Triple Creek Farm, November 23, 2013

Temperature changes, watering the tunnel and row tunnels,  night time is coming earlier each day,  this brings adjustments to our little farm.  Needless to say there is the gathering of wood for our house,  the deep layering of leaves in the duck coop, chicken coop and goat house.  Deep mulching the onions and parsnips we are leaving in the garden.  Adding mulch to the tunnel helps to keep the soil warm.  I do believe old man winter is coming to visit.

IN THE KITCHEN

We had the pleasure of sharing our home with a special friend for a few days, she is always wanting to know what is knew here, so I made the squash and apple soup, squash muffins and garlic, onion pizza. There was an extra crust which I used to make a spinach pizza.  Breakfast, one morning, was frittata made with potatoes, onion, garlic, spinach, eggs and cheese, there was a side of sausage and homemade sourdough bread.  The wine had slowed by Friday,  Saturday it was time to strain and bottle our first batch of wine made with our blackberries.  So far, so good, the sample we had was excellent.

ON THE FARM

Tuesday morning, my ladies at least 2 of them were very interested in Lou.  His visit to our farm may be very productive.  In a few weeks I will know for sure.  We are goat setting for a friend.  She asked to bring a little guy over to help with weening him.  I think I am falling in love with this little one.  If Lou needs to go home maybe Clue will be able to stay with us for a while.  Mr. Bootsie and I went out one afternoon to cut holly and a little cedar.  I  was thinking I could use this to make holiday decorations but I missed out this time.  Happy Goats, munching on the holly.  Saturday,  with weather conditions which may be changing next week,  we took several hours to cut some additional holly trees and place them beside the pasture.  They will keep for a few days in the cold and if the weather gets bad we are ready.  The hoses were all disconnected, once again,  this was completed Saturday night after all of the animals were put to bed.

IN THE COOP

Mr. Roo has gotten his crow working, he sounds like a real roo and now we need to name this beautiful creature.  When I come to feed and put up in the evenings, he crows when he sees me coming with the food bowls.  Okay, girls, Momma is here and has the evening meal ready for us.  They get scratch and sunflower seeds at night,  the girls come in, eat and find where they want to spend the night. Saturday night all of the girls put themselves on the roosting poles.  I do hope this will continue, as the days get shorter,  I may be a little late getting to the coop.  My girls are now going up between five and five fifteen, in about 3 weeks it will be earlier.

IN THE GARDEN

I had one beautiful spinach plant and the mole had a salad.  I was really unhappy about this.  Mr. Bootsie and I are now planning on making baskets for each plant we put in the tunnel.  I am afraid to put anything out to kill the moles as I have never used any harsh chemicals in the garden.  So I will keep putting goat jelly beans in their run and hope they get tired of being bombed with goat poop.  Saturday, I dug my first parsnips, I decided it was time as the mole had eaten at least 2 parsnip roots.  I have never grown these so I was quite proud of my harvest.


IN CLOSING

I am so pleased as I think of our family feast.  Each year, since we arrived here on the farm, we add something we have grown in our garden to the table.  This year we have several new veggies, finally we have butter beans  and country gentleman corn in the freezer. not a lot because we shared with the raccoons and moles.   There were enough potatoes to can a few this year.  Now as I think to next year, with little ones expected in April, I am excited about milk, butter, cheese, and other dairy products after we start milking our ladies.  Oh, yes, we are Thankful.  Thankful ,we have the pleasure of living on this farm and sharing it with our animals.   Thankful, for all I have learned in the past 7 years.  Thankful, for each of you and the blessing you bring to me.  I can never say Thank you enough because I  enjoy this time we share, and I look forward to sharing what the future holds.

May each of you have a harvest celebration in your own way, I know some places have celebrated and others will follow, What ever your custom may each of you be blessed.  To my fellow Americans, Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Triple Creek Farm, November 16, 2013

During the fall and winter I have a lot more time to play in the kitchen.  Some would call it work, but I  enjoy learning and working on new projects,  I want to learn to grow veggies and fruits I can use in the food preparation, I want to reduce the cost of food in our house but have an interesting and varied menu.  I have been busy all this week working with one of the squash we enjoyed as a green squash during the summer and this squash turns into a winter squash if left in the garden.  This is our first year to harvest this as a winter squash.  I learned I need to leave a few earlier in the season to grow into the winter squash, I had the pleasure of harvesting 2 this fall and now I am learning how to make wonderful dishes with the squash.  The squash is zucchette Rampicante-Tromboncino.  My seeds came from Pinetree Garden Seeds at superseeds.com, this is one of my favorite seed houses and they have signed the safe seed pledge.

