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Autumn sun and a light wind from the south carried the weekend up to seventy degrees (21ºC) and blue skies after a few weeks of cold weather (30ºF, around 0ºC). Towels whipped in the wind. The last of the garden peppers went into white chili (with turkey Don raised, white beans, onion, garlic, cumin, homemade chili powder from our neighbor's friend (we'd run out - thank goodness! wow was this good stuff), cilantro, lime juice and chicken broth, no tomatoes - save those for red chili).
Rosemary and parsley puffed out like it was August.
Beverly and Berta wondered where the cold went.
Don even let the turkeys wander outside their fence a while, but it didn't last long. He remembered how dumb they are, worried they'd head toward the road and penned them back up.
Floozie found a rock and wanted to brood. Wow, she looks big all of a sudden, as fluffy as the parsley. She used to be such a skinny squirt. A nosy one. (See sidebar toward the bottom.)
Spearmint, peppermint, ever-ready strawberries and frost-flattened rhubarb kept two other garden beds alive and green with red trim. Don had transplanted the foundering rhubarb here where it looks to be thriving now. I tasted a chunk of pink rhubarb stalk, thinking I'd make pie, but it was tasteless. I used to eat rhubarb raw when I was a kid from a patch in my parents' backyard - crisp, gritty, juicy and SOUR. We will have to wait until spring for this plant to grow fresh tasty stalks. Save room for warm strawberry-rhubarb pie a la mode in June. Something in the pairing with strawberries eliminates rhubarb's gritty feel on your teeth.
The lumberjack chain-sawed dead wood by the pond, which I later stacked in the corncrib. So far the forced air furnace has hardly kicked on in spite of cold weather the last few weeks because the wood stove is efficient and keeps us cozy. It will be cold again soon enough.
What can be said - except Hallelujah, Praise the Lord and pass the sour cream (for the chili), and butter and honey (for the cornbread)!
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66 comments:
I think that this post illustrates perfectly what you expressed in your previous post ; enjoy the present fully !
Wonderful atmosphere! Hard to believe it's almost Thanksgiving, I remember it being so cold in Ohio around this time of year.
And "hear, hear!" to your "Hallelujah, Praise the Lord and pass the sour cream (for the chili), and butter and honey (for the cornbread)!"
Sounds like a wonderful day.
Enjoyed all the photos and post. Looks like life is good at your home!
I can almost smell that chili...
Your photos are joyful, as always. Floozie is the greatest name! I love that. She has blossomed since she was young. my favorite chic pic is Honey. Just the coolest photo; she looks like a Sheep dog.
Finally getting a moment to catch up on some of my favorite blogs!
The weekend weather was unseasonably warm and sunny here in RI too... It gave me an undescribably happy, floating feeling...Your photo story of this wonderful weekend gave me that feeling too:) Love those chickens!....and rhubarb is my favorite food:)
sounds like a fabulous fall day!!
I love the pictures, but is that yellow bird a chicken or a turkey. I thought turkeys have that thing on their chins.
xooxo
Those sunny warm breezes have made there way up here too.. don't you just love it!!! almost better than summer... especially this year..
Love it. The chili sounds perfect and the chickens are beautiful. Life is good.
Ruth! What a beautiful place you have! I loved seeing all of the pictures and that chili recipe? Wanna share it? Sounds really good!
Loved the pictures and the turkey chili recipe. I really enjoy your blog.
What a sweet life out on the farm! Beautiful again today. The chickens look so happpy. Just wonderful isn't it. Chili, Yum!
Life looks and sounds good there at the Barn!
Too funny the hen wanting to sit on a rock!
All the food sounds delicious!
It was a glorious weekend! Even today wasn't half bad.
I just think your chickens are so adorable! I want to just hug them.
Although I'm sure they're not to fond of cuddling with humans.
White chili, towels on the line, stacking wood... good stuff Ruth!
The chili looks delicious and the cornbread next to it makes it look like a wonderful meal.
my first time visiting, love your photos and the chickens.
Enjoyable post and I loved the photos.
I have a photo somewhere of my granddaughter tasting rhubarb. She has such a sour expression on her face, yet she kept eating it. I'll post it if I can find it.
Aahh, clothes on the line, chili on the stove. What more could a person want?
Wasn't that the most perfect weekend? And at long last -- so longing for that kind of day for so long (is this our Indian Summer?).
The white chili sounds wonderful. It IS that time, isn't it? (My verification word is cometog -- come together!)
Those 70 degree days in November are real gifts! They rejuvenate and inspire!
Love the pics of your farm ... the garden, the hens, the hired hands! ;-> Glad you got to enjoy the weekend!
Delicious images...was that a buff orpington in front of the turquoise window frame?
Thank you for sharing a weekend on the farm with those of us stuck in the world of the suburbs.
YUM! Are there any leftovers??? So nice to have this last little bit of Indian summer...we brought all of the surviving herbs indoors for the winter (cats are having great fun sniffing), with crossed fingers. And the geranium is going to bloom again! Go figure. Thanks for sharing your weekend.
