Spring vegetables are the best!
There is nothing like those first vegetables of the season, and farm dog Luke agrees! Longtime readers have seen how much Luke loves green beans, but I’d say fresh sugar snap peas are a close second if not equal.
I love to munch on them myself and put them in salads as well. Next up I’ll be trying to roast some in the oven, something I haven’t tried yet. This year’s crop is outdoing itself and I soon realized I needed to do something more than just use them for snacks and Luke’s homemade food. Luckily, they can also be easily frozen for later use as well.
I’m also selling ½ pound bags at the shop. Of course, I had to get Luke’s permission to do so, since mostly I planted them for him. 😊 In other early harvest news, we’ve had lettuce and kale (the latter also goes in Luke’s food). Those two crops don’t always do well for me, but I decided to just throw a few seeds in this year anyway. Go figure, when I’m not really trying, things do better!
We are finally getting much-needed rain which followed a short heat wave (not nearly as bad as what they got in the Northwest though). The gardens are appreciating that; unfortunately, the weeds are as well, and I don’t have a lot of free time for weeding! I’ll just plug away at it all summer, the same as I do every year.
In other farm news, the new batch of chicks and keets have moved into the coop. We kept them in the house a little longer than planned, but the truth is I enjoy having them in there, listening to them chirping when I wake up and getting to see them more throughout the evenings. However, eventually they start to make too much of a mess so it’s time to go.
We have our first laying hen out of the other chicks we hatched earlier in the spring. Cleo has been quite consistent with her laying since she started, though her eggs are still on the small side (which is normal for new layers). She is a bit older than the next ones up to start, but I expect they will join in soon. Egg sales have been prolific lately, so we need those newbies on the job!
I had a wonderful time on my trip to Maine, and I am taking an extra day off for the 4th of July weekend.
Other than that, it’s back to work at the shop and on the farm and enjoying the evenings out on our deck when it’s not raining. That will be the norm for the rest of the summer!
Awe sweet Luke him looks so happy fur his veggie snacks. Mama used to have to pick and shell those kind of peas efury summer when her was little and visited her Uncles Farm. She may have eaten quite a few as well 😉 Funny about da lettuce cause our lettuce from last year grew back wifout us even trying. Growing veggies is a gamble fur sure.
Glad all da chicks are doing well. They are so cute!! And glad you had fun on your trip to Maine. Mama has only made it as far a Massachusetts but maybe one day her will make it to Maine.
xoxo,
Matt & Matilda
That reminds me that I used to pick peas at my neighbor’s house every summer too! Back then I didn’t like them though!
That’s the best, when the veggies grow with no effort at all!!
Your Mom should definitely get to Maine some day, it’s so beautiful!!
xxoo
What an unexpected blessing of peas! Story of my life – throw something together and it turns out better than something I worked hard on 😉
I know, right? I’m also almost ready to harvest a little bit of broccoli now. I plant broccoli every year with no success. This year I was just going to skip it but since I had some seeds I just threw them in the ground. Why do we try so hard? LOL
Freshly harvested – nothing beats that.
That’s for sure!
I love sugar snaps in stir fries. We didn’t plant any this year. I am glad you had fun in Maine.
The chickens are cute. 🙂
Oh yes, stir fries, that’s a great one too! I just need more time to cook. 🙂
Never a dull moment on your farm! It must be SO nice having fresh vegetables that you grew yourself. 🙂
We’re always up to something here – more stories to come soon! There really is nothing better than those fresh veggies!
Luke is wise, knows whats good for himself :-). congrats on the first harvest, they look delicious.
Luke knows how to be a healthy boy! 🙂
Those peas look absolutely scrumptious! It is ironic how rain is like liquid fertilizer for weeds. Have a lovely week!
I think we were in a moderate drought for so long, we forgot just how much the rain could do. We had some bare areas in the lawn that are all filling in with green now, and so is the edge of the driveway!
Awww, seeing Luke is the best part of this post. I know that’s no surprise to you. He loves his fresh veggies too. He’s so handsome.
I’m glad you had a great time in Maine. What a view.
Have a fabulous day and week. Smooches to Luke. ♥
Thank you! Luke sends lots of smooches back, and we both know you are his biggest fan. 🙂 ♥
I LOVE sugar snap peas!! Roast them in the oven just with some olive oil, garlic and maybe a tiny bit of salt and some pepper…..watch them so they don’t burn! Delicious! (you could air fry them too) 🙂
Oh, air fry, that’s a good idea! We just got an air fryer not too long ago, so haven’t used it much yet.
oooh maine… that’s the eternal dream of the mama, to see it and to meet mr. king LOL
luke be careful with that peas and don’t put it under your bed… remember that princess who had a sleepless night ;O)
He remembers that, so he’s sure to eat them all so none can sneak into the bed! LOL
If we ever run into Mr. King when we’re in Maine, we’ll be sure to tell him your Mama said hello. 🙂
Fresh garden veggies are just the best! Give peas a chance. Howdy Luke!!!
Hee hee! Howdy, Brian!! Woofs, Luke
awesome update 🙂
Thanks, Jim!
The peas look good. Mom loves them too. We need more rain with the drought here, but it may be coming later this week. Enjoy your farm and we are glad you got a nice vacation.
Thank you! They say we are still in a drought here too, but we’ve had a lot of rain recently, and more to come tomorrow I think. Things are definitely looking greener than they did.
I love sugar snaps too, Luke! Veges are so good for us! Maine looks so beautiful and relaxing.
We are smart dogs to eat our veggies, aren’t we, Molly!?
Mom says Maine is all that, but I wouldn’t know since I’m never invited! Neither is Dad – BOL – we boys have to hold down the farm!
Woofs, Luke ♥
I was drooling when I saw your bountiful pea harvest!! I love them!
Our pups not so much…go figure! MJF did back in the day.
Your farm and store sound like busy beehives of (good) activity. I am glad you got to have a (brief) respite from all the work, though.
Even when you love your work like I do, it’s nice to have a break!
Luke is our first dog to eat so many veggies (and fruits), our beagles and goldens were far pickier than he is!