tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89902172423642591912024-03-16T03:36:03.313-04:00Life At Cobble Hill FarmCreating a simple homemade life.Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.comBlogger425125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-85038553537103315322024-01-29T15:00:00.001-05:002024-01-29T19:49:39.476-05:00Last Week On The Homestead: Food Prep, Taxes, Eggs, and Snow!<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKZr4iquz8nBptN9340odQ7x4hJKrnqm9QHIWjBt8TPWJe9j6Z8MwO4JXMtWtjO-tpOW4vXanpL_tmmsppszlRKlk3WEm7btnnndT9JIBlyzmWQ_UsUy22vIh0Kww1ouKB-sW6_nkwhPyNlR-x4jM-IrDzPWf93XgP464q_DU6OjxnulCzQM2vvsv5XdG/s1000/eggs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKZr4iquz8nBptN9340odQ7x4hJKrnqm9QHIWjBt8TPWJe9j6Z8MwO4JXMtWtjO-tpOW4vXanpL_tmmsppszlRKlk3WEm7btnnndT9JIBlyzmWQ_UsUy22vIh0Kww1ouKB-sW6_nkwhPyNlR-x4jM-IrDzPWf93XgP464q_DU6OjxnulCzQM2vvsv5XdG/s16000/eggs.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzXmC_qChdiyMRupfldRyw_xMtzzwoi-3BcLr3HKr4GJ4gqxT0a_JyrI3S_hBBeUd-N6xMOVlu7GDbnHTXGQiPTAqyMUewWEnYF2R8XEYAgxwSTv1XxgVdTKmRhGZNquWPBw5Z6rXlhq35K7zUDX2n9RaZuUhXk2gV3Q_YMHaJl0BT0V9YC0PzByHdIyg/s1000/snow-day2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzXmC_qChdiyMRupfldRyw_xMtzzwoi-3BcLr3HKr4GJ4gqxT0a_JyrI3S_hBBeUd-N6xMOVlu7GDbnHTXGQiPTAqyMUewWEnYF2R8XEYAgxwSTv1XxgVdTKmRhGZNquWPBw5Z6rXlhq35K7zUDX2n9RaZuUhXk2gV3Q_YMHaJl0BT0V9YC0PzByHdIyg/s16000/snow-day2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There will be a common theme throughout the winter LWOTH posts and that is....snow. We received snow last night and earlier last week, although not much. We also received rain, so our driveway and walkways were cleared (after we shoveled, of course) and the snow has remained everywhere else on the property. It's so pretty to look at.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of our trees was loaded with robins one day. We don't usually see that many at once in January. They were loving the berries the tree provided. After we saw them, we realized that we haven't seen any woodpeckers yet this winter. Usually, we have quite a few who frequent the many dead trees that surround our property, including the quite large pileated woodpeckers. They are stunning and so fun to watch. I was sure I had photos from previous years, but I can't find them so if they visit us this year, I'll try to get a photo.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu8rrjR-nn3423W7lK_zB4yhZYg-JGIAScw5yBnM6tjecnYHmJ44vgyH8j0DlYc7SJ9bWw5RdMZyDLgNAWzyjdn6Fi010HgSTydPVxcCbUTuReatjmKC7P_pvixOxJ89y0hPISvE4Y3E8UBdZkKVEIVFPQgy3oh1DSHK5MBdEa8lJLwVCFtmnO7KGNQAA/s1000/potsticker-soup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSu8rrjR-nn3423W7lK_zB4yhZYg-JGIAScw5yBnM6tjecnYHmJ44vgyH8j0DlYc7SJ9bWw5RdMZyDLgNAWzyjdn6Fi010HgSTydPVxcCbUTuReatjmKC7P_pvixOxJ89y0hPISvE4Y3E8UBdZkKVEIVFPQgy3oh1DSHK5MBdEa8lJLwVCFtmnO7KGNQAA/s16000/potsticker-soup.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I prepped some of my meals for both fresh eating and for the freezer. I've mentioned before, that because we eat quite differently, it's easier for me if I can have my meals either 15-minute meals made that day or pre-made meals put up in the refrigerator or freezer. This allows me time to cook Jay's from scratch each day while not spending the full day in the kitchen. My meals prepped were: black bean burgers, veggie potstickers with whole wheat wrappers (I'm going to try spelt flour next time just to see how they are as well), minestrone soup, and hummus. From previous weeks I have veggie lasagna, split pea soup, bean enchiladas, and black bean soup in the freezer in addition to plenty of veggies and cooked beans.</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfK3kbqDNOBN9ChyWGNLLudMiCntrV9YrcEIb95tSryTrwSYi6ELp1o1G_nU_5sqRO-ZlthlsSrVsRF3ukADNvGWogYab571RisPkSQuFs5LSoFZK7ikpAt1SH-jDp68BiE_XmlIJqWU3gSFuuxlmED_sQsxLbU1O2G4a4tuKXv9pcqhdt7yWoEHB1NGCC/s1000/banana-cake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfK3kbqDNOBN9ChyWGNLLudMiCntrV9YrcEIb95tSryTrwSYi6ELp1o1G_nU_5sqRO-ZlthlsSrVsRF3ukADNvGWogYab571RisPkSQuFs5LSoFZK7ikpAt1SH-jDp68BiE_XmlIJqWU3gSFuuxlmED_sQsxLbU1O2G4a4tuKXv9pcqhdt7yWoEHB1NGCC/s16000/banana-cake.jpg" /></a></div><br />I also made bread (jalapeno and regular) and banana cake. We don't have bread or dessert every week, but last week they sounded good, so I decided to add them to my to-do list. The banana cake we actually like more than banana bread and it's just as easy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnlVxLtp-9lZKsD_Xyz_zTT8FUGLmI2JjYpAqYkke0or4FQaF4vZIy5LJosZ3xARRIJ5Npz-7b_CikvhKOiHnWXPZpR6tQh0ddqbTwEHNNvgFPLBgcTitE1q2QRpCuTaZ1Hp_SlsHTispvO_ZZ-N2sp2LaZaitIWqMjsgEaEswDSOnu_SjtYjAJJHsQd_/s1000/jalapeno-bread.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnlVxLtp-9lZKsD_Xyz_zTT8FUGLmI2JjYpAqYkke0or4FQaF4vZIy5LJosZ3xARRIJ5Npz-7b_CikvhKOiHnWXPZpR6tQh0ddqbTwEHNNvgFPLBgcTitE1q2QRpCuTaZ1Hp_SlsHTispvO_ZZ-N2sp2LaZaitIWqMjsgEaEswDSOnu_SjtYjAJJHsQd_/s16000/jalapeno-bread.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I've had questions about the jalapeno bread. I use my <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2020/01/the-most-delicious-no-knead-artisan.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>No-Knead Artisan Loaf recipe</b></span></a> and stir in maybe 1/2 cup raw jalapeno slices (I don't measure, I just pour from the bag I store sliced jalapenos in the freezer in) with the flour. When I'm prepping the dough for baking, I do some stretch and folds (like you do with sourdough) to help the dough keep a shape. I bake as directed in the recipe. Leftover bread can be sliced and frozen.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I completed our taxes. Woo hoo! That is a wonderful thing to be done with! I mentioned late last year that I had neglected to keep up with bookkeeping, with caring for Ollie, Jay, and all of the other events that happened, so I was a bit behind. It was nice to have it done. I had to sit myself in a chair for one full day and just finish it. I do love to procrastinate tasks I'm not fond of. Do you?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEBMRDIus3R_9y9ThLjxe_XkeiG71CbpFCdJiRfTf5qBVQlX8m0KYkNN4KJnhTXrgWosxEOW3cEVXDPoL-w24k1tBb5u3z34uLpPAHzoDHNM-p4wDIfd_SKFMPimV8Wm27PLOTiQb5M8mdpuG0TA-Jzd9Oz3X29x5AWw1xRWpmLAUJwWpf7nUq0OIAqDV/s1000/Farmcat-jack3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEBMRDIus3R_9y9ThLjxe_XkeiG71CbpFCdJiRfTf5qBVQlX8m0KYkNN4KJnhTXrgWosxEOW3cEVXDPoL-w24k1tBb5u3z34uLpPAHzoDHNM-p4wDIfd_SKFMPimV8Wm27PLOTiQb5M8mdpuG0TA-Jzd9Oz3X29x5AWw1xRWpmLAUJwWpf7nUq0OIAqDV/s16000/Farmcat-jack3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Jackson is still obsessed with his new bed. Jay also made him a new window seat for the window in our closet (he can see pretty much the entire property behind the house), which has made him incredibly happy. He loves windows and spying on everyone and everything - he's a very nosy guy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, for those of you who look forward to Felix updates (our feral cat friend), he is still coming for food every day! When we've had a heavy snowfall, he skips a day, but I can always count on him coming that night or the next day. I think he has a little bit of a hearing problem which probably contributes to his skittish-ness, but he seems to be doing well. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpeCI_-wupn7GZyKd9-QGvIS8-7VRxGPuDkSvewQDsR0tuBq_apTjUtNj4yUL9niDT1HAL9sU8VyjO5KYxEWFU3Bk_gwT67cS4gI_i-ksuuVa9i4NHIdcDLHdaOWoZde_lhK2b2VpphJTlZs_MaGhlwj16z1jJILAoRsaZcMRIg4c8ODN0CmekXWzs83-/s2048/chicken1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1361" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRpeCI_-wupn7GZyKd9-QGvIS8-7VRxGPuDkSvewQDsR0tuBq_apTjUtNj4yUL9niDT1HAL9sU8VyjO5KYxEWFU3Bk_gwT67cS4gI_i-ksuuVa9i4NHIdcDLHdaOWoZde_lhK2b2VpphJTlZs_MaGhlwj16z1jJILAoRsaZcMRIg4c8ODN0CmekXWzs83-/s16000/chicken1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The chickens are laying eggs again. Their morale has not improved, however, as they have been so disappointed by the snow. They want to go out and scout for goodies, but they don't want to walk through snow to get there. Sigh....such is life, I tell them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the menu for this week:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvtEUgyZRNakv9gK8qeGqILmJ7MH-O4fQKKVn9wY32-4GBoCSC99wmijSQ4wyfCtiY-A-vHrA4QAEBaXTaFRM6I8zhCmjh-PIvKpAxedC5BUF2-q3OUy2yWnvDoz45lz5k-sUlT6wYHpHR_8Loi1jOtFKQ3OIkQB3YoUlFlPXHs4umzImhMTPRLb-_BX9/s1000/bean-burger.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvtEUgyZRNakv9gK8qeGqILmJ7MH-O4fQKKVn9wY32-4GBoCSC99wmijSQ4wyfCtiY-A-vHrA4QAEBaXTaFRM6I8zhCmjh-PIvKpAxedC5BUF2-q3OUy2yWnvDoz45lz5k-sUlT6wYHpHR_8Loi1jOtFKQ3OIkQB3YoUlFlPXHs4umzImhMTPRLb-_BX9/s16000/bean-burger.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Me:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bean Burgers with Salad</div><div style="text-align: left;">Chow Mein (I use <a href="https://www.pickuplimes.com/recipe/the-best-vegan-chow-mein-800" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #660000;">this recipe</span></b></a> from Pick Up Limes minus the sweetener)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Lasagna with Salad (I use <a href="https://cookieandkate.com/best-vegan-lasagna-recipe/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #660000;">this recipe</span></b></a> from Cookie & Kate and add more greens)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyqnIu63RJu6L9Fof3u6Emk_6Lqx5UyumdgwAph1kPrrQPR0d7qnrlE0bO-AZcEnWU40YzUQCgOXrA9rqnHzDtrFSsXaOA8YIiN_DtbA0oxXHKzemRzmHEIFGDCvnyPARPZpDyNvF_nJvfEJRK9PugMdNZOHmnxv3XUQvN6TlVgaopO0_rq8uzeSSZBLw/s1000/stuffed-jalapenos.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="706" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyqnIu63RJu6L9Fof3u6Emk_6Lqx5UyumdgwAph1kPrrQPR0d7qnrlE0bO-AZcEnWU40YzUQCgOXrA9rqnHzDtrFSsXaOA8YIiN_DtbA0oxXHKzemRzmHEIFGDCvnyPARPZpDyNvF_nJvfEJRK9PugMdNZOHmnxv3XUQvN6TlVgaopO0_rq8uzeSSZBLw/s16000/stuffed-jalapenos.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Jay (all include a veg not listed):</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2018/04/oven-baked-perfectly-melt-in-your-mouth.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #660000;">BBQ Pork Ribs</span></b></a> with Baked Stuffed Jalapenos</div><div style="text-align: left;">Chicken Cacciatore</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2015/10/quick-easy-meals-chicken-dumplings.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #660000;">Turkey & Dumplings</span></b></a> (still using up frozen leftover turkey from Thanksgiving!)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cream Cheese Spaghetti </div><div style="text-align: left;">Chicken Meatballs with Dipping Sauce and Rice</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sticky Honey Chicken (trying <a href="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/sticky-honey-chicken/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #660000;">this recipe</span></b></a> from Spend With Pennies) with Rice</div><div style="text-align: left;">Skillet Pork Chop with Homefries</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have vanilla beans coming so that I can make another huge batch of vanilla extract. Do you make this? I think the vanilla flavor is really outstanding. Not that anyone wants to hear about Christmas 2024, but if you would want to make vanilla extract as Christmas gifts, you'll want to get it started now. I've hear that many people begin using it after it's set for 6 months but I like it best after 10 months or more.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's life on the homestead. I hope all is well with you and wishing you a wonderful week ahead!</div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-4630723545691462402024-01-11T15:22:00.001-05:002024-02-10T20:07:22.944-05:00Sausage, Spinach, & Cheese Baked Manicotti<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wqbSou18nGFeL23FTKDDaaHaPAqpEmFLrZlPCCadiWsK_m4MB8VfRmM8C4MzEjGls7FxpLBrGqQLh5CnMO51aBEVTFQI4AHz0bziRdf-rqiBHGX-QfcSFWF4E-S8k0ReGMg29tI5rOsMsfhWOBWcSt5JkXJ4cO0_QJ3YpGx9XyLhH6Mio3UBeuyOy64x/s1000/spinach-sausage-manicotti3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wqbSou18nGFeL23FTKDDaaHaPAqpEmFLrZlPCCadiWsK_m4MB8VfRmM8C4MzEjGls7FxpLBrGqQLh5CnMO51aBEVTFQI4AHz0bziRdf-rqiBHGX-QfcSFWF4E-S8k0ReGMg29tI5rOsMsfhWOBWcSt5JkXJ4cO0_QJ3YpGx9XyLhH6Mio3UBeuyOy64x/s16000/spinach-sausage-manicotti3.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm sharing a recipe today that my husband really enjoys. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's a very adaptable recipe. For instance, it includes spinach, but you could definitely leave it out if your family is not a fan. Want more cheese? You can add it! Don't have an egg? I've made it without, and it turned out fine. Want to add mushrooms? You can do that too! Chop them and cook with the onions and sausage. I cut this recipe down by 3/4 all of the time - no issues at all.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">**A quick printing note: Blogger (which is the host for this blog) does not offer a "print recipe" option so I have included a photo of the recipe below that you should be able to click on and print at 100% (or higher if you prefer the text larger).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you enjoy it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadcoNuFlDU7AL22OghopGBVoEClj_RCbVWgjtHNigrDelM1uRPzvPw6UxXlh3fZXz4b01Aex1G-IAi3whZ6agIbSr3lhlSzS6YEdSTAoX57xbyV7_n8mOUqNNJzM_rEiA3P6Jg2lYm-m9N_p_kcybQRlSH4kFZ1MRbLt1Wg7P3-NlTCw194T3oH9P7j3v/s1000/spinach-sausage-manicotti1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadcoNuFlDU7AL22OghopGBVoEClj_RCbVWgjtHNigrDelM1uRPzvPw6UxXlh3fZXz4b01Aex1G-IAi3whZ6agIbSr3lhlSzS6YEdSTAoX57xbyV7_n8mOUqNNJzM_rEiA3P6Jg2lYm-m9N_p_kcybQRlSH4kFZ1MRbLt1Wg7P3-NlTCw194T3oH9P7j3v/s16000/spinach-sausage-manicotti1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: xx-large;">Sausage, Spinach, & Cheese Baked Manicotti</span></div><div><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
Makes 10-12 manicotti tubes<br /><br />Ingredients:<br />10-12 manicotti pasta tubes <br />1 pound Italian sausage, loose sausage or removed from casing<br />1 medium onion, finely diced <br />2 cups chopped fresh or 5-7 ounces frozen (thawed and drained) spinach <br />2 cups mozzarella, shredded, divided <br />½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, divided <br />1 egg, slightly beaten <br />1/2 teaspoon garlic powder <br />salt <br />pepper <br />1 24-oz jar spaghetti sauce or equal amounts homemade sauce, divided <br /><br />Grease a 13x9 baking dish. Spread ½ cup spaghetti sauce in the bottom of the dish. Set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. <br /><br />Cook manicotti in salted water per package instructions. <br /><br />Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook and crumble sausage (removed from casing if it’s not loose sausage) and onion in a large skillet until sausage is cooked through and browned. Add spinach then continue cooking for a few minutes or until spinach is wilted. Drain skillet if necessary. <br /><br />Remove sausage mixture from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes. Add 1 cup shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, egg, 1/3 cup of the spaghetti sauce, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well. <br /><br />Drain manicotti well then stuff each tube with the meat-cheese mixture, placing stuffed manicotti in the prepared baking dish. If you have any of the meat mixture left over, just crumble on top of the manicotti. <br /><br />Cover manicotti with remaining sauce, cover tightly with aluminum foil then bake for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly. Carefully remove aluminum foil then top dish with remaining mozzarella and <br />parmesan. Continue baking, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly golden. <br /><br />Remove from oven and let dish rest 15 minutes before serving. </div><div><br /></div><div>Printable recipe:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZgucQWFheKYXdexRHFU8UeUVSXgZdRu3a-x3IVuBuluSnm5r4VjWrFJitt2aeXGGQeW8raW3pS91th6NzqJQ4MZggKO86B6QU-njYqDWPKiWt_j8aDHm6l0FW7hdFaEUENLbhO6i-BtfzY7NP0Cb5zAkM0i009FbZHFC2H4LCqr-Tk8A2z30U9Pi-exW/s2000/Baked-Manicotti-Recipe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1455" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZgucQWFheKYXdexRHFU8UeUVSXgZdRu3a-x3IVuBuluSnm5r4VjWrFJitt2aeXGGQeW8raW3pS91th6NzqJQ4MZggKO86B6QU-njYqDWPKiWt_j8aDHm6l0FW7hdFaEUENLbhO6i-BtfzY7NP0Cb5zAkM0i009FbZHFC2H4LCqr-Tk8A2z30U9Pi-exW/w466-h640/Baked-Manicotti-Recipe.jpg" width="466" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvzGbJM2_cvmZTuJCXGzgAwSmVClqnIqS5WNwbvprgNoO6gaitgEhV7ApuHN1ZUOljZ00LrJvUmDagoyPDctw51RBT6DV4yizqYHhEx5GdPuOx2pCFrFxYioV-HlWhf4EyHuFFj2nUSxQET50Upe-fQs59bC3CEPIAQ5tg8oozrbxqZVTgnU1zMA07bzf/s1500/baked-manicotti-pin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvzGbJM2_cvmZTuJCXGzgAwSmVClqnIqS5WNwbvprgNoO6gaitgEhV7ApuHN1ZUOljZ00LrJvUmDagoyPDctw51RBT6DV4yizqYHhEx5GdPuOx2pCFrFxYioV-HlWhf4EyHuFFj2nUSxQET50Upe-fQs59bC3CEPIAQ5tg8oozrbxqZVTgnU1zMA07bzf/w426-h640/baked-manicotti-pin.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-20045612113334633022024-01-08T16:03:00.001-05:002024-01-29T15:00:28.233-05:00Holidays, Goals, And SNOW!<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi842xC8H5-utvFoq67QL1Ls9ro6O74BZLQagN89unDkdq6JcMewLIAxR1LYZ592rAQ8hqvcjGHzCHzexLN-l5U-p0HG5tYUGqcqHkg0BHVioQH_uiiTRDHGyDRAGGroefNyvXl78O9LvfbosaEJDoYiqDLr-kSIOkQ_IG54yF-pT1ZOnJLkmAWwXHkPxej/s1000/2024-Jan7-snow-day2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi842xC8H5-utvFoq67QL1Ls9ro6O74BZLQagN89unDkdq6JcMewLIAxR1LYZ592rAQ8hqvcjGHzCHzexLN-l5U-p0HG5tYUGqcqHkg0BHVioQH_uiiTRDHGyDRAGGroefNyvXl78O9LvfbosaEJDoYiqDLr-kSIOkQ_IG54yF-pT1ZOnJLkmAWwXHkPxej/s16000/2024-Jan7-snow-day2.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHdrYH7XbqWqY7sB4N948qbigEcyW1c1vxo3DWrpt_v6FIxeqWAQwMsZJwq3QVvGm7J9X2MgEUP5rLAvvSSKn2F78y3gFsKFk18WxHROsUr7B96yzHu4cUz4mGjUEk2J2CY3oGBIhYL_Oq8-amC3wBtvkNdGkqeVnAWAwa2tZntwtgvT7fxw-otEx_MED/s1000/Farmcat-Jack2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHdrYH7XbqWqY7sB4N948qbigEcyW1c1vxo3DWrpt_v6FIxeqWAQwMsZJwq3QVvGm7J9X2MgEUP5rLAvvSSKn2F78y3gFsKFk18WxHROsUr7B96yzHu4cUz4mGjUEk2J2CY3oGBIhYL_Oq8-amC3wBtvkNdGkqeVnAWAwa2tZntwtgvT7fxw-otEx_MED/s16000/Farmcat-Jack2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This scared look is Jack's default look when the camera is pointed at him. It's very difficult to get a good photo....</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTQxb9RmEe0iAVR3rg1pKqK6ybVjJiq-PAYPruhEoZ4aP16yjpu8KN9vRrplHGXblaNZwcZgkEIJ0SWXnkCQbajLazyooJ2Qsp4R-YoAXxfJZoglu4pOCd9s-hw2RFpyMvizh1PuttrCKxc39_qinYts3Rty4or-gxHvGIcigZrjzC_Q9ymUg-Hp5mztE/s1000/2024-Jan7-snow-day1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTQxb9RmEe0iAVR3rg1pKqK6ybVjJiq-PAYPruhEoZ4aP16yjpu8KN9vRrplHGXblaNZwcZgkEIJ0SWXnkCQbajLazyooJ2Qsp4R-YoAXxfJZoglu4pOCd9s-hw2RFpyMvizh1PuttrCKxc39_qinYts3Rty4or-gxHvGIcigZrjzC_Q9ymUg-Hp5mztE/s16000/2024-Jan7-snow-day1.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Snow! We have snow! I appreciate when our snowfalls come during the day so I can fully enjoy it, but that just doesn't always happen. This one started Saturday evening just after 6. Too dark to enjoy so I was excited for Sunday morning. And the forecast ended up being correct this time in that we enjoyed a light snowfall for most of Sunday as well. It was so pretty. Don't you just love when it coats the trees? Our farmer's market was cancelled so we stayed home and enjoyed the day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know we're just over a week into 2024 but Happy New Year to you all! The holidays were hectic for our business, which is a good thing, so once Christmas is here there's not only the appreciation for the day but also a joy in slowing down. January through May is generally pretty mellow for us. The garden is still sleeping, the business operates at a much slower pace (we are in production and stock-up mode for the most part), and there's not a lot of outdoor activities for us to enjoy (we are not skiers). So, after I get all of the end of year reports and paperwork done for the business and taxes taken care of, I enjoy immersing myself into arts and crafts projects. It's something I start to look forward to by late fall.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknmyrJAqEUHcdyrUcsrkbVnRgizS27kq6FMykTgHW7-9yY007BnWrIj861X6SF6US1Jh35aMxEXmZmnJ4UlMK0w3xmD1h04zb5YWfbaXjpRakcN9pcRW3CmzE6NhUSM-e9-FQOem7cGumKX3ttTpVWk15xJOPiaPcow82lnz8gpjE5UnmZU0nvtpc5yTc/s1000/2024-Jan7-snow-day3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknmyrJAqEUHcdyrUcsrkbVnRgizS27kq6FMykTgHW7-9yY007BnWrIj861X6SF6US1Jh35aMxEXmZmnJ4UlMK0w3xmD1h04zb5YWfbaXjpRakcN9pcRW3CmzE6NhUSM-e9-FQOem7cGumKX3ttTpVWk15xJOPiaPcow82lnz8gpjE5UnmZU0nvtpc5yTc/s16000/2024-Jan7-snow-day3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I've started with drawing lessons that I've always wanted to spend time doing. It's one of the goals I'd set for myself for this year. I have 4 crafty areas that I want to develop more skills in: drawing, watercolor painting, crocheting, and embroidery. Because I enjoy all four, I figured I would set goals for acquiring new skills in each of these to (hopefully) improve slowly. I'm starting with drawing, as I think that might be my most challenging of the four, and plan to devote any spare time in January and February to learning. I'm also going to follow advice from a friend that buying a sketchbook and drawing something every day will help develop my skills. Don't edit, don't judge, and don't criticize it, just draw she instructed. So, a new daily habit is formed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfNSFdCTyNLkG9cP7YjWsaU8Q1bzIC4F2XhAwxNIVjlvuzwjvAnMAQLic9JACf0_r6R81q7BHXlqNPfru8d9llWmzeJLf0oxnrEbX3T01u_Bmye0bxF2NqEhyphenhyphenTONnxsNeWVo7Gpl_VVZ71eu0-ytjruPAl7Z7MDg0eWvnGCvzJn4U1dvVHr5o2PKdn40T/s1000/moon-dec-27-2023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfNSFdCTyNLkG9cP7YjWsaU8Q1bzIC4F2XhAwxNIVjlvuzwjvAnMAQLic9JACf0_r6R81q7BHXlqNPfru8d9llWmzeJLf0oxnrEbX3T01u_Bmye0bxF2NqEhyphenhyphenTONnxsNeWVo7Gpl_VVZ71eu0-ytjruPAl7Z7MDg0eWvnGCvzJn4U1dvVHr5o2PKdn40T/s16000/moon-dec-27-2023.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">The moon on December 27, 2023</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some other goals I've set for this year are: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>journal daily</li><li>get our photos completely purged and photo books/albums completed. I started this a few years ago but stopped so it's time to complete this by getting rid of about 60%, and either make photo books or albums with the remaining photos.</li><li>try to remember to take photos of our meals. I'd like to put together a cookbook for our use. I thought I could make a photo book with a photo of the meal and the recipe and have it printed. Much nicer than the notebook that I currently use.</li><li>I have one gardening goal....Grow. All. The. Food. I plan to battle the wildlife and bugs like a champ and harvest an abundance this year.</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How about you. Did you set any goals for the coming year?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-F8MktTMSOhMCsAesj1wne6CSTm1arm9dU3_YrcHQYeAeukzCKoDwy7PjSRfJ54dJMflmTMHKyWRvcjTCmC1jUnRxTPpV_yanzFWMuCDy254fskuyNfhE2PFMdp2yHEjPtiKtCcWtj168aAf6s9rXCEkFGkSlOe3ePGJ-kcFw1YIlhdMbIUD_ew9QQv2Q/s1000/Farmcat-Jack1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-F8MktTMSOhMCsAesj1wne6CSTm1arm9dU3_YrcHQYeAeukzCKoDwy7PjSRfJ54dJMflmTMHKyWRvcjTCmC1jUnRxTPpV_yanzFWMuCDy254fskuyNfhE2PFMdp2yHEjPtiKtCcWtj168aAf6s9rXCEkFGkSlOe3ePGJ-kcFw1YIlhdMbIUD_ew9QQv2Q/s16000/Farmcat-Jack1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our holidays were nice and quiet, just how we enjoy them. We spent time with friends, did a little relaxing, completed a few indoor projects (mostly painting), and watched some football. Jack is enjoying his gifts - a new bed (not needed but he does love a new bed) for a spot next to the pellet stove and new toys (also not needed, but who doesn't love new toys??). It actually took him about a week to warm up to the idea of a new bed but now he's obsessed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwpLiAuFqnbQl4Sy6btZJAYnwOLMfdykZeAgjfsQim3BoV6XHPsgFcxZiCGfDGmPffjOphjxB-d6crGpUqWyvH2Jl9iK7qS2OQdeZ4138VmJs-bvx2V2IBSirqTsZVnROD47Fh51m483KPJLcY8N8v_Jn6mGsHd2G8aH8zOCpW2dxRD6z2TH9ydRlADpa/s1000/homemade-rolls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwpLiAuFqnbQl4Sy6btZJAYnwOLMfdykZeAgjfsQim3BoV6XHPsgFcxZiCGfDGmPffjOphjxB-d6crGpUqWyvH2Jl9iK7qS2OQdeZ4138VmJs-bvx2V2IBSirqTsZVnROD47Fh51m483KPJLcY8N8v_Jn6mGsHd2G8aH8zOCpW2dxRD6z2TH9ydRlADpa/s16000/homemade-rolls.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Homemade Potato/Buttermilk Rolls</div></span><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The youngest 7 coop girls are laying again, and they are all handling winter ok. They are clearly not happy about the cooler temps, but we can persuade most to come outside for at least a little bit of time each day. We had to buy eggs for my husband to eat for the last few months from a farmer friend because we haven't received any from our flock since October. It's nice to have that as an option. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The homestead is rolling into winter. Our pantries and freezers are packed, sprouting season has begun (for fresh greens), the pellet stove is constantly humming, and the kitchen is working hard. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!</div><br /></div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-38171058567913600182023-11-30T15:11:00.004-05:002024-01-08T16:03:53.357-05:00Keeping It Simple<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDZ3HkzqrMH6wXge1DD4n6DeQB5Gu9IQPEGildOo4lhebp-1EXiyIe_DAmnhyphenhyphenaHI_EvQLt4IXu8qxRsIWW8C_b2ImxlzjOYa68mV9XJaYcGDZWKdkBdvGc6lvbg4pOHv1Kkf8QAYJPhgoEsr4w1jqbvIx1b5bT9WdUxyMseS1QYIsMgvqwUnvAj1HOp1l/s1000/christmas2023-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDZ3HkzqrMH6wXge1DD4n6DeQB5Gu9IQPEGildOo4lhebp-1EXiyIe_DAmnhyphenhyphenaHI_EvQLt4IXu8qxRsIWW8C_b2ImxlzjOYa68mV9XJaYcGDZWKdkBdvGc6lvbg4pOHv1Kkf8QAYJPhgoEsr4w1jqbvIx1b5bT9WdUxyMseS1QYIsMgvqwUnvAj1HOp1l/s16000/christmas2023-2.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5toAQwYQ-NfUUgZw2elCTPIxPXMbH5S10dZCCIS5iuf19rN9PHqgfxh7n1ZFIHVBmYO66wILnF9nxqEtV1WwRm4p9C06wq7OdKcYJ9wZtICleekZRJGkJWmVgySi_yORVbb3NtdYMNjP28wW9_3Nl8GHeoFnyTQZ4Yv9j9enf5zV8kl4fMfPZUtDVItyt/s1000/christmas2023-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5toAQwYQ-NfUUgZw2elCTPIxPXMbH5S10dZCCIS5iuf19rN9PHqgfxh7n1ZFIHVBmYO66wILnF9nxqEtV1WwRm4p9C06wq7OdKcYJ9wZtICleekZRJGkJWmVgySi_yORVbb3NtdYMNjP28wW9_3Nl8GHeoFnyTQZ4Yv9j9enf5zV8kl4fMfPZUtDVItyt/s16000/christmas2023-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQsT6sBe5XT11U1nGwzDILbkSNHanFRZNnmGVBS7Zinf_RywMfOR3-L24J8mNWPg2TRjIUhAhvuvDH84Hn20qVYGvObjvPJGv5PnLPM6x7G06-q7XCnkDSLPAekRNiLrBSXM0RVgWFnK5qlAeVIdakO4gapHgH2U8WXiZqWYhizZeozEbM1yhqprNKFaf/s1000/2023-christmas-tree-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQsT6sBe5XT11U1nGwzDILbkSNHanFRZNnmGVBS7Zinf_RywMfOR3-L24J8mNWPg2TRjIUhAhvuvDH84Hn20qVYGvObjvPJGv5PnLPM6x7G06-q7XCnkDSLPAekRNiLrBSXM0RVgWFnK5qlAeVIdakO4gapHgH2U8WXiZqWYhizZeozEbM1yhqprNKFaf/s16000/2023-christmas-tree-1.jpg" /></a></div><br />We are officially decorated for Christmas. I'm not sure we've ever been completely done this early before. Of course, that doesn't include the years where we've barely had any decorations up at all because we just didn't prioritize it with all of the busyness of life. Thankfully, that is in the past.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I requested that we try to get everything done between Thanksgiving Day and the day after, knowing we have a few busy weeks ahead. We don't put up a ton of decorations, mind you, but it all takes time. Sure enough, we were done by Friday night with plenty of time to enjoy the process. Don't you love reminiscing about the memories each decoration holds? My grandmother passed away earlier this year and I thoroughly enjoyed thinking about her as I unwrapped items she made for me. She and my grandfather were an important part of my life. They helped raise me and gave me a safe space. I am so grateful to have had them and their unconditional love. Those decorations (and memories) will be treasured by me forever.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Saturday we were gone to a craft show (as vendors) from 7a.m until 4:30p.m. and then Sunday was our weekly farmers market. Monday, we ran a Cyber Monday special on our website, which meant I spent most of the day packing orders. Grateful for that. I was able to get them all shipped by Wednesday. The rest of this week has been spent packing and shipping orders, making lotion and deodorant, and packaging everything.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuBt9jsYhu1AWueQygSJxvV5tfaZGfYyo10AyFBRwCj87v6YZqCFdN156UezwMq4i4OybuAB-8xujI_DugY8l-PtN4Qw84qcNqTe_HCWkWkQpsw52XBurokNgN9K1Kr1mbHm2kcHsw_g5PxWxuIwIBzJQA-dbJXpg6y4onLPwDNPRBHJbW8RQ9HjTMSKg/s1000/farmcat-jack1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuBt9jsYhu1AWueQygSJxvV5tfaZGfYyo10AyFBRwCj87v6YZqCFdN156UezwMq4i4OybuAB-8xujI_DugY8l-PtN4Qw84qcNqTe_HCWkWkQpsw52XBurokNgN9K1Kr1mbHm2kcHsw_g5PxWxuIwIBzJQA-dbJXpg6y4onLPwDNPRBHJbW8RQ9HjTMSKg/s16000/farmcat-jack1.jpg" /></a></div><br />Jackson has been quite the helper these days. He still sleeps a lot, I mean he IS a cat after all, but he makes sure to check in with me (and steal my chair) throughout the day. I make a big fuss over him when he enters the room and he gets excited, meowing and prancing on in.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJaae6lp_eAel17yctt23Xv2V9YPN5vKm0iiZbNKZhkWG9tSo-feIKGu_jt8mhuF9RBX8mYS3H9ooybHFBkLH1ZP-nfHn6P6j750zHRv4h63t7-xeCchh9NNQHD_LCg0cz0vrrI-A28WJMM0WxBWKA6l-I3WJAULKAvQJ0sE8gPA-zjg7V-cdQWj2qvET/s1000/farmcat-jack2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijJaae6lp_eAel17yctt23Xv2V9YPN5vKm0iiZbNKZhkWG9tSo-feIKGu_jt8mhuF9RBX8mYS3H9ooybHFBkLH1ZP-nfHn6P6j750zHRv4h63t7-xeCchh9NNQHD_LCg0cz0vrrI-A28WJMM0WxBWKA6l-I3WJAULKAvQJ0sE8gPA-zjg7V-cdQWj2qvET/s16000/farmcat-jack2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>Inevitably he gets bored with supervising me and finds his own entertainment. This week his favorite toy has been his Halloween mouse. Next week it will be something else in his toy basket. <br /> <div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>It's hard to believe that December is upon us with all of its joy and magic. My goal is to keep things simple and stay present to the beauty of it all. Slowing down and keeping it simple allow me to fully appreciate even the smallest of moments such as this:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlkc840FJQJkzdMPp7dN6nlpn0H9wGlDxZ4j1xT6XTA5N4Uj9ahnbZtVsqrQB_VkC5RPtYZdtwHAMIzNTrjwSj3SE0FKBZidYSIT2FEU3BgSJNOOk6Fe0jy-Qfb8MhfzbP5V4friepo64vv5e8xBuHJCyKhC37MFv-c6exHpie96dfkNSXIvu3U8n023p/s1000/fall-squirrel-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlkc840FJQJkzdMPp7dN6nlpn0H9wGlDxZ4j1xT6XTA5N4Uj9ahnbZtVsqrQB_VkC5RPtYZdtwHAMIzNTrjwSj3SE0FKBZidYSIT2FEU3BgSJNOOk6Fe0jy-Qfb8MhfzbP5V4friepo64vv5e8xBuHJCyKhC37MFv-c6exHpie96dfkNSXIvu3U8n023p/s16000/fall-squirrel-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rtXbusAhI-9MGl6hQJjSFPfElB-tSAAtSvnfcLGj1SE3NxWfnXW0AeEd6b6hXHqsSGq9_YLCyu8J_GaZuUiTbdZMmlQaiNlK_64g6wxXvL-JPujsrW5ZuEvCLt5eMkanWU5LrXEnuefpHBxOUItxAaGNqAjrdBAUUiOtGqB_UZ6JoD_aEjIiBx2cbFIu/s1000/fall-squirrel-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rtXbusAhI-9MGl6hQJjSFPfElB-tSAAtSvnfcLGj1SE3NxWfnXW0AeEd6b6hXHqsSGq9_YLCyu8J_GaZuUiTbdZMmlQaiNlK_64g6wxXvL-JPujsrW5ZuEvCLt5eMkanWU5LrXEnuefpHBxOUItxAaGNqAjrdBAUUiOtGqB_UZ6JoD_aEjIiBx2cbFIu/s16000/fall-squirrel-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>A sweet little squirrel finding food right outside our home office window. It's important to look up from what you're doing and take time to breathe. So you don't miss silly moments like this!</div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly, I know that some of you may be going through difficult times this holiday season. I feel for you. I know the holidays make challenging times even harder. Please know that you are not alone. Let people in, as difficult as that thought may be. And if you know someone who may be struggling, continue to remind them that you are there for them. It will mean more than you can ever imagine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wishing you a peaceful holiday season friends.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-21177627339697170462023-11-21T14:58:00.002-05:002024-01-10T21:22:40.639-05:00Cranberry-Orange Snack Cake (Egg-Free Recipe; Vegan variation)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuc80Ja7IibmWXht7CQmsNjijcSxJ9kXda4e0rKDS8QgA5rsG7KRiDrgX6A0eXC6O_LOyqCv40AFjPLIJotpEbytsX-roQCOdUCGAcIvdPvGwySAhETN5tFSLewHCbZendsTV8sa7ZMnIgJVql-ZxpfnCTSCbp8IAsll_-37ewPPsHZTdL24VC0KRBge1o/s1000/cranberry-orange-snack-cake2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuc80Ja7IibmWXht7CQmsNjijcSxJ9kXda4e0rKDS8QgA5rsG7KRiDrgX6A0eXC6O_LOyqCv40AFjPLIJotpEbytsX-roQCOdUCGAcIvdPvGwySAhETN5tFSLewHCbZendsTV8sa7ZMnIgJVql-ZxpfnCTSCbp8IAsll_-37ewPPsHZTdL24VC0KRBge1o/s16000/cranberry-orange-snack-cake2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This is an incredibly easy and very delicious snack cake. I use the base recipe for so many variations throughout the year and this one is perfect for fall.