A Homesteading Neophyte

I told him to stop playing with his food

2012-01-29T23:53:00.000-06:00

He says it's hand rubbed meat

She even lays on her side, and will stick a leg up for her belly rubbed, just like a dog. But because he does this, she runs, screaming at me as soon as I walk into the pen. She thinks I will scratch her, I think she is going to push me down and eat me.

I am still on hiatus, I just needed a break from the drama going on, and I know you guys talk to me still. ~haha~

On Hiatus

2012-01-16T15:16:00.002-06:00

Will be back in 2 months

Good luck!

Please stop dumping them on me

2012-01-14T09:41:00.000-06:00

I really wish people would stop dumping their dogs in the country. I realize that many think that us country folk will take them in, and yes, once in a great while we do. However the shear amount of dogs that get dumped, there is no feasible way to care for them all.

For those that dump their dogs, here's what happens to your pooch.

1. they get hit by a car
2. the get torn apart by coyotes
3. The get bit or scratched and die from an infection
4. they starve to death

Now if they managed to escape the above, they get hungry

5. farmer shoots them for attacking livestock.

However if they are very lucky

6. Animal control is called to pick them up

But even Animal control has told me to set out poison for the dumped pets. I won't do that, but some will.

If they manage to find other dumped dogs, they form a motley pack. And begin killing anything or anyone. They attack children and adults alike. I know you are looking at your pooch thinking but Sparky wouldn't hurt a fly. Think again. Try not feeding them for a week and see if they don't turn on you. You know they will. They become crazed by hunger. Dogs are not vegans. If all they can get is grass and plant life, they will eventually find a farm, they will kill the chickens or rabbits. And then they themselves will be killed.

Some feel that their dogs have a better chance at life in the country, rather then placing them in the care of the Humane Society. They are wrong. It is needlessly cruel to dump your dogs in the country.

I have shot many myself, ever since the city put in a measure that restricts what they consider dangerous dogs. I am tired of it. I am tired of your dogs desperate for food. We have to be careful with our children as well because of it. However lately the packs have slowed down because of the drought, they are starving to death and the coyotes have been eating them.

Show that dog a bit of kindness and take them to the pound. And it isn't just dogs, cats are a big problem as well.

Blog Listings confusion

2012-01-13T06:37:00.002-06:00

Someone, pointed out that I am listed under gardening, and here I am talking about violence.

I am actually listed in all sorts of places, gardening, construction management, cooking, do-it-yourself, frugal, farming, alternative, survival, crafts etc. . .

Here's the rub, I didn't list myself in them. I listed myself in only two places, under homesteading and personal journal, and I have only received a couple of hits from those places. Wonderful readers list me in other places, like stumbleupon, pintrest, and blog rank are the most popular. Many of these places do not list homesteading or farming as a general listing, so many blogs like mine end up under gardening. Some times when a person asks to list a blog, the listing employees look at that blog, and if you have been talking about gardening for that week, the employees label the blog as such. (and I have looked at the blog rank listings, they have my numbers way lower then they truly are)

The most hits I see in a day are about butchering, as several e-how posts link to them.

So, now you know.

This is a personal journal that talks about everything. If you want gardening come back in mid march.

Candles and guns

2012-01-12T08:01:00.006-06:00

Apparently those of us that decided to put up photos of our guns with a lit candle upset a good many people. I have been reading about it on and off for the last few days over on Weer'd World. Then I read an open letter by Sarah on Cranky Chicks with Guns.

I guess I could always put my two cents in.

Once upon a time I was a young girl, and a victim of a violent crime. Not many in my life know about this. Because I survived it and no longer consider myself a victim. I was, yes. And I don't bring it up, and talk about it in conversations. It was 20 years ago, and now I have no qualms about pulling a gun out on a man that just walks into my house, because he knows Husband is away. I don't know what that man's intentions were, but I am guessing that it was more than just to take a house tour. I had young children in the house as well. He heard my dogs, and saw my rifle, he ran. And I was safe.

But about 20 years ago (I was 14 he was twice my age) it was a different story. Candles lit in honor of my victimage is not appreciated. Candle light vigils have their place, just not in mine.

I thought I was in a safe place, I thought him sweet and kind. He lit candles to be romantic and we talked. He wasn't a stranger.

The lit candles in the room didn't save me from his savage beating when I didn't want to give him head. The lit candles didn't rescue me when I screamed for help as he used his knife to cut and shred my clothing. The candles didn't comfort me when I gave up fighting and merely cried through the pain. The candles flickered and died as the scene repeated itself.

I loathe this story. I hate remembering it. Even so I will not cower and play victim.

The variousness of it

2012-01-12T07:06:00.001-06:00

How many of you live in a mobile home, manufactured home, or trailer?

Most of them are pretty much set up the same, unless you get a custom set-up. Ours is 30 some odd years old. And it has a time keeping itself warm. Every year I tell Husband that this is the last year I will suffer a winter in this thing. However things creep up, and we have to put off building something new. Our biggest obstacle is that we live in one of the few counties that actually have building codes other than, if I push on it and it doesn't fall, it's all good. (that and money of course, but that goes with the building code problem)

So what we are doing in the interim is "customizing" the home. Things like putting in a real floor is quite normal for a trailer house, especially when one falls through it. I've done that, what. . . twice now? But the biggest problem is pipes freezing.

I have something that I think was once suppose to be a dinning room. Or at least a space to but a desk size table into for people to eat on with a cheap lamp type chandelier hanging above it. A silly little table isn't big enough for the 5 of us, we have tried. And it has the washer and dryer in a closet type thing in the same area. We have taken the fridge out of it's cubby hole and put it in the dinning area, along with the 2 upright freezers. But the washer is on the north side of the house. Bad Bad Bad. The lines to it freeze every year.

We moved the laundry area to the master bath. Our master bath has been all kinds of things over the years, ever since we removed the brittle plastic garden tub because of a leak and mold. I think creating a laundry room will be the last step. It is 12F now, and the lines didn't freeze! With as much laundry as I have to do between the 5 of us and our various chores resulting in much dirt, dust and oil, this is great! Plus the first time in 10 years that I could do laundry on such a cold day.

But now we have an empty hole in this dinning area. Husband will be putting in a new pantry in it. This helps out greatly, and I will have a place to put all those canning jars!

We have several winter projects we are working on. Maybe with the customization of our own trailer will help give some of you, that are tired too of living in one of these things, a few ideas of your own.

And I would love to hear about your own tailored trailer.

Rabbit mistake

2012-01-11T09:21:00.000-06:00

Long story short

Took a doe to a buck

doe was larger than buck

doe killed buck

I Bought a Book

2012-01-11T08:34:00.000-06:00

Huzzah!!!

Thank you thank you I am proud of myself.

On the recommendation of a couple of people, I purchased Five Acres and Independence by MG Kains. Trying to find it through a place that accepts paypal was difficult. I bought it online through Ready Made Resources. giving them a shout-out because they had the book, and it arrived quickly.

Glancing through it, I must say that it seems to be right up my alley. I will let you know soon.

Also, Fox Chapel Publishing sent me two new books to look over before it's release date.

What are you doing with them?

2012-01-10T06:45:00.001-06:00

Kids crack me up sometimes. Yesterday I took cupcakes to Small's classroom. The first question and the multiple follow up question, was did I make the cupcakes myself. When I answered yes to one, they smiled and excitedly told the child next to them that I had made them. I am assuming homemade is a treat to most of them, and they seem to prefer it as excited as they were getting. I know Small will come home with a cookie or cupcake with only a couple bits in them, telling me they were too sweet and didn't like it. You can tell by looking they were store bought. But my kids are so use to homemade, and not so sweet.

While I was there a phone call came in on my cell. I sent it to voicemail, because I have that option even though I do not have a voice mail set up. But I could see the caller ID. Once I left the school I called the guy back. He is bringing us 15-20 telephone poles over in the next few days

Husband was all giddy. "Wasn't expecting that many!" I informed Husband that the guy said that was the minimum he would be bringing over, as soon as he finds out how many have already been spoken for, we could get more,

Husband's eyes then lit up. "you know what we can do with those? I said I could have a zombie proof fence. Have you seen telephone pole fences? We have some people in town that have one, pretty freakin cool looking, and nothing is getting over them.

Of course Husband nodded. He was thinking about the walipini, and the "ditch". If we get the "ditch" 6 ft deep we can keep my preferred flavor of fish. Husband is all excited about the possibilities right now. I have to get him to narrow his focus and pick one project at a time. These poles are 30 -35 ft a piece!

So I am feeling a bit defeatist this morning. 2 reasons. First we have come to the conclusion we need a bit of help launching the shop and have decided to go ahead a try using the site peerbackers. And the second is that we went and looked at a place, that was close to perfect, except for the carpeting. It was an old post office, everything was concrete blocks, including the floor. We offered to buy the carpet, so we could rip it out and be replaced later, but I got a phone call later with a no. Maybe something else will open up in the next few months.

Do you guys want my noodle recipes? I know you can find them anywhere, but thought I would ask if you wanted mine. Many go through the recipe page at the top of this blog. Well, I should be making noodles tonight, always looks like colorful streamers hanging from my kitchen ceiling.

Light a candle to stop violence

2012-01-08T23:07:00.004-06:00

I am running a bit late, with only an hour left on the 8th.

I do not carry a hand gun on the homestead. And the blanket is my lame attempt at making it more girly. (If I had known about this early, I might have been able to do something a bit more pretty)

Read about what's going on on Light a Candle to stop Violence by Weer'd World

Some people cringe when it come to firearms. Once upon a time, I was raised to believe that guns were evil, that if guns were made illegal that crime would go down. However BTK came into our lives, ('85) and my mother started to secretly carry one in her purse. And then I grew up and did my research. Guns have freed societies, guns have protected us, guns have allowed us to eat in times we might have starved. Yes, some people have done great harm with firearms, but they have also done great deeds as well. Responsible gun owners should not have to suffer and give up their protection (or their livestock's protection) and their rights because of a few uneducated, desperate, or criminal inclined individuals.

Happy Birthday Small!!!

2012-01-08T08:05:00.000-06:00

When he woke this morning, I asked him how old he was.

"8!"

But weren't you just in diapers, pretending to be a lion?

"No!"

No? But I swear I just saw you wallowing around in the mud like a pig

"haha, no mom!"

No? So that wasn't you acting like a lizard?

"That's not me!"

No? I know, you were the boy with a goat butt for a head.

"nnnooooo"

You ok? I thought you were going to pass out from laughing. Which boy are you then?

"hmmm. . . I took a nap with a rooster!"

Yes, Small. You do like your roosters"

It has been brought to my attention

2012-01-07T17:50:00.000-06:00

I was in a conversation with a long time friend, and she informed me that my masthead was a bit confusing the first time she saw it. And I come to find out that some find it disturbing. I will admit that I find that a bit funny. The reason being that every time I have tried to change the picture I get emails and comments (no matter what the post is about) to put the "does this goat make my butt look big" photo back up.

I always cave.

But I have realized (I am slow sometimes) that there are many new readers here since the last time I explained my masthead. Which a big WELCOME to all of you, has been tardy.

I have placed a link on the sidebar, that explains the picture. Here it is for those that read via various feed readers >>> How to Sheer a Goat.

Yes Delilah is a goat, not a sheep.

And I leave the picture up as a reminder

Delilah's death>>>

Dora's (her sister) death>>>

I'm a big girl now!

2012-01-07T12:33:00.006-06:00

Couldn't help it, now you all have that diaper commercial jingle rolling around in your head. ~insert evil laugh here~

I am all slap happy with myself. Husband was all ticked off at me this morning, doesn't matter that I spent almost 2 hours trying to get him awake. I apparently didn't try hard enough, nor did I do it the right way (behave yourselves boys). This meant he was running "late" to get to the bank and then to work an hour early. He would be unable to go get the Milo. So it fell to me.

Nope, I have never hauled the hay before, at least not this distance. It was always his job, you know the manly stuff. I can do most of it, but to be honest I rather enjoy the "I'm just a girl" with the pout (I am told that I can get a good pout look going even with these lips) and feign gender weakness. Don't start, I find it entertaining, plus I don't have to do all the freakin' chores, and with my history of finding new and unique ways to cause myself bodily harm, you should be happy that I do it. (Ok I am in a good ole playful mood today, it is driving the boys nuts)

Small and Medium loaded themselves up in my truck, and we were off for the nice 20 minute country ride. Of course I beat the hay guy to the leased farm, but only by 5 minutes. He loaded up 3 bales. Now I am dragging 4,200 lbs behind me. This makes me a bit nerves. I have visions of me having to call the Sheriff to get them to direct traffic as I wait for the hay guy to bring his tractor to the major intersection or railroad crossing I managed to dump one of the bales on.

At our first stop, Medium jumped out to see how far the last bale was hanging off the trailer. Only by this much, arms extended by a foot and a half. No worries there, at least for now. Most of the bulk is still on the trailer. First railroad crossing, no trains in the distance, I cringe as that last bale rocks. gggrrrr. . . I might end up self inducing a stroke the way I was clinching the steering wheel and attempting to watch the road and the side mirror at the same time.

And of course I live in the only area in South Central Kansas that has hills. One nice steep hill that sleds could fly down. Visions of the Sheriff and a nice hefty ticket flutter thorough my mind. Be nice to be able to tie them down, but with my intense paranoia about these things, it still wouldn't have helped. And people driving so close behind me that if a bale did fall, it would have landed on their car really didn't help the matter. Give me some room people. I finally waved one guy passed me.

Home with no incidents. The boys run and make sure that the cattle are all penned, while the pig decides to chase the boys down. Lots of giddy screaming coming from all three, boys and pig. We get out to the field, the cows making it known to the free world that they are starving to death. . . starving. . . mmmoooo. They are starving to death every time they hear my truck start. Now we have to unload one of these bales. Just me, the girl, and two little boys. Did I mention that they weigh over 1,400 lbs a piece? And that they are flattened on the bottom where they have been sitting?

But I and my mighty thighs (say a bad thing and I will find you) and my little minions thighs managed to rock the bale, just enough to send it over the edge. We sat on the second bale to be able to push the third off. There was a lot of yelling "I CAN'T HOLD IT!" MY BUTT HURTS!" "I CAN'T MOVE!" "IT'S GOING TO FALL ON ME!" With only one of those shouts emitting from my vocal cords. The cows joined the chorus as their moos changed from desperation, because according to them they haven't eaten in 3 year, to those of moon howling jubilation. Shortly after, as we unwrapped the bale, the jubilation turned to annoyance, and I swear that one of them has learned to cuss in human English.

Now, to just get the trailer unhitched.

The Vintage Food Processor, my favorite kitchen gadget

2012-01-06T14:20:00.001-06:00

Well, my favorite second only to the popcorn popper.

I don't think I have told you guys about this. I am sure many of you have one. I have had mine for a year now.

Yes, an old school salad shredder. I simply love this thing. Boys enjoy shredding potatoes.

I got mine for under $40. But when I went pricing them here awhile ago, they ranged from $50- $200.

We shred just about everything now that we have it. I had tried the food choppers and those hand crank food processors, you know those white ones with the attached bowl. But I always ended up breaking them rather quickly. I break anything with plastic parts, not on purpose mind you. This one is in it for the long haul, especially since it was made in 1960.

Lots of posts end up in draft and then I ramble

2012-01-06T07:41:00.004-06:00

The shear amount of posts that I have in draft would probably fill a book nicely. I put things in draft for lots of reasons, too whinny, too angry, too offensive to the norm, not applicable to this blog. But I can't just delete them. At this rate I will be blogging until I die, and at least my boys will have all this to read to see how messed up I was/am and can be used as a forewarning for their mental state as they age.

I adore my boys. Like any parent, I do get pushed and pulled and wish they would be quiet at times. Or at least go outside to scream at each other. 17 well behaved kids boggles my mind. Because I have 3 defiant ones. I have known several people that have lost their kids. I worry about that sometimes, because of society's hyper sensitivity to the abnormal, I worry that in this public blog my kids come across as being dirty all the time. Small being the most active outside does require a good scrubbing nightly, and just about all his pictures look like he is eating dirt. But that's him. Large no longer enjoys the constant dirt, and requires only a mud bath once maybe twice a month in the summer. Medium, well he is between the two. And to be completely honest, I know we smell of wood smoke and soil. No, not dirt, that is a different smell. But we don't perfume ourselves as so many other people do. And we have been stained over the years with soil.

I have had a lot on my mind lately, hence the quiet of this blog.

I have been busy too with other things. I have been keeping the mundane part of the homesteading life going at an easy clip. I have been selling my blood (now that my tats and piercings are old enough to allow me to do that), gathering cans and scrap metal, and attempting to find a buyer for my calves that are actually willing to pay what they are worth rather than what the market price wants of weight. And I did something I thought I would never do, sold ad space on 2 of my older posts (I feel dirty). I can see the quizzical look on your face. We are not in any financial distress. Husband and I are close to earning what we had been before the lay off, minus the insurance and other perks that come along with working for a major company. With the Milo find, the feed and money stress is gone, thank goodness. Come spring I hope to be able to start milking again.

