tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81468385544707046902024-03-05T13:38:36.588-08:00Fresh Eggs FarmFresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.comBlogger242125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-8266180581650000012015-02-28T13:07:00.002-08:002015-02-28T13:07:41.048-08:00Doesn’t she know we have plans?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I sit here, on the couch, under not one, but two blankets,
because it’s just so cold. Nearly too cold to move. I’ll need to move. There
are animals that need fed. Projects that need continued. But right now, I’m
content just trying to not freeze to death. It’s 7. Seven degrees outside. The
windchill – I mean, who really cares at this point. It’s just miserable. </div>
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If you can’t tell – I have real issues with winters in the
mid-west. They make me salty and sassy. The pellet stove has definitely made
this winter so much more comfortable. When it’s just awful outside – we can
warm up next to the stove. I’m so thankful for that. Tonight we’ll be doing a
family slumber party in the parlor. Sleeping near the fire, watching a movie,
snacking on homemade caramel popcorn. YUM! I think it’s cool that, even as our
kids age, they get really excited about stuff like this. They don’t make plans
with their friends, because they don’t want to miss the family slumber party.
Must mean we are doing something right, as parents. HUH?</div>
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I am really hoping that the great thaw begins very soon. We
have “meat birds” that NEED slaughtered. I say need because of two things – 1)
they are just gross, at this point. Step, step, sleep…eat eat eat. 2) they will
be 8 weeks on Monday and well…health issues can begin, broken legs, etc and
their humane life will degrade to miserable. That all said, I have no desire to
stand outside slaughtering, defeathering, and gutting birds – in 7 degree
weather. UGH. Options – perhaps we do the deed in our garage? I’m not sure. But
either way – I think that Saturday Slaughter Day will arrive next week. We’ll
have 8 birds ready for the freezer…such a good thought to have home grown birds
in the freezer again. </div>
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We’re waiting…and waiting for Maple Syrup season. We’re
hoping to build an outdoor fire this year, to cook down the sap and make the
syrup. I found a pan at Wasserstrom, that I’m super excited about. I believe it’s
around 20 X 12, and 4” deep – stainless steel. If we can put it on a fire and
cook everything down outside, rather than in my kitchen – where the walls get
all tacky – we’ll be so much better off. The weather looks like it could be the
right combination of below freezing at night and above freezing during the day
over the next week to week and ½. How cool would it be to boil down some sap
while we are getting the chicken slaughtering done?!</div>
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So Mother Nature, don’t you know we have plans?</div>
Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-67993246495501613242015-01-05T16:08:00.002-08:002015-01-05T16:08:56.691-08:00Chicks are heading our way!I received a notice that our chicks shipped out today! We have 10 meat birds, one Rhode Island Red, three Easter Eggers, one "adopt a chick" and a Meyer Meal Maker (a chicken to donate) ... I worry that it's very cold. I'm hoping that they'll put in a heat pack to keep them toasty warm during their travels.Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-81129142453742372015-01-03T10:09:00.003-08:002015-01-03T10:32:01.704-08:00Guess Who!?That’s right kids! It’s a New Year miracle…here’s a blog post from Fresh Egg’s Farm! I’ve owed you all a post for a long time – life kept getting in the way. I’ve tried to keep FB followers in the know – but I really needed to come and talk more in depth about what’s been going on around FEF....and then….my husband posted on HIS blog (Marxwell’s House) and then I knew I HAD to post here. I mean, if he posts like 1-2 times per year and could find the time…then so should I.<br />
<br />
So here is goes – forgive me if it’s too wordy…there’s a lot to say and its been a while.<br />
The Fresh Egg’s Farm kids are awesome (as usual). We’ll start with the youngest, Miss Cora. She’s been more active in singing at school. She loves her chorus and has even done some solo/small group pieces during the concerts. She also performed at her talent show – this is something that I know Mark and I could never do. It’s hard enough to get up and talk in front of people – but to sing, with a microphone, in front of people, by myself….uhhhhhhhhhhhhh nope! She’s so strong though and it really impresses me. Around the farm – she’s been helpful with cooking and caring for the birds. She’s primarily responsible for the chickens and turkeys, and although she’s not always sunshine and roses about taking care of them, she does a great job! Drake is still playing the flute for his school band. We’ve gone to a few concerts this year for him and I like to watch him perform. It’s amazing how much different an 8th grade band sounds, compared to when they started in 6th. Drake is always helpful around the farm. He’s the first to be ready to go (typically) – grabbing buckets of water, jumping over stall walls to get in there and feed, or move animals around. I love his adventurous soul too. He is one to go out and explore – it helps cure his boredom and he learns a lot from his surroundings. Gage turned 16 this year…which means that we are in the throw of teaching him to drive. He has saved enough money for his driving school and should be starting that soon. He also started a job at a local grocery store (Kroger) – he’s bagging groceries and working on learning cash register. He’s working hard in school, as this year, his junior year, proves to be the most difficult, so far. He’s in a lot of higher classes and sometimes struggles to find the time to work, socialize, do school work etc. I think it’s important for him to have balance in life. We just need to make sure that he can keep good grades while doing everything else in life.<br />
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Mark and I were able to take the entire summer off, with the kids – since I was on unemployment and had some money saved from my company’s package. It was nice being able to just be together as a family. I dream of a perfect world of winning the lottery and being able to do this full time. Being at home, creating a space at home to share with others, to teach and learn – being financially comfortable, while having all the comforts that we prefer in life…but the reality is that, for now, we both need to work outside the home. So comes the announcement that I am currently working for a VERY local company (Roberts Farm Equipment – no relation to our Roberts family though). The business is just about 3 miles from my house and on the way to Mark’s school. Each morning, after we get Cora on the bus, Mark and I drive in together. He drops me off and heads into his job. It’s nice spending those few minutes alone with him each morning, during the week. He’s my best friend and I love talking with him, or just having a few silent moments of being together. He picks me up from work – which also gives him a little extra time at school each day, to work on things around there. Our kids are all old enough now that they can get off the bus and be safe until we get home. At my work – I do a little of everything, that’s how it is at small businesses…I was hired for bookkeeping, but I also help with answering phones, shipping products to customers, assisting with their ebay store and website development. They are building out their online store and I’ve been helping with that process. I really like it there. Some of the people that I work with are just really nice people and I think it’s good for me to get to know some of the people in our community that come in for tractor parts.<br />
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Here on “the farm” – I feel like we’ve done so much, but have barely checked any of the boxes on our last year’s goal list. I had such high hopes for this year, but it seems like we either have time or money, never both. We were able to work in a trip to Upstate New York…a small town called Chittenango. Chittenango is near Syracuse and is where I grew up. On our way there – we made it as much as an adventure as we could. We stopped in Erie, PA – who knew what a cool like town that is. We stumbled on a great place to eat that was reminiscent of a 50’s style burger/beach joint. Afterward, we headed to a small “beach” on Lake Erie and let the kids play in the extremely cold water and saw some really cool sand art. The following day of our journey took us to Niagara Falls. If you haven’t been there…GO. It’s so beautiful. You can see Canada just across the waterway – you can visit Canada too – if you have your passport (which is on our list of things to purchase). The falls are beautiful too. You can catch rainbows in the sprays, watch people on the boat rides below getting drenched. It’s very majestic. We moved on to Chittenango area and spent some time with my aunt (she’s actually my mom’s close friend from high school, who has always played a significant role in my life). She has a beautiful home, on Oneida lake. What a great time to wake up with a cup of coffee on her deck and watch the boats drive by. We tried to experience as much as we could while we were there. We visited Green Lakes States Park (a great park/campground that I used to frequent as a child), Nora’s Candy Shop and picked up some turkeyjoint candies (if you haven’t had these – you are missing out in life – my Nana and Ga used to always have a jar, or two around the holidays and we couldn’t wait to get our hands on them – PS: they aren’t really from a turkey), Sylvan Beach playland and Eddie’s restaurant (such great memories of this place…so many family meals we’ve had there), the Oz museum (my hometown is the birthplace of the author of the Wizard of Oz series – many things around town are Oz-centric – and the museum is GREAT! We got a private tour by my old babysitter, Barb and got to see so many neat Oz memorabilia items), we visited Fort Stanwix and learned about the fort and more about the Native American culture that surrounds that area. It was a GREAT trip and we are so thankful that the girls (Tiff and Kait) were able to help us out and watch the animals/farm house while we were gone. It isn’t often that we are able to get away like that. <br />
My cousin, Tonia, and her family made a visit to Ohio this summer too. It’s so great to see her and her girls (she has three young girls – that just seem to love being on the farm) – we took them down to the creek near our house and found crayfish (crawdads), saw minnows, swam for a bit and saw a snake! The creek has become a fun place for us to explore. Earlier this year, Mark, the kids and I visited the creek and collected a bunch of crawdads. I told them if we caught enough, I’d boil them up. I made a Louisiana style Cajun boil and boiled those babies up. We sat on the front porch and ate crawdads.<br />
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Inside the house, we were able to pull up the carpet in the living room and parlor. I’m excited about the floors that we found underneath! We need to rent a sander, briefly. To get these babies sanded and then coated, to help them shine. But they are in really good shape. While the floors are stripped, we are working on getting all the old lacquer off the wood work – to get them beautiful again. With each step of the process, Mark and I are dreaming about what we want from each room. In the parlor, we removed a closet that just wasn’t very functional for us – by removing it, we are able to fully open the double doors as you enter the room. Opening up the seating space we have. My parents bought us a TV for Christmas, which will go in the Living room and the smaller TV that WAS in the living room will now go into the parlor. Giving us two separate, but connected areas to hang out in. This will be especially great when we have larger gatherings. Children in one area, older people in another…or however it works out. We’ve got a big family that I expect to continue to grow, once grandchildren come into the picture and we need seating space for everyone. The parlor is especially nice because one of the things we DID check off the list is a stove for that room. We purchased a wood pellet stove! It’s large and powerful enough to heat our entire house…mostly the parlor and living rooms are toasty warm and the other rooms are chilly, but mostly comfortable. Plus, cool rooms make for great sleeping. It’s so nice being able to come into the parlor and get warm by the fire. We’ve even toasted marshmallows in there! The goal for this room is to create a comfy space to talk and hang out. Outside the windows we are planning on putting in a bunch of bird feeders, a bug hotel, a bird bath and maybe a small beehive, to be able to view from the windows of the parlor and be close to nature. There’s a local park (Aullwood Nature Center) and they have a bird watching room and it’s just SO relaxing in there. I’d like to have that type of space for us and our visitors.<br />
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We still have so much to do inside the house…we have the rest of our lifetime to do it. But it’ll be nice once our place is less of a work zone and more of a home. <br />
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Outside the house we were able cut back a huge area of brush in the front hedge area. Once we burn off the wood and brush from that area, we’ll be able to put in the arbors for grapes and kiwi. I love having so much food on the property. Pretty soon, we’ll be getting more and more fruit from our trees and putting that food up for the winter etc. YUM! We have a huge blackcap (wild blackberry) patch in our backyard, near the neighbor’s farm field – typically, we’ve been getting around 3-4 pounds of berries from this patch. This year though we got over 10 pounds of berries! It’s awesome! We put two of our beehives out near the patch and not only did the ladies love it, but we <span style="color: #0000ee;">benefited</span> from all their pollination!<br />
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Speaking of the bees. I still just love having them! They are so cool to watch and learn from. Some days, I wish I could just sit and hang out with them…but they’ve got a job to do (and usually so do I)…so it’s best to just let them bee (har har!). We started out the season with four nucs…as one started to fail, we were able to capture a swarm (still such an awesome experience) and combine the swarm with the failing colony…and then another started to fail…so we combined that with the swarm colony. Entering winter we had, what we thought were, three strong colonies; however, recently we lost two of them. I believe one was due to mites (although, when we did the mite test…we didn’t see any mites – so I’m not exactly sure what went wrong there) – we hate to just treat for mites automatically, but maybe that is a necessity these days. We were hoping for strong bees that could be strong against the mites – but maybe that’s just not a reality. The other hive, we believe, either went queenless or just collapsed, without real rhyme or reason. That said, we are hoping that our last colony survives the winter – so far, so good. They should have plenty of food, plenty of bees, a strong queen etc. If we can keep this colony strong into the spring, we might have the opportunity to split them and create two colonies! We’ve also been talking with Don Popp (a local beekeeping master…and a great mentor) and he said he could put us on his swarm call list – he said last year they had twenty or so calls for swarms!! TWENTY!!!! If we could just get a few of those, we’d have free bees!!!! Not to mention that we’d have the experience of swarm catching (and I love adding things like this to our life resume). This year, we harvested honey, enough to sell to friends and family…and to make a batch of homemade baklava (holy moly! YUM). Next year, I’m hoping to get enough honey to start making Mead. Home brewed alcohol…OK! We also had the opportunity to mentor some of our friends as they started their beekeeping experience. They bought a complete hive and their bees were going gangbusters! Such a strong hive…so much honey. We were happy to help them become the beekeepers that they are!<br />
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We’ve had a bunch of highs and lows with our animals. We finally got our sheep castrated, but ended up losing Steve, shortly thereafter. I’m not sure why he died, but that was an extremely heartbreaking time on the farm. We also had a rough goat delivery year and lost a couple at birth and lost another, Bandit, when he was still a baby. Josie, one of our alpacas passed from old age. She was a good girl and we miss all the ones we’ve lost. The pasture seems a little empty. With just a sheep (Jester), an alpaca (Blossom) and five goats (3 dairy and 2 angora) left…oh! And Kennedy! I haven’t spoken about Kennedy here…I don’t think! Well…..we ended up getting a miniature donkey! He’s a sweet boy (although he needs to learn some manners, when it comes to coexisting with the other animals) – I just adore him and his HEEEEEEE HAWING! We are learning shearing this year. We were able to shear all the fiber animals – me, Mark and the kids (and my cousin, Rhett even helped). We still need to work on technique – but I’m happy with the progress that we’ve made. We took Mabel to our friends at Long Lane Alpacas to have "date time" with one of their goats. If she is pregnant, then we’ll have goat babies around March and goat babies mean farm cuteness AND milk. We’ll hopefully be back in the milking game come this spring. Which means milk, cheese, soap and….I don’t know what else! But it’s exciting to think about. <br />
