tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29950759580797871102024-03-14T05:29:38.507-04:00Cotton Hill CreameryCotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-14883973055692166232017-04-09T20:54:00.002-04:002017-04-09T20:54:55.973-04:00Picking Up<div style="text-align: justify;">
What a glorious spring day! In the middle of a pasture reseeding project, I took a long break with the goats. We watched Farmer Fin tinker with some fencing while we lounged around in the sun. Jolene and I spent some quality time. She is one of the two-year-olds, born in the Sundgau year (Sundgau is the name for her color way, the mostly black goats in our Alpine herd), when nearly all of the kids looked just like her. They were indistinguishable. We kept Jolene and Angie.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noSKTZDyPT4/WOrP_FnzAII/AAAAAAAAB_s/T3fvVSQgdxw26OvFCau74hAMYpRmuABDgCLcB/s1600/IMG_3863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-noSKTZDyPT4/WOrP_FnzAII/AAAAAAAAB_s/T3fvVSQgdxw26OvFCau74hAMYpRmuABDgCLcB/s400/IMG_3863.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Normally, we'd be caring for a bunch of babies by mid-April, but we bred the goats really late in the fall and winter. It was pretty much absent-mindedness, and it means we are cutting it really close for our first market, in a month. C'est la vie; what's done is done. The opportunity in this screw-up is that since we don't have to deliver babies and feed them and milk goats and all that - basically, run our business - for a few extra weeks this year, we have time to enjoy these first days of spring sunshine and hang with the herd.</div>
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"We" includes Tali, our 18-month-old Anatolian Shepherd. We found a new home for her brother last week. Now we are focusing on training her, patiently, strictly, and mindfully, to be a good working dog. Tali had an excellent day today. She came when I called, sat on command, and kept her movements slow and steady around the goats. She's a teenager, and I know she will challenge us, but she is capable of being this good. We miss her brother a lot. </div>
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The goats probably don't miss him though. They were fat and happy today. Coffee did some intense stretching this afternoon. Also she is very round.</div>
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I'm disappointed at our lousily timed kidding season this year - one week earlier and we could have started during my school break - but we definitely have enough projects to keep us busy through April. Spring days just beg to be filled. For today, though, I'm satisfied and sleepy.</div>
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<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-23413426879463743632016-09-02T10:00:00.003-04:002016-09-02T10:08:09.194-04:00Waning Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The last days of August are bittersweet for us humans (particularly schoolteacher humans). Nights have grown cool here on the hill, a welcome change from the heat earlier in the month, and early mornings are dark once again. There's still plenty of green to eat, and the flies are not as annoying as in midsummer. Folks are telling me we will have a tough winter, but the critters don't know that yet.</div>
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Some, like Bluebell here, are relishing the last of the lazy days of summer.<br />
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Others, feeling the hint of fall in the air, feel frisky!</div>
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The end of each day brings the promise of rest. We hope your holiday weekend is summery-sweet.</div>
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<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-58463957246522885132016-07-13T16:13:00.000-04:002016-07-13T16:13:36.980-04:00Summer Faces<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Do you miss us? Here are some faces around the farm.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Three Sisters, Waiting for Whey </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade Wants a Kiss</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talu in the Pasture</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pansy in the Garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same to You, Tali</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Scare Crow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gelfie!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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I guess Farmer Fin is camera shy. </div>
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Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-33791708471606645292016-04-23T16:01:00.000-04:002016-04-23T16:01:01.402-04:00Spring Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
If you have been checking the blog for dramatic pictures of our snow-covered hill, I am sorry for the disappointment. Winter never fully committed to upstate NY this year, making life much easier, but also raising some concerns over water levels in our aquifers. I guess we will see. In lieu of watching the snow fall, we spent the last few months watching the livestock guardian dogs, Talu and Tali, grow. We got them around Thanksgiving, when they were eight weeks old, from our friends at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tworockranch/?fref=ts">Two Rock Ranch</a>, a nearby sheep farm. They were about the size of loaves of bread.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tali, left, Tennis Ball for Scale, and Talu, right</td></tr>
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They have been growing like crazy, and now they are bigger than the house dog. Here's Talu playing with Cooper in the front yard a month or so ago. </div>
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All winter, they followed me around the hill doing our minimal winter chores. Their bark is impressive, and I do not think the coyotes will come anywhere near with these two around.</div>
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After the snowless winter, spring is still magnificent, with buds on the lilacs and apple trees, and of course, baby goats! We kicked off the season with Pansy's triplets, two does and a buck, not that it matters really, since we are keeping no babies this year (ask me in May if I was able to stick to that - baby goats are really cute).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pansy's Triplets on Their First Day</td></tr>
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Then Jasmine had two bucks, adorable and chamois-colored, and Juno had two black ones.</div>
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We had a population explosion this week, including some first timers, like Raindrops, who had one single doe. She is a style icon, with her white belt and one white boot.</div>
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Yesterday, we had three does kidding at the same time, right when I got home from school. It was an intense experience that I hope to avoid next year. Jade had her twins in the field.</div>
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The dogs are generally amazing with kidding moms. They maintain a respectful distance, mostly, but they are still puppies and need occasional reminders to stop licking the new kids. Their breed has been developed for thousands of years, and their intuition is astounding to me. </div>
