tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89726183861291102212024-02-07T22:25:31.819-08:00Peaceacre FarmCarolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356257547117803509noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972618386129110221.post-69729565292067532532012-10-07T13:32:00.003-07:002012-10-07T13:32:55.800-07:00Would You Shoot This Cat?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgLde0GlvIIOjGXlwwkQV9mpptbdsP5ON9LqdpAQ2ui3zadcAyBGUcJcJzj89m9pamm9-I8QaoK_Yg77HdmIJNP1EhvneU0VKwmAuvzwosyybxSE-k7lDHe72sXDEKoNxCfKN2Q7sEI8/s1600/Jaffa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgLde0GlvIIOjGXlwwkQV9mpptbdsP5ON9LqdpAQ2ui3zadcAyBGUcJcJzj89m9pamm9-I8QaoK_Yg77HdmIJNP1EhvneU0VKwmAuvzwosyybxSE-k7lDHe72sXDEKoNxCfKN2Q7sEI8/s320/Jaffa.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In England, a "Jaffa Cake" is a sweet treat something like an oreo cookie, only with orange jelly inside... hmmm...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But at Peaceacre, "Jaffa Cake" (affectionately shortened to "Jaffa") is our newest stray kitty rescue! The owner lives down the road from my daughter's boyfriend. The boyfriend heard through the country grapevine (the cornvine?) that the owner was going to shoot this adorable kiitten if somebody didn't take it off his hands by sundown... Two phone calls and one bumpy gravel road ride later, Jaffa joined our family! I know he looks mean in the picture, but really, we think he's Jaffawesome!</span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356257547117803509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972618386129110221.post-41635761741735780832010-11-06T18:23:00.000-07:002010-11-06T18:23:18.792-07:00Summer Recap, Heading Into Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOl0mrxH0e_TNNaI127OtbuJsme-X8pKl8RZ5-t4qibi9Z40QsNxsgJraBATZVLBA5E4iJOSviTVmWMD0rUtH9WdGnNnUakMrXwWM_9bqtml08Pi3WoDk2VEBB_NDCbMlCnWTfjrLPu8/s1600/blackcat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOl0mrxH0e_TNNaI127OtbuJsme-X8pKl8RZ5-t4qibi9Z40QsNxsgJraBATZVLBA5E4iJOSviTVmWMD0rUtH9WdGnNnUakMrXwWM_9bqtml08Pi3WoDk2VEBB_NDCbMlCnWTfjrLPu8/s1600/blackcat.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Wow! Recapping this past summer, all I can say is H-O-T!!! And add a lot of Bermuda grass... </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What do you do when you discover Bermuda grass has invaded your 5,000 square foot garden, and you don't use chemicals... Well, we did some research, and came up with what we think is a pretty good plan. We planted an orchard! And we're using black plastic to smother out the devil grass for future raised beds. All in all, it's a good alternative to either going crazy trying to control the invader, poisoning the earth, or giving up. None of the above for us! This has worked beautifully. Despite the heat, we now have a wealth of healthy fruit trees and bushes thriving in our garden. Here is what we planted:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;">Johnny Red apples</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Macintosh apples</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Royal Cherry</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Tartarian Cherry</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Peaches</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Apricots</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Pears</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blueberry bushes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Blackberry bushes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Raspberries (but they didn't make it)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Strawberries</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Asparagus (not a fruit, but a perennial nonetheless - and, yum!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Horseradish - another perennial</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Concord grapes (kinda iffy)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">A variety of hardy herbs</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: large;">In addition, we squeezed tomatoes, eggplants and yardlong beans into the mix, since the trees won't be tall enough to block out the sun for years to come. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We also utilized the kitchen garden for our peppers, onions, more tomatoes, cucumbers, flowers and herbs. So far no Bermuda grass has managed to encroach that close to the house.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our Aurucana baby chicks are getting BIG now, and they are just fantastic. So much fun to watch. It's like having a flock of eagles in your back yard. They have finally bonded with the barred rocks, and all are now equitably sharing the henhouse.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sheep and goats doing fine. We were a little worried when the heat index hit 110 and stuck there for what felt like weeks (and probably was). Fortunately they have the shade from the woods behind our house, and they made full use of it, believe me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The bad news - so busy with Peaceacre business, we did not get a fall garden in. We're going to miss lettuce in April, and the fine Brussels Sprouts flavor of turnips hoop-housed all throughout the winter. We're relying on our farmers market friends to keep us in fresh high tunnel produce this winter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally gave the windows to build cold frames away to a friend - good luck, Eric! We held onto them for a solid year, then thought, what the heck are we actually going to do with these now that our garden is an orchard???</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Again, wow! It's been a busy summer and fall. But we feel pretty good, our animals are happy, our freezer is full of veggies. So we didn't get it all done... But we had a lot of fun.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We will give you updates on how planting an orchard to fight Bermuda grass works out!</span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356257547117803509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972618386129110221.post-88167899095506170912010-08-01T14:25:00.000-07:002010-08-01T14:30:20.341-07:00Homemade Mayonnaise Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVjlWYjKxsy-t5Alola1pS2Qaf1WmJaM1w_HNCWWErtiZHNIkZosRkEjZx034v3_QXrkUs-5XdmE0tl4igtXFjabW7VLV3kE1r7oeWUJtgeQgwwfNE-fNhWxuIhr17Kjk4PDeOMFMjnU/s1600/mayo-jar.png" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVjlWYjKxsy-t5Alola1pS2Qaf1WmJaM1w_HNCWWErtiZHNIkZosRkEjZx034v3_QXrkUs-5XdmE0tl4igtXFjabW7VLV3kE1r7oeWUJtgeQgwwfNE-fNhWxuIhr17Kjk4PDeOMFMjnU/s400/mayo-jar.