Blogging World I'm Still Here

Wow.......what a long time since I last blogged. Where do I begin......

(Excuse me while I jump from topic to topic)

Let's start with Easter.
We had a lovely quite Easter this year. My parents came for Brunch, and we had so much food. Besides the lovely ham, there was potato scallop,rolls, salads,sausages,bacon, eggs, hot cross buns, hash browns, and pickles......
The girls got new Bunny's from the Easter bunny. Easter was a nice weather wise day for a Easter egg hunt in the snow. The girls had a lots of fun.

Mom is doing good. She has not had to go back into the hospital for awhile and we hope that this continues.

Now for some sad news..... Spring has not been good for a few animals here on the farm.
Molly our old Saint Bernard dog had to be put down, her hide corners gave out and she could not get up. She lived a very good life of around 18 years which was a lot longer then we ever expected her too.
Our little toggenburg goat Frappy, that we brought home on March break, that lived in our house, died. She was doing great and moved to the barn and eventually Cinnie became her mom too.
But however we noticed she was not growing very fast. Her adopted brother was so much bigger then her, but again we did not think much of it and she was eating and drinking lots, and was very active.
Until one Saturday morning a few weeks back. She could barly walk. She calapsed at my feet and I brought her in the house sat her next to the fire place and tried to give her a couple of shots of things to bring her back. Within moments she was gone. Hubby thinks there was to much inbreeding going on at the farm we got her from. ( I guess we I'll never know)
Then just last week Jill's baby new bunny got her head caught in under the fence somehow and hung her self.  My heart broke for her.
Hubby went the next day and got her a new bunny but not a baby. (I sure hope nothing else happens)

Ok, let's get back to some better news again....

We brought our new travel trailer home a couple weeks ago. It is so much bigger then our old one with the pop out. 

I was very sad to see our old one go, we have had some many good memories in there. Jillian was really upset to see it go. But our new trailer is newer, bigger, and every works.

The only disadvantage is that it is not a fifth wheel. It is a bumper pull, which is harder to pull to the campground. ( but we will manage)

Hubby also bought a new truck. He has been working on old trucks for years, and finally got a great super deal on a truck so he finally made up his mind and bought it. I am very happy for him, he works so hard for his money and never gets to buy himself anything. 

Our provincal park, that we keep our trailer at for the summer, usually opens from May 15th- till Sept.1

But due to Mother natures winter activity, we are behind a good to weeks. The park is only opening on the 30th, and will remain open a additional 2 weeks. I am happy about this as it would be sooooo cold yet. I am so excited to go and can't wait. Our friends are joining us with their trailer this summer for the season as well. 

As for Weather....well it has been a different kind of winter and Spring. Our spring has only Sprung the last couple of weeks, and we still have had gotten snow up to Monday. 

The yard is finally getting green. The geese are out eating any little bit of green they can. This is our long weekend, and the weather is suppose to be great. We hope to get our yard work done, fish pond cleaned out,patio furntiure put out, porch chairs on the front porch, and of course BarBQue. Our temps are suppose to range between 20 to25 all weekend.

I moved my chicks I had in the house out to the brand new chicken coop hubby has built for me. They are all doing so well. 

I am super excited about having new birds this year after, looking so hard for speciality birds. 

I have not moved my laying hens out of the barn yet, but will this weekend as well.

Well I think that's about raps up what's been going on around here. I hope to be back again soon with more news,and hopefully some pics. 

Take care

Crazy Weather No Sign Of Spring

All it seems to do is snow. The temps have been still so cold. -25 to -30 degrees in the mornings and a high of only - 15 during the day.
As for snow, it has been stormed at least twice a week having  only children happy ( to have no school)
Today is another.....
We are expecting the the storm of the year today. Lots of snow with some places in our province getting as much as 50 + cms and 110 km winds. WOW
We are expecting for our area, about 20.+ cms with 80 to 100 km winds.
There is so much prepping to do when a storm like this comes our way. We spent last evening getting the barn ready, and making sure there is lots of staples in the house and dry firewood. We have the tub filled with water and 5 gallons buckets of water on hand.
The gas cans are full for the generator, and the tractor has lots of fuel. So I can say we are prepared.
Hubby and my Dad headed off to work this morning but I am sure they will back home early afternoon once the storm is underway.

