Kathy's musings

Hidee-Ho There Friends

2011-01-13T11:10:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone! Sorry no pics today either. Life at Hidden Acres Farm is going well, but it's pretty cold. We've had a couple of snows, and are in one now, and I am snow-bound. I've walked to my friend's home to get online and charge my cell phone, and check email - I had 519 messages! I haven't been online since I last posted here. Oh, the name of the farm is what my landlords, The Weavers, named the place where I am living.

Yesterday I was so lonesome, since it'd been since last Thurs that I spoke to or saw anyone because of the snow storm, that I walked about 4 miles to my landlords' home to say Hey. Mrs Weaver was gracious enough to invite me for lunch. They are in the midst of butchering, so there were 15 of us at the lunch table. The walk there was a killer because I was walking into a west wind, my eyelashes had icicles. And boy! did that hot chocolate that Mrs Weaver offer me taste good! I had a great time, and the walk home was a piece of cake walking with the wind, but I did find a blister on the ball of my left foot - *whine*. So, today, when I decided to walk to my friend's home, it was pretty easy since she just lives about 2 miles from the cabin, and the wind is light, and it's not snowing.

I'm slowly learning what type of wood burns quickly and heats quickly, which ones take a while to catch the fire, but burn long. When it's in the single digits at night, I'm up most of the night to keep the fire going because it does get cold on those nights in the cabin. But last night it was about 12 degrees, and when I got up this morning, it was 60 degrees in the cabin, with hot coals still in the stove, so restarting the fire was easy, and me and the cats were warm as toast in no time flat. I loaded the firebox, and turned down all the vents so it would burn low and slow while I'm here at my friend's place.

Two of my male cats still like going out in this weather, but they both have a good layer of fat and hair to keep them warm, plus they know they have a warm place to come in and get warm again. I've not been doing any more canning, although I did buy 2 10 lb whole pork loins and can that meat, and got 7 quarts, plus 9 pints, and still had some meat left over for a meal or two. This canned meat that I've put up has come in so handy during these 2 storms we've had where I've been snow-bound for a week - each time. Christmas and New Years was uneventful, but I did notice last night that the daylight time is increasing, where it is not pitch black at 6pm, but still a little light outside - a sure sign of good things to come in the Spring.

I hope you're all well, and had a blessed Christmas, and a wonderful New Year. May this year bring you many blessings. Take care Ya'll, and thank you so much for following this blog of mine, and for all of your wonderful and helpful comments. Oh, I do leave a pot or two of water on the stove for humidity, as well as for making coffee and hot tea. Thanks for the heads-up on that Sawn. I'll talk with ya'll soon. May God's abundant love and blessings be upon you all. So long from snowy Casey Co KY.

Long time . . . no post!

2010-12-10T11:45:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I'm in town and at the library in Casey Co. It's been a long time since I posted. I've been pretty busy getting ready for the Winter, and just had a rick of wood delivered. Plus I have over a rick of "slab wood" that is from a sawmill - smaller pieces and slabs of wood taken off the logs that have bark on them. And everything is in the woodsheds.

I've spent the last couple-three weeks canning. Turkeys were on sale at the local grocery store and I bought 2, just one at a time. I put it in my cooler on the front porch to thaw, then baked it in the woodstove. The first one turned out a little dry, but I got an oven thermometer for the second one and it turned out great. Between the 2 birds I got 11 quarts of meat, deboned. Then I canned 12 pints of chili. And now have 40 lbs of russett potatoes in the cellar waiting to be canned, and will hopefully get to those soon. Although the grocery store here has whole pork loin on sale very cheap, so I hope to get a couple and can those with a little onion and garlic added, and I can process that meat raw, and it makes its own juice.

My latest purchases besides wood have been a double-blade axe, and a small hatchet for splitting some of the slab wood that is too wide for the stove. Oh, and someone asked me if I had electricity. No, I don't have it, and I have the wood cookstove for heat and cooking. I'm finally almost all of the way unpacked, and have some more things to sort thru before moving my bed up to the loft. The cellar is under the whole cabin, so quite large for a cellar, and there's plenty of storage space, and a ton of shelving made just for canning jars. And with the hard, hard rains we had in the last few weeks, it doesn't leak at all - thank the Lord!

Sorry no pics today. I have been coming into town to do laundry, then take it home to hang dry, and there are lines running across the ceiling in the loft, so I can take home what I washed today and hang it up inside. The cats are doing great, and my youngest, Pookie, has caught numerous voles, and is so proud of himself that of course he brings them to me. One of my females, Annie, caught a vole and brought it inside and it was still alive, and it got away from her, so I'm assuming it got out some way since I've not seen it for weeks - or smelled anything dead! LOL

I'm not sure when my next posting will be. I don't come to the library much. If I come to town, I generally just get errands done, and need to get home to do chores, etc. But I'll try and be more reliable in the future. I really appreciate all ya'll's friendship and for following this blog. Oh, my email account had been hacked, but I went in and changed my password, so hopefully that will cause the hacking-sending out spam emails to stop.

Take care everyone, and I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I sure hope I post before Christmas, and maybe next time I can post some pics of the cabin and valley in the Winter with snow. We have had a little snow lately, but this weekend we're getting rain on Saturday, then snow on Sunday with very low temps. It was in the single digits at night a few times this week. God's abundant blessings be upon you all. I'll be back soon, from Casey Co KY.

Wash Day at the cabin

2010-11-08T11:31:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post to show about the day I did laundry at the cabin. I am at the public library in Casey County checking email and doing this post. Hopefully I'll be coming into town once a week to check email and blog a bit. Without further ado - here is the first wash day at the cabin.

My bathtub doubled as a washtub for doing the wash.

And the agitator is my trusty sponge mop.

My boiling water bath canning pots served as my rinse tubs.

The load was too big to do all of the rinsing in one tub.

Here I've finished rinsing half of the load and the other

is waiting to be rinsed.

Here's the rinsed load with my basket of wooden clothes pin.

It's ready for hanging on the line.

And - TA-DA - here is the clean laundry hanging on the clothesline

that I had to put up that day - it was about 5 p.m. when I finally got

the laundry hung out to dry, and it stayed out overnight

and all the next day to dry.

Not a very exciting post today, and I don't have a lot of extra time to spruce it up. Thanks so much to all of you for following this blog, and leaving comments - they are much appreciated. I'm gonna try and be more organized to get postings done on the day I come to town. I'm still unpacking, and also getting ready for the Winter. I've been able to get some wood delivered, and will get two or three more loads delivered by the end of the month.

Blessings to you all - have a wonderful week. We're gonna have great weather so I can get some things done outside, as soon as I get over this cold. Thanks for stopping by and reading this post today. Have a blessed Monday. Take care, from Casey Co.

Simple Silent Sunday

2010-10-24T12:35:00.000-04:00

A photo from fotosearch.com of a view I am seeing often since I moved to Casey Co.

Have a peaceful-blessed Sunday, Ya'll.

Take care.

Meet the Neighbors

2010-10-19T15:40:00.000-04:00

These gals and guys are my company most days. I like to sit outside in the rocking chair on the front porch, and it is so quiet that I can hear them pulling the grass up with their mouths. You will see that the pasture looks very highly grazed. The Mennonite young man who takes care of my neighbors comes everyday and moves them to new pasture. So this area is part of an intensive grazing system. Sometimes they get out of their fence and come and visit me around the cabin. So without further ado - Meet the Neighbors.

I think I need a new digital camera - so that will go into the budget planning over the next few months. It is overcast today - but this seems really washed-out, sorry for the poor quality. Looks to me like there is a mix of dairy and beef cows - Holstein crossed with Angus, Hereford, and Charlois - a lot of the females have that bony appearance of dairy cows.

Hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday, and have a blesseed rest of the week.

Take care Ya'll, from Casey Co KY.

Silent Saturday

2010-10-16T10:51:00.000-04:00

Early morning at the cabin in the valley - Casey Co KY

Have a blessed Saturday Ya'll

Amish America Book Giveaway

2010-10-11T10:30:00.000-04:00

The blog Amish America is having a book giveaway on their site for a book that talks about the religious and spiritual beliefs of Amish. Here is the link to the first part of an interview that was done with the authors of the new book. Check this out, the 2 interviews are very good and informative. Hope you're all having a great day - have a wonderful and blessed Monday. Take care, from Casey Co. Here is the link:
Amish Way Book Giveaway

I'll continue over the next few days on what is happening new down here in the sticks.

Simple Sunday - just some shots

2010-10-10T13:39:00.000-04:00

Just some photos today - here is the view looking to the back of the cabin.

There's my bathtub on the wall, and the door to the left is to the

dumb-waiter that is lowered to the sub-basement to keep things cool.

I think there may be something wrong with my camera, but this looks a bit

blurry on the left, but this is the back of the cabin, so you can see the

size of the place in this photo. And it is built on a hill, so that is what

you see from the front, the three levels. There on the right leaning up against

the cabin is my mailbox post, someone pulled it up out of the ground

before I had a chance to put up a mailbox. So, my landlords are gonna

get it put back up and I'll then get a mailbox.

That bar across the top got into the photo - it is one arm on the

clothes line frame, but I need to get some clothes line wire for it.

Here is a photo of the woodshed, and also the outhouse, and you can't

see it, but the rope is attached to an old farm bell, just in case I run into

trouble. I don't get any cell phone reception down in the valley. My neighbors

down the valley should be able to hear me.

This is a little blurry thru the windshield of my truck - it's on the way down

the ridge into the valley where the cabin is located.

Another photo out of the windshield. This is what it looks like coming up

from the valley, onto the ridge opening, then I go thru this little bit of

wooded area to get to the main road.

Hope you enjoyed these photos today. I meant for it to be a simple

Sunday post, and it turned out more complicated than I thought.

I'm getting online mainly at my friend's home, so I don't have to

go into the public library.

Take care All - and have a blessed Sunday.

From Casey Co.

A quick note without photos

2010-10-06T12:56:00.000-04:00

The photo of the cabin from far off just makes it look big. The main floor is just 16 x 20 sq ft, and the loft is 16 x 10 sq ft. I'll take a photo from the back so you can get a better perspective. Yes, there is an outhouse, and yes I do have a chamber-pot of sorts so I don't have to go out to the "house" after dark, I just dump it in the morning. Three of the 5 cats will go out regularly when I am there, I don't let them outside when I'm not there yet. The other 2 are a little skittish, but it's just been one week.

I'm working today at my friend's farm, but will take more pics later on today to post tomorrow or so, to give a better view of the outside of the cabin. The front that I showed is the basement entrance, the main floor's porch, and then the loft's porch.

Thanks so much for your well-wishes. It is so good to hear from everyone. I miss getting online to visit with you all, although I do like the solitude of the cabin. I'll try and take some photos of the road I drive down into the valley to the home.

Better get to work. My friend is waiting. Beautiful weather here this week, and good to be working outside in the gardens. Take care All, and have a blessed Wednesday. Finally, from Casey Co KY.

My coming home move

2010-10-05T12:58:00.000-04:00

I made it to Casey Co, and will post some pics, but not a lot of detail right now. Everything went fine with the move, finally. The guy that was supposed to load for me was stuck in FL on another move, and when he thought he would be in town, was still stuck in FL - so the move had to be changed to last Tuesday.

OK - here are some shots of the cabin and area.

This is a shot of the cabin from across the way, and that is the driveway

going up to it. That cross piece of wood by the cabin is the hitching

post for the horses when my Mennonite landlords, Mr and Mrs W

come to visit or if someone comes to repair something.

This is a shot taken from my front porch of the stone bridge that was built

by the W family, who built the cabin for their son and his wife.

A morning shot from the front porch.

The porch faces north, and the cabin sits in a valley

so there is fog every morning, and heavy dew.

Here is the dairy barn when Mr and Mrs W's son was

trying to get into the dairy business, but was not successful.

So the buildings are not being used now, but I am hoping

that I may find some use for them in the future.

This is inside the cabin facing the back, or south.

I think you can see the staircase going up to the loft, and

there is Alpheus on the cat tree.

This is the wood cookstove with my various "tools" needed

for cooking. I have just been warming up food on the stove,

and haven't really done any cooking yet, but am planning

a trip to the grocery store today to pick up a few things.

So I will cook tonight, hopefully.

