Daily Farm Photo: 10/18/05

Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around--Always

Recipe: Easy Little Chocolate Cupcakes with Mocha Buttercream Frosting

For small but serious chocolate cake emergencies.

According to The Stores Out There, the holiday baking season is already upon us—and we are woefully ill-equipped to handle it. We all have our weaknesses. Some girls fall prey to expensive clothes. Others own 45 pairs of totally impractical shoes. And there are those who cannot live without 'just one more' designer handbag. I lose control in the kitchenware section.

This is a dangerous time of year for me.

Captivating displays of shiny accessories stacked 12 feet high shimmer in the blazing glow of overhead flourescent lights. I stand there mesmerized, mid-aisle, blocking traffic, swept up into my own little fantasy world full of all the Wonderful Things I could make if only these items were part of my culinary arsenal.

They beckon to me. And then they begin to look vaguely familiar. I'm knocked out of my mouth-watering reverie by the realization that I bought half of these things last year. (Or was it two years ago?) They're sitting, never used and, until this moment, completely forgotten, in the dark recesses of my pantry.

Everyone knows that it's difficult to rationalize buying more of whatever it is you desire when you don't even use what you already own. There are, of course, sneaky ways around this, but the virtuous thing to do is to simply put your previous purchases into action. This means, though, that you must have the knowledge, not only of their existence, but of their location in your home. I'm not real good at this part.

I'm constantly amazed by the things I come across tucked here and there that, at some time or other, I bought (and obviously thought I needed). And so it was with great surprise that I recently found myself assisted in this area by yet another of my weaknesses.

I was in a state of Chocolate Cake Emergency. Unlike a generic chocolate emergency—when anything from a Snickers Bar to a spoonful of fudge sauce will do—nothing will cure this one except a piece of chocolate cake. I wrote all about this condition in this post, which also includes a lifesaving recipe.

Usually in a situation like this, one loses all ability to think clearly. Actually, one loses all ability to think of absolutely anything except getting one's hands on some chocolate cake. But the other day was different, and I must give credit to The Chocolate Force. It is out there, and it is real.

Its influence usually has me frantically tearing into a bag of chocolate chips and practically pouring them down my throat because they are the quickest source of chocolate I can get my hands on. But not this time.

I already had my simple Emergency Chocolate Cake recipe and my newly purchased (not on impulse) electric hand mixer at the ready. But I was craving more than just a plain hunk of cake.

Suddenly I remembered the mini muffin pan still in its original wrapper in the pantry. Then while blindly grasping around the cupboard for the cocoa powder, an unopened package of mini muffin papers decorated with cute little flowers jumped into my hand. And when it turned out I had extra cake batter left after filling the muffin pan, I walked straight over to yet another never-before-used pan languishing on a dusty shelf in the pantry.

I was obviously acting under some influence other than my own. The Chocolate Force was with me. On the spur of the moment, I created a delicious new buttercream frosting and even managed to scrounge up a few tablespoons of mini chocolate chips that had miraculously been spared during some previous chocolate crisis.

Ta dah! Ten minutes in the oven, and the delicious little darlings pictured above were born—and immediately shot straight to the top of my favorites list.

And not only that, but when I head Out There tomorrow for a day of running around, I know that I'll be able to hold my head high and my hands out as I enter the kitchenware section. I have put my previous purchases to good use, and I have plenty of extra space in the back of the pantry.

I am ready.

Farmgirl Susan's Easy Chocolate Babycakes with Mocha Buttercream Frosting
Yield depends on size of pans used
Makes 24 baby cupcakes & 3 mini loaves (3½"x2½") or 14 to 16 standard size cupcakes (or 12 cupcakes and a baby loaf)

**Click here to print this recipe**

February 2012 updates: I recently came across a still new Calphalon dessert bar pan hiding in the pantry (a birthday gift from a few years ago), and it makes really cute little square cakes that—for those of you who are interested in this type of information—gives you a higher frosting to cake ratio per bite. (Makes 12 cakes plus a little extra batter).

Click here to see what else I learned about this cupcake batter after making six batches of it in three days.

