September is here!

And you know what that means!  It's almost Fall!

And you know what that means! It's almost Hallowe'en!

So, of course, the craft room is full of styrofoam and detached hands groping for the sewing machine and the garage is full of spray paint, glue, caulking and all manner of toxic fumes.

The theme this year at Bluestocking Farm is "Something Wicked".  First project on the docket for September is a Book of Shadows, the witches' personal cookbook of spells. I'm also embroidering a number of spells on linen.

On my current wish list is a large copper cauldron. I have a few smaller ones, but the large one will be a centerpiece.

My really big goal for this year is to get the lighting right.  Over the years I've been using solar lighting and frankly, it has sucked. First, it dies by 9 p.m. and second, it's not terribly strong. I'd love to learn how to do the LED spotlights we learned at Scare L.A. with the So. Cal. Valley Haunters, but I'm not sure I'll be able to figure out how to set it up in time.  After all, there's only 56 days...

So much to do, so little time.

New girls

The two new girls, Super and Marsala are all grown up! 

The day they came home to Bluestocking Farm!

We got them where all of our girls came from, Dare 2 Dream Farms.  We actually went up to the farm and picked them out, they were about 17 or 18 weeks old when they came home. They came to Bluestocking Farm in May as pullets and in the last couple of weeks, their combs have come in and they're running with the big girls. Super started laying gorgeous pinkish-brown eggs last week, which is a good thing because Potpie had a little illness this summer and hasn't laid for the last 4 weeks or so. Marsala should start laying before Fall.

This is Super (front) and Marsala (back) yesterday.

Last week was the first time I was able to get Marsala and Super back into the coop without having to chase them down, which, trust me, is an amusing sight and great exercise!  I've now trained all of the girls to follow me into the coop.

How? When the first four were little (and I didn't know better) I bought a bag of very overpriced treats in a very shiny bag. They recognize the bag now (really!) and I've been since filling it up with homemade treats but I only give them the treats in the coop. So they know to march their fuzzy butts inside in order to get treats. Today was the first time Super and Marsala followed the rest of the gang back to the coop. They're like my little chicken army!

March!!!

Guess what?

August San Fernando Valley Food Swap

Due to the large quantities of loquats harvested and canned this season, I was super excited to be doing the San Fernando Valley Food Swap this weekend.  This is the first time it's was not at my house and while it is pretty darn easy, I was glad to not be hosting it this time around.

Diane hosted in her lovely Sherman Oaks home and among her chickens and her fruit trees she set up beautiful tables where 20 people came and displayed their wares!

There were fresh grapefruit, massive patty pan squash, figs, cucumbers, relish, eggs, jams of every stripe, peppers, BACON MARMALADE, gluten free pasta, granola, fresh herbs, dried herbs, LOQUAT BRANDY, honey caramels, creme fraiche, lavender sugar, candied watermelon rind and so much more!  Someone even brought wine. From their vineyard. Yes.

 It was a beautiful day and everyone who came was fabulous, friendly and left with an armful.

I came home with grapefruit, mint jelly, port wine jelly, figs, bay leaves, fennel seeds, brandy, and a ton of other yummies.  I somehow missed out on trading for the bacon marmalade, which Michael would have loved, but I might try to make that in the future.

I had never before tried watermelon rind.  I was anxious to try it as I had always heard good things.  I am super happy to report that from now on, watermelon rind in my house will not be fed to the chickens nearly as often (they really like it too!) as I will be finding that recipe and making some of my own!

I am such a huge fan of figs, I cannot wait to dig into them.  I really need to plant a fig tree soon.

So the swap was only the first four hours of my weekend and it was a super busy one!  More tomorrow.

12 weeks 'til Hallowe'en :)

Yes, I am back again for a number of reasons:

1. I just got back a ton of time at work because I finally hired someone and she started and she's great and I'm not doing 2 jobs anymore!!!  Yay!!!
2. So much has happened.
3. I feel like writing again.
4. Hallowe'en is 12 weeks away and I'm planning on participating in CryptKeeper 2013 and if I don't get started writing now, I'll never build up to writing again on October 1.  

So here I am!!!

