Having a Merry Christmas and a Happy Retirement ~

First I want to say how blessed we are to be celebrating this Christmas with family here at the farm. I truly hope you have taken time to reflect on why we should be celebrating this special time of year. The depth of the reason I fear is often overlooked by the multitude. Sadly even at times by those who have a grace given reason to be celebrating in the first place. Our celebration this year has included both an old and newly implemented tradition. Many years ago when our boys were small we would gather round an advent wreath of simple design. Lighting candles each Sunday and reading our devotional passages. As they grew up and left home, I retired the old wreath and instead a create a new one to take it's place. I wanted a constant daily reminder before us of the one we were celebrating. It was fun looking for ornaments and floral pieces to represent the different names and characteristics of Jesus ~ Morning Star, Rose of Sharon, The Vine, Shepherd, Savior, etc.

Being inspired by some of my recent readings and wishing to capture the simplicity of what it really means to be excited about today. I pulled out the old metal advent candle stand and added the appropriate candles to the heart of the wreath. For the past 5 weeks Lon and I have been lighting a candle and reading the daily devotional passages together from a free Advent book made available by A Holy Experience. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading Ann's book ~"1,000 Gifts" since the middle of Summer when I picked it up at the suggestion of a friend (thanks Jo.) I still haven't finished it as I am trying to savor each page and let the words dwell deeply in my soul as I meditate of the treasure of God's words and ways. See this past post for my reflection on it.

In conjunction with the advent wreath I gathered the craft supplies to make the ornaments for the Jesse Tree featured on Ann's website as well. This activity has given Lon and I a special time for devotions together each day as we have read scripture, the daily devotional passages, had prayer together and placed that's day ornament on our Jesse Tree. Since beginning this activity at the start of Advent I have seen many surprised faces when either of us mention it to friends and family, who have never heard of a Jesse tree. The premise of which is to follow the lineage of Christ through Scripture from the Beginning to His stabled birth. Showing how all of scripture and prophecy foretold of His coming in such humble means. A wonderful way to keep the real focus of this Holy-day before you all month long. I highly recommend it for those wishing to turn their hearts and minds away from the glitter and glitz of commerical-ized Christmas.

So as to look long and deep into the best gift you could receive each year. . . more awareness of Jesus' loving gift of HIS presence. I know some would say why didn't you tell us about this sooner so we could do the same. Well, I really don't have any excuse at all, other than I have been away from my writing for sometime. But now you have been told of this creative option to your Christmas traditions and have a WHOLE year to get ready for next Christmas. You can follow the directions here to get started.

The other special gift we enjoyed this year was my husband's retirement of 36 years in the fire department. He entered into the department the September before we married the following April. It is the only life we have known our whole entire marriage. When one serves in this capacity, the whole family serves along side. Many a holiday, birthday or special occasions had to be set aside due to daddy being at work. Anything that could go wrong, often did while he was on duty. Forget having a regular work week with the weekends free. Shift work required that he be gone for 24* every third day, all 52 weeks of the year. His official retirement date is today, my what a gift! We have been anticipating this change in our lives since moving to the farm 2 1/2 yrs ago. I've been steadily counting down the days on a marker board for a January retirement, but found out the beginning of the month that his date could be moved up. It was so exciting to have come down in the count to single digit shifts left to work but nothing could top erasing the last of them down to a single one all in one swipe.

Enjoying the gifts of Christmas and
Wishing you a Merry Christmas from me to you,

Deborah

More Fall Changes ~

Fall changes are in full swing right now. As there are a few more trees gracing our yard with their vibrant colors. Most of the Poplar's leaves fell back in September, due to the Summer drought. I've added 3 more pots of bright mums to the yard, 2 in pots on the porch, with 2 more to be planted after I use them for other things first.

The last 2 nights have brought a hard freeze to our garden and a cold breath to our days. We've had our first fire for the season and had to turn on the heat a little. The chilly morning temps makes choring something I put off to later in the mornings now. I know the cold will only get more settled in around us and we will have to face it regardless of what time of day it is.

Milking will be a sure thing this winter as both Anna & Sugar will be giving us plenty come December. What! you didn't know Sugar had birthed? Opps! Guess I failed to post the good news awhile back(say about October.) Shame on me ! Well let me introduce you to the newest additions to Heartland Farm.

Newborn faces are always sweet to behold~

Sugar's baby girl ~ looks a lot like one of our other mothers.

Guess she is carrying her daddy's genes.

Sugar's baby boy ~ loving the spots!

This is the first time we've had Fall babies. Though it shouldn't be any different than the ones born in January, February and March of this year. We weathered cold then and I am sure given the latest blast of cold we will have to use the same precautions with these babies as well. Guess it is time to crochet some more sweaters for the "kids." Despite the fact they are saying we will be having a milder Winter than usual.

Our preparations for is is under way but I fear not soon enough as our list is lengthy. My time is already stretched and with teaching the Bible Study come Monday. My weeks will be fuller real soon. I'm finding that I already can't get around to everything that needs my attention. Leaving no time for those activities I desire to do, that help to keep me sane in the midst of all the work. I purchased 2 new books this month that are waiting for some focused time. In addition to pulling out a 4yr old quilt in progress and an activity basket. Has left me with the desire to get lost in them. The cold sunny days speak of a slower pace, of a rest from the labors of Summer. Of taking the time to visit, enjoy and make use of the rockers waiting on the front porch. This is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the weather, the colors, the foods, the activities, the fires, the crafts but not so much the shorter days.

Guess it is a good trade off anyway,

Deborah

Recognizing my 1,000 Gifts ~

Over the past couple of days I have been reminded of what is truly important. It all started with a new library book about using herbs towards a healthy lifestyle of eating and illness prevention. I check out books to preview them for a possible future purchases for our resource library. Over the past 3 years I've been sifting through the multitudes available at the local library. No surprise that I have found quite a few I would like to own. Already having a full bookcase doesn't stop the enticement for one more. My love for books started at an early age and hasn't stopped, much to my husbands disbelief that there is another one I don't already have. But not all books carry the same weight in our lives and it's not about the size of them either.

Today I was brought back once again to the premise of 1,000 Gifts, by the author Ann on her blog site ~ "A Holy Experience." Reading a few of her entries sparked a renewed awareness of all things Holy. Finding these writings was a great treat. One that I readily bookmarked for I know I will be visiting it frequently. Her words are touching, the photography ~ beautiful, her commitment to blogging her journey ~ inspirational and her dedication to seeking out the Lord's presence ~ humbling. I felt once again the tug on my spirit just like the day I read the first few pages of the book.

Tears joined in with the holy moment of realizing, there is no greater pursuit on earth than that of finding, seeing, touching our Creator. Of being a pleasing instrument in his hand. The joy of not only fellowship with, but a deep residing relationship of a life lived out as planned by a loving Father's hand. Knowing such has created in me a renewed thirst for all things pure, simple and nourishing. For those things alone ~ can be deeply satisfying. Of not wanting to waste any more time on earthly things void of eternal value. It is in these moments of spiritual awakening to the blessings of the Father that I truly "live" life, in abundance and grace. Time is precious, our calling highly valued by the unseen. I pray my focus stays as such that I wouldn't ever stray off the path or loose sight of the true beauty of a life in service for my Lord.

1,000 gifts ~ #23 a reminder that pursing the Lord is the only thing that gives deep satisfaction

Oh, how true,

Deborah

Anna's Surprise

Anna has done it again! She birthed 2 more pretty babies today. Both of them are bucks, with one being spotted like his mother. The other looks almost like a Belted Galloway calf in a different shading. It's sure with their coloration's they will quickly steal our hearts, making it hard to decide if we will keep them or share them with others.

