tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54898552411755201352024-02-19T07:16:48.302-08:00Surviving Life on a Few Acres Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-3447154388652248102018-02-08T12:28:00.000-08:002018-02-08T12:29:11.766-08:00Happy Anniversary, Baby!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVmHxydwQRRu_xp8nRkJ89277COxSYtjeItvWKcLD61L4RxE6gCPSqcIArvT4noo28DY1S8WpAP5MOs9b8Uhv_mVhJSKIh6yxIN0pmZQpJYk9-GujIQWZqywRh589q-aOp1u8xKesRsI0/s1600/1.6.18.4yrFarmAnniversary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="436" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVmHxydwQRRu_xp8nRkJ89277COxSYtjeItvWKcLD61L4RxE6gCPSqcIArvT4noo28DY1S8WpAP5MOs9b8Uhv_mVhJSKIh6yxIN0pmZQpJYk9-GujIQWZqywRh589q-aOp1u8xKesRsI0/s320/1.6.18.4yrFarmAnniversary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span></span></span><br />
Well Well Well. Imagine my surprise when I realized that January 6th was the Four year anniversary of <span style="background-color: #741b47;"></span>our having purchased this 'lil mound o' earth. <br />
It's been three years of actually living here. Sometimes, that feels like just yesterday, and other times, like forever. <br />
Similarly, some days it feels that this project is plugging right along; other times it feels like an eternity, with nothing done to show for it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLllds1RbciaD2v0G2qoaXGpGVsxsoXsgrKqXmFsPomao7nPfJ68D4UnLpenh2woAvYJsXFAUZiQXONYPiaE_5HapqvkwPUWCsYioLuVNKBCdHm_YvFnzv5E9D_nz3pNCYoEFa0Uo3YIs/s1600/jan18waterlinecopyP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="663" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHLllds1RbciaD2v0G2qoaXGpGVsxsoXsgrKqXmFsPomao7nPfJ68D4UnLpenh2woAvYJsXFAUZiQXONYPiaE_5HapqvkwPUWCsYioLuVNKBCdHm_YvFnzv5E9D_nz3pNCYoEFa0Uo3YIs/s320/jan18waterlinecopyP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Fortunately, feelings aren't facts. :)<br />
<br />
Although the fourth anniversary gift lists include wonderful items for a homestead- fruit, flowers, appliances, to name just a few, I got none of this for my anniversary. Instead, January brought with it a case of the something-or-others for me, cancer surgery and tumor removal for our sweet lab rescue, and a frantic call from the water district letting me know that "my reading was high, and my meter was moving."<br />
<br />
Apparently, this means the water line was leaking. Fortunately, a friend o' a friend knew a guy, and it was fixed within a few hours. Well, replaced, not fixed. The water lines here originally wander all around the property, and seem to come in to the water hydrants prior to arriving at the house. Unfortunately, some of the line ran under my concrete patio. Did I mention the temp. happened to be below zero, too? No matter, there was no money to tear up and replace the patio, just to find the leak. So, a new line was ran from the meter to the house instead. The hydrants had been broken or shut off when we moved in, so this solution didn't cost us the loss of those features. In fact, in my typical effort to locate the silver lining hidden in the black, I decided that I was indeed lucky, as now we know where our water line is. Presumably this means we can hook the frost free hydrants up to this new line, down the road. Not only would that provide water to the barns and fields, but it also transforms this from an annoying financial drain that I could ill afford, into the first gold star of the year for completing phase one of one of the remaining big projects on that Master Plan.<br />
<br />
And that, my friends, is how ya can blow smoke up your own bottom, and turn facts inside out until they <b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i>feel </i></span></b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">better :)</span></span><b><span style="color: #a64d79;"><i></i></span> </b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-64544683157703353712017-11-17T12:20:00.000-08:002017-11-17T12:56:09.851-08:00Guess who came for dinner?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbRhsumMrZuR-FpbS3ffhF4fv5et4jZixGa70iVvm1u6JWLnBpk-lrwq2u2VVldtqZ5XMzf2wSDPkSJQlcE009QW0qcLtVKFsxG9NvD0C_X-R3NmuEtG97dpfVFQh6irt14NsAIsygHPq/s1600/111617snake+in+house+entry+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUbRhsumMrZuR-FpbS3ffhF4fv5et4jZixGa70iVvm1u6JWLnBpk-lrwq2u2VVldtqZ5XMzf2wSDPkSJQlcE009QW0qcLtVKFsxG9NvD0C_X-R3NmuEtG97dpfVFQh6irt14NsAIsygHPq/s320/111617snake+in+house+entry+hall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Well imagine the gratitude I felt for having turned On the entry hall light last night! Normally, it is dusk, or darker, when I traipse down this hall, kick off my indoor shoes, wiggle into my barn gear and go out for evening chores.<br />
<br />
It's not that I'm squeamish, precisely, but who wants to try to identify a snake once it is hanging from your big toe by it's tiny lil teeth?<br />
<br />
As <a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5489855241175520135#editor/target=post;postID=3929431763550764601;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=23;src=postname" target="_blank">in this previous post about our house snakes </a><br />
I am not sure what kind of fellow this is. That is a standard size heat register, and normally hidden by quarter round trim sized gap for scale. My assumption was it was a young snake, but I could certainly be wrong on that score. So, if anyone's<br />
guesser is charged up, feel free to share your thoughts. I still have the link to <a href="https://www.slideshare.net/lawrenceks/know-your-kansas-snakes" target="_blank">Kansas snakes by type and appearance </a>but, like before, it doesn't seem to help me much.<br />
<br />
Maybe next time I run into him, I'll get a better picture. Yes, I expect to see him again. Apparently normal people would have interrupted their schedule long enough to show the visitor to the door.<br />
Apparently I am not normal. All I know is he was missing when I came back in, and I have taken to wearing my indoor boots inside :).<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-11056782597095763892017-07-25T15:47:00.000-07:002017-07-25T15:50:18.820-07:00The Seasons Have Changed yet again<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Shaun </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
(April 23, 1962 - June 24, 2017) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shaun was born April 23, 1962, in
MN, and died suddenly on June 24, 2017. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswp5j8CpJAPi849JBMqX5vH4AOoQ9sXDWFxHYafCSVmn_xjH7MmK-CXKs44Ex1pDKZbMWeoZKt6a2ktSf-9f5DhWCPfKKclr39Ci_o7WfNX0mbZBCuQ7Tdljyz6VDo9Wu7ZoeXkdsW9cW/s1600/4281360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswp5j8CpJAPi849JBMqX5vH4AOoQ9sXDWFxHYafCSVmn_xjH7MmK-CXKs44Ex1pDKZbMWeoZKt6a2ktSf-9f5DhWCPfKKclr39Ci_o7WfNX0mbZBCuQ7Tdljyz6VDo9Wu7ZoeXkdsW9cW/s320/4281360.jpg" width="142" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shaun
graduated from Duluth East and the University of Minnesota in 1985, majoring in
physics. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">While
in MN he worked a variety of jobs, including Scenic carpenter and artist for
Design Group and KTCA TV. He participated in the restoration of the commuter
vessel the Windrose, and was employed as a machine builder, contract and
electrical technician with many companies. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
relocated in 2001 in order to pursue “the dream job of a lifetime.” Although he
never regretted the move, he did miss those left behind, the beautiful scenery
of his home state, and the opportunities to canoe, hike and fish for walleye it
offered. </span></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shaun
moved in 2003. He began working in 2004 as instrument and electrical
journeyman. In 2013 he relocated, fulfilling his and his partners’ dream of
retiring to the country to breed Kinder goats. He particularly looked forward
to having his workshop set up so he could indulge his many hobbies, and learn
how to make Applejack. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Born
on St. George’s Day, Shaun loved dragons. He was a good hearted prankster, an
avid reader of Fantasy science fiction and enjoyed gaming and puzzles of any
kind. He liked music from the 70’s, especially “hippie acid space rock.” He
also enjoyed blue grass, classical and both playing and listening to piano. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shaun
believed a study of physics resulted in a journey from agnosticism to belief
for most. He found his own spiritual sustenance in nature: particularly, the
family cabin, parks, and waterfalls of MN’s north shore. Shaun has been
cremated, and will be returned to rest in those places he loved. No services
will be held, but Prayers offered for his safe journey home are welcome.
