After much thought, we have decided to get rid of a large portion of our goat herd. Due to over grazing, the drought, cost of feed, and not enough money to cross fence properly it was time. We managed to sell about 20 of our goats for almost $2,000. We have taken some of this money and purchased our first bee hive and 3lbs of bees and a queen. I will be taking beekeeping classes before our hive arrives, and attending local meetings. We believe that this will help our land heal, while providing a few necessary resources we were lacking on the property. We have maintained a couple of goats to provide meat this year, plus a milking doe. We can keep these three in a pen, which will allow us to finally plant a large garden, and make the most use of our property.
My FIL will be over soon with his tractor to disc up a couple of acres for our garden and wheat field. Cannot wait!
The weather so far this year has been cold, and February has not hit us yet. Waiting for it to arrive this weekend, though not very cold. We need it colder to butcher the hogs, and the chickens. Plus, I need to purchase more broiler chicks. PH has split a lot of wood, and the stack is growing high! Very happy to see this, and feel truly blessed by the gift of all these downed trees.
The coyotes are out in abundance lately. Drives the dogs crazy!
I passed the test and am now a Ham Radio Operator! Yeah me! I had purchased a handheld ham radio last year, and have been studying. Praise God I passed! It was way easier than I thought. We also recently purchased a Uniden CB Radio to round out our communication desk. It has a better range than I thought.
Many people in our homesteading group are getting better prepared, though honestly I feel it is a total waste of money to try and re-create grid electricity. I tend to prepare for a total off grid, minimal electrical needs. I have kerosene lamps, battery operated lamps (recharged while driving the car), propane cookstove, wood stove, wood grill, smoker and fire pit. I have been working on the process for years, trying to refine it. Still have the wood heated water heater on PH's list. He is truly stoked about that one! LOL
We continue to harvest the wild edibles around us. PH and the kids recently filled the pick up truck bed with wild melons for the pigs. They love them. We also harvested mustang grapes, prickly pear fruit, nopales, abandoned orange trees on abandoned homesteads. There are many around here, which is kind of sad, but I do love abandoned houses for some reason.
Goals for 2015:
to obtain ham license - done
to purchase bee hive - done
to purchase Bison Pump for well
to can 1000 quarts of food by end of year
to purchase 100 gallons of fuel for storage
to purchase 55 gallons of kerosene
to attend 5 more births towards my midwife training
to continue herbal medical training
to plant and harvest wheat
That is about all I can think of right now. Everyone keep up the prepping, time is short, keep up the fight.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I pray everyone had a Merry Christmas! We hosted our annual Christmas Eve family gathering this year. It was a great time with family, especially all the food :) We had our traditional food of Lasagna, Salad, Bread, Cookies and Chocolate Cream Pie. Christmas Day was just us (PS#1 did join us too!) at home.
We continue to scale back our gift giving, with the intention to focus on why we celebrate Christmas. Each child received one gift from us (plus a few from family). PS#2 asked for a camo tarp and tent stakes. Pretty strange gift (I thought) for a 5 year old boy, but he is happy with it. He has made himself a camp site in the trees, complete with fire ring (we have used it twice to roast marshmallows), log stools, camp kitchen area, and a small, wood pile. He spends a lot of time in the tent, and has been upset that I won't sleep outside in the tent with him. I'd need a cot for that...I would hate to wake up with a rattle snake snuggled in the sleeping bag with me.
Gifts we received (not a totally prepper Christmas) were: Chromebook, Nintendo 3DS, gift cards to Home Depot and Olive Garden, ammunition, 2 cast iron pots, a knife, fire starter, knife sharpener, machete, a digital/wireless thermometer/weather station (part is outside, and the other sits inside), camo shirts and jacket for PD#1, sewing supplies, and crochet supplies. Hopefully, next year we can concentrate and focus on only useful items. That is the goal for next year. I did give two useful gifts 1) a gun cleaning kit and 2) a knife set.
The weather has been pretty chilly lately. Tonight it is 40, supposed to be in the mid 30's in the a.m. Rained early this a.m. until about noon. It was nice this p.m., sunny but a high of 48.
We have been focusing on cleaning, decluttering, organizing more, working on housing projects (sheet rock and paint), and keeping the land picked up. PH has been splitting lots of wood (we received six live oak trees from FIL).
I recently completed a one day herbal medicine class on Cold/Flu. Very interesting and informative. I am continuing my herbal medicine studies. I am going into my 9th year of study. I don't think I will ever be done learning about herbal remedies. In addition, I am still studying and looking for births to observe as part of my midwife training.
We will be working on the garden in the a.m., to get it cleaned up to plant in early February (at the latest). I am very thankful that PD#2 is an avid gardener. She knows my love for plants, and brought me back several plant pieces (chocolate mint, garlic stalk, beautyberries) from a botanical walk in the gardens in town today. Very cool that she thought of me!
PH and I are still working towards our plans of getting bees this Spring. Hoping he gets the hive built soon, I need to place my bee order.
Hope everyone has a great, safe New Year celebration!
