Their Ruby Red Lips

No, we don't put lipstick on our sows. 

 

If you caught yesterday's post, I mentioned that I had fed the pigs some beets from the garden. I went out a few hours later, and they were still chomping away at them. They had the prettiest red lips. I tried hard to get a good picture of one of them. Do you realize how hard it is to get a picture of a hog's lips when all they want to do is keep their snout to the food? This picture doesn't even do it justice, but trust me, it was quite comical.

Certifiable

If Einstein was right and the definition of insanity really is to do the same thing over and over again expecting different results, then come take me away because I am certifiable.

Every year spring and summer come and go in a blur of gardens and farm projects. Every year early fall is gone in a blink of the eye while Tim works crazy hours and the garden is harvested and preserved, and we begin to feel the pressure of getting buildings and animals ready for winter. And every year we look forward to the months following Tim's busy season telling ourselves that things will be calmer, quieter, and that we will enjoy a restful season. HA! We are certifiable.

Things don't ever really slow down here, they just change. Here we are well into November, well past Tim's busy season of work, and the to do list is longer than ever. Here are some of the things happening around the farm now.

Deer season is here. Tim never did get out last year, and frankly the odds of him having time to hunt this year are not looking good. Terry, a family friend, is here frequently to hunt though. He does the hunting. Tim helps with the processing, and we end up with most of the meat. It is a win win situation.

Then there are those darn pigs.  Mostly, I enjoy our pigs. They are fairly low maintenance most of the year. Fall is prime time for them in the woods. They feast on the nuts that have fallen, and require very little attention from us.

But pigs can also be very destructive. They are strong and will tear up fencing and gates. They also will tear up the earth where they are by rooting for nuts and other food. This is all fine and well if they are in a place you'd like to have rooted up and cleared a bit, or if they are in an area devoted to them. It isn't so good when they are where they are not supposed to be. Say, like your neighbors' hay fields.

A couple days work were spent building a new and smaller fenced area for the pigs, and repairing the damage that was done. And more fence needs built to move them into a fresh area. Good thing those pigs are so cute now, and so yummy later.

The garden is not yet put to bed. Today we dug about half a feed bag of sweet potatoes. Two thirds of them still need dug.This was our first year trying sweet potatoes. Mom actually bought the slips on a whim at a produce auction last spring. I am very pleased with how they produced. Besides planting and digging them (plenty of work for sure,) they required no other care.

We also had a garden surprise this fall, potatoes. Yes, we did plant potatoes this year. We harvested them back in August when the plants died off. To those of you who helped me with the digging, it will be no surprise that we missed a few potatoes. The surprise is that they started growing again.

We let them grow until the frost killed off the plants. Then we dug again, and found a sink full of potatoes. We had some for lunch today, and you just have to love that freshly dug potato flavor.

I pulled the remaining beets today. I'm almost embarrassed to say that I fed them to the pigs. I like beets, but the family isn't so crazy about them. Normally, I would pickle them to enjoy later, but right now I don't have the time. So, the pigs are enjoying them.

The Swiss chard is still producing like crazy. I don't think I've ever had more prolific plants. I've had the kids cut it down to the nub, and it still comes back. Today I pulled a feed bag of it for the chickens. They will be getting a lot more of it in the next few days.

But don't think our chickens are spoiled lazing around getting fed Swiss chard. No, they have their own work to do in the fall. They have been put to work in the garden spot that we are done with. They have done an amazing job of digging up bugs, spreading the manure piles, and turning the dirt. Good girls.

 

We also have some new little girls. We ordered two batches of mixed chicks. They arrived last Saturday. One group is Rainbow Layers. There should be colored, white, and brown layers in the mix. The other group is Mixed Brown Layers. It consists of a variety of brown laying breeds. I have no idea what all we have, but am having fun trying to guess while watching them start to feather in.

The above babies were planned for. The ones below, however were not. Apparently, Red and the Billy did not share my vision for their family planning. She is ready to pop any day now. Truly, I did not want her to freshen now, and I am still undecided as to a milking plan. Milking through the winter is not appealing, but it looks like that is what I'll be doing. Even though this is a surprise, I'm excited for the kids to arrive. Baby goats are my favorite. I just wish she would hurry up and get them out this week while the weather is so pretty. 

