The pigs are growing up fast. I've already started telling the kids that the pigs won't be with us for long, that when it gets really cold the pigs will go away.
I know some people think I'm crazy because I love raising pigs. But there are several reasons I enjoy them, they are adorable when they are young.
They are playful, they run, they chase each other, splash each other and frolic about.
Last time we had pigs it was a constant battle to keep them penned up. We have been pretty lucky this time or we have gotten much better at building pig pens. The pigs broke out once when they were pretty young but haven't gotten out again. Fortunately for me I had reinforcements the day they got out. I happened to be hosting a playdate at my house so I had a few extra moms to help out. I couldn't get the pigs back into the pen so I was just trying to keep them out of my garden and out of the road. We had some memorable moments, namely my neighbor and I racing through the pasture and scrambling over fences trying to head off the pigs as they were making for the road. We quickly decided we had earned a glass of wine, besides it was so much more entertaining to sit and drink wine while watching the pigs explore the yard.
I sent out an S.O.S. call to my husband asking that he come home early to help wrangle pigs and rebuild the pen. He rushed home only to find several moms lounging on the patio, polishing off a bottle of wine, laughing hysterically at the pigs routing around in the yard.
Lest you think we were tipsy or neglecting our kids I can assure you we were not. The kids were later found safe and sound digging in the dirt pile. No harm done.
'til next time...
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Last gasp of summer...
The other day the temperature was in the 60's and all I could think about was warm food, apples, soups. But the past few days have been warm and I've been trying to enjoy those last tomatoes off the vine.
There are still a few peaches and nectarines at the Farmers Market but we are at the end of that season. This year I tried a couple new recipes using peaches and nectarines for dessert. One of our favorites was from Aiden at Conjugating Irregular Verbs. This recipe for poached nectarines was absolutely delicious and I look forward to using it again next summer! I didn't have as many nectarines so I cut mine in half to serve, her picture of the whole nectarines looks even prettier.
Poached nectarines in Herbes de Provence with simple syrup |
The simple syrup definitely makes this a dessert fruit and is a perfect end to a summer meal. Head on over to Aiden's blog to check out the recipe, click here for the link.
'til next time...
Monday, September 24, 2012
Fauquier Heritage Day
This past Saturday was Fauquier Heritage Day. Though it includes all history there is a strong focus on the Civil War era. Or, as I was corrected later that day, "the war of Northern Aggression".
Moving on...
There were several lectures and tours around the town that we didn't see. It is hard to get a 4 year old and almost 3 year old to take a real interest in lectures about the 'Union Occupation of Warrenton' or 'Robert E. Lee's Strategy and Defensive Plan in the Battle of Fredericksburg'. They were however excited about the parade.
Color Guard |
Town Council Limo |
Scottish bagpipes |
Iraq & Afganistan Veterans |
Confederate Cavalry |
After the parade we walked over the the Warren Green building. Here they were holding a re-enactment of General McClellan's farewell speech to his army.
Before the General spoke President Lincoln gave a speech thanking McClellan for his service. This was not a re-enactment, considering that Lincoln was relieving McClellan on his command I'm not sure if he did thank him for his service but if he did it wasn't from the Warren Green building.
President Lincoln's speech |
General McClellan on the balcony of the Warren Green building |
General McClellan's farewell speech to his soldiers |
hospital tent with medical supplies |
Did someone say trains? |
Buckland Hall built in 1774 |
driveway leading to the house |
cavalry demonstration at Buckland Farm |
cemetery at Buckland Farm |
revealing the monument - David Blake, owner and Alex Grey, Eagle Scout |
After the dedication ceremony they fired three shots from this cannon. I wasn't able to get a picture of the firing because my hands were busy protecting my children's ears. As my children are frightened of the noise of a hair dryer I believe this artillery fire may have taken a few years off their life.
Buckland Hall |
That ceremony was the end of the activities for the day. We were all tired, my kids had been incredibly cooperative in indulging their parents in over eight hours of Civil war history!
walking through the pasture, all tired out |
Friday, September 21, 2012
Eggs, eggs, eggs...
