I am trying something new I found...it is an online buying club for organic and natural products. In addition to grocery/dry goods, they are working on a 24-48 hr farm to home organic prduce plan as a part of their program. Montana will be later than more of the western coast states, but even I know Libby can't get overnight mail. If you shop organic/natural and are frustrated with high proces or don't live near a larger natural foods store, this my be of interest to you. Since I have been shopping more online, I think I will like this. I actually signed up as a Founding Trust Member because I believe in this food movement and wanted to try to get in on the bottom floor. I invite you to check out greenpolkadotbox.com to see what they have to offer and if it interests you. If so, I am asking you to use my referral number. I have a limited number of memberhip to give out each year, so if you are VERY interested, please let me know and I can try to do that for you. This is the referral URL: http://www.greenpolkadotbox.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/9884/
My referral code is: 761068
I am interested in any and all feedback. If you would like me to remove you from my list, please let me know that too.
Amy Hughes
robamy@frontiernet.net
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, December 12, 2011
Adding banners and buttons....I'll figure it one way or another!
http://theprairiehomestead.com http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j433/theprairiehomestead/holidayhop.jpg
So, I am trying my luck at posting a button for a homesteader link-up started at the Prairie Homestead, introduced to me by Pantry Paratus. So, how did I do?
So many things to consider these days: what to spend our hard earned cash on: the Daily Deal solar kit I saw on Amazon, a new french door to replace the 30 yr old aluminum slider that is drafting into our mud room, nearly freezing the apples stored within, stocking up on cheese culture from Hoeggers Supply. I did finally order Fresh, the movie, as it is half price right now and I am planning a screening for those in the know or interested in the organic/sustainable/non-GMO food movement.
As for what is going on concretely, literally, here...we are purging the house to get decorated for Christmas and have torn out about 8 more feet of carpet from the living room, so our concrete floor is now about 1/4 of the house and I continue to collect throw rugs. We decided to spend at least one night doing some sort of craft or game and tonight, we made a wreath and a swag with snippings from our tree which is spruce and gives me hives for a few hours. Unfortunately, we spent about an hour trying to get the fishing line to flow freely off the spool. I would love to take one to work but we can't have any real greenery at the nursing home.
I made more bread tonight: EVOO, sundried tomatoes and fresh garlic slices kneaded into it. They got a little brown on top on account of the fishing line fiasco. But they will eat just fine. Kids and Rob are bugging me to slice into a loaf as we are finishing the last tape of Anne of Avonlea. I had to have the kids watch a classic like that...next I will hit them with My Fair Lady!
We have a busy week of basketball and cheerleading practice and games, a concert for the Rotary meeting, a VFW Junior Girls party and the adult one the next night. We may go to the Yaak to try to get at least one cow home (the heifer). She will have to behave in the trailer if we do decide to go the the VFW party just to conserve on gas as it is on the way home!
Our two cows at home are now up in the barnyard and eating readily from the feeder and are back to bellowing if we are late in catering to their every whim! They are back to their usual slumber spot under the tall ponderosa uphill in the corner of the barnyard--after we drove them home from the neighbors which I think I wrote about last blog. Now that Rob is on the mend from his shoulder surgery, he is able to fix fence as needed and check up on the kids chores more.
We are hoping for a mini getaway at least overnight before the goats freshen again, maybe just to Bonners Ferry to stay at the casino, swim, buffet, and visit Rob's goddaughter that has a new baby and is home from her husband's base in Hawaii while he is in Afghanistan.
We did re-home our mini horse a few months ago, got all the puppies adopted out and added 5 chickens from the neighbor who was getting rid of her birds after a coop attack. We need to get a few more ducks again and get meat chicks on the spring...the freezer is empty of our last bunch. We are set on trying Freedom Rangers this year. All we need after that is a few good barn cats. Rob will ask our shelter what they have in outdoor ONLY cats.
Well, better get to slicing some bread for the restless natives...No time for pics this time:(
Will try to get some Christmas photos up next time around.
So, I am trying my luck at posting a button for a homesteader link-up started at the Prairie Homestead, introduced to me by Pantry Paratus. So, how did I do?
