Wednesday March 3rd,2010

Today started as any other, knew nothing spectacular was going to happen today. Got up at 4a.m. thats not unusual, came down made sure coffee was going. Made Rob's lunch, he had brought home the truck last night which meant I didnt need to get Anthony up to drive him down to the truck where ever it might be parked. At 5:45a.m. I received a phone call to tell me to come get my hay earlier than 7a.m. which was fine becuz Anthony an I were just sitting around waiting to leave. Went down bought 20 bales of hay which should only last me 4 days, but it was great to get it so close to home. Walking around talking to the gentleman who sold me hay "Mark" he asked me about some stock panel and round pen panels that he had made into a great looking fence for his cows to use as a run in and out in the winter time. He wants to sell them. Of course general conversation, how much what comes with it, by the time I was done i was so happy, getting a complete round pen set up which will be made into a long outside winter pasture for the horses, 2 water and stock tanks all for $300.00 and he will wait til next month for the money. What a total Blessing and total unexpected out come to just going to buy 20 bales of hay. Your a sweetheart Mark. I really needed everything you asked me about. This yr the horses have spent the winter in what was the barn and garage combination and they are so bored they're chewing everything in sight. Next yr they will have a pasture for winter and be able to get out everyday when they want to.

Came home unload the hay, drove Nick to the end of the driveway since his aides cant get in here becuz someone hasnt plowed yet, but its melting which is a help. Took Deanna around today and got her all registered for school she starts Monday she is so excited. came home and cut and split more wood. Brought Anthony outside with me while I split it, he laid in the stroller and watched drinking his bottle. Donne all night chores, have a load of laundry going. Hamburger is thawing for cheese burgers for supper. Suppose to have a Historical meeting tonight but I cant reach Rob on the phone so guess not going Got eggs boiling for his lunch tomorrow and for the potato salad to go with cheese burger. Robbie is here tonight, he has appointment tomorrow at 2 so that means I clean rental in the morning and get that ready for Fridays renters.

I have to get my quilt block done for a quilt contest I enter, needs to be in Ohio by March 15th. There lots of fun never win but have a good time doing them, want to know about what it about check out http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/ Its a great family of people there.

So now i am cleaning eggs we got today and picking things up waiting for supper. Need to post todays recipe. Will do that after supper once Anthony lays down. I hope you all had a blessed day and Thank whom every you believe in for it.

God Bless

Donna

aka simplefarmgirl

Welcome March in like a lion

The winds of March are showing they have arrived.Watching the snow swirl around my driveway lets me know I am not going out and shovel today I will just have to deal with hauling Nick in and out.

His aide tried this morning and couldnt make it in past the very end. Such is life.

There is still alot of people in NH with out power we have been some of the luckier ones, we still have and didnt loose it.

Rob feels better this morning which a Blessing, he was sick in bed all weekend, Nick didnt feel well either Saturday and rest all day yesterday. Today Anthony is teething so I believe thats the reason for his crankiness. He just laid down for a nap now its time for me to get busy.



Today a turkey is headed to the wood stove to slow cook all day, cant wait for the smell to begin. Theres just something about a turkey cooking that is comforting and relaxing.



Lots of laundry to do but only so much room to hang it up so a few loads at a time.



Rearranging the kitchen and living room again so the state can not saying thing about Anthony being here, he will have enough room to play and grow



Todays recipe is bread, been looking thru all my book and always come back to 2 favorite cook books

1st is Favorite New England Recipes and the 2nd one is Prairie Home Cooking. Do you have a favorite cook book?



I know growing up my mom use to make some real cool stuff, one of my favorite is Brown Bread, steamed in coffee cans.



so todays choice is BROWN BREAD





BOSTON BROWN BREAD (STEAMED)



1 cup rye flour

1 cup yellow corn meal

1 cup graham flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon soda

3/4 cup molasses

2 cups sour milk

1 cup raisins



Mix and sift the dry ingredients. Dissolve the soda in a small amount of water and stir in molasses. Combine with the sour milk, then mix into dry ingredients. flour the raisins and add to the batter. Mix thoroughly and pour into two completely greased molds filling 2/3 full -- no more as it rises and you dont want it to over flow . We used coffee cans.

Cover tops of can with tin foil and tie down with string tightly. So bread doesnt force top off as it rises.

