A Day in the Country...

Ms.Chatelaine...

2012-02-13T12:54:00.000-08:00

My wee girl and I are featured in this months issue of Chatelaine magazine.

I'm Ms.Chatelaine!

*thank you to my sweet friend Janis Nicolay for doubling as my agent!!

...and for taking such a lovely shot.

How to Dry Lavender...

2012-02-07T15:56:00.000-08:00

I mentioned that we dry our own organic lavender for our Missing Goat Blueberry Lavender Jam.

A few people asked how to dry lavender.

So, here it is.

I use English lavender for cooking. It's the shorter variety.

You can also get very tall French lavender - which is great for sachets.

You want to pick it before the buds open.

Like the opening shot and the one above.

We have many shades of lavender - even a white.

Unless you are making a lavender jelly - it doesn't matter about the colour.

If you are making jelly - the darker the lavender, the prettier colour your jelly will be.

Then you don't have to add food colouring.

Bundle up your lavender and hang in a dry space out of direct sun.

This could take a week or two for them to dry.

You will then have bundles of dry lavender to do as you please.

I like to bag mine up.

I gently rub the bundles together and the flowers fall off easily.

If you do this on wax paper you can pour the dried flowers into a zip lock bag for storing.

Hope that helps ladies!

Hello Sunshine...

2012-02-01T17:18:00.000-08:00

Welcome February

Welcome beautiful sunshine.

The girls got out today.

This is Hadie

They've been rather ...cooped up... with this cold weather.

Is that where that phrase is from?

This is Johnny Drama - my husband is a bit afraid of her.

But some sunshine, a multivitamin in their water, some garlic mash...

...and some time with the wee girl makes life pretty good.

She does love her chickens.

And today, they gave us two eggs.

Lately it's been one or none.

The middle one is Peep and Lola was in the coop all day trying so very hard to lay an egg.

No luck though.

I don't know where Coco is...?

Chasing Oliver I think.

She's still mad about the sundae theft last week.

Spring is coming...right!?

I'm Starting a Band...

2012-01-30T20:00:00.000-08:00

Just home from my second guitar lesson.

I can now play three notes and read some tablature.

I'm starting a band...

who's in.

Marmalade Winner...

2012-01-28T15:29:00.000-08:00

..and the winner of my first ever attempt at making marmalade is....

It's the beautiful Julieann!!

Come on down and tell us about yourself...

Julieann doesn't have a blog but is a mother, wife and is self employed. Julieann also likes music but not the Doors, loves vintage goodies and magazines. Well who doesn't!

Julieann wishes she had more time to read, and now, with her new jar of marmalade on route, perhaps she will find an hour with some toast and a new copy of Country Living magazine.

I will wait for you to let me know where you are Julieann...

Hope you like it!

Cute vs Snore...?

2012-01-26T17:24:00.000-08:00

Well, my marmalade is good.

I'm picking a random name tomorrow and I'll send them a jar!

If you want in, leave me a comment saying you might like a jar.

You can also leave a comment saying you hate marmalade, but have answers to my questions below.

Besides the Meyer lemon marmalade, I've also created a mini me.

She styles her shoots, and photographs them with her hot pink camera.

I tend to go in tight and am always looking for the pretty detail shot.

It's that little bubble I love at the top.

How long do you spend taking photos?

And while I'm asking questions, what would you do about this...

It's 10pm, and I'm going to bed.

Would you kick him off or let him stay?

Did I mention he snores!

I kick my husband out for that, so you can imagine Oliver got sent packing.

Or did he...

OK, I let him stay one night but will never let it happen again.

When Life Gives you Lemons...

2012-01-24T11:37:00.000-08:00

...make lemon curd.

It's too cold for lemonade.

My friend Noelle brought back a suitcase of Meyer lemons from her tree in Palm Desert.

Yes, I'm serious.

Just to put the size of these lovelies into perspective.

we zested...

We juiced..

...we went through what I'd call a fairly disgusting amount of eggs...

...and came out with this.

Seriously, it was two jars.

OK, we made about 4 jars total, but one batch I ruined by using salted butter by mistake.

Noelle left me four lemons and half a grapefruit (also from her tree),

so I began a two day process of making marmalade.

If it turns out, I'll post about it and send one of you a jar.

If you like marmalade that is.

It's not for everyone.

Yes, Dad, I'll save a jar for you.

You Never Know...

2012-01-21T07:57:00.000-08:00

Did your life become what you thought it would be?

Through years of strange turns, ups, downs, and even some deep dark despair..

Mine did.

I never thought I'd be a magazine stylist, or have my own jam line, never thought I'd be a blogger...

But I am and I love it all.

Some things still surprise me though...

I use to buy 12.00 Australian design publications.

Now I buy 6.00 Chicken magazines.

And though I may not have leg

warmers and knitted hats for my girls... yet...

I do make them little 'sundaes' when the weather is bad.

Of course, when the sundae falls out of the coop, and that 'new' guy gets it,

you can feel the resentment building.

Five ladies with nothing to do but plot...

watch out Oliver.

Speaking of the new guy..

When we lost our sweet dog last spring, after 13 years, I didn't expect to get another one any time soon.

But, here he is.

And we do love him so.

He makes the farm feel more like..well, a farm.

Has your life taken a strange turn or detour that turned out to be a blessing in disguise?

Fifi is Fabulous...

2012-01-17T20:09:00.000-08:00

I e-met the fabulous Fifi.

I didn't even know 'Fabulous' was already attached to her name.

I just thought she simply was.

Fabulous that is.

She is, by far, the most generous, kind person I've encountered in the magazine industry.

I know a lot of you already know Fifi, and have been in her books.

So I'm sure you know about her new magazine coming out this March.

But some of you don't.

Just after boxing day, I got to shoot a holiday story for her Christmas 2012 issue.

It was so fun, and I have to say, refreshing to shoot a Christmas story while Christmas is on.

We usually do it in the summer.

And boy, let me tell you, finding a flocking machine in June ain't easy!

I can't show you pictures, but I can share some of the behind the scene 'messes'

I'm pretty sure these won't make the final cut.

