First Signs of Spring, Broody Java Hens and Volunteers

It has been a mild winter this year...but a long one in many ways other than the weather. This morning the feel of spring was unmistakeable. The air cool, and the sun, bright and crystalline; New tender volunteer shoots of Catnip, Peppermint, and Bee Balm are peeping out of the damp earth in the pasture, and along the rock walls. I tend to leave "volunteers" where they spring up, knowing they will be happy and do well there.

The big seed packets of flowers are waiting on the kitchen bench for the right weather to plant. The old favorites: Cosmos, Zinnias, Larkspur, and Sunflowers, but trying Indigo for the first time, and excited about this link to history, and the potential for dyeing new spun wool.

This year I will be selling nice big cut Farm Flower Bouquets at Whole Foods Market in Cary, NC. I hope these will be available by the middle of April. I will mix together what is blossoming in the gardens, including herbs. These bouquets are what I have cut for my farmhouse for years. English Roses, Hydrangeas, Larkspur, Cosmos, Zinnias, Catnip, Mint, Oregano, Bay...and what ever else is beautiful that day. Seasonal cut flowers, Locally grown, Organically nurtured. I am excited and honored to share what God has given me. Fresh flowers on the kitchen table...it is a way of life.

I have 2 huge rock piles waiting for me to put into the rock walls. This is a several day job, and I will pencil it into my week. "Good exercise", I tell myself when I get tired. And, I do like to see the result.

I have a Old Mama Java Hen who wants to set all the time. She is devoted, and tenacious with her mothering duties. I identify with her, and understand her. She is a Java and a sweet hen. She is setting on 12 eggs. I mark each egg with a pencil X, so I can check the nest daily and take out any eggs the other hens lay in her nest that day. I plan to move her out during the night with her eggs to the "Pullet House" so she will have the necessary isolation to devote to her brood. If left in the main hen house, the hens and the rooster will likely kill the chicks, either by mistake, or with purpose thinking they are a threat. Either way, the hen will be much less nervous, and take better care of her brood if she has a quiet, safe place without chaos....much like human mothers.

The Periwinkle Meadow is awash with violet blue blossoms scattered on the verdant ground cover vines. The honeybees were humming softly as I walked by. Spring is surely around the corner.

I am a steward of this beautiful place. The woods are ALIVE this time of year. This morning the mosses and lichens were ablaze in the barren forests. With everything brown and gray...the bright lime greens, and dusty green shine like jewels as I walk with the dogs through the old growth forest. A Cathedral. A Church.

Triple Chocolate Cookies...and Cold Milk...what could be better?

Could not get these cookies out of my mind...so made up a batch for supper! The perfect recipe, crispy outside,with a soft rich chocolate inside. From American Test Kitchen, how could it be bad?
Absolutely delicious with cold milk. Mac was going crazy while they were cooking. He does not understand that chocolate is not for dogs.

A Hearty Winter Green Stew ...High Ground Farm in Slumber

The air is cold and crisp. The wind a fierce gust that takes my breath, as I walk the dogs this morning. But in its sleep, there is a nice surprise in the garden. Bright green Turnip, Mustard and Kale tops that have thrived through the hot summer, the fall and now winter. These made for a hearty stew of winter greens,potatoes, mushrooms, fresh thyme and ham. What a delight to eat by the fire. Complete with crispy cornbread! All from the Harnett County soil...what more could one want?

Java Chick Order List

There will be a limited number of the rare Java day old chicks for sale this year. White, Black, or Auburn. The Java Chicken is on the American Livestock Breed Conservancy list as threatened,with less than 1000 breeding pairs,and 5000 birds in the world.

Not only are they a wonderful dual purpose bird, they are sweet spirited, and beautiful!

Email me now to be placed on the "Wait List" for the number of UNSEXED day old chicks you would like. I will have a very limited number this year, so act fast. I will contact you as the eggs are confirmed viable, then again as soon as the chicks hatch.

Pick up from the farm within 36 hours of hatch is required, as I do not ship chicks.

Black Java Chicks, unsexed-25.00 each
White Java Chicks, unsexed-30.00 each
Auburn Java Chicks, unsexed-40.00 each

Christmas Cards from High Ground Farm...Java Chickens Decorating the Christmas Tree and Wrapping Gifts

I have a few packets of Christmas Cards printed from my original water color paintings left of : The Java Hens Decorating the Tree, and Wrapping Christmas Gifts; The Chicken Barn Door at Christmas; and Winnie wearing his Christmas Bow.

These are great to send to family and friends at Christmas, as well as for gifts. I also use them for special Gift Tags for very fancy gifts.

