June 6, 2008

t is a very cold start to the year. Going back through my notes from the last couple years, the hummingbirds were 3 weeks later arriving. The iris's are 2-3 weeks late at least in blooming, but I noted today they should be blooming soon. We have had no bear sign/sightings and we saw seven bears almost daily in 2006. The goat is 2 weeks late coming into milk. The mosquitoes are on time however. At least something is on time around here..

Today I got 4 more posts to make my cross bracing for the front pasture. I eventually will do it in rails, but I have to cut alot of poles yet (July) and I have not bought myself a chainsaw yet. It is one of the next things to purchase. I was told I can borrow one, but I want to be able to have one of my own for firewood too. The grass is getting tall in the front pasture and I am planting the garden soon, so really do not want to have heifer and goat tracks all over in it. So I am hoping by the end of this coming week, I can put their fat little bodies out there for the summer. 

I was going to till this afternoon when I got home from work, although it has been raining the last couple of days. Then, as I got the chores done, shavings installed and salts blocks into respective pens, KA-Boom!!! I was trying to ignore the black skies before that, so I sat on the porch in the willow chair, 'Cyrus' beside me, watching the massive hail come down.

Tonight for dinner is French Tomato soup. I generally do not like tomato soup, but this one is really good. As per norm, I only follow a recipe once (if that) and so who knows what it originally was. This is how I am having it tonight... with Sourdough bread and organic salad. 

French Tomato Soup

1 quart jar of homemade tomato juice (or 2 cans tomato soup)
1 can tomato paste
4 cups chicken broth
Bacon
Red onion
White wine (tonight is the Rhubarb wine I made in 2006)
Cajun Seasoning or Montreal Chicken Spice

Chop the bacon and toss into a pot. Add the chopped up onion. Sauté' until bacon is done, but still soft. Add the rest of the ingredients and then simmer for at least 45 minutes.