We continue to scale back our gift giving, with the intention to focus on why we celebrate Christmas. Each child received one gift from us (plus a few from family). PS#2 asked for a camo tarp and tent stakes. Pretty strange gift (I thought) for a 5 year old boy, but he is happy with it. He has made himself a camp site in the trees, complete with fire ring (we have used it twice to roast marshmallows), log stools, camp kitchen area, and a small, wood pile. He spends a lot of time in the tent, and has been upset that I won't sleep outside in the tent with him. I'd need a cot for that...I would hate to wake up with a rattle snake snuggled in the sleeping bag with me.
Gifts we received (not a totally prepper Christmas) were: Chromebook, Nintendo 3DS, gift cards to Home Depot and Olive Garden, ammunition, 2 cast iron pots, a knife, fire starter, knife sharpener, machete, a digital/wireless thermometer/weather station (part is outside, and the other sits inside), camo shirts and jacket for PD#1, sewing supplies, and crochet supplies. Hopefully, next year we can concentrate and focus on only useful items. That is the goal for next year. I did give two useful gifts 1) a gun cleaning kit and 2) a knife set.
The weather has been pretty chilly lately. Tonight it is 40, supposed to be in the mid 30's in the a.m. Rained early this a.m. until about noon. It was nice this p.m., sunny but a high of 48.
We have been focusing on cleaning, decluttering, organizing more, working on housing projects (sheet rock and paint), and keeping the land picked up. PH has been splitting lots of wood (we received six live oak trees from FIL).
I recently completed a one day herbal medicine class on Cold/Flu. Very interesting and informative. I am continuing my herbal medicine studies. I am going into my 9th year of study. I don't think I will ever be done learning about herbal remedies. In addition, I am still studying and looking for births to observe as part of my midwife training.
We will be working on the garden in the a.m., to get it cleaned up to plant in early February (at the latest). I am very thankful that PD#2 is an avid gardener. She knows my love for plants, and brought me back several plant pieces (chocolate mint, garlic stalk, beautyberries) from a botanical walk in the gardens in town today. Very cool that she thought of me!
PH and I are still working towards our plans of getting bees this Spring. Hoping he gets the hive built soon, I need to place my bee order.
Hope everyone has a great, safe New Year celebration!
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Stoking up the Stove!
Happy Autumn! It has been a busy time for us, and this past weekend was even busier. First, we went out to my sister's house about an hour North of here to cut up and haul home a large Red Oak tree. The tree had fallen during a recent rain storm (5 inches of rain!). It won't be good for this year's wood, but next Winter we have a jump on our supply.
In addition, we have 200 bales of hale on the place for the livestock's Winter feed. So thankful to receive! This will be our last year to receive free hay. We are still in the process of downsizing our herds (goats primarily), so hopefully next year we won't need quite so much hay. Building the bee hives is next on PH list, as we "plan" to order bees in the Spring. I've even joined a local Bee Keeping group!
The weather this week is COLD! It was 33 degrees this morning, and overcast (looks like snow to me). The high today was 44. My feet never warmed up. Tomorrow I will wear socks to work FOR SURE!
The forecast for the rest of the week is cold as well, with small light showers. The low will be 28 on Friday! Yikes! I have all the blankets washed, Winter curtains on most of the windows. Next, we will have to get the animals fixed up for colder weather.
We are in the process of painting the kitchen, and installing the stone/tile behind the wood stove.
We will be having a lot of company this holiday season so want to at least have the mini Great Room complete as possible. The front room is all living room/kitchen and the first thing you see when you walk into the house. We will be hosting our home school Cookie Exchange, my family's Christmas Eve dinner, and PD#1 is currently in a courtship and her young man will be visiting with us for a week during December.
PD#1 had applied to the U.S. Air Force Academy, and was invited to come to a week of activities in October. So, we spent a week in Colorado learning about all the Academy has to offer. PD#1 has decided the USAFA is NOT for her. I can't say that I am upset about that, but I am glad she found out about it now. We are crossing things off the "list" left and right. So far, she has completed the ground school for being a Pilot, but decided she preferred to be a passenger in the plane, and not the pilot. Now, she is finishing up competing with CyberPatriot, but has decided cyber security is not for her. She is back to her original plan of going to farrier school when she graduates next year. I am getting dizzy with all these plan changes.
She also was able to staff a recent Civil Air Patrol - Airman Leadership School where she served as First Sergeant. In addition, she attended SNCOA (Senior Non Commissioned Officer) training, and is working on studying to take her officer examination. She is hoping to be promoted to 2Lt in January. So, along with her regular schoolwork, CAP training and staffing, promotion studying she will be taking the SAT in December. Very busy times!
PD#2 is excelling quite nicely in her piano lessons. She looks so little sitting at the piano, but she is a wonderful pianist. I am very proud of her progress. She is currently learning Pachelbel's Canon in D, and so far so good! Below is a picture taken at a recent home school field trip to Washington-on-the-Brazos. Pretty cool place. I recommend that everyone go, at least once. :) **FYI the PF stands for Prairie Friend.
PS#1 now has a full time job that he loves (going on 3 months now), and was recently promoted. We are very proud of him as well, and excited in his new found financial independence.
PS#2 plugging away at his kindergarten work and is a feisty little guy. Loves rocks, paper airplanes and knives. Definitely ALL boy.
Off to make dinner, bring in the fire wood, and plan our chicken/pig butchering - scheduled for Saturday.