IN THE KITCHEN

There is always talk about natural fermentation, the wine I am making was kick started with yeast.  I do think when my momma made her wine she let it set and collect the wild yeast.  With the amount of bread made in this house, sour dough and kefir working, I should be able to capture some wild yeast to start the process of making wine.  We were watching the wine work on Sunday,  3 days into the process, and we have a little contained volcano working in the pantry.  I have made wine before, but I really just put it the containers and went on my way.  This one I am stopping and looking, it is very interesting.  Right now, I am happy using yeast, but one day I may try natural fermentation.

                                This picture was taken on Friday morning, Day 8 of fermenting. 

In using this new squash, I made butternut squash and apple soup. Butternut puree and Squash muffins.

This squash will be in our garden because we are finding ways to use this veggie.  I have not started making pasta with it but it is on the list.

ON THE FARM

Lou is visiting and having a wonderful time, he became very friendly with another of the ladies this week.  On Thursday, he and Belle became the very best of friends.  Mr. Bootsie is locating trees which we can bring down easily for winter fed for the goats.  He has been busy taking down the watering system and replacing the watering system when we find there are a few days of nice weather.   As every thing we have water going to runs down hill, it is very easy to drain all of the hoses and fill the duck pond at the same time.  

IN THE COOP

The mornings have a new sound, I never thought I would be excited to hear a rooster crow but it sure puts a smile on my face as he is getting a stronger crow every day and now, he is practicing during the day.  Eggs are slowing down, it will be a while before the little welsummer chicks begin to lay.  I am hoping with the duck eggs I can make it through the winter and continue to feed the girls some eggs each day.  The only problem,  I am expecting,  Momma Duck may go into molting at anytime and there would be no eggs from her for a while.   There will be more molting but the coop is in recovery at this time.  Eva has starting looking like a chicken without tail feathers, but her body feathers are coming in nicely.  

IN THE GARDEN

I planted seeds,  this week,  to install in the tunnel when they come up.  I have beets coming up in the tunnel, watercress is starting to grow in the greenhouse.  We are pulling off the winter covering off the row tunnels when we can, I do like to let Mother Nature bless these plants with rain.  There are a few turnips in the garden.  I will be pulling these to go into salads.

THERE ARE 2014 SEEDS GUIDES ON THE COUNTER WAITING FOR ME, I HAVE RECEIVED 3 THIS WEEK, I am so ready to go on a shopping trip!!!

I will be spending sometime organizing the seeds which I have on hand, filling in the voids with old trusted seeds or looking for something new and exciting.  I must get this task underway as I like to order my seeds before the new year.  

IN CLOSING

A few cold mornings have reminded us we must carry water for all of the animals during the cold days of winter.  The use of gallon jugs returns for this purpose.  The trees are now fingers reaching up to the heavens, looking for the warmth of the sun, I will be planting seeds all winter for the tunnel, and I shall be looking for the warmth of the sun to grow the plants in the tunnel.  I was pleased to get somethings started earlier this year, but I hope I have learned I must start much earlier than I did.  On a farm if you pay attention, you can learn from your mistakes.  I have made my share but I have learned quite a lot by making mistakes.  People will share their victories but I admire those who share their failures.

This was another good week on the farm, I think, only time will tell.  I will need about 5 months to be sure.  Please drop by and see if things are working out because April could be a very busy month for us.  Have a wonderful week!!!

Triple Creek Farm, November 9, 2013

With the slowing of the garden, I thought I had made all of the decisions I would need to make for a while.  But life on the farm is always about something.  This week I started in new directions.  I am hoping with a wonderful mentor I can learn and my choices will be make us a stronger farm.

IN THE KITCHEN

Sunday morning, I made a sour dough coffee cake, there were leftovers and we did enjoy them for breakfast several mornings during the week.  There were ribs, bbq'ed for supper with cole slaw, I have never liked my cole slaw and I am always looking for a dressing which I can find on my shelf.  I think I may have the problem solved.  I made a kefir milk ranch dressing using my chive vinegar and I must say this was good coleslaw, even received a that is really good from Mr. Bootsie.

