We are flooded in. No not out, we can't get out. We got almost 10 inches of rain yesterday. My garden in completely submerged and my house is surrounded. The streets are flooded and more rain on the way. Fun fun fun
Talking cows today over at women not dabbling
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Saturday, September 13, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Not For Sale!
Saturday was the Region 6 Dexter cattle show and meeting. I was unable to attend due to a poorly scheduled food tasting and craft show, and my son's birthday party. Apparently, The Dexter association had flyers printed out with all the local breeders names and phone numbers on them. So far I have received 2 phone calls from people wanting to come out at look at my ladies and ask questions. The first caller was wanting to buy, I told him I wasn't selling mine, but I knew a local breeder that was. The caller still wants to come out to my homestead and look, and ask more questions about them. I have been informed that I will receive these phone calls through-out the year, either from people that choose my name because I am close to their town, or from people that see my name as a person that will talk to them.
I had no idea that when you became a Dexter owner that you would be responsible for educating the public on your cattle. I don't mind. My husband looked at me funny when I told him about the phone calls, and said "They're black with horns, what more is there to see?" I concede that I too find it a little odd that you would want to take a gander at cows that are not up for sale. And if I find something odd...well then you know it must be strange. Dexter's aren't tiny like miniature horses. One comment I hear a lot is that the ladies are bigger than people thought they would be. My ladies are long legged Kerry's, this means that their legs are 1 1/2 inches longer than the short legged Dexter's. That's it. I really wanted the short legged buggers until I found out that little tidbit, and fell in love with Mama, Edie and Uma (of course Urth's Umbra when she was born). My ladies are mid range in acceptable Dexter Height.
But I can understand people wanting to meet and talk with an owner. There are so many interesting things about a Dexter, and they aren't like other beef cattle, where you can butcher before their first year. Dexter's are butchered at 3 years, so you have some investment, emotional and financial. Meeting with an owner before purchasing your own, is starting to sound like a good idea, not so odd. You can get an in person idea of what the owner really thinks, and the gentle (or not so gentle when it comes to Mama) interaction between the Dexter's and owner. It gives you a chance to see how large they actually are, and not end up shocked that the Dexter you bought a few states away is as tall as your 4 year old son, and not the size of a Lab. Plus you could build a relationship with another owner so that if questions or problems arise, you have a place you can turn to.
I am still thinking about charging for tours though. ha!
Just to let you know. We are prepping for flooding here in south central Kansas. Not because of Ike. Well Kind of. We have had rain for 2 days straight, and when Ike starts pushing its way up here. . . we are expecting 5 inches of rain by tomorrow afternoon.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Not Ready
A little trivia for you. My oldest just walked in the back door and informed me that "Hobo's are nocturnal." Hobo's? "yes hobo's." Did you just see one? "no".
Winter seems to be creeping in rather quickly this year. We are not ready for it. Usually we have another month before we have to prep. It is not normal for me to be neck deep in canning and needed to winterize the homestead. It is becoming a mad dash of sorts.
Because we have only hit 100 F a handful of times this summer, because the average temperature was barely getting into the 80's F, it has not been warm enough for my sweet potatoes to grow. I am going to attempt growing them in that bathtub we ripped out of the master bath. Turning it into a greenhouse. We shall see how it works.
Now, back to tomatoes and apples.
Hope everyone gets a chance to come up for some air, and take a slight break from canning soon.
Winter seems to be creeping in rather quickly this year. We are not ready for it. Usually we have another month before we have to prep. It is not normal for me to be neck deep in canning and needed to winterize the homestead. It is becoming a mad dash of sorts.
Because we have only hit 100 F a handful of times this summer, because the average temperature was barely getting into the 80's F, it has not been warm enough for my sweet potatoes to grow. I am going to attempt growing them in that bathtub we ripped out of the master bath. Turning it into a greenhouse. We shall see how it works.
Now, back to tomatoes and apples.
Hope everyone gets a chance to come up for some air, and take a slight break from canning soon.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Catch up, would you.
As the hysteria that is canning season peaks, the titles of my posts will be groaners. As I tell my kids, that's how I roll.
Yesterday I processed 6 pints of Ketchup. you will need,
1 house to yourself
3 Cd's
6 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 medium onions, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup water
3 pounds tomatoes, quartered
5 Tablespoons vinegar
1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1/2 Tablespoon allspice berries
1/2 Tablespoon whole cloves
1/2 Tablespoon celery seeds
1 teaspoon ground mace
1/2 teaspoon salt
If it is cool enough outside, open back door. Put Cd's in CD player, and start player. (my first selection was Sound Garden "B Side")
Carefully wash, core and quarter your tomatoes. Placing them in a heavy stock pot. Using a potato masher, smoosh the heck out of them. Cook over a medium heat. Bring to a light boil for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile. . .
Put you celery, onion and water in a medium saucepan. Cook over a medium heat. You will need a "Spoonman" to stir the mix occasionally. Cook until almost soft, 25 minutes.
Add the celery and onions to you mashed tomatoes, continue cooking until the vegetables are completely softened, 15 minutes. Strain tomato mixture in small batches through food mill into another small stock pot.
