Farmer Brown

The days have been filled with cabin work, lawn mowing and best of all.........asparagus picking and canning!   I think it is coming on fast and furious compared to other years.  Each morning after chores I check the asparagus bed and at least 2 pints or 1 quart needs picked.  I rinse it and let it set in a bowl covered with water and ice for the day.  By afternoon it is ready to pickle.  Two pints of dill and garlic, two pints of just cider brine and 1 quart of hot pepper flakes added.  On top of the canning we have had two suppers with asparagus as the veggie or main event.  We bought a pound of different variety type mushrooms, fried them lightly (because they were so light and tender) next we lightly browned the asparagus, added more butter (everything is better with butter), olive oil, salt and pepper.  Tossed it in cooked spaghetti and we had supper.  Crusty bread on the side made the meal.  I love easy fixes and this is one for sure.  Next time I plan on using hot pepper flakes and a little prosciutto in it and a spiral pasta.  Can ya tell I like pasta?  Before the end of season a pot of cream of asparagus soup will be on the menu.  Winter is officially over, even though there were flakes in the air today.  Canning season is officially starting.  The rhubarb is also in full swing.  My niece got her spring fix and even shared a delicious rhubarb pie with us.  Next week I will be making strawberry/rhubarb sauce and putting some up for the upcoming cold winter.....gotta think ahead around Cook'n by the Creek.  I always tuck away 2 pounds of frozen strawberries from the previous summer for rhubarb sauce and jelly. 

Every morning the garden gives us a gift.  I swear
we could watch it grow! 

From garden to plate, the work is worth the taste.

Speaking of gardens, let me tell ya about a fella that moved from Shinglehouse long ago.  He went to school here, then off to the military and ended up in Edna, Texas.  We hadn't seen Bob Brown in 50 years until his 50th class reunion last June.  We were lucky enough to have him and his wife visit us for a day.  Coffee Up, is Bob's famous saying.  We did just that, plenty of coffee during the day.  I might have met my match on a coffee drinker.  He even liked the JMC I had.  Ok, so he got interested in gardening and .............yes..........chickens.  We have been messaging back and forth with a question/answer session and I might say, he is a natural.  Being in south Texas he has been harvesting green bean, cukes and tators already. Sending pictures and making me wish it was garden time here.  That would mean summers end so I won't wish it away.  I will just enjoy "Farmer Brown's" pictures and messages.  Go......Farmer Brown....you are doing great for a first year farmer!

Nice looking red potatoes!

Just the way they should be, straight and dark green.

The other day I rode along with Dick while he went to get cracked corn.  I hadn't been up Kings Run that far in years.  It was beautiful with memories of visiting my cousins.  The ones that were closest to my age were Larry and Grace Gross.  The visits were few but the memories still fulfill the place I hold dear in my heart.  It was a time that it was just me and mom riding along and chattering.  She loved spring with the May flowers, Violets, Adders Tongues and Stink Pots. I guess they are really Trilliums. When she would see some we would always stop and pick bouquets to take home.  The ride the other day made me smile every time I saw the beautiful spring flowers.  So, do you know what I am talking about when I say Adders Tongues?  I think I better go google that and see what they are really called.

The "stink pot"

The Adder's Tongue or Erythronium Americanumes.  I'll stick
to Adder's Tongue!

Along with the wild flowers in full bloom the apple trees (wild and tame) are gorgeous and loaded with blossoms.  Also the wild strawberry plants  are in full bloom along with our tame blueberry bushes.  Now, I sometimes like to worry (wink) which makes me worry that a frost or freeze is going to come along in May and ruin the fruits harvest this year.  Last year was plentiful and we were able to have our annual apple squeezing, cider making day.  Could we be lucky enough to have it two years in a row!  Only time will tell what will be. 

Last week we went to Lowes.  Sound exciting?  For me it is!  I planned on shopping for new sandals and a couple outfits that I desperately need...............but.............Lowes..............was the store for me.  Much easier picking out a few tools that I have wanted for quite a while.  Like, wood chisels and a hand planner.  All mine..........until the guy decided he was in need to use them.  How did he get along without them?  They are handy little tools to have, I wanted them for when I start my Kuksa which I hope will be soon.  Just looking for that perfect piece of wood to use.

We are headed down the home stretch.  Windows are all
cased in and soon the chair rail and ceiling trim
will be just a memory.