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We put in another order for chickens. We ordered a few more layers and ten meat birds. They should be arriving next week! We are hoping that the layers, by getting them this early in the season, will be laying well before fall. The meat birds will be ready for processing in about 7-9 weeks – so approximately the first week of March. It will be great to have birds in the freezer again. They make for such an easy meal. I’m hoping to get a deep freeze (I prefer stand up, but a chest might be a nice temporary fix). It would also be nice to get on a schedule of getting meat birds more regularly…and then we can process and freeze them and hopefully never have to purchase birds from the store. Currently, we have seven layers and seven turkeys…THAT’S RIGHT – our plan of breeding turkeys worked. Loner and Mama have five offspring in there. Peepers (was born in the early spring, in Mark’s classroom incubator – such a cool experience for his students) and six more were born, but unfortunately two didn’t make it. I believe that we are keeping Loner, Mama and Peepers and the other four will be for food. Having this many birds is nice, but we need more space and a different layout. Their coop, right now, is just a converted shed. We need to create a space that has better ventilation, more space, the ability to separate chicks from birds, better heating/lighting options etc. We also need to have better yard areas for the birds. Oh I just can’t wait until our entire property is fenced and we can let them wander a bit, without worrying about disturbing neighbors. But for now, giving them a better coop/yard space is better.<br />
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Finally, we need to get the barn done. It’s about 75% done. We need to finish some siding and put on doors etc. and paint. We have the paint already, we just need to get things done so we can slap it on the building. How cool will it be, when our big red barn is actually big and red! It will be so much nicer for the animals too….and for the humans who care for the animals ;-)<br />
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As usual, our list is long, but it will eventually be done (but then we will have likely added a billion more items!). Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-17912937055892920142014-06-09T10:26:00.002-07:002014-06-09T10:26:34.201-07:00Adventures in Summer Cooking (with Cora)Hello everyone! Hope you are doing well in blogland! I'm going to stop apologizing for my absences and just let you all know that, whenever I possibly can, I will update the blog with our (mis)adventures LOL. As you all are, I'm sure, we are extremely busy trying to make everything happen.<br />
This summer is going to be a wild one - since Mark is a teacher, he is off for the summer, I am currently unemployed and the kids are home for summer break too - this is the first summer we've ever had, where everyone is here! This is the summer of projects. We've already finished building the raised beds and planting most everything (still need to find a spot for those gourds). We've also decided to expand Cora's bee garden - originally, we were going to create a simple raised garden bed to help support the bees (and other pollinators) - however, we've decided that most of our backyard isn't very functional for us. Eventually, we are adding a back deck (when time and money allow) - our large vegetable garden and apple trees (and likely the chickens/turkeys) will remain back there - but instead of having just a mess of weeds and grass that we need to mow down, we are thinking of changing that into an entire garden space to support butterflies, and honey bees etc. I've been compiling a list of plants to add to our space - plants that will bloom throughout the seasons and will provide both nectar and pollen sources. It's exciting for us. Imagine looking out over the deck and seeing all these amazing flowers and pollinators making their way around. LOVE LOVE LOVE it.<br />
Now that we have four hives - yes FOUR! We need to make sure that we are giving them all of the natural goodness that we possibly can. Speaking of bees - guess what we did for the first time EVER...Captured our first swarm!!!! It was scary, exhilarating and exciting all wrapped up in one bee cluster!<br />
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Our neighbors (from about a mile or so down the road) - the ones that provide our hay to us, showed up in our driveway and asked if we could help them out. The wife is allergic to honey bees and they were pretty sure there was a swarm in their tree. Mark and I suited up, grabbed a box and away we went - it took about an hour to get there, capture the swarm and get those girls home. It went amazingly well for our first swarm capture - especially since the property owner was watching us. We feel like we deserve a badge or something lol. There should be like the homesteader collection of badges (I slaughtered my first chicken, I captured a swarm, I ran into the barn without shoes and didn't get worms) - we also feel like we should create a list of things we thought we'd never say to each other like "Eew, the cat is eating the goat's placenta"...but that's another story. We combined the swarm with an existing hive that had gone queenless....and they seem to be getting along really well. We need to take a look at them girls later this week - we are hoping that one of our beekeeper friends will be able to make his way over here (Friday?) to take a look at our hives, offer suggestions etc. Also this weekend we volunteered at the BCBA/OSBA Summer Beekeeping Symposium. It was at Miami University and had a bunch of great breakout sessions - we really enjoyed helping. BTW - if you haven't heard of <a href="http://hiveandhoneybeepothecary.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">BEEpothecary</a> - you should go check them out. Great people - Great products!<br />
Anyway - I have so much more to share...and I will! Promise! But for now, I'll leave you with a project that Miss Cora and I are working on today...HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOWS! That's right, homemade! We have them made and right now we are waiting to cut them - I'll let you know how it turns out...Here's the recipe that we used:<br />
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<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-size: large;">Marshmallows</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Ingredients:<br />
3 packages unflavored gelatin <br />
1 cup ice cold water, divided <br />
12 ounces granulated sugar, approximately 1 1/2 cups <br />
1 cup light corn syrup <br />
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt <br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract <br />
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar <br />
1/4 cup cornstarch <br />
Nonstick spray </span></span></h1>
<b><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></b><h1>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Directions:<br />
Place the gelatin into the bowl of a stand mixer along with 1/2 cup of the
water. Have the whisk attachment standing by.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />In a small saucepan combine the remaining 1/2 cup
water, granulated sugar, corn syrup and salt. Place over medium high heat,
cover and allow to cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Uncover, clip a candy thermometer
onto the side of the pan and continue to cook until the mixture reaches 240
degrees F, approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Once the mixture reaches this
temperature, immediately remove from the heat.<br />Turn the mixer on low speed and, while running, slowly
pour the sugar syrup down the side of the bowl into the gelatin mixture. Once
you have added all of the syrup, increase the speed to high. Continue to whip
until the mixture becomes very thick and is lukewarm, approximately 12 to 15
minutes. Add the vanilla during the last minute of whipping. While the mixture
is whipping prepare the pans as follows.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">For regular marshmallows:<br />Combine the confectioners' sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl. Lightly spray
a 13 by 9-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the sugar and
cornstarch mixture and move around to completely coat the bottom and sides of
the pan. Return the remaining mixture to the bowl for later use.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />When ready, pour the mixture into the prepared pan,
using a lightly oiled spatula for spreading evenly into the pan. Dust the top
with enough of the remaining sugar and cornstarch mixture to lightly cover.
Reserve the rest for later. Allow the marshmallows to sit uncovered for at
least 4 hours and up to overnight.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Turn the marshmallows out onto a cutting board
and cut into 1-inch squares using a pizza wheel dusted with the confectioners'
sugar mixture. Once cut, lightly dust all sides of each marshmallow with the
remaining mixture, using additional if necessary. Store in an airtight
container for up to 3 weeks.</span></span></span></h1>
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<a href="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10416581_10100904660654986_1669577895287769665_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t1.0-9/10416581_10100904660654986_1669577895287769665_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h1>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So far, they taste amazing - I just hope we can finish the last step of getting them cut and tossed with the cornstarch/powered sugar mix. Fingers crossed!</span></span></h1>
Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-34407177755491777902014-04-18T06:33:00.001-07:002014-04-18T06:33:20.669-07:00Farm and Garden UpdateWe ended with three baby goats this season. I was thinking we had one more mama - but she doesn't seem to be doing anything - so maybe she wasn't bred afterall, or maybe she lost the pregnancy. The three little ones are doing amazing though. They are running around the pasture - chasing after each other, driving the grown ups crazy. At first, it seemed like some of the grown ups weren't fans of the little ones - but it seems they have accepted them as part of the flock. I'm not sure if we are keeping all or all of these - it seems it would make sense to keep the girl - but the boys are so damn cute. We'll see...there's only so much room at the inn....and frankly, I'd love to get a donkey. Mark's not going to let me get a donkey AND keep all the goats.<br />
We've been gardening a lot these days...building our raised garden beds, with trellises (we still need to add another bed to that area and four of the trellises - but we are getting there. We also need to build a permanent bed for asparagus - our seedlings are doing amazing and we'll need to get them transplanted soon. We decided to grow the asparagus from seed because we aren't in a rush to get them (it takes 2-3 years to get the plants producing) and from what I've read, if you can get them to establish from seed, you have a stronger plant and bigger yield etc. We also need to build another bed for Cora's bee garden. Last year at Mother Earth News Fair, we bought Cora a bunch of seeds to create a garden all her own - the seeds were selected to encourage pollinators to visit - so she should be seeing all types of butterflies and honey bees etc. We also got a bird bath to put into the bed - we will put colorful rocks in there so the bees have space to land and get a drink, without drowning. I'm really excited about that garden...Cora and I sat down and planned it all out, what to plant where etc. I'm hoping it is beautiful (I'm sure it will be). Yesterday, we transplanted 32 of each of the following: broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage to the raised beds in front. We also transplanted 36 brussels sprout plants and planted a row of carrots and a row of beets in the back garden. Finally, we planted 10 pounds of potato "seeds". I love that we've been able to most everything in the beds using our own compost. OH! We also have three large pots for lettuce and spinach mix. Whew! YAY food.<br />
I mentioned in a previous post that we ordered additional trees etc. Shortly before those items shipped, we decided to cut back a bit. Mainly because of money. We had a lot of money going out for our crazy goat deliveries and rough winter, so we decided to not get the asparagus crowns (and our seedlings are doing amazing...so WIN!), we ordered 1/2 the grape vines - we originally were going to get two sets, but figured that one set would be good enough, we decided against that tangerine - because that is an indoor, wouldn't it be cool type of tree, more of a novelty, than a necessity so it went on the back burner. I think that was a smart decision. We've got time to do all of this stuff - I get the "I wants" and I want it all to happen at once...but this is our home, for a long time. Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-38763800672977510042014-03-25T05:54:00.000-07:002014-03-25T05:54:36.649-07:00I was right!Sweet Pea delivered some time through the night! A single baby, I'm not sure if it is a doe or buck yet (I'll check later today). That's how it should go though - she's a champ and so far wins the best mommy of 2014 award. She had her baby cleaned up, she was nursing, her placenta was delivered and she was mommy talking (unique voice for her baby to recognize her, from other goats).<br />
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You can't see it very well in this photo, but it has a dark ridge on its spine. A real cutie.<br />
I feel good that we are starting to know what we are talking about when it comes to pregnancy and birth. It should be a natural thing, but that's not always the case - sometimes they need assistance. I'll try and get a non-red toned picture later today...the red is from the heat lamp. It's still cold here...Spring...where are youuuuuuu????Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-24362180770716154322014-03-24T13:41:00.001-07:002014-03-24T13:41:37.764-07:00No kidding?It's that time of year kidding time. As I've mentioned in the last post, we are having issues when it comes to goat kids. The first two mothers lost their babies. However, since then, we had one of our angora goats deliver twins. Twins! Frankie Blue (that's right, we have a female goat named Frankie and a male cat named Alice - we don't play the typical gender roles here when it comes to naming animals) gave birth, completely unassisted to two bucks. They are so cute. One was good to go, right from the start. The other, which I believe was the first one born, had a little tougher go around. He was cold when we went out there. We brought him inside, snuggled him against me with a heating pad covering him up. Mark brewed a cup of coffee and gave the goat a bit, mixed with sugar, to get him some much needed energy. Mark also milked Frankie and we were able to get some colostrum into little Bandit (named for the black circles around his eyes). He perked up and was able to get back to momma quickly. This year, Frankie was able to get both boys cleaned off and was interested in getting them nursed, unlike last year, where she basically ignored Sweet Pea for the first few days.<br />
Here we are, nearly 5 days later and the boys are doing great. They spend some supervised time in the farm yard with their aunts and uncles. They are playing and hopping around - it's really a fun time for baby goats.<br />
