First Time
Listening to the radio today, a certain song struck a chord with me. I started to think, when was the last time I did something for the first time. The answer?
One might be thinking, "Uh, you guys have been doing something new constantly since you moved to the farm in June". Now, I'm not going to argue that it's been crazy busy and fully eventful, however, it's been mostly work, research, evaluation, and planning.
Let's just say this past weekend was really extraordinary. I hung out with the best of friends for their birthday's. Now we do that every year, so not new. However, we went to a new restaurant. That's not generally something to rave about unless.... This time was different.
Over the past months, we've been getting more and more serious about raising our own food. This has brought a new appreciation and interest in food and how it is sourced and produced. I've taken a new interest in chef/food shows and when I eat at a new restaurant I like to know as much as I can about what I'm about to consume.
The restaurant we went to is known for the meats! Specifically.... Sausages and steaks! We were able to try some of the best meats this side of the Mississippi (MPLS). Wild boar sausage, dry aged beef, and the highlight.... Japanese Wagyu, A5 grade, steak.
Believe me when I say, if you haven't had it, then you won't understand. The meat arrived, perfectly cooked, seared on both sides, medium rare. Covered in mushrooms and it's own juices. The second it touched my lips it was like an ocean of saliva hit my mouth. The meat is so marbled that the fat perfectly dissipates throughout your mouth as you chew. Oh and you're barely chewing. It's miraculous.
After I finished my steak, the thought of raising and producing my own meat washed over me. It's been a goal of mine since we started exploring farm operation options. Although it is a couple years into the future, it's a topic that is fresh on my mind. I'm focused on our path to obtain our goals.
Experiences like this keep me in line and seeking to gain more knowledge and skills in order to progress our small family farm. Now we don't want to be selling beef all across the country, but we want to feed those we care about.
These next couple months will be chalk full of first times. Baby M, chicken coop, is just scratching the surface. We don't know exactly what we're doing, but I know we'll figure it out. That's what adventure is all about.