Now why would we need 8 bottles? I'll tell you in the morning if all goes well.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
What Have We Here?
Something crazy happened tonight and I really want to tell you about it. Instead of doing that I'm going to tease you with a picture.
Now why would we need 8 bottles? I'll tell you in the morning if all goes well.
Now why would we need 8 bottles? I'll tell you in the morning if all goes well.
Thinking About Hedgerows
After watching Victorian Farm and River Cottage I have been super excited about creating an edible hedgerow around our property. While searching through the Annapolis Valley Regional Library, I came across this book;
The book has several plans for edible landscapes as well as individual pages dedicated to each fruit-bearing plant she suggests using. The book contains all the standard fruit trees as well as some that one wouldn't immediately consider such as; Juneberry, Lingonberry, Maypop, Mulberry and Seaberry.
I have a flowering quince in my backyard which I want to remove. Before I do that I'm going to take about 20 cuttings from it to make new plants for my hedgerow. A densely planted hedge should keep my animals in and wild animals, particularly deer, out . In addition, it will provide lots of fruit for canning.
I also came across this photo in the book which I love.
It's an espaliered currant bush. I think I'm going to do this all around my vegetable garden. With the currant raised up like that I can easily plant something else underneath it. Strawberries perhaps?
The book has several plans for edible landscapes as well as individual pages dedicated to each fruit-bearing plant she suggests using. The book contains all the standard fruit trees as well as some that one wouldn't immediately consider such as; Juneberry, Lingonberry, Maypop, Mulberry and Seaberry.
I have a flowering quince in my backyard which I want to remove. Before I do that I'm going to take about 20 cuttings from it to make new plants for my hedgerow. A densely planted hedge should keep my animals in and wild animals, particularly deer, out . In addition, it will provide lots of fruit for canning.
I also came across this photo in the book which I love.
It's an espaliered currant bush. I think I'm going to do this all around my vegetable garden. With the currant raised up like that I can easily plant something else underneath it. Strawberries perhaps?
Define: Trivet
A trivet is a three legged metal stand placed between a hot dish and a table.
How did I go through life for so long, not knowing what a trivet was? I have been using pot holders for the job of protecting my table but I don't like pot holders, they slide and require laundering. So when I came across an owl shaped trivet on Etsy I had no trouble forking over a few dollars for it.
Limey found the big rounds ones at the Salvation Army. They are pretty, easy to clean and useful. I'm starting to really like antiques and can't wait for yard sale season to begin!
How did I go through life for so long, not knowing what a trivet was? I have been using pot holders for the job of protecting my table but I don't like pot holders, they slide and require laundering. So when I came across an owl shaped trivet on Etsy I had no trouble forking over a few dollars for it.
Limey found the big rounds ones at the Salvation Army. They are pretty, easy to clean and useful. I'm starting to really like antiques and can't wait for yard sale season to begin!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Their First Chicken
The kids cleaned out their first chicken today.
I was collecting eggs and there was a leghorn sitting in the nestbox looking close to death. When I picked her up, her oviduct was hanging out. I put her in a bin so Limey could finish her off.
A minute later, Limey went out to find she had already died. He bled her out and brought her back in the house where the kids were waiting. After the chicken was scalded the kids helped pluck it and remove the entrails. Limey led an interesting lecture on all the chickens parts and what they were for.
Homeschooling at it's finest.
I was collecting eggs and there was a leghorn sitting in the nestbox looking close to death. When I picked her up, her oviduct was hanging out. I put her in a bin so Limey could finish her off.
A minute later, Limey went out to find she had already died. He bled her out and brought her back in the house where the kids were waiting. After the chicken was scalded the kids helped pluck it and remove the entrails. Limey led an interesting lecture on all the chickens parts and what they were for.
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| Pluck, pluck, pluck. |
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| Some pretty big yolks there. |
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| Trying not to laugh. |
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Substitute Mother
Robin had two baby girls. Unfortunately she only loves on of them. We noticed a couple of days ago that she was refusing to nurse the smaller baby. I had to go out several times a day and hold her still while the baby nursed. This was not fun and my thighs and butt are still recovering.
Luckily Lily gave birth the other day and with a little encouragement she is now nursing Robin's starving baby.
Luckily Lily gave birth the other day and with a little encouragement she is now nursing Robin's starving baby.
Gobbledygook, Gobbledygook
That's the way the turkey talks.
Yesterday there was and ad on Kijiji for a pair of Beltsville turkeys. I sent Limey to check them out and we picked the beauties up this morning.
They are huge and pretty and make weird noises.
I was looking at these two photos and I noticed something odd.
