Saturday, July 31, 2010

This weeks prize






Every week Lager gets a "prize" a new toy.He now has as a burlap sack indoors and a bucket outdoors.He LOVES his toys.When I drive home on Fridays,and say "I have a prize",he gets very excited. Last week's was a "kong" this weeks is a BIG Orange ball.Daddy helped to select this,an it it a winner.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Friday


Dinners done;)

The Week end Menu

The criteria for this weekends menu,Fresh and Easy
*use as few pots and pans as possible
*use what is in season
*do not heat up the kitchen
*have time left to chill
I will post photo's as production takes place

Friday
Garlic Clams and Mussels on the Grill
4 tablespoons butter
3 large garlic gloves, chopped
2 dozen clams, scrubbed clean,we used local little necks
2 dozen mussels, scrubbed clean
A splash of Chardonnay wine ( I had one open...)
1/2 cup fresh tomato, chopped, it is all about the tomatoes this week
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Heat a grill to high heat.
If your grill has a side burner start this on the side.If not do this part inside.
Place the butter and garlic in a small saucepan over low heat.foil ones if you do Melt the butter and infuse it with garlic.Splash in the wine Turn the heat off and leave the saucepan on the burner.
When the grill is ready,Put grill pan on. If you do not have a grill pan you can use a disposable aluminum pan (9 x 13 inch) directly on the grill grate. Add the clams and cover the grill with the lid. Cook for about 15 minutes; the clams will just beginning to open. Add the mussels to the pan along with the clams and replace the lid. Grill for another 5 - 10 minutes or until all of the clams and mussels have opened. Drizzle the garlic infused butter over the shellfish and sprinkle with the tomatoes and basil. Serve immediately.
This needs a good crusty bread to soak up the broth

Saturday
Spinach Salad w Grilled Chicken
2 large Granny Smith or Gala apples, thinly sliced
2 T fresh lemon juice
1 large bunch of clean spinach
2Grilled grilled chicken breast (seasoned with S&P and olive oil)
1 red onion
a hearty cheese,Bob likes one with horseradish
1 cup celery thinly sliced
1 cup cranberries
1/2 cup walnuts
Honey Mustard Dressing
Toss apple slices with lemon juice. Layer apples, chicken, and the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Toss with honey mustard when ready to serve

Sunday
Skillet Tostadas
1/2 Lb Ground Beef Seasoned
1/2 cup chopped onions (1 medium)
1 15-oz can light red kidney beans, or one can re fried Beans
1/3 cup salsa
1 cup shredded cheese
cilantro
8-16 tostada shells
Seasonal toppings: Shredded or baby greens, diced tomato, sour cream, avocado, black olives, etc
In a 10 inch skillet cook the ground meat and onion until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain fat and stir in the beans, salsa, and cheese and heat until the cheese is melted and the beans are hot.
Paint the shells with sour cream, divide the mixture between them and add your favorite toppings.
Bob likes Olives, I do not
I will serve this with rice

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

BFF



A true best friend will be happy to go anyplace with you.This is Lager taking the hike with me to dump manure.Take my word for it, he has a smile on his face.I am so Lucky to have had more than one BFF.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Berry Sweet Picking





round here the picking is sweet this week. I have picked Black and Blue Berries , "Summer Berrie" from the tomatoe family, broccoli and chard! What a wonderful time of year.Both last night and tonight lots of tomatoes and garlic have been on the menu.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Roll Call










Releaf from the heat and bugs.





It has been perfect weather today, at the farm.when we started chores the moon was full and the air crisp. The skies are bright blue, with puffy white clouds. The wind has been blowing the curtains straight out, all day. Today is the first day we have had real releaf from the flies, the wind seems to keep the bugs away.Kitty and Lager went berry picking with me.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

These Boots



These are my favorite boots!The souls are cracked and the laces do not match.It's not about the fashion, or the style all though they are very very comfortable it is about what they represent.I love my Mucking Boots and the time spent in them but, These are my riding boots. Bought when I was leasing a horse, and my husband said "no one needs" a horse. These boots are all about what I love, what I work for what takes my breath away. Tonight we went riding and I am happy,these are my happy boots.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Did not know


I am not to old to learn, I know that. I did not know it is Special Education week. Thank you Keri for teaching me that. I love you and I know the children are lucky you teach!
From Keri:
Children with special needs don't have an illness, so there is no cure and it's not-contagious. They want what we all want - to be accepted. It's Special Education week, and this is in honor of all the kids...... who need a little extra help and understanding....
A delicate flower

