tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35585813853031653812024-03-12T20:19:53.516-07:00Backyard Farm DiaryKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-33485857598721715982013-04-01T05:30:00.000-07:002013-04-01T05:30:04.917-07:00Changes & Time (Or the Lack Thereof)<br />
I really thought we were all set with <a href="http://backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-meat-chicken-decision.html">our decision</a> to raise meat birds this year. We thought long and hard about it and debated pros and cons and discussed with the kids and all that stuff. We ordered 25 Rainbow Rangers from Meyer Hatchery. Right after I ordered, I had farmer's remorse. <i>What the heck am I thinking?? We don't have time to take care of any more animals!! How much money is this all going to cost?? How much emotional turmoil is there going to be when it's time to do the deed??</i><br />
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You know, that sort of thing.<br />
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But I really and truly had reconciled myself to all of that and was pretty excited about it. Excited, but still a little stressed. Because even though meat chickens are a more temporary project than some others we've got going on here, it still involves a good 10 week commitment to the feeding, housing, and care of 25 more creatures. Still, I had placed the order, and I fully intended to go through with it.<br />
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Then our credit card got canceled due to a fraud incident and we had to get a new one issued. As I was making up the list of places to call that would need the new number, I remembered the meat chickens. They were to be charged to our old card once they shipped. And when I realized I would have to go in to my account to update my order I thought: <i>I could cancel it too</i>.<br />
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And the thought made me feel very relieved. I have been feeling more than a little stressed lately about everything that needs to be done around here, just with our current chickens, goats, ducks, and garden, plus the house, <i>not to mention the kids and the homeschooling.</i>..<br />
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So I did cancel our chick order, but I am sad about it. I love doing all this stuff and I very much wish there was more time in a day so I could do everything. But there really just isn't! And I need to come to terms with the fact that I am not going to be superwoman, and I am not going to be <a href="http://www.soulemama.com/">Soule Mama</a>- wow how <i>she</i> does everything she does I will never know! The truth is, there is only so much I can squeeze into a day without feeling overwhelmed and without more important things-<b>like the kids</b> <b>& husband</b>- suffering from neglect. <br />
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I hope to revisit this decision one day, maybe when the kids are older and don't want to spend an hour reading picture books on the porch, or having their nails painted like big girls, or playing Memory on the floor. For now, I very much want and need to focus on the kids and the fun learning we are doing together. The animals and the garden can be part of that, but I need to keep things balanced. Sad as it may be, that means accepting that some of the other goals I have- the meat chickens, the orchard, the turkeys, the sheep....will need to wait their turn, whenever that may be.<br />
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We will still be getting <a href="http://backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/03/egg-layer-order.html">our six new layers</a> in the spring. We will also be planting raspberries, rhubarb, horseradish, and potatoes in addition to our regular garden. We will hopefully get the goat house painted. We still have lots of fun things planned around the little backyard farm, we are just getting a bit more realistic.<br />
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Truly, my hat is off to those that can make this all work. So many of the awesome blogger mom homesteaders out there that do ever so many things...I am just in awe, really. I mean, I know no one can do it all. But some people sure seem to! I am finding though, that it is so easy to get in over your head with this stuff. Everywhere I look I see so many things I want to try!<br />
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But I can only do what I can do. No more. It's tough to find that balance between going for your goals and being realistic about your time, but I think it is possible. I sure hope it is anyway!<br />
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-90751170443044803712013-03-28T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-28T05:30:03.531-07:00Weekly Garden Journal Week 3We finally have some exciting stuff going on in the garden! I have been gradually hardening off our kale and lettuce seedlings and they will get planted outside after Easter. The weather has been warming up a bit, which is SO nice!! The seedlings are looking pretty good.<br />
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I think they need out of those cups though;). I was originally going to put them in our cold frame, but today I really wanted to plant some seeds so I planted chard, lettuce, and carrot seeds in the cold frame. There is a little space left for some of these guys, but most of them will go right out into the garden, in a raised bed with milk bottle cloches if needed. Hopefully I will not kill them!<br />
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But even more exciting, we have stuff coming up in the garden!<br />
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Rhubarb in the mud! This rhubarb is old, old, old. It was planted by the people who lived here before us. I have new rhubarb plants on order. When they come in, these guys and the new ones will move into a dedicated rhubarb bed. Because I really love rhubarb.<br />
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Also, we have garlic coming up! I have been pulling back the straw every few days to check. Today there were a few little shoots!<br />
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At least, I am hoping this is the garlic. There are a few of these little shoots poking up. This is my first year growing garlic, so I really have no clue what it should look like!<br />
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That's the garden update for this week. I hope next week I will be able to say I have planted peas, but that will depend on how quickly the soil can dry out!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-37542073992763256242013-03-26T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-26T05:30:04.420-07:00Canning, AgainIt feels like it's been ages and ages since I've canned anything. I know pretty soon it will be summer and I will be up to my eyes in tomatoes and berries and all sorts of other lovely things, but I just couldn't wait until then. Sometimes you just need a little pick me up, you know? And maybe I am weird, but canning is a definite mood brightener around here. <br />
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So, I made marmalade.<br />
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This is a grapefruit, orange, lemon marmalade from the <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Complete-Book-Home-Preserving/dp/0778801314/ref=rec_dp_2">Ball Book of Home Preserving</a></i>. It is the one called "Easiest Marmalade Ever", and I believe that is most likely true! You don't have to peel the fruit and it is not a three day process. All you do is dice up the fruit in the food processor-peel and all- and simmer it with sugar until it's ready. Oh, and you stir in some maraschino cherries at the end which darkens up the color nicely. If you have this book, it's worth a try, if you like marmalade. And the jars look super pretty when setting up, and even nicer on the pantry shelves. </div>
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I <i>might</i> be able to wait until rhubarb season now for my next canning project. I need to stock up on some canning supplies so I'm on the hunt for an online place with good prices. If you have any suggestions, please comment!</div>
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-20156631637438049012013-03-25T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-26T16:22:57.510-07:00Homemade GranolaWe had a sick kid on the mend this past week, which meant more at-home & inside time than usual. I am looking forward to getting back into our normal routine this week~ and <i>really</i> hoping the rest of us will stay healthy~! With a little extra home-time I was able to fit in a couple of fun things I'd been meaning to try. Like this...<br />
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I made granola! I have always wanted to try this and now I don't know what took me so long! It is easy and fun to make and most of the kids actually<i> like</i> it, though there have been some complaints about 'too many nuts', so I may have to tweak the recipe here and there.<br />
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Here's how I did it.<br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Homemade Granola Ingredients:</b></span><br />
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4 cups rolled oats<br />
1 cup sliced almonds<br />
1/2 cup shredded coconut<br />
1/2 cup chopped walnuts<br />
1/2 cup maple syrup or honey<br />
2 tablespoons canola oil<br />
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt<br />
1 cup chopped dried fruit (I used currants and apricots) <br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">Homemade Granola Directions:</span></b><br />
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all but dried fruit in a large bowl and toss to combine. Spread mixture in a large baking pan or rimmed cookie sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice. Remove from oven, mix in dried fruit. Let cool and store. <br />