His ears are longer than his face ~

"Mom is my face still dirty?"

"It's tough being born, think I need a nap!"

"Hello world, aint I cute?"

Making sure they each nurse before bedtime.

Thankful for the increase,

Deborah

It's Crafty Tuesday ~

Crafty Tuesdays is one day a week that I am trying to set aside for doing something creative. Whether it is Baking, Cheese making, soap making, herbal beauty products or another types of food items; herbal oils, vinegars, dressings, etc. Then there is always the slew of typical crafting projects to be done; sewing, crochet, quilting, painting, etc. It's for sure I will never be at a lost with something either new or old to create on Crafty Tuesday. As my interests are growing with each passing day. Not to mention the over stuffed closet, boxes and chest full of projects waiting to be started or to be finished.

Today I decided on making it a Crafty baking day. Anytime spent in the kitchen making a delicious meal or treat can be counted as a creative pursuit in my book. Stepping beyond the packaged items on the grocer's shelves, to a recipe and pantry stocked with basic supplies. Is an opportunity to use the resources at hand and add a personal, hands-on flair to a culinary delight.

The hard part sometimes is in deciding on just one or two items from the scores of cookbooks and collection of recipe cards I've gathered over the years of my interest in it. I have spent untold hours at the elbows of two creative cooks, my Mother and her Mother. It was in these early "tutorials" that I learned the secret of being a really good cook. You have to put your love into it. Trial and error will always be a steady teacher too. But anything seasoned with love will be accepted by the recipient, even if it is less than it should be. (as in turned out wrong/ over cooked, etc.)

Making something new for our breakfast has been on my mind as of late. As is having something quick to pop in the oven on our busy Sunday mornings before church. Seems like a good time to bring out the muffin recipes for a hearty nugget that can be reheated in the oven on low or in the microwave. Finally decided on making 2 batches of "Good for You" Muffins. A hearty combination of fruit, nuts and good for you grains.

Having extra goat's milk on hand right now lead the way to making some Aww Natu-ral Keifer. I had made a quart a few days ago that was waiting in the fridge to be flavored and sweetened. So I gathered some frozen fruit from our freezer to create a new healthy treat. Spinning some of the fruit blend around in a blender to crush it up first helped to create a slushie when added to the keifer. Letting the rest thaw before crushing add flavor to the rest of the jar. Ta-da! a Strawpineago Keifer for breakfast and the next few days. Yum Yum!

Conquering a new food creation spurred me on towards arresting a sweet tooth. In keeping with the baking theme and wholesome goodness. I started a batch of Chewy Coconut Pecan cookies. They are one of Lon's favorites and are great for snaking. They were easily blended, baked and are waiting on the counter for that perfect cup of tea with my feet up resting after a very productive morning.

Wish you were here to join me in a few and a cup of kindness,
Deborah

A Butterfly Saturday ~

I love Saturdays and all the pleasure they can bring to our work week. I know for many it is just another work day, as their job demands it to be. I've been on both sides of the work fence when it comes to how they are used. For many years I worked in a hospital setting which required that I work every other weekend. My husband has been a firefighter our whole marriage and has had to work either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday of every weekend. When I retired in 2003 from the hospital it opened up my use of Saturday. Matter of fact it opened up my week to a whole new way of living, but that is a story for another day. Needless to say I have always appreciated the days of the weekend for the freedom they have offered.

I've tried over the years to keep them free of anything that resembled the rest of my work week. Ask any person you know or meet about their week and all will tell you they are looking forward to the weekend. To have the opportunity to change their structured routine for a more free flowing lazy one. Our lives can become so hectic than we need and desperately crave some regular downtime. Hence the anticipation of the 60+ hours labeled the weekend. That is if these precious hours are not filled to the brim with more busy activity.

Personally I have to guard mine for it far too easy to see them as catch-up time for "_____." Instead of the free days they could be for P.P.P.'s (pleasantly personal pursuits) Living on a farm as we do makes taking the whole day off not a possibility. The critter family gets a little cranky if they miss mealtimes. So the regular daily critter care is done as early as we can bring ourselves to get started. The benefit is the sooner we start, the quicker the "rest" of the day can begin.

Today broke sunny and warm bringing all the butterflies out of their slumber. To warm themselves on rock and branches before searching for a meal. Watching them closely will reveal that even though they are up. They are happily lounging lazily on leafy beds, flapping their wings slowly as if stretching themselves in preparation for the day ahead. Once thoroughly warmed, energized by the sun and limbered up, they begin the beautiful dance on wing. Flitting first to this flower then the next. Taking a rest on a stem or branch before taking off to soar through the new day. Before spying a treat just down the garden path. Carefree, pursuing personal pursuits, sipping here, resting there. No agenda but to meet their physical needs and enjoy the day as it unfolds. Butterflies don't have a long life you see, they live them out in just one season of our year. In essence they don't have time to waste, that is if they are to fulfill their purpose as butterflies. Pollinating the blooms of our flowers and vegetables. Insures that their will be flowers again next year and a larger veggie crop this year. Their brilliant beauty is pleasing to the eye and adds a rainbow of movement to our yard and garden.

There is much to learn from their antics as beautiful winged messengers. To emulate their example would do much to slow our pace, refocus our minds and give us back our days of leisure. Today looks like a good day for practicing flitting through my day, having a care free attitude and claiming this Saturday for P.P.P."s.

Butterflies color our world with their ways - do we?

Deborah

Sneaky Snakes

I've said in the past that I'd rather deal with a snake over a spider any day. Spiders just give me the "hibby gibbies." Not quite sure where the fear originates, but I do not like them! ! My reasoning stems from an awareness that they can climb onto you without ever being detected. Due to their small size and body weight, they are able to tippy toe across you unannounced. Yew! Where I know others are terrified of snakes and often for good reasons.

I've never been bitten by a snake, but I have been by a spider while tending a flower bed years ago. Unlike a bee sting, snake bit or scorpion sting (another adventure of mine). Spider bites come with tiny teeth and I never felt a thing that is until I awoke with a swollen, throbbing elbow. Inflammation at set in over night and put my arm in a sling for several days, while waiting for the meds to kick in.

At least with snakes you generally have a warning if you stay observant of your surroundings. Otherwise they will give you a good scare if you don't. (Ask me how I know!) There are even some species that give warning to their presence, like rattlers. In a general backyard we may cross paths with a couple of harmless garden varieties. Hardly ever a poisonous one, unless you venture into their backyards, the woods.

Contrary to popular belief that - "the only good snake is a dead one." There are a few that are beneficial to have around. A KING snake being one of those. They have an appetite for the poisonous snakes, a good thing in my book and welcomed to my farm. Then there is the RAT snake, most often found around field mice hangouts - corn cribs, barns, feed lots, barns, grain fields, barns. BARNS. They too can serve a purpose by keeping mice/rat populations in check and preventing their destructive habits on expensive feed sacks.

We've had a few over the past 2 years down at the BARN. As the old building hadn't been used for many years prior to our moving here. Allowing the mice to move right on in and set up home. They were thrilled when we move into the home place and began doing their grocery shopping and providing home delivery of tasty treats in assorted bags. We in turn was at first happy to see the rat snakes. Who helped evict these munchers of our precious grain. But the snakes quickly ate themselves out of a meal. Only then deciding to make use of another readily available snack and was dealt with the swift arm of justice. But I digress~ Having thought we had taken care of these marauding raiders we rested on the fact that we hadn't seen any more in quite awhile. Which brings me to the point of this post. Bet you thought I'd never get to it, huh?

