On Lilacs

It is too bad that lilac season is so early and so short. Not even around for the summer. I have a few lilac trees at 1840's Farm, but perhaps my favorite is the French. I love the color and the scent.

But, did you know that lilacs are edible? I had heard about a few things you could do with them, but hadn't looked too much into it until recently. The one thing that I have not tried as of yet, is a lilac sorbet. I have found that there are also lilac wines, honey, syrup and other things to make with the flower. So, next spring may be a bit busy. However, it will be difficult to cut those flowers off, as I do enjoy seeing them in the yard.

Pineapple Update

Well, we have the final piece for the pineapple that we have been watching.

It was harvested (and I forgot to take a picture....) and was so sweet. Now, the pineapple has finished one chapter and started a new one. The top is now going on to become a plant on it's own.

New Link Upper Left

Please take a moment to look at a new link just added about canned hunts. Please be aware that I am not against hunting for food (this does not include for things like shark fin soup), but coming from a hunting family, you took only what you would be eating and would use as much of the animal as possible. You did not trophy hunt, you did not participate in a canned hunt, you did not hunt for the enjoyment or thrill of it and you did not hunt because you though a animal part was some sort of aphrodisiac, or some other ridiculous excuse. If you didn't have a good shot, you didn't take the shot, at the risk of an unnecessarily cruel outcome for the animal. But that said, if you did have a good shot, took it and the animal still ran, you tracked the animal and found it, not just walking away for the next "target".


 And you always kept in mind that you were taking a life in order to feed the family, not just shooting at some "thing".  And you were grateful and respectful to the animal.

They're Coming

The wild grapes are begining to turn. They seem to be good sized this year. However I think the birds are beating me to them as alot of them disappeared while still green!

Flea Trap Hack

For anyone who has a flea trap, you probably already know that they work like a charm and can be a great alternative to  sprays.

However you probably also know that the sticky papers that trap the fleas can get a bit expensive, especially if you're unfortunate enough to be dealing with an infestation. And of course there is the random tail that gets stuck to it as well.

This year, in dealing with some fleas, I again pulled out my flea trap. However, I was out of sticky paper. Then I remembered reading something about putting petroleum jelly on a cat's neck if the fleas run up to the head after giving the cat flea drops. The fleas are supposed to get caught in the jelly and die.

...BRAINSTORM.... I decided to smear the tray, where the sticky paper normally would go, with petroleum jelly instead. I did both the bottom and the sides of the tray. WORKS GREAT!!!!! And no sticky paper to stick to unattended tails and nosey little paws. To clean, I just wipe out with a paper towel and reapply the jelly.  And, your using something that you probably already have in your medicine cabinet.