tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424566336364315072024-03-12T21:46:01.171-07:00O'Brien's Family FarmLooking forward and giving back with everyday life on the farm.Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.comBlogger283125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-28257645664990396322015-01-24T17:18:00.001-08:002015-01-24T17:18:22.930-08:00January in the Sunshine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The laying hens are in the garden at this time of year. They keep it clean, eat the left over grubs, and fertilize daily! As we clean the stalls out in the barn and deliver it by wheelbarrow full, the hens work it out and spread it around.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNy2G_FwdN0/VMQ-9k5Xz6I/AAAAAAAAGwE/U-a0x2Gm9lQ/s1600/January%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNy2G_FwdN0/VMQ-9k5Xz6I/AAAAAAAAGwE/U-a0x2Gm9lQ/s1600/January%2B2.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pigs! Now three weeks on the farm and the star attraction for the neighborhood especially on a sunny Saturday. The pigs are enjoying rooting, running, playing, and eating walnuts.</div>
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Young hens and Ruby Rooster keep to themselves. There are six hens in the big pasture that should be great egg layers as the days are getting longer. We have 25 laying hens and 4 roosters on the farm right now.</div>
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Here is Big Boy! Our tom turkey is about 35 pounds and roams the pasture with the chickens and sheep.</div>
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Pigs and their farm friend, Dutchess! The dogs love to play chase along the fence line with the pigs.</div>
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We call these turkeys The Brute Squad. These Bronze turkeys are very docile. They roam the property and beg for walnuts at feeding time!</div>
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At the end of a sunny day, the pigs are enjoying some squash from the larder! What a treat to have the fog lift and the blue skies and sunshine on a January day!</div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-91895960194857372822015-01-19T15:12:00.000-08:002015-01-19T15:12:41.532-08:00Dinner Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We headed downstream to our favorite place to eat out, <a href="http://www.galice.com/" target="_blank">The Galice Resort</a>!</div>
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But we knew at this time of year Galice is closed for the winter so we brought our own dinner to enjoy outside on this rare, warmish, sunny day in January!</div>
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We started with farm fresh eggs because who doesn't love breakfast for dinner?!</div>
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We are still getting a few eggs a day even in the short days of winter!</div>
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The eggs were cracked into an onion ring. Yep, just a freshly sliced onion used as a place to hold the eggs!</div>
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They cooked alongside some farm fresh sausage.</div>
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Then they were stacked together to make a sausage-onion-egg bagel dinner sandwich!</div>
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There were a few extra onions cooked also so they went into the stack. Then the dinner sandwiches were wrapped in foil and packed in a picnic basket and we headed out for a beautiful view along the river.</div>
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We parked at the boatramp at Galice. The river is flowing high right now with the winter rains that we have had lately.</div>
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We ate our dinner outside and watched the ducks, herons and listened to the water.</div>
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We had the perfect place to eat our dinner out!</div>
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See you soon, Debbie!</div>
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<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-25646387107930264042014-12-31T20:43:00.003-08:002014-12-31T20:44:32.920-08:00Thanksgiving 2014We had a beautiful Thanksgiving spent with family in Tumwater, Washington. We packed up a little of our homegrown food and headed North to be with our parents. It was a beautiful visit and a time of togetherness that we treasure.<br />
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We had a care package waiting for us in our room, complete with a five pointed star and a delicious cookbook from another Family Farm in Missouri!</div>
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It felt so good to be with Mom.</div>
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We relaxed into one another and visited and shared and remembered.</div>
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The evening before Thanksgiving we shared a wonderful lasagne made by Mom! There is nothing better than Mom's cooking!</div>
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Mom and Bob and Kari ready to eat salad, French bread and lasagne.</div>
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The following morning began with the prep for stuffing and getting our 21 pound turkey into the oven by 10:00 am. We had some nibbling prep ready with Nana's now Mom's scrumptious onion dip, a little Irish cheer, and celery, pumpkin bread and walnuts from the farm.</div>
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We combined two different stuffing traditions this year and used cornbread stuffing with the addition of sausage. There was plenty of sausage left over from the stuffing to add to mushrooms for stuffed mushrooms.</div>
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My beautiful mom!! She is a wonder of hope, love, humor, wisdom, creativity, ingenuity, resourcefulness, artistry, color and more love! There is never enough time to spend with Mom, a true inspiration and one of the most influential people in my life. xo</div>
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Back to stuffing the turkey. Mom was good to keep an eye on the clock and keep the target time of 10. After the turkey was stuffed, we sealed up the oven bag and Old Tom Turkey was ready for the oven.</div>
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Our great turkey farmer, Tim had the honors of getting the big bird into the oven.</div>
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Then there was time to visit some more, continue preparing for the feast and keep up with the dishes. Mom oversaw it all and she kept us all on task without anyone one of us knowing how she did it!</div>
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Bob is very adept in the kitchen. He has even been known to be called El Jefe de la cocina! What an amazing man, besides his culinary talents, he is a remarkable story teller and story writing and has a great sense of humor, loyalty to his family and to his country. He is a true American hero.</div>
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Our loving parents working the kitchen!</div>
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Sweet granddaughter Kaylee, came by on her way to the rest of the family for a big hug from Gramps and Jojo! Her baby due in just a few short weeks.</div>
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The turkey is out of the oven and we are ready to carve up the bird and celebrate a day, a week, a year of gratitude.</div>
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Bob in his gentle, low key way and his dry sense of humor always makes us laugh!</div>
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Our feast on the table and ready for a blessing of thanks.</div>
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~ Mom and Bob ~</div>
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My Nephew Dave survived Seattle/Tacoma/Olympia traffic and arrived at the perfect time to share and enjoy the Thanksgiving Feast.</div>
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Jojo and David with a sweet moment in the computer room.</div>
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The day after Thanksgiving provides more opportunity to share stories and a meal together.</div>
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Such sweet memories were gathered this Thanksgiving and in the words of Mom...</div>
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...A time for our souls to mingle together.</div>
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Slainte'</div>
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All of our love and gratitude ~</div>
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<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-48151919566744608462014-12-31T00:23:00.000-08:002014-12-31T00:23:01.641-08:00November on the Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Looks stormy, but November started off very mild</div>
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Endive, onion, zucchini and tomato pizza picked from the garden in early November!</div>
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Turkeys joined by the wild friends</div>