Our hens have been laying faithfully all summer, even in the worst of heat. Even when harassed by the now penned up Roos. So we were a little bit surprise when the egg numbers started dropping some. Reasoning that a few were showing signs of an early moult. But the numbers continued to drop from 1 1/2 dz a day to less than 1/2 dz. S0 we began looking for illness among the flock or for new laying hideouts. Some of the hens like to practice their Easter egg hiding skills all year long. Not finding any new clues, we were puzzled about this downward turn in production. Now with hindsight we should have seen the answer for ourselves. DUD!

I personally blame it on the busyness of the garden and canning marathon of lately. The mystery was solved when it presented it's self in BROAD daylight. Draped across the nesting boxes, munching on eggs. This past week Lon (thankfully) has been the one to find and dispose of 3 rat snakes. Two in one day no less, last Saturday. That is when the light bulb finally came on. Gathering only 4 eggs that day is when 1+1=snakes. The hens hadn't decreased their laying after all. We just had new unknown diners at our farm table. Evidently word had gotten out that a new fast food restaurant was available.

Having an open air coop area for our chickens have gave the sneaky snakes plenty of places to slither in or should I say belly up for some free ranged eggs. Needless to say they are now on our most wanted poster and their dinning privileges revoked. We depend on our eggs, as does the few customers we have. I may have to apologise for not being able to fill orders this week. Although we should have remembered their feasting this summer on a clutch of Guinea eggs.

The battle lines have been drawn. The rest of the sneaky snake family doesn't know it yet, but they have already lost. Maybe I should put up a sign like I've seen in a few restaurants. "No shirts, no shoes - NO SERVICE! Mine would also say - NO dinning or take out allowed!

Reminds me of another "sneaky snake" many years ago who was sentenced to~

"On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life."
Genesis 3:14

Watching for squiggle lines in the dust,

Deborah

Added note: my luck ran out last night. Going down to gather eggs I found a sneaky snake draped over 2 boxes looking for a meal. Guess who wasn't home at the time? Yep, hubby had gone to a meeting. This one was quite large and I wasn't sure I could injure it enough to stop it's escape. So I sent up prayers instead for the Calvary to come. Lon did arrive home before it was through checking out the coop and gave it the same swift sentence the other free-loaders got. This one was the largest of them all, measuring over 5 feet! I thinking of changing my stance on snakes. What do you think?

30 Minute Days

I awoke this morning to some "chilly" temperatures. Compared to the scorching heat of the past month and a half. Today's daybreak temp of 62* feels like winter could just be around the corner. Despite the fact it isn't due for another 4 months. Lon had asked me just this past Saturday if it "would ever get cool again." I jokedly responded ~ "Yea, in January!" Having no idea at the time that this "cool spell" was even in the making. Coming to greet us 2 days later on this very morning.

Not having a TV leaves us with a limited knowledge of what is going on beyond our front door. A good thing for the most part, as there isn't any expectations. Instead we move through our days letting the world unfold around us. Taking what the Lord provides with grateful hearts and a deeper dependency on HIS provisions for us. There is always surprises that thrill and challenge us at every turn, a benefit of not knowing what to expect in our daily lives. I have learned blessings can and do come in many different looking packages. Being always present in our lives for our enjoyment. We need to only have a receptive heart to unwrap them.

As I sat on the porch this morning with a chill on my skin and a cup of coffee by my side. (The first in several weeks, as I had quit drinking it. Favoring instead hot herbal teas as my morning beverage.) But a day like today, with this kind of hint of relief from the heat begged for a cup of tamed coffee. A sweet treat as I pondered the gift of this day, along side of the thoughts that were reeling me towards Autumn. A season that is a lot closer on the horizon than I've given thought to. Give the air a subtle brushing of cooler air and my mind scoots towards the pursuits enjoyed during the days of FALL. Warm quilts, colorful leaves, hometown high school football, porch sitting, seasonal decorations, campfires, pots of steamy soups, and crafting.

I know the relief from the heat is only a temporarily lull, but it sure feels nice. I've already noticed the sun slipping across the horizon towards shorter days. For it is no longer shinning through the back of the house, heating up our living space with the late afternoon slant of the sun. The mornings seem to be breaking at a later time as well, as the evening hours creeping up steadily on the face of the clock to an earlier hour of the day. We are steadily moving out of Summer towards the shorter days of Autumn to be sure.

The kittens are getting braver in their discovery adventures on the front porch. Venturing down the steps and under the bushes more. That is until a hen passes by too close for their comfort. Forcing them to scamper back up the steps to a perceived place of safety. They are resting more quietly since Leah, our granddaughter left yesterday.


Her constant attention and loving was a challenge of patience on their part. I'm so glad she can experience the fun of not one but two kittens to play with. I had to wait 55 years before I had the pleasure. At 5 she is able to see, hear, learn and experience more here at the farm. Than she ever would have at our old house.

I really should get busy with my home chores for today. But find it hard to pull away from this wonderful day in the making. There is more than plenty for my day to be done. Probably always will be as long as we live here. The needs of the farm are too great and my interests too wide, to be still for very long. Seeing what needs to be addressed at any moment is easy. Ignoring such things for moments of quieted rest of body and mind are more of a challenge.

So on days like this I often have "30 Minute Days". They are sort of like a game for me, allowing me to enjoy both the work I need to do while playing at the same time. It's rather simple to do by setting a timer for 30 minutes and working like crazy till it goes off. Then resetting it for another 30 minutes and doing something I enjoy or nothing at all. Repeating the 30 - 30 activity until I call my day done. Give me an hour and I will get too comfortable with my play. Fifteen minutes at a time and I can loose focus. It truly is amazing how much I can get accomplished in these little splashes of time through out the day. I think mainly because I'm not locked into an ALL-DAY work mode. Having playtime punctuated through out the day helps to keep my interest peaked to get my work done. Cause I know playtime is right around the corner. I will never lack for something to do that's for sure. But unlike my "city dwelling" friends, I get the pleasure of pursuing them in the quiet, peaceful arena of our farm. Thank you Lord for the gift!

Setting my timer for 30 minutes ~
Deborah

Saying Goodbye ~

Our last 2 Spring bucks were sold yesterday amid some reservations on my part. Oh, I know they had to be sold. We difinitely didn't need 4 bucks on the place. Sometimes the one we have is one too many. But I just didn't like the ways of the man who bought them. Overly protective of my boys? . . . . probably.
Victor ~

Victor and Lil' Bit were both nice specimens of the dairy breed, Nubian. Either one of them would have been great breeders for our herd. Except for the fact that we were keeping related does. When it comes to genetics you don't won't to push the possibility of interbreeding fathers and granddaughters together. Or neither sons back to their mothers. So we had already decided to keep Patches, as our up & coming replacement breeder. As we had already sold his mother this year. Plus there wasn't any concern with him breeding the new does we had kept. So all of the other 5 bucks had to have new homes. Fortunately they had slowly left the farm one at a time until the last 2 remained.

Lil' Bit ~

My prayer as they were being pulling out of the drive was/is that they will be treated kindly. I hate the thought of them being reduced to slave goats (brush control) or worst wind up on someone's dinner table. Though right now my gut feeling is says otherwise. I know this is the nature of the business, but I hate transactions like yesterday.

Lon and I both have decided it is too hard to see them go when we have kept them as long as we did with these two. It was not our intent to keep them but to find homes quickly for them. Each time someone came to look at our boys. The others were picked over these two. Why, who knows, maybe it was their colorations. Or just not what the potential buyers wanted. Victor and Lil' Bit had become part of the family and were like pets, gentle, loving and trusting of us. For my own mental solace, I hope forgiving as well.