This is the same recipe I used to make my Emergency Chocolate Cake; I just baked it in different pans and added frosting.

The frosting does add a little extra work, but you could always make it ahead of time (perhaps a double batch), keep it in the fridge or freezer, and just spread individual cupcakes with frosting as necessary. You can omit the espresso powder if you prefer plain chocolate buttercream.

I think these taste better the next day; the cake has more flavor, and the frosting is mellower, but you can eat the cake warm if you need to. The mini muffin cups measure 1¼" across the bottom, 2" across the top, and are about 1" deep.

The cake batter is thick, so I used a stainless steel cookie scoop to fill the cups, and it worked really well. As you can see, I also baked some without the paper liners. I wasn't sure if the cake would stick to the papers or not. They didn't stick at all, and they came out taller and cuter using the papers. Although this is a nonstick pan, I greased the cups without the papers; they popped right out.

Not quite as adorable, but just as yummy.

This recipe made 24 mini cupcakes and three of these baby loaves. They measure 3½" x 2½" and 1½" deep.


Serves one to three, depending on size of emergency.

Cake Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick/4 ounces) organic butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup organic all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup organic yogurt or sour cream (or a combination)

Instructions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. With an electric hand held mixer, cream butter and sugar 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time. Beat in vanilla. On medium low speed, add dry ingredients to creamed mixture (you can combine them first but I never do), alternating with yogurt. Beat just until smooth.

Turn batter into prepared pans. Bake mini muffin size 10 minutes and baby loaf size 15 minutes, or until a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean. Bake standard size cupcakes about 17 minutes. Do not over bake.

Cool in pan. Frost cooled cakes and top with mini chocolate chips or sprinkles if desired.

Mocha (or Chocolate) Buttercream Frosting
Makes about 1 cup (may be doubled)

1/4 cup (1/2 stick, 2 ounces) organic butter, softened
1/4 cup (about 3 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted (or not)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional)
About 1 to 2 Tablespoons milk (or coffee)

Mini chocolate chips for sprinkling on top, optional

Melt chocolate chips and a small dab of the butter (just enough to help stir the melting chocolate chips) in the microwave and stir until smooth.

In a small bowl, beat remaining butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Beat in vanilla, then cocoa powder, espresso powder, melted chocolate, and enough milk (or coffee) to make desired consistency.

Can't live on cupcakes alone? You'll find links to all my sweet and savory Less Fuss, More Flavor recipes in the Farmgirl Fare Recipe Index.

© FarmgirlFare.com, the chocoholic foodie farm blog where we sometimes eat chocolate cake for breakfast.

Daily Farm Photo 10/17/05: Fall Color By The Barn

Not Everything Happens Slowly In The Country

Click here to see this same view just ten days ago.

Last Call To Name That Sheep!

She Keeps Hiding Her Ear Tag From The Camera

We're getting down to the wire. The Secret Panel Of Judges is eating, drinking, and sleeping sheep names. Yellow 21 is all atwitter. (And Big Chip is so jealous of the extra attention I am giving her that every time I get near him, he puts his ears back as if he is getting ready to charge at me, gives me an amazingly dirty look, and demands that I give him a hug.)

The Big Winner and Yellow 21's brand new name (along with a surprise or two) are going to be announced on Thursday afternoon or evening, right here on Farmgirl Fare. Why the wait? The judges are taking their job very seriously. They are carefully reviewing the nearly 150 comments you have left during the contest, and they do not want to miss a single thing. Then, once the winning name is decided, there are photos that will need to be taken, the post to write, etc. etc. Do you think The Academy chooses all those award winning movies and then announces them the very next night? Of course not. So you'll just have to be patient for a little while longer.

In the meantime, it is not too late to join in the fun and Name That Sheep. You have until Tuesday afternoon to enter a new name, defend a name you've already entered, or tell us why everybody else's names should not be chosen.

