Boot Creepers Required!

Good morning All!

I imagine that most of you have hauled out the long wooly layers that are standard Maine garb for January ,February and into March….. here at the farm we have to haul out another layer….. the CREEPERS for our boots! The 8 inches of snow last week were topped by a heavy coating of rain, and every plowed surface turned into a smooooooooth slick skating rink.

With the temps being so low, sand really does not stick to the shiny surface, I hesitate to use the commercial salt products as I am not sure how our free ranging ducks and geese will react to them. So creepers it is then…….even the horses and sheep tred cautiously on these surfaces…. The creepers make stepping a bit easier especially with the latest layer of snow over all this morning….

We are going to run the same product list this week as last , we have been peeling winter squash and freezing, I had a farmer call with large roasting chickens that I have filled the freezer with, the lamb supply is ok for another week ( thankyou to all that ordered),

And I have some fresh 3 pound rabbits in the freezer too!

Stay safe out there my friends, I plan to deliver Friday this week, and please know that I appreciate each and everyone of you for your continuing support of local foods and our excellent small Maine farms! AND, I gratefully thank you all for your recycling back to me the boxes, egg cartons and reusable shopping bags! My thrifty Yankee heart is happy!

Out I go to visit with the lambs ,their mamas and my big fluffy Anatolian boys, keeping my fingers crossed for more new babies !

Thankyou again, and again!

Kath

Lambing Season is Here!

Good Morning All!

I walked among my heavy bodied ewes yesterday during the snow storm quiet. Morning is one of the nicest times of day. Oh but wait… so is bright daylight, and evening dusk, and full moon watching….. I guess that all parts of my day are favorites.

BUT I digress…. I quietly walk around the gals as they begin their daylong routine of hay and grain fill ups, wondering when we would begin to see new January lambs….. and whoops! Out pops a little brown baby from the group (!), healthy bouncy and robust. I really love this time of year. She was being shielded from my prying eyes by her mom and the younger yearling “aunties”….. I will get my hands on her this morning to do a quick health check, a snuggle and a deep deep breath of new life on the farm! AND , there will be so many more to come! Stay tuned for more photos and updates …

New this week is a sharp Cabot cheese and our first shipment of Valley View farm raised yearling lamb. And I know, I know… just talking about the new babies and in the next breath promoting our meat supply seems a bit hard or callous, but it is LIFE on a farm…celebrating the new births and the miracle of everyday life on a farm.. they give me joy through out all of their lives and I give them a very good life too, never caged, never medicated, ample hay and green pastures.

And so, I need to head out to check and see who else will greet me with shiny new eyes , I appreciate all of you for supporting local foods and our excellent small Maine farms……you make a big difference in our lives and I try to make a difference in yours.

Stay warm!

Kath

Big Guard Pups

Ooooh baby it is COLD outside! I am just in from romping and tussling with my one year old (today) big boys! Slip sliding on the ice, big belly rubs (theirs not mine) and lots of joyful barking, Kip and Lio have been a wonderfully LARGE addition to my farm and my life.

Weighing in now at about 140 pounds, these big puppies (still for another year) they are watchful, gentle, loving and totally submissive to my scrappy little 12 pound house dog Violet. They could easily squish her with one big paw, but they bow down to her and listen as she barkingly reprimands them and reminds them “Who is Boss”.

Kip and Lio are bred to withstand freezing cold temps with a thick undercoat of fur and even if asked to come inside, they prefer to remain out with the sheep and mini horses, they take their job very seriously and do not like to be away from them for our long…..so, as much as I would like to have them in taking up all the floor space in my living room , and counter surfing for snacks, they are so totally happy outside … and it is in their blood and breeding.

Our chef has requested a month off from prepared food making to focus on his health. Bitten by a tick early this summer, the symptoms of Lyme disease have made it painful for him to continue on and he needs to rest and recover.

I do have a few additions this week that I did not get to my farm helper/computer genius gal Linda in time:

A tangy lemon basil pesto 4 ounces for $4.50 made with fresh basil, lemon, pine nuts, parmesan and a bit of salt. A great addition to pasta dishes and vegetables.

Apple molasses 4 ounces for $4.50 and 8 ounces for $7.50 , apple molasses is made by woodstove top reduction of apple cider until it is a smooth tasty apple syrup, great over ice cream or as a marinade for pork.

Peanut butter balls. 3 for $3.75 creamy peanut butter dipped in dark chocolate, a great little snack for after dinner.

Grateful as always for your ongoing support of local foods and our excellent, excellent small Maine farms! I am blessed to know you all and have you share in the wonder of my everyday life!

Kath