I plan on going out to the farmstead tomorrow and have all that to talk about on Monday, today I will bring your Friday's adventure, garage sales.
Friday was the start of our little towns city wide garage sale. oh my! It was difficult to get around town and it was only Friday, today will be imposable. There were plenty of sales to be found, we didn't need a map. We just drive to the next block, park and walk.
My mother, Small and I headed out mid morning. Looking for canning jars mainly. We found a total of 5 in the tree hours we were out. But that wasn't the score I am speaking of. Science materials seemed to be a very popular item to be selling. I found a brand new, metal encased, telescope for $10. I found a molecule building kit, food experimentation books, an untouched children's science kit, a microscope kit, and the list seems to go on from there. I thought these items would be great for homeschooling. Of course husband will have to help me with some of it like the molecule building kit. I was reading the instruction manual and it was way over my head. He knows all that science stuff, math, biology, while I know literature and English, spelling (at times) Social Studies, current events. We should make a decent team.
While we were out, I thought we would skirt the country side, looking for a few sales. We found one that happened to be at the people's house that we are swapping bulls with. I got to see my bull! He is simply gorgeous. Wish I had brought my camera. He is short legged and horned. His head, for being under a year old, is huge, very broad. His father is good looking as well.
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Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
How to end school
I am glad to see the HB 2121 was vetoed. But what happens when She becomes HHS and the new guy is Governor? Something to watch.
If you can't tell yet, I am kind of dry on the how-to's. I guess I could repost something, but not sure about that. Some of you have been reading for years, some new readers have gone back and read every single post ( I have changed a bit over the years haven't I?) some of you have utilized the tags on the sidebar to ferret out info, and some of you haven't. This will pick up more once my truck is running again and I can actually navigate the water logged roads that lead to the farmstead.
The school year ends here on the 21st of May. That is when the farmstead project should go into full swing. Sunday we will be marking off corrals. Once I have the fencing, it should only take me a good day to get it strung. The lean-tos are a different story, and a lot more work to fix.
Yesterday Medium was using the pitch fork as though he was born with it. And he actually liked using it, pitching hay to the cattle. I think he might be a born rancher. If only he would use his talents for good. ha!
When it comes to my not planting until the second week of May, I do start transplant able seedlings this week. Melons, cucumbers, and squashes mainly. I have decided that this year I will be planting everything I have. A lot of my seeds were leftovers from last year, so they have to be used. I will have an odd amount of food stuff, but you are able to can just about everything, so I am not worried. If we have to eat pumpkin puree most evenings this next harvest season, so be it, I have a few Cornishes that will go wonderfully with pumpkin.
If you can't tell yet, I am kind of dry on the how-to's. I guess I could repost something, but not sure about that. Some of you have been reading for years, some new readers have gone back and read every single post ( I have changed a bit over the years haven't I?) some of you have utilized the tags on the sidebar to ferret out info, and some of you haven't. This will pick up more once my truck is running again and I can actually navigate the water logged roads that lead to the farmstead.
The school year ends here on the 21st of May. That is when the farmstead project should go into full swing. Sunday we will be marking off corrals. Once I have the fencing, it should only take me a good day to get it strung. The lean-tos are a different story, and a lot more work to fix.
Yesterday Medium was using the pitch fork as though he was born with it. And he actually liked using it, pitching hay to the cattle. I think he might be a born rancher. If only he would use his talents for good. ha!
When it comes to my not planting until the second week of May, I do start transplant able seedlings this week. Melons, cucumbers, and squashes mainly. I have decided that this year I will be planting everything I have. A lot of my seeds were leftovers from last year, so they have to be used. I will have an odd amount of food stuff, but you are able to can just about everything, so I am not worried. If we have to eat pumpkin puree most evenings this next harvest season, so be it, I have a few Cornishes that will go wonderfully with pumpkin.
Update Kansas HB 2121
To support Kansas dairy farmers and consumers, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has vetoed legislation concerning the labels on milk products! The bill, HB 2121, faced massive opposition from dairy, consumer, health, animal welfare and environmental organizations across the country; nearly 30 of which wrote a letter to Governor Sebelius, President Obama’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, urging her to veto HR 212.
The controversial bill passed by the Kansas State Legislature would have required an additional disclaimer on labels for dairy products produced from cows not treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH or rbST), a genetically engineered, artificial hormone that induces cows to produce more milk.
