Warm Woolly Sheep
Quiet, cold, and crystal clear. This is the Green Hill Farm I woke up to on Saturday morning–the first snowfall of the season. And, there’s nothing like the serene beauty of the country when it’s blanketed with snow. All of the hustle and bustle and noise just seem to stop. I breathed in the peaceful views while realizing that the busyness of the day was only about to begin.
The farm looked shimmering and magical, but it also looked shivery and cold–somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 degrees F.–BRRR!! But, anyone who farms knows that’s no excuse. Especially, when sheep, chickens, cats, and dogs are all waiting on you to take care of them. So, after applying layers of clothing and looking something akin to the little brother from the film, A Christmas Story, Farmguy and I headed outdoors to embrace what we love. The sense of meaningfulness and purpose that caring for our animals and farm gives us.
Since we’re enjoying such a wintry scene this week, I thought a hot toddy recipe may be in order. Fittingly, this cocktail is called a Warm Woolly Sheep. Farmguy and I discovered it while on vacation in Edinburgh, Scotland a number of years ago. It’s best enjoyed by a fire on a cold day.
I hope you enjoy the snowy farm pictures as well as this wonderful drink. 🙂
Warm Woolly Sheep (Hot Toddy)
This cocktail is not too sweet, thanks to the blend of scotch and Drambuie with warm milk. It’s a mildly sweet, creamy, warm drink that makes you feel cozy—perfect for an evening curled up by the fire. The dominant note here is honey (from the Drambuie), followed by whatever notes are in your preferred scotch. In general, those notes are going to be smoky with some minor influence of fruit.
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1 shot scotch
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1 1/2 shots Drambuie
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Warm milk (whole milk is best)
Mix the scotch and Drambuie in the glass of your choice and fill the rest of the way with warm milk. Enjoy!
Have a wonderful week and stay warm!
Categories: Green Hill Farm, Nature, Reflections on Farm Life, Sheep Keeping
Beautiful pictures, really happy stuff. I always admire your photos. Such dedication to your farm 🙂
The hot toddy sounds great. Right about now, before dinner, before clean-up. Just hot toddy and bed, lol!
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I really appreciate your thoughtful comment, Joey. Thank you. Green Hill Farm is challenging at times, but it is also a great source of joy.
Haha! That’s actually a good plan, because once you have the hot toddy, you won’t want to do anything else. I usually half the shot recommendations–you know, because I’m a light weight and all. 😉
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I know, right? Me too. A Warm Woolly Sheep would do me right in! 🙂
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I’m glad I’m not the only one. 🙂 🐑
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I love your farm! beautiful like you dear girl!
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That’s so nice of you to say! Thank you for such a sweet comment, Brenda. I’m happy you enjoyed the pictures. 🙂
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Beautiful photos, Tonya!
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Thanks a bunch, George!
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Really beautiful wintry scene though this must be the cold front that was predicted in the news. Do stay warm and I hope the wooly sheep stays warm too ☺
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Thanks so much, Garfield. Our sheep are getting extra hay and grain treats on these cold days. 🙂
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Stay warm Farmgirl! Your farm is awesome 😊
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Wow! You. Are. Awesome! Thank you for your very nice comment, Garfield. 🙂 🌻
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😊
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Are you doing Rent a Sheep for people to stick round their shoulders? I think it could be a top accessory this year.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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Haha! That sounds like a great idea! We may all need a warm woolly sheep this winter. 🙂
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Oooh I could use a warm woolly sheep now Tonya, 20 more inches expected is on the way! That’s on top of the 15 or so we already have. Do you shear them in the spring even though they are pets?
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Oh my goodness!! That’s a lot of snow! You better stock up on scotch and drambuie. 😉
We actually shear the sheep in the spring and fall. Scottish Blackface sheep have long, course wool that requires shearing twice yearly.
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It won’t stop!!! lol
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Stay safe and warm. 🙂
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The sheep do look warm. 🙂 Yum, hot toddy drink. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Deborah. It’s really good! 🙂
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Such beautiful photos! Love the idea of the spiked warm milk. Even though we didn’t get as much snow as you did, I think I will still try this cocktail very soon. Thanks! 🙂
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I’m delighted you enjoyed the photos, Ronit! Thank you. This cocktail is one of our favorites. It’s perfect right before bedtime. 🙂
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I’ve added Drambuie to my shopping list… 🙂
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😊
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Oh the snow looks so.lovely Tonya!!!
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Thank you so much, Ritu. 🙂 ❄️
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We are meant to get some here by the weekend but not a lot!!!
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A little bit is perfect. Enough to look pretty and enjoy, but not too much to cause an inconvenience. I’m sure your children will love it. Enjoy! ☃☃
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It’s been 6 years since we last saw snow… we would all enjoy it!!!
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Wow! That’s a long time. Have fun! 😊❄️❄️❄️
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There will pr5be a dusting if we’re lucky! The south East hardly get snow nowadays!!! But my fingers are crossed!!!
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It’s still fun to anticipate snow–even a dusting. 🙂
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That is true… things still look beautiful.. until it gets disturbed!!!
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I love the muffling effect of snow … your pictures are absolutely captivating – those baa lamb babies stoic in their frozen cold landscape looking to you and your man for their survival needs. And the toddy! I always drink a snort of drambuie for my fathers birth and death anniversary because he used to let me dip my finger in his glass when he drank it in my tiny childhood. Since we are expecting snow here I think I may have to source a bottle and make one just because I can. Which is the reason I do most things if I’m being truthful!