Good night and stay warm!
In addition, we have 200 bales of hale on the place for the livestock's Winter feed. So thankful to receive! This will be our last year to receive free hay. We are still in the process of downsizing our herds (goats primarily), so hopefully next year we won't need quite so much hay. Building the bee hives is next on PH list, as we "plan" to order bees in the Spring. I've even joined a local Bee Keeping group!
The weather this week is COLD! It was 33 degrees this morning, and overcast (looks like snow to me). The high today was 44. My feet never warmed up. Tomorrow I will wear socks to work FOR SURE!
The forecast for the rest of the week is cold as well, with small light showers. The low will be 28 on Friday! Yikes! I have all the blankets washed, Winter curtains on most of the windows. Next, we will have to get the animals fixed up for colder weather.
We are in the process of painting the kitchen, and installing the stone/tile behind the wood stove.
We will be having a lot of company this holiday season so want to at least have the mini Great Room complete as possible. The front room is all living room/kitchen and the first thing you see when you walk into the house. We will be hosting our home school Cookie Exchange, my family's Christmas Eve dinner, and PD#1 is currently in a courtship and her young man will be visiting with us for a week during December.
PD#1 had applied to the U.S. Air Force Academy, and was invited to come to a week of activities in October. So, we spent a week in Colorado learning about all the Academy has to offer. PD#1 has decided the USAFA is NOT for her. I can't say that I am upset about that, but I am glad she found out about it now. We are crossing things off the "list" left and right. So far, she has completed the ground school for being a Pilot, but decided she preferred to be a passenger in the plane, and not the pilot. Now, she is finishing up competing with CyberPatriot, but has decided cyber security is not for her. She is back to her original plan of going to farrier school when she graduates next year. I am getting dizzy with all these plan changes.
She also was able to staff a recent Civil Air Patrol - Airman Leadership School where she served as First Sergeant. In addition, she attended SNCOA (Senior Non Commissioned Officer) training, and is working on studying to take her officer examination. She is hoping to be promoted to 2Lt in January. So, along with her regular schoolwork, CAP training and staffing, promotion studying she will be taking the SAT in December. Very busy times!
PD#2 is excelling quite nicely in her piano lessons. She looks so little sitting at the piano, but she is a wonderful pianist. I am very proud of her progress. She is currently learning Pachelbel's Canon in D, and so far so good! Below is a picture taken at a recent home school field trip to Washington-on-the-Brazos. Pretty cool place. I recommend that everyone go, at least once. :) **FYI the PF stands for Prairie Friend.
 | ||
| PF#1, PD#1, PD#2, PF#1 |
PS#1 now has a full time job that he loves (going on 3 months now), and was recently promoted. We are very proud of him as well, and excited in his new found financial independence.
PS#2 plugging away at his kindergarten work and is a feisty little guy. Loves rocks, paper airplanes and knives. Definitely ALL boy.
Off to make dinner, bring in the fire wood, and plan our chicken/pig butchering - scheduled for Saturday.
Good night and stay warm!
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Heading into Harvest Time
It's that time of year again. With temperatures in the high 90s and 100s, everything is looking a little crispy. We haven't had significant rain in a couple of months, and we are at the point of needing rain now, or purchasing hay for the animals.
We have lost three goats recently. One got his horn hung and we didn't find him in time, the other had liver flukes and the other I feel was due to the heat. Not sure. We are thinking of downgrading our goat herd. I want to keep a small herd on hand for ag exemption purposes. Here is my break down: I need 10 acres covered in "something":
2 cows = covers 2 acres
10 goats = 5 acres
4 beehives = 3 acres
2 pigs = extra
So we are good to go..The guidelines are 1 cow per 1 acre, 2 goats for 1 acre, and 6 hives for 5 acres (we will work on 4 hives for the Spring). I think cutting our goat herd in half with help with the wear and tear on the land, and cut down on the hay bill.
We will be butchering at the first cold spell two pigs and 20 chickens. It would be nice to do a couple of goats as well, but we will see what PH thinks.
The 2nd floor bedrooms and loft have been insulated, and it is greatly helping with the heat. It should also help with the heat in the Winter too. Cannot wait for a little cooler temps. Not freezing ones, just a tad more bearable. We need to get outside and get the land cleaned up, and get our wood stacked. It has been too hot lately to work outside.
Here are a couple pictures of our butchering this past Spring.
We were fortunate to be blessed with 4 large bags of jalapenos, serranos and banana peppers. I made salsa and then pickled the rest. The salsa came out EXCELLENT and the best I have ever made. Unfortunately, I did not use a recipe this year (I couldn't find my canning book) so I just winged it. I cannot now replicate this masterpiece called Salsa. It is sad day in South TEXAS. I also made 14 quarts of Kosher Dill Spears. We bought a large crate of cucumbers from a local farmer.
We have lost three goats recently. One got his horn hung and we didn't find him in time, the other had liver flukes and the other I feel was due to the heat. Not sure. We are thinking of downgrading our goat herd. I want to keep a small herd on hand for ag exemption purposes. Here is my break down: I need 10 acres covered in "something":
2 cows = covers 2 acres
10 goats = 5 acres
4 beehives = 3 acres
2 pigs = extra
So we are good to go..The guidelines are 1 cow per 1 acre, 2 goats for 1 acre, and 6 hives for 5 acres (we will work on 4 hives for the Spring). I think cutting our goat herd in half with help with the wear and tear on the land, and cut down on the hay bill.
