Doing Herbal Things Today

I got a plantain salve started today from the leaves I harvested and dried a few weeks ago.  My dining room table is getting full of  foraged and grown herbs. I have some jars on order so hopefully I can get our little apothecary organized.

For the salve I put a heaping 1/2 cup chopped plantain and 1 small comfrey leaf in a jelly jar. I topped it of with olive oil and placed in my crockpot on the keep warm mode. I left it there for most of the day. This evening I took it out gave it a good shake. I will leave it for a few more days or until I get to it! Without the heat it would have taken the oil a lot longer to steep.

After morning chores, I grabbed my basket and foraged elder flowers. 

We have two quite large trees here close to the chicken pen. One I planted, one I did not (thank you birds!)  It was a nice little harvest. I'll pick a few more in a day or two. I got the stems trimmed and they are now drying in my pantry for use in teas.

I finished up the day planting some more flowers Sis had started in the greenhouse. We are trying to get it cleared out before this next heat wave hits. 

I hope your day was well. Blessings from the homestead.

 Up early to watch my two favorite munchkins. My granddaughters, age 2 and 4. They are the light of my life and I am so grateful they live right next door. I refereed 2 stroller arguments, colored pictures, played with bubble blowers and learned that Blank, the oldest's blanket was not feeling well. When I asked why I was told she had opened the car door and had fallen out and a car ran over her. I said I do imagine she's not feeling well! I think she was better by the time I left. :-)

Back on the homestead I finished up morning chores that had not gotten done before I left. I fixed Hubby some lunch and made a dish for my parents. I went to visit them opting to take the Gator and before I got there the Heavens opened up. That was my first shower of the day. We had a nice visit and when the rain let up I headed down the hill to Sis's house. We harvested 2 kinds of cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce.

Next on my list was to do some weeding since we had gotten all that rain over the weekend. (2 1/2 inches!) Strawberries were the first thing I wanted to get done. About 10 minutes in, the Heavens once again opened up. The dogs and I ran to the tractor shed but not before I was soaked. Shower #2. After it quit I went back to the garden and did manage to finish the row of strawberries. 

On to afternoon chores. I had let the sheep out while I worked in the garden and could keep a close eye on them. I was trying to get everyone back where they belonged - no one was cooperating and it started to rain again. Once again I got soaked. Shower #3 made me grumpy. I don't think the sheep helped my mood much either. Finally afternoon chores finished up, I headed to the house to get a dry shirt and wash lettuce for our supper tonight. Grilled chicken salads are on the menu tonight. Hope your day was dryer than mine! 
 

Preserving Kale

 

Today I preserved all the kale I harvested Saturday. After washing really well, I stemmed and tore into bite size pieces. I keep two gallon bags for fresh eating over the next week or so. I flash froze a large pan by layering the kale on wax paper and popping in the freezer for a few hours. That was another gallon.

I put the rest in the dehydrator and let it run for a few hours until nice and crispy. 

Nine trays yielded 8 cups dry. I put that in the blender and made kale powder. I use this to pack in some extra nutrients in soups, stews, meatloaf, ect.

The sun finally appeared late this afternoon and I let the lambs out in the pasture to enjoy some forage and frolic time. That did not last long. Sis called and said a coyote was in her pasture circling her chicken coop. They headed out with the shotgun but he took off and was headed this way. I hurried to the barn and locked the babies back up. I took our livestock guardian dog out for a fence patrol in that pasture. It is not the one she usually stays in. She was on high alert running and sniffing. The wildlife has become quite the problem over the last couple of years. It tends to cause a lot of sleepless nights especially in the Spring and early Summer months. That's just life on the homestead!

I hope everyone had a blessed Memorial Day and I thank those that gave all.

Rain, Thank Goodnes

 A good soaking rain moved in overnight. As of this morning we had an inch. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast this morning, something that does not happen often. Hubby worked in his shop on a hay wagon and I piddled in the kitchen most of the early part of the day. I made his favorite whole wheat chocolate chip cookies, baked buns for this evening's cookout and of course the daily crackers. 

It poured all day. We got soaked many times but are not complaining. The gardens are enjoying this good long drink of water.

It was still pouring this evening so we opted for a jar of home canned chicken pot pie over biscuits. Burgers tomorrow!

Ready For Rain

Hubby was out in the gardens way before I was. He is not a coffee drinker and tends to move a little quicker in the mornings than I do! He was doing tractor work while I cooked breakfast. After breakfast we got busy. He had gotten the row ready for the sweet potatoes so we popped them in the ground. We have an old hand held tobacco planter we use. It's the coolest tool ever and makes quick work of planting the slips. We planted 117. He cultivated the corn and beans with the old Farmall tractor. I planted some sunflowers. The big garden is looking pretty good considering we've had no rain.

