Nicole, you will love having chickens. We have had our 7 ladies for a year now and they are just fun. Neither my husband nor I have been around chickens since we were kids and it has been a learning experience for sure, but a relatively easy one. We live in an older subdivision but have almost an acre lots. My husband made a storage shed into a hen house with a nice run. Our back yard is large and the girls have pretty much free range there. They are a bit destructive with their digging, but a bit of fence around flower beds you care about takes care of that. They are great company when doing yard work or hanging out . They are anxious to ‘help’ with any little thing you are doing. Our neighbors all find them interesting and entertaining and we all love the eggs. It has been a great experience and one I would recommend to anyone. It is so peaceful/comforting to look out and see them pecking their way around the yard.

Jean, your comment makes me want to get chickens even more!  Thank you for sharing.  -Nicole

As a child growing up, I learned so much from my grandmother about chickens. She had many mysterious talents with all animals, feathered and furry and human! I used to watch her with her flock of hens and listened very hard to all she had to say. Much was learned simply by watching her, for as she always said, "I can show you, honey, easier than telling you!"

It’s so very neat to see other children living and learning all about chickens. I finally have a garden of my own and hope to either get our "three non-crowing" chickens the town allows or move further out and raise eggs and chickens just like my grandmother did. It was not uncommon for me to bring back forty or fifty eggs in a morning for breakfast and with all the farm workers and family, they went fast!

Love love this article!
Jenn

Great article – Yea for chickens in the burbs – I too wanted some chickens and fortunately my son lives just a few miles away on 5 acres – so ‘we’ now have 20 chickens – yeah the first 3 grew to 20 – love the benefits (superb eggs) and oh what great knowledge for children.

This is timely for us – we’re working with the city of Billings, Montana to get them to join the almost 70% of American cities who allow a limited number of backyard hens! We had to sell our beautiful Buff Orpingtons, which really REALLY upset my kids, when the city decided they needed to enforce the previously unenforced ordinance… after our article went in the paper about many of us wanting to change things. AUGH!

Backyard hens are THE BOMB!!! 🙂

I live in a sub-division with an acre lot and can’t wait to start! I have been dreaming chickens for years!!! Thank you for the great and helpful article and the comments…now I know where to order them! Happy ‘farming’!

-Paula, you, too! -Nicole

Hi Nicole!
Oh, I hope you are encouraged by all these great comments to go ahead and get your chickens! We’ve been keeping backyard chickens for 5 years and it truly does this farm-girls heart good to have them tucked into the rear of the yard in the midst of the garden. We love the fresh eggs, and the companionship too. Ours keep me company while I garden…Your kids will love it too! Great post
Deb ( mjfbeachfarmgirlblogger)

Thank you, Debbie.  Yes, it is definitely something I can see doing…I love the idea of them out keeping company in the garden!  The fresh eggs are so tasty (and huge)! -Nicole

For over a year I had two muskovy ducks in my back yard. A few weeks ago a racoon got into their yard and killed both of them. They were pets that came when I called them and sat in my lap to be pet. I cannot tell you how sad I was and cried for two days. Yes, I am that sentimental. Now my daughter who has a hobby farm a couple of hours from here just got 61 new baby chickens. (she already had 30) Some of her chickens are destined for the freezer and new ones are replacing them for egg production. She gave me three of the cutest little chickens you can imagine. Since I have an amish made duck coup it will not be my new chicken coup. I live in a residential area with very close neighbors and the first one that complains will be reported for their very noisy barking dogs that bark all day. I am sure that my little pets will be quieter. My daughter says that if one turns out to be a rooster she will exchange it for a hen so the neighbors will not complain. I look forward to at least three eggs a day by fall. Yes may be a maverick in my town!!! Lee

Lee, I would have cried, too, over those ducks.  I’m so sorry!  -Nicole

Can you have chickens were you live? Check with your town. They even allow goats in city limits now.