Stir in the remaining ingredients. Place the pot over medium high heat and bring to a boil. Continue boiling, stirring often to be sure that the ketchup is not sticking to the bottom of the pan, until the mixture thickens, kind of, for 15 to 20 minutes. Ladle into your sterilized pint jars, and process in a hot water bath for at least 40 minutes. Makes 1 1/2 pints.
I make larger batches of this recipe. I managed to listen to all 3 of my cds. I discovered yesterday that the stupid, embarrassing mom dance is hereditary. As I wiggled to some System of a Down, singing at the top of my lungs, stirring my ketchup over the stove. My neighbor walked in my open door. Let the giggle commence.
Yesterday I processed 6 pints of Ketchup. you will need,
1 house to yourself
3 Cd's
6 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
2 medium onions, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup water
3 pounds tomatoes, quartered
5 Tablespoons vinegar
1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1/2 Tablespoon allspice berries
1/2 Tablespoon whole cloves
1/2 Tablespoon celery seeds
1 teaspoon ground mace
1/2 teaspoon salt
If it is cool enough outside, open back door. Put Cd's in CD player, and start player. (my first selection was Sound Garden "B Side")
Carefully wash, core and quarter your tomatoes. Placing them in a heavy stock pot. Using a potato masher, smoosh the heck out of them. Cook over a medium heat. Bring to a light boil for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile. . .
Put you celery, onion and water in a medium saucepan. Cook over a medium heat. You will need a "Spoonman" to stir the mix occasionally. Cook until almost soft, 25 minutes.
Add the celery and onions to you mashed tomatoes, continue cooking until the vegetables are completely softened, 15 minutes. Strain tomato mixture in small batches through food mill into another small stock pot.
Stir in the remaining ingredients. Place the pot over medium high heat and bring to a boil. Continue boiling, stirring often to be sure that the ketchup is not sticking to the bottom of the pan, until the mixture thickens, kind of, for 15 to 20 minutes. Ladle into your sterilized pint jars, and process in a hot water bath for at least 40 minutes. Makes 1 1/2 pints.
I make larger batches of this recipe. I managed to listen to all 3 of my cds. I discovered yesterday that the stupid, embarrassing mom dance is hereditary. As I wiggled to some System of a Down, singing at the top of my lungs, stirring my ketchup over the stove. My neighbor walked in my open door. Let the giggle commence.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
What's the Dilly, Yo?
I heard you. You hate sweet pickles, same here. Yesterday I put up some Kosher Dill Pickles.
4 quarts water
6 tablespoons coarse white Kosher salt
18-20 cucumbers, scrubbed
8 cloves garlic, unpeeled and lightly-crushed
2 tablespoons pickling spice (recipe below)
6 bay leaves
1 large bunch of dill, going to seed, washed
In a large pot, heat 1 qt of the water with salt until dissolved. Add the remaining water.
Sterilize 3 quart canning jars
divide the garlic, spices, bay leaves, and dill amongst them.
Pack the cucumbers vertically into the jars, making sure are very tightly-packed.
Fill the jars with brine so that the cucumbers are completely covered. Hot water bath for 20-30 minutes. Ready to eat in 3 days.
Pickling spice:
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
2 tablespoons mustard seeds
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
2 tablespoons hot red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons allspice berries
1 tablespoon ground mace
2 small cinnamon sticks, crushed or broken into pieces
24 bay leaves, crumbled
2 tablespoons whole cloves
1 tablespoon ground ginger.
In a small dry pan, combine peppercorns, mustard seeds and coriander seeds. Place over medium heat and stir until fragrant, careful not to burn them. Keep the lid handy in case seeds pop. Crack peppercorns and seeds in mortar and pestle (or use the side of a knife on cutting board).
Mix together all ingredients. Store in a tightly sealed plastic or glass container.
4 quarts water
6 tablespoons coarse white Kosher salt
18-20 cucumbers, scrubbed
8 cloves garlic, unpeeled and lightly-crushed
2 tablespoons pickling spice (recipe below)
6 bay leaves
1 large bunch of dill, going to seed, washed
In a large pot, heat 1 qt of the water with salt until dissolved. Add the remaining water.
Sterilize 3 quart canning jars
divide the garlic, spices, bay leaves, and dill amongst them.
Pack the cucumbers vertically into the jars, making sure are very tightly-packed.
Fill the jars with brine so that the cucumbers are completely covered. Hot water bath for 20-30 minutes. Ready to eat in 3 days.
Pickling spice:
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
2 tablespoons mustard seeds
2 tablespoons coriander seeds
2 tablespoons hot red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons allspice berries
1 tablespoon ground mace
2 small cinnamon sticks, crushed or broken into pieces
24 bay leaves, crumbled
2 tablespoons whole cloves
1 tablespoon ground ginger.
In a small dry pan, combine peppercorns, mustard seeds and coriander seeds. Place over medium heat and stir until fragrant, careful not to burn them. Keep the lid handy in case seeds pop. Crack peppercorns and seeds in mortar and pestle (or use the side of a knife on cutting board).