Memorial contributions are suggested to animal control or the library and can
be left in care of the Funeral Home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shaun
was a current member of united food & commercial workers union,. He was a
past board member of the AACSA. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shaun
was blessed to be part of two large extended families, and was a gentle soul
who was loved by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. He was much loved and
will be sorely missed by the many he leaves behind, those in the home, Julie,
parents Clyde and Jean sister Wendy, brother David (Stacy), and his nephews
Max, Josh, Jon and Arik </span></div>
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<![endif]-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-70754927296091115612017-05-04T21:23:00.000-07:002017-05-04T21:23:16.983-07:00Summer turns to Autumn 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I've mentioned before, the master plan has always included Buff Orpingtons. It slowly dawned upon me that first year that I did not, in fact, have those mixed use mothers. The second year of chickens- 2016- this was remedied. <br />
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We added two buffs and two Easter eggers to the mix, and were looking forward to lovely colored eggs and home hatched chickens.<br />
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As anyone who's lived with little chickens knows, however, the bloom quickly fades off of <b><span style="color: #e06666;"><i>that</i></span> </b>rose. The day comes all too soon when you simply can't abide another moment of the messy, annoying youngsters brooding indoors with you. At this point out. they. go. Ready. or. Not! Our chicks, or rather, we, reached this milestone on July fourth 2016, despite not really having an exit plan fleshed out. I wasn't confident throwing them all together in the chicken coop immediately was wise, so I took a probably dumber approach, and housed the younger group in the run section of the the coop. We then had a total of nine hens and two roosters, which instead of adding to our big rooster's harem as we'd planned, divided it into an even smaller group.<br />
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Still, things seemed to work out, for the most part. Eventually, we put the youngers in the actual coop, and that too seemed OK at first. The first signs that it wasn't ok was when a couple of the ladies began roosting in the near by tree, and then the goat barn, instead of their coop. After a week or so of getting them disciplined enough to turn into the coop, they started vanishing. :(. No signs of fowl play, as they'd say, nor of any intra rooster animosity. . . they just disappeared. All told, three of the Rhode Island Reds, the Black Easter egger, and red rooster ended up gone.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QgWCPKUm51INbKi-26kVdXgZP6y0anC4fT-X9_-QxZ958xDdcd_13wkwJEOySlfCHVQuxdPa3w0DePv2rS-S8JJKn652pbf0ZfwoDWJXJCpY9Oxxc_yy3-SOQYQrvqB4TU-5rXy9idbH/s1600/emptychickenyard2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2QgWCPKUm51INbKi-26kVdXgZP6y0anC4fT-X9_-QxZ958xDdcd_13wkwJEOySlfCHVQuxdPa3w0DePv2rS-S8JJKn652pbf0ZfwoDWJXJCpY9Oxxc_yy3-SOQYQrvqB4TU-5rXy9idbH/s400/emptychickenyard2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emptier Chicken Yard</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I expected to find them at the coop door one morning, or at least find bodies, somewhere, but nary a single clue surfaced. One gal had even been decked out in a bright yellow saddle, and scraps of that haven't turned up, either. So. . . not the first loss, we did lose a little chicken to accident the first year. However, these losses seem some how preventable- I should of housed them more securely, had a better plan for integration been wiser and kinder and forseen the looming problem in time to avert it.<br />
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None of those things were options, though, so instead we decided to use the last bit of outdoor work time adding to and beefing up animal housing.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-2073720360549516852017-05-03T18:45:00.000-07:002017-05-04T17:26:48.350-07:00June & July 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePs3uF3jKU5BFIHvMlDRywOoSItdSCu8T4an1JRy2aEW3cEk8ry9mkRqIw2tuVxQ3wUrWPKMvY-TzDeX_aW8cI5opPKMO-35krMw7UFEqT0A_83XoSOzhelBIpMENn_W52VKH7nnVzMTa/s1600/hallbathtempfix2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePs3uF3jKU5BFIHvMlDRywOoSItdSCu8T4an1JRy2aEW3cEk8ry9mkRqIw2tuVxQ3wUrWPKMvY-TzDeX_aW8cI5opPKMO-35krMw7UFEqT0A_83XoSOzhelBIpMENn_W52VKH7nnVzMTa/s320/hallbathtempfix2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Much of the late spring/early summer of 16 was spent wrapping up bits and pieces of projects. We did the first sprucing up of the hall bath. Walls were patched, primed and painted. The sink cabinet painted. New flooring and toilet installed. The only thing I have to say about the finish choices is 'ya win some, ya lose some.' To the other fart's credit, I saw these same choices made in a historical home rehab a few months later. Perhaps it will grow on me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5VdLWEPwsdOCfhUONV4QQSgl4V5pLN7BqSuAzi1w3VNKlxj5myCTmtdtKw6qqN491aHz9yxwV7QovX1O5X2CvqxB-FjS2U0f7jOmfnxbWwjl0su8nqUhgZ9LsvH6yq4SCcdJE0Y4rpvJ/s1600/goatpasture1fenced2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5VdLWEPwsdOCfhUONV4QQSgl4V5pLN7BqSuAzi1w3VNKlxj5myCTmtdtKw6qqN491aHz9yxwV7QovX1O5X2CvqxB-FjS2U0f7jOmfnxbWwjl0su8nqUhgZ9LsvH6yq4SCcdJE0Y4rpvJ/s400/goatpasture1fenced2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We also managed to get the first goat pasture-drain field fence completed. If you look closely, you may spot two happy goats, and the wooden corner posts that delineate the fence line on the east. The white peak in the background is the front (south side) of the barn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmJphy_HN6LQlBV2k442-phYsYDjfG7H1ySn615gQfNCuC6jLVrJWBBY-vRtT0FTiFYHsaSPYesgIJJF2ADrucYwrRUW-ah7_mXg6DrEeSq-vAhJ8uzmehd6Hjg-kt4V34MuX3wVBrJCT/s1600/overgrownbarn2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmJphy_HN6LQlBV2k442-phYsYDjfG7H1ySn615gQfNCuC6jLVrJWBBY-vRtT0FTiFYHsaSPYesgIJJF2ADrucYwrRUW-ah7_mXg6DrEeSq-vAhJ8uzmehd6Hjg-kt4V34MuX3wVBrJCT/s400/overgrownbarn2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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To the left is a shot of the barn, from the lane that runs on the north side of it. This is the back of the barn. One of our goals for 2016 was to work on taming this "block" of outbuildings. Ironically, we decided it was too over grown to put the goats in charge of weed eating. That task fell- and felled- us. We'd no sooner get the weeds knocked back enough to start the fencing than they'd grow back. I'm firmly convinced the area is one of Dante's circles!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFO3nI4IgQCMVuwXYwgeC2wm3rkx3XIF9mAcW007vb5NGOaQZVXt3OCqhP00_jn-JARxlLEgg1D3MVh3XdOvRmBAl0UzMtUdeczpujevwEAZB9myhnJbruqfX24fBWge8uxLFG74taAkc/s1600/barn+lane+north+side+looking+west+weedless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFO3nI4IgQCMVuwXYwgeC2wm3rkx3XIF9mAcW007vb5NGOaQZVXt3OCqhP00_jn-JARxlLEgg1D3MVh3XdOvRmBAl0UzMtUdeczpujevwEAZB9myhnJbruqfX24fBWge8uxLFG74taAkc/s320/barn+lane+north+side+looking+west+weedless.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a shot looking to the west, at one of the times progress had been made.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9gsja8nyHERqs3WE5bweOcG9FALzlGIT6TxlNQPzf9D2FATOKKCQr1tkvNtznPZdAW48f9GHDA2Gwvk1imK1rdBVsQt1fRe0B95NGrUaVXJy2gie6uIlHdyWhRqFVK_q9OGUYyXFfo9E/s1600/barn+lane+north+looking+east%252C+spring+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9gsja8nyHERqs3WE5bweOcG9FALzlGIT6TxlNQPzf9D2FATOKKCQr1tkvNtznPZdAW48f9GHDA2Gwvk1imK1rdBVsQt1fRe0B95NGrUaVXJy2gie6uIlHdyWhRqFVK_q9OGUYyXFfo9E/s320/barn+lane+north+looking+east%252C+spring+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a shot looking to the east that also captures a time of some progress.<br />
