Turning over a new leaf...in the KITCHEN!

Time to be back...its been way too long...

Almost a year since I blogged. Not sure why I feel off the blog beaten path...but it happened. Now to smarten up and get back to blogging. Life is still a whirlwind here! Between animals and animals and more animals...did I mention animals...we are forever on the run. Whether it be exercising dogs, feeding the cat, or serving our beloved horses. We are seriously animal crazy. That's crazy with a capital C!

But to add to our fetish we now have included 2 pheasant hens and 8 pigeons. Of course the hens won't lay a single egg - they feel the need to only be consumption animals and not producers. They are noisy, smelly, and have the ugliest feet. Scabby looking feet that are in dire need of a pedicure. Alas their names....Casserole and Kebob. They were laying eggs but have gone on strike. Maybe it's a lock out not an actual strike...stay tuned it might be longer than we think.

The pigeons, well they have no names. They are for training the dogs. They are caught, brought home and feed a diet that is worth of being in a Vegas buffet. Then they are taken out to the field and released to teach the dogs to "whoa" for hunting. Quite the life they have. Stolen from their shanty to the life of a king. And then to only be released to return to the shanty. I am surprised they aren't flocking back here!

The garden is planted and growing very well this year. The cooler weather has not set it back to badly. The heat inbetween the cooler days has allowed the plants to get a good start. Raspberries are soon to make an entrance! Nothing better than a freshly picked raspberry on a hot summer day! As soon as they are ready there will be raspberry everything on the menu.

Come back soon...

Yet again...the garden produces another tasty venture.

On my way home from work yesterday, I had thoughts of what to do with all my dill that is feverishly growing in my garden. It's getting rather large and thick...and like it's name (dill weed) it's getting a little wild and weedy. I needed something for my breakfast and happened to be craving Tim Hortons...and I had a vision! Baking Powder Biscuit with dill and cheddar. So once I got home I immediately went out and picked some dill. I was very generous with my picking too I might add. Inside I went and started my expirement.

2 Cups of Flour

4 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp seasoning salt

Sift together twice. Makes it extra light and fluffy.

1/3 Cup of Margarine or butter (I am anti-butter so I used margarine)

Cut into flour mixture until fine and grainy looking.

6-8 Sprigs of dill weed leaves chopped finely

1 Cup shredded Old Cheddar

Mix into Flour mixture.

3/4 c of Milk plus 2 tbsp.

Add to the flour mixture. Stir well. If it seems a little runny you can just a flour.

Make into balls about the size of a lemon. Plop down onto your baking sheet and lightly flatten out.

Bake in the oven at 375 F for 20 mins.

Viola...delish...mouthwatering...they only lasted about 10 mins in our house last night!!

Hail Ceasar!!

The romaine is ready, the romaine is ready!!! Yummy Ceasar salad tonight for dinner. Nothing like homegrown goodness. And Mr. Gardener was beaming this morning when he picked it! The first ingredient of his masterpiece for dinner tonight. I could just see it oozing with Vitamin D. Made me salivate at its leafy presence...so this is how Rome was built...Hail Ceasar!!!!

The Potatoes have BEETLES!

Oh dear...Mr. Gardener is beside himself! There are beetles in his beloved potato patch...the patch that he painstakenly planted (while I watched of course ~ it had be overseen) and he is fretting. Not just your normal fret either folks...I mean he is downright fretting, losing sleep over these dang beetles. Yes they are doing damage, but it's a beetle. Squish it firmly and rejoice!

It's actually a Colorado Potato Beetle and these darn things are tough to get rid of. So I caved and allowed him to buy some insecticide...there goes our organic potato patch ~ not that it was ever intended to be. So please Mother Nature, rid our garden of these pesky beetles, so Mr. Gardener can sleep at night!!

How does your garden grow?

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary...how does your garden grow...

Well how does it grow? Well it grows lush, green, and full food! And good food. My childhood is full of vivid memories of my grandparents garden. I would spend some of summer vacation with them every year ~ deep in the trenches of their garden. Pulling weeds, picking berries, and the occasional gopher homicide would occur. But that's the life of the "gardener". My green thumb was found at a young age and even know at 33 it's still going strong as ever. And now I have passed it onto Barry who has actually become a bit of a garden hoarder...garden obsessive complusive disorder...garden stalker....all seem quite fitting.

So into the jungle of our garden...we have 25 tomatoes plants, 10 peppers (which are 85 days until maturity I am forever reminded of by Mr. Gardener), three rows of wax and green beans, romaine, carrots, potatoes, leaf lettuce, and the wonderful two rows of plentiful raspberries. Just the word raspberry makes my mouth water. YUMMMMMMMMY.

And to think that all winter while everyone is eating tasteless cans of supermarket tomatoes, beans, and carrots...Mr. Gardener and I will be living the dream at our kitchen table which will reek of plentiful flavour. Mmmmmmm....the thought just makes me want to salivate.

Just think my budget of $15.00 for seeds will feed us for a year. Amazing to think that such a small amount of money can reap such huge benefits! Our ancestors lived this way so why can't society adapt backwards again...Mr. Gardener sure did...easy transition folks...

Stayed tuned for more Gardening news....

Junebooger

Well we haven't hit the topic of Junebooger yet...well his real name is Junebug, but deep down inside those 1100 lbs - he's a Junebooger! He's huge and he has the hairest legs you have ever seen...and feet that stink too...he's your typical guy. But he's a gem. He's the biggest softie you will ever meet.

He came from Northern BC - a little town called Farmingtown which is between Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. He was born and raised in the north...he can handle the cold like a champ, ask his ears...they have the slightest scarring of frostbite on the tips. He was started by Curt who lives at the Hutterite Colony. He was given an unbelievable education. Curt really put alot of heart and effort into this big guy. He was then purchased by my MOTHER - who doesn't even ride anymore...and he was immediately transported to my doorstep. Which of course I didn't mind at all. He's handsome - why would I say no. Off to more school he went to learn to barrel race with my a dear friend of mine, Sarah Gerard.

And I guess we'll keep him, he's a great horse. Quiet, obedient, kind hearted - except to Skeeter who he has a love hate relationship with...I wish the two of them could just figure it out...their drama makes me crazy!