From the Homesteading Journal . . .

. . . ordered 30 white rocks (for meat) and 6 more barred rocks (layers).

. . . my daughter finished the gate on the goat's "birthing" stall, and sold both bucklings already.

. . . put the seed potatoes in a single layer in front of the corn/pellet burner to encourage the eyes to produce sooner.  

. . .Hubby picked up 1 1/2 tons of stone (cost us $20.00) to upgrade the driveway.  He also had a neighbor drag the driveway (pulling a piece of equipment behind his tractor) to smooth out all the dips made over winter.

. . .finishing painting the kitchen cupboards (yahooooo!) today.  We just need to install knobs on the upper cabinets.

. . .started the process to locate someone, and tear down one barn.

. . .my 16 year-old daughter made a batch of goat's milk soap yesterday.

. . .put up Hubby's nephew's camper and made repairs on the door and table, so it can be put up for sale.

. . .gave away our kids (wooden framed) play set to extended family today.  They are bringing in a trailer to haul it out.

. . .received my cheese making supplies this week, to make 2 batches of soft cheese with our goat's milk this year. 

. . .our "extreme clean" week is starting - my 19 year-old daughter cleaned the utility room, and my 20 year-old son swept off the wood debris on the front porch (and brought out my front porch furniture - YAY!).  I started organizing one hallway. I need a new spray bottle to mix up my tea-tree oil/water mix to clean mildew off windows.  Two girls are still at 2 night sleepovers, so their work will be upstairs in their own rooms.  We'll definitely need to make a trip to the dump, after cleaning up.  Lots more to do yet.

 

  

Red Lentil Hummus

(the photo in the magazine article makes this appear more red than mine turned out)

I found this recipe (our snack) in the December 2012 issue of Health Magazine.  However, they also have it on-line, so I don't have to type out the recipe:  Red-Lentil Hummus.


Hubby and I love hummus made from chickpeas and wanted to try this one.  I finally made it.  I could not find red lentils in our stores here, so it was another item we picked up on one of our weekend trips (it was sold bulk in a Nature store).

I am sure you can buy them on-line as well, but it sure helps when you can buy your ingredients locally.

Aside from that, this recipe is very good.  Give it a try if you like hummus, and if you want to add more lentils to your diet. 

Note: After chilling this, the color was a teensy bit more red.

My family (those that enjoy hummus) raved over this recipe.  They enjoyed it more than my regular hummus recipe that uses chickpeas.    

Grueling Week

Although I've had a strenuous week, and had goat duties to cover my daughter's absence, I got the chance to hold and kiss the cutesome twosome (my name for the twin bucklings).

I pampered myself with fresh roses and tulips.

Today is the last day for Driver's ed. classes, and the first day of spring break (for the younger ones). 

The younger two girls have already bombarded me with sleepover runs, and so forth.   

Sharing a update on "Dark Days Challenge"

Breakfast has been farm fresh eggs, along with homemade whole wheat bread we bought, topped with hormone free (locally made) butter, and my home canned jams/jellies.

    This is the easiest recipes I have come up with.  Last summer we were gifted home canned Pepper Mustard Sauce.  I was told it would be delicous over meatballs.  However, I simply placed organic chicken tenderloins in the crock, then topped it with a jar of sauce.  Wa-La!  Dinner is served!

I served it over organic brown rice, along with broccoli and cauliflower.  

Snack?  Well, you'll get to see that tomorrow. 

Oh...and I plan to can that Pepper Mustard this summer, so watch for a recipe too.  We very much enjoyed it, and I very much enjoyed a stress-free dinner prep. 

 

Thrift Find ~ Clothespin Apron

(reversible, and handmade)

As promised to some folks, here is the photo of the clothespin apron I purchased for $1.50.  I found it at a thrift store, when I was really not looking for anything in particular.  I love it when I find useable thrift items.  I just have to keep the shopping prudent.

You Bought What?!

"Please tell you are not buying that!" I scolded hubby.

"A guy at work is letting us give it a try.  That's all."

"Right!" I scolded in non-agreement.

"His kids are all in college and don't even use it anymore," he tried to coax me even more."

Two days go by.

"I thought you were just trying it out? I asked with eyes squinted.

Next thing I know, Hubby is out in that go kart and spinning wheels, with dirt all over his backside.  He comes back inside smiling.

"Uh, Honey? Can you wash this?" he asks.

(big long sigh from me)

Another day goes by. The kids have been driving it all over the farm.

"Mom, if you were driving it around when the bus pulls in, you'd be the coolest Mom ever!" exclaimed my 19 year-old daughter. 

        

Weekend Road Trip ~ More Snow?!

Now this is how you get your laundry dried!  Wowzers!  Check out that clothesline!  Hubby and I laughed!  I need one that big! 

Hubby and I took another road trip, but this one was for heirloom seeds, seed potatoes, and onion sets.   

We decided to do some relaxing, scenic driving before we returned home.

Speaking of home.  This is what we woke to this Monday morning.  

There is about a three foot drift in the center of our horseshoe drive.  I am so glad we got the goats moved out of the big barn.  I never expected more snow.  Snow is expected all day today, and school is closed. 
 

Early Delivery

Peanut gave birth to twin boys a week early.  It was a surprise to us all.  Go to my daughter's blog to see more photos of the little guys:  Life as A Teen Farmgirl