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| Chamomile delivering twins in the creek bed (Sage and Thyme) |
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| Cookies! |
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| Processing Venison |
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| Chamomile with her babies |
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| Sage |
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| Christmas Tree and new railings for the loft |
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| PS#2 in the King William District |
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The Weeks in Pictures
Friday, November 9, 2012
Light and fluffy
I don't know if it is post-election depression, SADD (you know that disorder when you do not get enough sunlight) or what.. but I am DEPRESSED and unmotivated. You would think the results of the election would have spurred me onward, and seriously motivated me to prep more. In my head I do, in my heart I don't. I am so tired, and do not know which way to go. I need some focus.
Larry (our big buck) was screaming when I went outside this morning to feed the chickens. He loves to jump up on his hind legs and bring the branches of the Huisache trees down for all the does to eat. Well, the Nimrod, apparently wedged his front, right, hoof into the "V" of the tree branch and got it stuck. The branch snapped up, and he was left dangling in the air screaming. This happened a few times to some of the bigger does, and babies, but never the bucks. Normally, I can lift the little ones up and un-wedge their foot. But Larry, is probably 250 lbs with these LONG, pointy horns. He would be still while I tried to free his foot, but then something would cause him to thrash around kicking his other three feet, and flinging his head. PD#1 came out to try and help, and ran back for the hand saw, chain saw, and hammer. (Three different trips, she wasn't happy). I tried to saw the branch off but the hand saw was taking too long, the chain saw wouldn't start, so finally I used the hammer, and banged his food out of the V. It was stuck TIGHT! I am not sure if his leg is broken, but if it isn't, the bottom of his hoof is going to be really sore from that hammer. I wish I had a camera, the image of him hanging from a tree is PRICELESS.
I was able to plant some Amish pie pumpkins, broccoli, cilantro and lettuce in the garden. Still planting more, and the Garlic Chives plant that I put in the garden in March is thriving! I need more of those, apparently, I can't kill that one. :)
PH was able to bring the glass-fronted, wood stove from the barn to the house this week. I dusted it all off, and we have decided (thanks to my suggestion) to place it in the center of the house, rather then against the South wall. The chimney will go straight out the roof, instead of the side wall, which is apparently cheaper to do too! I think by having it in the center of the house it will more efficiently heat the place, and it is really a much better location, as I have limited walls in the living room to place furniture, and it would have been awkward in the initial location.
I was able to pick up quite a few pumpkins to can (one did get soft, and the chickens appreciated the treat), at the local, grocery store's after Halloween sale. PS#2 did end up with a strange looking pumpkin. It is a Cinderella pumpkin, and was a bright, reddish-orange with green splotches. He really liked that one. If it survives Thanksgiving, I will can it too.
So far 1/2 of the downstairs has been insulated (1/2 west, south and east walls). Still have 1/2 the west, and all of the North to complete. The North wall will be the last done though, as PH still needs to run the 220 to the kitchen area. I am still pushing for a gas range, though he isn't cooperating :) I'd really like PH to insulate and finish the west wall in the pantry, so I could move my shelving in there. I really want everything up off the floor and organized before my mother visits (next week maybe), but I don't believe I will make it. In addition, I really need to keep cleaning the container. I thought I was cleaning the past four years, but not good enough. I am disgusted about how much dirt is in the container, and how sooty the walls are inside. Things are stacked everywhere. I'd love to get organized, but I feel overwhelmed. I'd love help, but don't know who to ask. It's so cluttered, that I do not know where to start first, plus I have that "sad" thing going on :)
*I feel compelled to add a footnote here. Please do not take my blog as "Light and Fluffy" because I do not show pictures of weapons, or talk about the Usurper in Chief all the time. I am deadly serious about making sure my family is provided for, and constantly work in all areas of preparation. Yes, I worry about being labeled a terrorist by those in control, but those that know me, will scoff at that charge. I was born an American, and have been a long time Patriot, working diligently to do what I can to help this once great country. I cannot say I will die an American, because while I still have some glimmer of hope for America, I am pinning all my hopes on TEXAS secession. I will be heartbroken yet again, if it doesn't happen, but I still ready my family. Self-sufficiency is not a bad thing. The government and the liberal media tout that it is, but they are the "bad thing". If our ancestors were not self-sufficient, they would have not been able to survive those first years at Jamestown (yes the natives did help, but they were also were relying solely on themselves and not the government they left). George Washington would not have helped survey the land west, thus encouraging additional settlers to make the trek over the Appalachian mountains. The pioneers heading west on the Oregon Trail would have not been able to survive (though some didn't make it). Even the legendary Ingalls family wouldn't have been able to survive the Long, Harsh Winter on the Minnesota prairie without being self-sufficient.
Do I need my government? Not in the state it is now. I need them to fulfill ONLY their responsibilities under the law, the true law, the Constitution. I don't need them to take away my land, my provisions, my freedom of speech, or any other of my freedoms outlined in the Bill of Rights. I don't need them to micro-manage my life, because frankly, they can't even run the government. I need to be left alone to purse my sense of happiness without their interference.
Friday, November 2, 2012
November Happenings!
It's been a busy month. The weather has continued to be chilly at night, though this week it is projected to be in the high 50s, with the day times in the 80s. Fall cleanup of the homestead is still going on. I managed to get all the laundry done, blankets and all, but my normal weekly cleanup needs to be accomplished tomorrow (Saturday). The chickens are in their coop. I only missed clipping Rangers wings (rooster), and he escapes every morning to let me know it is time to feed him and his family. The pigs have also been penned in the back pasture, thanks to PH and the electric fence. We do let them out every now and then to graze in the other pastures, but it is nice to be able to keep them in one area, when they have their destructive days.
My canning class has been going great, only one more class to go, and we will be making something easy, like Pomegranate Jelly (using juice). The girls in the class really seem enthused about canning, I pray it continues throughout their life, and they embrace it as a way of providing for their families (now and in the future).
We spent last weekend butchering a wild hog. A friend had it in a hog trap, and was going out of town. She stopped by the library to let me know to go get it. PH went over and dispatched it, and then spent the evening gutting and skinning. We let it hang all night, since the temps were in the 40s. He spent Saturday morning cutting off all the meat, and packing into my tubs. Then we spent Saturday afternoon using the meat grinder to grind it all up, and packaged it with the vacuum sealer. We now have about 60 lbs of ground meat, 10 lbs of pork sausage balls, ribs, and two pork loins. I am also making bacon. It is the first time I have made bacon, so we will see how it goes. In total, we were blessed with about 80 lbs of meat. This was much needed as our freezer was almost empty. Ground Beef around here is $7 a pound, so I have saved myself an estimated $560 (on the high end). We don't have ground pork in the store here, so I didn't have anything to compare it to.
(Below is a "montage" of photos that PD#1 put together.)
PH has been insulating in the house again. He has finished the Master Bedroom, and is working his way around the living room walls. Even just that little bit of insulation makes a big difference in keeping the place warmer. He has also been working in the garden for me. I need to plant a few more items in our Fall garden before Winter gets here! I will be ordering canning lids, as I am out. There is a great sale on Amazon for 360 lids for $59.95, though Lehman's has them also for a few dollars more. They are on my list for payday. The canning supplies are just are not going on sale here, like they normally do. I am very disappointed. I was looking forward to stocking up.
I am still anxious to get bees for the property. Praying I will be able to do so in the Spring. I will be working on PH all Winter. I'll get them sooner or later (prayerfully SOONER!)
Our pond is full, and stocked with fish now. We are routinely chasing away the cranes/herons, and shooting turtles to safeguard our food supply :)
Have a great weekend everyone!
My canning class has been going great, only one more class to go, and we will be making something easy, like Pomegranate Jelly (using juice). The girls in the class really seem enthused about canning, I pray it continues throughout their life, and they embrace it as a way of providing for their families (now and in the future).
We spent last weekend butchering a wild hog. A friend had it in a hog trap, and was going out of town. She stopped by the library to let me know to go get it. PH went over and dispatched it, and then spent the evening gutting and skinning. We let it hang all night, since the temps were in the 40s. He spent Saturday morning cutting off all the meat, and packing into my tubs. Then we spent Saturday afternoon using the meat grinder to grind it all up, and packaged it with the vacuum sealer. We now have about 60 lbs of ground meat, 10 lbs of pork sausage balls, ribs, and two pork loins. I am also making bacon. It is the first time I have made bacon, so we will see how it goes. In total, we were blessed with about 80 lbs of meat. This was much needed as our freezer was almost empty. Ground Beef around here is $7 a pound, so I have saved myself an estimated $560 (on the high end). We don't have ground pork in the store here, so I didn't have anything to compare it to.
(Below is a "montage" of photos that PD#1 put together.)
PH has been insulating in the house again. He has finished the Master Bedroom, and is working his way around the living room walls. Even just that little bit of insulation makes a big difference in keeping the place warmer. He has also been working in the garden for me. I need to plant a few more items in our Fall garden before Winter gets here! I will be ordering canning lids, as I am out. There is a great sale on Amazon for 360 lids for $59.95, though Lehman's has them also for a few dollars more. They are on my list for payday. The canning supplies are just are not going on sale here, like they normally do. I am very disappointed. I was looking forward to stocking up.
I am still anxious to get bees for the property. Praying I will be able to do so in the Spring. I will be working on PH all Winter. I'll get them sooner or later (prayerfully SOONER!)
Our pond is full, and stocked with fish now. We are routinely chasing away the cranes/herons, and shooting turtles to safeguard our food supply :)
Have a great weekend everyone!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Cold Weather Fake Out!
Over the weekend we had quite the cold front come in...the low was 51! That is cold for South TX. I even had to wear a sweater, put a comforter on the bed AND turn on the kerosene heater for an entire day! This can only mean the next ice age has started, and I am just not prepared. It wasn't on my list of end world scenarios to prepare for, so I am at a loss. :)
We have some wood, but definitely not enough for such severe cold temperatures, and if a glacier makes down this far!? I have no idea what we would do....probably like my Scottish ancestors and move the animals inside the house to help keep the place warm. Or we could go out to the barn..No clue.
Fortunately, the weather has warmed up some. It is still chilly at night (60s), and supposed to be in the low 90s the rest of this week, but Fall has definitely descended onto the prairie.
