Rain Barrel Updates ~ Good Baking/Cooking Day

                                                                 (photos from 2013)


Last year we purchased two different types of rain barrels - one that looks like a half barrel with a screen on top and a brass spigot at the bottom, and a square one with a hose (you can still attach a garden how to it).  I prefer the square one.  The barrel in the top photo have an overflow that is too close to the foundation (both purchased at Menards).  The screen lifts out and flows off in overflow action as well.  It still works, but I wanted to share.

Broody Hen ~ Pie Pan "Bird Bangers" ~ Canned Tuna

We have one hen that refuses to get off the eggs.  The problem?  Well, Sparta is in the dog kennel, so the eggs have zero chance of fertilization.  Go figure.  It's the perfect time to let her sit on some, but we can't.  Sparta has a lot of healing to do first.

Chicken Necks ~ Stress Related to Allergies? ~ Canned Tuna

I finally took the chicken necks from my freezer the other day, and today I will make homemade broth.  I will freeze it instead of can it, and most likely use about half of it before the current chickens are butchered.

I have never made broth from scratch (strangely), so this is a new step for me.  I've always purchased it (gmo-free, organic) from the grocer.  However, prices have gone up to over $4/box.

Cheesy Potatoes from Scratch ~ How they Rated and Other Self-Sufficient Tidbits

Easter Sunday I decided to make my cheesy potatoes from organic potatoes (not frozen), and eliminate all the processed ingredients (canned mushroom soup, Velveeta cheese etc).

The results?

Farmgirls Ain't Afraid to Get Dirty ~ New Blackberry Bushes

Although I have just begun, you can see that this herb garden is cleaning up nicely already.  I have much more to do, but it's starting to look much better since the goat somewhat destroyed it.  I am taking advantage of any good weeding weather day here.

Want to see what Hubby bought me?

Fun Day ~ More "Camp Out Embroidery

Sunday we got the gokart out.  The kids rode it all day long.  Do you see two of them in the middle left of the photo?  They took me for a spin a few times.  We had a blast until....

Happy Easter

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (NIV)

Home Fermentation ~ Homemade Sauerkraut ~ Sparta's in the Dog House

In our intent to maintain good health, and make progress in our self-sufficiency, I decided to inquire more on the fermentation process with cabbage.

Homestead Tidbits ~ Red Raspberry Plants

The snow did not hurt my daffodils, or even the new sprouts of green onions in my herb garden.

Recycle Project

I was gifted a few used kitchen cabinets from my younger brother.  I painted them, and they are now installed in my utility room.  They now have a new life.

Spring Snow? ~ Tidbits

My daffodils and hyacinths are now buried in snow.  It was just in the 70's yesterday and raining.  Not today.  The high will be barely in the 40's.  

Windy Weekend ~ Layered Dip ~ Goat Gone Wild

Saturday the weather was so nice, but a bit windy.  In reality, the wind was a good thing - drying up the wet ground.  Sunday was windy and in the upper 70's.  Tuesday we will dip down to a high of 40°F.  Today is is raining and everything is wet again.  The weather is playing games with my allergies, but I am dealing with it.

Spinning Wool ~ Drop Spindle ~ Tidbits

I am finally getting the chance to do something for myself

Another Arrival

The elderberry plants arrived and are planted.  They came with a guarantee, so if they do not survive over one year, we get free replacements.  As you can see, these are small starters, but can turn into 10 foot shrubs (or taller) with good care.

Homestead Tidbits ~ Rambles

. . .meat chicks arrived 2 days early.  Had to do a bit of scrambling, but got them all situated with a heat lamp.

Heinz ~ False Claims? ~ Books

If you haven't heard, Heinz is being put under the microscope for claims they say could be false.  They claim their vinegar is "all natural" but sources state that Heinz has been using GMO corn to make it.  This is probably old news by the time I post this.

Lemon White Chocolate ~ Spinach and Cheese Tortilla Pizza ~ Vulture Visit

Our homemade lemon extract is ready to use.  

We melted white chocolate, added our lemon extract, and made Lemon White Chocolate.  I used 2 tsp. to 1 pound of white chocolate.  Later, we tasted it and I will add 3 tsp. next time.

....this is another long post.  Grab a cup of steaming coffee or herbal tea and sit for a while.  You are graced with my gabbiness, because I woke up at 5:30am.  I found that Hubby was not home, and most likely called in during the night (to work).  He's been working 12 hour days all week, and was looking forward to having today off.  

