Fourteen

Fourteen years ago today I said "I do" to the love of my life....looking forward to what the next fourteen will bring!

A good read: The help

For my final pick of a last minute summer read before the kids start the new school year is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. The year is 1962 in Mississippi when it was common to have black maids. A time where segregation between blacks and whites is rampant throughout the south and a black person's life could be at risk just going out on the street. First there's Skeeter, a young white girl who is trying to find her place in the world and what to do with her life. Then you have Abileen a black maid who is now raising her seventeenth white child and Minny also a black maid who is fiesty and a force to be reckoned with. These three women together can create something great, but will they risk their lives doing it?

I loved this book and really enjoyed the outcome. This one was hard to put down, quite a page turner!


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A sad day

Sadly today my favorite rare Silver Sport Turkey died. One minute baby girl was alive and the next she was dead on the ground. The spunky little girl that she was gave her all fighting to get better. Unfortunately the head trauma she suffered did her in.

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Chicken coop update

Well the girl's coop is finally looking good! You would have never guessed looking at it that this coop started out as two shipping crates... not bad!  Shipping crates are posted here:  http://sewcarey.blogspot.com/2011/04/score.html#links

  The main things are complete but there are a few odds and ends that could be done on it. Now all we need is a couple loads of top soil so there won't be a pond in front of it every time it rains! We will also need to add a couple nesting boxes before they start laying in as soon as 1 1/2 months from now. Can't wait to eat our own fresh eggs!



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Ants and eagles

In Life sometimes you feel like the Ant and other times you feel like the Eagle.

 Either way the view is great but it's up to you to stop and enjoy it.

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Yet another

Well another long squash was picked and it measured 43" long. It tasted good sauteed with some water in the pan and sprinkled with a bit of salt and pepper. It reminded me of potato with the consistency.



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She's better...almost

The rare Silver Sport Turkey is better and was let back in with the other three yesterday, but unfortunately today they let her know she was at the bottom of the food chain a little harshly. Her head is so badly swollen and bloody we had to seperate her. In a couple of days after she heals up a bit we'll try letting her be with them for increasingly longer periods.

A good read: Caleb's Crossing

Here is another fine summer beach-y vacation book to read that I couldn't put down. The Pulitzer Prize winning author Geraldine Brooks latest book Caleb's Crossing begins during the year 1660 on what is now Martha's Vineyard.  A young English Puritan girl named Bethia becomes secret friends with Caleb who is one of the American Indians there. Caleb's journey goes from not being able to read to becoming one of the first Native Americans to graduate from Harvard.


There are many struggles in this book including her father who is a minister trying to get the local tribes to convert to Calvinism. The characters seem so real even though the majority is fiction. There was however a Native American called Caleb who did graduate from Harvard and a copy of the actual document that he had written in Latin is in the book which I think is just awesome in the simple fact that It had survived undamaged for so many centuries. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Caleb's Crossing.



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Farm drama

What a day I had today. I'm so glad it's over. Not sure who's worse the kids or the animals.


The good news is theTurkey Tractor can now safely hold animals and all of the Turkey's are in their tractor but there are no wheels, so technically it's not really a tractor yet. The four of them were reunited today since the rare Silver Sport was brought inside to the ICU about 2 weeks ago. The reunion wound up not going smoothly- they ganged up on her to the point her head was all bloody. To remedy the situation I separated her using wire fencing I had on hand and put some Bag Balm on her wounds so they would heal. (Bag Balm is miracle cream- it helps heal wounds quickly- get yourself some).


The wire ended up not being a good thing for the other three due to the fact they kept pacing back and forth and the male injured himself rubbing his neck/ chest area so he too was bleeding. To remedy this subsequent situation I clothes pinned some weed screen so he'd rub on that instead and applied Bag Balm to him also.

Shortly after treating the Tom one of my son's comes outside and says he accidentally threw something and his brother was bleeding. Before I could put down my paint roller the injured son comes out and say's "I'm ok Mom, it's not deep. I don't need to go to the hospital"  (while holding a bloody kitchen towel to his head).

just great.


There's blood all over the floor in every room in the house (gotta love those head wounds). He's ok and doesn't really need stitches but man it sure does make your heart stop!

To top it off we are having issues with the computer, so if posts or pics are non existent you know why. I will post them as soon as possible, right now it's half working.

Definitely going to wake up on the other side of the bed tomorrow morning! Good night.


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The Cleverly's

These guys are all related and as you can see very talented, one of them is even blind. I really like their sense of humor with this song that they wrote about their friends funeral.