That is the same turkey in both photos. Where is the snood in the first pic? So I Googled "retractable snood" and found out that sometimes the snood is shriveled up to a point but then it fills with blood and starts to expand until it's all flopped down like in the second photo. At this point Limey starts snickering behind me. "So just like a..." he says. Yes, Limey a snood is just like a penis, but not.
I learn something new every day.
Yesterday there was and ad on Kijiji for a pair of Beltsville turkeys. I sent Limey to check them out and we picked the beauties up this morning.
They are huge and pretty and make weird noises.
I was looking at these two photos and I noticed something odd.
That is the same turkey in both photos. Where is the snood in the first pic? So I Googled "retractable snood" and found out that sometimes the snood is shriveled up to a point but then it fills with blood and starts to expand until it's all flopped down like in the second photo. At this point Limey starts snickering behind me. "So just like a..." he says. Yes, Limey a snood is just like a penis, but not.
I learn something new every day.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Oregano
A couple of years ago our neighbour dug up a bit of oregano from her garden for me. She didn't know what it was, just that it came back every year. It filled a 4" pot and into my herb bed it went.
By the end of the season it looked like this;
The following year it had tripled in size. Now as far as I know oregano is hardy to zone 5 but I was in zone 3 and it was thriving. I'm a lazy gardener so I never water my herbs. They just get a little weeding and maybe some manure if they're lucky.
I planted oregano in flats a couple of weeks ago and after germinating fairly quickly, they are doing nicely in the sunroom. In a couple of weeks into my new herb garden they will go.
Oregano is a culinary perennial herb with a height and spread of about 18". They send out runners so you'll have to cut it back yearly to keep it in check. It trails nicely over edging. The flowers can be white, pink or purple. It's rarely bothered by pests but I often found mine covered with bees. The plant does best in partial shade but I had no problems with it in full sun.
If you do a lot of Italian cooking, oregano is good to have in your garden. If not, it makes a really pretty ground cover.
By the end of the season it looked like this;
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| About 2ft across the diagonal. |
I planted oregano in flats a couple of weeks ago and after germinating fairly quickly, they are doing nicely in the sunroom. In a couple of weeks into my new herb garden they will go.
Oregano is a culinary perennial herb with a height and spread of about 18". They send out runners so you'll have to cut it back yearly to keep it in check. It trails nicely over edging. The flowers can be white, pink or purple. It's rarely bothered by pests but I often found mine covered with bees. The plant does best in partial shade but I had no problems with it in full sun.
If you do a lot of Italian cooking, oregano is good to have in your garden. If not, it makes a really pretty ground cover.
Well That Was Weird
Last night I dreamed that I looked in the goat house and found that Lily had a pure white baby goat with her.
This morning I noticed that Limey hadn't left for work yet but was nowhere to be seen. I trudged out to the goat house and there he was oohing and aahing at Lily's newly born kid.
If that wasn't weird enough, when Robin gave birth last week Limey found one of the baby bunnies dead in it's cage. This morning before he checked on Lily, he found another.
Strange coincidence.
This morning I noticed that Limey hadn't left for work yet but was nowhere to be seen. I trudged out to the goat house and there he was oohing and aahing at Lily's newly born kid.
If that wasn't weird enough, when Robin gave birth last week Limey found one of the baby bunnies dead in it's cage. This morning before he checked on Lily, he found another.
Strange coincidence.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Our Daily Dose
At the moment we have our buck in the same living area as our two does. I've heard opposing thoughts on whether or not this will make our goat milk taste "goaty". I'm hoping to start milking Robin next Sunday and wanted to do a taste test in advance.
We didn't get much from her as the babies already had their fill but it was enough for our sample.
DD1 didn't like it because it was still a little warm but Limey said the milk tasted fine and that it was similar to the goat milk we buy from the store. It was super creamy so we'll be separating the cream out a bit for drinking.
The actual milking was a little awkward. Limey brought Robin in the house for me to milk because the stand isn't quite ready and it's freezing outside. I got the milk out easily enough but Robin's teats are pretty small so I kept readjusting my technique. I'm hoping it'll be a bit easier on the raised stand and she's been holding her milk for awhile.
Have you ever tried goat milk? Was it from the store or fresh? How did it taste?
We didn't get much from her as the babies already had their fill but it was enough for our sample.
DD1 didn't like it because it was still a little warm but Limey said the milk tasted fine and that it was similar to the goat milk we buy from the store. It was super creamy so we'll be separating the cream out a bit for drinking.
The actual milking was a little awkward. Limey brought Robin in the house for me to milk because the stand isn't quite ready and it's freezing outside. I got the milk out easily enough but Robin's teats are pretty small so I kept readjusting my technique. I'm hoping it'll be a bit easier on the raised stand and she's been holding her milk for awhile.
