We finally found a babysitter for Monday nights, and we can't wait to get out on the town again and start enjoying all the fun things going on in the Pines...And yes, Monday night is not the most ideal, as some of our favorite haunts are closed...the Leadmine being our most fave, but we still have plenty of things to do! 

We started our date night off in a scurry...the babysitter was able to arrive about 1.5 hours early, so I rushed to finish up in the barn and scramble to find something for the kids to eat for dinner, and throw on some non-barn clothes, and we were off! First stop...
A Walk Around Reservoir Park
Reservoir Park is at it's best during the fall! The colors are absolutely stunning! 2.5 miles of trail around a beautiful reservoir, just a couple minute drive from Tanglewood.  Dog and kid friendly! Check it out if you haven't yet...

Reservoir Park, 300 Reservoir Park Dr., Southern Pines

I hope this post will give our guests some good ideas of things to do when they come to visit Moore County! 
Check out the following links for even more things to do:
www.homeofgolf.com/explore-the-area/

https://www.visitncfarmstoday.com/moore-county
​

Zack the hen, enjoying her new life as our "yard chicken"....
Zack wasn't finding life with the Golden Gals and Pals as fulfilling as one would have hoped, so we brought her into our fenced in yard, away from the other hens. She seemed lonely, so we decided to get a baby or two for her to take under who wind. 6 chicks later, we now have 7 yard chickens and Zack is flourishing! 

Spent a little time out in the Moss Foundation with my mom, Rocky and Clifford...everything was going fine, until we came across this spooky scene...Moore County Hounds decorated the Moss Foundation for their annual Spooky Halloween Trick or Treat Trail Ride !

The sunrises and sunsets have been spectacular this week! Must be the Harvest Moon!! 

This week in Cake Decorating and Design Class, we worked on marbling fondant, crumb coating, and even got to get a little creative with a spooky book of spells, potions and poisons! 

Around Town! 
Although it was a very busy week, with some unforeseen plumbing and other issues, we managed to sneak off the farm and squeeze in some fun in the sandhills this week! 

And that's a wrap for the week... Come check in with us in a couple weeks for another Life on The Farm update! 

Discovered a new venue in Carthage...River Pines! The views were spectacular...it felt like we were in the mountains. 

We ended last week with a fun 2-year old birthday party at a beautiful new venue in Carthage called River Pines. The views are amazing and they even have sheep and a couple donkeys!!








​The littles loved it and I got to put my cake baking skills to the test by providing two birthday cakes to the party- a pistachio torte with pistachio buttercream and a vanilla cake with strawberry buttercream! 

THIS WEEK IN CULINARY SCHOOL....
This week I started my newest baking and pastry arts class, Cake Decorating and Design. We learned how to make Decorators Icing and Royal Icing. And learned about flooding, as can be seen in my iced butterfly. This is the technique used in most cookie decorating. 

THIS WEEK AROUND THE FARM...
​Our flowers are going nuts this fall! My daisy has taken over the veggie patch, and the sunflowers are towering over everyone, including the toddler chicky girls! 

EXPLORING THE SANDHILLS...
​A beautiful hike around the Reservoir Park. We are lucky to have such a wonderful trail to walk on and the views are spectacular! ​ The ducks and swans are a nice extra! 

The Reservoir Park is dog friendly too! Brody, the Schnauzer had a great time! 

THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN...
​And of course, there's always time for baking! This week I tried a new recipe...Fudgy Chocolate Brownies from Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook (my hero). They came out so rich & fudgy and delicious! You should give this recipe a try!  It's super easy too!  Hint: to keep the brownies soft and light, remember to mix wet ingredients together, sift dry ingredients together in separate bowl. Then gently fold dry into wet to just combined. Do Not Overmix. This develops the gluten and makes them tough.
​I added marshmallows to the top and a graham cracker to the bottom. Blow torch to roast, and voila, smores! 

More Baking! Sweet Cornbread Johnny Cakes, Salted Caramel Apple Turnovers, and Strawberries and Cream Panna Cotta! 

STAYING BUSY....
​Sunday morning Hunter Pace with the Moore County Hounds. So much fun!!! I served breakfast to our B&B guests at 8:00, and then hopped on Rocky and headed across the street for my team's 8:53 start time. We did about 9 miles throughout the Moss Foundation trails, and it took us about 90 minutes. Rocky and I had a blast and will be taking the rest of the day off...not! Time to start on some chicken chili and cornbread for this afternoon's Packer game! Go Pack Go!!!!

And here's how we keep the kiddos entertained while daddy and his friends are watching the big game...decorating Halloween cookies from a decorating kit from Fresh Market! 

Hope you all had a great week and an even better one this week! Stay tuned for another post with weekly updates on Life on the Farm!  I'll leave you with some pictures of the Golden Gals & Pals! 

