Treasure Under my Feet

 While out thrift shopping with my sister we spotted this beautiful rag rug at the Faded Rose in Clinton.  My sister bought it for me for Christmas.  I LOVE IT!!!  I've never seen another rug made this way.  It is knitted, maybe with needles or with a little loom.  I marvel just thinking about how the maker pieced the small fabric scraps together before even knitting the strips.

There were several big holes and frayed parts (the reason why it was just ten dollars), but I was eager to repair it and now you can hardly tell there was any significant damage. 

Originally I was going to put it in my kitchen or at my front door, but for now it is beside my bed cushioning my feet when I rise in the morning.

Why did Spring Girl Cross the Road?

To get to the chicken on the other side.

 Last Saturday Randy called me outside to witness a chicken strutting down the sidewalk.  I guess this little guy wanted to visit the city.  I was surprised, but then I wasn't.  I like to think of our location as the Axis of Eccentricity.  I'm not sure if this is an exaggeration . . . I AM sure stranger things happen in other parts of the world, but our little corner seems to be a magnet for the peculiar.  This isn't always good, but it sure makes life interesting. 

Anyway, the little Bantam Rooster was a curious sight for squirrels, cats, and people.  I knew he wasn't safe.  I felt kinda confident in chasing him because I love the chickens at the farm.  I'm teased about this by all the workers. They think I can talk chicken.

After chasing the little guy awhile I cornered him and scooped him up pretty easily.

  He was really friendly and even enjoyed being talked to and petted.  I took him over to some friends, but the large hens were literally pecking out his feathers.

 I ended up taking him to the farm where I work.  I love the chicken yard when it is full of produce.  Watching the chickens eat squash has been a treat.   They bowl out the butternut and pumpkins like artisans. 

 The farm cats are never impressed and rarely curious.

 Here is Mr. Fancy Feathers doing much better.  Even though he is smaller than all the other chickens he is holding his own.  I also call him F3 aka Feather Footed Fowl. 

It was brought to my attention that he might have been owned to fight.  I think he is too docile to be a fighter.  I swear he knows who I am.  He stares at me when I talk to him and he places himself where I will be sure to notice him.  I think he is surprised by how he is drawn to me.  A chicken is enamored by me.

Kim said HE found me, I didn't find him.  This may be strangely true.

Little Happenings

 Not sure what to eat?  You know where to find and answer!  I love letter shaped green beans.

 Kale Chips

Pre-heat oven to 350.  Wash and dry kale.  Rub kale with olive oil and place on a cookie sheet.  Bake for 10 to 20 minutes or until kale is crispy.  Serve with vinegar.

 27 lb butternut type squash baby.  I love looking like a farmer!!!!  I took a smaller baby home and made squash lasagna.  It is so tasty.

 Super Storm Sandy caused sleet for us folks in SE Michigan.  It was a freaky day to work on the farm.  I am so happy I was there to mark the event.  I think of Super Storm Sandy as a math equation. 

S cubed plus moon equals God is our help in times of trouble.

It's a treat to see Tricksters.  Jake made Dominic's costume.

 My buffet decorated for Autumn. 

Honey comb jar, Roman harvest muse, two year old pumpkin vine (grown by Gwen), old German beer stines, wicker cornucopia filled with farm produce,

 my new lovely antique crocheted buffet runner (love it!!!!), and sweet potato pecan pie.

Sweet Potato Pecan Pie

Serves 6 - 8

2 lbs or 1.5 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes (boiled or roasted)

3 eggs

1/4 c. butter

3/4 c. light corn syrup

1/4 c. brown sugar

1 t. vanilla

1/8 t. salt

1 c. pecans ( a half cup of the pecans a can be chopped and mixed into filling or all of the pecans can be kept whole)

1 - 9" unbaked pie shell 

Cook potatoes until tender and mash.  Cool slightly. Pre-heat oven to 350.   Add all ingredients except 1/2 cup of whole pecans.  Pour into pie shell and decorate with remaining whole pecans.  Bake 1 hour.

This pie doesn't try to imitate pumpkin pie.  No spices are added to mask the lovely sweet potato flavor.

Yummy pie.