Hen23's Journal~Goodbye

[Henrietta23]

March 2~
Anticipating a snow day today, we stopped at our favorite hardware store and bought a dozen jelly jars, some new lids and pectin. At the grocery store I got pears and apples. Last night I made 5 jars of winter pear and apricot jam and 5 jars of pear apple ginger marmalade. Today I'm making fig preserves and apple jelly. I also plan on making several loaves of bread, English muffins and some quick breads.
I found 3 blue swedish/runner duck cross females near by on Craigslist. The lady said I could have them for free since they'll be pets here. I'll have to spend some time clear a spot in the garden shed so I can keep them isolated from the other birds for a while to make sure they're healthy. Not a fun prospect with 8 inches of new snow but it will be worth it in the end. Spring fever has hit my little flock and two ducks are not enough to keep two drakes happy I'm afraid.
I don't complain about the snow too much except that I'm eager to get a goat pen built. DH is resigned to the fact that we will be getting a couple of goats this spring. He's coming around to see that it will be work, but fun too. And the milk and cheese and yogurt that we might eventually have will delicious. He really does "get it", he just needs a little time to think it all through.

 

[justusnak]

Congrats on the upcoming of your goats. I DO know how the DH can need time to think it through. I have wanted sheep for some time...and just Saturday went to get the posts and will get the fencing in this week. Now for spring to get here so we can get the fencing installed! DH was not thrilled...but is coming around. Your jams sound so delish! Oh, congrats on the ducks as well. ONE day I will get more...just one little duck for now...waiting on the feed store to get some in.

 

[Henrietta23]

Our feed store is taking orders but I didn't want the breeds they can get. I didn't really want to brood ducks again right now either. I'm not sorry I did it last year, but it was a LOT of work!
I've got spiced fig jam in the pressure canner right now. 5 more jars. I hope to get some apple jelly done next. Might even make some apple sauce if I have enough apples left over. A couple of quick breads, English muffins and a sandwich loaf, then I'm taking a nap! My snow day call came at 4:42. I dozed but never really got back to sleep. :/
Thanks about the goats and congrats on your sheep! If we had room I'd get a couple of Shetlands. I have a friend who has some and they are just so sweet!

 

[Henrietta23]

Just talked to my mother on the phone. When they moved out here six years ago they decided not to do any intense gardening like they had at their old house. Mom says she's getting the itch do more this year but is afraid she won't be up to all the work. I suggested a compromise. If she'll let me plant some of the things I'd like to plant but don't have enough sunny space for here, I'll help with the watering and weeding etc. this summer. I'm psyched! I suggested lots of tomatoes so we can make sauce for starters. And cucumbers for pickling. Hmmmm, I see some planning in my future after that nap!

 

[justusnak]

Thanks Henrietta. The sheep we are getting are Shetlands. I am so excited! Have been wanting them for some time now. Now if the weather would just cooperate, so I can get the fence in!
Thats great your mom has a sunny place for you both to garden. Enjoy!!

 

[Farmfresh]

The odd thing about the snow day call is, when it comes to my house at 4:42 am - I am so excited I usually get up and start playing hard for the day!

On other days 7:00 is so early it is hard to wake up to go to work.

Saturday - Sunday or other "off work" days I am often up by 5 or 6 and hard at it.

What a difference it makes to be in charge of what you do in a day!

 

[Henrietta23]

Being in control definitely makes a huge difference in a day!
Here are the results of last night's and today's canning and baking:

I think I will have to make sandwich bread in the machine after dinner. I'm beat!

 

[Farmfresh]

one small word -


YUM!

 

[Henrietta23]

Need to update that picture!! I've given some away as gifts. The muffins are long gone. I've made another batch of marmalade. It is called Five Fruit Marmalade. I used Ruby Red grapefruit, blood oranges, tangerines, lemons and limes. It is the most beautiful ruby color! Tastes really great too. We've boiled down enough sap to make about 6 jelly jars of syrup.
We are one step closer to getting goats. I have the chance to put a deposit on two does that are about 2-3 years old. One just kidded and the other will soon. Once she has kidded I can pick them up. They are a drive but near my uncle so we could make the trip to see him and if the goats for any reason aren't what we want we'll still have a reason to be down there. I'm nervous that I'd go from never owning a goat to having to milk two of them twice a day.
We'll be spending some time outside this weekend cleaning up and making plans, for the garden, securing the chicken pen (we've got a hawk stalking the birds-they're under lock and key and NOT happy) and planning the goat shed and the garden. Looks like it will be a fairly decent day so it should be productive.
If I can add fresh goat's milk and eventually cheese and soap to that stash of homemade goods, I will be happy!
Work has been stressful, busy but we're moving forward with some changes that will be good for the rest of this school year. No clue what next year will look like. The district will be making cuts as I'm sure many will be. Out of three speech assistants hired this year, I was the second hired. Hopefully I won't be cut.

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

Congrats on the possible upcoming goats!! You must be so excited!!!!!