CSA Veggie Adventure - July 15, 2009

The haul was a bit smaller than usual, but not surprising due to the extended heat and drought. When you buy a CSA subscription, you not only get bounty, but you also agree to share the farmer's risks of growing. So, this week's haul:

• Flowers (always appreciated!)
• A jar of "fresh sauce" - blended mix of raw tomatoes, basil, etc.
• Whole tomatoes
• Baby & regular squash
• Eggplant
• Peppers
• Chiles
• Basil

Wanted to dig into that fresh sauce right away, but there were still leftovers to eat in the refrigerator, dangit. Tonight, however, is a different story. Thinking of lightly steaming some eggplant & squash, then mixing together with brown-rice pasta and pouring some of that fresh sauce over the top.

Spoke with the CSA producers at the Farmers Market where I pick up my subscription. They're going ahead with a Fall/Winter subscription. $25 a week, and they plan on growing things like kale, chard, lettuces, tomatoes (as long as the frost holds out), broccoli, cauliflower, and more. Purchase of this subscription will depend on Spouse's and my employment situation, but will do so if we can.

Yeah, but is it Goose proof?

Picture: a pair of dirty jeans. Nothing spectacular, unless you realize that they were once clean jeans, hanging oh-so-innocently on the line to dry. Then came The Geese.

You see, if there's anything - and I mean just about anything - that is within reach of their nibbley pink beaks, it will be tasted, tugged, and gnawed. Line-drying laundry that hangs low enough to the ground is no exception. They'll watch the clothes swaying in the breeze, like a serpent to a snake charmer's brass horn, then streeeeeetch their necks to grab a hem. Next it's tug-tug-pull YOINK! A brief squawk of consternation as the clothing drops to the ground, then the item will be set upon: trampled, chewed, and probably poo'd upon. Then they'll get bored and leave it for awhile.

Outdoor furniture and the porch curtains are no exception to the chewing, either. Any natural or man-made fibers left unattended will be gnawed to threads in a few scant months. They've even pulled the rubber guards off the outside wheel wells on one of the cars. The only materials that can resist the destructive powers of the geese thus far are metal, concrete, and stiff water hoses. So around here, we don't ask ourselves whether or not something is dog proof. The question is, "is it goose proof?"

[pics: gnawed laundry, and the guilty parties.]

Independence Days Challenge - Mid-July Edition

As some of you know, I'm participating in the Independence Days Challenge. For new readers, the ID Challenge is about learning and doing things that will help make your household more self-sufficient, as well as help educate neighbors and friends. If there's hard times coming, like many of us believe, the more we can feed ourselves and help each other, the better!

There's a weekly check in on Mondays, at Sharon's blog. It's been a few weeks since I last updated on this project, and I'm a day late for this one as well. Regardless, here's a refresher on the weekly goals:

1. Plant something
2. Harvest something
3. Preserve something
4. Reduce waste
5. Preparation and Storage
6. Build Community Food Systems
7. Eat the Food

Plant something: Sorta... purchased 20 yards of soil for raised beds and orchard tree installation. Gotta have decent soil in order to plant, eh? Coming up: ordering seeds for the Fall/Winter planting.

Harvest something: We finally get to start eating our hen eggs again. The de-worming process completed a few weeks ago, and all the chemicals should have run their course. Now to go and find the eggs... the girls are hiding them again. Free-ranging chickens, such fun!

Preserve something: Again, sorta... ordered a 30-quart pressure canner. Once it comes in, my first project will be to cook and can chicken broth. Then perhaps some home-made sauerkraut.

Reduce waste: Continuing to set aside cardboard, paper, glass & plastic for recycling. Saving glass juice containers and lids to use for upcoming kombucha brewing project (Joy, I hope to meet up with you either this week or next for a scoby!). Will be using damaged kiddie pools (geese and dogs are hard on them) for additional raised vegetable beds - cut holes in bottom for drainage and use for lettuces.

Preparation & Storage: Am making room in a closet for additional storage shelves. Buying soy milk by the case now. Also purchased a trailer for the car, so we have more room for animals & household goods if we have to leave the property due to encroaching wildfires or other such emergencies. Recently used the trailer to haul eight bales of bedding hay for the animals.

