Miss Daisy & her triplets

triplets born 11/28/2010 Brownie the papa

Daisy the Momma

Miss Daisy gave birth today to 3 adorable little bucks. Her first birth and we have triplets.. She is an awesome momma. I feel like I have waited forever for this,, we are so excited.

Fall is over and winter has come to the farm. Not a welcome sight. We have a heavy dusting of snow which makes it slippery out side to walk. Trying to get everyone button down for the long winter mos.Tomorrow main job will be getting the chicken coop done I have been trying for mos to do this and tomorrow it will be done. I have 3 doz chickens who are laying eggs some where and in their coop is not it. Wilbur has been moved to the cow barn, he will get a fenced in pen because the cows do have to come back down. The shed will be cleaned out for the goats and sheep and Daisy will stay in hay barn with her babies until they are bigger. I know I haven't written in long time and its time to get back to doing what I love sharing about my life and farm. My animals, my children and grand children.

I have been doing alot of knitting for different fairs and events to help with extra money to pay for taxes on the farm. In this day and age every penny helps.

I hope every one has an enjoyable night I must get busy I have a pr of mittens to finish before morning. have a great night

Happy Columbus Day

Happy Fall. The trees have adorned their fall foliage, the colors of reds,yellows, and bright orange are changing to amber, burnt red and oranges and rust. They are all still beautiful just in a rustic country fashion now. Changes on the farm as we get ready for the winter ahead. Gardens are done, berries are picked and froze until time allows me to make jams and jellies. The log pile still sits out there although it is getting smaller weekly.LOL We have started to run our wood furnace and it is just enough o take the chill off for the kids in the morning.
The horses come home next week after the vacation to another home for the summer. Miss Daisy hasnt kidded yet but she sure is getting close.
Making laundry soap today as I am finally out. Nothing better than clothes hung out to dry. Picked the last of the green tomatoes yesterday now will dig out the canning supplies to make relishes and pickles. Going to go t the Orchard and get a bushel of apples to can and dry for pies and to make jelly for the pantry. I think I have talked Rob into a root cellar finally, been a few yrs coming. And my kitchen cook stove will be moved over to the new kitchen, although I think I am going to have to get a smaller one as the kitchen is going to be smaller, new chimney has to be put up also.
I really just wanted to check in and see how everyone is doing and see how your fall is going, what exciting things your getting to do. How are you preparing for winter?
So for now from the farm have a Blessed day and enjoy and few minutes and silence and take in the good around you.

Happy October

Well i guess its Happy October. Sad to see the summer go with so much more to do before snow. But the color of the leaves are breath taking. Of course this rain we have gotten in 24 hrs and the wind to go with it, havent help them stay on the trees. It was beautiful tropical and humid at 7am and by 8am it was pouring rain and hasnt stop yet. The wind picks up once in awhile. Everyone is complaining their wells are dry so I guess we need the rain,, unless your a farmers who still has fields to cut and dry. Pros and Cons to both sides.
I have lots to do but no energy today the rain makes me just want to crochet or knit. Theres laundry to do and a house to clean the rain doesnt dry clothes well and the dampness makes the house smell like cats and dogs.
I have alot of sewing to do, but need to set up my sewing area again. Right now Derek has it as his room but thats ok he needs his space.
We have a wedding tomorrow with the horses and wagon.
It will be nice to have the boys home for a few minutes any ways, not sure if Rob will take them back to Sanbornton afterwards or not. i really ought to get busy before the baby wakes up. Just wanted to check in and say hello and say Happy October

Fall has arrived on the Mountain

Fall has arrived with wonderful colors. The bright reds,yellows and oranges are breath taking.
Although falls brings new excitement an different chores to the farm. Harvest time is a great time, The gardens have giving all they can and its time to give the left overs to the animals. Wonderful to watch the chickens peck at a ear of corn and pigs go nuts for left over vines.
Pumpkins have been gathered, green tomatoes stocked up to make relish. The berries set in the freezer waiting for a slower day to make jams. Fall sweatshirts and flannel shirts have been taken out of storage. Brisk fall night have taken the place of hot and humid ones. Sleeping with the windows open an no fans is pure joy.

The smell of the wood stove burning on rainy days take the chill off and add such a warm feeling and country smell to our home. Cant wait for the first Turkey to be cooked and the smells of country food simmering. Bring you back to the old days when families gather and people visited, neighbors helped neighbors. Apple pies, and crisp, pumpkin pie fill the air with scent of fall.
I think fall is my favorite time of yr. The time of year there is more to do than any other, still warm enough for some to go swimming, hay rides and leaf peeping are enjoyed, cook outs and gardens seem better in the fall to me.
For today errands and grain runs, splitting wood are on my list of things to do.. So I best get busy.. Enjoy your day,, take a minute and look at the beauty around you. Have a wonderful day

What a Wonderful Fall Morning

What a glorious way to start fall. The windows were left open all night, to think one day last week I ran the wood stove to take the chill off. After all this is NH and if you dont like the weather wait a minute it will change. Have 6 children here this morning. and believe it my house is still quiet except for these kittens who seem to think the Kitty 500 qualifying matches start at 4am every day.
Rain circled all around me yesterday like a wagon train and Thank you very much I didnt get wet. As Anthony and I rode the tractor making more rows of hay. Today I will go turn it over again. So glad I unhooked everything,,LOL.
The smells of cooking apples will soon fill the kitchen as I have time to bake today. I have missed my kitchen home long enough to make the mess but never to clean it up.
Laundry is almost caught up but with 6 children here it doesnt only take one day of not doing it to get behind.
My Miss Hailey decided to give her gramma a scare last night and play with the guinea pig, needless to say she is allergic to them. Many thanks to her other Grammy Karen for coming to this grammas rescue with all she needed.
The 2 week old bunnies are out of the nest exploring their world with great amazement as the cover comes off the cage to feed them they run in every direction .
Miss Deanna and Miss Hailey did a wonderful job cleaning the cages last night as i finished alot of the other chores. I need to spend time in the chicken coop and do some remodeling as Mr. Brownie has decided to break my door and with winter coming its easier to do it while it is nice out.
The pigs are grown and hopefully in 6 weeks head to the butcher, we will see, they have had a slow start in growing for some reason.
Been looking for a couple bantam hens to do some setting for me so we can have our own babies instead of buying more,would like to get them started and hatched before winter so by spring they will be close to be able to lay eggs as my chickens will be 2 yrs old this yr and as productions goes down the new will take over and these will go into the stew pot.
Praying the weather holds all week as I would also like to hit the cow barn and get that totally cleaned out as the goats and sheep will make that their home this winter,, not sure what I am doing with Wilbur my pot bellie pig. The new barn hasnt gotten built as there is never that extra day or hrs needed to finish all the to do list.

Picked a bunch of green tomatoes yesterday and more cherry tomatoes for the farm stand , will start making relish this weekend.All my berries from the summer are in the freezer and soon will turn in to jams for winter use.

Moving the sewing room again, seems like I always end up on the loosing end of that sewing room. Nick is having the basement redone to have more of his own space and what is my sewing room now will be his bed room. Now to decide whether to set up my little house again as sewing or try to put it in my bed room, pros and cons. My little house has no heat or power so some would have to be run and the dogs couldnt get to it, In the house now warm and power but the animals can get to my stuff.. Learning toward getting the little house wired and heated I have a little wood stove i could use It would give me privacy and i could leave the house and go to work of course about 50 steps to the Little house isnt very far but it would be nice.
And its big enough to have Anthony have is play pen and toys to play while I work. So I do believe thats what I am going to aim for.
So how is your week going? i hope all your setting out to do is working in the way that best suits you.For now I need a refill on coffee and get 5 kids up for school. So have a great day in whatever you do and enjoy the beauty around you. As each day is a Blessing.