Mix together all ingredients. Store in a tightly sealed plastic or glass container.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Party on the Range
Little sad this morning, that I didn't have a camera for my middle son 7th birthday party. But I think I was a little too busy to even take photos.
Saturday we had ten 7 year olds out to the homestead. Not counting how many older kids and adults. As I mentioned we had a cowboy theme. It was raining off and on all day, but it didn't stop us from hosting this thing outside. The kids arrived and milled around the campfire my husband was tending, and I was giving horse rides to many of them. The only girl invited over (sorry already asked. She is not the middle son's girlfriend. Too bad, I like her) loved the horse ride. She wanted to round up the Dexters. One of the little boys got on Sunny, and went about 2 feet, then calmly told me that he was scared and wished to get off.
Next on the agenda, was target shooting with the BB gun. Once again the little girl was front and center. She was so excited about it. She told me she had never shot a gun before. I set up the balloons on some hay bales, and walked her 10 paces back, Each child was given 3 shots. I showed them how to set the safety after each shot, before they hand it over for a reload. That little girl loved it! She shot 3 times, hitting 1 balloon. Then all the boys went, the young ones had their turns then ran off to the campfire, but not her. So I gave her one more turn before the older boys were allowed to take over. She got 1 more balloon.
Next was the chicken racing. I knew this would take a little bit of time. We had the chickens waiting. The little girl freaked out over the birds. Under no uncertain terms was she going to touch one of them. But after a short while, she was brave enough to kind of hold a banny, and line up with the boys. I walk down 10 feet, and told everyone that when I said go they had to let go of their bird, and chase it down past me to win. I said go, and their was chickens and children everywhere. I thought the adults where going to fall over in laughter. The kids tried their hardest to get their birds down to me, only my middle son who had a polish hen, made it down. He would simply pat the bird's rear, she would take 4 or 5 steps, the would sit down. After the race, I found the little girl that was terrified of the birds, sitting on a bale by the campfire, with a chicken in her lap.
We roasted hot dogs in the rain over the fire. This was not the down time it usually is. One would think that these kids never get to do such a thing. All the kids were glowing Happily, chattering and eating more hot dogs than I could stomach. I also had some marshmallow available. We opened presents, sang happy birthday and ate some cake. My s-i-l is a cake designer, she made my son a very cool cowboy cake, while her teen daughter really wanted to pet Urth's Umbra (the dexter calf) but was terrified of it.
Parents arrived and dragged their kids off as the kids talked the parents ears off. All in all I think it was a great party. The old fashioned root beer was my only big expense (glass bottles, pop off caps). And I still have 4 Dexters wondering around my front yard.
Saturday we had ten 7 year olds out to the homestead. Not counting how many older kids and adults. As I mentioned we had a cowboy theme. It was raining off and on all day, but it didn't stop us from hosting this thing outside. The kids arrived and milled around the campfire my husband was tending, and I was giving horse rides to many of them. The only girl invited over (sorry already asked. She is not the middle son's girlfriend. Too bad, I like her) loved the horse ride. She wanted to round up the Dexters. One of the little boys got on Sunny, and went about 2 feet, then calmly told me that he was scared and wished to get off.
Next on the agenda, was target shooting with the BB gun. Once again the little girl was front and center. She was so excited about it. She told me she had never shot a gun before. I set up the balloons on some hay bales, and walked her 10 paces back, Each child was given 3 shots. I showed them how to set the safety after each shot, before they hand it over for a reload. That little girl loved it! She shot 3 times, hitting 1 balloon. Then all the boys went, the young ones had their turns then ran off to the campfire, but not her. So I gave her one more turn before the older boys were allowed to take over. She got 1 more balloon.
Next was the chicken racing. I knew this would take a little bit of time. We had the chickens waiting. The little girl freaked out over the birds. Under no uncertain terms was she going to touch one of them. But after a short while, she was brave enough to kind of hold a banny, and line up with the boys. I walk down 10 feet, and told everyone that when I said go they had to let go of their bird, and chase it down past me to win. I said go, and their was chickens and children everywhere. I thought the adults where going to fall over in laughter. The kids tried their hardest to get their birds down to me, only my middle son who had a polish hen, made it down. He would simply pat the bird's rear, she would take 4 or 5 steps, the would sit down. After the race, I found the little girl that was terrified of the birds, sitting on a bale by the campfire, with a chicken in her lap.
We roasted hot dogs in the rain over the fire. This was not the down time it usually is. One would think that these kids never get to do such a thing. All the kids were glowing Happily, chattering and eating more hot dogs than I could stomach. I also had some marshmallow available. We opened presents, sang happy birthday and ate some cake. My s-i-l is a cake designer, she made my son a very cool cowboy cake, while her teen daughter really wanted to pet Urth's Umbra (the dexter calf) but was terrified of it.
Parents arrived and dragged their kids off as the kids talked the parents ears off. All in all I think it was a great party. The old fashioned root beer was my only big expense (glass bottles, pop off caps). And I still have 4 Dexters wondering around my front yard.
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