Now, Sweet Pea and Itty are supposed to be delivering. Sweet Pea has a full bag, sunken sides, loose vulva, and as of my last check (about an hour ago) a little goo coming out of her who ha - all the signs of pending delivery (in fact, I assumed that last night around midnight we'd be dealing with new kids in the barn) - but we are still waiting. I'll keep making barn checks and hopefully we will have a couple more healthy deliveries soon. So I thought I'd share some animal pictures with you...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRgmGEIWdLOPQiMbSpukrukEOYX3JS3qVtM1999oB4hKVzaYuqOqOLqP0cfm8Win4Uo2AxilTUIdiuafnKMJvbaHOnH17X4wu4iAUcUtd8JLSdZpA1armQhW_GX2DcwPihYevb9sYSi2p/s1600/0324141317%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRgmGEIWdLOPQiMbSpukrukEOYX3JS3qVtM1999oB4hKVzaYuqOqOLqP0cfm8Win4Uo2AxilTUIdiuafnKMJvbaHOnH17X4wu4iAUcUtd8JLSdZpA1armQhW_GX2DcwPihYevb9sYSi2p/s1600/0324141317%5B1%5D.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jester</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBS2hAdjHkZCKKLl6DiA425H-p8VC9JtyL2i0h4M168yrLdth7nQjQtmo6MbFp3g94S_8Y8siUhkRpvyGbNHpJfAewH8ZUqCxbqkpH33swEyFYGd1H_HQBNM531xUhbbK8abX7P-m0xv7/s1600/0324141308a%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBS2hAdjHkZCKKLl6DiA425H-p8VC9JtyL2i0h4M168yrLdth7nQjQtmo6MbFp3g94S_8Y8siUhkRpvyGbNHpJfAewH8ZUqCxbqkpH33swEyFYGd1H_HQBNM531xUhbbK8abX7P-m0xv7/s1600/0324141308a%5B1%5D.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bandit and Decaf, playing in the pasture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tPllp9nuYGhfAB3GOEObjBIj53DCxhlTC_OYLjPRt-hs94DpTVF0FaZm_BcEN6aKOYNOHIwnCmfNj65vjpt65ZB8r3Hs1scm2YBIL7aR1c4BXyKvAiA7uyHo3wfsQC79kNwBVaTPMXjW/s1600/0324141333%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tPllp9nuYGhfAB3GOEObjBIj53DCxhlTC_OYLjPRt-hs94DpTVF0FaZm_BcEN6aKOYNOHIwnCmfNj65vjpt65ZB8r3Hs1scm2YBIL7aR1c4BXyKvAiA7uyHo3wfsQC79kNwBVaTPMXjW/s1600/0324141333%5B1%5D.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decaf - sweet boy with blue eyes, just like momma.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxFQXUNk4K-39h56B05YtfQC8UXlTRZ5j0SKt9huj58oELIg5X2tNUWu1EDZvv4e1KiQJSJFoxiGnckzUoujyCNJXXOZrfnMgX96c2ysBwx1aHIaH5oqM3zeZk4-AfEfkW2lD9WJ0OvpN/s1600/0324141333a%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxFQXUNk4K-39h56B05YtfQC8UXlTRZ5j0SKt9huj58oELIg5X2tNUWu1EDZvv4e1KiQJSJFoxiGnckzUoujyCNJXXOZrfnMgX96c2ysBwx1aHIaH5oqM3zeZk4-AfEfkW2lD9WJ0OvpN/s1600/0324141333a%5B1%5D.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bandit - he's smaller than his brother, but more independent</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaw34RC2L_4LKonooQMgtD2x14TjcQLdVLsNvJBZzyAa-bpMHKadnXlgCMp00uOlSL_a4cwJF5uauRUYHj9t3ZKk9BwTGF4Qwe21K09Q0kNFfC-PGg560Czg9dNqpZQrZSPgyDyvfqfAX/s1600/0324141352%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaw34RC2L_4LKonooQMgtD2x14TjcQLdVLsNvJBZzyAa-bpMHKadnXlgCMp00uOlSL_a4cwJF5uauRUYHj9t3ZKk9BwTGF4Qwe21K09Q0kNFfC-PGg560Czg9dNqpZQrZSPgyDyvfqfAX/s1600/0324141352%5B1%5D.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just think this is cute - this is Itty (on the far side) with her son from last year, Coffee. You can generally find them together, snuggled up like this.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f6IY-ZfEKgL7xRIpdI-wCPxaf6amiGboePsf64T71b3fJgoS2TAWE9DkBNBuAXOsLixLVwCtFcQGZeFtQTf2bpPpWXU19_WJw1AGEEcMGqpUB6_RCT0s6lD3pO8M-Gg6X_O3BmFLNuvL/s1600/0324141319%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f6IY-ZfEKgL7xRIpdI-wCPxaf6amiGboePsf64T71b3fJgoS2TAWE9DkBNBuAXOsLixLVwCtFcQGZeFtQTf2bpPpWXU19_WJw1AGEEcMGqpUB6_RCT0s6lD3pO8M-Gg6X_O3BmFLNuvL/s1600/0324141319%5B1%5D.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jester stays real still when the babies come near him - like he's afraid he will crush them or something. I love the sweet smile on Bandit's face, as he snuggles his nose into Jester.</td></tr>
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In other news - we were able to get a bunch of seeds started! 322 of them to be exact (<span class="userContent">50 tomatoes (3 varieties), 54 asparagus, 34
cauliflower, 36 broccoli, 36 cabbage, 36 celery, 36 Brussels sprouts, 16
jalapeno, 24 green pepper) - WOOT! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULJvVLT-OecZ0VQZLfC6ba_g2iH1UHEB6c1Fn95yK46OiqV-hsDSb9Q7U15-8tMsfg-Dns7vIVo1lsASW_mASsqEGqir9snOYW0CpArv0dwawTQ67_9KrMaJunFkeYZA46v5fuHJSf22A/s1600/0322141641%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULJvVLT-OecZ0VQZLfC6ba_g2iH1UHEB6c1Fn95yK46OiqV-hsDSb9Q7U15-8tMsfg-Dns7vIVo1lsASW_mASsqEGqir9snOYW0CpArv0dwawTQ67_9KrMaJunFkeYZA46v5fuHJSf22A/s1600/0322141641%255B1%255D.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="userContent">Above is the rack that we built to start our seeds on - we need to grab another 4 ft. shop light to go for the bottom shelf. I thought the window would be enough light for the top shelf - but I worry it won't be enough - we could probably just put shade tolerant veggies up there. We need to get some thing in the ground, once it warm just a touch more. Just things that like cold feet :-)</span><br />
<span class="userContent">Ok - time to go check on a goat!</span>Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-83384944135990510402014-03-18T07:25:00.000-07:002014-03-18T07:25:45.278-07:00Do you know what I saw this morning?...a real live crocus! A few of them actually! Do you know what that means? SPRING! The flowers seem to realize that the snow is (hopefully) gone for good. Nervously, I checked the forecast this morning and saw this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwvBSNEN7qC0oV-z8OLEtj3wnUvIR8sfbM0nOB_TXkbZ0To8sySQ0I0JJqsbMQwUzbpWvICRitPhbLf6yYoXNXpN9_KtzbCYrZ3T7isPaSdlmL38iflsx3vcZRXTsmjQK7kYfzAvkmWHw/s1600/Weather+3.18.14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwvBSNEN7qC0oV-z8OLEtj3wnUvIR8sfbM0nOB_TXkbZ0To8sySQ0I0JJqsbMQwUzbpWvICRitPhbLf6yYoXNXpN9_KtzbCYrZ3T7isPaSdlmL38iflsx3vcZRXTsmjQK7kYfzAvkmWHw/s1600/Weather+3.18.14.JPG" height="400" width="358" /> </a> </div>
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50's and 60's and we'll pretend that the 48 on Saturday will actually make it above 50. This is very exciting to everyone in Ohio (and I'm sure elsewhere too). We've been kept inside too long. We're all cranky. We've gained too many extra "winter pounds". We need to be in the dirt, dirty hands, dirty feet, sweaty foreheads. This is the time that we stretch out from underneath our woolen blankets and do something. Although, if you ask my dogs (both asleep in separate chairs, breathing that heavy sleep breathing) they are hoping for a couple more days of hibernation. LOL. </div>
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This weekend had its ups and downs. Mabel, our very experienced dairy goat, had some issues with her delivery this weekend. She was working and pushing and just could not open up to get her baby out. We called the vet and she came to delivery a dose of oxytocin - it worked, she opened almost immediately. Unfortunately, the one fetus that she had was already dead. Not from the delivery, it was already dead and from the look of the placenta, it had been dead for a couple of days (which explains why Mabel was trying to expel the baby, even though her body wasn't really ready for delivery). The baby was deformed though. It had more of a fur-like fiber, than the regular hair that I'm used to seeing - it also had an extended lower jaw and missing teeth. This is two babies now lost. It's sad, so sad. This is not what we signed up for...ok, I guess it's all part of being a farmer. But last year births were so simple - most giving birth when we weren't even in the barn, they would just sneak and drop a baby and we'd be like - who does this one belong to?!?! So far, two births have ended with two calls to the vet, one c-section, two dead babies. Disheartening, to say the least. I spoke to someone else at Mark's work and she too is having issues with her goats - in fact, she has lost three of her nannies - UGH! At least we still have our girls - just wish they had their babies too. :-( Hmmpht. We still have 2, maybe three more girls that should deliver, although they are our angoras/angora crosses, not dairy. We are having an autopsy done on this fetus though - just to figure out if there is something going on with the entire herd - or if it is just a fluke. Either way, I'm kinda done with all the death we've experienced this year. I wonder how many others are having goat abortion/deformation issues out there??</div>
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In good news - with this warm weather coming and, frankly, the date on the calendar is telling me we are about 7 1/2 to 8 weeks away from Mother's Day...also known as my preferred planting day! My goal is to have our seedlings ready to be put in the ground that weekend...which means we need to get the seeds started inside in the next couple of days! In years past, we have tried a number of different methods to starting seeds. We've tried setting up a table in front of our front window, where the morning sun shines through...but we ended up fighting the cats for that space - who, apparently, thinking that our seedlings were planted for them to lay on. Grr. We tried planting in the basement, but got some funky mushrooms trying to fight for planting space. So this year, we built a seed starting rack.We built a simple rack, made from 2x4s The rack has four shelves - each shelf is 4 ft. long by a foot deep. The bottom shelf is about 6 inches from the ground, shelf two is 18 inches above that, shelf three is 18 inches above that and shelf four is 2 feet above that. The bottom threes shelves have shop lights, on chains, so we can adjust the distance above the seedlings. The top shelf doesn't have the lighting, but we can put more shade tolerant seedlings up there and just set the rack near a window. Another great aspect - we added castors to the bottom of the rack - then we can move it around, as needed (including to the porch to harden the plants). Today, my plan is to mix some dirt, with peat, alpaca poo, bunny poo and compost and get ready to plant - although Mark and the kids will likely help actually plant the seeds. Time to make a plan for what needs to go in first! I wonder how many seedlings we can actually get on there!? Hmmm....more details to follow on that. </div>
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Enjoy spring everyone! We deserve this one!!!</div>
Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-68439576601986983592014-03-13T05:33:00.002-07:002014-03-13T05:33:29.761-07:00Is it Easter already?Green eggs and ham anyone? So looky what we have here! Last year, our "Easter Egger", so their breed is called, laid pink eggs that seemed to have some sort of hypercolor ability - when you would get them wet, or hold them tight in your hands, they would change color. Very strange. So far this year, we have a consistent white egg layer (Andy, our Blue Andalusian), our three brown layers are laying here and there - not sure if those four eggs came from one bird or a mix of the three ladies and now we have one egg that is a beautiful blue/green color. Great job Hedwig! She's a beautiful bird and a sweetheart. So glad that, for now, we won't have to be buying eggs at the store! Awesome!<br />
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<br />Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-39538303357859836712014-03-11T06:32:00.003-07:002014-03-11T06:32:57.747-07:00More on the Chicken TractorIt is complete (sorta). The chicken tractor is out in the yard and the birds are in it...Loving their new space and all the grass that comes with it. We still need to make some tweaks on this...we were able use some of the fencing that we already had, leftover from other projects, and fence the yard area. We need to add some sort of door, to keep them warm in inclement weather (which I hear is coming back tomorrow for a couple of days). The roof is just a tarp, stapled on place all the way down one side and partially down the other - the flap at the bottom, allows us to lift the tarp and put in clean food/water. We've roped the containers from the cross bar, to keep them 1) level and 2) off the ground, so the birds can easily reach, but hopefully lessen the filth that only chickens can make (you chicken people know what I'm talking about here). We will convert the roof to some sort of plywood - with a hinged area and probably be wheeled, to make for easier moving (it took three of us to move it yesterday).<br />
For those of you who don't raise birds, or are thinking about getting birds - the reason for something like this is to combine the free range and caged ideas. Unfortunately, we cannot just let our birds wander...we have a smaller property (they'd always end up at the neighbors), we have hawks and coyotes...it just isn't safe; however, if you leave them in one space (for example, our current coop is a stationary building with a fenced yard) - they tear up the yard so quickly, that they essentially live in a mud/dirt swamp area. This moveable coop - chicken tractor allows you to move them regularly. Once they have been on an area and clipped the grass and (ahem) fertilized the area, you simply move the structure to a new area. If you move it slow enough, the birds will just move with the structure. You can move them onto your garden beds to help weed, or once you've put the garden to bed for the season, you can put the tractor out there and they will eat the leftovers and again, fertilize the beds for next year...and fresh "pasture" means less grain that you need to supplement with. WIN WIN. They seem happy in there - running around, testing their still-growing wings very cute. <br />
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<br />Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-20089779353331477352014-03-10T07:49:00.000-07:002014-03-10T07:52:35.560-07:00Building a Tractor...and CHICKEN tractor!<br />
Our meat birds were quickly growing out of their coop, in the basement. We decided this morning to move them into a side yard, off the chicken coop outside. We blocked the doorway between the two yards so that the larger layers won't hen-peck the newbies. All of the birds are getting to know each other through the safety of a fenced yard.<br />
We were hoping to get the chicken tractor completed yesterday - but it just took longer than expected. Here are some photos We are trying to use up as much of our scraps as possible...leftover barn siding etc. We will need to paint the whole structure. We also need to add a roof - the one side will be hinged, so we can get in there and put in clean food and water for them. There is a roost bar on the other side.<br />
The extension off the front will be fenced in - so we can let them run around have have access to all the fresh grass etc. They will also go into our garden to add fresh poo to the garden areas. We'll be able to move them to areas that we need cleaned out for raised beds etc. It'll be so good for them and us!<br />
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Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-78344272268944194492014-03-07T10:20:00.000-08:002014-03-07T10:20:00.056-08:00A fresh start at Fresh Egg's FarmIt's official, I'm a full time farmer and house wife. My contract ended with my last employer and since I wasn't willing relocate, my job ended mid-January. It's strange to not have be at the laptop all day. I still haven't adjusted and its been a month. Sometimes I get that panic feeling of having to check my emails or phone calls - but then I remember that I'm not currently tied to that lifestyle. It's a good thing that I'm not working too, with all that has been happening around here. The Snowmageddon - Polar Vortex (is it Vorti, since there is more than one?), has given as a winter that will go down in history. It has been such a rough winter. The past two days have finally offered us a bit of a warm up - which is wonderful.<br />
We've had a bit of sadness around here too - Steve, our favorite ram, passed away recently. He was such a good boy and an incredibly beautiful sheep. We all miss him dearly, including his pen-mate, Jester. Although he is surviving and keeping on, it's obvious to me that he misses his buddy. We are working with the farm (<a href="http://marushkafarms.com/" target="_blank">Marushka Farms</a>) that we originally got Steve and Jester from, to see if we can purchase two lambs, from this year's stock. More sad news came this week - with the excitement of a pending twin delivery from our first timer, Ethel. She was in labor and I realized, as time went by, that she just was not progressing the way that she should. It was time to call the vet. We love our vet - she came out immediately and told us the bad news that the baby was likely dead and that the momma was too small to deliver the baby. We would need to do an emergency c-section. We took her into the vet office and they got to work. We were able to be present for the procedure - which gave us and the kids a learning experience, although sad, it was quite interesting. As the vet progressed through the section - and cut open the uterus - dead tissue began to ooze out of the uterus. It quickly became obvious that the baby had been day for more than a day and she was simply trying to abort it. Also, there was no twin. What we thought was a twin on the ultrasound must have been a dual image for the same kid. Finally, there was now a significant chance that we would lose Ethel too. Due to all of this dead tissue and a mess of a delivery - the chance for infection is great. She spent the first night in the vet's office - and amazed the vets at how much she improved overnight. She came home the night before last and we have antibiotics for her. We also have her separate from the others - but where she can still see them - so she doesn't get too lonely.It seems that she is coming out of the woods - but it's hard to get too positive with this one. I know that loss is all part of having a farm - but this has just been a long, tough, sad, winter. We continue to try to look at the positive though.<br />
My company offered me a healthy severance package, which will allow us to plan and purchase for the future. We have a huge wish list and have been trying to prioritize what we need, when.<br />
<b>:: Chickens</b><br />
We ordered another round of meat birds - 25 were ordered, 27 arrived. Currently, they are living happy and healthy in a brooder box that we built in our basement. However, they are quickly outgrowing this space and we will need to, hopefully, get an outdoor space ready for them this weekend. We keep changing what we want out of this space for them - so it's time to decide and get it going. We have five layers, along with the two turkeys, currently in the hen house. They are just starting to get back into laying - the first several eggs we got were cracked (stepped on? dropped? too cold??) and had to be tossed - but yesterday we got three beautiful eggs! Uncracked and ready for eating :-) We have an order for several more layers to come in April - this will be a great addition for our family. I'm hoping that we can learn to preserve the eggs better and have less time without eggs or having to buy store eggs (ewww). We are also hoping that momma turkey will get it together and hatch some babies out for us. Wouldn't that be awesome!!?? Turkey babies born and raised on the farm for Thanksgiving dinner!?!?!?!?!<br />
