Cackles and Berries

Everyday Farming Problems

2012-05-25T09:23:00.000-05:00

It has been a busy week here. The planting is done.. The garden is in. But we haven't had any rain. Things are dry. So I've been watering like crazy. The new fruit trees, the garden, the animals.

Moon Gold Apricot Tree

Yellow Transparent Apple Tree

If you have been following my blog you might remember that a few weeks ago (or maybe longer) we lost a few chickens and ducks. I was confused because it didnt' seem like coyote behavior. Well, we caught the predator red handed. Our neighbor's dog. We really like our neighbors and the dog has visited before and we speculated the loss of a few other birds might have been him but for some reason it never occured to me that he was the cause this time. But then a few days later, I caught him red handed. Our neighbors have cooperated in efforts to keep this from happening again and reimbursed me for the loss. Its good to have wonderful neighbors.

This is what I woke up too yesterday morning. "Georgy Porgy pudding and pie, kissed the girls and made them cry when the boys came out to play Georgy Porgy ran away."

You should have run away Georgy.

Poor Georgy. He fared better then I did. Things like this stress me out. I have such a small flock of sheep I dont' keep a lot of medications on hand. After I panicked, I made a trip to the vet and after I got him doctored up, I felt much better. It was just the shell he broke off. He was so good letting me take care of him.

Last night we finally caught our nightly visitor, or at least one of them. The cat food was disappearing at an alarming rate and duck eggs were being eaten by the dozen. I found this in the barn when I got up this morning.

I set the trap, and now I am trying to play the girl card and get the farmer to take it from here. Poor thing looks terrified.

He will be relocated.

Our son got his ATV this week so we took a ride through the pasture and around the farm the other night. It was really windy and if you didn't keep your mouth closed you ended up with a mouth full of insects.

We saw deer, coyotes and a pair of pheasants. All running to fast for me to get any pictures.

These are new food plots for the wild life.

black raspberry plant, but they need rain

So happy to see he always wears his safety goggles and helmet.

Fishing pond #1.

These were everywhere. Any idea what kind of flower they are?

Old barn which houses the rams and ponies.

Pond #2. It had lots of catfish in it at one time. Not sure if they are still there or not.

But there are dozen and dozens of frogs.

Hoping all of you have a blessed weekend and please pray for rain.

May 22nd 2012

2012-05-22T06:28:00.001-05:00

Today is my oldest daughter's 22nd birthday.

I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the fact she is 22 years old.

Fascinated

Determined

Faithful

Beautiful Mother

Happy Birthday Mary Elizabeth!

The Crops are all planted. Much of the corn is up and looking good. Garden is planted, except I would still like to put some cucumbers in. I have enough pickles left from last year but I would like to have some for eating fresh.

My strawberry patch is coming along nicely but we won't have any berries till next year.

I am joining in on Everyday Ruralty- chats on the farmhouse porch. Here are the questions for today and my answers.

1. What are you doing for Memorial Weekend?

No plans, hoping to have quiet weekend at home- maybe babysit my granddaughter.

2. What's the last old movie you saw?

Well, we watched an old western the other night, but I dont' know what the name of it was.

3. What color are the walls in your living room?

They are a yellow- but the yellow is so subtle, it almost looks like a neutral unless the sun is shining on it just right. I love the color

4. What's your favorite food to cook on the grill?

Well, the only way to cook steak is on the grill :) so I'll go with steak.

5. What's your favorite animal?

Do I have to choose one? I really love my hens but I also love my sheep. Since I an snuggle with the sheep more then I can the chickens, I'll say sheep. Don't tell Wendell, I'm sure he would be my favorite horse :)

Maternity Ward

2012-05-19T11:07:00.000-05:00

I was out in the barn this morning grooming the bunnies. The kids came out to bring my camera. Caleb was playing with the cats and asked me if I thought they were getting close to having their kittens. He thought his cat "Q" looked like she was breathing heavy. I glanced over to see and sure enough she was in labor and VERY restless.

After her first kitten was born she kept dragging it all over the cold hard cement floor. We got an old blanket and transferred her there.

There was so much activity in the barn. Chickens clucking, Roosters crowing

Noisy and NOSY Sheep

Whats happening?

We got a box and decided to move her into the other room of the barn where I usually keep my hay.

Only to discover that another of our cats was having her kittens. We gave them separate boxes but they insisted on sharing.

Its quieter in the room and Q finally settled down to have the rest of her kittens.

Our cats love each other very much.

We have one more cat who looks like she is expecting.

Normally cats don't stay around long on our place. With all the wooded area, they seem to "disappear" But the 5 we have now have been around for almost a year. I think that they will be paying a visit to the vet very soon!

Another reason to say I'm strange

2012-05-05T21:09:00.000-05:00

Oh yes, if you living in these "modern times", and you do anything out of the norm (the norm, being buying all your meat and food from a super market, eating boxed cereal and prepacked food, sending your kids to public school, using disposable everything) then you too, I'm sure, have been told that you are strange. odd? crazy? perhaps weird?

Anyway- I can't remember where I first got the idea, probably read it in another farm girl's blog somewhere. But the idea of rendering tallow was formed and we were taking a beef in to be processed, it was the perfect time to give it a try. Plus it had been awhile and I was needing the fix of being looked at like I was from another planet. So, when I called in the cutting orders for our beef, I ordered 20#s of ground suet. Of course, I being as weird and strange as I couldn't hardly wait for the locker to call and say "It's ready".

We got our meat home yesterday and Bill hit the jackpot with catfish last night. They say tallow is awesome for frying foods, so with that in mind, I wasted no time rendering the suet so I could fry fish for dinner.

