EVEN THE BEST PLANS

Yesterday started off with the best of intentions.  Wake up early, sit at the computer so I could do a little blogging, get hubby and I off for dr. appointment, come home and start canning.  That was the plan.  This is really how the day went.  Got up early, got stung by I think a sweat bee, got hubby and I ready for dr. appointment, got a call as walking into dr. appointment goat may be in distress, got home, goat ok.  Hubby decided to butcher another goat for the freezer, hubby cut finger, back to town to ER, confused hospital staff, hubby got 5 stitches and then home again.  Even the best plans must be flexible.  Hopefully yours won't have to be that flexible.

While we were at the hospital we did have a good laugh with the staff, who were so nice and caring.  It started with the triage nurse, "how did you cut yourself?"  Hubby, "with a knife".  Triage nurse "doing what?"  Hubby "butchering a goat".  Triage nurse, "a goat?"  Hubby "yes a goat."  Triage nurse "a goat"?  Triage dr. "I've had goat".  Poor triage nurse "you've eaten goat?"  Triage dr. "yes my wife has even had a goat burger".  Me "oh where".  Triage Dr.  "Ireland."  Now this might not sound as funny as it was but you had to see all the faces while this conversation was happening.

We were sent back to the waiting room and told we would be called back shortly, it was at that time hubby made mention we hadn't had lunch yet.  So off to the cafeteria I went where I found two bottles of water and two tuna salads.  Bag in hand back to the lobby of the ER I went, only to find hubby had in fact been taken back to the Urgent care section of the ER.  So I was buzzed in and we had a quick lunch waiting for further medical attention.  That's when the second round of goat questions started.

A very nice nurse came into the area we had been dining and said "we were all waiting for you to come back, now what's this with a goat?"  We all laughed and explained what had happened.  For the most part all understood the reasons for homesteading (knowing what's in or on your food) and accepted it well.  The conversation turned to canning and which family members canned and what they canned.  Even the PA who sewed hubby's hand up had canned a little.  She had gotten a canner and such for Christmas from her mother-in-law (nice gift). 

That's when I remember thinking I hadn't canned that much this year.  As I listed the things I already canned, carrots, green beans, saurkraut, pickle relish, corn, pickled beets, blueberry pancake syrup, apple pancake syrup,  fig preserves, plum jam, pear butter, applesauce (just starting with early apples), salsa, pasta sauce, pepper butter, and beef stew I thought so maybe we'll ok this winter.

It seems we never think we're doing enough and I suppose that's a good thing.  It's what drives us to do better.  A way of thinking I fear is being lost among our youth.  Please remember to share your knowledge and talents with them, if you don't who will?  Remember someone thought you special enough to teach you. 

Goodbye Clay and thank you for your service.

BUILD A CO-OP AND LENDING CLOSET.

Since I haven't been out much over the past few months, I did go to the grocery store with hubby a few days ago.  I guess if you go on a regular basis the sticker shock might not be as bad.   We walked past the produce department and I thought how can families afford to eat healthy anymore.  Then we passed the meat department and I thought how can families afford protein.  Then I went to the dairy department and thought I need a dairy cow.

More and more I know homesteading is not only healthier but cheaper.  Yes the price of feed was going up but it seems to have leveled for now, maybe I shouldn't say that too loud.  The veggie garden we had this year did produce a fair amount for the short time it was producing and the tomato plants seem to be doing well.  This year they were planted in 5 gallon buckets, so they didn't drown like so many gardens did.  We also had raised beds for eggplant and cucumbers.  So all in all we were able to glean some fresh produce, although my onions and garlic didn't fare as well.  Thankfully we have very dear friends who planted things we didn't and they shared, which we are so grateful for.  There are also a number of farmers' markets in the area and we are able to purchase fresh produce from them.  Speaking of farmers markets, a 25 lb. box of canning tomatoes is just $10.00, cabbage was $1.00 for a large head and beets are $1.00 a bundle.  It maybe worth your while to find a farmers' market in your area. I believe you will fare better than the grocery stores as far as produce goes.

