tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34381199085296205392024-03-13T08:28:07.376-07:00Backyard HomesteadingOne Woman's Adventures in Wannabe Self Reliancemitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-23631058854365773122011-11-04T16:35:00.000-07:002011-11-04T16:35:43.933-07:00the endLike my last blog, I got bored with this one and am now chronicling our adventures at <a href="http://mountainstead.blogspot.com/">mountainstead.blogspot.com</a>. Rock on!mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-10762165566441160322009-06-15T11:18:00.000-07:002009-06-15T12:11:28.339-07:00I'm A Hack SparkyI have an obsession with lighting.<br /><br />Overhead lights make me very upset with their annoying, unflattering, harsh shadows, especially in the morning when I'm not yet awake and trying to make coffee without tripping over the dogs who are impatiently waiting to be fed.<br /><br />I have slowly replaced almost every lighting fixture in my house with nice, efficient halogen spot lights, although by the time I am finally done, this will likely all be outdated, and I'll have to start all over again. Additionally, my level of skill in the electrical world is probably on par with the reject that wired our house in the first place. It hasn't been pretty.<br /><br />Lately, I've been getting very jealous when I see nice, new kitchens in the fancy home magazines with built in under-cabinet lighting and all it's pleasant moodiness. Well, that and fancy granite/marble/concrete/copper/stainless/whatever counter tops that lack my 1" 1970's grout lines that soak up every bloody spill my drunk friends/family like to dish out in my kitchen, but we won't go there today.<br /><br />I was at my favorite hardware store the other day and noticed that they have these xenon under-cabinet light kits and decided to try my hand again at electrical work. It was totally fun actually because they worked on the first try and now I don't have to be blinded in the morning whilst whipping up Hub's morning smoothie. I'm hoping they don't lead to my burning the house down - fingers crossed.<br /><br />Plus, isn't it fun when you get to see the inside of someone else's house whom you do not know? My other weird obsession is seeing the insides of other people's abodes. Very strange, I know.<br /><br />Anyway, here's my kitchen with the new-halogen-but-still-overhead-lights lights combined with my new xenon under-cabinet lights:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3613288933/" title="IMG_2794 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3613288933_5f75b0146d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2794" /></a><br /><br />And here's with only the xenon lights:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3613286541/" title="IMG_2788 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3662/3613286541_2ca81a7d4d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2788" /></a><br /><br />Much improved for morning coffee and smoothie making.mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-9795290311158991952009-06-10T17:00:00.000-07:002009-06-10T17:23:14.445-07:00Happy Peas<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The peas are getting fat like they're supposed to.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3614114280/" title="IMG_2808 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3614114280_b2bfa25f0f.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2808" /></a><br /></div><br />I made the mistake of not re-reading the seed packet the other day and excitedly picked off a pea pod and force fed it to my husband because "O, it just tastes so sweet and fresh!", and then realized that this is supposed to be a SHELLING PEA, to be consumed sans shell. Well, it sure tasted good to me, but I will obey <a href="http://www.reneesgarden.com/">Renee's</a> instructions and wait until the pods get fat with their little pea goodness and then shell them like the good gardener I'm trying to be. Gardening is a serious test of my attention span.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I find the pea tendrils totally fascinating and pretty.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3614111976/" title="IMG_2807 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3614111976_c8db82acf8.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2807" /></a><br /></div><br />Something stupid has been eating my cut-and-come-again butter lettuce before I got the chance to actually cut it again. I believe my VB1's impenetrable squirrel/bird/cat/whatever proofing has indeed been penetrated by a squirrel.<br /><br />One by one, a different lettuce head disappeared each morning, but I was too stubborn to reinforce the previously mentioned varmint proofing, and the chives aren't doing so hot anyway, so I pulled out the lettuce and am going to transplant the chives somewhere in the backyard where they'll get more sun.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sorry, Lettuce, you can't share a bed with the chives anymore. Don't take it personally.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3613291037/" title="IMG_2804 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3613291037_e1cca14e2d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2804" /></a><br /></div><br />Not sure what I'm going to replace the chives and lettuce with. Maybe I'll try some root vegetables again.mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-57040723777080236722009-06-01T12:52:00.000-07:002009-06-02T16:43:08.166-07:00I Am Able To Grow Something And Eat It, Too!Amazing!<br /><br />It's not much, but considering that this is Trial Year Gardening for me, I'm pretty pleased with myself.<br /><br />O yea, and I almost broke the new/old truck on Saturday. Loaded 1.5 tons of landscaping rock in a 3/4 ton truck. Whoops. She's doing ok after that harrowing experience. I'm doing ok, too, after being yelled at for a good 20 minutes on basic knowledge of payload capacity.<br /><br />But let's put that all behind us and get back to the Butter Lettuce.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Don't mind my 15-year-old ghetto salad spinner.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3575385521/" title="first harvest of the spring 2009 season! by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3575385521_ba8e3bde68.jpg" alt="first harvest of the spring 2009 season!" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I learned that you can cut-and-come-again (bwahahahaha!) the lettuce, which means you can cut it, and it'll grow back a few more times.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3575394349/" title="Untitled by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3575394349_ca2bb0ae68.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br />Note to self: don't use the leftover chicken pine bedding to mulch the lettuces as it sticks to the leaves like super glue.mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-16357456489833465622009-05-29T17:05:00.000-07:002009-05-29T17:30:17.562-07:00We Don't Know What Her Name Is YetI'm not going to be one of those bloggers that doesn't write something for what seems like eons and then apologizes to his/her non-existent readers for not keeping them posted on the day-ins and day-outs whatever the fuck he/she babbles about. Those people are annoying, so you get no apologies from me. I've been busy.<br /><br />Busy buying a farm truck, that is!!<br /><br />After searching hi and low throughout the South Bay and Santa Cruz and Monterey and wherever else Craigslist took us, we finally settled on this beauty.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Well, she was just 17, You know what I mean..." started going through my head.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3574092517/" title="Untitled by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3606/3574092517_0d9a191eb1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;">It started right up the very first time. And it wasn't warmed up prior to our arrival.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3574094637/" title="started right up the very first time! by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3574094637_310bdae42e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="started right up the very first time!" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The seat springs on the driver side are totally shot. Hence, the Driving Pillow. Makes for a fun, bouncy ride!</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3574905958/" title="the pillow is necessary because the springs are shot... by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/3574905958_ee1bc26408.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="the pillow is necessary because the springs are shot..." /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I got distracted by a bee in a flower while Hub finished "the transaction". I tend to do that.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3575285251/" title="Untitled by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/3575285251_5767911246.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Smart Husband installed a tachometer because I drive like a retard without one.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3576098110/" title="new tachometer! by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3576098110_226b69e026.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="new tachometer!" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Smart Husband also rebuilt the carburetor, changed the spark plugs, fuel filter, and other things I don't know how to say nor care about.