Hay season still going

Well good morning strangers. i am so sorry for not posting more often as I really had hope to. The farm has been quite busy and more children have been added to our home, both of the human kind and animal kind. We have been haying as much as the weather will allow. And we have had some beautiful weather for it.
The farm has grown in numbers, I am not sure what we had the last time i had a chance to write, the chickens number has not change, the goats and sheep have, considering i didnt have sheep before,. i do know the bunnys seem to rotate in and out of here.
So let me start by introducing Amelia and Uma, they are my new Icelandic sheep, Amelia is the momma to Uma and may also be bred. The 2 newest goats are Deanna and Abby(named for my grand daughter by a grand daughter) I was informed when Daisy has hers they will be named after the other 4 grand daughters.Tried to explain I really doubt Daisy will have 4 babies, they'll take their chances.
We have had 2 success full liters of bunnies born and one has already been sold as well as a liter of guinea pigs. Wilbur the pig is still as big as ever and the meat pigs have finally put on some noticeable weight. Which is great cuz they need to be slaughter in 2 months. Daisy,Andy and Brownie the other goats are doing great. Daisy is big as a house. The cows finally went up to the top pasture and the horses are in Sanbornton soon to come home. October will be a busy month for them.
The wood for the winter has been delivered, now to cut to length and split it up. 15 cords were delivered in log length. Hoping the new wood furnace we have in the basement will cut down on the amount of wood we have to burn, one year it took 12 cords to heat our house which is only 28 x 32. But since the remodeling and new insulation things should be better.
In the past month 2 more grandchildren have come to live with us. Which is a blessing, I love having them here, trying at time where i my lifestyle is so different from their everyday life before but they grew up here for 5 years before. I wish I had enough land to give all my children a piece and keep them close.
My animal control job has picked up alot and just this week alone has kept me quite busy. 2 weeks ago I had a big dog who decided being alone wasnt for him and neither were cats,rabbits and Guinea pigs, beautiful dog but dont let a little kritter move is was dead meat, i was walking him and he went after one of my rabbit and pulled some muscles in my arm,, so lifting has been a challenge for a couple weeks, today feels better than it has in along time.
The sun has finally came up here on the mountain, Anthony has been up for 2 hours, the new kittens have all qualified for the kitty 500 several times this morning.
We will be haying again today as we start second crop finally. some of our fields dont have first done, but it will be done and used for bedding if nothing else.
Hoping this post will start a new chapter in being more organized(LOL) but with winter coming things will slow down after a bit and inside work can continue.
Cant wait to burn the wood and smell the wonderful smells of the country, apple pies, turkeys cooking always bring back the smells of home on the other side of the mountain. But from this side and today, you all have a Blessed Sunday take a minute to stop and enjoy all thats around you.

Getting back on track

I am trying to get back on track, with my blog writing and being more focused on things off the computer than on. I enjoy so much reading everyone elses life i forget to work at my own. So this week i am trying to wean myself back to a hr or so in morning before everyone else is up and taking over my day and maybe a few minutes at night. Its summer time and there is more than enough to do that has nothing to do with the computer and before we know it winter will be here and i will ask myself where did summer go. My garden suffered terribly in the heat from the past 2 weeks, but the gardens that grew by them selves in the manure pile have flourished greatly. the farm stand is going slowly , alot to do on my part of being on here to much.

Its time for me to practice what i preach and truly live according to my dreams and wishes. So As of today i am concentrating on moving kritters to different pasture areas and getting the barn yard cleaned up. No more sitting here reading and wandering how everyone does everything they do. I have plenty to do, after chores and daily household chores also are done, there is always cages to clean and grass to mow, today i will also move the tractor off the church lawn since Rob doesnt seem to be able to find the time.
I am hoping to pick more berries tomorrow as of Monday the blueberry fields next door were pretty green. looking for raspberries but cant seem to find enough to pick at once time, small batches here and there will just get froze til i have enough for a batch or 2 of jam. Black berries will also be ripe soon.

but for today its moving the cows and piglets to new grazing and pens, restacking hay i know i can hear the goats in. Putting supper in a crock pot as I have a planning board meeting tonight and dont know what time Rob will be home. Laundry and rearranging my house and cleaning up my yard,mowing grass. that should fills today time.
I pray each and everyone of you have a great day and live your dreams and dont let anyone take them from you.

Been along time

Been a long time since last post. Alot has happened around here. First 3 weeks ago our Hay Rake was stolen out of the field. The heat around here has been terrible and no rain to boot. My garden looks terrible more yellow than green. I have lost another 2 liters of bunnies I think heat related this time. Have had to fence up my little dogs cuz they were killing my bigger rabbits that run loose.
The extreme heat has made every one cranky this week, long hrs in the heat and working has made it so we all needed a little more sleep this morning.
We were able to find a hay rake in Maine and went and picked it up this morning. Now the fun begins. i really do love haying it is great exercise.

the berries are now out around these parts so will concentrate on what ever is ripe this week and get some for jams and stuff.

The ordeal with my teeth is finally better, I have never experiences so much extreme pain in my
life. Its bee 5 weeks now so feeling much better and can wear the tops all the time, but the bottoms still choke me and cant eat with them. Will get permanent ones in a few more month. Something i am so glad I will never have to do again.

We did have another goat given to us, now we have a pure bred Nigerian Dwarf buck named Brownie,, he isnt as friendly as the other 2 but he is coming around.

Well the rain has stopped for a few minutes i better get busy here, have alot of stuff to catch up on.
You all have a wonderful weekend, hope your getting sunshine where you need it and Rain where its needed.

Tornado Tuesday

Tornado--figure of speech.. Weather is great- actually to hot. I am cleaning my house becuz it looks like a tornado went thru it and no one here knows how to just PICK UP after yourselves.
have ya ever had a day ya wish a dumpster would roll up and say free load as heavy as you like, . Today ok this month is one of them.

I cant get laundry caught up as soon as I am Almost there, it rains and Robbie wets thru blankets and sheet and i get behind. I dont have a dryer so its fair weather laundry around here. i would owe more money to the light company also and they already get enough from me.

Last night we found a very cold and lonely baby bunny on the lawn next to Wilbur the Pot belly pig. I cleaned him (thinks its a her) off, so very cold and covered in ants. stuck her in my shirt between the girls and warmed her up. Fed her a very little canned milk from an eye dropper. this morning she is still hanging in there and bought a can of kitty formula at 20.00 a can and fed her a little bit more. they dont eat only 2- 2 1/2 cc a couple times a day. I have her next to me in a micro-fleece towel inside and plastic container, she is nice and warm and sleeping .

Had to take Mr. Anthony back yesterday. breaks my heart every time I leave him. I enjoy him so much he adds such laughter and excitement to my life. His mom told me yesterday she is due again in Feb 3rd, week before Anthony will be 2. And my youngest daughter said something today she thinks she is expecting. She is 21. So no giving away all the baby furniture now. I love being gramma.

Well today is been busy, the humidity is making it hard for me to breathe, but its easier to hang up laundry in the sunshine than the rain.LOL

As soon as it cools off it will be time to start baking again, I got all the stuff today for cookies and pies. Bought a bunch of cold pak to place under everything.
Well i hear the washing machine spinning out for the last time, so i better go hang it out and reload it. You all have the best day ever.

Traveling Tuesday

Ya know for someone who would rather stay home than go anywhere, I have done way to much traveling this week. Yesterday it was Franklin and visited with my sister Kelly, then off to Tilton to MB Tractor for Plow Bolts for the baler. Laconia to see my daughter, back to Sanbornton to drop off a dog house, then back to Tilton to Market basket to buy baking supplies, Boy i wish i could grow my own flour and sugar,salt.
Today Anthony and I head to the other direction (North) to Plymouth and North Haverhill and back Had to go to Black Mount Equipment to buy a smaller size Plow bolt that MB didnt have. I am tired of riding. I want to stay put and not go anywhere tomorrow other than cleaning the rental house which is only 2 miles away and still on the mountain and no stop signs between us.

I had another liter of bunnies and so far Momma is taking care of them. I have been very Blessed with Rob's boss. He has asked for our 3 cows to join our horses down to his place in Sanbornton for the season. He has so much pasture area his one horse cant keep up with it.. Blessed I tell ya just Blessed. No more buying hay for the summer.

Hoping Friday to work some more in the garden was going to Thursday but we are suppose to get rain. Other than that not much going on, same chore list daily, baking for the farm stand playing with the little pigs and goats and bunnies. Just a all around peaceful and satisfying life.

