12 Dec 2013 - Farm Report

I must admit that I was very excited about posting regular farm updates. However, I'm not the most consistent person in the world so it's been hit or miss. All the farm animals have survived the first big snow. It's still pretty cold around here though. At least the water is NOT freezing quickly. The chickens are continuing to stay in the coop because the don't care for the snow and frozen ground. The moo girls are getting insistent about the cattle cubes. Those things must be incredible because they sure don't hesitate to run up and get their noses in the bucket after them. I love seeing them come running but there's a lot of caution knowing that an 600+ pound animal is heading straight for you. Considering that they've only been with us for six months, they haven't tried to get overly frisky. Messing with their food (hay or cubes) can bring out some interesting behavior. We are truly blessed here on the farm.

06 Dec 2013 - Farm Report

Snow.  That is what it is.  Got out this morning and made sure the animals all had food and water.  Then went back out later to make sure the water wasn't freezing up quickly.  Sweet Pea is one of the busiest dogs I have ever seen.  The snow was smooth and beautiful this morning.  Bear left only a couple of trails where he did his nightly rounds.  But...  after Sweet Pea was released, there are trails everywhere.  EVERYWHERE.  That little dog keeps moving.  We figure by the end of the day the entire property close to the house and some outer limits will have been trampled with a Sweet Pea track.  She's a hoot!

05 Dec 2013 - Farm Report

It is cold out here. I'm so thankful for a fireplace and wood to heat the house. I'm praying for those that have to work out in this weather. Although it is 28 degrees just outside the office window, the wind chill makes being outside miserable. Our cows seem to be indifferent about the cold as they continue to graze. The chickens are doing their fluff thing and staying warm. Sweet Pea has found herself a windbreak and is nestled down. Bear is on duty on the porch. My toes are cold so it's time to add to the fire. Stay warm, y'all.

05 Nov 2013 - Farm Report

We have a lovely fall decoration display on our porch.  It has pumpkins, marigolds, broom corn and fake leaves arranged nicely on a bale of straw.  Sweet Pea (our blue heeler) likes to rearrange the pumpkins and

check them out regularly.  But, today I noticed that all but one had been removed from the bale.  The remaining pumpkin was precariously balanced toward the edge.  The light rain didn't stop the light bulb from illuminating as I realized, "Sweet Pea's been sleeping ON the hay bale."  A quick check for warmth confirmed it.  She'd found a new bed.  So, in the interest of keeping the pumpkin in one piece, I moved them all off and left the bale clear for resting.  I'd not been able to actually catch her on the bale till about the middle of the afternoon.  I peeked out the window to see why Bear (our livestock guard dog) was barking and found Sweet Pea observing the world from her hay bale.  I just laughed and let her be.  I figured she needed the warmth cause her coat isn't as full as Bear's is.  Imagine my joy as I went to check the mail box a short time later and turned to find BEAR resting on the bale.  I wish I could get a picture with one of them on the bale to share with you but the minute I step outside to take a picture, they jump off.

03 Nov 2013 - Farm Report

I hate the time change each time it rolls around.  Why can't we leave well enough alone?  Why are we trying to "fix" it by changing it twice a year?  ugh.  Autumn is in full swing around here.  The trees by the house are in camouflage and it's a cool 61 degrees this afternoon.  Our project list is still long even though we manage to remove one or two things as we go along.  It is a great day!!  I am so blessed and very thankful.

08 Oct 2013 - Farm Report

Farm Report: One tray of peaches, one tray of strawberries, one tray of pineapple, and four trays of apples are dehydrating now! My smoker has been assembled but it's too windy today to cook clean it.  Harvested another bucket of lemon drop peppers and a few jalapenos. The jalapenos will be smoked to make chipotle peppers. Mmmm...

02 Oct 2013 - Farm Report

The kitten is reinforcing the NEED to put everything back into it's place when I'm finished using/looking at/searching for something else and moved it. She is also quite interested in eating all the fall decorations.  Silly kitten. I made cinnamon rolls while baking bread yesterday. It's nice to have fresh ones every now and again. Harvested a couple more pounds of hot peppers ( 2 lbs of lemon drop and nearly that much serrano/jalapeno combo). I found a hot sauce recipe that I'm going to try to make. The garden is quickly loosing all it's green and freshness. I'm always sad to see the season end. But, looking forward in hope... to spring or heaven!