The Incubator Novice

I have had my first incubator going now for 15 days.  This weekend I dropped and cracked one of my two duck eggs.  The remaining one is six days old and looks like this:

I have one chicken egg that is 15 days old and you can barely see the baby chick in there because it is from a cuckoo maran and the egg shell is very dark, but you can see it nonetheless.   I have another egg that is not quite as far along but you can still see the dark that is alive. 

I have three eggs that I believe are nothing.  No chick, no breakfast, probable fish food.

It is very exciting but I am still nervous about bothering them too much.  This is only the second time I have attempted candling them.  I don't want to handle them too much. 

Maybe someday I will have a duck or a hen that will be broody and take care of this for me.  Until then, I have the small 7-egg incubator on a nightstand behind my closet door to stay warm and dark.  I also have a large 48-egg foam incubator that is available when I want to hatch out a whole flock. 
(The wrong incubator got ordered and it was going to cost almost $70 just to mail it back.  We just kept it for the future.)

Tuesday To Do 1/26/16

Last week's inside chores: 
Declutter Calendar.  Baking. Office cleaned up. Baby chicken set up.

Last week's outside chores:  

Potato plot chosen.
 
This week's inside chores:
Declutter calendar.  Going to have to double time this since I am so far behind.  I worked some on the office (trash, desk clutter) but still have a great deal more I can do.

Get back to my cleaning schedule!  I have been slightly under the weather for the past week and the house has suffered. Well, I have been involved with hatching chickies too.

This week's outside chores: 
Clean out the chicken coop/duck coop.  Continue to check the bees.  Now that I have chosen the potato plot I need to sprinkle my wood ash bucket out there. 

Honestly, since I haven't been energetic this past week, I am going to spend most of the time in the house doing some pre-spring cleaning and organizing. And of course, caring for the wee chicks.

Burst My Bubble!

If you remember my boasting about how much I saved on our electric and hopefully lowered our electric bill, well, I shouldn't have counted my chickens before they hatched! 

$3.00...My bill went from $180 a month to $177...

This disappoints me.  I am now assuming that they look longer than one year to make these adjustments.  SIGH...

Well, I guess that's an extra $36 in my pocket this year. 

In with the good air, out with the bad...Okay, I have hand washed, line dried and ironed my big girl panties and put them back on; I will work this year with the same vigor to reduce it even more (another $3 - pouty face!!)

SIGH...

Tuesday To Do 1/19

Last week's inside chores: 
Declutter calendar. Some of it was done.  Pantry refilled. Food inventory. Sewing.

Last week's outside chores: 
Max contained. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K3mYb6l0MQ 

Yard cleanup.  Goat stall. Bird feeders.  Chicken coop cleaned.

This week's inside chores:
I am going to try to get some more of the declutter calendar accomplished.

I need to bake!  I need to bake bread, buns, biscuits and pizza crusts.

I need to work on the office.  It has been the storage area since we have been working on the dining room.  With daughter back to school, it would be nice for her to have a comfortable area to study if she wants to come out of her room. 

I am hoping to have one or two chicks hatch in a week, so I need to have an area for them.  I need to get the heat lamp and tote back out.  (I won't put them outside in their new brooder until Mad Max is out of the coop.  That little hellion.

This week's outside chores: 
Pick out potato plot and cover with wood ash from fireplace.

Clean out the chicken coop/duck coop.  Sprinkle with DE.  Check the bees daily.  We have had to supplement the newest bees with non-GMO sugar water.  And right now, they are going through a quart about every 2-3 days. 

Continue yard clean up on sunny days.

Clean out car.  Since I rarely drive the car, let alone have it to myself, I don't keep it up.  The last time I drove it there was dust on the dashboard, who knows what was on the middle console.  The floors needed vacuumed.  There was coats and papers and books and bottles and stuff everywhere!  We need to get the oil changed too.  And I need to look into getting a tire for the front passenger.  Some quick budget cuts are in order.  I can't have daughter commuting 3 hours on school days on a worn tire!

As proven by my list, my motivation on this Tuesday is a bit lacking.  This is in part to now knowing exactly when Brie is going to be giving birth and being available for that. And it is cold.  I am officially acclimated to the South.  Or, the fact that there is no snow during the cold.  Snow is fun.  Cold crunchy brown grass is not. 

Menu Monday 1/18

Last week I had done four days of juicing and felt so good.  I went as long as the budget would allow.  Actually, it put us a little in arrears-makes me sad I did not win (or play) the lottery. I would have loved to went the whole 28 days.  All of the juices were good, but there were a couple that were super good.  Ah, but that is in the past, and we must now remain in the present with a slight glimpse into the future.

