I thought that Will had the meat from our two steers all sold. But he doesn’t and a half of one of them has to stay in our freezer as the buyers are going to be on vacation when the meat comes back from the processing plant. Oops! Of course, all three of our freezers are full. (How did that happen?) Obviously because I have been very busy with the seed business and haven’t done a lot of canning lately. Bad Jackie! Gotta remedy that real soon. Mmmm and Easter is in a little over a week. Sigh…
Our snow is about gone. We weren’t thrilled when it snowed all day yesterday. But it’s nearly gone today and getting warmer every day now. The heater in the greenhouse was on all night and is working fine. This afternoon, I’ve got to do some clean-up in there so tomorrow we can move the transplanted peppers out there. Then I can finish transplanting the ones that are big enough.
Yesterday I took Sarge to the vet’s and had his stitches removed. They had to give him a short-acting anesthetic as he wouldn’t lie down on that slick floor. Today he’s 100% and hasn’t even licked his incision once. Good dog! He hated the protective “cone of shame” and the inflatable collar (although not so much). Now he’s bouncing around outside with me, all happy.
Yesterday I also saw a Red-winged Blackbird on our bird feeder and a Kestrel on the power line on the way to the vet. Spring is slowly arriving in the north country.
— Jackie
80 today and 90 tomorrow and we could still have freezes and plenty of snow. Hog went into kill and chill this morning so will be cutting up tomorrow and just did finish canning the end of last years beef and pork. The peppers have three leaves and need transplanting and the tomatoes are just coming up. A great time of year.
Yes it is!! Every day brings something spring-like. This morning the air was fresh with damp soil smell and bird song. So very nice! Congratulations on the pork.
I again had frost overnight. Tilled some of one of the gardens-the ground is cold. A full freezer is better than an empty one. You’ll be doing a lot of canning. Sarge looks good and I hope this changes his”attitude”. Keep calm and bark on. It seems there is always too much to do. I fear an inflationary recession. Never hurts to stock up for the unexpected.
I agree. And with the crazy economy, I’m thinking it isn’t very unexpected this time. Our gardens are way too wet to till, but it’s definitely in the near future. Gotta get them cleaned up first.
Sarge is such a Regal looking dog 😊
I think he knows it. He’s always striking a pose!
Sounds like your weather has been crazy like it has for us. Come Sunday, we could see about 97! Yes, that is about 20 degrees above average. Here in TX we have been all over the place.
Great that Sarge is doing well and done with the cone of shame!
I can also relate to frozen freezers. I need to also do some canning to help empty them on out. I have had people look at me funny when I mention canning meat. One person even asked me what to do with canned meat! Many here understand fully.
Wow, what to do with canned meat??? And they gobble down Spam and Dinty Moore stew, I’ll bet. Gee, it’s like the doctor who came for a visit and saw our chickens out in the yard. She asked me “what are those little animals?”. I’m constantly amazed at how far humankind has digressed. I wouldn’t want 97 degrees yet. I hope your summer isn’t even worse this year.
I had to laugh about your doctor comment. Recently on tv, a reality series called ‘Farmer Wants A Wife’ features four guys who farm. They have been matched up with 5 women each, to perhaps find one who would fit his lifestyle. Gals are on the farm, a new experience for some of them. One woman asked “What are those?” Reply: chickens. “You mean, like the chicken we eat??”
My guess is she will be leaving the show soon, ha!
Good afternoon Jackie.
I’m glad the snow is almost gone and glad you have warmer temps on the way.
It warms up one day here then gets cold. Won’t be long and the warm temps won’t
be going away lol
I know you’ve been busy with seeds and canning had to take a back burner temporarily.
It will be nice to transplant the peppers that are ready.
My peppers and tomatoes in the outdoor building are coming up nicely.
It’s warm in there and their on heat mats.
Won’t be long and they’ll need transplanted and looking forward to starting even more
seeds.
I’ve got a lot of seeds to start from you and ones I’ve saved so lots and lots to do.
I want to have all the food I can grow, can and share with others in need.
I’m glad Sarge is doing well and all healed up now.
It’s wonderful your seeing all the birds.
My little dog and I spend time outside with the chickens and there are
tons of birds flying around and building their nests. So nice to see.
You and Will have a wonderful rest of your Friday.
Isn’t spring nice though? I totally am so glad for each day. I’ve got most of our peppers transplanted and will be starting on the tomatoes very soon. But I do need to squeeze some canning in there somehow. Sometimes I wish I were triplets!
Sarge is back to normal. I took him for a nice run with the golf cart. Will brought it up from the barn this morning and it seems so nice to get on it and check things out as my knees are still plenty sore.
We’ve been adding to our supplies without drawing attention to ourselves. One does *not* want to draw attention to oneself by rolling out a loaded cart (or two) of groceries/non-perishables.
Not only does this take disposable income, it takes time. Better half is retired and has time. He’s scored some great deals on marked down meat from a couple of non-Wally grocery stores in our area.
In the past, he’s not been of the mindset to lay in extra but that has changed. The in place tax increases and the impending ones also mean that *if* a US manufacturer, prices will still go up.
We got married during raygun recession. We both remember stagflation. Weathered at least three other recessions/down turns (plus Covid). Living below our means and being frugal got us through the prior down times. Now we’re in a no debt situation for house and vehicles. Resist, survive, and thrive is my motto. And I’m thinking tilling up the other spot that’s been on my radar for taters just might happen. We are up for the challenge and as always, will help those in need due to no fault of their own.
Yep, prepping is sure wise, especially with the whole world situation. We’re in the unique situation of being in the public spotlight, so to speak so we can’t fly under the radar. But we do live in an isolated location and do take stocking up very seriously. Luckily, Will is also of that mind and we work together to make as sure as possible that we and our family/friends don’t suffer. (It is nice when they also stock up too and not just rely on us.) God helps those who help themselves. So do we.
Way-to-go, Selena! Nice to hear some sort of good news. “The wise man sees trouble and prepares, but the fool keeps going and suffers. Pro. 22:3
A big Amen to that Elizabeth!!!