This is how it came to me from the locker. They offered to grind it for me so I let them.

While researching I discovered there are several methods for rendering lard or tallow. I choose the crock pot method.

Put your fat in the crock pot and cook on low for about 3-4 hours. It took me almost 4 hours to cook down about 7 pounds of fat. When its done the fat will have all cooked down and the meat left over will float to the top.

I used a small strainer and ladled the hot liquid into a big bowl with a spout. then I poured it over the cheese cloth into a jar. You can see how its golden here but after it has cooled and hardened it turns to the white we are accustomed too.

7lbs made about 3 quarts of tallow and it really was that easy.

Why hadn't I done it before?

The fish was awesome. Best I've ever made.

My husband's only comment tonight was "you would have fit right in with my grandma."

Yup, I know I would have but I think I'm in pretty good company anyway!

Monday's Barn Hop

chats on the farm house porch

2012-05-02T10:20:00.003-05:00

While visiting Everyday Rurality, I decided join in on their Front Porch chat. Its raining today, again, and I'm still recovering from being sick so what a better way to spend the day then blog hopping and getting to know others through their thoughts and stories.

Here are our questions for today:

Who do you go to when you really need someone to talk to about something important?
How often do you grill food outdoors?
What's the interior color of your car/truck/van?
What's the last great buy you got?
What's new?

1. My husband, parents or my friend Ann, like you, it kind of depends on the subject mater.
2. I grill all winter long and several times a week. We have a gas grill so its easy to light.
3. My truck has a tan interior
4. hmm.. we went to city wide garage sales last weekend. It was kind of a bust. I think I spent a whole $1.15. But, I did get a couple rubbermaid salt and pepper shakers for Bill's lunch box. Only paid a dime for them both so if when he loses them it will be no big deal.
5. 5 little ram lambs were new on to the farm this spring. Rain is also new, we have been dry this year up until last weekend and its rained almost everyday since last Saturday.

Chats on the Farmhouse porch

Intimate thoughts and memories of before you were born

2012-05-01T15:06:00.000-05:00

How is it possible that our baby, our youngest turns 5 today? The older I get the more I realize just how fast time is flying and our days are numbered. But today I celebrate the precious surprise blessing that has forever changed my life.

I went back and forth between writing an intimate post about my pregnancy and keeping it short and sweet.

At the end of every year I print my blog into a book. A book about our life as a family and changes on our farm. So, with that in mind I decided this post should be more in depth, more spiritual and intimate. There might be somethings that some readers might regard as TMI ( to much information), maybe slightly graphic, so please be warned that you may not want to continue to read and that's okay.

Anna was an "unexpected blessing" as we really weren't planning on having more children. I couldn't have been more then a couple days pregnant, hadn't even missed my period yet when I woke in the middle of the night and as if God had whispered to me in secret, I knew I was going to have a baby.

We were excited, yet a little apprehensive as we had dropped our maternity insurance and new that it was going to an expense we should start saving for.

Everything is embedded in my mind as if it were yesterday, I can recall no other time in my life that my memories are so vivid.

Early in my pregnancy I remember not feeling well. I worried over every ache and new pain. I often shrugged off my institution as insecurities, blaming the miscarriage I had a year earlier or the fact that I was getting older. I remember expressing my concerns to my friends that I didn't feel "right" but I couldn't explain it. I passed it off as just being a worry wort.

March 4, 2007, my birthday.
I was crabby that day, not feeling good, probably mad at my husband, although I can't remember why. It was a Sunday so I went to church and took myself out for breakfast. If it sounds like I was feeling sorry for myself, I'm pretty sure I was. My parents were on vacation and I really wanted to go home and prepare for them a nice home cooked dinner for when they got home.

I came home later that morning and discovered after a trip to the bathroom that I had started to bleed. I was 26 1/2 weeks pregnant and new that this wasn't just me being a worry wort, something was wrong. I called my midwife and she said to stay off my feet the rest of the day.

Monday morning, March 5th.
I called my midwife again to tell her that I still didn't feel good, the bleeding had stopped but my lower back felt achy, like it does right before a women starts her period. She suggested an ultra sound and the necessary appointments were made.

By early afternoon the diagnoses was made "Placenta Previa" What the heck was that? The ultra sound Tec gave me a brief description and said I would have to deliver by C-section. I began to have a hard time wrapping my mind around this new information. None of this fit into my plans, but that was just the beginning of the bad news. When we meant with the midwife she informed me that I would have to go on permanent bed rest. My response was "seriously?" I always pictured women who had to be on bed rest as fragile...I was a far cry from a fragile type of woman. I don't think I took her at all too seriously, I had that "yeah, yeah" I'll do as you say attitude. But, it was the last comment she made to me before I left that day that gave me pause. It was almost spoken as an added last minute connotation. "You will need to have someone who can drive with you at all times because if you start bleeding again, you need to get to the hospital immediately".

Tuesday March 6, 2007, early morning, I think around 3a.m. I awoke suddenly, blood gushing from me. It was if someone had popped a balloon in side my womb. I remember waking my husband and trying to tell him in a way that wouldn't cause him to panic that we needed to go to the hospital. I called my parents to come out and stay with the kids while my husband went and woke our oldest son to let him know what was going on. I grabbed my rosary and we raced to the hospital. I can only say its at times like these that I am thankful for the childhood prayers we memorize. I wanted, needed to pray but to form a good prayer from my heart at those moments was next to impossible. However, The Hail Mary and Our Father were right there on my lips and I knew God was with me and would hear what was in my heart.