I did an inventory of all the food we have in the deep freezer, pantry and refrigerator freezer at the beginning of the year.  Thanks to Zaycon, previous bulk buys and sales over the last couple of months, things are looking fairly good. And, as usual, it is a good thing.  With our "after Christmas-let's get serious this year" budget, once again, the grocery envelope is quite thin. 

I have to admit that I have not baked like I should have lately, buying bread, buns, etc.  I did make muffins (sarcastic whoppee). This trend has to stop and I need to get back on the baking bus,especially with the awesome 20 qt. mixing bowl that my bestest daughter got for me for Christmas! 

I am not making trail mix this week.  I am tired of making it so I am sure they are tired of eating it. Regardless, I have some other things in mind for their lunch snackies. 

This week I only went to one store-Aldi, and spent $37.24.  I do need to go back Wednesday for the meat specials and will probably find something else to pick up if they have any markdowns. 

This week's prepping includes:
Peanut butter crackers.  Snack crackers were $1.49 and we still have bulk peanut butter from Sam's.  I will make up one sleeve at a time and put in about 4 cracker sandwiches per bag. 
Peanut butter sandwiches.  I did get a loaf of bread to make PB&J to put in the freezer for their lunches.  (Personally, I don't like the frozen sandwiches, but the rest of the family does and it sure saves when compared to those frozen, crustless PB&J sandwiches at the grocery store or any other sandwich for that matter.)
Fruit containers.  I have canned peaches and pears to jar up for lunches.
BAKING:  I need to make bread (2 loaves to get back into the swing of things), biscuits to freeze, homemade buns and pizza.  Instead of just making the crusts and freezing them like I usually do, I am going to go ahead and make the sauce and add mozzarella and pepperoni and then freeze ready-to-eat ones that should last a couple of months.  I also need to make some refried beans today to go with supper. 

This week's menu:
Chicken enchilada casserole with Mexicorn, refried beans and a shredded salad.  
Chili soup with PB&J
Beans and cornbread. I found reduced hog jowl a couple of weeks ago at Ingles and thought I would try it in the next batch of beans. Of course, fried taters and onions and spinach to complete the meal.
Bacon-wrapped pepper jack chicken, baked potato, green beans
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, mixed veggies, homemade buttermilk biscuits
BBQ pork sandwiches, potato salad
Pizza and potatoes.  Just kidding. No potatoes. I just noticed there are a lot of potatoes this week.  Think I need to at least throw in some rice or something different.
(And seed potatoes are out, so it's time for me to get serious about my potato plot!)

It's cold here today and working in the kitchen sounds like a pretty good plan for the day.
No time like the present. 

Have a blessed week! 

My New Salt Grinder

Okay, it's not new.  In fact, I guess it's a centuries-old way to do it.  Just the way I like it. 

My mother gave me some Pink Himalayan salt and peppercorns for all my cooking needs.  It was up to me to get the grinders.  Well, being picky and forgetful...I couldn't find a nice glass grinder set that I would like to use.  So, introducing the mortar and pestle-my new salt and pepper grinder and more!  It's like one of those appliances that does more than one thing!  And I can make it as course or fine as I want. 



 

 

 

 

I went a little more on the course side for now.  Wouldn't take but a second to make finer when needed.

I just put the finished product in the bamboo container (also a gift from mommy), and voila, freshly ground seasonings at my fingertips.

Leftover Bread

If I use the bread machine to make bread I always end up with leftovers.  This is not the case when I oven bake it.  Having had worked a fairly long day, I decided to just throw it in the bread machine  for supper.  And I had a good 2/3 of the loaf left.  I waited a week with no takers.  Not wanting to waste it, it was time to utilize it.

Bread is fairly easy to dispose of, especially if you have chickens, OR unless you have waited too long and it starts to be a lab experiment similar to Alexander Flemings.

This time I went with bread pudding and seasoned bread crumbs.
For the bread crumbs I just took all the crusts off the square loaf and put them in a cool oven to dry them out and then slipped them into a gallon storage bag and pulverized them.  Such fun!  I also threw in a little of Italian seasoning for good measure and into the bread crumb container that has been in the pantry for years.

I read several recipes when I try something new or something I haven't made in a long time, and I don't remember making bread pudding for a very long time.  In this case, I wasn't overly concerned that it would be ruined, so my plan was to throw in what looked and smelled and felt about right and hoped for the best.  Bread cubed, melted butter, vanilla, cinnamon, sugar, milk and raisins.  I topped with some coconut sugar for a little color.  I have to admit that it tasted like an oven French toast.  BUT, most importantly...no leftovers this time!

