Babies, barns, and mushrooms

Our first barn dance!! Square dancin’ and all!!! Great barn, great mood, great potluck, great company, great music, great dancing....what else is there to say? Sorry the you can’t see the video, it was dark lit with Christmas lights. But, if you close your eyes, imagine yourself in a nice twirly skirt or overalls doing a square dance, I’m sure you’ll get the picture.

Kyle has in becoming a mushroom hunter. He has found oyster mushrooms (smell and taste like oysters), shiitake mushrooms (the best in my opinion), chicken mushrooms (consistency of chicken...weird), and chanterelle mushrooms (smell like apricots!). Here is one of his latest, an oyster mushroom.

Why is it that babies bring smiles no matter what species they are? We have new babies on the farm and they result in big smiles and high pitch voices of oohs and ahhhs. 10 ducklings. I can't wait until they are all walking in a row behind their mamma. I love that they are yellow and brown. When they grow up however, they will be white, black and shiny green like their mom.

The weird coloring is from a heat lamp above them.

Making Glass...

Robert let us blow glass today. Except there wasn't any blowing involved. Lots of turning, thinking, and gravity. Xander taught us how to make paper weights!!! It was hard to focus on what I was making because I had constantly turn the rod. The rod gets dipped into the glass which has been heated up to a liquid. If you stop turning, the liquid falls. A combination of heating, then shaping, then heating, then shaping, then cutting it off the rod makes a pretty little ball. Very complex. We'll show pictures of the finished product after it cools. Enjoy.

Strawberry pickin'

Wild flowers are out

Kale!

Arugala

Black Walnuts?

Learned how berries come about. They pop right out of the middle of the flower as the pedals fall off. Probably learned that in school at some point, but it's more amazing in real life.

Millions of peaches, peaches for free

I like looking at all the baby fruits. They're cute for one, and they give you a sense of expectation for the harvest.

Blueberries, to be ready around July 4th

Green pepper from the garden

Some of our garden beds. Weeding is fun.

One of the first chanterelle mushrooms to pop up in the woods.

Our first farmers market.

We put down a laminate floor together. Much easier than real wood. Remember the condo Lee?

Planting potatoes.

Lots learned so far...lots more to do.

Kyle

The Barn

It took us 2 days, but we did it. Barns are dirty dirty places. But now ours is so clean you could eat off the floor!! Well maybe that wouldn't be a good idea, but you get the point. It's CLEAN and organized!!!

Before

After

Before

After

Before

After

I found it...

This will have nothing to do with the farm. However, it will make your tummy smile. 6 months ago I discovered I was allergic to milk. Bummer. It's a bummer mainly because in order to get that beautiful crunchy outside/chewy inside cookie, you need butter. I have been diligently trying to find/create a dairy free cookie that would satisfy my sweet tooth. Lo and behold....I found it. After many many horrible and half horrible attempts, by the grace of God it is here. This cookie is perfect for me in many ways. And no, I did not eat them all in one sitting. Did I want? YES, but I had self control. Of course you can substitute the cranberries and walnuts for raisins, choc. chips, any nut, coconut, etc. Because I love you so much, I will share it. God bless you and this recipe.

Cranberry Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

http://www.madejustright.com/user/recipe/cranberry-walnut-oatmeal-cookies

Back to the farm!!

Sorry for the long break. We had a great time in Florida celebrating the marriage of Rob and Rachel, the engagement of Jacob and Victoria, and the birth of baby Cole, playing with Judah, long talks with mom and dad, loads of fun on the beach with Kenna and Diogo, and hanging out with other family and friends like the Nelsens. We even got to see Denton for a few days. Unfortunately, we are horrible at taking pictures and only have a few of these events on film.

We spent Saturday at the Strolling of the Heifers. This is a parade/fair in Brattleboro full of animals, food, and people.

Chick Pea Carrot Soup that I found on a blog. So good. I added mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, and chicken. I also only pureed the chick peas and orange juice leaving the soup chunky. YUM! http://markbittman.com/31157907

This is what happens to your rhubarb when you leave it for 2 weeks! It grows trees!

Baby llamas at the fair.

Save My Ass is an organization that saves donkeys and promotes the usage of them just like horses. We didn't really understand it, but they had funny t-shirts and kissing booths.

Strolling of the Heifers

I learned a new trick. This ones for you Luc!!!