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We are almost halfway through this year's kidding, and will be making our first cheese of 2016 this week. Here we go!</div>
Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-32332649207193310422015-11-28T11:27:00.000-05:002015-11-28T11:27:00.239-05:00Animal Personnel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
At the beginning of November, we did some goat shuffling, moving the yearling does back home, and this spring's doelings down to the neighbors' place. The yearlings grew a lot over the summer, and they are ready to be bred.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victory and Bergamot</td></tr>
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In previous years, breeding season involved a lot of driving back and forth, with a goat in the back of the pickup, to a farm with a buck in a neighboring town twenty minutes away. This year, we are saving time and gas by borrowing a buck. He is staying in his own shed in the pasture so he can interact with the other goats, but we won't have any surprise babies in the spring. It's the Love Shack. His name is Emeril, but we call him Disco Hair, because of the fancy puff at the top of his head.</div>
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I was apprehensive at first, expecting him to barrel through the newly-reinforced door of his shed to get some lovin', but he's actually pretty easygoing, albeit smelly. Male goats, in case you didn't know, smell awful during breeding season. There is a little spot on the top of his head where I can pet him without regretting it. He's very friendly to us humans, and very very friendly to the lady goats.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flirting with Juniper</td></tr>
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We also have a new farm dog, a happy goofy boy with limitless energy who loves every creature he meets and is becoming an excellent fetch player. I expect there will be a few more interesting personnel updates over the coming weeks, so stay tuned!</div>
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<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-61561522196962998792015-10-11T10:02:00.000-04:002015-10-11T10:02:00.883-04:00Autumn in (Upstate) New York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Our 2015 season is winding down. Again this year, we learned a lot about farming, business, people, goats, our land, and ourselves. I am looking forward to a winter of rest and reflection. In the meantime though, we are all embracing autumn. The leaves are at peak color this week.</div>
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Apple trees are laden with fruit, which is the goats' favorite thing about autumn. Juniper has the best nom-nom face:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Apple-y and the Ecstasy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They could have their own apples, but Junie's looks so good</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Diva</td></tr>
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Days are getting shorter, and we are down to once-a-day milkings, which means a little more sleep. The sun does not rise until after 7:00 now, but the sunrises have been magnificent on our east-facing hill.</div>
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The sunsets are quite lovely too. There's still some autumn to enjoy, and we are, well, we're milking it!</div>
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<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-89138940153139651332015-08-12T10:42:00.000-04:002015-10-11T10:02:34.485-04:00Memorial to An Unlikely Farm Dog<div style="text-align: justify;">
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In October 2008, a compassionate vet tech named Bobbi discovered an emaciated pit bull tied up outside of a smoldering trailer in a junkyard near the clinic where she worked in Newburgh, NY. She knew she had to rescue him, so she racked her brain for someone who might take him. She remembered a former co-worker who liked pit bulls, so she called him first. As it happened, he had just bought a house in the country and was looking for a dog. </div>
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The next day, she approached the abandoned dog, tossing cans of cat food his way until she was close enough to touch him. He let her untie him and take him to her office, where he was neutered and vaccinated in preparation for his new life. He was severely underweight, dirty, and spotted with burn marks from the fire, but he wagged his tail whenever he saw his rescuer.</div>
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The man Bobbi called was Farmer Fin, and the dog, whom we named Bird, became our companion for almost seven years. I want to tell you all about him while I can still remember all the details: the way his paws smelled, the feel of the fur on his face, the sound of his dream barking, his patience and sense of humor. He was so sweet and beautiful and funny, and I will never forget him. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden Guard, 2009</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>We took the dog home just a few days after he was rescued. At the time, we had a really mean cat named Max. When we walked in the door with the new dog, Max greeted us, standing up on his hind legs to put his front paws on the dog's shoulders. Max liked Bird more than he liked us, or anyone really.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird in October 2008</td></tr>
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Only a few days after we got Bird, there was a freak October snowstorm. Fin was at work in New York City, and Bird and I wandered around the property in the snow, both of us getting to know the place and one another. The power went out that night, but I felt safe with my new friend.<br />
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That first year or so, Bird, who was already four or five years old, revealed his personality and became part of our family. He was eager to please and liked a good walk, although he would take off at amazing speeds when he saw a deer, squirrel, or any other animal; I once pulled 48 porcupine quills out of Bird's face. At our wedding, Bird was sequestered in our bedroom upstairs, but we learned that he loved children when we found my cousin's four-year-old daughter snuggled up in Bird's bed with him at some point during the afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toy Art, 2009: Note the Alignment of Toys and Floorboards</td></tr>
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At first, Bird did not really know what to do with toys or treats. I don't think he had ever had his own toy before. Every toy he ever had, except maybe a frisbee or two, we still have because he treated them so gently. Dog toys were also Bird's artistic medium. We would come home sometimes to find that he had arranged two or three toys in a pattern, different each time. He loved to chase a frisbee, stick, or ball, but was terrible at playing fetch because he refused to relinquish the object he had caught.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunbeam, 2010</td></tr>
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Bird was a heat miser. In the summer, he was content to sit out in the sun for hours. He spent winter evenings curled up by the fire, front paws on the hearthstone, often with a cat or two snuggled up beside him. We had to chastise him for letting the cats take over his bed.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird and Cats, 2010</td></tr>