PH has decided to finally join us in the house (shell). We moved the king bed into our bedroom (shell), and we are eating at the dining room table (most of the time). The kids have had about 4 years of not being used to sitting at a table, so we will need to work on that aspect of their manners. We still do our cooking and bathing in the container, and I am in the process (a slow one) of cleaning the container top to bottom, and preparing it to be a guest room/long term food storage. Not together of course, the bedroom will be the guest room, and the former living roomish space will be the food storage location. PH is "supposed" to cut a door opening from the container bedroom into the kitchen area in the house. This will make a bridge/walkway between the two without going outside. Can't wait!
PH is finishing up the wiring, and still working on the insulation. Depends on what he feels like doing. Insulation is definitely on the agenda, and moving up quickly with cold weather approaching. The house stays much warmer than the container EXCEPT if I have the wood stove going in the container, then the kids opt to play in the container bedroom.
We moved the chicken coop, and cut an opening into the former chicken yard/dog pen/pig pen and now chicken yard again. The plan is to get the chickens locked into the coop, clip their wings, and keep them housed in the chicken yard. I do not like them always on the front porch. It is nerve-wracking. PH is talking about moving the electric fence from the South Pasture, and placing it around the barn fence to keep the pigs in the back pasture. Right now, they push under the fence in one location, and are tearing everything up.
I am still working on my mountain of laundry. It is more a matter of washing a heap of blankets, comforters and sleeping bags. The clothing is all done, and I try to keep up with what is worn weekly, but the blankets are another story. I can only put one at a time in the washer. Makes for slow going. PH is not happy, but he'll have to get happy, no help for it since I am work the majority of the day. It has not sunk in yet to PH or PD#1 that THEY could actually put the laundry in the washer themselves since they get home at 4:30 pm and I don't get home until 7 pm..hmmm, what a dilemma....
We are hosting a Scholastic Book Fair at the library this week. I am very excited, and am praying we do well. The library receives a portion of the proceeds from sales to purchase books for the library. Come by if you are in the area!
Winding down to election time. I totally forgot until just this second that I wanted to go to the "meet the candidate night". It was tonight at the local community center. It was not for any presidential candidates, but the other local ones running for office. (sigh)
Still working on getting my garden planted, a little at a time.
I know all this mundane talking of laundry etc., has you bored, but it is part of homesteading, though not an exciting part. We do continue to stock up on food, and are learning new skills, but the house building still consumes much of our lives and income. Still looking for my camera so I can update a picture for everyone :)
We have some wood, but definitely not enough for such severe cold temperatures, and if a glacier makes down this far!? I have no idea what we would do....probably like my Scottish ancestors and move the animals inside the house to help keep the place warm. Or we could go out to the barn..No clue.
Fortunately, the weather has warmed up some. It is still chilly at night (60s), and supposed to be in the low 90s the rest of this week, but Fall has definitely descended onto the prairie.
PH has decided to finally join us in the house (shell). We moved the king bed into our bedroom (shell), and we are eating at the dining room table (most of the time). The kids have had about 4 years of not being used to sitting at a table, so we will need to work on that aspect of their manners. We still do our cooking and bathing in the container, and I am in the process (a slow one) of cleaning the container top to bottom, and preparing it to be a guest room/long term food storage. Not together of course, the bedroom will be the guest room, and the former living roomish space will be the food storage location. PH is "supposed" to cut a door opening from the container bedroom into the kitchen area in the house. This will make a bridge/walkway between the two without going outside. Can't wait!
PH is finishing up the wiring, and still working on the insulation. Depends on what he feels like doing. Insulation is definitely on the agenda, and moving up quickly with cold weather approaching. The house stays much warmer than the container EXCEPT if I have the wood stove going in the container, then the kids opt to play in the container bedroom.
We moved the chicken coop, and cut an opening into the former chicken yard/dog pen/pig pen and now chicken yard again. The plan is to get the chickens locked into the coop, clip their wings, and keep them housed in the chicken yard. I do not like them always on the front porch. It is nerve-wracking. PH is talking about moving the electric fence from the South Pasture, and placing it around the barn fence to keep the pigs in the back pasture. Right now, they push under the fence in one location, and are tearing everything up.
I am still working on my mountain of laundry. It is more a matter of washing a heap of blankets, comforters and sleeping bags. The clothing is all done, and I try to keep up with what is worn weekly, but the blankets are another story. I can only put one at a time in the washer. Makes for slow going. PH is not happy, but he'll have to get happy, no help for it since I am work the majority of the day. It has not sunk in yet to PH or PD#1 that THEY could actually put the laundry in the washer themselves since they get home at 4:30 pm and I don't get home until 7 pm..hmmm, what a dilemma....
We are hosting a Scholastic Book Fair at the library this week. I am very excited, and am praying we do well. The library receives a portion of the proceeds from sales to purchase books for the library. Come by if you are in the area!
Winding down to election time. I totally forgot until just this second that I wanted to go to the "meet the candidate night". It was tonight at the local community center. It was not for any presidential candidates, but the other local ones running for office. (sigh)
Still working on getting my garden planted, a little at a time.
I know all this mundane talking of laundry etc., has you bored, but it is part of homesteading, though not an exciting part. We do continue to stock up on food, and are learning new skills, but the house building still consumes much of our lives and income. Still looking for my camera so I can update a picture for everyone :)
Monday, September 24, 2012
Sitting in the dark
I am sitting here by candle light tonight. Oh, I remembered to pay the bill, but I wanted to see how much light candles provided in the new house. It is REALLY dark in here. I have two large jar candles (think Yankee Candle style) and one square citronella candle. All three here on the table where I am typing. I definitely need to remember to get mirrored scones to help reflect the light, because there isn't enough light to not trip by, much less read or anything.
Why am I doing this you ask? Well, I have been watching the new t.v. series "Revolution", and really wonder if I am prepared to live without power for a short time or even longer term? I do not think so..I need more candles, kerosene, lamps, wicks, candle making supplies, more canning jars/lids and rings to can the contents of my freezer, and most of I need more basic food supplies and seeds. In addition, we desperately need a way to get the water out of the well. That is the major thorn in my side at this point.
I made beef ribs tonight for dinner. The ribs are from our side of beef purchase earlier in the summer. I rubbed a meat seasoning into them, and cooked in olive oil in a cast iron skillet. I also made corn on the cob (from our garden earlier in the summer), and PH asked for a dessert. I tried to steer him towards a pear pie. I had made pear pie filling (like apple pie) and would have preferred that instead, BUT he wanted peach pie (yuck). So, I made a peach pie in a small, round, cast iron skillet I had on hand. It is a little bigger than a Personal Pan Pizza at Pizza Hut. It took four, large peaches to fill up the skillet. The sauce to the pie was really good, though I do not like cooked (or raw) peaches. So Happy Anniversary to PH! We will be going out to dinner to Olive Garden this weekend. It was supposed to be tonight, but I had some other things planned that I wanted to do, and I need additional funds, so I am waiting until pay day.
We heard on the news tonight that there is a Global Bacon Shortage. We laughed and laughed. It sounds funny. Haven't researched it any more, but we have two HUGE slabs of bacon walking around in our yard. Really wish that Fern would have some babies, so we can raise those to butcher. It sure is taking them a long time to "do their thing".
Lest, anyone think that I do not have my finger on the pulse of "world happenings", believe me, I do. I just prefer to keep to the light side of things (mostly) here, in order to keep from sliding even more into a depression.
Focus on the positive, and chip away at the negative.
Why am I doing this you ask? Well, I have been watching the new t.v. series "Revolution", and really wonder if I am prepared to live without power for a short time or even longer term? I do not think so..I need more candles, kerosene, lamps, wicks, candle making supplies, more canning jars/lids and rings to can the contents of my freezer, and most of I need more basic food supplies and seeds. In addition, we desperately need a way to get the water out of the well. That is the major thorn in my side at this point.
I made beef ribs tonight for dinner. The ribs are from our side of beef purchase earlier in the summer. I rubbed a meat seasoning into them, and cooked in olive oil in a cast iron skillet. I also made corn on the cob (from our garden earlier in the summer), and PH asked for a dessert. I tried to steer him towards a pear pie. I had made pear pie filling (like apple pie) and would have preferred that instead, BUT he wanted peach pie (yuck). So, I made a peach pie in a small, round, cast iron skillet I had on hand. It is a little bigger than a Personal Pan Pizza at Pizza Hut. It took four, large peaches to fill up the skillet. The sauce to the pie was really good, though I do not like cooked (or raw) peaches. So Happy Anniversary to PH! We will be going out to dinner to Olive Garden this weekend. It was supposed to be tonight, but I had some other things planned that I wanted to do, and I need additional funds, so I am waiting until pay day.
We heard on the news tonight that there is a Global Bacon Shortage. We laughed and laughed. It sounds funny. Haven't researched it any more, but we have two HUGE slabs of bacon walking around in our yard. Really wish that Fern would have some babies, so we can raise those to butcher. It sure is taking them a long time to "do their thing".
Lest, anyone think that I do not have my finger on the pulse of "world happenings", believe me, I do. I just prefer to keep to the light side of things (mostly) here, in order to keep from sliding even more into a depression.
Focus on the positive, and chip away at the negative.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Hamburger and Applesauce
Last Christmas time, PH bought a meat grinder. The plan was to use it to grind our own meat. With one of our pigs being killed earlier this year (the one we were planning to butcher), we weren't able to put it to the test. We really want to get into the habit of providing our own meat, and the meat grinder will allow us to make our own hamburger, other ground meats, and sausage. So excited! Well, tonight I decided to grind up the steaks I had thawed (from the side of beef we purchased earlier this year) into hamburger. It was so cool! It was so fast! The longest part was cleaning it afterwards.
I made spaghetti for dinner, and even have enough left over to can in pint jars. I used my home canned sauce, and it was different, but good. I also made garlic/basil bread, and a loaf of regular bread.
PD#1 turned 15 on Saturday. I cannot believe she is 15. I still remember the sassy four year old little girl, with the tiny ponytail. She didn't have much hair, and I had scrape it, and hairspray it in place to get enough hair for a ponytail. She was so excited! Now, I look at this little girl, who is taller than I am, but still is so young. Wanting to be independent, but coming to give me a kiss every night on her way to bed. I feel old.