A week or so ago I posted that we had finally gotten our first egg. I also explained that we couldn't eat it because it was worth about $375. (you can read about that here)
It was odd but nobody rushed to our door in an attempt to buy the $375 egg. But I have good new for those that may have been discouraged by the high price. Due to the fact we have received about 3 dozen eggs I can now offer you a deal. Instead of one single egg at $375 you can purchase one dozen eggs for a mere $125.00. Deals like this don't come along everyday so hurry before they are gone!
As a special deal to my local friends we are offering a deal of $3.00 per dozen. However, quantities are very limited at this point so you better place your orders now!
'til next time...
It was odd but nobody rushed to our door in an attempt to buy the $375 egg. But I have good new for those that may have been discouraged by the high price. Due to the fact we have received about 3 dozen eggs I can now offer you a deal. Instead of one single egg at $375 you can purchase one dozen eggs for a mere $125.00. Deals like this don't come along everyday so hurry before they are gone!
nothing like fresh eggs... |
As a special deal to my local friends we are offering a deal of $3.00 per dozen. However, quantities are very limited at this point so you better place your orders now!
'til next time...
Golden Polish hen
When I ordered my baby chicks this year I decided to order some polish chickens. I have long admired them, who wouldn't love that cap of feathers??
I ordered two of the Golden Polish chicks, they are distinctive even as babies.
Unfortunately, this batch of chicks had a really rough trip through the mail and one of the polish chicks died the next day.
The remaining chick was adorable
Here she is at two weeks old. She is almost completely feathered out but only has a tuft on the top of her head.
At three weeks old her markings are more distinct. the feather cap on her head has grown a lot also.
When she was about four weeks old I purchased some black polish chicks. No matter how I tried to keep the babies separate she kept finding a way to jump in with the babies. She wasn't aggressive, she was very protective and nurturing. We joked that she was partial to the babies because she recognized them as fellow polish chickens. Whatever the reason, she was a good surrogate mama to them. The odd thing is that I have read several accounts of how polish chickens are not setters, not nurturing, so this was definitely unusual behavior.
At five months she is pretty much full grown. I love her feathers, the markings are beautiful. We have a fairly big chicken house, a portable coop and we let them out to free range often. I think she would be content to be confined. While she likes to run out and stretch her wings a little she usually stays close by the chicken house. She is a pretty calm chicken but seems on the timid side, this is typical of the breed, some people attribute it to the limited visibility they have to the the feather cap. I have never seen any types of aggression from her, she never battles other hens but she also isn't at the very bottom of the pecking order, probably near the bottom though. She is a sweet temperament and I'm hoping to have more of these hens next time.
I ordered two of the Golden Polish chicks, they are distinctive even as babies.
Golden Polish chicks - two days old |
a casualty of being delayed in the mail |
The remaining chick was adorable
Golden Polish chick - three days old |
Golden Polish chick - three days old |
Here she is at two weeks old. She is almost completely feathered out but only has a tuft on the top of her head.
Golden Polish - two weeks old |
Golden Polish chicken - three weeks old |
Golden polish - three weeks old |
When she was about four weeks old I purchased some black polish chicks. No matter how I tried to keep the babies separate she kept finding a way to jump in with the babies. She wasn't aggressive, she was very protective and nurturing. We joked that she was partial to the babies because she recognized them as fellow polish chickens. Whatever the reason, she was a good surrogate mama to them. The odd thing is that I have read several accounts of how polish chickens are not setters, not nurturing, so this was definitely unusual behavior.
Golden Polish 4 weeks old, mothering 5 days old chicks |
Being such a fashionable chicken she had fans.
At five months she is pretty much full grown. I love her feathers, the markings are beautiful. We have a fairly big chicken house, a portable coop and we let them out to free range often. I think she would be content to be confined. While she likes to run out and stretch her wings a little she usually stays close by the chicken house. She is a pretty calm chicken but seems on the timid side, this is typical of the breed, some people attribute it to the limited visibility they have to the the feather cap. I have never seen any types of aggression from her, she never battles other hens but she also isn't at the very bottom of the pecking order, probably near the bottom though. She is a sweet temperament and I'm hoping to have more of these hens next time.
Golden Polish hen |
Unfortunately a few weeks ago she disappeared. I searched everywhere for her and couldn't find a trace. About a week later I found the scene of the crime, a pile of fluffy down and a few feathers.
I was sad to lose my favorite chicken but that is the risk of letting your chickens free range. I will definitely order this breed again, they are a beautiful addition to your flock.
'til next time...
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