Pix of Goaties and general thoughts

I'm a little behind in getting pictures up on the blog so here's a couple....

Here's one with Honey (doeling) and Hawk (wether) in their indoor pen. They feel quite at home here, even enjoying their board climbing ramp and hay-strewn floor. They are now used to walking on a leash; as soon as we get them down from the leash-hook, they know it's time to leave the pen to go outside (or inside from the outdoor pen). They keep jumping into their water bucket, hayrack and even the small food dish. Weird little goaties!

This second picture is one of the Kid playing with the goaties. He likes to squat and the goaties use him as a hill or big rock to climb. Honey was the first, but only because Hawk was busy eating at the time. He followed suit soon after, tho. Notice that we decided to use a milk crate as a hay rack in this pen. It's actually working out quite well! We still need to get a fence-ceiling on the pen but for now, there's that tarp covering part of the 6x10 pen. They have a water bucket out in the open so it can catch any rainwater.

What cuties! Wonder how they are gonna like the baby chicks? We GOTTA get the permanent outdoor pens built!

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Speaking of which .. the "handyman" came over yesterday to look at my plans for the pens and to work up an estimate. He lives in the neighborhood, has been in construction for years, and considers himself "country". And he's condescending to us "newcomers". He ticked me off when he was here ... talking about how we've done this wrong, or got the wrong supplies for this thing or could have found that thing cheaper in bulk at this place. We've been here 2 months! But still, catch more flies with honey!

I don't know if I want to use him for these projects. I don't like being degraded by anyone, and I certainly don't take it from anyone. Maybe Hubby and I can figure out how to do it. And if it isn't quite right, or doesn't look pretty, then we'll repair or fix it up as we go. I'm not gonna pay someone good money to cut me down.

Of course, I won't burn bridges. It's necessary to have someone nearby who can fix something on an emergency basis when Hubby isn't here. Guess when he calls or comes by to give the estimate, for the permanent goat and chicken pens, we'll "take it under advisement" and turn him down.

Meanwhile... we got most of the supplies yesterday for the raised beds for the garden (of which the gentleman did not approve!) and even a few things from a garage sale that we can use to construct the goat and chicken pens. By the time we got done with errands and such yesterday, Hubby had a headache and went to bed a little early so I (also with a headache) tended (ok, played) with the chicks. Not so stinky. Wonder if it was my pot roast that day?!?!

Ooooh, that didn't sound good.

Today, if it doesn't rain all day, we'll get the potato boxes planted and moved outdoors. Hopefully Hubby will get the vaccuum cleaner fixed and I'll nail together a few raised beds.

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Here's what I'm pondering ...

Do you ever wonder how farmers or just people in general managed to raise chickens and cows and goats and veggies without our modern conveniences? I love my new nail gun because it's so much better on my body. We have heat lamps and special plastic feeders and waterers for our baby chicks. The goats have special pellets to eat and we're strongly advised to change and clean the water regularly.

How did they do it? Five thousand years ago, Native Americans would plant corn, beans and squash/pumpkins together... did they use a hoe or just something to dig a hole where each seed would be planted? Did they wait until rain softened the earth?

Didn't most pioneer families have only a milk cow? If so, then how did they freshen her each year to keep her giving milk? It was a very long way to their nearest neighbor, hoping they had a steer that would impregnate their cow.

Even before then... 1, 2, 3-hundred or thousand years... there were no plastic antibacterial buckets for watering, and certainly no special pellets or feed. No incubators to hatch eggs, or heat lamps for brooders... it was all done by mama chickens, right? No garden hose or irrigation system to water the farm or garden or livestock. No internet to quick look up info on how to handle such and such. No County Extension Office to find out when the last frost is.

But on the other side .... no worries about chemicals or soil nutrient depletion. People raised knowing basic info about raising food and building things. No pollution or smog or irritating buzz from overhead electrical wires. No busy-ness from meaningless (it would seem to them) errands like dropping the kids from one social event or sport to another. Genuine friendship with people you see only sparingly. Good home cooking of what you grow. No plastic rings strangling ducks and no floating island of trash in the middle of the ocean. Minimal possessions because everything either had multi-uses or you just didn't need the little things we modern people can't seem to live without. You didn't alienate people with harsh words because that next snow storm or brush fire could mean death without his help. You took pride in what you built and did and cooked and accomplished but not too much because everyone you knew did the same.