Ps#2 is acting like a toot. He is constantly being corrected, and is not a happy camper. I sure hope he gets out of this phase he is in..he was such a sweet little guy, and now he is grumpy, and always saying "no" and is SO aggressive. He loves to jump on his sisters and growl at us.
PD#2 helped me to peel 10 lbs of apples tonight. Boy! Is my hand tired! I am teaching canning to a small group of girls at our home school co-op, and tomorrow we are making applesauce. Really simple and easy.
I planted lettuce in the garden last week, and it has already sprouted. I really need to get in the garden to get the rest of it planted, hope to get to that tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, it is mine and PH's 24th wedding anniversary. Amazing! Sure went by fast.
Dove season is in full swing, and PH has been able to shoot 12 dove. I cooked 8 of the breast pieces, which still leaves enough for another meal, since each dove has two breast pieces. First I dipped the breast in egg, then in flour, then egg again, followed by flour again. Cooked in a cast iron pan in hot oil, and served with homemade potato chips. Very yummy!
I woke to the sounds of war on Saturday a.m., guns going off everywhere! PH jumped up, got dressed and went out to start looking for dove around 7 a.m.
The girls also went to our community's annual fund-raising event. They had a table to sell their wares. PD#1 had her crocheted items, and PD#2 had a stack of pot holders she had made. I did take a selection of my canned goods to sell, as well as, a few books. We bought BBQ plates from the VFD, and had a good time meeting new people and making a little money. PD#2 was so excited! She promptly spent her windfall at the booth across from us. She bought a pair of pink, heart, dangly earrings. Easy come, easy go.
The weather here has been cooler than normal, primarily in the evening and early morning hours. We have been making preparations for Winter, by working on the insulation, and making sure all the blankets are cleaned and aired out.
I was able to work on several lists: Things To Learn, Things To Do, and Things To Buy. My pantry is severely low, and I seriously need to continue adding items. I keep plugging away, but each step forward, can mean two steps back as well. Very daunting trying to keep a full pantry for the future, when you need to eat today as well. I only do what I can do.
Happy Autumn!
I made spaghetti for dinner, and even have enough left over to can in pint jars. I used my home canned sauce, and it was different, but good. I also made garlic/basil bread, and a loaf of regular bread.
PD#1 turned 15 on Saturday. I cannot believe she is 15. I still remember the sassy four year old little girl, with the tiny ponytail. She didn't have much hair, and I had scrape it, and hairspray it in place to get enough hair for a ponytail. She was so excited! Now, I look at this little girl, who is taller than I am, but still is so young. Wanting to be independent, but coming to give me a kiss every night on her way to bed. I feel old.
Ps#2 is acting like a toot. He is constantly being corrected, and is not a happy camper. I sure hope he gets out of this phase he is in..he was such a sweet little guy, and now he is grumpy, and always saying "no" and is SO aggressive. He loves to jump on his sisters and growl at us.
PD#2 helped me to peel 10 lbs of apples tonight. Boy! Is my hand tired! I am teaching canning to a small group of girls at our home school co-op, and tomorrow we are making applesauce. Really simple and easy.
I planted lettuce in the garden last week, and it has already sprouted. I really need to get in the garden to get the rest of it planted, hope to get to that tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, it is mine and PH's 24th wedding anniversary. Amazing! Sure went by fast.
Dove season is in full swing, and PH has been able to shoot 12 dove. I cooked 8 of the breast pieces, which still leaves enough for another meal, since each dove has two breast pieces. First I dipped the breast in egg, then in flour, then egg again, followed by flour again. Cooked in a cast iron pan in hot oil, and served with homemade potato chips. Very yummy!
I woke to the sounds of war on Saturday a.m., guns going off everywhere! PH jumped up, got dressed and went out to start looking for dove around 7 a.m.
The girls also went to our community's annual fund-raising event. They had a table to sell their wares. PD#1 had her crocheted items, and PD#2 had a stack of pot holders she had made. I did take a selection of my canned goods to sell, as well as, a few books. We bought BBQ plates from the VFD, and had a good time meeting new people and making a little money. PD#2 was so excited! She promptly spent her windfall at the booth across from us. She bought a pair of pink, heart, dangly earrings. Easy come, easy go.
The weather here has been cooler than normal, primarily in the evening and early morning hours. We have been making preparations for Winter, by working on the insulation, and making sure all the blankets are cleaned and aired out.
I was able to work on several lists: Things To Learn, Things To Do, and Things To Buy. My pantry is severely low, and I seriously need to continue adding items. I keep plugging away, but each step forward, can mean two steps back as well. Very daunting trying to keep a full pantry for the future, when you need to eat today as well. I only do what I can do.
Happy Autumn!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
I try so hard....
I try so hard not to post too many political articles, but sometimes it bubbles over and I need to share it somewhere. I am sure by now after reading my posts, my friends and family that read my blog, KNOW about my political leanings.
For YEARS I voted Republican because I thought that was THE way to go. I haven't been a Republican for 10 years (and no I am not a Democrat either). Now, I wish that ALL political parties were dissolved and candidates were Independents. I want to know what each person really believes in, how they run their personal life, their business, what their religion (or lack of) means to them, etc. I believe I have that right. If I am going to entrust a person with the highest office in the land, that of President, I need to be able to make the right decision.
I want someone who is honest and trustworthy. I'd prefer someone of faith, but if not, someone who does not disparage my faith and trample all over it.
I want someone who realizes that people come first, not the environment. I believe in being good stewards of what God has entrusted me with, but my drinking water is more important than the life of a salamander.
I want someone who does not abuse their office by having tantrums, and passing Executive Orders because THE PEOPLE did not want the laws he was proposing. How immature, to basically say "since I can't have my way, I am going to ignore you, do what I want, and to heck with you all".
I really do not understand how the populace at large elects a leader (any leader) and then believes it is okay for him to make decisions that is not in the best interests of the entire country, but only the few he truly represents.
You see I am in a dilemma. I am passionate about what I believe, but so deeply angered and saddened over the state our country currently finds itself. I cannot in all conscience vote for Mr. Obama. I do not believe he was legally elected the first time, and barring that, his actions the past four years shows his distaste for America and for the Office with which he was "entrusted". The numerous Executive Orders he has signed, which have virtually taken away the rights of Americans, are scary. Anyone with a brain can see what he is setting us up for...martial law and a dictatorship. He really does not have anyone's best interest at heart, except our enemies. I am appalled at the lack of leadership and lack of strength he has exhibited in the wake of the recent attacks on our embassies and people. I am embarrassed by him, and that he is the person representing us to the world.
I REALLY do not want to vote for Mr. Romney. I REALLY do not want to vote at all, as I firmly believe our vote does not matter.
I REALLY want a media that does it's job, which is to report the UNBIASED truth. Whether it be NBC or FOX News, the truth is what is important, not the censored, sensationalist, political jockeying crud they report. ALL of the news outlets have fallen down on their calling. As a reporter YOU CANNOT TAKE A SIDE. Presenting the facts is all you need to do, and the populace will make their own decisions. I understand that the mainstream, liberal media is in the pocket of the government, and that the government dictates to them what can be shown, and the way in which it is portrayed to the American public. I am not easily fooled to swallow "hook, line and sinker" the filth they feed us on the evening news, and that filters across the Internet. I am also not gullible enough to believe that FOX presents their "news" in an unbiased fashion either.
Basically, I want a TRUE American for President. One who is open and honest, and really wants to make our country better. Not someone who wants to further the political agenda of their particular party, or line their pockets with bribes.
Does such a person exist? I think not. So for that, I think I'll stick with local and state politics, pray for secession, and raise my family the best I can, because for certain, the U.S. government does not believe in state rights or my right to raise my kids the way they need to be.
For YEARS I voted Republican because I thought that was THE way to go. I haven't been a Republican for 10 years (and no I am not a Democrat either). Now, I wish that ALL political parties were dissolved and candidates were Independents. I want to know what each person really believes in, how they run their personal life, their business, what their religion (or lack of) means to them, etc. I believe I have that right. If I am going to entrust a person with the highest office in the land, that of President, I need to be able to make the right decision.
I want someone who is honest and trustworthy. I'd prefer someone of faith, but if not, someone who does not disparage my faith and trample all over it.
I want someone who realizes that people come first, not the environment. I believe in being good stewards of what God has entrusted me with, but my drinking water is more important than the life of a salamander.
I want someone who does not abuse their office by having tantrums, and passing Executive Orders because THE PEOPLE did not want the laws he was proposing. How immature, to basically say "since I can't have my way, I am going to ignore you, do what I want, and to heck with you all".
I really do not understand how the populace at large elects a leader (any leader) and then believes it is okay for him to make decisions that is not in the best interests of the entire country, but only the few he truly represents.
You see I am in a dilemma. I am passionate about what I believe, but so deeply angered and saddened over the state our country currently finds itself. I cannot in all conscience vote for Mr. Obama. I do not believe he was legally elected the first time, and barring that, his actions the past four years shows his distaste for America and for the Office with which he was "entrusted". The numerous Executive Orders he has signed, which have virtually taken away the rights of Americans, are scary. Anyone with a brain can see what he is setting us up for...martial law and a dictatorship. He really does not have anyone's best interest at heart, except our enemies. I am appalled at the lack of leadership and lack of strength he has exhibited in the wake of the recent attacks on our embassies and people. I am embarrassed by him, and that he is the person representing us to the world.
I REALLY do not want to vote for Mr. Romney. I REALLY do not want to vote at all, as I firmly believe our vote does not matter.
I REALLY want a media that does it's job, which is to report the UNBIASED truth. Whether it be NBC or FOX News, the truth is what is important, not the censored, sensationalist, political jockeying crud they report. ALL of the news outlets have fallen down on their calling. As a reporter YOU CANNOT TAKE A SIDE. Presenting the facts is all you need to do, and the populace will make their own decisions. I understand that the mainstream, liberal media is in the pocket of the government, and that the government dictates to them what can be shown, and the way in which it is portrayed to the American public. I am not easily fooled to swallow "hook, line and sinker" the filth they feed us on the evening news, and that filters across the Internet. I am also not gullible enough to believe that FOX presents their "news" in an unbiased fashion either.
