tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47722433430580054942024-03-14T05:24:41.846-04:00Green Legacy FarmLaura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-36068094515385985692015-03-15T22:52:00.000-04:002015-03-15T22:55:59.103-04:00The Final Four<div class="MsoNormal">
With the NCAA men’s basketball field released today, this
seemed an appropriate title. And because
our goat herd stands at four as of this past week, “The Final Four” seems an even more appropriate – timely, anyway – title. So, no this post is
not about basketball; rather, goats.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Three years ago, we decided we wanted to get goats. We ended up connecting with a friend of a
friend who wanted to liquidate his small herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats. So in April 2012 we suddenly found ourselves
with a mama goat (Cinnamon) and her three kids (Sugar, a female who had been
born the previous year) and Merry and John (twins who were several months
old). John was an extremely skittish
buck, while Cinnamon and her girls were more social. We turned John into a wether (read: we
castrated him) with the hope he’d settle down a bit. He didn’t, and we ended up giving him to our
farmer friend Mr. Woodward, who really wanted a goat to add diversity to his
farm. (Unfortunately, John was killed by
either a roaming dog or a coyote shortly after arriving at Mr. Woodward’s farm.) Sugar turned out to be not so sweet, and we
ultimately gave her back to the man from whom we initially acquired her. That left Cinnamon and Merry, who we
attempted to have bred in the spring of 2013.
They were boarded at a local farm for a couple of cycles (you know what
I mean), but didn’t end up pregnant. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0t7m257y7oC8nHIHxDmwVatmJPsKZY-VbqCXbIdGHwFYmF7OcMMVr1mbv9k4I2YkOsY-LrlXukbivU0GWJ1rzAuB4Sy-THQuA4rsbIhxGe-WFS-MZyKVVyPRV6V29sH9k7os_vv14PY/s1600/DSC_0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0t7m257y7oC8nHIHxDmwVatmJPsKZY-VbqCXbIdGHwFYmF7OcMMVr1mbv9k4I2YkOsY-LrlXukbivU0GWJ1rzAuB4Sy-THQuA4rsbIhxGe-WFS-MZyKVVyPRV6V29sH9k7os_vv14PY/s1600/DSC_0472.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Akea with Merry, Cinnamon, and Sugar in the goats' early days at the farm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsoeocHAd2z10Y4-59GSAi1mh-9kZWVT4aUCEOe4zMz-842TKoDxktdR92EMayAOBVYQGqVNsZ19GpEmVoJziJFV1DcAl03HxYbN6Y70dcxO0WSMmbN-sLlMknWc4OB2mEGzoWkEEYOE/s1600/DSC_0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsoeocHAd2z10Y4-59GSAi1mh-9kZWVT4aUCEOe4zMz-842TKoDxktdR92EMayAOBVYQGqVNsZ19GpEmVoJziJFV1DcAl03HxYbN6Y70dcxO0WSMmbN-sLlMknWc4OB2mEGzoWkEEYOE/s1600/DSC_0474.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John. He was a pretty goat, but not too fond of people.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the fall of 2013, we ended up acquiring three more
Nigerian Dwarf does: Bailey, Clove, and Clove’s baby – err, kid – Spot, along
with another doe (Clove’s older doe offspring) who we immediately gave to Mr.
Woodward. Bailey turned out to be a
sweetheart, while Clove and Spot lacked in social skills. That winter, we boarded Mr. Woodward’s buck,
who the kids dubbed “Stinky” – if you’ve ever been around a buck, you understand
their choice of moniker! – along with the doe we had purchased for Mr.
Woodward. Stinky made Merry his
girlfriend (again, you know what I mean), but showed little interest in the
other does.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iatANmnsMcFXu0GteYqcZfV3mZJvHc5Gw5X52JICWlSP4KqQlnN9X3cep_5tZyEOA3pleVBllHNu1IHUj-ojf_sXq9VcAomOPCn0sy5YPVFcGlYCSdh38b2P7el-EJaz80PKHrh8yjM/s1600/DSC_0538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iatANmnsMcFXu0GteYqcZfV3mZJvHc5Gw5X52JICWlSP4KqQlnN9X3cep_5tZyEOA3pleVBllHNu1IHUj-ojf_sXq9VcAomOPCn0sy5YPVFcGlYCSdh38b2P7el-EJaz80PKHrh8yjM/s1600/DSC_0538.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bailey has never met a person she doesn't like -- especially the guy who feeds her. Clove is the goat with the large horns, and Spot is barely visible in the bottom right corner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nMtUjp_Rt6PJfKXoG-DFR2JkwWHgbWspfIY2JiFfPBoJMP3Cx8undzt6KK6cRTEcnZ04ANB-icvpcHDk-4Bwfe75BiFeFHX1WEu-rn5-6v5_4ZvW9MwHscCmQ1eYF5R8io4JuPbl508/s1600/DSC_0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nMtUjp_Rt6PJfKXoG-DFR2JkwWHgbWspfIY2JiFfPBoJMP3Cx8undzt6KK6cRTEcnZ04ANB-icvpcHDk-4Bwfe75BiFeFHX1WEu-rn5-6v5_4ZvW9MwHscCmQ1eYF5R8io4JuPbl508/s1600/DSC_0544.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A better photo of Spot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTTZLWFlufX_zhWjyfZ4xYQoPBY37kDc91_bh05hH4Bl5mMz21V7cYHLbHvF5yyK04gepv0O1l0ZZDNfy2ybBo6CdKXKQokA27ecn4HE8AelS2PsFH3gep-O1aVjssMZ_oaLr6r4Ay-o/s1600/20131202_140531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTTZLWFlufX_zhWjyfZ4xYQoPBY37kDc91_bh05hH4Bl5mMz21V7cYHLbHvF5yyK04gepv0O1l0ZZDNfy2ybBo6CdKXKQokA27ecn4HE8AelS2PsFH3gep-O1aVjssMZ_oaLr6r4Ay-o/s1600/20131202_140531.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our heifer Rachael had no problem spending the winter with "Stinky" (the white goat) and the other goats.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It turned out Bailey had been pregnant when we got her, as
she gave birth in January 2014 in a quite eventful way. Bailey is a rather petite girl and was, it
turns out, too small to give birth naturally.
After consulting with our neighbor vet friend, who inspected Bailey and
said she was not going to be able to deliver naturally and would die without
proper vet care, we drove Bailey over an hour to a livestock vet late that
night so the vet could perform a C-section and save Bailey’s life. Bailey came through the procedure just fine;
her baby, a doe we named Louisa, was miraculously alive (the vet said she
wouldn’t be) following the C-section. Unfortunately,
Bailey rejected her baby and our best efforts to help Louisa thrive
failed. We followed the vet’s advice to
get Louisa euthanized less than 72 hours after she was born. That was tough to do, as we all quickly
became attached to the little thing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZohQXCetRGjiEZgz1KjmkLyh8MDAgoVg9FRU4x61V6CYGMdES1UcpUHvLZhyphenhyphenBpC8SGRvJPs_mOQRQ13EcJbMyRPTy_kqen1zqWwAeU8U_gt9SmhRoIgNlaMYVpQL9UUJ4XjWlrbEPfz8/s1600/20140112_111818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZohQXCetRGjiEZgz1KjmkLyh8MDAgoVg9FRU4x61V6CYGMdES1UcpUHvLZhyphenhyphenBpC8SGRvJPs_mOQRQ13EcJbMyRPTy_kqen1zqWwAeU8U_gt9SmhRoIgNlaMYVpQL9UUJ4XjWlrbEPfz8/s1600/20140112_111818.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bailey and Louisa. Notice the shaved patch on Bailey's fur, as well as her scar from the C-section.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVaG9t5R-DD7LyivELF3i7rmv3Xc4ZCBDF8PSXch3yoy4afV9pk0iqzb90V1kCGhFVMHHb7Ev1kxCHoliApC0rhCiIae7G6FQ1VuYYojQ6h3Xx6-HFW21o2_ho900uIKtBPL9AvRVhT8/s1600/20140112_162936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVaG9t5R-DD7LyivELF3i7rmv3Xc4ZCBDF8PSXch3yoy4afV9pk0iqzb90V1kCGhFVMHHb7Ev1kxCHoliApC0rhCiIae7G6FQ1VuYYojQ6h3Xx6-HFW21o2_ho900uIKtBPL9AvRVhT8/s1600/20140112_162936.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We all loved Louisa.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It turned out Clove had also been pregnant when we got
her. She gave birth in February 2014 to
a buck we turned into a wether and named McLaws and a doe we named Andora. Both thrived incredibly well! Clove underwent a transformation from skittish
to tolerant bordering on friendly and was a great mama! Nonetheless, we gave her to one of Mr.
Woodward’s friends, who wanted a doe. By
the beginning of April, Clove had moved to her new home and Mr. Woodward’s buck
and doe had returned to his farm. We
were left with Cinnamon, Bailey, McLaws, Andora, and, as it turns out, a
pregnant Merry. Our herd of five was
getting ready to grow to eight!<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoaNMiStGpvyc95DztjXt7XW7ZHcA-ehK2T6GhVzH48IdgpClqyPqHL8eT6P8q_Gkyy5ZqeK4QcMlDL7-KcBAplKs6Xka2U3eSLs0O6vD-pCljIUCWqD_2FtMX-cAJvtw8mMh5DkjqX8/s1600/20140207_110212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGoaNMiStGpvyc95DztjXt7XW7ZHcA-ehK2T6GhVzH48IdgpClqyPqHL8eT6P8q_Gkyy5ZqeK4QcMlDL7-KcBAplKs6Xka2U3eSLs0O6vD-pCljIUCWqD_2FtMX-cAJvtw8mMh5DkjqX8/s1600/20140207_110212.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andora, McLaws, and Clove the day the babies were born. Yes, they were sleeping standing up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On April 17 of last year, Merry became a first-time mama,
giving birth to not one, not two, but three babies! We named the two bucks (who we turned into
wethers) Little John and Gremlin, and the little doe Nutmeg. As had been the case with McLaws and Andora,
a farmer friend came over to disbud the babies, meaning they would not grow
horns. Merry impressively nursed all
three babies and they thrived. Also like
McLaws and Andora, the triplets developed sweet and loving personalities, and
were very fond of humans (including kids!).<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMhGhFbjQ-UCDWOKtoweMeRbj1xqDJ0CB8bvsv9HDZBtwaG-K7XI0sS8PxQqXCFHo01pL-cWnuW5TvVubBdFigBpninU1Kl5Kt6epjASW9tg244PLJp8HmDlmn4eQWhm5PEH1difUgks/s1600/20140417_222057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMhGhFbjQ-UCDWOKtoweMeRbj1xqDJ0CB8bvsv9HDZBtwaG-K7XI0sS8PxQqXCFHo01pL-cWnuW5TvVubBdFigBpninU1Kl5Kt6epjASW9tg244PLJp8HmDlmn4eQWhm5PEH1difUgks/s1600/20140417_222057.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry and her triplets (Nutmeg is pressed against her mama and has her head on Gremlin, while Gremlin is leaning on his brother Little John) very shortly after the babies were born.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5m734x5eyI82hav-sCGordmO4iAApB-ODw53UfDFjfgQDKWm8OikAi76jddDE8ZO4l5zNP3Oq13ehnO0kGqXwQTz1pg2flGq8p7IFd8_wB5RXOxPUQcLC8XcX2ZsBauT1iL-qJxJQADg/s1600/20140425_191636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5m734x5eyI82hav-sCGordmO4iAApB-ODw53UfDFjfgQDKWm8OikAi76jddDE8ZO4l5zNP3Oq13ehnO0kGqXwQTz1pg2flGq8p7IFd8_wB5RXOxPUQcLC8XcX2ZsBauT1iL-qJxJQADg/s1600/20140425_191636.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry and her babies (clockwise from bottom, Nutmeg, Little John, and Gremlin) at about a week of age.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the past week, we made the tough decision to reduce the
size of our goat herd. Simply stated,
eight goats were too much to handle.
They’re essentially pets, as we’re not using them for milk or raising them
for meat. They’re great for weed
control, but it’s a hassle to move so many goats around to the areas that need their attention. We decided four
goats is a manageable number and selling four would be a good way to bring our
goat expenses closer to green than deep red.
We decided to sell McLaws and Andora as a pair and Cinnamon and Merry as
a pair. McLaws and Andora joined three
does at an area farm on Wednesday; Cinnamon and Merry left Saturday morning to
become the first goats at a local family’s farm. We feel good all four are in good hands. And we also feel much better about our four-goat
situation. Bailey, Little John, Gremlin,
and Nutmeg already seem so much more relaxed.
