• Monday, May 12, 2008 - update on garden and little other
Well I have just about finished with all my planting. I have some more tomato plants to plant and some flowers. That will finish me up. So far, this what I have gotten planted.
10 rows of sweet corn
5 1/2 rows of half-runner
1/2 row of Kentucky wonders
very small 1/2 row of peas
3 rows of sunflowers
1 ridge of carrots
2 ridges of beets
1 ridge of lettuce
45 strawberry plants
4 rows of onions
18 cabbage plants
12 broccoli
4 hills of butternut squash
4 hills of zucchini
small area of potatoes
2 super bush tomato plants
44 romas
2 hills of watermelons
5 or 6 hills of cucumbers
16 various hot pepper plants
8 bell pepper plants
I still have to plant.
8 Rutgers tomato plants
8 Morgan lifters
Hopefully I will get these out tomorrow.
We have decided to go ahead and put electric fence around the garden to keep the deer out. We will be doing that in the next week or so. We went yesterday to Tractor Supply and bought what we needed.
I ordered my meats chickens tonight. I guess they will be delivered sometime next week. Someone gave us a couple of guinea roosters but we didn`t see them today and I don`t know what happen to them. Hannah said she saw the horses chasing them yesterday evening. My grandpa said the would come back in. I hope. I am getting me a couple of alpine does this week. Maybe three if I can talk my hubby into it. The guy is only wanting 50.00 each for them. Now I just need to find a buck. I would like to go to the stockmarket but it is an hours drive and I just don`t have the time right now. I am sure I could get them cheaper. He said one of his big does only went for 26.00 and the babies went for 6-10 ea.. I could not believe that. It wasn`t even worth his time or gas to take them. Then he had to play 5.00 ea. to sell them. I guess, the markets are probably flooded with animals right now. Now would be the time to buy if some one could hold out until the prices go back up. Buy them cheap. Well it is late and I have to get up early. I have to get my grandpa up and dressed for his blood work appt. tomorrow. My uncle is picking him up at 8 in the morning.
• Tuesday, May 6, 2008 - A question for all the gardeners
I have been doing some research on the net on how to keep critters out of the garden. In the past, we would use sevins dust. I would like to find a more organic natural ways. I want to keep bugs, rabbits,raccoons and DEER out of the garden. One year, we were successful keep the deer out with orange construction tape and we used the liquid shock jugs from the pool. I will probably hang out the liquid shock jugs this year. But with my garden being bigger it might be experience buying the tape. Okay here is a list of things I found on the net. If anyone has used these and they really work please let me.
Making a garlic spray and applying to the plants. Several websites said deer and rabbits hate garlic.
Deer-off spray, it is all natural, I think, egg, chili pepper and garlic. Which I could make that up myself.
Coyote urine--keeps raccoons and deer away. Okay, my question, will it drawn in the coyotes. We do have them in our woods and I don`t really want them to come in close to the house at night.
Mix 1-2 tbsp. of liquid soap, ivory or irish spring to a quart of water. They said not to use detergent because it would just give the bugs a bath. To make sure it was soap.
Mix one egg slightly beaten to 1 quart of water and spray on plants. You have to reply after rain or every 4-5 days.
One lady said she used coyote urine, with tons of black and red pepper, garlic and curry powder. She said to first spray plants with water then apply. I don`t think you put the coyote urine on the plants tho.
Moth Balls.
Grated Ivory or Irish Spring soap around everything you want protected.
This one is a little gross sounding but this person said it worked for them. Soak rags in human urine and hang around your garden. Of course the human hair. That one has never worked for me.
One tip I found was, start doing something before your plants come up and don`t let the deer start making them a path.
I planted 10 rows of corn and 6 rows of beans yesterday. I went today and bought my tomato and some flower plants. Oh and some hot pepper plants. Now just got to get them in the ground.
Please I would love any ideas on keeping critters out of the garden.
Okay, its not new, just new to him. It will need a little work but it is in pretty good shape. I guess, as long as it gets the job done, that is all that matters. He just picked it up today and was already checking everything out on it. Ernie, our little dog was too. It is a corn picker. I wasn`t sure if everyone would know what it was.