Or, if you simply need a reason to smile, go back and read through some of the comments. I guarantee you'll be laughing out loud even before you reach the 'Cream of Sheep' entry. And things have been getting pretty heated lately. No holds barred--some people really want this sheep! Click here to read the original Name That Sheep Contest post (where most of the entries are). There are also some good laughs to be had in the comments section of this follow up post. (As well as the reason why no 'A' and 'B' names are allowed.)

Thank you for all your enthusiasm and support. I'm overwhelmed. I have been having so much fun with this contest, and I sure hope you have, too. And if anyone happens to be counting all of the sheep names submitted, please let me know the total number you've come up with. Thanks.

Weekend Dog Blogging #5: Evening Roundup

Checking For Stragglers

They're All Here! What's Our Next Job?

Lucky Buddy Bear is half Australian Shepherd and half English Shepherd. He loves his sheep!

© Copyright FarmgirlFare.com, the tri-colored foodie farm blog where some of us live to work—and others of us are always grateful for the help.

Daily Farm Photo 10/16/05: It's A Hard Rock Life For Us

Part Of My 'Good Rocks' Pile (Yes, I Collect Rocks)

I have found plenty of nice ones, but this is the rock I have been drooling over for five long years. I pass it every day on my walk through the woods, and I always pause for a split second to imagine it down on the farm. Too bad it probably weighs two thousand pounds and is located on the ridge road 400 feet above us. But a girl can dream, can't she? Maybe someday I'll figure out how to get it down here. Until then, at least I don't have to be too worried about anyone stealing it out from under me.

Saturday Dose of Cute: Weekend Cat Blogging

New Cat Loves Lounging On The Roof Of My Car

© Copyright FarmgirlFare.com, the furry foodie farm blog where this guy really blends.

Uncle Dan

Faithful Protector—Or Bored Beyond Belief?

So here's what's been going on. Leopold, our strapping young ram, is in the middle of, well, his One And Only Job. And he doesn't like other boys around while he's, um, working. So last Monday morning seven little wethers moved away from their mothers and in with Donkey Doodle Dandy.

It sounded like such an easy, this-should-be-no-problem-we'll-be-done-before-you-know-it kind of task: simply transport a few cute little sheep from the barn to a large pen about 25 feet away. Yeah, right. One should never assume anything is going to be easy when livestock are involved.

The first lamb escaped right out of the barn and was not apprehended until that evening. The remaining six (who were by then absolutely terrified) were chased, grabbed at, yelled at, tackled, captured, harnessed, pushed, shoved, cajoled, dragged, and flat out carried over to Dan and their new home away from home. The only thing more embarrassing than admitting how long it took to do this little job is admitting how whupped the two of us were once it was finally completed.

Then there was my brilliant idea. We could put the older, wiser, one-year-old Teddy in with the frightened young wethers to make them feel more comfortable. Perfect! And not only did Joe think my plan was an excellent one, he actually validated the existence of my useless, sweet, orphaned, never going to be eaten because he truly believes that I am his mother, pet wether by giving him a purpose in life.

"We could do this every year. This could be Teddy's job, staying with the scared young wethers when we separate them out." Yes!

"Like a lambsitter?"

"Like Uncle Teddy!"

And so wise, unafraid, comforting (and much larger) Teddy was also dragged across the road to begin his important new job as Fearless Role Model.

Fast forward a few hours. Joe announces he is going to walk down and check on Dan and the boys. A long time passes. Too much time. Enough time that I assume there is obviously some sort of problem.

I walk outside and find Joe working on a project in the farmyard.

"Is everybody okay?"

"Yes, but you won't believe this. Teddy escaped!"

"Uncle Teddy?"

"Terrible Teddy! Right over the fence--he practically cleared it. I only found a tiny piece of wool stuck to it. I'm still in shock. What a disappointment."

"Do you think we should put him back in with the boys?"

"Why? So he can show them all how to escape?"

Anyway, it's been six days now, and everyone else has calmed down and is still where they're supposed to be. The devastated mothers have completely recovered from having their children torn from their sides, and Dan and his little charges appear to be getting along. Dan is a social creature, and he enjoys company of any kind. For the first few days either he was stuck to the boys like glue, or they were stuck to him (it was hard to tell), but now they're spending more and more time apart. Again, I'm not sure whose decision this was.