Or maybe I’m confusing how I think they feel with how we feel. Whatever the case, four goats is plenty!<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYw0oA0HudQRGXoe5N94ZvavdWvXTFtrxke_buAnzI1H_W4bkihQAqtUyzmrAinK9QnXldtzEAw-kKrNpwVRnQj7WqI9v5jTMob7eEE7ND8xtFA3P-_b5udTJ0BukiWnQYIVgddNG4IM/s1600/20150306_090136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYw0oA0HudQRGXoe5N94ZvavdWvXTFtrxke_buAnzI1H_W4bkihQAqtUyzmrAinK9QnXldtzEAw-kKrNpwVRnQj7WqI9v5jTMob7eEE7ND8xtFA3P-_b5udTJ0BukiWnQYIVgddNG4IM/s1600/20150306_090136.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was difficult saying goodbye to McLaws and Andora...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxp0BmC1H5e_A1lZDvC9-JW3z5gYZ_55B4H7NB3y8kEJb1b5Powx4_gvEknOT3Mc3TqA-9E4_wPPyZAV6V5KaNWNwjcY7bLMrWZ5ZtPaa1yrVjqyyNR9SJsp_UCP7SCMRjcxwSZ9HJ3ng/s1600/20150307_161959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxp0BmC1H5e_A1lZDvC9-JW3z5gYZ_55B4H7NB3y8kEJb1b5Powx4_gvEknOT3Mc3TqA-9E4_wPPyZAV6V5KaNWNwjcY7bLMrWZ5ZtPaa1yrVjqyyNR9SJsp_UCP7SCMRjcxwSZ9HJ3ng/s1600/20150307_161959.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and especially Cinnamon and Merry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh, and I’m picking Kentucky, Arizona, Duke, and Virginia in
the Final Four, with Virginia over Kentucky in the national title game. Sorry, I had to throw that in there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<i>- Byron</i></div>
Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-59046585598337975572015-03-05T18:27:00.000-05:002015-03-05T18:27:28.632-05:00Cattle<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: left;">
I started to title this post "Cows," but that would have been a bit inaccurate. A cow, of course, is a female bovine that has had a baby. Or maybe that's not accurate either, given many farmers call female cattle that have had only one calf "first-calf heifers." So with this said, maybe the title should be "A Cow, Two First-Calf Heifers, Three Heifers, and a Pair of Steers." Or... Never mind. The point is to put a fitting title in place and that has been accomplished, albeit in a non-catchy way.</div>
<br />
To date, we've now had 16 different cattle at the farm. It all began with the <a href="http://www.greenacresmama.blogspot.com/2011/05/day-cows-came-home-green-acres-weekend.html">Holstein steers we raised back in 2011</a>. We then got a <a href="http://www.greenacresmama.blogspot.com/2013/01/new-arrivals.html">black Angus cow and her heifer calf two years ago</a>. In September 2013, the mama cow (the kids named her Flower) had a bull calf, which we gave to family friend Mr. Woodward as a thanks for all he has done for us. In the spring of last year, we sold Flower to Mr. Woodward, after he had kept her for the winter so she could be bred by his bull. Flower was a bit too aggressive for my taste and Mr. Woodward really wanted her. She's since had another baby.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FV85Ys14Mvj6b4hB6e9vaz_ruDh2bAwmE2ARD-hHKNzlVr8cr2CPnSkCAuJd8nLkJoOvWL8JvDdL-1P8yU-jEJ2x8du3ycwaffz9M0ytN4rRW0Gic1_zjaJbuduX3adiM2G8EfzHQ5U/s1600/DSC_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FV85Ys14Mvj6b4hB6e9vaz_ruDh2bAwmE2ARD-hHKNzlVr8cr2CPnSkCAuJd8nLkJoOvWL8JvDdL-1P8yU-jEJ2x8du3ycwaffz9M0ytN4rRW0Gic1_zjaJbuduX3adiM2G8EfzHQ5U/s1600/DSC_0498.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower and her bull calf in the fall of 2013. Just look at her eyes; you can tell she doesn't like me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We also purchased my friend Melvin's two old cows and their steers in September 2013. The steers were not weaned and our attempt to wean them resulted in serious damage to our hoop house. (The steers went THROUGH the hoop house to get to their mamas!) We decided to sell the steers at market; they weighed 755 and 815 pounds -- way too big to still be nursing! The cows had been with a bull into the spring of 2013 and we hoped they were pregnant; however, as nine months from the time they had been with the bull came and went, it was obvious the cows were not pregnant. As we hit December, we decided they were too old to have bred and that it wasn't worth it to feed the large ladies hay throughout the winter. Off to market the cows went. They weighed 1,605 and 1,210 pounds. Big!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVC_jUXAHURSVFJaEXjixxTNc6A97CBAUTkQPaUBgXZ1PfNrU8phd5s254OiTyxNmr0GBjSEpAaT5R2Mc0XuJTU1PcTPojg8eegjo5siHr9HOOm31hCO2_JVdU3Taj_ezU3NRhkyPLDs/s1600/DSC_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVC_jUXAHURSVFJaEXjixxTNc6A97CBAUTkQPaUBgXZ1PfNrU8phd5s254OiTyxNmr0GBjSEpAaT5R2Mc0XuJTU1PcTPojg8eegjo5siHr9HOOm31hCO2_JVdU3Taj_ezU3NRhkyPLDs/s1600/DSC_0373.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon and Merry inspect the new arrivals in September 2013 -- two cows and two big steers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaezDAHdRS7ZMpd4VIUcz4mngysDbg9Zz15MKhPKTeXlbQq71YJjVG55XKJfMbRjHKfAW66aNFjDt3xVslSje6DpBeHgRh7qd5GzAo2p2xttwDoAkArUrOdg-HObGxQyt8uSQE2Rn3Vrg/s1600/DSC_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaezDAHdRS7ZMpd4VIUcz4mngysDbg9Zz15MKhPKTeXlbQq71YJjVG55XKJfMbRjHKfAW66aNFjDt3xVslSje6DpBeHgRh7qd5GzAo2p2xttwDoAkArUrOdg-HObGxQyt8uSQE2Rn3Vrg/s1600/DSC_0588.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cows we bought from Melvin were friendly enough -- especially if you had a treat for them. (In this instance, they were lured in by an alfalfa cube.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We still have Flower's heifer -- the kids named her Rachael -- who is now nearly two-and-a-half years old. She's been spending this winter at Mr. Woodward's with his herd, including a bull; as she's been there since September, Rachael should have her first calf in June or July. (So will Rachael become a cow or a first-calf heifer?) As we bottle-fed Rachael and have always been very hands-on with her, she has a great disposition and I'm really looking forward to having her home in the next month or so. Hopefully she hasn't adopted her mama's disposition!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHz6P7ni0Llve7seZKjZw-Czu-Ufk3K6rv-kV6wjzGHCIy2cUoe_i1KvZGU6-QLPHfEPJFEvzvAtwYeElFnzFImFI_46-Tc6DJr6zQWvIqJQtEH_9ySTkHSuspGN7xbIogdad7c82rdU/s1600/20141211_163425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHz6P7ni0Llve7seZKjZw-Czu-Ufk3K6rv-kV6wjzGHCIy2cUoe_i1KvZGU6-QLPHfEPJFEvzvAtwYeElFnzFImFI_46-Tc6DJr6zQWvIqJQtEH_9ySTkHSuspGN7xbIogdad7c82rdU/s1600/20141211_163425.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachael at Mr. Woodward's farm in December. She should have been about three months pregnant when this photo was taken.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We also purchased six black Angus cattle this past December from a farm in a neighboring county: a three- or four-year-old cow, two two-year-old cows (or first-calf heifers, or whatever!), a young heifer, and two young steers. As they all came with numbered ear tags, we just call them by their numbers (instead of giving them proper names). So, we have #15 (the cow), #14 and #10 (the first-calf heifers), #1 (the young heifer, who is still nursing her mama, #10), and #5 and #6 (the steers). On January 20, #15, who we were almost certain was pregnant when we bought her, had a heifer calf (the kids named her Cedar, as she was born under a cedar tree). So, we now have seven cattle at the farm, plus Rachael who is just a couple of miles away at Mr. Woodward's. We're definitely going to sell some of the cattle in the fall and will post more on that later. For now, we're waiting to see if #14 is pregnant (she looks it), as well as #10. Yes, we need to wean #1 off of #10, but are waiting for the grass to start growing before doing so. We just hope the hoop house doesn't once again become a victim! <i>- Byron</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsoVoPtTTluPx8VfJ6HdUSN0qJitfa8WYf6Tl5-p0Cw6RiGiNQmbI_nRIz3N2NkTwJew5f-t0_p7mGebA44KTvXk5dnd5xgzkcLV-akUQsp4fokyEJiMdryZrK57IVdPhgcn2UmfoNRc/s1600/20141211_142700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsoVoPtTTluPx8VfJ6HdUSN0qJitfa8WYf6Tl5-p0Cw6RiGiNQmbI_nRIz3N2NkTwJew5f-t0_p7mGebA44KTvXk5dnd5xgzkcLV-akUQsp4fokyEJiMdryZrK57IVdPhgcn2UmfoNRc/s1600/20141211_142700.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The six cattle we brought home in December settled in right away. They were with a rather large herd at the farm from which they came, so having more room was, I'm sure, a pleasant change for them. #15 is furthest to the left. She's the most friendly of the bunch and will almost definitely be one we still have next year at this time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLsLt8jMhZK9JwHVi3z1HYmE9cwxhvKJSCDk-ImluhbyAaKXTvVDaNZRYXC7FNIcJfKsvGath0ySQWtM1GYXm8-rSfLR94hn1CkcldGJ-kCaALzfU_cduC_IgvajEYovsPYg8pV9B5S8/s1600/20150120_172305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLsLt8jMhZK9JwHVi3z1HYmE9cwxhvKJSCDk-ImluhbyAaKXTvVDaNZRYXC7FNIcJfKsvGath0ySQWtM1GYXm8-rSfLR94hn1CkcldGJ-kCaALzfU_cduC_IgvajEYovsPYg8pV9B5S8/s1600/20150120_172305.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#15 with her baby, Cedar, immediately after she was born on December 11.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaJDzTdgxfNHOp9GPQJdEaK9XhdUbjvTEOeAXHeHLNOOMhs6IIYvw_oaFdv_651kZvcBJeNgwaytA8SNduKbw7oLJ4uDV8sHhXCVv3pY7kTYyaLnf_y5EIN1Pxi4Ybn9z43dvxZ55vQA/s1600/20150123_161359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaJDzTdgxfNHOp9GPQJdEaK9XhdUbjvTEOeAXHeHLNOOMhs6IIYvw_oaFdv_651kZvcBJeNgwaytA8SNduKbw7oLJ4uDV8sHhXCVv3pY7kTYyaLnf_y5EIN1Pxi4Ybn9z43dvxZ55vQA/s1600/20150123_161359.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar at nearly two weeks old.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-75780675405652293012015-03-05T15:37:00.000-05:002015-03-05T15:37:10.858-05:00I'm back...... sort of. Actually, this is Byron. With Laura back at work full-time for the past couple of years, time for blog posts had all but disappeared. We've been talking about it lately and have decided to work together to try and start posting with some degree of frequency. Much has changed at the farm in the past nearly two years (one year, 359 days, to be exact) since Laura last posted, but much remains the same as well. It's our desire to try and bring our farm to life in the posts to follow and give you a vicarious farming experience, if that's what your seeking -- or, at a minimum, a window into our world at Green Legacy Farm. Given we both work full time and continue to follow pursuits that take us off the farm with more frequency than should occur for a truly sustainable farming experience, it's probably fitting the photo accompanying this post was taken this past fall in Colonial Williamsburg, 100 miles away from the farm. But, appropriately enough, there are cattle (American Milking Devons) in the background, if you look closely. On behalf of Laura, Akea, and Charlie, welcome back! <i>- Byron</i><div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PwUkYDFXRV-5vpFpehUvMUCo55jT8Pg0Z5uMWtH76XP3yVSNbUPZV7fl12L5E8rdnLXG8Tm1kwlhAuriWicK_8GeKsrbd6oZmvTm86ciAFOWr9CrhqYxuB75dpi9-papPh1PPym_uzU/s1600/20141130_111839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PwUkYDFXRV-5vpFpehUvMUCo55jT8Pg0Z5uMWtH76XP3yVSNbUPZV7fl12L5E8rdnLXG8Tm1kwlhAuriWicK_8GeKsrbd6oZmvTm86ciAFOWr9CrhqYxuB75dpi9-papPh1PPym_uzU/s1600/20141130_111839.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-14984970804400523742013-03-11T12:55:00.000-04:002013-03-11T15:22:19.134-04:00The Long Winter, Version 3.06.13Last week we were doused with snow and the power companies were doused with power outages. It was the first time in almost three years that we had an outage for more than a few minutes, which is pretty remarkable given the wind and rain storms that have swept our area. During the time we were out of power, we kept commenting on how it would not have phased Byron's great-grandparents, who built this house and didn't have power until well into the 20th century. And during their long lives, they never had indoor plumbing! <br />
<br />
I question how we, as a family, can become a little less dependent. We are totally dependent, as a society, on power, whether that comes in the form of electricity, gas, or what have you. Even if you have a generator, you need to fuel it with <em>something</em>. And eventually, that something is going to run out. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***End of public service announcement for the coming Apocalypse***</div>
<br />
Anyway...though we don't have a generator (yet), we are blessed to have a woodstove. And we were very blessed that it was cold enough outside to store our food in a cooler on the porch, being that a refrigerator, if left unopened, will keep food for about 12 hours. A freezer will keep food for about 48 hours, but power was back on before we had to worry about losing everything.<br />
<br />
