tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34225604652847326962024-03-13T05:36:05.202-07:00Hilltop HomesteadFrom 80 acres in the woods to 18 acres in the 'thumb' of Washington State! I will still bake bread, grow veggies, milk goats,raise rabbits, laugh a lot and collect & repair old sewing machines, but we are starting from scratch again. I LOVE old stuff. I think James Whitcomb Riley is fabulous, Ralph Moody was cool and Tasha Tudor was fascinating. I like old people. I make and sell primitives on Ebay and Etsy.
Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-11552847718865439752023-12-21T15:27:00.000-08:002023-12-21T15:27:56.885-08:00Lyme Disease, Schlyme Disease - Turn ALL the Lights On!<p> Good morning to you on this Winter solstice day of December 21st, 2023!</p><p><br /></p><p>The shortest day of the year here where I live means we have about 8 1/2 hours of daylight - almost 8 hours LESS than we have in June!</p><p>That's a lot of dark hours and I do the best I can to keep our house warm and happy with lights! Big lights, little lights, candle lights, Christmas lights.....Indoor and outdoor lights! The lights stay on (all of 'em) during the day to keep it, well....light! Am I worried about the electric bill? Hmmm, good question, but with the invention of LED bulbs, it's not such an issue anymore, so NO! I'm not! I'm more into keeping mental health and good spirits high! Plus, I'm afraid of the dark, so there are also lights in the barn, on the porches and at the pumphouse! Well! That takes care of the material things - but I also have inner light! Jesus is the light of the world and He lives within us at my house, so we've got LIGHT EVERYWHERE, inside and out!!!!!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbhVjTul7CDUD3CKZv0fHZDUcV_oHpznDlBUa9IcJ1Oyy3Z5ksVDNgUnBx11vCksPWX8nSstZo3Qe2P4bKh_1UBdXHLu3cu_Es9KJIJaGbZiv-y4zCtqGChU6QyaMQoCQTfrlVtP2h5NOCXccB_1sV2dQl91N6oZGNDLW21elz0iw398-YCws2eA5mIw/s858/BLOG%2012-23%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="858" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbhVjTul7CDUD3CKZv0fHZDUcV_oHpznDlBUa9IcJ1Oyy3Z5ksVDNgUnBx11vCksPWX8nSstZo3Qe2P4bKh_1UBdXHLu3cu_Es9KJIJaGbZiv-y4zCtqGChU6QyaMQoCQTfrlVtP2h5NOCXccB_1sV2dQl91N6oZGNDLW21elz0iw398-YCws2eA5mIw/s320/BLOG%2012-23%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Not sure what brought that on, except I've had a wicked flu/virus for literally the last couple weeks and am FINALLY feeling like I may someday return to what is considered 'normal' for me! Chronic Lyme Disease makes every virus a challenge that lasts much longer and harder for some of us than for 'normal' people, unlike others, who catch something, only to declare a few days later that they are now well! What?! Takes me much, much longer...BUT, we are fearfully and most wonderfully made and these ole immune systems, even flawed, continue to heal us up eventually!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wTLxlpuXUyLUfLpm8WK0CbKQK1Zm6PtloflVIywBuiuLeupgcaGpwz7YbewwV8hfXXfkHKtNsy6JignAzjP0-bgIQpOyYCgTYLQvnvxOiqTBSJggavhQlC4DjBxU6MQsEx6zkMauDFlp5p72F88HJ-q9JHQKUqV0Rbj4TuOjjeyHDsR16THT6utZ7aQ/s858/BLOG%2012-23%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="858" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wTLxlpuXUyLUfLpm8WK0CbKQK1Zm6PtloflVIywBuiuLeupgcaGpwz7YbewwV8hfXXfkHKtNsy6JignAzjP0-bgIQpOyYCgTYLQvnvxOiqTBSJggavhQlC4DjBxU6MQsEx6zkMauDFlp5p72F88HJ-q9JHQKUqV0Rbj4TuOjjeyHDsR16THT6utZ7aQ/s320/BLOG%2012-23%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Life on this farm is puttering along rather well, in the big picture. I'm glad, for the moment, that my goats are dry (not milking as they rest up) as kids aren't due until the end of January or so. I've put my VERY busy Etsy shoppe on vacation mode until after the first of 2024 (only to spend the first week so far, 'sick as a dog') The biggest projects here are on hold while Bossman does a renovation job for someone else, so for the moment, no sawdust or tool noise! The best thing? My kitchen is FINISHED! It is huge and I love it. It is unlike anyone else's kitchen and somewhat eclectic but it was made for ME and I'm tickled red. (I don't care for pink...) Four and a half years after moving, we finally finished our kitchen. It is a milestone and I appreciate it all the more, having not had it for so long!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzxW5arzFiB9hHOTjgbBLAMZOSjNdQCxI8Q_ue-B_mwn0qnriA5Ao9qrnCpRUq-PSVplv8u5K8Ci3QaouqG8DXTgBiL-KLmOwjxU1X_KTyG3bTxTHczUGpGXJGVJijZpASeONQZZCXqUupDSR7y8y9TM67D0whMWIf8iLMCfExAzJU_-MbAUNyz5DZik/s858/BLOG%2012-23%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="858" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzxW5arzFiB9hHOTjgbBLAMZOSjNdQCxI8Q_ue-B_mwn0qnriA5Ao9qrnCpRUq-PSVplv8u5K8Ci3QaouqG8DXTgBiL-KLmOwjxU1X_KTyG3bTxTHczUGpGXJGVJijZpASeONQZZCXqUupDSR7y8y9TM67D0whMWIf8iLMCfExAzJU_-MbAUNyz5DZik/s320/BLOG%2012-23%20(3).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The next project here at the 'new' place is a stairway to the attic! It is FULL of....junque, shall we say? I intend to divide and conquer (and have a Spring yard sale...) and then be able to set up my quilting machine & its frame up there! Bossman has accomplished the rudimentary beginnings of a permanent staircase so the dream is real! The junque is also real - it is the contents of our Dry Box storage units after we decided it would be lovely to NOT pay Dry Box fees and just stuff it all in the attic!!! Sigh...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv7jxj0jx-BrVXn3WCdwwuJKCLekqcbXjNB6hIARXpEukyoSpsxOghWQY3M4_cLlmJx8nxbZUU2SCtT8VP0DjxMu69z1WhGhTHBYXYrflPKnxfsVxF7K_ZPmoC4l4k2q-ij2OlUIa_Y6jv9AXeC2hyphenhyphencMHPuP8vILJUxzcXdyohOhR_YzPTq3P9MqV-sQ/s868/BLOG%2012-23%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="868" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv7jxj0jx-BrVXn3WCdwwuJKCLekqcbXjNB6hIARXpEukyoSpsxOghWQY3M4_cLlmJx8nxbZUU2SCtT8VP0DjxMu69z1WhGhTHBYXYrflPKnxfsVxF7K_ZPmoC4l4k2q-ij2OlUIa_Y6jv9AXeC2hyphenhyphencMHPuP8vILJUxzcXdyohOhR_YzPTq3P9MqV-sQ/s320/BLOG%2012-23%20(4).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I recently rescued my GINORMOUS doll house from a rat-infested, leaky outbuilding where is has languished since THE MOVE. At first I thought I'd have to just burn it and be done with it, but after scrubbing/removing pieces/painting with Kilz primer, it is salvaged and living in my already-too-crowded craft room! It is one more concern crossed off my list and now I can redecorate/rebuild/rejuvenate at my leisure (whatever that is!).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflcNNO6MQgmV3KQ0BIjdvGqR1BE1v_N1z4b7BlWsx5rQSuBMd11AJOnivVGk1_wBtDzplgtzBuJrXziMzCAcnLK2W2zcbJMQq7kmlh0RlI63qF7PW3goLWXJwv2doJTeZ8oM9RwkB5qAZMciPAkG0pTar1LI6VnAEr3O2PrY6YQDkC-wmjt_yzo9sRe0/s858/BLOG%2012-23%20(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="858" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflcNNO6MQgmV3KQ0BIjdvGqR1BE1v_N1z4b7BlWsx5rQSuBMd11AJOnivVGk1_wBtDzplgtzBuJrXziMzCAcnLK2W2zcbJMQq7kmlh0RlI63qF7PW3goLWXJwv2doJTeZ8oM9RwkB5qAZMciPAkG0pTar1LI6VnAEr3O2PrY6YQDkC-wmjt_yzo9sRe0/s320/BLOG%2012-23%20(5).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>I have given myself about two weeks off from my store, as I mentioned. One week behind me devoted to illness, now forging ahead to the next week! I'm hoping to have about 3 days of Christmas meals/celebrations/get-togethers, work on my dollhouse, imagine up several new ideas and try them for items in my Etsy shoppe, work on piecing a quilt and organize the attic!!!!! Apparently this virus has affected my sensibilities, as well!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOXePCntOKVH3Mf2nMyE-3wpSwdwN78A_-7Ix-STL88Rf3aJvL1GQkTlRNOS5Nc74XVlGKC_SnTWdExsz5unbTn2-1_c73gdj-bEleu9baqxhlUnGzEmuhhE4SJPb1JhdO_zt9XmnWCembee96C4oXMuGltymDFpfSTPHJczntcNEnrqydGIu6oVfw8I/s2048/410945842_10227546067209661_3845142747796213215_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOXePCntOKVH3Mf2nMyE-3wpSwdwN78A_-7Ix-STL88Rf3aJvL1GQkTlRNOS5Nc74XVlGKC_SnTWdExsz5unbTn2-1_c73gdj-bEleu9baqxhlUnGzEmuhhE4SJPb1JhdO_zt9XmnWCembee96C4oXMuGltymDFpfSTPHJczntcNEnrqydGIu6oVfw8I/s320/410945842_10227546067209661_3845142747796213215_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>(Aren't these the cutest grandbabies EVER?????)</p><p>Did you know that a simple bag of white chocolate chips, melted in the microwave (or double-boiler) with pretzels added, then spread out and chilled make DELICIOUS easy Christmas treats?</p><p><br /></p><p>Often blogging in my head, I seldom sit down and actually write. Since I needed to sit down while recuperating, I am a captive audience, so to speak, and have told myself in no uncertain terms that I shall now write this blog and so I have (I'm quite well behaved!)</p><p><br /></p><p>I've now come back to this after taking a break to go outside and feed my bunnies, goats & cats. I took apples to the bunnies for treats as I'm pretty sure cage life is boring and a good crunchy apple should brighten up their day. The goats had to settle for hay, water and a little conversation. The cats lied. They had already been fed but trotted up to the barn with me, talking along the way and expecting to be patted & tails pulled but when we got there the food dish was already filled. Silly cats. The chickens can be ignored until tomorrow as I've run out of gumption (and they've plenty of food & water until the morrow). Back to my recliner for a bit!</p><p><br /></p><p>Well, that's a little bit of an update from an ordinary ole December day on the farm. Hope you are finding JOY in the holiday season and remembering that wise men STILL seek Him!</p><p><br /></p><p>Til next time....Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and May God Bless you!</p><div><br /></div>Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-80211837177237623442023-07-28T19:06:00.002-07:002023-07-28T19:06:54.122-07:00Squirrel Sickness Strikes Again!<p> My husband calls it Squirrel Sickness....my frantic, erratic desire to can, dry, preserve, press, save up all manner of foodstuffs! It's the time of year where I find that last year's efforts have been mostly eaten up and the empty jars are calling to me! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JkEV2fPP45M4DqrBmnCNaExGwcV1tGjlZG8a5ZBVCJ47pnuhoRMyjJtTeyZj5JMhvn6qo7OIN4Q-ENTe8w4K6uXaF6kRBh_IgPv9nl6skiA8Bl_bJtji8F4rHVahSjzZzQHOtF1d2KFeO5yyip-a0sM4EYKjCXsGe6_n3i5-qEbgZIKw1mnFMA9XDo8/s4080/20230728_173301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JkEV2fPP45M4DqrBmnCNaExGwcV1tGjlZG8a5ZBVCJ47pnuhoRMyjJtTeyZj5JMhvn6qo7OIN4Q-ENTe8w4K6uXaF6kRBh_IgPv9nl6skiA8Bl_bJtji8F4rHVahSjzZzQHOtF1d2KFeO5yyip-a0sM4EYKjCXsGe6_n3i5-qEbgZIKw1mnFMA9XDo8/s320/20230728_173301.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>The garden is, well, sort of a mess. I've got lovely raised beds but the weather or the general growing season seems a little weird this year and some of my plantings have gone to pot. I may have gotten distracted from the weeding, as well. The broccoli AND the cabbage plants bolted (no, they didn't leave, they went-to-seed too early) so none of that for us this garden season. We have been picking sugar snap peas, Walla Walla onions, blueberries and potatoes and enjoying them immensely. The Marion berries (a type of big blackberry) shriveled on the vines and the green beans look like the last picking, rather than the first, but there will be some. I'm determined to be a good steward of whatever does produce a crop, so today I canned 11 pints of dill pickles and 7 pints of green beans - Yesterday was 40 pints of Apple Butter from our newly discovered Transparent Apple tree on this old farm! I've also been drying herbs - so far I've got the Thyme, Oregano and Peppermint dried and tucked away; still have Rosemary, Sage and Basil to collect and dehydrate.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfj7Rvs_1dZ7WSnUA1Ne2a1xkjaA2_NIhHppBzZ89uJAV9Qz-2cknM33nXB-pOH7gamL-fdPvzbf_WpQlleM5aaLmpqrpXRnSu71yJRaBBOi6git5Fi_rkVQThrASJQqtigFhLf2eWXKMJ0e90q3cBmJPSkWiicu-D1G85lbTTgsJFx29H7rcmJs9EFA/s4080/20230726_110349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxfj7Rvs_1dZ7WSnUA1Ne2a1xkjaA2_NIhHppBzZ89uJAV9Qz-2cknM33nXB-pOH7gamL-fdPvzbf_WpQlleM5aaLmpqrpXRnSu71yJRaBBOi6git5Fi_rkVQThrASJQqtigFhLf2eWXKMJ0e90q3cBmJPSkWiicu-D1G85lbTTgsJFx29H7rcmJs9EFA/s320/20230726_110349.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>We've put about 20 rabbits in either the freezer or canning jars now. It's amusing to see the reactions of people if you suggest to them that the 'chicken' in the salad is actually rabbit. Some are anxious to try it....others look at you and wonder what kind of monster eats a bunny! My three year old granddaughter watched me get a few rabbit carcasses cut into serving pieces for the freezer and announced that SHE wants to eat those bunny rabbits, lol! Gotta love kids who live on (or visit Grammy & Grampa) on the farm!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTs_MzpnbLhHYnlbgFLJ9QIp1tIB29NBqHpYNMwwguUEA_lsCA6rpzt9rdlgJJddoaAIGm8nffUN0CS1UTdqtvwl0I4KD_OO14tGA7NE7QHouAPA_v3gKq0bDq6nx6ROMcc2W_EBDqXCz2EdglpNgMl0XvbpWAMsW5IoZPypmPBn6zXBcutsXB2_8tj4/s4080/20230728_183443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTs_MzpnbLhHYnlbgFLJ9QIp1tIB29NBqHpYNMwwguUEA_lsCA6rpzt9rdlgJJddoaAIGm8nffUN0CS1UTdqtvwl0I4KD_OO14tGA7NE7QHouAPA_v3gKq0bDq6nx6ROMcc2W_EBDqXCz2EdglpNgMl0XvbpWAMsW5IoZPypmPBn6zXBcutsXB2_8tj4/s320/20230728_183443.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlqCubDf7p7_zoohGu7TAnGlgtwadqy8-zNqFvqwPlV_1AnbzP-ukf6f1RD_PLGOJiNzcSqwliakgdZxOwilTVtSj1fVft2-TuRYercowEVuqeX9to2ZMbE_-gaYwRp_82SiI3oO97vh3-JDSwmfizfPocCk35mNyZnIZbxwqeIxVNqJDVTL9BRh-u1w/s4080/20230728_183427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlqCubDf7p7_zoohGu7TAnGlgtwadqy8-zNqFvqwPlV_1AnbzP-ukf6f1RD_PLGOJiNzcSqwliakgdZxOwilTVtSj1fVft2-TuRYercowEVuqeX9to2ZMbE_-gaYwRp_82SiI3oO97vh3-JDSwmfizfPocCk35mNyZnIZbxwqeIxVNqJDVTL9BRh-u1w/s320/20230728_183427.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The chickens I hatched out this Spring are starting to lay (finally...) and I'm putting a few of those away in the pantry - waterglassed. Actually, they are in a solution of pickling lime and water and will keep for almost a year that way. When the chickens slow down this winter, hopefully I'll be able to supplement my baking ingredients with my own waterglassed eggs!</p><p>Hubby pulled the 'keeper' onions and they're outside in the shade curing out on an old gate we keep just for that purpose. In a week or so we'll cut the tops and store them away!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgpEx2adOFRyUqR7FeyeZpNwnlAlCrGjj05bIv84nRH1qT04zoMrVCEtHiZfWUTfsd8ipalxOz_CBW6JLEFDX3nzUUhFjq8edleS16QKHYSLNONyX5IqBYx1SgXcJP2-h8-8rnfbYrJroC-blyCYll3z1-4zoxrTfqjJw46YFl46yljqAFxfuzhLQI-w/s4080/20230728_183512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgpEx2adOFRyUqR7FeyeZpNwnlAlCrGjj05bIv84nRH1qT04zoMrVCEtHiZfWUTfsd8ipalxOz_CBW6JLEFDX3nzUUhFjq8edleS16QKHYSLNONyX5IqBYx1SgXcJP2-h8-8rnfbYrJroC-blyCYll3z1-4zoxrTfqjJw46YFl46yljqAFxfuzhLQI-w/s320/20230728_183512.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>No doubt I have what people now call ADD or ADHD, though back when I was younger we called it a Type A personality, lol. I flit from job to job (not always finishing one before the next one catches my eye!) but I LOVE all the work on out little farm and harvest time is my favorite! I just picked the first ripe tomatoes tonight and tomorrow we'll eat the first of the green beans!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmZMHbrq3p_Bv_UVeZXgmh29lWxt7ep7babmKanjIYNaKUBzLppCthRqox8h6NoAZKzYYKM2Df5Xo8QzezQ46ASD_jAirYBtnBGvpsBQbxZIrIhrTCJlPAa1tcgvYGOLCoxlYh-eiSEKwPQ3igjGO1dGfINzsaaFHlk1GAMZdhUUudTCHmLbVmNWh9mI/s4080/20230704_103310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPmZMHbrq3p_Bv_UVeZXgmh29lWxt7ep7babmKanjIYNaKUBzLppCthRqox8h6NoAZKzYYKM2Df5Xo8QzezQ46ASD_jAirYBtnBGvpsBQbxZIrIhrTCJlPAa1tcgvYGOLCoxlYh-eiSEKwPQ3igjGO1dGfINzsaaFHlk1GAMZdhUUudTCHmLbVmNWh9mI/s320/20230704_103310.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLYk9RSX-iAzi15H-QaJnqsBocYWw7XV6s9VRfl0vHdYWV4JjbDm2bnDZAQtlhDQKHrYOpKYEAnh1juYE9pK6aSYcrRO_A-QdeVwBUMELEfIQS1TIASCQOFGlbtRZyO-ClrUnef4oCnbBlQVYjEcg5kl9Y5FIxbh3Syfa8Wb2C_-sorhGYogQyiZjE0Y/s4080/20230719_113615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLYk9RSX-iAzi15H-QaJnqsBocYWw7XV6s9VRfl0vHdYWV4JjbDm2bnDZAQtlhDQKHrYOpKYEAnh1juYE9pK6aSYcrRO_A-QdeVwBUMELEfIQS1TIASCQOFGlbtRZyO-ClrUnef4oCnbBlQVYjEcg5kl9Y5FIxbh3Syfa8Wb2C_-sorhGYogQyiZjE0Y/s320/20230719_113615.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN87kVAo-QrqOI9C7D9nfmYrDfdBUv8pn9-DJGtEF71yoxsYS83WTmWeieIJqhTLHU6mKpum64i4mhjNM5N_P76nTNyrZkJIGmqSYYx2Wv_15-NPcskwFuw2y4DAoYdXxKplf_hcarVca3X2H1_cgu37Gom44G0-1AoGnOKoNLfcEXbQDN_Vtj1x-ANA/s4080/20230716_094818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN87kVAo-QrqOI9C7D9nfmYrDfdBUv8pn9-DJGtEF71yoxsYS83WTmWeieIJqhTLHU6mKpum64i4mhjNM5N_P76nTNyrZkJIGmqSYYx2Wv_15-NPcskwFuw2y4DAoYdXxKplf_hcarVca3X2H1_cgu37Gom44G0-1AoGnOKoNLfcEXbQDN_Vtj1x-ANA/s320/20230716_094818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitE0iHgDRwz3xpY00mCysUz8PsWrDQ0uxubdYL1-xGfomOOAnyQmca-ktiC5U7N9eUEEolkQCx0resr6sJk5jXri74HW0_4ZNtYt5fs7B3Inp-chNRuW5f0wSnKlv4FRZMqdGZlGaIEd6aSE9Ulkqbp0rGP3k8A6rIKsrQgNNrAnXKXStqzFiKyUKWdL4/s4080/20230423_084423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitE0iHgDRwz3xpY00mCysUz8PsWrDQ0uxubdYL1-xGfomOOAnyQmca-ktiC5U7N9eUEEolkQCx0resr6sJk5jXri74HW0_4ZNtYt5fs7B3Inp-chNRuW5f0wSnKlv4FRZMqdGZlGaIEd6aSE9Ulkqbp0rGP3k8A6rIKsrQgNNrAnXKXStqzFiKyUKWdL4/s320/20230423_084423.