This week - Mountain Heart with opening act Becca Rae
Be sure not to miss this event! Every first Friday of the month. Outdoors if weather permits, inside the Sunrise Theater if rain. 
Great bands from all over! Excellent food trucks and Southern Pines Brewery 

Gershwin On Broadway - 7:30 at The Hannah Center Theater at Oneal School. 3300 Airport Rd
Shakespeare in the Pines - 6:00-9:30 at James Tufts Memorial Park FREE ADMISSION Friday - Sunday

Sandhills Farmer's Market - 10:00-1:00 at James Tufts Memorial Park in  Pinehurst 
Moore County Farmer's Market - 
Blues N Brews - 5:00-10:00 at Festival Park in Fayetteville 335 Ray Ave
Bottomless Mimosas -8:30-2:30 Midland Bistro 
The Biggest Little Farm - 2:30 and 7:30 showings Sunrise Theater
Shakespeare in the Pines - 6:00-9:30 at James Tufts Memorial Park FREE ADMISSION Friday - Sunday
Cosmic Bowling - 6:00- 12:00am at Sandhills Bowling Center

42nd Street: comes to the big screen - 7:00 at Sunrise Theater, 244 NW Broad Street
Sunday Exchange Concert Series  - 6:00 at Exchange Lawn in downtown Aberdeen. BYOB or purchase
Shakespeare in the Pines - 6:00-9:30 at James Tufts Memorial Park FREE ADMISSION Friday - Sunday
The Biggest Little Farm - 2:30  showing at the  Sunrise Theater
Kids Events
Pond Life -3:00-4:00 at Weymouth Woods Nature Preserve
Dollar Mania Bowling - 5:00-10:00 at Sandhills Bowling Center

Tolkien Movie at the Sunrise Theater- showings at 2:30 and 7:30  Sunrise Theater, 250 NW Broad St
Arts Council of Moore County Art Show: Colors & Canvas & Clay- 9:00-5:00, Campbell House Galleries, 482 E. Connecticut Ave
Live Music
Jazzy Friday at Cypress Bend Vineyard - 6:00, $15,  21+, 21904 Riverton Road, Wagram 
Various musicians playing at the following venues: 
Broad Street Bar & Grill 6:00
The Wine Cellar 7:00
Magnolia Inn 7:00
Carolina Hotel, Ryder Cup Lounge 7:00
Pine Crest Inn 7:30
Drum & Quill 8:30
Jefferson Inn 9:00
Dugan's Pub 9:00

Downtown Southern Pines Farmer's Market  - 8-12, SE Broad and New York Ave
Sandhills Farmers Market - Pinehurst Village 10:00-1:00, Tufts Memorial Park,  1 Village Green Rd
3rd Annual Food Truck Rodeo -5:00-10:00, Moore County Agricultural Fairgrounds, 3699 US-15 501, Carthage. Food & Beer. Bring lawn chairs or blanket
Seagrove Wood Fire NC Weekend Pottery Tour (Day 1) - 10:00-5:00, followed by Meet n Greet at StarWorks Tap Room in Star, NC 
Kids
Givens Kids Saturdays,: Summer Reading is Fun! -10:00-12:00, Given Memorial Library, 150 Cherokee Rd
Live Music
Clare Dunn - A Night of Country Music - Sunrise Theater, 7:00. $20/$25
Various musicians playing at the following venues: 
The Wine Cellar 7:00
Railhouse Brewery 8:00
Carolina Hotel, Ryder Cup Lounge 7:00
Pine Crest Inn 7:30
Drum & Quill 8:30
Jefferson Inn 9:00
Dugan's Pub 9:00
Bell Tree Tavern 10:00

The Rooster's Wife: Logan Ledger (independent traditional country music) - 6:46pm 114 Knight Street, Aberdeen
Fundraiser: Runway & Rescue - Fashion Show & Fundraiser for Moore County Humane Society - 12:00-3:00, 305 Trackside, 305 NW Broad Street 
​Tolkien Movie at the Sunrise Theater- showings at 2:30 and 7:30  Sunrise Theater, 250 NW Broad St
Pinecrest Inn Complimentary Wine Tasting - 4:00-7:00, 50 Dogwood Road, Pinehurst
Tasting Room at Block Rock Winery - 1:00-6:00, 6652 US-15 501, Carthage
Artists League of the Sandhills Opening Reception: Art to Appreciate - Annual Judged Show - 5:00-7:00, Artist League of the Sandhills, 114 Knight St. Aberdeen

Kids
Dollar Mania Bowling - 5:00-10:00, Sandhills Bowling Center,  1680 NC-5, Aberdeen
Insects 101: 3:00, Weymouth Woods, 1024 Fort Bragg Road