Laurie's Thoughts

Breathe Deeply

2011-10-13T15:55:00.001-04:00

Time stands still for me, for just a brief moment....

Outside the window of my tiny grandson's home, the cars continue to whiz by. I hear the sounds of children hurrying to get home after a day at school. There is a sound of an emergency vehicle in the distance and all the world seems to going by at a very fast pace.

But at this precious moment of quiet, and an acute awareness of perhaps grasping at the hem of my Savior's robe, I breathe deeply, allowing my senses of touch and smell to fill my heart with joy!

He smells so good in my arms, this precious baby sleeping against my face. He lies quietly, belly full of his Mama's milk, clean diaper and heavy eyelids, this grandson of mine. At times like this I simply enjoy smelling the sweet baby-smell of this child who came from his mother's womb, who came from mine. Seems like it was yesterday that cradled HER in my arms. Where has the time gone?

It's in the quietness that I am learning to experience "the holy". This moment was truly a holy one and I fully worshiped as I held him in my arms. I worshiped The One who created him in his mother's womb, this little one, fearfully and wonderfully made.

I also pondered in my heart how trusting he was to rest so peacefully in my arms. He wasn't concerned about where his next meal would come from, or if someone would remember to meet the needs of a dry diaper and a clean sleeper. He was filled and he was satisfied.

My Heavenly Father desires the same kind of relationship with me - trusting, resting, and filled with His grace.

For a sweet moment in time, as I breathed deeply, I experienced "the holy". I have been blessed.

Farmers' Market and Garden Finale!

2011-10-09T17:08:00.000-04:00

The Farmers' Market, where we sell produce is still in full swing! Our market doesn't end until November 19th, and we will still have plenty of certified organic produce to sell there - from sweet potatoes all the way to delicious salad greens!

Here you can see a little variety of what we have to offer there. I took time to decorate our stand with autumn leaves and fall flowers.

Grandson, Braeden (who sells his own radishes) helps his Papa (Husband) sell the produce. He is quite knowledgeable in answering questions about produce and how to prepare the different things.

We have five different types of gourmet heritage garlic to sell now: four hard neck and one soft neck varieties. There is nothing quite like fresh garlic in one's food.

The market takes a lot of time away from my home chores. Besides helping harvest, clean, sort and pack the produce during the week, I try to fit in as much canning as I can. Of course the laundry and housework keep coming too and demand my attention.

I help homeschool three of my grandchildren one day a week - to teach art every other week, and babysit for two more, one day, every other week. I also lead women's Bible studies in my home and volunteer for Hospice. No one can say that I sit idle very long at my house!

We harvested the last of our produce today. The four wheeler is loaded with peppers in all colors. I picked the last of the sweet and hot peppers so that I can dehydrate some and freeze some. I picked the last of the celery for dehydrating for my soups this winter, and enough broccoli for one more little serving. The white tubs contain the last of the white potatoes that still needed dug and one final watermelon to sneak in for one last taste of summer.

Here is a cute picture of some of my grandsons from yesterday's events. The oldest one had his face painted at the Farmers' Market so of course, the littler ones needed theirs painted too, so this Grammy got out her paints and quickly satisfied their desire to look like tigers. We took our "tigers" to a potluck dinner with some friends and they looked pretty cute with their painted faces.

The leaves are falling like snow now. Won't be long before the winter winds start blowing and the temperatures will really drop. I am thankful for a wood pile, a pantry stuffed with ample produce to get us through until the next garden season and memories of warmer days to get us through the long, cold winter.

Until next time..... Blessings to you and yours.

Just An Ordinary Day

2011-09-20T08:49:00.001-04:00

Another homeschool lesson, this time from Papa, on all kinds of fasteners and what they are used for. He had the boys try out all kinds of different ones and then walked around the shop looking for fasteners in the shop and how they were used like, how the shelf brackets were held on, or the door hinges, etc.

The boys love this part of the homeschooling because we do hands-on projects while their poor Mama gets stuck with math and science and reading!

Even little Jackson gets involved when he is not too tired! What a cutie pie! At this time, he just preferred to sit on Papa's lap.

It's not all fun and games though. Mama makes them crack down on the book work! They are smart! Ethan works on his math...

While Braeden works on his subtraction. When they put their minds to it, can get their work done quickly. They love reading the most. In addition to things like math, science, history, reading and handwriting, their Mama takes them to a homeschool gym class in a nearby community with other homeschool kids on Tuesdays. Then once a week, I teach them all forms of art and/or Papa teaches life skills.

The sunset was pretty tonight. Much prettier than the picture shows. If you look closely you can see the sun beam shadows poking through the clouds going upwards.

There was rain coming on the horizon and sky was a beautiful sort of golden amber color above the clouds (which doesn't show up very well). It was breathtaking and I am glad I have this picture to remind me of the beauty.

I snapped it just as Sara and I were heading out to the canning kitchen to start canning the last of tomatoes. They weren't very nice ones, and we had to cut out a lot to make enough good parts for one last batch of tomato sauce.

We kept Lydia entertained by feeding her an occasional chocolate chip. She is certainly her mother's (and Grammie's) little girl, when it comes to chocolate! She just turned one about a week ago and just cut her first tooth!

The chocolate brought a smile to her face and she kept signing "more" so I kept popping them in her mouth. She probably had 8 or so chocolate chips before she was done and now there is chocolate all over the Pack and Play!

She is such a little angel and is a real trooper. I told her that she was going to be helping when she gets a little bigger! She just grinned. I don't think she took me seriously. She was saying "Papa" tonight as we worked. I am sure that will get her lots of wonderful things in the future, by melting her Papa's heart! I call her Lydie Lou. Sweet girl!

Sara ran the kids home to put them to bed and Husband and I started in on the sauerkraut making. We got almost done before Sara got back but she did return to help make two batches, one of green cabbage and one of purple cabbage.

Here are my workers mashing the cabbage into wonderful juicy sauerkraut. It makes my mouth water just looking at this wonderful stuff!

Oh how we love homemade sauerkraut! Our work day ended about 10:15 PM. Sara went back home to her family and we went back into the house to ready ourselves for bed. Tomorrow we start the roof on the lean-to. Husband's friend, Tim, will be here at 8 AM, so my day will start early again! Better get some sleep!

Summer Wrap Up

2011-09-14T18:40:00.000-04:00

The summer is fast fleeting. I can feel a chill in the air and have noticed that the leaves are either starting to change to the colors of autumn or they are laying brown and dry on the ground.

It's been a good summer though and a lot has been accomplished. I thought I would spend a little time recapping what just some of the activities have been here.Of course this is just a small sampling of the activities here but with just these few, you can see how blessed we feel.

The garden has been wonderfully fulfilling. We have struggled with either too little moisture or way too much but none the less we have were blessed with produce to eat now and in the winter.

Broccoli that makes my mouth water.

We have had a good amount of tomatoes and peppers for making salsa, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce and more. I dehydrated a lot of the peppers for use this winter in stews and casseroles.

Daisy has been providing us with plenty of milk for not only drinking but making cheese, butter, yogurt, sour cream, buttermilk and of course homemade ice cream. Yum! These are two of my grandchildren that wanted to help me milk her that morning. They live in the city but have the desire to live on a farm someday. I wish they lived closer and could visit me more often.

The chickens have been doing their part in keeping us well fed. Not only are the hens laying about two dozen eggs a day, we butchered 100 meat chickens to put into canning jars for my house and the homes of my children and their families. Chicken is good when it's canned and makes cooking so much quicker and healthier!

Don't you just love "Old Blue"? This old truck is literally falling apart so it never leaves the farm but it hauls our firewood from woods to woodpile every year. We only use in the summer to haul our wood but it starts every time! I just love this old truck. We have had it for a long, long time.

Here we are butchering some of those meat chickens. Most of the family gathered together to complete the task of providing meat for our families. Even the grandchildren helped and loved being a part of seeing where their food really comes from. It was a family affair, for sure! We enjoy working together and playing together too!


We kept the canners going all summer with various meats, fruits and vegetables. I love canning with my daughters. It makes the time go so fast and we have so much fun chatting about things from joking around to having serious conversations. Old fashioned skills help bring families closer! People need each other more this way.

We were blessed with a new grandson this summer (we now have 8 grandchildren!) and our gardens and animals helped feed our family and friends that gathered here to fellowship with us.

It's time to dig out the fall decorations and wool sweaters! Only 9 more days of summer remain. As much as I hate to see the hot days disappear, I look forward to hearty soups, homemade breads and pumpkin pies to frequent our table.

I look forward to the canning season being done so that I can slow down a bit. I have looked well to the ways of my household this summer and I am not afraid for the snow to arrive, just as I read in Proverbs 31: 10-31. God has blessed us and we are grateful. Very grateful indeed.

Another Busy Day

2011-08-30T21:38:00.003-04:00

The weather is really starting to feel more autumn like now. The days are only in the mid 70s and the nights get down into the 50s. I sure hate to see summer go. I haven't had nearly enough hot weather yet to suit me. I am not ready for mums, pumpkins and fall leaves. It is still August and I am hanging on for all it's worth! I am not ready for the garden to stop producing yet.

I have had so much trouble the past few months with tendinitis in both of my wrists. I have to wear hand braces most of the time during the day and night. It is very painful and most difficult to get anything done. I have been canning up a storm and there is much yet to do. At the end of the day I am very sore. The sharp pain wakes me in the middle of night when I do something as simple and easy as pulling the sheets up closer to my chin. I don't see having time to rest my hands until the food is put up for the winter and the Farmers' Market season is done - right before Thanksgiving.

Husband has been helping me milk lately, to try to spare me the agony of struggling with the milker. I so appreciate it. I miss the time with Daisy though. I really do. Milking her is a simple pleasure for me. I can't wait to get back to doing it myself again.

Daisy is now about half way through her pregnancy. Her belly gets a bit rounder every week. I lay my hand on it to see if I can feel her calf move but I haven't had that pleasure yet. I can't wait to feel it kick! She is due in early January. Oh don't worry - I will post pictures!!

Daughter Sara and I worked on more tomatoes today. We managed to get a roaster full for her today so that she can start cooking it down for a nice thick paste. I am not sure what she is planning to make from the sauce but I am sure it will be heavenly.

I have already done pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce. I would like to do another batch of spaghetti sauce and some medium hot salsa before the tomatoes stop producing. I have put quite a bit of produce from our garden already but there is more than I hope to do.

We still need to get the sauerkraut made. I am still hoping to do that this week but it might be early next week before the time will allow. The cabbages are ready - I just need to find the time to harvest them and get them shredded, ready for the crock.
Here is what I canned today. There are 15 quart jars of crunchy dill pickles and seven little pint jars of tomato juice. I hadn't planned to do any tomato stuff today but there was a little sauce left that Sara didn't need so I canned it quickly so as to not lose that red tasty juice!

Husband shot this picture of me holding my sweetest hen, Peaches. She is so tame. She always hops up on the nesting boxes so that I can pet her. She loves to be carried around like a baby on my hip. She is so kind and gentle. She is by far not the prettiest chicken I have but she is special to me. She is very shy with the other chickens and always waits until they are done eating before she will go to the feeder or waterer. They are not mean to her but she is a loner. That's OK. I AM HER FRIEND!

One last picture. The grandsons were here today playing in the sawdust. It made me smile so I wanted to save a picture of it....

That's another day on my little homestead. Good night friends.

Today At My House

2011-08-23T18:56:00.003-04:00

Every day is a busy day at my house. There is so much to do and we are so far behind. We had a very wet Spring and so we have been trying to play catchup all summer. Here are just a few of the things that took place here today.

After devotions and milking the cow, I started on some laundry. For the life of me, I don't know how two people can make so much! I think the clothes multiply in the hamper at night when I sleep.

I fixed us some lunch from things in the garden. I started with a huge yellow heritage tomato and dumped some tuna on top of that, once I sliced it into big, delicious, juicy chunks. I diced and added some onion and celery and then a spoonful of my homemade mayonnaise. Gosh it was good! So colorful to the eye and so tasty to the taste buds!

I walked outside, heading to the canning kitchen, when I stopped to check out the pear trees. It won't be long now and we will have to get them picked so that I can get them into canning jars too. The trees are loaded! They will sure taste good this winter. I would love find some organic cherries to can. Our little cherry trees are too young to produce anything yet.

I turned a bushel of Roma tomatoes into tomato juice today with my Victorio Strainer. The tomatoes don't have to be cooked. All that is needed is to wash them, remove the stems and any blemishes, before I quarter them. I just drop the pieces into the funnel on the top and crank away. The seeds and skin come off and fall into the little stainless dish underneath and the juicy pulp goes into the glass cake pan. I put the juice into my roaster and will let it cook down to a nice thick sauce. I think this batch will be come spaghetti sauce or maybe pizza sauce. I haven't decided yet for sure. I can make that decision tomorrow.

Today was a good day. I got a lot accomplished but my list is already growing long for tomorrow. Better get a good night's sleep!

Yes, I am still alive!

2011-07-11T18:02:00.007-04:00

I know that I haven't posted in a long time. I miss posting here on a regular basis. Wish the world was a better place and I didn't have to worry about revealing too much about me and our lives here on our little homestead. I liked connecting with you all and I have missed you more than you know.

I guess my "perfect world" here on earth will just have to remain on our little corner of this planet. It is not perfect, not really, but it is home and that means a lot.

This is an early morning view of part of our garden. Note the light fog in the background. One of the lovely things about living in the woods, away from the view of the road, is being able to wander out to it, still in my pajamas, so that I can check to see what needs harvested or watered or tended to in some other way. I grabbed a cup of coffee and followed Husband out to survey the hard work he did yesterday in weeding it for me. He is a wonderful man!

Husband is trying to get some new ground fit for planting organic soybeans.

I love laundry day when I can hang clothes outside in the fresh air!

Daisy is doing just fine. She is pregnant! We had the vet check her when she came out to treat a sore spot that Daisy had on her foot. Daisy is fine now, by the way. She is sure enjoying eating the green grass all day long. She had never stepped foot on grass before we got her. She had been part of a milking herd that apparently had been kept in a lot. She wasn't quite sure she wanted to step on that soft green earth. She sort of tip-toed for awhile but soon she was running like a young calf back and forth, back and forth, enjoying the sunshine!

She is giving about three gallons of milk a day now. Her milk is turning a pale yellow color after it sits a bit in my glass jars. And when I make butter from her cream is BRIGHT yellow in color! That green grass is sure making her milk more healthy than with the hay she has to eat in the winter time.

The summer is flying by....

Strawberry season has come and gone. It was way to short for my liking. I never did get tired of eating strawberries. I wonder really if I ever would?

Life is good here. I am so thankful and grateful for the life God has blessed me with. Every day is a gift and I understand that full well. Oh it is good to have a thankful heart!

God Used My Dog This Morning!

2011-06-05T13:21:00.002-04:00

We stopped at TSC (a farm supply store) this morning, before church, to get some milk filters for straining Daisy's milk. Husband went inside and I stayed in the car.

While I was waiting I decided to do my devotional lesson for today from "Jesus Calling", my favorite little devotional book for this year, 2011.

The sky was so blue and the temperatures were just perfect to sit in the quiet of the car, with a gentle breeze blowing in the window, which made for a nice, pleasant place to read God's Word. However, some little dog, who will remain unnamed, decided that he had to sit on my lap which made for a difficult way to turn the pages of my Bible or produce legible handwriting. How in the world did I ever manage to get anything done before this little black dog came into my life to "help" me with everything?

If only I were always so devoted to "sit" on God's lap as much as my little dog is determined to sit on mine.....

Ouch! Wow what a good object lesson this morning, Lord. Thank you.

Using Some Of My Stock Tonight

2011-06-01T20:31:00.003-04:00

I was planning to use some of my chicken stock that I made few days ago so I thought I would blog it for you so you could see one example of how I use it.

I had a few organic carrots and a few stocks of organic celery left in my refrigerator, along with half of a Vandalia onion. I cut them up. I really hate buying any produce from another state but this time of year I have no choice in Ohio right now.

I took one freezer container full of my homemade stock (see the previous post) and put it in a pan on my stove so that it would melt.

I added the vegetables at this time so that they would start to cook in the stock as it was thawing. We like our vegetables on the crunchy side so as soon as the stock was thawed and warmed a bit, the vegetables were done to our liking. They could have been boiled in the stock longer if you like your vegetables softer. I added sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

It is time to add a pint size jar of the chicken I put up last year from chickens that we raised ourselves. I don't have to guess if these chickens were raised right. Mine were well loved and taken good care of. I heated it until the chicken was hot.

Remember from the last post that I like to always double whatever grain I am cooking? This week I made extra organic brown rice and had it available for a quick meal this evening. Again, I heated it until the whole pot was simmering on the stove. Right now it is more like soup than what I am looking for but there would be nothing wrong with eating it just as it is. However....

... I was looking for something thicker and heartier so I took about 1/2 cup of cold water and added about 1 Tablespoon of Arrowroot powder (you could use corn starch but I try to avoid corn to due the likelihood it would be GMO) for thickener.

I mixed the two together with a spoon in my measuring cup and then added it to the simmering food in the pan. I stirred constantly until the watery, soupy part became more like gravy than liquid, soup-like. Mmmm - it's now ready to eat!

Here is the finished product. It was very tasty! And the whole process only took me about 20 minutes to get this from start to finish. I love having canned meat in my pantry and pre-cooked grains. Sometimes I even chop vegetables and put them in containers in the frig so that I don't have to spend time even chopping vegetables if I know my week will be extra busy.

There you go, an example of using homemade chicken stock from the bones I cooked long and slow for other meals.

Using A Whole Pastured Chicken!

2011-05-28T13:58:00.008-04:00

When I don't have any chickens of my own ready, I purchase organic, pastured, free-range chickens at reputable health food stores or local farmers' market. The price of good chickens vary from region to region. My daughter has to pay $4.50 a pound in the southern part of our country and I pay around $2.99 a pound in the mid-west. I want to make sure that I get at least two or three meals from each chicken, as well as broth for cooking rice and chicken stock for my freezer for later meals.

I start by washing my chicken with cool running water. After it is rinsed, I place it in a soup kettle with about 2 quarts of water, and some organic vegetables. Today I used carrots, red onion and celery but you can use anything. (Peas, corn, mushrooms, green beans, zucchini, etc.) Cook the chicken until the meat starts to fall off the bones (usually about an hour).

Carefully lift the chicken out of the pot and place on a platter to cool a little. It is easier to remove meat from the bone while it is still warm though.

Take the meat off, reserving all the bones and skin.
I got 1.28 pounds of meat from my chicken.

Remove the vegetables and put them in a little dish or directly into the blender.

Place the vegetables in the blender with 1 cup of the broth you cooked the chicken in. Reserve four more cups of broth for cooking 2 cups of brown rice in for now or later this week.

Blend the vegetables until they are a smooth puree.

Put the bones, skin, puree back into the pot with the remaining broth. Add about four cups of water and a couple of splashes of Bragg's Raw Apple Cider Vinegar. The vinegar is VERY IMPORTANT because it will draw all the goodness out of the bones to make your stock very dense with nutrients. If you make this late in the afternoon, you can actually put this into your crock pot overnight. I started mine in the morning so I am just leaving it on the stove.

When it has slow-cooked for 12-24 hours, I will pour the stock into a large bowl, through a strainer to catch the bones, skin, etc. Sometimes you have to use a rubber spatula to "help" the thick stock go through the strainer by gently stirring. I divide the stock into 1 or 2 cup servings and freeze, labeling the date and whether it is chicken or turkey. It will keep for at least 6 months in the freezer. Grab one EVERY TIME you make soup or gravy. It will add so much flavor and healthy nutrients to your food (even if you just use canned soup, it will make it healthier). I make my own homemade soups and this stock is always a good starter for most soups.

I will divide the meat into 2 or 3 portions. I have taken the divided meat and placed it directly into the freezer for quick meals later. I have also taken it all and ground it with my food processor to make chicken spread. Today I plan to make two different (gluten free) meals from my chicken meat. Teriyaki Chicken and Vegetables with brown rice* and Curried Chicken Salad. If you click on the names of the dishes the link will take you to the recipes.

*I cooked the rice for the teriyaki chicken dish in four cups of the chicken broth from cooking the chicken. I cooked twice the amount I needed so that I have some already made (that I can freeze) to use later. Two cups of rice will make four cups of cooked rice. It should cook in about 45 minutes but if your rice is old (from your food storage) then it will take longer - up to maybe 30 minutes or so.

The chicken salad can be stepped up a notch by not only using grapes but by adding apples and fresh pineapple cut into bite size pieces. The curry makes the mayonnaise really something special. I prefer to use my own homemade, lacto-fermented mayonnaise but Hellmann's will do if you don't like or want to make your own.

I still plan to make some chocolate kefir bread for Husband. He can eat wheat while I am eating wheat free right now. I still like to make him special tasty treats!

Enough rambling for today!

Daisy says "Hi" to all of you! She sure loves the green grass!!!

I sure miss writing to you everyday about our adventures. I miss you!!! Do you miss me too?

Bring In the Bees!

2011-05-09T16:35:00.002-04:00

See the brown swarm in the middle of picture? That is the swarm of bees.