The Governor’s office sent out a press release late this afternoon, explaining why she vetoed the bill:
“...the Bill before me...provides for changes in dairy labeling that could make it more difficult to provide consumers with clear information. The milk labeling provisions negatively impact a dairy producer’s ability to inform consumers that milk is from cows not treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBST).”
“Supporters of the bill claim it’s necessary to protect consumers from false or misleading information. Yet there has been overwhelming opposition by consumer groups, small dairy producers and retailers to this proposed legislation. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14 of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I veto HB 2121.
You can read the entire press release here.
The controversial bill passed by the Kansas State Legislature would have required an additional disclaimer on labels for dairy products produced from cows not treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rbGH or rbST), a genetically engineered, artificial hormone that induces cows to produce more milk.
The Governor’s office sent out a press release late this afternoon, explaining why she vetoed the bill:
“...the Bill before me...provides for changes in dairy labeling that could make it more difficult to provide consumers with clear information. The milk labeling provisions negatively impact a dairy producer’s ability to inform consumers that milk is from cows not treated with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBST).”
“Supporters of the bill claim it’s necessary to protect consumers from false or misleading information. Yet there has been overwhelming opposition by consumer groups, small dairy producers and retailers to this proposed legislation. Therefore, pursuant to Article 2, Section 14 of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I veto HB 2121.
You can read the entire press release here.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Same Ole Same Ole
I am surprised that no one questioned the wild peacocks in Kansas yesterday. Or maybe not. . .
I learned yesterday that we "freak" some people out. Our horse neighbor informed me that he had some friends out, and they were concerned about cows in our front yard, well concerned might not be the appropriate word, more like "freaked out". Horse neighbor said he shrugged and said, "and?" it's normal for him and our other neighbors. Then his friends saw my husband and declared that he was a real live mountain man. Horse neighbor said they couldn't get over it, and kept staring at husband, amazed by the mountain man. My husband has been called worse, and he is from Denver. If the were amazed about the amount of beard he has now, I wonder what they would have thought had they seen him when we first met. Husband's hair was down passed his lower back, and he sported a braided goatee that hit mid chest. None of what horse neighbors friends said bothers me. What bothers me is when people avoid eye contact with my husband, or pull their children closer to them, or when they talk to me about him while he is standing next to me. If they should be scared of anyone, it should be my temper and my fierce loyalty to my husband.
I got some new plants started in the seed box yesterday. Everyone keeps telling me that I should have everything in the ground the first week of May. I have to politely disagree with them all. And I don't care what the Farmer's Almanac says. It is a great resource, but I have learned from unfortunate experience not to place anything tender out until the second week of May. The last frost date is April 28th, but there have been many years that frost has killed all our neighbors plants that first week of May. This is a great reason to keep a garden journal. Some habits should be broken. 2 years ago we were the only ones in the neighborhood that had tomatoes because we waited until that crucial second week.
I am not expecting too many strawberries this year. The goat ate them this winter, and they are starting over. I will have to find a U-pick it, if I can still find any. They are disappearing rapidly. Financially they are just not feasible, customers tear up your fields because they can't seem to keep a handle on their children or just don't have the respect. Pumpkin patches are disappearing faster than the others here.
Today? Same ole Same ole
I learned yesterday that we "freak" some people out. Our horse neighbor informed me that he had some friends out, and they were concerned about cows in our front yard, well concerned might not be the appropriate word, more like "freaked out". Horse neighbor said he shrugged and said, "and?" it's normal for him and our other neighbors. Then his friends saw my husband and declared that he was a real live mountain man. Horse neighbor said they couldn't get over it, and kept staring at husband, amazed by the mountain man. My husband has been called worse, and he is from Denver. If the were amazed about the amount of beard he has now, I wonder what they would have thought had they seen him when we first met. Husband's hair was down passed his lower back, and he sported a braided goatee that hit mid chest. None of what horse neighbors friends said bothers me. What bothers me is when people avoid eye contact with my husband, or pull their children closer to them, or when they talk to me about him while he is standing next to me. If they should be scared of anyone, it should be my temper and my fierce loyalty to my husband.
