Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Spring Homestead Happenings

      I'm so glad the temps have warmed up today! We are at the 60 degree mark, but with lots of wind! Ya'll know I don't like the wind so I haven't been outside much. I've been walking on the treadmill and jumping on the rebounder for exercise. I love a good workout!

      There's so much to do in this house, I don't ever get it all done! I try though! For the past two days, I've been canning beans. The canner has to be watched closely so the pressure stays at 10 lbs. I have to adjust the temp on the stove quite frequently, so that means I have to be nearby. If I go off in another room, I may forget about the canner and the pressure may go up or down. Either way is not good. I still like canning since I won't have to think about beans for a year or so. It's worth a little babysitting to get that many beans! Plus, home canned beans taste way better than store bought beans! And I bought organic beans at Whole Foods and Publix, which turned out to be the same price as non-organic beans at Walmart! I hope I inspire ya'll to can some beans! They are not hard at all; just plan your time and they are done in no time at all!

      I have some photos of the does. I hope they are expecting! They look like it, but they have been consuming a lot more hay since the boys have been with them. I guess since the boys eat a lot of hay, the girls feel they have to as well. They seem to compete when it comes to food. Unless ya'll can help me, we won't know for sure if they are preggos for another month. By then they should be protruding quite well.

      I've been keeping the bread machine going this week. I made our daily bread and some cinnamon bread. The cinnamon bread isn't sweet except for the raisins, so that's a plus. Of course, Skylar won't eat it since it's not very sweet. But he doesn't eat my homemade bread anyway. Or my homemade pizza cause he doesn't like the crust. I know, typical spoiled teenager! But I love him! 

      I have a pack of ground deer in the freezer I'm cooking tonight. I think I'll make spaghetti or some casserole. I know I should menu plan but I really don't enjoy all that planning! I think about what I want and see if we have the ingredients. I keep the pantry and freezer with things I know we'll eat so it's really not a problem to cook this way. Do you menu plan? I shop the sales each week and that plays a big role in our menu. If I find something worth buying on sale. The sales are not really sales anymore. Except at Aldi. I usually buy several things there each week before going to the other stores.

      The first day of Spring is tomorrow! As many of you have, we have experienced a very long, cold winter! It will be so welcome to see sunny, warmer days! The sun hasn't shined here this week, except for a few minutes this morning! I don't like that! I don't think I would make it up North with all that cold and snow! Maybe by the weekend it will be sunny and warmer! I hope so for you as well! Have a great week! I hope you enjoyed this post! Blessings from Bama!

That's your nose uncle Randy!

So much going on in this picture!

I love to watch her jump!

Canning kidney beans.

Twenty pints, two not shone.
Canning pinto beans.


Fourteen pints pinto beans.

The pear tree with pretty blooms!

Does she look pregnant?

How about Delilah?

I couldn't  resist sharing another photo of this pretty nectarine tree!

The forsythia finally in bloom! We've had these bloom in January!

I wished you could smell these blossoms!


Apricot blossoms.

6 comments:

  1. I've never canned beans. I want to - did any lids not seal. I would be afraid that I might fill them too full and they not seal. If your does are due in a month - they might get bigger. One sign would be that their utters will "bag" up too. Keep checking their utters. They might only be single pregnancies. Can't wait for blossoms here. Have a great rest of the week. Blessings.

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    1. Jacky, now would be a good time since it's so cold there! Makes the kitchen nice and warm! That's why I can beans during the cold season. They all sealed; in fact I don't think I've ever had one that didn't! Just follow Pick Your Own blog and you shouldn't have any trouble!
      The does are just now getting pregnant! They are due in July-August. I didn't know for sure if they are; that's why I asked. Yes, the utters are a good clue! I will! Hope you have blossoms soon! Blessings!

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  2. I don't have a pressure canner so don't can beans. Tried cooking and freezing them but I didn't like the smell so I just used the canned kidney beans. I love homemade bread. You sure do get a lot done! I hope you have some baby goats soon. Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy! That's ok if you don't can beans! WE love them so; and I enjoy canning! Homemade bread is so good! I love to smell it cooking! Thanks! The baby goats aren't due until this summer! Blessings!

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  3. I never menu plan. I do like you do and plan around what I get on sale at the grocery store. I think you save way more money that way. I too, love my own canned beans. They are way better than store bought. I need to exercise more. I want one of the little trampolines but don't know where I would put it. :(

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    1. Hi Becky! Since we've had some 'off' weather days this week, I've actually gone through some recipes and have written down one meal to have next week! Wow! I wonder if I'll come up with more! Home canned beans are something every homesteader should make! I've got a fold up mini-tramp that fits under the bed. I just leave mine out upstairs in the big room. Blessings!

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