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGI5lWJXoiNIiYaZjnpMx8TSC1ZTAisZVyfU39467Zzecuju95tpzbPhf7g-AI6VUbyvma3hgbdVHe7-dffWkdVWmWp8Kz_g8fdvGmMHQBGxC5-0eVldbDYfM5TUeMZrMMrz0LjnciCPQGEVksxMsPqTXjNAHE-uo438i3qXpLCHS1j86g28qRB2fnBE/s4080/20230617_190144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3060" data-original-width="4080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGI5lWJXoiNIiYaZjnpMx8TSC1ZTAisZVyfU39467Zzecuju95tpzbPhf7g-AI6VUbyvma3hgbdVHe7-dffWkdVWmWp8Kz_g8fdvGmMHQBGxC5-0eVldbDYfM5TUeMZrMMrz0LjnciCPQGEVksxMsPqTXjNAHE-uo438i3qXpLCHS1j86g28qRB2fnBE/s320/20230617_190144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>A sweet almost-daughter who leads VBS (Vacation Bible School) needed a Suit of Armor for this year's theme. We talked and brainstormed about how to acquire one....and then I said a person could just make one! She looked at me in horror, lol...so I volunteered! He came out pretty decent and enjoyed his couple of weeks at the church!</p><p>In my 'spare' time (ha!) I still run Etsy and Ebay stores, making and selling primitive craft items. It keeps me hopping, but I've enjoyed crafting since I was a child (looooooong time ago..) We also took a few days to follow the grandkiddies down to Fort Stevens State Park in Oregon for a little camping adventure and enjoyed the time with them immensely. Just today lil grandaughter asked me if I had any more of 'those long red things we had when we were camping'. Took me a couple minutes to realize she meant Red Vines candy! </p><p>Chores are done for the evening - the rabbits are fed & watered and the chickens won't go in until dark so can't lock them safely up for the night yet. I'll settle in my chair for a little reading with a mug of hot peppermint tea and some homemade toast and some of that apple butter now.</p><p>I'll close with a lovely passage from the Bible that always warms my heart and encourages me greatly - I Thessalonians 4:18 says 'comfort one another with these words' as it talks about being reunited with those who have gone before us when Christ returns. I still greatly miss my sweet mama and other beloved friends and relatives and this passage makes me ever so happy! </p><p>Now, on to my toast and tea.......</p><div class="MjjYud" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span id="z9PoV"></span></div>Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-70204525342511139592022-02-20T16:44:00.002-08:002022-02-20T16:46:33.652-08:00Life on the Farm - It keeps happening!<p>It's been over a year since I've posted on this blog -journal. Time surely flies and it flies whether you're having fun or not. </p><p> It was an eventful, if not always pleasant year for the four of us who live on our little homeplace. I'll give a quick summary and then we'll get on to current events, shall we? After bruised/broken ribs and Covid last year, you'd think things should have settled down, but a couple months later I managed to pinch a nerve in my back/shoulder area and it was one of the most painful things I've ever done to myself! In September Dave was working in the hot sun on the roof and came down feeling unwell. By the next day, he was in the ER diagnosed with a stroke. Stressful and scary, but he has made a good recovery. As he was leaving the hospital to come home, I was in the ER with an attack of diverticulitis! </p><p>Needless to say, work on the house skidded to a halt for a couple months, though a lovely pastor friend and neighbor guys put the roofing on for us; drying the house/addition in for the Winter season. About the time Dave was making a good recovery, we all came down with Covid once again - probably the Omicron variety as it was still nasty, but much shorter in duration and not quite as awful. Added to the chronic health issues we already have, it made for a year of keeping quiet and close to home most of the time. </p><p>In between some of these events, my two oldest (and dearest) milk goats died (a couple months apart). So sad, these girls had been with us for 13 or 14 years and I still miss them. Paxton and Maryanne - I'll always remember your quirky personalities and miss you.</p><p>Ok, now that we've got all THAT out of the way - do you forgive me for not feeling like posting? I try to keep my blog happy and not post all the cares of life here, but I didn't feel much like posting during all the stressful times and I wanted to tell why I hadn't. Don't get me wrong - God is good, all the time and brought us through and we've enjoyed many blessings, even during the not-so-great times.</p><p>Our house/addition project is now progressing nicely - the framing is complete and the electrical is almost done, as well. I can hardly WAIT! In anticipation (because I'm impatient like that) I picked out light fixtures and bought them.....and have no place to put them yet, so we stacked them in the pumphouse! The pumphouse is now NOT filled with rats as it had previously been and is completely clean, dry and new inside. AND Dave has lovely shelves built in there for my canning jars!!! However, now I keep adding more 'temporarily stored' things in there! Just for good measure, I've got a couple of rubber rats in there, just to keep us humble and thankful!</p><p>The only room yet un-electrified in the addition project is the bathroom. No, let me say that again....OUR bathroom. SUCH a happy thought! Our own bathroom once again! I CAN hardly wait.</p><p>AND he's put a bazillion plug-ins and special bright ceiling lights all over the new sewing room so I'll be able to craft away the hours in well-lit happiness!! I can HARDLY wait!</p><p>In case I used to take our big house for granted, living in 700 sq ft and then 900 sq ft has made me appreciate every thought of each new room we'll have. I CAN HARDLY WAIT. </p><p>I would love to say I never complain, but I cannot tell a lie....I do complain. Probably even in a whiney tone occasionally! Sigh. I can hardly wait. Did I mention that?</p><p>I carefully wrote the due dates of our remaining two milk goats on my calendar.....apparently the WRONG due dates, as daughter came to the house to let me know that we had TWINS on the ground! So much for my book-keeping abilities. We named them Vincent and Mirabella and I started milking Magda twice a day.</p><p> Just to keep it going, a week later, Shinar produced Shantilly. I've got them both on a once-a-day milking schedule now and we are all doing well; me, the milkers and the goat kiddies! Dave did get power and water to the barn, so I have a lovely milk room with hot, running water. </p><p>When we were still despairing of the number of rats in the pumphouse, we managed to acquire a herd of barn kitties. Milking time is a fiesta, with Oberan, Titania, Puck, Mab, and Cuckoo all milling about begging me to hurry up with their warm breakfast milk! I love my farm and go out to milk as soon as it gets light in the mornings. I like the quiet opportunity to thank the Lord for the good things we enjoy, including my sweet goats, and to pray for needs that pop into my head while I'm sitting there.</p><p>I've been working hard on my primitives and selling them in my Etsy store & starting to resell items on Ebay to help out with life expenses. I'm still raising English Lop bunnies and have just recently been working on raising New Zealand meat rabbits again. We like rabbit meat and I will can it, as well. </p><p>Today, in the actual sunshine, Dave worked in the garden, starting to get ready for Spring while I worked over an old rabbit cage, putting a new floor and new doors on it. No doubt tomorrow morning's milking chores will be just a bit tougher after all the wire-cutting and plier-pinching I did today!</p><p>I'm enjoying being Grammy Pammy to the little ones - there's nothing quite as heartwarming as a little boy who snuggles up to you and says quietly...."I love you Grammy Pammy!" Life doesn't get any better than that!</p><p>Well, I've caught myself up to date a bit, so I'll sign off for now. We had homemade Chicken Potpie for supper and Lemon-Iced Apple Pie for dessert, so I'm done cooking for today! I've got faces to put on Cinnamon Bunns (primitives in my Etsy store - link in the side column if you're curious) as I've got EIGHT orders of them to fill! For some reason, they have been amazingly popular! You just never know what's going to be 'the thing'! Last time I really had my store going, it was primitive Pigs that were my bestseller!</p><p>Until next time.....I'll finish up with a zillion pics in no particular order of life since I posted last.</p><p>Cherish every day the Lord grants you - and Philipians 4:8, for goodness sake!!!</p><p>Grammy Pammy </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8tVo3_mMhcRzXw2ANXCkfTqHR1sMeWh2HfvejtaqqcaEobgxpSy4HIgnr1Z0Mo_YQ8Mwau0QqomGd2rGuUc7uct2UthVOgAaM8wMyGlU8x7kI0QvO7bZZESeMo7RZKKUz-Ev6FxW7tO5L_V1gJTfGbq32AQDXmOeKDVZ4zj-UTMCrJSKWbYV3_dHT=s2576" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8tVo3_mMhcRzXw2ANXCkfTqHR1sMeWh2HfvejtaqqcaEobgxpSy4HIgnr1Z0Mo_YQ8Mwau0QqomGd2rGuUc7uct2UthVOgAaM8wMyGlU8x7kI0QvO7bZZESeMo7RZKKUz-Ev6FxW7tO5L_V1gJTfGbq32AQDXmOeKDVZ4zj-UTMCrJSKWbYV3_dHT=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmRLahuc3dsjJY8vVwh0hRh5YcLhcnNKydlzUmPKAWQQTxMSC-DN8x9Qs-24so2SG-4v-tKCwYYqB4ls1Xa0dRS7kutRECoGnbeibzoF945vfUlSWNJlcZ1VN_Tjen8s4vJHZ7u8wntFPvlbX0b-3se5TdQglPkeowVtpYYZAk62RzzfBIaleD-eBG=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmRLahuc3dsjJY8vVwh0hRh5YcLhcnNKydlzUmPKAWQQTxMSC-DN8x9Qs-24so2SG-4v-tKCwYYqB4ls1Xa0dRS7kutRECoGnbeibzoF945vfUlSWNJlcZ1VN_Tjen8s4vJHZ7u8wntFPvlbX0b-3se5TdQglPkeowVtpYYZAk62RzzfBIaleD-eBG=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiogFa1bANT7VkByySsV9_MHF_vZ_EI1xQJduCnQIiADDXz3u_dpQa-dXku8jsXjkYIolnSnAq62r_chdpfxywlwONNrZXoW4apU7GvIv0C_-j9bbToCQiy5ws2pytZyUql5IDsuOlCe8wixCB6EAWNG9CoMFafAAiVPSU6VAfRnsB0vsBDKuzTYjnH=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiogFa1bANT7VkByySsV9_MHF_vZ_EI1xQJduCnQIiADDXz3u_dpQa-dXku8jsXjkYIolnSnAq62r_chdpfxywlwONNrZXoW4apU7GvIv0C_-j9bbToCQiy5ws2pytZyUql5IDsuOlCe8wixCB6EAWNG9CoMFafAAiVPSU6VAfRnsB0vsBDKuzTYjnH=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-81059503850870907212021-02-15T13:53:00.001-08:002021-02-15T13:53:16.491-08:00Life on the Farm is anything but 'laid back'!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>You know in the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie how the little girl named Violet turns into a GIANT blueberry? Well, if this pandemic and snowy weather keeps up, that'll be me. Not blue, just GIANT, lol!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I 'joined' a Cast Iron Cooking Facebook group. OH MY WORD. Those people do nothing but post mouth-watering dishes in their hardy iron pans! The latest thing I saw was to make your regular baking powder biscuits, but melt a CUBE of butter in your cast iron skillet, float your lil ole biscuits on top of it and bake 'em! If you don't see any more posts from me, it's not because I'm lazy or rarely post, it'll be because I've died and gone to Heaven, eating BISCUITS!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I can't try them today, though, because I already have Enchiladas and Maple Bacon Chicken tenders in the oven, lol. I confess that I was considering a pan of Sin-amon Rolls, too. Good thing I don't own a bathroom scale. Hmm. Better take down the mirror while I'm thinking of it!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Hope ya'll are surviving Winter, snow, Covid and all the other trials and tribulations of this life. If you've read the ending (Revelation) and believe it, you can rest easy. It all works out in the end....</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>We've had a foot of snow here in our corner of the Pacific Northwest. First thing right off, our water froze up. Got that fixed up. Of course the goats thought it was the prime time to produce their offspring for the season, so we sat in the half-finished, breezy, snowflake filled barn milking and bottle feeding stubborn little goat kids.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>I took a tumble on the icy trail behind the barn and wondered how long it would take before anyone at the house noticed I was gone.....but thankfully wasn't really hurt (but boy-oh-boy do I have some SORE muscles!). On the other hand, they would have noticed in another hour or so - after all, who else is gonna fix breakfast??</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>My 'temporary' greenhouse suffered a collapsed roof. Now instead of imagining that I'm soon going to be sowing little cool weather seed crops, I'm going to have to do some major repairs on the roof first. Sigh. It's always something, seems like. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>On a brighter note, I LOVE the snow. As soon as we had a good 6 or 7" going, I went right out to make the required snow angel. After there was a foot of it, I trudged up to the back 40 (okay, 18, but who's counting?) to look for animal tracks. Only rabbits, squirrels, rats, mice and birds so far. It was absolutely beautiful, however and I enjoyed my walk. My squirrel feeder has been a wild party ground of grey squirrels and birds of all sorts. Chickadees, Steller's Jays, Juncos, Towhees, Thrushes and an occasional Flicker. The Robins fly here and there, but don't care for the menu offered. The squirrels and birds don't seem to mind sharing with each other and it's great entertainment watching them all while I'm doing dishes. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Today, all the beautiful magic is melting, as is common here in the Puget Sound. Slush and sprinkles are the name of the game today. By tomorrow, we should be able to get out of our driveway just fine if we wanted to. </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>We had great intentions of being actually ready for the goat kidding this year. Running water, hot water tank, electricity and lights were going to be all in and working wonderfully. Well........did I mention Dave is working on that now and we've been sort of...winging it with long extensions cords, buckets of warm water and carrying a lot of stuff to and fro? Ah, well, all in good time. Maybe next year's kidding will look a lot different!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Of course, working on the barn means we are NOT working on the house, so things are at a standstill until the milk room is under control. And that's the way we roll. We are developing patience and character. Right? I did read a quote by Mark Lowery (Christian singer and comedian) where he said that this life here is boot camp for Heaven. I think that pretty well sums it up. On that note, I'm getting back to work now. Wonder if those Sin-amon Rolls are going to count against me......<span style="color: #0000ee;"> </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp_PKNjZ5uE/YCrk8p5ptVI/AAAAAAAACWc/rOjPlX-a4nw2jE9ffT8Bmfkz3pi8xW-2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210201_120153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cp_PKNjZ5uE/YCrk8p5ptVI/AAAAAAAACWc/rOjPlX-a4nw2jE9ffT8Bmfkz3pi8xW-2QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210201_120153.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lJBBdmSjzPI/YCrk9_hVNYI/AAAAAAAACWg/y7LM23MOiS4rylp3-am00NRNT2ptAvpRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210206_143801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lJBBdmSjzPI/YCrk9_hVNYI/AAAAAAAACWg/y7LM23MOiS4rylp3-am00NRNT2ptAvpRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210206_143801.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEbTDJAKfbw/YCrliWvtmUI/AAAAAAAACXg/onodTcUzNGEfFRFijf2ZB_74fq3w-JQhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210213_151055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEbTDJAKfbw/YCrliWvtmUI/AAAAAAAACXg/onodTcUzNGEfFRFijf2ZB_74fq3w-JQhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210213_151055.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-54507505962299530452021-01-19T15:45:00.000-08:002021-01-19T15:45:05.979-08:00Chronic Lyme Disease and Covid 19 - We did it!<p> On December 23rd I was doing rabbit chores, reached down to pick something up and fell. I pinned my elbow against my ribcage and felt my front ribs buckle....When I scrambled to my feet, they rolled back into place. A horrible feeling..and then pain. Two days later the four of us in my home all came down with Covid. It was not a pleasant journey, but not too much worse than a bad case of the flu. The worst thing was probably the unknown - each time a symptom reared its ugly head, we wondered if something more awful was coming! </p><p>We're all doing pretty good now, though we still obviously have chronic Lyme Disease, so we don't exactly get back to feeling great, lol. Here's a little ditty I wrote in the thick of it....I'll leave you with that for now, just so I'm caught up!</p><p>COVID tune</p><p><br /></p><p>Be a guest</p><p>You just rest!</p><p>Put your family to the test!</p><p>Leave the dirty dishes soaking, </p><p>Surely they will do the rest!</p><p><br /></p><p>When the garbage overflows</p><p>It will keep them on their toes</p><p>All that laundry in the basket</p><p>Not a one will blow a gasket</p><p>Stuff it in turn it on</p><p>It won't take them very long!</p><p><br /></p><p>On to goat chores and the hen girls</p><p>Don't forget to feed my pet squirrels</p><p>Did I mention I have rabbits?</p><p>Did I say I'm getting cats?</p><p>Only three, so don't go bats.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now....I'm.....sick, feeling queasy</p><p>This dumb Covid bug's not easy</p><p>Knocks you flat and wears you out</p><p>Until about survival, you've got doubt!</p><p><br /></p><p>On a good day, take a shower</p><p>You'll feel fresher than a flower</p><p>It will have to last for days then</p><p>As it takes up all your strength when</p><p>You can't stand up longer than a minute</p><p>Or you'll feel Covid will win it.</p><p><br /></p><p>Three weeks later we're good to go</p><p>Almost normal doncha know.</p><p>Back to doing all the stuff we do</p><p>We survived it....so can you!