Asheville
37°
Livonia
32°
Bloomfield
32°
West Palm Beach
72°
That darn bear was back last night. Both dogs barked for an hour, and then Brando cried for another two. He was so scared; it was rather amusing. Xena would run out the dog door, and Brando would stand back and bark. He was not going anywhere near a scary bear. I got stung by a bee today too, right on my right, pointer finger knuckle. Hurts as if I was shot, I swear.
With the help of Pam, I am making a design for the new chicken coop. Ann and I are talking about starting it the beginning of October, and then we will sell the one we have. I moved it a bit today, so that they could have some grass. It had rained so much that they were in mud. Pippin likes the chickens. Secretly, I think he would like to eat the chickens.
He really does not look comfortable.
I made a little video of the chickens. Honestly, I do get requests.
Soup…ah yes, soup
I made some turkey broth, which will go into the freezer tomorrow. I first have to skim off any fat that rises to the top. Then I made a double pot of Potato Leek Soup. I like it, but it is very rich.
POTATO LEEK SOUP (This is from the food channel.)
- 1 large or 2 small leeks, about 1 pound
- 2 bay leaves
- 20 black peppercorns
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 strips bacon, chopped (I used turkey bacon)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 5 cups chicken stock
- 1 to 1 1/4 pounds russet potatoes, diced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 teaspoon white pepper (I used black, as I do not have white pepper.)
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup creme fraiche or heavy cream (I used 2% milk)
- 2 tablespoons snipped chives (Naw)
Directions
Trim the green portions of the leek and, using 2 of the largest and longest leaves, make a bouquet garni by folding the 2 leaves around the bay leaves, peppercorns and thyme. Tie into a package-shaped bundle with kitchen twine and set aside. (Alternately, tie 2 leek leaves, bay leaves, peppercorns and thyme together in a piece of cheesecloth.)
Using a sharp knife, halve the white part of the leek lengthwise and rinse well under cold running water to rid the leek of any sand. Slice thinly crosswise and set aside.
In a large soup pot over medium heat, melt the butter and add the bacon. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is very soft and has rendered most of its fat. Add the chopped leeks and cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Add the reserved bouquet garni, chicken stock, potatoes, salt and white pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, or until the potatoes are falling apart and the soup is very flavorful.
Remove the bouquet garni and, working in batches, puree the soup in a food processor or blender. (Alternately, if you own an immersion blender, puree the soup directly in the pot.) Stir in the creme fraiche and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Serve immediately, with some of the snipped chives sprinkled over the top of each bowl of soup.
Then I made a pot of the Thicker than Fog Pea Soup, because I wanted it in the freezer.
Very handsome flock you have there! Need to feed them more often, they looked starved.
I think they would eat until they popped, if I let them. They have a bowl of food inside their little house, so they can eat whenever they want. My neighbor calls the scratch “candy,” so they love to get that.
Pippin is sun bathing or being a body guard to the chickens. Take your pick. I think he is cute up there.
cute video and I’m with Norma, I think Pippin is sun bathing up there.
Pippin can sunbathe all he wants as long as he is kind to ButterBean.
They’re all very cute…cat and chickens, but you got to admit her little black head bobbing around is the best.
Personally i vote for daily chicken videos.
What has the DNR said about the bear? Do they have any ideas on how to get rid of him/her for good?
They say nothing. They will not relocate bears any longer. They just say to keep your garbage up. We do not even put it outside.
Cannot buy firecrackers in North Carolina. I am going to look into a starting gun or even a very loud cap gun.
I second the vote for daily chicken videos, especially of Butter Bean!!:)
The chickens are not afraid of Pippin attacking them. They are fearful that Pippin just might get in and get one morsel of their food. Butter Bean would light into that cat like white on rice if he stuck his head in that pen….by the way….this is Ann.
I Googled for info on fireworks in NC and found:
“Any firework device that explodes, spins, flies, jumps or leaves the ground in any way is illegal in North Carolina….Firecrackers, ground spinners, roman candles, bottle rockets and mortars – these are all illegal. That means you can’t buy them in North Carolina and you can’t use them either. If you buy fireworks in South Carolina and bring them home, you’re breaking the law….The only legal fireworks are devices with 200 grams or less of chemical compound per device. Examples include sparklers, fountains, glow worms, snap pops and other similar novelty devices.”
So, the only thing legal in NC…would not help with scaring off bears.
LOL
Sorry about the bears and I hope the chickies stay safe! I love your chicken videos….they are my favorites so far!
Thanks Becky. Interesting I can own and shoot a gun legally, but I cannot throw a fire cracker at a bear.
Ok, thinking cap on………….