Posted in Farm Happenings
Wow! is all I can say. Where has the year gone already? I started knitting in January and the next thing I know it is July already!! I'll try to summarize the last 6 months 'new' (to me) 1800's Great Wheel, 'new' 1932 wood cook stove, knitting, spinning, knitting, soap making, knitting, spinning, fiber fest, rigid heddle loom, spinning, starting plants in greenhouse, spinning, tilling gardens, day old poults, planting cranberries, blueberries, red, yellow, black raspberries, blackberries, day old chicks, tilling other garden, seeding and replanting garden, watering, weeding, replanting garden (again!), weeding, watering, knitting, farmer's market, 3RD ANNUAL MULLER'S LANE FARM HOMESTEADING WEEKEND, weeding, Kromski rigid heedle loom, watering, new goslings, knitting, spinning Okay - that's about it!! Paul is bringing home green beans and cabbage from the historic site. That means I'll be spending July 4 canning beans and making sauerkraut!
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Posted in Farm Happenings
I set up an Etsy account the other day. http://www.mullerslanefarm.etsy.com
A lot of it is Paul's iron work.
What type of response have you had with Etsy?? |
Posted in Farm Happenings
Just a quick update on our Homesteading Weekend scheduled for July 29-30, 2006.
We've had quite a number of calls and expect a good (but not overwhelming) amount of folks to be here.
In keeping with our "We don't have a plan and are sticking to it!", we are taking requests from folks on what they want to learn or what they want to teach.
Sometime on Saturday, we will be processing chickens. From feather to freezer. On Sunday we will be discussing bread making and getting the draft horses out for lessons on harnessing, hitching and driving them.
Saturday evening will be spent around the cook fire (our outdoor living room) with lots of singing.
If anyone is interested in joining us, please give Cyndi or Paul a call at 815-625-2607! |
Posted in Farm Happenings
NW IL Homesteading Weekend Muller’s Lane Farm July 29 & 30, 2006 This will be an informal get together for like-minded people who would like to share with/learn from others. Possible events/classes: Blacksmithing Spinning Weaving Animal Care Soapmaking Gardening Harnessing & Driving draft horses Cooking on open fire with cast iron If you have a talent you would like to share with others, bring what you need. There will be no set time for classes/demonstrations. In keeping with our adage, "We don't have a plan and we're sticking to it!" Potluck both days, bring what you need and we'll share with all. Please! No alcohol, firearms or pets. For more information, call Paul & Cyndi at 815-625-2607 or email at mullerslanefarm@coiinc.com |
Posted in Farm Happenings
Spring is gearing up here at the farm. Some crocus somehow managed to escape the scratching of the chickens and have blooming for a week. Trees are budding and getting fuzzy'. Garden News: Paul managed to get the green house up this year and I've managed to get a few plants started. Now if I can only keep them alive until it's time to get them in the garden! I'm having heat issues inside the (unheated) greenhouse. I'm not sure how I will adjust this, I'm gone to work before daylight (when temps have still been in the 30's) and back in early afternoon (when temps inside the greenhouse are over 110!) The Troy-Bilt is being tuned up for its first go ‘round in the gardens (which are heavily mulched with hay/manure/straw). Perennial herbs are already showing their beautiful, fragrant leaves in the gardens! Animal News: We received our first batch of meat chickens (Cornish X Rock) yesterday. They're safely in the 2-story brooder. We found out Dolly, our 8 year old There are between 15-20 goose eggs in the incubator due to hatch any day now. I don't know why we need more geese!! The other incubator is fired up to hold the next batch of eggs from various heritage turkeys. I decided not to separate the breeds this year, so there is no telling what the poults will look like. Currently we have 2 toms, (a Bourbon Red and a Royal Palm). Our hens include Royal Palm, Bourbon Red, Narraganset, and a cross from last year (I'm thinking Narrie X BR) They chickens are laying up a storm! We average a couple dozen eggs a day – now if we could only sell a couple dozen a day!! We also have a new dog and one of her puppies. The Mom, Heidi, is a registered Liver-colored Border Collie. She was crossed with an outstanding Blue Heeler. The pup, Aggie, now 11 weeks old, is extremely intelligent. When she is old enough, if she turns out the way she promises to, I will have her registered with the AWFA (American Working Farmcollie Association) http://www.farmcollie.com Online orders for my Milk Soaps & Lotions have picked up. http://www.mullerslanefarm.com/soap for which I am very thankful. |
Posted in Farm Happenings
Before I can get to the more fun stuff like finalizing the plans for our garden, I need to get our taxes finished. :sigh: Sunday afternoon I went to a baby shower. She received so many cute things. I guess I’m just too practical and bought some “onsies” and a plaster-of-paris handprint kit. This is another friend that raises alpacas. I bought some wonderful white roving from her earlier this winter and have spun up quite a bit of it. I’m now crocheting a pair of booties with the her alpaca. Speaking of spinning… the 13 year old daughter of a dear friend is very interested in spinning. I was able to locate a nice, sturdy Tonight we are going to an awards dinner hosted by the American Legion. My high school senior is receiving an award from the American Legion for his work in his Metals II class. Way to go, Dan! |
Posted in Farm Happenings
Somedays I wonder, "When did it begin?" As far back as I can remember, I was always playing in the dirt and dragging home some animal. Paul grew up in the country. His family had a milk cow in the 60's. Even as adults, Paul & I were involved in life's events & lessons that taught us the history of our nation. These lessons have come in handy now that own our homestead. We are bringing this lifestyle alive for many people of all ages through our farm tours. Our farm is the culmination of the time period between 1850-1950. We produce the majority of our own food including all our meat, eggs, milk (of course dairy products such as butter & cheese), honey and vegetables. Individual homesteading lessons are given in areas of blacksmithing, soapmaking and spinning and others. I hope to be able to contribute often to this blog, but I can't promise a thing. Life gets busy in the winter (the only time I make cheddar cheese and when I do the majority of my spinning) and then it picks up to warp speed with planting, gardening & harvesting.
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