Homestead Milk Cooling

If you cool your fresh milk right away it will stay fresh much longer and have a better taste.
Here is how I cool mine. I put it in water in this rinse tub and add ice after the jars are in.
It looks funny because the fridge in the kitchen has almost nothing but ice trays in the top freezer.
When we have more milk I use another rinse tub. If you have just up to three jars, you can put them in the sink the same way.
The tubs are in the laundry room.
Hope this helps and enjoy that milk!
Nancy

A New Calf

No matter how many times I see a calf being born I am still very much in awe of the miracle. There are those tense moments when you are watching and waiting. Praying that everything goes well. And feeling sorrow for the cow and its suffering. This was her first calf so she really didn't know what was going on. But, as soon as their calf is born, they know just what to do. You see her here in the pictures licking her calf to clean him (Yep. A little bull calf.) up and get the membrane off. It also warms him and gets the circulation going.

There is a special noise that cows make when talking to their calves that they don't use any other time and they know that noise just as soon as their calf is born and they start speaking to them right away.
After you see that the birth went well and that the calf is responding well, there is the watching and waiting to see if the calf nurses. This little guy wasted no time after getting up on his wobbly legs in finding the teats. This cow wasn't sure what he was trying to do at first but after a few attempts by him, she figured it out and everything went well.

I hope that you will have the experience of watching this miracle take place and be reminded, as we are, that there is so much more in God's plan for his Creation than just our everyday existance. We see His handiwork all around us and for this we are so very grateful.
Nancy

P.S.This cow is Jersey and Black Angus and was bred with Black Angus. When we bought her mother she had been bred with an Angus bull so we bred her with Angus in order to have beef cattle.

Gardening Around the Weather

Wow. That's quite a feat these days, isn't it? We went from severe thunderstorm warnings and tons of rain each day to severe heat warnings and no rain each day. We put things in the ground as we could, thinking that something was better than nothing. I went out at 6:00 this morning to water before the heat really set in. I have to water at the roots because if there is water on the plant when the hot sun hits it, it will scorch the plant. So, I drag the hose around from plant to plant trying to give everything a good drink. This morning I had a ground hornet that kept coming in for an attack. Normally if I wave my hands around a little I can chase them away. Not this morning. If anyone was watching it must have been quite the sight. I would start out by waving my hand a little and telling it to go away. It would volley around me with intensive buzzing so I would step up the waving. When that didn't work I would take off the hat I was wearing and wave it around. He would start darting around me faster and the buzzing would increase. (Was it really louder or was my now-flowing adrenaline making my sense of hearing keener?) Not having any success I would start waving the hand holding the hose. He seemed to enjoy that challenge and stepped up his maneuvering. Now I am in an all-out attack mode. In order to save my life I now know the only thing I have left is to deftly aim a stream of water at him hoping (and praying) for a direct hit. It worked! He's gone! Hooray! Sweet victory!

Unfortunately, I had to repeat that scenario four times. I decided to add some vocabulary to what turned out to be my final counter-attack and just as things were really getting heated up my husband came around the corner of the house and asked what was wrong. "Don't worry," he said, "I'll get him." My hero.

Apparently, after seeing that the reinforcements had arrived, the little kamikaze rethought things, realized he was outdone, and didn't show up again. (Figures, doesn't it?)

Nancy

Celebrate Farming

Spent the weekend at a farming celebration and had such a great time. Draft horse pull, lots of old horse-drawn equipment, and good friends. There was plenty to look at and lots of things to do. We hated to see it end.
Nancy

Farm Stuff

There is more than one way to mow the grass! Above top is our crew hard at work.
The second picture is of a friend's wood cook stove. Isn't it great? It belonged to her husband's grandmother.
We enjoyed the broccoli from our garden night before last. It was a big first for us to have grown our own. There is something about growing your own food that is very satisfying. And when you eat it that fresh right from the garden it so healthy and delicious. Then you add in the fact that it was grown without chemicals and it is a huge thing indeed!

