The Cole Homestead

I'm Back!

Sorry to be gone so long but there has been so much to do!  Isn't that always the way of children and farms?  I am hoping that since most of the garden has been harvested and the chickens butchered and most of the gardens bounty put up, I am done for a moment or two. 

The weather has started to cool a bit here in Central Illinois so I feel much more energetic.  This past Sat we butchered 40 chickens.  Now when I say butcher we don't do it like most folks.  We pretty much skin them.  We chop the heads off of eight of them and then go to work.  We hang them on the clothes line and start taking the shin off.  first comes the drumstick and thigh together then we remove the breast fillet.  All there is to it.  It seemed to be so much work involved in the "normal" way.  I prefer no skin, and honestly there was a lot of work for two wings, a back, and some skin.  Most of the thighs were canned for chicken and noodles and chicken soup.  (Our version of convenience food.) and the beast meat frozen for Italian chicken or sandwiches, or fried chicken. 

Italian chicken is one of my favorite comfort foods.  All it is white chicken meat oven baked with red wine Italian dressing on top.  Great with baked potatoes.  (Never cook potatoes in Italian dressing because of the vinegar content.  They will take forever to cook.)  Also a great left over food.  Just slice the meat on top of a salad.  So great!

Also all 5 of our lady goats are in "the family way".  At least I hope.  They seem to be getting bigger and the have been very friendly with our buck.  Four of our ladies are fainting goats while the last one is a Sabeen alpine mix.  She was mated with a Nubian buck so we should have a interesting turn out.

All of the garden is in now except for the pumpkins, tomatoes and some peppers.  I have also left my turnips and potatoes in for awhile.  My husband said he would plow them up for me when he gets a chance.  He has been working on a new fence for the goats.  The keep testing their limits.  We use a solar powered electric fence that I know is working but does not seem to stop them.  My husband did put ion a few sky lights for them in their goat house which they seem to like.  I am wanting to get it cleaned and limed again here soon to.

The last item I have been working on is my fire starters.  My mother in law brings me left over candle wax and dryer lint for these.  I have and old muffin tin that I place a wad of lint in and pour melted wax on top.  Not much, just enough to hold it all together.  Works great in our wood cook stove.  I can normally do this while my daughter is doing her school work.  This is our first "official" year homeschooling and so far it seems to be going well.  I am always a little concerned about her progress but it seems to be more of a case of proving to family and friends that it is a good decision.  It is almost like I need her not just keep pace but excel.  I should know better and am trying to work on this.  She is always excited to learn and that is what matters. 

I will post more soon and hope to post a few pics soon also.  For now I most get back to making soap and candles while it is cool and the children are asleep. 

Always enjoy

07:49, Thursday, September 11, 2008 .. Posted by MaLena

Always enjoy reading your blogs...

Lena

Untitled Comment

01:21, Friday, September 12, 2008 .. Posted by BeckyTom

i'm gald your back, you have been missed.
becky