Glad for the Weekend

It has been a rough week here at the farm for me. No animals were the problem this week. finally on Monday I got to go to the dentist. Talk about self inflicting your self with pain.
I now have a anew smile and still am in alot of pain. The pain is easing but earlier in the week,didnt know if I could handle it. i have a beautiful black and blue along the whole side of my left jaw. So thankful the dentist didnt slip he would of broke my nose as hard as he had to pull and twist on my good teeth. Went back Tuesday for a check up to see how i was doing.. As the week has gone on the pain has lessen, I have been taken less pain killers, I noticed they didnt kill the pain, just took the edge off. Be glad to be able to eat again. Soup and pudding are my friend. But hey its a great weight lose program. I wish people had of told me how much pain was going to be involved so i could of been a little more prepared. But in the end it will be worth it, so I am told.
We did go get our farm stand last Sunday and have been putting baked goods on it all week. Today i will make up some trail mixes and and bake some more muffins,donuts and fudge,cookies. Its a long weekend and the weather is great so the hikers will be coming by.
We got the livestock trailer home and registered so the horses will be moving to a new pasture today. Now to find a place for my cows. The logging crew is coming in , in a few weeks and clear my pastures so every one needs to find new homes for awhile.

We have to bury Charlie the ferret today. i found him in peaceful sleep this morning. He was a rescue in January so I dont know how old he is or anything. So sad, he was a good friend and playmate for the cats.

I have to hill our potatoes today, my grandson Derek and I planted them in the water tub at the end o the driveway a few weeks back , they are doing great. Will get the rest of garden space done in the next few days I am hoping.

I am hoping you all have a super great weekend, and remember those who have given all so we have our freedom.

Rough ending to an already tough week

I enjoyed my first cup of coffee listening to my farm wake up. The sun was coming up and it was peaceful. Anthony and I walked around the yard saying good morning to every one. As i rounded the tractor trailer truck sitting in my yard, I notice something in the cow yard. To my horror there was a dead calf. A calf we had no idea was on the way, a adorable tiny little bull lay dead, where Dot had given birth to him. I ran back to the house telling Rob there was a dead calf in the cow pen, he thought I was totally out of my tree, Are you sure he said,,HELLO isnt my first time around the cows,, I do know a calf when i see one. YES I AM SURE. The only one that could of bred her was her own brother who in 2 yrs has never shown interest in breeding anything. And he was put in the freezer last November. What really bites is I had 2 vets here for 3 hrs looking at her 2 weeks ago trying to figure out what was wrong with her because she wouldnt get up.And they did every exam you can think of seems so they would of been able to tell she was at least 6 mos along. Nope not one word.This has been how my week has gone all week. My charming little dogs have killed 3 of my new rabbit, almost killed 2 more but i saved them and all 3 liters of new bunnies since my last post have died, the mothers chewed their legs off. Just plain gross. So my farm has been a very hectic place to be this week.
I was suppose to go to the dentist Tuesday and get my new teeth but that had to be cancelled due to court. So pray everything goes well and I get my new smile Monday. Been 15yrs coming, I just want the pain in my mouth to stop. I will probably gain 100 pounds once i can eat again. LOL.
Have I told you about Wilbur our new pot belly pig? i cant remember its been so long since I have taken a minute to catch up. He is so homely but adorable at the same time.
Tonight when Rob gets out of work we have to go pick up a new to us horse-livestock trailer, so tired of always asking to borrow one now we have one when we need it. He is in dire need of a set of stocks for shoeing the horses. Bob the horse just wont be good, Mike you could shoe him any where Bob is just the opposite,jumping and kicking he has broke thew set we have and no one seems to mill out oak any more so we can rebuild them.. We dont have a Mr. Yoder living next door to make us some. Brand new ones cost almost $700.00 down to Meaders in Rochester.The farrier comes next Wednesday, so I dont know what he is going to do. Well its 3:30 pm and I need to get the house picked up,now Anthony has totally destroyed my living room with his toys, wouldnt have it any other way.
Praying you all have a great weekend.

Damp Thursday

New liter of Bunnies

Good morning from a very damp NH. I seem to have plenty of time to type this morning,my trusty sided kick spent the night at his moms. Do I miss him,,greatly and will be leaving in a few hours to go get him.

I woke this morning to the gentle sound of rain on the window panes. Rob has left for work and the house is quiet for a few more minutes as the boys dont get up til 6.

Sine i posted Tuesday we have had a liter of bunnies and they are all doing well. i need to have some one explain how to post pictures on here where they dont all end up at the top and as i write about something I can insert a picture. So if any readers could tell me how to do this i need to learn.

This after will be busy unless its raining really hard. Deanna my grand daughter has a soft ball game at Newfound at 3 and Robbie has a baseball game at 6. Robbie may just go back home with his mother, because at 6:30 I am suppose to call about picking up a pot belly pig name Wilbur from Beans and Greens in Gilford. He or she is free. It amazes me some times how some one can have a animal for yrs and really not know whether it is a boy or girl, this is the case with Wilbur. I was talking to the lady who has him and she made a comment well it might be a girl because she has nipples, ok, nipples are not gender specific. Males have them just as females, and she did not know this. So I will let you know the gender of Wilbur later. Also have checked in to 3 more goats, they are the same as Daisy, pygmey and angora. Now to have some one tell me how to take care of their hair. Those 3 are in Lempster. @ females and one wether, doing great adding to the flock ,, but not a MALE in sight or should I say in tact male.

Enjoying the sound of the rain. The hay will enjoy it also,gardens will drink it up and sprout nicely. In just 2 days the leaves have come out, everything is green and brightly color, fresh and new.

Well my boys are up and time for me to get busy and do chores now daylight has happened. Will get a bunch of house work done before getting baby back. I hope you all have a great day

Sun-tabulouse Tuesday

The sun is great and bright, a good day for getting out side and feeding all those black flies that we all of a sudden have. Do these little sucker all come awake at the same time, May 1st and my house is loaded with black flies. April 30th I had none. Poor Anthony is going to have the softest skin going I keep loading him up with Skin so soft, I dont think they can bite him if they wanted to , they just sliiiiiiiiiide off. LOL
Alot to do today, baking this morning while it is cool in the house. Laundry,chores. After baking Anthony and gramma are going to make some garden spaces. Need to get some stuff planted.
We had babies yesterday, 6 new bunnies were born. So that means 3 more females will have them in the next week or so.
Not alot to talk about just checking and saying good morning to everyone.

Marvelous Monday

Marvelous Monday. I actually like Monday's. i hear so many people say awh its Monday, but Mondays to me are the beginning of me being able to do what i need to do with out all the hussle and bussle of every one else being around me. Anthony and I get more gramma and Anthony time. I get to take my time and enjoy my animals more. I get to get caught up on the things I had to put off during the weekend when everyone else was here, needing my attention.
This weekend i got 5 more bunnies I think I have let me see, Blue and Big Momma, Derek's Floppy eared Momma, 3 black ones, one white lion head I named Cotton, One new female lion head, 4 satins and 2 more over in the other barn, so how many is that 14 and counting. Just think couple weeks ago I only had Blue. I need to increase my layers, would love some bantams.

Still no luck with piglets. We are on a waiting list for the end of the month.
Had to have the vet here Thursday night my big cow wasnt doing so well. Not sure what was the problem she is up and eating and drinking now, which is a very good thing.
Still looking for a buck to breed Daisy for this fall and another female for Andy, hes a wether but he still needs a friend. Hopefully the cows and can go to pasture this week or next.

Havent done much with the gardens yet as just last week we got sleet,hail, and snow, Derek, my #2 grandson and I planted potatoes in the water tub at the end of the driveway. i guess i would rather have vegies to eat than pretty flowers right now.

