A short story...

Cyn and Betty

Once upon a time, a few weeks ago, this Farmgirl and her friend Jen, took a trip.
It was a short trip, only 1 hour north.
But we had a purpose.
A goal.
A destination in mind.
The Trufant Flea Market
The plan was to meet Homemaker Ang at the flea market and kill two birds with one stone.
Flea market and a best friend visit.
Change of plans.
Ang and I talked and she suggested we stop by her farm and pick her up on the way to the flea market.
Yeah!
A mini visit with the children and we'll be off!

And then.....

as we pulled into the circle drive and got out of the van....
Betty came running towards me.
She skidded to a stop.....
And snuggled up to me.
We looked into each others eyes...
and...

Don't let ANYONE ever tell you that there is no such thing as love at first sight.

I can testify.

The End

xoxo,
Cindy

I HOLD A KEY TO PIONEER BEAUTY'S GIVEAWAY!

Howdy!

If you've come here for a key to Pioneer Beauty's giveaway, you've come to the right place!

For those of you who have never "met" Angelina, you are in for a treat! Tho I've only "known" her for a short while, we have already become bosom buddies. check out the giveaway that she is hosting and tell her FarmgirlCyn sent ya! Pioneer Beauty~.

Hello, Mr. Phelps...Here is your mission. If you choose to accept it you will go immediately to Pioneer Beauty and........these instructions will self-destruct in 5 seconds....pfffft.

Oh, wait a sec....that was "Mission Impossible". Forgive me...I was kinda confused for a second there. There will be NO self-destruct, and the mission is far from impossible. Go ahead. See for yourself!!!

If your first name starts with the letters between A-H...go back to Pioneer Beauty and leave this comment: "HOKEY TOOT!"

~If your first name starts with the letters between I-P.....go back to Pioneer Beauty and leave this comment: "WILLY NILLY"


~If your first name starts with the letters between Q-Z....go back to Pioneer Beauty and leave this comment: "WELL, SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!"

Now, head on over there and see what she's got!

Have a MOST blessed day!
And come back real soon now, ya hear?

xoxo,
Cindy

Pasta, Rolls, & Celery Leaves

Imperia Italian Pasta Maker

Borrowed this little beauty from Anja, our farm wife last week, and have been itchin' to give it a try.
I have made my own soup noodles for years, but have never ventured any further.
THIS little gem allows me that freedom!
(I want me one of these...)

Homemade linguine resting on coarse cornmeal

It took a bit of gettin' used to, and a lot of help from Farmboy, but between the two of us we did it!
The cornmeal on the tray keeps the pasta from sticking together, and when boiling, it falls to the bottom of the pan.
I served this with a roasted heirloom tomato sauce I had made a few days earlier, and homemade meatballs.
SO good!

Hard Rolls and Italian bread

I have been trying to perfect a crusty, chewy hard roll and I think I have it.
I take the New York Times No-Knead recipe (just google it!) and when it comes time to plop the dough on a cornmeal dusted dishcloth, I simply cut it into 7 pieces, dusting with as much flour as necessary to keep it from sticking to my hands too much, and let them rest on a cornmeal coated pizza peel.
Rise for about an hour while the oven, and the pizza stone, preheat to 425F.
Make sure there is a large pan at the very bottom of your oven while pre-heating, and after sliding the rolls onto the wicked hot stone, add 2 cups HOT water to add steam.
Taking great care not to splash any water onto the glass door cause....

IT COULD SHATTER!!!

Watch carefully, as this is an experiment, but I think they took about 15-20 minutes.
We really loved these!
Crusty on the outside, and chewy on the inside!
I typically use equal parts whole wheat and unbleached flour for this bread, so you still get a nice wheat-y taste.

I also tried an italian loaf, which was just OK.
Kinda bland.
Next time I will cut it length wise and make garlic toast out of it.
THAT would have been perfect with the pasta and sauce!

Celery leaves dried in my handy dandy Excalibur Dehydrator.

I love my dehydrator!
Look! Look! Look!
That enamel bowl holds about 8 quarts.
Once I crunched those celery leaves THIS is what I got!

Not even a full pint of dried, organic celery leaves!

That's OK....these will be perfect for soups/stews this winter!

UPDATE!!!
39th Wedding Anniversary photo taken Saturday, September 18, 2010

We'll talk real soon!

xoxo,
Cindy

40........AND COUNTING! (re-post with date changes)

Married September 18, 1971

Nah...I"M not 40!
Just been married that long!

Pete and I were sorta high school sweethearts.
I met him when I was 16 and just going into my junior year.
He had just graduated that June and was off to the local community college.
We got married the September after I graduated, and our 1st born, Giselle, was born 18 months later.
Gina, our 2nd, was born 2 1/2 years later.

Quite honestly, we were a train wreck.
A divorce waiting to happen.
Stupid, selfish, immature, and ungodly.
Pretty much says it all.

