What Did She Do Today?

She Found Another Reason to Love High Mowing Seeds of Vermont November 27, 2009

I love High Mowing Seeds.  The company has been great in the areas of high quality product, customer service and valuing the future of farming.  When I was recently perusing their site, starting to fill my cart for the 2010 seed order, I stumbled across another reason to love this company.

High Mowing Seeds was involved in a lawsuit, along with the Center for Food Safety (CFS), Organic Seed Alliance and the Sierra Club, being represented by CFS and Earth Justice attorneys, to sue the USDA!!

They won!  HMS, et al, were concerned with the USDA deregulating the Monsanto Sugar Beet.  Sugar Beets are the source of most of the sugar in this country, and like corn and soy, Monsanto has a "Round Up Ready" sugar beet.  If you are interested in reading more about this victory for food security in the US, you can do so on the High Mowing Seeds Site.

I intended to buy my seeds from them again this year, simply because I've had such a great experience, they are a small company, that is local-ish to me, so we are growing in very similar climates, but all the more reason, now, to support a company that stands up and speaks out!  Thank you HMS for your efforts!  Congratulatons on the win.

Are you buying seeds this year?  Please consider giving your support to this great company!

You can order direct from their website, which is what I do every year...Oh how excited I get when that little cardboard box arrives, but you can also find their seeds in the following NH stores:

• Claremont - Posie's Place
  
• Concord- Concord Food Coop   
• Hanover - Hanover Consumer Co-op 
  
• Hollis - Brookdale Fruit Farm
• Laconia - Sunflower Natural Foods 
• Lancaster - Martin's Agway  
• Lebanon - Longacres' Nursery Center  
• Manchester - A Market Natural Foods  
• New Ipswich - Amazing Flower Farm 
  
• Newport - Stillwater Garden Shop
  
• Plainfield - Edgewater Farm   
• Rollinsford - Wentworth Greenhouses (the site for several of the Seacoast Eat Local Winter Farmer's Markets) 

She Enjoyed Thanksgiving November 26, 2009

We went to my Grandparents, on my Dad's side, for the big family get together.  I enjoy going there for holidays.  My family is a great group of folks.  I brought along a jar of the Cranberry sauce Jessica and I made a couple weeks ago.  It was so yummy on my turkey!  I love meat and fruit together.

I wanted to make Maple Ice Cream, as Mini has been asking for it for a couple weeks, so I figured today would be a good time.  So I pulled up the online recipe that I've used before.  It came out great and many others enjoyed a smidge with their pies, after dinner, but Mini was the only one who actually licked the plate clean.

While at the fabulous Seacoast Eat Local Winter Market at Wentworth Greenhouse (the next of which is Saturday, December 5th), I ran into fellow blogger, Virginia, who told me about a great recipe for Parsnips.  A parsnip bread pudding from Martha Stewart.  Sounded so yummy, and after she forwarded me the recipe, I had to try it.  I used about 3/4 turnips and 1/4 parsnips, because it's what I had on hand.  It was delicious.  Husband made a loaf of bread for me to use, so I didn't use the brioche, but it was still very good, and I had requests for the recipe.  I'll be making this again, this winter.  I imagine it would be good with just about any root veggie.

Image from Marthastewart.com, as I still don't have a knack for taking pictures of food.

While we were sitting around visiting, we realized that there was an event going on at Calef's so a few of us headed over to take a peek, before heading home.  I found out some exciting news.  The beans sold at Calef's are from Exeter Maine, and are "fresh Dry" beans from the current year.  As are their Dried peas!  I picked up some more peas, for my winter stock, and some Rat Trap Cheese.  Joel was there signing bottles of his hot sauce.  Mom picked up a bottle of that, which Joel guarantees to "Make your Liver Quiver". 

In the gift store, free ornaments, and 25% off discount coupons, were being handed out.  They also had a great little item to turn any old mason jar into an oil lamp!  I have some VERY cool old Mason Jars from the lot down at my mom's, so I'm going to use one of them for an oil lamp, which will allow me to look at it all year!