Place cans on a rack in a kettle of boiling water which only comes up half way of the can. Cover kettle and steam for 3 hrs adding more boiling water as needed. Use a string to cut bread, serve with butter or your favorite jam.



This isnt the recipe my mom uses but its close, along same idea. Going to make some later in the week to go with beans on Saturday night, right now a turkey has my name on it.



Hope you enjoy the day stay safe and warm

OUR HOUSE Feb-2010 snow storm

This is what our house an yard looks like right after 5 days of snow. I am about tired of winter an praying for spring.Hey at this point mud season looks good. Of course the loggers dont want mud season they still want frozen ground sorry guys. They ought to be posted the weight limit signs shortly on the roads, then Rob wont be able to bring the big truck home unless he is empty.

Really starting to get cabin fever, wanting to play in dirt, pull weeds, be scared of snakes right now evens sounds good. Cant wait to go haying and feel the hot sun on my skin. Praying this hay season goes better than last yrs. I cant afford 100.00 a week just for hay next yr. Theres alot to do around here, still working on inside of the house, had to tear out walls and insulate, there wasnt a whole lot any where. i guess we did it in time for the roof because it was starting to rot pretty well. It cost alot of money to insulate but still cheaper than an new roof plus insulation. We put in new doors and window in the front. Dont get to use my front door yet, no steps, first one is a doozie. Praying everything goes right this summer and i will finally get my farmers porch off the front and my inside done at least the main floor, I get some counters and cup boards back.

Theres alot to do in the pasture and for the animals. The cow barn after a spell will be turned in a shop for me. the cows will have a new pole barn up on top lot. Hoping the water get fixed for that not hauling garden hoses 200 -300 feet at a time. Horse wont be in the big building any more either they will have their own run and pasture for winter, their tearing my big building apart being so bored. Chickens are getting the big closed in porch off the back of the house its being moved up on top lot also, so no animals will be down here this coming yr, they will all be in one area. oops dont for get my goats, they'll have a little barn also. Pigs are only going to be raised in the spring and summer slaughtered in fall right now, until feed prices come down cant afford to feed a bunch all winter also. Hoping the cows get to go out to the same pasture we used last yr, they did wonderful, need to talk to the gentleman about it. It work great for us. And it was a few months of not worrying about feed for them.

Today is Sunday and things are still pretty quiet int he house right now, of course that wasnt the case all night I had 2 people sick and throwing up. Rob and Derek both were sick, not sure why, Nick was the night before. Baby and I got sick Friday night but I thought it was from bad ice cream if that possible. So today is going to be a heavy clean and scrub down day around here. Everything is getting washed and scrubbed.

They all will have a light breakfast, I am thinking maybe toast and eggs, nothing heavy.

Derek is my grandson who just turned 13 , 10 days ago. I dotn get to see him very often, my grandson are at the age, its boring to come to grammas, not alot of electronics and gagdets to play with. pretty much farmy stuff. Lots of crafts and stuff also. So the girls have a good time.

Yesterdays recipe was for a New England Boil Dinner one of my all time favorite meals, doesnt even have to be corn beef alot of time I use ham. So today will be for Red Flannel Hash.

RED FLANNEL HASH

Mix the leftover meat and vegetables from you New England Boil Dinner, chop coarsely, and moisten with a little cream. Bake in a iron skillet in melted butter for 40 minutes in a 350 oven or until nicely browned.

Turn out on to a hot platter and serve.

myself I usually chop coarsely and mix well, heat and iron skillet and fry in butter until golden brown and keeping turning over so it doesnt stick but has a little bit of crisp to it.

Hope you enjoy,,, now I am hungry

Have a great day, its time for me to put more wood on the fire and get the stove hot to cook poached eggs on toast.

God Bless and have a Blessed Sunday

Snow,Snow and more snow.

I dont know about all you guys out there but I am about sick of snow every day. Living here on the mountain is great and I love it, but I cant shovel any more. The weather man says another 2-5 inches by morning, Hmm which morning is talking about, I had 4 this morning when we got up at 4am. and its still coming hard. Another couple feet and my poor cows are going to walk out over the top of their fencing.The dog in the kennel is getting mad cuz the dog house door needs to be shoveled out, again more shoveling, He can still get in, I threw a piece of meat in the house and he went in after it, now if he would only sleep in there, he is just to active to have in the house with all the cats an the other 3 dogs.



