Sunday October 23, 2011
Of the things I have had to come to terms with regarding farming and animal husbandry that I hate the most are animal deaths and disappearances. This week produced a double whammy. I went out to open the chicken house and first stopped in the ice house shed to spread some chicken food and there lie a dead chicken. My heart sunk. It was one of my bantams with those cute feathered feet and cheerful demeanor's. I immediately got Jim to remove the body and couldn't watch! Then I opened the hen house and I noticed there was only one polish chicken. Jim investigated the crime scene and noticed a ton of white feathers. We deduced that the perpetrator killed 2 chickens but only could carry one. And we think we know who did it....a bob cat. Two days later, right by the spring, the bob cat sat ready to pounce but Jim and Burt were on the scene and chased off the killer. Bob cats are such gorgeous wild animals. It is difficult to be angry at such a beautiful animal that was doing what comes naturally. So, we will continue to let our chickens live a happy life free-ranging, eating bugs and grass and accept nature's will. Nevertheless, it doesn't mitigate the sadness I experience when it happens.
Here are the chickens this morning drinking from the spring. Could I ever deny them such a luxury by keeping them caged?
Friday October 21, 2011
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A couple of weeks ago I harvested my eggplant. Most farmers I know had small eggplant harvests. But for whatever reason, I had a banner crop. I made fried eggplant, breaded eggplant, stuffed eggplant and it just seemed we couldn't possibly eat it all. So, the next option was canning. I really didn't like the idea of pickled eggplant but i scoured my cookbooks and found a recipe that used my favorite Indian spices and thought, I could do this...of course, as usual, I didn't have all the ingredients. And, guess what, I concocted!!
So here are the photos and I'll post the recipe tomorrow. It is quite yummy and I already used it with sauteed cubed chicken breast over rice for a flavorful dinner.
Saturday October 15, 2011
In what seems like an instant and an eternity, we have brought the one hour special to the finish line. It is coming to a public television station near you this November! Here's the press release.
Sunday October 02, 2011
I always wondered if any of the eggs that the turtles lay in the sandy part of driveways and roads, in June, ever hatch. And this week, I got my answer....
Jim picked her up and deposited her in the swamp - saved her a long, dangerous journey!
Wednesday September 28, 2011
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There are two major Jewish Holidays coming up on the calendar, in fact one starts today at sundown - Rosh Hashanah - the beginning of the Jewish New Year. I am not Jewish but many of my friends and acquaintances are. I wanted to understand the meaning of Rosh Hashanah and then, Yom Kippur which is in 10 days. I know these holidays are steeped in ritual and traditions.
My friend Dottie Weber shares what these holidays mean to her. And, in her next interview, airing on Saturday October 1, 2011, Dottie shares her menus and some recipes.
Listen Here.
Sunday September 25, 2011
One can understand how these chickens lay the best eggs around!!