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-71207905420568417542020-11-03T14:26:00.000-08:002020-11-03T14:26:45.268-08:00Grief Panic Joy & Cinnamon Maple Pecans <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EK2-0MUabPE/X6HVxDbmIAI/AAAAAAAACRc/7VZ91wZgFycUgOX_-rfirLNllK_Z55Q3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201027_144701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EK2-0MUabPE/X6HVxDbmIAI/AAAAAAAACRc/7VZ91wZgFycUgOX_-rfirLNllK_Z55Q3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20201027_144701.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It's been one of 'those' weeks. First, my beloved kitty, Ripley, came to the porch wounded, painfully crawling into the house when I opened the door and found him. Frantic moments to get him to the local vet, who even though amazingly kind and caring, couldn't save him. Bitter sadness and crying on my part, and on the part of the daughter who came to support me in my grief.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_TOt-pio18/X6HVy6NHVAI/AAAAAAAACRg/-kIRjg7oQPQ_7VfUwyMqT3_TlQJQrMBPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201027_144709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_TOt-pio18/X6HVy6NHVAI/AAAAAAAACRg/-kIRjg7oQPQ_7VfUwyMqT3_TlQJQrMBPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20201027_144709.jpg" /></a></div><div>When I'm stressed I tend to move into a yet more accelerated activity level than usual, and do even dumber things! This time, among other things, I dragged our cider press a great distance, partly uphill, to the barn where it could be stored under cover. Mission Accomplished! I was feeling pretty good about it until the next day when sudden pain spasms in the back of my head sent me into panic attacks. I'm no stranger to panic attacks (part of Lyme Disease for me) but if I can't get them under control, they tend to multiply and cause numerous uncomfortable co-symptoms and I managed to slide myself into daily headaches and adrenal fatigue. Trying to convince my panic-ready self that this is all it is, is the hardest part. Purposeful resting is the next hardest part. I'm now up at 4am daily, because you can set the clock back all you like, but I sleep 5-6 hours per night maximum - moving the clock hands for some reason, does not allow me extra sleep! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tlXTO8sQpCg/X6HV0S75cKI/AAAAAAAACRk/p2Y1MNtd7kUmylpgvrSBmjIeslyIJWerACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201102_150144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tlXTO8sQpCg/X6HV0S75cKI/AAAAAAAACRk/p2Y1MNtd7kUmylpgvrSBmjIeslyIJWerACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20201102_150144.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, 'nuf whining and on with the awesome, bountiful, ever-changing season that is Autumn...my favorite! We are wonderfully made and I am already feeling much better.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KHdNSX8huc/X6HV2MsLDZI/AAAAAAAACRs/xS5ld3bkSWsgWMyu3fD1n8-1x4jmtwnPACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201102_151907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--KHdNSX8huc/X6HV2MsLDZI/AAAAAAAACRs/xS5ld3bkSWsgWMyu3fD1n8-1x4jmtwnPACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20201102_151907.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I feed my beloved squirrels daily and chuckle over dishes at my kitchen sink while watching their antics. I purposefully choose the leafiest path to the barn to milk in the mornings so I can kick and shuffle through their cheerful crunchiness. I try to spend my milking time, with Shinar and Magda, praying for all the people and needs I can think of. If only Fall could last twice as long!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kYcZCkvlBDk/X6HV3TNm-II/AAAAAAAACR0/jHaZp5UfjkMTRFyutc8syLM2JNIqEaxtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201103_132732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kYcZCkvlBDk/X6HV3TNm-II/AAAAAAAACR0/jHaZp5UfjkMTRFyutc8syLM2JNIqEaxtgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20201103_132732.jpg" /></a></div><div>We woke up to rain and wind this morning and oh, the wonder of the falling, golden shapes! Well, on a damp, grey day a person simply must bake, right? So in my oven now are an apple pie, a pumpkin pie and sweet cornbread to go with the crockpot of homemade chili I put together first thing this morning. Remember Maple Pecan Pie last blog? Well, I tried a simple <b>Cinnamon Maple Pecans</b> snack recipe, this time, and I can't keep my mitts of of 'em! Yum! SO easy & fast!</div><div><div><br /></div><div><b>2 T coconut sugar</b></div><div><b>2 T maple syrup</b></div><div><b>1/2 tsp cinnamon</b></div><div><b>1/4 tsp salt</b></div><div><b>2 tsp coconut oil</b></div><div><b>2 cups unsalted pecan halves</b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.</i></div><div><i>Melt the first 5 ingredients in a cast iron skillet. When smooth, add pecans and continue to cook and stir often until pecans absorb mixture.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Spread on parchment lined baking sheet and cool completely. (or sample like mad, like I did. It is, after all, my responsibility to make sure these are safe for the rest to eat, yes?) Store in airtight container up to 2 weeks. (ha!) Recipe is easily doubled! </i> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pIITGklm4U/X6HV4RrfXQI/AAAAAAAACR4/27Eyo4tWHqMy3914PR1MLb935U75CYQBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20201103_132743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5pIITGklm4U/X6HV4RrfXQI/AAAAAAAACR4/27Eyo4tWHqMy3914PR1MLb935U75CYQBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20201103_132743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Now it's about 1pm in the afternoon and my hubs is sawing and pounding overhead. I believe there are now several semi-loads of lumber up there in the attic and insulation will soon follow. He's waiting anxiously for (late) lunch, as he says the succulent smells coming from the kitchen are killing him!<p></p></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Since I went a bit mad in the kitchen today, I've now made a bazillion dishes for myself to clean up. In another month or two, we'll be far enough along in our project to get a dishwasher! Oh happy day for this 'I'd-rather-be-outside-milking-a-goat' gal than doing dishes any day!</div><div><br /></div><div>We're starting to plan for holidays and I even put lights up on the garden fence! On the last gorgeous sunny day I was bemoaning the fact that the good weather was about over for the season and it's too soon to put up Christmas lights. Then I had an epiphany! I could put them up (in the dry pleasant sunshine) and NOT TURN THEM ON until closer to Christmas! Sigh. Slow I be. Smarter I am not getting!</div><div><br /></div><div>Election day today and perhaps there will be big changes ahead, but as it says in Matthew 6:34, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself: sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." God is still King of everything and we can rest easy on His promises.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's about it from this building site for today. My crew is hungry! Off I go to check on the cornbread and call the Boss Man in! Happy Fall, ya'll!</div></div>Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-13428771120018531872020-09-30T18:42:00.000-07:002020-09-30T18:42:13.916-07:00Rains and Roofing, Goats and Gardens, Squash and Stew, Maple Pecan Pie!<p> Season change brings a bit of rain to settle the dust. The garden is looking neglected, spider webs taking over as the daily foraging turns to every few days instead. The squash and pumpkins are dotting the porch now and the vines are piled high. The last of the green beans are canned and today I pulled most of the vines. Rutabagas are in little pint jars and basil is waiting to go on the dehydrator trays later today.</p><p>Did you know you don't have to use corn syrup to make a Pecan Pie? I just made this recipe and it is DELICIOUS. Trust me.</p><p><b><u>Maple Pecan Pie</u></b></p><p>Ingredients</p><p>Pastry for single-crust pie (Oh, come on now....it's easy....easy as, well....pie!)</p><p>3 large eggs</p><p>1/2 cup sugar</p><p>1 cup maple syrup</p><p>3 tablespoons butter, melted</p><p>1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract</p><p>1/4 teaspoon salt</p><p>2 cups pecan halves</p><p><br /></p><p>Directions</p><p>Preheat oven to 375°. On a floured surface, roll out dough to fit a 9-inch pie plate; transfer crust to pie plate. Trim to 1 inch beyond rim of plate; flute edges.</p><p>In a bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until smooth. Add maple syrup, butter, vanilla, salt and pecans. Pour into crust.</p><p>Bake until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. If desired, top with whipped cream to serve. Store in the refrigerator.</p><p>Make two and invite people to help you eat them! I did!</p><p>The sound of the rain is making me lazy, and I've sat down and dreamed through a couple of wool projects and vintage quilting books with a cup of maple pecan coffee. (Are you noticing a theme here?) I should go outside and clean rabbit pans and top off their water & food dishes. But....it's raining! I haven't worn a jacket all summer, so I'll have to find one...or maybe just a good old worn out flannel shirt. </p><p>The squirrels just outside my kitchen window are rustling though the oak leaves gathering the last of the acorns. They've managed to litter the ground with them and occasionally drop one on my head on my way to the barn!</p><p>Speaking of the barn - oh happy day! We've just weaned the last of the Spring babies! No more twice a day nor even once a day bottles for the three goat kids (Roanen, Maple & Hazel) and no more for the three calves, either (Red, Roan & Wellington). You can tell we've raised an awful lot of animals over the years and totally given up on decent names for any of them! And I'm obsessed with Fall. Autumn. Oh glorious time of year!</p><p>This morning, the second half of the new roof over the old house - the rafters - went up! We're talking BRAND NEW LUMBER! This half will cover two brand new rooms - the laundry and the dining room! A 20 X 20 great room comes next, then we'll take time to finish all the interiors and enjoy some spaciousness! We'll go back to working on finishing up the outside and the electrical at the barn, varmint-proof the pumphouse and then on to the last (and most exciting) part of our building project! Our new den, master bedroom, bathroom and....and....wait for it....(I keep waiting for it!)....SEWING/CRAFT ROOM!!!!!!! Sigh. Such anticipation. Rember those days as little children...waiting for Christmas to finally arrive? Yep. I'm waiting!</p><p>It's early in the day, but the sky is gray and the sound of rain through the open windows is so soothing. We've quit working for awhile and are enjoying resting our busy bones in the middle of the day for a change. I really need to go take care of those rabbits and gather the eggs. I've got a bowl of goodies for the chickens, too. I'll go do that now and then I'm making an early dinner for us all. Turkey slices, mashed potatoes, stuffing (lol, it's Stove Top - whodathunk?) and broccoli. THEN I can take a little time to quilt in my tiny room!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjdsbCUSpII/X3UznDZy51I/AAAAAAAACPE/JHp22C4glSQYN437ow_6-XCQyFwybjywQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200901_130637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjdsbCUSpII/X3UznDZy51I/AAAAAAAACPE/JHp22C4glSQYN437ow_6-XCQyFwybjywQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200901_130637.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Wu4QSQCLtg/X3UznGZ9jNI/AAAAAAAACPI/miVwUdQO9dE4yJOjS4anhj54ZksCaRh_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20200904_175406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Wu4QSQCLtg/X3UznGZ9jNI/AAAAAAAACPI/miVwUdQO9dE4yJOjS4anhj54ZksCaRh_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20200904_175406.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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How are ya'll doing? Times are weird, but no worries - God isn't surprised by any of it! Talk to you soon!<p></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-90290618907514387712020-08-29T19:54:00.006-07:002020-09-30T18:34:23.507-07:00Most of a kitchen and part of a roof!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amBe3VHakng/X0sKuleUf3I/AAAAAAAACMM/GB383YZLuWA0ePci_bXCfsgYG1cqJMxKACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/new%2Borchard%2Bbefore%2Bpic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-amBe3VHakng/X0sKuleUf3I/AAAAAAAACMM/GB383YZLuWA0ePci_bXCfsgYG1cqJMxKACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/new%2Borchard%2Bbefore%2Bpic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QqFXDJOK8ug/X0sKwxY3ZSI/AAAAAAAACMQ/agz0JYt7c58Hc_-1jWdscBCy6aGR7PcXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/new%2Borchard%2527s%2Bfirst%2Byear%2B2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FcA3VnKiAgI/X0sK5Q88wgI/AAAAAAAACMg/nDf5XKD3NoAAsz8tAYm2jSAVPctoNVb7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/20200829_175543.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fUTqx9jFDI/X0sKpOm43VI/AAAAAAAACMI/5AXb_NwZRbgjJLwJhUzm48ipJ7zpDo4nQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/kitchen%2Bsheetrocked%2BAug%2B2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_fUTqx9jFDI/X0sKpOm43VI/AAAAAAAACMI/5AXb_NwZRbgjJLwJhUzm48ipJ7zpDo4nQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/kitchen%2Bsheetrocked%2BAug%2B2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfHH256vNBc/X0sKmZxWP-I/AAAAAAAACME/KYY7hZVN91IOGse0DfsGvU5CVVt_h1c1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/kitchen%2Bbefore%2Bpic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfHH256vNBc/X0sKmZxWP-I/AAAAAAAACME/KYY7hZVN91IOGse0DfsGvU5CVVt_h1c1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/kitchen%2Bbefore%2Bpic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>As usual, my computer skills leave something to be desired. I'd have explained each picture if it had left me a text box like usual, but it didn't - I don't know how to change it and simply can't be bothered!</p><p>We've accomplished many things on our new little homestead - a lot of it outdoors! We've hauled at least 15 loads of the previous owner's junk away and there's so much more still! The barn, rabbit shed, woodshed, temporary greenhouse, garden and orchard are all established and we're enjoying them to the fullest. We've jumped in head first as usual and already have three calves started (Roan, Red and Wellington) and are milking goats and raising our new flock of Buff Orpingtons to replace the current flock of (lazy) layers! </p><p>This is the first time in many years that we have an abundance of water and it's taking real effort to remember that we can actually USE water in the garden. We may actually be starting to lose the feelings of panic while running 'too much' water in the kitchen sink while waiting for it to get hot or while taking a deep bath!</p><p>If you look through the pictures, you can pic out a before and after of our new little orchard....and a before and after of one end of the kitchen. Dave has rewired the entire little house and passed his electrical inspection! (Hallelujah!) He passed his framing (repairs & remodel of the old house) inspection (Oh Happy Day!) and we've got the go-ahead to go on to the next part, which will give us the laundry, dining and living rooms (Be Still My Heart!) Right now our funny little house is getting a brand new roof - not just roofing, but all new 2 X 12 rafters and the whole shebang! By winter we will no longer be 4" from the weather overhead, nor will raindrops be falling on our heads!</p><p>Our garden exploded with veggies and we've been diligently stuffing them into jars! No dishwasher until the rest of the house addition is built and the kitchen is about half the size it will be, but like the squirrels outside my window, we like to be all stored up for winter!</p><p>We've canned carrots, green beans and pickles from our garden. Found a produce stand for tomatoes & pears - did the first of the tomatoes today. I made a big crock pot of soup for dinner with lots of garden veggies and some Italian sausage and a Focaccia bread for alongside. After a hard day of work here on this little farm, we are ready to rest! </p><p>We are for sure feeling our age (I never thought I'd say that!) but two 61 year olds can't build like two 30 year olds used to do. It takes longer and hurts a whole lot more. We used to hook up lights and work well after dark. No more! There are moments when we wonder if we'll really get it all done but the dreams and visions for the place are gradually coming to be and after a little rest we're ready to tackle it all again! A stroll through the garden or the 'back forty' refreshes the soul and God has answered our prayers for enough health and safety to accomplish it so far!</p><p>Daughter promised us homemade hot cocoa tonight (with our goat milk and honey!) in a bit, so we're happy campers and on that note I'll sign off until next time!</p><p>"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15</p><p><br /></p>Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-45241124769728783662020-05-22T20:32:00.001-07:002020-05-22T20:32:14.424-07:00His Eye is on the Sparrow and on me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am bad at blogging. Pathetic at posting. Meager at managing. I can build a decent fence or a goat milking stand. I can grow fruit trees and veggies and pull a stubborn kid during a goat-birthing. Pies? Bread? Cookies? Easy. Fluffy biscuits? Tasty soup? No problem. Take a sewing machine apart and put it back together.....fun! But can I put text and pictures where I want them in a Blogger post? Nope. We'll just wing it once again! </div>