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3576115408/" title="rebuilt Holley carburetor by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3576115408_17a960673b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="rebuilt Holley carburetor" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Now I can say, "I'm gonna take the ol' girl to the hardware/materials/nursery/whatever store." Wheee!</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3575312727/" title="nice and spiffied up! by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3349/3575312727_62aa6cc9b1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="nice and spiffied up!" /></a><br /></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-39822209991487616192009-05-04T15:09:00.000-07:002009-05-04T15:28:49.200-07:00I Have Reclaimed Our Computer RoomThe computer room has been home to the chickens for the past seven weeks now, and I didn't even bother trying to clean it while they were in there because it would be covered in dust again within a day. Dust from their pine bedding and their food crumbles was on EVERY FRIGGIN SURFACE of that room. I spent two hours this morning wiping everything down and cleaning the floor.<br /><br />They moved into the chicken tractor permanently on Saturday, and of course, I woke up periodically throughout the night to check on them like the crazy Mother Hen that I am. I thought the rain this weekend would be a bad thing, but it actually helps to insulate the air and kept the temperature at around 55 all night long, so they were quite cozy all hunkered down for the night.<br /><br />Being stupid chickens that they are, they kept trying to cram into one corner of the tractor, and because we put diagonal cross braces in each corner, they were all vying for that one spot between the frame and the cross brace where it was extra snuggly and warm (one would snatch up that spot, and the others would lay on top of her - I actually felt them while they were in this configuration, and the one on the bottom was almost hot!). So I decided to fashion a sleeping nest out of an old cardboard box that I cut down so that it is only about four inches tall, stuffed it full of pine bedding, and put it in that same corner. They instantly took to it and snuggled down and weren't freaking out about who got the warm spot.<br /><br />We also went to a feed store in San Jose on Saturday and bought them a gigantic waterer and feeder. My trusty Rural Hardware in Los Gatos didn't have any with hooks/handles attached with which to hang them from the top of the tractor. This place also sold ready-made nesting boxes, but they didn't have a hinged lid - Hub, however, was able to get a better idea of how to build them for our coop.<br /><br />Lastly, I nailed the dowel that we had inserted into their indoor cardboard box accommodations onto the tractor frame so that they have another roost instead of just using the cross braces.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Thank you for putting us outside permanently. We were very unhappy indoors."</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3500302445/" title="IMG_3825 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3500302445_c156a47200.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3825" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Yo, this is MY feeder."</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3500311033/" title="IMG_3829 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/3500311033_162b68b510.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3829" /></a><br /></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-33501411549321796542009-05-01T09:48:00.000-07:002009-05-01T10:16:46.685-07:00The Dog is JealousWe had some leftovers from dinner at <a href="http://www.scopazzisrestaurant.com/">Scopazzi's</a> last weekend consisting of a bacon-wrapped beef medallion, some mashed potatoes, and a few pieces of saucy broccoli, so we decided to give the girls a treat. Now, they are no longer satisfied with plain, old lay crumbles anymore - the ladies promptly DEVOURED almost every last morsel of the leftovers as well as half a banana leftover from this morning's smoothie. Again, we realize now that we mistakenly brought home pigs, not chickens.<br /><br />We looked up in my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Country-Living-Carla-Emery/dp/1570615535/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_k2a_3_img?pf_rd_p=304485601&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-2&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0912365951&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0KDK5QF8T56TSNAR9JK4">Encyclopedia of Country Living</a> book whether it was okay to give chickens leftovers <span style="font-style: italic;">after</span> we realized that the ladies were becoming rather lethargic after their gorge-fest. Fortunately, all is well and they were just overstuffed - you can apparently give chickens just about anything to eat, but shit, I was kinda worried there for a minute.<br /><br />Needless to say, the dog was insanely jealous. So we let him scrounge around after the chickens were transported indoors for the night. I'm pretty sure he ate some chicken poop, too. Yuk.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">It's not every day you see a 105 lb. American Bulldog in a chicken tractor, you know.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3491599330/" title="IMG_2633 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/3491599330_b3f28b57e7.jpg" alt="IMG_2633" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Ma, I can't turn around in here."</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3490787423/" title="IMG_2634 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3490787423_fbc6d0199d.jpg" alt="IMG_2634" width="375" height="500" /></a></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-20539911350255001362009-04-30T09:04:00.000-07:002009-04-30T09:37:17.683-07:00They're Gawky Teenagers NowI remember looking up pictures of Buff Orpingtons and Barred (or Plymouth) Rock chickens when I first brought these bad girls home and being taken aback by how ugly they would become as they entered their awkward teenage years (weeks?). Perhaps it's a mother's love, but they don't seem to have ever become funny looking or ugly to me, and I'm pretty sure they've surpassed the ugly phase already and are well on their way to becoming lovely, healthy layers that will supply me with lots of yummy chicken tampons (this is how Hub refers to eggs; way before Howard Stern ever called them that, THANKYOU). If not, Hub will need to whip up some of his unreal-good BBQ sauce and the girls will become dinner.<br /><br />We have been bringing the ladies out every afternoon, and now they get very angry if left in the house too long: trying to fly out of their box, knocking over their waterer, and generally being temperamental and rebellious teenagers. The plan was to move them outside permanently this weekend, but with stupid rain on the forecast, we may be forced to keep them indoors for a few more days, much to their dismay.<br /><br />Trixie and Egg Carton (the Barred Rocks) are pretty much impossible to tell apart now, except that Trixie doesn't mind being held, while Egg Carton has a hissy fit if you try to pick her up. Brat.<br /><br />McNugget and Peep (the Buff Orpingtons) like to fight a lot. Let's just say that it would be to their advantage NOT to end up being roosters.<br /><br />So far, they don't like radishes but love radish greens, balk at broccoli except the leaves, and eat bugs and worms like there's no tomorrow. They turned 6 (weeks) on Tuesday. I LOVE THEM.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"We're going to pout and face the wall because we're not outside.</span>"<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3485349851/" title="IMG_2595 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/3485349851_7635c34978.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2595" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3485348091/" title="IMG_2592 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3369/3485348091_2d29563d26.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2592" /></a><br /></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-21056662599852280602009-04-29T08:49:00.000-07:002009-04-29T09:20:44.453-07:00The Carrots Are Being LameI'm not sure what their problem is, but they don't get a picture because they just haven't done much in the growing department lately, and I am not amused by their slow-growth antics.<br /><br />The beets are on my shit-list, too, because I took a picture of them yesterday that looks almost exactly like the one I took of them ALMOST ONE MONTH EARLIER.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">March 29, 2009.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3396589163/" title="IMG_2383 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3396589163_1f6e4dd33a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2383" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">April 28, 2009. WTF?</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3486171394/" title="IMG_2599 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3486171394_80842fc6c9.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2599" /></a><br /></div><br />Perhaps this is because root vegetables do all their growing underground and then their greens grow all crazy right before they're ready to be harvested? I don't know, but that's what I'm telling myself because Lord knows I have given these guys some serious love.<br /><br />Spinach is doing OK, I suppose, but needs to get his ass in gear because I'm going on a diet and need more greens. Something appears to be munching on it, too. Must be a bug of some sort because Fort Knox has got nothing on me when it comes to how secure this bed is.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Holey spinach.