My Brother In Law, Steve, gave us a call and said there were two swarms down at his farm. He asked if we would like to have one of them. Of course we said YES!

Steve prepared the bee box while Husband went to get his tractor with the bucket. Of course the bees chose to to swarm high in the tree.

Here comes Husband with the tractor. It was my job to take pictures AND drive the tractor closer to the tree and lift those men up in the bucket so they could get the swarm. I had never operated a bucket before so they were VERY brave to let me practice on them.

Husband cut the branches and Steve carefully and quickly shook the bees off the cut branches into the bee box.

If you click on the above picture, to enlarge it, you can see the bees buzzing around their heads. The bees are full of honey though so they don't have any aggressiveness in their little bee-bodies. There is still a swarm yet in the tree from the bees that are not yet in the box. We will go back up in an hour or so and gather the rest if they haven't flown into the box with the others yet. (Depends on whether or not the Queen Bee is in the box or still in the small swarm. Only time will tell.... ) We left the bee box up in the bucket next to the swarm to see if they go in. Hope the Queen is already in the box!

I will have to post later when we gather the honey from the hives. Oh this is going to be fun to have bees again! I see visions of jars of honey and beeswax candles in my future!

Making Condiments

2011-04-26T08:24:00.003-04:00

Today was a fun day in the kitchen! I spent quite a bit of time in there today and I loved every minute of it.

I mixed up some lacto-fermented Mayonnaise, some spicy dill mustard and some ketchup. I made enough to share some of each with Sara today when she stopped over for milk. I gave her some other goodies too, for her kitchen, along with milk and eggs.

She got some seasoned salt that I had made, some raspberry syrup to make salad dressings with and some of my cheese that I had cut. I also made some Ghee (clarified butter) today and shared some with her too! I think she was excited to take the stuff home and add it to her kitchen.

She is wanting to learn more and more of this stuff and is doing a good job catching on. I gave her some more recipes too for her traditional cookbook. I so hope that they will move closer to the farm soon. I sure hope that their house sells quickly.

I want Amy and Kelly to move home too. I so wish we could all live closer together so that we could farm and garden together. The girls and I could can together too and our grandchildren could grow up seeing us all the time! What fun that would be! Please Lord, please!

Husband went to Amish country with his brothers. He always has a good time when he is with them. I am thankful that they can make this trip a few times a year together.

He brought me home some awesome bottles to make infused vinegars and oil in that I plan to give as Christmas presents this year. I think all my gifts will be handmade, at least to the adults.

When he got home, he found that the UPS had delivered three more trees for our little orchard. Here he is planting an almond tree with lots of the locals helping. I think they were secretly hoping he would dig them a big pile of worms! They were quite curious!

I hope they give fruit for years to come!

I made a delicious curry lentil soup for dinner tonight and then cooked Husband some French fries in the lard that I rendered a few days ago. I took 1/2 of it over to Steve and Carolyn's house for their dinner tonight. She loves curry and since she had to work late tonight, I was able to fix dinner for them. They have invited us over for bison burgers on Sunday evening this weekend. I can't wait!

Spring has sprung just a little bit in the woods behind our house. I brought a bit of Spring inside to enjoy! I am so thankful for the little things in life that bring color and smell and sunshine into my life. It makes me very, very happy to see these beauties!

Making Butter!

2011-04-06T15:24:00.008-04:00

My refrigerator overflows with "Daisy" milk today. Isn't that a delightful problem to have? I made some fresh mozzarella cheese and some fresh butter for dinner (with lavender and herbs) yesterday afternoon and I still have too much so I decided to skim some of the cream off each gallon so as to make some regular, salted butter today.

I put my cream into my blender and set the timer for 12 minutes. It turns into a sort of whipped cream right before it turns into butter. I repeated this for the second time to do it all.
I drained some of the buttermilk (not to be confused with thick, cultured buttermilk like you find in the grocery store.) with a sieve into a glass bowl. This is liquid is saved and used for bread baking or possibly for another kind of cheese.

I used my flat wooden spoon to "knead" the butter over and over again getting all the buttermilk out of butter.

After I think I have most of it out, I put very cold water in the bowl and knead some more with my wooden spoon. The water turns milky white and I dump this in the chicken scrap bucket for them to enjoy the diluted buttermilk with some stale bread or crackers. They will be very excited!

I keep repeating this process until the water remains clear. It's important to get the buttermilk out or the butter will start to taste a bit sour (which is still very good for you but we like sweet butter the best) very quickly. Once I drain this water off, I add sea salt to taste and knead that in.

I took out my little scale to see how much I got from those 8 cups of skimmed cream. I got almost a pound of butter!

I pressed the room temperature butter into the mold with my rubber spatula.

I learned from Wardeh that I could press my cheese with a mold. I found this antique one on e-Bay to mold my butter with. I would love to meet the woman who used this mold over and over again. I don't know if someone made it for her or if she bought it new, but I am sure I have lots of questions to ask her about her way of life. Why in the world wasn't I born a homesteader in the days of "Little House on the Prairie"?

Once the mold is full I turn it over onto a piece of waxed paper and press down with a little pressure as I push the butter out.

I have to use a long knife to separate it from the mold press but it is now the size of a pound of butter from the grocery store. Isn't it pretty? It is so creamy and tasty and because it is made with raw milk, it has so many nutrients in it that are good for our bodies.

I carefully wrap it in the waxed paper and refrigerate it until it is hard. I will then take it out and slice it length wise so that it appears like a stick of butter from the store. I will then re-wrap each stick with more waxed paper and then put them all into a quart size freezer bag to longer keeping. (It never sticks around for too long though!)

Now, back to the kitchen I go and finish the second batch of 30 Minute Mozzarella. You can find that recipe here.

Have fun making your own!

Eucharisteo Moment

2011-04-03T21:44:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I was tired and feeling very sorry for myself as I stood washing dish after dish. I had quite a pity party until I remembered something I had read in "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp.

"When Christ is at the center, when dishes, laundry, work, is my song of praise to Him, joy rains. Passionately serving Christ alone makes us the loving servant to all. When the eyes of the heart focus on God, and the hands on always washing the feet of Jesus alone - the bones, they sing JOY, and the work returns to its purist state: eucharisteo*. The work becomes worship, a liturgy of thankfulness."

It is quite amazing what an attitude check will do. I was focusing on man, and NOT being appreciated, instead of focusing wholeheartedly on serving the One who lavishly pours grace and mercy on these ungrateful and unworthy bones. I stand rebuked. Thank you, Lord for giving me exactly what I needed to change me into being a bit, even though a tiny bit, more like You.

And today...

I am so anxious to have Spring arrive. I long for warm weather when I don't have to wear snow pants, winter coat and gloves out to milk the cow and feed the chickens. I did bundle up though and headed outside to the barn. Milking went pretty much as usual. When we got done, and as we were walking back to the car, we stopped to enjoy a eucharisteo moment.

*Eucharisteo is the act of understanding
the gifts of grace and blessing in everything
and giving thanks to God.

There, on the car, were the most beautiful designs from the frost. Had I run into the house grumbling, I would have missed this beautiful sight that God had taken time to do just for Husband and I to enjoy. I am learning to recognize and be grateful for little things like this.

Breathtaking!

Original artwork made by God

Can't you just see the delicate strokes that God did
with His awesome talent and love for me?

God continues to bless and amaze me with the way His fingerprints are all around. Look for them, my dear friends and you will begin to see them too. God showers us with blessings abundant. Don't miss them. Don't miss the moments of eucharisteo for yourselves. Read "One Thousand Gifts" and you will see what I mean!

March 22, 2011

2011-03-22T06:50:00.005-04:00

Dear Readers,

I have really enjoyed sharing my life with you every day for the past three weeks. My life is not a very exciting life or anything amazing. I am just a humble servant of God, trodding along, often making mistakes but doing my best to live up to the name of Christ.

There, however, has been some concern voiced about me sharing so much of my life publicly.

I guess I still live (in my mind) in era where life is simple and people are sincere and honest. I like thinking this way, that people are generally good and have good intentions but there has been concern that the wrong person/people might read my blog. I occurred to me that writing every day would let someone know if we were on vacation or gone on business for a few days. I would be leaving myself vulnerable to people that might have wrongful motives.

I have been touched by the sweet comments that you have made to me. I have felt a kindred-spirit among so many of you. Thank you for that. I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. It has been a big blessing to me to have you peek into this country girl's life.

However, I am not going to be posting here daily anymore.

Thank you for understanding.

Laurie

March 21, 2011

2011-03-21T20:42:00.004-04:00

7:46 PM

Last night was one of those nights when sleep did not come easily. I was awake, wide awake, from 3 AM until about 4:45 AM. I thought about just getting up but then started to get a little sleepy again around 4:30. So back to sleep I went, for the deepest sleep of the entire evening. When I woke up I was shocked to see that it was 7:10! Oh my land! I wasted almost an hour of my day! I flew out of bed and hurried downstairs to get breakfast, start the dishwasher, get dressed, put the milker back together, and fly out the door so I could go milk. I am a reliable person, or at least I try to be, and I am always at the barn by 8:00 AM but this morning it was nearly 8:30 before I got there. Daisy didn't seem to mind but I did. I hate being late especially when it means that others are waiting on me.

It was a beautiful morning though. The sun was shining and it was almost 65 degrees at that early hour. I didn't even have to wear a sweatshirt to do my chores. I even broke into a little bit of sweat when I was doing the haying of the animals. It was a wonderful morning and I was so thankful to be outside in the warm Spring like air!

Milking and chores went smoothly. I thanked Mr. J again, for millionth time, for boarding Daisy and for teaching me so much about owning a family milk cow. I have told him over and over again. I am grateful, I really am. I have learned so much in these past 11 weeks or so. I can't believe I have had a cow that long. Just think! I have been milking a cow almost every day for almost three months! Amazing! Simply amazing!

I filtered the milk (about 1.5 gallons) and cleaned up the milker before I ran a few quick errands. I was out of bread so I gathered the ingredients to make two loaves of bread and got busy. I so love to bake bread. I love the whole process from grinding the wheat into fresh flour, mixing it up, forming it into loaves and baking it in the oven. The house smells so good and it is a very gratifying feeling for me. I love to make all kinds of bread from sourdough, to free form loaves, artisan (fancy) breads and just plain old everyday sandwich bread from fresh and healthy ingredients.

While the bread was rising for the last time, I sat down to quickly sketch some rough drawings of the way we want to possibly add on to our barn for the livestock and milking parlor. Our son in law, Geoff, stopped yesterday and suggested that we just add onto the barn we already have to cut costs and do it more quickly.

I ran with the idea today by drawing out some ideas. I didn't take time to get the angles correct or to scale but more just so Husband could see what I envisioned.

This is how we usually do our planning. I can "see" the finished project before it is even started but can't make it happen. Husband on the other end, can't envision it but can beautifully build and complete the projects that I design. We are a very good team and enjoy working together. I can be of good help once he figures materials and how to make it work.

I am so excited to get this project started. I have a temporary place for Daisy now in the existing part of the barn but it really isn't a great set up for milking. I can make do, and will gladly do so, but look forward to having a real milking parlor, and working stanchions, and areas to pen off the baby calves that we will hopefully be having here.

Husband stopped over today to check on that fallen down building that we hope to get material from to build onto the chicken coop. I am not sure how that all came out because I was busy packing up my overnight bag....

Emily needs me to come babysit Ellie for tomorrow, and because she has to leave for the hospital so early, I need to come the night before. So I packed up my pajamas, my Bible and devotional book, toothbrush and such and headed out the door to Ellie's house.

I am here now as I type. I got the privilege of reading a bedtime story (well, three stories to be exact) to Ellie before her Mama laid her down in her comfortable little bed. Ellie asked if I would pray with her and her Mama so I had the opportunity to hear my sweet two-year old granddaughter repeat the words her mother spoke. What a blessing to my heart. She had to pray for every relative member she knows, including two dogs that are in the family, (my dog, Max and her Aunt Abbey's dog, Bayley) and anything else she can think of at the time. She is growing up way too fast!

That about wraps up today. Some days are more exciting than others for sure. Some days are rather quiet in comparison. Each day though is a gift of time from God. Each day is truly a gift to be appreciated and enjoyed.

I am learning
that when I am in a moment
to be fully there in that moment.

I am learning to stop rushing so fast and stop wishing my life away so that I can enjoy each second. I am learning to look for God's fingerprints in the tiniest things and I'm trying to not take anything or anyone for granted.

I am reading "One Thousand Gifts" and it is changing my life. It is taking me a long time to read because I am trying to take in and savor each thing that I read. It is a marvelous book about seeing God in everything. I shared part of that book with Husband today and as we hugged goodbye, I took time to be "in fully in the moment". I took time to breathe in the scent of his neck, to really feel his embrace and just fully enjoy it all. It made me smile all the way to Emily's house.

I am a blessed woman.
I am blessed, indeed.

March 20, 2011

2011-03-20T21:08:00.002-04:00

8:10 PM

Today started out really nicely. Emily and Ellie had decided to spend the night so we got woke to the sound of a little girl talking in her bed. Thankfully she slept until 7:00 AM, so we were all able to sleep in a little. I am not used to sleeping so long but on Sundays we like to sleep in a little later than usual.

I fixed us a nice breakfast and then we all started to get ready for church. Emily and Ellie decided to go home to their own church, while we headed off to ours. Husband helped carry Emily's things out to her car and then went to do the baby chick chores and let the big chickens out of their coop.

The church service was very good. Pastor Dan preached on End Times - reminding us that God is always in control and that Jesus will return. Those two things we can count on when the world seems so out of control. It was a refreshing sermon and we walked away content to keep loving and serving while keeping one eye on the sky for His return.

I took a gallon of cheese whey with me to give to my friend, Kathy Jones. I almost missed her but our husbands finally made contact so that I didn't have to haul it home with me again. I am sure that she will find many wonderful things to do with that whey.

After church we made a stop at TSC again. Husband picked up some wormer for Daisy-girl and some supplies that he needs to put up our electric fences.

We also stopped at Buehler's (grocery store) so that I could buy us some organic fruit and vegetables. I will be so glad when Farmer's Markets and my garden are ready. The prices are just so high but I am thankful for the availability of organic produce.

We next stopped at Walmart for a prescription for me and 3 more large bottles of Peroxide for us and for our animals, should the need arise. I thought I had a couple bottles already but found out I was mistaken. I like to keep my pantry well-stocked, you know.

Our last stop was a quick trip to the Ashland County Airport to pick up a used second vacuum pump that we will use as parts for our pump used when milking Daisy here. I was able to stop by the farm where Daisy is and pick up almost two gallons of milk today. I am so thankful for this man's kindness to milk for me on Sundays.

After lunch and a little afternoon siesta, Husband went to check out my cousin's little lean-to barn that fell over with age. We are hoping to get some of that lumber to add onto the chicken coop for those baby roosters of mine. I would love some of that for two reasons, one that it would save us some money but secondly, and most importantly, it would be lumber that came off a building that was my great grandfather's, then my uncle's and now my cousin's. You know how sentimental I am with family stuff so it would mean a lot to have that barn siding. I remember going into the chicken coop with Great Grandma on many occasions. My love for chickens started way back when I was just a little girl.

Speaking of chickens, old Colonel chased me again tonight as I was putting them to bed. I am glad that Funniest Home Videos wasn't around to watch me! He IS going in the stew pot if he doesn't straighten up soon! Mark my words! I love that regal old rooster but I won't be putting up with such nonsense much longer.

A really fun part of the day was the couple of hours that Husband and I spent outside dreaming about how and where to extend the chicken coop and where to put the livestock barn and milking parlor.

We got out some 2x4's and some stakes and moved things around this way and that way, trying to decide just how big and exactly what we wanted the finish project to look like. You can see The Colonel supervised our dreaming and planning time.

Our son-in-law, Geoff, stopped over to pick up some milk for his family and before he left, he spent a little time walking around and offering his suggestions. He actually thought of something pretty cool so I hope to do some sketching of ideas so we can see just what we have all come up with.

We had a tasty dinner of pork and our own sauerkraut for dinner tonight. I had put it in the crock pot when we got home from church. It was so nice to have dinner ready and waiting for us when we got hungry.

We have been working on our taxes this evening. I got the part I do done already and poor old husband is working away to get things together to take to our tax accountant tomorrow morning. Taxes drive me insane so I am always thankful when that task is done for another year. Thankfully, I have a pretty organized system (for my part, that is) and it doesn't take me very long to gather the information and things that I need. I will be certainly be glad when this job is done for another year! Husband has the hardest part for sure. I am so thankful that God provided me with a man that is truly the head of our household. I am a blessed woman indeed!

March 19, 2011

2011-03-19T20:41:00.003-04:00

2:42 PM

Husband took off bright and early this morning to drive down to Charm, Ohio, to an auction of building supplies. He was able to purchase all kinds of lumber to help build our lean-to shelter and the new addition to the chicken coop for the meat chickens. I am not sure what all he got but the van is full! Those chicks really need to get out of those tubs!

My morning was a bit different (but fun) today. Ellie came to spend the night with me so that Mama and Daddy could work today. She slept really good in the night and as I predicted, was up running when both feet hit the floor.

Ellie had scrambled farm eggs, real bacon and my last blueberry/lavender muffin. She asked for a glass of Daisy Milk.

After breakfast we headed over to Aunt Sara's house so that Ellie could play with her cousins, Braeden, Ethan, Jackson and Princess Lydia. I left Ellie there and ran back home to do chores, before hurrying back to Sara's house.

Before I knew what was happening, I had two two-year olds and a big four year old dumping book after book onto what little bit of lap I had left. We read books about Winnie the Pooh and several Bible stories that Ethan chose.

The little ones didn't still for much longer than what it took to read two books but Ethan stayed asking me to read story after story.

We had a good time and lots of questions were asked as I read the book.

Ellie and Jackson spent some time watching the fish swim around.

Ellie got to meet the baby chicks again. She hadn't seen them since the day we picked them up from the hatchery.

She was a little anxious at first but then warmed up to pet them. Her mommy tried to get her to hold one of them but she wasn't in the mood for any such thing. They did make her smile though and she was excited to see them.

Ellie and Papa share some silly faces while on the way to check out Grammie's chickens.

Papa and Ellie were trying out the new (old) stanchions that he bought. He was wondering if Ellie could stick her head in it. She thought it sounded like fun.

Geoff, Sara and the kids came out tonight for dinner and ice cream. Sara wanted to spend some time with Emily so we decided to just get together here. We had baked ziti and then I made big brownie points with the family with the peanut butter/chocolate chip ice cream I made. The hard part was this special diet my doctor has me on... no ice cream for me. It was hard watching everyone lick their bowls clean.

So this was a fun family-filled day and because of that, boy, oh boy, will my bed feel good tonight!

March 18, 2011

2011-03-18T21:35:00.005-04:00

8:32 PM

Remember that I told you that I was given some special bib overalls that used to belong to my father-in-law, who passed away 33 years ago?

Well this is me in those very bibs! I feel a sort of connection to him when I have them on. He loved farming so. I still remember him singing in his bass voice, at the top of his lungs, when he was out on the tractor. He loved to sing almost as much as he loved his farm.

I remember many Sundays, standing next to him at church, and he would sing louder than anyone there. He always had a big smile on his face when he sang. I thought that he looked like a proud old peacock when he sang. I am sure if he had big tail feathers, they would have been all fanned out!

Yes, I know for a fact, that if God allows people to look down from heaven to check on loved ones, that my father in law is mighty proud of me wearing his bibs.

He died a horrible death from lung cancer in 1978. I always wished my children could have known their Grand-dad. He would be very proud of all of them.

I was so excited that Daisy would be moving home today but when we got to the barn we noticed that she was starting to just show some signs of being in heat, so we decided to leave her there for another few days to one week.

I will milk her every day but then after milking she will be escorted back to the "honeymoon suite" to spend some time with her boyfriend, Dopey. Yes, his name is really Dopey. Husband teases that his name is really Sir Lancelot because he can't bear the thought of breeding his cow with such a bull named Dopey.

I love these pictures of Daisy. The flash on the camera startled her, as you can tell from her big brown eyes! She is such a silly old cow. I love her so much.

Her expression in this one makes me grin. She isn't sure she wants to be in the honeymoon suite with her new fella. Dopey was very happy to see her though and was sniffing her and licking on her (kisses, I am guessing) and trying to see if old Daisy was in the mood. I couldn't help but add the funny caption to this one. I think the look in her eyes says it all. Silly old cow!

I was pretty sad at not getting to bring her home, to be honest. I nearly cried but I know that we made the best decision in leaving her there a few more days. I would so like to give her every chance to be breed. We won't know until about 45 days later if she is pregnant or not. I need her to have a calf so that she freshens. Too much time goes by and she will just dry up her milk supply and I would be heartsick at that thought. Now, if I can only convince Husband that I need a second milk cow.......... She does need company, you know.
I took a few chicken pictures today. My chickens are starting to look pretty funny. They are almost all starting to molt. They have fathers falling out left and right, many looking like they are half naked. Don't worry - they will grow back new feathers this Spring and then they will be beautiful again. This old hen isn't molting yet because she is broody. She is hoping to hatch some babies under her but she is not sitting on a single egg. She just sits there though and if I force her down to eat or go outside, her little legs act they are made of rubber. She will get it over it in a few days, if I keep discouraging her from sitting too long, and then her feathers will start falling out too. It's funny when they are broody because they puff their feathers out extra big.