Their sale will help us with our morning chores though, as Patches is back with the adults now. There isn't any need for separate housing and feeding any more. He seemed happy to be back playing with Daisy and Sarah. Breeding time is fast upon us, as we are already noticing some bucky behavior from Samson. Though our plans to breed Patches to the new girls may have to wait till he gets a little bigger and older, possibly until next year.

Having dairy goats is an adventure and for the strong of heart. For every season brings losses to the herd. As babies and adults are sold for the health and well being of all.

Missing my little guys,

Deborah

Yee Haw, There's a Hee Haw in Our Yard!

Life has been quite busy this past week. We are continuing to processs the bounty from the garden. Plus my "little darling" came for an extended visit to see her Nana, Papa and Aunt Melba. Who had came for a visit on her way back home to Seattle. But the strangest visitors we had were of the four legged variety.

On Tuesday past, Lon and Leah had gone to get hay for the critters. Only to find these surprise visitors standing in the driveway when returning from their errand.

Calling around to the neighbors didn't give us much info to work with in finding out where they belonged. And before I could make any inquries of their owner. They decided to wander off on their own through our woods to visit someone else. But not before posing for pictures and sampling the grass up on Cedar Hill. Leah was so excited to see them that she kept asking if we could keep them. After all, Nana & Papa are always adding new critters to the farm. For them to stay just made perfect 5 year old sense. Besides they showed up on her birthday and in her eyes would have made a great birthday gift!
Like I told my sister time and again, it is never boring around here. I think she beginning to believe me - now!

Enjoying my visitors, both the 2 legged and 4 legged,

Deborah

Hey, Bro!

Like an ad straight out of the world of advertising - One is never enough! At least that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Yesterday as Lon returned home from work, he didn't return with just his usual baggage in tow. There was something extra riding in the cab of his truck.

We had received an email from the family we had gotten Gracey from. Seems like the potential adoptive parent had backed out on taking her brother. On the day we picked Gracey up. We had commented on his unusual coloring, Lon even mentioned that if he wasn't taken by another family to give us a call. So. . . . they did. And Silas came to live with his baby sister and join her new family at Heartland Farm.

She was so glad to see him and immediately welcomed this sandy colored kid brother with a flying leap on top of him. They soon became inseparable and have been steadily romping through the house. Giving us lots of laughter at their kitten antics. Having a kitten in the house is always entertaining, but having two is a bonus. Both of us have fallen in love with them!

Though seeing Silas, with his climbing abilities. We are thinking maybe, just maybe we should have named him Zaccheaus. Don't you think?

Smiling,

Deborah

Gracey

A new face is present on the farm. That's nothing new, as we have had many new faces born on it this year. This one will be staying a lot closer to the home front for several reasons. Her name is Gracey and she is a 6 week old. I have been looking for a Calico since loosing my last cat to an attack by the neighbor's dogs. Who have since then gotten rid of the culprits. But that was after one of them killed one of our baby goats. UGH!

At first she was not too sure about her new surroundings and having to leave her mommy and siblings. Hiding under or behind something was her usual response to our presence. But now she is feeling more at ease. She is a grey, white and orange kitten. Not at all a calico like I was looking for but none the less still a heart tugging ball of fur.

I am excited to see her eat a little more solid food and sipping from the water bowl. Though at times she will look at me with the most pitiful cry that any mother could relate to. . . begging to nurse her mommy. She has begun to explore her surroundings with timid steps. Even forgetting herself and playing a little this morning. I even received a leg rub complete with purring after her breakfast. It's wonderful to see her play and bat at items in normal kitty fashion. It tells me she is happy here and I am happy to have her.

Gracey helping shell peas~ "I'll chew off the end for ya"

I have had a cat in my life most of my years, sometimes more than one at a time. They have been companions and my listening ear when I have found myself all alone. With my husband's job requirements, he has to be gone frequently over night. Even though they aren't much of a conversationalist or intruder deterrent. They have always been a comforting presence in my life. Keeping me from sleeping alone in an empty house.

Welcome to the family, Gracey ~

Deborah

Mount Pea-ly Conquered!

Yea!!!!! Mount Pea-ly was finally conquered yesterday after 3 days of climbing it ( I mean shelling it). Final results, 10 sore fingers, aching neck and 16 quarts safely tucked away in the freezer. I wonder if I will recover in time before the next 2 bushels of Colossal are ready? I should have known they would be ready just when Lon was pulling a 48 hour shift. So he missed all of the fun! Though I was really thought they would wind up being ready this weekend in the middle of my granddaughter's visit. SO GLAD they came early.


Lon and I have been trying to stay on top of the produce coming out of our garden. We have been blessed with a good crop this year and have put away several things for our Winter pantry thus far. Yesterday's efforts took the form of 13 pints of chopped tomatoes, 1 quart of tomato juice, 8 quarts and 5 pints of Dill pickles. Then from Mt Pea-ly and additional 11 quarts of Pink-eye Peas. Found strawberries and blueberries at the grocery store at a reduced price still in great shape. So I froze 2 quarts of blue and 4 1/2 quarts of straw and 2 quarts of peaches from my neighbor down the road. Plus I set some Ginger Gold apples I bought at a farmer's market to dry in the dehydrator for some yummy snacking.



I had started some goat cheese the day before and set it out to drain in the midst of our busy, cluttered kitchen. Mid afternoon I took it out of the cheesecloth and mixed in a little sea salt. It was quite tasty on some seasoned crackers. Though a little drier than I had hoped, not sure if it was the heat in the kitchen or the extended time of draining that caused this or both. Had been extremely busy morning, but it has a great flavor. Often I will add herbal blends to make a flavored cheese. Yesterday was just too busy and I was pass the point of being creative. So plain Chevre it is. We decided it would work great on a salad or pasta dish. Which is good as I have a menu planned for both of those items next week.


I am keeping a running total on the sidebar for my own records. Not that I am trying to boast or anything like that. My intent is to encourage all the gardener's or want-a-be ones to try to increase your healthy eating with fresh home grown goodness. You can't find it in a can or processed package. It will take time and effort on your part. It doesn't have to be a large garden, ours is about . But the benefits out weigh any excuses you can come up with.

As the commercials say -"What have you put in your wallet (freezer/pantry)?

Deborah

It's Cheese

The pages of the calendar have flipped to the day my first wheel of cheese is to be ready. We have been anxiously waiting for a taste test of our efforts from a month ago. Making it was fun, challenging and a learning process to be sure. Having seen success in a friends efforts with Caerphilly. We decided to jump into the vat with the same recipe for our first official pressed cheese.

It all started 4 weeks ago with a large pot of goat's milk being gently heated, cultured and processed into curds. Every wheel of cheese starts in the same manner. Different temperatures, cultures or setting times is the only difference in making cheese, soft or firm.

This is what "Little Miss Muffet" enjoyed until an ugly spider sat down beside her. Once heat treated, cultured and given time to set. The milk will coagulate into curds = protein clumps. Which are cut into cubes and dipped out of the remaining whey. By the way ~ Whey is useful for many things. I've been known to feed it to the chickens and the dogs think it's the grandest treat ever. I've given it to my tomato plants to ward off blossom end rot, after all it is full of calcium. Adding it to my loaves of bread, boosts the nutrition and gives them a softer texture too. But one of my new found joys is to make Ricotta out of it. I can't describe the wonderful flavor and texture of a batch of fresh made. Very creamy unlike the store bought version. A diffinent treat eaten on crackers or by the spoonful if I'm feeling generous to my self. Plus it is out of this world atop a plate of pasta.