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3485355291/" title="IMG_2598 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/3485355291_4b2df54c95.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2598" /></a><br /></div><br />The peas are my friends because they are doing what they're supposed to do like good little peas and growing to my satisfaction.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thanks, Peas. You guys totally rock.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3486167950/" title="IMG_2597 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3486167950_a239a753b9.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2597" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The ghetto pea trellis.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3486172776/" title="IMG_2600 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3486172776_f3bd27bd73.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2600" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The cilantro and green onions seem pretty happy in their large pot.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3486174690/" title="IMG_2601 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3370/3486174690_138c2ef9f6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2601" /></a><br /></div><br />It appears to be a good thing that I bought tomato seedlings because these guys aren't very excited about growing yet. I thought tomatoes were supposed to be easy to grow, so this is not much of a testament to my seed starting skills.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">We're being stubborn.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3485361339/" title="IMG_2602 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3387/3485361339_4d4290aaa9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2602" /></a><br /></div><br />On the bright side, the butter lettuce and chives seems to be enjoying their home in VB1, and Justin's Future Pickles have poked their heads out of VB2. The yellow squash and zucchini are taking their sweet time.<br /><br />Out of frustration from all my vegetables' slow-growth shenanigans, I made a tea the other day from Foxfarm's Peace of Mind fertilizer and gave everyone a good feeding, so hopefully they'll thank me by fulfilling my need to feel like a somewhat successful gardener and just grow faster already.mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-2717038229717836142009-04-28T15:12:00.000-07:002009-04-28T15:41:19.200-07:00Long-Ass To-Do ListI took Friday off since Hub was off <a href="http://www.yerbabuena1.com/">clamping</a> for the weekend with his drinking buddies and yet still barely made a dent in my yard to-do list. I blame this on the fact that future SiL (sis-in-law) was in town as well, so I felt obligated to entertain her to some extent: so I put her ass to work in my yard. Unfortunately, SiL has mad allergies, so after only 20 minutes or so of weed pulling, had a good excuse to not help me with my yard work anymore. She made a valiant effort, however.<br /><br />Here's my list:<br /><strike>1. make a trellis for the peas</strike><br />2. take old toilets, empty propane tanks, and other miscellaneous crap at front and side of house to dump<br /><strike>3. eradicate blackberry bush up against house, including roots<br />4. clean out shed and move it where blackberry bush was<br /></strike>5. burn remaining brush<br /><strike>6. move compost bin away from house and turn it</strike><br />7. figure out what kind of ground cover to fill parking space with, then cover it<br />8. spread gravel along north side of house - fill in washing machine drainage ditch<br />9. take down stupid pear tree that litters tiny white flowers all over your driveway<br />10. buy a gas-powered blower because your electric blower is retarded<br />11. wash and clean out Tacoma<br />12. re-position clothesline<br />13. make the extra bedroom into a canning/storage room (IKEA trip?)<br />14. build a fence out of T-posts and welded wire fencing for your future goats<br /><br />My pea trellis turned out pretty ghetto, but I think it will work.<br /><br />You notice how it says toilet<span style="font-weight: bold;">s</span>, plural? Yes, we are white trash. I'm ok with that. It scares away the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses.<br /><br />I forgot that burn season ends on April 30th and am kicking myself for not finishing off the last tiny bit of the burn pile.<br /><br />So yea, my percentage completion rate is only 28.5 percent, but to my credit, instead of starting out with yard work on Friday morning, I opted to rip the frightening orange carpet from 1976 (I'm not kidding) out of our bedroom. I found a somewhat thread-bare but pretty clean Karastan rug on CL the other day for $20 from some lady that thought I was a college student (BLESS HER HEART), and it just so happens to be almost the same dimension as our oddly-sized bedroom (11.5' x 18'), so out with the old carpet, and in with an antique (ha!) rug. Some sort of rug is necessary because our house was built in 1963 and has asbestos tile flooring in the bedrooms, which isn't exactly cozy to walk on with bare feet - I plan to hunt down the person that made this unfortunate decision and strangle him/her someday. As long as you don't try to remove the tiles, it's not a health hazard, but WTF (that would be who, not what) would install vinyl tile flooring in a bedroom anyway?<br /><br />I like the rug a lot! I'll take a picture for you once I get all the furniture back in place and post it soon. I even remembered to take BEFORE pictures so you can understand just how much happier I am without gnarly orange carpet in my sleeping quarters.mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-6351823843179247462009-04-23T09:39:00.000-07:002009-04-23T10:04:22.780-07:00You've Got Nuthin On Me, ChardI got Hub to eat green vegetables last night - lots of them. No, really, I did.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Noce's All-Green-Like Stir-Fry.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3467556953/" title="IMG_2538 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3467556953_dfe67d9b99.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2538" /></a><br /></div><br />Ingredients:<br /><ol><li>The massive bunch of chard that came in the farm share today, ribs removed and chopped up<br /></li><li>One young onion (aka spring onion; or you could use a leek) leftover from last week's farm share, sliced<br /></li><li>A lot of broccoli, chopped (or not, if you prefer big trees)<br /></li><li>Two chicken breasts, sliced into bite-size pieces<br /></li><li>1 cup Black Pepper Sauce from Trader Joe's</li><li>1 1/2 cups Sweet & Sour Sauce from TJ's</li><li>2 1/2 Tbsp. butter</li><li>Garlic, minced</li><li>Some slivered almonds</li><li>Some sesame seeds</li><li>Lemon pepper and salt, to taste<br /></li><li>Basmati or Jasmine rice<br /></li></ol>How to:<br /><br />In a BIG saute pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter and add the young onion/spring onion/leek. Let it sizzle for maybe ten minutes (start cooking your rice in a rice cooker about now), then add the chicken. Season with lemon pepper and salt.<br /><br />Add the broccoli and chard (holy cow, that's a lot of chard) to the chicken, cover, and let cook until broccoli is bright green and chard has (significantly) reduced in size. Not so scary looking now, is it?<br /><br />Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together your Black Pepper Sauce and Sweet & Sour Sauce. I'm just guessing on the quantities here, but I probably had about 1.5 cups, which is why I put those particular amounts in the ingredients list, but I really don't know how much it was. My stir-frys always seem to be disappointingly un-saucy, so I really sauced it up this time, and it obviously worked out because Husband ate it all.<br /><br />Now toss your garlic into the Fry. Stir it up.<br /><br />Wait for the click on the rice cooker to tell you that your rice is done, then add all that good sauciness to the Fry.<br /><br />Now, serve yourself up some rice, slather on some of that Fry, and garnish with the almonds and sesame seeds.mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-11969312192710757942009-04-22T09:04:00.000-07:002009-04-22T09:18:16.941-07:00Line Drying Season Has BegunOK, maybe I was little negative yesterday with all my Earth Day un-support rhetoric.<br /><br />Although I don't understand why people get so excited about it, I do appreciate the sense of community and togetherness that Earth Day brings about. I still think it's total BS, but I also try to be a relatively positive person, and slamming people for having kids probably isn't going to accomplish much. Even so, I am a big proponent of the Voluntary Human Extinction Movement and think everyone should peruse the <a href="http://www.vhemt.org/">www.vhemt.org</a> website and draw their own conclusions. I'd be interested to know what people think.<br /><br />Moving on to more exciting things (at least in my head), most people who know me are aware of my obsession with drying laundry on my clothesline. Nothing beats extra crispy towels and the smell of Outside on my clothes. This is another trait I get from my Ma.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Soft, dryer-sheet-dried towels from the dryer? I THINK NOT.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3457483711/" title="IMG_2528 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3457483711_54303a06d9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2528" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Crispy, freshy bed linens.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3457489587/" title="IMG_2530 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3457489587_30fa894cab.