Hi Nicole, I am new to Farmgirl but not new to chickens. I have been raising chickens for years. I love my chickens and missed them when I lived where I wasn’t able to have them. I wish I knew how to send pics on here… I would send you some pics of my coop and run and girls and guys. They all have names and are very sweet. I have about 14 different breeds. I have 28 laying hens and 4 roosters. 3 of which I just acquired in the last bunch of peeps I raised. I will have to see how they get along with each other and with Big Sam my main rooster who is a Black Jersey Giant. I hope you get to have some chickens as they are so therapeutic. Or at least I think so. They are alot of fun to watch. Be Blessed and go ahead and get you some yard birds.
Ms. Scarlette

Ms. Scarlette, thank you for such a nice comment…makes me want chickens even more! I can just envision you out with your chickens running around!  I am working on getting some real soon!  Thank you for reading!
-Nicole

Hi Nicole!
Wonderful blog! We visited there a few years back when our children were very young… Reminds me of Plimoth Plantation here! We love living museum’s too. So much to learn and it’s fun! Thanks for the " farmgirl roadtrip"!
Deb ( your BEACH blogging sister from MA. )

What a beautiful place. Looks like the "Walton’s" farm. Love the photos…broom…..and the tin candle holder is just darling. What wonderful memories!!!!Hope I can go someday too!

It has been a very long time since I last visited Sturbridge.  I have a Stitch and Bitch group that always wants me to find something different to visit. How perfect is this? With an interest in self-sustaining, I think everyone might find something of interest. Thank you for the reminder.

When I lived in Scituate, Rhode Island my family would visit Sturbridge Village in Conn. often. My parents visited and Mom walked through much too fast for me. I wanted to go back one more time but we moved by then. There is so much to learn and observe of a time past. My daughter, when she was younger, and I volunteer at two different living historical parks. I weave and spin and she had assisted with preserving fruits by sulphuring them and helping in the kitchen with the great iron stove. It is very gratifying and we learned many useful skills. Keep up the good work!

Ellen, how neat that you can be a part of a living historical park!  I think I would enjoy doing that, too!  Thank you for reading!  -Nicole

Thanks for sharing! I would love to take my girls cross country, from Kodiak Island AK to OSV, what a wonderful hands on piece of history.

Wow Nicole! What a fabulous time I had-it was just like BEING there! I will definitely put Old Sturbridge Village on my wish list of places to visit! Thanks for your wonderful writing!

Patsy- thank you!  It’s a blessing to share with all of you!  -Nicole

I loved Sturbridge Village when I visited there in fall years ago. Thanks for another wonderful blog with an update on the Village. I may have to plan a visit to there next year when I am back home for a visit.

Nicole, Being from Scituate, MA, Sturbridge is one of my favorite places to visit. I love, love, love it in the Fall. Thanks for sharing with all of us, just makes me want to go again.
Your broom is really neat – also love the candle holder your daughter made – what a treasure!
Hugs, Ruth

Thanks for the great post. I have been wanting to go organic and just haven’t got going yet. Your post has got me inspired to start today. Thanks for the encouragement and I enjoy reading your blog posts.

Rebecca, I think it’s getting easier to find organics.  I see it in the stores more and more, and just recently found a restaurant with organic food!  (After going organic, we don’t like to eat out – we’d rather eat at home since we have such good food in the kitchen!)  Good luck going organic, it makes  such an amazing difference, and thank you for reading.  -Nicole

Hi Nicole, what a great post that gives me hope. I’ve been reading MaryJane’s Farm for a while. I love it! I’m mesmerized by the choices everyone featured in the magazine makes. I’m trying to change so much about what my family eats–it’s a hard thing to do..from the specialized shopping, the cost, the change of perspective on cooking. But, reading your article makes me think I can actually do it. A little at a time. Thanks.

Learning to eat differently from mainstream America has been a real eye opener for my family. When my son was diagnosed with Chrons disease our whole life changed. Reading labels, shopping organic, at first was a real chore because the grocery stores hadn’t caught onto the idea yet. Then Earth Fare came to town. Suddenly it was much easier to get the right kinds of food.I am happy to say there have been no hospital visits for well over a year. It is truly amazing what a good diet will do for a person.

