Our first spring chicks arrived safely last week in a scuttling, peeping cardboard box! The morning Ethan went to pick them up at the post office, the lady who has a strange phobia about handling birds was unfortunately working the desk. Somehow she’s always the one that ends up handing over the baby chicks. …
Author: toadstoolsfairyrings
SOUPE AU POISSON: Fish Soup
Fish is one of those special “boughten” foods we don’t get to enjoy often. With a freezer packed full of home-grown grassfed beef, pastured pork and chicken, it’s hard to justify buying fish. But fresh fish is just SO good (with emphasis on fresh)! I’ve gotten some disappointing grocery store fish, so look out…
Yarn Along: Roses for Rosie Crochet Shawl
This, I am so proud and pleased to say, is actually Rose’s yarn project. When she was little, she loved braiding and finger-knitting, but when we tried knitting-on-needles, she was rather bored with the whole thing, and found it difficult to manage the needles. I let the matter drop, but one day (when I was…
A Garden Interview With Tiare From Shepherd’s Hill Farm
This post is the first of a series of interview with local gardeners. As a gardener, I love talking to other gardeners about what works for them. I’ve found so much knowledge and inspiration in these conversations. This interview is with Tiare Street of Shepherd’s Hill Farm. I first met Tiare about ten years ago. …
POTAGE CRÉCY: Carrot Soup
I got into a whirl this spring, and didn’t thin the carrots until it was too late. They are gnarly-looking, but turned out very sweet. Three different kinds were grown out in a sort of carrot experiment: Oxheart carrots, Chatenay Red Core, and an interesting red carrot that I intend to save seeds from…
Hung Out To Dry
It’s terrible to watch this struggle that is going on between people, money, and our environment. It’s happening at Standing Rock, and it’s happening here in Florida. I’ve felt this strong desire to refrain from consuming fossil fuel energy as much as possible. One way I have begun striving for energy independence is by getting…
Mothers And Sisters
There were two more sows who were due to give birth last week – Bess and Bacon. Both of them looked enormously pregnant. Their swaying bellies nearly brushed the ground when they waddled to their food dishes. Star, who is Bess and Bacon’s mother, had her piglets a week ago. She was very aggressive towards…
FOIE DE BOEUF SUR LE GRIL: Grilled Beef Liver
Liver is one of the most nutrient-dense parts of the animal, and I am always collecting good liver recipes and suggestions. Because it creates enzymes and is tied in with the gall bladder, even with careful handling it retains a slightly bitter flavor from the gall. This, to date, is my absolutely favorite liver recipe. …
Buttercup Cardigan
I’ve had the idea for this cardigan in my mind for a long time, but haven’t had the mind space to put it together. It’s a little bit of a daunting task, because the stitch pattern has three different gauges that have to be taken into account, not to mention that I just haven’t had…
Eating Weeds
Anyone who has known me from childhood will remember that gathering and eating weeds has always been something I’ve done. I would run all over our apartment complex, finding edible plants to make picnics and feasts for my friends and family – and I still do! This time of year some of my favorite edible…
Cricket’s Twins
Our goat herd has gotten large recently, and feels a bit overwhelming. Two sets of twins again this year brought the head count up to 14. The newest twins, Cricket’s twin doelings, are up romping around with everyone now. In the midst of our kitty getting lost (and finding her way home again), I…
TARTE AUX FRAISES: Strawberry Tart
Happy Valentine’s Day! Fresh strawberries and rich pastry crust make this delicious and simple recipe a perfect way to celebrate! This recipe starts with the crust. Adding the strawberries is simple and is translated below, along with US measurements for the ingredients. I didn’t have enough strawberries to make a large tart, so I made…
Toadstools And Fairy Rings 