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Posted by Chimicole
The sad news is that Bonnie passed away. We don't know why or what happened. One minute she was fine, the next, our Abi came upstairs and told Dad she "thought one of the chickens was dead..." So DH went and saw that she was, indeed, gone.
When we went to the store to replace her, we ended up buying two, so now we can't have a Bonnie and Clyde (although I think Clyde will still be and always be a Clyde~ if you know what I mean...) but now we need new names. Already they are growing and eating.... and perching. We took them outside for awhile today to let them roam a bit....
  I never realized what a natural beauty that my daughter has until I saw this picture. I guess I have... but it really struck me today for some reason.
Anyway....  I started my online classes today. Just orientation, but exciting, nonetheless.... it took the better part of the day, but I think I have the online stuff mastered! LOL!
DH and I are going to go pick up our motorcycle tomorrow and go riding for a bit. Wind in our hair... sun in our faces... and my arms wrapped around my best friend... who could ask for more? :)
Well, I had better get off for now. I just wanted to update on the chicks.
Hope you all had a blessed St Patty's Day!
Blessings!
21:44 - Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - {0} -
Posted by Ags
Interesting quote I ran across today -- do not know the author.
03:55 - 17 March 2010 - {5} -
Posted by Chas
Well, here we are at part 2! How to make Kombucha Tea!!!
Oh I also wanted to let you know Kombucha is said Kom-boo-cha
We used to say it differently so I thought you might not know either!
Step 1
You have to start with a HEALTHY shroom. You can order these from different sources, some can be quite pricey too, so watch out.
Don't be alarmed at the sausages you see on the side of the shroom, you will not have these, they are just my fingers!
AND the brown stuff... NO BIG DEAL!!! This is just the yeast that grows!! SO don't freak out!
Step 2: Brew the tea
For 2 gallons, I use 6 regular size black tea bags and 4 green tea bags
You can use all black tea or all green, but we like the mixture!
Now this is important!
Use a Stainless Steel pan, not a nonstick or any other type of pan. Only Stainless for this...
Step 3: Prepare your jars, I use 2, 1 gallon jars and you want to put 1 cup of sugar in each! Now, don't worry about the sugar, this is what the SCOBY feeds on!
Pour your tea up in your jars and stir to dissolve the sugar!
Let this sit until it is lukewarm, you don't want to put your mushrooms in until it is lukewarm because you will kill all that healthy bacteria if you put it in too hot!
Once your tea is cooled then you want to add a mushroom to your jar and add about 2 Tbsp. of Tea from your last batch of tea.
Now, take a linen napkin and use it to cover your jar and then put a rubber band around the mouth of the jar.
Stick this in a cool dry place (preferably NOT in the kitchen, because you want this to be away from the smells and heat from the kitchen) and leave it undisturbed for a week to 10 days!
Now you have Part 2 done! In a week you will have some nice tea to bottle, AND new Scoby's to share!
08:29 - Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - {1} -
Posted by Laurie
Good Morning! Wonder of all wonders, I actually have a few minutes of blogging time! Over the past couple of weeks we've been VERY busy getting our gardens ready for planting. The weather has finally leveled off some away from the extreme lows we saw all through January and February. While it still seems as if it rains every third day and the sun only shines once a week, spring does seem to be in the air. And I am ready for the warmer temps. Even our daffodils are running late. What is usually a sure sign it's February around here, have waited until now to begin popping their heads above the ground. I can't say that I blame them.
We got our garden peas in the ground, all two pounds of them. And it looks as if almost all of them are coming up! As with everything we grow, we plan on eating fresh, canning what we need, and selling the rest. Fresh garden peas are not typically available around here, so we're hoping that they will do well enough.
Our lettuce plot has just been tilled and the plants purchased: 72 red sail, 72 romaine, 72+ buttercrunch, and 72 baby spinach. Since there is very little, if any, fresh cut lettuce available around here, we are hoping to be able to sell it. If not, we're all going to become rabbits. I'm planning on selling it fresh cut by the pound, but I will be cutting leaves only, not the whole plant. That way I can extend the life of the plant and increase my yield. We'll see how it goes.