Wow! It is amazing, isn’t it?  Thanks for sharing!  -Nicole

This is a great article. My father and I are in between jobs, so eating healthy/organic is a challenge. One thing we do for sure, is make all meals at home now. That’s a good first step. We also buy organic whenever we can. Thanks for all the tips and hints here 🙂 🙂 🙂 One thing I’ve noticed, is that the organic food is better quality. Also, since it’s better quality, I don’t have to eat as much. There’s also lots organic farms in the area, so it’s easy to get hold of organic produce. That’s something to be thankful for 🙂 Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather – Farmgirl Sisterhood member #2176

-Heather, thanks again for reading.  Hope you and your father find jobs soon.  You are so right about the organic food being better quality, and good food does satisfy so much more than processed.  Another budget saving tip I can pass on is to use less meat and more veggies.  For example, I’ll make my chili recipe with one pound of ground beef as opposed to two, and make up for it with an extra can of beans.  Hang in there, Heather!  Farmgirl hugs, Nicole

Thank you for making me realize that going organic doesn’t have to be an "all or nothing" endeavor right from the start. I’ve always assumed we could not afford to do it, but I see if I plan it little by little and go about it in a smart way, we can make the transition. I am growing my own veggies and herbs now, and are also getting chickens for eggs in a few weeks, so that is a start. But I will begin to pay attention when I’m shopping and look for organic goods. Thanks much! xoxoxo Helena

Such an inspiration. Harry and I love your blog!

I am trying to eat more healthy and we always put out a garden, but most of the organic stuff at the store is more expensive. I have read Maryjane’s magazine and I have a couple of her books. After reading them you have to try to be more organic. Guess it’s time to try harder. Thanks for your input.

Since we grow most of our vegetables, we are organic and we love to get it from our freezer in winter. So easy and good. Thanks for all the information you supply- that helps tremendously. Look forward to next time.

Gerri, thanks for reading!  -Nicole

I’ve been buying as much as I can organic for years. My daughter and I are almost never sick as were her older brothers when they were still living at home. When my daughter was 8 I mentioned "the doctor" and she said, "Do we have a doctor?" She hadn’t been to the doctor for years. My husband gets sick more often, and he eats less organically minded. I buy grains, seed, nuts and many other things from two food co-ops that will come to my door. One is Frontier; the other is a Pittsburgh, PA, company called Frankferd Farms. You must watch prices, even in your regular grocery store. Sometimes the organic is actually less expensive than the non-organic.

Mary, you are so right!  I’ve seen several times the organic is actually cheaper than the conventional.  -Nicole

I too have been working on going organic. FYI, if you have a Winco grocery store, they have bulk organic products at great prices. (Oatmeal, granola, nuts and such.)Also bagged organic apples. My DR recommended the change to organic because I started having hormone issues. (period every 2 weeks..yuck!)
It totally put me back on schedule. There is something to that organic stuff!

Sounds Wonderful! All those smiling faces and such sisterhood… I will have to check out the book – Always up to adding to my skill sets. Have a wonderful Spring.

You have a wonderful Spring, too.  Thanks for reading!  -Nicole

So that’s what ate my hostas last year! I had no idea deers loved hosta. Now I know!

Sarah, they eat mine down to the nubs, and unfortunately they don’t grow back until the next year, so they end up looking awful!  If I am vigilant with my spray, they don’t eat them, but as soon as it wears off or rain comes, they go right for them!  -Nicole

Smithers is greatly concerned that Bonnie can’t seem to chase away your deer. He swears that as your "small but mighty" chief of security the landscaping will remain intact. That and all your math problems solved. Just sayin’.

Heidi, tell my little Smithers that while he IS "small and mighty", he may not be able to stand up against the red-tailed hawks.  Just sayin’.  Hugs, Sweetie! -Nicole

Nicole,
Another wonderful blog that gives this out-of-town friend an glimpse of what you have been up to lately. Everyone in Chicago is ready for spring and a nice summer also! Thanks for the grandma book reference. It sounds like a fun book to read when one has a spare moment or two. And the advice in there is probably timeless. The 3 generations of females part of your family looks beautiful in the picture!
Rose

Thank you for the hummingbird feeder recipe- would you believe I just today received a feeder from my MIL and put in calls to my mom and sis, because it did not come with the info. And now, just randomly browsing Mary Jane’s low and behold…sisterhood, indeed! Now I’m gonna fill my new feeder and hopefully meet some new neighbors. Happy Mother’s Day!

Susan, enjoy!  Thanks for reading, and have A Happy Mother’s Day, too! -Nicole

This is sweet, and I love the teapot. I love royal weddings, too. The tea with your mother idea is great.