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Cracking the nuts</div>
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One pound bag of walnuts</div>
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Hundreds of pounds of walnuts drying by the woodstove</div>
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Sugar Pie Pumpkins ready for roasting</div>
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Ruby the Rooster</div>
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Butternut Squash, Apple and Sage Soup waiting to be made</div>
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Still picking beans the second week of November</div>
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Cannellini Beans</div>
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Turnips waiting for the freeze to sweeten the meat.</div>
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Parsley and cabbage still thriving in the garden mid November</div>
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Nigerian Pygmy Goats eating their share of the bean vines</div>
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Bags and Bags of Walnuts</div>
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Farmhouse Kitchen</div>
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Butchering Day</div>
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Roasting pan is ready for the oven with a turkey back and root vegetables.</div>
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Old family recipe written by sister Lisa for walnut cookies. xo</div>
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Dried beans are getting shelled and into storage</div>
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Another butchering day</div>
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Second Harvest of turkeys</div>
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Poultry Plucker</div>
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Celebrating with Family</div>
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Happy Birthday, Papa!</div>
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Beautiful French Pumpkin called Galeaux D'Eysines</div>
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Farmer's Breakfast: Rustic Apple Pie and Scrambled Eggs!</div>
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Pumpkin Pie</div>
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Apple Pie</div>
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All of the leaves have blown off of the trees by the end of the month. November was so beautiful on the farm with every type of weather possible. Sunny, mild, soft, warm to blustery, blowing, freezing, raining and wet. We enjoy each new day as it comes to us. Happy Autumn to all.</div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-22837870174008066382014-10-30T22:29:00.000-07:002014-10-30T22:29:05.121-07:00Happy HalloweenIt has been a very busy month on the farm! The turkeys are growing before our eyes. The garden is still producing vegetables for dinner and lunches. The chickens are laying eggs galore. Walnuts have been dropping in abundance and there are pumpkins everywhere!<br />
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Sugar Pie and Fairytale Pumpkins have been harvested!</div>
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Pumpkins in the barn and lots of eggs such pretty colors.</div>
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Pumpkins at the garden gate</div>
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Pumpkin in the birdbath</div>
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Pumpkin Chocolate fudge. It is a new favorite on the farm.</div>
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Using sugar pie pumpkins from the garden, the puree is mixed into the batter</div>
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Happy Bats!</div>
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Hand knitted pumpkin by Tyler, age 8.</div>
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Turkeys roosting the yard and pumpkins at the well.</div>
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Kitchen full of fall and pumpkin goodies.</div>
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Sunshine streaming through the rainshowers.</div>
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Shadowy afternoons.</div>
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Walnut drying station! </div>
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Produce weighing station.</div>
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I love you, Mom! xo</div>
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Masks and pumpkins</div>
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Pumpkin treats made for students along with popcorn balls.</div>
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Early fall morning after the stormy night. So many walnuts ready to be gathered.</div>
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Walnuts for Sale!</div>
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~ Happy Fall and Happy Halloween! ~</div>
Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-5325888996584312972014-10-11T09:58:00.000-07:002014-10-11T09:58:21.007-07:00Hope Floats Scarecrow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The school where I teach puts scarecrows up on the fenceline every year to greet the farmers and community members during the harvest season. This year our school is also attending to Breast Cancer Awareness month. Students and staff have been encouraged to wear pink on Fridays and are writing letters and notes of encouragement to cancer patients receiving treatment. On the 30th of October, students will have a Hope Floats Assembly and enjoy ice cream floats as a treat. </div>
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In the greenhouse is Hope the Scarecrow. I made her out of a sunflower head with walnut eyes and nose and red pepper lips. She has mini sunflower hands and barn boots. The pumpkins and gourds were painted with tempera paints and the gooseneck gourds were given a necklace of chicken feathers for a dressed up look! In celebration of all of the families and fighters of breast cancer and thank you, Mom for your incredible fight 19 years ago. ~ Keep spreading the Hope and Love! ~</div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-865722027089450342014-09-21T23:01:00.000-07:002014-09-21T23:01:30.521-07:00Harvest SeasonThis is a very busy time of year on the farm. Everything is ripening at once, needs to be picked, cleaned, chopped, cooked, canned, sliced, frozen, dehydrated, or pickled! We love this time of year. The days are full as the sun starts to get lower in the sky. The past two days have been very hot in Southern Oregon and both days were nearly 100 degrees. Over the last two weeks we have been harvesting daily meals and meals for the rest of the year!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1BRzU5eqrc/VB-vPMsYyLI/AAAAAAAAGgg/HDHdbka_zAQ/s1600/Harvest%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n1BRzU5eqrc/VB-vPMsYyLI/AAAAAAAAGgg/HDHdbka_zAQ/s1600/Harvest%2B1.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The harvest baskets, bushel baskets, and buckets are ready for a day full of harvesting!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy8gGLmcn2w/VB-vOXOn2YI/AAAAAAAAGgY/X196wm47uTg/s1600/Harvest%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy8gGLmcn2w/VB-vOXOn2YI/AAAAAAAAGgY/X196wm47uTg/s1600/Harvest%2B2.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gala apples and Golden Delicious apples here. Others include Gravenstein, Fuji, Macintosh, and others.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KApineVlCco/VB-vOT7oABI/AAAAAAAAGgU/VzNbcpCW4YM/s1600/Harvest%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KApineVlCco/VB-vOT7oABI/AAAAAAAAGgU/VzNbcpCW4YM/s1600/Harvest%2B3.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Italian peppers, banana peppers, jalapenos, sweet bell peppers, and hot Thai peppers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0WUulFIpjl0/VB-vSjXgX3I/AAAAAAAAGgs/4D1OY86rN7o/s1600/Harvest%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0WUulFIpjl0/VB-vSjXgX3I/AAAAAAAAGgs/4D1OY86rN7o/s1600/Harvest%2B4.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We like both the globe eggplant and the Japanese eggplant and use it for so many things including eggplant Parmesan, Spaghetti/garden sauce, roasted vegie pizzas, ratatouille and more!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLAxF8-CbSY/VB-vUYw0W5I/AAAAAAAAGg0/bD-NyUVMvHY/s1600/Harvest%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dLAxF8-CbSY/VB-vUYw0W5I/AAAAAAAAGg0/bD-NyUVMvHY/s1600/Harvest%2B5.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tomatoes this year have been especially sweet! The pineapple tomato is wonderful, so is the Cherokee purple tomato. We also planted Fourth of July, Medford, Early Girl, Amish Roma tomato, and Sungold cherry tomatoes. We make soup, salsa, sauce, and eat them fresh, canned, or frozen!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBLzSQ5E7mk/VB-vWklpWrI/AAAAAAAAGg8/Uxh_NLyC-uw/s1600/Harvest%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WBLzSQ5E7mk/VB-vWklpWrI/AAAAAAAAGg8/Uxh_NLyC-uw/s1600/Harvest%2B6.