Friday, April 30, 2010

stop and smell the flowers



The end of vacation day #1/10. It is always amazing to me how fast 8 hours at home passes vs 8 hours at work. I think I mentioned this in the past, but let me repeat I Love being home!I slept till six,(this is two additional hours)supplemented breakfast for all four dogs(as a rule I only supplement Lagers the others get kibble), did my "regular chores", completed the weekly grocery shopping, started my spring cleaning.Now I am going to start dinner on the grill. Bob never did make it home last night,but he is in route now. We are going to enjoy a quiet evening on the farm.It will be interesting to See how Lager acts, last Friday when Bob arrived home Lager was very excited,and had a tough time settling for the night. Lager is crate trained and most nights he is very ready to settle in his crate at 8pm. Last Friday Lager fussed in his crate for the first time ever.I think he wanted to stay up and be sure Bob was not leaving again, maybe I over think things we will see what tonight brings.I will say every night this week he has gone to bed on time and without a peep.He might be a Daddy's boy.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

V A C A T I O N





YAY I am on vacation, and I am thrilled!
As of 3:pm today I am officially on vacation. I plan to thoroughly enjoy every aspect of my farm.I am going to do chores after sunrise, spring clean my home, cook nice meals spoil my pets and hopefully spend time with my loved ones, including My husband. In a few short (or maybe long) hours, Bob will be home from Philadelphia. He has been gone 5 nights,however it seems longer because he was only home two days of the last twelve.Do not mistake this for complaining, I am very very thankful he has had three weeks of work.I am very aware the recession is not over, and I am grateful he will take what ever work comes in.I am just very thrilled to have him coming home,I hope he has a trouble free commute.My coworkers were aware that I was about to start vacation, so many asked today about my plans. It is an odd thing, I am thrilled with the opportunity to stay close to home but I am very aware that few people understand that. Well for now I am going to go spruce up my home and wash off the barn, smell. Throughout the week I will share more of my vacation. I will say Wednesday is my 25th wedding anniversary.How perfect is it ,that also is the day of the Farmers Market. Just think of the oppertunities for dinner.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Dinner for One






Tonight I cooked dinner, for one.
I am the cook in our home, I love to cook for my husband and I love to cook for our friends and family.
I do not usually cook for myself, when I dine alone. I have lots of reasons(excuses) I don't cook for my self:
1. when Bobs not home chores take longer
2. I'm cheap and I like to save money on meals
3.I do not know allot of recipes for one person

Dinner for one (me) usually consist of an over easy fried egg sandwich, a grilled cheese or a mushroom pizza from a box (Bob HATES mushrooms)
I am rambling, point is tonight I cooked dinner for myself.
On a break at work last week, I was flipping through a magazine and read a recipe for Pasta with Tomatoes and Blue Cheese.When I read it I thought hmm, that sounds good to me, Bob does not like blue cheese and he's not a huge fan of pasta.
After break the magazine had to be returned to the shelf so I did not tear out the recipe.Today it was raw and rainy and I was craving carbs. I could not relocate the magazine. I stopped at the store and bought Blue Cheese and pulled the rest out of my head.I think there was spinach in the original,mine has basil and parsley because that's whats growing at home. This was a very yummy inexpensive dinner. Now I am going to burn some carbs walking Elvis and Lager, feed the Belgians and tuck in the chickens. Then I might need a second glass of wine and a bath to finish of this singles night.I still prefer to dine with loved one but this is a decent ending to a lonely rainy night.

Ingredients
1 pound Pasta
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 cloves Garlic, Minced
1 whole lg Can Diced Tomatoes, Drained
Dash Of Sugar,Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
sm wedge Crumbled Blue Cheese
fresh Basil and parsley
Half And half

Cook pasta
In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. When hot, add minced garlic and cook for a minute. Pour in drained tomatoes. Add sugar, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to taste. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Reduce heat to low. Stir in crumbled blue cheese.A little splash of half-and-half (about 1/2 c)shut off heat
Toss in herbs. Immediately toss in the cooked and drained pasta.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Pick Up #9