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We have not purchased commercial mayonnaise in years - and when you try this recipe, you will see why! Homemade Mayo makes the store bought kind taste like what it is, a jar full of chemicals. <em>Bleh</em>. We use farm fresh eggs from our chickens. If you don't have chickens of your own, visit your local Farmers Market and buy some Farm Fresh brown eggs. DO NOT TRUST GROCERY STORE EGGS!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Here's the recipe:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">4 egg yolks</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">4 teaspoons white wine vinegar</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 teaspoon mustard powder</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 teaspoon salt</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 &1/2 cups canola oil. If you prefer, you can use olive oil - but I have had problems with olive oil going bitter in the finished product. I like canola.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Add all the ingredients except the oil to a blender. Turn on your blender, and S-L-O-W-L-Y drizzle the oil into the mix. As it starts to turn into mayo, you can add the oil in a steady stream rather than a drizzle.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This is easy, easy, easy! And it tastes great on tomato sandwiches made with heirloom tomatoes (read the next post down)!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Homemade mayonnaise will keep for about a week or so in the fridge. Remember that there are no weird chemical preservatives involved, so you can't push it to the back of the fridge and pull it out a year later and still eat it. Kind of disgusting that you CAN do that with Miracle Whip. Think about it.</span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356257547117803509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972618386129110221.post-5877120777449129662010-08-01T14:03:00.000-07:002010-08-01T14:07:41.741-07:00In Praise of Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes!<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfR4fe1fUpxNCllV42OWqTIwR6XCLUQTKdhF5Y0Is84PWhfRxIDCkB5joM6zX1lwFNC4XZoRJ9ejgYnzi3BNEYog7i_uKM3QtTYIyrTGNN8IVz_PWQJUYc7-K9_WB3lZy-2rTrWLbHRY/s1600/cherry_tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfR4fe1fUpxNCllV42OWqTIwR6XCLUQTKdhF5Y0Is84PWhfRxIDCkB5joM6zX1lwFNC4XZoRJ9ejgYnzi3BNEYog7i_uKM3QtTYIyrTGNN8IVz_PWQJUYc7-K9_WB3lZy-2rTrWLbHRY/s400/cherry_tomatoes.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have heard a number of people expressing skepticism about heirloom plants in general, and tomatoes specifically, saying that they fear the heirloom varieties are too fussy and won't produce as much as the hybrids. NOT TRUE! For the past two years, we have grown heirloom Fox Cherry cherry tomatoes I started from seed purchased from Baker's. Last year when all our other tomatoes were consumed by blight, the Fox Cherries were the only ones that were unaffected and which produced abundantly until the first frost in October. This year's crop is just as prolific. We've been experiencing a massive heatwave here in Southwest Missouri, and the Fox Cherries are alive, well and filling my sink to overflowing, as you can see in the picture on the left. This is one day's harvest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Now, what am I doing with all these tomatoes? They're primarily snack food! Chris takes them to work in his sack lunch, Conor munches on them by the bowl full. Plus, we've been tossing them into pasta, slicing them for sandwiches, sharing them with friends, neighbors and even our chickens! And I've been freezing them by the bagful for winter, as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">And drying them, of course! Here is a great dehydrator recipe for a small batch. Double as necessary:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">40 cherry tomatoes, halved</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1/2 cup olive oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1/4 cup balsamic vinegar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 clove garlic</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">1 tablespoon basil, oregano, parsley or whatever herb you have on hand or prefer.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Mix all together. Soak tomatoes in marinade overnight, or at least 4 hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">To dehydrate, put the marinated tomatoes skin side down on your dehydrator rack and sprinkle with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Dry at 125 degrees approximately 5 to 9 hours. Just be sure to check frequently after 5 hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">These are fantastic! I store mine in the freezer. But if they are completely dry, you can store them in the pantry.</span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356257547117803509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972618386129110221.post-21714921943097837222010-07-25T17:56:00.000-07:002010-07-25T17:56:37.969-07:00Keeping Chickens Cool During a Heatwave<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjLqShqUF8MAE65WYOb3OHyCNEghzi6WeUkDrKCyxtKMoJXldUdk6Jcy2rJOD1HDPjz-tcFuk_YDVwNiDB16-RRAWdOvw4gehNdvGq_gBuYyKGbHWW3En7ORGTxiveGZsJBpi9zMYZvI/s1600/ameraucana_pullets" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjLqShqUF8MAE65WYOb3OHyCNEghzi6WeUkDrKCyxtKMoJXldUdk6Jcy2rJOD1HDPjz-tcFuk_YDVwNiDB16-RRAWdOvw4gehNdvGq_gBuYyKGbHWW3En7ORGTxiveGZsJBpi9zMYZvI/s400/ameraucana_pullets" width="400" /></a></div>During the intense heatwave we've experienced here in Missouri this summer, we have been concerned about the youngest mebers of our flock. Our adult chickens are free range and hang out in the shade of the woods behind our house during the worst part of the afternoon. But we just bought six Arucana pullets (the chickens who looks like hawks, and lay the very cool blue-green eggs), and we have them temporarily confined because they are so small. In the heat, we have had to be very inventive in our compassionate care for them. Here are some easy ways to beat the heat:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ice Mamma</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToDr2Yu7v0DXomtULJp8rbuHZPcnKseSmVPjH6k-ukj5GKLtE6kRBpaKaDUpQmuDLDk7s-Kazeu4DQQOvOHXP5gH08R2wQoyzWF7VrmeRoFq4RQG-ETP2W3Gsab3IrB7aHU48Ew62W0I/s1600/frozenbottle" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjToDr2Yu7v0DXomtULJp8rbuHZPcnKseSmVPjH6k-ukj5GKLtE6kRBpaKaDUpQmuDLDk7s-Kazeu4DQQOvOHXP5gH08R2wQoyzWF7VrmeRoFq4RQG-ETP2W3Gsab3IrB7aHU48Ew62W0I/s400/frozenbottle" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We call the first trick "Ice Mamma." Fill a 2 liter bottle with water, and freeze it solid. Put it in with the chickies on a hot summer day, and they will cuddle it, climb on it, rub themselves aginst it, and treat it like a beloved mamma! And they'll cool themselves off in the process! Keep two or three of these going in the freezer all the time, so you can switch them out as they thaw.