I ran out of split wood this morning. Need to muster the strength to go try to split the piece in basement. I ache in places I forgot I had. I think we have gotten over 2 feet of snow this week, or at least it feels like it. Nick doesnt have any aides coming today so I dont have to shovel the end of the driveway out so they can get in.



So hows the weather at you place? How much snow have you gotten. I honestly dont mind the snow as long as I dont need to get out. In the old days the horses would be used and shoveling wouldnt be a issue. The wagon could make it in and out with no problem. High clearance. Really wish things were that easy. LOL

I have power so I guess I am better off than alot of people in NH. I may not have wood split in the house but there is enough stuff to burn to stay warm, and i do have wood in basement, just need to find my wedges. Plenty of snow to melt if we had to. As soon as Rob gets back home we will cut up more wood and hopefully he will get here in daylight to be able to open up the driveway. Just talk to him and he said most likely I have to come get him,, hello I am stuck in driveway. So when I get done here I guess thats my hint to go try to move the truck and face it out, so I can get a running start.



The snow is beautiful but enough is enough. Spring is less than 3 weeks away so melting is going to be a good thing and can start NOW!



I need to go out an do chores cows are looking at me like I forgot them, wow that was nice of the plow driver going by he just plowed the end of my driveway in,,, I know they can help it.



Well my recipe of the day has been slacking lately, hopefully next week will be a easier week and I can get back on track. Today is suppose to be a mystery, sure is even to me, shut my eyes and open the recipe book. LOL



Todays Recipe NEW ENGLAND BOIL DINNER

A great Yankee favorite



5 lb brisket corn beef 6 carrots

4 peppercorns 1 small cabbage

6 small beets unpeeled 8 peeled potatoes

4 med turnips peeled



Place meat in kettle with peppercorns. Cover with cold water.

Simmer for 3 to 4 hrs.until meat is tender. During the last hr of cooking remove pepper corns and add beets turnips and carrots. In last half hr add cabbage and the potatoes. When all ready to serve remove skin of the beets. Serve with mustard, horseradish sauce or pickles.



enjoy,,any left overs well make great Red Flannel Hash for morning That recipe is tomorrows.

Have agreat day

Snowy Wednesday

This is the picture out my front window this afternoon.Snow,snow and more snow,although they say its suppose to start raining later and rain all day tomorrow.

We went to court today for my grand daughter and daughter, never frown on small Blessing. The judge gave her a continued case until April 7th. Blessing,, no matter how big or small its a Blessing from above. Now Miss Hailey can relax and breath and be a little girl again .

Today Rob couldnt work so he was here to drive which is also a Blessing to me because snow,truck,bad roads lead to me and panic. But all is well, now its time to concentrate back on here and my farming,sewing and baking,crafts. They all have taken second plate to everything else.

In a past post I mention recipes of the day and I have slacked on getting that started so today I believe is a good day to start. Now let me see what did I say Wednesday would feature?????

Wednesday was a MEAT DAY! Whether is how to can,dry,cook,salt, or a recipe based mainly on the meat in the menu.

Today what will it be? Beef,Pork,Chicken,Squirrel,Racoon,Turkey???????

Winner is::::::Pineapple BBQ Lamb Spare Ribs ( in this case country style spare ribs from my pigs)

3lbs spareribs 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 8 oz can crushed pineapple 1 teaspoon salt

1/4 c vinegar 1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 c honey 1/4 teaspoon ginger

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

Place spareribs on a rack in a shallow roasting pan> bake at 325' for approximately 1 hour. Drain of drippings Combine remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour over the ribs and bake 45 mins or until tender baste ribs frequently during baking.

This is what we are having for supper tonight. I am going to boil potatoes and serve broccoli as vegetable. My husband is very much a meat and potatoes guy, Old school.

In my case since I dont have a regular oven right now I have made do with making a oven box on top of my wood stove.

This is when I miss the cook stove being hooked up but theres no room for both and the Fischer heats 100% more than the Glenwood,and since we only use wood to heat with need to do whats best for the house also.I do all my cooking on top of wood stove.

Just made a hot cup of tea as I sit here and ponder what else to write with out boring any one.