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The front "lane" or south side of the buildings was also terribly over grown and neglected.<br />
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The area also received much of our blood sweat and tears throughout '16. But again there was little to show for it in terms of permanent improvements.<br />
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We ended that quarter with a nice little va-ca, again to the family cabin up north, on the shore of lake superior. That area did help us remember that our landscape was practically barren compared to some.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWqqYZrR-nsJ_VuRpW8N7XF7cv5MWqsetLQ_7XEAjJi6l73b9525cchpyfxB2YqFckriCFl1NFxJFJ6FwFBLJEY60LHtdxV6_WeeOzKy7-kv9dZWqZymopQ9Xb-IMZ0s_xQ5iPrpMipo1/s1600/vaca+at+cabin+south+shore+o%2527+superior+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOWqqYZrR-nsJ_VuRpW8N7XF7cv5MWqsetLQ_7XEAjJi6l73b9525cchpyfxB2YqFckriCFl1NFxJFJ6FwFBLJEY60LHtdxV6_WeeOzKy7-kv9dZWqZymopQ9Xb-IMZ0s_xQ5iPrpMipo1/s400/vaca+at+cabin+south+shore+o%2527+superior+2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-72570141526015998662017-04-10T23:50:00.000-07:002017-04-10T23:51:27.099-07:00So, where were we...?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYShyphenhyphenfHkdd026zvpvb3KVW1MRhd4v0xatw9wIRF1E1Aif3oynZeqCHZsJwprrWcTzmu7b8WYKEGHGWEwTEX-9rGaAhpgoIz9yQOdf5JY_rIImip58kfSP3PcPaJcHAl7hbkslMxbjri_mm/s1600/Buff+and+new+ee+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYShyphenhyphenfHkdd026zvpvb3KVW1MRhd4v0xatw9wIRF1E1Aif3oynZeqCHZsJwprrWcTzmu7b8WYKEGHGWEwTEX-9rGaAhpgoIz9yQOdf5JY_rIImip58kfSP3PcPaJcHAl7hbkslMxbjri_mm/s400/Buff+and+new+ee+2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Well hello again. April 1st has rolled around once more, bringing with it the need for an end of year update. Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do first, though. It's been quite a while since I've posted. When last I did, these juvenile chickens were still living in the cheese making-seed starting-laundry-chicken growing room, and I was still tickled pink to have finally brought some '<i>real' </i>buff orpingtons into the mix. We had also started some raised beds in the garden area for our first annual vegetable plantings. Gardening is of course one of the major lynch pins of the homesteading type life style, but if we had to survive on what we grew last season we'd have had only a month or so of meals before sub coming. Plenty of those peas grew, and I was excited to be able to save some of those plants seeds for this year. We also enjoyed plenty of green peppers and paste tomatoes, but no where near enough to can. The potatoes were stunted, too. I tried planting them in straw, and though that is successful for many, it was not for us. Carrots and turnips were a no show. The chickens ate much of the corn seed before it grew, and though the pumpkins were going gang busters, they ended up drowning in a sea of weeds. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending upon one's view, the garden's sub-sub-sub par performance was 100% operator error.<br />
It is far less clear where to lay blame for the chicken's bumpy road, though. In fact, not knowing what was going on or what the ultimate resolution would be is why I quit posting- it was the next subject I planned to address, and to this day, I still don't know the who what where whens or whys of the situation. But those details can wait till the next post.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-42571489951871905292016-11-24T18:33:00.000-08:002016-11-24T18:34:40.622-08:00Remember, the best of 'em are Verbs, not Nouns.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVX1RJeWV-S-o4i9fRd95kUZq999XcBRJtYBZCGMG0_Aj14KcQsWTXLRhMUk4y7sY-clQqguZr2k06KF9bLL38AQE4MWcm-vsnPGafGaJpiT6bbF5KzHol-nNjLVn3j4fsamaf64wULFk-/s1600/animaatjes-thanksgiving-388413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVX1RJeWV-S-o4i9fRd95kUZq999XcBRJtYBZCGMG0_Aj14KcQsWTXLRhMUk4y7sY-clQqguZr2k06KF9bLL38AQE4MWcm-vsnPGafGaJpiT6bbF5KzHol-nNjLVn3j4fsamaf64wULFk-/s400/animaatjes-thanksgiving-388413.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-38195756115844999222016-05-17T17:05:00.001-07:002016-05-18T23:43:46.311-07:00Where we're headed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMTbFCaGtHMUgo4yk3VbH8GldkurPelm1tmeCSg11Y9q6v5g0tUnQg7jFcf7BLcWaNjPrCMAQy-sjqi-ae7_X-QMAG9N8m54-GMvJzjeoSjAyZG48KBcQ3YCjZwGmgaIeRmL16g6wLsZX/s1600/FarmCroppedOverviewwithfencezoneslabeled2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMTbFCaGtHMUgo4yk3VbH8GldkurPelm1tmeCSg11Y9q6v5g0tUnQg7jFcf7BLcWaNjPrCMAQy-sjqi-ae7_X-QMAG9N8m54-GMvJzjeoSjAyZG48KBcQ3YCjZwGmgaIeRmL16g6wLsZX/s1600/FarmCroppedOverviewwithfencezoneslabeled2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="4/16" border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMTbFCaGtHMUgo4yk3VbH8GldkurPelm1tmeCSg11Y9q6v5g0tUnQg7jFcf7BLcWaNjPrCMAQy-sjqi-ae7_X-QMAG9N8m54-GMvJzjeoSjAyZG48KBcQ3YCjZwGmgaIeRmL16g6wLsZX/s400/FarmCroppedOverviewwithfencezoneslabeled2.png" title="Farm Zones" width="400" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1591455125"></span><span id="goog_1591455126"></span><br />
<span id="goog_1591455125">One problem I've had with setting up our new(ish) homestead is that it took awhile to get a handle on what layouts & functions made the most sense. </span><span id="goog_1591455125"><span id="goog_1591455125">On one hand I sometimes feel frustrated that
we don't have more done. Overall though, spending our time and energy
dismantling and disposing of what we<i><b> didn't</b></i> want instead of forging ahead with the new seems to have worked out. One of the benefits is that over time, the form and function of the house and six acres began to take shape.</span></span><br />
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<span id="goog_1591455125">The lines above represent fences of one
kind or another, and their color represents whether they are built yet,
slated for far into the future, or somewhere in between. Black lines
show completed fencing. Those lines in purple are in progress, i.e.