Ever thinking that this time of the year will actually be easier, slower, or quieter, makes me insane by definition. There is no slow season on the farm. The work just changes through the seasons. But please don't come and take me away. I am enjoying this insanity far too much.

And now we are farmers - Part One

It all began one holiday meal. The extended family was gathered and some how the conversation turned to spacious yards, large gardens and tending a few animals. Some of us had once been farmers. Some of us had fond memories of a childhood in a rural setting. Some of us were fans of Mother Earth News. But that day we found that we were all current city dwellers longing for more space, more air, more quiet, and a degree of the self sufficiency that can be found in living off the land.

For most of us sitting around that table eating pie, the talk was of dreams and of some days and of wouldn't it be nice ifs. For my dad that that talk was an idea to grab a hold of and run with. It wasn't long until he had a radius plotted on the map to begin the search for land. He and my mom would spend their free time driving to different states looking for land that would fit the needs of the family and their budget. That spring he had a place in mind.

Our third child was only a few weeks old. At the spur of the moment, we packed the kids and headed four hours south to meet dad and the potential land. We parked our van just a little off the road at the top of hill. We looked over the hollow and as far as we could see. None of this was the land that was for sale. No, this was the right away. It was an old logging road. It was overgrown in spots. It was swampy in other spots, and it would eventually become the road to our home.

We hiked over half a mile, Kellen walking, Lydia in a backpack, and Nolan in the sling, until we came to a small ridge which is where the property began. We walked along that ridge discussing possible sites for houses, buildings, and what it might take to make it all happen. The property was nothing but woods. There were no buildings. There was no water or electric, and the right of way was impassable. Yet, it was beautiful. You truly felt like you were alone in the world as you walked it. At the same time, the property was within twenty minutes of any service, store or restaurant you could want. We fell in love.

My parents purchased the property that summer. The neighbor showed us another way to get vehicles a little closer to the property. Soon family members were camping at the property on a regular basis, and the work began.

To be continued.

The Complete Book of Butchering

I was planning to give you a thorough review of this book. The trouble is that I'm having a hard time getting it away from my husband, Tim, our resident butcher. I have been able to sneak a few peeks at the book, albeit mostly over Tim's shoulder.

Look closely at the rather long title. This book is about much more than butchering. It is also about smoking, curing, and sausage making. Butchering includes your common farm animals from cows to chickens. Wild game is also covered from Elk to fish. 

Each butchering chapter takes you step by step through the process. The pictures are detailed, but not for the weak stomached. Of course, if you have a weak stomach, you may want to reconsider the idea of butchering your own meat.

In addition to how to cut up your meat, the book provides detailed information about preserving it, using a variety of methods. I noticed Tim spent a lot of time looking at the diagrams and information about building a smoke house. He has been talking about building a smoke house for at least a year. Perhaps there is a smoke house in our near future?

One part of the book Tim was eager to point out to me was the recipes. After the butchering of each type of animal is discussed, numerous recipes are shared. Tonight we will be having roast leg of lamb, using one of the variations suggested in the book. It involves mint and grape jelly, and my mouth is already watering. 

From what I could gather from over my husband's shoulder, this book looks to live up to its title. It would be extremely helpful to those just learning the process, and obviously it is also interesting to those, like Tim, who have processed a few animals over the years. 

Fall = Comfort Food

There is so much that I love about fall. I love the cooler crisp weather, especially the cooler nights. Nothing is better than snuggling under a thick comforter to sleep for the night. I love the harvest abundance, and the fully stocked shelves that are the result of a summer spent gardening and preserving. The burst of color from the woods around us is simply breathtaking. In fact, about the only thing I don't love about fall is that winter is just around the corner.

Of all the things to love about fall though, what I love the most is the food. After a summer of eating grilled, raw or other foods that don't heat up the house, it is comforting to come back to our warm family favorites. There is time (and desire) to spend in the kitchen. The oven is cranked, and the food abundant. Chili, casseroles, soups, and baked goods rule our fall menu.

