Daddy had a gun and a dog which was a farm dog. You would see Daddy take out his gun one night and take lots of things apart, clean, oil with the 3 in 1 oil, put things back where they came from and polish the wooden part of the gun. Daddy worked away from the farm all week on Saturdays he would go hunting.
After a good warm breakfast, he with gun and dog would leave home and return around noon with nothing to show for his morning. Oh, he caught up on the local gossip and knew who had killed a deer this past week, stop by and get some deer meat when we were out. Daddy never killed anything on these Saturday morning hunting trips. He would trap a rabbit or kill a squirrel in a tree by the yard, these would be processed and we would eat them. Well, we did not have to eat them if we did not want to. Momma did not eat game and she would let us have a choice. I remember eating some wild rabbit and thought it was good.
Every year Daddy would go hunting and I could not understand why he would stay out in the woods if he never bagged anything. Oh, he had his turkey caller and he would sit and call turkeys but they never came. One Saturday morning, Daddy added the hatchet to what he was carrying on his hunting trip. I knew today would be the day, he would bring something home. That evening he told us he found where the deer were sleeping at nighttime. Momma asked if he knew where they spent their days? Momma said to Daddy, "you can't hunt at night," and he agreed with her.
After church on Sunday, I could see Momma was rushing to get lunch on the table. When it was time to clean the kitchen, Daddy told me to go get my coat and boots. Dress warm because we were going to look for a Christmas tree and it may be a long walk. Daddy would look and look for the right tree. We always cut a cedar tree from the woods. The tree was put in a bucket of water for a few days, it was put up and decorated on Christmas Eve and taken down on New Year's Eve. You could not have anything unfinished from last year on New Year's Day, so the tree and decorations had to be taken down and the tree thrown away.
Daddy and I start our walk for a tree and every tree I see is not the right one. Too big, flat on one side, not full enough, I am about to give up for this year there would be no tree. I come to a path which was freshly cut and started walking down it. Under pine trees there were lots of pine needles packed down why this must be where the deer are sleeping. I look around and there it is, a cedar tree that if you cut it about 2 feet off the ground it would be perfect. "Daddy, come over here and look at this tree, I think it is the one for us." Everything around the base of the tree had been chopped away and it was just setting there waiting for us to take home.
Daddy had the saw to cut the tree with and he kept asking if I was sure this was the one. Yes, We have to have this tree. It is waiting for us to take it home and decorate for Christmas. Voices, I hear voices. Daddy cut this tree someone is coming and they may be the ones who cleaned around this tree and they are coming for it. Daddy laughed at me. Through the woods the voices are getting closer. I know who that is, it is Momma and my sister. They came right to the tree that Daddy and I had been looking for all afternoon.
I had no idea what had happened until I was older and Momma told me about Daddy's hunting trips. He really was only hunting for the perfect Christmas tree and he would mark the way there with his hatchet cuts. Momma and my sister would come the most direct way while Daddy and I were roaming around in the woods. I know we always had a wonderful tree, Daddy would put the lights on and he would do a lot of the decorating of the tree. Momma enjoyed getting a new decoration every year and surprise us when the tree was being decorated. I remember the bubbling lights, lights which were snowmen and Santa's. The year we had the 5 light candles in the windows of our living room, with extension cords running everywhere, which we thought were beautiful and there were the bulbs for them in a few years which looked like a flame. Our house was a F. W. Woolworth's advertisement during the holidays.
I still to this day when I see a cedar tree about 8 feet tall feel the need to check it out for a Christmas tree. One of the most important things in my celebration of Christmas is a walk through the woods looking for holly, running cedar, finding a place where the deer sleep. Yes, I am lucky to have woods which I can walk through and remember days of long ago when the only thing Daddy ever bagged was our Christmas tree.
Bring down the box of decorations from the attic.
This one was made by my sister.
I made this one.
And here is one with writing on it!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!
Bootsie, time for you to go to bed.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Triple Creek Farm, December 1, 2012
I just cannot believe how quickly this year has passed, today, is December 1, 2012 and it seems like only yesterday I was starting seeds for the spring garden. They always told me when I was young, time would move much faster when I grew up. I would like to be a child again and see if time would move a little slower. I know my ability to accomplish tasks is much slower but I am steady, keep moving and at the end of day I know I have been on the farm.
