Today was the Farmer's Market in Portsmouth. I've been excited all week about getting more greens. I snatched up some lovely beet greens and swiss chard. Yum! There were a lot more vendors that the opening day 2 weeks ago, and several were not really food related. One was a basket maker. I've been looking for good, sturdy baskets, and handmade, by a sweet lady at the Market is the deal closer. So when I saw this basket hanging in her tent I had to have it. Very reasonably priced for a handmade basket. The handle is solid wood. It's a "potato basket" and I'm sure that it will be used for potatoes, but It will also likely be my market basket for the summer. When I was inquiring about the potato basket I spotted the smaller one that will be perfect for eggs, blue berries, picking peas, and just sitting on my buffet looking cute.
I stopped to say Hi to Robbie from Yellow House, and he had a little package for me from a friend of his, who reads this blog. A couple days ago I mentioned the need for aprons in my life. Well, Debra commented that she was cleaning out her workroom and had some apron patterns that needed a new home, so gave them to Robbie to pass on. Oh my! I was not expecting what I got when I opened the envelope. There are 7 patterns that are all brilliant! I need to make up some bias tape and start making aprons!! Thank you so much Debra!!
Yesterday's post was actually not timely…sorry. I had started the post a couple days ago, got interrupted and had something more exciting to blog about so decided to hold that one until I needed a post. We'll yesterday I needed it. By the time I was done my day I was so soar I could barely move let alone post and edit pics. I started the day by falling down my front stairs. I was wearing rubber gardening shoes and they sort of stuck to each other in a grippy rubber sort of fashion and sent me down, with my tray of peppers in my hand! I lost half the tray and those that remained were badly beaten, and no longer well labeled. Very sad, but I knew after I got off the ground that I better keep moving or the day would certainly be shot. Other than some bruises and a couple scraps on my legs, I have no physical signs of the tumble, but soar arms, shoulders and legs persist today. I'm sure the whole thing could have won a prize on America's Funniest Home Videos, if that show persists. Sliding down the stairs on my knees stopping at the bottom step and flopping face first onto the rock walk…all the while carrying my tray of peppers that cushioned the fall for my face and shoulders. Brilliant, you couldn't have choreographed something like that.
I was able to finish the chick coop, and Jane and her brood are enjoying the great outdoors. Jane ignored her babes for about 1/2 an hour upon entering the little run. They ate and cuddled in their little shade hut while she scratched and gave herself a good ole' fashioned dust bath. She is, after all, a free range chicken who spent 25 days in a cardboard box with shavings. I know how she felt. I had a very long winter being pregnant and dealing with complications, then having a newborn, you get a little cabin fever. She enjoyed her alone time then joined up with her chicks when they started cheeping loudly, to go back to the duty of being a mom. Good girl Jane.
I also planted the tomato plants as they were starting to lose something from being dragged in and out every day. I put the plastic on those hoop houses that I had made the frame for a few days ago and they fared quite well overnight. They seem much happier to be in the ground. The peppers that survived the fall were also put in the ground. I figured we'd give them the opportunity to sink or swim, and so far so good. We put milk cartons over each plant last night to give them their own private greenhouse of sorts. We had run out of hoop house space, so this solved that dilemma.
Duck Update: They have settled in. Today we got eggs from all three, so that was exciting. I have been feeding them morning and night, and preceding the food by an ole' "Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick, Chick". Joseph said that's what he says, so I decided I'd stick with it…probably should be Duck, Duck, Duck, Duck, Duck, but Chick rolls off the tongue better. Now, when they hear me call, they come running…well waddling along. Very cool that we have this understanding. They go in on their own every night, also good. I still enjoy chickens more, they are just a more domesticated animal, and welcome attention…well at least on par with an average cat. They like to be noticed, even pet a bit, but then they go off about their independent day. Ducks have no interest in even being noticed beyond the feeding time. This might change, but I'm not thinking that to be likely. That's okay, they are still fun to watch and their presence brings a nice layer to the "homestead". Listening to them frolick in the mud, and quack as they waddled around their space, lent a relaxing tone to the day. In another week or so, as long as things continue to go well, I'm going to stop collecting eggs and see if one of them will go broody. I'm excited about a mama duck and her ducklings.
I simply adore this image!
What did she do today? 