We will be butchering at the first cold spell two pigs and 20 chickens. It would be nice to do a couple of goats as well, but we will see what PH thinks.
The 2nd floor bedrooms and loft have been insulated, and it is greatly helping with the heat. It should also help with the heat in the Winter too. Cannot wait for a little cooler temps. Not freezing ones, just a tad more bearable. We need to get outside and get the land cleaned up, and get our wood stacked. It has been too hot lately to work outside.
Here are a couple pictures of our butchering this past Spring.
We were fortunate to be blessed with 4 large bags of jalapenos, serranos and banana peppers. I made salsa and then pickled the rest. The salsa came out EXCELLENT and the best I have ever made. Unfortunately, I did not use a recipe this year (I couldn't find my canning book) so I just winged it. I cannot now replicate this masterpiece called Salsa. It is sad day in South TEXAS. I also made 14 quarts of Kosher Dill Spears. We bought a large crate of cucumbers from a local farmer.
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Ponderings....
Spoiler alert! I am about to wax political,philosophical and recall moments from my past.
Less anyone think I am too satisfied with the status quo in this "country" or am a doing nothing Patriot, I'd like to interject a note of rebellion in today's post.
I would love to say I am a die-hard American, but I am unsure if that is true anymore. I love the idea of what America used to stand for, but am heartbroken over the lack of "good" morals, values, respect, sense of responsibility, and downright lack of decency that abounds in today's society.
Twenty-five years ago we decided to raise our new family in a small, rural, South Texas town. We firmly believed that small town values with that Mayberry mentality would be a great way to raise a family. It happened somewhat, but the degradation that is today's social mores have ventured even out here.
Last week, an 80 year old man was robbed, beaten, killed and his body tossed into a ditch not far from our home. Seriously!? I didn't know this man, but my heart hurts for the pain he endured, and his family endures now. I am also angry that someone felt that they had the right to commit this crime. Sin abounds, even in a small town.
I don't feel old, but when I think of those days growing up in the early 70s on the East Coast, and remember how wonderful it was to be able to play in the woods all day with my friends, and to remember we didn't worry about our safety at all, I think too many years have passed.
The country I was raised to love is virtually gone. The excitement, and feelings of patriotism as I stood and watched the Bicentennial Parade in downtown D.C. have been replaced by feelings of sorrow, and a burgeoning pride that I am fortunate to live in TEXAS. TEXAS has her issues, but is (for the moment) way better than the lie that is PAX AMERICANUS.
The fear and uncertainty that I face daily, is held at bay through my reading the Word of God, and in daily communication with the Lord. Without Him, and His ever abiding presence to remind me that HE is in charge, I would be a wreck.
The conflicting emotions I have for America, are even more at the fore front of our lives, as we prayerfully consider the best course of action PD#1 should take with her life. She will be graduating in the next 1 to 2 years from our home school (depends on how she applies herself), but she has been offered the opportunity to apply to the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory school. The preparatory school is a 10 month program, culminating in 95% of attendees being offered slot to the U.S. Air Force Academy. We are in the beginnings of researching and reading information on eligibility requirements, as well as, trying to decide if we want her to do this...we really do not advocate the military for our daughters, but if God is opening this door for her, there must be a reason. We will be praying and seeking His guidance in this matter.
I am not really sure my personal feelings support her going. The concern of being involved in any way with the U.S. Government is not something to take lightly, nor do I want to be lulled into the perceived "prestige" of such an undertaking.
On a positive note PD#1 was recently promoted to Cadet SMSgt in Civil Air Patrol, and is currently studying for her Chief's test. After that she will be studying to take the Officer's test (2nd Lt). She is really motivated and loves Civil Air Patrol. We work at supporting her interest in Civil Air Patrol, and are happy to glean the positive aspects of this program.
Okay, time for bed. More on this subject later.
Less anyone think I am too satisfied with the status quo in this "country" or am a doing nothing Patriot, I'd like to interject a note of rebellion in today's post.
I would love to say I am a die-hard American, but I am unsure if that is true anymore. I love the idea of what America used to stand for, but am heartbroken over the lack of "good" morals, values, respect, sense of responsibility, and downright lack of decency that abounds in today's society.
Twenty-five years ago we decided to raise our new family in a small, rural, South Texas town. We firmly believed that small town values with that Mayberry mentality would be a great way to raise a family. It happened somewhat, but the degradation that is today's social mores have ventured even out here.
Last week, an 80 year old man was robbed, beaten, killed and his body tossed into a ditch not far from our home. Seriously!? I didn't know this man, but my heart hurts for the pain he endured, and his family endures now. I am also angry that someone felt that they had the right to commit this crime. Sin abounds, even in a small town.
I don't feel old, but when I think of those days growing up in the early 70s on the East Coast, and remember how wonderful it was to be able to play in the woods all day with my friends, and to remember we didn't worry about our safety at all, I think too many years have passed.