I'm all envious: the warm weather, the natural environs, the character gardens, the colorful harvest, even laundry blowing in the wind looks enticing... where actually are you living, Ruth? Paradise?
I did not know you live on a "farm" and so in tune with nature.
Good food, good work, good sun equals fulfillment and a sense of accomplishment. Sounds like my kind of weekend. That chili and cornbread looks wonderful!
You do cozy and comfy so well.
It's six a.m. and that chili looks like a mighty fine hearty breakfast to me. Yes, cornbread slathered with butter and honey too, please. Only if you have some to spare.
There really is something very inspiring and wistful about your life on the farm, Ruthie! I love it all.
Now this just isn't fair. Its almost dinner time and I don't have anything started yet. You have got the taste buds working overtime.
I really love the picture of the wash blowing in the wind.
This just was a wonderful post and fun to read.
Peter, some days it is not hard. :)
Claudia, no doubt when you lived in OH you heard the statement: IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WEATHER, WAIT A MINUTE. The opposite could also be said. :)
Ellen, it was a wonderful whole weekend. Thanks.
Kat, life is very good at the farm, and once or twice a year off season, there is a weekend like this, which makes it all even better.
My god, Violetski, it was the best either of us had tasted. Wish you could have joined us.
So, California Girl, Floozie is named for my sister Susan, who is also a redhead. My dad called her "Floozie Susie" - and so . . .
Yes, Honey is such a treat. I was lying on the ground looking up at her. You should see the time Don and Lesley gave her a "hair"cut so she could see.
Oliag, it felt like the whole farm was ready for lift-off!
Jean, it was worthy of an artist with easel and palette.
Renee, the yellow is a chicken. I was confusing in my writing. Don let the chickens out too!! The big white and black birds at the back of the crowd are the turkeys. The males are the ones with the big beardee things, and I think there is only one of them left (or did they all die).
Gwen - yes almost better when they're so unexpected.
Nancy, I didn't know how much I needed a weekend like this, until it came. I loved working! It didn't feel like work.
Delphyne, of course I'll share the recipe. When I'm home I'll get it to you . . .
You make living on a farm look so romantic, though I know it must be a lot of very hard work at times.
We've had unusually warm and sunny weather for the time of year, but it's getting cold now!
Shari, thank you so much for coming and leaving a comment too. I'll come back and post the whole recipe in a comment.
Cathy, you'd have so much to paint here!
Cupcakes, nothing came of that brooding, unlike at your place!!
Anet, bring the family over!!!
I'm serious.
Feels like home here.
Good folks and good food.
Dakota Bear, I'll post the recipe here, since Delphyne requested it:
White Bean Chicken Chili
In a large pot sauté 1 chopped onion, 1 garlic clove minced, 1 medium red pepper (we added more peppers and more garlic) in olive oil over medium heat 5 minutes.
Stir in 30 oz canned white beans, 4 oz green chiles (we added fresh), 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder and 14 1/2 oz can chicken broth (we added a little more of our own homemade broth). Bring to a boil and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in 1/2 lb. roasted chicken breast meat (we used leftover turkey - this would be good after Thanksgiving) and simmer 5 minutes.
Stir in 2 tablespoons lime juice and 2 tablespoons minced cilantro (fresh coriander).
Enjoy!
Margie, I am happy for your visit and your very sweet blog with your sister.
Bella! I loved the photo of your granddaughter - that's it! Screw up with sourness and keep on eating. :)
Pat, nothing much, I agree. It was such a satisfying weekend.
Jeanie, I see you enjoyed the weekend too, from your post. It was indescribably delicious (and the chili was good too).
CottageGirl, it's a good thing he isn't hired - I couldn't afford him. :)
I am still just stunned thinking about your Uncle Vince being one of the soldiers who died in the collapse of the Remagen bridge.
Hi, Patricia, no, Don tells me it is a Buff Cochin. I'm glad you visited the country for a few minutes and enjoyed it.
DS, the "LO's" (as my dad called them) were gone next day! And you know it was even better after sitting overnight. Man!
Have you ever tried that hanging the geraniums upside down in the basement over the winter and replanting in the spring? I tried once without success, but I know others who did. I even had one friend who kept hers on the window ledge all winter.
Arti, it feels like it to me. :)
Ann, yes, the farm is our teacher.
Susie, you said it. You should try this recipe for you and David - or double it for the whole gang. It's super easy (not that you need easy!) and quick, and just delicious.
You were a tad late, Dutchbaby! Cornbread is good for breakfast though.
Boots, I know you love it too. Your work his this summer before the wedding is one great memory for me. What a gift! Those four Adirondacks are a testimony to YOU.
Sue, please try this easy and quick recipe, up in another comment box. It is better than it sounds.
Babs, getting cold here now too, and how. Stay warm in your snugee blankie thing! :)
Hi, Gemma, that makes me happy that you feel at home here.
First the Alton connection and now Remagen. It still is unbelievable to me that you were right there. Our world is surely getting smaller, Ruth.
CottageGirl, well, at the moment, the world is only as big as you and me.
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