Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Sauce … people either love it or hate it.  I love it.  I could eat it year round and do.  I decided to make a bunch of small jars so we don't waste a lot and anyone who likes cranberry sauce can take some home.  This recipe is from someone at work, Will.  He shared it with me a few years ago. It is quick, easy and turns out every time. 

8 cups of cranberries... or two bags

4 cups sugar 

4 cups of water.

Mix together over heat.  Cook until it boils, let boil for 5 minutes.  Then simmer until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon. 

The recipe said 15minute but with my altitude it took 30 minutes. 

Put in a water bath for 15 minutes.

I love hearing the cranberries pop as they cook not to mention how beautiful they are. 

We are including many other canning goods from this year.  Orange marmalade, strawberry jam, pickled cucumbers and okra from my sister, The Major, aka Pat, and pickles from my niece, The Sailor, aka Christine - carrots and cucumber spears...ohboy!

Dude had made deviled eggs. 

And ham already.

Early in the morning the homegrown turkey will go in the oven, wrapped in local pepper bacon.  

Salad with cranberries, apples, walnuts and homegrown lettuce will be made. 

Dude is making the stuffing and mashed potatoes.  I will make the green beans, blackberry pie and Watergate salad. 

Family will bring the rest. 

We are so thankful for all who take an interest in our homestead.

We pray all those celebrating American Thanksgiving has a safe and wonderful day and yes...

peaceful. 

The Life of a Homestead Turkey

About six months ago we ordered five turkeys... baby turkeys through the mail.  Three white broad breasted and two black. They are adorable.  When you get turkeys you have to teach them to eat and drink. We hand raise our turkeys.  Every day I would go out talk to them and hold them. This way they aren't afraid of us and live a happy life. 

About the time we got our chicks, a stray turkey showed up on our back porch.  A wild turkey had walked through our property the day before but kept on walking. This one stayed. We thought it was a male and named it Kerouac for the writer of On the Road.  He turned out to be a she but the name stuck. 

She let me catch her, we fed her and she blessed us with eggs. 

The others continued to grow.

Kerouac continued to stay. 

 

Along the way two of our turkeys died, unknown why... just didn't wake up ...one black, one white. 

The last two weeks Tom, our biggest male turkey just couldn't get up any more.  He has been being bullied by the Guineas. We separated them but the damage the Guineas had done to Tom was too much. Two nights ago he laid down and died. Gave up. 

We fed the last turkeys with corn and bread and whatever else they wanted.  Kerouac will stay as a pet... she never fattened up.  Mr and Mrs Featherbottom were left. 

We loved them and talked with them the last few weeks. They are beautiful birds and I love them. 

 Today is the day they were going to the butcher.  We thanked them for all they are offering and gave hugs all around, caressing their tiny heads to my shoulder. 

Time to load them up. There is never an easy way to do it.  I just can't let someone else take them in to be butchered. I drove with them (and Dude), the two hours to the only butcher we know that will take birds. This week they only take in turkeys. 

Our turkeys are fresh, free range and organic. They are friends of sheep, humans and chickens.  Guineas... not so much.  We began with five turkeys, gained one along the way and ended up with two for the holiday. Mr and Mrs Featherbottom… once again thank you for the blessings you are about to give our large family.  I love you so much.

peace

Summer, our horse finds a new home, greenhouse update and Quilt-a-Fair 2018

It has been very busy the last two days. I am looking forward to Sunday and just resting, reading, and crafting. (Dude will be watching football)

We cleaned up the greenhouse. Dude managed to put up a trellis for the beans and waters the greenhouse regularly. We have been blessed with very warm weather. 

Here is some of what is growing inside. 

Yesterday we sold Summer. Dude won't be able to ride for at least a year and he wants Summer to be able to be ridden.  She is too valuable to waste her  talent.

She had breakfast with her sheep friends.

She was not happy to go.  She stomp and grunted.  I went over to talk to her and she leaned on me, kind of to say- take me for a walk!

The branding inspect came. He was late, saying it is a very busy time of year. 

Her new owner is extremely gentle with her and loves her potential as a trail rider. He was able to calm her down to get into the trailer. 

She had the trailer swaying back and forth. 

Summer was gone and ready for her new home in Colorado Springs. Dude was a bit down and talked about her the rest of the day.  I headed to the city to work. 

This weekend Quilt-a-Fair celebrated it's 40th Anniversary at the Boulder Fairgrounds. I couldn't miss it and definitely wanted to be a part of it.  Colorado Quilt Council puts it on and the mostly women that pull this thing off are amazing! The work they put in (plus a lot of them work) is far beyond what I can do.  I did help for a couple hours with the auction today. Here is a peak of the day. 

 After that we did head up to Longmont to get a month or so worth of grass hay for the sheep.

We unloaded the hay when we got home. 

I stopped to chat with the turkeys. 

And while out with the turkeys I checked on the butternut squash. They are looking great. 

Eggs are collected.  Time to settle in with a bit of yarn and a snack. 

peace