Baby Limes, Duck Eggs and Spring on the Farm

three duck eggs

I just came in from a beautiful walk around the farm with Luna. The weather is gorgeous, sunny and hot with deliciously cool breezes that keep things bearable.

I don’t know what this tree is, but it’s festooned with bright orange blossoms that I find so cheery.

Across the yard grapevines I could’ve sworn were dead are leafing out beautifully. Maybe we’ll get grapes this Autumn after all!!

tree with orange flowers

Last week I was able to get a good start on planting our orchard with an orange tree and a lime tree now securely in place. Aren’t the baby limes adorable? 🙂

baby limes

I am happy to report that my dear ol’ garden has bounced back from two consecutive animal raids and is flourishing once again. Below you can see rainbow silver beet and purple Swedes, heirloom radishes and beetroot, and a very resilient horseradish.

green seedlings

And last but not least, our lovely Muscovy ducks are laying again.Yay!!

So far we’re getting two eggs a day with one broody mother and another one about to be. Can’t wait to see the wobbly yellow ducklings. 🙂

three duck eggs

I love this time of year. Nearly every day there is something new blooming, growing or hatching. 🙂

What time of year is it where you are? What things are happening outside that make you smile?

Roses, Windmills and A Duck Egg Breakfast Sandwich

bowl of duck eggs

It is so good to be back after enduring an absolutely ghastly flu/cold combo thing that knocked me flat this Spring.

Yesterday evening I started to perk up and went for a stroll in my garden, so happy to find a whole bouquet of fragrant pink roses ready for cutting.

Robbie bought me the bush last week as a surprise, and I was so excited because they look and smell like the wild Alberta Roses I remember from my youth in Canada. They are especially dear to me.

hand holding pink roses

This week is a red letter week because we are getting our pump and windmill fixed! HOORAY!

Our farm is situated above an Artesian basin chock full of bore water ready for us to use. Alas the pipes connecting the water to our windmill rusted clean through and were useless. Tomorrow the Windmill Man is coming to get everything in ship shape order.

I am so excited I can hardly stand it. 🙂 At last we will have unlimited water for our animals, gardens, orchards and vineyard. And I will get a break from hauling endless buckets of water to parched goats, pups and birds. 🙂

windmill

Last week our beautiful Muscovy ducks started laying again and we have eight gorgeous Muscovy duck eggs ready to add to cakes, pies and our morning breakfasts.

One of the mamas has gone broody (yay!!) so hopefully we will have some cute little Muscovy ducklings wandering about in a month or so. 🙂

bowl of duck eggs

This morning I used Muscovy duck eggs to make scrumptious breakfast sandwiches.

I had some lovely and soft bacon and cheese rolls left over from dinner, so I buttered and grilled them, added sharp cheddar cheese and a couple of fried eggs and we were in business. So simple to make, yet absolutely delicious.

Next time I’m going to add caramelized onion jam, and perhaps some grainy mustard or roasted tomatoes. 🙂

duck egg breakfast sandwich

Have you ever eaten duck eggs before?

Duck Egg Breakfast Sandwiches
Serves two

Ingredients:

2 rolls (we like bacon and cheese rolls)
butter
2-3 duck eggs (one for a regular person, two for a starving one)
salt and pepper to taste
3-4 slices extra sharp cheddar cheese
optional additions: sweet onion jam, grainy mustard, roasted tomatoes, crispy bacon
Directions:

  1. Slice and butter rolls and place face down on hot griddle.
  2. Toast until golden brown then remove and top bottom layer with cheese. Add top part of bun and return to pan to keep warm.
  3. Fry duck eggs in a little butter with salt and pepper until done.
  4. Open rolls and add fried eggs. Close.
  5. Eat warm in the sunshine.