I worked some more in the garden and if it doesn`t rain tomorrow I will be planting my corn and beans. I can`t wait.
We had chicken and dumplins, corn, green beans, and mashed potatoes for dinner today. I also made two loaves of white bread.
My dad and stepmom came in yesterday for a visit. It is a two hour drive from their house to here and she was so tired by the time she got here. She told the drs. she was not going back into the hospital anymore. She needs a liver transplant but she won`t be able to get one. Her body would just reject it. She has been through so much in the last year. In and out of the hospital. It is so sad to see her going through all this.
Well guess that is just about it for now.
My cousin Joyce lost her granddaughter Friday morning in a terrible car accident. There were four people in the car all four were ejected. Krista and J.R. were killed. Krista was my cousin. My cousin Joyce raised Krista since she was a baby. Krista`s mom was killed in a car accident too. My heart is really breaking for Joyce. Please just say a little prayer from Joyce and her family. The families of J.R. too. Krista was 31 and J.R. was 25.
I thought, I would pass on to everyone that I found Ball canning lids for a $1.00 box. I found them at the Dollar General Store. I also found the Ball bands and lids for $2.00 a box. I bought six boxes of the lids and 2 boxes of the bands and lids. I am going next week and buy up a bunch of them. I don`t want to wait up till canning time and then not be able to find them.
Thursday, we went to the feed store. On the way there, I noticed, all my neighbors garden spots. I had noticed they were bigger spots and some had even added more garden spots.
Hopefully Monday or Tuesday, I will plant my corn and beans.
Ok, we could not wait until Wednesday to pick up the pig. We went this evening an got him. He is white with a black head and one black spot on his back leg. He is about 10 weeks old. The kids are calling him Sir Hamelot or Hammy for short. The kids laugh all the way home. He smelled pretty bad. He was in a pet carrier between them. I was thinking what a great memory with them laughing because of the pig. I will post some pics of him later.
On Wednesday, I will be going and picking out a pig. This pig will be one that we will be raising to butch come this winter. I know, I said in the past I would not raise a pig again after our last experience. We are going to do things a lot different. I am not going to try to raise them. Just one to butch, thats all.
My mom and I were talking earlier today about how things are getting. The prices of everything. It is scary. By May, gas in our area will be 4.00 gal.. I went to the grocery store Friday, I think. I ended up spending 200.00. I just about fell over. I didn`t go where I usually go. I do shop at this store some but not all the time. I could not believe how much their prices had when up. I told Sam, I couldn`t afford to shop there anymore. I am starting to wonder if I shouldn`t just go ahead and make my garden bigger. I would need to go and purchase more seeds but I am thinking about it. Canning all I can. I have started buying my canning lids and I am going this pay day and buy a bunch more. Cause around canning time the lids get hard to find.
So with getting the pig and having a steer to butch that will help with the meat. Hopefully Sam will be able to get a couple of deer this year too. We will also eat squirrel and rabbit. I am going to order some meat chickens next month. I am so thankful I was raised on farm. I am thankful I live on a farm. It is hard work but I do have the land to live off of. I am also glad I married a farm boy. I really have to hand it to my hubby. He is working 7 days a week and keeping up with farm work too. He worked from 7-2 yesterday and came home ate dinner. Then we headed out and done work that needed to be done outside. We set fence post and ran fence wire. It was after 8 when we came in. I had to come before him before I stepped on a rusty old nail. Now my foot is sore.
After work today, he is going to get fertilizer for the hay fields. If it doesn`t rain this evening he will be spreading fertilizer. It will probably be after dark before he comes in.
I cleaned out the goat stall and prepare a stall for the pig. It will have to stay in the barn for a while until we get a lot build and a house for it. Well I need to go clean the kitchen and start dinner.
Okay, just one more pic to share. I am really excited and just had to show y'all. My uncle came down with his tractor and tiller and tilled my garden after he plowed it. Now I have two more small spot to finish working on and then the planting begins. I can`t wait. I know my beans and corn will be planted in here. I am not sure what else. Maybe my hot pepper plants.
• Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - Pics around the farm
I thought I would start off with a pic of my unlce Herb plowing my garden. I guess, he finally got his plow fixed. Yea! I don`t know what I would do if it wasn`t for him plowing my garden each year. Now it will have to be tilled. Then the planting can begin.
Here is one of my flower beds along side the house. I worked on this one last week. I am glad it is done. On the other end(can`t really see) is my flowers. The trees are rose of sharons. The rocks came from the farm. Which there are a lot of them back on the hills.
One of the wild cherry trees on the farm. It is next to the chicken coop.
Some of the apple trees in bloom. The picture really doesn`t do it justice. The are really pretty right now.
One of my flower pots. I am trying something new. I am not sure how this will turn out.
Here are my cabbage, lettuce and broccoli. Really can`t tell anything in this pic. Off to the side it my strawberry patch. The stake holding up my chicken wire is old tabacco sticks. I am not sure of the sp close enough I guess.
My grandmothers liliac brush. I love the smell of the flowers.
One of my purple flowering trees. I am not sure of the name. But is gets little purple flowers and they smell good. Oh yeah, somebody ran out of gas as they were mowing the grass. Yes, it would be me. I need to go put gas in it and get the grass cut.
A little closer look at my cabbage and broccoli plants. You can see a little bit of my ridge where my lettuce is sowed.
Another pic of my uncle plowing. My dhs old farm truck. Which won`t start. Some more apple trees. If I hadn`t ran out of gas, the grass would have been cut and y'all could have seen how pretty it looks around the tree. Our weed eater needs some works. So I haven`t gotten any of the weed eating done. It is driving me crazy.
Well guess that is all for now. I hope y'all enjoyed the seeing somethings on our farm.
• Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - Just a few little updates
Things have been a little busy here. Lots to do. I still haven`t got the garden plowed. My uncle came down to plow it for me Thursday and broke his plow. In my small garden spot, I do have my beets sowed and they are coming up. Onions are coming up. I have my carrots sowed but I haven`t notice them coming up. I hope they do. I only have one ridge sowed. Two ridges of beets. I have my cabbage plants out. I planted 18, 10 stonehead and 8 early flat dutch. 12 broccoli plants planted. A ridge of lettuce sowed. I have worked on my flower beds. I have put out some flowers out. I still have lots to do on them and I want to put some more flowers out but I will wait until after Mothers Day. Less chance of frost.
Everything is so pretty here on the farm. So green. The trees are in bloom. We have lots of dogwoods and red buds and they are blooming. Cherry trees are in bloom too. I love living on a farm. We live up a holler. It is all family here. The peace and quiet is so nice. We can hear the birds and the animals. You can hear the frogs out at night. I love being able to go out in the evening and sit on my side porch and enjoy it. I can sit and watch the birds, deer, squirrel, rabbits, and wild turkey to name a few. Every once and a while, I will see a coycote. You can just about here them everynight.
We have started working on getting the pool ready. I have been pumping the water off the top of the cover. It is just about done, then we will take the cover off and get it ready. The kids asked, if they could get in. I don`t think they realize just how cold it would be.
The new boer doe is doing good. She is growing. We are thinking about getting a couple more. Hannah is wanting to start raising them. I don`t think she has to sell her goat at the fair. I think she can keep her and enter her next year, as a breeder doe. I will have to check into that.
We have ball games all this week. Everynight. It is really hurting as far as getting done what I need to on the farm. Hannah is ready to quit. She is just not into like she was last year. Of course, Sammy loves it. If it was up to me I would let Hannah quit but I don`t think her daddy will. We have spent a lot of money on them this year for ball and he said she needs to play.
As far as schooling goes, we haven`t been doing as much. I have been letting them work on their 4-h and cub scout projects. Which they are getting Math and English. Science, health and history with the projects. I feel they are learning. Of course, lots of reading. We only have six weeks left. They are burned out and so am I.
On canning, I ended up with 14 quartsand 7 pints of pinto beans and 7 quarts of mixed beans. I still have some more to can. I have been working in kale. So far, I have 11 quart bags, I put in the freezer. More to work on. Well, guess that is about it.