Dan Always Sounds Exactly The Same: Very, Very Loud

It is difficult to know just what Dan is thinking. He is unlike any other animal I have known. The first time he let loose with that amazingly energetic bray of his, I was afraid that the world was ending and/or that my darling new donkey was about to explode. I have recently been put in charge of locating a Getting To Know Your Donkey book. This should help a lot. I am sure somebody has published one, as there seem to be books written about taking care of practically anything. We own books on the care and feeding of creatures we do not even (and probably never will) possess: ducks, bees, roses. (Dreamy ambitions and reality are rarely one and the same on a farm.)

I'll let you know if I find a book and figure anything out. Until then, well, we can only hope that Donkey Doodle Dandy is getting a kick out of living here. I know I sure am.

© Copyright 2005 FarmgirlFare.com, the foodie farm blog where Farmgirl Susan shares recipes, stories, and photos from her crazy country life on 240 remote Missouri acres.

Daily Farm Photo: 10/15/05

Dan's Opinion Of His New Charges

Daily Farm Photo: 10/14/05

Dan & His New Charges

You still have time to enter the Name That Sheep Contest!
You could win a sheep!

Daily Farm Photo: 10/13/05

Autumn From A Different Angle

You still have time to enter the Name That Sheep Contest!
You could win a sheep!

Fallen Behind

Catching Up On Farmgirl Fare
It's been a discombobulated sort of autumn around here so far, and I'm feeling a bit scattered. Some comments (and people) and various other things have managed to fall through the cracks lately (mostly while I was away), so I thought I'd try to do a little hodgepodge of catching up here.

First of all, I'd like to extend a very warm welcome to all the new visitors to Farmgirl Fare. And if you've been stopping by for a while but have just started leaving comments, I thank you for taking the time to write. I pride myself on personally welcoming everyone to the farm, but I know I have missed some of you lately. Your feedback (both positive and negative) is a valuable and entertaining part of this blog. I really love hearing what you think, answering your questions, and just getting to know you. As you know, I don't get around to writing a whole lot of text-filled posts, but I feel that the comments sections of the daily photos often turn into informative and amusing mini posts themselves.

Name That Sheep Contest Update
The Secret Panel of Judges has been hard at work trying to choose a name for Yellow 21. Your response has been overwhelming; the judges don't have a clue how they're going to pick just one name. (But they are having almost too much fun with this.) The winner (along with a surprise or two) will probably be announced Monday, so you still have time to enter a new name, go back and defend your previous entry, or bash some other names you feel are totally inappropriate. Click here to meet Yellow 21 and learn more about how you can win a sheep.

Book Swap
Last summer, Amy at the wonderful Beauty Joy Food hosted the first ever BJF book swap, and it was a great success. Click here to read the round-up, and click here to find out how you can join in on the fun with Book Swap 2. Sign-ups are going on now.

E-Mailing Me
I know some of you have hunted around Farmgirl Fare trying to find my e-mail address, but it isn't currently posted anywhere. Here it is: farmgirlfare at gmail dot com.

The Pita Project
I know many of you are already familiar with the saga I now (that it is over) refer to as The Pita Project. If you are not, and you like pita bread, click here to read more. It has been wonderful hearing from so many of you who were inspired to make your own pitas after reading about my adventures.

There are also a few recently added comments and questions to the pita post that I would like to respond to:

Beejay, Welcome to the farm! I enjoyed hearing how you made yeastless pitas. Bernard Clayton (whose recipe I used) did say that the steam is what makes them puff so it makes sense that they worked. Sounds like you had a delicious pita party!

Tabehodai, Welcome to the farm to you, too! I would definitely be interested in baking something together, as we both have a DeLonghi Convection Oven, though mine is rather small. I mostly use it to heat up bread or leftover pizza or bake pita chips and pita pizzas. (The link above is to a new model that is identical to mine only larger; it'll hold a 12-inch pizza. I think I may have to trade up.)