Wednesday is Rob and my 3rd anniversary. As he said 3 days, 3 yrs, 30 yrs its all the same,,LOL guys...
Well I suppose i should really get busy, laundry needs to get hung out since I restrung my old clothes line and have been abusing it all weekend. Today feels like rain but thats ok. They will already be wet when i hang them out.
You all have a great day

Sun shiny Thursday

Well after yesterday any day is going to seem nice. Yesterday we went from rain to snow to hail,sleet freezing rain, which by the way what is the difference between sleet and freezing rain, arent they about the same.Charity and I travel to Lebanon yesterday so i could get my impressions done for my new teeth. Next week we go back for the wax impression,, kind of thought they would of done this all in the same appointment ,, hey what do i know,, I just dont want wood chuck teeth when I am done so a few extra trips work as long as my new teeth look good.
Today the sun is shining hopefully it will warm up a bunch more. Last night my 4 little bunnies decide to burrow their way out of their outside pen and get loose, which in itself isnt bad, until you figure in i have 3 little dogs who think chasing rabbits it the best thing in the world and like to show off their catch,, not a good thing for the rabbit or the dog. i have manage to catch one all ready 3 more to go. i set up a little area for them with lots of treats and the only thing eating the treats are the cats and the goats. Go figure.
So it is building rabbit cages day one day this weekend.

Still havent found any piglets ready to go, everyone will have plenty in a few weeks. But most are still asking 100.00 or more for a piglets, which is way to much.
Not doing any baking today, I guess its going to be errand day and cleaning and laundry, first need to go buy some my clothes line and hooks and add more lines to my sad clothesline i have remodeled several times and added braces and stuff just to keep it up for the amount of weight I put on it.
Still havent done anything with the garden, going to plant my summer garden here i think this coming week if weather permits. I love having things here that i can pick and use during the summer that doesnt interfere with the winter storage.To have a summer garden I better catch them bunnies or they will eat everything in sight. LOL

Going thru the meat bird catalog and going to try my hand at meat birds again this yr, but I will do the chores and care for them,, having a boy who really doesnt care one way or the other to being here ,, doesnt get your animals properly taken care of and if you dont baby sit the chores, you cant loose alot of money and animals real quick by depending on someone else.. So now i do my own chores unless a grand child is here that is really interested in learning, my stepson isnt,, he would rather play video games and do nothing at this point. He will be bored here we have no video games and no tv,, dont understand him some times,, he has tractors and animals, and land to build forts on and bikes to ride and he just isnt interested. Guess he will do alot of riding in the big truck with his father this summer.
I am looking to increase my chicken flock for layers also,, eggs sales are up and my girls cant keep up so time to add more workers to the job.
I do believe turkeys are on the list also, a few people have asked about buying a turkey in the fall so , going for 10 this yr and see how it works, maybe more next yr, if nothing else we will eat well.

Well I need to get busy while Anthony is down for his first nap. I pray you all have a safe and wonderful day

Been baking up a storm

The last couple days I have been in the mood for baking,deep frying anything. yesterday I worked all day on raised doughnuts, been years and Rob requested a banana creamed filled doughnut. He got what he asked for and 3 dozen as of last night are gone after snacking and ,breakfast and lunches made today. Also i made home made cinnamon rolls, those also are all gone but a few. Creme puffs went just as fast as I could fill them. Today I have made a chocolate mayonnaise cake, still probably not what Rob wants, I have tried over 20 recipes. Some day i will find the ones that matches the Grange ladies chocolate cakes from New Hampton, that his family use to buy as a kid. More doughnuts are rising. Making biscuits today also and more cream puffs. I love to bake and it shows.

We are having rain today which is better than what they are calling for a little further north of us,, their say a foot of heavy wet snow could fall, and imagine Sunday its suppose to be in the 80's. Crazy.
I do have the furnace going, dont want Anthony to catch a chill.
I have been doing alot of crocheting trying to get a head on things for the shop, if and when it ever gets going. I am hoping for this year but its starting to look like I might have to wait for awhile. I can build a farm stand easy enough but need a building to for the fabric and bake goods.
I just read my cousins Blog,, she has 12 new baby piglets, and they are so cute,, makes me sad i didnt get to have babies this year. But I have decided to have at least 2 sows this fall and breed them so I dont go thru the terrible time having to find piglets again. this year is rough.

Well I suppose i should get bust, Anthony is down for a nap and i can do a bunch of stuff while he sleeps ,,so i can play when he wakes up. You all have a wonderful day

PIGGIES OH PIGGIES WHERE MIGHT YOU BE

PIGGIES oh piggies, where might you be hiding this yr. I cant find you anywhere. I cant afford to mortgage the farm to get you either if I can find you.
Why is it when I was raising pigs, no one was looking for them. I take a yr off and no one has pigs. If you can find them people are asking such a high price for them its stupid.

I just want to feed my family not send some one on vacation by buying his piglets. I am on a quest to find 6 piglets. And after that on another to find 2 sows. I am headed back to the pigs business i guess, People cant afford the food,rent,mortgage and medicine now. How can people in their right minds charge so much when normal people are only trying to struggle and get by to put good food on the table for their families.

If any of my friends out there has piglets for sale and you dont want un-Godly prices for them let me know. Remember I am a farmer not a doctor,lawyer or any other high paying job. My farm doesnt offer insurance or health care, we are simple people doing a hard days work to provide quality food for our families.

On a brighter note, I go pick Anthony back up today, he spent the night at his mothers. I have Derek and Deanna here also. I guess Derek is headed back home this morning but Deanna is staying til tomorrow.
The sun is shining this morning I am praying it doesnt rain,, I have way to much laundry to hang out, need to add more lines to the clothes line to start with today.
I need to go pick up a load of bread also when I pick up Anthony. Tonight we have Old Home Day meeting I am in charge of the tractor show and petting farm,, need more animals to pet.

Well my day is wasting away sitting here so I need to get the lead out and get busy. You all have a super wonderful day

Busy Few Days

been busy the past couple days here. The rain finally stopped. yesterday after chores and doing what i could here was spent taking Anthony to the doctors for his check ups. Our kids are on vacation this week also so tomorrow will be spent getting Deanna and have time with her. Today is my day i head to Lebanon to see about some new teeth. i have had enough pain. Just found out thru Spell check theres no D in Lebanon.The sun is out great to bad the day is going to be spent in the car but it needs to be done. tonight is the Rabies clinic at the Fire dept. and Tomorrow night is planning board meeting and Thursday night is Ole home day meeting. Its that time of yr.
My baby bunnies should be born next week. My new goat has a name its Andy. Now we need a Annie, and Daisy needs a Donald. Went and got another load of bread yesterday ,, boy if could ever find pigs I have the food supply stocking up. Have arranged to have a huge garden with Rob's bosses family, this will save me having a bunch of smaller ones. What the families dont use will go to the farmers markets. Well wanted to just check in I will write more when I am back today,, time to get busy need to be ready to go by 9:30..appointment is at 11:45. have a super great day

Wonderful Wednesday

Its going to be a great day! Its better to start your day off with a positive thought and than a negative one. Rob has left already for work as he needs to be home again by 10 for the farrier.I have to pick a the new goat (finally) at 10 in Holderness. Hoping to work on rabbit cages this weekend if the weather permits as i have 2 females bred. we seem to be having a tough time finding piglets this yr. Of course I didnt breed any so they are hard to find. I have a over abundance of food now and its going to be a steady supply and need at least 2 to 4 pigs. Working on increasing my chicken flock also my egg demands have increased so the flock needs to. Isnt it wonderful to hear how people love the fresh eggs, the yolks are so yellow and they taste just so good. The joys of farm life, i wouldnt live any other way again, the old saying been there done that is true and this is the life I choose.

Anthony didnt sleep well last night , little guy is teething so much sucking on his bottle hurts his mouth so we rocked and rocked til he finally went to sleep. Ora-gel really isnt helping much so he much be cutting a bunch this time all at once. He was very much grammas boy yesterday just wanted to be held all day. Which really is ok,, they are only babies once.

Wonderful phone call yesterday from Hailey, Anthony's sister, she was home at her dads and she just wanted to say hi. She will be 8 in July and such a good girl. More grown up than her years.
The children up here have school vacation next week and she would like to come over for a day. Need to talk to her mom and see if that possible.

Anthony named one of the newest bunnies, there are 4 from the same liter i bought and one is a darker grey markings on white,, he stuck his finger in the cage and bunny came right up to him and he says ought oh,, and that same bunny comes to him everytime, so we have 1 named "Ought-OH" I have to sex them to see which one is the male they are only 8 weeks. It would be cool if it was that one, then Ought-Oh would be a good name.