When Princess Diana died I cryed as we watched the news on tv. One of our children thought I was over-reacting….."Mom, she’s just a princess". "Yes", I replied, but more importantly she was someone’s mother".

What a lovely post and a grand idea! I will have tea and scones with my daughter while the festivites play out on the telly! Of course, being farmers, we will likely be sitting there smelling of tea, scones, and cow, but we’ll enjoy it just the same!

I remember that day too. And your story is truly charmed by memories that we cannot live without and by events that will never be changed. I didn’t do the tea in 1981 for my then 8-year old daughter but do plan to make scones and tea for myself and my husband while I watch the blessed event of a new beautiful princess unfolding right out of fairy tales and my husband will do whatever as these events don’t impress him as much. I pray for many, many years of wedded bliss for the royal couple.

I was 14 and watched Diana’s wedding and last year saw her gown in person; it was like seeing a piece of my own past before me. Oh, and many of her gowns were on display, too. She was so petite! In photos, she looks like an Amazon, but no, tiny yet tall. And her wedding gown in person is glowing and elegant, not overdone at all the way people seem to portray it now. Remember, most of the photos taken of her that day, she is crammed into a tiny carriage not made for a tall woman, let alone one in a full gown.

–I agree, Diana’s gown surprised me with its simplicity – she didn’t look like an "iced cupcake" compared to most glittery, poufy gowns of that time.   Like you, I was surprised at how she was thin and tall.  I would love to see Althorp museum someday, too.  Thanks for reading!  -Nicole

Nice post! Love the garden angel! The I also love the picture of the veggies in the basket. Very nice!

I loved this post! We are moving to a new place in a few weeks (in town) but I will have a big back yard and cannot wait to put in my own garden. I loved the egg carton seed starter idea. And also the composter. Can you tell me if you add lawn clippings or dried leaves or wood chips to your food scraps so that it composts properly?

Hi Dawn!  Thanks for reading.  Yes, I put leaves and lawn clippings, kitchen scraps like veggie peels, carrot tops, egg shells, and even used coffee filters/grinds…just nothing with oil, milk or meat.  Thanks for reading! -Nicole

Hi Nicole, I live in Chicago and have a small garden. Was thinking about composting this year and loved your idea with the garbage can. I am definitely going to try it! With our limited space it’s still fulfilling to have a garden and be connected to the earth. Thanks for the idea.

Reading this article makes me want to get out and get my gardening going. I have 3 boxes in my back yard. I need to find a way though to keep the little animals out. The hint on treating blight for vining plants like squash is one I will try.

Love the brick walkway! I’m going to try one like that in our greenhouse! I use cardboard tubes from toilet paper to start tomato seeds, as the seedlings have a long root, and the cardboard will biodegrade.

Cynthia, Great tip!  Thanks!  -Nicole

I too am a suburban farmgirl! I have a yard the size of a postage stamp so garden realstate is minimal. My Daughter and I have a potted garden planned with all sorts of veggies she will actually eat. We’re in zone 2 one harsh, short growing season, but we’re optomistic that our garden. however small, will grow! Thanks for the post

Thanks for reading, and good luck with your garden!  Isn’t it fun to garden with your  daughter? -Nicole

I start my seeds in glass jars,I dampen a folded paper towel and slide it in the jar on its side,sprinkle in some seeds and screw on the lid, put it in my kitchen window its like a little greenhouse and when the seedlings have grown I pull apart the paper towel and transplant them to pots to become "teenagers"I put them in the garden.The paper towel is biodegradable so the roots dont get disturbed….Happy Spring!

Oh hi 🙂 I made my own composter too – out of a rubbermaid bin. Very cheap (well I bought it years ago and it was just lying around). You say you buried yours. Do you put any kind of lid/cover on it? I want worms in mine too but I’m afraid the food will attract animals. So mine is covered fully, with air holes for circulation, and I stir regularly. If I could stick mine in the ground and invite worms without inviting other animals, I’d be happy.

