It Got Crazy Here!

It was a crazy evening here yesterday. With the goats not getting along and Sophie wanting to play with all the critters... She has managed to "open" up the self locking clasp that connects the lead to her collar and went to play with the ducks and chickens. For her its playing, but for DH it's panic time. Sophie is quite large now, but still a baby and she plays rough, not realizing how strong she is. Her favorite move is to run and pounce, she reminds us of Tigger, 

I was still working with the pressure canner when I starting hearing a loud commotion among the chickens and ducks and went to check on them. Immediately I saw Sophie's lead lying on the ground and she was not to be seen. Uh Oh! This can't be good!

So I drop everything and run out the kitchen door toward the chicken house. The chickens and ducks had been out in the yard foraging and we left their door open so they can come and go as they please. Heading quickly toward the chicken house, my heart is beginning to race by this time, and I admit to feeling a bit panicky, especially when I see one of the black ducks lying on the ground, beneath Sophie paw, and trying desperately to break free all the while quacking as loud and frantically as she could. 

Sophie! I called out trying to break her focus, which it did, and the duck was able to run for the door. Meanwhile Sophie just looks up at me as if to say "what's up?" and immediately ran in another direction chasing chickens. Running, and bouncing and pouncing..... It was obvious to me now that she wasn't trying to harm the birds, she was trying to round them up and send them back to their house.... which they all did, as quickly as they could.

She chased them all back into the hen house where they had all jumped to their highest roost, and their perceived safe area with Sophie hot on their heels. 

What a sight it must have been for the neighbors! The chickens and ducks all running a making a raucous, followed by Sophie doing her best imitation of Tigger trying to chase them all at the same time while they all scattered, followed by me running out the door in hot pursuit and DH following me terrified that the dog was trying to kill the birds!

It was much like a scene from a Bugs Bunny cartoon. I was "Granny", DH as Elmer Fudd, etc....

As things began to calm down, I explained to DH who was still somewhat shaken, that if Sophie had indeed wanted to kill one of the birds, she would have succeeded quite easily more than once. She was doing what she believed was her job, rounding up the chickens and sending them back into their house.

Good dog. 

Meet Dawson, the Newest Member of our Herd

Meet Dawson, at 4 1/2 months of age, he is the newest member of our growing goat herd and is the sweetest little guy you could meet.  He has such a sweet disposition, and he stays close by my side where-ever I walk.  He heels better than the dog!

He won't have much time to get comfortable here at Henny Penny since the goat transport will be here in the morning to bring all the goats to the new farm.  On Sunday he will be able to settle down into his new home..... apart from the does, but near enough not to get too lonely while we look for a couple of wethers as companions and field clearers.

Only two days until our move to the farm and the stress is escalating.  So much to do before leaving Friday night.  The fences here are coming down today.  They will be moved to the farm along with our household goods.  Big things such as furniture will have to wait until spring at the soonest since there is no place to store anything.  Hopefully we will have our building permit by then.

Dawson at 4 1/2 months of age

Mother Earth News Fair in Seven Springs, PA

This was our long-awaited, first time attendance at the Mother Earth News Fair and we were not disappointed!  Wow! is the best way to describe the experience.  There were over 150 workshops plus dozens of exhibits, a poultry show, and hundreds of vendors offering everything from home-made

soaps and jams to seeds to electric fencing and solar ovens.  Everything imaginable for the self-sufficient homesteader.  All this for the price of our ticket.... $20 each for the entire weekend and all the workshops we could manage to attend.

We attended the Seven Springs, PA venue at the Mountain Resort of the same name.  The location is beyond description.  It consists of thousands of probably the most beautiful acreage in western Pennsylvania and offers hiking paths, fishing, golf, skiing, and so much more.

There was the Livestock Conservancy tent which presented workshops regarding choosing and
raising the livestock for your farm or homestead.

The Livestock Conservancy works toward preserving heritage breeds and supporting breeders interested in preventing the extinction of historical livestock including chickens, ducks, turkeys, cattle, horses, and more.