I'm hoping to put in some brussel sprouts and broccoli later this week. This will be for home use only, since my ability to grow these well has been somewhat low in the past. Our potatoes are late going in, but I am hopeful that they will still make well. We were delayed by the cold weather and rain. We are planting Yukon gold, Kennebec (a white potato), and Pontiac (a red variety). Once again, we'll eat fresh, can, and sell.
Kelsey also has put in onions sets and will be planting carrots this week.
Tomatoes will be transplanted in early April. We are planning on approximately 200-250 plants, divided between Amelias (a good eating, canning tomato) and Romas (for sauce, paste). A good crop of these will definitely help our bottom line. Especially as we already have a good reputation in the community for our tomatoes. Bell peppers will go in about the same time. We're hoping to get some red, yellow, and green.
We've really been working hard on the school front, also, and are really showing progress toward the end of the year. Everyone is putting forth a great effort in wrapping up their subjects for the year and it shows.
Next weekend we will be putting the ducks and broilers in the freezer. We were planning on selling the muscovys, but, as of March 31, the NC Wildlife and Game will declare this an invasive migratory species and make it illegal to raise them except for food. Even this will require special permitting, so we decided to go ahead and put them in the freezer.
The calf has been "fixed" and is growing well. The layers I'm raising for sale are also continuing to grow well and will be ready to sell on the first weekend in April. My bees continue to do well, from what I can see from the outside. It's been too cold and wet to go into the hive. I've received all of my equipment and it is sitting there waiting for me to put it together and get it painted. Because of the cold weather everyone is running behind in their queen rearing. I won't be able to get new queens and split my hive until late March/mid April. I may have to either add another hive body to give them more room or let them make their own queen. I'll have to see as I go.
This week marks the beginning of kidding season. Two of our six goats are due this week, with another due next week. Saturday, Michaela is also going to be going with a friend to possibly look at another Boer goat to replace the one we lost in February. Actually Michaela will be going with the friend to help her pick up four llamas she is purchasing. (No. We will NOT be getting llamas. NO, NO, NO!) We have been working on getting a separate kid/kidding pen ready, since my cashmeres are currently occupying our usual one. Using stuff we found around here, and saplings from the woods, we were able to get a fairly nice pen ready for $15, which was the cost of the sand we put in.
Speaking of cashmeres, I've been combing them out, which is no mean feat considering that they aren't the tamest things in the world. They are just beginning to "blow their coats". This requires combing them out once a week. I don't know what I'm going to do with the fiber. I don't have any time for the work required to prepare it for spinning, much less spinning it. Or crocheting, knitting it. Anyone know how/where I can sell some raw cashmere fiber?
Our pigs are growing well and it is getting close to time to put them in the freezer. So we are given another one. It seems a friend's daughter, who is attending NC State, had a project requiring a young pig, which she got from the swine unit at the college. Rules forbid the return of the pig so she needed a place for it. Then I have another friend call and let me know that her sow had just given birth to 15 piglets and they would be ready to go in May. I like pork, I really do, but just a minute. Everything in moderation.
Actually, I'm beginning to get a little worried at all of the food Yahweh seems to be providing for us. Are things going to be getting bad soon?
Maggie is giving about 4 gallons/day, so a lot of time is being spent on butter, mozzarella, etc.
And soap. Let's not forget the soapmaking. I am currently out of several varieties and need to get "busier" making some.
Home renovations continue to move slowly. Very, very slowly.
Well, that's the update from the farm. I hope I'll be able to keep you up on what's happening, but, as I've told someone before, sometimes I'm so busy living life I don't have time to write about it.
Remember: No farm, no food.
May Yahweh bless you in this new day!
Laurie
05:51 - Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - {1}
Posted by Jeanette
Hello, I hope you are having a great day. Well, it seems Spring is finally moving in on us...yay!