One of the first things they do when you arrive at the hospital in a situation like this is to start the drugs to stop any contractions. Magnesium sulfate (they call it Maggot Juice for a reason) it really is awful stuff, was their drug of choice. Then the fetal monitor, blood pressure cuff, etc. etc. When the doctor finally arrived in the early a.m. hours she decided I needed to go to Peoria where they were better equipped to handle a baby born 13 weeks premature. The kicker was they needed to life flight me there in a helicopter - again Not in my plans. $50,000 later, I was laying in St. Francis in Peoria, IL. where I received the sacrament of anointing of the sick.

St. Francis has a whole wing for women who are having complications. They don't tell you when you first arrive how long you are going to be there. They only tell you "a couple days" then we will see. Its a good thing too, because when you are on bed rest and all alone, time slows down to a crawl.
I was at St. Francis for a total of 4 weeks. I was only allowed up for the use of the bathroom and to shower. I otherwise had to stay laying on my left side except when eating. I only remember crying once while I was there. That was on day 2 when I was still on the "Maggot Juice" and had double vision, and was really weak from the drug as well. I felt so helpless, I couldn't even open a package of syrup for my pancakes. I struggling with it for a few minutes I was finally able to rip it open, only to splatter myself with it and leave a big sticky mess that I couldn't clean up. I refused to ask for help and finally the nurse came in for another reason and found me crying uncontrollably. I was more embarrassed for having made such a mess and not being able to clean myself up then anything. I learned a lesson in humility that day.

There were women there who's conditions were worse then mine. I learned some had to have their cervix stitched shut. Still others had to lay with their feet up and head down at all times.It was beginning to sink in just how fragile life truely is. .

As I mentioned, I spent 4 weeks in Peoria. While I was there I received communion every day! Every day! The actual graces infused through the sacraments by Christ are so miraculous. Another lesson learned. When I was discharged after week 4 from St. Francis, my husband picked me up and we drove from St. Francis in Peoria to Trinity in Moline where I spent the next 4 weeks.

Things got easier when I got to Trinity. I was closer to home and received more visitors, which helped pass the time. I hadn't experienced anymore bleeding as was allowed to out in the wheel chair sometimes during the afternoon. My wonderful husband purchased a laptop for me and I was able to get online and purchase things for the baby. I even had my husband bring in the paperwork so I could pay bills and feel useful again.

Our Doctor decided to deliver Anna 5 weeks early. I was ecstatic and terrified all at the same time. Now that I had a laptop computer I could "research" Cesareans - Yeah, don't do that. Cause usually the only thing people talk about are the ones that go bad. I had myself scared to death.

It was an experience, I'll just say that. God delivered into our hands a beautiful, healthy, baby girl with red hair and big blue eyes, weighing 6lbs 12oz. She was beautiful and a true miracle.

after 8 weeks of bed rest - I have learned to enjoy the daily chores and will never again complain about doing laundry or dirty dishes. I am thankful I have the ability to do them. I have learned that life is fragile, handle with care. God is good ALL THE TIME and if it feels like he has given you more then you can handle He is right there to help. There is something to be said for "boring" and "uneventful" when asked about life circumstances. Looking back now, I can see God's plan in it all. I've learned first hand what I've heard preached over the years, peace, happiness really does come from doing God's will and not our own.

I think those who know her would agree -

She is a true blessing

and

we thank God for her everyday.

Happy 5th Birthday Anna Rene Smith

Happy Birthday Jake!

2012-04-29T09:34:00.001-05:00

Yesterday our oldest son turned 20.

I wish I had baby pictures of him online, but those were before the days of Facebook and I'm pretty sure we didn't even own a computer back then.

My pregnancy was an easy one. I enjoyed every minute of it. Well, that was up until my due date. My due date came and went and I began enjoying it less and less and less. He was 2 weeks over due and labor was finally induce. If you have ever been induced then you know what I say is true. Contractions come hard and they come fast.

I remember it as if it were yesterday.

He was very active during labor and deliver. Swimming inside his cozy little space while I was anxiously awaiting for him to arrive. I remember very vividly having trouble dilating those last couple cm. The nurse finally determined that the baby was facing up, instead of face down. Her solution was to fool the baby by getting on all fours. And it worked! Almost immediately, his position changed and I dilated to ten and was ready to deliver him. A couple strong pushes his head emerged and the doctor felt the need to inform me that the hard part was over. But, as soon as Jake's little head came out, Jake rolled over and looked up at the doctor. I then proceeded to try to deliver his extraordinary large shoulders. Yeah, the Doctor, put his foot in his mouth.

Jake was 8lbs 14oz. Lots of Jet black hair and a very wrinkly face. Someone said he looked like Charles Bronson!

He was a delightfully easy baby and rambunctious child. He loved all things farm. When Jake was a toddler we would often drive through the parking lot of the farm implement store and he would get so excited to see the tractors and machinery we thought he would hyperventilate.

Like most parents I could go on and on with stories of his childhood....I won't.

I will just say, I am very proud of the man he is today.

Happy Birthday Jake!

Love,

Mom

Bread baking helpers I can't live without!

2012-04-27T11:14:00.004-05:00

Over the years it has been my experience that they are a lot of kitchen gadgets that you can purchase for this job and for that job. Some of them seem like a waste of money and a waste of space in my already crowded kitchen. But when it comes to baking bread, something I do at least once a week and in large quantities, I want to save time, money and still enjoy the process of making homemade bread.

I'd been eyeing these Dough Rising Buckets from King Arthur Flour for sometime, probably a couple of years, at least. I wasn't convinced that it was necessary to have a bucket for rising dough. I have 2 large bowls in my kitchen, plus my mixing bowl. I often make 3 or 4 types of bread in one day and I finally got tired of washing all those bowls out so I could use them for the breads first rise and decided to order two buckets this winter.