Long story short...

I got saved, born again, in February of 1978.
The conviction of the Holy Spirit was SO real.

Pete followed shortly thereafter, in May that same year.

There was no turning back.
Forever changed.

I ALWAYS testify that the ONLY reason we are still married is His mercy and grace.
I can still hardly believe He saved a wretch like me.
The worst of all sinners.
For truly, I once was lost, but now I'm found.
I was blind, but now I see.

After we got saved we had 3 more children.
Krystal, now 28.
Sam, now 21.
Avery, now 18.

Around 2000

Ignore the silly dates in the corners of some of these....
I didn't know how to change the date thingy on my digital camera!

Homecoming, 1969

Sweetheart Swirl, 1970

Sweetheart Swirl, 1971

Torch Lake, 2000

Torch Lake 2003?

Caribbean Cruise, 2005

Black/White party, 2006

Anniversary, 2009

Oh, if only I knew way back then what I know now.
What I would do differently.
Love more.
Laugh more.
Worry less.
Fear not.
Discipline differently.
Repent more often.
Say "I'm sorry", and mean it.
Love more.
Oh, yeah...I already said that one.
Bears repeating.

But...you know what?

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!
His grace is sufficient and His mercy is everlasting.

I love you, Farmboy.
And I'd do it all over again.

In Christ alone,
Cindy

PS...And, lest you think everything is hunky dunky after 40 years, let me assure you, it is not!

However...

JESUS NEVER FAILS

And we put our trust in Him.

THE COOP SCOOP!

Big Red!

There's some blogging buzz going around where folks are showin' of their chicken coops, and tho mine doesn't hold a candle to the ones I have looked at/envied, I thought I would give you a peek at the chicken motel.

The Coop

I have ALWAYS wanted a few chickens to call my own, so....

Farmboy built me this coop out of scraps and a few bags of cement about 4 years ago.

There is a gate to the right of the yellow metal can (the feed can) where I can keep the chickens fenced in for a few hours during peak laying time.

This has really encouraged the laying of eggs INSIDE the hen house, not here, there, and everywhere!

Their little flip top door inside the fenced in area allows them access to the hen house and their food and water.

I LOVE the Dutch door he put in! Allows us to peek in there and see what they are up to without opening the door wide open.

They are sneaky little buggers, and desperately want OUT to explore!

Roosting bars with a small ladder.

All fresh and clean from yesterdays coop cleaning day.

This entails pulling everything out of there, hosing it down with some water and lysol, spraying down the walls, rinsing, then shop vac the water out.
We then let it dry for a couple of hours and put fresh pine shavings then fresh straw down.
We try to do this about 4 times a year.
In between those big cleanings, we do a regular poop scoop, probably once a week.

Laying!!!

Aren't they cute?
Lookin' all shy on us!

Right now we have 9 layers and one rooster.
That is a good amount for us, and the coop really couldn't handle more than one or two more.

They are very friendly and come runnin', lickity split, when they hear the front door slam!
It means there could be treat of some black oiler sunflower seeds being tossed in the grass for them!

There's nothing fancy about the hen house, tho after seeing some of the other blogs, it has made me re-think the whole "plain-Jane" look on the insides!

Maybe a baby chandelier would brighten up the look?
A couple of family photos on the wall?
Hmmm...

Gotta run!

xoxo,
Cindy

Grape/Rosemary Focaccia & Chicken at Sunset

Grape Focaccia with Rosemary

Another winner from Smitten Kitchen's blog!
When I first saw her post about this, I thought, nope, this one is NOT gonna be on the menu any time soon!
Just did not sound that appealing.
Boy, was I wrong!
1st off, her descriptions make you WANT to try this.
And then, when you DO try it, you want more.
And more.
I made this for a family gathering on Sunday, and it was met with raves, oohs, and aah's!
And recipe requests.
I can't wait to try it again!

Chicken at Dusk

Lately we have had to keep the chickens in their own, private courtyard, which is attached to their hen house.
Why?
Eggs being found in random places, scattered willy nilly, all around the yard.
Under a wheelbarrow, next to the picket fence, in a mess of weeds...
Hopefully having limited freedom will encourage them to lay IN the hen house, not around it!
So, the strategy has been...
Out of the hen house bright and early, but confined to their courtyard till around 4pm.
By 4pm, any laying they are going to do has pretty much been done.
At around 4pm, I let them out to run around they yard.
They take full advantage, and are seen hanging out by their coop door till the very last ray of sun has set.
The results?
A few eggs now being laid IN the hen house, but in unusual places.
Next to their water dispenser.
Under the roost.
But nothin' in their actual nesting boxes.
Crazy chickens.

Jens Monk rose covered in white autumn clematis

This clematis starts out in the spring on the OTHER side of this rose bush, in the inner courtyard of the front yard.
Teeny-tiny in the spring, one thinks it will never get going.

