Today was the start of our first weekend to stay at the farm.  But I realized tonight as I was getting ready for work that only Rich is staying at the farm.  I am working, Austin is staying in town as he's working early and to care for the crittters still at home in town, Madison is spending the weekend camping with her cousin and Chas is in Respite.  LOL  So it's Rich and Ellie (dog) at the farm tonight much like it was this winter when he was watching for goat kids.

Well, I'm off to work.
Carol

It was my birthday today.  Madison missed being born on my birthday by less then 4 hours.

So, Carol, what did you do for your birthday, you ask?  Hmmm.. I'm cleaned a few bunny cages, the duck brooter, the chicken brooter and set up for my latest addition, 5 red bourbon turkey poults.  Yes, it was a good day, hehehe.

OK. I did more then that...  I made my favorite meal of Ham fettanchini and garlic bread for suppper.  Rich picked out a Strawberry Ice Cream cake at Walmart for me.  It was the perfect dessert.

Yes it was a good day for me.

Carol

Madison:  You turn ten today.  You made it to the double digits without breaking any bones, my little dare devil.

You still want to be a Veternarian, which has been your dream for 3 years.  You have an incredible way with animals and will make an excellent Vet some day just like your Auntie Jean.

You enjoy playing on your nintendo DS, caring for all your critters and reading.   You are a wonderful helper in the kitchen and already know a lot of cooking and baking.  Recently, you learned about cake decorating at a 4H function and have been baking and decorating ever since.  You also love to spend time with your big brother.

You believe in magic, unicorns, Santa Clause and the Easter bunny or at least you let me think you do .

You like cats better then dogs.  You would rather play with your critters then toys.  You still want a horse but haven't been successful yet in convincing your dad of the same.

Today you choose the Dairy Queen for your birthday meal followed by Papa Murphy's Pizza.  Yes, we had ice cream first then pizza!  lol

I can't believe you are 10 already.  It seems like just yesterday you were 2.

Happy Birthday Honey!  We love you!

Mom and Dad

Madison came home from school last week all excited about going to the Science Fair.  The 5th and 6th grades have a fair each year and the younger classes get to tour and learn about the projects the older students worked on.  Madison had learned about growing crystals and wanted to grow some of her own.

We dug out Grandma's cookbook and found the recipe for a coal garden.  We had done a coal garden before in 2005 at Christmas time but Madison didn't remember it. 

We set out to do this little science experiment.  It took a while bit for the crystals to start growing but once they started they contiued to grow for several days until we ended up with this:

Madison put food coloring on the coal brickettes causing the crystals to be colored as they grew.  It looks like a minature forest.  I thought it looked a bit like cauliflower.

Here's the recipe for a coal garden:

6 tablespoons Laundry Blueing
6 Tablespoons Salt
6 Tablespoons Water
1 Tablespoon Ammonia
6 pieces Coal
Food Coloring
Glass Container

Place coal in the bottom of the glass container so they are all flat.  Put drops of food coloring on the coal as desired.  Mix first 4 ingredients together and pour over the coal.  As the coal absorbs the liquid the crystals will begin to form.

Have Fun!
Carol

After reading Kelli's blog at sugarcreekfarm.net, I decided I'd try my hand at making vegetable beef soup using some of the soup bones that were in the bottom of my freezer.  I wasn't sure I'd ever use them up.  I gave Kelli's recipe a try and I must say it was a big hit and so very easy.  I added some seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder).  This recipe is definately a keeper for our family.

Madison spent some time with her bunnies, she has 18 babies at the moment and spends time with each one socializing them.  7 of the little rascals will be ready by Easter for new homes.  Here she is with her favorite baby mini lop, Caramel

Rich was at the farm today doing chores and called me to say he found 2 blue chicken eggs.  I guess Clara (lone chicken) decided she was a chicken after all.  You see, she was a rescue chicken from the humane society and was living/bonding with 8 goats on my friend Beth's farm.  When the goats and Clara came to live at our farm, Beth mentioned she never got a single egg from Clara.  Rich told her that since Clara thought she was a goat, she'd have no reason to lay an egg since goats don't lay eggs. lol  Anyhow, we are happy to know our little hen is laying eggs.

Well, I'm off to bed.

Carol

I'm going to give this a try.  I tried my space blogging but really didn't care for it so I'm trying this one after visiting the site numerous times the last couple months.

A little about myself and family: We currently reside in town and are working to bring the family (Rich's side) farm back to a livaable state.  The farm was abandoned for over 15 years when Rich's dad passed a way in 2005.  Rich and I took on the job of bringing it back to its former glory or at least make it good enough for our family. 

We have 3 children; Chastiti (21), Austin (18) and Madison (9).  Chas was born with CMV that has left her disabled. She lives with us. Austin graduated high school in 2007, lives at home while working for Wal-Mart.  Madison is our veterinarian in training and the most excited about the farm.

Here we are at Christmas with Rich's sister, Jean.