IN THE KITCHEN
This week we used up the remains of our Thanksgiving feast. I am not going to call them leftovers because I try make something different so the meals do not get boring. The turkey became turkey noodle soup with homemade noodles, the mashed potatoes became potato cakes made like Momma always made her potato cakes. I could eat those at least twice a week. I did use pantry items to make a pot of chili, the dried tomatoes, which I skinned, were giving it a nice flavor. This was my first time I used dried tomatoes in the chili and I was pleased. Learning how to use the dried produce is like a new chapter in my cooking experience. Saturday night dinner was a freezer meal. I think I am learning to use my stash of food and staying away from the grocery stores.
ON THE FARM
I am working with the goats on the leads and tethering, they are doing quite well with the experience. They are getting so relaxed, I find myself letting them out of their pasture without leads or tethers, I only do this when I am going to be in the area. The goats have been spending their nights in the chicken coop. We do have 2 rooms in the coop, the only problem, the outside door was glass and I was so afraid they would butt the right place the the door would break. Mr. Bootsie covered the door with plywood and now I have a little more piece of mind. We had been covering the door at night with a cloth so they would not see the shadows of a goat and try to play with the goat. It is really amazing how you have to think when you have animals.
IN THE COOP
Egg gathering is becoming quite a game. Monday I found one egg half destroyed and one with a soft shell. Tuesday, the duck laid an soft shell egg, I usually feed this egg the next day as it is alright in the soft shell. I do feed the girls eggs but they are cooked. I do not want them to get the taste for the raw egg. The month of November I collected 30 duck eggs, and 68 hen eggs. This week, there were 7 ducks eggs and 11 hen eggs.
Eva is still molting, no tail feathers and a lot of body feathers are missing. She does hate the camera, but she was looking so sad I wanted to take of picture of her. This girl is my best layer and lays a very large egg. You can see the feathers starting to come in. By the end of week you could see lots of feathers and we are promised warm weather this week. I worry about the cold and her in this condition, but her molt, 2 years ago, was when we have nighttime temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees. I doubt that she will start laying before sometime in February.
IN THE GARDEN
What I have in the cold tunnel is doing really good. I added some kale and lettuce plants this week. In the greenhouse the basil is doing good and the tomatoes are blooming. I potted the amaryllis bulbs, they were laid on their side in August, new growth was starting to show. I do look forward to having a few blooms. Hollyhocks, I started from seed, were up potted this week.
IN CLOSING
We are entering a busy time of the year, I am pleased things have slowed in the garden and it gives me time to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. I love walking around the farm seeing the holly trees covered with berries and running cedar creeping across the woods floor. Brings back so many memories of my childhood when we picked the holly and cedar to make wreaths for our house. This was done the week before Christmas because fires in the house would dry out the evergreens. I know our house will be filled with the smells of Christmas. Cookies baking and hot cider steaming on the wood stove. May the holidays be special for you and your families.
IN THE KITCHEN
This week we used up the remains of our Thanksgiving feast. I am not going to call them leftovers because I try make something different so the meals do not get boring. The turkey became turkey noodle soup with homemade noodles, the mashed potatoes became potato cakes made like Momma always made her potato cakes. I could eat those at least twice a week. I did use pantry items to make a pot of chili, the dried tomatoes, which I skinned, were giving it a nice flavor. This was my first time I used dried tomatoes in the chili and I was pleased. Learning how to use the dried produce is like a new chapter in my cooking experience. Saturday night dinner was a freezer meal. I think I am learning to use my stash of food and staying away from the grocery stores.
ON THE FARM
I am working with the goats on the leads and tethering, they are doing quite well with the experience. They are getting so relaxed, I find myself letting them out of their pasture without leads or tethers, I only do this when I am going to be in the area. The goats have been spending their nights in the chicken coop. We do have 2 rooms in the coop, the only problem, the outside door was glass and I was so afraid they would butt the right place the the door would break. Mr. Bootsie covered the door with plywood and now I have a little more piece of mind. We had been covering the door at night with a cloth so they would not see the shadows of a goat and try to play with the goat. It is really amazing how you have to think when you have animals.
