Movin' on up

Hello,

Ellie's chicks have been in our garage with a heat lamp since we got them at the beginning of October.  It's been fun to see just how fast they grow!  It was good to keep them there while Ellie got used to her new chores, and it allowed them to acclimate to our cold temperatures too. 

At seven weeks, they were ready for their "big girl home".  Ellie was so excited .

She is in love with these chickens.  Meet Ginger, Elaine, Alice, and Amelia.  I have no idea which one is which, but Ellie sure does!

I did not expect that the chickens would be so timid and cautious in their new home.  They were always so curious and bold in their other pen.  Ellie had to physically put them in where there nesting boxes are because they couldn't figure out the ladder thing that leads to them.  (I wonder if a ramp, rather than a ladder would be better?)  
So far they seem to be happy in their cozy coop, and getting the hang of things.

Something else I didn't expect is that the goats seem to be leery, even a little afraid of those "things" just beyond their yard.  I think now that a few days have passed, they are getting used to the new noises, but I can't wait to see what they will do, when the chickens are free roaming and might venture into their space.  😲

If you have chickens (or have had them) can you recommend a good chicken-keeping book that would be good for Ellie to have for reference?  One that is kid friendly, and not too technical.

Until next time,
- Carol

Farm Chick(s)

For as long as I can remember, Ellie has wanted to get chickens.  

This year was her golden birthday (back in June), and we thought chickens might be the perfect gift for her, but first we had to find just the right place for just the right coop. 

And also - have a bit of dry weather.

I've pinned lots of super cute coop ideas to my pinterest board hoping to find the right one for us.

We considered a chicken tractor.  That would be a fabulous option, except that our property is not at all level so it would be impossible to keep the girls safe. 

We recently received a mailer from Tractor Supply who had a coop on sale. 

It looks cute, holds up to six chickens, and was priced right. :-)

We also needed to choose the right place. 

Level. Not too close to the house (smell). Not too close to the goats (the health of both).  But close enough for easy chores and watching my little egg-collecter.  :-) 

Ellie was excited to help put it together. 

She and Eric painted it yellow to match our house.

Then they had to prepare the place.

Just the right size for this farm chick. 

This girl didn't want to wait any longer so even though it isn't spring, when most feed stores have chicks available, we found a local farm.  

4 female Buff Orpingtons, please.

Those eyes are filled with more joy than she can contain!

For those of you who know Eric, (who has always said he would never have chickens) you won't believe this...
He set them up for the first night IN THE HOUSE - in Ellie's bedroom! 

No one really got any sleep that night.  Those soft little peep-peeps during the day are rather loud throughout the night.  They are now in a much better spot!  I think it will be about six more weeks before they'll be in their cozy coop.

I'm looking forward to the days when Ellie brings in fresh eggs.  
Ellie is one happy girl.  She kisses them, tells them she loves them, and prays with them at night.  

 :-) 



~ Carol

Homonyms and a pun

Pairs...

 

         of socks?

         of scissors?

         of pants?

         two people?

NOPE...

Pears...

 

          crisp

 

          sauce

 

          butter

 

          canned

. . .

Today there will be a pair

who will pare

all the pears. 

And tomorrow we all shall enjoy the fruit of our labors. ;-)

I hope you enjoy your weekend.

Plan B {as in Beans}

Just about the time I think we are ready to start school ...

 

Here I am, in the midst of books, curriculum, and other supplies, busily trying to get organized when I get a call from a friend, "Green beans are ready and they are loaded if you'd like to come pick." 

 

Picking was quick. 2 big buckets full in about 45 minutes. 

Then there is the snapping.  That's not so quick.

{For this batch I actually lined up handfuls and cut them into pieces with a knife.}

Thankfully, Hannah helped a lot too.

   

I was able get 19 jars canned from that picking.  I had already done a couple other pickings/cannings.  We have plenty of green beans to last us until next season.  :-)

 

Canning is hard work.  It equates to long hours on your feet, cutting, or pitting, or blanching, or paring, or peeling, or snapping in a hot and sticky kitchen.  Honestly, it's exhausting, and sometimes I wonder if it is worth the effort.

 

But some evening in the future, when I serve these with dinner and everyone raves at how good they taste, and I remember that they was FREE.  I know I will be quite happy and thankful that I took the time for plan B.

I had hoped to be a little better prepared with my lesson plans, but we shall start school on Monday anyway.  {Just in time for pears and apples!}

The sweet taste of summer - Farm Girl Friday

It's strawberry season!

 

There just are not enough adjectives to describe how delicious these are.

 

Sweet

Juicy

Flavorful

Amazing

Local

Farm fresh

Organic

Delicious {Oh, I said that one already}

Scrumptious

 

P.E.R.F.E.C.T.

 

 

Over the years I have enjoyed taking the children to the U-Pick farms to pick whatever berry was in season.  Each berry in succession has it's own, short season, first strawberries, then raspberries, then blueberries.  Depending on our Northwest weather sometimes the growing seasons overlap. Sometimes, I miss one.  That is always such a disappointment.

I still enjoy picking with the kids, but I'm a little wiser now that I'm a little older, and my back voices its own strong opinion about picking.  I still buy strawberries from the U-Pick farm, BUT, they are pre-picked.  Yesterday was our day for a visit to the local, organic berry farm.  :-)

I much prefer to buy from the farms instead of the grocery store because I don't just buy a pint of berries, plus organic berries at the store are expensive.
I bought a lot ~ just under 60 lbs.  BUT these are like candy! They won't last long in our home.  The house smells of sweet strawberries.  I'm thinking we just might need to have waffles with strawberries and whipped cream for dinner instead of our usual Friday night pizza.  YUM.  