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Pansy salad

Tonight we had a salad fresh with pansy's from the garden and boy was it good! Everything was grown on the property: lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and pansy's. It almost looks like something Martha Stewart might serve up. I wish we could eat fresh salads like this year round.


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My garden buddy

Here's my little garden buddy, although I'm not sure just how much help he is in the garden other than killing the mice. He was hanging out while I pulled weeds (and the chickens waited patiently for them) and picked yet another big bowlful of tomatoes this evening.

He claimed his own spot right in the herb bed totally flattening the herbs planted there and thus killing them. Though I guess he figured it was his bed to begin with since it had his massive catnip plant in there (which is now drying). He also likes to hang out with the chickens as well. He's quite the character!


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The will to live

Here's a video from the Farm Sanctuary which is the very same company who's book I had highlighted in one of my 'A good read' here:    http://sewcarey.blogspot.com/2011/06/good-read-farm-sanctuary.html . 

In this video they eventually saved little one year old Maxine from the slaughterhouse. She had the will to live and had escaped from the slaughterhouse and was on the run in New York (the city not upstate).

While watching this video did you wonder what happened to those sick animals that are lying on the ground unable to get up on their own?

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Cock on the block

Our most annoying and thankfully only rooster, who crows not once or twice in a row but five to seven times consecutively wants everyone to know he's the big bad cock on the block. I am now certain every ear within a one mile radius can hear the annoying little bugger. Judging by his big bald head the girls want him to shut up as well, but being like some members of the male gender is hard headed and just hasn't gotten it.


Hey my little cocky rooster more isn't always better.


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A good read: Maine

Well, it's August now (where does the time go?) and for those of you planning on visiting the beach this book Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan is a good one to bring with you. All three generations of The Kellehers go to the family's beach house in Maine for the summer, which became the family property when a bet was won. It touches on female family relationships and the trials they face and how they put up with each other. I enjoyed how the story goes back and forth from the 50's to present day to help unfold the story with Alice being the main character. There is also some struggling with alcoholism, an unplanned pregnancy and a tragedy that has been kept a secret for decades, whether it comes out into the open or not, well you'll just have to read it. An easy read that I couldn't put down. I'm sure you'll find one of the ladies you will really connect with.


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Today's harvest

I finally harvested one of my long squash today. So excited to cook this bad boy and dry some of the seeds! There also were a bunch of Roma's ripe for the picking and five Black Krim which I'm eager to taste which originated in Russia, my ancestors home place.

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Flowers not included

Flowers are a minority in my flower bed. There's cucumbers planted in their place as well as squash, a tomato and a couple heads of cabbage. The great thing about my cucumbers is they help keep down the weeds!



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Turning things around

Thought some of you might like to see how people are turning lemons into lemonade in the city of Detroit one plant at a time. It's amazing how gardens can make a community a little bit better. I love it!


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'Maters

Finally! Tomatoes are coming in by the basketful. Hopefully I'll get enough to can some vine ripened goodness to enjoy during the winter. That should be just the thing needed to scare away the winter blues!




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Warnings

If only these signs popped up in life guiding us onto the right pathway!

Mine is bigger

Mine is bigger than yours.......my squash. What did you think I was talking about??? This beauty is the first to grow and stands at 32" long. 

This little crooked one was the second to take and it's at 33" so far.

And this little piggy..... is at a whopping 38" and it still has about a month before It's ready to pick as a summer squash. This one I had hand pollinated since they kept dying on me. It had started out longer than the other two did when the blossom opened. I can't wait to make some yummy soup!

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I.C.U.

Well I think this hot weather, or rather heat wave, isn't helping my little girl any so now she's in the cool basement- our very own Intensive Care Unit. Hopefully it's just what she needs and will have a speedy recovery!

Update: The supposed tom (or jake) is healing  nicely so far, time will tell if his showy tail feathers are affected by the injury or not. Hopefully his feathers will grow, the one lonely feather looks a bit sad. Whatever may be I'll still love him, deformed tail and all (and I'm sure the ladies will too)!

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Large squash, Italian style

With summer in full swing and veggies growing at an alarming rate there is bound to be a squash or two that go from too small to harvest to mammoth size almost overnight. If you're like me and have a monster you're wondering just what to do with it- I've got a easy and delicious remedy for you.


First slice the mammoth squash into approx 1/2" thick. Melt some butter (or oil) in a large frying pan.

Then coat each slice into egg and then into breadcrumbs (I add Italian seasoning to it).

Finally fry it up til nice and brown.

Top with some tomato sauce and either a sprinkle or a slice of cheese.