The Colonel, on the other hand, is very handsome and hasn't lost a thing! He has chased me twice. I warned him if he keeps acting up then he will find himself in the stew pot! I don't think he believes me.

Emily came tonight to bring little Ellie Bean so that she could spend the night with Papa and Bammie (as she likes to call me).

Emily stayed long enough to eat dinner with us, visit a while with her Uncle Steve and give Eleanor a bath before she headed back home. Emily has to work tomorrow and needed us to help out with their daughter since Michael has to work tomorrow also.

Ellie is an early riser so there will definitely be no sleeping in tomorrow. She wakes up very cheerful and has way more energy than Papa and I together. She talks very clearly and a mile a minute! She is smart as a whip!

Emily bathed Ellie and laid her down for the night. I took Emily out to see the baby chicks before she headed home, with a full belly and a half gallon of "Daisy Milk". I get so tickled to hear the grandchildren call it that. They all love "Daisy Milk". I thought for sure that Sara was stopping out tonight to get some for her family but she never showed up. I guess I will deliver some when Ellie and I head to Aunt Sara's house tomorrow so that Ellie can play a few hours with her cousins.

That wraps up today's adventures. I didn't do much cooking today except for dinner tonight. I made baked walleye, cooked cauliflower, mashed potatoes and celery, carrot and pepper sticks. We had a little kiwi for dessert. I think I am going to head to bed now and get some sleep before Ellie wakes me up at the crack of dawn! (She is worse than the old rooster!) Good night!

March 17, 2011

2011-03-17T17:59:00.003-04:00

5:07 PM

What a beautiful day! It is 64 degrees today! It is hard to remember that it is only March and this is still Ohio, so I know that there is most likely more snow and many more cold days until this is weather is here to stay. But for now, just for today, this is a wonderful, beautiful and sunshiny day! It is exactly the boost that needed to get me through the rest of our "winter". Oh the promise of Spring! Sigh!

The little chicks continue to grow. They are starting to get more feathers. Each day, when I check on them, there is visible change in their appearance. Their wings are fully feathered now and they are just beginning to get tail feathers and a few are showing up on the back of their little necks.

They are such a pleasure to watch. They scratch and peck the floor of their tubs practicing looking for bugs and worms, I guess. It's amazing how these creatures know just what to do without any adult to show them. God has a perfect plan and He has shown them just what they need to do to survive.

I can't wait for the six little females to grow up enough to have them join the other hens. I will enjoy seeing a couple more varieties added to my Buff Orpington chickens. I once had Bard Rock chickens and really enjoyed them. Sad to say a raccoon got into their pen and ate them all.

The extra eggs will be nice in the winter, next year. Ten hens was not enough to keep up our needs when they were only laying 4-5 a day.

The warm sunshine allowed me to hang a load of laundry on the line. I simply love hanging clothes outside to dry.

In the summer, when it is so hot, the cool, wet clothes feel good on my skin. When I take them off the line to fold them, you will often find my holding them to my face so that I can smell in all that fresh air and sunshine.

I love the roughness of the towels when I shower! Who needs a fancy exfoliater when one can just use an air-dried towel.

Sheets are the best coming off the line. The way they feel and smell is heavenly!!!

We had another tasty lunch today. I prepared two cans of crab meat, with some shredded carrots and a bit of my golden mayo (isn't it creamy and lovely looking?) I made a sandwich for Husband, garnishing it with more of the sprouts I made the other day.

I took a quart jar of home-canned dill pickles off the pantry shelf to add to his meal. I am so thankful that I processed all those jars of food last summer and fall. It is just such a blessing to eat so much of food that we grew ourselves.

I am already making plans for what I want to can next year. I really need to do much more in the line of tomatoes - Salsa, tomato sauce, tomato paste, spaghetti sauce, tomato juice, diced tomatoes, pizza sauce and more. That is a big priority to me. I didn't do nearly enough tomato stuff last year. I thought I grew plenty of tomatoes last year but I know that I need to probably double the amount of plants.

Husband hung the old "moose" swing in the tree a couple of days ago but I forgot to take a picture of it. It was given to us by some dear friends whose children grew too big to use it. I know that our grandchildren will certainly enjoy playing on the old thing.

It was made from an old tire. What a great way to recycle into something so fun and cute.

I noticed in this picture how green the grass is getting. And I walked out into the woods behind our house today and noticed that the daffodils are about four inches out of the ground. One morning they will surprise me and be beautifying the woods very soon. Our good friend, Joe Konen, surprised us one day, about 25 years ago, with tons of bulbs and he planted them all over in our woods. I think of him with such fondness for his kind act of service to us. Good friends are such a blessing. I have no idea where he lives now. I heard he had gotten married to a sweet woman, named Paula, but I am not sure anything more about him than that.

Daisy's new home is waiting for her arrival in our barn!

Husband has been working outside all day. He finished preparing a place for Daisy, unloaded her feed and went to check on some hay for her. We are still planning to bring her home tomorrow afternoon. We still need to lay down her bedding and cut an old plastic barrel in half so that she has a water trough and a feed trough too. That will most likely be done in the morning after I get home from milking and then we will go back after lunch to load her up in the trailer and bring her to her permanent home with me.

Max is checking out the bags of feed for Daisy.

There is a pot roast and carrots in the oven. I will add a quart jar of my canned potatoes during the last half hour.
The sun is still hours away from setting. I sure love the longer days.
Husband has run off to the airport to go flying a little while with his buddy, Mike.
Max is laying on the couch, at my side, while I finish up this blog.
The almonds aren't quite ready to come out of the dehydrator but they sure taste good already!
I still need to wax a block of cheese before bedtime tonight.
I need to take that load of laundry off the line.
Still need to do chicken chores, collect eggs and clean the tubs for the baby chicks.

That about takes care of today. I better get the rest of today's chores checked off my list and then I think I am going to sit and read for a while. I haven't done that in several days. I need to get my book done so that I can take it back to the library. I love to read!

One last thing though... here is a little video of what it sounded it like here this morning as I was headed to the car to go milk Daisy. I am so thankful to live in the country.

March 16, 2011

2011-03-16T16:47:00.003-04:00

5:00 PM

We have decided to bring Daisy home on Friday afternoon this week! I am so excited, I can hardly stand it! I won't get much done because I will want to either be outside with her or I will be standing and looking at her out my window. Focus! I must stay focused! Husband spent some time today getting her pen around. He power-washed the two used gates we obtained so they would be nice and clean for her arrival! The spot in the barn is all cleaned up and ready. We won't be able to turn her out into the pasture for at least another four weeks. It is just too muddy and the grass isn't high enough to feed her. Hay will have to do for a few more weeks and then she will be able to roam around the pasture.

She never did go into heat, even with the shot. We will just have to invite her friend the bull to come spend a few days with her when she is ready. I won't have a Christmas calf now but hopefully one will be conceived so as to be ready to deliver soon after that!

Husband is out purchasing hay and has ordered her feed. I heard him tell the feed store that he will pick it up bright and early tomorrow morning! I sort of feel like I am dreaming. I am so very excited!

I made mayonnaise today again. It tastes so good and is so easy to make. I am just thrilled with the consistency of it. It tasted really good with our lunch today.

I took a pint jar of my canned chicken (from the chickens we raised last summer) and cut it into small bites. I added organic celery and carrots and a bit of onion. I stirred in some of my fresh mayonnaise and made a hearty sandwich for husband with homemade whole wheat bread, chicken spread, spicy sprouts and a couple slices of tomato. Since I am on this special diet that I spoke of yesterday, I used way less mayo and no bread. I just enjoyed it like a salad right in the bowl. It was quite tasty! The ingredients in the mayo are on my diet, in moderation, of course. I also sliced and shared a Gala apple with Husband. I added a slice of Swiss cheese and some bread and butter pickles I canned last year to his plate. It was very enjoyable, indeed.

I am almost out of Crispy Almonds so I took my bag out of the pantry and got them soaking in 1 tbsp of sea salt and filtered water. I will soak them overnight and then lay them out in my dehydrator to dry back up. It makes them taste a lot better than just raw and they are better for us this way.

Here is what "Nourishing Traditions" says about soaking nuts on page 512:

"Nuts contain numerous enzyme inhibitors that can put a real strain on the digestive mechanism if consumed in excess. Nuts are easier to digest, and their nutrients move readily available, if they are first soaked in salt water overnight, then dried in a warm oven or dehydrator... Salt in soaking water activates enzymes that neutralize enzyme inhibitors. An excellent snack is crispy nuts and a slice of raw cheese."

I use the nuts for snacking on and for baking too. I have soaked sliced almonds and whole pecans before and they turned out really well. They keep really good on the counter or in the pantry in an air-tight canning jar or something similar.

It was such a nice day outside today. The temperature right now is 53 degrees. We have waited so long for such nice weather. It is hard to stay in the house and do the work I need to do because the warmer day keeps drawing me outside.

Husband decided to take advantage of the warmer weather and used his pressure washer to rinse the salt off our vehicles. Salt is so damaging to the body and frames of automobiles here in this part of the world. We are always glad when we don't have to worry about rinsing them so frequently.

Another nice thing that happened today was a quick visit from my cousin, Marty. He is married to Chris, but she couldn't come with him. They are just some of the awesome family that I have from Michigan. We made plans today to have them come down and stay this summer for a while. We enjoy riding motorcycles with them. They are so much fun and they always have a place for us in their home when we go to visit my family up there. Marty loves to can and we often talk about all the things he is putting up. I was able to show him a block of cheese that I have sitting on my counter to cure. I think he was impressed with my cheese making abilities. I love surprise visits from family and friends.

I think I am going to put a steak in the grill tonight to share with Husband. I haven't quite decided what to cook with that steak yet, but I am sure I will think of something that we can enjoy. We are starting to eat dinner later and later in the day now that it stays light so long. Husband isn't willing to give up any daylight hours to come in. In the summer, we often eat very late - but that works just fine for us and our schedule.

I am just about ready to head down to our basement area to tidy that up and run the vacuum and dust. That will about do the housework for today. The kitchen is clean at the moment. That is a very good feeling!

I still have to do my chicken chores tonight, both for The Colonel and his hens and for the baby chicks. I won't do those until closer to dark though when they are ready to go in for the night. Those chickens of mine put themselves to bed pretty good if I wait until the sun is starting to set in the Western sky.

It has been a very enjoyable, almost relaxing kind of day.

I exalt Thee, O Lord. I praise You for another day of life. I thank You, Father, for the people you put in our path today and for the work that was accomplished. May the labor of our hands, and the love our hearts to those we had contact with today, find favor with You. Thank you for the very breath we breathe. Amen!

March 15, 2011

2011-03-15T22:23:00.002-04:00

I didn't have to milk Daisy this morning - my wonderful husband did it for me. You see, I had an appointment with my homeopathic doctor, Dr. Douglas Weeks, MD, this morning. It was a good visit. I am so thankful that I found this doctor. He is helping me make some changes to my diet to "reset" my body so that maybe, just maybe, I will be able to get rid of some of my prescription medications. I sure hope so.

We are trying a special diet for the next four weeks, removing all forms of carbs - pasta, breads, cereals, beans, grains and sweeteners from my diet. I am to eat mainly fresh vegetables, eggs, meat and fish, with a bit of fresh fruit, sprouted grains and a little dairy (milk, kefir and butter) from my cow. I will surely miss my homemade bread, crackers, tortillas, pretzels, etc. And it will be hard to not eat oatmeal and all the wonderful grains I love to eat, like quinoa, millet, etc. but it will be worth it for a while if this works!

He has done marvelous things for my hot flashes through Bioidentical Hormones (I had a complete hysterectomy in Nov. 2010). I feel so much better and the hot flashes are all but gone. I now just feel an occasional feeling of brief warmth, instead of extreme hot and cold flashes that I was having. It has calmed my moods too. He is a Christian MD, who felt God leading him to get out of conventional emergency room medicine and start treating the whole body for illnesses that are usually just treated with medications.

Anyhow - on my way home I came upon an Amish man hauling a load of what appeared to be scrap metal. That is one thing that I really enjoy about living in this part of Ohio is having the Amish people in the neighborhood. There is nothing unusual about seeing their buggies parked, along side the cars, at the grocery stores, Walmart, hardware store, etc. I never tire of seeing these simple, gentle people.

When I got home, I fixed Husband and myself an early lunch and then we decided to take our usual 30 minute nap. I love a little nap - especially on a rainy afternoon.

When I woke, I put on my chore clothes and headed out to feed and water the chickens. I only gathered four eggs today. I also checked on the little chicks. They did just fine in the shop with their heat lamps. They were running around and chirping happily in their tubs. They are quickly outgrowing them though. We only have a few more days before we either need to get them in the new chicken coop we have to build or get some more big boxes and heat lamps to separate them into smaller groups.

I came in and decided to tackle the job that I dislike the most about homemaking. I really don't mind washing the laundry but I really don't enjoy folding laundry that comes out of the dryer. Now, mind you, laundry that comes off the clothes line is another story. I take the clothes off the line in order - all towels, all Husband's clothes, all mine, sheets, etc. in order so that I don't have to re-sort when I get in the house. They smell so incredible coming in from hanging out to dry that it is pure pleasure for me.

Clothes from the dryer - no, not so much. They feel funny - I don't know how to describe it but I just don't enjoy it. I never have.

This is three of the four loads that needed my attention today. I still need to put them away in their proper places. That can wait until tomorrow though.

I spent quite a bit of time doing paperwork this afternoon. I had bills to pay, insurance forms to fill out, several emails that needed responded to, and our food co-op that I organize needed some attention.

We order food from "Something Better Natural Foods" every other month or so and it is my job to gather every one's orders and compile them to fax into SBNF. It takes quite a bit of time to enter the product codes into an Excel sheet for everyone. I still need to hear from a couple of people but I did get a good start on that today too. The orders are due no later than Thursday so I will have to work on this a few more times before it is completed and ready to send.

I fixed a great dinner tonight of Baked Lamb Chops, and sweet potatoes (from the organic potatoes we grew and dehydrated this past fall) and some green beans from the ones I canned from our garden last summer. I really enjoy lamb on occasion. I wish I could talk Husband into letting me raise a couple of them each year for meat.

I have run the dishwasher but I will wait until morning to unload that. I really need to get my body acclimated to the time change so it isn't so hard to get up in the morning. I just can't roll out of bed until 6:30 since the time change (of course that time WAS 5:30 a few days ago) so I am getting up the same time but the clock doesn't agree. A few more days and I should be used to the new daylight savings time.

Tomorrow I need to work most of the day in my basement. Those little chicks really got the place dusty before we moved them outside in the shop. I need to do some good cleaning down there and maybe finish the last load of laundry. That is about it for today!

March 14, 2011

2011-03-14T21:17:00.002-04:00

By now you should have figured out that I start the work part of my day in the barn with my Daisy girl. Have I ever mentioned how much I love that little cow?

I only got 1/2 gallon of milk from the old girl today. I think she was holding back on me thinking that the baby calf was going to come in and visit her again and she might need some milk for "Baby". How do I convince this cow of mine that "Baby" is NOT her calf? I sure hope she milks better tomorrow. I need more than a 1/2 gallon of milk a day to keep me and my family with sufficient milk to drink and cook with.

Husband bought four gates today, some chicken wire, a post hole digger and who knows what else? We have what we need now to put up the new chicken coop for the meat chickens and part of what we need to make temporary housing for Daisy.

Today was one pleasantry after another.

When I got home from the barn, I quickly showered so that I would be ready when my friend, Rhastina and her son, Preston, came to visit me. I used to work in youth ministry (15 years or so) and she was one of the kids in youth group. Now she is all grown up, married, a school teacher and a mommy. It's wonderful to see what God has done in her life. I really enjoyed her visit a lot.

Preston was in wide-eyed wonder with the baby chicks. You can tell by his little face that he was curious about that fuzzy yellow baby. He was so gentle with it and just kept stroking the chick's little downy head.

I fixed them lunch of grilled Swiss cheese sandwiches, homemade yogurt with organic fruit (apples and bananas) inside and glasses of Daisy's sweet milk.

Shortly after they left, Sara came over to have a cheese making lesson today. Here is a picture of her cutting the curds. Princess Lydia was watching intently as Mama worked with one arm and with baby girl on her hip.

We had a nice chili and cornbread dinner tonight using the fresh butter we had just made not 30 minutes before. We poured some real maple syrup over the cornbread and really enjoyed eating together. My grandsons love chili and ate good dinners tonight. Sara had to hurry off so that she could feed her husband and then leave for their church's small group gathering tonight. Papa Sid and Nina Gail are babysitting for the kids tonight. They do that every Monday night for Geoff and Sara. I think that is so nice of them. Sara has wonderful in-laws.

Sara wasn't able to stay long enough for her to put the curds into the cheese press. She helped to drain the whey from the curds and then we hung up the curds, wrapped in butter muslin, to drain for an hour. Then she had to leave.

I finished by breaking the curds into walnut size pieces, mixing in the cheese salt and then going through the process of getting the cheese ready to be pressed for the next 12 hours into a round block of Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese.

The press squeezes the last of the whey out of the curds and drips into my sink. I saved a gallon jug of whey from the process for bread making and such, but I don't try to save every drop. My refrigerator overflows with homemade raw and cultured dairy products!

I was able to take the starter culture that I fed the yesterday and make more buttermilk and sour cream. I re-fed my starter and all three are sitting on top of my refrigerator doing their magic. I will leave them there for 24 hours and then place all three jars in my refrigerator for a minimum of six hours to finish the culturing process and then they will be ready to eat.

I had enough starter to make some for Sara to get her cultures going at her house. Each week I have enough starter to share. It makes the best creamy buttermilk and sour cream. It is so much nicer than the commercial stuff you can buy in a regular grocery store.

My sprouts are doing well. Tomorrow they will be ready to start eating. They are a spicy mixture of seeds that taste really good on sandwiches or in salads. We love, love, love sprouts.

Sprouting a seed enhances its already high nutritional value. For example when oats are sprouted they will contain 600% more Vitamin C than just as un-sprouted grain. Sprouts are a great way to get more vitamins in your diet if fresh vegetables and fruits are lacking.

It's very easy to sprout any kind of dry bean, grain or seed. Sprouted lentils are very tasty and so is sprouted wheat. I actually sprout wheat just until tiny sprouts appear in the ends of the wheat kernels and then re-dry the grain in my dehydrator so that I can grind them into flour.

Sprouted flour is easier to digest and much more nutritious.

Husband and I moved the baby chicks out into the shop tonight. This week is supposed to be somewhat warmer and with the heat bulbs I think they should do nicely. They are just getting so noisy and so dusty (yes, chickens are dusty!) and they are driving our little dog Max crazy. I need to clean my nice basement tomorrow too, to get it back into pre-chick condition. The work here never ends, I swear!

We finished the evening with a beautiful sunset. Pictures never do justice to the handiwork of God but it was really spectacular! Sunsets take my breath away. Husband and I always admire sunsets together, even when we are apart!

March 13, 2011

2011-03-13T20:39:00.003-04:00

It was such a blessing to see our Sunday School class help another family in our class. It is our policy to take meals, or some other form of blessing, to members of our class that have surgery, are very ill or have some sort of crisis.

We managed to fill up two coolers with frozen, home-cooked meals to bless a family after the husband had two knee replacements a few days ago. People just kept coming with more and more for this dear couple. I love my church. It's a church that actually acts like the church that God calls us to be. If you are ever in the area and want to experience God through a wonderful group of people, this is the place to go.

Pastor Dan did an amazing job with the message today. It was both convicting and encouraging at the same time. I thank God for his leading. We are a blessed people.

I received another blessing today when my good friend, Kathy, brought Mike and I lunch, to church this morning. She made some delicious corn bread and chili that just needed to be warmed up when we got home. I had made two quarts of homemade yogurt and was able to bless her with that! It was a great day all around for lots of folks, I guess. God is such a provider of abundant gifts and it is fun to be both the one He uses to give as well as the one who gets to receive the blessing. She even stuck in a container for some more cheese whey when I have it to share with her. I hope to make cheese early this week, possibly on Monday or Tuesday.

We got home from church and right away I started a crock pot full of my chili to take to the Chili Cook-off at the Ashland County Airport, where we are members of the flying club there. It was fun to sit around and chat with some old friends after the business meeting. Husband has had a private pilot's license since April of 1993. We share ownership of a Cessna 172 with another couple. We enjoy the fellowship of many of the members in this little club and have been on trips with some of them across the country, as far West as Montana and then all the way to Maine on the other coast.

There was a time when we spent all of our spare time flying but not so much anymore. We don't have time to fly nearly as much as would like and with the cost of aviation fuel and such it has become more of an occasional pleasure than something we do often. We are very grateful for the years that the economy was good and it was possible to fly more. There are much more urgent things for us to do instead now that takes up much of our time. There really isn't such a thing as free time anymore. There is simply too much to do.