The country I was raised to love is virtually gone. The excitement, and feelings of patriotism as I stood and watched the Bicentennial Parade in downtown D.C. have been replaced by feelings of sorrow, and a burgeoning pride that I am fortunate to live in TEXAS. TEXAS has her issues, but is (for the moment) way better than the lie that is PAX AMERICANUS.
The fear and uncertainty that I face daily, is held at bay through my reading the Word of God, and in daily communication with the Lord. Without Him, and His ever abiding presence to remind me that HE is in charge, I would be a wreck.
The conflicting emotions I have for America, are even more at the fore front of our lives, as we prayerfully consider the best course of action PD#1 should take with her life. She will be graduating in the next 1 to 2 years from our home school (depends on how she applies herself), but she has been offered the opportunity to apply to the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory school. The preparatory school is a 10 month program, culminating in 95% of attendees being offered slot to the U.S. Air Force Academy. We are in the beginnings of researching and reading information on eligibility requirements, as well as, trying to decide if we want her to do this...we really do not advocate the military for our daughters, but if God is opening this door for her, there must be a reason. We will be praying and seeking His guidance in this matter.
I am not really sure my personal feelings support her going. The concern of being involved in any way with the U.S. Government is not something to take lightly, nor do I want to be lulled into the perceived "prestige" of such an undertaking.
On a positive note PD#1 was recently promoted to Cadet SMSgt in Civil Air Patrol, and is currently studying for her Chief's test. After that she will be studying to take the Officer's test (2nd Lt). She is really motivated and loves Civil Air Patrol. We work at supporting her interest in Civil Air Patrol, and are happy to glean the positive aspects of this program.
Okay, time for bed. More on this subject later.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Happy Independence Day 2014!
Well, here we are at another 4th of July. Time sure goes by fast. The weather lately has been pretty mild for South Texas in the Summer. Low 90's, with only a couple of days of higher temps. We had a lot of rain the past month too, 10+ inches. The pond is full, and everything is wonderfully green.
No garden this year for us, we are way too busy. Concentrating on downsizing our goat herd, and increasing our cattle numbers. Also, in the plans is getting a bee hive (box) set up, learning more about bees, and getting ready to install them next Spring. Thankfully, I will have some help from a friend's husband (they are local, yeah!) for some advice and help.
I have also been studying my midwifery info, observing prenatal appointments with a licensed midwife, and basically learning all I can. After attending the midwife seminar a couple of months ago (it was a two-day course) I have my emergency bag packed and ready for use (if needed).
Canning will be starting this weekend. I have an abundance of jalapeno, Serrano and banana peppers from a co-worker. I will be pickling them, and making salsa. Prickly pear tunas aren't ready yet, but the Wild Mustang Grapes should be ready anytime now (usually by the end of July), along with the pears.
We have 15 Freedom Ranger broilers should be ready to butcher the end of this month (we'll see how they look). The quail aren't laying in the heat, and I am getting one egg a day from the three hens that we have. I have four more coming up (4 months old), but it sure is hard re-building a flock after they are virtually decimated. I have three roosters though, two may get butchered along with the Freedom Rangers.
Taking an inventory of what needs to be done around the place. I am going to list it here, so I won't forget.
1) haul downed trees to wood pile
2) chop wood and stack to dry
3) finish all laundry
4) fix clothes line
5) put additional rain catchment gutters up and install barrels/containers
6) clean wood stove & chimney
7) order new filters for Berkey
8) clean out back room of container
9) install new shelving in container
10) organize storage items (old clothes, canning jars, starter kits, sewing notions, etc.)
11) clean up trash around land
12) remove trash from pond (blew in during storm)
13) clean out fire pit
14) clean out barn for new hay
15) put hog cage up at trap door in rear fence
16) build berm to retain water run-off from pond
17) fix South Pasture fence
18) enlarge garden
19) plant pumpkins
20) plant wheat
Here are some pictures from around the farm:
No garden this year for us, we are way too busy. Concentrating on downsizing our goat herd, and increasing our cattle numbers. Also, in the plans is getting a bee hive (box) set up, learning more about bees, and getting ready to install them next Spring. Thankfully, I will have some help from a friend's husband (they are local, yeah!) for some advice and help.
I have also been studying my midwifery info, observing prenatal appointments with a licensed midwife, and basically learning all I can. After attending the midwife seminar a couple of months ago (it was a two-day course) I have my emergency bag packed and ready for use (if needed).
Canning will be starting this weekend. I have an abundance of jalapeno, Serrano and banana peppers from a co-worker. I will be pickling them, and making salsa. Prickly pear tunas aren't ready yet, but the Wild Mustang Grapes should be ready anytime now (usually by the end of July), along with the pears.
We have 15 Freedom Ranger broilers should be ready to butcher the end of this month (we'll see how they look). The quail aren't laying in the heat, and I am getting one egg a day from the three hens that we have. I have four more coming up (4 months old), but it sure is hard re-building a flock after they are virtually decimated. I have three roosters though, two may get butchered along with the Freedom Rangers.
Taking an inventory of what needs to be done around the place. I am going to list it here, so I won't forget.