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasting peppers, tomatoes and onions for several recipes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8VneKzQWgM/VB-va5eo-qI/AAAAAAAAGhE/m4-S8VSNuZc/s1600/Harvest%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8VneKzQWgM/VB-va5eo-qI/AAAAAAAAGhE/m4-S8VSNuZc/s1600/Harvest%2B7.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are delicious with the wood smoke flavor.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAGz7li98S8/VB-vclXUNLI/AAAAAAAAGhM/6cKXppGqeBQ/s1600/Harvest%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAGz7li98S8/VB-vclXUNLI/AAAAAAAAGhM/6cKXppGqeBQ/s1600/Harvest%2B8.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fire keeper! We use madrona for our winter heat source and it also makes wonderful smokey flavor on anything we cook over the madrona.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dcO4rOOfkM/VB-vfNfTWgI/AAAAAAAAGhU/juvPm614SrI/s1600/Harvest%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dcO4rOOfkM/VB-vfNfTWgI/AAAAAAAAGhU/juvPm614SrI/s1600/Harvest%2B9.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A surprise clutch of eggs were found just below the corn. These eggs were not good to keep and eat, but it is always fun to come across a secret treasure.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T50FWQUQIlA/VB-vkQGGK9I/AAAAAAAAGhc/0VsjmSUJ3bo/s1600/Harvest%2B9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T50FWQUQIlA/VB-vkQGGK9I/AAAAAAAAGhc/0VsjmSUJ3bo/s1600/Harvest%2B9a.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peeling back the shucks so that the popcorn can finish drying.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iQM-HrYPCVs/VB-vmVCcxRI/AAAAAAAAGhk/FBNvc7YMlaM/s1600/Harvest%2B9b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iQM-HrYPCVs/VB-vmVCcxRI/AAAAAAAAGhk/FBNvc7YMlaM/s1600/Harvest%2B9b.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first round of ears that are dry enough to harvest and shuck. We planted both Smoke Signals and Blood Red varieties. The Smoke Signals is a smaller ear of corn, but many of the kernels are well formed. Blood Red is a much larger ear and needs longer to dry.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbQczwIwtCU/VB-vo5MOm_I/AAAAAAAAGhs/f4VLz61Dq78/s1600/Harvest%2B9c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbQczwIwtCU/VB-vo5MOm_I/AAAAAAAAGhs/f4VLz61Dq78/s1600/Harvest%2B9c.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were surprised to find a couple of the ears of corn had already popped on the stalk! Like I said, it has been 100 degrees here in the Rogue Valley.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EhZ61UrCdjs/VB-vqymT54I/AAAAAAAAGh0/_cI62zcebNg/s1600/Harvest%2B9d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EhZ61UrCdjs/VB-vqymT54I/AAAAAAAAGh0/_cI62zcebNg/s1600/Harvest%2B9d.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galeux d'eysines is a French variety of pumpkin. It has warts on the outside formed from the sugar content. It has also been called a bumpkin among other names. It is known for its rick, creamy,smooth flesh and for the beautiful markings and color.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-LT5LI0Xeg/VB-weJlBh8I/AAAAAAAAGis/3fddB_OatnE/s1600/Harvest%2B9e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T-LT5LI0Xeg/VB-weJlBh8I/AAAAAAAAGis/3fddB_OatnE/s1600/Harvest%2B9e.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turks Turban winter squash has so much flare and festivity!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMEBJhw_C54/VB-vv7IM5NI/AAAAAAAAGh8/bpdgJl7Apww/s1600/Harvest%2B9f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LMEBJhw_C54/VB-vv7IM5NI/AAAAAAAAGh8/bpdgJl7Apww/s1600/Harvest%2B9f.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar pie pumpkins are perfect for breads, muffins, pies,etc. These little pumpkins are easily cut in half, laid on a baking tray with 1/4 inch of water and baked at 350 for about 45 minutes. Pack the softened flesh in two cup increments and it makes it very easy to use every bit of this wonderful little sugar pumkin!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eElyfQQbwWU/VB-wZsF-oyI/AAAAAAAAGic/5ySIz-CijsU/s1600/Harvest%2B9g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eElyfQQbwWU/VB-wZsF-oyI/AAAAAAAAGic/5ySIz-CijsU/s1600/Harvest%2B9g.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butternut squash grew abundantly this year. We will used them for stir fry, sauce, soup, and casseroles!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBQ0ployLp0/VB-v6OB6wTI/AAAAAAAAGiE/I0orO9VEZCE/s1600/Harvest%2B9h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SBQ0ployLp0/VB-v6OB6wTI/AAAAAAAAGiE/I0orO9VEZCE/s1600/Harvest%2B9h.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beans have been drying on the vine. These are called Hidatsa beans from the Missouri River Valley of North Dakota, Cannellini Beans are a bigger thicker bean and especially good in soups like Minestrone soup!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NUnjOiqGKc0/VB-wFnz_iBI/AAAAAAAAGiM/T1PBTTvHio8/s1600/Harvest%2B9i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NUnjOiqGKc0/VB-wFnz_iBI/AAAAAAAAGiM/T1PBTTvHio8/s1600/Harvest%2B9i.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging potates. Ugh, hard work and we had a poor harvest this year. The tell tale sign of moles and gophers were abundant down the entire row of potatoes. We hope for more next year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KDLwSP5Dj4Q/VB-wRm0U3OI/AAAAAAAAGiU/ew_DjwX46wE/s1600/Harvest%2B9j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KDLwSP5Dj4Q/VB-wRm0U3OI/AAAAAAAAGiU/ew_DjwX46wE/s1600/Harvest%2B9j.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Filling baskets full of dried beans. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dk8e1UH9Ss/VB-wdaoy_1I/AAAAAAAAGik/5ROpw4zd_vk/s1600/Harvest%2B9k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dk8e1UH9Ss/VB-wdaoy_1I/AAAAAAAAGik/5ROpw4zd_vk/s1600/Harvest%2B9k.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunflowers are drooping in the garden now, but there are so full of seeds that will be fed to the chickens and turkeys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-307u--aEE0c/VB-wjt0_QbI/AAAAAAAAGi0/32FlgtzhMOw/s1600/Harvest%2B9l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-307u--aEE0c/VB-wjt0_QbI/AAAAAAAAGi0/32FlgtzhMOw/s1600/Harvest%2B9l.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More apples are ripening. We have made apple syrup, apple butter, dehydrated apples, apple sauce, apple crisp and apple pie! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46WaxftKiso/VB-wmjrCoPI/AAAAAAAAGi8/8ggpFmt-4kc/s1600/Harvest%2B9m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46WaxftKiso/VB-wmjrCoPI/AAAAAAAAGi8/8ggpFmt-4kc/s1600/Harvest%2B9m.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter provisions! I guess the squash needs to be used before we bun through the other wood!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eY8C8l22w4Y/VB-wnYdIkbI/AAAAAAAAGjA/xqBxUL2xFFk/s1600/Harvest%2B9n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eY8C8l22w4Y/VB-wnYdIkbI/AAAAAAAAGjA/xqBxUL2xFFk/s1600/Harvest%2B9n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The great squash harvest included Hubbard Squash, Kabocha/buttercup squash, galeax d'eysines, butternut and pumpkin. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QvY4Dfram8g/VB-wqv2sOjI/AAAAAAAAGjM/sXVwfie9Hms/s1600/Harvest%2B9o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QvY4Dfram8g/VB-wqv2sOjI/AAAAAAAAGjM/sXVwfie9Hms/s1600/Harvest%2B9o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruits and vegetables that will help feed us all winter long.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xcq9g3nAwXk/VB-wscohtdI/AAAAAAAAGjU/rZ3LvH_rxNI/s1600/Harvest%2B9p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xcq9g3nAwXk/VB-wscohtdI/AAAAAAAAGjU/rZ3LvH_rxNI/s1600/Harvest%2B9p.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are thankful for every day and each and every fruit or vegetable that we can harvest. <br />How does your garden grow?</td></tr>
