By Daisy Luther
This week, we got something special…at least for California. RAIN. I can’t describe how wonderful it was to listen to the raindrops on the roof for two whole days. Of course, rain here is just a sprinkle elsewhere but we’re still happy for every single drop.
If you’ve never watched chickens and ducklings play keep-away with a rotten tomato, you haven’t lived. They’re hilarious. If you’re a betting person, bet on the ducklings – they’re way sneakier and more determined.
Baby Goat Watch 2015 is still ongoing – nothing from Cora and there isn’t a lot more growth. Here’s a photo of her belly. I know, it’s not the best, but she is NOT a cooperative model. It would be awesome if I had any idea when she had her “date” so that we knew when to expect kids.
The goats decided this week that my Jeep looked like a lot of fun. So much fun that they should climb up to the roof of it. My NEW-TO-ME JEEP. When I ran outside in bare feet to chase them off of it, they decided it was a delightful game and romped about on top of my poor Jeep. By some sweet mercy, it isn’t all dented and scratched but I was less than enchanted.
There’s a little less farm talk this week, because the first week of the month is always when I take care of business. I pay the bills, stock up on supplies, and run all errands that require money. I get paid once a month, and in a lot of ways, it’s easier this way. I always have the money for my bills, and then can budget what’s left. However, sometimes it can be difficult to budget for that last week. Something always comes up and there’s just more month than money.
This month I decided to try something a little bit different with the grocery budget. So, I did all of our grocery shopping in one big trip this month in the hopes of cutting our spending rather dramatically. (I nearly choked when the bill rang up to $310!) We’ll top up with some veggies from local farms, a couple of bushels of apples from a local orchard, and we get our milk from a farmer friend – aside from that, I’m hoping to cut our bill by at least $200 this month. I’ll keep you posted on how it works out. My eventual goal, of course, is to be far less reliant on the store and raise a higher percentage of our own food. By this time next year, I’ll have added eggs, goat’s milk, and hopefully lots of my own vegetables!
This week, I decided that I probably need to add a trailer to my farm purchases. As our farm continues to grow, so too does our bill at the feed store. This month required 2 trips, and this is what the back of my Jeep looked like. (Good thing the seats fold down.) It’s going to be quite the event to get all the hay cleaned out, even with an industrial vacuum. But, honestly, I just love the fresh smell of the orchard grass hay – it’s the nicest air freshener around.
I just began partnering with Spark Naturals, so you can expect to see some awesome DIY stuff up-and-coming. Now that canning season is slowing down a little, we’ll be making body care products and cleaning products over the next couple of weeks. (If you need any high-quality essential oils, put DAISY in for the coupon code over at Spark and you’ll get 10% off your order.)
Not exactly farm-related, but today, my youngest daughter and I are headed out for a girlie day, with some shopping, a trip to the salon, and lunch out. She is somehow fifteen years old today! (How on earth could that little baby be 15 years old?)
So, a little about my daughter.
As you can see, she’s absolutely beautiful. But that’s not all.
She’s loving, smart, loyal, and kind. She is so wonderful with animals that I’d hate to have this farm without her. She’s hardworking and helps out several local farmers with chores to earn her spending money. You know how most kids constantly ask for things? She has grown up on a tight budget, and I have to basically force her to take presents. For her birthday, I got her the sewing machine she has been longing for. Making her dreams come true makes me a happy mom, and I love that her dreams are of a practical, productive nature.
I’m very lucky. Not many single moms are able to stay home with their children, but I’m fortunate enough to work from home and homeschool my precious youngest child. It’s been one of the highlights of being her mom.
Happy birthday, Rosie! I love you!
Well, I’m off to celebrate the birthday festivities! Tell me about your week in the comments!
Love the Jeep! Those pesky goats will scratch and dent that new Jeep, eat the tires and upholstery (If they can get inside), and kick a big hole in the side for fun. So, park that shiny new baby far away from them! 🙂
I am so glad that your daughter asked for a sewing machine. Most women are not interested in sewing anymore. I love sewing my own clothing: it allows me a lot of creativity and I control the quality of the fabrics. All fabrics are not created equal, most have cheaper fibers or man made threads woven in. It is the number one reason that pilling takes effect. So, your daughter is not only beautiful, she is super smart too!!