Last night's meal was a particularly good one. All the main ingredients came from right here on the farm. Let me tell you that feeding the family from things we've raised ourselves is a comfort in itself. On the menu were sweet potato fries, green beans, and the star of the show, Meatloaf.

Meatloaf
2 pounds ground meat (last night I used one pound lamb and one pound beef.)
3/4 C crushed saltines
2 eggs
1/2 C ketchup
1 onion chopped fine
2 small green peppers, chopped
1/2 tsp salt, pepper, and garlic powder
1TB Worcestershire sauce
Mix all together, frost with additional ketchup if desired, put in a loaf pan, and bake at 350 for one hour.

Maybe I just enjoy food too much, but there is something about fall comfort foods that warms me body and soul. Bring on the soups, the breads, and don't forget the desserts. I am ready!

Dear Six Year Old,

Dear Six Year Old,

I love you very much, and am happy to grant your requests with in certain guidelines and boundaries. Your latest request, alone time, fits well into the category of things that I am happy to give you. It is a big place out there. Please go find some space, and be alone for awhile. I will gladly keep your siblings from following you and disturbing your peace.

Please note, however, that when you request "alone time" which includes playing with one sister while excluding the other, you have gone beyond the boundaries of requests that I am willing to grant. By definition, my young son, that is not a request for alone time. The request is to leave out your younger sister. It is not a request that I will support.

You may scream, "It isn't fair" as much as you like. I never said I was able to give you fair. You may throw yourself on the floor. You may cry. You may kick and punch the floor or other things that you can not break, but you will do so away from me. You will do it alone in your room. As I said before, alone time I am more than willing to allow you.

I hope you enjoy your alone time. I wish you could take advantage of it without the current distress that it seems to be causing you. Alone time can be a precious gift. It is one that I wish I had at this moment.

When you are finished with the screaming, kicking, and crying, you are welcome to come and join us again. You may choose to play with all your siblings who want to play, or you may choose to seek a place for a more peaceful time to be alone. The choice is yours.

Love you,
Mom

If you don't have anything nice to say....

I haven't had much to say here on the blog lately. It isn't that there isn't anything to say, it is just that I've been in a bit of a funk. The thoughts running through my brain are grumpy and negative. I'm trying hard to keep it to myself. I've been pretty successful, at least here on the blog. In person? Well, my apologies to those who have been on the receiving end of my grumpiness and occasional rants.

I've let myself get irritated and frustrated by other people. As ridiculous and irresponsible the actions, or in actions, of people may be, they should not steal my peace and my joy. I've let self righteousness and probably envy creep in. And many days I just want to stomp my feet and scream, "It isn't fair!"

And maybe it isn't. But do I really want it to be?

The fact is I work incredibly hard at home and at work. The fact is that many days I am incredibly tired, but I remember that this is what chose. We chose homesteading and homeschooling because it is the kind of life we want for our family. I have no regrets.

I chose to go back to work because we previously did not choose to manage our finances wisely. I chose to work all weekend at a physically demanding job because it it the best fit for our financial goals and our lifestyle. I work hard there, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I couldn't stand myself if I didn't.

The fact is that my rest, my peace, and my joy don't come from myself or from anyone else around me. Those things only come from the life of Christ in me. No matter how lazy, annoying, and selfish the people around me are, I do not have to be irritated and frustrated. Focusing on them is keeping my focus from where it should be. And that only makes me grumpy. It certainly isn't fixing them.

My Little Farm Hands

Last week the older two children were on vacation with my mom. You can read more about that on Kellen's blog, and Tim and I had a day off together for the first time in months. So, how do we enjoy our "almost" family time? By working of course.

There were too many roosters in the chicken house. For you chicken owners, you know what that means. For everyone else, let's just say that the hens were not happy. The roosters had to go.

Funny, when Kellen and Lydia left for Canada, Nolan was very excited to be the big kid in the house. It didn't take long for him to realize though, the big kid does more work too. Nolan and Vivian helped us pluck (a few of ) fourteen roosters. They weren't too thrilled about the wet feathers. I can't say that I blame them. What a mess!

Don't worry we did not over work the kids. They had plenty of rest breaks and play time.  What could be better than laying on a stack of feed lovin' on a kitten. The stuff childhood dreams are made of.