This is kind of a dark photo - but it is my cat Sarah,

and a basket of goodies, and a flowering plant that Mrs W

brought over when she and Mr W came my first day in

the cabin. They came to give me a crash-course on

lighting the wood stove, and a few other things

I needed to know.

That's all the news from here. This is kind of haphazard, I know.

And I will do a better job of it next time, and show the dumbwaiter

where I can keep items refrigerated in the sub-basement.

So, I've made it a week here, and it's been easier than

I thought it would be, but it isn't Winter yet! LOL

Oh - the outhouse does have a toilet seat, so I'm not in

jeopardy of getting any splinters! ROFL

Take care All, and I'll write more soon.

Have a blessed Tuesday.

Interloping Squatters

2010-09-27T18:38:00.000-04:00

These are the photos of what my livingroom looked like today

while I was on the couch working on the laptop.

Albert in MY rocking chair

Albert on MY footstool

Sarah in MY rocking chair

What is wrong with these photos, I ask you?

They don't even have to decency to look me in the face!

Cats, can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em.

Have a blessed Monday evening.

Tomorrow is moving day (I hope!)

Will keep Ya'll posted once I get to Casey Co.

Early Monday Morning

2010-09-27T00:33:00.000-04:00

Thanks to fotosearch.com for the photos in this post.

He who created the Pleiades and Orion

and who strides the heights of creation

He is the Lord, the God of Hosts by name.

He formed the mountains and created the wind

and thru His Spirit declares His thoughts to men.

He who created the Pleiades and Orion

and who strides the heights of creation

He is the Lord, the God of Hosts by name.

song - Pleiades and Orion by John Michael Talbot

Have a blessed Monday, Everyone.

From central KY.

Sunday Sabbath

2010-09-26T04:07:00.000-04:00

God's Promise

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the Lord, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

The Promise of the Lord to the Israelites during the Babylonian exile.

As minor as the setback of not being able to move yesterday was in the big scheme of things, I found comfort in these verses which are among my favorites in the Bible. May you, too, find comfort in the fact that God has plans for your life, to give you hope and a future. Be well, everyone, on this Sunday Sabbath. God bless you All.

Best wishes from central KY.

Simple Saturday and moving delay

2010-09-25T22:18:00.000-04:00

There was a glitch today in getting the mover-helpers here thru U-Haul to load my belongings to be moved. So the move has been rescheduled to Tuesday. Now I have time to do all of my laundry before the move. I'm tired. And I'll leave you with this simple photo of an image that can be found all over KY at this time of year. Have a blessed Saturday evening, Ya'll, and a joyous Lord's day tomorrow. My best to you all. From central KY.

Tobacco barn

Friday Fotos

2010-09-24T10:08:00.000-04:00

You've heard of wine in a box - here is cat in a box -- Miss Annie.

Of course my cats have "cat" beds, but they

seem to like anything BUT their own beds.

Sorry for the poor quality of the photos, I have yet to master taking pics with my digital camera, plus it's a cheapy camera! I'll have to invest in a better one sometime.

Hope Ya'll have a great & blessed weekend. I will be offline for quite some time since I am moving tomorrow and don't know when I will get to the public library to update my blog. But I will have photos of the move, and pics of the cabin, etc. Thanks for all of your well-wishes for my move. The weather is going to cooperate greatly, and is supposed to be in the 70s for a high, which is great with the cats riding in the truck with me, so that they don't get too stressed with hot temperatures.

See Ya'll soon. Take care, from Fayette Co KY - soon to be Casey Co KY.

Thoughtless Thursday

2010-09-23T03:55:00.000-04:00

No words, just a photo for this

Thoughtless Thursday

9-patch Star crib quilt

Have a blessed Thursday, Ya'll.

From central KY.

Way-Back Wednesday

2010-09-22T10:41:00.001-04:00

As most of you know I am moving on Saturday. I have been going thru all of my storage boxes, and found these neat little figurines that I'd forgotten I had. My Mom gave them to me when she and my Dad were cleaning out my Grandpa Schanding's home after he passed away. Here are photos of the three figurines.

The cow is a little cream pitcher. And I think the donkey used to have something that would lie over its halter on its back. The pig is just a pig, albeit a little creepy looking! Here is a better shot from the side to see more of the figurines.

I do treasure these because they are so old, and my

Grandma Schanding probably picked them out. I never

knew her since she passed away in 1958. But in seeing

photos of her in her twenties, I look quite a bit like her.

Hope you enjoyed these little pieces for a Way-Back Wednesday.

Take care Ya'll, and have a blessed day.

From central KY - Fayette Co.

Treasure-Find Tuesday

2010-09-21T19:17:00.000-04:00

I have been on the look-out for a rocking chair or two to go into the cabin and/or go out on the main floor's deck/porch. I found this one on Craigslist for $15. The cushion came with it, and I did notice that the cane seat needs some work, but it will do the job. It needs refinishing or painted. And if anyone can tell me if I need to do something to it before painting, please let me know. From the looks of it, it has been outside some, it has that weathered look and feel about it. So I know that something needs to be done to it to prolong its life. I also contacted another person with a rocking chair for $10, but haven't heard from them. I will continue to look on Craigslist to see if anything else comes up before my move on Saturday.

So, without further ado - here is the rocker that I just picked up this evening.

OK - sorry for all of the mess in the background, I'm still packing up stuff for the move. Please forgive! Whaddaya think?

Take care All - and have a blessed Tuesday evening. From central KY.

Sunday Evening's Sweet Dreams

2010-09-19T21:12:00.001-04:00

May you all have sweet dreams for this Sunday night's sleep.

Good Night, Ya'll. Sleep Tight.

From central KY - Fayette Co.
Photos from fotosearch.com

Way Back Wednesday - Canning Jars

2010-09-15T14:51:00.000-04:00

I recently put an ad on Craigslist in the antiques section

for old canning jars. I want to use them to store

dry goods in the cabin in case of bugs and the dreaded

rodent of country-living -- the field mouse.

I was contacted by Maureen who is originally from Wisconsin,

I could tell by her accent. Actually I guessed Minnesota or

North Dakota - I was close. At any rate she told me that

she had about 47 old canning jars, blue and clear ones,

mostly Ball, some Atlas, and a Carbonic (I think) -

it is one of the clear ones with the wire bale.

These are some of the ones I unpacked from the boxes she brought

them to me in. She was gracious enough to pack them in

old wine bottle boxes - just perfect for my move on the 25th.

I don't know what these small bottles are unless they were used

for cream? Unless they were used somehow to can? I don't know.

These are some of the zinc and glass lids that she gave

me to go with all of the canning jars.

I probably paid too much for them. About a $1 a jar.

But I've always loved the looks of the blue Ball jars.

And some are the old type that say Ball Perfect Mason.

I'm washing them up in the dishwasher now so that they

will be ready for me to use once I move and can

settled in enough to start putting my dry goods that are

now in plastic bags, and boxes into the jars for safe keeping.

Just wanted to share with Ya'll this great find of mine.

On a Way Back Wednesday.

Take care everyone, and have a blessed Wednesday.

From central KY - Fayette Co.

Giveaway - HenPals Nest Box - Life on a Southern Farm

2010-09-14T21:11:00.000-04:00

GA FarmWoman Pam and her FarmMan are having a giveaway on their site for their homemade Chicken Nesting Boxes.

You can visit their blog at Life on a Southern Farm

and post a comment for a chance to win a nesting

box that is handcrafted, expertly by FarmMan.

As you can see from the above photo, these are extremely

well built hen boxes, and I believe they are going to draw

to giveaway a 3-hole nest box which would accomodate

12 hens. You can also blog about the giveaway and

be entered 3 more times to win. And also be entered

another 3 times if you tweat about it on your

Twitter account. So head on over to

Life on a Southern Farm and look at other photos

of the nest boxes, and enter into their giveaway.

There have only been positive remarks given by those

folks who have won or bought these nest boxes.

Take care Ya'll, and have a blessed Tuesday evening.

From central KY - Fayette Co.

Sweet Simple Sunday

2010-09-12T08:48:00.000-04:00

Just a couple of photos from fotosearch.com

for this sunny Sunday Sabbath.

I hope Ya'll have a blessed and joy-filled day.

Take care, from central KY.

Silly Saturday or Autumn in Autumn

2010-09-11T12:32:00.000-04:00

I'm sharing photos of my great-niece Autumn today. She is 20 months old, and her Mom is my niece Melissa - my brother Chris's daughter. Melissa is expecting another little girl in December right about the same time that Autumn will turn 2 yrs old. Melissa's new daughter is the one I am making the giant Granny Square afghan for. Although that has now taken a back-seat to me trying to get ready for the move that will take place in 2 weeks from today. So, as a proud great-aunt - here is Autumn.

I know you Moms out there will appreciate the photo of Autumn eating spaghetti! LOL

I guess she hasn't quite gotten down how to use silverware yet! And also, I thought I'd spare you the photo of her on the potty-training pot - just in case you're eating or something, though I know most Moms would understand. ROFL

Have a great weekend everyone. And may God bless Ya'll! From central KY.

Thoughtful - Thankful Thursday

2010-09-09T18:38:00.000-04:00

I was thinking today of how many years ago it had been since I'd wanted to be involved in farming, and it was back when I was in grade school and into high school. Back then, I wanted to marry a farmer, and have 12 kids, work on the farm, as well as cook huge dinners for the family and hired hands just like the farmwomen of old.

Things changed, life happened; I did get to raise some chickens, a few hogs, and a couple of heifers when I lived in Bismarck ND with my then husband, but my management skills had much to be desired, I know better now. Then I worked for 9 years with a university swine research unit; and before that helped on another university's farm with their hogs and sheep.

After working on the swine research farm, somehow I got lost, and forgot about farming and working with animals. Probably because the farm was a confinement system, and I couldn't see working with livestock in that environment any longer.

Somehow, come 2006, my yearning for farmlife returned, and I started reading up on raising chickens, and goats, and sheep - the Storey Publications. Began learning more about intensive grazing, and its benefits.

Then, that fateful day occured when I heard Suzanne McMinn on NPR's Inside Appalachia - about her blog Chickens in the Road. That's when things really turned around. But maybe some seeds were again planted when I made friends with a gal in Casey Co KY on a Yahoo group, and back then, which was about 2006, I had dreams of moving there and helping her on her farm.

I think that things happen for a reason. Most of my life I have wanted to live and work on a farm, work with livestock. I've had the chance to do a lot of that along the way, even marrying a son of a farmer, and though it didn't work out, and Steve had no want of farming, I still got to work with his Dad some on the farm and come to love it even more, and get his Dad's support in my wanting to learn and experience farmlife.

I honestly believe that God has been preparing me for this moment of getting the chance to move to Casey Co, and become involved in farming full-time. Even the experiences I had when I went camping in Amish country in Lancaster PA have shaped me to this day. When I was there, I went next door to an Amish dairy farm and asked if I could help them finish milking because it was starting to get dark, and they looked like they may need a hand, if just to carry the milk buckets to the large holding tank.

All of this reflection is just to say I've been thinking a lot today, and am increasingly grateful and thankful of the experiences, good and bad, that have brought me to this time in my life. I am thankful for all of my blogging friends who have given me the courage to do what I have dreamed of, and for their encouragement and support. I see through your experiences how many possibilities there are, and to not give up on my dreams. So I now say a heart-felt thank you.

These are my reflections for a Thursday.

I hope Ya'll have a great rest of the evening.

Take care, from Fayette Co KY

Soon to be Casey Co KY

New York Amish: Book giveaway on Amish America blog

2010-09-08T13:49:00.000-04:00

SUNY-Potsdam Professor of Anthropology Karen Johnson-Weiner has spent years researching the various Amish communities in New York. Karen’s new book New York Amish: Life in the Plain Communities of the Empire State is the first to explore Amish settlement in the state.

While you won’t find any Amish on the island of Manhattan, since 1949 they have established nearly three dozen settlements across the state, from Western NY to the North Country near the Canadian border.

This is the beginning of an interview that Erik Wesner at Amish America blogged about today. There is a giveaway on the site for this new book on Amish communities in New York State. If you would like a chance to win a copy of the book, go to the blog and leave a comment. You may also be entered another time if you mention the blog post on Facebook. And you can also be entered a third time if you do a post about it on your blog. The interview is very interesting, and I hope you will head over the Amish America to browse through the interview, as well as look at the many interesting blog posts that Erik Wesner has written about the Amish in America.