And even though our neighbors graciously offered to let us come over and get water, Byron had a lot of fun melting snow for the animals:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-InUjba61QxOTw9QYkBUxCAIyVjr4dH5za5I195yCwOa0YpVWNqa7s5SFFz3zjqpKnAoNY-go1EvhCcNa5is6_94L8mknGYTh9jQ-QM5z_mosk7WjRt9tlN5WYUXAkLCxxkaDXN9c9Rc/s1600/DSC_0460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-InUjba61QxOTw9QYkBUxCAIyVjr4dH5za5I195yCwOa0YpVWNqa7s5SFFz3zjqpKnAoNY-go1EvhCcNa5is6_94L8mknGYTh9jQ-QM5z_mosk7WjRt9tlN5WYUXAkLCxxkaDXN9c9Rc/s320/DSC_0460.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JDlz_w0E4FqRXvTdu_Z2Pk7rmRPIxOUUybSwNYIFv29JghBmw5C1zWQiA4uLvg2JuwesHK_v8XbnlubYCTnzQPKvW7uVIlkIsu-ZjuFOXzQNAljwNCBc9zLDrU-FMciwDy1KkS0vDK8/s1600/DSC_0461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JDlz_w0E4FqRXvTdu_Z2Pk7rmRPIxOUUybSwNYIFv29JghBmw5C1zWQiA4uLvg2JuwesHK_v8XbnlubYCTnzQPKvW7uVIlkIsu-ZjuFOXzQNAljwNCBc9zLDrU-FMciwDy1KkS0vDK8/s400/DSC_0461.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HVBOXFdxb6lfmZI3vnH76O2exMrcqoQ0ZONi452KfIX_jFJqAxHwA4g7U9LCVZPdoop9U70B5rnFKwKUWF02vX2R9zWTpiXgzAgDGi-GpmWa_zE3jpuG16nCg7YOoEIEf2ffpwURUiw/s1600/DSC_0462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HVBOXFdxb6lfmZI3vnH76O2exMrcqoQ0ZONi452KfIX_jFJqAxHwA4g7U9LCVZPdoop9U70B5rnFKwKUWF02vX2R9zWTpiXgzAgDGi-GpmWa_zE3jpuG16nCg7YOoEIEf2ffpwURUiw/s400/DSC_0462.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And the animals had no idea anything was amiss!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-4mx4yVfLtuSyQYVYSYeMj-neWwsskksQovE96fnHDLFK9w0NjQAvuo0sjesHXzkRKFPzCSlcye2DydxzllEUG2rfNWkSkOtiBGVYRa3Ub7fRABcqcFA21985xYK4jZs7qhdJBSThgo/s1600/DSC_0439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-4mx4yVfLtuSyQYVYSYeMj-neWwsskksQovE96fnHDLFK9w0NjQAvuo0sjesHXzkRKFPzCSlcye2DydxzllEUG2rfNWkSkOtiBGVYRa3Ub7fRABcqcFA21985xYK4jZs7qhdJBSThgo/s400/DSC_0439.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rachael, who is now weaned, and Flower, who has been ingloriously renamed "The Rectangle" due to her girly figure, are good to go as long as there's hay around.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJxq_EU2rOO37FE2THQFj5NSDS8NUVM_nc3XSrncAriShXfbKW3d4_2vXNZ1hgHW2wckUl5Pfwm8zrt5s_5xjbX6FhCSwd4IIrB01APn6gTSCH4Laeaf-6l1Z97CPkyzijwnyid_w5rU/s1600/DSC_0451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaJxq_EU2rOO37FE2THQFj5NSDS8NUVM_nc3XSrncAriShXfbKW3d4_2vXNZ1hgHW2wckUl5Pfwm8zrt5s_5xjbX6FhCSwd4IIrB01APn6gTSCH4Laeaf-6l1Z97CPkyzijwnyid_w5rU/s400/DSC_0451.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We're still using the hen house for hay storage, but will soon put the chickens out on pasture.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1ZJSodieu6fr4Qlq12sXxtA5fYyw6KQ_yrD_s4yx8_7wrZcKs75US1kwZPis9inHbg0qhp6DyhPBu1OeQP8EHYgqLnkrmbCqt7iAcYReW9y7vqhD6RQUWp1p3VCBCUTYQKUHUvLUfGs/s1600/DSC_0459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1ZJSodieu6fr4Qlq12sXxtA5fYyw6KQ_yrD_s4yx8_7wrZcKs75US1kwZPis9inHbg0qhp6DyhPBu1OeQP8EHYgqLnkrmbCqt7iAcYReW9y7vqhD6RQUWp1p3VCBCUTYQKUHUvLUfGs/s400/DSC_0459.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Rectangle in all her snowy glory.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And as a side note, I have an update on my wild-yeast caught sourdough bread: success! However, I'm back to using the starter my friend gave me because it has a lot more flavor. The microbes I caught were a bit on the bland side.Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-75897872484362908552013-02-19T14:10:00.000-05:002013-03-11T12:55:56.086-04:00Counter Science & SourdoughMany of you know that for several years I've been milling my own grain in my <a href="http://greenacresmama.blogspot.com/2011/01/product-review-nutrimill-untangled.html">Nutrimill</a> and baking my own bread. While this has had great health benefits for our family and kept us from eating copious amounts of refined (read: nutrient-void) flour, a while back I began stressing about phytic acid. You can read all about my little dilemma <a href="http://greenacresmama.blogspot.com/2012/05/great-phytic-acid-debate.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
A friend of mine recently let me borrow <a href="http://jessiehawkins.com/">Jessie Hawkins'</a> <em>Vintage Remedies Guide to Bread</em>. The book is choc full of information on how ancient cultures baked, the advent of baker's yeast during the industrial revolution, and yes, <em>phytic acid. </em>Hawkins' well-researched claim is that ancient cultures baked using starters containing microbes caught from the air, or in layman's terms, sourdough. No baker's yeast involved, and the loooong rising times break down the detrimental effects of my old friend, phytic acid. <br />
<br />
Oh, and it tastes amazing. Even to Byron, who <em>hates </em>sourdough.<br />
<br />
But wait! Before you go away, don't get turned off by loooong rising times. Because guess what? There is very little kneading and almost no dough babysitting involved! Most of her recipes consist of mixing the ingredients, shoving the bowl into a corner overnight, putting the dough in pans in the morning, shoving the pans back into the corner, and baking the bread around dinner time. That's pretty much it, I promise.<br />
<br />
It sounds too good to be true, but it is. And it is my answer to baking while working outside the home full-time.<br />
<br />
You didn't honestly think I was going to start patronizing Monsanto, did you??<br />
<br />
Anyway, buy the book. And then procure some starter. Another friend graciously gave me some starter she had bought online. Hawkins also gives EASY directions on catching your own microbes (i.e., making your own starter), so I thought I'd give that a go:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6zyTNmoLECSUqbeRwN_ox5TaPG7S5uyX3d4GnlK_zL6RN5_f8Rvd2nlyxlPikw_fmfpanVacDyjVOQy-IjKa-2gxTUbDyCgjJB8vAKcKLX27BNzQxYlVh7wZhzP5b1oN6Rhup9bzGjM/s1600/DSC_0389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6zyTNmoLECSUqbeRwN_ox5TaPG7S5uyX3d4GnlK_zL6RN5_f8Rvd2nlyxlPikw_fmfpanVacDyjVOQy-IjKa-2gxTUbDyCgjJB8vAKcKLX27BNzQxYlVh7wZhzP5b1oN6Rhup9bzGjM/s400/DSC_0389.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You want to leave it as open as possible, but since we have ladybugs zooming around the house and waking my terrified kids up at night, I covered my experiment with cheese cloth.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWh-SfLf93qXdpEp4ZUs0bxOm2CiDr75RKcN9n1qlRaHxdRYbfgISmajoHIiuxi4y4JhVYfg8r2koqSlEIS5wEIJF_2G5jENnrkksjlAOSyFGZ18tzDrFOE16V94gBxons2UfzjsFO-E/s1600/DSC_0391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPWh-SfLf93qXdpEp4ZUs0bxOm2CiDr75RKcN9n1qlRaHxdRYbfgISmajoHIiuxi4y4JhVYfg8r2koqSlEIS5wEIJF_2G5jENnrkksjlAOSyFGZ18tzDrFOE16V94gBxons2UfzjsFO-E/s400/DSC_0391.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And it is...bubbling!! After 48 hours! This is a good sign.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hawkins writes about how starters caught in different regions of the world will give you different results. For instance, San Francisco has some rockin' microbes, because they're famous for their sourdough. This starter I'm trying smells differently than the one my friend gave me, probably because it's catching southern microbes.<br />
<br />
And the South is famous for cornbread, not sourdough. But it costs me pennies to try...<br />
<br />
So why not?<br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Update on my Nutrimill: I had to have the motor replaced over Christmas. Convenient, I know. But since all I had to pay was shipping, I was pleased with their customer service. I did read more recently, however, that the Wondermill kicked the Nutrimill's butt in a test that ran the mills until the motors burned out. Granted, the article wasn't scientific, peer-reviewed, etc., etc., but a bit of food for thought, nonetheless, if you are shopping for a grain mill.</em>Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-52590742671297330102013-02-12T09:19:00.001-05:002013-02-12T09:19:03.967-05:00From Hens to Hay: Why I Love Multi-Purpose StructuresRemember the <a href="http://greenacresmama.blogspot.com/2012/06/scissor-truss-eggmobile-part-iiand.html">hen house we built last summer</a>? You know, the one I neglected to post final photos of? Well, here it is, six months later, and filled with...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRv13WnwMf09oMDddpv9hybTR44qa2trWfvgAjvcvrh8Cdh1Sv3PKLPXnxDc9VUKjktYlTqRVtbHk2z601BKh9-lNw6UaCD_UXxRCs22yKo_qV1v0UYk2hnRntjG3f5zyAMEohssp_TE/s1600/DSC_0350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRv13WnwMf09oMDddpv9hybTR44qa2trWfvgAjvcvrh8Cdh1Sv3PKLPXnxDc9VUKjktYlTqRVtbHk2z601BKh9-lNw6UaCD_UXxRCs22yKo_qV1v0UYk2hnRntjG3f5zyAMEohssp_TE/s400/DSC_0350.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hay. (Yes, we cleaned it out!)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The side pictured above is for human access. In the fall we put plastic over the chicken wire to keep the hens cozy during the night. But in the summer, the chicken wire at each end helps with ventilation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLvQGUDRvLEzH_Ztj479ryyvR9PBxgBJONDwmJHW4HxVK38zpe-Yi0pYzN5YY2uKEXz3ewOQNUbpJJd6lKSy18IwkLj-9-VkSY_JISPRN6WqEmakYTF33olVVaxQ8p5zDJoff_TN0vvU/s1600/DSC_0357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLvQGUDRvLEzH_Ztj479ryyvR9PBxgBJONDwmJHW4HxVK38zpe-Yi0pYzN5YY2uKEXz3ewOQNUbpJJd6lKSy18IwkLj-9-VkSY_JISPRN6WqEmakYTF33olVVaxQ8p5zDJoff_TN0vvU/s400/DSC_0357.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Other side, with small door for chicken access.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88tY2OlR0Of_EtFB5XlwxgnfjHEo5E9Xfzh7UFjqMIH0zKSie6qisE2Ungc4FvluRKXALO9K-PYcKdZWz0maoU3wwJFIDHYGvpeDrae6WiNsWBYZle7_AgNBqawpMHFK6aV-6u2awdz4/s1600/DSC_0352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88tY2OlR0Of_EtFB5XlwxgnfjHEo5E9Xfzh7UFjqMIH0zKSie6qisE2Ungc4FvluRKXALO9K-PYcKdZWz0maoU3wwJFIDHYGvpeDrae6WiNsWBYZle7_AgNBqawpMHFK6aV-6u2awdz4/s400/DSC_0352.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Interior view. I think we can fit eleven bales of hay in the center aisle. Notice the roosts and egg boxes. There are roost bars on the other side of the aisle, as well.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iVlhd4o_lovkfV2cEXLluuYiMYoHTzzy8uad0yHsy8-rkDhI9geYYQpsGlfbxWckmcMOCIstt84nOwjsq0IrLPD6lUzfHKCdFgA0FnIIvAPV9pJdiMrJoVJMxrHXSlmVR7A2pYxqowk/s1600/DSC_0361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iVlhd4o_lovkfV2cEXLluuYiMYoHTzzy8uad0yHsy8-rkDhI9geYYQpsGlfbxWckmcMOCIstt84nOwjsq0IrLPD6lUzfHKCdFgA0FnIIvAPV9pJdiMrJoVJMxrHXSlmVR7A2pYxqowk/s400/DSC_0361.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We've pulled it up right next to the garden, where the chickens are spending the winter. They share a divided hoop house with the bovines, one of whom eats copious amounts of hay (I'm talking to you, Flower).</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Storing the hay in the hen house for the winter accomplishes two things. First, since it is mobile, we can hook it up to the tractor, drag it over to the barn, load it up, and drag it back to the garden, saving us time and work. Secondly, it saves us from building a structure closer to the winter quarters in order to store hay. And this is why I love multi-purpose structures.<br />
<br />
Any other ideas out there for multi-purpose farm structures? One of our next projects will be to build a larger cow shelter on skids. Stay tuned!Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-63898032647090873992013-01-29T12:57:00.002-05:002013-01-29T12:57:13.296-05:00Who Needs Video Games?<em>"When I was kid, all I needed to entertain myself was a stick and a string!"</em> <br />
<br />
Maybe my kids really will use that line on their grandkids. Check out their most recent creation, made in the dead of winter:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiBenmPkRFQwkV0QbnEt9pA94Lnmdqs3SnqU7XH67iMvF4QWC5exzKmkKomD91talLQbQSADzY3wFCC4S8kY_yKyTLcjpGpU6wlYa9xKdB0PZiqsvLJtmRDHko0wrmf1mXHnfLigA9xA/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyiBenmPkRFQwkV0QbnEt9pA94Lnmdqs3SnqU7XH67iMvF4QWC5exzKmkKomD91talLQbQSADzY3wFCC4S8kY_yKyTLcjpGpU6wlYa9xKdB0PZiqsvLJtmRDHko0wrmf1mXHnfLigA9xA/s400/DSC_0369.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Steps</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXSd-Sd8JQ77_pXbIXqaz7Aj4pOxOiQtEBY4_9-S6wvze8yZMIS4Ndxov3nSZZoVOiXW4fRDZ-I7-_qG7Zd6KOWzbkGD6DM6pOSgugyG5sr35rI1xAAfG8H7JtL0mL80lByulla6gu4g/s1600/DSC_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXSd-Sd8JQ77_pXbIXqaz7Aj4pOxOiQtEBY4_9-S6wvze8yZMIS4Ndxov3nSZZoVOiXW4fRDZ-I7-_qG7Zd6KOWzbkGD6DM6pOSgugyG5sr35rI1xAAfG8H7JtL0mL80lByulla6gu4g/s400/DSC_0372.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Swing</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sticks and strings. Proud of my kids' creativity. Made by Akea, checked for safety by Byron.Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-50808435437892009082013-01-22T22:09:00.000-05:002013-01-22T22:20:35.969-05:00New ArrivalsNo, I didn't have a baby. In fact, I don't have a legitimately valid excuse for being such a slacker for the past two months, except to say that we've undergone some major changes as a family. For instance, my kids are both in public school now and I'm looking into going back to teaching next year. In the meantime, I'm eating bonbons and not writing blog posts.<br />
<br />
