New Blog Up And Running

Finally got the new blog going. So please follow me on over and see what's been going on around the homestead:     Hidden Haven Homestead Too

Andy

I loved all the names everyone suggested but have decided to choose "Andy". Mildred suggested it after his Grandma Mandy that lived here for so long. And Andy just seems to suit him though I have thought about changing  it to Trouble today. It has been a rainy, windy day so Andy has spent most of it inside. He loves napping and eating in his cage but after awhile gets tired of being penned up and lets it be known. I let him out and he walks around trying to head butt Rusty and Kuma. They go hide from him so Andy decides to play King of the mountain on the sofa. Up and down, up and down till that gets boring. Next he tried to sample my dried flower arrangement  and getting scolded for that decided to see what I was up to. He jumped up on the sofa, walked over to the end table and then walked on the desk and actually tried to walk across the laptop until I picked him up and sat him back on the floor. I decided it was time to put his sweater on and take him for a walk outside. Andy sees his reflection in the glass of the door and stands there talking to himself like he has found a new friend. Finally get him out the door and he takes off down the steps running to the goat pen. He thinks its time to feed the goats and he helps by sampling everyone's feed. Gets upset at me when I walk the other direction and tries to scold me into going his way. Doesn't work so he runs back to the porch and talks to the pretty goat in the door. That tired him out enough to take a nap until feeding time. Yes, Andy is going to keep me on my toes till he is outside fulltime. I thought sure Hayley would have her kid or kids last night but so far no baby goats. I am still doing the butt check several times a day and several times a night. The girls have gotten use to it now and just stand still and let me shine the flashlight and check. Well, except Blackie. She puts her tail down and turns to face me no matter which direction I walk to check her backside. She thinks of it as a game and seems to actually smile at me while she is turning. It is really a adventure around here everyday. I am trying to set up a new blog as I am running out of room for photos on this one. I don't want to delete ones from past posts so decided to continue the adventures on a new one. When I have it ready I will put the link here so you can follow me on over. Hopefully you will follow!  Wishing each of you a very blessed night and a wonderful blessed tomorrow. Night everyone.

I Need A Name

I am new to Hidden Haven. My daddy Louie  was born here. He was a triplet of three brothers(Huey,Dewey, and Louie) to my grandma Mandy and grandpa Billy. Daddy was sold to a nice lady in White Oak where he met my mom and I was born. I am one of a quad. I have 2 brothers and a sister who went to other new homes. I am a 3 month old buckling. I really like it here. Since I am so small ( I was the runt) my new human mom keeps me inside her house at night and during the day I go out with the other goats. They sure are big! Sometimes I get tired of being outside and if I stand by the gate and cry "Maaaaaaaaaa" she comes and takes me back inside. Today I got to take a ride to Tractor Supply. I had to walk on a leash but didn't mind it as everyone scratched my head and told me how cute I am. I really, really love my home here at Hidden Haven but they haven't named me yet. Maaaaa says she can't think of a name that suits me and Paaaaaaa just calls me Little Bit. I want a name so will you help me please.

I am sure somebody can give me a name that suits (whatever that means). Thank you very much and I promise to give Maaaa lots of things to write about cause she says I am a noisy little fellow and get into things I shouldn't.

Remember I am a 3 month old buckling so please do give me a girly name. I am a Nigerian Dwarf and won't get very big but I still say I am big enough to not get a girly name don't you?

Is Winter Over?????