Build Community Food Systems: As soon as I can get the girls all to start laying in the coop again, will sell eggs once more to the local co-op. Am awaiting news from the local CSA with regards to their plans for a Fall/Winter farm-goods subscription.

Eat the Food: Eating our own eggs and the CSA produce.

[pic: yin yang eggs]

Dog on Tarpaulin

This is one of our two Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dogs, named "Bandit":



This is Bandit on top of a tarpaulin:



This is Bandit on top of a tarpaulin covering 20 cubic yards of compost & soil, because if I didn't cover the soil, both Bandit and Maggie would have the soil dug out and spread all over the property within a week:



I'm really, REALLY glad they don't have opposable thumbs.

Godzilla in Carrier

He was off standing by himself the other night, shaking his head now and again. Godzilla, being the lead gander, is rarely away from the gaggle so I knew something was up. Got him cornered, picked him up (which he does NOT love, natch), set him on the shelter roof, and saw that his right eye was inflamed and appeared to be pussing over. YIKES! Godzilla is the first of the geese Spouse and I raised by hand, and thinking there was something wrong with my feisty boy about tore my heart out.

Our vet was able to squeeze him in the very next day. Thank you Dr. Sheffield, and all the wonderful techs at the Wimberly Veterinary clinic! [By the way, the slide-show on their web site's main page includes a pic of an awkward looking teen-aged Billy-Bob, with some gosling fuzz still attached to his head.] Looks like Godzilla has an inflamed wound on his inner eyelid, a treatable issue thank goodness. Here's where the fun starts, however: I'm to squeeze antibiotic ointment into Godzilla's eye three or four times a day for the next seven to ten days. That means:

• cornering him somewhere,
• picking him up (and trying to avoid getting wing-beaten in the process),
• getting him settled on a flat surface and relatively high up so I don't have to bend over,
  
• keeping him held safely in place while juggling the antibiotic ointment, and
• holding his head still for the treatment.

Yeah. Wish me luck with that.

[Pic: Godzilla in the carrier (reviewed earlier) on the way home. Of all the geese, he's been the only one to insist on standing and watching everything on the drive. The others sit until the car stops. He's my big goozul!]

CSA Veggie Adventure - July 8

Only four more weeks of veggies from our farm subscription. Montesino Ranch CSA is going to try out a Fall/Winter subscription for the first time this year. If it's not too pricey, will try it out while I also try my hand at growing our own Fall/Winter crops. In the meantime, this week's bounty consists of:

• Flowers (yay!)
• Chard
• Beets
• Squash
• Baby Melon
• Tomatoes
• Eggplant
• Chilies
• Peppers

Now I'm hungry... thinking raw pepper and squash slices with some hummus dip. Mmmm, Summer veggies: a lazy cook's delight!

New Trailer

I was on my way to San Marcos on Tuesday to price out some trailers to tow behind the trusty Subaru. Saw this trailer with a "for sale" sign, parked at an antique store lot. Made a U-turn as soon as I could, and phoned the number on the sign. Talked with the owner, made a deal, and 30 minutes later had the trailer "in hand". Of course there was some drama in that I had to learn, on-the-fly, how to put together a ball hitch (at first I screwed it on upside down), but everything worked out and was able to safely haul the trailer home. Now waiting on a wiring harness from the local auto parts store - which should be in tomorrow - so the trailer brake lights will be powered and the trailer safe for the road.

Let me just holler Woohoooooo!!!! Less than half the cost of a new trailer, it will be perfect for hauling trees & shrubs, hay, mulch, lumber, and taking refuse to the dump. The Subaru did its best on all the above, but couldn't handle much volume. The trailer's prior owner was a local landscaper who made the wood structure on top. The structure is easily lifted off by the removal of a few connector pins. The trailer itself is a lightweight "folding" trailer, with lights and license already. Just need to get the license/tags updated at the county tax office.

The seller remarked that about a half-dozen folks had called about the trailer in the previous few weeks, expressing interest and promising to call back, but never did. Lucky for us, I hope! And the cost savings have made up for the extra expense of the soil I just purchased for the next orchard installation phase. Ahem.