My dear friend Kim Christie came out and shot the story.

And if you read my past post about the friend who came for dinner and ate the dog biscuits I had made..

this is her.

These are our exhausted models.

They were brilliant and adorable..as usual.

Romantic Prairie style will be out in March.

click here to her link and stay tuned.

Snow Balls & Tomatoes...

2012-01-15T20:46:00.000-08:00

We got some snow.

I got some tomatoes.

Pretty snow.

Pretty Tomatoes.

There is good and bad to be found here today.

Cut them into very thin slices..

spread out on some parchment paper...

sprinkle with salt, pepper and olive oil...

mmmm...but wait...

bake them at 200 degrees for about 2 1/2 hours...

remove...

they are crispy and salty...

hey..wait a minute..

Ok, someone needs some snow time outside.

Back to the tomatoes in a few...

While Oliver is loving the snow, the girls are not.

They are looking to me for answers..

but what can I say.

Puff up and keep warm.

Does everyone feel the utter despair here.

Pause.

Take it in.

Move on.

We're going in.

So, here is the problem with these...

do you see...

ah nuts.

That is why you must make two pans.

One to eat.

One for the home made pizza that night.

How I'm Keeping the Weight Off..

2012-01-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

...by baking cookies for the dog.

Ingredients:

1 cup oats

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/8 cup wheat germ

1/8 cup ground flax

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 cup hot water

handful of sunflower seeds

handful of chopped parsley (find me a dog who doesn't need some assistance in the breath department)

Mix it all in a large bowl. You will have to get in there with your hands to really get the job done.

Put down a sheet of wax paper, sprinkle with whole wheat flour.

Add dough..

Sprinkle with more whole wheat flour.

Add a sheet of wax paper on top of the dough.

Press down between the wax paper and then roll it out.

This will save the counter from a nasty sticky mess, and keep the dough from sticking to the rolling pin.

You now have two options...

1. Use your cookie cutters to make fun shapes like this...

..or this.

But you can also grab your pizza cutter and roll it into little biscuit size pieces.

SOOOO much easier and faster, but when there is a toddler involved, it's a compromise.

We did half and half.

bake for 30-35 minutes at 350 f, or till slightly brown.

Oliver now knows the smell and won't leave the oven till they are out.

My friend Kim also knows the smell, and when she was here two weeks ago, she wouldn't leave the oven either. She ate them with the tomato soup I made.

Actually, we all ended up eating them.

It's basically a healthy cracker!

It produces three trays.

I have to say, the shapes are rather fun and make for a better presentation at the dinner table for your guests.

Your choice if you want to tell them who they are really for.

Back to Reality...

2012-01-03T10:04:00.000-08:00

Not that reality is bad.

It's Meyer Lemon Season!!!

Yeah.

They are sweeter than regular lemons, and you can preserve them to use all year.

I highly recommend organic as you are eating the skin and all.

Give 6 of them a wash...

Boil them in a pot for 5 minutes...

Cut into 8 wedges, remove seeds...

Toss in 2/3 cup of course salt...

Stuff into a jar.

Place them on your counter for five days, and once a day, give them a toss about.

Add 1/4 cup of olive oil to the top after five days, place in the fridge.

These keep for a year.

You can chop them up fine and use them in hummus, pasta, roasted on chicken, in couscous, on salmon...anything really that would benefit from a little zest!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T08:14:00.001-08:00

Almost Ready...

2011-12-13T18:44:00.000-08:00

Cookie Tree ...

Check!

Frosty Moody Winter Shot...

Check!

Detail...

Check!

New neighbour has been joined by two others.

Neighbourly salutations...

Check!

Realizing one is a colt not a just a wee horse......

Check!

Realizing this colt and I share the same humiliating set of bangs...

Check!

Cursing the hairdresser yet again...

Check!

Practicing for the Christmas concert...

Check!

Trees are cute, Trees are up high...

Check!

Thinking the chickens may be in trouble this spring...

Check!

Changes...

2011-12-05T23:07:00.000-08:00

Life seems to be full of changes these days.

A new neighbour..

Lots of new tangles to get out of..

...and I've really noticed that my holiday decor has taken a turn.

It use to be..well, styled.

I'm a stylist, it's what I do.

But..then I had a baby four years ago.

And now, creepy Angels or Queens...not sure, but they tug at my heart.

'Stuff' clutters my counters.

And embarrassing displays make me smile.

I still have some bits of my own.

With several additions...

But I've long since stopped caring about my idea of the perfect Christmas.

This is it.

It is perfect.

It's also up a lot higher this year.

It's a Boy!

2011-11-28T21:50:00.000-08:00

Meet Oliver, or Ollie as we now call him.

He is the new member of our family at Missing Goat Farm.

Santa brought him early.

Actually, Santa gets enough credit... Mrs Claus did.

He's ten weeks old.

He's a labradoodle - heavy on the lab, less on the doodle.

Wee girl has a new best friend.

He's much easier to cuddle than the chickens.

She'd love him even more if he would wear the princess crown instead of eating it.

But she forgives him.

Part of the Charm...

2011-11-24T21:09:00.000-08:00

When you get hit with an order for 800 jars of jam, the whole family chips in.

My wee girl is wicked with the label gun.

Of course it comes in the week I have to magazine shoots to do too.

HELP ME!

I've got 400 jars of jam to go, but half the order is going out tomorrow.

We do everything by hand at Missing Goat - and yes, that includes putting two labels on each jar of jam.

I just finished putting on 800 labels.

So be kind when you buy our jam and please find the charm in a slightly crooked label.

In fact, grab the worst one you can find, and think of us.

Snow Day...

2011-11-20T17:49:00.000-08:00

Well, snow day may be an exaggeration.

We had a skiff of white fall in the yard.

Out came the snow pants, the snow boots, gloves, hat and, of course...

...utter utter joy.

But, what happens when a four year old realizes she can't make a snowman from what is more like a heavy frost...

After what can only be described as 'toddler cuss',

stops spewing from their lips,

you make cookies!

Fast.