Where is winter? The past couple of days has found me out cleaning rabbit cages and chicken pens in a tee shirt and jeans. This is January and I should be bundle up in a coat and gloves. Kinda disappointed in Old Man Winter this year. I have been working out a breeding schedule for the bunnies so their babies will be ready to go to at Easter time. I never seem to have enough baby bunnies but this year hope to have plenty to sell. The hens are still laying everyday. Usually in the winter they slow down a little but so far we have more than enough for us and our customers. I have 2 extra goats for a little while. A friend is having to move and with work, looking for a place and packing they aren't able to keep a eye on Sissy who is expecting. She is staying here so I can keep an eye on her and her boyfriend Buckwheat came to keep her company. They are part Nigerian Dwarf and part Nubian. Very friendly and loving so I am enjoying having them here. I finally know Blackie (my Nigerian Dwarf) is pregnant for sure. Her udder has filled up with milk and she is not wanting to stay around the other goats. She goes off by herself a lot. Those are a couple of signs that she is getting close to delivery day. I still for some reason have a feeling Hayley will be the first to kid. Don't know why, just a gut feeling so we shall have to wait and see. The duck is still sitting on eggs. Not sure if any will hatch as she is young and first time she has tried to hatch. She keeps moving the eggs around and rearranging her nest. Not just once in a while but all the time. Another wait and see. There is alot of wait and see around the homestead these days. And for someone that has no patience it makes for some long rough days. 
Here is a recipe for Apple Pie that was my mother's recipe. She made this for my daughter Melody who rather have apple pie than birthday cake.  She used a can of store bought pie filling but since I have lots of apples I make my own.

Bonnie's Apple Pie
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 oz softened cream cheese
1 can apple pie filling
Mix sugar, egg, vanilla, and softened cream cheese. Pour into a unbaked pie shell. Pour apple pie filling over top and bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 350. Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing.

My homemade apple pie filling

6 apples (peeled and sliced)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons of cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 cups water
Put everything into a saucepan and cook over medium heat 20 to 25 minutes or until apples are tender. Let this mixture cool before you use it in your pie. It will make enough for 2 pies.

My Pie Crust recipe

1  1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening, cold
3 Tablespoons ice water

Combine flour and salt in medium bowl, cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly.
 Sprinkle water, 1 Tablespoon at a time, over flour mixture, tossing lightly with a fork until mixture forms an even dough. Form dough into ball and refrigerate, wrapped in plastic, for 1 hour.
 Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface into circle about 12 to 14 inches round.
 Carefully fold in quarters, lift gently and unfold into 9-inch pie pan.Gently press pastry against bottom and sides of pan. Trim overhang to 1/2 inch, then fold the edge under. Pinch edges to flute.

Now its off to a good book, a cup of hot chocolate, and a nice warm fire. Have a wonderful evening and don't forget to count those blessings!

6 Granny Smith Apples

1 tsp fresh squeezed Lemon Juice

1 Cup White Sugar

3 tbsp Cornstarch

1 1/2 tsp ground Cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground Nutmeg

1 1/2 Cups Water

Read more: How to make Homemade Apple Pie Filling (similar to canned fruit pie filling) | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5361141_make-canned-fruit-pie-filling.html#ixzz1BdCiXmcW

6 Granny Smith Apples

1 tsp fresh squeezed Lemon Juice

1 Cup White Sugar

3 tbsp Cornstarch

1 1/2 tsp ground Cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground Nutmeg

1 1/2 Cups Water

Read more: How to make Homemade Apple Pie Filling (similar to canned fruit pie filling) | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5361141_make-canned-fruit-pie-filling.html#ixzz1BdCiXmcW

6 Granny Smith Apples

1 tsp fresh squeezed Lemon Juice

1 Cup White Sugar

3 tbsp Cornstarch

1 1/2 tsp ground Cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground Nutmeg

1 1/2 Cups Water

Read more: How to make Homemade Apple Pie Filling (similar to canned fruit pie filling) | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5361141_make-canned-fruit-pie-filling.html#ixzz1BdCiXmcW

6 Granny Smith Apples

1 tsp fresh squeezed Lemon Juice

1 Cup White Sugar

3 tbsp Cornstarch

1 1/2 tsp ground Cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground Nutmeg

1 1/2 Cups Water

Read more: How to make Homemade Apple Pie Filling (similar to canned fruit pie filling) | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5361141_make-canned-fruit-pie-filling.html#ixzz1BdCiXmcW

