tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213409242024-03-12T21:32:02.278-07:00Seven TreesLife on an acre in Whatcom CountySeven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.comBlogger421125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-35646664879663233702010-01-05T18:36:00.000-08:002010-01-05T19:28:49.338-08:00We've Moved!!<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/S0QCtY6BHQI/AAAAAAAADSs/duv1moxwLOw/s1600-h/ThornyNZ.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423462830064082178" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/S0QCtY6BHQI/AAAAAAAADSs/duv1moxwLOw/s320/ThornyNZ.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center">Seven Trees hasn't quite settled into it's new digs yet, but it's time to point your browser to our new blog-site - <a href="http://www.seventreesfarm.com/">Seven Trees Farm</a>: <a href="http://www.seventreesfarm.com/">http://www.seventreesfarm.com/</a></div><br /><br /><br />There will be plenty of updates as we get used to all the bells & whistles of the new format. Our links & blogroll page needs refilling, and we're not done with the flock profile yet either.<br /><br /><br /><br />But all future posts will be made at the new site, so make yourselves comfortable, and we welcome any comments regarding the big change.<br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-28162067488505817302010-01-05T07:23:00.000-08:002010-01-05T07:51:38.448-08:00Blog upgrade delay...<div style="text-align: center;">The plan was for this next post to be at our new home online, but some technical issues have arisen -- hence there will be a small delay. Hopefully we can have them resolved this week, but in the mean time...<br /><br />Here are several cuts of sirloin from the two dexter steers, salted/peppered and ready to grill.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/S0NaFuCFNzI/AAAAAAAADSk/BeznoK6-YPQ/s1600-h/steak1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/S0NaFuCFNzI/AAAAAAAADSk/BeznoK6-YPQ/s320/steak1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423277430586816306" border="0" /></a><br />And here's the entire meal, Seven Trees grown Island sunshine bakers with local bacon/sour cream for topping, Swiss chard that we blanched and froze over the past summer from the garden, a glass of home made wine from some local picked fox grapes and our very own home raised sirloin steak [at long last]. The beef is extremely flavorful and incredibly lean... these below I over cooked just a wee bit, and will make appropriate adjustments next time around. But all and all, delicious. We've since also had some Dexter burgers, meat also quite lean, but I kept them to the medium rare side and they were fabulous. The lean meat is more like buffalo or even game than that of traditional beef and is hopefully packed with <a href="http://www.eatwild.com/healthbenefits.htm">omega 3</a>'s.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/S0NaFY7yNNI/AAAAAAAADSc/OEqQrEvCfjI/s1600-h/steak2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/S0NaFY7yNNI/AAAAAAAADSc/OEqQrEvCfjI/s320/steak2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423277424923260114" border="0" /></a>Below is the culmination of a slow oven braised roast in a mixture of tomatoes, home grown dried chilis, and other seasonings. Steamed tamales with fresh made masa and the tender chopped beef as filling. You <span style="font-style: italic;">cannot</span> eat just one.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/S0NaEzfZPaI/AAAAAAAADSU/W6EYiRnWPSs/s1600-h/tamales.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/S0NaEzfZPaI/AAAAAAAADSU/W6EYiRnWPSs/s320/tamales.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423277414872071586" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Hopefully the next post will see us at our new home online, with a new outlook and even more adventures. Cheerio!<br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-6294591706835813262010-01-01T19:46:00.000-08:002010-01-01T19:52:57.493-08:00Happy New Year and Happy Birthday Seven Trees Farm<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sz7CBzC8wtI/AAAAAAAADSM/vBRAyWdaIEo/s1600-h/happy-birthday-cake.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421984337538892498" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sz7CBzC8wtI/AAAAAAAADSM/vBRAyWdaIEo/s320/happy-birthday-cake.gif" /></a> Seven Trees: the Blog is 4 years old today! </div><div align="center">Hopefully all our faithful readers are enjoying winter holiday fun. </div><div align="center">We're working hard to make our next post hosted at the new blog-site, so stay tuned. You'll have to update your link to Seven Trees blog, but it will be worth the effort.<br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-26630007519850965032009-12-28T18:57:00.000-08:002009-12-28T19:20:16.294-08:00Beach Store Cafe on Lummi Island<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SzlwdH19bFI/AAAAAAAADR4/sil3taGM0VM/s1600-h/Lummi1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420487272140991570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SzlwdH19bFI/AAAAAAAADR4/sil3taGM0VM/s320/Lummi1.jpg" /></a> We decided to take a break from all our winter projects & planning to head to <a href="http://www.lummi-island.com/">Lummi Island </a>for lunch.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Szlwcr8pKlI/AAAAAAAADRw/8NzPLF958rU/s1600-h/Lummi2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420487264652831314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Szlwcr8pKlI/AAAAAAAADRw/8NzPLF958rU/s320/Lummi2.jpg" /></a>The<a href="http://www.beachstorecafe.com/"> Beach Store Cafe </a>serves up some wonderful food, our most favorite being the locally-caught salmon & chips. They also have good pizzas & burgers, and a good draft beer selection. A great place to hang out in any kind of weather. Here's a view of the cafe from the ferry dock. <br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Szlwcbawv6I/AAAAAAAADRo/GQfMK7xn4aw/s1600-h/Lummi3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420487260215754658" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Szlwcbawv6I/AAAAAAAADRo/GQfMK7xn4aw/s320/Lummi3.jpg" /></a>Mt. Baker, the Twin Sisters, and the <a href="http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/publicworks/ferry/index.jsp">Whatcom Chief</a>. Lummi Island boasts 816 residents, and still has some working farms, a library, post office, grocery store, art galleries, B&B's, and the <a href="http://www.willows-inn.com/">Willows Inn</a>.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Szlwb6EtR4I/AAAAAAAADRg/E7Ec4AwT6tM/s1600-h/Lummi4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420487251264882562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Szlwb6EtR4I/AAAAAAAADRg/E7Ec4AwT6tM/s320/Lummi4.jpg" /></a>The Whatcom Chief can carry 20 cars, plus 2 cabins for foot passengers. There is currently <a href="http://www.komonews.com/news/local/63450712.html">a lot of debate</a> between Whatcom County and the Lummi tribe regarding the location and lease of the ferry dock. As lovely as the island is, it would be hard to live in a place where both transportation and <a href="http://lummiislandliving.org/?page_id=19">water supply</a> are in constant crisis. <div>......................................................................................................</div><div>Stay tuned for news about our impending move from Blogger to Wordpress. We're in the process of designing a new blog home with more features and information about Seven Trees Farm. </div></div></div><br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-8159555083705406132009-12-22T08:45:00.000-08:002009-12-22T09:35:31.027-08:00Year's end...<div><div style="text-align: center;">Another artful presentation by Magnus. This cat knows how to relax! He also knows how to bring live mice inside the house via the cat door as it's been about 1/2 dozen in December alone [that we know about]. Why not bring the mouse inside where it is warm and dry to chase around the living room when the weather is bad? Or better yet the bedroom! But only when your people are sound asleep at night...<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SzD4BXGqirI/AAAAAAAADRY/NT7bzhf6YwU/s1600-h/twinkle+toes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 239px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418103053992233650" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SzD4BXGqirI/AAAAAAAADRY/NT7bzhf6YwU/s320/twinkle+toes.jpg" border="0" /></a>We apple tree wassailed on solstice eve this year... one of the few photos taken below. Apparently we were all too busy wassailing or hanging out by the bonfire to do much documenting this go around. Suffice it to say that judging by the empty <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mead">cider-mead</a> [cyser] bottles, the trees should grow well and bear well come spring/summer!<br /></div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SzD4BMveWwI/AAAAAAAADRQ/HEAAuD2VRU0/s1600-h/Wassail1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 230px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418103051210611458" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SzD4BMveWwI/AAAAAAAADRQ/HEAAuD2VRU0/s320/Wassail1.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is the bed of the truck filled with our steers, just back from the butchers. We hope to do some weighing as to what we got back meat wise, but Doug was 492 pounds hanging weight, Buddy 393 pounds. We sold 1/2 Buddy to family, and we'll hang on to the 1 1/2 beef for now. Our 2 chest freezers are full-up at this juncture! Tonight is sirloin tip steak for dinner... one from each steer and later we'll post our comparison.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SzD4A1JmSHI/AAAAAAAADRI/_w_XgQUPDRw/s1600-h/beef.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418103044877731954" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SzD4A1JmSHI/AAAAAAAADRI/_w_XgQUPDRw/s320/beef.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This video might be a better display the quantity of beef... it's a lot!<br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx0rL8jH1BrktJpdTRFux_CeqQVc4qN7d48aOxZ515AMFFW4fUvsq_VwCz6XTwKVafSFG47QUjyxJY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />For hibernation season, it has been one heck of a busy month. Not only were the steers taken care of, all of our seeds, and spuds for garden 2010 are ordered. We are also registered to attend the <a href="http://skagit.wsu.edu/CountryLivingExpo/">2010 Country Living Expo and Cattlemen's Winter School</a> <- click for more information.<br />We attended last year and it was really a terrific experience. As their website says... "the Country Living Expo and Cattlemen’s Winterschool is just for you. You can attend classes on a multitude of topics, network with other small farmers, enjoy a prime rib lunch and visit with local agricultural businesses offering you service..." There are a number of classes this year on business laws for small farms, incorporating, but also hands on courses like beekeeping, raising grains, butchering chickens, mud mitigation, you name it! It's an excellent program that we recommend any small or backyard farmer in the area try to attend.<br /><br />We are also making arrangements to be at the <a href="http://www.smallfarmersjournal.com/">2010 Small Farmers Journal Auction</a> in Madras, Oregon April 14-17, an auction of horse drawn equipment, carriages, harness and horses. Pony seriously needs some better harness, maybe even another cart/wagon, and we have been told this is the place to find both selection and good prices. Also should be an opportunity to network with some other people into pulling horses or ponies!