DAISY UPDATE:

On another note, Daisy did not get artificially inseminated today as we had hoped. She just wasn't ready. We tried putting her with the bull and he was willing but she was not. We need to wait a few more days and try again. I am still hoping for a "Christmas" calf this year. I sure hope she gets in the mooooood soon. *grin*

Well, that about wraps up today's events. Just a nice slow, enjoyable Sunday. I would like to read a little Scripture tonight and then look at and pray over my plans for tomorrow's "To Do" list. Lord willing, I will be able to make some more cheese tomorrow to catch up a bit on all the milk I have right now. Another busy week is planned in preparation for bringing my little cow home.

March 12, 2011

2011-03-12T20:20:00.005-05:00

7:26 PM

There was a hint of Spring in the air today as I walked to the car bright and early this morning. It was still very chilly outside but the snow was melting fast and I could hear birds singing in the trees. Oh how I long for Spring to arrive in full force. I enjoyed the blue skies and sunshine as I drove to visit Daisy. (It's hard to believe we had so much snow yesterday!!!)

Milking went really well today. The baby calf wasn't able to get to Daisy all night so I got two gallons of milk today when I milked.

Husband spent time this morning checking out some gates that we had bought and made plans to have Daisy artificially inseminated again tomorrow. If she does get pregnant from this, we will have a calf due December 20th. What a fun Christmas gift a new little calf would bring.

We told the gentleman that is boarding her that we are hoping to bring her home next weekend! Yippee! Now we need to scramble to be ready here at home.

I had a cute experience today. I was hauling hay to the animals and when I went back for another fork full I, thankfully, spotted an orange spot curled up down in the hay. I could have stabbed old orange cat (I secretly named her Sunkist) but I didn't.

I kept piling up more hay with the pitch fork carefully avoiding the cat but she wasn't a bit afraid that I might accidentally stab her! She is very trusting of me, I guess. She follows me all around and sleeps near Daisy in the night. During the day, she spends most of her time standing under Daisy's feet. She isn't my cat - she belongs to the farm where Daisy is kept.

I will miss her when I don't have to return to that barn anymore. I wonder if she will miss Daisy and me too. The funny thing about all this is, is that I don't even really like cats normally but this one is kind of special.

Because Husband went to the barn with me, the chores got done a lot faster. I was home again by 9:30! I was able to accomplish so much before noon today! I felt much like my old self with getting so much done so quickly! It was a very good morning for me.

I filtered the milk as usual and then prepared to make yogurt next. I took time to skim the cream off the top of the milk from the jugs from the last couple of days. I was able to collect a 1/2 gallon of pure, sweet cream!

Husband is asking for me to make him ice cream this evening again and I want to make more butter for my freezer.

If you look closely, you can see the line of where the cream has floated to the top. On the two jugs to the left, it is right under the 3/9 and the one in the middle of picture is right above the 3/9 date.

Here I am using a Turkey Baster to remove the cream and put it in the 1/2 gallon Ball jar to the right of the milk jug.

I used this milk (minus most of the cream) to make 5 quarts of yogurt. I stuck it in the dehydrator to keep the temperature an even 100 degrees for 8 hours. Then I will stick it in the refrigerator to enjoy for the next few days. I love fresh yogurt. Nothing is so good as fresh!

I fed my Cultured Starter with two cups of sterile* milk to 1/2 cup of the old starter. I then stuck the jar on top of refrigerator for the next 12-24 hours for it to set up firm. From this cultured milk, I will make a quart of buttermilk and a pint of sour cream and then have enough starter to feed it again for next time! These will all keep for a week or two and then I will start the process all over again.

*sterile milk is raw milk that I heat to 160 degrees so that it is pasteurized. It is called sterile milk because all of the healthy enzymes in the milk have been killed off. It is now void of nutrients until the culture does its thing! I make the buttermilk and sour cream with raw milk again so that it is highly nutritious for us.

I made two loaves of bread today. I did the first rising in the dehydrator with the yogurt jars. My Kitchenaid mixing bowl fits in there perfectly with the five jars of yogurt. They both need the same temperature so it is perfect to bake bread on yogurt day!

After I punched the dough down, and formed into loaves, I set my bread pans on an old heating pad that I bought at a garage sale last summer. I set it on low and cover the pans and I get wonderfully raised bread. Normally I do both risings in the dehydrator but two bread pans don't fit on yogurt day.

I baked the bread, let it cool and then cut four slices to use as buns for our hamburgers that I made tonight for dinner. I do make hamburger buns but didn't do that this time. Bread works fine, though we do prefer homemade buns!

I am busy making ice cream right now while I type this entry. It's almost done so I better close for today. I am thankful that tomorrow is Sunday again! My how the weeks roll around! Time just flies!!!

Speaking of time.... Don't forget to change the clocks before bed tonight!

SPRING FORWARD!

March 11, 2011

2011-03-11T20:46:00.005-05:00

1:55 PM

Well, the weatherman wasn't kidding! We woke up to snow. Sigh! I was hoping we were all done with that stuff but I guess not. This was the view out my back patio door. The woods were really pretty, I must admit, but I am just so tired of shoveling snow and heavy coats and boots. I want to run outside in my bare feet and sit in my screen house and sweat for a change! (And I don't mean "hot flashes" either!) I mean SUNSHINE and BLUE SKIES!!!

The view out my back door.

Snow on the bushes by the barn.

This was the scene coming out my driveway this morning.

The weather made it a little difficult at the barn this morning. For starters, I could not drive faster than 35 MPH because the roads were very slippery and covered with slush. There were cars in ditches all over the highway, apparently commuters driving too fast so they wouldn't be late for work. I took my time - Daisy is very patient, thank heavens and the water was frozen so we had to work a bit harder to get chores done. Tramping around in the snow is not what I call fun unless you are playing in it. The baby calf escaped from her pen and was nursing off Daisy (NOT her mother) when we got there. I could only milk about 1/2 gallon instead of the nearly 2 gallons I normally get. I have no idea why she didn't nurse off her own mother or why in the world Daisy would let her nurse, but she did. It made me smile actually. Daisy is going to be a very good mother some day if she is willing to take in the "neighbor kid"!

Of course chores took longer and I didn't get any housework done but I had time to shower, dress and then quickly filter today's milk before I ran three little chicks up to Braeden's first grade class.

He was so excited that he could hardly stand it. It was fun watching him "Show and Tell" all about the chicks. He ended with asking if anyone had any questions and then would call on each child by name as they raised their little hands. He was a little loss for words when he first started but then he took off! I was tickled hearing him talk with authority and knowledge. He has been listening!

I stopped back at Sara's house with a dozen fresh eggs that little Ethan had requested from me this morning. He called all by himself to ask me to bring him eggs so that he could make chocolate chip cookies with Mama today. Hope they share a few with Papa and I.

So, here I am back at home and still don't have anything done yet in my house. Seems that starting my day at 2:30 in the afternoon is going to be normal for me until we get Daisy back home, which we hope to do in about 10 days. I can't wait to bring her home!!! I will get some work done and then I will share with you the rest of my day.

8:31 PM

This afternoon was pretty successful for me. I was able to clean my kitchen... again (a continuous task), I whipped up a batch of dishwasher soap and I made Lavender Blueberry Muffins and Chicken & Dumplings for dinner.

Dishwasher Soap Recipe

1 cup of Borax
1 cup of Washing Soda
1/2 cup of salt
1/2 cup of Citric Acid

Mix together well and store in an airtight container.
Use 1 Tablespoon per load of dishes.

Husband got me two old wooden stanchions today for milking here at home. I just love old things that are still usable so I am thrilled that we will carry on the tradition that those old stanchions did years ago. Each day we get a little closer to bringing Daisy home. I wish we could afford to build a wooden barn to look like they did 100 years ago. I am afraid that the price of lumber will force us to build a metal pole barn but a girl can dream can't she?

I forgot to mention that the other day we ordered more trees for our little orchard. We ordered more sweet cherries, a plum tree, an almond tree and a Golden Delicious Apple tree (for making applesauce with no sugar!). Add those to our pears, peaches, baking apple, and pecan trees. I am planning to transplant some elderberry bushes again. I have had them several times and each time they get destroyed for one reason or another.

I need to get my seeds planted pretty soon or I will have to resort to just buying plants again this year. I don't have the shelving, the grow lights or anything to do that. Too much going on that needs done all at the same time. Just not enough hours in the day to complete everything that needs done! I do have my seeds - maybe next week but first we need to get ready to bring Daisy home.

March 10, 2011

2011-03-10T21:34:00.002-05:00

Thursday, March 10, 2011
7:59 PM

I am such a morning person. I like to get my house in order first thing in the morning. Seems my whole day goes better that way. I am not one to start new projects in the afternoon. I can work all day but mornings are the best time for me to start laundry, cleaning, baking, etc. My life has changed drastically since January 5th, this year. That is the day we bought Daisy, my little Jersey mix cow.

Because the place where she is being kept doesn't charge us any board (just feed and hay that she uses), we feel obligated (and happily so) to help do all the morning chores there, help milk all three cows, and assist in anything that needs done out of the ordinary with any of the animals. We are so grateful for someone who is willing to help me learn all about owning a family cow that we want to help but......

I normally wake around 6:00 AM. I put on a pot of coffee, check my emails quickly while the coffee brews and then I sit down to enjoy my coffee while I do devotions. All of that takes about an hour to an hour and a half. I have to leave the house at 7:45 to be on time for barn chores and milking so normally I only have 30-45 minutes to eat breakfast, dress for the day, put the milker together, etc. Now I have four tubs of baby chicks to take care of before I go for milking.

I have NO TIME for anything related to my household duties. No time to make my bed, or load the dishwasher until I get back home.Today I didn't return from the barn until 11:30. It has rained so much lately. I was soaked, stinky and starving! I work really hard at the barn. Using a pitch fork, I carry load after load of hay to 15 cows. I carry several 5 gallon buckets of water to the ones in the pens in the barn, and I help pitch manure and clean up after them - every day. I am physically tired when I get done with chores but I love it at the same time. It is just very physical work. I am even starting to get calloused hands! Who needs a personal trainer or a gym membership when you can live on a farm?

Husband took one look at me and told me he would take me into our little village for lunch at the Cornerstone Cafe. I quickly showered and dressed. I filtered the milk but didn't have time to clean up that process. I stacked them in the sink with the breakfast dishes and ran out the door. No time to make the bed and now my barn clothes lay on the laundry room floor, adding to the disorganization of my house. I tried not to think about what I was leaving behind and just went out the door.

I must admit that it was fun going out to lunch. I chose a hamburger with Swiss cheese and mushrooms, a side order of coleslaw and a large glass of water.

Sitting across the table from me was my good looking husband who had ordered a Western burger and a big side order of French fries. He drank two glasses of Pepsi. He suffered for it later - he isn't used to eating like that anymore. We rarely eat out (our choice) because I am pretty fussy about the kind of nutrition that goes into our bodies but every now and then it is fun to let someone else do the cooking and clean up.

By the time we got home it was around 1 PM and I still hadn't done a lick of housework yet. My tummy was really full from eating so much for lunch and I thought to myself, "Maybe if I lay down for a quick 30 minute nap, I will have energy to get up and accomplish something."

I laid on the couch with little Max, who wasn't ready to get up yet when I did.

Husband laid in his recliner and snoozed for an hour.

Around 2:15 PM, I finally was able to start my day. I was having trouble getting focused because there was so much I wanted and needed to do. I thoroughly cleaned my living room, washed three loads of laundry (that are still waiting to be folded and put away), cleaned the kitchen and ran the dishwasher, cleaned up the milking machine, mopped the kitchen floor and cooked dinner of Bacon, Fresh Spinach and Tomato sandwiches on my home baked bread. We also ate some home canned applesauce and some very delicious lacto-fermented carrots. I checked on the hens for one last time and carried out the trash. And I soaked the sore foot of that little chick I mentioned yesterday, in some peroxide for a few minutes. At 8:00 PM, I gave up and sat down to write this blog entry before I collapse for the night.

Husband has been "spring cleaning" his barn all day. We need to get things in order before planting season starts. He paced off the spot where the livestock barn is to go and said he was going to research some different plans for that tonight. I can't wait to get our own livestock barn. We already have one big barn but it houses a woodworking shop, my canning kitchen, and a part that holds our tractor, hauling trailer and other valuables that husband has collected along the way. He finds value in all kinds of stuff that others wouldn't think very good anymore.

We are supposed to get a huge snow storm tonight. The weathermen can't agree if we will get 8 inches or 12+ inches but either way it is way too much for me. I think that is part of my problem today. Weather affects me a lot. I really need sunshiny days to accomplish much. Right now all the snow has melted and we have gotten so much rain that things are flooding and our pond is over-flowing its bank.

Husband found and presented me with a pair of almost-like-new bib overalls that had belonged to his Dad. My father in law owned our farm before he passed away 32 years ago. He had several pairs of bibs like these. My father in law really loved me and I know he would be smiling if he could see me wearing them. I feel like I was handed something very special today. I am proud and honored to wear a pair of bibs that belonged to such a hard working farmer.

My little chicks are only four days old and they have little feathers growing on their tiny wings. I was able to get a close up shot of one so that you could see how cute they are. They are growing so fast. In a couple of weeks we will have to move them out of the house and into a warm shelter so they can have enough room to grow.

I will be glad when the dust and chicken smell is out of the house although I do enjoy hearing those little things peep-peeping at all hours of the day. We have lost two so far to drowning in their water dish. I think others had run over them and somehow, accidentally held their little heads under the water too long. I feel bad at the loss but know that is part of raising animals too.

Husband looked up some old articles from the early to mid 80's when we were doing organic farming way back when. Several newspapers and farm magazines had done articles on us. I need to find a way to post them on this journal for my kids to see and treasure. My how young we looked back then. We would have been in our early 30s. Goodness! How time flies. I am starting to gather information to post here about how we got started in organic farming, homesteading and such. There are fun stories to tell and I pray that my children, my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren will remember us long after we are gone through the things I am writing down. I need to dig out more of my old journals, lots of old pictures and get things in chronological order. What fun it will be walking down memory lane again.

I may even dig out a few pictures of my home birth back in 1982. That was an amazing experience too. Oh, I have lots of stories to tell and share with anyone who cares to read. And pictures of us building our current home when we in our late 20s and early 30s. We have always tried to do most things by ourselves or with the help of family and friends when we needed an extra hand. I have much to share as time goes on.

This girl is way tired tonight. Bedtime can't come soon enough for me. I need to rest up so that I am able to start the process all over again tomorrow..... I praise God for blessing my life and rewarding the hard work that we do every day.

March 09, 2011

2011-03-09T19:31:00.004-05:00

I had a little bit of extra help doing chores this morning! Sara had made a doctor's appointment for herself and asked if I could use a couple of extra farm-hands this morning. Now what Grandma, in her right mind, would turn down an offer for all that good help?

Ethan and Jackson

They came all dressed in Carhartt coats, boots and old clothes! They got to see Daisy to feed her a handful of hay and get their picture taken with her, play with some old barn cats and pet a 4 week old little calf. They were so well behaved and just a delight to have around.

Chores didn't stop there though... when we got home we still had the chicken chores to do so they trudged out to the chicken house and back. Ethan gathered the eggs for me, finding only three. I knew that they would lay more as the day went on but he was thrilled to find some all by himself.

After a trip out to visit the chickens my little helpers headed back to the house for some Kombucha and cookies. We played "Legos" once I got the milk filtered. We built a barn, a house, a tractor and planted a Lego garden. Ethan insisted that the farmer needed a pet monkey so he perched one up in the tree of our Lego farm. They simply bless my heart!

As I was changing the bedding for the chicks, I noticed that one of the tiny birds has a lame foot. You can't tell from this picture but his other foot has misshapen black toes. He doesn't walk very good. I am not sure if it an injury or a birth defect.

He seems to be eating and drinking really good. I stuck him in "solitary confinement" because the other chicks peck at his little foot all the time. I have to admit that those long black toes look sort of like worms or something. I will keep an eye on him for a few days and see how it goes.

I can't believe that the chicks little wings are almost covered with tiny feathers already! They are growing so fast!

I finally was able to spend a little time cleaning my house today. I have been so busy that deep cleaning has taken a back burner at my house. I could no longer stand the dust, the piled up laundry and the muddy entry way. We have had so much rain and I just can't keep up! I so long to hang clothes outside to dry and to be able to open the windows and air the old house out. Spring is only 10 days away but that is too long to wait! And besides, Spring may come that early on the calendar but it will takes weeks yet before the weather realizes that they season has changed!

My day was pretty ordinary really. You know, just routine stuff.... but then around 4:00 PM the day just started getting super-duper AMAZING!

Emily, Eleanor, Michael

We got a call from Ellie (2 yrs) to let us know that their new baby, to be born in July, is a BOY! Seems that Emily and Michael went for their ultrasound today and know for sure that Princess Lydia will have a dance partner, as our family lovingly likes to joke. You see...

Braeden was born in 2004

Kyleigh was born in 2005

Ethan was born in 2006

Macy was born in 2007

Jackson was born in 2008

Ellie was born in 2009

Lydia was born in 2010

Baby Boy will be born in 2011

Does anyone notice the trend we have going here? A new grandchild EVERY year for the last 8 years! It is so funny that the cousins consider themselves paired off into boy-girl, boy-girl when we move out the dining room table, put on some dance music and everyone has a partner.

I had some worship and praise music playing when they called. As soon as I hung up, I just sat, worshiped and praised our Heavenly Father for another blessing added to my already wonderful family. I am so extremely happy!!!!!!!!!

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored." Titus 2: 3-4

My last blessing of the day (so far - it's not over yet!) was a special visit from a beautiful-inside and out- young woman who God has placed in my Titus 2 path to mentor and teach the things The Father has shown me. She had asked me if I was busy and if I had time for her to stop by. I explained to her that of course I was busy but that I ALWAYS had time for her. She said she had some God Stories to tell me about.

As the words flowed from her heart, to her mouth and to my ears, I found myself getting goose bumps three times. She certainly DID have some God stories to tell! She proceeded to tell me how much I mean to her and how her faith has grown this past year. She and I both had tears in our eyes several times as the sweet conversation flowed. The visit was oh so sweet and way too short.

She didn't seem to care that my vacuum was in the middle of the floor, my scrub bucket by the door, unwashed dishes and things not yet all into place. I don't worry anymore if things aren't perfect when people come to visit me. They can take me as I am. That is one good thing I have learned in my 55 years of life. I don't sweat the small stuff anymore. Often we miss out on God's best for us when we worry and fuss that the house isn't clean enough, or the furniture isn't nice enough, or the meal isn't fancy enough... When we are willing to just open our doors AND OUR HEARTS to those God sends our way, those things don't matter one single bit.

I needed those hugs today. God blessed my heart so big that I can't help but smile. Today was certainly a special day.

March 08, 2011

2011-03-08T19:54:00.007-05:00

Tuesday, March 08, 2011
5:10 PM

Barn chores took a bit longer today. I helped do some "spring cleaning" in the barn where Daisy is being boarded. Spring time is a good time to organize. Winters are so long and hard here. It is easy for us Northerners to pile things up instead of hauling them back to the rightful place - just like me not wanting to spend much time in my very cold canning kitchen putting canning jars away. Barns get the same treatment (or garages or any outbuildings, for that matter) but Spring is a good time to start returning things to their rightful places. A trip to the landfill is usually in order or to the recycling place. I love to organize, even if it is in the barn!

I have been dreaming of painting a rooster on the chicken house door this summer and a cow mural in the milking parlor when we get it built. I want to freshen up things a bit if I can find any spare time when I am not working in the gardens or canning produce. I found a picture of a cow that I would love to draw with my colored pencils but where do I ever find the time? I thought winter would be time to do more art work but alas I find myself so busy making cheese and baking that there isn't much free time even in the winter. One of these days........ just maybe life will slow down a bit.

Anyhow, I got a little side-tracked, didn't I?

I finally got to town today. I have been trying to get there for the past four days or so. I hate going into town unless I have several stops to make. I just prefer to stay home and do the work I need to do here. I like being home better than any other place. I have traveled to 17 countries and met so many amazing people and I have seen such beautiful sights unlike anywhere here in the United States, but my heart belongs, and is happiest, here on our little farm.

The little chicks are doing fine by the way. So cute. We had to laugh today - my entry way smells like a cow barn (from my barn clothes) and the basement is starting to have the scent of a chicken farm. I said to husband, "So where we going to keep the baby pigs?" We both had a laugh. Gosh I love that man of mine. We have such good times together! We have a long history together - almost 40 years counting dating and marriage time. Lots of good times and not-so-good times to bond us together as man and wife.

I made a tasty salad for our dinner tonight. It is organic lettuce, organic spinach, some organic carrots with tomatoes, dried cranberries and toasted sunflower seeds. I was hoping to make some salad dressing today but I only had enough eggs to make the ice cream for Geoff's birthday party tonight. Sara needed a few for baking his cake and I had just sent my surplus home with my daughter, Abbey.