Basically, I want a TRUE American for President. One who is open and honest, and really wants to make our country better. Not someone who wants to further the political agenda of their particular party, or line their pockets with bribes.
Does such a person exist? I think not. So for that, I think I'll stick with local and state politics, pray for secession, and raise my family the best I can, because for certain, the U.S. government does not believe in state rights or my right to raise my kids the way they need to be.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Homemade Harvest
I am just all about Autumn this weekend! We have had several days of rain and cooler weather (60s and 70s). Not just a drizzle, but the kind where it rains for a solid 10 hours. We have received 6 inches of rain in the past three days! I am so excited! The pond is overflowing. Praise God for this Blessing! After so many years of drought, and having to keep the pond with water (just barely) to keep all these animals watered, to have the pond, plus side overflow FULL is mind blowing. Here's a picture!
The county fair was also this weekend. The PD#1 entered photography, art work, and her three crochet hats. The pink ribbon below is for her crochet work. She was very excited to received the large pink rosette in the home arts :) I am very proud of her. PD#2 entered photography, art work and two loomed, pot holders. She received a blue ribbon in her photography and art work and a red ribbon on her pot holders. She did not take a picture of her awards yet, but I will post them once she is done.
I entered photography and received a blue ribbon for my one snap shot. I also entered the Home Arts in canning, and received 3 blue ribbons, 2 red and 2 white. Yeah for Mama!
Due to the rain we didn't actually attend the fair, other than to drop off our entries. We stayed home most of the weekend. Today I worked on canning apple jelly, and baking. I made cupcakes and gingerbread for tomorrow's co-op.
I actually lit a fire in the wood stove this morning. The rain left a decided chill in the air, and the inside of the container was damp and cold. We put the kerosene heater here in the house and it warmed it up nicely, and kept it warm. Much better in the house, even without insulation!
We are very worried about the safety of our country and fellow Americans around the world. Due to the increased threat PH and I worked on cleaning up the interior of the house, burning construction debris, taking an inventory of what we have and what we need. PH is collecting the various pieces needed to install the larger wood stove in the house. All the pieces are in the barn. He wasn't able to reach the main piece, but did find a shop vac. Our main one died, and I've been unable to vacuum, only sweep. This one was my dad's, and it was in the barn since we moved out here four years ago. So, we were able to vacuum the entire house, and it is now saw dust free! PH will be bringing home another fuel tank which we will fill with kerosene. We have another for gasoline.
On the list this week is to:
clean up fallen trees and cut in manageable lengths to add to wood pile
place LDS cannery order for next month's pickup
purchase more matches
contact local man to purchase additional honey
wash all blankets
can beef stock
can honey/lemon cough syrup
work on installing insulation in roof
start fall cleaning of container
clean out wood stove
purchase hunting licenses
We really want to be ready for the Winter and the results of the upcoming "election", so we are increasing our workload in the needed areas.
Well, time for bed. I have a canning class to teach in the morning, as well as, a hand sewing class.
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| Red Rock Pond is Full! |
The county fair was also this weekend. The PD#1 entered photography, art work, and her three crochet hats. The pink ribbon below is for her crochet work. She was very excited to received the large pink rosette in the home arts :) I am very proud of her. PD#2 entered photography, art work and two loomed, pot holders. She received a blue ribbon in her photography and art work and a red ribbon on her pot holders. She did not take a picture of her awards yet, but I will post them once she is done.
I entered photography and received a blue ribbon for my one snap shot. I also entered the Home Arts in canning, and received 3 blue ribbons, 2 red and 2 white. Yeah for Mama!
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| PD#1's fair entries and ribbons |
I actually lit a fire in the wood stove this morning. The rain left a decided chill in the air, and the inside of the container was damp and cold. We put the kerosene heater here in the house and it warmed it up nicely, and kept it warm. Much better in the house, even without insulation!
We are very worried about the safety of our country and fellow Americans around the world. Due to the increased threat PH and I worked on cleaning up the interior of the house, burning construction debris, taking an inventory of what we have and what we need. PH is collecting the various pieces needed to install the larger wood stove in the house. All the pieces are in the barn. He wasn't able to reach the main piece, but did find a shop vac. Our main one died, and I've been unable to vacuum, only sweep. This one was my dad's, and it was in the barn since we moved out here four years ago. So, we were able to vacuum the entire house, and it is now saw dust free! PH will be bringing home another fuel tank which we will fill with kerosene. We have another for gasoline.
On the list this week is to:
clean up fallen trees and cut in manageable lengths to add to wood pile
place LDS cannery order for next month's pickup
purchase more matches
contact local man to purchase additional honey
wash all blankets
can beef stock
can honey/lemon cough syrup
work on installing insulation in roof
start fall cleaning of container
clean out wood stove
purchase hunting licenses
We really want to be ready for the Winter and the results of the upcoming "election", so we are increasing our workload in the needed areas.
Well, time for bed. I have a canning class to teach in the morning, as well as, a hand sewing class.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Heritage Skills Fair 2012
Today was the Heritage Skills Fair in the small town where I work. I just realized that I did not take any pictures! I could smack myself!
It wasn't as big as I had planned, as the carnival was cancelled two days before it was to open (long story, and I was not happy). Due to that, and another larger festival happening in a neighboring town about half of my vendors/demonstrators bailed out. I was so disappointed, but the one's who showed up were wonderful. We had a petting zoo with a Wallaby, Alpacas, python, ducks, a porcupine and something called a ? Mundi? Didn't get the entire name. It was a big hit. We had several craft vendors, a spinning wheel demonstration (I learned how to work the wheel), wheat grinding, canning display, a book sale (the vendor is a friend and she pulled all her "old timey" books on pioneers, history, Texas cookbooks and more) and PD#1 made $40 selling her crochet items. She was thrilled!
A friend and Chaplain for the county came with his Pastor and they sang Southern Gospel songs for an hour. It was wonderful! Our own praise and worship time. They were dressed "old timey" so it fit right in. My boss was sad for me that it was so scaled back, but she came out to support me and was pleased with what she saw, and wants us to participate at the city's annual festival in April. She wants me to have a section of heritage/old time demonstrations. She thinks the people would eat it up, and since the city's festival draws a larger crowd it would be good exposure. Maybe, I should just join them, instead of having our own festival. Save money and get more of an audience.
Mariama (milk goat) delivered twins a week ago. One boy and one girl. The girls is mostly black with white hooves. This is our second almost all black kid this year. Very odd outcome. The other doe, Artemis, delivered a singleton last Sunday, but her doeling was killed by coyotes a couple of days ago. Pretty sad, poor little thing.
The chickens continue to run amuck. We are working on the enlarged chicken yard and coop to house them in, as I just cannot stand them all over the place, and leaving their droppings on everything, especially the front porch. One rooster LOVES to sneak into the house and perch on the table, leaving me "presents". He may end up in the freezer soon.
PH is working on the round pen for PD#1 to start working/exercising the horses. He was given enough cattle panels (he had to take them down at a friend's ranch) to make a 50 foot round pen. This saved us over $1,000, though it has taken considerable time and effort on PHs part. PD#1 is excited, and is "supervising" his work :)
Also, on the schedule is securing the pig pen, and working on winter housing for them. Fern (our Hampshire sow) is an escape artist. Wilbur, our Yorkshire boar, prefers to stay in the pen or back by the pond. Won't often even come out with the gate wide open. He's pretty laid back and lazy. We have lots of clean up to do, and are excited about the cooler days we have been having. We will wait for much of the clean up, for when it cools down more, but before Winter really hits. It will be a fine balance of having everything ready.
Still haven't planted the Fall garden. I am getting frustrated over the lack of time that I have to get it completed.
PH is about finished with the wiring, and installation of lighting. We purchased the channels that hold the insulation to the roof, so we are onto the insulation installation next. Doing the roof first, since hot air rises. That way if we have to use the wood stove before we finish all the insulation, at least it won't all escape out the roof.
We started our new school year this week, and it was a good week. Starting in our second Latin book, Algebra, Physics, 4th grade Saxon Math (PD#2 is very pleased with her new math book - crazy girl!) plus co op starts on September 10th. I will be teaching hand sewing and water bath canning. Working furiously on my lesson plans (last minute). We have my friend's twin teen girls schooling with us this year. I really like teaching a one room school house :)
PD#2 will be baptised the last Sunday of this month up in the Hill Country in the Medina River. Very proud that she made the decision to follow her decision of faith in baptism, though it's been over a year. We will have our church fellowship meal there also, and have a great day of rejoicing and fellowship.
Making lists fast and furious, as we come into the downward spiral of another year and winter preparations, not to mention the stress of an election year. Hope I won't have to worry about voting too much longer, at least in a United States election.
Don't forget that this month is National Emergency Awareness Month - are you ready?
It wasn't as big as I had planned, as the carnival was cancelled two days before it was to open (long story, and I was not happy). Due to that, and another larger festival happening in a neighboring town about half of my vendors/demonstrators bailed out. I was so disappointed, but the one's who showed up were wonderful. We had a petting zoo with a Wallaby, Alpacas, python, ducks, a porcupine and something called a ? Mundi? Didn't get the entire name. It was a big hit. We had several craft vendors, a spinning wheel demonstration (I learned how to work the wheel), wheat grinding, canning display, a book sale (the vendor is a friend and she pulled all her "old timey" books on pioneers, history, Texas cookbooks and more) and PD#1 made $40 selling her crochet items. She was thrilled!
A friend and Chaplain for the county came with his Pastor and they sang Southern Gospel songs for an hour. It was wonderful! Our own praise and worship time. They were dressed "old timey" so it fit right in. My boss was sad for me that it was so scaled back, but she came out to support me and was pleased with what she saw, and wants us to participate at the city's annual festival in April. She wants me to have a section of heritage/old time demonstrations. She thinks the people would eat it up, and since the city's festival draws a larger crowd it would be good exposure. Maybe, I should just join them, instead of having our own festival. Save money and get more of an audience.
Mariama (milk goat) delivered twins a week ago. One boy and one girl. The girls is mostly black with white hooves. This is our second almost all black kid this year. Very odd outcome. The other doe, Artemis, delivered a singleton last Sunday, but her doeling was killed by coyotes a couple of days ago. Pretty sad, poor little thing.
