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.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
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
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
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
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
Monday, March 15, 2010
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
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
Blustery in the 8.5 acre woods
Mr. Wind is still showing his ugly head around here. The rain has stopped for a minute any ways, but the wind sounds like it is taking the front of my house off. The snow is melting, which is a Blessing. Didnt do alot yesterday went to Tractor Supply to see about some floor mats for my truck. Not paying 30.00 for cheap piece of rubber.
Need to try to split some more of this wood that is in basement. I hurt my back and arm yesterday, sledge hammer kept hitting the ceiling, not enough room for me to swing it. Hoping the weather continues to get nicer, I am out of wood except for about 50 pieces of Ash. It needs to be split so it will give me more pieces. I have cut my usage down to under 15 pieces of wood a day. So every three chunks I split is my days worth of wood. When Anthony isnt here I keep it cooler to make up for days when he is. As the snow goes in top pasture I can go up and get some wood off the pasture and dry it and burn that.
Worked quite a bit on a new afghan yesterday, trying to get some things done for the farmers market when it opens this yr. Have to make money where I can, have bills to pay like everyone else.
My Nick had a rough weekend again, stayed in bed all weekend, just wanted to sit and do nothing. Glad he has a tv in there at least it keeps his mind busy. Not sure whats going on with him, acts depressed lately. Hopefully once the weather gets better I can get him out side and get some sun and move around more.
Not sure what I am doing today, I have plenty of laundry to do. Still to cold to sew down stairs. Probably do some cooking today since the stove has to be going and crochet. Would love to have 5 afghans done to put out at the first farmers market. Still have lap quilts done from this past winter that didnt sell at Christmas. Need to get busy on my homesteading license to be able to sell bake goods. I know alot of people do it with out the license but the fines arent worth trying to do it with out it.
Well sitting here going thru cook books and trying to find ole fashion recipes for you.
Need to try to split some more of this wood that is in basement. I hurt my back and arm yesterday, sledge hammer kept hitting the ceiling, not enough room for me to swing it. Hoping the weather continues to get nicer, I am out of wood except for about 50 pieces of Ash. It needs to be split so it will give me more pieces. I have cut my usage down to under 15 pieces of wood a day. So every three chunks I split is my days worth of wood. When Anthony isnt here I keep it cooler to make up for days when he is. As the snow goes in top pasture I can go up and get some wood off the pasture and dry it and burn that.
Worked quite a bit on a new afghan yesterday, trying to get some things done for the farmers market when it opens this yr. Have to make money where I can, have bills to pay like everyone else.
My Nick had a rough weekend again, stayed in bed all weekend, just wanted to sit and do nothing. Glad he has a tv in there at least it keeps his mind busy. Not sure whats going on with him, acts depressed lately. Hopefully once the weather gets better I can get him out side and get some sun and move around more.
Not sure what I am doing today, I have plenty of laundry to do. Still to cold to sew down stairs. Probably do some cooking today since the stove has to be going and crochet. Would love to have 5 afghans done to put out at the first farmers market. Still have lap quilts done from this past winter that didnt sell at Christmas. Need to get busy on my homesteading license to be able to sell bake goods. I know alot of people do it with out the license but the fines arent worth trying to do it with out it.
Well sitting here going thru cook books and trying to find ole fashion recipes for you.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Recipe- Amish Friendship Starter
Ma's Sourdough starter. The Little House series is perhaps the best chronicle of early pioneer food on the prairie. In the By the shores of Silver Lake, which takes place in the Dakota Territory, Laura Ingalls Wilder tells how Ma made her own sour dough starter. Ma would put some flour and water in a jar and let it stand, uncovered, until it captured yeast from the air and it soured. from this, she would make a sponge that would become the basis for the breads and biscuits and pancake. every few days, she would feed the starter with flour and liquid. Before packaged yeast and factory milled fours were available, these sourdough breads made from a sponge starter were the norm. they required a long rising time and had a spongy chewy texture from the hand-milled grain and natural yeast. today such breads are making a come back as artisan breads. After a century or so the time and labor- intensive everyday breads of the great Plains are back in fashion..
AMISH FRIENDSHIP STARTER
MAKES ABOUT 8 CUPS OF STARTER
4 C ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
2 C LUKEWARM WATER
1 PACKAGE ACTIVE YEATS
2 C MILK
2 C SUGAR
Day 1. With a whisk or a wooden spoon mix 2c. flour the luke warm water and yeast thoroughly in a glass or ceramic bowl Let it sit, uncovered, on the kitchen counter: do not refrigerate
Day5. stir the yeast and flour mixture with a wooden spoon. Stir in 1c flour,1 c milk, and 1 c sugar. Stir well. This is called Feeding the starter.