On to the small garden! He cultivated between the rows I weeded what I could being that it is so dry. We managed to unearth a few more onions! I still have a small section of those along with a few strawberries to get tidied up. The early green beans are blooming in this garden. We were finishing up around noon when it did indeed start to rain. 

While he was putting equipment away I headed to the house to fix some lunch. I was greeted by mama guinea and her brood of babies. She has been setting on her eggs in one of my clumps of daylilies. They moved way too fast to count! Daddy guinea was helping out best he could. :-)

Next on the list was to get the tunnels cleaned up and harvest what is left. I want them ready to go when Fall planting time rolls around. I harvested the last of the kale, a few tiny carrots, beets and a few small squash. I moved the avocado tree outside. I still have a large pot of celery that is not quite ready to harvest to put somewhere outside. I took one load to the compost pile before I got distracted by some beautiful petunias that needed to be planted! I am quite sure there is not a weeding fairy and it will still be there when I get back to it!

A damp drizzly day on the homestead. Heavier rains are supposed to move in overnight and tomorrow is going to be a wash out. Not a bad thing I need to do something with all that kale!

 It's supposed to rain for the next 3 days and we were getting low on feed so I decided to go ahead and stock up. It takes about and hour and fifteen minutes round trip so I try and make it last at least 2 weeks. When I got back Hubby met me at the barn to help unload. Where's the cow feed? he asked. Um, didn't realize we needed cow feed. Only 1 bag left. Sigh. Thankfully that feed comes from a different feed store and it's only 45 minutes round trip! I grabbed a bite of lunch and hopped back in the truck. 

Feed store duties done, I headed to the garden to tie up tomatoes. I planted a few more flowers before time for afternoon chores.

Thankfully no new surprises at the barn. Everyone is doing well and lambs are growing like weeds. Tomorrow we plan to jump on the gardens and get them both in shape before it rains. We are supposed to have until noon. We shall see!

Sad Morning, Moving On

 Well, our baby lamb did not survive. I am sad but know that I did my best and that's what will bring me peace. Sometimes the momma knows there is something not right and will reject the baby. I think she knew and now I am not so put out with her. 

I had an extra cup of coffee. Sucked it up and got busy. On the list for today was to can up some broth that was left from boiling a chicken. It was not much but waste not, want not and every little bit counts. I have an electric Carey canner and it is perfect for small batch canning.

Next I sliced the compound butter and put on a pan to freeze. After it was hard, I dropped it in bags and popped it in the freezer for use throughout the coming year. I do think I need one more batch! We enjoyed it on a baked potato and slathered on crusty bread, oh my gosh... deliciousness! One family member has been frying her eggs in it. Next on my list to try! 

Thursday is house cleaning day. Checked that off the list. 

I got a call saying our sweet potato slips had arrived. I hurried off to get them. We are supposed to get some much needed rain this weekend so the next couple of days we hope to get them in and catch up some garden chores. 

Lastly we got the tomatoes staked and the row tilled for the sweet potatoes. We use cattle panels and T-posts. They are all set and tomorrow I will tie them up. 

Just another day... on the homestead.

 

Baling Hay, More lambs!

 The last of our spring hay was baled today. My job is to ferry the guys back and forth to the fields as they move equipment in and out. I also do a moisture check on the first few bales that roll out. Thankfully it's on on call kinda job and I can get things done in between trips. 

After getting Hubby to the field this morning I did morning chores. I also mixed up a loaf of crusty Dutch oven bread and made some lunch for Mom and Dad.

They started baling around 1:30, so back to the field to check the hay. A little glitch on the first bale wrapping so it took a bit to get rolling. After that we were good to go. Moisture check was good and back home I went to get some feeding done until they moved to the next field.

While filling water buckets, this little cutie ran up to greet me. He is a suffolk cross from our meat flock. Since it is later in the season I just figured some of the girls didn't breed. At this point I should probably know better. Haha! I also noticed one of the Icelandic crosses was in labor, She was a younger girl but all seemed to be moving along well. Back to the hay field I went.

The boys finished up and were starting to haul the hay in. 70 round bales! What a blessing.

 Since there was nothing else I could help with, I headed home to do another barn check, put up the some of the chickens and start supper. The other lamb had arrived and the young mom had walked off and left him. I scooped him up and wrapped him in a blanket. I massaged him generously and got him on a heating pad. He was very cold. I got some colostrum in him and he had a sucking reflex so I was holding out hope. We will see what the night brings.

Just another day on the homestead..

Putting Up Chicken

 Today all the chicken we butchered Saturday had to be packaged and put in the freezer. I chugged an extra cup of coffee, did morning chores and got started. Since I vacuum seal everything it usually takes a good bit of time. 

It did. 4 hours later I had 85 pounds of chicken packaged and in the freezer. What a good feeling to have that much tucked away! We are still debating as to whether to do a fall round. My sis and youngest son want some for their freezers. I don't think we will need much more with the quail coming along. I need to inventory and organize what we have to make sure.

