Presenting! Ta-Da!

This is (from the back) Mollie, Mara, Charlie. You can see their size in comparison to the black hen. I think they are plotting to take over the farm yard. Mollie is a rabble rouser. She runs, skips, twists, and jumps like she is on springs. Mara and Charlie are easily lead astray. The hen is indifferent, thank goodness. If the hens joined the fray, we would be in terrific danger....

Apple and Abe are never far apart. They are Anabelle's kids. Abe has the most adorable markings -- he resembles a holstein cow! They stand this way frequently. I think it is to keep a watch out for me because they know that I will scoop them up and kiss their little faces all over. Apple hates it; Abe kisses back!

A large rock that was once a foundation stone sits in the doe's pasture. The little guys play "Goat of the Hill"  until they are nearly crawling. When I won, they tried to figure out how to dethrone me. I am reminding them that I am She Who Brings Feed. The coup was thwarted. They are, from the left of the big Old Goat on the stone, Chuck, Mara, Abe, (grazing) Mollie, (lying down) Charlie, Lilac, and standing in front and ignoring us all, Apple. Missing from all the photos is Layla. She refuses to have her picture taken. Added: The Mister wants me to point out Steak in the background. He will be on the Mister's plate in, oh, two years...

I plan on keeping all the does and selling the bucks. Two are Alpines and one is an Alpine/Oberhasli cross. They are so sweet; it is hard to think of moving them along the road.

For those who are wondering, my outfit is a custom design from Farm Girl Chic. The ski band is Winnie-the-Pooh, sweatshirt from Spirit of Cross Stitch (1994), sweat pants from K-Mart, and boots from Totes. Hair by Wind. Thank goodness it is a one of a kind... Ever notice how farming inspires one to become a true fashionista!?

Oh, Geez...

While trimming Clara's hooves tonight, I slipped and cut too deeply. It bled. And bled. And bled. Nothing would stop it. I tried blood stop (this stuff is really neat) and then applied pressure. After 20 minutes, it was still bleeding. I got worried and called our vet who recommended that I apply a pressure bandage and a baggie. She said leave it alone tonight and check it in the morning.

Of course, I can't wait. I have checked it twice and no blood is showing, so I hope the pressure bandage and the blood stop I put on the bandage works. She isn't limping, so I feel pretty confident it isn't debilitating. Except to me. I have cried and cried over hurting her!

We won't talk about how the other does are jealous of the fine new plastic bag on her foot to keep the bandage clean and dry. And, we won't tell them that it isn't a fashion statement. Let's keep that be our little secret....

First Day Musings -- One Look Says It All

Our Monsieur Wookie

When my cats aren't happy, I'm not happy. Not because I care about their mood but because I know they're just sitting there thinking up ways to get even.”  ~~~ Percy Bysshe Shelley

To Market, to market

The Wytheville farmer's market opens in less than 90 days! Seeds are inventoried and plans are made. Lists are created and ideas bounced around between me and the Mister about what we should have in our stall for this growing season. We have reviewed what other vendors sell. Frankly, we have such a wonderful group of vendors that one may come to the market and leave with nearly everything one would need for the week -- veggies, eggs, lamb or beef, sometimes milk, bread, and dessert. It is a perfect collaboration.

This weekend begins the rush to prepare some goodies for the market. Making soap and canning pumpkin butter are two things on the agenda.

We had a bumper crop of pumpkins last year and those that weren't sold were baked and put in the freezer for later use. One thing I sell out of quickly are pumpkin scones. I had requests for pumpkin butter, but didn't have a receipt. So, after diligent searching, I found one and gave it a try this week. Yummers...

I used a crock pot so I wouldn't have to baby sit it as it simmered. This is quite simple and, if you have a little left over pumpkin in your freezer, it will work beautifully.

Pumpkin Butter

4-5 qts. pumpkin puree (my crock pot holds four -- you want to leave about 1-2" of space between the pumpkin and the top or you'll have the same mess I did!)

2 T. ground cinnamon

1 t. ground cloves

1/2 t. allspice (I used more cause I like this spice -- 3/4 t.)