IN THE COOP
Egg gathering is becoming quite a game. Monday I found one egg half destroyed and one with a soft shell. Tuesday, the duck laid an soft shell egg, I usually feed this egg the next day as it is alright in the soft shell. I do feed the girls eggs but they are cooked. I do not want them to get the taste for the raw egg. The month of November I collected 30 duck eggs, and 68 hen eggs. This week, there were 7 ducks eggs and 11 hen eggs.
Eva is still molting, no tail feathers and a lot of body feathers are missing. She does hate the camera, but she was looking so sad I wanted to take of picture of her. This girl is my best layer and lays a very large egg. You can see the feathers starting to come in. By the end of week you could see lots of feathers and we are promised warm weather this week. I worry about the cold and her in this condition, but her molt, 2 years ago, was when we have nighttime temperatures of 8 to 10 degrees. I doubt that she will start laying before sometime in February.
IN THE GARDEN
What I have in the cold tunnel is doing really good. I added some kale and lettuce plants this week. In the greenhouse the basil is doing good and the tomatoes are blooming. I potted the amaryllis bulbs, they were laid on their side in August, new growth was starting to show. I do look forward to having a few blooms. Hollyhocks, I started from seed, were up potted this week.
IN CLOSING
We are entering a busy time of the year, I am pleased things have slowed in the garden and it gives me time to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. I love walking around the farm seeing the holly trees covered with berries and running cedar creeping across the woods floor. Brings back so many memories of my childhood when we picked the holly and cedar to make wreaths for our house. This was done the week before Christmas because fires in the house would dry out the evergreens. I know our house will be filled with the smells of Christmas. Cookies baking and hot cider steaming on the wood stove. May the holidays be special for you and your families.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Triple Creek Farm, November 24, 2012
Thanksgiving week, I must confess I have only done the have-to's this week. There were family and friends coming for a visit so I had to get the chicken feathers off the floor and the straw out of my hair. Mr. Bootise just accepts me in what ever fashion he finds at the end of the day. Others may not find it quite so pleasing to see my preparing a meal with wood chips, straw and feathers hanging from my clothes. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving day, when we built this house we wanted to share it with others and I welcome every chance to do this.
IN THE KITCHEN
I have never put eggs in the dressing (stuffing) and I used 2 ducks eggs this year. The stuffing was very moist, I am not sure if the eggs added to this or not. There were vegetables from the garden which had been canned and pickled. A plate of deviled eggs from the girls in the coop. Homemade rolls are always a part of our meal. Our dessert was light this year, cucuzzi bread and pudding with raspberries.
ON THE FARM
I needed to make a run to a feed store to pick up leads for the goats. I, also, picked up a tether line so I can start working with the goats in cleaning areas around the farm. Gracie, the older goat, liked the lead, she learned real quick I knew where the blackberry vines were. Hershey, her little girl. followed along and enjoyed the outing. I look forward to double tethering them. Lots of vegetation for them to enjoy.
IN THE COOP
The second little pullet Aurora hatched laid her first egg on Friday. If the 2 pullets get into the routine of laying maybe there is a chance we will have a few eggs through the winter. The duck is not letting us down. She laid 7 eggs this week. Eleven laying hens presented us with 9 eggs this week. The only hens laying are Aurora and her 2 new girls. I am so pleased I have no customers for eggs. I have been sharing some of the duck eggs with family and friends.
IN THE GARDEN
Things are looking good in the cold tunnel. I have no idea what I am doing but the plants are green and growing. In the heated greenhouse the basil is growing, lavender and tomatoes are blooming. In the raised beds the onions and garlic are growing. We are pulling onions to use in our salads and they taste zippy.
IN CLOSING
They have started coming, the seed catalogs and I have started dreaming of garden 2013. After doing some research on amaranth, you can count on there being several different kinds in the garden next year. The ducks loved the seeds in what I raised this year and the goats liked the vegetation. I have found out you can cook the long leaves of love-lies-bleeding and use like spinach and this one produces lots of seeds. My research takes time and with the temperatures being a little chilly now is the time for me to learn and make my decisions for the next garden. Maybe, just maybe there will be a lot more on our Thanksgiving table which we produced here on our little farm.
