Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Opa]

Black walnut add a unique flavor to many baked goods and we have used them my entire life. There flavor lends well with apples and one of my favorite desserts growing up was an apple cake with raisins and black walnuts. Since there flavor is quite pungent you need to start with few nuts than you would with english walnuts and increase the amount with each successive baking until you reach a level that fits your palate.

The soft outer hull is a deterrent for many folks since removing it can be very messy. The hulls steeped in water was often used for a dark rich stain for furniture. Removing the hulls will stain your fingers quite dark unless you use gloves. One the nut itself is extracted the real work begins. Black walnuts are extremely hard and difficult to crack and give up their meat grudgingly. Once you've cracked them you will have to use a pick to extract the flesh and even when finished you will still need to search them thoroughly to insure that the extremely hard interconnecting shell fragments are removed. Nothing ruins the enjoyment of a cake fresh from the oven as biting down on a hard piece of shell.

While black walnuts are a lot of work, you won't be using as many as you would with other nuts so harvesting a year's supply isn't that difficult.

 

[Peep-Chicken]

We are switching over to natural gas from propane. The bad news, we just got a new water heater last month! Now we have to get another new one. We gave to concert out stove and anything on propane.

Good news, won't have have to spend so much money each month. More money for the chickens to enjoy their treats! Lol

 

[taprock]

Opa I'm sorry you will be missing the big day on Friday, maybe your son can tie you up one for later. Take care of yourself. My cousin ended up with an infection in his elbow that took 6 months of very serious treatment to finally get rid of it.

Yesterday I was thinking this winter might be interesting since it is only November and I already am sick of it. It comes down to the facts that I hate driving in "sugar" after rolling my car a couple years back and I won't be warm again until June. It is nice only for the fact I have lots of time inside to work on crafts and projects. I finished my first Christmas present yesterday. I also just took up needle felting and am having a great time with it.

Sometimes I miss the wood stove to curl up in front of on these cold days and then I think of hauling wood and am thankful for our running water (geothermal).

 

[Peep-Chicken]

Guys I need thought! We have 2 bantam girls 1 LF roo and one LF girl. Our speckled Sussex Roo is very sweet. Will he crush my bantams if he mounts them? I would like to know so I can decide what to do.

 

[RaZ]

Sometimes I miss the wood stove to curl up in front of on these cold days and then I think of hauling wood and am thankful for our running water (geothermal).

That is what I had to do first thing this morning. Gather firewood. At least I have a lot stacked under the back porch so it is dry and ready to go.

I'm not looking forward to docent duty today. Kids have the attention span of gnats, taking them on the trails in the cold reduces that span even further.

 

[snowflake]

I know alot of you stock n store. I cook w/walnuts alot at the holidays and on CL today, real close to me, someone has a bushel of blk walnuts hulled and dried but not cracked. I have never used these, is it a good deal and I want or are they a different walnut you don't use often. Thanks, Lana

as others have already said black walnuts have a very strong flavor, My husband loves black walnut icecream, hard to find but on occasion I will find it and get him some, it lasts a long time as he is the only one that likes the bitter taste,I think you need to acquire a taste for them


Opa infections that close to the heart are very dangerous I hope they are keeping a close watch on you, Take care

sorry about hunting, that is always hard to miss,,,,,

I have to agree with you on winter, I used to love it, some how driing on icy roads every day to work and working out in the cold kind of gave me my fill, I still enjoy seeing the snow and watching the grand kids slide down the hill, even go out and slide with them, but it could be a lot shorter and I would be happy

 

[snowflake]

Nova, how much of the white stuff did you get?? over by the lake they got some heavy powdering

those of you up north are dealing with it to I hear, hope no one got s-----ed in

 

[gladahmae]

Guys I need thought! We have 2 bantam girls 1 LF roo and one LF girl. Our speckled Sussex Roo is very sweet. Will he crush my bantams if he mounts them? I would like to know so I can decide what to do.

I have a lone bantam in with my layers and big Wyandotte roo and the only "damage" she had was missing feathers on her back. I put a saddle on her and she's just fine. I used to also have a silkie in with them but a hawk or something got her in July.

 

[SillyChicken]

Sam, I hope you heal fast and can get out to do some hunting. I'm sure the infection and surgery keeping you from doing what you want is a great source of frustration for you. Please just take it easy!!

 

[chickflick]

I had a roo mount a bantam and cause internal damage. Poor little bantam died a few days later.

We got snow and it's still here!

But, when the sun is shining and there's no wind, I love to take walks in winter. The quiet beauty is just so breath taking! And..... I don't sweat!

Enjoy your day and be safe!