No, I am doing all this to raise seed capitol for the business I will be opening. The timing I guess was wrong. I wanted to sell off some of the cattle for seed money, but could only get half what they were worth (except for X) and then had to turn around and buy hay for them at the insanely high price. I can't sell them all off, the cows are Husband's retirement. I have mentioned before that I worry about him. The truth is, he has needed knee surgery for 10 years now. The doc told him he was too young to have it done. But now that he is closer to the appropriate age, there is no way we can afford to do it. I know that he will not be able to work in the next few years. And this business venture is my plan B. Some day I would like to open a type of homestead dude ranch or vacation school, however the money required is triple what I am doing now. So that dream will wait for me.

What am I doing now? Well sending you off blog should have been a clue. No reason to hold it completely secret right now, as soon you will be seeing more about it. I am opening a motorcycle shop with a very good family friend. And before one of my sometimes readers completely freaks out, over reacts and takes this wrong, Husband is not leaving the shop he is at. He has worked way too long and hard to get that shop the reputation it now has. But I am keeping secret who I am opening the shop with. The main reason is that he is well known in the technical side of the industry. And he will have is coming out party, so to speak, later. Things look really good already. We have agreements with shops out of State that are wanting to ship bikes to us for his tech know-how, and many are wanting him to come to them to train their techs. So even if we don't get the local work, which I highly doubt that will happen, we have plenty of regional work to keep us busy. It is just that stupid seed capitol that has slowed everything down. Well, now you know. And you know that besides homesteading, motorcycles and cooking are major passions of mine.

Right now we are watching some cartoon, boys are eating their breakfast, well Small and Medium are, Large has already gone off to school. Netflix really needs a better family selection on their instant streaming.

Small is doing wonderfully at school. The extra help has really helped him blossom. Strangers can actually understand what he is saying now. And he is always so proud of himself, which in turn makes me giddy. Have I said I adore my boys? Of course I have. Medium is in an odd angst type place in his life. I actually found myself telling him if he didn't like it, then he needed to start a union. I guess I was a bit annoyed with him. It's frustrating that he refuses to do school work, but when he is tested he is in the top 2% in the nation. Large tests that high as well, and with the extra help, Small is rapidly gaining, he is now in the top 20% with all indications that he will not be plateauing there. ok enough bragging on my kids. I am just very proud of them, but sometimes, smart kids can be a pain. They assume they are smarter than you in everything. Sometimes mommy has to pull a trick out just to show them they still have a ways to go. But they do humble to Husband who sees the world in straight lines and circles.

One thing that gets to me is Large's accusations about if we were so smart, why are we poor? Then we have to get into the discussion of choices. I'm too insecure to chase down a book deal, and Husband made a choice to do something he loves rather than something he didn't. Sometimes things happen beyond your control, and you have to fight to get back where you were. I don't think Large has fully grasped that yet. He still thinks of the world in things.

I have a few things to do today.

The typical winter weather is fast approaching. January and February are our harshest times of year (also August, but that's a different harsh). I have to finish up our business proposal, that always seems to be changing, I need to stock up on noodles, meaning I have to make them. Oh and the boys made a New Years Resolution on my behalf. Desserts every night. So I have been playing with healthier treats, they can't have chocolate every night.

A Malady of Melodrama

2012-01-05T06:56:00.002-06:00

Husband got sick, I cared for him.
Small and Medium got sick, I cared for them.
I got sick, everyone left. Isn't that how it usually works?

If I wasn't such the white trash flatlander, the next accident wouldn't have happened, or is it if I wasn't such the white trash flatlander the accident could have been worse?

I run around barefoot all the time. Only putting boots on when I must. I have been this way since I was a child. The other day I was in the porch/bunker and felt a prick on the bottom of my foot. Felt like a sticker (long horn burr), but only just stuck. So I wiped the bottom of my foot off on the step, typically this will dislodge a precariously held sticker. But that didn't work, and the spot began to burn. Slowly, I could feel it burying itself into the bottom of my foot. Almost a perfect circle of physical pain. I sat down quickly and dug my fingernails into the spot, seeing nothing that would be doing this. I grabbed the Bactine spraying the spot and cooling it off. Turns out I had stepped on a hot ember that had jumped out of the fire as I had tossed on a log. First, good thing the floor is dirt, and second, my feet are so calloused that within a few hours no damage was detected. The callouses had saved me.

Yesterday I made an attempt to create a video post. Bob Dole was up to no good and ran the calves into me. Of course he stood a few feet from me looking all innocent. I tried again, and Urth decided to be all affectionate, and lick the skin off my arm. And once across my cheek for good measure.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2012-01-01T00:00:00.002-06:00

Hope everyone has a great 2012! I am really hoping this year will be different than last year.

Things will be a bit different here on the blog. As I said in the beginning of 2011, I really don't have much else to teach you. I have run headlong into the end of what I can do on the Neophyte Homestead (except sewing), and now it has become mundane. I tried a few different things, some seemed to work for me, others didn't. So lets get to the traditional what you will be seeing here on the blog this year.

1. Eating Outside Challenge will be back. the Farmers Almanac proclaims normal to above normal precipitation this year. Things might actually grow.

2. The green house and walipini will be going in. Because of the extreme heat last year, we had to put off working on it or die of heat stroke within mere minutes.

3. Homemade gifts will make an appearance once a month. Until Thanksgiving when it ramps up in preparation of the end days, I mean Christmas season.

4. We are going back to the beginning. I know you have no idea what I mean by this. But you will find out.

5. Starting a new business venture. I however will not be talking about it much here as it is not a homesteading related venture. You will have to head over to Following the Yellow Brick Road for those updates.

6. Getting Girls Gone Trashy going again. I am in love with the idea of it. Just need more articles.

7. I have no plans for new animals, but I leave this space blank just in case.

8. Junk Food the Homesteading way. Husband cheats on me with Mary Jane and Little Debbie (sometimes a Sarah lee, and a Guy is thrown in there) I have for years made my own version of Hostess items. So I will be sharing those recipes and some new ones I have been working on with you. Of course they are not going to be extremely healthy for you. It's junk food! It is suppose to be a treat, and as such it will be one, however you will recognize the ingredients and save money.

9. Fermented milk drinks. oh yes you read that right, we are going to get trashed on homemade alcohol and fermented milk.

10. More give-a-ways! Yes, I have plans on more things to give to you, my dear readers, as a thank you for the years and years of support. This is my 6th year blogging and my 11th year homesteading. I know some of you have been here since day 1, and I love ya for it.

Question before the New Year

2011-12-30T21:22:00.001-06:00

Which homesteading book would you recommend to a new homesteader?

Please, I know it is difficult, but limit your answer to one.

You are trapped on an island, and can have only one homesteading book to help you, which one would it be? Does that help? I know you guys all have one book that you go to first, which book is that?

The Best of 2011

2011-12-27T07:45:00.000-06:00

What a Christmas!

2011-12-26T10:05:00.000-06:00

Pardon the mess, but it was Christmas morning.

Boys loved their Paddle Balls.

Large spent a good amount of time trying to figure out the devil sticks in his room.

Hooter came out to spend Christmas. We are his only "family" here. His new pup and him got along wonderfully. Talking to each other for a long time.

Boys got some box kites

I told Small his might fly him to Mexico.

Husband carved me a wand. I know, big deal. It has nothing to do with any magic or such. When we first started "dating", he didn't like the amount of books I would read a week. I love horror and fantasy genre, and him being a realist would tell me I needed to grow up. Him carving me a simple wand says so much. He wanted to do something impractical, something that showed how much he really loves me. I have been walking around with it all day yesterday and today. He asked if he needed to make me a sheath for it. It is the best present I have ever received.

Hope your day as just as surprising and joyous as ours.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T08:05:00.001-06:00

Hope you all enjoy the day.

Twas the night before Christmas. . .

Very last minute present that even the teen boys enjoy (albeit secretly)

2011-12-23T08:07:00.001-06:00

Flubber, Gak, slime or silly putty

You can't make real Flubber, as only Fred MacMurray and Robin Williams have that recipe. And you can't make real silly putty because that is a closely guarded secret, but you can make a slime type variation of the products. And not only is this an enjoyable gift, but a science project that if fun to create. (something you can do with the kids while they are on break)

2 1/2 cups warm water
2 cups white glue
3 teaspoons Borax
food coloring

Combine 1 1/2 cups water with the glue. Mix in the food coloring. In a different bowl, combine the borax and 1 cup water. Mix well. Poor the borax mix into the glue mix, then get your hand dirty. Squeeze until thoroughly combine until only a tablespoon of liquid remains.. It will be sticky. Allow to sit for a few minutes. Once ready it can be stored in an air tight container for about 3 weeks.

And it bounces too!

I think I could benefit from a night maid

2011-12-22T10:39:00.001-06:00

Around 5am this morning I came to the conclusion that a night maid would be practical for me. It would be great to have some one that stays up all night, feeding the fire, removing a rooster that has taken up resident under the piano bench, and to shut the front door after the Staffy learns how to open it and let all the animals in the house at 3 in the morning.

So innocent

(can you say indoor petting zoo?)

A Very TSA Christmas

2011-12-21T14:54:00.000-06:00

Enjoy

Depression gift: Paddle Ball

2011-12-21T06:34:00.004-06:00

Not just paddle ball but ULTIMATE PADDLE BALL

ARE YOU READY?

you will need
composite laminate flooring 3/8" thick
braided stretchy cord 1/8" thick
bouncy ball

(This project took 40 minutes doing it all by hand. So a good last minute gift idea)

Draw out your paddle onto the flooring

cut it out

Sand it down

Drill a hole in the center no larger than 1/8" diameter

Then drill a hole in the bouncy ball. We tried heating a nail and shoving it through, but it damages the ball too much.

Thread the stretchy cord through the ball.
You will need something to stop the knot from stretching through.
We used an old shoe lace.
Measure out the length of cord you want, remember it doubles in length when stretched.

Repeat with the paddle

Trim up the excess

PLAY!

If the cord breaks, it is easily repaired.

These work really well. You can easily nail your Husband in the head from 4 feet away, hard enough for it to sting.

The Cups! The Cups are made!

2011-12-20T15:18:00.002-06:00

I love chocolate cups. You know, like the peanut butter cups you can buy at the store.

Chocolate cups are part of my edible baskets. Along with the cookies, and breads, mini cakes, and hard candies. Yes, you do become diabetic when you receive my gift baskets. (obviously that is a joke). But cups, cups are deliciously messy and aggravates the parents when their children dive into them.

In all honesty, this is not the cheapest gift to make or give. Save this for those you really like, ~wry grin~. It might be cheaper to buy a batch at the local store, however will not taste as good.

So let's make them, shall we?

for 8 chocolate cups you will need

4 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
2 squares bitter sweet baking chocolate

For the one I am picturing (peanut butter), you will need the following ingredients for your filling.

1/2 jar marshmallow fluff
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1-2 tablespoons sugar (depends on your taste)
enough heavy cream to thin it out as needed

Over a very low heat, mix together all the filling ingredients. Stir as not to burn.

Melt the chocolate.

Place some muffin liners into a muffin tin. Drop a tablespoon or more into the bottom of the liners. Using the back of your spoon, push the chocolate half way up the sides. Make sure you leave some on the bottom.

By the heaping tablespoon, drizzle your filling into the chocolate lined muffin liner.

Almost to the top of your chocolate. Then using a pastry brush, brush the tops with your chocolate.

Chill for a few hours. They hold up well at room temp after they have been chilled.

You will have left over filling, I add dark brown sugar to the mix to create a caramel flavor or light brown sugar for the peanut butter cookie taste.

Other fillings and instructions:

Chocolate Irish Cream filling (mousse)

(Raw egg warning)

4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped

3 eggs, separated

1 tablespoon Irish cream liqueur

3/4 cup whipped cream

1/4 cup marshmallow fluff

Melt the chocolate, then set aside to cool. Beat the egg yolks and stir in the melted chocolate along with the Irish cream. Fold in half the whip cream and the fluff.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold into the chocolate mix.

Twinkie type Filling.

2 teaspoons boiling water
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups marshmallow fluff
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix the water and salt in a bowl and allow to cool. In a separate bowl, beat the marshmallow fluff, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until well combined and light. Beat in the salt water until the mixture is fluffy.

Salted Caramel cream filling
1/2 cup sugar, divided
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cream
2 egg whites
pinch of salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Put 1/4 cup of sugar and water in saucepan over medium-high heat. Do not stir, but swirl the saucepan gently. It will bubble itself into a deep amber color. Remove immediately from heat and add cream, carefully. Stir until smooth and set aside.

Place the egg whites, salt, and 1/4 cup sugar in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and mixture reaches 140 degrees. Transfer to bowl of standing mixer.

Beat on high until stiff peaks form. Add butter a tablespoon at a time, and continue beating on medium. Reduce speed to low, add vanilla extract, and then caramel you just made (you may need to rewarm the caramel in the microwave for 10 seconds at a time until it is workable, not burning hot). Beat for 4-5 minutes. Do not over beat this at any time, it will end up the consistency of butter if your do.

Tuaca Cream Filling

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup marshmallow fluff
4 oz white chocolate, finely grated
3 tablespoons Tuaca

Scald the cream. Pour hot cream over the chocolate and fluff (in a bowl of course)/ Allow it to sit for about 3 minutes. Stir until smooth. Mix in the Tuaca. Chill for 2 hours. Then beat on a medium setting until the mixture feels and looks whipped.

peppermint patty
(dark chocolate cup is best for this)

2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons softened butter
2 tsp peppermint extract
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 tablespoons heavy cream

In a blender, cream together the sugar, butter, extracts, and the cream on low speed until combines, increase speed to medium-high and beat for 1-2 minutes until mixture holds together very well and is creamy.

Using a teaspoon, roll the candy into small balls and flatten them on the waxed paper with the palm of your hand. Repeat for remaining candies Place on the base of your chocolate cup, then cover.

Die Welle

2011-12-20T10:11:00.004-06:00

I know that this movie is 3 years old. I am just now getting around to seeing it.

In 1967 a teacher in California named Ron Jones was asked by a student if the Holocaust could happen here. To answer him, Mr. Jones did an experiment with the students. Within 4 days the conformity and fascism displayed by the students became scary to the staff and locals.

Die Welle is based on the experiment, asking could the Nazi Regime happen again in Germany. To date, I feel that this is the best version of the experiment that happened so long ago.

It shows how a normal situation and normal human behavior can, disturbingly, move easily and unnoticed in to fascist and dangerous behavior. Things that we have seen and heard in the last few years or so, that we now see as acceptable are portrayed in this film. It takes you through the mundane steps and acceptable social behavior used to create a dictatorship.

"Strength through discipline, strength through community, strength through action, strength through pride." Was the motto that Mr Jones used in 1967

I rarely recommend movies, unless you ask me my favorites. However this one I do.

Depression Gift: Homemade watercolors

2011-12-19T13:52:00.001-06:00

What you mean they have 4 kids now?!?

Homemade watercolors are simple.

You will need

1 tablespoon clear vinegar
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon corn starch
1/2 teaspoon corn syrup
food coloring
plastic egg carton
(paper ones will bleed through)
this makes 2 egg cups full

Mix the vinegar and baking soda in a old coffee cup. Once the fizzing goes down add the corn starch and syrup. mix well. It will make a thick paste, that seems like a solid melting.

Mix in your food coloring, whatever colors you or your kids want. Pour into the cups.

Repeat until you have all your cups filled.

Or leave an empty spot for the water.

Allow the cakes to completely dry before closing and decorating the egg carton. Make a pouch for the brushes.

Dip brush in the water and smear over the top of the egg cakes to use.

Here we go

2011-12-19T06:23:00.003-06:00

We spent all day Sunday preparing for this winter storm. We are on the boundary of the 1-3" and 3-6". It is enough to shut down our roads here.

We have fire wood aplenty, food enough 'til spring, but not for the livestock, we have a week on hand, and I readied for the toilet flushing. Oh yes, I learned my lesson from earlier this year. They say that there will be no ice with it, however 40 mph winds that are coming could cause us to lose power. We are ready for it.

To my US (Sub)Urban Homesteaders, Rogue Wild Farm is giving away the book, The Urban Homestead.

We also wrote letters to Santa. Large is too cool for it, but I'm not.

Small's

Medium's

Mine

Please Welcome Axle to our Merry Band of Players

2011-12-18T18:34:00.000-06:00

Yes her name is Axle.

It goes along with her mother, Sprocket and her Aunt Buckets.

All the puppies now have homes. I put the 3 up on Craig's list and had 6 people in less than 20 mins. I went in order. The last one to take one was trying to find a playmate for her basset hound since her other dog had recently died. Every one was so happy to see the pups and take them home.

