animal kingdom / DAILY FARM LIFE / IN MY KITCHEN / life on thomas run

creative juices

Sometimes, when I disappear from my blog, it's because something is sucking all the creative juices out of my body, leaving me feeling empty; like I have nothing to say, nothing worth sharing, nothing worth noting. Other times, when I disappear, it's because I'm up to my elbows in life–schooling, gardening, children, cleaning, laundry, knitting.

Thankfully, this time I can say my short absence is due to the later. I've actually been sitting in front a sewing machine–something I haven't done in a really long time. I've been stitching little things, by hand. I've been reading, lingering outside when the sun shows its face from behind the clouds, attacking a closet full of smelly laundry, exercising, taking pictures, cooking*….all good things.

good day to be a chicken

Yesterday, I took a big bowl of scraps out to the chickens. I have to confess not everything in the bowl was completely spent. But I went to the grocery store yesterday and needed some fridge space. And these were the leftovers from last week's meals. It has been interesting to see which things disappear first–the rice I threw in after the picture was taken, the moldy pancakes (which I suspect disappeared into the mouth of a four-legged beast), the tomatoes and pepper seeds.

Dan is building me a compost bin this weekend, finally, and I have a feeling I'll have a lot of clucking and scratching and pecking going on around it.

last one

I also defrosted the last batch of summer berries. I didn't freeze very many, and I'm regretting that now. I'll have to remind myself of this come hot, sticky, summertime, when I don't really feel like being in the kitchen. But there's nothing better than summer berries in the freezer.

Dan left me an online shopping cart full of seeds he wants to order for the garden. I've added the flowers I want for a cutting garden and the neighbor is going to plow our plot with his tractor this weekend, if things dry out.

Spring is definitely showing its face around here.

*I made this Everyday Food recipe last night, swapped out the shells with orzo pasta. It was killer good.*

Sometimes, when I disappear from my blog, it's because something is sucking all the creative juices out of my body, leaving me feeling empty; like I have nothing to say, nothing worth sharing, nothing worth noting. Other times, when I disappear, it's because I'm up to my elbows in life–schooling, gardening, children, cleaning, laundry, knitting.

Thankfully, this time I can say my short absence is due to the later. I've actually been sitting in front a sewing machine–something I haven't done in a really long time. I've been stitching little things, by hand. I've been reading, lingering outside when the sun shows its face from behind the clouds, attacking a closet full of smelly laundry, exercising, taking pictures, cooking*….all good things.

good day to be a chicken

Yesterday, I took a big bowl of scraps out to the chickens. I have to confess not everything in the bowl was completely spent. But I went to the grocery store yesterday and needed some fridge space. And these were the leftovers from last week's meals. It has been interesting to see which things disappear first–the rice I threw in after the picture was taken, the moldy pancakes (which I suspect disappeared into the mouth of a four-legged beast), the tomatoes and pepper seeds.

Dan is building me a compost bin this weekend, finally, and I have a feeling I'll have a lot of clucking and scratching and pecking going on around it.

last one

I also defrosted the last batch of summer berries. I didn't freeze very many, and I'm regretting that now. I'll have to remind myself of this come hot, sticky, summertime, when I don't really feel like being in the kitchen. But there's nothing better than summer berries in the freezer.

Dan left me an online shopping cart full of seeds he wants to order for the garden. I've added the flowers I want for a cutting garden and the neighbor is going to plow our plot with his tractor this weekend, if things dry out.

Spring is definitely showing its face around here.

*I made this Everyday Food recipe last night, swapped out the shells with orzo pasta. It was killer good.*

21 comments on “creative juices”

  1. Ooh berries. I can’t wait to get our garden going soon. if it would just stop snowing and dry out a little bit. We’re going to plant some blueberry and raspberry bushes this year too. I love it!

  2. I know! I know! I went a little crazy with the throwing out and feeding chickens. But in my defense, a chicken was standing on a bench, looking in the kitchen window as I was filling the scrap bowl!

  3. I live in NY and am starting a garden….would love to know where you are ordering from and some suggestions…thanks!jamie

  4. you make me laugh, girlie! Peppers are a hot commodity at my house. If one even starts to look wrinkly I roast it, slice it, and freeze it. But they don’t usually last that long.

  5. Hi Jamie. We’re ordering our seeds from Park Seed Companyat the recommendation of a friend. And really this is our first real-deal vegetable garden. We didn’t move into the house in time to plant one last spring. We’ve basically just ordered a bunch of stuff that we think we’ll eat (or learn to eat) and figure we’ll go by trial and error. If you want to know more specifics, I’d be happy to share my “shopping” list with you. Just let me know!

  6. I’m cracking up at the image of those chickens looking in the window at you! Too funny!

    Oh and that Everyday Food recipe is a big time favorite here. “Killer good” is a very apt description. 🙂

  7. Hi Meg! I was thinking the same thing and feeling very guilty about throwing it out. But then I remembered how many eggs they’ve given us, so I decided it was okay to share.

  8. Emily, I figure if I ate the leftovers for lunch today, and then actually considered making it again tomorrow, it’s definitely a winner. 🙂

  9. TypePadYes, I had changed over to the new way but found it too confusing and sometimes I want to respond but do not want it posted so I cahnged abck to the old way.

    We will be here too for Easter. I guess we will see you there.Sarah

  10. yes….i would love to know, if you have time….we had a huge garden when i was a kid, but this is my first “real” attempt as an adult….and now that we own a house and some land, I would love to make it a family project. I’ve browsed several seed catalogs online, and felt overwhelmed…..any suggestions would be awesome! Jamie

  11. I think making it with whole wheat pasta would make it even more pt-friendly. It is so good! And the sewing?? I’ll share soon. I’m almost done. 🙂

  12. Thanks for sharing the great recipe. I have just a few bags of frozen strawberry slices left from last summer, but we’re back into fresh strawberries here, hooray!

  13. We get strawberries in the summer and we picked a bunch to freeze, but not nearly enough so I can relate! 🙂 I have to drive an hour to get to the fields, though; I’m envious of your garden. It’s wonderful for kids to have space and nature to roam around in.

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