 

Now, that Tim's crazy schedule has come to an end and the entire family is home together more evenings and days, I imagine that there will be lots more family work projects. There is plenty to do around here before winter.

Farm Work Beats Housework

I've been procrastinating.

There has been a dirty task that needed my attention. I just didn't want to do it. The chicken house was in desperate need of a cleaning.

The chickens have a huge run and access to the woods. The layers take full advantage of this. They explore the full range of their territory thus leaving most of their droppings out there instead of in the chicken. When it is just the layers, the chicken house stays relatively clean.

The meat birds, however, are another story. They too have access to the large run and the woods, but they choose to spend the vast majority of their day situated as close as possible to the feeders. I bring a variety of food to them in the chicken house, but generally they are just too lazy to venture outside to find greens and bugs like most chickens do. So, as a result, these birds leave almost all their droppings in the chicken house. And boy do they make a lot of droppings, a lot of very stinky, gross, droppings. When we have a batch of meat birds, the chicken house really needs cleaned daily.

It had been a little longer than that.

Oh, I had lots of excuses. There was the selling and distributing of a small amount of hamburger. There was the fact that I started school with the younger two. There was work to be done in the garden, laundry to do, hot weather, and list of 100s of excuses that I made to not deal with that stinkin' mess out there. Today though, I determined, was the day to get it done.

It was hot today, around 95. I had other things that had to be done in the morning. So, I didn't get out there until after lunch. It was hot, but not too bad. The chicken house is in the shade and there are fans in there. It was stinky, but really you adjust. I dug into the task.

About half way through, I had a sudden realization that cleaning the chicken house wasn't really that bad. Why had I put it off?  I was pleased with how the chicken house looked, and with the fact that my garden was getting huge nitrogen boost from all the droppings. I realized, with some surprise,  that I'd rather clean the chicken house, than do dishes, laundry or pretty much any other cleaning in my house. Yes, I'd pick farm work, even shoveling stinky chicken poo, over house work any day of the week.

My house shows it.

When I have time to work around home, I invariably pick a farm or garden task. Really, I will pick just about anything over cleaning. Somehow that little revelation, while shoveling chicken poo, gave me a little freedom. I can't be everything. I can't do everything. I do what I have to keep some semblance of order and cleanliness in the house, but the animals and the garden are what I enjoy. They are what I'll choose any day. (Well, any day there isn't company coming over that is, or at least company I don't know well.)  And that is just fine!

In fact, it is a privilege to do work that I actually enjoy, instead of work I feel I am supposed to, or work I need to do in order to earn cash. It is a joy, and I need to stop beating myself up (and comparing myself to others) about the things I don't get done, and enjoy the blessings that come from the things that I do get done.

Now, I am hoping that one of my children discover they enjoy cleaning the house.

From Their Perspective

My kids never cease to amaze me. Admittedly, in the past few months of craziness with our adjustments here and the normal hectic fall schedule, I have not spent much one on one time with them as I would like. This week Kellen and Lydia are in Canada. They went with my mom to visit my Aunt Nancy. It is a great opportunity for them to spend time with family, and to see many interesting and educational sites.

But it is also good for Nolan and Vivian. I am amazed at how well the two of them have been playing together. It has been refreshing. It is also a great time for me to spend a little extra time with each of them. Something they both need, but Nolan especially who has been acting out a bit lately.

This morning we worked in the garden planting some fall crops. (A little late, but I'm hoping for the best.) We chatted, and they played, and they came back to plant a little more. It was an enjoyable morning. Conversations with a six year old and a four year old are funny sometimes, and sometimes their perspective on things catch me by surprise.

As we were digging holes, Nolan asked me where a friend of his kept his garden. When I told him that his friend did not have a garden, Nolan's eyes got really big and he asked, "But how do they grow their food?" I responded, "They don't." He was shocked, "Where do they get their food?" I told him that they buy it. For some reason, I don't quite understand, it was like a totally new concept to him. Really, we do go to the grocery store. We do buy food there, but I guess to him we've always had gardens and raised our own meat, and that is how everyone gets their food too.