I made donuts yesterday 2 batches and delivered some to town office, and ladies group, plus some for here. I need to find a container to keep them soft in. All my cookies jars arent air tight so they get hard quick, even when I put a piece of bread in them. Robbie broke my air tight one by getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I am trying to cut plastics usage out of my house, didnt know if a glass jar would do the same like the big gallon pickle jars for example.

I need to look into insurance also this afternoon on the horses. We are giving wagon rides this summer and need insurance and cant seem to find any one in NH who will take on more clients.
So if any one has insurance for their horses and do rides,Please let me know,I am having a terrible time finding coverage.

Ok I am off to get this day going since Anthony is still sleeping right now. You all have a wonderful day.

MIGHTY CHILLY MORNING

MIGHTY CHILLY here this morning.Trying to type this one handed this morning, since I have a child in my arms who just wants gramma to snuggle him. Trying to keep him covered up its chilly in here this morning also we are at 55.4 in the house. Going to be making donuts to take down to the Ladys group for 10. Need to warm it up in here, I am out of wood that i can split. I will go around today outside and pick up a bunch of down branches and such to burn in the wood furnace. Have to remember it is still only April. We still could get snow. I need to go clean the rental today and have it ready for the next renters, have to make sure to bring Anthony's walker so he can move around and I wont have to hold him as I try to make beds.
Worked on combing out Daisy again last night, poor goat has a tu-tu this morning and a shawl. I will get more down this after noon. Not sure what i am suppose to do with it other than save it, one goat doesnt make alot. It is pretty, her new hair is black and white, the stuff I am taking off is soft tan and brown.

Really not much to write about til I get warmer weather and can do stuff outside. But for now you all have a wonderful day I hear its TIME TO MAKE THE DONUTS

Marvelous Monday

Today is starting out a bit chilly, but wonderful working weather. Anthony was plum tuckered out last night. He went to bed at 7pm and only woke to be changed,pj's on and a new bottle and he slept til almost 6:30 this morning.

The town guys are coming up today to get some of the manure to put on the town gardens.I plan on making some raised beds today. Laundry is always on the chore list here,be glad when that is caught up to where its one load a day.

After working outside I plan on doing some baking today. Rob wants a meat pie for supper so I cooked 3 chuck steaks yesterday while I cooked the roast beef last night for supper. It turned out wonderful so the meat is nice and tender for a pie. Donuts are in order also. He still has one pumpkin pie left but thinking about whoopie pies, things he can take easily in his lunch.

I plan on planting my potatoes today ,well some of them I have a big animals metal water tub at the beginning of my driveway under the Ledge Hill Farm sign, so instead of wasting space just on flowers I plant vegetables down there also, Last yr we had pumpkins growing over the bank toward the road. Passer-bys thought it was great.

Have company coming for coffee at 8:30 so I better get busy and get chores done. You have a wonderful day and enjoy the sun shine if you have it.

Sunday Morning Blessing

Another early Sunday morning as Anthony & I wake together. My first cup of hot coffee is ready,he is changed and clean. I have moved his play pen right up close to me as he wants to be within touching distances. He has 2 bowls and several wooden spoons in his play pen he is making breakfast. Happy and content. Oh now he has my tin coffee cup and playing me music with the wooden spoon and the bottom of the cup. He is such a good baby. A very precious gift.

The little dogs are playing running and chasing each other all over. The cats are sitting back looking at them thinking thats way to much work this early in the morning,I'll my exercise by watching you guys.

Nick & Rob are still sleeping.

We have a whole load of bread and snacks that need to be unloaded this morning as it sprinkled last night the truck should of been backed in the barn. Oh well lesson learnt.

I never did get to get my new goat yesterday, other things came up that were important that needed to be done. Hoping today. Have left them an email about picking him up this morning.

Hoping the sun comes out today, as I have lots of laundry to do,it doesnt take long for it to build back up once you dont do it every day and having no dryer ,my drying days depend now on the weather.

I am very proud of Anthony he is 14 mos old and we have been potty training him for a few mos now and he is doing great. I am hoping maybe by late summer he will potty trained. Just one of our many summer goals.

Last night was another early night,Anthony and I went up and watched more Little House movies. They never get old. Crocheted another 8 rows on my afghan I am making.

The sun is shining nicely right now, lets Pray it stays out. i would like to get the goat, and prepare the some of the spots for my raised bed gardens. mark has given me some 6 x6's and I need to pick them up and could do that this morning on the way back from the goat. Want to get these gardens going.
Winter food depends on a great crop,not just a good one. i have found so many articles I have shared one Face Book on different things to plant in baskets and pots, any one and every one can plant something. Make a salad basket. Plant lettuces and edible flowers in one, hanging tomatoes, and cucumbers do wonderful.You dont need acres top plant something. I am hoping to have our new farmers porch on this yr also and you can bet those hanging flowers baskets are all going to be edible. The word is already out about produce for sale here so I am on the spot to work hard this summer. Prayers for a bumper crop in haying also. We had to buy every stem of hay this past yr. We are now looking for pigelts also. We have a ample supply of bread coming in and pigs would love it.
Well Rob is now up so its my time ot move away from the computer. You all have a Blessed Sunday

Spitting Snow

Yes I know its still April. Yes its very chilly out. But I want spring to summer. We had such a beautiful 2 weeks it s spoiled me,,, I want warm weather back. My bones didnt hurt so much either. Today I feel like I have been put thru the wringer. The wind is still blowing and its chilly in the house 58. Coffee is strong.
I am listening to Anthony wake up and coo and talk , the rooster is crowing letting me know he is up. Rob & Nick are still sleeping. I think its a great morning for some home made muffins or something runt he oven to warm it up in here. Rob will go down and start the furnace when he wakes up. I am tired this morning stay'd up to late watching movies of Little House last night and crocheting all by my self while every one else slept. Those movies are only movies I know but I would of loved to live in that era. I know the work was harder but at the end of the day you felt usually like you accomplished something. There wasnt the electronic stuff to get int he way of the kids learning. Kids actually went outside and played, they drank from the creek and pee'd outside some simple things that kids now a days look at ya and say yar right. Children were taught responsibilities,chores and manners. Kids think they have it hard now if they dont have every new game system the market.my boys are still playing with a Nintendo 64 from how many eons ago.We dont have cable, yes I have my computer it is my only luxury. I can live without it, but i do enjoy it as a way to learn more about homesteading and preparing my families food for winter and different ways to make my farm better and more efficient. As summer comes I will spend less time on here and more time in the dirt and hay fields,practicing what I preach.
But for right now I do believe Blueberry muffins are calling to be made to go with some nice hot coffee. You all have a wonderful day And I will post pictures of my new goat later

knitting lessons today

Today Anthony and I went to Tilton and taught 3 wonderful children how to knit and crochet. I think I learnt more than they did. We got to spend a wonderful day away from the farm all day.
Tomorrow we go pick up a new wether goat. Cant wait, he is suppose to be really friendly, the people just dont have time for him any more.

The other weather today has been rainy all day. I hope it clears off tomorrow we have to go get another load of bread from the thrift store in Tilton.

Not alot to write about since I wasnt here all day, but wanted to check in and say Hello.

We'll have pictures tomorrow of the newest bunnies and the goat.

Have a wonderful night

Horses,Goat & Rabbits & Chickens are enjoying the warm weather also.

Daisy the goat is starting to look pretty shabby. I need to find out from goat experts do I comb her out, does she get sheared. She has beautiful kinky curly hair.She use to be just black and white now her black on her back has turn light brown tanish. So if any one knows what i am suppose to do with her let me know.

Chickens are enjoying being out in the pen even if it is small it got them out side. They will have a bigger pen when they get moved to the new house.

Not sure what I am doing today. It is overcast here hate to get busy out side and have it rain,since I have Anthony. I should go clean the rental so it is done for the next renters when ever they might be in.

Need to do more laundry here and get it hung out so it can air dry. Laundry on the clothesline always smell so much better than dryers.

Have to go out and do chores shortly also, tired this morning,I was wide awake at midnight. Now I am tired and woke up with a headache.

