Tuesday, June 9, 2020

Veggies are Growing

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Despite our bumpy start, our garden is doing well. 


I am so happy to be able to enjoying salads fresh from the garden.



We typically don't do well raising peas, but we pushed ourselves this year.  Planted extra early. Replanted a second time.  Added some fertilizer, and we just might get enough to enjoy eating fresh.  
We found our first blossom yesterday!



Our Broccoli plants pulled through and although small, we already picked a small head.



We are trying a couple new things this year.  We planted more sweet corn than ever, and planted it with the tractor and farm planter.  We are hoping to figure out as we go, some way to keep the raccoon from taking it all from us.  And at least with a larger than normal crop, we have a little more room to experiment with methods.





Our whole farm has a bumper crop of dandelions this year, and apparently the strawberry plants were wanting to protect and invite in a bunch of dandelions to join them.  Ugh!  Lots of pulling and we got them thinned out, and now we are trying cardboard mulch. I'm unsure how this will go, but I've always heard of so many people trying it, I want to give it a shot.  So, after months of saving every box we received, we put the cardboard paths down.  Hoping this is successful!


Have you ever tried cardboard mulching?

Monday, June 1, 2020

Sourdough

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Before I knew about the recent baking trend starting, before I new about the sourdough craze, and before yeast and bread shortages were a thing, 
I decided I was going to try and learn how to make sourdough during quarantine. 

Then I learned, it was a trend. 
I wasn't the only that thought this was the perfect time to learn something new and fun. 


I made the starter from scratch.  It was touch and go, but I finally got it.  
It was all good and bubbly and sour.
While the two loaves of bread I made were OK, they were not outstanding.
And then, I couldn't get the starter to get bubbly again.  
I decided I don't need to eat that much bread anyway, so store bought will be just fine for me!

Anyone else venture into sourdough baking?  
How did it work for you?


Monday, May 4, 2020

Tasty Eats

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I started off calling this post "Good Eats", and then I remembered that was a show by Alton Brown. So, I had to go google the show, and found it started back in 1999.  I then learned that Food Network has brought this show back! Anyone other Good Eats fans out there?

So, back to my Tasty Eats... So many things I love about spring, and one of them is asparagus.  When I walked out to our patch last week and found our first stalk poking through, I was so excited. But, patience is required.  




A couple days later I went back, and there were enough to pick.  Now we get to enjoy our own asparagus for a few weeks.  We don't get fancy with our asparagus.  Usually, just toss in some olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and then on to the grill. 

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And then.... this dessert.  Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake.  I have seen it pass by in my facebook feed for a while now, and it always grabs my attention. I've been craving lemon so much, that when I saw the link again last week I knew I had to make it now.  It was love at first bite for both of us.  It's amazingly moist, and dense, and packed with lemon.  If you do make this, please don't expect yours to turn out the same color as mine.  Our amazing farm fresh eggs seem to be turning an even darker richer color this year.  I'm not sure why that is, and I haven't researched it yet, but it sure makes for some amazing color in our foods.  

To see the recipe, please visit: This Italian Kitchen

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Garden Take One

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 We started our garden a little early this year.  I mean why not, right? We are home, we have the time, and there are always those cold weather loving veggies that we never seem to make the time for planting early in the season.  

We didn't plant everything, just a few things.  Pea's, lettuce, radishes.... because on top of everything else, I want a salad!!  So, we did it.  Just one row.  Sure wish I had made my row straight to go with the fence!


The ladies were thrilled to have us outside.  
We did have to move away from the garden before they tried to scratch up all our work!


These two cuties were so excited to be out with us and enjoy that sunshine! 

Things were going great.  Nice amounts of rain and warm temperatures.  And then....


It snowed. It sleeted. Cold temperatures returned! We'll go back to the garden on Saturday and evaluate, but with how cold it's been, we will probably have to replant.  
That's ok though.  I can make my row straight this time!

Anyone else start planting yet?


Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Spring and Other Changes

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Wow, it's been a long time since I have been here! I didn't realize just how long until I logged in today. My job keeps me so busy, but now that I am working from home most of the week, I am trying to find the new balance of things in life. 

How is #Safeathome changing your life?  We have done most of our shopping online, and groceries we have done through curbside pickup with the exception of one trip to get our Easter ham.  Even though I love to cook, I would love a break, which is where frozen pizza's have been helpful!  Even though we are in such a rural area, we do have restaurants offering curbside pickup, so we will probably do that tomorrow night, cuz this girl would like a break that doesn't involve mozzarella and pepperoni! AND, I would also like to support these local business's that are trying to stay afloat.  In another effort to support local, we are going to try and order some lumber and small electrical items from a local hardware store this weekend.  In the past that was always a trip to Menards.  As long as these "mom and pop"stores are making the effort to stay open, I do think we need to support them whenever possible. 

So, on to other things... I'm sure you are all reading to much about viruses and staying at home anymore. I've been thinking about my blog a lot since the first of the year, and just trying to find the inspiration to come back. And my camera has been getting dusty, that is just wrong!  Well, inspiration finally hit this past weekend, thanks to my amazing friend Carla at The River.  Thank you Carla!  So, if life cooperates, you'll be seeing me around again on a more regular basis.

Stay healthy my friends and see you soon!

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