I told Nolan and Vivian we would start school this week (finally.) Well actually I was just planning to start school with Nolan. Since she is only four, I really didn't plan on school for Vivian this year, but she is insistent that she gets to do school too, and how do you say no to a kid who wants to learn?

All morning Vivian was asking to start school. While we were in the garden, she asked about school for the 100th time. I said to her, "Isn't working in the garden school? Aren't you learning how to plant?" Truly, that is how I feel about school. Everyday really is school. Everyday they are learning about animals, plants, the Lord, cooking, cleaning, being polite, or a hundred other life skills that they will need later. In the elementary grades, I am primarily concerned that they learn to read, write, have basic math skills, but most of all learn to love learning. Though we do use books for some of that, much of our learning comes through everyday life experiences. Vivian, however, does not share my educational philosphy.

In response to my, "Isn't working in the garden school?" comment. I got a perturbed look and a firm, "No." I asked her what school was, and she responded, "You have to do papers." She might as well have added, "DUH." to her statement according to the tone of her voice.

So after finishing our lunch, which consisted almost entirely of food grown here, (How do families with out gardens eat?!) we are pulling out the "papers" and officially starting school.

Yesterday was a good day.

This summer has been filled with tragedy followed by a seemingly never ending line of frustration, disappointment, and failure. It seems like everyday something breaks, dies, or doesn't work as planned. A week or so ago Tim told me that we just have to go with the flow. My response was, "I don't like this flow. It is too fast and rough for me." (Where is my calm lazy river and inner tube?)

It is hard not to feel buried by it all. But what choice do we have but to go with the flow? We can only take each day as it comes. We can only work so many hours in the day, and only get accomplished what those hours allow. We can only relish in the moments when things go right, and remember that a van (or two or three) breaking down, though utterly frustrating in the moment, really doesn't make a lot of difference in the long run or in the big picture. We can only let go of the wants and needs of this world, and feel the peace that is ours in Christ. Easier said than done, but really, do we have a choice? Be buried under the weight of this world, or embrace the life of Christ? Hmmmm let me think about that.....

Besides, not everything has gone wrong. Yesterday, was a good day. The weather was perfect. We ran errands at a leisurely pace, enjoyed lunch in the park, and had a movie night. The kids were helpful and co-operative for the most part, and I thoroughly enjoyed our day together. We didn't do anything special, but it was a good day.

Even when things do go wrong, there are things that are right. Saturday the work truck broke down on my way to get feed. This left me stranded, forty minutes from home, in a very bad spot on a heavily traveled two lane road with the truck and a trailer. Semis and cars were whizzing by me on one side while the vehicles on my side of the road were very impatient to get around me. After about ten minutes of this, a young father with a pickup truck stopped hooked on to my truck and pulled me to a spot where I could get off the road better.  I can't tell you how grateful I am to him for that act of kindness.

There I waited for Tim to come and try to get the truck going again. He tried several things, and finally we had to call a tow truck. Tim and I spent the hour waiting in the shade and chatting. I can't remember the last time we've been able to sit and relax together like that in the middle of the day. I thoroughly enjoyed it in the midst of our messed up day and broken down vehicle.

Life is full of ups and downs. Lately, the downs have been intense. I can't hide from them. I can't run away from them. All I can do is roll with them, enjoy the ups when they come, and allow the truth and life of Christ to reign in me. Yesterday was a good day. Today, so far, has not. I am going with the flow.

What is that noise?

So today I'm out milking the goats, and I keep thinking I hear chicks. Of course, right now we do have a lot of chicks, but I milk on one side of the house and all the chicks are completely on the other end of the house. There is no way I could hear them where I was.

So, I kept milking. Every now and then I thought I heard peeping. When Tim came out the door I told him I thought I heard chicks. He looked under the porch near me, and found the source of the noise.

Twelve Muscovy ducklings. Aren't they cute?!

This Never Gets Old

There has been plenty that has been difficult around here. There is a lot that has been frustrating, not to mention exhausting. It is often hard not to wallow there.

But there are also things to celebrate and to smile about.