So many things to consider these days: what to spend our hard earned cash on: the Daily Deal solar kit I saw on Amazon, a new french door to replace the 30 yr old aluminum slider that is drafting into our mud room, nearly freezing the apples stored within, stocking up on cheese culture from Hoeggers Supply. I did finally order Fresh, the movie, as it is half price right now and I am planning a screening for those in the know or interested in the organic/sustainable/non-GMO food movement.
As for what is going on concretely, literally, here...we are purging the house to get decorated for Christmas and have torn out about 8 more feet of carpet from the living room, so our concrete floor is now about 1/4 of the house and I continue to collect throw rugs. We decided to spend at least one night doing some sort of craft or game and tonight, we made a wreath and a swag with snippings from our tree which is spruce and gives me hives for a few hours. Unfortunately, we spent about an hour trying to get the fishing line to flow freely off the spool. I would love to take one to work but we can't have any real greenery at the nursing home.
I made more bread tonight: EVOO, sundried tomatoes and fresh garlic slices kneaded into it. They got a little brown on top on account of the fishing line fiasco. But they will eat just fine. Kids and Rob are bugging me to slice into a loaf as we are finishing the last tape of Anne of Avonlea. I had to have the kids watch a classic like that...next I will hit them with My Fair Lady!
We have a busy week of basketball and cheerleading practice and games, a concert for the Rotary meeting, a VFW Junior Girls party and the adult one the next night. We may go to the Yaak to try to get at least one cow home (the heifer). She will have to behave in the trailer if we do decide to go the the VFW party just to conserve on gas as it is on the way home!
Our two cows at home are now up in the barnyard and eating readily from the feeder and are back to bellowing if we are late in catering to their every whim! They are back to their usual slumber spot under the tall ponderosa uphill in the corner of the barnyard--after we drove them home from the neighbors which I think I wrote about last blog. Now that Rob is on the mend from his shoulder surgery, he is able to fix fence as needed and check up on the kids chores more.
We are hoping for a mini getaway at least overnight before the goats freshen again, maybe just to Bonners Ferry to stay at the casino, swim, buffet, and visit Rob's goddaughter that has a new baby and is home from her husband's base in Hawaii while he is in Afghanistan.
We did re-home our mini horse a few months ago, got all the puppies adopted out and added 5 chickens from the neighbor who was getting rid of her birds after a coop attack. We need to get a few more ducks again and get meat chicks on the spring...the freezer is empty of our last bunch. We are set on trying Freedom Rangers this year. All we need after that is a few good barn cats. Rob will ask our shelter what they have in outdoor ONLY cats.
Well, better get to slicing some bread for the restless natives...No time for pics this time:(
Will try to get some Christmas photos up next time around.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Where did we shop for Christmas? USA, baby!
So, a fellow groupie of "Homesteading Antiquity Journal", a FB group subscribe to asked what folks were doing for homemade items and local shopping to avoid Big Box stres this season so he could blog about it. I had sich a long response, I will add it here:
We are doing a "Made in America Christmas" here and as much as we have tried, it is very HARD, and we have had a few slip-ups, mostly for stocking stuffers. There is a made in USA website: www.madeinusa.org that I spent alot of time browsing and found some fun things.
There are a few toys my daughter wants but we will give "Made in USA" (I hope still) CASH for that. We have shopped locally at a gift shop that has a little antique barn out back and folks like us, can always use an old style crock or tool from there.
What we found: a short small crock perfect for my shorter kitchen tools($8), a tall glass jar w/ lid (like old pickling jar w/ wodden lid w/ handle), a wooden pipe stand w/ tobacco holder ($9), new local pottery :), sterling silver band to replace hubby's forever lost one($10) made by a guy here in town, a Wild Turkey flask ($7), and a llittle gem I lost a bet over....little stainless steel hinged thingeee( I thought was a tea bag squeezer but the hinge was the wrong way!!!)) that is actually a hinged lid for a milk or cream jar ($1) and I am not altogether sue what else. Inside, the store owner's daughter has a little AVON area and my son did get a few shower gels and lotions and body sprays ($2 ea) for his sister and I added a few things to the oorder for her.
We gave each kid a certain amount to buy for sibling and parent and at first, they grabbed little things I did not like (a turtle charm and some measuring spoons made by Ganz-same people that make Webkinz), a tiny stuffed doggie to put in my purse ( I think not)....so we directed them out to the little red antique barn and it was a joy to see my son look at and pick up all the "old" things and try to figure out what they did. That was worth it all!!! Rob and I were there the previous day scoping out the shop since we hadn't been there is a long time. He got a coffee and all totaled, I think we spent $125-150. We got thanked profusely for coming in!!
