Today's chore was to separate and tag all of the animals slated for the sale barn on Wednesday. I had to get them all to the barn and had to do this alone since they are used to me and usually spook when others come around. This took a while as I had sheep and goats divided in 3 different pastures. Once everyone was up, I called in my helpers (hubby and son) to catch and hold while I put scrapie tags in their ears. It went smoothly enough with the exception of one big ewe destined for the sale that refused to come in. She has a terrible attitude and almost always tosses my poor shearer here and there come shearing time. This past fall was no different and I decided then she could be someone else's problem! (you are welcome Jess!)

She took another hour to round up and by the time I finally coerced her into the barn my help was long gone. I will tag her the day of the sale. I culled heavily and when all was said and done 12 animals will be loaded up. 10 boys that have been free loading for the past year and 2 girls, both of whom are crazy as a fruit fly. 

It was 2:30 by the time I had all the animals back where they needed to be. Hubby was off to the gun range to practice for an upcoming charity shoot and I headed to the shower. I was filthy and still needed to grab some cream at the grocery for our weekly Sunday family get together.

I had grand plans to actually put on some makeup, dry my hair and not look like a dirty farm hand at the supper table. Yeah, right. I had no sooner stepped out of the shower when I heard our driveway alarm go off. I figured Doug had forgotten something. Then it went of again. And again. And again.
I looked out the window to see all of the girls, sheep and goats. meandering up the drive eating everything in site. Namely my rose bushes. I threw my dirty clothes back on and ran screeching out with my hair wrapped in a towel. (I swear I thought I had checked that latch!~) I got them back in the pasture and by this time I was carrying my towel and my hair was almost dry. No time for makeup since I still had to mix up some french bread before I ran to the store. So tonight at the supper table I didn't look like a dirty farm hand. I looked like a clean one.

A Sad Day On The Homestead

Death on the homestead is never easy. Today I lost a beloved old lady of a sheep. "Mystery" crossed the rainbow bridge and is now grazing peacefully with her mother. Mystery got her name because when she was very small her mom died. She was a spunky little snot and I seriously could never get my hands on her to try and bottle feed. She must have snuck milk from other moms though I can't say for sure and so it was a mystery of how she survived.

If you read my blog you know that last Saturday I found her off to herself in the woods. She was supposed to retire this year at the ripe old age of 10. She apparently had other plans and somehow was bred. I thought I had the retirees separated early enough. I brought her down to the barn to keep a close eye on her. She was doing ok, still drinking but not eating a lot. She was huge and I was afraid she may be carrying triplets. Wednesday afternoon I couldn't get her to get up. Yesterday the vet was called. Since she was still very alert and seemingly ok he was optimistic. This morning I could tell she was very uncomfortable and I still couldn't get her up. I have had sheep for 22 years. I know after one has been down over 24 hours odds are not good they will get back up. I could also tell she was starting to go downhill. After a tearful conversation with my vet and a lot of soul searching, I made the decision to take her in the morning, have her sedated, try and save the babies that were going to be at least two weeks early and then humanely have her put to sleep. Otherwise all would be lost. Late today I was finishing up chores and trying to get her to drink a bit more water. Mystery had a seizure and died. I am heartbroken. Life is not always easy on the homestead.

Yet another rainy day on the homestead. Sigh. I am so looking forward to warm days and sunshine!
Though I would have loved to curl up with a good book, hot tea and a fire I had plenty of other things to do.

First was to call the vet. The old ewe I brought down Saturday was acting like she was in labor. She laid down yesterday and has refused to get up. Part of it is that she is the size of a bean bag chair!
Not in labor yet but getting close. The vet hopes she will go soon and get back on her feet. She is alert but very uncomfortable and is having a hard time breathing because of her size. Fingers crossed I can pull her through along with her unborn lambs. For now it is a waiting game.

I canned another 7 quarts of stock to add to the pantry. I also finally got the 25 pounds of pintos that have been waiting in the pantry for a month packed in mylar bags and added them to long term food storage.

I did finally get to build that cozy fire. I baked a loaf of red wheat bread for sandwiches to accompany the pot of soup simmering on the stove.

And now I think I'll try and grab 30 minutes of reading til hubby gets home!

Canning Bone Broth

Today I canned the bone broth I started on Thursday. After it has simmered 36 hours I strained off all the fat. I poured the broth in hot sterilized jars and canned in the pressure canner for 25 minutes.
Wa-la! 5 quarts of stock to add to the pantry shelves and almost a quart in the fridge to drink on for the next few days.

I cleaned everything up and started another batch. I still have enough bones for one more batch and then I can started on the lamb bones!

Saturday Chores

It was a beautiful day here on the homestead. Though still too wet to do garden chores, there are plenty of critter things to be done.
Number one, was to go through my bee hives. Sadly I lost both over the winter. One hive was already weak and I feared it would not make it but the other one was very strong  so I was a bit surprised.
I am almost certain they froze. The strong hive had several full frames of honey. Just a huge dead cluster of bees. I felt like crying. The good news is that I have 2 nucs coming the first part of April so those bees will have a tremendous head start. All the frames are drawn out and honey to boot. I cleaned everything up and sealed the entrance. They are ready for the newcomers.

Next on the list was to help sis deworm the pigs. This is never an easy chore and today was no better. We worm orally and last time the wormer was placed in hollowed out apple quarters and the pigs just ate them. Well, not this time. Apparently they got savvy to the apple trick. We pondered what to do and decided to try some mandarin oranges and tomatoes. I headed back home to get some and check on a sheep that was acting strangely.

She was still hanging at the back of the field so I decided to put her in the barn for the night. She is a 10 year old ewe that was supposed to retire but I suspect she may be expecting. Obviously she didn't get the memo. The trek was relatively short but she was be obstinate and it to me 40 minutes. After she was settled with hay and water I grabbed oranges and tomatoes and went back to finish pigs. That was about as useless as the apples. The full dosage would not fit into either of the fruits. Ugh Ugh We split it between and an orange and a tomato. Today pigs do not like oranges. Only tomatoes. We gave up for the day.

I took a quick peek in the greenhouse to admire all the pretty plants and went home to start supper. Just another day on the homestead!

Babies Are Here.... Oh Boy!

Well they arrived this morning. A beautiful set of twins.

Both are boys. I hope this is not setting the bar for our season here. Last year we were very boy-ful. I still have 4 bucks from last year and 8 ram lambs! The bucks will go to the sale barn in March and lambs, well, if not sold for breeding stock will be going in the freezer.

Stinking cute tho!

Pork Bone Broth

I'm still working on making freezer space. On today's list was to start clearing out the two extremely large bags of pork bones from our last butchering of hogs. I filled my large stock pot a little over half full with frozen bones. To them I added carrots, celery, garlic, black pepper and 1/3 c apple cider vinegar. I covered the bones completely with water, brought them to a boil and then turned them to the lowest setting on my stove. I will let them cook for at least 24 hours.

The broth has been simmering about 6 hours now and is starting to smell delicious! It looks like I have enough bones for at least 2 more batches, if not 3. Once this is done I will skim the fat and can it. After I have sipped on a cup or two!