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Making granola is going to become a regular thing around here, I think! And I think <a href="http://www.culinaryadventuresinthekitchen.com/2012/03/15/chocolate-chip-granola/">this recipe</a> is up next. Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-69756115180008343332013-03-22T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-22T05:31:02.731-07:00The Guineas: A pretty much failed experiment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are still pretty much newbies to this whole backyard farming/homesteading thing, so we don't have <i>too</i> many regrets so far. This is one of our more major ones. </div>
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<i>Guineas</i>. <br />
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We live in New England. We have ticks. Guineas are supposed to eat ticks. Also, they are supposed to serve as extra guardians around the farm, giving an alarm call when something that shouldn't be around-like a coyote-appears. Also they are kind of neat looking. In a weird, kinda ugly way, I mean.<br />
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These are the things I told my husband and myself when we decided to get four guinea keats two years ago. The regret started pretty much right away. I had read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gardening-Guineas-Step-Step-Raising/dp/0739202502">Gardening with Guineas</a> and was all psyched up about these little guys. Right away though, it seemed the opinions of the author of the book just did not mesh with our reality.<br />
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Examples;<br />
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She says guineas do not smell as much as chickens, that their droppings are drier and less messy.<br />
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<b>Our Reality:</b> Oh wow. We brooded chicks with our guinea keats and the chicks were way less smelly and had much less frequent droppings than the keats. After awhile, the kids didn't even want to play with the keats without large amounts of paper towels handy, because they were constantly pooping everywhere. <i>Ick</i>. But they were cute, so we still had hope. <br />
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She also says that the guineas can bond with humans and that they will be friendly birds who may even want to sit on your shoulder!<br />
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<b>Our Reality:</b> The keats were much more nervous than the chicks. Also, as adults, the guineas were not nearly so friendly as our chickens. They turned out to be very anxious, nervous creatures who would sooner fling themselves into the side of the run repeatedly rather than walk past you to get in the gate. Also, as they got older they picked on the chickens relentlessly, eventually needing to be separated from them. Then the male guinea became very nasty and started charging us when we got too close for his comfort. After he pecked one of the kids and drew blood, he met his end! Coyotes picked off one of the females and we had to put another female down when she developed horrible sores on her legs and couldn't walk anymore. Fun right? <br />
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Now we are down to one guinea. And that's totally okay. Her name is "Frog" and she is living with the chickens again and gets along with them fine, but she still has that fatal guinea flaw that I haven't mentioned yet.<br />
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<i>Guineas are so loud!!</i> I mean it is "buckwheat this" and "buckwheat that" from sun-up to sun-down. She is louder than the rooster, I swear! She also has a rather annoying habit of getting up on the front porch and tapping at the glass with her beak, all the while loudly squawking. I have to go out probably once a week and chase her away so I can hear myself think! She also has an "alarm call" which is even more obnoxious and only rarely seems to have anything to do with real danger. <br />
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So yeah, the guineas were a failed experiment, but in all fairness lots of people love them so perhaps we were just victims of poor breeding?<br />
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Either way, you will not find any guinea keats in our brooder this spring! <br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-34291124801022402642013-03-20T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-22T10:41:00.857-07:00Living Easter BasketsI cannot believe it is almost Easter! And right now we have snow falling, adding to my disbelief. Over the weekend, the kids started their living Easter baskets, which we traditionally plant up two weeks before Easter.<br />
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We found these metal tubs at Target last year and, while not traditional baskets, they are the easiest to clean up after Easter. We just fill each pail with damp potting soil and sprinkle quick-growing grass seed on top. I have found it is best to be pretty liberal with the grass seed in order to get a nice, lush basket.The Easter Bunny fits his gifts in around the growing grass. After Easter we transplant the grass outside, on top of a few of the bare patches that form every winter. Although last year, I must admit, the chickens dug it up and ate it. <br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.tillysnest.com/2013/03/down-home-blog-hopnumber-29-edible.html">Down Home Blog Hop</a> & <a href="http://www.thismindbeinyou.com/2013/03/farm-girl-blog-fest-25.html">Farm Girl Friday</a>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-17876348627038608822013-03-19T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-19T15:53:30.927-07:00Maple Sugar CandyThe sap hasn't been running much the past week or so. Too cold, I guess! But I had enough last week to attempt a batch of maple sugar. After some research, I decided that I what I needed to do was to bring the sap up to 30 degrees F above the boiling point of water. I tested my thermometer in a tea kettle of boiling water to determine exactly what temperature our water boils at. Here, it is 209 degrees F. So I brought the sap up to about 240 degrees F. Then I let it cool until just below the boiling point of water. It is important not to stir it during this time, so say my sources.<br />
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After it cooled down, I stirred it briskly with a wooden spoon until my arm was about to fall off. By this time, it was thicker and lighter in color, but not really sugary. I think I should have brought the temperature up a bit higher. But I did end up with a few cute little maple candies by pouring some of the maple cream/sugary substance into mini cupcake liners. It was really good!<br />
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I tried to put the rest into the mixer because I had read that would help to release the moisture, but I ended up with this:<br />
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Doesn't exactly look like maple sugar does it? So I spread it into two glass dishes and let it set. Next day, it was mostly pretty hard but still had some moisture in it, so I spread it all out on a pan to dry. Then I threw it all in the food processer and pulsed it until it turned into nice dry sugar.<br />
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I am hoping it will keep for awhile, but I'm not totally sure, never having done this before. I have the little side-door of our downstairs freezer full of syrup but I am still hoping for one more good run! Maybe the snow today will bring it on?<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/03/homestead-barn-hop-103.html">The Homestead Barn Hop</a> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-84665291464536439962013-03-18T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-18T05:30:05.327-07:00Weekly Garden Journal Week 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I really wish these flowers were from MY garden, but sadly they are not. They are in a wonderful little flower show that takes place every year and which we faithfully attend. We really need to see the flowers this time of year in New England because the weather and the outside scenery can be downright depressing! We are still dealing with cold, raw wind and temps are going down to 11 degrees F tonight....ugh. I am pretty well sick<b> </b>of it. <br />
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Over the weekend I had hoped against hope that I would be able to plant peas or put a few things out in the cold frame...nope. Too cold! And the soil is nowhere near workable yet. Instead, we thinned and transplanted some of <a href="http://www.backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/02/starting-from-seed.html">our little seedlings</a>.<br />
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Just one in each cup now! I am curious (and sort of nervous) to see how they will fare. We used a hint from <i>Mother Earth News</i> and used a plastic fork with the outer tines broken off to gently dig them up and transplant them to their own little paper cup full of damp potting soil. Digging them up was a bit tricky because they have some pretty strong roots and really didn't feel like being transplanted, but we managed! Then we carefully watered them and set them back under the lights. <br />
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The other garden news of note is our new cold frame, which is finished and ready to go! We built it out of Trex with a hinged lid made from a wooden frame surrounding a piece of Lexan (kind of a like a sheet of Plexiglass-we found ours at Home Depot). I do not think this is the cheapest way to build a cold-frame but we wanted to build it to last. Glass was our first thought, but due to the amount of snowfall we get, it didn't seem like a good option. <br />