Regarding your (not stupid) questions: when you are baking pizza in any kind of oven, you want to bake it directly on the hot stone (or tiles). Let the stone heat up as the oven heats up, and be sure to give it enough time to get very hot (up to an hour in a conventional size oven, less time in a small toaster/convection oven). Never put a cold stone into a hot oven or it may crack.

I wrote more about using baking stones and tiles in the following posts:
Bread Bakers, Start Your Ovens!
Three Onion & Three Cheese Pizza
and Loving Leftover Pizza

Elizabeth, congratulations on making your own pitas. I appreciate your suggestion that I add "let the dough double in size in a draft-free place" to the recipe, but I'm going to leave it as it is since I actually let the dough "rest" for a set period of time (30 minutes) rather than until it doubled in size (which it didn't in the 30 minutes). Also, between the half dozen fans on full blast throughout the summer and the frigid air blowing into our very old house during the winter, I don't think I've ever let any dough rise in a completely draft-free place!

Kitchen Mage, you mentioned using pre-ferments (sponges or starters). I didn't come across any pita recipes that used them, but of course I was too scared to do a pita google search (or I'd probably still be making pitas). I do know that I have tossed a cup of my four year old sourdough starter (straight from the fridge) into everything from Farmhouse White bread to pizza dough, always with positive results. (I never make pizza dough without it now.) This idea has me intrigued; the next time I make pitas, I'll add a cup of starter to the mix and let you know what happens.

You also asked about pairing wine and pitas. I'm no expert, so I'll just give a few brief, personal suggestions. Red wine with pita pizzas. White or red wine with pita chips, depending on the flavor of the chips and your taste. And with warm, unadorned, unpuffed pitas hot from the oven? Champagne!

Summer Harvest Soup For Fall
Last month I posted this recipe for Simple Summer Harvest Soup (made with sweet red peppers and summer squash) which Alanna then featured at A Veggie Venture. Last week Alanna found herself unable to resist the bargain 25-cent sweet red peppers at her local farmer's market, so she once again turned to my recipe for inspiration. However, she managed to come up with this totally different soup (that sounds delicious). Sweet peppers and squash are still readily available in many places (like sitting on my kitchen counter), so it's not too late to try one of our versions--or to improvise and come up with your own. If you do, I'd love to hear about it.

Getting Yourself A Little Donkey
No, I am not holding a contest to give away Dan. Are you crazy? But I know that after seeing pictures and hearing about him, there are at least a few of you out there (like Jamie) who are now hankering to share your life with your own dandy little four-hooved friend.

Unfortunately, Jamie, you are going about this all wrong. You say that you "keep showing my significant other your lovely photos of Donkey Doodle Dandy and telling him I want one of my own, but so far he is resisting the idea." Okay, while I do admire your "I will win eventually" attitude, I fear you have a very, very long wait ahead of you. That is unless you do one simple thing: Take delivery of the donkey while you are home alone. That is what I did, and I plan to do it again just as soon as I find a suitably adorable girlfriend for Dan.

A picture is one thing. The actual donkey is something else entirely. Resistance will be useless. Plus, what is the unenthusiastic naysayer going to do? Your new donkey is already happily ensconced in the backyard! Call someone to haul it away? I don't think so. I hope some of you find this advice helpful. And please don't forget to send me pictures of your new donkeys.

(P.S. When you think about it, this strategy could probably work with all kinds of things besides donkeys. . .)

Coming Up
I had an anonymous request for my homemade pesto recipe and will hopefully be posting it in the next week, along with some information on the types of basil I grow.

And I haven't forgotten that ages ago I promised to share the recipe for my Oatmeal Toasting Bread. I just wanted to give you enough time to familiarize yourself with the Ten Tips For Better Bread first so that your loaves will come out perfect on the first try. Has everyone found a wooden dough bowl?

I also have a pile of half-written posts and a whole stack of other ideas and stories in my head. Some of my favorite cold weather and holiday recipes should be making appearances, too. Of course, all these plans could be waylaid by something totally unexpected. It's happened once or twice before. But you can be sure that whatever does transpire, there will never be a dull moment (and there will probably be pictures). I sure hope you'll join me.

