And we're off!

Spring is springing around Kay's Leaning Tree Farm! When nightly low temperatures are in the 50's, my planting season kicks into high gear. The 10 Day Forecast (thanks Weather Channel!) has the lowest low at 49. So I'll be outdoors (and dirty) every daylight moment for at least the next ten days.

This is what my mother wanted in her Easter basket this year. No marshmallow peeps. No chocolate bunnies. A pick axe. This one is sort of the "ladies model." It's called a Matlock and it's a little shorter and lighter than your average pick axe. I'm glad the doctors fixed her heart, and she's feeling invincible again.

Surprise! As I was planting my potato patch I found a survivor from last year's crop! Isn't he a beauty?! For winning the reward challenge, he'll be served alongside a BIG steak and some fresh-picked asparagus.

My first tulip! Welcome to the sea of yellow and white daffodils!

Fresh cut flowers decorate my bathroom. A sure sign that the long winter has passed.

Updates: The chicken coop is progressing. Thanks to Nicci, it now has doors! People doors, that is. I'm working on the chicken door. I've had to take a break from construction to work on my gardens. The potato patch is nearly complete. I've selected Yukon Gold, Red Pontiac and fingerlings for this year's crop. Last year my potato garden was underwater several times. I replanted twice, and finally picked a spot with better drainage. I decided to dig a drainage ditch from the old potato patch to the big drainage ditch by the street. I'm about 2/3 of the way there. This will let me utilize two boggish spots for vegetable gardens. Yes, my back is stiff. Lots of digging around here!

Happy Easter!

From me and my friends at the farmers market. I didn't dye these eggs. They came in pink, blue green and brown.

Happy Easter from the frog I snuck up on.

And happy Easter from Daddy Cat. He hopes you managed to work in some sunbathing and a good roll.

Comfort me!

Winter is back. My schedule is full. My to-do list is a mile long. I need some comfort food! I have already blog-whined about the serious shortage of snacks and desserts in my life. So I decided to check the fridge and the internet for something that might comfort me. Found it!

It's custard! Made from fresh brown eggs from the farmers market, local honey, and goat's milk - all legal ingredients for me!

Kay's Honey Custard

4 eggs
1 1/2 C goat milk
1/2 C honey
scrapings from 1/2 a vanilla bean
pinch of salt
cinnamon for sprinkling

Beat the eggs. Add milk and honey to the eggs in the top of a double boiler. (I sat my small pan in a larger pan of water.) Stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture thickens. Add the salt and vanilla scrapings. Taste. Yum! Pour into custard cups and sprinkle with cinnamon. Chill. Indulge!

Make yourself some custard, and come back to see what's popping up in my yard.

And . . .

Look! It's my first asparagus spear!

I hope we all feel better now!