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Bird liked the cats, and besides the bed stealing, they did not take too much advantage of this. He was calm and tolerant around our chickens, too. He was volatile around dogs his size or bigger, but he loved small dogs. His best friend was a little snaggle-toothed bichon frise named Charlie who belongs to our friends Brian and Kasia. Charlie was nervous when he first met Bird, but Bird, sensing this, approached the little guy by crawling on his belly so he looked smaller. He loved a fluffy little female dog named Panda, his cousin Elka, and his first big-dog friend Merle. As he got older, he became more consistent around other dogs and even got some rough-and-tumble play time with his neighbor dog Oliver and puppy friend Finn.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird's First Friend, Lola</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird and Charlie, 2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird and Elka, 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird and Finn, 2013</td></tr>
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Bird loved being outside, but not in the rain or snow. He had two coats, but he hated them, and he would roll in the snow trying to remove his winter coat. Rolling was his thing. I will never smell the herb thyme without thinking of him, since he would roll in the wild thyme on our hill so much that he took on a sort of gourmet dog smell. Of course, horrid-smelling things were his favorite roll targets. There is a hill that will forever be known as Shitback Mountain because of an escapade involving huge piles of bear feces enjoyed while we humans were distracted by wild strawberries.</div>
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In January, Bird was diagnosed with Cushing's disease, brought on by treatment with steroid medication for an ear hematoma in the fall. We hoped he would have one more happy summer, and he did. Last Wednesday, Bird and I went for a long walk. It was a beautiful day, sunny and breezy, and he trotted along and drank from puddles. That night, he didn't come down for dinner. The next morning, he was lethargic and disoriented. He peed in his food dish and stood swaying with his eyes closed. When he collapsed at the vet, we knew it was time. He died with his head in our hands.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Last Photo of Bird, July 2015</td></tr>
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We miss him terribly. He has been part of our life for as long as we have been here, and the house feels strange without the jingling of his collar. I have to remind myself to not call him when I walk in the door, and it is hard to fall asleep without the sound of his snore. We are looking for a new dog to adopt immediately. Bird seemed to know how lucky he was and appreciate the new life he had with us. Right now, there is a dog sitting in a shelter somewhere waiting for the opportunity. I hope we find that dog soon.</div>
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Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-74705243068179669602015-07-16T09:59:00.001-04:002015-07-16T09:59:28.382-04:00Herd Hierarchy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Within a herd of goats, there is a fairly strict social order. Violet is the queen of our herd (see <a href="http://cottonhillfarm.blogspot.com/2014/03/goats-of-note-violet.html">"Goats of Note: Violet"</a>). From there, it pretty much goes in order of seniority, with extra status for social merits like intelligence, toughness, sweetness, gravitas, and hard-headedness (literally and figuratively). Sometimes, the pecking order is not entirely clear, and the goats resolve disputes through physical combat, mostly in the form of head butting.</div>
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For a new goat in our established herd, introductions can be overwhelming. Thus, when we recently acquired two new milking does, Coffee and Tea, we didn't just throw them in the goat pen and hope for the best. We gave them a few days to acclimate to our routines. During this time they slept in the nursery pen in the milking barn and grazed by day in a temporary pen that they did a marvelous job of clearing. They sniffed their new herdmates through the fence and enjoyed their pasture time.</div>
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By the time we officially introduced them to the herd, they already kind of knew each other. There was a lot of circling:</div>
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And sniffing:</div>
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Vernon, the wether, is captivated with Tea.<br />
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And of course there was some head-butting:<br />
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The new girls are finding their place and enjoying the goaty life.Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-52652608104935254632015-06-14T09:21:00.001-04:002015-06-14T09:25:21.791-04:00Sometimes Farming Is Just a Walk in the WoodsThis time of year, I feel like I am treading water, just trying to keep the animals happy and the farm running. Both of my professions - farming and teaching - get pretty intense in June. Something's got to give: right now it's my garden, which is, so far, parsley, two basil plants, the garlic I planted in the fall, and a whole lot of zinnias I scored at my school's plant sale. And don't even ask me when I last cleaned the house.<br />
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Sometimes, though, a farm chore leads me into a moment of beauty and appreciation, like last week when we were moving the goats' pasture. My job is the better one: while Farmer Fin pulls the sheds with the truck, I lead the goats uphill so they don't get in the way. On this day, I led them into a corner of dappled shade, where a stand of trees survives. I bent down branches so the goats could eat the leaves and received much caprine affection in return. There were also wild strawberries. I had to try to capture the moment in this photo shoot.<br />
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Jasmine decided she wanted to be the star of this blog post. Check her out after the jump.<br />
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Jasmine is beautiful. The pasture is beautiful. Life is beautiful.</div>
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<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-30991217845108726552015-05-23T08:53:00.000-04:002015-05-23T08:53:51.850-04:00Early May Guest Blogger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This post is brought to you by the wonderful eye of Katrina Thies, who came up in early May to celebrate Farmer Feather's birthday, and ended up celebrating the birth of Violet's two kids. </div>
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Naturally, we spent some time in the baby pen:</div>
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Chores are part of any good birthday party, right?</div>
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I hate to drag a guest out of bed, but it's not every morning one gets to witness the miracle of birth.</div>
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Some folks, however, are not impressed:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YAAAAWWWNNN</td></tr>
