slice the baguette on a diagonal about 1/2 inch thick slices. Coat one side of each slice with olive oil using a pastry brush. Place on a cooking sheet, olive oil side down. You will want to toast them in the top rack in your oven, so you may need to do these in batches depending on the size of your oven. Once the oven has reached 450°F, place a tray of bread slices in the oven on the top rack. Toast for 5-6 minutes, until the bread just begins to turn golden brown.
Alternatively, you can toast the bread without coating it in olive oil first. Toast on a griddle for 1 minute on each side. Take a sharp knife and score each slice 3 times. Rub some garlic in the slices and drizzle half a teaspoon of olive oil on each slice. This is the more traditional method of making bruschetta.
5 Align the bread on a serving platter, olive oil side up. Either place the tomato topping in a bowl separately with a spoon for people to serve themselves over the bread, or place some topping on each slice of bread and serve. If you top each slice with the tomatoes, do it right before serving or the bread may get soggy.
Makes 24 small slices. Serves 6-10 as an appetizer. Or 3-4 for lunch (delicious served with cottage cheese on the side.)

 This recipe was found at: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/bruschetta_with_tomato_and_basil/ 

Thoughts of a Cowboy: That’s livin’ right there

I remember when I was about 13 years old I was staying with my grandparents for the summer with my bother and cousins.  The boys in the family were supposed to help Grandpa in the field and learn what it took to run a farm.  That summer was great!  It was hot, we were outside all day long and then the cool night would come and we boys would stay up late telllin’ stories and laughing till our stomachs hurt.  One day Grandpa took us out and had us load the pick-up with huge hay bales.  My cousin and I were riding in top of the bales having a great time, paying no attention to what was going on.   We were facing backwards with our feet hang’ down.  When we turned around we froze.  Grandpa was driving the truck right under a huge tree branch that was going to skim the top of the bales and shave us right off the back.  My cousin Les and I started screamin’ our heads off trying to get Grandpa to stop.  But he just kept right on drivin’ and before we knew it that tree branch bushed us off the top of those bales and we found ourselves sittin’ on our butts in the dirt, watchin’ Grandpa drive off without us.  After a second or two of confusion and shock my cousin and I started laughing so hard we couldn’t stand up.  It wasn’t but a few minutes later that that rusty old truck was headed our way and Grandpa found us lyin’ our backs, still laughin’ our heads off.  To this day I still chuckle when I think about that whole situation.  That’s livin’ right there.  Those are memories that will never leave me behind; great memories with my cousins, my grandpa, and great summer stent on the farm.  I learned more that summer than any other time in my life and will forever smile when I look back on it!  
~K.D.~

~November Festivities~

Well we are moving into a new month.  Thanksgiving is 25 days away, snow is just around the corner, and evenings spent by a fireplace are in full swing.  We here at Pine Country Feed love this time of year so… we have decided to celebrate and enjoy it to the fullest.  We are going to have so much fun this month on the blog, we just can’t wait to get started.  Let me tell you what we have in the works.

Every Thursday we will have “Thankful Thursday” when we will share stories about what we are thankful for.  We may find a story from someone else or share something personally. 

We are going to share a fall foodie recipe every week as well.  It may be something we enjoy at our home, a dish one of our followers shares with us, or a great recipe we find in a holiday magazine.

We often get questions regarding animals.  Questions about pigs, cows, dogs, horses, even chickens.  Animals are our specialty here at Pine Country so we thought that we would share some tips and ideas with you to answer some of those questions.

We also will include a Cowgirl or Cowboy story, tip, or thought of the week.  Cowgirls and Cowboys are our people, that is who we are and we always have something to say so we are going to share.

As the season changes fashion changes, so we will talk about ways to stay warm but look cute at the same time.  We will also share the new styles we get in and maybe even offer some great deals on them too!

We will also post some great holiday and seasonal pictures that bring a smile to our faces and hopefully yours too. 

We are so excited about what we have coming up in the next month and we are glad that you are all part of the festivities!!