Wednesday,  It is time to remove some of the blackberries from the freezer, I am not going to can them because there is syrup and jelly on the shelf.  With pickling season over my large container is clear for a new adventure.  I am going to try my hand making blackberry wine.  I found a recipe very close to the one Momma made years ago, very easy and takes less than 3 weeks.   Thursday, the berries have been strained from the liquid, sugar and yeast have been added.  The directions says 15 days, now I need to find something for Mr. Bootsie to do so he will stop going in and checking on the wine.

The soup experience was an Italian Pasta E Fagioli soup.  This soup has no meat, there are 9 cups of chicken broth or stock and this gives the soup a very meaty flavor.  The cooking time is quick, warms up well and Mr. Bootsie did all of the prep work on this one.  I must say it was a super easy soup for me to make.  Yes, it was good and we shall make it again.

ON THE FARM

This week on the farm had been a week of doing our regular chores, one damp day Mr. Bootsie did inside work and painted a wall for me.  He, also, did some detailing on my 1988 van which I will not give up.  It is wonderful for moving goats from one place to another and is great to use when making the run for feed for the everyone.

Friday morning, As soon as the ladies came outside I saw the flagging.  I watched and wanted to be sure I was right.  They were fed and when they returned to the pasture I knew I was right not 1 but 2 of them are in season.  I contacted my friend, less than 2 miles away, who has goats and she said get Lacie loaded and bring her over.  Lacie has never been away from her sister, Belle and I was sure we were going to have problems.  I went into the barn to gather the collar and lead, turned around, Lacie was standing right behind me.  I put the collar on her, hooked the lead, opened the barn door and out of the barn we went.  Lacie was showing me the way to the van, now it was a little different story when it came to loading her but not difficult.  I placed her feet in the van, gave her a push, she was loaded and ready for her trip.  After arriving at the farm, she and the gentleman goat quickly became friends, such good friends that the farmer loaded Lou into the truck and delivered him to our farm.  We, now, possibly have 2 of our goats expecting and we are hoping before Lou returns to his farm there will be 4 goats expecting.   I learned so much on Friday as this was a totally new experience for me.  We cannot express our Thanks to our neighbor enough for taking time from her busy day and helping us with this new journey we are starting.

The two ladies to the left is Belle and Lacie,  the one with horns is Gracie and their new gentleman friend is to the right.  Happy day for all on our little farm!!!

IN THE COOP

It is so amazing how quickly things change in the coop.  My little Eva is recovering from the molt, we are seeing tail feathers.  All 17 are now eating from the same food bowls and the food fight is over, not everyone can get on the roosting pole by themselves but we are seeing changes.  I believe the spring born peeps became very upset when the summer peeps starting making their way to the roosting poles as we were helping the spring peeps.  Several days this week there were no eggs.  I sent Mr. Bootsie on an egg hunt and he retuned with enough eggs for us to know he had found where the girls wanted to lay their eggs.  Mr. Roo is doing much better, there were crows this week, sometimes he struggles but once in a while we hear a beautiful crow.  There will be no more little peeps until spring but I will be excited when the journey begins once again.  

IN THE GARDEN

We have turnips which have developed their bulbs, the parsnips are awaiting frost.  There is something fresh to eat from the garden.  The tunnel is starting to grow and I am looking forward to having some veggies during the winter.  It continues to be easy watering the tunnel because the hoses are still connected.  I will be loosing this pleasure in a few weeks.  I am quite ready to start gardening sitting by the wood stove, where or where are the seed books?  I  will have so many decisions to make.  

IN CLOSING

This week was a 180, I was ready to think about settling in for the winter, warming my toes my the wood stove and having lots of comfort food.  Little did I know that I would need a milking stand built, a place readied for Momma goats and if all goes according to plans dreaming of playing with new farm animals. I am so excited, The Date is April 7, 2014, I welcome you to join us on this journey, learn with us and join the celebration if everything works out.  Life on the farm, Why? Why did I stay away from the farm for so many years?

Thank you for joining me and sharing with us.  May you week be safe!!!  

