Over the years I have witnessed so many different mothering styles among the animals. Just like people, there’s a big difference between mothers, from over-bearing mothers, to those who take things easy. They can range from: Psychotic Killer Mother: We’ve never had any like this on our farm, but a friend of mine with expensive…
Author: toadstoolsfairyrings
Grain-free Calamondin and Chocolate Chip Cookies
Rose and I created this recipe together one day when she was inspired to bake and a glowing bowl of calamondins was taking up all the space on the kitchen table. Rich, and chewy, these cookies have the perfect orange/chocolate flavor balance. Grain-free Calamondin Cookies 4 cups almond flour 1 cup coconut sugar 3 eggs…
Pork, Daikon, and Pak Choi Stir-fry
Wandering through the garden, I pulled this recipe together to do something interesting with a large left-over fresh ham we had roasted. It’s quick, easy to prepare, and delicious served over rice or noodles. Pork, Daikon, and Pak Choi Stir-Fry 1 daikon radish, sliced into rounds (these radishes can grow to be enormous. About 1…
Calamondin Souffle
Calamondins are tiny, extremely sour and flavorful citrus fruits that grow abundantly here in the winter. They are a great lemon substitute with unbeatable orange flavor. Many Southern cooks have their own version of calamondin cake (get a grain-free version here). With a new abundance of milk and eggs, I wanted to make something that…
Creamy Turnip and Tatsoi Soup
It was too hot for turnips to thrive last year, and I hardly got any. I had unluckily set out to grow a turnip trial of four varieties that year, none of which did very well. The year before seemed to be the Year Of The Gigantic Turnip, as I accidentally stumbled on how to…
Hard Frost In Florida
There was the first hard frost a few days ago. It was the first hard frost in several years. Ethan turned on a sprinkler in the corner of one of the pastures to make beautiful icicles during the night. The children woke up early the next morning, eager to…
Abundance Is Here
There’s this funny paradox I’ve noticed – when the weather is bad, or there’s anything to do involving a pitchfork and manure, people seem to think we’re hardcore weirdos with a fanatical agriculture hobby….but when it comes to just-ripped-from-the-ground vibrant produce and grassfed steak for dinner every night, then we’re suddenly privileged,…
Sweet And Sour Turnips With Mizuna
In the garden there is currently an abundance of my two favorite kinds of turnips – Scarlet Ohno Revival and Purple Top. I love these varieties for their flavor, color, and prolific harvests – too prolific sometimes! Just last week I was asking a lady at the grocery store who was checking out with…
Milking By Hand
A few days ago, Matilda’s calf was born – it was a beautiful all-Jersey bull calf, leaving no doubt that the Jersey bull Sampson did his job while our Devon/Jersey bull Explorer was off visiting another farm. I have missed the rhythmic, grounding routine of milking. Each day I walk up to the pasture,…
A Guide For Powerfully Envisioning Your New Year
It’s wonderful to have a fresh starting place every year where you can pause and reflect before taking the next step forward. Sometimes the new year begins with everything neatly and predictably laid out, but sometimes it’s the kind of beginning that feels like stepping off into the unknown. However it presents itself, this new,…
BOEUF BOUILLI AU LARD ET AUX POMMES DE TERRE: Boiled Beef With Bacon And Potatoes
If you have tried making serious broth, or have left-overs from a Pot-au-feu, you will likely find yourself with a cold boiled beef roast. It really doesn’t sound very appealing, but there many French recipes that incorporate cold boiled beef. This one could pass for a rich breakfast, a hearty lunch, or a satisfying dinner….
Toadstools And Fairy Rings 