...with lots of sprinkles.

Serious sprinkles.

...and the snow (or lack of) is forgotten.

A Happy Escape...

2011-11-08T09:02:00.000-08:00

My girl turned 4.

We surprised her with a trip to the happiest place on earth...

..and she was the happiest girl on earth.

Garlic Planted...Check!

2011-11-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

October is the time to plant garlic.

At least it is in our zone.

Home grown garlic is divine.

If you want to plant some, be sure and buy it from a nursery or an organic farmer.

Store bought garlic is treated with chemicals to prevent sprouting - icky in so many ways!

we are ready to plant..

...or fight off vampires.

My wee girl has been given her own bed (to keep her busy and happy)

I am planting in a weed free bed as garlic hates competition.

Dig a hole about three inches deep..

drop in one clove...

...pointed end up!

I cover them with a thick layer of leaves from the lawn.

A blanket of sorts for the winter.

and next year, after they grow...

you can harvest.

It's so worth the effort.

Apple Sauce...

2011-10-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, we picked our apples.

One tree for us...

One tree to the food bank.

(they now take fresh produce if you didn't know)

A lot of you emailed me about making apple sauce, so here we go.

It's so easy, and it's not so much a recipe...more of a step by step, do this/do that, add your own spin and there you go!

You have two options - and I've done both.

1. Peel all your apples and cut out the core.

Pro - no need to spend money on a food mill.

Con - takes soooo long.

2. Buy a food mill, peel nothing, cut out nothing.

Pro - no peeling or coring, just chop it rough and dump it in.

Pro - you can use the food mill for other things.

Con - you may prefer a chunky style sauce

Con - you have to buy a food mill.

I have a food mill as I hate to peel apples. A few yes, but 67 - no.

So, I chop off the tops and bottoms.

As they are from our tree, I also chop off anything that may appear unsightly!

(As if I have any of that business going on)

And now, a small preach from the organic farmer:

Organic apples are best to use as they are now number 1 on the dirty dozen list of pesticide covered fruits.

Thank you for your time, carry on...

dump them all into a large pot...

...or three!

We had a lot of apples on one small tree.

I added about 7 cups of water to each pot, you can also add apple juice instead of water.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.

*Intermission*

I'm going through a huge quinoa kick right now.

Back to the sauce...

Pop in and give it a stir often.

It doesn't take long to break down, but it does vary depending on your apple variety.

These apples took about 25 minutes to turn to mush.

Very thick mush!

Now, if you pre-peeled your apples, then you can skip this bit.

If you bought a food mill, then just ladle the hot sauce into the mill and work it though.

All the bits, skin and seeds will stay in the food mill.

Lovely hot apple sauce comes out the bottom.

This is where you can freelance it.

Add some sugar - but only if you like - you don't have to add anything.

We add enough sugar to take the bite off as I have a toddler who will freak if it's sour.

Add a bit at a time, stir it in and taste it.

If you are happy, then it's perfect!

You can add cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves - whatever you like.

It's entirely up to you and your taste buds.

Do some plain and some with cinnamon.

I've also made Blause with a friend last year - apples and blueberries cooked together.

It was divine!

You can now process it in jars, or, even easier - freeze it in ziplock bags or freezer containers.

Do small rations like 1/2 a cup or one cup so it doesn't go to waste if you don't eat it all up

I canned half and froze the other half.

Creepy but Fun...

2011-10-23T20:02:00.000-07:00

I did a fall/Halloween arrangement for HGTV.ca

It's very pretty, very easy and has just the right amount of...

creep.

Pop over and have a look.

HGTV.ca

I've Gone Squirrelly...

2011-10-14T19:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know what has come over me this past week.

I've de-junked my whole home,

I'm storing away herbs for the winter..

...and I'm finally parting with the baby stuff.

Sigh

Sob

..another sob.

Tomorrow is apple sauce day..which I will share with those of you who asked.

And I will get that scone recipe to you too.

Right after I store my sauce away in it's new designated cupboard space.

I'm like a squirrel on crack.

I'm confused..do I store it or do I toss it??????

Ug.

If you find yourself any where near the Urban Fare in Yaletown (Vancouver) this Saturday, Missing Goat will be sampling the line of jams. It's a great time to taste them all!

12pm - 4pm

Thanksgiving Observations...

2011-10-10T20:13:00.000-07:00

Quiet and lovely.

Of course, I've got a lot of apple sauce to make now...

A Good Chore...

2011-10-06T09:04:00.000-07:00

We grow and dry our own certified organic lavender for our

Missing Goat Blueberry Lavender Jam.

This time each year, we have a chore...

...stripping off the blooms.

Thousands of stems of lavender..

...left naked.

But then we have this giant pile.

Stored in bags and used all year round.

My house smelled divine...till we cooked fish for dinner.

Waking up Early...

2011-10-02T19:43:00.000-07:00

Happy October to you all!

I had a great week and got to produced three fun Halloween stories for the HGTV blog.

Pumpkins, spiders and feathers!

Creepy pretty fun. My favourite.

I'll let you know when they run.

I adore the fall and I could spend hours in the garden taking photos.

This little mushroom is new to our yard.

You have to get up early to see him as he shrivels away by noon.

Next morning he's there again.

He's like a jelly fish out of water.

Kale covered in the morning mist...

..yikes, shoot me know, that sounded like the start of a very bad poem.

Pretty fall flowers.

The blueberry bushes are turning red...

... anenomes are still blooming.

...we have more asian apple pears than we know what to do with.

Do you know what to do with?

..and finally, in October, I have my first zuchinni of the year.

Our weather really was strange this year.

Speaking of gifts from the garden,

we were given some honey from our bee keeper.

Well, our ex-bee keeper.

Sadly, he's become allergic to bee stings.

Fowl Play...

2011-09-20T20:47:00.000-07:00

WANTED

name: Peep

height: really short

weight: not much

description: she's a chicken

crime: pearl pecking

accomplices: Johnny Drama, Cocoa

Fowl Play Suspected

In My Garden Today...

2011-09-16T20:16:00.000-07:00

we found a daisy...