Triple Creek Farm, November 2, 2013

There has been a crispness in the air, fall rains with not always gentle winds are bringing down the many leaves, all around me there are signs of the ending of our spring and summer growing season.  It is time to remove the growth from many of the herbs, mulch them and cover with large nursery pots.  During the winter my garden looks as if I am growing pots and I always have a crop failure.  I place the pots over the plants I wish to save, pour a five gallon bucket of mulch over the pot, let it flutter around the pot and secure it is place for the winter.  This will keep the roots of my plants alive and warm.  My pineapple sage has been with  me for 2 winters and after this winter I hope I can say 3 winters.

IN THE KITCHEN

The garden was gleamed by Mr. Bootsie.  He picked may butter beans, we shelled and processed them for the freezer.  Each time something is added to the freezer there is question of where is this going to go.  I made a pot of cheesy broccoli soup, the broccoli came from the freezer and I used the space for some ground beef.  Now,  I have to work on using what has been stored for our winter use.  This is a must for I have always been a little laid back using what is in the freezer.  I have lots of veggies to make stir fries  and I must make my plans for our meals earlier in the day, I like to have things in order when I start to cook and not wonder what I am going to add.  Mr. Bootsie has decided it is fun to chop onions and grate cheese.  He is always willing to help do these chores so we can move on to other chores.

ON THE FARM

Splitting wood, mulching the herb garden, cutting a new trail through the woods to the mail box, these are some of the chores we have worked on this past week.  Along with mulching the herb garden I am taking out lots of lemon balm.  Let me share with you, I planted the lemon balm to help with run off and it did.  I was pleased, my run off problem was solved and I did not thin the lemon balm, this fall there has been a tangle of roots and I have spent a number of afternoons digging them out.  The girls in the coop have been pleased as they are finding things in the roots and they love the leaves.  The vegetation for the goats is changing.  They are not interested with the leaves from the trees as they are changing colors are becoming very brittle.  We will now be cutting down holly and pine for them.  Saturday morning, we went and picked up a load of hay and straw.

IN THE COOP

Molting, I think we are going to be molting for quite a while, some of the girls have shown no interest in loosing their beautiful feathers.  I would like to get this over before the cold of winter settles in but I have nothing to do with this, I just have to wait it out.  The blending of the flock is going along quite good.  All of the girls are starting to eat from the same bowls, they are quite mean about pecking when it comes to food, I do wonder if it bothers me more than it bothers the chickens.  They get loud and run off but it just a few seconds they have returned and are eating from another bowl.  I have one who will not fight for food, I do make special arrangements for her.  In the evening before roosting she is given a bowl and put by herself, she seems to enjoy having a quiet place to eat.  The little peeps are still displaying some difficulty getting on the roosting poles.  This week has been quite an improvement.  The little roo has stopped trying to crow but on Saturday morning he made 2 attempts.  He is growing and becoming a beautiful bird.

IN THE GARDEN

Most of the garden is brittle and brown. I did mange to find some climbing spinach under covers which looks really good.  Every garlic and walking onion set I planted came up.  My garlic sets came from the spring crop, I go through my cloves and pick the largest, use these for sets, the smaller cloves are used in the kitchen.  I planted regular onion sets I purchased and they are doing quite good.  These will all be mulched before the cold of winter comes in.  The plants in the  tunnel are starting to show growth.  Chickweed is growing and the girls are having a bucket of chickweed several times a week, the ducks enjoy this treat.   We are starting to pull out the annual beds and prepare the soil for the winter.  I like to have as much ready for the spring as possible.

IN CLOSING

I have found myself wanting to take long walks in the woods and explore our farm.  I took the goats out for a walk one evening this week and we went to a creek they had never seen before.  Don't worry they did not try to cross.  I am finding bird's nets in the trees after the leaves fall.  There are turkey tail mushrooms growing on the downed trees.  I want to cut some trails so I can roam through my woods.  I love finding the gifts Mother Nature has left for me.  I think I may be able to find more wild flowers if I can get some trails through the low lands.  The Canadian Geese are coming in every night while I am putting the girls to bed.  They "honk, honk, honk" their way to the pond.  The flock is getting bigger each year.  There are 2 large deer which spend the evening in front of our house, eating from the herb garden.  We are lucky to have all of this nature around us.

Enjoy your week, Thank You for stopping by,  I look forward to our next visit!!!!