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2530" /></a><br /></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-15961660114117432512009-04-21T12:39:00.000-07:002009-04-21T14:00:49.395-07:00Cats Don't Care About Earth DayAnd neither do I.<br /><br />Let me show you:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Nekkie has no consideration for the fragile Alligator Lizard population in my backyard.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3458271692/" title="IMG_2460 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/3458271692_b9eff61ded.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2460" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Lizard drops tail, confuses cat.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3458274492/" title="IMG_2464 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3458274492_d200258046.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2464" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Liz says to me, "I'm totally smarter than your cat."</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3458276954/" title="IMG_2467 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/3458276954_21723774ea.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2467" /></a><br /></div><br />I think Earth Day and all this green bullshit is just a really sad excuse for people to feel better about their incessant procreating and whathaveyou because they don't want to admit that their decision to populate the planet further is the sole reason for its demise.<br /><br />O, and it's something for big corporations to totally capitalize on, but that's a discussion for another day.<br /><br />Not that I believe that Earth is in trouble anyway - we will destroy ourselves far before we have any long-lasting effect on the Big E. Humans are funny in how we always have to make it about us.<br /><br />Here's a thoughtful quote to help console oneself amidst all this earthy Doom and Gloom:<br /><br />"No American city comes remotely close to being sustainable. There are too many people on the planet to make it sustainable with any technology. Utopians believe that the earth can handle 6 billion and more of us to come, but every ecological system in the biosphere is collapsing at rates not seen since the last mass-extinction. Thus, I'm not especially concerned about someone driving a hummer or failing to recycle a plastic bottle.<br /><br />Most of our environmentalism primarily serves the purpose of making us feel good about ourselves. It's not doing anything to 'save the planet'. The planet will be fine, it's doing a good job of ramping up all kinds of anti-human defenses. Read any science journal and you'll see countless reports of ways in which we're destroying our own habitat (and that of many other species), but life will go on just fine as it always does. It will go on with a very different balance of species and a lot of opportunities for new species to evolve during the post-hominid epoch." -- from username "TheHarvester" on www.city-data.com<br /><br />I remember my Pops telling me a long time ago about his theory that we should use up all the fossil fuels on Earth so that there's nothing left and we have to develop new technology to support ourselves that does not rely on a finite amount of resources. I thought it was absurd at the time - it makes perfect sense to me now.<br /><br />So why am I trying to be a "homesteader"? Because I am doing this for fun, THANKS. Gardening is fun. Baby chicks are totally cute. Composting benefits the food I get to eat. I'm all in it for the gratification.<br /><br />I also don't trust anyone. I value self-sufficiency for the sole reason that I don't want to rely on anyone else for my livelihood (other than the Hub for emotional support and because I just like him so darn much). This may never actually come to be, but I can certainly have fun trying.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong now, y'all! I love all the rug rats that my friends and family have had (and will have in the future). I simply savor the freedom of handing them back over at the end of the day after I've gotten my kid fix.<br /><br />Earth Day is tomorrow. Show your un-support by choosing to ignore it like me.mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-34002254441268763832009-04-20T09:20:00.000-07:002009-04-20T10:00:22.407-07:00I Love Bark MulchMy front yard is starting to look like I actually care about it. I am so proud.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"> I got another truckload of bark mulch on Sunday, and, after much weeding and leveling of the dirt, spread it around. I just can't get enough of this stuff. Bark mulch makes everything tidy and neat and oh-so-organized looking. LOVE.<br /><br /></div> <span style="font-size:85%;">Bark mulch!</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3458293276/" title="IMG_2520 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3458293276_b514f49447.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2520" /></a><br /></div><br />I also made another vegetable bed - we'll call him Vegetable Bed #2, or VB2. It's the same size as the first one - I used 28 bricks for each bed. This time, however, I mixed some steer manure into the top soil to hopefully give the zucchini, yellow squash, and cucumber seeds the boost they need. This area doesn't get a whole lot of sun, so I'm trying to give them the best chance possible to provide me with lots of yummy vegetables.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> I would recommend wearing gloves when spreading manure. Ew.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3457466311/" title="IMG_2512 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3457466311_a8acdcdb7a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2512" /></a><br /></div><br />The butter lettuce in Vegetable Bed #1 (VB1) seems to be pretty happy. I used some Foxfarm fertilizer in this bed instead of the steer manure. It will be interesting to see which bed does better.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Getting bigger, slowly but surely.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3457462321/" title="IMG_2508 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3515/3457462321_fb7de27528.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2508" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The chives are looking more edible by the day.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3458288956/" title="IMG_2514 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/3458288956_853f43ebfd.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2514" /></a><br /></div><br />I removed the chicken wire I originally had covering VB1 and replaced it with some welded wire leftover from the chicken tractor extravaganza. It is much neater looking and will also be tall enough for the butter lettuce and chives, although I need to figure out how to cover the ends and will also need to get more welded wire anyway for VB2.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">You can't get to us now, stupid deer.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3457478633/" title="IMG_2524 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3457478633_13171e704c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2524" /></a><br /></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-76526837551681114762009-04-15T12:21:00.000-07:002009-04-15T12:41:34.331-07:00Trial RunHub was able to cut out the door to the tractor this past Saturday and attach the two hinges as well as the lock, so since it was so nice and sunny and warm, we decided to take the chicks for a trial run in their new digs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Fancy, new, predator-proof (fingers crossed) door.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3437343155/" title="IMG_2429 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3437343155_fa2ed254f3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2429" /></a><br /></div><br />They were a bit unsure what to do at first and had this odd tendency to just lay down sideways on the ground instead of standing and pecking around - I think this was just confusion on their part because they are chickens, after all, and not a whole lot goes on in those heads of theirs.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">You want us to do what?</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3438168146/" title="IMG_2439 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3438168146_8e38d477c8.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2439" /></a><br /></div><br />BUT, after a few minutes of huddling together, taking in their new surroundings, one by one they started to branch off from the group and peck around at all that lovely greenery and bugs and whatever it is that chickens do on the ground.<br /><br />I think it was Egg Carton that welcomed herself into the tractor by taking a nice, big dump. Good girl! Momma is proud.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Not quite sure how to navigate the roosts.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3437361603/" title="IMG_2443 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3437361603_42c870a771.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2443" /></a><br /></div><br />Within 30 seconds, both cats came prowling out of the corners of the yard and were quite disappointed to discover that the chicks had a solid fortress surrounding them and would not become kitty snacks today.mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-58120573876354348132009-04-14T08:42:00.000-07:002009-04-14T16:57:08.859-07:00Beet Candy......more or less. I think you could even get kids to eat this, and I know you can get husbands to eat it because I've done it myself.<br /><br />Here goes:<br />1. Peel and trim some beets.