Sackette Ridge in Black Rock Forest

Sackette Ridge in Black Rock Forest

Originally uploaded by edgwickfarm

That’s all ice on the trees, not snow.

Icy trees in front yard

Icy trees in front yard

Originally uploaded by edgwickfarm

Ice Storm

Ice Storm

Originally uploaded by edgwickfarm

We awoke Friday morning to an ice storm. Lots of branches down including the top of one of our front yard sugar maples as seen in this picture but no damage otherwise. There will be lots of clean-up and lots of firewood. Power only went out briefly but across the street the power is still out.

Farmer’s wheel cheese with basil & garlic

Farmer’s wheel cheese with basil & garlic

Originally uploaded by edgwickfarm

I take one gallon of fresh raw goat’s milk and bring it to 200 degrees. I add between a third of a cup and three quarters of a cup of cider vinegar to make curds. If the curds and whey don’t immediately separate I add more vinegar. It should not look milky. Then I drain it in cheesecloth for a several minutes, gently rolling it back and forth to get the whey out. While it is still hot I mix it in a bowl with one half teaspoon of baking soda, one teaspoon sea salt, basil and garlic and three tablespoons of butter. I line my cheese press with cheesecloth and press it lightly for 20 minutes and then flip it over. I might press it on each side for another 20 minutes depending upon what I am doing. At this time of year, I chill it outside while I am pressing to help it firm up. Once it is cool and firm, I food save it and date it.

Cheese press

Cheese press

Originally uploaded by edgwickfarm

This is my cheese press from New England Cheesemaking Supplies. I used it for my cheddar wheels but lately I have been using it to press a new soft cheese into a pretty shape.

Predators

Predators

Originally uploaded by edgwickfarm

Everytime someone visits my farm and talks about how much they want to raise chickens and how simple I make it look, I warn them to be prepared for predators. The predator pressure here in this almost suburban community is unbelievbable. I have dealt with coyotes, foxes, raccoons, possums and red tail hawks.

This is the time of year when red tail hawks really go after my flock. The leaves are down and the birds are migrating through the area. I selected Speckled Sussex chicks this year because they are said to be more difficult for the hawks to spot.

I did a chicken census at the end of October which is on a side page. By the end of December I will do another and figure out my losses. I have estimated I lose 5% of my flock at this time of year to hawks. I know I lost one at least because I found these legs on the path behind the house to the oak tree. Likely a hawk killed the pullet and some other predator cleaned up the rest because these legs and chewed legs bones were all that was left.

A better picture of this morning’s rainbow

Morning Rainbow. Photo by Frank Ostrander.

Rainbow over my farm

Rainbow over my farm

Originally uploaded by edgwickfarm

Morning rainbow

Morning rainbow

Originally uploaded by edgwickfarm

This is the second rainbow I have seen this week.

Hope

Hope

Originally uploaded by edgwickfarm

It is always darkest before the dawn.