Let mixture sit on counter uncovered. Do not refrigerate
Day 9. Stir mixture and add remaining 1c flour,1 c milk,1 c sugar. Stir Well. Let mixture sit, Uncovered on kitchen counter, Dont refrigerate
Day 12. Ladle 1 cup starter into a container and freeze, freeze for safe keeping( incase you forget to feed your starter and it expires) Ladle the rest of the starter( you should have 7 cups) in a large container with a lid and refrigerate,covered until you wish to use it.
TEN DAYS LATER YOU NEED TO FEED YOUR REFRIGERATED STARTER!
Begin by removing 1 c starter: reserve this cup to use in a recipe or to give to a friend. Add 1/4 c sugar, 1 c flour, 1 c milk to the remaining starter in container. Stir well to blend and return container to refrigerator.(The starter will be ready to use again- as it will reach sourdough point in 4-5 days)
REPEAT STEPS 5 EVERY 10 DAYS
Note: If bacteria takes over the starter and and takes on a pink color and smell offensive ,, throw it out.
AMISH FRIENDSHIP STARTER
MAKES ABOUT 8 CUPS OF STARTER
4 C ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
2 C LUKEWARM WATER
1 PACKAGE ACTIVE YEATS
2 C MILK
2 C SUGAR
Day 1. With a whisk or a wooden spoon mix 2c. flour the luke warm water and yeast thoroughly in a glass or ceramic bowl Let it sit, uncovered, on the kitchen counter: do not refrigerate
Day5. stir the yeast and flour mixture with a wooden spoon. Stir in 1c flour,1 c milk, and 1 c sugar. Stir well. This is called Feeding the starter.
Let mixture sit on counter uncovered. Do not refrigerate
Day 9. Stir mixture and add remaining 1c flour,1 c milk,1 c sugar. Stir Well. Let mixture sit, Uncovered on kitchen counter, Dont refrigerate
Day 12. Ladle 1 cup starter into a container and freeze, freeze for safe keeping( incase you forget to feed your starter and it expires) Ladle the rest of the starter( you should have 7 cups) in a large container with a lid and refrigerate,covered until you wish to use it.
TEN DAYS LATER YOU NEED TO FEED YOUR REFRIGERATED STARTER!
Begin by removing 1 c starter: reserve this cup to use in a recipe or to give to a friend. Add 1/4 c sugar, 1 c flour, 1 c milk to the remaining starter in container. Stir well to blend and return container to refrigerator.(The starter will be ready to use again- as it will reach sourdough point in 4-5 days)
REPEAT STEPS 5 EVERY 10 DAYS
Note: If bacteria takes over the starter and and takes on a pink color and smell offensive ,, throw it out.
Listening to the Wind
Sitting here enjoying my coffee I am listening to the sounds around me. Have you ever just STOPPED and listen to your home? Ok I'll wait while you do. Listen to the noises around you. What do you hear?First right now the fan on my computer kicked on, then the wind is blowing alot, the crackle of the wood stove is a comforting sound. I can sleet bouncing off my window.
The scanner is going with emergency calls, once in awhile the dogs or a cat will run across the floor and i can hear their nails. The battery in the clock is getting low, I can hear the ticking noise. Those are the noises in my home this morning. With all that noise, we dont hear most of it most of the time, it is just there and we pay no attention to it. What about the things or people in your life you just automatically know their there and you pay no attention to? Do you have any of those. I think we all do. Not sure why I am having a mushy day. Just thinking of my family and whats around me I take for granted and shouldnt. There should be nothing in our lives we take for granted. Once you stop appreciating things you dont notice them any more.
Ok enough deep thoughts.
Today will be a inside working day. The sleet and rain out and wind blowing means wont be spending much time outside. Only long enough to do chores.
Good day for some sewing and crocheting my the fire something homey feeling. Started a new afghan the other night tried crocheting last night , I thin I got 2 rows before I was lights out.
This is going to be using just left over yarns up , I have a big bag my momma gave me, I love making scrap afghans with no pattern or suggested colors, I let God decided how it will look.