1) haul downed trees to wood pile
2) chop wood and stack to dry
3) finish all laundry
4) fix clothes line
5) put additional rain catchment gutters up and install barrels/containers
6) clean wood stove & chimney
7) order new filters for Berkey
8) clean out back room of container
9) install new shelving in container
10) organize storage items (old clothes, canning jars, starter kits, sewing notions, etc.)
11) clean up trash around land
12) remove trash from pond (blew in during storm)
13) clean out fire pit
14) clean out barn for new hay
15) put hog cage up at trap door in rear fence
16) build berm to retain water run-off from pond
17) fix South Pasture fence
18) enlarge garden
19) plant pumpkins
20) plant wheat
Here are some pictures from around the farm:
 |
| The Lone Star casts it's light |
 |
| Mariama and last year's babies |
 |
| Papa Bunny (Edmund) |
 |
| New baby bunnies! |
 |
| Nibbles (Guinea Pig) |
 |
| Our new critter cage - a refurbished shelving unit |
 |
| PS#2 (Age 5 years) |
Friday, May 9, 2014
Spring 2014
I don't get to write here like I used to..life on the farm keeps us pretty busy. We have had a good crop of babies born this year - goats, chicks, ducklings though no piglets :(
We butchered our broilers last weekend. A local friend lent us their EZ Plucker, and it was so much faster and nicer than doing so by hand. I have another batch of Freedom Ranger chicks in the chicken tractor. It will be a couple of more months until they are ready to butcher. The Franken Chicken (Cornish Cross) grows faster. I have always been put off by them, but we were given a bunch for free from the SA Rodeo this year. They are freaky to look at, but PH said the taste is much better than the other two types we have raised before (Black Broilers and Freedom Rangers). I guess after this batch of Freedom Rangers we will determine if we will stick with the Cornish Cross from now on. I made fried chicken last night from one of them, and it was wonderful. PH was very pleased. Back to the plucking....I do like learning how to do things without power, just in case I am ever in a situation where I will need to do so. But once I learn a "powered down" skill, I am okay with using electricity. I'd borrow the plucker again, though we are considering getting our own. We'll see.
It costs me a total of $250 in feed, though I am subtracting half of that amount, because I was feeding the Freedom Rangers at the same time. So, that is $125 dollars divided by 15 chickens for a total cost of $8.33 per chicken (not counting labor-I don't include that, because, well I am at home anyway). I used to pay $15.00 plus for an organic chicken bought either at Whole Foods or from a local provider. So, If I had bought 15 chickens at $15 each that would be $225 dollars, so I saved myself $100. PH is all about the cost savings, but I am about the cleaner food for my family. I don't raise animals to be cost effective. I do try to have most of my animals free range, but raising Cornish Cross meat chickens isn't really conducive to free ranging. Maybe in a time of necessity, I'd have to do something different. The Freedom Rangers are great at foraging, but allowing to free-range causes them to build up muscle, which makes their meat TOUGH. The plan this time around is to keep them in the large coop, to see if it makes a difference in the meat. If not, we'll do something different next time.
A friend and I go back and forth about grid electricity and what it means to be "off grid". It means different things to different people. For me, it means no electricity at all, not even solar panels or batteries. I gear my homestead to run without power during an emergency. We have lots of those lately. From wild fires, to tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, having the ability to cook, heat our house and to SEE when the power is out is very beneficial. Now my friend wants to have all her electrical conveniences that grid power provides, so she and her husband concentrate on battery packs, solar power, wind turbines, etc. I don't have the funds for that, so my money goes into food production/storage.
The chicken coop has been completed, and while it wasn't my original plan, it keeps my chickens/ducks safe from being eaten by the pigs. To date I have lost over one hundred chickens/ducks to the pigs. Once we butcher these last few, we are out of the pig business. I really like pigs, and they provide a lot of meat for the cost of raising, but my chickens are more important to me.
The quail are in their own cages, hung on the wall in the chicken coop. I have seven quail (5 females, 2 males). I rotate the males from cage to cage. I'll try and get PD#1 to take a picture for me to post.
We have seven ducks left. Four males and three females. One of the females is currently sitting on a nest, so hopefully we will have a couple of ducklings waddling around soon.
The weather has been warming up, though the evenings are nice. This greatly helps with cooling the place down. We are trying to not turn on the AC yet until it reaches at least 100. We have only had one day of that so far. We did receive a good amount of rain about a month ago. A total of three inches. Our pond was totally dry, and was then full. Praise God! I was so excited to have a full pond again. It is going down again, what with the animals drinking out of it and evaporation, but I am thankful for every little blessing.
Our well went dry, or too low for the pump to suck up water. We were without water for almost 2 weeks until we had the county water supply line installed. A great lesson in learning where to get water, how to haul it, and how much you really need to use in a day. PH is now in the process of pulling out the pipe and pump from the well to see if the side walls have collapsed, or what is going on with it. The pump itself is good, but only sucking up sandy bits of water. This is really a stressful situation for us. I loved having an independent water source, but this drought is taking it's toll. We are in the process of gathering the materials to install water catchment on the house. Not 55 barrels but a large 1500 tank. We need to head into town to pick up the tank. PH thinks it is silly to put water catchment on a house in South TX when it rarely rains. I have insisted, telling him that it makes even more sense to be able to catch whatever rain we do receive. I really try not to insist on having my way, but when it comes to having water, it is important. So, the topic has been a "pit bull" issue (meaning I have my teeth in it and won't give up). By not having something in place NOW, we are wasting and losing a wonderful opportunity to store drinking water for ourselves. We already have a system on the barn to help water the animals when the pond has gone dry. It is supposed to rain the next couple of days, and I am frustrated that it isn't in place already, but I am on PH time schedule.