have some of the fencing installed, and/or some of the posts. The light
blue and light pink lines are browsing areas for the guys and gal goats
respectively. Not sure at this point what combination of panels, woven
and electric will be used for those rotational grazing areas. This
project is slated to begin when the barnyards are finished. The
thicker, royal blue lines are the furthest out on the time line, and
will be perimeter fencing, and fencing for the one area that may have
limited public access. </span><br />
<span id="goog_1591455125"> </span><br />
<span id="goog_1591455125"><span id="goog_1591455125">When the plan took shape some of us were dismayed to see how much fencing was involved. It hurts, both the back and pocket book, and even my pride. I've caught myself wincing at the thought that all these fences to no where leaves me looking like that crazy city gal who doesn't know a tree stump from a water pump!. All I can say in my defense is expert after expert stresses rotational grazing is best by far for animal health, and even pasture management. Not to mention we are on a highway, are far too <strike>lazy </strike>old to chase animals, and past experience has left me with (literal) scars. I barely clear the five foot mark, and trying to separate two large fighting chows in an open space impressed upon me the importance of being able to corral and control animals.</span></span><br />
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Right now we only have a few of the zones up and running. The dog zone in the front and side of the house, the chicken and goat zones to the east of the house, in front of the temporary goat barn. I had wanted the chickens down in the garden, so they could help with weeding and bugs, but I was over ruled. Their chicken tractor is a wee bit NE of the house, and there's been no problem at all with smell or insects. The current focus is on the fencing projects, and in keeping those 2 lanes that run east to west between and behind the barns cleared out enough to work on the out buildings there.<br />
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One project that didn't make the master picture is the greenhouse, which is planned to sit on the south west side of the guys goat barn. Since I made this diagram back in March/April, we've finished half of the garden -orchard- animal food block fencing, and have planted the green square behind the machine shed with apple, apricot, and fig trees, rhubarb, horse radish, and black berry bushes. So many teeny tiny steps, but at the end of the day, we made movement towards the goals.<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-26437244824916479952016-05-02T19:53:00.000-07:002016-05-02T19:55:21.547-07:00Hot chick time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQSuAgUQsWUFeqaRVibTwkb1FjqEsQuaByRVTAFAKkfQfNchqWeKQDWxVsG5iJFgdlproaGSiTRnQoxLB_99ZCli9CPjvo4LDVx8YzaYsb_yMUD5VGiuyRU6m11id3z-t59uXEJdPlrUM/s1600/May1+2016+day+old+EE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQSuAgUQsWUFeqaRVibTwkb1FjqEsQuaByRVTAFAKkfQfNchqWeKQDWxVsG5iJFgdlproaGSiTRnQoxLB_99ZCli9CPjvo4LDVx8YzaYsb_yMUD5VGiuyRU6m11id3z-t59uXEJdPlrUM/s400/May1+2016+day+old+EE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Glad to share that the laundry- cheese making- seed starting- chick brooding room has officially moved into the <span style="background-color: white; color: #cc0000;">hot chicks</span> phase. Once again I wanted a few Orpington to take over the work of raising the littles, and once again it looks like I waited too late. Or not. Think I may try hatching my own Orps if I can't find any at the local stores. For some reason, I don't like the idea of having chicks mailed to me. Irrational, I know. <a name='more'></a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKeRu2PXABD0byJJXvV-Wc0dW2UsKIhG0txxR0iANiTt6fYLgZdEY-osB6hn2X-rFdNOdBS-HjEWbAEKYLkd-69K4ORxqE2qcg79Db7QtNA0ianp77TaryqKVPTv8a4ibd5bAaOAy-8cA/s1600/first+garden+pea+4+22+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKeRu2PXABD0byJJXvV-Wc0dW2UsKIhG0txxR0iANiTt6fYLgZdEY-osB6hn2X-rFdNOdBS-HjEWbAEKYLkd-69K4ORxqE2qcg79Db7QtNA0ianp77TaryqKVPTv8a4ibd5bAaOAy-8cA/s320/first+garden+pea+4+22+16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Also glad to share our first annual food planting. These are peas we planted the weekend of april 16th. Pretty late for our area, I think. A week of rain and hail storms seemed to keep them cool and happy enough to at least start growing. Also planted carrots, beets, and turnips, but I see no sign of them. I suppose I should get a planting journal started so I at least know when and what and where something should be. I suppose I should also just be glad we've started, no matter how small or (un)successful the effort proves to be. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-23235061064531263252016-04-19T17:16:00.000-07:002016-04-19T17:16:03.858-07:00April 1st brings our year to a close<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK_0ORhYvxxelp6bule5nRZNqgQdb58khyphenhyphenkfv49PTzX_-XP8rJBFH77Z7imwPAwKIp4eCW9dZPNpNyWaTcYFcvYJM0oZ05Yum0hN61PYRtJ-jeafA-YnAd4rrZZ1sAQ6dkbQhPfmckjU3/s1600/basementzonepic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #c27ba0;"></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><span style="color: #c27ba0;"></span><span style="background-color: white;"></span><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeK_0ORhYvxxelp6bule5nRZNqgQdb58khyphenhyphenkfv49PTzX_-XP8rJBFH77Z7imwPAwKIp4eCW9dZPNpNyWaTcYFcvYJM0oZ05Yum0hN61PYRtJ-jeafA-YnAd4rrZZ1sAQ6dkbQhPfmckjU3/s320/basementzonepic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So, I guess I can't put off a review of our<b><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #a64d79;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #a64d79;">first</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c27ba0;">year</span></i></b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>much longer. First, I should mention that blogging out the goals and directions we wished to take paid off. Unlike plans scribbled on the back of envelopes, of which I have many, lol... the one I <a href="http://cravingcountry.blogspot.com/2015/05/adding-year-and-subtracting-goal.html" target="_blank">posted to the inter webs</a> is just where I left it! That in itself is progress : ).<br />
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Some of our plans worked out well. Our planting goals were limited to getting in a chunk of our perennials. Of the 14 trees, 13 are surviving. The fig tree will be replaced down the road, in a better protected spot, tended by better educated people.<br />
The asparagus and berries also made it through the year.<br />
Overall evaluation is that our <u>planting goals</u> were reasonable for our situation, and were reasonably successful. <br />
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Our <u>animal plans</u> also seemed to go well, overall. The goal was 8 layers & a rooster, and we've 7 gals and guy with us today. The one death occurred early on, and was most likely a human caused accident. Otherwise, the birds have appeared to thrive. I think the temperature was too high at times, and I never added any medicine or prophylactics to their water. There was no noticeable slowdowns in their laying during the winter, either. Ultimately, the only problem with the chickens is: we want more! and already have more eggs than we need! Obviously there are many solutions to the situation and we will figure out which one(s) we wish to take soon.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I'm also ok with the progress we've made with the goats. Last September, we bought a registered sibling pair of Nigerian dwarves. The main objective was to field test our interest and ability for this livestock. Fortunately, we discovered we were right about wanting goats. There is a lot of flat rocks in the bloodlines, which is decent for milk and conformation. I don't know if I'll breed the doe or not though, as she's 100 % line bred already. That decision will require research and refinement of our goals. So, at present we're a bit ahead on the goat goals. I think the decision we wrestled with before has been made: Nigerians or Kinders? Yes, please!! <span style="color: red;">BOTH</span>! Lots! :) <br />
We have also succeeded in clearing out the guy goat barn itself, though not yet adapted it for livestock. <br />
Another area we set goals for is fencing: We did get the dog fencing in, and about 300 foot of the garden fence, too. We also have about 250 foot of wooden picket fence installed. For now it's mostly just floating across the front of the property. The eventual plan is all the disparate fences will actually meet up and fully enclose various areas. <br />