Last Saturday two friends arranged a work party here on the farm. About 30 people (including kids) showed up to work. We beat this current heat wave, and were blessed with a beautiful late summer day for the event. The main task involved cutting logs, and clearing brush from the hillside that was cleared for electric lines last winter. We also dug potatoes, stacked tires, and shoveled manure to mulch the asparagus bed. It is amazing how much work got done that day. I wish I would have taken some pictures.

The summer garden has been a little disappointing, but we are now starting on the fall garden. There is something magical about seeing seeds sprout. The broccoli and cabbage are started inside.

New chicks arrived today. No matter how many times we buy or hatch chicks it is always exciting. Today we got 100 Cornish Rocks, and 50 hatchery choice which ended up being Golden Comets.

Enjoying simple pleasures like these never gets old.

Nolan makes me smile.

Nolan always manages to do something that makes me smile. He also often does things that infuriate me, but today I'll share a sweet and a funny thing he said recently.

Sweet Nolan
We were in the car, on the way to Nolan's favorite store, Global Liquidators, when Nolan starts asking me about Papaw's accident. Nolan wants to know about the accident, and why Papaw looked different at the funeral home. The questions weren't exactly comfortable to answer, but I know Nolan is trying to understand something none of us really do. I tried to answer his questions with just enough information to satisfy him without giving him too much.

There was a pause in the conversation, and I was just about to turn the radio back on when Nolan says, "I'm happy that Papaw died, and I'm not happy that Papaw died." The statement took me by surprise. I paused for a moment and asked, "Why are you happy that Papaw died?" Nolan's answer, "Because now he gets to be with God." And the logical next question from me, "Why are you not happy that Papaw died?" Nolan's whole face dropped, and he told me, "Because I miss him."

Funny Nolan
A puppy showed up at the neighbors barn last week. He is adorable, and looks to be some sort of Sheppard. The neighbors think we should take him, but we have plenty of dogs here now as it is. The kids love to go play with the dog while we are doing chores, or I am working in the garden.

Thursday, Nolan and Vivian walked up there to give something to the neighbor. They weren't home, but the puppy was. Somehow, the puppy followed them back here. I asked the kids if they called the dog to follow them. Vivian told me it was an accident. She didn't call him on purpose. Uh huh.....

I told them they could play with the puppy some back here, and then we would take him back to the neighbor's. A little while later Nolan comes storming in the house to tell me that the puppy is chasing chickens. Of course my first thought is that this dog is going to catch and kill chickens so I start ask Nolan where the dog is now, and telling him he has to get the dog away from the chickens. Nolan interrupts my questions and lecture with a stern look on his face, and says, "Don't worry mom. I told the puppy he better leave those chickens alone because my dad has a .22."

And would you believe that puppy was no longer chasing chickens, but was actually sitting quietly at the front window?

I Don't Know What to Say

Almost three weeks has gone by since dad's accident.

People ask me how I'm doing. I don't know what to say. I'm fine? (flat out lie)  As good as can be expected? (how is one expected to be?) I'm functioning, but feel like I'm walking through a haze? (partly true.)  I'm completely overwhelmed at every turn? (now we are getting closer to the truth of it.)

I'm overwhelmed by all the people.
There were people at calling hours whom mom and I had never met. The funeral was packed with family and family friends, many whom I haven't seen in years. Many of whom drove hours to come, and had to turn right back around and leave after the funeral. Neighbors and people from business' dad frequented came. The UPS man that used to have our route even came. Hundreds of people, on a week day, came to say good bye to dad.

People have watched the kids, help fix things, taken care of animals, planned farm work days, made us meals, brought us groceries, stocked my freezer, given us money, prayed, hugged, and shared fond memories. I am pretty sure there have been more people here in the last three weeks than there have been in the entire five years that we have lived here. I could count on one hand the number of days no one has come for a visit and there were many days I couldn't count on both hands how many people did come to visit.

I'm overwhelmed by all the people. Sometimes I think I may hide if one more car drives into the driveway, but I don't like it when no one is here either. Doesn't make sense does it? Having people around keeps me busy. It keeps my mind occupied. It often gives me a chance to think and talk about something else besides dad's death and the after shocks of it.