A lot has been happening on the homestead lately. Frontier Man and I were in that accident I told you about and the insurance finally decided to not fix the PT and total it instead. So we decided we better look for another car, and lo and behold we did not look far. Right down the road a piece in nearby town sat the car we were to have. It is an 07 Kia Optima with only 20,000 miles on it. We are really liking it and I am so glad we have it.
Little Miss run out and took this picture right before they hauled the PT off. I thought she was going to cry, but she didn't. That girl does not like change. She loves the new car though.
We are moving ahead on the wedding preps and Big Miss is so excited. Every day she tells me how many days are left and we are making plans for how things will work out in the final month. We still have to get with Sunshine as we really want her here and Frontier Man said he would zip on over to Arkansas and pick her up on the hog (just kidding Sunshine)  But he does plan on taking vacation so he can pick her up and we are hoping she wants to sight see for just a day or so before we take her home. Lots of things will come together, I just know it. Little Misses dress just came in, and she just loves to dance and twirl in it since we could only order it in the floor length and I have yet to alter it to knee length. She is beautiful in it!
Cowgirl Cutie and her beau are still working on their wedding plans also and she seems very happy indeed, although we don't see much of her. (ya know how these gals in love are... no time but for their sweeties)
My dad has had his first appointment to prepare for his radiation treatments on his lip. They will start in a couple days and continue every day for 6 weeks. He will have to travel alot but he insists that mom does not have to go and can stay and keep their place on track. He was very happy to know that he did not have to have any of his teeth removed for treatments, I guess sometimes you have to. Since he still has very nice teeth, he really did not want that to happen. I guess this must be the postive side of it all.
Little Miss took a trip with TJAF and kids this week-end. She has family that meet up out at her grandmothers farm and they all hang out and have a great time. Since TJAF's daughter and Little Miss are best friends, she was invited along. I was not sure she would go and not worry about home, but by golly, go she went, and then called and said she wasn't even missing me. Sniff, sniff, I am not sure if I should be offended or relieved. LOL. But she had a blast and could not stop talking about the trip. Thank you TJAF for adding another child in the mix -as she also had a long with her the baby boy. What a doll he is growing to be and makes me wish I had one just like him!
Thought I would share a few of my fav. meals. Last night as my family groaned with pleasure as they ate their manicotti, I on the other hand made me this :
It is grilled tilapia with cumin and I put it on a bed of lettuce with lowfat feta cheese and a handful of fresh cilantro. YUM-O! (It really does not appear that I am suffering none on this eating plan, now does it?)
And this is what I had for lunch. I measure out a half cup of both fresh blueberries and grapes and dump my yogurt right on the top. Sometimes if I have not had my banana yet, I slice it and add it as well. This yogurt happens to be one of my favorite, it is weight watchers CHERRY CHEESECAKE, can you believe it? I can have my cheesecake and eat it too!
Marsha's puppies are growing so fast. They are just butterballs I tell ya. Next week I am going to start them on some puppy food, as they will be going on 4 weeks and she just has so many to feed. I already have several of them placed and Little Miss will be sad to see them go.
Do you notice how the warm weather brings the motorcyclists out? Frontier Man took a ride on his bike the other day and since it was too cold for me to ride (needs to be much warmer than 60!) and I am a caring, concerned wife, I insisted that he strap on those butter soft, deep black, rich leather chaps with the snaps and zippers and....oh my! You CANNOT believe how excited I am that Frontier Mans chap wearing motorcycle riding weather is back. Hey, just bein' honest here folks. 
Blessings to you and yours!
12:26 - Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - {0}
Posted by amanda
Good Tuesday Afternoon Family & Friends! Can you tell what time of the year it is? Around here, its the bursting forth of Spring! Oh, how I have longed for the spring time of the year to come again. Thank you LORD!
(Song of Solomon-Chapter 2: 11 &12 ) For,lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth: the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.