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The last set of goals we had were for inside projects: unpacking and setting up the sewing/craft/puzzle room, adding storage to the basement, and adding paint, flooring, and the new toilet to the living room bath. We worked long and hard, but made little progress. One of the first and biggest stumbling blocks is that I had to break down and make a final floor plan for the basement, then finish painting it. Then, before the pantry area can be established the area needed to be cleared. Thus the whole work area needed to be set up etc etc etc. Other slow downs included illnesses, injuries and ICU's for loved ones. I'm very proud of my sprained wrist, btw LOL.<br />
Any ways alls well that ends well, and we can resume our efforts indoors when the brunt of the summer hits, or next winter. <br />
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An implicit goal of sticking to the budget was also only partially met. That was in large part to having to unexpectedly having to replace a truck last year. Yes, I was prepared to replace it with a car, and retire the truck to the farm. Unfortunately, the truck was hit and totaled and thus ended up needing another truck, instead of a car. Not a biggie, but it did alter the budget.<br />
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All in all, I'm giving us a 78% to 83% rating for the first year here. Work would undoubtedly go faster if we were younger, faster, didn't have day jobs etc, but it is, as they say, what it is. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-74224577712175694352016-02-13T13:47:00.000-08:002016-02-13T13:52:19.259-08:00Pretty Girl Leonard Laid an EGG!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeuxLowvY04vojTg_rFXj_a3PedddATkJDETO5Nny72wnqCnjYr2pZGAdRktgjqcOwR3QSqJ8037C5lKlxhhrX2WZrvJT-MTYEnO3yEBBlFGOvXWDeQ0T9oiJs-86AmKXd-sALjBizN1s/s1600/DSCN1179.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeuxLowvY04vojTg_rFXj_a3PedddATkJDETO5Nny72wnqCnjYr2pZGAdRktgjqcOwR3QSqJ8037C5lKlxhhrX2WZrvJT-MTYEnO3yEBBlFGOvXWDeQ0T9oiJs-86AmKXd-sALjBizN1s/s400/DSCN1179.png" width="400" /></a></div>
I know- "skin color" doesn't matter- they're all the same on the inside. Still, there's something about the colored eggs that tickles the fancy of children of all ages, eh? ;)<br />
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We here are no exception. Our singular Easter egger was <span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Q</i></span>ueen of the day when, at 9 months, she shared this beauty. As far as I know, it was this size right out of the gate- if there were smaller egg farts-practice eggs, we never saw them.<br />
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I feel like an old hand at this chicken wrangling stuff, as a few days prior, I'd noted that she was probably ready to lay. I'd pulled this opinion out of <strike>my</strike> thin air, and offered it to another of the ole farts who wondered whether ms. Leonard was<br />
a gal who only *dated* her own kind. In retrospect, I think I'd unconsciously noted that she had stood still and let me pet her, which I had forgotten I had read is one sign of sexual maturation. Something to do with standing still and lowering to the ground to accept the rooster. So now the ? isn't when will she lay, but, What color <u><b><i>is</i></b></u> the durn thing. I see blue, others green. My other ?, for bonus points, is what are those nested irish pottery dishes for?? If you know, don't bother raisin' your hand- Just shout it out ;)<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-21005573653450106832016-01-18T16:27:00.000-08:002016-05-02T19:55:21.545-07:00Ahead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-48004040776459847022015-12-31T12:00:00.000-08:002015-12-31T12:22:11.398-08:00Happy and Healthy New Years for All!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMzoZTvpn3qSa7WOoSD3CFUbRSwYgjMboUJ3lvrK7lt5CJVF7rJvdrwo9PkzLQQbnjxtJqbWI0tyX20tuVaZbTobWURzns0JgOCmn7TKkMYqAsG64S-D3ye9dJiNOoAGWIiiA2p_gktTl/s1600/NYE2015gazebo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMzoZTvpn3qSa7WOoSD3CFUbRSwYgjMboUJ3lvrK7lt5CJVF7rJvdrwo9PkzLQQbnjxtJqbWI0tyX20tuVaZbTobWURzns0JgOCmn7TKkMYqAsG64S-D3ye9dJiNOoAGWIiiA2p_gktTl/s1600/NYE2015gazebo.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>Be Good to your selves~ And each Other.</i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-72444671217424324332015-12-24T20:51:00.000-08:002015-12-24T20:57:39.815-08:00Wishing You & Yours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_wgBPYTwxMpUjjqPsSgvTfO-01gkXVt55tlZvwnSdsi_e6ZuzQ3mSY4sjUofhxo20k-IwPjTlnjagqqJmX1991hP2H03r8JjuSQBzBu1sF3VaLFF3rxOnPZwc7NDMvuq1ThyphenhyphentjIlPg9L/s1600/2015christmasgazebo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_wgBPYTwxMpUjjqPsSgvTfO-01gkXVt55tlZvwnSdsi_e6ZuzQ3mSY4sjUofhxo20k-IwPjTlnjagqqJmX1991hP2H03r8JjuSQBzBu1sF3VaLFF3rxOnPZwc7NDMvuq1ThyphenhyphentjIlPg9L/s400/2015christmasgazebo.png" title="gazebo christmas" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-48753051350605264222015-12-02T13:43:00.000-08:002015-12-02T13:44:49.313-08:00First things First<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh794n6jv2NJwjWmzYDqY6_GVGciTgMtDV4gWY8cgwUdEO2EIwZi_eXy4RTd4nsM0ZAvBZrlEDt6osrHS08mQQyyx7v19GhnBfGXWZP6uzMQsddQC8bMTe_TRY-UJ2-WTwZOEPJ_104H0/s1600/12193662_1081660921852716_3207725534656880672_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh794n6jv2NJwjWmzYDqY6_GVGciTgMtDV4gWY8cgwUdEO2EIwZi_eXy4RTd4nsM0ZAvBZrlEDt6osrHS08mQQyyx7v19GhnBfGXWZP6uzMQsddQC8bMTe_TRY-UJ2-WTwZOEPJ_104H0/s400/12193662_1081660921852716_3207725534656880672_n.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
Watching the seasons change, and our first year living <span style="color: #cc0000;"><u><b>on</b></u></span> these few acres come to an end, has me in a reflective and nostalgic mood. Evaluating roads traveled and trying to peer into paths yet taken is best suited for those shortest, quietest days, though. Before reaching that phase of review it seemed only right to spend some time in the tradition of giving thanks!<br />
<br />
I walk around daily in gratitude, joy and appreciation rising to the surface like sunlit champagne bubbles. They tickle my soul and leave me down right giddy. <br />
<br />
Every stone, splinter and stubbed toe of life <span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>before</b></i></span> has led me to this: this place. this person. this <span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><i>now</i></b></span>. <br />
<br />
I like to believe that this constant chorus of thanks giving reaches their giver. I'm blessed beyond measure, and am awed and amazed by the enormity of the gifts.<br />
<br />
Hopefully the 'meat world' too knows something of the extent to which I'm humbled by and appreciative of their generosity and support. Nary a single award acceptance speech is given without the mandatory "I couldn't have done it without....__________." And, in my case, that is the simple truth. Not only couldn't I have done it without the wonderful people who share and support these dreams, I wouldn't have wanted to!!<br />
<br />
I thought the time was appropriate to share my thankfulness for one other group that enriches, educates & entertains me on a daily basis: All of you inter-netters who've taken the time to share your thoughts, plans, project details etc! This collective <you. and you. and you, too :)> has given me so much information and wisdom borne from experience, that I've the confidence to undertake some of my most cherished dreams. <br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you!</span></i></span></h3>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-11135561381160103062015-10-28T18:55:00.000-07:002015-10-29T13:26:27.230-07:00All the way, Babyyyy!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KigNAugkm3V4ryaHVSE6fBgcaG990TtcBcXrNJSFRX-VeduFjydNkQI7RApmAuUQklEmjZmU5UWsimMNE4JRBhOtcxukkr0vScOM7_wiFTX8hYvQ1HIP14Yf8KcX3aaI2mjOO7XceFED/s1600/borderedroyalcrown2015+%25282%2529+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KigNAugkm3V4ryaHVSE6fBgcaG990TtcBcXrNJSFRX-VeduFjydNkQI7RApmAuUQklEmjZmU5UWsimMNE4JRBhOtcxukkr0vScOM7_wiFTX8hYvQ1HIP14Yf8KcX3aaI2mjOO7XceFED/s320/borderedroyalcrown2015+%25282%2529+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kansas City Royals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span>Some 30 odd years ago baseball players went on strike.
This coupled with my intense dislike for George Brett led me to strike too-
as a patron.