Have a great rest of your Wednesday, everyone. Take care, from central KY.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-08T04:43:00.000-04:00

Have a blessed Wednesday

Take care, Ya'll, from central KY

Photos from fotosearch.com

Tuesday's Treasure or Keep Believing in Dreams

2010-09-07T12:12:00.000-04:00

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Keep believing in your dreams, Ya'll!

Field of Dreams

Take care everyone, have a blessed Tuesday, and keep dreaming.

From central KY - the Bluegrass region

Now that's what I call a Granny Square

2010-09-06T10:34:00.000-04:00

I'm working on an afghan for my niece's second baby girl who is due in December. I was working on an individual Granny Square afghan for her, but that kind of went by the way-side. So I decided to do something a little easier, and just make the afghan one big Granny Square. Below is a photo - it's about 12" square right now, and I'll probably make it 36" square - so a I'm a third finished, and want to get it finished and to my niece before I move at the end of September. Anyway - wanted to share this with you. I really like the multi-color of the yarn, and it is kinda girlie - so will fit my great-niece well, I hope.

I hope you all enjoy your Labor Day, when I hope you're free from labor.

Take care Ya'll - from Fayette Co KY.

Sunday Sabbath

2010-09-05T04:05:00.000-04:00

I'm taking an idea for a Sunday blog post from Sandra over at Thistle Cove Farm - some of my favorite quotes that you may find interesting or encouraging.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is a great accomplishment . . ." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Do not part with your dreams or aspirations for when they are gone you will exist, but you have ceased to live." Henry David Thoreau

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Everyone - have a blessed Sunday, and enjoy your weekend. From Fayette Co KY.

Silly Saturday

2010-09-04T08:05:00.000-04:00

This morning is cool here in central KY. There is a breeze blowing, and I had to put on my long jean jumper instead of wearing shorts and a t-shirt like I had been doing all week long with the air conditioning running. I have the windows open and the sliding glass door open with a third of it blocked so that the cats can't get out on the balcony - I don't have a screen door to the balcony.

My youngest cat, Pookie, has a big snoot-ful of the cool breezes, and is running crazy thru the apartment chasing any of the other cats that get in his way - much to their dismay. Lots of swiping and hissing going on. I'm anxious to see how they all will do with living in the country, and having the freedom of going outside. I guess more curious than anxious. I plan to let them out when I am there at the cabin, and try and bring them in when I am gone, and especially bring them in at night.

Here is a silly photo of Pookie making himself comfortable on the couch arm, taking a break from watching the bugs that gather around the table lamp. He looks fat, but he isn't, he just has long hair, and is also growing since he just turned one year old a few months ago. It's nice having a young cat in the family again. He's a hoot!

Hope Ya'll have a great Labor Day weekend. Here in central KY the weather is going to be wonderful, with highs in the mid-70s, with low 50s at night, and right now it's 54 at 8:00am. Take care, and have a blessed Saturday, from Fayette Co KY.

Thankful Thursday

2010-09-02T14:20:00.003-04:00

This Thursday, I am thankful for sore muscles - all over my body!

There has been construction going on at my apartment complex, inside and outside the buildings since the new management took over in January of this year. Lately, the banging, sawing, heavy equipment moving has gotten on my last nerve.

So, yesterday I took a trip to my beloved Casey County KY to visit my friend Bobbett, whom I will be farming with when I move there at the end of September. We spent the day clearing out her no-longer-producing tomato plants and weeds from six cattle panels. Then moved the panels to the barn.

You wouldn't think it would take about four hours to do such a thing, but it did. There were still some good tomatoes on the vines, some ripe, some to make fried green tomatoes with. We took our first break for a drink after about two hours of work, and to cool off since it was in the upper 80s yesterday, though there was a nice breeze blowing.

Our second break, though, was the one I was looking forward to the most. We went back out and worked some more after our first break. Then, this is what was waiting for us during our second break before we ate lunch.

Bobbett and her parents have a nice swimming pool at their place, and we both jumped into the pool with our work clothes on. I had on shorts and a t-shirt, and Bobbett had on the same. It was delightful to say the least. We spent about thirty minutes in the pool, then went in to have some pasta salad for lunch. Then we were all rested up and satisfied with food, and went out to finish our task.

I left there about 5:00pm, having gotten there about noon. It takes almost two hours to get there from where I live. And today, I am sore all over from my finger tips to the tips of my toes, and what a wonderful workout it was. I think that the move to the cabin, and my future in farming with Bobbett is going to be a success. And we'll get more done outside as the weather cools, than we did yesterday.

Take care, Ya'll. And have a blessed Thursday. What are you thankful for today?

thanks to fotosearch.com for the use of their photos

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-01T01:30:00.000-04:00

Trio in pink

Barn

Pig tails

Corn shocks

News from Casey County KY

2010-08-30T17:03:00.000-04:00

I was standing in line at the pharmacy today, and my cell phone rang. But I was talking with the gentleman behind the counter about my prescription, so I didn't answer my phone.

So I looked at the number that had called, and it was from the Mennonite couple, Mr and Mrs W. They don't have a phone in their home, but near Mr W's shop is a public phone booth for the Mennonite folks to use to make phone calls.

There was a message on my voicemail from Mrs W saying that all of my references had checked out, and that I could rent their cabin from them. They are going to be cleaning inside and out of the cabin for the next couple of weeks to get it ready for me. No one has lived there for almost 3 years, and the grass/weeds have grown up quite a bit. And there are some things inside the cabin that need to be repaired.

So I hope by about the third week of September I will be making my move down to Casey County KY. I need to call Mr and Mrs W back to let them know I got their message - and find out how much rent is going to me - we didn't decide on an exact amount when I was down there a couple of weeks ago. But I know that it will be way less than what I am now paying in this 2 bedroom apartment in Lexington.

I'll keep ya'll posted. I am headed to Casey Co on Wednesday to help my friend, Bobbett, with some of her garden work. I need to get out of town for a day, and be somewhere where it is quiet. There is construction going on around the apartment complex with heavy machinery, etc, and it's making me a little edgy. Time to head to the country for a few hours.

Take care, Ya'll. And have a blessed Monday evening, from Fayette Co KY.

Giveaway at West Virginia Treasures

2010-08-29T18:42:00.000-04:00

Angela over at West Virginia Treasures is having a giveaway. The winner will be drawn randomly on September 1st. The person who is chosen will win a $40 gift certificate to CSN Stores.

You just have to put a comment in the comments section of which dining room set is your favorite from the CSN website. And you can be entered again for becoming a follower of West Virginia Treasures and you can be entered a third time if you mention the giveaway on your blog and post a link to the giveaway post on Angela's blog.

Hope ya'll are having a good weekend, what is left of it, since here in central KY it's already after 6:30pm. So, head on over to West Virginia Treasures and enter the contest. There are many things on the CSN Stores website for your household.

Take care Ya'll, and have a blessed week, from Fayette Co in the Bluegrass region of central KY.

No News . . . And On The Hunt

2010-08-28T18:09:00.000-04:00

No news is good news?

I haven't heard from Mr and Mrs W yet to see if I am going to be able to be their renter. I believe I will contact them next Saturday if I don't hear this week, since I need to let my apartment management know soon that I will not be renewing my lease at the end of Sept.

In the mean-time, I am trying to figure out how I will bathe, and how I will do laundry.

I will be on the hunt for one of these for the cabin:

or maybe one of these:

Then I will need to find a gas-powered one of these:

or this one, without the electrical cord, but a gas motor:

Besides getting a good supply of wood, and even more wood, for cooking and heating, I will be on the lookout for these items to make my life a little more simple when/if I move to the Mennonite cabin.

I'll keep you posted on what transpires this week.

Ya'll have a great weekend, what is left of it. Take care, from Fayette Co, the Bluegrass Region of central KY.

This Moment - Miss Sarah

2010-08-27T09:50:00.000-04:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

I'm linking to Andrea at Rural Revival for this Friday moment.

My oldest cat, Miss Sarah, a.k.a. Boo-boo. She is getting crotchety in her old age, but she still sticks pretty close to me, moreso than my other 4 cats. Not always lying in my lap, but close by, usually like here, on the arm of the couch beside me while I am on the laptop or crocheting. She'll turn 16 this year, and I've had her since she was about 8 weeks old, when I got her from the Humane Society the day after Thanksgiving 1994 when I first moved to Lexington.

What is your Friday moment?

Take care Ya'll, from KY.

A Trip to Casey County

2010-08-22T02:23:00.000-04:00

Note: None of the photos were taken by me - they are from the Internet - I forgot to take my camera with me on my trip to Casey County - 8-(

On Saturday, I drove SW of Lexington to Casey County, where I will be moving at the end of September. I met a great Mennonite couple, Mr and Mrs W, who have a small home or cabin that they may rent to me - if my references check out! LOL

Some of these photos are ones of Amish and some are Mennonite, I know that there is a difference between the two, but I wanted to share some of what I found on the Internet.

The cabin is small, just 16 x 20 with a half loft for sleeping. There is a porch on the main level, and also one on the loft level, which has a porch swing. The area is hilly, and down from one of the hills comes the spring that furnishes the cabin with water. The cabin also has a dumbwaiter where I can put items that need to keep cool, and it is lowered to an area that is in the sub-basement, or below the basement, into a spot that has a spring running in it. The full basement is poured concrete for plenty of storage area, and a lot of shelves for keeping canned goods. The cabin is built on a hill, so the basement is a walk-in.

There is a kitchen area with a deep sink, counter space, and cupboards that run high up towards the ceiling for plenty of storage space. There is a small vanity next to the kitchen counter to wash hands and face. The source of heat and of cooking is like this Pioneer Maid wood cookstove.

Up the hill behind the cabin is an outhouse and a woodshed. There is a large boiler tub where a fire can be started under it to heat for a bath in the warmer weather. I haven't figured out how I am going to do laundry yet, but could conceivably get a gas powered wringer washer, and put that in the woodshed. There is one of those umbrella-type clothes lines so that soon the back of the cabin will take on this look.

For the time-being, when I first move in, I will be doing laundry at a friend's home and bringing it out to the cabin to hang and dry. There is a laundry line in the cabin on pullies that is located in the loft for drying clothes during cold weather. One thing that concerns me is that the lines from the spring to the cabin may freeze in the winter, at which time I'll need to haul water from my friend's home.

I was glad I just bought Ruby, my truck, last Monday because I couldn't have gotten to the cabin without her on the one lane gravel roads. On the way back from the cabin, we drove on a road that went thru a creek, and then up a steep hill. My Toyota Echo would've never made it.

It's going to be an adventure. And I'm not sure how much blogging I will be able to do except maybe once a week when I go to the public library in town to use my laptop. I'm not even sure I can get cell phone recpetion out at the cabin. My current carrier Sprint doesn't have any reception in that area, so I will have to find one that will. I was hoping to get a BlackBerry and keep up with email that way, but time will tell.

I'll keep you all posted on what transpires with this move. My first concern after moving will be to get a good supply of wood for cooking and heating before the weather turns too cold, and the prices go up. I imagine I'm gonna be eating a lot of store-bought canned food for a while until I get my feet under me and figure out how to cook from scratch on the Pioneer Maid. I really want to be able to do some boiling water bath canning and pressure canning to stock up for the winter, but I'll just have to see what time allows. I could easily see myself getting snowed in if we have a bad winter. Oh, and there is a large pond on the property, so like FarmerPam at Life on a Southern Farm, I may be taking my Ivory soap and take a dip in the pond to bathe while the weather is still nice.

Wish me luck, Ya'll. Take care, from soon to be Liberty KY in Casey County.

What's in a name . . .

2010-08-17T01:31:00.000-04:00

Meet the new member of my family - The Toyota Pickup Truck

I have yet to name her - and need some assistance in that department

I posted my Toyota Echo on Craigslist very early last Friday

morning. And by 8 a.m. I'd received my first call from someone

wanting to buy her. Then, by 11 a.m. had recieved 4 or 5

more calls. By noon, the first caller took her for a drive

and to her mechanic, had come back and offered to buy her.

I then contacted the seller of this truck to see if they were still

interested in selling at the price we had talked about, and they were.