They are awesome! The dough actually rises faster and no more guessing if the dough has doubled. I also use them when I make no knead bread. I can make a batch of no knead bread ( 3 loaves) and keep it in the bucket in the back of my fridge.

The Flour wand is another tool that I love. I have had this for quite a few years and its perfect for dusting your counter top and bread while kneading. You will never use too much.

The last two tools I enjoy using and make my job easier are both from Pampered Chef.

The pizza dough roller is awesome for rolling out bread dough as well as pizza and cookie dough. I like it because I can use it with one hand and my children also find it user friendly.

Lastly is the flour/sugar shaker. I have never actually kept flour in mine. I have two of these. One is for sugar/cinnamon mixture and the other I keep powdered sugar in.

Cinnamon Raisin Bread never had it so good! Of course I can't forget the last of my baking helpers. She is priceless. I'm sure a lot of you already have one of your own, if not check with your neighbors, friends or relatives. I bet they will let you borrow one, especially if you teach them to make yummy bread!

~What tools do you use to make baking bread or other goodies easier which you have found you can't live without?

Linking to

Farm girl friday - Blog Hop

Barn Hop

Picture day on Smith Farms

2012-04-23T13:04:00.000-05:00

I was thrilled to have my friend and professional photographer http://www.phoenix-photography.biz come out one afternoon and take pictures of the kids and animals. She is

passionate about what she does, and when someone is that passionate you know your going to get wonderful results. Here is just a sneak peak of some of what she has done.

Soon will be a high school graduate

Remember the tire swing was suppose to get her mind off a pony - That lasted about 5 months when Dad had a weak moment on Christmas Eve. The princess loves them both.

Our Rhode Island Red Rooster - who is missing a toe on each foot due to being hen pecked (and I do mean that literally) and his entourage of Shirleys (any sex link hen is known as "Shirley" on our farm)

Sunshine and her gorgeous ram lamb named Trouble and rightly so

Our handsome 10 year old and Simon

Life is good and we are truly blessed. Hope to share some more photos from this shoot soon!

You take the good, you take the bad

2012-04-15T13:52:00.001-05:00

Last night we received much needed rain. Unfortunately, strong, damaging winds came along with it.

This is our son's place.

These were new doors that were just put on. Had the wind decided to take the other door it would have been unfortunate for our tractor.

I know it might seem strange, but I don't think any of us were too upset. With all the devastating storms in our country lately,

we are fully aware that the loss could have been much greater.

I think we are in for another round of storms tonight. We will brace our selves and send up prayers for protection.

~ God Bless~

The joy of it all and the heartbreak too

2012-04-12T09:29:00.001-05:00

There is something about farming, about raising animals that brings joy to my heart. I can't explain it. I feel at peace when I sit in the pasture, surrounded by my sheep. I love watching the mothers interact with their young, calling to them with a voice only the babies recognize as mom. I smile each time I hear a rooster crow or watch him strut through the barn yard, eyeing anything that might be a threat to his beloved hens. Or how about the cackle that comes from the hen, annoucing with such pride that she just layed an egg? And is there anything as cute as watching kittens pounce on a leaf stirring in the breeze or lambs jumping and playing in the evening sun? I am in awe of God's infinite wisdom in each one of his creations.

This time of year is most exciting. I wake up each morning anticipating the birth of a new lamb and hurry to the barn to check on the expecting mothers. This morning however, as I approached the barn I noticed a pile of feathers right outside the chicken coop door and my heart sank, I knew immediately that something had happened and I also knew that it wasn't good.

Its been 2year since we last had a problem. We were on our way home from a ballgame and it was nearing dusk. As we drove past the house, I noticed that there was a flock of chickens up by the garage, which I thought was very strange. One of the kids commented from the back seat, "look, there is a deer in our yard". As I looked towards the chicken coop it only took me a moment to realize, "uh, that's not a deer!" It was a coyote. She ran off through the corn field as we pulled up but evidence proved she had already got several chickens and was only returning for more. The next night we were waiting for the coyote when she returned and that was the last time she messed with my flock. After that our dog was old enough to have the run of the farm and we haven't had any problems with predators since then.

But, ever since we lost our dog I have worried, feared and fretted about not having a guardian to protect our farm. I have thought about it almost every night. I even pray for protection for my animals. ( does that make me weird?) I am quite convinced that if you live on a farm, have animals you need a guardian for your flock.

This morning, is one of the days, as a farmer you know you are going to have to face. But knowing that doesn't make it any easier when you lose an animal. I can't be sure what it was that got my birds. I have one duck missing and found two hens by the edges of the fence that had become "somethings" dinner last night. I am thankful that they didn't get my new lambs but also concerned because whatever it was will no doubt be back tonight.

I plan to be ready for them!

Scaredy Catsssss

2012-04-10T08:18:00.001-05:00

Yummy Breakfast!

"Who's Chicken Now?"

Its Lambing time at Smith Farms

2012-04-05T18:23:00.001-05:00

Brei Holmes started off this lambing season by having two stunning ram lambs on Tuesday.

These two are quite lovely and I am excited to see if they will have the same stunning, crimpy fleece their father has.

Today I was surprised when I found Shillelagh with a little lamb by her side. I thought for sure she was a week or two off yet as she wasn't very big at all.

This was Shillelagh when she was born 3/17/2011

This is Shillelagh today -with her lamb

She has always been the kids favorite and you can see why- she is extremely laid back and friendly..she loves the kids.

Somewhere through the course of the year she lost all her lovely black!!

Shillelagh's Ram lamb - I would love for him to stay black- he is gorgeous!