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I think this week I will need to pick up some good soil to put inside (or I may try the suggestion in <a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2007-12-01/Garden-with-Cold-Frames.aspx">this article</a> about mixing dog food with compost) and then I will try to plant lettuce seeds and perhaps a couple of the larger seedlings out there.<br />
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Of course, we are due to get another winter storm this Tuesday! One day before the first day of spring.....life in New England, I guess!<br />
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-51021840216555096912013-03-15T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-15T05:30:02.368-07:00Homeschooling: Our CurriculumI will admit, before I post what we have been using this year, that I am a bit of an experimenter with our homeschool curriculum. We started out with classical education, moved to Charlotte Mason, used Sonlight for a number of years (and still do!), had a brief stint with unschooling, and lately have been trying out Oak Meadow. Wow. <br />
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Homeschooling can be really overwhelming. Especially homeschooling AND backyard farming. I wish I was an expert and could post a great series of articles on how to make it all work, but I am still trying to find our way. Still, I am planning a series of posts that will share how we are currently homeschooling and attempting to make it all work.<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Our Sixth Grade daughter is using:</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.oakmeadow.com/">Oak Meadow 6</a>: This covers history/social studies, science, language arts, literature, and art<br />
<a href="http://www.mathmammoth.com/">Math Mammoth Grade 6</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lifeoffredmath.com/">Life of Fred </a>series <br />
<a href="http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13">Latin for Children</a><br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Our Fourth Grade son is using:</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.oakmeadow.com/">Oak Meadow 4</a>: This covers history/social studies, science, language arts, literature, and art</div>
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<a href="http://www.mathmammoth.com/">Math Mammoth Grade 4</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lifeoffredmath.com/">Life of Fred series</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.livelylatin.com/site/index.php">Lively Latin</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.handwritingsuccess.com/">Getty-Dubay handwriting</a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Our Second Grade son is using:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.sonlight.com/">Sonlight Core C</a>: This covers history/social studies, literature, and science</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://rightstartmath.com/">Rightstart Math Level C</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lifeoffredmath.com/">Life of Fred series</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.handwritingsuccess.com/">Getty-Dubay handwriting</a></div>
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<a href="http://peacehillpress.com/">First Language Lessons</a></div>
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<a href="http://peacehillpress.com/">Writing with Ease</a></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><b>Our Four-Year-Old Daughter is: </b></span></div>
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Excelling at distracting everyone, but she is super cute so we forgive her;) and listening to mom read-aloud most days. She also likes to play around on <a href="http://www.starfall.com/">Starfall</a>. Sometimes she will do a few pages of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Developing-Early-Learner-Level-1/dp/0940406012">Developing the Early Learner. </a>Otherwise, she just plays:).</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">All of us</span></b></span></div>
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Picture Study </div>
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<span style="color: red;"><a href="http://www.gettingstartedwithspanish.com/">Getting Started with Spanish</a><b><br /></b></span></div>
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Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-82717775381099243582013-03-14T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-14T05:30:00.663-07:00Favorite Homesteading BooksI really, really love to read. Especially about all things homesteading/farming. This is a page of some of my favorites so far. I will definitely be adding to the list as I squeeze in more reading time!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Country-Living-40th-Anniversary/dp/1570618402/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363214861&sr=1-1&keywords=encyclopedia+of+country+living">The Encyclopedia of Country Living</a><br />
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So much information in this one! I have had it for years and still haven't looked at everything. A must have! <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1570618402/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1570618402&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1570618402&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ourencpla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1570618402" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Basic-Country-Skills-Self-Reliance/dp/1580172024/ref=pd_sim_b_13">Storey's Basic Country Skills</a><br />
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A nice, basic introduction to lots of things. I find it most helpful as a starting point, before reading whole books on different topics. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580172024/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1580172024&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1580172024&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ourencpla-20" /></a><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1580172024" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Backyard-Homestead-Produce-quarter/dp/1603421386/ref=pd_sim_b_15">The Backyard Homestead</a><br />
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Another very basic book, but great for a beginner starting out. The included plot plans are fun to look at and it's inspiring to see how much you can really do in a relatively small space! <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603421386/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1603421386&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1603421386&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ourencpla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1603421386" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Year-Round-Vegetable-Gardener-Matter/dp/1603425683/ref=pd_sim_b_22">The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener</a><br />
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Lots of great information about keeping a garden growing all year, especially great if you live in or near Zone 5, like me! <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603425683/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1603425683&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1603425683&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ourencpla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1603425683" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Week-Week-Vegetable-Gardeners-Handbook/dp/1603426949/ref=pd_sim_b_5">Week-by-Week Vegetable Gardener's Handbook</a><br />
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I love this one! This is a book that you write in, which is always fun. The handbook literally goes week-by-week. You start by filling in your last frost date, then you fill in the dates that come before and after. The result is a custom garden plan that tells you when to do what. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603426949/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1603426949&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1603426949&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ourencpla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1603426949" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Complete-Book-Home-Preserving/dp/0778801314/ref=pd_sim_b_56">Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving</a><br />
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My "canning bible". Mine is totally covered in strawberry jam stains, always a sign of a good cookbook:) <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0778801314/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0778801314&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0778801314&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ourencpla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0778801314" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chickens-Tending-Flocks-Cities-Suburbs/dp/1580174914/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363215663&sr=1-1&keywords=keep+chickens"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chickens-Tending-Flocks-Cities-Suburbs/dp/1580174914/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363215663&sr=1-1&keywords=keep+chickens">Keep Chickens!</a><br />
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A very basic intro to chickens, but very inspiring and just plain fun if you are a newbie. This was one of the very first homesteading books I read. Great for kids too, because there are so many fun chicken facts and stories throughout. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580174914/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1580174914&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1580174914&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ourencpla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1580174914" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Homemade-Living-Keeping-Chickens-English/dp/1600594905/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363216087&sr=1-1&keywords=keep+chickens+ashley">Keeping Chickens with Ashley English</a><br />
