Homesteading Reality ~ Spring Chicks

I have lost 4 chickens so far this year.  First the Auracana who broke her leg, then Sparta (rooster), then about two weeks later I lost 2 barred rocks for no reason other than natural causes (old age?).  I starting looking up the dates to see how old they were, getting worried I'd lose more.  My heart was breaking of course, but it's part of homesteading.

Apparently I bought them back on 3-3-2011 , and in today's world a chicken's life expectancy is about 8-10 years (not like 20 in the old days).  They are 8 years old.  By the way that yellow chick turned out to be a white rooster, and he didn't live very long.  The barred rocks lived the longest of any breed we've had.  They are the best producer for us as well.

I brought home 7 barred rock chicks(thanks to a ride from a daughter), and that's her ESA dog Mia checking them out.
By the way, I was complimented on how I raise my layers.  I mentioned the fact my barred rocks were 8 years old and still had some to the store employee.  She responded, "wow, you must baby them."  Meaning most don't live that long and she was pretty surprised to hear that mine are still alive (some of them).

This however, puts a damper on my need to raise meat birds.  I just don't have the space to raise the layers and meat birds inside.  Next spring it'll happen.  Unless....I am unlucky enough to get 7 roosters out of this straight run purchase.  Then I'll have 6 meat birds in the freezer.   I was too late to order pullets, so say a prayer I get some hens.  

They only had cornish rocks anyway.  I want white rocks.  Next year....next year....

The contract was voted no at Hubby's work.  This means they will continue to negotiate until they have an agreement that is actually fair.  It'll be a long spring for us.  This company is brutal.

Skullcap infused oil ~ Spider bite scar update #2 ~ Dish Day and otherTidbits

I don't have photos to share, as the scar tissue remains the same, although sensitive to the touch.

I infused skullcap oil (instructions on how to infuse an oil can be found on Mountain Rose Herbs blog online) to maintain care of the scar tissue and heal it the best I can.  Although there are other herbs/weeds to infuse, I chose skullcap.  In my research it aids in healing acne scars, so I went with that to care for my spider bite scar.

I know it will be sensitive to sunlight this summer, not that my leg sees much sun (I wear pants in the garden).

Just a quick update and another way to treat scars.  If you have another way, please share.

After 2 days of dark days, we finally had beautiful sunshine.

Thursday was what I call a full blown "dish day."  I literally washed a mountain of dirty dishes, dried them and put them away, and almost immediately found myself getting more than half of them back out to cook/bake.  Oh look!  There are rotten bananas.  Must make banana bread.  Reaching in the fridge for chocolate chips....oh look!  Over abundance in milk.  I should make Mom's overnight casserole to use some up.  Must not waste anything.  Oh look, eggs can be boiled.  Sigh....I do it almost every day.  Lord help me.

I finally scooted outside to hunt down some chicken wire for another project, but was back in to do the dishes again.

I picked this recipe box for our oldest daughter.  She loves sunflowers.  There are divider cards inside and extra recipe cards.  I scanned family favorite recipes, glued them to index cards, and slipped them into a plastic recipe card protector.  I hope she likes it.

Something I learned (but haven't tried) - you can eat used tea leaves.  I'm talking about nettle, comfrey etc.  Edible weeds.  I just learned of this, and of course they won't be as strong as they've already been used for tea, but edible (tossed in a frittata, eggs, pasta etc.  I have a compost bin, so I have never thought of this until I read about it.  Do any of you use your medicinal tea leaves for another meal?

Lemon balm lip balm ~ Sage Sausage Egg Muffins (Use leftover Pizza Toppings)

Remember all that lemon balm I harvested last summer?  Well, I made the infused oil with it, and got around to washing up containers and getting lip balm made.

I used the same recipe (Mountain Rose Herbs blog) for Calendula / Shea butter, but swapped out the oil for lemon balm infused oil.  I prefer to use the metal tins, but summer brings motorcycle rides, and the tubes are smaller and easier to carry (and less messy on very hot days).  I ended up making a bit of both - tubes and metal tins.

