On Sunday, the Smiths took a short trip to Neola, Iowa. Well, everyone except Sam. He spent the day with his aunt as a birthday present. Poor guy missed all the fun!

We have been considering adding a few hogs next year, and one of the breeds we're interested in getting is guinea hogs. They're smaller than many other types, and we found some people in our area who have a few. We arranged a time to visit, and our little pig trip turned into a farm party.

Our new friends Sherri and John have a wonderful farm and huge collection of animals. They really opened up their home to us, and we had a fantastic time. Sherri and Mike barbecued some of their chickens, other friends brought side salads, and we contributed a peach-and-raspberry cobbler and a summer bouquet. Jack and Comet helped crank the old-fashioned ice cream maker for dessert. Great food and new friends... a wonderful way to end the week!

Here are some highlights in pictures:

Jack bottle feeding a calf

Scottish Highland cattleNapoleon the black sheepBrian and guinea hogSummer bouquet

-Brian

Just when I thought I was done with children, I got myself some more babies to raise!  And these babies are quite a bit of work. 

Last Monday, we adopted two border collie puppies from a fellow farmer in Iowa.  I've always considered myself to be a "dog person" but I've not had the room to make more than one dog happy. ( Actually, I thought the backyard we had in Omaha was big, but it wasn't until we brought Lexi to the farm that I realized how much room it really takes to make a dog happy!)

Unable to decide between the white girl with the brown eye patch and the sweet black and white boy who fell asleep in my arms, I decided to go with both.  They are incredibly sweet and playful and as ornery as can be!  Who knows how long it will take to train the little buggers, but we're working on it.  The hope is that they will be great farm dogs. 

But enough talk, here they are, Molly and Moxie, the newest canines on the farm.

~Kelly

I know that the last post was pretty brief, and there's a reason why. Well, several reasons. I wanted to make sure I posted the link to Jamie's latest recipe on Jamies-Recipes.com, but I was short on time. I just accepted a job with my friends at REBEL INTERACTIVE, so I am adjusting to a new schedule. I'm really excited about this, even though it limits my farm work to evenings and weekends.

Anyway, Jamie just posted an awesome new recipe, and I wanted to share it, along with links to the other ones she developed for Black Sheep Farms. The most recent one is a beautiful Broccoli Quiche. Check it out:

Jamie also developed recipes for Beet Greens and Garlic Scapes with Pasta, Tom Thumb Lettuce Salad with Strawberry Vinegarette and a lovely Baby Bok Choy Pesto. We're really lucky to have her whipping it up in the kitchen! Go, Jamie!

-Brian

There's a new recipe for you to try on Jamie's Recipes, featuring our beet greens and garlic scapes. Throughout this season, our friend Jamie is developing new ways for you to cook with seasonal produce.

Let us know if you try them out!

-Brian

At today's farmers market, Ann, the writer of the blog Healthy Tasty Chow, told us that she made delicious wraps with the lacinato kale she bought from us last week. Not only did she publish her recipe, but the photo got picked up by foodgawker. Impressive!

Ann has lots of other recipes that can help you incorporate "new" ingredients into your menu. Fennel, quinoa, hazelnut flour and more. Let us know if you try any of them!

-Brian