Warm Woolly Sheep

73 Comments

 

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.

  • 1 shot scotch

  • 1 1/2 shots Drambuie

  • 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

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73 Comments »

  1. 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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  10. 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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  11. 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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  13. 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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  15. 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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  18. 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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  21. Pingback: I Cease to See « theshivasponder

  22. [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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  23. 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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