Thursday, November 25, 2010

Thanksgiving Day 2010

So it is snowing, again, but very, very pretty.  I am busy making rolls for Thanksgiving dinner at my sister-in-law's house this afternoon.  They turned out very nummy, as we had to try some yesterday to make sure they were okay.  I have been trying to make more things from scratch rather than buy things, that way I know for sure what is in it and feel better about eating it.

We are down to 1 chicken as something (we think a raccoon) has been picking them off 1 by 1.  I am going to get 6 new chickens, Delaware chickens to be specific, this next week and 1 rooster.  That way, hopefully, if some get picked off, I can replace them with hatchlings, as long as one of the hens is broody.  Delaware chickens are a heritage breed chicken, very pretty white with a little black on their feathers.  They are a dual purpose bird, so could be used for meat also, but just going for the egg production right now.

The turkeys are doing super.  They are so funny, as they follow you around the yard, thinking you have food for them.  Need to make them a new home so if the hens start to lay eggs and hopefully sit on them, they have a safe place to do so.

Am still planning the garden.  Going through lots of books and deciding what to plant.  Want to get things started seedling wise in February or March, so they are ready to be in the ground by April.  Would be nice to have all the lettuce and veggies I need for us and for Marty the pig (who has fun in the snow, getting a snow beard all the time since he tries to root it up!  hahahaha).

Am very thankful for family and friends and what I have in life right now.  I think as you get older, you tend to appreciate what you have more and are able to differentiate better what is really important and what is not.

Back to baking rolls.  Love you all and have a wonderful Thanksgiving day with your family and friends!!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

First blog ever!

Hi.  It is 7:09 a.m. and I have been up since 4:00 a.m. because I can't sleep.  Made coffee and now really can't sleep.  HAHAHA.

Had a pretty good day yesterday.  Worked, got caught up on Weeds Season 5.  Can't wait for season 6 to come out now.  Listening to Say Hey (I Love You) by Micheal Franti.  Cool song.

I really am excited as I am starting a garden (again) this next spring with my mom.  We are in the planning stages of how to lay it out and what exactly to plant.  Reading a lot of books on organic growing/fertilizing ways and storage options because we want to be able to store items through the winter to use.  We will be getting a food dehydrator also.  Just read about "cold boxes" for growing things through the winter.  Trying to decide if we want to do planters or just till the ground up.  Will need to put a fence up, though to keep out the pig, turkeys, chickens and goats.  :)

I love to read!!!!!  Remember the scene in Mr. and Mrs. Smith where he says "turn off the light and go to sleep?" and she responds "just 5 more minutes"?  That is so me and my husband.  I will prop up pillows to block the light so I can read longer.  Reading is so totally my escape.  I read to learn, but prefer to read fiction.  One summer I read 300 books just to see if I could.  HAHAHA.  I think I was in junior high then. I still read a lot of books.  I have 10 on my nightstand right now.

Back to the garden, I really want to be able to produce the food we eat.  I am so tired of going to the store and having to make the decision to pay more $$ for organic or less $$ for veggies/meat that have been sprayed/grown with pesticides/antibiotics.  My daughter loaned me the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.  What a wonderful book.  Great recipes and very interesting reading.  That is what I would really like to do.  I have been checking out all the local markets and food producers in my area.  Still need to locate some organic chicken and turkey, and beef.  I have been thinking about getting a cow for the milk, as I have been making my own yogurt, which is awesome (will never to back to store bought again!), and then to breed the cow each year for the meat, so we know where our meat is coming from.  That won't be for a couple years, though.  The chickens are awesome and am getting plenty of eggs.  They are so funny to watch and follow us around the yard.  They have their own chicken house, but pretty much run around the yard free ranging!  We did get some Narragansett turkeys (heritage turkeys).  They are really cool.  I believe we ended up with 2 hens and 2 toms, so hopefully we will get at least 1 breeding pair.  We did not name them so if we decide to eat one or 2, then it won't be so hard.  They are just the "Turkeys".  I am going to be getting some new chicks this spring both for eggs and meat.  Want to see how that works out.

I would love any comments, ideas on gardening, raising animals, etc.

Have a wonderful day!  Back in a while.