Mine is set back, not too near the house.  It is a rubbermaid trash can that I cut the bottom off (so it is like a big tube), burying just the bottom a few inches.  I do not put a lid on it but do keep it moist in dry conditions.  We have woods with lots of critters, but I don’t have a problem with them getting in there, because I don’t put any milk or oil based foods.  Thanks to everyone for reading and for your comments and ideas!  -Nicole 

I put in two 4′ X 4′ raised bed gardens last year (a la Mel Bartholomew’s ideas on square foot gardening). They were so successful my husband wants six squares this year. I grew yellow squash, sugar snap peas, vine tomatoes, pole beans, and cucumbers on frames to make best use of the space. I also added flowers for beauty. This suburban farm girl loves sitting near her gardens and sipping herb tea with a good book. Thanks for your inspiration. Time to start planting!

Nicole,
After a hard day at work how your article made my heart sing. It is still so cold here in Alaska. The sun may shine but the wind sure has a bite in it still. I cannot wait to retire and join my husband in a warmer part of this state. He told me he planted pole beans and tried again to block the moose from our garden. I really like your idea of a dog pen. So smart! I will be looking for one. You have no idea how quick those moose can eat through a garden.
I always enjoy your writings.
Keep it up.
Merrilyn

–Thank you so very much, Merrilyn! -Nicole

What else do you put in your composter to make the soil? grass? dirt? do you layer it equal parts?

Hi Crystal, I put grass clippings, dried leaves (they are great), potato peelings, egg shells (wash first), anything that isn’t meat or oil based.  I throw it in, and using a pitch fork, every once and again I "toss" it, like a big salad, bringing the older stuff up to the top.  After the winter, I used the soil that it had become, and started over now in the summer.  Worked great.  Good luck!  -Nicole

I like the design of your blog! It looks really full.

Gosh, I want to move to your neck of the woods! I really enjoy your blog!

Maureen, thank you for reading and such a nice comment! -Nicole

Hi Nicole, This is Cathi (the Mountain Farmgirl)sending ‘sweet’ greetings your way! We are tapping up here in New Hampshire as well this week. It is one of my favorite rituals. The granola sounds yummy. So nice to read your posts. Happy boiling!

Hi Cathi!  Thanks so much!  New Hampshire is a state on my "want to visit" list.  I haven’t made it up that far yet…bet you are getting snow your way, because it is here now!  Farmgirl Hugs, Nicole

My husband’s uncle taps trees but it is just a hobby and he does not get a lot of syrup. So we were excited to get picked to receive a quart jar last year.

Hi Nicole!!

I’m a Massachusetts Farm Girl wanna-be who is tapping trees for the first time ever with my grandson. We are having such a great time and though we are only getting a few bottles of this "liquid gold" it is a wonderful time spent together. I even made labels for the bottles. It all trial and error and I have experience some of my syrup crystalizing – oh well, maple candy!!

Thanks for the great posts – I really enjoy them!!

Sue – Hi there Massachusetts farmgirl!  Sounds like you and your grandson are making some great memories!  Thanks for reading!  -Nicole

We’re tapping trees here in Maine too. We only tap 3 trees and we use buckets and boil it down in small batches on the woodstove in the kitchen, so we just get enough for the family. The grandkids think it’s the coolest thing in the world to start with sap from the tree and turn it into yummy maple syrup. Tomorrow is Maine Maple Sunday when all the sugar houses open to the public and offer demonstrations and free samples, so I’m sure we’ll be stopping by a few and trying some samples.

We are tapping some birch trees for the first time. We attempted to find maples, but alas, none. So we thought we’d give it a go in a slightly nontraditional fashion (no one is surprised). It is so exciting to watch those bags fill up!! I can’t wait to start the boil:) Thanks for the websites and recipe. Enjoy!–Heather

Heather, how great!  I did not know you could tap birch trees, as well!  I wonder what kind of taste you will get with the syrup?  Have fun!  -Nicole

What a truly amazing group of women. I am very happy to be a part of this group. This was my first gathering with everyone and I felt  welcomed by everyone. I look forward to getting together with the girls in the future months. Nicole is an amazing woman with lots of farm girl spirit.

-Barb, oh my goodness!  What a sweet thing to say.  I’m so glad to have met you!  See you soon!  -Nicole

What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon! I’ve been doing cookie parties for years now and they are so much fun. This sounds even better…thanks for the idea!