Taken from the inspiration of the farm, AND a liberal dose of my imagination. I loved creating them.

Email me if you want to order. and I will ship them to you. Unfortunately I do not have a way to accept credit cards (a project for the new year), so mail me a check. I will get them to you within the next 2 weeks, since I may have to have more printed.

A packet of 6 cards/envelopes - 15.00/includes postage.

Have I Disappeared?

Well, I am sure some of you have wondered what has happened to me! Well, not to go into detail, our family has experienced a serious health issue...and I have been focusing on things other than the farm. Life is uncertain, and a adventure. For now the farm is resting, but will gear up again in spring! Planning to make the cooking classes, and tours a real hands on experience of rural life!

I did harvest the BIG Kahuna White Ginger...and for the first harvest very good. Grated it for a steak marinade last week to the satisfaction of my diners. It is divine.

I have down sized the hen flock to a manageable 40; the beds are in cover crops of turnips, and kale; and the flower beds are all waiting for me to save the seed for next year.

The leaves are coming down and I am grateful for them! They are a gift to me to add to the beds as compose. Lovely stuff, rotted leaves, full of garden nutrients.

Pastures are being sowed in rye, and red clover for the spring. The bee hives are doing well, and we hope for a honey harvest next year.

Every year is different, and this one is unique, as I learn more than I ever thought I needed to know about patience, and taking one day at a time. Life, every moment is a blessing.

More to Come Later......

Promise me
you'll always remember:
You're braver
than you believe,
and stronger
than you seem,
and smarter
than you think.

said
Christopher Robin to Pooh.
by A.A. Milne

Butterflies, Honeybees, Bumblebees, and Wasps

This morning there is constant motion all along the Zinnia, and Basil rows in the Kitchen Garden! It is a lovely sight as the pollinators enjoy the nector of all the flowers in bloom!

Don was out to check the 3 hives of honeybees in the garden. I was happy to hear they are doing well. The smell of pine smoke drifted out into the garden from the smokers. Lovely.

I am grateful that the morning is cooler. What a hot wave we have had here in NC. I was so relieved to see the rain yesterday. As if everything needed a good wash. All the dust has settled, and the morning seemed so much brighter.

Pretty Java Pullets and Cockerels

The young Javas are now 8 weeks old, and really looking nice. They are out of my best Java stock. I am impressed with the body confirmation and nice complete black legs, and feet with yellow soles. I will keep these to continue to build my Java flock. They are already zealous foragers! True to the nature of the Java. I just love this breed.

Preserving the Summer

The beets grew beautifully this year. They seem to thrive in the heat (unlike so many other things). As I was slipping the peels off , I had a sudden memory of helping my grandmother, Emma, at her kitchen sink. I must have been 7 or 8 years old. My job was to remove the skins from the beets. After boiling them until just tender the skins slip off very easily. As I was doing this, I could hear my grandmother Carroll's sweet chuckle, and see the big old sink filled with beets. The memory is such a amazing store of sights, sounds, smells, and textures. Lovely.

Here are photos of the beets: Just after cooking, just peeled, and then after canning the lovely sweet pickled beets. I used 5 spice powder instead of pickling spice this year, and think it is better. More cloves, and allspice...and cardamon I think.

I will serve these at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Summer in a jar.

How Many Tomatoes Have You Ever Seen In One Place ?

Today was another Tomato Day in High Ground Farmhouse. What a sight, a co-zillion (at least) waiting for me to as they lined the dining room table, and the kitchen table. Inspecting, sizing, sorting, washing, drying, weighing, and finally packing in flat clean recycled labeled boxes. All of this before taking the best ones, more than 100 pounds of beautiful HEIRLOOM Tomatoes to waiting chefs, and to Whole Foods Market in Cary. I love to look at the shapes, and the colors...but the taste is the best part. What a delicious sandwich I had for supper. Thick smokey bacon, canola mayo, white bread and 3 thick slices of a Cherokee Purple Tomato. Doesn't get much better than that!

AND it is not too late to sign up for a Produce Box for Wednesday drop off in Fuquay Varina. Give me a call or email me to sign up. Boxes are 25.00 each. Take a look at the list on the sidebar for details, and all the extra's available.

Blackberry Brambles Heavy with Fruit

The Blackberries were planted just 3 years ago along a cedar split rail fence that extends about 600 feet around the Kitchen Garden and Apple Orchard. There are about 20 plants. Last year there were enough for only one sumptuous pie. This year they are heavy with fruit. I have frozen 3 gallons, and given away about the same. There are more to pick tomorrow. I am certain it is the bees. The honeybees were thick on the blossoms in spring. I cannot wait for company to have an excuse to bake a pie. The butter crust,one of my favorites, turns out brown and flaky. A perfect compliment to the tart sweet berries.