We have 3 still at the house. The white male goes to Hooter once he get here on Christmas day. And a brown male is going to a family that lives a few miles from us the day after Christmas. Family and potty training a puppy gets to be a bit much. But now that there are only 3 here I can work on it a bit better. training 7 at once just wasn't working.

We decided on day one to keep Axle.

Where did it go?

2011-12-17T09:24:00.001-06:00

Sorry about that, the last post for some reason went to draft. It wasn't important though, so no worries I guess.

This morning we are going to go help distribute presents. I am hopeful that next year my business will be able to adopt a family for Christmas. It's a great program put together by our local Community Commerce. They send out letters to the local students and the ones that need help fill out an application. Then the local businesses adopt one or more of the families and fill the kids wish lists, donate food, clothing and household items. This year there were so many that local families that could afford it were adopting the families in need. And they donate a lot of stuff!

I have seen bicycles and TV's being loaded up. It's rather amazing to see how much this small town loves their own.

The charity does check to see if the family is getting help from another charity, so that those that really need it, will get the help.

I will be making some quick things this weekend for presents, then I will have only 3 days without the boys to finish up their presents.

Feel Free to ignore this, just some rambling going on here

2011-12-16T10:29:00.002-06:00

You know that advice of set smaller goals that are easier to reach on the way to your ultimate goal?

I had to really think about it this year. Hay is good so that is no longer a worry or stress. But the business I wanted to open is. Actually the ultimate goal is, I should say. I did the research and looked into the viability of it. It all looks good, however the money involved is ridiculous. It would take me years to save up just the seed money to start. So over the summer, after the health scare subsided (which I found out that my mother's cousin had a migraine related stroke 30 years ago and never had another one), I talked some things through with Husband. And came to the conclusion that I should open a business, something I know, something I have been around for over half my life, something that is a passion, and that I have the awesomest person ever to partner with. (besides Husband)

I did the viability study, and it all looks good. Husband and I approached my new partner with the idea, and he agreed! So these past several months I have been doing research, writing proposals, and working with the local town to find a place. Things are looking good, except for one thing, but that is for a later post to talk about.

So the ultimate goal for my business is not yet here. It will take time. However this goal is reachable and is something else that I love. Sorry, this goal is not homesteading related. However the ultimate goal is. I might not get that ultimate goal until I am 80, but this small goal is something I am more than happy with.

All this secrecy, ha! There is reasons for it. I might tell you about it after it has opened, or sooner. We just have to see how things pan out for right now. I have a very hot item, and it needs to stay quiet for a bit. sshhh!

I need to work on the house a bit today. I am procrastinating that chore right now. I will get to it. . . maybe.

Husband is almost done with the bunker/porch thing. When it's done I will give you all the details. So far what it was suppose to do, it has been doing nicely.

Medium has been slacking off school lately. He has no motivation to do anything, neither here nor there. Small however is blossoming in school and is eager to help here. Large is now at the age that I hardly ever see him and the world is against him. Fun times.

I don't know. I have a lot on my mind today. Best get to work.

Day in the Life

2011-12-15T08:10:00.001-06:00

Here is Dec. photo day in the life. Yesterday wasn't the best day for a photo blog. It rained most of the day. Which is wonderful! We got almost and inch and a half! But I wasn't going to take my camera outside and get it wet. So this is a short one.

Start day 530 am

Morning rooster

lots of coffee, and it's raining!

feed puppies

Boys waiting on the bus (no Small is not picking his nose or giving you the finger)

Feed rooster

as you can see he is doing better

I said MINE!

Outside chores no photos, I was very wet (feeding cows, chickens, rabbit and pig mainly)

Clean up the 6am mess from Medium making Christmas cards

Let puppies go out

Pack a box to ship to one of my lucky readers

Hang stockings

Go through boys clothes and shoes for donation (3 boxes)

String the ornaments that were too heavy for my little tree

Put out some decorations that the boys have made

Large piece of tree branch, paint, squiggle eyes, an old sock and Ribbon for bow tie

Wasn't very hungry for lunch, so a few pieces of Deer Sausage

Time to obsess over several handmade gifts

Like the pants? I think plaid thins out my legs ~ inset hysterical laughter here~

Somewhere in all this making, my little brother's friend shows up with a trailer full of fire wood for us. We unload it from the road and chuck it over the fence. Ground was too wet to drive a truck over.

What could they be?

Warm enough not to have a fire, cleaning time!

Then Husband comes homes and decides we need to move the wood burner. ugh.

Time to make dinner

re-fried beans, before and after

Please refrain from commenting on what the after looks like because it was tasty.

Dinner!

All ingredients, with the exception of the tortilla, which I purchase from a local woman, was grown or raised on the homestead.

Little Brother's friend shows up again to hang out. I put the boys to bed and watch a horror movie with his wife. They leave around 11 pm, and I pass out on the couch.

Couple of blog notes

2011-12-14T08:11:00.002-06:00

Going Green in Illinois is having a contest to name her homestead, you can win a packet of heirloom tomato seeds.

The Abundant Life has a new site to order her soaps through; Back Acres Farm. She sent me 2 bars of soap. They smell so wonderful! Since these were just made however, I have to wait a few weeks before trying them out. (yes I am excited about soap)

Today is picture day. Of course it is pouring, so I guess tomorrow you will see all the inside things I do.

However I am grateful for the rain. We have now been downgraded to a mere severe drought rather than an exceptional one.

Well Thank you

2011-12-13T11:06:00.001-06:00

I appreciate my readers not running away screaming from yesterday's post.

I have a post called Growing up atheist and celebrating Christmas, in draft. Not sure if you really want to read that. After all, this is a homesteading blog, haha!

We went and picked up some more Milo for the cows. Husband and I's stress levels are so much better now with this find. We talked to the guy and he is going to go ahead and bring us out 10 more bales and we can do a payment plan with him. He is leasing the land the Milo is on, so it would make things easier on him, just to bring out a large order. We would have to miss 2 mortgage payments to be able to pay for the entire order at once. Yep, expensive, however the cheapest I found (plus super good stuff!)

These are the 3 remaining pups.

We haven't been actively searching for homes for the pups yet. As they are not yet fully weened. But since day one, people have been placing holds on these um, not very little, little guys. Turns out daddy is an Akita.

Husband and I went and did a bit of Christmas shopping. We do buy the boys a few items from the store. We were taken back a bit by the prices of some things. And could merely shake our heads at some of the toys. Apparently children no longer want to make the vroom vrooom noises when playing with their cars. Now I feel old.

I am working on making a wall mounted marble maze for the two youngest boys rooms. Medium and Small love marbles. I have some other simple things in the works. The boys will have lots of things to open this year. Mostly homemade.

I found 2 of my 3 roosters dead. At first I thought they might have torn each other up, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Yesterday I went out and found the 3rd rooster laying on the ground, barely moving. I scooped him up and put him in our porch/bunker and let him sit close to the fire. I couldn't get him to eat or drink, and he wouldn't stand. He had a bit of frostbite damage to his comb, but that isn't unusual. This morning his is moving around and being slightly disobedient. I think what is happening is that the hens are all crowding together for warmth, but the roosters sleep on the outside of the flock to keep watch. I have taken off the rabbit food diet that was suggested to bring about egg production again (still hasn' worked and it's been a month) and put them back on the high protein chicken mash.

Urth (cow) is in her back talking stage. How weird would it be if I spanked her for it?

They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age.

2011-12-12T08:25:00.001-06:00

We need a new Virginia. We need the question to be asked again, and we need an editor to tell us the actual truth, again.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Entire editorial here>>>

Of course many would say that the editor was merely out to get readers, that he works for a dirty corporation and that he only wants you to buy more stuff.

Being in the Heartland, we are not told we can not say Merry Christmas to everyone we see. That we should be offended that the complete stranger doesn't know we are not Christian. We reply Merry Christmas and a Happy Yule. Or Merry Christmas and a Happy Chanukah. Or Merry Christmas. The media tells us that it is wrong, but we are a hard headed bunch with thick skin. It takes more than a wishful nicety to lay us on the floor bleeding.

In our neighborhood, everywhere I look, it's Christmas and it's Hanukkah. Or a Scrooge. Christmas means different things to different people. We do take issue with crucifying Santa Clause, but not a baby in a manger. We take the boys out to see the lights. One house has Santa and reindeer, the next has a nativity and angels and the next a Menorah . But it seems like many have forgotten what Christmas in America is about.

When we read news and opinions online, we tend to forget what is happening in our neighborhood. That our neighbors get along, and enjoy the season for what it means to them. So many different traditions for Christmas have melded together over the years. Instead we see articles written about how Christians hijacked a holiday from pagans. Then the same writers turning around and writing about how corporate America is to blame for the commercialization of Christmas. We read how America is no longer a melting pot, it's a salad bowl, and that we should allow people to have their own traditions without acclimatizing to American traditions, yet the same writer turns around and says how Christmas should be banned.

Christmas and Christian bashing is the new hot sport. You see it everywhere, online, on tv and in newspapers. But I look around my neighborhood, my closest town. And they celebrate Christmas, or Yule, or Chanukah in harmony. They greet each other with a Merry Merry. They have lights up depicting what this time of year means to them.

Christians should be allowed to celebrate Christmas. Christian faith says you should witness to other's. Christmas nativity scenes are part of that witnessing. If we ban that we should also ban, sufganiyah ( if you do I am coming after you), or the feasts and gift giving involved in Yule, Flashing lights, tinsel and colorful hanging ornaments used to celebrate Pancha Ganapati, or charitable giving (feeding the poor) as preformed by the rotating date of Eid al-Adha, and ban friends and family from gathering together to eat, drink as celebrating Shab-e Yaldâ dictates.

This is news to many of you, but old news to the long time readers, I am not a Christian. And I find no offense in Christmas. Small and Medium have been telling me that Christmas is Jesus' birthday. I say, yes, yes it is! I do not say otherwise. That is not my place in my children's life. No matter what I believe, it is not my place to take that away from them. I want my boys to grow up like my mother taught me. That no matter what your faith, you should be respectful to other's faith, and that you should seek out what is right for you. Not naysay or attack. Just last night, I read the story of the Birth of Jesus to my youngest boys. And no, I do not put the same importance on Santa as I do Jesus.

We need to remind ourselves that Christmas is a time to remember our neighbors. To celebrate the birth of a child and Mōdraniht (mother night) celebrating a divine mother. hmm. . sound familiar? So many things the same, yet the mud keeps getting flung.

As a devout atheist, my mother taught me the respect and appreciation of those around us. As a born again evangelical Christian, my mother taught me to love the sinner, not the sin. Lessons that should be taught across the board.

Our neighborhood celebrates Christmas in many ways, and the Grinches stay online.

New Federal Child Labor Laws and 4-H

2011-12-10T15:52:00.004-06:00

According to Ocola.com

The Labor Department can only regulate employer-employee relationships, so Hancock said the proposed rules shouldn't affect 4-H, Future Farmers of America or other educational programs. And, they may not keep children from helping on their grandparents' or uncle's farms if they aren't paid.

entire article here>>>US Farmers Worry

Don't pay them and you are exempt.

Sorry Large, guess you will have to earn your money doing something else. Like mowing lawns, and not with the brush hog.

A Homesteading Neophyte: New Federal Child Labor Laws Coming to a Farm Near You (edited) (updated)

Depression Gift; Green Army Man Jewelry

2011-12-10T06:50:00.005-06:00

First I want to give credit where credit is due. I got this idea from Knight & Hammer, a small jeweler. Right now they are having a sale on their gold army men jewelry, portions of the proceeds benefit the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

As much as I love their army men, there is no feasible way I could ever afford it, until the prize patrol arrives. So I will make my generic version using real green (brown) army men.

First, a bag o' army men.

Of course you need to play with them a bit. MAN DOWN!

Now we need to remove their pedestals. Don't be tempted to just snap them off, you will take their poor little toes with it. I used a pair of wire cutters, then filed down any points.

Next heat up a needle and stab him in the head with it.

Not only are you making something cool but you get to relive your tortured toy youth. Ah memories. . . Fun!!

Don't allow the needle to cool off in there too much, you will have a hard time getting it out. Next you will need a piece of wire, folding it to create a hook to hang the army man from. This too will need to be heated up before torturing your toy. Shove the wire into his head and allow it to cool.

You can stop here and add leather or chain. But I just happened to have a can of Aluminum spray enamel

*insert evil laugh here*

Spray one side of your army man, dry, flip and repeat. Be sure to get his crotch and the top of his head.

my attempt at a close-up

These make great Christmas ornaments as well.

Pack of army men $1. aluminum enamel paint can be found at the hardware store for $2-$5. You can find wire there as well. But since I go to auctions and buy wire in bulk, not sure how much that would cost you.

Last day to voice your opinion on NAIS

2011-12-09T07:26:00.001-06:00

What? NAIS? I thought that was done with.

Oh no. They merely changed the name. APHIS

You have until 11:59 pm et to leave a comment on the proposal for APHIS.

Please read and comment on it here>>>Tracebility for livestock moving interstate.

Oh but I won't be moving livestock across State lines. Do you order chickens from a hatchery? If so, you are indeed moving livestock across State lines and will be subject to APHIS.

Do you trail ride your horse in different States?

Rodeo fan?

It is important to let your voice be heard. Even when it sometimes feels like a lost cause.

New Federal Child Labor Laws Coming to a Farm Near You (edited) (updated)

2011-12-08T08:43:00.012-06:00

Kansas kids working on the farm is a tradition that goes back generations in the Sunflower state. But the role of kids on the farm could be changing. Lawmakers on the federal level want to make kids safer and that means change could be on the way. . .

The Department of Labor is in the process of planning to change child labor laws. Under the proposal, kids under 18 could no longer work with farm animals. . .

Also, the proposed changes would prohibit anyone under the age of 16 operating power equipment like tractors. . .

Source and entire article found here>>> KSN New labor laws

edited; I keep finding tasty little tidbits

For instance, children under 16 would not be allowed to help in any tasks that involve inflicting pain, like branding or vaccinating source

branding and breeding farm animals, and working atop ladders at heights over six feet. (under 16 yrs of age. source

Children would not be allowed in confined spaces with animals -- for example, a child in a stall with a horse, or a cow that has calved . . . Also, they wouldn't be allowed to ride horses in order to trail cattle. . . source

If your family farm is an LLC, the child doesn’t work for the parents solely. That’s a concern because a huge percentage of family farms are now set up as an LLC. Where the ownership or operation of the farm is vested in persons other than the parent, such as a business entity, corporation or partnership (unless wholly owned by the parent(s)), the exemption would not apply source

Officials from the South Dakota Farmers Union say if the regulations go into effect, farmers could be fined up to $11,000 if they are found in violation of the new laws. source

Updated:

the proposed rules would prohibit the use of any sort of electronic or communication device while operating a tractor, but it's common practice to use two-way radios or cellphones to communicate between tractors, trucks and combines in the field. And many modern tractors come equipped with GPS systems and other electronics that teens might not be able to use. source

The Labor Department can only regulate employer-employee relationships, so Hancock said the proposed rules shouldn't affect 4-H, Future Farmers of America or other educational programs. And, they may not keep children from helping on their grandparents' or uncle's farms if they aren't paid. source

DOL Press Release on this>>>;Here

end edit
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Editorial begins now

um . . . ok so this will not affect those whose parents solely own the farm. But what about 4-H? Many of those kids don't live on a farm, and raise animals on another's or the 4-H's compound. What about the FFA and the college scholarships they give out? (Anyone work with 4-H or FFA that might have a bit of insight?) And that was answered, if you don't pay the child you can have them do whatever you want and the DOL can't say a thing. nice. . .

This will also affect those of us who have children that have taken it upon themselves to go farm to homestead asking for paying work. These kids want to work, to earn money and show responsibility. Yes, there are deaths, average 104 a year. edited because I am now questioning those stats. What are the deaths? Are they actually work related or merely death on farm related? Because there is a difference. They could drown while swimming on property, or slip and fall on a wet kitchen floor. stats are weird like that, pull everything that says death occurred on a farm and there you go.

30 children die in bicycle accidents each year

240 children drown every year

21 die in Go Karts

100 children a year are abducted and murdered, 60 of those are by someone the child knows, and most the time it is a parent. source

So outlaw swimming pools and bathtubs, as well as bicycles (they are already trying to restrict go kart and motorcycle use) and parenting.

Farm kids learn from an early age about safety and responsibility. We re-enforce what could happen if they are careless. Many accidents, are just that, and tend to be unavoidable unless you do not live on a farm.

17,000 children are treated in ER's for lawn mower injuries.

But what does that really matter. The pediatric society has issued warning and guidelines for that in which most parents don't follow. Yet we on farms, who have our children help with chores, or children that want to raise animals for show, or want to earn extra money because they have work ethics and know that their parents aren't just going to hand them an allowance just because, are going to be made to suffer by people that have probably never stepped foot on a working farm, and only read flat statistics on paper.

Our children are not sweat shop kids. Sure there are some that mistreat their kids, but that goes for any family, any where, doing anything.

