Flora & Faunas Piglets

One of Flora's Piglets

Our two purebred Swallow Belly Mangalitsas had piglets.  Fauna on Dec23 and Flora on Christmas.  They are super cute, very healthy, both the piglets and mothers are doing great.

Some of Fauna's Pigs

Flora

More Mangalitsa Pigs

Flora

Now that our newest Mangalitsa pigs have settled in, it is time to introduce them.  We have two unrelated Gilts, they are Flora and Fauna, born July 19 & 20, 2012.  We also have Tripp, the young boar, he is a bit older, May 22, 2012.  He is no longer small, likely weighing in at 225 lbs.  He is very affectionate for a pig, and acts more like a dog.  Although we shall see what happens when he gets to be full size, about 450 lbs.  In collaboration with our partners on Lopez hope to have a couple of purebred litters on the ground later in the year.

Tripp

These three are all unrelated, so they will be maintained as purebred Mangalitsa breeding stock.  There are really only likely a few thousand of these pigs in America and maybe 10,000 or so in the world.  We have been really happy with our Berkshire & Mangalitsa cross pigs, so we will pursue that as well.

Doing our best to try and get the restaurant open after two months of projects, we will open for the week of Valentines day and then be closed for three weeks after that, to try and get everything completed.

Another View of Orcas Island

One of Two Lakes Over Blakely Island

So A and I were invited to take a ride on the coolest biplane on Orcas, but really maybe the best on earth, given our surroundings.  Rod, has an amazing grace,  history and ease as a pilot, I envy him for that.  He called and said, looks like a perfect day, would you and A like to fly.  I said, are you kidding, of course, so I picked him up after school and we drove to Rod's hanger.

October, not July, mind you, it was still, clear and as close to perfect as possible.  Like not even cold, or perhaps even warmer than the ground.

Inn at Ship Bay From Above

Needless to say, I can highly recommend a trip with Rod, www.magicair.com,  you will not have any regrets, especially if you can pick a day of perfect Orcas Island weather.

2012 Heirloom Tomatoes

Heirloom Tomatoes

We have officially crossed the 400 lbs. threshold in heirloom tomato production and we are far from being finished for the year.  The Japanese Black Trifele, Green Zebra and Orange Persimmon have been personal favorites this year.  Great fruit production and awesome favor.

July 2012

What does this mean?

Mt Entrance Fist Pump

Two power outages during dinner service, big views and trying to get Genny, our Mangalitsa gilt, pregnant.  We have been quite busy this July.

More Mangalitsa

Mangalitsa Coppa

This is the reason why we go through the trouble, expense and commitment of raising our own Mangalitsa Hogs.  Truely unmatched in flavor, nearly the color and richness of beef.  These are two very large and well developed coppas, napes or necks.  Each was almost 10 lbs.

Chervil, The Under Utilized Herb

Garden Chervil

Related to parsley, Chervil is a very delecate annual herb with a faint anise or almost licorice flavor.  Most often used in fish or egg dishes.  It likes the cool climate here on Orcas, especially if you can sow it in a spot where it has partial shade.  We often overlook our Chervil this time of year in favor of the fresh Basil and Tarragon, even though it is at it's prime.

Last night we served Sockeye Salmon as a first course with a garnish of Chervil, Radish, Castelvetrano Olives and Lemon, tasty light and fresh.

Sockeye & Chervil, Radish, Olive Salad