I went to Harrodsburg KY to pick her up on Monday, and though her

body is not in that great of shape, she runs like a top for a

gal that is 16 yrs old. Her former owner called her Red,

but I need something more substantial than that.

Any ideas? All submissions will be taken into consideration.

Now I feel like a farm-gal. More news to come on my

move to the country after this Saturday afternoon.

Take care Ya'll, and have a blessed Tuesday.

Romney Ridge Farm - "beautiful yarns from happy sheep"

2010-08-14T14:58:00.000-04:00

The mailman delivered a package from Kelly at Romney Ridge Farm - she recently had a special of $5 off a few different colors of skeins of yarn. I bought 3 skeins of the "daylily" dye lot. Here is a photo of what I received today in the mail.

This will go nicely with the other yarns I bought from Kelly. And I think I will make an afghan for myself over the winter months. I hope to teach myself to knit during this winter. And just bought the most appropriate book for me - "Knitting for Dummies".

Just thought I'd share this yarn treasure with you today. Ya'll try and stay cool, now. And have a great weekend. Take care All, from KY.

Anticipation - is making me wait . . .

2010-08-10T06:52:00.000-04:00

Hi, my name is Kathy, and I am a Dominosoholic.

Living in town has some advantages, like pizza delivery.

Last night I was getting my fix, when the pizza delivery gal came

and let something into the apartment. I forgot about it until this morning,

when I saw the cats doing this -

Annie and Pookie - looking at this -

A moth - let in from the hallway by the Dominos Pizza delivery gal

Annie, who has moved to the other side of the couch to get a better look

And Alpheus, taking in all of the action, and

at the same time reminding

me of my addiction

One thing I will love about moving to the country is not being

tempted to order any more pizza delivery - as the saying goes,

A Moment on the Lips, A Lifetime on the Hips

Have a wonderful and blessed Tuesday Ya'll,

from KY

BabyDoll-Bunny Yarn and a Doggy Afghan

2010-08-09T18:33:00.000-04:00

I recently bought some yarn from Kelly at Romney Ridge Farm - it is a natural color yarn made of BabyDoll wool and Angora Bunny hair. Here is a photo of the yarn.

It is a kind of bulky weight, and extremely light and soft. I have to decide what I will make with it, but believe I will try and crochet at least one pair of socks for myself. Then decide what to do with the rest.

I've been working on a crocheted afghan throw for an online friend of mine who lives in Chicago. She has Chinese Crested dogs, and they have very little body hair, so chill easily in the Summer air conditioned home. I crocheted one afghan and sent it to her, and am now working on another. My friend, Ginger, picked out some great looking cotton yarn with colors known at Blueberry Fields. She found it at this website Knit One Crochet Too - it is the best cotton yarn I've ever crocheted with, and beautiful colors as well.

Here is a photo of what I have done so far on Payton's (Ginger's puppy) afghan - you can see the different colors of the yarn - what is known on the website as Ty Dy.

The afghan is going to end up being about 46 inches wide, and 27 inches long. It turned out wider than I had expected, but hopefully will work OK for Ginger, and especially for Payton!

Just something to share with ya'll that has been going on with me in Fayette Co KY lately.

Ya'll have a blessed Monday evening. Take care, from KY.

My First Sheep!

2010-08-02T18:26:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Sandra over at Thistle Cove Farm

I am now a proud owner of my first sheep!

I won this sheep stamp on one of Sandra's giveaways recently.

Cute isn't it?

This is what the stamp will look like when I can get some ink.

There's a little of a reflection from the camera flash

but you get the jist, right?

So, thanks much, Miss Sandra for sending me the sheep stamp.

It came in today's mail. I'm so excited!

And think of all of the feed I'll save! LOL

Take care All, from KY.

Visiting with Suzanne this morning

2010-08-01T09:51:00.001-04:00

I've been over visiting Suzanne McMinn at Chickens in the Road blog - I found a video over there that is on her YouTube account, and it is one of my favorites of hers, and I wanted to share it with ya'll.

A Sheep's Best Friend - is a video of Suzanne's sheep named Annabelle, who thinks she's a dog, playing chase with one of Suzanne's dogs - Boomerang - it's a hilarious video that gets me laughing everytime, especially seeing the way that Annabelle runs - or should I say, hops.

I hope you take the time to look at the video and get a little chuckle from it. And I hope you will visit Suzanne's blog - she is a blogger-extraordinaire, and is a true self-sufficient homesteader. She's an inspiration to me.

Take care All, and have a blessed Sunday - from KY.

Hey Fiber Peeps - Giveaway - Romney Ridge Farm

2010-07-30T16:10:00.000-04:00

Kelly at Romney Ridge Farm is having a giveaway. If you become a follower of hers on her Facebook Page your name will be entered in a drawing that will take place on Monday for 2 free skeins of her new Babydoll/Bunny Blend yarn.

All you need to do is go to the link above on her Facebook page, become a follower, then on the Discussions page, put a comment in about the giveaway, and put your name and my name in the comment section, too. I'd love to get a chance to win this wonderful yarn. So you'll be doing me a favor as well.

I once did a blog post on the wool yarn that I had received from Kelly, and showed photos of the 6 skeins. I haven't decided what I'd like to do with it, but will wait till winter to start working with it. You can see that blog post here

I hope you will consider following Romney Ridge Farm on Facebook. She'll often highlight her newest yarns, and dye creations, and it is a very high quality product.

Take care All, and have a great weekend - from KY.

Giveaway - HenPals Chicken Nest Box - Life on a Southern Farm

2010-07-27T10:10:00.000-04:00

GAFarmWoman - Pam at Life on a Southern Farm is having a giveaway for a 2-hole chicken nest box.

These are hand-made by FarmMan.

If you would like to enter, go to Life on a Southern Farm

and leave a comment on Pam's blog.

The closing for entries is on Friday, July 30th at midnight EST.

The winner will be announced on Saturday, July 31st.

You can see more photos of the nest boxes in use

on Pam's blogsite. Good luck to those of you

who enter the drawing.

Take care All, and have a blessed Tuesday.

From KY.

It's a Mystery . . .

2010-07-26T19:30:00.000-04:00

A Percolator Coffee Pot

A Coleman LED Lantern

A Camp Toaster

An Oil Table Lamp

What do these four items have in common?

Hmmmm?

It's a mystery.

And, No, I'm not going camping.

More to follow sometime next week.

Hopefully.

Have a great Monday evening.

Take care All, from KY.

Recipe - Down-in-the-Dumps Pudding

2010-07-25T07:43:00.001-04:00

I was going to make this recipe and put the photos of each step on here, but decided against it since it's a very rich dessert, and I'd end up eating it in a day or two, going thru many sugar highs - so I'll forego the photos.

This pudding is a recipe from the cookbook - A Family Raised on Sunshine by Beverly Nye. She says in the cookbook that she makes this recipe on days when she's feeling a bit depressed, and it picks her mood right up.

Down-in-the-Dumps Pudding

Beat together:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tblsp cocoa

Stir in:
1 cup milk
4 tblsp vegetable oil
2 cups chopped nuts

Spread mixture in ungreased 9 x 13 in pan

Blend in a small bowl:
2 cups brown sugar (packed)
1/2 cup cocoa

Sprinkle over top of batter

Pour over all: 3 cups hot water. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

This turns out like a pudding cake and is extremely rich and decadent. I hope you enjoy this recipe

Take care All, and have a blessed Sunday, from KY

I'm Gonna Be a Hooker!

2010-07-22T11:30:00.000-04:00

A rug hooker, that is! LOL

I was over at Dog Trot Farm visiting with Julie.

She does primitive rug hooking, and I emailed

her to get some information and she sent me to this website

Searsport Rug Hooking

I looked thru the website and found a beginner's

rug hooking kit and bought one.

It came in the mail yesterday.

Contained in the kit was an instruction book, a quilting frame

and a little metal container for the pieces of scraps that

I might have left over when I use the wool strips

to do the rug hooking.

Also, with the kit came the wool strips that I will use to make the rug,

and all of the wool strips are precut. There is some embroidery

thread, and some binding for the edges to finish off the product,

a rug hook, and a drawn pattern on linen. And a carry-all tote.

I picked the pattern, Two Sheep on a Hill.

Here is a photo of what it should look like when I am finished.

I'm not sure when I will start on this. But I wanted to see if I like

rug hooking enough to do some other patterns, along with my

crocheting. I am hoping to get good enough at these two

crafts to be able to sell some at a farmers market

come next season.

When I do start this, I will post some of the steps

from beginning to end, to give ya'll an idea of

where I am with this project.

Thanks for visiting today, and I hope you

have a blessed day. Take care All,

from KY.

Giveaway Week at Thistle Cove Farm

2010-07-17T12:28:00.000-04:00

Fellow blogger, Sandra over at Thistle Cove Farm is having a giveaway

week on her blog. It's all week long, and you'll need to leave

a comment each day to be entered into the giveaways.

The photo below is of Sandra's view from her front porch,

I believe, and she lives in VA - beautiful country, isn't it?

You can also visit Sandra at her website Thistle Cove Farm, Tazewell VA

and see what items she has available from her farm.

So, head on over to visit Sandra, and see the treasures you

may win during this next week.

Take care everyone,

from Kathy in KY

More Of My Brother Greg's Photos

2010-07-17T11:56:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share a couple more photos taken by my brother Greg

These are from Grand Teton National Park

I'm not sure how he got this first photo, as far as

how close he had to get - but I think it's awesome!

Bull Moose, Grand Teton National Park

I really like this photo because it's of a barn

and it almost looks like it can still be used

OK - so the mountains in the background

are beautiful as well!

Grand Teton National Park

I hope you've enjoyed these photos

I'll share more since I have a whole calendar's worth

Take care everyone and have a great weekend

from Kathy in KY

My Brother Greg's Photos - The Great Smokies

2010-07-11T06:34:00.001-04:00

I was over visiting Misha at from my front porch in the mountains - she has a photo of her and her man J at Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This reminded me that I have a calendar of my brother Greg's photography that he's taken when he goes backpacking. He lives in Charlotte NC, and has travelled extensively out-west, but also did some photography in the Great Smokies. I'm going to post two of his photos from Great Smokies National Park. I think his photos are top-knotch, but then again, he is my brother.

Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Wildflowers, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

I feel like these scans don't do his photos justice but I still wanted to share them with you.

I'll put more of his photos up another time of some of his out-west shots, but wanted to share these since I was over visiting with Misha, and these were brought to mind.

Have a great Sunday everyone. Take care, from KY.

Recipe - Blueberry Dump Cake

2010-07-10T06:25:00.001-04:00

I have Barbara over at Barbara's Bakin' N Bits to thank for this recipe. It's very easy to make.

First, gather your ingredients

In a 9 x 13 inch baking pan, spread the crushed pineapple

Layer the blueberries over the crushed pineapple

Sprinkle sugar over the top of the blueberries

Spread the dry cake mix over the sugar, blueberries, and pineapple

Drizzle melted butter over the top of the dry cake mix

Top with chopped nuts and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

Let cool to room temperature and serve

I was thinking that vanilla ice cream would be good over this.

It's like an easy cobbler.

Here is the recipe.

Blueberry Dump Cake

1 large can of crushed pineapple, do not drain

3 cups of fresh blueberries, if using frozen blueberries - thaw first

3/4 cup of sugar

1 regular box of yellow cake mix

1/2 cup melted butter

1 cup chopped nuts - pecans or walnuts or whatever you choose

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spread undrained crushed pineapple in a 9 x 13 inch baking pan

Place blueberries on top of the crushed pineapple

Sprinkle sugar over the blueberries

Spread dry cake mix over blueberries

Drizzle melted butter over the dry cake mix

Sprinkle chopped nuts on the top

and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes

Cool to room temperature and serve

Like I mentioned above, I think that vanilla ice cream would pair well with this recipe. It is a very sweet and rich dessert. It's easy to make. And makes a great dish to take to summer pot luck suppers.

Happy Baking, Everyone, from KY.

Giveaway at Romney Ridge Farm

2010-07-09T16:39:00.000-04:00

I'm putting a plug in today for Romney Ridge Farm - if you follow Romney Ridge Farm, and the owner, Kelly on Facebook - and she gets 300 or more followers, she will give away a sweater's worth of yarn.