<br />
Another very fun chicken book, that goes into detail about how to care for your chickens. I found her daily/weekly checklists very helpful and the egg recipes are a nice bonus. Gorgeous photographs too! I love all the Ashley English books. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1600594905/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1600594905&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1600594905&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ourencpla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1600594905" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Made-Scratch-Discovering-Pleasures-Handmade/dp/B005B1D5XM/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363216250&sr=1-1&keywords=made+from+scratch">Made From Scratch </a><br />
<br />
This is a nice, light, quick read about a woman trying to become more self-sufficient. I really enjoyed this one!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005B1D5XM/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005B1D5XM&linkCode=as2&tag=bellfamitrav-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B005B1D5XM&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=bellfamitrav-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=bellfamitrav-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B005B1D5XM" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0055X4ZDU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Goats-Small-scale-Herding-Pleasure-Profit/dp/B0055X4ZDU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363216422&sr=1-1&keywords=hobby+farm+goats">Goats: Small-Scale Herding</a><br />
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There aren't nearly as many books about goats out there as there are about chickens! This and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Goats-Dummies-Cheryl-Smith/dp/0470568992/ref=pd_sim_b_1">Raising Goats for Dummies</a> are our go-to goat books.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055X4ZDU/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0055X4ZDU&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B0055X4ZDU&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ourencpla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0055X4ZDU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ducks-Tending-Small-Scale-Pleasure-Profit/dp/1933958162/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363216641&sr=1-1&keywords=hobby+ducks">Ducks: Tending a Small-Scale Flock</a><br />
<br />
Same series as the goats book above. We enjoy these books. There are lots of photographs so the kids like to read them. And the little tips and stories from duck/goat owners throughout the book are a nice bonus. It's always helpful to read about how other people do things!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933958162/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1933958162&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1933958162&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ourencpla-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1933958162" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-54351641761338746052013-03-13T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-13T05:30:02.978-07:00Egg Time Again!I have really, really missed egg time this winter. The first two winters that we had chickens, they laid pretty well right through the winter. That's the nice thing about those spring chicks- they don't start laying until the end of summer and they often don't take a winter break. But when they get older, they think they deserve a winter off!<br />
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We could provide them with lighting of course, to trick them into laying during the darker days, but that would mean running electricity out to the coops....and we just haven't been inspired to do that. Or maybe we are just lazy! Also, maybe those chickens are right after all. Maybe they <i>do</i> need a break, just like we do!<br />
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But now the eggs are rolling in again, I am happy to say. We are averaging 5-6 per day, from sixteen hens. Actually, when I type those numbers, it feels very unimpressive! I mean, what the heck were the other ten hens doing all day that they couldn't lay an egg??? Must make a note to have a little "chat" with them!<br />
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I think that number will go up though, if last year was any indication. Last April, we were absolutely swamped with eggs. We were giving them away by the dozen to anyone who came by, and I really do mean <i>anyone</i>. Some people left with as many as 3 dozen (!) and we still had plenty left over for lots of egg breakfasts, angel food cakes and other egg-heavy recipes, and at least a dozen boiled eggs a week. A dozen hard-boiled eggs is so nice to have in the refrigerator! I boiled my first dozen of the season today.<br />
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These are great to have for quick breakfasts, snacks, sandwiches, chopping up in salads.... I love a salad this time of year with leafy greens, chopped hard-boiled egg, olive oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper. So good!<br />
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This year, I will probably still be handing a dozen eggs to anyone who comes by, but I also plan to freeze many more than we did last year. We had to buy eggs for most of the winter, which is a real drag when you have two coops full of idle chickens! Also, though, we have those <a href="http://backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/03/egg-layer-order.html">spring chicks</a> coming and I have my fingers crossed that they will lay all winter. Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-15293640968529574532013-03-11T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-11T05:30:01.043-07:00Weekly Garden JournalI like the idea of keeping a weekly garden journal since so much changes in just a week! So even though there isn't very much to report yet, I'm going to start now... <br />
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We got another four inches of snow the other day. <i>Sigh</i>. But <a href="http://backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/02/starting-from-seed.html">the seeds</a> we planted indoors are doing great! It's amazing how much they have grown just since last week!<br />
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We had awesome germination this year, compared to other years. I think it was because I used a heating pad underneath the seed tray for a few hours each day. Not one of those expensive heating mats made for seeds, mind you, just a normal everyday heating pad set on low. So far, I have only started lettuce and kale seeds and I am not yet sure if I will start anything else from seed. Starting tomatoes for this year is out unfortunately; it just isn't going to work with our time away this spring. When we get back I may start pumpkin and squash seeds indoors, just to get them germinated and give them a little headstart.<br />
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The seedlings are easy to take care of and it is a lot of fun to have little green things growing inside when it is still too cold to do any gardening outside.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #351c75;">My Daily Seedling Care Routine</span></b></div>
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<ul>
<li> <b>Water the seedlings.</b> I like to use a spray bottle because it is easy to control. I used to use a watering can, but they tended to get swamped.</li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Rotate the seedlings</b>. As I water, I rotate the cups around the tray so they are in a different place each day. The cups are fairly well centered under the lights, but I like to give them all a chance to be *right* in the middle. </li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><b>Fertilize the seedlings</b>. Once a week, instead of using the spray bottle, I feed them some <a href="http://www.neptunesharvest.com/hf-136.html">fish emulsion</a> from<b> </b>a small watering can. This stuff is kind of pricey, even at the local farm store, but I find a little goes a long way. </li>
</ul>
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And that's it! The seedlings are under their light 14 hours a day. The lights are set on a simple timer so I don't have to worry about it. Because believe me, if the seeds depended on me to remember to turn their lights off and on, they would either be totally fried or trying to walk across the room to the window. I usually take care of my seeds first thing in the morning, right before breakfast. It's a nice start to the day:)<br />
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I was hoping it would warm up enough to melt the snow and dry the soil so I could plant my peas on St. Patrick's Day, but that isn't looking likely!<br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-90124468333079890832013-03-08T05:30:00.000-08:002013-03-12T15:42:31.571-07:00Bread: The Easy WayYou need to bake bread to be a proper backyard farmer/homesteader, right? I mean, it just <i>seems</i> like something a homesteading type should do, along with keeping chickens and having a vegetable garden. So these past few months I have doing my darnedest to make a homemade loaf of bread a regular occurrence around here. <br />