Once sufficiently drained the curds are packed into the cheese press for increasingly amounts of time and pressure. After the pressing process which can take up to several hours to overnight. The cheese is aired dry for a couple of days. Before being aged in a specific temperature and humidity for the variety of cheese being made.

We were proud with the first wheel we had made. It made an impressive picture to me. At this point we don't know if we have succeeded or not. As sometimes looks can be deceiving. Waiting to eat it will be hard.
I was sure to mark the calendar for the end of the 4 week aging process. But choosing to wait one more day till Lon could be home for the unveiling and tasting. During the last few days of air drying before aging the wheel. We had to tackle a renovation in the kitchen that couldn't be put off any longer. In doing so, I failed to monitor the cheese as closely as I should have. Waiting what the recipe described as the needed drying time was too much. But we didn't find this out until after it had been aged for a month.

The wheel was pretty to look at but came out dryer than we had planned. Lesson learned, don't always rely on recipes written for generalization. Every one's kitchen and house has varying degrees of moisture and temperatures in them. Even having a fan circulating air can make a difference in the final outcome. Cheese making is an art to be sure. With each attempt one would hope to get closer to making a classic batch of cheese.

Since ours came out too dry to cut easily for eating on crackers. We decided after tasting what seemed to be a Parmesan flavor. That the best way to use the cheese would be to grate it.
That way we could use in on top of homemade pizza, pasta dishes or sprinkled over salads.

Which took minimal effort with a good crank grater. Yielding 3 jars from our first hard cheese attempt. We tried it over some pasta with a home grown medley of squash, tomato, garlic and onion the same night. Yum, Yum! What some would deemed a failure tasted like success to us.

Looking for a new recipe to try ~

Deborah

Late to Bed ~ Early to Rise

I know the title of today's post is a little off from what you usually hear it stated. The old saying is "early to bed, early to rise makes one healthy, wealthy and wise." We have found that statement to be true. For if one is to make the most of the days given them. Then we need to be rested (early to bed), then up making the most of our daylight time (early to rise). The end results of this bedtime schedule are many and worth pursuing. One is becoming healthy ~ by getting proper exercise through physical activity, restorative rest for our bodies and eating the balanced nutritious meals we have time to prepare. Two, by being in our best healthy shape we are able to be productive workers. Using our time in ways to either generate money or save it for future use/needs. Which leads to being wealthy both financially and emotionally. Practicing both of these disciplines as a lifestyle is a sign of wise person. Of putting into practice principles that help, not hinder as some would think.

The hard part for us is making it work on an ever evolving farm. As those of you who have ever lived on one could attest. There is never a shortage of work, projects and chores to be done. My to-do list is always longer than my day. After several days and weeks of that kind of pace. It also tends to be longer than my energy level too. The past 2 years has been a daily search for ways to make things work easier for us and to help life go smoother in general. As we have steadily built this farm from the ground up. There are days when one or the other, even both of us feel like our efforts are going backwards. We will decide to change one aspect of our schedule or how we do chores. Only to find it doesn't work as well as we thought it would or something unseen pops up and requires a different avenue to be sought. They key I have found is to be flexible. As each area of the farm has grown so have the chores, challenges and chaos sometimes. But I don't want to give you a negative picture here, for the blessings are worth the effort to have one. Even on those days when we want to throw up our hands and say "I can't do this."

This past Spring and the Summer months thus far have been opportunities for growth both in the farm and ourselves. Most people have the mindset when faced with "difficulties" to see them as a negative force in their lives. Something to hinder, cause them trouble or look like an impossibility. I've learned over the years and even still have to remind myself at times when faced with what appears to be a hard task or roadblock. That they are simply opportunities to learn something new, fine tune an already learned skill or stretch myself physically, emotionally or spiritually. Which are all worth stretching and beneficial to round me out into the person I was born to be.

The new changes this year of a larger garden and increases in livestock. ARE blessings in themselves and what you would hope to happen on a farm. Even though they have served to push us a little physically, caused some frustrating moments and had our heads together to find some solutions to what we were facing. Our days long, our tasks many, the needs great, our bodies exhausted and our spirits lagging just a bit. For we were seeing too many days with a late bedtime due to the demands of the farm and Lon's full time job. Struggling with rising with the sun and having an energetic body ready to face the new day. Playtime was missing from our weeks as well. Which reminds me of another old saying "All work and no play leaves one a dull boy/girl."

Talking out "opportunities" is a great avenue towards finding solutions. Instead of muddling through the days and wishing life was easier. Which really doesn't work in the long run. For us the facts of what we were facing wasn't going to change that much. We had planted a larger garden, there were still big construction projects to be done, our goat herd had increased with the new births and new challenges would faced us each day. How we faced them could be changed though. The answer for us was to get back to the early to bed and early to rise.

A decision to start earlier with the chores would allow Lon to help out even on the days he had to drive into work. Giving us a chance to share the load, to start our day in the cooler hours of it, of spending more time together doing what we love, allowing us more free time in the middle of the HOT summer days we are experiencing and having our evenings free for more personal pursuits. To do so required my getting up earlier than I had been, preparing our dinner meal in the early afternoon and making sure we stop our labors instead of working till the last ray of light left the sky. Another thing we decided to implement is having a day set aside other than Sunday, just for leisure, play and rest. Our bodies may not always be at rest on these days, but we try to have our minds at rest. Minimal chores are done; water, food and safety for everyone. Then we don't think about, plan or problem solve any aspect about the farm. It's like a mental vacation from our work.

So far we are doing pretty good with our efforts. There will always be days when something comes up, an emergency or an illness. That can throw a "monkey-wrench" into the plan but it helps to have some flexibility and a go with the flow mentality. Then simply getting back on track the next day. Life is never the same from day to day, year to year or even person to person. It would be a pretty dull one if was.

Rising to meet the opportunities,
Deborah

Country Roads & Mothering

It's cool on the front porch this morning. A reminder left from the storm that came through and gave everything a wet look. Thank You, Lord! We needed the rain as our garden was quite thirsty. Dark wet earth is such a pretty contrast to the dark green foliage of the garden. The tomatoes will surely plump up with the added moisture gained from it. Even the plum tree looks fuller with the swell of it's fruit. One branch looks in need of some support for it's heavy laden bounty. I've already enjoyed a few, as I have been searching the branches for the early ripening ones. The taste of Summer for this young girl's heart.


The last baby turkey from our sitting hen is struggling to survive. As it's momma keeps stepping on it and knocking it over onto it's back. With no traction it is unable to to turn itself back over. Laying there with bicycling legs stretched up in the air. Peeping for help to a mother with no hands. Twice I have rescued this chick from a fate I am sure that probably took the lives of it's other 3 siblings. They simply disappeared ~ first one, followed by 2 the next day, till this one was the only one left. It is hard to give the baby back to it's mother, knowing it might not survive. Our turkey hatch has been a little disappointing this Spring. We've had several to be born, but only a few that have lived for very long. Though the ones we hatched ourselves in the incubator are growing good. But all of the naturally raised ones have not survived so far. But that is not the reason for my concern with this little chick.


I know that it is only through practice that the hen will learn how to be a good teacher and provider for her chicks. It's difficult for this mother to let another mother learn how to mother. Our hearts go soft for any little helpless thing. The nature of being a mother causes us to want to come to it's aid, to scoop it up and take care of it. Regardless of whether it is a human baby or an animal one. Mothering lessons have to be learned, mistakes and error in judgement will happen. None of us are born mothers, we have to grow into being one. Just as this first time turkey hen will have to do. It is a life long process that never stops. For once you become a mother, you will always be a mother. Mothering is hard, any way you look at it, human or otherwise. But Oh, so worth it!


