House garden.

House garden mulched. And extended by 40% or so. Had to have the children help with the end. My shoulder was giving me fits. Ugh. My chiropractor closed shop and moved. Too far away. And I refuse to get another if I can help it. Been looking up ways to self adjust. It has helped. But not enough. 

Bulk shopping

At least from the local Mennonite store. Beans and other things must be ordered. And needs to happen soon. I need to can beans for summer use. 

50lbs of flour 
100lbs oats
50 lbs of sugar
1/2 gallon of honey
4 lbs of cocoa 
5 lbs of 🥜 butter
3 packs chocolate chips
4.5 lbs salt
1.5 lbs corn starch
2 lbs baking powder
4lbs baking soda
4 lbs crispy rice :)
5 lbs raisins 
10 oz cream of tartar

1 qt chlorophyll 

Bottle of Rennet.  (8 ounce?)

We try to do this monthly. But is has been much longer. It is hard to go 45 minutes away. We are getting too busy just here at home. Price was $200. Can't beat it anywhere. I never buy Rice Krispies. But we just had great granola bars at a friends last week. And the children have wanted them since. So I figured it was worth it. 

   The recipe was from Mom with a mission blog. Her chewy granola bars. So good. Below is our first batch. A double batch. I'm Hoping I can make them be the first breakfast in the morning. So while I cook I don't hear about how hungry they are. Haha!

Trying to be here again

Our second vase of daffodils. We love them! And need a million more flowers. 

I'm making a new sourdough starter. I thought it might be bubbly enough to make a thin crust pizza. It did ok. But still needs to grow up a bit. 

Naomi is learning how to use scissors. These bits were her gift to me. Half cut half ripped. I love them. But a picture is enough for me. 

She caught me. But I caught her too. She's pretty. Even when annoyed. 

Doubling the size of the house garden. And I'm hoping to get all the hay laid out in the next hr. 

Chickens are either helpful or destructive. They get cooped tonight. No more free range. I'm hoping to plant a spring vegetable garden before weeks end. Time will tell. 

Mrs M's Brownies

2 cups sugars 

1/2 cup cocoa powder 

1 1/2 flour 

All sifted together 

1 tsp salt 

3 eggs

2 melted sticks of butter

1TBSP vanilla 

Daisy Mae

I had left Daisy on her mom longer than I ever have. Longer than I ever want to again. I highly prefer bottle feeding. 

  She was very standoff from us. And when I took her off Fawn she refused a bottle or s bucket. I thought I'd never halter train her or get to touch her without sneaking up on her. 

But she is like a darling puppy now. In fact I am having to teach her big self to give people room now day. Ha! It's great. 

I was squatting loving the lambs and she decided I needed love. She makes me happy. Look at those lashes! 

Good news. I finally feel confident in saying she is naturally polled!! Neighbors confirmed yesterday that her dad (Hereford/ Angus) was a naturally polled bull. I'm so glad. One less 'to do'. 

We cleaned up the house garden today. The children had built shelters and dug lots of holes there over the winter. It all got cleaned up. And tomorrow I spread hay thick there. I have a bunch of straw that is supposed to be here this week. Yesterday actually.... 

   So I'm trying to get more than ready for it. Because I hope to place another order quick. My plan is several Ruth Stout style gardens this year. 

Goat update

This is Luna. She has such a special face. And has a sweet calm personality. 

Wisdom loves her something special. 

Yesterday I took the kids to the neighbors ( kinda about 5 miles away) with the 4 littles. I was taught 2 things. One was obviously banding Moonshine. It was like nothing happened. He didn't even seem notice. I've been watching it for problems. No issues thus far. I could do it with just s child to help for sure. 

The 2nd thing was disbudding. Other than the smell it wasn't hard. I was scared to do it. But it is over fast and at least these two didn't make much protest. Moonshine did complain more. But he was just as loud about the disbudding as he was the being held beforehand. So I don't think it was a big deal for them. 

We came right home and gave them back to momma. She was glad to know we weren't keeping them away. They were only gone a hr total. Not bad considering we talked most of the time. 

Documenting

But This might be boring. But is the easiest place for me to document. 

January 26th we had a friend bring us the animals he sold us. (Thanks to my mother in law!) 

This Stella. The momma goat. And her two kids Luna and Moonshine. 

Their adorable. We love them and get a qt or more once a day even with the kids on her full time. 

The evening sky just after they got put in their pens. It was a lovely night.

We were in the market for a milk cow. To raise up steers for meat. So we also got Gracie a 3 year old Jersey. She is possibly bred. I'll be doing a blood test soon. Need to get vials. 

   We also got a 4 mth old weaned jersey bull. Price was right.  And I can't find a jersey bull anywhere to borrow. I have a friend that has a Dexter I heard. So I'll be calling him soon I think.( planning this week)  Fawn needs bred. Sooner than later is preferred.  I've already pushed it back further than I like to. But that's mostly due to lack of options. So planning ahead to next breeding seemed important. 

   I've never raised a bull. I don't want to. But no other choice is no other choice. After breeding he goes to freezer camp. Provided he can last that long. He is in a different pen than my Daisy Mae. Also 4 months. But I hope to get a further away pen before summer time. I wish I had a place he could go live until I needed him. Oh well. I need to dehorn him this week. That might be a circus. But I will not keep him with horns. 

Malachi named him Frankincense. Know why?