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The first few times I tried to bake bread entirely from scratch. By this I mean with no equipment, other than a bowl, wooden spoon, loaf pan, and oven. The results varied from completely terrible to pretty darn good. Apparently I am in inconsistent bread-maker. Also, I know that kneading is supposed to be all relaxing and Zen-like, but....I get bored and I'm not very good at it. Also, I never seem to remember that I want to make bread until four in the afternoon, when there isn't enough time to go through the whole process in time for dinner. Then there was that time when I thought I was so smart tucking my bowl of dough behind the woodstove to rise quicker. The dog ate the dough. Then he threw it up everywhere.<br />
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It seems bread-baking is not my thing.<br />
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But happily, I <i>have</i> found my groove with regular bread-baking though, to be honest, it involves a super easy method that feels like cheating. <i> </i><br />
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<i>Artisan bread</i>. <br />
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If you want to try this method, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Artisan-Bread-Five-Minutes-Revolutionizes/dp/0312362919/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362700944&sr=1-1&keywords=artisan+bread">this</a> is a good book to get.<br />
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This method is really, <i>super easy</i>. You mix together your boule ingredients-normally just salt, yeast, warm water, and flour, then let the mixture rise for two hours before refrigerating it for up to two weeks. I use a 6 quart lidded container for mixing and storing the dough. When you want to bake bread you pull off some of the dough, keeping the rest for another time. The dough gets shaped quickly, left to rise for a short time, then baked in the oven on a hot pizza stone. No kneading, no multiple rises, no punching down. <br />
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It is so easy! The result is a perfectly chewy, soft bread with a nice crisp crust. Did I mention how <b>easy</b> it is?<br />
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I have found that the artisan bread flavor is best when the bread has a chance to cool completely. I tend to make a loaf for dinner in the morning and let it cool it's heels all day. At dinner time, I nuke a few slices to warm it up. Incidentally, the loaf in the picture looks a bit small, but it is plenty for the six of us and we usually have leftovers. Sometimes I make two little loaves. <br />
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I would still like to perfect the art of "regular" bread-baking. But for now, I am loving the artisan bread alternated with my good old-fashioned bread machine! It<i> is</i> still baking bread after all, even if it feels a little like "cheating".<br />
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<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-58824094589543093032013-03-07T05:30:00.000-08:002013-03-07T15:23:16.769-08:00The Meat Chicken Decision<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, after <a href="http://backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/02/meat-chicken-debate.html">much debate.</a>..really<i> too</i> much debate.....we have decided to go ahead and try raising chickens for meat this spring. Even <b>typing</b> that gives me the shivers. <br />
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I am terrified. I wish I could say the husband is fully confident, but he is not. He is also terrified. <br />
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I'm not sure why it's so scary. We eat chicken. Lots of chicken. I love having animals around and am always plotting ways and reasons to get more. Still, it was a hard decision to make.<br />
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It boiled down to this:<br />
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<b>We eat chicken</b>.<br />
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<b>We would rather eat chicken that has been raised humanely and well.</b><br />
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<b>It feels like an important thing to try, this raising of food that is not a vegetable. </b><br />
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That's really all we needed to know to click the button. <br />
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So, with much trepidation, I placed the order.<br />
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25 Rainbow Rangers from Meyer Hatchery. Plus, it looks like they are throwing a freebie in. So 26:).<br />
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They are due to arrive in early May so there is lots to do before then. We need to set up housing, figure out feeding, and sort out the brooding supplies. They will be arriving the same week as <a href="http://backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/03/egg-layer-order.html">our layer chicks</a>, on purpose. This way the kids will get to play and bond with chicks that will never be eaten. I think the layer chicks will brood inside and the meaties will brood in the garage. <br />
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Oh, and incidentally, I had mentioned that one of my kiddos was not on board with this. I finally got him to say why he didn't want meat chickens.<br />
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He doesn't like chicken.<br />
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Okay, I can work with that. I'm still terrified though! Part of me wants to dash to the phone and cancel the order. Part of me fears I may do just that, even if it means I am being, well, <i>chicken</i>. <br />
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Another part of me thinks this is a good step for our little backyard farm. The next, good logical step.<br />
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At least a decision has been made!<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2013/03/homestead-barn-hop-101.html">Homestead Barn Hop</a>! Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-83860608383210548532013-03-06T05:30:00.000-08:002013-03-07T15:34:46.000-08:00Egg Layer OrderI needed a major distraction for the kids this past weekend. I think (hope!) the flu is finally clearing out after a nearly two week stay. Oh, it has been a looong two weeks! So the other day I got out the chick order form from our local farm supply store and the Meyer Hatchery catalog and handed them out. I told the older three kids to decide on six new laying chicks.<br />
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They were beyond ecstatic.<br />
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Nothing breaks up cabin fever and that sick, tired feeling quicker than paging through a catalog filled with pretty chicken pictures and debating breeds. They decided on this:<br />
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<br />
2 Jersey Giants<br />
2 Buff Orpingtons<br />
2 Araucanas<br />
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The Jersey Giants will be new to us this year. The Buffs are a fave, the kids LOVE them and we are down to one right now. Can't have that. I freak out if I can't find that ONE chicken because everyone loves her. So we need more. We have 2 Araucanas already too, but we need more. Love those green eggs!<br />
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The new gals are due to arrive in early May. Before then we will have to figure out how best to integrate them into our existing flock. We have two separate coops right now and I believe the new girls will eventually be housed with the younger flock, the one with the rooster. Hopefully his presence will ease the transition a bit. I will also be doing a ton of research on how best to add new chickens, because I research the heck out of everything. I am tiresome like that;) I do know that we will likely be constructing some sort of small-scale addition to the current coop. This will give the younger chickens their own outdoor space until they are ready to mingle. <br />
<br />
If I can keep them from killing each other, I'll consider it a success. It's important to have lofty goals, right?<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/category/the-homeacre-hop" title="The Self Sufficient HomeAcre"><img src="http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/really-small-homeacre-hop-button2.jpg" alt="The Self Sufficient HomeAcre" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-8511469597307654062013-03-05T05:00:00.000-08:002013-03-05T05:00:08.455-08:00SproutedThe kale and red lettuce seeds we <a href="http://backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/02/starting-from-seed.html">started indoors</a> last week are up!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN6vSUMruabBSKYZu6ODsspkq9T4Aqa8lvufx4h44ud0JBa5H1aEqmq5Sept4uh11smHuNt_Y2acCfHqBHBHc431bLLWGKcCMQyCX48ryzKcUkRaXliD4BOwlwcDvsiK1rIjyEDEBvtFo/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN6vSUMruabBSKYZu6ODsspkq9T4Aqa8lvufx4h44ud0JBa5H1aEqmq5Sept4uh11smHuNt_Y2acCfHqBHBHc431bLLWGKcCMQyCX48ryzKcUkRaXliD4BOwlwcDvsiK1rIjyEDEBvtFo/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm pretty happy with the germination. We planted three seeds per cup and every cup has at least one sprout. Most have more. I put the seed cups in a plastic bin in the laundry room and covered the bin with loose plastic wrap.<br />
<br />
This year, I tried placing a heating pad set on low underneath the bin for a few hours each day. This was easy to do since we have all been home fighting a nasty virus! The seeds seemed to germinate much faster this way, compared to my usual method of sticking the bin on top of the refrigerator. In fact, one morning I noticed there were four cups that had not sprouted, so I moved them all to one side of the bin, stuck the heating pad under just that side, and left them for a couple of hours. When I returned, there was a sprout or two in each cup!<br />
<br />
