the little church

New Church

We have a new church home.   It is a small country church located just 2.5 miles from our home.  We passed this church for years on our way here and there.   It just never beckoned us to worship.

About three months ago (maybe a little more) I mentioned that we were attempting to find a local church to call home.  We visited almost every church in biking distance.  This was the last one we visited and the first one to feel like home.

The membership is mostly older residents, a few younger families, and a three young adults–not a terribly healthy congregation right now.  The new pastor has hopes and dreams both the for the church and the community.  Our hometown is sort of a red-headed step-child around here.  He has a vision and the drive to make some real changes.

The little church has real ties to the community.  They help deliver pies to older people in the community.  They will begin feeding and tutoring several children tonight.    This is the first church I have ever attended where a great deal of food sharing is done.  Not only eating together, but bringing in the produce that is grown.  The ladies talk about how the gardens are growing, what they have been preserving, and willingly share both produce and recipes.  It is a little slice of heaven for this country girl who had been spending Sunday mornings in the city!

So this Sunday at 9:45 we will covenant with these people.

Kim

cpr

Living so far out in the country has many advantages.  There are a few drawbacks though.  Medical care being pretty high on the list.  It would take an ambulance (that didn’t make any wrong turns and found the house on the first try) 25 minutes to get here.  The volunteer fire department might be able to make it a little sooner — it would depend on where they all were when the call came in, how long it would take them to get to the station, and then out here.

So HM and I have decided to get some advanced first aid training.  We started last Saturday with our CPR class.  It lasted from 8 am to 3 pm.  I haven’t sat in a class that long in . . . so long I can’t even remember!  We were both exhausted by the end and ready to come home and lay down.

We learned how to help a choking person, do rescue breathing, and CPR.  We learned those skills for adults, children and infants.  The American Red Cross has a wonderful class and the book is worth the price of the class.  CPR for 2 minutes straight is quite a workout.

During the day we must have done chest compressions for 15-20 minutes.  My hands and wrists are sore and show some signs of bruising.  Lovely!  My greatest consolation is that if I ever have to really do it the adrenalin will help keep me going.

Next up on our list is basic first aid.  Then we’ll move on to more advanced classes.

Kim

plum conserves

We tried this for the first time yesterday. It is great! We had it over homemade yellow cake.  I think it would be good over chicken and maybe roast pork.  It makes 5 pints.

• 10 cups plums, pitted
• 3 oranges, peeled and chopped
• 2/3 c orange peel, sliced thin
• 2 c raisins
• 5 c sugar
• Stir frequently until sugar dissolves.
• Let come to a boil.  Boil 10 minutes.
• Add 2 c pecans, chopped
• Boil an additional 5 minutes.
• Water bath can 15 minutes.

too many roos?

My bantam chickens are perplexing me.   I thought I had 12 hens and 2 roosters.  Now I’m wondering if I have 7 roosters and 7 hens.  They are getting these strange combs.

Sabrina, top picture, was a favorite hen.  A few days ago she opened her mouth and crowed at HM.  Now, that is NOT normal hen behavior.  Like I said — perplexed.  Check out the comb on the chicken in the bottom picture.  (Clicking on the picture will make it larger).

In the second picture you can also see the chickens’ garden bed.   The sunflowers are nearly as tall as the 8 foot fence.  That will make for some nice winter eating for my girls (I hope they’re girls!).

Any bantam raisers out there with a clue?  I could sure use some help.

Sabrina

Bantam in yard

girls grown up

My little lambs have really grown up.   They are 3/4 grown.  I think they will get a little taller and add a little weight.  I am pleased with their size and so thankful that I went with Shetland mixes.

Sheep are peaceful creatures.  They seem content to eat, walk, sleep, and play a little.  They never seem to go anywhere alone — not even to get a drink.  It is funny to watch.    They aren’t overly curious either.  The goats will often get right in the middle of whatever we are working on, but the sheep hang back.  They watch,  watch some more, then ramble off to eat.

Abby and Elsy

Libby and Lizzy

Oh look, I learned how to put captions on the pictures!  Cool.

Kim

timber!

We had a huge, 100 foot tall, maple that died on the edge of the woods. CK has been working on taking it down for a few weekends. First he made a ladder up the side of the tree. Then he worked on removing some limbs on one side. Saturday (on our 22nd wedding anniversary) he took the chainsaw to the base of the tree.

The first picture if from the back door.  That way you can see how tall it was.  Then a look at the base with Merry, the wether, checking out the size.  Then one with my hand for another perspective.

I took the pictures on Sunday, the 17th.  My camera is just confused!

independence days; 15

Slow week here on the homestead.

Planted:

Harvested: raspberries, grapes, cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes, eggs, potatoes, broccoli, melon

Preserved: dried onions, dried sweet potatoes, dried egg shells, dried apples, dried mint, dried tomato

Stored: vinegar, sugar, butter, dish soap

Prepped: AIP class, cleaned wood stove for winter use,

Managed: kept house clean, gardens weeded, chicken coop cleaned, bunny barn cleaned, firewood stacked, CK and MA taking down a very large dead hardwood maple in the woods,

more treadle machine pictures

Yesterday the internet connection was really spotty.  I wanted to include more pictures of HM’s machine.  It is really a beauty.   It is in amazing shape.  All the parts are there, even the original instruction manuals!  HM has found a website/forum dedicated to treadle users.   Lots to learn.

Kim

HM’s treadle sewing machine

HM is the proud owner of a 1911 Singer treadle sewing machine.  She used money she received as gifts for her high school graduation to buy it.  She hasn’t had much time to practice with it.  We’ve been so busy with homestead stuff.

Here is a picture.

independence days; 12, 13, 14

umm . . . yeah, I sort of didn’t get these posted on time.

Planted:  kale, kohlrabi, corn, arugula, sunflowers, carrots

Harvested: kale, kohlrabi, carrots, garlic, chocolate mint, spearmint, peppermint, onions, basil, thyme, parsley, last of the lettuce, arugula, green beans, rio zappe beans, radishes, broccoli, concord grapes, cucumbers, first of the tomatoes,  eggs

Preserved:  dried mints, garlic, dehydrated garlic, dehydrated carrots, dried basil, dried a mix of apples, plums, apricots, and cherries (stuff that was getting overly ripe on the counter), dehydrated blueberries (the last of the season), bottled the wild blackberry wine.

Prepped: Stuff for HM’s first herbal class.

Managed: Garden is in transition.  The garlic and onions have come out, the potatoes should be ready to harvest in the next few weeks.  It is too hot for greens.  Most of the garden is now either perennials that aren’t producing at this season, crops that are grown for late fall, or the classic tomato and cucumber type plants.  Bunny barn and chicken coop have been cleaned.  Gardens have been weeded.

Kim

that little voice

You know that little voice that lives in the back of your brain? I am not on the best of terms with that little voice right now. It has gotten me into trouble. Like when it said, “Go ahead one more snickers won’t hurt.” Or when it said, “You don’t really need to exercise today.”

So hear I sit, turning into a fluffy person. A person told for the first time in her life to “lose a few pounds.” Words I never want to hear again. So . . .

I, Kim H, being of relatively sound mind and slightly overweight body, do bequeath my secret stash of chocolate to my daughter HM. I will find where I hid that self-control and I will exercise it and my body. Walking the dog will NOT count anymore. I must find myself slightly sweaty and breathing somewhat raggedly at least 3 days a week for the next 2 weeks. Then four days, then five days. If I complete the above mentioned work I will be allowed one treat a week of MY choice. CK will be in charge of portion size though.

God help me. I may not survive. Prayers and encouragement welcome. Please don’t send chocolate.