cold morning
We threw handfuls of sunflower seeds around the garden for the birds this morning. It was so very cold and beautiful. We explored until we could bear it no longer.
Drama
On Friday, December 3rd at approximately 3:00 in the morning our chickens were attacked by raccoons. We heard the commotion and chased off the bandits. Two of our four chickens were found, one with large bare patches where feathers had been pulled out. We put them safely in the coop. The other two were nowhere to be found. In the morning we found Tink hiding out in the backyard. Feathers were all over the place, including up front by the street so we sadly accepted the loss of our Aracuana, Fuzzy Wuzzy. She lay less eggs than the others, but they were a gorgeous blue green color.
On Wednesday, December 8th a neighbor knocked on our day wondering if one of our chickens had escaped our yard. I walked across the street and there was Fuzzy Wuzzy, hanging out under a neighbor's evergreen tree. It was clear by the scratchings around the base of the tree that she had been hanging out in that spot for a while. After much difficulty and drama, we managed to capture her and bring her back to our yard.
Unfortunately, the other chickens had adapted to her absence and were not welcoming in any way. There have been feathers pulled and much squawking but after three days, they seem to have worked out most of their issues.
Whew!
On Wednesday, December 8th a neighbor knocked on our day wondering if one of our chickens had escaped our yard. I walked across the street and there was Fuzzy Wuzzy, hanging out under a neighbor's evergreen tree. It was clear by the scratchings around the base of the tree that she had been hanging out in that spot for a while. After much difficulty and drama, we managed to capture her and bring her back to our yard.
Unfortunately, the other chickens had adapted to her absence and were not welcoming in any way. There have been feathers pulled and much squawking but after three days, they seem to have worked out most of their issues.
Whew!
Rainy day activity
The forecast calls for snow this evening and then tomorrow evening the low is 11 degrees. At the moment it is pouring.
These afternoons call for tea and muffins and some sort of fun activity, in the kitchen usually. Here is our most recent one.
Much of the popcorn and dried apples were consumed by the younger crowd. Sahara decided her garland was to be hung from the pear tree branches as a gift for the birds.
These afternoons call for tea and muffins and some sort of fun activity, in the kitchen usually. Here is our most recent one.
Much of the popcorn and dried apples were consumed by the younger crowd. Sahara decided her garland was to be hung from the pear tree branches as a gift for the birds.
Youngest
Three today. Thirteen tomorrow. At least that is how it feels at times.
I don't have a baby anymore. I guess I haven't had one for a while but three feels so much older than two. She's become remarkably precocious, defiant, confident these past few weeks, in a way that Sahara never was. I wonder how much of it is a result of having an older sibling.
Lydia loves cooking, dogs, Little House on the Prairie picture books, her sister, running and yelling and jumping and so much more. She gave up on naps quite a while ago. She eats spicy food and drinks kombucha.
Watch out world here she comes!
I don't have a baby anymore. I guess I haven't had one for a while but three feels so much older than two. She's become remarkably precocious, defiant, confident these past few weeks, in a way that Sahara never was. I wonder how much of it is a result of having an older sibling.
Lydia loves cooking, dogs, Little House on the Prairie picture books, her sister, running and yelling and jumping and so much more. She gave up on naps quite a while ago. She eats spicy food and drinks kombucha.
Watch out world here she comes!
Eldest
She participates in an after school program named "Coyote Kids" once a week that takes her and some classmates out and up and all around. When I picked her up from her last session she insisted on taking me to the woods that she had explored earlier in the day. It was a nearby area in town that I had never traversed before.
The light in so sharp these days. It highlights and contrasts in remarkable ways. I wish I knew how to manipulate photos in a way that is worthy of this shot. Any suggestions?
A hunting we will go
This weekend we went mushroom hunting with friends. It is quite early to find them around these parts, but we've had an odd summer, and there have been rumours of chanterelles.
Our efforts were not wasted!
Sahara was an enthusiastic treasure hunter.