I tried to convince the chickens to lay just a couple more so that I could make my homemade ranch dressing but they had delivered all they planned to do before the birthday party, I guess. No amount of begging and pleading on my part convinced them to lay more today.

Can't wait to dig into this salad though. It made my mouth water just putting it together. It will go well with the pizzas that Sara is making for our birthday dinner!

I did manage to have enough eggs to make the ice cream. This little machine is worth its weight in gold! I am so glad that I bought one with some money I had earned staining some book cases. It can make the most wonderful FAST ice cream. I make it with highly nutritious ingredients:

3 egg yolks
3 cups of raw milk cream
1/2 cup of real maple syrup
1 tbsp. of organic vanilla
1 tbsp. of arrowroot powder

I like to make it just plain vanilla like this but it's fun to add mint and mini chocolate chips, or butter pecans, or mini peanut butter cups....... I only takes about 20 minutes and doesn't have the nasty anti-freeze that commercial ice creams have to keep it from freezing too hard.

I am taking two batches of mint -chocolate chip ice cream to my son-in-law, Geoff's birthday party tonight!

We had a great time at Geoff and Sara's house tonight. We were happy to see that Geoff's parents, Sid and Gail came to the party too. Sara and Gail made some pizzas for our dinner tonight to add to the salad that I had prepared. Sara also had baked a chocolate cake earlier that day.

Happy 32nd Birthday Geoff!

We love you and are thankful you are part of our family!

We had a lot of fun sitting around their table. We sang Happy Birthday to Geoff the regular way and then Braeden and I sang a few silly versions that we knew. There was a lot of noise, which is pretty typical in a house with three little boys 6, 4 and 2, who have more energy than a nuclear power plant! Of course, Princess Lydia lives there too, with her big brothers, but she doesn't make much noise yet.

The grandsons were putting their orders in for what kind of ice cream they wanted me to make for their birthdays that are coming up in May. I guess I need to learn how to make peanut butter/M&M ice cream and Moose Tracks. Good thing that Husband won't mind taste-testing my experiments before their birthdays.

I need to tweak my To Do List for tomorrow and then pick up the house just a bit before heading to bed. That's about it for today!

Oh, one more thing - when I went out to close the chicken house doors to keep them secure in the night, I checked and found two more eggs. I had asked for two more earlier to make salad dressing and they DID do as I asked but it was about three hours too late. Darn little hens!

March 07, 2011

2011-03-07T18:46:00.005-05:00

Monday, March 07, 2011
3:38 PM

I woke at 5:30 this morning and settled in to read in "Jesus Calling" and my Bible. It was chilly in the house so I had to slip on my robe before I could settle in to enjoy my quiet time with the Lord. Next thing I knew it was nearly 6:30 and I hadn't even begun to eat breakfast and get ready for the barn.

I went to the barn at the usual time and got Daisy milked. She only gave just a bit over a gallon today.... That is only about half of what she has been giving. I increased her feed a bit hoping for more but for some reason she wasn't going to give me more. I hurried home to find my some of my grandchildren here ready and waiting for me to get home and go pick up those baby chicks!

Ellie and her Daddy, Michael

I quickly filtered the milk and took a quick shower and dressed for the day! Off we went to Meyer Hatchery!

We didn't have to wait at all for my turn to pick up the chicks. They were all ready and waiting for us when we arrived. I bought 3 Bard Rock and 3 Rhode Island Reds for the layers and 100 +2 extra of the mixture of males that will be our meat chickens.

Papa, Ethan, Jackson and Ellie

When we got home we carried them to the basement family room to set them up into their boxes complete with warming lights. I kept the laying chicks separate from the others so that I could not only tell them apart but also so that I could handle the layers more so that they become accustomed to being handled a lot. I want them to get used to me and to come when they hear my voice so I will spend extra time with them.

Papa, Ethan and Jackson

The meat chicks are all in one container for a week or so but then I will separate them into smaller groups of about 35 per tub. I am going to be one very busy girl keeping their little tubs clean and keeping the food and water coming!

Max always enjoys watching the chickens.

Sara, Princess Lydia and Jackson watch Papa adjust the heat lamp.

The grand-kids were thrilled and kept asking to hold them. They were really gentle and oh so thrilled. Even little Princess Lydia was mesmerized by them. What a fun morning!

Everyone stayed for a quick lunch of Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, with home canned applesauce and some of Grammie's yogurt.

Sara took Jackson and Lydia home for nap time but Ethan insisted on staying here for his nap. He is still sleeping after two hours or more!

A dear old friend, Stephanie R., stopped over in the midst of chaos and shared PB & J with us. She stayed until around 3:00. As I walked her to the car she asked to see my canning kitchen so I let her check it out. I was a bit embarrassed as to the way the winter has not been good to it. I keep taking empty canning jars out there and just letting them collect on the counters. It is way too cold out there to keep it neat and tidy. Many times the snow was too high up the door to even get into there. When Spring finally decides to come, I will go out and get it clean and sparkling so that we can start our canning.

I would like to spend part of May canning beef and pork. June will be when I can dry beans and July will be the month that we can the chickens. By then the gardens will be producing and there will be vegetables to start them too and canning season will last way into late October for us.

All I plan to do today yet is clean the house a bit and start some lasagna for dinner tonight. Better get going on the house cleaning before I run out of steam and Ethan wakes up!

Jackson and Braeden wanted to each hold a chick. Braeden was talking while I was taking this picture saying "Grammie, I think he just pooped on me!"

Braeden asked me if I would be willing to bring three baby chicks (one of each color) to school on Friday, this week, so that he can use them for his Show and Tell. That is something that this Grandma will really enjoy!

My Chicken Guard Dog, Max

March 06, 2011

2011-03-06T20:04:00.005-05:00

Sunday, March 06, 2011
6:43 PM

We woke this morning to find snow on the ground again. It was 50 degrees here in Ohio yesterday but 28 degrees and snow today. What a bummer! I really don't like snow. I mean, it's fine from about Thanksgiving until New Year's Day but then it needs to quickly disappear and become Spring again. Winter just seems to go on and on for too long. I don't like having to bundle up just to go outside to get the mail or do chores.

When husband told me that it was snowy outside, me still tucked into my warm bed declared that I wasn't getting out until May 1st. However, I did manage to get up and get ready for church.

The place that boards Daisy does the milking for me on Sunday mornings. Isn't that nice? Soon as we get her moved back though I will have start milking around 6:30 AM every day so that I can milk before church. I will slowly take a week to move her time up about 15 minutes until we go from 8 AM to 6:30 AM instead. I am sure that Daisy will adjust to that easier than I do!

When we got out of church we went to TSC (Tractor Supply Company) to pick up the things that I need to bring the chickens home tomorrow. We will have to put about 35 chicks in each of the 3 very large Rubbermaid tubs I own, so we bought extra waterers, extra feeders, 100 lbs. of chick starter (feed), three heat lamps and bulbs, and some more filters for my milk strainer. After a couple of quick stops in town for a few other things, we started our journey home. The last stop was at a friend's house to pick up some more real maple syrup. I have just about used up my last 1/2 gallon so I wanted to get another.

We were really hungry by the time we got home so I quickly washed my hands and put my apron on so that I could start preparing lunch for us.

I still had a few tortillas left (even after giving most of them away) so I made some breakfast burritos in my well-seasoned cast iron skillet, made from our farm eggs, cooked beans, my homemade goat's milk ricotta cheese, and sautéed spinach all wrapped in a warm whole wheat tortilla. I cooked some bacon too,and of course we had glasses of cold "Daisy Milk", as the grand-kids love to call it. We really enjoyed our lunch.

Abbey and her Daddy worked all weekend on this wonderful little cabinet for Abbey's kitchen. When they got it done she asked "Um, Dad, is it going to fit in my car so that I can get it home?" They carried it out and found it fit just fine!

Why there was even room to spare! That's good because we sent her home with milk, canned and boxed food goods, eggs, and all the stuff she carried home for her visit. You can tell in the last picture that she was pretty excited to be taking it home. She was jumping up and down and squealing like a little kid - she told her Dad over and over again how grateful she was for this special gift in making one of her little dreams come true. Silly girl. Do you have any idea how much we love you?

I fixed whole wheat spaghetti with homemade meatballs for dinner tonight. Abbey needed to eat quickly and start loading her car with the last of her things. We enjoyed eating and talking around our dining room table at dinner tonight. I had offered to make her some ice cream but she sweetly declined knowing she had a nearly two hour drive back to her little apartment.

Geoff, Sara and kids stopped by very quickly just as Abbey was leaving to pick up a gallon of milk for their family. Sara had been saving some kitchen scraps for The Colonel and his girls. They really enjoy the goodies that she brings them. I was pleased to find 9 eggs today! They were loving that warmer weather and being outside for the past couple of days but they wouldn't come out today again so my egg production will drop back to about half tomorrow.... WHERE IS SPRING?

The dishes are now done and I need to tidy up the house just a bit before I call it a night. I am reading a new book, that I just started today, called "The Omnivore's Dilemma". It is a great book about the process of how we get our food and what it takes to get it to our tables.
One last picture to share tonight. These are my sweet granddaughters, Kyleigh - 5, and Macy - 3. Their Mommy, Amy, took them shopping to buy two princess dresses for an upcoming Father-Daughter Dance, later this month, at their church. Aren't they beautiful?

These little girls love to play dress up and love to pretend that they are waiting for their "prince" to come. Well, their wonderful Daddy, Kelly, is going to escort these two beautiful young ladies to "The Ball" at the end of the month.

They are so excited to spend this special evening with their Daddy, especially since Kelly spent much of the past five years being deployed with the Army. I am very thankful that he is home right now to take these girls to such a special event. It is one that I know neither of them will ever forget.

I sure hope Kelly shines up his dancing shoes and practices a few slick moves to melt their little hearts (or at the very least make them giggle!) They love their Daddy so.

I am so proud of my whole family. They all love each other, pull together to help one another, cry together, pray together and laugh until I think that our sides will split wide open.

There is nothing that I really need in this world when I stop to think about what really matters in life. These little girls are a big part of what really matters, as does the rest of my children and grandchildren. I pray the Lord lets me watch them all grow into young men and women sold out completely to the Lord. Again, my heart overflows with blessings!

March 05, 2011

2011-03-05T17:54:00.005-05:00

Yep - same start to this day as the others past. Sometimes I think that life feels a little bit like the old movie "Groundhogs Day". One day rolls into the next around here. I stay so busy but I do many of the same things over and over again. I am always grateful when bedtime rolls around.
Abbey is home this weekend so she took a picture of me after the cow barn trip and before the chicken house chores. (I smelled like a dairy barn!) My sister in law, Kathy, made that cute little farm basket for me a long time ago. (She not only wove the basket but she hand-painted the farm scene on it too.) I use it to gather my eggs and every time that I grab it, I am reminded of her, my husband's only sister. I normally set it on the bench right inside the front door so it is always ready to grab when I head out the door. It is not only functional but looks pretty cute sitting there next to the little blue Rubbermaid tub holding the cow stuff (leash, grooming brush, cow bell - yes, Daisy will wear a cow bell after I get her home!). I will be so glad when we get the cow barn built so that all that kind of stuff can go outside. Under that same bench sits five gallon jugs of things like teat dip, bleach, iodine, etc.

The little white tub that I am holding contains kitchen scraps that I take out to the chickens every morning. This morning held some veggies and bit of my homemade yogurt that was just starting to get too watery. They love yogurt or anything dairy. It's so good for their egg shells.

Here is a picture of my little milker doing its thing. I can milk her out in about 8-10 minutes using it. By hand, which I can do if necessary, takes me more like 35-45 minutes. I really appreciate the quickness of this awesome little De-Laval milker. Daisy doesn't mind at all and I am thankful every single time for her and that creamy milk. What a blessing!
After taking a shower (so that Abbey could stand to be around me) I got the milk filtered, the milker washed up and then proceeded to start my day in the kitchen.

I skimmed the cream off the all the milk that I had so that I could make some butter and have enough cream left over so that we can make ice cream tomorrow afternoon in celebration of Abbey's birthday. I have an old fashioned butter churn that belonged to my mother in law (who knows who owned it before her) and it's fun to make butter that way but it is much easier and faster in my blender.

I made five quarts of yummy yogurt that are setting up in my dehydrator as I type. It takes 8 hours in 100 temperatures to set. It is the richest, sweetest, creamiest yogurt I have ever made. Knowing that it is full of probiotics is wonderful. Nothing is destroyed in the raw milk because the temperatures are so low. I am raising my bowl of bread and setting the yogurt at the same time.

I baked and cooled two loaves of whole wheat bread.

It was lunch time by then. We ate some bean burritos, pickled eggs, sliced apples with peanut butter, a pear and some cheese for lunch. Oh - and a slice of sourdough bread with a bit of the fresh made butter spread all over the warm slices!

After lunch, of course, comes nap time. Abbey and her little dog, Bayley slept on the living room couch. That dog is very spoiled and she knows it!

I started out to make some Swiss Cheese today and got it started before I realized that I was missing the key ingredient that causes the holes to form in the cheese. Rats! I quickly tried to find another recipe to do so as to not waste the milk but realized that it just wasn't going to happen. Good things those chickens like milk! I did order what I needed today though and in a few days I will try it again!

I did use the gallon of fresh goat's milk, that I traded Kathy Jones for last night, to make Ricotta cheese.
That was a very quick easy process and boy does it ever taste good. It will keep for a week in the refrigerator but it won't last that long around here. I am planning to make lasagna for dinner on Monday or Tuesday.

I still want to grind wheat for Abbey and for me tonight. It's almost 6 PM so I am starting to run out of steam. I will be happy when the time change comes so that the sun stays out longer so that I have more energy. Seems as the sun settles into the western sky that my energy goes down with it. It's going to be pancakes with real maple syrup for dinner tonight! I am too tired to get too fancy and I need to use my cultured buttermilk up so that I can make some fresh.

Today was a productive day again though, even with the cheese incident. Sometimes things go as planned and sometimes they don't. Every single experience is an opportunity to learn something. I always told my children that when something happened and they were discouraged to remember that if they learned something then it wasn't a failure! I try to live by that thought in my life.

I look forward to church tomorrow and for a day of rest. Sunday afternoon naps are the best!

March 04, 2011

2011-03-04T21:36:00.005-05:00

Friday, March 04, 2011
9:16 PM

I had trouble sleeping last night and at 4:30 AM, I gave up and just got up for the day. It was nice to have the house to myself for an hour or so until Husband woke up. I really enjoy the quiet hours of the morning before the world starts spinning and the day gets hectic. It is worth losing a little extra sleep to experience the peacefulness of early mornings.

I went to the barn as usual. I milked Daisy, took a few pictures of some of the kitties there and came home a couple hours later to filter the milk and clean the milker just like always. This is Miss Sylvester. She is my favorite barn cat.

I had just finished that job when I got a call from Sara saying that Ethan (4) needed to see the doctor around noon and could I watch Jackson (2) and Princess Lydia (6 months). Of course I said yes. She dropped them off for lunch and nap time. By the time she picked them up and they left it was a little after 4 PM, so I didn't get much else done today. Thank heavens for leftovers!

We sure enjoyed the kids. Jackson is doing really well with potty training. He is getting to be such a big boy! Papa volunteered to read Jackson a story during potty time before nap.

And Princess Lydia is getting pretty good at drinking water from a sippy cup! She has the softest little cheeks! I just love to snuggle her!

I really did try to get a few things done with Lydia on my hip but I just couldn't do it anymore. I used to do all kinds of things with a baby on my hip but I think I have either lost the knack or else it's just a good excuse any more to just play with the kids and not worry about cleaning, cooking and such. (I think it is more the latter!)

We ate a quick dinner and headed about 40 minutes away to see Jim and Kathy Jones (no relation). Kathy and Jim milk goats and since I am in the cheese making process, I wanted to try making some goat cheese. We traded a gallon of cow's milk for a gallon of goat's milk. Guess what will be on my "To Do List" tomorrow? Yep, more cheese but this time from that wonderful goat milk. She has been wanting to make butter and ice cream so is thrilled to have some milk full of all that delicious butterfat that Daisy is famous for!

Kathy and I talked about all kinds of recipes and cooking tips. She is so like-minded in the way we eat and cook. She is learning to soak her grains, beans and flours too. I love sitting at her table talking about all kinds of things. She is a kind, quiet and gentle person. She has such a homey kitchen. I noticed that she has Scripture verses all around their home and it is so peaceful there. I am so glad that our paths crossed. As we get to know each other better, we are finding that we share the same faith and the same last name for starters but so much more. She is a blessing to me and Jim is a great friend to Husband. They are just delightful people.

By the time we got home from our nice visit there, it was around 9 PM at night. Our youngest daughter, Abigail, was waiting for us when we got home. She traveled up from Columbus to spend the weekend with us. Her Daddy built her a new stand-alone cabinet for her kitchen and they are planning to stain and finish it this weekend. Her birthday is today. She is now 27. I have no idea what happened to the past 27 years - they have gone so fast. Seems that just yesterday I was hauling her around on one hip and getting much accomplished.

Happy Birthday Abbey. Your Dad and I love you so much!

March 03, 2011

2011-03-03T18:37:00.005-05:00

Thursday, March 03, 2011

6:00 PM

Today started out pretty much like all the other days of my life. I did manage to make my bed before I went to the barn for chores. I prefer to make my bed as soon as I hop out of bed. Somehow, going downstairs in the morning, knowing the upstairs is tidy makes my day off to a little better start.

Daisy was happy to see me. She was laying down when I got there but as soon as she saw me and heard my voice, she jumped up and got in position for milking. She knows that when I come that she gets clean bedding, some fresh hay and a bit of feed and water while I milk her. I spent some time brushing her today and talking softly to her. I think I am spoiling her! Gosh I love my cow.

Back on February 17th, we gave her a shot to put into her cycle so that we could breed her. The auction where we bought her said that she had come fresh (had a baby) on Dec. 26th. On Feb. 21st, we artificially inseminated her. On Feb. 22nd, she miscarried. Seems the auction people didn't tell us the truth - she was already pregnant by about 12 weeks, meaning that she must have gotten bred in November. The shot that put into her cycle caused the miscarriage. I felt so bad. On the positive side, we KNOW now where she is at and will attempt to breed her again in the next few days.

When I got home, I took off my barn clothes and proceeded to filter that wonderful, sweet milk. I got just shy of two gallons of milk this morning. That makes five gallons of milk in my refrigerator again! I will be sharing some with two of my daughters. Depending on how much milk I get tomorrow will determine whether or not I need to make some more yogurt and cheese to catch up. I have to work hard to not let any of that milk go to waste!

I usually wash the milker in the laundry sink because it is bigger and deeper than my kitchen sink. It doesn't take much time to wash it up if I do it right away. I can't imagine the mess it would be if the milk was allowed to set inside! I work pretty quickly to at least get it rinsed out as soon as I get home.

I spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen today and my feet are tired tonight. I tried to get the tortillas mixed and soaking before I went to the barn, but in my haste, I goofed and put twice as much water and raw apple cider vinegar in the six cups of flour, so I quickly threw more flour in the bowl, mixed to moisten and then let it soak for 7 hours or so. So when I got ready to roll out the tortillas the recipe said I would get 64 shells! Oh my! I must have made them bigger than the recipe because I only ended up with around 45. I sent around a dozen to Sara's house, along with a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs and a bag of organic oranges, lemons and grapefruits. (Husband brought them back from AZ, from cousin Sally's house). What a blessing!

I made the tortillas because I planned to make Bean and Cheese Burritos for dinner. I had soaked the Anastasia beans all night in soda water so they would be ready. I rinsed them well and plopped them into my electric pressure cooker, along with some jalapenos, green peppers, onions, and cumin. I added about 4 Tablespoons of coconut oil to keep them from foaming while they cooked. In just 25 minutes they were done and the smell of those spicy beans swirled around my little kitchen. Husband went to check out a tractor at an auction he wants to go to on Saturday. As soon as he gets home we will eat dinner. It's nice to have it all done and ready when he walks in the door.

I also baked two loaves of sourdough artisan bread. I free formed the loaves and using a wide pizza paddle, slid them onto a hot stone. On the shelf below the stone sits a broiler pan that I throw a cup of hot water in and quick shut the door so that the crust turns out really crunchy while the soft, warm bread is inside! I love sourdough bread that has a hard crust. It reminds me of the bread we ate when we were in France a few years ago. Yummy!!!!

I never did get into town today to pick up the Soap Making Book that the library got in for me from another library. I need to get gas but I hate to do that because gas was $3.38 a gallon the last time I filled up. That is really expensive right now but my car is nearly on empty so the four mile trip into town must be done before I go back to the barn again or I might just run out of gas!

I did a couple loads of laundry today - one of my stinky barn clothes and a second load of white things. I hang the barn clothes on my folding clothes rack to dry but the white things I put in the dryer. I hate using the dryer. I really love hanging clothes outside but putting on the clothes rack is the next best thing for me. Oh for warmer days when I can hang things outside! I simply can't wait.

I wanted to make homemade soft pretzels today but because I used so much extra flour making the tortillas, I would have had to grind more wheat yet tonight. I was full of energy until about 30 minutes ago but now I am pretty tired so I guess those pretzels will have to wait for another day. I want to share them with my grandchildren. I love those little people so much!

