Tomorrow will be my little chicks 7 day birthday. Doesn't sound like much except when your little life is only 5 weeks old.
Tomorrow begins a new day in the lives of meat chickens. Because they are fed a high protien food like turkey poults, their food must be restricted for 12 hours per day. If you don't do this you will see that their body cavities fill up with fluid. This fluid will cause them to have heart failure.
Tomorrow also starts something bad: they will start to hate me when I remove their food each night....then they will attack me when I go to put the food back in at 5:30am each morning. (I hate this part)
Also:
Grand boys came to stay the night tonight; 2.5 hours of homework. (I had forgotten) Then I discovered that grand boys LOVE my new Swiffer duster and my new Swiffer dust mop....ok I am not opposed to child labor to an extent.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
BLAST FROM THE PAST
I opened a word doc I called "homesteading" that I had saved about 5 years ago. Here were my goals then:
FARM GOALS
* = income producing
1. Produce enough compost for personal use.
2. Produce almost all of my own vegetables—all seasons
3. Produce all of my own meat
4. Produce all of my own herbs
5. Have website for personal use and farm sales
6. Forage for fire wood
7. Catch rain water
8. Composting toilet
9. Grow garlic *
10. Grow Muscavoy ducks *
11. Grow rabbits *
12. Have 2 dairy goats *
13. Build small milking shed
14. Tanned Rabbit Skins *
15. Rabbit Rawhide *
Kind of cool that some things have changed but most have not!
FARM GOALS
* = income producing
1. Produce enough compost for personal use.
2. Produce almost all of my own vegetables—all seasons
3. Produce all of my own meat
4. Produce all of my own herbs
5. Have website for personal use and farm sales
6. Forage for fire wood
7. Catch rain water
8. Composting toilet
9. Grow garlic *
10. Grow Muscavoy ducks *
11. Grow rabbits *
12. Have 2 dairy goats *
13. Build small milking shed
14. Tanned Rabbit Skins *
15. Rabbit Rawhide *
Kind of cool that some things have changed but most have not!
ONGOING TOOL SHED PROJECT
This shed is expected to be done before winter sets in. In theory. I keep adding on projects that seem to take priority.
1. Tool shed
2. New Water Door for the chicks
3. Winter frame for raised beds
4. Fill the strawberry box
5. etc. etc.
Floors will be done tomorrow!!!
1. Tool shed
2. New Water Door for the chicks
3. Winter frame for raised beds
4. Fill the strawberry box
5. etc. etc.
Floors will be done tomorrow!!!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
COST OF FARM RAISED CHICKEN
Each bird cost 1.64 incl shipping
I bought 100# of feed 15.00
.30 per bird
I might have to buy one more bag
So maybe .15 more per bird
2.09 per bird to slaughter weight
I don't really count water
4 # bird dressed out to 3#
.70 per pound right? Even if they ate double what I expect it won't be more than
1.00 Per pound
Here organic chicken goes for 4.99/# at the grocery
Not a bad conversion
I bought 100# of feed 15.00
.30 per bird
I might have to buy one more bag
So maybe .15 more per bird
2.09 per bird to slaughter weight
I don't really count water
4 # bird dressed out to 3#
.70 per pound right? Even if they ate double what I expect it won't be more than
1.00 Per pound
Here organic chicken goes for 4.99/# at the grocery
Not a bad conversion
Friday, September 24, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
FALL GARDEN
OKRA
A SINGLE BIRDHOUSE GOURD
FUZZY PIC OF YARD LONG BEANS
LOOK AT THESE AMAZING SQUASH!
NOW I CAN'T PULL UP THE WATERMELONS! NOT WITH BABIES ON!
A SINGLE BIRDHOUSE GOURD
FUZZY PIC OF YARD LONG BEANS
LOOK AT THESE AMAZING SQUASH!
NOW I CAN'T PULL UP THE WATERMELONS! NOT WITH BABIES ON!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
PREPPING FOR WINTER
YESTERDAY:
Dug up my amazing pepper plants and potted them; did you know that you can over winter these inside and put them back out next year to continue producing peppers? So far only two are repotted. 3 basil plants, 2 pretty vines moved out front on the South side of the house to get morning sun and away from N winds.
Yes I know it is 94 outside today....but I promise...fall is just around the corner.
Yet to do:
1. repot the 5 more pepper plants
2. pull up the watermelon
3. Plant lettuce, spinach, beets, carrots, more broccoli, and the rest of my fall crop
4. Add more wood to a few of my raised beds to make them deeper
5. Fill the strawberry bed and order strawberries
6. Pick up a truck load of mulch, pull the weeds around the newer trees, water and mulch
7. Try to catch some of the guineas and find them a new home (little digging devils)
8. fill up the holes the guineas have dug everywhere
9. replant the little plants the guineas dug up
10. power wash the new deck where the guineas pooped huge piles while they sleep in the tree above
11. finish mowing (maybe the last time?)