IN THE KITCHEN
I have never put eggs in the dressing (stuffing) and I used 2 ducks eggs this year. The stuffing was very moist, I am not sure if the eggs added to this or not. There were vegetables from the garden which had been canned and pickled. A plate of deviled eggs from the girls in the coop. Homemade rolls are always a part of our meal. Our dessert was light this year, cucuzzi bread and pudding with raspberries.
ON THE FARM
I needed to make a run to a feed store to pick up leads for the goats. I, also, picked up a tether line so I can start working with the goats in cleaning areas around the farm. Gracie, the older goat, liked the lead, she learned real quick I knew where the blackberry vines were. Hershey, her little girl. followed along and enjoyed the outing. I look forward to double tethering them. Lots of vegetation for them to enjoy.
IN THE COOP
The second little pullet Aurora hatched laid her first egg on Friday. If the 2 pullets get into the routine of laying maybe there is a chance we will have a few eggs through the winter. The duck is not letting us down. She laid 7 eggs this week. Eleven laying hens presented us with 9 eggs this week. The only hens laying are Aurora and her 2 new girls. I am so pleased I have no customers for eggs. I have been sharing some of the duck eggs with family and friends.
IN THE GARDEN
Things are looking good in the cold tunnel. I have no idea what I am doing but the plants are green and growing. In the heated greenhouse the basil is growing, lavender and tomatoes are blooming. In the raised beds the onions and garlic are growing. We are pulling onions to use in our salads and they taste zippy.
IN CLOSING
They have started coming, the seed catalogs and I have started dreaming of garden 2013. After doing some research on amaranth, you can count on there being several different kinds in the garden next year. The ducks loved the seeds in what I raised this year and the goats liked the vegetation. I have found out you can cook the long leaves of love-lies-bleeding and use like spinach and this one produces lots of seeds. My research takes time and with the temperatures being a little chilly now is the time for me to learn and make my decisions for the next garden. Maybe, just maybe there will be a lot more on our Thanksgiving table which we produced here on our little farm.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Daddy was SO Proud
I have been planning the menu for our meal of Thanksgiving and I remember one very special Thanksgiving. The way Momma and Daddy did things were different and yet, just about the same as how we will be giving Thanks this year. Momma always wanted to have enough pickles and canned goods so the first time we used anything from this years crop would be our family meal on Thanksgiving. I remember my sister and I waiting for the first jar of pickles to be opened and having a taste. Before I was grown there were nephews who would get in the kitchen tasting the pickles long before the meal went on the table.
Applesauce cake was always on the menu. There were walnut and pecan trees on our farm, so nuts for the holiday meals were plentiful. The walnuts were cracked and then on cool evenings Momma would sit by the stove in her rocking chair and pick out the walnuts. She would go through them several times to be sure there were just walnuts and no shell. Into a jar they would go and about a week before Thanksgiving she would make the applesauce cake. After it had baked and cooled the cake was wrapped in brown paper and placed in a tin. Not to be opened until Thanksgiving Day.
The next thing that would be done was the rooster would be killed and dressed. Momma actually brined the rooster but she had no idea what she was doing would become something we would do. She would salt brine for a day or two. On Wednesday the rolls would be made and put in the refrigerator to be put down on Thursday morning. Pies were made on Wednesday afternoon, Lemon Meringue, Cherry and coconut.
Thanksgiving morning, Daddy always went hunting and came home with nothing, I think he enjoyed being in the woods and seeing others who were hunting. Momma was up early and the house was smelling so good. The big blue roaster was on the wood stove, the rooster was cooking and Momma was waiting for the broth to finish her dressing (stuffing). What did I want for breakfast? Can I have some dressing when it is ready? Yes. Momma made some of the best dressing I have ever put in my mouth. My sister is peeling potatoes, Momma sends my to basement to get 2 dozen eggs to make deviled eggs. There are jars of canned butter beans on the counter, Momma is opening the canned snaps and chopping up some onions to add to them.
