Kitchen Goods and Barnyard Gossip

Maddie (our nearly naked Newfie...sporting her second haircut of the summer)

has been hanging out on the campus of Birdbrain Academy lately.

According to her, rumor has it that this class of guinea keets just may be the smartest yet!

When questioned, Headmaster Gus confirmed that "Yes",

the youngsters test scores are well above the national average.

Way to go guineas!!

There's a bit of trouble brewing in the henhouse, however.

It seems we have a slacker in our midst.

Here are yesterday's eggs....

Yes, the numbers are down but that is to be expected.

We don't worry so much about quantity,

but quality... now that's another matter.

And one of the hens is not laying up to standards!

I asked Elton if he knew who might be the culprit.

He sheepishly suggested that we talk to the "Divas".

As he put it...

they spend more time primping and preening their fancy hats than they do working.

Come on girls... no more micro mini eggs, ok?

Can anyone tell me....

what is the attraction that butterflies have to horse urine??

It's one of those barnyard mysteries!

According to Donnie Brascoe, our resident Science Pony...

it is because they like the salts and minerals that are in urine.

Hmmmmmm.

You heard it here!

And if you were wondering how our teeny, tiny nest in the blueberry bush is doing...

well, now we have three eggs.

I will be putting a "No Trespassing" sign on that bush for the next few weeks.

And finally as promised....

Blueberry Lime Jam

5 cups of blueberries (crushed)

2 1/2 cups of sugar

juice of two limes 

zest from one lime

1 pack of fruit pectin

Bring the above to a boil in a large kettle.

(I processed about 4 times the above amount at one time)

When you reach a rolling boil, allow to boil one more minute.

Skim foam from top of liquid.

Pour into jelly jars with 1/4 inch headspace.

Place and hand tighten lids.

Process in water bath for 15 minutes.

This is one of our favorite jams.

I add a lot of lime to it to make it tart (how we like it).

If you like a sweeter jam, you can certainly add more sugar.

Blueberry Buckle

and a Giveaway....

Coming on Monday!

Stay tuned.........