So now I am just in spray-and-watch mode. The seedlings are as close to the light as I can get them and the lights are on for 14 hours per day. We use a timer to turn them on and off, because I can never remember. I raised the bin up on a shelf and stacked some books under the bin to get it as close to the light as possible. In another week or so, I plan to start watering them with some diluted fish emulsion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXCikl6alPNHNSX16LEZsqPAFJ_kFD_xoCvFTrZHg4a-eBXKTMapzUCRLRjNjzoBnQfaE9q33mPYIQpmJvxerzUCUy1yWg3iATK0uowOtc4-GEoEGlmPx4Cd3eIdGlqwumKlwxi3MVHe5/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXCikl6alPNHNSX16LEZsqPAFJ_kFD_xoCvFTrZHg4a-eBXKTMapzUCRLRjNjzoBnQfaE9q33mPYIQpmJvxerzUCUy1yWg3iATK0uowOtc4-GEoEGlmPx4Cd3eIdGlqwumKlwxi3MVHe5/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I thought about starting tomatoes from seed this year but we have a vacation coming up and I didn't want our animal sitter to have more to deal with. These guys will be out in the garden before then, so they shouldn't cause too much trouble. <br />
<br />
I find myself sneaking down to see the sprouts first thing each morning and fuss over them a little before the day really starts. Seedlings are such happy little things:).Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-57439751699585048642013-03-04T04:09:00.001-08:002013-03-04T04:09:22.804-08:00Goings-OnA look at what's going on this week around our little farm in the backyard...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/02/starting-from-seed.html">The seeds</a> are starting to come up! More on that later. I took pictures, naturally:)<br />
<br />
The cold frame will hopefully be finished by week's end. Poor husband is down with the flu right now!<br />
<br />
Oh, and yes, the flu is going around, or at least I think it is the flu. Everyone has either had it or is getting over it. Slowly.<br />
<br />
My back-ordered lettuce has arrived. I am trying to decide whether to start it indoors or plant it out in the cold frame once it's ready. I am trying <a href="http://www.harrisseeds.com/storefront/s-116-lettuce-seeds.aspx">pelleted lettuce seed</a> for the first time this year. <br />
<br />
The weather is looking very promising for good sap run. Which means <a href="http://backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/02/sugaring-round-2.html">lots more boiling</a>.<br />
<br />
The goats need their hooves trimmed. <br />
<br />
I think we are going to order a few more laying chicks this week. Still debating <a href="http://backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/02/meat-chicken-debate.html">the meat birds</a>. <br />
<br />
We will hopefully be getting our chimney cleaned after a chimney fire last week! Luckily I was home at the time, but this has put a serious dent in my wood-burning confidence:(.<br />
<br />
In happier news, we are expecting lots more eggs from the chickens. Today we got six! Pretty soon we will be swamped:). <br />
<br />
Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-72784264494410240922013-02-28T16:06:00.000-08:002013-03-10T16:31:21.675-07:00Starting From SeedWe started our first seeds indoors yesterday. We have been cooped up for nearly a week now with one or another family member fighting some nasty flu-like virus, so this was a nice little escape for us healthier ones:).<br />
<br />
I followed seed starting directions found in a recent issue of <i>Mother Earth News</i>. Basically we:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Used a pencil to punch three holes in some small paper cups, then filled them to the top with seed germinating mix. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Planted each cup with either 3 Red Salad Bowl lettuce seeds or 3 Kale Vates seeds. We left the lettuce uncovered, as per directions. The Kale got covered with 1/4 inch of the germinating mix. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Watered the cups and set them in a large plastic container. We used craft sticks to label our varieties.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxCP6oWZ0AdegdaMpfVSHs1DKelbYRtv1sa3mRHKq-jQPY9PBDBVyiq_ZNavbRk3keGVlYJS2Tz4S5B3wnxisL96MMVnu-ZmovKLPTpj8c5mYzGmK6DrLScZmzX6bRIfwZH27GT4YcBT2/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxCP6oWZ0AdegdaMpfVSHs1DKelbYRtv1sa3mRHKq-jQPY9PBDBVyiq_ZNavbRk3keGVlYJS2Tz4S5B3wnxisL96MMVnu-ZmovKLPTpj8c5mYzGmK6DrLScZmzX6bRIfwZH27GT4YcBT2/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Draped the container loosely with plastic wrap to help keep the seeds warm. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Set the container in a sunny spot in the laundry room where it will hopefully stay warm enough for germination. </li>
</ul>
<br />
Now we are just in wait-and-water mode. Once I see some sprouts, they will go under our grow lights until they are ready to move out to the cold frame.<br />
<br />
It is so nice to be gardening again:)<br />
<br />
Linking up with <a href="http://www.spain-in-iowa.com/2013/02/simple-lives-thursday-136/">Simple Lives Thursday </a>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-20920676604156650912013-02-27T16:06:00.002-08:002013-02-28T16:00:13.582-08:00Sugaring-Round 2!We had more success this time, than<a href="http://backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/02/its-that-time-of-year-again-in-new.html"> the last time</a>. Thanks to a bit of a wild, wet weekend most of our burning wood got soaked. So we were faced with a full barrel of sap and no real way to boil.<br />
<br />
I was getting pretty desperate-sap does spoil after all! So I tried putting some sap in our two big crock-pots and some in the rice cooker. The crock-pots worked very, very slowly. Not worth it at all. I was kind of surprised. Since they always manage to dry out my dinner, I expected better out of them;). The rice cooker worked pretty well but there is only so much sap it can take!<br />
<br />
So we resorted to this setup. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTQi27vCvNKlTRXrKwk-5KU9hfjgslSajfyDPd73QV6Xzzgzg2pN9jKeE8OLt0Q6nn3e5kYfALKOTdE0veDnVIi5wDxPAXB5JQG1Ek30PkM98_Ly1DAZiaXbcwUuV9WfzofPTK2mawug-/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTQi27vCvNKlTRXrKwk-5KU9hfjgslSajfyDPd73QV6Xzzgzg2pN9jKeE8OLt0Q6nn3e5kYfALKOTdE0veDnVIi5wDxPAXB5JQG1Ek30PkM98_Ly1DAZiaXbcwUuV9WfzofPTK2mawug-/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A propane-fired camp stove propped up on the gas grill. The big barrel is a food-safe storage container we use to hold sap. Incidentally, restaurant supply stores are great! We found both the storage container and the big pan at ours. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTNw71s9b2fm4JrGgOuRCtXpNWXR1U_o5p1VEZqmzw8n_LtJK0F9-DPzPDMfh3fiQ9sf742BBFgl9O4SgV3i1lvQuY8skFsjhUuD2WVMjjs0SrvZECzNqgy4fEmyOzVuVRT4d5jY7-4bN/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTNw71s9b2fm4JrGgOuRCtXpNWXR1U_o5p1VEZqmzw8n_LtJK0F9-DPzPDMfh3fiQ9sf742BBFgl9O4SgV3i1lvQuY8skFsjhUuD2WVMjjs0SrvZECzNqgy4fEmyOzVuVRT4d5jY7-4bN/s400/004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We tried just the gas grill first but...since nothing is ever easy;).... it wouldn't start. So we busted out the camp stove. I do not think this is the most efficient way or the most charming way to boil sap, but in a pinch it did the trick.<br />
<br />
Our process went like this:<br />
<br />
Filled the evaporator pan about half-full with sap and started the grill.<br />
<br />
Filled up a saucepan with sap and brought it in to warm on top of the wood stove, since adding cold sap on top of boiling sap slows everything down.<br />
<br />
About every half-hour, added the warmed pot of sap to the boiling sap and brought in another saucepan of sap to warm.<br />
<br />
Repeated for much of the day until the barrel was empty. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsdwdBkdIc5AQBHUFXKL-eDKovseuGQSX8QibsFrya1BY10TRYtmwq3UhAnvMLR-ZOBlxu9LUn0KrvWbRYHwI3PgRE6HqXmWQydZa5RPGfLd9sGrQ85hqWBKgI1GzAJ08sBLbIUyd7nBQ/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsdwdBkdIc5AQBHUFXKL-eDKovseuGQSX8QibsFrya1BY10TRYtmwq3UhAnvMLR-ZOBlxu9LUn0KrvWbRYHwI3PgRE6HqXmWQydZa5RPGfLd9sGrQ85hqWBKgI1GzAJ08sBLbIUyd7nBQ/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Then we boiled for another couple of hours and brought the rest inside to finish off on the stove. We brought it just to the point where small bubbles covered the <i>entire</i> surface of the liquid. There is good picture of bubbly sap <a href="http://www.tapmytrees.com/coprsap.html">here</a>, to show you what that looks like. Scroll down to "Complete the Boiling". In our experience, when the syrup has come to a nice full boil like this, it is done. It takes longer than you think! At the same time, you do need to watch carefully to avoid over-boiling!<br />
<br />
We let it cool a bit, then transferred it to jars. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWooGi2Rn-DV-KXzFMo6H59eaJvbfxqy7hVoU9Kf0s2AgZAxoFqwmB2iUjc6bfV3_nRCP6pWtP3F_iXfjJE27VH5bHMJcHkE9SNCNNPnB66FZwJZVALNjc1Vc2bxgbCOD7ceeUsJHXWQb/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWooGi2Rn-DV-KXzFMo6H59eaJvbfxqy7hVoU9Kf0s2AgZAxoFqwmB2iUjc6bfV3_nRCP6pWtP3F_iXfjJE27VH5bHMJcHkE9SNCNNPnB66FZwJZVALNjc1Vc2bxgbCOD7ceeUsJHXWQb/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Not a bad haul so far. This is from about 20-25 gallons of sap. There is still some sediment on the bottom, which is normal, but we will need to filter it to make it even prettier.<br />
<br />
It was a good day, but I can't say I am sorry to have a few days off from boiling! If you want more details, the two books I referenced in<a href="http://backyardfarmdiary.blogspot.com/2013/02/its-that-time-of-year-again-in-new.html"> this post</a> are great to have on hand. Also the <a href="http://tapmytrees.com/">Tap My Trees</a> website is a good place to get started.<br />
<br />
Linking up with <a href="http://newlifeonahomestead.com/2013/02/barn-hop-100/">Homestead Barn Hop</a> Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-20911249415382033322013-02-26T15:52:00.002-08:002013-02-26T15:52:59.381-08:00Meat Chicken DebateTo raise meat chickens or not to raise meat chickens, that is the question.
