Tag: Farm Life

088-Monarchs and News

On this episode we discuss the multitudes of monarch butterflies that stopped at Five Feline Farm for a visit on their annual migration.

Plus we share news of new products that will be available at our Mercantile opening on October 12, 2019. There will be additional vendors that day for Farm Fest with Doty and Dexter playing music in the crib from 11:00 – 2:00.

Make sure to sign up for our email list by clicking on the link just to the right of this page. You can also follow our social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more information.

Sunshine Mary

Are you tired of tomatoes yet? We are not.

It is nearly October and the tomato season is not over. Yes, the tomatoes are smaller and fewer, but it is still possible to have a warm, fresh tomato straight from the garden. It seems the yellow and orange ones are more prevalent now so it is time to concoct a recipe for those.

Sunshine Mary

A Bloody Mary made with all yellow tomatoes becomes a Sunshine Mary. This version is made with freshly juiced tomatoes. A freshly juiced tomato drink has a different flavor than either our home canned Bloody Mary mix or a store bought mix.

The Recipe

Makes 2 drinks.

4 medium yellow tomatoes

2 small hot peppers

1 stalk celery

1/2 lemon

1 Tbsp horseradish

4 ounces gin or vodka

Salt and pepper to taste

Celery sticks and olives for garnish

Using an electric juicer, juice the tomatoes, hot peppers, celery and lemon. Mix thoroughly and add horseradish, salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with olives and celery stalk. For a nice spicy rim on the glass, spread 2 teaspoons of your favorite steak seasoning on a saucer. Dip the edge of the glass in lemon juice, then on the steak seasoning to coat the rim.

You can leave out the alcohol and have a delicious, healthful drink.

Don’t forget to check out our online Mercantile and follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For an added treat, you can check out our weekly podcast.

Bloody Mary Mix

What do you make when the tomatoes are still producing and the freezer is full of marinara sauce, the pantry is full of juice and the shelves are packed with salsa?

Bloody Mary Mix

This home made, home preserved seasoned juice is perfect for creating a classic cocktail. If you are not inclined to add vodka (or gin), drink this on a long winter day to remind yourself of refreshing summer days to come. 

For 16 pints of Bloody Mary Mix

7 quarts fresh tomato juice

3/4 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup A-1 steak sauce

3 – 4 Tbsp Tabasco, or to taste

1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup celery salt

2 Tbsp fresh ground pepper or to taste

1/4 cup prepared horseradish

Simmer all ingredients together for 10 minutes. Ladle into hot pint canner jars leaving 1/2 inch head space. Process in water bath canner for 35 minutes. You can also process in a pressure canner for 15 minutes at 10 pounds pressure. Leave 1 inch head space if pressure canning.

**As always, consult your local home extension or the Ball book of home preserving for safe home preserving practices.

For more delicious recipes, get the book “Simply Delicious” available in print and digital versions. Stop by Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for up to the minute news from Five Feline Farm. 

086-Interview At Miss Effie’s

This week’s podcast is a real treat. We had the opportunity to visit with Cathy and Cliff Lafrenz at Miss Effie’s Fresh Flowers and Garden Stuff in Donahue, IA. They are role models for us in what we do here on our farm, plus they are just fun people.

We recorded this podcast outdoors in their corn crib. You will hear cicadas and other nature sounds in the background.

And if you are ever in Donahue, IA, make a trip out to Miss Effie’s. Actually, it is worth a special trip, just 15 minutes or so from the Quad Cities.

Be sure to check out Miss Effie’s on the web, Facebook, and Twitter.

Mark your calendars for Farm Fest at the Mercantile on Five Feline Farm. October 12, 2019 from 9:00 – 3:00. 

Stay tuned, it’s going to get interesting….