Maine Ocean Sunrise

I was lucky enough to see some beautiful sunrises while in Maine!

Common Ground Fair

I spent the weekend at the Common Ground Fair in Maine with my family. This fair specializes in organic and sustainable agriculture and always has many interesting demonstrations and talks as well as great local food, music, and craftspeople selling their crafts.

The incredible array of tomatoes.

Beautiful prize-winning purple cauliflower

Draft goats!

Beautiful beans, unlike any I've ever seen. The variety is called 'Bahimba', and I am really hoping that I can get my hands on some seed.

 

 

 

 

Peppers and tomatoes!

More Popcorn!

This incredibly beautiful variety of popcorn is called 'Calico'.

Rabbit Wool

 I plucked Mocha, my angora rabbit for the first time last week. Angora rabbits molt every few months, and their loose wool must be plucked out. This does not hurt the rabbits since the wool slips out easily. The pictures show Mocha before and after being plucked.

 

The first egg from my Icelandic chickens!

First Popcorn Test

I couldn't wait any longer, I had to test out my 'Early Pink' popcorn, and it worked! Although most of the ears still need to dry more, a few were ready (or almost ready and I couldn't wait any longer) to pop.  Because the corn I used could have dried for a bit longer, quite a few kernels didn't pop, but it won't be long until it is all dry. The picture shows and ear of dry popcorn sitting next to a small ear's worth of popped corn.

The beginnings of my popcorn harvest!

The beginnings of my popcorn harvest! This variety is called 'Early Pink'.

Dry Beans

I'm all finished harvesting and shelling dry beans.

More corn drying in the basement!

Some of my corn and beans drying on the porch

Another Zucchini Recipe!

The original recipe was from this blog: http://www.popapajoe.com/2013/09/z-jerky-delicious-way-to-use-giant.html

I have made some changes to the original recipe, and I think this salty, chewy treat is a great way to use zucchini that has somehow managed to hide and not be noticed until it is two feet long. This recipe takes a little bit more time than my zucchini chip recipe, but it is definitely worth it!

•    5 lbs. Large Zucchini - ends cut off, seeds scooped out, and sliced lengthwise into 3 or 4 inch long finger-thick slabs
•    1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
•    1/4 cup barbecue Sauce
•    1/8 cup Olive Oil
•    4 Tbsp Better-Than-Boullion vegetable base
•    2 Tbsp Liquid Smoke
•    1 Tbsp Onion Powder
•    1 tsp Ground Cumin
•    1 tsp Garlic Powder
•    1/8 tsp Smoked Paprika

Mix together everything but the zucchini in a large pan and then add the zucchini.  Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes, stirring the mixture occasionally so that all the zucchini slices are evenly coated and cooked.  Take the zucchini out of the liquid with tongs (you can reuse the remaining liquid as a base for stir-fry or in a soup) and place skin side down (to prevent sticking) on the racks of a food dehydrator. Dry the zucchini at 135° F until you get thin chewy jerky-like strips (took me about 12 hours).  Store in an airtight container and enjoy!

More Corn

Another corn variety that I am growing, 'Dakota Ivory'

Painted Mountain Corn

This is a variety of corn called Painted Mountain. It can be ground into cornmeal or made into hominy. It is one my favorites to grow because it is so beautiful and it matures early.