We bought a used bike for Robi (that is suporting a gal who needs to raise $ for cancer surgery)and guitar for Mallory from our friend's teenage daughteer that is no longer interested. We have not been to Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, etc to shop as we would have to travel 90 mi one way to do so. We have doone quite a bit online at some of my faves like Duluth Trading and Leman's non-electric and my hubby still has a request for his 4895 gunpowder standby which he can always use!!! We have gone to our local discount store (Pamida) which is a regional store but they do have ties to Shopko, but at least we stayed here for that.
Aunties and Uncles know what we are attempting and have sent Wii games-- some that are actually made here but other things will be of their choosing. I plan to make some jewelry and maybe give some of our honey as gifts, so the homemade factor is also part of avoiding the import trap.
So, we did pretty well overall, or at least we think so. We are getting our tree today, just down the road!! Don't ask me where the lights were made that we are decorating with because we all know the answer to that...well, I think this will go as my next blog but feel free to share/use it as you like...Happy Shopping trails!
We are doing a "Made in America Christmas" here and as much as we have tried, it is very HARD, and we have had a few slip-ups, mostly for stocking stuffers. There is a made in USA website: www.madeinusa.org that I spent alot of time browsing and found some fun things.
There are a few toys my daughter wants but we will give "Made in USA" (I hope still) CASH for that. We have shopped locally at a gift shop that has a little antique barn out back and folks like us, can always use an old style crock or tool from there.
What we found: a short small crock perfect for my shorter kitchen tools($8), a tall glass jar w/ lid (like old pickling jar w/ wodden lid w/ handle), a wooden pipe stand w/ tobacco holder ($9), new local pottery :), sterling silver band to replace hubby's forever lost one($10) made by a guy here in town, a Wild Turkey flask ($7), and a llittle gem I lost a bet over....little stainless steel hinged thingeee( I thought was a tea bag squeezer but the hinge was the wrong way!!!)) that is actually a hinged lid for a milk or cream jar ($1) and I am not altogether sue what else. Inside, the store owner's daughter has a little AVON area and my son did get a few shower gels and lotions and body sprays ($2 ea) for his sister and I added a few things to the oorder for her.
We gave each kid a certain amount to buy for sibling and parent and at first, they grabbed little things I did not like (a turtle charm and some measuring spoons made by Ganz-same people that make Webkinz), a tiny stuffed doggie to put in my purse ( I think not)....so we directed them out to the little red antique barn and it was a joy to see my son look at and pick up all the "old" things and try to figure out what they did. That was worth it all!!! Rob and I were there the previous day scoping out the shop since we hadn't been there is a long time. He got a coffee and all totaled, I think we spent $125-150. We got thanked profusely for coming in!!
We bought a used bike for Robi (that is suporting a gal who needs to raise $ for cancer surgery)and guitar for Mallory from our friend's teenage daughteer that is no longer interested. We have not been to Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, etc to shop as we would have to travel 90 mi one way to do so. We have doone quite a bit online at some of my faves like Duluth Trading and Leman's non-electric and my hubby still has a request for his 4895 gunpowder standby which he can always use!!! We have gone to our local discount store (Pamida) which is a regional store but they do have ties to Shopko, but at least we stayed here for that.
Aunties and Uncles know what we are attempting and have sent Wii games-- some that are actually made here but other things will be of their choosing. I plan to make some jewelry and maybe give some of our honey as gifts, so the homemade factor is also part of avoiding the import trap.
So, we did pretty well overall, or at least we think so. We are getting our tree today, just down the road!! Don't ask me where the lights were made that we are decorating with because we all know the answer to that...well, I think this will go as my next blog but feel free to share/use it as you like...Happy Shopping trails!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Time to settle in for winter, we cannot deny it any longer!
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...
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!!!!
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!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
When it rains, it pours...as long as it doesn't SNOW!
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!
ENJOY the fall weather and happy hunting, THANKSGIVING to all!
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!
These are the Highlanders waiting to come home!
This is Shiloh, our mostly Aussie, Rob's other half!
