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! 

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!

PD#1's fair entries and ribbons

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. 

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.

Mariama and her twins

Artemis and her little one

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.

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.

PS#2 and his Blue Hand

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?

TEXAS Sunset

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!

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!

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.

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:

Boomer -a friend's donkey she entered in the local pet parade

Pudding - Nigerian Dwarf

Side view of porch

Front view of porch/steps

PS#2

Creek bed after the rain this week - received 1.5 inches

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 :)



Turkey poults in their turkey tractor

Cuties!

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.