The weather could not have been better. They were so easy to clean, and when we cooked them up there wasn't too much water in them. We had them on pizza last night. Yum!
We will definitely be going out again.
Our efforts were not wasted!
Sahara was an enthusiastic treasure hunter.
The weather could not have been better. They were so easy to clean, and when we cooked them up there wasn't too much water in them. We had them on pizza last night. Yum!
We will definitely be going out again.
Sahara speaking
"Mommy, they dare not go near me, but when I throw a blackberry down, they run forth and capture it in their beak and gobble it up."
Getting Ready for Winter
Some of our favorite read aloud books these past two years have been from Little House on the Prairie Series. The idea of storing up food for the long cold winter made quite an impact on Sahara. She's been working hard alongside us as we harvest and store the treasures from our garden and from local farms.
This past weekend we considered going to the coast but decided to stay at home instead. We didn't get to everything on our list but we did good work!
All of our shallots, garlic and onions were cleaned up and put away. We also made fruit leather with our remaining peaches and blackberries.
Who knew that fruit leather could be a piece of art?
Sahara is completely inspired in her first grade classroom. She has an incredible teacher. She brings home treasures each day to teach me.
Lydia loves being home with me. Her favorite activity these days is cooking. Every morning after returning from dropping Sahara off at school we check the coop for eggs. She carefully carries one back to the kitchen, pulls a chair over to the counter (while I'm holding the egg for her), and cracks it into a bowl. She mixes it 'round with a "teeny tiny bit of milk" and then pours it into a hot pan to make a scrambled egg.
Life is good. Life is very, very good.
This past weekend we considered going to the coast but decided to stay at home instead. We didn't get to everything on our list but we did good work!
All of our shallots, garlic and onions were cleaned up and put away. We also made fruit leather with our remaining peaches and blackberries.
Who knew that fruit leather could be a piece of art?Sahara is completely inspired in her first grade classroom. She has an incredible teacher. She brings home treasures each day to teach me.
Lydia loves being home with me. Her favorite activity these days is cooking. Every morning after returning from dropping Sahara off at school we check the coop for eggs. She carefully carries one back to the kitchen, pulls a chair over to the counter (while I'm holding the egg for her), and cracks it into a bowl. She mixes it 'round with a "teeny tiny bit of milk" and then pours it into a hot pan to make a scrambled egg.
Life is good. Life is very, very good.
Making Treats
A few weeks ago we harvested a basketful of elderflowers for cordial. It will be yearly tradition for the rest of my life. This time 'round I used the recipe from the lovely River Cottage Preserves Handbook.
Lydia requests popsicles every afternoon. Sometimes we throw in leftover smoothie, often it is just juice.
Raspberry jam requires the most time and energy of all the jams I do. After picking and pressing out all the seeds, each of the 6 pints we made this year is worth well over $20 according to my calculations. It will be cherished . . . slowly . . . bit by bit.
Luckily I have good helpers who enjoy picking produce and putting up for winter as much as I do.
Moving Forward
After much thought, sleep and discussion with Pablo I have come to the decision to leave my work as a part-time Spanish teacher at our dear Eugene Waldorf School. I look towards a career that will sustain us in different ways. I'm not sure right now what that will be, but trust in the path there.
Fun
We love all the fun to be had in the summer.
The Fair is always lots of work. We get dusty and sweaty and wiped out but it is so worth it. Sahara thrives in the environment. I appreciate that it gives her the opportunity to spend time with some really neat, kind folk.
It took us most of this week to recuperate and today the girls and I drove up to Salem for their Art Festival. Sahara watched some young gals stomp around the stage Celtic style and she decided she wants to take it up now. I think she would shine doing Flamenco! She shines doing just about anything.
Lydia is wearing her own underwear these days and we didn't even have any accidents for all our driving and the excitement of the festival!
It took us most of this week to recuperate and today the girls and I drove up to Salem for their Art Festival. Sahara watched some young gals stomp around the stage Celtic style and she decided she wants to take it up now. I think she would shine doing Flamenco! She shines doing just about anything.
