Locavore In Training

I've mentioned before that I have a deep yearning to raise chickens. (And I have since I was a child! Right, Mom?) Friendly, egg-producing, pet chickens. There are many just a few reasons why this hasn't happened yet: In the spring, for days and weeks and practically months on end, our yard turns into a muddy mucky mess. Not a nice place for animals to live.Tricky rules... our community and county allows them, but we may or may not have the required amount of land.Vacations. I haven't quite figured out what happens if when we leave for several days at a time. Cat sitters? No problem. Chicken sitters? Um... more of a challenge.Reluctance on the side of the husband. He'll deal with it, if I realllllly want them... but he'd prefer I wait until we live in a place that makes a little more sense for raising various farm animals. So, why does he, the unwilling chicken owner, send me an email about Chicken Cribs? Maybe he secretly wants chickens too? How cute is this?

(Their photo) Ok, so at over $600, it should be. And I do still love the Eglu. And, look! They made a new model! The Eglu Go:

(Their photo) And, half as expensive at the Eglu Classic!! And... what's that? Hello Beehaus!

(From Engadget) Not only is it outrageously expensive, it seems like it's only available in the UK... but is it wrong that I still want it?

Have I mentioned that I've started a beer bottling experiment? So, I got through the first steps with no real problems. It spent two weeks in the keg, per the instructions, and then it was time to bottle it. Other than trying to bottle the beer for the first time at exactly the same time as trying to can jam for the first time, the bottling went well. Or, so I thought.

I lost count when I was adding the priming sugar to one of the bottles. So, I was pretty sure I ended up adding an extra 1/2 tsp of sugar to one of the bottles. How much could that affect? (People who have brewing experience, do you see where I'm headed?)

Well, we're about 10 days since the bottling. It looks like everything has carbonated according to plan. The bottles have been sitting in a cardboard box, away from the light. So, um... this morning the box looked odd. Sort of... wet along the bottom.

Turns out, one of the plastic bottles burst. Nothing like starting your day smelling of beer. And not from drinking it! Lesson learned? Two things - muti-tasking while doing new things... not the best idea. And pay very close attention to the home brew instructions, otherwise you'll end up with beer on your carpet.

A little more than a year ago, after I'd read Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and decided we'd convert to 100% local, I bought a beer-making kit. After all, I couldn't make exceptions for things like beer, right? Well, I discovered pretty immediately that I either lack the time, energy or cash to be completely local and had to really, really loosen my requirements. (There may have also been an mutiny at our house brought on by my refusal to buy anything that wasn't both local and organic...in early Spring. There weren't very many options that I could see.) And, so, the Mr. Beer Brewery kit was relegated to our workshop/storage area. I wasn't sure I'd ever use it. I'm usually a wine drinker, and with so many other thing to learn, it fell off my radar.

While out at the Freshfarm Annapolis Farmer's Market today, I picked up a copy of Flavor magazine. I'd never seen it before but it's great! They had a series of "how to" articles: growing mushrooms, brewing beer, and getting kids to each veggies. I've grown mushrooms before (in my parents' old basement!) and that was fun. And the beer lightbulb went off. After a day outside in the 90 degree heat touring the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, I was looking for an inside project!

Turns out, the kit couldn't make it easier. After the all-important sterilization step, it was as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1. Dissolve booster (corn syrup solids) in water, then boil.
2. Mix can of beer mixture into water and pour into keg.
3. Sprinkle yeast, let sit of 5 minutes, mix and seal.

Now, I wait for 2 weeks.

Once it's ready, I'll bottle it up and then wait until 2-3 weeks. Although, I'm already planning to start another batch once this one's done! Maybe a blueberry or raspberry one? I do love the fruit beers...

I think it's safe to say that one of these days, Jay is going to lock me up to keep me from doing crazy things. Things like, buying a sheep and transporting it home in the prius.

My New Sheep

Ok, raise your hands... how many of you think I really did that? I didn't... but I wanted to. And honestly, it probably wouldn't even be the craziest thing I've ever done.

Who wouldn't want to take me home?

I went to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this weekend. It was a blast. 90 degrees and thousands of people packed together in poorly ventilated rooms filled with wool. And it was still fun! There were sheep and goats and alpacas. Yes, yes and yes. I think one of the small sheep totally would have fit into the prius. Or a baby goat. Kid?

Baby Alpaca

Young Goat... or Kid

I've been trying to convince Jay that we should get a dog. But he's not so sure, since there's the whole - we aren't home for many hours in a row thing. He doesn't think it's nice to leave a dog stuck inside, or outside for that matter, all day. Ok... fine. (For now.) But you know what? Goats and sheep are supposed to be outside all the time. So, by powers of deduction, that makes both goats and sheep appropriate pets for us to have. Right now.

Looks like a goat, but it's a sheep!