Those under 16 typically engage in the following types of restaurant work:

Cashier positions
Bagging orders
Bussing tables
Washing dishes
Hand-cleaning fruit and vegetables
Some limited cooking duties such as frying

I have burned myself frying, I have cut myself on broken dishes, yet the laws allow youth under 16 to do this dangerous work. And those evil paper cuts from bagging! But it is safer then a chicken plucking out your eye balls, rabbits ripping your throat out, or a goat butting you. Yes there are dangers, like cow kicks, rooster talons, goose bites (which a goose can break a, child under 4 yrs old, arm). There is potential illness from mice droppings in a chicken coop. You could get injured from a horse bite, kick, or buck. Cows with horns and bulls with testosterone rage can be an issue. Goats and sheep are evil with their butting, and rabbits can scratch. But precautions are taken on most farms.

As long as the parents have been responsible and have taught their children the do's and don't of farm life, it should be ok for a 12 yr old to milk a goat, or feed the cattle to earn a bit of money. 14 yr olds drive to the co-op often here to help out the family. We get farm licenses that the State issues saying it is just fine and dandy with them. Car crash stats are only available for 15-20 yrs old, with the highest rates between 16-17. Possibly because 14 yr old farm kids aren't with their friends in those trucks, nor texting while driving.

Large likes driving the tractor. It is an old 9-N. He drives it much better than I do. He is also working at a friends hay farm, no animals there, but he is working and earning money to buy a new X-box.

And what if you work them for free, like horse back riding? Many people board horses on other people land.Will this affect those as well. Riding a horse, is working a horse. And many feed and groom while there.

As for Large working on another farm, so be it. He is safe. He knows the rules, and I trust the family. And he prefers it to babysitting, or mowing lawns.

Abundant Life Soap (Updated)

2011-12-08T06:34:00.001-06:00

Don't quote me on it, as the name of the company is not Abundant Life. It is actually the name of the blog. I have been reading The Abundant Life blog for a while now. We don't always agree, but Ma is great.

I like to help out when I can. So I would like to send you over to her blog, and not just for a visit either. Ma has sold her soaps locally for a while, and has repeat customers. However she has decided to branch out a bit, and is working on a website to sell online.

However Christmas is a comin'!

And they now have a name for their soaps!

Abundant Life Botanicals

If you want to give someone in your life some handmade natural soaps check out what The Abundant Life has to offer.

The soaps are selling for .97 cents per oz

flat shipping rate 0f $4.97

We are highly resolved that these dead shall not have died in vain

2011-12-07T08:39:00.001-06:00

The 7 December 1941 Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor was one of the great defining moments in history. A single carefully-planned and well-executed stroke removed the United States Navy's battleship force as a possible threat to the Japanese Empire's southward expansion. America, unprepared and now considerably weakened, was abruptly brought into the Second World War as a full combatant.

Eighteen months earlier, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had transferred the United States Fleet to Pearl Harbor as a presumed deterrent to Japanese agression. The Japanese military, deeply engaged in the seemingly endless war it had started against China in mid-1937, badly needed oil and other raw materials. Commercial access to these was gradually curtailed as the conquests continued. In July 1941 the Western powers effectively halted trade with Japan. From then on, as the desperate Japanese schemed to seize the oil and mineral-rich East Indies and Southeast Asia, a Pacific war was virtually inevitable.

By late November 1941, with peace negotiations clearly approaching an end, informed U.S. officials (and they were well-informed, they believed, through an ability to read Japan's diplomatic codes) fully expected a Japanese attack into the Indies, Malaya and probably the Philippines. Completely unanticipated was the prospect that Japan would attack east, as well.

The U.S. Fleet's Pearl Harbor base was reachable by an aircraft carrier force, and the Japanese Navy secretly sent one across the Pacific with greater aerial striking power than had ever been seen on the World's oceans. Its planes hit just before 8AM on 7 December. Within a short time five of eight battleships at Pearl Harbor were sunk or sinking, with the rest damaged. Several other ships and most Hawaii-based combat planes were also knocked out and over 2400 Americans were dead.

Read more at the history.navy.mil website>>>

The survivors want us to remember. Remember more than the page and a half in the modern text books. Many fear that once they have gone, that we will forget about them. We will always remember!

Many heart-filled thanks to the Greatest Generation.

Oh Donna. . . OOOHHH Donna

2011-12-07T07:11:00.000-06:00

I did a early morning boo-boo the other day, and linked the winner of the books to a certain blog. I misread Donna's profile. I apologize.

So will the real Donna please stand up?

If you are the Donna that this profile belongs to>>> could you please email me with your mailing address so I can get the set of *Know Your* books out to you in time for Christmas?

Thank you!

Paypal rep says you can raise money for a sick cat but not poor people? (update)

2011-12-06T10:00:00.001-06:00

A friend on facebook posted a link. I being freeazing cold and nothing better to do, went and clicked on it. Oh. . My. . .you . . . are. . .freakin. . . kidding. . .me!

Cat 1, Kids 0

As you know, we have been trying to buy Christmas presents for kids in the Regretsy community.

We took many applications, vetted them carefully and set about creating a giant gift exchange program, where you could buy a gift for the over 200 children we’re helping.

We raised so much money that we found ourselves in a position of not just being able to send toys, but to send a monetary gift to the families as well. We hoped it might help them make their holiday dinners more special, or maybe pay a pressing bill.

PAYPAL SHUT IT DOWN

Apparently we made the mistake of using the “Donate” button, which Paypal is now claiming is only for nonprofit organizations to use. They froze the account, which also includes Zazzle money that we use to make emergency gifts. That money isn’t in issue, but what the hell! Might as well keep everything!

So last night, I decided to go about this a different way. Since these toys are already purchased, I decided to offer them up for sale on this site, just like any other retailer would. You could buy them according to what you wanted to spend, and we would send them on to the recipient of your gift, just like any other retailer.

PAYPAL SHUT IT DOWN

Read the entire post here>>>Cats 1, Kids 0

Can we agree that this is wrong on so many levels. Unless you do a lot of digging on the Paypal website then it would seem that anyone can have a donate button. Most of us bloggers have one for our tips. Even posts on the paypal wall from their reps encourage you to use the donate button in a everyone must get stoned type of enthusiasm.

Unfortunately paypal has a monopoly on many of us that use it for sales. It's the only way to process credit card orders on our part. But you can write to paypal and tell them what you think of their scam (keeping the processing money for the donations they are forcing them to return.)

Paypal has released the funds>>>

Gifts from the Kids: Soap on a Rope

2011-12-06T06:12:00.005-06:00

For soap on a rope you will need

2 cups soap flakes
1/2 cup tap hot water
yarn or a cord (we use baling twine)

Looks like cheese

You need to grate your soap. When I was in town,I checked and I didn't see any bath soap flakes, and you don't want to use the laundry soap.

Cut you twine or yarn to fit loosely around the neck. Lower to mid chest, and tie a knot at the ends.

Pour your hot water into the bowl with your soap. You can add food coloring to it if you want. Squeeze like meatloaf until it forms a ball. It will be sudsy.

Break the ball up into however many you may need. (we did two, then combined the excess of these to form a third)

Wrap around your twine. Squeeze it firmly to adhere to the twine, right above the knot. Squish into cookie cutter or free hand sculpt.

(These are the boys prototypes. They forbid me to show you the finished product in case the recipients of the gift happens to see this blog. Medium made the Christmas tree, Small the dog, and Large made Mr. Hanky)

Allow to dry for several days. Once dry, tie a knot above the soap.

And a warning. Even after scrubbing your hands, soap still seems to cling under your fingernails. Be careful not to wash your mouth out with soap. It really doesn't taste that good.

Death Becomes her

2011-12-05T18:56:00.000-06:00

I now have a real tree in my house.

I know, many of you are like big deal. So you have this tiny tree in your house. However I am allergic to evergreens. All evergreens. And not the eyes are puffy watery, sinus owie, skin break out in hives. No the last time there was a real tree in my house (can't believe I am saying this) 30 years ago, it was a OH MY GOODNESS!!!! SHE CAN'T BREATHE!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHE'S ASPHYXIATING ON HER OWN VOMIT!!!!!!!!!! CALL AN AMBULANCE!!! Spend Christmas in a hospital with a throat swollen shut, deathly kind of allergic.

Honestly I have felt weirdly bad about the boys not having a real tree. Don't ask me why, it just isn't rational. I talked with Husband. He too has never had a real tree. He has always had the $38 Blue Light Special. And it has been years since I have even attempted to be in a room with one. So we decided to try a small potted tree.

I have no ornaments that will fit on it. The topper is a candy cane topper that my best friend's mother in 3rd grade made me.

Medium is now working on some origami ones to put on it.

I am hoping I have outgrown the deathly allergic, and maybe a small 2 ft tree will make a difference (vs the 7ft one as a child). Wish me luck!

Raw Milk Freedom Riders; Wisconsin to Chicago Dec. 8

2011-12-03T21:20:00.000-06:00

Who: Raw Milk Freedom Riders and Speakers from around the U.S.
What: 100 gallons of Raw Milk and Cookies to be distributed in support of Food Freedom
Where: From Wisconsin to Chicago. Rally at Independence Park, 3850 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL. 60618
When: Thursday, December 8, 2011 (11:30am-2:00pm)
Why: After the first Freedom Ride from Pennsylvania to FDA HQ in Silver Spring, MD on November 1, the FDA issued a statement saying, in part, they did not "intend" to target individuals transporting raw milk across state lines for their own, individual use. Implicit in this, FDA is admitting their intent to criminally target agents, buying clubs, coops and farmers in their pursuit of raw milk prohibition.

Join the Freedom Riders as they call for an end to the prohibition and criminalization of raw milk transactions!

The caravan of Freedom Riders will include embedded reporters to broadcast what the Riders are doing and why - to shed light on the FDA's violent and failing policies. Riders are informing the FDA of their intentions and inviting the FDA to the party as they caravan over 100 gallons of raw milk from Wisconsin and then distribute in Chicago at Independence Park. It is time to challenge the FDA on the law that turns honest parents, farmers and other individuals into criminals for transporting raw milk across state lines.

Food Freedom heroes Max Kane, David Gumpert, Liz Reitzig, Kathy Pirtle, John Moody, Jim Marlowe, Michael Badnarik, and many others dedicated to raw milk choice and food freedom will join up for a rally and peaceful demonstration at Independence Park in Chicago.

EVERYONE is welcome to join the rally and help make a HUGE statement to the FDA on this movement toward personal choice, dietary privacy, and food freedom!

Confirm your attendance at either location by signing up for the facebook event (use the link midway down this page).

Media and other inquiries for this event can be sent to: rawmilkfreedomriders@gmail.com.

If you are unable to make it, but would like to support these efforts, please donate

Contact: Liz Reitzig, Co-founder Farm Food Freedom Coalition LizReitzig@gmail.com 301.807.5063 http://www.FarmFoodFreedom.org/events.htm

If you want your giggle for the day, watch this video of Freedom Rider Max Kane of Wisconsin inviting the FDA's John no-one-should-ever-drink-raw-milk-at-any-time-for-any-reason Sheehan to the WI to Chicago event.

Information about farm raids at www.FarmFoodFreedom.org

Yours for food freedom,

Deborah Stockton, Executive Director
National Independent Consumers and Farmers Association

Our purpose is to promote and preserve unregulated direct farmer-to-consumer trade that fosters availability of locally grown or home-produced food products.

NICFA opposes any government funded or managed national animal identification system.

And the winner is. . . .

2011-12-03T08:13:00.002-06:00

Congrats to Donna (no blog listed)

Please send me your mailing address, my email is on my profile page, and we will get those books shipped out to you.

Thanks to everyone that entered!

Do you think they're cold?

2011-12-02T09:34:00.002-06:00

There is a fire going in there. It's 20F outside

Depression Gift; Molas

2011-12-02T05:26:00.002-06:00

Molas are a product of the Kuna women of Panama. I have several that my father brought with him when he came to the US.

I am leaning towards getting a tattoo of the above mola, it's a fox and chickens.

Making your own is simple, you quilters should like this. Molas are traditionally 2-7 layers of fabric.

The fabric doesn't need to be a solid color. And can be any size you want your panel to be.

First decide on your design, and map it out. Next put down your first layer of cloth, do not cut into this one, it's your base. Add your second layer and cut your design so the the first cloth is seen through the second.

Repeat each layer, making sure that you cut over the previous colors holes so that the first/second and so on colors can be seen at the finish.

Pin your fabric together so that it can be sewn. Make sure that it is all flat as possible, and sew outlines into the design, then sew all the way around it.

For those of us that can barely sew, use this to wrap presents, like books in. Or mount them as art work as the real ones above.

Those of you that are more talented, molas are made to be used. Traditionally skirts and blouses. You can use the panels you make for blankets, window dressings, purses, and so forth.

Kids can make them with construction paper and glue if you don't trust them with your needles.

Homemade gift for the teen boy ~Devil Sticks~

2011-12-01T07:29:00.004-06:00

Luckily for me Large is a dork. No worries, he knows he is a dork and is very proud of his oddness. The Devil Sticks are not going to be for any boy (girls like them too). A kid that likes Hackey Sacks or juggling, medieval reenactments or RPG's (not video games). If you don't want to deal with the negative side of teen angst, be aware of what your kid is into, could make for a miserable Christmas morning.

These Devil Sticks are for the beginner.

You will need:

2 wooden dowels
4 feet of 5/16" diameter
2 feet of 1/2" diameter

Athletic tape any color(s)

A hand saw

What to do:

Cut the dowels to 2 feet in length. You will need 1 of the thick dowel and 2 of the same length of the thinner dowels.

Take one of the tapes and pull down a long piece, keeping it attached to the roll. Spin the tape so that it spiral on itself, lazily. Wrap this around your thick dowel, sticky side out. Lattice the dowel with the tape, like this:

Reverse the direction, doubling up but creating the lattice look. Make sure you overlap the previous tape.

You can use the same color tape here, sticky side down, cover the lattice work thoroughly. On each end of your thick stick, you will need to make counter weights. Use the tape to do this. Wrap the tape around each end, testing out the balance as you add to it.

Wrap tape around your 2 hand sticks (thinner dowels) just the same as the exterior part of your middle stick (thicker dowel) but not the lattice work. However you will need to vary the direction in which you wrap and create small bumps as you go. You can do this in multiple colors.

This is your finished product. You can add tassels to the end of the middle stick with the tape if you want.

And when they get really good at it, you can add fire

If you don't know what Devil sticks are or how to use them, here is a video.

How to Use a Devil Stick in Juggling

Look for possible savings for supplies for devil sticks at Home Depot.

As per blogging etiquette

2011-11-30T07:04:00.000-06:00

Today is my birthday.

Not sure what else to tell you about that. My plan is to hang out in my pj's all day, wait for the prize patrol (since you know darn well I am going to win $10 mil, $3 mil after taxes), maybe take a nap after chores or watch a movie. Maybe I will live it up a bit and do both!

Oh, yes I am 34 year old today. decrepit I know.

I feel a bit silly announcing my birthday though.

In other news, this blog is now being fed through Beforeitsnews.com. They wanted to list me in the survivalist category, even though they have a self sufficiency category. However I am now listed in Alternative, along with the alien invasions. That seems fitting. I think the editor found this blog from the 100 top survival and prepper blogs (I use to be number 1 until I stopped blogging for the month, now I am 11)

It is also Mark Twain's Birthday!

I would like to get Girls Gone Trashy back going again. If you have a Homemade Christmas or yule or Hanuka present that you would like to share and get some hits on your blog, let me know.

I guess that's it.

Know Your series review and Giveaway

2011-11-29T07:12:00.002-06:00

Fox Chapel Publishing sent me a birthday present! Well, not exactly, but it did show up unexpectedly in my mail yesterday. And what a delight it was!

It was the *Know Your* series by Jack Byard

It includes *Know Your* Pigs

*Know Your* Chickens

*Know Your* Donkeys & Mules

and *Know Your* Cows.

These are pocket books that are sold separately.

Monday is library day here at the homestead, as the boys and I pulled off, grabbing the mail in transit, I was super curious what was in the package. I had no idea that they were sending me anything. Medium ripped it open for me. He was thrilled. Medium is 10 yrs old. He devoured the *Know Your* Cows pocket book. He found our Kerries, but was confused on not being able to find Murrial. I had to explain that the shorthorns that Mr. Byard had in the book was the closest he would get to her (Murrial is an American Milking Shorthorn). In the foreword of the book, Mr.Byard does say that there are a lot of cows out there, and he hopes he can give you a glimpse into the diversity of them.

Large had a grand time with the *Know Your* Pig. I think he has picked out a pet, a very wooly pig.

The *Know Your* series is a great reference for not only children (Mr. Byard is a retired teacher and wrote these books because he discovered that most children didn't know that there are more than 2 kinds of sheep, black or white), but anyone interested in heritage, endangered or just plain barnyard animals.

