One Size?
One of the things you learn to love about growing your own is the fact that not all things are created equal and one size does not fit all. When you harvest your homegrown veg, every head of broccoli looks different, tomatoes are different sizes, things are not exact cookie cutters of each other. The same goes for eggs from a flock of backyard chickens. They come in all shapes and sizes (and colors if you’ve got the right hens).
I also notice that the shells vary in shades of brown and the eggs are shaped differently as well. Some have shells that are thicker than others, I guess it depends on the chicken that laid that egg. There is as much individuality among the eggs as there is among the chickens in my flock.
There’s a definite beauty in variety, it certainly makes things more pleasing to the eye, but there are other benefits as well. The smaller eggs have a higher ratio of yolk to white, that means they’re perfect for custards or ice cream. Noticing the difference and learning to appreciate each thing for what it brings to the table is quite nice. Now, if I go into a grocery store I’m actually taken aback by the uniformity. Around here, one size definitely does not fit all and we like it that way!
What’s your favorite “imperfect” home produced food?
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Friday Favorite: Maximizing
I’m definitely an efficient person, always analyzing how to get the most out of everything, whether it be my time, or my garden. Before eating a blood orange the other morning, I grated off the outer layer of peel to try for my pantry. When I eat a grapefruit, the peels are thrown in my vinegar jar to produce citrus vinegar for cleaning.
The beauty of citrus, is that the zest can be mixed with salt or sugar as well to preserve it. By doing this, you will not only maximize the money you spent on the citrus, but you’ll have a wonderful staple for your pantry. Lemon or orange salt is perfect when cooking, a dash of citrus will often brighten all the flavors in the dish. Citrus sugar is also heavenly in scones or other deserts.
If you plan on saving the peel, make sure you’re buying organic fruit and wash it with a non-toxic soap before zesting. You should never throw out a lemon/orange/grapefruit peel with the zest still on it. Might as well maximize your grocery dollars in any way you can!
What’s your favorite type of citrus?
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The Sun
Mr Chiots always jokes that I’m like to sun and it’s probably not for the reason you’d expect. You see, here at Chiot’s Run, everything revolves around me. Why? Because I fill the food bowls.
When I’m in the house, I have 2 cats and a dog that are always close by waiting for a hand out. When I’m outside, there are cats, dogs, ducks and chickens that follow me around. It’s especially evident when it’s nice outside and everyone is out and about.
Whenever I head outside, animals come out of the woodwork hoping for a snack of some kind. It’s rather amusing actually, though it can be annoying at times. When I head up to the coop to check for eggs, I really don’t need all 13 chickens to follow me up there. When I want to move from the kitchen to the office, I don’t need to be tripping over cats and dogs.
It’s funny how that is, the person providing the food somehow becomes the center of those around them. Others rely on us for nourishment. That’s not a bad place to be, except sometimes I feel like they’re sneaking up on me plotting their attack. Mr Chiots and I joke that someday, when I forget to feed the animals, he’ll find me all tied up like Gulliver!
Are you the primary food provider in your household? Do you find animals/people following you around?
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Quote of the Day: Maria Augusta Trapp
One of the greatest things in human life is the ability to make plans. Even if they never come true-the joy of anticipation is irrevocably ours. That way one can live many more thank just one life.
Maria Augusta Trapp in The Story of the Trapp Family Singers
Mr Chiots and I always find ourselves with long lists of things we plan on doing, especially when it comes to travel. We will someday drive to the west coast and Alaska, someday we’ll find ourselves on that long flight to Hawaii. We have plans to visit all the National Parks. None of these will happen this year, we’re simply too busy to take that much time off. We decided that our tiny trailer had to make a voyage this summer, even if it’s only somewhere close by.
Where will we go? We’re thinking Prince Edward Island. It’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to go. We haven’t nailed down a time to go, probably later in the summer when we’ve got everything to a state where we can be away for a few days. It’s been such a long and crazy year, I can’t wait to go camp somewhere and have some time to relax!
Do you have any great trips near or far planned for this summer?
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Patiently Waiting
Dexter is patiently waiting for gardening season to arrive. He has been enjoying some outside time, but he much prefers to be outside when I’m around. He likes to follow me around the garden.
I’m with Dexter, I can hardly wait to get out and start digging in the soil. At least I have indoor seedlings to tend.
What gardening chores are you most looking forward to?
