Time spent in the garden and kitchen is not time wasted; the essence of quality is attained through toil, not technology.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Financiers, Finley & spring.....

FINLEY
We have Brangus cows on our little ranch in Mckinney, Texas, and spring is always exciting with the new calves.   Finley was quite unusual, because he was born red with black markings and the Brangus are usually born black.   I had decided to bake my financiers early this week and actually get ahead of my game (which would be a departure for me).  But my mind had been uneasy for several days with the observation that Finley simply was not thriving, despite his Mom's best efforts.  Now, one of the admired characteristics of the Brangus breed is that the heifers (females of breeding age) are fierce and formidable "baby mamas".
So I commence with this relatively simple recipe, between running out to the pasture to check on the baby.  By late afternoon, as the financiers are chilling themselves in the fridge, I confirm that this little red calf is in serious trouble.   Of course, my husband had gone into town for his weekly card game with the guys, and, Gary (our cow expert & caretaker) was nowhere to be found!
I am very tenderhearted about our livestock, despite my best efforts to be a tough cowgirl!
And, damn it all, the weather was turning cold and nasty- one of our Texas spring squalls for sure.

Let me insert here that, yes, I did get the financiers baked- as a matter of fact, they were a great diversion for me that evening and satisfied my hunger when dinner was put on the back burner.

My husband and I ended up bringing Finley into the laundry room & blanketing him to try to warm him back up and get some milk in his little belly.   And, in a most heartwarming fashion- Bentley, one of my male Dachshunds,  took over guardianship of this sick baby and stayed by him all night & the next day!
I wish I had a happy ending, but we lost Finley yesterday- he just simply could not gain his strength.....

Of course,  this is the hard part of raising livestock, and we are reminded, that even on beautiful spring days when new life buds out & births itself,  shadows and cold will sometimes steal into the pasture and bring sadness.
 Oh, yes, butter!
 My brown butter is speckled??

 A bitty apple chunk & a dab of cinnamon on top
Little and tasty treats.

17 comments:

  1. Apple and cinnamon... can't wait to make your version in the Fall. Wonderful.

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    1. Yes, I would have tried the berries but had none on hand. Thank you for your visit.

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  2. So sorry to read about Finley...that has to be a very difficult part of raising cows ;-(
    I love your version of financiers with apple and cinnamon, I'm sure they were delicious!!!

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    1. Thank you- we did hate to lose the little guy. And, most certainly those financiers turned out pretty darn tasty!

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  3. Sorry about losing Finley :( Cooking is always a great diversion for me too though. Love the apple idea and won't wait until fall to give that one a go because its my favorite fruit!

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  4. Absolutely, you have to concentrate on the food preparation & it's a great focus when we need it!
    I will try the berries next, but the apple chunks were delicious.

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  5. When I was a girl, I used to get very attached to my grandmother's cows and it would always make me so sad when somthing happened to them. Sorry to hear that your little guy didn't make it through.

    The apple and cinnamon version is a great idea.

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    1. Yes, I was raised with lots of farm animals along with domestic pets & I loved them all!
      The warm little financiers turned into a nice comfort food treat.

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  6. Beverly, so very sorry to hear about Finley...that must be heartbreaking...but as Trevor so aptly pointed out, cooking and baking is indeed a good diversion and your apple cinnamon finaciers look and sound like they tasted wonderful, pure comfort "food", I hope!
    Wishing you a good weeekend and I must add that it is nice to "see" you again and yes, you should try the famous/infamous Ispahan cake if and when you find the time.

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    1. Thank you, Andrea- it is always hard to lose one of the calves- the baking & eating of the financiers soothed a difficult evening.

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  7. I'm sorry about Finley, Beverly. It sounds like he got a large dose of love in his short life. Comfort food is a good remedy, the process of preparing as well as consuming. Have a good weekend.

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  8. I appreciate your kindness & the blessings gained from my Dorista friends very much!

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  9. I’m so sorry about Finley, Bev. Sounds like you did everything you could. It’s good that these delicious little tea cakes were a diversion for you! The apple slice sounds wonderful!

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  10. I'm sorry to hear about Finley Bev - I am definitely not tough enough to be a cowgirl. i'm glad your little dachshund was a help to you though, I have no idea what mine would do. Something tells me they would just bark a lot. These little tea-cakes are perfect comfort food since they seem kinda fancy but really they're just filled with good ol' fashioned butter!

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  11. Aw, I'm sorry to hear you lost Finley :(

    I love the cinnamon/apple version of your financiers. YUM.

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  12. it is sad to lose a little one. I have two dwarf Nigerian goats who live on my friend's CO Western Slope farm with his herd. His goats are kidding now, and most of the births are going well. but one was still born and another's mom refused to nurse him. they were able to keep the baby warm and let him nurse while the mom was in the milking stanchion (the goats like the grain they get to eat while in the stanchion). after a couple of days, she was able to care for the baby on her own and they are both doing well now.

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  13. I've only just made the financiers this week and am catching up on everyone's posts. I'm so sorry about your little calf. My parents had a five acre hobby farm and whenever they lost a lamb they were devastated.

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