The pictures are gorgeous, highlighting the best of the animals. And it includes tidbits and trivia about the animals. I highly recommend this series. So much so that I contacted Fox Chapel Publishing to see if I could host a giveaway for you all.

To win your very own set of *Know Your* series (I think it will make a grand Christmas present to your 4-H'er) Leave a comment telling me what your favorite barnyard animal is. Pig is ok, but Kune Kune is much better. I will leave this contest open until Friday. Good Luck!

The cows are up to something, I know it.

2011-11-28T06:33:00.000-06:00

Just about every morning, I have to walk Missy the pig back into the barn. The cows (I highly suspect Mamma) are pushing the barn gate until the latch breaks and it opens. The first time it happened I thought the Kerries were merely evicting Yogi the bull over to the Shorthorns side. But then it happened again and again. And now I have a new thought.

You ever been a teen girl? or around teen girls? You know how they do silly things just to scare themselves and their friends?

Yep, I think that's what's going on.

They are letting Missy out because it scares them into giggles. They dance around when she chases them. If one isn't paying attention and Missy bolts by, they jump, then playful shake their head at her.

It's just one big slumber party out there some days. Good thing they don't have pillows.

The most googled questions for this blog, answered

2011-11-26T09:29:00.002-06:00

Does Monsanto own Whole Foods?

No.

What is a chicken gullet?

I remember when I first started butchering, this was a panic item as the books told you to remove it, yet didn't say where or what it was. A chicken gullet is the esophagus, not the craw or bag filled with feed. Just pull it out.

How to bleed a pig.

You open up the major artery in the neck. Usually with a very sharp knife.

What part of a wild hog do I butcher?

All of it.

What is the best why to remove pig hair and the black pigment?

Scald and scrape is the best way to remove hair. The skin pigment will not come off, sorry about that. You will have to remove the skin to be rid of it.

Why slit a goat's throat?

You need to be rid of as much blood as possible from the carcass. Otherwise you will have pooling, discoloration and ruined meat. There are other places to bleed an animal out, but being able to hang it from the hind-legs, makes the neck the easiest and most efficient place to bleed out.

How to create GMO's?

You can't do it without a lab. You need to use gene slicing technologies to create them.

Sexy butcherer?

Apparently that would be me as seen on a flickr photo. Not sure why. . .

How to water bath can Green Beans?

I answer that question way back in the beginning of time. You really shouldn't because of potential illness. But if you must, a min of 90 minutes. And 10 minutes of hard boiling before you eat them.

And then we get into how to butcher (insert animal type here)? This time of year I am the butcher queen of the internet.

in order of hits

Hog
Goat
Turkey
Duck
Chicken
These post are actually about my first times.

I'm waiting on pies (late night rambling) in segments (commercial free)

2011-11-23T23:31:00.004-06:00

I finally got a pie in the oven. Cream pie in the fridge. Now I am just waiting on the one pie to bake so I can put another one in.

I am so behind on prep work now. ~sigh~ It's just one of those things I tend to wind up doing.

It took Husband and I, what seemed like hours, to feed the cattle. We took a bale out into the field. The younger ones found the stalks a bit odd, but the older gals new exactly what it was and went to town. Mamma is such the bully though, and only Bob Dole can push her around, as seen in the video. She spun the entire group around, chasing Murial off. I worry about Murial. She is so docile. I clapped my hands and lead all the Kerries back into the main pen. Locking them up. We left Murial, Courage, Yart, Yippee and Xuxi out to eat while we brought another bale out to the calf pen.

I really didn't want to yet. The pig is still in the calf pen. But what choice do I have. Murial has to put weight back on. So the pig is now in the barn. We brought the trailer in to unload another bale. But this one was so flat that we couldn't roll it off. We had to shove a metal rod through it and hook up chains and a come-along to the barn. Then drive out from under it.

We lead the ladies (not Yippee) to the calf pen. They will spend the winter there. Not only will this help Murial gain weight, but I will be able to work with Courage and Yart, and get them trained for the milk stanchion, and hopefully come spring, I will be milking again.

I so miss milking. There is something about it. Besides developing Popeye arms, it's soothing. The cows don't complain about my song choices, they are very content to let me tug on their teats, they will even lick me like I am their calf. Hurts a bit when they get a sensitive spot, still sweet none the less.

Someone said once that human's are the only species that drinks milk after they are weened. My farm has a bunch of freaks living on it. Not only do the adult cats and dogs go after it, but have you ever squirted a bull with milk? If their mom's didn't force them to leave them alone by kicking them in the face, they would continue to nurse. Undies was over a year old before he was weened. That's only because mamma started sticking her horns into his hip every-time he went for it.

Guess I am rambling, but it helps me kill time. And I am in for a long night. I don't really belong to anything anymore, so this is my only chatting ability.

Urth saw me on the milk stanchion side of the barn, and got all excited. PIE!!! Be back. . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where was I? Oh yes, Urth. She saw me working over on the calf/ milk stanchion side of the barn earlier, and got all excited. She paced at the door, just waiting for me to let her in and get into that stanchion. Guess she is missing it. She's the same one that as a calf would stand in the stanchion after her mother was milked, waiting for her turn. I gave her a good handful of cookies and a belly rub. She licked my forehead, think she took some skin with it.

Medium seems to have the chicken pox again. This would be the second time. He did get the vaccine years ago, and they said he could still get it, but it would be mild. This is the second time! I really don't see the point in the shot. You get the chicken pox once, full blown, and never get it again. I know, a few kids have died from the chicken pox. But what will this do to him as an adult? It can be dangerous for adults, and if he keeps getting it. . . will he be more likely to get shingles when he gets older?

Some guy actually left a comment on this blog to promote his blog about how much he hates American women. How we are lazy, and don't cook and so on. . . this blog! I thought it was a joke. Why on earth would you try to post something like that on a women's blog, a farming blog, about how much I freaking get hurt, and work and cook and kill things? I swear, people can be a bit silly. I didn't allow it to be published, nor did I click out on it.

I was talking about cows, wasn't I?

Every one seems very happy now, except Urth (the whole milk stanchion thing) . She keeps bellowing at me. Winston however is cracking me up. After the grand dance when the bale arrived. I went to hang out with them and see how they were doing. Winston blocked my way in the gate. Don't know if you have ever seen a bull get excited to see someone, then curious, then disappointed, before. But just picture a 1,000 lbs dog with horns and you will get the gist of what he looked like. Ears straight up, looked like he was standing on his tip toes, and head cocked to one side.

Pie time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1232 am central time.

Pumpkin pie is in the oven. Did you know that if you are not using fresh pumpkin, and use the can stuff, that you can get rid of that tin flavor that they sometimes have. Cook it in a heavy bottom sauce pan for about 5 mins (med-high heat, stir constantly), and taste the difference. A trick I learned eons ago. Makes it taste more like fresh.

Speaking of eons. My birthday is coming up. I keep getting asked what I want. My answer thus far has been hay. Now that the stress over that is gone, I do hope no one asks again. To be honest I don't know what I want. Actually I would like Husband to stop being angry at my step-father so he can come to my birthday family dinner at the farmstead. I understand why Husband is. It's been scary and frustrating, we have had to sell off and kill some of our breeding stock. My steep-father told Husband that he didn't think we could afford the lease, yet we have paid out 3x as much as a year's lease on feed this year. Husband doesn't like it when people go back on their word. And he feels that S-F has. I too feel that way. But they are my family and I will forgive it, forgetting and not getting upset when I am forced to butcher or starve my animals is another story. Something I need to work on.

I can smell the pumpkin pie, getting hungry. The dark coffee I am drinking isn't going to cut it.

I think what I really want for my birthday is someone to take my boys for the night, and I sleep as soon as it gets dark out.

I feel a bit bad about missing a 2 yr old's b-day party because of my own birthday plans. I wonder if that is a bit selfish on my part. She is family after all. But I don't have birthday parties. Haven't since I was 9. Still not having one. I get together with my mother and she makes me a dinner, but no party. I guess I make up for that by throwing Husband big to-do's.

Everybody is posting Happy Thanksgiving day posts, and here I am killing time by talking about all kinds of things. But I do hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving, or Thursday for those of you not in the US.

And thank you for the generous tip! (I don't know your screen name and don't want to call you out) I appreciate it greatly. It was a surprise to say the least. Husband wanted to know what I was posting here to warrant it. giggle. He would ask that of a $2 tip as well. But he loves me, and I am grateful for that.

I don't do the friendship thing very well. And when someone wants to play, I do warn them. There is something about me that rubs people the wrong way. Usually it comes down to a misunderstanding. And I end up frustrating them to no end. I like stories, always have. I was told that I come across as trying to one-up people. That would be one reason I don't comment much on your blogs. I don't want to seem like I am being that way. I like to relate, I like it when you guys relate to my stories and tell me one of your own. But it doesn't work like that in the real world. So I am grateful that Husband, Shane, Hooter and Brain Wheel don't mind and put up with it. I just worry that the boys will get this flaw of mine, and end up just as lonely at times like me.

Pie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1257am

At some point I will need to sleep. However unlike the majority of my US readers, I am not baking a huge turkey that takes 6 hours to bake. a 10 lbs breast, yes. It will slow cook half the morning. Holidays make it so I can be the night owl that I use to love so much.

So I have talked about cows, and birthdays, and loneliness. Not sure what this post is lacking besides the graphic grown up stuff, like money. Oh you thought I was going somewhere else with this, weren't you. Naughty!

I worry about Husband, he is falling apart, physically. I don't know how much longer he will be able. . . I have already covered that worry in another post. No point rehashing it. So now you are sitting outside with me while I smoke. It's a bit chilly, but a nice clear night

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

123am

I like baking at night. The house is asleep, and it is just me, thinking to myself, talking out loud, singing, and baking. I prefer to do most things under the cover of darkness while the rest of the world sleeps. Makes me sound like a super villain, don't it.

Right now I am watching a rabbit hump a shoe. He really needs to be put back in his cage. But I will let him hump shoes for the night, let him go a bit wild, maybe even hump a boot.

I just looked at my referrals. Some one googled "finger in butt" and got my goat butchering page. hahaha! oh wait, maybe they are into that. ewww. . .

Still sitting here waiting on pies. Think this will be the last one of the night. I can do the last two in the morning. I am not making anything too complicated for Thanksgiving dinner, so I will have the time for the two. I have 20 minutes left for this pumpkin pie. Allow me to amend that, butternut squash "pumpkin tasting" pie.

I make a custard "pumpkin" pie. I like them a lot better. Not so weighty.

A neighbor came over today. She lives about 10 miles out from me. She picked out a pup she wants when they are weened. They are adorable, so rolly polly.

I guess that's the end of my ramblings. It's very very late, or early, you choose. And my battery on my netbook is about gone. Husband is asleep in the room with the charger. Sometimes the boys get up in the middle of the night and entertain themselves on the pc, so I keep it in my room so they don't. Hope I entertained you a bit. Those of you up at this time. It's like 7am in Britain, so morning to you all!

Happy Thanksgiving all. I hope you not only survive it, but enjoy it. Time to get that pie out of the oven.

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you

2011-11-23T14:33:00.000-06:00

We managed to get a hold of 1,400 lbs bales of Milo!

It's a Thanksgiving miracle.

I called horse neighbor's hay guy. All he had was Milo. It was tested, nitrate levels well under the safety requirements, and the protein content at 10%. And it was closer to a normal price than anything else I can find. Now I don't have to go out of State.

Happy dance!

We hurried over there to pick up our 3 bales (but ordered enough to make it through the winter), as that is all we can manage to drag behind us, this morning. We got loaded up and started to leave. And would you know it, I can't do anything without some type of adventure.

The rubber popped off the back wheel of the trailer. We were now stuck out in the middle of nowehere Kansas. Hay guy said that after he unloaded his 2 semi-truck loads at the co-op, he would run by his house and come back with a compressor.

Over an hour later, and Medium begging to go and catch field mice to eat, hay guy arrives. His compressor wouldn't start so we had to wait for his buddy. ~sigh~ 20 minutes later, and a tire hissing from where a nail is stuck in it, we were on the road. Made it home fine.

Unloaded one bale out in the field. Winston the bull was so overcome in joy that he bucked and spun in the air as he bellowed. What a sight.

But now I am several hours behind on my pie making.

Happy Turkey Day!!!

One of these things is not like the others

2011-11-22T06:26:00.000-06:00

One of these things just doesn't belong. . .

Can you tell which thing is not like the others, before I finish my song?

After much unnecessary fretting, my Thanksgiving menu

2011-11-21T10:22:00.003-06:00

I spent yesterday canning pizza sauce, working on a very cool Christmas present, going through my pantry and asking the boys their input on Thanksgiving dinner.

Many of my ideas got a clear no, in the way of ewwws and throwing up faces from my dear, dear boys. Large's input was a bit different, "not traditional enough." Wait, you're a teen, what do you know about traditional and why this sudden obsession over it? I can only assume that he wants the comfort that a familiar holiday meal gives, that or he is just trying to get in the last word and being difficult.

So it was decided, by the boys, that I was to stick with a traditional meal. And have more pies than we could actually eat in a day. Every time I asked what they wanted then, I got different pies for answers. Small wants a burrito pie.

We will indeed being having turkey, to the disgust of one of my readers (read that in playful jest). We butchered our tom's a few months back. However I did not have the room to freeze two 40lbs turkeys whole. We broke them down. Turkey breast will replace the entire turkey (and it is the size of a football).

I love brined poultry! With the right brine, you can enhance the natural flavors and break down the tougher bits of a bird. Apple Juice (cider works well too) and ice is the brine of my choice when it comes to turkeys. And I happen to still have some frozen apple juice from last year. Soak your turkey in it for 24 hours, keeping ice on it to keep it cool.

The breast is skinless, and this will bode as problematic when it comes to roasting. Simple solution on this one. As I will be making Bacon and apple bread stuffing. The plan is to place the breast and a smaller piece of dark meat, into my dutch oven. The breast seasoned with simple salt and pepper, then wrapped in bacon, with 1 cup of apple juice and 1/4 cup white wine. The oven will then be buried under hot coals to cook, outside, for several hours. The fire will not be stoked up, we will be using only the residual heat from the dying coals. Once done, the bacon can then be chopped up and added to the stuffing. Unless the temp is too hot, the bacon will not be crispy. So chop, quick fry and a toss.

Now the side dishes.

You know about the stuffing. (Small was concerned we would not have stuffing)

I have been able to come up with things that the only purchase I will be making is that of the dairy products (butter, milk, whipping cream) Thanks to a client and Brain Wheel, I have plenty of nuts. And I should be able to keep my purchases down under $20.

The boys flipped when I suggested Roasted New Red Potatoes. I had just canned a bunch of them in garlic and rosemary. We compromised on garlic mashed russet potatoes.

Large order creamed corn.

Husband requested Braised Spinach.

Braise Fennel with White Wine and Parmesan

Cooked Carrots with a Mustard Brown Sugar Glaze

Mushrooms with warm spices

A mushroom brown gravy (no giblets)

popovers

We do not have any pumpkin, so I will be replacing the pumpkin puree with butternut squash in my Pumpkin Custard pie.

Pecan pie (however I do not have maple syrup so will substitute it with light corn syrup. It still comes out amazingly fluffy for a nut pie)

I found a container of baking cocoa powder, which thrilled me, and the boys, to no end. Chocolate Cream Pie it is! I will just have to fish out the vanilla beans that are hiding in my sugar.

I will need to make my own pie crusts, including the graham crackers though. And whipped cream (little brandy makes it so comforting)

The menu has been approved by all except Medium, who would rather have less vegetables.

It isn't as traditional as they would have liked it, no broccoli rabe, no green beans with walnuts and tarragon, no peas with hazelnut butter, no Brussels Sprout with garlic and pine nuts.(Wow, we really like our nuts around here) Popovers instead of rolls. Hopefully they like the fennel dish. Oh, and no cranberry anything.

From Thanksgiving past

Curious about a recipe not listed, just ask.

reading over this list, it seems like I forgotten that I am poor white trash. This Thanksgiving I will definitely remember to be grateful that I grow so much of my own food, even with a drought we were able to get enough in to have a grandiose menu, or food titles that sound like they are. The ingredients however are very simple and found in most pantries and refrigerators.

Fun with Boys

2011-11-20T12:30:00.000-06:00

Medium is stretching his legs as a tattoo artist.

They used my fabric paint. I warned them when I first saw it.

Now he itches.

Small decided to try his hand at it as well.

What else are you going to do on a cold day in the boonies?

Let's talk about Thankfulness

2011-11-19T11:17:00.005-06:00

My family

If whites didn't come to this country, and my Blackfoot family never met my Irish family, and then my other Irish family never meet my Blackfoot/Irish family, I wouldn't be here. So I am Thankful. If Husband's Scottish/English/German family never met his Cherokee family, we wouldn't have our 3 wonderful mutts. (Large is so flippin proud to be a mutt, it cracks me up)

I am Thankful that my Irish families immigrated here, both in the late 1800's and again in the 1960's. I am thankful for my dual citizenship (just in case I need to use it, giggle). I am thankful for my family, and the life we have created. I am thankful for my livestock and my garden.