Have you ever tried goat milk? Was it from the store or fresh? How did it taste?
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The Problem With Shopping Online
The problem I keep finding when shopping online is that every site I come across is inevitably an American based business. Internet shopping has been big for ages now and Canadians have been a little slow on the uptake. If I do manage to find a Canadian business online, the information on their site is minimal; business name, address and phone number. The same info I could have got from the phone book. No pricing or shipping info and if they have an email address they never respond to it.
I don't phone people. It's an issue leftover from my social phobia days. If there's no email contact then I'm not going to do business with you.
So of course when I set out to buy cheese making supplies the only site I could find was an American one.
I placed an order with the New England Cheesemaking Supply Company and it was shipped out that day. I received my parcel within two weeks with cheap shipping to boot.
In one more week I'm hoping to be drowning in goat milk. Sweet goat milk that I can turn into cheese.
I don't phone people. It's an issue leftover from my social phobia days. If there's no email contact then I'm not going to do business with you.
So of course when I set out to buy cheese making supplies the only site I could find was an American one.
I placed an order with the New England Cheesemaking Supply Company and it was shipped out that day. I received my parcel within two weeks with cheap shipping to boot.
In one more week I'm hoping to be drowning in goat milk. Sweet goat milk that I can turn into cheese.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Somebody's Birthday...
...is coming soon. I'm a little behind on planning due to illness, injury and general blahs but here's a start.
That's it. That's all I've got. I'd better get a move on.
That's it. That's all I've got. I'd better get a move on.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Surprise! More Kid Pics.
Today I managed to drag my butt off my couch of self-pity and armed with a box of kleenex and my trusty camera I went outside to take some pics of the babies.
Robin and her kids have been in the barn since the birth but today they got to play in the new paddock Limey fenced in for them.
Robin and her kids have been in the barn since the birth but today they got to play in the new paddock Limey fenced in for them.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Latest Additions
A couple of days ago we took a drive out to Margaretsville to pick up some new birds. We bought nine brown layers and two muscovy hens.
The ducks are gorgeous. The chickens? Not so much...
The chickens are going through a hard molt. Their bottoms are almost completely bare. But they've been laying right through it and are producing some nice big eggs.
With another ten layers coming in a month and some Buff Orpington chicks in May I think our flock of chickens is more or less complete.
The ducks are gorgeous. The chickens? Not so much...
With another ten layers coming in a month and some Buff Orpington chicks in May I think our flock of chickens is more or less complete.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
As Promised
Story first, pics after.
This morning Limey was out in the barn wondering if he should tell me about the dead baby bunny he found. He kept hearing a noise that he thought was a bird. It was loud and kept going on and on so he went outside to see what it was. He walked up to the goat paddock where it got louder. He had no idea what it was until he caught a glimpse of something small and black stumbling into the goat house. He made a mad dash into the house and barely managed to squeak out something about baby goats.
Robin had two babies, both girls. We had to work a bit to get her to nurse them but eventually she came around. They are the most adorable babies ever. Limey keeps sneaking outside to snuggle with them. We can't get too attached though as we'll be selling them in 6 weeks.
Anybody want a cute little doeling?
This morning Limey was out in the barn wondering if he should tell me about the dead baby bunny he found. He kept hearing a noise that he thought was a bird. It was loud and kept going on and on so he went outside to see what it was. He walked up to the goat paddock where it got louder. He had no idea what it was until he caught a glimpse of something small and black stumbling into the goat house. He made a mad dash into the house and barely managed to squeak out something about baby goats.
Robin had two babies, both girls. We had to work a bit to get her to nurse them but eventually she came around. They are the most adorable babies ever. Limey keeps sneaking outside to snuggle with them. We can't get too attached though as we'll be selling them in 6 weeks.
Anybody want a cute little doeling?
Finally! Squeeeeeeee!
So it's been kind of a shitty week. Injured foot, dead chicken, chicken with broken wing, dead baby bunny and now we all have a cold.
However, all the badness was erased when we heard a sweet, sweet sound coming from the goat paddock.
They are so adorable! Look at the floppy ears and their tiny faces! I'm dying from cuteness overload.
Limey's gone outside to insulate the house a bit. I PROMISE to take better pictures in a bit when the sun has moved or if he brings one in the house.
However, all the badness was erased when we heard a sweet, sweet sound coming from the goat paddock.
They are so adorable! Look at the floppy ears and their tiny faces! I'm dying from cuteness overload.
Limey's gone outside to insulate the house a bit. I PROMISE to take better pictures in a bit when the sun has moved or if he brings one in the house.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Bliss
If you want to eat bliss, this is it.