Daily Farm Photo: 10/12/05

I'm Addicted To Our Daily Walks Through The Woods

You still have time to enter the Name That Sheep Contest!
You could win a sheep!

Daily Farm Photo: 10/11/05

Into The Mist

It's not too late to enter the Name That Sheep Contest!
You could win a sheep!

Daily Farm Photo: 10/10/05

Haybarn & A Hint Of Color

It's not too late to enter the Name That Sheep Contest!
You could win a sheep!

Weekend Dog Blogging #4

It's About Time Weekend Cat Blogging Ended

Attention Dog Lovers! It's time for Weekend Dog Blogging!
If you'd like to see more fun dog photos and discover yummy new food blogs, head over to Sweetnicks on Sunday night for the complete round-up and links to this week's participants. Weekend Dog Blogging is only in its fourth week, but it's taking off faster than Lucky Buddy Bear chasing after poor New Cat!

Have you entered the Name That Sheep Contest yet?
You could win a sheep!

Daily Farm Photo: 10/9/05

Weekend, Work, Wood, Warmth


Have you entered the Name That Sheep Contest yet?
You could win a sheep!

Weekend Cat Blogging #18

Where Did All These Cats Come From?

Attention Cat Lovers! It's time for Weekend Cat Blogging #18!
Food Bloggers around the world unite each week and share pictures of our favorite felines. See cute cat photos and discover yummy food blogs. We'd love to have you join us. Just leave me your blog name, URL, and permalink (with a Weekend Cat Blogging tag) in a comment.

Below are links to this week's entries as the regular WCB hosts, the wild and crazy Kiri and his slave, Clare, at Eat Stuff in Sydney, Australia are in the middle of moving and their online access is iffy. Clare did have a chance to put up a WCB photo of Kiri this week--being naughty again!

Also check out:
Rima at Les Carnets de Marie in Paris
The sticky situation that Muse got herself into at Tarzile.com
Pekoe at Belly-Timber in Washington
Bella & Tasha at A Few Of My Favourite Things
The dueling kitties at Masak-Masak in Malaysia (and the link to an important SPCA petition that can be signed by anyone in the world)
Darling Glinda at Anne's Food in Sweden
Ike on display at Restaurant Widow in Columbus, Ohio
Houdini Watching For The Neighbor Kittens at Middle-Fork
Eleven year old Nepal at Le Sens du Gout
Tigger at Look Hunny, I Cooked in The Netherlands
The cute kitty monsters at Rosa's Yummy Yums in Switzerland
Chelsea & Spencer at Je Mange La Ville in Portland, Oregon
Romeo loving the mohair at Basic Juice
Agnes at Kayak Soup in Vancouver, British Columbia
Miss Kitty at Culinary In The Desert in Arizona
Little Toejam & Earl at So Cal Foodie in their first WCB pics
The Unnamed Usurper at Kitchen Mage in Washington
The nameless little stray at Indy Foodie in Indiana
The double dose of cuteness at The Food Pornographer
Tigger at Too Much To Love
Happy Tsar at Cook & Eat in Australia
Lovely Lolita in patchwork style at Les Gamelles d'Emmanuele
Sweet Luke surrounded by blogging dogs at Sweetnicks in New Jersey
Neo the freckle-nosed mouser at Earth Home Garden in California


Meanwhile, have you entered the Name That Sheep Contest yet?
You could win a sheep!

Daily Farm Photo: 10/8/05

First Fall Lettuce & Few Final Tomatoes

First fire in the woodstove last night (so cozy!).
First frost outside this morning.

Have you entered the Name That Sheep Contest yet?
You could win a sheep!

Grab Your Camera & Your Cat

Portrait Of Patchy Cat

The 18th edition of Weekend Cat Blogging starts tomorrow, and it's being hosted at Farmgirl Fare. Kiri and his slave, Clare, at Eat Stuff in Australia are usually in charge of this fun feline event, but they are busy moving into a lovely new home this weekend and have limited internet access.