The End Result is Art....The culmination of months of hard, hot, and long work

After weeks of weeding, watering, composting, staking, harvesting, washing, packaging, labeling, marketing, emailing...I finally see the fruit of my labor. The back of my truck filled to the top with Produce Boxes, Tomato Boxes, Basil Bunches, Farm Field Flower Bouquets, Fresh Pasture Raised Heritage Breed Hen Eggs, and Oh Yes, my art. My art is a way to capture the beauty of everyday things. Sights that make it all worth the work, and the worry. It is a beautiful sight.

Is There Anything That Says Summer like the Taste of a Warm from the Garden TOMATO?

I ate my first tomato of the summer tonight for supper...and well it was all the heirloom tomato is suppose to be! Warm from the garden, sweet, tangy, and "tomato-y". It was absolutely delicious with zucchini cooked with garlic and olive oil and some crusty bread to sop up the tomato and the oil. Nothing more is needed.

So What's in the Box Saturday?

Tender Green String Beans, yellow squash, white patty pan squash, tender green zucchini, new dug red potatoes, tender green cabbage, new white onions, and rosemary for roasted potatoes!

Orders will be delivered tomorrow to Whole Foods in Cary. Order your box for next week NOW. Order for 1 month to hold your CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) spot. Reduced rate for 4 week orders.

See you tomorrow!

Produce Box Delivery to Your Door this Week

Wednesday June 8, Special Delivery to your FUQUAY office or home! Produce Boxes, Eggs, Honey and Cut Farm Flowers.Big fresh cabbage,spring onions, new red pototoes, beets, zucchini, patty pan squash ,cucumbers 25.00; Cut Flowers 15.00; Eggs 6.00/dozen; Harnett County Honey-6.00. Email order today.

Hard Work Sweetened by Languid Moments...I close my eyes and store the memory of the moment, to bring out when I need it, like a old favorite photo.

The last few days have been a steady maddening pace! Monday is my morning to catch up on the business end of farming, with all the emails, scheduling, and general paper work, so let me reflect as a way to share the events here on the farm.

Every day begins with a long walk with the dogs around the farm,as we check fence lines, and any wildlife mischief that occurred during the night. This usually uncovers some discovery, a turtle laying her eggs in mud, or a invisible scent that makes the dogs crazy. Hand weeding every day for several hours to keep the beds/fields at their best, although right now the tomato field is out of control with grassy rows. I just cannot seem to get it all mulched.

Then, harvesting the night, or morning of market days.
Hours of picking cucumbers,zucchini,cabbages,beets,radishes. Lifting heavy boxes, and baskets, is building my biceps and I do not even have to go to a gym! Then weighing, making Produce Boxes, labeling, and wrapping to go straight to a large cooler until driving them out to market or to families eager to have delicious vegetables for their table. Delivering to restaurants, families and to Whole Foods Market is a accumulation of all my work. I bring a beautiful and very high quality product in ...to the raves of smiles of the chefs, families, and the great Whole Foods people. It is so gratifying to know people value this delicious food and the work it takes.

In the middle of all of this, are hawk attacks which require me to bolt down to the pasture with dogs running madly along with tongues hanging out, to shew (I do not think that is a real word) the hawks away. Hawks are VERY persistent and try something everyday. THIS is going to be Emmy's job, however right now she is very much in training. She loves the chickens, but I cannot tell if she likes them and thinks they are her pets, or if she wants to eat them. I am told it takes 2 years to train a pup to be a reliable livestock/chicken guardian, so it is a long process.

Mowing and trimming the grounds takes way too much time, but necessary to prevent SNAKE habitat! I almost stepped on a COPPERHEAD a few weeks ago at the chicken barn late one night. So, hours of mowing, dripping with sweat is part of the farm. That reminds me I need to mow down at the gates!

The hen house has to have new bedding, and general "housework" everyday. Feed, grain,and fresh water every day keeps the hens healthy. Egg gathering now is complicated (as part of puppy training) with Emmy sitting in the hen house at my feet as I collect eggs. This is interrupted several times with "sit/stay", and "leave it" as Emmy becomes a little too interested in a hen. A broody hen helped with a sharp peck to her nose yesterday as she got too close..helping with the training process I hope. Wheewww I hope I can keep this guardian dog training up!