<br /><br />Looks like we'll be rolling into 2010 with all kinds of adventures to look forward to...<br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-42565573593665429182009-12-14T18:42:00.000-08:002009-12-14T20:40:12.362-08:00Gemini's Snow Day<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Syb4QYJwjjI/AAAAAAAADRA/mjGItcxlwBw/s1600-h/pony1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415288562204577330" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Syb4QYJwjjI/AAAAAAAADRA/mjGItcxlwBw/s320/pony1.jpg" border="0"></a> Since we haven't been able to get Gemini out for a cart drive recently, we took advantage of the snowy day to take him for a walk. Here he is getting a mini-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longeing">lunge</a> session while we wait for a car to go by. Gemini never passes up a chance to eat, so he could use a little exercise....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Syb4BF4UQgI/AAAAAAAADQ4/FddGHmmJJbM/s1600-h/pony2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 242px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415288299601543682" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Syb4BF4UQgI/AAAAAAAADQ4/FddGHmmJJbM/s320/pony2.jpg" border="0"></a> Pausing to pose with pony near the Pole Rd.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Syb4AtaZk8I/AAAAAAAADQw/8qzKrO2nOus/s1600-h/pony3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415288293033612226" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Syb4AtaZk8I/AAAAAAAADQw/8qzKrO2nOus/s320/pony3.jpg" border="0"></a>We thought it would be a good idea to take Gem to the pig farm up the road. He doesn't care for them at all, and he needs to be able to take them in stride while pulling a cart.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Syb4AS4hBjI/AAAAAAAADQo/gH9qQjSwttM/s1600-h/pony4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415288285912172082" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Syb4AS4hBjI/AAAAAAAADQo/gH9qQjSwttM/s320/pony4.jpg" border="0"></a>Look at the face on this boar! We also wanted a closer look to get used to the idea or raising and eating a critter like this.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Syb4AOeDx9I/AAAAAAAADQg/xY97J8jPONA/s1600-h/pony5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415288284727461842" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Syb4AOeDx9I/AAAAAAAADQg/xY97J8jPONA/s320/pony5.jpg" border="0"></a>Gemini thought the wind-spinner was rather spooky as well. He sure gets a lot of attention from traffic when he's out walking. It's fun, and a great way to get him used to different sights & sounds.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Syb3_yuZ8sI/AAAAAAAADQY/_rSRuRWhLQw/s1600-h/pony6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415288277279830722" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Syb3_yuZ8sI/AAAAAAAADQY/_rSRuRWhLQw/s320/pony6.jpg" border="0"></a> At the end of the walk, he was ready to quit hoofing it and catch a ride home. Unfortunately his bus wasn't running today, so he walked home anyway.</div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxc468LHA0FOIzIAcfhmBqxtHTBDEIN8zZnFXyKi4TaUQsjZ_wwy0QTw2EFi4A20wLTMLvBf-O3Yw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-1850311175906040892009-12-08T17:42:00.000-08:002009-12-08T19:01:45.233-08:00Meat with a name - Doug & Buddy<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">WARNING:</span></strong> </div><br /><br /><div align="center">The following pictures are graphic, and a detailed record of how our two steers were turned from livestock into meat. If you keep reading, you will see blood and dead cows, and also learn where meat should come from (not factory farms). <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413048331868238498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8Cxz0G8qI/AAAAAAAADQA/GuMDv-JOweM/s320/cow+boys.jpg" /></div><div align="center">Disclaimer: Anyone who prefers to eat meat 'without a name' should get to know the millions of nameless animals who are tortured and killed for the sole purpose of providing this country with abnormally cheap meat. Read <a href="http://farmsanctuary.org/mediacenter/beef_report.html">this article </a>and please go the extra mile to make sure you <em>do</em> eat meat with a face and a name.<br /></div><div align="center"><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Here's the processing truck from Keizer Meats in Lynden, WA. They had slaughtered 2 steers before our turn, as you can see already hanging inside. The truck is equipped with its own running water and a generator to run the meat saw.</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8CT7nnqcI/AAAAAAAADP4/I6esi7zyblY/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413047818567264706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8CT7nnqcI/AAAAAAAADP4/I6esi7zyblY/s320/3.jpg" /></a>We don't have pictures of Doug (<a href="http://www.dextercattle.org/pedigreedb/ponyweb.cgi?horse=020070&ParentID=018071&Page=1&Sort=6">Douglas Fir of Seven Trees</a>) and Buddy (<a href="http://www.rdoubled.com/">RdoubleD Acres </a>Buddy) actually being shot. To get a good clean kill, the fewer distractions the better. The boys were offered one last pan of grain and an apple, and both went down immediately thanks to the skill of the guys from Keizer. Below is Doug. He was shot in the forehead from a few feet away, and in this picture already has his throat cut.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8CL5yaIVI/AAAAAAAADPw/mYCVz3CvN00/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413047680636690770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8CL5yaIVI/AAAAAAAADPw/mYCVz3CvN00/s320/1.jpg" /></a>And Buddy, also with his throat cut.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413052568159470978" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8GoZOpRYI/AAAAAAAADQI/Wxdpgog6WtY/s320/2.jpg" /> <div><br />Buddy was more wild in life, and also in death. I'm sure everyone knows that chickens can flap around quite a bit after having their heads cut off. Well, cattle are no different. It took Buddy rather a long time to let go of this world, and for safety's sake we gave him a lot of room until he was done.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8CLNHq05I/AAAAAAAADPg/paply8KIDZ8/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413047668646269842" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8CLNHq05I/AAAAAAAADPg/paply8KIDZ8/s320/4.jpg" /></a>The steers were each rolled onto their backs and chocked into place like you do with a trailer or car you want to prevent from rolling.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8CK7C1iSI/AAAAAAAADPY/m_fVMlg2nzc/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413047663794161954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8CK7C1iSI/AAAAAAAADPY/m_fVMlg2nzc/s320/5.jpg" /></a>Here are both steers partially dressed out. We found out it would <a href="http://www.quilcedaleather.com/index1024.html">cost nearly $500 </a>to have Doug's hide tanned, so sadly we had to skip it. The knacker is taking Buddy's insides out in this picture, and Doug is to the right.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8CJaxMEnI/AAAAAAAADPQ/o0PnOc33zZQ/s1600-h/6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413047637950337650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8CJaxMEnI/AAAAAAAADPQ/o0PnOc33zZQ/s320/6.jpg" /></a>At this point, Buddy is nearly turned into quarters of beef, ready to go into the truck.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8BuHLIBtI/AAAAAAAADPI/RqhqSoay5M8/s1600-h/7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413047168833947346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8BuHLIBtI/AAAAAAAADPI/RqhqSoay5M8/s320/7.jpg" /></a> This is Doug. You can see how well he ate by all the abdominal fat hanging inside. At the very bottom left are his intestines, and to the right his lungs.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8Btkscq8I/AAAAAAAADPA/Y8Yz2_x9--Q/s1600-h/8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413047159578471362" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8Btkscq8I/AAAAAAAADPA/Y8Yz2_x9--Q/s320/8.jpg" /></a>The Keizer employees did a wonderful job, from kill to quartering two steers in only 2 hours. Here is Doug being split into halves with a saw.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8BtG5UM2I/AAAAAAAADO4/80LWyeMmNlw/s1600-h/9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413047151579378530" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8BtG5UM2I/AAAAAAAADO4/80LWyeMmNlw/s320/9.jpg" /></a>They hoist the halves up high enough so that the front quarters are able to be put on hooks hanging from the inside of the truck ceiling, then cut the front from the back quarters.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8BszvaozI/AAAAAAAADOw/RjFRnt88Pdg/s1600-h/10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413047146437583666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8BszvaozI/AAAAAAAADOw/RjFRnt88Pdg/s320/10.jpg" /></a>And here are Doug and Buddy, ready to head to Keizer Meats for 14-day ageing, then custom cut & wrapped for us to bring home.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8Bsa3DBAI/AAAAAAAADOo/v-hqQMLnwIs/s1600-h/11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413047139758703618" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sx8Bsa3DBAI/AAAAAAAADOo/v-hqQMLnwIs/s320/11.jpg" /></a>This has been an incredible experience, not just today, but from the very beginning with bringing Stella (Doug's mom) home as a heifer calf back in November 2006. We will definitely do this again, but probably not with a steer that we bred, birthed and raised all on Seven Trees ground.</div><div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><div align="center">This is a clip of Buddy (already well-dead) being dragged across the barnyard to the gambrel hoist.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx4ytgb9zb2I_o6lpCqUTjDNob3XXlu8Opsp2yD6BkQdHuSz2GQRKquq-hO6iq8d1zouGZ828_Xpxk' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-68420432354750533972009-12-06T20:04:00.000-08:002009-12-06T20:33:02.905-08:00Steamed Pumpkin Pudding and an Arctic Express<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SxyEwTEF48I/AAAAAAAADOg/Uhabf7iKdhM/s1600-h/MagNap.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412346817478517698" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SxyEwTEF48I/AAAAAAAADOg/Uhabf7iKdhM/s320/MagNap.jpg" /></a> Magnus is able to annoy Newt, even in his sleep. The kitties spend about 23/7 indoors, now that the woodstove is cooking about 23/7 as well.<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sxx_uyqfwWI/AAAAAAAADOY/L7PH-lyxmMM/s1600-h/PumpkinPudding.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412341294043218274" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sxx_uyqfwWI/AAAAAAAADOY/L7PH-lyxmMM/s320/PumpkinPudding.jpg" /></a> We tried a new <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/15/FDJ81AI2HU.DTL">pumpkin recipe tonight</a> (scroll down a bit for the recipe), and it's a winner. If you don't already have a pudding steamer, this recipe alone is reason to go buy one.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sxx_m8vxJXI/AAAAAAAADOQ/qPdwhO4o4EQ/s1600-h/Baffling.