The weekend... planting, fleece, and Sunday Funday.

My mentor  and teacher is getting ready to move. I went to see her on Saturday. We are farmsisters. Her husband recently had a stroke so we lend support. She has always been there for all of us. I wish I knew how to support her more. 

Anyway... I was greeted by her peacocks. They had no fear and didn't seem to mind the dog that ran past them. 

We hugged and talked and then got to work sorting alpaca and llama fleece.  She suggested that I store mine in plastic bins otherwise these are just a nice fluffy home for mice. 

Since she is moving, she shared many of the bags she had. What a difference they felt after working with lamb fleece.

It was good to be with her but soon her home was filled with people willing to help and it was time for me to leave. 

I came home with a wonderful surprise from my nephew's wife.  An essential oil package. She is teaching me and encouraging me to use them. Fun, I just know nothing about this!

Next up I headed to the greenhouse to get to work. The greenhouse puts me in such a good news. 

First up I separate packages of strawberries. Typically, there are 6 plants in each but I had 7.  I am hoping for a lush  patch of strawberries this year. 

Then I plant the austrees I started in water during the winter. They are rooting well. 

Austrees are a type of hybrid willow tree used as a windbreak, grow fast and help with ground erosion. 

I soaked the roots of the strawberries. 

I had been started apple trees. I am not sure if they will make it but I am giving it a good try. 

Strawberries are tucked in. 

Austrees planted.

All the plants we potted are going into the house since there is no heat in the greenhouse and snow is due this week. 

I did plant some Oriental Greens seeds too. 

The rest of Saturday was spend cleaning for our Sunday Funday party. Family was coming over to celebrate two birthdays.  My daughter-in-law's brother, Rick and my son Nick. 

Sunday

We lined up and plugged in crockpots. 

We filled them with homemade macaroni and cheese, hot dogs and dips.  We also had salads, hamburgers, cheese and crackers , chips and desserts. 

It was a Sunday Funday. 

It is interesting to watch how children try to mimic adults. Be sure you are a good example. 

He wanted Grandpa to know he was strong enough to do whatever he does. 

Kindness to animals reigns supreme on the homestead. 

It was a bit chilly but we did get some horse riding in . 

We did take time to remember the time of Lent . Raising four sons it was always challenging to try and get them engaged growing up.  One way was to remind them it was a time of spiritual cleaning and to try and show them was by carving soaps.  So today we carved soap. (of course, raising sons they used to carve knives and skulls but it got us talking).  We will share later what we do with the shavings. 

Our readings today remind us of our 40 day Lenten journey and that Temptation is real. 

The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.  Mark 1:12-13

How is Lent going for you? 

peace 

Goats, canning tamales, cheese, gardens and way more all in one day.

We began the day with another vet visit.  This time it was for the goats. Peppy, mom will get her shots and checked . She seems thin to us. The Vet says she is and we need to , somehow, get her to gain weight. 

The kids will get checked over and disbudded... have their horns removed. 

Yesterday we took Maggie to the vet.  Her cancer has progressed.  The veterinarian gave us some pain pills for her and brought her home to be spoiled and hugged alot.  Today she went with us to the vet just to be with us. 

They were dropped off and I went to my friend Sunny's farm to make tamales. 

We started with the masa, added spices, lard, and water. 

We soaked the corn husk. 

Stirred up the masa. 

I made a three bean vegetarian filling. 

And we dug in to making tamales... one... by... one.  Each jar had 6-7 tamales in them. 

We ended up with 21 jars!  Some vegetarian, some pork and we made an apple pie tamale. 

Apple pie filling was made with apples, spices, brown sugar and raisins. Can't wait to try them.

At the end we ran out of corn husks. We both live in the country and you don't just "run" to the store in the country.  Sunny had parchment paper and we thought, what the heck, let's try it and it worked!

Next up, I learned more about goat cheese.  This time it was feta.  When she first lift the lid off the bucket soaking the cheese in a brine , it was very strong and I thought, whoa, that is going to taste funky.

It looked great! 

And after a quick rinse, I tried it.  It tasted great! Pretty cool, right?  It will be my next try to create. I have made chevre, paneer, and queso blanco cheese. Feta will definitely be on my goal list. 

There is a wait time for the canner to work it's magic. We didn't just sit around. 

I crocheted.

Sunny finished up some spinning. 

Then it was time to get our lunch from the garden.  Here she is letting the carrots go to seed. 

The bees love them and why not?  They are sure beautiful. 

Spinach and chard. 

Lunch

Then back outside.

And look close... do you see it among the lilies?

Look closer.  It is a female peacock sitting on eggs. 

Cool, she left to eat . We can see how many she was sitting on. 

There she is in the field. 

Her mate is on the roof. 

Then out to the goats and alpacas. 

New milking goats were arriving today.  It was very exciting. 

The rest of the farm animals watched as they were brought in. 

Then over to the new pig pen.  It was built with all scrap. I love the way it turned out. 

Heading back to the house the birds gave us a show. 

It was time to head home.  The goats have returned.  Mrs. Periwinkle disbudding turned out great. 

Billy Blue-eyed had a bit of bleeding and came home with a new toupee. He is fine otherwise. 

The geese were introduced to their new home. It may not look like it but they were very excited. They were so happy because they now can walk around and be free.  They were thankful.

They checked out their new digs.  Goose approved. 

Wilbur came over for a back scratching. 

And terrorize a cat. 

Time for dinner ...pasta and chickens with this red, white and blue spinach salad!

Oh, and I finally finished the rug. 

peace