Vinnie and I went on our first real hike since I broke my leg

The entrance to Black Mt. from Dutton Farm Road.

Man made pond on the property

Vinnie listening to the chipmunks

The only way is up. Took about 30 min. to reach the top

Vinnie surveying the land

Top of Black Mountain, facing North

Looking East. You can see New Hampshire and Mount Monadnock in the distance

Facing North

Going North-West

Facing West

Facing North-East

The fog over the valley

Perfect Pickles Post

 We've always wanted to learn how to can, and figured now was the time to learn! We went to our friends' home (Laura and Terry) and were given a two hour Pickle Class. Class began with us all donning matching aprons made by Laura. Don't we look professional? 
  Then, we chopped the cucumbers and systematically placed them in jars. You think this is child's play? No! There is a precise method for stuffing cucumbers in jars, which involves putting the slices all in one way on the bottom, and then the opposite way on the next stacking. Near end pieces are good for the sides because they are more curvy. 
  To make the brine, we mixed the spices (Mrs. Wages' packet), 7 cups of sugar, and close to 7 cups of white vinegar in a non-reactive pan and brought everything almost to boiling. I did not know that pickles required that much sugar! Terry's comment was, "Don't worry, you'll be happy later!" 
  Once the brine was done cooking, we poured it in the jars over the cucumbers, put a knife into the jar to get out any air bubbles, and topped them off. We placed lids on the jars and lowered them into boiling water with a rack. They stayed there for 6-12 minutes depending on the jar size. We took the jars out and placed them on a towel to cool. You know the seal is good when the middle of the jar pops down.
  We all had a great time. Thanks, Professor Laura!

Seven cups of sugar!!

Finished pickles

 

How impressive is this array of canning!!

A day on the farm

    

  

  It's been a while since I've written about work on the farm, mainly because I've been busy working. Friday started out very misty and overcast. What looks like a mountain in the distance is actually the compost pile!

  In between harvesting, the weather cleared up, and the goats, who had been out to pasture, began their daily escape from the electric fence. Bad goats! Here are two nice little brothers, who unfortunately are already being corrupted by Tanta.  (She likes to escape more than anything.) They follow her out into the big world and run around and get into trouble.

                                                                                                     After lunch we went to the high tunnel, which is a short drive away, harvested tomatoes and peppers, and then prepared two beds to plant kale. I found this toad in some weeds. I believe he's either thinking, Don't eat me, or Kiss me, I turn into a prince.                                -Farmer Terri

This is the farm seen from the field known as South America.