I want to share something with you that I read the other day in a book that I bought at a garage sale. The title is "Recollections of a Pioneer" and it was written by a man that moved to Missouri in 1839 by covered wagon when he was ten years old. In 1849 he, and other boys and men that lived in the area, set out for Califonia to try to find gold. There were many hazards along the way and when they reached California he became ill. Here are his words: " When we got down to Weaver Creek, three emigrants were at work panning out the gold. We stopped and camped and watched them for a long time. That night I was taken sick with the flux. It was a bad place to be sick and I was dreadfully sick, too. They fixed me a sort of pallet under the shade of a big tree, and I lay there night and day for a week and they didn't know whether I would live or die. Trains were constantly arriving and in one of them there was a doctor. He came down to see me and told the boys they must hunt up a cow and give me fresh warm milk. They told me afterwards they found a train in which somebody had foresight enough to bring a cow along, and they got the milk and brought it to me. I drank it and soon recovered."

How about that for REAL milk?! (The flux was also called the "bloody flux". It was dysentery.)

The book was written by J.W. (Watt) Gibson in 1912.

I'll let you know if I find any other gems in it.

Nancy

Updates

We have had a two-day break from thunderstorms so we are trying to get some things planted in the garden. Hard to believe that it's almost July and we are still trying! This is a first!
I will be cutting some wonderful broccoli tonight and for that I am very thankful. It won't be long before the onions are ready and I noticed some flowers on the tomato plants. We replanted the green beans and they are coming up and also the pickling cucumbers. We still have lots of plants that we started from seed and the seed potatoes are holding on. A big part of the garden washed away so it will take a little bit to get it back in shape. I'm drooling just thinking about fresh vegetables! Lord willing, we will have some yet!
The boer goat kids are getting big! I want so badly to keep the four does to breed again, but we will have to see. I have them advertised for sale because the car is being repaired again. I am planning to wean them very soon either way.
We will be drying Clarabelle up very soon and giving her a rest. So, for a little while we will only be milking two cows. If you look closely at the heading picture you will see Clarabelle. We are still milking just once a day and it is working out very well.
Hope all of you are enjoying summer.
Nancy

Chicken Killer

Jack went into the "big" coop the other night and found a long black snake in the cage with the chicks and it was killing them. I had taken them out of the brooder and put them in the cage so that they would get used to calling the coop home. The snake had killed some the night before, also, but we didn't know what had happened. Jack thought that they had gotten stuck in the sides of the cage. Apparently, the snake was trying to pull them through the sides of the cage. I have always thought that snakes ate only live things so I was very surprised by this. (And, also very sad!) It got away, unfortunately, but we haven't seen it again and the egg production went back up to where it had been. Seems that snake has been having himself some mighty good meals!
I talked to two different families, in as many days, that are wanting to move to the farm. They believe that it might be the best place for a family to be; and I couldn't agree more.
Nancy

Hands To The Plow

We plowed with Millie the other day and she did so well! It really was a blessing to have her respond to the lines when we guided her. She has so much to teach us. Jack held the lines at first and drove her and I guided the plow. Then we switched and Jack drove the plow while I led Millie where we wanted her to go. It was so good that we got to try each side of it, and we could both understand so well the message that our daughter-in-law shared with us soon after that she had heard at church. (We were amazed and delighted at him using this as an illustration today, as others in agriculture were that I have shared this story with.)
The minister spoke about keeping both hands on the plow and not looking back. He told of a family that he had known well. They were a very close and strong family. They were very active and a blessing to many. Then they went to the wife's high school reunion. She saw her old friends and some of her old life. At first she just took one hand off of the plow to look back at that old life that she had had. Then she decided that she wanted it again; let go of the plow completely, and turned back. The children lost their way, and the family fell apart. It was disastrous.
The minister's eyes teared up as he recalled it; remembering the results of her going back. I wish there was a happy ending, but the family was destroyed forever.
When I've looked at that field with so much left to plow and the endless days ahead that it will take to produce anything; I've been tempted to look back. When the storms have come, and the crops are failing, and I lose an animal that year; I've been tempted to turn back. Don't look back. Let's keep both hands on the plow, holding it even tighter when the going gets rough, so we don't look back. We will finish one day and it all will be worth it.
And, if you ever find that you have been looking back, or even if you have actually left off plowing to turn back; go pick up that plow. It's not too late. It's still there waiting for you. There may be some rough spots to work out at first, but when you get through them; the going will be easier.
And Jesus said unto him,"No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62
Nancy

Trail Ride Pictures

Here are a few of the trail ride pictures I promised. What a fun experience that was! I hope to put more pictures on here.