Lydia is wearing her own underwear these days and we didn't even have any accidents for all our driving and the excitement of the festival!
Haven
This morning we all trekked out to the Fair for set-up. Only five minutes there and I step on an old nail. Ouch!
A few hours later, I'm back home with a band-aid on my left bicep hobbling into the garden. It is a perfect place to be on a hot afternoon. Our little pool is set up for anyone who needs a dip to cool off and I can smile at our lovely produce coming on here and there.
Can you guess what these are?
It is our first year growing them.
I see you!
First Potato Harvest
I made goat cheese and corn enchiladas with red mole for dinner last night. Knowing that Sahara would take one look and say "I don't like that" we went out back before dinner and together harvested our first potatoes of the year.
She did take a 'thank you bite' of the enchiladas and then slathered the potatoes with butter and ate them all up. That, with broccoli (this was our best broccoli year yet) and a bowl full of black beans and a few olives, comprised her dinner for last night.
We also made our first fruit leather from some raspberries and strawberries. This morning Papa cut and rolled the leather and Sahara to take in her backpack for her last day of Nature Camp.
She did take a 'thank you bite' of the enchiladas and then slathered the potatoes with butter and ate them all up. That, with broccoli (this was our best broccoli year yet) and a bowl full of black beans and a few olives, comprised her dinner for last night.
We also made our first fruit leather from some raspberries and strawberries. This morning Papa cut and rolled the leather and Sahara to take in her backpack for her last day of Nature Camp.
Tis the Season
For strawberries!
We tried out a new u-pick farm this year. It is out by our favorite old apple farm which got plowed under a few years back when the orchardist decided he was too old to continue and none of his children wanted to take over. Some day I'm going to buy some land and put in an apple orchard but until then we love to drive out for u-pick. You name the fruit and we'll be there but right now it is full on strawberry season.
We made 25 pints of jam, had lots for fresh eating and even made strawberry shortcake. Sahara picked out this book from the library the week before and the whole story through she kept asking if we could make the same dessert the characters made. Turns out there is a recipe at the back of the book!
Last night I tried a different recipe, the one from the Joy but it wasn't nearly as delicious. So we have a keeper. I've been seeing strawberry shortcake recipes recently which call for macerating the berries in sugar and balsamic. We'll have to be adventurous and try that next. Oh yes, we'll be back out for more berries this weekend.
Great-Granny's Magnificent Strawberry Shortcake
2 cups flour
2 Tbs sugar
1 Tbs baking powder
a/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk
strawberries
whipped cream
Preheat oven to 450. Sift dry ingredients together. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and milk, stirring by hand just enough to moisten. Spred dough in a greased 8 by 1 1/2 inch round pan, building up edges slightly. Bake for 15 - 18 minutes. Remove cake from pan and cool on a rack for 5 minutes. Split into two layers; lift top off carefully. Alternate layers of cake, whipped cream, and strawberries, ending with strawberries on top.
We tried out a new u-pick farm this year. It is out by our favorite old apple farm which got plowed under a few years back when the orchardist decided he was too old to continue and none of his children wanted to take over. Some day I'm going to buy some land and put in an apple orchard but until then we love to drive out for u-pick. You name the fruit and we'll be there but right now it is full on strawberry season.
We made 25 pints of jam, had lots for fresh eating and even made strawberry shortcake. Sahara picked out this book from the library the week before and the whole story through she kept asking if we could make the same dessert the characters made. Turns out there is a recipe at the back of the book!
Last night I tried a different recipe, the one from the Joy but it wasn't nearly as delicious. So we have a keeper. I've been seeing strawberry shortcake recipes recently which call for macerating the berries in sugar and balsamic. We'll have to be adventurous and try that next. Oh yes, we'll be back out for more berries this weekend.