...some acorns...

...an unknown, but always welcome, garden volunteer???...

...a long lost friend (who loves chickens)...

...an abundance of strawberries...

...and some beautiful roses.

So we are up four acorns, 3.5 pounds of strawberries, some lovely bouquets and some all important kindred spirit time.

However...

We are down one pearl earring.

Peep jumped up on long lost friends back, and in one 'almost too perfect not to be planned' moment, pecked out her pearl earring, dropped it on the ground and Johnny Drama ate it.

Cocoa was pecking her in the leg as an added distraction, while Haddie assualted Lola.

If my chickens were penguins, I believe there would be blueprints and a detailed sketch of how this country mugging was going to 'go down'.

"It'll turn up.. or out"... I assured her.

But she really doesn't want it back.

Fair enough.

Nothing chic about poopy pearls.

Three Proud Moments...

2011-09-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

This week made me smile.

1. I was actually able to pick a ripe tomato from my own garden.

An heirloom variety too!

This has taken me 12 years to accomplish.

Stop laughing and move along.

2. I am a West Coast Mom featured in WestCoast Families Magazine.

Click on the link and you can read the story on Page 31 & 32.

They actually printed what I said too - no fluffy editing.

Love that.

3. I was mentioned as a good blog to read in the latest Flea Market Style Magazine.

All in all, a pretty good week.

Oh, and another chicken laid an egg.

Don't know who, but that makes four!

I can officially stop buying eggs.

It really should be four proud moments shouldn't it.

From Time to Time, I Steal...

2011-09-01T19:26:00.000-07:00

Another busy week, but after tomorrow, the farm is officially closed.

The beets finally got big enough to make borscht.

I do believe I made the best damn scones of my life.

Which were improved upon by devonshire cream and of course,

Missing Goat Strawberry Black Pepper Jam.

I can't find Lola's eggs anywhere.

And she seems to be rather smug about it.

But I think she tried to make up for it with this offering.

Let me clarify this shot...

...three yolks came out of one egg.

Yes way.

Today really seemed like fall to me.

And the signs are everywhere.

Hydrangeas turning green...

...this fallen branch...

...leaves on the lawn.

For years, I was a closet pen thief. I stole pens from anyone and everyone who dared hand me one.

Post offices, Greenpeace petitioners, banks, friends, public raffles, check out clerks...and yes, even

hospital fundraisers.

It became an obsession.

They weren't fancy pens, it wasn't about that.

It was the simple thrill of the casual steal.

Today, I reached over the fence to the neighbours yard, and stole once again.

It's the home of the mean old man who abandoned his animals, threatened to shoot us (often), swore at us, then became old and alone.

He has since moved on from this life to what I can only imagine a hotter place.

If you know what I mean.

The place is now rented and has fallen to shame.

So...I stole some plums.

Have you ever reached over the fence and pinched something good?

What's New in Your Garden?

2011-08-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we discovered these.

Lots and lots of these.

We have a fig tree - hidden behind a shed and we often forget to check on it.

But yesterday, we remembered.

If you have never had a fresh warm fig from a tree, then I am sorry to say,

you are really missing something quite great.

I really am sorry to say that.

So into the kitchen.

Turning this...

..into this.

Mixing these with this... and a drizzle or two of that...

And don't forget a few of these, roasted of course.

Dinner is served.

If the abundance of figs was not enough, Cocoa laid her first egg today.

Honestly, who decided white eggs were so grand!!

Can you imagine opening up a box of eggs and seeing these pretty shades.

Anything new in your garden?

I Can't Find My Eggs...

2011-08-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

I've been absent this summer.

But the farm has been overwhelmingly busy.

OVERWHELMING..ly busy

What's new..my chickens have started to lay eggs!

This is the pretty blue egg I have longed to find since I was 20 years old.

The Martha Stewart chicken, the Martha Stewart egg.

I do adore that woman.

I went a bit overboard taking photos, but I'll only post two.

The farm is looking very pretty right now, but I'm sorry to say, it's feeling like fall to me.

There are still lots of berries to be picked.

We find picking in princess dresses really lightens the mood. If we sing a happy song, we may get lucky and some wilderness friends will gather, help with the harvest, clean the house and make us a new dress.

It worked for Snow, Cindy and Aurora.

It's wrapping down here, and we have had to close the farm early, so I will be back more often.

Question:

Can any of you fellow chicken people tell me how to get the chickens to lay in the nesting boxes?

I find them in strange places, if I find them at all - though Lola is making it easy by laying on the front deck chair every day!

I have put my girls Easter eggs in their nesting boxes - pink, green and yellow - I hear that helps?

Closing the Farm...

2011-08-12T12:42:00.000-07:00

We are closing the farm to the public after the 13th of August.

The late starting season has made it to hard to keep up with all the orders placed since June.

Sorry to those of you who were planning to come!

Please blame the weather, not me.

Life on the Farm...

2011-08-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

Life on the farm these days with...

a guy from Portland

the blueberry bus

two girls from Japan

five chickens

and a toddler in a princess dress

the chickens started to lay eggs...in the tomato patch??

we learnt to make sushi rolls

my carrots are doomed

the blueberry van rolled in..

bringing the jam session out of the kitchen

and onto the front porch

life is good.

A Very, Very Simple Story...

2011-07-31T18:05:00.000-07:00

eat me.

Garlic Harvest..Part One...

2011-07-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

Today we pulled up the first of the garlic beds.

I love this time of year.

The air is full of garlic, and there isn't a tacky cheap restaurant for miles!

This is when the greenhouse, becomes the blue house.

We hang a tarp inside to shade out the sun (the sun will turn it bitter)

This year, I had help.

We have two lovely ladies from Japan living here, helping with the farm this summer.

So, Miyuki pulled garlic all day.

She did not.

She pulled and pulled.

Five beds in total.

She even made a very cute 'miss take'

(stabbed a few with the pitch fork)

I'm almost positive she's never used a pitch fork before.

Twine for hanging..

...old couch for relaxing...

...or standing on.

And so ends part one of the garlic harvest.