This is official notice that I have rescinded strike status.</span></div>
<a name='more'></a>
That is all. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-49121729008059921582015-10-25T12:51:00.000-07:002015-10-25T12:58:33.099-07:00Would we do it again?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mmGV-a5WDATAk1aADPc5cGGdVIRi2BhHLojr30J2PSTkLUvWA29AtY3vha7-NTz9wJAqXPoSnoEzvXEFsnRCc6RjvWtAVFv72ptYwWHPrAzjGObjq4D7Ak3_F1x3VqGxVxNmBMfgphNt/s1600/xp+alexandria+walnut+4.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/AVvXsEh5mmGV-a5WDATAk1aADPc5cGGdVIRi2BhHLojr30J2PSTkLUvWA29AtY3vha7-NTz9wJAqXPoSnoEzvXEFsnRCc6RjvWtAVFv72ptYwWHPrAzjGObjq4D7Ak3_F1x3VqGxVxNmBMfgphNt/s320/xp+alexandria+walnut+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At purchase, this was an <a href="http://cravingcountry.blogspot.com/p/house.html" target="_blank">L shaped floor-plan</a>, with the kitchen in the middle, a bedroom wing to the left, and living areas to the right. Each of the three segments were 900sf, and had different flooring. Each flooring was in ok shape, but the contrasts bugged me. More importantly, the bedroom wing was carpeting. Carpeting may feel nice under foot, but it doesn't mix well with a lengthy list of respiratory problems. Or indoor animals. And that is how the cheapskate in me came to conclude that i could live with sacrificing a hunk of the rehab funds for new floors for roughly 2/3 of the home. </div>
Like many people, we'd love hardwood. Unfortunately, it is not only pricey, it is not impervious to animals' claws or accidents. Nor did it seem worthwhile to go to the time effort or expense involved in sanding and refinishing the floors to get a matching product. Ultimately we decided that we'd go with a laminate. A sale package at a big box store limited our choices, and our costs, and we ended up with Pergo XP Alexandria walnut. It was rated AC 4, commercial medium trafficking, so I had hopes it would stand up to farm life. I also chose it because it had the least contrast to the real wood in the house.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JPhia9QtwnZ_u9_RNKnmooEtnNT2V0G3WotwIcK9gMcSWAwnTph31MLApZwD9bmI77gK9QXFbB-izoVnBPU4UjgdKGneYopWixxmtlLyyq2Ro_IoccwDH508VkCo7anMbrChmr0bWdij/s1600/diningroomfloor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JPhia9QtwnZ_u9_RNKnmooEtnNT2V0G3WotwIcK9gMcSWAwnTph31MLApZwD9bmI77gK9QXFbB-izoVnBPU4UjgdKGneYopWixxmtlLyyq2Ro_IoccwDH508VkCo7anMbrChmr0bWdij/s320/diningroomfloor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Shown together, the differences are apparent. Fortunately however, the kitchen, tiled with a muted <a href="https://www.blogger.com/(http://www.homedepot.com/p/Hampton-Bay-Lissine-Travertine-8-mm-Thickness-x-15-8-in-wide-x-47-6-in-Length-Laminate-Flooring-417-48-sq-ft-pallet-367501-00195-P16/203449693" target="_blank">travertine tile </a>, separates them, both visually & spatially. I was full of doubts about these choices... afraid I'd end up with a mis matched patch work of materials similar to what we started with, concerned how they'd cover in an old house, and concerned about their wear. Being such a <strike>cheapskate</strike> frugal person, I had opted to reuse the old baseboards too, to save a few cents. This was another opportunity for wasted time, energy and money if I'd made the wrong call.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Fortunately, now that we've spent a year living with these choices, we're in agreement that they're *good 'nuff*. Although we had cash in hand for the rehab budget, we chose to use one of those 'interest free if paid off in x months' credit card promo deals. The cost was the same either way, but making payments for a period lessened the total amount taken from the rehab fund. Don't worry if that is hard to follow. My book keeping isn't called Byzantine for no reason LOL. Most importantly, the flooring is holding up. Even the laundry room, where we brooded our first batch of chicks, scrubbed right up, and looks no worse for wear. So, yes, we would do it again.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-36180800032031921132015-10-08T17:13:00.000-07:002015-10-08T17:13:57.675-07:00Apparently calander waving and foot stomping work!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnAZp-JWR92BOsbLUSgB1rKODQVmXGlhsiyG6-R2ctpxGHygHyHhJH0Tx68KgHgU_cEmFBnUfCfLTs_5311Smr4fZys220LnIvqX3hsPKr09PTVEk20sK1JBdu60PjfWgX8bnjsIGUSE9/s1600/DSCN1120ww.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnAZp-JWR92BOsbLUSgB1rKODQVmXGlhsiyG6-R2ctpxGHygHyHhJH0Tx68KgHgU_cEmFBnUfCfLTs_5311Smr4fZys220LnIvqX3hsPKr09PTVEk20sK1JBdu60PjfWgX8bnjsIGUSE9/s400/DSCN1120ww.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-65762747100163186782015-10-04T17:27:00.001-07:002015-10-04T17:28:38.467-07:00Odds and Ends on Animals.<div class="_5pbx userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="js_16">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeVAvW6GOK-aj1Dd2YFoFg0hCBTo6TjoAhy69hmzDoVp9t4g3asPBSz6-b5rjfin5obItX2VcO3fHvcV1LFdu0lG6W5X7REWx2HuY-Mgy_db8zbWyClo_q4o0WMOFvn6HFSe2rKdukl1Q/s1600/DSCN1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeVAvW6GOK-aj1Dd2YFoFg0hCBTo6TjoAhy69hmzDoVp9t4g3asPBSz6-b5rjfin5obItX2VcO3fHvcV1LFdu0lG6W5X7REWx2HuY-Mgy_db8zbWyClo_q4o0WMOFvn6HFSe2rKdukl1Q/s320/DSCN1103.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
5
month anniversary with chickens, 1 month with goats.<br />
Things I've
learned thus far:<br />
<ul>
<li> Only thing more hyper than a baby goat gal is a baby
goat gal who's scored a sip of your coffee. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Chickens don't lay eggs
at eggzactly 5 months- <span style="color: red;"><u><i>not even</i></u><span style="color: black;"> </span></span> if you wave calendars in their face. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> Slippin your cell phone in your sports bra while lecturing roo on his
duties may result in random boob dialings & recordings of the above
conversation. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li> baby goats may look like they're on their hind legs to
move in for snuggles, but they're probably just positioning themselves
to wee wee on your boots. <a name='more'></a>Probably the most gratifying thing I've learned is how enjoyable it is to watch a new life discover and explore the world in which they find them selves. Endlessly entertaining!</li>
</ul>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-15455121600919161282015-09-08T19:01:00.000-07:002015-09-08T19:05:44.061-07:00Laboring Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK51x__davks722GWa4-jgD8Xj4atrtGtIP1PXH9RfM3mFNJJ68EmL4bGD9wZNK6-09fO2Oi4VycElTkimHQ9DBzin-IIM5x8MtyWAg5z6du210hq1LTQol9ogPdPkproEsxefsfTmV_Ep/s1600/4wendy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK51x__davks722GWa4-jgD8Xj4atrtGtIP1PXH9RfM3mFNJJ68EmL4bGD9wZNK6-09fO2Oi4VycElTkimHQ9DBzin-IIM5x8MtyWAg5z6du210hq1LTQol9ogPdPkproEsxefsfTmV_Ep/s320/4wendy1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Was working too hard as "machete momma", decided to get goats to lighten
the work load. So we moved and re-stacked 4 cords of wood, found, hauled, put up two tons of hay, emptied and cleaned a 12x24 room, built a
barn door, 24' of wall, stalls, installed hardware cloth on windows and
gaps, hauled and installed dozens of cattle panels- in two weeks- so we
could buy 2 goats...so we wouldn't have to work so hard. . . Labor day
has a whole new meaning to us! But, at least we got some cute 'nuff
goats outta the deal!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-34488123587285879952015-08-02T19:33:00.000-07:002015-08-05T15:26:29.235-07:00Surviving the Summer!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8DTtfyDJSNxMjCk4AFkhRlF2Jtc-D8dYy3QPEo0C0NgrvcKuG6aZIhgxKYViA19jH5ekSp2tvNnIVXTjce_NqCxRmkquFXeImDd_jifxhWLQ_ZtjGrz7QYq6lsQuNVPDOSzRbDhfIwvJ/s1600/DSCN1074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="july 2015" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8DTtfyDJSNxMjCk4AFkhRlF2Jtc-D8dYy3QPEo0C0NgrvcKuG6aZIhgxKYViA19jH5ekSp2tvNnIVXTjce_NqCxRmkquFXeImDd_jifxhWLQ_ZtjGrz7QYq6lsQuNVPDOSzRbDhfIwvJ/s320/DSCN1074.JPG" title="Blueee Moooon" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><i><u>Blue Mooooon</u></i></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: black;"></span></span><i>Besides searching for a spot dark enough to use our telescope, cursing (ever so kindly and without any real rancor) our business neighbor for his security lights, & seemingly single handedly supporting the local hospital/ dr.s/ pharmacies, we've managed to inch forward on our journey.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i> As seems common, each step forward seemed to be followed with one or two back. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<i>On the plus side of the ledger, we got the smoke house down, and it and the dumpster are outta here!!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbPLuSz5Qr_3X-85HmzABpah7CmxKXx9xNSdb7VXGGqcLOPdzDJHJvIPdOFUn3tJDfgg_ol8BgimmA8OD0Gw3QjSoHCbfnkCRSX0RlLiQqEgNrsyi1drhA55zLC-Y1Bdp4rMUub6Cl-zn/s1600/011.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbPLuSz5Qr_3X-85HmzABpah7CmxKXx9xNSdb7VXGGqcLOPdzDJHJvIPdOFUn3tJDfgg_ol8BgimmA8OD0Gw3QjSoHCbfnkCRSX0RlLiQqEgNrsyi1drhA55zLC-Y1Bdp4rMUub6Cl-zn/s320/011.JPG" width="320" /></a><i> </i><i></i><br />