Ah yes, the delicious fresh meals! Famished from all the hard work, there is nothing like throwing what ever is extra, or going bad from the garden in a pan and eating it! The English Peas have given up to the hot sun, so last night I ate the last of them cooked quickly in olive oil and garlic over fresh pasta. What a feast with Pomegranate Green Tea. Lovely. Here is a photo.

Hot, dripping with sweat, and tired from hours of physical labor, I sit in the cool of the shade, and am so thankful for this place of solitude, and beauty. The scent of the now heavy laden Gardenia Bushes, and huge Magnolia blossoms drifts in the hot air. The drone of a small plane overhead, and the gentle breeze on my face is a solace to my soul. I close my eyes and store the memory of the moment, to bring out when I need it, like a old favorite photo.

Inspiration for the Day

PERFECT DAY (ending) ..I have loved this haunting, enchanting music and lyrics for years. Inspiration to see the beauty in everyday, every moment. Perfect Day (beginning)

Vegetable Gardens are Loving this HOT Weather...and I am NOT

Well, all this hot and humid weather is heaven for the heirloom tomatoes, beans, cabbages, heirloom squashes, zucchini, cucumbers and everything, but NOT for ME. I have worked out in the heat everyday, and find I have to come in midday to escape and cool down. After a few hours of rest (housework seems like rest after weeding, and mulching in 95 degrees), I go back out again. Everyday involves hand weeding, mulching, watering. Some days we pick for the next day, but most of the time we pick just before I am taking produce to Whole Foods Market, Heron's at the Umstead, Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen, or Bella Mia, all in Cary, NC. This way they get the very freshest produce. Today Zucchini was literally in their hands 2 hours out of the field. The blossoms were still on some. It was a lovely sight. Think of the taste just pan fried in a little olive oil with sea salt. Can not get any better than that!

The hens do not like the hot weather. They sit or stand with their wings out a bit for air to circulate, and hassle with their mouths open. Chickens do not sweat, so have to regulate their temperature this way. I give them cold water twice a day, and they LOVE to stand in the water as it tickles out of the toughs over their feet! They also enjoy cold bananas..chickens love things that are sweet like fruit. I am sure that cools them down some too. They have a big fan inside the coop blowing onto the roost poles. They seem to enjoy the breeze. With the change to very hot weather, they are laying fewer eggs. Just at the time in the year when demand in up...that is farming!

Produce Boxes today were loaded! Garden Peas, Radishes (3 kinds), new red potatoes, grey and dark green zucchini, yellow crooked neck squash, white patti pan squash, crisp young pointed head cabbage, white onions, and crisp pickling and straight cucumbers. What a box! The same with be in boxes for the next week ...THEN the tomatoes start! SIGN UP NOW if you want a box delivered to the Fuquay, Chapel Hill, or Cary location. Call or email me for details. Would love to bring some great produce out to you, and I do special orders if you have favorites! Nothing like new red potatoes cooked in butter and olive oil. Yum!

A New Guard for the Chickens...Watch OUT Mr. Fox

Emmy, the English Shepherd is now on patrol! Well, she is in TRAINING to be on patrol, but showing great promise. She is just a pup now, but already springs to action if anything seems the least bit unusual. English Shepherds are a very old farm dog breed, and perfect to guard the hens from those pesky fox, coyote,raccoon, and the WORSE of all...the HAWKS! She is so smart, already walking at heel,understanding "let's go EAT", and "walk through" (going through gates/doors"). I don't think I have ever had a pup catch on so quickly! The hens are just starting to accept her. At first they were VERY suspicious, not sure if she was a strange dog, or a funny looking fox, or what! The roosters sent out warning calls, and the hens ran for cover. They are getting over this after many walks in the pasture. Emmy looks at the hens, but shows no interest in chancing them. It will be a while before she is ready to solo this duty. I have added a link, in case you want to read more about the English Shepherd livestock guard.

Calum likes her, and has been a very good influence, with his gentlemanly manners (except for his recent embarrassing incident,when he ate a ENTIRE huge "highly digestible (thank goodness!) extra large nylabone!!) He would not look me in the eye! That's the last time I will have anything like that around! I was shocked! So unlike him!

The High Ground Farm Newsletter will be coming out soon. Let me know if you would like to be added to the list! A lot is going on here, so this is a way for folks to keep up with available produce, chick hatches, TOURS, COOKING CLASSES and new ART available for sell.

The "Henside the Beltline Tour d'Coop" is this Saturday, May 21. This is a gala spring event featuring beautiful chicken coops in Raleigh. Many are unexpectedly beautiful in gorgeous gardens. I am so glad folks are catching on to the joys of keeping chickens! They are wonderful to watch...calming, and sweet as they peck, and scratch. Check the website, and plan to come out. I just love this tour!