Sus scrofa domestica (of the Tamworth Persuasion)

Meet the newest additions to our growing collection of critters here at Gryffon Ridge. The fine looking future bacon provider in front is Atilla and the smaller yet someday equally tasty one in the back is Bungie. Atilla and Bungie came to us by way of Harrison, ME and providence. Fortunately for us their buyers backed out and they were available at the last minute. Now we just have to fatten them up over the next several months while they rototill the woods. 

This also will hopefully provide some impetus towards me building the smokehouse that I’ve been talking about for the past year. Right now it’s just ideas and theory in my head. No plans, no materials, not even sure where I’m building it yet. When I was asked last fall what I wanted for my birthday I said cinder blocks and fire bricks. Nobody took me seriously so not only is there no smokehouse there is no backyard oven either.

This is all probably for the best. At the present time I have no time. Not only do we have our two porcine companions, we live with six cats. Some of you know a few of their names as some of the spice blends are named after them; Ziggy, Zeus, Rusty, Dolores, Elizabeth, and Budweiser. My son named the first two, the rest of them kept the names they had when we adopted them. At times it feels like were running a shelter up here.

Then there are the chickens…all 118 of them. We started with 8 hens and a rooster last year and this year we thought let’s do a few more birds for meat and we’ll also get some more hens. Actually we started with about 40 birds last year but some are in the freezer and the local fox got one. So this year we said, “It’s pretty inexpensive to buy a 100 chicks. We’ll eat a hundred chickens over the course of a year. Let’s give it a try.” Yeah. Four weeks later they’re going through 50 lbs. of feed every other day and are nothing but little shit factories. But their days are numbered. We’re planning on doing the processing up at our place and some local friends have graciously offered to come help with the deed.

 

Did I mention the ducks that arrive the middle of next month? We'll have 50 tasty Pekins, just like the one in the pool above.  Last year at there were 14 ducks trying to swim in the pool all at the same time.

 

Then there are 25 Welsh Harlequins which we are hoping will become great egg producers.

 

Ten Indian Runner Ducks to just look good, lay small eggs and eat slugs and bugs.

And 8 Bourbon Red Turkeys.

No partridge in a pear tree. That's it.  We thought about a beef critter but no.  At least not this year.  But we do have pear, apple, plum, peach, cherry and hazelnut trees.  Not to mentionthe raspberries, strawberries, and a 1/4 acre garden.  And a hell of a lot of grass to mow.

So I'd like to say this is why I haven't posted in over a month.  It'd be a damn good excuse but the truth is I suck.  At least that's what Christine said I should tell you.  I've had good intentions for the last several weeks so at least I'm on the right path to hell.

Anyway, we start the Freeport Community Market tomorrow afternoon from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. located right outside of L.L.Bean in the parking lot across from the giant boot.  On Saturdays we can be found at the Crystal Spring Farmers Market in Brunswick.  Directions to both can be found over at Gryffon Ridge.  Come on over and say hello, take a look at what we have to offer, and check out the rest of the vendors.

Rick