Homestead Journal

Ozette's Eyes

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:56:00 -0500

I realize I didn't post how many Kits Ozette threw- 8. Seven will reach weaning age. They are by far and away the most friendly, calm, cuddly American litter we've raised. Usually they are quite jumping-beanish until older, and even then we have to take care to handle them or they stay a bit on the flighty side. We've always attributed this to the the old heritage qualities of the breed. Especially the CanAM line we maintain being, so it's thought, from the original lines. However, we now have another theory...

... Ozette, the mother of above said litter, developed cataracts in both eyes about 2 months ago. We haven't since such a thing in our rabbitry, nor have we ever read/heard much about eye conditions, so a lot of research ensued the discovery of white irregularly shaped areas in her eyes. With the information gathered, along with the professional 'human' experience of our daughter who is a certified opthomologists assistant, we are quite certain it is a case of cataracts. Cataracts in rabbits are not hereditary, this was our main concern being that Ozette is a beautiful example of a rare American rabbit. At this point, she can see light and shadows. Progression to the point of complete blindness may occur. There is no pain, though, her mood is as pleasant as always, loving attention. So she will remain on as the valued member of our American Conservation Breeding Program that she is!

The fascinating thing to observe has been the change in her behavior with her Kits. She made a nest and pulled fur literally only one hour before kindling. Each morning after nursing, she would pull hay over them in the nest box, urinate in a corner of the box, then poo on top. Usually this is not a desireable thing for a Doe to do. However, with her impaired sense of vision, and the rodent problem we've had this year, her instinct to conceal them from possible harm kicked into high gear... she was masking their scent! Fascinating!!! This extra fussing from Mama is why we think the babies are so much calmer and friendlier than normal. That's our theory anyway!

Time For Change

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:07:00 -0500

After a few years with the same website template, I decided we needed a change, an update, if you will. What do ya think? :) It'll take me a little time to get the font type and size adjusted on each page, but I like it already. It's fresh and clean, new. I'm ready for changes!

We had our first freeze this morning- into the 20's over night, frozen water in the barn and dog dish, hard ground, slippery spots, almost looks like a ligth snow. The woodstove is working overtime today keeping the house a toasty 74 degrees F for me. I do love winter!

Kits Again!

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:51:00 -0500

After an 8 month long Kit-less spell, last night, late last night, Ozette kindled!!! Tom said "it's been so long since we had babies, I'm actually excited this time."

We've had issues with 4-legged intruders in the barn so we had to be on kindling vigil so as to bring the nestbox in the house once she was finished. She was done by 10:30 pm, way past our bedtime. Amazingly enough, she only made her nest and pulled fur 1 hour before kindling! Haven't taken count yet, but I will later today after she has had a chance to nurse the newborns.

Butter Update

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:37:00 -0400

I heard about another possible 'method' for butter making. Being the inquisitive person I am, I gave it a try. It was using an electric ice cream maker. Not much to report except that there is nowhere near enough rotation speed to churn butter! It was a complete flop. Now you know, too! ;)

Long Time No Post

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:31:00 -0400

Whew, it has been a while. We've had an exceptionally busy summer. Well, make that year! Travel, visiting relatives, new puppy, finding land, trips to the land, and all the usual acitivities of life in between, I am almost breathless!

This, if course, means our rabbit breeding schedule has been completely defunct. We had to cut back on our herd, too. Then the Does decided they weren't interested. We'll see about that! We added some mood lighting and finally two are bred. One is still holding out, hopefully in another day or two of more light she'll be receptive, too. I am looking forward to the babies, it's been too long!

All in all, everyone around the homestead is doing just fine. Keeping healthy and staying busy. ;) Hope you are all well, too! :D

July 23rd, 2009...

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:16:00 -0400

... marks the day our purchase of land was finalized!!! We found our special place in the country on which to establish our dream of a self-sufficient farm. For details, pics nad lots more information, visit our Blog "Journey Into the Country".

Jammin' Morning

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:04:00 -0400

I've been wanting to make freezer jam for a few years now. Between forgetting about it and feeling a lack of confidence (although unwarranted according to expert freezer jam-makers), I just have never learned. Until yesterday, that is!

Thanks to my sister, one of the aforementioned experts, I was encouraged and assisted to take the plunge! We went together to purchase half flats of fresh berries in season and the other necessary ingredients, a whole two (pectin specifically for freezer jam and organic sugar), not including the jars. Although the plan was to make it together at her house, I wasn't up to the task of packing all my supplies plus the new puppy, so I stayed home and 'jammed' by myself. :wink:

I've truly been missing out all these years. Freezer jam is so easy to make it's almost silly! I made three batches- Boysenberry, Berry Blitz= boysenberry, blueberry and raspberry, and Berry Delight= boysenberry and raspberry, for a total of 15 half-pint jars of jam. (Yes, I named them. Even if 'it' doesn't move, I assign a name!) And it only took one hour. Oh my goodness, are they ever delicious!!! Tom says he can easily get used to having fresh jams around. Guess I'm stuck now. But it's a happy spot to be stuck in! :D

I strongly encourage you all to take the plunge this year, too!!! For a great video on the process, go to Ball's Fresh Preserving website. There you'll find lots of luscious recipes, too. Enjoy!