<b>:: Bees</b><br />
Yep - we are jumping back into bees this year with a vengeance. Last year, if you remember, we started with two hives - a good start for newbie ("new bee" har har har) keepers...but this year we are doubling that. We've been able to purchase 4 nuks from <a href="http://www.donpoppshoneyfarm.com/" target="_blank">Don Popp's Honey Farm</a>, along with some extra bee boxes, to get us started. The boxes will need sanded and painted...but are good and sturdy. We expect the bees sometime around mid- to late- April. I know that this year's pick up will go better than the last - I will be prepared!<br />
<b>:: Trees and Bushes and Food, Oh my!</b><br />
I know that we keep saying that we are FINALLY done buying fruit trees etc for the property and I've come to the conclusion that...I just really like the idea of fruit trees and bushes growing on the property. If we have the space, why NOT grow as much as we can?! I mean, if there is too much for us...then there is always trading and sharing, right? So we've put in an order for the following items:<br />
-Two different <b>elderberry plants</b><br />
-6 <b>grape plants</b> - the nursery refers to them as "red, white and blue" grapes, because each set comes with a set of three plants - Glenora (blue grapes), Lakemont (white grapes) and Reliance (red grapes) - and we got two sets. The arbors will be set for these along the driveway, between the peach/pear/cherry trees and the road.<br />
-<b>Tangerine tree</b> - this will grow inside, during inclement weather, along side of our Meyer Lemon.<br />
-<b>Issai Hardy Kiwi </b>- KIWI!? Did Fresh Eggs Farm just say Kiwi...in Ohio????? Welll....these are a type of kiwi that grows on a vine, similar to a grape (you arbor/trellis them, as you would grapes). The fruit is hairless (unlike the Kiwi you are probably used to seeing at the grocery) - inside they are green with black seeds and you can just pop them in your mouth! YUM!!!!!<br />
:: <b>Rhubarb</b> - we found out that our kids are HUGE fans for rhubarb and the couple stalks that we are getting from our one plant, just don't seem to be cutting it. So we are adding another.<br />
:: <b>Asparagus</b> - we got seeds for these last year and they didn't really seem to grow well. We ordered another packet of seeds; however, then I read that it was better (easier) to get asparagus starts that are already established. So we ordered some from the nursery.<br />
:: <b>Walla walla onions </b>- YUM!<br />
:: <b>Brown fig tree</b> - I've never tried growing figs, nor have I even had a fresh fig before; however, these seem to be a staple in the self sufficient garden.<br />
:: <b>Pecan Tree</b> - we already have a pecan tree, but she is old and doesn't produce the way we'd like. We are hoping to get this tree established, before we lose the other one completely.<br />
<b>:: Other Plants</b> - we've also placed and received our seed order for this year. The list is as follows:<br />
<ul>
<li>Amish Paste Tomatoes</li>
<li>Pink Ponderosa Tomatoes</li>
<li>Cantare Beans</li>
<li>Bull's Blood Beets</li>
<li>Calabrese Broccoli</li>
<li>Catskill Brussels Sprouts</li>
<li>Brunswick Cabbage</li>
<li>Danvers Half Long Carrots</li>
<li>Giant of Naples Cauliflower</li>
<li>Utah Tall Celery</li>
<li>Stowell's Evergreen Sweet Corn</li>
<li>Delikatesse Cucumber</li>
<li>Boston Pickling Cucumber </li>
<li>Luffa Gourd</li>
<li>Birdhouse Gourd</li>
<li>Bushel Basket Gourd</li>
<li>Tom Thumb Lettuce</li>
<li>Deer Tongue Lettuce</li>
<li>Blacktail Mountain Watermelon</li>
<li>Tennessee Red Peanut (thought these would be fun to try)</li>
<li>Jalapeno Pepper</li>
<li>California Wonder Pepper</li>
<li>Butternut Squash (Waltham)</li>
<li>Early Prolific Straightneck Yellow Squash</li>
<li>Table Queen Bush Acorn</li>
<li>Zucchini (Black Beauty)</li>
<li>Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach</li>
<li>Winter Luxury Pie Pumpkin</li>
<li>Riesentraube Cherry Tomato</li>
<li>Asparagus (I'm not sure what we will do with these - maybe still try to grow them?)</li>
</ul>
All of these seeds were purchased through <a href="http://www.rareseeds.com/" target="_blank">Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds</a> - this is an heirloom seed company, not affiliated with Monsanto. I think it's important to support these companies, as much as possible. We need to keep our seeds untainted from that GMO mess. Soon, we will be building a seed starting rack - so we can keep them out of the basement, safe from cats (who like to compete for window sun space) and control the amount of light they get (we are hanging florescent lights above the seeds, on each level). I'm really excited about this part! We've needed racks for a LONG time - I've got it planned in my head - just need to do it!<br />
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We've got our maple trees tapped and slowly but surely, they are starting to fill the buckets up. Yesterday was really our first warm day... and we should continue for the next week to have nice days and cold nights (hopefully, the perfect combination for a nice sap flow). We have to tweak our boiling process - I believe we are boiling too long, or too high or...I'm not really sure.<br />
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So what else have I been working on? Flooring and woodwork. UGH - I pulled all the carpet from our living room and parlor - we are working on refinishing the floors in these rooms. It's amazing how much gunk, dirt and dust collect in carpets. The floors underneath are beautiful wide planks - and will be amazing, once we have them all sanded and sealed etc. As part of this room redo - and due to some playing with the budget, we were able to work out getting a pellet stove installed in the parlor - WHAT A DIFFERENCE THIS STOVE HAS MADE IN OUR LIVES! I can't say it enough. It has saved us money - we were spending $90-$180 per week, just on oil...and that was barely enough to keep it so our pipes didn't freeze and we weren't completely miserable (but with the polar vortex stuff I mentioned earlier - it was still so rough). The stove gave us a warm house, yes, but it also gave us an extra warm place to warm up in front of, after doing animals or spending any time outside. That toasty flame was the only thing that kept me from cracking this winter. Love.<br />
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I apologize for not posting in a while - but we've been on a bit of a roller coaster ride here and busy busy busy. Hope all of you are doing well in blogland.<br />
<br />Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-53199894085236596842014-01-01T09:01:00.001-08:002014-01-01T09:01:19.598-08:002014 StartsToday, is a fresh start. I understand that it is simply the day after yesterday, but it seems like the flipping the page to a new year always gives us a fresh outlook on life. 2013 brought the Mother Earth News Fair (and mini vacation) for Mark and me, we raised and processed our own chickens this year, we learned that we did that processing just as Joel Salatin does, we raised our own turkeys for Christmas dinner, Mark started his job teaching at a wonderful school, we've learned more about our home and how to handle things like...septic emergencies etc, Gage has learned to approach the farm in a more positive light and he has also earned the role of class president and found himself a sweet little girlfriend that we all just adore.. Drake, Cora, Tiff and Kait are leading wonderful, positive lives and we are so excited to see what this coming year brings for them. But it also brought great challenges, my dad's heart (..and so thankful he is healthy), Cora's concussion and tonsil surgery (...and so thankful she is healthy), some financial issues, and personal set backs. For this day, we can look forward and see all of the positives that we have planned for 2014.<br />
It's going to be a BIG year for us! BIG.Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-74132930900579897242013-12-27T10:49:00.001-08:002013-12-27T10:49:39.313-08:002014 Projects and Goals<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yesterday, Mark and I put together a list of the projects and goals that we have for 2014. We put them on two separate posters to hang in the house and check off as we go...but thought we'd share them here as well. As you can see, we have a VERY busy year ahead of us. I don't know that we'll be able to check off each one of these, but we can sure try!</span><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Visit
Lehmans and Chittenango (if possible)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fix the
pipes under the kitchen sink</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Clean out
the cellar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Remove all
unused wires (phone etc.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Assess the
knob and tube wiring situation</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Weather
proof/caulk etc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Build food
storage shelving</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Doors/knobs
and latches</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lock on back
door</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">New
keys/keyrings for everyone</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Attic –
access, usable space?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have chimney
inspected – wood stove options</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Install wood
stove???</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Little bedroom
upstairs – sewing/craft room and teacher prep area</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All bedrooms
need curtains (make?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Remove all
wallpaper</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Paint/decorate
– room by room, as we can</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gut our
closet</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Redo all
wood floors</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Downstairs
bath</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-New
flooring (pennies?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-New
cabinet(s)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Wallpaper</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Paint and décor</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Upstairs
bath</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Refinish
tub</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Rehang
curtain</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Remove
wallpaper</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Paint</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Tile (wall
and maybe floor)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Storage
options</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Litter/cat
food</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Towel racks
(hooks/shelves)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Heat source</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Vent</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Mirror</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Toilet seat</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fridge/Freezer</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dishwasher/Stove(?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fix
banister/upstairs half wall</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mount potato
cutter</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Coat hooks</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hang candlelier/Lighting
options</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Build seed
starter area</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Parlor
(remove closet, once sewing room is complete)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Little Buddy
hose/tank</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Barn</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Pasture hay
rack(s)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Finish
siding</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Make 4
doors (two loft, two main)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Clean out
pasture</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Redo pen
doors</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Redo hay
racks</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Lighting/lantern
hooks</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Always have
plenty of hay in loft</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Paint
(pressure wash?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Clean
out/hose down inside</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-“est…” sign
for pasture side</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Food
shelter/deck</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Garden</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Order new
seeds</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Build
tomato cages</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Build a few
arches/creative ways to stake</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Fix
strawberry garden</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Redo
containers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Stake
smaller plants/bushes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Grapes/arbors</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Retainer
walls?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Bee garden
(Cora)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Shed for
mowers/lawn tools?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Greenhouse</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Yard</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Cut
remaining pines</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Cut back
brush</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Clean up
flower gardens</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Finish
parking area (clear brush/lay rock)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Retain
blackcaps</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Plant trees
in Narnia (buy maples???)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Harvest
pecans – plant new pecan tree</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Misc. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Clean grill<br />
Fix rider mowing</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">New tires
for mower cart</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fix/sharpen
blades for all mowers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Buy another
pitch fork</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Turn all
compost bins, before barn clean out. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Clean
gutters</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Snake drain
under driveway (options?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fill dirt
around septic</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fix sewer
drain pipes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Repaint/fix
front deck</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Display
bench for front porch</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Close
off/weatherproof dining room door. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Survey land?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tap maples</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Clotheslines</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Make dish
detergent</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MASTER FOOD
PRESERVATION</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Bird
sanctuary area – see through birdhouse</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Deck – at least
get estimate</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fence – at least
get estimate</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Clean garage
and Carport (siding on carport??)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Light in
garage attic/shelving and bench</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fix garage
door opener</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Purchase
extra propane (options?)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Animals</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Shearing
equipment/class</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-BEES</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">--Hives,
bees, observation hive</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Order more
layers and meat birds</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Donkey
(just kidding)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Castrate
sheep (not kidding)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Vet checks
and meds</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Minerals –
PVC pipe feeders</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">-Chicken
Tractor and turkey pen</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Rainbarrels</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whew - now that's a list! I can't wait until this time next year to see what we've been able to complete.</span></div>
Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-54669375125003341552013-12-16T05:29:00.001-08:002013-12-16T05:30:22.698-08:00Just in time for ChristmasOh boy! I'm going to be in trouble if I don't write a post soon, so I figured I would sit myself down at this WAY TOO EARLY hour of 6 AM and write.<br />
<br />
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I’m just so thankful for our Thanksgiving success. I find
this day a bit stressful, just because there are so many pieces of the puzzle
that have to come together, perfectly, to be a success. I ended the day feeling
extremely proud. Proud of where we have been in life and how that has morphed
us into who we are now. Proud of the food that we served, which is getting more
and more local each year. Not just local, but homegrown. Imagine a day where
nearly all the meal is grown here. Yum.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We started the morning with two turkeys to cook, along with
all of the other dishes that were our responsibility (we share the
responsibility and ask that everyone attending bring a dish). We started one
early and were amazed at how quickly and beautifully the birds cooked. We were
able to get them both cooked and rested before everyone arrived. We made sweet
potatoes/candied yams, using real sweet potatoes, our own honey and local maple
syrup. We whipped up some deviled eggs, using eggs from our beautiful birds,
even though their laying has significantly dropped off, for the winter. We
saved up a dozen and shared them with our family and friends. The coleslaw was
not grown here, but hopefully next year(?) – we did, however, shred the cabbage
and carrots and made the sauce. The fruit salad was all canned (boo), but it
was pineapple, cherries and mandarin oranges, so unless we change up the salad,
I don’t think there will be any way around this one. Oh, and the stuffed dates –
delicious! A childhood memory that I just love. We take dried dates and stuff
them with various cream cheeses. One plain, one with nuts, and the other with
maraschino cherries. SO SO good! Next came the desserts apple, pumpkin, key
lime and pecan pies, cherry crisp and my cousin, Rhett, brought banana pudding
(using my Nana’s recipe). I look forward to the year that we will be using our
own apples for the apple pie, but this year we had to settle on growing just
the pumpkin and pecans. Something that I changed up this year, instead of using
Crisco for the pie crust, we used local, organic lard, from a local Mennonite
farmer. WHAT A DIFFERENCE that made. Seriously! I’ve never had my pie crust
roll out so beautifully. It glided across the surface. I know I sound like a
crust geek, but seriously! It was awesome! I will never go back to Crisco. Plus…who
doesn’t like the hint of bacon smell when you are baking pies?! The pecan pie,
was probably the best pecan pie I’ve ever eaten. Those pies were delicious and
I am so proud. But I couldn’t have done any of this, without my team of
helpers. Mark, Cora, Drake and even Gage were so helpful that day. They helped
me keep my sanity, rolled up their sleeves to wash, cut, clean out, whatever I
asked. Thankful. Yet another thing to be thankful for – after a heart attack
and a pacemaker installation, my dad joined us for Thanksgiving dinner. He’s
healthy and looking good. It was a wonderful day of laughing and enjoying the
company. It was such a successful day. </div>
<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzs_pBmiUJoBNDuH72W7KwE4p7JXEZp1-s1dJNKOKegaGSQvZgOXMS0t_cBIDtYiJ25bWHkATaBOQ7Ybl3XB0_UPB9fFX5B3hxdLoLgFHQ5DrQ2id_HHTdFGSz5t9EC9PtrDT_CgO57xF/s1600/1127131605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzs_pBmiUJoBNDuH72W7KwE4p7JXEZp1-s1dJNKOKegaGSQvZgOXMS0t_cBIDtYiJ25bWHkATaBOQ7Ybl3XB0_UPB9fFX5B3hxdLoLgFHQ5DrQ2id_HHTdFGSz5t9EC9PtrDT_CgO57xF/s400/1127131605.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, homegrown pie pumpkins. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNfIu5ROb5uwbfxucQ9IC5UwF3qMJfkya5CEF8t7JOO1SL8Tyv51mVytPBs9TfzwCLn6XlrompG2VgZ-BS-BfjVuqzNynpPfFCA8G3XyUB34wxoYUdzSMzUXICMr3yXNqZ0giMqVLXSge/s1600/1127131612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNfIu5ROb5uwbfxucQ9IC5UwF3qMJfkya5CEF8t7JOO1SL8Tyv51mVytPBs9TfzwCLn6XlrompG2VgZ-BS-BfjVuqzNynpPfFCA8G3XyUB34wxoYUdzSMzUXICMr3yXNqZ0giMqVLXSge/s400/1127131612.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went ahead and cooked all the pumpkins and made puree out of all of them. We are ready to make several more pies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauE6tm2jWEkolKJxkalBvpr8iNI1ZFXZSBDkJcNf3w5yBlPQt48bgehWWECrHcOQwLi0Gty4c115V7eJsYr8DR24Mg-GzMbukwIGQk_Wtt3bZu6wAdhxxw-2rKORiWz59exkJOiItoCN5/s1600/1127131612a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauE6tm2jWEkolKJxkalBvpr8iNI1ZFXZSBDkJcNf3w5yBlPQt48bgehWWECrHcOQwLi0Gty4c115V7eJsYr8DR24Mg-GzMbukwIGQk_Wtt3bZu6wAdhxxw-2rKORiWz59exkJOiItoCN5/s400/1127131612a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCJ2ZAlE-6R0lXvzHrdDseQWmCbHo2j_c-eAvDRHurwdkSt_pi6BBnIhjSBlQSOmmV5weXm7-HNCdOPqKkEs20Ck7BKvKAa7TD1SJfU0N1Yi40Y3JbiWw20WUpTsPmfWvIIVkysXEEgzZ/s1600/1127131612b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCJ2ZAlE-6R0lXvzHrdDseQWmCbHo2j_c-eAvDRHurwdkSt_pi6BBnIhjSBlQSOmmV5weXm7-HNCdOPqKkEs20Ck7BKvKAa7TD1SJfU0N1Yi40Y3JbiWw20WUpTsPmfWvIIVkysXEEgzZ/s400/1127131612b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a lot of pumpkin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FcjXXk1WKKfuMu1kMx-q37iQn0GVFM8QdkJrjkOgQyiMaPagPCfCXd4-u4TvnjmYSRbz-SIXd3Q5y4BCJojAsbATTwfNgFpRLPmDW9Mqkoeeg3k4NGh2LTkIv_yTW0NSGfC_QN1LZ0ne/s1600/1128131009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FcjXXk1WKKfuMu1kMx-q37iQn0GVFM8QdkJrjkOgQyiMaPagPCfCXd4-u4TvnjmYSRbz-SIXd3Q5y4BCJojAsbATTwfNgFpRLPmDW9Mqkoeeg3k4NGh2LTkIv_yTW0NSGfC_QN1LZ0ne/s400/1128131009.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My girl, Cora. She was so helpful that day! She made the decorations on the wall, behind her shoulder and she kept me on task with making the food...and she's cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kOzX1e6HlvDvjY0hegTqAPj8fTDWw9r2Vx2EnZaY04RJTj0rrC4UtCwyOzVamwlPrBvSg5kNNpzPSmX7RJQjJGJLrfEntUfFk-WLzOyUz7Hw4e9rzW79xTmd9ZTJ-jZfes5Y1PtWOAv_/s1600/1128131009a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kOzX1e6HlvDvjY0hegTqAPj8fTDWw9r2Vx2EnZaY04RJTj0rrC4UtCwyOzVamwlPrBvSg5kNNpzPSmX7RJQjJGJLrfEntUfFk-WLzOyUz7Hw4e9rzW79xTmd9ZTJ-jZfes5Y1PtWOAv_/s400/1128131009a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark's favorite job of peeling, coring and slicing the apples for the apple pie. After the kids had their fill, the remaining peels went out to the birds. They thought it was a Thanksgiving miracle!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Umzty8MY46VU070nlDREHObNG5OtiCa_BHDGhyphenhyphenAEbkw87DZLZ5DUwFet_xo_rqSaVkxKWcMOPX9My84x-4x4eNThUZMf9cgRw5y5P8F1aCWiUMwfxM4rBb28Dc1HmjY0wXmNxYaYUTuP/s1600/1128131009b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Umzty8MY46VU070nlDREHObNG5OtiCa_BHDGhyphenhyphenAEbkw87DZLZ5DUwFet_xo_rqSaVkxKWcMOPX9My84x-4x4eNThUZMf9cgRw5y5P8F1aCWiUMwfxM4rBb28Dc1HmjY0wXmNxYaYUTuP/s400/1128131009b.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yams in the crockpot, in the back, and date stuffing in the bowls in the front!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqpzgwrR-I1aQLbEfFUl8UNr-h1iApm62eKZryYNFBIDrT96pFJE3ry4cBKn1GLBSJOnjr2byEl7mLmoQxVGEOKYykecNVwNRytd0JaRacdrkVyxoRbUiBxM5NqgriIuyuOrjdrt3KdsQ/s1600/1128131011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLqpzgwrR-I1aQLbEfFUl8UNr-h1iApm62eKZryYNFBIDrT96pFJE3ry4cBKn1GLBSJOnjr2byEl7mLmoQxVGEOKYykecNVwNRytd0JaRacdrkVyxoRbUiBxM5NqgriIuyuOrjdrt3KdsQ/s400/1128131011.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that bird! GORGEOUS!</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little salt, pepper, butter on the outside and onion and celery on the inside...that's all these birds really needed, so tender and juicy on their own. Totally worth raising them!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVzL0ZPYy1a3x3aoecSCI9Gr2XkYhyphenhyphenN9FNtD3shSQrSrH9lohjaAj2ASlv-NzbohmhPdhX6kclF7yv9VdYbqgQw-ain-xtmn-_BwFPG5bFqMte0Vjo2Ad6bQPISljERxuY3N2n_EKda_D/s1600/1128131040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVzL0ZPYy1a3x3aoecSCI9Gr2XkYhyphenhyphenN9FNtD3shSQrSrH9lohjaAj2ASlv-NzbohmhPdhX6kclF7yv9VdYbqgQw-ain-xtmn-_BwFPG5bFqMte0Vjo2Ad6bQPISljERxuY3N2n_EKda_D/s400/1128131040.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously look at that crust! Mmm mmm MMM!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dqakfjMYtfFTqUDxR7uwjbOkh7uCpNaw6yvjgGfRSQU2AvTpWJwR07OFHst77VySyTPmdcccZ2ws8ZYVC28yccIsQMj06vLEX3xX3HhA8vYZ_xJDvk7hyphenhyphenQr_sfpbygxaUOnjrCmieG3j/s1600/1128131122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dqakfjMYtfFTqUDxR7uwjbOkh7uCpNaw6yvjgGfRSQU2AvTpWJwR07OFHst77VySyTPmdcccZ2ws8ZYVC28yccIsQMj06vLEX3xX3HhA8vYZ_xJDvk7hyphenhyphenQr_sfpbygxaUOnjrCmieG3j/s400/1128131122.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin and pecan pies - so so good!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gzEBKEtbos4Eb3oIsLc1oT-2j0FIvBWWInVyGgBgnoaSB9C-tsqxd95fFsXeZR2OqiJsB5NDlReUBuzYN2FuflWKySWymE0AmDURpB4FX9Fd-d8Hvf8zBCBCdlbkew4JJfvjsK0vdKBq/s1600/1128131654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2gzEBKEtbos4Eb3oIsLc1oT-2j0FIvBWWInVyGgBgnoaSB9C-tsqxd95fFsXeZR2OqiJsB5NDlReUBuzYN2FuflWKySWymE0AmDURpB4FX9Fd-d8Hvf8zBCBCdlbkew4JJfvjsK0vdKBq/s400/1128131654.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family sitting around the table...Have I mentioned how much I love my dining room? I love that we can have this many people for a sit down meal and be comfortable. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzfC0t30lku-eIkgsoeu94eqD_x9ykHPz1_o0NyN8FUb438kuxl8R-HCXeTJxYDVnmu3pP9HT31-M2ezLbVaQWToq5PckzCpJA68X_SiPQwqxliwhcJ9f5UkbIwmSFU3AVS_jk_YI-eez/s1600/1128131833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzfC0t30lku-eIkgsoeu94eqD_x9ykHPz1_o0NyN8FUb438kuxl8R-HCXeTJxYDVnmu3pP9HT31-M2ezLbVaQWToq5PckzCpJA68X_SiPQwqxliwhcJ9f5UkbIwmSFU3AVS_jk_YI-eez/s400/1128131833.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dessert table!</td></tr>
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I'm so happy about that day. It was a good feeling to look around the table and see the food, family and friends. It was good.I look forward to hosting next year as well.<br />
We do Christmas breakfast and dinner at our house too - but since my brother also hosts a Christmas event, we have fewer people attending. We've found it's just too hard for us to do too much running around on Christmas...and we have a very awesome Christmas Eve tradition that I look so forward to each year. More on that in a bit.<br />
With the holidays come so many other exciting things - kids concerts, Mark's room decor, Christmas lights and more. Here is just a glimpse at some of the reasons that I haven't posted in so long...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43sBifRLQvriySk4T3z3CCmBv5swef8Ix22eDJ4nZ88DdximIIUpRFBO58MYRJ3pZKGdusw8bPGG9rzxvTv-fhgGjYW8WoGv_HKaQYZWFB-3sQTx1atDsCy1eDxw1kbMq7SjYFbrkDRJ-/s1600/1203131903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43sBifRLQvriySk4T3z3CCmBv5swef8Ix22eDJ4nZ88DdximIIUpRFBO58MYRJ3pZKGdusw8bPGG9rzxvTv-fhgGjYW8WoGv_HKaQYZWFB-3sQTx1atDsCy1eDxw1kbMq7SjYFbrkDRJ-/s400/1203131903.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We redecorated Mark's bulletin board at school. We went with the winter wonderland theme, to reflect the craziness that is outside right now. Isn't the "fireplace" cute?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4u2_r-E2sSyH0YtSiFQmNBFJJX8-IXRMDJ45wWKl_0yXW_cctNCAtOqnH9eWsPpOh76Gs6Qmah_jXLz7EiUMOF6T0a00nHypRaKx7ydFXa8MZUy6CoRyQEEDC3iSr0jmep4JJe6lvJZl/s1600/1203131905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4u2_r-E2sSyH0YtSiFQmNBFJJX8-IXRMDJ45wWKl_0yXW_cctNCAtOqnH9eWsPpOh76Gs6Qmah_jXLz7EiUMOF6T0a00nHypRaKx7ydFXa8MZUy6CoRyQEEDC3iSr0jmep4JJe6lvJZl/s400/1203131905.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have I mentioned that I'm hot for teacher??? Look at that handsome man!</td></tr>
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Oh! On a side note, with all of the cold weather that we've been having (single digits!), our house is SO cold. We've been trying to come up with creative ways to stay warm. We actually found this beautiful wood door, in the attic of the garage. It was made for this spot, a doorway between our living and dining rooms. What makes this nice is that it cuts down on the drafts. We close all the doors in the living room (to the parlor, to our room and both doors leading to the dining room) and it traps some of our body heat in here. It's not perfect, but certainly better than last year!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n1v8vmEjzNF4pkP7m3x2ExtOUc8LisQNJJTF6Fto8cUXTL7lNGh-3FPEa-F32sV1Y_v0iCuT1F5_4uEHx6kEqG85hiSiryuOjFA9mD_bumYMQOVV2WS0CDAbYRA_xWfLxoyztgrEFaks/s1600/1205131917a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n1v8vmEjzNF4pkP7m3x2ExtOUc8LisQNJJTF6Fto8cUXTL7lNGh-3FPEa-F32sV1Y_v0iCuT1F5_4uEHx6kEqG85hiSiryuOjFA9mD_bumYMQOVV2WS0CDAbYRA_xWfLxoyztgrEFaks/s400/1205131917a.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhga3gzudpwmhHyMIgACiciZQqQAxa6TdyIzME0NBD22EDh9xN7jO3z0sn9ZoSjIjFN7EOmFkWmOYPsgqOp7cR3O6eKFpoegnCVdvPq52g-b8Uv-02VzvniE15D0lREGyZH6UGhzXrW0AIz/s1600/1205131919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhga3gzudpwmhHyMIgACiciZQqQAxa6TdyIzME0NBD22EDh9xN7jO3z0sn9ZoSjIjFN7EOmFkWmOYPsgqOp7cR3O6eKFpoegnCVdvPq52g-b8Uv-02VzvniE15D0lREGyZH6UGhzXrW0AIz/s400/1205131919.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While Mark's was in the attic, he found these old shutters - how neat are these!?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtL6ywROXG9mGpmnnkZBSpsKMem5o6Cx88FRHXFIwZx5j7g2HvBCpBM8jUKYVpsfPm87MqBqAE3rhUhV5eN3bQ_aabRXYnnTrKHA8UBHSVFY2Ry3Mw0ykeMARREBgKFi4rr7jydj-0dPjA/s1600/1205132221b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtL6ywROXG9mGpmnnkZBSpsKMem5o6Cx88FRHXFIwZx5j7g2HvBCpBM8jUKYVpsfPm87MqBqAE3rhUhV5eN3bQ_aabRXYnnTrKHA8UBHSVFY2Ry3Mw0ykeMARREBgKFi4rr7jydj-0dPjA/s400/1205132221b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how I go to bed most nights! Not very glamorous, but certainly warmer than without the toasty warm hat :-) What you can't see is the electric blanket, under the comforter. WARM!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8OtR4S2aDPPFwEwVO8Ls5vUdmwgjin6FyOIwDtBIGHX47TF_FkYiadZRz3dj5SrI7tL6djIVjsuVpGiq8b3T6Fcyg5Pm4jcYSZtk-9I0SbnHsfYEQqI6_b5kxNt9qtPrWcXJcQvk5C3J/s1600/1207131055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8OtR4S2aDPPFwEwVO8Ls5vUdmwgjin6FyOIwDtBIGHX47TF_FkYiadZRz3dj5SrI7tL6djIVjsuVpGiq8b3T6Fcyg5Pm4jcYSZtk-9I0SbnHsfYEQqI6_b5kxNt9qtPrWcXJcQvk5C3J/s400/1207131055.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's me and Cora at Drake's holiday concert! See, I told you she is cute. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0Lfiy7aHmp83LaJaOOpp8Gthds_dZqH4Ke_pFXYhQ4C1idNvmlwuDUVTFdqFUuvnCxGw7TrSIPGXXReufEoPNCntfNj0R9n15rLXgSfrevN-mdiGBKxJIL2nqgpkHd8BaZQf4HJ9VU3H/s1600/1207131126a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0Lfiy7aHmp83LaJaOOpp8Gthds_dZqH4Ke_pFXYhQ4C1idNvmlwuDUVTFdqFUuvnCxGw7TrSIPGXXReufEoPNCntfNj0R9n15rLXgSfrevN-mdiGBKxJIL2nqgpkHd8BaZQf4HJ9VU3H/s400/1207131126a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drake had a holiday concert - Look how grown up he is, handsome. We are so proud that he has stuck with flute for this long. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB9eUkqqQOlslEEmdxCXBU2uSP5tWd4jvhrVaki5KFVvm8zd4D5tzTB04xEvSj2VwKI6-xoAN3mSE6fHVoXWHMvYfAmNpL7kGNjG9XLCEZPQiSViqzhHtK3Q6C2DhyEfohDjCJ8ab-BBg/s1600/1208131808a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB9eUkqqQOlslEEmdxCXBU2uSP5tWd4jvhrVaki5KFVvm8zd4D5tzTB04xEvSj2VwKI6-xoAN3mSE6fHVoXWHMvYfAmNpL7kGNjG9XLCEZPQiSViqzhHtK3Q6C2DhyEfohDjCJ8ab-BBg/s400/1208131808a.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tree is decorated for Christmas! Here's me and Mark :-) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uwBAsD-hyOlVPxAE-0HQTMMT9HO7IKAZ9tjrUQBQlMhUM5EI80YpLl6Tlb5G4QvmE9fhIqDKBkVEYjcQ6roRkOPFHq8L9t4jymcu0Ijs8tMRHBF1xu7FzBTVjOSNFrTRXnEq6GAXgj9U/s1600/1208131843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uwBAsD-hyOlVPxAE-0HQTMMT9HO7IKAZ9tjrUQBQlMhUM5EI80YpLl6Tlb5G4QvmE9fhIqDKBkVEYjcQ6roRkOPFHq8L9t4jymcu0Ijs8tMRHBF1xu7FzBTVjOSNFrTRXnEq6GAXgj9U/s400/1208131843.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year, we went with a real tree and between that and strep throat, I was miserable with allergies. So this year, we decided to go back to our "fake" tree. It's really beautiful though. I love going through the ornaments each year and remembering why we have them, who they were for, who we received them from etc. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23a6N5Ydu3DZ76It4LFz_PvnlBlepFtge3bKn_PRgQ_WHd9moojoLh_BuJHXqAHW8eBJBK08cNR1Xq7zx56BIIrqX8UVzuxUzF-_XjoqcaJsDcPIdsbGnGeH_pA_CedY3KmoIhyphenhyphenfpRFHs/s1600/1211130843c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23a6N5Ydu3DZ76It4LFz_PvnlBlepFtge3bKn_PRgQ_WHd9moojoLh_BuJHXqAHW8eBJBK08cNR1Xq7zx56BIIrqX8UVzuxUzF-_XjoqcaJsDcPIdsbGnGeH_pA_CedY3KmoIhyphenhyphenfpRFHs/s400/1211130843c.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Told you it's a winter wonderland around here. This is the field behind the house, Each branch and blade is covered with ice. COLD!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpvkhN8g2dx6O9Z5U_8DW8VIetN3SNOcWhk_gnwcF0mOijjx7Ke3n2QtLDsH7a7mLvAG7JiQDDHumrDPCrRYALMPDSYTiztnaZLoDrqDpSTqe_oPSsywDiyo5tLy4eT-29O2Pknh-uvGJ/s1600/1212130800b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpvkhN8g2dx6O9Z5U_8DW8VIetN3SNOcWhk_gnwcF0mOijjx7Ke3n2QtLDsH7a7mLvAG7JiQDDHumrDPCrRYALMPDSYTiztnaZLoDrqDpSTqe_oPSsywDiyo5tLy4eT-29O2Pknh-uvGJ/s400/1212130800b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold, but beautiful! I love seasons, I really do...but the single digits have to go!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiWp__pVUhweaj1kP74EueYD__IeYileR9iScZyZRfESYdjzKKPxpssU5mxHMAWh6Fyx5c9liO4zXNpQ59qB2OL5yah2J-AilLsWIRy3yv7amUJ0vfRF2JfXZI2wopDmginAzovtljhQW/s1600/1213132032b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiWp__pVUhweaj1kP74EueYD__IeYileR9iScZyZRfESYdjzKKPxpssU5mxHMAWh6Fyx5c9liO4zXNpQ59qB2OL5yah2J-AilLsWIRy3yv7amUJ0vfRF2JfXZI2wopDmginAzovtljhQW/s400/1213132032b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Each year, we do this. It's a drive through Christmas light display. It is so nice. We turn on Christmas music and drive through, looking at the lights and scenes. If you weren't in the spirit of Christmas before driving through, you would be after!</td></tr>
