Peas and Onions

     Yesterday the weather was a bit colder and starting to go downhill so we thought it would be a good idea to get the peas and onions in the ground. We are a little behind on our planting schedule due to the long cold winter.

Rows of onions

                                                                                                                                                                           The variety of onions we planted came from Territorial Seed company in cottage Grove, Oregon.                               

Redwing

     I like Territorial Seed because they have good quality seeds and they signed the safe seed pledge which means they don't use genetically modified seeds.  The variety I planted is the Northern Mixed bunch which consists of Walla Walla, Redwing and Ringmaster.

                                                                             

Pea Towers

We put up the pea towers and got the peas in the ground.  We planted super sugar snap peas.  They did very well last year so we thought we'd plant them again this year.

     Thank God we started planting yesterday because today it is cold and rainy.

Chives

     Another warm day today.  With temperatures in the 80's It is feeling more like summer than spring.  My favorite part of the garden this time of year is the chives coming up in the herb garden.  They are so green and healthy looking.

     Before you know it the chives will be about 2ft tall with their pretty purple flowers.  They are perennials that are part of the allium schoenoprasum.  Chives have a mild onion flavor that goes well with eggs, fish, potatoes,salads and soup. My favorite way to eat chives is with sour cream on a baked potato

     Chives are pretty easy to grow.  They thrive in a well drained, sunny location. Chives require 6 to 8 hours of light and do not require heavy fertilizing. When you are ready to harvest them all you have to do is cut them with scissors about 2 inches from the root.

WE ARE BACK!!!

     After a long cold and busy winter, we are finally able to start blogging again.  Let's show you what's been happening on the farm.

The hens are enjoying the warm weather

     The chickens had a quiet winter but now that the weather is getting warmer and the sun is out longer they have been busy laying eggs.

Sasha enjoying the yard

     

The garden is ready

     Today the weather was perfect to start preparing the garden for this growing season.  We tilled the soil and removed any grass or weeds.  The chunks of grass and weeds we gave to the chickens to pick through.

the herb garden

     Our herb garden looks empty now but soon it will be filled with all kinds of herbs.  Right now the chives are coming up and in the background is a rosemary bush.  

"I'm working on my base tan for the Summer."

      Now we are all really to start gardening this season.

   

Thanksgiving Baking

sprinkling confectioners sugar on cookies

     It's that time of year again.  The aroma of pies and cookies baking are in the air.  I got an early start on my thanksgiving baking by making these old fashion vanilla cookies.  It's a very simple tasting cookie that is quite a contrast to the rich tasting pies that I usually make for the holidays.
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cups of sugar                  1 1/4 lbs of flour
2 sticks of margarine             3tsp  baking powder
4 eggs                                    1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp of vanilla                       1/4 tsp salt
preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cream margarine and sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla.  In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients.  Add dry ingredients to egg mixture.  Take a heaping tablespoon of dough and roll out about 4-5 inches and make into an S.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Cool on rack.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Rebuild, Restore, Recover

     Mother Mousse Bakery in Staten Island will be selling these t-shirts to benefit the victims of hurricane Sandy.  The cost is $15.00. 100% of each sale will be donated. The NYCB family of banks will match every donation.  That means for every t-shirt sold $30.00 will be donated. 
     If you are in Staten Island please visit Mother Mousse and help support a great cause.
     

Last Week Hurricane, This Week Snowstorm, Next Week???

Trees are down everywhere

     As everybody and his brother knows, last week the east coast was hit with a devastating hurricane.  Our hometown of Staten Island was hit especially hard.  Fortunately, we were very lucky to sustain only minimal damage.  Only a two day blackout and some missing shingles on our roof.  But many of our neighbors weren't so lucky. So many homes and lives completely destroyed.  Everyone on Staten Island has been spending an endless amount of hours trying to help our neighbors.  We on Staten Island are very grateful for all the help and donations from across the country and overseas.  It is very much appreciated.  

A lantern is our only light

A tree taking down wires

            

   And now we have a snowstorm!!!!

Our yard a week after the hurricane

chickens looking at the snow

The snow covering the leeks, cabbage, carrots, parsnips and beets

     What will it be next week???

Hot Nest Box

         This must be the hot nest box.  I built six, but this one gets used most.