If you missed out on the Calef open house, be sure to make your calendar for their Soiree on December 11 (5-9p).  Calef's, and all the businesses and stores at Calef's Corner, and Christmas Dove, across the street, are open for the evening with discounts, Hors d'oeuvres, give-aways, and late evening shopping.  We've gone a couple years now, and find it a fun family time.  Last year there was snow, it was actually a little bit of a snow storm, that is not likely to happen this year...but it is NH, so anything is possible.

My local Yarn Store is having a big coupon yarn sale tomorrow!  I might actually be shopping on Black Friday.

Another Local event for tomorrow, and the following week, Jenness Farm is having an open house.

Friday, Nov. 27 through Saturday, Dec. 5th

Jenness Farm Annual Holiday Open House

Jenness Farm - Nottingham, NH 10 am - 4 pm each day.

Come shop for the holidays with many in store specials as well as 10% off your entire order (excludes food/drink items). Additional vendors with gift products will be there as well.

She Planted Garlic November 24, 2009

Yesterday Jessica and I picked up the beans!  143 pounds.  We are going to separate them out after Thanksgiving, so if you were among the list of folks who ordered, we will be in touch soon after the holiday.

The ride was beautiful and the weather was great.  I love driving in New Hampshire.  I really do live in a gorgeous State.  We have it all, Mountains, Beaches, Lakes, History, Fields and Forests.  Here are some of the sights I snapped pics of.

 

I have finished two knitting projects.  My mom's Hemlock Ring afghan is done and has had an initial blocking.  I'm not thrilled with how it blocked, so I'm thinking of doing it one more time, with more pins, so I can pull out some of the details on the edge.  It will be presented in this very cool basket, which was purchased yesterday at Marden's in Sanford (part of our little bean trip).  It is handmade in America.  The company is Henn, from Ohio. I think the low basket will be fun for holding a pie plate, or even picking herbs.

 

Mini has a new cozy top for winter.  Neighborly, the pattern by JCasa*Handmade, was knit up with Malabrigo in Chestnut and Malabrigo Twist in a new color that my LYS just started carrying.  I love how it worked up, it fits her nicely. It knit up fast, it took me about 3 days to finish it.  I'm thinking of making one with thinner yarn for the Baby.  I think if I used yarn that was 5 sts. to the inch it will work up for a good 9 month size.

Jessica and I stopped at a couple places, besides beans, along the way.  Marden's in Sanford had tons of baskets, and we were the most ridiculous of girls as we tried to weed down our overflowing cart of baskets we wanted.  We are both a bit basket-centric, so we weren't a large help to each other.  We did not fight over any, so that was good, and in the end we both left with 3, plus I had the one for mom. 

We were both enamored with this style, which is designed to hold a 9x13 baking dish, but we envisioned being a great herb picking basket, like in the bonnet films, specifically Pride and Prejudice.  I plan on planting an herb garden, for the first time, this year, as I'm so enjoying all the fresh and dried herbs I've been given by friends, and purchased at the markets.  I will definitely plant some thyme, rosemary, sage, lavender, chamomile and oregano.  I'm excited to start looking in the seed catalogs, that have recently started to arrive!  The basket did a bang up job of holding the evergreens and berries I picked for holiday decorating.

 

That little dress is handmade in velvet and will fit my daughter's doll.  Mini is a big fan of changing dolls clothes, and dressing various animals that will fit into the clothes, as well.  This dress is very well made, with high quality fabrics.  I'm a bit of a fabric snob, even with kids clothes, or toys.  I want it to feel good, and not much feels nicer than cotton velvet.  The lace is antique cotton lace, as well.  Beautiful!

It's hard to believe today is the day before Thanksgiving, and I'm just planting my garlic!  I have been so behind on doing this, but so lucky that the weather has allowed me to still plant it.  I put it in today, and tonight it's only 45 degrees.  Amazing.  I'll be mulching it, heavily, on Friday, when I can get to the feed store.  I'm hoping that it gets the time it needs to sprout, but at this point, this is the best I could do, so it is what it is.

I hope you have a fabulous Thanksgiving.  We are going to have dinner with my Dad's family, which we do every year, and I'm looking forward to it!

She's just too tired November 23, 2009

Wow, I'm exhausted, and I'm wimping out on my post for today.  I processed 36 chickens today, 20 of my friend's and 16 of ours.  There were 5 of us working and we W.O.R.K.E.D.  I'm hoping the nice weather holds out for the other 36 left to go. 