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<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-68594346608906403022015-04-27T16:59:00.000-04:002015-04-27T16:59:20.048-04:00Kids These Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Juniper kicked off the kidding season on April 9th with a doe and a buck. They were little, pink-nosed, and hungry, as Junie's kids tend to be. This is Jolene, just a few minutes old.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKYrEYG-FNw/VT6emjeF44I/AAAAAAAABuY/PWSrxovJnfk/s1600/IMG_1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKYrEYG-FNw/VT6emjeF44I/AAAAAAAABuY/PWSrxovJnfk/s1600/IMG_1297.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The next day, Petunia delivered two big, gorgeous bucklings by herself in between my hourly labor checks. She's independent like that. The four kids kept each other warm in the nursery pen.</div>
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For a week or so, they were fast and furious: female twins for Juno (the first on the farm since Jade and Jasmine were born three years ago), a giant single buck for Peony, a difficult birth resulting in two stillborn kids for Jasmine, and a tiny but spunky boy and girl for Jade. They are quite the kindergarten class, quickly picking up skills like drinking from the suck-it bucket (a huge time saver for us humans, the milk-givers) eating grass, head-butting, and jumping on things.</div>
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This week will be another busy one: Veronica had a boy and a girl on Saturday, and Violet and Vervain are both due any minute now. This is Roxanne, Veronica's daughter, who is indistinguishable from three of the other four doelings this year. I don't know how we will tell them apart once they are all the same size! They sure are cute though.</div>
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<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-33971341454004898662015-02-19T20:24:00.000-05:002015-02-21T14:48:07.654-05:00Goats of Note: Juniper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">If Juniper knew I skipped her, she'd be indignant. It was an accident. Now, in honor of the Chinese New Year, here's Juniper.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Juniper was the first goat I ever milked, in the summer of 2010. Look at my crazy goat milking face!</span></div>
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When we got Junie, we already had Violet and Pansy (see Goats of Note posts 1 and 2). Juniper was the same age, yet she was sophisticated, mannered, lactating. I don't think I make that face when I milk goats anymore. At the time, though, it was quite a revelation.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PJigdzE1NSk/VOaCCQsheGI/AAAAAAAABsY/wCPo8R7vgoI/s1600/first%2Bever%2Bmilking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PJigdzE1NSk/VOaCCQsheGI/AAAAAAAABsY/wCPo8R7vgoI/s1600/first%2Bever%2Bmilking.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Juniper came here with her sister Sassafras, who has since moved on from our farm. We used their milk to make cheese for the first time. The milk was amazingly sweet, and we learned to make chèvre, mozzarella, and feta; we experimented with aging cheddar, provolone, and gouda in the basement. We learned to trim hooves and give shots, drag sheds and move fences, and we learned that each of these creatures had distinct personalities, habits and senses of humor.</span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QAbi4VQ6jc/VOZ_EQsohRI/AAAAAAAABr8/13C1lDiOPOs/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3QAbi4VQ6jc/VOZ_EQsohRI/AAAAAAAABr8/13C1lDiOPOs/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June and Pansy Ignoring Each Other in 2011</td></tr>
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In 2012, Junie had two does, Jade and Jasmine. They were and are adorable and will have their own post shortly.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Momma</td></tr>
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She's a pretty laid-back mom in general. Her main mothering technique involves head butting human children. Don't ask.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zSViW_BsgiY/VOaHTwrgWCI/AAAAAAAABso/zsTC2ozvwvM/s1600/Juniper%2Bmom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zSViW_BsgiY/VOaHTwrgWCI/AAAAAAAABso/zsTC2ozvwvM/s1600/Juniper%2Bmom.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newborn Jade</td></tr>
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Generally, though, Junie is a charmer. She's a typical goat, inquisitive, crafty, and funny. She likes your sweatshirt string, belt end, and camera case. She enjoys picking locks, head-butting her friends, neck rubs, and eating things.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Love her Eating Face</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mealtime with Clyde the Savage</td></tr>
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Happy Year of the Goat. May your feed be sweet and your horizon clear. I promise many goat pictures in the year to come. </div>
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<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-88623529558428449052015-02-08T10:36:00.000-05:002015-02-08T10:36:10.045-05:00Goats of Note: Buttons<div style="text-align: justify;">
Buttons, part snowy owl, part Alpine goat, came to us (with her name) in the summer of 2012. She's still kind of the new girl. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buttons, New to the Neighborhood, September 2012</td></tr>
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Buttons has many amazing qualities. She is an excellent kisser. She is a contortionist who likes to look waaaay up, then turn her head all the way around. She has a sweet disposition and a wonderful sense of humor. She also has a talent for producing adorable white doelings: Bluebell in 2013 and Bergamot last year. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buttons and Bluebell Eating Apples, August 2013</td></tr>
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Buttons is actually a pretty big girl, probably 150 pounds or more, possibly bigger than Violet the herd queen, but she's one of those folks who seems smaller. This is partly because she lacks seniority around here, and has developed a non-confrontational, goofy demeanor that keeps Violet, Pansy, Juniper, and Veronica from picking on her too much. Buttons has a quiet determination. She tries not to draw attention to herself, but she gets her due.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vervain, Buttons, and Bluebell, July 2014</td></tr>
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Buttons loves cabbage and other treats. She would ask you to consider that if you come see her.</div>
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Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-39226972965036074352015-01-19T10:20:00.001-05:002015-01-19T10:20:10.315-05:00January Feast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The days are getting longer, we keep telling ourselves and the goats. Still, the act of taking down the Christmas tree does require a little faith that we are truly exchanging lights for light. I dragged my feet a bit, but the tired old tree makes our caprine charges so happy. It's the feast of the Epiphany, for goats!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parade for the Three Kings</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violet Politely Thanks Us...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Then Chows Down With Some Little Friends</td></tr>