Good to have in the ol' arsenal of leftovers. 

Being Frugal on the On-Grid Farm pt. 1

I have had one full year at home now.  Although, admittedly, my mind and heart have both wandered at times.  You've heard me talk about how hard it is to undo that independent woman mentality that our mothers pushed (not mine though-nonetheless, I still followed the culture).  I have had applications, interviews, and even accepted an offer but hubby was thoroughly against it, and so I acquiesced, probably burning all bridges in that regard.  Now, I must continually remember that hubby's job is to make the money and mine is to stretch it and save it.  (It can be hard growing up in the generation that loved Guess jeans, Liz Claiborne purses and all things department store.)

Since we are still on-grid, and probably will always be until SHTF occurs, this past year's goal was to lower our energy bill.  I put us on the equal pay plan, basing it on the previous year's average.  We paid $180 every month.  I was very nervous about how my being home would affect this.  I would be cooking more, using the oven and stove more.  Would I have to have more heat or air throughout the year since I was home?   I have music on while I am home alone, and since I don't have a radio yet I am still using the computer and how much does that cost?  With effort and nagging, I saved over $300 last year.  I don't have my new monthly bill yet since my savings covered December and I only owed 84.00 this month.  I am guessing it will be about $160 or so.  Now I have to see what else I can do for this year to lower it even more.  (Hmmm, solar would probably help, wouldn't it?)

What did I do to reduce it last year?  I started by adjusting the thermostat.  In the winter,  I keep it cold at 55 degrees. If it is a particularly cold day and I won't be in the living room much where I can build a fire or on the weekend when the family is home, I bump it up to 60 in the day if there are too many complaints, and lower it back down at night.  Yes, my house plants are not super happy, but they stay in sunny spots that aren't too bad. I also looked up peak hours.  October - March peak hours were 6 am - 1 pm and April through September they were 1 pm to 6 pm.  Again, that was last year.  This year it is different!  So if you plan on working around peak hours in your home, check yearly.  This year it is October 1 through May 31,  7 am to noon, and June 1 to September 30, 1 pm to 7 pm.  I use this schedule, I really do.

For example, I won't start a load of laundry until after lunch or after supper in the winter, unless of an emergency (work clothes not in the hamper, cat puke on the rug.  I also did a lot of hand washing with my mobile washer last summer.  Theoretically, I can do this inside as well, using either a 5-gallon bucket in the shower or even using the tub. I just haven't done this yet.   I guess I had better on that soon to keep those kilowatts down!  As you know, I don't wash jeans or heavy towels by hand.  I am not a complete martyr.  And, I also do not hang clothes outside on the line in 30 degree weather, 50 and sunny, maybe.  What I do now during these cold and cloudy months is put a load of clean clothes in the dryer for about 10-15 minutes to help with wrinkles and heavier fabrics.  Then I take my over-the-door-rack and other clothes drying racks and put them in a smaller area and use a space heater to help dry them.  I am hoping this is a little cheaper than a dryer for the full time.  I don't know if it is or not, really.   Plus, I get a little warm area when I come back in for doing outside chores in the chilly air.  The best place is the bathroom while everyone is at work or school.  But sometimes the mess is just in the way.  Right now I am using my "incubator hole."  My egg incubator is sitting in a space behind the closet door where it is by a register, out of the sun and stays over 60 degrees outside the incubator per the instructions.  So, I am utilizing that space for my clothes drying.

The family rolls their eyes, shakes their heads, but does it anyway.  I ask not only that they turn off lights and ceiling fans, but also to unplug box fans, chargers, coffee makers, etc.  I unplug the TV/cable box at night (sometimes that doesn't get plugged back in until hubby gets home) and turn off power surge with the computer and wifi and printer and something else plugged in...wonder what that goes to???  Oh, the pencil sharpener.  Forgot about that.  Oh my, I need to get rid of that.  I have a pocket knife that would work just fine!  How much does this save?  I dunno.  But, again, I feel better knowing that I am at least trying.

Someday we may have some solar energy at our disposable, but even that requires an upfront cost that makes it hard to jump on board, especially when you have so much fence to buy!

Is there anything that you do to conserve energy or lower your power bill?

Tuesday To Do 1-5

Eek!  Has it been two weeks since my list? 

Last week's inside chores:  Cookies for gifts. Sweep drywall dust. Seeds ordered. 
All the holiday décor is put away.