I did finish 2 knitting projects, so I'll tell you about those tomorrow.

I'm going on the dry bean run with Jessica tomorrow, so I'll tell you about that, and show you pics for the 143 pounds of beans we are picking up!!  Oh, My.  I've never seen 143 pounds of beans in once place before.  After the soup I made for today, that used the local Black Beans, I'm so excited to cook with beans.

The soup was all local, except the pepper and rice.  It contained stock made from a locally raised Guinea Fowl, added to it was Brown Rice, Black Beans, Delicata Squash, Dried Cabbage, Dried Celery, Dried Onion, Fresh Rosemary, Dried thyme, Salt, Pepper, Leeks, and carrots.  It was delicious and made a great meal for a cold day of chicken processing.

Okay, going to bed, tired, in a good way, and ready for a fun day tomorrow.

She Went to the First Eat Local Winter Market for 2009! November 21, 2009

Oh, My!  If you have any doubts that one can eat local year round in NH, you would not, if you went to the first 2009 Winter Market hosted by Wentworth Greenhouse and coordinated by the amazing Seacoast Eat Local Group!

The location was fabulous!  Being in the greenhouse was lovely, with the daylight shining in, and while today was not cold, it will get cold and being inside, with the sunlight will be fabulous!  The greenhouses were beautiful.  Mom and I wandered around looking at herbs and lemon trees...I really want a lemon tree, and they had one with full fruit on it.  So cool.  They had one whole section decorated for Christmas, which has me excited to get started with that, myself!  The location was perfect, the vendors totally outdid themselves, and the experience was delightful in every way!

My haul, and believe me I left a lot behind...

Carrots, Beets, Cauliflower and Broccoli from Farmer Dave's (Dracut MA, and I think might be the farm my friend Ellen frequents from her home near Nashua!)

Cream  Yay!!  The market being in Rollinsford, allows Brookford Farm to sell their raw milk products!  I got some cream to make some Maple Ice Cream for Mini, who has been requesting some lately.  Husband already stocked up on our normal milk, yogurt purchases at the farm on Wednesday.

Fingerling Potatoes and Midnight Black Turtle Beans from the lovely Josh and Jean at Meadow's Mirth.  They are selling Black Beans on a pre-order basis, so if you want some, contact them before the next market to see what they have available...oh and tell them I sent you, just because that would be cool.

Sweet Potatoes from Ramsbotham Riverview Farm.

Sweet Italian Elk Sausage from Velvet Pastures in Lee.

Sausage, Hot Dogs and Bacon from Popper's Sausage Kitchen.  All handmade in Dover, and contain local ingredients!

Garlic seeds from Stone Wall Farm/Osprey Cove Organic Farm

Salad Greens and Parsley from Back River Farm

Baby Spinach Greens  Touching Earth Farm

Rosemary from Wake Robin Farm

Apple Cider Syrup from Apple Annie, a low spray apple orchard in Brentwood.  The syrup is highly concentrated cider that can be used instead of syrup on breakfast items, or in recipes. 

Maple Butter and Maple Walnuts from SugarMomma

The Seacoast Eat Local group had a table to bring some local regional items that aren't available at the market.  Most of the items were from Maine, including the Sunflower oil that was grown AND cold pressed in Maine, Smoked Apple Salt from the Maine Salt Company, and some Apple Cider Vinegar, also from Maine.  They had several great books for sale, which, I will check out a bit more next market.  I'm not in hibernation/reading mode yet, but the time is soon!

Then there was a little on site snacking of a Chai from White Heron Tea and a fabulous cinnamon roll from 45 Street Market and Bakery.

The last of the cider apples have found there way into the press.  Mom, Dad and I finished them off tonight, which started with cider pressing at dusk, and turned into cider pressing in dark, but it was fun, went smoothly, and I now have another 2 gallons of fabulous cider to drink. 

With all that great food, I must share with you what we had for dinner.  Cod from our CSF pick up yesterday, that was simply broiled with a little of the smoky apple salt and pepper.  Fingerling potatoes, pan fried in butter, with fresh rosemary, salt, pepper, and garlic.  Steamed Broccoli and some very fresh apple cider.  Yes, it was delicious! 

A knitting update forthcoming...tomorrow.