I sometimes wish (yes, only in passing) that I could close my eyes and go back in time. Observe, ask questions, listen with all of my senses, and come back with the knowledge.

Sigh.

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On a different note, my Aunt Wilma is in the hospital under dire circumstances, and my Uncle Billy is unable to care for himself. I'm very concerned, but unable to fly back to visit or to lend support. Please send good healing thoughts to my family members during this difficult time.

Oh, and please plant a nut or fruit tree today.

Fun weekend

What a busy weekend.

First, Saturday was my dentist appointment to get my tooth repaired. It was an hour away, so we left early which meant we had time to check out a thrift store beforehand. Came away with even more books. Yes, we have a spending problem: we love books!

Then it was time for the dentist. Just as I sat in his chair, a migraine hit me. Sooo not fun. He was sympathetic and moved the light from my eyes. I took 2 Aleve as soon as I could get something to drink, because the nausea and aversion to light had intensified while he was working in my mouth.

I felt better once the aleve started to work, and I ate something. Off to Home Depot with my list: closet and shower rods, carbon monoxide detectors, wire shelves and coat hooks, among other things. Buying a new home always means repairs or buying things for functional living!

Sam's Club was next. We buy bulk once a month to help me cook decent meals, but really can barely wait until we have our own critters and can eat just what we raise.

By the time we got home, it was late and we crashed. I was up early Sunday... Hubby's dad was in town for a few days, so Hubby's mom agreed to bring him out to visit our new home. Planned for late afternoon, so suddenly my plans changed from investigating a local nursery for fruit trees, to organizing the house and painting the Kid's new room in the basement. Here I am at 6:30 a.m. moving boxes around so Hubby's dad won't trip over something, then I gathered the painting stuff and started on the pink shelves in the yellow room. Remember, that was the playroom for the previous owners. The light green paint over the pink shelves made them look blue which was fine. By the time I was ready to start on the school-bus-yellow walls, everyone else was up and we all dug in. Hubby installed door knobs on those doors, the Kid cleaned his new bathroom and found tp/soap/towels, and I used the roller to paint the walls that light green. Hubby completed the door knobs and helped me finish the room. We were done by 2:00 ... just in time for showers and a quick 2nd tidy in the house.

What a feeling of accomplishment! I rock when it comes to painting, but I tell you... I can barely move. Again. Ah, the pain. I took a muscle relaxer last night, but only helped me to sleep. This morning I'm worse.

I never did get to starting my seeds last week, but that is my plan for today. Taking it easy, and starting seeds.

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I used the Parker/Aurora branch of Labor Ready to help with the move and I gotta tell you... very glad we're not moving again. The person who helped to pack placed open containers of flour and pancake mix on their sides (spilling) and honey upside down (what a mess). Hubby picked up a heavy box marked "plates" and it nearly burst open. Stacked among the plates were bowls and other dishes, many of them were not packed correctly.

The three guys who moved us (lifting boxes, etc.) didn't follow the labels, which is contributing to the fact that I still can't find my clothes or dishes. A kitchen box is in the downstairs schoolroom, and it took us almost 3 weeks to find the box of schoolwork with the Kid's history books in it. And one of those guys had to rest after every load, so basically I paid him the same as the others for only half the work.

Just checked the bank account and Labor Ready is putting through another charge ... without calling me first! That was the deal I made with Teresa when I hired them. She promised up one side and down the other that she would call if there were any additional charges, and yet, she didn't.

I'll never use Labor Ready again. I'm so tired of them overcharging and tacking on additional charges weeks afterwards.

Now I need to find a handyman to help build the barn and chicken coop, and put up the fencing. Oh, and dig holes for the trees.