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvp4CjAmAKNCmBjbvfKgA4blkjihrZO-1QrG_3Ps_jBPt6YsgLC0dAECLd3KCScrhRELrT6rd7Lvh0MaQApNgwxw2myx3kj5DWAYX-GGJRIBuJTB7QsJTUgaPKDYsiQcgbgdTi0Y2nQA/s1600/watermelon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvp4CjAmAKNCmBjbvfKgA4blkjihrZO-1QrG_3Ps_jBPt6YsgLC0dAECLd3KCScrhRELrT6rd7Lvh0MaQApNgwxw2myx3kj5DWAYX-GGJRIBuJTB7QsJTUgaPKDYsiQcgbgdTi0Y2nQA/s400/watermelon.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Trick #2: Frozen fruits and veggies. We freeze watermelons, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers - whatever you have an over abundance of in your garden, freeze it for a few hours and put it in with the chickies. They love it! And, of course, it cools them down.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Some people say we spoil our chickens, but these are cheap and easy ways to keep young chickens cool and healthy in a heatwave. And why not want that?</div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356257547117803509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972618386129110221.post-33734416972987205692010-01-10T10:38:00.000-08:002010-01-10T10:39:07.263-08:00Winter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y_XKXtMGo7PJaypOEyiEZ0Tbh-ofPDSLDmvF6Mm6UcBlO6G8PG1NUttn1H3A0a-OiShyphenhyphenCd5eBeo7hRavl5vhKGSuOgBZAeDyZLaXl0HLk6pwwZj2Btad-iBedwl_Kaatl3qAXMcKqFg/s1600-h/conor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y_XKXtMGo7PJaypOEyiEZ0Tbh-ofPDSLDmvF6Mm6UcBlO6G8PG1NUttn1H3A0a-OiShyphenhyphenCd5eBeo7hRavl5vhKGSuOgBZAeDyZLaXl0HLk6pwwZj2Btad-iBedwl_Kaatl3qAXMcKqFg/s320/conor.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This face says it all... This picture of my son Conor was taken on a Christmas Day hike in the woods behind out house. It was cold, but this was actually before the present BRUTAL cold (real temps in the sub-zero range, even after sunup!) set in and stayed. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">This round of cold weather has been a real challenge. Our pipes froze and then busted, so we have had no hot water for four days. We're getting a minor warm up today, so Chris finally gets the unpleasant job of crawling under the house to attempt repairs. We heat primarily with wood, and have burned through our stockpile a lot faster than we had expected, just keeping the house at 60 degrees. Chris and Katlin have the outside chores of feeding the animals. Chris is up at 5:00 AM, because a job that takes under half an hour in the summer now takes 2 solid hours - breaking through thick ice in water tanks, hand-carrying fresh water from the house, giving extra rations of hay and grain, etc. We have a house full of our own dogs and cats, and have even taken in our neighbors' outdoor pets. So, needles to say, I am walking through the house with a broom and dustpan pretty much all day. The chickens are cooped up for their own good, which they hate, being free range chickens most of the year. We started deep-bedding the coop early in fall, so they're snug. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Chris saw animal tracks leading right up to the chicken house door, and packs of coyotes yip-yip across they lake all night. But we don't have to worry too much, because our handsome and loyal (and slightly crazy) Anatolian/Akbash Shepherd "Scout" refuses to come inside at night, even in temps down to negative 7, wind chill negative 12. He has his own cozy straw bale doghouse, but I'm still amazed that, though we try and try to coax him into the house, he simply will not leave his post. He's bred to be a sheep guard dog, and he loves his job. He should get a medal for a job well done. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP92p4LcNW8lYmgILPuakEHkDMwaLbwjUQ87iQ-UhtR3AeANnh43rMVfZOkkgE9keoaSKdra7aElFlQ7f-el37iy2UHKXg66ntH-3bNT2QzJ7vjzVethOYpD-jApQfxmF9Ea-ozJON0qw/s1600-h/scout+on+guard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP92p4LcNW8lYmgILPuakEHkDMwaLbwjUQ87iQ-UhtR3AeANnh43rMVfZOkkgE9keoaSKdra7aElFlQ7f-el37iy2UHKXg66ntH-3bNT2QzJ7vjzVethOYpD-jApQfxmF9Ea-ozJON0qw/s320/scout+on+guard.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Scout on Guard</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Our Handsome Scoutie!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Scout in His Cozy Straw Bale House</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNaXQ00wRrEokAIRkxfqE6_NdlRfv5C9WW0xH6JRAvPQLWqDO5be3vsnhcnUcb8v9R0Ivf7CC4iNJvgwkKObnVsd9NgNGbEg_DHgGxmNFYxm3gw1Y8l2Qb-H7vz53_zg8p6A8mmvbPJY/s1600-h/knitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNaXQ00wRrEokAIRkxfqE6_NdlRfv5C9WW0xH6JRAvPQLWqDO5be3vsnhcnUcb8v9R0Ivf7CC4iNJvgwkKObnVsd9NgNGbEg_DHgGxmNFYxm3gw1Y8l2Qb-H7vz53_zg8p6A8mmvbPJY/s320/knitting.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">I've been staying home to tend the fire and the animals, which has given me a chance to catch up on some things. I finally started knitting a scarf using yarn I spun using my Romny sheep's wool. It is very silky and long and a joy to work with.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">I also got a chance to sort my seeds from last year, to get a feel for what I already had before I start putting together a seed order for spring. I took a few minutes to dream about how great my garden is going to be this year, and also to think about my goals for 2010. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">They say that spring is a time to <em>do</em>, and winter is a time to <em>learn</em>. And although it's miserably cold, winter will go by fast. Every year I regret not taking better advantage of the slow time of the year, but this year I am hoping to change that. More on goals later...</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">All in all, our family is hanging in there!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: large;">Don't forget to feed the birds and squirrels! Here's an older post about <a href="http://peaceacre-earthkeeping.blogspot.com/2009/02/help-squirrels.html">how to build a squirrel feeder</a>.</span><br />
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</div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356257547117803509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972618386129110221.post-32277770229078154122009-12-13T17:21:00.000-08:002010-01-10T07:29:53.300-08:00A Sampling of Summer at Peaceacre Farm<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We promised to post some pictures of our various gardens, so here it is December and we're finally getting around to it... Looking at the pictures from last summer, I'm already missing the sunshine and warm temperatures! Our vegetable gardens weren't nearly as elaborate as they have been in previous years. Toward August, they had become seriously neglected. Which just goes to show, you can't do it all... I focused more on my flowers and herbs this year than I did on vegetables. Our first year participating in the Farmers Market taught us a lot. The biggest lesson we learned is that it takes a lot more time preparing, packaging, setting up, selling, than you can possibly imagine before you actually join a Farmer's Market. As my daughter so wisely phrased it, "you really do sell things" -- which means that you have to replace them frequently. The experience was 100% positive, though. And we'll learn a little bit more every year that we remain members of the 10th St. Community Farmers Market! Fortunately, even though our vegetable garden suffered a bit this year, we had plenty of fabulous organic produce to choose from every Saturday morning from the other vendors, and that made it all worthwhile!</span><br />