Jen from Muddy Boots is coming tomorrow for part two.

In My Garden Today...

2011-07-22T21:58:00.000-07:00

Before...

..after.

Before...

...after.

Morning...

...night.

Do you see?

look underneath...

...we have a problem.

The wee girl is in bed, and I'm exhausted.

It's the end...

...of a very...

...lovely day.

Missing Goat Farm Opens! Sort of...

2011-07-19T20:59:00.000-07:00

OK folks, Missing Goat farm is opening this weekend.

Yeah!!

We've been prepping and setting up...

..we've been cleaning and practicing our greeting of the customer...

But...we don't have any blueberries yet.

They just aren't ripe yet! But look, they are starting!

It's a crazy year.

By next week, we should be able to start picking.

So this weekend...

We've got Jam!!!

Lots and lots of jam!

Raspberry, Strawberry Black Pepper, Rhubarb with Rosemary and of course..

Blueberry Lavender!

Come see us if you can.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday

10am till 4pm

17318 32nd Avenue

South Surrey, BC

The Calm before the Storm...

2011-07-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

We had a three day family holiday in the Okanagan.

A friend was getting married at a resort in Summerland.

For those of you who don't know, the Okanagan is in the interior of British Columbia.

Famous for their fruit orchards..

..wineries..

...wine tastings...

..spectacular mountains..

..and beautiful lakes.

Other good things..

There are lavender farms.

which were in perfect bloom.

Rustic old barns...

..and the countryside is covered in flowers.

I never liked babies breath till now.

All the fruit stands have water pumps so you can wash your fruit before eating.

When it's really hot, they have misty sprays running from the awnings to cool you down.

And it does get hot there!

The ever popular cherry earring where not a hit here today...

..but the next stand, and one of my favourites in Keremeos..

..had the fix we needed.

It was nice to have an escape before the farm opens.

Guilt, Love & Excess...

2011-07-08T23:42:00.000-07:00

I survived 1200 pounds of strawberries.

But, this came at a price...

and the price was paid today.

I had friends, family and neighbours all rally.

We chopped from 5am till 10pm, they baby sat my girl, they took her on sleep overs.

Strangers called and came to help. Really. No, I'm serious, they did.

And four days later, it's done.

But I feel like a horrid mother.

I had next to no time with her or for her.

So, today was excess strawberry day with all my love!

It started with crepes!

2 eggs

1 cup flour

3/4 cup milk

1/2 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

Put it all in the blender, wiz till bubbly.

Pop it in the fridge for an hour.

Pour some into the centre of a pan and swirl it around till thin.

When the edges pull up from the pan, flip it over.

Oh so lightly brown each side.

Vanilla yogurt and of course strawberries...

..give it a roll and a squirt (of syrup that is) and enjoy.

Enter the girl.

Enter the smile.

Enter the food.

There is no shame in really loving crepes when you are three.

And for lunch..strawberry milkshakes in the four room cardboard house we built from the two giant freezers that were delivered to the farm today.

I'm in the good books again!

The crepe mix is good in the fridge till the next day too.

Which can be handy.

Strawberry Hell...

2011-07-05T08:47:00.000-07:00

I was going to post about the lovely five days we had over at the cabin.

But yesterday a large truck come to the farm...

..delivering 1200 pounds of strawberries.

What does 1200 pounds of strawberries look like?

A freakin' hellish nightmare come true, that's what!

Plus side to this..hmm...I'm thinking...

oh, the Strawberry Black Pepper Jam will be ready next week!

Posting Issues...

2011-07-03T21:19:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to be nice about it, hoping they would fix it, but it's been going on way to long..

..and now, I'm annoyed.

I can't leave comments on your blogs!

I keep going around in circles.

I use to be somebody.

I'd say leave me a note if you are having troubles too, but what's the point if you can't comment either!

Let the Harvest Begin..

2011-06-28T20:35:00.000-07:00

The lavender is blooming.

We pick it to make our blueberry lavender jam all year, and to sell in the shack here at the farm.

Harvest time has begun...for everyone.

The challenge to our family this summer..will WE get to eat a strawberry!

We grow a lot of garlic to sell in the summer.

The garlic scapes (the flower that comes up in the centre of each garlic) are up We snap them off so the energy goes into the garlic bulb. You can eat these and they are great to cook with.

How many do we have...

This is just one pile.

We gave bags of them away, then went to Granville Island on the weekend, and saw that they were selling for two dollars each!

We are now considered really really good friends to have.

I've raised my girl to understand that we all have to work together.

So she and her daddy had scape duty.

I had to make jam, so I couldn't have garlic hands.

At least, that is what I told them.

Wiz them up in the processor with a bit of olive oil, into some ice cube trays..

Voila.. garlic cubes for cooking or making pesto.

I also finally got my act together and joined facebook.

Well, Missing Goat joined facebook.

I'm still learning how it all works, and will do my best to keep up with both.

click here to visit me

Lady Bug 101...

2011-06-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

Buy your ladies.

Wait till dusk.

Spray sugar water on plants.

Open bag.

Speak nicely to them.

Everyone knows, ladies respond to flattery.

see.

(for those who don't know, ladybugs eat pests in your garden like aphids)

You can buy them at almost any garden centre nursery.

Snow on the Ground..

2011-06-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling like summer is finally here.

It's still a bit cold, but the peonies and roses are in bloom.

We have had a lot of action at the farm this past week.

A newspaper story about the farm and being organic...

...then a tv crew for the Express on Shaw TV.

But what I've been obsessing over, are the flowers in the garden.

Giant blooms bursting here..

giant blooms bursting there...

giant blooms bursting everywhere.

and after the giggles stop, and they are fast asleep.. I grab my camera and head out.

to see the summer snow.

Missing Goat Found...Online!

2011-06-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

Finally, Missing Goat is available online!

We have four jams, all certified organic and delicious.

Blueberry with Lavender, Very Very Raspberry, Rhubarb with Rosemary and coming soon...Strawberry with Black Pepper.