Per the title, I do want to share with you our two new arrivals. Everyone, meet Flower and Rachael. Flower and Rachael, meet everyone:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieixS_ym2ganji7KQMYY8zZdcilcQFYAK-JeJCohd0_zWSP5hD1AIpRL3MLIPv0wnCXyXAZkgkQY7vajK-7XkrEn1SdDYmNbBYLGEXhWeXhxltrEZHGUmlCIK_ebUDx88Pyy06cHfZlIE/s1600/DSC_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieixS_ym2ganji7KQMYY8zZdcilcQFYAK-JeJCohd0_zWSP5hD1AIpRL3MLIPv0wnCXyXAZkgkQY7vajK-7XkrEn1SdDYmNbBYLGEXhWeXhxltrEZHGUmlCIK_ebUDx88Pyy06cHfZlIE/s400/DSC_0302.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rachael is the baby, and Flower is the mom. Both are Black Angus. Both were named by my kids.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVo7u3bMag0FaomcRD0pBtg1nI5xC7KuYEUzRvy9gIzWXMXKHDdl19DJAa4AnnWQ3p1eWTnctSH3zfFXZPwjV5ZdMdO8DR4wVE8PT93ugeegM0ytXFxF9WxrURQYZ5jcsOvCqwGf58c1E/s1600/DSC_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVo7u3bMag0FaomcRD0pBtg1nI5xC7KuYEUzRvy9gIzWXMXKHDdl19DJAa4AnnWQ3p1eWTnctSH3zfFXZPwjV5ZdMdO8DR4wVE8PT93ugeegM0ytXFxF9WxrURQYZ5jcsOvCqwGf58c1E/s400/DSC_0313.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rachael has to be bottle fed for a while longer, so Byron is making friends. Flower was still nursing another calf when she was born, and the previous owner never separated them.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJUWJHdGJL2RPVo8KwMJLEcinQaxgPdoONoictM8AnniDhctJOncO4YOwrEDnEUdmVQsNGsY8LNjiZ-NjvMw1a_DuGLQZtFHec57OTca1Bzhg7-_xaw-PLJ0NhbxIqetSVm3qQhQ9TFM/s1600/DSC_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJUWJHdGJL2RPVo8KwMJLEcinQaxgPdoONoictM8AnniDhctJOncO4YOwrEDnEUdmVQsNGsY8LNjiZ-NjvMw1a_DuGLQZtFHec57OTca1Bzhg7-_xaw-PLJ0NhbxIqetSVm3qQhQ9TFM/s400/DSC_0311.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Flower is still a bit skittish sometimes, but fortunately, the previous owner is very hands-on with his cows, so she doesn't totally hate us. She also may be pregnant, so that could explain a lot...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Our steers have since gone to the butcher, which was a very interesting learning experience. They weighed much, much less than we had anticipated and we ended up losing money on the venture. So our [my] new rule is no more Holsteins. Though we hear that the meat is great, they don't gain weight efficiently. To their credit, however, we got an education by raising them.<br />
<br />
I'm glad I'm back. I miss writing as a creative outlet and I miss your insights. And the spammers have begun their relentless, vulturous descent. Let's hope as I dust off my blog, they go to the wind as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-25915503936926569652012-11-13T10:50:00.002-05:002012-11-14T14:52:48.196-05:00UpdatesYes. I'm into creative titles these days.<br />
<br />
I can't believe my blogging has precipitously dropped off these past few months. When I was homeschooling both kids, I would oftentimes take a few minutes in the morning to at least start a post. Now that Akea is attending public school, it's a rush to get everyone out the door to drop her off, and she comes home with <em>plenty</em> of homework, most of with which she needs help.<br />
<br />
And having Charlie at home, by himself, means he needs more attention from me. It's just the way things are rolling these days.<br />
<br />
From a homesteading perspective, things are slowing down, but I have been attacking some projects inside the house. So right now, our life looks like this:<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Outside</u></strong><br />
1. The steers go to the butcher tomorrow. When we bought them, we knew they weren't pets, but because we raised them from their first week of life, we've grown a bit attached.<br />
<br />
2. The younger hens are almost six months old and have been laying small, pullet eggs for about a month. We're happy that the flocks merged without a hitch, and the goats are enjoying being pastured with them as well. Our thought is that the goats provide a degree of predator protection for the chickens.<br />
<br />
3. The garden has been done for a while. The no-till idea didn't mix well with my fatigue and the drought this summer, so Byron will till it in the spring and we will try raised beds. I have a bit of lettuce in pots.<br />
<br />
4. We need to prep the hoop house for the chickens, which involves clearing it out, protecting the sides where they'd dug under last year, and making a small access door into the garden. We want them to be able to go outside when they want, instead of being cooped up (literally) all winter.<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Inside</u></strong><br />
1. I painted the kitchen and large common area at the back of the house, and have begun to work on re-upholstery again. Soon to come is painting and/or refinishing a few pieces of furniture, then organizing. Lots of organizing.<br />
<br />
2. Byron plans to repair the floor and damaged joist in the downstairs bedroom, and lay hardwood flooring. Part of the holdup has been figuring out exactly how to reconfigure the bathroom, but I think we have finally made our decision...we're keeping it simple and not tearing up and rebuilding walls.<br />
<br />
3. My Nutrimill died! I believe the motor burned up. However, I have to give props to L'Equip, the company that makes the machine. They told me to send it in, and they're fixing it free of charge. Totally took my word for it that I'm the original owner, too, and told me not to even worry about sending in the receipt. In all this, a big thanks to my friend, Katey, who has let me borrow her hand mill!<br />
<br />
In all this, we are trying to figure out some ways to streamline the homesteading aspect of our lives. Raised beds will hopefully be easier on me, and Byron would like to set up some semi-permanent electric wire paddocks for whenever we get more cows. Any by the way, we are going to try to get a couple heifers (young, female cows) that we can breed, which will be much more sustainable than buying calves.<br />
<br />
I will be back to update from time to time, but my guess is that it won't be as frequent as it has been in the past. As our kids grow, they're beginning to show interests in different activities. For Charlie, it's soccer and guitar. Akea is interested in basketball and drama. True, this seems contrary to the homesteading lifestyle to a degree, but we are trying to find that balance.Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-64148447651822639372012-10-16T12:57:00.003-04:002012-10-16T21:59:45.870-04:00There's No Place Like Home (Processing)Even if, at our best, we only processed six chickens per hour, it was so good to be home!<br />
<br />
Over the past couple weekends - and a couple evenings during the week - we processed our last batch of broilers for the year. With over 70 chickens that needed to make it into the freezer ASAP, we decided to purchase some low-cost equipment so we could process them in our own backyard. In the past, we would have travelled about twenty miles to another farm with said chickens and two very bored children in tow. Even though our equipment is more rudimentary and the going was slower, we had happy kids, happy chickens (well, up until...you know), and showers. All that was missing was a pumpkin latte from Starbucks at the end of it all.<br />
<br />
Here's our set-up, along with approximate purchase prices:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBcwoED2u2VqqvhtqwgllTvGpXFpLYSrlMUDtsUl9vCnKqnYGd2IYejfJIDZd406VlxByGVtF4OD241qLZxvCgmHcB9UgHe2YRU791CBJPujcffrKXb_LOhmAhNaw5O9DoSjWWl10VSQ/s1600/DSC_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBcwoED2u2VqqvhtqwgllTvGpXFpLYSrlMUDtsUl9vCnKqnYGd2IYejfJIDZd406VlxByGVtF4OD241qLZxvCgmHcB9UgHe2YRU791CBJPujcffrKXb_LOhmAhNaw5O9DoSjWWl10VSQ/s400/DSC_0311.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stainless steel table, 2'x4', used for evisceration. Approximately $125 on eBay.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnHiy5ZhVzxWEfX0dUnnWhfeNTqJAZYNoA-NpYLGuuFZO0-nzAsrt2QKUzPNyvx4OJ3TlPWqle89cu5vFx99nKlC5VtSsWGBlgugRLynl1UzfBnkJKc1bVTa8c67ZytXstwSllmwRffY/s1600/DSC_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnHiy5ZhVzxWEfX0dUnnWhfeNTqJAZYNoA-NpYLGuuFZO0-nzAsrt2QKUzPNyvx4OJ3TlPWqle89cu5vFx99nKlC5VtSsWGBlgugRLynl1UzfBnkJKc1bVTa8c67ZytXstwSllmwRffY/s400/DSC_0307.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Polar Ware 30-quart stainless steel pot from Amazon, $67.40. Underneath is a Bayou Classic outdoor gas cooker, $51.80.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYb6RKfiKOvvjRPZfqfMwa4g3m9U6aPUF1JxUaO4bRyAxfCazu_y0BExIsnxtUYh9ZtdhRtxCZIWNRRQHr0rLTyK9TM224WZw_dJIZeRgtrJoRxRhyphenhyphenlokaYDAY4c5iIL0bVeTVksT4Hq4/s1600/DSC_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYb6RKfiKOvvjRPZfqfMwa4g3m9U6aPUF1JxUaO4bRyAxfCazu_y0BExIsnxtUYh9ZtdhRtxCZIWNRRQHr0rLTyK9TM224WZw_dJIZeRgtrJoRxRhyphenhyphenlokaYDAY4c5iIL0bVeTVksT4Hq4/s400/DSC_0310.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Drill attachment plucker, approximately $30 from eBay.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGidh1u9ijYYgw8hxRnsn6w7UDuJ2BUbsUip6ooz0hWhwcpj1SQwq33fVcDkMVtXU9AT9sOMyvxyJqFwohdFhm6ziOIEw8DC0Uj8RDYDUmmOstN9M8TEB0QVf2vBOmc3HwOAEEvaIxu18/s1600/DSC_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGidh1u9ijYYgw8hxRnsn6w7UDuJ2BUbsUip6ooz0hWhwcpj1SQwq33fVcDkMVtXU9AT9sOMyvxyJqFwohdFhm6ziOIEw8DC0Uj8RDYDUmmOstN9M8TEB0QVf2vBOmc3HwOAEEvaIxu18/s400/DSC_0312.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Large cooler, which we used as a chill tank. I can't recall the price, but many people have coolers like these already. And see the green bucket? When we were only processing maybe five birds in an evening, we would just chill them in FREE food-grade buckets we snagged from Chick-fil-A. Oh, the irony.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Grand total? $274.20, not including the items we already had on hand. Not too shabby, when you consider the professional stuff can climb up to the likes of $8,000.<br />
<br />
One thing we do want to change is the plucker. The little drill attachment worked, but I had to pluck whatever it couldn't (<em>wings</em>). Not an issue if you're processing about five birds, but when you run into a couple or few dozen, you really need something more efficient. We may try finding something used or attempt to make our own next summer.<br />
<br />
We also could have purchased an aluminum turkey pot with temperature control, but we're a little leery of aluminum and its leaching abilities. So Byron kind of got into the groove of knowing when to turn the valve up to heat the water, and when to turn it back down. We kept a thermometer on hand to ensure that the water would always be between 140 and 150 degrees.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq3bnbYT_ZETh1o-YV5qqa11ownA45tsibSkkKqn4gPqzh3CY8GTiugSQZdZVmkKewu4UVDrjRuU3hWjeL7Bj6wMBx6Cpz_Xm_bT9PrjFeBEoJ2RAuetLjb-Qi3ICbnpS2TfydR0GWf0/s1600/DSC_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPq3bnbYT_ZETh1o-YV5qqa11ownA45tsibSkkKqn4gPqzh3CY8GTiugSQZdZVmkKewu4UVDrjRuU3hWjeL7Bj6wMBx6Cpz_Xm_bT9PrjFeBEoJ2RAuetLjb-Qi3ICbnpS2TfydR0GWf0/s400/DSC_0305.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And this all wouldn't have happened without the Cornish X chicken. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, we may try Freedom Rangers next time, as they are <em>much</em> more hardy. You can do everything by the book, but some of the Cornish X will develop leg problems and simply refuse to move. Leg problems are caused by anything from genetics, to a chicken getting scratched by his buddy, and suddenly deciding he just. doesn't. want. to. move. anymore. <br />
<br />
And that's when home processing equipment <em>really</em> comes in handy. Just saying.<br />
<br />
I'm linking up with the <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/10/barn-hop-83.html">Homestead Barn Hop</a>!Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-21975079474194431672012-09-24T14:54:00.000-04:002012-09-26T06:35:12.777-04:00In Which I Make a Trendy WreathThe primary reason for making a trendy wreath is this bizarre need I have to create things with my hands. It's not pretty when I go for long spells without making anything. Oh, sure, I make meals every day and bake all the time, but that just doesn't do it for me. I need instant visual gratification.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrQ9J-I8YAv0NfqE9zAgQod4tu4ZTBVpNGsbUxads8Sq32s2LHDO_ibHMQKsrMGHvfa1X8qWEXyD47DGCUPyJt7shM2eJHWBNKDaSZjasDTlhIScPBJqhR_a4Z2wJ-n_2ZwJWfqHXSy8/s1600/DSC_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnrQ9J-I8YAv0NfqE9zAgQod4tu4ZTBVpNGsbUxads8Sq32s2LHDO_ibHMQKsrMGHvfa1X8qWEXyD47DGCUPyJt7shM2eJHWBNKDaSZjasDTlhIScPBJqhR_a4Z2wJ-n_2ZwJWfqHXSy8/s400/DSC_0227.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
So I made one of those deals with the yarn wrapped around and around and around a straw wreath. The whole thing cost me about $4 since I had the fabric and buttons already. I like to think of it as autumn with a touch of elegance (work with me here, okay?).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciqwe97UeDRH1wYgBBhk8bSLpdekw9LPauYRWUmaUIPBQiHoArJXQTNIKzpySgGa8sInoukHnRJ6sbfNZAl-7YnVsIvUrj4QEqa9Icnn6x0R8ATPBfCmPlcAKHpa2OUA3dn7AKTVZUKc/s1600/DSC_0228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciqwe97UeDRH1wYgBBhk8bSLpdekw9LPauYRWUmaUIPBQiHoArJXQTNIKzpySgGa8sInoukHnRJ6sbfNZAl-7YnVsIvUrj4QEqa9Icnn6x0R8ATPBfCmPlcAKHpa2OUA3dn7AKTVZUKc/s400/DSC_0228.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I found that it was a relatively easy project, but I did originally use a muted yellow for the "flowers" and found that to be too much color. I also found that the glue gun was the best thing I ever bought and that along with Google Earth, winding yarn around a wreath gives me vertigo.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5JiSknIArPXwDu3uBTA2gYIHX-AOr82wcO-kpmJ008IXw4l830MRDTQaArbJNvSDpi572Z3wQaxl7riiSLxWRXVqZJvDwGocVHqcUPszlU4Rqc69aj4LKwI52mDt3EAWtXLL0Mq6eoQ/s1600/DSC_0226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK5JiSknIArPXwDu3uBTA2gYIHX-AOr82wcO-kpmJ008IXw4l830MRDTQaArbJNvSDpi572Z3wQaxl7riiSLxWRXVqZJvDwGocVHqcUPszlU4Rqc69aj4LKwI52mDt3EAWtXLL0Mq6eoQ/s400/DSC_0226.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Made by me, inspired <a href="http://www.homemadeginger.com/2011/09/autumn-wreath.html">HERE</a> by Homemade Ginger. <br />
<br />