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<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">OUR HERB GARDENS</span></strong><br />
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</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiVnICv9orriy4bK5Y1tdY-MGLIH1FiR6eeXrXXEaCDIdrt1mpb-fSDFdSdEIJ0esvdfVWr4eUma1ltu6gkZXgSm3TgOQDMJlrhZS0dtKvxKZQE5G0-zvcfPjsrBrUFqLBeBKalI9p9Y/s1600-h/herb-birdbath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiVnICv9orriy4bK5Y1tdY-MGLIH1FiR6eeXrXXEaCDIdrt1mpb-fSDFdSdEIJ0esvdfVWr4eUma1ltu6gkZXgSm3TgOQDMJlrhZS0dtKvxKZQE5G0-zvcfPjsrBrUFqLBeBKalI9p9Y/s320/herb-birdbath.jpg" /></span></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">One of our shady herb beds</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Anise-Hyssop. This is one of the indredients in Peaceacre Peaceful Blend Herb Tea. Not only is it a wonderful tea herb, it attracts humingbirds and bees. Perfect!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Dill</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Holy Basil</span><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Chocolate Mint</span><br />
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</div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">These are just a few pictures of some of my favorite herbs. As you can see, I'm not into formal beds. I plant my herbs, to quote Paul McCartney, "here, there and everywhere..." </span><br />
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</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>GARDEN PICUTRES</strong></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Green Beans (looks like they need thinning... I never did, though, and we had a bumper crop like you wouldn't believe!)</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Working in the garden. In the front is a beautiful patch of boarge that self-sows like crazy everywhere, every year.</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">More green beans!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I put this arbor together using branches that were knocked down in an ice storm a couple of years ago. The innocent looking plant you see growing in profusion is called "Chia." A friend of mine gave me one tiny seedling. Chia seeds are an ancient food used for energy, endurance and well-being. But watch out! One seedling can take over an entire garden... Talk about energy!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Working to create a perrenial flower bed in the front yard. Our goal is to have this bed cover the entire front yard, to eliminate the need for mowing... This was my husband's idea!</span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I'm already thinking about next spring!</span><br />
</div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356257547117803509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972618386129110221.post-9358475303318181892009-07-18T16:58:00.000-07:002009-07-18T17:57:18.919-07:00How to Clean Beeswax<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span> <div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdGkh2mZhV4EFfGBkRFCYzD3excNCvQ024qg3C_PjtO8IP5wkr4M3mI7mNpMCp9qGhyphenhyphenEgZ499rh7XQh9_z5Qhyphenhyphen_bD0BSebs4WoVR0A_amJwWk9m9V9eQbiQDxLJApcZmAZOegeO-LbgM/s1600-h/beeswax_chunk.jpg"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 232px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 157px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359955557174753442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdGkh2mZhV4EFfGBkRFCYzD3excNCvQ024qg3C_PjtO8IP5wkr4M3mI7mNpMCp9qGhyphenhyphenEgZ499rh7XQh9_z5Qhyphenhyphen_bD0BSebs4WoVR0A_amJwWk9m9V9eQbiQDxLJApcZmAZOegeO-LbgM/s320/beeswax_chunk.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I promised to share my herbal balm recipe, and here is the first step - cleaning the beeswax. Of course, you can always purchase cleaned beeswax, but I like to be involved in every process from the very beginning if at all possible. I like to work with the most basic components of every product, to get a feel for the raw ingredients. And fortunately, we're lucky enough to have a local source for beeswax, as we have several beekeepers in the area.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">How To Clean Beeswax</span>:</span></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hTrl-uUdCIJD5KBQJwoe4DFmr-TZcs7MxKeKsmZW1rDU3W33LfPAx4-d49rFkgmiAXYOtPmJ1nOnEPwPAYvdLvUoW5MF40Q0vXYHqVLwL2upUDZHWpUHNBQg8TJ6R1_QPoZTo6vzGFs/s1600-h/beeswax_melting.jpg"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 262px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 158px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359955372876364034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hTrl-uUdCIJD5KBQJwoe4DFmr-TZcs7MxKeKsmZW1rDU3W33LfPAx4-d49rFkgmiAXYOtPmJ1nOnEPwPAYvdLvUoW5MF40Q0vXYHqVLwL2upUDZHWpUHNBQg8TJ6R1_QPoZTo6vzGFs/s320/beeswax_melting.jpg" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">The first step is to remove the heavy dirt and particles. We do this by placing the beeswax in a pot of water and heating it until the wax melts. I want to remind you here to be very aware of what you are doing when you melt beeswax. Don't walk away from the stove! Once the wax melts, turn off the heat and allow the wax and water to cool.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXIjcpecuTSwsNUPy4NJgsVnfKg4-TWAG33F9y0e6FiEycwl8aLr1wHBXCjZgT8yaGf7U4NordRP8XD9jebPvzkDDT0Bay_bNtuHXXvPadlkcwCFPHcuIWZ6O4QRzKWZW_J1YALxjHbw/s1600-h/beeswax_cooling.jpg"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 201px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 127px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359964833515605874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXIjcpecuTSwsNUPy4NJgsVnfKg4-TWAG33F9y0e6FiEycwl8aLr1wHBXCjZgT8yaGf7U4NordRP8XD9jebPvzkDDT0Bay_bNtuHXXvPadlkcwCFPHcuIWZ6O4QRzKWZW_J1YALxjHbw/s320/beeswax_cooling.jpg" /></span></a> <div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">The picture on the left shows cooling beeswax just starting to set up. When it sets up, the wax will sit on the water. Remove the beeswax from the water, and dump out the used water. Fill the pan back up with water and simmer it again. You repeat the process exactly as before, but this time, wh</span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">en the wax is melted, filter it water and all through a tightly-woven cloth or an old stocking. Have a second container and the cloth ready in advance, because you want to pour this before the beeswax starts setting up again.