We are still in a cool and wet period. Three inches so far. Things have greened up quickly. We have mowed one time.
First of all I want to report on the new "yard crew" (2 people). First day they trimmed and picked up all the debris from the yard.....took three hours.
They were back today. The soil is still too wet to do digging or tilling. Now, I have a country yard.....which means no delineated beds or formal edgings but since I hope to have them do my trimming (fence rows, front ditch and around beds, I decided to try his suggestion of what I think is an English type of edging. They dig a flat bladed spade into the edge around the bed and remove the sod toward the bed leaving about a 6 inch deep trench. He says once I mulch (once they mulch) then grass does not encroach passed the trench and he just uses the trimmer on edge to keep it sharp. I certainly isn't my style but it is very tidy looking. I hope the look grows on me. I know I need help to keep things under control so I may have change my thinking a bit.
This morning (Saturday) is another very cool and cloudy day. The Seckel pear and the apple tree are in full bloom and the pie cherry is just beginning. My plants under the lights and on the patio seem to be at a standstill. I may move them back inside for warmth.
I have made butter three times now. I started by saving for three days but that is too much for my food processor so I am doing it every two days now.
I hope the thickness of the cream shows here. It is skimmed in globs that almost stand up on the cup.
I tried to use both but the mixer was way too slow so I just used the food processor in two batches. It makes almost before you are ready.
Finished product . I used the spatula as a butter paddle to work in the salt.
I actually weighed and froze this in 8 oz. pieces....not doing that anymore.
Farm is going well. We have made arrangements to take two cows to the vet next week. The heifer for dehorning and an older cows for a foot trim. Max will have help for that project. He doesn't like to haul cattle much these days.
Here is hoping for some warmer days and sunshine!
First of all I want to report on the new "yard crew" (2 people). First day they trimmed and picked up all the debris from the yard.....took three hours.
They were back today. The soil is still too wet to do digging or tilling. Now, I have a country yard.....which means no delineated beds or formal edgings but since I hope to have them do my trimming (fence rows, front ditch and around beds, I decided to try his suggestion of what I think is an English type of edging. They dig a flat bladed spade into the edge around the bed and remove the sod toward the bed leaving about a 6 inch deep trench. He says once I mulch (once they mulch) then grass does not encroach passed the trench and he just uses the trimmer on edge to keep it sharp. I certainly isn't my style but it is very tidy looking. I hope the look grows on me. I know I need help to keep things under control so I may have change my thinking a bit.
This morning (Saturday) is another very cool and cloudy day. The Seckel pear and the apple tree are in full bloom and the pie cherry is just beginning. My plants under the lights and on the patio seem to be at a standstill. I may move them back inside for warmth.
I have made butter three times now. I started by saving for three days but that is too much for my food processor so I am doing it every two days now.
I hope the thickness of the cream shows here. It is skimmed in globs that almost stand up on the cup.
I tried to use both but the mixer was way too slow so I just used the food processor in two batches. It makes almost before you are ready.
Finished product . I used the spatula as a butter paddle to work in the salt.
Farm is going well. We have made arrangements to take two cows to the vet next week. The heifer for dehorning and an older cows for a foot trim. Max will have help for that project. He doesn't like to haul cattle much these days.
Here is hoping for some warmer days and sunshine!