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| Mariama and her twins |
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| Artemis and her little one |
PH is working on the round pen for PD#1 to start working/exercising the horses. He was given enough cattle panels (he had to take them down at a friend's ranch) to make a 50 foot round pen. This saved us over $1,000, though it has taken considerable time and effort on PHs part. PD#1 is excited, and is "supervising" his work :)
Also, on the schedule is securing the pig pen, and working on winter housing for them. Fern (our Hampshire sow) is an escape artist. Wilbur, our Yorkshire boar, prefers to stay in the pen or back by the pond. Won't often even come out with the gate wide open. He's pretty laid back and lazy. We have lots of clean up to do, and are excited about the cooler days we have been having. We will wait for much of the clean up, for when it cools down more, but before Winter really hits. It will be a fine balance of having everything ready.
 |
| Fern - after being scratched to sleep |
Still haven't planted the Fall garden. I am getting frustrated over the lack of time that I have to get it completed.
PH is about finished with the wiring, and installation of lighting. We purchased the channels that hold the insulation to the roof, so we are onto the insulation installation next. Doing the roof first, since hot air rises. That way if we have to use the wood stove before we finish all the insulation, at least it won't all escape out the roof.
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| PS#2 and his Blue Hand |
PD#2 will be baptised the last Sunday of this month up in the Hill Country in the Medina River. Very proud that she made the decision to follow her decision of faith in baptism, though it's been over a year. We will have our church fellowship meal there also, and have a great day of rejoicing and fellowship.
Making lists fast and furious, as we come into the downward spiral of another year and winter preparations, not to mention the stress of an election year. Hope I won't have to worry about voting too much longer, at least in a United States election.
Don't forget that this month is National Emergency Awareness Month - are you ready?
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| TEXAS Sunset |
Monday, August 27, 2012
Harvest Time Begins!
Life has been a flurry of excitement lately. The weather has miraculously cooled! Sleeping with the windows open and a fan, I often get cold (yes cold!) by about 4 a.m. I can definitely tell Fall is on it's way. :)
I have been busy cleaning, a never ending chore, and moving my thoughts towards future winter preparations. This means for me, getting the wood pile stacked, and looking around for additional downfall from neighbors. I like to have at least two years supply on hand. I will be asking PS#1 to come stack the pile for me, for which I will pay him the normal, hourly rate of $7 an hour.
I recently picked about 80 lbs of pears (40 lbs of bartlett, and 40 lbs of the pineapple pear variety). The Bartlett is a good eating pear, and the pineapple is definitely a cooking pear. Very hard and the peel is kind of grainy tasting, but makes great pear sauce and pie filling.
I have been canning a lot lately, and was able to can 5 pints of pie filling, 5 pints of pear sauce, 12 pints of chicken soup, and will be working on more pear sauce today.
We acquired seven additional chickens, supposed to be hens, but I see at least two roosters in the bunch. About three of the chickens definitely look to have banty blood next to my huge freedom rangers, buffs, Americaunas and plymoth rocks.
Our little turkey, Peep, was killed yesterday. She was "assaulted" by our huge Freedom Ranger rooster. During the odd inter-species mating, she was hurt and died shortly afterwards. We didn't reach her in time to knock the rooster off her. So sad. I will wait to buy additinal turkeys until our poultry run, and chick house is complete. I need to be able to safeguard these chicks better (sigh). I am so sad, but it is a part of life it seems.
The house is just about finished being wired with electricity (I lost the battle for no electricity). I am not happy, but resigned. Still acquiring oil lamps, kerosene, and will work on candles next.
Fall gardening preps are under way, as well as, clearing out the barn for the 150 bales of new hay that PH will be bringing home in a couple of weeks. Canning came upon me, and barn cleaning was placed on the back burner, but it is now more urgent. I do not want to take delivery of the hay and risk it getting wet, so the barn must be made ready.
We had homeschool co-op registration today. The kids are all signed up for their classes. PD#1 will be taking Yearbook, Chemistry, Volley ball and helping in the PreK Circle Time class. PD#2 will be taking Hand Sewing, The Goldilocks Planet (science), Fun With Math and Literature. PS#2 has PreK Choir, Tumbling, Circle Time and PreK Lit. I will be teaching Hand Sewing and Water Bath Canning. Not too jazzed about co-op, but the kids like going. I also have the opportunity to teach Canning for Adults, and am excited about doing this for our homeschooling community.
Our new hours at the library also started today. I will be closed on Mondays, and will work 6 hours a day, four days a week. Gives the kids a good opportunity to get their school work done, and no reason to not read or do research. A win-win all the way around.
The Heritage Fair is in little less than two weeks. I have about ten vendors, a music group, and a small carnival scheduled. Very excited, as well as, nervous. I pray that it does well, and we raise money for the library, along with awareness of being more Self Reliant.
The cotton fields across the road have been harvested this past week. I am off mixed feelings. I love living in a rural, farming community. Hearing the tractors, combines and harvesters roar late into the night, seeing the cotton trucks hauling those huge bales to the cotton gin, and picking up stray pieces on the side of the road to make pin cushions. But...I really hate what large scale farming has done to the land, the farmer and the communities. The pesticides/herbicides that get sprayed filter over onto my property, which makes it very hard to grow at times, plus this is the first year that we did not have any bees. Every year we have had a HUGE swarm in the trees, but not this year. I firmly believe it is due to the spraying, which in turn resulted in my cantelopes, watermelons and tomatoes not pollinating this year, and the low yield. I do like being able to get produce from the small, local farmers. A few who really understand about growing things without chemicals. We have an abundance of produce stands, a local dairy, local made cheese, pasture raised beef, pasture-raised poultry and more. We are truly blessed to live in such an area, plus blessed to be able to raise some of our food.
On the political front, anxious to watch some of the Republican Convention. I am not a Republican (or Democrat) but sure like to see what the options are. I am very dissappointed so far, and saddened that Ron Paul was not selected. A far better choice than Romney. Not hopeful of the direction our country continues to slide into. Fervently praying for the current administration to not be "placed" into office again. I've had enough of the bad decisions, smarmy rehetoric and down right treasonous actions we have been dealt the last four years.
Well, heading home for another round of canning pears. Talk to everyone later!
I have been busy cleaning, a never ending chore, and moving my thoughts towards future winter preparations. This means for me, getting the wood pile stacked, and looking around for additional downfall from neighbors. I like to have at least two years supply on hand. I will be asking PS#1 to come stack the pile for me, for which I will pay him the normal, hourly rate of $7 an hour.
I recently picked about 80 lbs of pears (40 lbs of bartlett, and 40 lbs of the pineapple pear variety). The Bartlett is a good eating pear, and the pineapple is definitely a cooking pear. Very hard and the peel is kind of grainy tasting, but makes great pear sauce and pie filling.
I have been canning a lot lately, and was able to can 5 pints of pie filling, 5 pints of pear sauce, 12 pints of chicken soup, and will be working on more pear sauce today.
We acquired seven additional chickens, supposed to be hens, but I see at least two roosters in the bunch. About three of the chickens definitely look to have banty blood next to my huge freedom rangers, buffs, Americaunas and plymoth rocks.
Our little turkey, Peep, was killed yesterday. She was "assaulted" by our huge Freedom Ranger rooster. During the odd inter-species mating, she was hurt and died shortly afterwards. We didn't reach her in time to knock the rooster off her. So sad. I will wait to buy additinal turkeys until our poultry run, and chick house is complete. I need to be able to safeguard these chicks better (sigh). I am so sad, but it is a part of life it seems.
The house is just about finished being wired with electricity (I lost the battle for no electricity). I am not happy, but resigned. Still acquiring oil lamps, kerosene, and will work on candles next.
Fall gardening preps are under way, as well as, clearing out the barn for the 150 bales of new hay that PH will be bringing home in a couple of weeks. Canning came upon me, and barn cleaning was placed on the back burner, but it is now more urgent. I do not want to take delivery of the hay and risk it getting wet, so the barn must be made ready.
We had homeschool co-op registration today. The kids are all signed up for their classes. PD#1 will be taking Yearbook, Chemistry, Volley ball and helping in the PreK Circle Time class. PD#2 will be taking Hand Sewing, The Goldilocks Planet (science), Fun With Math and Literature. PS#2 has PreK Choir, Tumbling, Circle Time and PreK Lit. I will be teaching Hand Sewing and Water Bath Canning. Not too jazzed about co-op, but the kids like going. I also have the opportunity to teach Canning for Adults, and am excited about doing this for our homeschooling community.
Our new hours at the library also started today. I will be closed on Mondays, and will work 6 hours a day, four days a week. Gives the kids a good opportunity to get their school work done, and no reason to not read or do research. A win-win all the way around.
The Heritage Fair is in little less than two weeks. I have about ten vendors, a music group, and a small carnival scheduled. Very excited, as well as, nervous. I pray that it does well, and we raise money for the library, along with awareness of being more Self Reliant.
The cotton fields across the road have been harvested this past week. I am off mixed feelings. I love living in a rural, farming community. Hearing the tractors, combines and harvesters roar late into the night, seeing the cotton trucks hauling those huge bales to the cotton gin, and picking up stray pieces on the side of the road to make pin cushions. But...I really hate what large scale farming has done to the land, the farmer and the communities. The pesticides/herbicides that get sprayed filter over onto my property, which makes it very hard to grow at times, plus this is the first year that we did not have any bees. Every year we have had a HUGE swarm in the trees, but not this year. I firmly believe it is due to the spraying, which in turn resulted in my cantelopes, watermelons and tomatoes not pollinating this year, and the low yield. I do like being able to get produce from the small, local farmers. A few who really understand about growing things without chemicals. We have an abundance of produce stands, a local dairy, local made cheese, pasture raised beef, pasture-raised poultry and more. We are truly blessed to live in such an area, plus blessed to be able to raise some of our food.
On the political front, anxious to watch some of the Republican Convention. I am not a Republican (or Democrat) but sure like to see what the options are. I am very dissappointed so far, and saddened that Ron Paul was not selected. A far better choice than Romney. Not hopeful of the direction our country continues to slide into. Fervently praying for the current administration to not be "placed" into office again. I've had enough of the bad decisions, smarmy rehetoric and down right treasonous actions we have been dealt the last four years.