The dining room had been rearranged on Wednesday so there would be extra room at the table. Family is starting to arrive and Momma is in the kitchen , singing and smiling, how she loved having everyone for the holidays. She sent some to set the table, we needed more wood for the stove, I happily went to gather more wood. Our home was busy, happy and excited about the day. Daddy has returned from his hunting trip, empty handed which pleased Momma as there was nothing to be dressed.
I came into the kitchen and Momma was making the gravy, I could see hot rolls being put on a platter. It was time to eat. Momma said to me, "Bootsie, gather everyone up and tell them to come to the dining room so we can have the blessing." Off I went for lunch was not far from being ready. Daddy came into the dining room and looked over the table, he broken into the biggest smile. He just stood, looked, looked, and then he looked so proud. As everyone came in to sit around the table he was gathering his thoughts. Momma would always come and sit for the blessing and then she would be going to the kitchen to replenish the empty bowls. My sister and I would help with this, also.
With the last dish coming from the kitchen Momma sat down, Daddy was almost speechless for some reason. He looked at Momma and said, "Everything on our table except for the baking ingredients, spices and coffee has come from our farm." Now I understood his moment of pride, we were able to raise and store our food. He said to Momma, "You work hard all year long and I must remember to Thank You more than once a year." I will never forget that day, it meant so much to me to have my Daddy realize just what Momma did everyday to take care of our family.
After the blessing, my plate was filled with rooster meat, dressing, a little bit of gravy, butter beans, snaps, creamed potatoes, a deviled egg and lots of pickles. I sure do hope there will be some coconut pie left for me. I know we did not grow the coconut but it sure makes a good pie.
Later in the afternoon when my sister and I were washing all of the dishes, she said to me, "Daddy was pleased with everything today." I was thinking he should be as I think he had two helpings of everything on the table. Followed with a cup of hot black coffee and a slice of applesauce cake and one of cherry pie.
I am proud to say this year we are having some vegetables I grew in the garden here on Triple Creek Farm. We shall have deviled eggs from our girls. I do not think I will ever be able to put the food on the table my momma did from their farm but I am just as proud of what I grow here. This Thanksgiving day I will have to stand back, smile and be proud of my accomplishments here on our little farm.
May each of you have a blessed Thanksgiving and I am so
Thankful I can share my memories with you.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Triple Creek Farm, November 17, 2012
IN THE KITCHEN
Things have been quiet in the kitchen this week. I did try my hand at drying pumpkin and I was real pleased with the way it dried. I have not had time to try using any. This will come later. I enjoy a pot of soup and this week I made what Momma always called poor man's soup. I will let all of you take a guess at what this soup is. I love it and it is so easy to make.
ON THE FARM
Mr. Bootsie had to go and pick up hay for the goats. He is adding one more section to the cold tunnel so back to the farm store to buy one more hog panel, they were on sale this week and he was wondering is we should buy some extra.
IN THE COOP
The egg count is going down. I am so thankful for the duck eggs and now I am waiting for the other maran to start laying. This week 13 hen eggs were collected and the faithful duck laid 7 eggs.
IN THE GARDEN
I lost the cucumber plants in the greenhouse. We just do not keep the heat high enough. The cold tunnel is now enclosed with plastic and when I go in, it is very warm it the tunnel. The plants were started a little late for the cold tunnel but I am trying what I have. If we have anything to harvest it will be good. This season is a learning experience for me, I have never gardened under cover, I have been doing some reading as to how others are doing this.
IN CLOSING
The Wee Folk came to spend the weekend with us. Our working habits do change when they come. I try to spend all the time I can with them. I do enjoy having young ones in the house. They are growing up so quickly, I feel as they both should still need help with so many things and now they are help us. It was so much fun watching them shell the bloody butcher corn. They asked if they could do it and shelled every ear. There was about 25 ears left to be shelled and I know the animals will enjoy this corn after I grind it for them. I think I can feed some to the goats without grinding it, but I need to check on this to be sure I am right.