</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWUINCFWk2cKzvHRT4rh2OPOdOWwj8MlLZeWsFC9JG9VJ7MVjuQsSPgiLLuy43BGJIdP9TvDwaI4gzjhBiy08z4mZ9Qq07X07bLZBDiWtGr0ui9FB-lU7577cgIf8i8GlrP9GnhugZUk/s1600-h/straining_beeswax.jpg"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 169px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 130px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359955186965655202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWUINCFWk2cKzvHRT4rh2OPOdOWwj8MlLZeWsFC9JG9VJ7MVjuQsSPgiLLuy43BGJIdP9TvDwaI4gzjhBiy08z4mZ9Qq07X07bLZBDiWtGr0ui9FB-lU7577cgIf8i8GlrP9GnhugZUk/s320/straining_beeswax.jpg" /></span></a>Allow the wax to cool and become solid. Remove the wax and throw out the water. I take the water outside rather than pouring it down the drain. Beeswax will stop up your drain! Allow the wax to dry for a day or so, then use it as needed. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;color:#ffffcc;">.</span></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1For_AKS6el7E9wnKI9uTE4sbHTnvCtDhYlQZuKQyuXmQAr1Nc4sjctSfRfVYbd0f4Kf2r9iWR6vQ5FqP3zwp6Gz2oPi02L6LfGRp_oALfL4DJguFTNY4vdE2OayPsm1g4RAz48VeWj4/s1600-h/beeswax_finished.jpg"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 221px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 144px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359954682426722706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1For_AKS6el7E9wnKI9uTE4sbHTnvCtDhYlQZuKQyuXmQAr1Nc4sjctSfRfVYbd0f4Kf2r9iWR6vQ5FqP3zwp6Gz2oPi02L6LfGRp_oALfL4DJguFTNY4vdE2OayPsm1g4RAz48VeWj4/s320/beeswax_finished.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"> Is this a messy process? Yes! Do you have to be careful? Yes! But it gets easier after the first time, and there's a lot of satisfaction to be found in doing it yourself from the very beginning. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><br />We'll talk about infusing the oils for the herbal balms in the next post.</span></div></div></div></div></div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356257547117803509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972618386129110221.post-8776224301926682472009-04-19T15:32:00.001-07:002009-04-19T16:25:54.002-07:00How Many Sheep Per Acre?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCb_uhm8Jfko2cXTx4mjBHCaLkL7GK2Zc2E3btFY2EDuk5JlXwN-yPXUnM9-Nwe43ZqMucm0k4l03qQXiNQeDh5gfcnQwP_9W870hZkiB5ugdIC9A_zrF8PMZmWNwQFNnQz3dvsJD_Qo/s1600-h/sheep02.jpg"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326534246116302594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCb_uhm8Jfko2cXTx4mjBHCaLkL7GK2Zc2E3btFY2EDuk5JlXwN-yPXUnM9-Nwe43ZqMucm0k4l03qQXiNQeDh5gfcnQwP_9W870hZkiB5ugdIC9A_zrF8PMZmWNwQFNnQz3dvsJD_Qo/s320/sheep02.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">If you find yourself wondering how we're able to keep five sheep, two goats, and a flock of free range hens, and have a huge garden all on one acre, well, we don't... not exactly. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Peaceare</span></span> Farm is, indeed, one acre, but we work every day in cooperation with our neighbors - and our sheep are a great example. Our neighbor, who has several acres, found herself in a position in life where she no longer had time or energy to keep all that acreage mowed. Having noticed our close-cropped pasture, she asked if we wouldn't mind grazing our sheep on her property as well. We were happy to oblige. On our one acre, with five sheep and two goats, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">supplemental</span> hay was a necessity year round. By agreeing to graze our sheep on her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">property</span>, we solved two problems at once, relieving our neighbor of mowing duties, while <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">tripling</span> the size of our grazing pasture. We haven't had to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">supplement</span> with hay in the summer since!<br /></span><div><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;">So how many sheep CAN you keep per acre? That depends on who you ask... And it also depends on the condition of your grass. I've read anywhere from 4 to 15 - and that's a w-i-d-e range! I think it's safe to say a maximum of 4 on poor pasture, more only if you are willing to supplement with extra feed. The most important thing is to create a suitable environment for the sheep. It also depends on the breed of your sheep. There are small breeds, such as Welsh Mountain, or large sheep, such as Romney. Rule of thumb: <em>The bigger the sheep, the fewer you keep!</em></span></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Here are a few more things to keep in mind:</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Do your research. Make sure that the breed of sheep you choose is suited to your climate.</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Good fencing is a must. Sheep rub against fence posts, lean against fences, etc. You will not keep predators out for long with cheap roll wire fencing.</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Be aware that your sheep will need to be sheared once a year, and it's hard to find someone willing to come out to your place to shear a small flock. Unless you're willing to do the job yourself (which is m-u-c-h harder than it sounds!!!), you will have to make some kind of arrangements. There are breeds that don't require shearing, but they are not the standard breeds. Think it through in advance, and again, DO YOUR RESEARCH!</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Be aware that you are going to have to trim their hooves, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">deworm</span> when <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">necessary</span>, treat hoof rot, etc. Routine veterinary duties fall on YOU.</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">No matter how wonderful your pasture is, your are going to have to feed hay during the winter and during times of drought. You have to have a source for purchasing hay, a pickup truck to transport it to your property (a large hay bale weighs app. 800 pounds), as well as a dry place to store that hay. You must plan for all of this in advance of acquiring your first sheep!</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Sheep need salt blocks and mineral.</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Sheep need a source of fresh water - and someone to replenish it daily.