There are so may things to be thankful for, yet we always get smacked with the things we don't want. And we harp and we dwell. I know I can get scared, depressed and gritchy. I try hard not to, but it can get overwhelming.

I am really not that worried about Thanksgiving dinner. Even though my previous post made it seem that way. It was a distraction from my real worries, the hay problem.

Life is completely and utterly unfair. I know that, we all know that. But we strive to make the best of it. And I am thankful for that. Otherwise we would all be miserable lumps. And who really wants to be angry and sad all the time? If you can't find the joys in the little things, you will never find joy. And lately that has been a struggle for me.

I am thankful it was only a mild stroke, and that the big one didn't happen as they had warned me.

I am thankful that Husband decided to be a motorcycle mechanic rather than a surgeon. Of course he will wonder out loud about what ifs. . . but he loves what he does.

I am thankful that I spent so many years homeless. Without that I might not ever pushed myself, and appreciate what I have now. And thankful for those like Kris

I am thankful that I got to spend 30 days with my first son.

I know many women never get that much. He taught me to be strong. He taught me that it wasn't just about me. And he taught my friends that people of different religions, faiths, and God(s) can be in the same room, and share each other's prayers with respect. His NICU basket looked like an tribute to world religions. And the Grateful Dead. His name is Getty and my Father keeps his company.

I am thankful that I have three healthy hellions. They are trying to teach me patience.

I am thankful to be given the opportunity to share all this with you. And thankful that you have taken the time to read it.

I am thankful that I have stories, loves and laughter to share.

Guess I just needed to remind myself that even when things go bad, there is happiness and thankfulness in it.

(I really did mean for this post to be a discussion on thankfulness. But it took on something different.)

Can't sleep, clowns will eat me

2011-11-19T08:06:00.002-06:00

I had a difficult time last night getting to bed. I just laid here staring at things.

Thanksgiving gets smaller here every year. With my 2 little brothers living so far away, and my grandmother and my father passing, it is just us 5 and Hooter. And then Hooter up and tells me he might be going somewhere else for Thanksgiving! It's ok though, I am glad he has some other friends besides Husband and I. (for all my new readers, Hooter and I have been good friends to the point of family status for almost 20 years.)

But he isn't why I couldn't sleep, he was just one of many thoughts. The 4 1/2 hour drive to go get hay (once we find a hauler) is what was keeping me up. That and the up coming butcher of mamma. You can imagine the kind of google hits I get because of how I phrase things. I have even seen the search "How to butcher woman" come up before. I was a bit creeped out.

I digress.

Carol Anne over on on Soap boxville mentioned a title of a book called "No one cares what you had for lunch" along with pics of her really cool goth doll collection. The title made me giggle. But as many hits as I get on my recipes, I would say some people are indeed interested in what we are eating here.Or at least canning.

So I have been planning out my Thanksgiving menu. Holidays give me a chance to only cook. I do a few basic chores in the morning, then the men in my life take over the duties so that I can have the rest of the morning to cook. We usually eat by 3 pm. Even with the 5 of us, we have lots of food, most the time I only use what we have on hand. Rarely do I run to the store to purchase items. Of course leftovers never last long. I do have 3 growing boys.

This year is a bit difficult. Hardly any veggies or fruits to choose from in my pantry. I have a few apples and pears, and several jars of peaches from last year. 1 small jar of corn, no green beans, but I do have potatoes. My pumpkin and flour guys had little for me this year, and I have no milk or butter. So I need to be very creative. How do you make a Thanksgiving meal with little on hand?

Edited: I know exactly how to make a Thanksgiving meal with little on hand. The above statement sounds a bit pompous, not at all what I had in mind. I have had famine years before, worse than this one. I have had to barter skills for food before, as has husband. And I have gone hungry on Thanksgiving before as well.

I am still trying to figure this out. Whatever it ends up being like, I will still be thankful.

Weatherman just issued a Skirt Alert!

2011-11-18T12:08:00.002-06:00

Yes same guy that uses the term "frog strangler"

I went out to do morning chores, threw a bale and had it all end up back in my face. Winston the bull makes it difficult to throw bales. His horns must be cold because he keeps putting them up my coat.

We are having 45mph+ straight line winds today. Add that with the dry conditions and you get a dust bowl. Not like the storms you see on the news, thank goodness. But it is hard to breath with out a rag over your mouth and nose, seeing is painful.

I managed to do my morning chores, and now am settling in for the ride. Watching Caprica (on Netflix, I pay for it a year in advance so I still get the DVD and instant streaming) and making chocolate desserts for later. Oh, and my Thanksgiving dinner menu.

oh my! there are some really scary sounding noises going on out there right now. I really don't want to know what that loud bang was.

Canning refried beans

2011-11-18T06:40:00.002-06:00

BOOM! So there are pictures out there of exploding jars of refried beans. I know some have figured out how to do it with only small failures. But the simplest fix is to not mush up the beans before canning.

you will need

1 cup dry pinto beans (soak over night then drain)
1 whole bay leaf
1/4 cup bacon fat
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced jalapeno, seeded
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
dash cayenne

In a heavy kettle or pot, bring beans, the bay leaf and enough water to cover by 2 inches to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for up to 2 hours. Stir occasionally, add water as needed. Removed from heat. Discard bay leaf. Place beans into your jars.

Heat up the bacon fat in a skillet, add onions and cook until soft. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Mix well and remove from heat. If the mixture seems too paste like, stir in some of your bean cooking water to thin out.

Using a tablespoon at a time, evenly distribute the onion mix into your beans jars. Pour cooking water over top to cover leaving 1 inch of head space.

Process in a pressure canner. 15 lbs pressure for 90 minutes.

When ready to eat, puree or mash the entire jar of beans. Pour into skillet and refry.

(tried to take a photo, but the lighting in my kitchen is awful, and the pics looked bad)

Since I keep getting percentages thrown at me today

2011-11-17T16:07:00.000-06:00

Only 2% of Americans farm. Out of that 91% are family farms. 14% live below the poverty line. 90% of their income comes from off farm work. 70% of them have only a High school diploma or less (55% of all farmers overall) 20% end up on food stamps. Though many more are eligible.

"You work hard or you don't eat"

A miscellaneous kind of morning

2011-11-17T10:56:00.000-06:00

I have managed to finish canning my refried beans, and the boston baked beans. Working on frijoles today. Calm down I will post recipes later.

Had to get up around 3 am to feed the fire, the temperature dropped below 20F! Woke before 6 am to a very frost covered ground. I thought I was ready for the cold because the summer was so brutal. But now I just want a comfortable temp.

Looks like we are going to have to drive to NW Missouri for hay. Husband is going to ask after a hauler today. If the price is right, we will do it. We have to balance out the good and bad. We can pay the triple price here for under weight and poor hay, or we can pay a normal price with full weight and good quality plus hauler expenses. We will just have to see what the hauler says.

Stephen bought me a place on the Bathhouse. ok, I know I am a dork, but it is a grand idea. My name has been on bathroom walls before, at least this time I get a say in what it says. Thank you Stephen!

Oh and to my yarn friends, Rebecca (someone I have known for a century and a half) has opened up her own business. She even has a yarn club, kind of like a CSA. You can check it out here. She has some gorgeous colored yarn. Froebe Fibers.

pretty

The bell pepper jelly turned out just delicious! It tastes like the candy lemon drops with a hint of pepper. Turns out I was not as traumatized as I thought after the sugaring experiment, and was able to eat it with out breaking out in opera. ~shudder~ just read part of the post. I never want to do that again.

Occupy the Bath House Movement

2011-11-16T17:58:00.001-06:00

This is just great!

Modern Day Redneck is building a solar bath. And for a donation your blog can be advertised on the wall.

Now the solar bath in itself is very cool. I will have to follow his progress and see if I can convince Husband we need to do this. (I have him talked into a redneck or maybe it is called hillbilly, not sure I, I am a flatlander after all, hot tub)

Now I do believe in the pass it on luck of life. You guys have been so kind to me. You rallied when I really needed the help. I am tempted to get my name on his wall, but with the hay situation, it isn't feasible. So the best I can do is send you that way, to think about getting your name or blog up and that bath house.

Enjoy the bath.

From Modern Day Redneck via comments " Have your blog family mention you sent them and I will put you as a honorary Bathroom Wall Occupier and your name will be on the wall."

Now that rocks.

Gun Bloggers that accept my freakishness

2011-11-16T10:24:00.001-06:00

I am not the normal gun owner. Insert a bunch of generalizations about stereotypical gun owners here. I don't fit the mold of a gun owner. And I don't own one or more (not saying how many I do or don't have) just because I have to protect myself and my livestock either.

Found photo on Facebook, sorry I can't give credit to the creator. Edit; Thanks to Stephen the photographer is Oleg Volk. Great photos!

Now I haven't had dreadlocks in years, I have been every shade of purple hair color they could find and come up with. I do wear combat boots (tanker boots on special occasions). I have boots that high, I call them my hooker boots, and wear them on the motorcycle. I have fishnet stockings and have many piercings and tats. I recently died my hair back to a normal color because of my business venture, but in time it will go back to another not nature color. Heck I even got married on Halloween with a slit throat and blood running down my cleavage.

And I enjoy reading gun blogs.

I recently had a conversation with a reader. She has been experiencing some attitude from some of the bloggers she likes to read because she looks like the above picture. I suggested she tell them to eff off. I really don't see the problem. If your readers are agreeing with you on a passionate subject, or heck even if they don't, what does it matter if they are normal looking or not?

I have been lucky in this department. I don't get criticized over my appearance by the bloggers I read. I get criticized for other things and we disagree about things, maybe have a little spat about it, but these guys just don't give a hoot about what I look like. And I like that about them.

Some people say I look like this to get attention. Funny because I don't care much for attention. I don't do it to shock, I do it because I love it. I like my clothes and am comfortable in them. And my favorite color is purple, plus it brings out the blue in my eyes. All my tats have a personal meaning, like my boys foot prints running up my back. My piercing are because I was a test subject years ago, a friend was learning to be a piercer, I was the only one willing to let her practice (phone calls about things not suppose to be bleeding were a bit scary at times).

There are some blogs that catch my attention and I will start to read them, however I will sometimes catch a glimpse that this blogger is too self involved to be much fun. I will pass that blog by.

YeoldFurt is one of my favorite gun bloggers. He commented on one of my posts years ago, and I have been following him ever since. His blog is Old Lightning.

Wolfe over on Wolf's Blog is another. He isn't limited to guns, he talks about all kinds of survivalist/prepper and personal things.

Stephen is a relatively new blogger to me. But I like his style. I enjoy his joys. I think we will make a good fit. You can find him at Standing outside looking in.

Many of the homesteading blogs occasionally discuss guns. But I will not include you in this list. I love ya, but . . .

The newest gun related blog to my list is Survivor man lite. I will just have to see how it goes there.

So I only have a few of you on this list. I must really like you. (sorry giggling)

What about you. Got Gun? Got a blog you would welcome some freak girls to hang out in, and comment?

Let's try this again; Day in the Life

2011-11-15T11:28:00.001-06:00

ok, no more videos. Some are having problems viewing, so let's do static photos.

A Mundane Day in the Life of a Modern Homesteader

5:45 am

Wake boys

Breakfast (biscuits and gravy)

Small suddenly wants to be a cold lunch
(homemade pb&j, carrots and grapes. That's all he wanted)

Medium misses the bus. Road Trip!

Turns out the radiator in the truck has a hole in it

45 minutes later, fire has gone cold

Feeding Time

We do not have trash service here. Have to burn. We use feed bags rather than buying trash bags.

Lagoon escapes!

To turn water on I have to crawl under the house

First real dirt of the day

Chat while water fills

Cleaned out. Now that all we have is square bales and grain.

Road trip! This time in the car and into the city

an hour and a half later. . .

Barter comes through

Cut up tomatoes for roasting

Canning jelly

Husband knocks on roof, expects me to help him

Light my stove

Bell pepper Jelly

Simmer beans

A small bland lunch

Garlic planted a year ago now sprouting

Ride please

Needs to be moved to the cattle pen.

Truck won't start

Inside to check on roasting tomatoes

read emails

read news

Truck starts!

Roasted tomatoes

Husband demands more help

I hold the board

Hide soaking

Throw ball please

Assuming this is spinach

Roasted tomato sauce

Canning chili

Read some blogs

Boys home

Road trip to the town library where I meet up with Large

sunset on the way home

Late feeding

No eggs. Seen 12 this week, but that's it. Added light, changed feed, brought roosters back in, no change

Throw to cows

Small helps

angst

Medium ignores me

Small's favorite dinner

dessert

attempting to get out the backdoor

Homework

movie with the boys

boys to bed

now I get to cuddle with Husband and watch a horror flick

Late night fire

A Day In the Life (you can see this one)

2011-11-15T08:30:00.001-06:00

Earlier post failed, sorry to those clicking in on that one.

I attempted to add a wee bit of music, but it freaked out.

The day, as Bob from Athens once said, was golden.

What to do, what to do

2011-11-14T07:20:00.000-06:00

If you say Bob Dole, you get all kinds of (no referring link) hits. Almost 200 more than normal. You have to blame Matt Groening for my boys naming our ram Bob Dole. And you have to say the name as one word to be accurate, bobdole. . . bobdole. . . bobdole. . . yep, Thank you Mr. Groening.

I have been thinking about posting yet another, day in the life. I normally do them once a year, however seasons change means different things. So I made a decisions that every 14th of the month will be "day in the life" and on the 15th I will post the pictures.

I can sit here and tell you about parts of my day. Pick which stories to tell. I feel a photo entry of one day can give you a broader sense of what my life on a struggling homestead is really like.

Let's see if it works.

Until tomorrow. . .

Bob Dole is evil, and other tidbits

2011-11-12T10:26:00.002-06:00

Hope every one had a good Veterans Day. I managed to do a few things in thanks and appreciation for our Veterans. I did neglect to Thank my Uncle, my older brother, and my father. Thank you for your service.

And to all my readers that are currently enlisted or have already served. Thank you!

And to my readers with enlisted family members, thank you for your sacrifices.

And that brings me to why Bob Dole is evil.

Not really, but it was the best transition I could muster up.

Pastor Mike arrived earlier this morning for X. Now X has been jumping fences to be with the herd, that meant that this morning I had to separate him out best I could. Stupid me for neglecting to train the bulls to a feed bucket. They know the sounds and will come running, however I can not lead them individually with the bucket. The girls will fight over it, but not the boys. Time to do a bit of trickery.

Bob Dole is a sneaking one. He was out in the field last I saw. But I felt him in my leg a few seconds later. Out of nowhere he ups and rams my leg, trying to get me to drop the bucket. Didn't matter that there was corn just a few feet from him. Bam!, into the side of my lower thigh just above the knee. I jerk back from the impact, my opposite hip ends up on X horn. I growled. Bob Dole gave me the I am just a sweet innocent ram look, then turned around to eat the feed. I had managed to hold onto the bucket. So there Bob Dole!

I ended up shoving X out the gate without anyone else escaping. Pastor Mike came out, we borrowed Horse Neighbors tractors (as ours doesn't like lifting that much weight) and soon they were off. I really do like Pastor Mike. Always a good word, though sometimes a funny sarcastic sentence.

Now I have this nice bruise that I can tell everyone a good story, about how Bob Dole beat me up and I threatened to eat him.

Horse neighbor's farrier gave me a good line on bales. Just waiting for a call back from them, fingers crossed.

Field peas (beans) did strangely wonderful this year. I have a good amount. I do hope you are all ready for some more recipes. Because this next week I should have a bunch of them.

Congrats to Fancy Horse, she has won the digital scrapbook software!!! Small pulled your name. I will email you with your code to download it shortly. I am having fun with it.

Hope everyone is in a good mood. I have a lot to be thankful for this season and am trying ever so hard to dwell on those thing.

Speaking of cows

2011-11-10T07:16:00.003-06:00

The butcher workshop is going to be postponed due to the 63F degrees we will be having Monday. Much too warm to butcher. I will email and text those that were coming out with the new date asap.

Husband and I drove almost an hour yesterday to pick up our hay.

Now that' a bit scary. good thing Ma ain't on top with a rocking chair.

And that my friend is it. That is all the hay we have. Apparently $9 a bale is a good deal, I thought I was going to pass out when I heard that. We paid $5 for these, normally we would pay $2.50. Grain is actually cheaper. I went yesterday and bought enough grain to supplement the hay. I have never grained them before, only given them cookies during milking. Hopefully this doesn't mess up their training, but I have no other choice. Large round bales of prairie hay are going for almost $200 a bale now. This is ridiculous. 1 cow use to pay for a year's worth of feed, now it buys 2 weeks worth.

Sorry, I am gritching.