12. Clean and prep the brooder house (QUICK! BABIES ARRIVE 9-24-10)
13. prep fire starting matrials in water proof boxes on the porch;
14. build a temporary wood storage rack to be used when the weather goes below freezing.
Dug up my amazing pepper plants and potted them; did you know that you can over winter these inside and put them back out next year to continue producing peppers? So far only two are repotted. 3 basil plants, 2 pretty vines moved out front on the South side of the house to get morning sun and away from N winds.
Yes I know it is 94 outside today....but I promise...fall is just around the corner.
Yet to do:
1. repot the 5 more pepper plants
2. pull up the watermelon
3. Plant lettuce, spinach, beets, carrots, more broccoli, and the rest of my fall crop
4. Add more wood to a few of my raised beds to make them deeper
5. Fill the strawberry bed and order strawberries
6. Pick up a truck load of mulch, pull the weeds around the newer trees, water and mulch
7. Try to catch some of the guineas and find them a new home (little digging devils)
8. fill up the holes the guineas have dug everywhere
9. replant the little plants the guineas dug up
10. power wash the new deck where the guineas pooped huge piles while they sleep in the tree above
11. finish mowing (maybe the last time?)
12. Clean and prep the brooder house (QUICK! BABIES ARRIVE 9-24-10)
13. prep fire starting matrials in water proof boxes on the porch;
14. build a temporary wood storage rack to be used when the weather goes below freezing.
NEW BUGS CROSSING OUR NATION
Yep it's that time of year;
Different new viruses and bugs are beginning to come into the news.
I had my own scare this past week. I got a staff infection. My doctor told me that there is an antibiotic resistant strain in the Dallas FT Worth area. I am blessed not to have this strain and also not to be a carrier....I don't really know what that means but I can take my 20 pills and it will (in theory) be done.
I have no idea what would have happened if the staff was a resistant variety, but I imagine the treatment would have been no fun.
Cleanliness is very important; remember to wash your hands; carry hand sanitizer; pay attention to what you touch.
For you preppers out there---a pandemic is the most likely SHTF scenerio that could effect us here in the USA.
Start changing bad habits now!
Different new viruses and bugs are beginning to come into the news.
I had my own scare this past week. I got a staff infection. My doctor told me that there is an antibiotic resistant strain in the Dallas FT Worth area. I am blessed not to have this strain and also not to be a carrier....I don't really know what that means but I can take my 20 pills and it will (in theory) be done.
I have no idea what would have happened if the staff was a resistant variety, but I imagine the treatment would have been no fun.
Cleanliness is very important; remember to wash your hands; carry hand sanitizer; pay attention to what you touch.
For you preppers out there---a pandemic is the most likely SHTF scenerio that could effect us here in the USA.
Start changing bad habits now!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
DINNER!
HOMEGROWN CHICKENS GRILLED WITH SESAME GINGER MARINADE, MY DAUGHTER FAMOUS GRILL POTATOS AND A HOME MADE APPLE PIE IS IN THE OVEN BAKING.
HOME GROWN HOME MADE CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS
This is a very good batch but I have no idea how it will can up.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW
Since I posted THIS I got a letter from my bank.
In short it said "In case you were planning on using that line of credit you paid off, your credit score went down therefore your interest rate went up"...
hmmmmm interesting
In short it said "In case you were planning on using that line of credit you paid off, your credit score went down therefore your interest rate went up"...
hmmmmm interesting
Monday, September 6, 2010
PESTO!
I walked outside to the kitchen garden to plant broccoli and found that the basil had exploded overnight...I swear it was not that big yesterday.
Yesterday J and I transplanted the cuttings that I took last month. They have been on the kitchen window sill and had rooted nicely.
I guess that event in the front yard caused the basil in the back yard to morph???
Anyway, I was merciless in my cutting and got over a gallon of fresh basil.
I brought it in and washed it and used the salad spinner to dry it.
I have no cheese and can't afford to buy it right now, but I have olive oil, walnuts (instead of pine nuts), lemon juice and garlic.
I made about 2.5 cups of pesto. I put it in 3 seperate jars with a thin layer of olive oil on top and put it in the freezer.
Winter homemade pizza, with homegrown pesto will remind me of the warm days of summer.
Yesterday J and I transplanted the cuttings that I took last month. They have been on the kitchen window sill and had rooted nicely.
I guess that event in the front yard caused the basil in the back yard to morph???
Anyway, I was merciless in my cutting and got over a gallon of fresh basil.
I brought it in and washed it and used the salad spinner to dry it.