These days every penny counts.  With no end in sight, I fear prices will continue to escalate.  I understand many folks live in a city and feel they can't homestead, and maybe you can't like we do.  However there are things you can do to help cut costs.  Look for farmers' markets, even if they are a ways away go anyway. Look to start a co-op, you can share the cost of gas and still come out ahead. 

Have a group of like minded people over for coffee or ice tea.  Research where the markets are.  Set up a schedule to go to the markets.  Learn what's in season and plan meals around what can be purchased.  Also you may consider pooling other resources and possible funds to purchase canners and jars.  Find a location where you can store theses items and start a lending closet amongst your co-op community.  Just could be you'll find you already have a canning enthusiast among you or a sewer, crafter, computer expert, car mechanic or...

The days when communities worked together seems to have gone by the wayside.  This is so sad for all of us.  If we are going to get thru these times we will have to learn to work together again.  What am I saying, meet your neighbors, build your community.  Remember going back and doing things the old way might just get us thru the new times.

Have a safe and blessed day.

SO I'M BACK

So I'm back writing again.  I know it's been a while but....  We have had some trying times, like a Hurricane, and of course yours truly got sick.  Not the dreaded summer cold, but bronchitis.  All joking aside I've been really ill.  There were nights I had my concerns.  A trip to the ER and a few calls to my healthcare provider was what saw me thru.  Oh yeah and I also broke my little toe at the same time.  Now we all think the little toe doesn't do a whole lot...   But let that little bugger get hurt and it will make you suffer for the injury it sustained.  Somewhat like a child who wants a toy when you said no and is relentless in his/her asking because there is no acceptance of the answer.

When it rains it pours and did it pour.  We have set records with the amount of rain we have had after
the hurricane hit us.  Let's just say there are still spots that haven't completely dried out.  I'm beginning to wonder if I'll like the taste of frogs legs since they are our chief crop now.  I can only say this about that, they're everywhere.  Yesterday parts of our county received so much rain in such a short time the roads flooded.

So what does all of this mean ...  Not much canning was done this summer.  We are now playing catch up and will probably have a much different selection of veggies over the winter.  Just because you are ill doesn't mean winter isn't coming.  We will have to rely more on fall veggies; because of our new reality I've gone back to the old canning books looking for more recipes.  I've found quite a few things and talking with the family I think a change is going to be received well by one and all.

Oh yeah the lemon, lime and orange trees are doing really well.  See, all the rain was good for something.

Have a Safe and Blessed day.

IT'S NOT BROKEN!

Today I went to the doctors for an x-ray.  About a week or so I hurt my wrist and well to make a long story short might have broken my wrist.  Happy to say the x-ray said it is not broken.  However still very sore so I'll be in a brace for another week or two.  Having said that, it's been a little bit of a problem canning.  Daughter and her sister in law stepped up and helped.  They put up pickled beets and I was so proud of them for doing so.  Daughter helped me last year but this year they did it all on their own.  Way to go girls.

More and more I see folks going back to the old ways to get thru these times.  I have three ladies who when time allows them, will be coming over to learn or relearn how to can.  I'm really excited about that.  For one thing, I love to spend time with friends and I love sharing knowledge.  I have found the more I share the more I learn myself.  Having said that, it leads me to what happened at the doctors today.  I was speaking with one of the ladies in the office who will also be canning for the first time this year.  She is about my age and a little nervous about starting.  She said her husband and she were speaking about the price of groceries and how they were going to make ends meet.  So they decided to have a very large garden this year and put up their bounty.  They also have made the choice to raise a small flock of ten chickens.  She asked if she could take down my name and number and call if she has any questions.  Now you know I was happy for her to do so.