She Resurfaced November 20, 2009

I've been unavailable the past couple days.  I had my house torn apart.  Why?  I had the living area painted!  I'm very into color, I love to play with colors, which is what draws me to fabrics and glass, so the fact that I've lived in a, nearly entirely, white walled house for almost 3 years is just crazy.  I've found the task of painting the living area, quite daunting.  The living room, kitchen and dining room share the same ceiling and walls, with no real breaks, add to that 2 halls that are connected the to the rest of the area, and the project would be a few days, and a lot of work. 

What made me change my mind, and go for it?  My friend Jessica is a painter.  I got a quote and decided it was worth having color in my life.  So for the past 3 days I've had my furniture, and kitchen counter clutter, all pulled to the middle of the rooms, creating a bit of a mess, and an obstacle course.  Jessica told me she was a very good painter, and she did not exaggerate.  She has the ability to paint a very straight line!  If you are local, and want a recommendation, I give her two thumbs up.  She helped with the color selection, and her suggestions were excellent.  I had a good idea about what I wanted, but she helped me tweak that, and I'm thrilled with the whole thing. 

There are no images, because I haven't been able to take any that does it justice, but when I can pull that off, I'll share, and if you are local, and want to peek, let me know.

Today I went apple picking for the last time.  Butternut Farm has all apples half off, making a 1/2 bushel bag only $8.00 (which was even less than half, from what I remember).  That is for drops, or right off the tree.  Being a bit nervous that I don't have enough apples put away to carry us through until next September, when they are in season again, I had to go back for one last picking.  I was alone in the orchard at sunset, and what an experience.

The weather is unseasonably warm, but this afternoon a crispness was moving into the air.  The sun was going down, casting a light orange hue, making everything feel very calm and peaceful.  There as no other voice to be heard, no other carts being pulled, just me, a ladder, some bags and the orchard.  There were a lot of apples still on the trees, in the Empire and Golden Delicious rows.  I found a few Northern Spy to add to the mix, as well. 

 

I'm hoping to have them all processed in jars, or the freezer, by Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is my goal for having nearly all the food processed, and in storage.  I will not have all the birds done, at least I'm pretty sure I won't, but otherwise, I want to take an inventory on Thanksgiving and see if I can make it until next Spring, on what I have in the pantry, and what the local farmers can provide through the Winter.

I am behind on a few outside project due to my time spent inside on the painting project, but it was worth it.  I need to get the garlic planted, the chicken runs up, and the birds harvested in the next few days, but first...Farmer's Market in Rollinsford, at Wentworth Greenhouse tomorrow morning!!  More information about that in my post from a couple days ago.

Mom's Christmas gift is almost done.

I have a bit more to bind off then blocking.  I started a little sweater/vest for mini, but dad's Christmas socks are going on the needles next.  I love the afghan and have decided, despite having sworn off making afghans, after the one I made mini a while back, I'm going to make one of these for the baby, too.  That will be for after Christmas, I think, but she's definitely getting one this winter...(I want one too).

Oh, I got my new Sarah Clemens Dress!  I'm so thrilled I found this woman, on Etsy.  Her clothing is fabulous, and I find myself saving up to get another new dress every chance I get.  I would live in this dress, forever, if I could.  I just love it!

She Shared a Local Food Update November 17, 2009

Tonight I spent with my knitting friends at our monthly night of eating, knitting and chatting.  Lots of fun.  Great conversations, including one about local food and sources.  I'm excited about how great the food this summer was, at the markets, various farms and pick your own locations, that I visited.  We are entering winter, the season that so many mistakenly believe is a barren wasteland leading only to the grocery store, or face sure starvation, here in the cold, snowy, Granite State.

Oh, not so!  The Winter Markets have begun.  There are many options this Winter to eat local, eat fresh and learn more about the farmers and sources for great food in our great State.

Seacoast Eat Local host several markets that volley between 2 locations, Wentworth Greenhouse in Rollinsford (near the Dover line) and Exeter High School.  The first is this Saturday at the Rollinsford Location.

If you are heading to that market, and are interested in locally made sausage, hot dogs, kielbasa and the like, then check out the list at the bottom of this post and get your order in by Wednesday November 18!