This is Lilo, Mal's and my dog! (part Kelpie, part Border Collie)
Sunrise from the living room window!
Katrina, our wildest, hardiest, gymnastic goat nas her '11 babies!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Article requested for Co-op Country paper
So, I got a call today (ironically from the wife of the guy Rob took beekeeping classes from) from the Co-op Country Store in Sanpdoint, ID. She noted my listings in their farm sites and www.localharvest.org
She asked me if I would write and article about our homestead farming life. I was honored and hopped to it as the deadline was ct 21. The paper goes out to 45,000+ in NW MT, Northern ID and Eastern WA. Here is what submitted...
If you were one of the friends I grew up with from back east, you would probably not expect me to be living this life...that of a rural Montana dairy goat, pastured chicken and grass-fed beef hobby farmer married to a mountain man of sorts! We like to call it Pioneering in the 21st Century!
I moved to MT after being raised and working in southeasterd PA. I vacationed out here and decided I had to move. I met my hubby Rob that year and we got married in 1998. Ever since I was given of a copy of a mid 70's issue of Countryside and Small Stock Journal, we kept dreaming of becoming more self-sufficient. We started by gardening, canning, adding 2 chickens and ducks, and 1 rabbit to our neighborhood back yard. I had started hunting and it became more important to try to eat food of "known" origin. Eventually, we moved to a 12 acre mini farm that has everything we want: mostly fenced pasture, root cellar, barn, gravity fed water, wood heat. It even has a good garden spot, anestablished herb garden and fruit trees. Only problem is nothing was done to this place for years and it still needs LOTS of work. Rob is a gunsmith and likes to be able to testfire and have a small range. We have USFS border, a seasonal brook, 16 goats, 5 cows, 4 rabbits, 3 dogs, 2 children, 1 cat, 1 beehive and several chickens. So, you can imagine we are busy people. Oh, and I do go to work 5 days a week somewhere in there as a Physical Therapist at our local nursing home.
We started off with 4 goats to milk and eat knapweed but Savannah, my first doe barely had an udder to speak of and NEVER stood still. We had a wrestling match twice a day for less than a quart. So, I found some reputable breeders and got a Nubian and a registered Saanen. Later, we rescued an extremely hardy, crazy gymnast of a Toggenberg. I held out on getting a buck for 2 years and I eventually ended up w/ a mixed breed herd of 40. I basically try to keep 4-5 decent milkers at a time and have pared down to 16 goats ( including bucks, does, kids, and 3 token wethers we have limited time to take on pack trips). We drink raw milk and make yogurt, chevre, mozzarella, ricotta and feta cheeses. On occasion, we crank up the separator for cream, butter, ice cream and sour cream. I even freeze some of the whey from cheesemaking in ice cube trays to put in my smoothies in place of ice for added protein and probiotic value. I am not holding my breath for the milk laws to change here, so I can only offer advice to those interested in learning how to make cheese or to start a homestead dairy. Due to its manageable size and lower feed costs, I like to promote the goat as the ideal animal for this.
We have had many challenges and successes and continue to learn more every year in our husbandry. I like to compare goats to dogs in that they are great companions and are highly entertaining. They need a good fenced yard and their toenails trimmed occasionally but just eat different food...preferrably 2nd cutting alfalfa and a good loose mineral with selenium. Production animals (milking/pregnant does and active bucks, growing kids) need an additional 16% protein feed to maintain good condition and development. We have tried lesser quality hay w/ poor results. Luckily, our surrounding area has some of the best hay in the inland northwest.
I tried my hand at raising rabbits but, oddly enough, have not had much success! So, in addition to wild game, our main source of meat is grass fed beef. Queenie is our grumpy but easy calving cow who finally, after 3 times, gave us a heifer. Not that we minded the bull calves! We now have added a Scottish Highland breeding pair to our assortment and may even train one to milk in the future. They are a triple purpose breed used for meat, milk, and fiber and are said to have less naturally occurring cholesterol and fat in their meat. I have come to the conclusion it may be easier to sell beef than goats here for the time I (don't) have to devote to marketing and registered herd management. Every other year, we raise medium grow-out chickens for the freezer as we do not enjoy watching the growth rate of the mutant white Cornish Crosses. We try to follow the teachings of Joel Sallatin for limiting grain (hence, GMO's) and maximizing pasture/hay for optimal health benefits.