I got some new plants started in the seed box yesterday. Everyone keeps telling me that I should have everything in the ground the first week of May. I have to politely disagree with them all. And I don't care what the Farmer's Almanac says. It is a great resource, but I have learned from unfortunate experience not to place anything tender out until the second week of May. The last frost date is April 28th, but there have been many years that frost has killed all our neighbors plants that first week of May. This is a great reason to keep a garden journal. Some habits should be broken. 2 years ago we were the only ones in the neighborhood that had tomatoes because we waited until that crucial second week.
I am not expecting too many strawberries this year. The goat ate them this winter, and they are starting over. I will have to find a U-pick it, if I can still find any. They are disappearing rapidly. Financially they are just not feasible, customers tear up your fields because they can't seem to keep a handle on their children or just don't have the respect. Pumpkin patches are disappearing faster than the others here.
Today? Same ole Same ole
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Who needs words?
The chicks made it through their first night outside.
The kids are getting big.
Murrial wonders what I'm doing
We lit a fire and listened to the wild peacocks and peahens call out into the night. Then the coyotes.
The kids are getting big.
Murrial wonders what I'm doing
We lit a fire and listened to the wild peacocks and peahens call out into the night. Then the coyotes.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Not a Profit
We did a little garden prepping yesterday. The garden will not be as big as it was last year, due to the fact that I won't be here to tend it. The ground at the farmstead hasn't been worked. Ad will take this summer and the winter to get the grass problem under control. My husband will tend the garden here, while I build a house and other things needed on the farmstead. He will bring ready to can produce up on the weekends when he comes to visit.
I was chatting with the neighbor across the way. The one that can't make up her mind if she wants to be in the country or the city, and is raiding sheep for butcher sales. She informed me that she now wants to get into Dairy cows. I must say that this caught me off guard, and I was speechless. I know! Can you believe that one? I did manage to say something. I asked her if she realized how much more work Dairy cattle were compared to sheep. She said yes. I asked her if she realized that she had to milk them everyday. (she wants me to milk her goats for her) she said that she was going to pay someone that knew how to do it. At that point I didn't know what else to say. I guess I should say good for her. But my gut says, she trying to step on my toes. I know I shouldn't feel that way. I should be happy that she wants to do these things. I feel bad that my mind went to that bad place, but I live and work out here, she is only out on the weekends to check her birds and sheep. And the lack of work ethics, and the caviler way she treats animals as profit bothers me. I know, I know, get over it. Competition never hurt anyone, but I already have decent competition so that doesn't bother me in the least.
Jack and Betty, the baby goats, are super active. They are official into everything and have tested every single fence on the property. Their horns are coming in, and they are the chubbiest dairy goats I have ever seen. Spoiled little buggers.
Murrial and Courage are doing well. Courage has her full run on, her little tail curls up as she books across the field. Unlike the Dexters, she isn't afraid to be more than a couple steps away from mommy, but she is starting to shy away from me. I expected that, but they come around again. The youngest Dexter heifer, Urth, seems to be suffering from OCD. My brother and I were stand out in the field talking, and she walks up and starts licking me, and didn't stop. She managed to take of several layers of skin. Those that have been licked by a cow can tell you about that. Their tongues are rough like a cat's tongue, an huge! It isn't like a sweet dog kiss. Yesterday Urth manged to corner my husband and began the licking process with him. She has a mineral block, but she wants to lick us. I guess she is just a big sweety.
Donkey the sheep is due for shearing soon. Right now he is a big ball of fluff, with legs. Sammy (horse) has accepted him as a companion. Poor Donkey, his legs can barley keep up with Sammy's stride. I have a feeling that once on the farmstead, I will be riding Sammy, with a desperate Donkey running behind us, everywhere.
I talked with Medium and Large yesterday about homeschooling. They are both for it. Medium however made it clear that we would be going to the library. I said yes, that we would. I thought we could make a day of going into town. There are several historic towns in the area, we can do the museums and go up into the oldest jail in the State, things like that. They both seem thrilled about it. I know Large has issues with school mates, and will be glad to get away from that.
With us headed into gardening season, is there anything you want to know about?