My mamaws baby sister Opal passed away this afternoon. She had been sick for a long time. It is sad to know she is gone but I know she is no longer suffering. She has went to be with her other sisters and brothers. My great grandmother had 16 children. I think that leaves only 3 living. Ruth and Nanny are still living and they a twins. Jessie is still living but her twin died about 10 years ago. My great grandmother had three sets of twins.
Well Aunt Opal will be missed.
• Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - Wednesday on the farm
Just a quick update on what happen on the farm today and how my day went. My day started off with fixing breakfast for the kids. Then off to the barn we went. We started out cleaning out the Abgail(new boer doe) and I looked up and it was just me cleaning it out. Somehow my two little sweethearts took off back to the house to play. After I got the stall cleaned out and new sawdust down. I feed her and the pygmies.
I came back to the house and put a load of laundry into wash. I wanted to get the grass cut today. I told dh to put the battery charger on the lawnmower battery so it would be ready for me today. I went out to the garage and got on the lawnmower. The thing would not start. I called dh and told what I needed to do. After messing with it for about 15 mins., it finally started. I cut grass for the biggest part of the day. I didn`t do the hills, I will let hubby do those. I to big of a chicken.
I worked on a couple my of my flower beds. They were pretty bad. I moved some of my big rocks that I use as a border and changed the shape of one of my flower beds. I had a really small one I just got rid of.
I hung a load of laundry on the line. It was just so pretty out I had to get a least one load out today. I love the smell of my clothes after they have hung out on the line.
I was able to get some cleaning out side of the chicken coop. It was messed and piled up. It was driving me crazy. It looks so much better.
I did evening feeding. After that I went over to my grandpas. I ended up doing two haircuts. I cut my papaws and aunts hair. Then I helped my aunt give my grandpa his bath.
I still have some laundry to do and pack hubby for his fishing trip his is going on tomorrow. Well he just got home and brought food with him so I am going to eat.
• Monday, April 14, 2008 - Nothing much, just my day
Nothing much today. It is suppose to be in the late 20`s or early 30`s. I need to go out and cover up my strawberry plants just in case it frost tonight. I hope I don`t forget. I did get seven quarts of mixed dried beans canned and the chicken coop cleaned out. Couple loads of laundry. Schooling with the kids and a little bit of house cleaning. I guess today was just a pretty easy day. But the rest of the week is going to be busy.
I want to get some pie crust made up and put in the freezer. I am thinking about making a couple chocolate pies. I have plenty of eggs I need to use up. Well guess I don`t really have much to blog about. I am going to go and read some others.
• Friday, April 11, 2008 - A little bit of canning today
It has been raining just about all day. I have been inside and trying to catch up on somethings in the house. I have been doing some laundry. Mopped one of my floors. The biggest thing I have done today is canned and still canning dried pinto beans. I should have about 14 quarts and 7 pints if none breaks. I am planning on canning dried mix beans sometime this coming week. I also what to can some vegetable soup and chicken soup. I have a couple roosters, I plan on butchering and that is what I am going to make the soup out of. I will try and take some pics of canning the mix beans and post them.
In the garden, I was able to get a little more done but the rain hit us. I have started some seeds in pots (peppers). I was able to get a ridge of carrots and two ridges of beets. Three or four rows of onions. I still haven`t got my lettuce out. It was just getting really late on me Wednesday and I was making the ridge for the carrots as it was getting dark. It was almost 9pm before we came in from doing work outside. I didn`t get nothing done yesterday evening because the kids had ball practice. Some one said it is suppose to get cold this weekend. Yuk! Well better go, I have to get my pints in the canner.
• Wednesday, April 9, 2008 - Just some pics around the farm
Here is little Abgail. She is cute! Hannah is so excited to have her. Kelly Ann, the lady we bought her from, trimmed her hoofs and doctored them for us before we took her. Trimmed off the top of her horns. To sell at the fair the horns has to be able to fit in a 1/2 in. pvc pipe. A new rule this year. She has her scrapie tag #. She was born Jan. 18, 2008. She weighs 34 lbs. She has been dewormed and her vaccations. Sorry about the spelling.