Triple Creek Farm, October 26, 2013

I have been dehydrating veggies and fruits for several years and I have found ways to use what I have dried but I am not sure I am using what I dry to the fullest advantage.  Last winter, I started adding dried spinach to soups and salads.  I found there was never any complaints about what is this in my food or what do I taste that is different.  With the adding the spinach into salad dressing and dips. once again,  I enjoyed what I was doing and received compliments about the interesting tastes I was developing.  So this year, we are drying spinach, onions and garlic to add to spice blends and zests for our many different soups.  I have learned if you want to make a hearty and filling soup add these dried items, the soups just seem to come alive with flavor and the texture of the soup is a little thicker without having a roux base.  Yes, I am always looking for ways to make my day a little easier and please those I cook for.

IN THE KITCHEN

I pulled out the recipes I was working on last winter for soups which I added ingredients from the freezer, canned and dehydrated.  I have always known if I do not have a way to use something it does me no good to take my time preserving it for use at a later date.  One of my main projects has been a great northern bean soup with homemade sausage, lots of onion, celery, carrots,  garlic, I use a quart of bloody Mary mix or tomato juice for my base, fill the flavor with dried green onions and spinach.  This is one hardy pot of soup.  This is my recipe and I am so pleased is was accepted well.  When I serve this, I put a wedge of corn bread  in the bottom of the soup bowl and pour this mixture over the corn bread.  I will continue working on this until I have some measurements to share with you.  When I am working on a recipe I do cook a lot like my Momma did and forget to measure everything.

ON THE FARM

We started adding hay in the barn this week, there is always some there but I knew the cold was coming and I wanted the ladies to eat hay to help keep them warm at night.  They are continuing to free range in the afternoon, I am not sure if they will want to come out after all the leaves have fallen.  Lady Gracie has found the Virginia spiderwort plants, I knew the deer would eat them down to the ground and now I can add goats to this list.  One evening this week, she found more spiderwort and Mr. Bootsie had to take her grain bowl and show it to her before she would return to the barn, I know she was saying, but Daddy this is so good, fresh and green.  If I leave it the deer may get it tonight.


IN THE COOP

Outside the coop has been getting some attention as the falling leaves will weigh down the covers of the runs.  Mr. Bootsie informed me it was time to blow the leaves off the top.  Now, all of you know the girls really love this.  So I open the gate to the runs and he fired up the leaf blower which in turn has 17 chickens flying, running and trotting past me.  The ducks were waddling so fast they were falling over their own feet.  Everyone had that what are you doing to me look and I am never, never coming back in there so you can do that to me again.  Of course, the goats did not know what was going on and here they come to offer their support to the girls.  The girls, who don't want anything from the goats except space and for them to stay in their pasture were not pleased.  So, the girls take off again heading for their safe space which is howling and leaves are flying.  It was a wild few minutes and we will be having a few more of these events before all of the leaves are off the trees.   I just think I will keep the goats in there pasture and not let them free range with the girls while Mr. Bootsie is blowing leaves.

The temperature fell on this week, I made my personal goal, the peeps are in the coop with big girls, on the roosting poles and all is good.  Food is still somewhat of an issue but we are working through this.  It will take longer to have them eating from the same bowls, as I am thinking I may need to add another bowl for all of these girls and 1 little guy.  There has been a smile on our faces because once again we have merged the flock without issues.  The brooder has been taken out of the coop, cleaned and stored for the winter.

IN THE GARDEN

Frost is coming, prepare, We did it all.  The tunnel cover went on and all the floating row covers are in place.  Some small beds of greens have been covered.  I must say this year went like we had a plan.  I may pushed the bullet not cleaning the tunnel a little long, but, we made it.  I gleamed the garden, mulched some of the onions and now I am waiting for the results of two cold nights below the freezing mark. Saturday morning check everything looked as if we may have saved our garden for a few more days.  I do not pick the last of the butter beans until the frost has hit the vines.  I left a few peppers but very few incase there is Indian Summer.  Now as I play the waiting game each thing I find will be a treasure.  The tunnel has some plants in it and next week I will be adding to the tunnel.  By late Saturday afternoon, I knew Mother Nature had won with the freeze on Friday night.  The climbing spinach looked as if I had cooked it on the vines.  Butter beans has some burnt leaves but I think I may be able to pick what is remaining on the vines.  Pole beans were burnt from the cold.  But the winter garden is looking good.  Parsnips have been waiting for the frost, this is my first time to grow them and I will be digging some to see if I or the moles are going to have parsnips.

