Reagan's morning class at the BHLC this spring is "Food 101." Each week the kids have an opportunity to try new (sometimes exotic) food as well as learn a little about that food like where it originated from and how it is grown. Reagan has throughly enjoyed this class and one week she was quite excited to bring home a pepper plant she had planted during class. That, along with encouragement from reading the book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" through the book club I joined this winter, made us decide to try our hand at planting a few veggies this spring and summer. We began with broccoli, tomatoes, peas, onion and watermelon (it was too early to plant watermelon but Reagan was insistent so we decided to have an "experiment" and see what happens when you plant something at a different time than what is suggested). We also have carrots, corn and more watermelon waiting to be planted shortly. Here's our crew ready to begin the planting process. :)
Adding dirt to our pots
Planting and watering the seeds
Another change we have made due to my reading the book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" is seeking out a farm to provide eggs and local produce for us. All three kids LOVE visiting the farm we have located which is called Berries on Brian Station Farm. Farmer Eric is great about letting them play and explore including hopping on and off the tractors. They all love watching the chickens, feeding the chickens (cats and dog too), searching for eggs and learning about the chickens in general. For instance, we learned that the ear pads of a chicken show you what color their egg will be. Who knew??? We also learned where the term "playing chicken" comes from one afternoon when Farmer Eric was plowing a field. First of all it was hilarious to see the chicken race which ensued when the chickens realized he had begun plowing and they all raced to try and get the best grubs he was turning up. Once the chickens selected their spot they basically refused to give it up even when the tractor would return and nearly run them over. It was pretty entertaining to watch these silly but determined birds finding their food. It has been a great experience thus far and we have been enjoying the weekly trip out to the farm since February. While the official produce hasn't started yet we have been receiving lettuce (which the girls have declared to be the best in the world), greens and herbs when we go and pick up our weekly eggs. One week Farmer Erick suggested we make a smoothy out of the greens he gave us. Kennedy thought having a green drink was a fantastic idea!
Even though Kennedy enjoyed the first sip or two the girls both quickly agreed this was a terrible and awful creation! I don't know if I went wrong with the recipe or if we're not ready to be this crazy yet, but this stuff was as nasty as it looks (both consistency and taste)! lol :)
Here are the girls with some of the eggs and greens from the farm that day
I don't know how it will go, but we're looking forward to a summer of fresh produce both from the farm and our own backyard! Many thanks to Grammy who bank rolled our veggie endeavor in the back yard. Hopefully we'll be able to share and enjoy some yummy food in the coming months as a true thanks! :)
Adding dirt to our pots
Planting and watering the seeds
Another change we have made due to my reading the book "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" is seeking out a farm to provide eggs and local produce for us. All three kids LOVE visiting the farm we have located which is called Berries on Brian Station Farm. Farmer Eric is great about letting them play and explore including hopping on and off the tractors. They all love watching the chickens, feeding the chickens (cats and dog too), searching for eggs and learning about the chickens in general. For instance, we learned that the ear pads of a chicken show you what color their egg will be. Who knew??? We also learned where the term "playing chicken" comes from one afternoon when Farmer Eric was plowing a field. First of all it was hilarious to see the chicken race which ensued when the chickens realized he had begun plowing and they all raced to try and get the best grubs he was turning up. Once the chickens selected their spot they basically refused to give it up even when the tractor would return and nearly run them over. It was pretty entertaining to watch these silly but determined birds finding their food. It has been a great experience thus far and we have been enjoying the weekly trip out to the farm since February. While the official produce hasn't started yet we have been receiving lettuce (which the girls have declared to be the best in the world), greens and herbs when we go and pick up our weekly eggs. One week Farmer Erick suggested we make a smoothy out of the greens he gave us. Kennedy thought having a green drink was a fantastic idea!
Even though Kennedy enjoyed the first sip or two the girls both quickly agreed this was a terrible and awful creation! I don't know if I went wrong with the recipe or if we're not ready to be this crazy yet, but this stuff was as nasty as it looks (both consistency and taste)! lol :)
Here are the girls with some of the eggs and greens from the farm that day
I don't know how it will go, but we're looking forward to a summer of fresh produce both from the farm and our own backyard! Many thanks to Grammy who bank rolled our veggie endeavor in the back yard. Hopefully we'll be able to share and enjoy some yummy food in the coming months as a true thanks! :)
I love the "after" photo of the girls and the green smoothie :) Also- I'm so glad you posted about the farm. I've been wanting to buy meat, eggs, and produce from a local farm for awhile now and just didn't know where to start. I'm really enjoying your blog!
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