Something I learned - lemon balm prevents the breakout of cold sores.  I'll be giving this to someone to see if if will work as they state it does, and I'll be using it all summer.

I had a bit of sausage, bell pepper and onion leftover from our homemade pizza's, so I whipped up a small batch of Sage sausage/egg muffins for breakfast.  I used jalapeno's from the freezer to add some zest to them too.  So good.  I'll be tweaking my recipe and hope to post soon.  They need a bit more herbs/spices.  

The peanut butter cookies didn't last long.  Hubby has no self control when I bake them.

So...I baked German Chocolate Cookies.  This time I flattened them just a bit.

Random Tidbits ~ Pickled Red Onion

Pizza night was another huge success.  I froze the Einkorn dough for the first time last year (preparedness), and it worked out great.  We love the pizza sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes.  They make the best sauce so far.  I'll be sure to grow them again this summer.

I should have started a temperature afghan last spring.  With the hot days followed by this very strange and nasty winter, it would have been one interesting afghan.

I'm scanning my recipes for our oldest daughter.  Not that she's settling in her new apt. she wants to take advantage of her crock pot and cook good meals again.  I have a plan for that too.

I pickled red onion for the first time.  It'll be used for salads, although I am leery to eat fresh kale out of season, we can typically find organic in our grocery store.

Pickled Red Onions
Using organic/non-gmo ingredients, thinly slice enough red onion rings to fit in a wide mouth pint canning jar.

Add:
1 Tbsp. sugar
2 Tbsp. salt
2-3 splashes of home canned hot sauce*
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. red wine vinegar

Shake.  Store in the refrigerator

*any hot sauce will work



My husband is really having a stressful time at his work place.  Even though the vote was like 170-something (no) to 50-something (yes), the higher up's are making them vote again on Thursday on the contract.  They are using their power to manipulate them into voting yes, and from what I see, threatening them in the process.  He, and the others, could surely use prayers, good mojo, and good thoughts right now.  It is a very hostile work environment.   Both mentally and physically.   

The only thing I can do to help him, is clean the house, cook good food, pack his lunch and coffee and listen.  I'm afraid this however, may affect our income (depending on the outcome).  Remember they went on strike one year, and he had to take work out of state?  We are preparing however we have big ticket jobs to get done this year no matter what.

Tuesday Tidbits

Thankfully, the only damage we sustained from the high winds, was in the garden.   The plastic we put down in our garlic bed was ripped up.  I'll have to wait for a warmer day to fix.  

What's your preference when canning jams - frozen or fresh fruit?  I'm contemplating making a jam, but in the past I wasn't pleased with the end results of strawberry jam, using frozen.  It was not as thick as using fresh.  Maybe wait until summer?

I attempted my role as plumber, but failed. I could not wash dishes until Hubby was well rested to fix the pipe under the sink.  I was okay with that, but hate looking at chaos in the kitchen. Dirty dishes everywhere, ha ha!

Sunday, not one, but two daughter's came out for a visit.  Both stayed and raided the fridge, and made numerous pots of coffee.  Both normal.  Monday was a bit strange being home with no kids again.  But....housework resumed.  It's sort of like exercise for the mind.

Happy Homemaker Monday

I'm joining Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom today.  I will link up after she posts.  It's 6:41am, and I have to get my day started. 

The wind advisory was extended until 1am Monday morning.  Canning didn't happen on Sunday as planned.  I didn't want to take the chance at the power going out in the middle of canning, after they predicted "widespread" power outages.  We had power, but our internet went out often, same with TV, and even mobile data went out.  By bed time, all was back on thankfully.

Two daughters came out for a visit, and raided the fridge.  Hubby worked all weekend, and 16 hours on Sunday.  He was a tired man this morning, so I made sure his breakfast and lunch was packed, including a tall mug of coffee.


On the breakfast plate. . .

Strawberry pancakes with candied ginger, and sausage.  No scrambled eggs due to a shortage (again). I'm lucky to get one a day right now.