Camping Embroidery

Remember the cloth napkins I found while cleaning?  They are now getting embroidered.  I found a fun iron-on transfer from Sublime Stitching and love it!  The patterns are a bit pricey, but I ordered mine during a half-price sale.

It's a Girl ~ The Desk ~ Books ~ Allergies

Misty had a doeling.  Once we have daylight, I'll go out and get a photo to share (updated now).  This is the end of our kidding season.  It rained heavily all day yesterday and it continues to rain this morning.  It's been pretty gloomy and dark out.  School is delayed 2 hours - fog.

Just a reminder:  Be sure to click on "read more" in my posts, to read the full blog post.

Signs of Spring

Yesterday I had a very nice laundry day.  Every line was completely full.  I did not get all the rugs washed as planned, but got all the barn cat bedding washed and put back.  It was nice to see Timmy in one of the boxes this morning, sleeping peacefully.

The baby goats had outside playtime.  They love to run and play.  By the time I got out there to film them, they were pretty tired.

Caught Reading ~ The "Storm"

 Independence Days, A guide to Sustainable Food Storage & Preservation, by Sharon Astyk.

I got caught reading the printed word yesterday.  I made heads turn.  I made people make eyes at me.  They squinted in wonderment. They raised eyebrows in disbelief.

To Keep or Not to Keep ~ And Other Rambles

"So Mom, why is that hanging there?"

"So I can look at it, and decide if I really want to keep it."

From a Journal Junkie . . .

From the Homesteading Journal . . .

. . . ordered organic seeds - Valerian, Chickweed, and Holy Basil (medicinal herb garden newbies).

Coming Down ~ Blast from the Past

Anyone out there with Christmas lights still up outside?  Not on, but up?  Come one, you can admit it.

With the snow finally melted, and the wind and rain and rotten weather finally giving us a break, our lights are coming down.  Today's the day.

Cleaning for Camping ~ Painting ~ Timmy (again)

I'm still deep cleaning.  I came across cloth napkins, that at one time, I had planned to embroider for gifting.  Not sure what I had intentionally planned, but I did tackle this unfinished project.

Now, at this point, I could have just given them away or even donated them, but I tossed them all into the washing machine instead.

Goat Round Up

I didn't have to worry about where I'd get my 10,000 steps yesterday (I have a fitbit).

I gained just shy of 8,000 steps by noon.

A Few New Things ~ Possibilities Journal

I've already tried my hand at tatting, shooting a gun, and so forth, so this list will be more difficult to write and update.  Hmm...what haven't I learned to do yet?  And what do I still want to do? And which ones will I have time for this year?

Almanac Update ~ Goats ~ Writing Updates

The Farmer's Almanac was right on target yesterday.  It snowed most of the day, but melted away by dinner time.

It's a good thing I was home too.  I went outside for something and heard Misty (another lamancha goat) crying out in the goat fence.  I was confused, because the barn door had not been opened for them to be out yet.

Elderberry Bushes (trees) ~ Fun Mail

The ground is very wet here yet, so we can't work in any of the garden beds.  I did however, put more coffee grounds and egg shells in them.

142 Recycled Post Marked Postage Stamps ~ Saturday Rambles

In the midst of a mad-woman cleaning day, I ran across a box of printed cardstock that was storing an unfinished project.

We had Twins Today

One boy.

 One girl.

Sorry for the bad photos.  Both had trouble latching on, and would not nurse.  After about 1 1/2-2 hours they were bottle fed, which daughter had to milk from their Mom.  They weren't too excited about that method either.

Sadie, my oldest daughter's dog, was protecting, and mothering the babies when we brought them inside. Can you see her long tongue giving the girl a good cleaning?  That is just her.  She mothers all babies here.

They are back out with Mom, and more eager to nurse on their own (thankfully). 

In the midst of it all, the power went out for 2 hours.  I'm thankful it's back on and the sun is shining bright right now.  

No Babies Yet ~ Homesteading Tidbits

I started my day out with some homemade hot ginger tea.  The stress here has been at it's highest.  And it's not Hubby.

Self Sufficiency

I broke down and purchased us a current Farmer's Almanac.  Other than watching the nightly news, I am reading this to see how accurate it will be. 

Sunday Sunset ~ Tidbits

I watched a beautiful sunset Sunday evening.

Steep Sacks ~ Tidbits

The last time Hubby and I made a trip to restock our organic items (the ones we cannot find around here nor can order online), I purchased Steep Sacks made by The Republic of Tea.

It's Back (in my best sing-song voice)

We went from this on Tuesday.....