Due to the drought and a shortage of water, we are not planting a garden this year. I am depending on friends and family who are better gardeners, and know how to get the most with less water. I am a horrible gardener, and have resorted to gifts, purchasing from the produce dept in the nearest Metro area, and harvesting wild edibles (melons, grapes, blackberries, nopales, prickly pear fruit, Algerita berries, Mesquite beans, grape leaves, wild-crafted herbs for tea and medicinals). There are also several abandoned homesteads with orange and pear trees that we have been able to pick from. Also, a few trees on State and water company's property that we have been given permission to pick.
Work has ground to a halt on the house. It is a busy time outside, and with work. I am still working at the library part-time. PH and I are also in the process of starting out own business, which will hopefully be productive in a year or so, when his job moves to Ohio. The plan is to work part time on the business, and then to slowly transition full time into the business. Praying it provides enough security for us to live off. Thankfully, we have greatly down-sized our needs, and have little debt. We aren't looking to get rich, but to provide a reasonable income for our family. I am in the process of completing all the start up paperwork, meeting with a CPA, and registering to be able for us to bid on projects for county, city and state projects. I am attending training and networking seminars, and finding out what there is out there for a majority, Woman-owned business. I will be doing the office work (along with PD#1) and leave the technical, complex aspects of the business to PH's expertise and experience. I really wanted it to be our business, but there are more bid opportunities for a Woman-owned business it seems, or a minority-owned business. PH doesn't have a tribal, registration number and has never been interested in applying, so this is the best route at this time. I am very happy that PH has decided he is ready to branch out on his own, business-wise. This is another step in being more self-sufficient/reliant. (Yes, you depend on customers, but not worrying about getting fired.)
PH finished the bathroom. We are very happy. We also have begun the work of clearing out the shipping container that we lived in for four years. We have been so busy, and did not have the time to devote to it, but it has been our focus lately. PH was given several large, metal, shelving units. These are about 6 feet tall and total 21 feet in length, so almost half of the container's length. PH is taking over the front half of the container for his tools/work area (thought leaving the galley kitchen for me to use as my canning kitchen/emergency food prep area. The container is also our storm shelter.) The bathroom is still in place, and I will be using the shelves in there to house my toiletry storage (soap, t.p., etc). The back bedroom is now the family storage room. I have my food storage area, clothing storage in rubber totes (I try to keep a few articles in each size/gender, plus shoes for each family member), plus Christmas decorations, a sewing area set up with my treadle sewing machine, the bookcase with homeschooling curriculum. The loft will be cleaned up and a mattress placed up there to be a sleeping space for guests (in the event of an emergency).
Hope everyone is doing well. Keeping plugging away caring for your families. Keep your eyes open, and be ready for whatever lies ahead.
Paratus Familia!
We butchered our broilers last weekend. A local friend lent us their EZ Plucker, and it was so much faster and nicer than doing so by hand. I have another batch of Freedom Ranger chicks in the chicken tractor. It will be a couple of more months until they are ready to butcher. The Franken Chicken (Cornish Cross) grows faster. I have always been put off by them, but we were given a bunch for free from the SA Rodeo this year. They are freaky to look at, but PH said the taste is much better than the other two types we have raised before (Black Broilers and Freedom Rangers). I guess after this batch of Freedom Rangers we will determine if we will stick with the Cornish Cross from now on. I made fried chicken last night from one of them, and it was wonderful. PH was very pleased. Back to the plucking....I do like learning how to do things without power, just in case I am ever in a situation where I will need to do so. But once I learn a "powered down" skill, I am okay with using electricity. I'd borrow the plucker again, though we are considering getting our own. We'll see.
It costs me a total of $250 in feed, though I am subtracting half of that amount, because I was feeding the Freedom Rangers at the same time. So, that is $125 dollars divided by 15 chickens for a total cost of $8.33 per chicken (not counting labor-I don't include that, because, well I am at home anyway). I used to pay $15.00 plus for an organic chicken bought either at Whole Foods or from a local provider. So, If I had bought 15 chickens at $15 each that would be $225 dollars, so I saved myself $100. PH is all about the cost savings, but I am about the cleaner food for my family. I don't raise animals to be cost effective. I do try to have most of my animals free range, but raising Cornish Cross meat chickens isn't really conducive to free ranging. Maybe in a time of necessity, I'd have to do something different. The Freedom Rangers are great at foraging, but allowing to free-range causes them to build up muscle, which makes their meat TOUGH. The plan this time around is to keep them in the large coop, to see if it makes a difference in the meat. If not, we'll do something different next time.