Back in Gear

Oh-so-many things have been on the back burner these past few weeks: updates on the CSA veggie consumption, updates on the Independence Days project, and updates on the farm in-general. I've also been horribly remiss in keeping up with people's blogs and emails (sorry!). A lesson I'm still learning: life is not linear. It progresses in cycles, life to death, fast to slow, bright to dark, and back again. Mindfulness of these cycles will help you keep your sanity. Mom Nature is not a computer, and one cannot be on "full speed" indefinitely. So enjoy life when it slows. That way you'll have the energy to take advantage of the "full speed" times. With that unasked for advice in mind, I leave you with a pic taken at the 4th of July celebration in Minnesota, where I got to meet more of Spouse's extended family. Good people, good food, good times, and gorgeous land - looking forward to another visit in the future.

Now, back to the Farm!

Offishul Shoes o' teh Farm in Summer

Because I'm such a klutz, and because it's so hot, I finally broke down and purchased a pair of these Keens slip-on flops.

I'd previously a pair Keen sandals that had a strap around the back heel, but they stayed on too darn well - if a rock or other detritus got into the sandal bed, there was no getting it out without taking off the whole sandal. They were also flippin' HOT on my feet. These new ones, however, don't have those problems. The toe guards keep my tootsies from banging into rocks or tripping over roots. The soles are thick and can take walking around on our rocky terrain or the cement floor. The strap underliners are soft and comfortable. Easy to slip on & off, too. Most important of all: they're washable. I clean these bad boys off with a high-pressure stream of water from the hose almost every morning, and the flops handling the abuse like a champ.

I'll close by saying "no, I don't work for or otherwise get paid by Keen". I like these shoes. Hope they last a good long time.

Cool Tool Review: DockDogs Pet Carrier

I'd been looking for a portable crate that'd work for both the geese and chickens. Do you know what a pain in the tookus that's been? I finally saw a likely candidate at our favorite warehouse store, Costco. Spendier than the standard plastic pup crate, but after a recent vet visit, I am happy to report that it was well worth the money.

The DockDogs pet carrier has three different ways to put in a chicken or a goose - long-side, short-side, or from the top. (I've got the "large" version, 27"x20"x20") The top can be unzipped partially in such a way that a goose has enough room to stick her head out to stand and stretch, or look around. Pockets on top and back for food, paperwork, whatever you need. Washable by hose, because heaven knows geese can crap like champions. A cushioned floor pad (also washable) to absorb shocks on the dirt road out of our property. Lightweight but sturdy, using metal pipes for the frame. Easy to carry. What else can I say? Two thumbs up; highly recommended.

[Photos below can be enlarged by clicking on them. When I took the photos, I'd just gotten back from taking Miss Cecily (and a couple of other geese in a different crate) to the vet, so please excuse the poo'd towels - she can't help it.]

Eat! Eat!!

A vet visit for Miss Cecily the Goose - who was having problems keeping her wings on her back - showed that she was very thin (yikes! talk about feeling like a bad goose mom!). She might have looked like the fattest goose of the bunch, but as the vet showed me, it's almost all feathers. The other geese aren't nearly as skinny, but the vet declared they were on the thin side as well. I'm guessing nobody wants to leave the shady, cool spot to go eat at the main feeder. With the bright sun and searing heat, who could blame them?

The vet, bless him & his kin, arranged additional greens & veggies for the geese (besides what we already feed them in the mornings). One of his clients owns a restaurant, and she agreed to let me have the leftovers from meal prep. All I have to do is pick them up. Thank you so much, Linda!

We've also set up a new feeder in the shaded area. So far, the new feeder is working out well: so well, I may set up a second feeder in the shady area. The full feeder from yesterday morning was down to crumbs by the early evening. In addition, electrolytes with vitamins are being added to their water, and I picked up a bag of 30% protein game-bird feed to add to the organic feed. Gotta get the girls fattened up once more! As the Sicilian side of my family would say, "Eat! Eat!! You're so skinny, you're making me look poor!"

[Pic: Because sometimes, being first to the feed trough isn't enough.]