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Sure enough, it's light out at 5:00 PM now. Hooray for sunlight!</div>
Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-22484449412779591912014-12-09T16:58:00.002-05:002015-02-08T13:36:33.638-05:00Nor'easter<div style="text-align: justify;">
The nor'easter that blew in today is our second winter storm of the season. The season is actually still technically fall, I guess, since winter doesn't officially start until next week. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking Northeast</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>On a walk through the snowy woods with Bird, each time we stopped so he could try to remove his winter coat by rolling on the ground I looked around and marveled once again at the beauty of this place. Even in winter, this hill can take your breath away. More so, in a way, because I have time to look. We were so busy, and I was so stressed, all during the fairer seasons. There was barely time to look up, and even less to walk around breathing the green smell of summer, feeling it on my skin, the way I can now experience the cold clean air and the snow on the branches of the trees.</div>
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The goats are all bred and have spent this stormy day in their dry sheds, munching on hay. The dog and cats and I have mostly been hunkered down by the woodstove. It's supposed to snow for another day or two, and I really don't mind. This year, like no other yet, I appreciate the still, quiet peace of winter (especially when school is cancelled and I do not have to drive to work).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If I get any closer, they'll come out and get all wet</td></tr>
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We have at least three cords of wood in the wood shed, and we even got the lawn furniture inside finally, so maybe it's ok to be lazy for now. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chairs only weathered one nor'easter</td></tr>
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<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-41405414367264596262014-10-02T21:42:00.003-04:002015-02-08T13:32:40.004-05:00Friday Recipe: Ratatouille<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In the autumn, every warm day feels like a gift. Here on the hill, we have not yet had frost, and although I am no longer watering the garden, as we have instituted conservation measures because of the lack of September rain, it continues to produce some tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant. Whatever we aren't growing is easy to get from the farmers' market, but every eggplant also feels like a gift.</div>
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This is the perfect time to make ratatouille, while we still can, and on a day when the comfort of a slow-cooked stew will hit the spot. Saturday is forecast to be such a day, chilly and wet. As soon as we get home, I'll turn on the oven and get to chopping.</div>
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My recipe - really this one's just a template, too - is inspired by the wonderful writer, adventurer, and practiced palate MFK Fisher. If you haven't yet, read <i>Long Ago in France</i>. You can start it while the ratatouille cooks, instead of doing something fatalistic and useful like the storm windows.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVCvFrYoRPw/VC34SRez4FI/AAAAAAAABo0/fic46gg54uQ/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVCvFrYoRPw/VC34SRez4FI/AAAAAAAABo0/fic46gg54uQ/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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You need a couple good sized eggplants (more if you have a giant oven-safe pot), plenty of tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a pepper or two. MFK wrote:</div>
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“The first ingredients were and still are eggplant and onions, garlic, green peppers, red peppers, plenty of ripe peeled tomatoes and some good olive oil. Proportions are impossible to fix firmly, since everything changes in size and flavor, but perhaps there should be three parts of eggplant to two of tomatoes and one each of the peppers and the onions and garlic. I really cannot say.</div>
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“Everything is sliced, cubed, chopped, minced, and, except for the tomatoes, is put into the pot…thrown in, that is, for the rough treatment pushes down the mass. At the end, when there is less than no room, the tomatoes are cubed or sliced generously across the top, and the lid is pressed down ruthlessly. When it is taken off, a generous amount of olive oil must be trickled over the whole to seep down. Then the lid is put on again. It may not quite fit, but it will soon drop into place. The whole goes into a gentle (300 degree) oven for about as long as one wishes to leave it there, like five or six hours. It should be stirred up from the bottom with a long spoon every couple of hours. It will be very soupy for a time, and then is when it makes a delicious nourishing meal served generously over slices of toasted french bread with plenty of grated dry cheese. Gradually it becomes more solid, as the air fills with the rich waftings which make neighbors sniff and smile. When it reaches the right texture to be eaten as one wishes, even with a fork, the lid can stay off and fresh shelled shrimps be laid amply on the top to turn white before they are stirred in, or small sausages already cooked well in beer or wine..."</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zyLlRPIyAs/VC34W_u5uxI/AAAAAAAABo8/JurcWeDVSAE/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9zyLlRPIyAs/VC34W_u5uxI/AAAAAAAABo8/JurcWeDVSAE/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Salting the eggplant is not necessary if it is super fresh, but I like the way it soaks up salt.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6yCnvNDwCU/VC34ZFbKDhI/AAAAAAAABpE/Df1E--e-sAc/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6yCnvNDwCU/VC34ZFbKDhI/AAAAAAAABpE/Df1E--e-sAc/s1600/IMG_1027.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I added summer squash when I made it a few weeks ago. The last time, I added a hot pepper. I pile up all the vegetables I can get my hands on.</div>
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Slow and low is the key. And good bread. We like to add a spoonful of chèvre in each bowl. The leftovers are amazing reheated with a poached egg on top. Bon appetit!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-huwm8tR7g_Q/VC34RH5_VaI/AAAAAAAABok/uYfg6U2Dtco/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-huwm8tR7g_Q/VC34RH5_VaI/AAAAAAAABok/uYfg6U2Dtco/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-39534497613664374942014-09-12T22:05:00.000-04:002015-02-08T13:38:00.524-05:00Las Blancas: Buttons, Vervain, and Bluebell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
