I think I have figured out why I am having trouble keeping
up with this blog.
Yes, I am busy. Who isn’t?
Yes, we’ve had a few unexpected events this year. Who hasn’t?
But I think the truth is that when I hit my one year
blogging anniversary back in August (I think), I began to feel like I was
posting the same things all over again.
Because a farm rolls on the seasons, we pretty much do the
same things at the same time every year.
So, I feel like I really don’t have anything to write that you all haven’t
read before. At least it takes a lot
more effort to think of something that won’t have you yawning.
So any blog entry ideas are welcomed. Any specific questions about what we do might
be helpful too.
In the meantime, I found these photos and realized I never
got around to telling this story…
Back in the summer I was chatting with my young friend about
farming. She mentioned that she would
love to know how to butcher her own meat.
She happen to think it was a skill worth having, but alas, she is a “townie”
and hasn’t the opportunity.
You know I couldn’t let that pass.
We made arrangements for her and any friends, siblings or acquaintances
that wanted to come to be at the farm bright and early one Saturday to butcher two Freedom Rangers that I saved out just for them.
To say I was impressed with them is an understatement. None was shy about jumping right in. Alicia asked if she could please kill one
bird. She just wanted to know that she
could do it. (That is a very good thing
to know about one’s self.) Cherry turned
out to be a very good “gutter”. I don’t
know why I was surprised that Gwen came. But I was, and pleasantly so. Simeon was there too. And what better way to
get to know your fiancée than to go a-butchering?
Plucking went easier than I expected. And I was grateful because it is my very
least favorite part.
When the rest of their family showed up, we put naked birds
on ice and went inside for a waffle brunch.
What an honor to send those birds home with them. And what a blessing to spend a whole morning
with such an uncommonly common-sensical group of people.
I love Alicia's face in the first photo. My sisters are so impressive!
ReplyDeletePost idea: Have Holden document an entire day on the farm. Then, Ian or Seth narrate, telling fun stories and facts. You could do this through text and photo, or you could actually videotape it all! And thus you have "A Day in the Life of a Farm Boy."
Cathy, I so like reading your blog! It makes me feel like I am a little closer to the American life I miss and the amazing Daughtons we love! Thanks for posting!!
ReplyDeleteHI Kathy! I would love some of your tried and true whole food recipes...like how to do up some of those larger cuts of pork (like pork butt...how many times can I roast it and not get tired of it?)...also any great chicken recipes that you've mastered or some great vegetable side dishes from the products of the garden when in season, or canned when it's winter and you've put some stuff by. I also think that some wonderful things would be to see how you make do on the farm when you need a fix for something that might be broken or you need expanding. Seeing how this is actually done on a farm can be really beneficial for people to see beyond the scope of "just replace it" when things break. And for those of us on a budget, it's great to see some inventive ideas if you come up with them. Just a couple thoughts that might help you with some stuff I know I'd like to see. Thanks! And Happy New Year to you and your family, God bless, ~Vonnie, NH
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear favorite book lists--what your favorite books are, family favorites/great read-alouds, your boys' favorites, etc.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I loved the post! There wasn't enough room in the car load that came early for the butchering, and I was sad not to be able to see. I loved getting to hear all about it from your perspective!