Dogs Day Off

I guess the plumber accidentally let them out the gate yesterday morning. There's no other explanation. Spouse & I walked and drove around in the gawdawful Texas heat and dust, calling for the dogs. No response. Bandit's vet appointment that afternoon had to be canceled. Nothing left to do but leave the gates open in case the little ingrates made their way back home, and ready the printer for a dozen "Missing Dog" posters.

They finally came back in the late afternoon, looking worn out from head to toe. You gotta click on the pics to see their miserable expressions, sprawled out under the shade oaks and water misting hoses. Yep, I'm enjoying some good old-fashioned schadenfreude right now. Rotten dogs!

[Don't mind my grousing - I'm quite thankful they came home. No buckshot to remove or skunk spray to wash out. Just a little heat exhaustion, from the looks of it. 106°F yesterday!]

New Fruits

Of all the goji plants, I never expected this particular one to fruit; especially in the first year. It resides in a particularly hot & sunny area, and was looking pretty sad the first six weeks or so after transplant. Lo & behold the fruit! I'm now watching closely to see at what point the berries are "ripe" versus "overripe", so I know when to pick.

Another plant that I didn't expect to fruit: the lone fig still in the rooting bucket. We planted two figs in the garden last year, and although they're growing like gangbusters, there's still no fruit. But the little bucketed one has three figs popping out. Go figure.

[click the pics for bigger view]

Laying Low

It's been unseasonably warm for June, but now we're sliding towards July where these sort of temperatures are more the norm. Seasonable or not, the warmer weather means making sure the animals are kept cool and hydrated.

In the past, we put up shade tents in the goose & chicken pen. The shady grove on the other side of the house, however, is doing a much better job of cooling down the animals, and much less expensively. Every shade tent we put up last year got torn to shreds by the high winds. The oaks and cedars have no such problems with the breezes.

The animals all gather, and share the cool space with very little squabbling. They only leave the area if they get hungry, and once fed, head straight back to the grove. The geese stand in the pools, letting the water cool them down via the bare skin of their legs. The chickens keep a respectable distance from the geese, but will often lay close to wherever the dogs are. The dogs - heavily furred - have a knack for finding the coolest patches of soil. The Southwest wind blows hot, but the shaded area is a moderating force, along with the misting hoses. Everyone sleeps during the hottest part of the day, including myself.

Summer here could be considered, energy-wise, more like Winter up North. Everything slows down. Grass and gardens start going dormant due to the weather. Any outdoor work, voluntarily done, is rushed through. Now that the Northern Solstice has passed, however, the days will begin getting short once more, with a return to cooler weather and increased activity not too far away. Until then, we're all laying low.

[Pics: top: geese in the pools - the shade covers the area more fully after morning passes. Bottom: Frau sleeping with Bandit.]

Dang it's hot!

From NOAA: Today: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 105 [emphasis mine]. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

I try going without the air-conditioner for as long as I can during Summer. Spouse is more uncomfortable with high temperatures, so had the A/C on over the weekend. I could not muster the will to turn it off after he left on Monday. I try to justify the A/C usage by keeping the thermometer at 81°F, but still feel like I've wimped out. @virgotex - who lives just down the road (hey, we gotta do coffee sometime) - is still managing to do without. She has my slack-jawed admiration.

We're taking care of the animals as best we can. There's kiddie pools and tubs full of water in the pen and under the shady oaks on the other side of the house. Also under the shady oaks are two misting hoses to bring the temps down a bit more. Dogs, chickens and geese unite in their desire to stay cool, and all hang out together under the shade.

Okay, Mom Nature, we get it - it's Summertime, and it's HOT!

[pic: Maggie getting her cool on, all 80-some pounds of her. Bandit now weighs slightly over 100 pounds. Thems some big dawgs right there!]

New Bachelor Pad

Nine randy boys were caught by fresh corn-on-the-cob and a very big fish net, and introduced to their new digs on Saturday.

We combined the original long chicken run that the pullets used with the addition of a round, wired "corral". The run floor is covered with hay and several perches for evening snoozing, and the corral has plenty of dirt to scratch. The Taj Mah'Chicken* it ain't, but it's spacious and sturdy. The run and corral are both under the shady cedar tree grove plus covered over the top in shade cloth, but the roos can still get afternoon sun if they wish at the far end of the run. 'Course, with heat being in the upper 90°'s F, there's not too much interest in hanging out in the sunshine at the moment.