Big Grocery Day

I can't believe how much we spent at the grocery today.... between Sam's Club for sodas and such for Hubby, and Wally World for cans and cans of baked beans, fruit cocktail and pears for the Kid, and many other miscellaneous things, well, let's just say that I'll be soooo glad when we out on our property and taking care of ourselves. = = = = How can a person cut out a dependency on sodas and other non-water drinks? I'm ok with water, as long as it's filtered, and I like making herbal teas. I like an occassional soda but can do without. My Hubby, on the other hand, well, it took a lot to get him off of caffeinated sodas. Now he gets a couple flats each of 7-up, Gatorade and Lipton Tea at the first of the month, and often goes back for more by mid-month. I worry about him. The Kid, however, drinks about a gallon of water every 2 days. I'm glad. He drinks rice milk with his cereal, and very seldomly will ask for a soda, but for the most part, it's only water. Great! = = = = I'm tired. We didn't get much sleep last night. The people in the apartment above us turned on the TV very loudly at 1:30 and didn't seem to mind the neighbors yelling at him. Them. Very inconsiderate. Obviously, no news on the house. Yet. Worked on the Kid's schoolwork last night. I have at least 2 months planned for all subjects except for World and US History, and Life Skills (manners, dating, gardening, etc.). Will work on it tomorrow. I've been coughing so much that the right side of my chest aches. I hope I'm not doing any permanent damage. But I'm faithfully taking my meds, drinking lots of liquids, staying away from gluten and all milk products, and taking hot showers to loosen what I can. Guess I'll quit for now. Not much self-sufficiency learning going on here. I hope to get back at it on Monday. Meanwhile, enjoy your weekend! Vikki

A Blue Christmas

I was so looking forward to my phone call/skype with family in Kentucky last night. I had put my hair (long - down to my butt) in curlers, and actually applied mascara. We had all dressed up and were feeling great about seeing and talking with family.

Five minutes after we were expecting the skype-call, we got a cell-phone call. Dad. Sorry, everybody left. He was ticked but couldn't do anything about it. Then I got ticked. I gathered up everybody, the pecan pies and the gifts, and went to Mom-In-Law's house. (MIL) (She and Father-in-law are divorced but for some reason, he still expects to be included in everything, especially holidays and running him to doctor appointments and other errands. Ok, don't get me started.)

Nice, comfy time just us, but before we enjoyed ourselves, the Kid and I called Dad back. The Kid sang "Happy Birthday" to Dad then handed over the phone to me. I asked him to explain again what happened and why people left. The details are still vague, but basically, people just weren't in the mood. Selfish moments, I guess.

I never really did cheer up. Hubby was starting to feel sick, tho, so by the time Hubby's father and sister arrives, Hubby was fading and I was very concerned about him. The Kid was in the basement watching TV. Father-in-law (FIL) and Hubby are somewhat estranged and believe me, last night did nothing to help. Made things worse, in fact. FIL barely acknowledged our presence, and had to practically be forced to eat a piece of my pecan pie. Never did say hi to me. Then, after dessert, it was gift time. Very thoughtful presents from sister-in-law and MIL... a gorgeous teapot, a MIL-painted picture, etc., and great gifts for the Kid. FIL brought nothing. Not even a card. Fine if he had at least said: money's tight this year so I just bring you my good wishes, or, forgot all the gifts back at home (in Kansas), or, just didn't have the time. Whatever. But nothing.

I'm not a gift-minded greedy person. I really am not. But I believe in at least giving the children a gift. If you can't afford anything, a card will work fine. Or a squash you grew yourself. Or something that you make yourself. Anything to acknowledge the specialness of the day.

This man hasn't brought gifts to us for 2 years. Nor has he acknowledged the Kid's birthday, or even his own son's b-day (my Hubby).

This year we painted ceramics for them, plus gave a gift card, or in FIL's case, we gave him several packets of heirloom seeds to go with the ceramic flower pot Hubby painted. He threw the seeds onto the couch and laughed at the ceramic pot.

Next year, he gets a card. Only.

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So... yesterday was a sucky day. Thankfully we have our own little blended family, Hubby's mom, and my Dad. We can pretty much count on them to show they care. Meanwhile, we made our way home early last night, arriving from the harrowing trip over iced roads around 9 p.m. Kid went to bed (but I'm sure, not to sleep), Hubby took some medicine and went to sleep, and I stayed up and watched TV. I got up early to wrap the Kid's gifts, and the Kid made his entrance just after I finished the last one. He was thrilled. Hubby went back to bed. I put a turkey breast in the crockpot with olive oil and garlic, and made cinnamon rolls (gluten-free for the kid, and regular for Hubby and me).

I slipped off the gluten-free path, but need to go back on soon. It (gluten) plays with my hormones, and when I fall off the GF path, I'm in perimenopause. Since I finally started my period yesterday (the first time since July), I've decided I absolutely got to get back on it. Monday. That's right. Monday. Not January 1.

