The Cole Homestead

Sorry gone so long

I really did not mean to be gone so long.  The past few weeks have been filled with the garden coming due all at once.  There was so much to can!  Green beans, corn, salsa, tomatoes, pasta sauce, pizza sauce, peaches, jams and jellies.  So far the wonderberry jam is my favorite.  And of course we had the hottest weather so far this year.  (Heat indexes over 100)  Now things are starting to slow down a bit and we are getting ready to spend more time schooling as weather and garden allow. My daughter is growing her first pumpkin and she is pretty excited. 

Since the weather is getting to a more "workable" temp we have decided that next weekend would be a good time to butcher chickens.  I have heard that there is a chance of rain so we might have to work around that.  I hope to get about 60 to 70 done then.  That will leave me with 28 layers.  Most of them are leghorns but there are a few buff's to help with the mothering.

So far my experiments with soap are going pretty good.  I have been working on a pure old fashioned lye soap.  My only complaint has been that it tends to "curdle" in my hard water.  I have found that if I dissolve a bit of borax in my lye water before it is mixed with the fats it tends to work a lot better.  I am still learning.

We have also grown and now ground our own wheat for our bread.  My husband bought an attachment for our kitchen-Aid for grinding grain.  The flavor was good before but now it is even better.  Fresh ground wheat make all the difference.

We also invested in a sock knitting machine.  This has been a bit of a problem.  I need to get new needles for it and they can be a little difficult to come by.   I have found a place on the net that still carries the needles I need so I will be purchasing them soon.  I want to make sure that the machine is in good working order before fall.  This is to be one of my major winter projects.  Along with quilting so course!

I must end for now.  this is the only chance I have to work on my sewing while the youngest is asleep.  I hope to post pics of our going ons real soon.

How Wonderful

10:17, Tuesday, August 12, 2008 .. Posted by HopefulHeart77

I am so excited that you were able to grow your own wheat. One of the farmers I support grew it organically and of course locally this year and I have bought some from them. I was amazed at how light and wonderful it is. There is just something about knowing that it just came out of the field. I imagine that your pleasure far surpasses mine since you grew your own. I used to make soap way back when.......I have been thinking of getting back into it. I also have made one quilt. I do not have a working sewing machine right now but my husband says soon......I am pumped about that. Please keep me updated on what you are doing. You sound like a very special, talented lady.

Hi

12:39, Tuesday, August 19, 2008 .. Posted by Belle

Your homestead sounds very busy!

I enjoy reading your posts! Your posts are very interesting!

I am having a give away at my blog. http://www.homesteaderbelle.blogspot.com/
I am giveing away an all-in-one pad. I though you might be interested.

Belle

Are you ok or just really busy?

04:58, Monday, September 8, 2008 .. Posted by BeckyTom

Hope all is well with you and you are just really busy. It's been a while since you posted. I am praying for you. Have a blessed day. Becky