I've purchased Kelly's yarn and featured it in a blog post in June. And there are photos of the yarn I purchased so that you can see the high quality of her product. So, check out Romney Ridge Farm on Facebook and become a follower, and maybe win a sweater's worth of beautiful yarn.

Take care All - from KY.

The Wombness of God

2010-07-08T18:48:00.000-04:00

I was thinking this morning as I walked out to get the mail of when

I worked for the Forest Service, and was doing

wildlife surveys before dawn,

and at dusk in southern KY.

There was always some mist in the trees emerging from the ground cover.

We had to get out before dawn because an endangered woodpecker

species that we were following left its nest at dawn,

and would spend the day in the trees

and we would have a hard time getting a look at it otherwise.

And we wanted to keep track of the location of the birds.

When I would drive home after the other night surveys

that had taken place near Laurel River Lake,

there would be mist on the narrow two-lane winding roads.

I always felt that this must be what it feels like

to be enclosed in a womb.

The comfort, the moistness, the protection, the closeness.

And it made me think of God. So I came up with the term

God's Wombness.

I dream of my home in the country at dawn

with a mist rising from the fields.

And feeling the closeness of God in all of His Majesty.

May you feel Him too.

Take care All, from KY.

Poem - Ode To Sarah

2010-07-07T22:18:00.002-04:00

In the vein of today's earlier blog post of the poem,

The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams,

I've come up with my own version

Ode To Sarah

by Kathy Schanding

so much depends

upon

a tortoise-shell

kitty

eyes closed tight

in sleep

curled on the

yarn tote

I think I could win a Pulitzer for that one!

Whaddaya think?! LOL

Take care everyone, and have a great rest

of the Wednesday evening.

From Kathy in KY.

A Favorite Poem - The Red Wheelbarrow

2010-07-07T06:12:00.000-04:00

Back in the Fall of 2004, I went back to college, and got a minor in English, studying mainly poetry. Here is one of my favorite poems by one of my favorite poets. It's a well known poem, I think, and is often quoted in poetry circles because of its simplicity.

The Red Wheelbarrow

by William Carlos Williams

so much depends

upon

a red wheel

barrow

glazed with rain

water

beside the white

chickens.

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Take care, from KY.

Some Favorite Books for a Tuesday

2010-07-06T18:27:00.001-04:00

I decided to post a few books that are my favorite small farm

books. The photos ended up a little blurry because I

enlarged them to get a good view. I'll put the title

and author(s) just in case you all want to look

at these on Amazon.com or some other book source.

The Year of the Goat

Margaret Hathaway and Karl Schatz

Margaret and Karl spent about a year and 40,000 miles

in search of the best goat cheese. And they were also

trying to decide if they wanted to follow their dream

of raising goats.

Living with Goats

Margaret Hathaway and Karl Schatz

This is kind of a sequel to The Year of the Goat.

It chronicles much of the couple's first year or so

running a goat dairy in Maine. But more than that

it is a good beginner's guide to the raising and management

of goats. There is basic information, but also a lot of

specific information that a lot of other general guides

do not have. And it is from first-hand experiences.

You can visit Margaret and Karl's blog to see what is going

on daily at their farm - Ten Apple Farm

and you can also follow them on Facebook - Ten Apple Farm

Living with Sheep

Geoff Hansen and Chuck Wooster

This is the "Living with" series that Living with Goats is

also included. It is a practical first-hand account guide to

raising a small flock of sheep. The neat thing I found is that

the author will write about mistakes that he's made so as to

save the reader and potential shepherd from making the same

kind of mistakes. Again, this is a basic guide, but as with

Living with Goats, it gets into some specifics and is very practical.

50 Acres and a Poodle

Jeanne Marie Laskas

This is more of a factual account of a couple's search for

a small farm in New England. It doesn't really go in to any

type of livestock management. It's more in the vein of

The Year of the Goat, where it tells the background of

how the couple realized their dream of living in the country.

I noticed when I was looking on Amazon.com for these books

to get photos, that there is a sequel to this book

by the same author, called

The Exact Same Moon: 50 Acres and a Family

You Can Farm

Joel Salatin

This is a nuts and bolts "motivational speaking" book by a farmer

who lives in the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia. He is very

serious about letting you know how you can go about making

a living off of your small farm, but he pulls no punches at all.

He's almost "in-your-face" in my opinion, but he is so realistic

and truthful that I believe it is a great guide if you really

want to try and make a living off of your small farm

without having to work off the farm in another type of job.

You can find more information about Joel Salatin's farm

and his other writings at his farm website - Polyface Farms

I hope this has been a little informative for you all. I found all of

these books at the local library, and also through Inter-Library Loan.

That's it for this evening. Take care everyone. From KY.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

2010-06-30T12:01:00.001-04:00

I was recently emailing back and forth with Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm and was asking her questions about some ideas I had of what I want to do with my small farm in the country, when I get there. When I got her responses to all of my questions, I wrote back and told her thanks for not saying my dream was impossible. This is what she said to me: What's impossible, Kathy, is not following your heart. If God leads you to do something, He'll take you through to the end.

So, I was doing some studying, and came across these Bible verses that really struck home with me, and I'd like to share these words of wisdom with you from the Book of Psalms.

Psalm 20: 4-5
May he give you the desire of you heart
and make all your plans succeed.
We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.

I know that there are some bloggers I follow who have not quite seen their dreams of having a small farm and self-sufficient living come to fruition. But hang in there. Your dreams will come true. May the Lord grant all your requests.

Take care, All. And have a blessed Wednesday.

From KY.

Tuesday's Treasures

2010-06-29T19:54:00.001-04:00

Andrea, over at Rural Revival had a Thrifty Thursday Link-up last week.

So, I decided to show a couple of things that I might have found

going Thrifting, but instead I got them from my Grandma's home

when my family was cleaning it out. I should say, the stool below

I got from my Grandma's house. The next piece I got

from another relative.

The stool is from my Grandpa's parents' home that used to be

on Ross Ave in Hamilton OH. I remember my Mom having

kitchen chairs that match this stool, and using them in the

basement to sort laundry on. And I think they still had

the same color paint on them. She got them when they

cleaned out her Grandparents' home after everyone

had passed on that side of the family.

The stool is pretty heavy and completely solid wood.

Trouble is that I don't know what to use it for, so it's just

sitting in my livingroom by my computer desk,

but I wouldn't trade it for the world since it belonged

to my Mom's Dad's family, and I never got to know

any of them. But before they moved to Hamilton in the

early 1900's, they were farm people from the towns

of Landeck and Delphous in Van Wert and Allen Co's, NW Ohio.

Please excuse the clutter in this next photo. I moved back in November

and am still unpacking, and will be moving again soon,

so what's the use, right?

This washstand was also from my Mom's grandparents' home

on Ross Ave in Hamilton OH. My great aunt had it at her place.

Not too sure how she ended up with it since my great aunt was on

the other side of my Mom's family - but she gave it

to me a number of years ago when I moved some of my

Grandma's furniture to KY to use in my home.

I collect stoneware pitchers, and that's what all of those

are doing on the washstand. Some are Louisville Stoneware,

some Bybee Pottery from Bybee KY, some Roseville OH

Pottery and probably made by one of my favorite potters,

Robinson Ransbottom. I found these pitchers on eBay.

And I also collect the pottery made by the M A Hadley

Company located in Louisville KY. Sometime I'll post

photos of those items. And I guess looking at the photo

there are some odds and ends pieces of pottery there as well.

I like to collect hand-thrown rustic pottery because each piece

is unique, and I like the heaviness of the rustic pieces.

Sometime I'll post about Bybee Pottery. It has been run by

the same family since before the Civil War, in the same location

in Madison County KY.

These are my treasures and mean a lot to me since they belonged

to some long gone relatives whom I only know by visiting their

grave markers at St Stephens Cemetery in Hamilton OH.

And seeing them in very old photographs. Sometime I'd like to post

some of those old photos.

Feel free to stop by Andrea's Thrifty-Thursday Link-up and post your

finds or treasures so that others can view what you have found.

Thanks for stopping by and looking at my Tuesday's Treasures.

Have a good evening. Take care, All, from KY.

Looking Back on a Sunday Evening

2010-06-27T19:55:00.000-04:00

I was looking thru an old Xerox box of treasures today

and came across this photo of myself at age 11.

This was the first time I'd gone fishing, and it was at

St Mary's Lake, I think in Celina OH.

I caught a little Channel Catfish.

I worked for a while with the US Forest Service,

and we did field surveys for wildlife habitat to save

when they were going to do timber cutting.

This is one sign we came across when doing some

field surveys. Don't know if you can make out the sign,

but it says, "Don't Even Think of Walking on This Property"

This is another photo taken of an actual place in SE KY

when we were doing wildlife field surveys for the

US Forest Service. I like this photo, it makes me laugh.

And how can I not include a photo of my favorite place

in the world to date - Rushville IL, where my ex-husband's

family had a farm. Steve's Dad has passed away, and now a cousin

is running the farm, and his Mom is living in town.

I thought this place was heaven when I first visited it.

And this was the place I was first exposed to working with hogs.

And I was hooked on farm-life.

Today I had to share these photos, they bring back some good

memories. And I finally figured out how to scan in photos

using my printer, and was surprised at how well they scanned.

I hope you enjoyed walking down memory lane with me.

I've been in touch with Steve, and he is going to try and

get some photos to me of his Mom and Dad, and more

photos of their farm that I can share with you all.

Thanks for looking at these with me this evening.

Take care, All - from KY.

Easy No Knead Bread Recipe

2010-06-25T17:30:00.001-04:00

Here is a pretty easy recipe for homemade bread

Gather your ingredients first

I warm my mixing bowl with warm to hot tap water so that when I put

the water for the bread in the bowl it won't cool it too much.

I put the hot tap water for the bread in the bowl, add the sugar

and then put in the packet of yeast.

I let the yeast, water, sugar mixture sit for

about 10 minutes so that the yeast will proof,

and then I know that the yeast is still good.

This is what it looks like when it has proofed.

When I make this bread, I make half the recipe

which is two loaves. So I put in 3 cups of flour

and beat on high for about 3 minutes, as it

calls for in the recipe. You can use white or

whole wheat flour. I use whole wheat bread

flour that is coarse ground because I like to have

the texture of the flour in the bread.

It makes it a little chewy.

Then I add the rest of the flour, which is about 3 cups

and beat till it comes together nicely and pulls

a little away from the sides, and I can see the

gluten strands in the dough. It will be a very

moist dough at this point, and that's the way you want it.

I spoon the dough into a greased bread bowl for its first rising.

Before I spoon the dough into the bread bowl, and before

I grease the bowl, I will run some hot water into the bowl

and let it sit a little bit to take the chill off of the bowl

to make the environment optimal for the dough to rise.

And cover it with a flour sack cotton towel.

I let it rise for about 2 hours or so, until it looks

like it's doubled in bulk. I have a hard time getting

a good rise when I use all whole wheat flour,

but I like the whole wheat taste and texture.

Here, I've gotten the two loaf pans ready, and wiped

them with an oiled papertowel on the inside so

that the bread won't stick when baking.

This is the dough divided up between the pans. I just use

a spoon to divide it up evenly between the two until

they look even.

Then cover again with the flour sack towel

and let sit until double in bulk, or about 2 hours.

You can check it periodically to see how it's doing.

This is how it looked after about 2 hours or so,

almost double in bulk. But I don't get a good rise

usually, and maybe these bread pans are too

big for the recipe, and I should try smaller pans.

I put them in a preheated 375 degree oven in the center

of the oven, and bake for 30 minutes or so until

the loaves are nice and brown on top, and when you

tap the tops of the loaves, it sounds kinda hollow inside.

One note - be careful when transfering the bread pans

with the unbaked dough into the oven. The dough is very

wet and spongy, and if you bump the pans it will fall,

and you will have to let it sit and rise again before baking.

I speak from experience! LOL

Take the bread from the pans immediately, and cool on a

wire rack, and cover them with the flour sack towel.

The bread is very airy and light. It makes good toast in the

toaster. And I've also used it for french toast.

You can vary the recipe, and use honey or molasses

for the sweetening agent. You can add raisins

and cinnamon, and sometimes I've added

chopped walnuts or pecans.