I have worm eggs in my fridge. That's normal, right? Seeds in my crisper. Herbs growing in my dining room. Worms living in my shed. 1,000 worms, though maybe more. Lunch planned to exchange perennials. Gardening gloves in my car.  Heirloom and organic bulbs on their way. Associations with 4 farms: a CSA, a community 'garden', a source for milk and eggs, and a source for sustainably raised meats.

I was talking to a coworker today about the chicken plan, and another coworker overheard. She said, "Oh, that's cool... do you live on a farm?" Nope. Not a farm. A pretty standard suburban neighborhood. But my use of it isn't so standard. And, really, I'm OK with a new version of normal.

I'm happy to report that my worm friends seem to have settled in to their new home. They arrived last Thursday, looking as healthy as you can expect 1,000 red wiggler worms who just traveled from NC to MD through the USPS. I dumped them in as instructed in the Worm Factory manual - minus the light above their home. Since they are living in the shed, there is no electric for an easy light source. Well, this turned out to be a mistake.

When I checked in on them the next day, I was sad to discover some dead escapees around the composter. They seemed confused on what was up and what was down, so some ventured up and out. I rigged an LED flashlight above it, figuring I would replace the batteries once a day or so since I would leave it on all day. Then the monsoon 4 days of straight rain came, and I just couldn't get myself motivated to trek through the standing water, mud and muck to check on them.

My new rain boots arrived yesterday, so the first thing I did was check on them. Even though it's started to dry out, I was thankful to have them. Turns out, the flashlight was still on, and it doesn't look like there were more escapees! They were all tucked in the dirt, seemingly adjusted. Good times!

I also took the extra daylight time to clear a thick layer of leaves that still remained on my perennial beds. (One of "the kid's" supposed chores.)  I'm hoping they can dry out over the next couple of days, and that the plants have all fared well over the gallons of rain and snow. If things can dry out enough, I'll get the leaves collected and shredded this weekend and maybe even set up my new raised beds! Hooray for sunlight and spring!

I have been a busy bee! Although tonight was supposed to be devoted to bees...

I had to get the worm factory ready for the eminent arrival of the red wiggler worms last night! Jay had agreed to place them in their home, should they arrive while I was at bee class. He's been such a good sport. Last night he watched part of the worm house prep process and decided that I'm "a weird girl" and that it's "yucky." Well, yeah.

But, that's ok! I'm strangely excited to have worms as "pets" and even more excited to see how much of our current trash and recycling I can reduce though this venture. Since I decided to skip bee class (too much to do, too little energy), I was able to welcome the worms myself. They were waiting in the mailbox. My mail person must be confused. They were wrapped in a cloth bag about the size of a grapefruit. I dropped gently placed them into the worm factory, using a flashlight for light. Daylight savings, where are you? I got myself all freaked out while doing it, thinking I was hearing random noises and being a little weirded out by the sight of 1,000 worms. They're supposed to take up to a week to adjust. I'll check them in a few days and see how they're adjusting.

Last night, the aerogarden lit up a little more like a Christmas tree than usual, demanding some attention. Turns out I didn't read fully through the instructions, so thank god they have warning lights when I'm supposed to be doing something to it. I needed to change out the water and add new nutrients. All the pods have sprouted now, sans parsley... and that looks like it might be getting ready to pop any moment now.

It's a small set of "farm" chores, for sure, especially compared to what it will be in a few short months and nowhere near what I hope for eventually. Considering the extremely limited amount of daylight I have after returning from my long trek to and from work, it's pretty decent.

My raised bed setup arrived a couple nights ago, if the weather cooperates,  I'm going to try to get them set up this weekend. Definitely going to be researching delivery options this year - I lost count of the number of trips back and forth from the nursery for compost, mulch, soil, etc. Let's simplify and save more time for playing in the yard!

I'm still very interested in the beekeeping thing, but with class going until 10 on a school work night, I just can't hang. Turns out there are a couple other options. There's one hosted by the Anne Arundel beekeepers group I could take, I could try again on this one next year, and I need to learn more about mason bees. Might be a decent for-now option. (Note for the husband: They do not sting.)

I have one of two fence quotes back, hoping to get that project moving soon. Lots more research to do on the chicken plan, but it's the non-chicken related steps that are holding the project back so far!

Happy to have requested the day off tomorrow! Yay for relaxation.

I woke up this morning really excited about all the progress I've made this week. I'm really, really excited about the backyard chicken plan... several fairly large things need to happen before I can have them clucking around the yard, but it's feeling very real. A couple of calls for fence estimates went out yesterday, we need to close in the fence for privacy and safety for the girls.

Random worry this morning... what in the heck do we do with them when we're on vacation??

I'm excited to get move involved with Clagett Farm this year... though I haven't quite managed to get that worked out yet. I'm also really looking forward to getting involved in a new community garden. That one is also eluding me so far as well, their welcome meeting is today and I can't make it. I'm particularly interested in the beekeeping that they're already doing at the garden... maybe I can use my new-found knowledge there?! Oh, that and the asparagus patch! Yes, please!