In the Sustainability Tent there were many workshops designed to assist homesteaders in learning the day-to-day tricks, tips, and skills they may need to become, or improve, their self-sufficient life-style.

In nearly every tent it was standing room only for all the presentations.  Each presentation lasted an hour, and was worth standing for.

Get the "Scoop on Poop" or  Making the Best Compost for your garden,
whatever topic was best suited to your needs was available.

And there was always time for questions and answers.

We attended workshops every hour from the time the gates opened to closing time.  Some workshops we attended together, but mostly we used the divide and concur method in order to cover as many workshops as possible.

the Heirloom Gardener tent...standing room only!

Nick attended workshops on butchering rabbits to lambs, how to distill liquor at home, tractor maintenance and accessories, and more.  I listened to people talk about raising Devon cattle, heritage fowl, livestock grazing rotation, making the perfect compost and how to grow and preserve garlic.
Lisa from Fresh Eggs Daily talked about raising ducks and chickens together.  Getting to meet Lisa and listen to her presentation was a pleasure since I have been following and enjoying her blog for quite a while.

At the Heirloom Tent I learned how to grow garlic, the right way.  I already knew I had been doing it the wrong way.  As quickly as I could, after the presentation by the owner of Enon Farms, I got over to their booth and bought a mixed pound of their heirloom garlic for my garden.  Now I just need to wait a few more weeks to plant them into my new garden at the farm.          

Enon Garlic Farms 

As with all fairs, there were vendors selling everything from home made jam to solar ovens to electric fences and, for arthritis sufferers, Turmeric!  This was incredibly fortuitous since I decided a few months ago to stop taking my arthritis prescriptions.  I just couldn't stand losing sleep worrying about the possible damage that medication was doing to my liver.  Having been taking it for several years had already cost me my once beautiful teeth, I didn't want to risk ruining my liver as well.

I had read of the benefits of Turmeric in the treatment of arthritis and how it reduces, or eliminates, inflammation, and had been searching for a source without having to rely on the spice department of the supermarket.  As I rounded a corner there it was, that big,  beautiful banner which read:

Turmeric powder, capsules and oils

On Saturday morning my joints were hurting so badly I thought I would not be able to attend the fair, but I took two capsules, as Vincent recommended, and by the time I was dressed all the pain had gone!  The relief lasted throughout the day, so the next morning the first thing I did was to take two more capsules and once again, I was ready to face another pain-free day.

I can't say these turmeric filled capsules will do the same for any of you, I only know what they have been doing for me.  Next on my shopping list is the oil which is applied topically to sore, inflamed joints.

Not every booth in the vendor areas was about selling, there was one in particular about giving.  And, for a change, they were not asking for our money!  The founder of the Billions in Change foundation was the one who was doing all the giving!  They do not accept any donations.

Their mission statement is:  "Our mission is to build a better future by creating immediate and simple solutions to serious global problems around water, energy and health."

John is a volunteer who is ready to tell everyone about
Billions for Change, answer questions, and NOT take any donations.

"Manoj Bhargava, creator of 5-hour Energy, founded Billions in Change as a way to positively impact humanity."

I had read about this man some time ago and was greatly impressed by his generosity.  He literally has been giving away 99% of his billion dollar fortune to improve the earth and the lives of its inhabitants.  All in all, a totally amazing man!  Learn more about him and his works here and here

Over at the Poultry Show we found this beautiful pair of American Buff geese which are on the "watch" list.  These geese are not only beautiful, they are gentle and docile as well as good mothers.
They are the largest of the medium size geese, weighing it at about 16 pounds for the geese, and 18 pounds for the ganders.  These birds are definitely on our "must have" list.

American Buff Geese pair

There isn't enough space on this blog to tell you everything, so I will suggest that if you ever get the opportunity to attend one of these fairs, do it!  They are held in six states, in six different months and if you buy your tickets early you can get the weekend passes for less than the price of a day pass purchased at the gate.

Only Five Days Until the Move!