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412341159310730610" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sxx_m8vxJXI/AAAAAAAADOQ/qPdwhO4o4EQ/s320/Baffling.jpg" /></a> The howling north winds are as tough on the bees as our more common Pineapple Express. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraser_Valley#Weather">Fraser Valley </a>can sometimes take over our weather in the winter, giving us days of bone dry, frigid gales. At least we're lucky this one isn't bringing snow. We put some old roofing panels to use as baffles, and it seems to help. You can see downed branches from our last windstorm to the left.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sxx_mQKf2gI/AAAAAAAADOI/TS8sMQ3k2iI/s1600-h/ColdPony.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412341147343247874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sxx_mQKf2gI/AAAAAAAADOI/TS8sMQ3k2iI/s320/ColdPony.jpg" /></a>Gemini has a thick, soft, woolly coat to keep him warm. The humans, on the other hand, have to dress up in some creative outfits to work more than a few minutes outside.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sxx_mFIy6LI/AAAAAAAADOA/_Pt4V6i8xjg/s1600-h/ColdHens.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412341144383318194" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sxx_mFIy6LI/AAAAAAAADOA/_Pt4V6i8xjg/s320/ColdHens.jpg" /></a>The hens are keeping their feet warm in the straw while they get some sunlight. There is a heated water bowl in the background, and each coop has a heater on a thermostat. They still don't look very thrilled with this weather. Once Doug & Buddy are gone, we'll be starting on their coop upgrade/move to the barn.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sxx_l3ySWUI/AAAAAAAADN4/GzdNQsd8MnE/s1600-h/ColdGarlic.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412341140799248706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sxx_l3ySWUI/AAAAAAAADN4/GzdNQsd8MnE/s320/ColdGarlic.jpg" /></a> Even the garlic is trying to keep warm! Hopefully the wind will leave the straw in place, if not we'll have to lay some chickenwire over it.</div><div>............</div><div></div><div>It's garden planning time...the seed catalogs are getting dog-eared from overuse. The 2010 garden should be lots more productive, and lots less maintenance involved. Fingers crossed!</div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sxx_lhi5LsI/AAAAAAAADNw/y-g_QCRgRMY/s1600-h/MagNap.jpg"></a> </div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-20166086551800369862009-11-29T18:54:00.000-08:002009-11-29T20:18:42.055-08:00Pumpkin delivery system<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SxNBArEXkZI/AAAAAAAADNo/BxUygEpAE7g/s1600/pumpkin+cake.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409739057218949522" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SxNBArEXkZI/AAAAAAAADNo/BxUygEpAE7g/s320/pumpkin+cake.jpg" /></a>A new house favorite is this pumpkin coffee cake. Here's the recipe:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">1/2 cup butter, softened</div><div align="center">3 eggs</div><div align="center">3/4 cup sugar</div><div align="center">1 tsp vanilla</div><div align="center">1 cup sour cream</div><div align="center">2 cups flour</div><div align="center">1 tsp baking soda</div><div align="center">1 tsp baking powder</div><div align="center">1 15oz can of pumpkin (or 2 cups fresh pumpkin)</div><div align="center">3/4 cup sugar</div><div align="center">1/2 tsp salt</div><div align="center">1 tsp cinnamon</div><div align="center">1/2 tsp ground ginger</div><div align="center">1/4 tsp ground cloves</div><div align="center">1/4 tsp nutmeg</div><div align="center">2 eggs</div><div align="center">1/2 cup evaporated milk</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Topping:</div><div align="center">1/3 cup butter</div><div align="center">1 cup sugar</div><div align="center">2 tsp cinnamon</div><div align="center">1 cup walnuts</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">1. Grease or spray the bottom of a 9X13 pan</div><div align="center">2. Mix together the first 8 ingredients</div><div align="center">3. Spread 1/2 the mixture in the pan</div><div align="center">4. Mix together the next 8 ingredients</div><div align="center">5. Pour the pumpkin mixture over the batter</div><div align="center">6. Dab the rest of the batter evenly as possible over the pumpkin layer</div><div align="center">7. Sprinkle the topping on top</div><div align="center">8. Bake at 325F for 1 hour (until toothpick comes out clean), let cool & enjoy!<br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SxNBAOmR83I/AAAAAAAADNg/zs1v1voDlU4/s1600/drapery.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409739049576559474" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SxNBAOmR83I/AAAAAAAADNg/zs1v1voDlU4/s320/drapery.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>We started the big bedroom makeover in March, but when summer hit it was put on hold for outdoor doings. Now that the rainy season has arrived, we worked a bit more on the drapery.</p><p align="center">And below we have Magnus, in stealth mode under the kindling papers. He is very helpful when it comes to getting the fire lit.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SxNA_4tgBqI/AAAAAAAADNY/TxlsmhNg8Lk/s1600/lurking.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409739043701261986" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SxNA_4tgBqI/AAAAAAAADNY/TxlsmhNg8Lk/s320/lurking.jpg" /></a> On a less thrilled note, the much anticipated Uncle David's Dakota Dessert Squash has proven to be rather unsuitable for long-term storage. They grew well, they taste great, but they are going bad faster than we can eat them. We're starting to plan the 2010 garden, and we'll be skipping any buttercup squash varieties this time around. We also didn't care for the Kentucky Wonder green beans. They grew like crazy, but the flavor & texture just isn't as good as the Blue Lake variety we usually grow.</p>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-17548696058016443272009-11-19T08:27:00.000-08:002009-11-19T09:53:08.224-08:00Honoring the livestock<div align="center">We spoke with Keizer AA Meats this week and it looks like they'll be out to butcher our steers on December 8th. We approach this day with mixed feelings, because above all we do love our animals and make every effort to ensure they are happy and healthy. Douglas Fir of Seven Trees was conceived here, born here, and will end his life here. He is the only offspring of a purebred Dexter cow, Stella who we no longer own, and it is doubtful as long as we both must work fulltime off farm that we'll have another milk cow again soon. When Douglas and Buddy are gone it will not just be the end of their lives, it ends a cycle here at the farm that will not be repeated again for a long while. It is only appropriate as we close this circle that we make the absolute most of these animals to honor their sacrifice that we may eat meat that we raised with a considerable effort on our own land.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SwV0qrKlQRI/AAAAAAAADNQ/81MM4WiUV8o/s1600/cow+boys.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405855204218585362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SwV0qrKlQRI/AAAAAAAADNQ/81MM4WiUV8o/s320/cow+boys.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center"> </div><br><div align="center">We are keeping Douglas's hide and will be quickly transporting it to <a href="http://www.quilcedaleather.com/index1024.html">Quil Ceda Leather Company</a> in Marysville, Washington where it will be tanned with hair on. We are also thinking of the other products of home butchered animals to make that most people these days never consider, let alone eat or make any more. <br> One of these is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_pudding">blood sausage</a> or black pudding as it is known in the UK, Blutwurst [Germany], or Boudin Noir [France]. Essentially it is a sausage made with blood cooked with regional fillers like barley, heavy cream, onion, potato, bread, fat, suet or some variation of these items, and then placed in casings to be grilled or boiled in skin and eaten. We'll collect a gallon or two of blood from one of the steers at butcher in a sterile stainless milk pail so we can try making this sausage.</div><div align="center"> </div><br><div align="center"><a href="http://www.ochef.com/r287.htm">Beef Blood Sausage</a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">1# Leaf Lard</div><div align="center">10# Onions, diced</div><div align="center">1 quart heavy cream</div><div align="center">Salt to taste</div><div align="center">Pepper to taste</div><div align="center">1 Tbsp Pate spice</div><div align="center">1/2 gallon beef blood</div><div align="center">Pork casings</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><br><div align="center">Nordic cultures, Swedes, Finns, etc. aso make something that is known in Swedish as Blodplattar or <a href="http://www.dlc.fi/~marian1/gourmet/7_20.htm">blood pancakes </a>- click the link for recipe. These are a savory pancake with fresh blood as one of the main ingredients, and are traditionally eaten with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingonberry_jam">lingonberry jam</a>.<br /></div><br><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SwVyVtkZA5I/AAAAAAAADNI/e6c4H41YVkM/s1600/Blood+pancakes.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405852645063197586" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SwVyVtkZA5I/AAAAAAAADNI/e6c4H41YVkM/s320/Blood+pancakes.jpg" /></a>We will also keep the tongues, liver, heart, bones for soup, and whatever else we can for either our consumption or to stew up as homemade dog food, which we pressure can and the dogs adore. <br>While it is rather unsusual for most people to have a hand in the slaughter of the meat they consume these days, it is something we felt it was very important to do. There was no factory in the raising of our meat. Our cattle have lived good lives, they frolicked in the sun, slept in our pastures of green grass, ate until their bellies were full, had shade and shelter from wind/rain/snow, and were treated each day with care and dignity. We will honor all they gave us in sustenance and the pleasure of knowing the food we eat. </div><strong></strong>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-55904333782131221402009-11-10T19:29:00.000-08:002009-11-10T19:51:32.246-08:00Garlic planting day 2009<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvoxjpYDO_I/AAAAAAAADNA/5p1NPYBS7-Q/s1600-h/garlic+day1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402685191456242674" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvoxjpYDO_I/AAAAAAAADNA/5p1NPYBS7-Q/s320/garlic+day1.jpg" /></a> We took advantage of the one nice day this week to get our garlic in the ground. In the PNW, mid-Oct to mid-Nov is the time to plant.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvoxKayDaiI/AAAAAAAADM4/nGaT8wG3p78/s1600-h/garlic+day2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402684758042044962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvoxKayDaiI/AAAAAAAADM4/nGaT8wG3p78/s320/garlic+day2.jpg" /></a> The ground is still soft and lush, and we added quite a lot of nearly finished compost to it. Garlic likes to set down roots before the weather really turns, and it's ready to start growing as soon as the days get longer in the spring.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvoxKMwUZqI/AAAAAAAADMw/LiPwh_UzS98/s1600-h/garlic+day.