Granite Lake Farm: November 2011

So, we are bringing in wood and shoveling and plowing here, so I can no longer be in denial that winter is here, but I did order a heated ice scraper and a cover for my windshield for the mornings Rob isn't awake (for me to bat my eyelashes so he will start my car)!

Hunting season is OVER...I got my buck and that is all. Rob went out a few times w/ his buddies but no luck. He is now out of his arm sling and subjected to my physical therapy. I don't have to be as nice to him as my patients: 1) he isn't paying me 2) I don't have to avoid hurting him to want to come back the next visit 3) He can go outside to get a stick to bite on! Hee hee...so far so good. But it is crazy to see how much muscle atrophy happens in 4 weeks. His forearm has shrunk! Will have to give him milking detail for art of his PT!!!

No, seriously, the goats are dried up now using all their energy onto making strong, healthy babies in their bellies. They are happy with their new hay and have demolished the pumpkins we have thrown out in their pen! We lost our littlest doeling, Ruby, from last year but she has been weak with chronic diarrhea these last few months and despite my efforts, we lost her.   Goldie is looking great, and Tuesday is fair to midlin. We will try to only keep a few kids again this year and expect to have 5 does pregnant. We now have 15 goats and I am still trying to downsize a few more before winter is over.   Anyone need a buck? We have 2 to spare.

Rob and the kids (with help from Shiloh) did a cattle drive from the neighbor's field back home this morning. Of course, as soon as we opened up the barnyard fence close to the barn for winter feeding, they hightailed it out a weak spot in the fence to check out new grass! They have been all over!! Rob fixed fence today, so he is putting his surgery to good use!   They saw some wolf tracks out in the neighbor's pastures and the kids heard them tonight. Let's just hope they stay out of our barn...or there will be some mutiny going on here.

Our neighbors gave us their last 5 chickens and we are going to try to nab a few ducks from a friend to rebuild our laying flock. Unfortunately, we aren't getting eggs right now. All the puppies have been re-homed, so that is less of an issue (egg and chicken eaters, and rabbit harrassers). Rob replaced the light in the hen house and we are stocked up on cracked corn, so we are hoping for the best.

We now have our very own Roto-Rooter and have had to use it twice to get things working well(had a relapse this weekend)...Rob had missed a second cog farther down the line, but we will clean it and our woodstove yearly in the fall for regular maintenance.

We had a great Thanksgiving with our froends Steve and Jerry, Doug, Dad, and Vic (Rob's friend from WA). Steve smoked a freshly butchered ham and it was AWESOME! I made apple, pumin, and peach pies but decided I better not quit my day job.

Have had 2 Christmas Bazaars and have been making a few commissioned items. It is a fun outlet for me to share my beading hobby. Started back to having craft night a few times a month and had a blast last night becoming nearly blind and punchy by the time we packed for going home at 10:15 pm! I will try to take a few pics of my projects for next time.

Next project is to get things cleared out and cleaned up for Christmas. I have a tree picked out along the road.   Rob says he is going to make me a wreath. We'll see!!! He is gearing up for Christmas cookie time and I got him a few goodies ( kitchen gadgets) to help in that department.

I got lots of kudos on my Co-Op article which were retruned with smiles and thanks. I have always liked writing. Ok, and talking!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Homeschool continues to go well, kids are really getting in tune with their responsibilities and are even starting to do more the night before or set their alarms to get up and get it done! Partly ths is because they say they are bored.......and would rather they pick an otion that take the one I suggest!!!!

Not sure what pics I can come pu with this time...

One of the puppies from Pearl and Shiloh...became a present for a guy in Kalispell from his sister!

Halloween 2011

Mal prior to one of her Select Choir Concerts

May your Christmas season be filled with love and joy!

So, while we were buttoning up the yard and farm for winter, Rob tore his biceps tendon...required surgery so he can have full recovery to continue handy-manning, gunsmithing, and farming! Had it repaired in Nov. 3 and is doing well. Then, my dad got ill w/ another dialysis catheter infection...all while the snow has been held at bay! I need my shoveler healed first, so we got a used snowblower....and now the water is backing up likely due to a clog from the willow roots, so now we need an electric drain auger...if you are dizzy reading this, imagine how it is to be on my merry-go-round! Actually, I am faring fine, just hoping for smoother days ahead.

Homeschool is going well now and I scored several free books I can use so the kids started reading more from geography, science, and history, poetry for part of their reading time. They are getting done by noon or 1:00 these days and are maybe, just maybe getting along better. They have to work together to correct math lessons. The mini trampoline is now in their room and they take turns jumping from the bed, bounce and land on the other bed! Still taking a few bike rides to bug the neighbors here and there and of coursem Robi will not keep shoes on for long..."But, MOM, there's no snow yet!" He is minus one new insulated muck boot we will probably find this spring in the hay pile. Unfortunately, the Highland cows are still in the Yaak as we have been unsuccessful getting the right ones into the trailer.

Second cutting hay is in the barn now and we also scored a cider press including the apple grinder, so we will go full swing next season for cider. We did 14 gallons this year the hard way. Rob was a nonstop Vitamix operator, but we have a bit of extra sediment in the cider because he is overzealous trying to get every drop with his pressing! Nonetheless, it is delicious!

The Co-op paper came out today and I read my article! Was fun to see it in print.

I brought in some pots to try growing some greens in the south facing mud room window but we need to replace that door first as it is QUITE drafty.

Goats are bred andd looking plump (AKA prego) and fuzzy in their thick coats, and are due in mid-January when I am in Singapore!!! Hope Mal and Rob brush up on their goat doula skills!!!!!!

I will try my hand at adding a few pics...

There are wild turkeys in the background on our back hill just in front of the snow...but they have been visiting by the brook daily outside the kitchen...Rob bet Robi $20 bucks he couldn't catch a baby turkey...now Robi is $20 richer!