Doesn't GOD'S word just say it all? Winter is past and the birds are really starting to sing around here. I am so glad that everything is in GOD's hands and in HIS timing. GOD be praised now and forever! AMEN!
Have a wonderful day in THE LORD!
05:32 - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - {1} -
Posted by Gabbie
Today I had an OB appointment to hear a heartbeat and hopefully determine due date. Now if you have read previous posts, you know Doc didn't think I was pregnant. He didn't believe me after 4 home tests, a bloodtest, and morning sickness. LMSO He told me before Christmas I wasn't ovulating and couldn't get pregnant, so he didn't believe me. Now, God is good ok???? Cause I was able to tell doc.....My God is bigger than your tests! LOL He told me he wouldn't believe me till he heard a heartbeat, so today.....when he found it.....he smiled and said...listen to that!! He told me he was 100% sure I was pregnant! HE believes me finally! So of course, me being onery.......I thumbed my nose at him and said, I TOLD YOU DOC!!! He just laughed and laughed at me. He said the baby is squirmy and very active already and the heartbeat was nice and strong! So, I go for a sonogram on April 6th and he will officially tell me my due date. But for now, it is tentatively October 15th. We are excited and thrilled of course.
12:18 - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - {8} -
Posted by Chas
Good Morning! I am up and at it this morning with our Kombucha! But I wanted to take the first part of our tutorial and talk about Kombucha, what it is and what it does!
I headed over to Wikipedia for some "scientific facts" about Kombucha... they are as follows...
This is WHAT Kombucha is...
Kombucha is the Western name for sweetened tea or tisane that has been fermented by a macroscopic solid mass of microorganisms called a "kombucha colony," usually consisting principally of Bacterium xylinum and yeast cultures. It has gained much popular support within many communities, mentioned by talk show hosts and celebrities. The increase in popularity can be seen by the many commercial brands coming onto the retail market and thousands of web pages about this fermented beverage
This is WHAT the SCOBY, the culture or the Baby is....
The culture contains a symbiosis of yeast species and acetic acid bacteria, mostly Bacterium xylinum. Species of yeast involved vary, and may include: Brettanomyces bruxellensis, Candida stellata, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Torulaspora delbrueckii and Zygosaccharomyces bailii. The culture itself looks somewhat like a large pancake, and though often called a mushroom, or by the acronym SCOBY (for "Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast"), it is clinically known as a zoogleal mat.
This is the History of the Tea...
The recorded history of this drink dates back to the Qin Dynasty in China (around 250 BC). The Chinese called it the "Immortal Health Elixir," because they believed Kombucha balanced the Middle Qi (Spleen and Stomach) and aided in digestion, allowing the body to focus on healing. [citation needed] Knowledge of kombucha eventually reached Russia and then Eastern Europe around the Early Modern Age, when tea first became affordable by the populace.
The word kombucha, while sounding Japanese to foreign ears, is a misnomer when applied to this beverage. In fact, Kombucha (昆布茶) in Japanese refers to a tea-like infusion (cha) (actually, more of a thin soup) made from kelp (kombu), usually served to patients in convalescence. The Japanese refer to 'kombucha' as kÅ�cha-kinoko (紅茶ã‚ノコ), which literally means black tea mushroom.
The Process of making the Tea....
The process of brewing kombucha was introduced in Russia and the Ukraine at the end of the 1800s, and became popular in the early 1900s. The kombucha culture is known locally as chayniy grib, (чайный гриб - 'tea mushroom'), and the drink itself is referred to as grib (гриб - 'mushroom'), "tea kvass" or simply "kvass", although it differs from regular "kvass" which is not made from tea and is generally fermented only with yeast and not the other bacteria which ferment tea to form kombucha.
Health Benefits of Kombucha...
The health benefits of Kombucha tea may also aid the body to alleviate a wide spectrum of ailments and conditions; from the mildest indisposition to the most serious diseases.