These are from the early summer, in a sweet moment on the hill. The whities, having a time. Vervain is on the left, Buttons front and center, and little Bluebell on the right.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-twNmCkYTPKQ/VBOlG0P8FjI/AAAAAAAABns/3verXvIdnPY/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-twNmCkYTPKQ/VBOlG0P8FjI/AAAAAAAABns/3verXvIdnPY/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Of course Violet is photobombing.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KG2Fwx0fPW0/VBOlRmwqCeI/AAAAAAAABoE/GnvTTykrwrA/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KG2Fwx0fPW0/VBOlRmwqCeI/AAAAAAAABoE/GnvTTykrwrA/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love their faces.Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-19849220064211737422014-08-29T21:50:00.000-04:002015-02-08T13:34:24.976-05:00Friday Recipe: Stuff Flowers with Cheese!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Cotton Hill Road is more than just your average thoroughfare. Schoharie County Route 66 is a steep and winding climb, treacherous in the winter; the location of thousands of acres of state forest; home to a hardscrabble mix of Sloughters and newcomers, with some rarely-seen weekenders; and these days, quite a culinary destination. We have our resident brewer (OK, the brewery is in town, but we were the beneficiaries of many a practice batch), Justin at <a href="http://www.greenwolfales.com/" target="_blank">Green Wolf Brewery</a>, we the cheesemakers, and wonderful organic vegetables at <a href="http://farmoncottonhill.com/" target="_blank">The Farm on Cotton Hill</a>. Jim and Greg are the farmers, and Jim and I got together yesterday to celebrate the end of summer by stuffing cheese into flowers and frying them.</div>
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I love eating flowers whenever possible, but somehow I never tasted squash blossoms. Now I am hooked! Try them! Here's what you do:</div>
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1. Harvest the flowers in the middle of a sunny day, when they are open. Use them right away, or keep them in a cool place to use later.</div>
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2. Gather your ingredients: flour and a couple eggs for dredging, some good soft fresh goat cheese and anchovies for stuffing, and olive oil for frying.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYbqWy8luBU/VAEnoqL0K7I/AAAAAAAABmc/tBwxjbcgK-s/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tYbqWy8luBU/VAEnoqL0K7I/AAAAAAAABmc/tBwxjbcgK-s/s1600/IMG_1015.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers! We will eat you!</td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>3. Using a small spoon, stuff a tablespoon of goat cheese into each blossom, followed by an anchovy. Twist the top of the blossom closed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DlwfXRgHBU/VAEnpJh4QCI/AAAAAAAABmk/F1bWOXsBWyI/s1600/IMG_1017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5DlwfXRgHBU/VAEnpJh4QCI/AAAAAAAABmk/F1bWOXsBWyI/s1600/IMG_1017.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim stuffing while I drink wine, eat olives, and take pictures</td></tr>
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4. Dredge each stuffed blossom in flour, then egg, then flour again. Arrange on a plate or tray, and get that oil nice and hot in your frying pan.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6S7Bhn4g-14/VAEnomS5awI/AAAAAAAABmg/3jxEUQpOr4Y/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6S7Bhn4g-14/VAEnomS5awI/AAAAAAAABmg/3jxEUQpOr4Y/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please note the mise-en-place. Clearly he's done this before.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--T-kxl3vEcc/VAEnveAPMGI/AAAAAAAABm0/bNrVWQ3sGsw/s1600/IMG_1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--T-kxl3vEcc/VAEnveAPMGI/AAAAAAAABm0/bNrVWQ3sGsw/s1600/IMG_1019.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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5. Fry a few blossoms at a time in hot oil, flipping them so that they get golden brown on every side. Don't overcrowd the pan.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqIdB1wppC8/VAEnwOwtDZI/AAAAAAAABm8/EiJwCBLi2Mg/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gqIdB1wppC8/VAEnwOwtDZI/AAAAAAAABm8/EiJwCBLi2Mg/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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6. Wait for them to cool a tiny bit before you eat them, you savage!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious organic summer bounty</td></tr>
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Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-73389891536371985602014-08-22T21:38:00.003-04:002015-02-08T13:35:23.232-05:00Friday Recipe: Summer Bounty Pasta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Got veggies? If you have a garden or a CSA share, I'll bet you do! At the farmers' market, eggplants, zucchinis, tomatoes, garlic, and onions abound. How about roasting them in the oven while you play outside, then tossing them with pasta when you're ready to chow down?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPNN7ja4wLE/U_fqpyq3A1I/AAAAAAAABhE/ufOSQNZWW9Y/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fPNN7ja4wLE/U_fqpyq3A1I/AAAAAAAABhE/ufOSQNZWW9Y/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I saved the big tomatoes for sauce</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I made this a few weeks ago with the first eggplant in the garden. It was perfect summer comfort food, good for a chilly night, and great at room temperature the next day. I think I used these ingredients*:</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">1 big eggplant</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">2 small summer squash</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">2 garlic bulbs</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">A quart or so of cherry tomatoes</span><br />
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Fresh or dried herbs: basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and/or thyme</div>
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Olive oil</div>
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Salt & Pepper</div>
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1 lb. pasta </div>
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1/2 lb. feta cheese, cut into small cubes (our feta is somewhat creamy, which worked nicely)</div>
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*Peppers and onions would be nice additions too</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VfP5wSha9fE/U_fqqp9qS4I/AAAAAAAABhQ/w4W4YoHNtds/s1600/IMG_0980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VfP5wSha9fE/U_fqqp9qS4I/AAAAAAAABhQ/w4W4YoHNtds/s1600/IMG_0980.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">It's Easy:</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">1. Preheat oven to 400°.</span></div>
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2. Cut eggplant and squash into cubes of the same size, between 1/2" and 1". If your garlic cloves are small, just peel them. Mine were huge, so I cut them in half. Chop herbs. </div>
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3. In an oven-safe pan, sprinkle the vegetables with good salt and freshly ground pepper, and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat.</div>
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4. Roast vegetables for an hour or until they are tender, stirring once or twice. </div>
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5. Make some pasta.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18--GI1W2tM/U_fqq3ijTvI/AAAAAAAABhM/1L52sWgiTgY/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-18--GI1W2tM/U_fqq3ijTvI/AAAAAAAABhM/1L52sWgiTgY/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The picture doesn't do it justice; it's comfort food</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">6. Toss your squishy, saucy roasted veggies with the pasta and the feta cheese. Add more fresh parsley and basil if you like. Devour.</span></div>
