Life On The Farm
26 Oct
This morning, my mom and I decided that it was the perfect day to take a ride down to one of my favorite spots in Connecticut, Stamford Nature Center and Hecksher Farm. I visited the farm earlier this month for my friend’s birthday and from the moment I left the property, I wanted to go right back! The weather was perfect for a day at the farm. It’s been so warm lately, compared to that insane cold that struck us last week.
Along with bonding with the animals, my mom and I got to spend a great day with each other. There’s not much that makes me smile more than sharing something that I love with someone that I love!
I fell in love with a few animals in particular. There are two goats that melted my heart. As soon as I approached their enclosure these two goats came running right over and hopped up on the fence to give me a kiss! I think I might try to sneak in and hide in their little home and snuggle with them all night.
A while down the path, I came across a much larger enclosure that housed a few llamas and sheep. The llamas frightened me a little bit, as they seemed to be spitting and chasing each other, but there was one sweet, little horned sheep that came up to greet us. This little guy did not just have two horns, but four, and the cutest face I’ve ever seen in my life! I think this sweet guy is my soulmate. I am IN LOVE!
LOOK AT THAT FACE!
It’s true love. Anyway, after my mom pulled me away from this guy, we spent the next two hours wandering around and visiting with lots of different animals. To anyone that honestly believes that farm animals are not as smart, affectionate, and loving as dogs, cats, or humans, needs to visit a farm like this or an animal sanctuary. When animals are exploited, we are sometimes not able to see through to their beautiful personalities.
By the time we got home, both of us were STARVING! We picked up salads at Whole Foods, but I was still looking for more. I decided to hack into the kombocha squash that I picked up at the store!! I was a little confused at the label of “Buttercup Squash”, but I this was definitely the kombocha I was looking for.
First off, this was SO HARD to cut open. Jeez, I think you need arms of steel to get through this thing. I was a little worried when I finally got it open. I did not like what I was smelling. I couldn’t put a finger on what it reminded me of, but it was not pleasent. I still wanted to give it a go, so I kept hacking away until I got these cubes. I threw them into the oven for about a half hour at 450 degrees. As soon as they were done, I immediately popped one into my mouth and burnt the roof! Ouch. It’s already blistered in there! Things were not looking up for the kombocha squash. After burning, ouch, panic, I realized that HEY, this is awesome! Kombocha squash rules. It’s definitely worth all the trouble I went through! I devoured half of the squash and saved the rest for another meal, which most likely will be tomorrow. YES!
Later in the night, my mom made herself a plate of veggies and wanted me to photograph it. It’s not the greatest photo, but my mom was quite proud of her lovely, healthy veggie-filled meal!
The smell of steamed broccoli makes me gag, but hey, I can’t deny how lovely this plate looks, even in poor lighting!
I plan on ending Vegan Mofo with a bang, so I’ve got quite a few fabulous meals coming up for the rest of the week!
5 days until Erica visits Connecticut, 6 days until moving til New Haven, 7 days until my birthday!!
Beautiful nature shots and dish!
If you wanted to mail me some roasted kombocha I wouldn’t object …
SO exciting about all the upcoming events (especially November…that means birthdays for us!). I love your farm photos. That first one is AMAZING-it looks like an oil painting! And those animals..I adore them.
Glad you tried Kabocha squash. Its a blog-fave
I need to get me a kabocha squash! I keep seeing them on the blogs, but just as you mentioned they call them buttercup around here.
I’ve never made one, but the trick to most other squash is to microwave it for 5 or 10 minutes before trying cut it open… just make sure to stab it a few times with a sharp knife first so you don’t have a “squash explosion”.
wow! what BEAUTFIUL photos
I love all the animals 
I agree with you that, that squash is delicious, but I must disagree that it’s worth the effort. It required Hurclean strength to tear into that thing! I think I was sore afterward! (Okay, hyperbole.) I’d rather save my weak little muscles for my tried-and-true friend, Butternut. That dame never lets me down.
I mailed your coupons today. Do you think whoever lives there now will give it to you? I totally forgot to wait!! I’m an idiot.
I am so obsessed with squash this season, however I have yet to have the kobacha! I have not not found it yet. It’s at Whole Foods?? Not in boring Ohio it’s not! Ugh.
I think so! They know that I’m moving in
Thank you! I found this one at Stop and Shop! I think you can find them regularly at Asian markets.
haha love the crazy horned sheep–so appealing!
What adorable animals!
I have a great time at the farm with you. It was a perfect day together. The pictures are beautiful as always. And thanks for putting my healthy eats in your blog.
Beautiful pics!! Adorable animals!!
yay for November birthdays!
amazing! i want to live there. cute animals. turkeysssss!
lol, i have just mastered the art of peeling & cutting a butternut, but it took me a while to get here.
so many exciting things in your life….:):)
As Jamie said above, nuking it is the trick. Just pierce it a few times with a fork and nuke for a few minutes… it’s much easier to slice into.
Good luck with all your life changes and Happy (early) Birthday.
What a little cutie that guy is with his horns. I wish I could give him a hug! The farm looks so beautiful
Aww, the sheep with the 4 horns is definitely cute. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them with more than 2 horns before. What a great day.