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This is my new herb garden. It's been raining off and on and the temperature is warm enough that even since I took these pics just a few days ago, everything is bigger and greener today!<br />
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We've been eating chives on potatoes, rhubarb in dessert and in another day or so, we'll be eating lettuce and spinach, too.<br />
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I've got most of the veggie starts out of the greenhouse<br />
and into the garden now. Most of the flowers are<br />
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planted, too. We made a plant bed in the greenhouse and put three tomato plants and a whole lot of peppers in, just to see if they grow bigger, better and longer than the ones outside.<br />
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I still need to stake the tomato plants, get some fertilizer (aka bunny poo) out on the squash and hill the potatoes but we're off to a good start!<br />
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Today Dave mixed and poured the concrete floor in my new milk-room-to-be, with the help of a wonderful young neighbor boy. It should be hard & dry enough to start building walls on it by Monday or so. I surely do hope the goats hold off until we get it finished - so far, so good!<br />
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Shiloh, Paxton, Mistletoe, Magda, Shinar, MaryAnne & Shilling are all the ladies-in-waiting and Winter Soldier is the proud papa! I'm anxious to see these kids as this is our first year with Soldier as our new herd buck. I may not have my ducks in a row, but my goats are pretty close!<br />
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Who knew grandkiddies were so much fun? SO much easier than your own children.....They come, you play, they go home, you go to bed! Easy peasy!<br />
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Our days are full for sure. Progress on the barn is going great and we decided to put a small loft for the hay in it to make more space below for goat pens. Daughter Rebecca came and helped me build a fence behind the barn and once I get gates mounted, we'll be just about ready to move the goats over. It's a relatively small pen as I won't be able to let them out into the next portion until I do a lot more fencing and also figure out how to keep them from eating the old orchard fruit trees. Goats are browsers and will eat almost every tree or plant before they'll settle for pasture grass!<br />
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I've got two litters of English Lops growing now (15 kits total!) and I've got a great deal going with daughter Rebecca. She has a web site and puts the rabbits up for sale, meets customers and sells rabbits. We split the proceeds and we both come out winners! Both litters have tri-colors, harlequins, magpies and torts (doesn't that sound great?!) I've got another litter on the way and that'll be it for this season I think. <br />
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Remember last month when I said I wasn't going to raise any chicks this year, being so busy and all? Welllll........maybe I ordered a new batch of layers - Buff Orpingtons again! They should be coming soon - hopefully one day next week! All the babies....I want all the babies! Next I neeeeeeeeeeeeeed a dachshund puppy and maybe a couple new barn kitties (well, for the new barn, of course!).<br />
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The garden is looking good with all the lovely cedar raised beds. Lord willing, we'll be canning sauerkraut, pickles, beets, carrots & green beans this Fall! We've already made a batch of pesto from our first bunch of basil and have eaten a few young green onions as well.<br />
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The strawberry & raspberry beds are looking fabulous. Ask the robins, they've already been checking for berries.....<br />
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Yesterday I took the day off from farm laboring to go shopping. I donned my mask and headed off for Costco and then Target. I'm desperate for a few summer shirts to wear, hence the trip into Target. Costco was quite decent as far as no large crowd and the shelves appeared to be rather nicely stocked. I noticed a few things that had been in short supply were back again, though fresh meats are still limited to 3 packages all together per customer. <br />
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The dining table becomes a catch-all and usually looks even worse than this....<br />
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I've gone back to making granola and we're enjoying it a lot. It's super simple.....<br />
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10 cups oats (I use old-fashioned, of course)<br />
1 cup nuts or sunflower seeds<br />
1 cup coconut flakes (NOT sweetened)<br />
1 1/2 cups maple syrup<br />
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Mix, Bake at 325* for about 20-25 minutes or til lightly browned, stirring a couple times. Cool & add desired dried fruit! Simple and delicious hot or cold.<br />
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I don't usually do dishes at night. (My mother would have been horrified). They'll still be there in the morning (unfortunately) so I do them then. My gumption is usually pretty much renewed overnight. I usually wash whatever eggs I've collected then, too. The chickens are doing great. The rooster doesn't like me so I've had to scold him and warn him off a few times. FARM FACT: (cover your ears if you're a sensitive sort...) When the new chicks are about 6-8 months old, we'll butcher all the old hens & roo and I'll can them up for chicken soup and broth! They are a hard-working bunch and will complete their purpose nicely at that point.<br />
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I waited a long time for these little cuties. That is why God blessed me and my hubby with the (obviously) best ones! We're enjoying every minute we spend with them and living close enough to watch them grow and be part of it all!<br />
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In closing, I'll tell you about my day yesterday. Remember I said I went to Costco? Well, first I had to drop off a rabbit at daughter's house unexpectedly. Realized I had no gas in my van. Back-tracked to the gas station, only to realize other daughter had my debit card! Went back home to get it. Back to the gas station. Fumbled to figure it out how to use said debit card, but finally got on my way. Shopping went well, but I bought a BIG bag of potting soil. Got it out to the parking lot, loaded it into my van with a gentle PLOP....and the end exploded out all over the inside of my van! Actually, I just laughed out loud. What else can you do? Well.....I had picked up a few things for the daughter with whom I dropped the rabbit off and when I delivered her Costco stuff to her, I left my window down so I couldn't lock my keys in accidentally. We sat in her living room, enjoying coffee and a visit and watching an amazing sudden downpour outside. When it let up, I said I should be on my way and out to my van I went...only to sit in a puddle of water on the seat from the window I forgot I left open! Ever wonder why there are days like that, where everything just seems to go wrong? Well, there's always SOMETHING to be thankful for and I'm just glad it was all small stuff!<br />
I KNOW He watches over me!<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5XZK4hDRKg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5XZK4hDRKg</a> Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-58497788534684258492020-04-05T21:59:00.001-07:002020-04-05T21:59:06.814-07:00Life on the Farm....kind of like the Beverly Hillbillies, but in reverse! We left our lovely home and moved to a shack! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello out there! Hello? <br />
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Well.....I'd LOVE to show pictures of our new house - all finished and painted, ready to move into!! I'd love to, but that's impossible as we haven't actually built it yet, ha! <br />
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We are a bit different than some (sounds better than WEIRD) and therefore, we are actually building our little farm before we build our house. We made the cabin basically livable (doors, lights, milk house heaters, running water, bathroom...) and then started on the farm.<br />
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The chickens donated a few dozen eggs to nearby daughter and she's got them in the incubator and heading toward HATCH DAY! Our hens are looking a bit scruffy as they molt, but faithfully keeping us in fresh breakfast food (eggs, not chicken....) I'm trying NOT to start new chickies myself as I'm spread pretty thin as it is, but Spring makes me want ALL THE ANIMALS! A really fun thing is that our neighbors have new lambs and they run up and down their field next to us IN LITTLE LAMBIE JAMMIES!!! I kid you not, all of the lambies are wearing colored jammies! Be still my heart.....<br />
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The garden and orchard were a huge tangled mass of blackberries, intermingled with trash. It's near the road, so thoughtless people took advantage while it was still abandoned and dumped things. The previous occupant was apparently a collector-of-all-things-construction-related and the amount of old pipe, wire, metal, rolls of cyclone fence, wood and decaying sheds of such things are truly astounding. We've hauled many loads away and have many more yet to go.<br />
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It took quite a bit of both hand and tractor work, but we've cleared it, fenced it and planned out our new garden & orchard and managed to get our new baby apples, pears, plums and pie cherries purchased and planted (before the current stay-at-home rules). Spuds and onions are in, too!<br />
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We've got a load of topsoil and cedar garden boards waiting to make raised beds. The raspberry plants I brought from the old place are planted and starting to show signs of life. Daughter gave me strawberry starts and they are planted near my two big rhubarb plants and I'm starting to imagine strawberry rhubarb pie in the not too distant future!<br />
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We also rebuilt our pump house roof, extending two sides to make a rabbit barn (my first litter here born yesterday!) on one side and wood shed on the other! Dave just finished the electrical work in there, including power to my temporary greenhouse, so I can finally start seeds in the next day or so and keep them warm at night.<br />
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We made a new temporary pen for the goats (who are due to kid around the end of May) and we've cleared the spot for the barn! This next week should see us setting up the auger on the tractor and digging the holes to start the posts and beams! When the barn is framed, we'll turn our attention back to the house.<br />
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We work hard and our joints hurt and arthritis kicks up, so we choose a simpler task for a day or two and then hit it hard again! We've got some trails through the woods now and the sounds of creek and breeze in the back 18 acres soothes our tired souls. It's starting to kind of feel like home....most of the time. We'll get there, after all we lived in our last place for almost 30 years!<br />
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I do miss having a house big enough that things have a place to be and really miss my kitchen island and my sewing (escape) room, but we're doing fine and making good progress. Our goal is to have the laundry, dining & living rooms finished before next winter. The last phase of our house building will come after that and will be our new bedroom, den, sewing room & bathroom 'wing'. Lots of work and dreams ahead<br />
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While Dave builds the barn, I'll be painting, gardening, picking up and helping out. I'm working on a goat stand right now as I'm behind on getting the girls hooves all trimmed up for kidding season. That's 10 goats....which makes 40 hooves that need trimming! We occasionally refer to this place as Doyle's Back-Achers for a reason!<br />
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Thankfully my fence-building and gardening skills are better than my computer skills! These 'farm-in-progress' pictures are NOT in the order I wanted and I couldn't get the text where it ought to be, but HEY IS THE SUN SHINING??? I'LL MEET YOU IN THE GARDEN!!! <br />
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Do I get distracted? Yup. 'Nuf for now, I'll post more when we've done something else and I'm not too tired to think! Bye!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #52565a; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;">In the world ye shall have tribulation</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33</span>Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-82142515280406488742019-12-24T11:45:00.003-08:002019-12-24T11:45:48.598-08:00A Lighthearted Look at our Foibles and Frailties<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Twas two nights before Christmas and I and my spouse<br />
Had just finished setting some traps for that mouse<br />
It kept us awake eating holes in our wall<br />
It can't be a mouse - it isn't that small.<br />
<br />
It's a RAT, said my hubby, coming up with a thought.<br />
I'll put some PB on that trap that you bought.<br />
We'll stop their noises, destruction and stink.<br />
That should do it; stop them; catch them, I think.<br />
<br />
The roof has been leaking, our spirits deflated.<br />
Our sense of adventure has really abated.<br />
Crowded and cluttered, a bit overwrought,<br />
Still building and working on this Kitsap lot.<br />
<br />
We're tired and weary, old bones need a rest.<br />
Our stamina and patience put to the test.<br />
We'll make it, we've got to, this is all that we've got.<br />
This old rundown cabin on this old rundown lot.<br />
<br />
Christmas is coming, we've got to be jolly,<br />
Put aside sad thoughts of the Doylesville Folly.<br />
We must rise to the occasion, remember the season<br />
That Christ came to earth, for a very good reason.<br />
<br />
For we cannot survive without His shining Light<br />
Each day is too dark if you live just by sight<br />
We'll trust Him to guide us, to bring us all through<br />
And we'll make this a home if it's the last thing we do!<br />
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<b>WISHING YOU AND YOURS A VERY BLESSED AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!</b>Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-85285488052483890302019-11-13T11:56:00.002-08:002019-11-13T11:56:33.934-08:00Rosemary Chicken Soup for What Ails Ya<br />
So...we've been working hard on our rustic cottage/cabin (ok, shack). We've finally got a working bathroom and a door on one of the bedrooms. We've taken time out (?) to move the pile of firewood off the driveway and start stacking it against the pumphouse (which now has a tarp over it (to cover the hole that Hubby made when he fell through the rotted roof...) He's fine...the pumphouse, not so much. <br />
When we couldn't actually drive out of the driveway because of rain & mud & slithering about, we had gravel delivered yesterday. Much better - almost civilized. Right there. Just on the driveway.<br />
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We're heating our cottage/cabin (ok, shack) with funky little milkhouse heaters and a tiny electric 'fireplace' heater. Did I mention that there is no insulation in this place? Mornings are a bit chilly. Two cups of coffee helps.<br />
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I've had a cold that seems to wax & wane. Right now it's waxing as I woke up with a killer headache and my throat is STILL sore and all I could think about was Rosemary Chicken Soup. Years ago, a favorite lunch place served it, but only on Thursdays. We would occasionally get to town and actually manage to remember it was Thursday and we'd have this delicious soup. Eventually, I recreated it at home and it morphs into whatever version I feel like eating at the time. This morning, I NEEDED it. <br />
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Did I mention a kitchen anywhere in the description of our cottage/ cabin (ok, shack)? No? That's because we don't have one yet. We've got an 18' travel trailer that is functioning as our temporary kitchen...for now. Several steps away from the cottage/cabin (ok, shack). Soon I will blow a gasket and Hubby will hurry up the kitchen part of the cottage/cabin (ok, shack) but for now...it's the trailer or you don't eat. <br />
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Trailer has gas burners, limited water and about 14" of counter space to work on. Oh, and the little table. Today I gathered ingredients from the freezer (on the porch), garden bed (front of the building), fridge (in the cottage/cabin ok shack) and the actual trailer and made my beloved soup. It turned out FABULOUS. You'll wish you'd been here to eat it and we're going to eat it again for dinner tonight. You should probably make travel arrangements right now. Yum.<br />
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The last three nights our alarm clock has gone off at midnight and again at 5am. No, we weren't going anywhere and no, we do not care to wake up at these particular hours. I couldn't figure out how to stop it. Three nights in a row. The first night I hit OFF. The second night, I jerked the cord from the electrical socket. Finally, last night at the midnight alarm, I snatched it up, staggered to the door and flung it into the yard. We'll have to get a new clock. That one no longer works. <br />