Today was the 9th and final winter CSA share pick up. I must say I am a little sad. I have looked forward to the bi weekly visits to Wolf Pine Farm. The garden shares were a good size the product was of nice quality and the atmosphere at the farm is a nice place to visit. The winter share started almost five months ago, the time has passed quickly. My sadness is offset by the spring happenings at our own farm.The second garden bed and pea poles are started.We are getting 4 large eggs a day and I am two days from vacation (more on that soon).
This weeks share:
6 lbs. potatoes I picked 3# each of two types
3 lbs. carrots they are huge and funky but so are my Belgians, so that's perfect.I put one in each grain bucket tonight.
1 bag of salad Paul's YAY
4 lbs. beets
you had a choice of 1 lb blue berries or 1lb parsnips I picked blue berries
1 lg. bag bag black beans I traded my beans for 6lbs parsnips
1 bag corn meal
1 pint maple syrup

I received an e mail in advance re: the corn meal, it was funny to get a locavore disclosure. I am OK with the corn meal, I am planning to use this on fish when the fish market opens May 1st.
It read:

Your share this week includes a 2 pound bag of cornmeal. This corn comes from Wapsi Valley Iowa and is an open pollinated heirloom variety with amazing flavor.

This is our only real "exception to the rule" of local foods only in our shares. We hope you'll forgive us - it's such a great product grown by a farmer we trust who carefully monitors, among other things, for GMO (genetically modified Organism) "contamination. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do."

Monday, April 26, 2010

raised bed #1




The very first raised bed of the year is started. I am happy! What I like best about this years raised beds is the location.I am a little nervous, Bob was not home so I winged it.I am sure they are not where they should be. I set the beds in front of the Belgian paddocks.Had Bob been here they would be an equal distance from the fence and drive way, level with the the horizon and an equal distance apart. I am sure they are not all that,however they are not ascetically offensive and they are started.Best of all I can see the Big Boys and Lager as I work them.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Sunday , a day of rest






just kidding.
Bob and I did our morning chores,then took a ride for coffee.
It was only moments in the truck when we noticed a bad smell,Lager was stinking!
We sensed a little funk last night while watching our movie, but this was bad! One thing about having a puppy is key= flexibility. I had decided there would be no house keeping this week end,so Bob and I could spend time together.It quickly became evident a bath was in order. Lager was bathed and then the bathroom was scrubbed. Bob cut the side lawn and patched some dead spots in the lawn.I cooked a roast beef with carrots and potatoes.Bob got a call and left again for work. I assembled my garden beds, and put a coat of paint on the fire pit. I then put the Minni's in and cleaned their paddock.I touched up the big boys paddock and decided to call it a night. One problem, we are one hen short.I tried to close up the chicken house, but one hen resisted. I guess I will be going back out it is 7:40 I hope she will be done visiting pig by 8.Bob and I did get to sit on the lawn with Huckleberry and have a cocktail earlier,so I guess that counts as resting.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Breaking The Rules






As a rule I do not cook on Fridays.On Fridays we usually eat something simple,like pizza and then we watch an early movie and go to bed.
This week we broke the rules.
During the week, the only night we ate together was Tuesday (before dog class)so I wanted to cook a "nice dinner". On Friday Bob had a long commute so there was time to cook,and no time for a movie.
We had Caramelized Onions and Brie Stuffed Chicken. As explained on the blog I found it at www.dinnersforayear.blogspot.com this is a meal that requires many steps.The dinner was not difficult, you just have to focus and put in the time.This morning we did farm chores and then we visited a friend.When we returned to our farm, we spent time "puttering". I did some wash ,hung two loads of clothes on the line,Bob cleaned inside his truck and I did some yard work.The very best part of the day was horse time!We brought the big boys in and groomed them together, then I groomed the Minni's.When the two Minni's were retired to their paddock they were both so very proud, they ran and bucked and strutted their stuff.I saddled Jake for the very first time this year. Bob helped me work Jake in the side paddock.Before dinner we went riding together.Both of the Big Boys were very well behaved.I was a little nervous getting on Jake for the first time this season, being thrown by him makes me cautious. My fears were unfounded he was very well behaved.It was a wonderful day, I love my life and my farm some times it pays to break the rules.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Google serch results...



When I was looking for a Rottweiler Breeder to purchase my new puppy from it was like a treasure hunt first we tried local searches then it looked much like a Google commercial. I tried tons of words and phrases :Rottweiler, Black and Tan, Big Dogs, strong Rottweilers and the winner Giant Rottweilers. The final search brought me to the web sight of "Giant Rotts". When I got a look at Zahr( The Breeders Stud) and read this paragraph I was sold:

"Our Breeding Goal is to Produce Quality, Well Muscled, Healthy,

(Not Overweight), Very Large & Athletic, Loyal & Trustworthy

Champion Line Rottweilers that will Protect & Love your Family
I went home and told Bob "today I found some impressive Rottweilers".He was not sold as quick, he does his homework. In the end we did order a male pup/ Lager from Giant Rotts.
I wonder if the UPS man is as impressed as I was?