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<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-49876553890441617672014-08-17T09:48:00.000-07:002014-08-17T09:48:00.488-07:00Dehydrating Cantaloupe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8DAv6vPDPw/U-7gr2jBqgI/AAAAAAAAGfo/oO6tooIN-wo/s1600/Cantaloupe%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o8DAv6vPDPw/U-7gr2jBqgI/AAAAAAAAGfo/oO6tooIN-wo/s1600/Cantaloupe%2B2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Amish Cantaloupe from Seed Saver's Exchange turned out to be the best tasting surprise in the garden! This cantaloupe is what we remember the orange-fleshed melons tasting like when we were kids. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXV8sHdvR4o/U-7grR4UvDI/AAAAAAAAGfg/M-VxG6Gsabs/s1600/Cantaloupe%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sXV8sHdvR4o/U-7grR4UvDI/AAAAAAAAGfg/M-VxG6Gsabs/s1600/Cantaloupe%2B3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The cantaloupe were anywhere from 4 pounds to over 9 pounds on the produce scale. We picked more than 100 pounds of cantaloupe and there are more ripening right now. Wondering how to preserve them as we couldn't eat that many cantaloupe at once, we decided to try dehydrating them.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmbLhjBKTiY/U-7gwFr-UNI/AAAAAAAAGf4/N4wwElCaxQs/s1600/Cantaloupe%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmbLhjBKTiY/U-7gwFr-UNI/AAAAAAAAGf4/N4wwElCaxQs/s1600/Cantaloupe%2B4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The book that came with the Excaliber dehydrator said cantaloupe aren't always a successful fruit to dry. Still, we had to try. So we simply prepared them like we would serve them: Cut the melon is half, scoop out the seeds, cut into quarters, peel, them slice each quarter section about 1/4 inch thick. Put them in the dehydrator at 135 degrees and in 10 - 12 hours, the slices were dry...and delicious!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4e2TQXlqQbw/U-7gwA2-VmI/AAAAAAAAGf0/gaF2_Hf4-MA/s1600/Cantaloupe%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4e2TQXlqQbw/U-7gwA2-VmI/AAAAAAAAGf0/gaF2_Hf4-MA/s1600/Cantaloupe%2B5.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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This jar is holding about 8 cantaloupe! That's hard to believe, but true! Next we will try frozen cubes of cantaloupe for smoothies!</div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-38415761842401948222014-08-15T16:43:00.000-07:002014-08-15T16:43:35.748-07:00Every Color of the Rainbow<br />
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Every color of the rainbow is ripe in the garden right now! We are busy picking, chopping, slicing, brining, stewing, canning, preserving the harvest! What is happening your kitchen now?<br />
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-20509640530702857542014-07-19T08:04:00.000-07:002014-07-19T08:04:56.400-07:00In the Garden Now<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECIOKqsgXKI/U8qFtV_zzfI/AAAAAAAAGdU/O0EtB-O2NyI/s1600/19+of+July+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECIOKqsgXKI/U8qFtV_zzfI/AAAAAAAAGdU/O0EtB-O2NyI/s1600/19+of+July+6.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zinnias with a wonderful pollinator attract beneficial insects to the garden.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FY3mXlnJLX0/U8qFidoR8wI/AAAAAAAAGc0/epCr5bFLE3U/s1600/19+of+July+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FY3mXlnJLX0/U8qFidoR8wI/AAAAAAAAGc0/epCr5bFLE3U/s1600/19+of+July+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peaches the size of our hands!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLREtxdfJjw/U8qFmBFVpUI/AAAAAAAAGdA/q3tWrmj2Y-w/s1600/19+of+July+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLREtxdfJjw/U8qFmBFVpUI/AAAAAAAAGdA/q3tWrmj2Y-w/s1600/19+of+July+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peach tree is bulging and bursting and needs help holding her branches up so boards are used to support the weight of the fruit on the tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-viX0eTDv4/U8qFlQxpqaI/AAAAAAAAGc8/yIyC3EYBRmQ/s1600/19+of+July+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5-viX0eTDv4/U8qFlQxpqaI/AAAAAAAAGc8/yIyC3EYBRmQ/s1600/19+of+July+3.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first Irish Eyes sunflower to bloom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4rohswyNhY/U8qFqdRSoLI/AAAAAAAAGdM/Nnos-_wM3cc/s1600/19+of+July+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4rohswyNhY/U8qFqdRSoLI/AAAAAAAAGdM/Nnos-_wM3cc/s1600/19+of+July+4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many more Irish Eyes are ready to bloom. Their buds seem to twinkle as much as Irish Eyes!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDwINer9EVQ/U8qF-EXEswI/AAAAAAAAGdo/LP_fZJdlBto/s1600/19+of+July+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BDwINer9EVQ/U8qF-EXEswI/AAAAAAAAGdo/LP_fZJdlBto/s1600/19+of+July+8.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, the broccoli is super sweet this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNHVI20iX-A/U8qF9yWEbUI/AAAAAAAAGdk/cSjwddAX0EY/s1600/19+of+July+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNHVI20iX-A/U8qF9yWEbUI/AAAAAAAAGdk/cSjwddAX0EY/s1600/19+of+July+7.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dill, zinnias, onions, yellow wax beans, zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, cabbage...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFEuPKgW_5M/U8qF2yE6MnI/AAAAAAAAGdc/GpcbHPC1Ols/s1600/19+of+July+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xFEuPKgW_5M/U8qF2yE6MnI/AAAAAAAAGdc/GpcbHPC1Ols/s1600/19+of+July+5.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our small crop of corn with wind damage. Blood Red Corn and Smoke Signals Corn shades the chicken coop from the late day sunshine along with the sunflowers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RV27sQkmzY8/U8qF_t1Af7I/AAAAAAAAGd0/nGsLtW8shL4/s1600/19+of+July+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RV27sQkmzY8/U8qF_t1Af7I/AAAAAAAAGd0/nGsLtW8shL4/s1600/19+of+July+9.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bursting and budding and blooming and producing. We are now picking daily in the garden!<br />How does your garden grow?</td></tr>
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<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-83502518152195088862014-07-17T20:51:00.000-07:002014-08-15T20:53:03.601-07:00Peach Picking and Harvest<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SM2wmU4ltQM/U8yiyQ3b0eI/AAAAAAAAGeE/XKK61yyYikI/s1600/Peach+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SM2wmU4ltQM/U8yiyQ3b0eI/AAAAAAAAGeE/XKK61yyYikI/s1600/Peach+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down on the peach tree! Tim is standing on top of the car port as the tree has produced so much fruit this year, it is easier to pick from above!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QYb5sOS0kD0/U8yizIHqQNI/AAAAAAAAGeQ/KlUxwl1PO3Q/s1600/Peach+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QYb5sOS0kD0/U8yizIHqQNI/AAAAAAAAGeQ/KlUxwl1PO3Q/s1600/Peach+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lovely tree is loaded no matter how you look at it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqZxQEJUvRI/U8yiysJmKRI/AAAAAAAAGeI/ksSIV8oZ-oE/s1600/Peach+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RqZxQEJUvRI/U8yiysJmKRI/AAAAAAAAGeI/ksSIV8oZ-oE/s1600/Peach+3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up close, the peaches are tree ripened and beautiful. They are super juicy and very sweet. We don't know what variety of peach the tree is, but it seems to be an earlier ripener, cling free, easy to peal and disease resistant.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4hfJc5fEutA/U8yjAM-SGPI/AAAAAAAAGec/8lOj-7jl9Qs/s1600/Peach+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4hfJc5fEutA/U8yjAM-SGPI/AAAAAAAAGec/8lOj-7jl9Qs/s1600/Peach+4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking the low to the ground peaches and waiting for the next call for a full bucket from above.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qdzKKmRSTuw/U8yjAvK2W4I/AAAAAAAAGeg/L0aUtaNrjl4/s1600/Peach+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qdzKKmRSTuw/U8yjAvK2W4I/AAAAAAAAGeg/L0aUtaNrjl4/s1600/Peach+5.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three bushels were lined up ready to go, but it wasn't enough!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wf91x2IDn08/U8yjBv6sCtI/AAAAAAAAGes/utR6qJO8OaI/s1600/Peach+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wf91x2IDn08/U8yjBv6sCtI/AAAAAAAAGes/utR6qJO8OaI/s1600/Peach+6.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As soon as the bushel baskets were filled the peaches were taken inside to immediately cool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4C6dE4CiXoY/U8yjMCDDw2I/AAAAAAAAGe0/r-PaOl-2Ly4/s1600/Peach+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4C6dE4CiXoY/U8yjMCDDw2I/AAAAAAAAGe0/r-PaOl-2Ly4/s1600/Peach+7.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off the roof and hauling bushels into the house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EBgtBenkC4/U8yjMA5umWI/AAAAAAAAGe4/aSUaVRykpjg/s1600/Peach+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EBgtBenkC4/U8yjMA5umWI/AAAAAAAAGe4/aSUaVRykpjg/s1600/Peach+8.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One little tree and two pickers later we had more than 200 pounds of peaches ready to eat fresh, can, make into jam, peach butter, dehydrate, and a fresh peach cobbler for the evening! </td></tr>
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<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-21348012281572924212014-07-04T17:59:00.001-07:002014-07-04T17:59:31.954-07:00Happy Independence Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Celebrating the Fourth of July with a strawberry rhubarb slab pie!! We picked over eight pounds of rhubarb last week and there is nothing likes its fresh, clean flavor to make a pot of jam, rhubarb bread or a stars and stripes strawberry rhubarb pie!</div>
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Cookie cutter stars helped cut out the pie pastry to make the decorations. A sprinkling of sugar on top of the crust always make a pie feel like a celebration no matter what time of year it is!</div>
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These are strawberry rhubarb custard cups topped with meringue. They had stewed strawberries and rhubarb on the bottom, vanilla custard in the middle and fluffy white meringue on top. It is a light, juicy sweet treat for summer time!</div>