*click here to be taken to our online supplier Edible BC

These are the new labels done by a lovely gal I met last fall while shooting her home and family for a magazine in San Francisco called Anthology.

If you need some happy graphics done, give Nerissa a visit.

I love my new labels. Nerissa read my mind.

Oh, if you want to know why I have 3lbs on the labels...it's because there are three pounds of organic berries in each batch of jam. Each batch of jam makes only 6 jars!

That's a lot of fruit in each little jar!

I also want to thank all of you for the overwhelming response to my help wanted post.

WOW

So many of you put my ad on facebook, twittered about it (I know that isn't the right word???) and I was swamped by kind people all wanting to help.

So, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Help Wanted!!!

2011-06-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

photo by Janis Nicolay

I know most of you live far far away in a wonderful land.

But...

Some of you live nearby.

So...Help!

The farm opens in a month and we need some lovely people to come work with us.

We need blueberry pickers.

While my girl is always eager to help..it lasts all of 4 minutes and the profits are low.

You can pick in the morning, you can pick in the evening.

We start Mid July and close end of August.

photo by Janis Nicolay

We need someone who likes to bake pies!

Every Saturday at the farm is blueberry pie day.

There is also lavender to be harvested...

photo by Janis Nicolay

..and lots of jam to be made.

This requires some experience in the canning department please.

Or, if you have always wanted to learn to make jam, you are super eager and would give it your very very best effort, then I would love to chat.

All jokes aside, I am serious!

Help!!

Oh, for those who don't know, I live in South Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

oh, and to answer what the last shot was from my last post...

Early Mornings..

2011-06-05T20:59:00.000-07:00

We finally had some hot weather this weekend.

So, we've been up early gardening in our pyjamas.

As I mentioned earlier, it's almost expected around here!

I've been getting boxes and boxes of rhubarb. I have a new Missing Goat jam about to launch - Rhubarb with Rosemary.

It's so good, but honestly, after chopping 150 pounds of it, my enjoyment is fading.

Another hundred next weekend ...anyone free to help chop??

I love the light in the early morning.

I love the shadows too.

My friend Janis, gave me the thumbs up on my back lighting, so, I felt encouraged to try more.

Even weeds seem magical.

Now I don't give myself praise to often, but this, is my back light pride and joy.

Though the glowing ears of that bunny were damn fabulous too!

Good morning dewy strawberries.

And then I saw this.

Can you guess what it is?

Give it a shot.

I'll let you know in a few days..

Everyone is Chipping In..

2011-05-30T20:40:00.000-07:00

Everyone is running around these days.

We have been officially certified organic, and there is work to do.

Even the bees are buzzing harder.

The flowers are popping out..finally!

We have bouquets to pick..

..and arrangements to make.

The chickens are getting bigger.

And they seem to want to chip in too...

"No No, dude, listen to me..

..you pull that cord, and I hold this handle down,

it's not that complicated!"

The gardens are filling out..

The vegetables are popping up..

and the chicken coop is almost done!

Can you see it..it's behind the three foot garlic stalks!

What?..Do We Stink?

2011-05-23T23:59:00.000-07:00

What I love about where I live, is nights like this.

It's pretty private around here.

Or rather, there is a mutual agreement between myself and the two other ladies in the homes around us. Housecoats and pyjamas can be worn anytime. Never stare, never mention them.

Just act normal. I like this agreement.

I like to encourage a good game of 'how many times can you run to the blueberries and back' just before bed.

It was during this game we saw this bunny.

Leaping over and over again with mouthfuls of..stuff?

National Geographic here I come!

We inched closer and closer.

She didn't seem to care...

...till her husband came home from the pub without the milk.

Bloody hell, I'd run too!

She let us get within a foot of her. We sat there as she built her nest.

We felt bonded with nature. Accepted.

Then, it happened...

She made this face at us.

Now, I can take this one of three ways.

1. It's an attempt at a funny face for the camera

2. She has decided we are as useless as the husband as we also don't have any milk

3. We stink

Well, it was a hard day of working in the garden, so fair enough little bunny.

It's probably #3.

This was my garden today...or rather tonight.

Weeds and all.

Chicken Bum...

2011-05-16T19:31:00.000-07:00

The blueberry bushes are in bloom!

We did a walk about the yard to see what else is flowering...

Hello pretty dogwood.

We found the first lilacs at the end of blueberry row #5...

..and a few other bits for our first official garden bouquet.

Outside of the dandelion and buttercup bundles that is.

We had a new deck built on the front of the house, and we've been working hard to get in planted up.

This shot makes it look like we have done a pretty good job so far!

And today, the chickens were given their first free range opp.

This is why I brought the camera out - to capture this experience.

Happy chickens in the gardens.

Butt...

No, I meant to add the extra 't' to but, because butt is all I got.

Chicken butt.

I know just how she feels.

Sometimes, I feel like a small chick overwhelmed by the world too.

A Small Peeve of Mine..

2011-05-10T20:41:00.000-07:00

This post is about something that irritates me.

Many of you will flood me with praise -

"How brilliant!" "How clever!"

"You should have your own TV show!"

Others may scroll right up to the 'x', give it a click and never return.

Inwardly thinking:

"Wow, that chick is really cheap!!"

I have posted this pretty shot to entice those of you who doubt me, to come back later.

Sometimes, when I get a good paycheck, I like to treat myself to an expensive candle.

Something soy, that smells divine, and is always white.

But, it's these very candles that burn out down the middle and leave you feeling..

well...completely ripped off.

Half a candle left, but no wick.

Seriously..I'd say that's an easy 15.00 worth there.

Fed up, I broke my candle up, dropped them into a designated

"I don't want this bowl anymore" dish,

and put it in the microwave for a minute.

Shoot, I forgot, I need a new wick.

Remembering I had warped tapered candles from a wedding eons ago,

I broke those and pulled out the wick.

I poured my wax in this mini crock pot, and floated in a new wick.

Bloody hell!

I think this is just one inch shorter than the original candle I bought.

An encore burning.

I even had some extra.

OK bloggers, call it..

1. clever, crafty.. or even eco savvy?