Dads Birthday







My beloved Father passed away five years ago. I still miss him so much, and really wish he could of seen my farm.
It makes sence that today had sun rain and clouds and more sun, thats how I feel.
He was a gentle Dad.
He was an entrepreneur, and had his own appliance repair business back in the day when you actually called and got your appliances repaired instead of throwing it away and buying a new one, he also did repairs on HVAC. He had some clients who couldn't afford to pay him, so they gave him stuff in exchange for the appliance repair. This is how I got my Victrola.

Growing up our home appliances were often missing parts, because he would take from ours to repair others. He was sincere as sunshine.

He loved Lobster peanuts and pomegranates, he would be very impressed with my 5.00 Lobsters fresh in Maine.

He liked to "putter" I often think of him when I do chores.

He taught me to love old cars and Harley's. On his farm I had my first horse pigs and chickens.

He would've given you his last $20 and the shirt off his back if you needed it.

He had suffered long enough, and although I never wanted to say goodbye, I know he is at peace now and I am glad Nordike Lancer is with him. Did I mention how much I hate cancer?

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Tell me






does he not look smart? (and happy Mommy's home)

CGC Test Night






Last night was CGC test night, Lager passed! Bob said he did"OK", I think he did awesome!You must get all 10 of 10 to pass, I think that's pretty dam good! Bob is modest ( or superstitious) about his dog training. Me I am proud and now calling Lager Smarty Pants.I am very proud of them both!

Morning Clouds



Look at these beautiful clouds, I was so happy there was no rain yesterday morning I could not resist pulling over in route to work and photographing the beautiful sky over Maine.
Check back later, I have to do a couple more chores then I will post again. I have pictures of last nights CGC test with Lager...and more

Monday, April 19, 2010

Awesome down stay!



OK I hope I am not jinxing Lager for the test tomorrow night, but look at this awesome down stay.
What makes it awesome, let me count the ways:
1.Lager got very little exercise today, on an average day he gets lots of exercise and interaction.
2.Bob was not home to reinforce the commands, Bob has done 99.9% of Lagers training.
3.Lager was instructed to stay down in the paddock while I did chores, Lager does not go in the paddocks.
4. There was horse smells and yelling roosters, ok this happens all the time.

Lager did an awesome down stay I filled two buckets, before releasing him and he waited. YAY Wish him luck for tomorrow nights CGC test.

Good Morning World


Chores are much easier to face when there is no rain in the forecast!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

What was I thinking





On Thursday night Bob and I were pointing out the signs that we live on a farm, truth be told we live over a barn. The sofa was covered with pollen, the kitchen had an over flowing compost bucket in the sink, fresh eggs to be washed were on the counter,dog food littered the floor and heck the mud room was full of mud.
On Friday ,at work everyone was moaning. The complaint:the weather it was going to rain all week end. I thought ah that's OK let it rain, I need a week end in the house to clean. What was I thinking ? I cleaned all day yesterday and I tucked my self into bed at 8pm tired and with a plan. I was going to awake in my clean house, do some early morning chores get washed and dressed and head into town to see a friend. I woke at six Lager had an accident and the crate had poop , the house no longer smelled clean.I cleaned the mess and walked the pup, then I had my am coffee with Lager as he ate and before we headed down stairs. I fed the 4 horses and walked the hounds. Then I stood in my mucking boots and looked at the muck and mud. I hooked up the pump and ran the hose and pumped and shoveled for two hours.We then cleaned the rabbit hutch and chicken coop. Apparently when you take a self proclaimed rain day, to celebrate domestic living the chores pile up.Lager went over to the club with me to make a deposit to and rotate the manure pile.Finally it was time to shower and head into town. Fresh baked Banana bread in hand I paid a visit to my dear friend Richard,who is battling cancer. All I can say about my visit is if you are the praying type please pray for Dick Lachance. When I returned and started to do K9 lunches I found Huckleberry head down and tail between his legs, his age is showing and like Dick I suspect he is loosing his battle and his will. I am going to spend the balance of the day appreciating the time I have on my farm and hoping we don't have a whole lot more rain.