This small bottom will be one of my garden spots. We use to raise a garden here years ago but turned it into a small fenced in area for the horses. I wanted to move my garden back to here this year. We haven`t been rotating our garden spots like we should. Now if Sam can just get it plowed and tilled. We had a couple days of nice weather and now it is raining today. Suppose to rain the next 3 or 4 days. It was like this last year, wet spring and dry summer. You can see some of our apple trees to the side. My strawberry plants. I still have some work to do. I have plenty of room to plant some other stuff on the both side of the fence. I am not sure what all I am going to plant. There are a couple of our apple trees in the background. Here are a couple of my Forsythias. They are really pretty this year.
• Monday, April 7, 2008 - Monday, my interesting day
Today the kids and I went to the feed store to pick up the goat feed for the new goat. I picked up dewormer for the horse and my onion sets. While the guy was checking me out and telling me a little bit about the goat feed( show feed) this lady comes in and tells the guy she has a minature, she wants him to look at. Come to find out it was a minature horse in the back seat of her Ford Explorer. Only in Kentucky. She was getting ready to take it to the vet but wanted him to take look at it first. The same thing it was having is the same thing one of our horses has. Yelp, rain rot. I have never had an animal have that before. I was pretty sure that was what it was, he just confirmed it. Of course he tried selling me some stuff that was 18.00 a bottle. I am just going to mix up some tea tree oil and water. Put it in a spray bottle and use that. It will work just as good.
After the feed store off we went to the saw mill for saw dust. Which I have never bought saw dust before and this is something I would have had hubby do anyway. But since he has been working overtime and some side jobs, I thought I could do it. Well I felt very stupid pulling in there. Now my husband know the owner of the saw mill and I have never meet the man. That is why I wish he would have went. I had no clue what to do when I got there. I got out of the truck, looking around for some one to help me. This man, in this huge, piece of equipment motion for me to come over to where he was. I went, of course, the equipment was still running and I could barely here what he was saying. I got back in the truck and moved around where he told me to. I waited and waited, I thought, ok did I go where he said. Finally he came. He was going to load it for me. He kept motion to move on back and I kept thinking I am going to get this truck stuck in front of these men and they are going to laugh at me. You know how some me are. Luckily, I didn`t get stuck. He loaded the sawdust and I went ahead and pulled back around front and got out to pay the guy. He asked me a couple question. I told him, I was sorry, I wasn`t sure what to do. I had never bought sawdust before. I paid him and got back in the truck. I noticed he gave me a funny look but he didn`t say anything to me. I pulled out and headed down the road. I ended up turning around and going down the back way. That way, I would not have to go as fast as I would if I was on the highway. Saw dust was going every where. I just about died. I ended up stopping at the hardware store and getting a tarp. My hubby didn`t say anything to me about covering the sawdust. Lesson learned. I had to get back on the highway to get to the hardware store. About 1/2 mile or so. Here that saw dust going everywhere, it was awful. I kid you not. I passed three cars sitting along the road, one was broken down. Three or four people were out working on it. I passed them and all that sawdust blew on them. I can only imagine what the were saying, when I passed.
I pulled into the parking lot of the hardware store and when in an asked about a tarp. Couple of older men was sitting in there, one of them helped me pick out the tarp. He opened it and told me to see if it would fit and it did. I went in to tell him and the other man came out with a bucket of baling twine. He tried the tarp down for me. I told he him the story of what had happen and about the Hannah raising a goat. Course, he told, us about him being very active in 4-h when he was a kid. Really nice man. Some one come by and told him he was doing a good job. He said his name. It was Soc Clay. He is a writer and I loved reading his articles in the new paper. I don`t think he writes as much now as he use to. He still has some article in magazines. He writes articles on wildlife, hunting and nature. He writes about local history to. I always thought it would be nice to meet him. I know it would be interesting to just sit and talk to him. I was really excited to meet him.