These include: Arthritis pains, intestinal problems, digestive disorders, kidney stones, high cholesterol, chronic fatigue, asthma, bronchitis, migraine, eczema, headaches, constipation, diabetes, rheumatism, anxiety, dizziness and insomnia. Problems associated with advancing years, such as high blood pressure, poor eye sight, arteriosclerosis and gout, may also be helped by Kombucha's anti-aging properties.
Kombucha's Health Properties
I will be back shortly with Part 2 of Kombucha and How to make the Tea!
11:53 - Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - {2} -
Posted by Jeanette
MONDAY:
Manicotti
Garden salad
French bread
TUESDAY:
Taco soup
Cornbread
WEDNESDAY:
Mexican chicken spaghetti
Spanish rice
Fresh honeydew slices
THURSDAY:
Blackened tilapia
Baked potatoes
Corn
FRIDAY:
Hamburgers
Seasoned oven home fries
This weeks dessert:
Chocolate Mint Cookies
03:18 - Monday, March 15, 2010 - {1}
Posted by Tiredmamaof5
Despite having a mild toothache last night, I have awaken in such a great mood this morning. I feel a bit of relief... a bit of comfort and peace knowing we have finally found our house. Now, I know we aren't out of the woods yet, and we have to make sure the inspection comes back good, which I do believe it will because our agent (who's a good friend of ours) took us all through the house and has much knowledge on what they will be looking at. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary, only a few small things like junction box cover and socket covers, etc. Nothing big.
I also wanted to say a heart-felt thank you to all who kept us in your prayers. Your prayers truly did help us... please keep us in your prayers that the inspection goes fine.
I will post pictures as soon as we are moved in. It's such a great house for us. it is a 1900 farm house that sits on almost an acre of land. It has a farm in the back of our property so we don't have to worry about townhouses or developements going up anytime soon. The farmer that owns that property actually has a small farm store on his land where he sells his vegetables and fruits. I am hoping to get to know him well over the summer. It would be nice to know where our vegetables and fruit are coming from.
The house itself is over 2100 sq ft and has a wood burning coal fireplace on the main floor. The main floor is kind of open to all the living space so I am told it heats the whole main floor and is the main heating source in winter, although the furnace does work and is needed some to heat the upstairs.
It is a 5 bedroom house. Praise the Lord! All of my kids, except the twins will have their own bedrooms! What peace I will get there, lol. We have a partially finished attic that is sperated into two rooms. One side is a bedroom which has a built in airconditioner in the wall and the other side needs drywall up, which we will finish over the summer, and that is big enough to be a kids t.v area/playroom. We will have 2 full bathrooms and the master bedroom has it's very own seperate enterance from the rest of the house. There are two stairways leading to the second floor, there is one right as you walk into the front door and the second one is through the dinning room and that one leads up to the master bedroom. The master bedroom then has a second door leading into the main bathroom on the second floor. This will allow me quick access to the kids at night or them access to me at night. But during the day I am able to close them out and they would have to walk through the rest of the house to get to my room.
The main floor also has two seperate living rooms. On one side is where we will put the t.v. area and on the other side, which is seperated a bit by the stairs leading to the second floor, is where the fireplace is and will be our school room. A school room!! I will finally have a school room again! How nice will that be? The house also has a small library. It has built-in book shelves on all the walls and a window seat. It isn't huge but is truly nice. I'll be able to fit a rocking chair in there.
Although we have a little bit of land to our house, I won't be making a garden this year. i think it would be alittle too much for me to handle right now. Next year I plan on making a medium size garden and hopefully be able to grow most of our vegetables for winter. I can't wait!
You might be able to tell now why we wanted this house so badly. It is a nice size for us and also gives us a bit of room to grow into. God truly blessed us with this house. I am so grateful!
Thank you all
09:40 - Monday, March 15, 2010 - {0} -
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I am a blessed wife and mother. My DH works hard to support our family so I can be a SAHM, homeschool our DD(13 yrs), and be home with our DS(4 yrs).
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