As winter gets worse, this might be the end of the homestead livestock. Not sure what else I can sacrifice to feed the cattle. Christmas isn't a big deal, as we spend very little and trying to spend even less. Luckily the boys are old enough to understand that we can't purchase much for them, most everything will be handmade out of used materials that are here on the stead. There will be some lessons learned this Christmas. Husband was able to barter for something cool for Large, he is always on the look out for things like that. So it isn't going to be all bad. Someone gave me some gift certificates, and I will use those for the boys as well. Bugger. . . this doesn't matter, I didn't mean to go off in another direction. Sometimes worries get in the way.

I am starting to wonder if trying to hold on to them is worth it. Even if it rains in the spring, and our breeders will be worth even more than this year, I still won't be able to recoup this year's losses. All our winter feed money for the next 3 years has gone to feed them through the summer and this fall. ugh! ok I guess I need to stop. Happy thoughts?

Happy. . . thoughts. . . happy. . . thoughts. . . ummmm. . .

I got nothing.

Oh wait! As you can see in the above pics, I have a running and legal truck again! It's been almost 2 years since I had it, but there ya go.

Husband is almost done with his project, so I will be sharing that with you soon. Noodle making begins in a couple days, as does pie's and other storage foods.

Bacon Soap. I plan on making bacon flavored soap. Bacon makes everything better.

Bad Dog Neighbor and I am a bad dog owner

2011-11-09T07:58:00.000-06:00

This little polar bear is a week old.

We have 7 of them.

Sprocket is the mother, She is a great guardian dog for being blue tick hound and German Shepard.

The father is either the Malamute we saw once or the bad dog neighbors hanging tree dogs. We had thought we had fixed all the holes that those other dogs had dug up under the fence. In fact we added another two feet of dirt on top of the fence line, burying part of it.

I am the bad dog owner because we have yet to get Sprocket fix.

I think that the dogs are getting in good neighbor's field and then squeezing through the cattle gate. I need to assess it, as the coyotes are getting desperate. With the drought, this summer has been bad for small prey. Deer, rabbits, and birds have been dieing off because of the lack of water. The Arkansas river has strips of islands through it. Coyotes are moving up from the river area.There has been a report of coyotes attacking a horse a few miles from here. And I have been getting phone calls about coyotes encroaching into places that in the past 10 years they have never been spotted. They are going after the easy pickin' chickens.

Before snow falls (last nigh was our first snow fall, huge wet flakes, but they melted) I need to go out and find any place anything can get through, and make sure all the animals are secure. The sheep will be up front in the "yard". The cattle and their calves should be safe out of the field and in the barn yard. All the free range chickens will be butchered, I just have to make sure the layers are safe and the rabbits.

Winter will be rather rough for the coyotes.

Scrapbook Software Give-a-way

2011-11-08T07:08:00.019-06:00

I know that there are a few of you that scrapbook, so when Liz of My Memories emailed me and asked if I wanted to review and then give-a-way a scrapbook program ($40 value) I said righton. Well I actually said that it is promising to look like a long winter and I have never scrapbooked before, so why not.

Back in my day scrapbooks contained our favorite Garbage Pail Kids, airplane tickets, TMNT stickers, and various this and that, that we found cool or ended up doing (like all the plays I was in or the letters to the editors I wrote). Scrapbooking with photos and pretty things was never something I had done. Last night I played with it, so now I present you with my first ever attempt at digital photo scrapbooking!! (you can also print and bind your creations)

Sorry Blogger doesn't seem to like my movie. It shortens it to 1 second. I will figure it out and repost it. I am new to this ya know. So here are some of the pages.

You can put movies into the digital scrapbook, links, music, narratives. All kinds of different templates and make your own. Those were make my owns, just to add an element of various things into it.

I did have fun. I am lousy at it, but I have time to improve.

First I will give you a very special code. This code gives you $10 off your purchase.

STMMMS83055

Now to the give-a-way!!!!

To win your own My Memories Suit scrapbooking software, ($40 value) we have a few rules.

First I want you to head over to My Memories and have a look. Tell me what you like in comments.

Second I will give you one extra entry for each person that uses your name (don't get smart, birth name or screen name not just writing the phrase, your name) in comments.

You don't have to link to me nor do you actually have to like me to enter.

I will leave this open until Friday. Then randomly draw a name. Good luck!

Pickens Auction Hay Contest

2011-11-07T09:31:00.000-06:00

I could have been selfish and not shared this. But we need to help each other out as best we can.

Go to the face book page >>> Pickens Auction and fill out the form for a chance to win. Their home page is here>>> Pickens Auctions

Uma has been sold.

2011-11-07T07:48:00.003-06:00

First I would like to welcome to the neophyte readers. 10 new guests decided to join us last week. Welcome! And those of you that have been coerced over by Kymber, no worries, I got your back.

The man that had bought Donkey and the other lamb, had expressed interest in purchasing one of my cows. However he didn't have a trailer. And because of the farm deal falling through, we neglected to purchase one ourselves. We have no reason to move them off property. So he had to pass, or so I thought. He showed up late afternoon yesterday with a trailer.

No warning, so Uma (the only butchering one I have up for sale) was not separated from the herd. Needless to say this showing up without warning didn't make me very happy. Luckily for him, he didn't attempt to haggle with me at that moment. Earlier in the week he had asked if I was willing to drop the price, I told him No. I could get more money from the meat, and besides she is already cheaper than papered animals. (even though she is papered)

So the attempt was on to get Uma loaded up in their trailer.

First off there was a language barrier with his younger helper. Usually this isn't much of a problem because they tend to allow me to do all the work. As I am unable to tell them exactly how we need to do something, and they tend not to want to get in the way. Sorry every one, I do not know Spanish, Greek or Arabic. Maybe I should learn a few phrases like Stop , and, let me do it! Might make things easier. But this young un was ambitious, and ended tripping me up, literally. And because they were confused on which cow it was, they ended up roping Urth. And she is so passive she had allowed it. Luckily Husband was able to step in a stop that. Urth has the personality that I want to keep bred into my milking staff. Uma doesn't. She is mean and will not allow the others to eat. She learned it by watching her mother.

Husband was able to wrestle Uma to the ground, and was disappointed in me for not getting it on film. I told him we could do it again with one of the bulls, make it look all dramatic and dangerous to show all his motorcycle clients. He wasn't going for it.

We lead and dragged her as far as we could get her. Then I had to use the cattle prod. I hate using it, but it is the most humane thing available to move a stubborn cow. The voltage is lower than the stun guns used in self defense. A lot lower. I know because I have been shocked by both, and prefer the buzz and surprise of the cattle prod. The cattle prod will get me moving, the stun gun, well stuns me and makes me want to fall to the ground in a fetal position crying. So I used it on Uma. It moved her, but not onto the platform of the trailer.

Now I really don't have to tell you this story. I realize there are many out there that think this is cruel. But here is the cruel part of the story. The man that was purchasing Uma, told me to move away, then he proceeded to hit her with a board! I almost shocked him in the neck with the cattle prod. I yelled stop at him. And told him that this was better, the prod. Safer and not painful only shocking (surprising). We got her in, and I gave her a big scoop of cookies to calm her.

He paid full price for her. The younger helper asked me a few questions in very broken English. Luckily I have dealt with it enough that I could get the gist of what he was asking. He was interested in the cattle prod, as he has never seen one before. I take it that it is customary for them to hit their cattle with boards. And then they were off.

Later that night I felt dreadful. Guess I had second thoughts about selling her to whom I had sold her to. Now it is really hard sometimes to write about ones fears without coming off as a bigot. But allow us to call it media and documentary induced paranoia, as most my thoughts came from scenes I have seen on the tv, add to the fact that I watched him beat her with a board, and viola! bad thoughts of tortured animals.

I could only hope that they killed her quickly.

We felt that here, OK (earthquake)

2011-11-05T23:08:00.006-05:00

We just had an earthquake!

First one I have ever felt.

at 1053 pm (Saturday evening) central time Sparks, Ok had a 5.2 earthquake, and we felt it all the way up here north of Wichita, Kansas. ( they just updated it to a 5.6)

I hope you all are ok.

It lasted for 53secs here. Hopefully this was the main shock, and not a foreshock. I would hate to think they will be getting stronger.

Perils of 'steadin'

2011-11-05T10:29:00.002-05:00

This is embarrassing. It happened last week, and I still have yet to tell you about it. Which is surprising as I tell you just about everything. I have told you about being electrocuted by water, pickle jar attempted murder, dead turkey attacks, and various other "only to you" painful situations.

I have a hair line fracture in my right foot. Yet that isn't as painful as the tissue damage. But I should start at the beginning of my day.

It was one of our pleasant days last week. I had Uma, Mamma, and X separated from the rest of the herd. Pastor Mike paid extra money to fatten X up on corn feed. It was early morning, even the few range chickens that have began roosting on the back steps were still sleeping. I hefted up the 50lbs bag of corn over my shoulder and headed out the back door. I shooed the chickens away and started down the steps.

Maybe it was the chicken poop, maybe I just miss stepped, however it began, I am well aware of how it ended. On my face in the mulch scattered about the ground.

I somersaulted on the same step apparently numerous times. I hear you askin, But Phelan how would you know this if you were busy spinning? I will tell you my friend, because I have a hole in the front side of my ankle, a hole higher up on my shin, and yet another in the palm of my hand. I had discovered that there was a head of a nail sticking up on the third step.

The feed went flying and I managed to chase after it. Doing a magnificent slide into base, apparently attempting to catch the feed bag. Oh it was all a blur. I laid there for a moment, until Large asked if I was ok. Why oh why did he have to ask. I heard his voice and tears immediately sprang to my eyes. I told him to get Husband who was in the front of the house working on the special project of his (the one that is looking like an above ground bunker) Of course they took their sweet time.

I went to get up, still crying mind you. And discovered that my ankle at that moment wasn't going to hold my weight, and I crash back to the ground. More out of the surprise of the pain, then the pain itself. As Husband and Large took time to discuss how they were going to approach coming out back to see if I needed any help, I managed to stand back up and and feel out the foot. And after a few moments I was able to walk, with a limp, and picked up the feed bag. Of course I was livid by the time Husband decided it was safe enough to come to my aid. ggrrrr. . . This is one moment that emotional distress seems to out weight the physical hurt. And it's not like my lips can get any bigger to look all pouty, I always look pouty, but I think I managed to pull it off, then get the eff off look.

Alas, this is not when I broke my foot. This was just the start of the most wonderful day of my life. (Yes, I am listening to System of a Down)

My ankle felt better and the scabs formed as the day moved forward. Lots of work to do. Husband had me climbing the above ground bunker jungle gym, my shoulders screaming because of past injuries and a cold front was pushing down on us. There were a few precarious times that afternoon. Times that one was forced to ask if I was ok. I had suddenly reverted to the clumsy tween, just growing into the size of her feet.

I managed to make it to dark without a visit to the ER. I was thankful that my elephantine day was now over. I could make a safe dinner, cuddle up to watch a movie with Husband, and drift into a peaceful non maladroit sleep.

Dinner was not elegant.

I managed to drop a cast iron griddle on my foot.

First a quick dance, next sailors blushed, then my brain said to go into the bathroom to wash the enormous amount of blood that was gearing up to spew from my foot.

From what I could glean as I limped with curse words on my lips and tears in my eyes, no one knew what happened. Only that I was dancing violently, and screaming some death metal lyrics. As if I had a moment from a Broadway musical and broke out into song during a mundane moment in life. Oh but this was not the case. I think I heard Husband asking after me. But my brain screamed cold water, so he was pushed back in my hearing.

I turned the cold water on, my foot quickly under it. No blood. Now this was surprising after the fact. I didn't care at the moment, but thinking back one would suspect blood when a heavy cast iron griddle falls onto your foot. Something should have been cut open. All I saw was a purple foot, already swollen.

And here my friends comes where Husband is a jerk, and threats of divorce are issued.

Husband made me sit down, and he placed my foot in his lap and put a bag of ice on it. I so preferred the swelling to the ice. It took three refills of ice and a couple hours before the swelling went down. Husband did his doctoring and determined that there was a hairline fracture. He informed me that wasn't what was causing all the pain. It was the severe soft tissue damage that was the culprit. He told me that a break is preferable to the tissue damage. It doesn't hurt as long. And I will agree with that. When I broke my arm, it only hurt for a day, but this has been hurting for a week.

The next day, it did feel a bit better, but I limped until the foot turned a nasty black color. Now it only hurts if a turn it wrong, or when I put my boots on. I have been wearing house slipper to do my chores.

Unripe Tomato Spice Cake (Kid Approved)

2011-11-03T07:00:00.001-05:00

I told you I was working on a dessert. Allow me to insert, I so rock!, at this point in the post. Thank you.

To be honest I was very hesitant to even taste this. I mean unripe, green tomatoes in a cake! And I am so much the texture girl. I refuse to eat things prepared a certain way because of the texture. Tomatoes are one such food item. And that would be why Husband calls me spoiled. However, I closed my eyes and, this cake turned out just wonderfully.

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon warm water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 very firm medium sized unripe tomatoes, diced
confectioners' sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Butter a loaf pan.

Whisk together flour, spices, and salt. Set aside.

Cream together butter and sugar.

Beat in 1 egg at a time, mix in vanilla.

Stir together the baking soda and warm water, stir into the sugar mixture.

Fully incorporate the diced tomatoes.

Gently fold the flour mixture in with the sugar/butter batter. Blend well. Batter should have a whipped look and feel. Do not over mix. The batter will be thick.

Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake 1 hour 10 minutes - 1 hour 20 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Cool in pan on its side for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar. Serve warm. (the cake seems to become sweeter as it cools. I might cut the sugar back by 1/2 a cup)

Small and Medium just tried a small slice. I'm not an idiot, I didn't tell them what was in it other than "it's a spice cake." They devoured it.

It is now, officially Kid Approved!

Much too early to stress about Christmas

2011-11-02T07:38:00.003-05:00

Good thing I'm not stressed about it. But the conversation about Christmas keeps creeping up.

Many of you know that for the past 5 years we have a no electronics Christmas. The boys try every year to get around this clause. This year Large is asking for solar powered robotics. Hmmmm. . . we will see on that.

The no electronics Christmas goes over well every year however. Small has really never known it any other way, Medium does grumble a bit, but that is his personality, he grumbles about everything. Large is a bit pickier and we have to get more creative every year so he is not too disappointed that he doesn't get the same things as his friends. High school is rough. Husband has decided to purchase a vintage dirt bike for him. It's older than me, no electronic start on it. This will be fun.

I digress, 2 years after we started the no electronics Christmas, the grandparents embraced it. It seemed to relieve the stress involved with purchasing that perfect gift for the grandkids. Suddenly grandparents were on the floor with the kids showing them how to play with these toys that they had as kids. I was getting phone calls full of laughter and "you'll never guess what I just found!" and "I had one when I was 6!" Grandparents were no longer out of the loop, no longer trying to keep up with what the kids thought was cool. Now it was about sharing what they knew. And because our boys had never seen these toys, they were thrilled with the magic (science, depending on age) behind them.

Husband was talking with someone about an old erector set that he had found. It's non motorized, only cranks and gears. Husband mentioned the no electronics rule. The friend thought that was a wonderful idea, and is now implementing it into his household.

Part of the no electronics Christmas is about money. Yes I will admit to it. They can get costly, and most the time they are poorly made, at least what you can rationally afford can be. Then it"s about the ages of the child. My teen doesn't have a cell phone, Medium doesn't need his own laptop, and Small, he doesn't need video games. Any electronics they want, they ask after for their birthdays. I don't completely neglect the electronic items. But Christmas. . . they don't exist. At Christmas we spend the entire day together, with only cheerful yelling and laughter as we figure out medieval puzzles, learn to ride something new, and build as a family. Only Large runs off to be alone, but rather than playing the newest game, he is reading his new book. (that and he is now an angst ridden teenager).

So why am I talking about Christmas now? Because I am now working on some homemade toys and presents, and soon I will be sharing them with you. So, it's on my mind. (don't take this as a lecture. This is just what happens in my household)

Feeling bad, but it had to be

2011-11-01T07:14:00.004-05:00

A couple pulled in my driveway last night, just as we were getting ready to head off trick or treating. They were looking for goats, or even sheep that were for sale. Actually they wouldn't get out of the truck until I put Buckets away.

Honestly, it isn't the first time I have had visitors refuse to leave their vehicle when she's around. They mistake her for a pit bull and get upset. I have come outside to see two grown men standing on their truck while she sat barking and wagging her tail with a log in her mouth.

I called Good Neighbor to see if he still had any of his goats. But he had already taken them to auction. I hated to do it. It nagged at me a bit. However as things stand, sacrifices have to be made. I sold them Donkey and the runt ram that was going to be butchered. I made enough to purchase 1 large round bale.

Xanadu is up for sale. She is 1 year old, full blooded Long legged Kerry. Sire and Dam registered through the Dexter Association, but she is not registered. Dam Polled, Sire horned.