Well, heading home for another round of canning pears. Talk to everyone later!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Triple Digits
It seems Summer is not giving up yet (SIGH). I let myself be fooled by all the Fall decorations in the store, and the displays of school supplies, forgetting that August is our HOTTEST month. We had temps of 101 yesterday, and a high of 100 for today and each day this week. I want to cry :(
PH dug trenches around our two peach trees. They were looking rather ragged, though I water them in the morning. So deep trenches around the trees so that I can fill them with water is now the plan, so that they can prayerfully survive the heat. My garden is so over grown with weeds, and I am not looking forward to clearning it out to plant the Fall garden in a couple of weeks.
Continuing to get prepared food wise for the coming food shortages, and normal Winter preparations. Organizing the pantry, and working on my LDS order which will be placed on Sunday. The hens are still laying and I get about 7 dozen eggs a week. I have a couple of customers, but I have been cooking eggs more for PS#2 breakfast, and baking more. Trying to determine what I need in the pantry is very hard, I am out of so much. The SHTF here, budget-wise, and I have had to cut down my grocery budget from $300 a month to $100 month. I did splurge and purchase a 1/4 share of beef (105 lbs), which will last us a good while, plus getting ready to place my Freedom Ranger order. That will give me chicken to eat. So far, we are doing good with eating what we produce, and what I can find locally. My $100 goes for dairy and baking supplies. I strongly urge everyone reading this blog to consider stocking up, and if you already do, encourage others you know. It is only going to get worse!
Molly, my Charlois heifer, is getting big, and is sometimes pretty feisty. She butted me this morning wanting something to eat, and I have a nice bruise on my arm. Boy did it hurt! Poppy, one of this year's doelings was hurt last week. Our big buck Larry somehow got her back, right hoof caught between his horns. It was wedged in there pretty good. I heard her screaming like someone was eating her, and went out to see him yanking on her leg. I slowly approached them, and was able to get her foot out. She promptly sprang up and ran away, but did begin limping rather badly. PH was worried her leg was broken, but it was hard to tell. It did get pretty swollen, but she managed to keep up with the herd, and is still eating and drinking. She has actually been putting her wait on it, and running around, so I am assuming she is going to be fine.
We have confined the pigs to the back pasture connected to the pond. By making a small opening from their pen into the pasture, they are able to come and go out of their pen, but cannot make a mess around the house. They have about 3 acres to roam on, and love eating the cat tails in the pond, and wallowing in the mud.
With my 1/4 share of beef, I received several pounds of beef bones for soup. I plan to make beef stock and can it. I really have a difficult time coming up with items to can. I am just not a creative thinker in this regard, and often go to Kris' blog http://www.krissimplyliving.blogspot.com/ to get ideas. I am not an adventurous eater like she is, and neither is my family, but it gives me a jumping off place :)
The "farmer" across the road from me planted cotton, and it is about ready to harvest. I can see the white bolls. This means they will be spraying herbicide soon to kill the foliage. I hate it! I wish I had known what was going on around the property BEFORE we bought it. I love the land, but having the crop duster fly over several times a year makes me sad.
Watermelons seem to have done great around here, if the road side stands are anything to go by. Everyone and their brother is selling watermelons out of the back of their trucks. Mine didn't do anything, which was surprising. The watermelons and cantelopes did the best last year.
Well, off to get PD#1 from my sister in town. Talk at you later!
PH dug trenches around our two peach trees. They were looking rather ragged, though I water them in the morning. So deep trenches around the trees so that I can fill them with water is now the plan, so that they can prayerfully survive the heat. My garden is so over grown with weeds, and I am not looking forward to clearning it out to plant the Fall garden in a couple of weeks.
Continuing to get prepared food wise for the coming food shortages, and normal Winter preparations. Organizing the pantry, and working on my LDS order which will be placed on Sunday. The hens are still laying and I get about 7 dozen eggs a week. I have a couple of customers, but I have been cooking eggs more for PS#2 breakfast, and baking more. Trying to determine what I need in the pantry is very hard, I am out of so much. The SHTF here, budget-wise, and I have had to cut down my grocery budget from $300 a month to $100 month. I did splurge and purchase a 1/4 share of beef (105 lbs), which will last us a good while, plus getting ready to place my Freedom Ranger order. That will give me chicken to eat. So far, we are doing good with eating what we produce, and what I can find locally. My $100 goes for dairy and baking supplies. I strongly urge everyone reading this blog to consider stocking up, and if you already do, encourage others you know. It is only going to get worse!
Molly, my Charlois heifer, is getting big, and is sometimes pretty feisty. She butted me this morning wanting something to eat, and I have a nice bruise on my arm. Boy did it hurt! Poppy, one of this year's doelings was hurt last week. Our big buck Larry somehow got her back, right hoof caught between his horns. It was wedged in there pretty good. I heard her screaming like someone was eating her, and went out to see him yanking on her leg. I slowly approached them, and was able to get her foot out. She promptly sprang up and ran away, but did begin limping rather badly. PH was worried her leg was broken, but it was hard to tell. It did get pretty swollen, but she managed to keep up with the herd, and is still eating and drinking. She has actually been putting her wait on it, and running around, so I am assuming she is going to be fine.
We have confined the pigs to the back pasture connected to the pond. By making a small opening from their pen into the pasture, they are able to come and go out of their pen, but cannot make a mess around the house. They have about 3 acres to roam on, and love eating the cat tails in the pond, and wallowing in the mud.
With my 1/4 share of beef, I received several pounds of beef bones for soup. I plan to make beef stock and can it. I really have a difficult time coming up with items to can. I am just not a creative thinker in this regard, and often go to Kris' blog http://www.krissimplyliving.blogspot.com/ to get ideas. I am not an adventurous eater like she is, and neither is my family, but it gives me a jumping off place :)
The "farmer" across the road from me planted cotton, and it is about ready to harvest. I can see the white bolls. This means they will be spraying herbicide soon to kill the foliage. I hate it! I wish I had known what was going on around the property BEFORE we bought it. I love the land, but having the crop duster fly over several times a year makes me sad.
Watermelons seem to have done great around here, if the road side stands are anything to go by. Everyone and their brother is selling watermelons out of the back of their trucks. Mine didn't do anything, which was surprising. The watermelons and cantelopes did the best last year.
Well, off to get PD#1 from my sister in town. Talk at you later!
Friday, July 27, 2012
Heritage Skills
I know everyone would be shocked to discover I have an interest in the "heritage skills". Ha, ha!
In my new role as librarian, I have to come up with fundraisers to help support the library fund. I opted to combine the need for a fund raiser with my need to let everyone know how they should be self reliant.
The Heritage Skills and Self Reliance Fair is September 8, 2012 in Natalia TX. If anyone is in the area, I would appreciate your support, either as a demonstrator/vendor or as an attendee. For more info go to http://www.nataliaheritageskills.blogspot.com/
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Life has been busy on the farm. This past month as virtually flown by, and we are in high gear in winding down the summer and into fall/winter preparations. Seems silly I know when it is 100 degrees out side, but I want to be prepared.
PH will be going to a friends this weekend to bring back a large pecan tree that fell down during a recent storm. We will add it to our fire wood pile.
I am in the process of washing blankets and going through the pile to make sure none need to be mended or replaced. We are definitely blessed in the area of blankets :)
Our lone turkey poult (PH feels it is a girl, I am undecided) LOVES PH still. Follows him everywhere. Peep has taken to attacking all the dogs if they get close to the front porch, which is hilarious, since Peep is REALLY quite small. She/He scares the bejeebies out of the dogs.
We received 3.5 inches of rain this month, and our pastures are so green. I am so excited! That means I do not have to feed hay and it can be saved for the Winter months. Next on our agenda is to clean out the barn. We need to remove all the old hay, clean the chicken tractor and get it ready for a new batch of meat birds, plus take out the left over hay bales from last year. We want to stock the new batch in the back, and keep the old bales up front. This will also allow me to go through our totes (that is the plan anyway) to see what I am saving for the new house, and what will be gotten rid of.
PD#2 turned 9 this month. Her birthday party is Sunday, July 29th, so drop on by, if you are in the area, and if you are one of the lucky few to have directions to my retreat :) PD#2 is very pleased with her new bicycle and is riding all over the place, trailing dogs.
Planning the Fall garden planting as well, and am stymied over what to plant. This is my first Fall garden, that I can recall. I know I will be planting pumpkins, but other than that, I am not sure...The garden needs some clean up as I have let it go wild, once the tomatoes were done. The cantelopes never did anything, other than vining and flowering. Evidently, no bees this year, though I normally run over with them. I will have to get my paint brush out and start pollinating the plants myself.
The house is coming along, and the outside, complete with porch, is finished. I am so excited for the inside work to be moving ahead. I am hopeful the wood stove will be installed in the next month, so that I will be prepared for the cold days/months ahead.
In my new role as librarian, I have to come up with fundraisers to help support the library fund. I opted to combine the need for a fund raiser with my need to let everyone know how they should be self reliant.
The Heritage Skills and Self Reliance Fair is September 8, 2012 in Natalia TX. If anyone is in the area, I would appreciate your support, either as a demonstrator/vendor or as an attendee. For more info go to http://www.nataliaheritageskills.blogspot.com/
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Life has been busy on the farm. This past month as virtually flown by, and we are in high gear in winding down the summer and into fall/winter preparations. Seems silly I know when it is 100 degrees out side, but I want to be prepared.
PH will be going to a friends this weekend to bring back a large pecan tree that fell down during a recent storm. We will add it to our fire wood pile.
I am in the process of washing blankets and going through the pile to make sure none need to be mended or replaced. We are definitely blessed in the area of blankets :)
Our lone turkey poult (PH feels it is a girl, I am undecided) LOVES PH still. Follows him everywhere. Peep has taken to attacking all the dogs if they get close to the front porch, which is hilarious, since Peep is REALLY quite small. She/He scares the bejeebies out of the dogs.
We received 3.5 inches of rain this month, and our pastures are so green. I am so excited! That means I do not have to feed hay and it can be saved for the Winter months. Next on our agenda is to clean out the barn. We need to remove all the old hay, clean the chicken tractor and get it ready for a new batch of meat birds, plus take out the left over hay bales from last year. We want to stock the new batch in the back, and keep the old bales up front. This will also allow me to go through our totes (that is the plan anyway) to see what I am saving for the new house, and what will be gotten rid of.