Great-Granny's Magnificent Strawberry Shortcake
2 cups flour
2 Tbs sugar
1 Tbs baking powder
a/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup milk
strawberries
whipped cream
Preheat oven to 450. Sift dry ingredients together. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg and milk, stirring by hand just enough to moisten. Spred dough in a greased 8 by 1 1/2 inch round pan, building up edges slightly. Bake for 15 - 18 minutes. Remove cake from pan and cool on a rack for 5 minutes. Split into two layers; lift top off carefully. Alternate layers of cake, whipped cream, and strawberries, ending with strawberries on top.
In between showers
The tomatoes did finally go in at the end of last month. Lydia helped water them in. The chickens watched through our makeshift fence. They see our strawberries getting some color and occasionally flap up and over. We haven't moved the eggplant or peppers yet. The rain, oh the rain. At least our garlic, shallots onions and potatoes are huge and happy.
All our greens are growing fast but so are the slugs and snails. I go out in the dusk hour after the girls have been tucked into bed and pick them off one by one. Pablo brings me the Sluggo and shakes his head laughing. I beam up at him from my crouched stance in the realization that some loop is completed by feeding these slimy suckers to the chickens.
The deer have started coming round again. Fall and spring. We noticed nibbles on our dogwood last week and a broken branch on a young apple tree. This afternoon the girls and I watched this fellow taking a rest by blueberries.
We use an egg spray (blend one raw egg in a 1/2 gallon of water and spray it on any foliage they might munch on) to keep them away. It has worked better than anything else to deter the deer these past few years.
Paeonias
From now forward this will be known as the year we discovered Peonies. Wow.
We had no idea.
that's me
This is the last paragraph of a NYT article I just finished reading:
Someday, you might build a wood-burning oven — right after you start making your own vinegar, raising honeybees and churning butter with cream from cows you milk. Until then, you can make pizzeria-quality pizza with the perfectly normal oven in your kitchen.
Big sigh.... the key word is the first word - Someday -
I did find a great article in Mother Earth News instructing me in how to build an outdoor oven/stove for only 300$. Do we have enough time to add another project for this summer?
In the meantime, it is pouring and we have 44 tomato plants in our greenhouse anxious to be planted in the garden. We had planned space for 18 - 10 roma and 8 heirloom slicers. Somehow they more than doubled this past month. FORTY FOUR! Where did they all come from?
Someday, you might build a wood-burning oven — right after you start making your own vinegar, raising honeybees and churning butter with cream from cows you milk. Until then, you can make pizzeria-quality pizza with the perfectly normal oven in your kitchen.
Big sigh.... the key word is the first word - Someday -
I did find a great article in Mother Earth News instructing me in how to build an outdoor oven/stove for only 300$. Do we have enough time to add another project for this summer?
In the meantime, it is pouring and we have 44 tomato plants in our greenhouse anxious to be planted in the garden. We had planned space for 18 - 10 roma and 8 heirloom slicers. Somehow they more than doubled this past month. FORTY FOUR! Where did they all come from?
afuera
We spent most of the weekend outside. The thunder, lightening and downpour yesterday descended just at nap time.
Saturday brought another plant sale. We all went to this one and returned with our arms full even though our garden/yard is full too.
Sahara choose out these beauties which we'll pot up to border our fence by the door.
The garden is glorious these days. The sun's intensity in between dark clouds paints every leaf and petal in sharp contrast.
I planted more beets and the peas are slowly recovering.
We put up the hammock under the pear tree. Luckily it dries out quickly.
Yesterday we brunched out on the river with Joey, Shirley, Jamie and Anya - yeasted waffles with yogurt and berries. Then the guys started work on a chicken coop. Joey has six chicks living in his bathtub now! I prepped a bed in the garden and tried to convince Sahara to stop playing with Shirley's new ipad and join us outside.
Now a new week has begun and we are already looking forward to our favorite plant sale which is this coming weekend. Yeah!
Saturday brought another plant sale. We all went to this one and returned with our arms full even though our garden/yard is full too.
Sahara choose out these beauties which we'll pot up to border our fence by the door.