IN CLOSING

I must stop and reflect because this year has been our best garden ever.  To remind us they are still here, another raccoon was caught this week and relocated to our friend's river farm.  With all of the problems we had, there was a good harvest, we did loose some of our crops but I can't dwell on that.  We did harvest quite a lot of vegetables, we have eaten from the garden all summer, have quite a bit stored away for winter and next spring.  I have learned more about preserving our harvest and how to use it.  When are the seed books coming to my mail box?  I can hardly wait to see the new selections and learn about some old ones being returned to the market.  I have a few items I have been searching for and I will be on the net hoping one of the seed houses has located some of the plants I treasure.  But, first I am going to have to clean my house, get things ready for the holidays and dream about what our future holds.  Next week I know I have to help with the gathering of some firewood, It never stops!!!!

Have a wonderful week, stay healthy, keep smiling, spring is on its way!!!!

Triple Creek Farm, October 19, 2013

Wednesday, I knew I could no longer play the waiting game, they must come down, all of the beautiful squash plants had to be pulled from the tunnel.  I pulled, stacked, cut with my nippers and after about an hour I walked outside the tunnel and saw the empty side of the tunnel.  My heart sank, it was as if I had just destroyed the garden of 2013.  We have enjoyed so many loaves of cucuzzi bread, squash with onions, the squash apple pie plus many dehydrated squash this year.  I stood in the garden looking at this as if I were in a graveyard I could feel my eyes tearing, I was looking for a few missed squash to take in the house just as some like to take a few flowers from the graves.  For some reason, this part of the garden has meant so much to me.  I really felt like I had accomplished something every time I walked into the garden and saw this jungle I had created.  There were several types of climbing squash plants and I decided to add the climbing spinach.  I have a large bag of spinach in the fridge which needs to be cleaned, frozen or steamed and eaten.  After feeling sorry for myself, I decided that next year will be better.  I know for a fact I will be pulling the plastic off the tunnel once again when the weather is warm and I shall have climbing plants on it.  Mr. Bootsie has promised additional cattle panels next summer as we all enjoyed this year's crop in so many ways.

IN THE KITCHEN

I had to do it, open one jar of the potato soup which was canned.  I used 1/3 cup of the soup mix I made a couple of weeks prior to thicken the potato soup, it was delicious.  I am so pleased with the results of this  and being able to have a meal on the table in 30 minutes from start to finish, I know I shall be canning more potato soup in the future.  We have been trying a recipe, this recipe was for baked sweet potatoes using coconut oil.  I thought about this decided to try this recipe using russet potatoes.  We have made this twice this week, slicing the potatoes a different thickness each time, I decided I like the potatoes sliced very thin, oven fried and served with a kefir ranch dressing.  I think from everything I am reading these chips may be very good for us to eat or maybe not,  but they really did taste good.

ON THE FARM

Wood gathering has been going on this week, the new log rack has been filled and covered by the house.  Mr. Bootsie is already in love with this change.  There is enough wood on this rack to last quite a while.  We may be able to fill only once a week when the weather is moderate.  Friday afternoon, was spent replacing the posted signs around our property.  We are in an area which is not to be hunted, but people see woods and totally,  do not realize there is a barn and pasture lot in the middle of the woods.  I fear for my ladies as some of those who hunt around here do not hunt with a clear head and may take a shot at something that resembles a deer.  I, also, fear for myself as I am always moving through the woods doing projects.

IN THE COOP

Progress is being made, the efforts to learn how to crow are starting to pay off.  We are now hearing a err, err so the rooster is on his way to finding his voice.  If his voice is anything like he is there will be beautiful music around here in the mornings.  I have had real progress blending the flock.  I have always known food was the problem, I have tried feeding the little peeps in their own bowl with the big girls, I changed the way I do this and feed the little peeps in the coop and the girls outside.  After everyone has eaten, I let the little peeps go where they wish,  leaving the brooder open so they may come and go.  They do spend sometime in the brooder but real progress is being made and they are not being pecked by the big girls.  I may make my goal of having everyone in the big girls coop before cold weather sets in.

