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!

23 Sep 2013 - Farm Report:

It is technically Autumn around here and there is some visual evidence that the seasons are changing but the leaf colors haven't changed much yet. We've had a couple of cool mornings but it's not consistently cool yet. Harvested some more of our nice lemon drop hot peppers today. I think we'll have hot lemon chicken with rice for supper. Hmmm... The youngest roosters that we are (potentially) keeping have decided to jump the cackle girls. The older hens are just not putting up with the advances and ... peck = body slam! The pullets just run like crazy from 'em. Live is good on the farm!

21 Sep 2013 - Saturday Farm Report:

It was 51 degrees on the farm this morning and there was a short fog over the land. Pretty. It's time to do some little jobs that have been needing attention around here. Someone will have to make a run to the feed store. 40 chickens eat a lot. So, we are off to see what can get accomplished.