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 233px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402684754276673186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvoxKMwUZqI/AAAAAAAADMw/LiPwh_UzS98/s320/garlic+day.jpg" /></a> By next July, the 329 cloves we planted will be ready for harvest. This year we're planting Chesnok Red, German Porcelain, and some generic white variety from California.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvoxJ-DjnbI/AAAAAAAADMo/96ktz5fhuLU/s1600-h/Stew+drive+thru.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402684750330830258" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvoxJ-DjnbI/AAAAAAAADMo/96ktz5fhuLU/s320/Stew+drive+thru.jpg" /></a>Stewart must have learned from Gemini! He's got the drive-thru window figured out.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvoxJuAb8vI/AAAAAAAADMg/cdxzWHipFkY/s1600-h/delicata.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402684746022777586" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvoxJuAb8vI/AAAAAAAADMg/cdxzWHipFkY/s320/delicata.jpg" /></a> These Sweet Dumpling delicata squash are cute AND tasty! What's not to like?<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvoxJbMfZQI/AAAAAAAADMY/mO84MltlTxk/s1600-h/dinner.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402684740973061378" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvoxJbMfZQI/AAAAAAAADMY/mO84MltlTxk/s320/dinner.jpg" /></a>Even better with teriyaki-grilled London broil and nettle-wild mushroom brown rice. The shroom is <a href="http://seventrees.blogspot.com/2007/09/mystery-solved.html">our own Prince </a>that we dried last year. He didn't show up this year, but hopefully he'll return soon.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Svov-iHbKeI/AAAAAAAADMQ/d-StZyueCSU/s1600-h/pre+dog+food.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402683454340671970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Svov-iHbKeI/AAAAAAAADMQ/d-StZyueCSU/s320/pre+dog+food.jpg" /></a> This kettle of cow parts doesn't look too tasty as is, but chopped, sauteed, mixed with carrots, kale and some odds & ends from the freezer.....<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Svov-TfXlKI/AAAAAAAADMI/IB5gGUYTXV4/s1600-h/dog+food.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402683450414568610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Svov-TfXlKI/AAAAAAAADMI/IB5gGUYTXV4/s320/dog+food.jpg" /></a> .....it makes dog food! And look at our spiffy new pressure canner! An All American #921 cast aluminum and ready for battle....</div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-56860322700052968972009-11-03T05:44:00.000-08:002009-11-03T08:13:51.356-08:00Still harvesting!<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvA0dPjLFTI/AAAAAAAADMA/SU0n9Y-KZG8/s1600-h/stressed-kitty.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399873630212134194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvA0dPjLFTI/AAAAAAAADMA/SU0n9Y-KZG8/s320/stressed-kitty.jpg" border="0" /></a> First off we need to establish a November benchmark for relaxing. Magnus demonstrates his usual style....<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvA0TZTRmhI/AAAAAAAADL4/Js5aiZTOtsI/s1600-h/dinner.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399873461031115282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvA0TZTRmhI/AAAAAAAADL4/Js5aiZTOtsI/s320/dinner.jpg" border="0" /></a>Dinner was this wonderful broccoli, cheddar, potato, ham soup, with fresh-baked bread. A great way to enjoy the flavors of our fall harvests. The recipe is here, in case you'd like to try it yourself - <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Potato-Broccoli-and-Cheese-Soup/Detail.aspx">Yummy soup recipe </a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvA0TAiQA-I/AAAAAAAADLw/rZmoq8v5Ogo/s1600-h/november1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399873454383039458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvA0TAiQA-I/AAAAAAAADLw/rZmoq8v5Ogo/s320/november1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Here's one view of the garden right now. Pretty grim. All the dead squash, tomato & bean vines will make way for our garlic planting later this week. We'll also be tilling in tons (literally) of compost and manure, so next year's garden should be even better.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvA0S6aCUdI/AAAAAAAADLo/CFk8nu2WuQ0/s1600-h/november.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399873452737974738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvA0S6aCUdI/AAAAAAAADLo/CFk8nu2WuQ0/s320/november.jpg" border="0" /></a> Another view of the garden, showing how much is still going gangbusters. Broccoli, carrots, chard, lettuce, kohlrabi, soup celery, parsley, green onions, spinach....It's so nice to be eating fresh at this time of year!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvA0SWNx68I/AAAAAAAADLg/fERnDR29tf4/s1600-h/produce.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399873443022891970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvA0SWNx68I/AAAAAAAADLg/fERnDR29tf4/s320/produce.jpg" border="0" /></a> The last of the carrots are out of the ground, except for the experimental late planting I did. The apples are from next door, saved from the cider press to be lunch treats. There was one last delicata squash hiding in the garden. I think we've finally gotten them all.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvA0SNWOIOI/AAAAAAAADLY/ygUqw34O78E/s1600-h/eggs.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399873440642375906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SvA0SNWOIOI/AAAAAAAADLY/ygUqw34O78E/s320/eggs.jpg" border="0" /></a>The busy tiny kitchen at Seven Trees. Who knew such a small space would end up being the stage for so much good food. Here are eggs getting dozened-up for customers, canned cider, dried broccoli, and other evidence of harvest activities....</div><div></div><div>We'll be busy the rest of November, getting ready for Doug & Buddy to go to freezer camp. Lots of goodies to process out of the freezer....blackberries to turn into jam, beef offal (liver & hearts) to turn into dog food, and we'll be buying a 2nd small freezer as well.</div><div>..............</div><div> </div><div>P.S. Does anyone have any tips for what kind of stuff we can collect when they come to slaughter the cattle? I know people make sausage out of pig blood, but does cow blood work? And how do we process it? We want to make use of anything we can, but I really have no clue what the knackers will leave that is useable. We are planning to have Doug's hide tanned, but haven't found a local tannery yet.....</div></div></div><br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-39850752481725616412009-10-26T09:01:00.000-07:002009-10-26T09:40:05.226-07:00In-cider information<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SuXILZzGIiI/AAAAAAAADLQ/vdLeFKfe7po/s1600-h/crush1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396939826702721570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SuXILZzGIiI/AAAAAAAADLQ/vdLeFKfe7po/s320/crush1.jpg" border="0" /></a> It's cider season in Whatcom County! Our neighbors had 33 crates of apples from their trees this year, so we pitched in to help turn them into cider.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SuXILDxrwII/AAAAAAAADLI/qr6GpqdvjmM/s1600-h/work+table.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396939820791218306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SuXILDxrwII/AAAAAAAADLI/qr6GpqdvjmM/s320/work+table.jpg" border="0" /></a>Check out this clever work table! The top is made from wood slats, so you can dump your apples or other produce on it and hose them right off. We are definitely going to build one of these for Seven Trees.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SuXIKnw7-3I/AAAAAAAADLA/FQu0YeMNj8I/s1600-h/crush3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396939813271894898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SuXIKnw7-3I/AAAAAAAADLA/FQu0YeMNj8I/s320/crush3.jpg" border="0" /></a>Running the crusher is a two-handed job for some of us....a good upper-body workout.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SuXIKTTEADI/AAAAAAAADK4/nl_6onGunT8/s1600-h/crush2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396939807777882162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SuXIKTTEADI/AAAAAAAADK4/nl_6onGunT8/s320/crush2.jpg" border="0" /></a> There are little metal teeth inside the hopper that break the apples down enough to make extracting the juice easier. Once the press is full, a wooden board goes on top and a giant screw is turned to force all the juice out. The disk of apple-squishings is called a <a href="http://www.real-cider.co.uk/about-cider/cider-glossary/cider-glossary/#">cheese</a>. The cows got to eat a few wheelbarrows full of the spent apple pulp, which is also known as pomace.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SuXIKHi8-9I/AAAAAAAADKw/fhN73R6rX3c/s1600-h/hard+cider.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396939804623305682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SuXIKHi8-9I/AAAAAAAADKw/fhN73R6rX3c/s320/hard+cider.jpg" border="0" /></a> Naturally, we filled a couple of carboys to start some hard cider brewing. We added campden tablets to kill off any wild yeast first. The old-fashioned traditional way is to let the yeast already present on the apples do the fermenting, but this can be unpredictable. We didn't want to take any chances, so we'll use Nottingham ale yeast on one batch, and a wine yeast on another. The ale-yeasted batch we'll bottle carbonated, hopefully with none exploding while they finish fermenting.<br /><div> </div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SuXH-qU3xRI/AAAAAAAADKo/rKqe-CVaWd4/s1600-h/soft+cider.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396939607801054482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 195px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SuXH-qU3xRI/AAAAAAAADKo/rKqe-CVaWd4/s320/soft+cider.jpg" border="0" /></a>We also canned up quite a few quarts to have over the winter. The <a href="http://www.pickyourown.org//applejuice.htm">short processing time </a>pasteurizes the cider, but it still tastes a million times better than anything from the store. Below is a short movie of the crusher in action. </div></div></div></div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzsJkObGxBsFvdfBBiH16LiQPYykU4lh4dG_y0ihVU6v4IYK8spi0F8Ms8c40T9PAetS8Ft4OO8sm0' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-13334625372906435212009-10-19T18:54:00.000-07:002009-10-19T19:23:11.734-07:00Congee and critters<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/St0Ysnh-sMI/AAAAAAAADKg/JycI4GcT7CI/s1600-h/congee.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394495083464536258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/St0Ysnh-sMI/AAAAAAAADKg/JycI4GcT7CI/s320/congee.jpg" /></a> Look at this lovely use of an old laying hen! The soup above is called congee. Also known as jook and chao ga, it's an Asian version of comforting chicken soup. My personal recipe is this:</div><br><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">One soup chicken</div><div align="center">One 'stalk' of lemongrass</div><div align="center">Three 2" pieces of fresh ginger</div><div align="center">1.5 cups Jasmine rice</div><div align="center">Cilantro</div><div align="center">Lime</div><div align="center">Salt & pepper</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br>Put an old laying hen (previously butchered) into a soup kettle and cover with water. </div><div align="center">Chop the lemongrass into 1.5" pieces. </div><div align="center">Scrape most of the peel off the ginger and add. </div><div align="center">Add salt to taste, maybe 1 tablespoon.