The wiliest (and rudest, and randiest) of the bunch - heck, let's call him "Barry" - has tried six ways from Sunday to escape. He even somehow managed to climb the corral wiring, and attempted to squeeze out from between the top of the fencing and the shade cloth. Wish I'd had my camera, it was an impressive effort! Poor boy; when any of the girls come by, he races around the corral and clucks mournfully.

Two roosters were picked out for the Hen Protection Squad - the lone Barred Plymouth Rock roo, and one of the lucky (very lucky) Leghorns. I said a little prayer to the Universe asking for help picking out the best Leghorn roo for the girls. As soon as I finished, one of the roos walked up next to me and looked me square in the eye. He got picked. He better live up to expectations, tho' - there's plenty of roos who'd be more than happy to take his spot.

As for the corralled bachelors, it makes me a little sad to have them sequestered away from the girls, but the hens were getting so stressed by the constant attention that egg production went way down. Only a day and a half since the sequestering, and the girls are now back to their normal production.

*Phrase taken from the name of Auntie's Jan & Karen's palatial chicken coop. Think my girls are spoiled? Hah!

Video: Bandit Loves Billy-Bob

Although I don't think Billy-Bob (the gander) likes Bandit (the dog) all that much.

If Bandit is feeling the need for attention, she'll head-butt Billy-Bob's chest. Billy-Bob will then gnaw on Bandit for all he's worth. Bandit will move her head around, letting Billy-Bob chomp everywhere. If he stops, sometimes she'll put a paw on his back to get him to "love" some more. But here, take a look at this video if you don't believe me...

Coopus Interruptus

The roosters have discovered "girls". Girls are neat! Hey, you're a girl, let me jump on you! The rooster's libidos have turned on with the power of a freight train, and they're just as subtle with their intentions. If it were only one or two young roosters, the girls would have no problems keeping them in line. Eleven* Ten roosters, however, are turning out to be a problem. Even the snarliest of the girls - Nutmeg - is hard pressed to keep the roosters intentions in check.

I had planned on building the new chicken coop this week. Instead, I'm bringing back the large covered chicken run, and will install an extra corral at one end. Come nightfall, nine* eight unlucky roosters will be plucked from their sleep spots in the cedar, and plunked into a wired monastery. Poor boys.

[Edit: did some research, and the one Leghorn rooster I thought might be female actually IS female - females look like a slightly less showy version of the males. Tail feathers not as abundant, "jowls" and crest not as large. VERY lucky chicken.]

Video: Hormonal Attack Geese

The geese are now done with the egg-laying season, and back to their sweet selves. This video will serve to remind me, however, that this will be a yearly event, and to be prepared with thick jeans, gloves, and other self-protection come around next February through May. Mama loves her goozuls, yes she does!

Video: Young Roosters Crowing

The roo's are still in the cute stage, their voices cracking when attempting to brag about... well, anything. Not yet at the age where they're fighting dirty for dominance, or over the ladies. In this uncut vid, I'm "egging" them to crow, and they oblige:

[While playing this vid, the roo's overhead the crowing, and started crowing again... cute!]

Pic: Poof!

It looks like a down blanket has exploded on our property. The geese are shedding some of their insulating feathers in preparation for the warm season.

[Sorry for the lack of in-depth posts - still fighting off a painful, nasty dental infection. Progress and healing is happening, just a bit slower than I'd prefer... like, NOW.]

Pic: Procrastination No Longer Justified

Spoke too soon: I can no longer use the baby birds as an excuse not to clean the side porch. They "flew the coop"! Go birdies, go!

CSA Veggie Adventure Check-In

Some of the dental issues have been solved, but other issues have been discovered. At this point, I'm only able to partake of foodstuffs that can sucked up through a straw. Looks like I'll be making lots of pureed soups and smoothies from this week's bounty:

Beets
Chard
Parsnips?
Parsley
Leeks
Green Beans
Radicchio
Squash
and the first organic Peaches of the season.

I give thanks that the dentist gave me happy pills for the pain. Oof.

Pic: Justified Procrastination

Darn, guess I'll have to wait on cleaning up that side of the porch. Can't scare off the momma of these baby birds, you know...