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kB9mPonqnda2yBVgGwAETbVdLpyCvGL_V9DwkwWv4jbb-WWPfVwVDcSUtE5OoldVQ1SPhkEIY0yB44XfM-vT9m3ol2gc8oC63TGzIPswcoMEjbXiN5nJ84MjCD0OmUqRvcfGgLbqanGrk1jbvd8ZwL6e4IMTuRHyrYmbduI1gerj4pPVaSWUVIV7IZEK/s1000/cranberry-orange-snack-cake3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="746" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kB9mPonqnda2yBVgGwAETbVdLpyCvGL_V9DwkwWv4jbb-WWPfVwVDcSUtE5OoldVQ1SPhkEIY0yB44XfM-vT9m3ol2gc8oC63TGzIPswcoMEjbXiN5nJ84MjCD0OmUqRvcfGgLbqanGrk1jbvd8ZwL6e4IMTuRHyrYmbduI1gerj4pPVaSWUVIV7IZEK/s16000/cranberry-orange-snack-cake3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Notes on the ingredients:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Flour - I have tried this recipe using 1/2 all-purpose flour and 1/2 white whole wheat flour and it worked perfectly. I have not tried any other flours or combinations.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sugar - I have only used granulated sugar for this recipe. I do cut ours down to just under 3/4 cup and I'm sure you could cut it down more if you desire.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Milk - you can use water in place of the milk (dairy or non-dairy). We find that the milk makes it a bit richer and adds to the fluffy texture, but it is really delicious made with water as well. You will still use the 1 teaspoon vinegar.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oil - I have left the recipe at 5 Tablespoons oil (this is what the original recipe calls for) but I always substitute partly with applesauce to reduce the fat: 2 Tablespoons oil + 3 Tablespoons unsweetened applesauce. The texture remains fluffy and light with this substitution. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cranberries - Measure before chopping. I use a small food processor set to "chop" to lightly chop my fresh cranberries. You can also chop them by hand.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYIwmqg5TnQwq5H25rues7Y4II6OY-I36Hx0nbpoLJGQoKp_aLsJkXYENDfoUo1M8g7nrmKzuDp-9IjhO-3aZuOd2CcuZ7z51iSqA-C0LkB7S1jh03J36ClaTsQZGKxnGNuLnZ_o053s_mrGgeg3qODoGy97dBmfXgprikK2N_IZeYQVByfo7024rqy2A/s1000/cranberry-orange-snack-cake4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYIwmqg5TnQwq5H25rues7Y4II6OY-I36Hx0nbpoLJGQoKp_aLsJkXYENDfoUo1M8g7nrmKzuDp-9IjhO-3aZuOd2CcuZ7z51iSqA-C0LkB7S1jh03J36ClaTsQZGKxnGNuLnZ_o053s_mrGgeg3qODoGy97dBmfXgprikK2N_IZeYQVByfo7024rqy2A/s16000/cranberry-orange-snack-cake4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">*printable recipe below</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cranberry-Orange Snack Cake</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">makes: 1 8"x8" cake</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</div><div style="text-align: left;">3/4 cup - 1 cup granulated sugar (lesser amount for a less sweet cake)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 teaspoon baking soda</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/2 teaspoon salt</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped</div><div style="text-align: left;">orange zest from 1 orange</div><div style="text-align: left;">1/4 cup orange juice (1-2 oranges)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 teaspoon white or apple cider vinegar</div><div style="text-align: left;">3/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy) (*see notes above for replacing with water)</div><div style="text-align: left;">5 Tablespoons oil (*see note above for substituting some with applesauce)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray an 8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Measure out milk and add vinegar. Set aside.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the chopped cranberries and orange zest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Add milk and vinegar mixture, orange juice, oil, and vanilla to dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until combined and there are no pockets of dry flour.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pour into prepared pan and smooth top. Bake 25-35 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Cool completely before cutting for the best texture.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Serve as is or with a dusting of powdered sugar.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">*<i><b>Printable recipe: click on the photo/recipe below and print at 100% or larger (your preference)*</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXlKsywrUXNWZ-4A7Irk5mW5mhtEj2j5BnU5Z4xOeQT_TuDBuMd1n1gnaQb4N3DgbPTMFMleIZwuPq6ET0yr1iFZYDms0WEKgqvApbGqYVqa8cZvkgkFoWtNyo8feJ8M3bVKonSpKbp29P1lpe6R47lil3pnIyoG02iSMIFEEjD5LOazNJM3LhyphenhyphenDgHyR1/s1800/cranberry-orange-snack-cake-recipe-card.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXlKsywrUXNWZ-4A7Irk5mW5mhtEj2j5BnU5Z4xOeQT_TuDBuMd1n1gnaQb4N3DgbPTMFMleIZwuPq6ET0yr1iFZYDms0WEKgqvApbGqYVqa8cZvkgkFoWtNyo8feJ8M3bVKonSpKbp29P1lpe6R47lil3pnIyoG02iSMIFEEjD5LOazNJM3LhyphenhyphenDgHyR1/w427-h640/cranberry-orange-snack-cake-recipe-card.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKLsbB0oaL2Seaf3NA1RjaJHm5Vb5349qNJjZYPo9r4J2q1aynKdwiE9MHeyDIwWIN5J3WuTVKAIdmpn2TupZQBiOVGkTHA3aYLHpbOW9NjLGgOiL9fkiYemwOByNQR-6e7PxQnWDMCNFMPR-jwkkw5RxAN01CqiTGdGCkT7ic5EDo_yundewU0Rkzqf-/s1500/cranberry-orange-snack-cake1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKLsbB0oaL2Seaf3NA1RjaJHm5Vb5349qNJjZYPo9r4J2q1aynKdwiE9MHeyDIwWIN5J3WuTVKAIdmpn2TupZQBiOVGkTHA3aYLHpbOW9NjLGgOiL9fkiYemwOByNQR-6e7PxQnWDMCNFMPR-jwkkw5RxAN01CqiTGdGCkT7ic5EDo_yundewU0Rkzqf-/w426-h640/cranberry-orange-snack-cake1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-28137620886575131032023-11-20T11:13:00.001-05:002024-01-29T15:02:51.300-05:00Last Week On The Homestead: Chilly Mornings, Fall Clean-Up, & Preparing For Thanksgiving<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jxTky-JMWJLlTrrxDbNJlaFa3SrVGwvQbagAfOSjGSC3DMkf2m0PjdNbsnGstZqSjW5-r-OoyiPYB07pmOcEOoA7qdvHjUGQtrZ9ZIRii4m7MvWCfeA37nsYn5PptGMZGGYA-FxCoECnMg790RINJ7PXXZMOq4B598LXgnPeXmqXw8P2Rtsduj1HIstA/s1000/23-nov-morning-frost3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jxTky-JMWJLlTrrxDbNJlaFa3SrVGwvQbagAfOSjGSC3DMkf2m0PjdNbsnGstZqSjW5-r-OoyiPYB07pmOcEOoA7qdvHjUGQtrZ9ZIRii4m7MvWCfeA37nsYn5PptGMZGGYA-FxCoECnMg790RINJ7PXXZMOq4B598LXgnPeXmqXw8P2Rtsduj1HIstA/s16000/23-nov-morning-frost3.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNlw-_gMu8R5QR3lQAh37PQUE1qTygH_SdtlVuly_ZLB-PuQfAbVGos-jekuBucIYOvx4cuAiEhoyOknwirg47PZyK999tlRzf6TTX4mrm0UWZS6uhctblnyU9KU5U0uDtUm-fT-E5RfUmX0CbQcWS72n41a0gQuEEZbigZd42W2WjyjG9ZZ7CaJ-vjKX/s1000/23-nov-morning-frost2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNlw-_gMu8R5QR3lQAh37PQUE1qTygH_SdtlVuly_ZLB-PuQfAbVGos-jekuBucIYOvx4cuAiEhoyOknwirg47PZyK999tlRzf6TTX4mrm0UWZS6uhctblnyU9KU5U0uDtUm-fT-E5RfUmX0CbQcWS72n41a0gQuEEZbigZd42W2WjyjG9ZZ7CaJ-vjKX/s16000/23-nov-morning-frost2.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1jez9qGCUpxWYCY2DfIDFciqpiv0Obh4hVtzdnTuzDr-4YaJJVD2ElyjMdlfrbB4t97-UpseVA40zMvxD1koXCQCLNgGZbrlYQEDl5sP_Vm9vJifgvuVPJaZIHDTJogEVFT5Slg20IxRD5VYWWcWrejn-xPQkKvaRxEUi-e3-iYL2hZKY7p6y-dpqGzU/s1000/wk3-night-sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1jez9qGCUpxWYCY2DfIDFciqpiv0Obh4hVtzdnTuzDr-4YaJJVD2ElyjMdlfrbB4t97-UpseVA40zMvxD1koXCQCLNgGZbrlYQEDl5sP_Vm9vJifgvuVPJaZIHDTJogEVFT5Slg20IxRD5VYWWcWrejn-xPQkKvaRxEUi-e3-iYL2hZKY7p6y-dpqGzU/s16000/wk3-night-sky.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>November 12-19, 2023</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last Monday was our chilliest morning so far this fall. A cool 18 degrees Fahrenheit is how we started our day. The frost was beautiful though, so I ran back inside to grab my camera for a couple quick pics when I was out with the Coop Girls.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxf_elpBdwfjS1M1j8i8iF11TbI2SYlXddamhoKT6OdOISFhophCXcbZfDFtlxCkEtPzU6Ip2_ToIiaE3tAh4HjxbSQQhwi7xm0_btR1imsFpLQ1CUo1mEB3MDfGcXymNzSxjLjhfA1BuxWqFi3lU63VK5PyIrszIFCF6Uh2CR-1_MxyIxM3iyKtvnH3zb/s1000/wk3-jalapeno-bread1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxf_elpBdwfjS1M1j8i8iF11TbI2SYlXddamhoKT6OdOISFhophCXcbZfDFtlxCkEtPzU6Ip2_ToIiaE3tAh4HjxbSQQhwi7xm0_btR1imsFpLQ1CUo1mEB3MDfGcXymNzSxjLjhfA1BuxWqFi3lU63VK5PyIrszIFCF6Uh2CR-1_MxyIxM3iyKtvnH3zb/s16000/wk3-jalapeno-bread1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I did a little grocery shopping last week since I avoid the grocery stores the week of Thanksgiving. I went to purchase my "free" turkey from BJ's. You received one for "free" if you made a $150.00 purchase the week before. We assumed they would offer this again this year and held off purchasing a few items for our business that we regularly purchase there until that week. It's not hard to reach $150.00 these days, is it? While I was out and about, Aldi had butter on sale for $2.49/lb and Hannaford had their turkeys on sale for .49/lb. I bought my limit of butter and one turkey at Hannaford. Jay will be eating a LOT of turkey again this winter, which he is excited about. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Because we will have an enormous amount of leftovers both times that I roast a turkey, I prepare ahead of time to make use of all of it. He eats roast turkey with all of the sides the day it is cooked. That week, leftover turkey will appear in at least two more dinners (I use chicken dishes such as chicken taquitos, enchiladas, creamy chicken & rice, chicken & cheese melt sandwich, fried rice, etc. and sub in the turkey) as well as turkey noodle soup for lunches. That week I also make freezer meals, usually turkey pot pie, white turkey chili, turkey cottage pie, creamy turkey enchiladas and extra soup without the noodles (I add noodles or rice when I reheat it). The rest of the turkey is frozen in single serving packs and used for lunches and dinners that I don't make ahead. The carcass is cooked in the instant pot with some veggie scraps and turned into a rich broth used for the soup and other dishes. The freezer meals and leftover turkey then get written into the monthly meal plan to ensure they are used up.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We've been trying to do the bulk of our shopping at both Aldi and the Commissary at our local Navy base since the prices are fairly comparable between the two stores and cheaper than the other stores, so I picked up our fresh veggies, fruit, and a decent stock of chicken for Jay while shopping. Oh, and a few packages of Coconut Cashew Crisps from Aldi. Have you tried these? The vanilla and sea salt caramel flavors are divine. I never look at the snack sections but had seen these featured on someone's vlog, so I checked them out. They have 5 ingredients (coconut, cashews, coconut sugar, cassava flour, and sea salt) and are a wonderful little treat when you want something sweet. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Later in the week we had to run down to a restaurant supply store in Albany to pick up some oils for the business and stopped by Trader Joe's. I stocked up on their oat milk, Jay likes some of their cereals, so he picked out a couple boxes, and we discovered that their TJ's brand flavored mini marshmallows are actually Dandies marshmallows, which are both of our favorites. We picked up a couple of the mint flavored ones. Neither of us care for their regular mini marshmallows, which are also vegan. We find them to be too chewy. But Dandies are sooooo soft and delicious.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNzdJXHw4Mta0wmFntA6cQP48f27lyEGpRHKwiCbZWd5xuA8ZJCawFHNlHJ8eTb_ZZT2C_mkBp5RlDd8zAyJL4OunL2fF_BqIB5mvr5j1fUzWV5iqKuqJhGnq65g1e6KzfRABWZqCKZoV9Q2efaAZ83PN_hZ7cyMbk5ePpDi3OcVlwlet74uZ58ZMrH7z/s1000/wk3-cobble-hill-farm-coop-girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNzdJXHw4Mta0wmFntA6cQP48f27lyEGpRHKwiCbZWd5xuA8ZJCawFHNlHJ8eTb_ZZT2C_mkBp5RlDd8zAyJL4OunL2fF_BqIB5mvr5j1fUzWV5iqKuqJhGnq65g1e6KzfRABWZqCKZoV9Q2efaAZ83PN_hZ7cyMbk5ePpDi3OcVlwlet74uZ58ZMrH7z/s16000/wk3-cobble-hill-farm-coop-girl.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We worked at getting all of our outdoor chores wrapped up while the daytime temps are still comfortable. The Coop was cleaned out, the yard cleaned up (hopefully the last time removing leaves), outdoor furniture put away, gutters cleaned, compost bins topped off, and our outdoor Christmas lights are about halfway hung. Not to be turned on until after Thanksgiving, of course, just hung while it's warmer. It's still warm enough, and some days windy enough, to hang the clothes to dry on the outdoor clothesline which I am appreciative of. I love our laundry when it has that fresh smell from drying outdoors. Last week was also that last of the soap making for Christmas. Everything we can sell up until Christmas had to be made by last week in order to cure before Christmas. The last few weeks we've been making a lot of soap with this deadline in mind so now I switch to packaging and making the other products. Jay is busy with making the wood products including quite a few special orders.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ReIPzGGSA_rIrqggcCOwbRew8kjIyCCnUVehXh1YD2g5sMNiCSC7kOHqN1wk6Ev5Dch7R45vSNoR0TESt-kDmLLaq2xNhXhke_ByE3xnCqv-EyQCbn2NBrtEBCOpuRtqC8JIY-915seG7sUoQHvhw7iSBnk3NLmxDpZBbi_KMzSK_lPYNGrBUSR-IlEf/s1000/wk3-farmcat-Jackson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ReIPzGGSA_rIrqggcCOwbRew8kjIyCCnUVehXh1YD2g5sMNiCSC7kOHqN1wk6Ev5Dch7R45vSNoR0TESt-kDmLLaq2xNhXhke_ByE3xnCqv-EyQCbn2NBrtEBCOpuRtqC8JIY-915seG7sUoQHvhw7iSBnk3NLmxDpZBbi_KMzSK_lPYNGrBUSR-IlEf/s16000/wk3-farmcat-Jackson.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our little feral cat friend Felix is still stopping by for his breakfast and dinner. Some weeks he's looked pretty rough, but he looked good last week - I don't think he got into any fights with other cats or animals. Poor guy. We've had a "house" for him on our front porch since the end of last winter and so far, he isn't using it. I'm not sure where he hunkers down at night. Hopefully it's warm enough for him. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jackson is doing well. He's been spending hours every day stalking chipmunks and free-range chickens. Of course, he stalks them from the windows, so he's very tough when there's no chance of coming into contact with any of them. I told him to fill his days with stalking now because once the snow and ice come, there will be very little wildlife (and chickens) to watch.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm trying to spend a lot of time in gratitude this month. There's just so much to be grateful for. I'm also trying to make a daily habit of journaling. Friends had encouraged me to share some of the entries, which I have over the past few blog posts, and I will likely continue here and there. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0UHq8sOheYd96nzxnnlleqkSfnqBvelpsQ8FSjg1ZspbmsmpYsglLZiLaeL57sSuHEAVUCrv5nKD7soj2BujYIlCAGr3heXBlblj7LFqoAJJoOZYIxYQb4mKCsngQs6p1nkrm7CrvBIUzAsH4inae2ErubdOyS9kmk_3hyphenhyphenAqjQVCsgQSeTolc68s1057/s1000/wk3-cranberry-orange-snack-cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0UHq8sOheYd96nzxnnlleqkSfnqBvelpsQ8FSjg1ZspbmsmpYsglLZiLaeL57sSuHEAVUCrv5nKD7soj2BujYIlCAGr3heXBlblj7LFqoAJJoOZYIxYQb4mKCsngQs6p1nkrm7CrvBIUzAsH4inae2ErubdOyS9kmk_3hyphenhyphenAqjQVCsgQSeTolc68s1057/s16000/wk3-cranberry-orange-snack-cake.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Tomorrow I'll be posting the recipe for this super easy and delicious cranberry-orange snack cake!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoGs8IGJXOvexywtVzxNl6EXrPeF1GYAzMmzhkZFBR7VBA3ws7REOrspmhKD_aMVW5jLSds2jm_oXeEqfc4PTHs62XSpROd9m3lj5tmlHqzefrJDuEYblxGpupY-QWObSBnIyeJh5krccbaHx2pS32MyUbxsUPl7oH_cQ2E1-H3WuLG7mOMufNBvCNRFu/s1000/wk3-thanksgiving-dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoGs8IGJXOvexywtVzxNl6EXrPeF1GYAzMmzhkZFBR7VBA3ws7REOrspmhKD_aMVW5jLSds2jm_oXeEqfc4PTHs62XSpROd9m3lj5tmlHqzefrJDuEYblxGpupY-QWObSBnIyeJh5krccbaHx2pS32MyUbxsUPl7oH_cQ2E1-H3WuLG7mOMufNBvCNRFu/s16000/wk3-thanksgiving-dinner.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This week's meals (veggies are not all listed but they are included with every meal):</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.4px;">As a reminder, I cook 2 separate meals because we do eat differently.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "PT Serif", serif; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.4px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Me</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vegan Ravioli & Meatballs</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jambalaya</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vegan Roast with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay</div><div style="text-align: left;">Ravioli & Meatballs</div><div style="text-align: left;">Roast Turkey, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce & Roast Carrots</div><div style="text-align: left;">Creamy Turkey & Rice</div><div style="text-align: left;">Skillet Turkey Queso with Rice & Stuffed Jalapenos</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pork Chop with Mustard Cream Sauce & Skillet Potatoes</div><div style="text-align: left;">Burger & Homemade Air Fryer Fries</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wishing you all a happy Thanksgiving!</div><br />Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-32592737363905208482023-11-10T10:49:00.000-05:002024-02-10T20:08:05.395-05:00Cranberry - Orange Quick Bread (with Vegan option)<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3SA4mZX3pQ3T3ara3Ca_dNoIVvZyjSBNURc3kIbKduvpZoJpd6GXmoXVK9lnnxtKKNTnAkpTJxqRPtFVrmhnYBZxB33ipoZ4yt8w_gzKf__rGk6lNJz4R-10WVuNUaV_-1Pwb6R42TKqVmgdo5LEUZLKPm66QBeZUHsC3OPDaNjGiJEhzzXrrt4IhvZ3/s1000/cranberry-orange-quick-bread3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3SA4mZX3pQ3T3ara3Ca_dNoIVvZyjSBNURc3kIbKduvpZoJpd6GXmoXVK9lnnxtKKNTnAkpTJxqRPtFVrmhnYBZxB33ipoZ4yt8w_gzKf__rGk6lNJz4R-10WVuNUaV_-1Pwb6R42TKqVmgdo5LEUZLKPm66QBeZUHsC3OPDaNjGiJEhzzXrrt4IhvZ3/s16000/cranberry-orange-quick-bread3.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's cranberry season and I try to incorporate them in some of my favorite dessert recipes. This quick and easy bread is a regular in our kitchen. It's moist, delicious, and bursting with beautiful red tangy cranberries coupled with the perfect complement of fresh orange. I hope you enjoy it too!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAtDs8ifZl1Tlxzc9Q-Q8EyNxU3tOev5jaIYdq8EsLwbvlkRyZYGCCm-bdSmukyUXOQ6jGX2zVYVxvO7SmS-fnJsQ7DUfm_lmMY5mM9SAoj5t7-sOlSZeNL4NkyI7OVWp_1112pN6Ffl9HQ09fKU95Vih3fyrQflft1gYgPF3kjl8Sk_9AmXCXDbqBppk/s1000/cranberry-orange-quick-bread1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAtDs8ifZl1Tlxzc9Q-Q8EyNxU3tOev5jaIYdq8EsLwbvlkRyZYGCCm-bdSmukyUXOQ6jGX2zVYVxvO7SmS-fnJsQ7DUfm_lmMY5mM9SAoj5t7-sOlSZeNL4NkyI7OVWp_1112pN6Ffl9HQ09fKU95Vih3fyrQflft1gYgPF3kjl8Sk_9AmXCXDbqBppk/s16000/cranberry-orange-quick-bread1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A few notes about the ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Flour</b> - I have not tried any other flour in this recipe.</li><li><b>Sugar</b> - I have not tried any other sweetener in this recipe. 1 cup of sugar is a lot, I understand, but it's to offset the tartness of the cranberries. It really is pretty balanced although you can certainly cut it down if you prefer. </li><li><b>Buttermilk</b> - I never use actual buttermilk, instead adding a bit of vinegar to milk. I pour a couple of teaspoons (or so - I don't measure) vinegar (acv or white) in the measuring cup and then add milk (I use non-dairy but you can also use dairy) to measure 2/3 cup.</li><li><b>Butter/Oil</b> - I have not tried to make this oil-free, however, I do regularly cut it in half and use 3 Tablespoons melted butter or oil and 3 Tablespoons unsweetened applesauce.</li></ul></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRzFI0GszTXTflLvMd3aAKFcfKPZipe_RAL0YlMMKiXVKG35WTvurGhME7Le_EWrX7V9D4m19gk5PG1pCaW5DmivVYh6IXv9qRwFlzZvh63F8Vhx9Nw47UvrXhIFgSP5XVG7fnS0CUJMZlM-7OJumfuBJANLpmOtsUI9917pno6y5HtWK1_Cfr6Q3ufbJ/s1000/cranberry-orange-quick-bread5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRzFI0GszTXTflLvMd3aAKFcfKPZipe_RAL0YlMMKiXVKG35WTvurGhME7Le_EWrX7V9D4m19gk5PG1pCaW5DmivVYh6IXv9qRwFlzZvh63F8Vhx9Nw47UvrXhIFgSP5XVG7fnS0CUJMZlM-7OJumfuBJANLpmOtsUI9917pno6y5HtWK1_Cfr6Q3ufbJ/s16000/cranberry-orange-quick-bread5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;">Cranberry - Orange Quick Bread</span></b></div>2 cups all-purpose flour<br />1 cup granulated sugar<br />1/2 teaspoon salt<br />1 teaspoon baking powder<br />1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br />2/3 cup buttermilk<br />6 Tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled<br />1/3 cup fresh orange juice (1-2 oranges)<br />1 large egg<br />1 Tablespoon grated fresh orange zest<br />1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries, chopped coarsely<br />1 Tablespoon coarse sanding sugar (optional)<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8 1/2"x4 1/2" loaf pan.<br /><br />In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, butter, orange juice, egg, and orange zest. Fold the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture with a rubber spatula, just until combined. The batter will be thick. Gently fold in the cranberries.<div><br />Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top with the rubber spatula, and sprinkle the coarse sugar on the top, if using. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 40-50 minutes.<div><br />Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely prior to serving. This is important, although difficult to do, but it will help the quick bread remain moist and delicious if it's allowed to cool completely prior to cutting.<div><br /></div><div>**To Make It Vegan: use non-dairy milk + 2 teaspoons vinegar or buttermilk, non-dairy butter or oil, and an alternative egg (I use a flax egg - 1 Tablespoon ground flax + 2 1/2 Tablespoons water)</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVYOyW5hCWjqW1E0AS8Vo6pCWAA-FZsQerZaK2Byyr2GWlE9pQ2S2CdAQuaHfnJGwQI8G11FueewOrCliQK_BQWosiIksBXrkUmg_MtAEWAkrYt6EHbzSoretfD7zRuVVSkErHK0lAgt9Q1NRG2fr2R8HIBoCGJn3BsxuCYS9cmURhcRkVxw9fViEIgk0/s1500/cranberry-orange-quick-bread6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVYOyW5hCWjqW1E0AS8Vo6pCWAA-FZsQerZaK2Byyr2GWlE9pQ2S2CdAQuaHfnJGwQI8G11FueewOrCliQK_BQWosiIksBXrkUmg_MtAEWAkrYt6EHbzSoretfD7zRuVVSkErHK0lAgt9Q1NRG2fr2R8HIBoCGJn3BsxuCYS9cmURhcRkVxw9fViEIgk0/w426-h640/cranberry-orange-quick-bread6.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-26036268189536395282023-11-06T15:38:00.004-05:002023-11-21T12:24:45.890-05:00Last Week On The Homestead: Making Soap And A Coop Door Update<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7zoNk3pxAR9k_DWeGslQE_C8r8hZBeV-G8HC1g5UWRP9_srHGisOVgO9x6KGu3xHue9Bo7z7ebplKtc2RGE-VP2PMLB-chMc7SAEY_50ifx9MKLea5hdAM8viPMiCBS9G1EwfLf1ySrAVtQrDo-Td9QLxW6QaD8o9qG5RWQt26fijEiraZaHk3O-_T1H/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-soap-2023-winter-collection.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7zoNk3pxAR9k_DWeGslQE_C8r8hZBeV-G8HC1g5UWRP9_srHGisOVgO9x6KGu3xHue9Bo7z7ebplKtc2RGE-VP2PMLB-chMc7SAEY_50ifx9MKLea5hdAM8viPMiCBS9G1EwfLf1ySrAVtQrDo-Td9QLxW6QaD8o9qG5RWQt26fijEiraZaHk3O-_T1H/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-soap-2023-winter-collection.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfReM7HAnlH33bJ5q8j1PB5gfAImCJvs_WxQsVnuAyT5aQriTPDGjPbw01ak3m3EohIk78F5m6VrTyp7ueBojeRMiEhvE38KmTzwoKCLaH1sxg-mx-JIMqyOjF37NCuOnsf0DVwxg41JQtTOqOBWh7Gi8tGl3Onhus_8Q4yGvs4RpDcFs2O4O1NDNbmQW/s1000/fall-day1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfReM7HAnlH33bJ5q8j1PB5gfAImCJvs_WxQsVnuAyT5aQriTPDGjPbw01ak3m3EohIk78F5m6VrTyp7ueBojeRMiEhvE38KmTzwoKCLaH1sxg-mx-JIMqyOjF37NCuOnsf0DVwxg41JQtTOqOBWh7Gi8tGl3Onhus_8Q4yGvs4RpDcFs2O4O1NDNbmQW/s16000/fall-day1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5rPHvibD4pMIHcIWEK7s9UX2mU4DARO0H-_9p6QZf7lWcFzWc_YNdrvBQkB4OfFJfHFhUz0BqFohjDPmtqSC_BkRAq48TyfhLlboEnqCsZsod0204N73fB9xhAm2yv__bU2NNf6MSNUNyXL_s7vbUldDd-KsycU2TAhvi_4NvBbaAQ-mLW719_1L3xs_/s1000/fall-hydrangea.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5rPHvibD4pMIHcIWEK7s9UX2mU4DARO0H-_9p6QZf7lWcFzWc_YNdrvBQkB4OfFJfHFhUz0BqFohjDPmtqSC_BkRAq48TyfhLlboEnqCsZsod0204N73fB9xhAm2yv__bU2NNf6MSNUNyXL_s7vbUldDd-KsycU2TAhvi_4NvBbaAQ-mLW719_1L3xs_/s16000/fall-hydrangea.jpg" /></a></div><br />October 29- November 4, 2023</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hello! I hope this finds you doing well! Sweater weather has officially arrived. We've had a couple light frosts and a hard frost (26 degrees Fahrenheit) and highs ranging from 41 - 55 degrees this past week. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I type, I have split pea soup cooking away in the slow-cooker, spelt bread dough rising in the warmth of the pellet stove, and a hot turmeric latte next to me. It's one of my favorite things to drink in the cold months.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">November and December seem to fly by, unfortunately. I try to take the time to enjoy the beauty and spend some time outside, but my days are filled with making and packaging products for our business in order to have enough inventory for the holiday shopping season. We've had many people shopping early and, due to many requests, made our winter holiday products available last week. One of our holiday soap scents, Farmhouse Christmas, is almost sold out already! We've never had that happen before with a holiday soap - that's a lot of soap! We try to make enough of the winter limited-edition soap scents to last through the middle of December. Sometimes they even last through Christmas. It's hard to know for sure. We let our soap cure for about 4 weeks after making it which is why we have to use our best guess at how much to make - it's not a quick turnaround. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our official holiday shopping season, for our business, usually starts the weekend after Thanksgiving. We also stock our products for this season at a local non-profit museum, so I have to make up enough of everything for them as well. Our products are their top seller for their holiday Artisan Market which is such an honor! We are so happy that we have a loyal following who choose to purchase our products each year for their gift-giving. I try to stay on top of their inventory, so I have goals set for each week of how much lotion, deodorant, lip balm, shampoo bars and soap batches to make in an effort to avoid (hopefully) all-nighters and emergency product-making nights. We've been there and done that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdVFi0CEyo4W0CongvrLUz4zEcGJb_nhGbRZzxy7NtGljHKl1CddpWhLdM8RJn2gCDfK4d54hHzXmZlRGKiayWfzPScqBtwnTYS0HFzVWeeDd-cskgzY1tYf2jdPi5o5Gyr36g1UGSYS4fklsAn7_6TlrH-xFtAPul89cjMq8w44bh7s3uRbVcZJMU7Zi/s1000/fall-apples.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="733" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdVFi0CEyo4W0CongvrLUz4zEcGJb_nhGbRZzxy7NtGljHKl1CddpWhLdM8RJn2gCDfK4d54hHzXmZlRGKiayWfzPScqBtwnTYS0HFzVWeeDd-cskgzY1tYf2jdPi5o5Gyr36g1UGSYS4fklsAn7_6TlrH-xFtAPul89cjMq8w44bh7s3uRbVcZJMU7Zi/s16000/fall-apples.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Because of the frosts we've received, the only things currently growing/living in our garden is kale, arugula, and chives. I will continue to harvest from them as long as I can and then hope they will return in the spring. The fruit has been picked off of all trees and either eaten or preserved, the garden has been put to bed, the compost bins are full, next year's garlic has been planted, and we are doing one last leaf clean-up throughout the yard for the season. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSd5wrKKx2Dpu_UZY-Cmn7-xd_0UTc8Etv9-9o1tvLXzeBJNDr06aTlRpmWooqq8bpry8sC3M97Nuuf8MsUjk4DUmKehBRLki8KlQXhYAyHmEBPw7_nsSdAABUBeJn9qw4GaDRaPUnasqZcOkK7f9NhP2aUvuGDVHuhDSYL19J8OoQ1febKDuL186397l/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-coop-girls2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="705" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSd5wrKKx2Dpu_UZY-Cmn7-xd_0UTc8Etv9-9o1tvLXzeBJNDr06aTlRpmWooqq8bpry8sC3M97Nuuf8MsUjk4DUmKehBRLki8KlQXhYAyHmEBPw7_nsSdAABUBeJn9qw4GaDRaPUnasqZcOkK7f9NhP2aUvuGDVHuhDSYL19J8OoQ1febKDuL186397l/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-coop-girls2.jpg" /></a></div><br />The coop girls are doing good. We are still seeing some feather loss, so the annual molt is not quite over. I will be cleaning out their coop today and am hoping that most of the feather loss has happened, so it won't be full of them again. We are receiving no eggs. The younger 7 girls may start again in the next month or two, but I doubt the rest of the flock will provide any until spring.<div><br /><div>I <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2023/09/tips-for-predator-proofing-your-chicken.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">previously wrote</span></b></a> about an automatic chicken coop door we received in exchange for an honest review. We have loved the door however, we can no longer recommend it without a simple warning. You cannot count on it to open and close every day. I know that sounds strange since that's its purpose. Here's the explanation. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was working absolutely fine until the last week in July. Since we've had the door, I'm not in a hurry to go out and check on the chickens in the morning. I usually get out there around 9 now instead of first thing. Well, on this particular morning, I hadn't even realized that I didn't see one chicken as I walked past windows. Finally, when I was about to head out to the coop I thought, well that's odd that I haven't seen any of them. Initially my gut reaction was that a wild animal got to them, which made me very concerned. So, I rushed out and when I looked at the coop, realized that the automatic door was closed. I thought maybe the battery had died. It had not (the battery is estimated to last a very long time). I pushed the override to open it and it made this awful noise but wouldn't open. I did this again and then realized something must be stuck in the track. Eventually I got it open which is when I saw that a tiny chunk of dirt was in the track and the doors got stuck.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVwC2DE04zxxih6KSaPVSQYQf6I1J7ZLp9vKCC_6zDBK1PsMNLPz_Sfn6cAzKa-kOCYs5vfPaUCX-wZseqyp401mcSqNLTlpX1kKPr9GGZ-S6jJnwdNjJYFg3HzlmUF-dTyrlNodDeIFiL4zMzHOfLz2v9WPrfCpAovLulpOJc52dvjQjVXJVJUooLgc1/s378/chickcozy-coop-door.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="378" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVwC2DE04zxxih6KSaPVSQYQf6I1J7ZLp9vKCC_6zDBK1PsMNLPz_Sfn6cAzKa-kOCYs5vfPaUCX-wZseqyp401mcSqNLTlpX1kKPr9GGZ-S6jJnwdNjJYFg3HzlmUF-dTyrlNodDeIFiL4zMzHOfLz2v9WPrfCpAovLulpOJc52dvjQjVXJVJUooLgc1/w320-h227/chickcozy-coop-door.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Here's the problem. The track that the doors slide on is on the bottom. This is where the chickens walk and, if you've ever had chickens, you know how much stuff they can get on their feet, especially after it rains or snows. If anything gets in that track, the doors can't open and close properly until the track is cleared. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are still using it. I try to check the track every couple of days in the evening, and I make sure they are out in the morning. It's helpful for winter so I don't have to go out early (especially if it's icy or snowy). The problem will come when we go away for any length of time. We won't be able to count on it. It's too bad because it's a great size, seems to be made well, is very easy to program/reprogram, and (so far) has a great battery.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My thought is, if you are looking for an automatic chicken coop door, look for one that opens from the top down that might have the working tracks for the door to slide on the sides. This way, it doesn't have anything on the bottom that can get clogged.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">**Coop door update 11/23 - it is now getting stuck for no apparent reason at all so we are removing it.**</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the menu for this week:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Me </div><div style="text-align: left;">Chickpeas & Dumplings (vegan version of chicken & dumplings)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Creamy Mushroom & Wild Rice Soup</div><div style="text-align: left;">Split Pea Soup</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tofu "Egg" Salad Sandwich</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay</div><div style="text-align: left;">Salisbury Steak with Rice</div><div style="text-align: left;">Arroz con Pollo</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pork Chop with Apples & Stuffing</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cajun Chicken Pasta</div><div style="text-align: left;">Slow-Cooker Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes & Gravy</div><div style="text-align: left;">Spaghetti Pie</div><div style="text-align: left;">Creamy Chicken, Veg, & Rice (like a stove-top chicken pot pie but with rice)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm hoping you are able to slow-down and take a few moments each day to enjoy the season. I'm trying to remember to do this as well!