I think I might just go take a bubble bath instead and settle down to read a little more of my homesteading book "Mammy Jane". I am so enjoying all the things that woman does every day. She is living the pioneer life that I so dream about. I really need to get it back to the library in a few more days so I need to get it finished. That about wraps up today....

March 02, 2011

2011-03-02T16:58:00.004-05:00

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

6:35 AM

I thought that I would start out today's post talking a little bit about my spiritual side... I have my heart and life to Jesus in 1984, after the traumatic birth of our youngest daughter, Abigail. Up to that point, I was a church-going girl from 1973 to present but it wasn't until 1984 that I began to understand that God wanted a personal relationship with me and not just a shallow relationship (me showing up to church on Sundays to help lead worship in our little country church and sing in the Christmas choir once a year).

My testimony is long but precious and some day I need to write it all down so that my grandchildren and great grandchildren will know how important the Lord is to me and what He has done in my life. But, I will save that for another day.

I am a great believer that the only way a Christian is really going to grow spiritually is to spend time in God's Word and pray. It's such an easy thing for me to "put off until later" because of my busy lifestyle but I know how important it is and try hard to seek His face by spending some quiet time each day (usually the morning but not always). I have done all kinds of different ways of studying the Bible. I have done word searches on specific things like "Christ's love" for example and look up every passage that has to do with that to get a greater understanding of what that means.

I have a dear, dear friend, DS, who taught me to pray the Scriptures back to God speaking His words back to Him, out loud, in my own words. It has been a blessing to do that. Try it sometime by starting with Psalm 146. Read verse 1, and then pray it back to God. Verse 1 and 2 would sound something like this to me...

Vs 1: "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul!"

Oh Father, I praise You and You alone. I praise you with my whole being, way down to the deepest part of me - my soul - the place where You speak to me and commune with me. Praise You Lord!

Vs 2: "I will praise the Lord while I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."
God, as long as I have breath, I will praise you. I will not only speak praises to You but I will sing praises as well. I will sing when I worship together with my church family and I will sing praises with you when it's just You and I. I will sing Your praises to my children and grandchildren, Lord, to show them how awesome You are as long as I live!

I have used "The Daily Bread" as a starting point to my devotional time, as well as other devotional books, that God has used to speak to my heart. But right now God is really using "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young, to really speak to my heart. She uses the "praying back" of Scripture for several verses, as if God were speaking them back to me in common, every day words. I read the words that she has written, and then read the Scripture verses she has used to write what she has written. I write out those verses, directly from Scripture and pray them back to God in my own words. I always underline the things that stand out and apply to my life right now. Over and over again the words of the Scripture and the praying them back have lead me to write out a verse, to hang above my kitchen sink to meditate on (or sometimes memorize), in dealing with something I struggle with or sometimes just am encouraged by.

Well, I will be back. I need to get ready to head to out to do chores. I have a "To Do" list a mile long. Join me, will you, to see if we can get everything done or if God will change my plans to line up His plans for me today.

1:01 PM

Well, the cow is milked for another morning. When I got home Husband had already taken care of the chickens for me. We had seven eggs already this morning! I knew that letting them wander around the yard, in the sunshine, would be good for egg production! They were excited to come barreling out of the chicken coop again today. The Colonel crowed loudly as I got out of the car. He always welcomes me home! He is better than a watch dog sometimes!

I filtered almost two gallons milk before I showered and dressed for the day. I have the milker all washed up and ready for the next milking. It cleans up nice if I do it right away!

I had just finished tying on my apron when I heard the tractor start up. I haven't heard her since last fall so of course I had to run outside to see what was up. I found husband using it to move some equipment from the spot where we are going to put up Daisy's temporary housing! I can't wait to bring my cow home!

Seeing my handsome husband on that tractor made me smile. I love him so much even after all these years! I really appreciate that he is going to all this work for me so that I can have a cow to milk. I know that he is really pleased with my cheese making and all the other things that I am doing with the milk.

He told me this morning that he has noticed how much I like being out in the barn with the animals. I really do enjoy myself and look forward to the time that I spend out there.

I made Jones' Macaroni Salad today for lunch and dinner. I posted the recipe on my Proverbs 31 Women Facebook page. I used organic ingredients as much as possible and even took time to make homemade mayonnaise to put on the salad. It is so much better tasting and healthier too than the store bought version.

We had Jalapeno Pepper Pickled Eggs, macaroni salad and some cheese for lunch today.

Tonight I am planning to make Baked Walleye to serve with the macaroni salad. I really enjoy eating the fish that Husband caught in Lake Erie last fall. He usually fills part of our freezer with Walleye and Perch.

I still have several things on my "To Do" to accomplish today. The kitchen needs tending to again. It is a never ending job here. Husband said he will fix my dishwasher for me today so that will be an added blessing to be able to tuck some of those dirty dishes away quickly! I need to give my dear, old fella a haircut today. I have cut his hair for 38 years! Only one time did someone else cut his hair in all that time! I am pretty good at it too. It saves us quite a bit of money not having to pay a barber! I have no formal training. I just jumped in and did it. Natural, I guess.

4:30 PM

I made a batch of granola bars this afternoon. I used dried mango, pineapple, coconut, sunflower seeds, old fashioned oats, brown sugar, honey and vanilla.

Husband fixed my dishwasher so I have already run a load of dishes in it and it works just beautifully! I am very thankful for a handy husband! He can do just about anything! Speaking of husband, I did give him a haircut and he is looking good!

These bowls contain Anastasia Beans that are soaking for 24 hours in hot water and baking soda to make them more digestible. I plan to make Bean and Cheese Burritos tomorrow for dinner. Cooking this way takes a little forethought to prepare the beans, flour, grains the day or night before but it makes it so worth it for our bodies.

The bowl on the left is my sourdough that was fed this afternoon and is going to sit on my counter for the next 12 hours or so, so that it can do its sourdough magic! I am going to be using it tomorrow to make Sourdough Tortillas for the burritos and for a hearty loaf of Sourdough Artisan Bread. At least that are my plans for now! Oh, and I would love to try that soft pretzel recipe that I learned about just the other day.

I got out my double boiler and heated up my cheese wax again so that I could seal the block of cheese that my son in law, Michael helped me make last Saturday. (Don't worry Michael, I put your name on the label so we can keep track of which one is yours.)

I purchased some Rubbermaid cake holders to store the cheese in while it cures. It is important to keep the temperature around 52-54 degrees and the humidity just right for the next 60 days. I am so anxious to taste these blocks of cheese. My next attempt will be Swiss Cheese. We all love Swiss Cheese around here in this family!

All that is left to do this evening is prepare dinner. The Walleye is thawing. I will stick it in the oven around 5:30 so that we can eat at 6:00 this evening. Then it's dishes, straighten the living room a bit and settle back to read some more of the novel I am reading until my eyes grow tired and I head off to bed. Today has been a profitable day.

I do look forward to baking day tomorrow!

March 1, 2011

2011-03-01T21:52:00.006-05:00

One of my childhood memories is of my Great Grandma, Ethel A Burt. She was such a special grandma to me. She was a hard working farm wife with a garden, chickens and a kitchen full of tasty treats! She was the kind of grandma that always let me lick the beaters, play in her upstairs, and drag down the feather tick mattresses whenever I wanted to spend the night. I would spend most of my summers at Great Grandma's house.

Great Grandma watching me show off my new doll house.

I wish I could have known her as an adult because there is so much that I would love to ask her about. I would have given anything to have a peek into her thoughts by reading her diary of the simple daily tasks that she did every day. In pondering that thought, I have decided to journal my life for one year so that my own children, grandchildren and great grandchildren can remember me. I am so excited to start this project.

Don't expect any great revelations or exciting events to take place on a regular basis... it is just me, my life and the people that cross my path. Everyday happenings in this life that I call my own. Come, pour yourself a cup of coffee and settle in for a look into my life as together we REMEMBER HOW BLESSED WE ARE in the simple daily events called life.

Tuesday, March 01, 2011
8:59 PM

I woke this morning around 6;30 AM and noticed right away that the sun was shining. This winter has been so gray and cloudy. We see very few sunshiny days with blue skies but today was one of those. It is so much easier to hop out of bed when the sun is shining, I think.

I wandered downstairs to put on a pot of coffee and slice a couple of slices of homemade banana nut bread for breakfast. I had made some butter a couple of days ago so I smoothed some fresh butter on those moist slices of bread. While the coffee was brewing, I ran back upstairs and put on some warm clothes so that I would be ready to go outside and do chores as soon as breakfast was over.

I had to head over to milk Daisy and do barn chores by 8:00 AM but first I needed to eat breakfast and check on the chickens. I like to do chicken chores three times a day. I go out early in the morning to make sure that their water isn't frozen and check to see if any eggs were laid in the night. I have lost a few due to the eggs freezing so I have been more devoted in checking for eggs several times a day. I put a couple scoops of laying mash in their feeder, check for eggs, put some kitchen scraps into their feeding dishes and then head back to the house to grab my milker and head over to milk.

It is so nice to have a De Laval milker. It is so much faster and the milk is so much cleaner when I filter it before chilling the milk in the refrigerator. I love the smell of the barn and my sweet old cow. I clean up her old bedding, lay fresh straw or wood chips, give her some hay, a bucket of water to drink and a couple scoops of feed while I milk her. She is so patient and gentle. I remember to ask her nicely if she will please share some milk with me and I never leave her without thanking her for those gallons of milk she gives every day. I think it's important to appreciate just what she does so willingly for me every morning and evening. Milking and chores take me about two hours of each morning but it is a very pleasurable two hours for me.

I got home, changed out of my barn clothes and went to the kitchen to filter the milk.

I write the day's date on the milk jugs.

Husband asked me to come outside and walk around the yard with him so that we could dream about where to build the livestock barn, where to put the pasture and where and what size the milking parlor should be. I love dreaming with him about things we want to do to this place. We hope to put up the livestock barn this year, along with a small greenhouse, and a windmill and water tank system for the back garden. I looked at the poor cold looking garden and wished for warm soil and little seeds poking their heads out of the soil.

By the time I got back in the house it was time to start thinking of lunch. I made fried egg sandwiches, from our chicken's eggs, homemade bread and butter, glasses of cold raw milk, and some slices from some organic apples that I purchased at a grocery store earlier that week. We held hands as we said the blessing over the food, thanking God for His abundant blessings.

We were both a little tired after lunch, so Husband, in his recliner, and me, on the sofa with our little dog, Max, took about a 30 minute nap.I love a little afternoon nap. I woke to hear The Colonel crowing outside my window. He had jumped up on the park bench and was crowing for all the world to hear!

The Colonel and one of his girls enjoying a little sunny winter day.

The mail man delivered two fun things today. One was this picture that is hanging over my stove now. I love this little picture so much. What a blessing! The other delivery was my cheese making supplies that I have been waiting for. Now I can make more than just Farmhouse cheddar. I will be trying Swiss cheese next time! I love, love, love making cheese!

I had a couple of new friends stop over to chat for a bit. They are house-sitting for some neighbors. I had met them on Sunday and invited them to stop over if they needed a little company. It was nice to spend some time getting to know them better. I love getting company. I wish neighbors stopped by regularly at each others homes like they used to when I was a kid. Seems everyone is so busy anymore.

I spent the late afternoon finally getting to the dishes. My dishwasher isn't working right now so I have had to resort back to doing dishes by hand. I really don't mind though. I actually like the way the warm soapy water feels on my hands. I try to keep an attitude of thanksgiving while I wash dishes. Those dirty dishes are reminders of good food cooked in my home, of nourishing meals shared with family and friends and God's great provision for my family, day after day.

I no sooner got my dishes done when our daughter Sara called and invited us up to their home for a tasty dinner of Corn Chowder, served with homemade bread and apple butter she had canned last fall. She and Geoff have three of the cutest, noisiest little boys in the county and a sweet little baby girl. I love watching them interact with the children. They are such good parents. It was a nice evening with their little family.

I didn't accomplish nearly all that I thought I would get to do today but tomorrow will be another day.

My First Hard Cheese Experience!

2011-02-22T20:08:00.003-05:00

Today was a wonderful learning experience for me! I love, love, love learning new skills and today was one of the best! My adult children and grandchildren bought me a fancy new cheese press from New England Cheesemaking Supply Company for Christmas 2010.

As you know, I had asked Husband for a milk cow for Christmas that year too, and in January Daisy arrived into my life. Now I would have all the fresh, raw milk I wanted to make my own dairy products.

I have successfully learned to make 30 Minute Mozzarella Cheese, Cream Cheese, Butter (both sweet and cultured), Sour Cream, Cultured Buttermilk and Yogurt but I had yet to gather the nerve to make hard cheese until today!

I watched a four part series of videos on YouTube that walked me through the process of making Farmhouse Cheddar Cheese. The man on the videos gave me the courage I needed to jump in with both feet! Gosh, I love the internet!

I used a double boiler to warm the milk to 90 degrees.

I added the starter (1/4 tsp of Mesophilic Starter)
and covered the pan and let it ripen for 45 minutes.

I added 1/4 tsp of diluted liquid rennet in a 1/4 cup of cool, filtered water. I stirred both up and down and then by only top stirring 1/2 inch to mix the cream back into the milk. I covered again and let sit for 45 minutes. I then cut the curds into 1/2" cubes.

I next placed my pot in a sink full of hot water (changing the water twice) to slowly heat the curds to 100 degrees no more than 2 degrees per 5 minutes. I thought that would be difficult but it wasn't - it occurred quite naturally. (That was the scary part for me) That took almost 30 minutes. The whey turned very buttery yellow as you can see in the gallon jar of whey I saved for baking later, in the next picture.

I poured the curds into a butter muslin-cheesecloth lined strainer, separating the curds and whey. I sort of expected "Little Miss Muffet" to show up at my door but she didn't and thank goodness a spider didn't set down beside me in the process.... sorry. Stay with me here, would ya? *wink*

I had to drain the curds for an hour and then transferred them to a bowl to break into walnut size pieces and mix in 1 tbsp of special cheese salt.

I packed them into my 2-pound mold lined with cheesecloth and applied 10 pounds of pressure for 10 minutes. I then removed the cheese from the mold, and gently peeled away the cheese cloth, turned it over, and applied 20 pounds of pressure for 10 more minutes.

I repeated the process but this time pressing at 50 pounds for 12 hours.

This is where I am at right now. Tomorrow morning, I will remove the cheese from the mold and carefully peel away the cheesecloth. I will air-dry the cheese at room temperature for 3-5 days, then I will wax it. Stay tuned for more in a few days! I will share the waxing process with you and show you the finished product!

Remember How Blessed You Are....

2011-02-18T14:13:00.003-05:00

I learned of a new project, a few weeks ago, of something that I really want to do for my family. I know by posting it here that it won't be a surprise to them but I am hoping that it will be something they really enjoy in years to come. I want to leave them a bit of me, my legacy so to speak, and I can think of no better way than to

journal the next 12 months

of my life for them. Then, at the end of the year long process, I will make a copy of my writing and give it to them in the form of a CD.

I have decided that maybe you would all enjoy reading some of that on here, so each evening, as often as I can, I will post a photo of something that I saw, did, learned, etc. and a short description of the day. I can leave out the personal, private segments that deal with my children or grandchildren, but can share with you general things about my life, my family, and what I am doing.

I will try to post daily but know that sometimes life gets in the way and it just won't be possible but I will commit to as often as I can. Mostly it will be about the pleasures, trials and errors of farming, gardening, cooking, food preservation, milking cows, gathering eggs, sewing, and such.

I think it will be fun for all of us as we journey through "Laurie's Thoughts" together.... Let me know what you think about this idea!

Chickens and Yogurt Making

2011-01-18T16:27:00.003-05:00

The chickens are so funny. It was a warmer day here in Ohio, so I thought the ladies might like to get outside for a while. They were so funny. They all tried to stay on the ramp so they didn't have to stand in the snow but they kept pushing out and therefore knocking others off. The ones in the snow tried to get back into the coop but couldn't get back in because others were still trying to get out. They make me smile every day and I am so thankful for them. God is good to give me little chickens, a big old handsome rooster and a sweet, brown-eyed milk cow named Daisy.

Speaking of Daisy, I had an extra gallon of milk so I made yogurt again from her wonderful milk. I got almost five quarts from a gallon of milk. Here is how I made it. I took the (raw milk) recipe from "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon. You can find it on page 85.

Place 4 quarts of raw milk in a double boiler and heat to 110 degrees.

Remove 1/2 cup of warm milk and add 1/4 cup of either commercial yogurt or some saved from the last batch. Stir well and pour equally into 5 quart size jars.

Add a further 2 Tbsp. PLUS 2 tsp. of yogurt into each jar and stir well.

Cover tightly and place in a dehydrator set at 100 degrees for 8 hours. Then transfer the jars to the refrigerator.

This yogurt is so creamy (a little runnier than commercial though) and so sweet that it needs no sugar or fruit to be enjoyed just as it is. I have tried it plain, another time with peaches that I had canned and also one time with a drop of vanilla in my bowl of yogurt. Husband likes it with peaches best but I prefer it plain. I have given away most of this batch for gifts today and I hope the families that I gave it to will enjoy it as much as we do.

Me, Perfect? Nope, Not Even Close!

2011-01-17T10:20:00.005-05:00

These four beautiful women are my daughters. Amy, Sara, Emily and Abigail. I am pleased to say that they all strive to be Proverbs 31 women. Over Christmas this year they requested that I share more of my goofs and imperfections because too many blogs only show the beautiful side of homemaking, where it appears that the woman always has a spotless house and nutritious meals cooking on the stove. I am sorry if I have given you that image in my life. I love to be a homemaker but I struggle at it just like every other woman.

I just want you to know that sometimes I go to bed with a messy kitchen. Mind you, I make everything from scratch so my kitchen looks like this quite often. You can't cook everything you eat without a continual mess in the kitchen but last night I didn't bother to clean it before I went to bed. (I was just too tired.) Both sinks are full because the dishwasher hasn't been unloaded yet and refilled. I use lots of big pots and bowls in my food preparation. The biggest silver bowl is filled with leftover popcorn hulls because there was no time to cook dinner. We just ate popcorn, at my husband's request, for dinner last night.

You can't tell from these pictures, but trust me, the window seals are dusty and there is a little cobweb (that wasn't there yesterday, honest) holding my star light securely to the window on the right. The kitchen floor needs mopped and I haven't even started the cooking for today yet. I have sewing that HAS to be done before I go to bed on Tuesday night.

My hamper is almost over-flowing with dirty laundry. I need to change the sheets on husband's and my bed. The floors need vacuumed and the front entry way is not only muddy but "chicken poopy and cow barny" now thanks to Miss Daisy, The Colonel and the Girls.

I just wanted you to know that my house is a working house with a real working kitchen and a working farm... perfection is not my goal but just keeping up. I am amazed at women who "get their work done" by 9:00 AM. I am lucky, by that time, to have my devotions, barn chores completed, showered and dressed and breakfast eaten by then and I am an early riser! By noon I TRY to have my house tidy, laundry going, dishes done and bed made..... I like to eat lunch somewhere between 11:00 and noon and then prefer to rest for about 30 minutes before I tackle the other things in life. I work most days from sunrise to sunset and still never have my work "done". I don't think it is because I am lazy..... but there are never enough hours in the day.

I am planning to make yogurt and cottage cheese yet today (if I can fit it in). I will take pictures and post the steps for these tomorrow. The yogurt and cottage cheese are two day affairs so it will take me two days to finish them both for pictures. But for now, that kitchen is calling my name pretty loudly........ My apron is on and I am ready for the task!

*Note the fun socks. My friend, Zura Beth, taught me that wearing fun socks makes the day go better. So here I am all dressed in my apron with my lacy socks and new slippers that I got for Christmas from my daughter, Emily and her husband, Michael. I have my "uniform" on to do the job that God has called me to do. Hm... think I will tackle those dishes first......... and remember what my Scripture reading told me this morning to "have an attitude of thanksgiving" Col. 4:21

Proudly Presenting..... Miss Daisy

2011-01-05T18:48:00.004-05:00

We have been talking about getting our own milking cow for quite some time. At first it was just my idea but soon after Husband started talking more and more about it too- Out of the blue he would mention as to where we would put the barn, the pasture, etc. He even mentioned there was an old stanchion in the barn down at his Mom's old place in the "far barn" as it lovingly called.

Well today was the day. Husband and Mr. Jim headed off to the auction in Mount Hope, OH, down in Amish country in an attempt to find us a nice little cow of our very own. I was so excited all day and called his cell phone or text him several times wondering how things were going. It felt like I was awaiting the arrival of a new baby in the family. I tried to stay busy but my mind kept wandering back to how things were going.

I finally got the message around 3:00 that he found one! He promised that when they got closer to home he would call me again so that I could meet them at Mr. Jim's house to watch her be unloaded. (Mr. Jim is keeping her for us for the next couple of months so that we have time to build a shelter for her and a place to milk her here at home.)