My Bags Are Pack

No I am not going anywhere unless its to spend the night in a goat stall. The bags I am referring to are the birthing kit, animal medicine kit,and the diaper bag with sweaters for the baby goats and soft baby receiving blankets to help clean them off. I am such a bad mom to my goats this go round. I have always planned and had the birthing date for all my goats. I only missed a few days with Diva and that was my first time dealing with pregnant goats. This year a lady gave us 2 beautiful Nigerian Dwarf doelings, a Nigerian Dwarf buck, and a Nigerian Dwarf weather (male that has been fixed). They weren't related to each other but when she purchased them she raised them together so dumb me kept them together and in with Buttons our Alpine/Nubian milk goat and with Precious our mini Nubian. Even though Buttons stands way taller than Little Man he found a way around it and she is pregnant. I felt bad that she had to tell me by starting to dry herself off but now its VERY obvious. She is really big to be carry half Nigerian Dwarf babies and I am going crazy since I don't have a due date. I make about 50 trips each day (and night) out to check the goats and each time they roll their eyes and whisper about the crazy lady looking at their backside and their udders. I know all the signs to look for a few weeks, a few days, before and the day of delivery but it still drives me crazy not having a known due date for Buttons and a for sure if Haley and Blackie are bred. My bet is they are as they both are starting to get milk bag where before you couldn't even see their udders. So I got my bags out, cleaned them out and restock them. Got the baby monitors out and ready. Cleaned out all the goat stalls and rebedded them with fresh bedding. Wormed and vaccinated each goat, which I always do each season anyway. I am all ready for goat babies if I could just get the girls to let me in on when I would be very happy. So if you need me I will be the weird lady bent over in the goat pen checking out goats bottoms and udders. Enjoy your evening and count those blessings!

Pugs, Wood, Birds, and Snow

We still have snow and ice though the main roads are clear and dry. I am enjoying slipping and sliding each time I go out to care for the animals or fill the bird feeders. I am filling the feeders twice a day now. Where it seemed all the birds had disappeared they are all back and brought their friends and family with them. It looks like a waiting line for a table at a restaurant the way all those birds were acting around the feeders.  Pugs is doing great. She doesn't seem affected from her mom not wanting her. Her siblings are doing really well with their mom so guess there was a reason she didn't want Pugs.Pugs meets me at the door to her cage and starts climbing all over my hand. She loves to be played with but doesn't like to be held and given her bottle. I think she is trying to wean herself but I want her to keep nursing a little longer. She is eating rabbit pellets, alfalfa, whole wheat bread crumbs, and all types of green veggies. Her name should really be bottomless pit as she is never full! I let her walk around and explore some after she has her bottle. For such a tiny 3 week old bunny she sure can get into a lot.

I think Pugs is going to grow up not knowing she is a rabbit.

I have been looking and dreaming my way through all the seed catalogs. That is one of the best parts of winter. You can sit by the fire with plans and dreams of spring gardens and change them a thousand times before its time to order the seeds. I am going to be growing and hopefully selling herb plants this year. I did well on what I grew for myself so want to add more herbs and see how the plants sell. Planning more gardens this year also. I get tired just planning them! Think that's why I love winter so much. The cold winds and snow make everything so peaceful and also slow the pace down abit around the homestead. I have a little more time to sit and enjoy things where the other seasons seem to have me hopping. We have been busy the past week splitting and delivering firewood. With all the bad weather selling firewood has kept me from sitting too long.. We are very blessed to have the extra wood to sell and I have been very blessed with a few beautiful, peaceful snow days. Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to count those blessings!

Beautiful Snowy Day!