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-33725009334896211202023-10-25T16:35:00.003-04:002023-11-06T21:52:39.621-05:00Supervisor In Training<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWfIcfOYO8wx7RgbdJ-8NEfGc6QsHGyqh_Cteqx4iwWCvtkHjQhiLki0T80jb_hDqVEshdpnoyv7k1F8JLKkMkpqMvDGRSgiHpkqDy-YmXqNXDEZE_LHDLR_am7Kec173-kXHc4SVaewvYW0chrJQa-lCBZoJCFUCe-fmo8m2rvidztj6WPhKD2bBiYdP/s1000/fall-leaves.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWfIcfOYO8wx7RgbdJ-8NEfGc6QsHGyqh_Cteqx4iwWCvtkHjQhiLki0T80jb_hDqVEshdpnoyv7k1F8JLKkMkpqMvDGRSgiHpkqDy-YmXqNXDEZE_LHDLR_am7Kec173-kXHc4SVaewvYW0chrJQa-lCBZoJCFUCe-fmo8m2rvidztj6WPhKD2bBiYdP/s16000/fall-leaves.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sunday was chilly. There's no other way to describe it. Our farmer's market is outdoors through the end of October, which is nice since we love being outside, but it does start to get a bit cold as fall progresses toward winter. The temps just barely made it to 50-degrees Fahrenheit and tack on the wind chill to bring the "feels like" temp right back down into the 40's. Not bad, but when you are standing in a booth all day, it's chilly. So that means I was fully dressed in winter wear. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't know if I've touched on this before here on the blog, but one of the absolute best things about being a farmer's market vendor is getting to know the other vendors. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by the nicest people, many of whom have become friends outside of the market. On Sunday one of these wonderful people decided she was going to make a hot breakfast for a few of us. She's a chef and food vendor and everything she makes is amazing, so you can imagine the excitement in this beautiful gift. We provided eggs from the Coop girls, an electric skillet (they had a generator), and some paper plates. Everything she cooked and served was from a market vendor which meant the entire meal was locally raised, grown, and made. It was such a nice start to the day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, even on chilly breezy days, there are ALWAYS bright spots.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Monday morning, I got to work making granola. I decided to make a quadruple batch to put in the freezer. Did you know that granola freezes really well? It does. And it doesn't need to be thawed before you eat it, which makes it a great last-minute meal or snack.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As you know, Oliver was the ultimate supervisor. He was by my side every minute of every single task. He never took time off although he would get a little cranky pants sometimes and give me the look if I wasn't giving him enough snacks. As he saw it, supervising requires ongoing nourishment. Gosh, I miss that little guy every single day. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have been without a proper supervisor since his passing so imagine my surprise when Jackson decided to step up and try to fill the position. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had all of my ingredients out and began measuring my first batch when Jack sauntered in. As he sat on the stool watching me, I talked to him - asked him about his day and told him what I was doing. Just like I did with Oliver. Well, apparently, either my chat made him sleepy or bored, but either way, he just couldn't hang with me. Here are the photos that I took. The entire supervisory event lasted a whopping 7 minutes.....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4pT5rql9fsZa8SEL-r66xgyw8CTNC-Ss8kQSAxbKHI0hM5IazXQKm1wHtXJabHE4uc2b-mEXaHmJlPkmig2RH2gDF2aFdng50l_XRme1-6nb1L5FWGTiDW3X-wqRRbE1gzWXwcxqm0S-TEGC9kYLFPE1Qo95W-s41a6csgsNqnFUxY4szdXuUXrRnIxg/s1000/supervisor-jackson1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4pT5rql9fsZa8SEL-r66xgyw8CTNC-Ss8kQSAxbKHI0hM5IazXQKm1wHtXJabHE4uc2b-mEXaHmJlPkmig2RH2gDF2aFdng50l_XRme1-6nb1L5FWGTiDW3X-wqRRbE1gzWXwcxqm0S-TEGC9kYLFPE1Qo95W-s41a6csgsNqnFUxY4szdXuUXrRnIxg/s16000/supervisor-jackson1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Everything's looking ok. Conversation is going well. I am feeling well supervised.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ljn0wQECqbHBssRqxZXcNP6acbS9lP_Wn0bTcdxTwzIkv_-7HswOJej4AWMA7f4Xo3KwW67zrlwwHGAijh3CJ62xbisLBeGx82rU_95aePUC8-u0wsh7PwsZM-lG-S72XRmG15iEPSVgeMRPRdW-ZP34W5sP8b5JRdCbHjKfVagW34FhQQE9XDAB2LKF/s1000/supervisor-jackson2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ljn0wQECqbHBssRqxZXcNP6acbS9lP_Wn0bTcdxTwzIkv_-7HswOJej4AWMA7f4Xo3KwW67zrlwwHGAijh3CJ62xbisLBeGx82rU_95aePUC8-u0wsh7PwsZM-lG-S72XRmG15iEPSVgeMRPRdW-ZP34W5sP8b5JRdCbHjKfVagW34FhQQE9XDAB2LKF/s16000/supervisor-jackson2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Within 2 minutes my supervisor wandered away from his post. Hmmm...perhaps the box was calling his name?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>(the paint swatches on the wall to the right of him are 2 colors we are considering for the room)</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-ILgAzccf_x9cEA9e94_IYI8_B-jC_ve4ytWkshORRVwNGvqhZFPrnG11vxDVXF22lYSVo56U-fh0QFAo-xfAel3Zr5r3eFLTlx39izR05B-HgttlzmJvy3Epvd55sXOUspcxGsXikadVunt28td0y2Cs6v2whXxRJ35c0PMnOnCsOb6AQ00ViD1EIEm/s1000/supervisor-jackson3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-ILgAzccf_x9cEA9e94_IYI8_B-jC_ve4ytWkshORRVwNGvqhZFPrnG11vxDVXF22lYSVo56U-fh0QFAo-xfAel3Zr5r3eFLTlx39izR05B-HgttlzmJvy3Epvd55sXOUspcxGsXikadVunt28td0y2Cs6v2whXxRJ35c0PMnOnCsOb6AQ00ViD1EIEm/s16000/supervisor-jackson3.jpg" /></a></div><span><div style="text-align: center;">A few minutes later when I looked up here is what I saw. Slacker. Sleeping on the job.</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This guy's going to need some training.</div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-78153891314766519992023-10-10T15:30:00.020-04:002023-10-25T16:35:57.581-04:00The Hardest Working Room In The House<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9L1f9TTbGzeAsJmN0ZoEUg7QWJbayTRRIkMqWug2rV-5L6eTI2fWr9_era2QTVKdItq0-Ie3rpE0MAmJRALkvoYnhSDJIb46J2GoKBTcNgza4ve5hYWcVTb2TD06pLHSmDgyeGwvA7u0inJrxpUoSABNPKA56xfcyiDxH_dgqgu290AqrWWC0OApCCRS/s1000/homemade-granola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB9L1f9TTbGzeAsJmN0ZoEUg7QWJbayTRRIkMqWug2rV-5L6eTI2fWr9_era2QTVKdItq0-Ie3rpE0MAmJRALkvoYnhSDJIb46J2GoKBTcNgza4ve5hYWcVTb2TD06pLHSmDgyeGwvA7u0inJrxpUoSABNPKA56xfcyiDxH_dgqgu290AqrWWC0OApCCRS/s16000/homemade-granola.jpg" /></a></div><br />Yesterday's low temp was 39 degrees Fahrenheit and this morning I woke up to a balmy 41 degrees. This morning our indoor temp was down to 60 degrees Fahrenheit which means I made the decision to light the pellet stove. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I hung laundry yesterday on the outdoor line, I chuckled at the fact that I had tank tops, t-shirts, thermal undershirts and sweaters. All in the same load. Last week's 80 degrees and slightly humid days has quickly changed to true fall-like weather of highs in the 50's. At our Sunday outdoor farmer's market our high temp was 53, hence the thermals and sweater. It's such a beautiful time of year and I love when the temps switch to those that are seasonal.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday was spent making soap for <a href="http://www.CobbleHillFarm.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">the business</span></b></a>. I believe I've mentioned before, but when soap is made, it's made all day long. Everything is in small batches, but while all of the ingredients and equipment are out, it makes sense to make hundreds of bars of soap rather than 50 or 60. It was nice to work in a kitchen that was cool, something that hasn't happened much since last spring. Currently we are in stock-up mode to prepare for holiday shopping. Because soap has to cure for about 4 weeks, everything that we'll be able to sell for the season must be made by the second to the last week of November.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today was an errand running day and then the remainder of the day I will spend in the kitchen. I'm harvesting most of the herbs to freeze, and green beans to blanche and freeze. Harvesting has greatly slowed and while the majority has already been put up for the season, we are grateful that the garden continues to produce. Jalapeno bread is currently rising and will be baked soon and then a couple of batches of blueberry-maple granola and a batch of pumpkin biscotti will go into the oven. The Italian version of biscotti, not the American. No butter = a crispy biscotti. I made a pumpkin snack cake Sunday evening and had pumpkin puree leftover, so I thought, why not add it to a batch of biscotti? The slow cooker is humming with a big batch of black bean chili which will be eaten for a few days and also frozen for later. I was going to try to get a batch of either soy or coconut yogurt going in the instant pot, but I think that will wait for tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By evening, the stovetop, oven, and slow cooker will all clock out after a long working day in order to properly rest for Wednesday's kitchen session. It really is the hardest working (and best smelling) room in the house. </div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-91163312916181851852023-10-06T07:24:00.006-04:002023-10-17T07:50:42.417-04:00October Days<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWX2vMh12TbgvmVOYGTRH_PPcyoAjzY-iBn66KekO0jcrDb7KDtJRI9huBzYCcCOq9DnOp-Jw2CzxEol2oD4q6n18kbcPUmxZ8L22zJRANjA7MLYYWtr3NCQ0CZQ23Wd6a8QT11Rg8wekNnG2i3-TYqAHCr4HDObYyKf_17fnoCF-jafyupGIRCrdrHSL/s1000/fall-garden.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWX2vMh12TbgvmVOYGTRH_PPcyoAjzY-iBn66KekO0jcrDb7KDtJRI9huBzYCcCOq9DnOp-Jw2CzxEol2oD4q6n18kbcPUmxZ8L22zJRANjA7MLYYWtr3NCQ0CZQ23Wd6a8QT11Rg8wekNnG2i3-TYqAHCr4HDObYyKf_17fnoCF-jafyupGIRCrdrHSL/s16000/fall-garden.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZB_bVC3NdQ1ZYN4lu-RubPnEW-ynovR2nzpEjO_KHFE2hKZ8d6YqbYF3n74losunUo891mdAsRYirHBizfpr8ap36T8cITr4xwhQbEc81dW0Zj2TvAqIiwNQMhARCCNkXuhJCWvZg2qy8PzcPENEOiQyvOS_RLjHe2zKUNrZq-FucZGA3TdiaJVJ1Ir6o/s1000/fall-garden2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZB_bVC3NdQ1ZYN4lu-RubPnEW-ynovR2nzpEjO_KHFE2hKZ8d6YqbYF3n74losunUo891mdAsRYirHBizfpr8ap36T8cITr4xwhQbEc81dW0Zj2TvAqIiwNQMhARCCNkXuhJCWvZg2qy8PzcPENEOiQyvOS_RLjHe2zKUNrZq-FucZGA3TdiaJVJ1Ir6o/s16000/fall-garden2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyy16O8NmOUXAuy2wtX-4fOI1XL8Y7bFJqOxG_ynI18zq7g8InccsWNMTbG41IIxT8ljSjAv8RY84lSOU3Fo8kSwJoPL2-k0N8tulFveC5JdSUKXxzzFA8C60-cbeovL6Yj5QJ-cNyO0W4XeciK_HHbW1S0pobNRJIltLEMhkDd3cbI_lGUvLiDFX4q3Z/s1000/coop-girls-fall3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyy16O8NmOUXAuy2wtX-4fOI1XL8Y7bFJqOxG_ynI18zq7g8InccsWNMTbG41IIxT8ljSjAv8RY84lSOU3Fo8kSwJoPL2-k0N8tulFveC5JdSUKXxzzFA8C60-cbeovL6Yj5QJ-cNyO0W4XeciK_HHbW1S0pobNRJIltLEMhkDd3cbI_lGUvLiDFX4q3Z/s16000/coop-girls-fall3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This week has been a surprise. Temps in the 80's have meant we've had a last taste of summer. I worked on putting much of my garden to bed. Some years I just run out of time and forget about it until the snow begins to thaw in spring and reveals the truth - my lack of fall clean-up. I was able to complete all but the active beds. We are blessed to have kale, arugula, lettuce, basil, cilantro, dill, oregano, sage, chives, green beans, beets, eggplant, and peppers still producing, despite the fact that they've been severely neglected. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The last of our fruit has been harvested and now I work to preserve it. The asian pear tree was LOADED this year. We've been eating what feels like our weight in fresh fruit and now I will slice and freeze what remains. And what remains is a lot. Last year or the year before I made apple galettes with them and that turned out to be delicious. Last year I also prepared and froze 6 gallon-sized bags of apple pie filling with apples from a local orchard. So, this year I am putting up our asian pears in the same manner. They will make many delectable homegrown treats this winter.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The coop girls love fall clean-up. They believe that everything I pick and pull in the garden is for them. They chirp and trill while patiently waiting on the other side of the garden fence supervising my every move. I toss them bits that are not salvageable. The pears they've been gifted this week have been a favorite, causing quite the stir. Their tuneful noises are filled with excitement and approval. They haven't yet been unleashed into the garden as they will ignore the garden rules: no eating or scratching of producing herbs and veggies. So, they are forced to wait just a little bit longer.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Days were filled with sunshine, an increase in humidity, an almost constant melodious birdsong coupled with the sound of chipmunks and squirrels scattering over crackling leaves as they continue to stockpile, and the slight smell of fall. Just enough to remind you that the season really is here, despite what the thermometer says. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mornings have remained cool which means starting my day with a cup of hot coffee and a good book is fully appreciated and enjoyed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." - L.M. Montgomery (Anne Of Green Gables)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm hoping you are able to also enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the season my friend.</div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-21197089306208043072023-10-03T14:32:00.008-04:002023-11-06T15:39:16.691-05:00Last Week On The Homestead: Fall Has Arrived, A Skunk Visit, And A Trip To The Beach!<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxitsxJnGIJcwF9jEFTZQWGAhoAYjGoXxo39Gx3craElxVS0Vnz4xGnJq7lz_vsR45ryVZ6-3POjj3IxJzshBd45w9h-KbdqRg9yma9tOJQh5EQixnmQPw5DAkEqwyL0G4eOfzPhDKkZXzNdswCx-zHBeFrbFB3leqxh7Iu6eWWIrMxey_2nUiVJ2zdsL/s1000/fall-is-here.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxitsxJnGIJcwF9jEFTZQWGAhoAYjGoXxo39Gx3craElxVS0Vnz4xGnJq7lz_vsR45ryVZ6-3POjj3IxJzshBd45w9h-KbdqRg9yma9tOJQh5EQixnmQPw5DAkEqwyL0G4eOfzPhDKkZXzNdswCx-zHBeFrbFB3leqxh7Iu6eWWIrMxey_2nUiVJ2zdsL/s16000/fall-is-here.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>September 23 - 29, 2023</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hello! And just like that, October has arrived. Is it warm this week where you live? It's in the upper 70's to mid 80's here most of the week. The nice thing is that the overnight temps should stay in the upper 40's to low 50's. It's officially fall so I crave soups, bread, sweaters, wool socks and all things cozy. We've been blessed with some of that already (and a lot of crunchy leaves on the ground) and will be back to the cool weather this weekend. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I even had to break out my hot water bottle for 2 evenings, which, might I say, got my husband making fun of me. But guess what? I quickly found out it was because he was jealous. Yup, he wished he had thought of it first. He even admitted that on the first night of using it he looked for it when he first came to bed but didn't want to wake me so ended up not "borrowing" it. He used to laugh when I would pull it out until I put it under his bare feet, and it was then that he realized how good it felt. Don't feel sorry for him (although he would love that!) - I have encouraged him to take it when he comes to bed since I am already asleep when he does.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Gf0JGK4pY-tDcXBAcXHUMU2qJrLDpDKsTl3lTE-arAvyQJj_OvbBHgSRSAIc7IQwvQTP7dMSWuL-ywol7yJwYclQsB6E7ZkZBRjFTLsaGzKgN0pMUomVYk0pX531-MbiXLafgHoi770-hrWH1SSGEOGK5aECNus5R4ST3QVgh-t_4Oojix_UF4dgltlK/s1000/farmcat-jack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Gf0JGK4pY-tDcXBAcXHUMU2qJrLDpDKsTl3lTE-arAvyQJj_OvbBHgSRSAIc7IQwvQTP7dMSWuL-ywol7yJwYclQsB6E7ZkZBRjFTLsaGzKgN0pMUomVYk0pX531-MbiXLafgHoi770-hrWH1SSGEOGK5aECNus5R4ST3QVgh-t_4Oojix_UF4dgltlK/s16000/farmcat-jack.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Jackson</div></span><div style="text-align: left;">We've been adjusting since Oliver's passing. It's been very quiet, and I haven't had a tight schedule to adhere to anymore, so it's a matter of getting used to all of it. We miss him tremendously. Jackson was curious for a few days, I'm sure wondering when he was coming home, but he now just enjoys the extra attention. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We've been asked a few times if we will be bringing another dog (or dogs) into our lives anytime soon, so I will answer that here as well. I've learned never to say never, so I won't say that, but we both agree that it would be quite some time before we committed to another dog. We kept a few of Oliver and Emerson's items for sentimental reasons, but everything else we've donated to a local shelter who was very much in need of it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We've always had cats since we've been together but, unfortunately, I am now quite allergic to cats so Jackson will be our last cat only because of the allergy. I am also slightly allergic to dogs, so I do have to be careful but so far, I've been fine with most dogs. It's more the commitment - time, financial, emotional, etc. We LOVED having Oliver and Emerson in our lives. They were the perfect match for us, health problems and all. We feel very fortunate for the time we had, and will always treasure that, but the answer to the question is a solid no.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEipBhIP7z4j8mwvVCWUDav4ojWRHOReIqQ6Dh_m50O_pOjtiALVfm0oCnk-zDo-GUH0LiQsL-u5Cr71N0HYBd69snzamhVSIH0jMytdtFh6OBFDtZYrtRyyY-r3r9wHqjhccNQcwk8GtOmjLtJCdL7zoQXs-K2xEmH21dTa0DEpztHNsuGSfs_3wwkQR/s1000/point-judith3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEipBhIP7z4j8mwvVCWUDav4ojWRHOReIqQ6Dh_m50O_pOjtiALVfm0oCnk-zDo-GUH0LiQsL-u5Cr71N0HYBd69snzamhVSIH0jMytdtFh6OBFDtZYrtRyyY-r3r9wHqjhccNQcwk8GtOmjLtJCdL7zoQXs-K2xEmH21dTa0DEpztHNsuGSfs_3wwkQR/s16000/point-judith3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75kmdAwrbGUFimuxt09pEDY5IUNCR4GsrpSPQpF1L4tRvG9OLMjvBmUEGvEi3GEOp9QF5e4GB62HyHYE6lBDS4rw7tWiV0J5thJxOm2cQ9l6ILCKZHL9RNCB2OCTcBIPZEkFhlMX_W40xtYhK8ub_G-4WEj3WNkiN7gfvCZw8CRYlHBSXNtVwCDFkAZJw/s1000/point-judith4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75kmdAwrbGUFimuxt09pEDY5IUNCR4GsrpSPQpF1L4tRvG9OLMjvBmUEGvEi3GEOp9QF5e4GB62HyHYE6lBDS4rw7tWiV0J5thJxOm2cQ9l6ILCKZHL9RNCB2OCTcBIPZEkFhlMX_W40xtYhK8ub_G-4WEj3WNkiN7gfvCZw8CRYlHBSXNtVwCDFkAZJw/s16000/point-judith4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We decided to take a couple of days off last week and headed to Rhode Island. We used to go once or twice a year to the Point Judith area but haven't been in about 5 years because of Emerson's brain tumor (Oliver's brother) and then Ollie's medical and emotional needs. Unfortunately, it wasn't the right time to go as we are smack dab in the middle of making products to get ready for our last busy season of the year with our soap business, so we only took a couple of days away. It was a great time, nonetheless. We walked the beaches, basking in the scent of salty air, and just relaxed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfq-DK8rOcTnONcPPokMeoX3ykIqRK77VOA4tGg99gZBw2OIvYoOm6GphEXPHDHToVXlKlqJPHsPl8fAKqqNZbJajQ42vxiXEDi4QBvZW-OFyOtkt1kOTebrannsXy9xO1Q27_PhgDxzdymGBM6NClwB6IIBnyEsgQtxLKcQ0nEbCwKyDA992k9f3N8ozl/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-coop-girls.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfq-DK8rOcTnONcPPokMeoX3ykIqRK77VOA4tGg99gZBw2OIvYoOm6GphEXPHDHToVXlKlqJPHsPl8fAKqqNZbJajQ42vxiXEDi4QBvZW-OFyOtkt1kOTebrannsXy9xO1Q27_PhgDxzdymGBM6NClwB6IIBnyEsgQtxLKcQ0nEbCwKyDA992k9f3N8ozl/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-coop-girls.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The chickens are loving their free-range time. We used to limit it because, well, chicken poop seems to be a delicacy to dogs and so we had to keep that under control. But now they are out just about every day for almost the full day. They are all into their fall molt so there are feathers EVERYWHERE and, of course, very few eggs. And a side note about the automatic chicken coop door, it was wonderful while we were away! I didn't have to have our pet sitter come to let them out or to lock them up at night, only to come and care for Jack (he takes medication for heart disease). We had a skunk visit us 2 weeks ago and he/she had been in the outdoor coops, so I was happy to know the coop girls were all locked up at night while we were gone.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As a side note, the skunk visit was a whole dramatic event where my husband was convinced that he was going to trap the skunk and relocate it. He had done this as part of his job many many years ago and thought it would be no problem. Oh brother.... Although my husband did not get sprayed, the skunk did spray the driveway and the tote (yes, tote) he was trying to trap it in. So, when the skunk finally ran away into the woods my husband, who didn't realize the tote had been sprayed, threw the tote into the barn and came into the house. We were on our way out somewhere, although I can't remember where, and as soon as I walked into the kitchen, I directed him to drop all of his clothes outside (sorry neighbors....) and get into the shower immediately. He smelled like skunk spray, so he must have walked through the spray. Anyway, as he was taking a shower I went outside and realized he had thrown the tote in the barn. As soon as I opened the barn door the skunk spray smell was so strong that my eyes were watering. The end result was that the smell came off of my husband and his clothes (thanks to a little hydrogen peroxide soak), we threw the tote into the garbage (thankfully they were taking garbage the next morning), and the barn took about a week to get the smell out of. I asked him to please not attempt relocating anymore skunks. Especially with a plastic tote.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHFrO5b0U-RrAxC_0FywQ_raHpkxPBgjzwCIEhFF1_4Tt4mFokVhIzJqBQhnXApjGAg9PzORZ7M17TRUkURQ1NT37vTNk521Cv2fnnzFalCaAg0-Ui3SjKYfCRnpTcpG4Q1Y8gnJ234HXgjhwr3GTN7o8ISP03FmVDRf174Wu_ebCUEv6fhg6N2NDB40V/s1000/what-im-reading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHFrO5b0U-RrAxC_0FywQ_raHpkxPBgjzwCIEhFF1_4Tt4mFokVhIzJqBQhnXApjGAg9PzORZ7M17TRUkURQ1NT37vTNk521Cv2fnnzFalCaAg0-Ui3SjKYfCRnpTcpG4Q1Y8gnJ234HXgjhwr3GTN7o8ISP03FmVDRf174Wu_ebCUEv6fhg6N2NDB40V/s16000/what-im-reading.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">These are the books I have this month from the library. I haven't read any of them as of yet so I can't recommend them but am hopeful! I enjoy the writing of both Louise Penny and Peter Mayle so I have to imagine those books will be good and I can't believe I haven't read Big Magic yet. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsgxWlGprF62naRdL8j0lTEqqWcxYivoyi_WtRnbPJoNIqIFym9qTA69actGZjhffArQEUzObhZBltUSkiD8XfrV7jJ8Bkv9EBkuHT05dOzjrgygTWVl-FPJKdxeb0V2hoUNq1bNd3H_A3HfYPKgv-Zyt-62pqiJCQfosrGi-oBI817NhuEZVnycwWEX2/s1000/paint-chips-entry-room.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="798" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLsgxWlGprF62naRdL8j0lTEqqWcxYivoyi_WtRnbPJoNIqIFym9qTA69actGZjhffArQEUzObhZBltUSkiD8XfrV7jJ8Bkv9EBkuHT05dOzjrgygTWVl-FPJKdxeb0V2hoUNq1bNd3H_A3HfYPKgv-Zyt-62pqiJCQfosrGi-oBI817NhuEZVnycwWEX2/s16000/paint-chips-entry-room.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And I am thinking about repainting our entry room from the lighter shade of blue you can see on the wall in the background to one of these darker grayish blue tones. I'm going to purchase small cans of each and see which I prefer. I love freshly painted walls! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm off to make peanut butter cookies (I use <a href="https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-peanut-butter-cookies/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">this recipe</span></b></a> and cut the sugar in half). How has the start of fall been for you? Hoping you had a wonderful week as well!</div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-18871178244231976902023-09-12T09:33:00.002-04:002023-10-05T15:16:54.248-04:00Last Week On The Homestead: Sunflowers, Potatoes, & Heartbreak<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuVm8v_tNECpNDdylfeCK4e5MgCQEraGPwyXjRBePXzcpAPbBTqAfoUWM3x9msNl08Cy5AhB0rad6EJ8fgtIzVN5h1tcAB8vAFwAdhVWiNQsbA14g_jYuLDtpHXSxjvVm0-lRPGT5msWNVvlOkWU7z4719goVmJOH9DPfOodkGIY_E5RfkunMjZjuUYUP/s1000/garden-seeds.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuVm8v_tNECpNDdylfeCK4e5MgCQEraGPwyXjRBePXzcpAPbBTqAfoUWM3x9msNl08Cy5AhB0rad6EJ8fgtIzVN5h1tcAB8vAFwAdhVWiNQsbA14g_jYuLDtpHXSxjvVm0-lRPGT5msWNVvlOkWU7z4719goVmJOH9DPfOodkGIY_E5RfkunMjZjuUYUP/s16000/garden-seeds.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJMaQwFgo0qW6IUmiyGtfWrD509eywhgxHZY3xz83FUmJfdWVaUYLGww6VeQiviIEOZoUBTYAud1Y3GfPH8ciAtFmOSMo3Ldeyt89E7rbJ2wIPXIw_G2tw6mLx3qPQPqXSHe7netfYFQNbX19GV8W8u8rUU-qhu82W-kLyCPntJ8urxLK-OTBQ8JLRAnH/s1000/hydrangea.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJMaQwFgo0qW6IUmiyGtfWrD509eywhgxHZY3xz83FUmJfdWVaUYLGww6VeQiviIEOZoUBTYAud1Y3GfPH8ciAtFmOSMo3Ldeyt89E7rbJ2wIPXIw_G2tw6mLx3qPQPqXSHe7netfYFQNbX19GV8W8u8rUU-qhu82W-kLyCPntJ8urxLK-OTBQ8JLRAnH/s16000/hydrangea.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qud90m7kcratGYtPVldagJlWEsHLyl6nY4lMcvCPFBOcsPdXBFxMxEXNXVXnGjpEn2kq6nxX902jRi29TGImbc2Ui2SpniJgC7wg6oCWuo1MmW31BGpQcVfjnc1iO5aCMAHRSl3Lqo7yXkCh8yX6wMN7Hq_z2_uSotBtwoildSzsoH7io7SSp5POivl2/s1000/asian-pears1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qud90m7kcratGYtPVldagJlWEsHLyl6nY4lMcvCPFBOcsPdXBFxMxEXNXVXnGjpEn2kq6nxX902jRi29TGImbc2Ui2SpniJgC7wg6oCWuo1MmW31BGpQcVfjnc1iO5aCMAHRSl3Lqo7yXkCh8yX6wMN7Hq_z2_uSotBtwoildSzsoH7io7SSp5POivl2/s16000/asian-pears1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG2pqK6t3Qma21FLqXHtkpuGlRgSUYB4dvvUR_BJqj2w7XQN9olDS_itAQhJgXpFvrw-nnobcIzemglU8vcxcSJ7lsqMzdA43pHqdKXbKUUYC-5Iwa1c6un1zNcht24K4vUUeDN4ozqq1tnlrlNDcZgCiJrxXR0yNTeCizwnoFFItLKl43jqNX17PRIvB/s1000/sunflowers1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhG2pqK6t3Qma21FLqXHtkpuGlRgSUYB4dvvUR_BJqj2w7XQN9olDS_itAQhJgXpFvrw-nnobcIzemglU8vcxcSJ7lsqMzdA43pHqdKXbKUUYC-5Iwa1c6un1zNcht24K4vUUeDN4ozqq1tnlrlNDcZgCiJrxXR0yNTeCizwnoFFItLKl43jqNX17PRIvB/s16000/sunflowers1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">September 4-10, 2023</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, I'm sure you can imagine why I've put "heartbreak" as part of the title, so I'll get right to that first.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDwf0hfNPV9o_5AU9E0ss4ZMNMPrR5w_qrWHjey4-S4R0GTuaXLrerhcrNOOQDa368jWS9_l1S93l1_Hbtf65fqSpfVWiaoqKVzyp1pspUHjOPfY4X6UqskVlDM8AxOzNsDQLqj4o8hMd9R4R5VjXTi2KGvNF93jSBnqdNhUiQTsDnNTT254O4FyFF_eX/s1000/french-bulldog-oliver.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDwf0hfNPV9o_5AU9E0ss4ZMNMPrR5w_qrWHjey4-S4R0GTuaXLrerhcrNOOQDa368jWS9_l1S93l1_Hbtf65fqSpfVWiaoqKVzyp1pspUHjOPfY4X6UqskVlDM8AxOzNsDQLqj4o8hMd9R4R5VjXTi2KGvNF93jSBnqdNhUiQTsDnNTT254O4FyFF_eX/s16000/french-bulldog-oliver.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Gosh friends, it's so hard to even write this. Our sweet little Oliver passed last week. We knew it was likely coming sooner rather than later, between his age (13 1/2) and his ongoing medical issues. The good things are: he lived to 13 1/2, he had a pretty good day that last day (he was pretty peppy and was barking at me and carrying on throughout the day), and he had us right beside him at the end.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had taken him to the emergency vet around 8p.m. on Monday because I believed he may be coming down with pneumonia again. Because of both his breed and his compromised lungs, he is very susceptible. The emergency vet believed it was indeed pneumonia and had him in an oxygen tank to help his lungs, because of the fairly newly discovered lung concerns. We had agreed that she would do an x-ray to confirm there was nothing more going on and then treat him. Pneumonia was confirmed and she told us that we could either leave him there overnight or she would discharge him, and although she thought it would be best to keep him on oxygen a little while longer, she would be comfortable with either decision. We opted to leave him overnight for the oxygen. He was doing well, and we drove home.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The phone rang at 2a.m. The emergency vet had called to let me know that he suddenly was struggling for oxygen. Despite the fact that he was still in the oxygen tank, his levels were down to 73% and he was visibly uncomfortable. She had tried to figure out what was going on but couldn't find anything visible. We got right in the car and headed down. After spending time with him and talking with the vet (who was amazing), we had to make that awful decision that you never want to have to make. He was definitely struggling. We talked about a breathing tube, but the fact of the matter was, even if he recovered with the breathing tube, because of his lung issues, his age, and all of his other medical diagnoses, we'd be right back in this position again in no time. It just wouldn't be in his best interest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, we elected to say goodbye to the little love of our life and send him off to play with his brother Emerson who passed back in 2019. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our house is now very quiet. It's the strangest feeling ever. We had such a routine for his medications, potty breaks, naps, and everything else, to now have nothing that absolutely had to be done was incredibly difficult to adjust to. We miss him every single moment of every single day. We know the pain will get easier with time, but it's still pretty fresh at the moment. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It has been tough, I'm not going to lie. Oliver's first surgery was at the age of three and he has had increasing medical and anxiety issues since then. We've said to each other from time-to-time that he was lucky to have found us as we were able and willing to do anything and everything he needed. But we've also told each other how lucky we are because he's brought us so much happiness and unconditional love and taught us so much in the process. It's all very much been worth it. When we were able to begin working for ourselves, we were grateful not only for self-employment but also in the fact that we could spend more time with our animals who we've always loved dearly. I'm grateful that both he and Emerson never had to be alone. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbj15dA1Gjb5mUTFwYWLqDwf79nJqwAXrBuhzHbAIDznrUL6x_du73E2d6HGb97SwI41sXNDOv3fsIy8TDdxkbYtwCAcJzO_wsOHbMR0U0ORL9ePPO29TS5u9xcSrPAmvPoNeh5G0ExRHS8sm23Dz6NZHZnu-mwvbg8pFEwfhcFTDxSw0VuUK9Qm__so-/s1000/farmcat-jackson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbj15dA1Gjb5mUTFwYWLqDwf79nJqwAXrBuhzHbAIDznrUL6x_du73E2d6HGb97SwI41sXNDOv3fsIy8TDdxkbYtwCAcJzO_wsOHbMR0U0ORL9ePPO29TS5u9xcSrPAmvPoNeh5G0ExRHS8sm23Dz6NZHZnu-mwvbg8pFEwfhcFTDxSw0VuUK9Qm__so-/s16000/farmcat-jackson.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Jackson has adjusted quite well. The poor guy has always been jealous of Oliver and frustrated that Ollie was afraid of him and refused to play, so although he's had some moments of seemingly searching for him, he has taken his role of only child quite well. We will continue to bathe him with attention, and he will absolutely soak all of it in. Despite being naughty at times, he really is a good boy.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrzoBi8NPvRIFqtdu4tuvQu3vGh3LRtf7YyHxNrLV0oj0Nf3S8OTOWPbCMsN9JG_V7M02mty39vR6jSHUeOgQMstFwDBiS3W8XvsL5WyU2EuF3X99yVAQ6MOdj4BjKpnUNM53q9KI-z0n0utZ4vko2l0AmVAL2mE0oc-NDbKszvIm3yZ7Z9TCvoXpWked/s1000/sunflowers2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrzoBi8NPvRIFqtdu4tuvQu3vGh3LRtf7YyHxNrLV0oj0Nf3S8OTOWPbCMsN9JG_V7M02mty39vR6jSHUeOgQMstFwDBiS3W8XvsL5WyU2EuF3X99yVAQ6MOdj4BjKpnUNM53q9KI-z0n0utZ4vko2l0AmVAL2mE0oc-NDbKszvIm3yZ7Z9TCvoXpWked/s16000/sunflowers2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Do you remember my sunflower saga? I have had absolutely no luck getting them to grow because the chipmunks kept eating them once they'd reach 4-5 inches tall. I had worked very hard on figuring out how to get a few to grow and I succeeded! I ended up with 5 sunflowers, 4 small and 1 large. I was so elated to see them beginning to bloom. The large one opened up one day during the rain. This isn't too surprising as we've had a lot of rain this year, but I guess I was expecting it to open when the sun was shining. The others opened up last week.