You might think 60 lbs. sounds like a lot.  We won't eat them all fresh, though we probably could they are that good.  I did put some in the freezer and I tried a new jam recipe last evening.   It is delicious.  I read about it here.  I haven't made jam in a while, mostly because it typically calls for a lot of sugar, and because the pectin called for in the recipes is derived from GMO corn.   Even the brand I use, {Pomona's} has issues.  You can read more about why NOT to use pectin here.
This Strawberry Balsamic jam recipe doesn't use pectin, and since I could use organic sugar, and not a lot of it...I thought I'd give it a try.  I am so glad I did.  No doubt, I'll be making this one again.

Now I am looking forward to raspberry and blueberry season.  Candy, I tell you. Just like candy, but better!

What fun!

"Hannah is totes adorbs! Look at her SUPER cute hair! I mean - oh-em-jeeeeeee!

Totes cute, is it not?"

 

{That is Caleb for you, but really, I couldn't agree more.}

 

Here are a couple of "before" pictures.

Hannah has beautiful, thick, naturally wavy hair. 

 

When she was younger she considered growing it until her wedding day.

BUT...

 

Out of pure practicality, she often wore her hair gracefully in an up-do.  

She always looked so put-together and polished.

The price of beautiful hair piled elegantly on your head? 

Headaches.

 

We can't have that.

 

 

Emily is a great hair stylist.  She delivers just what you ask for ~

We've never been disappointed!

 

Locks of Love will receive about 14" of lovely hair.

and my girl will have a fun and fancy free hair style for a while.

Farm Girl Friday

Making lemonade out of lemons...or more aptly put, smiling snowmen out of snow.

 

If you live in a part of the country where winter's cold temperatures seem relentless and never-ending, sometimes it takes a little work to see the sunny side. 

I have had to, on more than one occasion, just count my blessings - and name them one by one.

 

It's our turn, in the Northwest for super cold temperatures and the possibility of snow.   The snow is beautiful and fun, it's the cold temperatures that I'm not a real fan of. 

 

So without further ado here are my top 5 reasons to be happy about ccccold weather.

• 5.  Sweaters, scarves, and hats are fun to wear.   When living in southern California, Oh, how I longed for sweater weather to arrive. 

• 4. A hearty, hot soup is one of my favorite things to make and serve.  It seems extra enjoyable on super cold days.  {Beef Stew, Chicken noodle, Minestrone, White Chicken Chili - YUM!}

• 3.  Coffee, cocoa, whipped cream...need I say more?

• 2.  I get to snuggle up with my favorite people in the front of a warm, cozy fire.

• 1.  There are NO bugs.  Not one mosquito, or fly or ant.  NONE!   { It does get the number 1 place because I am really, really thankful for this.}

Our pastor's wife is from Brazil, and she often recounts stories of what it was like to live in hot, sticky, humid weather with bugs and snakes.  She also gently exhorts by reminding us that it is God who is in control of the weather {hot and sticky or cold and snowy} and THIS is the day that the Lord has made - so let us rejoice and be glad in it. 

 

How are you keeping warm?  What's on your blessing list?

Link up and share your thoughts.  Click on the Linky tool below.  Remember to link your post title and not just your home page so that we can find your post easily.

Farm Girl Friday...Dogs

Every farm needs a farm dog.  Really, it does.

They are really quite helpful.
Have you ever thought about all the jobs a farm dog does?

They herd livestock {Think Babe}

They protect {Think Rin Tin Tin}

They offer companionship {Think Lassie}

They let you know when you have visitors {Think Old Yeller}

and...they all WORKED on farms.

This was our farm dog. His name was "Killer".  Just kidding, it was Otis.  
He was fun-loving and sweet.  While he didn't rate high for herding or protecting,  he was a great companion {think every where Caleb was, Otis was there too.} and he always let us know when we had visitors.  {"Oh people, I just love people!"} 

He was THE BEST dog EVER!

Even though it's been over a year since we lost Otis, we all miss him a lot.  

Our house is just not the same.   

I grew up with one of these...his name was Socrates.

 Eric grew up with one of these...her name was Bug.

Some of the kids would like one {or two} of these...

I want one of these...

Isn't he so cute? I mean, really!! 
The idea has grown on Eric and the others now too.

 

As it turns out bulldogs are much like pugs in disposition and personality, they are just bigger.  

Our farm NEEDS a bulldog, don't you think? 

We even came up with a name. 
Stanley.  
Now we just need the dog. 

But who knew that these dogs come with a hefty price tag?!  
We want a pure bred, but we do not want to show him.  We just want a sweet, lovable family companion again.  If you know any bulldog breeders who are willing to negotiate price, please, please, please let me know in the comments section.  

because...well...

How about you?  What kind of dog do you have...or want? 

I invite you to link up and share your dog or homesteading posts!

 

Make sure that you link to your Farm Girl Friday post, not your blog’s main page, so your guests won’t have any trouble finding your story!

I would also appreciate it if you would link back to Pur et Simple in the post that you share!

A little housekeeping...
Please remember this is a conservative, family friendly link up.
All pictures and/or posts linked to Pur et Simple or Farm Girl Friday must be appropriate for our children to view or read.  Please use good judgment.  All submissions subject to blogger approval.