So the count today is 3 lambs - 3 boys! Only 2 girls to go.

Cranberry Almond granola

2012-03-25T16:22:00.002-05:00

It was last August when I decided that I was giving up processed foods. While it has been an easy change for me, its been more difficult on my kids. One of the things they like dislike the most is that I won't purchase store bought cereal anymore. I never did by much of the sweetened cereals but even cheerios and wheaties are now just an occasional purchase.

So, I learned to make granola and it really is easy and tastes so much better then store bought.

This recipe is for Cranberry Almond Granola - I have found that you can take the same recipe and switch out the cranberries for other dried fruit and same with the nuts. I love that it has wheat germ and flax seeds in it for added nutritional value. I always double the recipe!

3 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup flax seed

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 c. slivered or sliced almonds

1 cup dried cranberries

1/4 olive oil

1/4 cup honey

1/3 brown sugar. ( I think its plenty sweet - especially if adding sweetened dried cranberries you may want to cut this back.)
2 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

2. Combine oats, wheat germ, flax seeds, cinnamon, almonds in large bowl

3. Combine vegetable oil, brown sugar, honey and water in small saucepan and heat till sugar is melted, remove from heat and stir in almond extract

4. Add the honey mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until all the oats are evenly coated. Transfer wet granola to a large roaster or 2 large cookie sheets.

5. Cook for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes - after 45 minutes stir in your cranberries and cook with the granola for the last 15 minutes.

6. Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving. Store in air tight container.

Yummy on top of yogurt, with milk or just by the handful!!

Avoiding chicken math

2012-03-15T08:45:00.000-05:00

This year I have successfully avoided something my friend at crosswind farms likes to call chicken math. I was able to find some lovely young pullets for sale just a few miles from home, thus avoiding packing peanuts, brooding and expensive chick starter. The girls I picked up make a lovely display of all colors and sizes. I'm not a big fan of leghorns but I didn't know they came in colors other then white and so I had to bring a couple of these cuties home with me. There is the Light Brown Leghorn as well as the Exchequer Leghorn.

These little girls are excellent foragers. I also picked up this little cutie. She is a Blue Andalusian.

She is smaller like the leghorns and lays a large white egg. I also picked up some Barred Rock, a Golden Comet and a couple of White Rock.

The ducks are full grown now and laying like crazy! We get almost a dozen fresh duck eggs everyday. The eggs in my opinion are very rich and really put baked goods over the top in taste.

"Danny Boy" is keeping watch over his flock. A gentle fellow but keeps his eye on things.

Repeat after me.....

2012-03-13T20:36:00.005-05:00

It's to early to plant, It's to early to plant, It's to early to plant!

It's March 13th and we are having record high temps in Illinois. 72 degrees today and a high of 76 tomorrow!! I think much of the country is enjoying this unseasonably warm weather. It's really hard to be patient when its this nice out.

I spotted this in the garden today. Volunteer spinach!

Heck, its almost ready to harvest.

I'm a little concerned what affect this warm weather will have on us later, but I'm going to enjoy it, never the less!

French Style whole wheat bread - kid friendly recipe

2012-02-20T20:43:00.000-06:00

This recipe comes for the Country Baking cookbook by Ken Haedrich. I received this book several years ago as a gift from my mom. I love the wholesome recipes that are in there.

In his description of the bread he said his daughter could recite the ingredients and make it with little help from an adult at the age of 6. This was motivation to begin teaching my 10 year old how to make bread.

2 cups lukewarm water (how do you describe lukewarm to a kid?)

2 tablespoon yeast

1 tablespoon honey

4 cups whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon salt

1/3 cup (approx.) unbleached flour for kneading

Pour the water into a large mixing bowl and stir in the yeast and honey. set aside for 5 minutes, the stir in 2 1/2 cups of the whole wheat flour. Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon for 1 minute, then cover this sponge with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm draft-free spot for 10 minutes.

After 10m, beat the salt into the sponge, Add remaining whole wheat flour. Knead the dough for about 8 minutes, using sprinkles of the unbleached flour to keep dough from sticking. Dough should be firm and elastic and somewhat firm. Flour the dough lightly and put it in the bowl. Cover and let rice till double. Sprinkle corn meal on large baking sheet and set it aside. Once the dough has doubled, punch it down and knead briefly.

Divide dough in half and shape it half into a 13 inch oval. Roll it up lengthwise and pinch the seam to seal. Place on prepared cookie sheet and cover till doubled in bulk. preheat oven to 425 degrees. just before baking make several diagonal slashes in the top of each loaf. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the tops are nicely browned and bottoms give a hollow thud when tapped with finger. Serve hot or cool on wire rack.

Dinner preparations tonight became a family affair. I love cooking with my kids.
Caleb made his French bread into garlic bread.

Andrew prepared the salad (less then thrilled with my picture taking-hehe)

Sabrina and Anna entertained us while singing Karoke to Lemonade Mouth.

Yummy!

Granger

2012-02-12T16:30:00.002-06:00

I am someone who adores animals. I love learning from them, caring for them and discovering their individual personalities. I do not like it when animals on my farm die but I also realize that death is a part of life. Sometimes, depending on the circumstances involved it bothers me more then others. Usually, I accept it quickly, don't think to much about it and move on. But, every once in awhile a special connection is made. I remember once when I was a girl, I suppose I must have been about 13 or 14 years old, my parents and I were visiting my grandparent's farm in Minnesota. My parent's friend Gertie also lived on a farm and I would often visit and help her with her horses. She also had a dog, named Homer - I don't remember much about him other then he was Humongous. Gertie was coming for supper at my Grandma's house and she had brought with a surprise for me. Homer had run off to the neighbors earlier that year and the brief encounter with the neighbor's dog left them with a litter of puppies. The sweet little puppy was scared to death and would not, no matter how much anyone coaxed come out from under the vehicles parked in the drive. Finally after everyone else had gone into the house, I was able to earn his trust and he spent the rest of the evening following me every where, as if I was his mother. Little Homer, had captured my heart and I think I left a piece of it behind with him when we left that summer as my parents tried to explain that he would grow to be to big for our home and we already had a dog. I knew they were right, but I was heartbroken, and I can remember crying for the next couple days.