I welcome any questions and comments and can be reached at .....................
Visit my blog at http://granitelakefarm.blogspot.com/
Happy and healthy homesteading everyone!
She asked me if I would write and article about our homestead farming life. I was honored and hopped to it as the deadline was ct 21. The paper goes out to 45,000+ in NW MT, Northern ID and Eastern WA. Here is what submitted...
If you were one of the friends I grew up with from back east, you would probably not expect me to be living this life...that of a rural Montana dairy goat, pastured chicken and grass-fed beef hobby farmer married to a mountain man of sorts! We like to call it Pioneering in the 21st Century!
I moved to MT after being raised and working in southeasterd PA. I vacationed out here and decided I had to move. I met my hubby Rob that year and we got married in 1998. Ever since I was given of a copy of a mid 70's issue of Countryside and Small Stock Journal, we kept dreaming of becoming more self-sufficient. We started by gardening, canning, adding 2 chickens and ducks, and 1 rabbit to our neighborhood back yard. I had started hunting and it became more important to try to eat food of "known" origin. Eventually, we moved to a 12 acre mini farm that has everything we want: mostly fenced pasture, root cellar, barn, gravity fed water, wood heat. It even has a good garden spot, anestablished herb garden and fruit trees. Only problem is nothing was done to this place for years and it still needs LOTS of work. Rob is a gunsmith and likes to be able to testfire and have a small range. We have USFS border, a seasonal brook, 16 goats, 5 cows, 4 rabbits, 3 dogs, 2 children, 1 cat, 1 beehive and several chickens. So, you can imagine we are busy people. Oh, and I do go to work 5 days a week somewhere in there as a Physical Therapist at our local nursing home.
We started off with 4 goats to milk and eat knapweed but Savannah, my first doe barely had an udder to speak of and NEVER stood still. We had a wrestling match twice a day for less than a quart. So, I found some reputable breeders and got a Nubian and a registered Saanen. Later, we rescued an extremely hardy, crazy gymnast of a Toggenberg. I held out on getting a buck for 2 years and I eventually ended up w/ a mixed breed herd of 40. I basically try to keep 4-5 decent milkers at a time and have pared down to 16 goats ( including bucks, does, kids, and 3 token wethers we have limited time to take on pack trips). We drink raw milk and make yogurt, chevre, mozzarella, ricotta and feta cheeses. On occasion, we crank up the separator for cream, butter, ice cream and sour cream. I even freeze some of the whey from cheesemaking in ice cube trays to put in my smoothies in place of ice for added protein and probiotic value. I am not holding my breath for the milk laws to change here, so I can only offer advice to those interested in learning how to make cheese or to start a homestead dairy. Due to its manageable size and lower feed costs, I like to promote the goat as the ideal animal for this.
We have had many challenges and successes and continue to learn more every year in our husbandry. I like to compare goats to dogs in that they are great companions and are highly entertaining. They need a good fenced yard and their toenails trimmed occasionally but just eat different food...preferrably 2nd cutting alfalfa and a good loose mineral with selenium. Production animals (milking/pregnant does and active bucks, growing kids) need an additional 16% protein feed to maintain good condition and development. We have tried lesser quality hay w/ poor results. Luckily, our surrounding area has some of the best hay in the inland northwest.
I tried my hand at raising rabbits but, oddly enough, have not had much success! So, in addition to wild game, our main source of meat is grass fed beef. Queenie is our grumpy but easy calving cow who finally, after 3 times, gave us a heifer. Not that we minded the bull calves! We now have added a Scottish Highland breeding pair to our assortment and may even train one to milk in the future. They are a triple purpose breed used for meat, milk, and fiber and are said to have less naturally occurring cholesterol and fat in their meat. I have come to the conclusion it may be easier to sell beef than goats here for the time I (don't) have to devote to marketing and registered herd management. Every other year, we raise medium grow-out chickens for the freezer as we do not enjoy watching the growth rate of the mutant white Cornish Crosses. We try to follow the teachings of Joel Sallatin for limiting grain (hence, GMO's) and maximizing pasture/hay for optimal health benefits.
I welcome any questions and comments and can be reached at .....................