<br />2. Slice them <span style="font-style: italic;">thinly</span> cross-wise. The thinner the better because then they cook faster and caramelize better.<br />3. Throw a pat or two of butter in a small sauce pan over medium low heat, let it foam up, then add your beets.<br />4. Let them sizzle around for a little bit, preferably covered so they steam and cook faster.<br />5. Maybe start whatever other dinner plans you have since this could be considered dessert. I'm not joking.<br />6. Toss in some pine nuts.<br />7. Add a pinch or two of salt.<br />8. Then, the most important ingredient of all (other than the beets): get out your sugar and toss a handful in there.<br />9. Stir it around so that the sugar dissolves, and then let it cook, covered, for maybe 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how thickly you sliced your beets, until they're done but not mushy and the added sugar and natural sugar from the beets has had a chance to caramelize.<br /><br />Husband picks up fork and tastes.<br />Husband proclaims that they're "really good".<br />And then the icing on the cake: HE GOES BACK FOR MORE.<br /><br />Amazing!<br /><br />I'm thinking that you might be able to omit the pinch of salt because when I first started making these beets, I had no idea what I was going to add (sugar?), so I thought salt was in order, but Husband thought the salt added a complex flavor when married with the sugar. Like sweet and salty?<br /><br />I also think that this would be super tops with some caramelized sweet onions and sprinkles of Blue cheese.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I think you would be sorry if you omitted the Knob Creek, but that's really up to you.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3441649022/" title="IMG_2457 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3441649022_75556b1a36.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2457" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">See? Just like candy.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3440838251/" title="IMG_2458 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3440838251_cf0cafcc5f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2458" /></a><br /></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-58342182919718605622009-04-13T08:36:00.000-07:002009-04-13T09:08:24.034-07:00Chanterelles Taste Like ChickenThey really do!<br /><br />I don't think I've ever had Chanterelle mushrooms before, but they came in the farm share unexpectedly last week, and I had been deliberating all week about how to cook them because I wanted to put them in something that Hub would eat but never got around to figuring out what that magic dish might be. Sunday rolls around, and they're still sitting on my counter, so I decided to just throw them in a pan with some walnut oil (because I'm a bad wife and had failed to restock the butter supply) and garlic, and yea, wow, pretty much tastes like chicken after throwing in a splash of rice vinegar at the last minute.<br /><br />I was somewhat scared of their crazy shape, but I ate them all. Hooray for expanding my culinary horizons.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Chantarelles = an expensive chicken substitute.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3437364449/" title="IMG_2445 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3437364449_c18d057a04.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2445" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3437368013/" title="IMG_2446 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3437368013_8dd6f808f8.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2446" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3437371451/" title="IMG_2448 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3437371451_565989fd91.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2448" /></a><br /></div><br />On to gardening: we had all these leftover pieces of Trex decking from building, well, our deck, and I knew I could use them for something, so I decided to make planter boxes out of them. I drilled and screwed them using 2.5" galvanized deck screws - they're not exactly square, but I don't think the tomatoes will mind much.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Happy tomaters.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3437355727/" title="IMG_2438 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3437355727_1319bd070b.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2438" /></a><br /></div><br />Then, I built one for the thyme plant I had as well as one more. I wasn't sure what to put in it, and then I remembered that I had some leek ends that a gardening friend of mine told me I could just put right back in the ground and they'll grow back! We'll see what happens. Not ten minutes after I put the leeks in the soil, Gravel dug one up. I think some welded wire barricades are in order here.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">They seem to be multiplying.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3437375137/" title="IMG_2449 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3572/3437375137_7fe04e6493.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2449" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thyme.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3437378051/" title="IMG_2450 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3608/3437378051_4fcfec7c6e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2450" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Leek rear ends.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3438190144/" title="IMG_2451 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/3438190144_20b4d11e23.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2451" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">More tomaters.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3438192982/" title="IMG_2455 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3580/3438192982_211b5b97e9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2455" /></a><br /></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-34337294621389465242009-04-09T10:19:00.000-07:002009-04-09T11:37:20.393-07:00How To Disguise Vegetables | Round 2Although not official, Round 1 would have been that awesome soup I made up the other day in my effort to use up the farm share vegetables.<br /><br />Round 2 is just as simple as the soup but involves noodles and sauce instead. Actually, when you think about it, soup is kinda like noodles and sauce, too, since I put noodles in my soup. I guess you could call this Really Thick Soup. Really thick. Or pasta if you want to be like that.<br /><br />Here goes:<br /><br /><ul><li>1 bunch Red Russian kale, chopped up just a bit so you can fit it in the pan without dropping it all over the floor and having to wipe up the resulting slobber from the dogs who thought they were getting something good and then realized they were eating KALE</li></ul><ul><li>2 leeks, sliced (most of green tops removed and discarded; a little green is OK, though) - remember to wash those babies thoroughly lest you end up with gritty pasta... EW.</li></ul><ul><li>some leftover breakfast sausage (flesh-free pasta would be fine, but I had like 1/4 lb. left in the freezer and I'm <span style="font-style: italic;">reeeeally</span> trying to not let food go unused. I'll probably get fat because of this.)</li></ul><ul><li>a handful of nuts (I used both walnuts and slivered almonds because I didn't have enough of one kind)</li></ul><ul><li>garlic, minced</li></ul><ul><li>some butter</li></ul><ul><li>some olive oil</li></ul><ul><li>some grated Parmesan</li></ul><ul><li>a sturdy type of noodle (I used linguine)</li></ul><ul><li>salt and pepper, to taste</li></ul><ul><li>lemon juice, optional</li></ul>Put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. Make yourself a cocktail.<br /><br />Meanwhile, in a medium-sized pan over medium heat, saute up the sausage until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.<br /><br />Don't forget to add your noodles to your boiling water. Sucks when you make crazy good sauce and it's all ready to slather on your noodles and then you realize that you forgot to cook them.<br /><br />Using the same pan but over medium-low heat, toss some butter in there and add the leeks. Let them sizzle around for a bit until they start to brown and get creamy.<br /><br />Add the kale and stir it around until it starts to cook down. Ignore Hub's That Looks Gross face and continue with your dinner plan unfazed.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This would not pass for dinner as is.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3423974496/" title="IMG_2409 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3423974496_9d08a89584.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2409" /></a><br /></div><br />Add your garlic and finish sauteing for just a few minutes, then remove from heat and transfer mixture to a food processor. Add some olive oil, Parmesan, and nuts a little at a time and puree until you think it looks like pesto. Observe Hub's look of relief now that he realizes you're making pesto and he likes pesto and thank goodness you're not making him eat those nasty greens in any recognizable form.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Pesto. For reals.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3423976606/" title="IMG_2410 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3577/3423976606_6148acb2fe.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2410" /></a><br /></div><br />Season the pesto with salt and pepper. Add some lemon juice if you have it on hand. Of course, add lots of Tabasco. People who don't like Tabasco are un-American.