The Girls are Roosting!

After a week of learning the high wire act (4 inches above the ground), all three pullets are now confident with roosting. I assumed the role of mother hen and put each one on the branch. Edith, the Silver Laced Wyandotte got it right away. Little Lulu and Red didn't realize that they had to curl their toes and promptly fell off. Over the next couple of days, however, they caught on. They still sometimes sleep on the ground, curled up with each other, but more and more they sleep on the branch. So, here they are, from left to right: Edit, Lulu, and Red.

Flying Saucers in the Garden

No, I'm not nuts! Patty pan squash make me giggle. They look a bit like flying saucers and each morning it appears that a few more have landed in my garden. Like other squash, they grow quickly and if you blink, the one you had your eye on has doubled in size.


I've given them to the neighbors, put 'em them, tossed them in stir fry, made zucchini pancakes, and then I had a Seventies flashback and pulled out the 'ole Moosewood Cookbook (Mollie Katzen). Unlike other food memories from the 1970s, this recipe for Zucchini-Crusted Pizza does not disappoint:

Preheat oven to 350
3.5 cups grated summer squash (Patty Pan, Zucchini)
3 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup grated mozzarella (I used goat gouda)
1/2 cup parmesan (I used more goat gouda)
1 Tbsp fresh basil minced
Salt & Pepper

-- Salt the summer squash and let sit for 15 min. Squeeze out all the excess moisture (this is key or you end up in sloggyville).
-- Combine all the ingredients, and spread into an oiled 9x13" baking pan. Bake 20-25 min until surface is dry and firm (I baked it for 35 min). Brush top w/ oil and broil it under moderate heat for five min.
-- Pile on your favorite toppings and then bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Cut into squares.

The Chicks--Week Two

The names have been pouring in! Great thanks to everyone who contrinbuted (even the person who suggested KFC!) Here is the list of entries. We're trying a handful on for size, but I'll tell you right now, we're not naming our chicks after antidepressants or chicken parts!

1. Corn Bite, Randolph, & Smoky Joe—Nick
2. Caramel, Bridgette & Lacey—Carolyn
3. Lucy, Ethel & Maxine—Holly
4. Manuela (Manny), Moesha (Moe), & Jack (Jacqueline)—Greg
5. Amelie (Amy), Wynona, Rhonda—Carmi
6. Desdemona, Bianca & Emilia—Evy
7. Blossom, Bubbles & Buttercup—Andree
8. Charmaine, Ruvi & Dot—Feather
9. Coq au Vin, Rotisserie, and Kentucky Fried—Ralph
10. Drumstick, Giblet, and Poultrygeist—Ralph
11. Kokino—Irene (for the red chick)
12. Edit Piaf—Xavier (for the red chick)
13. Tinker, Evers & Chance—Jay
14. Nina, Pinta & Santa Maria—Adrian
15. Peckadillo—Nancy
16. Birdie, Gertie & Nerdie—Jamie
17. Henny, Penny & Sky (is falling)—Andree
18. 1,2 & 3—Susan
19. Robin & Cyborg—Mark and son
20. Cordoba, Sevilla & Granada—Ralph
21. Peace, Love & Joy—Yonius
22. Winking, Blinking & Nod—Katherine
23. Gertrude, Homer & Chuck—Sandy
24. Merlot, Cabernet & Pinot—Ralph
25. Red or Rosie—Steph
26. Vanessa (Americauna)—Ben
27. Crème Puff, Creme'brulee & Oreo—Neil
28. Tick, Trick & Track—Katja
29. Adoralicious (Addy), Dixie & Guapo—Leslie
30. Ginger—Christine
31. Lucy, Lacy & Lisa—Ruth
32. Celexa, Tolvon & Pristiq—Chuin
33. Marmalad & Gracy—Andre
34. Gertie, Jersey & Edna—Debbie
35. Achilles—Chip
36. Curly, Larry & Moe—Ralph & Adrian
37. Eggbert—Sarah
38. Paca, Chica, Karla—Katja
39. Ethel (aka Red), Chickie (aka Fashionista), and Peep (the tall, black gal)—Kip & Lisa
40. Tori (bird in Japanese), Woodstock, Pepper, Robert--Keiko
41. Zsa Zsa, Eva & Magda--Matt
42. Robert Downey Jr (Bobby D)--Fidelia
43. Tandoori, Tikka, Curry--Beth Ann
44. mi-f (mini fifi), mi-li, mini-ni, ani-mi (mini Anika)--Nicole
45. Coco, Cocotte (baby talk hen). Poulette (slang for “girl”, but not pejorative)-- Bénédicte
46. Gertrude, Amilia, Virginia--Brendan & Rachel
47. Henrietta, Herminoe, Hilda--Elyse
48. Roseanne, Mathilde, Radigonde, Cunigonde, Dorette, Blanche, Jacqueline, and Pecquetta. Choose the proper name based on coloring and personality. You might have a "DuBarry" in your nursery!—Phil
49. Woodstock—Shirely
50. Emperor, King, Rockhoppers, Gentoo, Magellanic, Galapagos, Adelie, African, Little, Royal, Yellow-eyed, Snares, Chinstrap, Humboldt, Macroni, Fiordland—Jesse
51. Ms Parker, Ms Hellman and Agatha—Francis