Sunday Walkabout 12-22

Talk about a change in the weather!

Last week we were faced with very cold temperatures.  It was really cold when the Boss and I took our Sunday walk out Mish Barn Road. 

Daytime highs were in the 30’s. …and today…63* at 6am…and it is the first full day of Winter! It’s not going to last long, the wind is whipping and thunderstorms are predicted for later in the day. …and by Tuesday, we should be back to 30’s as our predicted high temperatures.

 However, the warm (albeit WINDY) weather on Saturday gave us a much-needed weather window to complete one more step in the garden clean-up project.

from this angle the upper garden looks enormous

The Boss hard at work

The Boss pulled out all the tomato trellises.

Told ya it was windy...
His hat blew off!

I got the job of removing the irrigation t-tapes. 

after the tapes are dis-connected
the holes are plugged

the irrigation tapes must be removed

hauling the tapes from the garden

irrigation tapes stored for next season

Then, he bush-hogged the whole thing.

While I am glad that all the mess is gone, the garden in winter is rather dismal. 

Nothing is left growing except the garlic crop for 2014. But, it’s only 87 days ‘til Spring!

some of the ewes chillin' behind the barn

The countdown to lambing season has also begun.  The first lambs should arrive by the first of the year.  (it kinda snuck up on me this year)  It looks like most of them should be born by mid-January (give or take). Woohoo!  Unfortunately, we have one ewe who, for unknown reasons, won’t lamb until March (if she lambs at all).  Definitely not MY plan, but that’s a story for another day. In anticipation of the new arrivals, we took a little time to give all the ewes a booster shot of CDT.

This will give the babies immunity to the dreaded Clostridial diseases that can so quickly kill them. Here’s a little more about workin' the sheep.

In what seems to be totally NON-farm related news, we took a little fieldtrip and bought some new furniture this week.  Combined with the new laptop the Boss got me recently (and his own Chromebook), the new chairs mean we can do office work (and the occasional internet surfing) by the woodstove instead of the somewhat frigid office at the other end of the house.  Hooray!  Just in time for our big garden planning/seed ordering day, too. We also happened to see some of our favorite Market customers at the furniture store.  I do hope that they found the recliner they were looking for. Did you read the story of “Mrs. Squash"?

it looks so cozy

In anticipation of all the seed ordering/starting/2014 growing season, I got one greenhouse cleaned out and organized this week.  There are a number of transplants to get planted in the hoophouse in the upcoming week.  The Boss got the beds in the hoophouse #2  tilled up and the weeds under control and I seeded the next round of lettuce.  We’ll work on the other one in the upcoming week.  All our work is paying off; the demand for “off-season” greens has been astounding.

neat and tidy
ready to go again

That’s about it for “new and exciting” here on the hill…

 

Although, here’s one more little story for you.

I walked in the barn, looking for a tool to finish a job.  I got distracted by Gus and Tess playing together…

oh!  They look so cute! And I started taking pictures.

 It wasn’t too long before I realized they weren’t alone.

see the snake in the hay?

Apparently, Tess found a little snake somewhere in the barn and they were playing with it.  Well, torturing it is probably more accurate. (I’m sure Gus wanted to EAT it!) Of course, that meant I needed to rescue the snake, show it to the Boss and he took it to a safer place where it could recover (hopefully) and go on to feast on mice in the barn. 

Then, and only then, could I go back to the job at hand…whatever that was.  I get distracted so often that it’s a wonder I ever get anything done.

Here are a couple of other distractions from the past week.

a beautiful trip to work

hunting cat 

rat-eating dog

admiring the Chinese cabbage

another sunrise

Thanks for stopping by!

What’s up in your neck of the woods?

Hope you’re having a

Happy Sunday!

I Wanna Be Like Kris!

“there’s a lot of bad –isms in this world…the worst is commercialism. 

                                    Make a buck, make a buck!”  

                                                                                                                         Alfred-   Miracle on 34^th Street. (1947)

It seems that  a lot of us could learn a thing or two from “the jolly, old elf”…Kris Kringle. (particularly those of us involved with food production AND marketing/sales.)

Here are a couple of things I take from what is quite possibly my all-time favorite movie.

You MUST watch the 1947 version
(definitely black and white)

Kris didn’t say mean and untrue things about others.


Yeah, I am looking at YOU, Panera Bread.

Don't insult farmers. (particularly since you profit from selling FOOD) That was wrong! Dairy Carrie said it better.You should read this.

Kris used his imagination for good, wholesome entertainment and not to evoke horrible, untrue images.

“To me the imagination is a place all by itself... a separate country.

You've heard of the French or the British nation.

Well, this is the lmagine nation.”

                         –Kris Kringle – Miracle on 34^th Street 1947

 Sorry, Chipotle…but, that scarecrow idea of yours was most definitely a bad use of imagination!