I have no cheese and can't afford to buy it right now, but I have olive oil, walnuts (instead of pine nuts), lemon juice and garlic.
I made about 2.5 cups of pesto. I put it in 3 seperate jars with a thin layer of olive oil on top and put it in the freezer.
Winter homemade pizza, with homegrown pesto will remind me of the warm days of summer.
HOW MANUAL LABOR CAUSES CO-OPERATION
Here is a script of a portion of my morning:
J (oldest grand son to D the youngest): I want to play the Hot Wheels Game.
D: No I want to play Mario Brothers!
J: Hot wheels!
D: Mario!!
J&D: Nanna!!!
Nanna: Ok lets go clean the kitchen. I am washing you guys can dry and put away.
J&D: But we are hungry and we want to play video games!
Nanna: Get towels
30 minutes later after much quiet drying and washing:
D to J: Do you want to play Hot Wheels with me?
J: Sure.
D: Ok you can go first.
I love grandparenting
J (oldest grand son to D the youngest): I want to play the Hot Wheels Game.
D: No I want to play Mario Brothers!
J: Hot wheels!
D: Mario!!
J&D: Nanna!!!
Nanna: Ok lets go clean the kitchen. I am washing you guys can dry and put away.
J&D: But we are hungry and we want to play video games!
Nanna: Get towels
30 minutes later after much quiet drying and washing:
D to J: Do you want to play Hot Wheels with me?
J: Sure.
D: Ok you can go first.
I love grandparenting
Sunday, September 5, 2010
HOLIDAY WEEKEND
Well most of the weekend I have worked from home. I have 2 of my grand kids and we haven't done anything amazingly fun.
My oldest and I just replanted some basil rootings. I am sure this was very fun for him.
We have many chores which need to be done but other than dishes and watering trees, they probably won't get done.
Officially I am off work until Tuesday morning at 7am. Here is how I will relax:
1. Read!
2. Watch the boys play video games
3. Pull out the rest of my watermelon and cucumber plants and ready the beds for the rest of the fall planting
4. Pick up trash
5. Clean off the front porch (this will be an every day thing until the sycamore tree is leafless
6. Drink coffee and watch the birds
7. Read some more
My oldest and I just replanted some basil rootings. I am sure this was very fun for him.
We have many chores which need to be done but other than dishes and watering trees, they probably won't get done.
Officially I am off work until Tuesday morning at 7am. Here is how I will relax:
1. Read!
2. Watch the boys play video games
3. Pull out the rest of my watermelon and cucumber plants and ready the beds for the rest of the fall planting
4. Pick up trash
5. Clean off the front porch (this will be an every day thing until the sycamore tree is leafless
6. Drink coffee and watch the birds
7. Read some more
Friday, September 3, 2010
BRAVO AWARD
Work gave me an award for a job well done.
And just in time. My camera bit the dust and ya'll know how many pictures I take!
It is a Samsung digital HD 1920x1080 7.8 mega pixel camcorder/camera!!!
It is charging so I will play with it tomorrow.
And just in time. My camera bit the dust and ya'll know how many pictures I take!
It is a Samsung digital HD 1920x1080 7.8 mega pixel camcorder/camera!!!
It is charging so I will play with it tomorrow.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
HASSENFEFFER AND CANNING BROTH
I am home with a migraine today and before I try to turn on my work computer (still can't see well) I thought I would practice cooking rabbit.
My rabbit breeder gave me three dressed frozen rabbits to practice cooking.
The first rabbit..the smallest one...I baked in the oven in my iron skillet covered with foil. I did this so that I could truly taste what rabbit meat tastes like. It was really amazing. Sweet and not stringy.
Today I cut up the medium rabbit and made hassenfeffer marinade and the meat is now soaking in that in the fridge. Tonight I will make hassenfeffer for dinner.
The large rabbit is now slow cooking and will be deboned tonight and put in canning jars with the rabbit broth and canned for later use. I will also be canning the chicken broth from last week.
The book that comes with the Presto pressure canner has a ton of recipes. I think this might be my favorite most used cooking utensil.
My rabbit breeder gave me three dressed frozen rabbits to practice cooking.
The first rabbit..the smallest one...I baked in the oven in my iron skillet covered with foil. I did this so that I could truly taste what rabbit meat tastes like. It was really amazing. Sweet and not stringy.
Today I cut up the medium rabbit and made hassenfeffer marinade and the meat is now soaking in that in the fridge. Tonight I will make hassenfeffer for dinner.
The large rabbit is now slow cooking and will be deboned tonight and put in canning jars with the rabbit broth and canned for later use. I will also be canning the chicken broth from last week.
The book that comes with the Presto pressure canner has a ton of recipes. I think this might be my favorite most used cooking utensil.
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