This latest trip to the farm didn't quite go as planned since it was raining when we arrived, and except for a few brief hours early on Monday morning, it was still raining when we drove away on Thursday morning.  It wasn't a wasted trip, however, as I was able to get all the plastic totes unpacked, rearranged all the storage compartments in the motor-home, and Nick managed to assemble one more wall for the chicken house.  As he discovered that the "kit" was missing three of the 2"x3"x70 1/2" boards for the two side walls, and it was raining too heavily to continue working, he had to pack it all away until the next trip.  

It is good to be willing and able to adjust to unexpected situations.  Being self-sufficient means being ready to "go with the flow" since things seldom go as planned.

This is our last week in our CT home, and it will be a very busy week indeed.  There are a dozen meat chickens to process from the chicken yard to the mason jars, there are the last vegetables from the garden to pressure can, and still more packing to do.

We also pick up our new buck tomorrow so he will have a few days to get acquainted with Penny and Charlotte before the goat transport comes for them on Friday.  We plan to head out during the night on Friday with chickens, ducks and packed crates of household goods and food stockpile.

Once the chicken house is assembled, and the electric fence is installed in the goat paddock we will finally get the opportunity to take a day off and rest before we resume building the farm. 

On Thursday we left the farm and headed to Seven Springs, PA to attend the annual Mother Earth News Fair.  After missing it the past three years, we were determined to attend this year and bought our tickets as soon as they became available, not realizing at the time that the fair would coincide with the preparations for our move to the farm.  But, none-the-less, we attended and had a wonderful weekend.  

Naturally we waited a bit too long to make our hotel reservations, and ended up a forty minute drive away from the venue.  But it was a beautiful drive along country roads, through valleys and over high hills, with farms everywhere.  

We did get the last available room at the Inn at Mountainview in Greenburg, PA and weren't disappointed.  On the mountain, and on the top floor of the hotel, we had an unobstructed view as the sun made it's appearance each morning peaking out from behind the mountains in spectacular fashion.  The spacious suite included a  kitchenette and dining room, living room area, fireplace, a very comfortable king sized four poster bed, and a huge bathroom with separate shower and a large, oval, jacuzzi bathtub!  A hot breakfast was provided each morning, so I didn't need to cook during our three night stay.

 That fireplace came in handy during our second night. Since the day had been a bit cold and damp it felt so good to relax in front of the fire after  a nice long, hot soak in that deep tub.  Not at all like what we had become accustomed to at the farm.

We arrived at the hotel in the early evening on Thursday, and since the Fair didn't open it's gates until noon on Friday, we had the opportunity to sleep in and didn't get up and moving until 7 a.m.!

For us 7 a.m. is sleeping late.  At the farm we are up by 5 and hard at work by 6.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Mother Earth News Fair, it is a three day weekend of workshops, DIY projects, and trade-show geared toward farming and self-sufficiency in this "modern" age.  Attendees may go to as many workshops as they choose, learn hands on projects, examine livestock, and so much more, all for the price of their entry ticket, which can be as little as $20 per person for the entire weekend!

Just one of the many areas of vendor and exhibition tents.  This one is near the ski lift and the early morning
mountain fog was just beginning to lift as thousands of attendees began to arrive.

Progress at the Farm: A New Home for the Chickens

After much consideration we decided that with limited time and materials, we would be better off buying and assembling a shed kit for the chickens’ new home rather than building it from pallets and other reclaimed lumber as before.  We do not have a supply of these at hand nor the time to find and collect them.

We selected a 10’x10’x8’high shed which will be perfect for our current flock as well as to house the heritage breeds we plan to raise, separately, yet still under one roof.  At 10’x10’ it can easily be divided into a few “apartments” for isolating the few breeds.  We won’t want them mating with the wrong rooster.

The run is designed to be 20’x20’x8’ high, and be completely fenced with chicken wire above as well as around.  As more breeds are included, the run can subdivided and also easily expanded on the two remaining sides of the hen house.

But, as with all good things, we had to begin by clearing the site of the very tall grass that had taken over.  That little Lawn Boy Mower we bought has really proven it’s worth.  We use it daily and it has taken down grass that had grown taller than Nick and never whimpered.