Next I had to stop by the bank and order two new debt cards for us. Then back home we went. I came home fix a late lunch for us and some for dinner. After I pulled the truck over to the barn, we start working on the stall. Had it ready when hubby came home. He ate and then we unloaded the sawdust. I had to give the horses their dewormer. I have one that is mean and she just about bit me and pulled my bad arm. Then she caused me to cut my arm on the barbed wire fence. I am not sure how much she got but I will worm her again in a few weeks. I only worm two of them, I will have to worm the other two next week.
I put the cat litter down and then the kids and me started shoveling the sawdust into the stall. Now all it needs is the little goat. Feed the horses and cows. Hubby cut the grass and the kids and me picked up toys and stuff in the yard for him. I still managed to get a couple loads of laundry done and a load of dishes. That was my day. Cub scouts was canceled for tonight. which I am glad because we just had so much to do. Tomorrow evening, while the kids are at practice we are going to be doing some fencing back on the hill. I can see the kids from where we will be fencing. We need to get it done so we can rotate the livestock and give the grass time to grow. I am tired and I am getting tired of typing, so I am going to go.
I hope I can some feed back from the ones who have chickens. What do you all use on the flood of your chicken coop. Do you use clay cat litter, sawdust, wood chips or just nothing. I have not been using anything and it is hard to keep clean. I would like to find an easier way to clean out the poop. Which there is a lot of. I was thinking of using saw dust but I didn`t know if that would be good for the chickens. I was afraid that they might eat it. I hope to talk my hubby into building me a bigger coop. I want to increase my flock and I really need a bigger coop. Guess I will see how that one goes. Well I hope to hear from some of you.
• Sunday, April 6, 2008 - Whats going on this week
I thought I post on my week, because it is going to be a busy one. This time of year is always busy. I thought I would post on just one week and how it get sometimes. I know living on a farm there is never a boring moment. Here it goes.
Today(Sunday): Hannah has ball practice at 1pm today. Yes, can you believe practice on Sunday. That will probably last 3 hrs. But since we live right next to the ball park, I will probably come back home. Sammy gets really tired and this time of the year, it is cold back on the hill. She will be okay, our cousin will be back there with her daughter and other moms. I am going to put a fence around my strawberry ridges, hopefully, this will keep critters out. I have to cook Sunday dinner. Sunday is my day to take care of my papaw, cook for him and get his meds ready. Also any other things he might need. Plus do regular chores. I try to rest on Sunday but it is almost impossible on a farm. Your animals does not know it is Sunday, they still want feed. Other than that, not much going on today.
Monday: I have to go to the feed store(which is 30 mins. away). I have to buy a certain kind of goat feed for Hannah`s goat that she will be showing at the fair. While I am there, I hope, to be able to purchase my onion sets and seed potatoes too.
On the way home, I have to stop a the sawmill and get a truck load of sawdust to use in the barn stalls.
Then to the Dollar Store to purchase unscented clay cat litter(few bags will do). This will be used in the barn stalls. It is cheaper than stall dry.
Sometime fit schooling in.
Finish cleaning out the stall and preparing it for the arrival of the new baby goat. I call it baby goat because she hasn`t named it yet.
Do some laundry and a little cleaning.
Cook dinner.
Go to Cub scouts. Plus we have a regular daily chores.
Tuesday: Regular morning chores. Do some school. Then go pick up Hannah`s new goat. Come home and get goat settled in her new home. Do evening chores. Cook dinner. Take kids to ball practice.
Wednesday: Regular morning chores. School. Clean out chicken coop and banny house. I need to disinfect to. If the weather is pretty, hopefully I will be able to work on garden #1 again. With all the rain, this past week, it has big washed out spots. I really want to get my lettuce sowed and onion set out. Guess this will depend on the weather. We also have a lot of cleaning after the creek flooded. It is a mess. Cook dinner. If it is pretty I say we will have ball practice, I hope not. Because I really need to have some time to do big cleaning.
Thursday so far isn`t to bad, but I am sure before it gets here it will be full. I would like to do some outside work if the weather is nice. The grass really needs to be mowed. We need to work on pumping the water off the pool cover but it doesn`t have to be done this week. We have ball practice later in the evening.