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Aiden enjoying an applesauce popsicle in front of all of the other goodies! Cool treats on hot, hot days are important and today is over 90' and a little sultry for Southern Oregon, so it feels even warmer to a dry heat region!</div>
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Picking the first of the peppers which are happily ready today! The sweet banana peppers, basil, zucchini, and another handful of cherry tomatoes are ready in the garden!</div>
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Anna came out to help and then ate the peppers right off the vine along with her mom. They also ate the tomatoes in the garden! A fresh ripened tomato is so hard to resist!</div>
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Knee high by the Fourth of July? I guess we are at least shoulder high by the Fourth of July with our 'Blood Red' and 'Smoke Signals' corn. This is a good start for corn at our latitude and it is growing with vigor!</div>
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A happy family of garden helpers! Anna and Aiden love coming to the garden and they always smell the dill, basil, and cilantro! They also get to taste any treasure that is ready to be eaten in the garden.</div>
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Anna showing Papa and Peter the garden collection from the day: 12 banana peppers, 8 cherry tomatoes, several sprigs of basil, and 3 zucchini! They all went on to the lunch table.</div>
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Back to the kitchen, Ryan is cutting out polenta stars to keep with the festive theme today! His favorite part was nibbling up the left over stars! See the hardboiled eggs waiting in the background?</div>
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Anna loves to make deviled eggs. She knows each step and is ready to make them anytime they come over. Today there were 12 eggs boiled for the lunch table. After Jolene peeled the eggs, Anna was ready to do her magic!</div>
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The final touch is a sprinkling of dill.</div>
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And of course the best presentation is Anna's wonderfully sweet smile!</div>
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Anna's brother's couldn't wait to taster her eggs and as always, they are so encouraging and kind and complimentary! Along with the deviled eggs, we had star shaped polenta with basil, garden sauce with Parmesan cheese melted on top, green salad with strawberries, cucumbers, and zucchini, and sweet banana peppers. </div>
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After lunch we peeked a the four baby birds in the nest.</div>
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Anna age 7, Ryan age 10, Tyler age 9, Aiden age 5! Such happy sweet kids and ready helpers on the farm.</div>
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A summer day in July. There is enough shade to find a cool spot!</div>
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Celebrating Independence Day, liberty, justice and FREEDOM for all! What a wonderful way to spend a day remembering America's Birthday. America, America, God shed his grace on thee...~~ </div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-48771563087289786952014-07-02T15:45:00.001-07:002014-07-02T15:45:24.314-07:00Lavender Bundles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here we are at the first few days of July and the lavender has come into full bloom. It is a haven for the variety of pollinators on the farm and swarming with innocent activity. The bees and butterflies simply want a drink of sweet nectar. There were about ten different bees and butterflies working this one lavender bush.</div>
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The swallowtail butterfly was among them searching out the juiciest nectar and flitting and fluttering from sprig to sprig and flower to flower with dainty feet landing and tongue lapping up what sustains this pretty butterfly.</div>
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After watching all of the activity and wishing them all well with their work, I joined the hustle and bustle, but gently, so I would not disturb the bees and the butterflies at work in the English Lavender.</div>
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Clipping, gathering, and banding 31 sprigs of lavender per bundle, until there were at least fifteen different bundles plus extra miniature stems with lavender flowers. The little cottage garden next to the old farmhouse smells so good. There is plenty of mint growing, sage, thyme, oregano, rosemary, lemon balm, roses, hollyhock, snapdragons, day lilies, yarrow, and of course the lovely lavender plants.</div>
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Rubber bands that come wrapped around produce in the winter months worked perfectly to hold the lavender bundles together. The lavender can be used for making tea, jelly, lemonade, sauces, salads, </div>
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sachets, or simply decorating in bouquets and freshening the farmhouse.</div>
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Then they were hung on the clothes line so that the blossoms pointed toward the ground and they will stay like this for the next few weeks. The portable clothespin wheel will be moved to a darker place without a chance of a sprinkler shower. By the end of July they will be ready for a little lace and placement at the center of the wedding tables! ~</div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-67894492134876013082014-06-30T22:54:00.000-07:002014-06-30T22:54:42.050-07:00Stringing Up Pole Beans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We planted two types of pole beans this year: Runner Cannellini Beans and Hidatsa Shield Beans. Both beans can be eaten green and both beans are great for drying for soups, stews, baked beans, and bean salads! The Cannellini had its origins in Argentina, then made its way to Italy before coming to America. It is full of body and a nutty flavor that is perfect for making soups. The Hidatsa Shield Bean came from North America in the Dakotas. It is one of the three sisters planted with corn and squash by Native Americans. Both beans can grow as tall as 12 feet high. We are hoping our 10 foot posts will support their climbing habits ad they will still produce plenty for eating fresh and for drying.</div>
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We need a ladder to work with the ten foot posts! Balancing a post driver on the end of the tall green posts should be a requirement for any circus act! The post driver is made of solid steel and weighs 20 pounds. Tim pounded the posts into the ground until the foot was below the surface of the soil. Each post is made of steel and very strong. </div>
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Nearing the end of the bean row, and finished pounding in the posts. We sure like the ladder that can adjust in all different sizes and shapes. It can be used straight up and down or it can be used bent in half. Just make sure each pin is properly placed before using the ladder. Once the posts were all driving into the ground, it was time to put the cross bars up.</div>
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We used 2" x 2" x 8' wooden bars and tied them to the top of the T post with twine. They are surprisingly sturdy. Each cross bar was mounted and secured, a cross run of twine was tied to each T post at the bottom of the post. Then it was time to begin lacing line for the beans to climb. </div>
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We laced 15 lines over and under in each section. Over the top wooden bar, under the twine at the bottom. Just as we were finishing the last section, we ran out of twine. At this point, we were going to have to finish the nearly completed project in the morning. While adjusting the lines of twine, the bottom cross line snapped! There goes all of the work. It wasn't lost,though </div>
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The wind picked up and tossed the unsecured twine lines in an effort to remind us we are not in charge! </div>