Last week's outside chores:  Goat shelter issues...to be continued. Bruce did make a chicken/duck brooder to put in the coop so I can start using my incubator! 


This week's inside chores: Seeds are going to wait.  We are needing to get Max's shelter and fencing done since our makeshift shelter did not hold him for more than week. 
I am doing the declutter and home organization calendars by a home management site.  I have listed the links below.  So this week is organizing the kitchen.  Check it out.  I will go more into detail next week.
 http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/declutter-your-home.
html
 http://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/organized-home.html

It's also time to refill some of the working folks pantry items.  Hot cocoa mix, trail mix, homemade instant oats.  That sort of thing. 

I also need to reassess the freezers (inside and out) and the pantry and begin to use anything that is getting old. 

I would like to get my sewing machine back out and see what else I can start and not finish!  Ha!  I still have to get my apron done.  Would have been half price and a fraction of time just to grab one at the dollar store...but one can't whine about what she has not done if she cheats,


This week's outside chores:  First and foremost is to contain Max.  Brie is getting pretty far along and we cannot have him in with the girls.  Brie is grouchy enough!  Hubby has a plan and I am going to spend the day implementing that.  Fingers crossed.  The rest of the week is going to be cleaning up after the month of rain we have had.  We are in the valley and we get all the debris and trash from every neighbor around, including broken glass, cans, bottles, bags, twine, even a tire (wheel included) washed up from the creek.  That costs money to dispose of.  Errr!

Goat stalls need restrawed.  Chicken coop needs restrawed, including the duck/chicken garden coop.  Our temperature dropped about 30 degrees and so I am only doing the necessities outside for now. 

I do need to refill he birdfeeders and move it to the kitchen window to aid in doing dishes.  :)

The rest is to be determined.

Fear Not and Farm

As the unknown time of Brie's birthing approaches, the excitement and joy is overshadowed by fear and anxiety.  Why are we drawn to the negative so much more quickly than the positive.  All the "what-ifs" run to the forefront of my thoughts versus the possibility of having little bundles of cuteness jumping to and fro in the barn yard.  The apprehension of milking two does twice a day in the spring eclipses the prospect of having abundant unadulterated milk and milk products for our family and others.

Fear. The sinful emotion of distrust that causes us to change our perceptions, our reactions, and even our heart rate. I can cause myself headaches and even gastrointestinal issues just by being afraid of the possibility of certain social interactions or responsibilities.  Occasionally, I push through, but probably more times than not, I retreat.

There are so many things to fear: terrorism, black widow bites, the dark, flying, the future of our children, our health, baby goats.  Everyone's fear list is different.  From the list above, I am not afraid of terrorism-my soul is well.  Black widows cause goosebumps, walking away and a bit more vigilance when approaching the same area again.  The dark does not affect me.  I love flying!  I put trust in God, my parenting approach, and my children's judgment for their own future.  I am afraid for everyone's health because of what our government has done to our food sources, and also for the majority, although I feel lessening majority, of our people's concern regarding what we ingest, whether that be food, drink or "medicine."  My first baby goats cause that headache I was talking about. 

Fear has caused me to not accomplish all that I could.  My main mission in life is to have this farm.  Many years ago while working in a neurosurgical office, I remember a conversation about what we wanted.  It could have been a lottery question or a more philosophical question, I am not sure, but I do remember my answer.  I wanted to have a small farm. A homestead. This was before all the blogs and YouTubers out there. And now, here I am many years behind.  Why?  Fear.  That is the only explanation.  Even now with so many things in place and the potential for so much more, I still fear succeeding at the farm and fall into "gotta get a job" mode, "need money" mode.  Do I need a job?  This last year has proven that I don't.  Financially, albeit not above the poverty line, we have lacked nothing that was necessary for survival.  Socially, there are perks to a job in this regard.  There are friends to be made, parties to attend. These friends fade as you become out of sight and you can't afford to attend some of the parties. But there are other ways to find that community that we need. Anything from church to the feed store.  Friendly is as friendly does. Sorry, that was lame, wasn't it?

The fear of failing... Aren't we all afraid of that? I guess one has to put on their Mr. Spock cap and consider things logically.  That's probably the other reason I keep my name in the hat for a job, the reason I don't excel at anything.  'Maybe I am not right for the farm'. ' My skill sets are heavy on the business end, light on the ingenuitive.'  Hmmm, logically, both are needed to some degree, right? 

So, suck it up buttercup!

Fear not and farm! Yep, my new motto.