The garden is glorious these days. The sun's intensity in between dark clouds paints every leaf and petal in sharp contrast.
I planted more beets and the peas are slowly recovering.
We put up the hammock under the pear tree. Luckily it dries out quickly.
Yesterday we brunched out on the river with Joey, Shirley, Jamie and Anya - yeasted waffles with yogurt and berries. Then the guys started work on a chicken coop. Joey has six chicks living in his bathtub now! I prepped a bed in the garden and tried to convince Sahara to stop playing with Shirley's new ipad and join us outside.
Now a new week has begun and we are already looking forward to our favorite plant sale which is this coming weekend. Yeah!
The best of life happens in the kitchen
That is what they wrote on the front page of the cookbook.
It was our first cookbook gift we received as a couple.
They wrote our names up top - To Pablo + Tanya. I who usually mind when my name is misspelled, didn't mind a bit because I was so thrilled to receive it.
I didn't even know them - his mom's best friend and her husband.
Why would they give us a cookbook?
I didn't know know Deborah Madison yet either.
The first recipe we made turned out to be our favorite from the whole book so far. We haven't tried even half of the recipes yet, and there are some really good ones like the fennel fontina risotto and the eggplant garlic rigatoni. But today I am gifting you this:
Quinoa Salad with Dried Fruits and Pine Nuts
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
salt
6 dried apricots, finely diced
3 scallions, cut into narrow rounds
1/4 cup dried currants, softened in hot water and squeezed dry
3 Tbs finely diced red or yellow bell pepper
3 Tbs pine nuts
Rinse quinoa very well in cold water. Bring water to boil, add salt and quinoa, lower heat and simmer for 10 minute until there is just a bit of resistance in the grain when you bite it. Pour into a strainer and drain.
While the quinoa is cooking, cut up everything and toast the pine nuts in a dry pan on the stovetop.
Make the vinaigrette below by mixing all the top ingredients and then whisking in the olive oils. Then toss the quinoa with the chopped bits and mix in the dressing.
The Vinaigrette
grated zest of a lemon
1Tbs lemon juice
2 tsps finely chopped parsley or cilantro
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp coriander
salt
2 Tbs light olive oil
2 Tbs extra virgen olive oil
I double this recipe for potlucks. It is beautiful and you can make it even more so by scooping it into a wide bowl lined with pretty lettuce leaves.
It is so good that I could eat the entire dish by myself for dinner and be content.
Thank you Anne and Roger!
It was our first cookbook gift we received as a couple.
They wrote our names up top - To Pablo + Tanya. I who usually mind when my name is misspelled, didn't mind a bit because I was so thrilled to receive it.
I didn't even know them - his mom's best friend and her husband.
Why would they give us a cookbook?
The first recipe we made turned out to be our favorite from the whole book so far. We haven't tried even half of the recipes yet, and there are some really good ones like the fennel fontina risotto and the eggplant garlic rigatoni. But today I am gifting you this:
Quinoa Salad with Dried Fruits and Pine Nuts
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
salt
6 dried apricots, finely diced
3 scallions, cut into narrow rounds
1/4 cup dried currants, softened in hot water and squeezed dry
3 Tbs finely diced red or yellow bell pepper
3 Tbs pine nuts
Rinse quinoa very well in cold water. Bring water to boil, add salt and quinoa, lower heat and simmer for 10 minute until there is just a bit of resistance in the grain when you bite it. Pour into a strainer and drain.
While the quinoa is cooking, cut up everything and toast the pine nuts in a dry pan on the stovetop.
Make the vinaigrette below by mixing all the top ingredients and then whisking in the olive oils. Then toss the quinoa with the chopped bits and mix in the dressing.
The Vinaigrette
grated zest of a lemon
1Tbs lemon juice
2 tsps finely chopped parsley or cilantro
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp coriander
salt
2 Tbs light olive oil
2 Tbs extra virgen olive oil
I double this recipe for potlucks. It is beautiful and you can make it even more so by scooping it into a wide bowl lined with pretty lettuce leaves.