<i><i><i><i></i></i>We also got the chicken tractor and run put together. Yes, the tractor is from a kit. <a href="http://www.cconly.com/coop__hutches/cc-32_series" target="_blank">CConly.com</a>. So far, so good. We've repositioned it a handful of times, even once with the chickens inside. No one warned me how darn cute a mad young rooster could be.</i></i><br />
<i><i></i></i><br />
<i><i>I lost, and they are about 50 feet from the house instead of down in the garden. No complaints- from them or us, so far. They have handled the brutal heat well, it seems, and are making new friends. Here one of the girls is taking a gander at Bam Bam. </i></i><br />
<i><i></i></i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HI3HPR0JfJ51S06FHxsSXCV7DShGA8DXDJFJ7UZdMBWxFzcSzZfHIPf3YwMIuFR3WL5DNQpxxJCRjKFF0PoIAamD4RLeMWfNtKEOPzSZ-2KSPxvCoq77H83aFpLrc0UjMMYz9sJatcS2/s1600/DSCN1071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HI3HPR0JfJ51S06FHxsSXCV7DShGA8DXDJFJ7UZdMBWxFzcSzZfHIPf3YwMIuFR3WL5DNQpxxJCRjKFF0PoIAamD4RLeMWfNtKEOPzSZ-2KSPxvCoq77H83aFpLrc0UjMMYz9sJatcS2/s320/DSCN1071.JPG" width="320" /></a><i><i><br /></i></i><br />
<i> Judging from the similarity of their coloring, it is time for me to admit the obvious; those are not my wished for Buff Orpingtons- no way, no how!</i><br />
<i>Spose they're Rhode Island Red or Red Stars but they are polite and friendly, whatever they are so I'm not too disappointed.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Other entries on the + side of the ledger include power washing and painting the garage. It needs another coat, but that will wait until we get the door rebuilt. Picked up the supplies today so.... hopefully it will be sooner rather than later. We also got the clothesline up. Will be hard to tell if it saves money/energy, though. The electric company has estimated the bill for months, and has grossly under guessed, by <span style="color: red;"><b>my</b></span> guesstimates anyway LOL. So, they charge whatever they want, I pay whatever I want, and none of the figures have anything to do with reality. Aint that America these days eh. ;).</i><i><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xxQMTbaak4ikUzdUT59WWQQwCyRpj0ChGZqTSd1EcJ5NWWull4kK6asaCCF0JQ2PcqAzB8ZhKE80DMGZ6wsTUL3mpEHYtL6DUqv3hvt94_okAO6cOd95JeIC5k6QZXTN1jZSOcldd9tm/s1600/027.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xxQMTbaak4ikUzdUT59WWQQwCyRpj0ChGZqTSd1EcJ5NWWull4kK6asaCCF0JQ2PcqAzB8ZhKE80DMGZ6wsTUL3mpEHYtL6DUqv3hvt94_okAO6cOd95JeIC5k6QZXTN1jZSOcldd9tm/s320/027.JPG" width="320" /></a></i> </i><br />
<br />
<i> Another thing keeping us busy was a week "up north" at the cabin. Lake superior, and we were gifted a tiller! </i><i>The do-due list grows exponentially with every task that gets scratched off... but that's life on the Homestead eh!</i><br />
<a name='more'></a><i><br /><br />
</i><br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xxQMTbaak4ikUzdUT59WWQQwCyRpj0ChGZqTSd1EcJ5NWWull4kK6asaCCF0JQ2PcqAzB8ZhKE80DMGZ6wsTUL3mpEHYtL6DUqv3hvt94_okAO6cOd95JeIC5k6QZXTN1jZSOcldd9tm/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></i></div>
<i>
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<span id="goog_1119404586"></span><span id="goog_1119404587"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-25252443754772233322015-06-23T20:46:00.000-07:002015-06-23T21:32:06.100-07:00Meet my Dirty White Boy!<div style="text-align: left;">
or<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"> <span style="color: #f1c232;"><i>Tiny 'Tude</i></span></span></span>, as he's known on the inter nets!</div>
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I was tickled to get a starter flock for my birthday! I had waffled on which breed, what age, where to put them for quite a while, and surprised everyone when I waited so long to deem it "chicken time!" Hard to believe we've had this place 18 months already, and are just now turning our attention to the live stock. Include the ten years or so I've been nurturing this life style dream and it's been even longer. So long, in fact, that I'd begun to worry that the<br />
enthusasm had dampened. Fortunately a sense that the time was right hit me full force, and I was practically wiggling with excitement knowing we'd reached this phase of the plan. Finally: <span style="color: purple;"><b>CHICKEN TIME!</b></span><br />
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I first explored buying some one year Easter Eggers from a fella not far away. The idea was basically they'd be old enough to survive my inexperience. That didn't work out though, since his birds were a little flightier than I wanted.<br />
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So, after poking around I settled on 6 <a href="http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Orpington-B80.aspx" target="_blank">Buff Orpington hens,</a> 2 <a href="http://www.mypetchicken.com/chicken-breeds/Easter-Eggers-B145.aspx" target="_blank">Easter Eggers</a>, and a Buff Orpington Rooster for my wish list. I wrote this down in my clearest hand writing on a half dozen pieces of paper, trusting that I'd soon be *<span style="background-color: white;"><u><b><span style="color: #e69138;">surprised</span></b></u><span></span>*</span>...and to no one's surprise, it worked, and I was.<br />
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Orschelns was winding down their chick days sales at this point, and didn't have any males left, so we got just the 8 hens. I started sourcing that Orpington roo I wanted, but held off buying one thinking there was a decent chance one of my gals would prove to be a dude. That was four weeks or so ago, and watching the lil one in the pic develop an ever bigger and redder comb has done nothing to disuade me from the idea that I scored that fella I wanted after all. Now the question is, is s/he really an Orpington? Heck if I know. Not sure about any of the breeds, actually. Time will tell. I went with the Orps as they're calm, decent layer dual purpose birds, according to their press. I also wanted the broodiness so I could "work less, profit more."<br />
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So far, so good. Now it's time to decide where the chicken tractor coop- chicken yard starts out. We've only had one AI case in a five county radius, but I'm still very concerned about staying on top of that potential problem. I know we have cats, dogs, owls, possum, snakes, rats, cayote and ground hogs. Also have deer, rabbit and mice, but am guessing that they are of no threat. <br />
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I'd hoped to set the tractor in the garden, and run the chickens through it, and through the pastures after goats had been through. Now I'm leaning more towards the "you can date when you're 30" err, I mean, keeping them in the laundry room and SAFE indefinitly. <br />
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Been told that really isn't an option LOL, so: any one have opionions on how close is too close when it comes to chicken condos? <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-17287374824278602362015-06-17T12:13:00.000-07:002015-07-05T20:16:53.552-07:00Adding a year and subtracting a goal!I was midway through a post on having met another of our goals for the year when I realized I'd never actually made, nor shared,<i> this years goals</i>. One of my broader goals in moving to a homesteading mentality and life style was to develop a tighter structure to my life. To date, I've been blessed to be able to live that bohemian, "artiste's" swing shift life pattern. I enjoyed the freedom of 36 hr days when the muse called, 2am client crisis calls, dinner at sunrise, etc, but now I'm looking forward to the demands and structure that a bottle baby goat will provide!<br />
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Anyway</div>
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<u><b>Goals 2015: Indoor</b></u><br />
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finish the laundry /canning kitchen/plant starting/chick brooding /cheese making room. This entails <strike>wrapping two walls in bead board,</strike><strike>throwing up some closet doors</strike>, <strike>putting in new sink cabinets and sink</strike>, stenciling and reinstalling upper cabinet doors, door and drawer hardware, and figuring out how to (<span style="color: red;">warning! bad pun alert:</span>) <b><i>wring</i></b> the most function out of wall above sink. </div>
<ul>
<li> Unpack and set up the sewing/craft/puzzle room.</li>
<li> Add a deep storage closet and pantry to the basement. </li>
<li> Do a temporary paint, flooring, sink and toilet update to the hall bath. </li>