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It looks like some exciting things are on the horizon for us. I'll post more about this in the future, once I have more details. But let me just say that our future looks bright.Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-59274416604092049252013-11-27T16:56:00.001-08:002013-11-27T16:56:48.943-08:00Home Grown Thanksgiving...Partially.If you've been reading this blog, you know that we raised turkeys for the first time this year. This past Saturday, we got them in to be processed at a (fairly) local processor. We ended up with one bird at nearly 11 pounds and the other nearly 12, for a total of 22 pounds of bird. I liked the company that we went with. They are actually FDA approved and if we chose to, we could sell the birds to consumers - but we know that these are just for our consumption. It is a little strange to see just two turkeys outside, rather than four - but I think the remaining two seem a little calmer.<br />
So tonight, we will be prepping them to be the centerpiece at our Thanksgiving dinner. We are hosting our family and some friends. Both birds will be the main part of the meal - but additionally we are proud to say that we grew the pumpkins for the pumpkin pie, grew the pecans for the pecan pie, and raised the birds who laid the eggs for our deviled eggs. What a delicious, somewhat homegrown Thanksgiving meal this will be! I believe we will have somewhere between 16 and 18 people here for the meal. So much love in our dining room.<br />
EXCITING! (...and busy...did I mention busy? Ok, enough blogging - time to get back to cleaning and cooking!)Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-48386392559196570462013-11-14T05:30:00.001-08:002013-11-14T05:32:09.104-08:00Turkey TimeWell the decision has been made. The two turkeys that will be joining us for Thanksgiving dinner (although not in a way that they would necessarily enjoy) will be processed the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving. We have a local (ish) processing center and they had an open appointment for that Saturday - it was meant to be! I've heard of this facility through a couple different people (including a respected organic farmer) which makes me feel more comfortable. I want to make sure that we didn't raise them humanely just to have them tortured in the last few moments of life. I get that it is still death and I'm not naive to think it is this beautiful, sterile, painless process for anyone involved - but I don't want it to be a terrifying nightmare either. I've enjoyed having the birds and hope that Loner and Mama Bird (the two remaining birds) like each other enough to breed and make more for our farm. We'd consider selling some birds if that was the case. Raising them, processing (or getting them processed) and selling to neighbors/family. It might be another way for us to raise some money around here...or just another food source for our family. <br />
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<br />Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-73409834464138569642013-11-07T05:57:00.000-08:002013-11-07T05:57:55.431-08:00Hunker Down and Plan for the Future With things turning from Summer, to somewhat skipping Fall and heading straight into Winter (we've already had snow!), there aren't a lot of updates to share with all of you. Our chickens continue to give us eggs, but have slowed, with the shorter days and colder weather. The animals are all doing well. We borrowed Zero, an alpine buck, to freshen our ladies. Zero was on loan from the farm farm that bought Herb, Fauna and Blanche from us. If I haven't mentioned that farm, that family, before, I should. They are wonderful people. They have a ton of kids, a combination of natural and adopted (including a number of special needs adoptions). They are so helpful to us, letting us borrow Zero, at no cost... I believe he got to Mabel and Ethel...and unfortunately goats can be escape artists and I worry that he got to Flora (she has a bad leg, and I worry about her being pregnant), and the angoras (does the world need more angora/alpine crosses?). These animals aren't our pets (although we treat them as kindly and lovingly as our pets), they are here for purpose. We need to figure out a better solution for when we have a visiting buck...separate pasture maybe? We continue to work to figure things out. <br />
It is getting close to Thanksgiving, which means two of our four turkeys are short-timers. The question has been asked if it will be difficult to let them go. My response is that, it's never going to be easy to process animals. They are living creatures, they have faces and personalities. We weren't brought up raising our own food...but am I going to let those feelings stop me from enjoying home-grown turkey come Thanksgiving....no! The purpose of those two turkeys was food. They were meant to be eaten and that's what will happen. We have discussed the option of taking them somewhere to be processed. I think that will be the option we choose. Rather than doing the processing ourselves. Time and, I'm not going to lie, emotions, may keep us from doing it. But it must be done. <br />
I was asked if I ever feel down about the limited comments made to this blog. I really don't. It's mostly for us to keep a log of what is going on around here. To keep track of our lessons learned or to be able to look back and see where we were, compared to where we are (so glad we aren't ghetto apartment dwellers any longer). So while I hope that this blog grows and it'd be nice to get additional readers, I'm happy to just have this space...to remember.<br />
....and speaking of growing...Mark and I are trying to figure out what our future looks like here. We are happy with where we are, for the moment, but are always looking to improve. We have oh so many projects that need to be completed around here (the barn, the coops, the parking area etc etc) and we will continue to make those spaces what we want. It's just difficult to find times when we are blessed with both the time and money to complete these tasks. Our focus was lost for a bit last year, but now we've refocused. Once we have some of the major tasks completed, we plan on paying our knowledge forward. So what does that mean?? Well, the plan, at this time, is to transition this place into a learning center. We'd like to start developing lesson plans, to create a variety of classes for children, adults and families. Learning anything from processing chickens to knitting a hat. In addition, we can use the learning space to create a little shop to help support the farm....eventually selling goat's milk and honey soaps, lotions a lip balm...other honey products, including pollen and candles and hopefully some fiber items. I also see this space as a way to support some friends of Fresh Egg's...showcasing our friends talents, referring to farms that have helped us (Spruce Hill, for angoras and Marushka Farm, for sheep etc) and develop a list if resources for services, for people just starting out (county extension offices, quality feed and hay providers, livestock processing places and shearers etc). I've been working on building a website (separate from this blogspot space) and we are going to be launching (hopefully) in a year or so. We'll be taking this time to plan, build out the class list, locate educators (for topics for the "learn with us" series) and finishing the property to make it a safe and pretty space for visitors. In addition to classes (something that lasts for a few hours), we've talked about adding week-long 1/2 day or full day "camps" for school age kids, along with "Fresh Egg's To Go" lesson plans to cater to the needs of our local schools to meet their core curriculum standards and finally, work with some homeschooling networks to offer classes to meet their curriculum needs. It's all a work in progress and we know things could change, but as long as there is interest, we believe we have the skills to make it a success. It would be great to do this to help supplement our income and to help those that are just like us, wanting to learn some of the skills, that generations before us survived on. Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-34700924434900672782013-10-14T14:12:00.001-07:002013-10-14T14:12:17.989-07:00Thieves!So I mentioned (in my <a href="http://fresheggsfarm.blogspot.com/2013/10/honey.html" target="_blank">Honey post</a>, about our extraction party) how we noticed that our bees were being robbed. Bees from surrounding hives were taking advantage of weakness in our hive and robbing them blind, leaving them honeyless for the winter. It didn't help that we took seven pounds from them - but better us get some than those nasty thieves! We assumed this was most certainly a death sentence for our colony. It still might be, they might be done for, but we are trying to take a stand against those bees. So how can you help a colony that is under attack???<br />
Lessons we've learned:<br />
1) Entrance Reducer: we did not have an entrance reducer on our hive - we had left the entire width of the hive open, leaving roughly 18 inches of space that the guard bees have to defend. It's just too hard for a hive that is already in jeopardy. Our hive kit came with a wooden entrance reducer that allows us to select various sizes of entrance - we chose the smallest size, approximately an inch, thus giving the guard bees a significantly smaller space to defend.<br />
2) FEED!: we need to replace that honey that they've lost. It's not as simple as giving them back their honey (plus, we want to enjoy the fruits of their labor)...so we need to give them a replacement food source. The easiest way to give them instant food is making a 2:1 sugar/water mix. We put 4 cups of sugar in a saucepan with 2 cups of water and dissolved the sugar. Once the mixture cooled a bit, we poured it into a ziplock bag and took it to the hive. We added a super on top of the hive and placed the baggie of sugar water on top of the frames below. We jabbed a few holes into the bag, so the bees can access that food and hopefully calm them down a bit.<br />
3) Continued Feeding: Since we don't have an actual "feeder" we ordered a hive component that is specifically for feeding (to replace the baggie, a more permanent/reusable option) - hopefully that will arrive shortly. Additionally, we need to find a food source that isn't just sugar/water. Bees need a well balanced diet too, while they may survive on carbs (like we would with bread and water), they won't be as healthy as they could be. We've found a couple of recipes - I'm not sure what the best option would be.<br />
We are thinking of doing something like this for the water: <br />
:: 5 cups water<br />
:: 2 1/2 pounds of sugar<br />
:: 1/8 teaspoon lecithin granules (used as an emulsifier)<br />
:: 15 drops spearmint oil<br />
:: 15 drops lemongrass oil<br />
Additionally, they need a protein source. I've been looking online and I think we are going to try something like this:<br />
Makes 6 (1 lb) patties:<br />3/4 C. pollen<br />2 1/2 C. hot water<br />
5 1/2 C. sugar<br />
6 1/3 C. brewer's yeast<br />
Perhaps add some Vitamin C to the mix? I'm not sure. But we should be able to mix this into a thick substance and roll it into patties. We can put one on the hive and save the rest in the freezer, until we need it.<br />
We want strong, survival of the fittest bees - we want to help them come along, but they should be able survive without medication etc.<br />
We'll let you know how things go and if they survive the winter then we'll be looking for a strong hive for next year. If they don't make it, we'll know that we gave them a fighting chance and will start again with a new colony (or three!).Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-60552221331929735912013-10-09T17:00:00.001-07:002013-10-09T17:08:57.934-07:00Cora's Egg SaladSo this family...we're big fans of egg salad sandwiches, and now that we have eggs galore, we thought we'd make up a batch of Cora's famous egg salad. We let our kids find and try out recipes and this one just stuck - it's so so good.<br />
We took 18 of our farm fresh eggs and boiled them up - we increased this recipe by 1/2 and it was gone by the next day!!! YUM!!<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
½ C. Mayonnaise <br />
1 ½ tbsp Dill<br />
1 Small Chopped Onion<br />
1 ½ Tbsp Chopped Pickles<br />
1 ½ Tbsp Mustard<br />
½ tsp Pepper<br />
¼ tsp Salt<br />
12 Eggs<br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
Hard boil the eggs. While you are waiting for the eggs, mix all other ingredients together in a medium size bowl. Once eggs are hard boiled, peel and chop eggs into small bits. Add eggs to mayo mix. You can eat right away, but it’s even better the next day.<br />
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The trickiest part of the whole process is boiling/peeling fresh eggs. Did you know that the eggs that you get from the store are usually a week or two old? The bonus about older eggs is that they are easier to peel. Since our eggs are just a couple days old - if we were to boil our eggs the standard way, it would be hard to peel and we'd lose a lot of the whites, since they'd peel off with the shell. So I searched the interwebs to find the perfect way to boil fresh eggs and found it <a href="http://pathsofwrighteousness.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/the-perfect-hard-boiled-egg-yes-even-with-fresh-farm-eggs/" target="_blank">HERE</a>!! Let me tell you - it worked! Our eggs came out beautiful - beautiful enough to use for deviled eggs! I'll never go back to the old way!<br />
Enjoy!Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-80515049132678852942013-10-04T07:29:00.001-07:002013-10-04T07:29:31.185-07:00HONEY!Part of what we are doing here at Fresh Egg's Farm is not only learning for ourselves, but sharing with others. It's so neat to open our home up to people that are interested in beekeeping themselves or just want to learn about the process. This past Sunday we had our first ever Honey Extraction Party!!! Including our family, we had about 20 people here, all seated around our dining room table (so happy our dining room can fit all those people!) - listening and learning. We brought out our gear and broke down a beeless hive. We talked about some of the problems that bees/hives/colonies can have, in general, and problems we've had specifically with our bees.<br />
If you've read this blog or followed along on Facebook, you've seen some of the problems we've experienced with our bees...we started this Spring with two hives, two nuks - a "nuk" is a five frame mini-hive. Essentially, we purchased two somewhat existing hives in order to give them a head start - they were to have a working queen, brood (bee babies), built out frames and we were to add them to a 10-frame hive and start from there. We had started with what we called "the good hive" and "the bad hive". Needless to say the bad hive had a failure to launch. We tried to feed them, add bees and requeen and nothing seemed to work for them...and one day, they completely collapsed. Within a two week period we went from "maybe they have a chance" to dead, gone, robbed (by other bees). It was sad, but at least we had this other hive, the good hive, that seemed to be going gangbusters. They took advantage of the Spring honey/nectar flow and built out some of their hive with honey, instead of brood. They were strong. It was fascinating to watch the front of their hive - always bustling with activity. Just a couple of weeks prior to the extraction party, we pulled out these beautiful capped frames. The super (the top honey storage box that contains short frames, which makes for easier handling and extraction) was FILLED with honey, so much so that we put on another box, just in case. There were many deep frames that were filled with honey too. When I talked to the leader of our beekeeping club, he estimated that there would be 20-25 pounds of honey in the super and about 9 pounds of honey PER FRAME of the deeps that we had. He suggested that we pull out 4 of them and extract the honey out. Doing that kind of math, my eyes turned golden at the thought that we might be pulling 50-60 POUNDS of honey off this hive. What an amazing extraction party that would be - we'd have plenty of honey to harvest, store for ourselves, share with others and perhaps even sell.<br />
