Sorry I've been away so long.... working on the new bed and breakfast has taken up quite a bit of our time, but things are coming along well, and we are hoping to begin welcoming guests in March. We will begin painting the interior next week, and the flooring will be installed shortly after. I will post pictures as soon as I can, but no promises ;)

We are enjoying the holiday season, and are looking forward to having all of our girls home for Christmas! We all really enjoy spending time together baking Christmas treats for our friends and family. The kitchen truly is the heart of our home. One of our most treasured traditions is baking and decorating Christmas cookies... this is something we have done since the girls were very young, and we are looking forward to continuing the tradition with our grandchildren one day :)

We want to wish you all a Merry Christmas from Tara Farms.... hope to see you soon!

Cooking Up A Little Competition

Haley has persuaded me to enter a recipe in a contest with the company she works for, Key Ingredient. Being the computer whiz I am, of course she had to help me get everything loaded and online. If it is any comfort, I do cook better than I use the computer!

A Work In Progress

As promised, I have posted pictures of the little house in town we are transforming into a B & B. It is obviously in the early stages--no landscaping or embellishments.

The inside is pretty raw at this point. We are adding a new shower to the second bath. The end product is going to be wonderful! The tile work actually began over the weekend.

The overall look of the house will be french country and we have several special touches in store. Many unique pieces of furniture have already been purchased. It will truly be quite a transformation. You may not be convinced yet that this is the place you will insist on staying when you hit the antique stores in Brenham but you will be convinced before it is all said and done! Check back in for updates!

Me? Write a Blog?!

I just want to publicly thank my daughter Haley, the up and coming pastry chef and computer savvy wonder for her help over the weekend. Who would have ever thought I would be writing a blog?! Haley saw the benefit for the B & B and encouraged me to do this and got the sight up and going. We had a wonderful time over the weekend trying out new recipes ( two of which are on the sight). The only thing missing in the weekend were her sister's Tori & Paige! Next time!!!

Banana Nut Muffins

3/4 C Shortening
1 1/2 C Sugar
4 Eggs
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
3 C Flour
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 C Chopped Nuts
5 Large Bananas, Mashed

Cream first three ingredients together and add vanilla. Add remaining ingredients and pour into well greased muffin pans. (Could be baked in mini loaf pans for about 1 hr.) Bake in 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted comes out clean.

Orange Tea Cakes

Cake:
1 cup sugar
7 Tbl. butter, softened
1 large egg
1 2/3 cups sifted cake flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
½ cup milk
1 Tbl. grated orange rind
½ tsp. almond extract
2 large eggs whites
Cooking Spray

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbl. plus 2 tsp. orange juice


Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. To prepare cake, place sugar and butter in large bowl, and beat with a mixer at high speed until well blended. Add egg, beating well. Sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in orange rind and almond extract.
3. Beat egg whites with a mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form using clean, dry beaters (do not overbeat). Fold egg whites into batter; pour batter into pop-over pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350F for 22 minutes, or until wooden picked in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan and cool completely.
4. To prepare glaze, combine powdered sugar and orange juice in a small bowl. Poke holes in the top of the cake using a skewer, and drizzle the glaze over cake. Yields 8 tea cakes.

Welcome To The Farm!

Welcome to the Tara Farms blog! We are excited to be able to share with you the latest happenings here on the farm. Our most recent happening has taken us off of the farm and into town as we work to rennovate the next cottage for your enjoyment. Be sure to check our blog often for photos on the progress of Tara Farms In Town!
We will also be sharing a few of our favorite recipes, wildlife spottings, local events and festivals that you will not want to miss! You might even read a funny story or two about our family, friends, and life here on the farm! Hope to see you soon!