One Week Till Winter

Mainers are digging out. Today we had a storm,just in time for the morning commute. Now we are dealing with a wintry wet mess.The snow has turned to rain,the Draft horses are in the barn about to have their dinner. I am in the kitchen and I can hear the snow melting from roof and dumping onto the walks and driveway's, Bob had clear.I arrived home at 4pm, thanks to a 31 min lunch and early release. It was a blessing to come home to the scents of beef stew in the oven. A number of people have asked me why I make Menu's, and shopping lists and one of the biggest reasons is eliminating the need to drive home wondering what I will make for dinner. A second reason is driving to work without regretting that I did not take anything out of the freezer.
Reasons I make Menu's
3. Having something to look forward to when I have lunch room lunch
4. Not having to stop on the ride home for groceries
5. A husband that is lovable with a full belly
6. Chores that fill my plate,
7.time saved day to day
8. Being responsible for the shopping, (takes less time with a list)
9. Paying for the groceries, I save money with a meal plan ( I try to use some like ingredients)70 - 100 $ a week
10. Hating waste , waste less with a plan
11. Having more time to spend with the ones I love (like my puppy)
12. eating fresh, in season and local
Having the tools for the job also helps, I love this Dutch Oven that I cooked todays stew in.
I have taken many of hints from the web on Menu planning, I have had to change my plan to fit my pay check I plan and shop Friday- Thursday becouse Friday is payday.

Hooves and Hounds

Here is Huckleberry the Matriarch of Hooves and HOUNDS farm. Huck was my first ever,hound (4 hounds ago). The weather in Maine is suddenly too cold for Huck to spend the day out of doors. Huckleberry is getting old, he has been threw so much. This photo was taken this morning as he cozied in Nicks stall, after breakfast.

Sawmill Tour

Today the company I work for sent me to tour JD Irving Sawmill in Dixfield Maine (86 miles North). The tour was very,very interesting. The sawmill was located on 20 achers It took hours to see all of the mill. JD Irving is the #1 land owner in Maine. I was very interested in this tour and seeing the pine process, given that I am in retail and my husband is a home builder.The mountains were pretty and I could picture Belgians twitching and logging even though JD Irving no longer uses drafts, somehow my mind always ends up in the draft barn. It was interesting to see and hear sustainable forest management for quality products is part of the commitment.

Puppy Class Monday

Tonight was puppy class,week two.We go to puppy class for the socialization, no expectations. Lager did very well (even if I do say so).Lager was the Big dog in class tonight.The Bloodhound was not in tonight ,she is older and bigger. Lager had play time,he likes Bandit. Lager is gentle with all the dogs, this is nice to observe. After play time Lager and Daddy worked on sit,stay, off and jump.Now that we are home Lager is playing with his Blue Ball.The Big Boys are in getting a break from the weather, they will go back out.

Football Sunday

All said and done it is "Football Sunday" my husband and puppy are tucked in for the night. I just fed the big boys,tonight they get a full bail of hay 1/2 each. It is cold and they will absorb their pellet,corn and graze their hay. Elvis and I took a walk, kitty is in the hens really did not venture out much today. I don't know if Joey will make it through the winter ,but tonight he is very much enjoying his flake and his friend Mini sparks. I Love my Farm!

Last Night

and yesterday. Jesse was home for the week end, with Rocco.I was unable to post last night due to the weather and lack of signal. Lager had fun visiting with Rocco,and we had fun visiting with Jesse. Bob and I took Lager for a winter drive with our team of Belgians. I suspect this will be the last wagon ride of 2009. Lager is happy to cozy up on the bench seat under the blanket. At night we went into town (Kennebunkport) to check out the holiday decoration's. Town was very crowded.

December Morning in Maine

On Wednesday and Thursday it was unseasonably warm. Last night that changed and today we awoke to 4" of snow. I am not a fan of snow but it was fun to share the experience with my new puppy Lager. Lager is now 4 months old and over 40lbs. He is all puppy he likes the snow,and playing in it!