Diana, Thanks for reading!  Let me know if you do a Soup Swap and how it turns out!  Have fun!  – Nicole

I love the idea of a soup swap! Your group sounds (and looks)wonderfully fun – I may have to copy your idea for my gals out here in Black Forest, where we have a weekly knitting group called The Knitwits. Any way you can share/post some of the soup recipes?

Thanks for asking…will see what I can do about that!  Love your knittng group name!  -Nicole

That sounds like so much fun! I can’t wait to give it a try! I don’t have a local Farmgirls chapter but it might be time to try and start one! What a great way to get some new recipes for the family! Keep having fun and don’t worry, Spring will be here soon!

I really did enjoy reading about your wonderful Soup Swappin event. I have thought about doing the same sort of event, but using Pies. I would do this with my Church Lady Friends. Meat, veggie and dessert pies.

I was able to get some very good tips from your post here.
Thanks.
Bonnie

Thank you for reading, Bonnie! -Nicole

Hi! I hadn’t looked at the suburban farmgirl blog in a while and I’m glad I did. What a great idea. I love to cook so the idea of a soup swap is fantastic along with the recipe swap. Several years ago, I did a monthly "soup kitchen" for my staff and then gave them a cookbook of all the recipes at Christmas time. Soup is always a good way to make friends and provide comfort and get folks chatting. Congratulations on your chapter success.

-Thanks fo much for reading!  I like the idea of compiling a cookbook of all the recipes…thanks for the idea.  I will have to do that with all the wonderful recipes!  -Nicole

Sounds like you girls had fun. Wish I was there. Soup is always better with friends or family. I too would like the recipes and any other that girls have to share. Thanks again for sharing as always I enjoy reading what you share.

-Brenda, I am working on how to share all the yummy recipes…I’ll keep you posted!  Thank you for reading!  -Nicole

I just wanted to add a quick comment- it was a very nice time and I loved the variety of soups! I had the Black Bean with Citrus Salsa – I never thought I would like oranges in my black bean soup! And the Lentil with Turkey Bacon was amazing and very filling. Gone are the days of Chicken Noodle! ; )

Until next time,
Adrianne

HI NICOLE!!

Been meaning to write you a quick note…I have recently moved back to CT & was wondering where in ‘picturesque CT’ do you live or where do all of you ‘farmgirls’ meet? Room for another??

Kim Yates

Hi Kim!  Thanks for reading the blog…i’ll email you directly.  -Nicole

Such a wonderful experience! It’s a LOT warmer here in Texas!

All of that said, I would absolutely love to taste the home made finished product. It has to be amazing!

Harry, thanks so much for reading!  I will tell you that Ken and Karen’s maple syrup is to die for!  – Nicole

Wow! Sounds like fun! I live in Georgia and have a friend who does  "Syrup Making" on Thanksgiving Day. The syrup is made from sugar cane stalks. It is quite an undertaking also. The reward is the Cane Syrup that is popular in this area.

Sounds great!  What a neat Thanksgiving!  Thanks for sharing!  -Nicole

Hey there! That looks like so much fun!!! Maybe I can help next year!!!
Best, Sue

What a wonderful experience, Nicole; thanks so much for sharing! I was wondering if I might be able to purchase a bottle when I visit Saturday?? xoxo

According to Ken, the trees are not done being "tapped"; then the sap wll have to be boiled down.  Check back in a couple of weeks – I will include Ken’s contact information when I write the next sugaring ‘installment".   (Ali, you probably drive right by his place when you come to the sisterhood meetings at my house). Hugs! -Nicole

Hi Nicole,
As always, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog! It looks like a very intense process…I never realized just how much work goes into getting to the end result- the delicious maple syrup. I actually just got a book out from my local library today titled "The Backyard Homestead" and one of the chapters includes information on "maple sugaring". I thought perhaps I would experiment with it, but after reading how much goes into the process I think I may just study up on it this year and perhaps better prepare for it for next year!
Thank you again for the lovely blog…I loved seeing the pictures, and your warm farmgirl smile!
Warm Regards,
Laurie

Thanks so very much Laurie!  I’m glad you enjoyed it.  Remember to check back in a few weeks for the second part!  -Nicole

For anyone who would like to try sugaring on a small scale, go to http://www.tapmytrees.com where you can by kits. Also, I understand the same kits may be available at some Lowes and Tractor Supply stores.