Nancy

Old-Time Farming Information

If you are looking for information on farming and farm life from the past, you will really enjoy going to: www.agrariannation.com. How to feed animals, preserve foods, control insects, and more.
Check it out!
Nancy

Journey To Simplify-Part Ten

"You will never have to move again. I'll never let happen to you what happened to my dad.", were the words that my father-in-law spoke to us when we moved onto the farm. Shortly before he passed away his closest friend paid him a visit to warn him that his present wife was not going to do what she had promised him she would do with his farm and estate, according to his wishes. That his children would never see any of it. If only he had heeded the warning. Immediately after his death, his wife went out on the town to celebrate; and our lives became a living hell. To be continued... Nancy

The Deeper Things of Life

I'm pondering the deeper things of life like: Why is it that when there is a spoon in the sink the water from the faucet always hits it?
So true.
But, o.k., how about this? "If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny." Thomas Jefferson `1778 I'm always amazed at the insight that the Founding Fathers had.
Or, how about this: "Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds: For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
The hay appeareth, and the tender grass showeth itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered.
The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens." Proverbs 27:23-27 This has always been true, and maybe knowing this has even been taken for granted at times. But, do you see a need to take note of this today?
Nancy

Journey To Simplify-Part Nine

The house wasn't in nearly as bad a shape as the previous one, but it did need a new roof, septic system, lots of cleaning, and new paint. We had many many wonderful times there, also. We had laying hens, meat chickens, steers for beef, turkeys, goats, and a large garden. Our lives were full of joy and, because the plant had closed, Jack was home all day and we felt like we were finally getting to where we wanted to be. We started raising quail for falconers, as falconry was very big in the area. We all came to love doing this and planned to keep on with it. We were able to spend much time with Jack's dad which became even more important when he passed away two-and-a-half years later. Not knowing what the future held we planned to continue on with what we had been doing. We had no way of knowing that we were about to enter a time of very deep trouble.
To be continued.....

More Turkey Details

Here's how we were able to fit the turkey in the oven: Fortunately, in this oven you are able to put the rack down just above the bottom coils. The rack bowed down from the weight of the turkey which enabled us to barely pry the legs into an opening in the coils on top of the oven. Pretty funny, huh? We were hoping to not have to cut the legs off to get it in and it worked! After it cooked for a while the legs shrank down just enough to pull it out of the oven to baste without touching the coils. The men took turns getting it out of the oven because it was so heavy. It was a lot of fun and after Thanksgiving everyone we or family members talked to wanted to know how cooking the turkey went. :-)
Yes, we have eaten a LOT of leftover turkey (even though 13 people ate here for Thanksgiving dinner) including turkey sandwiches (my favorite!), turkey dinner leftovers, turkey casserole, and turkey soup, AND we sent turkey home with family members AND we put some in the freezer for sandwiches later. It's been a tremendous blessing.
Nancy

Latest Goings-On

It took a little doing but, we were able to fit the turkey in the oven. Fortunately, fresh turkeys don't take as long to cook. Otherwise, it would have taken a mighty long time! The meat was exceptionally moist and delicious. It was one of the broad-breasted whites but, raising it the traditional way from spring to fall, resulted in a bird that was very well-proportioned with plenty (and I do mean plenty) of white and dark meat. Interestingly, the heirloom breed Spanish Black turkeys that we have raised this year are much smaller with different eating habits and most of their instincts intact. We enjoyed raising this batch of the broad-breasted ones more than any of the others, probably because they had to be herded into an inside shelter each night and then herded out to pasture each morning. We really got to know them! (We had more problems with predators this year than ever and lost some in the pasture pens in the beginning.) Unfortunately, the broad-breasted ones are a hybrid breed and are unable to mate so we will be keeping some of the blacks for that purpose.
We have been having some frigid weather lately and I'm having a hard time adjusting. It seems like we just jumped into winter and there are so many outside things that I want to work on! Good thing that the Lord put the seasons in place because I wouldn't know when to quit! I have been able to do some sewing and other indoor projects and am hoping to be able to gear down and enjoy more of the inside things soon. We really should enjoy each and every day and season, shouldn't we?
Nancy