Fast forward some 27 years later. We have had several dogs on our farm over the years. But it wasn't until this fall that one was able to touch me the way Little Homer had. I had been searching on craigslist for a dog. I new exact what I wanted in a dog and after many months I finally found him.

Enter Granger an Australian Shepard and about 6 years old. We went to pick him up and never before had I seen anything like this place. There must have been 40 dogs running lose. Several more in kennels and on chains. A camper was parked in the drive way and seemed to serve as a dog house- there was furry heads looking out every window. Granger appeared timid, scared but submissive and obedient. Some of you who follow me on facebook may remember the story of how when we brought him home how scared he and while I was showing him around the farm he slipped out of his collar and took off down the road. The harder I pursued, the harder he ran until at dusk he disappeared into the timber and we lost all sight of him. I really figured that would be last we saw of him. I thought if he was lucky he would find his way home. Not so, the next day around lunch time our ten year old spotted him outside the house. It took 2 days but finally with the help of my oldest son we were able to corner him into our daughters play pen and within 2 days I had earned his trust and loyalty. Granger was all the dog I ever wanted. He greeted me excitedly every morning and followed me while I did my chores. He would lay on the deck watching over the farm, did not bother the chickens, ducks or sheep and even slept with the cats. And best of all, Granger stayed off the road. Granger loved me and he loved the kids. He took more warming up to my husband and older boys. He would flinch whenever they would bend down to pet him and we often wondered what his life was like before he came to us. Granger had this look in his eyes and a fierce bark, one that would make my husband even a little hesitant to pet him at times.

Then it happened. I was working in the barn one day when Joe, the guy who works for us walked in. Granger with out any warning what-so-ever bit him. Thank goodness he had car-hartts on and wasn't hurt. But I was sick over it. We kept close watch on him after that and he didn't bite again but he would often sit at my feet keeping himself between me and whoever I was talking to when we were outside.
It was a worry.

Unfortunately- my story does not have a happy ending. We were away last month on a trip and while we were gone Granger was killed on our road. I can only imagine that he must have been wondering where his family had gone too. In some ways I am glad I wasn't here when it happened and in other ways I feel like my 10 year old when he said "I wish I had been there so I could have loved him one more time". I like to think that the last few months Granger spent with us he knew what it meant to have a family and truly be loved. Hubby says I need a puppy. Maybe someday, right now, I'm just not ready.

Chickens - not just for laying eggs

2012-01-10T17:52:00.002-06:00

The weather here in Illinois has been unseasonably warm. The high was about 58 degrees today and we were cruising around the farm today with out a coat. The chickens too, have been enjoying the weather and they are still free ranging which works great for me. I started a flower garden right outside their run this fall.(Yes, I did say outside the run- they fly the coop on a daily basis, cause the grass is always greener on the other side, you know. In this case it really is!) Instead of removing the sod I laid cardboard down and have since been piling on the leaves, manure, and used straw bedding. The chickens have been doing a great job of turning it all over for me.

Trio of Americanas purchased from County Line Hatchery
She has the prettiest birds

This guy needs a name- any ideas?

Easter Egger

Guess its time to brace myself, looks like by the end of the week our nice weather is going to disappear and winter will finally rear its ugly head. I know all of you with animals outside are feeling the same as me, but with any luck spring will arrive on time.

Oatmeal Sandwich Bread

2012-01-09T21:22:00.000-06:00

This recipe is one of my family's favorites. The recipe doesn't call for Lecithin but if you add it, it will soften the texture of the bread. The bread is wholesome and delicious and even picky eaters who claim they don't like wheat or whole grain bread will devour it. I've found that if I make the bread with hard white wheat it could almost pass for white bread.

Recipe:
1 cup rolled oats (NOT instant)
2 cups hot milk
1/3 cup honey
1 Tablespoon yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1/3 cup plain yogurt or buttermilk
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour - I use freshly ground from Hard white wheat berries for this recipe
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 to 3 1/2 cups unbleached flour
about 2 tablespoons oats to sprinkle in pans
(for healthier loaves try substituting 1/2 cup of the white flour for 1/4 flax and 1/4 bran)

put oats in a large mixing bowl and pour the hot milk over them. Stir in the honey and let cool to body temperature. Add yeast to water in small bowl and allow to sit for 5 minutes to dissolve. Once the oats have cooled stir in the yeast, yogurt or buttermilk and the whole wheat flour. (add lecithin, flax, bran now if you wish) Beat with wooden spoon for about 1 minute. Cover this sponge with plastic wrap and set aside for 30mins in a warm draft free spot.

sponge after 30m

rule of thumb is to add same amount as Lecithin as your recipe
calls for yeast

After 30m, beat in your egg, salt and butter until well blended. Add the unbleached flour, 1/2 c. at a time, beating well after each addition. Knead for 10minutes- dough will be slightly slack. Place the dough in lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat and cover till double in size. Punch down dough. Divide in half. Shape the halves into loaves and place them in prepared pans. Cover loosely and let rise in warm, draft-free spot until doubled. Preheat over to 375 degrees. Bake loaves for approximately 40m.

