Friday, August 20, 2010

Garden Pizza on the BBQ


Mmmmmm, we were craving pizza, but it has been too hot to turn on the oven in the ole farm house, so the next best thing is the BBQ. We have fresh peppers, zucchini, onion, and basil on the pizza and it all came from the garden. The sky is the limit for your own garden pizza. Now that's Italian!!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Sunny Days


The hot and sunny days are reflected in the flowers on the farm. The orange, yellow, gold and red of the day lilies are looking upward as the Canada Geese are beginning their flight formations with the echo of honking over head. What's happening on your farm?

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

In the Garden

Tim has worked wonders this summer with our water situation! He is the water magician! Every little drop of water counts and although it appears to be a luxury to have the hose running freely, it is just a mirage!


The water that we are so grateful to have access to, came with a high pressure price. Most of our (new)soaker hoses blew out from too much pressure. This will be rectified this fall, but in the meantime, we make do with what we have to use: a good old fashioned hose!


Every color of the rainbow was found in the garden. Today was a mini harvest and the goodies will be used in garden sauce, pickles, fresh eating and sharing. The basil keeps better by just pulling it our roots and all, tucking into a fresh jar of water in the kitchen, and using the leaves as needed for sauces, pizza, and pesto.


You can see by the photos that there is a great deal of smoke in the air. There is a wildfire burning along the Illinois River called the Oak Flat Fire. Crews are hoping to contain the fire within a week. It is a tough job with the steep terrain of the rugged Southern Oregon Mountains. The sunflowers seem to glow in the smokey haze...where there is smoke, there's beauty!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Pasture Raised Pork


The pigs are nearing market weight and they are such funny, happy characters. The roam from field to field and from dirt bath to mud spa! When the temperatures soared over 105 degrees yesterday, they only wanted to lay in a cooling mud bath. Today the weather changed and they were ready to wander around in the pasture, eat to their hearts content, and play a few games of tag!

Monday, August 16, 2010

Lazy Days of Summer

Well, we haven't exactly been lazy, but Sunday was a softer, calmer day on the farm. Our only responsibilities besides the normal feeding and watering chores were collecting the eggs, hanging the wash on the line, and picking some green beans and a few other vegies.


The baskets and bowls of beans were picked in 100 degree weather, but that is the time that they ripen right before our eyes! We put our hats on and stood in the shade of the vines to pick and pick and pick.


Chickens and pigs don't particularly care for the heat. The chickens are walking around from water bucket to shady grass with the wings held out at their sides to welcome a little freshness under the wings. The pigs are rolling in mud baths, enjoying goat milk slurpies, and rolling in the cool shade of the walnut trees.


These are some of the Armenian Cucumbers that we also call snake cucumbers. They belong to the melon family, taste like a cucumber, and they don't require any peeling. They are wonderful in salads, fresh eating, and for use in Bread and Butter Pickles.


Fresh peppers, fresh eggs, and a little cheese could make some really delicious Chile Rellenos! Hmmm, what to make first?! Here's to our beautiful Southern Oregon Summers and the Green Garden!