Monday, February 7, 2011

The most recent storm had strong winds and plenty of ice, which brought this tree down on the barn roof. The ridgeline is still intact due to the way it fell, feeling thankful.
We have two hens that lay enormous eggs. The one on the left is 3" x 2"
Here is a preview of what is coming to the farm!! Too cute Angora fiber goats. I have not decided if I will take a doe and her kids or wait until the flock is weaned and then choose. The fleece is called mohair and is pure luxury.
This little sweetheart has been a regular visitor during the months of December and January. She is becoming less shy and playing with our 2 mousers.
Over the last few weeks I have been sorting through boxes of recipes I collected since 1973. One box was very special, having been my grandmother's. Among her recipes were a collection of my great grandmother's clippings and composition book filled with handwritten favorites. Her handwriting was exquisite, especially considering the ink pen she had to use. Penmanship was truly an art back in 1800's. Click on the photo to see better the recipe for cold water soap.
Many little treasures were tucked in among those antique recipes. It was quite common for companies to print up recipe booklets aimed directly at housewives, to showcase their products. Everything from shortening, baking powder, evaporated milk, Velveeta, oil and other staples.
General Electric published a handsome booklet of substantial size for the purpose of convincing the "modern" housewife that she must go electric and get rid of her old fashioned gas range or cookstove.

All this filing of memorabilia made me crave homemade bread.
Dough was slathered with butter, brown sugar, raisins, walnuts and cinnamon. Then I rolled it and cut slices for buns.
One of the best all around hand tools is the bench scraper. It does "101" jobs.
Dough after 2nd rising, ready to divide.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Back In The Saddle!

SNOW and more snow. January has been defined by the stuff. The ducks, geese, turkeys and chickens have been surviving storms with temps in single digits. I keep thinking I will find frozen poultry in the morning. They have a shelter, but I see them hanging around outside most daylight hours.
Ugh, the huge bags of Fertrell organic potting soil was frozen solid under a foot of snow. So unthinking of me to have forgotten to bring it inside before the weather turned. Aaron shoveled it out and dragged it into the house. Thankfully it thawed and we can seed onions and flowers.
Here is another snow lover! Max is like a child, just does not want to come in, even after hours of lounging belly down on the frigid piles. He makes me cold looking at him. Finally, after I can't stand it anymore, I muscle him indoors.
This poor Black Crested duck was found stuck in the ice and snow. Somehow it got wedged between the pen and barn wall. I don't know how long he was caught but he had signs of struggling fiercely to free himself. His bill and wing feathers were rubbed raw and bleeding. I didn't know if he would make it. After 4 days of ICU in the laundry he rejoined his flock.
The original water is in service as I can not keep the lines to their automatic water thawed. There is no electric to the barn or coop. Anyone know of a solar livestock tank heater?
View off the front deck. No matter the time of year, Lancaster county is beautiful.
Ducks and geese in their new fenced area.
Back view.

All sunrises are special. This is the view from the kitchen sink. In only a few moments I can literally watch it rise over the woods in the neighbors field.


We are ready for another season of growing produce. How quickly the weeks pass. May we grow for you? If you are interested check out our website for the 2011 CSA shares.