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWWQ34yG3w7A6dSztOGmvSvKXVvBnIGXO8H7rMbdWY0aFiNNydlK7hoQZjCYdAmd7wvQ3H49aKM76EMFiAqiDfOsRrw3jfC6CUF_Lehf4hjnjQCorYxO6oD9jcgBQeglLRQn6HdhAreLvbEH6r-ODvjNjvW6LbNxVgWu2EyZh8B8WqBZ6x2GEbT-g62sB/s1000/potato-harvest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbWWQ34yG3w7A6dSztOGmvSvKXVvBnIGXO8H7rMbdWY0aFiNNydlK7hoQZjCYdAmd7wvQ3H49aKM76EMFiAqiDfOsRrw3jfC6CUF_Lehf4hjnjQCorYxO6oD9jcgBQeglLRQn6HdhAreLvbEH6r-ODvjNjvW6LbNxVgWu2EyZh8B8WqBZ6x2GEbT-g62sB/s16000/potato-harvest.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We managed to have a good potato crop this year. I dug them up a few weeks ago (and should have dug them probably a week or two prior to when I did) and was pleasantly surprised at the findings. I didn't take the time to weigh them, but I did fill a couple of boxes which should last us a few months, so I was happy with that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLemxJTLzYYivMIEQxskGhhGK5-36Z_w3IwahvN_3zY7hAABigw41iN9LP9gwVgTDEFLkHhbKVfS6y4Xt_QV6GuPSPSYqoOv2FsNt-dCztU63YYny2uMFNhoXL_DoZTxCPNYRX58YD-dW0m-q8P6YcWTIyJkBRsfy7WmVMtUwg3ce4lBjhFx-P2-Tfxa5x/s1000/pumpkin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLemxJTLzYYivMIEQxskGhhGK5-36Z_w3IwahvN_3zY7hAABigw41iN9LP9gwVgTDEFLkHhbKVfS6y4Xt_QV6GuPSPSYqoOv2FsNt-dCztU63YYny2uMFNhoXL_DoZTxCPNYRX58YD-dW0m-q8P6YcWTIyJkBRsfy7WmVMtUwg3ce4lBjhFx-P2-Tfxa5x/s16000/pumpkin.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The rest of the garden is doing ok. I replanted green beans, and we should begin harvesting from that planting in the next week or two. I believe I have a dozen or so new plants. The pepper plants continue to produce, and we might just get eggplant! I started the seeds very late and then promptly forgot about them until they were spindly seedlings that were too tall for the contraption I had them in. I ended up salvaging 6 plants (I lost 2) and they are producing!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUVfeQEoPjnakxW13Ar7yzq4p9Q_u4kayQBovyoDucQ33JjFvdeW0f0kGKku80XrrFW7UNhO6ka8C8bxkt1-7DL8Y7-S1sU4p8turtSxfsmPSBfI0XrzIA7uqtFtR69Bp4itlUXARyVR_kIHuLCo8-I-sLnzMSjHY_tQEnUb0NOCZ01HfltgeGI17UF7g/s1000/eastern-milksnake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUVfeQEoPjnakxW13Ar7yzq4p9Q_u4kayQBovyoDucQ33JjFvdeW0f0kGKku80XrrFW7UNhO6ka8C8bxkt1-7DL8Y7-S1sU4p8turtSxfsmPSBfI0XrzIA7uqtFtR69Bp4itlUXARyVR_kIHuLCo8-I-sLnzMSjHY_tQEnUb0NOCZ01HfltgeGI17UF7g/s16000/eastern-milksnake.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We relocated this guy. We found him up near the house and put him at the back of the property where he quickly disappeared into our stone wall. We believe it's an Eastern Milksnake, but if you know it to be something else, please leave a comment letting me know. If so, they do eat chipmunks and our "pet" chipmunk who I've named Ruby resides in many little cubbies right around our house. I wanted to try and protect her, so the snake will hopefully behave. Now, mind you, I have no idea if the chipmunk is male or female, so, like feral cat Felix, I am guessing. She does respond to a clicking noise I make (same one that's used to tell the chickens I have treats) when I am giving her goodies, and she has a favorite hole to receive them in. When I make the noise and call out for Ruby or Rubes, she makes this squeal and comes running to our deck and dives into the hole she made underneath it and then comes back up and looks at me excitedly. She's pretty funny.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So, it was a quiet and sad week around here last week. We, of course, have wonderful memories, but it will take some time for the pain to not hurt quite so deep. Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-9712381312600137222023-09-01T15:31:00.003-04:002023-11-21T12:23:33.531-05:00Tips For Predator Proofing Your Chicken Coop<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv8toVcR5JTV43yrNwV6urJiZMRYL1HP7T49y5I9iZz5-M05ZoRjpIOGW_ZzQ39s2XAhyjJRYktAvo4XJZjBuiYGTWWHKrwWOnsTgYK19d17rWuYwEaI9qhgSKPtXSaMaHwk3mWAc_4UbbqG1f_atUdZwFz4HPtbSwQH_VSZr4xSK9NLZNh37D7-5b18C/s1000/chicken-coop1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhv8toVcR5JTV43yrNwV6urJiZMRYL1HP7T49y5I9iZz5-M05ZoRjpIOGW_ZzQ39s2XAhyjJRYktAvo4XJZjBuiYGTWWHKrwWOnsTgYK19d17rWuYwEaI9qhgSKPtXSaMaHwk3mWAc_4UbbqG1f_atUdZwFz4HPtbSwQH_VSZr4xSK9NLZNh37D7-5b18C/s16000/chicken-coop1.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've written many articles about the joy of backyard chicken-keeping. We have been blessed with ongoing flocks of funny and beautiful chickens for the past 14 years. One thing not everyone thinks about when they decide to venture into chicken-keeping, is protecting the flock from predators. I'll be honest, while it certainly did cross our minds, we did not keep this at the forefront of our minds when building our coop.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you have chickens, predators know where they are. It's a matter of becoming familiar with what types of predators may be in your area and then creating a plan to protect your flock from them. Unfortunately, one predator can wipe out your entire flock in one night. We've had a few friends that this has happened to. If you are building a coop, predator proofing is an important factor to consider, and if you have an existing coop, many strategies are easy to implement with a little time, materials, and (sometimes) a bit of creativity.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are a few things to consider for your own coop:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Hardware Cloth</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"> A more durable option for a chicken run than chicken wire, hardware cloth is sturdy and can be purchased in smaller gauge than other wires. Some predators can squeeze through remarkably small holes, so this will not only keep your chickens in but also keep the predators out. Research the predators common in your area in order to determine what size you should use (1/4" or smaller is ideal). Also remember to line any windows or vent holes on your coop in order to protect your flock inside their coop. The downside is the cost. Hardware cloth is more expensive than chicken wire.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Another thought on the chicken run is to bury the wire up to a foot below ground. This is to deter any digging our burrowing predators.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Chicken Run Covering</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Rather than having your chicken run open, consider covering it with a roof and/or netting. While the netting may not keep all predators out, it will prevent hawks, owls, and eagles from entering and taking your chickens. A solid roof can keep any climbing predators out, as long as there are no gaps between the fencing and the roof.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Lock Your Coop Up At Night</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Many times, closing the doors isn't enough. Having a 2-step latch on each of the doors is ideal. On our doors we use 2 different latches that open in different ways. The thought process is that if a predator, say a raccoon, is able to open one type of latch, it (hopefully) won't be able to open the other. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi9ZbUtnMIPIDbGNJgwmAdtg9pG2X6P94Rva6TnNc2ML5pjG7MfwA7p5-omPXf8RmBEWmPWnDW2HK7U7EF7yg0FivQLJSTjUVYBgijNRB8B43mhzZTj9ghWFzavmPGixzTOX2U-f2gImR64jFn38lUXDkT-cailHfzk89WwX2zJ_h8kkcEufpOzZR49in/s1000/wk1-chicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi9ZbUtnMIPIDbGNJgwmAdtg9pG2X6P94Rva6TnNc2ML5pjG7MfwA7p5-omPXf8RmBEWmPWnDW2HK7U7EF7yg0FivQLJSTjUVYBgijNRB8B43mhzZTj9ghWFzavmPGixzTOX2U-f2gImR64jFn38lUXDkT-cailHfzk89WwX2zJ_h8kkcEufpOzZR49in/s16000/wk1-chicks.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Add An Automatic Door</span></b><br />**updated 11/23**<div>This is a splurge and certainly not a necessity but can save the day when you either forget to close up the coop or can't get out to the coop because of the snow or ice. We've been in both situations and have so far been lucky, but we know it's only time. The key is in finding the right door for your coop. </div><div><br />I previously wrote about an automatic chicken coop door we received from Chick Cozy in exchange for a write-up about their product and I can no longer recommend this door. After we'd had it up (and using it very successfully) for a month and a half, the door began getting stuck. The problem was that the track the doors slide on was on the bottom and stuff from the chicken's feet kept getting lodged into the track which would halt the door. So, we began inspecting the track every evening, which wouldn't work if we were using the automatic door while we were away from home. By November the door stopped working from time-to-time despite the fact that the battery was at 90% charge, and nothing was lodged in the track. My husband has removed it and reinstalled it a few times and it will work like a charm for a few days and then stop working again. We have now removed it.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">5. Close Any Gaps</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Check your coop structure, all doors and windows as well as the chicken run for any gaps. Your coop should be built of strong, sturdy material and preferably with a solid (not dirt) floor. Spend the time to look for gaps and close it up tight as it doesn't take much space for many predators to squeeze in. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0m72I_roxibYxSXzyrbuPp6mg-dtGDWSW9LKpUd3n9fO6OuVDBi76IcDCXZamCr7okTjYG4b4rU-sQtQgJbflQ7kiG5JDi8uDr6Obw3W0cqWkudV66z6i25WeKMsNr3H4pHqrRIEwaNJ8ZFZ7Eqph5AnKEqmmI22BdbyefPO46A0dVvmPHON9yiQ7pDU/s1000/lwoth-backyard-chickens.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0m72I_roxibYxSXzyrbuPp6mg-dtGDWSW9LKpUd3n9fO6OuVDBi76IcDCXZamCr7okTjYG4b4rU-sQtQgJbflQ7kiG5JDi8uDr6Obw3W0cqWkudV66z6i25WeKMsNr3H4pHqrRIEwaNJ8ZFZ7Eqph5AnKEqmmI22BdbyefPO46A0dVvmPHON9yiQ7pDU/s16000/lwoth-backyard-chickens.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: x-large;">6. Coop Train Your Flock</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"> If your flock will free-range, make sure they understand that their coop is their safe place. It's also important that they understand that their coop is where they should sleep. Anytime we add new chickens to the flock, all birds are on flock-down for a few weeks as they settle their pecking order, and the newbies get to understand that the coop is their home. While they are on flock-down, I also begin training them to the sound of treats being shaken in a plastic bucket. This way, I can always get them to return to their coop anytime of the day or night. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Chickens are quite food-driven, so it doesn't take long to train them. Shake the bucket and hand out the treats once a day and within a few days they understand that shaking means goodies. When our girls are free-ranging and I need them to return, I shake the treat bucket and they come running and flying from all directions. The excitement is impressive! I've yet to have a rebel who can resist the treat bucket.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">7. Keep It Clean</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"> If you've provided treats in the outdoor run, or have feeders outside for convenience, make sure to clean it all up each evening and put all food away. Honestly, it's just asking for trouble by attracting predators who can either harm your flock or pass them diseases. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Predator proofing your coop is peace of mind. While nothing is 100% effective, you can make your coop as secure as possible.</div></div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-78788146655557640312023-08-11T07:12:00.002-04:002023-10-05T15:16:54.252-04:00Last Month On The Homestead July 2023: What's Growing, Updates, & Where I've Been!<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7VIRhxazaXkntD_BmkS8iI61UYvKDova8VwFrE38O9eJWqq_5wJp8GW6_S4Q7kzMjbqwCITXY8CPCgHCldsXxLVoNE0rLi6gXOpU2Qlm7_ceLJPwgjwbevAgp1usJOjwqfhnz93GCRUi6HN9psQqkhgr1W_EzxpclyWw1KDcLhdIGg1ZCKnd2LQ9AbCU/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-july2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7VIRhxazaXkntD_BmkS8iI61UYvKDova8VwFrE38O9eJWqq_5wJp8GW6_S4Q7kzMjbqwCITXY8CPCgHCldsXxLVoNE0rLi6gXOpU2Qlm7_ceLJPwgjwbevAgp1usJOjwqfhnz93GCRUi6HN9psQqkhgr1W_EzxpclyWw1KDcLhdIGg1ZCKnd2LQ9AbCU/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-july2023.jpg" /></a></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy76fnvNX_EOcpw7F68ISfNnIRqhUK7VzSeZ6A_IqKY1XCOPiQ45N4OVA9O9DBkzMh-hWdxNYyo6ZQ3qVVzJtoHl_kJh_Ew9WSccpsD2MDFOWsNmSKEbufPnlTKeD0qv6S4G07x14dQJSvo_Xvq9QhmmZNIzWYxr2L-pW0JvnhSDUrVJ8NljFh3DVORsF1/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-july2023-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy76fnvNX_EOcpw7F68ISfNnIRqhUK7VzSeZ6A_IqKY1XCOPiQ45N4OVA9O9DBkzMh-hWdxNYyo6ZQ3qVVzJtoHl_kJh_Ew9WSccpsD2MDFOWsNmSKEbufPnlTKeD0qv6S4G07x14dQJSvo_Xvq9QhmmZNIzWYxr2L-pW0JvnhSDUrVJ8NljFh3DVORsF1/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-july2023-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdORlt-Mlm8mG1VybMRJF3afsFng4cS3hW_XYvchv5fQPcBZQU56Wic_QZuDY6Fek1k1fK1_jmOGuqW_t79RfzJPa7M8hDZSVrD3D3hvkRbCQS841w7FcydfVLuOsjG7DeXnSqykBcvbyAIjn0ZHvBlVY1mgOhLIz9pzikCy69TQalM4VDsjLaOjxZ375Q/s1000/sunflower1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UUbV4zliynlmLTp974KF0LI3A4bNgMzJLoY6emdWwzsz-CyaogNfaM4nr5NkZmyv3y0-bVRWHXgYYx7_6-GZ5uOEAivmc2-l7eDSXUE3t8CGzqir2aiQWUvx3pxOMdj30RlBjBKkVc7lFElUSogaXiWXaAL_uMsSshfTV46fYCtolVkKMwg-CsXMY6UT/s16000/Asian-pear-tree.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUr5xS1u_sPNqTBg0Ub341zqxScjWgmthsq0HpV0m-MroRTPr9G0vsxv00_-YQ1iclGoSgL_udHOaMPu5KLFl_OvA1affzBN0L2jmSkgys54ApgsLrVQjhKdpe3znPe6Kx0Z_AxL5vqhb4gDgb9f6eMnm4sshSZn6n3CJUTPl-eBornJyhzrrKo-bxhW2B/s1000/pumpkin1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUr5xS1u_sPNqTBg0Ub341zqxScjWgmthsq0HpV0m-MroRTPr9G0vsxv00_-YQ1iclGoSgL_udHOaMPu5KLFl_OvA1affzBN0L2jmSkgys54ApgsLrVQjhKdpe3znPe6Kx0Z_AxL5vqhb4gDgb9f6eMnm4sshSZn6n3CJUTPl-eBornJyhzrrKo-bxhW2B/s16000/pumpkin1.jpg" /></a></div><br />Hello! It's been a bit since I've posted, and I apologize for that. July was somewhat hectic, and that rolled into the beginning of August as well. So here we are, nearly midway through August already! How have you been? I'm hoping this finds you and your family safe and well. We've had a very rainy summer but have been fortunate in that flooding has not been an issue as it has for so many. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm posting a "last month on the homestead" rather than "last week" as I can't even remember what I did last week. So, an overview it will be!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The garden is doing ok. Yes, just ok. The tomatoes and peppers are producing prolifically as are half of the green bean plants, the greens, beets, and most of the herbs, but the rest is, well, just ok. The weeds began their annual takeover, but I was able to spend a couple of days pulling those, so we are back to being able to see all of the plants again (and any snakes that may be visiting). I've planted more seeds for fall. I had hoped to get some seeds started for fall planting but that didn't happen which might be ok this year as we are receiving a fair amount of rain. I think they should germinate and get growing in time for a harvest. And good news, my 4 sunflowers are still alive! Because of their late start they aren't blooming yet but I believe they will.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mxw6LPvdypMVGU7j2eMbTvgJmCFJiPTLhbK1MtCfsnUjsWpHNv4UWE_abHmMOvdLQMm7DriAIwPvzOPANWJXr5NBAn74ZZk-7JGG42qwNDx-2VByY9vRzmJkxmbTd5GTztC7ROpm7h9AitTrOyfVc-Sab2IFo_PYihKRnscVXYXGQhhxo4uA95sydEKv/s1000/french-bulldog-oliver1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mxw6LPvdypMVGU7j2eMbTvgJmCFJiPTLhbK1MtCfsnUjsWpHNv4UWE_abHmMOvdLQMm7DriAIwPvzOPANWJXr5NBAn74ZZk-7JGG42qwNDx-2VByY9vRzmJkxmbTd5GTztC7ROpm7h9AitTrOyfVc-Sab2IFo_PYihKRnscVXYXGQhhxo4uA95sydEKv/s16000/french-bulldog-oliver1.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Oliver</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The hecticness of this past month was mostly due to Jay and Oliver being hospitalized. Thankfully not both at the same time, and obviously both at different types of hospitals (Oliver is a dog although he doesn't seem to know that). Jay was having kidney stone issues. He has them fairly regularly (it's years between them but they always eventually show up) and is monitored annually. So, while it wasn't a surprise that they began moving, it was a surprise when they got stuck and he had to undergo emergency surgery to have them removed. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once he was finally back up and running, I got sick, which is rare these days thankfully. My illness only lasted a few days and then we had to take Oliver to the emergency vet because he suddenly began having severe breathing problems. Thankfully all of us were back up and running before the next one was ill. It certainly would have been even worse to have us all down at the same time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oliver is still recovering and was diagnosed with an additional 4 medical issues during his stay at the emergency vet. He's 13 1/2 years old and a French Bulldog, so no one was surprised when they continued to find new issues. We aren't sure what it all means yet as we need to focus first on getting his breathing issues resolved and then we will meet with his regular vet to figure out the rest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWyShZyPI6V3-kLiWcX_G2p83z5F-uWj1SmU0q7Jh7mhrOngypTLV45GE2eY5p1BMX5UH-ACFvb5lFF8TofBdriR2t3P_H6iqOF5pqQFLgGPJudVJjkYOiRO9Pr83Tg80U3g9XMjmNP5hbhgLc-z4MJuCKOPK4ZyZTA94xbnRLCdgXQ21bzMXMT--Ok-5/s1000/farmcat-jackson1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="723" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWyShZyPI6V3-kLiWcX_G2p83z5F-uWj1SmU0q7Jh7mhrOngypTLV45GE2eY5p1BMX5UH-ACFvb5lFF8TofBdriR2t3P_H6iqOF5pqQFLgGPJudVJjkYOiRO9Pr83Tg80U3g9XMjmNP5hbhgLc-z4MJuCKOPK4ZyZTA94xbnRLCdgXQ21bzMXMT--Ok-5/s16000/farmcat-jackson1.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Jackson</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jackson is doing well as is our feral cat friend Felix. We haven't seen much of the other two feral cats. One morning one of the other cats and I believe Felix got into a fight over the cat food dish. There was a lot of hissing and some tumbling into the flower bed right off of the front porch. Felix must have won the turf war as the other hasn't been seen much since. Jack was sleeping through the entire incident. Too bad, he would have gotten very excited from his window seat view.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Somehow, we missed jam season. I just realized this the other day. How does that happen??? Usually, we go to a local u-pick for blueberries to turn into jam and can as well as stock up on strawberries when they go on sale for the same reason. This year neither happened. Bummer since we used up all of our homemade jam a month or so ago. We can make it with frozen fruit maybe in early fall. I actually haven't canned anything as of yet. We still have some things left from last year, but I had hoped to be able to add to my cupboards. There's still plenty of time, so I just have to decide what items to focus on.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been reading the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny in any spare time I get (or while waiting in hospital rooms, waiting rooms, etc.....). I'm currently waiting for the next one to be available at the library. I enjoy her writing as it is somewhat different from most that I typically read. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What are you reading this summer?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR-MTfLnyXSFxEzp_eyVsHd-lMyZXhHnbwhjceFeYuSruJmquSctApIF0EwYr0id18guKjuj93A6DcBHJKdR9sfMH5-yoFv1LoOEADXPz94Cak7MwMhokb8oaK-NlCxTXsFnyzMrhwpVaFgWC0_Ym-EjnKaXx0LuQu9a464QylpenYTDOoLb80g_B44qP/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-coop-girl-dorilla1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR-MTfLnyXSFxEzp_eyVsHd-lMyZXhHnbwhjceFeYuSruJmquSctApIF0EwYr0id18guKjuj93A6DcBHJKdR9sfMH5-yoFv1LoOEADXPz94Cak7MwMhokb8oaK-NlCxTXsFnyzMrhwpVaFgWC0_Ym-EjnKaXx0LuQu9a464QylpenYTDOoLb80g_B44qP/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-coop-girl-dorilla1.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">coop girl Dorilla</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We lost two coop girls the end of July. Do you remember me telling you about sweet coop girl Dorilla and how she would put her wing around coop girl Stella at night on the roost? Well Dorilla passed away one evening. I found her laying under the roosts when I went to open them up for the day. Stella passed away just a few days later. Isn't that interesting? They were so close and passed away the same week. I'm sure that both are from old age, although Stella may have been old age and heartbreak. I would check on her in the evenings after Dorilla's passing and she was all by herself. It's sad but I'm so happy they experienced such a loving friendship while they were here.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I had hoped to have made the oregano pesto I wrote about in the last post and report back, but my oregano is the only herb not doing well this year. Go figure. I finally have a way to use a bunch of it (rather than just drying it) and it didn't grow much at all. We were blessed with a plethora of cilantro, as usual, and I've been so grateful. We eat it pretty much daily, so it's been wonderful to pick it fresh all spring and summer. I know a lot of people struggle with growing cilantro and I have no idea why it does well in my garden. I suspect because I don't have full sun. I actually planted it in succession in just about all of my garden beds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We are reminded that the next season is right around the corner as we make our fall products for our soap & mercantile company. It's hard to believe that time is almost here! I used to forget to enjoy the last of summer because I was so excited about the anticipation of fall, my favorite season. But now, I make a conscious effort to fully embrace each day of the year, regardless of what it brings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">**Our thoughts are with all of the people on the island of Maui. My husband and I lived on Oahu when we first got together and were later married on Maui. It is heartbreaking to see the devastation and loss. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What about you, have you had a nice summer? How did your garden do this year? What foods are you preserving for winter eating?</div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-78527555589138143302023-07-04T15:51:00.001-04:002023-10-05T15:16:54.252-04:00Last Week On The Homestead: A Part-Time Broody Hen, Sunflowers, And A Garden Update!<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiI5aU0XHOoe1m808zSs0XjzRk3N4I483cinBrjAWfb3ym3pDRqIC1yaG8nxUZXixIIW65vMwKRjE5hcnkThD2TaLgY0UDPLHEZF5Hxf-dPfDEl_nWXE3T-IjPVmoHzxYXmckjm7L7ocumijTf-HseAcFlOm8-cgDfG7qVDNmg4MRXslVvy0xOkVAexkn/s1000/pear-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHiI5aU0XHOoe1m808zSs0XjzRk3N4I483cinBrjAWfb3ym3pDRqIC1yaG8nxUZXixIIW65vMwKRjE5hcnkThD2TaLgY0UDPLHEZF5Hxf-dPfDEl_nWXE3T-IjPVmoHzxYXmckjm7L7ocumijTf-HseAcFlOm8-cgDfG7qVDNmg4MRXslVvy0xOkVAexkn/s16000/pear-tree.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKmAey4uuFb76g71Uvh0uup59CIfV134yOdtjaufC4z_2ksT4F5UztnvYCOKlPE3PiJAR_FTfRSx75NMvf64jINscgOn-Ia1h-2SzSzKXW66hPRT3c5FlDSz79sQRB3CjA_FA9KOR0lFBwrGBDkwQ9xxPkBzPQZ6u9BxAk5SsCx2nrb6w_BYEhqDTe6cb/s16000/tomatoes.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfLUfV2OHkqeZ_M85ABO2Ycb6xwHDuSBJby68ChcCqu-wy12UfuenSNN-_nVWb4ZUN9OTrCakVPCzieFJGH3B9fRPNDJ22tr41ctv19IoaT_oQRdTOtRFJW7OBQXqaJ-FA-LN4Y_3FI1EDUPEArdKsz85M7F8jME6ehkjP2DGOXYq3LYzSAD9oMnXYPgd/s1000/wild-daisy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfLUfV2OHkqeZ_M85ABO2Ycb6xwHDuSBJby68ChcCqu-wy12UfuenSNN-_nVWb4ZUN9OTrCakVPCzieFJGH3B9fRPNDJ22tr41ctv19IoaT_oQRdTOtRFJW7OBQXqaJ-FA-LN4Y_3FI1EDUPEArdKsz85M7F8jME6ehkjP2DGOXYq3LYzSAD9oMnXYPgd/s16000/wild-daisy.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">June 24 - July 1, 2023</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hello! Happy summer! Happy fourth to those of you in the U.S.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last week brought us a lot of rain and, of course, humidity. Thankfully, nothing like some parts of the U.S. are receiving, but we were grateful to have received it (the rain, not the humidity). Even though it meant our Saturday craft show was a very wet day. Our air quality had been quite bad a couple of weeks ago (we had the orange sky and extremely hazy days) but had improved tremendously until this week. It pretty much stayed in the "unhealthy for those at-risk" category, so not great, but an improvement, nonetheless.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The flowers are blooming, the garden is growing, and so are the weeds! We are currently harvesting sugar snap peas, lettuces, kale, beet greens, beets, arugula, spinach, broccoli, herbs, radishes, and asparagus. The first round of jalapeno peppers are just about ready (this will be the earliest we've ever harvested them), as are green beans, cherry tomatoes, zucchini & yellow summer squash. Our cucumber plants are growing very slowly for some reason, and although we have a lot of tiny bell peppers on the plants, it will be some time before they are big enough to harvest. The pears are still looking great as are the Asian pears. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, and the excitement of the week is.....I have 4 sunflower plants!! Out of the 3 times I've tried to grow them this year (and 4 packs of seeds used up....), these 4 have made it to about a foot tall. I am hoping (and hoping and hoping) the chipmunks and squirrels leave them alone, but who knows. I've tried so many different contraptions this year to grow any at all, but those darned critters found a way to get to almost every single one and eat them. I've always grown sunflowers and never gave it a second thought until 2 years ago when I lost all 35 (yes 35!) that I had started from seed. First, I lost all of the seeds. A chipmunk (or two or three) found a few and then discovered that there was an entire row. They greedily stole them all. The next batch I covered with shade cloth and secured it to the ground, but once the sunflower plants were a few inches tall those little monsters figured out how to get to the tasty greens and ate every. single. one. {sigh...} I had hoped they would leave me one or two but that, apparently, was too much to ask. So now you know why I am so excited at the prospect of FOUR sunflowers!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of our older Coop Girls, who has never been broody a day in her life up to this point, is now broody. Well, actually, she's a part-time broody hen. Who knew this could be a thing? She appears all day to be broody, staying in a nesting box, being very possessive of it including puffing up her feathers and growling if you even look at her wrong, yet not laying on a single egg. Then, in the evening, she retires to the roost, leaving the box behind. The next morning it all starts again. I have no idea what she's thinking or why, now that she's 7 or 8 years old, she suddenly has the desire.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thinking about her reminded me of one of our previous broody hens. Those of you who have been with me for a while will remember our "little Lizzie". She was a spitfire. One of the smallest chickens and a whole lot of attitude, but we loved her. Some days, when she didn't think I was paying her enough attention, she would fly up onto my arm as I was working. Of course, I would stop what I was doing and talk to her. She would also do that if she wanted her own share of the treats I was doling out. Well, she eventually went broody. So, Mama Claire (do you remember Mama Claire? She was the BEST chicken ever!) was broody and I believe sitting on 6 eggs, and little Lizzie took over a nesting box next to Mama Claire. Lizzie ended up with 4 eggs to sit on. (We had a rooster - Clyde, so they were fertile)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I tracked when the eggs should be hatching and began checking on them regularly when it was getting close. Once Mama Claire's eggs were hatching, I was checking constantly. We were going to move Claire and Lizzie with their chicks into crates inside the coop once they were all hatched, so we were preparing for that. This ended up being a good thing because who would have known that little Lizzie was not in any way interested in being a mama? Mama Claire's eggs had all hatched and I was preparing their crate, so I had gone out to the coop. I suddenly heard Lizzie's trademark growl. Why would she be growling, I wondered. I thought maybe one of the other hens was trying to get in her box. When I entered the coop, I saw a little chick peek its head out from under her and she growled and began attacking the poor thing. I was shocked and grabbed the chick. Lizzie continued growling and pecking at anything she could. Saying she was angry was an understatement. Clearly, she had no idea this is what would come from sitting on eggs. Well, we ended up giving all of the chicks to Mama Claire, who already had 6 of her own. She LOVED being a mama and gratefully accepted them, although there were days the poor girl looked quite overwhelmed. But she did such a good job. From then on, when little Lizzie went broody, we gave her fake eggs to sit on. No more chicks for her!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSvlvZPTMquMmtC_ypNThFd7lEjQxyuNjPqgNt32FYfk-Jnx8PcUtMY-7OFTFmqtP18HqeIP6e_jhgWH29Z_Juwqi_3KknOf1WvdTMZMVNYoI2eSqS5Ur7iwfB9ob5-sOSPlkwbrxg4HCW6P5DBP1oI5TUAwg6BTyIJ2qPavz1Ih3R8QiUX8ULG6Ux3Q_/s1000/coop-girls-dorilla-stella1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSvlvZPTMquMmtC_ypNThFd7lEjQxyuNjPqgNt32FYfk-Jnx8PcUtMY-7OFTFmqtP18HqeIP6e_jhgWH29Z_Juwqi_3KknOf1WvdTMZMVNYoI2eSqS5Ur7iwfB9ob5-sOSPlkwbrxg4HCW6P5DBP1oI5TUAwg6BTyIJ2qPavz1Ih3R8QiUX8ULG6Ux3Q_/s16000/coop-girls-dorilla-stella1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking of the coop girls, do you remember when I shared about coop girl Dorilla who protects her flock sister Stella at night? Stella appears to be sensitive to noise and Dorilla tucks Stella under her wing. Well, the photo above is one I took this past week. Unfortunately, it is a little hard to see and Stella, curious as to why I was in the coop at night, partly untucked herself to look at me, but you can see sweet Dorilla's wing on Stella's back. They are always the first 2 to go to bed every night. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The temps and humidity have been increasing so I've been trying to use mostly the grill, air fryer, and instant pot for cooking. And with all of our greens, that will likely start bolting soon, we are eating a LOT of salads. I've been planning to make <a href="https://healthyslowcooking.com/quick-and-easy-fresh-oregano-vegan-pesto/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">this recipe</span></b></a> for oregano pesto by Healthy Slow Cooking, but I haven't been able to harvest enough oregano yet to make it. I'll post something when I do to let you know what I thought about it. Usually, I have too much oregano by this time, but now that I have a recipe that I want to try, it's growing more slowly. That's how it goes, isn't it?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's a quick video of Oliver. He gets excited after his evening meds and rolls around in his big bed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzNQeTNZqMkVT-gjKMCCPjkOofOJd4p2V32-iJQ5ljCYgY_oyIrahTHMz9WjMAgjPHNnOS4qT2HXIQnHdszqA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meals for this week:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">As a reminder, I cook 2 separate meals because we do eat differently.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My meals:</div><div style="text-align: left;">veg stir-fry with either rice or pasta & air-fryer tofu</div><div style="text-align: left;">raw veggie sandwich with hummus</div><div style="text-align: left;">big salads</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay's meals:</div><div style="text-align: left;">sweet & spicy smoked chicken thighs with rice and veggies</div><div style="text-align: left;">grilled bbq baby back ribs with baked beans and veggies</div><div style="text-align: left;">grilled steak with homefries and veggies</div><div style="text-align: left;">chicken parm with pasta and veggies</div><div style="text-align: left;">grilled pizza and air fryer chicken wings</div><div style="text-align: left;">grilled honey mustard chicken with skillet potatoes and veggies</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm hoping your garden is doing amazing, if you are growing one, and wishing you a wonderful week ahead!</div><br />Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-4475082923735083422023-06-05T21:09:00.002-04:002023-10-05T15:16:54.247-04:00Last Week On The Homestead: What's Growing & What's Cooking!