And if you use a white flour mixed with the whole

wheat, you may get a pretty good rise on the dough.

Here is the recipe

Easy No Knead Bread - makes 4 loaves

from Beverly Nye's A Family Raised on Sunshine

In large bowl, pour 5 cups warm water. Add 2 pkgs. dry yeast.

When yeast is dissolved, add:

8 tbsp sugar or honey

8 tbsp shortening - I use butter, but any type of shortening or oil would work

8 tsp salt

6 cups flour

Beat on high speed with a mixer for 3 minutes.

Add:

6 more cups of flour

Stir in with spoon. (cover with a clean towel) Let rise. Spoon into pans. (cover with a clean towel) Let rise again. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 45 minutes in large pans. (I just bake mine for 30 min, check to see how it's doing at 30 min, and go from there), or 30 minutes in small pans. Take from pans immediately, brush with butter, and let cool on racks. Makes 4 large 9 x 5 loaves or 7 small loaves.

I have a Kitchenaid mixer, so I use it to mix the dough after the first cups of flour are added, and when the second round of flour is added rather than stirring it in with a spoon. Do whatever works best for you. I hope you will try this recipe. I know from the photos it looks a little complicated, but it really isn't, and it's a good go-to recipe when you don't have the time to do a lot of kneading of the dough.

Happy Baking. Take care, All - from KY

Just Have To Share - Romney Ridge Farm

2010-06-22T22:42:00.001-04:00

As some of you know from my past postings, I have learned to crochet. Recently, I started following Kelly at Romney Ridge Farm on Facebook - Kelly had an offer in the last week or so where she had too much of a purple dyelot. So, she offered a free skein of purple yarn if you bought 2 skeins of any color. So, I bought some of her yarn. 2 skeins of Red Grape, and 2 skeins of Lilac. So I also received 2 skeins of Purple. I've decided to keep the yarn for a project for myself, and will probably do some type of afghan. I'm not ready to tackle any type of crocheted clothing. But I wanted to share the yarn skeins with ya'll, so you know the high quality of Kelly's wool. You can also follow Kelly on her blog Romney Ridge Farm Journal and you can find her products and more information about her farm on her webpage Romney Ridge Farm

Now I'm going to try my best and get these 3 photos in the right order, in the right place on this blog posting. I'm still learning the ins and outs of my blog template, so bare with me here. LOL

Purple

Red Grape

Lilac

Each skein is approximately 245 yards, and is worsted weight

That's it for tonight. So hop on over to Romney Ridge Farm

and see what Kelly has to offer. I highly recommend her.

Take care, from KY - 'night All.

What I've Learned From Cats

2010-06-22T19:54:00.000-04:00

How to meditate on the meaning of life

That Mama's computer chair makes a better bed than anything

That yoga is not as easy as it appears

That sleeping in a sun-beam can be wonderful

That it's best to sleep with one eye half open

And lastly, sometimes one needs a break from trying to catch

bugs that are attracted to the lamp bulb

What have you learned from your animals lately?

Take care All, from KY

HenPals 3-Hole Chicken Nesting Box Giveaway

2010-06-21T13:02:00.000-04:00

Hi All:

I am blogging today about a HenPals 3-Hole Chicken Nesting Box Giveaway that is being offered on Life on a Southern Farm blog. GA FarmWoman (Pam) and her FarmMan make these nesting boxes on their farm in GA. To enter, you can just post a comment on their blog. The contest ends at midnight EST Thurs June 24th. The winner will be announced on their blog on Fri June 25th.

Pam is a great blogger, and also writes articles for the online Grit magazine once in a while. Check out some of her old posts to get to know about her, and FarmMan, and their 100 acre farm and critters. Here is the link to the Giveaway post on their blog Life on a Southern Farm 3-hole Chicken Nesting Box Giveaway

You can also follow Life on a Southern Farm on Facebook and Twitter

Take care All - and have a great week.

Poem for Sarah - My Tortoise-shell Queen B Kitty

2010-06-20T20:24:00.001-04:00

This is my oldest cat, Sarah. She is 16 this year.

I picked her up at a shelter the day after Thanksgiving

in 1994. She was about 8 weeks old then.

In the Summer and Fall of 2005, I was in a Master of Fine Arts

Creative Writing program at a university here in KY.

One of my assignments was to write a rhyming poem.

And I chose to write about Sarah, and the dreams she has

while she is sleeping. She will cry and twitch.

And sometimes she will wake up with a start,

and hiss at things that aren't there.

So I wrote the following poem for her.

It's not that great as rhyming

is not one of my strong points,

but maybe you'll find it cute, anyway.

Poem for a Diluted Tortoise-shell Cat

Sarah, rest your tired head,

Jump up on my lap.

Dream is not a thing to dread,

And you can take a nap.

On your back, paws in the air,

Waking with a hiss.

Jolted up, you rise and stare.

Calm down, little miss.

Scared, my kitty lie again,

Once more go to sleep.

I will stroke away your pain,

And this promise keep.

Take care all. And have a great week.

Mama's Afghan

2010-06-18T19:54:00.000-04:00

I made myself sit down for about five hours today

and finish my Mama's birthday afghan.

And it's done except for weaving in the yarn ends on the back.

Here, Albert is supervising the picture-taking.

It turned out alright, but I am a perfectionist.

I still ended up with some of the same color squares together.

I thought I had it all figured out, then laid out the strips to

piece together, and got confused, so just left them as is.

I think I'll just work on the other granny squares

for my niece's baby that is due in December,

and not piece it together into

an afghan for a while. It took a lot longer than

I thought it would to do this one for Mama.

But I am glad I was able to

make it through my first afghan.

Now, the sky's the limit!

Really! How Many?

2010-06-14T14:23:00.001-04:00

Just how many granny squares . . .

does it take . . .

to make one afghan?

OK - so I got carried away,

and kept enlarging this afghan for my Mom.

I wanted to make something for her 81st birthday.

She is in a nursing home now. Her birthday is June 29th.

Hopefully I'll get this sewn together this week,

and mail it off to my Dad.

Oh! The answer to the question is: 64!

Take care everyone, and have a great rest of the day.

Championship Chocolate Chip Bars

2010-06-04T12:27:00.059-04:00

I haven't made these for a while, and thought I'd do that today. Here are the steps with pix for Championship Chocolate Chip Bars.

Gather the ingredients - the recipe and directions are below.

Combine flour and brown sugar, then cut in butter or margarine till crumbly. Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

Press this mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish, and bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 15 minutes.

In same bowl, while crust is baking, combine sweetened condensed milk, egg, vanilla.

Mix in the rest of the chocolate chips and chopped nuts.

This is what it looks like when it's all mixed together.

When crust is done baking, spread mixture over crust, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.

Let cool to room temperature and cut into squares. Store covered at room temperature.

Below is the recipe with full directions.

Championship Chocolate Chip Bars
makes 24 to 36 bars

1 1/2 cups unsifted flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup cold margarine or butter
1-12 oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-14 oz can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, combine flour and sugar, cut in margarine until crumbly. Stir in 1/2 cup chips, press firmly to bottom of 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Bake 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in same bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, egg, and vanilla; stir in remaining 1 1/2 cups chips and the nuts. Spread evenly over prepared crust. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Store covered at room temperature.

Happy Baking

Take care everyone. And have a great weekend.

Shavuot: A Poem - giving of first fruits and the Torah

2010-05-21T00:55:00.003-04:00

I wrote this poem in 2005, to commemorate the Jewish Holiday of Shavuot which occurs 50 days after Passover. The first day of Shavuot was yesterday. It is a 2-day holiday. I practiced Judaism for 10 yrs after converting in 1995, but am now a Christian (again) after having been raised Catholic. On Shavuot, Jews would bring their first harvested fruits as a sacrifice to God to the Temple in Jerusalem. When their fruits were first growing, they would tie a string to the first fruits on the trees and plants so that they could bring those for their sacrifice. Shavuot also celebrates the giving of the Torah, or the first 5 books of the Bible, known as the Books of Moses, that were given on Mt Sinai. In the Jewish faith, it is believed that every Jew, past, present, and future was present at the giving of the Torah at Mt Sinai. After wandering in the desert for 40 yrs they came to the Jordan River to cross to the Promised Land, and Joshua read the 5 Books of Moses to the people before crossing the river. You can also read about a modern-day celebration of Shavuot on a farm at the website/blog of Margaret Hathaway and Karl Schatz here Ten Apple Farm I hope you enjoy this poem. It was fun to write, and reading it again takes me back to those times of learning about Judaism, and tying me to my Christian roots.

Deuteronomy 5:3-4 It was not with our fathers that the Lord made this covenant, but with us, the living, every one of us who is here today. Face to face the Lord spoke to you on the mountain out of fire.

Revelation
after the song I Remember You . . . by Rabbi Joe Black and Deuteronomy 5

The Sages and Rabbis said
every Jew, alive, dead,
and yet to be,
stood at Mt. Sinai.
All Jewish souls were present there.

I remember you . . .
standing at the base
of that mountain,
covered in soot
from the heat of the fire
and smoky cloud.

We stood side by side
cowering from the shofar blast,
covering our eyes and ears.
He gave us laws and rules to live by
through the hand of Moses,
a covenant with us
not Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob,
our fathers.

We’ve gone our separate ways,
you look so foreign to me
and I know you think me strange.
But we are bound
by what happened that day
when God spoke face to face.

After forty years of wandering
we hear these words again
on the steppes of Moab,
at the Jordan, near Jericho.
There is a moment of surprise,
of recognition, and awe,
as we remember
how we stood together
at the foot of that mountain
so long ago.

Gloucestershire Old Spots Pig

2010-05-16T14:23:00.003-04:00

Gloucestershire Old Spots Pig (GOS) came from the Vale of Berkeley in England - also known as Gloucestershire. They were raised on small farms and fed dairy by-products such as whey, and fed on "drop fruits" in orchards. Making them known as "cottage pigs" or "orchard pigs". They are considered to be the oldest breed of spotted pigs.

They are a hearty breed, and can withstand harsh weather and adverse conditions. With the industrialization of agriculture after WWII, the GOS began to decline. Farmers were less interested in self-sufficient grazing breeds than they were in breeds easily kept indoors.

Gloucestershire Old Spots are said to be good foragers or grazers. This is not surprising considering the type of feeding practiced in the original home of the breed during its early development. The sows of the breed are known for large litters and high milk production. Large litter production and milk production have been characteristics sought by practical producers everywhere.

These days the GOS is making a comeback in the US. In fact, I think I've found some GOS farmers near me in KY. They're being bred to lose their spots, so they are more white than in the past. The GOS is being pasture raised, bringing back its natural trait for foraging.

I was assisted with this post by information obtained from the following websites
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/
http://www.gosamerica.org/index.html

I worked for 9 years at the University of KY Swine Research Unit - 1991 to 2000. I had to quit that job because it was a confinement system, and I just couldn't bring myself to work with pigs under those conditions any longer. If I were to raise a few pigs on my farm, when I get it, I believe I will pick the Gloucestershire Old Spots pig. To me, they are beautiful. And pigs are wonderful to work with, unless, of course, you try to make them go where they don't want to go - they tend to be a bit stubborn, and can wield their weight around pretty easily. I speak from experience here! LOL

I hope you've enjoyed this post on the GOS - maybe it's something you haven't seen before, and I hope it's peaked your interest. Take care all. And have a good week.

Sheep and Goat Day at Kathy's Musings

2010-05-11T18:45:00.006-04:00

The photos in this posting are from the following websites - except for the photos of the 3 books.
http://www.freefoto.com/
http://www.free-stock-photos.com/
http://www.bigfoto.com/
http://www.dreamstime.com/

This is one goat beard that would make even Watson over at Goat Philosophy 101 green with envy.You can check out Watson's beard at April-confoolcius

Here is the first book I read about goats by Margaret Hathaway, and photos by Karl Schatz. I read it a year or two ago, and just revisited it last month. They spend a year and 40,000 miles traveling the US in search of the best goat cheese, and investigating goat farms, ranches, and events to see if they will follow their dream of raising goats. Margaret and Karl's website and blog can be found here: Ten Apple Farm and if you want to follow Margaret and Karl on Facebook, you can do that here Ten Apple Farm on Facebook During the month of May if you "Like" their page, you have a chance of winning some giveaways.