I loved the rain too-even if it was just a heavy sprinkle.
I went online and ordered more peanut butter powder. Be prepared dot Com has the #10 cans on sale this month for $13.79……it’s yet another source of protein for our food storage. We use it in smoothies and it’s like drinking peanut butter cookie dough. …really good!
Love the goats and chickens!
Look for a used trailer on Craigslist. …maybe the free or barter section will have one. Y’all stay warm and dry!
Daisy, I am so enjoying your Fri. blog, and seeing your brood of animals….you are living your dream. Sure wish we could share a cup of that pumpkin spice coffee…..or a cup of Tim Hortons!
Trees have not turned just yet here, but I hear Algonquin Park is in full color, and we may take a drive up there tomorrow.
What a beautiful pic of Rosie…..and the happiest of birthday greetings to her from Canada! Will continue reading your stories, and using your wonderful tips!
Hi Sandy! I would love to get together with you! I miss the beautiful Algonquin area, but I have to confess, I love the warm weather and mild winters more! I’ll tell Rosie you said hello!
Daisy,
So glad about the rain. I can relate. Where we live here in TX it is terribly dry and the river by my house is down to a trickle. Once the sap in the pecan trees goes down and the leaves and nuts fall, the trees won’t suck quite so much water up.
The Jeep is a really nice one and although I don’t have goats, my neighbor over a few acres does and I see those goats climb on everything.
Now, I want to ask a question – explain the ducks. My neighbor mentioned above has a wonderful little homestead and he has recently added ducks. You have ducks. My sister in law had some just for fun and they were the nastiest things I have seen. You even mentioned the nastiness in your blog last week. So why do you have them? I’ve heard the eggs are really, really strong and the meat is kind of weird. Just wondering.
Thanks.
And, your daughter is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
T.C.
I got ducks because the eggs are just delicious. SO DELICIOUS. They’re very rich and flavorful, and are wonderful both in baking and as a breakfast dish. I don’t mind duck meat, although these were purchased for the eggs. I’m probably going to raise them until they’re 2 months old and then sell them, because the MESS….I’ll just get duck eggs from someone who doesn’t mind it. I had no idea it would be this stinky.
Thanks for the nice compliment about my daughter! I think she’s lovely too!
Daisy
Daisy, you are–so efficient! Around my homestead we have the goal of the day; 1 for me and 1 for my son who lives with me. However, other priorities can supersede the goal of the day. Usually something to do with an animal!
A couple of nights ago I woke up thinking of how I would transport my animals if I needed to leave for an emergency. I started counting cages and crates for smaller animals and came up a few short. So went junking Friday and Saturday to find a few additional carriers. I found enough for dogs, cats, and rabbits but for the other farm animals I’ve decided I need a horse trailer that can be divided into at least two areas, preferably 4 areas. This was not on my radar at all and not in the budget but I’ve learned to listen to those promptings. May not need it next week or this year, but I know I’ll need one in the future. Fortunately, there are usually a bunch for sale.
You will definitely need a trailer on your homestead. I bought a used 16′ tandem for $900. Just make sure all the wiring is good, hookups work and ramps are not rusted and fit the trailer. Buy a hitch lock so no one can steal your trailer.
Ducks! Yes they can be messy but…if you give them a large enough free range space, a baby pool and put a pallet down in their house, it won’t be so bad. The pallet allows the water to drain thru the straw and into the drain cut in the floor, so there is not constant wet muck in the duck house. When you need to clean (we clean once a week)just dump the straw on to a tarp and take to your compost pile.
So, why have ducks? Besides their antidepressant effect and wonderful eggs; have you ever eaten roast duck? It can be delicious — once you learn to cook it. Ever had peking duck at a chinese restaurant? Very expensive and delicious! I am planning on harvesting 7 drakes to have peking duck over the holidays. Yum! If you don’t like the taste of duck, make pet food from it.
I have 13 6 week old chicks in my transition cages and 16 chicks inside in the warm baby cage. I am not allowing any more brooding as it will be too cold in another 60 days. I’m putting wood and plastic eggs in the nests of the brooders so hopefully I won’t get any more hatchlings.
Hope you have a productive week and good luck on the nanny goat watch!