“Come with me, and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination, take a look and you’ll see in to your imagination. We’ll begin with a spin traveling in a world of my creation.” chipotle

Unlike the television and music stars, some comedians, popular authors, certain magazines (Rolling Stone's horrific anti-farm article comes to mind) and outspoken activists of today, ol’ Kris Kringle didn’t force anything on those little children or their parents just to make a another sale and garner a little publicity for himself.  As a matter of fact, it didn’t seem like he ever thought about himself.

It is very easy to get caught up in beating the competition, to go along with the name-calling and perpetuation of falsehoods and fear-mongering that are so prevalent in today’s marketing…in order to “make a  buck” and make a big name for ourselves.  I’m pretty sure I’d get a lot more fans if I spouted off about the evils of Monsanto and biotechnology or if I blasted “factory farms” and anything different than the way we do things here on the hill.  But, I’m not willing to spread falsehoods and give up my integrity just to have a couple more people “like” me. (although I admit to more than my fair share of frustration when it feels like no one is paying attention)

Since we direct-market everything produced here on the hill, we talk to folks about food on a daily basis and depend on our weekly sales for our livelihood. To this end, we stay abreast of the current trends and issues in the world of food. (this is becoming a daunting task)

Many people are scared to death about food choices because of things (lies) they have heard perpetuated in the media.  In order to better serve them, we’ve made every effort to get educated on the buzzwords. I’m here to tell you…a whole lot of the stuff you’ve heard about Agriculture is completely untrue!

When somebody comes with a concern, we address it…without calling names or questioning practices.

Truth is the most effective weapon against fear.

If someone is looking for a product we don’t have, we’ll tell them who does. (Just like Kris did)
It doesn’t matter if the “competition” gets a sale… it isn’t all about the money in the long run.

Because…here are a few things I learned from Kris.

 LISTEN---he knew what that child wanted…and he knew how to meet that need. When the little boy wanted the fire engine, he didn’t hesitate to tell the mother where to get it (even if it wasn't his employer) ---while she was grateful for the help, she was even more touched by the selflessness of the act. It changed her attitude and her behavior.

Kris' sincerity changed this customer's mind

SPEAK- their language ---a little Dutch girl came to visit “Sinter Claes”…not only did he listen, but he answered her in words she could understand. That act alone was priceless.

TAKE TIME---he spent a lot of time with little Suzie and the other characters. That’s precisely how he knew what they needed and how to supply that need.

when asked what HE wanted
Kris asked for a gift for a friend

BACK IT UP---be willing to prove your claim.

yes, that beard IS real!

DON’T BE SHY---Kris didn’t hesitate to “tell it like it is”.  While this is often uncomfortable, if done in a kind and gracious manner, the results can be amazing.

bringing the competition together

KEEP IT CIVIL---good manners go a long way!  Kris didn’t yell or scream, he just kept spreading his message in a gentle way.  And when it finally became obvious that he was dealing with pure meanness and wasn’t going to make an impression without some sort of force, he stopped at one good thump on the head.

"I have great respect for psychiatry

—and great contempt for meddling amateurs who go around practicing it!"

STAND TRUE---even when it looked like things would end badly…that no one believed him, Kris never wavered in his convictions.  Part of the miracle was that others came to see the light and he was indeed proven to be who he said he was.

Kris got discouraged
but, he didn't give up

FOLLOW THROUGH---I don’t know how he did it, but he managed to find a way to fulfill Suzie’s one wish.  That went a long way to proving his credibility.

In the long run, while it worked wonders in the retail world, it wasn’t a brilliant marketing scheme or a ploy of any type… it was simply the outworking of a kind heart and a caring spirit.  Kris' good cheer, sincerity and generosity spread like ripples in a pond encouraging others, mingling and multiplying with that of others until the combination created “miracle on 34^th Street”.

So…is it any wonder?

                                   I want to be like Kris!








                                                         

Dude, Lamb Chops AIN'T Cute!

“Dude!  Check it out!  They’ve got LAMB!”

Two townie girls were shopping the Farmers’ Market.  They were looking quite the part in their tiny, little sundresses, their big, black sunglasses and cowgirl boots. (Staunton is a college town, so we get a lot of hip, young customers.)

“So, Dude…you want to get some? Yum!”

“Oh, I don’t know…lamb chops are so good!  But, they’re so cute.  No, lamb chops are cute…let’s get something else.”

Okay…I admit it...I was eavesdropping…but all I could think was…Seriously?


Now, I’m going to make somebody mad…but…

If you’re vegetarian for religious or health reasons, I totally respect that.  If you’re vegetarian for ethical reasons (you think animals are mis-treated and abused and you don’t want to contribute to that) I understand, but you need some further information.  But, if you’re not eating lamb chops (or other meat) because you think it’s cute….please, can we talk?


Lamb chops are not (never have been and never will be) cute! 

YUM!

They are, however, nutritious and delicious. Meat (in this case LAMB) provides easily assimilated protein at a level that plant products never will. 

Here are a few facts about lamb in general.

Unsaturated fat, which is good for you, makes up for half the fat in lamb. Palmitoleic acid, a 16-carbon monounsaturated fatty acid found in lamb, possesses strong antimicrobial properties.