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Finally, the next day we were able to finish the twine runners. The beans were more than ready to start climbing the twines. Now they seem to be growing and climbing before our eyes! It sure makes picking easier, too! How do you support your pole beans?</div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-34250558253091503512014-06-26T20:33:00.000-07:002014-06-26T20:33:41.222-07:00Strawberry Wedding Jam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here is the bride, Jolene, preparing the first round of the wedding favor: strawberry jam! So that each guest can 'spread the love' after the wedding with a gift of homemade jam. Five years ago, we made dozens and dozens of cookies with a monogram R for Karyn and Zac. Now, Jolene and Peter are preparing jam and we all got to share in the fun!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQEY_RTGKuY/U6zhefmPulI/AAAAAAAAGXM/XvylZXAXq3g/s1600/Berry+Jam+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQEY_RTGKuY/U6zhefmPulI/AAAAAAAAGXM/XvylZXAXq3g/s1600/Berry+Jam+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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First batch is put into jars, taste tested and adjusted with a lot of help from Jojo in Tumwater and the perfect size jamming potholders! Thank you Mom! xo</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Fb_cy3qlNQ/U6zhdGpjt3I/AAAAAAAAGXE/WMMvl60vS2s/s1600/Berry+Jam+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Fb_cy3qlNQ/U6zhdGpjt3I/AAAAAAAAGXE/WMMvl60vS2s/s1600/Berry+Jam+3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Round 2, not quite a double batch, but a nervous watch to keep berries from running over. Jolene watched and stirred and stirred and watched.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-cMP_mJxuQ/U6zhmirSswI/AAAAAAAAGXU/I73mLfhRcW4/s1600/Berry+Jam+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t-cMP_mJxuQ/U6zhmirSswI/AAAAAAAAGXU/I73mLfhRcW4/s1600/Berry+Jam+4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Round 3 had plenty of love stirred into it and many more good wishes.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nqgB2G_HfLs/U6zho1lJyjI/AAAAAAAAGXc/pixlFA5KUW8/s1600/Berry+Jam+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nqgB2G_HfLs/U6zho1lJyjI/AAAAAAAAGXc/pixlFA5KUW8/s1600/Berry+Jam+5.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Reinforcements arrived after work for Peter and for Jolene. Washing, trimming, slicing the berries.</div>
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Meanwhile, the farmhands packed away still hot jam to make room for another batch.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yy9MIhkb0Nw/U6zhyZNsHHI/AAAAAAAAGXs/qoz87CaBHko/s1600/Berry+Jam+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yy9MIhkb0Nw/U6zhyZNsHHI/AAAAAAAAGXs/qoz87CaBHko/s1600/Berry+Jam+7.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Snugged right back into the boxes that the jars were packed in, they will rest for 24 hours before labels and decorative tops go on to dress them up for the big day!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JUoeEv_crwk/U6zh0YJNC0I/AAAAAAAAGX0/pCRBnYVG4AE/s1600/Berry+Jam+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JUoeEv_crwk/U6zh0YJNC0I/AAAAAAAAGX0/pCRBnYVG4AE/s1600/Berry+Jam+8.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Steady progress is being made and it is still the same day! We are nearing the final batch of jam.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-MXSto1EfA/U6zh2qHzoxI/AAAAAAAAGX8/gW6Z-HyICxE/s1600/Berry+Jam+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4-MXSto1EfA/U6zh2qHzoxI/AAAAAAAAGX8/gW6Z-HyICxE/s1600/Berry+Jam+9.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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What a team! The bride and groom to be working together to make the wedding jam.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0K8G3vGhkd8/U6zh89OQAaI/AAAAAAAAGYE/fistXepe7KI/s1600/Berry+Jam+9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0K8G3vGhkd8/U6zh89OQAaI/AAAAAAAAGYE/fistXepe7KI/s1600/Berry+Jam+9a.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Oh, the sugar! We used nearly 35 pounds of sugar in all on this day!</div>
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Peter taking the challenge of keeping the jam in the pot without running over! It must come to a full rolling boil for 4 minutes with out spilling over the edges. A dab of butter makes the difference while stirring in good wishes!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_lE7puf6sgE/U6zh_3rvedI/AAAAAAAAGYU/ELfY1UFHzmw/s1600/Berry+Jam+9c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_lE7puf6sgE/U6zh_3rvedI/AAAAAAAAGYU/ELfY1UFHzmw/s1600/Berry+Jam+9c.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Finally, 96 jars of Strawberry Wedding Jam ready to help spread the love!</div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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Strawberries</div>
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lemon juice</div>
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pectin</div>
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sugar</div>
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love</div>
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~x~</div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-76583818466042973992014-06-16T13:40:00.000-07:002014-06-16T13:40:26.324-07:00Pasture Raised Pigs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c8P0oAWK7dc/U59O7xfANdI/AAAAAAAAGV8/vDCmozlIYqY/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c8P0oAWK7dc/U59O7xfANdI/AAAAAAAAGV8/vDCmozlIYqY/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The slow grown pigs on the farm have had plenty of time to roam, root, graze, and move from pasture to pasture depending on the weather and time of year.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O20ljev20rc/U59O9mvy1xI/AAAAAAAAGWI/WQYbKhPRh80/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O20ljev20rc/U59O9mvy1xI/AAAAAAAAGWI/WQYbKhPRh80/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+1a.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Fresh clean air, grass, sunlight and open access at all times raises the best tasting pork.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7BC4ZYPSzGk/U59O9Jbj5mI/AAAAAAAAGWE/p2cG3-MrCqI/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7BC4ZYPSzGk/U59O9Jbj5mI/AAAAAAAAGWE/p2cG3-MrCqI/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Walnuts and apples are among the favorite staple of the pigs, You can see their heavy jowls and snout used for roots and foraging.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzKR2Z7NQV8/U59PNWp5snI/AAAAAAAAGWY/XdMlQTuvtHY/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzKR2Z7NQV8/U59PNWp5snI/AAAAAAAAGWY/XdMlQTuvtHY/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+2a.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Open pasture to roam and yes, play as pigs are quite intelligent and actually create games with one another.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R9utTwHOpKQ/U59PNZDApvI/AAAAAAAAGWU/RA_T8HXHQfU/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R9utTwHOpKQ/U59PNZDApvI/AAAAAAAAGWU/RA_T8HXHQfU/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+3.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Facing the morning sun.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-210ZgYbLCRo/U59PRsc4xXI/AAAAAAAAGWk/tFCmh3xZIQA/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-210ZgYbLCRo/U59PRsc4xXI/AAAAAAAAGWk/tFCmh3xZIQA/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+3a.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Napping in the shade of the trees on the cool green grass.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYxUipKiz7E/U59PYv938MI/AAAAAAAAGWs/6BXRkQpJNag/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nYxUipKiz7E/U59PYv938MI/AAAAAAAAGWs/6BXRkQpJNag/s1600/Pasture+Raised+Pigs+4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Growing into happy and healthy animals, these pigs will be harvested soon. They have incredible flavor and exceptional meat quality and best of all there is never any hormone, antibiotic or genetically modified feed given to the animals on our farm for the home grown, sweet meat flavor. </div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-29329912353073781602014-06-01T22:52:00.000-07:002014-06-01T22:52:33.655-07:00Memorial Day Week End<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was a perfect weekend to celebrate family and friends, young and old and everything in between.</div>
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Here is to remembering the gift of service and freedom.</div>
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In between parades and planting the garden there was time to gather together for a BBQ on the farm.</div>
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But first a word from our sponsors!! Hey, look at these friendly pigs. They are now weighing about 250 pounds. They have a definite routine throughout the day and enjoy the company of the other farm animals.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ophVVrzGzxE/U4wLxqS-iHI/AAAAAAAAGTg/4GhHBZr6IbA/s1600/A+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ophVVrzGzxE/U4wLxqS-iHI/AAAAAAAAGTg/4GhHBZr6IbA/s1600/A+2.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here the pigs feed and there are usually a hen or two ready to help clean up after the pigs eat.</div>
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Back to the BBQ! We used the fire pit with madrone wood for seasoned smoke flavor.</div>
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Jolene and Peter had plenty of supervision while the grilled up bison-elk burgers! YUM!!</div>
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Ryan helped set the tables and made sure the food was properly placed!</div>
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After a prayer of thanks, 13 grateful hearts sat down to share a meal prepared by many hands.</div>
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The first BBQ of the season was wonderful!</div>
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The kids filled to their hearts' content and then it was time for play.</div>