I thank all of you who stop by and read about our little farm. I see we have new friends and I am so pleased you found something you enjoyed here. This Thursday we shall celebrate Thanksgiving. A day which was set aside to give Thanks, There are so many things here on our little farm to be thankful for, I think my daddy said it well. For all these blessing we have received, we Thank You. And on our table shall be a few things from our little farm. Our Thanksgiving will be so special to me because I was able to raise some of the vegetables and the girls provided the eggs.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Triple Creek Farm, November 10, 2012
Frost warnings, the end of the summer garden when will it come. This year our garden has lasted, I think, longer that I can remember, Monday morning there was a good frost burn across the garden. I said goodbye to the basil plants, climbing spinach, eggplants and peppers. Tuesday, all of my beautiful flowers were brown. The water hoses were frozen, which means I will be hauling water for the ducks, goats and chickens. Winter on the farm, for the last few years a gallon jug of warm water did the job for the chickens. This year things will be different. Time to make plans to make my life a little easier. This is one to ponder.
IN THE KITCHEN
My quest to use the things I froze and canned this past season is working. I used frozen squash and broccoli. Sunday, I cooked a pork shoulder the way my momma cooked them, she would cook them in a pot of water on top of the wood stove. This was one of the best shoulders I have eaten in many years. The broth was put in the fridge and the fat came to the top. I removed all of the fat and used the broth to may a pot of the most delicious great northern beans which was, also, cooked on the wood stove.
ON THE FARM
The goats are settling in. They are coming out for the chicken walk each afternoon. Hershey, the smallest goat, is in love with the ducks. They are not returning her affections. They run like no tomorrow every time she get close to them. Chickens feel the same way. It is really wonderful being able to have them out with us without leads on them. Friday afternoon, I went to check on them and the gate lock was undone. I know Gracie, the momma goat, had figured this one out. I always keep a second hook on the gate as I have always been told they will get out.
IN THE COOP
I am now pulling chickweed for the girls and ducks. They seem to enjoy all I bring them. I purchased pumpkins last week for less than a dollar each, it may be an old wives tale about they are good for worming the girls but I enjoy seeing the ducks and girls eat the pumpkins.
There is never a dull moment in the coop. Guess who has gone broody! Aurora, I hope she gets over this quick. I am not going to hatch chicks with winter coming. This week 15 hen eggs, 7 duck eggs.
IN THE GARDEN
Things have changed in the garden this week. I am now pulling all of the vines and carrying everything to the goat pasture. I am not ready to let them in the garden. It was a shame for the vegetables to be killed by the frost. I offered things to neighbors but I guess they would rather not come over and pick them. I do not know a lot about saving seeds. I did want to try and save the seeds from my cucuzzi as there were no plants of this type in the garden after the squash bugs finished with us. I could not believe how large the one I collected for seeds has grown.
I decided to plant more of the walking onions and garlic. Thursday afternoon, I finished planting the walking onions. I should have plenty of sets for anyone who wants them next year. The onions and garlic I have planted a few weeks back are growing, I weeded and mulched some of them this week. I am starting to work the soil in the cold tunnel. I have dug out a wonderful crop of rocks. I am going to bring in some of our compost to improve the soil and I have some lettuce plants I want to transplant in the cold frame.
IN CLOSING
It is sad to pull all of the plants from the garden, but there is the excitement of seed books and making selections for the garden next spring. I can already see I am going to be doing things a little differently. The goats love the blue dent corn I raised, if I garden to raise feed for my animals my garden will have more of a purpose than just feeding us. I may be able to cut back on the amount I grow and learn to plant through out the growing season.
IN THE KITCHEN
My quest to use the things I froze and canned this past season is working. I used frozen squash and broccoli. Sunday, I cooked a pork shoulder the way my momma cooked them, she would cook them in a pot of water on top of the wood stove. This was one of the best shoulders I have eaten in many years. The broth was put in the fridge and the fat came to the top. I removed all of the fat and used the broth to may a pot of the most delicious great northern beans which was, also, cooked on the wood stove.
