Record Low Temps ~ Dehydrating Garlic

Last night, we hit an all time record low.  When Hubby called me from work about 7pm, it was already -17°F (actual temperature), with a wind chill of lower than -35°F.  The dogs are not taking the cold well at all.  My son said their legs start shaking after a few minutes outside to do their business.  Some times they won't even go, and he'll have to go out again.   It's too early to tell how the barn animals handled it.  As soon as the sun is up, we plan to do a quick check on them all.

Reflections of 2013

 

I enjoy reflecting on the previous year, as we bring in a new year.  So grab of cup of coffee, tea, or your favorite beverage, and join me.
 

Made my first hay net. 

Click on "read more" for more reflections in no particular order, and definitely not all of them. . .

36 Hours ~ Power is Back On

On Wednesday, we had the worst storm we have had since we've lived here.  The winds were absolutely terrible.  Our electrical service district, along with one other, were the worst hit in the area. I texted my mother and she was also about to head under her house for this storm. It was was that bad.  

Roasted Rabbit ~ Keeping Letter Writing Alive

Hubby and I located a son/father business, who basically raise animals for 4-H and so forth.  However, we were given their business card, because they sell a natural feed for both chickens and goats.  He picks up the feed about a little over an hour from here, and sells it to folks from his house.

from the Homesteading Journal . . .

....planted a Colorado Blue Spruce seedling, purchased cumin seeds to grow again, and planted two new apple trees.

...planted more lettuce, radishes, beets, carrots, Swiss chard, and spinach.  Rain is coming so we will till and plant more after that.

...planted several zinnia seeds.

Excerpts From a Journal Junkie

from the homesteading journal . . .

We started tilling up the garden.  Martha is getting a new look this year.  She's getting a new hat, shirt, apron, and even gloves this year.

 (First Day Home)

I picked up our new chicks.  We now have five baby araucanas.  They are so cute!

 I planted about 27 pounds of potatoes, and about 130 yellow onions.   Planted the peas and two types of heirloom lettuce also.
 

from the family journal . . .

 After buying my 10 year-old a new pair of dish gloves, she went bonkers and cleaned just about everything, including my master bathroom.

  She rolled up towels and washcloths and tied them with pretty purple yarn.  She made me a "room" key and left me a note on the bathroom sink.  


 I may have to keep extra pairs on hand (ha ha ha!).

 Another stray cat has found our home. 

After keeping him in a dog cage for a few hours, he decided we were not going to hurt him.  He is sticking around the barns now, and knows he won't be hurt here.  The kids have named him Tim.


He doesn't appear to be too old, but does appear to have a mangled tail.  He's very friendly.
 

from the crafting journal . . .

My 15 year-old daughter successfully made a batch of lavender goat's milk soap.  It will need to cure before we can sell it at the Farmer's Market.  We are thrilled it turned out so well.

 I'm working on getting note cards made for my store (see button on left side of my blog).  

 I have fun using an old vintage potato masher to create this scissor and tape holder.  If you click on my S.C.R.A.P. blog button (to the left on this blog) you will be directed on how I made it.





from the writing journal . . .

Started reviewing older articles to update. 


from the garden journal . . . 

 Planted 13 gladiolus. 


from the gratitude journal . . .

 Today I am thankful for:

~ the rain that helps our garden grow
~ hot water
~ pillows
~ hot coffee, especially on nights I didn't sleep well
~ the milk the goat's provide
~ the friend you helped me start my herb gardens over 10 years ago
~ Ball canning jars
~ my camera
~ God's Guidance
~ God's Promises

Porch Pals

Barn cats Sapphire and Aurora.  They join me at the porch every day.  If fact, if anyone is on the porch, they arrive in a few minutes to join.

Gus.  His favorite place is the rug on the front porch.  Here he's been drooling.  We were grilling out and having dinner on the porch.  

It's a Girl!

It's not an April Fool's joke either.  Around 3:00am Peanut gave birth to a healthy baby girl.

Peanut delivered without any problems.  She's such a good mother too.  My sleepy-eyed 10 year-old and I went out to greet her.  