The schedule is as follows:

All markets Saturdays 10am-2pm

November 21 - Wentworth Greenhouses
December 5 - Wentworth Greenhouses
December 12 - Exeter High School
December 19 - Wentworth Greenhouses

January 9 - Exeter High School
January 23 - Wentworth Greenhouses
February 13 - Exeter High School
February 27 - Wentworth Greenhouses
March 13 - Exeter High School
March 27 - Wentworth Greenhouses
April 10 - Exeter High School

Newmarket will be hosting a series of Markets at the Stone Church in downtown Newmarket.  They will be held 3rd Saturday of the month from 9am-1pm: Nov 21 ~ Dec 19 ~ Jan 16 ~ Feb 20 ~ Mar 20  Three dates do not even coincide with the Eat Local Markets, meaning there are 14 Markets, on Saturdays, in the next 6 months!  Brilliant.

See you on Saturday...I'll be there bright and early.  I already placed my sausage order, to be picked up that day!  Below is how you can place your order, if you are interested...

Bean updated:  I am picking them up on Tuesday November 24, and will contact folks with how to obtain them from me.  If you still want in, and have not told me how many you want, please let me know.

I cut a pasted this from Living Local in NH (thanks Virginia).  Great Local Sausage Source:

Here's a nice sausage option for you! Popper's Sausage Kitchen runs a Sausage Club out of Dover, NH. The next pick-up is scheduled at the Seacoast Eat Local's Rollinsford Winter Market this coming Saturday (pick-up is at the Fresh Local booth). Orders are due by Wednesday, November 18th.

John "Popper" Medlin strives to use local ingredients by tapping their own maple trees, growing and drying their own chilis, and making their own red wine vinegar. They also pledge to purchase from local, natural, free-range, and/or organic sources as much as possible.

The top three PSK Sausages for your Thanksgiving stuffing
1. Breakfast- ginger, white pepper and sage
2. Fig and Brady - juniper, nutmeg, mace and clove
3. Garlic and Herb- garlic, savory, sage and marjoram

Here's what he has available for ordering:

Poppers Sausage Kitchen
Product List

Fresh Sausages

Bourneworst- My version of the house sausage from the butcher shop I trained at in the Netherlands. Soft flavors of nutmeg and clove with a with a touch of Dijon.
Smoked Bratwurst- Black cherry smoked and made with Smuttynose Star Island Single.
Maple Bourbons- Sweet maple and chili with a hint of sour mash. Best seller.
Hot Italians- Fennel, chilies, and house made red wine Vinegar round these out nicely.
Sweet Italians- fennel and tomato create an earthy sweetness.
Szechwan- Sweet soy and floral peppercorns. With a back note of heat.
Mexican Chorizo- cinnamon, Mexican oregano, garlic, dried poblano peppers and twelve other herbs and spices. Uncased.
Poblano Cumin- Fire roasted poblanos and toasted cumin. Perfect for tacos.
Blueberry Tarragon- lower bush berries and sweet anise Make these pancakes best friend.
French Garlic- fresh garlic, soft herbs and a nice French wine.
Fig and Brandy- Nutmeg, mace, clove and a touch of juniper. Great for casseroles or by themselves.
Poppers Breakfast- sage and ginger make this mild sausage eggs and toast happy, very happy. Loose not in casings.
Spiced Apple- Harvest spices and Flag Hills Apple Brandy make these memorable.
Cheddar Bay- Sharp cheddar and bay leaf. Gooey is great.
Ragin’ Cajun- Fresh onion sausage loaded with smoked Tasso ham.
Spanish Chorizo- This spicy sausage has nice back notes of oregano and garlic. Great with seafood or cold with cheese
Irish Bangers- Traditional Bangers. Herby with a pepper kick.

Other Good Things

Polish Kielbasa- Beef and pork in this traditional favorite.
Smoked Bacon- Lightly cured and Black Cherry smoked.
Liverwurst- all pork liver, smooth and mild. Apples and fried onions added.

PSK Dogs

Pop Dogs- Garlic and Onion make these not your average dog.
Hot Hot Dog- (H2D2) – Cayenne, Jalapeno, and Thai Chilies. It puts the HOT in the dog.
Dwatt Dawg- Chicken, BACON, cheddar, and herbs.
Weisswurst- Veal and pork. German white sausage with mustard, celery and onion.

