Call me, maybe?

“Call me, maybe?”

“Call me maybe?” is a little more up to date than my last song I used “things that make you go hmmm? “ 90’s dance …hello ?!? 30 years ago !). I just used this one to make me feel better. Actually, this came from a conversation I was having with a new friend. I was lamenting about the fact I would rather call than text out a great big long explanation. I can reach out and get my point across without anyone getting defensive, and, especially in sensitive situations, I can really get a sense of what is bothering someone and the tone. The new friend was on the “text at all times” side. I get it: its who we have become, it gets things done (nothing quicker in a meeting when you need an answer to just text that person) and it does give you time to really write how you are feeling (rewrite, review and sometimes delete haha). Also if it is a difficult situation, it can allow you to put it off till your ready. Which may be never, lets face it: you could ignore texts OR phone calls forever if its really uncomfortable. I do not recommend this however as it is ALWAYS better just to deal with things and move on, and to pick your battles. Usually the conversation is never as bad as it is in our minds:)

So what do you prefer: CALL or TEXT?

Garden Update

True story : I have had well aged aged manure in a bucket in my porch all week. Scentsy has to start being more original if they want my business:) It doesn’t smell like anything but rich beautiful dirt, and I have been using it with a great grower soil from Spencer’s Garden Center to get all kinds of seedlings going.

How do you know when to start ? Well its kind of like Easter in that its different every year. My dad and Grampie always plant the last full moon in May, as there will be no more frost (rarely but occasionally does happen…havoc!). So this year 2019, it is actually June 3rd in Zone 6b where we are.

Time to start indoors either under lights or a nice sunny spot: tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, pumpkins, zucchini, squash, rosemary, cucamelon, tomatilla (new to me this year), watermelon, most annual herbs and flowers that cannot be direct sowed.

I always get overexcited (can you imagine?!?) this time of year and plant way more than I need but I because we doubled the size of the garden, this year will be a learning curve. Nothing will go to waste though. It will be either given away or sold. Extra food will go to neighbors,co-workers and family. Judging by the laundry and dirty dishes, though, there are obviously people living here I don’t know, so I will feed them as well.

Farm Update

Well, the farm will start to explode for the season shortly, however in the meantime our 4H club was able to visit Ross Farm to partake in some relaxation and visit YBR Farm’s new ram lamb. We unanimously voted to name him Rufus and he will be coming here to live in July. Hefty little bugger! I will breed him in December to Tyger and Willow, registered Cotswold ewes. They are dual purpose sheep used for meet and fibre. I feel a special bond with these breed of sheep (I am sure they feel it too) as they originated in Wales and the Cotswolds in England. Same as us Harris’ 200 years ago.

Meanwhile, while I wax nostaligia, my chickens are laying eggs everywhere. They are so excited for spring. Every day they are scratching and foraging and filling the nest boxes with beautiful eggs. Did you know in France they have egg recipes for different months of year ? April egg recipes, July egg recipes etc. This is because the chickens forage and based on their diet and season, the eggs would have different nutritional and taste qualities.

Me ? I am all about quiche right now. I am making loads of quiche with fresh eggs and freezing them for quick lunches when its hot and we are busting our butts outside. Never mind I just about froze to death doing fences yesterday. I am hopeful.

Honey Garlic Chicken Wings

Speaking of food (always!) we had a houseful Saturday. To feed all 15 guests of all ages, I had made up a huge batch of honey garlic chicken wings, rice pilaf, and sauteed courgettes. I also made butterscotch pie but realized none of us liked it…..a definite fail but the chickens will enjoy the leftovers. Nothing goes to waste.

To make the wings I cook them on a large cookie sheet lined with foil, and bake at 350 degrees in a preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then my homemade sauce goes on, toss and I crank up the heat to 450 degrees for about 15 min to get a real good sticky coating. (sometimes if it is storebought chicken it will be full of water and you will need to drain this off before this step.)

Honey Garlic Sauce

3 cloves of minced garlic
1 TBSP of ground mustard
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tsp vinegar
1 Tbsp cold water
Whisk together to remove lumps. Use on wings, ribs, pieces etc. 
Any extra sauce can be stored in a jar in the fridge for a week or two. 

The Reluctant Farmer

My hubby is a sports nut . Tennis, hockey, soccer he played them all . Our youngest son loves sports as well and Trevor is very happy to ferry him all over for opportunities to play . I love to watch Luke play. He enjoys it so much.

I however have all this farming coursing through my veins and couldn’t stop it if I tried. It feeds my family which feeds my soul, makes me whole, and is my healing for whatever ails me. Trevor, my husband of 15 years, is kind of along for the ride? He sometimes doesn’t get why we need to do this, grumbles while stepping in chicken poop, and is a little surprised by where my head goes (heck, so am I ) for sustainability and self-sufficiency.

But you know what, he is a grumbler by nature, and actions also speak louder than words. He goes and picks up the chickens and turkeys from the processor, takes bacon and hams to be cured, builds me wire boxes for transporting livestock, and sneaks the ponies treats whenever he thinks no one is looking. Yesterday he moved the clothesline so we can double the size of the garden. He grew up here on this acre of land and to say it has changed is an understatement. It’s definitely changed for the better in terms of land stewardship as there were many old cars and trash buried in the uncleared portions, but its still change. He is a reluctant farmer but he is my reluctant farmer.

Have a great week, and I hope you go do something you are not ready for. Spring is a time to grow!

Love

Jenn xx