All of this excitement really put into perspective the one thing I am not excited for today...  My horse lessons. I'm probably the last one to this party, but I'm not really enjoying it. Anyone else figure that out already? I still really want to learn, to be involved with horses... I just don't think this place is a good fit. I'll be canceling today (before my lesson!) because there are too many projects that I could be working on instead of something I'm not totally enjoying. I get enough of that during the week, thanks.

Oh, and if I'm not paying for lessons anymore... maybe that means more heritage bulbs will find their way here... (I'll tell ya more about that project soon...)

So instead of my horse plan for today, I'll be doing some much needed catch up on housework and then researching chicken breeds and housing. (I thought I had already figured out the breed, but turns out different breeds do well on different types of soil... I need the clay-friendly ones!) Then, I'll be hanging out with one of my favorite people. Another beautiful day on tap as well...

Wowie! What an interesting week! Not only is today the most beautiful day we've had in months, I've gotten into some interesting things over the last couple of days...

First of all, the Aerogarden is up and running. I got it all set up about a week and a half ago, and we're starting to see signs of life!

A couple pods haven't quite emerged yet, but I'm excited to see growth in what has felt like the dead of winter lately!

On Thursday, I started my BUMBA (Bowie, Upper Marlboro Beekeeper's Association) Beekeeping class held at Watkins Park. I was amazed to see over 50 people show up - people of all ages. Our first class was focused on going over the basic materials needed and bee behavior. I'm looking forward to the rest of the classes, where we'll get into more specifics on what's required to maintain a hive. (Quick PSA - the bees are in trouble! Learn more about that here.)

The highlight of the night? No question - one of the instructors demonstrating the bee dance. I was too caught up in trying to catch it on video to get all the details, but I'm pretty sure she was showing us how bees communicate when they find good food (maple, in this case.) Pardon the quality, but I just had to share...

Today held some definite excitement! My Backyard Chicken Keeping class!! The class was run by Lee Kelly, a jack of all trades farmer who works for the Accokeek Foundation. He started the class by asking each of the 8 woman attending (one also brought her young son) what we hoped to get from the class. The rest of the class was informal - the first half an in-depth Q&A and the second half discussing his prepared handouts. An awesome bargain, I walked out with a bunch of materials including what seems like a really great instructional book. Half the class drove over to the staff area to get a special treat! Lee allowed us to hold and pet one of his chickens. At least half of the women in the class plan to get chickens, but had never even touched one. (Me included...) I was over the moon to be surrounded by other crazy like-minded people!

One of their heritage breeds, Dominique:

Yes, she's giving me the stink eye...

Turns out the foundation runs an large and varied farm; in addition to the chickens, they have the Oxen, Rocky and Bullwinkle:

Some cattle, including a baby calf!

They also had a large flock of sheep, turkeys, pigs and a variety of wild geese and ducks easily spotted. They run an organic farm and I believe host a CSA. They've got quite a fantastic view too, right on the Potomac.

Really, I can't believe after living in Maryland for somewhere around 20 years, I've never been to either Watkins Park or the Accokeek Foundation! Never even heard of them. What gems!

And then there's Watkins Park... I haven't seen it in the daytime yet, but I'm already impressed. 850 acres a stone's throw from the beltway in PG county, with a Nature Center hosting live animal exhibits. I felt so fortunate to have arrived early for my class so I could take a stroll around the center. Apparently they put on a Christmas light show during the winter, and have an antique carousel, picnic areas and mini golf for the warmer months. It's only 30 minutes from our house, so I have a feeling I'll be visiting again even after my class has finished!

Finally, I'm not the only one enjoying the return of the sun! Max is also soaking in some rays!

I recently stumbled upon a great post from what looks like a great blog, Kitchen Stewardship. It's a recap of her journey, of the last year of working to cook "real, traditional food." I haven't spent much time on her site, and I'm not sure I'll agree with everything (politics/religion..) but it's still a great blog. She likens her sustainable food journey to running a marathon, and I love the comparison. Even though I think her list is way, way more than "baby steps," I'm really liking the concept of tracking each minor step. I'm much better off than I was a year ago, and in a year, I'll be much better off than I am now. So what if I slipped and had 'cheese product' nachos yesterday.

I thought I'd made a little list of things I'd like to have on my list of eco-friendly sustainable food and lifestyle things completed next year:

• Learn to make homemade cheese
• Learn to can, several things
• Replace all (or most) household cleaners with earth-friendly options
• Try out better dryer/anti-static options (this is for you, Jay)
• Start composting (worms will be here next week!)
• Start my chicken flock (Backyard Chicken Keeping Class on Saturday)
• Try raised bed gardening
• Convert to 100% responsibly-raised meats (we're most of the way there already)
• Homemade butter
• Homemade ice cream (Need an ice cream maker for this)
• Try more natural beauty/skin products
• Attempt sourdough, again

Wheew! I'm tired already