</div><div align="center">Simmer 24 hours on the back burner, not letting it come to a boil.</div><div align="center">Take out the chicken and remove meat from bones. </div><div align="center">Strain out lemon grass and ginger.</div><div align="center">Put chicken meat back in pot and add rice.</div><div align="center">Bring to a quick boil, then simmer until rice is porridgey. </div><div align="center">Salt & pepper to taste.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br>Garnish bowls of congee with chopped cilantro and squeeze a wedge of lime into it. Heavenly!</div><div align="center">This kind of soup can't be canned, so I freeze it with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of cilantro in each container.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/St0YsO4h0yI/AAAAAAAADKY/Bia60QZyoJA/s1600-h/harvest+kitty.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 254px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394495076848227106" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/St0YsO4h0yI/AAAAAAAADKY/Bia60QZyoJA/s320/harvest+kitty.jpg" /></a> Magnus is taking advantage of chilly nights by the woodstove. The squash are in curing before being stored in the pantry for the winter. They like a week or so of warm temps, then they will last for months in the cool dry pantry on a wire rack. The Uncle David Dakota dessert squash are all they're cracked up to be. Highly recommended!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/St0Yrq27_yI/AAAAAAAADKQ/vCOmRIieDR0/s1600-h/ponydrivethru.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394495067177877282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/St0Yrq27_yI/AAAAAAAADKQ/vCOmRIieDR0/s320/ponydrivethru.jpg" /></a>Gemini is obviously starving to death, and needed to come up on the back porch to beg for dried apple slices through the kitchen window.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/St0YrMAsXrI/AAAAAAAADKI/7Ec5PoYLwPU/s1600-h/ponydrink.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394495058897297074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/St0YrMAsXrI/AAAAAAAADKI/7Ec5PoYLwPU/s320/ponydrink.jpg" /></a> After a hard day's work at Seven Trees, humans and critters need to relax.....Gemini doesn't really like beer, but he can't help being nosey. </div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-83161730482017556812009-10-13T09:09:00.000-07:002009-10-13T09:48:54.905-07:00Puca time!<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/StSmal8KPYI/AAAAAAAADKA/l56XVplZgQU/s1600-h/puca+berries.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392117629660577154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/StSmal8KPYI/AAAAAAAADKA/l56XVplZgQU/s320/puca+berries.jpg" border="0" /></a> Our berry patch out front usually gives us the first sign of the end of summer. For weeks straight, we're able to pick more berries than fit in the freezer. But eventually a day comes where the berries look good from a distance, but on closer inspection are all funky. Some have slug tracks, some are already rotten and dropping off, and some never really get ripe. We call this "berries gone puca". What the heck is a puca, you ask?</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The Puca (also spelled <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%BAca">Pooka, Puka, Puck</a>) is a supernatural creature mostly associated with Ireland, West Scotland and Wales. It can take a variety of shapes, dog, rabbit, goat or goblin, but a large black horse with glowing golden eyes is the most common form. It has the power of human speech, and legends abound in Ireland of people seeking advice from a Puca, which are probably remnants of pre-christian religious rituals. Pucas are also known to abduct unwary nighttime travellers, taking them for a wild ride, then leaving them unharmed where they were found. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">An ancient agricultural custom was that any crops left unharvested after Samhain (Oct. 31/Nov. 1) belonged to the Puca, and anyone gathering them would also gather the ill-will of the Puca. Parents would warn their children not to eat these crops by telling them they would make them sick. In many areas people would proactively leave a small portion of their crops in the field, called the Puca's share.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">If you'd like to read more about this creature, including how one was tamed by Irish high king Brian Boru, check out these links:</div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.irelandseye.com/paddy3/preview2.htm">The Pooka</a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/19486/19486-h/19486-h.html#toc17">Taming the Pooka</a><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/StSmaBPNRqI/AAAAAAAADJ4/2TudhO8mYZU/s1600-h/garden+done.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392117619808356002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/StSmaBPNRqI/AAAAAAAADJ4/2TudhO8mYZU/s320/garden+done.jpg" border="0" /></a>Our garden is just about done for the year. We left plenty for the Puca, and still have a lot of broccoli, chard, lettuce, kohlrabi & carrots planted for winter harvesting. Sitting on the gravel pad where the greenhouse used to be is about 20lbs of carrots, and a kohlrabi the size of a bowling ball. Doug & Buddy had fun gnawing on it. After 4 years of trying to integrate the greenhouse into our food production, we decided we could do without it. Four-season gardening is a wonderful thing, but we'd really rather take winters off and eat canned, dried & frozen harvests. The back porch will be mostly enclosed soon and will be an excellent place for seed starting, which is pretty much all we used the greenhouse for. The greenhouse has gone to its new home with our Endorean friends.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/StSmZ6Xm6uI/AAAAAAAADJw/RlE8EKZEHJY/s1600-h/peppers.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392117617964542690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/StSmZ6Xm6uI/AAAAAAAADJw/RlE8EKZEHJY/s320/peppers.jpg" border="0" /></a> Last of the peppers! We pickled all of these, using a fridge-pickle recipe. We noticed that canning them in the hot water bath makes them not keep as well, and with a 2nd fridge in the shop, we have room for them.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/StSmZSIWXeI/AAAAAAAADJo/JzknS4a8G3k/s1600-h/squash+cure.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392117607163125218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/StSmZSIWXeI/AAAAAAAADJo/JzknS4a8G3k/s320/squash+cure.jpg" border="0" /></a> Some of the squash have made it inside for their pre-storage heat treatment. They keep longer if they get a week or so in warm temps. When they're done by the woodstove, they'll go on a metal shelving unit in the pantry.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/StSmY6WGDII/AAAAAAAADJg/HtITSdBiv-o/s1600-h/woodpecker.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392117600778325122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/StSmY6WGDII/AAAAAAAADJg/HtITSdBiv-o/s320/woodpecker.jpg" border="0" /></a> A persistent visitor to the sunflower feeder. I'm not sure if this woodpecker was after seeds or bugs living in the seeds, but it spends a lot of time at Seven Trees. <div></div></div><br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-31139892316673675342009-10-06T06:14:00.000-07:002009-10-06T06:36:02.190-07:00Getting ready for winter<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SstEnj3ORyI/AAAAAAAADJY/JJXTzoyhtHY/s1600-h/tree1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389476825511380770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SstEnj3ORyI/AAAAAAAADJY/JJXTzoyhtHY/s320/tree1.jpg" /></a> It was a breezy weekend in Whatcom County.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SstEnWj6zEI/AAAAAAAADJQ/8ahppwHdOC4/s1600-h/tree2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389476821940751426" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SstEnWj6zEI/AAAAAAAADJQ/8ahppwHdOC4/s320/tree2.jpg" /></a>There were power outages all over, mostly due to downed trees like this one across the road from us. Our power didn't go out until they turned it off to get rid of the tree, but we still had fun chatting with neighbors and a couple of friendly police officers.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SstEmz4XHII/AAAAAAAADJI/8x3ikQZfa9M/s1600-h/tree3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389476812631252098" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SstEmz4XHII/AAAAAAAADJI/8x3ikQZfa9M/s320/tree3.jpg" /></a>This weekend I also experimented with making roasted vegetable stock that went into a batch of black bean veggie soup that I canned. Here are the raw stock ingredients, ready for roasting. The recipes I used are here: <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Roasted-Vegetable-Stock-2/Detail.aspx">Roasted veggie stock</a> and <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Black-Bean-Vegetable-Soup/Detail.aspx">Black bean soup</a>.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SstEmgfwqxI/AAAAAAAADJA/WwHDAX8nxvU/s1600-h/stock.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389476807427795730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SstEmgfwqxI/AAAAAAAADJA/WwHDAX8nxvU/s320/stock.jpg" /></a>We got a nice pile of maple rounds from one neighbor we bought firewood from, and it's so hard that we had to call for reinforcements to split it. Here's our neighbor to the north, who brought his tractor-driven hydraulic splitter over to help.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SstEmI2LfWI/AAAAAAAADI4/VMmxP_hw8ts/s1600-h/splitting+wood.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389476801079377250" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SstEmI2LfWI/AAAAAAAADI4/VMmxP_hw8ts/s320/splitting+wood.jpg" /></a> And a bit of video showing how powerful the splitter is. We're keeping a couple rounds intact for splitting on, the old fashioned way. We also use a splitting round for peening the scythe on, and killing chickens. Funny how important a chunk of hardwood is to farm functions....<br /><div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwi9z4u22_hp1qBTELQUS7JnbvZKd-jguh0AMvUDdLpToJWDz1fB8Gc_ffXNYbsTYqWLCmuFaTVfA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-86007485302551504462009-09-28T08:01:00.000-07:002009-09-28T08:44:52.841-07:00Cabela's Expedition - Lacey, Wa<div align="center">We undertook the ultimate Sunday expedition yesterday, a pilgrimage to the monumental <a href="http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/community/aboutus/retail-detail.jsp?detailedInformationURL=/cabelas/en/content/community/aboutus/retail/retail_stores/lacey/lacey.html&cm_re=Retail*RetailStores*Lacey">Cabela's</a> store in Lacey, Washinton. It's at the opposite end of the Salish sea from us about a 2.5 - 3 hour drive one way. We were undaunted, especially with the addition of a friend to accompany us who prefers to be known only as "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cojones">Ka-Jo Nes</a>". </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">From the <a href="http://www.cabelas.com/history.shtml">history of Cabelas</a>: "Cabela's, the World's Foremost Outfitter of hunting, fishing and outdoor gear, was born somewhat inadvertently in 1961 when Dick Cabela came up with a plan to sell fishing flies he purchased while at a furniture show in Chicago. Upon returning home to Chappell, Nebraska, Dick ran a classified ad in the Casper, Wyoming, newspaper reading: "12 hand-tied flies for $1." It generated one response.