ON THE FARM
The goats are settling in. They are coming out for the chicken walk each afternoon. Hershey, the smallest goat, is in love with the ducks. They are not returning her affections. They run like no tomorrow every time she get close to them. Chickens feel the same way. It is really wonderful being able to have them out with us without leads on them. Friday afternoon, I went to check on them and the gate lock was undone. I know Gracie, the momma goat, had figured this one out. I always keep a second hook on the gate as I have always been told they will get out.
IN THE COOP
I am now pulling chickweed for the girls and ducks. They seem to enjoy all I bring them. I purchased pumpkins last week for less than a dollar each, it may be an old wives tale about they are good for worming the girls but I enjoy seeing the ducks and girls eat the pumpkins.
There is never a dull moment in the coop. Guess who has gone broody! Aurora, I hope she gets over this quick. I am not going to hatch chicks with winter coming. This week 15 hen eggs, 7 duck eggs.
IN THE GARDEN
Things have changed in the garden this week. I am now pulling all of the vines and carrying everything to the goat pasture. I am not ready to let them in the garden. It was a shame for the vegetables to be killed by the frost. I offered things to neighbors but I guess they would rather not come over and pick them. I do not know a lot about saving seeds. I did want to try and save the seeds from my cucuzzi as there were no plants of this type in the garden after the squash bugs finished with us. I could not believe how large the one I collected for seeds has grown.
I decided to plant more of the walking onions and garlic. Thursday afternoon, I finished planting the walking onions. I should have plenty of sets for anyone who wants them next year. The onions and garlic I have planted a few weeks back are growing, I weeded and mulched some of them this week. I am starting to work the soil in the cold tunnel. I have dug out a wonderful crop of rocks. I am going to bring in some of our compost to improve the soil and I have some lettuce plants I want to transplant in the cold frame.
IN CLOSING
It is sad to pull all of the plants from the garden, but there is the excitement of seed books and making selections for the garden next spring. I can already see I am going to be doing things a little differently. The goats love the blue dent corn I raised, if I garden to raise feed for my animals my garden will have more of a purpose than just feeding us. I may be able to cut back on the amount I grow and learn to plant through out the growing season.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Triple Creek Farm, November 3, 2012
Sandy is coming to visit, time to prepare for an event. I know she will not be here for long but from the way they are talking about her she will/will not do some damage. We have always tried to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Sunday was spent checking on things, extra wood where it would be within easy reach and stay dry. Things that could fly like chair cushions were all removed and stored away. We stock food so this was not an issue. Because we have a well, in every bathroom there is 2 gallons of water for flushing. I have these stored under the toilets. I pulled about 5 gallons of water for cooking and drinking. Extra fuel just in case. Sandy left her footprint to the East, West and North of our little farm. We were so fortunate, I do not think I saw the lights flicker once. There are times when I feel we were chosen to live here. I know we were taken care of. No, we shall always prepare as long as we are able. You see, we have always been told, you have to do your part. Preparing keeps us in practice for the next time, and one day maybe a visitor we should prepare for.
IN THE KITCHEN
Canning and freezing the vegetables from the garden works only if we use them. We, also, freeze a lot of meat as we smoke and cook it. I try to do everything in serving portions. This way when it comes from the freezer I do not have a huge chunk to defrost. I freeze my ground beef in 1/2 pound packages. My goal this year is to use something from the freezer or canning pantry 4 to 5 times a week. This week I have been doing real good. Turkey stock with black eyed peas. Ham sliced for ham and cheese biscuits. Holland greens and smoked pork. From the canning pantry, tomatoes which were stewed. A pot of vegetable beef soup using a sirloin roast from the freezer, from the canning pantry tomato juice and green beans with potatoes. It takes a little more planning using the frozen items, I have to learn to plan what I am having for my meals.
ON THE FARM
We made sure there was plenty of bedding for the goats as they may have to stay in for a couple of days. With the storm passing, each day had sometime when it was not raining and I was able to let them out everyday this week. Friday evening when the chickens were out on the chicken walk the goats discovered the chicken run. They went in and found the ramp. Goats heading into the coop by way of the ramp, I had some very unhappy chickens. Goats decided they love chicken pellets and I had to take the feeder down. Saturday, when the goats were let out guess where they went, I have never seen chickens move so fast.