A friend and I go back and forth about grid electricity and what it means to be "off grid". It means different things to different people. For me, it means no electricity at all, not even solar panels or batteries. I gear my homestead to run without power during an emergency. We have lots of those lately. From wild fires, to tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, having the ability to cook, heat our house and to SEE when the power is out is very beneficial. Now my friend wants to have all her electrical conveniences that grid power provides, so she and her husband concentrate on battery packs, solar power, wind turbines, etc. I don't have the funds for that, so my money goes into food production/storage.
The chicken coop has been completed, and while it wasn't my original plan, it keeps my chickens/ducks safe from being eaten by the pigs. To date I have lost over one hundred chickens/ducks to the pigs. Once we butcher these last few, we are out of the pig business. I really like pigs, and they provide a lot of meat for the cost of raising, but my chickens are more important to me.
The quail are in their own cages, hung on the wall in the chicken coop. I have seven quail (5 females, 2 males). I rotate the males from cage to cage. I'll try and get PD#1 to take a picture for me to post.
We have seven ducks left. Four males and three females. One of the females is currently sitting on a nest, so hopefully we will have a couple of ducklings waddling around soon.
The weather has been warming up, though the evenings are nice. This greatly helps with cooling the place down. We are trying to not turn on the AC yet until it reaches at least 100. We have only had one day of that so far. We did receive a good amount of rain about a month ago. A total of three inches. Our pond was totally dry, and was then full. Praise God! I was so excited to have a full pond again. It is going down again, what with the animals drinking out of it and evaporation, but I am thankful for every little blessing.
Our well went dry, or too low for the pump to suck up water. We were without water for almost 2 weeks until we had the county water supply line installed. A great lesson in learning where to get water, how to haul it, and how much you really need to use in a day. PH is now in the process of pulling out the pipe and pump from the well to see if the side walls have collapsed, or what is going on with it. The pump itself is good, but only sucking up sandy bits of water. This is really a stressful situation for us. I loved having an independent water source, but this drought is taking it's toll. We are in the process of gathering the materials to install water catchment on the house. Not 55 barrels but a large 1500 tank. We need to head into town to pick up the tank. PH thinks it is silly to put water catchment on a house in South TX when it rarely rains. I have insisted, telling him that it makes even more sense to be able to catch whatever rain we do receive. I really try not to insist on having my way, but when it comes to having water, it is important. So, the topic has been a "pit bull" issue (meaning I have my teeth in it and won't give up). By not having something in place NOW, we are wasting and losing a wonderful opportunity to store drinking water for ourselves. We already have a system on the barn to help water the animals when the pond has gone dry. It is supposed to rain the next couple of days, and I am frustrated that it isn't in place already, but I am on PH time schedule.
Due to the drought and a shortage of water, we are not planting a garden this year. I am depending on friends and family who are better gardeners, and know how to get the most with less water. I am a horrible gardener, and have resorted to gifts, purchasing from the produce dept in the nearest Metro area, and harvesting wild edibles (melons, grapes, blackberries, nopales, prickly pear fruit, Algerita berries, Mesquite beans, grape leaves, wild-crafted herbs for tea and medicinals). There are also several abandoned homesteads with orange and pear trees that we have been able to pick from. Also, a few trees on State and water company's property that we have been given permission to pick.
Work has ground to a halt on the house. It is a busy time outside, and with work. I am still working at the library part-time. PH and I are also in the process of starting out own business, which will hopefully be productive in a year or so, when his job moves to Ohio. The plan is to work part time on the business, and then to slowly transition full time into the business. Praying it provides enough security for us to live off. Thankfully, we have greatly down-sized our needs, and have little debt. We aren't looking to get rich, but to provide a reasonable income for our family. I am in the process of completing all the start up paperwork, meeting with a CPA, and registering to be able for us to bid on projects for county, city and state projects. I am attending training and networking seminars, and finding out what there is out there for a majority, Woman-owned business. I will be doing the office work (along with PD#1) and leave the technical, complex aspects of the business to PH's expertise and experience. I really wanted it to be our business, but there are more bid opportunities for a Woman-owned business it seems, or a minority-owned business. PH doesn't have a tribal, registration number and has never been interested in applying, so this is the best route at this time. I am very happy that PH has decided he is ready to branch out on his own, business-wise. This is another step in being more self-sufficient/reliant. (Yes, you depend on customers, but not worrying about getting fired.)
PH finished the bathroom. We are very happy. We also have begun the work of clearing out the shipping container that we lived in for four years. We have been so busy, and did not have the time to devote to it, but it has been our focus lately. PH was given several large, metal, shelving units. These are about 6 feet tall and total 21 feet in length, so almost half of the container's length. PH is taking over the front half of the container for his tools/work area (thought leaving the galley kitchen for me to use as my canning kitchen/emergency food prep area. The container is also our storm shelter.) The bathroom is still in place, and I will be using the shelves in there to house my toiletry storage (soap, t.p., etc). The back bedroom is now the family storage room. I have my food storage area, clothing storage in rubber totes (I try to keep a few articles in each size/gender, plus shoes for each family member), plus Christmas decorations, a sewing area set up with my treadle sewing machine, the bookcase with homeschooling curriculum. The loft will be cleaned up and a mattress placed up there to be a sleeping space for guests (in the event of an emergency).
Hope everyone is doing well. Keeping plugging away caring for your families. Keep your eyes open, and be ready for whatever lies ahead.
Paratus Familia!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)