<br />Undaunted, Dick formulated a new plan, rewriting the ad to read "FREE Introductory offer! 5 hand tied Flies....25c Postage....Handling" and placing it in national outdoor magazines. It didn't take long for the orders to begin arriving from sportsmen and women around the country."</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Back to our story... a nice aside is, it wasn't too far from where J's brother lives, so he and his two kids popped over to meet us for lunch. Here they are checking out our new family member "Big Blue". [J's brother also drives a gorgeous Dodge Ram.]</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDRO5SI-9I/AAAAAAAADIw/b_Z_u4E2n54/s1600-h/family.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386535208160394194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDRO5SI-9I/AAAAAAAADIw/b_Z_u4E2n54/s320/family.jpg" border="0" /></a>Upon entering the store we were awe-struck, so much so all we could do was immediately find something to fortify us. Here K and J enjoy a 1/2# Buffalo Burger, and a Venison Kielbasa. I opted for the deli sandwich on wheat with thin sliced Wild Boar, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion and jalapenos. Mmm-mm, fabulous. Really great fries as well. They had a selection of exotic game meats on the menu, which made it especially interesting to eat here.</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDROfyV0QI/AAAAAAAADIo/sYbB0ja8eYU/s1600-h/cabela%27s-snack.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386535201316131074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDROfyV0QI/AAAAAAAADIo/sYbB0ja8eYU/s320/cabela%27s-snack.jpg" border="0" /></a> To shake off the lunch slump, K and I had a friendly competition on the <a href="http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3244382&CAWELAID=227171056">Big Buck Hunter Pro</a> game. Here we are deciding where and what to hunt.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDRN6OimvI/AAAAAAAADIg/9wupM6kO8m0/s1600-h/buckhunt2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386535191233862386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDRN6OimvI/AAAAAAAADIg/9wupM6kO8m0/s320/buckhunt2.jpg" border="0" /></a> And here we are shooting up the Montana wilderness trying to bag some elk... "shoot the Bucks, not the Does!" K seemed always ahead of me until he removed his sunglasses, and there went his mojo.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDQ9qPIJSI/AAAAAAAADIY/E5amH7FJsdw/s1600-h/buckhunt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386534912063448354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDQ9qPIJSI/AAAAAAAADIY/E5amH7FJsdw/s320/buckhunt.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>K decided this was, "Man, returning the favor," to the rodent population, in this case a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prairie_dog">Prairie Dog</a>. Did we ever really shop?</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDQ9amWdJI/AAAAAAAADIQ/92OtUoPNlJg/s1600-h/manpoke.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386534907865887890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDQ9amWdJI/AAAAAAAADIQ/92OtUoPNlJg/s320/manpoke.jpg" border="0" /></a> Apparently not. Escalators and levitation.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDQ80wBXRI/AAAAAAAADII/faSDAQnDjx4/s1600-h/levitate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386534897705901330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDQ80wBXRI/AAAAAAAADII/faSDAQnDjx4/s320/levitate.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here I am checking out a New Holland Tractor out front before heading out and enjoying a frosty treat.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDQ8V4_amI/AAAAAAAADIA/PfC5mEwwhBY/s1600-h/ride.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386534889422023266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDQ8V4_amI/AAAAAAAADIA/PfC5mEwwhBY/s320/ride.jpg" border="0" /></a> What frosty treat you might ask? Snow Ka-Jo Nes!!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDQ8Eiti2I/AAAAAAAADH4/xz5KtjDf__Y/s1600-h/snocojones.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386534884765174626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SsDQ8Eiti2I/AAAAAAAADH4/xz5KtjDf__Y/s320/snocojones.jpg" border="0" /></a> Stay tuned... for more riotous shopping adventures!</div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-39741363448539190452009-09-21T20:32:00.000-07:002009-09-21T21:08:55.147-07:00Fall has fallen<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SrhJ5JudL4I/AAAAAAAADHw/g4rfTCeFqq8/s1600-h/Persephone.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 147px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384134600733568898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SrhJ5JudL4I/AAAAAAAADHw/g4rfTCeFqq8/s320/Persephone.jpg" /></a> The image above is is of Persephone, by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pre-Raphaelite_Brotherhood">Pre-Raphaelite </a>painter. </div><div align="center">In Greek mythology, the start of autumn coincides with the time the goddess Persephone returns to the underworld to live with her husband Hades. Persephone was abducted by Hades who fell in love with her and took her to the underworld. Persephone's mother, Demeter, goddess of grain and the harvest was so distressed by the loss of her daughter that in her grief, she withdrew her nurturing presence from the earth. Flowers wilted, and crops on earth died and became dormant. The earth became cold and barren.<br /><br />It was eventually agreed that Persephone could return to her mother for two thirds of the year but would spend the remaining months with Hades. While Persephone is with her husband in the underworld, seeds lie hidden in the barren ground and when she returns to her mother, Demeter celebrates by resuming her divine duties and restoring fertility to the earth. Seeds burst forth in crops and fruits and life reborn.<br /></div><div align="center">We're still madly harvesting and putting up food for winter here at Seven Trees, but things are starting to wind down. Check out Newt, taking a break in a wheelbarrow of hay.<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SrhJ4m5jJHI/AAAAAAAADHo/cS8wFaUOEEM/s1600-h/newtbarrow.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384134591384855666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SrhJ4m5jJHI/AAAAAAAADHo/cS8wFaUOEEM/s320/newtbarrow.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>What are these two looking at? They were watching the mini-rodeo as we wrestled with Buddy.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SrhJ4EZaxqI/AAAAAAAADHg/b6iyGJ4kOVs/s1600-h/newt+and+fergus.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384134582123284130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SrhJ4EZaxqI/AAAAAAAADHg/b6iyGJ4kOVs/s320/newt+and+fergus.jpg" /></a>Buddy in the stanchion, getting his halter adjusted. Not long before Buddy & Doug will do their part in the cycle of farm life and feed us for a good long time. For now, we're giving them lots of treats and all the hay they can eat.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SrhJ3ljY3XI/AAAAAAAADHY/WnEVS2XkNPI/s1600-h/buddy+stanchion.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384134573843602802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SrhJ3ljY3XI/AAAAAAAADHY/WnEVS2XkNPI/s320/buddy+stanchion.jpg" /></a> </p>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-11652293394291281812009-09-17T20:19:00.000-07:002009-09-17T20:22:20.461-07:00Make Millions Farming!Warning! Adult language, as in swear words. But we may have stumbled onto the secrets of striking it rich at Seven Trees.....enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_pDTiFkXgEE&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_pDTiFkXgEE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-8808081715261369862009-09-14T23:40:00.000-07:002009-09-15T00:44:32.478-07:00Visits as summer wanes<div align="center">Brother drove up again to go shooting at our favorite, roomy spot. Another old friend, <a href="http://blog.davidmarkerickson.com/">Dave</a>, was also visiting and as a professional photographer gifted us with many pictures of our outing. Notice Joanna showing off her beloved 10/22.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq87B_5ne8I/AAAAAAAADHQ/YHrMWk85nNc/s1600-h/3shooters.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381584985250036674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq87B_5ne8I/AAAAAAAADHQ/YHrMWk85nNc/s320/3shooters.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="center">Here Dave fixes the AR-15 to suit him. My brother has it adjusted so well that it's hard to miss the target.</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq87BulkQqI/AAAAAAAADHI/H0KlgbKkEfc/s1600-h/dave2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381584980602536610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq87BulkQqI/AAAAAAAADHI/H0KlgbKkEfc/s320/dave2.jpg" border="0" /></a> Just point and shoot. The day was in the mid-80's and proved to be quite toasty down in the gravel pit.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq87BWygIJI/AAAAAAAADHA/b_0QS9d5l2Q/s1600-h/danishoot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381584974214340754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq87BWygIJI/AAAAAAAADHA/b_0QS9d5l2Q/s320/danishoot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The new truck held all our gear quite nicely as J takes a moment in the shade it created. Next time we've decided we'll bring the BBQ and just make a day of it.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq87A-KLMeI/AAAAAAAADG4/5kakewkjCFg/s1600-h/jbtruck.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381584967602745826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq87A-KLMeI/AAAAAAAADG4/5kakewkjCFg/s320/jbtruck.jpg" border="0" /></a> The world's most powerful handgun... well not quite.</div><div>But J still practices her Clint look.<br /></div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq87AXT1EKI/AAAAAAAADGw/ld5D2QTYr5o/s1600-h/jbgun.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381584957174255778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq87AXT1EKI/AAAAAAAADGw/ld5D2QTYr5o/s320/jbgun.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>We had a great time with our visitors, including the trip shooting, and look forward to when next we all meet. In the meantime, harvest carried on back at home. The <a href="http://www.highgravitybrew.com/BeerHops/Centennialhopsprofile.html">Centennial Hops</a> were very ready and needed attention. Notice the cat foreman, Crichton overseeing this task as he does most all tasks inside and out.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq86qg7I6GI/AAAAAAAADGo/lA2qw5-IoO0/s1600-h/hopping.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381584581797931106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq86qg7I6GI/AAAAAAAADGo/lA2qw5-IoO0/s320/hopping.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Another bonus from our kind neighbors as our young Italian plum trees aren't yet producing. These will either be eaten fresh or dehydrated... the jar contains dried exactly what the bucket does fresh.