Since this cost me all of $4 (hint: Joann Fabrics takes multiple, competitor coupons), I'm linking up with <a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/2012/09/frugal-days-sustainable-ways-46/">Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways #46</a>!Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-27203521842473826632012-09-14T20:41:00.002-04:002012-09-14T20:43:32.125-04:00Wake Me Up When September EndsMaybe by then the dust will have settled a bit.<br />
<br />
But in the meantime, here's a small peek into what we've been up to:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNP18LU-JT32jRTJ7fNwYPpjgiRsFM6JVAuxbp946_-mWY38ZxMUbSq_8mtMDrO97IpZFtlmB3oKj26ko6z-nxbMHhUXyEQOJ6ffxInQ90zOZCW6NXiKyqUSnNwH34y2NYTnkr-Is0K4/s1600/DSC_0126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNP18LU-JT32jRTJ7fNwYPpjgiRsFM6JVAuxbp946_-mWY38ZxMUbSq_8mtMDrO97IpZFtlmB3oKj26ko6z-nxbMHhUXyEQOJ6ffxInQ90zOZCW6NXiKyqUSnNwH34y2NYTnkr-Is0K4/s400/DSC_0126.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Making applesauce. I think I had the heat too high in the pressure canner for this round, though I'm open to suggestions.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZHBzQnjqa9JufH6P1U-X-HOC6tVo1UgjHw1y2vP1YJSdYbSUn8pOkpx5yMmmHEakygX4BKg3GBZYM2yl3NJ-rw_qmSPGlExIDB3NqDyphMjXzrvPonc7sWvIkxVqYpvw7mLjGmMr8v8/s1600/DSC_0404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZHBzQnjqa9JufH6P1U-X-HOC6tVo1UgjHw1y2vP1YJSdYbSUn8pOkpx5yMmmHEakygX4BKg3GBZYM2yl3NJ-rw_qmSPGlExIDB3NqDyphMjXzrvPonc7sWvIkxVqYpvw7mLjGmMr8v8/s400/DSC_0404.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Freezing a bushel of corn, and now persimmons.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZYwSVRS4ebFVy5dFI75LnSyA-oOdH8Sif9UJ_EROOH7ZSYGxxjqSC3TwBYiRsFCyjaTiDnYKHimU55Xb0q92lJRPcHoL9TtwEuGfn9Sq-y9j-WuQLZkMMnGq5WYMvYU87ruULFuncV8/s1600/DSC_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZYwSVRS4ebFVy5dFI75LnSyA-oOdH8Sif9UJ_EROOH7ZSYGxxjqSC3TwBYiRsFCyjaTiDnYKHimU55Xb0q92lJRPcHoL9TtwEuGfn9Sq-y9j-WuQLZkMMnGq5WYMvYU87ruULFuncV8/s400/DSC_0071.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Inventing weapons.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kT586U9iBzW35PrJSg4r4PtLEC-s8WPmsYHuJ2-so740h8ndgMQVBnh7WiQlYi1y7khxnDpjJCq97m0czrPUMkIBYjo5yqC8cVB37YQ-ND-olU7vtsXqnXMkuf1V137zirnXxMt8rQo/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_kT586U9iBzW35PrJSg4r4PtLEC-s8WPmsYHuJ2-so740h8ndgMQVBnh7WiQlYi1y7khxnDpjJCq97m0czrPUMkIBYjo5yqC8cVB37YQ-ND-olU7vtsXqnXMkuf1V137zirnXxMt8rQo/s400/DSC_0092.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remember "<a href="http://greenacresmama.blogspot.com/2012/02/business-in-front-party-in-back-why-our.html">business in the front, party in the back</a>?" Byron's beautiful landscaping, completed this summer.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGdKZtycDxpuPu39JIC1FAv8Gf4MRiKi8TDkigbhGdFyBiZBvabKB4wNOmfk0H0wnxLQQDR6uvd4wZXNtl8L5XlaAk_drTjuZsrKRUAq5R0edRlX7ZK4ShTPMjQw9NlZUHpEgUkVgKos/s1600/DSC_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGdKZtycDxpuPu39JIC1FAv8Gf4MRiKi8TDkigbhGdFyBiZBvabKB4wNOmfk0H0wnxLQQDR6uvd4wZXNtl8L5XlaAk_drTjuZsrKRUAq5R0edRlX7ZK4ShTPMjQw9NlZUHpEgUkVgKos/s400/DSC_0096.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://greenacresmama.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-very-small-first.html">Baby chick</a>, growing up.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJtfXc0fnUhtpfLsQwnU6roW06LGk02SC8sgbZVJDOvlmCmNOx1pWzMQ8mGLtI49G7HPNRWL-6KpFVoPTYvqkXaHh5y29eHY0bB9d6zlq3XmqjktUaYXN862HZf3kc9QMd8gfwrrrfNc/s1600/DSC_0490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJtfXc0fnUhtpfLsQwnU6roW06LGk02SC8sgbZVJDOvlmCmNOx1pWzMQ8mGLtI49G7HPNRWL-6KpFVoPTYvqkXaHh5y29eHY0bB9d6zlq3XmqjktUaYXN862HZf3kc9QMd8gfwrrrfNc/s400/DSC_0490.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our biggest change, and a tough decision...sending Akea to public school. She's adjusting well.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This may not seem like much, but somehow, days are full with homeschooling Charlie, wrestling with finicky bell waterers, baking, cooking, more baking, preserving, homework, cleaning.<br />
<br />
I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.twobearsfarm.com/2012/09/beet-haters-beware-roasted-beets-quinoa.html">Rural Thursdays</a> and <a href="http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/2012/09/farmgirl-friday-blog-hop-74.html">Farmgirl Fridays</a>.Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-60542477133105637522012-09-01T22:00:00.000-04:002012-09-01T22:00:10.185-04:00Table, Farmhouse StyleA couple weeks ago I donned one of those heavy-duty air filtration masks that made me look like a cool chick on a DIY show (minus the designer jeans that never seem to get dirty). I wish I had a photo (maybe), but I do have a couple photos of <a href="http://greenacresmama.blogspot.com/2012/08/reclaimed-projects.html">the farmhouse table we had made</a>, finally finished!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Qv0uu5S1qsfwA_bLvOctYGxZ849Q6m15QlXg5XzHN7ep-bNkLworgwONxNqI9MxMZpuiEAk7KIA21zcCHJzyj59RyDhcy36QQHG2mSe3JtHUGknh9Xwy5_BPoVTfBd7UD0LNCzmvO1E/s1600/DSC_0068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Qv0uu5S1qsfwA_bLvOctYGxZ849Q6m15QlXg5XzHN7ep-bNkLworgwONxNqI9MxMZpuiEAk7KIA21zcCHJzyj59RyDhcy36QQHG2mSe3JtHUGknh9Xwy5_BPoVTfBd7UD0LNCzmvO1E/s400/DSC_0068.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I used four coats of Waterlox, the final being a satin finish. The center is the leftover heart pine flooring we couldn't use in the house; the frame is walnut from an old beam.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpnDF8r8emOBtSsNS1bG5j21maDycUk08PUgIszw1JwZ3bWA5gHESg1YTixXGYfjSmJQMVnOfacrWpCZXQzlbweczqBsQquDqw0b4lfUfsn8x5pdFh634_nczKmE_u6jrkQcZ0kNbZK4/s1600/DSC_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvpnDF8r8emOBtSsNS1bG5j21maDycUk08PUgIszw1JwZ3bWA5gHESg1YTixXGYfjSmJQMVnOfacrWpCZXQzlbweczqBsQquDqw0b4lfUfsn8x5pdFh634_nczKmE_u6jrkQcZ0kNbZK4/s400/DSC_0066.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The legs are also walnut, reclaimed from an old table.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One project down...many more to go.<br />
<br />
I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.twobearsfarm.com/2012/08/know-what-this-is-rural-thursday.html">Rural Thursdays</a> and <a href="http://deborahjeansdandelionhouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/farmgirl-friday-blog-hop-72.html">Farmgirl Friday</a>!Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-14952364535888573922012-08-14T10:56:00.002-04:002012-08-14T16:50:48.051-04:00Reclaimed ProjectsSince we put hardwood floors in the back of the house in April, our renovation has been somewhat on hold. I won't bore you with the details as to why, but if you've ever worked on your own home renovation, you probably understand. Because by the way, this isn't exactly <em>Sarah's House</em>. Sarah gets to hire contractors and go shopping for cool fabrics. We do most of the dirty work ourselves and scrounge for deals to fit a very tight budget, so it's east to get burnt out.<br />
<br />
Lately, however, we've reclaimed some of our projects. And I don't use the word "reclaimed" lightly:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9eJzVAUsvPIrPlaK1MM-230zVgmg6_pZFzg3DCtFDT2LMmKaiXrF0bCDgN4K0NeWgJVtYtTI3gvWKLvXeOyumzj6pNmSCJd2ZlIXfIZuWXtX8mEvI1rFc0-SQOW9KEyTJyvI0BNMF7k/s1600/DSC_0398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9eJzVAUsvPIrPlaK1MM-230zVgmg6_pZFzg3DCtFDT2LMmKaiXrF0bCDgN4K0NeWgJVtYtTI3gvWKLvXeOyumzj6pNmSCJd2ZlIXfIZuWXtX8mEvI1rFc0-SQOW9KEyTJyvI0BNMF7k/s400/DSC_0398.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A reclaimed mantle we bought a couple years ago, and repaired and painted last week. To be installed in Akea's room.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3iDVf2yDuEObLkFRKX6geJA2Bc3F8EnKopl29OvqfX0O7t_za0qXsVqlqyrUUO5VB3eVbJzWDBkBdqgxBpomEo-r6z3X9KvQ2ZccbY8oTZHoBF_19ZCyaWKElpTk0wvwcEejI5v1rwo/s1600/DSC_0424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3iDVf2yDuEObLkFRKX6geJA2Bc3F8EnKopl29OvqfX0O7t_za0qXsVqlqyrUUO5VB3eVbJzWDBkBdqgxBpomEo-r6z3X9KvQ2ZccbY8oTZHoBF_19ZCyaWKElpTk0wvwcEejI5v1rwo/s400/DSC_0424.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The new dining room table. This was Byron's brainchild, after he struggled with what to do with the leftover heart pine flooring that had been original to the house. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you're new to the blog, we had to rip up the flooring in the hall, parlor, and dining room in order to repair some serious termite damage. We were able to reuse the flooring in the hallway and parlor, but because of the termites, we didn't have enough for the dining room. So we've been tripping over the extra flooring for two years, until Byron had this fabulous idea. Why not use it for a 9' long dining room table? So we contacted a carpenter we'd randomly met a couple years ago, and he used reclaimed walnut legs, an old walnut beam, and our flooring to make us the ultimate farmhouse dining table! I just put the first coat of Waterlox finish on it yesterday, so more photos to come.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDddJlfJXwyAfAwsa1QqBN93m1Kn5MaDZX3yatJqP5dlc_bJOOWGJzGuZpFRBoCjN4Z9tJpGo4M6Z_rmLlhTBMcZjSXtYK42sfIZHbmBHQuXlF9r0vrAykXIFeV8DLVAgiaqtGbYyfJL8/s1600/DSC_0426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDddJlfJXwyAfAwsa1QqBN93m1Kn5MaDZX3yatJqP5dlc_bJOOWGJzGuZpFRBoCjN4Z9tJpGo4M6Z_rmLlhTBMcZjSXtYK42sfIZHbmBHQuXlF9r0vrAykXIFeV8DLVAgiaqtGbYyfJL8/s400/DSC_0426.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reclaimed walnut legs.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizgyJri8LKQbwDV4vz0hH_XhFUv48NaYSpB5Cqxp2WHhb-bffRX-SEIxGcGhIFtn8QD55frqTTZU0MqnTrwsDVACe6Rv0dIqdiq0mC0qZBJqoeGNd0uuLeLVLIKze1bpf5DXe2aQExP8/s1600/DSC_0413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgizgyJri8LKQbwDV4vz0hH_XhFUv48NaYSpB5Cqxp2WHhb-bffRX-SEIxGcGhIFtn8QD55frqTTZU0MqnTrwsDVACe6Rv0dIqdiq0mC0qZBJqoeGNd0uuLeLVLIKze1bpf5DXe2aQExP8/s400/DSC_0413.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On one side of the table, we'll place this church pew from the early 1800s. Originally almost 10' long, the carpenter cut it down so it would fit the table. The seat will be Waterloxed (hey, I made a new verb!) and we'll paint the sides and back. Byron wants brown and I want an accent color.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyAbXEMH_5vBTt6M0z5eqBi0L05PCPaAnXjk7Eqyd-gvfUDLmp6U1TttjeD7NSWcnjYw1Ixc-eqVGqHSpZunxt4tEK79Z231UsNIRG3xYdentQd-BWr-J2FkinVUGsJ52f0d3X32PXME/s1600/DSC_0428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyAbXEMH_5vBTt6M0z5eqBi0L05PCPaAnXjk7Eqyd-gvfUDLmp6U1TttjeD7NSWcnjYw1Ixc-eqVGqHSpZunxt4tEK79Z231UsNIRG3xYdentQd-BWr-J2FkinVUGsJ52f0d3X32PXME/s400/DSC_0428.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another view of the bench.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eRYhRXtc85M3szTRAWyW-R4VA0DuggM2i-Gt0ECqajSUtq52vf0k8nF9dx0q5p2OguCZvxYyM0NQiE-wzlFahOJ4rmI-OfgGCMyfpZQkdbLfetgxZPv-OXWq908XRjcL6rKEOH_Kns8/s1600/DSC_0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eRYhRXtc85M3szTRAWyW-R4VA0DuggM2i-Gt0ECqajSUtq52vf0k8nF9dx0q5p2OguCZvxYyM0NQiE-wzlFahOJ4rmI-OfgGCMyfpZQkdbLfetgxZPv-OXWq908XRjcL6rKEOH_Kns8/s400/DSC_0082.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Remember my <a href="http://greenacresmama.blogspot.com/2012/02/dont-blink-brief-re-upholstery-update.html">re-upholstery project</a>?? Here's the chair I finished. I never managed to get to the matching chair or the sofa. But there's always next year...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-29688740750222861782012-08-08T18:27:00.002-04:002012-08-15T12:42:26.639-04:00A Very Small "First"We've experienced a lot of "firsts" in the past year. Byron and I didn't grow up homesteading/farming. Heck, I don't even think I had a garden until I was married! We've raised chickens for meat and eggs, are raising two steers for meat, were given goats, planted fruit trees, created The Biggest Garden Ever (which since has become The Garden of Everlasting Weeds), and the list goes on. And didn't I just see that July was declared the hottest July in the history of Julys?<br />
<br />
Sometimes, you can have too many "firsts" at once, even if they do take place over the course of a year. <br />
<br />
But then in the midst of feeling overwhelmed, you get a first like this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFVf5kKVrlB_nhzxHYKWDVzwTzof-J1MKsV1gfOaUhfa3tv1uJ3ufkW36BGiltDAlNW70Xp3icCO-ogTRI6peCtpdHd_qJ62pCc9CnhWZhO-rc0Q1Ldf6LPoYjB2r1jvLfr_znAFS2GQ/s1600/DSCF0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFVf5kKVrlB_nhzxHYKWDVzwTzof-J1MKsV1gfOaUhfa3tv1uJ3ufkW36BGiltDAlNW70Xp3icCO-ogTRI6peCtpdHd_qJ62pCc9CnhWZhO-rc0Q1Ldf6LPoYjB2r1jvLfr_znAFS2GQ/s400/DSCF0024.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of our Rhode Island Red Hens got broody. So we thought we'd stick a few (three) eggs under her and see what happened. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Byron is great at telling when an egg is fertilized. Basically, he grabs some freshly-laid eggs, a flashlight, and disappears into Charlie's closet for a few minutes. It's a talent I can't mimic or explain. He was right on all three counts, and here's how we know:<br />
<br />
Egg #1: I accidentally collected Egg #1 and stuck it in a carton, in the fridge. I'd had a brain fart and thought we had put two eggs under Broody Hen, not three. Thankfully, Byron caught my mistake, and of course he had to go crack it open to see what was inside. Let's just say that's not the only chicken I accidentally killed that week, but more on that later.<br />
<br />
Egg #2: This egg hatched today, but the chick was dead.<br />
<br />