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Some fun in the sun and sprinklers.</div>
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Some needed more encouragement than others!!</div>
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Then the victory run through the sprinklers all together.</div>
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Strawberry Blueberry Shortcake covered in whipped cream made a patriotic dessert!</div>
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Of course there was plenty to go around.</div>
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Red-White-Blue!</div>
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Darrell and Jane, thank you for a career of service with the US Marine Corps!</div>
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Happy in the water!</div>
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Anna on the tire swing. There is always time for a ride.</div>
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And a gathering on the front porch as the sun was getting low in the sky.</div>
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It was a day to remember so many blessings.</div>
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Happy Memorial Day, 2014</div>
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<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-2911271577486107782014-04-21T22:00:00.000-07:002014-04-21T23:04:20.612-07:00Easter on the Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Easter on the farm was such a beautiful day! Southern Oregon sunshine blessed us with 70 degree weather!</div>
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Chocolate Easter bunnies were actually dime store figurines spray painted with brown glossy paint to look like real chocolate!</div>
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Easter bunnies in the flower pots!</div>
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Hot cross buns...made with plenty of eggs from the hen house.</div>
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Naturally colored eggs and more chocolate. This time the chocolate is edible!</div>
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Many years ago, precious Easter girls at the beach!</div>
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Easter bonnet and a needlepoint picture of Notre Dame Cathedral stitched and given to "Kenneth and Rose" for Christmas in 1934. The tiny intricate stitches at the hand of my great grandmother, Ada Lucy Lister. </div>
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Look closely and you will see the turkeys and pigs eating their Easter lunch.</div>
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Ready to eat our Easter lunch with pretty flowers delivered by Cousin Glenn along with pretty pink hen. xo</div>
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Easter lunch included roasted ham, slow baked beans, green bean salad, deviled eggs, </div>
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sourdough bread and quince honey.</div>
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Then there was pie! Peach pie tart and coconut cream pie.</div>
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Pretty little pansies and violets dressed up the pie for Easter Sunday!</div>
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They look good enough to eat.</div>
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A visit with the farm animals after lunch. The rooster and hens have been working in the vegetable garden bed all winter long. It is nearly ready for the spring tilling and planting.</div>
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Pigs in the shade under a former Christmas Tree, taking an afternoon nap in the cool grass.</div>
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Re energized and practicing the bunny hop!</div>
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Pigs are very social and very smart animals. So they were passing along Easter greetings.</div>
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Tim and Glenn enjoying the beautiful weather for Easter.</div>
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Captain Jack with his Last Call Crow!</div>
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We can never be thankful enough for our many blessings.</div>
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Happy Easter!</div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-82403793205438124822014-04-07T21:44:00.000-07:002014-04-07T21:44:23.773-07:00Hen House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tic, tac, toe, Three in a row! We have 15 laying hens right now and they are laying about 11 eggs per day, plus the turkey hen who is doing her best to lay nearly every day. We have been collecting and incubating and hatching eggs like crazy. Today starts the third round of hatching and there are duck eggs and turkey eggs in the incubator. It takes 28 days for a turkey or duck egg to hatch and 21 days for a chicken egg to hatch. </div>
Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-56019034661646071152014-03-24T21:11:00.001-07:002014-03-24T21:11:52.182-07:00Leg of LambHow to roast a leg of lamb...Start with farm fresh, pasture raised lamb in your area. You are in for a real treat! Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.<br />
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This is about a 7 pound leg of lamb, defrosted and pulled from the refrigerator about an hour before putting into the oven. This allows meat fibers to relax, which makes the meat even more tender!</div>
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Rinse with cool water, pat dry and place into an oven proof pan fatty side up.</div>
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Season all over with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and then make little one inch slices into the meat and push a clove of garlic into the hole. Do this 10 more times so that there are 11 or 12 cloves of garlic embedded into the roast.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XP5A9Zv3UNI/UzD4Nzkq53I/AAAAAAAAGPs/kbmR41ARH1g/s1600/Leg+of+Lamb+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XP5A9Zv3UNI/UzD4Nzkq53I/AAAAAAAAGPs/kbmR41ARH1g/s1600/Leg+of+Lamb+4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Close up of the clove of garlic. Then season a little more over the top of the garlic with Italian seasoning blend. Place 2 sprigs of rosemary next to the roast and peel the rest of the head of garlic and scatter around the roast. Put into hot oven and set timer for 20 minutes. When timer sounds, reduce heat to 340 degrees and slow roast the leg of lamb for another 2-2 1/2 hours.</div>
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Use a reliable meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. If you like your meat rare, remove as soon as thermometer reaches 145 degrees. We removed this leg of lamb at 165 degrees and let it rest as the finishing touches were put on the rest of the meal. There was plenty of pink in the roast and it was so tender and juicy.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsBP2VikxHc/UzD4RepN9GI/AAAAAAAAGP8/1zajBv1fp-Q/s1600/Leg+of+Lamb+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsBP2VikxHc/UzD4RepN9GI/AAAAAAAAGP8/1zajBv1fp-Q/s1600/Leg+of+Lamb+6.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Served here with mashed potatoes and sauteed leeks, roasted carrots and parsnips, coleslaw with peas, deviled eggs and a family favorite for generations, Yorkshire Pudding. Enjoy with family and friends! </div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-10584339529910263942014-03-17T23:09:00.000-07:002014-03-17T23:09:11.195-07:00Happy St. Patrick's Day 2014!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtg6IFqaUw8/UyfbmRsMKQI/AAAAAAAAGNk/Gj4qdQVkDs0/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dtg6IFqaUw8/UyfbmRsMKQI/AAAAAAAAGNk/Gj4qdQVkDs0/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Welcome! We are Shamrockin' the Farm!</div>
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Couldn't resist adding the seed catalog to the festivities!</div>
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Tower of treats from the farm and the Grower's Market. Red potatoes, parsnips, carrots, and Dead On Savoy Cabbage are all perfect crops for wintering over. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tVKyDVOAnLo/UyfbwKYPUFI/AAAAAAAAGN0/8l8gcIKWTFc/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tVKyDVOAnLo/UyfbwKYPUFI/AAAAAAAAGN0/8l8gcIKWTFc/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+4.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Such pretty cabbage and the super sweet and delicate flavor is perfect for a quick dunk in the corned beef broth or sauteing...butter only!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QGnQuFuUmW4/UyfbxmfShdI/AAAAAAAAGN8/qfg02K7tkSk/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QGnQuFuUmW4/UyfbxmfShdI/AAAAAAAAGN8/qfg02K7tkSk/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+5.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Irish Chocolate Potato Cake, <a href="http://obriensfamilyfarm.blogspot.com/2011/03/chocolate-irish-potato-cake.html" target="_blank">recipe here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G_YQBHZbvJ0/Uyfb1efieVI/AAAAAAAAGOE/83O_hAilG0k/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G_YQBHZbvJ0/Uyfb1efieVI/AAAAAAAAGOE/83O_hAilG0k/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+6.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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And, gluten free Chocolate Irish Potato Cupcakes!! Using the same recipe as above only substitute Namaste Gluten Free Flour.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqKK4pZtFVY/Uyfb_gMZ2RI/AAAAAAAAGOM/yl72oIvqZWw/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqKK4pZtFVY/Uyfb_gMZ2RI/AAAAAAAAGOM/yl72oIvqZWw/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+7.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Getting close to dinner time!</div>