For Sale, Yogi, 10 month old full blooded Long legged Kerry bull. Dam registered with the Dexter Association, Sire was not (Sire's parents were). Dam horned, Sire polled.

email me if interested. (email in profile) I will have a couple calves for sale in the spring when weened. Located in Central Kansas

Pasta Sauce using unripe tomatoes

2011-10-31T12:00:00.000-05:00

Had to get this down before I forgot it.

2 lbs unripened tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons bacon fat
1 medium sized onion, chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup Merlot for deglazing
salt to taste
fresh parsley, chopped

Saute onions in the bacon fat, until golden in color and most of the fat has soaked in, over a medium low heat. deglaze with 1/4 cup or less of the Merlot. Scrape up the sticky bits. Add tomatoes and remaining ingredients. Stir, cover and simmer over a low heat until the tomatoes have softened. 15-20 minutes.

Remove from heat. Puree at least half the sauce. Depending on how chunky you want it, you can puree it all for more sauce. Unripe tomatoes make little of their own juices.

adjust the sugar to your taste. Unripe tomatoes are a bit tart, the sugar in the recipe is only a base, so you will need to adjust it to suit you.

Jar, and hot water bath for 20 minutes. (Unripe tomatoes are higher in acidity than the ripe ones)

Makes 1 quart.

I have been using what I have on hand here. The Merlot I used is a Blackberry Merlot made locally.

Also, I have only been making small batches because I have no idea what it will taste like until I have finished it. I so don't want to make a gallon of this stuff and it turns out bad.

3 days in 1

2011-10-31T06:51:00.001-05:00

Today is Husband and I's Wedding Anniversary. (Part 1/ Part 2)

(Before anyone gets all upset, there was a serial killer theme running through the grooms side. Husband was Manson, best man was Clyde of Bonny and Clyde, my brother was Capt Spalding, and a few other mass murders showed up as well)

We have been together 15 years, married 8, actual wedding marriage 1 year.

Today is our 10 year Anniversary here on the Neophyte Homestead

We signed the papers to take it over in the morning, and moved in that afternoon just in time to go trick or treating.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

The boys costumes this year.

Small's should be easy to guess. Only action geeks will be able to guess who Medium is. And Large, history war buffs might be able to decipher (or those that actually grew up with them).

Medium Zest Picante Sauce using Unripe Tomatoes

2011-10-30T09:05:00.000-05:00

2 lbs unripe tomatoes, quartered and skin on

1 large onion
4 bell peppers
13 jalapenos
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salad oil
pinch of hand crushed fennel seed
dash paprika
dash chili powder

Using a food processor (or your amazing knife skills) finely chop the onion, bell peppers, and jalapenos. Add everything to a medium size kettle.

Since unripened tomatoes have little juice, you will need to stir this constantly over a medium heat until the liquid at the bottom begins to boil. Remove from heat, cover and place in a slow oven (200F) for 1 hour. Remove and carefully chop the ingredients in a food processor or blender (too hot for your mad knife skills) get those tomatoes finely chopped. Return to kettle or a new one, and place in the slow oven for 2 more hours.

jar and can in a hot water bath for 5-10 minutes.
makes 3 pint (Husband ate 1 pint as soon as he got home)

Horse Dumping

2011-10-29T08:35:00.001-05:00

This is just rumor for now. I tried to find a news story or something to back up what I have been hearing. But nothing. However this isn't surprising as local news does lag behind the country chatter.

With hay prices now topping $110 for a large round bale, and the quality of the hay being so poor, it seems that a few horse owners have decided to take their horses out deeper into the country and dump them like an unwanted dog.

Rumor has it that a local man that cares for a handful of horse, woke to find 4 extra ones in his pasture. Someone had driven up to his field gate and let their horse out onto his pastures.

Last night a woman showed up at my house to inform me that someone had dropped (shot) a horse along side a road. Non residential. She watched as the dog food people picked it up.

It's sad state. With hay growers shipping their bales to Texas because the prices are higher, we here are struggling to find anything. The bales we bought are so light that it only lasted 2 weeks. We have another 2 weeks worth, but after that I don't know. We might end up butchering everything but the calves.

Unripe tomato chili

2011-10-28T06:34:00.000-05:00

This one is a cheater. Simple, chop up your tomatoes replacing the red's for the unripe. Only I had to go and try and get all experimental and fancy. yea, that didn't work.

I looked for a recipe that the base of the chili sounded like it would work well. With the unripened tomatoes you should really add a bit of sugar to help bring out the flavor. Unripe tomatoes are high is acidity and a bit tart.

The base recipe turned out to taste more like baked beans than chili that it was hard to save. But I think I got it at least reminiscent of chili flavor.

But the idea still stands, make an unripe tomato chili sauce. Green Chili!

I will do it again with Husband's chili recipe even though I don't like corn and green beans in my chili (he's a freak)

Today I am working on a dessert.

Unripened Tomato Ketchup

2011-10-27T06:59:00.003-05:00

First, I know I am preaching to the choir with my regular readers, but there is a difference between green tomatoes and unripe tomatoes. Green tomatoes can be used like regular red or yellow tomatoes, while unripe tomatoes take a bit longer to prepare.

3 lbs unripe tomatoes
1 1/2 lbs onions
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon pickling spice
1/2 teaspoon ground hot pepper
1 cup vinegar 5%
3/4 cup honey

Chop up onion, and saute them over a low heat, with a bit of butter or olive oil. Stir occasionally, while chopping your tomatoes.

Place tomatoes in a small kettle (or deep pot) and mix in the seasonings, Add the Worcestershire sauce to the onions shortly before they turn golden brown on the edges. Cook for a few seconds, just long enough to incorporate the sauce.

Mix everything except the honey together in the kettle.

over a low heat, cover and simmer for 4 hours. Stir occasionally to keep it from sticking.

Remove from heat and puree. Place into a clean kettle and bring to a boil. Stir in the honey (you can use 1 cup of sugar instead) Mix extremely well.

Pour into your clean jars and hot water bath for 5 minutes. Makes 2 1/2 pints (recipe can be doubled, stay true to the doubling amounts)

I think it turned out wonderfully, though the color might put some people off a bit. It tastes more like modern ketchup than traditional steak sauce ketchup. And it doesn't take as long to thicken it up. A warning however, honey tends to separate out a bit, so make sure you jar it while still hot, and shake well before use.

And be sure to check out my guest post (recipe) over on Mohave Rat's blog>>>> (please take it as a good spirited, believe it or not post that it is)

Bob's your unripe tomatoes

2011-10-26T09:08:00.002-05:00

The frost that I mentioned was coming. . . even with the precaution of covering the plants, was still a killing frost.

I pulled all the tomatoes off the plants last night before yet another frost hits tonight.

yes, there are a lot more of them than seen here. I have a counter full for ripening, however I have several more buckets full as well. So I hope you are ready for recipes.

The next couple of days I will share the unripe tomato recipe experience with you all.

For those finding this through a browser search, the recipes for unripe (green) tomatoes can be found by clicking on the links below.

Spice Cake (kid approved)

Pasta sauce

Med zest picante

Ketchup

Iowa Friends, dual purpose cattle sale

2011-10-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

Long Acres is selling 114 head of cattle at 11 am Saturday October 29th: West Union IA.

Fayette Co. Fairgrounds

They have 82 Brown Swiss (49 cows -28 bred heifers-5 calves)

22 Milking Shorthorns (5 cows-8 bred heifers-9calves)

8 registered Holsteins

Website for the auction; Brown Swiss Sale Service LLC

(FYI I love my milking short horns)

Personal Stuff or updates or what not

2011-10-19T07:20:00.000-05:00

Many of you are curious on where my health is (stroke).

I have been having some word issues over the past couple of weeks. Guess I have been coming off a bit mean. Sometimes I come off as rambling. Sorry if you ended up with either of those emails. The word thing isn't new. I have been dealing with it for many years. But lately it has been more intense about which words it is scrubbing from my memory. Of course this could be me just making up excuses for being a jerk. (I actually just shrugged after writing that line)

I spent 20 minutes trying to remember the name of a program that I was watching. I watch the series in re-run and have liked it for years. One of those 2am special police programs. But I couldn't get it. And it kept bugging me. And I kept naming off programs, some I don't even like. It wasn't until the channel finally said the name of the program will be right back that I got it. And that's when I realized that every time there was a commercial the name was plastered across the screen. And I still didn't know what it was. Only when someone said it did it sink in.

Things like that were happen frequently these past 2 weeks. Then suddenly it all came back. This is very frustrating. Hopefully soon my brain will decide which direction it wants to go and stay there. I will work around it, however I am sure to lose more friends if the bs sporadic memory stays.

Small is doing wonderfully at school. He is doing well above the expectations and has almost hit his year end goals. The teachers are all stoked about it.

Medium gives a fig less about school or anything else right now.

Large, I don't know. I guess he has discovered angst.

Husband hurts. He hurts a lot. I hope that my business venture turns out to be fruitful (and my brain doesn't get in the way) so that he can work less, maybe even retire in the near future. Before his body gives up on him and he can no longer do anything he enjoys.

Well I guess that's it on the personal yet public items.

Financially we are stable, though have but out twice the amount of money on hay. But nothing is outstanding. We are slowly thinning the herds. I joined the 21st century and got a used touch type phone. Though it is so 2 years ago (but it was free from a friend). We are gearing up for Halloween in full force. I put the roosters back in with the hens. It is below freezing this morning, and now I have to get Medium up for school.

Hope all is well with you.

The one thing I loathe about this life

2011-10-18T07:16:00.000-05:00

Being violently ill.

Your kids can get sick, and you still function, your mate gets sick and you can still coddle them and work. You get sick you pass out throwing bales. You still have to work no matter how sick you get.

The past two days I caught something from Small. Of course when Small had it, he only had a small short fever, slept for half a day and was fine. I get it, and I get a fever high enough to hallucinate, muscles cramping due to dehydration because I had to find the bathroom every 10 minutes, and a migraine. Yet I still had to make sure every one was fed, animals and humans. Had to clean, water and read to children.

Sometimes I wish Husband had a little less work ethic so that I could laze about without guilt. Even though it hurt, I still had to have the basics of everything done. It took much longer then it should have, I was probably sicker then I should have been. But it has to be this way to work. I know others that let their animals go without feed because they were sick. I can't do that. food and clean water daily, no matter what. Sick, rain, blizzards. It has to be done.

I feel much better today, thank you. It only took 2 days out of me. And even with the work I did do, I didn't do it all and am now behind. Today is catch-up day.

We will be getting our first frost tomorrow morning and i have to try to save my tomato plants. It's only for 1 day, so hopefully I can still get a few tomatoes this year.

Xuxi got a stay in execution. I changed my mind. She is shaped just like the bull. A perfect specimen for a beef cow. Looking at the future, it would be best to save her, and butcher many of the calves in the spring. Yart and Yippee are not on the list. However they could be sold as dairy depending on what the spring looks like. (Yet another thing I loathe, these types of decisions.)

I have 4 confirmed to come out to learn to butcher. Anyone else, please let me know (I am in central Kansas)

A good hearty laugh is always welcome; added content (butchering dates)

2011-10-15T07:44:00.002-05:00

Last night the family had gone out to round up the lambs for slaughter. It was a bit frustrating. These aren't the sheep that go willingly to anything, we have even watched a very pregnant gal clear a 5 foot fence with room to spare. So capturing them has us getting creative and a bit sneaky. It was all very frustrating.

Large was a great help. After I grabbed a hoof, husband put the lead rope on him and Large dragged them of to the pen.

The first lamb was a large wooly/hair mix. Large grabbed the lead and tried hauling him off. The lamb spun him in circles for a moment. Large decided to grab the lamb's body between his knees and help show him the way in that manner.

After a few steps the lamb starts to bolt. Let me clarify that the lamb weighs more than my 6 ft tall 14 year old. The lamb knocked Large's knees out from under him. Large plopped down on the lamb, now mutton busting. I panicked a bit. Not because I was worried about Large but because the lamb might get away. Suddenly one of Larges hands come up, he is pointing out in front of him and he yells "Off to war!!" in a Monty Python sort of way.

I couldn't breath as I laughed.

~~~~~~

Pastor Mike just left.

I guess some of you have no idea who Pastor Mike is. A quickly, he is one of my Husband motorcycle clients, he taught me to make soap, and he had his youth minister preform Husband and I's wedding as our gift.

Pastor Mike bought the six sheep. And when this man tells you that he was a sniper in Vietnam, it's no joke. I have never seen six shots so fast, all perfectly placed, into a roaming body. The man is good. He brought his son-in-law with him. He's from Kenya and lives in OK now. From what I have heard, not only from Mike but some other sheep people, OK isn't a good place for sheep this year. A lot to do with the drought I guess. But when he heard we ad sheep, the son-in-law was excited. He missed eating lamb.

We were talking the entire 10 seconds it took Pastor Mike to to shoot the sheep (took 10seconds because he had stopped and asked a lamb to look at him), and the s-i-l was telling me that our sheep don't look like what he saw normally in Kenya. Just then my wooly mamma walks around the corner. He pointed at her and told me that's the normal sheep he sees. So I explained the hair sheep to him. Explaining that these lambs are prized for their meat. It will be a nice treat for him.

I don't think the s-i-l has actually butchered anything before. My guess is that he has bought all his meat at market. When Pastor Mike handed him the knife, he was hesitant about it. Starring at the knife, then looking at Pastor Mike, then the knife again. Pastor Mike laughed and told him to start slitting throats.

We threw them in the truck and I asked Pastor Mike if he would be interested in coming out and helping butcher some cows. He said yes, then asked how much I wanted for a whole cow. I told him it really depended on the weight, some our smaller than others. We walked out to the field and I showed him who we have slatted for butcher.

He chose X, and he payed full price. Full price people! That makes me feel a lot better about selling 6 sheep for the price of 1. He didn't haggle about it. Maybe because he knows why we have to do this. Why we sold the sheep so cheap, and he was willing to help us out. Even buying X cheaper would have helped us out as we don't have all that freezer space.

The plan is to start the butchering after the 7th of November. Every Monday we will process 1 cow. If you are interested in coming out, let me know.

6 less things to butcher before winter.

2011-10-13T08:07:00.001-05:00

Our local news is doing a decent job letting people know about how bad things are for the farming community right now. It is a pleasant change. Now I don't have to go out of my way to find out what's going on, but you know I will.

One of Husband's clients asked after our lambs the other day. He bought one last year. This year he has offered to purchase all the lambs.Of course he now gets price cut because a) returning customer b) buying all the lambs c) if I ain't selling them I am eating them.

I will not be making any money on this deal. It merely saves me the energy and hay costs. I am however keeping one of the lambs for ourselves. I am also thinning out a couple of the ewes. They were so neglected that they just never seem to be healthy, and their lambs suffer because of it. I did try my best with them, but I fear it came too late.

The deal with the client is he will pay for them now, we separate them out, and he buys the grains he wants to fattening them up on, and we feed them until they are the weight he wants them to be. I am also hoping to get the skins back, so yet another price cut if he goes for it.

As for the cattle. We have made our decision and it is a hard one.

Momma
Uma
Xuxi
X (ten)

And we have legitimate reasons why we have chosen these 4. It was so difficult as only X was slated for butcher the moment he was born. This will leave us with 4 cows, 1 bull and several calves. We should be able to feed them through the winter.

My hens have stopped laying for the past several weeks. And I am not sure why. I have cleaned the coop, sanitized their feed and water buckets, checked for mites and dusted just in case, I have even changed their feed. Still nothing. The only thing different for them is that we removed the roosters. This shouldn't have stopped the egg production, but nothing else makes sense. I thought molt was the culprit, but they have long come through that. Snakes can not get into the coop because of how it was built. No sign that anyone is eating the eggs, no shell fragments anywhere. No one is stealing them because they lay in the day and I check the coop every evening, and I am home all the time.

Frustrating.

A plan to butcher. Party?

2011-10-11T06:33:00.000-05:00

We saw 1 inch of rain over the weekend. I must say, that was pleasant.

The lockers are full. No appointment for full service is available. And if there were, we are looking at a $2000 bill. So we are thinking about doing it ourselves. One of the problems however is the amount of time it takes and only 2 of us doing it. We are thinking about asking some people that want to learn how, over.

Teaching doesn't slow the process down by much, and the extra hands would be helpful. But whatever we chose to do, it will need to happen sooner rather than later.

Do you remember Sam?

2011-10-10T06:43:00.000-05:00

For those of you that don't, Seminole Wind (Sam) was a horse that Good Neighbor had given us. We had her for awhile, but when our plans fell through, we were unable to keep her.

I donated her to a horse therapy program for low income Autistic children called "Abe's Hearts and Hooves".

They don't have a website, however they do have a Facebook page. You can find it here>>>Abe's Hearts and Hooves.

One of the owners came by yesterday to let me know how things were going. She's one of the more popular girls, the kids are loving her. Turns out this was indeed the best thing for Sam.