2. cheap, too much time on her hands, forget the candle, what kind of flowers are those?

In My Garden Today..

2011-05-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

There is so much to do these days. The strawberries, the garlic, the blueberries, the raspberries.

Pruning, feeding, fixing, building.

But it's exciting.

Last week, I showed you a beautiful daffodil field.

Today, I show you our yard. This is in between the blueberry rows.

It's actually really pretty and the bees are insane for dandelions.

So we let them flourish in the name of honey production.

I had our inspection for the farm and my kitchen to be fully certified organic this week.

Let me tell you, it's not easy. The paper work alone is mind blowing.

The cost is pocket emptying.

But, we are all good, and should be officially 'Certified Organic' this season.

I'll now be able to switch our labels for the jams to include the word

"Organic"

Our hearts are healing, but we still miss our sweet dog Finn.

For those of you who ask after Mabel (our duck) - she is so back to normal.

She can keep up with the others, and is often in the lead now.

We let the new ladies of the farm out for a larger play today.

We have them penned in a separate patch till they get big enough to protect themselves in case one of the ducks decides they don't belong.

Yes, ducks can be mean.

How could anyone hurt this sweet gal.

She has become my favourite.

She jumps up on to my girls head and likes to lay there.

Happiness Is...

2011-04-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, it's the smallest things that make me happy.

Like a wee lady bug on the new raspberry canes.

The 'free pick' daffodil field in Bradner.

Yes, it's true. You can pick for free.

Only in the country would you find such a place.

Farm fresh eggs - so random in size.

And the new friend who now lives in our backyard.

I love these things.

What small thing makes you smile?

The 'Summer Issue' Winner is..

2011-04-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

Madelief of the Netherlands gets a free issue of 'Summer' by Matthew Mead.

Mathew, I hope you have a lots of stamps!

Thank you for all the nice words about my broken heart.

We lost our dog to a disease called cushings last Thursday.

It hit hard and fast.

She was 12 and has been with us from the day we bought this farm.

It feels rather empty around here now, but we have this crazy chicken to make us smile.

I finally moved the girls out of my dining room yesterday.

Having them in the house was sweet at first..but as they got bigger it wasn't so cute anymore.

When they flew up behind me one morning on to my couch as I was having coffee,

I knew they had to get out.

The coop is done, but not pretty enough to show you shots yet.

I need to paint, hang the crystal chandeliers, and of course the glass tile is on back order.

I have Heather Bullard to compete with you know!

Just kidding Heather.

You have me beat hands down in the coop department.

Summer Giveaway..

2011-04-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

The barn sale went really well, and it was so nice meeting so many of you. But I must confess, my heart has been broken these past few days.

Having a pretty sunny day like this one..made it a little bit better.

The yard is coming alive.

And what better way to add a pinch of happiness to my life...

and possibly yours, than..

A copy of the new magazine by Matthew Mead - Summer.

I've been a fan of Matthew since I first saw his stories in Country Home Magazine.

He has been my idol of the styling world.

They are sending me a copy of the new magazine, which makes me smile.

I also have a copy for one of you!

So, leave me a comment - any comment, and I'll do a random draw this Friday.

It's that easy..and don't you think it should be!?

In a Chickens Mind...

2011-04-13T23:16:00.000-07:00

Did you just call me chicken!

"I don't know, what do you think?"

"Well, I think she's our Mother?"

"No man, this is bunk"

"Oh relax. And it's bawk not bunk"

"Why are you guys staring at me?"

"Seriously, What?!"
"I'm a chicken, this happens!"

"What the hell are those?"

"Calm down dude. They're no better than us."

"Try and blend in..flap your wings."

Easter Sale in the Barn..

2011-04-10T18:22:00.000-07:00

It's so eggciting!

The Festive Nest is having a Spring Sale in the barn!!

Think Spring Everyone!

The doors are open again...

The paint cans are...well.. piling up.

The chairs and mirrors are primed!!

This chick is ready to go home with you..

..along with this bag.

Unless I get to it first.

Just a week before Easter, with something for everyone..

Angela and the girls have been very hard at work.

If you've been before, you know you won't be disappointed.

If you've never been, you don't know what you are missing!

This is not your tacky craft sale ladies, it's handmade, it's adorable,

and it's beautiful.

Come and see us, I'll be sampling Missing Goat goodies and shopping up a storm.

Find us in the barn April 16th & 17th

10am - 5pm

#632-192nd Street (just off 8th avenue)

South Surrey, BC

Psst: I'm going back for more pics to show you later in the week.

Come See Me...Please..

2011-04-05T20:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, normally, I'm pretty shy. Hush up Janis, it's true.

But, I've been asked to do a Missing Goat demo day in Abbotsford on Friday the 8th of April at the Save On foods.

2140 Sumas Way.

photo by Janis Nicolay

My biggest fear is running into former high school boyfriends.

My biggest wish, is that if you live any where near Abbotsford, you will come see me,

and make me feel better.

I will give you extra samples!

photo by Janis Nicolay

I'll be in this apron and I'm forcing my sister to come with me.

I'm there from 2pm to 6pm - cocktails at 6:01pm!

My lovely sister in law has re-done the whole Missing Goat website and it's so pretty.

Please have a look. Online sales are also coming soon!

(So is the rhubarb rosemary jam)

Lucky Duck...

2011-04-04T22:55:00.000-07:00

Don't worry, this isn't a floral tribute to Mabel's life, I did a shoot for a magazine on flowers at my house. Mabel is alive and did not have the second surgery all thanks to an anonymous blogger who left me the name of a vet. She said I 'MUST' go see this woman.

So I did.

As I was telling my friend Kim today,

I always felt odd taking my duck to the vet.

People always looked at you funny.

Generally, if a duck is sick, it's tough luck duck.

Then I went to the new vet.

Treater of all things rare or unusual.

As I sat there, between the marsupial flying squirrel and two egg laying dragon lizards, I felt rather un-odd.

I also felt unsure of which to be more concerned about leaping at my face,

but...didn't happen.

We exchange some light banter, then Mabel and I took our turn in the exam room.