I probably will move my rocking chair over next to the wood stove and just sit and relax and crochet today, do a little laundry and hang that up over the stove and put on Sunday dinner, roast in the roasting pan and that can cook on the stove also. I am thinking before all this i am going to make some starter. Starter is Amish friendship bread starter i use for alot of things. I will post the recipe as one of todays recipes. I have been trying to sit and figure what I am going to grow this yr in the garden that will yield the most of what we use alot of and ole fashion down home cooking stuff we can gain from it. I know we go thru alot of beans , whether I bake them or in chili which is one of Robbies favorites, so Vt cranberry beans or dried beans will be a big thing, we use alot of corn,and string beans, onions and potatoes. I want to make all our own spaghetti sauce this yr also, tomatoes will be a top ten also. Being able to see my lawn this week has gotten me into the planting mood. Ok I know it will be several more months before I can plant but I am going to start seeds this week.
What does your family use alot of, what do you plant? I know one of my daughters has asked this yr for some ole fashion piccalilli and home made pickles. I have alot of work to do to get gardens built and ready for planting. I want to get berries planted also. We are suppose to bury the basement this yr, one to make it warmer in the house and basement and two it will give me more space to have raised beds for gardens. I want so much to grow what we need. Every yr I get a little closer to the home shopping (pantry) and further away from the store shopping. Looking in to canning more an drying more instead of freezing, to be able to cut out the freezer electric bill. I want to be off the grid in 5 yrs. that is my goal. i am tired of paying the light bill and seeing most of my bill be line charges and strand charges and taxes, and see i use very little but and taxes for just having the line to my house. When over half my bill is a tax of some sort, its time for a change.
Well I guess I have ramble here long enough. I will dig up the friendship starter recipe and post that. You all have the most Blessed day possible, stay warm and safe and Never take life or any one in it for granted.
The scanner is going with emergency calls, once in awhile the dogs or a cat will run across the floor and i can hear their nails. The battery in the clock is getting low, I can hear the ticking noise. Those are the noises in my home this morning. With all that noise, we dont hear most of it most of the time, it is just there and we pay no attention to it. What about the things or people in your life you just automatically know their there and you pay no attention to? Do you have any of those. I think we all do. Not sure why I am having a mushy day. Just thinking of my family and whats around me I take for granted and shouldnt. There should be nothing in our lives we take for granted. Once you stop appreciating things you dont notice them any more.
Ok enough deep thoughts.
Today will be a inside working day. The sleet and rain out and wind blowing means wont be spending much time outside. Only long enough to do chores.
Good day for some sewing and crocheting my the fire something homey feeling. Started a new afghan the other night tried crocheting last night , I thin I got 2 rows before I was lights out.
This is going to be using just left over yarns up , I have a big bag my momma gave me, I love making scrap afghans with no pattern or suggested colors, I let God decided how it will look.
I probably will move my rocking chair over next to the wood stove and just sit and relax and crochet today, do a little laundry and hang that up over the stove and put on Sunday dinner, roast in the roasting pan and that can cook on the stove also. I am thinking before all this i am going to make some starter. Starter is Amish friendship bread starter i use for alot of things. I will post the recipe as one of todays recipes. I have been trying to sit and figure what I am going to grow this yr in the garden that will yield the most of what we use alot of and ole fashion down home cooking stuff we can gain from it. I know we go thru alot of beans , whether I bake them or in chili which is one of Robbies favorites, so Vt cranberry beans or dried beans will be a big thing, we use alot of corn,and string beans, onions and potatoes. I want to make all our own spaghetti sauce this yr also, tomatoes will be a top ten also. Being able to see my lawn this week has gotten me into the planting mood. Ok I know it will be several more months before I can plant but I am going to start seeds this week.
What does your family use alot of, what do you plant? I know one of my daughters has asked this yr for some ole fashion piccalilli and home made pickles. I have alot of work to do to get gardens built and ready for planting. I want to get berries planted also. We are suppose to bury the basement this yr, one to make it warmer in the house and basement and two it will give me more space to have raised beds for gardens. I want so much to grow what we need. Every yr I get a little closer to the home shopping (pantry) and further away from the store shopping. Looking in to canning more an drying more instead of freezing, to be able to cut out the freezer electric bill. I want to be off the grid in 5 yrs. that is my goal. i am tired of paying the light bill and seeing most of my bill be line charges and strand charges and taxes, and see i use very little but and taxes for just having the line to my house. When over half my bill is a tax of some sort, its time for a change.
Well I guess I have ramble here long enough. I will dig up the friendship starter recipe and post that. You all have the most Blessed day possible, stay warm and safe and Never take life or any one in it for granted.
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