Shelley Gray's Blog

I hate Stinkbugs!

Shelley — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:11:00 +0000

I have learned a lot about our little friends that look a shield with legs. Kind of dinosaur-like. It seems like they have come from Allentown, PA. What is it about Allentown that would be a source for these bugs? Evidently they came off a ship from China that came in to the Port of Newark, NJ and then….. hopped a truck to of all places Allentown on Route 78. The rest is history. Yuk. Do not squish them. It only attracts thousands more! Somehow their smell (Which smells like Cilantro) that may or may not come out when they are crushed attracts more of them. Also it is best not to use pesticides, just plain soap and water is sufficient to kill them. Amazing! Either vacuum them or flip them in to soapy water and then they die very quickly. More than you wanted to know I am sure!

Fresh Chicken

Shelley — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:44:11 +0000

We now are selling fresh chicken at the

farmstand and it is so hard to explain to

people the difference between chicken raisded

in a beautiful pasture and chicken raised in

the traditional chicken house with light of

day. One thing that is a dead give away is

the scent. It smells like fresh air. Something

like clothes hung outside to dry as opposed

to that “foul” smell that we have become

accustomed to, no pun intended.

Broadway here I come! off to the Drama Leauge Awards!

Shelley — Thu, 19 May 2011 21:47:58 +0000

Here in NYC for the Drama League Awards, more to come.

Solar Dryer

Shelley — Mon, 09 May 2011 13:30:30 +0000

Hanging laundry outside is so rewarding. Not only do your clothes smell fabulous but it allows for wonderful bird watching. It is a peaceful and methodical job almost puts you in a meditative state. As I hang each article of clothing I try to think fondly of the owner. All in all not a chore but a pleasant part of the day.

Violets

Shelley — Fri, 06 May 2011 14:35:38 +0000

The wonderful advantage of a natural lawn without weed killer and pesticides is the beautiful carpet of wild violets in the Spring.

ROAD TRIP

Shelley — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:11:25 +0000

Trailering our lovely Connemara Pony Primrose to her new home in Texas. I have made it to North Carolina now to stop and visit our friends, Kathy and Walt Corbean. They lived on our street years ago and when I served them three bean salad they loved it so much they started making it themselves. It was then dubbed Corbean Salad. Roger always referred to it as three beans and a root.
Primrose is happily munching hay and looking forward to her new home with no snow!

Better pie picture

Shelley — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:50:58 +0000

Alexis added a better picture of lemon meringue pie.

Mile high pie

Shelley — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:30:17 +0000

Our eggs make the best meringue! They whip up in to the highest lemon meringue pie! So pretty, lemony.

Lamb done or not?

Shelley — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:22:53 +0000

Ok so after putting in 3 meat thermometers we are not sure if the Easter Lamb is done. We were able to score an American Lamb as opposed to Australian lamb which is all you can get in supermarket or through local butchers. I stand firm American Lamb is far superior. Thank God Quaker Mill deli and butcher Shop supplied us with a beautiful local lamb. Lots of garlic and rosemary, yum.

compost from Easter dinner prepration

Shelley — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:09:45 +0000

Amazing how colorful the compost from cut up veggies for dip and Lemons for lemon meringue pie prep. How pretty can Spring vegetables be even as the leftovers.