When I got there they were just stepping out of the truck. Husband and I peeked inside watching Mr. Jim (who is much more experienced than we are) put a halter on Miss Daisy. She was so frightened with the long ride home and all the commotion. I felt so sorry for her and just kept talking to her softly trying to calm her down a bit. She has no idea that she is destined to become a farm pet to me and to my grandchildren. What a good home she is coming to. She has so many family members to pet her and bring her treats.

When Husband opened the door to the trailer, Miss Daisy was very anxious to get out and jerked the rope right out of Mr. Jim's hand and headed for the highway (a main route, I might add). Husband ran to the road to stop traffic and right as Miss Daisy got to the road, she decided to trot slowly back into the back yard near the other cows that were there in the fence. Whew..... I was afraid I would be chasing her down the road into the next county!

We opened the fence to the other cows and she trotted right in like she lived there. (You can imagine I was praying she would.) She settled down pretty quickly there and even walked herself right into a littler pen so that we could pet her some more, giving her more chances to see that she was safe now.

This is the first time that I got to get up close to her and whisper in her ear telling her what good friends we were going to be. I promised to feed and clean her stall if she would give me gallons of sweet pure milk so that I could make a lot of cheeses with the cheese press my adult children bought me for Christmas.

It was so cold outside and I really wasn't dressed to stand outside for so long but I have waited and waited for this day and wasn't in any hurry to go inside where it was warm. Gosh I love this cow! Mr. Jim checked each teat to make sure "the plumbing" worked. It did. I watched beautiful white milk squirt onto the ground. He checked her hooves, her teeth, etc. and proclaimed her strong and healthy.

She freshened the day after Christmas (Dec. 26th) and we plan to breed her again at the end of the month. Hopefully in 10 months, I will have baby calf pictures to share with you! I can't wait for all of the grandchildren to meet her.

We were able to easily lead her to the pen where she will be staying. Mr. Jim threw some fresh hay into her stall and she started eating right away. She was very calm by then and even laid down before husband left.

So here you have the introduction to the newest member of our family..... Miss Daisy. Wonder what she will think of the chickens and "The Colonel" (my rooster). This spring she will have the company of a few feeder calves that we will raise for beef. I am still trying talk Husband into letting me buy a couple of pigs too...... Better not press my luck just yet.

I journaled this afternoon how thankful that I was for the Lord giving me yet another desire of my heart. This beautiful animal is more than I could have hoped and dreamed for. As husband told Mr. Jim, "She is more excited than if I would have given her a big diamond ring!" How right he is........ Gosh it is wonderful to be me!

Oh, Miss Daisy, you are going to love it here!

Homestead Style Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-27T18:04:00.003-05:00

To have a homestead-style Thanksgiving there is much preparation. It starts somewhere in February when I begin to longingly gaze into my seed catalogs to start planning my garden and herb beds. Since we live in northern Ohio we can't start planting until around Memorial Day. It was our goal to plant almost everything that we would need to sustain our family until the next garden produce would be harvested the following year. I knew that if we wanted potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, corn, etc. on our Thanksgiving table then Husband and I needed to plant them in the Spring.

For those of you that have been regular readers, you know that we had two large gardens this past year. Here is a picture of laying the plastic down for our raised beds.

Once the plastic was down and the irrigation drip tapes in place, it was time to start sticking the plants in the ground. I did buy my plants and seeds for this garden from the seed catalog and local nursery but next year we will start our own plants, sometime in the months of February and March. It is our dream to have a greenhouse up to start our seedlings in. Next year's plans include livestock shelter, greenhouse and windmill powered system to take our pond water to the back garden for watering purposes. Another busy year ahead for my husband and I.

The gardens don't stay looking like this without a lot of weeding, watering and tender loving care. Once the gardens are in, we work hard to keep them healthy and growing between rain showers. And once the garden is mature, the harvesting and food preservation starts. My daughters and I canned or dehydrated most everything that needed it from our garden for us and their families. It is a lot of work to prepare for Thanksgiving, as you can see.

Since our Thanksgiving table was going to be about 98% organic and from our own garden and hard labor, we wanted to make sure our turkey was one that was raised in a healthy, loving, environment too. Our dear friends, Eric and Misty Ebinger, raised these four beautiful birds on their little farm not too far from our place. In exchange for showing them how to butcher (and a box of "goodies" from our production) we bartered for one of these wonderful creatures.

Two of our grandsons and their daddy, Geoff, went along to help with the butchering process. When our turkey was dressed and weighed we were shocked to learn it weighed 31.5 pounds! It took two roasting bags (one on each end) and the largest roasting pan I had to cook this bird for 13 hours! It barely fit in my oven! If you notice the bottom rack is bowing a little to the weight of that big bird!

I had surgery just two weeks ago so my whole family joined in to make the meal all come together. I am not allowed to be on my feet much, so I sat on my stool and kept everyone busy with jobs. I would never have been able to pull it off without all their help and I am very grateful for a loving family that pulls together!

We wanted our Thanksgiving to be as "homestead-style" as possible so we even churned our butter for the meal. Four of the seven grandchildren took turns cranking the churn that, at one time, belonged to their Great Grandma Jones. They thoroughly enjoyed taking their turn as you can see on Eleanor's sweet little face. Braeden, Ethan and Jackson all helped too, while the baby, Princess Lydia, was nestled in her mommy's arms. That butter was so good and well worth the extra effort.

The Menu

Roasted Turkey - all natural, delicious 31.5 pounds of it!
Mashed potatoes - from our garden. Organic and delicious
Sweet Potato Casserole - from our garden and made with real maple syrup
Green Beans (with natural bacon and shallots) - beans from our garden
Sweet Corn - raised by our neighbors (ours didn't do well this year)
Stuffing - Made from freshly ground, soaked flour, made into homemade bread, and my herbs.
Dinner rolls - made with freshly ground flour and work of daughter, Sara's hands.
Cranberry Salad - from fresh cranberries and oranges (grocery store)
Sweet Potato Pie - garden, sweetened with honey, crust made from lard I rendered
Mock Pecan Pie - made with pinto beans, maple syrup and crust from my rendered lard
Homemade, fresh whipped cream for topping the pies
Autumn Salad - organic lettuce from Brother In Law, with organic apples
Salad Dressing - Raw apple cider vinegar, organic Dijon mustard, EVOO, honey
Homemade butter - pasteurized (not ultra-pasteurized) from Trader Joe's
Relish dish - Lacto-fermented organic carrots, green beans, cauliflower and onions
White Zinfandel Wine - made by Husband & bottled with family help (Emily & Michael)

Here are two pictures of our spread. We all agreed that it tasted better knowing that most everything came from our garden and/or from the work of our hands. Each of my family that were present had a part in growing, harvesting or preserving the produce. We ground our own flours, rendered our lard, churned the butter, baked the bread, butchered the turkey, whipped the cream, baked the pies and cooked every bit of the food - ourselves!

When we said our Grace before we ate, we were all mindful of God's REAL provision for our family this year. I think it must have been somewhat close to the deep gratitude that the Pilgrims felt when they praised God for their food and protection that year. Sure it was hard work (almost a year's worth) but it is always worth it when you compare the taste to boxed, convenience foods from the grocery store. Those foods contain preservatives, GMO products, high fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients that don't even begin to resemble the names of real foods. (Closely read the labels!)

And you know, it's almost time to start planning my next garden and my menu for Thanksgiving 2011. We hope to increase the size of our orchard and berry producing bushes this Spring, too. Check in next year to see what was on our table, from the work of our hands and blessing of the Lord's bounty. Hope your Thanksgiving was as big a blessing to you and yours as it was to us. God bless you!

Things I Am Thankful For

2010-11-26T16:27:00.002-05:00

I am sorry that I haven't posted in a while. I had a hysterectomy about two and a half weeks ago so I have not been up to my usual activities. I am healing though and in just a few more weeks will be released to get back to doing the things I love.

I saw this prompt of writing the ABC's and then putting down one thing that I am thankful for at each letter. It is harder than it looks. Not because I don't have anything to be thankful for but trying to think of something under each category is hard for a few of the letters.

My next post will be all about our Thanksgiving. It was one of our best and I can't wait to share it with you. My company will all be gone later today so I will take time to post pictures and tell my story tomorrow. But for now, enjoy this little list and try one for yourself!

A – Apron – I almost always have my apron on!

B – Bible – the best book of love letters every written.

C – Chickens – 10 hens and a rooster named The Colonel

D – Dachshund Max – my little buddy

E – Eating REAL FOOD made from scratch from wholesome ingredients

F – Family – I love my family, and people who are like family to me!

G – Grandchildren – all seven of them!

H – Home that my husband and I built ourselves

I – Information – I love learning new homesteading skills

J – Java! Hot, strong coffee with cream

K – Kitchen – my favorite room in the house! I love to work in my kitchen!

L – Love: Nothing in the world like love.

M – Maple syrup – the real stuff.

N – Nap time – just a little rest in the afternoon, right after lunch

O – Ordinary – I am thankful that I have an ordinary life!

P – Pantry – well stocked with mason jars from our garden produce

Q – “Queen Mother AKA Grandma” – a little sign in my kitchen

R – Raw milk straight from the cow!

S – Sunrises and sunsets

T – Tempwood wood stove that keeps us warm in the winter!

U – Unfailing love of God

V – Venison that is in our freezer. What a blessing!

W – Wheat grinder so I can make homemade bread

X – XOXO (kisses and hugs!)

Y – You! What would I do without people to read my blog?

Z – ZZZZZzzzzzz Listening to my husband snore next to me.

I Am Forever Changed

2010-11-06T22:14:00.005-04:00

Today was a little out of the ordinary for me. This evening, Husband and I were returning from a short vacation in Texas. As we boarded our last plane from Houston to Cleveland, OH, we expected nothing unusual to take place. How wrong my thinking was....

As the stewardess prepared the plane for take-off, the captain's voice came over the loud speaker. He welcomed us aboard and then mentioned that he was humbled and honored to fly this plane back to Cleveland. He, through cracking voice, had trouble telling us that we had two very special passengers on board our flight. In First Class was a Gunnery Sargent, a Marine, dressed in his finest uniform. The captain said that this Sargent was escorting a real hero back to Cleveland. The hero was a Marine, Lance Corporal, a fallen soldier. His now lifeless body lay beneath our feet.

The whole atmosphere of the passengers on board took on a completely different persona. Everyone became very quiet and reverent without anyone asking the passengers to do so. I immediately started praying silently for this soldier's family that he was coming "home" to. I noticed others had their heads bowed also. I have no idea of his background and found myself wondering if he was young or middle aged. Was he a husband, a daddy? Whose son/grandson/brother was he?

My heart has been so heavy since this trip home. Heavy for his family, heavy for the Marine escorting the Fallen Soldier home, and yet proud, so thankful and so extremely grateful for the sacrifice that this man has made for our nation.

Somehow the burdens and trials that I am facing right now seem small and insignificant in comparison.

I don't have any way to thank this Hero or the family he has left behind so I am writing down my thoughts to honor him and all the other active duty soldiers (past, present and future) for their willingness to give up their lives for me.

God's word says "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Thank you, Hero - thank you from the deepest part of my whole being. I wish I could have thanked you personally. I will never forget this experience and I too, am humbled and honored to be part of your last journey home...

The airplane took an unusual route passing directly over the center of Cleveland (unheard of since 9/11). We were then escorted by the fire department to the Honor Guard that was waiting. We watched his flag-covered coffin being gently carried out by these men of honor and into a waiting hearse. We had been asked to stay remaining in our seats until his body was removed. After we exited the plane, I stood at the gate window watching the limo drive his loved ones away. I cried all the way to the car. I am different tonight. This soldier has touched my heart.

Apron Making Day

2010-10-27T16:20:00.003-04:00

Today was finally apron making day. I had to dust off the old sewing machine to even do this project. I have been so busy gardening and then canning food for our pantry that I just hadn't taken time to do any sewing. The last day I had sewn was May 2nd. I know, because that is the day I picked up my baby chicks so that date sticks in my brain!

Oh, I have wanted to, mind you. I have been feeling the call of all those drawers of fabrics, ribbons, beads, buttons, fibers and such. Oh my! If you only knew how much I have wanted to spend time in my art room where all kinds of fun things lay waiting for me but preparing well for the ways of my household always comes first.

Shoot, I was thrilled that I didn't have to get the manual out to remember how to thread it. I guess it is kind of like riding a bike or typing..... you just sit down and it all comes back like some kind of magical gift.

Here are my favorite little guys helping me model my new apron. We just gathered the eggs. We found TEN EGGS today! Ten little hens and ten eggs now. Way to go girls! The boys were so excited to gather so many at once. I think it is working to keep them in the coop and fenced in area until mid afternoon so they lay in the coop and not in the woods.

I love to find "work skirts" at Goodwill or garage sales. I like wearing skirts underneath my aprons. I think it all has to do with feeling feminine and to be rightly dressed for my holy calling of homemaker and wife. I don't pay more than a dollar or two for them so it doesn't matter if they get stained or dirty. All my aprons (and I have many) are shorter styles which work really well if I am in jeans or knee length dresses but I prefer the length in this picture for working out in the gardens or in my home. It's important for me to be modest and honor both my husband and the Lord as I work.

I wanted to make some aprons the length of my work skirts and they are no where to be found around here. Even in the Amish stores, the aprons are of shorter length. I purchased three 2-yard pieces of fabrics some time ago knowing that eventually I would be able to sew them for myself. I made one today and will most like have the other two done before Thanksgiving, hopefully. I have some surgery coming up in less than two weeks and I am not going to be able to do much for six weeks so I hope to pass the time sewing, quilting and reading. I have my pantry ready to go and my freezer is full of casseroles, breads, etc. so I won't have to cook for a couple of weeks while I heal and rest.

I found the FREE PATTERN HERE. It is just what I was looking for. I like the old fashioned style the best, though all my other aprons are the butcher style with the strap that goes around the neck. Those are cute for sure, but for working with loaded pockets, this style works better for me for every day. I have both work aprons and a very special cutesy one that my daughter Amy bought for me, that is way too cute to use for every day. That one is my "company" apron or sometimes my class apron when I do all day Saturday classes in other areas.

I traced the apron pieces onto some Swedish tracing paper that I have in my stash. You could use brown paper or tissue paper too, or even non-fusible interfacing. I bought this special tracing paper years ago and save it for such things as this. It can actually be sewn together to make sure the pattern fits right before sewing the actual material.

If you take a look at the link with pattern pieces, you can see that most of the pattern pieces are just easy measurements of strips like 4 inches by 28 inches or such. The bodice was the hardest piece to do, so I thought I would show you how I did it. The web page shows that the piece was laid on inch squares so I used my quilt cutting mat and easy release painter's tape to hold down my piece of tracing paper so I could easily see the squares underneath.

I simply counted squares for measurement and placing, then used my quilting ruler (any yardstick will do) to make the lines straight where they needed to be.

I had a little trouble with the shoulders on the bodice as you can tell from all the pencil lines. I wanted you to see that it is OK to just keep trying and not get too frustrated and give up. Once I got the pieces all cut out, I will keep them in a little Ziplock bag and mark it "Pioneer Work Apron". Once I was satisfied with the outcome of the pattern pieces, started laying out on the fabric and cutting them out. Since I used stripes, I was mindful of what direction each piece would lay so that stripes went the way that I wanted them to.

I carefully pinned and cut out each piece, taking notice of what pieces needed to be cut twice or just once. I wrote that information on each pattern piece. I love this fabric because it reminds me of pillow ticking that Great Grandma had on her feather tick mattresses that I slept on as a child. Gosh, I miss Great Grandma - I loved her so.

The first step was to make bias tape for finishing the edges of the apron. You do that by cutting diagonally across the fabric and then sewing them into a long strip. I used the iron to press down 1/4 inch on each side and then folded it in the middle and pressed again. That was really easy to do but took the longest to accomplish.

Here I am sewing the bias onto part of the bodice (shoulders). It looks really cute with the strips going into a different way than the main pattern pieces. I could have used a contrasting color for that but I like the simpleness of using the same fabric.

I used the directions to put it together but I didn't follow it exactly. I have been sewing for a long time and had my own notions on how to put it together. I am really pleased with how it turned out. I have two more pieces to sew into aprons - one has little flowers on a white background (looks like something my great grandma would wear) and the other is bright colors with cans of food on them with bright colored labels. Both will be fun to put together.

I just put some spaghetti squash into the oven and have some sauce and meatballs simmering on the stove. My brother in law brought me some fresh lettuce from his garden again so we will have some salad with the spaghetti. He has placed a large cold frame over his lettuce bed so we should benefit from it, with fresh lettuce, long into January.

When the lettuce is gone I will rely heavily on sprouting to get our fresh vitamins and minerals that salads now provide. Sprouts are so good on sandwiches, in meatloaf, and all by themselves with dressing on top. I am going to whip up some homemade mayonnaise now to make some ranch dressing with so I better go.

Please stop back again soon and see what I am up to next... I will post pictures of the two new aprons when I get them done. Nice that you could stop by. Thank you so much! Please let me know if you try to sew an apron for yourself - send me a picture on Facebook to "Proverbs 31 Women".

Much Accomplished!

2010-10-23T20:22:00.005-04:00

Today was a very productive day. I love it when many things get accomplished and I can look back and know that I did the best that I could for the day. I have a friend in my Sunday School class that is having a lot of trouble eating foods. I spend part of the day making or getting things around for her to try like Kefir (pictured above), some Kombucha, soaked grain bread and some soaked grain crackers. I hope the things I am bringing her to church tomorrow will help her digestive system and allow her to eat again. She is losing so much weight and the medical doctors don't seem to be able to help her much. If you are a praying person, please add Dandi to your prayer list. She is a delightful, humble, godly woman. I would be so honored if God used my new found "Nourishing Traditions" way of eating to help restore health to this dear lady. (If you look behind the Kefir, you can see jars of soaking almonds and pecans too.)

I made beef stew today. We ate it both for lunch and for dinner tonight because it tasted so good. I used some of the beef that I had canned last year and lots of things then from our garden that I had canned, dehydrated or froze. It both warmed the soul and filled the bellies of husband and I.

I had a fun attempt at making homemade donuts today for him as a surprise. He had taken off this morning to go to a farm auction to see about a tractor for his brother and some farm equipment for us. Right as he was headed back home, I started frying these (in my own beef tallow) and sprinkling them with some powdered sugar. He really likes them and I think I only have 3 of the eight left.

We did start out the day working with our chickens though. I got out my reference book for chickens, "A Guide To Raising Chickens" to refresh our memories of how to clip their wing feathers so they can't fly. They are escaping from their fenced in chicken yard on a regular basis. I always let them free range when we are around but on days when we are gone all day, or if we decide to have someone care for them for a few days, if we decide to get away on a short trip, then we want them to stay put so that others don't have to search for eggs or try to get them rounded up at night. The wing clipping is painless and not at all traumatic to the chickens and it went off without a hitch. But... just a few hours into the day, Tillie and Gertrude managed to wildly flop their uneven wings and escape anyhow over the gate. Little stinkers! Husband said he was going to extend the height of the gate fence to deter them some more. Only time will tell if it worked or not.

Husband worked for some time filling the wood shoot to our home. The nights are getting colder and longer. Filling the shoot allows us to have nice dry wood and to not have to go outside when the snow and/or ice storms are swirling around. I am so proud of the good man he is. He takes such good care of me and our little farm. I couldn't ask for a more hardworking husband. He thought I was silly taking his picture - you can tell that from his grin, can't you?

Soon as the wood shoot was filled he went out to build a door for the old chicken house. We need to start winterizing the coop. We need to plastic the window with some heavy plastic and get the door on to keep the snow and cold North wind out of there. We still need to get a watering system set up so that the waterers don't freeze, put more straw/sawdust on the floor to keep them cozy and put a heat bulb in for keeping it a bit warmer when the temps get really low. Buff Orpingtons are cold-weather birds but we still need to help them stay warm and healthy. I am hoping that the light will help the eggs to keep coming, as well keep the hens comfortable this winter. Winters are so long here....... I can't wait for May already when the ground warms up and we can start planting gardens again. It will be cold and dark now until the end of May when it finally is warm enough to heat up the soil enough for planting.

I did pick all the stray peppers, though small, from the dying plants. The frost got them pretty good so I figured little peppers are better than no peppers. Tomorrow I will either freeze them or prepare them for the dehydrator. I was able to pick a small handful of tiny, cherry tomatoes, enough for two salads but they are not very sweet anymore either. I feel like crying some times to know that my garden is done for the season. I really enjoy it. And though it is a lot of work, I love eating the food we raise ourselves.

This last picture was of the sunset tonight. This measly attempt at giving you a glimpse of the beauty of the evening sky is no where near the beauty of seeing it in person. The sky was so fuchsia, gold, purple and deep blue. Breath-taking, absolutely breath-taking.

We didn't get in to eat dinner until after 8 PM, and I still had a messy kitchen to attend to. It is a constant clean-messy-clean-messy cycle for me. I probably spend 80% of my day in there. I love being in the kitchen. I feel the most fulfilled and satisfied there. I love providing healthy meals for husband and any guests that sit at our table (which is real often). As I have said before though, I do look forward to getting my art supplies and sewing machine out again for the long winter months. There is another whole side of me that some of you don't know. If you dig back to the beginning of my blog you will see pictures of my art studio, some of my works of art and other things about me.