Ken

-Thanks, Ken!  And thank you again for a wonderful day! See you and Karen soon!

-Nicole

Love the story Nicole!! What a great experience to be a part of. I have a better appreciation of how this is made now. Keep up all the great stories.
Karen

Nicole, you are so lucky to have this experience. We were in Indiana last week and went to the Parke County Maple Syrup Festival. The camp roads were all muddy and not having 4 wheel drive we didn’t take the chance of getting stuck, so didn’t get to see the operations. We did, however, have a pancake breakfast with absolutely wonderful Parke County Syrup. It sure beats anything you can buy in the store.

–Sounds like alot of fun at the festival!  Keep posted…I’ll have more to share on this subject in a few weeks.  -Nicole

Nicole- I can only imagine what 100 inches of snow might be like! We have NEVER lived anywhere where it snowed like that! Your story made me smile and your recipe sounds like it would be great for us to try. Thank you!!!
Tess S.

Tess, thanks for reading.  This winter has been quite unusual for us.  Our "typical" snowfall is usually only 20 inches per year, but I’ve been told that folks who have lived here longer remember the winters from their childhoods being this way.  Enjoy the recipe!  -Nicole

Nice to know Texans can go any where and be at home. Back here in Arlington we are having our second snow storm in 2 weeks. Definately different this year.  And time for chili and cornbread.

Rose, I’ve been to Arlington many times!  A very dear friend lives there, and I hear from her as well that your winter this year is harder than usual.  Stay warm!         -Nicole

I love many recipes and traditions from my childhood as well. I bake lots at Christmas, but the kids will tell you that toll house cookies are not for Xmas- those are get up early and make before school/work. I still make a few things that would have ended big with my mom, like peanut bars. I am still trying to master a good biscuit. But it is all good.

Wow! When I was growing up in Connecticut, I don’t think we ever used more than the three snow days built into the school calendar except the year Kennedy was assassinated, which used up at least one for his state funeral.
May I tactfully ask how many servings are in that recipe. My household contains two people.

The recipe serves 4-6.  Any leftovers are delicious the next day for lunch! Enjoy!

-Nicole

Oh, I had to laugh when you told about your husband taking a bite of that spicy chili 🙂 I lived in Norway for one year, and that was something I picked up on really quickly. They’re not as used to spicy foods as I was coming from the Northwest.  So I had to learn to tone it down a little bit, too 🙂 🙂
Thanks for the macaroni & beef recipe!!! Awesome!!                                    Love and hugs from Oregon, Heather 🙂

Nicole, you are a good sport with the 100" of snow. Love that you treasure your family recipes and things passed down to you. Laughed at your husband’s reaction to the chili. Poor guy. Your Mom’s recipe is similar to one my Mom made and I make a lot that we call goulash. No idea where the name came from, but a big favorite of our whole family. Thanks for sharing.

Hey Nicole!
Is it cold enough for you? We are missing our fresh veggies from the garden too. Like you we are still buried in lots of frozen snow and counting the days till spring.
Let’s count together shall we.. 1,2,3,…
Stay warm,
Beach Blessings,
Deb

Hi Nicole:

What a wonderful, funny story of your family life. Thank you for the recipe. My daughter is coming home this Thursday from college and I think she will be wanting some home comfort food.

Hugs,

Betty

Hi Nicole, I kind of go along with Ruth. Your recipe sounds like my goulash, except for the maccaroni, I use a box of mac and cheese,adding the macaroni so it can cook, or cook it, then add the cheese when it is almost done. My family likes it with bread and butter. I am ready for spring and I am already going through garden magazines and planning. It wasn’t bad here today but I don’t think winter is over yet. I also agree that the kitchen can bring a lot of comfort to people, as simple as a cup of coffee or tea and a cookie or a meal that has memories tied to it. I really enjoy what you write, makes me feel like I know you as a friend. Keep writing and spring is on the way.

Brenda, What a sweet thing to say!  Thank you!  We are getting nice weather this week (so the weatherman says), but we ALWAYS get snow around St. Patty’s Day!  I won’t be packing up my sweaters just yet!  Thanks for reading!  – Nicole