When there is no one here I feel like I'm walking through a haze. I do get some things done, but I have mommy disorder times 1000. I can't seem to complete any task on the first try. I come back to find something half done hours after it was begun. My brain is clicking at about half speed, and I can't remember anything lately. We have spent countless hours in front of mindless entertainment these past weeks, and none of it has been enjoyable. I'm not even close to fully functioning yet.

I'm overwhelmed by all the things that need done.
Even before this happened I was feeling a lot of pressure from the amount of things on my plate. I was feeling the need to downsize and focus on the things that are most important to our family. I was feeling I had too much going on, and really wasn't able to give my best to anything. I hadn't exactly figured out to how to fix that, but the pressure to downsize was already there.

My dad was the main farmer here. He put in a full work week and then some on the farm. There is no way we can keep up with all that he did. We know that, and we have plans to downsize some things and eliminate others. The problem is none of that is done instantly. Almost everything has several things that need done first before we get to the goal. There are things that need fixed and sold,  animals grown, weaned, sold, and processed, and things that just need arranged. In the meantime, everything that normally goes on here needs done and maintained and projects that were started need finished. Trying to get all that done under the time crunch of Tim's busy season of work (which is already starting,) school season (and the activities that go with it,) and the coming winter months (which add increased responsibilities for animal care) while Tim and mom work full time, and I work part time is just overwhelming. 

People have been very generous with offering their time, and we will be taking them up on the offers. August 7th there is a work day planned here, and we have lots of work to do. But even trying to get a list of projects together is a little mind boggling for me right now.

I'm overwhelmed by the emotion.
I'm not generally an emotional person. I often do not really know how to handle highly emotional things. I've certainly done my share of crying these past weeks, but mostly I'm just numb.

So, how am I? I don't know what to say.

Paul Miller, Dad, 7/30/49 - 7/9/2010

My dad was a man who met life full on. He was a risk taker whose head was full of ideas and plans. He enjoyed taking on new things and he enjoyed a good challenge. He completed these thing with a super human amount of hard work mixed with a good old fashioned dose of bullheadedness. He didn't back down from the challenges, and quitting was not an option.

I think I was in grade school when I first realized how hard dad worked. His insurance business was in its infancy. We lived on my gradparents' farm. They both were fighting losing battles with cancer. He put in an incredible amount of hours in his own business, and was running grandpa's farm. I'm honestly not sure when he slept those years.

I remember going out on the corn planter at night with him. He would plant the corn by the headlights of the tractor. I would ride along, and always fell asleep while he went back forth through the field.

Over the years he had a lot of different jobs, but he did every one of them with the same attitude; full on. 100% effort was put in while completing the work to his own high standards.

Though he did not play nearly as much as maybe we all thought he should, when he did play it was with the same force. I remember long Sunday drives, Monopoly games, euchre, back packing, camping, softball, and just horsing around with kids.

He had a huge soft spot for kids. It could be seen when he was a youth pastor and foster parent, but I've seen it most in the last five years here with his own grandchildren. The grand kids were always tagging along with him to work on fence, run to the feed mill, feed the animals, or just watch him work on whatever project was occupying him that day.

I am so incredibly grateful for the last five years of living and work beside him on our little farm in the woods. What a precious gift it is for Tim and I and the kids. I can't really begin to fathom what life here will be like with out him. We all ready miss him so much. But he taught us how to face this challenge. We will meet it with hard work mixed with a good dose of Miller stubbornness. All the while remembering to, "Consider it pure joy. . . " James 1:2.



