Meal Review and Other Springtime Musings

The woodstove soup was a definite hit the other night.  I had never attempted making beef soup from scratch before.  I've done it with chicken soup, but that is relatively safe.  It's hard to screw up chicken stock.  Beef, however, is a completely different beast.  I can never seem to resist throwing in some beef bouillon for fear that the stock will otherwise be too bland.

This stuff was anything but bland.  I went heavy on the celery and thyme and both were noticeable  but not overpowering.  In fact, I think it was just about perfect.  Hope I can remember the amounts the next time around.  I hate writing down recipes even more than using them.  It takes the adventure and artistry out of cooking.

Spring has sprung today on the farm.  There have been numerous hints over the last few weeks:  The robins and red-wing blackbirds arrived on the same day.  The snow, with the exception of northern sloping hills, has nearly disappeared.  My truck is covered with mud.  The kids' clothes are again retaining turf stains.  Flocks of Canada geese have been flying north.  So have the sand cranes.  And the once hidden mounds of dog poop are appearing all over the place.  I can live without this last spring siting.

The clearest indicator that spring has sprung was seeing our neighbor, (and frequent commenter on this blog) Tom, driving by on his motorcycle the other day. He was, however, wearing jeans rather than his usual shorts.  I also noted that he was not wearing his sandals.  Both good calls, I believe.

The temperature today is near 50 degrees, and all forms of life seem to be responding.  Unfortunately, this includes the flies.  I was greeted by a low, consistent buzzing while walking out the front door this morning.  Turned out to be hundreds, perhaps thousands of flies.  They seemed to be sunning themselves on the side of our house and throughout the lawn.  Perhaps they are resting after feasting on the numerous mounds of dog poop.  I hate flies.


The only sound louder than the flies right now is the voice from our garden, beckoning me to come and visit.  Hoping to get a little time there later this afternoon.