The boys laid down our last 2 hay fields. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 16 or so acres. I think all of this is slated to be round baled. 

I harvested a few herbs and more garlic scapes which I will share with sis. It's dry so I am having to water things daily. After the hay is up I will pray for rain! Life is good on the homestead. 

More Lambs!

 On my way to set up for church this morning, I discovered these two little guys. A set of ram lambs. My old Icelandic girls just refuse to retire. They were supposed to stop having children and just be beautiful pasture ornaments. But no, last year 2 had lambs and I am not sure what hot mess I have down there this year. This I do know, they will be moved when the lambs are old enough to a pasture that does not border a ram field! 

They were up and doing well so I went on to the barn to get set up. 

It was a beautiful day. A good sermon, tons of food and good fellowship afterwards. After eating hubby went to the range to shoot with his buddies. I put the food up ( we will put up table and chairs this evening) and went home to change and do afternoon chores. I have found this fellowship once a month or so brings me a lot of peace. I puttered with the animals and in the gardens. Maybe next time I'll go fishing!

I hope your day was as blessed as mine.

Processing day

 

Up before daylight to get this chore out of the way. We have 21 birds that are 2 weeks late going in the freezer. Baling hay took precedence over processing. That's just the way things roll around here. Usually we have an extra hand or two but today it was just hubby and me. It took a little over 2 hours to get the birds done and in the cooler. Another 2 hours of cleanup and we were done.

Hubby does most of the cleanup since he can use a bobcat for part of it and he pressure washes down the processing area. While he finished up there, I moved the new colored egg laying flock to the now empty meat bird coop. They have a lot more room and were very happy.

I made a small run using miscellaneous pieces of fencing to keep them contained until I can get chicken wire run along the bottom of the large run the coop is in. Another chore for another day! 

Not beautiful but functional for now!

Next on the list was to set up for church in the big barn. This is a new venture for us and we have decided to hold a service there about every 5 weeks. A retired preacher friend of ours shares the Word of the Lord and we enjoy a potluck afterwards. I will go over early in the morning to  finish up and get some things cooking in the small kitchen we have in there.

We finished up the day mowing and weeding in the garden. A good productive day on the homestead! 

New Babies!

This morning we welcomed the arrival of a set of twin ewe lambs. They weren't planned but neither are fence breaks! Apparently when that happened a while back I was not quick enough to get the ram out and it looks like several of the Icelandic girls are expecting. Sigh. 

Older Mama and babies are doing well. They will have to spend some time in the barn because of the number of predators we have roaming the homestead these days.

This evening we started setting up for processing chickens in the morning. After we got everything ready we went and picked up ice. We will be at it bright and early in the morning! 

Garlic Scape Compound Butter

 The garlic scapes have been patiently waiting in the fridge in a jar of water for a week or so now. Every day I add a few more to it. Finally this evening I carved out enough time to make a few pounds of compound butter.

I made two different flavors. 2 rounds of scapes with fresh basil and 1 with scapes and fresh sage They are both so delicious. One of the basil I chopped courser but decided I liked a finer chop so used my blender to do that. After they harden I will slice and put in the freezer. They will a yummy base for sauteing, topping a steak or baked potato or slathered on homemade bread!

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Weeding Away

 My biggest chore today was to try and find the onions. They have gotten extremely weedy. We have had just a little rain and I hoped the ground was damp enough for easy pulling. 

I put our weekly pot of beans in the crockpot, got morning chores done and started. 2 1/2 hours later I had all but 2/3 of one row done. They look pretty good but we could sure use some more rain! 

It was time for afternoon chores. Critters tended and herb beds watered and now time to finish up supper. To go with the beans I was making slaw and cowboy candy and cheddar cornbread. 

Yum!

It's Good to Have a Plan B

 

Yes a plan B is a good thing. After morning chores, my plan A was to catch up some laundry, run a load of dishes, finish up the boiled peanuts I started yesterday and make the garlic scape compound butter. I had also planned to go with sis and tidy up Mom and Dad's house next door. I got back in around 10:30 with fresh basil from the garden AND the power went out. Grrr... Sis called shortly after and said she had gotten a text that it would not be back on until 2:30. 

Well poop. I knew we still had a few things in the greenhouse that needed to go in the garden but planting them would mean hauling water from the rain catchment barrels at the barn. Extra work but doable. Off I went to see what we had. 

We still had San Marzano tomatoes, various flowers and more basil. I loaded up, filled buckets with water and got busy. Another 24 tomatoes in, that puts us right at 100. I planted some statice for cut flowers and another 6 basil plants. I harvested a few more garlic scapes and planted some echinacea in the medical herb bed. 

Yes those are onions to the right of the tomatoes. Looks like I know what tomorrow's chore will be. Weeding!