Last week my vineyard mentor sent me pictures of his summer grapevine pruning and prompted me to do the same. I was reminded to look at my vineyard with a farmer’s eye. A farmer is not impressed with huge, winding green vines dancing all over the place; she recognizes that all the excess greenery is stealing energy from the grapes. It’s critical to train the plant in a way that maximizes fruit production and also allows sunshine to reach the berries and adequate air flow to prevent mold and disease.
Asian Chicken Salad
I’m on a salad kick lately, which is really surprising cause I don’t usually care for salad- at least not that boring iceberg/carrot/tomato version. The simple trick to liking salad is making your own dressing, and a blender makes this step super easy. I made this for dinner last week and doubled it to bring the next day to a potluck at work. Ever since I have been getting requests for the recipe- so here’s to my wonderful OR/PACU peeps.
One Pot Cauliflower Curry Delight
Once again- a simple recipe that packs a punch of flavor and nutrition without clobbering the pocket book or stealing time.
Thirsty
I stood for several seconds considering a mercy killing, but in a moment of optimism decided to let the patch of severely sick eggplant continue to photosynthesize. Just in case they didn’t pull through, I planted a few squash seeds so the space wouldn’t be wasted. The squash bugs have proven to be a formidable enemy, so along with frequent soap insecticide bombings and daily hand-to-bug combat, I have attempted to overwhelm the enemy by planting zucchini in every conceivable nook and cranny. This way we should have at least enough survivors to keep the farm hands supplied with chocolate zucchini cake and green Thai curry; very important to the overall morale, and ultimately our survival in this dog eat dog bug-eat -plant world.
Healthy Chicken Salad
Recently I’ve been getting phone calls requesting this recipe. Problem is I sorta wing it and make it different every time, so I had to make it again and pay attention to amounts. Its super versatile so feel free to make it with whatever you have on hand. A perfect summer dinner or weekend picnic meal. Have fun with it!
Summer is On!
It’s June on Thirsty Goose Farm and you will find me buzzing all over the place trying to keep up with summer’s frantic pace on a farm. Let’s just hit a few highlights
Fences
I desired to create a barrier free farm where we all lived in harmony; the chickens free range and eat the bugs, the dogs protect the birds, the turkeys entertain everybody and the geese keep me company. But Utopia wasn’t happening. The chickens destroyed the garden, dogs chased the birds, turkeys pooped all over the porch and geese knocked on the doors all day for attention. People were scared of the geese (for the most part they were more noise than anything, but some of my friends are rather dramatic…) and our male turkey, Popeye, started camping at the door in order to intimidate and exact revenge on the little dog Sammy who had attacked him a few months ago. They would wage war with a glass door between them and the noise of gobbling and barking was mind numbing. (Sammy is a terrier and a terrible dog to have on a poultry farm as they are natural born killers- but my daughter has mothered him for eleven years and she would never allow me to see my future grandkids if I got rid of him. Abigail can hold a grudge like that.) We couldn’t even let Sammy out to pee, else vengeful Popeye came charging at him. The bird of course would not win that fight, so in order to protect our kamikaze turkey, Sammy was put under house arrest. That led to stepping into puddles of dog pee in random places.
White Chicken Chili
You can’t get any simpler than this recipe! Ten minutes of time and you have a healthy, inexpensive and delicious dinner.
The Holder
My goose is wrecked. Seriously chewed up, busted and broken with her insides hanging out. Yet she’s still alive. We finally found her thirty six hours after the attack, lying in a ditch in freezing temperatures, somehow holding onto life. There’s not much I can do for her. I gave her a warm, clean, quiet space in our house, mixed up a high protein feed and applied bandages with homemade honey salve. It will be a miracle if her wounds heal without deadly infection. There’s nothing I can do about the broken wings and leg. It’s up to her will to live and the strength of her immune system to do the rest.
Stay Part 2
On the heels of my decision to stay and press in, we experienced breakthrough. This often seems to be case- just when you run out of strength and determination, a few inches past the breaking point, there lies the finish line. It reminds me of an incredibly emotional moment I witnessed several years ago while watching a completely wasted athlete collapse just yards from finishing the Kona Ironman. She was disqualified as volunteers had to carry her the last few feet. Thankfully, in our race it’s known from the very beginning that Jesus will be carrying us whenever our legs give out, and this is where I have been lately. Continue reading “Stay Part 2”