When we did the meat bird harvest last month, we also thinned out our duck flock a little, putting some nice big duck breasts in the freezer. I have cooked duck breasts like a grass fed steak (seared then finished at a low temp in the oven) but I was looking for something else to … Continue reading Making Duck Sausage
Author: phillipsfarmbatavia
Meat bird harvest time
It is hard to believe but the teensy Cornish Cross chicks we brought home May 16 are already ready to harvest. These birds grew so amazingly fast, putting on weight almost before our eyes. May 16 June 2 June 23 At 7 weeks old, the males are coming out at 6-8.5 pounds dressed; females at … Continue reading Meat bird harvest time
First Pickles of the Season
We went to Michigan for a week and came back to a garden beginning to produce and flower beds that had turned suddenly into a jungle. It is nice to get away, of course, but takes a lot of prep before we leave and produces a long to do list upon return. I felt a … Continue reading First Pickles of the Season
Waste Not, Want Not: Leeks
Winter 2018 I started leeks from seed to plant in my garden. They grew well and I ended up setting them out in the early spring. These leeks spent all of last summer, fall, winter and this spring in the garden. I kept waiting for them to get bigger but they mostly stayed smallish. Now … Continue reading Waste Not, Want Not: Leeks
Slow Summer Mornings
This is my favorite summer ritual - slow mornings on the front porch with my breakfast and dog snuggles. I’ve set up my front porch like an extra room, with a comfy bench, coffee tables, and rugs. Most of my house plants summer on the porch too. It feels homey and welcoming. Usually Toby wanders … Continue reading Slow Summer Mornings
Purple Sourdough & Margaritas
My neighbor Rita was telling me about these blue Butterfly Pea flowers she ordered in the mail. They are said to have all kinds of miraculous healing and health supporting properties. Plus it dyes your food or drink a lovely shade of dark purple so that’s fun. Rita gave me a jar of dried flowers … Continue reading Purple Sourdough & Margaritas
A Meditation in the Woods
I’m working at Long Branch today and sat down for a minute to rest in the woods. I had to share this lovely moment with you all. I love the music of the birds in the woods and the way the sunlight dances on the ground as the leaves sway in the breeze, in the … Continue reading A Meditation in the Woods
Strawberries for Every Meal
Strawberry season is officially upon us again. Two years ago I planted 40 strawberry plants in my perennial garden and they multiplied and multiplied. I probably have 1000 of them now. They are in the whole middle of my berry garden as well as lining the edges of most of my flower beds. I figured … Continue reading Strawberries for Every Meal
Mr. McGregor’s Garden
I felt a bit like Mr. McGregor fighting off Peter Rabbit this last week. I had re-planted all my tomatoes after that late frost killed the first batch. Luckily I had saved half my starts inside - just in case - since I was planting so early. I had my beautiful babies all tucked in … Continue reading Mr. McGregor’s Garden
Peonies Make Me Happy
“Peonies” by Mary Oliver This morning the green fists of the peonies are getting readyto break my heartas the sun rises,as the sun strokes them with his old, buttery fingers and they open —pools of lace,white and pink —and all day the black ants climb over them, boring their deep and mysterious holesinto the curls,craving … Continue reading Peonies Make Me Happy