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I just sent an e-mail to a local Nigerian Dwarf goat farm. Wanted to give them a heads up that we want 4 milking does and 1 buck probably sometime in May. And want to visit the farm in the next few weeks to see how they do things so that we can do something similar (so the goats won't feel too out of place). Hope she responds next week so we can talk, and I certainly hope she'll have 4 does and 1 non-related buck when we're ready for them. Of course, we need the house, and then we'll need to build the barn. We COULD wait on the buck until Fall since we won't be breeding anyone till then.

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After a google search and some research, I came up with some ideas about the barn we'll need to build. Hope getting a permit won't be a difficult job, and we'll be allowed to build what we want. Here's what we need:

• Each female needs it's own pen, but since Nigerian Dwarf goats don't get taller than 2 feet, they only need about 4 square feet of space, but almost double that for when they kid, so for 4 does, we need 4 pens/stalls, each 8 square feet. They can double up when they aren't kidding or have no kids. Their pens will open up to the east, to the "backyard" where the pastures will be. Each pen will have feed boxes, hay trough and water buckets where we can easily fill them.
• The chicken coop will be on the same side as the doe pens. Will hold nesting boxes, easily placed to get to the eggs. MIGHT make a separate area for a broody hen so we can hatch some eggs, which will mean we'll need yet another small pen for a rooster.
• The buck will need to be on the opposite side of the barn, separated by a wall. If the bucks are too close to milking does, it makes the milk have a strong taste. So, we'll have 2 small 4-square feet stalls for the buck (the second just in case we need it later). This side will open to the front yard
• On the other side of the buck's pens and a large door will be a large feed storage area (feed, hay, veggies, etc.) for all of our critters.
• In the center, with a wall and a door, will be the quail coop (aviary) and rabbit hutches, all over the worms for vermicomposting.

Did I get everything? Rabbits. Quail. Chickens. Worms. Goats (male and female). Oh, and the milking stand will be in the center too.

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Guess that's it for now. Hubby's asleep behind me. The Kid's in his room reading one of his new books. I have the TV on to help provide enough glow for me to type.

Hope you all had a good holiday. Blessings, from our family to yours.

Vikki

Beef Stew and Baked Beans

Yesterday I was busy. Again. We had a major snowstorm so I didn't feel like leaving, but I had plenty to keep myself busy. I worked on the Kid's curriculum (it'll take at least another week, probably 2, before I have it ready). I did another couple loads of wash, hanging them on the shower bars. Cleaned the kitchen.

And made the best beef stew ever!

For Thanksgiving, I talked Hubby into getting a double-crock crockpot, so on the right one, I made baked beans for the Kid. Beef stew on the left. Here's how:

Beef Stew
Ingredients:
1/2 lb beef stew meat
1 cube vegetable boullion
4 cups water
1/3 can tomato paste
1/4 lb bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 small potatoes, chopped, peel on
10-15 baby carrots
2 tablespoons dried garlic powder
4 tablespoons tapioca flour (or wheat flour)

Directions:
Spray the crock with pan spray and add the meat. Cook until brown. Add the water, the boullion, and the tomato paste and cook for another 4 hours. Stir well. Add the bacon, chopped onion, chopped potatoes, carrots and potatoes. Cook another 3 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, add the flour to thicken the broth into a gravy. Salt/pepper to taste. Delicious!

Baked Beans
Ingredients:
2 cups white beans
4 cups water
3/4 lb bacon, chopped
3/4 can tomato paste
2 tablespoons onion powder

Directions:
Add the beans and water to the crockpot. Cook for a minimum 4 hours, until the beans soften. Add the bacon and tomato paste, stir, and cook for another 3-4 hours. Add onion powder about 30 minutes before serving. Salt/pepper to taste.

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The Kid generally doesn't like my beans so I usually have to buy the cans. But for these he said, and I quote, "they don't have much taste". "They don't?" I was upset. "No, but I can really taste the bacon, and that's great!" Okay, so maybe these beans aren't as good as what's in the can, but he ate an entire bowl full last night along with a baked potato, and he was thrilled, so sure, these might be a little bland for you, but I got my kid to eat some protein, and that counts for something!

As far as the stew is concerned, I couldn't believe how delicious it was. I didn't even use any of the herbs I'd bought to experiment with. I guess it was the browning of the stew meat, and then the boullion cube that made the difference. I ate 2 bowls, Hubby had a huge bowl of that and baked beans, and I put 2 containers in the fridge for lunches later on.