To make a well rounded loaf, roll each half into a tapered oblong about 12inches long and as wide as your pan. Starting at the narrow end, roll the dough like a jelly roll keeping slight tension on it. When you get to the end pinch the seams together and tuck the ends under slightly. Lay the loaves in the pans seams side down, pressing them down with the palm of your hand.

We don't sprinkle oats in the bottom of the bread pans cause certain family members get weird when they "see" what is in their food. But it does add to the presentation of the bread.

Maximus

2011-12-29T21:11:00.003-06:00

A few days before Christmas this year our neighbor's daughter contacted Bill about helping her out with a Christmas surprise for her father and grand-daughter. She had purchased them a pony and was hoping we could keep it at our place and take it down to their farm on Christmas day. Bill agreed and left to go pick up the pony on Christmas Eve. He returned and shortly after I heard his truck pull into the drive way he called me on the phone and asked me to come outside for a few minutes - this should have been my first clue that something was up. I walked out to the truck and trailer and saw the cutest pony ever with his head sticking out the window. I still wasn't sure why I was outside and he just kept pointing into the trailer and when I finally got close enough to look it was then that I realized just how much his 4 year old daughter had him wrapped around his finger, cause there was a 2nd pony in the trailer.

Yup, these are pictures from Christmas Morning, almost warm enough to be barefoot and in your PJ's and be outside.

Pictures from Riding Lessons Today

Caleb riding "Chris"

Anna riding "Maximus" - he really is a well-behaved little guy.

Oh, and I learned to drive a trailer today! Patting myself on the back. A new found freedom- hmmm..might not have been wise on Bill's part to teach me to drive a trailer and then purchase one- he never knows where I might go with it and what I might end up bringing home!!

On to the next blog post. Gotta catch-up before 2011 is history!

Yeast Bread Basics for beginners and those who need a refresher- LIKE ME!!

2011-11-08T15:03:00.000-06:00

I can't remember when I didn't know how to make bread. My mother always baked bread. She learned from my grand-mother and I from her. I don't remember doing it as a child. I suppose it was sometime after I got married.

My husband and I farm and have grown wheat for years, it seemed only logical to start grinding and using my own wheat for baking. Not to mention that it makes a much more nutritional loaf. Last winter I went about researching and finding a grinder. I purchased some wheat berries from the store and began using it so that in July when our wheat was harvested I would be ready to go.

I purchased a wondermill and while it does a fantastic job of making flour, I have found that since switching to our wheat and grinding my own flour my loaves have gotten dry, even flat. They don't raise up as well as I would have liked.

So, for this winter, I'm going back to the basics.

Step by step.

To refresh what I have forgotten and to perhaps learn a little more, all in effort to making a better loaf of bread. I have people occasionally ask my advice on bread baking that I thought I would share my thoughts and what I've learned with you.

For those of you who are experienced bread bakers. Please feel free to add any of your tips that you feel might help others.

Today we will start with Yeast. I like to purchase my yeast in bulk.

I can purchase a twin pack from Sams Club for around $5.00

Not only cause its cheaper but when you bake as much bread as I do opening all those little foil packets can get annoying. However, they are great for the occasional bread baking person.

In order to maintain freshness..You can store it in the fridge or freezer. I store mine in a quart size mason jar.

If you are uncertain if your yeast is still good, stir it into 1/4 cup of warm water and add a pinch of sweetener. This is called proofing. The yeast should foam within 10 minutes. If it doesn't, its no good.

To dissolve active dry yeast, sprinkle it over your liquid, usually lukewarm water and stir. The liquid should be no hotter then 115 degrees. It should feel warm to touch.

Now when making yeast breads you want to be sure none of your ingredients, including eggs, butter, flour, milk, etc are cold. Cold will inhibit the action of the yeast

and your dough won't rise. The one thing I forget frequently is the egg. Eggs need to be at room temperature.

A lot of the recipes that I make have a lot of grains in them. They require you to "Soak" the grains or sometimes create a sponge.

The sponge will contain your liquid, yeast, grains and some flour. This is a squash bread sponge. It has squash, milk, sugar, yeast, corn meal and the wheat flour.

It needs to sit to soften the particles of grains so you get a better rise. The particles of flour absorb moisture in the sponge and you will end up using less flour later and should end up with a moisture loaf. This is the step I've been working on as I've found my loaves of bread drying out quickly after just a day or two in the bread box.

cover with plastic wrap and let your sponge rest for 30 minutes or so.

Next, we will go over incorporating the rest of your flour into the sponge, kneading and shaping your loaves.

Design on a dime- fit for a princess!

2011-11-07T15:49:00.001-06:00

I am in no way an interior designer

but

I have to say I am very proud of the room we have created for our little princess.

When She first arrived her crib was in our room. Then when we moved her crib was in the office. From there she got a toddler bed and moved into our youngest prince's room. They have since shared but even as patient and loving as he is with his little sister, he was wishing and longing for a room of his own.

The completion of our new office building freed up a bedroom in the house and just as her feet were beginning to reach the foot of her little bed, the Prince and the Princess got their wish.

They both got a room of their own.

I knew for her room I wanted it to be soft and feminine. She loves Princess, I love vintage..how to make it work together?? It's a very small room, so it had to be well organized. I wanted it to feel spacious yet have room for all her treasures.

I toyed around with the idea of investing in new furniture but that just didn't seem like a wise decision.

The first find was a dresser on our hometown swap.

It was pink and purple and had fairies on it! I knew she would like it. $100- probably not the biggest bargain.

The lamp was one I already had. I dressed it up a little.