P.S. The leftover berry puree makes fantastic smoothies, just add to yogurt! And extra whole berries can be frozen for jam making later, or whatever else!

Bye, Bye, Birdies

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:54:00 -0400

It's time to say goodbye to our dear little hens. It is strangely quiet without the sound of their cute noises. We miss their feather-bloomered selves running around chasing whatnot and watching them scratch around the yard. We miss them a lot!

Thank you, girls, for the hours of entertainment and the fabulous eggs. We'll never forget the lessons learned from you. Our next hens will have more-learned folks to care for them.

Until then, the egg basket sits empty on the shelf.

Introducing... Greer!

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:08:00 -0400

On June 28, 2009, Greer joined our homestead family. She was born to Tanner and Haylie in Lynnwood, WA, at Glimmercroft Farm. Although she was a gleam in our eyes, her arrival came quite unexpectedly.

We thought Spring of 2010 would be the right time for a puppy. With our move to NE Washington planned for around then, we knew we'd need another dog (an ES was a must) to form a team with Eoin for predator control and such, but we were going to wait until our house actually sold. What we didn't quite think through is the fact that getting a new puppy in the midst of packing, moving, and building our new house,would be a really, really bad idea. Not to mention the fact that a small pup wouldn't even be able to help Eoin. We just didn't realize these things until this sweet little puppy came available right near home. Which was another bonus... no cost or stress of shipping. Everything definitely came together to get this little girl.

Her owner, Laura Workman, did have a buyer for her. However, when it came time to arrange payment and pick-up, the people were no where to be found. So she listed the puppy for sale on a homesteading forum I frequent. I saw the ad and actually replied 'oh how adorable, wish we could take her, not ready', blah, blah. Then, with the encouragement of a friend, :wink: I began to think about it seriously and with Tom's approval, inquired after her. Come to find out, she has the exact bloodlines we wanted. In the future, we hope to breed Eoin and Greer so bloodlines is a very important consideration. These lines are old ones in need of continual preservation due to working ability. In fact, Ruth, the breeder we got Eoin from, recommended trying to find a pup from a breeding to a dog named Cash, who we now know is Greer's Uncle, and would have loved to have a pup herself from Greer's lineage, if she only needed another dog. That spoke volumes to us, Ruth is our ES mentor! We jumped at the chance and here she is at my feet, our little Greer Girl.

Greer is a Tri-color, meaning she has markings comprised of black, tan, and white. I just love the markings of this little girl, she is the prettiest Tri I've ever seen! And, yes, she does have us wrapped around her little paws, with a face like that what else would you, could you, expect! Greer is sweet as pie, submissive, biddable. When playing she's a real spit-fire, Eoin has his paws full with her! She jumps on his head and back, biting with those sharp puppy teeth, growling, yipping, barking. It's the cutest when she crouches down in the play stance, chin on the ground and verbally tries to entice Eoin to play! I will get a video of it. (I finally learned to operate all features on the digital camera we got when Eoin first came here). Here she is ~ ~ ~

Butter- Three Ways

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:49:00 -0400

I've been experimenting with home butter making. First, it's not as tricky or difficult as I thought. Second, it is delicous! I know of three ways to make butter, besides the big churn or dasher types. 1) put the cream in a jar and shake it; 2) put the cream in a food processor and process; 3) put the cream in a stand mixer bowl and whip it.

I decided to try all three methods to determine which works best for me and which I prefer. Paying close attention to ease and time involved from set-up to finished product ready to store, here are my findings:

Number 1- When I set out to try the jar method, I expected to have to shake until my arms dropped off. Not the case, much to my delight. It only took 8 minutes of shaking (not very vigorously either), back and forth, switching arms, no big deal really, until I had butter. It was 30 minutes from start to finish. And how quick/easy is it to clean one jar and lid? I like this simple, low-tech method a lot.

Number 2- According to my trusty timer, the food processor method took just as long as the jar method. I was shocked! I thought it would come together in no time flat, it took 28 minutes of processing alone, in addition to washing and storing the butter, then there is the set-up and cleaning time. Taking all things into consideration, I prefer the jar method over the processor.

Number 3- Again, I imagined the mixer method would be much quicker then the lowly jar. Not so. It actually took one hour and the butter still wasn't coming together! I finally gave up and finished it in a jar. No need to say anymore. Except, the person who posted the instructions for this method uses store-bought heavy cream, I use fresh raw cream. It's possible that is the difference. I don't feel inclined to try again with store-bought, though, especially since I will always be using fresh raw. And after 2 hours of frustration.

There you have it. My experiment in making butter three ways. Hope it helps one of you readers!