Here is Margaret and Karl's second book chronicling their first few years of raising Alpine dairy goats in Maine. I won this book while listening to The Sheep and Goat Radio Hour I think I was the only one listening and submitted my name by email to win a copy of the book. I mean, who else is going to spend time listening to an online radio show on a Thursday at noon about sheep and goat fencing? I ask you!? The radio show is hosted by Ray Bowman who heads up the KY Sheep and Goat Development Office in Frankfort KY.

I just got a kick out of this photo - those woolly heads and faces -- too much! LOL

Here is a book in the same vein as Margaret and Karl's Living with Goats book. The "Living with" books are in a series published by The Lyons Press. The author here is Chuck Wooster, and photos are taken by Geoff Hansen. I enjoyed this book because it goes into more detail than many basic books, is very practical, but also it is not too technical or "scary" for those of use who want to raise sheep.

Well, this is it for the Sheep and Goat Day at Kathy's Musings. Now I'm going to have to hunt on the Internet for more pix, I'm using up all of the ones I've found so far. Take care all.

Hooked on Crochet . . . or . . . Obsessed with Dishcloths . . . you decide

2010-05-10T03:09:00.002-04:00

I've been crocheting for about a year, and have yet to get out of the beginning stages of doing dishcloths. The other day I went a little hog-wild, and got carried away. Here are some of the results.

I used a single-crochet stitch on most of them . . .

and on some I used a half-double crochet stitch.

I use 100% cotton yarn, in multi-color cuz I like the brightness and variety. The one problem I'm finding is that when I give these away, the folks I give them to think they're pot-holders. I guess they can be used as double-duty.

I think the Goatmother over on Goat Philosophy 101 (Marigold's Mama) has perfected the Granny Square, which is my next feat, I hope. She even does some great "clothing" for her pup Cabra. Much to Cabra's chagrin. I'm not sure my furrbabies would go for clothing, but I have thought of doing little sweaters for them. Now where DID I put that measuring tape . . . more projects to come.

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

2010-05-09T00:20:00.000-04:00

On a previous post I wrote 2 quotes that are my favorites of late. I neglected to give credit where credit is due. I got the quotes from the blog Goat Philosophy 101 featuring Marigold the Great - the wonderful peanut eating goat, and her Goatmother, Maryann. Thanks Marigold and Goatmother!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day all you Mamas - it's now after midnight in Central KY.

Doppelganger - a poem to share

2010-05-08T20:33:00.001-04:00

The word doppelganger comes from German folklore. There were legends and stories that say each person has a ghost-like doppelganger, which is an exact copy of the person. In the legends, doppelgangers are usually invisible. Sometimes, they make themselves seen, and that is a sign of bad luck. Luckily, those are just legends! Usually when people say doppelganger today, it just means a coincidental look-alike. http://www.whyzz.com/

Doppelganger - written Fall 2004

She is my muse,
my double goer,
for my eyes only,
inspiration.
My alter ego,
she is the me who loses
control,
gets me to write what's on her mind.
My brash, unabashed other self.

At times I stray
from her watchful presence
to create alone.
Then with malicious mischief
she comes up from behind
and maligns my being.
I return to her
wounded,
ready again for the absorption
of her wisdom.

I am forever the prodigal,
she, the Doppelganger.

I Can Dream . . . Can't I?

2010-05-08T08:39:00.003-04:00

I was hunting today online for some great farm animal pix and came up with a few.

These are from the following websites:
http://www.freefoto.com/
http://www.free-stock-photos.com/
http://www.bigfoto.com/
http://www.dreamstime.com/

Pigtails

Yes, before I knew better, I thought that pigs' tails had to be curled by humans! DUH!!!! Yes, I was born in town.

Rooster and Goat

This turned out a little blurry cuz I tried to enlarge it a bit. It's a goat with a rooster on its back. Killing two birds (goats) with one stone in this pic.

Twin lambs
I can still dream . . . . and dream . . . . can't I?

If I dream it (the farm) it will come.

A couple of my favorite quotes as of late

2010-05-06T19:52:00.005-04:00

This sheep photo is from the following website: www.imageafter.com/images.php

"I think we dream so we don't have to be apart so long. If we're in each other's dreams, we can be together all the time." Calvin and Hobbes.

"Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted, but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known." Garrison Keillor

Wildflowers in a Mason Jar - John Denver

2010-05-03T17:21:00.009-04:00

These photos are from the following website: http://www.freeherbpictures.com/

I was thinking of the John Denver song today, "Wildflowers in a Mason Jar." Couldn't find any pix with flowers in mason jars to download, so these will have to suffice.

The lyrics to the song are as follows:

January back in '55 we road a Greyhound bus through the Georgia midnight

Grandpa was sleepin', and the winter sky was clear

We hit a bump and his head jerked back a little and he mumble somethin'

He woke up smilin' but his eyes were filled with tears.

He said:

I dreamed I was back on the farm

Twenty years have passed boy but the memory still warms me

Wildflowers in a mason jar.

He told me those old stories 'bout that one-room cabin in Kentucky

The smell of rain, and the warm earth in his hands

He slowly turned and stared outside his face was mirrored in the window

And his reflection flew across the moonlit land.

And he dreamed he was back on the farm

Tilts his head and listens to the early sound of the mornin'

Wildflowers in a mason jar.

An old man and an eight-year old boy rollin' down that midnight highway

Kentucky memories on a winter Georgia night

I started driftin' off and Grandpa tucked his coat around me

I think I tried to smile as I slowly closed my eyes

And I dreamed I was with him on the farm

Grandpa I can hear the evenin' wind out in the tall corn

Wildflowers in a mason jar

And the bus rolled through the night.

I hope you enjoyed today's post - it brings back memories for me.

Ready . . . Set . . . Garden!

2010-03-31T10:26:00.003-04:00

Yes, it's been forever since I've posted. Well, Spring has finally arrived to KY, and it's gardening time. My BFF Tina and I will be putting in a garden at her place. We are going to use the Square Foot Gardening method - but just how "square" our squares will be is the ultimate question. We have a fenced-in area where we will start our cool season veggies. We need to work the ground a bit, and lay down the sides of the "squares", then plant, water, mulch, etc. It's time to get the lettuce, peas, arugula, spinach, radishes, green onions, green beans, etc into the ground.

I have a balcony at my new apartment, and am thinking of putting some containers out there to grow a few things here. It just depends on how much work it takes to do Tina's and my garden. I figure we'll be pretty busy with the garden at her place. We just live a 5-minute drive from one another, so I know I'll be over there a lot once the garden gets going. I'll keep you all posted on the goings-on with the garden, and will have some pix to show our gardening adventures.

Stay tuned in.

OHHMMMMEOW . . . .?

2009-11-07T18:38:00.003-05:00

Pookie - Meditating - enough said! LOL

Pookie - The Yoga Kitty

2009-10-28T22:05:00.003-04:00

Here is Pookie practicing yoga. I told him about Marigold the goat, and her yoga poses that the goatmother posted on Goat Philosophy 101. Pookie said he wanted to give it a try.

Poem To Share - Spring Burial

2009-10-14T04:24:00.001-04:00

Spring Burial
The gray feather from the table
reminded me—
the silver maple in our parents’ backyard,
from a spring storm a wind blown nest,
a baby robin, its downless body
lifeless on the ground.

We tucked the bird inside
an empty gelatin box
and said our prayers for its soul.
We buried it in a shallow grave
where no one walked
between Jeanette’s white picket fence
and the carport.

Recipe - Quick Walnut Bread

2009-10-12T06:39:00.003-04:00

This recipe is by Martha Rose Shulman -- martha-rose-shulman.com

This savory quick bread is easy to make and versatile. Try it lightly toasted for breakfast or tea, or drizzled with a little honey. You may also slice it thin and serve it with cheese.

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
4 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt
3 tblsp olive oil
3 tblsp walnut oil
1 cup (3 oz) chopped walnuts

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Move the rack to the center of the oven. Butter or oil a loaf pan. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

2. Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Whisk in the buttermilk or yogurt and the oils. Quickly whisk in the flour, and fold in the walnuts. Scrape into the bread pan.

3. Bake 50 minutes to one hour, until nicely browned and a tester comes out clean. Remove from the heat, allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Then reverse onto a rack and allow to cool.

Yield: one loaf
Advanced preparation: This bread will keep for a couple of days wrapped airtight. It freezes well.

My note: I'll probably make this in the next day or two, but first need to get some buttermilk or yogurt from the store. I don't have walnut oil, so will probably just use safflower oil since I have it on hand. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Happy Baking!

Poem To Share - Flight II

2009-10-11T21:53:00.001-04:00

Flight II
The wind came up
and so did you
bald eagle kite.
Wings flapping in the breeze,
up and down you pitched
with each gust
as I watched outside
of the café.

My past months have been you,
day to day undulating
from one episode to the next.
I whirled in the chaos,
buffeted by the flurry.
Finally I’d had enough.

So, I hang like you
from my beak
in dead air.

Poem To Share - Nelsonville Dust Bowl

2009-10-10T20:41:00.001-04:00

Nelsonville Dust Bowl
The day began early—
running, winded, walking,
I saw great dust balls roll
along the tree line,
heaving translucent spheres
round with the smell
of plowed earth,
whirling,
illuminated orbs.

The prairie swelled
in my mind,
grit
rising and falling
with each gust.

Cars continued on their way,
headlights mixing with the trees.
I stood still.

A Poem to Share - Cobbler's Knob

2009-10-02T16:17:00.001-04:00

Cobbler’s Knob
The knob was full
of stinging nettle
and bitter dock
with its heart-shaped leaves.
In the clearing I saw the blue flowers
of chicory
whose roots the Indians
would grind to make a drink
like coffee.
I crouched on the path.

I could hear the chick-a-dee-dee-dee
of the black-capped chickadees
and the peter-peter-peter call
of the tufted titmice
in the oaks and hickories.
We regarded each other peaceably
as dusk came.

A breeze rose
out of the valley
bringing a night-hawk
flapping its thin wings.
I walked to the edge
of the trees, sat on the ground
and stilled myself to let
the wild ones
come near.
　

A Poem to Share - Barn Dance

2009-09-27T19:32:00.002-04:00

This is something I wrote a number of years ago about an old flame.

Barn Dance

A Dobro played on the radio;
we held each other in the weathered barn,
barely moving to the slow songs.
Suffolk ewes with their lambs
scattered
then returned
to catch a whiff of us two-legged creatures.
They breathed in rhythm.
Drifting through the boards of the barn
sun flickered over us,
while dust danced
in the streaming light.

A cloudy day,
I walk to the barn
and pour the cracked corn
into the feeder.
The sheep gather
in silence.
We breathe as one.

Zucchini Bread Results

2009-09-23T13:53:00.003-04:00

The zucchini bread turned out really well. It is extremely moist, almost like spoonbread, and I think that's due to the large amount of shredded zucchini in the mix. The walnuts were a nice touch. When you think of how moist it is, while it's cooking, and when it's done, you may think that it will be too doughy, but it isn't. I did let it bake for 60 minutes. I checked it with a toothpick inserted into the center after 50 minutes, but it needed just another little bit longer to get completely baked. And then at 60 minutes, the toothpick did come out clean. The sugar coating from the loaf pan adds a nice touch, and makes the crust a little chewy/crunchy, and a nice brown color. I did let it sit a while in the loaf pan before taking it out so it would set up a little, and it came out of the pan easily. And then let it cool on a wire rack. And the sweetness in the bread is not overpowering, like the recipes you sometimes run across when making a quick bread.

OK - enough of the critique for today. Hope you all enjoy this recipe. I'm on to bigger and better things for the day.

Zucchini Bread

2009-09-22T05:16:00.005-04:00

This recipe is by Ashley Christensen http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/zucchini-bread/

Zucchini Bread

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour - I used a mix of white and wheat flours
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup canola oil - I used safflower oil since that was all I had
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 lb zucchini, coarsely shredded

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter an 8 1/2-by-4 inch loaf pan and coat it with sugar. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda and baking powder. In a medium bowl, whisk the canola oil with the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Add the shredded zucchini. Stir the zucchini batter into the dry ingredients.

2. Pour the zucchini bread batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the zucchini bread cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

I also added about a cup of chopped walnuts to the batter.