I was chatting with the neighbor across the way. The one that can't make up her mind if she wants to be in the country or the city, and is raiding sheep for butcher sales. She informed me that she now wants to get into Dairy cows. I must say that this caught me off guard, and I was speechless. I know! Can you believe that one? I did manage to say something. I asked her if she realized how much more work Dairy cattle were compared to sheep. She said yes. I asked her if she realized that she had to milk them everyday. (she wants me to milk her goats for her) she said that she was going to pay someone that knew how to do it. At that point I didn't know what else to say. I guess I should say good for her. But my gut says, she trying to step on my toes. I know I shouldn't feel that way. I should be happy that she wants to do these things. I feel bad that my mind went to that bad place, but I live and work out here, she is only out on the weekends to check her birds and sheep. And the lack of work ethics, and the caviler way she treats animals as profit bothers me. I know, I know, get over it. Competition never hurt anyone, but I already have decent competition so that doesn't bother me in the least.
Jack and Betty, the baby goats, are super active. They are official into everything and have tested every single fence on the property. Their horns are coming in, and they are the chubbiest dairy goats I have ever seen. Spoiled little buggers.
Murrial and Courage are doing well. Courage has her full run on, her little tail curls up as she books across the field. Unlike the Dexters, she isn't afraid to be more than a couple steps away from mommy, but she is starting to shy away from me. I expected that, but they come around again. The youngest Dexter heifer, Urth, seems to be suffering from OCD. My brother and I were stand out in the field talking, and she walks up and starts licking me, and didn't stop. She managed to take of several layers of skin. Those that have been licked by a cow can tell you about that. Their tongues are rough like a cat's tongue, an huge! It isn't like a sweet dog kiss. Yesterday Urth manged to corner my husband and began the licking process with him. She has a mineral block, but she wants to lick us. I guess she is just a big sweety.
Donkey the sheep is due for shearing soon. Right now he is a big ball of fluff, with legs. Sammy (horse) has accepted him as a companion. Poor Donkey, his legs can barley keep up with Sammy's stride. I have a feeling that once on the farmstead, I will be riding Sammy, with a desperate Donkey running behind us, everywhere.
I talked with Medium and Large yesterday about homeschooling. They are both for it. Medium however made it clear that we would be going to the library. I said yes, that we would. I thought we could make a day of going into town. There are several historic towns in the area, we can do the museums and go up into the oldest jail in the State, things like that. They both seem thrilled about it. I know Large has issues with school mates, and will be glad to get away from that.
With us headed into gardening season, is there anything you want to know about?
Monday, April 20, 2009
Busy busy
I have always heard that Kansas was great about Homeschooling. I just went and read CHECK, there is nothing in the State Laws about Homeschooling. I have to declare my home a private school. But there is no State fees for registering. And there isn't mandatory testing required. It is all rather interesting.
I looked up some of the things you were suggesting.
Sonlight seems promising
And I guess I need to find a copy of Wisdom's Way of Learning.
I am unable to find a homeschooling group for the area we will be living. Which truthfully doesn't surprise me. More than likely I am going to have to approach them myself once out there.
In other news.
My Step-father has had a headache for a full week. Not a migraine. He went into the Dr. office and they discovered an infection under his skin on his head. He was given meds and was told that if the headache wasn't gone by today, they were going to do a CT. I am worried, as of yesterday he still had this headache.
We went to our friend Hooter's house yesterday. My husband worked a bit more on his motorcycle. While the boys and I helped Hooter with my Husband's motorcycle's paint job. Can't wait to show you guys what it looks like. Then the boys got to paint our giant mailbox.
Late spring gardening season is rapidly approaching. Our last frost date is April 28th (zone 5 and sometimes 6). Are you ready?
I looked up some of the things you were suggesting.
Sonlight seems promising
And I guess I need to find a copy of Wisdom's Way of Learning.
I am unable to find a homeschooling group for the area we will be living. Which truthfully doesn't surprise me. More than likely I am going to have to approach them myself once out there.
In other news.
My Step-father has had a headache for a full week. Not a migraine. He went into the Dr. office and they discovered an infection under his skin on his head. He was given meds and was told that if the headache wasn't gone by today, they were going to do a CT. I am worried, as of yesterday he still had this headache.
We went to our friend Hooter's house yesterday. My husband worked a bit more on his motorcycle. While the boys and I helped Hooter with my Husband's motorcycle's paint job. Can't wait to show you guys what it looks like. Then the boys got to paint our giant mailbox.
Late spring gardening season is rapidly approaching. Our last frost date is April 28th (zone 5 and sometimes 6). Are you ready?
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