That Buzzing Noise


“That buzzing-noise means something. If there’s a buzzing noise, somebody’s making a buzzing-noise, and the only reason for making a buzzing-noise that I know of is because you’re a bee. ….
And the only reason for being a bee that I know of is making honey…..
And the only reason for making honey is so as I can eat it.”–Winnie the Pooh

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Now playing: Beat Happening – Indian Summer
via FoxyTunes

August 28, 2008 | Tags: | Comments Closed

Any Day Now…



…especially with this deliciously dropping barometric pressure! Maude was due to calve Friday the 22nd, and her udder just keeps getting bigger, and bigger… In one of the pictures we have Bernard holding up a quarter for comparison.

It’s been raining today, for the first time in what seems like forever. Here’s hoping it will save the hay.

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Now playing: Willie Nelson – Blues Eyes Crying In The Rain
via FoxyTunes

August 25, 2008 | Tags: | Comments Closed

Fay = Hay?

The current map has Fay stalling out directly over Madison County, which would be a lifesaver for this frighteningly dry region. We are all making come-hither eyes at her, hoping to lure her to come and stay awhile. My neighbor from whom we buy hay said the other day that the second cutting is not only not growing, it’s shrinking. Come on, Fay! We need you!

Edit:

Alas, as of this morning (Tuesday) it looks like we may not see a drop of rain from fickle Fay!

August 18, 2008 | Tags: | Comments Closed

An Unbelievably Good Late Summer Breakfast

OK. So first, you put two cups of white corn masa flour in a bowl with a half teaspoon or so of salt. Add a cup to a cup and a quarter of water, knead until you have a pleasant dough about the consistency of PlayDoh. Now coarsely chop a few pieces of bacon. Fry in a skillet until bacon is crisp and all fat is rendered. Set bacon aside to drain on paper towels, leaving grease in pan. Now shape the masa dough into 3 to 4 inch-diameter patties, patting it down until it’s about an eighth of an inch thick—maybe 2 or 3 tablespoons of dough each. Fry these on both sides in the skillet of hot bacon grease. They’ll still be pale—maybe only lightly tanned—and soft in the middle. Set aside to drain on paper towels. Slice a really good heirloom tomato—preferably a Carbon, though whatever you have should work, as long as it’s perfectly ripe. Now on each little masa cake, spread a little mayonnaise—really (I hate to say it) Kraft is the best, though a homemade aioli might be ok—add a slice of your perfect tomato, and sprinkle with some of the cooked crumbled bacon. You’ll have to stand over the sink to eat this, but holy cow. Maybe the best thing I’ve ever tasted.

August 17, 2008 | Tags: , | Comments Closed

Today in the Kitchen



I’m headed over to my friend MD’s to pick tomatoes for canning, and that’s what I’ll be doing for the rest of my day! Our tomatoes are coming in at too much of a trickle to get enough ahead to can—though I add basketsful of ours to the cases I get from MD. I’ve just been peeling (boiling water, then ice water, then slip the skin off) and then partially seeding (cut in half, give a quick squeeze like a lemon) them, cutting them into big chunks, and canning them in quarts. Thirty-four, so far, and hopefully at least that many today.

Also on today’s list: peach jam with bourbon and brown sugar. I cut up some really good South Carolina peaches yesterday, and mixed them with brown sugar and Jim Beam, and left them soaking all night out on the counter. I don’t know yet how the finished jam will turn out, but I really, really like the liquid in the bottom of the bowl right now!