Tomorrow morning is all set I get to go teach 3 little kids how to knit. I am excited and nervous. They are home schooled and they do some really neat stuff and they want to knit.

Thinking about a pork roast today and with the oven going i could do more baking i have a bunch of bananas screaming to be made in to bread. Maybe that will be todays recipe.

I guess i have put off working long enough. You all have a splendid day and enjoy what ever you are doing.

Warm Wednesday

Its suppose to be 83 here today. Lets hope it is.
We had a very loud and house shaking thunder storm last night, I thought it was going to take my house right off its foundation. Needless to say I didnt sleep well after that. The day has begun with my hip and right knee aching so I know the weather is changing.

I have a busy day ahead, a meeting for Nicholas and his day program for another yrs service agreement, then off to pick up my side kick Mr. Anthony. He has been with his mom since Friday and its time for gramma to have him again. I need my baby fix.

I did alot of work outside yesterday. I made a small but nevertheless chicken pen for them to get outside, 1 so I can clean out their pen and they wont run to the door and 2, some of them were babies last fall and have never been outside.
The new chicken house is going up on my second lot along with the cow barn and pig pen(which is already there) so the chickens will have a bigger pen and more area to get out side and play and peck around. Did more raking up and cleaning up yesterday knowing baby was going to be here and I love to just spend time playing with him so I work really hard when he isnt here to allow that to happen.

Need to see the man who allowed us to put our cows in his pastured area last year. To make sure it is still ok for this year.

Rob & his boss are going to be doing some logging up the street and when their done their coming down here to finish logging here and making my pasture for the horses and cows. It will be nice when its all done (finally).
Need to pick up seeds this weekend, so I can get some things started and figure just what and how big of a garden we are going to need. Going to have one with a friend and they have a big family so this will help them also.

Well time is a wasting and I have to finish chores and get ready for Nicks meeting at 8 . So you all have a great day and I pray you have sun shine.

Recipe Pennslyvania Dutch Meatloaf

1 1/2 cup ground beef
1 cup bread crumbs
1 medium onion,chopped
1 medium green pepper,chopped
1 8oz can or tomato sauce,divided
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoon brown sugar.packed
2 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon vinegar

Combine the first 7 ingredients, using only half of the tomato sauce in a bowl and mix well.
Shape into a loaf and place in shallow baking dish
mix the remaining ingredients with tomato sauce and pour over the top

Baste several times during cooking

Bake at 350 for 1hr 15 minutes

Tuesday April 6th

Today is chilly here on the mountain compared to yesterday at this time.
The dishes are about done and Nick is ready for his day program,Rob is already at work.

I have a few errands to run this morning and go to the bank, need to keep the lights on. Well I dont care if they stay on but I dont have a generator to run my freezer and 3 are full so i will stay friends with the grid this month.

Have more rabbits coming this afternoon. Need to find cages for them also. I have a alot of baking to do and will start a new batch of Amish friendship bread starter,see if I can keep the cats off the counter this time.

Bread,pineapple upside down cake and I was going to make chocolate chip cookies but maybe I will make donuts instead.

Lamb chops for supper with cole slaw and salad. We now are officially trying to loose weight, my husband has decided he needs to loose 50#'s. I will do my part and try to cook healthier meals for him with less sugars and snacks for him. I still need to loose 20 so its a good incentive for us both.

I am hoping you all have a great day and I will post more later, just running short on time this morning and need to get time cards turned in to get paid for it.

Have a Blessed day

What a wonderful day

Today started out early like usual. I had lots of energy, for I got 8 hrs sleep. Which by the way never happens. I got alot done, I cleaned the rental house, did all their laundry. Came home,did some ACO work. Went to Jenness Farm an wound up at least a 1000feet of electric fencing wire times 3 strands . Its free as long as I did the work. I did. I have the scratches and cuts to prove it. That took along time. But I found the coolest thing to wind wire up on,, I got it at the hardware store, its for electric cords, ya know the big thick extension cord. It worked slick.

Came home did more of my own laundry and cleaning here. made sure everyone had enough feed and water for the day. left and did shopping and dropped off a secert gift( thats should be surprise gift) receiver knew something was coming just not what.

Came home and did more cleaning around here and then left again on another ACO call. These ACO calls keep coming in I might actually earn a pay check. LOL

Now its supper time, I have had craving for shaken bake chicken and stuffing, rice, spinach casserole..yum yum making pumpkin pie also. Been a long time since I had this oven going,,going to make up for it tonight.
Headed to make me a big glass of ice water with lemon and do some cooking.

you all have a great night. See ya in the morning

Wonderful Monday

Weekend has ended and this week will be full of work and clean up as our beautiful weather continues. Alot got done. Rob fixed the water line to the horses and gave them a new watering tub with a valve float so now their water stays fresh. I restrung the old clothes line and have done loads and loads of laundry all weekend. There has to be a floor under all this some where. We got 2 loads of bread from the bread store and the boys unwrapped it all and put it in barrels for me.
Rob & I clean the outside cow pen. Its amazing how much it built up over the winter. Lots of good fertilizer. Now I have to clean their barn out this week. Poor chickens are only partially done. They are top of the list this week also.
Today i have to clean the rental,tried last night but the last renters were still there. Do some ACO work and make rabbit cages. Go to Marks and wind up electric fence wire he gave me.

Happy we finally got the gas a stove moved over to the new kitchen, no more cooking on a hot plate. We havent had to burn the wood stove in almost a week so I cant cook on it if its not going. Funny how that works.
But for right now I am drinking my first cup of coffee and figuring what i am going to give my husband for lunch, its almost time for him to get up

I pray you have a wonderful day

HAPPY EASTER

HAPPY EASTER.
John 11:25 Jesus said to her: "I am the Resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
11:26 "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

John3:16 "For God so loved the World He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

As you celebrate Easter in what manner you do, may your day be Blessed with family and love and Blessings of all kinds
For me and my family we celebrate the life of Jesus and what he gave for us.

HAPPY EASTER

HE IS RISEN

AMEN

THANK YOU JESUS FOR ALL YOU HAVE GIVEN UP FOR US

Chores & children

I have been wondering about chores and children today. My boys today seem to have a problems with chores. I know its beautiful out side,(hint--chores are done outside). No matter what i ask of them today they seem to wander off and hide. Now first let me explain for those of you who dont actually know me, my boys are almost 13 and 30(mentally 10-15). Ok Last night as I left to go do what I needed to do, I explain to them how and showed them what I expected with emptying the bread from the barrels and putting plastic in trash and where and how to put bread. Now i showed them so i was figuring pretty much hands on, in English they should of gotten it. LOL no clue when it came to what to do with empty barrels, how about just move them out of your way. Hello- any one home. boy I was glad to be leaving.
I got back home about 2 hrs later and found out they got tired shortly after I left and came in the house and got something to eat...NO NO NO-- chores then eat. Animal depend on us to feed them.....#1 rule animals eat first. So I explain this morning as they both sat at the breakfast table since they didnt finish their chores from last night there was NO BREAKFAST until it was done.
Strange looks i did get, but both got up and went to the barn and finished what they were suppose to do last night. They took their sweet time for 2 boys that were so hungry.

