A Wonderful Surprise

By far the most excting part of our week was the discovery of a new little family on the farm. Ever since we stopped raising laying hens for commercial egg production, getting up to 150 pastured raised birds at one point, we have kept a small flock of free-range ladies. We have tried various strategies to get these girls to lay eggs in one area of the barn, preferably their nest boxes, but inevitably, they prefer to seek out more elaborate nests, creating an egg hunt for us every day. We like to let them roam, risking the disappearance of an egg or two because they do a great job of cleaning up after the cow (fly control). John was washing dishes when he noticed these adorable chicks poking out from under the wood pile on Saturday morning. So, now we know where some of the eggs have been going and we are delighted. We have never had a broody hen before and this little family is so lovely to watch. Mom is always nearby, teaching them how to scratch and how to be weary of curious cats and meddling dogs and eager little children.





The other exciting news is that, with the help of Eddie Alden, our electric "G" is up and running. She is a quiet dream and really smooth to drive. I can't wait to try her out in the field! We are planning to buy a set of basket weeders for her this winter so we can get her to the field to work in the spring.

Over the course of time we have been distributing radicchio, I have told every one I can find how great it is on the grill. This here is grilled patty pan squash and radicchio from our Sunday night dinner with friends. I quartered the radicchio, dredged it in olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic, placed on a hot grill. Once it was wilted, we were ready to feast.


We are 4 down and 4 to go for the wedding season here at the farm. Everyone stepped in to help out,
including Flora, arranging flowers for the house.

This weekend was busy for flowers with bridal and bridal party bouquets ready to be delivered to Biddeford while we hurried around the farm preparing for the event we were hosting here.


And a clean, dressed up farmhouse kitchen for use by the bride, her bridesmaid's and her family.





Harvest:
Beans
Beets
Green Chard
Basil
Tomato taste (aka a little bit of tomato to get you ready for more)
Squashes and Cukes
Green Onion
Kohlrabi
Green Peppers for Tuesday and Eggplant for Friday

Blessings on the meal,
Stacy

PS....Our bit for CBS Sunday Morning was taped Friday and Saturday (thank you to our patient Friday shareholders who were filmed and interviewed!). The show airs Sunday, August 22nd.