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When I woke up (did I mention I'm under the weather?) this morning, I was dreaming about teeny tiny squirrels. No, not baby squirrels. We're talking...caterpillar-sized squirrels. They were adorable and I wish I had one. Maybe I need medication.<br />
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I've got 'before' pictures of the place and I keep looking at them to remind myself that we are making progress, otherwise it seems a bit slow. Grand adventures were a lot more fun when we were younger and every project didn't start with 'ouch, it hurts when I do this' and end with heating pads & ice packs! Ok, maybe a bit of exaggeration (or not) but it is rather fun to imagine up the new gardens & animal pens, sewing room & kitchen and stuff. We have discovered Pinterest. It was very entertaining until the gravel truck took out the internet cable while graveling the driveway yesterday. Sigh. They will come next week and re-connect. It may be a longish Winter, but by Spring we'll be newly fired up for the whole project, I'm sure.<br />
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Well, since you're still thinking about that soup, I'd best give you the recipe:<br />
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<b>Deceptively Simple Rosemary Chicken Soup</b><br />
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<b>Carrots - chopped into smallish cubes, cooked in broth - I used Turkey, but you can use chicken.... til crisp/tender</b><br />
<b>Onion & fresh celery w/ leaves, sauteed in butter til tender</b><br />
<b>Chicken breast - cut into smallish pieces, sauteed in coconut oil with herbs until cooked through ( I used dried thyme, salt, pepper, dried basil, fresh rosemary...be generous)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Put all in crockpot, add a few bay leaves and more broth to desired brothiness and simmer.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Just before mealtime, add cooked pasta of choice (I used organic veggie bow ties) and organic heavy cream.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Serve in low, flat soup bowls...pass the salt & pepper.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Wow. Good for what ails ya. </b><br />
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I'm sitting in my recliner today, resting for a change while I try to rid myself of this cold bug. The thing to be glad about is that I can still go hug the grandbabies - they've already got the bug....because THEY are the ones who gave it to me!!!<br />
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In my new neighborhood there is a Pumpkin Farm just down the road! The sweet people who own it go to the community church we are newly attending. We joined our family in a Pumpkin Farm outing a week or so ago and were gifted a 'Welcome' pumpkin by the Pumpkin Farm Family! <br />
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Well, back to resting in my chair. Hubby is off to our old town to get my van repaired (air conditioning cover blew off at some point in our move), get his glasses repaired (they broke when the lawn tractor rolled out of the utility trailer and squashed him flat) and meet a friend for lunch. Life is never dull. <br />
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Good-bye for now and may God bless you with a closer walk with Him! I'll be back soon with more 'fun' from the cottage/cabin (ok, shack) on this little farm!!<br />
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Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-81706832949560412832019-09-30T06:54:00.002-07:002019-09-30T06:54:26.041-07:00Has Anyone Seen My Toothbrush?Sixty is the new thirty! NOT!!!!! Oh. My. Word. When Dave & I first met, we were 19 years old and attended the same big church and also a college-age youth group. It met at an old house where all the kids would gather, eat pizza, pray, sing and someone would give a devotional. Well, during the singing, future hubby came over and asked me out! (Me, a shy, introverted kinda girl!) Oh, well. I said yes anyhow. That was the beginning of a long friendship, still going on today! We both loved the outdoors and old abandoned farms back then. <br />
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Fast forward to recent times: Twenty two years ago we started an 80 acre farm, with custom-built 3000 sq ft home, barn, shop, greenhouses, outbuildings, fenced pastures, orchard...And now, at age 60 we've suddenly become shadows of our younger selves and we're going back to an old abandoned farm to start over.<br />
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Some days we wonder if we've totally lost it, but we also know that it's right. We've prayed about it and stepped out in faith and God will be with us all the way. Of course, that's not to say it's a piece-of-cake, so to speak. This is HARD! <br />
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People keep asking WHY? Why would you leave this beautiful place? It's because family is more important that stuff or places. My two younger kid are adults still living at home with health problems. Living 45 minutes from everything is hard for them. They've got virtually no life outside this farm. And now their sister (with my grandbabies) is 2 1/2 hours away and wishes we were there. THAT, my friend, is why we are leaving this beautiful farm.<br />
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Today is the last day of owning the farm. At 4pm this afternoon, other people will continue on what we started there. May God bless them and give them as much happiness and joy there as we had!<br />
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These quick pics are all before and after/in process pictures of the 'new' place...mostly outdoors. We're basically camping until improvements are made in the lil house. After a couple days of rest, we shall continue the 'great remodel' at our new-to-us farm and begin making all new memories in an all new to us adventure! Fasten your seatbelts, it could be a bumpy ride!<br />
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Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-37361863077776630322019-06-01T15:22:00.002-07:002019-06-02T20:51:39.759-07:00The Adventure Continues aka Don't Sit Down or You'll Fall Asleep!<span id="goog_1854005208"></span><span id="goog_1854005209"></span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CLPWnO4HNnY/XPL22KJ0Q5I/AAAAAAAAB84/CYw7vyoUEnkjoMfFOqgkIvt2CLwW20cfACLcBGAs/s1600/20190514_124233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;">Well, the short sale finally finished up and we are the proud (tired?) owners of 18 lovely acres in the Kitsap County area of lovely Puget Sound! My grandparents lived just an hour away along Hood Canal for many years - from the time I was 8 until I was about 24, so in some ways it's like going home again. On clear, sunny days there are views of the rugged Olympic Mountains and many lovely glimpses of the Sound. Our acreage has a rustic 'tear-down' cabin on it and the previous owner was most definitely a hoarder....at least of outdoor building materials! Many many piles & stacks of old & decaying building materials that will take us much effort, time and dollars to dispose of. </a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ytwez9pLBhQ/XPL2-E9Q3SI/AAAAAAAAB9A/NUWwV1sIAxcUol3yk5bUTOoacxLqGL9YACLcBGAs/s1600/20190522_063440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;">We've already hauled several huge loads to the dump and have more piled and ready to go. The inside of our temporary abode is gutted and now ready for new everything - from electrical wiring and plumbing, to sheetrock, lights and bathroom & kitchen fixtures! Simultaneously, we are packing at the 'old' place and beginning to move our belongings to a 40' 'Dry Box' storage unit and painting the interior of our home in preparation to list it for sale in the next week or so. At this point, if we sit down...we fall asleep!</a><br />
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My rabbits are currently being bunny-sitted (bunny-sat?) at daughter's house and I've readied a new-to-me chicken coop for the birdies. Next, to figure out a shed & pasture for our 10 goats! Much to do!<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tS2aYA6l7L4/XPL3HTK6NFI/AAAAAAAAB9M/6ubYJjvqEkkNGVfcB2DG1kWj3k_2ko9YQCLcBGAs/s1600/20190526_184357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">Last trip up, I determined that we needed a comfy place to sit so that we could rest a bit on our breaks from our laboring so we headed to a couple of thrift shops. I confess to praying that perhaps the Lord could just find us a couple of recliners so that I wouldn't waste a lot of time shopping.....and voila! Found two just-right for us and cheap to boot! </a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FlJnDNW-8vA/XPL3OswMxNI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/AzgXqz-GKwMBxetUZzoojCPcZYK5Uss6wCLcBGAs/s1600/20190526_185112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">While daughter, grandbaby and I were shopping, we had a wonderful experience with a good Samaritan! The Goodwill store had a huge set of retro red & white children's toy kitchen pieces up front. One part of the set was a red with chrome legs childrens table & chairs. I immediately decided to purchase it. Daughter & I looked at the fridge, stove, sink & stacked washer/dryer unit and wished we could buy it, but frugality prevailed.</a><br />
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A little bit later, I was approached by a stranger who asked if I was the one who purchased the table & chairs. He then asked why I didn't buy the rest of the set! I thought the questioning was rather odd, but he wasn't threatening and there were lots of people around, so I chatted with him. I told him I just couldn't afford the whole set. He asked if I'd like to have it. I repeated that, yes, I'd like it, but couldn't really afford it all. He told me that he had no grandchildren and would like to purchase it for mine!!! When I got to the checkout counter a bit later, he had indeed purchased the ENTIRE set (about $130!) for my grandbabies!<br />
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Yes, Virginia, there ARE good Samaritans (aka nice people) still out there. What a blessing! A lovely beginning to a huge move to a new neighborhood, for sure.<br />
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Well, I've had my coffee break and now I've got more boxes to fill, rooms to mask and paint and trips to make, so off I go! A couple more pictures and I'm signing off until next time....<br />
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Aliens in a foreign land, lol.....<br />
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(One of the main and compelling reasons to move from your home of 20-plus years and uproot your entire existence, put yourself through many hardships and difficulties....<br />
This little charmer..to your right! Can't resist that sweet little smile and happy-to-see-us grins!)<br />
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Toodles!!! (No, his name is not Toodles....lol)Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-91263186144111841562019-02-24T17:56:00.001-08:002019-02-26T16:28:37.445-08:00"Adventures, Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Times, they are a changing...At least here on the farm, they are! Last time I wrote was 6 months ago and I said we were getting the farm ready to sell. Well, we are STILL getting the farm ready, but we've made a lot of progress and are almost done.<br />
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Way back at the first of November, we made an offer on a piece of land just a few miles from family but a long ways from home. It is a complicated 'short sale' and we are still waiting! It seems as though it might finally be resolved one way or another this next week, but time will tell.<br />
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We sit in the mornings with our coffee in hand and chat about the business of the day. "Are we up for this adventure?" "Can we build another house?" "Are we too OLD for all this???" and other mornings, we ARE those long ago 20-year-olds, newly married and ready for whatever life and the Good Lord put in our path!<br />
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If all goes accordingly, at the new 18 acre farm, we will 'gut' a little cabin (picture above) & re-model the inside; build a garage and put our home up for sale in preparation to move. Once the house is sold, we will simultaneously move our 39+ year accumulation of STUFF to the 'new' place, live in a cabin and build a new house! Whew!<br />
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Sigh. I have a history of panic attacks/anxiety disorder and this long wait & thoughts of moving are keeping me right on the edge, for sure. You can bet that prayers for peace & health are right there on the top of my list every day! God is faithful and I'm holding together...mostly. I recently read a line from one of Elisabeth Elliott's books that really struck me and I'm trying to remind myself of it when I start to get overwhelmed: "Just do the next thing." Biblical, for sure, as He tells us not to be anxious about tomorrow. It's always tempting to imagine all the things ahead (both good and bad!) but really, we just need to get through today.<br />
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We won't plant a garden this year - that right there will be really strange. We've always had a garden...as a matter of fact, I can't remember a year we did't have at least a small one. I'm planning to stop my Ebay & Etsy stores if our purchase goes through and we've whittled our farm animal population way down. I've still got 8 keeper rabbits, 8 members of the goat herd and a handful of hens.<br />
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The best part about moving is that we'll be closer to our grandbaby & more family. He is, of course, the cutest child ever to exist - even cuter than my own children were! And, to make the future even brighter, he is going to be a big brother in August! Blessing upon blessing!<br />
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So, simpler, more down to earth farm life for today: I sewed up a bunch of primitive pigs this morning, made a backing for a quilt that I'm going to put on my quilting frame, made Veggie Beef Soup & Focaccia bread for dinner and chased a baby goat all over the bottom of the field (outside the fence!) until we finally caught her and deposited her back in the field with her mama! The sad bleating was what alerted us to her plight, but she did NOT appreciate us trying to rescue her, nonetheless! The others were VERY helpful - gathering round and dancing about in goat-ful glee that we had come out to play!<br />
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We are enjoying homemade cocoa almost every evening now that the goats are milking again - unsweetened cocoa powder, honey, our own vanilla and goat milk! What could be better? (Maybe toast and jam to go with?)<br />
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We've been (shhh, don't tell anyone!) buying cheap Vodka at our Costco store....and making extracts!!! We've got bottles of vanilla and now some AMAZING bottles of orange extract as well! Such fun! You'd have laughed to see us trying to find Vodka the first time - I've never bought alcohol in my life and we had to look at a lot of bottles before we found it. Who knew there were so many varieties, lol??<br />
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Well, that's the update from the Hilltop. All is well and we're learning patience (are we?). Well, we're trying! Until next time....<br />
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"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path." Proverbs 3:5-6 <br />
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P.S. I ask you, is he not the most precious and adorable, sweet & lovable, cute, smart and smilingest (is that a word??) boy you've ever SEEN???? This Grammy is smitten (could you tell?).Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-10009636068687625862018-08-18T20:32:00.000-07:002018-08-18T20:32:19.639-07:00Smitten & Besotted<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I was a little girl, I remember the day before Christmas as one of the longest days in my life. We celebrated Christmas at my beloved maternal grandparents house every year on Christmas Eve and that day took FOREVER to finally be evening and for all the rest of the family to arrive for food & presents! <br />
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Well, life has sped up considerably and the last 5 months have zipped by like an express train!<br />
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April 8th found us driving about 2 hours to the hospital to wait for our very first grandbaby to be born! We loved him on sight and have only become more besotted & smitten as the days have gone by! I gained my grandma name (GrammyPammy) and gave a huge part of my heart away! <br />
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In between visits with that special little guy, life on the farm does go on, lol! I found an elk antler in our field on a walk in April....We picked gobs of cherries from our Montmorency Pie Cherry tree this year.<br />
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Between our patch and my sweet neighbor Jean's patch, we got a bazillion delicious strawberries for fresh eating & winter jams & jellies!<br />