Everyone is napping here, I guess its a good day for it. I did hear Rob down stairs splitting my 24" wood. Now thats one heck of a work out. I split wood yesterday by hand and believe I love to split wood Honestly I do. But need to convince him just because the stove can take over 24 inch wood doesnt mean the wood has to be 24 inches long. But I can feel the "burn" in my ribs today I really thought my back would be hurting more. But its fine. We have some Ash out there to cut up now and split.Told Rob if he could split some of what is down stairs the rest could wait til weekend because we are in the mist of a snow storm they say 6-10 inches,yuck, I could see my lawn in spots. Asked him not to plow it because behind this storm is also rain and then if it all melts again and freezes I wont be able to walk out there. I am sure it didnt hurt his feeling not have to cut wood and plow snow, now he is sleeping. Anthony is also sleeping which gives me 2 hands to type with. Nick is watching his tv and eating his lunch.

The weather guys are talking heavy rain and wind coming tonight with possible power outages,can you see the smile? I love power outages, my style of living. Its the only way I can get to live Little House days with out a fight from everyone else. Oh I am sure if Rob could figure a way to have his refrigerator for his cold milk and water didnt run from a well 300+ feet int he ground we would be off the grid. Someday will get it figured out to be.

A few more squares and I will have the lap afghan done, its in browns and tans. Think I am going to make some shawls I love them think they are just so lady like. Will post pictures of them.

Well time to check out some more pioneer sites. A friend of mine Cristy has some great stuff on her Blog,,She finds some excellent stuff so I have to go tag them and join so I can learn some more. I am going to be 50 next month and by the time I am 55 I want to be totally self suffienct and off the grid, thats my goal.

Lazy Sunday

This is Anthony with a Girl Scout Cookie smile Thin Mint to be exact.

I laughed so hard had to take his picture

Lazy Sunday

Thats a term used very loosely around here.

Lazy doesnt happen often for me. After spending a week being very sick today is a good day. I have accomplished alot. Several loads of laundry til I ran out of spaces to hang it up. Pork roast on the stove cooking with onions and garlic, shortly will have carrots and potatoes added to finish all cooking in one pan.

Going to be painting one of my floors tonight hunter green, got the paint for free with one of the ads from Homesteadingtoday other wise known to most of us on face book as HT. If you have never checked out a wonderful site with knowledge from so many different people you are missing something that is special. so when you get a chance go browse thru http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/ I bet you'll find something that interest you. If you dont you will be the first person I have ever mentioned it to that didnt like something about the site.

The sun has been out great today, wish we didnt have snow and it was like April would of been a perfect day for a walk. But with Anthony just getting over being sick also not taking any chances.

Rob has been working all day or should I say been gone all day. From the phone call I just received more like a bunch of guys standing around chatting about logging and horses and a combination of both and how who is related to who,HMMM that sound like what they accuse women of doing.

Been reading alot about raised bed gardens. I do believe that is what I am going to do this yr here. Will be able to plant a little earlier, it mention placing plastic jugs over plants ,,I have started saving milk jugs an any plastic jug we get recycle them instead of putting them at the dump.Going to do more research and post in seperate posting.

Really not much going on today as the title say lazy Sunday. The week will make up for it I am sure. Still have to reset up my sewing room, I want to out a bed in there. Believe me this summer it will be so hot up stairs some one else will be glad theres a bed down there also. With being sick and or having the baby here I sleep alot of night in recliner if I had a spare bed we could sleep down there.

Took a gander in the refrigerator awhile ago to see what was left for left overs..LOL right, with 2 men and a growing teenager- leftovers . I did see enough roast beef to make a nice meat pie tomorrow. I have been craving a nice juicey meatloaf lately so that will happen for one meal, then meat loaf sandwiches,, yumyum.

Thinking about starting recipe day posting, each day of the week feature an ole fashion olden day recipe. Monday- breads, Tuesday-casserole-Wednesday-meat dish-Thursday vegetables-Friday-desserts- Saturday and Sunday will be suprise days. What do ya think? feed back any one?

Gardening,craft,canning, posting to start appearing when I find intersting stuff.

If you want to know something, let me know I'll look it up and share it.

Well my baby is dancing to HillBilly Bones and is requiring my attention.

So on that note you have a wonderful day

pictures from FARM JOURNAL OCTOBER 1947