<br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq86qDiyGeI/AAAAAAAADGg/gmxocNdAkCg/s1600-h/plums.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381584573911144930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq86qDiyGeI/AAAAAAAADGg/gmxocNdAkCg/s320/plums.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And speaking of buckets... I'd no sooner set the pick bucket down on the back porch after emptying it, when I next passed by it was already occupied. At first glance, I thought I missed a leaf, but it was a small tree frog who decided it was a nice place to hang out.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq86pmj89cI/AAAAAAAADGY/uA4k8bnXHcE/s1600-h/frogbucket.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381584566131422658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq86pmj89cI/AAAAAAAADGY/uA4k8bnXHcE/s320/frogbucket.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Once noticed though s/he headed to points "up".<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq86pMP7egI/AAAAAAAADGQ/QeJES3rQoQ8/s1600-h/frog2+copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381584559068117506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq86pMP7egI/AAAAAAAADGQ/QeJES3rQoQ8/s320/frog2+copy.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div>Not sure if you can tell, but high up at the top of the back porch is a second frog who our bucket frog joined. Did froggy go a-courting??<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq86ox3hQ3I/AAAAAAAADGI/G0NVB3rzEk8/s1600-h/frog+high.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381584551986414450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sq86ox3hQ3I/AAAAAAAADGI/G0NVB3rzEk8/s320/frog+high.jpg" border="0" /></a>The back porch now appears to be a favored frog hang out as we either hear or see them there these days. Maybe they like that we replaced the leaky porch roof this summer.</div><div></div><div><div>It gets dark earlier and light later now, so we have installed lights on timers in both of our mini coops for the chickens. Today was an egg record with a total of 21 laid!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-1091796592759212072009-09-08T02:23:00.000-07:002009-09-08T03:06:26.496-07:00Harvest frenzy continues...<div align="center">We procured a lovely steel shelving unit for our harvest drying rack this weekend that was quickly put to use for curing veggies.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SqYkUa6_i6I/AAAAAAAADF8/khPGNB1Fn7g/s1600-h/harvest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379026738183375778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SqYkUa6_i6I/AAAAAAAADF8/khPGNB1Fn7g/s320/harvest.jpg" border="0" /></a>But right about the time we thought things were settling down Monday the neighbor stopped by. Seems he'd gotten a call from a friend about a shipment of grapes that weren't able to get where they needed to, so they were looking for someone that would use them. Since he has grapes already, we got a delightful special delivery... wow! </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SqYkUBcysCI/AAAAAAAADF0/unNlzFWrpKI/s1600-h/grape+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379026731345817634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SqYkUBcysCI/AAAAAAAADF0/unNlzFWrpKI/s320/grape+1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Lots more than we expected! A closer view of the beauties. We'll juice them and use some for jelly. If there are no takers on sharing some of this bounty, then we will start a batch of zinfandel wine as well. Good neighbors... well they make good neighbors!!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SqYkTnpBsAI/AAAAAAAADFs/DQvqaoeBzPg/s1600-h/grape+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379026724417810434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 279px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SqYkTnpBsAI/AAAAAAAADFs/DQvqaoeBzPg/s320/grape+2.jpg" border="0" /></a> In the meantime, Newt, who always tries every object out as furniture... gives this drip hoses a test for comfort. She lays on them often, so maybe they retain heat or something to that effect. She's an odd cat, if we haven't said so before.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SqYkTbCf_xI/AAAAAAAADFk/17tuKXyzSx0/s1600-h/newt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379026721034993426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SqYkTbCf_xI/AAAAAAAADFk/17tuKXyzSx0/s320/newt.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>While Newt goes experimental, Magnus, the intrepid house-cat, "lols" on the living room floor. He seems to have no penchant for testing anything uncomfortable, preferring to lounge on soft things like fluffy rugs, fleece blankets or his human's bed. </div><div>Smart kitty!</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379026709763510754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SqYkSxDK0eI/AAAAAAAADFc/8VxHaAe32L0/s320/mags.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>And an update. Neither of us got a call about winning that draft horse filly. Sigh...<br /><br /></div><div></div><br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-79319168937452662462009-09-01T08:10:00.000-07:002009-09-01T09:07:17.713-07:00Visit to the Draft Horse Show!<div align="center">At the <a href="http://www.evergreenfair.org/">Evergreen State Fair</a>. And just below is Dixie Valentine, an 18 month old <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clydesdale_(horse)">Clydsdale</a> filly that is being raffled come Thursday this week. J is pretty darn sure she bought the winning tickets, but that's hard to believe since I was the one who bought the winners.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sp0-JmlwNEI/AAAAAAAADFU/lxERTdjrK1k/s1600-h/dixievalentine.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376521864848880706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sp0-JmlwNEI/AAAAAAAADFU/lxERTdjrK1k/s320/dixievalentine.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The sights and sounds were overwhelming to us northerners, with the place being packed, hawkers yelling, rides roaring with associated shrieks, smells assailing from roasted meat to cotton candy, and the sun beating down on all. We finally escaped to the barns where I shared ice cubes from mango/lemon ice tea with one of the draft horses in the cool, far more quiet confines.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sp09QGXdK-I/AAAAAAAADFM/cltMCc2RVdI/s1600-h/icepony.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376520876946435042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 249px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sp09QGXdK-I/AAAAAAAADFM/cltMCc2RVdI/s320/icepony.jpg" border="0" /></a>Finally 5:00 PM rolled around when the draft event started. This was the winning wagon in one of the senior driver competitions. This 60 year old gal below made driving her team look effortless, but truth is it's just that she'd been doing it all her life. Her <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percheron">percheron</a> team was also in top form and well trained which certainly helped as well. Blue ribbon!</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sp09P9M41OI/AAAAAAAADFE/JGVULDo6iXw/s1600-h/dariwagon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376520874486191330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sp09P9M41OI/AAAAAAAADFE/JGVULDo6iXw/s320/dariwagon.jpg" border="0" /></a> Another shiny wagon competing with black percherons, and from Bellingham none-the-less! We stayed on through the pulling competition, but finally had to depart for home when it started getting late.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sp09PdAqM4I/AAAAAAAADE8/dJk1-KJUtRU/s1600-h/grnwagon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376520865844966274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 176px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sp09PdAqM4I/AAAAAAAADE8/dJk1-KJUtRU/s320/grnwagon.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Speaking of horse power...<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sp09OzpALrI/AAAAAAAADE0/U1YMeAwEfic/s1600-h/horse+power.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376520854739889842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 165px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sp09OzpALrI/AAAAAAAADE0/U1YMeAwEfic/s320/horse+power.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is a small portion of the harvest that we dropped off at mom's yesterday. The garden is winding down, although J has some nice winter starts going that will hopefully keep us in veggies for a good while longer.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sp09OvAiUwI/AAAAAAAADEs/42RdGEJJgN4/s1600-h/harvest.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376520853496419074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/Sp09OvAiUwI/AAAAAAAADEs/42RdGEJJgN4/s320/harvest.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Happy week to you all!</div></div></div></div><br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-5762359670926288092009-08-24T20:08:00.000-07:002009-08-24T20:29:26.712-07:00Shiny!<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNW2C2PkhI/AAAAAAAADEk/tuUEby7UuM8/s1600-h/Shiny.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373734266860442130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNW2C2PkhI/AAAAAAAADEk/tuUEby7UuM8/s320/Shiny.jpg" /></a> Check out this big blue addition to Seven Trees' workforce! It's a 2007 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT 4x4 V8 from Dewey Griffin in Bellingham.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNW1qUaH9I/AAAAAAAADEc/mdCT5v62bPs/s1600-h/More+Shiny.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373734260276076498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNW1qUaH9I/AAAAAAAADEc/mdCT5v62bPs/s320/More+Shiny.jpg" /></a> We started out looking for a Toyota Tacoma, but after test driving (and pricing) them, plus a Tundra and a Nissan Frontier & Titan, we realized we could get a lot more use out of a full-sized truck, and that the Dodge Ram is a lot of truck for the price. It's going back to the shop this week to have a bedliner and some running boards added. You wouldn't believe how high those seats are off the ground!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNWmXGNT-I/AAAAAAAADEU/yAygeGHtpcY/s1600-h/onions.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373733997418205154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNWmXGNT-I/AAAAAAAADEU/yAygeGHtpcY/s320/onions.jpg" /></a> We harvested all our onions this weekend. Quite a pile, and that's not including the ones we've already eaten.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNWl88Hy3I/AAAAAAAADEM/-I6bSKhj31A/s1600-h/more+onions.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373733990396578674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNWl88Hy3I/AAAAAAAADEM/-I6bSKhj31A/s320/more+onions.jpg" /></a>They have to cure for a while before we take the tops & roots off and store them in the pantry.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNWlWfblaI/AAAAAAAADEE/n1rVyF0SzZc/s1600-h/Beets+and+painting.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373733980075693474" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNWlWfblaI/AAAAAAAADEE/n1rVyF0SzZc/s320/Beets+and+painting.jpg" /></a>A wheelbarrow of beets (and the not-quite-finished painting project in the background). This is about 1/2 the harvest, since the first 1/2 is already pickled & jarred.