4 c. sugar (or you could use honey, just 50% less volume  -- 2 c.)

That's it. Turn your pot on low and leave the lid open a skoosh so that the steam can escape and your mixture will thicken.

After your pumpkin has reached the consistency you want, you have the option of using a blender or mixer to puree it more or leave it as it is. I like butters a little chunky, so I didn't puree mine more.

This has to be kept in the refrigerator or you may can it thusly:

Using a pressure canner and a 10-lb. weight, process for 65 minutes for pints and 75 minutes for quarts.

Bake bread while it is processing and cooling. Grab some butter, toss on some pumpkin butter and enjoy!

Join the fun at Verde Farm!

Pass the Plate, Please

Brenda and I have been having a little email conversation and in it I remarked about how much I enjoy handwashing dishes. It seems a little thing, doesn't it, that I enjoy them. Yet, I do. Really. There are so many things I like about doing such a simple task.

There is something about the hot water and the feel and smell of Ivory dishwashing liquid that I love. It makes me think of my Grandmother Arrington and how wonderful her house always felt and smelled. Her fist-sized biscuits filled half my small plate. Honey and butter filled the other. At this time of year, I use her dishes and find myself making many of the things she did, even though they fail to measure up to hers.

It should be federal law that every kitchen sink fit beneath a window. There are several bird feeders outside my kitchen window; and, my daily guests include cardinals, nut hatches, phoebes, and sparrows. Come spring, I have quite a show as returning guests struggle and flit for their own feeder perch! Such fun! And, they have no care that I am just feet away, happily washing dishes, as they feed and quarrel!

The bee hives are visible from the kitchen window and I adore watching the bees scurrying from hive to flower and back again. Mid-day in the spring, summer, and fall there is a tangible black streak to and from the hives as they prepare themselves, and us, for winter. Sometimes, I am surprised by a gal who will come to the kitchen window to see what is going on. Bees are quite curious, you know. Move anything on the porch or yard and they will send someone to check it out. I'll speak to the girls at the window, telling them how much I appreciate them and their honey and offer them a speck of water to drink in a small bowl outside. Sometimes they will line the entire rim as they come for a drink of water!

Along the back edge of the "yard" outside our kitchen window is an herb garden as well. Right now, it is nothing more than a muddy hole with sticks and stems, but come spring, it erupts into brilliant colours and delicious smells as the herbs reappear from the sleeping earth. Once the air warms up, the scents of basil, chives, oregano, and lavender, fill the air and slip into the window, making me rejoice that I have time to stand and savor them.

Washing dishes may seem like a boring task to some. But, to me at Lazy Bee Farm, it is a time to slow down and relish in the moment. Life is simple, quiet, pure, and, well, joyful. For those few minutes, I can be in the moment.

It Was Me...

...that you heard scream yesterday afternoon. Several folks have been "donating" their yarn and other items to me to use for my knitting projects. Needless to say, my stash overfloweth. So, I decided to go upstairs and sort things out -- you know, acrylic here, wool there, weaving perle cotton over here.

I keep all the acrylic and some wool in an antique chest of drawers, never suspecting that some tiny little evil minion would use it to make a bed for his family.

The first two drawers were stellar. Nothing out of place. Then... I opened the third drawer, the one with my lovely lovely grey wool for a cardigan. It had been sullied. Mangled. Chewed to perfection for a warm nest in which to raise one's children. I screamed. A lot.

Needless to say, there will be a new plan for the yarn.

In the meantime, I have had a tough talk with Wookie about his lack of mouse prowess, explored the idea of adopting a hungrier and less geriatric kitty, and placed a number of inhumane traps throughout the room. I am on the hunt -- as bonnie Robert Burns wrote:

But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane [you aren't alone]
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft a-gley, [often go awry]
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promised joy.

That's the Way...

Lost: One mind. Small, slightly used. Purple with specks of yellow and green. Can be identified by the over developed knitting quarter. Often displays a weird sense of humor. Behaviour can be unruly and disruptive. Loves to laugh. Should you locate said mind, exercise caution and contact owner. She misses it.

In the meantime, enjoy.