While we had been away for six weeks the grass took over the entire area that had been previously cleared by the bush hog.  During the trip, two weeks ago, we began cutting it down again, and during this trip we have been able to maintain what we had mowed, and expanded the mowed area further.

 

Nick spent a full day clearing the area between the trees to the left and the small barn to the right, and out of sight in this photo.  Eventually a large area was cleared and made ready to start building.

The chicken run will be squared, with the hen house setting outside the run, and toward the direction of the little barn.  Only one wall of the hen house will join the run.  

The Home Depot delivery truck arrived midmorning and set the load beside the spot where we would be doing the construction work.  No heavy lugging of lumber more than 2’ from the load.  

We set in place the cement blocks when he returned, and waited until the mid-day heat had cooled a bit before we began assembling the base.  It took us awhile, but we got the blocks all level, and the 4x4 base assembled and squared.  It took what remained of the day to finish preparing things.

The first thing the next morning we framed the floor and walls and tried to get it all together before the rain came in the afternoon.  

Of course, we also had to rush to get the building supplies under cover before the rain.  

We managed to get the floor framed, the flooring installed, and the roof rafters constructed before the afternoon thunderstorm arrived.  We didn’t get the brunt of the storm, just enough rain to prevent us from working.  By the end of the day we each work off a bit of weight and were ready to sleep.

The rain came, and continued until Sunday morning, so the completion of this building will have to wait for our next trip.

garden (far left) - pallets - hen house floor - small barn - goat shelter and yard. (upper right)
This is the area directly behind the house spreading from the garden at the east and he goats pasture to the west.

How to Peel Tomatoes Easily Without Boiling Water

HOW TO SAVE TONS OF TIME AND WORK WHEN PROCESSING YOUR TOMATO HARVEST

I must confess, I cannot claim to be the creator of this wonderful time and work saving method of processing the tomato harvest.  It comes from one of my favorite sites, Old World Garden Farms.  

Jim and Mary both work at paying jobs and on their beautiful, bountiful farm.  Their site is filled with helpful information regarding gardening, cooking and building projects.

They came up with this process in order to be better able to preserve their huge tomato harvest when they get home from their day jobs.

At first I was a bit skeptical, which is my wont, but after trying their method I am eager to share it with you.

It's simple, no more boiling water and ice baths to remove the skins.  Simply rinse off the tomatoes and place them in the freezer.  I just set them in the freezer where ever there is enough space. 

photo from http://www.prevention.com/

Remove a few at a time from the freezer after and hour or two, hold under running, cold water for a minute or so, and the skins peel right off!  No fuss, no mess, no boiling water and hot to handle tomatoes!

It's fabulous.  In the time it usually takes me boil water, I was able to peel several pounds of tomatoes.  After peeling I placed them inside freezer bags until I am ready to finish process them or cook them.

Right now I have absolutely no free time for processing my tomato crop as usual and I was worried about the losing the crop.  No longer.  I have the first harvest already in the freezer, and I thought I'd try out the method on a peck of peaches which was begin to become over-ripe and I didn't have time to make the peach jam for which I had purchased the peaches.

I rinsed off the fruit and set a couple of them in the freezer with the tomatoes.  After an hour or two,  I held 

the peaches under running cold water, and they peeled just as easily as the tomatoes. 

So, when I return home from the farm next week, my peaches will have been saved and sit frozen in the freezer waiting to be peeled and processed.

It feels so good to know I won't lose my harvest, especially since this years harvest is less than in past years. 

I noticed there has been an obvious lack of bees in this years garden.  Usually the garden has been humming with bees, but not this year. 

I haven't even seen those big, black and yellow bumble bees which normally feast on the clover.    

Our Newest Addition to the Herd... is 2 a herd?

We would like to introduce the newest member of our little goat family.  He doesn't have a name yet, as we need time to discover what will suit him best.

Yes, we have a little buck.  Besides being so darned cute he was born on my birthday.  What better reasons could there be for buying him?  Hopefully Charlotte and Penny will like him too, when he comes home in a couple of weeks.