Pork Pate’

Pork and Brandied Cranberries- Wrapped in smoked Ham.
Spicy Apple- Apples bloomed in Flag Hill Wineries Calvados (Apple Brandy) and wrapped in Smoked Tasso Ham.

Prices are as follows:

Fresh Sausages- $7#
Smoked Sausages- $8#
Scrapple- $7#
Bacon -$7#
Thick sliced add $1.50
Pork Pie- $13
Hot Dogs- $10 for pack of 8
Pate'- $5 for 8oz.

To place your order you can call him at 603.534.3971 or by e-mail at popperchef @ yahoo.com

She Learned the Secret to Soup November 14, 2009

I have a couple recipe books for soup, and I like to look through them, because there are often combinations I would never have thought of.  However, making yummy, hearty, filling soup is really quite simple.  The key, I've learned, is starting with good stock.  Good stock sets the stage.  I made stock from the "giblets" of the laying hens.  I placed hearts, livers, gizzards and necks into a pot of water, added some thyme and rosemary, salt and pepper, a bit of garlic and simmered, all day.  I then removed the giblets and added rice, lentils, cabbage bits, onions, barley, celery, and cooked until all the grains were soft.  I threw in some of the gizzard and neck meat, a dollop of creme fraiche' at serving, and oh, my.  What a delicious little dish.  So simple, no specific quantities, just add to taste. 

I napped with the baby for a while today.  That was so cozy and peaceful.  I love lying next to a sleeping baby, as she cozies in for warmth.  I really should have gone to bed earlier last night.

My evening was spent working on car catch-alls for my etsy store.  I added some tonight, and I'll add more in the next few days.

She Lost Perspective November 14, 2009

It is 3:49 am, and I just realized how late it is!!  That afghan I'm knitting for my mom has taken over.  I have 11,280 more stitches before binding off, and I'm obsessed with finishing this thing. I love knitting it, I love how fast it's working up, and it looks so cool!  Do you want to join in the obsession?  2 skeins of yarn, at $15.00 a skein, at Spinning yarns (for the locals), and this pattern, and you can join in the obsession fun!  Oh, the yarn is Ecological Wool, by Cascade.

Okay, going to bed so I can accomplish something else tomorrow, besides out sleeping both kids and Husband!

She Watched Food, Inc. With Friends November 13, 2009

Six of us (well, the baby made 7) got together to watch Food, Inc. at my house, with our video projector.  The set up worked out well, I love that we have that thing.  Back, about 5 years ago, on the day after Thanksgiving, I left my house at 2:00am to get in line in front of Best Buy because they were practically giving away a video projector.  They only guaranteed 2 per store, and I got the first one.  It was the perfect gift for the film geek husband.  It's been a much better way to watch movies, than any TV.  So tonight we cranked up the popcorn poppers, with local popcorn, and sat down to watch what has become of our Country's food system.

All of us, in the room, are informed homesteaders and farmers, so much of what was in there was not new, but still, there are things that any human should be shocked by, when they think about the state of our national food system. Again, I say, if you have not seen this movie, I can't recommend enough that you do.  You will not look at food the same, and I dare say you will be thankful for that fact, in the long run!

We had a little appetizer, before the popcorn and film.  Joey surprised us with an amazingly prepared rabbit!  They harvested the first of the D'Argent rabbits on Saturday.  It was an older male, who is the father of a couple of our rabbits, but was not a stellar breeder.  He's on the small side, for a meat rabbit, and we have since obtained better stock, both in size and having better "breed standard qualities".  He was very tasty, and I'm excited with our decision to raise rabbits. 

We were discussing that during previous economic hard times, in America, people were being encouraged to raise rabbits for meat.  They take very little space, have excellent food conversion, taste great, are very nutrient rich, and are not offensive to neighbors, as they do not make any noise, and with only a few in the yard, do not have much odor associated.  I do know a couple folks who are raising them for their manure, as it's not a hot manure, so it doesn't need to be composted to break down the acid, like chickens.  Really, on many fronts rabbit is far superior to chicken.

I don't have any pictures of the Rabbit because I should have taken one when it was in the dutch oven, looking all lovely and ready for serving, but after we took the meat off the bone, it wasn't as photogenic...but oh, my, it was yummy!