Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Raspberries....

Each year, at this time, I take a short drive over to the local fruit stand and purchase enough raspberries to last through the winter months. Our raspberries, on our farm, get gobbled up by small children and hungry gardeners. They rarely make it into the freezer. This berry is probably our most favorite due to it's rich tart flavor and it's versatility. A few examples of what we do with the raspberry are: Jam, Raspberry Jello with fresh whipped cream and Raspberry Cordial. (One of these boxes belongs to Willow and they are already tucked away in our freezer, awaiting her visit in the Fall).Which brings me to a cookbook I found at Goodwill that cost me all of .49 cents! Within these pages are tidbits and recipes from Anne's tales of woe. Anne speaking to Diana said, "But it isn't good manners to tell your company what you are going to give them to eat, so I won't tell you what she(Marilla) said we could have to drink. Only it begins with and r and a c and it's bright red color. I love bright red drinks, don't you? They taste twice as good as any other color." As taken from Anne of Green Gables, XVI. You may want to stir up a batch of cordial yourself. It isn't difficult at all and it is a beautiful red drink! I add a bit of 7UP to add a little zing. Enjoy!!If you can't read this recipe well enough and would like to have it, let me know and I'll send it off via e-mail.



Monday, July 7, 2008

A busy week....full of fun, gardening, harvest, work and a remedy to keep the bucks away!

Early last week my sweet granddaughter came to play for the day. We are building our outdoor toy supply and a big pink ball, covered with Disney Princesses, was waiting for LA. She immediately sat down, carefully looked at the ball and each princess as if it were a book! Next, LA walked over to the where the goats were and was greeted by Professor. LA is just 2 and 1/2 years old, still quite small, but it doesn't keep her from climbing and she looks at me to see if she is "OK" to go ahead. I start to get a little dubious when she keeps going up the rungs.

I move in when she reaches this point but she was just fine, sure footed and proud of herself. Next we strolled over to the raspberries. LA knows what to do. She picks a ripe berry and places it on her finger, then eats it! Who taught her that?
Finally, it is snack time, and we have stocked up with fruit bars. Watching her devour this treat is a joy to this Grammy!! Actually, everything she does brings a heart full of joy!!
LA notices every little flower and bug. She picked a geranium flower head and caught this moment! Awe!
As I have been saying, we have a wedding at our farm in two weeks. This weekend was overcast and drizzly, so I decided to paint the porch furniture and picnic tables. It took sometime but they are now pristine and ready for the celebration.


Our raspberries needed picking and so it goes. Pick and eat...that's what we did!! The next harvest will go into the freezer.
In order to be prepared for unexpected company I often bake and with four rapidly ripening bananas this is what I stirred up....Banana Bread.
Banana Bread: Recipe comes from the Pine Tavern Cookbook.

Butter: 1/4 cup, Sugar: 3/4 cup, Eggs: 2, Bananas, overripe and mashed: 2, Sour milk:(add 1 t vinegar to milk) 1/4 cup, Flour: 2 1/4 cup, Baking powder: 3/4 t, Baking soda: 3/4 t, Salt: 1/4 t, Chopped walnuts: 1/2 Cup. Cream shortening and sugar together thoroughly. Add eggs, bananas and sour mild and mix well. Sift flour, baking powder, soda and salt together into banana mixture. Stir well. Add nuts. Bake in greased loaf pan at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to one hour or
until well done.

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What happened to the bucks? This is what they wanted to eat the other day and it's why we had to do something quick. We did see them yesterday in the back yard...just beyond the gravel in this picture. They haven't come back up to the house so far, but let me show you why! :)
I set out a chair, added an old red flannel shirt, a broom, hat and small radio. The radio was set to some very annoying talk radio and it has done the job!
Now, on to this week! I wonder what all will take place, what we will get done and what stories await! Today we weed and edge!

Friday, July 4, 2008

Eating from the garden....

Finally we are able to eat something from our garden! It is just lettuce but considering how late our garden got planted, we are thrilled! We planted a gourmet mix of lettuce and are enjoying the fresh tender leaves each evening with our dinner. I hand pick it about 6pm, wash and pat it dry. A simple olive oil and rice vinegar dressing is all that is needed; sometimes we add Feta or Parmesan cheese......... and a few Greek olives to make this salad hard to beat. I picked the strawberries earlier in the day and we decided to eat them just as they are. The sun has ripened each berry and made them sweet! Another wonderful summer treat, straight from the garden and right out our kitchen door.
We try to grow several things that can be used later and Sea Holly(Eryngium) is an example. It is an unusual perennial plant that grows larger with each year. The flower becomes a beautiful blue grey and stays that way even when it is dried. It takes the hot sun nicely and doesn't require a great amount of watering. Next to the Sea Holly is growing with a Sweet William plant, a species related to the Dianthus family and a native to the mountains of Southern Europe.The flowers are considered edible.


Thursday, July 3, 2008

To our friends and family.....

We fly our flag with thankfulness for those who have given their lives so we can live free! We think of Tim, Dan and all the other men and women who are serving around the world. May God Bless and keep you!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

July 2nd is somebody's birthday!

Happy Birthday to (my) Jim! May this year bring you all the bus sales, lawn mowing, pie eating, and leisure days you deserve!! Happy Birthday all day long!!


Tuesday, July 1, 2008

They're back.....

Not two minutes ago....I looked out my kitchen window into the eyes of one of the boys!! He was huge and the other brother was just out of my site, eating the roses!! My new garden could be destroyed in a matter of minutes! I must think carefully how to distract them from coming back to eat!! The camera was on the wrong setting but I'm glad the picture is somewhat in focus!:)) It is fun to have these visitors...once...but they really need to head on over the hill!! How many horns do you see? They looked pretty big when they ran off before my camera was ready to shoot another picture!!

Buck Deer

Two buck deer came out from the cover of the woods to nibble on fresh green weeds. It was nearing 100 degrees just two days ago and it was noon when the boys entered our backyard. Something made me look..take notice and see them! They have velvet racks on their heads and are traveling together! I wonder if these are the twin deer we noticed three years ago as their mother trotted them through our yard as tiny little spotted babies. I think so. The pictures were taken through my dirty living room window but you can see the velvets fairly well.
He is looking directly at me as I take the picture.
Both deer walked quietly off into our Christmas trees to graze on the new growth. We don't mind.