Lon and I saw several "eye candy" this morning during our coffee time ~ A hummingbird sipping from the porch flowers, a small wild hare hopping across the yard, little birds gliding in the freshness of the morning sky, a serenading Brown Thrasher from the mystery tree and the view from our front porch across rows of fencing, rain soaked pastures and up a graveled drive. There is something about country roads that speaks to this heart of mine. All are made of dirt, some covered with gravel and even a few tarred. But they all have a story to tell of the journeys made on them and the possibilities available just a little further down the road. Some show you the way in long stretches of open terrain, letting you see what is coming up. While others speak quietly with a bend in the road, saying slow down, take a look at where you are going. As I sat this morning looking out over our own.
I was reminded of the journey we started here 2 years ago. Of all that has transpired since and all that we dream of for our future. We know not what the future holds for us, just like you can't see around the bend in our drive. But we are looking forward to it, knowing that if it is anything like we have experience thus far. It will be a great journey.

Trying to learn lessons well,

Deborah

Breakfast & A Field Trip ~

Our play date to Callaway Gardens fell through last night. After driving for an hour we arrived at it's gates only to be told it was closed. When we left home the farm was getting a much needed showering of light rain. Which stopped all together on our way southward. But that was not the case for those living in the area of Callaway. As we were getting our gentle rain, they were getting slammed with a fierce storm. The power had been knocked out at the gardens and several trees had fallen all over the place. The much anticipated "Farmer's Market" had been cancelled for the night. We were disappointed that our fun had been cancelled for the evening. Not to mention our dinner, as we had planned to eat there too.

We had bought season passes to the place back in May. When we took our granddaughter there for a visit to see the butterfly house and have a picnic. We had been looking for ways to incorporate a play date each week. With Callaway Gardens having lots to offer and living closer to it now, it is a good reason to start enjoying it more. The Farmer's Market they offer every Friday evening is just one of those reasons. The "Victory Garden" is full of inspiration and information, or just plain sitting and dreaming. For those of you who watch or know about the TV show by the same name. All of it is filmed right on the grounds there. Trying to acquire fresh local vegetables for our winter storage is an on going pursuit. South Georgia is known for growing great crops; Vidalia onions being just one of them. Our hope at getting some local farmer's produce, eating by the lake, wandering through the Victory Garden would have to be put off till another Friday night, when Lon is off duty again.

So to make up for our failed attempt at doing nothing last evening, we decided to treat ourselves to some mighty find cooking at the Southern Lady. I know going some place is not "doing nothing". But measured next to choring and working on farm projects - it is! We discovered the local eatery when we were remodeling the house a couple of years ago. Stopping often then for their homemade biscuits stuffed with real hoop cheese, eggs and either country ham, slab bacon or Lon's favorite hot links. They are treat anytime but today it was their big country breakfast we were after. After eating our share and visiting with a friend there. We wandered on down the road to check out a place new to us. Bowdon Junction, a flea/farmer's market that has so many indoor market stalls it is easy to get lost in the place. We had heard a lot about the place and looking for a place to sell some of our extra livestock. We wanted to see if this might be a good option for us. There were a few people there with their trucks backed up to the outside booths with rabbits, turkeys, chickens, kittens, ducks and puppies. Even saw some who had veggies and fruit to sell, though I don't think they raised the produce themselves as the commercial packing boxes gave them away. But the majority of it was flea market vendors of resell close-out items. It was HOT in the place and we didn't stay long, but I did find a book for my granddaughter who will be coming for a visit again next week. She loves to read and to be read to. So I try to have a new book each time she comes to visit. This one was a good find, a hardback book for only $1, entitled "Cornfield Hide & Seek." Appropriate, don't you think?

Looking forward to our next adventure,

Deborah

Cheese Please ~

Having dairy goats is more than a hobby for us. They are an essential part of our food chain and lifestyle. The "girls" and Samson have become members of an ever widening circle of "farm critters" we have obtained over the past 3 years. Dairy goats were the second phase of our attempt to eat a FRESH natural diet. The first being the chickens I got as a Birthday present. Our original flock of 16 has grown to one numbering over 60. Being informed can at times appear to be detrimental to those around you. Hence the shocked look on my husband's face when I asked for them three years ago. He is now an avid spokesman for home grown eggs among other natural food sources. Usually it is not those within the family you have to educate but those on the perimeter. Most of our friends, old and new have at one time or another given us puzzled looks when we mention our chosen lifestyle. But I digress ~

What I wanted to share was how one thing always leads to another. In this case I am talking about our dairy goats who produce the sweetest milk, which we LOVE. I have been a milk drinker since birth. Just ask my Mom, she will tell you how I could never go to bed without a glass. There haven't been many days in my life that I haven't sipped a cold glass of either cow or my now favorite, goat. Lon on the other hand only drank milk occasionally with a meal. Never enjoying just a glass by itself. That is until we got Amber, our first dairy goat. Amber has in the past 3 years given us sweet milk each day of her lactations. I even froze some last year to get us through the winter months. Extra work? You bet, but is worth it for a glass of yummy goodness with all of the essential nutrients still inside and NO added junk from a "milk producer." But hers wasn't the only milk I saved. Along the way we've added several other milking does to the family.

Up until this past Spring we were milking only 3 over the past couple of years. Amber, Sugar and Anna were our "milk cow" so to speak. Birthing kids is a necessity in any milk production operation. You just can't have one without the other. So last Autumn, we bred not only the original trio, but their daughters as well. Glory, Cinnamon and Annabelle were born the year before. Guess you can tell where this is leading to. Having the potential of 6 milkers was real. Long story short, we sold one ~ Annabelle this year after kidding. Leaving us with 5 does in milk and a surplus of it too! Besides our milk drinking, I make buttermilk and occasionally yogurt out of it. I also use it in all of my cooking and baking needs too. But with Amber alone giving us nearly 1/2 gallon at each milking it doesn't take long for it to add up. Filling all the available space in not one but two refrigerators. The second one is being used primarily for storing eggs, so there isn't much space in it. What to do now?

We had been sharing some of the extra with the chickens and our dogs. Who by the way absolutely love it as much as we do. That is until I decide to start back in the classroom. The cheese making one I started last year. My feeble attempts back then left me with a desire to know more so I could produce a consistent outcome. Chevre is a fairly easy goat's cheese to make and makes one wonder how could you mess it up. Believe when I say, you can. Inspired by all the recipes I've collected. Seeing all the nice pictures of cheeses that others have produced. Having made a new friend who is fearless in her attempts to make cheese and having an abundance of milk. Well ~ I decided to wade into the deep end of the cheese making pool of milk once again.

Confidence bolstered I placed an order for some old and new to me cheese cultures. Pulled out my cheese books and spent the day with my new like-minded friend. A couple of weeks ago Debbie invited me to join her and another friend, Pam in making cheese and sampling some she had been aging. (Thanks again for the invite!) Plans were to make mozzarella and feta on that day. Notice here I said plans were. We did make the mozzarella and enjoyed it fresh out of the pot along with slices of the Caerphilly she had been aging for 3 weeks.