Lamb also has a high nutritional value and is an especially good source of easily absorbed zinc and iron. The recommended daily allowance provided by a three ounce serving of cooked lamb is 30% for zinc (essential for growth, tissue repair, and a healthy immune system) and 17% for iron (needed for the formation of red blood cells). Lamb is rich in B vitamins, especially B12. One serving can provide 74-100% of the daily requirement for Vitamin B12, which is essential for the body's metabolic reactions. Lamb is also nature's best source for an amino acid called carnitine, which is needed to generate energy from fatty acids. Trace elements such as copper, manganese, and selenium are also found in this meat, and it contains a rich supply of high quality protein.

Lamb is a food you can feel good about eating because today's lamb is low in fat and an excellent source of vitamins and minerals.                     American Lamb Council

On average, a 3-ounce serving of lamb has only 175 calories and meets the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) definition for lean.  According to FDA guidelines, lean meat has less than 10 grams of fat, less than 4.5 grams of saturated fat, and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per 100 grams (or 3.5 ounces)
Because lamb naturally contains many essential nutrients, it is an easy fit for healthy diets. On average, lamb is an excellent source of protein, vitamin B12, niacin, zinc, and selenium while still being a good source of iron and riboflavin. All of this within an average of 175 calories per 3-ounce serving makes lamb naturally nutrient-rich.   American Lamb Board

Here are a few things about the lambs of Homestead Hill in particular.

Honestly, our lambs are never the cute fluffy critters that grace storybook pages. When lambs are born, they weigh between 8 to 10 pounds (sometime we have big singles that can weigh upwards of 15 pounds, but that’s fairly unusual…and not the best thing for the ewe). They’re black and more than a little funny looking.  Here read this. Here, read this.  

They are on their feet in minutes and as soon as they begin eating, they begin growing.  That’s pretty much all they do---eat, sleep and grow. They are kind of cute at this stage, I must say.  But, by the time a lamb is six months old, it should weigh over 100 pounds.  No longer is there any thought of this creature being cute.  Good genetics, ample food and healthy animal vigor allow for great weight gains and good muscling.  We don’t raise animals for cuteness…we raise for carcass quality.  I'm not afraid to admit...I like "big butts"...read this.

Awesome carcasses
Premier photo

Don’t let the word “lamb” fool you. These are fairly large critters destined for a plate…they’re not friendly or interested in becoming a pet.  Folks hear lamb and they think of little Bo-peep and cute little sheep. Wrong! Read this one.  But, don’t assume that means it’s mutton.  Mutton is the meat of a mature animal (over one year old).  The taste and texture are completely different. Lamb should look bright and fresh and fairly lean.  The taste is rich and clean and needs very little in the way of seasoning.

there's more to lamb than just lamb chops

With the per capita lamb consumption in the US running something like .6 to 1.6 pounds (compared to beef at well over 50 lbs. per person) it’s obvious that lamb is not a staple of the American diet…and many folks have never even tried it.  We love lamb in all its various presentations and make it a point to have recipe ideas available for our customers. (I’m working on a page for our website and Tuesday is going to be lamb recipe day on Facebook---check it out))

I’m sorry to say, I didn’t make much headway with the townie girls at the Market.  They listened politely, we discussed the pros and cons, and they considered purchasing one of our chickens instead of the cute lamb chops. 

…and then bought…..(wait for it)

CHICKEN LIVERS

Because (you guessed it)…they’re not cute.   

**sigh**


Maybe next time...

A Change in the Weather

Working outside in your shirtsleeves in December is an uncommon thing here in our Valley.

But, it was far too warm for a jacket…yes, in December…so naturally I got to thinking about the weather.

My grandmother used to call the unseasonably warm days of winter "weather breeders".  Meaning that real change was imminent. While the reason escapes me, she may have been on to something.   The weather forecasters were calling for a winter weather event over the weekend. 

I find the weather by turn fascinating, irritating, amazing, frustrating, devastating and sometimes just downright annoying. As it directly affects everything we do it is in our best interest to at least attempt to understand it. That’s why I love talking to the  "old people". Read about what papaw Wally told me about the weather here.

"sundog" - indicative of changing weather

When you get an unseasonably warm day in the midst of December, every effort should be made to utilize it.  Garden clean-up, fence repair, barn organization, hoophouse work…it’s hard to choose which gets done first. We made a dump run and then the Boss did a few odd jobs and finished up his fence project.  I worked in the hoophouses and greenhouse and checked on the gardens.

the race is on

It seemed we were not the only ones taking advantage of the unseasonable weather.  All day we could hear (and see) the fellas on the other side of Mbrook racing to beat the weather and get the corn harvested.  (up ‘til now the weather hadn’t been very cooperative)  

loading corn into trucks

There was a steady stream of trucks loaded with corn and headed to the mill in town.

...and they're DONE!

…and I’m pretty sure we weren’t the only ones giving thanks for our completed preparations as we heard the rain and sleet begin a short while later.

"wintry mix" begins