<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw25pQTBDZu-LAY3kk92pL0aQ0AguBA4OEEYzt-ZsfxmkjbuNpIeLOJow9ayyDaafCJaQh392EKINaRi5Y0L_rC_dHNrwlWuYWqujmHK-xiZUam8cfhgQJ03W9VygCse12KRrzYwVnWu_cR2bBLKc7IpxHa5aQkPkTKdpCUUObxN5mZGsNo7efRX7Zw/s1000/spring-radish1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgw25pQTBDZu-LAY3kk92pL0aQ0AguBA4OEEYzt-ZsfxmkjbuNpIeLOJow9ayyDaafCJaQh392EKINaRi5Y0L_rC_dHNrwlWuYWqujmHK-xiZUam8cfhgQJ03W9VygCse12KRrzYwVnWu_cR2bBLKc7IpxHa5aQkPkTKdpCUUObxN5mZGsNo7efRX7Zw/s16000/spring-radish1.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_4JuyexohqFP_hAd5WuFPP03wCyZjf-GV65mYpXsvWiaombC1U9vL9jyLW2D9ip8FhlWf_zGadC9AGdabf9W57HPkf32LlMubRF8NKhD6zQhhVK-ZuGubkjx8wMnTGJMkRUQ4VFctkSuthUTZvbWBg_h1P-LRL1heZ-mK6z30jJZ491MQfg-u7aBQQ/s1000/cobble-hill-farm1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_4JuyexohqFP_hAd5WuFPP03wCyZjf-GV65mYpXsvWiaombC1U9vL9jyLW2D9ip8FhlWf_zGadC9AGdabf9W57HPkf32LlMubRF8NKhD6zQhhVK-ZuGubkjx8wMnTGJMkRUQ4VFctkSuthUTZvbWBg_h1P-LRL1heZ-mK6z30jJZ491MQfg-u7aBQQ/s16000/cobble-hill-farm1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoK7D7EV054AXYnJG4xT5CiGM4WNsIrD3Yh44eqY-p5kIuoc7Nz90N6-JqYWjgxmeNCrapOyUOrLKJFgEaWx4Fbyrj43Zz317P9FEisy1nyCGTsjaLNx9deW8UCVCtOj-Mza1ebB3Rj6L7CzRIt8UDfS3OAJZOA_beuG1Nhq-g_ilBkslt7IqQFX_fw/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-coop-girl-dorilla1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoK7D7EV054AXYnJG4xT5CiGM4WNsIrD3Yh44eqY-p5kIuoc7Nz90N6-JqYWjgxmeNCrapOyUOrLKJFgEaWx4Fbyrj43Zz317P9FEisy1nyCGTsjaLNx9deW8UCVCtOj-Mza1ebB3Rj6L7CzRIt8UDfS3OAJZOA_beuG1Nhq-g_ilBkslt7IqQFX_fw/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-coop-girl-dorilla1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">sweet Dorilla</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdD9PFr9AvZi3neXfRqpzM1nt2bdg6XstNrgMULW5HOasFke_ZLdI8VyUwbs4qV8d-7C5C60sqAwYdqnRqG-T1H2NaMoh9jI7DU4dAQ38LsDxbZn6DBpdlw-ny4-UE4F2NRc4TzzKFWvpvjFmCkE7IKb61YzGTQLq9EoGfumqK2Xhsi9RGm1x7Fkhzvw/s1000/comfrey1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdD9PFr9AvZi3neXfRqpzM1nt2bdg6XstNrgMULW5HOasFke_ZLdI8VyUwbs4qV8d-7C5C60sqAwYdqnRqG-T1H2NaMoh9jI7DU4dAQ38LsDxbZn6DBpdlw-ny4-UE4F2NRc4TzzKFWvpvjFmCkE7IKb61YzGTQLq9EoGfumqK2Xhsi9RGm1x7Fkhzvw/s16000/comfrey1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">comfrey</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaWN3mrwuv03vcj_otD6QhCRWdgA0G_72Eqt2pkaWD5GXcRNK2EW2SkO4qDTY_iF2pM1eVbs0Lacf6JOSosQHgz1KVgiCtwcRjSKy-Ge_XLw72X_xVt5QO6plmsIMge42cAME9vfHbdGL9_vaW5IYte0V8jbpCBlGNQzLVTf4iTVUMCfpB5mYRTQ2Tg/s1000/french-bulldog-oliver.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaWN3mrwuv03vcj_otD6QhCRWdgA0G_72Eqt2pkaWD5GXcRNK2EW2SkO4qDTY_iF2pM1eVbs0Lacf6JOSosQHgz1KVgiCtwcRjSKy-Ge_XLw72X_xVt5QO6plmsIMge42cAME9vfHbdGL9_vaW5IYte0V8jbpCBlGNQzLVTf4iTVUMCfpB5mYRTQ2Tg/s16000/french-bulldog-oliver.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">oliver</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FJagaVzFqIGxa6itXXLrV3DluZRjzgkMVSMVfdArfk3d7OYT8UL1FJqSqPeuJp5jNN6aryuPGmaEAf6HjjvoOps_zFf7H85Pl0tKeLwGHacvh904_mRxmFAxxAjCg8NbZvirXwHcyp1bP1OiHRdxMt9UPH4Km-YHC8xOkNkSZMgiCeLJ-i3STBApRA/s1000/iris1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FJagaVzFqIGxa6itXXLrV3DluZRjzgkMVSMVfdArfk3d7OYT8UL1FJqSqPeuJp5jNN6aryuPGmaEAf6HjjvoOps_zFf7H85Pl0tKeLwGHacvh904_mRxmFAxxAjCg8NbZvirXwHcyp1bP1OiHRdxMt9UPH4Km-YHC8xOkNkSZMgiCeLJ-i3STBApRA/s16000/iris1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgII4kXCu94N0HOsM_EUlvR9PCUE-faJ8cZEj1RGFHl7kuhBo2IM09cy2bVeITMaq9R3Jp7DolU2AgDhujkvgEc6sp32B6WSPIGTeCzIB7_ZtEgELUPmXtR3_bDFNC6-KAusSLXYfvOz0WZnb1gCQEcXiTwujshzeeZ3WG_oDTUQIGLmGMzhVMrOFCw/s1000/pear-tree1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgII4kXCu94N0HOsM_EUlvR9PCUE-faJ8cZEj1RGFHl7kuhBo2IM09cy2bVeITMaq9R3Jp7DolU2AgDhujkvgEc6sp32B6WSPIGTeCzIB7_ZtEgELUPmXtR3_bDFNC6-KAusSLXYfvOz0WZnb1gCQEcXiTwujshzeeZ3WG_oDTUQIGLmGMzhVMrOFCw/s16000/pear-tree1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9leV3DFplSyp-7zhJFVb_Zz7ZM3kHPsWZYzn_ra1BWZHEj67xU8x-ujQMpwd0OYdiBffpqJpgau-AZVT2_PNAC5UEjqt7VzLRScyleBiQx-pkbVvHJZXeSh3wkCNoKAWwFAExBnsR-wSd1oen8n092ardgWneSEoLtQIHJUERwjeWjw0lsMrW6wWaQ/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-coop-girls1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9leV3DFplSyp-7zhJFVb_Zz7ZM3kHPsWZYzn_ra1BWZHEj67xU8x-ujQMpwd0OYdiBffpqJpgau-AZVT2_PNAC5UEjqt7VzLRScyleBiQx-pkbVvHJZXeSh3wkCNoKAWwFAExBnsR-wSd1oen8n092ardgWneSEoLtQIHJUERwjeWjw0lsMrW6wWaQ/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-coop-girls1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gqKTVm29lydnGt9EfAzLqVuohx3hHG0QLc9-PMNazby2ecgxzhpveUcANZvDPXnLUjXh1rxgXo9toUiVTKcZBxm8TyiSaX0j7DQgEDixKpuxCXc1Vw80WmUtAQZTC4bkJ0vvbxPpujNVFBsjXD8Wxu1gglOv3RWi_-136jrURmPQdQmLhzNZLZXpsQ/s1000/spider-plants1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gqKTVm29lydnGt9EfAzLqVuohx3hHG0QLc9-PMNazby2ecgxzhpveUcANZvDPXnLUjXh1rxgXo9toUiVTKcZBxm8TyiSaX0j7DQgEDixKpuxCXc1Vw80WmUtAQZTC4bkJ0vvbxPpujNVFBsjXD8Wxu1gglOv3RWi_-136jrURmPQdQmLhzNZLZXpsQ/s16000/spider-plants1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTLYp1iWK31S56vODeOi15v7IY2YpZPZTYSrIhzhH3EYA76R-ZzexSNB9tnjQ-VcBRQ5sNUiNw616zcB_l3nksqNcT1HVc-bKZ8rzIysbB9GpVW9K9GrKRKWWH_HBN9iBxx6Ue-3W170verqBvPhKdmU3T6HchytS5w5aX7U3N8oeuUVXoZOWlassUg/s1000/sprouts1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTLYp1iWK31S56vODeOi15v7IY2YpZPZTYSrIhzhH3EYA76R-ZzexSNB9tnjQ-VcBRQ5sNUiNw616zcB_l3nksqNcT1HVc-bKZ8rzIysbB9GpVW9K9GrKRKWWH_HBN9iBxx6Ue-3W170verqBvPhKdmU3T6HchytS5w5aX7U3N8oeuUVXoZOWlassUg/s16000/sprouts1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">sprouts!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KuWGrLY5vTgzmOm2WeEi5MjCXqaJ1vqe7K4uuQdcQYywuKm415HlXfr2MTNstTGBGnMDWUzOUE88pULFkesWv-4reaba1BeaupCUGsg9-n2wgqSNJ9Bfhs9FoRsTys9-I7Z83d6ksZrJo4jJfF0ULaFHSMTBsjZGfybAU3EVZOVnLp7jhUTlkbinHA/s1000/pear-tree2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KuWGrLY5vTgzmOm2WeEi5MjCXqaJ1vqe7K4uuQdcQYywuKm415HlXfr2MTNstTGBGnMDWUzOUE88pULFkesWv-4reaba1BeaupCUGsg9-n2wgqSNJ9Bfhs9FoRsTys9-I7Z83d6ksZrJo4jJfF0ULaFHSMTBsjZGfybAU3EVZOVnLp7jhUTlkbinHA/s16000/pear-tree2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQYX-Pe1LQ8TdJQ4jwa3lXLQ-KlHhczGTFMyoLkIc_Ng_JFFvgow37-DwCm9o9WCJscSC4t6oqbW6EVkULLDkpnrG28T9L9uKXUW-Hi_DJNKM7uCcZi5hO3A3jyRXOWdt4vN40LU_BLd8VQL0YunTCyJz_1gc-OrWscEGzjJrLizEedIDfxUWIqVTBA/s1000/tomatoes1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQYX-Pe1LQ8TdJQ4jwa3lXLQ-KlHhczGTFMyoLkIc_Ng_JFFvgow37-DwCm9o9WCJscSC4t6oqbW6EVkULLDkpnrG28T9L9uKXUW-Hi_DJNKM7uCcZi5hO3A3jyRXOWdt4vN40LU_BLd8VQL0YunTCyJz_1gc-OrWscEGzjJrLizEedIDfxUWIqVTBA/s16000/tomatoes1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">tomatoes!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZjXCAlVrohBKwnP_5oKMLKG6dQCZ-AGyPTNwN-5KggkF-a-9EjzA6tE3rf_KHAvnJ21AYFIA36LQH6zoCoGHNjQ8IzDpCSTxYGQ6WKqrbZ08IF0wto9NXVvZUTk2bh8d9CiQud0YasoeymVJcs_Tx9PyPD_6SfuPTDAnfn_VCMTCvcVtT1ETFbrx5g/s1000/veg-fruit1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZjXCAlVrohBKwnP_5oKMLKG6dQCZ-AGyPTNwN-5KggkF-a-9EjzA6tE3rf_KHAvnJ21AYFIA36LQH6zoCoGHNjQ8IzDpCSTxYGQ6WKqrbZ08IF0wto9NXVvZUTk2bh8d9CiQud0YasoeymVJcs_Tx9PyPD_6SfuPTDAnfn_VCMTCvcVtT1ETFbrx5g/s16000/veg-fruit1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a typical sight in our dining room - fruit & avocados. bananas are always on hand in various stages of ripeness</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">May 29 - June 4, 2023</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hello! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The weather has been sooo nice this spring with some cooler days sprinkled in. One of my favorite things about spring (there's a LOT I love about spring...) are the warm days and cool nights. And we've certainly been enjoying that. The garden is in! The coop girls are officially banned from the garden area until fall.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We've been harvesting greens (lettuces, arugula, spinach, & kale), herbs, radish, and asparagus so far. Peas are coming soon! I didn't realize that I was out of carrot seeds, so I haven't planted any and I forgot to plant some last fall. Typically, I plant in fall so that they start to grow and then freeze through winter only to start growing again in spring. This gives us early baby carrots that we'd be harvesting now. But none this year. Not garden related but I've been remembering to consistently grow sprouts as well, so I'm harvesting those every few days as well. I'm currently enjoying broccoli sprouts, a salad mix of sprouts, and sunflower sprouts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our pear trees and asian pear trees look good this year so we're hoping to receive a bounty of fruit. Last year was the first year that did not happen. The asian pear trees didn't get cross pollinated as there was no fruit on the trees at all and the regular pear trees didn't produce much fruit, leaving me to believe there was also a pollination issue with them. But this year we have a ton of fruit so far!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With all of the nice weather comes a plethora of yard work so I am trying to spend time everyday cleaning or tidying some part of the yard. It's nice to get some of the bigger jobs completed before the inevitable arrival of heat and humidity. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm still baking bread as the hot temps haven't become the norm yet. As soon as that starts, the oven will not be turned on very often. It just heats the house up too much. Plus, bread isn't something we reach for as much when it's warmer. Jay has been loving the<a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2023/04/cinnamon-raisin-porridge-bread.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;"> Cinnamon Raisin Porridge Bread</span></b></a> as well as a jalapeno artisan loaf a friend of ours makes (if you visit our market it's sold at <a href="https://www.blackberryhillfarmadk.com/products" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Blackberry Hill Farm</span></b></a> - a few booths down from us). So good! I've been enjoying the occasional loaf - sourdough sandwich bread and porridge bread. I use spelt flour in both. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The coop girls are still amazing us with the number of eggs they are laying. We are amazed because most of them (all but 11) are over the age of five! And of the 11, seven are one year old, two are three years old, and two are four years old. We are receiving, on average, a dozen per day and some days as many as 16! We did lose another coop girl last week, she passed away during the night. She was one of the older girls, so, unfortunately, it wasn't a surprise. I open the coop door slowly every morning knowing it's a real possibility.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm back and forth on food preservation for this year. Honestly, for the most part we don't use a lot of canned food. I will definitely put up a few jars of jams and jellies, all types of tomato products (including salsa) as well as applesauce and relish, but I'm not sure what else. Possibly fresh peaches or pears. Maybe just a few jars of pickles. I try to use very little salt or sugar so it can be limiting. I will freeze quite a bit of fruit and veg, because we use those that all winter, and dehydrate a small selection, but I just can't decide on the canning. Are there specific canned items you put up every year? I'd love to hear what they are.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I'm asking for ideas, I would also love to hear any ways in which you use comfrey. My plants are doing great, and I would like to take advantage of it as much as possible. I use it in herbal salves for our skin and in compost tea for the plants. Any other ideas?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the menu plan this week:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Did you see the collection of avocados in the photo up above? Well, we don't plan to eat them all this week, but we do plan to eat some. The rest will be refrigerated once they are slightly soft until we're ready for them. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My meals:</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll make a batch of black bean soup with dried black beans, home canned tomatoes, and corn, roasted poblano peppers, and bell peppers all from the freezer (trying to use up the rest of the produce we put up last year). I'll eat it as soup (with a bit of avocado) for a couple days, then reduce some of it down into a refried bean consistency and have a couple days of burritos (with cilantro and avocado), and then make some mexican rice, add the black bean soup, and make stuffed bell peppers for the remainder of the week. If there's any soup leftover, I'll freeze it and use it in one of these ways later this summer.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">For Jay:</div><div style="text-align: left;">One Pot Turkey Gnocchi Pot Pie (using frozen leftover cooked turkey and <a href="https://iowagirleats.com/one-pot-gnocchi-chicken-pot-pie/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">this recipe</span></b></a>)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pork Tenderloin with Honey-Chipotle Glaze, Rice, and veg</div><div style="text-align: left;">Homemade Calzone (made on the grill - SO GOOD! Using <a href="https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/grilled-calzones-recipe" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">this recipe</span></b></a> as a guideline, but my <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2012/04/recipe-homemade-pizza-dough.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">pizza dough recipe</span></b></a>, Jay's preference for filling, and homemade marinara for dipping)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Grilled Steak, Homefries, and veg</div><div style="text-align: left;">Arroz Con Pollo with veg</div><div style="text-align: left;">Bang Bang Chicken (using <a href="https://www.jocooks.com/recipes/bang-bang-chicken/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">this recipe</span></b></a>), Skillet Potatoes and veg</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-87261225189824494262023-04-20T11:20:00.000-04:002023-10-05T15:16:54.253-04:00Last Week On The Homestead: Veggies, Warm Days, And Happy Hens!<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAXxS8Xj6XpTaYGoCMza_gPAJrfNOYqYvG8wA_C9mQYonqeIQzkFWnZcGqjMYEeBv4pK3xz-mSxvG-YfFa6M3zg6o44hkrwjpc12yhuyCmqqaMdVSFaQot_ZSOdhqMiiCH6FpXZg6NfhzR0MO8nYAGzs3sQ_3nv2h7rGe_SfzDlRPsAr6f4fBdo1HyQ/s1000/lwoth-backyard-chickens.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBAXxS8Xj6XpTaYGoCMza_gPAJrfNOYqYvG8wA_C9mQYonqeIQzkFWnZcGqjMYEeBv4pK3xz-mSxvG-YfFa6M3zg6o44hkrwjpc12yhuyCmqqaMdVSFaQot_ZSOdhqMiiCH6FpXZg6NfhzR0MO8nYAGzs3sQ_3nv2h7rGe_SfzDlRPsAr6f4fBdo1HyQ/s16000/lwoth-backyard-chickens.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3oyPJAfcH81aFW9BMBy2A94Cyme0FMJmTM9olJx2SuXvLMW258GHY4OJSKdcfQVulMLEOVqbbkWfj8hwEQxiF17T1e-xa23faTcDP-8ogw-anfcOnpETEtdhdjBdaoALwZrybzMd31iF6bf4X-sxV93JNLVD62JyXhURcx2hCBC6PRrF2PZdit_9vg/s1000/lwoth-spring-ferns.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT3oyPJAfcH81aFW9BMBy2A94Cyme0FMJmTM9olJx2SuXvLMW258GHY4OJSKdcfQVulMLEOVqbbkWfj8hwEQxiF17T1e-xa23faTcDP-8ogw-anfcOnpETEtdhdjBdaoALwZrybzMd31iF6bf4X-sxV93JNLVD62JyXhURcx2hCBC6PRrF2PZdit_9vg/s16000/lwoth-spring-ferns.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fKmWa5zToM70ZBj6YI_E-6yz08kiyftFEVRSFe7o5TRh0OMK-jKIVcUzGwV4IB9q71yU4t3Vc3Jt2HFXPOHKt0uw9h9L3INSfkbt_Ju-mypxEhq_R-EULnFrfMCaK9Pze7o72fxRo_GQumsX1h0dI0jqn6J0rSQo4hCvPy-YM_P2n5CohsRLnS0fqA/s1000/lwoth-farm-fresh-eggs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fKmWa5zToM70ZBj6YI_E-6yz08kiyftFEVRSFe7o5TRh0OMK-jKIVcUzGwV4IB9q71yU4t3Vc3Jt2HFXPOHKt0uw9h9L3INSfkbt_Ju-mypxEhq_R-EULnFrfMCaK9Pze7o72fxRo_GQumsX1h0dI0jqn6J0rSQo4hCvPy-YM_P2n5CohsRLnS0fqA/s16000/lwoth-farm-fresh-eggs.jpg" /></a></div><br />Hello friends!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Wow - we had summer-like temps last week. Did you have warmer temps in your area too? It was close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple of days and in the upper 70's to low 80's for most of the rest of the week. Our average this time of year is upper 50's. The warmth melted the last of our snow, which the chickens were pecking at until the last little bit was gone. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssOL35nwZRPknUNKpDNz3MK-fO4_yrUEyyqhMLnnkQPgAdzm3A0XSuigBQ48cPwifDTScRhA_cVJZIsh1ahng2S6xJZR6WohpT6EbwYYtZOp5vu_2e3YlVJY_gWKYrTBuUUxf20DPtYDc86WWDKZXRfIwFu9_hzvVZGLSL7gnbYiq6JZuDQmtLQ_kJQ/s1000/lwoth-kale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssOL35nwZRPknUNKpDNz3MK-fO4_yrUEyyqhMLnnkQPgAdzm3A0XSuigBQ48cPwifDTScRhA_cVJZIsh1ahng2S6xJZR6WohpT6EbwYYtZOp5vu_2e3YlVJY_gWKYrTBuUUxf20DPtYDc86WWDKZXRfIwFu9_hzvVZGLSL7gnbYiq6JZuDQmtLQ_kJQ/s16000/lwoth-kale.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Green is popping up all over the property. Ferns, daffodils, peonies, and hostas have shown themselves. The trees and shrubs are starting to leaf out, and kale and parsley has returned in the garden. I was surprised about the kale. Usually, I pull all of the plants in the fall/winter once the hard frost arrives but this year, I was able to harvest for so long that I didn't bother pulling them. And what do you know? They all came back! Lettuce, peas, and broccoli should be coming soon with asparagus showing themselves in the next few weeks. It's such an exciting time of year!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The chickens have been able to spend a lot of time out foraging and much of the garden was available to them until the end of the week. They have expressed their happiness by leaving us a large number of eggs each day. They are pretty funny. They'll go out and forage and then return to their coop for a break. After a bit they are up and out again. We've trained them to a certain clicking noise we make so when we make that noise, they come running to us. I feel like the pied piper when I lead them all into their coop for the night. I shared a quick clip on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq6Np4HJo5q/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">instagram</span></b></a> last week of this - they were all running and flying toward me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_4TuOlyOeh7kxNan_AKw32FCcR_L1qCLghFzCMtrOd6p_uVpfFagfAYlEMJi6EFoA4OsIEcAv3U4bB0IG1ZhlkXb7DJw5aK1sUYHslTk1MfnRMPuaXGG9EnCaAKREmsMOtIghTH7gvI1zvakIwmGhxGCfT4XDFbjMFtmKXV6shUu7uVmv64gIBb1eA/s1000/lwoth-peanut-butter-cookies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_4TuOlyOeh7kxNan_AKw32FCcR_L1qCLghFzCMtrOd6p_uVpfFagfAYlEMJi6EFoA4OsIEcAv3U4bB0IG1ZhlkXb7DJw5aK1sUYHslTk1MfnRMPuaXGG9EnCaAKREmsMOtIghTH7gvI1zvakIwmGhxGCfT4XDFbjMFtmKXV6shUu7uVmv64gIBb1eA/s16000/lwoth-peanut-butter-cookies.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As a treat, I made our favorite vegan Peanut Butter cookies. They are SO delicious! The recipe is <a href="https://www.noracooks.com/vegan-peanut-butter-cookies/#wprm-recipe-container-4662" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a> (Noracooks.com) and uses cornstarch to replace the eggs. I reduce the sugar by almost half and sub half of the vegan butter with applesauce, just our preference, and they are really really good.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've also been trying to use up the last of our frozen, dehydrated, and canned fruit and veggies from last year's garden. We are getting close. I think right around the time we begin receiving an abundance in the garden we should be out of last year's produce, which would be great timing!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiT-99UaresmrfYdIAobhJIleDHF23PtBOuXEJB6GcpsdJeCx96cS4vaq-P8L0mSaTSmBvUbkj3aup5EeXpLAyX6lKhItD_95idib00pzLSMjAGP04smOrUeNSWt45dP9BN_xOjiHPrWIJp71PEFbQ5D7C3Suo_yJP9xxUz-UDPbfKGNGiP3MVdd3Wg/s1000/lwoth-felix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiT-99UaresmrfYdIAobhJIleDHF23PtBOuXEJB6GcpsdJeCx96cS4vaq-P8L0mSaTSmBvUbkj3aup5EeXpLAyX6lKhItD_95idib00pzLSMjAGP04smOrUeNSWt45dP9BN_xOjiHPrWIJp71PEFbQ5D7C3Suo_yJP9xxUz-UDPbfKGNGiP3MVdd3Wg/s16000/lwoth-felix.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">For those of you wondering about Felix and our other feral cat friends, we are seeing Felix regularly. I have not seen imposter Felix in quite a while, but we do see the little black cat with the white paws from time-to-time. Felix is trusting me more again so hopefully we won't take another step back. Last year he enjoyed hanging out (from a distance) while I worked in the yard or garden so I'm thinking we may bond in that way again. At least I hope so.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmybHmQ_u8U1GwRsjzKpQpxUIAra-mnDxeFr-6Gbu0OtOLo6xP3lXX_cYf5HwBSTnaqwPDAZSq_T3Zn30TX7XvNQFQuzC0aHvhk8w9afjJOvbABEUE1bI5E2f965zDEorrT3SYLa_L0YjAxt4Wn3AmmCX9VS_-HFysCQHqNS7TG5emnxpVDnRIbaY2Q/s1000/lwoth-nice-cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmybHmQ_u8U1GwRsjzKpQpxUIAra-mnDxeFr-6Gbu0OtOLo6xP3lXX_cYf5HwBSTnaqwPDAZSq_T3Zn30TX7XvNQFQuzC0aHvhk8w9afjJOvbABEUE1bI5E2f965zDEorrT3SYLa_L0YjAxt4Wn3AmmCX9VS_-HFysCQHqNS7TG5emnxpVDnRIbaY2Q/s16000/lwoth-nice-cream.jpg" /></a></div><br />Oh, and I've forgotten to mention this in previous posts, but we are fully enjoying our <a href="https://amzn.to/41HVUzH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Ninja Creami</span></b></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(affiliate link)</i></span>. I mention this in case any of you have been considering purchasing one. Not that anyone needs another small appliance, we certainly didn't either, but I must say that we are LOVING it. I had been thinking about it because I wanted soft/smooth fat-free or low-fat vegan ice cream that isn't packed full of sugar like the ones found in the grocery stores, and decided to get it when I was able to find it at almost half the price. </div><div><br /></div><div>My husband grumbled a bit initially because we don't need another machine. And I agreed. But then I made no sugar added fruit sorbet. He was impressed. Next, I made vegan ice cream sweetened with a bit of date syrup. He thought it was absolutely delicious - creamier than I could ever get it making it in a blender. Then I made him full dairy ice cream. He fell in love with it. And now it has a place of honor in our kitchen. We make sorbet and ice cream regularly and can't wait to use it when it's hot this summer. I really like that I can pack the pints with an ice cream blend and store them in the freezer until we want it. Then, I blend it and serve. Leftovers go back in the freezer and eaten later.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do recommend that if you do end up purchasing one, watch a video such as Kathy Hester's found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9-6ohFtCE0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a> (youtube) for any tips using it. (she has more than just this one video about the creami) Otherwise, it could be frustrating. It's a very simple machine but the "manual" is virtually non-existent so troubleshooting when your ice cream doesn't look right, or the machine doesn't seem to be working correctly, is pretty tough. Kathy is a vegan youtuber but her informational videos on small appliances, such as this one, are exceptional, regardless of how you choose to eat. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXO5BUxR-36vTkfGNMCxwnmb66L4LUWGQnnlFtAPrW3eYIbgoxlGkZTVPpclC5-MCiVTIugVjBpAqCUcj_mfxmRXPjTcXw2-oDwJDpmyj_uiz3DS5UsWCtGFGJcwUG1PAtlzYYlwlAoH6u_ITdJcW2pyRpwpUFCbbCCDoOYYZqw_TbJUWsKVwT5kSuQ/s1000/lwoth-veggie-burger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXO5BUxR-36vTkfGNMCxwnmb66L4LUWGQnnlFtAPrW3eYIbgoxlGkZTVPpclC5-MCiVTIugVjBpAqCUcj_mfxmRXPjTcXw2-oDwJDpmyj_uiz3DS5UsWCtGFGJcwUG1PAtlzYYlwlAoH6u_ITdJcW2pyRpwpUFCbbCCDoOYYZqw_TbJUWsKVwT5kSuQ/s16000/lwoth-veggie-burger.jpg" /></a></div><br />On the menu plan this week:</div><div>Jay's dinners:</div><div>sweet & spicy chicken thighs with skillet potatoes and green beans</div><div>grilled pork chop with rice and honeynut squash</div><div>instant pot chuck roast with mashed potatoes, gravy and carrots</div><div><a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2016/06/quick-and-easy-chicken-parm.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">chicken parm</span></b></a> with pasta and green beans</div><div><a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2022/09/one-pot-recipe-homemade-hamburger-helper.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">homemade hamburger helper</span></b></a></div><div>grilled jamaican jerk chicken with rice and corn</div><div><br /></div><div>Me:</div><div>bean burger with homemade air fryer french fries & raw veggies</div><div>vegan lasagna & salad</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Hoping you had a wonderful week as well!</div><br />Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-36499150246789436142023-04-13T14:46:00.000-04:002023-04-23T20:26:24.945-04:00Cinnamon Raisin Porridge Bread<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJjWF_54hnXBr9ruNlV5rJIajRStMyPI-mIhw9k9M6TDw7Dk8WEtpNPNk1w-dPjJRDxGQ_SKJLGcKUZTVBYIKRz8RSQ2VySjkwGFSANpSncvGTN8IfMo10IS_hSRqXBJIE4IRcSsTJiVhXriqKNAwYesby0CbB5J0ozuCuSo_MfKzkti0QsJTFtA1eQ/s1000/oatmeal-cinn-raisin-porridge-bread5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJjWF_54hnXBr9ruNlV5rJIajRStMyPI-mIhw9k9M6TDw7Dk8WEtpNPNk1w-dPjJRDxGQ_SKJLGcKUZTVBYIKRz8RSQ2VySjkwGFSANpSncvGTN8IfMo10IS_hSRqXBJIE4IRcSsTJiVhXriqKNAwYesby0CbB5J0ozuCuSo_MfKzkti0QsJTFtA1eQ/s16000/oatmeal-cinn-raisin-porridge-bread5.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Porridge bread uses leftover oatmeal (porridge) to add moisture, texture and flavor to your loaf, making it the perfect bread for toast or sandwiches. It actually extends the life of your loaf as well by keeping it moist for days. This recipe provides a quick recipe for making the porridge but feel free to replace with leftovers if you happen to have some available. Just omit the water and oatmeal and use 1 1/2 cups cooled cooked oatmeal in its place.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you would prefer to make this loaf without the raisins, omit them! Same goes for the cinnamon. In fact, if you would like a delicious sandwich bread, omit both the cinnamon and raisins! And if you would like more texture, add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A note about the flour. I've only tried traditional bread flour, spelt flour, and a spelt and bread flour mix. I have not tried any other flours with this recipe. Personally, I am a huge fan of using spelt flour (subbed 1:1), however, it doesn't rise as much and results in a denser loaf. My husband prefers the combination of spelt and bread flour (I use 2 - 2 1/2 cups spelt and 1 cup bread flour) because you still get the nice rise and lightness that bread flour brings with its higher gluten content, as well as the delicious graininess flavor (not like whole wheat, much more pleasant in my opinion) and a bit more texture that spelt brings.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Making it vegan - I use plant milk (usually oat milk) for all of my baking including in this recipe with no issue. I sub olive oil for the butter and although I almost always use honey, I've found that you can successfully sub with maple syrup, maple sugar (brings a lighter sweetness), or sugar. If using maple sugar or regular sugar, stir well into the warmed milk so it dissolves before adding it to the flour mixture.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4VZcrE_kwta9xidgZS-3xYO5Jre90vUqVk5ul3qwGgxP_Sbqsat4U4PnjvvoyzpCqKCRPe9E6nfJ6AWz4qmO_SOhCjCZbicuO_wDJItAQWe45pUg0pza60cQUCbmkLpdMm9pCt8xzQ6d2O1T1qCYsbDviI-Lo1WKjtjfJ19Yi0FOLX92MFixVopxvQ/s1000/oatmeal-cinn-raisin-porridge-bread4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4VZcrE_kwta9xidgZS-3xYO5Jre90vUqVk5ul3qwGgxP_Sbqsat4U4PnjvvoyzpCqKCRPe9E6nfJ6AWz4qmO_SOhCjCZbicuO_wDJItAQWe45pUg0pza60cQUCbmkLpdMm9pCt8xzQ6d2O1T1qCYsbDviI-Lo1WKjtjfJ19Yi0FOLX92MFixVopxvQ/s16000/oatmeal-cinn-raisin-porridge-bread4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHFfKPgHrphMBVXgZMEmwSc898s7dVvtLL_AV2lwJb5XdftVtsaUIbuzFOhCdb-JFgVL22HHNm6Za7HhfHURFPeYp_k_HRpC_n-hBbQ9pDv1nXX3eEWob-nIR_JZFpPpiObfdYFEOyDq-wpGTmmnqDbDUnN5rjiacykUfbDKdVAPAjhfw2SBaIAYAmg/s1000/oatmeal-cinn-raisin-porridge-bread3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHFfKPgHrphMBVXgZMEmwSc898s7dVvtLL_AV2lwJb5XdftVtsaUIbuzFOhCdb-JFgVL22HHNm6Za7HhfHURFPeYp_k_HRpC_n-hBbQ9pDv1nXX3eEWob-nIR_JZFpPpiObfdYFEOyDq-wpGTmmnqDbDUnN5rjiacykUfbDKdVAPAjhfw2SBaIAYAmg/s16000/oatmeal-cinn-raisin-porridge-bread3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">**Find a printable recipe <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/15j1CyF7LWLNi2HfwemJB-mY94mLcT-EtS8mxXdiXLQE/edit?usp=sharing" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a>**</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #7f6000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Cinnamon Raisin Porridge Bread</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source: adapted from a recipe by America's Test Kitchen</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">makes 1 loaf</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup water<br />1 cup old-fashioned rolled or quick oats (*notes above on using leftover oatmeal instead*)<br />1 cup warm milk (105 degrees - 115 degrees Fahrenheit)<br />3 Tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled or oil (coconut, olive, etc. if it's already liquid, no need to melt)<br />3 Tablespoon honey<br />3 - 4 cups bread flour<br />1 envelope (2 1/4 teaspoons) instant or rapid-rise yeast<br />2 teaspoons salt</div><div style="text-align: left;">1-2 teaspoons cinnamon (depending on how much cinnamon flavor you prefer)</div><div style="text-align: left;">1 cup raisins (if they aren't soft, soak in hot water for a few minutes then drain, discarding soaking liquid, before adding)<br /><br />Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the oats and cook until softened, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool until just warm.<br /><br />Whisk the milk, butter and honey together in a large liquid measuring cup. Combine 3 cups flour, yeast, salt, and cinnamon in a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the cooled oatmeal and mix lightly. With the mixer on low speed, add the raisins and milk mixture and mix until the dough comes together, about 2 minutes.<br /><br />Increase the mixer speed to medium-low and knead until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes. If after 4 minutes more flour is needed, add the remaining flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough clears the side of the bowl but sticks to the bottom. I've found it best to allow the dough to remain slightly wet and sticky.<br /><br />Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured counter and knead by hand to form a smooth, round ball. Place the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl and cover. Let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1-1 1/2 hours.<br /><br />Spray a 9x5" loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured counter and gently press it into a 9" square (like you're making cinnamon rolls). Roll the dough into a tight cylinder and pinch the seams closed (again, like cinnamon rolls). Place the loaf, seam side down, in the prepared pan. Mist the loaf lightly with cooking spray and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled in size, 45-75 minutes.<br /><br />Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake until golden and the center of the bread registers 190 degrees Fahrenheit on an instant-read thermometer, 35-45 minutes.<br /><br />Cool in the pan for a few minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Store covered at room temperature.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrtzopX9aSK2GM0f4qHfmnSglQWaY2wUfFkIK0J5SS-WqTyUsIDowYevv_A6DOU3TpfOVLQdIGdfpMJS-p-mZhKR9KXapxjL6gK7W_GMKmEPanFjHCLKUqbAd7-ISXIlXXFwJ9R4K1fB-koWw6LVHSSBDCX7iMUbHJ_-1etQsapexVRvGkOVOtx2i7g/s1000/oatmeal-cinn-raisin-porridge-bread1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrtzopX9aSK2GM0f4qHfmnSglQWaY2wUfFkIK0J5SS-WqTyUsIDowYevv_A6DOU3TpfOVLQdIGdfpMJS-p-mZhKR9KXapxjL6gK7W_GMKmEPanFjHCLKUqbAd7-ISXIlXXFwJ9R4K1fB-koWw6LVHSSBDCX7iMUbHJ_-1etQsapexVRvGkOVOtx2i7g/w320-h640/oatmeal-cinn-raisin-porridge-bread1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-32911462896216876112023-04-09T08:41:00.007-04:002023-04-11T08:10:47.009-04:00How To Start A Homestead: A Beginners Guide<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrp8sElDl0jgTHOHHT90WO2pXlUUX6gxxNEHa5R5vj-TWzhdgyOYnkd2G60O9VyQc_iVPFXckTiqSGxT2AZ-p-jcaVO0IMCHf5rEoaROk8JweYkEY86VNASumsLf3AJwleTNzxQPg3oK8ISAqma53ncPaLwnZbd48NIbxr-obt_ErFXbkH4kWzBwtEQ/s1000/self-sufficiency.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrp8sElDl0jgTHOHHT90WO2pXlUUX6gxxNEHa5R5vj-TWzhdgyOYnkd2G60O9VyQc_iVPFXckTiqSGxT2AZ-p-jcaVO0IMCHf5rEoaROk8JweYkEY86VNASumsLf3AJwleTNzxQPg3oK8ISAqma53ncPaLwnZbd48NIbxr-obt_ErFXbkH4kWzBwtEQ/s16000/self-sufficiency.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Homesteading has been steadily growing in popularity although there seems to have been a particularly large surge of interest in the past 2 years. Broadly, the homesteading lifestyle refers to self-sufficiency with most people looking to be more closely connected to their food by farming on a small-scale in an effort to limit their reliance on grocery stores. I get it. It's incredibly gratifying to grow and/or raise at least some of the food your family consumes. Two other reasons I think are common are to live simpler and more natural lifestyles. All of these reasons were our driving forces as well. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The best part of this movement, in my humble opinion, is that you get to decide your homesteading journey. It can be unique to you and your needs, wants, or abilities. There is no right or wrong, and you don't have to own acreage to enjoy the lifestyle, although land does make it possible to grow and raise more of what your family needs. Homesteading is rooted in self-sufficiency which is attractive to most people who begin their journey. Although total self-sufficiency is quite difficult to achieve, being able to provide a significant amount for your family is possible even on a smaller scale. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been blogging about our journey since 2010 and to this day, the number one email comment I receive is "I am so excited to someday be able to start my own homestead". My question in response is "why wait?" I understand the thought that you must wait to purchase acreage in order to homestead, but the reality is, that's just not true! Whether you live in an apartment, a home in the suburbs, a home on less than an acre, or a home on many acres, you can create your own homesteading life, right where you are. Whether you're in your 20's or in your 60's, you can begin your journey today. Even if you plan to purchase more acreage someday, do yourself a favor and begin learning homesteading skills immediately. Adding new skills slowly will help avoid feelings of overwhelm.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Because there is not an exact formula to homesteading, I cannot provide a detailed step-by-step instruction that will fit everyone's needs. Instead, I hope this outline of general homesteading will provide you some useful ideas and inspiration.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVy-eC8xFDYD7lU2pJArHcP-WuOiVyxAx0UNJUH_VBbMEQeIFtH_xmtxRbmdYzpr2xGYsfOLfSvtt2DdnAeLq2IrXYFrdia7ZWDmAZoeZAm50bf1qKiqDFg4SR0WaJQLEO_d0sCzBHxx7MbylkrotvYyrj7bGMU4hcG_TPWOb2wiKvpf0XK-6Mv90CXQ/s1000/raising-goats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVy-eC8xFDYD7lU2pJArHcP-WuOiVyxAx0UNJUH_VBbMEQeIFtH_xmtxRbmdYzpr2xGYsfOLfSvtt2DdnAeLq2IrXYFrdia7ZWDmAZoeZAm50bf1qKiqDFg4SR0WaJQLEO_d0sCzBHxx7MbylkrotvYyrj7bGMU4hcG_TPWOb2wiKvpf0XK-6Mv90CXQ/s16000/raising-goats.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A quick note before the outline. I know this is a given, but I feel it necessary to write. First, try to avoid comparing your journey to anyone else's. Your journey is unique to you and it will have challenges. It's important to remember that. Second, it will likely be more difficult than you think it will be. Not every day. Not even every week, but you will have some very arduous times. Preparing yourself for the potential challenges can be difficult, as they are typically unexpected, but just know that you will experience frustration and loss. We all do. Even watching someone else's experience on youtube or reading it on instagram or a blog does not prepare you for your own homesteading hardship. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkYaTKVIkJF_4THx-4wJqJi8G0OYv_upmpzfBfeBSoKri-OVlblGyTNW5Cd8MYLmzF6lyIdIWPOEBhpxWgrul3P2sOKj1hMcOS-l4RRM-kDJo_Redh6JkYokWFzJPMHl0WULVjPu2buiWGGsSVHZPxEY9m3SBgQFx5g4KOIIp3zyIpsgAcrP_SEzXnQ/s1000/urban-homesteading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkYaTKVIkJF_4THx-4wJqJi8G0OYv_upmpzfBfeBSoKri-OVlblGyTNW5Cd8MYLmzF6lyIdIWPOEBhpxWgrul3P2sOKj1hMcOS-l4RRM-kDJo_Redh6JkYokWFzJPMHl0WULVjPu2buiWGGsSVHZPxEY9m3SBgQFx5g4KOIIp3zyIpsgAcrP_SEzXnQ/s16000/urban-homesteading.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">For example, after our first chickens suffered upper respiratory illness, I read all about chicken issues so that I would have some idea of what additional problems could arise in chicken keeping. I had read about a prolapsed vent but still felt completely unprepared when I discovered one of our chickens had some of her internal reproductive tract protruding from her vent. I was even more unprepared for dealing with her fellow coop mates chasing her around pecking at it while pulling it out further. We had to clean her up, push it all back in, isolate her, and try to get her back to where she could be with the others. Unfortunately, we experienced this one more time with another chicken who, by the time we discovered it, had most of her reproductive track AND her intestines out. She was literally running around with this mess trailing behind her, attempting to escape the incessant pecking from her coop mates. We cleaned her up and I was able to get everything back inside but, unfortunately, we couldn't keep it inside and we had to make the hard decision to cull her. Nothing would have actually prepared me for dealing with this (thankfully it's only happened those 2 times in our 15 years of chicken-keeping) except hands-on experience, but it's important to understand that you will have to deal with difficult things.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With that being said, we truly love our lifestyle and couldn't imagine living any other way. It's so rewarding to be able to eat full meals that come from our land. It's amazing to open up our freezers and cupboards to see food that we both grew and preserved for later enjoyment. We never would have believed when we started this journey that we could not only provide some of our own food including enough to preserve for year-round eating, but to also make our living from our homestead. It's the best feeling ever!</div><div style="text-align: left;">(<b><span style="color: #444444;">related post:</span></b> <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2020/03/how-we-ditched-living-in-city-moved-to.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">How We Ditched The City, Quit Our Jobs, And Began Our Full-Time Homestead</span></b></a> )</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On to the list!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nUoM3qeXs7ZAgOgy8OblebyYjHMdLFvx9d4wD8naapkyic8efaUSLC0kLueOnWGZ-Yb5PVEBQIxy5yPZWomhRhtR7dqL2xNLC8jGxZCzt7F_ltlHkPVolMzGi6L9DJbi9936_kZI-A1P16WWsv76KRj5VDRRSrTt43vnBt4kGTjfSremAEmPxvP-cQ/s1000/homesteading-tips.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nUoM3qeXs7ZAgOgy8OblebyYjHMdLFvx9d4wD8naapkyic8efaUSLC0kLueOnWGZ-Yb5PVEBQIxy5yPZWomhRhtR7dqL2xNLC8jGxZCzt7F_ltlHkPVolMzGi6L9DJbi9936_kZI-A1P16WWsv76KRj5VDRRSrTt43vnBt4kGTjfSremAEmPxvP-cQ/s16000/homesteading-tips.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><b>1. Create Your Vision</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">It is important to learn what homesteading involves and ask yourself questions such as: Do you want to live on-grid, partially off-grid, or completely off-grid? Do you want to raise livestock, grow fruit trees, or other things that may require more land? Will you make your income from your homestead? Think about the day-to-day activities required and the time commitment to the land, animals, and crops. Think about the finances required of any homesteading activities you are interested in pursuing. Can you create a list of priorities so that you can gradually add more activities or projects rather than trying to implement all the changes within the first year?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>As an example</b>, let's say one of your goals is to grow your own wheat, mill it, and bake your bread and other baked goods from scratch. Instead of trying to implement all of the changes at once, think of ways to break it down. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> First, you begin making your own bread and baked goods from scratch. Work through some recipes until you collect a nice selection of favorites. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> Next, you find some fresh milled whole grain flours to incorporate into your breads and baked goods. You learn to work with each of them and figure out which your family likes and dislikes. If you aren't currently eating mostly whole grain flours, there may be an adjustment period. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> After that adjustment, source whole grains and a grain mill that seems the right fit for you. If you have friends that already own grain mills, maybe you can borrow them to try?</div><div style="text-align: left;"> And lastly, if you still want to grow your own wheat/grains and you have the space and time to do so, add that into your crop plan.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Prioritize and set goals. Give yourself the gift of making the changes in stages in order to avoid overwhelm. You don't have to do every single thing you see someone on youtube, instagram, or a reality tv show doing in order to live a homesteading life. You can do things in whatever order makes sense for you. Small lifestyle changes implemented each year really do add up over time. Remember to create your own vision of this journey and lifestyle.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are in a relationship, are you both 100% on board? If you both plan to at least eventually make a living from your homestead as well, are you prepared to live and work together 24/7? This last point is not something people always think about and it's imperative you do before making the jump. As a personal example, my husband and I talked about this at length before I left my career to join him in our <a href="http://www.CobbleHillFarm.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">homestead business</span></b></a>. He had left his career almost 2 years prior and was running the business pretty much by himself with my assistance in the evenings and weekends. We had seen some great examples of this with people we know as well as some incredibly discouraging examples. No judgement to either, it's tough to suddenly live AND work together. For us it has worked with really no issues, and I credit that to a few things: we already had a strong relationship, we talked openly about our concerns and making it work, and we gave ourselves workspaces apart from each other for part of the week, so we can work individually as well as together. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuQNIofxxAjmR5m8bOuPUIkfPxbXUwNr9tvI0CYsi9SpMWzsDCLMSButiv8jZQbmLMj6SzOuglrQ4A0GLliQgGBflyCB-l8O-zfaEsOwSAsSb7wu7DrtDbhoHW4uHYO7VW18jiGcY8zkJe5SZOy_OfaVmEgfWyDeZfuBTuuAcJkwdEjYVbMtZl4Qulw/s1000/backyard-chickens.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuQNIofxxAjmR5m8bOuPUIkfPxbXUwNr9tvI0CYsi9SpMWzsDCLMSButiv8jZQbmLMj6SzOuglrQ4A0GLliQgGBflyCB-l8O-zfaEsOwSAsSb7wu7DrtDbhoHW4uHYO7VW18jiGcY8zkJe5SZOy_OfaVmEgfWyDeZfuBTuuAcJkwdEjYVbMtZl4Qulw/s16000/backyard-chickens.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">2. Pay Off Your Debt And Create (and use) A Budget</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are someone who is debt-free and financially independent and can afford this lifestyle without a budget, that's great! For most of us though, this is not the case. You may not be able to pay off all of your debt before you begin your journey into homesteading, and that's ok. Because getting your debt paid off will put you in a much better position, make it a top priority. Especially if your hope is to eventually live and work on your homestead full-time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you're trying to pay off debt and/or create a budget that fits your needs there are many financial blogs, channels, etc. out there. I recommend you listen to a few different styles of debt management and budgeting to see what clicks with you. If one system doesn't work, either tweak it to fit your needs or drop it and try a different one. A few things that have been incredibly helpful for us are: 1. prioritize paying off the debt - before purchasing anything optional (i.e. not critical to your family), don't purchase it and instead put that amount as an extra payment towards your debt. The focus should always be on paying it off. 2. if you are struggling to find extra money in your budget, try cutting 10% on any expense category that is not a fixed amount (i.e. food, entertainment, clothing, etc.). 10% is a small amount but is manageable. And it all adds up! Once you adjust to the new amount, try cutting it by 10% again. You may be surprised! 3. using Dave Ramsey's debt snowball, we found it more manageable and rewarding to focus on paying off one debt at a time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Homesteading costs range depending on where you live, what you already have established, and what you want to do. It also depends on how you prioritize. If, for example, you prioritize not spending money, you are more likely to be able to homestead less expensively than someone who doesn't. If you are committed to trying to not spend money, when something comes up the first thought is, do I need this? If the answer is yes, the next question may be, can I use something I already have? If the answer is no, the next question may be, can I borrow it from someone I know? If it's something you need to own and not borrow, or you can't borrow it, you could next ask, can I find this used? And so on. Rather than running to the store to purchase something whenever a need arises, it's taking the time to think it through and ask yourself a series of questions. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are certainly expenses with homesteading, regardless of what you want to grow, raise, or do. Seeds for the garden, purchasing animals, food for the animals, feeders/waterers, fencing, building outbuildings, equipment, equipment parts, gasoline/propane, etc. Try to be realistic when trying to determine your future expenses.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzMAvjLGaohIMNrENTSvxnJ_OwJGMb31MyVX8uy4zgF_crcHRgW9BXNpwT9H8kmnRfEbPtgX3RlXPjEwn01k8TIiEWjTwJ15pOtLIeKSGOwR7pth0w-_mrCAZYRZ7afQec9tgE_Cj9bLWSok1uQZe7AFGFMwUf5ZhM1MiZMwEYwCAyrNRPxGK4rwzuw/s1000/suburban-homesteading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="736" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzMAvjLGaohIMNrENTSvxnJ_OwJGMb31MyVX8uy4zgF_crcHRgW9BXNpwT9H8kmnRfEbPtgX3RlXPjEwn01k8TIiEWjTwJ15pOtLIeKSGOwR7pth0w-_mrCAZYRZ7afQec9tgE_Cj9bLWSok1uQZe7AFGFMwUf5ZhM1MiZMwEYwCAyrNRPxGK4rwzuw/s16000/suburban-homesteading.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehBVhmKEROIclVBoviGG6GK2U9f_35KA1JhqpYXvFFTf3hMoF1sONflRcAjYdYbddEkVTqiha8fJdPAW_QjwqRTlKq8EWNZPEI5ssCY8tLkS5i5jq9Cn-b7ydGqE3tzH6iYDH05biBL5BWnKIDjR3CgYaT4Hvz92ad3kMRAxfdjXWflD_0kRgcPq4zg/s1000/homestead-business.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehBVhmKEROIclVBoviGG6GK2U9f_35KA1JhqpYXvFFTf3hMoF1sONflRcAjYdYbddEkVTqiha8fJdPAW_QjwqRTlKq8EWNZPEI5ssCY8tLkS5i5jq9Cn-b7ydGqE3tzH6iYDH05biBL5BWnKIDjR3CgYaT4Hvz92ad3kMRAxfdjXWflD_0kRgcPq4zg/s16000/homestead-business.jpg" /></a></div><br />Another tactic to cut expenses when building your homestead is to focus on making your homestead activities pay for themselves. What that means is, for each homesteading activity that you decide to add to your homestead, find a way to make enough money from it to pay for it. <b>Here are a couple of examples:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>You want to start a garden.</b> Seeds, soil amendments, fertilizers, tools, etc. all cost money. How can you recoup enough money to offset the garden expenses this year? Is your property situated (and is it allowed by your town) in a spot where it would be beneficial for you to grow extra produce that you can sell at a farmstand at the edge of your property? Does your town have a farmers' market that is actively seeking vegetable vendors? Or can you start extra vegetable plants and sell plant starts? Think outside of the box to figure out how you can grow extra to make your garden pay for itself.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>You want to add chickens to your homestead specifically for meat.</b> The chicks, feed, housing, feeders, waterers, etc. all cost money, especially if you are starting from scratch and need to purchase everything including heat lamps and butchering equipment. Can you purchase enough extra chicks to raise and sell to recoup your investment for your chickens and start-up costs as well? Do you have friends or family members interested in purchasing your free-range whole chickens? If your town and state laws allow, can you advertise to people in your town to sell to? Calculate how much you would need to charge per bird to help identify if there is a market for it in your area.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">**Always check local and federal laws regarding any item you are planning to sell.**</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Going through these types of questions prior to taking each step, doing the research, and trying to identify ways to make your money back before you make the investment will help control your expenses, and make it much easier to grow your homestead. I think the keys to success are to plan ahead, think outside the box when needed, and add new homesteading activities in stages.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZxwjPb3iKQVHRXXWLpKIvL4ANqw57w-COIMHM12ebsxyNzLKOTO0Y4veOyu4XPNuGZ8TY-WdYQVsU13uVK8DmcuYnuahVIXBJbX7raxIDHUNN663nmqmkljMiH-N85Jwsa0z-kjNiva7uFR1U-BbbaIkyrSaO0MZuSTEZHggVa9NwEZIiagsXbOE7Q/s1000/homesteading-backyard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFZxwjPb3iKQVHRXXWLpKIvL4ANqw57w-COIMHM12ebsxyNzLKOTO0Y4veOyu4XPNuGZ8TY-WdYQVsU13uVK8DmcuYnuahVIXBJbX7raxIDHUNN663nmqmkljMiH-N85Jwsa0z-kjNiva7uFR1U-BbbaIkyrSaO0MZuSTEZHggVa9NwEZIiagsXbOE7Q/s16000/homesteading-backyard.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">3. Assess Your Property</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whether or not you are currently on your forever property, evaluate it for the possibilities of what homesteading activities you could try. Obviously, if you don't plan to stay where you are long-term you don't want to sink a bunch of money into infrastructure, but there are many things you can do, including gardening, right where you are regardless of the size of your space. Consider it your trial run. Try to work out what you do/don't want to do once you are able to get to your next homestead.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Make sure to research your towns zoning laws. Whether you're on your temporary or permanent homestead, it's important that you are familiar with any restrictions you may have. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Consider the layout of your property before making the commitment of building outbuildings or putting in a garden. Watch where your shaded areas are and where the sun hits at different times of the day. Consider what future animals you may want to add and where they will live. Unfortunately, you may have to tear things down at some point and move them, but the goal is to try and take your time so you can hopefully avoid doing that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14E2Vs2yQ4Iyygy3OQaAkQ08nkVgjOYFJ8ckrleOMkHmOWgNCx36NCs7ZJfmxfesx3o6Zg6ByUFms18-BvgtOOMUY_P66T0x4mecJqCLoGTN6peG4fqLPg6gT-fQX2jvbkomRVnPefiOMCOeYzHFB832UW6Wm7ssRjAsbJiNYHHUg1-W1d5IcAJ_poQ/s1000/homestead-fencing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14E2Vs2yQ4Iyygy3OQaAkQ08nkVgjOYFJ8ckrleOMkHmOWgNCx36NCs7ZJfmxfesx3o6Zg6ByUFms18-BvgtOOMUY_P66T0x4mecJqCLoGTN6peG4fqLPg6gT-fQX2jvbkomRVnPefiOMCOeYzHFB832UW6Wm7ssRjAsbJiNYHHUg1-W1d5IcAJ_poQ/s16000/homestead-fencing.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">4. Start NOW</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back in the intro I suggested that no one should wait for the perfect "someday" property to homestead so the goal is to start your homesteading journey TODAY! I'm sure your next question is "what should I start with?" This all depends on your vision and goals for your homestead.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's how I would determine some things to start with. <b> Let's just say this is your vision of your future homestead: </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">A 4-8 acre property where we raise a beef cow annually, a dairy cow, a couple of pigs for meat, chickens for eggs and meat, a small orchard of fruit trees and bushes, a few bee colonies, a large garden to provide all of our in-season fresh eating needs and a large amount of our out-of-season eating needs through preservation, and herbs for culinary and medicinal use.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wWpdrnU-9h9fryBPOMfbwcUzmnfccU7BQlLxVMMhlSZ7vRjYsKAu_lqTxYulRkhCnjUSd1A8MRmplxl4uvpT3j3XkKq-6RasmIY9oOflWxsG5cLY1oGzmRGdXTXLmqAeUDEOfzp8MUWftXxWVBys7XBix0hRPhz2YqSEz1xHNh70v3cMEZGZ9ZtnYw/s1000/how-to-homestead.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wWpdrnU-9h9fryBPOMfbwcUzmnfccU7BQlLxVMMhlSZ7vRjYsKAu_lqTxYulRkhCnjUSd1A8MRmplxl4uvpT3j3XkKq-6RasmIY9oOflWxsG5cLY1oGzmRGdXTXLmqAeUDEOfzp8MUWftXxWVBys7XBix0hRPhz2YqSEz1xHNh70v3cMEZGZ9ZtnYw/s16000/how-to-homestead.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Here are some things you could start with:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Beef Cow</b> - you could begin learning all about raising a beef cow including the breeds, feed, shelter, and butchering. This will give you an idea of the commitment and infrastructure needed to raise this animal. Because you won't want anything to go to waste, if you haven't previously worked with tallow, liver, tongue, and other parts of the cow that you will eventually have to figure out how to use, you could start sourcing these cuts. Search for recipes and begin experimenting to find ways your family wants to use each of them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Dairy Cow</b> - begin learning all about raising a dairy cow including differences between the breeds, feed, shelter, breeding, and birthing. This will give you an idea of the commitment and infrastructure needed to raise this animal. If you've never made dairy products from scratch (i.e. cheese, butter, yogurt, kefir, etc.) start experimenting with recipes to figure out ways your family wants to use each of them. You'll also be able to figure out what products you'll continue to make when you have excess milk, and which products you would prefer to purchase.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Pigs</b> - same as beef cow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Meat Chickens</b> - if you will be raising chickens bred specifically for meat, they differ quite a bit from egg layers. You could research raising meat birds including the breeds, feed, shelter, and butchering. This will give you an idea of the commitment and infrastructure needed to raise this animal. If you don't already do this, you could begin working with whole chickens purchased from a local farm or grocery store and figure out ways to best utilize the entire bird including the feet (if you can source and if desired) and bones. </div><div style="text-align: left;">(<b><span style="color: #444444;">related posts:</span></b> <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2014/10/raising-chickens-for-meat-how-they.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Raising Chickens For Meat: How They Differ From Egg Layers</span></b></a> , <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2015/11/raising-chickens-for-meat.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Raising Chickens For Meat</span></b></a> )</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3BrG30L7x2fhKksrML5s38n2IzsEWGKF9oKo1ZQGiKZyieklexhzFJV9d9nO14d-u1Y5SxRpDCcK0iozy7LLmx5BEhy07Z2EERWaHFJ7Zb_EiETsrp53uozVMmo_k87leB4heE7PYneocmsogKZyJpCMZRxOJAdG7lfhrpxUBZ_b9qM-mhoFMhBJ9A/s1000/how-to-homestead-where-you-are.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3BrG30L7x2fhKksrML5s38n2IzsEWGKF9oKo1ZQGiKZyieklexhzFJV9d9nO14d-u1Y5SxRpDCcK0iozy7LLmx5BEhy07Z2EERWaHFJ7Zb_EiETsrp53uozVMmo_k87leB4heE7PYneocmsogKZyJpCMZRxOJAdG7lfhrpxUBZ_b9qM-mhoFMhBJ9A/s16000/how-to-homestead-where-you-are.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Egg Laying Chickens</b> - there are many different breeds including those known for production and those who supply green or blue eggs (known collectively as Easter Eggers). You could research breeds, feed, shelter, and hatching (in case you decide to do so). Because you will receive more eggs in the spring and summer and less in the fall and winter, research ways to utilize eggs when they are plentiful and ways to preserve them for when they are not. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>**</b>As with every form of preservation, it's important to try the preservation method for yourself in small quantities and then use it for recipes. You may find your family prefers one preservation method over another. It's much easier to determine that before you fill your cupboards or freezers with something your family doesn't care for.<b>**</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">(<b><span style="color: #444444;">related posts:</span></b> <b><a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2012/06/so-you-want-to-raise-chickens.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">So You Want To Raise Your Own Chickens</span></a> , <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2012/09/so-you-want-to-raise-chickenspart-2.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">So You Want To Raise Chickens Part 2</span></a> , <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2011/03/chicken-coop-101-thirteen-lessons-weve.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Chicken Coop 101: 13 Lessons We Learned Building Our Coop</span></a> )</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Fruit Trees/Bushes</b> - research fruit trees/bushes that can be grown in your area including how much space they need, whether or not they require a second type for cross pollination and growing and pruning requirements. Only consider fruit trees/bushes your family will eat. Research preservation methods and again, as noted above in Egg Laying Chickens, test these methods in small quantities to determine what your family likes and doesn't like.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Honey Bees</b> - research the care, shelter, and what supplies are needed for bees. If you don't already use honey in cooking or tinctures, begin replacing sweeteners in your favorite recipes with honey (if you are replacing a dry sweetener with a liquid, you will likely need to reduce the liquid in the recipe).</div><div style="text-align: left;">(<b><span style="color: #444444;">related post:</span></b> <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2019/08/replacing-sugar-with-honey-in-baked.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Replacing Sugar With Honey In Baked Goods</span></b></a> )</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFY9V4tgPWn2aazey5nHo3Or6KN7YajmKpWELcQHcTw7c8BFOP9JTBIwGRQwU_PYtoZqrQEGMQIf0sxw0f5a85_gmsLe4SW6g9vYU9gYVQpjgCoJd70YGCOjS35xHfT1naSJSOBnDWVRdvVxACdae05qlJbjDWwWpzTcA4WkRBZVrSVsYIBolr682Ujg/s1000/grow-your-own-food.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFY9V4tgPWn2aazey5nHo3Or6KN7YajmKpWELcQHcTw7c8BFOP9JTBIwGRQwU_PYtoZqrQEGMQIf0sxw0f5a85_gmsLe4SW6g9vYU9gYVQpjgCoJd70YGCOjS35xHfT1naSJSOBnDWVRdvVxACdae05qlJbjDWwWpzTcA4WkRBZVrSVsYIBolr682Ujg/s16000/grow-your-own-food.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Gardening</b> - it goes without saying but I'll say it anyway, only grow what your family eats. We don't plant leeks, parsnips, or rosemary. Ever. We don't eat them, so we don't grow them. If you're trying to get your family to eat a certain vegetable, then grow it in small quantities, but in general, grow what you eat. You can research things such as seeds/seed companies, varieties, soil amending, growing methods, seed starting set-ups, saving seeds, and planting times for your zone. If you aren't currently cooking with a large quantity of fresh vegetables and preserving them in-season, you could start experimenting. Growing vegetables is a much different experience than purchasing them in that you will suddenly have a lot ripe at one time. In an effort to ensure nothing goes to waste, you'll want to have recipe ideas and preservation recipes ready to go for any of the produce you grow. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Herbs</b> - research types of herbs, growing needs, and planting times for your zone. If you aren't currently cooking with many herbs, or using them to make teas, start using what you can find or grow. Learn preservation methods and recipes. This will give you a great idea of how much of each type you need to grow. If you don't currently use herbs medicinally, you can purchase them in small amounts and begin trying recipes. There are many great books out there that outline each herb as well as provide recipes for different recipes including tinctures and salves. Personally, I've used books by <a href="https://amzn.to/3ZRnCc3" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Rosemary Gladstar</span></b></a> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(affiliate link)</i></span> and have found them thorough and immensely helpful.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tpYQFVE7KF3kBxJrfwPe1eaA1U3aQytngIYikUfJM9nIBQyxZGjPr4LM8IE2kHWH-xC66VsOwFr22m6YmDA91XL28fZ32evCTapVtb3hjjub4bYidB27iuMjZwNw_FaR_MCDzuXzgxbpyxBpUWTaURvjiWZ3JacUV-SZos322m9adhqLtcqUKmQrKA/s1000/start-a-homestead-business.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="704" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tpYQFVE7KF3kBxJrfwPe1eaA1U3aQytngIYikUfJM9nIBQyxZGjPr4LM8IE2kHWH-xC66VsOwFr22m6YmDA91XL28fZ32evCTapVtb3hjjub4bYidB27iuMjZwNw_FaR_MCDzuXzgxbpyxBpUWTaURvjiWZ3JacUV-SZos322m9adhqLtcqUKmQrKA/s16000/start-a-homestead-business.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Homemade Products</b> - although not listed above, one of the common goals of homesteaders is to begin making much of what is used within the home and homestead from scratch. It makes sense that if you're taking more responsibility for what you put in your body, you'll also want to look at what you put on your body as well as in your home. You can begin researching and trying recipes for personal care products, cleaners, etc. It may take some time to find or develop recipes that become family favorites, so take the time to begin researching and testing recipes and techniques now. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The more skills, recipes, and knowledge you have in your repertoire that you are proficient at, the easier it will be when you are able to add more homesteading activities. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAgrlSUWyt09cbSL9KIDOBGYp1ippyWx78DAScGZa2ZADLA9sM3AdJxeUAXXtg6Q4d4OJgaef_Y7zir45ZiC7dZ4SnI2n7sEXWE65yj9UK_R59oZPmOZPNRXqqzvveq6lJ614ABdgSPNizqxnZ3gf9oncxQzwAT3VhOP8gtG6NjrDrLqGbJlK3InHeQ/s1000/homestead-pantry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAgrlSUWyt09cbSL9KIDOBGYp1ippyWx78DAScGZa2ZADLA9sM3AdJxeUAXXtg6Q4d4OJgaef_Y7zir45ZiC7dZ4SnI2n7sEXWE65yj9UK_R59oZPmOZPNRXqqzvveq6lJ614ABdgSPNizqxnZ3gf9oncxQzwAT3VhOP8gtG6NjrDrLqGbJlK3InHeQ/s16000/homestead-pantry.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">5. Learn To Preserve Food</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm making this it's own bullet point because it's so important. With self-sufficiency being the driving force for homesteading, figuring out how to make the most out of everything you raise or grow is critical. Food preservation ensures nothing goes to waste as well as gives your family nutritious food to eat year-round. It's important to test out preservation methods in small amounts until you find the recipes and methods that your family will enjoy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There are people who do not like frozen green beans at all, instead preferring to pressure can them. We are opposite, but we wouldn't have known that without trying them both ways first. Some like canned meat, and others can't stand the texture or taste. That being said, there may be pressure canning recipes that take those into consideration and your family likes. Or different ways to use the meat (soups, stews, casseroles, etc.) where it's not so noticeable. It's important to figure these things out before you preserve a lot of one item in a way that may not work for your family.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I think it's also important to remember that you don't have to try every preservation method at once. It can be expensive and very time consuming. Pressure canning, water bath canning, dehydrating, freeze-drying, freezing, fermenting, smoking, and storing in cold storage all take different recipes and/or equipment. Remember that once you begin growing and raising your own food, a lot can be ready all at once. If the tomatoes, peppers, and summer squash are all ripe, a batch of meat birds have to be harvested, and you have fruit trees or bushes that must be picked, none of these items can wait without suffering loss. It's very stressful to learn preservation techniques and recipes for each of these at that time, and they all take a lot of time to process. If you've at least worked out the methods and recipes, you want to use for preserving and your somewhat comfortable with doing it then you're likely able to keep your head above water and push through. </div><div style="text-align: left;">(helpful post: Marissa at Food In Jars has a nice page devoted to Q&A's of Water Bath Canning <a href="https://foodinjars.com/canning-101-archive/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">here</span></b></a> )</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CEbBoXwOzvF-_3s5sraogipSUiLNk55HIEBp4MiLvy3Ju88SuUIIp6kd2b6sfXyN8wrVDm1CMLcbY8HJuRjmaTToYVjckJAEYd-IHxzcJ05k8WIa6NHqI1av9fARKPxe_SR_iG3SYbOxvcjTV6Na86dbFLwcBIMXkbORFt9bpZRdyM4mohGN6NX24w/s1000/beginners-guide-to-homesteading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CEbBoXwOzvF-_3s5sraogipSUiLNk55HIEBp4MiLvy3Ju88SuUIIp6kd2b6sfXyN8wrVDm1CMLcbY8HJuRjmaTToYVjckJAEYd-IHxzcJ05k8WIa6NHqI1av9fARKPxe_SR_iG3SYbOxvcjTV6Na86dbFLwcBIMXkbORFt9bpZRdyM4mohGN6NX24w/s16000/beginners-guide-to-homesteading.