[clicky to see larger image]

Minnie Pearl the Chicken, RIP

Spouse thought Minnie Pearl might have had a dislocated hip. We decided to take her into the vet bright & early this morning. X-Rays showed instead of a dislocated hip, her knee was shattered and ligaments completely rent. Surgery was possible, but success highly unlikely. I decided it would be best to have Pearl euthanized. I held her as the overdose shot of barbiturate was injected.

Some might say "well, it's just a chicken", and I'd understand their sentiment. On the other hand, owning chickens has given me a whole new perspective on birds and bird personalities, and to me, chickens are no longer "just chickens". They're amazing, funny, silly creatures who not only entertain, but give us eggs to eat, too. So I'm crying some with Pearl's passing, but I also know this is part of farm life, and will be okay. I'll bury her beneath the big oak tree where our other deceased chickens lay. The cycle of life continues.

[pic: a few weeks back, Pearl enjoying her first day of freedom with a group dust bath. Many thanks to everyone for your support, and especially to MaryBeth for introducing me to Linda and her wise chicken healing ways.]

Pic: Goose Puppet Show!

From the front porch/living room window, Princess asks "whatcha doin'? Whatcha doin'? Whatcha doin'?"

[p.s. Pearl moved her left leg today, hoping this means it is healing!]

Pullet Health Update

I tried so hard not to name her, but a name popped up anyways and stuck: "Minnie Pearl", or "Pearl" for short. It's not a good idea to name animals if it's uncertain they're going to recover from an injury - it makes emotional detachment much more difficult. Before, I thought I could handle taking her life if she couldn't heal. Now I'm not so sure. She's awake, aware, chirrups, eats and drinks. She doesn't appear to be in any pain. Her left foot still seems nerveless, and now her right foot appears to be lacking control as well. Still, she hobbles around and gets to food & drink just fine.

Other than the homeopathic remedies good for healing sprains and ligament/tendon tears & injuries - arnica montana, rhus toxicodendron, ruta graveolens - there's not much more I, or a vet, can do. Time will tell if she heals.

[Pic: Pearl in repose, stretching her leg]

Word to the Wise

Just so you know, Blu-Kote does indeed stain.

Okay, so here's the long story on what happened: the geese caught one of the pullets and banged her up pretty good, including pulling out some feathers from the top of her head. To keep the other chickens from picking at the injury, I sprayed some Blu-Kote so the red wound wouldn't be obvious. Being the overprotective chicken-mama that I am, of course I sprayed some on my arm first. D'oh! What can I say, at least I didn't get any on my shirt.

The pullet is resting in a box inside the house, as the other chickens kept pecking at her regardless of the dye job. She might have a pulled tendon, as she can move both thighs, but the power to her left foot is lacking. I'm hoping a day of rest will find her doing better tomorrow. At this time, she's eating, drinking, and softly trilling.

Spouse, we might want to consider making smoked goose this weekend...

[pic: the evidence, after several scrubbings. ]

CSA Veggie Adventure - A Bust?

Oh noes, dental woes! Haven't been eating much of anything these past few weeks, due to dental work. Keeping fingers crossed that the latest adjustment of the porcelain fillings will do the trick. This week's CSA veggie bounty: dandelion greens, beets, carrots, radishes, elephant garlic, and flowers.

[pic: one of the geese trying to figure out what the heck these tiny winged creatures are doing.]

Independence Days Check In

Time for the Independence Days Challenge check in! I'm finding this weekly check in to be very helpful, as I sometimes think I'm not doing much, but looking back can see that indeed "stuff" is getting done. More about the Independence Days Challenge at Sharon Astyk's blog.

Plant something: Missed moon-cycle for planting above-ground produce such as new pasture grass and lettuce. Hope to make the next cycle.

Harvest something: Eggs, natch. The geese are starting to slow down their egg production once more, hopefully this is the last of the season. I want my sweet geese back!

Preserve something: Sorta - froze bulk garlic and ginger concoction, see Prep & Storage below.

Reduce waste: Continuing to re-use old and/or soiled critter drinking & pool water to water fruit trees, herbs, veggies and poultry pasture. Also using soiled water to keep compost pile “hydrated”.

