Olive Harvesting Yum!

Olive harvesting began this week with Cynthia deep into Brine School 101. As most things at the ranch at their essence are simple--like brown chickens lay brown eggs--now the mystery of green and black olives is about to be announced. Ready? Time's up. They come from the same tree, the only difference is in the ripeness. Now, in addition to the lavender field tours, we have the hands-on olive picking tour. Another simply amazing fact is that to test the salinity of your salt and water mixture for the brine, place an egg (still in its shell) into the water. If your egg floats, brine it! Voila. In a busy world, these basic pleasures are wonderful to explore and share.

Big Juan

Well today he came! The biggest, fanciest cock of the walk I have ever seen, completely attached with a plume of giant orange feathers. A sight to be seen on this Bicentennial day, September 16, 2010!
The girls ran as fast as they could, all ten of them, to see whom would soon be his favorite.
We have decided to call him Big Juan, the Cartel King.
Now, after a week with no eggs, maybe the girls will begin to produce again.