</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">You CANNOT keep just one sheep. They are flock animals, and a single sheep will be miserable, and will make you miserable, bleating for companions. Its a terrible stress on the sheep to be alone, and they will not survive long in solitary confinement. Two sheep are an absolute minimum!</span></li><br /><li><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Keeping sheep is a big commitment of time as well as resources. Before you start a flock on your property, consider how their presence will impact your <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ability</span> to go on extended vacations, travel <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">spontaneously</span>, etc. Do you have a reliable sheep-sitter?<br /></span></li></ul><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">All that said, sheep are beautiful, wonderful, gentle animals. We have never <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">regretted</span> our choice to make sheep a part of our lives, and you won't either, if you take all of the above into consideration before you take the plunge. Just look at these cute faces! Hazel (on the left) is Romney. Ivy (on the right) is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Corriedale</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Borderleister</span> mix. Nettle and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Gretel</span> (in the back) are twin sisters, of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Dorset</span>-Suffolk mix.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326545627848716706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lxwd6trglf0tHXzF9G9BbGDLK03UzTuZ6ghrrq7pCzN7dcrtSWws3V8iM5jz2jqWqusNSJORIXRuFANvwJKoa4Wfw1Cel_jSHqgmqz9-Y5CALiwjOpVprB-HdbmawtZWDlat4TMRthw/s320/shheo01.jpg" border="0" /> </span>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356257547117803509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972618386129110221.post-18296038550494873862009-03-29T13:06:00.000-07:002009-03-29T14:02:01.513-07:00A Healthy, High-Protein Snack For Your Chickens<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL4f6KdQ_qu6nGEXQCrjKwHjXa_da95HOGjAczlm6JPZQJeM4-46YJCadLozIpWVN_aLUj0rtAg-6d-X67i7j38o8CjdtlVQYKxaQ_C0dKJLQSSnKVSEp5ijM6cB0pY8I2YtB_M_nBSA/s1600-h/chickosnack.jpg"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318704359859128530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL4f6KdQ_qu6nGEXQCrjKwHjXa_da95HOGjAczlm6JPZQJeM4-46YJCadLozIpWVN_aLUj0rtAg-6d-X67i7j38o8CjdtlVQYKxaQ_C0dKJLQSSnKVSEp5ijM6cB0pY8I2YtB_M_nBSA/s320/chickosnack.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">We like to feed our chickens this high-protein afternoon snack. In the winter, this mix of sprouts, dried greens and soybeans will boost your birds' immune systems to ward of illness. In the spring, when egg production increases, the hens require an increase in nutrients, so this snack is a year-round favorite.<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;">Preparing the Soybeans</span></strong></div><br /></span><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">1. This recipe serves 10 hens. Soak about 2 cups dried dried soybeans overnight in water. Use two cups of water for every one cup of dried beans, more or less.</span></p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">2. The next morning, put the beans and the water you soaked them in into to a large pot and bring to a full, rolling boil. Slow boil for AT LEAST 15 minutes. </span><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Note:</strong> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Trypsin</span>, an enzyme found in all beans, is toxic to birds. It can scar the lining of their intestines and disrupt their ability to absorb nutrients from their food. Therefore, 15 minutes boiling time, at 180 degrees or higher, is truly an absolute bare minimum, as anything less than that won't remove the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Trypsin</span>. I cook mine 30 minutes, to be on the safe side.</span></span></p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">3. Strain beans and cool. Store in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">refrigerator</span>.</span><br /><p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></p><br /><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;">Preparing the Sprouts</span></strong></p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Sprouts are a good source of amino acids. Chickens LOVE sprouts! You can <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sprout</span> lentils, flax, alfalfa, etc. I sprout wheat for my hens because we always have a goodly supply of of organic wheat berries on hand for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">bread making</span>. Sprouting is simple. Put about 1/3 cup berries in a quart mason jar and cover with water. Let sit overnight. The next day, pour off the water. Covering the top of the mason jar with some k<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ind</span> of netting (an old onion bag works fine) will make straining off the water easier. After the initial soaking, you just need to rinse the berries a couple of times a day. Fill the jar with water so the berries are covered, then pour the water off. Within a couple of days, you'll see them sprouting. You can feed them to your chickens any time after the sprouts appear!</span> <span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I like to keep two or three jars of sprouts going all the time, so I always have a fresh batch sprouting. </span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;">Dehydrated Greens</span></strong></p><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Gather greens in the spring and summer thinking ahead to winter. "Greens" for this recipe can be all sorts of things from the garden and from the yard - dandelion greens, turnip tops, extra spinach... What your chickens like in the summer, they will appreciate in the winter, dried. Just throw them in your food dehydrator until they are dry, and store them for winter in a closed container. Spread out over a whole growing season, this is not a big deal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1u-Ac6Dg9Xt4VleoRZZZyUvV4mWAzpY7_NZUbkC3p-KBzMGMUo0pXPfkLlmIQpgPdAjHCI6iC_HpXjeokbQpQheWRui6l3Vle2Gv4bHcRFBsMMP1E-ZtgCToNvZVdKRaES42Hd0gAG2A/s1600-h/chickenfeast.jpg"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318712433208935458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 237px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1u-Ac6Dg9Xt4VleoRZZZyUvV4mWAzpY7_NZUbkC3p-KBzMGMUo0pXPfkLlmIQpgPdAjHCI6iC_HpXjeokbQpQheWRui6l3Vle2Gv4bHcRFBsMMP1E-ZtgCToNvZVdKRaES42Hd0gAG2A/s320/chickenfeast.