The squash I ate I didn't notice the large seeds, I think they softened when it cooked. What do you think? It's good right?

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A good read: and I shall have some peace there

The book and I shall have some peace there by Margaret Roach is about a woman who was working for Martha Stewart in the city. She finally quit her job and moved full-time into her weekend house in upstate New York. It's a chronicle of a woman who basically stares at the four walls, does some gardening, watches birds, is terrified of snakes and has a cat that adopts her and brings home animal pieces as peace offerings to her doorstep.


 The story line is non existent and it isn't a thriller or full of drama like a herd of cattle mysteriously dying. In fact there aren't any 'farm' animals in the story. This also isn't a chronicle of someone going off to live off the land, it's about a woman who basically is semi retired. Honestly the book could have been written in two paragraphs.  I didn't hate it but It's definitely not on my recommended list.


I would liken this to vanilla ice cream- pretty bland, so if you're like me and like nuts, fudge, caramel or whatever goodie in your ice cream skip this book.


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Long day

Today has been one of those days and now at 10:40 I finally am able to sit down. Ahhhh.... feels good. I wish I was in a hammock near this bubbling pond nearby as I slowly rock myself to sleep.

I've been all over this county in a short period of time, removed 3 layers of wallpaper in one huge room (ofcourse not all at once) and we finally moved the coop to it's proper location, YAY! Not to mention watered and medicated and clipped the wings of my growing flock (apparently grass does taste better on the other side of the fence, I'll take their word for it).

Tomorrow will be a repeat of today except someone special will be spoiling me with good food all day and 2 dozen canning jars. I'm making sure I bring a jar filled with some of this years sweet jam as a Thank you.
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Just plant it!

Here's a great example of starting small. These women have 1/2 an acre of land and decided to just start planting. In a couple of months they started up a CSA and are regulars at the Farmers Market. Just plant it!

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Lucky...

...or that is what he should be called.

Our turkey who I think is a tom (or Jake) is lucky to be alive. The little guy must have tried to protect his girls when the dog two doors down came over while we were gone. He is now with only one tail feather and a big chunk taken out of his tail. Bloody, bloody, bloody. Poor little guy. He's lucky it could have been worse, I am just thankful he's still alive. I need to round up some cash to make an enclosed pen for them. Pronto!

He'll be back. They usually are. Hopefully I'll be here ready and waiting.


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Lucifer

Lucifer. That's the name of this plant my Dad had bought it a couple years back which he decided on because of the name. That's my dad for you.

If you're interested in this perennial beauty the full name is Crocosmia 'Lucifer' and the plant is beautiful when planted in masses, just check the web for pics of it. Sadly mine is tiny but hey you have to start somewhere (thanks Sis). Another bonus is it attracts hummingbirds as well but it does need to be divided occasionally to keep it's vigor. It blooms in mid summer with vibrant red tubular flowers that slightly arches. I love it!

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1940's farm life

Everyone's family history started on the farm and in the fields. If you didn't grow your food you would cease to live. A very simple and basic fact of life, yet because of modern conveniences and grocery stores so many people today don't grow any food whatsoever and don't have the knowledge on how to go about it. That to me is very scary to be so reliant on others to do it for you. With this recent economic downfall I know it's made many want to be even more self reliant. With a little trial and error and a visit to your local library anyone can grow their own food without a big upfront expense.

I came across some pictures of depression era farm life about 70 years ago without all the modern conveniences and medicines we have been blessed with today.


Farms of America in color 1939-1943: Life on the Farm | MNN - Mother Nature Network


Life then was alot of hard work, more than anyone now has had to endure. When I took a look at them I could see the daily struggles right on their faces as plain as day. Their dirt stained clothing and their callous toughened hands. I feel for them- how could you not?


My post for today is merely this become more self reliant. If you've never grown any food go out and buy either plants or some seeds, read up on gardening at your local library. Since we're already into full swing summer find things you can grow in the late summer and into fall like lettuce, beets, beans, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, collards, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, mustard greens, onions, peas, radishes, spinach, swiss chard, turnips or even garlic. There's still many things you can grow this season so there's no excuse. Don't put it off another year go out and get yourself ready for next year and read, read, read!


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We be jammin

Raspberry jam that is! 

This morning I managed to can 8 jars of Raspberry jam. It took 2 quarts of berries that we had recently picked in the area. I actually didn't realize just how many berries we had til I put them all into one large bowl. The jam came out pretty good for a first time try, but I am looking for a recipe that's not as sweet. The kids like it and that's all that matters since they picked most of them and didn't eat them as they were picking.


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