<br /><br />Drain your pasta and combine it with the kale mixture and sausage. Stare at Hub in disbelief when he exclaims that this is one of your better dishes. Polish off the rest of your cocktail to celebrate.<br /><br />Not that I care, but I'm pretty sure you could get kids to eat this, too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Looks safe, tastes delicious.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3423172859/" title="IMG_2413 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3423172859_01a4881a80.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2413" /></a><br /></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-51051879906538241402009-04-07T08:47:00.000-07:002009-04-07T09:43:20.484-07:00Making Use of the Farm ShareI feel much better today. I feel that I have a grasp on how to consume all these crazy vegetables. Soup is an amazing thing.<br /><br />I didn't take a picture of the soup because, well, I was hungry and impatient and the soup had been cooking for an hour and a half already, and Husband wasn't really going to wait any longer.<br /><br />But it was DELICIOUS. And Hub actually ate the chard and Red Russian kale that I cleverly camouflaged in the soup. I'm totally getting better at this.<br /><br />Because this was so bomb, here's how to put it all together. As with all soups, it's pretty adaptable:<br /><br />Step 1) Open refrigerator.<br />Step 2) Grab whatever vegetables need to be eaten TONIGHT.<br />Step 3) Throw it all together with some stock (or bouillon), salt, pepper, and some acid (preferably lemon) and cook that baby down until it's yum.<br /><br />OK, here's the more technical version. I get my kick-ass soup-making skills from my Ma, just so you know.<br /><br />You will need:<br />1) Those last few pieces of bacon that are almost freezer burned because you just didn't feel like cooking the whole package the last time you made bacon for breakfast. Like 4 pieces or so. Cut 'em up into manageable pieces (easier done when the bacon is semi-frozen).<br /><br />2) A few leftover sausages from last weekend's BBQ. 4 links is perfect. Slice 'em up.<br /><br />3) Some of the garlic that's been sitting on the window sill and is starting to sprout because you have been lazy and not chef-ed it up lately. If you married an Italian like me, you will be using 4 to 5 cloves.<br /><br />4) You could add some diced onion. But I didn't think to do that, and I do not regret it, but it would have been better because onion adds, like, mad flavor.<br /><br />5) The whole FRIGGIN bunch of chard AND Red Russian kale. Seriously, it's crazy big, but it WILL cook down. Cut it all up into ribbons. I cut out the center rib of the chard because I read somewhere that you're supposed to do that.<br /><br />6) Some beef stock + some beef bouillon because you're making Big Batch Soup tonight and want lots of leftovers.<br /><br />7) Maybe four red potatoes. You really don't remember how long they've been in the fridge, but you remembered to put them in your Debbie Meyer Green Bag, so they will still taste good. Cube 'em but don't bother peeling because that's way too much work.<br /><br />8) Whatever pasta is in the pantry - the one where you made 3/4 of the box because it seemed like a whole box would be too much last time you made pasta but now you're stuck with only 1/4 of a box of pasta and know that it's never going to get used because you wouldn't just cook pasta for yourself and not the two of you because that would be lame. I think I used Campanelle?<br /><br />9) One of the lemons you remembered to buy today. Cut it up so you can squeeze it.<br /><br />10) Some red wine vinegar, salt, and lots of pepper, to taste.<br /><br />11) Two drops of Dave's Insanity sauce. Do not use ONE DROP MORE or you will regret it.<br /><br />12) A toasted English muffin because you forgot to get French bread today and you must have some sort of bread to dip into your soup.<br /><br />OK! Here we go:<br /><br />Saute bacon until browned.<br />Add sausage.<br />(Add onions if you have them).<br />Add garlic.<br />Add greens (see? told you they would cook down).<br />Add beef broth, 6 cups of water, and 2 bouillon cubes.<br />Add potatoes.<br />Add pasta.<br />Squeeze that whole lemon in there.<br />Season it with salt and pepper.<br />Add Dave's.<br />Let it simmer until the potatoes start to fall apart and the starch from the pasta starts to make everything all thick and good.<br /><br />Consume.<br /><br />Rejoice.mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-52745727840095452042009-04-06T14:57:00.000-07:002009-04-06T15:16:19.436-07:00Picture-Free MondayIt's not my fault that I have no pictures for you this morning. OK, maybe it is my fault because I certainly had plenty of opportunity to take many a picture but was just so FN busy, what with Husband's brother in town all weekend and Husband's b-day on Saturday (where we ended up with 20+ people in our house on Saturday night that I did not prepare adequately for).<br /><br />Anyway, due to all this busyness, I have not even made a dent in the farm share that I picked up last Wednesday, and I'm stressing myself out with trying to figure out how to use it all without wasting anything.<br /><br />We <span style="font-style: italic;">have </span>eaten the apples and carrots at least, but all the leafy greens remain unused in their Debbie Meyer Green Bags in the vegetable crisper but Hallelujah! I did find some recipes that I can make between tonight and tomorrow night that will hopefully finish them all off (I see myself making LOTS of soup) and THEN WE GET TO START THIS FARM SHARE MADNESS all over again on Wednesday.<br /><br />I was not prepared for the sheer volume of food that I signed up for, but I promised myself I would stick with it, and so we'll see whether I'm tearing my hair out next Monday. Maybe I'll have a picture at least.<br /><br />So, here's a non-photograph-y description for you, dear reader, to let you know just how innovative I'm being with consuming this large volume of vegetables:<br /><br />I'm currently eating sunflower sprouts wrapped in salami. Yes, you read correctly.<br /><br />I accidentally left the sunflower sprouts unrefrigerated in my car on Saturday so they got all wilty on me, and I was too lazy (and lacking the necessary bread) to make a sandwich this morning, and sunflower sprouts are a bit gnarly to eat by themselves, so I'm bunching up a handful and smashing them into a piece of rolled salami, and whatdoyouknow, it's actually totally good.<br /><br />So there! I'm happy that I'm being clever like that but also a little disconcerted with the direction my culinary progression is taking me. I hope to provide you with better news (and a picture for Pete's sake) tomorrow so you can see that I really do know how to cook.mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-28395982185213085552009-04-02T08:42:00.000-07:002009-04-07T13:34:38.018-07:00Live Earth Farm CSAOK, check out the sheer awesomeness of my vegetable and fruit bounty.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Where's a cornucopia when you need one.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3406191155/" title="IMG_2400 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3406191155_c1c0562708.jpg" alt="IMG_2400" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br />No, I did not grow all this myself, but I like to think that I'm on my way to more enlightenment in the way of growing food because I joined the <a href="http://www.liveearthfarm.net/">Live Earth Farm</a> CSA program (aka, farm share) this year and picked up my first weekly order yesterday. Nevermind the fact that I am totally flummoxed as to what I could possibly make with all these leafy greens (currently furiously searching Epicurious with the keyword "red chard"), but we ARE going to eat all these vegetables in some way or other, even if this means disguising the collard greens in pizza or ice cream in order to get Husband to eat it. He's never been too pumped on vegetables, but I got pretty good at feeding them to him when I was a vegemetarian because I like to cook, and I've learned over the years what will and will not be consumed in my household.<br /><br />I did get him to take an apple with him to work today.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hub was excited about the romaine lettuce (behind the Crazy Big Leeks) because he likes Caesar salad.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3406199437/" title="IMG_2405 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3406199437_b764f2f038.jpg" alt="IMG_2405" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br />One thing I don't understand though is why organic vegetables always have to look like shit compared to the shiny, mass-produced supermarket counterparts. Now, I know the big chains wax their apples and grow their grapes in gnarly pesticides and what-have-you, but really, can't organic carrots be uniform in shape, too? Sometimes, I think the hippies do it on purpose.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Don't hate us because we're malformed.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3407012014/" title="IMG_2407 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3555/3407012014_debb4380ab.jpg" alt="IMG_2407" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br />I'm excited and terrified at the same time at the thought of finding creative ways to use vegetables I would not normally purchase (quick tutorial on how a farm share works: you pay a weekly fee for a box of whatever vegetables and fruit are ready to be harvested, so you never really know what you'll end up with). At any rate, I'll be culinarily challenged, and that's always a good thing in my book.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">There must be another way to use radishes other than in salads? I will need to thoroughly research this.