Visit my blog at http://granitelakefarm.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Drying, cider and planning for the winter
Plum and apple harvest are here since we have had a few frosts. Last yr, we tried our hand at a few gallons of cider and it was DELICIOUS! Have to pick 2 trees of apples and get started on pulverizing to strain for cider. If anyone has apples offered to them, I can tell you and easy way to make a small batch. We have already pitted and dried some plums and dehydrated them. They make for an excellent healthy treat and they DO NOT taste anything like prunes you buy at hte store. Aready fried some pie cherries this summer and there aren't many but they pack a punch and are great on salads! Speaking of which, I "messed up" againa nd made another batch of feta cheese, another great topping for salad that pairs nicely w/ the cherries. Nice alternatve to craisins.
We chose spots to plant our new fruit trees and were given a bunch of strawberry starts. Have had bad luck getting a raspberry patch going and we will try again w/ more starts from a friend next spring.
Still working on a plan to get the cows home and hay in the barn. We have gotten down to 2 pups from this spring that are still here and need new homes. ne male and one female and they are almost 7 months old. Egg production has picked up again since the intense hot and dry weather is gone. Leaves are turning yellow and since we do not have a beef for the freezer this winter, we will try to harvest some game when rifle season starts. We expect early goat kidding season this yr (likely in January), so that will get here before we know it! Probably when I am in Singapore!! Good luck to Rob, my substitute goat midwife!
Homeschool has its challenges but I see improvements each week with the kids' ability to knuckle down and get their work done. Wii, computer, and TV time are great denominations to work in for them! Mallory continues in the Libby Children's Select Choir and Robi is starting Boy Scouts next week. Mal often says she is done w/ VFW Jr. Girls but has yet to actually give her resignation.
Took a hike to the Kootenai Falls last weekend w/ Mal and a friend of hers and Lilo, our dog. I dreaded the return trip uphill but it actually went much faser than I expected. Dad did come with us but could not negotiate very far once the asphalt trail ended and the rock/dirt path began.
Dad plans a 3 wk trip to the east coast and then he will be back just in time for the snow to start! I swore to him last yr that if he didn't hire anyone to plow his driveway, I was not coming to the house this winter!
Looking forward to a "MADE IIN USA" Christmas, so we may not have very many things under the tree!!!!! All ideas welcome! The kids asked for cash and I told them I think it is still printed here! Who knows, right???
TTFN to all, enjoy the turning colors outside.
PS. I miss all the red from back home ass we mostly have yellow! But at east we have green all yr even if it isn't on the ground!!! Oh yeah, that is WHITE!!!!
We chose spots to plant our new fruit trees and were given a bunch of strawberry starts. Have had bad luck getting a raspberry patch going and we will try again w/ more starts from a friend next spring.
Still working on a plan to get the cows home and hay in the barn. We have gotten down to 2 pups from this spring that are still here and need new homes. ne male and one female and they are almost 7 months old. Egg production has picked up again since the intense hot and dry weather is gone. Leaves are turning yellow and since we do not have a beef for the freezer this winter, we will try to harvest some game when rifle season starts. We expect early goat kidding season this yr (likely in January), so that will get here before we know it! Probably when I am in Singapore!! Good luck to Rob, my substitute goat midwife!
Homeschool has its challenges but I see improvements each week with the kids' ability to knuckle down and get their work done. Wii, computer, and TV time are great denominations to work in for them! Mallory continues in the Libby Children's Select Choir and Robi is starting Boy Scouts next week. Mal often says she is done w/ VFW Jr. Girls but has yet to actually give her resignation.
Took a hike to the Kootenai Falls last weekend w/ Mal and a friend of hers and Lilo, our dog. I dreaded the return trip uphill but it actually went much faser than I expected. Dad did come with us but could not negotiate very far once the asphalt trail ended and the rock/dirt path began.
Dad plans a 3 wk trip to the east coast and then he will be back just in time for the snow to start! I swore to him last yr that if he didn't hire anyone to plow his driveway, I was not coming to the house this winter!
Looking forward to a "MADE IIN USA" Christmas, so we may not have very many things under the tree!!!!! All ideas welcome! The kids asked for cash and I told them I think it is still printed here! Who knows, right???
TTFN to all, enjoy the turning colors outside.
PS. I miss all the red from back home ass we mostly have yellow! But at east we have green all yr even if it isn't on the ground!!! Oh yeah, that is WHITE!!!!
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