Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Life on the Farm

I don't know what it is like in your end of the country, but it is HOT and HUMID here. The dog days of August they are called. The dogs don't like them at all, so I am not sure how they got that name. We have a window A/C unit in our bedroom and Joshua's bedroom. Our bedroom opens into our office. If we leave the bedroom door open and the office doors closed, then we have A/C in the office as well. It is my little retreat when I feel like I am melting.

A friend had given me some cucumbers and then another friend brought me cucumbers twice. I made 19 quarts of dill pickles and had been putting off doing my Bread & Butter pickles until I had everything that I needed. Well, I did not want them to go bad, so yesterday was pickle day again. I canned a double batch of Bread & Butter pickles. We were also swimming in milk, so I got out 4 gallons. I skimmed the cream off and made butter. It is still sitting in a bowl in the fridge waiting for me to work the buttermilk out of it. With 2 gallons, I made an Italian ricotta. I put it in the freezer for when we have a baked Italian dish. With the other two gallons, I made a round of cheddar. There was a lot of activity in the kitchen yesterday. I think I used every large dish and pan that I had. Plus, the milk jars needed to be washed and cleaned. Then we had all our milking supplies to clean up. I think I need another kitchen that is hidden from view. Another friend brought me over a cooler full of beef soup bones from her cows. She and her husband raise grass fed beef to sell. They sell a lot of their meat at farmer's markets by the cut. More beef was due this week and they had way too many beef bones. So, she brought them to me. They are on the stove right now. I am making beef broth to can.

This morning a friend came to pick up some farm fresh products. I got to talk to her a bit and her children got to feed the calves their morning bottles. I am taking a break in my retreat right now, so I thought I would put up some pictures I took this morning. I love this first one. The dogs all think that they need to be indoors with me. Do they look pathetic or what?? =)


The last pictures are of the lambs out in their pasture. The grass is coming in a bit since we have gotten some rain. Praise The Lord!!!!





I was able to talk to my good friend in Florida yesterday. She really gave me some good encouragement. Thanks Terri!!!!

10 comments:

Mary said...

It sure is nice to have a cool place to relax.We had lots of beans to can yesterday. I like your sheep they look very nice and colorful with nice wool, our sheep are what they call wool less sheep and don't need to be sheared. Stay cool!

Unknown said...

What a cute picture of the doggies. They do look pathetic, but they still look cute. ;-)

Teresa said...

Wow, you are a HOSS! What a lot of work in all this heat. I know it has to be done, but don't over-do yourself.

Love the dog pic!

Frazzled Farm Wife said...

It has been hot and humid here in SD too.

Wow, your kitchen was busy! I haven't canned pickles in a few years now but I remember the work that goes into some of that and the mess! My body used to just ache at the end of the day. You will sure enjoy them the rest of the year though!

Sharon said...

Marci,
You are my hero! I always dreamed about living on a farm and doing all that stuff you do.

I bet you slept good! ;-)

Love the pics of your dogs. They do look pitiful. :-(

Marci said...

AAAACCKKKK!!!!!!!! I don't want to paint a rosy picture here. I don't want to be anyone's hero. I took lots of breaks to sit down. I could twice as much as I do now if I was in shape, etc. I just don't blog all the negative. I am NOT hero material. Just ask Ginny or Lady Snow who post comments on here. =)

Teresa said...

Marci,
Now you just sit down and take a compliment for a change! I mean it! (lol)

There's no reason you shouldn't feel a sense of acomplishment for a full day of hard, hot work. We all know the satisfaction that comes with it and that is the reason you blogged about it, and not b/c you were bragging or trying to be a hero. We've all been there in some form, but we love to hear about your ability to make cheese and butter and pickles!

LadySnow said...

Yeah Marci....learn to take a compliment. ;) I haven't felt like doing much of anything lately. But I just need to suck it up and get it done. :) Love the pictures of the dogs.

Kelli said...

Aww..poor doggies!! It is starting to get really hot here...we will have several 100+ days this week....not fun at all!
I love bread and butter pickles, I'll bet yours are yummy!
Kelli

Reviekat said...

OH - they definitely need to be inside! Just look at those sad little faces. :)