Egg #3: This egg hatched today, and the chick was alive. Here's Baby Chick with Mama Hen:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyrGxD5qSf-O35rZYp-WQk7KX-M4yqYq3YRsdyTxrFYUtZob0JzP0EvAqqURRucGg3raf3pINRWrIXBDRsW_sNk4B1PhXg5LQSGiQBt3KxdKQGa95knKfUjVW9PssvYNN5a89eHez8iI/s1600/DSC_0389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyrGxD5qSf-O35rZYp-WQk7KX-M4yqYq3YRsdyTxrFYUtZob0JzP0EvAqqURRucGg3raf3pINRWrIXBDRsW_sNk4B1PhXg5LQSGiQBt3KxdKQGa95knKfUjVW9PssvYNN5a89eHez8iI/s400/DSC_0389.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We placed them in the brooder, away from the other hens. Any ideas on how long we should leave them in there? Byron found the chick outside of the nest box initially, so we were a little concerned about leaving them with the other hens.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So we'll see how well Baby Chick does. Mama Hen seems to be getting the whole mom thing. She's even abandoned three other eggs we put under her to take care of this little one. Okay, so maybe that's not optimal parenting, but we're talking about a chicken here. (UPDATE: As of last night, she was sitting on the eggs again and had Baby Chick tucked under her wing.)<br />
<br />
Before I sign off, a lot of people have asked me what it means to have a broody hen. Here's what I know about it:<br />
<br />
1. Something kicks in (hormones??) to drive a hen to sit on the nest box ALL THE TIME. She'll only get up maybe once a day to eat and drink. This means she's broody. She wants to be a mom.<br />
2. When a hen gets broody, she clucks a lot, especially when she's off the nest. It's like some sort of chicken paranoia.<br />
3. You'll also notice that her feathers get ruffled, literally. She looks like a mom, and moms have no time to groom in the morning. Kind of like this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGMrv5leLZ1bUALHefYPNdHDB-THuj9bir28oLjj7QKBwOI0kIlHbz-6xdMz9ocxbOFIMxHDwfU0SzcdeWxxJRhwLttWa5bGesX1mDcN33KyFXKJ718UCHOKdc8qceI1KsVisN8lvs8s/s1600/DSC_0388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGMrv5leLZ1bUALHefYPNdHDB-THuj9bir28oLjj7QKBwOI0kIlHbz-6xdMz9ocxbOFIMxHDwfU0SzcdeWxxJRhwLttWa5bGesX1mDcN33KyFXKJ718UCHOKdc8qceI1KsVisN8lvs8s/s400/DSC_0388.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mama Hen bristles at me and my camera.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
4. Eggs take 21 days to hatch. They really do need to be at a pretty consistent temperature, so if Broody Hen gets confused and goes and sits on some other eggs, you may want to move her or the eggs so that the eggs can incubate. Watch your fingers; she'll bite!<br />
5. Mark the eggs. We made a small "x" with a Sharpie, but it might be better to put the date on the eggs so you can know when to expect your little hatchlings to, well, hatch.<br />
6. From what I've read, the death rate of new chicks hatched this way is pretty high, so don't be disappointed or give up if it doesn't work the first time.<br />
<br />
As always, thanks for sticking with me through this rather busy season! I'm linking up with <a href="http://frugallysustainable.com/2012/08/frugal-days-sustainable-ways-39/">Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways</a> and <a href="http://www.twobearsfarm.com/2012/08/chincoteague-pony-centre-rural-thursday.html">Rural Thursdays</a>!Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-34856470636722353472012-07-18T14:00:00.001-04:002012-08-14T11:50:28.151-04:00Got Drought?Every year, I begin a garden with visions of bushels of tomatoes, beans, corn, and squash making their way into my kitchen mid-summer. Enough to can or freeze, and enough to share with friends. Though this ideal never materializes <em>exactly</em> as I'd like, there's always excess of one crop where another crop fails. <br />
<br />
However, it's been almost three weeks (maybe more?) since we've had a long, soaking rain. Our area has had some rain, but it seems to skip over our part of the county, sort of like the parting of the Red Sea...only not so much fun. Weather follows patterns, and in the past we've avoided tornadic activity that would have otherwise sent us into the crawl space. So that's the silver lining in this non-existent cloud. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUaN4Z_FOPtDljC8br5fjLwrmaNucg59I9d_di5rNyhnCIB_F-gyY43yE0g74WRxRsX1iTmKR7xY4Wv4tMvfOI32iB7ECJXFeijY1SWQvFxlxldt9G3YfHL9f5PN1eyNr6uLvxezuIUU/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUaN4Z_FOPtDljC8br5fjLwrmaNucg59I9d_di5rNyhnCIB_F-gyY43yE0g74WRxRsX1iTmKR7xY4Wv4tMvfOI32iB7ECJXFeijY1SWQvFxlxldt9G3YfHL9f5PN1eyNr6uLvxezuIUU/s400/DSC_0095.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We love foraging for blackberries, but as hardy as they are, they've also been affected by the drought.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When you pair lack of rain with 100+ degree temps, leaky water barrels, and a 25+-year-old well (it's not one of those modern jobs that hit the fiery core of the earth), you begin to pick and choose what you save, and what you let go.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqw-fKs7SevVkK6tqHlu3vU5qFl3rS8TtK08sVskxHacSP_5rz32hPZ90lePnplewu0Sb7gJAHj-SazY7zhSSnC9IANsuM2QdtWrPJ9-tbMxkeSDELihT_nMh-T-9YFelwRZX2J9Y3So/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqw-fKs7SevVkK6tqHlu3vU5qFl3rS8TtK08sVskxHacSP_5rz32hPZ90lePnplewu0Sb7gJAHj-SazY7zhSSnC9IANsuM2QdtWrPJ9-tbMxkeSDELihT_nMh-T-9YFelwRZX2J9Y3So/s400/DSC_0111.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This pear tree is starting to drop its leaves. Saving our fruit trees, most of which we planted in the spring of 2011, is a priority.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8hlY9V1wnV4gHzQgtUHbqo4MKWxnPOs9aatrh4j0kZypLZx7UgTdUbWchjf2Fd5lPYsWAwWM5vGxYIFbIpCYR4M2ij94bNEadeGJNjLKEiHsaDzcfVpErmrG15UQ-G-6LDCj_m5u_58/s1600/DSC_0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8hlY9V1wnV4gHzQgtUHbqo4MKWxnPOs9aatrh4j0kZypLZx7UgTdUbWchjf2Fd5lPYsWAwWM5vGxYIFbIpCYR4M2ij94bNEadeGJNjLKEiHsaDzcfVpErmrG15UQ-G-6LDCj_m5u_58/s400/DSC_0112.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The strawberries look like they want to curl up and die.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXIwHSGI3spM6X9TNy71ZQn_LDS6E6rsRwC8KACImojk1tiBPCv85vngn9w11yU28PLrDF_fs-rw-zANC6-Xt4HdVuiz4vpPfOeymiRd7fWd2gtpg4N0Ipk4gF0CynDQcX7-5BYV_xxg/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXIwHSGI3spM6X9TNy71ZQn_LDS6E6rsRwC8KACImojk1tiBPCv85vngn9w11yU28PLrDF_fs-rw-zANC6-Xt4HdVuiz4vpPfOeymiRd7fWd2gtpg4N0Ipk4gF0CynDQcX7-5BYV_xxg/s400/DSC_0115.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The cucumbers produced, but everything was kind of white and bloated at one end. I made pickles anyway.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46xndHjQ0i_cxveI40aOyW95LYCB714NfmEOtPb1XRtBp7Tei7QpMky3DxGGQx1U9mFMtOzrFMOctx3UwFG_M9ptnFVHy_ooESJV7apljVbzdt1D72_X8vBvzeHQS1xlDcRAK_TVcDMA/s1600/DSC_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46xndHjQ0i_cxveI40aOyW95LYCB714NfmEOtPb1XRtBp7Tei7QpMky3DxGGQx1U9mFMtOzrFMOctx3UwFG_M9ptnFVHy_ooESJV7apljVbzdt1D72_X8vBvzeHQS1xlDcRAK_TVcDMA/s400/DSC_0118.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ah, corn. Corn is my white whale. And weeds. Seriously, if there's going to be a drought, couldn't some of these weeds die??</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So does this drought mean I give up gardening? Of course not, but here are my thoughts on how I can be better prepared for another drought: <br />
<br />
1. More diligence in storing water (i.e., check for leaks the first time it rains in the spring)<br />
2. Create a less labor-intensive watering system.<br />
3. Forge relationships with other gardeners so we can trade our excess.<br />
4. Find reliable, local sources for food through farm stores and farmer's markets. Buying by the bushel and setting aside some time to can or freeze produce will <em>still</em> save time and money this winter.<br />
<br />
And in the meantime, I'll hope for a more forgiving summer next year.<br />
<br />
How does your garden grow?<br />
<br />
I'm coming out of summer hibernation and linking up with Rural Thursdays again! <a href="http://www.twobearsfarm.com/2012/07/homemade-pretzels-recipe-on-rural.html">Click here</a> to visit the hosts, Two Bears Farm and A Rural Journal, as well as other fantastic blogs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.aruraljournal.com/p/rural-thursday-blog-hop.html/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Rural Thursday Blog Hop" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6767202883_a67c982368_o.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-88217759460716112262012-07-08T19:19:00.001-04:002012-08-14T11:50:44.347-04:00Perspective, A Couple Weeks LaterI mentioned in my last post that life had become rather overwhelming. For a couple weeks, I ran things alone here while Byron was chaperoning a student trip to Europe. I went to Europe in graduate school and we both felt like this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him, and he spent much of his time taking photos and videos to share with us. <br />
<br />
Amid sickness (and we <em>rarely</em> get sick, so go figure), 100+ degree weather, the loss of three chickens, a violent storm that left many people without power for days, and a nasty computer virus, friends and family came to our rescue while Byron was away. You know who you are, and we are so grateful to you.<br />
<br />
During Byron's time away, I've been whittling away at my many responsibilities. Homesteading has a romantic ring to it, but the reality of it can be a slap of mud to the face - literally and figuratively. I'm happy we're raising much of our own food - don't get me wrong - but one homeschooling mom and a dad who works outside the home for much of the year can only handle so much.<br />
<br />
Here's where I'd like to do some whittling:<br />
<br />
1. Number of chicken flocks: Right now, we have four flocks. We have our Cornish Cross we're raising for meat, and their time on earth is nearing an end. However, we also have three old Barred Rocks and three guineas who wander around, almost thirty six-week-old Barred Rocks, and 18 one-year-old Rhode Island Reds (two died recently). This makes for quite the little dance to do during morning chores and during the day to check on water. We're hoping we can combine the young hens with the one-year-olds, and we may either eat or give away the old hens and guineas in the fall.<br />
<br />
2. Water: Right now, I haul water in buckets placed in a wagon to the various animals throughout the day. We'd like to dig a pond and figure out a pump system, but since we move our animals, I'm not sure if this would be any more efficient than what we already do. The benefit right now is that I have no need for Jillian Michaels workouts.<br />
<br />
3. Goats: We recently were given four Nigerian Dwarf goats, and while they are very sweet, they DO escape and they ARE extra work. Case in point: we were rather late for some church responsibilities today because when we woke up, we found them wandering around the front yard. And to be honest, I don't see myself becoming a master cheese maker one day; I see myself pursuing photography or another art form. Byron wants to make a permanent, fenced-off area for them. And while I don't mind having a couple goats, I'm not sure we need <em>four</em>.<br />
<br />
4. Meals: I make all our meals from scratch, and while that is something I would never give up since you can't beat the nutritional value, I have decided to rotate the same. seven. meals. every. week. I'm sure this sounds terribly boring, but to be honest, I don't enjoy cooking very much (though I do like to bake) and my family is rather picky. So with seasonal variations, I shall venture forth into the overly chartered waters of pasta night, burger night, roasted chicken night, and so forth.<br />
<br />
How do you simplify your life while trying to homestead?Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-32995302469578080482012-06-13T09:00:00.001-04:002012-06-13T09:00:07.980-04:00Scissor Truss Eggmobile, Part II...and a Short BreakYou've probably noticed that my posts have been spread a little thin these days (or maybe that's just my modus operandi?), so I wanted to let you know that while I have several ideas for posts swimming in my head (garden update, plumbing DIY, home and upholstery updates...to name a few), I'm going to leave you with a few photos of our Scissor Truss Eggmobile and take a week or two off from blogging. As you probably know, springtime is a busy time for homesteads, and when you throw in some extra activities we've taken on, life can start to unravel. <br />
<br />
And if you have young children, you'll know that interruptions like breaking off curtain rods or just needing time with Mom can make focusing on writing <em>a little bit difficult</em>.<br />
<br />
So please forgive the hiatus, and know that I will be back just as soon as we complete a few projects and get back into a manageable routine!<br />
<br />