If you are a Facebook fan of Proverbs 31 Women, then you know all the things I try and do on a regular, daily basis. I love doing new things and learning new ways to bless the people that come to our home or to help people like Dandi, who may need the knowledge that God has given me. I sure hope these foods will be able to bring healing to her body. Please pray a little prayer for her. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Old Fashioned Egg Custard

2010-10-22T08:52:00.002-04:00

Two egg yolks
Three whole eggs
1/2 cup raw sugar or maple syrup
1/8 tsp sea salt
3 cups of milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
sprinkling of nutmeg

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Place your little custard cups into a larger casserole dish. Prepare them by putting butter the insides of the custard cups well.

Mix eggs and yolks just enough to blend. Add sweetener (I used raw sugar) and salt.

I then transferred the mixture into a pitcher so that when I add the milk I could easily pour into the custard cups. Next time, I will just start with the pitcher and save myself a dirty bowl.
Heat milk on the stove just to simmer (do not boil or you will cook your eggs when you mix the milk and egg mixture together!). Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly to mix well. Add the vanilla now. When I did that, it smelled like what I remembered cooking with my great grandma. It took me back 50 years, to her little farm kitchen. I can still see it clearly in my mind - her sink, pantry, oil cloth covered table, her flour-dusted rolling pin and her apron. I still plan to sew some in the style that great grandma wore every day - all day unless she went to town.

Carefully pour the mixture into the custard cups. Sprinkle the tops with nutmeg. Pour boiling water into the larger glass dish, half way up the custard cups. This is very important to protect the egg custard from the oven heat.

Put the custards and water filled dish into the oven and bake for 45 minutes. You will know it is done when the custard looks "fluffy" and a knife, inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let the custard cool to room temperature before eating - although it is good chilled too. I don't think I will be able to wait that long to try it though.

Rosemary Crackers!

2010-10-21T19:14:00.002-04:00

3 1/2 cups of flour (whole wheat or spelt - I used spelt)

1/4 cup of melted coconut oil

1 cup of water with two tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice, whey, yogurt, kefir or buttermilk.)

1 teaspoon of sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling on the top of the crackers

1 teaspoon of baking soda

2 heaping teaspoons of dried rosemary

The night before, place the flour in a large bowl. Add the melted coconut oil and water and vinegar.

I filled my measuring cup to one cup with really warm water. Then I kept dropping little spoonfuls of coconut oil into the water until the level was at one and 1/4 cups. The warm water melted the coconut oil and made measuring very simple and quick.

I added the raw apple cider vinegar to the cup of melting oil and water and stirred for a couple of seconds until the coconut oil was all melted.

Start mixing the flour, water, oil and vinegar with a fork or wooden spoon if you don't have a bread whisk, until it gets too stiff. Knead the rest of flour in using your hands until it forms a nice ball. It shouldn't be too sticky or too dry. Add more water or flour to correct the problem. Put it back in the bowl and cover well. I only used a piece of sack-cloth towel but next time I will lay a piece of plastic wrap loosely over the top so it won't dry out so much between the bowl rim and the towel. Leave it on the counter top overnight. (You need to let the vinegar break down the phytic acids in the flour so that it digests easier and your body can use all the nutrients more fully.)

The next morning, flatten your ball out on the counter, using a little white, unbleached flour (there is no phytic acid in unbleached flour) if needed to prevent sticking. Sprinkle over the top of the flattened dough the baking soda, salt and rosemary. Fold in half and knead gently until the salt, soda and rosemary are mixed in evenly. Get ready to roll the dough out. (I don't have pictures of this part. My mom stopped over and we were talking while I worked and I forgot to take pictures until the finished product. - sorry.)

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Lightly flour your surface (I used a mat that I roll my pie dough out on for easy handling of the cracker squares.) I divided the dough into four pieces so that it was more manageable. Roll the dough out quite thin and even, using as much white flour or arrowroot flour as you need to prevent the dough from sticking. The thinner you roll them out the crispier the crackers will be.

Using a pizza cutter, make 2 inch strips vertically and then 2 inch horizontal strips to cut out your little crackers.

Place the little squares on a coconut oil, greased cookie sheet (I used a stone bar pan) and prick them with a fork to make them look like "real" crackers. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt, coarse or fine.

Bake for 10 minutes and check. They will be done when they are slightly brown. Careful to not overcook. Cool on racks and enjoy!

It made enough to fill a 1/2 gallon Ball canning jar to the top and a baggie left over to send home with my parents to enjoy. Mom doesn't really like the taste of rosemary but she loved these! They look so pretty sitting on my counter in the jar. I get double pleasure - from seeing them AND from eating them. I can't wait to try some Havarti cheese sliced over the tops with some sliced black olives for garnish. Oh man!!!! What a fun day!

Random Thoughts...For Today

2010-10-19T19:58:00.004-04:00

Outside my window... is frost on the ground. Guess the garden season is over for another year.

I am thinking... about what I want to grow in my gardens next year already!

I am thankful for... a warm house fueled by my wood stove, wool socks and my hubby.

From the kitchen... lacto-fermented veggies, kefir soaked flour and a new batch of Kombucha.

I am wearing... turtle neck shirt and a wool sweater and warm black knit slacks. Where are my slippers? My feet are cold.

I am creating... an art quilt wall hanging for one of my daughters who faithfully doggy sits for me.

I am going... to babysit for 22 month old, Ellie today (my 6th of seven grandchildren)

I am reading... "Nourishing Traditions"

I am hoping... that my son in law comes home safely and soon from another deployment to Afghanistan.

I am hearing... My little dog snoring quietly on the sofa, beside me

Around the house... are many simple things that bring me great pleasure

One of my favorite things... sunsets (especially when shared with my husband of 35 years)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Put at least one meal a day into my freezer for the next two weeks. Bake bread twice (total of four loaves) and hang my clothes out on the line for as long as the weather will let me.

Can't Get Fresher Than This!

2010-10-04T10:13:00.005-04:00

I had such a blessing experience this morning that I just had to take a quick break from my homesteading chores to post a quick note for you all....

Some of you know that, for several years, I used to apprentice with a midwife back in the early 80's, so birth has always been a special thing to me. There is nothing like watching a baby come into the world and handed over to the loving arms of his/her mother...

Well, it wasn't quite THAT special, but when I went out to check on my chickens this morning, I found one little hen sitting on her nest squawking away! She sat there for another minute or so and then hopped up to join her peers outside. There, laying in the nesting box, was a very warm little egg. I quickly snatched it up and just held it gently in my hand, soaking in the warmth and blessing of such a little treasure. I had never experienced witnessing a chicken actually lay an egg so that was very special, sort of spiritual, experience for me this morning....

I ran over to the wood shop, where Husband was working, and showed him my prize. He said, "One of the things I love about you is how thrilled you get over the littlest things." And then he leaned down to kiss me and I smiled.

Here are six of my very own eggs, tiny as they are! I wish I could have said that I gathered them all this morning but so far the most I have been able to get is two eggs in one day. I am holding them to take a picture of a filled egg carton for memories sake and then I will bake some cookies with them for my grandchildren, near and far.

Well, I have wheat to grind into flour today: some hard red for my favorite bread recipe, some soft white wheat for pastry flour (for those cookies I plan to bake soon) and some sprouted and dried wheat for some traditional cooking recipes. Busy day ahead for me so I better get busy! Until the next time.....

Farmer's Market Bounty

2010-10-02T15:28:00.002-04:00

Salad Greens, Japanese Turnips, Red Peppers, Beets, Swiss Chard

and also Pie Pumpkin, Squash and Tomatoes

My brother in law, Steve Jones (click on his name and then scroll about half way down the article) sells his beautiful organic produce at a Farmer's Market near Cleveland, OH. Every Saturday, if he has anything left over, he blesses our home with his bounty. I am always ever so thankful for his vegetables. They are so very tasty.

The tomatoes came from my garden (I still have a few things left) but the pie pumpkin and squash came from local produce at a grocery store. All the other lovely things are from Steve's labor of love.

I love to lay it all out on the kitchen counter and drink in the colors, smells, and the over-all health of the plants, while I nibble on a bit of lettuce or some raw turnips. Both the beet and turnip greens can be cooked and eaten as well. Nothing will go to waste and everything will be enjoyed down to the last spoonful. I looked over the array of vegetables and just kept saying "Thank you, Lord. Thank you for Your abundance, blessing and mercy to this house."

A pie pumpkin is baking in the oven right now as I type so the house smells good. It's only 53 degrees outside on this Saturday afternoon so the extra heat of the oven fills my kitchen and living room with not only a sweet aroma but warmth as well. I plan to roast the pumpkin seeds that I scooped from the pumpkin. Those will make a tasty little snack or find their way into some salad or cookie recipe.

I am on my way now to pick up the apples I ordered from someone who lives nearby so that I can prepare them for applesause and husband is out in the drizzling rain digging up our sweet potatoes.

Ah, I am such a blessed woman. Thank you, Lord for Your kindness!

Mozzarella Cheese!

2010-09-27T18:36:00.004-04:00

This is all you need to get started. Whole Milk, Rennet Tablets and (cheese making) Citric Acid. I tried the canning citric acid and that did not work. You can get the rennet tablets and citric acid at any Internet cheese site. I like THIS ONE best.

Dissolve 1/2 rennet tablet in 1/4 cup of cool, chlorine-free water. Stir and set aside. Wrap the remaining 1/2 tablet and place it in the freezer, wrapped in plastic wrap for another day. Mix 1 1/2 Tbsp. of citric acid into 1 cup of cool, chlorine-free water until dissolved. Place your gallon of milk in a large pot and stir vigorously while adding the citric acid solution.

Heat the milk to 90 degrees F while stirring. (Use a thermometer for accuracy) Remove the pot from the heat and slowly stir in the rennet solution with an up and down motion for approximately 30 seconds.

Cover the pot and leave undisturbed for five minutes.

*************

Check the curd. It should look like cottage cheese, with a clear separation between the curds and whey. (Remember "Little Miss Muffet"?)

Place the pot back on the stove and heat to 105 degrees while slowly moving the curds around with your spoon. Take off the burner and continue slowly stirring for 2-5 minutes. Pour off the whey and proceed to the next step.

**************

Microwave for 1 minute on high and knead the cheese a bit. Put back into the bowl and zap for 30 more seconds, knead, and repeat until the cheese is elastic and stretchable.

**************

At this point add 1 tsp or more of salt and/or herbs and work it into the cheese. Stretch the cheese until smooth and shiny.

I formed my cheese into a log and sliced it into 1/4 inch thick slices. I toasted some homemade bread under the broiler, added a slice of fresh tomato, some cheese and a bit of basil from my herb garden. I drizzled with EVOO and put back under the broiler for a quick minute to warm it all...... I served it with the chili I had simmering on the stove all day. Oh my goodness! The cheese was very mild flavored - not like aged mozzarella that you shred for pizza but exactly like the fresh mozzarella that you buy (expensive) in the store!

***********

Had to finish this posting with a picture I took today of my chicken, Tilly. She came right up to me to check out my camera so I quickly snapped this shot of her. She seems to be saying - "Hey! Who took my egg?" Isn't she cute?

We Have Eggs!!!

2010-09-26T16:43:00.004-04:00

Are these two little eggs just the cutest things? Imagine my surprise when I went out to feed the chickens tonight and as I peeked into the nesting boxes and found these! I ran back into the house to tell my husband, "Congratulations! You are a grandpa again!" He grinned at me and smiled, though I think he thinks I am a silly girl!

We had gone to Michigan for the weekend, for my uncle's 90th birthday. It was his very first birthday party in his entire life! I was able to see cousins, and aunts and uncles that I hadn't seen for years. It was a delightful event followed by a bonfire later that evening with about 30 of them. We had such a good time. While we were gone, my brother in law, Steve (wonderful guy that he is) took good care of my chickens for me.

I went out to check on them, to take them scraps from the kitchen and decided to go inside to check out the nesting boxes and found two tiny eggs in there! The eggs are little now because it is just the start of their laying but I know that they will increase in size as it goes along.

But eggs? Yes, I have two of the cutest little eggs in the whole refrigerator! I can hardly wait for breakfast to eat them! Doesn't take a whole lot to excite this farm girl, does it?

Tomorrow I will be making my very first fresh mozzarella cheese! I will post about it and let you know how it goes. Check back again tomorrow afternoon for an update from my "pioneer" kitchen!

Rendering Lard or Beef Tallow

2010-09-15T22:01:00.008-04:00

If are planning to render beef tallow ask the butcher for the SUET (the fat around the liver and kidneys) because it is hard and dense. If you are planning to render lard as the butcher for the firm fat - tell him that you are making lard and he will make sure you get the right kind. I ordered 10-11 pounds of each. Many butcher shops will give it to you for free but it is not unusual to pay around .50 a pound for it.

Whether it be beef or pork fat (this is pork in the picture) make sure you cut every tiny piece of meat off the fat so that it won't taint your finished product. By the way: Pork fat is pinkish while beef fat is cream colored. Cut the fat into cubes about 1" X 1". Stick it in the freezer for about 2 hours. You don't want to completely freeze it but just make it solid - about like frozen butter.

Take your partially frozen fat and put it in the food processor. Pulse the blade until you get something that looks like ground meat.

I put my pork fat into 2 glass pans (10" X 13") and put them in the oven, on low (225 degrees) for about three hours. (It might take a little longer depending on how course or fine you chopped your fat.) The clear, pale yellow grease will settle to the bottom while the cracklings will float to the top. This picture is not the finished product yet. It will needs about another hour in the oven. You can use the cracklings for topping salads like you would bacon bits. I feed mine to the chickens and they just love them! You don't have to "watch" it during those three hours. It will melt slowly and won't smoke up your house, honest.

When the time is up and only a few cracklings are floating around (they might settle to the bottom - it doesn't matter) then you are ready to strain the melted lard. I use a strainer lined with a large coffee filter and a glass pitcher (mine happens to be a Pampered Chef).

Carefully pour the liquid fat off into strainer, being careful not to burn yourself.

Pour the strained liquid into preferably wide mouth canning jars. I use quarts for lard and pints for beef so I don't mix up which is which. Once it cools a little you can put it in the refrigerator or freezer for longer keeping. I have heard that it doesn't have to be refrigerated but I feel better about keeping it there and if I want to make a pie crust (from the lard) then it will be chilled as needed. Both the lard and beef tallow will turn solid white in color when cold.

***

You can find information on why we should be eating more animal fat HERE. (Please take time to carefully check out the site.) We still need to watch our total fat intake but if we are going to eat an occasional piece of pie, lard is MUCH healthier for us than Crisco. And beef fat makes healthier french fries than vegetable oil that turns toxic as it is heated. Just be smart about what you eat and make good choices. Do your own research and make your own choices!

***

FAQ: And why don't I just buy lard in the grocery store? Because it is loaded with hydrogenated oil to preserve it for longer shelf life. And this is cheaper and much better for me!

The Little Princess

2010-09-14T15:28:00.005-04:00

Announcing Her Royal Highness

Princess Lydia Grace

"I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Thy works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from Thee, When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Thine eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Thy book they were all written. the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them." Psalm 139:13-16

Sweet tiny child of God.

Precious one.

Born with and for a heavenly purpose. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you, declares the Lord." Jeremiah 29:11-14a

Every little hair on her head has been numbered by God. "Indeed the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Luke 12:7

(And there are a lot of thick black hairs!) She smells so sweet. Her skin is so very soft and her little fingers and toes are so tiny. I pray those little feet will be swift to go where God calls her to go and that those little hands will be used for His glory and for His service in her lifetime.

She is so loved already and has been welcomed into the hearts of her three, seemingly, very BIG brothers.

***On a personal note, I miscarried a baby in 1981. A few years ago, I attended a special ceremony for those who had lost a child to promote help and healing to anyone who had lost a child by miscarriage or even by a regretful abortion. It would help bring closure to the loss. In part of that touching, sacred event, I was encouraged to name my baby. Naming the little one allows his/her life to seem more real.

I had chosen the name Grace for her.

Every time I will closely hold Lydia Grace, there will be a tiny symbolic snuggle to my own baby Grace who never got a chance to live out her life on Earth. I am so touched that they named her that. It made me cry when I heard her name. I am again so very grateful. My heart overflows with love for my family, from the oldest member to the newest addition. Thank you Sara and Geoff for the product of your loving relationship and thank you, Heavenly Father for loving all of us so much that You would bring to us such a blessing.

Carrots, Carrots and More Carrots

2010-09-14T07:22:00.004-04:00

I finally have gotten around to preserving the beautiful baby carrots that my brother in law, Steve gave me from his organic garden. I cleaned and washed them and then put them in my food processor to shred them first.

I tried slicing them first into coins but decided that if I shredded them then I would be able to use them for other things too, like carrot cake. I can still use them shredded in soups and stews so after doing one tray of coins, I did the other seven trays shredded.

I filled 8 trays with shredded carrots and then did the last tray with diced up red and green peppers - the last from my garden. The few tiny ones left on the plants are just shriveling up and being eaten by some kind of bugs but I managed to save about 30 of them by dehydrating them too.

I plan to render lard later today and I need to bake two more loaves of bread but first I will be taking my three grandsons to the hospital today to see their new baby sister that was born last night. Guess what my next post will be about???

A Change In The Air

2010-09-11T21:02:00.003-04:00

Can you feel it? I sure can. The days are growing shorter every day and the darkness comes upon the land much quicker now than it did even a month ago. The cooler weather makes me want to get my farm chores done just a little earlier and get back in the house where it is nice and warm.

The harvest is quickly coming to a close. The spaghetti squash will be taken in for winter storage soon. They have been laying out in the sun to harden the skin so that they will last longer this winter, just like the butternut and acorn squashes. I have been sorting the onions. They have cured now and are placed into old, recycled vegetable bags so I can hang them from the ceiling in my storage area.

The potatoes are finally all dug. I have been sorting them into three different piles. One pile of the perfect, unmarred potatoes from long-term storage, another bucket for those that need to used quickly due to shovel cuts, nibbled spots from little garden critters or not perfect in other ways. Those will be either eaten right away or trimmed and canned so we don't lose the good parts of the potatoes. (Nothing goes to waste.) The tiny potatoes are placed in a third bucket for canning. They make perfect little additions to soups and stews but are too tiny to bother to peel and eat in the usual way.

I have picked the last of the green peppers now, I think. There are still a few smaller ones on the plants yet but I don't believe they will grow much more due to the shorter, cooler days. The last of the peppers will be dehydrated and stored for future use. Apples are going to be turned into delicious applesauce in another week or two. And I still hope to make some grape jelly. Husband has requested that I can another couple of bushels of tomato juice for him. He is really enjoying having it for his breakfast so that needs to be done early next week.

Though we have a conventional furnace, we prefer to heat with wood. I think we might still have enough wood cut and stacked for this winter and next, so we shouldn't have to do any wood cutting this fall unless it is for the wood we will need for 2013. We try to keep a couple years ahead so that it is good and seasoned for nice clean, hot fires. Our little temp wood stove, we purchased about 30 years ago, still does a fine job at keeping our house nice and toasty warm. I don't usually have to start building fires though until well into October because just the daily use of the oven, for bread baking and the like, is enough to keep the house comfortably warm.
This is a favorite shot of mine of our home. It won't be long and this will be the view that we will see. It is not unusual to start seeing a flake or two of snow in the air about mid October. I remember several inches by the end of that month. Winter lasts a long time where we live. Spring, Summer and Fall take about six months of the year and Winter seems to take the other six months... I do look forward to Winter in some respects though. During those months, other than shoveling snow, keeping the water from freezing in the chicken coop, and loading the wood stove, I can put a pan of thick, hot soup on top of the wood stove, some bread in the oven and sit to read, sew pretty aprons or do some other forms of art (beading, altered books, art quilting) that I miss so terribly in the planting, harvest and canning time.

Well, those are my thoughts for today. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your little trips into my tiny corner of the world. I sure appreciate the comments you leave. Don't forget to hug your honey! *giggle*

Roasting Coffee Beans!

2010-09-05T19:38:00.003-04:00

This will be a short post because it is Labor Day Weekend and lots of family and friends have been popping in and out. But I just had to share my exciting event that happened this afternoon!

My nephew, Jason, brought his family with him for the weekend. In our conversation today he mentioned that he roasts coffee beans. I have had green coffee beans for a while now but have always been afraid to attempt to roast them myself. Jason said he would teach me how to roast them with my old popcorn popper that I don't use anymore. (He is using the timer on his cell phone, not making a call or reading a text message. LOL)

It was so exciting for me learn to do this. One more "pioneer" skill under my belt. He says that I need to wait until Tuesday morning to actually grind them into coffee so that the gases can escape. I can't wait for Tuesday!!! My house smells so good right now. Just one more simple pleasure! Ah, life is good, so good.

We sure enjoyed their visit! Their little girls just love my chickens. They helped me do chores tonight in their Tinkerbell pajamas.

The house is quiet now so I think I will sit and stare for a while.... but oh what fun we have had so far this Labor Day!