Mozzarella cheese (thanks for sharing the photo, Pam)

The Feta never quite made it out of the pot. As the 3 of us got caught up in the talking, sharing of cheese, life as we live it and homesteading books. Milk is a temperamental thing you know when placed over a hot water bath and high heat. Requiring that it be kept in the fore front of your thoughts. Hence, why we never made the Feta. Too much time on the stove with too little supervision was it's demise. It is times like this when you want to kick yourself in the pants, but don't dare asked anyone else for they would be too happy to oblige you. Such is the classroom of cheese making. Among the victories there are going to be a lot of defeats in learning this craft. We tried to think of a new name for the concoction we did make. Debbie finally decide to call it "Turkey Cheese," for that is who got the chance to enjoy it. But I wonder now if the name might even be a subtle hint at name calling towards the 3 of us. Hmmm? Doesn't bother me none, I've been called worst I am sure over the years. The afternoon was delightful and I came away with rich memories in my pocket. Enough to carry me through a few more cheesy defeats myself.

Goat's Milk -check, cultures -check, cheese making books - check.
Ready for the next cheese adventure,

Deborah

Much Has Happened ~

So much has happened since we last spoke, I'm not quite sure where to begin. The majority of it was good though life will throw us curve balls every chance it can. Every now and then when we don't see them coming we get blindsided. Such has been things around here to the extent that I have felt a little off-balanced. Writing didn't seem to get to the top of the priority pile that often and when it did it was soon knocked down the list by an emergency. I hope someone else can relate and it's not just me struggling to keep up.

We've come to the conclusion that some changes are needed to help the farm flow more smoothly through the challenging times. At present we are working through some ideas to carve out more time for ourselves. When the time needed to care for the livestock takes up more than what one is extending on themselves. Well, it is time for some changes. We figured it is time to either decrease the number of dependent animals or scale back on the "pampering" they are getting. We are choosing both options. After selling most of our Spring kids, we are down to 2 buckling left, who need new homes. Once they are sold our goat care will be easier and our milk production will be up. We are having to lock up the kids at night, so we can milk the does in the morning. Some still insist on nursing, even at 5mths of age and their mothers still let them. We are only milking once a day for a couple of reasons. One being we can't possibly use all the milk they could produce and two it effort to keep our evenings free for personal pursuits or just plain o' sitting. So we don't begrudge them them what little they get during the day. But we DO want our share of the milk.

Progress has been made on Cedar Hill, the horse/goat pasture, named for the large Cedar that stands in the middle of it. Fencing is a daily chore we are trying to work at in this heat. Which isn't for long once the sun gets high in the sky. We've let the goats & horses out into the area a couple of times to munch on the buffet out there. But someone has figured out where a small section of fence is not completed at the edge of the woods and keeps leading everyone out. Of course they all make a bee-line to my loaded plum tree. The one I've been intently watching for the fruit to turn ripe. Last year I put up 12 or so pints of jelly from this tree, besides all the fresh eating we could handle. Guess they will have to be banned from the area till all is completed. Here I was trying to be nice and let them have some fun in a new pasture. All it took was for one to ruin the opportunity for the rest of them. Though they didn't have to play "follow the leader" and could have stayed out in the pasture longer. Had they not given into peer pressure or should I say herd instinct.

We have also sold a number of laying hens this Spring also. Along with a few chicks and biddies we hand raised. The egg production count was getting above my extra refrigerator space. So something had to give or go! So we sold a few and have been dishing up boiled eggs treat to the remaining hens in an effort to keep the eggs as fresh as possible for our paying customers. Lon even gave away all the extra roosters to a couple of new goat buyers. Now all we have left at present are the roos we plan to hang on to for breeding purposes of the specific breeds we have. He has been putting them up in Roo-ville, but somewhere in the pen is an escape hatch. So they keep helping themselves back out to freedom with the hens. Some of our hens are looked quite ragged so we are trying to give them a break from the Roo's attention for awhile. Hence the locking up, as fertilized eggs are not a needed item right now. I have even pulled about 5 out of the barnyard and placed them in the play-yard of the B&B for some needed healing time . I am confident they will soon grow new feathers to shade their backs. Lots of rest and extra feed should do the trick. I may even go so far as trying my hand at making coverlets for the hens in needed of protection from the sun and our ever watchful flock Rooster, Big Boy. Who still likes to romance them from time to time. That is when he isn't being a watch-dog for them.

The Freedom Ranger chicks we got back the first of March, are now getting to harvest size. They are a heritage breed that is being used as a good choice for broilers. Growing slower than the "franken-stein" ones you find in the grocery store. But the upside is that we know what is being converted into their meaty parts from their food. (NO JUNK) Plus they are suppose to be more flavorful, due to the longer growing out phase. Next week we will start harvesting 4-5 each week, till all of them are either on the table or in our freezer. Time for heating up the grill and trying out some new recipes.

Speaking of recipes, I've started back on my cheese making with good results. Encouraged by my success and the multitude of yummy recipes for hard cheeses I keep finding. I've decided to order a cheese press, so I can venture out beyond the soft goat cheese I've been making. Bread baking is also a regular part of my week too. Finding a couple of new recipes that produce consistent results is a blessing. One in particular that we like is an Oatmeal loaf that makes great toast with a sourdough taste and some mighty fine grilled cheese sandwiches. I made a loaf this morning, but before placing it to rise a second time. I sprinkle it with cinnamon and raisins, rolled it up and then placed it in my prepared loaf pan. My experiment at making Cinnamon Raisin Bread for toasting. It is residing on top of my car in the garage as I type. I've found this heat is good for one thing ~ it helps my breads to rise quickly. Now if I could only find a way to bake them without heating up the kitchen from the oven.

Our garden is fully planted and we have little green tomatoes on our vines. Waiting for that first garden fresh matter to eat is hard. Watering has become a chore that has to be done daily, as we haven't had any rain to help us out. I'm using a soaker hose and rotating it to each row in turn across the garden. The garden area is larger than last year's, as we cleared out the last section of rocks and added 5 more rows to it. That's a lot of space added, but even so we still managed to fill it up. We have growing ~ 3 varieties of onion, 2 of garlic, 7 types of tomatoes equalling 40+ plants, 2 crowder pea crops, 2 types of cabbage, green beans, both yellow squash and zucchini, cantaloupe, sweet corn, sweet and red potatoes, cucumbers, a small row of beets to try, butternut squash and the last of my lettuce patch. That's a lot of plants that need regular watering in order to produce well. Our plan is to raise as much of our food as possible for fresh eating. Then supplement with some locally grown produce for putting away in the freezer and in my empty waiting canning jars for our winter pantry.

There is so much more I could share, but I am sure your time is just as spoken for as mine. Know that I think about my blogger friends often and I will try harder to sit down and drop you a note every chance I get.

getting more organized,
Deborah

The Colors of Spring

SPRING is here! I'm sure most of you are already aware of this. But for the few who maybe just now waking up from a long Winter's nap. I wanted to make sure you didn't miss out in the celebration. It's kinda hard to miss with all the sniffling and coughing going on right now. Pollen season started weeks ago. Invisible at first to the eye, but the yellow dusting from the pine trees is started to give things a golden hue. Alerting us to the fact that with all the blooming comes the allergy season as well.

In celebration I thought I would take you on a color journey of Spring. In case you haven't ventured out much lately. So enjoy the show ~ nature has it displayed in all of it's glory.

BLUE ~ Spring Skies

LT. BLUE ~ Pansies

GREEN ~ Daffodills, waiting to open

White ~ Plum Tree Blossoms

PURPLE ~ Pansies & Lavender Hycianths

YELLOW ~ Dandelion blossom

PINK ~ Peach Tree blossoms

Red & Orange are 2 colors missing in the Spring spectrum of pastels. But I am quite sure they will appear with the heat of Summer's flower.