IN THE COOP
Ducks and hens do not care if it is raining. I opened all the runs into one and they played for 2 days. The girls have found they can go into the duck house and steal their grain. There were no afternoon walks until Thursday and they were so happy to get out of the run, lots of leaves on the ground gives them something to scratch in and find whatever it is they eat.
No eggs from the little peeps, to the best of my knowledge. They should lay the copper eggs and I have not seen any. I am seeing what I think to be smaller eggs, some of the cochins have finished their molt and could be laying a smaller egg.. I think this is going to be a wait and see. I just think the moran eggs are so pretty. One of the oldest girls started laying again on Sunday.
The month of October I collected 105 hen eggs and 29 duck eggs. This week, 22 hen eggs collected and 7 duck eggs.
IN THE GARDEN
The cold tunnel has come a long way. We have decided to add one additional section and this tunnel will run the length of 1 row in the garden and covering two 4 foot wide beds with a walk way between them. I am picking a few vegetables and pulling onions. The first sign of frost was Friday night, there was not a lot of damage and I will still be able to pick somethings.
IN CLOSING
The damage from Sandy in other parts of the country has been heartbreaking. The healing process is going to be long and hard. For so many who have loss so much I am so very sorry. Many have loss family members or friends please ask someone to hug you because I cannot be there to comfort you. I think it is very important to let others know how you feel about them for you never know what will happen. My Friends, I think of others often and I hope everything works out for you.
IN THE KITCHEN
Canning and freezing the vegetables from the garden works only if we use them. We, also, freeze a lot of meat as we smoke and cook it. I try to do everything in serving portions. This way when it comes from the freezer I do not have a huge chunk to defrost. I freeze my ground beef in 1/2 pound packages. My goal this year is to use something from the freezer or canning pantry 4 to 5 times a week. This week I have been doing real good. Turkey stock with black eyed peas. Ham sliced for ham and cheese biscuits. Holland greens and smoked pork. From the canning pantry, tomatoes which were stewed. A pot of vegetable beef soup using a sirloin roast from the freezer, from the canning pantry tomato juice and green beans with potatoes. It takes a little more planning using the frozen items, I have to learn to plan what I am having for my meals.
ON THE FARM
We made sure there was plenty of bedding for the goats as they may have to stay in for a couple of days. With the storm passing, each day had sometime when it was not raining and I was able to let them out everyday this week. Friday evening when the chickens were out on the chicken walk the goats discovered the chicken run. They went in and found the ramp. Goats heading into the coop by way of the ramp, I had some very unhappy chickens. Goats decided they love chicken pellets and I had to take the feeder down. Saturday, when the goats were let out guess where they went, I have never seen chickens move so fast.
IN THE COOP
Ducks and hens do not care if it is raining. I opened all the runs into one and they played for 2 days. The girls have found they can go into the duck house and steal their grain. There were no afternoon walks until Thursday and they were so happy to get out of the run, lots of leaves on the ground gives them something to scratch in and find whatever it is they eat.
No eggs from the little peeps, to the best of my knowledge. They should lay the copper eggs and I have not seen any. I am seeing what I think to be smaller eggs, some of the cochins have finished their molt and could be laying a smaller egg.. I think this is going to be a wait and see. I just think the moran eggs are so pretty. One of the oldest girls started laying again on Sunday.
The month of October I collected 105 hen eggs and 29 duck eggs. This week, 22 hen eggs collected and 7 duck eggs.
IN THE GARDEN
The cold tunnel has come a long way. We have decided to add one additional section and this tunnel will run the length of 1 row in the garden and covering two 4 foot wide beds with a walk way between them. I am picking a few vegetables and pulling onions. The first sign of frost was Friday night, there was not a lot of damage and I will still be able to pick somethings.
IN CLOSING
The damage from Sandy in other parts of the country has been heartbreaking. The healing process is going to be long and hard. For so many who have loss so much I am so very sorry. Many have loss family members or friends please ask someone to hug you because I cannot be there to comfort you. I think it is very important to let others know how you feel about them for you never know what will happen. My Friends, I think of others often and I hope everything works out for you.
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