The "bow holder" was a hand-me-down from her big sister and the quirky cat was something I purchased for $6.99 at a local store down town.

This picture was "complementary" with paid dinner at the Epcot Center in Disney world. If you don't figure in the cost of the plane tickets, hotel and park tickets or dinner - it was free.

I searched for some kind of storage unit, either for her closet or room. The best deal was closet maid at target. Got them on sale for something like $34.00.

Both "The Sleeping Beauty" bank and "Mrs Potts"

we garage sale finds by her sister and grandmother. 0 cost to me.

Area Rug, garage sale find $10

This is the cutest little bedside lamp I've seen. When you turn it on it plays a tune while the princesses dance around and around. Found it at a second hand store this summer while on our family vacation $5.99

Little night stand belonged to my great aunt flossie. It was a ugly brown color. My mom was happy to give it a face lift painting it white with lavender handles to fit nicely with her room. Perfect, huh?

One of my favorite pieces and the one thing I splurged on. There is no overhead lighting in her room. I needed to find some kind of ceiling lamp. I had to go online to find one that didn't have to be hardwired into the ceiling. So cute and very princess-ee. $149.99 lampsplus.com

I ended up using a twin bed we already had.

The headboard was red- I spray painting it white.

The best part of the whole room is

the quilt on her bed.

The quilt was started over 20 years ago by my Grandmother- well before the princess was even a dream to her father and I.

My grandmother past away almost 10 years ago and since then the unfinished quilt has been in my mother's basement. She finished just as the Princess was ready to move into her new room. It is truly a treasure upon a treasure.

I love the vintage fabrics and hope to find a vintage floral fabric that would coordinate well to make a new curtain for her window.

I love putting her room together. I love that there are so many elements of the room that were contributed by other people.

She truly has a room all her own, filled with treasures from those she loves and that love her.

~ Kathy

Fall Harvest 2011

2011-11-06T16:55:00.000-06:00

Have you missed me?

Things have been crazy.

I have been sick. :(

Now its time to play catch up, the Farmer has been asking me to take harvest pictures. I'll post them but before we harvested the corn and after we harvested the beans we planted our winter wheat. The Farmer has always planted Hard Red Winter Wheat. I was curious as to why he never planted hard white winter wheat (HWW for short). He didn't really know anything about HWW but was willing to put some in the ground for me.

So, I started calling the local seed plants to see if they had any HWW. I started with the organic seed place near our home that was run by Amish. Not only did they not have any for sale but he also told me that it wouldn't grow in our area. "Really", I asked, "why not?" "I don't know" was his response, "you just can't grow it in this area". That was really all I needed to hear and somewhere in the back of my mind I heard "Watch Me"!

After a few more dead end phone calls I went to the Internet and came up with a company in Albert Lea Mn that had HWW for sale. So, I called them but the seed he had was infested with a moth of some type and he really didn't want to sell me any. So, I asked him if there was any reason it wouldn't grow in our area. We are after all only 5 hours away from Albert Lea. He didn't see any reason and gave me a couple of phone numbers to seed dealers, both from South Dakota- anyway, a few phone calls later I finally had located some wheat and I am happy to say that it has been planted in the ground and I am watching anxiously to see if it will emerge before winter sets in or if we have to wait till spring.

Here he is drilling the wheat

The Hard Red wheat has been out of the ground for awhile now.

I love how green it is when everything around it is turning brown.

Today we finished the corn harvest and at the farmers request, I was out with my camera and even drove the combine for awhile.

The Farmer is driving the combine and teenage son #2 is running the grain cart.

Jake unloading into the auger

From the seat of the combine

It's been an absolutely beautiful fall.
The harvest is complete and we are blessed.

I will attempt to post more regularly and give updates on all that has been going on.

~ Kathy

goodbye summer

2011-09-21T12:42:00.005-05:00

I was a little sad this year to see summer coming to an end. I had to be dragged kicking and screaming into fall activities (like school!)

But I have made peace with fall and I am certainly enjoying the beautiful weather we have been having.

The end of summer marks the end of the farmers market. This will be the last week for me this year.

I will miss visiting with my friends Tamara of Zen Goaties and Amanda of My Mommys Creations every Saturday.

The end of Summer is also marketed by the Maquoketa Ia, small animal and bird swap.

I am happy to say that Tamara and I went to sell, not buy this fall.

I took 8 chickens and 2 angora rabbits.

This Guy

and this guy - Errr... This Gal.

I sold 6 chickens - not bad. I only made one purchase, that's right ONLY one.

This lovely speckled Sussex -( try saying that 3 times fast.) pullet

Her name is Lucy and I've grown rather fond of her. She is the friendliest of my flock.

But

I think, in about 30 days,my trip to Maquoketa may have gifted me with many more bonus critters.

I "thought" I had 2 male bunnies and thus stuck them in the same cage. They proved me wrong and gave everyone at the swap a crash course in animal reproduction all morning long!!

The office building is coming along and nearing completion.

electrical is finished- waiting on trim.

In the break room- looking into my husband's office

Looking into my office.

I picked up these two baskets at Miss Effie's You Pick Flower Farm during The North Scott Farm Crawl. Which was a blast!! They were hand -made by Tracy of Basketwerks and I'll be decorating around them. I think I need another tall one for my waste basket. Aren't they beautiful?

So, Hmmm..what else. Oh, yes. We have ducklings!

1 Cayuga, a handful of Khaki Campbells and a handful of Blue Swedish.

They are cute - but they stink! Enough said.

I am praying for a beautiful fall with cool mornings and sunny days, and a safe and easy harvest for my farmers.

~ Till Next Time

~Kathy