<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-16461569244409902132014-08-21T10:05:00.002-04:002014-08-21T10:08:13.634-04:00The New Girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
There are a few new goat faces here at Cotton Hill Creamery. They are very little, so we won't be milking them anytime real soon. They've got some growing to do. </div>
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Here's Nettle and Olive (with good old Buttons trying to photobomb in the background). Noisy Nettle and Black Olive stick together. This is good, because it allows me to distinguish Olive from Jem, who has one tiny white spot on her left side where Olive doesn't. Otherwise the two are identical.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMk3-XJxzTY/U_KuKIvXZ1I/AAAAAAAABgU/48jg-ewuX8M/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PMk3-XJxzTY/U_KuKIvXZ1I/AAAAAAAABgU/48jg-ewuX8M/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's Raindrops. She is a yearling, actually, but she is very tiny. She has flashy markings and a pretty smile.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCgZAgpuO5k/U_KuUn-U2iI/AAAAAAAABgs/K31KbqBoDZ0/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCgZAgpuO5k/U_KuUn-U2iI/AAAAAAAABgs/K31KbqBoDZ0/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
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Little Daisy just came to our farm this week. She is sweet sweet sweet. After a few days in our pasture, she looks like a basketball resting on four popsicle sticks. She wants to follow me around all the time. Farmer Fin won't let me bring her in the house though.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SuEX3GN2qM4/U_KuKJEhPmI/AAAAAAAABgc/jgIF-E4pfb4/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SuEX3GN2qM4/U_KuKJEhPmI/AAAAAAAABgc/jgIF-E4pfb4/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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And here they are all together. With Buttons, of course.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBcC3ijg1I0/U_KuVtq2_RI/AAAAAAAABgw/mtrZTmmFfqE/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XBcC3ijg1I0/U_KuVtq2_RI/AAAAAAAABgw/mtrZTmmFfqE/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-88954363757933720322014-07-25T13:43:00.003-04:002014-07-25T13:43:52.803-04:00Friday Recipe: Fritatta Template<div style="text-align: justify;">
Everyone who cooks has a different approach to making dinner. Some people follow recipes, some have a repertoire of dishes that they rotate, and others just improvise based on what is in the fridge or garden. Most of us probably use a combination of these approaches. </div>
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Myself, I love experimenting with new recipes, but most of the time, I play it by ear. I don't think I ever make the same thing with the same ingredients twice, partly because I'm too disorganized to plan and shop according to plan, and partly because I love food and gardening and farmers' markets. I shop for groceries the way some women shop for clothes: obsessively, impulsively, and aesthetically.</div>
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Also, I like leftovers. It's a great relief to have a good lunch for the next day in the fridge before you go to bed at night. This is one of the main reasons why a fritatta is my go-to last minute meal. Here's what I do; you can try it too.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L_AzCm7nRbg/U9JckjHKScI/AAAAAAAABfk/QzfRGokL_rM/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L_AzCm7nRbg/U9JckjHKScI/AAAAAAAABfk/QzfRGokL_rM/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner is served. Now with product placement.</td></tr>
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Equipment:</div>
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I can't imagine doing this in anything but a cast iron pan. Mine is 10"; I have to use both hands to pick it up. If yours is a little smaller, you could use fewer eggs, or just cook it longer. </div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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10 eggs </div>
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2 cups of veggies (and/or bacon, sausage, or ham)</div>
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1 cup of cheese </div>
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Butter/ olive oil/ lard/ your preferred cooking grease</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34QVEL7Haew/U9Jcd7mh1wI/AAAAAAAABfM/nCbW-msPjI4/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-34QVEL7Haew/U9Jcd7mh1wI/AAAAAAAABfM/nCbW-msPjI4/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onions, summer squash, and potatoes</td></tr>
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Directions:</div>
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1. Preheat your cast iron pan. If you want to caramelize onions, remember to keep the heat medium low. If you're in a hurry, crank it and get ready to stir.</div>
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2. When the pan reaches your desired heat, cook your veggies/meats in plenty of butter or oil.</div>
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3. Meanwhile, scramble the eggs with a pinch of salt and a generous grind of black pepper. When your veggies are cooked, pour in the eggs. Don't stir, just even it out a bit. Turn the heat to low.</div>
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4. Wait a few minutes, and add the cheese evenly. It's ok if it sticks up out of the egg mixture a bit; that part will brown nicely under the broiler. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMCWfhiSPTw/U9Jcgc0uJKI/AAAAAAAABfU/MiTW2pLNnLA/s1600/IMG_0892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uMCWfhiSPTw/U9Jcgc0uJKI/AAAAAAAABfU/MiTW2pLNnLA/s1600/IMG_0892.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add cheese...</td></tr>
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5. Let the eggs cook until the bottom is set. The edges will get less wiggly, but the middle will still be very liquid. Preheat the broiler while the eggs cook.</div>
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6. When the bottom and edges are set, put the pan under the broiler for 4-8 minutes, until the fritatta is golden brown, slightly puffed, and feels firm to the touch. Let it cool for a couple minutes, and cut into 6 or 8 slices.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tjETzFt_-w/U9JcgsWdU5I/AAAAAAAABfY/Z5z7Zxy8dn4/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tjETzFt_-w/U9JcgsWdU5I/AAAAAAAABfY/Z5z7Zxy8dn4/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voilà!</td></tr>
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Serve with a salad and some good bread. If you're a small family, the leftovers make a great sandwich for breakfast or lunch.</div>
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Suggested combinations:</div>
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<li>Caramelized onion, bacon, and chèvre</li>
<li>Spinach, onion, and feta</li>
<li>Broccoli and cheddar</li>
<li>Summer squash, onion, potatoes, and chèvre</li>
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You get the idea. Maybe you could put your favorite combination in the comments.</div>