I'm making this as I write this post. I'm baking it in a cast iron bread pan. I'll let you know later how it turns out, and if I had any unforeseen problems, etc.

Happy Baking!

Multi-Grain Muffins

2009-09-19T10:50:00.003-04:00

Recipe taken from Simple Vegetarian Pleasures by Jeanne Lemlin

Makes 12 muffins.

My note: it has a lot of ingredients, but the muffins are very much worth the time to mix and bake.

When you want a nutrient-packed muffin that's also moist and flavorful, choose these muffins for breakfast or a snack.

1 1/4 cups unbleached flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup quick oats
2 tbls toasted wheat germ or bran
2 tbls cornmeal
1 tbls baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup raisins or chopped dates
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 small carrot, peeled and grated
1 medium apple, peeled and grated
1 egg
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup honey
1 cup low-fat milk

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter the tops and insides of a regular-size (1/3 cup) muffin pan.

2. In a large bowl combine all the ingredients up to and including the grated apple.

3. In another large bowl whisk the egg, oil, honey, and milk until the mixture is smooth. Mix in the dry ingredients and stir just until blended. Do not overbeat the batter. Let it sit undisturbed for 1 minute so the grains can absorb the liquid. Fill the prepared muffin cups with the batter. Bake 17 to 18 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Serve warm or at room temperature, but not hot.

Easy No Knead Bread

2009-09-19T10:36:00.003-04:00

Taken from the book A Family Raised on Sunshine by Beverly Nye pg. 54

Makes 4 large 9 x 5 loaves or 7 small loaves

In a large bowl, pour 5 cups warm water. Add 2 pkgs. dry yeast.

When yeast is dissolved, add:

8 tbsp sugar or honey
8 tbsp shortening
8 tsp salt
6 cups flour

Beat on high speed for 3 minutes, with a mixer.

Add:

6 more cups flour

Stir in with spoon. Let rise. Spoon into pans. Let rise again. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes in large pans, 30 minutes in small. Take from pans immediately, brush with butter, and let cool on racks.

Cuban Black Beans

2009-09-18T12:13:00.001-04:00

This recipe is taken from the book Vegetarian Cooking for Dummies
by Suzanne Havala, M.S, R.D. pg. 203.

This recipe can be served over rice as an entree or thinned with vegetable broth, it can double as black bean soup.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 50 minutes
Yield: 8 servings

1/4 olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, including green leaves, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups (two 20-ounce cans) black beans, drained and rinsed (or 2 cups dried black beans, soaked or cooked in a pressure cooker)
2 tsp salt, or to taste
1 bay leaf
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp oregano
2 tbls lemon juice

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Cook the onions, green bell peppers, celery, and garlic in the oil over medium heat until the onions are translucent (about 10 minutes).

2. Add the beans, salt, bay leaf, cumin, oregano, and lemon juice and stir well to combine.

3. Cover and simmer for another 35 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Remove the bay leaf and serve over rice.

Per serving: Calories 195 (From Fat 63); Fat 7g (Saturated 1g); Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 593mg; Carbohydrate 25g (Dietary Fiber 9g); Protein 8g.

Bow-tie Pasta With Black-eyed Peas and Greens

2009-09-17T22:32:00.001-04:00

This is a recipe much like Hoppin' John, but I make it year round rather than just at New Years.

12 oz bow-tie pasta
1 tsp salt or to taste
1 large onion
4 cloves garlic or to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
10 oz bag frozen black-eyed peas
10 to 16 oz chicken broth
Greens of your choice, washed, trimmed, coarsely chopped
Parmesan cheese

1. Bring large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta about 7 minutes or until it is not quite tender. Drain and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, slice onion into thin slices and mince garlic. Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until browning and fragrant, stirring often.

3. Add crushed pepper flakes, salt, and black-eyed peas to the skillet. Add chicken broth, bring to a boil, then simmer for about 25 minutes. The chicken broth should just cover the peas; if it doesn't add more liquid.

4. Uncover and simmer 5 minutes more. Add greens, cook until wilted. Add pasta and cook 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and toss with some of the cheese. Then serve in warmed bowls with grated parmesan cheese for the top.

Should serve 4 or more.

Happy Cooking

Furrbabies

2009-09-17T22:07:00.002-04:00

Here are the furrbabies. My friend Tina has Annie and Alpheus, they are brother and sister. The other 3 are mine. Pookie is just about 6 months old now, and already weighs over 7 lbs.

I promise my picture taking will get better. This is my first digital camera, so bear with me, please.

Hope you enjoy the babies.

A Poem To Share - Ghost House

2009-09-16T12:52:00.001-04:00

Ghost House
There’s a house near the river:
Windows stare vacant,
ragged curtains swell
in a south wind.
Paint peels
from the lopsided gate.
The barn is empty
except for a rusty three-bottom plow.
Door is off its hinges,
gangly weeds throttle
bare flower beds,
rangy grasses grow
in a once trim yard.

I had lunch on this back porch
in spring and danced
in the front room
on warm nights.
I canned in the summer kitchen
while clean sheets were whipped crisp
in the sun.
Starched shirts were pressed
on a wooden board,
and breezes whistled
through screen door holes
as big as my fist.

Today, the front steps creak
as I make my way
to the car,
walking by the chicken coop—
silence.
I drive to the highway
leaving the house behind:
windows stare vacant
ragged curtains swell
in a south wind.

I wrote this poem after driving by some abandoned farm houses that I could see from I-64 near Frankfort, KY. Now those houses are gone. They were torn down to make room for a clothing store and a Starbucks.

Bummer!　

Dutch Spiced Cabbage

2009-09-13T08:46:00.001-04:00

Taken from the Melting Pot files of the Yahoo group Home Canning

If you are new to canning, see the link to the National Center for Home Food Preservation website in the previous post where you will find canning directions and other canning recipes.

2 heads red or green cabbage, shredded
1/2 cup salt
1 gallon vinegar
1/2 cup water
1 tsp celery seed
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp each mace, allspice, cinnamon
1/2 cup honey

1. Sprinkle shredded cabbage with salt and let stand 24 hours.
2. Press moisture out of salted cabbage and let stand for 3 hours.
3. Boil the vinegar for 8 minutes with water and spices. Add honey.
4. Pour hot liquid over cabbage. Keep in large bowl or earthen jar, or can by heating to simmering.
5. Pack hot cabbage and liquid into hot canning jars to 1/2 of the top of the jar.
6. Cover with hot juice, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Remove air bubbles.
7. Process in boiling water bath for 15 minutes for pints or 20 minutes for quarts unless you live at an altitude above 1,000 feet; then consult your canning manual for directions for adjusting your time to match your altitude if necessary.

Canning Apples Studded with Cherries & Raisins

2009-09-08T07:56:00.001-04:00

Taken from the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving pg 160.

If you are new to canning, go to this site to learn the basics of canning and find other recipes.

National Center for Home Food Preservation

http://uga.edu/nchfp/

Apples Studded with Cherries & Raisins

Makes about 8 pint jars or 4 quart jars

8 lbs medium-sized tart apples (such as Granny Smith), cored, cut length-wise into eighths, treated to prevent browning, do not peel apples (my note)
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup golden raisins
2 tbsp grated lemon zest
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
2 cups water
1 tbsp lemon juice

1. Prepare canner, jars, and lids.

2. In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine apples and sugar. Toss gently to coat apples. Cover and set aside for 20 minutes. Add dried cherries, raisins, lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg, water, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and boil gently for 5 minutes.

3. Using a slotted spoon, pack hot fruit into hot jars to within a generous 1/2 inch of top of jar. Ladle hot syrup into jar to cover fruit, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot syrup. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip-tight.

4. Place jars in canner, ensuring they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil and process both pint and quart jars for 20 minutes. Remove canner lid. Wait 10 minutes, then remove jars, cool and store.

I am canning this recipe today. I'll post later on in the week to let you all know how it turns out.

Happy Canning All!

Giving credit where credit is due

2009-09-06T18:54:00.002-04:00

The sourdough starter recipe and the sourdough bread recipe are ones that I tweaked for my own use. But I got the original recipes from the following book:

The Essential Vegetarian Cookbook: Your Guide to the Best Foods on Earth
by Diana Shaw (Writer) and Kathy Warriner (Illustrator) Paperback May 13, 1997

You can find it new and used on Amazon.com for a pretty good price.

Happy Baking All!

Sourdough Bread Recipe

2009-09-06T03:54:00.003-04:00

OK -- here is the bread recipe for the sourdough sponge that I wrote about yesterday. Unlike most sourdough sponges, you do use all of the sponge in this recipe for the bread.

So, take your fermented sponge and stir it down, then add 3 cups of flour (white or wheat or a mix) -- add 1 cup at a time until it all comes together being careful not to add too much flour and make the dough too stiff & dry. You can use a KitchenAid mixer to mix and knead the dough if you like. You would knead with the dough hook until the dough forms a ball on the hook, and is no longer very sticky. If you knead by hand, add enough flour so that it is no longer sticky, and when pinched a little, the dough feels like an earlobe. You'd knead by hand for about 10 minutes.

Grease a wooden, glass, or stoneware bowl, put the dough in, then turn over the dough so that the greased side is up. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and/or with a towel. If you like, while you're kneading the dough, turn your oven on to 150 degrees and let it warm. Place the bowl with the dough into the oven and leave the oven at 150 degrees, also, you can place a shallow pan of water in the warmed oven to aid in the dough rising. Let the dough rise about 60 to 90 minutes until double in size. Punch down, and divide the dough into two 8 x 4 inch bread pans (cast iron bread pans work great), cover with a towel and return to the warm oven. Let rise until double, which will take about 60 minutes.

Take the bread pans out of the oven as well as the shallow pan of water if using, and preheat the oven to 425 degrees. You can leave the dough loaves as is, or you can take a very sharp knife and make 3 shallow diagonal slices on the top of the loaves so that the tops don't crack while baking. This is just optional. Place the bread into the oven when it is heated up, close the door of the oven, wait 15 seconds, open the oven door and spritz a little water onto the floor of the oven, close the door, wait 30 seconds and repeat with another spritz of water. This will give the crust a texture of French bread when finished baking. Bake the bread for about 35 to 40 minutes, checking at about that time to see if it's done. Rap on the loaves and if they sound hollow and are browned, then they are done. Remove bread from pans immediately, and place on a rack for cooling, and cover with a towel.

Hopefully soon I'll get my digital camera up and rolling and be able to post some pix of when I make this bread and other recipes.

Happy Bread Making!

Sourdough Starter and recipe

2009-09-05T15:19:00.001-04:00

Here is a sourdough starter recipe that I have tweaked for my own uses. Tomorrow I will give the sourdough bread recipe.

2 Cups warm water
1 tbsp dry active yeast
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp salt
3 Cups flour (white or wheat or a mix of both)

Before putting the 2 C of water in the bowl, let the bowl fill a little with very warm water, and fill up your measuring cup with warm water and let sit for a few minutes. This will allow the 2 C of warm water for the mix to not cool down too much.

OK - measure your 2 C of warm water into the empty bowl, put in the tbsp of yeast, and the tbsp of sugar. Let sit for 5 to 7 minutes until the yeast activates and becomes foamy.

In another bowl, whisk together the 1 tbsp of salt and the 3 C of flour. Then put the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and whisk together into a sponge. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a towel and sit it in a warm area of your home to sour. Alternatively you can put the sponge in a large jar, place a piece of cheese cloth or an old t-shirt rag overtop and secure with a rubber band or canning jar band. This will allow air to get to it to ferment. Let the sponge sit for 24 hours or up to 5 days to sour. Each day stir the sponge down, as liquid will normally form on top, and a thick flour/water mix on the bottom.

Tomorrow I'll continue with the bread recipe you can use the sponge for.

Happy Baking.

Let me introduce myself

2009-09-04T15:40:00.002-04:00

I am a farmerwannabe living in Fayette Co KY, the Bluegrass area of the state, central KY. My blog will chronicle daily musings and doings from my home where I preserve foods, cook from scratch, learn about organic gardening, spoil my 3 cats, crochet (once in a while), and read up on books about homesteading & raising goats & other livestock. I live in town, but one day will own my own place. So, sit back, get a cuppa and enjoy yourself.