We were only suppose to get a couple of inches but have 6 inches of snow and now its sleeting like crazy so will have ice on top of that tomorrow. Spent the day giving all the animals warm water to drink and clearing snow away so they could get out of their stalls, houses, etc. None of them wanted to walk in the snow for some reason. Made sure to feed extra grain, hay, greens, and extra bedding so they would stay warm tonight. Also helped William split and load 2 loads of wood. People afraid their power might go off with this ice and wanted wood for their fireplaces. I have kept the woodstove here humming along and the house is nice and toasty. Made vegetable beef soup, toss salad, and zucchini patties for supper. The zucchini patties are made like a potato cake but instead of using mashed potatoes I used shredded zukes. They were yummy. I have had several questions about my grocery bill and shopping once a month so will try to answer. Our bill can be kept so low because there is only two of us. We had 3 big gardens this past summer that gave me plenty to can, freeze and dehydrate. I also have a friend that gives me things all the time from the produce stand. So I don't ever have to purchase veggies or fruit. We also don't have to buy eggs or milk since we have chickens and goats.  Yes, we still get fresh fruit and veggies in our diet (friend with produce stand) and  we have 3 meals a day plus a snack when we feel like it. The pantry, freezers, and cabinets are filled to where if we had to we could eat just from them for at least 6 months. I would love to have a years supply just incase but have to work on it. A couple of you have ask for menus and recipes. I will try over the next few days to work on a post with those listed.  Thank you for your interest and concerns that we might not be getting balanced diets. Believe me, we aren't doing without just because the grocery bill is low. Like I said we eat 3 hot meals a day which includes veggies, meat, and bread. There is always a bowl on the table filled with oranges, apples, tangerines, grapes, and bananas that I seemed to snack on more than I should. I am very blessed to have the friend with the produce and with having the gardens last summer. Would love to put my own beef and pork in the freezer. Hopefully by next fall is the plan.
H went home Saturday evening and it sure has been quiet around here! Seems strange not to have a toddler on a stool by me helping wash dishes or little feet running along beside me while I am feeding or a little voice talking a mile a minute about such important little boy things. I didn't realize how much energy it took having a child around 24-7 until he left and I sat down to rest. Looking forward to summertime and more visits from grands!
I hope each of you are warm and enjoying the beautiful winter weather wherever you are. I wish each of you a very blessed evening and hope you take time to count those blessings.... no matter how small. Night everyone.

A Quiet Night on the Homestead

Enjoying another quiet night. H was out like a light by 6:30PM. He played outside all day today while I worked more on the chicken pens and feed room. Sure going to miss the little guy when he goes home Saturday. Speaking of feed room, we have been having to set traps to catch field mice. They are getting in the feed room and eating on the bread for the animals. We have the animal feed and the bread in metal trash cans. The feed cans have lids but the bread is stack so high in the cans because of not enough room that the mice are going to town nibbling on it. We set 4 traps each night and have 4 mice each morning. We have caught 21 mice!! We have cats so what is wrong with this picture? Bet we are the only farm that catches mice to feed to their cats. Hopefully we have caught them all. Little Pug Face (orphaned baby bunny) is doing wonderfully. He got out of his mom's nest and for some reason she wouldn't let him or her (not sure yet) back in. I tried putting it back after she pushed him out when he went back on his own but she did the same. She lets me handle and put the others back but not this one so it is in a cage in the diningroom. I have been giving it a bottle 4 times a day. It's a bottle for kittens so is just the right size. Today it found the water bottle attached to the cage and has been drinking from that several times. He is also nibbling at rabbit food and whole wheat bread crumbs. He is only 2 weeks old so am surprised. Will try to take a picture of Pug Face (He has a pug nose) and post it tomorrow. The parakeets are all settled and happy. Bobbie (the male) will sit on my finger and sing. Meoka (female) will bite if I try to get her to sit on my finger but I pick her up and hold her anyway. One day she should get use to me and stop biting. I was so happy I got the kitchen and diningroom cleaned and mopped today until William decided to bring a work bench, tools and a chainsaw inside to work on tonight. Now my diningroom looks like a toolshed or workshop. Life on a farm, what can I say. Last night for supper I fixed baked barbecue chicken, german potato salad, cucumber salad, blackeyed peas, and collard greens. The only thing bought was the chicken and I got a bag of leg and thighs for $5.98. After dividing the bag I ended up with enough for 5 meals.The potato and cucumber salad came from Gerda. Leftovers from a meal at her home. The blackeyed peas were from peas dried 2 years ago and the collards are some we had in the freezer. Tonight I cleaned out the fridge so we had a lot of leftovers. The last of the potato and cucumber salad. The rest of the hopping john from New Years. The rest of the collards and the last of the cabbage and polish sausage along with the last little bit of stir fried squash,onion, potatoes and garlic. Am trying to see how many meals I can fix with mostly things from the freezer or pantry. The grocery bill for this month was only $103. That's down from $150 last month but we had the family for a weekend and several friends that ate with us a few times. We shop once a month and that amount is for food and household items. It doesn't include animal feed or supplies. We have to purchase animal feed every two weeks and we spend way more on their food than ours! The prices have sky rocketed over the past couple months. I find it fun to see how much I can cut cost and still eat very well. Leftover nights may be a weird mixture of items but heck its saving money and weird still taste good! Well I am off to check the fire in the stove and head to bed. Tomorrow is another day of outside chores. These 50 and 60 degree days won't last and we are suppose to get snow tomorrow night! I sure hope so.Don't forget to count those blessings.

