Countdown to Christmas and Kids!

Bekah and I have been busy with all the last minute projects that need to be done before Thursday.  Tomorrow is our last day to get things made so we can get our baskets put together!  The last meat project was a batch of bologna.  I used store-bought beef along with our home raised pork to make bologna.  Once I grind and mix the meat with the seasonings and cure, we shape them into logs and wrap tightly with plastic wrap.  This step is very important or you can end up with air pockets in the center of the loaf.

Next, we tightly wrap them with parchment paper and tie each end with butcher's twine.  Then they are put in the fridge overnight to allow them to set up.

The next day we carefully unwrap each log and place on a wire rack, then baked at 250 for about 4 hours.

When done we allow them to cool completely before slicing.

We used the meat slicer to cut them into both thick and thin slices...

Meanwhile Rebekah has been working on some really neat candy molds.

She is turning each one into a hand crafted work of art.

And also on our worklist this week is to get the kid/kidding barn finished!  Bob is laboring feverishly to get it done before the does start to labor!