As usual, feel free to post comments and/or questions!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlEx0Zyd-dmbrrIi1Fw0NSgApftQne0oJxWTNaTUD6IYcT_h1gAa55NruEn7RjID2Dmpg6RPjZYtiz1OOTysaYP56jsm39inLk4_2Iij_2-VcgywcfDkplRypmy1KhSBFwbormT1XnHk/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlEx0Zyd-dmbrrIi1Fw0NSgApftQne0oJxWTNaTUD6IYcT_h1gAa55NruEn7RjID2Dmpg6RPjZYtiz1OOTysaYP56jsm39inLk4_2Iij_2-VcgywcfDkplRypmy1KhSBFwbormT1XnHk/s400/DSC_0002.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We have yet to enclose the ends, put up roost bars, hang the nest boxes, and install the bolts so we can actually haul this thing. We're planning on tackling this Thursday evening. Think we can get it all done???</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwF4CY32mybig_-oiTMXQjc5uQw5let0bmEt7-O9JDeiwUEiEROHe6KqscRpWMR-oDAWMrIP8HiFkwaeea40xMBGGftuYnOBDNhS0TCQimGJjAeWaCNHljo-gx1GGN5d33ssZwGDz5mTM/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwF4CY32mybig_-oiTMXQjc5uQw5let0bmEt7-O9JDeiwUEiEROHe6KqscRpWMR-oDAWMrIP8HiFkwaeea40xMBGGftuYnOBDNhS0TCQimGJjAeWaCNHljo-gx1GGN5d33ssZwGDz5mTM/s400/DSC_0004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A sense of scale.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Well, maybe I'll sneak back on here with some photos of the completed project...Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-11387761888539784232012-06-07T20:43:00.000-04:002012-06-07T20:43:51.827-04:00Let Them Eat ToastI need catharsis right now. Or maybe just some sympathy.<br />
<br />
I made <a href="http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2008/10/spiced-pumpkin-or-squash-muffins-with-a-streusel-topping.html">this recipe</a> for spiced pumpkin muffins with a streusel topping. I highly recommend it, as it's been a pleasant part of my venture into soaking flour (you can read more about my dilemma <a href="http://greenacresmama.blogspot.com/2012/05/great-phytic-acid-debate.html">here</a>). And it usually works great, like this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJiOlZbCYGewSpvOACVwbnp3JqrdgWs4VD4x3l28sA206uMfk0sXo4OS_T7Pc3BG-SH7mZC85SKSAWJV96vYDRji9bxVTqVWFuSyDXGjExRN6ze5Nd4DAxQ6cK42gPs6BJ0O8A1Gh1hs/s1600/DSC_0505-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJiOlZbCYGewSpvOACVwbnp3JqrdgWs4VD4x3l28sA206uMfk0sXo4OS_T7Pc3BG-SH7mZC85SKSAWJV96vYDRji9bxVTqVWFuSyDXGjExRN6ze5Nd4DAxQ6cK42gPs6BJ0O8A1Gh1hs/s400/DSC_0505-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday's nice, plump muffin.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today, they looked like this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWlggEH0wViIdvrK2CEOHWOhACIpdNBNq16bSjWotw0uiY0eCm2DxtQC3KsNgf2dVxIKLKFI1ME1vVxpxwQ1p9PB5p6kKHXHnmGXKL8D1oo6rspHUDwa8-3S6QQUGhwOl4zPluks6vqc/s1600/DSC_0498-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWlggEH0wViIdvrK2CEOHWOhACIpdNBNq16bSjWotw0uiY0eCm2DxtQC3KsNgf2dVxIKLKFI1ME1vVxpxwQ1p9PB5p6kKHXHnmGXKL8D1oo6rspHUDwa8-3S6QQUGhwOl4zPluks6vqc/s400/DSC_0498-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I found walnuts at the bottoms of the muffins. I think they got streuseled.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80FaXU20mY-i-QsUMrW4UdEZEvk4WpwYoQ6drKV4Va_CdQvz4jxGjuoLbi4byJhwfioq3_1Dsghmmnmzue5CO2TZ4XaWQXqmkbY7Lg4i9FLEEXrU3uLGCKUfcJwyL1RovH3LgO9UoeK0/s1600/DSC_0501-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80FaXU20mY-i-QsUMrW4UdEZEvk4WpwYoQ6drKV4Va_CdQvz4jxGjuoLbi4byJhwfioq3_1Dsghmmnmzue5CO2TZ4XaWQXqmkbY7Lg4i9FLEEXrU3uLGCKUfcJwyL1RovH3LgO9UoeK0/s400/DSC_0501-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few of them made it to the cooling rack, but we may be eating toast for breakfast.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I did do a couple things differently. I was out of butter last night, so I soaked the flour only in kefir, not in the kefir/butter/honey combo. But I've done that before and haven't had problems. I also melted the butter shortly before adding it into the batter, so maybe I should have let it cool. Not sure, but I do wish we had pigs!<br />
<br />
I will, of course, try this recipe again since it's worked so well before and I like to compete against myself. And I'd welcome any troubleshooting ideas!<br />
<br />Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-52111222698204084482012-06-04T08:47:00.001-04:002012-06-04T08:50:15.379-04:00Scissor Truss Eggmobile, Part IAfter much blood, sweat, and trigonometry, we are ALMOST done with our modified version of the Polyface scissor truss eggmobile (i.e., portable hen house). <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfw2ybbRTYs">Click here</a> to see a video of Joel Salatin's version. Ours is a bit smaller and also enclosed, since we don't have a kick-butt farm dog to ward off predators at night. Here are some photos of the project, followed by some after-the-fact concerns, per usual.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_Lo3ItvJLGxS-yl0QUDg-KnEltSC98jemjxioi3lKB4OnSQjdxodvwL_ACLPtHTJt_RR8NIt0Y6jS634R71xispvScEAQRfYV6PPRFIT5OWzVLhp-8clrocLi6wSfNkg6RtdqG24dMQ/s1600/DSC_0398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_Lo3ItvJLGxS-yl0QUDg-KnEltSC98jemjxioi3lKB4OnSQjdxodvwL_ACLPtHTJt_RR8NIt0Y6jS634R71xispvScEAQRfYV6PPRFIT5OWzVLhp-8clrocLi6wSfNkg6RtdqG24dMQ/s400/DSC_0398.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The base with one of the trusses. This baby will (hopefully) move on skids.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuL6n9j4g-4j6Uvi2L4Omz-TRAuloOHB_FzlDyKrX5_ip_gNxbKQLPAm9aQsguSJiLRZH0iSh_Pg83bUEbl3BxwtjNgQkNq7IdF8MP-_HZCcY0XbaPpb4oxfriGrDkjcUFMnSFGMkjoo/s1600/DSC_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuL6n9j4g-4j6Uvi2L4Omz-TRAuloOHB_FzlDyKrX5_ip_gNxbKQLPAm9aQsguSJiLRZH0iSh_Pg83bUEbl3BxwtjNgQkNq7IdF8MP-_HZCcY0XbaPpb4oxfriGrDkjcUFMnSFGMkjoo/s400/DSC_0428.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Four little trusses, all in a row. It's roughly 12' long by 8' wide.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhtbjgPJjexDEvRIEFBCLPVTLEGHJcoamSmiLL-8_hOpss-xkTnZbJHET50MaQDvSbv7HsnUXhMA8E4vbZKFpnVSSB3v2gwXAnI3q5GgDNuskniJNMcAaNazV6WlADFaHVFb7hOPwaS0/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhtbjgPJjexDEvRIEFBCLPVTLEGHJcoamSmiLL-8_hOpss-xkTnZbJHET50MaQDvSbv7HsnUXhMA8E4vbZKFpnVSSB3v2gwXAnI3q5GgDNuskniJNMcAaNazV6WlADFaHVFb7hOPwaS0/s400/DSC_0457.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Side bracing. The key to structural integrity is to triangulate everything. Again and again.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYPCdp7xsKTr6DDKR-hqKPaFOj_INtdNdeRhnRaw_pbfRayl9zxd0scgLdx5DhmG627BgJzW6in4fudNCZRrH8McTaoXTqMTsHGiHjCvnlDVdQI-qUw3dLlwj0VTB9RqcaXxoD44J7dA/s1600/DSC_0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYPCdp7xsKTr6DDKR-hqKPaFOj_INtdNdeRhnRaw_pbfRayl9zxd0scgLdx5DhmG627BgJzW6in4fudNCZRrH8McTaoXTqMTsHGiHjCvnlDVdQI-qUw3dLlwj0VTB9RqcaXxoD44J7dA/s400/DSC_0465.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chicken wire on the floor of the hen house will allow droppings to fall through. We built a ramp down the middle, which you can see in the next photo.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FHN_vOT85f7PTK4XFysg5gdmsOj332niCBYrKp8ZSS-hrOG5NsySnBt6sUrE8z3oyhNpOy62-ZZD3zLv0-Gs-DZUJHPYYaqBZpv83N3BCZHMuxxeJkE9hjymYCl0UpAchiHkyKWGlIA/s1600/DSC_0484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FHN_vOT85f7PTK4XFysg5gdmsOj332niCBYrKp8ZSS-hrOG5NsySnBt6sUrE8z3oyhNpOy62-ZZD3zLv0-Gs-DZUJHPYYaqBZpv83N3BCZHMuxxeJkE9hjymYCl0UpAchiHkyKWGlIA/s400/DSC_0484.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rafters and bracing.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We actually got it under roof last night, but it was too dark to take photos, so I'll include those in a later post. But now for my concerns:<br />
<br />
1. Our version is narrower and taller than Polyface's, which makes me worry about how and if it will turn. Although most of the weight is at the bottom, I wish I'd made it shorter. I designed it at this angle so we could fit the nest boxes in...though in the end, we could have used something else for nest boxes. It's about 7' from ramp to peak.<br />
2. I've heard that predators can tear through chicken wire, so I'm a little apprehensive about using it on the floors and to enclose the ends. I know, I know, I'm contradicting myself. The good news is that we haven't had any predator problems yet.<br />
3. This was not the cheapest thing in the world to build, and it's really too big for our one little flock. We're hoping to marry our current layers with our new chicks when they get big enough, but what if it they turn into the poultry version of the Montagues and the Capulets?<br />
<br />
The good news is that it will shed snow well, we can use it for hay storage in the winter when the chickens are in the <a href="http://greenacresmama.blogspot.com/2011/12/hoop-house-iii-and-merry-christmas.html">hoop house</a>, and that I'm linking up with the Homestead Barn Hop! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/06/preparedness-challenge-64.html">Click here</a> or the button below to read some fantastic posts!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/06/preparedness-challenge-64.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_ccujyy="2" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWAJp4W4BcNG8zPD30wNMOwzaCjwPPDeS7oAEDv7uf4KXVjs8j61EkIK4GpK-IFmByLtiHmfMGAbwJH0g9tDw3YRqo7blnEd9GPiF1Or0516ZuywvWGFql3nUfhs94_JOHXCTJ3epdFoq/s200/Barn-Hop.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-73108603360922302802012-05-31T09:04:00.002-04:002012-05-31T09:05:38.296-04:00so much depends...upon a red wagon<br />
that used to carry children<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUsIBcrRrRnR3dycChwq7kdn9_G9QiZDLojKwDhXBRqQIDitsxaeJAuOWySx7aib5PneQ98hmQJQnzHaWT_voI49pE9woaGjbeYyFukIVhvXZLhwZraVQwrK1ygEZhAoWEcI2u_KFfos/s1600/DSC_0131.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/AVvXsEjPUsIBcrRrRnR3dycChwq7kdn9_G9QiZDLojKwDhXBRqQIDitsxaeJAuOWySx7aib5PneQ98hmQJQnzHaWT_voI49pE9woaGjbeYyFukIVhvXZLhwZraVQwrK1ygEZhAoWEcI2u_KFfos/s400/DSC_0131.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwDSjqyDUeVN2XAJ7NxKqhuSSEMMPVAGF4e0CIm2Y9sQeP3kL7ZE3-ZwHCHkFZkYlgc46cJhg_NXTuOAMBMZMSU1fdSRMLZW1WfxthLVKJrYiSttyNEH2Cn6PX4SvxZEq4-fpmesU5EQ/s1600/DSC_0133.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/AVvXsEhKwDSjqyDUeVN2XAJ7NxKqhuSSEMMPVAGF4e0CIm2Y9sQeP3kL7ZE3-ZwHCHkFZkYlgc46cJhg_NXTuOAMBMZMSU1fdSRMLZW1WfxthLVKJrYiSttyNEH2Cn6PX4SvxZEq4-fpmesU5EQ/s400/DSC_0133.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
and now carries<br />
water<br />
toys<br />
garden tools<br />
branches for the goats<br />
buckets of weeds<br />
chicken feed<br />
and<br />
kelp for the cows<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_04QjmYYbx9V2oUxD1m1MDi4oq9eO1Lc-befQM7xM9t0gYLSE5gtnEOD1Gx-wcprgP2xHudP1Kj85Mfu9lsTVH_7C9kRaoZgEVs_NVYTsqxNFdkR8e7h85cMf5iG51PTsQWyL_I3zHrY/s1600/DSC_0432.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/AVvXsEg_04QjmYYbx9V2oUxD1m1MDi4oq9eO1Lc-befQM7xM9t0gYLSE5gtnEOD1Gx-wcprgP2xHudP1Kj85Mfu9lsTVH_7C9kRaoZgEVs_NVYTsqxNFdkR8e7h85cMf5iG51PTsQWyL_I3zHrY/s400/DSC_0432.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKc1LZtAxgIiIjKpwUpQdqD5fE1ZItMJE9rOff-kzH2jUane6EddIf1C7X8jT-3dGy7dsf_cEFU1T3aCwgWeglid6rAxVdVc2LkL7az3eJVidAei75G8l-CIthj6zasGYp4RN0mAaa8M/s1600/DSC_0444.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/AVvXsEiTKc1LZtAxgIiIjKpwUpQdqD5fE1ZItMJE9rOff-kzH2jUane6EddIf1C7X8jT-3dGy7dsf_cEFU1T3aCwgWeglid6rAxVdVc2LkL7az3eJVidAei75G8l-CIthj6zasGYp4RN0mAaa8M/s400/DSC_0444.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
How do <em>you </em>haul?<br />
<br />
Rural Thursdays. Check it out <a href="http://www.twobearsfarm.com/2012/05/yes-you-can-survive-camping-with.html">here</a>. And I promise, this is my last rip-off poetry attempt. Probably.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.twobearsfarm.com/2012/05/yes-you-can-survive-camping-with.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rural Thursday Blog Hop" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6767202883_a67c982368_o.jpg" /></a></div>Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-41372994764671335232012-05-25T18:05:00.001-04:002012-05-25T18:05:41.509-04:00Homestead Where You're PlantedI think about ways to save money a lot. It's one of the reasons we're doing what we're doing. But truth be told, there are a lot of ways out there to save money, couponing being one of the most popular. I tried a bit of that, but like many people, can rarely find coupons for items - especially food - that I actually buy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjStB1pK_cYGCNGMMKi2tBZ1pjPrLj4eKpQLl63KOUT7OWd8HAHXN6gaWhT_agrYFWsvE_0JxRkPD-kB9qGVtLNoqT7JMJSFFscRXx4J_bOtzMge13NRo5X5Hr5Oc1jy-hDhsDmE2U6gk/s1600/DSC_0562-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjStB1pK_cYGCNGMMKi2tBZ1pjPrLj4eKpQLl63KOUT7OWd8HAHXN6gaWhT_agrYFWsvE_0JxRkPD-kB9qGVtLNoqT7JMJSFFscRXx4J_bOtzMge13NRo5X5Hr5Oc1jy-hDhsDmE2U6gk/s400/DSC_0562-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So I thought I'd start a series about frugal living to encourage others in leading healthy, full lives without going broke. I'm cheating a bit on this first installment, because I recently submitted a guest post to Money Saving Mom and am providing a link to it below. "Homestead Where You're Planted" is the original title, and will suffice as the title to this post as I mull over a catchy title for the series. Sorry - I'm spent right now. Let's just say that running over a pothole and ruining two tires is<em> not</em> going to be a money-saving topic I address.<br />
<br />
But at least we can (grudgingly) have the repairs made, thanks to other ways we find to save.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/05/save-money-by-skipping-the-grocery-stores.html">click here</a> to read my Money Saving Mom post: "Save Money by Skipping the Grocery Stores"!<br />
<br />