Here Come The Turkeys

We butchered four turkeys last Saturday and here is the weigh-in:
Drum roll please....
1 at 34 lbs.
2 at 36 lbs. and
1 at 40 lbs!!!
We are cooking the 40 pounder tomorrow. I'll let you know how fitting it in the oven went! :-)
Truly hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Nancy

Farm Stuff

We borrowed a boer buck from a friend to breed our does with. We have Alpines and have always had Alpine bucks but this time we are using the boer buck and will sell the offspring for meat. We had to take the pygmy goat, Enna, otherwise known as "the tank", out of the goat pasture so she didn't get bred. The baby would be too big for her to have. I would really like to breed her with an Angora. I used to have a pygora and she was so pretty! And the children would LOVE the tiny baby goats!
The grandchildren are loving riding Ruby. She is such a sweet horse and so easy to ride.
We'll be butchering turkeys for the holidays this weekend. I am so looking forward to Thanksgiving even though I can't believe it's that time already. It's such a wonderful holiday and it's so good to think about everything we have to be thankful for. The down side is that our youngest son and his family won't be here for dinner this year because he can't get off from work. That makes us very sad but we hope they have a wonderful time together.
Are you cherishing those loved ones and each moment?

Busy Times

We have been taking advantage of the warm beautiful weather lately. We finished the barrel stove and before we could move it a gust of wind came through and knocked it over and it broke a handle on our horsedrawn plow. A friend picked up a pair of new handles for us at the buggy shop and saved us a trip. It's one more thing to do having to replace them but it will be very nice having new handles next spring.
It dawned on me that it would be a good idea to make soap while it was warm in the house so I made two batches; a plain castille that is a wonderful bath soap and the same soap with oats and honey added. When I cut the oats and honey one into bars my little granddaughter kept saying, "that smells so good!" It made me hungry for oatmeal cookies! I planned on making a batch with lavender but didn't get around to it.
Today we rendered a lot of beef fat into tallow, cooking it outside in three very large pots over propane burners. It was good to get it done and just in time before the rain started. This is the first rain we have had in several weeks.
Wanted to get spinach cut yesterday but we had to make an unexpected trip into town. It is supposed to be quite a bit cooler the next couple of days.
Yesterday we sent two of our cows to be with a friend's bull. I can't wait until they're back.
We have a new little horse that is just the right size for the children. She has a very sweet disposition and is very easy to ride. They are having such fun! There was rain close by today and our grandson came riding up on her and stopped with a beautiful rainbow behind him. It was quite the sight.
I hope you are enjoying fall. It is a wonderful time of year.

Meet Millie!

Blogger could do people like me a BIG favor and not ever change how to do something. Like posting pictures, for example. If you scroll down to the bottom of this page you can see a picture of our new beautiful Belgian, Millie! :-} (Yes, I'll keep working on it.)

Autumn Harvesting

The weather has been so wonderful. After the very difficult weather this year it is all the more enjoyed and appreciated. It is so fun to be outside looking at all of the Fall beauty.
We gathered black walnuts for the hulls (I give the nuts away) and I will strip them off of the shells and dry them. We also located a large maple tree to tap next year (exciting!) and we found wild rose hips. They are so very sweet when ripe and loaded with vitamin C! We also found some persimmons and that was good for a laugh! (As soon as I could use my mouth again!) I tried them once before and my mouth puckered like crazy so I thought maybe they just weren't ripe enough. Well, that's not the case! It was very ripe and it dried up my mouth immediately so that it was hard to swallow. That's the last time I'll try them! (I hope.)
We talked to an Amish man that has a wood cook stove for sale. It is in very good shape and at a reasonable price. It would be good for a summer kitchen because it isn't an airtight one that you would want to also use for heat. Someone with us asked me why I want one. I was kind of caught off-guard because I hadn't thought about "why" in a long time. I gave all of the standard sensible answers (good in power outages for back-up cooking and heating, cheaper to use because you provide your own fuel, food tastes better cooked with wood) but felt like something was missing. When we got home I thought about it and realized that all of those things are very good reasons but there is more:
It takes more time and attention; involving me in the work, and slowing me down. It brings me to a place where simply living life becomes important again. And enjoyable. Living life becomes enough. Again. Does that make sense?
Nancy