Friday: So far just the usually day. Chores, schooling, doing any odds and ends. I may have to go clean house for a lady. She asked Beth if I would be able to. I need to call her and see if she wants me to come Friday. If she does I will be doing that.
Saturday: Hannah will have her first Softball game and it is at 2:00pm. We will have to leave around 12:30 or 1:00, just depends on what time her coaches wants her there. We probably won`t get home until 6pm. We probably stop and get something to eat. Come home and do what chores need to be done. Well that is just a little look of my week ahead.
A couple of weeks ago, I posted, a recipe for potato candy. I made up a batch. Thought I would take a pic. to share with you all. Around here it sell really good a bake sale. It is good and a quick fix for a sweet tooth.
• Saturday, April 5, 2008 - Dedicated to homemakers everywhere
I was going though some old canning books that belonged to my grandmother. I am trying to plan out what I want to can this year. Right now, I am wanting to can some soup beans. I have never can them before and was looking up how to. Both of my aunts can them all the time. My aunt told me to look in one of my canning books. That is how I came across this and thought I would share. Sorry it is so big but I wanted you all to be able to read the letter. First copy right date is 1948 and last one is 1965.
I also found a recipe on canning one of my favorite things to eat as a kid. I thought, I would share it with you all too. Here it goes.
Pickled Pigs feet
Scald, scrape and clean the feet very thoroughly, then sprinkle lightly with salt and let stand for 4 to 8 hours. Wash feet well with clean water. Place them in hot water and cook until tender but not until meat can be removed from bones. Pack the feet into clean Kerr jars, filling to within 1/2 inch of top of jar with a boiling spiced vinegar. Put on cap, screwing the band firmly tight. Process jars in water bath for 90 minutes.
Vinegar Solution:
2 quarts vinegar 1 tsp. whole black pepper
1 sm. red pepper 1 tsp. whole allspice
2 TBSP. of grated horseradish 1 bay leaf
Mix all together and bring to the boiling point.
Now I do not remember mamaw ever canning the pigs feet but she did buy it from the store. I haven`t eaten any in years. But I sure loved them as a kid. I hope you all enjoyed it.
I am a stay-at-home, Christian homeschooling mom. My husband and I have been married for 19 years. We have been blessed with three kids,ages 18, 10 and 8. We live on a family farm and have several animals. I`m just a simple farm gal, who loves her God, family, friends and life.
. My uncle came down to plow it for me Thursday and broke his plow. In my small garden spot, I do have my beets sowed and they are coming up. Onions are coming up. I have my carrots sowed but I haven`t notice them coming up. I hope they do. I only have one ridge sowed. Two ridges of beets. I have my cabbage plants out. I planted 18, 10 stonehead and 8 early flat dutch. 12 broccoli plants planted. A ridge of lettuce sowed. I have worked on my flower beds. I have put out some flowers out. I still have lots to do on them and I want to put some more flowers out but I will wait until after Mothers Day. Less chance of frost. 
This small bottom will be one of my garden spots. We use to raise a garden here years ago but turned it into a small fenced in area for the horses. I wanted to move my garden back to here this year. We haven`t been rotating our garden spots like we should. Now if Sam can just get it plowed and tilled. We had a couple days of nice weather and now it is raining today. Suppose to rain the next 3 or 4 days. It was like this last year, wet spring and dry summer. You can see some of our apple trees to the side.
My strawberry plants. I still have some work to do. I have plenty of room to plant some other stuff on the both side of the fence. I am not sure what all I am going to plant. There are a couple of our apple trees in the background.
Here are a couple of my Forsythias. They are really pretty this year. 
I was going though some old canning books that belonged to my grandmother. I am trying to plan out what I want to can this year. Right now, I am wanting to can some soup beans. I have never can them before and was looking up how to. Both of my aunts can them all the time. My aunt told me to look in one of my canning books. That is how I came across this and thought I would share. Sorry it is so big but I wanted you all to be able to read the letter. First copy right date is 1948 and last one is 1965. 