PD#2 turned 9 this month. Her birthday party is Sunday, July 29th, so drop on by, if you are in the area, and if you are one of the lucky few to have directions to my retreat :) PD#2 is very pleased with her new bicycle and is riding all over the place, trailing dogs.
Planning the Fall garden planting as well, and am stymied over what to plant. This is my first Fall garden, that I can recall. I know I will be planting pumpkins, but other than that, I am not sure...The garden needs some clean up as I have let it go wild, once the tomatoes were done. The cantelopes never did anything, other than vining and flowering. Evidently, no bees this year, though I normally run over with them. I will have to get my paint brush out and start pollinating the plants myself.
The house is coming along, and the outside, complete with porch, is finished. I am so excited for the inside work to be moving ahead. I am hopeful the wood stove will be installed in the next month, so that I will be prepared for the cold days/months ahead.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Happy Belated Fourth of July!
Happy Indepenence Day! We were very busy on the fourth preparing for company in the evening. We managed to get the yard cleaned up, and picked up from construction debris. A very needed break from house building, and clearing the yard of assorted trash. Cleaned the house, and did a load of cooking/baking for the gathering.
We had about 20 people Wednesday evening, for a great time of fellowship, food and watching fireworks. I had wanted to read the Declaration of Independence to everyone, but there were so many "littles" that attention was short, and I decided not to. I did read it myself. I had never read the entire declaration, only pieces of it. It is very moving, and in light of our current governmental issues, very applicable.
I managed to consolidate all my tomatoes, and made a small amount of tomato sauce to can. I have five pints. Not a lot, but every little bit added to the pantry staves off hunger. The rest of the garden is burning up. My tomato plants are struggling, as well as, my lone basil plant. The cantelope vines are still growing and producing flowers but not one fruit. I am unsure of what is going on....probably bees. Last year, there were swarms and swarms, this year, very few. This was the first year since we have lived here that I haven't seen a swarm in a tree, and I hoped to have a friend capture it for me this year. What a bummer!
I have moved on to the harvesting of wild edibles. The mustang grapes are about ready, as well as, the Prickly Pear fruits (tunas). In the Winter, I am hoping to harvest a truck load of the wild melons. Praying they will do well, as this is what we fed the pigs most of last winter. Pears should be ready soon, and I am keeping my eyes open for any neighbors not harvesting any. Ready to make some pear jam this year. I canned pears last year, but still have some in the pantry.
Our lone turkey chick, has unfortunately become a pet for PH. I came in last night from taking PD#1 to guitar lessons, and PH was watching t.v., with the little turkey standing on his chest. PH "said" the chick managed to escape from it's box, walked into the bedroom, jumped on the bed and settled down on his chest. It had been there for a while. I didn't know that PH was making "friends" with the chick daily by talking to it, feeding it bugs and petting it. I reminded him that the chick was our turkey dinner if it survived. I got the "look", so I guess we won't be having fresh turkey this year (sigh).
Continuing in our quest to self sufficient, and prepared for emergencies. I have committed this year to do something weekly, and so far so good. Whether it is organizing or canning, I get something done.
Here are a few random pictures:
We had about 20 people Wednesday evening, for a great time of fellowship, food and watching fireworks. I had wanted to read the Declaration of Independence to everyone, but there were so many "littles" that attention was short, and I decided not to. I did read it myself. I had never read the entire declaration, only pieces of it. It is very moving, and in light of our current governmental issues, very applicable.
I managed to consolidate all my tomatoes, and made a small amount of tomato sauce to can. I have five pints. Not a lot, but every little bit added to the pantry staves off hunger. The rest of the garden is burning up. My tomato plants are struggling, as well as, my lone basil plant. The cantelope vines are still growing and producing flowers but not one fruit. I am unsure of what is going on....probably bees. Last year, there were swarms and swarms, this year, very few. This was the first year since we have lived here that I haven't seen a swarm in a tree, and I hoped to have a friend capture it for me this year. What a bummer!
I have moved on to the harvesting of wild edibles. The mustang grapes are about ready, as well as, the Prickly Pear fruits (tunas). In the Winter, I am hoping to harvest a truck load of the wild melons. Praying they will do well, as this is what we fed the pigs most of last winter. Pears should be ready soon, and I am keeping my eyes open for any neighbors not harvesting any. Ready to make some pear jam this year. I canned pears last year, but still have some in the pantry.
Our lone turkey chick, has unfortunately become a pet for PH. I came in last night from taking PD#1 to guitar lessons, and PH was watching t.v., with the little turkey standing on his chest. PH "said" the chick managed to escape from it's box, walked into the bedroom, jumped on the bed and settled down on his chest. It had been there for a while. I didn't know that PH was making "friends" with the chick daily by talking to it, feeding it bugs and petting it. I reminded him that the chick was our turkey dinner if it survived. I got the "look", so I guess we won't be having fresh turkey this year (sigh).
Continuing in our quest to self sufficient, and prepared for emergencies. I have committed this year to do something weekly, and so far so good. Whether it is organizing or canning, I get something done.
Here are a few random pictures:
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| Boomer -a friend's donkey she entered in the local pet parade |
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| Pudding - Nigerian Dwarf |
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| Side view of porch |
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| Front view of porch/steps |
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| PS#2 |
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| Creek bed after the rain this week - received 1.5 inches |
Friday, June 29, 2012
I hope everyone is having a good summer. I've been out of touch for a while due to computer issues. Both of our laptops have died, and I only have a Nook to get online. It's great for reading info, but very difficult to use to type with, and I haven't been able to use it to post. I don't think Blogger allows that type of function from the Nook.
Anyway, the outside of the house is done, and PH has started work on the front porch. The deck and posts are done, and the roof is left to complete.
I had purchased 10 turkey chicks, but one day nine went "poof". No idea what happened to them, no evidence left behind. I have one little one left, and he is getting big. I keep him in a rubber maid tote in the living area of the container. He isn't too happy about his confinement, but he is too small to be put out by himself.
The heat lately has been in the triple digits, and combatting that heat has been difficult at best. We normally retreat to the air conditioned bedroom of the container, and emerge in the early evening to complete outside activities (laundry and working on the house). No rain to speak off, a few drizzles every now and then, only enough to make round, wet, spots in the dust.
I have recently found a part time job in a small town close to us. It is a librarian position and I work 25 hours a week. It is an ideal job for me. I love books! The position is a great resource to meet people of like mind. I get to plan events, fundraisers, order books, movies and implement community programs like reading, ESL, GED, Home school support and more! Plus, I get paid. It isn't a lot of money but every bit helps to reach our goal of finishing the house and becoming more self sufficient.
The house is VERY hot during the day, but at night it is very peaceful, calm and COOL. By early morning I am actually chilly and need a blanket and to turn off the fan.
My garden has basically fizzled due to the heat. No amount of water and fertilizer helped. I was able to put up 8 quarts of corn, and my tomatoes, jalapenos, and onions, did not amount to much to be able to can. I look forward to beginning my fall garden soon. Even my watermelons and cantelopes, that did so well last year, did NADA! So devastated. I had high hopes and plans for this years garden. How did people survive long ago, it just isn't possible to grow enough to support our family for the year. It's very disheartening. I'll keep plugging away and trying, but after six years of gardening, I feel like giving up.
Hope to be able to keep everyone updated from the library more frequently :)
Anyway, the outside of the house is done, and PH has started work on the front porch. The deck and posts are done, and the roof is left to complete.
I had purchased 10 turkey chicks, but one day nine went "poof". No idea what happened to them, no evidence left behind. I have one little one left, and he is getting big. I keep him in a rubber maid tote in the living area of the container. He isn't too happy about his confinement, but he is too small to be put out by himself.
The heat lately has been in the triple digits, and combatting that heat has been difficult at best. We normally retreat to the air conditioned bedroom of the container, and emerge in the early evening to complete outside activities (laundry and working on the house). No rain to speak off, a few drizzles every now and then, only enough to make round, wet, spots in the dust.
I have recently found a part time job in a small town close to us. It is a librarian position and I work 25 hours a week. It is an ideal job for me. I love books! The position is a great resource to meet people of like mind. I get to plan events, fundraisers, order books, movies and implement community programs like reading, ESL, GED, Home school support and more! Plus, I get paid. It isn't a lot of money but every bit helps to reach our goal of finishing the house and becoming more self sufficient.
The house is VERY hot during the day, but at night it is very peaceful, calm and COOL. By early morning I am actually chilly and need a blanket and to turn off the fan.
My garden has basically fizzled due to the heat. No amount of water and fertilizer helped. I was able to put up 8 quarts of corn, and my tomatoes, jalapenos, and onions, did not amount to much to be able to can. I look forward to beginning my fall garden soon. Even my watermelons and cantelopes, that did so well last year, did NADA! So devastated. I had high hopes and plans for this years garden. How did people survive long ago, it just isn't possible to grow enough to support our family for the year. It's very disheartening. I'll keep plugging away and trying, but after six years of gardening, I feel like giving up.
Hope to be able to keep everyone updated from the library more frequently :)
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| Turkey poults in their turkey tractor |
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| Cuties! |
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| Loving the fresh air! Due to the loss of these little ones, I plan to purchase more in a month. Very heartbreaking to lose your "food" like we did, especially without a trace or idea of what happened. |
Monday, May 28, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Happy May!
It has been a really long time since I posted. My laptops are down, and I am unable to post from the Nook. So, here I am at the library updating ;-)
The garden is flourishing! We received approximately 6 inches of rain (some nearby received 10!) which helped green up our pastures, replenish the pond, and jump start the garden. I have loads of little, green Romas on the vine. The jalapenos I harvest daily. I also had to harvest all my onions as some critter was eating them.
The outside of the house is about complete, I'll try and post a picture next time I drop by the library.
Spring is definitely sprung, and little baby animals are everywhere. From kittens to goats I am tripping over them all.
Hope everyone has a good week!
The garden is flourishing! We received approximately 6 inches of rain (some nearby received 10!) which helped green up our pastures, replenish the pond, and jump start the garden. I have loads of little, green Romas on the vine. The jalapenos I harvest daily. I also had to harvest all my onions as some critter was eating them.
The outside of the house is about complete, I'll try and post a picture next time I drop by the library.