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></p><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:180%;">The Snack</span></strong></p><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">I like to combine about 2/3 cup cooked soybeans, a handful of dried greens and about a half cup of wheat sprouts, depending on the weather. Our chickens are free range, so in the summer, we skip the dried greens.</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;">Yes, our chickens are spoiled, but we love them, and with this snack mix, you can ensure that your chickens love you, too! Once they've had a taste of this high-protein delight (from your hands), they will come running from every direction any time you come out of the house!</span></div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356257547117803509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8972618386129110221.post-38936087036593432492009-03-22T16:41:00.001-07:002009-03-29T12:26:49.317-07:00Welcome to Peaceacre Farm! Here are a few pictures of our acre. Enjoy the tour!<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316134713100156034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwAtgrfkq5LsxwEXnUcXDosDF7QabHB47b4F-wGXW7pVKxwnSP81ou0-2oz-WH0o2xacHWrVpHtQn3dnBhh3vckGaVB-omBEtl7aEOuiLWe83Hp2afpErKniHxwYKZ8Rhj59kFZZONRY/s320/conor-hat.jpg" border="0" /> <div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Conor dressed for fun!</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316134723514863490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZ63mypncw488OZkTwAxriCAsqq8FSENISuH_UleL1f-Ma37XCmQ3Oypi_Psc_-XQPd1Z-VKLHJ05vdOPa8qyBPz2RCTjbY-FQWL8fWApSXebreyIla_IFCcyb14Yp1ckP5zjdL60G7M/s320/sheep+in+snow.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Nettle and Hazel. Nettle was just a few days away from being shipped out for "processing" when we rescued her. She seems pretty happy on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Peaceacre</span> Farm!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316134725865800850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 192px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMv_SRMAHGJlWjwNHqcezws2q2k92eUXc7NL1TbtAoBsxPkTAlskEfnaKYB7dTTv4buo97DoZHn4VDcEVbtHHMYvnDKfWl_affAc_QdB8noTL6ciZO2dQvQimGx2roDdn96OUUDedmMBc/s320/conor-hayhouse.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Conor and Scout admiring the garden under new-fallen snow. Straw bales add extra insulation for the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hen house</span> in winter. In the summer, the bales go straight to the garden as mulch. A win-win!</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316142260392331138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_v0Uw_cHekaNc1nQJqqfqCy7bPnY1ftXJb8q1oIFBw485-1aZ5gTJu_m1t3TDqY0Aiosu-XHc9Q2ExF3OZGAkooKpfMRrJKRc1I1jt3lvNWVatGmILGqCVze_7EbIApTyKgFnt9JpIo/s320/building-hoops.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chris builds the hoop houses</span> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYn61v8k8oB4xWw96h1mbasgfRukkULkhQqoLf8zbST7sdvCVQfLbAP8jKTgLfqHfNLAzXi3hwE-7c7B3obp-_eHovl9eFGmLONiKCNXGBoNPBWf9StWFUWRmMkP6S4EhzAdki4tB3sWQ/s1600-h/hoop+houses.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316135135982320962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYn61v8k8oB4xWw96h1mbasgfRukkULkhQqoLf8zbST7sdvCVQfLbAP8jKTgLfqHfNLAzXi3hwE-7c7B3obp-_eHovl9eFGmLONiKCNXGBoNPBWf9StWFUWRmMkP6S4EhzAdki4tB3sWQ/s320/hoop+houses.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Swish Chard and turnips growing under hoop houses. This picture was taken in the dead of winter.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316144575399252914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-XoGfOg18Wbilq2S1mWbOJQX6GYaMu8W_xjH6UZ02hDusbRenmh0OWmwGVkuCPTFajxpozfPyCZ-H3vLaFOwmxJ_Atmk6SzIfgC6gPxTX7x9WpT72Fhi0aK13SkCEt2Idi7Ja3YY3aM/s320/turnips.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:130%;">Turnips held all winter in the ground under hoop houses. Roasted with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, the flavor is extraordinary. They are now Chris's favorite, and he never liked turnips before tasting these. Wintering over considerably improved the flavor.</span><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316134723258244034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQz-KPkVcj0RLWGVuYmbDxruNEjpzyWPOHTDPfBRMn6YG2SLzvy5U9tQfqAVCsYKL8isL0OFCAG0yxp75I-rFqFc5Gj1NDeUi-Hxe0t3vNUSeNdK6oRvQGXYpkQYpEFBiTJLlbNBVAnJI/s320/coldframe.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chris built this cold frame using scrap wood, greenhouse plastic and four storm windows we picked up at a yard sale for a few bucks. We added solar collectors (a fancy way of saying plastic water jugs filled with water and spray painted black) to hold in the heat. We also insulated the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">coldframe</span> with wool.</span><br /></p><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjBv4tHRQY0tHndAAS-is50u9FjL7fpfAFS7ENzUAUwnGwZqoyfoz_IqjscwEzgCdRdKyBsM_2lXjH2wKC8PLAmYzEwkOVoHY3Y1UsynxF9JJY5fK4TF91O9w6ooRCtqoS0AtqvTdxn8/s1600-h/inside+coldframe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316134729924681890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjBv4tHRQY0tHndAAS-is50u9FjL7fpfAFS7ENzUAUwnGwZqoyfoz_IqjscwEzgCdRdKyBsM_2lXjH2wKC8PLAmYzEwkOVoHY3Y1UsynxF9JJY5fK4TF91O9w6ooRCtqoS0AtqvTdxn8/s320/inside+coldframe.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">Inside the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">coldframe</span> in the deep cold of February. I can't say we raised enough greens to feed the whole family, but a few fresh greens on a cold, gray day is food for the soul, indeed. If you suffer from the winter blues, forget the Prozac - build a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">coldframe</span>!</span><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDaH4GkFl4W1f77EeLJ-BOJyKOE3D3noza3uA3TW35JlwITxplpzsrlIdkf3yb4WYlnZ7Blz9XR3d6ZVKf9FByz50w2NiVfd7Hwc9aOV-4pHdmjO0jxL9dRAtrP_lEsaeHzEuuZMnNR4/s1600-h/fiona.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316140322023109426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDaH4GkFl4W1f77EeLJ-BOJyKOE3D3noza3uA3TW35JlwITxplpzsrlIdkf3yb4WYlnZ7Blz9XR3d6ZVKf9FByz50w2NiVfd7Hwc9aOV-4pHdmjO0jxL9dRAtrP_lEsaeHzEuuZMnNR4/s320/fiona.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Fiona relaxing after being sheered.</span><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPY5PrI6CsI_Plx2dolVh5BwWdtzhM3U_XiAGxUfLMX0hlHVU4LOeB-ijYzq8OzFZ4KTMQpxD3bxloTBmhK8fiDSfrDqhM4XX3UoFP2EtNAULJLtbvcCWQ827nklVEHeDfaReWlvSpG_Q/s1600-h/wool-washing-day.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316140325610567650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPY5PrI6CsI_Plx2dolVh5BwWdtzhM3U_XiAGxUfLMX0hlHVU4LOeB-ijYzq8OzFZ4KTMQpxD3bxloTBmhK8fiDSfrDqhM4XX3UoFP2EtNAULJLtbvcCWQ827nklVEHeDfaReWlvSpG_Q/s320/wool-washing-day.