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<b>Irish Soda Bread</b>: </div>
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3 1/2 Cups flour</div>
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1 t. baking soda</div>
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1 t. salt</div>
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1 t. sugar</div>
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1 Cup Golden Raisins</div>
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2 Cups Buttermilk or Milk with lemon juice</div>
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Combine all dry ingredients and raisins.</div>
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Add milk and stir.</div>
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Place soft not quite sticky dough on floured counter top.</div>
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Knead about 15 times.</div>
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Shape into round loaf.</div>
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Flatten out.</div>
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Using a sharp knife cut a cross in the dough.</div>
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Bake at 430' for 20 minutes.</div>
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Reduce heat to 400', bake additional 20 minutes.</div>
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Remove from oven when thumping the bread sounds hollow.</div>
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Let bread rest for 30 minutes before slicing. </div>
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Enjoy! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WnmmKxxAZFo/UyfcEfL5yBI/AAAAAAAAGOc/i1IFIIkiVH0/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WnmmKxxAZFo/UyfcEfL5yBI/AAAAAAAAGOc/i1IFIIkiVH0/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+9.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Generations of Irish Girls! xo</div>
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Dinner is ready. Corned Beef was made following <a href="http://obriensfamilyfarm.blogspot.com/search/label/Brine%20for%20Corned%20Beef" target="_blank">this recipe</a>:</div>
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This is a bison brisket. The Irish call this particular cut of beef, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corned_beef" target="_blank">Silverside</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrXH4FA1uJw/UyfcW0jPx8I/AAAAAAAAGOs/l1JeWOvEz1c/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+9c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrXH4FA1uJw/UyfcW0jPx8I/AAAAAAAAGOs/l1JeWOvEz1c/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+9c.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Great Irishman ready for St. Paddy's Day meal:</div>
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Corned Beef</div>
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Cabbage</div>
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Kale</div>
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Boiled potatoes</div>
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Carrots</div>
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Deviled eggs</div>
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Irish Soda Bread</div>
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Butter</div>
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Apple Butter and</div>
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a blessing of thanks.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhN5FjwTgZE/UyfcZ8sFiqI/AAAAAAAAGO8/83LDXWcn5hk/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+9d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhN5FjwTgZE/UyfcZ8sFiqI/AAAAAAAAGO8/83LDXWcn5hk/s1600/St+Paddy's+Day+9d.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Feeling lucky to be on the farm with local food on the table.</div>
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Purple Velvet Shamrock plant!</div>
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Cead Mile Failte!</div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-18930314108831850232014-03-02T18:43:00.000-08:002014-03-02T18:43:06.791-08:00Rainbows and Golden Eggs<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Utp3HPowMFw/UxPrKWrdaQI/AAAAAAAAGNM/iLF82Bz9ebw/s1600/Rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Utp3HPowMFw/UxPrKWrdaQI/AAAAAAAAGNM/iLF82Bz9ebw/s1600/Rainbow.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's March and the Irish Rainbows are already arching over the farm. Our favorite golden nuggets at this time of year are the increase in egg production.<br />
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All of the colorful eggs are so delicious and new to our cache is the creamy white and brown speckled egg: a turkey egg! There is always something new happening on the farm!Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-89026654121386717012014-02-24T22:44:00.000-08:002014-02-24T22:44:11.185-08:00Daffodils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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February weather is always unpredictable, but this year, it is beautifully unpredictable. Today it was 68 degrees and the sun was shining just warm enough to coax these pretty little daffodils into a full bloom. The hens were so happy with the warmth and the flowers they decided to lay four eggs today. Enjoy the end of winter as it disappears into spring! </div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-18820048926686439512014-02-19T22:06:00.000-08:002014-02-19T22:06:22.602-08:00Neighborhood Watch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvMGVuzdtCk/UwWVl92Ov4I/AAAAAAAAGMQ/UsTZnr3vSko/s1600/Barn+Owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pvMGVuzdtCk/UwWVl92Ov4I/AAAAAAAAGMQ/UsTZnr3vSko/s1600/Barn+Owl.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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This beautiful barn owl is part of the neighborhood watch on mice, voles, and other rodents. This one is a fairly large owl and it is difficult to tell the difference between male and female. The owl does not hoot, but it make a loud screetching call. The wing span is enormous and the white face has given the owl the nickname of ghost owl. Since it was viewed near the full moon, we will call it the moon owl! No matter the name nor the sex of the bird, it sure is a beautiful bird! </div>
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This February Snow Moon had the perfect timing of shining brightly on Valentine's Day. </div>
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As you can tell we are all under the spell of the Night Watch!</div>
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<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1042456633636431507.post-46290348399192233452014-02-16T05:20:00.000-08:002014-02-16T05:20:00.121-08:00We Need the Rain!It has been so very dry in Southern Oregon since September. We are all very relieved to have this rain. Hopefully the river can keep up with the drainage. The river reached a flow in Grants Pass of over 18,000 cubic feet per second. The Rogue River is considered flood stage at 20,000 cfs. Fortunately there was a lull in the rain to last long enough for more of the land to drain. We have strategically placed water buckets under the barn roof line for the animals to drink easily and to access every bit that Mother Nature has to offer!<br />
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Buckets collecting rain water under the barn eaves.</div>
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Giant, old walnut trees. They look like sculptures.</div>
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Wonderful water everywhere!</div>
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Rain is literally streaming off of the barn.</div>
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Again, strategic placement on the buckets keeps them full!</div>
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Turkeys are dry and warm.</div>
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Pigs are getting ready to snuggle into the straw!</div>
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Amazingly, there were three eggs today.</div>
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Pretty wet, but chores are finished for the day. We are so lucky to have the rain!</div>
<br />Tim and Kari O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07692327673634314221noreply@blogger.com0