I'm linking up with <a href="http://www.twobearsfarm.com/2012/05/thrush-is-making-our-horse-zip-lame.html">Rural Thursdays</a>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.twobearsfarm.com/2012/05/thrush-is-making-our-horse-zip-lame.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rural Thursday Blog Hop" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6767202883_a67c982368_o.jpg" /></a></div>Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-37684878525485474092012-05-23T08:50:00.001-04:002012-05-23T08:50:39.941-04:00I'm a Mama Hen AgainBut at least I didn't have to sit on any eggs. Take a peek at our new peeps:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTK6YoD2xQEX2-lRiPZedhfArbcX4tc9Sqte96sXEZCTCzlGQqNrm6RRBvlbjXaiBACnn7RPl7sEZOLGK1nwuenXmd57wUiFF6P1psrWzlnAwu0yvKGyFkAhR2uPSGWwa5xWFpFdDSlA/s1600/DSC_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTK6YoD2xQEX2-lRiPZedhfArbcX4tc9Sqte96sXEZCTCzlGQqNrm6RRBvlbjXaiBACnn7RPl7sEZOLGK1nwuenXmd57wUiFF6P1psrWzlnAwu0yvKGyFkAhR2uPSGWwa5xWFpFdDSlA/s400/DSC_0379.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Barred Rock. We have 31, and two are probably roosters. We find that the hatchery always sends a couple extra. These will be our new flock of laying hens. Maybe I'm imagining things, but they seem sweeter than the Rhode Island Reds we got last year.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4OHB42CLB7RqflOmB4VdZahhSt8dGMKocDpyjCqtgdoYjgkfQOHLufXJnMvJbWebq_cg33kPWspvdcSVD_xZiMmDXcUdw8kG1hXzJ9KbJXOiOPz3Iz3PQBr0jEpuKi5w3MseQTdnb9M/s1600/DSC_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4OHB42CLB7RqflOmB4VdZahhSt8dGMKocDpyjCqtgdoYjgkfQOHLufXJnMvJbWebq_cg33kPWspvdcSVD_xZiMmDXcUdw8kG1hXzJ9KbJXOiOPz3Iz3PQBr0jEpuKi5w3MseQTdnb9M/s400/DSC_0382.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cornish Cross. We ordered 60 and got 62. These are rather delicate birds, prone to foot problems, but they make wonderful broilers and are ready to butcher in about seven weeks. I know, it's hard to imagine looking at this cute little guy!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmlNZTYMtPqx13N7VnPqInkZO9D0DctU-_jW-KbIwkhjauMWm-83_Vs3gboQ1m-5steVpOyc4024FcE8X7elM762C1rqfnEjFI1BsfVKVFnbdr6KQSc8MRVsEYD3y_0gAIikveSDOyPU/s1600/DSC_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmlNZTYMtPqx13N7VnPqInkZO9D0DctU-_jW-KbIwkhjauMWm-83_Vs3gboQ1m-5steVpOyc4024FcE8X7elM762C1rqfnEjFI1BsfVKVFnbdr6KQSc8MRVsEYD3y_0gAIikveSDOyPU/s320/DSC_0384.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And here's Mystery Chick. So far, so good, unlike last year's little terror. You can <a href="http://greenacresmama.blogspot.com/2011/06/if-napoleon-bonaparte-had-been-chicken.html">read here</a> about Napoleon, our little Dominique Dictator. Our neighbors got chicks several weeks ago and their two Dark Brahmas looked just like this.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Though the anticipated early morning ride to the post office to pick these little guys up is honestly a lot of fun, we'd eventually like to find a more sustainable model to follow. For instance, why not let the hens hatch out some eggs? We haven't spotted any broody girls yet, but we're watching. As far as meat birds go, Cornish X do not reproduce well, but are the quintessential American meat bird. We've been thinking of trying Freedom Rangers at some point, which are more of a heritage breed, but need to research the possibilities of letting them breed, too. And we're not quite ready to do that...<br />
<br />
Any other spring chickens out there? <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/05/welcome-to-monday-homestead-barn-hop.html"> Click here</a> or below to check out the Homestead Barn Hop!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/05/welcome-to-monday-homestead-barn-hop.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_bscq9h="2" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLS-pQa-HKNQmq52EvjOTWmmTV6Xeo1s8lWuQ_UBwICrivQwZy5Yjsg9u3rVCVYmbSNw-ppx7vf4XYm-FpsOF57jOmZTpsPJnxiLXcxpjbGFdRoaaUODLTiR9z7_8KwJcml7JD4SSILMf9/s320/Barn-Hop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-73102468008057705292012-05-17T18:38:00.002-04:002012-05-17T18:42:33.812-04:00Are Your Fruit Trees Surrounded?Last spring we planted twenty-something fruit trees from <a href="http://www.starkbros.com/?utm_source=adcenter&utm_medium=cpc">Stark Brothers</a>, and placed the trees up at the front of the property, which was an otherwise useless space. I admit that I wasn't the best caretaker of said fruit trees last spring and summer, as various bugs took up residence in the leaves. This spring, however, I have determined to be more preventive, especially because I've heard that our mild winter neglected to kill off many pests, and that we're in for a rather buggy summer. In other words, we're doomed. Well, at least our plants are.<br />
<br />
Since I'm also determined not to spray chemicals on my trees, this spring I'm trying Surround, an organic, clay-based spray that is supposed to protect the leaves and fruit from many destructive insects. But it's apparently harmless enough to humans that you can eat it...not that I would. Anyway, we first heard about Surround from <a href="http://ediblelandscaping.com/">Edible Landscaping</a>, but it looks like it can be ordered from several places online if you do a Google search.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs4HfIjLnSMRI1-aXRsY_BcMGBYDNFuc7FmPNZ1eUVRZC6R0VL_Q1qDA17mdu1i_vkHtkNQMzIz2YcKRHP6MUf2K3LcL5k6CGhGNyjUr2eQp9nHg27vksslghSl5Wq-l9Y9oitbSyesk/s1600/DSC_0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBs4HfIjLnSMRI1-aXRsY_BcMGBYDNFuc7FmPNZ1eUVRZC6R0VL_Q1qDA17mdu1i_vkHtkNQMzIz2YcKRHP6MUf2K3LcL5k6CGhGNyjUr2eQp9nHg27vksslghSl5Wq-l9Y9oitbSyesk/s400/DSC_0362.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Young pear tree sprayed with Surround.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first round should be sprayed on the leaves after the flowers fall off in the spring, and then after heavy rains (it takes a pretty heavy rain or two to wash the Surround completely off). Generally, it needs to be re-applied every 7-14 days early in the season, and every 14 to 21 days later in the season when there's not as much new growth.<br />
<br />
A downside of Surround is that, as you can see, it turns your trees white. Does anyone know of other options if aesthetics are a concern?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAF36R2oDbmMr3kEt-tODAZjXw0JLPMmF2TwqGZbqBMy4HBq8-T8-_WSmugjKBYsF-yTXVzo2dr4KdSNyq7TC8n_OgZHxXMZ0hF0DW6NO0XcQHAgAuicAZM-xJAuaqmoyWrux9q47bNH8/s1600/DSC_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAF36R2oDbmMr3kEt-tODAZjXw0JLPMmF2TwqGZbqBMy4HBq8-T8-_WSmugjKBYsF-yTXVzo2dr4KdSNyq7TC8n_OgZHxXMZ0hF0DW6NO0XcQHAgAuicAZM-xJAuaqmoyWrux9q47bNH8/s400/DSC_0367.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Baby pears sprayed with Surround.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I will keep you posted on how well Surround protects our trees, but the only issue I've really had so far is with application. After ruining four junky spray bottles, I broke down and bought a gallon sprayer from a big box store. However, I'm not thrilled with it because it was cheap. I'm also not thrilled with my thrifty self at the moment, because I never seem to learn that you get what you pay for. I did a quick search on Amazon, and there seem to be some good sprayers out there in the $20-$30 range. Any recommendations???<br />
<br />
Here's some other unrelated, unsolicited advice regarding fruit-bearing trees:<br />
<br />
1. Plant them instead of ornamentals.<br />
2. Since they can take several years to bear fruit, the earlier you plant them, the better. If you move to a new place, plant them before you unpack your toothbrush. Seriously.<br />
3. The first year, if your trees bear fruit, pluck all but maybe two or three off of each tree. I know, it's painful. But the trees need to focus their energies on forming strong roots, and if the fruit is allowed to ripen, much of that energy will be concentrated on the fruit and not the roots. Strong roots = better fruit in the years to come.<br />
<br />
<em>Note: Surround has not, in any way, endorsed or sponsored this post. Its purpose is to educate others about my experiences as well as glean from the experiences of others who may have used this product.</em><br />
<br />
I'm linking up with<a href="http://www.twobearsfarm.com/2012/05/touring-polyface-farms-rural-thursday.html"> Rural Thursdays</a>!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.twobearsfarm.com/2012/05/touring-polyface-farms-rural-thursday.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rural Thursday Blog Hop" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6767202883_a67c982368_o.jpg" /></a></div>Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4772243343058005494.post-42097634670188089252012-05-14T08:43:00.001-04:002012-05-14T08:43:41.773-04:00The Great Phytic Acid Debate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGVJsOfOfePBPYn9bp2LyM1fYjqKYbhTcHiyWSBSVJQT8jGJgxJyhzjv5DHxjYx4JDhwnIC8TMgzBQKer2876UkuIGKO_AM_J5-7c88qWuhkR_4mYqeVbEBBr_UMiwcsrCzuXHnK4O1s/s1600/DSC_0211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGVJsOfOfePBPYn9bp2LyM1fYjqKYbhTcHiyWSBSVJQT8jGJgxJyhzjv5DHxjYx4JDhwnIC8TMgzBQKer2876UkuIGKO_AM_J5-7c88qWuhkR_4mYqeVbEBBr_UMiwcsrCzuXHnK4O1s/s200/DSC_0211.jpg" width="170" /></a>For those of you who bake breads from scratch, you may have run across the phytic acid debate in your search for methods and recipes that make for healthy food for your family. If you're like me, you may have run across it years ago, dismissed it, and then years later panicked about it after being barraged by websites and blogs telling you that whole grains are killing you (and your loved ones) slowly and painlessly.</div>
<br />
In short, phytic acid is present in both the bran and hull in most grains, nuts, beans, and seeds. Because it has strong binding properties, it clings to both toxins <em>and</em> minerals in the body, and carries them out of the body with it. Do you see how this can be both good and bad? Sure, it gets rid of toxins, but can also leave you mineral deficient. <a href="http://www.nourishingdays.com/2010/09/what-is-phytic-acid/">Click here</a> to read a more detailed description from Nourishing Days. If you are familiar with Sally Fallon's <em>Nourishing Traditions</em> cookbook, then you've probably read in detail her concerns and solutions for the presence of phytic acid in certain foods, the main solution being to ferment grains for several hours before consumption. This can be done using a variety of methods, the most popular being soaking grains and/or flour in a cultured product such as yogurt, buttermilk, vinegar, or kefir. <br />
<br />
On the contrary, Bread Beckers offers the counter-argument. <a href="http://info.breadbeckers.com/phytic-acid/">Click here</a> to read Sue Becker's take on the debate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEwvf_MUKu2238h2tzK0hdn2CWkRrQFspi21f491sqOQcxx8F95Tm1gv2y1StoEDjQoWtBYkirWrqttBHQ9RdpgVaujPGE5wEC9QMaSTdoNYWArREzIezQ8FQklVyU2PDwZugpr4du14/s1600/DSC_0224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEwvf_MUKu2238h2tzK0hdn2CWkRrQFspi21f491sqOQcxx8F95Tm1gv2y1StoEDjQoWtBYkirWrqttBHQ9RdpgVaujPGE5wEC9QMaSTdoNYWArREzIezQ8FQklVyU2PDwZugpr4du14/s400/DSC_0224.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Where am I falling right now? Somewhere in between. Ever since we began grinding our own flour, I've noticed a huge difference in the health of our family, so I have a hard time believing what we've been doing is <em>all bad</em>. Sally Fallon recommends the famous slowly-fermented sourdough bread instead of yeast breads, though the rising time in yeast breads can break down some of the phytic acid. My rising times probably aren't long enough at this point to totally break down the phytic acid, but I feel comfortable with the yeast breads I've been baking for my family until I can do more research.<br />
<br />
However, I have been soaking the flour I use for quick breads overnight, which has alleviated some of my "what-if-they're-right" concerns. It has thrown me for a loop as far as the recipes I use, but I've found <a href="http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/">The Nourishing Gourmet</a> (thank you, Christine!) to be helpful. Her pumpkin muffin recipe rocked, but if anyone has a good soaked-grain recipe for strawberry muffins, send it on over! My adaptation of my old recipe literally fell flat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPkwVWI-uEqR_x0OzfQUo0UWiHSfPFFkYpRx1_MbTtGYahnQI1ws5sh43JD60olGLetRztXVfjOkV4kvF5hY9YBVzRGg484iNX-s_m88XmS-Qr-S_qW1tjz9JGoK_YadSdM3wZNB9QzI/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPkwVWI-uEqR_x0OzfQUo0UWiHSfPFFkYpRx1_MbTtGYahnQI1ws5sh43JD60olGLetRztXVfjOkV4kvF5hY9YBVzRGg484iNX-s_m88XmS-Qr-S_qW1tjz9JGoK_YadSdM3wZNB9QzI/s400/DSC_0225.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
What about rice, beans, and other grains? I've been trying to soak those as I remember to do so. At this point in my life, recipe planning is non-existent. The house, the garden, the children, and the animals all occupy a great deal of my time, so we kind of just rotate through the same types of meals every week. It both drives me crazy and keeps me sane, if that makes sense.<br />
<br />
So where are you in the Great Phytic Acid Debate? Do tell.<br />
<br />
I'm linking up to the Homestead Barn Hop. <a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/05/barn-hop-62.html"> Click here</a> to visit!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/05/barn-hop-62.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_t6cs9p="2" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48F6X7gfv5zS8h9Gn0MEaJJy0UtlLfLB4anzvrDq-7N5ltj0PYsyoF2e-x6-Bpqg_RcIynVmmoXAPvIcjil7J_SaSPORgZyPrCwU2YPBQzwa7BqjqzKWwj5Z6Qv6hZwbwuSAIS9TlpuSF/s200/Barn-Hop.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Laura @ Green Legacy Farmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15702832151439882306noreply@blogger.com13