Do we want to do them or not? I have been considering this for <i>years</i>. I might be ready.<br />
<br />
I
am the type to consider things for a good long while before jumping in.
Not all things, but some things. If I decide I don't like the way the
living room furniture is, I will re-arrange it right then and there,
whether I have help or not. If I see a new book I must have, chances are
I will order it right that second, before I can feel guilty about
buying yet another book. I am weird like that.<br />
<br />
Getting
to the point of deciding to get laying chickens was easily a three year
process. First, I checked out every book I could find at the library.
Next, I had lots and lots of late night discussions of pros and cons
with the husband (pretty sure he was sick of the subject after the first
week). Then, I talked to every single person I knew who had chickens
and asked every question I could think of. After that, I ordered a
couple more chicken books to read.<br />
<br />
And then one day we
just made up our minds to do it and placed an order for a dozen
chicks. I did have a brief moment of panic, but mostly it has all been
good.
I can't make up my mind about the meat chickens though!<br />
<br />
<b>Pros- or why we should get meat chickens!</b><br />
<br />
<b>1</b>. We eat chicken. So why not raise our own? It seems like the <i>right</i>
thing to do. We will know where they came from. We will feed them what
we want. We will give them good lives, much more humane than supermarket
chickens get. <br />
<br />
<b>2</b>. It seems like a major step
in my little homesteading project- to raise meat. Different than
vegetables, or getting eggs from chickens. Kind of humbling, I guess.
More solemn. In a good way, if you know what I mean.<br />
<br />
<b>3</b>. We would have chicks around more often. And chicks are just plain fun:).<br />
<br />
<b>4.</b> I have three out of four kids, plus the husband, in support of the venture. Majority wins?<br />
<br />
<b> Cons- or maybe this is a bad idea??</b><br />
<br />
<b>1.</b>
We will eventually have to part with the chickens. Not sure how that
will go, even if I specifically try not to allow attachments. I don't
want to scar the kids for life! Will they be?<br />
<br />
<b>2.</b>
Raising chickens for eggs, raising vegetables and fruit...those seem
like such happy little projects. Raising chickens that we will later
kill.....I don't know. Not as happy/warm/cozy.<br />
<br />
<b>3</b>.
My kids tend to be a bit sensitive, okay, a lot sensitive about such
things. No matter how much I explain that the chicken on their salad is
in fact an actual chicken, will they even eat the chicken they remember
as a fluff-ball? Or will I have a freezer full of chicken and a table
full of crying kids?<br />
<br />
<b>4. </b> One of the four kids
has zero interest in this project. He is seven. He is sensitive. He's a
sweetheart. I do not want to upset him. It may be better to wait a
couple years and see if he becomes amenable. I don't know.<br />
<br />
<b>Conclusion, or not</b><br />
<br />
So
in conclusion, I really just do not know what to do! I would like to
decide soon though, so I can get in order in for early May, giving us
time to get them processed before our late summer vacation.<br />
<br />
Decisions, decisions:) Aaargh!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-74110565733496450492013-02-25T15:53:00.000-08:002013-02-26T16:00:40.256-08:00Sugaring Time!It's that time of year again in New England-sap boiling time! If we
are lucky and don't screw things up like we did last year-it's syrup
making time! Let me tell you though, making maple syrup is a royal PITA.
<br />
<br />
Seriously.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48A09jiDS2I7GHZfMVxvXxg9vOQ-wL9S3QyR_N4yCX63YeA9nOpnWjh7gedEehq2BoGzt9cobQ0FObf3lNPLcJ3xIL3NAFHjuZTL1ae_dXdfBIw6pTVk_q6RqPiM3eMIZN1GzCoMEtf0s/s1600/005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48A09jiDS2I7GHZfMVxvXxg9vOQ-wL9S3QyR_N4yCX63YeA9nOpnWjh7gedEehq2BoGzt9cobQ0FObf3lNPLcJ3xIL3NAFHjuZTL1ae_dXdfBIw6pTVk_q6RqPiM3eMIZN1GzCoMEtf0s/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Sure the buckets look pretty on the trees.<br />
<br />
And
I do, really, love going out there and emptying the sap buckets in the
afternoons. And boiling is actually pretty fun. I daresay I enjoy the
excuse to escape the chaos of a homeschooling-with-four-kids morning to
go load up the fire with more wood and check on the sap.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0881502162/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0881502162&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0881502162&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ourencpla-20" /></a>It's
the end part that gets to me. When it starts getting on towards dusk
and I know it's time to put out the fire and bring the batch in and
finish it up on the stove. That part takes <i>forever</i>. And then
there is the watching and the nervous checking of the books to try to
figure out just when we should stop the boiling and call it syrup.
Because if you pull it too early you end up with very watery sap/syrup.
We did that last year. And if you boil it too long you end up with maple
sugar. We did that last year too.<br />
<br />
This year, we have
only done one batch and I did manage to turn it into sugar. No, not
intentionally. But the book said the syrup should reach 7 degrees above
the boiling point of water. The problem there was that I was boiling in a
large pot and I didn't have the depth needed for an accurately working
candy thermometer by the time it got close. So basically, I had no clue <i>what</i> the temperature was. Apparently over that magical 7 degrees. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0983125600/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0983125600&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws.assoc-amazon.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0983125600&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=ourencpla-20" /></a><br />
The
other problem was that the books all said the syrup should "apron" off
the spatula. I make jam all the time, so to me, "apron" means it will
slide off slowly in a kind of clumpy, oozy way.<br />
<br />
Yeah.
Well, if you let it get to that point it will look great at first. Then
it will crystallize like mad when you start to filter it. Luckily, my
husband was able to rescue the batch by adding in some boiling water and
reboiling it. This time we stopped when the syrup left the spatula in a
stream rather than in individual drops. No aproning. It looked too
thin, but thickened right up. I didn't take a picture of that first
batch, which is too bad. It was really pretty! I had it on my pancakes
for my birthday breakfast:).<br />
<br />
So we had some success!
But man, it takes A LOT of sap and A LOT of work to make maple syrup.