Rob and I did alot of yard work today and I expected the boys to help do what they were physically able to do. Robbie was given instruction on what he was expected and Nick he was also. By the time I was done both boys were playing with tractor(toy) in the dirt out behind the back porch,, out of sight of mind deals. NO NO NO. Working farm needs working hands, more hands make light work.
Do your children have chores?
Do you pay your children an allowance to do chores?
I dont give these guys an allowance per say because one the dont willing just get up and do stuff and usually it has to be done several times before its done right. And if and when they need something above and beyond they get it.
Just wondering today thats all

Waiting for Daylight

Good Morning. Have ya ever sat around and had to just wait for day light before you could do anything. Miss Purrs-Alot got me up at 4am. Which on a normal day is great,but today and Saturday and I really didnt need to be up at 4 today. See Rob is home today and we are working some more here and baby Anthony is at his mom this weekend and it was my day to sleep in..LOL Joke is on me. This cat is a stray I picked up last week. Friendly oh my gracious you cant convince me this cat doesnt belong here. She is in your face friendly and always wanting attention. So at 4 this morning I finally gave in and got up since she wouldnt leave me alone as I was really trying to stay asleep.
So I have sat here in the dark with just the light from the computer on for 2 hrs waiting for day light. Any extra letters or symbols you might notice that I dont catch is because she is helping me type.LOL not much help she doesnt know how to spell.
Day light now is coming over the mountain and and now I can see outside. We are remodeling my old clothes line this weekend,today to be exact so I can finally get laundry caught up. So many blankets that need to be washed and hung out. We dont have a dryer and in the winter I use to hang them over the stove but now my ceiling is missing not sure what will happen next yr.
but today it is going to be in the 80's here and what wonderful weather for laundry. We I am hoping will get the basement stairs turned around so I can use them again and would like to bring in the new-old kitchen sink to set it up and position it to see where it will actually go.
Lots to do. all the windows and doors will be open shortly ok several hrs from now but if its going to be 80 this house will have a air flow going thru it.
The boys after breakfast will go back to the barn and finish the job they didnt do last night as i have to go back to Tilton today and get another load of bread and need my buckets.
Took pictures of the boys (horses) on the hill yesterday with no snow around them. My monsters. hopefully next month the cows can go back to the pasture of a friend. Rob needs to talk to him and make sure it good for this year, it was a Blessing last yr to have a nice place for them to go and we didnt have to worry about them,plenty of feed and it kept his field down also. Only 3 to go this yr as we put 3 in the freezer. Still looking for another milker. I can milk Dot but right now the calves who will be a yr in July are both nursing and she is letting them. I miss my Jersey cow though. Still have 4 more bunnies to pick up this will make us 8. need to get 2 more but thinking breeding them will give me two more so why buy any more. Dah!!!
I miss not having babies this yr on the farm,first time in 9 yrs. but we had to do what was necessary for the farm and feed wise for the other animals.

So not much going on here other than working on the house this weekend and making the clothes line.
I pray you all have a wonderful day and weekend. And if you celebrate Easter have a wonderful day and remember Easter isnt about the bunnies,eggs, its about the Cross and Jesus.
And for my friends who dont believe just have a great weekend

Good Friday

What a wonderful day. The sun is shining,we are suppose to be in the high 70's today.
Today is a gorgeous day we have the windows and doors open. Time for some heavy spring cleaning. So many little critters in the house all winter and now fresh air is flowing thru,,Believe me cleaning in detail is in order.
Blue the rabbit got moved back to the barn along with 2 others I picked up yesterday. Now for Charlie the ferret, what to do with him??? Fix the dog kennel door where Stray the metal tooth dog can stretch the links straight and get out of it, I think a small pig panel fence door ought to cure that problem.

Brought home a load of bread from the thrift store yesterday if I dont get a chance to unwrap it today the boys will tonight.
Laundry is in order today, since the sun is beautiful. Need to build a new clothes line,, ya know the 4 post wooden kind that will hold a few loads of laundry. Not the cheapie charlie kind that you put 4 pr of baby socks on and it bends and twist.

Have my beans soaking already for beans for tomorrow nights supper. Need to hunt thru freezer to find a ham for Easter Dinner.

I am really hoping tomorrow to total clean the chicken coop,maybe get them more of an outside pen area to be in since its turning nice until we move the big chicken house up back.

Well my work isnt getting done sittng here and my old bones are telling to get out in the sun.

You all have a super wonderful day

April 1st-- already

Wasnt it just a few short weeks ago it became 2010??? The snow has gone for the most part the weather is warming up nicely. I know, its only April and here in NH we could still get a Blizzard,shhhhh I didnt say that.My doors are all open today what a refreshing day after all the rain. By this weekend we are suppose to be in the low 80's..thats right low 80's.

Picked up 2 bunnies today and will move Blue back to the barn today also, its warm enough now. I have 4 more mini rexs coming and a free one i think. I just need babies on the farm. None of our big animals will have babies this yr. I do need to find a Hereford or belted bull to breed Dot and I will have a baby for next year.

I want to post pictures and every time I do they always go to the top of the page I cant get them to stay between lines. Any help out there?????

Going to take pictures of my Glenwood cook stove and place it on craigs list. I still will get another one, it needs to be smaller as remodeling wont allow the space for the bigger one. Have to do what i need to to make walking easier for Nick also.

I really need to get busy and move the stove and frig into the newly in the process of remodeling kitchen so Rob knows where to hook things up.

Going to my moms tonight for supper as she is leaving to move back to Fla tomorrow morning.
The sunshine is calling my name. So enjoy your day and i am praying you are having good weather also.

things are looking up

Anthony posing on the new stairs, of course spike and the cat had to get into the picture. When finished the railing will be white birch logs and not sure what the top hand rail will be, I just know i love them and cant wait for the next project which is the kitchen to get started

Safe Trip Sami

Sami and her gram Sami and Anthony the night before she left for Texas

Today is a sad but happy day. hard to explain, my youngest daughter left this after noon for Texas. The first of my grown children to move away. this momma hasnt cut the apron strings, just added another piece of elastic, so the string stretches just a little bit further. A good friend drove us to the airport, as where standing there her flight is delayed for another, ok delay on this end isnt bad she is still in NH. we finally watch her round the corner to a place a mothers heart sinks,(out of sight) and we leave. She calls me not more than 15 minutes later her flight on the other end is delayed an hr. Ok thats a hr she will be alone in a city she doesnt know. ok calm down,, she wont leave the airport, she is 21, she is responsible, to bad i am her mom its my job to worry. I come home watching the clock, thinking ok if she left at this time and it takes this long,,how come she hasnt called yet????/ the phone rings, its my Sami, mom is was great,, i got to sit next to the window,, I was the water and dolphins,, Mom your right its like looking at a map. Ok child is excited mom is missing her already,,, cheer up sound excited for her.....

I am really proud of her,, dont get me wrong,, i am happy she has chosen to do something with her life she wouldnt get to here. She is getting to see stuff I wont ever see. As I am sitting writing this I am watching the clock,, time change in Texas, what time will she actually land??I wont sleep til i get the call she is safe and sound and in Fawns care....Her dad just called waiting to hear that she has landed safely

reach for the gold Sami, you can achieve anything you set your mind to

Forever loving you

Mom

PS,, she has landed safely, now i can breath

Rain Rain Go Away

My Anthony is teething today and just wants grammas totally 100%

Rain Rain Go Away come back during gardening and flowers, hay season when we need you the most. The rain has melted all my snow but has cooled everything else off. Today i had to start the wood stove agin to take the damp chill off the house, especially since Anthony is here. We dont need him getting sick.



My stairs are done. I got to sleep in my bed last night,simple pleasure for a simple farm girl. Rob and our friend Tom got them set last night and Rob did a great job on the treads and getting them on. I wanted the rustic look. I live in my house its not a show place, you dont take your shoes off,you'll end up with dirty socks. I have 4 dogs and 5 cats a rabbit and ferrett that share this place and I just get teh small animals to wipe their paws when they come in. When done the house will have all new insulation an windows ,doors. No more taking 12 cords of wood to heat a 28 x 30 house. we had a inside wood furance installed last week to help witht he pipe freezing int he basement and the amount of moisture that is down there also. My walls are cracked and have been and now the frost and water have damaged them to the point they have to be fixed. Should of been done 7 yrs ago but never had the time always something else took importance. Now we get to fix everything.





I love my new stairs Rob has finally finished the treads and risers. They look great. I am getting my rustic,Little house on the prairie looks. The railings will be white birch small trees for uprights on the railings. Going to put in a large spruce beam tree across the opening between the rooms. Will post pictures once its done. I am sure it wont be til summer. The kitchen sink will hopefully start getting worked on, have to build the whole counter to fit the sink,as I have the ole fashion heavy cast iron sink. One step at a time.



The rain is making it so dreary today. I need to do laundry but clothes line outside says things just wont dry til maybe Thursday. Wondering what to have for supper? I would like a nice corn chowder maybe some corn bread. Have to run it by the boss.