Paul M. Miller, 60, of Ona, WV, formerly of Fredericksburg, OH passed Friday, July 9, 2010 from injuries sustained in a farm accident. He was a generous man who freely gave of his time and resources. He met life's challenges with a sense of adventure and perseverance. He encouraged others around him to do the same, often using his favorite verse, James 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." He touched many lives, and will be deeply missed. Paul was a successful business man, a youth pastor, backpacker, spelunker, bus driver, wrestling coach, foster parent, but spent the final years of his life doing what he loved best, tending to the land and animals and spending time with his family. He was born July 30, 1949 in Millersburg, OH, a son of the late Melvin B. And Mary P. Miller. He is survived by his wife, Linda Franks Miller; one daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Tim Appleton of Ona, WV; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Eric Miller of Oak Hill, WV and Jake and Delilah Miller of Cuyahoga Falls, OH; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sara and Paul Mast of Apple Creek, OH, Clara and Andy Troyer of Millersburg, OH, Amanda Raber of Holmesville, OH, Katie and John Erb of Walnut Creek, OH brothers and sisters-in-law, Eli and Verba Miller of NY, Roy and Lovina Miller of Holmesville, OH, Pete and Anna Miller of Coschocton, OH and Abe and Erma Miller of Danville, OH; and ten grandchildren. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6-9 pm at the Wallace Funeral Home, Barboursville. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 am Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at the Wallace Funeral Home & Chapel, Barboursville, by Paul Richardson. Burial will be in Barker Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan's Purse, Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.timefor memory.com/wallace.

The Blackberries are Here!

Here we are the first week of July, and as if on cue, the blackberries are ready. They are just about to peak, but we've already picked so many. I think the kids and I have picked at least 8 quarts this week. Mamaw has picked a bunch, and so have Miles and Ashley.

Pies, cobblers, dumplings, and jams are being made, and the kids have already sold a few. They hope to sell a lot more. Picking and selling berries has been their summer money project for several years now. They sell them for $8/quart.

We literally have blackberry bushes on every scrap of land that gets a little sun. They are everywhere. Did I mention that we live on Blackberry Lane? Yes, we have so many blackberries that we named the road for them. They are wild, and sometimes a little challenging to get to, but that is half the adventure isn't it? The blackberries must love the humid heat we've had this summer. The plants are loaded this year with big and juicy berries.

The weather this week is a bit cooler, and I plan to take full advantage by picking berries like crazy. I have lots of things to make.

Here are some links to my favorite blackberry recipes:
Blackberry Shrub a drink concentrate
Blackberry Freezer Jam
Boiled Blackberry Dumplings
Blackberry Syrup
Blackberry Vinegar
Blackberry Cordial

Nobody Again?

Today, I am doing laundry and the dishwasher is running too. I hear this strange sound that I can't quite place. I stopped the washer to look inside. Everything appeared normal, and I thought it must be something in the dishwasher rubbing up against the top rack. I went to investigate, and realized that the sound really was coming from the washer not the dishwasher.

Of course, the worst thoughts pop in to mind. The sound must be coming from the machinery. The washer is broken, and we'll have to spend time and money, neither of which we have in abundance, on fixing the darn thing. I stopped the machine again to look inside. This time the cause of the noise was abundantly clear, and laying right on top of the wet laundry in the machine.

Now, how did those get in there? I'm sure nobody knows.

Future Bacon and Ham

It is farrowing time again here on the farm. Two of the five sows have farrowed. The first was Lydia's pig, Sassafire. She had her piglets in the woods a little over a week ago. Here they are today.

Ashes, Kellen's sow, had her piglets this morning in the pig house. 

Little piggies are awful cute, but baby goats are still the cutest. (Said for Kellen's benefit.)  Though I must admit that goats don't make as much or as delicious bacon and ham.

To See What We Can See

Today Lydia, Nolan and I set off on an adventure to see what we could see. Actually, we were hoping to find black raspberries. We did find about enough for a pie, but in the process enjoyed scouting some other wild foods and coming across other interesting things.

We picked daylilies, elder flowers, and milkweed flowers. We will be making fritters with these soon.

We found the blackberry bushes are absolutely loaded this year. We found a few that were ripe, but it is still early. They usually are at their peak around the Fourth of July. Looks like there will be a ton this year.

The sumac is also flowering. These are slow to ripen though, and won't be ready until the end of summer when they turn a deep red color. I'm ready for some sumac pie now, but will have to be patient.

We also stopped at Big Knot for a little recreation. Big Knot is the kids' term for a spot between the barn and driveway. It really is just a rope swing hanging from a high tree, but to them it is a starting point for many adventures.

A walk around the place wouldn't be complete with out seeing a box turtle. Today we saw two.

We didn't see a lot of what we wanted to see on our morning walk today, but we appreciated the things we did see and the time spent together in fresh air and sunshine. It was a good morning.