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">6. Prepare For Animals Before Bringing Them On The Homestead</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm also making this a separate point because of importance. Animals require a lot more than is sometimes considered and you want to make sure you and your property are ready before making the commitment. The animals deserve that. It is your responsibility to thoroughly educate and prepare yourself for the addition of any animal. Each type of animal has unique needs including shelter (with predator-proofing being a top priority) and dietary requirements. It's also important to have an idea of what to do in the event one of them is showing signs of sickness. If calling a vet is something you would consider, have you researched large animal or farm animal vets in your area? Are they accepting new patients? What are their fees? If you plan to care for the animal(s) on your own, where will you get medication if needed in an emergency? Once you've brought animals to your homestead, taking any time away from your property will become more difficult. There's no calling out or taking time off from caring for them. Make sure you are ready for that commitment. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPdlPaDfX5CxqlULeZVn0aikqt7ui3f-pCQ_rThOV18xYlgPK9Ufi0L1jBo1nhJMH-MhJydCILcHHPcLO5r60qYbfzK5E5G7x90Z5SeCi_tO2lyWKYxAwIDH__L-hHTqw6aKrtKJIRjy6pq0_9WBDnXv19WeS0Z69jReDBjcvf8I1KpErwUtYtpPtew/s1000/homesteading-basics.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmPdlPaDfX5CxqlULeZVn0aikqt7ui3f-pCQ_rThOV18xYlgPK9Ufi0L1jBo1nhJMH-MhJydCILcHHPcLO5r60qYbfzK5E5G7x90Z5SeCi_tO2lyWKYxAwIDH__L-hHTqw6aKrtKJIRjy6pq0_9WBDnXv19WeS0Z69jReDBjcvf8I1KpErwUtYtpPtew/s16000/homesteading-basics.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;">7. Be Prepared To Learn</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">You will be constantly learning. There are so many unexpected things that will arise year after year that will keep you feeling like a student of life. Whether it's a need for carpentry skills, animal diagnosis, butchering how-to's, food preservation, cooking, sewing, or gardening problems, rather than get discouraged, look at it as an opportunity to learn. Certainly, you will have to outsource from time-to-time, depending on the need, but many things will be projects you can handle with a little help from blogs, books, youtube, instagram, neighbors, or friends. Don't be afraid of failure - failure, or mistakes, is an opportunity to learn something new!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><b>8. Make The Most Of Free Resources</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Free? Who doesn't like free? We all do, but they can be easy to overlook so begin adding them to your life today!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Examples are:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Composting</div><div style="text-align: left;">Collecting Rainwater</div><div style="text-align: left;">Foraging for Wild Edible or Medicinal Vegetation</div><div style="text-align: left;">Grow Plants From Cuttings (minimal cost - you will need a rooting hormone)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Save Seeds</div><div style="text-align: left;">Network With Like-Minded People</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdLR6FGeWeV84XnlaBqLVwFsFbBKRjSW_dHaruIxPXgKcCx3of9YzOF19SlOg79Zo8HeHpZ3r7yK5O-1V4Me6ZC6etFn3oNF_15-hS_FhbKyHbi_xansevJGil3mAFnxzfg3M2e6UXvrJn0RKnkiIu6wzkJrn-Cw2-qRQrp-IgRscw-oMIGdyuVyETg/s1000/homestead-bread.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdLR6FGeWeV84XnlaBqLVwFsFbBKRjSW_dHaruIxPXgKcCx3of9YzOF19SlOg79Zo8HeHpZ3r7yK5O-1V4Me6ZC6etFn3oNF_15-hS_FhbKyHbi_xansevJGil3mAFnxzfg3M2e6UXvrJn0RKnkiIu6wzkJrn-Cw2-qRQrp-IgRscw-oMIGdyuVyETg/s16000/homestead-bread.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I sincerely hope there were bits of helpful information in this post. If you remember anything from this post, I hope it is this. If you are currently a homesteader or on your journey to homesteading, you are doing it correctly. Regardless of what you are/aren't doing, you are a homesteader. So many people think of themselves as failures or not really a homesteader if they aren't doing every activity associated with homesteading. You don't have to raise large animals, you don't have to make sourdough bread, you don't have to make every meal from scratch, and you don't have to have a large pantry filled with only your homegrown and home-canned items. Don't fall into the trap of judging yourself as a success or failure based on what you see other people doing. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The most important things are that you are working toward more self-sufficiency, you are doing what feels right for you at a pace that works for you, and you are enjoying your life. If you're trying to do too much and feel stressed out all of the time or stretched too far, you may be questioning, is it worth it? I encourage you to take a step back, re-evaluate, and re-define your homesteading life. Make the most of the space you've got and enjoy the journey!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgr4l7cxU7jVT9LNu9_NXKZUoWEcwxPLBkDL_zQWbrx0HJ7PQDO3qEgU3sy4zUmye6CuCz1Igde6kW4lMMIpEfdcnzs5eFhyF6l4oLc1BGTLgtIzooOPo-xbqBts8Ty3MNYN7RuFF3lCGHjtJo_xB3poXRjC3u7oH7vEsZ9dBBklU5bBx0Y9eX8f78A/s2804/beginners-guide-homesteading.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2804" data-original-width="1410" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgr4l7cxU7jVT9LNu9_NXKZUoWEcwxPLBkDL_zQWbrx0HJ7PQDO3qEgU3sy4zUmye6CuCz1Igde6kW4lMMIpEfdcnzs5eFhyF6l4oLc1BGTLgtIzooOPo-xbqBts8Ty3MNYN7RuFF3lCGHjtJo_xB3poXRjC3u7oH7vEsZ9dBBklU5bBx0Y9eX8f78A/w322-h640/beginners-guide-homesteading.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br />Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-74531097009975306262023-03-21T20:49:00.002-04:002023-10-05T15:16:54.251-04:00Last Week On The Homestead: Welcome Spring, SNOW, And 10 Years In Business!<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vXyN9j_hWblVQTV91TRwtxBnJYXtN2TD4WyWso6xE3srcsNUb6mgsAZ9VXM9ibbzYbiDQ83pH4ffKCdlXNWIIqPTOHt38E7NR4bSHOgb-d5932Ezyzex9k9AvQPdvsFKhhctVWJcJb20aHf6PS4lP5vOCQsgbDp5O1hbFTsS7WEJAJ3PUcuZdfQuNw/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-spring-chicks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vXyN9j_hWblVQTV91TRwtxBnJYXtN2TD4WyWso6xE3srcsNUb6mgsAZ9VXM9ibbzYbiDQ83pH4ffKCdlXNWIIqPTOHt38E7NR4bSHOgb-d5932Ezyzex9k9AvQPdvsFKhhctVWJcJb20aHf6PS4lP5vOCQsgbDp5O1hbFTsS7WEJAJ3PUcuZdfQuNw/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-spring-chicks.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OBtAu1hQ2ADrCzbbFUWPmrVkwvI2CyAQphowcV-vdF-aD0nfBn2c0pE82vhvOj1HR1LC2JznhEA3dcO6I-ja_3sPP-_YIyHjVUFYJW6PkXT8VxRYvuDjrfToUG9_97nvGUvu0fRZC2vuX0w1GGby_YTAnEChMSjVZD43NbRqz7mzZaPV97WQ6aNWpQ/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-march-snow-day4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OBtAu1hQ2ADrCzbbFUWPmrVkwvI2CyAQphowcV-vdF-aD0nfBn2c0pE82vhvOj1HR1LC2JznhEA3dcO6I-ja_3sPP-_YIyHjVUFYJW6PkXT8VxRYvuDjrfToUG9_97nvGUvu0fRZC2vuX0w1GGby_YTAnEChMSjVZD43NbRqz7mzZaPV97WQ6aNWpQ/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-march-snow-day4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ1GVW4f8ojAV6cFyFoJPRfHJfc8tI4tUTYyUpdv0p2qyu0_MHfMHXDLi2HCvfAGQo6U7Zp6Y-rqvmNvvfSv6laNTWVtgo1pnIFGvi41GEybmsayDO00TjbtJAmPjI6tQlL5uK1S4v3T1X6IesYR-EcpC7mAEs8Rez2JQJnN58EhXhYoFBZZjSqQXfA/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-march-snow-day5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="813" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ1GVW4f8ojAV6cFyFoJPRfHJfc8tI4tUTYyUpdv0p2qyu0_MHfMHXDLi2HCvfAGQo6U7Zp6Y-rqvmNvvfSv6laNTWVtgo1pnIFGvi41GEybmsayDO00TjbtJAmPjI6tQlL5uK1S4v3T1X6IesYR-EcpC7mAEs8Rez2JQJnN58EhXhYoFBZZjSqQXfA/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-march-snow-day5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">March 13-19, 2034</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hello friends!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy spring! This past week we had ALL the weather. Snow, rain, wind, and sunshine too! After recently receiving a foot of snow, this past Tuesday we were estimated to get an additional 8 inches to 2 feet! Some areas received 3 feet (thankfully, not us). Tuesday ended up being declared a state of emergency by the governor of NY with schools closed, many businesses closed, everyone asked to stay off of the roads, and tractor trailers banned from traveling on the highways for a good portion of the day. Our town was so quiet!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a mess of a storm - wet and heavy snow and the ground was not frozen, so it was mud underneath. Typically, I love the snow, but I'll admit, this was a morale busting storm. Usually, it takes about 3 hours for us to do snow removal so that we can get in and out of our property as well as pathways to the outbuildings cleared, but it took about 5 hours to clean up after Tuesday's storm. It was very heavy, too heavy to shovel, and the mud made it tough for my husband to get the snowblower through. We did not lose power thankfully, so it ended up being a win for us!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Despite the fact we're set to enjoy upper 40's and 50's this week, we aren't putting the snow shovels away just yet. You never know about March in upstate NY!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtKPBnPV19UZVf0ur9QhoOoBqKrguYkxrgiWimwrNIVDcQONhsw1Zc4GwN00Fgstp2sqs-7xyoYfOGHAByuBQWnZkLHBT5_wb_2CScfFW3RUDl9TvuFkoVp4idnDPxMT8TZl8LVAZZz9PtkTHm5wClunHHcGgcQk3NhEKVJvPbqa2G5GO68eoxVyKgA/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-march-snow-day1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtKPBnPV19UZVf0ur9QhoOoBqKrguYkxrgiWimwrNIVDcQONhsw1Zc4GwN00Fgstp2sqs-7xyoYfOGHAByuBQWnZkLHBT5_wb_2CScfFW3RUDl9TvuFkoVp4idnDPxMT8TZl8LVAZZz9PtkTHm5wClunHHcGgcQk3NhEKVJvPbqa2G5GO68eoxVyKgA/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-march-snow-day1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZplTLUbfOtzfR8cERaa684EeWZ5DOek_H8pchmouOzMEpZ-I7LjS56O_yWfmY_V1kuIyfQvjN5WMnxoSLmdIdD_SCEOakBOnDFSx1odDv9HxtYeo6GY5AWM7gVui1FJ79gETuBosUU2gFXg9EaehWHNop_3cWwOh9SIl8FkFYYAkl6oOBwhFJr57Sw/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-march-snow-day2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZplTLUbfOtzfR8cERaa684EeWZ5DOek_H8pchmouOzMEpZ-I7LjS56O_yWfmY_V1kuIyfQvjN5WMnxoSLmdIdD_SCEOakBOnDFSx1odDv9HxtYeo6GY5AWM7gVui1FJ79gETuBosUU2gFXg9EaehWHNop_3cWwOh9SIl8FkFYYAkl6oOBwhFJr57Sw/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-march-snow-day2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Although the snow is now melting quite rapidly, we still have piles and piles. This means that the flora remains in winter mode for a bit longer. We have a tree that is full of berries (leftover from fall) which has recently become a hangout for robins. We've also had an influx of crows around the garden and chicken coop areas in addition to weekly sightings of our two cardinal couples. Mud season began early this year and will likely last well into April. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm hoping that outdoor projects can start up again soon. Of course, gardening is top priority, but we also have some little things to do around the house and property. To-do lists never end, do they? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVENvAq3leHVL7UrVhhni2s-n8F5szANEsuM1uyYWT1cu5MqPbGcH1d_Z2WHBhpP73BI6E0luOd3fQcjiimc5CyJrTMiWt_dak-FjYQPgt6HPv0jHGGtnBzNLt06iJnW8H_Uh2Yd7hFOBHG4juM2W0eyanOOKUYziH0kC-KX5WE4eLI3BEbYtrEVeNfA/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-soap-product-overview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVENvAq3leHVL7UrVhhni2s-n8F5szANEsuM1uyYWT1cu5MqPbGcH1d_Z2WHBhpP73BI6E0luOd3fQcjiimc5CyJrTMiWt_dak-FjYQPgt6HPv0jHGGtnBzNLt06iJnW8H_Uh2Yd7hFOBHG4juM2W0eyanOOKUYziH0kC-KX5WE4eLI3BEbYtrEVeNfA/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-soap-product-overview.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">At <a href="https://www.cobblehillfarm.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Cobble Hill Farm Soap & Mercantile</span></b></a> our busy season is just around the corner, so we've increased our production of soap, skincare, and wood crafts. Sales have been slow this month but that's pretty much expected. Everything should pick up by May. This year is our tenth year in business and our fifth year of depending on it solely for our income. It's really hard to believe! As you know, there are a TON of soap and skincare businesses out there so the fact that we've been able to make this work is something we honestly never thought would be possible. You just never know!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7OydvPyPd_XSXLkO_cHdoZsVqm4aSPeD41JdVUOZMjg3DN7m4YN6IfWUizUvmS3mn4zgaEL1w88t2458ey7nRJ6cOUmiY8nEjTWZJda_EuthyM79TXLye3iQHwLNyg-NzvOJVUOYwEDFX6kCC8yUpwqtqT5p-T28FjRusdJPljGJH18SxLckfXhi0A/s1000/cobble-hill-farm-march-snow-day3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7OydvPyPd_XSXLkO_cHdoZsVqm4aSPeD41JdVUOZMjg3DN7m4YN6IfWUizUvmS3mn4zgaEL1w88t2458ey7nRJ6cOUmiY8nEjTWZJda_EuthyM79TXLye3iQHwLNyg-NzvOJVUOYwEDFX6kCC8yUpwqtqT5p-T28FjRusdJPljGJH18SxLckfXhi0A/s16000/cobble-hill-farm-march-snow-day3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The chick photo at the top of the post is one I took a few years ago. We are not bringing in chicks this year - probably not for a couple of years. The Coop Girls are laying more eggs but one (or more) is also eating eggs. This is a problem. The chicken/chickens seem to be targeting the green and blue eggs and we are estimating to be losing 1-3 per day which is a lot when we're only receiving 3-4 dozen a week. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2uTqGqzn9S2MfCfCnTpKF7iWp6Y5pJQYCaSY3O-qOl7zpzIZXjltgnhlSkgn3eFxaKEtdWs3agR26J-93MOMedpIBs_9WoSDI1fqgGaGj_jJbQYznpgSb3eo1Ca2LTjJLVmNx2uf3smlDmIrZr_hqgnIYR2VZlE5FXs6h5hIfxo1tafuXX0ULqtD3Q/s1000/farmcat-jack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2uTqGqzn9S2MfCfCnTpKF7iWp6Y5pJQYCaSY3O-qOl7zpzIZXjltgnhlSkgn3eFxaKEtdWs3agR26J-93MOMedpIBs_9WoSDI1fqgGaGj_jJbQYznpgSb3eo1Ca2LTjJLVmNx2uf3smlDmIrZr_hqgnIYR2VZlE5FXs6h5hIfxo1tafuXX0ULqtD3Q/s16000/farmcat-jack.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Jackson enjoying the warmth of the radiator cover</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XeNJrx9a2xcyA3u0OZzXup9BizwidyusAnL_sK9hW4u9E3lCFTib62sTcsmmTjbEnM0MpQtmZVOWQjduitNcF6tA3KHan5wQwW_Bdo0dnq_XCkjnIIBOD345crHbUauHBZZx36P83g4DI8H0w4EAfwO8VOdyybKiQv9cM1rNeRQeYubaAq9gyszlNQ/s1000/french-bulldog-oliver.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7XeNJrx9a2xcyA3u0OZzXup9BizwidyusAnL_sK9hW4u9E3lCFTib62sTcsmmTjbEnM0MpQtmZVOWQjduitNcF6tA3KHan5wQwW_Bdo0dnq_XCkjnIIBOD345crHbUauHBZZx36P83g4DI8H0w4EAfwO8VOdyybKiQv9cM1rNeRQeYubaAq9gyszlNQ/s16000/french-bulldog-oliver.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Oliver is still loving the pellet stove!</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Jackson and Oliver are doing well. Jackson is enjoying any spot in the house that catches some of the ever-increasing sunshine. Oliver enjoys the sunshine too, but he's pretty set on where he sits and sleeps throughout the day. So, if the sun enters one of those spaces, he is quite pleased. Oh, and do you see that patch of shaved fur on his right front leg? I don't think I wrote about it at the time, but that is from his hospitalization over Thanksgiving. That was another midnight trip where we didn't get home until 2 or 3a and then I had him discharged by the afternoon. They don't have enough staffing to take care of him the way he needs to be cared for. The problem is mostly bathroom breaks (they fixed the other concerns after a lengthy conversation about my frustration over his last hospitalization). Because Oliver has 2 health issues that cause him to drink a lot of water (and urinate more) coupled with the fact that he was also on an IV, he needs to go to the bathroom a LOT. They don't take him so he holds it which means I just end up hanging around the hospital all of the time he's admitted so that I can take him out. So, once his testing was complete, he was diagnosed, medicated, and fully replenished with liquids, I had a conversation with the emergency vet on duty and she was comfortable with my decision. He came home. He's been doing well but the poor guy, his fur is not growing back very quickly.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXm46IocHLyUHHeHEuKm-85Fak2dJMBwF3PeCFd4fWLJ8kn9TebONAqzJbRgyhE-8xv0UtFNLljVAWxKSVnK3KUdCrl_sV75h0qNlfN7bvTK3be5nJ5BqWoaP6Fu-OdxAs0PSlBmsVKXZ7Tq-Hq-tLZRoChJEBVS3h-yQ6g23h98sUxLB5YKNohRjMFQ/s1000/books-to-read-march2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXm46IocHLyUHHeHEuKm-85Fak2dJMBwF3PeCFd4fWLJ8kn9TebONAqzJbRgyhE-8xv0UtFNLljVAWxKSVnK3KUdCrl_sV75h0qNlfN7bvTK3be5nJ5BqWoaP6Fu-OdxAs0PSlBmsVKXZ7Tq-Hq-tLZRoChJEBVS3h-yQ6g23h98sUxLB5YKNohRjMFQ/s16000/books-to-read-march2023.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm getting ready to start a new book. These are the two I've chosen to be read next: The House of the Spirits (Isabel Allende) and Miss Benson's Beetle (Rachel Joyce). After these I've told myself that I must read the next 5 books from my kindle app only. I have soooo many free books on it and because I don't enjoy reading them on the computer, I avoid them. But it's time to get them read! If you've read either of these, I would love to hear what you thought of them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNe1BWufxOH8QKSKb4vMPFoPuVdDLqFp8pwsgh96wrbpR6Wuh82DS70CjS_XZLDodu5Xm0NkP2iTihnI78vxpYMKp7FycgRcM7JinRyQDx_P5NL4EB54T0e7odfIUHZ4szwjvaDKnssjtcAxdkFOxno8SRIlzhHQXeJn4_9KTWc1r_ON3DmK4cU3ghw/s1000/tortilla-pizza.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNe1BWufxOH8QKSKb4vMPFoPuVdDLqFp8pwsgh96wrbpR6Wuh82DS70CjS_XZLDodu5Xm0NkP2iTihnI78vxpYMKp7FycgRcM7JinRyQDx_P5NL4EB54T0e7odfIUHZ4szwjvaDKnssjtcAxdkFOxno8SRIlzhHQXeJn4_9KTWc1r_ON3DmK4cU3ghw/s16000/tortilla-pizza.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tortilla "Pizza"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Menu plan for this week:</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay and I eat differently, so there's meals planned for each of us. I list my lunch because I almost always have a salad for dinner. I used to eat the same thing for 2-3 days, but I've been eating the same thing all week and it's working out well, so I only have one item on the meal plan for me! I've been LOVING whole wheat tortilla veggie "pizzas". They are easy and delicious!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay's meals:</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tacos</div><div style="text-align: left;">Chicken & Veg Teriyaki over Rice</div><div style="text-align: left;">Smothered Pork Chop, Asparagus, and Rice</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cottage/Shephard's Pie</div><div style="text-align: left;">Oven-Fried Chicken Breast, Skillet Potatoes, Green Beans</div><div style="text-align: left;">American Chop Suey</div><div style="text-align: left;">Chicken Enchiladas</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My meals:</div><div style="text-align: left;">Whole Wheat Tortilla & Veggie Pizza</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's last week on the homestead. Hoping you had a wonderful week as well!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-78813151406813583652023-02-27T11:33:00.004-05:002023-10-05T15:16:54.252-04:00Last Week On The Homestead: Snow, Ordinary Days, & Feeling Better<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOBa1Nc8KF7VBbECPKIDIVFCIwokbZHeFa2GVTT8DbRSa4i0ef5a_gB-vVslloKMtDEcnDqI_bTA9LQ7SoLKzX5dj5_7PEDn8SIrajNH6Wf1N4HEui5S5_Rkvz1jmlkHIX4HkiuAKHrozK6t2R9dzJLIBJc8N60613soQYZIbjZE1s-Buv8h_xFuo1Q/s1000/LWOTH2-snowy-day2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOBa1Nc8KF7VBbECPKIDIVFCIwokbZHeFa2GVTT8DbRSa4i0ef5a_gB-vVslloKMtDEcnDqI_bTA9LQ7SoLKzX5dj5_7PEDn8SIrajNH6Wf1N4HEui5S5_Rkvz1jmlkHIX4HkiuAKHrozK6t2R9dzJLIBJc8N60613soQYZIbjZE1s-Buv8h_xFuo1Q/s16000/LWOTH2-snowy-day2.jpg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9rKukz374QYONKmNJXGegQkQPCV2_8QSIpgqzFlviZSRkYNZaHRvvSX8iVpL5D2gGzNGhCK6niwuF1oTT0v58PS5fR6X2lH_BxizvBXLUMxUO3JYT-0N4i2Qp2e2cYazvLHu430Wo_6666VhIVs7TeSrPWo_rPj0XAXXi-TDq317m0aQHsZ2F2Hk1A/s1000/LWOTH2-bread--on-pellet-stove.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9rKukz374QYONKmNJXGegQkQPCV2_8QSIpgqzFlviZSRkYNZaHRvvSX8iVpL5D2gGzNGhCK6niwuF1oTT0v58PS5fR6X2lH_BxizvBXLUMxUO3JYT-0N4i2Qp2e2cYazvLHu430Wo_6666VhIVs7TeSrPWo_rPj0XAXXi-TDq317m0aQHsZ2F2Hk1A/s16000/LWOTH2-bread--on-pellet-stove.jpg" /></a></div><br />February 20-26, 2023</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hello friends!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, last week was all about getting better for us. Unfortunately, we finally came down with COVID. It was only a matter of time, and I figured it would happen during winter because our winter farmers market is a tight indoor space. Sure enough, I came down with it late at night on Valentine's Day and my husband a few days later. Initially I assumed I was coming down with a sinus infection as I had a very sore throat, headache, and body aches. I thought that was strange since I haven't had a sinus infection in 5 years! (Interestingly, I haven't had one since I left working for other people! Never underestimate the negative effects of stress on your health.) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">By day two I was suspicious that it could be COVID and took a test. Sure enough, that's what it was. So, we stayed home and away from others so as not to pass on any germs until it was in the rearview mirror. I experienced more of the mild flu-like symptoms that lasted 4 days and less of the cold-like symptoms (2 days). My husband was the complete opposite with his flu-like symptoms being more severe and lasting 2 days and his cold-like symptoms still hanging on. He is very congested whereas I was barely congested. I lost my sense of smell for a day and a half, and I asked my husband if he lost his sense of smell. He said he doesn't know. How do you not know?? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwu0HLi_Q9Ki6embe-AD2zMp5AkwmWv137Sp9Z9NN3rbJip64fvgJtNlIxq4FtKOshFmEojkaQByOqe6EMtJVU35l9FV7Iark7_iJd4vfEU-qy-o62PiYaAlhnUeUPr5PmeJSpIh587luwddvExhcg31yfv9u76PazE9zmQ9AdJ892RZgLcxgGEhJjzg/s1000/LWOTH2-snowy-day.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwu0HLi_Q9Ki6embe-AD2zMp5AkwmWv137Sp9Z9NN3rbJip64fvgJtNlIxq4FtKOshFmEojkaQByOqe6EMtJVU35l9FV7Iark7_iJd4vfEU-qy-o62PiYaAlhnUeUPr5PmeJSpIh587luwddvExhcg31yfv9u76PazE9zmQ9AdJ892RZgLcxgGEhJjzg/s16000/LWOTH2-snowy-day.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We received snow on Wednesday as well as ice! The snow I have no issue with, the ice, however, is such a pain. We received a bit more snow on Saturday and are expected to get 3-6 inches tomorrow. I'm happy we'll receive the snow during the day since I enjoy watching it and I'm hoping it's the light and fluffy variety!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We had our heating oil tank topped off. We were down to a 1/4 of a tank and decided to bite the bullet. We paid $3.89/gallon. Yikes! It's not the highest price we've ever paid, but it's up there. Thankfully, our oil heat is our secondary heat source, and our pellet stove is our primary source. This means we only have to fill our oil tank about once every other year. We go through about 2 1/2 tons of pellets each year. The price for pellets has, of course, gone up so they are now $280.00/ton (for the type we prefer) which is still MUCH less than filling the oil tank every couple of months. Our oil heat is used mostly because our living room and spare bedroom don't receive much of the heat from the pellet stove because of where it's located.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHEfjK-exqs5SntTeRXjvSL8sgDqIh6xNeym6VXZ9oYafKhrzz3Pmm2JDBzK6z1lr3fJSLBiw7H3vijXTvSjwxoJINyt92gn6uz545N6q_LqjMa58hVmO8ALO9-oSoGts5SafWmcZuTuFYcLSGcD90mXtYbvBrpgZfQwJ6tD9DQpsNeezVC-Iks3BIg/s1000/LWOTH2-chickpea-veggie-loaf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHEfjK-exqs5SntTeRXjvSL8sgDqIh6xNeym6VXZ9oYafKhrzz3Pmm2JDBzK6z1lr3fJSLBiw7H3vijXTvSjwxoJINyt92gn6uz545N6q_LqjMa58hVmO8ALO9-oSoGts5SafWmcZuTuFYcLSGcD90mXtYbvBrpgZfQwJ6tD9DQpsNeezVC-Iks3BIg/s16000/LWOTH2-chickpea-veggie-loaf.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I made the <a href="https://www.veganricha.com/chickpea-veggie-loaf/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">chickpea veggie loaf</span></b></a> I'd mentioned in the past 2 LWOTH posts. It was ok. I will probably make it again but work with the recipe quite a bit to infuse some flavor into it. It was very crumbly and dry when cold but nice and moist when warmed up. I made it without the BBQ sauce or cranberries (she notes these ingredients as optional) and used the ground oats option instead of breadcrumbs. I ate it with super delicious mushroom gravy but the loaf itself, in my opinion, needed more flavor.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGRcxE-S--aGnYLHGAF481rrphqstIsBbDj0WsUgqBc_htpI_T85n-gDxsklW8zin5PGQBneuR71k8z6AYZotMpf7mUOrHLDL8xkSyyzB5tlz_CbfVaYjENSInCmoAku_sMf4BISIgltC7DOUGnk9ZtHHNZGr6Q1bIusXbHxjXA2TksfErLQhF1kB_w/s1000/LWOTH2-reading-list.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGRcxE-S--aGnYLHGAF481rrphqstIsBbDj0WsUgqBc_htpI_T85n-gDxsklW8zin5PGQBneuR71k8z6AYZotMpf7mUOrHLDL8xkSyyzB5tlz_CbfVaYjENSInCmoAku_sMf4BISIgltC7DOUGnk9ZtHHNZGr6Q1bIusXbHxjXA2TksfErLQhF1kB_w/s16000/LWOTH2-reading-list.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I started reading the School By The Sea series by Jenny Colgan. I'm still on the first book and so far, I'm enjoying it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbSw1tqEFPNvhTHWkIXohnk49oYamT9_8YYLcJiJ8bqgqSORLxDy796GIYo0vC0ZK5hilI0xHk9JY0XSa7DU5_BeJMFNSPdZUfd9AaYTR3rwRfOZe5sAnp4wb_fr9Vdy6Mtwnyc6nxt3BTeo-U41UQcdnm3GoKwWnqzfQ5edPX59KWFaMMrtAbQkHqw/s1000/LWOTH2-chickens.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcbSw1tqEFPNvhTHWkIXohnk49oYamT9_8YYLcJiJ8bqgqSORLxDy796GIYo0vC0ZK5hilI0xHk9JY0XSa7DU5_BeJMFNSPdZUfd9AaYTR3rwRfOZe5sAnp4wb_fr9Vdy6Mtwnyc6nxt3BTeo-U41UQcdnm3GoKwWnqzfQ5edPX59KWFaMMrtAbQkHqw/s16000/LWOTH2-chickens.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Coop Girls do NOT like snow</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Coop Girls are doing well. They aren't laying as much as we'd anticipated but they are giving us about 2 1/2 dozen eggs per week right now. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbbTMdBSMMPlB67WNA78X236DxG97cv2djaJ0QcXozo1mjqN45TEPqgboo8yC9h5G6hoSyZBZXe8X2c1IEVaTBGTyun_KWQZWjt2SMvkod7FKF7FZnS-055UHpSsWbBDaeNNZkiawJEKy0mWkwgR8YqbC4IaxJIt9J8Wx9tIHJmzkRP6nDXIcFUK0lg/s1000/LWOTH2-farmcat-jack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbbTMdBSMMPlB67WNA78X236DxG97cv2djaJ0QcXozo1mjqN45TEPqgboo8yC9h5G6hoSyZBZXe8X2c1IEVaTBGTyun_KWQZWjt2SMvkod7FKF7FZnS-055UHpSsWbBDaeNNZkiawJEKy0mWkwgR8YqbC4IaxJIt9J8Wx9tIHJmzkRP6nDXIcFUK0lg/s16000/LWOTH2-farmcat-jack.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jackson</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtX-DJz7x7KBOty1i99vPqztNDDfSbUWH8WoHABW7quovkeh5OGmgiTJiOf6UYp7uEwox8EnCupqygpI8K9TDYt6FsItm20Zp_kuAFOv43ZCR-ZIM2h0jX8wgXAf9Spm6L-oQ8EGxYs-6dipu1hN0YxzREkfvH1Xk2ExHH10nkpahJrPOA1hcB9z_sjw/s1000/LWOTH2-french-bulldog-oliver.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtX-DJz7x7KBOty1i99vPqztNDDfSbUWH8WoHABW7quovkeh5OGmgiTJiOf6UYp7uEwox8EnCupqygpI8K9TDYt6FsItm20Zp_kuAFOv43ZCR-ZIM2h0jX8wgXAf9Spm6L-oQ8EGxYs-6dipu1hN0YxzREkfvH1Xk2ExHH10nkpahJrPOA1hcB9z_sjw/s16000/LWOTH2-french-bulldog-oliver.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oliver</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oliver and Jackson are both doing good too! And as far as our stray cats go, we've only seen the original Felix in the past few weeks. Imposter Felix and the little cat with the white paws have not been coming around at all. My hope, of course, is that someone else is caring for them. On Thursday when I saw Felix, he had a new gash under his right eye, so he certainly got into a fight with something. He appears to be fine now though. He's pretty funny. If I don't get him his breakfast on time (6:30a) then he knows where to wait in order to look in the window at me so that I can see him. On the few mornings I forgot, I was just about to sit down with my hot coffee after my morning chores for Oliver and I saw the look through the window. My translation of the look I get is Felix sarcastically saying "<i>oh sure, enjoy your hot cup of coffee in your warm house on your comfy couch. No problem. I'll wait. I'm freezing and starving but it's all ok. I'll just wait right here until you get the time to get my food.</i>" I hopped right back up to get him his food. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am soooooo ready to get out in the garden. Of course, the garden is currently under a small layer of snow and ice so that won't be happening for a while, but I'm still ready and excited. It's nice to have the break in the growing season so that there is enthusiasm in getting back to it but I'm ready for fresh veggies!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM-Im2Df1Pk7_Vez85aXZUTOzoN0N2KmcShsOmgp2KSTombqGFxL4kfIKXr4-VBc89PbzwyZxZ1qlXdk6U8Nk0pHexFJZy47BCfhA4GRsab_eleMKCQdS0ryCMSPg8PJg3iALan5rv3AcAXVTHYQmVPln5yMsic3k_j9HJBLuRwY2gTwwPvE1JEJeZA/s1000/LWOTH2-bread-oatmeal.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnM-Im2Df1Pk7_Vez85aXZUTOzoN0N2KmcShsOmgp2KSTombqGFxL4kfIKXr4-VBc89PbzwyZxZ1qlXdk6U8Nk0pHexFJZy47BCfhA4GRsab_eleMKCQdS0ryCMSPg8PJg3iALan5rv3AcAXVTHYQmVPln5yMsic3k_j9HJBLuRwY2gTwwPvE1JEJeZA/s16000/LWOTH2-bread-oatmeal.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oatmeal Bread using Spelt Flour (left) and White Bread Flour (right)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Meals for this week:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Jay's:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Chipotle Chili & Cilantro Chicken Fajitas & Rice</div><div style="text-align: left;">BBQ Pork Tenderloin, <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2016/01/our-favorite-scalloped-potato-recipe.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Scalloped Potatoes</span></b></a>, Steamed Green Beans</div><div style="text-align: left;">Smash Burger (<a href="https://pinchofyum.com/smash-burgers-with-house-sauce" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">this homemade version</span></b></a> - Pinch Of Yum) & Homemade Air Fryer Fries</div><div style="text-align: left;">Sauteed Chicken Breast with Mustard Cream Sauce, Rice, and Spinach</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2014/04/stuffed-cabbage-rolls.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Stuffed Cabbage</span></b></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Chicken Cacciatore Pasta and Steamed Veggies</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2018/03/delicious-slow-cooker-mississippi-pot.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Mississippi Pot Roast</span></b></a> In The Crockpot with Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, and Carrots</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Mine (multiple days per meal):</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Noodles, Veg, & Chickpeas with Peanut Sauce</div><div style="text-align: left;">Black Bean Crockpot Soup</div><div style="text-align: left;">Vegan Stuffed Cabbage (Rice & Lentils)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's last week on the homestead. Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!</div><br />Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-16570299009475309252023-01-23T07:25:00.006-05:002023-10-05T15:16:54.248-04:00Last Week On The Homestead: Snow, A Birthday Boy, And Winter Cleaning<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFD5Q558-_r5WgQ1VokMZz8qSb-4PJy25olmF-6b1LwkXnY8h4FQ0Ffj_G-5l9BZQog70zE8yGmCwmSkuPUxrARKBi9HYMbejk7BVtUXbkQjcDRXzX_3S0I2R226XHJgqb1zABgsG8wP5LoL-0SFYZ_mL1rRHpBf8TJY2wPh-Wdg4HwGssT4zMoFZSDQ/s1000/lwoth2-snow-day1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFD5Q558-_r5WgQ1VokMZz8qSb-4PJy25olmF-6b1LwkXnY8h4FQ0Ffj_G-5l9BZQog70zE8yGmCwmSkuPUxrARKBi9HYMbejk7BVtUXbkQjcDRXzX_3S0I2R226XHJgqb1zABgsG8wP5LoL-0SFYZ_mL1rRHpBf8TJY2wPh-Wdg4HwGssT4zMoFZSDQ/s16000/lwoth2-snow-day1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcEuDIJkgGO7-WVe1OfZOZcp0f33xOYy8E33RAoYqnIBRKx0ATJhYWcFezKdkLpIS_3PYGGL0Pg4hQSeVptwts_9VKSmCxbfCQLGeOTyLGMJiKIxhxtd0IjyQ8E3eYaYj-UWd76V0Sq63gAq8S2miEV2i8wEH8Br0d8WzuJRwKw2OUeJmfqiXfk-K3Q/s1000/lwoth2-snow-day2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcEuDIJkgGO7-WVe1OfZOZcp0f33xOYy8E33RAoYqnIBRKx0ATJhYWcFezKdkLpIS_3PYGGL0Pg4hQSeVptwts_9VKSmCxbfCQLGeOTyLGMJiKIxhxtd0IjyQ8E3eYaYj-UWd76V0Sq63gAq8S2miEV2i8wEH8Br0d8WzuJRwKw2OUeJmfqiXfk-K3Q/s16000/lwoth2-snow-day2.