These are not the only folks I have met doing the same thing.  This past weekend I had the privilege of spending the day with friends and their families, along with a few new folks.  Each in their own way have chosen to homestead.  Some full out with animals and large gardens others to lesser degree.  The movement of becoming self-sufficient is growing by leaps and bounds.  I think this is great.  What makes me even happier is, it's all ages and genders. 

If you haven't started, what's keeping you?  You don't know how or where to start, just start talking to others.  Someone you know has already started and I know they would love to help you.  If nothing else ask me, if I don't have the answers, I'll do my best to find the answer for you.  Just start.

Have a Safe and Blessed day.

IT WORKS, IT REALLY WORKS

With Easter just a couple days away, I wanted to share this tip my daughter found on another blog site; theprairiehomestead.com  - peeling farm fresh eggs.  We all know how difficult that can be, with all the pitting.  Many times the eggs look like they've been through a mine field.  Instead of boiling the eggs try steaming them.  I know this might sound a little crazy but I did it yesterday and it worked.   Find a large pot with a lid that your metal colander will fit in (it must be metal and not plastic.)  Place enough water in the pot so the water won't boil away and won't touch the eggs.  Place the eggs in the colander and put the lid on top of the pot.  Bring water to a boil and let the eggs steam 20 to 22 mins after the water starts to boil.  We cooled the eggs by placing them in cool water.  That's when the magic happened.  The eggs peeled just like store bought eggs.  It brought tears to our eyes.  Beautifully peeled eggs with no pits.  How we rejoiced.  We stared at the eggs and thought maybe we should frame them.  Okay not really, they're eggs folks, we ate them.  But there wasn't any grinding of the teeth when we peeled the eggs.

Well it looks like winter has finally retreated, so I'm going to the garden and working for a little today.  Have a great Easter and rejoice in the knowledge that Christ has risen.

Have a Safe and Blessed day.

Are you Helped, Hurt or Made No Difference

This is a survey I placed on facebook today.  Please take a look and answer the questions if you would be so kind.  This is only for those of you are in the States.  Thank you.

 

Hello family and friends, I have a couple of questions I would like to ask. Please understand I fully understand if you do not wish to answer but if you do I thank you for doing so. I'm asking these questions about you and only you. We all know of people who have been effected but I only want to know about you. The reason I'm asking is because whatever TV or Radio station you may listen to, they have an agenda, so I want to know for myself.

1) Has the implementation of ...the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare):
a. Helped
b. Hurt
c. Made no difference at all

2) What single issue will drive you to the election polls in Nov of this year. I will not give options because you may not have the same issues as I do.

Once again thank you. Would you also put what state you live in .To the reads I have in the states, I am putting a small survey out and hope you will take a minute to answer.  Thank you for your help.

FROM SIMPLE CONVERSATION COMES GREAT ANSWERS

In the simplest of conversations come the greatest answers.  Especially when having them with children.  While number two grandson was doing his pre-k school work with daddy a very unique conversation happened:


Daddy: "what is this a picture of?"  Grandson: "a pig."  Daddy: "what letter does pig start with?"  Grandson: "p."  Grandson: "pigs are pork."  Daddy: "yes."  Grandson: "there is a massive raw pork chop in a pig."  Daddy: "...ok... " Sometimes I feel like that commercial where the man is sitting around a table talking to children.  You know the one, where the little girl is talking about werewolves.


He also recently asked if we could have a sheep we didn't kill.  Since his older sister has a pet turkey, he was thinking he would like a sheep. We don't have sheep and we don't have room for sheep.  However he thinks he needs a sheep.  We had to explain again the reason we have a pet turkey is so number one granddaughter can eat the other animals in the yard.  That's another whole conversation.


I feel very blessed to hear many conversations between the grandchildren and others.  These gifts from GOD will fill your heart with Love and Laughter.  So, back to schoolwork with the grandchildren, because you never know what you'll hear.


As for the rest of you, go teach a child.  You never know what you'll learn.


Have a Great and Blessed day.