At King Soopers the other day, I'd bought a 3-pound container of stew meat, almost expired so it was discounted with an orange sticker for 50% off, or $10.13 for the 3 pounds. I divided it into six portions, and used one portion for the stew last night. I bagged the other 5 and placed them in a bigger baggie for the freezer. I'm thinking that's 5 weeks of making beef stew once a week. Yum!

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I made 2 more pecan pies today. We're going to my mom-in-law's in about an hour, and we're taking the 2 gluten-free pecan/chocolate chip pies. Just having dessert and exchanging presents. Father-in-law should be there too (somewhat estranged from Hubby) and my sister-in-law and her hubby. Fun fun.

About my pecan ooey gooey ... I put the extra "batter" into a corningware dish, and it turned into pecan/chocolate caramel.... yum! Great side effect. Ok... yep, I gotta start my diet. I think I'll be traditional and start it on January 1. It's time I reduce from my very heavy weight. Hope you don't mind, but I think I'll use this blog for my diet too.

When we come home tonight, hopefully the Kid will go to bed (we never did the Santa Clause thing so we don't have to pretend or anything). But he does want us to wrap at least some of his gifts. We couldn't do a tree this year, so we're leaving them on the couch in the living room. We'll give Blanca Bunny an apple for her Christmas present, and Hubby and I exchanged clothes. (Read: I bought him some clothes, and got me some too!)

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Well, it's about time to skype Dad and many members of my family who are eating at his house, so I need to finish getting my hair done and purty myself up. Then we leave for Mom-in-Law. Have a great night tomorrow, and a great day tomorrow.

Busy Before Storm

Up early, doing a load of dishes and a load of laundry to hang on the shower rods. Made some calls to find a hospital to donate some toys to. Gathered Kid's school reference books to get his curriculum ready starting in January.

We're expecting a snowstorm tonight, bringing frigid temperatures and 6-8 (+) inches of snow. So... the Kid and I went off to do errands so my very old car can sit and be covered with snow for the days to come.

I still can't find my box of winter clothes, so I popped into Goodwill (Thrift Store) and picked up several pairs of sweat pants and sweaters while the Kid browsed the book section. No, he didn't get any because Christmas is only a few days away!

Next we went to the dollar store, right next door. I got lots of little things, like coloring books, toys, baby socks and puzzles, and those will go along with what we're collecting from others. We're delivering all of these to the local Children's Hospital next week, after Christmas, for kids when they complete a treatment, have their birthday in the hospital, or just need something to keep them busy while confined to a hospital bed. (Maybe next year I can make things to donate.)

Then we went to the grocery because the always-hungry Kid was out of cheese. He likes to put 4-5 pieces of gluten-free bread on a plate, cover with grated cheese, sprinkle on flax seeds and parmesan cheese, and nuke until the grated cheese melts. This is what he likes every day for lunch. Weird, huh. But, healthy and filling. He also talked me into buying some pumpkin eggnog (marked half off), which he has decided he loves. And I bought some beef stew meat, marked down with an orange sticker for 50% off.

Home, unloaded the car, ate lunch, then did another load of laundry (underwear and socks are the only clothes I wash in hot water and get put in the dryer; everything else gets cold water and hang to dry). After I finish typing this, I'll get back to working on the Kid's curriculum. Have to plan what pages he'll do in what workbook and on what days.

Hubby and I have a special anniversary tonight, so we're going to the Outback tonight. We'll bring home their delicious gluten-free dessert (Chocolate Thunder Down Under) for all of us to enjoy together.

No word on the house yet. Expect we won't till after Christmas. I did, however, get some bad news from back home, in Kentucky. My sister's bum of a husband asked her for a divorce the Sunday after Thanksgiving, just days before her birthday. He never has spent any time with his 2 kids, and has treated the eldest (my sis' from her first marriage) like a horrid stepchild. He refuses to move out, drinks in front of the kids, doesn't hide his porn, and expects my sis to treat him like his best friend. And she feels like she has to go along with him (except she hides the porn and liquor), or he could wipe out the bank account and empty the house one day while she's doing an activity with the kids. She stopped working years ago, per his request, is disabled and has no money and huge medical bills. She doesn't know what she's going to do. And I can't do anything for her. I offered to take the two younger kids for a week in the Summer (the oldest is in the military but the youngest 2 are very close to my Kid's age). So... we'll see.

Guess that's it for now.

Have a wonderful Tuesday, everyone. Stay warm, happy and healthy.

Vikki