This Weeks Menu

Friday:
Dinner
Chicken w. pasta and broccoli
Saturday
Dinner
Ham Steaks with Beans and Home Fries
Sunday / Football
Chili
Plan to also make first bread and the home made rolls I failed to make last week
Monday/ Puppy Class
Pastrami Sandwiched (Bob Loves) Swiss on Home Made Buns
Tuesday
Taco Salad with left over chili
Wednesday / Bob Meeting
Beef Stew with root veggies (crock pot all day)
Thursday Chicken Stir Fry

I Scream You Scream

We all scream for ice cream and Giant Rotts. We LOVE our
www.Giantrotts.com
puppy!
Tonight Bob decided to have an ice cream, so Lager got a "Frosty Paw".The first time(last month)we gave Lager a frozen treat ,he ate 1/2 tonight the in tire thing!

Pressure Is On

The pressure is on , 28 days and counting to complete my New Years resolutions for 2009.
Truth be told none of the resolutions I made this year will be "completed" any time soon. The resolutions I made are opportunities for growth and on going.I feel like I have progressed well on :
1. being good steward of my farm
2. wasting less (money , energy,and food)
3. teaching and sharing what I have learned 'my talents"
the last was
5.learn to make bread I tried Amish Friendship Bread and failed , but my goal really was a yeast bread and I have not made a real effort on that.
I am now focused on this goal and the 28 days I have to start the learning process. I found a resource in this months Mother Earth News "How to make bread in Five Minutes a Day". The process seems manageable(once you start). I did not have what I needed in my pantry, so I placed an order with King Aurthur's Flour on Tuesday.The package arrived the next day. I consider myself a good cook, but I have learned baking takes more of a focus and is not as easy to substitute. When I cook I measure almost nothing, and create some of the stuff I most enjoy with what is on hand or an adaption of a recipe.When I actually start the process (this week end I will post more of the details, and results.

CSA

3 pounds apples
1/2 gallon cider
1 dozen eggs

1 pound brussels sprouts
1 pound beets
1 pound parsnips

5 pounds carrots
1/2 pound shallots

1 bulb garlic
1 celeriac

2 pounds onions
4 pounds potatoes

1 bag greenhouse salad
4 pounds winter squash

Good With The Bad

Better or worst
Today was one of those days where it was an effort to see the good with the bad.

-Went to bed late ,some one had to watch football
+Good slept well till 4:15am
-6to3 work day woke up to a poopy pup
+Good when you get out at 3:00 it's still light and you have time do "other stuff"
-Winter car not working
+Good got to ride in with Bob and the car only needed an adjustment to battery cable
-Had to be at Vet with two dogs for 4:30
+Both Beau and Lager had good visits
-CSA pick up day,arrived late, Bob was angry he had to wait for me
+Awesome share, lot of nice veggies Amy (one of the farmers) said she would consign some of my photo's.
-Got home in the dark, Bob was hungry=grumpy
+Dinner done,slow cooked pork n beans nice full moon
-did not get to touch my Belgian's today
+ I have two Belgians

Puppy Class I

Tonight was Lagers first ever puppy training class. The class was held at Kennebunk MSPCA. The building and trainer were very nice. It was sad to see how many animals they had awaiting placement.I liked the 6 month old Bloodhound girl in class, Roxy.Puppy class is all about socialization Lager did well with that.I think my pup is tuckered out!Lager went in his crate without a peep. I made apple crisp ,now I'm tired as well. I might have to mix up the menu,hamburger rolls are not done. I thought tonight was CSA pick up , it is tomorrow, and two dogs have appointments with Vet.Might do Crock Pot Pork and slow roast beans tomorrow,will buy time with out purchasing any thing extra.

