Southern NY, Dutchess county and below

[smkchick]

Anyhow, today I was just sitting and watching the chickens scratch around and peck at stuff and try to eat my shoes, and pants, and my rings. It was, without a doubt, the most relaxing thing. They are totally relaxing and cathartic. they are SO big now, I was remembering when they were these tiny little fluffy pompoms with legs.

Man, I must be getting old.

They never write, they never call...

So this morning I spent HOURS peeling and slicing apples (TONS of apples) for applesauce and apple butter. Then I showered and went out to tutor at 3pm. I sit down and "Nanny" (the kids Irish grandma) hands me a bag of ....wait for it... APPLES! "These are for you, Suzanne. Do you like apples?" I smiled and fought back the urge to run screaming from the room. AAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!

I just took out two pint jars of applesauce from the slow cooker. The rest will cook for a few more hours for apple butter. yum.

Pumpkin Butter Recipe

9 small pumpkins
1/2 c. Brown sugar
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
1/2 tsp. Ginger
1/8 tsp. Cloves
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 c. Apple Juice

Microwave the pumpkins for 20 minutes. Cut in half and scoop out seeds and gunk. Scrape the meat from the pumpkins into a crockpot. Add brown sugar to taste (about 1/2 cup). I like it a little less sweet, so I skimp on the sugar. Spices also are approximations. I am a big fan of cinnamon. Cloves, not so much. So I use a generous teaspoon of cinnamon and just a pinch of cloves. The apple juice is to keep things moist and add a little acidity.

NOTE: Pumpkin butter is not recommended for canning. So please refrigerate it and eat within a month or so. I processed mine in sterile jars and used a boiling water bath. But that's for me. I won't give it away without instructions for safe storage (free botulism, anyone?).

 

[Sallysec]

They never write, they never call...

So this morning I spent HOURS peeling and slicing apples (TONS of apples) for applesauce and apple butter.  Then I showered and went out to tutor at 3pm.  I sit down and "Nanny" (the kids Irish grandma) hands me a bag of ....wait for it... APPLES!  "These are for you, Suzanne.  Do you like apples?"  I smiled and fought back the urge to run screaming from the room.   AAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!

I just took out two pint jars of applesauce from the slow cooker.  The rest will cook for a few more hours for apple butter. yum.

Pumpkin Butter Recipe

9 small pumpkins
1/2 c. Brown sugar
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
1/2 tsp. Ginger
1/8 tsp. Cloves
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 c. Apple Juice

Microwave the pumpkins for 20 minutes.  Cut in half and scoop out seeds and gunk.  Scrape the meat from the pumpkins into a crockpot.  Add brown sugar to taste (about 1/2 cup).  I like it a little less sweet, so I skimp on the sugar.  Spices also are approximations.  I am a big fan of cinnamon.  Cloves, not so much.  So I use a generous teaspoon of cinnamon and just a pinch of cloves.  The apple juice is to keep things moist and add a little acidity.

NOTE:  Pumpkin butter is not recommended for canning.  So please refrigerate it and eat within a month or so.  I processed mine in sterile jars and used a boiling water bath.  But that's for me.  I won't give it away without instructions for safe storage (free botulism, anyone?).

I am going to have to try the pumpkin butter for my husband, h loves apple butter and pumpkin.....today I'm making coconut chick pea curry soup....the other day it was awesome at a local cafe and now I'm trying it with a twist at home. I really need to find something to make my family eat Brussels sprouts. One plant gives way too many for just me to eat.

 

[Carolyn252]

FIRST EGG! One of my 28-and-a-half-weeks-old buff Orpington pullets gave us her first egg today. It's about two-thirds the size of the Delaware hen's egg, but just the same shade of pink.

I'm thinking LaVerne produced it, cause she's quite a bit larger in size than her best friend Shirley.

 

[queenchick16]

Ok, so here's my next experiment...Apple-jalepeno chutney. Hmmmm. I have loads of apples, loads of jalepenos...sounds like it would be good for chicken, fish....

And I can CAN it!!! 

I should also try pears and jalepenos. Right? 

I'm losing my mind. It's obvious. 

Anyhow, today I was just sitting and watching the chickens scratch around and peck at stuff and try to eat my shoes, and pants, and my rings. It was, without a doubt, the most relaxing thing. They are totally relaxing and cathartic. they are SO big now, I was remembering when they were these tiny little fluffy pompoms with legs. 

Man, I must be getting old. 

Last tear rich made fig chutney,man it was great.

 

[queenchick16]

year

 

[stoopid]

Go Laverne!

 

[smkchick]

YES!!!! If I buy it in bulk it'll probably cost WAY less! Thank you!!

I have 4 lbs. of kirbys - organic. Also a sack full of fresh corn. Interested? I also have a box full of pencils, etc. set aside for you. Thing is, I'm going away this weekend. Do you want me to stop by with the goods sometime tomorrow? I'm gonna be out and about with my friend Kathy for a few hours. I'll PM my cell # so you can get back.

 

[Toxic Chicken]

FIRST EGG!  One of my 28-and-a-half-weeks-old buff Orpington pullets gave us her first egg today.  It's about two-thirds the size of the Delaware hen's egg, but just the same shade of pink.

I'm thinking LaVerne produced it, cause she's quite a bit larger in size than her best friend Shirley.

Congratulations

 

[Toxic Chicken]

I got outbid on eBay for the CL eggs, which I think
I'm happy about. I need to wait for spring before
starting a new hatching project.

 

[Cheeky Chick]

I have 4 lbs. of kirbys - organic. Also a sack full of fresh corn. Interested? I also have a box full of pencils, etc. set aside for you. Thing is, I'm going away this weekend. Do you want me to stop by with the goods sometime tomorrow? I'm gonna be out and about with my friend Kathy for a few hours. I'll PM my cell # so you can get back.

Heck-I'll meet you in the middle! (Huntington is a good 45 minutes from me) Tell me what colors Mohair yarn you'd like! :0) I'll give you a call at a more Godly hour! I have concussion doctor with middle kid at 9:30, I should be free by 11.

My kids will be SO excited about corn! (almost as excited I am by the kirbys!!)