Yard Sale Finds






Today I went to a Yard Sale,at my neighbors house. The house has recently been put up for sale and the family needs to liquidate.Truth be told I had my eye on the house all week. I had heard rummer it was going on the market, because the owner had gone into assisted care.The beginning of the week a dumpster arrived in the drive and then the garage doors opend and tables were set up. The doors were open and shut every day I spotted "stuff on the tables about Wednesday.People were bizzy in and out of the house filling the tables. Then Friday I spotted the Garage Sale sign on the way to the market. I pulled in and took a peek, then they said they were closing, and would be having the "real" Garage Sale starting today at 7am. I arrived at 7am! I started making piles in the drive way of things of interest, I had 15 items. Nothing was priced, so I inquired of the total of my finds. The Garage sale official (the owners daughter) said make me an offer.I had 15.00 to my name so I offered 15.00, and she accepted YAY! I got a pile of measuring cups 4 I had the largest one at home( I never have enough) , two wicker baskets, 2 books one was over 100 yrs old, a huge wool blanket (100% wool) some doilies and dish towels and a nice large sieve. This sieve is needed to make grape jelly and wine.

Friday, July 23, 2010

weekend menu


Tonight Bobs Birthday Dinner
Lobster Pizza
recipe to follow
Saturday
Breakfast:
BBQ Hamburg Patty with fried egg served on Bagel
Lunch Chicken salad pockets
Dinner Rustic Panzanella Salad
Sunday
Pancakes
simple summer spaghetti
I will post this recipe Sunday

Lobster Pizza
6 tbs. butter
6 tbs. olive oil
2 tbs. white wine
1 tsp. rosemary
1 tsp. basil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Sauté garlic in butter and olive oil. Add all other ingredients and simmer for
15 minutes.
Remove from heat Toss in 1/2-1# Cooked Lobster meat
Pick up 2 pizza crusts, at the deli or freezer section,bread isle what ever type you like
Place crust on baking sheet devide sauce evenly top with parmesian cheese and fresh diced tomatoes
cook as directed for crust.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

HA I'm NOT Crazy or a baby

It was a freaking tornado! No wonder I could not sleep! No wonder I was running around moving 2000lb animals! Mothers do Know best!!
Tonight news report: Storms cause widespread damage in New England powerful storms that caused flash floods, knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses, and brought tornadoes to places rarely hit. In Maine,the National Weather Service on Thursday confirmed that tornadoes touched down in Alfred.ALFRED we live in Alfred!They estimated the four tornadoes had wind speeds of about 90 mph.90 mph! Such powerful thunderstorms are rare in northern New England, cropping up only a couple of times a year. In Gorham, a 150-year-old barn containing cows was blown over.COWS crushed and killed! Two of the animals did not survive.

summer canning Take II






My second canning session is done YAY.I love canning and what it adds to winter, and gift giving. Can I just tell you also, my kitchen smells sooo good.The smell of this corn relish makes me think Sandwiches,Pastrami.
Corn Relish
6lbs whole kernel corn, or 3 32oz packages of frozen whole corn
(frozen is fine in this because your cooking it anyway)
4 Cups chopped Bell Peppers (can be any color I used green, they are fresh today)
2 Cups chopped Vidalia onions (about two large)
4 Cups chopped red tomatoes (can vary in ripeness)
5 Cups Vinegar
2 Cups Sugar
1/4 Cup Salt
1 Tablespoon Turmeric
1/2 Tablespoon Ground Mustard (the dry stuff)
Combine all vegetables in a large pot I used our lobster pot. Add vinegar, sugar, salt, turmeric, and mustard. Heat to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

Seal in hot, sterilized canning jars my batch made 13 pint processed 10 min

Running Free






One of Lagers favorite things about living in the country is the freedom he gets.(YES he told me this)Lager loves to run the open fields. You can not see in the photo's but this is tough terrain, plowed by the Belgians in the spring with valleys and ruts.You also can not see the speed, Lager is fast and agile!The more you tell him how fast he is the more he turns on the speed!Check out the wide glide, in the end Happy Dog=Happy Mommy ps Happy Birthday Bob next week is Lagers first Birthday!

We Survived

I am happy to report, we survived one of the craziest summer storms I have ever seen.Yesterday was beautiful but at 7pm,that all changed.I have never seen such heavy rain or vivid lightening.I moved the Big Boys into the barn at one point in the storm, they prefer to stay out but it was frightening.About 10pm our power went out, and the generator came on and ran about two hours.Things slowed down about midnight.About 5am Lager and I took a walk to assess damage.We had some spilled planets and washed out garden beds and huge puddles.I spent the morning pumping paddocks and sweeping run off mulch, but we were lucky . After paddocks I took Lager for his daily truck ride, and we went to get coffee. Most of the town is still without power, utility trucks are every place huge trees are down.The coffee shop was closed and we were faced with three detour. I am always glad to return home to my farm, regardless how short the trip.I am especially thankful after a storm.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Company of friends






Once in the barn cleaning harnesses, I had a longing for more friends(Lager was already supervising).
So in came "The Team" for moral support, and some hay.