Catching up:

• Last September my in-laws moved into our house for 3 months. It was a difficult time. Let's leave it there. They moved out on New Year's Eve. 
• 2013 started very well and all has been going along swimmingly. About the first thing we did was get a dog. Her name is Mitzi Francesca Landsman, but I tend to call her Schmookieface. Michael calls her Mitzidoodle, the Wonder Poodle. She's AWESOME! I don't know how we found such a special dog, but I think she might be the best dog I've ever met.  Ever.
• I grew a billion cucumbers, tons of lettuce, a million tomatoes and 4 watermelons. I killed a ton of garlic and I have killed the dill again. I planted artichoke and while it produced chokes, I thought I'd give the plants some time to toughen up so I cut them off so the plants could grow. We'll see if that works. Also, I bought a fejoia tree and it is producing!!!
• I canned 200 pounds of loquats into every form I could think of.  Next year I'm going to ask for help. Also, I'm probably going to make some kind of liquor next year, because it seems everyone wanted loquat liquor. 
• I got two new chickens!!! Michael named one Marsala and my sister, Shannon, named one Super,
  
  after the cartoon.  I kept trying to tell her that SuperChicken was a rooster, but she didn't care.
• We went to Alaska for the last week in July and had a fabulous time. I went snorkeling. In Alaska. No, Michael didn't join me snorkeling because he's bok, bok, chicken!!! He stayed on the ship and napped. Wev.

I'm attending the Scare L.A. Hallowe'en Convention this weekend, August 10 and 11. I'll be spending a ton of time working the Southern California Valley Haunters booth, which I recently joined and LOVE. I can't believe I get to dress up for Hallowe'en in August.  I plan to take a billion photos.

BY THE WAY....Did you know that cameras can become obsolete because the batteries are no longer made and buying the special batteries online costs about 1/2 as much as a new camera?  Well, it's true.  And it sucks. So I need a new camera. Before Sunday...Grrrr.

So there it is folks.  My update for the past 10 months. Whew.  

All grown up

Well, it's finally happened. Nugget laid her first egg yesterday.

I knew she was getting ready, mostly because of two signs:

1. She was squatting when I went to touch her, which is a sign of submission and sexual maturity and
2. Her comb and wattles were bright red, also a sign of sexual maturity.

I had a feeling that the heat was delaying laying, but I was patient. About two weeks ago, I put a marble egg in the nest boxes. This has two purposes.

1. To let them know where they're supposed to be laying and
2. To discourage them from eating their eggs. 

EATING THEIR EGGS!!!???  Well, they get curious. "What was that thing that just came out of me?" so they might peck at it a little. If it is thin shelled and breaks, and is tasty and full of protein, well, why wouldn't they eat it. They've already learned the marble egg is definitely NOT edible and they're less likely to peck at their own eggs. Yay.

Nugget in all her glory!

Potpie is coming up right behind Nugget on the maturity ladder. She has small waddles and her comb is definitely coming in and she just barely squats as of this weekend. I'm expecting her to start laying in a couple of weeks. Now, Noodle and Kabob - no idea. They are both Easter Eggers (their "breed") and they don't get big combs or waddles and they won't let me go near them, so they're definitely not squatting. I put breed in quotes because all four of the girls are mutts and don't have a real breed, but the type of chicken they are mixed with makes them Easter Eggers and the chicken that Nugget and Potpie are mixed with are considered Golden Comets or Red Stars. 

Noodle (blond) and Kabob (black)

I have to say, the Golden Comets are much, much friendlier than the Easter Eggers. I'm not sure if this would change if I raised them from baby chicks instead of 11 weekers.  Next time, I think I'll seek out a super-friendly breed. I hate to admit it, but I'm much fonder of the friendly ones. 

Kabob, my shy, quiet girl, giving me side eye.

As far as noises go, I can hear Nugget whining a bit through my window. I also know when a neighborhood feral cat is stalking them because they all go bat shit crazy. Other than that, they are pretty darn quiet. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard Kabob make a sound! And as far as stinkiness, I'm doing deep litter and despite  the extreme heat, I haven't had any problem with smell at all. I thought at least there would be some, especially when I mist the coop, but really, I can't smell any stink.

I am so bummed about the heat continuing this week. It's supposed to be 100 degrees by Saturday and the girls get really stressed out in that kind of heat. I've been using a mister, which they love, but seriously, I'd be pissed off if I was covered in feathers outside during 100 degree heat!  I keep threatening to bring them in and keep them in my shower during the day, but so far they're surviving and this heat should break soon.

66 days to Hallowe'en

Wow, it's been a long summer!

I'd update you on everything but ultimately, it is 6 days until September and only 66 days until Hallowe'en and I thought this would be an excellent time to start up again.

The biggest news is that the chickens are here!

Potpie, Nugget, Kebab and Noodle are growing up big and strong. They haven't started laying yet, but I expect eggs in the next couple of weeks.

We've also nearly completed the redo of the "back 40" and it should be completed today! Wow.

Meanwhile, I have a broken ankle and I severely pulled a muscle in my back doing farm work so I'm relegated to the couch with an ice pack for another week or so.