Spring is definitely sprung, and little baby animals are everywhere. From kittens to goats I am tripping over them all.
Hope everyone has a good week!
Sunday, April 29, 2012
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| Wilbur |
It has been extremely windy lately. Scares PS#2 into thinking a torndo is coming. Poor baby, he asks EVERY day if we are having a tornado.
PH has half of the West wall of the house sided. Only 1 1/2 more sides to go! yeah! He was able to collect enough scrap metal the past few weeks, from various sources, to garner enough money to finish the roof and sides. Today, he purchased additional electrical items, and stacked them in the corner. That is his next project until he can get into town to purchase additional siding. The roofing is on order, and will be paid for when it arrives. Once these two items are done, I hope we will be concentrating on the interior, though PH is chomping at the bit to start adding the front porch. Personally, I feel the inside walls and insulation are more important than a porch, but I don't get a vote ;-)
I think someone has bought the land two lots over. This is the same lot a couple of years ago that I complained about being bought. Since then it has changed hands twice. People were over there building something tonight by headlight from their truck. Using our nifty night vision scope, PH could see they were buildin some kind of A frame structure. He thinks for a garden or something. We were trying to make sure they weren't over there starting fires or doing drugs or they weren't stuck in the sand. Everything was fine, so we stopped being nosy ;-)
Several weeks ago I gave 3 hens and our beloved banty rooster, Buff Jumper, to my MIL. Well, this week a neighbor dog killed a hen and Buff Jumper. I was contacted by PS#1 that lives with my inlaws about getting a replacement rooster and hen. What a I? The poultry provider? I will give them one more hen and a rooster, but after that they will have to wait until the chicks are grown. I can't afford to keep giving away full grown hens.
Spent Friday showing a friend how to can chicken stock, and added those jars (minus one I gaver her) to my pantry. Also, placed my order with the LDS Cannery and will pick those items up on Tuesday.
I am thinking of replanting my green beans and cucumbers. One bed of green beans is about ready to pick, the others haven't sprouted, and my cucmbers seem stuck. Not growing, not dying. My tomatoes have tomatoes on them (green), and it worries me that the plants are so small but producing fruit. Not sure that is normal. My watermelons and cantelope are not doing well. Last year they did awesome. That is what I get for complaining last year about too much cantelope. NONE this year.
I went through the van today (it is where I store lots of things). I re packed a tub with my sewing things. I am hoping to get rid of a bunch of books this week, and again at our upcoming homeschool book swap in two weeks. That will free up space to get my treadle sewing machine out, and with prayer, in working condition.
I've been copying recipes down for basic items like: shampoo, soap, cheese, lye, bread, making bacon and sausage, saltines, cheese crackers, and more.
I was also given about six large glass pickle jars, and I purchased six more at the thrift store. I washed about half this weekend and have set out to dry. I want to start emptying my rice and such into them to store in the pantry. My freezers are full of grains in the hope it will keep the bugs out of the food.
Please pray for PD#1 she will be, prayerfully, attending our local community college in the fall to take a photography class. She is also interested in taking a farrier course in Dallas, so we are starting to save for that opportunity. It is about $1500 for the two week course. She has been interested for over a year so I guess it's for real. I am trying to get her interested in an opportunity to use her artistic skills in photography and combine it with her love for horses. Horse magazines must need pictures. She could earn money towards her farrier course. She isn't receptive, but we will see.
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| New Gate Sign PH made (the animal cut out on the left is a coyote, and on the right, a goat) |
Saturday, April 28, 2012
I don't often rant or strongly encourage people to be more prepared for emergencies, but I will today. Since last year at this time food prices have increased 35%. You might not have noticed. It is kind of like the story about the frog being boiled, done so slowly, everyone accepts it. Get busy! Hard times are coming.
Five years ago we purchased our first goats. We paid $45 each. Today those same goats go for $250 each and up. Chickens, especially hens, are at a premium. More and more people in our area are getting into raising their own food animals, gardening, doubling and even quadrupling up. This last one is where one or more families share the same piece of land to cut down on expenses.
I have several people interested in learning how to can their own food. I even had a friend come over yesterday and I showed her how to can chicken stock. While making the stock, it reminded me of the saying from the t.v. show "Jericho" where one of the characters says "In this house we use all parts of the buffalo."
The chicken I cooked for stock was raised here, butchered here, and packaged here. I made fried chicken by piecing out the breasts, thighs, legs, and wings. The back, which still contains a lot of meat on it was saved until I had time to make the stock. I have several in the freezer, and I had originally planned to make a huge roaster full of stock, but opted for just the one, since my friend was coming over to learn. As it, the process took three hours, and I already had the stock made. Walking through the steps, sterilizing the jars, ladling the stock into the jars, and then processing them in the pressure canner actually took more time than I expected, plus it was HOT in the container, even with the AC going. I almost opted for opening the door, but the flies are really bad this year.
After straining the broth, I was left with a small portion of chicken meat. I sorted through the meat and removed the bones. We then had chicken tacos for lunch, while the stock was processing.
Today laundry is the list, as I've been gone most of the week for a variety of reasons. The wind is blowing strong and thankfully the clothes are drying ast. With all the windows and doors open in the house, it is pretty nice in the house..
Many may not consider me a hard core "prepper", but that is okay. I don't spend 15 hours a day "prepping", because my lifestyle is one of being self reliant. I believe by being self reliant on a regular day-to-day basis I won't have to worry "much" if (when) something more severe takes place.
I can't afford all the bells and whistles, but you know, they aren't necessary. My ancestors survived without them and I can to. It is made easier by a spouse that can do things I can't, and that I can learn from. I may never have the physical strength, but I have the intellect and determination to get things done in a workable fashion, thought it may not be pretty.
We concentrate on food, water, shelter and defense. Everything else is extra and a nice to have, and once the core areas are under control, we can re-direct focus to a new area.
Five years ago we purchased our first goats. We paid $45 each. Today those same goats go for $250 each and up. Chickens, especially hens, are at a premium. More and more people in our area are getting into raising their own food animals, gardening, doubling and even quadrupling up. This last one is where one or more families share the same piece of land to cut down on expenses.
I have several people interested in learning how to can their own food. I even had a friend come over yesterday and I showed her how to can chicken stock. While making the stock, it reminded me of the saying from the t.v. show "Jericho" where one of the characters says "In this house we use all parts of the buffalo."
The chicken I cooked for stock was raised here, butchered here, and packaged here. I made fried chicken by piecing out the breasts, thighs, legs, and wings. The back, which still contains a lot of meat on it was saved until I had time to make the stock. I have several in the freezer, and I had originally planned to make a huge roaster full of stock, but opted for just the one, since my friend was coming over to learn. As it, the process took three hours, and I already had the stock made. Walking through the steps, sterilizing the jars, ladling the stock into the jars, and then processing them in the pressure canner actually took more time than I expected, plus it was HOT in the container, even with the AC going. I almost opted for opening the door, but the flies are really bad this year.
After straining the broth, I was left with a small portion of chicken meat. I sorted through the meat and removed the bones. We then had chicken tacos for lunch, while the stock was processing.
Today laundry is the list, as I've been gone most of the week for a variety of reasons. The wind is blowing strong and thankfully the clothes are drying ast. With all the windows and doors open in the house, it is pretty nice in the house..
Many may not consider me a hard core "prepper", but that is okay. I don't spend 15 hours a day "prepping", because my lifestyle is one of being self reliant. I believe by being self reliant on a regular day-to-day basis I won't have to worry "much" if (when) something more severe takes place.
I can't afford all the bells and whistles, but you know, they aren't necessary. My ancestors survived without them and I can to. It is made easier by a spouse that can do things I can't, and that I can learn from. I may never have the physical strength, but I have the intellect and determination to get things done in a workable fashion, thought it may not be pretty.
We concentrate on food, water, shelter and defense. Everything else is extra and a nice to have, and once the core areas are under control, we can re-direct focus to a new area.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Life on the farm has been super busy. Work in the garden has moved to a daily basis to combat weeds and pests. My tomato plants are producing tomatoes, but the plants themselves haven't grown very big. Very perplexing. I also have bottom rot on a few tomatoes. Have to figure that issue out and take care of it - now!
Our pig Charlotte, the one we were planning on butchering, was killed by two of our dogs. It was very sad and upsetting for us all, and the loss of the meat will definitely be felt. The other gilt (Fern) will be used for breeding, and I am praying all goes well with her and Wilbur (our young boar).
PH has been working on installing a second zip line. This one about 300 feet long, instead of 60 feet like the other. He is enjoying taking a break from the house, while we wait for our roofing order to arrive. We have the electrical wiring and circuit breaker box, and he will start on the small amount of wiring we are doing, while waiting for the metal roofing sheets to get here.
I ordered 10 Standard Bronze Turkeys (the heritage breed ones), and purchased 10 Plymoth Rock chicks. Next on the list are more chicks to raise for egg layers and quail. We are very intent on providing/raising the major portion of our food (meat and produce). Also, bought five Freedom Ranger roosters from a friend who had 40 and was trying to get rid of some of them. They are currently in the chicken tractor awaiting time to butcher.
Due to high thefts in the area, we are taking extra precautions to secure our property. Personally, I know many people who have been the victims of home invasions, theft of electronics, fuel, vehicles, livestock and more.
In preparation for additional severe weather and other emergencies I recently purchased candles that were 75% off at Dollar General, plus a case of water, a case of canning jars and a box of new lids. The kids and I have been organizing the pantry, and dividing like items into rubber maid totes and 5 gallon buckets with lids. For example: First Aid Supplies, Lightening related items (flash lights, mini lamps, matches, lighters, oil lamp wicks, etc.) and more.
We have been plugging away at school work and visiting with our homeschooling friends during the week. We have had several park days and we have field trips planned. The girls have also been working around the farm, with PD#1 working with the horses to learn barrel racing.
Oh! I celebrated my 43rd birthday on the 23rd. I can hardly believe it, life sure goes by fast.
I've been collecting non electric versions of items, and setting up the flow of the house inside to maximize natural light, air flow and more.
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| PD#2 and PS#2 |
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| Cupcakes with Purple Peeps |
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| The Haul from the Egg Hunt and Pinata |
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| PS#2 and his candy - he didn't want his picture taken |
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