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Our daughter and her little family are about a 2 1/2 hour drive away and we have kept the roads well traveled both ways as we get to know our sweet baby boy!<br />
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We haven't neglected our favorite Spring & Summer activities, however, and have been to the beach several times. Washaway Beach in Grayland Washington is still our favorite, and we always stop there to see how much more land the winter storms took away....and we recently bought our almost 30 pounds of fresh albacore tuna and canned it for our shelves. We've been doing that for quite a few years - one of the big benefits of living so close to the edge of the continent is enjoying the fresh seafood & beautiful ocean beaches. When I was a baby, my mom & her family used to camp on the beach that no longer exists where the ocean has taken over,<br />
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We've made several day trips already this year and it only takes us about an hour & a half to get to Grayland Beach State Park where we like to camp in our trailer, too.<br />
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As I write this, we are just back from a day trip once again, this time to enjoy the Westport Washington Art Festival. Quite a few vendors of art & foods along the main street. We had fun wandering & visiting, ate lunch at our favorite Bennett's Fish Shack, of course and then stopped for a 'sissy' coffee (as my hubby calls it) on the way home.<br />
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This diftwood art lion and longhorn cow below were on display at the Tokeland Hotel festival a couple weeks ago - also at the beach. (I told you we go there a lot!)<br />
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There were also chain saw artists & local musicians and a pottery vendor. We each came home with a new handmade coffee mug!<br />
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We've lived on our farm for over 20 years. Starting from scratch, we built our shop and then lived in it while we built our house. We moved in on an exciting April Fool's Day and have been through many days, months & years of life here. We started here with my hubby & I, my mom and our three kids, ages 8, 12 & 15. That was a lot of life ago.<br />
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When this sweet little guy arrived, it just cemented the idea that, for our family at least, we should live close enough to go through the rest of this life together! Our plan is to sell the farm and move near the kids and be a blessing & help to them (and them to us!) in the years ahead!<br />
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It's a hard thing to think about, for sure. We love this farm and living so far from the world...but not living so far from the rest of the family! So, in the months ahead we will be sorting, cleaning, & repairing a bazillion things around here in preparation for a new adventure!<br />
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Lord willing, we will still live on a few acres as we're planning to keep up the gardening & animals and Grampa Dave has to have his bees & tractor! <br />
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In the meantime, we're still doing all the harvest stuff, too! We just made some really yummy jelly from our Hollywood plums and canned that. The tuna and chicken broth we canned last week just went down to the cellar and on Monday we're canning the pie cherries that we picked and stored in the freezer. We just put our wildcrafted mint away for our Winter tea and also braided all our garlic and put our onions in their baskets. <br />
Life is full and happy, the Lord has blessed us greatly and we fully believe that every good and perfect gift comes from Him! Until next time (and hopefully not such a LONG time!) Serve the Lord with gladness!Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-18972209924344658192018-03-06T18:16:00.000-08:002018-03-06T18:22:07.607-08:00Spring ahead....It's March already!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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January and February flew past and life went along like a derailed train!<br />
It started off fine & slow. I even had time to arrange a wall of my sewing machine museum to my liking. This is the 'German' wall. I think the German-made machines are my favorite - with their well-made mechanisms and lovely inlaid wood.<br />
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Then, we had about 4 or 5 acres near the house logged. It opened up the view and helped us pay off a few bills.<br />
It made the view from the house a lot like it was 20 years ago when we first built the house and the trees were just babies. Fir trees are an amazing crop - those trees were less than 4 ft tall when we moved here and now they've been harvested! Next year we'll replant and it'll start all over!<br />
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The goats have kidded and we've got just 4 youngsters to raise this year. I held back last years' kids and will breed them next Fall.<br />
Our three girls kidded without any trouble at all this year! That's Maryanne with Mordecai and Magda just moments after being born. Shiloh had a doe we named Shinar and Ekaterina, not to be outdone, had a doe we named Egglantine!<br />
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These two coffee mugs sat on my grandparents' wood stove each morning to warm up while Grampa made coffee for Grama and himself. I smile when I look at them, now on the mantel above my cookstove. Sometimes it doesn't seem quite right that 'things' remain when our beloved people have been gone for so long.<br />
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The fixer-upper house deal that my daughter and her husband were waiting on finally went through and the pace of life picked up! My husband is a builder and his skills are needed!<br />
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Francis and I (Francis is my travelling bear buddy) packed up the camper van and headed North! We cleaned & hauled and worked on the house. We drove home again! We gathered up our suitcases again...and boxed up their little apartment, did more cleaning & repairing and moved them in! For awhile, when I woke up in the morning I wasn't sure where I was! And this country girl enjoyed some new city experiences...Did you know that you can actually phone in a PIZZA order and they will bring it HOT to your very DOOR? Amazing! considering that we live about 35 or more miles to the nearest pizza place, no one delivers pizza to this farm!<br />
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Thirty five years ago my husband and I had our first daughter...and we looked so very young. Now, that sweet daughter is 33 weeks along, carrying our precious grandson! Where did the years go? (I haven't changed a bit, by the way.)<br />
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Now I'm home (temporarily) again but fighting the flu bug. As soon as I get over it, I'll be packing up Francis again and heading for the little house once again, this time to put the kitchen and nursery together!<br />
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In the meantime, daily farm life goes on day after day, week after week, much the same...<br />
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Eggs to gather and wash. Goats to milk and kids to feed. And always primitives to make for my Ebay and Etsy stores.<br />
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I made myself a happy green slug out of playdough one day. I don't even like slugs, but this one was kind of cute, don't you think?<br />
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Today I've done very little. Made myself the Potato Soup my sweet mama always made when I was sick. Mostly sitting in my recliner and impatiently waiting to feel better, lol.<br />
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I'm not very good at being sick! I'd rather be working and the sun was shining today and making me feel like a kid stuck in school on a sunny day!<br />
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I started the day with a wicked headache and nasty cough, so my daughter actually did the goat milking chores for me. She just went out again this evening to feed the goat kids their milk - they get milk twice a day until they're about 8-10 weeks old. We bottle or bucket feed them so there's milk for the house, too.<br />
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Arthritis in my hands (and me so young, lol) keeps me from milking three goats, so milking machine it is! The disadvantage is that there's a lot more to clean up when milking by machine and we've been plagued with water problems this year. First, one of our two low flow wells quit and it's not accessible in the winter. Then we broke a water line in the freezing weather!<br />
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Besides the fact that he's been working on the kids' house more often than he's been at home, my dear husband also sprained his knee and has been on crutches for the last couple of weeks! And no, it didn't slow him down much. Trying to get him to rest is nigh unto impossible!<br />
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One day I got hungry and rustled up scalloped potatoes in my crockpot. Of course I put ham in the other crockpot and dinner just wasn't complete until I made a pecan pie and banana bread! Wish I had it today, though I can't taste much of anything so I guess it won't make much difference what I eat until this bug is gone!<br />
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Ripley the cat is my faithful sidekick. He's a funny little guy. He doesn't like my daughter (who raised him from a kitten!) but loves me! When he needs to go outside, he walks over and 'tells' her by mewing until she gets up and lets him out the door. He likes to give her ankle a good swat as he walks by!<br />
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This is Rip and I in our favorite recliner chair. (Oh, and by the way, I lied earlier. I have definitely changed from 35 years ago, lol.)<br />
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We had a few days of ice and snow - while we were travelling back & forth, of course! It's so pretty, but this year I'm glad it's gone so we can get back to easy driving. <br />
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The primitives selling business has been ridiculously busy! I've been coming home from the kids' place to sew/craft/paint like a mad woman!<br />
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People have been buying not just seasonal items either, but out of season things like pumpkins, squirrels and bats, oh my!<br />
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This was a couple of weeks ago and now I've got just about as many orders again! Takes me longer when I'm ill, but I'm still working at it a bit each day anyhow. Now my younger daughter is my partner in crafting, which makes us a lot more productive, working as a team!<br />
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Well, that's what's happening here on the hilltop at the moment. Hubby left this morning to help the kids pick out kitchen cabinets and set them. He'll be gone for a couple of days working on that. Then he'll drive back (about 2 3/4 hours) and get caught up at home again!<br />
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We're starting to think about the garden - just got a roll of landscape fabric & barnyard bark to work up some raised beds for the strawberries. I ordered vegetable seeds and will start them as soon as they arrive in the mail...and as soon as I get over the flu! Stay well and I'll sign in again when I have a chance!Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-55028273919982034792017-12-07T14:14:00.001-08:002017-12-07T14:14:24.726-08:00Long Winter's Nap....NOT! Crockpot Marmalade all Made!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The year is nearly over and Christmas is approaching quickly, so I've been trying to get my list of 'must get done' things accomplished. A Christmas stocking for my new son-in-law was a priority and I did it!<br />
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I've still got a quilt in progress and an afghan almost finished, a new, big order of primitives to work on and, of course, the usual everyday stuff so I'm kept hopping!<br />
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A little over a year ago I bought Christmas cactus starts on Ebay and they're coming along nicely and blooming so prettily now! They're upstairs in my sewing/craft room so I'm pretty much the only one who sees them - until now and you can see this one at least! I've got about 6 or 7 of them.<br />
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I asked my hubby for a box of oranges and a bag of lemons and he brought them home the other day. I've got an amazingly simple method of making Orange Marmalade. You just put 6 oranges, 4 lemons, and 2 cans of pineapple in your food processor and grind.<br />
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Then you add 12 cups of sugar and mix. Divide between two good-sized crockpots, turn the dial to High & set your timer for 4 1/2 hours. Slap it in jars, add lids and water-bath can them for 15 minutes. TA DA!!! A winter's supply of delicious marmalade! Well done!<br />
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Ok, so he also brought two 10# bags of organic carrots home and I already had about 10# that our good neighbor shared from her garden, so I canned the extras! Carrots are easy - scrape, chop and throw in jars. Add salt & hot water, pressure can for 30 minutes and you've got carrots for your cellar shelves! I've got a fabulous recipe for Carrot Buns that takes a quart of carrots, so be sure to put some in quart jars!<br />
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Remember last time I mentioned that the chickens are laying well and I had 6 or 7 dozen eggs in the fridge? Well, they're still laying well and today I've got about 10 dozen! My daughter is coming this weekend and will take them all home for the extended family to enjoy!<br />
These three guys (hard bald eggs, of course) are in my fridge....<br />
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I realized this morning, as hubby and I went about our usual morning routines, that I've been packing him a lunch for over 38 years! I try to make them tasty and interesting...usually. Today's menu: leftover chicken pot pie, tortilla chips, orange slices and 4 homemade chocolate chip cookies....and of course, a love note (very important!). I have, over the years, sometimes forgotten to put a<br />
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fork or spoon in....and (construction work) he has been forced to drink his applesauce or eat his lunch with a carpenter's pencil, lol! Today I generously included a fork.<br />
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Neighbor Jean and I decided that the two turkeys were both pink ones, so she generously donated the left bird - our new tom! Hopefully this Spring the girls will start laying and we can hatch turkey chicks!<br />
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Zephyr and Zelda are standing in the pile of carrot scrapings they disdained when I generously offered them. No accounting for taste. None of the animals wanted them!<br />
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Yes, MaryAnne's eyes are closed in total enjoyment of a rare sunny day here in Western Washington! I cleaned and filled their water bucket this morning and they gathered around to visit with me. If you look at the littlest goat in the picture below, you will see that she is smiling happily.<br />
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My older daughter is now 21 weeks along with my new baby GRANDSON!!!! She had an ultrasound this week and sent me Joshua Lee's first baby picture!<br />
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Imagine what our forebears would think if we tried to convince them that we could 'see' the baby and know if it's a boy or girl when the mother was only half-way along!<br />
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The sun is streaming into my house today - a rare stretch of cold sunny weather again for us. Our Christmas tree is decorated and at-home daughter is candying orange and lemon peel in preparation for making our annual holiday fruitcake. The house smells fabulous. Daughter and Son-in-Law are coming for the weekend and we are truly enjoying God's blessings each day!Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-17135936797877479452017-11-01T16:43:00.000-07:002017-11-01T16:43:06.208-07:00Applesauce is in the Cellar and we might have Kids by Christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The weather is finally changing from Indian Summer to Fall here on the hilltop. We had a long, lovely hot Summer...a big rain storm and major weather change...and then a week of warm, sunny days and chilly nights. Now, the rains have returned, temperatures have dropped, and the outside chores are dwindling as we've mostly tucked everything away until Spring.<br />
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Tiptoe down to the red cellar door and see how much we've accomplished this canning season!<br />
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Neighbor Jean and I traded veggies, milk....and turkeys! This is a pair of Midget Whites. First we thought it was a pink one and a blue one. Now we're not so sure WHAT they are, lol.<br />
Any guesses?<br />
