New Lambs!

Around noon today, Fro and Lamb gave birth. Both yearlings, they had a single (expected) vs. twins or triplets. One male and one female—12 lbs and 10 respectively. Both healthy tonight. 

Prepping the Greenhouse, Tulips and Harvesting Greens

We finally wrapped the greenhouse Seth built—was windy, but it's done. Will move plants next week—tomatoes, peppers, fennel, basil, parsnips, soybeans, and so much more. The tulips popped out yesterday. Suddenly yellow and bright. Tonight, I harvested more burdock and a bunch of dandelion greens. Simple salad?—harvest and wash dandelion greens. Pat dry and chop up a bit. Toss with some olive oil, maple syrup and lemon juice. Add a sprinkle of salt. Otherwise?—Add a bit of olive oil to a saucepan with a bit of garlic, toss in the greens and top with a touch of salt. Sautee briefly. Wow...it's so incredible what grows around us in the early spring. Season of it's own bounty! 

Burdock—Pickled

A recipe from Sandra Lory: Burdock root, tamari (I used Bragg's liquid aminos), water, Bragg's cider vinegar, garlic and ginger. The burdock is steamed for a bit and then packed with the brine. Now is totally the time to harvest burdock. A long narrow shovel is best. The roots are deep.

Burdock Thrives Here

Burdock is a perennial whose roots, leaves, and sometimes its seeds are used widely in herbal medicine to support liver function and as a cleansing botanical. Like dandelion and yellow dock, burdock roots are bitter and thus capable of stimulating digestive secretions and aiding digestion. These roots are referred to as "alterative" agents -- capable of enhancing digestion and the absorption of nutrients and supporting the elimination of wastes. Any botanical capable of these important actions can attain far-reaching improvements in a variety of complaints. Now through fall is a time to harvest.

More 2014 Spring Lambs

2 more arrived at about 3am. I stayed up until 2:30...she waited until I left. :) We now have two more beautiful white lambs. Here's a snap of our other lambs born May 2—and one of 007's lambs last year.