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Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-83350729758844340292014-07-24T11:01:00.000-04:002014-07-24T11:01:42.263-04:00Chickie Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The bad news is that something's been eating our chickens. I noticed that there seemed to be fewer of them, and my suspicions were confirmed when I discovered a slaughtered hen caught in the fence. It was a pretty grisly scene, and we've been on chicken alert ever since. I thought we had lost five of our dozen hens, until one morning, before milking, Farmer Fin hurried me down the hill. This is what he wanted to show me:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Yd1TywNDKU/U9Eb6hcBeDI/AAAAAAAABe0/NU2KE0nnKaE/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Yd1TywNDKU/U9Eb6hcBeDI/AAAAAAAABe0/NU2KE0nnKaE/s1600/IMG_0941.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Unbeknownst to us, one of the red hens somehow slipped away, laid an egg, and sat on it for three weeks until it hatched. Celeste is a mommy! She's a good one, too. It's hard to even get a picture of her chick; as soon as I get close, she spirits it away under her wing or into some tall grass. Chickie Baby follows its mother around all day, eating bugs and chirping constantly. Yesterday Celeste brought it up to the chicken yard and showed it how to eat chicken feed, like a chicken.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-COJUwaYSfds/U9Eb9lm55fI/AAAAAAAABe8/eYi2UDlR0xg/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-COJUwaYSfds/U9Eb9lm55fI/AAAAAAAABe8/eYi2UDlR0xg/s1600/IMG_0947.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
Chickie Baby is adorable, but its a hard world for a little chick. I hope the rooster is looking out for his baby. I also hope the baby turns out to be a hen.Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-57000442933601133482014-07-16T14:25:00.000-04:002014-07-16T14:25:00.005-04:00Adventures of the Very Small<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The triplets are three weeks old and summer is in full swing. It's a good time for adventures. Last week, they went out in the pasture with their herd for the first time. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-snrTWFS63fk/U8aJjKiTvlI/AAAAAAAABds/q8QAX4fAFig/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-snrTWFS63fk/U8aJjKiTvlI/AAAAAAAABds/q8QAX4fAFig/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking It All In</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5ZL3takxpI/U8aJegoNO_I/AAAAAAAABdk/fQPC-XUdD3k/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5ZL3takxpI/U8aJegoNO_I/AAAAAAAABdk/fQPC-XUdD3k/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I1PZOYazWoQ/U8aKDycR4mI/AAAAAAAABd0/qdywF5c5OSQ/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I1PZOYazWoQ/U8aKDycR4mI/AAAAAAAABd0/qdywF5c5OSQ/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Kitten Chewing on Willow's Milk Face </td></tr>
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The big world is a little overwhelming when one is so very small, but there is so much fun to be had.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SjEW4OIoL_0/U8bBuiBNASI/AAAAAAAABek/vSrj7HVggOA/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SjEW4OIoL_0/U8bBuiBNASI/AAAAAAAABek/vSrj7HVggOA/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also, the kids made a new friend. Bird, the Cotton Hill farm dog, has been accompanying us to the night-time feeding lately. He is not immune to the charms of soft little animals. In fact, he likes to lick their ears.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzXl6EYR08s/U8aTGB3Ct7I/AAAAAAAABeE/wvvPH4dpzAA/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzXl6EYR08s/U8aTGB3Ct7I/AAAAAAAABeE/wvvPH4dpzAA/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTWOWI3Abt0/U8aTPbnlRuI/AAAAAAAABeM/sL-RvV3Fj9o/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jTWOWI3Abt0/U8aTPbnlRuI/AAAAAAAABeM/sL-RvV3Fj9o/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-flR3kdDkszE/U8aTRH_h9rI/AAAAAAAABeU/10SbEnIboqs/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-flR3kdDkszE/U8aTRH_h9rI/AAAAAAAABeU/10SbEnIboqs/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Look at that vicious pit bull! The littles were scared at first, but now they like to smell him, too. It's a peaceable kingdom up here on the hill.</div>
Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-53710098260585103202014-07-11T12:05:00.000-04:002014-07-11T12:05:16.560-04:00Friday Recipe: Goat Cheese Pesto Dip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Lots of parties in the summertime! Pair fresh goat cheese with summer produce for a quick, tasty appetizer to bring to a barbecue or garden soirée. If you have a garden or a friend with a garden, or go to your local farmers' market, you are probably seeing a lot of garlic scapes lately. A scape is the top, or stem, of the garlic plant. They are curly and whimsical!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvopOp-Xz1w/U8ACBKXbhJI/AAAAAAAABdI/UePpQAKjlfg/s1600/IMG_0873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MvopOp-Xz1w/U8ACBKXbhJI/AAAAAAAABdI/UePpQAKjlfg/s1600/IMG_0873.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">There were tons of scapes at our market (</span><a href="http://www.delmarmarket.org/" style="text-align: justify;">http://www.delmarmarket.org</a><span style="text-align: justify;">/) last week, and they will probably be there again tomorrow. Combined with spinach, arugula, or a leafy green herb, like basil or parsley, garlic scapes make wonderful pesto. You can see my arugula hiding beneath the scapes there.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">For the pesto, fill the bowl of a food processor with a bunch of scapes and your greens. Add some good olive oil and process for about a minute, until it all begins to come together. Then, add a scant cup of toasted nuts or seeds. If you are a literalist, you should use pine nuts. If you can't afford them, pumpkin seeds work nicely, as do almonds or walnuts. Save a handful for a garnish! Process until a sort of paste forms. Be sure to leave some chunky bits in there; texture is good!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Then, spread four ounces or so of good fresh goat cheese on the bottom of a dish. I used this pie plate because it's glass, but you probably have something prettier, don't you!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hw8NkFR5I_Y/U8AB-kY7zaI/AAAAAAAABdA/8xYYvAM4rI0/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hw8NkFR5I_Y/U8AB-kY7zaI/AAAAAAAABdA/8xYYvAM4rI0/s1600/IMG_0875.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Spread the pesto on top of the goat cheese, just enough to cover. Those garlic scapes are pungent, and you don't want to overwhelm! Then, sprinkle the toasted nuts on top. Voilá! Grab some crackers and head out. Don't worry if you're fashionably late; it's summer, and you have goat cheese. Have fun!</div>
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<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2995075958079787110.post-81521624783654429022014-07-07T15:43:00.000-04:002014-07-07T15:43:01.297-04:00Kittengoat Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
In case you were wondering, little Mr. Kitten is hanging in there, thriving even. At two weeks old, he has probably doubled in size - he's at least three pounds now. Mr. Kitten loves milk! He has an overbite! And knobby knees! He mews! Go, Mr. Kitten, go.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbkgQc9D4Sc/U7r3G-2N_xI/AAAAAAAABcs/w6YVat7szGg/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zbkgQc9D4Sc/U7r3G-2N_xI/AAAAAAAABcs/w6YVat7szGg/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Cotton Hill Creameryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09361277353858588091noreply@blogger.com0