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The Speckled Sussex hens started laying and they have taken off like rockets! Well, except for that one teensy weensy egg there....somebody was slacking!<br />
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Our birds free range through our orchard, but one of them is a LONE FREE RANGER, lol, as I often see her strolling through the yard or chasing grasshoppers out in the pasture. It is a time of plenty and I have at least 6 or 8 dozen eggs in my fridge. I send them home with anyone who stops by, so if you need eggs, you know where to come, lol!<br />
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This is my good and diligent husband of nearly 38 years (yes, we got married at birth...) cleaning our cookstove chimney. We have a two story house with a very steep roof, but he gets right up there and cleans it out every Fall. We work together on the inside chimney and inner stove parts and now it's good to go for all those cozy Winter fires. Everything tastes better cooked on a wood cook stove, by the way. Just ask your Grandma!<br />
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Sometimes Fall here in Western Washington is boring. It rains, leaves turn brown and fall off. This year, the colors have been stunning and I have exclaimed many times over all the colorful gifts to view....on trees, in mud puddles, stuck to my shoes....<br />
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Seems like there have been a million things to do. We had a cider-pressing party and after everyone took cider home, we still had 14 gallons to can. We've been canning apple butter & apple sauce, harvested onions, garlic, squash, tomatoes, raspberries, blackberries....and I'm sure more stuff I've already forgotten!<br />
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This ole King apple is aptly named as it came in at over a pound! We planted our semi-dwarf trees twenty years ago when we bought this land and are reaping a bounty! <br />
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Today I canned applesauce for my married daughter and her hubby as she is expecting my first grandbaby and lives in a house too tiny to think about canning at the moment. Did you hear that??? My FIRST GRANDBABY! Can you say...GrammyPammy? I'm already starting a collection of toys. Of course, I've always loved toys and still have quite a few from my own childhood!<br />
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Mr. Ripley likes to stare at me while I sit in my chair with my laptop. After this picture, he proceeded to walk calmly across my keyboard and my screen turned sideways! I didn't even know it could do that, so of course had to enlist help in getting it back to normal! No, no...BAD CAT!<br />
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My husband calls my activities at this time of the year "Squirrel Sickness" as I madly harvest, store, dry, can and freeze EVERYTHING in sight so that our nest will be well stocked until the growing season comes 'round again.<br />
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In between all the canning, I'm working on a quilt, an afghan and primitives as someone purchases some.<br />
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This is all the apple butter....about 60 pints. Pancakes are yummy with apple butter!<br />
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People usually comment on how busy I am. It's true, I do a lot of things, but I don't work outside of home, so I have more time to do it all than some. I'm also a type A, like my mother before me, so I hit the ground running around 5:30 or 6 each morning and don't usually slow down until after dinner. I LIKE to work. I LOVE my farm and all the chores. Sometimes I feel a little overwhelmed and wish I had a few extra hands to help with it all, but still, I'm never bored!<br />
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These are the apples that we turned in the 60 pints of apple butter - three boxes of Liberty apples and two boxes of mixed Kings and Jonagolds.<br />
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The gourds and Jack-be-Littles were a gift from my neighbor!<br />
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and 1/3 unbleached flour. I usually make 5 loaves at a time, but this time I made 3 loaves and 8 big sandwich or hamburger buns.<br />
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We joke that even after a trip to the grocery store or Costco, there's nothing to eat around here except ingredients. That's the only disadvantage to cooking everything from scratch....if you don't cook, you don't eat!<br />
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Life on this farm repeats itself season after season and year after year. Not everything stays the same, but a lot of it does, and that's a comfort. Daughter married & moved, but my son & younger daughter pick up where she left off, helping with everyday life and increasing our joy.<br />
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My son is a wonderful, Godly young man and he and I enjoy working on a lot of the outdoor projects together. Yesterday we repaired this fence and moved animals around to their winter pens. His sheep are now in their winter pen and all the goats are in theirs and waiting for the kidding season....hopefully by Christmas we'll be milking again! I cleaned the milk room down at the barn and all the milking equipment - probably the first time ever that I'm ready in advance! <br />
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Well, 'nuf of this sitting around with a computer on my lap. Those ingredients will not be supper-time's meal if I don't get a move on! I'll leave you with a song that's been blessing me all week...<br />
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzhmI6U6sAsHilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-39190392022524538482017-08-31T13:46:00.001-07:002017-08-31T13:46:57.034-07:00Gluten Free is New to Me and We are Caramelizing Onions!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is Byron. (I'm starting slow since I've been absent from my post so long, lol.) Byron is a young English Lop buck and he is waiting for you to pet him. When you try to close the cage door, he will not move out of the way and will be offended that you had the audacity to shut it in his face.<br />
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I believe my last post was back in June when we were getting ready for my oldest daughter's wedding. Is that enough excuse to be gone so long? It did take a lot out of us and we were tired for weeks after...But I think we're over it now!<br />
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Summer is always a busy time on the farm and this one is no exception. Western Washington is known for its massive rainfall, but we do have very dry summers and things are definitely suffering the lack thereof around here. Our low flow well is struggling and we've put ourselves on water-watch!<br />
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This is Korb Yellow Highlight, the Dahlia. He is very handsome and I've been sneaking water to him when no one is looking. (Shhhh...)<br />
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A close friend of his (pic below) is Pam (no, not me, it really is called Pam). I picked this one out especially, not just because we share a name, but it is my favorite hue in flowers - shades of yellow, orange & red! Sunset colors!<br />
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My younger daughter and I worked at the local county Fair again this year. I've had some health issues and am also eating a limited diet, so we packed weird salads to take along most days. The two weeks sped by and we're back here on the farm most days.<br />
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Canning season is upon us and we're working hard, even though our own garden is kind of puny. A friend 'down the valley' let us pick their green beans and we put them up.<br />
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You can see some waffles on the stove next to the canner and in a plastic container on the green beans. I've been making gluten-free waffles and freezing them so my 'special' breakfast is fast and easy. These are made with Almond Flour and turn out fabulous! The nice thing is they are heartier than regular waffles because of the protein content of the almonds. I got the recipe online, tweaked it a bunch to make it egg, dairy and sugar-free as well, and now I get bona-fide delicious waffles that even my gluten-eating people like better than the regular ones! (If you want the recipe, leave a comment with email addy and I'll get it to you!).<br />
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Foolish people that we are, we suddenly decided the cellar needed cleaning & organizing. YIKES. It's been roughly twenty years accumulating and was a BIG JOB. We disposed of canning from 2012 and even found a couple jars from 2008...blech. It's all in order and now the current accomplishments can go right down there and onto the correct shelves!<br />
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We have taken time out to haunt our favorite beaches, namely Westport WA, home of Bennett's Fish Shack (yes, I know I've mentioned them often...) and Wash-Away Beach in Grayland. <br />
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This time as we drove & walked around, we discovered something new to us....Cat Feeding Stations! I saw this little birdhouse-like structure (and a shiny black crow exiting....) and wondered what it was. There are actually about 3 or 4 of them along the big rock jetty in Westport and they are cat feeding stations for abandoned cats! <br />
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Sounds like a great start to a poem...The sleek & stealthy feral cats, dining upon the many wharf rats, stopped to feed at little cat houses and soon gave up the eating of mouses!!<br />
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Hmm. Maybe I should stick to my day job....farm wife!!<br />
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Raspberries, strawberries and luscious blackberries! The raspberries and strawberries are cultivated, of course. The blackberries grow here with wild abandon. We have three varieties; the highly sought after wild trailing blackberries, Evergreen Blackberry and Himalayan Blackberry.<br />
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The Himalayan is a big, succulent soft berry (my favorite) and grow all along the back of our orchard fence. We have some of the Evergreen around here, too. They are a firm berry with a completely different flavor and hold their shape well for canning.<br />
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This summer I've gotten to know another neighbor. We've only got three neighbors withing a mile or two and I know the others! Jean and I are becoming good friends and we're having a grand time trading farm produce!<br />
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Today my daughter and I are canning tomatoes from Jean's AMAZING garden! <br />
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Last weekend, on our drive out to the coast for lunch, I took this picture of the lighthouse museum in Westport. I love the HUGE flag - almost looks photo-shopped in, doesn't it?!<br />
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There is a long dock along the seawall protecting the marina from the ocean and we had walked out there and I snapped this with my new....SMART PHONE!!! Yes, I have finally joined the ranks of, well, everyone else on the planet and now have a smart phone. So far, it holds true and it is actually smarter than I am, so I try to leave it alone....<br />
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My son wanted to can caramelized onions, so early this morning we began sniffing and crying over a big pile of onions from the garden and they are all in a big turkey roaster.....out on the porch! The entire farm smells like onions, seriously! I guess we have to cook them forever and then we can them. After all these years, we're still finding new canning adventures!<br />
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I've a bunch of other things going now, but shall save them for another post! I'll just leave you with this....<br />
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I was standing at the sink, doing a few dishes (ok, a lot of dishes), and feeling just a bit sorry for myself (health issues I mentioned earlier) and doing a bit of praying. "Lord, I just want to be able to do my work...serve my family....take care of stuff on our farm...." And I realized that, standing there at the sink doing dishes, I was doing just that. Sometimes I don't see all the good things the Lord has done for me when I'm busy concentrating on the not-so-good. It brought to mind<br />
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span class="passage-display-bcv" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding-right: 10px;">Philippians 4:8</span><span class="passage-display-version" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline;">King James Version (KJV)</span></span></h1>
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<span class="text Phil-4-8" id="en-KJV-29451" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #990000;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.</span></span></div>
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Until next time, let's think on all those good things!</div>
Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-53685228329217149992017-06-14T21:42:00.001-07:002017-06-14T21:42:08.889-07:00Life...it just keeps Happening!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Peace. Quiet. Calm. Nope, that's not what's happening around here! We're just 3 days from 'the wedding' and things continue to fall apart! Day before yesterday I started feeling twinges in my stressed gut...and sure enough I'm in the middle of a recurrence of the dreaded diverticulitis. So, while I should be hemming the hubby's new dress slacks, ironing all the wedding finery and preparing for the weekend's festivites....I am sitting in my recliner with a heating pad and sipping chicken broth! AND I burned my tongue and the roof of my mouth badly because I AM OBVIOUSLY NEW AT DRINKING FROM A CUP??? <br />
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In the last couple of weeks my toaster, Kitchen-Aid stand mixer and the daughter's laptop all bit the dust. Last night the septic system decided it's ready to be pumped.<br />
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AND, if ONE MORE PERSON suggests that we must be thrilled that our daughter, (after we've gotten so used to her) is getting married and moving 2 1/2 hours away....I shall scream!<br />
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Okay, okay. Of course, we are thrilled for her and even for ourselves as her intended is a fabulous young man.....but emotions are running high and did I mention we are...well....stressed?<br />
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Deep breath. Sigh. In a house full of chronically ill people, a big event seems even bigger.<br />
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We took a day and went to......the beach of course. It's our favorite. The face above is on a jetty at Westport. The left picture is to put it in better perspective. (remember to click on a picture to make it bigger).<br />
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I just realized that the viewing tower is shaped like a lighthouse when I took this picture. I have been there many times and never realized it before. Duh!<br />
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Then, hubby and I took a one-night camping trip to Ft Stevens State Park again. This is the mouth of the mighty Columbia River, with typical Washington/Oregon June weather, of course.<br />
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The Army Corps of Engineers built this viewing platform. There is a sign nearby warning that it is to be used At Your Own Risk. It sways in the breeze or if too many people walk on it.....<br />
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My favorite part of the Fort....the military ruins. These stairs lead uphill to Battery David Russell.<br />
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It was a nice day, though the mosquitoes were fierce in the shadows. One fun moment....We were basically the only people around but then a young couple with two little girls came up the steps and in view of the battery. With a sudden intake of breath and a quick rush forward, one little girl said.....it's a CASTLE!!!!!!!<br />
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Pretty close, I'd say.<br />
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Wandering the ruins was enjoyable as always. We also fished that evening in Coffenbury Lake. I, of course, caught the biggest fish, no lie!<br />
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We had a close encounter with a bald eagle who swooped out of the sky to snatch up a caught-and-released trout from about 15 feet in front of us! Beautiful, but definitely startling! <br />
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Battery Russell is just one small portion of the fort. There are acres of ruins to discover and explore and also a museum where you can watch a video and see information on the history of this coastal defense dating from 1863 and the Civil War.<br />
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Well, times, they are a changing and we must change as well. The farm won't be the same without our girl, but we trust that God has great things ahead for not just our girl and the Godly young man she waited all these years for, but for those of us still here on the farm, as well. Now, if I can just survive the wedding!<br />
