Satin Junior's

These Satin junior's will be showing in the fall. They all have wonderful wool and excellent type. I have high hopes for them.

Lilac Haven's Amaranth
junior doe

Lilac Haven's Aurelius
junior buck

Lilac Haven's Selene
junior doe

More from the Ohio State Fair

There is something for everyone at the Ohio State Fair

Fair food and the midway

The Dairy Building and the butter cow

Chainsaw sculpture


Sculptured fox

Nut display by the Ohio Nut Growers Association

Scarecrow Contest

Produce display

Fleece competition

Ode to Garlic Part III

Those of you who aren't interest in growing garlic will be glad to know that this is the final installment of my garlic growing endeavors. The garlic has gone to seed and the bulbs have been harvested. Now they are in various stages of drying and some still need to have the dirt cleaned off them. Next year I think I need to prepare the soil in my garden bed a little better as the bulbs are not uniform in size. The aroma of the drying garlic is heavenly to me because I love garlic!

Happiness Is...

...a bunch of soft baby bunnies...

Youth and Showmanship at the Ohio State Fair

We went down to the fair today. My cousin and his family was there and the kids were competing in the wool competition. The girls, who were in the team competition, won their class of wool showmanship which included handling the sheep and modeling their clothing which had to be made of wool. Check out their adorable outfits; Jessica knitted her sweater all by herself. Faith's grandma made her's to match and they both wore wool skirts. Their brother Simon sewed his own hat and vest (yes I said he sewed it) and he took third place. Pretty impressive huh?

Moon Flower

I was walking around in the garden a few minutes ago and noticed that one of my moonflowers (Ipomoea alba) was open. Maybe because it has been overcast for part of today. Moonflowers are fun and easy to grow and they produce large, showy, fragrant flowers that bloom at night. Their intense smell, something like jasmine or gardenia, is intoxicating to breathe on a cool summer evening.
I was trying to find some folklore about the moonflower but there isn't a lot specifically about it on the internet. Mostly just information about where to buy the seeds (which if you want some drop me a note along with your address and I will mail them to you this fall), lunar gardening and moon phases in agriculture and such. I did find this poem that I liked so I am posting it for your reading pleasure. The author has a website which I will link back to in case you are interested in more about lunar agriculture.

Moonflower

When the moon blooms
Like a flower in the night
Petals of Heaven-born silver light
Its seeds ride the wind
To the souls of men
So silently
There is a fanfare
In the changing wind
For those who will listen
Beginning to end
And the nightingale pleads
For the well-tuned ears
Of every man
Oh the sun shines
Like a torch at sea
Author of all
For the eyes that see
Blind eyes know it only as a mystery
When the moon blooms
Like a flower in the night
Petals of Heaven-born silver light
Its seeds ride the wind
To the souls of men
So silently
by Mark Heard

Beer Bread with Fresh Basil

Doesn't look like much but sure tastes good and is super easy to make.
Recipe: 3 cups flour, 3 tblsps. sugar, 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil,
1&1/2 cups warm beer. Mix together and bake at 350 for 50 minutes.