She's black and white and her face has a tiny white dot on each cheek.  My 15 year-old is taking suggestions for a name.  Visit her blog to give her any names for this cutie:  Life as a Teen Farmgirl.

 

Excerpts from a Journal Junkie

from the Homesteading Journal. . .

We stocked up another truck load of hay for the goats. Speaking of goats, my 15 year-old said she could feel Peanut's baby kick.  She is due to kid in about May. 

(sorry for the bad photo - bad lighting)

I am trying my first batch of "budget" baking mix and we made Monster cookies.  They were pretty good too.

I've found another way to add kale to our meals - mix it in with garlic mashed potatoes. Note to self - plant more Kale in the garden this year.

I've also been looking for ways to utilize our stocked up blueberries and ricotta cheese.  Both are future goals for us - produce enough home grown, chemical free blueberries to stock up, and make homemade ricotta cheese from our own raw milk.  I've been adding both ingredients to pancakes and topping with a homemade honey syrup.  Every time I bought a bottle of pancake syrup (when real Maple syrup was too expensive), I would cringe.  To my surprise, the homemade honey syrup is delicious, healthy, affordable, and utilizes our raw honey we purchase locally.  Raising our own honey bees is on our future goal list also.


The kids cleaned their room, and one decided she did not want this pink vintage suitcase anymore.

I claimed it as mine.  It's too small to really pack clothes for a trip, but I could use it to store books or games for camping trips.  Possibly use it to store craft supplies.  Not sure yet.

My son invested in a charger to charge AA rechargeable batteries. Although electric, it should save us money on batteries when we need them.


We recently found out that we can dump our wood stove ashes directly to our garden.  We've been adding some to the compost, so it makes sense, and easier too.




from the craft journal. . .
  

(before framing)

I finished the shadow box that I was framing my Grandmother's 1924 Valentine in.  I quilled the top two corners and added a few quilled hearts around her photo.

I finished 3 pairs of dice earrings for my 10 year-old (who has been begging for a pair).  She saw them at Claire's (6 pairs for over $8.00).  I told her I could make them, and did for a lot less.  I purchased dice beads for $2.99 plus 30% off, and have more to make for all the girls.

I finished  three pairs of pink dice earrings I made from pieces of a broken, elastic kids hair band.

I also finished a few more bottle cap magnets.  The kids have been asking for more, to use in their school lockers. 

I also finished two other projects that can be read on my S.C.R.A.P. Blog:

 http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/2012/01/what-can-i-do-with-vintage-wooden.html

http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/2012/01/pin-cushions-using-kitchen-and-art.html

 from the family journal. . .

I surprised the kids with another "Punch Bowl" Friday punch and cookies.  I am working on more new family traditions.




from the gratitude journal. . .

Today I am thankful for:

1.Cartoons - they make me laugh.

2. my stove

3. Music

4. the extra drying racks that Mom gave me, I've been using them a lot this season

5. God's Promises
 


 

  

True Love on the Farm and More Projects

Jasper and Tiger were playing and fell asleep right afterwards.  Jasper is sleeping with his head directly on top of Tiger's head.  Both are sound asleep.  Awwww!

 My 15 year-old and her Billy goat.  It takes a lot of love to love a Billy goat.....

Good barn kitty!  This doesn't show the love that this cat has, but she is a wonderful mouser.  We have 3 barn cats and they are so loving to us.  They can kill a mouse one minute and curl up underneath our chins the next.  Aurora (pictured above) can purr very, very loud.  She's truly one of a kind.

If you've been following my blog, you know I've finished the egg beater rack, the strainer plant pot, the garden mushrooms, and the drapery ring ornaments.

You also know I still working away on the sherbet colored afghan, and a knitted block blanket.......well, guess what? 

I've added more "projects" to my list.  I have a wonderful idea for using yo-yo's for a few more Christmas ornaments.  I have an idea for something I haven't even found yet in thrift stores, and about 3-4 more gifting projects.  Crazy isn't it?!

I also have a beautiful Valentine's Day card from 1924.  My grandmother won it in a drawing contest at her school in the 6th grade. My wonderful Aunt mailed it to me.  I am working on what I am going to do with it.  I'll post that when I finish it too.