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On that note I shall sign off and go...eat...Jello.<br />
<br />Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-90447556236691775282017-05-20T14:43:00.000-07:002017-05-20T14:43:42.253-07:00Scared of the Dentist but Lemon Cake and Coffee to the Rescue!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Meanwhile, back at the farm, life was continuing on at its usual pace. Daughter has been packing, de-junking, sorting, and moving many of her belongings to the apartment they will live in after the wedding, a 2 plus hour trip away. I am trying very hard not to accept any more <strike>junk</strike> er, valuable stuff to add to my own confusion. Most of the wedding details are coming together now, enabling us to at least stop for a deep breath occasionally. And even try to get the dishes done....or not.<br />
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Wonder of wonders, Spring appears to be at least considering starting up here in SW Washington! The skies refuse to clear completely, but we have had a few glimpses of...is it called sunshine?...and the rains have lessened up enough that we probably won't kill each other after all! I mow the garden when I mow the yard, just to keep the jungle under control, but the bulk of this year's produce may be produced somewhere else.<br />
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We celebrated a subdued Mother's Day. My kids were awesome, of course, but I started the day out missing my Mom and couldn't quite put it out of my thoughts for the day. <br />
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We also celebrated my son's birthday...complete with balloons, confetti, noisemakers and hats. He's 31, by the way. His request was Esther's Orange Marmalade Cake from the Mitford Series of books by Jan Karon! If you make one, you'll keep making them, I warn you!<br />
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I am a complete dental coward. I wake up in a panic all the preceding days of a looming appointment. In need of a tooth extraction, I bravely made an appointment and drove in to the office (45 minutes of anticipatory anxiety), fidgeted in the waiting room and finally got in to my...consultation. My blood pressure was up and I was a nervous wreck and THAT was just the consultation! I have now had the procedure done and am home recuperating, albeit I make a poor patient as I am in no wise 'patient' as I wait to get back to normal.<br />
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The last time I had a general anasthetic I was 21 years old. Decades have passed since that time and I'm pretty sure I got over it quicker back then. Wednesday was my tooth-pulling and as of today (Saturday), my limbs still feel like lead and I'm decidedly cranky. I'm pretty sure it's mostly due to the fact that I really figured mowing the lawn on my riding mower would make me better faster and when I got out there, it had a flat tire. Normally I am a very sweet and pleasant gal, but I confess to having a small fit, stomping into the house and slamming the door. I tiptoed out later to see that my dear husband has removed the offending tire and taken it into town with him. Hopefully he won't be afraid to come back.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWAZuAZEIkg/WSC1AY0ih3I/AAAAAAAABzQ/tOuyaApStgoEOjyycMOfRs-SLGUf0gpxgCLcB/s1600/grape%2Bfoxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWAZuAZEIkg/WSC1AY0ih3I/AAAAAAAABzQ/tOuyaApStgoEOjyycMOfRs-SLGUf0gpxgCLcB/s320/grape%2Bfoxes.jpg" width="320" /></a>Mushy food is the theme this week and today's<br />
special is Chicken Pot Pie! Yes, even if I have to be propped up in the kitchen, we still eat<br />
homemade food. If I were totally honest,<br />
I would have to say that today I probably would<br />
have eaten store-bought, if the darn store<br />
weren't so far away. A 40 minute trip in,<br />
major hike through Walmart and a 40 minute<br />
trip back sounds as difficult to me today as<br />
contemplating the Boston Marathon!<br />
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On the bright side....hmmm. Just a minute. No, just kidding! There is always a bright side and I'm thrilled that dental technology is what it is. Nothing like when I was a kid.<br />
<br />
My computer has been my companion whilst recuperating, so I have new recipes to try. This Lemon Cake was divine (and soft!). We put Lemon Curd in between layers and a light glaze on top.<br />
<br />
Recipe found here:<br />
http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com<br />
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I did wander around and take some pictures of the <strike>mess</strike> place and there is much to do. Warmer temperatures and plenty of rain have made everything grow like the rain forest, so no danger of boredom! We're still milking three goats and raising a bottle calf, so I made the trek to the barn this morning. I felt pretty good until I was washing up the milking machine and it seemed heavier than usual. Actually, the house was farther from the barn than it was last week, too.<br />
A few of the rabbits are having litters and the chickies are totally feathered out so I'll take pictures of animals next time.<br />
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Well, Chicken Pot Pie is almost ready so I'm off to gum it down, lol, and then sit on the porch swing and watch the grass grow for a bit! WAIT! I need COFFEE! That's the problem! I missed a whole day of coffee back on Wednesday and you just don't get over these things that fast. Huh. Well, glad I've got it now, so I'm off (so to speak...)!Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-70900285967039563302017-05-04T18:11:00.000-07:002017-08-31T13:48:48.214-07:00Skillet Burger Meal and Deteriorating Brain Cells<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My brain cells are dying off at an alarming rate. Does this happen to everyone who has a daughter getting married? And, more importantly, will they come back (brain cells, not the daughter)???<br />
<br />
In between all the 9,764,321 little details involved in getting ready for this special event, life has the nerve to continue happening!<br />
<br />
I had naively believed that, why of COURSE I can handle a vendor space at our large Country Chicks Spring event.....<br />
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And I DID. I nearly did myself in trying to get everything accomplished. Cute chickens, friendly foxes, rascally rabbits....I sewed, stuffed, painted, cut, wired. And we went. And we conquered. And our vocabulary continues to shrink. Soon I will be so tired as to be reduced to monosyllabic grunts.<br />
<br />
The hubby figured a clamming trip was just the thing! We could 'get away' and 'enjoy the beach'. Fancy words for....let's get up before daylight and drive for an hour and a half and hike a mile to the beach, then dig like crazy for cold, wet clams! Last dig of the season, so off we went.<br />
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He forgot his toothbrush. And his seizure meds. I got stung by a hornet. I remembered the meds for him. The toothbrush was another matter. <br />
<br />
Three morning clam digs and 90 harvested razor clams later, we were all 'rested up' and came home. Can you say laundry, dishes, housework, animal chores, lawns to mow? When does the 'rest' begin?<br />
<br />
Did you know that you can make a really delicious meal in one skillet if you really don't want to do any dishes?<br />
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I put a couple of lovely lean hamburger patties in and while they began to brown, I added chopped onion, then a sliced red potato...a few brussels sprouts and a handful of fresh green beans. A little salt & pepper, lid on until veggies were tender and VOILA! a gourmet dinner in a skillet! Quick, easy and oh, so delicious.<br />
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The people at the beach were a bit on the strange side. This fella wouldn't even speak to us.<br />
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His gal just gave me a funny look, but neither one objected to my taking their pictures. They're quite photogenic - no doubt people ask them all the time!<br />
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Francis goes on every camping trip with me, but she thought perhaps we should slow down just a bit. She was also pouting because she was wearing a polka-dot dress that she hated.<br />
<br />
A couple days after we got back (today) we had a group wedding-invitation-making gathering. Six adults, five kids and we made a big dent in the work, but haven't finished yet (of course).<br />
<br />
People no more than headed out than our beautiful sunny (80*) day turned absolutely black & stormy! Hail the size of quarters, thunder & lightning....and one HUGE strike!<br />
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Even inside the house it made our ears ring and scared me BIG TIME! Still don't know what got hit, but the house, outbuildings and vehicles appear to be fine, so we stayed inside. The storm seems to have passed over now, so I'm thinking a trip to the barn to check on the animals is in order.<br />
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Looking out the window at the peak of the storm I noticed that I'd left my truck window down. Ugh...Did I mention my brain cells are rapidly deteriorating? While getting ready for today's card-making gathering, I announce that I should put an apron on to preserve my clean clothes and then marched with purpose to the refrigerator and peered inside. "We don't keep the aprons in here anymore," I proclaimed to the room at large. And then I retrieved my apron from the pantry.<br />
<br />
This is just after trying to make breakfast a day or so ago and, being unable to locate the pan spray for the pancake griddle, I say, "I need the....spray...paint! No. SPRAY paint. Spray PAINT. Hmmm. Spray? Paint?"<br />
<br />
"STOP SAYING THAT!" says my alarmed younger daughter. "Oh, I found it!" says I. The...PAN SPRAY.<br />
<br />
On that note, I shall stop this post. And maybe go lay down for a bit, lol. May the fourth be with you. And your brain cells, too!Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-76068153465136804962017-04-12T21:01:00.000-07:002017-04-12T21:05:18.089-07:00Our New Best Friend at the Tokeland Hotel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For some reason, we have become middle-aged in recent years. I <strike>distinctly</strike> vaguely remember that we used to be, well, younger. Hmmph. Well, no matter. We are who we are, even if we aren't who we were. Though we're who we were still on the inside. If you know what I mean. (Did I mention I've been a bit stressed again?)<br />
<br />
Dave & I had a <strike>grand</strike> small adventure the other day. We've recently purchased a camper van for the express reason of making life on the road easier for me. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GClgQjK0C8s/WO7vKlfVkeI/AAAAAAAABxw/RdSQV3qDfWEHvckRPRlihz5ljqFm9rp6gCLcB/s1600/Bennett%2527s%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GClgQjK0C8s/WO7vKlfVkeI/AAAAAAAABxw/RdSQV3qDfWEHvckRPRlihz5ljqFm9rp6gCLcB/s320/Bennett%2527s%2521.jpg" width="320" /></a>I basically suffer from agoraphobia/panic<br />
disorder and find travel to be difficult and<br />
a self-contained home-away-from-home<br />
to drive relieves a bit of stress for me.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, I digress. This 'new' to us camper van has not been without its...shall we say 'kinks' to be worked out? (The kids have threatened to ground us if we call for help again!)<br />
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We did pretty well this trip and managed to get home without too much difficulty....<br />
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We drove to the beach via Grayland, Tokeland and on to our destination...Westport Washington and the home of <b><span style="color: red;">Bennett's Fish Shack</span></b> where they serve THE MOST DELICIOUS fish and chips in the world. (My world, at least!) Oh. Man. It. Was. SO GOOD! I mean, just look at it!<br />
<span style="color: red;">(Be sure to click on the picture and make it bigger so you can really <strike>smell</strike> see it!)</span><br />
I could eat it again right now, even though it's 8:30pm and I had dinner at 6, not to mention they're only open on weekends.... We're talking fresh halibut and beer-battered cod here. Tartar sauce, french fries. (Great. I just talked myself into a snack before bedtime!)<br />
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We stopped at Wash-Away Beach (where the State Highway and many acres of land & homes have been devoured by the ocean) and sat on the rocks to enjoy the evening sun for a bit.<br />
<br />
Then we thought of coffee and dessert! (Yes, food rules our lives.) On our way toward home, we remembered the historic <b>Tokeland Hotel</b>. Alas, it was <b>CLOSED</b> when we arrived, but the proprietress was outside and when we explained that we were looking for coffee & dessert, she invited us in anyhow!<br />
<br />
Katherine served us warm Marionberry Cobbler with ice cream for Dave and whipped cream for me.<br />
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She had hot coffee out in a minute and I asked if she wouldn't consider sitting down and having dessert with us! "Don't mind if I do!", said she.<br />
We chatted like old friends over our tasty repast, discussed my daughter's upcoming wedding and Katherine's recent loss of her husband and how hard it was to keep up the old hotel alone.<br />
<br />
She enjoyed hearing about the wedding plans and suggested that since she was our new best friend, we should invite her...which we did!<br />
<br />
As we left her vintage establishment and stopped to pay our bill, she refused our payment, saying it was her 'random act of kindness' for the day!<br />
<br />
What a wonderful finale to our day out! There are still lovely people out there, for sure.<br />
<br />
In case you wonder if our camper van gave us any struggles on this trip....yes it did! When we were about 10 or 12 miles still from home, it sputtered and died (it's done this before, I'm afraid). Now, we live OUT. I'm talking, rural and lonely two lane road with no shoulders and very sharp corners! We panicked, calmed ourselves, called home to warn them that we might need assistance. PRAYED it would start again...and it did! We limped into our big town (pop. 775) and made it to the gas station to add more gas. You see, it sat with old gas in it too long and when it got low (quarter tank) it started sputtering. We have now fixed that, but I'm afraid we'll have to sneak out next time we plan an adventure! Wonder if Bennett's Fish Shack is open nights.........Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3422560465284732696.post-67971961764222891422017-03-18T19:19:00.001-07:002017-03-18T19:19:50.646-07:00Overwhelming Ides of March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When you aren't overwhelmed....are you just, well, whelmed? I think I could use a little bit of underwhelmedness for awhile!<br />
<br />
It's been a long winter here in good ole Washington. First, we had a fair bit of snow.<br />
<br />
And then it rained. It snowed some more. Did I mention that it snowed? And then rained?<br />
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There was an extra cold spot in front of the dishwasher that I mentioned several times to my hubby. He finally crawled under the house, only to find that it was a mess! A leak that apparently happened long ago and now enough house was rotted that it required new floor joists and removal of the cabinet, which meant all new countertops. The kitchen was out of commission for quite a bit, but I do enjoy the new countertops and new cast iron sink I got out of the deal!<br />
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Then it snowed some more. Did I also mention that here in the Pacific Northwest we do not get a lot of snow? Usually. <br />
<br />
Zen the Shetland Sheep thought it was just fine. We thought it made chores a bit chilly.<br />
<br />
The goats insisted on kidding and the kids added up. More chilly chores.<br />
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I bought a milking machine and finally convinced myself to learn how to use it in self defense.<br />
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As if tearing the kitchen apart and doing gazillions of chores in the snow were not enough, we also got another kitten. What possessed us to do that? Well, Mr. Ripley, the first kitten, is aloof and unfriendly and dear youngest daughter badly wanted a cuddly companion. So, Theo has joined the <strike>insanity</strike> family and now there are two CRAZED AND MANIACAL young cats AND an opinionated chihuahua in my house. They spend most of their waking hours tearing around the house and sharpening their claws on my furniture. Can you say.......CAT and DOG HAIR IS EVERYWHERE??? Oh. my. word. <br />
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Just to be sure that my nerves don't settle down, my oldest daughter has become ENGAGED. This is a very happy occasion, do not get me wrong, but it is also fraught with....things. Things on the calendar, things to plan, things to remember, things to do.....So many THINGS! She is thrilled. Her intended is a wonderful like-minded Christan young man. We are thrilled. At least I think we will be when we get over the shock of it all, lol.<br />
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I think I missed my long winter's nap. Wonder if it's too late?Hilltophomesteaderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11926731207526014550noreply@blogger.com6