I went home and put on a bee escape - which is essentially a board that has a circle on the top and a maze of sorts on the bottom - the bees are able to crawl down, but can't figure out their way back up (in theory). We went the next morning to pull off the super and those 4 deep frames and were disappointed. The bee escape seemed to work - many of the bees were out of the super and the job of pulling off those frames was fairly easy - but as we started to work through the super, we noticed that the frames weren't fully capped, as they had been. Almost like the bees had started to break into their honey storage already - which didn't make sense. This honey was just meant as reserves and shouldn't be touch unless the bees have gone through their winter storage below and are in desperate need of honey.<br />
As we started to go through the deep - we noticed how light it was, each frame we pulled out was nearly empty. WHAT HAPPENED!?!?!? We were saddened and confused and oh...no...we were having an extraction party the next day and what if we had NO honey to share. We watched the front of the hive to see if we could see something, a clue as to what was going on. After closer inspection, we noticed strange behavior - there seemed to be a wrestling match on the"landing pad" of the hive. Bees were literally pinning each other down and throwing each other down and kicking some of the bees out of the hive. Our hive was being robbed. Jerks. Apparently there is a strong colony (maybe a feral one??) nearby and found our hive, that since they we are a newer hive (weaker hive), the stronger colony decided to take advantage of this "free honey source" and attached our hive. Ugh. Heartbreak. At this point, I don't think there is anything we could do. It's so late in the season to try to requeen (did I mention that the queen is gone from this hive too). We've learned some valuable lessons from beekeeping this year. I know some things that we'll do different next year. Yes, we've already decided that there will be a next year. We enjoy the bees. And now, more than ever, we realize how fragile these beautiful pollinators are. We plan on expanding our hives and building out three hives/colonies for next year (at least that is the plan).<br />
We debated not having the party - but then thought, no, this happened for a reason. This is a way to share the message about how fragile bees are, to talk about the importance of these pollinators for our food. Without bees, we don't eat.<br />
So friends, old and new, and even some strangers, who became friends, came to our home, on a rainy Sunday afternoon and talked animals, birds and bees (get your mind out of the gutter :-) ).<br />
Here are some photos from the day:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0_Jv9Gy9c7ah6HzWswKXM-kmN0xa__s856UDBIjSME5UAnQwDU2Gf2xL-OUj1duo4SDF5Bnl32-slRECDWVFAbD_bofUPKnWeaQnvuOBSCglRJN6sHyJYsN_3kFySmaD67jYyPW7b_z-/s1600/20130929_125913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0_Jv9Gy9c7ah6HzWswKXM-kmN0xa__s856UDBIjSME5UAnQwDU2Gf2xL-OUj1duo4SDF5Bnl32-slRECDWVFAbD_bofUPKnWeaQnvuOBSCglRJN6sHyJYsN_3kFySmaD67jYyPW7b_z-/s640/20130929_125913.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking about the frames and breaking down the hive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a deep frame, with foundation only.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IN8CIJrWCIqcLlJYtcpwJL9Z7EOJjvDglYFsQj5RgZWPBw0Y2XgoppmAeZASd86BI0jpPkxttU6wSgQ1s9UrUMIsjDCqmjDvcEACjD_vLTq79lKp-RN35KILcTxrIby6S06SY6WkuGoZ/s1600/20130929_130444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IN8CIJrWCIqcLlJYtcpwJL9Z7EOJjvDglYFsQj5RgZWPBw0Y2XgoppmAeZASd86BI0jpPkxttU6wSgQ1s9UrUMIsjDCqmjDvcEACjD_vLTq79lKp-RN35KILcTxrIby6S06SY6WkuGoZ/s640/20130929_130444.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the deep gouges in the wax? This isn't good - I'm not sure if this is from the robbing activity or if something else is happening. That a question for beekeeping club. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Dave and Cousin Rhett - checking out the frames.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My girl, Lissa. See the mess that something made on that frame. Frustrating.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh holding up a frame of foundation only and another frame that has comb and honey. Definitely a surprising difference in weight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLVCqMssYnT5TZ7gAmujbn2YHkMDNyCgw9yS_AwG7TIFR6EjpMXORGn4dWYYVpD0uRbzH6FSYdwBghZRKzyeqObGgokD83ORNyS48MIvmNATGjwyDdImUowxpVfbwU1v4s01cKUBOgVjP/s1600/20130929_131557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLVCqMssYnT5TZ7gAmujbn2YHkMDNyCgw9yS_AwG7TIFR6EjpMXORGn4dWYYVpD0uRbzH6FSYdwBghZRKzyeqObGgokD83ORNyS48MIvmNATGjwyDdImUowxpVfbwU1v4s01cKUBOgVjP/s400/20130929_131557.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lissa, modeling the capped honey frame vs foundation only frame.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPkyYLdgXZY7NixdNL0m9r_bDOh50OnX_slrY28zx4z22VlIGTtGgPUsh3SQFWYcIt4Ec1CMPNqZTOoZSPl_URDqaNafA3wsIlDfGzClfrqwqL2-qlphKLGKxpAp5lFnyYND0Tms-HXOb/s1600/20130929_133033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPkyYLdgXZY7NixdNL0m9r_bDOh50OnX_slrY28zx4z22VlIGTtGgPUsh3SQFWYcIt4Ec1CMPNqZTOoZSPl_URDqaNafA3wsIlDfGzClfrqwqL2-qlphKLGKxpAp5lFnyYND0Tms-HXOb/s640/20130929_133033.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark - making sure that the extraction is put together correctly. In the forefront, you can see some of hive tools, including our beloved smoker.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7RAvbbd4rOoMPZXA-ohVMfwFqzPbNdwk3VL1TG8nHbwQPWTeGxvPZF0wKiABAIVuQUZqUdpBMJaD6t4PfomSDFCywlC8iNa9ixAvkUCWxGX9f3_6ocHYPtHp_1lau37rajt9lRwTiBFK/s1600/20130929_133843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7RAvbbd4rOoMPZXA-ohVMfwFqzPbNdwk3VL1TG8nHbwQPWTeGxvPZF0wKiABAIVuQUZqUdpBMJaD6t4PfomSDFCywlC8iNa9ixAvkUCWxGX9f3_6ocHYPtHp_1lau37rajt9lRwTiBFK/s640/20130929_133843.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super Model! I should have put this on and modeled my lovely beekeeping attire, but it was hot and frankly - I know it isn't a good look for me. LOL</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRWV7OVQezlZ_lZaCfCdXM3xYEcZdNqVGSQXN9lyrUbVCJ7f2Iz006mcxI-7zFGkqMt7ll6qLrAuEj32QtJSOYAIoEbX0AcYei5xZABlCV4l13JlssLWNCpqHdIFFDLet_E0hIZPYZtdU/s1600/20130929_133911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRWV7OVQezlZ_lZaCfCdXM3xYEcZdNqVGSQXN9lyrUbVCJ7f2Iz006mcxI-7zFGkqMt7ll6qLrAuEj32QtJSOYAIoEbX0AcYei5xZABlCV4l13JlssLWNCpqHdIFFDLet_E0hIZPYZtdU/s640/20130929_133911.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark, modeling his classy member only/london fog 80's style jacket that he wears for beekeeping. SEXY!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOb6yHHaC0Zbrg7f1q2Xk2CZtmyolM0Pqf07Gjh2qOV6Sro9dYC6wboAPX1EfwjjRdijklDKeEOjeJa8dntRSyAxXTBbSGT94_KjvNUFF4ueHMz-x2dZoBdqxUYySd10qOWHKpKIh-BM60/s1600/20130929_135229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOb6yHHaC0Zbrg7f1q2Xk2CZtmyolM0Pqf07Gjh2qOV6Sro9dYC6wboAPX1EfwjjRdijklDKeEOjeJa8dntRSyAxXTBbSGT94_KjvNUFF4ueHMz-x2dZoBdqxUYySd10qOWHKpKIh-BM60/s640/20130929_135229.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our beekeeping club has three different ways to uncap the cells - a heat gun, a heat knife and a standard serrated. They wanted us to test which way we liked best. This is me demonstrating the heat gun - it worked well. It uncapped without too much damage to the cells. The con: it's nice to have some cappings - why? it offers a nice taste of honey (kinda like wax bottles from when we were kids) and it you'd like to make candles etc. it provides you with a collection of wax to save up. It also uses electricity and our goal is to minimize our electricity usage. So while this is a good option, we probably won't utilize it. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlS-KAa0IplIIRTZctLjrmnIXlXl6UlO73s4PvuVHUpqy6u5ZLY7NlYamvRDaY_MCxcn8jTeHlMzM_sos4u6e8bb8Tw3-9vOpByTuVDyCTQl-nX84jn2pq_FZzt0illdZ_EBCqj5x7vf9/s1600/20130929_135258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlS-KAa0IplIIRTZctLjrmnIXlXl6UlO73s4PvuVHUpqy6u5ZLY7NlYamvRDaY_MCxcn8jTeHlMzM_sos4u6e8bb8Tw3-9vOpByTuVDyCTQl-nX84jn2pq_FZzt0illdZ_EBCqj5x7vf9/s640/20130929_135258.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice view of the heat gun uncapping.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zey297aDi3JcdaBFTLExicBPfepO3yNzCmwDjsOJCAaYgyzgDcRWX3o2bgYHzS6H4lMtkiI7y2RBNSjLEzqxyK_W4ieBv6e2CCK1K7e2PeFSXRvm3KEj9zP3f0GQlThrN17SLgVMbiCh/s1600/20130929_135356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zey297aDi3JcdaBFTLExicBPfepO3yNzCmwDjsOJCAaYgyzgDcRWX3o2bgYHzS6H4lMtkiI7y2RBNSjLEzqxyK_W4ieBv6e2CCK1K7e2PeFSXRvm3KEj9zP3f0GQlThrN17SLgVMbiCh/s640/20130929_135356.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost ready for the extractor.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk3Zx01612PPxUhbt_N6e5qAt7MsXkX2eVdQ-suu4-z6mXmYQY843NcuDYLaNOJOtHGaSe_zL8vFFg6i3uwk3Wm4lj1qFnh1mmHn5gk7Uk1qg2nJat_YIjKwp92WpA_iQ8EVe0Cr-BQlb/s1600/20130929_140608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIk3Zx01612PPxUhbt_N6e5qAt7MsXkX2eVdQ-suu4-z6mXmYQY843NcuDYLaNOJOtHGaSe_zL8vFFg6i3uwk3Wm4lj1qFnh1mmHn5gk7Uk1qg2nJat_YIjKwp92WpA_iQ8EVe0Cr-BQlb/s640/20130929_140608.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark using the heat knife. This seems to be somewhat of the standard these days. We aren't fans. It doesn't really add anything to the experience for us. It cuts similar to the standard knife and if we needed heat, we could place the standard knife in warm water in between cutting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UHt5fXx-Bj42_YO-oCUA9v3gsW9WI9hVQdxUEpIgvukXm2U672tsK6JMXyCYMKvLvoN_NbvjA1aMITp18UFOvK0li7Hbu1MzxlMJ8gxe4bjD9P2NPX6lDGObQHSDZxP3jh6D6KEUyi_D/s1600/20130929_140817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7UHt5fXx-Bj42_YO-oCUA9v3gsW9WI9hVQdxUEpIgvukXm2U672tsK6JMXyCYMKvLvoN_NbvjA1aMITp18UFOvK0li7Hbu1MzxlMJ8gxe4bjD9P2NPX6lDGObQHSDZxP3jh6D6KEUyi_D/s640/20130929_140817.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mark using the standard knife. Our favorite. It's natural. It's non-electric. It does the job.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoBomijjACPY9yPctT01laV1T4OBjgV33Ui7tqNXderh6fGAAgU8fXegqpxntf6VFTLPobqmAVY7CM9fzgtbODsnktOhnRa7g_HPDlmD-1EVEPrkkt8WcrmR0g8juovWpFvinKYjJDYQC/s1600/20130929_140951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoBomijjACPY9yPctT01laV1T4OBjgV33Ui7tqNXderh6fGAAgU8fXegqpxntf6VFTLPobqmAVY7CM9fzgtbODsnktOhnRa7g_HPDlmD-1EVEPrkkt8WcrmR0g8juovWpFvinKYjJDYQC/s640/20130929_140951.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asking if anyone else wants to try uncapping - Emily (our new friend and photographer - THANKS EMILY!!!!) was the first taker. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV-erxr9ZPkyOZwEx6uFrvY74ORdw54OqbJdKHLpGn7Ij_IeRV5Td7IGMWngbKgafZFBccrJeczwNNilliHbHHLtfdk-A-3Ldc1s9fzefG58nMlcJrf3d7ND0RDJODcTDU314mDO0iwF_/s1600/20130929_141016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyV-erxr9ZPkyOZwEx6uFrvY74ORdw54OqbJdKHLpGn7Ij_IeRV5Td7IGMWngbKgafZFBccrJeczwNNilliHbHHLtfdk-A-3Ldc1s9fzefG58nMlcJrf3d7ND0RDJODcTDU314mDO0iwF_/s640/20130929_141016.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful job Emily!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqAyxelPqLe4vAAhiXFjy0IRIXi4PEuYF1Xd2SCtoWpXxGjPtBQ_bOexkm_URCjWf5wffKHG46VklFPbZ-PpM-4Ll6LTnnv_Yrw4358KY4rwA7kdbkbBq5BB5WG9-IOhdnJmg1gGrgNpH/s1600/20130929_141028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqAyxelPqLe4vAAhiXFjy0IRIXi4PEuYF1Xd2SCtoWpXxGjPtBQ_bOexkm_URCjWf5wffKHG46VklFPbZ-PpM-4Ll6LTnnv_Yrw4358KY4rwA7kdbkbBq5BB5WG9-IOhdnJmg1gGrgNpH/s640/20130929_141028.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at those wax caps just rolling down the frame. MMMM!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSX8kyBWlgai_nYgJqlnXBAcgCWWSndDia2JKwO0JZT1Y0MHNCkDYQdJJEESD75pB7in-iV_eX3Sqq1O9MESPq76U3vTYLsthbYWWREgoL0EUNMg89mY5AF3muuBMB-I80Rd012OhDGGz/s1600/20130929_141259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSX8kyBWlgai_nYgJqlnXBAcgCWWSndDia2JKwO0JZT1Y0MHNCkDYQdJJEESD75pB7in-iV_eX3Sqq1O9MESPq76U3vTYLsthbYWWREgoL0EUNMg89mY5AF3muuBMB-I80Rd012OhDGGz/s400/20130929_141259.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We collected the wax cappings in a bowl and shared with everyone around the table. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWBWXTcZ625C5wDAx67PpewuaZdsjtLXO2hfj5P7aezRjF4C9l2k-OkhHT4v1rWu9Ud53L-OkEg2BbzCjoBef4IBXc0pY20SJIDR6K_R6VXSSjz1tAeocmWG98apNMgY-DvVq0SUd_6de/s1600/20130929_141927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWBWXTcZ625C5wDAx67PpewuaZdsjtLXO2hfj5P7aezRjF4C9l2k-OkhHT4v1rWu9Ud53L-OkEg2BbzCjoBef4IBXc0pY20SJIDR6K_R6VXSSjz1tAeocmWG98apNMgY-DvVq0SUd_6de/s400/20130929_141927.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lissa digging in and uncapping.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN8FOl1jMeI-oTJi8zrUokC0PaCwFcC3sStSWTnKkS5-Pv0hvNoFsOln5-enjwiLfGqJCG9ZrNW9mJc1okcWFfNfKxpyW9Qr1IcVMVkz4O5Z65Rr5bcg669gnJgnSf2rtEt9ANNXFv_2R/s1600/20130929_143238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN8FOl1jMeI-oTJi8zrUokC0PaCwFcC3sStSWTnKkS5-Pv0hvNoFsOln5-enjwiLfGqJCG9ZrNW9mJc1okcWFfNfKxpyW9Qr1IcVMVkz4O5Z65Rr5bcg669gnJgnSf2rtEt9ANNXFv_2R/s400/20130929_143238.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a look inside the extractor - bits of wax stuck on the sides - but if you look at all that golden liquid on the bottom - that is PURE, RAW, AS LOCAL AS YOU CAN GET HONEY!!!! From our backyard!!!!!! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKm5ojGECN_KIETcbV8iN00rNXDNYUzH3VyAoPoY-wV_GkNrDoT3qzZjyYagjjvUd-QpjuTfqc4SZsCbz6p4Nns8Q_G0p-4tso9te_qmZNgk5ccyDd_VQ5mq8LMs416EBdY38J4CPxK5p/s1600/20130929_143302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKm5ojGECN_KIETcbV8iN00rNXDNYUzH3VyAoPoY-wV_GkNrDoT3qzZjyYagjjvUd-QpjuTfqc4SZsCbz6p4Nns8Q_G0p-4tso9te_qmZNgk5ccyDd_VQ5mq8LMs416EBdY38J4CPxK5p/s400/20130929_143302.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another honey picture! Look at that rich, golden color. Isn't it BEAUTIFUL?? This is such an excited sight to us.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurjxgSBdSeVQ1TuUMvnGhOzsxZfDeoNUEExoIgF-wodxILlcf4V72hOaBzGPlGQTfMEWhwuLT_cPHFcC_m74rBrNrzp6qthyzctRousxt3HYg6O2LbIp6C50suw_6yn99UAZWJK3iRO_G/s1600/20130929_144001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurjxgSBdSeVQ1TuUMvnGhOzsxZfDeoNUEExoIgF-wodxILlcf4V72hOaBzGPlGQTfMEWhwuLT_cPHFcC_m74rBrNrzp6qthyzctRousxt3HYg6O2LbIp6C50suw_6yn99UAZWJK3iRO_G/s400/20130929_144001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bottom of the extractor has a gate on it - it allows us to easily pour the honey out of the extractor and strain it through two levels of strainer. If you are doing this on your own - make sure that the bucket you pour into is a food grade bucket.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FMQc7a1EAD2Vdws5xVBIYCkYzKxSow9_3GhQp-Lqwqsd90YnTTVcXeo2Wxcqau6IGmbe_w5aJzLm_sGVcpNpWi3QzYm2Sn91HHbQt6fU1zt4bFw4gIOlC8Y9HxCTZhG2o7cwB9c_PjUx/s1600/20130929_144028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FMQc7a1EAD2Vdws5xVBIYCkYzKxSow9_3GhQp-Lqwqsd90YnTTVcXeo2Wxcqau6IGmbe_w5aJzLm_sGVcpNpWi3QzYm2Sn91HHbQt6fU1zt4bFw4gIOlC8Y9HxCTZhG2o7cwB9c_PjUx/s400/20130929_144028.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture, excites me, makes me proud, makes me hungry :-) I love watching the honey flow out. It's just gorgeous!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbZN_RWaZPpH-0KP9VWpbuywoAecY58ne71ywKorIrD6x6pZAS0fwYpLcWbCdbQRmPUYfMkEB2Hvvj-qKquB6FZpeIszejjLVfX6woX1eC6lL6OLdDGp56173muNy6ez6dfRuclRy_6uv/s1600/20130929_161246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbZN_RWaZPpH-0KP9VWpbuywoAecY58ne71ywKorIrD6x6pZAS0fwYpLcWbCdbQRmPUYfMkEB2Hvvj-qKquB6FZpeIszejjLVfX6woX1eC6lL6OLdDGp56173muNy6ez6dfRuclRy_6uv/s640/20130929_161246.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new friends Emily and Little D :-) Modeling our takeway honey bears. He was so excited to have his very own bear filled with honey. CUTE!!!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEV3XksgaqgG6zETF2ywB8g9dwkNkAkmXrc9i-JninSPC2UGzycA5mnLJkPtyPhPWImLwJV3r57sg0q1OIRs7DW80OJJLTAid-CuAzYYE4HwyJ2A_TsJ8tyIChQ89u1kWFO6YKf2BSowlc/s1600/The+goods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEV3XksgaqgG6zETF2ywB8g9dwkNkAkmXrc9i-JninSPC2UGzycA5mnLJkPtyPhPWImLwJV3r57sg0q1OIRs7DW80OJJLTAid-CuAzYYE4HwyJ2A_TsJ8tyIChQ89u1kWFO6YKf2BSowlc/s640/The+goods.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SO where did we end up? We got just over 7 pounds of honey. Not the 50-60 pounds that we could have had, but still seven more pounds of backyard honey than we had last year. Everyone that came to the party got one of these two ounce bears to take home and these are the leftovers. We figured we'd give one to each neighbor and have honey for us. I am thankful to the bees that worked so hard for this honey. I'm thankful for the roomful of friends and family that came and shared this experience with us. I look forward to next year!!!!!!</td></tr>
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<br />Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-37730541094517223752013-09-25T10:33:00.000-07:002013-09-25T10:34:44.798-07:00Because I want to remember...It's seems like I haven't been in the mood to post lately. I think there are a few factors to this...work has been busier than normal...good busy, but busy nonetheless, home life is always a dance, balancing that work, family, and farm. I suggested to a friend/fellow blogger this morning that sometimes writing a blog post will help you/force you to remember the good things in life...and maybe it will help you move past some of the bad. I thought I would take a moment or two to go through some of the things that have been going on around Fresh Egg's Farm.<br />