 . . . to this on Wednesday.  This is a photo from this morning.   The wind blew the entire day and even blew drifts inside the animal barn.  This part of the horseshoe drive, had 5 foot drifts across by 5:00pm.  Not only did we go from melted snow to piles of snow, we went from 50°F on Tuesday to -10°F wind chill today.   And yes, some water pipes are frozen, but thankfully not my shower (woo hooooo to that!). 

Snow Storm ~ Allergies

Well, the weatherman was correct.  We woke up to snowing and blowing, but that was after the rain came.  School was closed.  It is to snow all day today also.

Sunrise ~ Back to the Vet ~ The Melt

The start of this morning's sunrise was beautiful.  After taking this photo it clouded over and was completely gray outside.  I was thankful to capture the moment to share.

Hay Restocked ~ Spiced Nuts

Friday, the temperatures got up into the 40's and my chickens were so happy to be outside again.

Homesteading Tidbits ~ Ramble of Sorts

Started working on the family history project, and questions were sent out to Aunts and Uncles and parents (like I need another project, right?).    

You may need to grab of cup of coffee or tea to read this.  I didn't intend for it to be so long, but I may not be online this weekend.

Ginger Bars ~ National Craft Month ~ Leftover Ham

From Pile.....

. . .to File - Extreme Clean.

I pulled another magazine page from my hoarded pile of recipes, and made Woman's Day magazine's Ginger Bars (Sept. 2010, just Google the recipe and you'll find the site). I'll admit, I had my doubts about this recipe.

We are still experiencing cold temperatures, so baking in the kitchen just helps heat this place up a bit.  Speaking of heat, Hubby installed the new auger on the pellet stove last night and we fired it up.  It is so nice to have heat again.  

Discombobulated

Have you ever felt discombobulated when your routine is abruptly changed?  I do.  It throws off my thinking, activities or chores, for the entire day.  It forces me to be a different "me" for the day.  It forces me to be more creative.

Another Recipe from Pile to File ~ Saucy Salmon ~ Winter Woes

I tried yet another recipe from my hoarded pile.  I did adjust it a teensy bit, and although green onion gives a dish color, I opted for shallots.

It's not really called "Saucy" but it did make a lot of sauce, so I think I could cut back on the sour cream next time.  I am lucky to be able to find organic butter, sour cream and cottage cheese at our local grocer.  I also had organic whole wheat rotini noodles on hand for this recipe.  The family fought over leftovers, they liked it that much.

Pretend Snow Day ~ Homesteading Tidbits

The snow did not arrive as the forecast predicted.  The wind came with a small bit of it, and that was it.  I had Saturday night and Sunday to do whatever I felt like - no demands, no errands, no schedule, pretending I had a few snow days. This morning we have a -9° wind chill.  The bitter cold has moved back in on us.

Grab of cup of coffee or tea.  It's a long Monday morning ramble. . .

From Pile to File ~ Spring Prep

Do you have pickles in your pantry?   Do you grow green onions or chives in your herb garden?

If you do, you may enjoy using them for this new recipe we tried.  I've been talking about increasing our salmon, and clearing out my hoarded pile of recipes, so here is another adapted recipe that we are keeping.

Simple Dish Scrubbies ~ Bone Chilling Weather (again)

I'm trying out a new pattern for a simple dish scrubbie.  This one creates an edge (or ridge) on the scrubbie, making it easier to use.  I used one 10 yard length, 2 inch wide strip of netting.

Good Literature

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!  I'm not laughing at John Steinbeck, but at the oh, so appropriate title to describe this winter here.

I made a trip to the library yesterday, and stocked up on some good literature to read.  I decided to delve into some great authors, and hope to improve my writing.  Not to mention I may have lots of time if we do get snowed in this weekend.

Cold and Snow ~ Surprise Mail

We are all entitled to vent at some point, so grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) and come sit a spell with me.  To be honest, it's not really that bad of a vent.  It's just life as we know it here at the homestead.

Timmy Goes to the Vet

This morning's sunrise (view from the front porch) was very warming to watch. It was incredibly peaceful, and a pleasant

way to start the day.

Thrift and Antique Store Finds

I found this vintage pattern pillow case (Fashion Manor Percale Penn-Prest) at a thrift store for $.50.  I love the yellow roses on it.  I thought about using it in the camper, but decided to give it to one of the girls to use (who loves yellow).  It was hard to give it up, but my pillows are king and this fit a standard.  I love the beautiful lace on it too.