I guess I really should get busy I have put all my chores off long enough.
You all have a great day and I pray your having a dry day

Finally Friday

Its been a long week here on the mountain. from freezing weather to pure rain and back to 60 degrees yesterday and freezing again this morning. This is great pneumonia weather. You dont know how to dress it could be freezing in the morning and by noon your roasting your p-tooty -off. today is another chilly morning here. Channel 9 weather say 38 today, burr after 60 yesterday, send me back the 60. boys are getting ready for their day. Robbie goes back to his mothers for the next 5 day. (relief for my laundry pile), Nick is going to a friends house this weekend. Anthony is with his mom. I have no children this weekend. We are suppose to finish hooking the thermostat up to the furnace and move the stairs again. This weekend is NH Maple Producers weekend and sugar houses all over the state are open, I think the local one is offering maple flavored cotton candy. That one sound to good to miss. Cotton candy of any flavor is a good thing to me. Like I need more sugar. Been spending time going thru my cook books. All the recipes look and sound good, need to finally pick a few and type them off.

What are you doing this weekend, anything exciting????

Today after chores and cleaning the rental I need to go pick up my bunnies I have bought, 2 of them anyways. 4 more next week or as soon as I get cages. I love rabbits, these have been hand raised which will working to my petting farm I want this summer. Sad my goat didnt take was really hoping for a new baby here. Since this will be the first in 9yrs I dont have baby pigs. This fall will be different once I get my barns all done and situated to where their going to be and stay I will be able to have my rabbits,goats and would love a few sheep. I want to learn to spin so much. Goats for milk and to make soap. looking into buying another jersey cow so i can have milk for the farm and butter. Milk at the store is so expensive. I wouldnt mind paying the price so much if I knew it was going back to the farmer but it isnt. About May we ought to be able to start planting if everything thaws finally.
Setting up sewing room again,have to rearrange everything since I was given a beautiful antique bed and bureau and I put it in there also. Need to get busy on stuff to put in my shop once that also get cleaned out and finished. Alot to do around here once the weather finally breaks and stays warm.
So what are some of the projects you'll be doing this summer? How much bigger is your garden going to be from last yr? What are some new items you plan on planting?

Well I suppose I need to get busy and go do chores. you all have a wonderful day.

Day has begun

My day has begun. Theres not much I can do out side yet its still dark. Listening to these dogs try to play and growl at each other. The 3 little ones now are trying to play with Stray who is a yellow lab x chow. He thinks he is a lap dog, maybe he is for some one with a bigger lap than mine. He got his name from just that being a stray and me as ACO not having the heart to take him to the pound. Nummer than a pet coon. Doesnt know sickem. But I guess he is a keeper. Right now he is trying to be a under my desk dog,, nope not happening he will tip it over.I guess Rob is headed to work today. Loggers are tired of not being able to work. The road bans need to get lifted here soon. These guys have done all the maintenance they can do. 3 weeks in the shop and their going nuts.
Today i am flying solo as my baby has gone back to his moms. I have alot of work i can do so since it is suppose to be in the 60's i guess me and the chicken coop will be friends. I need to build me some rabbit cages also.
Headed to another farm who is selling out and picking up fence panels and water tubs this morning. After i guess I will clean the rental. awh maybe I need to clean the rental before I clean the chicken coop.
Hows everyones sour dough starter doing. I have re start mine, cat on counter jumping away from the dogs didnt help my bowl out.

Well time for me to get busy,, you all have a great day

Good Monday Morning

I know I have been very lazy in writing lately, SORRY. But you see last week we had most wonderful weather for us here in NH in March. Most of my snow is gone and after this rain we are suppose to get it all should be gone.
I really cant wait to get into dirt, to design my raise beds and play in dirt. Going to figure out today just what I need or want for seeds. About May I ought to be able to plant.

As many of you know and I had so many Happy Birthdays yesterday was my 50th birthday. I am not sure what "50" is suppose to feel like, but I'll take it. I am looking forward to another 50. This time I am in control and I have grand children and grown children to share it with.
I did have a great day got to visit with new friends and received alot of nice stuff.

Today will be busy making donuts right now and will post that recipe later. I have to go to another farm and pick up water tubs for animals and pig panel fencing. Then go to my grand daughters and give her , her birthday gifts. And this all needs to be done before it starts raining.. I have alot of setting up to do in my craft room, I was given a beautiful antique bed and bureau yesterday and lots of collectible stuff. Lady has wonderful taste in old and farm country stuff and she shared alot with me. I was very blessed. Now to go thru it all and find places for it and give away what i cant use and give it forward.

Well its time for me to get busy and as time allows tonight I will share what I did today. What exciting adventures I get into.

Proud of Samantha

This is my youngest daughter Samantha,, she got her high diploma today after struggling with home schooling courses in English to get enough credits to graduate.

We are very proud of her, she has worked hard at this for a long time and finally got it done.

March 31st she heads to Texas to explore a new lifestyle and many advantages she wouldnt have here. Culture shock for sure as we live in a town of 1200 thats with the summer people. She has also aspired to reach for the stars, and now she is going for her gold ring. reach High Sami and keeps your eyes to heaven and you can do anything you set your mind to.

We all love you dearly and will miss you as much. But we know you need to make a change for your self and we want you to grow to be the best possible person you can be. I am always here for you night or day, 24/7 Just because your grown and moved up and on doesnt mean you are not my Little Samakins

Keep you faith I know thats in side you

Love you forever

Mom

As parents we watch our children grow up, some faster some slower than others, We only want the best for them and sometimes it US who have to cut the Apron strings not the kids

The Smells and Sounds of Spring

The weather is beautiful here this week, Suppose to be in the 60's, yes thats right the 60's. Cabin fever is kicking my butt, I want to get out side and play in the dirt. To start my gardens, to plant flowers. just to be out side no jacket, no bundles of clothes. To take Anthony for a walk and not have to bundle him like a Eskimo.
Our snow is melting as I watch the rocks appear on the pasture it shows me slowly spring is around the corner. My driveway is muddy but not bad yet. I will take the mud over feets of snow any day.
The horses are in the top pasture they are glad the snow is melting, the first couple days they walked on top the snow it was so hard now as it melts they are going threw.. was checking my goat yesterday I have a feeling she isnt, bred. She is fat but hasnt bagged up at all. And by now she should be bagging and showing signs of being pregnant. So much for having babies any thing this spring. Although I have bought 4 mini rex bunnies and they are being hand raised, well get them at Easter time. I use to have 100's of rabbits, but the dogs ,owls and birds have done a number on them. Now to get some back to go with the petting farm I want this summer.
Children love to pet bunnies. I need 10 so each grandchild can say one is theirs. Looking into getting more chickens also. Would like to have a egg route, like the old fashion milk route.
Any way to make money at the farm is worth the effort to me. Its my job so I have to treat it as such.
Today is a busy day going to visit a friend this morning for awhile. Picking up hay and changing over a crate for a dog for some one special. Tonight is my first planning board meeting so I need to be ready for that before 6pm.

Not sure whats todays recipe will be. I have already post the boil dinner and everyone will already have their corn beef and cabbage. Some thoughts --any one?????
Any one know if you can glue marble? I had a beautiful marble pastry board til the other day when the dogs chased the cat and it broke as it hit the floor. I have had it for years and of course it just wasnt a corner it split in a curve right down the middle. Would love to find a way to fix it,, it s what I do my breads and pies on and was suppose to be part of the counter in the new kitchen. Ok the sun is shining and I have several loads of laundry to hang up, before I get out of here.
You all have a wonderful St Patricks Day

Recipe--Venison Heart

DELICIOUS HEART OF VENISON

1 Deer Heart
5 strips bacon
2 cups tomato juice
2 cups water
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp sweet basil
5 cloves
pinch of cinnamon

Place tomato juice,water,and spices in the bottom of a steamer kettle.
Put Heart with bacon strips over it in the top of the steamer .
Cover tightly and steam slowly for 3 hours or until a fork can be inserted in the meat and comes out easily.
Chill the heart thoroughly, then slice thin an serve cold. Strain the broth liquid and use it a as a base for your Venison stew.

We like our Heart hot, I let it set for a few minutes after cooking it and slice in thin pieces and serve it as the meat for the nights meal or make sandwiches out of it