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I feel like the farm offers us some consistency in our lives. No matter what else we have going on, the animals will need fed/watered/hayed, the garden grows and the lawn needs mowed etc. etc. etc. I'm thankful for that, although at times it's stressful to be in the middle of another project (or blog post) and realize that the goats are bahing for their food and to be let out. I force myself to make time for pasture, from time to time - because I realized that for a bit, I was more or less going through the motions of feeding and letting them out to pasture and not stopping to enjoy them. Now, I make sure that, when I can make time for it, I spend at least a few minutes in the pasture, talking with my animals, scratching their heads, giving them hugs and snuggles and laughing at their antics. They make me happy.<br />
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Our birds are FINALLY acting like real chickens! Each day, it's like an Easter egg hunt at our farm. While we have two nesting boxes, which they seem to want to sit in together and fight over, someone (ahem, Andy, our Blue Andalusian...I'm looking at you here), likes to find her way into the turkey's side of the coop and lay her eggs over there. I don't know if the egg laying sneaks up on her and she just doesn't think to get to the nest in time or what...crazy bird. I did have the opportunity to watch her lay an egg though. This time, she was in the nest, I thought something might have been happening and she kept getting comfortable and then wiggling around and repositioning and the next thing I know - she pushes out an egg! I've never witnessed that before. What an honor and an amazing thing to watch. We are getting lots of eggs now - which is AWESOME...but you know what...life has been so busy, we haven't even had the opportunity to TRY them. Can you believe it? My plan is to make some sort of lovely egg dish for dinner tomorrow, so we can all try them together. It's very exciting for us. The eggs are light brown, dark brown and white...hopefully soon we'll get some of the Easter eggers (they lay blue/green eggs) and can round out the look of our egg carton. <br />
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Our garden is better this year than it has been in the past - although we still got it in too late and I know some serious changes we need to make...I'm excited about future gardens. We got lots of tomatoes from the garden, although we could have gotten more, if we had staked up the plants like we should have...next year. We finally got some pumpkins - which will make sweet decorations and maybe a pie or two (yay fall), although we've learned about trellising and will likely trellis the pumpkins and squash...next year. We've also seen super cute trellis options for beans and such (I think Mark is going to be busy, building trellis options for our garden...I'll help, but he is super builder). Garlic and potatoes were great too, although we know that we could get a better crop with a few adjustments. Next year, our gardens will be different and better.<br />
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In extremely exciting news...we are getting ready to harvest honey for the very first time. We have decided to open this experience up to anyone that wants to come out. I hope we'll have a few takers that want to learn about the experience with us. The plan is to take off all the honey frames either the day prior or earlier in the day of extraction, so that the likeliness of someone (other than us) getting stung is limited. Yesterday we got our bottles - we decided to get a case of the 2# glass jars and a box of 50 of the 2 ounce little bears. The bears are more of a sample size and the 2# will be for us and if we have extra to sell. I have no idea how much we will even be able to pull off of the hive...I'm hoping for a billion pounds, but we'll likely get around 20 :-) I'll share another blog post after the extraction party. <br />
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So I've had to force myself to look at all of this good, because we also had something extremely terrible happen here. Our LSG (livestock guard dog), Ollie, passed away, extremely tragically and unexpectedly. He had been digging his way out of the pasture lately and we were afraid that he'd get into the road, so we made the decision to put him on a long lead, that would allow him to go between the barn and the pasture. Unfortunately, he tried to jump a portion of the fence that we'd been using as a makeshift barn door and got hung up and ended up hanging himself. The boys and I were coming home from picking up the boys from school and as we drove down the driveway, we saw his body hanging from the fence...we thought he was just struggling...but he was already gone. Our hearts are broken. His body is being cremated and his ashes will be spread under the bush where he liked to lay with his flock. <br />
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To end this post on a happier note, I want to remember this past weekend. Mark gave me a weekend getaway, for my birthday. He purchased a weekend pass, for each of us, to attend the Mother Earth News Fair, in Seven Springs, PA. First, Mark and I have only been away, on our own - without kids, without it being for work etc., since we've been married - well, this is the third time. In 17 years. We even spent a portion of our honeymoon visiting with our older daughters (their bio-mom still had custody, at the time). So, when I say "We needed this time away" - you know I'm speaking the truth. Second, the weather was a perfect way to enter into Fall. The air was crispy and cool, with hints of the warm sun shining through. A thunderstorm and heavy rain made for perfect snuggle weather on Saturday. We watched the leaves turn colors over the few days that we were there from just a touch of orange here and there to bright oranges and reds streaking through the entire treeline. It's such a beautiful area. We were happy with the hotel and the food we ate. It was such a nice time...But finally, it was awesome because of the content of the Fair. It is a three-day event, at a ski-resort, in PA - there are vendors, both inside and out, showcasing their sustainable living goods. Throughout the day, they offer many breakout sessions with a WIDE variety of topics - from authors highlighting the content of their books to seed saving to live poultry slaughter/processing and everything in between. We walked away from the event with a renewed sense of excitement about our farm and our journey. We've been second guessing our poultry slaughtering methods - but when Daniel Salatin, yes, SALATIN, as in Joel Salatin's son, as in Polyface Farms fame - processes chickens, using the exact same method that we do, I think we are good. And when the person teaching how to make goat milk chevre cheese, is also using the exact method we do, again, we are good. In addition, it got us thinking about the future of the farm. We, as stated above, need to better set up our garden - perfect our seed starting and saving processes, perfect our planting/transplanting methods, add/take advantage of all our spaces by putting in cold frames and raised beds etc. While we are perfecting our gardening methodologies, we need to also perfect our "putting up" methods. When we were at Mother Earth News Fair, we had the privilege to listen to Niki Jabbour - "The Year Round Vegetable Gardener" author and Sherri Brooks Vinton - "Put 'Em Up" author and look forward to ordering their books. While we were there, we bought some delicious kettle corn and maple syrup. We bought Gage some tea - he's been getting into the idea drinking more natural herbal teas. For Cora, we got her a bunch of seed packets to get her started on her bee garden - she wanted a garden of her very own and I think that giving her the bee garden will help her understand pollination, beauty, bees, seasons etc. Drake was honored with a gift from a vendor. The gentlemen were so impressed with Drake's confidence (his willingness to crochet on the bus, without fear of being made fun of etc.) that they gifted him a skein of beautiful light olive green yard (50/50 mohair and wool)...he has already made a hat with the yarn and it's really cute...so "him". Finally, it was good for me to see some excitement from Mark, about our farm. He's so even tempered that I'm not always sure what he thinks of all this craziness, but he seemed just as pumped about most things as I felt. Which makes me even more excited.<br />
...and these are just a few of the things that I want to remember.Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-40565788010432010792013-09-01T20:25:00.002-07:002013-09-01T20:25:34.327-07:00Sept. 1, 2013Whew - I finally have a moment to sit and write. What a crazy past couple of months we have had. I'm not sitting because here is nothing left to do and I've checked everything off my list, it's more like my body said, "yea, you're done" and gave me dizzy spells this morning - so I won a nap and an afternoon on the couch, resting. I get it, I've been pushing too hard. Not enough sleep, lots of work, lots of go-go-going. I'm thankful for this moment and the relaxation, although, my mind is racing with all of the things I should be doing/want to be doing. Here's some of the things we've been up to...<br />
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My work has been insanely busy lately. I manage a program and have one staff member reporting to me. She has been shipped off to another one of our programs for a few months, which means I am left to work both her job and mine. In addition, we've been up to our elbows putting together a proposal to continue my program for another two years - the proposal was submitted Friday afternoon and fingers crossed, I will be working here for another couple of years!!! (although, I have got to do something about these 12 hour days)<br />
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Speaking of work, my company has invested in a number of employees, working to gain our PMP (Project Management Professional) certification. In order to take the exam, we need to have a certain amount of Project Management experience, logged training hours etc. My company hired an organization to provide us with a project management training seminar, which is AWESOME - but it also meant two trips to Portland, OR. I spent a few days in Portland, came home for a week and spent a few more days in Portland. I got to spend time with some of my co-worker/friends. It was a great time, with lots of learning, but I missed my family SO much, I always do when I'm gone. <br />
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As most of you know, Mark finally got a full time teaching job, working as a Second Grade teacher. SO EXCITING! But it also means that we needed to sort through the previous teacher's MANY, MANY years of teaching supplies and try to make his room his own. He picked an ocean theme (perfect to represent our previous years in Florida). During that week home from Portland, I'd spend all day working and then head over to Mark's class and help him until late at night, getting him classroom set up. By the time open house hit, it looked amazing!! Now he's been teaching for a couple of weeks and doing a great job!<br />
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The day after tomorrow, the kids go back to school. I find it unbelievable that Gage is going to be a sophomore, Drake in seventh and Cora is going into 4th. Our kids keep growing into these awesomely amazing people, right before our eyes. I'm a proud mama and so excited to see how this year goes for them. I'm sure that they will do great. Drake and Cora are going to be students in brand new buildings. We were able to tour them this past Friday - and they are AWESOME...with air conditioning and everything!!! This summer has been a bit of a whirlwind - Cora had her concussion and most recently had her tonsils and adenoids removed (just a day or so before I left for my first trip to Portland). I worried so much about her while I was gone - but she is a very strong little girl. She healed up nicely and is back to her old self. Gage and Drake have transitioned from boys to young men over the summer - they have both grown leaps and bounds. Gage is already taller than me and Drake is getting close. Crazy.<br />
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This summer we've had the awesome fortune of eating much of our own fruit. We've had black caps galore, our first apples (EVER!), a few handfuls of peaches (AKA the most delicious peaches I've ever had!), a pear is hanging on the tree, nearly ready for picking and all the remaining trees are healthy as can be. We even have a number of baby lemons growing on our lemon tree - which I cannot believe, since we just bought it and replanted it in the spring. We've enjoyed strawberries (after we realized the damn turkeys were eating them all, before we could get to them). It's been a great year for fruit. Soon, we'll be harvesting walnuts and it looks like some pecans too!<br />
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Finally, let's talk chicken...those little b!t$#es are holding out on us. We should be getting eggs, we've provided them plenty of daylight and outside space, we've built in lovely nesting boxes, that get ignored, I mean, that's cool...we'll just keep feeding you ladies. We'll go capture you when you escape your yard area and want to discover areas of "Narnia"(the wooded area near our house). You just hold out and not worry about giving us the eggs...because ya' know...it's not like it's your purpose on our farm. Grr...Hopefully soon.<br />
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Hope all of you are doing well in blogland. Rumor has it that Fall is coming soon...you ready?Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-29418080559581951802013-08-15T11:39:00.002-07:002013-08-15T11:39:43.120-07:00I'm aliveWow, it's been a bit since I posted. We're still alive...just in the thick of it with everything life is throwing at us. Things that we've realized this year - shearers are hard to come by. We had the perfect one - one that shears all types of animals and is priced just right and...he got into a disagreement with his brother/shearing partner and won't travel out this way any more. I contacted everyone listed on the shearing list and couldn't find anyone to help us out. So we put an ad in craigslist to see if we could get someone out here. After a few days, we got a call from a gentleman that said his wife/girlfriend could shear, although was inexperienced with larger animals (aka: alpacas) - we explained how nice and sweet our girls are (and how sassy Josie can be) and they came out. Except they came out with dog clippers...UM...that's not going to work. They tried anyway - got through 1/2 of Frankie before quitting for the night. They said they were going to invest in a pair of shearers and come back...which they did...but without the right blades and combs...but they tried anyway. We got through Frankie, Itty and Jester - but still have Steve, Josie and Blossom to go. They left for the night and never came back. SO...back to the drawing board. I think we need to learn to shear. That's right folks, we are going to add to our seemingly never ending list of "what else can we do" and learn the process of shearing animals, correctly. It's a bit of an investment - a shearer is around $300, plus each animal type requires their own set of cutters and combs. Oy! and time, did I mention how much time it'll take for each animal? We'll figure it out. <br />
I have so much more to tell...but we'll need to wait for more time to sit and gather thoughts. Just thought I'd let everyone know I'm still alive.<br />
<br />Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8146838554470704690.post-63918777872027669762013-07-23T04:48:00.002-07:002013-07-23T04:48:41.389-07:0017 YearsMarriages don't last. 50% of all first marriages and 67% of all second marriages end in divorce. Our marriage is my first and Mark's second and here we stand 17 years later, still married. When you consider the circumstances of our marriage - we met each other Sept. 6th, 1995, had our first "official" date Sept. 23rd, 1995, moved in together sometime in Oct. 1995, were engaged Dec. 17th and had planned for a wedding December 14th, 1996. Since Mark's ex-wife was being...challenging...and not allowing the girls to attend the wedding, we decided to have an official, yet quickie wedding while they were here for visitation during the summer (this is before we had custody)...that was 17 years ago, today (we still had our big wedding in Dec - we actually celebrate both anniversaries - because we could always use another reason to celebrate).<br />
I'm proud of the life that we have created - Mark is still my best friend. Sure, we've been through bumps in the road, but I couldn't imagine facing those challenges with anyone else. We have five amazing children, that I'm so honored to parent. We've sent each other through college, we've moved to the beach, we've bought the farm (literally)...we've lived so many different lifetimes, together.<br />
Each year, Mark gets more and more handsome. I love watching him work around the farm - his body is strong (and sexy...I know, TMI), he's so intelligent and creative. I feel like, with him, there's nothing we can't do. I love him more each day.<br />
I'm proud to be Mrs. Roberts and I'm excited to see where the next 17 years takes us!!!Fresh Eggs Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16718985258467172827noreply@blogger.com3