IN THE GARDEN

With the tunnel being replaced this coming week, I am in the process of replanting most of the garden.  There are butter beans, pole beans and spinach remaining from the summer garden.  Turnips are starting to develop the thicken roots but the tops have been eaten off, I really do not know if they will develop but I hope they do.  I am pulling lots of chickweed for the girls almost everyday.  I found myself looking a seed book thinking what shall I order for next spring.  The row covers came out this week and I have them over the beds I planted this week.  I started digging the lemon balm from the herb garden, I had no idea the size of the root system these herbs develop.  With digging them up, I am finding they have worked the soil, while it is hard work I am finding beautiful soil under them.  I have planted potatoes in the garden.  I like to start some in the fall and hope for early potatoes in the spring.  I will be mulching my onions and potatoes in the coming weeks.

IN CLOSING

The pace has slowed, I am quite ready for a break.  Living on a farm there is always something to think about,  Saturday morning, I went to the barn lot and realized Lacie, one of goats is in heat, I am going to skip this opportunity and see when she cycles again.  The way I figure we could have a late March birth and I would rather wait until April.  I know there are many ways to look at this but I do not feel I am ready to have little ones in the snow.  This will be a new venture for both of us and I would like to make it as easy as possible.

I keep thinking there is not going to be anything to share with you but there is always something going on around here.  With 4 goats, 17 chickens, and 2 ducks life just doesn't get dull.  Thanks for stopping by, I do look forward to our visit.  You can always visit the Facebook page to leave a comment about our post, some feel it is a much easier way to comment.  Looking forward to hearing from you!!!  Have a wonderful week!!!!

Triple Creek Farm, October 12, 2013

The fall rainy season arrived, it normally arrives when the State Fair of Virginia is here but this year there was no rain during the fair.  It has rained from Tuesday forward this week.  Mr. Bootsie has taken this time to add another notch to his tool belt, he and the canner have become friends.  He has learned how to fill jars with head space, how to wash the tops of the jars with vinegar or water, closing the canner, how long to vent but he is totally confused with the different processing times.  I guess he just needs more practice.

IN THE KITCHEN

With Mr. Bootsie manning the canner this week we have put up 20 quarts of provisions, 7 quarts of a potato soup base, 1 quart of beef stock, 5 quarts of potatoes and 7 quarts of veggie beef soup.  The canning shelf in the pantry is looking very secure for the coming winter.  I have been baking some bread, we have been eating spinach salads along with French onion soup I made this week.

ON THE FARM

I can say there has been very little done on the farm this week, aside from the caring for the animals and checking the drain ditches. Monday before the rain came there was a good size pine tree felled, it was cut into sections and taken to the goat lot, they have eaten just about all of the bark from this tree.  This has been a good treat for the ladies and worked well as we did not have to go out each day and cut saplings for them.

IN THE COOP

The struggling sound coming from the coop is starting to sound a little more like a crow.  It needs more work but the little guy is trying.  The coop is being opened up in the afternoons for the little peeps to start their journey over to the laying hen side of the coop.  It will be a while before they start to lay but I want to have them settled in before the cold weather comes.  I use the deep straw method of bedding,  I do not care to do the whole coop, only where the girls lay and roost.  Molting has taken over the coop and most large egg layers are not laying, the cochins are all laying but they lay small eggs.  My pullet's eggs are getting bigger than the cochin eggs.  The first order of business after this rain will be getting sand from the creek to go into the runs, the duck run needs lots of sand.

IN THE GARDEN

The garden is having to take care of itself, when the weather clears I will be removing the squash vines from the tunnel.  We have had lots of enjoyment watching them grow this season.

The onions and garlic are really coming up.  The okra which was eaten by the raccoons is starting to bloom.  As I have always grown okra for the lovely flower, I was pleased to see it bloom.  I enjoy eating okra but I love the blooms.  Still picking peppers, climbing spinach, pole beans and butter beans.  I have lots of flowers blooming in the greenhouse and this has been a bright spot for me this week.

IN CLOSING

I am pleased when we have sometime to be inside as I get a chance to clean and organize the pantry, take a good inventory.  I keep a constant list going of things I am running out of.  I do try to be very organized but sometimes you forget to add something to the list.  Mr. Bootsie found another leak in the water lines so the plumber has been called once again.  This new stuff is not lasting but we are adding shut off valves when we find a leak, in the future it will be easier (?).  There will be dry wall repair but it all comes with upkeep of your home.

The rain should be gone by next week and fall chores must begin because I lost this week and I have been taking chances hoping the fall would be a long fall.  Leaves came down with the rain and my woods are starting to take on the sad look of winter.  Here's hoping I can get somethings accomplished by the next time I see you.  Enjoy your fall or early winter!!!