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">While the sheep relax, my work begins - wool-washing at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Peaceacre</span> Farm! </span><br /></div><br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2fZbbkP1mrT9d7IsMaUpc6P_HBoJMdb9jf0L6US0MpcUtS8P8PzMJ4V-1K30kae3YJIOWG56G6VLcIMwuo1TeGR2Fb8OoDHTrEFSAFN_plM2H4v1Lh2lv7Qe7AzKHlgzdnGeZ399Bj4/s1600-h/rasputin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316140319328787634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2fZbbkP1mrT9d7IsMaUpc6P_HBoJMdb9jf0L6US0MpcUtS8P8PzMJ4V-1K30kae3YJIOWG56G6VLcIMwuo1TeGR2Fb8OoDHTrEFSAFN_plM2H4v1Lh2lv7Qe7AzKHlgzdnGeZ399Bj4/s320/rasputin.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Rasputin was advertised as "good eating for the BBQ" - what could we do but rescue him?</span> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3fFPac8cOZnANk4jMVHXqXiO9xqUt_p1eoUJAdbF0wihtM4LZjNSA8X7OqGGqD-rttRx9_C3eHkivpqfWkVERUiKuxbRIWVs4yupaMivyMaGdi9k9fmUXGmw5r5J5b4FLb0-h_hbdzg/s1600-h/conor-kitchen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316142268754546674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq3fFPac8cOZnANk4jMVHXqXiO9xqUt_p1eoUJAdbF0wihtM4LZjNSA8X7OqGGqD-rttRx9_C3eHkivpqfWkVERUiKuxbRIWVs4yupaMivyMaGdi9k9fmUXGmw5r5J5b4FLb0-h_hbdzg/s320/conor-kitchen.jpg" border="0" /> </a><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Conor in the kitchen getting ready to pass out dog cookies</span> </p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBrQuNODwARI2-z8OjLn-cKmjFAJ0k9V5IdtCSdlqQ0sPEKiNqwxJ9bTrqxYjMwlTxRhmLjLq7Zty-h9jXDXfhcBLr-DAia1UEdzht4sM0p_O8TXW52f5D0BXkbZFqjISzMJHHc-rkS8/s1600-h/blitzie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316142250559038722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 206px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBrQuNODwARI2-z8OjLn-cKmjFAJ0k9V5IdtCSdlqQ0sPEKiNqwxJ9bTrqxYjMwlTxRhmLjLq7Zty-h9jXDXfhcBLr-DAia1UEdzht4sM0p_O8TXW52f5D0BXkbZFqjISzMJHHc-rkS8/s320/blitzie.jpg" border="0" /> </a></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Mr. Creek</span><br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ASecftF0huwl1zWv8udoRuTnM7xza247B4aJsb1ahfOLjlrWOO522thfK-FGiai5TxuXshyQY5UFiJnpjClgIjNbcaPqK0qN4s88wBVeH_hGYPJsypmzoiYx0QhUXBQslitmjKEdSjQ/s1600-h/conor-skeleton.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316142278687177346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ASecftF0huwl1zWv8udoRuTnM7xza247B4aJsb1ahfOLjlrWOO522thfK-FGiai5TxuXshyQY5UFiJnpjClgIjNbcaPqK0qN4s88wBVeH_hGYPJsypmzoiYx0QhUXBQslitmjKEdSjQ/s320/conor-skeleton.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Conor getting ready to trick or treat in his homemade, glow in the dark skeleton costume!</span><br /></div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia20L8wvE6iN5_q6woEGr5Vna_dBfRE7T6DaHez3i5-beKMYrxhFP0tX6pj2lp1SzcIZvvOBSah6o9ghox81yboBvpZNarcFTOa6vxPHHAl-wyvo1Hfw7vJnFhxvxwLCI2KFVzmvkcy5k/s1600-h/chickens.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316142265567945490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia20L8wvE6iN5_q6woEGr5Vna_dBfRE7T6DaHez3i5-beKMYrxhFP0tX6pj2lp1SzcIZvvOBSah6o9ghox81yboBvpZNarcFTOa6vxPHHAl-wyvo1Hfw7vJnFhxvxwLCI2KFVzmvkcy5k/s320/chickens.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">Barred rock hens make up about half our flock. Fabulous chickens - we highly recommend them!</span><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316143801061670034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmccTH0ntAF5mamL5Q7VYHMRpLEae5BvyUHzp50vMtlPMl4kKaPcT-nfnnnqmEnhTwK4_DAyeqcTEIJE6OU_69EGfsrweJXo8y8OQUvcaXMIpR4-NbDTq96n9TXX36Rz2WIwUftastSM/s320/shed.jpg" border="0" /> <div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">The shed in summer, with hollyhocks blooming</span></div><div align="center"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,255,255);font-size:130%;" >.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316143790527014962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoVEwrZ41ZsyqyX_RX7LF7jI3uFBL41heFIbLvY1zy4SMT47WW4ufEiRDJxDrwMR_W8y9cz2DcTmAZaZ4X9y8xb8ZYrwP4Jf8faGzooXvlCVDegSBNjknh9ko4R9mcoFMYQhbfLAfzx1Q/s320/one_days_harvest.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Fresh Produce</span></div><div align="center"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,255,255);font-size:130%;" >.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316144554707650594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5K0teHoCQdJnK82Afwy4pDNNWiVgJJC0_t8dWzKXEASLo4kpgj3Pjd2diqV2NO4LFMi3HSpcdfSc2PWT6SXt86T5_kZpNL5bkHs2DFSUU7_H32P7Az4pvco4cSzaSHAcUpDl_AbjfbM/s320/soap.jpg" border="0" /></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Handmade soap</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2vriXkOWmlNL1qwyeM487_Ej-fUehUUAPWEbXwl_DRF7uQFgElr0R5EvL-Ry2PMww3fOK_zLr9GchuwrnG-VSguCIXFP-SxW0R-Oqedv0Sjhongvsyvq0QArLSbKTXeMwJBkGarbMBE/s1600-h/woods.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316144586893274498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2vriXkOWmlNL1qwyeM487_Ej-fUehUUAPWEbXwl_DRF7uQFgElr0R5EvL-Ry2PMww3fOK_zLr9GchuwrnG-VSguCIXFP-SxW0R-Oqedv0Sjhongvsyvq0QArLSbKTXeMwJBkGarbMBE/s320/woods.jpg" border="0" /></a> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq1XXtpXm7q3NA4WdENudA3Y1z_ntYH53mINNyI2vRftpPH0FPizC5f28mXFlvDs7RKfoiSm2VM3CG76-_WXFK0-jYi4Tu8eioklNZ47Kmhc7bRuwM0exk-87H9XoChedUNETVn4_p_o/s1600-h/lake.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316143780711584994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivq1XXtpXm7q3NA4WdENudA3Y1z_ntYH53mINNyI2vRftpPH0FPizC5f28mXFlvDs7RKfoiSm2VM3CG76-_WXFK0-jYi4Tu8eioklNZ47Kmhc7bRuwM0exk-87H9XoChedUNETVn4_p_o/s320/lake.jpg" border="0" /></a></p></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">Two views of the woods. Although our property is one acre, it adjoins public woods with a large lake. This is the most important classroom I have in home schooling Conor.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,255,255);font-size:130%;" >.</span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316143773475043314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JS12U2m4fTKY29PkyRmulGQ9W64FnLArYqUA9vOhvW_aJv6nh4rR-tufOKt1xFIBt_kUxucrJDmxCK0u5muytSMyXMXXYUI0JcNmjp4lCx7IQakLp2JzYhjxqFl9W98cYAbI_y2D8x0/s320/cool-bench.jpg" border="0" /><span style="font-size:130%;">My favorite gift. My daughter created this sacred space for me in the woods behind our house as a Mother's Day present.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,255,255);font-size:130%;" >.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;">After we put this tour together, we realized that we have very few pictures of the vegetable gardens, herb gardens, habitats we've created, etc., so check back. We'll expand the tour as more pictures become available!</span></div>Carolynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07356257547117803509noreply@blogger.com