You can find the recipe here. Just note that the caramel is ready at about 320F. If you don't want to risk overcooking it use a candy thermometer.
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| Graham cracker crust. |
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| Chocolate ganache. |
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| Bananas topped with salted caramel sauce. |
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| Vanilla pudding mixed with chopped banana. |
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| Whipped cream. |
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| More caramel sauce. |
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| Decorate with bananas. |
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| Bliss. |
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Decluttering; Not Always a Good Thing
I'm just sitting here wasting time while I wait for Limey to come home so that I can go to the hospital.
Being spring and all, I was getting my decluttering groove on when I was inspired to remove the ugly cabinet that surrounds the toilet.
Kinda like this one although not as nice.
I unscrewed it from the wall and pulled it out. I didn't realize two things; 1 that it was in two pieces and 2 that those two pieces were not secured together very well. The bottom piece came with me and the top piece (surprisingly heavy) dropped straight down onto my foot. I screamed, grabbed the stupid unit and tossed it outside violently making sure to aim it so that it smashed into a million tiny pieces.
By the time I checked my foot, it was swollen and blue. At first it felt like my foot was on fire. When I sat down for a bit (and downed some Tylenol) it just felt like a sprain, that jolty type pain. I Googled to see if I should be concerned. Apparently it's not always obvious when you've fractured the bones in the top of your foot so I'm going to head to the hospital and get it checked out.
I got up for a bit to make the kids lunch. I hobbled on the heel of my foot well enough but after 10 minutes of cooking it started to hurt again. Now I'm sitting here typing away and the pain is getting worse.
So I'll be spending the rest of the afternoon at the ER awaiting an x-ray. Maybe I can get "Ender's Game" finished while I'm there.
Next time I get the urge to declutter I'll be wearing my steel-toed boots.
Being spring and all, I was getting my decluttering groove on when I was inspired to remove the ugly cabinet that surrounds the toilet.
Kinda like this one although not as nice.
I unscrewed it from the wall and pulled it out. I didn't realize two things; 1 that it was in two pieces and 2 that those two pieces were not secured together very well. The bottom piece came with me and the top piece (surprisingly heavy) dropped straight down onto my foot. I screamed, grabbed the stupid unit and tossed it outside violently making sure to aim it so that it smashed into a million tiny pieces.
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| I may have exaggerated a bit. |
By the time I checked my foot, it was swollen and blue. At first it felt like my foot was on fire. When I sat down for a bit (and downed some Tylenol) it just felt like a sprain, that jolty type pain. I Googled to see if I should be concerned. Apparently it's not always obvious when you've fractured the bones in the top of your foot so I'm going to head to the hospital and get it checked out.
I got up for a bit to make the kids lunch. I hobbled on the heel of my foot well enough but after 10 minutes of cooking it started to hurt again. Now I'm sitting here typing away and the pain is getting worse.
So I'll be spending the rest of the afternoon at the ER awaiting an x-ray. Maybe I can get "Ender's Game" finished while I'm there.
Next time I get the urge to declutter I'll be wearing my steel-toed boots.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Better Luck This Time?
As I mentioned previously, I purchased some plants from Veseys. My last order from them did not go well. The tulips came up the wrong colour and the never came up at all. The glads came up but they were infested with thrips, which they would have had before I received them. So my fingers are crossed that the order I placed this year does better.
Here's what I'm expecting in the mail. Photos are from their online catalogue.
I've grown yellow Potentilla before but none of the other plants on this list grew in zone 3. There are a few more shrubs I'd like to get including some roses and I'll have a look locally for them. While I'm waiting for the plants to arrive I've been messing about with graph paper trying to figure out just where to put them. Really, the first thing I need is a fence. I'd love another picket fence but it's a lot of work to build. I'm thinking a rustic split rail might be nice but where do I find rustic wood/logs to make a fence out of?
Here's what I'm expecting in the mail. Photos are from their online catalogue.
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| Variegated Weigela |
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| Anne Magnolia |
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| Bi-colour Butterfly Bush |
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| Invincibelle Spirit Hydrangea |
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| Pink Beauty Potentilla |
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| Miss Cally Wisteria |
I've grown yellow Potentilla before but none of the other plants on this list grew in zone 3. There are a few more shrubs I'd like to get including some roses and I'll have a look locally for them. While I'm waiting for the plants to arrive I've been messing about with graph paper trying to figure out just where to put them. Really, the first thing I need is a fence. I'd love another picket fence but it's a lot of work to build. I'm thinking a rustic split rail might be nice but where do I find rustic wood/logs to make a fence out of?
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