Preparation & Storage: Purchased dried raisins, cherries, sliced almonds, ground flax meal. I use these in home-made oat-based meusli, of which I presoak a serving the day before in soy milk. Spouse got a good deal on fresh ginger and pre-peeled garlic at the asian grocer, and made a garlic/ginger blend, portioned and froze. Ordered 10# of food-grade diatomaceous earth.

Build Community Food Systems: Attended co-op “meet & greet” as a farmer/vendor, and gave presentation on differences between caged chicken eggs and pasture-raised chicken eggs. Red, White & Grew (twitter @redwhiteandgrew) used a quote and a photo of my preserves for an article on the MySanAntonio site - as I joked with her later, “does this mean my fifteen minutes of fame are up?”

Eat the Food: Not eating all that much, actually. Dental problems!

[Top pic: photo that was used in the article. Bottom pic: photo taken of me at my little vendor table, showing the differences in egg yolks, and talking everyone's ear off.]

Locavorism for the Win!

The co-op through which I sell eggs - the Bountiful Sprout - held a vendor/member/advertising "meet and greet" at our local community center today. There was a free showing of the documentary "Food Fight", live music, face-painting, and hands-on crafts for the kids. The vendors ranged from bakers to herbalists to ranchers to veggie farmers, and members got to meet and talk to the vendors more in-depth about their products and philosophies.

I provided examples of the differences between commercial, caged chicken eggs and pasture-raised chicken eggs. "City" folks and teens were amazed at the difference in yolk color, and most had never seen a goose egg before . "Old"-timers told funny stories about being raised around chickens and geese. Folks who know me, know that I'm pretty shy and don't talk about myself that much (well, except on this blog), but I feel so passionate about local food systems - and my girls, of course! - that I about talked everyone's ear off.

Fell into a discussion with one of the co-op's board members, who is putting together a town-focused social network where folks can skill share and call out for assistance. We talked about how many are craving a sense of community and connection, and that this can be one way of creating a more cohesive community. Especially if the economy continues to tank.

I was thrilled to talk more with local producers of pasture-raised pork and beef, and made plans to budget money for shares in the upcoming harvest.

Meeting with everyone, making presentations, and seeing people's excitement in what we're doing with the co-op has left me feeling re-energized and re-motivated to push forward on developing our orchard. There's a huge need for a larger variety of local, organic fruits and nuts. Our town also has a small food bank, and it'd be great to have something to give every season. I may even set up a gleaning opportunity if we have enough trees/produce to do so.

One thing I forgot to bring - snacks and drinks. I started to have a sugar crash, and ended up eating a coconut/date macaroon from the vendor next to me, and drinking a cup of organic coffee from the vendor across the way. This means Spouse gets to watch me bounce off the walls for the rest of tonight, lucky guy! ("no, not really" I'm sure he'd say) Think I better find a project to pour this energy into while it lasts.

Round and Round We Go

Our very first batch of chickens did this. The second batch, not so much because they followed the first batch everywhere. Our third batch of chickens, a herd unto themselves, are taking up the tradition once more. The tradition? "Aiiieeee, we cannot find the opening to the poultry pen!"

The poultry pen is pretty darn big, I'll admit. There's approximately 500 feet of netting that gets electrified at night. There's only one way in and out of the pen, a gated opening that's about four feet wide, and is left open for the entire day.

The chicks get out. Dizzy with the heady scent of freedom, they get confused as to how to get back in. I'll go out with a stick, and try to "herd" them back into the pen. The chicks will run opposite of where I want them to go. So I run them along the fence-line the opposite way until we get close to the opening. Then the chicks will change their mind and head away from the opening once more, in surety that the opening lay "elsewhere". I run them back around the fence-line again, get close to the opening once more... yeah, you know how this goes by now.

If I'm lucky, Bandit will be nearby and she'll help herd the chickens into the pen. If I'm unlucky, Maggie will think I'm playing and will bounce through the chickens towards me, causing the chickens to scatter. The chickens will figure this all out eventually, just like the first batch did. In the meantime I'm getting sunshine, exercise, and the opportunity to inspect the fence (again and again and again) so it's not all bad, eh?

[pic: one of the Barreds.]