Yogurt & Quark

Trying my hand at making yogurt and then quark. If all turns out well, it should yield a surplus of yogurt and quark at a fraction of the cost. Thank you Robin Mather for the inspiration. I am loving your book The Feast Nearby! Meanwhile.....Thunder, our exchange chicken, was supposed to be the bold one of the flock she came from (insert aggressive)but has yet to fight her way into the group. And yes, I tried all the tricks suggested for introducing a new chicken to the flock. It will boil down to a battle royale or death. Such is the life of a chicken on an urban farm.

Months later......

I really should do a better job of posting. You'd think nothing happens here, but, that is further from the truth. Knitted, and sold several mascot hats. Went full time a Gallup. Chickie Bock Bock passed over after 12 years of dutiful service. Acquired a new hen, a Dominique, but sadly, the flock is rejecting her. My kitchen garden is in and is determined to grow despite the influx of rain. Most importantly, Daniel and Lacey's wedding is a week from today and the reception is in our back yard. I can hardly wait!

Wonderful Dinner

We enjoyed the food at the "Real Food" dinner and learned more about our hosts. I hope I didn't pressure her too much about the chickens. They are young and so nice. I should have socialized more, but sometimes I am shackled by my own shyness and feel Charlie is not comfortable in new social situations. I really wanted to talk to Amy. When she came to my house for the "chicken tour", she was reluctant to leave saying "I love the energy of this house." By far the best compliment my home has ever received. I hope we are included in more invitations. I would love to host one of these events myself.

New Friends

It's been a while since I've been here. Wallowing in self pity, which is never a good thing. Then, by noticing a post on Facebook, about urban chickens, I left a comment. This led to a request to "tour" our urban hen set up. This in turn led to meeting 3 people I wantd to know more. After the "tour" came the "friending" on Facebook which led to an invitation to attend a "Real Food Dinner". The meal is comprised of real foods, "knowing exactly what's in your food". That is what we believe here at the "farm", but frankly, I am excited just to get the chance to learn more about these new friends!

Mortgage Lifter

First tomato of the season! The Mortgage Lifter! Weighing in at over 1/2 lb! Wish I had planted a whole patch of these. Took half of it to mother. She loved it! Nothing in this world tastes like the first tomato!

Revenge

I'm not positive, but am quite sure that the squirrel that Sadie pulled the fur off it's tail has exacted it's revenge. My heirloom Brandywine tomato was picked and bitten only to be tossed to the ground. Sadie has become very "matrix" with her jumping moves to keep the squirrels out. I wonder how well it's balance will be next time she patrols the yard?

Counting Chickens

Just when things seem to be coming along....rain every day, gates are the wrong size for fence, and after 12 years, my position has been eliminated. On the plus side, 2 tomatoes in the vines, pool is up, and I caught 3 pan size catfish today.