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtP7tI-AF0xywyjyun_xgAROAgbA1QMvLWDJSZYth5NIzRNMO6DCy0ac-YugvbHDCtptRLj6VRh-IZhKnwjjROVetv8-d70b8bNfmt2vetovFw4bVGJGeRBpmurcb_GiDCKSCtPWmlzj621_8cN7pRmExy0z0R9gIvXkqYydGawoNpFg5i6VMbm4WAWA/s1000/lwoth2-snow-day3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtP7tI-AF0xywyjyun_xgAROAgbA1QMvLWDJSZYth5NIzRNMO6DCy0ac-YugvbHDCtptRLj6VRh-IZhKnwjjROVetv8-d70b8bNfmt2vetovFw4bVGJGeRBpmurcb_GiDCKSCtPWmlzj621_8cN7pRmExy0z0R9gIvXkqYydGawoNpFg5i6VMbm4WAWA/s16000/lwoth2-snow-day3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">January 16-22, 2023</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hello friends!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I type this it's the perfect morning for a cup of hot (dandy blend) coffee with steamed oat milk and just a swirl of date syrup. Oliver is tucked into his bed beside me, one of his blankets covering just about every inch of his body. Jackson is waiting by a living room window for the first peek of one of the stray cats that we provide food, water, and shelter to (there's now 3....). And it's been snowing all night! Our winter weather has been mild - highs in the 30's and lows in the upper teens to 20's. We received a few inches of wet and heavy snow last week. It coated the trees nicely for a few hours like thick sparkling frosting. It's absolutely beautiful. Eventually the snow fell off in plops, sending the tree limbs bouncing up and down from the release of its weight. Today's snow is slightly heavy (not nearly as heavy as the last snowfall) and will hopefully stick to the trees a bit longer.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our work life has slowed, and we settle into the winter rhythm for a couple of months. A lot of bookkeeping currently - planning, record updating, and paperwork is a good amount of my work. Making and packaging products as well as packing and shipping orders is an every-other-day task that allows the monotony of bookkeeping to be broken up. For these couple of months, most of our workdays start a little later and end a little earlier. It's the perfect time for getting lost in projects and reading.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEgd_GbI_PMLCROrkwyKJ7REMG1aFR-dLk2nMMZQNqj73O8TgqjktmYk4985qtpgIfL4T4ACRqL-q5bFBXTmU2bNi9xkZYl27KLguPJLS8WOtjEC6lhqb76uIYLKdtahWwuK1gjWKON08kM7oOVKnOLeqrIQ2t39TzBZDZmL1MPTorUpuACJJV63RmQ/s1000/lwoth2-farmcat-jack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="688" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEgd_GbI_PMLCROrkwyKJ7REMG1aFR-dLk2nMMZQNqj73O8TgqjktmYk4985qtpgIfL4T4ACRqL-q5bFBXTmU2bNi9xkZYl27KLguPJLS8WOtjEC6lhqb76uIYLKdtahWwuK1gjWKON08kM7oOVKnOLeqrIQ2t39TzBZDZmL1MPTorUpuACJJV63RmQ/s16000/lwoth2-farmcat-jack.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Jack waiting for the trio of stray cats</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our stray cat friend Felix is walking much better. He had previously been limping on one of his front paws and is now putting almost full weight on it. Imposter Felix (also a stray) continues to visit us around our dinner time. He (she?) eats quickly and runs away. Last Tuesday afternoon I was working on the computer and Jay was working in his woodshop. Jackson came running into the living room and began his crazy dance, which is an alert that either Felix or Imposter Felix is here. My phone whistled and it was Jay texting, telling me to look on the front porch at the cat food dish. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I looked out the window and there was stray cat #3. Oh brother! This poor little thing is skinny and very scared. He/she is also all black and has the most adorable white paws. At first, the cat didn't notice Jack and all of his antics in the window because it was eating so quickly. It started to walk away and then caught a glimpse of Jack and did a double take. Then it sat there staring at him with all of his dancing. I can't even imagine what it thought of him. After a few seconds of watching the Jackson show, it was off and running. It's been a regular at the cat station ever since. The word is out about the stray cat hostel!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhqeNSW_U86U3KNK1ZRIGSe8314SZtcip_2CLr8BHn1OOzBqEqP_OVtvP-EkYuM7JDMqlhhjhQqnLnMBmEXgWzVNDkkHUW09V_h3l5C0AicLkx4dvDD4tbIXnnkU8MVddLNpwbcU_0FcoWSXNpoLVN2wN-Rv-jA74TkGZm9mI5fs-wB-DOQtlqG_cwg/s1000/lwoth2-french-bulldog-oliver3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhqeNSW_U86U3KNK1ZRIGSe8314SZtcip_2CLr8BHn1OOzBqEqP_OVtvP-EkYuM7JDMqlhhjhQqnLnMBmEXgWzVNDkkHUW09V_h3l5C0AicLkx4dvDD4tbIXnnkU8MVddLNpwbcU_0FcoWSXNpoLVN2wN-Rv-jA74TkGZm9mI5fs-wB-DOQtlqG_cwg/s16000/lwoth2-french-bulldog-oliver3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oliver turned 13 on Friday. I really can't even believe it. With all of his issues, he's still a happy little guy who cracks us up every single day. He LOVES sweet potatoes and that's what I use to give him his extensive list of meds every day. He also gets a few daily blueberries, a quarter of an apple (this is a new obsession), and, of course, his dog food and treats. He actually eats 4 meals every day - 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, and 2 dinners, in addition to his snacks. For breakfast he receives his dog food plus sweet potatoes with meds. His morning snack is a few blueberries. For lunch he eats a handful of sweet potato bites (both with meds and without) and a 1/4 of the apple I eat. For his first dinner he eats his dog food. For his second dinner, when we eat dinner, he receives a very small portion of something like rice, potatoes, veggies, or a combo. He looks forward to these meals and gets SO excited (and thankfully maintains his healthy weight). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_bh_HMIxJ5NbMmhX7Tcv9xK98Ro4LN21Uo3nZ2j75ElT0e6KTRnQZTXmH5wb8CFnCX9DiopWc6F-5IAu_mXc0JCmTnrla2BRd9tO0Bj-qHuD7_w1AFGIhMOCT3W92RUs-6pO_J8rMTkN6ILB56AjSfPOwAfkMkVONeeezeziviWFY-wuZ9WilMdKvQ/s1000/lwoth2-farm-fresh-eggs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE_bh_HMIxJ5NbMmhX7Tcv9xK98Ro4LN21Uo3nZ2j75ElT0e6KTRnQZTXmH5wb8CFnCX9DiopWc6F-5IAu_mXc0JCmTnrla2BRd9tO0Bj-qHuD7_w1AFGIhMOCT3W92RUs-6pO_J8rMTkN6ILB56AjSfPOwAfkMkVONeeezeziviWFY-wuZ9WilMdKvQ/s16000/lwoth2-farm-fresh-eggs.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There was a slight increase in egg production last week. It appears that one or two of the older girls may have laid a couple of eggs! We did lose one girl 2 weeks ago, but we are still amazed that we don't lose more with the age of the ladies we've got. Every morning when I open the coop, I brace myself for what I might find. It's never easy to see one of those sweet girls has passed on.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been engaged in winter cleaning - a version of spring cleaning that doesn't include cleaning outside (windows, porches, etc.) as it's too cold, even though we've had mild temperatures. I have decided to tackle one room per week to go through from top to bottom and everywhere in between. Nothing major, of course, but it's nice to go through things and re-organize where needed, deep clean, and purge any bits that can be purged. Some weeks I won't be able to clean as the schedule will be full of making and packaging products, but I feel like I can get through the entire house by the end of March.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoIapblh3PA0C9iO3s_i5UCi_U0ZI-7rmkYC9Gj6Xa0TYUflXfpcnD9nZAVH8dGuIGiXelm99BTYqIeVSm0QjWEGljmhas2PwsvoDSG9IkolnPrbbgax8OrAC-OVsFmcgfAaahfznUsPJIiNJ-RGrbSCFRWbJxgNrhvUEAOrud2HyzUoTb4tWTTk2-Q/s1000/lwoth2-oatmeal-bread1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoIapblh3PA0C9iO3s_i5UCi_U0ZI-7rmkYC9Gj6Xa0TYUflXfpcnD9nZAVH8dGuIGiXelm99BTYqIeVSm0QjWEGljmhas2PwsvoDSG9IkolnPrbbgax8OrAC-OVsFmcgfAaahfznUsPJIiNJ-RGrbSCFRWbJxgNrhvUEAOrud2HyzUoTb4tWTTk2-Q/s16000/lwoth2-oatmeal-bread1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In the kitchen, I think I'll be making our favorite <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2012/04/recipe-oatmeal-sandwich-bread.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Oatmeal Sandwich Bread</span></b></a> this week. It's been a while since I've made it and I was thinking about it the other day. Oh, I made homemade pizza in the air fryer last week. Who knew! It was delicious and took 7 minutes. I'm planning to try a new way to cook homemade air fryer french fries this week. I found a recipe in one of my cookbooks that promises these are the perfect fries. We shall see!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">And now a food preservation fail. In 2021 a friend was raving about the green beans she put up in the freezer. She had packed them raw in bags, not blanched, and she and her husband said they were officially their favorite way of preserving them. I'd heard that they are fine packed raw for short-term use, but they degrade quickly if stored long-term (although I don't know what defines long-term). So, I waited for them to eat their green beans into Spring, and they still said they were the best. Last June I put the first of the green beans into the freezer, raw, and we tested them in August to see if we liked them (knowing this was short-term but wanted to try it). We did! I decided to preserve ALL of the green beans this way. So far, I've been through 12 bags, and they are awful. AWFUL! It's not the texture, it's the flavor. The best way I can describe it is a very strong green flavor. I'm so disappointed that I froze them all this way. The only hope I have is the 12 bags are beans I purchased from a fellow vendor at the farmers market and I'm hoping it's the variety of beans. I'm going to dig into the stack and look for the beans from our garden (thankfully I labeled the bags) to see if the two varieties we grow might taste better. Regardless, I'll be blanching going forward.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This weeks menu:</div><div style="text-align: left;">(as a reminder, I generally make 2 different meals as we eat differently)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Monday</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">J - <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2015/03/delicious-and-crunchy-oven-fried-chicken.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Oven "Fried" Chicken Breast</span></b></a>, Air Fryer Fries, Steamed Broccoli</div><div style="text-align: left;">S - Homemade Won Ton Soup with Spinach, Steamed Broccoli</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Tuesday</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;">J - Pork Chop with Fig Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Cauliflower</div><div style="text-align: left;">S - Chickpea Veggie Loaf (trying <a href="https://www.veganricha.com/chickpea-veggie-loaf/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">this recipe</span></b></a> by Vegan Richa, offers gf variation), Steamed Veggies </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Wednesday</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">J - <a href="https://pinchofyum.com/swedish-meatballs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Swedish Meatballs</span></b></a> (Pinch Of Yum), Rice, Honey Glazed Carrots</div><div style="text-align: left;">S - Homemade Won Ton Soup with Spinach, Steamed Broccoli</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Thursday</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">J - Chicken with Mushroom Cream Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, Cauliflower with Cheese Sauce</div><div style="text-align: left;">S - Leftover Chickpea Veggie Loaf, Steamed Veggies</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Friday</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">J - Rigatoni with Marinara & Meatballs, Spinach</div><div style="text-align: left;">S - Homemade Won Ton Soup with Spinach, Steamed Broccoli</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Saturday</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">J - Three Cheese Chicken Penne, Spinach</div><div style="text-align: left;">S - Leftover Chickpea Veggie Loaf, Steamed Veggies</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Sunday</b> </div><div style="text-align: left;">J - <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2012/04/recipe-homemade-pizza-dough.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Homemade Pizza</span></b></a> & Wings</div><div style="text-align: left;">S - <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2012/04/recipe-homemade-pizza-dough.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Homemade Pizza</span></b></a> & Salad</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's our week on the homestead. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead!!</div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-20865006453113980692023-01-04T10:10:00.006-05:002023-10-05T15:16:54.248-04:00Last Week On The Homestead: Happy New Year & A Quick Catch-Up!<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBp_X4emx17uQrw673ppZvmVbxs6UMYTGAXAzsG4Mx3rCeKza7Luo-QVIyNFyUoNCt3xZFqI6JP49yrrkl6Vemmt6yrVrN_VtddYqk9av9MbmLl9xRDI13FEZyRZseY0j_5H41aKHktzhUFM7vylFuYo9frUNIJrGfNgaPlOeCeCawZgyyF_dk30MCw/s1000/backyard-chickens1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBp_X4emx17uQrw673ppZvmVbxs6UMYTGAXAzsG4Mx3rCeKza7Luo-QVIyNFyUoNCt3xZFqI6JP49yrrkl6Vemmt6yrVrN_VtddYqk9av9MbmLl9xRDI13FEZyRZseY0j_5H41aKHktzhUFM7vylFuYo9frUNIJrGfNgaPlOeCeCawZgyyF_dk30MCw/s16000/backyard-chickens1.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8UHZyzCK0Vjtoyw04HCcGmTNW1YYFjYlUSt4Ykq5MzP18FBEuSy3QWUCGK2ryMRSK5T5f4SXCSpNRXc0OlXfLVk_a5DgPeXP1wFlew2oJoQ02KpKTwFVxffn_v5zCYfzJZ7Qw31it-0uYtsG9xolrj4VorVsNtdh43oONdvjBwXbPfBR-V_CTaa0Bg/s1000/barn1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8UHZyzCK0Vjtoyw04HCcGmTNW1YYFjYlUSt4Ykq5MzP18FBEuSy3QWUCGK2ryMRSK5T5f4SXCSpNRXc0OlXfLVk_a5DgPeXP1wFlew2oJoQ02KpKTwFVxffn_v5zCYfzJZ7Qw31it-0uYtsG9xolrj4VorVsNtdh43oONdvjBwXbPfBR-V_CTaa0Bg/s16000/barn1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIN-0v9qG9y7U2LOISSh3KAvpw_xW34S7FK0YTJSu40ORlvrDax_FhS4evbHIb4MnVcAveAfPzngzy796SgQDhhfdOolAq2it6lxbbJ2Yk1bgTiyR2Drb5ffL3cOmJzIvf8QnCfweRKfI052V94F9-ytCB2ZFlh158sJ0BI6pfwCe3DcsZstPk-Er2w/s1000/farmcat-jackson2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="755" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIN-0v9qG9y7U2LOISSh3KAvpw_xW34S7FK0YTJSu40ORlvrDax_FhS4evbHIb4MnVcAveAfPzngzy796SgQDhhfdOolAq2it6lxbbJ2Yk1bgTiyR2Drb5ffL3cOmJzIvf8QnCfweRKfI052V94F9-ytCB2ZFlh158sJ0BI6pfwCe3DcsZstPk-Er2w/s16000/farmcat-jackson2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Jackson finds napping hard work</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3u3_zQvJcBD4kJxvx5boqt1KSwVllmSQp4zuRWmY8Dw26K5u-fe6EUU0WaKln6EMVLETw71j1DpH7W0apxQVvtinsv0qDGImg3M8fwVYUoh3GzTvMBpSTdRQXp8doQdiyY_y96Z2CFf-S05U--aZweS8-8z-FsqsGJCn7x5jNt9DUYtcg5lpw0rXm9Q/s1000/french-bulldog-oliver2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3u3_zQvJcBD4kJxvx5boqt1KSwVllmSQp4zuRWmY8Dw26K5u-fe6EUU0WaKln6EMVLETw71j1DpH7W0apxQVvtinsv0qDGImg3M8fwVYUoh3GzTvMBpSTdRQXp8doQdiyY_y96Z2CFf-S05U--aZweS8-8z-FsqsGJCn7x5jNt9DUYtcg5lpw0rXm9Q/s16000/french-bulldog-oliver2.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Olivers very favorite bed (I bought 2 so they can be swapped out and washed)</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">December 25-31, 2022</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hello friends. Happy New Year! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Like many of you, we have experienced quite the variety of weather over the past 2 weeks. Christmas weekend was COLD. Bone chilling cold as a matter of fact. The temps were bad enough and then coupled with the incredible wind chill, it was definitely a time for extra thermals, cozy blankets, hot drinks, and a roaring pellet stove. Compare that to this week where our temps are above normal, and, thanks to rain, our snow is just about completely melted! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ExPsO0E-JLnWMwg87V8wyCsF85UoFa-sjHwcEFibeCh8NKnXYdFkce1iPlM8iWBmq9pJ-IvNxPLF3r2GYbi7ejKySfHNHAD4YYkwJYpdEJkzx0BFSJqwN2sx4sFcnqwoMch6wzhpe47TC1lZ6RrSdibW4b07zmxa2XUXgTsWJiboneCD5HpKoNZc7A/s1000/coffee1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ExPsO0E-JLnWMwg87V8wyCsF85UoFa-sjHwcEFibeCh8NKnXYdFkce1iPlM8iWBmq9pJ-IvNxPLF3r2GYbi7ejKySfHNHAD4YYkwJYpdEJkzx0BFSJqwN2sx4sFcnqwoMch6wzhpe47TC1lZ6RrSdibW4b07zmxa2XUXgTsWJiboneCD5HpKoNZc7A/s16000/coffee1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Do you make resolutions or goals? I have taken some time to write out a small list of goals to strive toward. I find that winter is perfect for introspection and thinking about plans for the upcoming year. I'm a planner and list maker at heart, so it provides a comfort of sorts to start a new year with both. Even when I veer off on a scenic detour at different times throughout the year (which tends to happen every year), the fact that I can revisit my plan(s) and either shift it or get back on track makes me feel like I'm in the driver's seat of my own life. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I suspect that this year may be interesting for all of us with the prices of everything climbing. Food prices are quite high, and our electric bill has unfortunately gone up a fair amount as well. I also have been thinking it could be especially interesting for those of us with small businesses this year. Our online store continues to be relatively busy, thankfully, but I suspect that our farmer's market will be slower than normal since last year we saw a decrease in both traffic and sales. I'm trying to prepare as much as I can, but, of course, there's only so much we can do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35sOlAoIeKoYgQUM13lgMQXW_8pKXvFPkllRvb8gVByHOZ_9-FF78-OsSO4MnMe3J6Xksl20p6UAas2wck5htYeymZdbOJzW9sVR1GU9pTF3R_3gv4IIX4r0G8LzQqHRz5sglGZoSVCIF-wTwGogxG1M1I3UH-BDFyJo-jVRDkU87JQxTaNUsGkBhKQ/s1000/homestead-winter1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="787" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg35sOlAoIeKoYgQUM13lgMQXW_8pKXvFPkllRvb8gVByHOZ_9-FF78-OsSO4MnMe3J6Xksl20p6UAas2wck5htYeymZdbOJzW9sVR1GU9pTF3R_3gv4IIX4r0G8LzQqHRz5sglGZoSVCIF-wTwGogxG1M1I3UH-BDFyJo-jVRDkU87JQxTaNUsGkBhKQ/s16000/homestead-winter1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was successful in taking Christmas day "off" but not so successful in taking these past 2 weeks off. It's ok though, at least we took time off from making product and we don't have a market again until January 8th. Winter is usually quieter, so I anticipate having ample time to get lost in crafting and writing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I made changes to my Instagram account. A day or two before Christmas I'd been thinking about it quite a bit and said to my husband "I think I made a decision, and I believe it will completely surprise you". "Oh boy, I can't wait to hear this!" he said, sitting down as if he was going to need the extra stability a chair provided. I shared that I was considering starting a second Instagram account so I can have an account for the blog and one for the soap & mercantile". "Well, I did NOT see that coming" he responded, definitely shocked. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm just not a fan of social media. I've struggled with it, as any of you who follow me will know. With Instagram, I haven't posted much because I wasn't sure what to post and what to write. This, of course, surprised both my husband and me, mostly because I love both photography and writing. What I found was I didn't know what to post from both our life and from our business that would provide a good flow. I began looking for other accounts where people combined their life and their business on one account, and I just couldn't find one that I felt looked cohesive. And so, I made the decision to split the accounts to (hopefully) make it easier. At least in my mind it works. (If you would like to follow either, the <a href="http://www.instagram.com/cobblehillfarm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">blog page is here</span></b></a> and the <a href="http://www.instagram.com/cobblehillfarmsoap" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">soap company page is here</span></b></a>)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then, a few days after starting the new account, I received an email that it was suspended due to not following their guidelines. Really? I had, I believe, 6 posts and all were about our products. So, I played the game and hit the "dispute" button and within minutes received an email that informed me that my account was reviewed, and it was found it had been suspended in error. It was as if the universe was saying "what in the world are you thinking by creating ANOTHER account????" Sigh..... Now I just have to remember to post. Let's not even get into Facebook or Pinterest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVUhZ_WIFE7EVZaPZOp1L2GO6vJpde8SIm9apmP3ueOPA-wf9Z28dujPBMFVlkTu6nrATtDfnPXj466N8JG7RGIvtXIxs66GBUVlpLRh6IA3WW9aQhgAuc84JJCTgiUHc5_T59EtE1cVGRSOeDyV7YRKoh17YKxodwKxFnMG9gTlJz1clfnMl7s0eqA/s1000/french-bulldog-oliver1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVUhZ_WIFE7EVZaPZOp1L2GO6vJpde8SIm9apmP3ueOPA-wf9Z28dujPBMFVlkTu6nrATtDfnPXj466N8JG7RGIvtXIxs66GBUVlpLRh6IA3WW9aQhgAuc84JJCTgiUHc5_T59EtE1cVGRSOeDyV7YRKoh17YKxodwKxFnMG9gTlJz1clfnMl7s0eqA/s16000/french-bulldog-oliver1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsysiTbueR4SJ_41gzPGupqI-_tF5BoS_iJnmLvtE4Cg68Tjrk4eP2MUdvyE--x_ToSf--d36upsMJvMYYSnOqoUAUUfLi9zHjSfIh2dmwXjFKM4sZTT4c-p2EtfZ2z6Nik5UBsS4i2qzoV_HGed2ukebSF6UuGZBHi_MCv5rpfY2c5ERCljojUd7AFQ/s1000/farmcat-jackson1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsysiTbueR4SJ_41gzPGupqI-_tF5BoS_iJnmLvtE4Cg68Tjrk4eP2MUdvyE--x_ToSf--d36upsMJvMYYSnOqoUAUUfLi9zHjSfIh2dmwXjFKM4sZTT4c-p2EtfZ2z6Nik5UBsS4i2qzoV_HGed2ukebSF6UuGZBHi_MCv5rpfY2c5ERCljojUd7AFQ/s16000/farmcat-jackson1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Jay enjoyed a gift of Hello Fresh meals last week. It was a nice change for him and for me! Oliver, who was diagnosed with the beginning stages of kidney disease last summer had a check-up last week and his kidneys are doing well. Jackson is also doing well. Our feral cat friend Felix, however, is not. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">First, we figured out that there is also an imposter Felix. They look almost identical, with 3 noticeable differences being that the real Felix has a clipped left ear (the tip is missing), is more comfortable being around us and seeing us in the window (the imposter is incredibly skittish), and he's also a bit heavier. I realized this because I began keeping a closer eye on Felix when he began eating a LOT more. Well, now it makes sense - it's 2 cats eating, not just one. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuFI69HgNN1bRY9lt5lSXcMP1aLZbIG57gcJThb8ZWcKIqHzBOJMtrd6LnfviueADbstsug7mi7MgLoF7HLb-BMvrQKEyz06bnUvS_cDuxeHc93-OIXH-uWxf4AxsRG24pb-7Yz72HN7C2dVWDPB8cPTzDiZB58CSUR50rtAQ989-GDYnkhKVHtmuDQ/s1000/not-our-cat-felix.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuFI69HgNN1bRY9lt5lSXcMP1aLZbIG57gcJThb8ZWcKIqHzBOJMtrd6LnfviueADbstsug7mi7MgLoF7HLb-BMvrQKEyz06bnUvS_cDuxeHc93-OIXH-uWxf4AxsRG24pb-7Yz72HN7C2dVWDPB8cPTzDiZB58CSUR50rtAQ989-GDYnkhKVHtmuDQ/s16000/not-our-cat-felix.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Jack believes his job is to closely monitor Felix and imposter Felix. He does his job very well.</div></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back to the real Felix. We created a little house for him on our front porch. He has been in it but has not spent much time as of yet inside of it. I'm sure it will take time to gain his trust. Last week he began walking on only 3 of his 4 legs, with his front left leg seemingly injured. He could put a slight amount of weight on it but not much at all. And then he disappeared. We checked the camera to know that he was coming in the middle of the night and eating, so I continued to leave food out. Last night he showed up in the early evening and he is now walking, although gingerly, on that injured foot. He's back to being more skittish. Imposter Felix has taken to coming around our dinner time, so he/she is now a regular at the cat dish as well.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-Wjj1wLxp9MHxem8Ob9DCirwQjlTPgaU6zIEFZvQsO1kp-PBOKWQDjzmz00wDwFlJMiyerq4TjufIMrsP2zpa9vwOYK7venIxMyHYhqPhiRYjM0eGpbjmNXcz1xVvSngkXA0aPCHFlAlr5r15tOxJSmoG0REjxFunM6ivk5E3I0bzrK8U4KTW7Z7pg/s1000/farm-fresh-eggs2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-Wjj1wLxp9MHxem8Ob9DCirwQjlTPgaU6zIEFZvQsO1kp-PBOKWQDjzmz00wDwFlJMiyerq4TjufIMrsP2zpa9vwOYK7venIxMyHYhqPhiRYjM0eGpbjmNXcz1xVvSngkXA0aPCHFlAlr5r15tOxJSmoG0REjxFunM6ivk5E3I0bzrK8U4KTW7Z7pg/s16000/farm-fresh-eggs2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our newest chickens are laying pretty consistently now. At least five of the seven are anyway. They are doing well and enjoying the milder temps. The newest girls are so funny. They run and jump and get so excited anytime I walk toward them. They associate me with snacks so you can see why the excitement. You have to love their optimism - I've only given them treats more than once a day maybe twice since we've had them, but they consistently hold out hope that goodies are coming every single time they see me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This week we are back in the swing of things. Soap & skincare production has begun and almost everything will be re-stocked by next week.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's life around the homestead! Hoping this finds you doing well!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">**Update - thank you Gloria for reminding me that I forgot to include our menu plan for the week! I will try to get that updated tonight.**</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This week's menu:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sunday</div><div style="text-align: left;">J- Burrito Bowl</div><div style="text-align: left;">S- Root Veggie Stew with Dumplings</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Monday</div><div style="text-align: left;">J- Chicken with Creamy Pea Pasta</div><div style="text-align: left;">S- TexMex Rice & Bean Casserole</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tuesday</div><div style="text-align: left;">J- Ham & Potato Casserole and Steamed Broccoli (frozen)</div><div style="text-align: left;">S- Root Veggie Stew with Dumplings</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wednesday</div><div style="text-align: left;">J- Italian Sausage & Spinach Manicotti</div><div style="text-align: left;">S- TexMex Rice & Bean Casserole</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thursday</div><div style="text-align: left;">J- <a href="https://www.lifeatcobblehillfarm.com/2016/08/easy-weeknight-chicken-cordon-bleu.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu</span></b></a>, Rice, and Green Beans (frozen)</div><div style="text-align: left;">S- Root Veggie Stew with Dumplings</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Friday</div><div style="text-align: left;">J- American Chop Suey</div><div style="text-align: left;">S- Split Pea Soup, Flatbread, Steamed Broccoli</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Saturday</div><div style="text-align: left;">J- Chicken & Dumplings</div><div style="text-align: left;">S- Split Pea Soup, Flatbread, Steamed Broccoli</div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8990217242364259191.post-35212702542881721492022-12-14T11:33:00.001-05:002023-01-04T10:10:53.131-05:00It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...<div style="text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWJ1eU9bdZIX5reEM_wcY9vs9GVzj5YNC2EQ-wxXBPQiuLWByupauJTpt2z_JectTBH9qv4v5AkW7i3-R7kBwrz8wPUnHyNSYAQ3qpWHLc-gXwHzVo9wQ5bajtzYXJrfRjuK71h9aTpbRSP7qzSO0ms3TGhPtBfxpmLmpssQWbU2QnrHxvqL-0SeEAw/s1000/snow-day2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWJ1eU9bdZIX5reEM_wcY9vs9GVzj5YNC2EQ-wxXBPQiuLWByupauJTpt2z_JectTBH9qv4v5AkW7i3-R7kBwrz8wPUnHyNSYAQ3qpWHLc-gXwHzVo9wQ5bajtzYXJrfRjuK71h9aTpbRSP7qzSO0ms3TGhPtBfxpmLmpssQWbU2QnrHxvqL-0SeEAw/s16000/snow-day2.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We received 5-6 inches of snow on Sunday! It coated the trees in the most beautiful pearlescent white so that on Monday, when the sun shone brightly it made everything sparkle. We are expecting another 8-12 inches on Friday. We will definitely have snow on the ground for the big day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Christmas is almost here, and it really feels like it now. Every year I remind myself that I need to take the time to decorate and thoroughly enjoy the season. And every year I struggle to do this. Because our business is retail based and, therefore, busy during the holidays, this keeps the struggle ongoing. I do strive to be more consistent with at least a minimal amount of decoration. Some years I'm better at it than others, and I've learned to give myself grace. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_0hlYM7Uk58i8BxX09zYM_Rbek8EdVklHTvwQvvtUx4VEZMMFdP2_dJxpPGC2Cd35BJadv_vCI_kK5Jn9f82qsvbE-JgYT8xXChftP1mNjbecIeze7H7hciQithVchp5FcHfM9FWQgMbmugmD3g2vK-TQsleA_k9-dcE1m1MbmNCi7jQMgQkfxSVhQ/s1000/snow-day4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_0hlYM7Uk58i8BxX09zYM_Rbek8EdVklHTvwQvvtUx4VEZMMFdP2_dJxpPGC2Cd35BJadv_vCI_kK5Jn9f82qsvbE-JgYT8xXChftP1mNjbecIeze7H7hciQithVchp5FcHfM9FWQgMbmugmD3g2vK-TQsleA_k9-dcE1m1MbmNCi7jQMgQkfxSVhQ/s16000/snow-day4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">For the first time in years, we did not decorate outdoors. I do, however, have battery operated candles in each of the windows in the front of the house, and I enjoy the simplicity of it. Our closest neighbors have their yard and outbuilding decorated and it looks beautiful. I think we enjoy looking at it as much as they do!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjB4P4y0K3HJcuzWjXE2D2mWE2P1DlV-6dgzsgzGlcVGZao0PkCekyI2uTlrjhfrVEo_3QdAELbPVAIiXX5RRveH_Ys7DvvzM2xaHK3CGCwUHhcVAHNpsv5_KQJZ77jOoHomPEBvsYZEUDRoq6mQqKtF90ZPksUmkWyEqrdXHdCHQ8ZaMNcnZ3vvovA/s1000/snow-day3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="711" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjB4P4y0K3HJcuzWjXE2D2mWE2P1DlV-6dgzsgzGlcVGZao0PkCekyI2uTlrjhfrVEo_3QdAELbPVAIiXX5RRveH_Ys7DvvzM2xaHK3CGCwUHhcVAHNpsv5_KQJZ77jOoHomPEBvsYZEUDRoq6mQqKtF90ZPksUmkWyEqrdXHdCHQ8ZaMNcnZ3vvovA/s16000/snow-day3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Our farmer's market has been incredibly slow the past few months. I'm assuming the current economy is the reason but am not entirely sure. For the past 8 or 9 years that we've been selling at this market it's been very busy in both November and December and then slows down tremendously until May. Unfortunately, that just didn't happen this year. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We've finished making lotion, lip balm, deodorant, and all of our other products except soap for the remainder of this year. Our last day of soapmaking will be tomorrow (production for all will start up again in January). Once the soap is completed, I think I'm going to take all of the tomatoes I have stored in the freezer from our summer garden and make them into marinara (and dehydrating the skins and seeds for tomato powder). I've been wanting to get this last bit of food preservation checked off of my imaginary list and this just might be the week to do it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLylo1Fj_VB33_DIbxR0FBL964W9-xMIjueRcM32chDt8BFcZp3pP48KBYFvujyK5HgsOdl7pe14CcThSRI6Z2DZN-fHRMEcqVBREpNpgCMaNjhJHarLYipJkyyQ6yJAJ18kRhVntf5s84Tt4Ft3Mys1RCk1zZNrHlSh7oRQXy-39uLcC2JSr3HP5DdQ/s1000/snow-day1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLylo1Fj_VB33_DIbxR0FBL964W9-xMIjueRcM32chDt8BFcZp3pP48KBYFvujyK5HgsOdl7pe14CcThSRI6Z2DZN-fHRMEcqVBREpNpgCMaNjhJHarLYipJkyyQ6yJAJ18kRhVntf5s84Tt4Ft3Mys1RCk1zZNrHlSh7oRQXy-39uLcC2JSr3HP5DdQ/s16000/snow-day1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This space may be a little bit quiet until the New Year as we wrap up our pre-Christmas sales and then enjoy 2 weeks off. I can't wait for time to draw and write and paint and crochet and write (written twice because I plan to do that the most)! This year I've also declared that I'm taking Christmas day off. Off as much as I can be "off". This means no work and no cooking. I will make large meals and desserts on Christmas Eve, and Christmas day will be pre-made meals and leftovers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm grateful for each of you who stop by regularly and read these posts. And if you've just discovered this blog, I'm grateful you found it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas if you celebrate, and a happy new year!</div>Staci@LifeAtCobbleHillFarmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12970355437338210130noreply@blogger.com12