Crop failure 2011

It seems as if every year we manage to have one crop that totally flops or just gets ruined. Last year our poor trees kept on getting nommed, this year - our potatoes.

I planted three different types of potatoes in the front (one of which was the purple viking) and we were able to get those to produce some but that all came to a tragic end when the uppity bunnies decided to eat my plants and the cats decided to try to use the raised potatoes as a kitty litter and dig up my potatoes. So in an effort to save those we dug them up and we got a small harvest of about maybe 7lbs of potatoes from just 3 lbs. So not a good return, but we saved some of those that we harvested to plant for next season.

In the back we planted 4 different types of potatoes with zero return because the poultry all decided that they just had to eat our potatoes. We had also planted some organic sweet potatoes. About all that they all managed to do was sprout, get mounded up once before the birds all descended on them and left nothing but open trenches where potatoes used to be.
I did have some non-organic sweet potatoes sprout in the drawer. I planted those in the front yard and they seem to be growing well. We'll see if we get any by the time the cool weather really sets in. Hopefully next year will prove better for our potatoes.

Granola Recipe

One of our most valued foods at our homestead is granola. We make it in big batches but we never seem to make enough. Since we eat so much of it we're going to have produce all the items needed for it. So far we are growing most but we still have a way to go but we're getting there. There are many different granola recipes but here is mine.

Pre-heat oven to 275 degrees

Mix in a large container -
Two bins of old fashioned oats
1/2 lb each of rolled wheat, rye, and spelt (or bag of mixed rolled grains)
1/2 lb of almonds
1/2 lb of pecans
sesame seeds
dried coconut
(any other seeds or dried ingredients you would like to add)
some of the following: cinnamon, dried ginger, and nutmeg.

In a smaller bowl-
Add about 3-4 cups of your dry mix
pour 1/3 cup honey (more will give you granola bar consistency)on dry ingredients
pour 1tsp vanilla on honey

Using a plastic mixing spatula mix all ingredients then evenly distribute on cookie sheet or a flat cooking pan.

Put in oven for 15 min. Mix to evenly toast and put in for another 15 min.Once cool add raisins and sultanas (or any other dried fruit) and your all set. Enjoy!

Seasons

I was standing in our kitchen pickling a few pounds of our outrageous cucumber harvest (Armenian and standard green) and while I was writing the date on pieces of tape to affix to the tops of the jars I began to realize that it is only 4 months till Xmas. Not that big of a deal for most people I guess but for us on the homestead the coming of winter changes the tempo of our days and heralds in a new set of tasks. Some of the things we need to start getting in line;

Make sure there is enough wood seasoned/cut/stacked to keep the house warm as we use a wood burning stove to keep our house heated.

Start the canning, pickling and preserving of anything that will not be eaten in the next few months.

Keep an eye on the gardens and harvest anything that will be ruined by an early freeze.

Pick out what animals will be slaughtered for food this winter.

Prepare new garden plots and figure out the layout for the winter fruits and vegetables.

Fix any house items that need to be taken care of before the rain and the cold start (insulation, concrete, well, chimney)

Fix any farm items that need to be addressed before the rain and the cold set in (animal shelters, stream and pond maintenance, fencing)

Make sure we have what we need inside the house for a good winter, lay down our thick carpets, bring out the warmer blankets, wash and clean our outdoor winter work clothing.

Lay down a new batch of cider and mead for long winter nights/parties.

The list goes on and on but with each season comes new tasks and with the new tasks come new joys. We have come to enjoy each of our seasons; the heat of Summer that helps you nap threw the hottest part of the day and the warm lazy nights, the crispness of Fall with the dropping of the leaves and harvest of the pumpkins, the cold freezes of winter and sitting in front of a warm fire on a dark night with stew cooking on the wood burning stove, the explosion of life in spring with the down pouring rain and thick green grasses and all the hilarity of the new born animals learning how to run and play. Each season has its own jobs dictated to us by the needs of a lifestyle that rolls with the changing of the plants, animals, weather and the land. We strive not to fight the seasons with central air and food shipped from afar but to adapt to the season and enjoy the gifts each one brings.

On the other hand........ I hate being cold, the mud drives me crazy, when the stream floods and I get water in my boots I want to curse. And let me tell you you don't know fun until you are up BEFORE DAWN in temps firmly in the lower teens to break the ice on the animal waters and do the morning feeding. Oh and did I mention the thrills of lighting wet firewood in the stove when it is so cold you can barely feel your fingers? Ah and lets not forget the joys of frozen water pipes (no shower, no coffee, no indoor plumbing) before you head off to work. Ya.... Winter.... Just dandy......