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3407003056/" title="IMG_2402 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3647/3407003056_a190406902.jpg" alt="IMG_2402" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">These bad boys are going on sandwich tomorrow. Sunflower sprouts are YUM.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3407005104/" title="IMG_2403 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3407005104_dc2d8dc127.jpg" alt="IMG_2403" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Red Russian kale = busting out the Polish cookbook.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3407007166/" title="IMG_2404 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3462/3407007166_cb895ce0a6.jpg" alt="IMG_2404" width="375" height="500" /></a><br /></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-11578342580449460802009-03-31T11:06:00.000-07:002009-03-31T11:16:40.246-07:00The wings are outta controlYea, I know, you're tired of hearing about the chickens. But I'm not! So, we're going to celebrate their two-week birthday today with more pictures. Because you do not understand how crazy fast their wing and tail feathers have grown, and I know you require photographic evidence.<br /><br />Funny story: Gravel managed to slip into the bedroom where the brooder is set up yesterday and just couldn't quite grasp the concept of keeping birds (birds!) in the house. I'm sure he would get all Sylvester on them if left alone for even a minute, but he was actually just totally perplexed and surprised that we would be so nice as to keep his favorite treat alive in a box in the house for him to gleefully pick from whenever given the chance. Unfortunately for him, this is not the case, and the brooder room remains off limits to some certain kitties until the chickies are big enough to defend themselves.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"We are not your lunch, Gravel."</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3401835390/" title="IMG_2393 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3401835390_ca71bc70ec.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2393" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Yes, that is the chicken strut.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3401837650/" title="IMG_2396 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3630/3401837650_075eb49e23.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2396" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">McNugget is starting to look a bit chubby.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3401839612/" title="IMG_2398 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3401839612_c96806524c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2398" /></a><br /></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-54765285077659865792009-03-30T08:23:00.000-07:002009-03-30T09:22:27.180-07:00Another Vegetable Bed + CompostingDespite entertaining our dear friends visiting from Oregon all weekend, I managed to get some yard work done yesterday after they left and am sore, sunburned, and happily tired today from all my busyness.<br /><br />A long time ago, there used to be a brick chimney that connected to a fireplace in the living room of our house, but it collapsed during the '89 earthquake (or maybe it was when the tree fell through the house - I can never remember). The bricks were never really cleaned up, and I have found many throughout the years scattered throughout the property. Some were put to use by husband's parents in the form of borders in the yard (in addition using to random pieces of wood that were mostly completely rotted through), but at one point a few weekends ago, I decided to tear them all out and start over with a clean slate in the front yard.<br /><br />I needed a place to transplant my butter lettuce and chive seedlings and hadn't really figured out where to put another raised bed in the backyard, so I figured I might as well built one in the front yard instead in an effort to keep myself motivated to work in both yards. The front yard tends to get neglected because I'm all about soaking up the spring and summer sun, and it's not as sunny as the backyard.<br /><br />I think I will be able to fit three raised beds comfortably in the front yard and then will add bark mulch or maybe some pea gravel around them as well as some random ornamental plantings eventually. Hopefully, it will be sunny enough; if not, I'll need to rethink my plan for this area.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The butter lettuce is on the back half of the bed, and the chives are at the front.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3396594009/" title="IMG_2385 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3396594009_9fa2bf50cf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2385" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Trouble kept me company for a while.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3398643602/" title="IMG_2375 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3625/3398643602_f223ddcc00.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2375" /></a><br /></div><br />Last summer, I attended a free composting workshop sponsored by the county. Once you've completed the workshop, they give you a free Smith & Hawken Biostack composting bin! Unfortunately, I didn't know where to put it and didn't have the yard in any kind of shape that I wanted it to be in, so it sat out on the deck up until last weekend, when husband and I finally put it together.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The Biostack.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3397408008/" title="IMG_2386 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3397408008_9d2f6a0951.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2386" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Future compost.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3396603061/" title="IMG_2387 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3396603061_b1a6b05652.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2387" /></a><br /></div><br />We had tried to make a compost bin out of a Rubbermaid garbage can many many moons ago, but we didn't really do it right, and it ended up being a big rotting mess. So we put the lid on it and forgot about it. Six years later, I opened it up and found some crazy rich humus soil in there, so after I finally finished cleaning up the brush pile (that has been sitting there for 2+ years), I dumped it in the spot where the brush pile was and where I plan to build some more vegetable beds.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">No more brush pile!</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3397418144/" title="IMG_2388 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3397418144_7290fb00ed.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2388" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Of course, the dogs had to check it out.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3396613687/" title="IMG_2391 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3424/3396613687_abaaf3272b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2391" /></a><br /></div><br />Despite the fact that I used plain ol' top soil and didn't add any fertilizer or amendment to my first vegetable bed, everything seems to be growing quite nicely. I did buy some Foxfarm plant food made specifically for vegetables, so next weekend, I plan to give the seedlings a much-needed boost.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Beets!</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3396589163/" title="IMG_2383 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3469/3396589163_1f6e4dd33a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2383" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Peas!</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3396573497/" title="IMG_2377 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3396573497_732ff18beb.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2377" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Spinach!</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3397387494/" title="IMG_2378 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3397387494_e8bbe6440a.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2378" /></a><br /></div><br />The carrots are camera shy and just starting to poke through, so I didn't bother with pictures of them. More tales of amazing backyard transformation tomorrow!mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-4975563067379688652009-03-26T10:52:00.000-07:002009-03-26T12:18:46.930-07:00Food Growing AspirationsLet's start out today's adventure with me being perfectly honest with you: I have a black thumb. I have gone through endless houseplants, only to end up buying more because I'll get all motivated when I see pretty plants and think to myself, "Self, you can make that plant grow and you know it." And then it dies. I've managed to grow a few tomato and pepper plants before, but my former housemate was the primary caregiver, so I really can't take too much credit for those. So, I figured I would never have the perseverance or inspiration even to try my hand at vegetable gardening.<br /><br />I have always wanted to have a nice backyard but have been stumped as to where to begin in the overhaul process since the forest insists on constantly trying to take it back whenever I attempt to get things under control. I knew I wanted something modern and clean and easy to maintain - definitely not an old English rose garden or something froofy like that. I'm also ridiculously cheap and want to do things myself because someday I fantasize about owning a farm but know that if I'm ever going to get there, I first need to conquer my backyard.