Blessed ~ Part 1

 

Earlier this month, I spent my birthday sitting in an animal hospital emergency room with a very sick pup. Both pups had dentals a few days before and had 12 teeth removed between the two of them. Poor Leia ended up developing an abscess in her upper jaw behind her eye. She was admitted and they were able to help her with IV drugs. After her overnight stay and a visit with an eye specialist, She is all better now :)

After she was sufficiently well, we celebrated my birthday and I received a gift from my husband -

a Farm to Table dinner event.

 

We drove south two hours to Slagel Family Farm in Fairbury, IL.

Slagel Family Farm is an old fashioned small farm that provides meat to many high end Chicago restaurants. 

 

 

Of course I loved the sheep!

 

And the cows

 

 

Most would come up to greet us.

 

Pigs wallowing in the mud.

 

I loved how this guy was scratching his back on the bars.

 

We saw the chickens

 

And were able to collect some eggs.

 

These piglets were a week old.

 

The guy in the back resting his head on another reminded me of Peanut and Leia ;)

It may seem odd to visit the animals right before we were going to eat them,

but it felt natural like the way farming is meant to be...

 

Three chefs - from Big Star and Antique Taco in Chicago and Bien Trucha in the suburbs were there to cook for us. Three appetizers, three salads, three entrees and one desert all served family style in a barn built for such events.

 

Fresh mint and cilantro to add to our dishes.

It was such fun to meet and chat with such great chefs and to hear about their dishes.

A woman was making fresh tortillas all day long...

 

Of course I was so taken with the appetizers and salads that I didn't even think to take pictures!

(Oh my - that Antique Taco salad! I'm drooling just thinking about it!!)

 

But here is the cumin lamb barbacoa and my favorite:

 

birria de res - slow roasted short rib - YUM!!!

 

So what was the first thing I did when we returned home late that night?

 

 

Pulled out the kit for Stacy Nash's Adam & Eve on the Farm!

I'm working on it now...

A perfect stitch as a reminder of this awesome day... 

 

"Great peace have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.
I wait for your salvation, Lord,
    and I follow your commands."

~Psalm 119:165-166

 

Blessings, Patti