This Weeks Menu

Friday:
Breakfast: Pumpkin Squares
Lunch:Holiday "Left overs"
Dinner:Turkey Pot Pie
Onion Soup (Turkey Base)
Saturday
(No More Turkey I Promise)
Breakfast:Bagels with apple sauce
Farm Fresh eggs
Lunch:Grilled Cheese
Dinner:Abenaki Club Pot Luck
We will bring Anti pasta plate
Sunday:
Breakfast:French Toast with Brown Sugar Banana Syrup Maine Maple Syrup
After breakfast Bob to Ma. to help Bobby and Keri
I plan to "graze" all day and decorate!
Monday:
Breakfast:Soft Boiled Egg
(No I'm not afraid to eat soft boiled eggs,I eat only fresh local eggs)
Lunch:
Celery sticks and carrots w/ranch dressing
Baked Potato
Dinner:CSA Veggies from Wolf Pine Farm Maine
Steak on Grill
Bread Pudding (Made with leftovers from Sundays French Toast)
Tuesday:
Breakfast More Bread Pudding w/ Yogurt
Lunch: Veggie wrap
Dinner:
Hamburgers with Homemade Buns
Root veggies Baked
Apple Crisp
Wednesday:
Breakfast Apple Crisp
Lunch :Hard Boiled Eggs and?
Dinner:Crock Pot Pork w. BBQ Sauce
Thursday:
Breakfast Quiche
Lunch Left over pork in Ham. Buns
Dinner: Clam Chowder Bread Bowls

Steps in Sustainablity

I have been thinking I will soon add a mission statement to this blog something that tells more about our farm goals, I have not yet completed that task. If you have followed my blog for any length of time you probably have figured out some of my values and goals.
Two of the most important "things" in my life are my Family and Farm.
In an attempt to be a good steward of my farm I have been trying to be less wasteful,of all our resources.
We collect rain via. rain buckets and use it on the farm for cleaning kennels and gardening. We raise chickens and grow veggies and herbs.
We shop local when we can and eat in season.
The ultimate goal is to one day work only on the farm,a sustainable life will be a huge part of reaching this goal.I have for years,done weekly menu's.
Before I go to the store I have "in mind" what we will eat for the week. In an attempt to fine tune this process I am putting in place some new processes many I have learned from other blogs.
1.)Written weekly menu's (not just an menu idea)
www.thisweekfordinner.com
http://frugalgranola.blogspot.com
http://imafearlesschef.blogspot.com/
2.) Grocery Lists
(I down loaded a free temp.plate at www.orgjunkie.com)
3.)No shop / No spend Days (stick to the menu)
ps.the photo is local canned harvest @ The Fair

AYA? AYUH

TRAYLUH
There is a book called The Maine Dictionary by John McDonald it defines trailer as follows: "As far as many Mainers are concerned, be they ever so humble , traylahs are home."...
TRAyLuh house trayluhs,boat trayluhs,snowmobile traluhs,horse trayluhs,and livestock trayluhs .
"He points out that many people in Maine earn a living going from one trayluh to another. They'llwake up in their double wide and go to work driving a semi-tractor trayluh. They come back to their double wide after eight or ten days on the road , have a quick nap, and then hook up a boat and trayluh to their 4x4 and head up to camp - a log cabin trayluh combo."

This is my latest addition it is a chicken trailer.
I purchased it from the farmers at Wild root Farm, as they closed.
Bob has a tool trailer and we have a manure trailer, so this addition is officially #3 trailer so as defined by the Maine dictionary we are on our way to being true Mainers.
Bob picked up the trailer and nesting boxes from the girls mid week while I was working. Bob said he was glad I was not home to catch a photo as it was toed down the street.
This trailer will make it possible to have free range chicken.
Free-Range Eggs
Free-range eggs have darker yolks and “eggier”
flavor
They have elevated vitamin levels, especially
vitamin A
They command high prices at farmer’s markets,
health-food stores, bakeries, restaurants, and
locally-owned supermarkets
Free-Range Chickens
Free-Range chickens tend to produce more
Bully less
eat fleas, ticks and grubs
Fertilize pasture
Moving the Trailer
This trailer will hitch to the back of my Tractor ,or Bobs mower.
It is even light enough to move by hand short distances.
The fencing will be quick portable fencing with solar charge. When I put it into use in the spring I will take more photo's.
If you are going to try a portable coop this is what I've learned to be Best Practice:
Move your houses when the area around them gets
muddy or the manure gets thick rather than spotty.
Hens can find their house again if it’s moved a
short distance, but not a long one
Train your hens by moving the house 20 feet or
less the first time
You can move houses with experienced hens up to
100 feet at a time.
Wait till the nieghbor gets alook at this moving around MY Farm