Happy Earth Day! In honor of Earth Day I only thought it was appropriate to give a shout out to farmers because everyday is Earth Day for farmers.

The other night after making and ~~eating,~~ devouring, the previously blogged about liege waffle, (if you have not made them or read the blog, do so stat), I was feeling particularly fat and sassy (a term my college roommates and I coined whenever we would overindulge OR have PMS).

It was still light and warm out so Travis and I took a walk around the farm so I could burn off some cals. If we are honest though, at the pace we were walking and the amount of times we stopped, I probably just burned off the caramel sauce, ugh.

Anyway...I brought the camera along and snapped some pictures of the farm from our stroll! Spring is my absolute favorite time, everything is freshly planted, green and things are not quite hectic yet.

What are some things you enjoy doing after dinner? I hope you are all having a lovely evening!

This is baby barley.

This is more baby barley planted a little bit earlier than the ones before.
Once they grow up they will become malted barley for beer.
Beer = Water + Hops + Malted Barley

A whole field of barley seedlings.

Travis looking majestic. He has been growing out his hair during the off season.
I am guessing once it turns really hot it will be gone.

I mentioned last week the water coming in for irrigation.
Here it comes down the canals, all the way from the mountains.
Our farm is one of the last stops.

Farmers do not get to have as much water as their heart desires
They are allotted a certain amount each year and also pay for it.
If they use more than their allotment then they have to pay extra...
which can be very expensive.

Our farm uses conservation techniques to save extra and run-off water.
One way is using run-off ponds like the one above that captures the leftover water.

And here is another.
Travis also enjoys fishing in them and yesterday suggested
that we buy at automated fish feeder...

A week or so ago I mentioned on, "Things I'm Loving Thursday," liege waffles. I also mentioned sharing a recipe for them. After mixing, combining and changing a couple different recipes I have found on the internets I finally came up with the perfect flavor combination. The outside is crispy, the inside chewy, with yeasty and sugary flavors, sprinkled with pockets of caramelized sugar. It is not suggested that you put butter and syrup on these like you do buttermilk waffles, they are delicious just on their own. When I made them last, we had them as dessert instead and topped with vanilla ice cream. Whenever you choose to eat them, I have no doubt you will love them! Let me know what you think!!

Liege/Street Waffles

1 pkg. yeast (2 1/4 tsp.)
1/3 c. warm milk
2 tsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. flour
3 eggs
1 c. melted butter
1 c. pearl sugar (or smashed sugar cubes if you cannot find it)

Place brown sugar and 1 package of yeast into warm milk. Let sit for 5 minutes to activate. In a mixing bowl sift together flour and salt. Once yeast has activated stir into flour mixture on medium speed. Next mix in eggs, on at a time, on medium speed alternating with melted butter. Add vanilla.

Cover and let dough double. You can also cover and place in the refrigerator overnight and then cook in the morning, do not add sugar.

While your dough is proofing, if you were not able to find pearl sugar you can make your own by placing sugar cubes in a ziplock bag and smashing them with a rolling pin. You want small chunks of sugar. I like to think of making them into chunks the size of diamonds or crystals but that's just me. Once dough is doubled, gently stir in the sugar.

Heat your waffle iron on high heat, then take around two tablespoons (an ice cream scoop works perfect) and put into the center of the sprayed iron. Let cook for five minutes or until the outside is crispy and browned.

BE VERY CAREFUL when you take them off the iron and DO NOT eat them immediately. They are SUPER HOT and will burn your precious hands and mouth. Let cool and then enjoy!