The cats and I were tickled when Clare asked us to help out. So if you're one of those people who has been meaning to join us but just never gets around to it, now is the time! Snap a pussycat pic and post it pronto. Then leave me a comment with your blog name, URL, and permalink with a Weekend Cat Blogging tag added to your post (if, unlike me, you actually know what that means).

Not a cat person? Weekend Dog Blogging starts on Sunday!

Daily Farm Photo: 10/7/05

Settling In

You Still Have Time To Name That Sheep!

Yellow 21---But Not For Much Longer

Wow! I am absolutely overwhelmed by the incredible response to the First Ever Farmgirl Fare Name That Sheep Contest. I had no idea how many people out there want a sheep to call their very own. And it is really wonderful to hear from all of you new visitors. Welcome! Yellow 21 (who was kind enough to pose for these new photos just moments ago) is thrilled by all the attention, and The Secret Panel Of Judges is having a great time sifting through the dozens and dozens of entries. You have certainly come up with some interesting, innovative, often hysterical, and, well, truly unique names!

Because we want to give careful consideration to each and every entry (and because we are also sort of swamped by farm duties after being away), it is going to be a few days before The Big Winner is announced.

In the meantime, new entries (or comments stating why other suggested names should not be chosen) are still welcome. And as per your request, I also have a little more information for you about our girl--as well as these up-to-the-minute photos.


A Good Sheep Knows To Stay Alert When Out In The Field



Yellow 21 And Her Mother, Doll Face

Yellow 21 was born sometime between 9:00pm Sunday, March 23rd and 2:00am Monday, March 24th in 2003 to Doll Face (one of my oldest and favorite ewes). At 9:00pm I knew Doll Face was fairly close to giving birth, and so I put her in a bonding pen for the night. When I went down to check on her at 2:00am, she was busy taking care of her healthy, newborn twins.

Doll Face's father was a black Border Leicester named The Count, and her mother was a Finn cross named Ulla (after Ulla Procope, a Finnish potter; at that time all sheep were being named after early 20th century female potters).

Yellow 21's father was a large, friendly Hampshire ram named Big Boy.

In late February of this year, Yellow 21 gave birth to the first lamb of the season, an adorable girl named Babs (or Babsie).

And a few miscellaneous comments:

The original contest photos of Yellow 21 were fairly dark because I took them in the barn. I am wondering if the people who suggested names such as Cocoa and Chocolat are thinking she is a brown sheep. She is actually (dirty) white with a dark greyish face. My apologies for any confusion. (And your entries will still be considered no matter what color you thought she was.)

If you really, really want to win this sheep, you might want to read through the entries again, as I noticed some people voted for names that had already been suggested (Alisha, this would be you). Or you can stick with your original vote and realize that you may only win half a sheep. I know I didn't list the past and present names of all my sheep, but I will quickly mention that I already have a sheep named Mary (she is Doll Face's triplet sister), and one of the sheep in my original flock was a wonderful Rambouillet named Gertie (short for Gertrude). Oh, and Molly Doodle absolutely refuses to allow a sheep to be named after her.

And just one last thing. You know those obnoxious recipe contests where they claim complete ownership of your recipe even if you don't win? Yep, well, I'm doing that. This means I can use any of your entries to name any of my sheep without even giving you credit (which of course you know I would never do) and without giving you the actual sheep (which I may or may not do).

Good luck, and I sure hope everyone is having as much fun as I am naming that sheep!

Click here to read the contest rules and the dozens of names already submitted.

Daily Farm Photo: 10/6/05

There Is Absolutely, Positively, No Place Like Home

I'm baaaaack!

Daily Farm Photo: 10/5/05

I Know Better Than To Expect A Warm Welcome From This One

Note: Farmgirl has left the farm. Back on Thursday!
Have you Named That Sheep yet?

Daily Farm Photo: 10/4/05

Do You Think Donkey Doodle Dandy Misses Me?

Note: Farmgirl has left the farm. Back on Thursday!
Have you Named That Sheep yet?