Hope you enjoyed the walk,

Deborah

Peep, Crack! ~ Hello . . .

Twenty one days ago we placed the eggs we had been saving to hatch into the incubator. (see Crazy.) Lon thought he was hearing things when on Monday night he heard peeping in the laundry room. But not so, as a quick check of the incubator told us the time was getting near. Peeping could be heard through the shells signaling that the time we had been waiting for was upon us. Just as if you had rung the starting bell, they began to hatch like clock work. We saw 3 peck their way to the daylight yesterday. Eight more new faces greeted me this morning. Looking into the incubator's window I could see 4 more trying to break free. Lon was working an extra shift, so frequent calls were made between us to report the progress of our peeps. We were like anxious parents awaiting the birth of multiples. Waiting to see how many of what we were going to get. Whether Rhode Island Red chicks or Black Sex Link. There was even a different twist in that the Black Sex Link chicks are born with specific coloration's that lets you know how many pullets or cockerels you have, hence their name. The tote board changed throughout the day with each new chick making it's appearance into the world.

We had already placed the Freedom Rangers in the B&B brooder days ago. They were growing so fast that they would need to be moved to the floor area, to make room for the new arrivals. So in between hatching, I set up their feed, water and a heat lamp to continue keeping them warm until they fully feather out.

Placing the newly hatchlings in a brooder tub under a heat lamp till I had their comfy home set up just for them. We needed to clean out the large brooder box before putting the new ones in. They are susceptible to several illnesses when first born. Clean shavings is a must, along with sanitized feeder and waterers.

We are quite pleased with the hatch, gaining 33 out of the 43 eggs incubated, a good hatch rate. I hate to throw away eggs, but know that if they don't hatch soon. There are not viable chicks inside. I always wait till the last minute before deciding that they need to be tossed. We had only one to die after being born, not sure why.

Final count is 22 Rhode Island Reds and a tie between the Black Sex Links, with 5 future hens and 5 future roosters. You can probably guess the fate of the roosters, as they can't reproduce themselves. Black Sex Link chicks are made from breeding 2 different breeds of chickens. Having to be mated as such to continue their species.

Enjoying the sounds of cracking & peeping,

Deborah

Guess Who Came to Visit?

If you've read many of my posts in the past is isn't hard to figure out who our regular farm visitor is. Our darling granddaughter came out for the weekend. And as ususal we had a great visit, full of activity. Each time she arrives she exclaims how LONG she has had to wait to come again. Making me promise to not let it be so the next time. I do believe she would live here full time if she could convince her parents to move nearby.

Leah is a handy helper and loves being apart of whatever I am doing. Whether it is vacuuming, folding laundry, gardening, checking on the biddies or washing eggs. Which is one of her favorite things. She loves placing the eggs on the scale to see "how much they are". Declaring the color of their weight for me, as I place them in the cartons. Waiting for the washed eggs to dry is almost torture for her. "Can we now?'" is heard till I give the okay and she pulls up her stool to stand on.

Since we've made the decision to eat as naturally as we can. I have been faced with not having the pre-sliced sandwich bread she is used to having. In the past I've had "her special sandwich buns" ready prior to her arrival. The past week has been busy with new chores being added, that I never got them made. Mixing the dough was accomplished without her help, but shaping them was another issue. As I pinched and shaped the soft dough, to her eyes it was the same as playing with play dough. I convinced her that the most fun was in brushing the tops with an egg wash and sprinkling on the topping.

Mention sprinkles and her eyes will light up like the Fourth of July. She was a little set back though when I handed her the wheat bran for dusting our sandwich and dinner rolls with. But before I could stop her she had dumped a generous portion atop each one. Guess in her eyes if lots of sprinkles makes her ice cream special. Then lots of sprinkles on top of the buns would be just as good.

On Saturday while Papa was working we made a visit to a nearby town to have lunch, play on a playground and buy some flowers for the yard. Earlier in the week had been a little wet and cooler, but the day turned out to be a nice one. Ready-made for digging in the dirt! I knew we needed the activity when she kept insisting on watering my dead flower pots on the porch. We came home with several little trays of pansies for the pots and yard. Donning our work gloves we set to work placing the little spots of color here and there. I dug the holes and put the flowers to bed and she in her usual enthusiasm gave them all plenty to drink, "cause they are thirsty."

After Church on Sunday and having eaten our meal, she begged Papa for a ride on the 4-wheeler. Daddy had already called to arrange her transfer home and she wanted/needed one last thrill before leaving. Off they went for a short ride while I packed her things. Papa was the one to take her to meet her parents this time. I stayed and picked up the remnants of her visit and started missing her before she was even out of sight. I know that she will probably be back within a month for another visit. But like she keeps saying ~ "we have to wait too long."

Being Nana and loving it,

Deborah

Great Way to End the Week ~

I've been looking forward to a certain chore being completed since we started our renovations on our little barn. I can assure you it was in need of many things when we started, still does in many aspects. But the second most anticipated one was accomplished yesterday. You can read about the first one that gave me such a thrill at We're WIRED. Lon has worked hard with a lot of frustrating setbacks this week to get water into the barn. We've had it outside all along, but with a faucet that froze on cold mornings. Leaving us no recourse but to haul water bucket by bucket in order to give our livestock something to drink. I had longed for the convenience of a ready tap with aching arms and each step I've made in the past. Not any longer! He installed a frost-free faucet out side, new plumbing and sink faucet to our make-shift sink area inside. A building that once had running water in it, has it once more. To be able to wash your hands as soon after finishing a task is wonderful! Having to wait till we got back to the house is a thing of the past. Not having to fight with frozen hoses and faucets will make our winter chores a lot easier too. I've already set up the inside sink with the necessary supplies; hand soap, cleansers, cleaning rags, sink brush, paper towels and hand sanitizer along with cloth hand towels for us. I smile each time I turn the facet's handle and see clear, cool water flowing into the sink. He has left the plumbing under the sink in such a way. That in the future we can add on a small hot water heater to give us warm hand washing during those cold winter days sure to come. Yea! And double Yea!

I attended my third basket class yesterday over at our church this time. You can read about the first two at A Tisket, A Tasket . Being so close to Easter, the basket chosen by the instructor was designed with the intent of filling it with goodies for children.

I was more interested in making mine into an egg gathering basket. We always seem to be running short of one around here! The basic process is the same as with the previously made ones, but we learned how to give our baskets a handle this time.

I chose a soft green and bright yellow for my accent colors, thinking of the daffodils that have been filling the roadside and yards of neighbors. I enjoy the process of making baskets and look forward to the day when I might be able to sit down and weave one at will.

While I was at class, Lon was busy with a few chores, running errands and picking up our babies at the post office. Several weeks ago we placed the order for them. Waiting anxiously for the day when they would arrive. We have ordered from other suppliers in the past, but not like the ones waiting for us in this cardboard box. I was already excited to be able to attend another basket class. But when the postal worker called the same morning to announce their arrival. She had me wishing for the time to go there instead.

Twenty five Freedom Rangers were waiting for me when I got home. They are a old breed of chickens from France, perfect for the homestead. Like their names suggest, they are wonderful at free ranging; living off the land. Not to mention being a great way for us to be free from store bought chicken. Our plans are to raise them with the future babies sitting at present in the incubator. We are told they required a longer growth time, but the trade off in flavor makes it worth it. We anticipate that they will ring true to their heritage and we will be able to offer fresh wholesome chicken to those interested in buying them. Another Heartland Farm product in the making.

Looking forward to new things this Spring ~

Deborah