Now I know why it is so darn expensive! I am hoping the process gets
easier as we go.<br />
<br />
Round 2 is up this week!<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0983125600/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0983125600&linkCode=as2&tag=ourencpla-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0983125600" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ourencpla-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0881502162" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-2167375680398298552013-02-22T15:54:00.000-08:002013-02-26T15:54:55.596-08:00The Seeds Are Here!My seed order came in today. I am so excited! A box of seeds is one
of the best Valentine's Day presents-not better than chocolate or
flowers or the sweet valentines from the kiddos-but still pretty darn
good. I checked over the packing list and it seems that everything
arrived, except one of the lettuces which is back-ordered.<br />
<br />
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<br />
We
also ordered horseradish and seed potatoes from the same company but
those will ship a bit later, closer to planting time. We ordered from <a href="http://www.harrisseeds.com/">Harris Seeds</a>
this year, because I felt like trying a new place. They offer a free
gardening guide when you order, which is actually quite helpful. It has
information about spacing, planting depth, thinning, and how to start
each plant. I took it with me to the kids' swim class this afternoon and
enjoyed flipping through it. <br />
<br />
I also started my
garden journal today. I am just using a simple notebook and making a
page for each vegetable planted. I have never done this before, but have
often wished I had a record of which varieties we have tried in past
years. The journal will also be a place to record successes, failures,
and planting notes, as well as thoughts about next year's garden. When
it comes time to order seeds, my brain turns to mush and I cannot
remember how many beans we planted last year or whether we had enough
cilantro. So this should help, if I can remember to use it. <br />
<br />
I'm
pretty excited about all this! It looks like the first order of
business will be to put some sort of cold frame together, hopefully in
the next few weeks. Then we can plant up some lettuce and kale!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-4936611523998398222013-02-21T15:55:00.000-08:002013-02-26T15:55:54.263-08:00Ongoing List of Farm Ideas to TryA list of things I would eventually love to add to our little
farm...this list is a work in progress, as I am always thinking up new
things I want to try. This lifestyle really feels like a lifetime
pursuit, not something that will ever feel "finished". Most days I am
content for our little homestead to unfold slowly, giving us time to
focus on one or two new things at a time. Still, I can't help dreaming!<br />
<br />
1.<b> Fruit Trees</b>-apples,
pears, apricot, maybe cherry. I often wish we had put these in years
ago so we could be harvesting now, but hindsight is 20-20, right?<br />
<br />
2. <b>Sheep</b>-not
sure if my dear husband will agree, but I would just love a pair-or
two- of sheep. They just seem oh-so-farmy. And I would love to learn to
spin their wool!<br />
<br />
3. <b>Bees</b>-Not sure why, but
every year I seriously consider getting a hive or two-then I panic and
back out. The whole beekeeping thing just seems so very complicated. I
think I am getting closer to just diving in though:).<br />
<br />
4. <b>Blackberries</b>. We tried and failed at these before. I would love to try again.<br />
<br />
5. <b>Asparagus.</b> Love the idea of growing some perennial vegetables. We are putting in horseradish this year. Maybe asparagus the next?<br />
<br />
6. <b>Meat chickens</b>.
Again, something I often consider, but haven't actually got the nerve
to do. Mainly because whenever I bring it up my 12 year-old daughter
practically has hysterics at the idea. <i>Sigh</i>. As if the chickens we buy at the store didn't used to be alive!<br />
<br />
7. <b>Turkeys</b>. But see #6, except hysterics would probably be worse since I suspect turkeys have more personality than meat chickens.<br />
<br />
8. <b>Compost pile</b>.
I know, I can't believe we don't have one-what kind of wanna-be farmers
are we? But now, with all these goats and chickens, we're going to have
to start. <br />
<br />
9. <b>Container Potatoes.</b> Actually, I might try this one this very year. I do love a homegrown potato-but man do I<i> hate</i> trying to dig them up without gouging them all to heck. <br />
<br />
10. <b>Mushroom Growing</b>. I spend inordinate amounts of time staring at those mushroom kits they sell in seed catalogs. Must try this at some point!<br />
<br />
11. <b>Pressure Canning.</b>
I have a water-bath canner and use it often, but I would like to be
able to can those low-acid vegetables since my efforts at freezing them
always turn out nasty, icy, blocks of mush.<br />
<br />
12. <b>Chest Freezer.</b> It just feels like something you ought to have on a farm to help preserve all that stuff you spend all your time growing! <br />
<br />
13. <b>Greenhouse.</b>
Oh, every winter I wish for a little greenhouse to putter around and
start my lettuce in. Now probably, if I actually had one marooned in the
snowdrifts out there, I would still not want to get off my butt and go
out in the cold- but it would sure look pretty sitting in the yard. <br />
<br />
14. <b>More Raised Beds</b>. I love my raised beds. I think my entire garden needs to be compromised of them.<br />
<br />
15. <b>Cold-Frame.</b> Kind of like a little mini-greenhouse, but I figure cheaper and more do-able. <br />
<br />
16. <b>A Pond.</b>
Not sure we have the proper space to dig one. But I'd love to see my
ducks out there, instead of in their little plastic wading pool-which is
a major PITA to empty by the way.<br />
<br />
17. <b>More Blueberry Bushes.</b> I don't think I am cut out to be a blueberry farmer. Our plants have been soooo slow to get going. I need more blueberries.<br />
<br />
And....this will be continued, I am sure!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3558581385303165381.post-43232856060228298742013-02-20T15:56:00.000-08:002013-02-26T15:56:41.619-08:002013: Year of the GardenI really tried to make my garden plans realistic this year. I fear I have failed. I blame the fact that we had a two day
blizzard going on while I made my seed order. But also, I have decided
this should be "The Year of the Garden". I really, really love adding to
the homesteading type things we do, but it's hard not to go too far too
fast, so in general we have tried to just do one major thing each
year. Looks like this year, the focus is going to be on growing more
plants, instead of animals, like the last few years. <br />
<br />
2010 was The Year of the Chickens. We built a coop and got a dozen
layers. I really consider this year the start of our little farm, though
we had always kept a small vegetable garden before that.<br />
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<br />
2011 was The Year of The Ducks and Guineas (and More Chickens). We got
four Cayuga ducklings. We have lost one since then. They are awesome
layers and the eggs are great for baking with. We also got 9 more
chickens- one of which turned out to be a surprise rooster.
Unfortunately, the younger batch do not lay nearly as well as the older
batch! We also got four guinea hens, to help control ticks, and because I
thought they were neat. Those birds were pretty much a dismal failure
at doing anything useful except making a ton of racket. I no longer
find them "neat". The male was aggressive and had to be gotten rid of.
And now we are down to just one guinea! Plus three ducks, 16 chickens,
and a rooster.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
2012 was The Year of the Goats.
We have three. They are not for milking, or eating. The hope is that
they will provide some brush control, helping to keep our field clear of
wild blackberries. And of course they are just super cute. We love our
goats!<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
2013, then, is going to be The Year of the Garden. We will be planting
rhubarb and raspberries, in addition to the blueberries we already have.
And then:<br />
<br />
Tomatoes & cherry tomatoes<br />
Herbs-parsley, basil, dill, cilantro, chamomile<br />
Horseradish<br />
Garlic<br />
Potatoes<br />
Green Beans<br />
Carrots<br />
Cucumber-slicing & picklers<br />
Lettuce and Microgreens<br />
Kale<br />
Sugar Pod Peas<br />
Radish<br />
Pumpkins-mini & jack o'lantern-sized<br />
Swiss Chard<br />
Zucchini & Summer Squash<br />
Butternut Squash<br />
Pak Choi<br />
Nasturtiums (edible flowers!)<br />
<br />
Most of these thing we have tried in the past. The garlic, horseradish,
kale, Swiss chard, butternut squash, Pak Choi, and nasturtiums are new
to us. We are planning to put in a few more raised beds and might also
try a cold-frame for the first time. We may end up starting some seeds
indoors, not sure about that yet. Last year, we had a farm share for
most of our vegetables but this year we decided it was just too
inconvenient to get to the farm every week since it is a half-hour
drive. So that is one reason we are doing a bigger garden this year.
The other reason is- I just feel like it:). I say that now, ask me again
in June when I'm up to my knees in weeds!
Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14311592806273236501noreply@blogger.com0