Hallowe'en is already in the planning stages here at Bluestocking Farm and it's going to be one for the ages. I am going off the beaten path this year for a new less "haunting" look and I think it is going to really appeal to my neighborhood.  No frights or scares this year - but 2013 we'll be back in business with an all new and improved haunt.

Anyway, 2012 is going to be a craft-o-licious Hallowe'en and I will be joined by my niece, AKA, the Kid for all of the craft mania. Wooo!

Home grown book review - part one

As you all know if you've read here at all, I'm growing my own veggies and I have been for quite a few years now. Last year I had my first bumper crop of tomatoes.  Not enough to can, but enough to make plenty of sandwiches, two quiches, a few salads, eat with melted Cowgirl Creamery's Mt. Tam cheese and fresh baked bread for a week, eat right off the vine and make two batches of marinara that was eaten immediately. I've grown lettuce, peas, weird mutant carrots, zucchini, strawberries, cucumbers (poorly), pumpkins, and peppers.

I am a researcher in real life, so, what I do when I want to know more about something is read EVERY FREAKING BOOK I can get my hands on. Fortunately, this includes some gems. Unfortunately, it also features some books that are not as helpful, or you can find the information better elsewhere. I have owned or borrowed each and every one of these books. Some I bought at the now-extinct Borders, some were found on Amazon and some are from libraries, yard sales and second-hand stores. I have DEFINITELY not been compensated in any way to review any of them.

If this is the year you're going to build your raised bed and join me in enjoying fresh-from-the-vine tomatoes and peas this year, here's what you should look at (or pass over) - but remember, it's only my humble opinion.

My best and most valuable advice in gardening is, START SMALL!!!! The best way to ruin a career of harvesting fresh food from your garden is to try to do too much at once. If you think you're suddenly going from zero to be raising enough veggies to get you through the entire summer without going to the farmer's market, you might have a little gardening fever. Scale back. Plant two types of tomatoes and some carrots, or peas and lettuce. If you enjoy it this year, you'll be back for more next spring and then the spring after that. It took me 6 years to get to chickens, and I've actually lived on a farm before!

All New Square Foot Gardening  I will go on and on about Mel's book, given half a chance. Mel's a little crazy, bless his heart.  He is super-passionate about his system and I'm a follower, but he's a little rigid for my tastes. I can't plant in squares. Everything just grows out of them and gets messy and then it's out of the lines.  I'd rather have no lines at all.  I'd love to be neat and orderly about my planting, but that's just not how I roll. More than anything, Mel taught me about soil. Good, healthy, living soil.  I would have been quite content using bags and bags of planting mix if I hadn't read this, but I make my own soil per Mel's technique and since I started, I have fertilized so rarely, it's crazy. I add compost every year and it's fluffy, soft, good loamy soil.  Yay! Some people get very angsty about Mel's use of peat moss which is not a sustainable resource. You can use coconut coir in place of peat and it's cheaper.

Western Garden Book of Edibles: The Complete A-Z Guide to Growing Your Own Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruits
If you're going to plant anything in Southern California, Northern California or the Pacific Northwest, BUY THIS BOOK. It tells you basically everything about everything (except loquats -- why doesn't any book ever have loquats!?). Pests, soil, diseases, how to plant, when to plant, harvesting, etc.  Love this book.  Must have.

The Urban Homestead (Expanded & Revised Edition): Your Guide to Self-Sufficient Living in the Heart of the City
For a while, I was carrying Erik Knutsen and Kelly Coyne's book around with me like a bible. It had everything I wanted to know about permaculture, composting, backyard farming and they're in L.A. so I felt like I could trust that what they were growing would be appropriate for my area as well. I don't carry it around anymore, but I do refer to it quite often.

The Garden Primer: Second Edition
This book is comparable to the Sunset book above, but it's so damn hefty and has so much good information, I just can't seem to part with it. It's also very good if you don't have the pleasure of living on the West Coast.

The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: Banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and money, and ... most flavorful, nutritous vegetables ever.

After reading the Square Foot Gardening book, it occurred to me that I would be going out to buy quantities of compost. Instead, I could use our food scraps, our trimmings and our dryer lint to make it ourselves. So I bought this book. It's honestly a bit overwhelming in terms of the amount of information but it's all in there and if you want to compost, I highly recommend this one. It's got a bunch of different techniques, so you can try one until you find one that you like. I've still had to buy compost since I can't seem to manage to turn it often enough.  Eventually, I'm going to have a literal shit-ton of gorgeous compost, especially with the chooks coming, but until then, I'm adding as much veggie scraps and straw as I can.

Monday, I'll post the rest of the reviews since I just kept writing and the post got too long!!!