Just a Simple Farm House

Sitting here at the desk enjoying the quietness of the house. H was so busy loading sticks of wood in and out of his wagon today that he fell asleep before 6PM. William spent the day splitting wood and working on saws while I cleaned off the back porch.  It seems that everything ends up on the back porch until someone finds time to put it where it really goes. For some reason after I put things away, sweep the porch, wash the railings, and shake the rugs I feel relaxed. The yard may still be filled with projects or things William needs to put away. The house may still need to be straightened and the floors swept. But the back porch is clean and inviting! Only strangers come to our front door. Everyone else comes in the back door off the back porch so I get antsy when its cluttered or dirty. At least before they see the baby bunny in the diningroom, the parakeets in the kitchen, Kuma sleeping on the sofa, Rusty stretched out in front of the woodstove , seed catalogs scattered on the diningroom table they will see a clean back porch. The 2 hens I had inside for a few days are back in the pen at least. I use to love having my home look like a picture out of a country magazine. I was constantly rearranging and decorating every room. Now my home is lucky to get the floors swept and a little straightening up each day. I rather be getting a orphaned baby bunny to nurse from a tiny bottle, encourage 2 scared parakeets that had to leave their home because the owner couldn't afford them anymore to perch on my finger and sing. I'd rather sit in my rocker by the wood stove and carry a conversation with Rusty (yes, dogs can talk) or sit on the floor with H and play with his blocks and trucks.I'd rather be taking a walk with Baby (our pet turkey that doesn't know she is a turkey) or do the million chores that always need doing outside. I don't care about having a beautiful magazine home anymore. I just enjoy having a home that is a haven for anyone (2 or 4 legged) to feel welcome, safe, and happy. Guess in my old age I finally figured out what really matters to me. Just remember when you visit to use the back door, make sure you check for a animal before you sit down and there is always a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate waiting and don't wear your good clothes or shoes cause we can always use a extra set of hands on the farm.

Child Labor

I stayed up to watch the ball drop before calling it a night. William and H were asleep long before then. We got up bright and early to make the most of this wonderful warm spring like day. I got chicken pens raked, rabbit cages cleaned, feeding table washed and straightened. Raked the area between feed room, hay barn, and rabbit cages. Got all the outside Christmas decorations down except the lights across the roof of the house. That will be William's job. While I was doing all these things William and H were busy splitting wood. H ran the splitter all by himself. Pop Pop just had to keep the wood going to and from the splitter.

After chores and supper we went to take eggs to my friend Gerda. Always enjoy visiting with her. Then it was home where 2 guys were very tired and asleep before their head hit the pillow. H told me he had to get some sleep as he had work to do tomorrow. I wonder how old he will be before that changes.  Have a very blessed weekend and may your 2011 be filled with love, laughter, and overflowing with blessings.