Monday, June 30, 2008

The New Additions...


Well,

June really hasn't found me blogging that much about what's happening on the farm. So, in conjunction with introducing the two newest members of our farm, I will also give a quick update on all that is happening on Goonie Rhubarb Farm!

1. We have two new feline additions. Sputnik...for now, and Dweezy. They're in the picture above with their older, but still same size sister Tini. We think they're about 3-4 months old. Both boys. We gladly took them in from my mom, who stumbled upon them, along with 2 others playing in the road by themselves. They are a total joy! They're long and lanky, very people oriented, and the sweetest little guys I've had in a long time. Well...not above the Schmoege. :) Anyhow, they're here. Permanately, and purring!

2. Tini had her spaying. She ripped at her stitches so badly we had to take her back into the vet to get a custom size Edwardian collar...seeing as she IS tini. :) Needless to say...we did try a little home remedying of our own with duct tape...to no great avail. Hence the second trip. She seems to be healing up quite nicely.

3. The heat...or rather nasty smoke riddled heat has imposed on us the past few days. 101 degree heat with so much smoke you can't see the surrounding foothills. Supposedly it's all the Big Sur fires. Either way...it's nasty! I do hope it vacates soon...the heat...and the smoke.

4. I am officially into my third trimester. Apparently me and our bun in the oven are in excellent health, according to my OB-GYN. She said my labs were the best she's seen in a while, and whatever it is I'm doing...keep it up. It really must be the pre-natal vitamins I'm NOT taking, and the unpasturized milk I AM drinking (from a local organic farm). Because according to the majority of the medical association, my health, and my babies health will indeed suffer if I don't take pre-natal vitamins and god forbid I drink or eat anything unpasteurized. Anyhow, regardless of what the western medical communities preaches, Ducky and I, at this point are in excellent health.

5. Rhubarb is now the rooster. The chickens are his ladies and they love him. Every morning he lets them out into their enclosed run, and every evening rallies them back into their coop. They get a daily bucket of chicken scraps, and they have a steady supply of their somewhat decent chicken food. 'Somewhat' meaning it's not total GMO crap.

6. Tuesday is still market day in Ashland. We go to it every week.

7. Wednesday is milk day. We get a gallon of fresh milk, and sometimes there is even an 'extra' gallon or two. Meaning that we get an extra gallon for our enjoyment, and sometimes a gallon goes towards Rhubarb's fermentation endeavors.

8. Rhubarb us currently fermenting Saurkeraut, Japanese Nuka Pickles, and some dairy item to which whey is thrown into. To my uneducated fermentation palate...the sauerkraut tastes the best! :)

9. Rhubarb is harvesting Mullien flowers.

10. I'm really trying to post blogs on a somewhat regular basis.

That's all for now...

CIAO

Goonie

Friday, June 20, 2008


Well,

The picture above is me, holding one of Rhubarb's many fermentation projects! This one, that I am lovingly, but cynically holding, is called Japanese Nuka Bran Pickles. No... I didn't make that name up. The ingredients include wheat bran, seaweed, miso, beer, ginger, and any vegetable you wish to ferment. It should be ready to eat in about 2 weeks. Yum! We'll see how that goes!

We've actually been pretty busy here on the farm the past couple of weeks.

The chickens moved out of Rhubarb's office into their legitimate chicken coop. They're totally loving lurking around in their large space, and, well, being chickens!

We also had a visit from Rhubarb's Grandma and Aunt from Texas!

The beans are grasping for their string, the corn is a bit above ankle height, and the many tomatoes... probably 60, are really getting settled into their new home inland. We also have around 30 different types of peppers. This should make for a good salsa year! :)

Alrighty...

That's all for now...

CIAO

Goonie

Sunday, June 1, 2008

CHICKENS...!!!



Well,

The chickens are here!

10 Speckled Sussex...that really don't look speckled.
5 Americanas...that are the little runts of the group. Guess we'll have to name one Wilbur.
5 Dominiques...black and shy...with a little white spot on their ponkers.
5 Light Brahmas...the little bossy, furry footed ones of the group. We also noticed that we're, or namely Rhubarb, is cleaning their bottoms' off the most.

With their home in a large lawnmower box in Rhubarb's office, the atmosphere is very farmhouse lately...with an emphasis on farm! Music is left on constantly, and their heat lamp is hovering above them making it a stable 90 degrees for their little chicken selves.

With the ant infestation resolved, everyday living has returned to a much more mellow pace.

That's all for now.

CIAO

Goonie