Catching up

As part of our attempt at self reliance, we wanted to build our own shelves and storage spaces. It started with a floor to ceiling bookshelf along our front wall and didn't stop!  One of my favorite custom pieces was this cubby hole coat rack. The cubbies are now packed with paperbacks and the hooks are filled with bags, scarves, and coats. It's a strong rack build with love. It also has a matching trough to rest your wet boots. 

Here is a close up of the hooks Andy carved. They were low hanging branches from our maple tree out back.  That poor little tree finally grew tall enough so it is just out of Andy's reach!  

Andy again needed to make use of space and quickly put this dust buster holder together. The girls helped measure, hammer nails in, and paint it!  All I did was ok the final product, color, and location.  It is at a height handy enough for all of us to reach. 

Busy, busy.

I took a few days off from photos because of the holiday. I hope each of you enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  We had a blast here at home!  Lots of visitors, dancing, laughing, and baking! Anyway.....here are a couple photos from some of the happenings at our home during this celebratory week! 

Andy rigged the waterer to the outside of the upper coop/hutch for Eve while she was recuperating from the loss of her ten kits.  It is easily accessible on the outside for Evan to fill, and pokes inside for Eve to drink from. Another great idea!

This is my first attempt at making bread without the convenience of a bread maker. (I broke the machine after many, many tasty loaves! It died a glorious death.) 

I received a dutch oven for Christmas. (The 12 year olds can stop laughing now. You know who you are!). I couldn't wait to try it out! 

It was fantastic!  The bread smell that filled my home was worth the work. Plus, I can't get over the fun of watching bread dough bubble and rise! 

Evan just about ate half the loaf, so I must have done something right! 

This is just another photo of the same loaf in my new dutch oven. It was yummy!

My second attempt was with 100% whole wheat flour we had in the house. It didn't rise the same as the first loaf, but I was reminded that wheat bread is denser. It still looks and smells great. I'll wait to slice it until we have finished the first loaf. 

My new goal is to make all of our bread, but with my love of sourdough and the Franz outlet so close we'll have to wait and see how I do. 

**I am looking for some advice with sourdough starter. Please send any info or advice you may have.  I'm scared to grow my own as I'm not the best at remembering to feed things that aren't children. ;) Wish me luck, friends! 

Two days...still not caught up

EGGS!!!!

All three Donnas are laying again. All is right with the world!  It truly is a relief and a wonderful sight to see. The cartons will fill and the "fresh eggs for sale" sign will go out again. 

Hooray! 

Let it snow!

Let it snow!  Our first snowfall of the year was celebrated this morning. We built a birthday snowman, had a snowball fight, and made snow angels. The girls enjoyed it knowing it would be gone later this afternoon. 

Two days..

These guys caught my eye this week. The lettuce is growing under the warmth of the corn stalks, and the green onions are unstoppable! 

Veggies popping up in the winter...What great sight to see!

...and she's SAFE!

Black Donna pulled through and saved herself from my frying pan. Literally saved herself because we had been planning on butchering in the coming weeks. She is through molting, has adjusted to the cold weather, and has also adjusted to the shorter days. 

Huzzah! We have an egg!  

Now they other two need to get it together or I will dredge them in flour!  

Muwhahahaha. 

Weatherproofing (yesterday & today)

We decided to weatherproof the waterers we have in place by emptying the rain barrel and the rain bucket. With temps dipping last weekend and soon to return, it needed to be done. We covered our spigots as well. I'm not sure what needs to be done about the beds, but I'm sure some plastic covering wouldn't hurt.

It was pretty cold out, so Papa and his baby bear decided to make an outdoor fire to keep warm. He said it was their only source of heat outside so it was perfectly legal. ;) 

Useless.

That cat can't kill rats when she's chilling with our produce. Will someone please pass this tidbit along to the love of my life and his mini-me's? ;) 

Throw another Yule log on the fire.

It's not nearly as warm as the real thing, but it still makes it feel like the holidays. An urban farmer has to make do. ;) 

Darn it!

This week Matilde noticed a hole in her Papa's sweatshirt. She asked him is he needed her to fix it. He of course said yes, and so she learned how to patch it right up!  She was very hard at work the entire time and has since patched up her own pajama bottoms. It was exciting to see her concentrate. She wouldn't allow anyone on the bed to move nor could anyone in the room talk!  She was "CONSHENSHRATING!!" 

The best part of her new found skill is the bragging!  Oh the bragging!  "Is there a hole there still? No because I sewed it!"  "Can you tell there was a hole? No because I did a good job!"  "Let me see your arm.  I can't even find where I sewed!" She's goofy and we all love her for it!  

RIP

This little guy didn't make it. 

There's a hare in my soup!

Slow cooked to warm, mushy goodness. I placed the rabbit in, bones and all, and cooked it until it fell off the bone. So simple, so filling. 

A lone survivor.

Here is an email Andy sent earlier today while the girls and I were out:  "Just got back from the vet.  I checked on them (new kits) earlier and they were all freezing. Took them to the vet but only 1 made it.  We will have to hand feed." 

Today was another sad day. Eve had given birth to TEN kits, and a few others looked like they were going to be alright.  After getting some vigorous massaging to stimulate blood flow, warm water bottles, and milk those few slowly passed on. 

This lone bunny is all that survived. It is inside and keeping warm on a hot water bottle. We are doing what we can to keep it alive. 

Frozen

It's been really cold here, and it's only getting colder! Yesterday afternoon Matilde noticed the pond had frozen over. I guess I haven't noticed just how cold it has been lately. I feel like it snuck up on us. One day it was fairly mild and the next it was below freezing! I just hope we get snow this year. 

Babies!

Here is the first photo of our new kits!  Unfortunately, we lost one today. I do hope the others survive the winter. For my freezer's sake....

Babies!

Here is the first photo of our new kits!  Unfortunately, we lost one today. I do hope the others survive the winter. For my freezer's sake....

Building suspense

This is Eve's nest. There are little furless babies hidden inside!  They're alive and well! 

Eve preps her nest.

We moved Eve inside to prepare for her coming kindle. Andy set an alarm for 28 days from when we put her in with Adam. It was PERFECT timing because a few hours after moving her, she gave birth! More healthy and LIVING babies! 

Today and other days

Here are the finished geese decoys. I think they look GREAT! All were hand drawn, hand cut, and painted by Andy. I hope they work!

Andy's first pheasant. I'll pass along the photo of the meat when I get it. I could not believe how large and beautiful this bird was! 

This is a heron decoy Andy made to go along with the geese. Apparently, geese look for herons as a safety precaution since herons are easily frightened. The herons are sort of like a "comfort bird." He'll set this guy up and the geese in hopes of others seeking refuge nearby.