She had the two month long file on Mabel. All the drugs, the other operation. Everything.

She thought the drugs were a bit over the top for a four pound duck. I said I did too.

I then explained how they had just given me a new antibiotic, but in my heart, I just felt like they were hurting Mabel more than helping her. I gave the vet the bottle of new pills.

I confessed that I did not give her the new drugs. That she had been off all drugs for five days now, as my 'little voice' was saying this is wrong.

To let her be.

I've always tried to listen to my little voice.

And, in this case, had I not, I would have killed my sweet duck.

It was the dosage for a full grown human being - or perhaps, in this case, small cow.

So, though Mabel struggles to keep up with the others...

..she is happier.

She is Healthier.

She is always watched over by Poppy ..and my little voice.

The vet gave me a topical solution to apply once a day, to draw out the infection.

This is what they use on the swans she told me.

"Well, of course, the swans", I said.

She also said she would never do surgery on her.

So, thank you anonymous blogger - who ever you are.

Mabel thanks you too.

Never In My Wildest Dreams..

2011-03-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

Even though the pear tree is in bloom..

..and the grape hyacinths are up..

..it's still really cold here.

And, never, ever, in my wildest dreams, did I see the events of last night coming my way.

The power went off.

Normally, no big deal, till you have five baby chicks who are one week old and have to maintain a 95 degree temperature or..well, chicksicles.

It was around 4am - I didn't know what to do.

I was in full panic.

Then, it hit me.

I picked them all up, and they were pretty cold. Not moving much at all.

I took them upstairs in the laundry hamper, put on my housecoat, tucked each one inside against my belly, and then played statue for three hours.

They were sprawled out, happy, and they were warm.

Of course, I had a shoot to shop for today, and felt like I'd been hit by a truck - looked like it too.

When people asked what was up with me today, I simply said I had five chickens in my housecoat all night and didn't get a wink of sleep!

What would you have done?

The Latest Buzzz..

2011-03-27T22:17:00.000-07:00

Something was a buzz in the blueberry patch this weekend.

Yes, we have bees again.

We use to keep bees, but my husband became very allergic.

Since he was the bee keeper, that was that.

Now, a lovely neighbour has taken up bee keeping, and asked if he could keep them here.

Bee keeping is magical, and when I get more time, I'll get back into it.

I think I have shot about 5 stories on bees over the years for magazines.

The smell of warm honey in the summer, the taste of fresh honeycomb!

Can't wait.

On the Mabel front..not so good.

She is going in for her second foot surgery.

I'm so torn - am I torturing her with all this medication, surgery, injections, wraps.

Should I just let her be.

I've decided to give surgery one more chance.

I don't think I'd forgive myself if I didn't give her a shot at a happy life.

On the cuter, less sad side of farm life..

we've been letting the baby chicks flutter about the room.

They are trying to fly, and love to run.

It's hilarious to watch.

Seems to me, that Peep (the yellow one) has discovered what we didn't know either...

...Cocoa's bottom is damn cute! And white?!

Size perspective.

Meet the Girls...

2011-03-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

Can one be considered a farmer is there are no chickens on the farm?

I didn't think so.

So, meet the newest girls here at Missing Goat.

All of six days old,.this is...

Haddie Doe.

Yes, you read that right - my wee girl of three got to name one..and that is the name she picked.

Now you know why I only let her name one.

She is a silver laced wyandotte

Here is Coco.

She is a cuckoo maran - originating in France..so, coco it is.

If she is nuts, we'll go back to cuckoo.

My niece named this one Peep.

Lets face it, Easter is coming, and she looks like a marshmallow peep.

She is a buff orphington.

This is my very pretty lady. An Araucana. She almost looks like an owl.

She is yet to be named, and I'm looking for ideas!!

Already declined:

Princess Snow White

Princess Belle

Princess Cinderella

Foofie, Woofie and

Haddie Boa - very similar to Haddie Doe.

This feisty little mama is Johnny Drama.

I know, that is a boys name, but she reminds me of Johnny Drama from Entourage.

All puffed up and full of herself.

She is a dark brahma - thus the name drama.

But really, she's not so tough.

A happier girl, there could not be.

PEEP!!

2011-03-22T20:31:00.000-07:00

What better way to welcome spring, than with some spring chicks!

Welcome the new girls on the farm.

I've always wanted chicks.

Always.

I've been waiting a year for this day.

They are about 72 hours old.

Fresh from the shell you could say.

Hardest part of this day..photographing them under the heat lamp.

(So, excuse the red glow)

Second hardest part - getting them to stay awake to get a picture.

They literally fall over on their faces asleep every few seconds.

Scared me half to death for several hours.

I picked out five. A good start.

This is my dark brahma.

psst..do you want to take a nap with me?

shh.

This is my araucana - the green/blue egg layer.

I'm such a Martha wanna be.

Have You Ever...

2011-03-17T18:34:00.000-07:00

Eaten an entire bowl of jello.

I did today.

The whole house is sick. The dog, the duck, the wee girl and the husband.

I had a quiet moment for the first time in a week, and since no one else was eating it..

Once everyone woke up, I told a lie. I just had to get out.

I said I had to give the ducks some water and I ran outside (with the camera and my cold tea)

My garlic is looking very happy!

Could I make a tiny tart from these wee rhubarb stalks?

Get real. The last thing I want to do right now is make pastry.

Boy, last time I looked at these chives, they were just starting to pop up.

On the Mabel front...I thought she was doing better, but I was a fool with a dream.

So, back to the vet tomorrow.

She is better than a month ago, but her ankle is still very bad.

Please dear lord..don't make me assist in vet surgery again tomorrow.

I learnt the difference between a city vet and country farm vet last week.

In the country, you are the vets assistant during surgery.

Didn't I use to travel to Paris shooting stories for magazines?

How did I get to this!

How did I get here? I'll be honest, I came here, and I love it.

Am I a farmer..yes.

Am I the posh stylist talking design..not so much.

And, one glimmer of extreme excitement in my life...

...you'll have to wait till next week.

But this shot is your hint!