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I enjoyed the imagery of your description of the sheep in the snow, Osyth. You have such a way with words. And, I think the snort of drambuie is a lovely and fitting tradition in remembrance of your father. As for the hot toddy, you don’t really need a reason. Enjoy! 😉
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Brrrr, but just beautiful. It reminds me of when I was a child. I grew up on a farm in England. One Sunday morning we awoke to heavy snow, which was not common at all so we were really excited! There were snow drifts from the wind about 10′ high in places and it was impossible to get out of the farm and down the road, but the cattle and sheep still needed feeding. Loading the tractor with hay bales we set off with my Father, I was the youngest so I was allowed to sit in the cab of the tractor for warmth! We had to cut tracks through the fields and through low hedges to make our way across the farm. I remember after about two hours we returned to hot chocolate on the aga in our big farmhouse kitchen. I remember it like it was yesterday!
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What a warm and lovely memory! I’m really glad you shared it. I could envision your words. It sounds idyllic. 😊 England has so much beautiful farmland. We especially love the charm of the Cotswolds and the Yorkshire dales.
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Such beautiful photos, Tonya 🙂 I especially love the one where the sunshine falls directly on the tree! I am yet to experience snowfall out and out. One day!
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Many thanks for your generous feedback, Prajakta. I always try to go out right after it snows and take a few photos. It’s nice to look back year after year and see how the farm and animals have evolved and changed.
You are welcome to visit Green Hill Farm any winter for your snow experience. I’m sure Hamish will greet you with a welcoming BAAAH. 🙂 xo ❄️ ❄️❄️🐑
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I know I can always count on Hamish 🙂 Thank you! I might just take you up on this one day…
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That would be lovely! 🙂
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The farm really looks beautiful in the snow, and the sheep so cute!
I know that it must be really hard work though nonetheless! Keep warm, all of you. I am sure the hot toddy is just what you and Farmguy need after a long, cold, winter’s day.
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Thank you, Judy. I do love the farm all covered in snow. It looks so peaceful. I’m sure you have some beautiful winter vistas in your area of England, too. Kent is such a lovely place.
Yes, I think a hot toddy my be in my future! 😉
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Yes, Kent is very beautiful, but thankfully, we haven’t had any snow for a few years! 🙂
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You can enjoy ours from afar. 🙂 ☃
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I certainly will 🙂
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glad to hear all is well there but please feel free to take even more of this white stuff so I don’t have to put up with it. 🙂
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I know what you mean about the white stuff, and winter is just beginning here. We usually have our first snow in February. I think it may be a long snowy season ahead. ❄️❄️❄️
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The snowscapes are breathtaking. And it’s always easy to appreciate snow from afar…until you have to go out in the world and deal with it. I so respect your dedication to the hard work that is farming. Try to stay warm through it all…with or without a lovely toddy. 💗
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Your words are very kind and much appreciated, Van. Thank you. It is challenging at times, but we love it. 😊 💛 And, of course, a sweet kitty or dog curled up next to us is a nice way to stay warm as well. 🙂
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Reblogged this on BubblyBEE.com and commented:
This hot toddy sounds perfectly divine after a day of working…or playing! in the snow. And these blackfaced sheep are the cutest!
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Thanks so much for reblogging, Becky. 🙂
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What a beautiful post.
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Thank you. 🙂
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I’m appreciating that point about how animals provide such a natural sense of purpose and meaning. The cocktail sounds very warming after that freeeeeezing farm day. We’re currently in tshirts in the Aussie summer. I’ll soak up some extra warmth, remembering the cold seasons do come!
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Thank you for your warm and thoughtful comment. I’m so glad you visited. Enjoy your lovely summer days! 🙂
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I love your snowy farm pictures!
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Thank you very much for visiting. I appreciate your kind comment. 🙂
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Sheep in snow pics? It’s like you live in a postcard… 🙂
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That’s very kind. Thanks, Laura. 🙂
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[Jumped over from Swami’s post – had to see what the sheep were all about 🙂 ]
I echo the comments I’ve read on my way down here. I’m a Big City Girl at heart (20 years in NY City) – so even Cincinnati seems a bit rural. I can’t even imagine your life on a real-live farm. Fourth generation too!
The TODDY, on the other hand, is right up my alley. A brandy fan myself, I always wondered what Drambuie might be good for. NOW, I know!
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMore dot com)
ADD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
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OOPS – SHIVA’s post (TheShivaSponder- I have followed Swami for longer – so my fingers took on a life of their own.
xx,
mgh
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😊
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It’s lovely to meet you. Welcome to Green Hill Farm! 🙂 xo
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Thank you.
xx,
mgh
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The warm wooly sheep are such beautiful and healthy animals! They look cuddly but I realize they would wonder why I was hugging them! 🙂
Hope you are always careful and stay warm.
The tree lit up in sunny, amazing photo was such a beautiful capture, Tonya. I liked all of the snow dipped branches in another one.
Here’s to a hot toddy! ❤ xoxo
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Thanks so much, Robin. Our sweet sheep bring beauty and joy to our farm. 🙂 xo
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I love the sheep’s gifts of beauty and joy, Tonya.
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Thank you. 💛
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Love the hot toddy recipe 🙂
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I’m really glad!! It’s really quite good. Thanks so much for visiting. 😊
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