<li> Complete the<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5489855241175520135#editor/target=post;postID=2608188432483018087;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=4;src=postname" target="_blank"> </a><a href="http://cravingcountry.blogspot.com/2015/04/and-another-one-bites-dust.html" target="_blank"><strike>wood stove installation, and the initial burn offs.</strike></a></li>
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<b><u>Goals 2015: Outdoor</u></b><br />
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<li> <span style="color: #6aa84f;">fence in the garden-2-b area.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> fence in the orchard area.</span></li>
<li> fence in the dog area.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"> <strike>take down </strike>and <strike>remove the old smoke house. </strike> </li>
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<b><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;"><u>Goals 2015: Planting</u></span></span></b><br />
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<li><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;"><u><strike>order and plant a 10 fruit tree package.</strike></u></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;"><u><strike>order and plant 9 raspberries</strike></u></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;"><u><strike>order and plant 3 blueberries</strike></u></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;"><u><strike>order and plant an almond tree</strike></u></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;"><u><strike>order and plant 2 hazelnut trees</strike></u></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;"><u><strike>order and plant a fig tree</strike></u></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;"><u><strike>order and plant 2 elderberry bushes</strike></u></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;"><u><strike>order and plant 10 lilacs</strike></u></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;"><u><strike>order and plant 50 asparagus</strike></u> </span> </span></li>
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<span style="color: #93c47d;"><b><span style="color: black;"><u>Goals 2015: Animals</u> </span></b></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #38761d;">start our laying flock 8 hens, 1 rooster.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;">decide whether to aim for Nigerian dwarf or Kinder goats.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;">decide on whether to start at square one with a kinder line (my own nubian and pygmy choice), or to pass go and collect 2nd or 3rd generation kinders from others.</span></span></li>
<li><strike><span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;">If choosing kinders, learn how to pronounce kinders! ; )</span></span></strike></li>
<li><span style="color: #38761d;">develop a list of herds and breeders for all of the above. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #38761d;">clean out the small barn (30x40) above the garden area for goats/greenhouse/water/solar projects.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: black;">adapt the barn for the above purpose.</span></span></li>
<li><strike><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: black;">put together chicken tractor, and settle on place for it. </span> </span></strike></li>
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<span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;">There are many other things wanting and needing doing, but these are the projects that have gelled enough to actually make a do-due list. As I'm sure you've figured out, those things scratched off are things we've <span style="color: #e06666;">***DONE***<span style="color: black;">. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">Those in green are being worked on<b>, </b>and those in blue/linked are projects we've blogged about.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #93c47d;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">Wish us some luck, and a dry day or two. There is no where near the problems here as in other areas like Texas, but we've gotten our share of rain and then some, too. </span></span></span><b><span style="color: black;"> </span></b> </span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-17676884829699507132015-05-26T18:56:00.000-07:002015-05-26T18:56:16.586-07:00And the top three answers are:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDRkjMwjmTuIqnVUCq2cYWi0TlAu9eHYEOvLhjC5UweEtwOR74XpqkiMEuizMDSYtWKC-dcjvz9fxBg9CUKoH-rbJl9IcOkMjxlzW5PRHjAlPKCpkW8Vi1y7TYKJujCVxHblforEycKaZ/s1600/Prairie+Kingsnake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDRkjMwjmTuIqnVUCq2cYWi0TlAu9eHYEOvLhjC5UweEtwOR74XpqkiMEuizMDSYtWKC-dcjvz9fxBg9CUKoH-rbJl9IcOkMjxlzW5PRHjAlPKCpkW8Vi1y7TYKJujCVxHblforEycKaZ/s640/Prairie+Kingsnake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4My7fiXBwZtR5u7TNDPfl981cz-JprM-vaoDV8duUAH-ZzrQbiyny8gpOCHPPdtV6HVedIxHf-7EiqbcvEcOaMKC1-tXKGHfqjYB_GYEqw8VRRiPVBAJWiT9Nh3wJbIhgw5Q-5d-ReRO/s1600/Massasaugas+rattle+snake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4My7fiXBwZtR5u7TNDPfl981cz-JprM-vaoDV8duUAH-ZzrQbiyny8gpOCHPPdtV6HVedIxHf-7EiqbcvEcOaMKC1-tXKGHfqjYB_GYEqw8VRRiPVBAJWiT9Nh3wJbIhgw5Q-5d-ReRO/s640/Massasaugas+rattle+snake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is still no definitive answer to what was hangin' 'round our basement door. I employed a very</div>
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scientific method of my own design, and concluded we must have had a GP rat snake... because <i><u>any</u></i></div>
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kind of rattler on the door is a tad too disturbing, and a snake that eats other snakes, well, that is just</div>
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wrong!</div>
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There was a large black (rat) snake in the drive one morning, which allowed me conclude my guess was probably correct. Just don't try to follow my logic, k... that road is a long & winding one for sure!</div>
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Who knew the bulk of the homesteading stuff would revolve around looking at things and trying to decide "is it <i>this</i> or <i>that?"!!</i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5489855241175520135.post-39294317635507646012015-04-10T23:29:00.000-07:002015-04-15T17:52:02.209-07:00Want to compete for warm gooey goodness?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSlIHoZTNs768h1V0h7abV2bzDc-lzUgTy8S4ukftA1Zh28Irxo4MfiovgzR_S_EatU9Y3Jmxbjv1_4mudWnfaGEdRD6sgLXfqS8C4c-ZqzRYHbLWro7rOCkIN6GsqHcxB4uxx4c8saO5/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvSlIHoZTNs768h1V0h7abV2bzDc-lzUgTy8S4ukftA1Zh28Irxo4MfiovgzR_S_EatU9Y3Jmxbjv1_4mudWnfaGEdRD6sgLXfqS8C4c-ZqzRYHbLWro7rOCkIN6GsqHcxB4uxx4c8saO5/s1600/003.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">Imaginary brownie points to all who can tell what this picture has captured.</span> </i> </span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Even More to those who can identify it's species.</span></span></h4>
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Acco<span style="font-family: inherit;">rdin<span style="font-family: inherit;">g to my sources <span style="font-family: inherit;">(google<span style="font-family: inherit;">) It is probably one of three <span style="font-family: inherit;">types that are commonally confused for one another. Great. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Despite having <span style="font-family: inherit;">a self created & self taught <span style="font-family: inherit;">course on the critters in my misspent youth <span style="font-family: inherit;">(<span style="font-family: inherit;">this was b.c. i.e before computers<span style="font-family: inherit;">,) <span style="font-family: inherit;">I really <span style="font-family: inherit;">couldn't I.D. this one.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">S/he was found just hanging around- literally<span style="font-family: inherit;">- the basement door<span style="font-family: inherit;">. The knob.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">That thi<span style="font-family: inherit;">ng you wrap your hand around without thinking. <strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></strike></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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I don't want to seem to be a woose. I knew there would be snakes and mice and spiders and predators and a 100+ other changes. I was, and am, ready for them... but wrapped around entry doors? Spiders scurrying accross the middle of my bed, under my covers, in the short time it took to return from a visit to the powder room?<br />
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Somedays it seems someone's got a sense o' humor as twisted as my own!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4