Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[Lazy Gardener]

I enjoyed the Herriott shows. We used to get a lot of the British shows. British humor is much different than what is mistakenly called humor in today's American programming.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

If DH wouldn't have been so surprised he could have gotten a second shot in very quickly and ended it right there - but he hesitated and the pig took the chance to run. Just luck that I caught her when she ran by. I had visions of blowing my hand off when I took the shot....but I was at least thinking - safety first!

 

[NH Homesteader]

You did good! That's why DH always has a friend out there with him, in case something goes wrong . I can't help because I have to stay in the house with kids (DD1 likes the butchering, not the killing). And also I don't want to help because I don't have the stomach for it lol.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I love the James Herriott books! I've never seen one of the shows - but I'm sure I would enjoy them.

 

[sumi]

I love the James Herriott books! I've never seen one of the shows - but I'm sure I would enjoy them.

I haven't seen the shows either, but I read as many of the books as I can could get my hands on. Loved them!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Back at work this morning and alllll alone. My boss and co-worker are at a conference and won't be back in the office until Thursday. Hope it's a quiet few days. Today will be ok because while the college is open the ISD is closed for Presidents day. No students today - and likely no interruptions. Should be a quiet and productive day!

Weather prediction for the week is cool and rainy...what else is new. Hoping it will stay cool enough to butcher another pig next weekend. I've got another one about the same size as the one we did yesterday that I want to get done. The one we did yesterday will be on ice in the ice chest for a few more days then into the freezer just in time to do the next one. Maybe the good neighbor will want to do one of the big ones too. That would be nice. I'm not confident enough to tackle one of the big ones on my own yet. I have two that are big and ready - if we don't get 'em done at home I'll have to check on hauling them to the processor. It's kind of nice to do it that way - no muss, no fuss. And, all those nicely labeled packages are so convenient.

 

[baymule]

We slaughtered 3 big Red Wattle hogs two summers ago. I didn't care about the heat, couldn't get a near slaughter date and I wanted them GONE!! It went quick, got 'em on ice and finished up in the house.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Have a lovely quiet day! And hope you get some pigs butchered. Have you had any more boar escapes?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

My neighbor is fast enough that the heat isn't really a factor. He pretty much debones as he goes and the meat is on ice pretty quickly. I'm learning some tricks as I go. I did take the meat into the house to clean it up and get the hairs off.

For the smaller hogs I'm going to do a "no-gut' procedure from now on. The only reason to gut is to get the tenderloins and ribs and there's just not enough to worry about on the little guys. I pulled out the two tenderloins out and they were about the size of a large carrot, lol.

The skinning is the most tedious part for me. Of course, the smaller the pig the less skin, lol. We used the sawzall to remove the feet - that's quick going. But, my neighbor is so good he can get 'em through the joint with just his knife and never hit bone. I need to practice more. The one I did yesterday was a female - first one I've done... and a bit less work if ya ask me. The next one will be male - ugh.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Got another load of carrots today - probably 150 lbs at least...and a few apples. Tomorrow I think we'll be getting at least 100lbs of turnips. Pigs are gonna be loving life! The last batch of carrots and bananas lasted almost two weeks! Love free pig food.