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">What I would like my backyard to look like someday<br />(original drawing circa 2002 - click for larger view).</span><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/2304091806_233e2dcbf0_o.jpg" title="doodle: backyard by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2362/2304091806_e11690558d.jpg" width="500" height="331" alt="doodle: backyard" /></a><br /></div><br />It was in January that I made an amazing discovery: BARK MULCH. Now, in and of itself, bark mulch is nothing special, but it is the <span style="font-style: italic;">hiding</span> properties of this wonderful recycled product that send my heart aflutter. I spread it all over my backyard and it instantly transformed it into an un-muddy, pleasant-to-walk-around-on, easy-to-scoop-poop-on oasis. Even more, importantly, it INSPIRED me to do more more more in my yard and I finally realized that I don't want landscaping - I want something that produces something in return for all my hard work. VEGETABLES. When it comes right down to it, bark mulch is the reason for and first step in my backyard homesteading pursuit.<br /><br />Since that eye-opening day in January, I have built and planted a raised vegetable bed with cool-weather veggies, started warm-weather veggies indoors, built a chicken barrow, brought home baby chicks, started whittling down the burn/brush pile in the backyard (and got to use my new chainsaw/tree limber courtesy of my Pops), set up my composting bin, scooped poop on a weekly basis (something I would always procrastinate on because it friggin SUCKS), and started the long process of natural (aka, by hand) weed eradication. Future plans include building a hoop-house style greenhouse (very similar to the chicken barrow), more vegetable beds, a simple, <a href="http://kinjadesigns.com/2008/07/23/20-diy-backyard-fountain/">handmade fountain</a>, making <a href="http://www.timpyworks.com/pamphlets/hypertufa-101/101.html">hypertufa planters</a>, and a bunch of other ideas that I have bookmarked but am too lazy to provide links to right now.<br /><br />Another source of inspiration for me is Jan Nelson at The Plantworks Nursery in Ben Lomond. She writes a weekly column on gardening in the Press Banner, and a recent article of hers outlined the correct planting times for various vegetables in our microclimate. I decided to send her an email asking her opinion on my plans to grow vegetables as well as advice on a few inexpensive, easy-care ornamental plants to round out the garden landscape. She emailed me back with a wealth of information and invited me to come see her personally at her nursery. What a gal!<br /><br />Additionally, I made friends with two of the guys that work at Central Home Supply in Scotts Valley, so it's less intimidating now to go in there and ask their advice on landscaping materials or what I should do next in my transformation plans.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">My pride and joy.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3382296176/" title="IMG_2349 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3382296176_e31ea58f8c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2349" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Future delicious chives.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3382293352/" title="IMG_2347 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3642/3382293352_0b0b30d7d2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2347" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Butter lettuce.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3382291082/" title="IMG_2346 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3626/3382291082_45d0c90e30.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2346" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />That's all for today, folks, and I have the day off tomorrow, but come Monday, I know you will be waiting with bated breath for the latest progression in my backyard transformation. Carry on!<br /></div></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3438119908529620539.post-3278221683765624892009-03-25T08:30:00.000-07:002009-03-25T09:21:19.186-07:00Four Baby ChicksI could pretty much sit around all day long and watch baby chicks do their thing. They are incredibly dumb in terms of animal intelligence, but their kooky antics and distinct personalities have captured my heart in ways I never imagined (insert "aww" here).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Prior to tail and wing feather sprouting.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3369762621/" title="IMG_3771 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3369762621_5a6b958ec6.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="IMG_3771" /></a><br /></div><br />When first embarking on this adventure, I was open to the idea of raising them to be both "layers" and "broilers" - I'm sure you can figure out what that means. Eat their eggs and then eat them when they stop laying eggs. But no, I now know that I am incapable of eating these silly creatures. I may swear off chicken altogether again - what can I say! I'm a big softie.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Bugs. We want bugs.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3381465063/" title="IMG_2329 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3565/3381465063_4bc2cfbe49.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2329" /></a><br /></div><br />My goal is to take pictures of them everyday in an effort to document their crazy growth, and well, because you just can't have enough pictures of cute baby chickens.<br /><br />I brought them home on Thursday, March 19th. I took a late lunch break at work and picked them up from the hardware store along with all the items necessary to brood them indoors: starter feed, waterer, heat lamp, and pine bedding. Unfortunately, my boss didn't want me to have them in the office because he had an afternoon meeting - I couldn't understand this at first and thought he was being lame, but then after thinking about it, I don't think I'd want my nutty employee to be bringing farm animals to work either, so I gave him a break.<br /><br />So, I decided to set them up in a cardboard box outside next to the small shed we have on the side of our building. After getting them settled, I would go check on them every 15 minutes or so. After about 45 minutes, I went to check on them only to discover a wretched Stellar Jay IN THE BOX TRYING TO FLY OFF WITH ONE OF MY CHICKS. I screamed and yelled and it instantly dropped who we now know as McNugget, fortunately not injuring her, but holy cow, making me feel like the WORST MOTHER ON THE PLANET. At that very moment, husband calls while I'm frantically trying to make sure everyone still has all their eyeballs and feathers - I'm hysterical, so he offers to come by and pick them up for me since I'm obviously not going to get any friggin work done for the rest of the day.<br /><br />ANYWAY.<br /><br />Trixie, Egg Carton (aka Box), Peep, and McNugget are all now quite accustomed to their new home and are making great strides in the world of chicken maturation. Their wings have grown over an inch in the last seven days, and their tail feathers popped out two days ago. I found an ant on the floor the other day and mistakenly gave it to one of the girls and have now created four monsters that demand bugs all day long. I have awoken their killer instincts.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This is actually a pig, not a chicken - don't let her fool you.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3381469421/" title="IMG_2337 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3546/3381469421_238c6d8401.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2337" /></a><br /></div><br />We have moved up the ranks in terms of dwellings three times now: their original home was a file box, then they moved into a large rubbermaid tub, and yesterday, they got some new digs in the form of a GIANT moving box. They are demanding little buggers. They throw their food everywhere, are total pigs, and toss their bedding in their waterer just so that they can watch me clean it out again. I think they find it amusing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Rocking the new tail and wing feathers.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3382303184/" title="IMG_2354 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3592/3382303184_9c70ef708f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2354" /></a><br /></div><br />Since I didn't get a very good start in the poultry mothering arena, Blue has decided to step in and take over for me.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"You better behave yourself, Trixie", Blue says.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3382307186/" title="IMG_2371 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3382307186_217c79893e.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_2371" /></a><br /></div><br />Barker took one look at the girls and then took a nap. The cats will be introduced when the chicks have fully developed beaks and claws and are moved into the barrow.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Husband and Peep. Makes my day.</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/scmtngirl/3382305132/" title="IMG_2364 by scmtngirl, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3382305132_73f2bb3a52.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_2364" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Tomorrow, I will introduce you to my other new youngins: my vegetable sprouts. O happy day.<br /></div></div>mitsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17672061234210054304noreply@blogger.com1