Homesteading and Healthy Habits/Hobbies

Awhile ago, I talked to a man who I traded my chicken's paws (he wanted to make broth with the feet) with, for a delicious jar of fermented cabbage.  He was impressed with our lifestyle and said, "It sounds like you have some healthy habits/hobbies."  Honestly, I can't remember if he said habits or hobbies, it's the word "healthy" that made a bell go off in my head.

Handiwork ~ Good Price for Straw

Although the weather forecast is showing thunderstorms for this coming weekend. I made some fun crafts.  I had a bag of pin backs, so I used scrap fabric and a button to create some fun brooches.  These will be so cute on tote bags or aprons (or anything else for that matter).

Homegrown and Gifted

One of Hubby's co-workers gifted us a good amount of homegrown English walnuts.  I will be putting the kids to work and cracking these for some delicious recipes.

I spent yesterday weeding my herb garden.  The heat index is high, and at 8:30am today, the heat index is at 86°F.
The forecast is predicting the heat index will reach about 96° today about 1:00pm. That is too hot (and risky) to be outside at that time.  First the garden is flooded, and now it's getting scorched.

(2012)

Mattie, another one of our indoor cats, is going to the vet today.  She's developed a growth on her head, and it needs looked at.  She's about 14 years old and still has a lot of spunk.

Last night, my son helped me move the metal roofing still hanging from the barn, so my 16 year-old could get the go-kart out.  She had that thing flying all over the property, and with different kids in it for a ride.  She'd stop at the door and honk, asking if anyone else wanted to take a ride (smiling ear to ear).  I said, "sure, your brother will ride, won'tcha?"  He did.  He had not been in the go-kart at all since we've had it.

My son found out that his sister does not hold back when she's driving  - he he he!  So later, we look out and see him driving and giving her the ride of her life. I have to say, it was fun watching them have so much fun.  I had just had a shower, or I would have gone for a spin.

I have to say, it feels weird not having anything to can, dehydrate or freeze.  This may be the worst garden year ever for us.

The "Highlight" of the Weekend

Hubby, in much need of a "night away" decided to take a drive to Marshall, Michigan - Home of the famous Schuler's Restaurant & Pub.  He decided to take two of the kids with us.  This fountain is in the center of the town's round- about.  At night this fountain has colored lights and the water looks absolutely beautiful.  Marshall lodging was sold out, so we had to stay about 25 miles from there, and did not want to drive back just for photos.  Otherwise you'd be viewing them.  

Years ago, Hubby and I ate at Schuler's for his birthday.  I remember it costing us about $80.00 for dinner for two, and one bottle of wine.  It is fine dining at it's best.

Downtown Marshall has a variety of stores, and many that are in old, historic buildings.  Unfortunately, many of the stores have closed and reopened by other businesses, or remained empty.  It's constantly changing.  However, I did see that my favorite antique store, Amazing Grace, is still in business.  It holds several floors of fun shopping.  However, it is not air conditioned.  Kate's Diner is also still open for business and still serving customers (50's style diner).  Almost all of the downtown businesses are closed on Sunday's during the summer (we found the art gallery, a few smaller antique stores, the coffee shop, and a restaurant open).

My only purchase in Marshall, was an antique motel key chain and key.  They had a basket of these, and it was fun to pick one out.

If you ever get the chance to visit Marshall, MI in the summer, be sure to pull into the Hi-Lite.  

As of this year it was still open.  

Their specialty is homemade root beer, served in frosted glass mugs.  

And of course, a large menu of other drive-in foods, including hand dipped onion rings.

The waitresses are not wearing roller skates, but you might just see one wearing a poodle skirt.

 Guess who wants to go on the next trip?  Ha ha! Tiger!

Primrose Escapes

Prim recently found a way to escape the temporary fencing we have up for the goats.  With the wet ground, the larger fencing is not complete yet.  I had been out weeding my garden and I looked up to see her in the barn, up on the milking table.  I hollered for my daughter, but she was no where in sight.

I put her back in the stall, but when I turned around, she was right behind me.  Twice I did this.  Finally, I picked her up and took her in the house, looking for my daughter. 

"Uh, we have a goat problem," I hollered up the stairs.

"Huh?"

"Uh, I kind of have Prim in my arms."
(followed by a room full of laughter)

 (I'm hiding and you can't see me!)

We had to screw a scrap piece of wood to the 2 x 4, to cover a small rip in the fence.  That girl (Prim) can fit through the smallest space in the fence. This poor fence has been through the mill so to speak.  It's torn and badly worn.  When the larger fence is in place, this fencing will be recycled and used to fence around my vegetable garden (to keep the chickens out).  However, do you see Misty?  She's trying to eat the wood we screwed on.

Mmmm!  I'll just take a nibble while I am over here and see what it tastes like.

And more nibbling.

Their fenced in space is too small, and I think Misty is getting bored because she can't get to the tall grass that looks so yummy.

I think this break in the weather should help speed up the building of the new goat fencing.  Then maybe, Misty will stop chewing on the barn.  Then again, the weather forecast states that rain will be here in a few days, along with more 90° weather and humidity.

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.  

Homemade Root Beer and Ice Cream

 A few days ago, two of the girls (my 16 year-old and 11 year-old) made a batch of homemade root beer, while I was canning jam.  

Yesterday, we cooled off with delicious homemade root beer floats. I used our goat's milk (and homemade vanilla extract) for the hand churned ice cream too.  Yum!  However, the humidity was so thick I had to take a photo from inside the house (lens was steaming up again).  We ended up bringing our ice cream maker inside, and attaching the electric motor.  At least we had the hand crank, just in case the power went out.  We are still having thunderstorms here. 

I just checked today's forecast - no rain!  Yay!  Let's hope it's correct.  Everything needs to dry up, so a good wind would be nice, and I need to get laundry out today.  I am so thankful for a break in the weather.  I just hope the humidity has let up too.

Garden goodies are still coming in, despite the weather.  I brought in more green beans, sugar snap peas, and a good handful of strawberries.



Note: I purchased a root beer kit (paying under $15.00) for our homemade rootbeer.  We found the kits on sale at our Tractor Supply Company.  You can find the same kit on Amazon also.