It is so good that I could eat the entire dish by myself for dinner and be content.
Thank you Anne and Roger!
Enferma, pero muy enferma
I feel like $#!+.
Lydia and I have been sick this whole week and it is no fun.
I revived shortly yesterday to visit Sahara's KG class dance the May Pole. So sweet with their flower crowns.
Tomorrow is the May Faire at my school. I may stay in bed while Papa tries to win another cake and the girls get their faces painted.
The wind blew off our beet and pea protection (April is crazy weather month in this area) and the chickens ate ALL of our baby beets and a bunch more peas.
Number two priority this weekend is putting up a tall, sturdy fence so they can't get to the garden beds.
Lydia and I have been sick this whole week and it is no fun.
I revived shortly yesterday to visit Sahara's KG class dance the May Pole. So sweet with their flower crowns.
Tomorrow is the May Faire at my school. I may stay in bed while Papa tries to win another cake and the girls get their faces painted.
The wind blew off our beet and pea protection (April is crazy weather month in this area) and the chickens ate ALL of our baby beets and a bunch more peas.
Number two priority this weekend is putting up a tall, sturdy fence so they can't get to the garden beds.
Hasta la Pasta
Making our own pasta for dinner feels good and tastes soooo yummy but it does not happen often.
I checked out Jamie Oliver's "The Naked Chef" from the library and the photos of the gorgeous pasta in there inspired me to do it again. I've checked other cookbooks of his from the biblio but none have been as "amazing" as that one. I also checked out a dvd of some of his cooking shows in England a few years back. It was great fun to watch.
Check
Spring break is ending. I look back at my long list of TASKS to ACCOMPLISH. Hmmm.... not many checks.
Perhaps the biggest task on the list was repainting the kitchen, bedroom and hallway. None of which would have been accomplished if not for an enthusiastic friend who loves to paint. She did most of the work. I made her lattes and helped.
Our bedroom is the brightest. We painted three walls yellow and one wall orange. The orange was her idea and I LOVE IT. I'm even considering repainting our hallway that same color. Right now it is a lovely green but the color is not working for me as an extension off the kitchen.
Pablo and I have moved back into our original room which Sahara kicked us out of at age 9 months. She and Lydia are sharing the big room now (it is working out better than we anticipated) in the back of the house.
Lydia has taken up napping on our bed up front.
I took this photo yesterday - the wall isn't true to the orange I see with my eyes, but it gives you an idea.
Perhaps the biggest task on the list was repainting the kitchen, bedroom and hallway. None of which would have been accomplished if not for an enthusiastic friend who loves to paint. She did most of the work. I made her lattes and helped.
Our bedroom is the brightest. We painted three walls yellow and one wall orange. The orange was her idea and I LOVE IT. I'm even considering repainting our hallway that same color. Right now it is a lovely green but the color is not working for me as an extension off the kitchen.
Pablo and I have moved back into our original room which Sahara kicked us out of at age 9 months. She and Lydia are sharing the big room now (it is working out better than we anticipated) in the back of the house.
Lydia has taken up napping on our bed up front.
I took this photo yesterday - the wall isn't true to the orange I see with my eyes, but it gives you an idea.
Dancing in the breeze
One little daffodil had nothing much to do,
Out popped another one, then there were two.
Two little daffodils were smiling at a bee,
Out popped another one, then there were three.
Three little daffodils were growing by the door,
Out popped another one, then there were four.
Four little daffodils were glad to be alive,
Out popped another one, then there were five.
Five little daffodils were wearing golden crowns,
They danced in the breeze in green satin gowns.
- author unknown
Out popped another one, then there were two.
Two little daffodils were smiling at a bee,
Out popped another one, then there were three.
Three little daffodils were growing by the door,
Out popped another one, then there were four.
Four little daffodils were glad to be alive,
Out popped another one, then there were five.
Five little daffodils were wearing golden crowns,
They danced in the breeze in green satin gowns.
- author unknown
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