We fixed up the fence yesterday, so now the cows are back on 80% of their pasture - and quite happy.
Iris
Tesla/Tess (the new cow), due to calve in only 3 weeks
I don't think she can get any bigger...
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Happy Cows
It's not even February yet, but the grass is already starting to creep upwards and we've seen the sun three days in a row! By my definition, it's Spring!
We fixed up the fence yesterday, so now the cows are back on 80% of their pasture - and quite happy.
Iris
Tesla/Tess (the new cow), due to calve in only 3 weeks
I don't think she can get any bigger...
We fixed up the fence yesterday, so now the cows are back on 80% of their pasture - and quite happy.
Iris
Tesla/Tess (the new cow), due to calve in only 3 weeks
I don't think she can get any bigger...
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The Story of Cider
Apples...
... and more apples.
Back in October, we made our annual trek over the mountains to Wenatchee, to fill our car with 500 pounds of apples. They came from Feil Orchards, an orchard over one hundred years old that specializes in heirloom varieties, particularly cidering apples. Most apples on the market these days are sweet, juicy, and one-note. Not the old types. Tart and tannic, these apples make for a complex, well-structured cider.
Most of the boxes were grade B's - a mix up of cider varieties, all a bit knobbly and russetted, but ripe and ready for pressing. We also bought a couple boxes (not all heirlooms) for cooking and eating, and to taste by name. Above: Baldwin, Stayman, Karmijn de Sonnaville, Spitzenburg, Arkansas Black, Mutsu/Crispin, and Tsugaru. Plus the pears: Abate Fetel, Flemish Beauty, Harrow Delight. All these apples varieties were found in the cider mix, plus dozens of unidentifiable varieties. Feil Orchards grows over 60 varieties of heirloom apples, and just as many commercial/new varieties. Of the massive quantities of apples we tasted that day, the Karmijn stood out again and again to me. It had a 'sparkle' to it - sweet but very acidic in just the right balance - like Champagne, it had the ability to make your mouth feel more alive.
Grinding the apples.
'Stomping' the apples in the bucket (right) after grinding.
This releases more juice.
The homemade cider press. Juice collects in the pot.
Now envision pouring the fresh cider into 5 gallon glass carboys, adding yeast and apple blossom honey (for more alcohol) and letting them ferment for several months. We filled three carboys - one batch pure Wenatchee apple, one Wenatchee and Vashon, and the third contained pear, apple, and crab apple juice. Many more gallons went home with all of the helpers to be drunk fresh.
Ten weeks later...
The cider is siphoned off, leaving the apple residue at the bottom. More sugar is stirred in to provide for carbonation.
Filling and capping the bottles.
Just some of the newly filled bottles.
And finally, a toast to the trees and the fruit, and to many more years of cidering!
... and more apples.
Back in October, we made our annual trek over the mountains to Wenatchee, to fill our car with 500 pounds of apples. They came from Feil Orchards, an orchard over one hundred years old that specializes in heirloom varieties, particularly cidering apples. Most apples on the market these days are sweet, juicy, and one-note. Not the old types. Tart and tannic, these apples make for a complex, well-structured cider.
Most of the boxes were grade B's - a mix up of cider varieties, all a bit knobbly and russetted, but ripe and ready for pressing. We also bought a couple boxes (not all heirlooms) for cooking and eating, and to taste by name. Above: Baldwin, Stayman, Karmijn de Sonnaville, Spitzenburg, Arkansas Black, Mutsu/Crispin, and Tsugaru. Plus the pears: Abate Fetel, Flemish Beauty, Harrow Delight. All these apples varieties were found in the cider mix, plus dozens of unidentifiable varieties. Feil Orchards grows over 60 varieties of heirloom apples, and just as many commercial/new varieties. Of the massive quantities of apples we tasted that day, the Karmijn stood out again and again to me. It had a 'sparkle' to it - sweet but very acidic in just the right balance - like Champagne, it had the ability to make your mouth feel more alive.
Grinding the apples.
'Stomping' the apples in the bucket (right) after grinding.
This releases more juice.
The homemade cider press. Juice collects in the pot.
Now envision pouring the fresh cider into 5 gallon glass carboys, adding yeast and apple blossom honey (for more alcohol) and letting them ferment for several months. We filled three carboys - one batch pure Wenatchee apple, one Wenatchee and Vashon, and the third contained pear, apple, and crab apple juice. Many more gallons went home with all of the helpers to be drunk fresh.
Ten weeks later...
The cider is siphoned off, leaving the apple residue at the bottom. More sugar is stirred in to provide for carbonation.
Filling and capping the bottles.
Just some of the newly filled bottles.
And finally, a toast to the trees and the fruit, and to many more years of cidering!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
A lot has happened between July 27 and now...
Here is a taste of what's to come:
(pretty recent)
(not quite recent)
(ages ago, but far too good to forget)
And then there's this. We won't go here...
(pretty recent)
(not quite recent)
(ages ago, but far too good to forget)
And then there's this. We won't go here...
Monday, January 3, 2011
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Dinner
More chanterelles!!!
They're so young and perfect; not waterlogged like they will be later in the fall. Less water means less moisture/sogginess when you cook them - and more flavor.
And yes, I did sear that piece of halibut for dinner. We had some buttered zucchini "spaghetti" on the side, then the caramelized chanterelles (with a touch of garlic, white wine, lemon juice, and a healthy dose of butter) strewn over all. Mmm. I'd better go 'shrooming tomorrow...
Monday, July 26, 2010
Joy
Just look at this.
The first chanterelle of the season. Can you believe it? It's July!
The earliest I've seen them before was in September.
I am a very happy person right now.
But I'll be even happier tomorrow when I saute them in butter and either, A: make a fromage blanc and chanterelle tart, or B: add some white wine and Jersey cream and spoon them over a seared hunk o' halibut. There's just so many choices....
The first chanterelle of the season. Can you believe it? It's July!
The earliest I've seen them before was in September.
I am a very happy person right now.
But I'll be even happier tomorrow when I saute them in butter and either, A: make a fromage blanc and chanterelle tart, or B: add some white wine and Jersey cream and spoon them over a seared hunk o' halibut. There's just so many choices....
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Giant Mountain in Our Backyard...
Otherwise known as Mt. Rainier. Actually, these were taken from a few miles away, at Misty Isle Farms. We used to be able to see the mountain from our property, but the surrounding trees have grown over the past ten years.
I didn't even realize there was a full moon when I set out with my camera. Lucky me!
The barn swallows were having a grand time with all the mosquitoes and gnats.
I didn't even realize there was a full moon when I set out with my camera. Lucky me!
The barn swallows were having a grand time with all the mosquitoes and gnats.
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