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNWkWlvk_I/AAAAAAAADD8/1uhsHoNy2xw/s1600-h/Beets+and+greens.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373733962922300402" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNWkWlvk_I/AAAAAAAADD8/1uhsHoNy2xw/s320/Beets+and+greens.jpg" /></a>We left them in the ground longer than usual, but they should still be good pickled. Luckily the cows like them, so any we don't eat will be put to good use. All the critters loved the pile of tops we took off, leaving around 50lbs of beets in the basket.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNWkOipOHI/AAAAAAAADD0/F9lcw8QpSMI/s1600-h/garlic.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373733960761817202" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SpNWkOipOHI/AAAAAAAADD0/F9lcw8QpSMI/s320/garlic.jpg" /></a>And for the exciting finale, this year's garlic harvest, ready to get cleaned up and brought inside for storage.</div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-37023029395112700392009-08-18T08:49:00.000-07:002009-08-18T09:11:10.653-07:00Busy bountiful summer!<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SorOTnwHRuI/AAAAAAAADDs/0yRW-CucSdw/s1600-h/boxbuild.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371332342076360418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 217px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SorOTnwHRuI/AAAAAAAADDs/0yRW-CucSdw/s320/boxbuild.jpg" border="0" /></a> The new pullets have just started laying. We had to hurry up and add some nest boxes to their coop, since the older hens don't share their house too well.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SorN-x1bVpI/AAAAAAAADDc/BrFR8P7sBSI/s1600-h/coop1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371331984005748370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SorN-x1bVpI/AAAAAAAADDc/BrFR8P7sBSI/s320/coop1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Coop with a view! This Welsummer was a little perturbed by the sudden appearance of 'air conditioning'.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371331996083740994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SorN_e1C4UI/AAAAAAAADDk/0bdmY-jE8wE/s320/coop2.jpg" border="0" /> Much better! The young gals are getting the hang of laying now, but we did find a few eggs in the barnyard this morning. Practice make perfect!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SorN-mOMIwI/AAAAAAAADDU/BUHdxtBg8zw/s1600-h/yardstickgone.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371331980888384258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SorN-mOMIwI/AAAAAAAADDU/BUHdxtBg8zw/s320/yardstickgone.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here's a bit of the squash patch. You can just make out the yellow yardstick in the middle of this jungle. The vines literally grow more every day, and we have to chop them back from the melons, cukes, beans, maters & peppers that are trying to hold out against the onslaught.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SorN-FYo0oI/AAAAAAAADDM/3sfnOAlGSuo/s1600-h/Wmelon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371331972073837186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SorN-FYo0oI/AAAAAAAADDM/3sfnOAlGSuo/s320/Wmelon.jpg" border="0" /></a> The warm summer is good for the few melons we're growing this year. Not quite ripe yet, but close. This is a Blacktail Mountain watermelon, developed in Idaho and good for cooler summers.<br /></div><div>We totalled up our harvests so far this year, just to see how we're doing....</div><div> </div><div>1lb asparagus<br />27lbs assorted lettuce<br />3lbs mint/lemon balm/catnip<br />3lbs nettles<br />15lbs chard<br />27lbs kohlrabi<br />14lbs carrots<br />6lbs onions<br />15lbs tomatoes<br />32lbs cukes<br />17lbs broccoli<br />116lbs taters<br />25lbs blackberries<br />20lbs green beans<br />50lbs beets<br /><br />1340 eggs<br />59 heads garlic<br />4 heads cabbage<br />28 pints pickled beets<br />21 quarts green beans<br />5 pints relish<br />5 pints sweet pickles<br /><br />Still to come:<br />-onions<br />-carrots<br />-squash<br />-beets<br />-maters<br />-peppers<br />-melons<br />-chard<br />-berries<br />-apples<br />-cabbage<br />-broccoli<br />-kohlrabi</div><div>-lettuce</div><div> </div><div>We're frantically watering, harvesting, processing, and even starting some veggies for a late fall harvest. Maybe we should follow Newt's example and find a hidden nook to relax in. Here she is, tucked behind a stump in the barnyard. When the cows noticed me taking pictures, they came over to ham it up. Newt high-tailed it for some other hidey-hole.....</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SorN9sTdjdI/AAAAAAAADDE/IQL48NGUraQ/s1600-h/newt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371331965341240786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SorN9sTdjdI/AAAAAAAADDE/IQL48NGUraQ/s320/newt.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div><br /></div>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21340924.post-53715733360768653792009-08-10T05:59:00.001-07:002009-08-10T06:15:22.010-07:00The Blue and the Gray<div align="center">This weekend we time traveled back to the civil war era, and all it took was a fairly quick drive over to <a href="http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/hovander/hovander.jsp">Hovander Homestead Park</a> in Ferndale where a reenactment group, <a href="http://www.wcwa.net/">The Washington Civil War Association</a>, was camped for the weekend. They had several events throughout the day, but of course the battle was the most dramatic.</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAbsHqQeVI/AAAAAAAADC8/_kg4ss-7x68/s1600-h/capt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368321200610113874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 201px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAbsHqQeVI/AAAAAAAADC8/_kg4ss-7x68/s320/capt.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The encampment was very authentic, and soldiers moved all about the area as we walked around. </div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAbr2Ms7lI/AAAAAAAADC0/sPTOd5nRBKU/s1600-h/marching.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368321195922746962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAbr2Ms7lI/AAAAAAAADC0/sPTOd5nRBKU/s320/marching.jpg" border="0" /></a> The artillery officer moving to his position with the canon.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAbrlwaQdI/AAAAAAAADCs/HaCbTUu_Jv8/s1600-h/canon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368321191509115346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAbrlwaQdI/AAAAAAAADCs/HaCbTUu_Jv8/s320/canon.jpg" border="0" /></a> Civilians were also bystanders at this conflict. The scout below talks to a woman near the battle field.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAbrX6QPnI/AAAAAAAADCk/aj4oS3bzGik/s1600-h/dress.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368321187792305778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAbrX6QPnI/AAAAAAAADCk/aj4oS3bzGik/s320/dress.jpg" border="0" /></a> The great thing is that there were men and also women fighting this day in uniform at Hovander, which many people do not realize was what truly occured in reality. The farther rider in this shot below is female. At least 250 women, and probably more, served on both sides of the war, disguised as men. "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/They-Fought-Like-Demons-Conflicting/dp/0807128066">They Fought Like Demons</a>" is a fascinating study about women soldiers in the American Civil War, and attempts to reconstruct the reasons why women entered the armed forces during this era. Some women followed loved ones, some wanted the freedom mostly denied them in normal society as females, and others were simply patriotic. Unlike their male counterparts, female civil war era soldiers were denied medals, pensions, benefits or any public acknowledgement of their contributions. The official stance was simply that women did not serve, despite any evidence to the contrary. The irony that we still today debate whether or not women can be soldiers is deafening. Women have always served, so I think people should just hang up that tired sexist notion.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAbrA5CrYI/AAAAAAAADCc/KGJUCqe-bSY/s1600-h/cavalrysgt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368321181613206914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAbrA5CrYI/AAAAAAAADCc/KGJUCqe-bSY/s320/cavalrysgt.jpg" border="0" /></a> The battle lines formed up much as they might have in the day with the smoke from canon fire drifting the field.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAafVUd3ZI/AAAAAAAADCU/9S_Bg2CnJ3o/s1600-h/battlehorse.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368319881426886034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAafVUd3ZI/AAAAAAAADCU/9S_Bg2CnJ3o/s320/battlehorse.jpg" border="0" /></a> Drums and bugles sounded, and a drummer is seen marching below with the troops. I would think this red uniform would have made the young boy drummer here a considerable target.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAae73hhDI/AAAAAAAADCM/PImZtSJdvOE/s1600-h/headon.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368319874594604082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAae73hhDI/AAAAAAAADCM/PImZtSJdvOE/s320/headon.jpg" border="0" /></a> Across the field those fighting in gray formed up as well.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAael_cr3I/AAAAAAAADCE/RTSlCkrEQxA/s1600-h/rebelmarch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368319868722261874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAael_cr3I/AAAAAAAADCE/RTSlCkrEQxA/s320/rebelmarch.jpg" border="0" /></a> There was an array of union uniform styles represented by the ranks.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAaeGemciI/AAAAAAAADB8/oys0wcvvrFc/s1600-h/battlemarch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368319860262990370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 178px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAaeGemciI/AAAAAAAADB8/oys0wcvvrFc/s320/battlemarch.jpg" border="0" /></a> And as the fire continued to be exchanged, casualties mounted. We had a pretty decent taste of what a real battle like this might have been like, but with live munition, screams of the wounded, and dieing, hell on earth was probably not an exaggeration about how it really was.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAad69ZuoI/AAAAAAAADB0/Vg0Yg0SEMsw/s1600-h/casualties.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368319857170954882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8dbJMSTbayA/SoAad69ZuoI/AAAAAAAADB0/Vg0Yg0SEMsw/s320/casualties.jpg" border="0" /></a> The canon was quite impressive in person! Louder than it appears in the video I must say.<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxUrrudDO49N8yGe7mQS-9csS7RDcA64IWGj6MW45_wVnWGEnBTulIm84mbd1X3kIsQn3is2KohwTk' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="center">All and all a very entertaining and educational day.</p><p align="center"><br />We have much left on our plate here at Seven Trees before snow flies, and sadly the days already grow shorter as it gets dark a little sooner now in the evening already. Still, it was well worth losing a day off to have enjoyed this.</p>Seven Treeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18421748114729715708noreply@blogger.com0