The weather outside is . . .
Sunday the weather started out in the low high 40's and gradually plummeted again.  Winds were so bad yesterday, semi's were not permitted to use the state turnpike.  Our son drives a semi for a living. By 10am yesterday, winds in our area were 35mph. It's a chilly 19°F with a windchill of 4° this morning.  Thankfully, the wind has stopped.  What a long day it was yesterday.


Right now I am . . .
Listening to Jesse, whining, trying to trick me to feeding him twice or take him out twice.  Naughty dog.


Thinking . . .
I'm having a "Mommy" moment after hearing that one of my daughter's plans to move away with her boyfriend when he graduates college. First, I don't know when he will, and second, this is our 19 year-old.  Oh, a crying moment for me, but it is only about 2 hours away.  Then again, we are talking about moving out of the state in the future (we want to get away from these sprayed crops).  I'm also proud of our 25 year-old daughter.  She sent me a video of her setting up in her new apt.  She's in need of a kitchen table and some other furniture, but she's set up pretty nicely. 


Looking around the house . . .
Sighing...everything from under the kitchen sink is on the kitchen floor.  A plastic pipe broke (just regular wear and tear), but I think I can rig it to get many dirty dishes washed.  I'm in no way asking Hubby to fix it tonight.  He is very, very tired.

On the to-do list . . .
Laundry
Fix a busted pipe under the sink
vacuum
sweep and mop
canning
make lip balm (still on the list)
ship a package
exercise
dinner prep


On the menu . . .
Salmon Romanoff (made with MI salmon), carrots
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn
Homemade pizza with home canned pizza sauce
Zucchini Linguine with Walnuts
Soup beans and corn bread

Snacks:  strawberry/blueberry muffins, peanut butter (Einkorn) cookies, home grown popcorn and possibly hummus.

On the TV. . .
Netflix - When Calls the Heart (I have read the entire series years ago, and Hubby loves watching this)

Reading. . .
I'm considering a magazine subscription.  I haven't done this in a long time due to watching them pile up, but it looks interesting enough that I just may subscribe.


What I am creating . . .

I'm making a bit of progress on the baby blanket.  I finished the last two soap saver bags, and have many other projects in progress.  As it gets larger, the rounds take much more time to do.

From the camera. . .

Getting the stare down when it's just a few minutes before dinner time, ha ha!  Like he is saying, "Well lady?  Get some food in my bowl will ya!"  He's got an internal clock.


Praying . . .
Us, the kids, no special requests at this time.

Sunday Chit Chat ~ Bring a beverage

We thankfully still have green beans in the freezer, and more canned corn relish.  By the way, mixing the relish with green beans is pretty good too, as well as topping fish.

I am completely out of home canned tomato paste though.  I opened the last jar to make a large crock pot of chili on Friday.

Our high winds were said to be the worst from 4am to 10am this morning.  I had water bottles filled, jugs filled for flushing toilets, candles and lamps ready, and a portable phone charger ready.

Hubby earned this charger free at work with a program, and I had it ready just in case the winds blew down power lines.  Something handy to have during a storm.   You could also use a car charger, but for some reason my phone won't charge on the one we currently have (Hubby's phone will though).

Saturday morning, I was up at 5am (naturally like a robot).  I got Hubby's breakfast and lunch packed up and coffee in this Thermos while he dressed to go to work for a day of overtime.  

The weather is really dragging me down.  I went from feeling like a hermit to a prisoner (truck and car are still un-repaired).  I make plans to run errands, and get excited I get to leave the house, when I'm hit with "honey I have to work."  I decided to get over my pitty party and get busy.

Before - Baking utensils drawer.  This is what happens when kids are washing the dishes.  Nothing goes back the way I organized it. 

After.  Hopefully with only one kids living here now, it'll stay this way.

It took my mind off things and I accomplished in clearing chaos from my day.  I also sold a pair of baby booties.  Woohoo!  But.  I'll have to make more.  An opening became available for a March craft vendor show.