Autumn Clematis Explosion

An explosion of tiny, white star-like flowers with a heavenly fragrance has engulfed the entire corner of the courtyard garden.

Here it is again!

This view is from another side of the courtyard garden, again, across the fence from where the plant actually is.

I LOVE autumn.

Lots going on in the kitchen this week as I begin roasting Roma tomatoes, making sauces, and canning applesauce.

A big day comin, later on this week, tho.
You'll hear more by Saturday!

xoxo,
Cindy

Peach Rosemary Jam, & How to De-skunk-ify a Cat!

Peach/Rosemary Jam & Pear/Rosemary Preserves

I found these recipes, I don't know HOW long ago, and have kept them tucked away in my canning folder for a cool September day.
Yesterday was that day.
High's only around 62, it was perfect for canning...with the windows open, of course!

If you are familiar at all with water bath canning, these recipes should be easy-peasy for you!
No pectin needed as they create their own, natural pectin.
The pear preserves are a bit runnier than the peach jam, and tho I didn't water-bath can them, I think the next time I would.

The recipes don't make a lot, but I think it is the perfect gift-giving amount.
Who do you know that wouldn't love some unusual "foodie" type gift for Christmas?

Ollie-by-Gollie

Ollie-by-Gollie came in yesterday morning smelling distinctly of skunk.
The last time one of our cats was skunked (Fuzzy) (see his story HERE) we used the old wives tale remedy of washing him up in tomato sauce.
That was 2 years ago.
And when Fuzzy gets wet, he STILL smells like skunk!
Tomato sauce bath?
Not so much.

THIS time I was prepared!
A while back I saw in Hints from Heloise the sure-fire method of de-skunking a pet.
So...
we took 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup of baking soda
1 teaspoon dish soap
Mixed it up in a pitcher and poured it all over Ollie whilst he stood in the kitchen sink.
Lathered the poor boy up and rinsed carefully.

Post bath grooming

Got him out of the sink and towel dried as best we could.
He spent the next couple of hours licking himself and drying off.

AAH!
Sweet smelling, once again!
This remedy is a keeper!

Keepin busy...
How's about you?

xoxo,
Cindy

Rendering lard & Zucchini Galette

Zucchini Galette

I saw this recipe over at Smitten Kitchen a few weeks ago and have been waiting for a nice, cool day to try it.
Yesterday, Labor Day, was that fateful day.
I will never look at the lowly zucchini in the same way again.
This went beyond all my expectations and was simply:

DELICIOUS.
Really.
Truly.
Amazingly delicious.

Teriyaki grilled chicken thighs, coleslaw/apple salad, and THE zucchini galette

Just look at the colors on that plate!
Everything tasted as good as it looks.
I want to re-create this again today!
And maybe, tomorrow?

Rendering lard

I bought about 3# of leaf lard Saturday at the Fulton Farmers Market, knowing that I would have some time over the weekend to render it.
Takes a mighty long while to render 3# on a low flame.
Hours.

As the lard was melting, I ladled it out through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

Goodbye Crisco....Hello lard!

Poured it into pint containers and refrigerated.

I will freeze 2 of the containers (good for at least a year)
and refrigerate the other.

I don't use a whole heck of a lot of "lard", but I would rather use the real deal when I DO use it, than the nasty shortening that is sitting (WAS sitting!) at the way back of my cupboard.

And I've heard tell that french fries are THE best when cooked in lard.
And biscuits, too!
And...pie crusts!

So...tho I RARELY make any of the above, I'll be ready if and when I do!

Keep in touch, eh?

xoxo,
Cindy

Can you smell it? Nearly Autumn!!!

Homemade 100% whole wheat bread!

My friend and neighbor, Michelle, showed me how to make this incredible bread a few months ago, but I have put it off till cooler weather.
Cooler weather is here. For now.
So today I made 2 loaves of bread to go with Eggplant Parmesan. (no pic...just take my word for it....delicioso!)

Eggplant...one of my favorite vegetables....finally comin' in at the CSA.
Maybe some ratatouille this week?

Autumn Clematis

I bought this one measly plant 3 or 4 years ago and put it in the courtyard in a corner of the garden.
Each year it has grown bigger and bigger.
This year it has taken over the entire corner and has almost totally engulfed the Jens Monk shrub rose. Which is about 8 or 9 feet tall.
Stunning.
When the rest of the garden is looking all scruffy and sad.

Flowering Autumn Clematis

In another week the entire bush will be bloomin'!

Heirloom tomatoes, fresh off the vine

Are these not just about the most beautiful colors ever?
So autumnal!

Twinkly lights on the mantle

Now that the sun is setting a bit earlier, and the nights are getting cooler, I thought it was time to turn on the twinkle.

Lots going on here at the farmette.

Busy as ever in the kitchen.

And a mess of stuff bringin' me to my knees in prayer.

Praise God for Jesus.
Just sayin'.

xoxo,
Cindy