Enough talk about the weather....

Let's talk barn babies.....
On Sunday morning Cinnie our toggenburg milking goat had her baby. We first thought it was a girl , but she was still very wet when hubby took a look. We called her Clover. BUT...... To our surprise Clover was a boy.....with a closer better look... I'm disappointed :( but he is still cute....

Our incubator has been producing  as well. Lots of little chicks day after day. The girls are having fun with them, and enjoying naming then all.

Little Frappy our toggenburg doe kid is still in the house. We are taking her out to the barn to meet with her new family a little every day. Cinnie is still giving her a hard time but we are hoping she will finally take to her. It has been so cold that we couldn't send her out yet.
Yep...you know your a real farmer, when you have farm animals living in your dining room.
Phoebe is doing really well with her calves, and she is giving us plenty of milk.
I have made butter, and whipped cream so far with the lovely cream I'm getting.mmmmm.....

In gardening news....
We have started our veggies in the house on my livingroom window sills. There is so much snow in front of and around the green house, and it has been so cold that I decided to try to start them in the house this year. I have both green,and red bell peppers started, brocolli,cauliflower,kale, oregano,basil, sage,and thyme.
I need to do a few others next week along with the tomatoes,and melons


Mom spent last week in the hospital she was dehydrated once again and needed a little IV boost.
She is back home again and feeling better.
I was able to get a little break and get some housework done throughout the day.

Well time to restock the fires, and get breakfast on. Potato patties, eggs, ham, and biscuits.
I also need to get a roast of pork into the slow cooker for pulled pork for supper. I am making pulled pork sandwiches with creamy potato and ham soup for supper. ( we had a ham on Sunday night for supper, and have been picking off of it since for sandwiches for the lunch boxes. But I will take the rest today and chop it in the soup and through the bone in for extra flavor.
Warm and comforting on a storm day :)
Have a wonderful day and stay safe and warm.
 I hope to get some pictures posted up soon as well.

Here We Go Aagin

Old man winter is going to gift us with yet another major snow storm again tonight. We are under a blizzard warning with 40+ cms of snow on its way and high winds.
We worked last evening after Hubby got home from work to make sure everything got picked up and the shovels are out. The silage is covered up for the cow.
It is suppose to start last into the day today.
I guess this will be our annual St. Patricks  day storm. ( it always seem never to miss us every year.)
Well the kiddies will be happy to have a snow day.

It is not hard to see all the signs for bad weather ahead.  Jill's cat Buttons has been going crazy around the house. Running all through the house. Last night he managed to tip over Jill's Beta fish tank AGAIN..... But this time it was at 2 o clock in the morning, and water everywhere. She got up and saved her fish. But she was not a happy little girl.
After school today she is going to have to move the tank to the corner in of her room, where the cat can not get.
Then I came in after the bus went this morning and Buttons and Franny had got up on the Kitchen table and knocked off my fruit bowl, and tore off the table cloth. What has got into these animals..... The weather....it also has warmed up out doors and it is so nice out....so calm....the calm before the storm....

Last Thurday we went on a day trip to the big city to go to Costco. We stocked up on our staples, and went to a few more stores before heading back home.

We stopped along the way home and picked up a baby month old goat. I was wanting another Toggenburg doe kid, and I finally got the chance to get one. With Cinnie getting ready to pop any day now I should be able to slip this one in with her too. ( well I'm hoping anyway)
But for the time being she is staying in the house. ( yep you read that right, I have a baby goat living in the dining room)
She is getting all the milk she needs from Phoebe.  I milk Phoebe then I was diluting it at first because I thought it might be a little rich for her. She had done well never getting the runs from the milk. She is now getting the raw milk not diluted. She is also getting a little bit of grain and water.
Over the weekend I am hoping to try  and move her into the barn, with a heat lamp, and maybe a sweater, and lots of straw, if Cinnie dose not go by then.

The calves are doing well, as is Phoebe. She is a great Mom, and dose not mind to be milked at all.

Jayne ended up with Gastro over the weekend, but was feeling better Monday for school.
Justin called me Monday morning from school and he had it..... So he has been home all week with it now.
Mom ended up with it too, on Sunday she is still not feeling to good and only taking it slow.I sure hope the rest of us don't get it.

The freezers are sure going down quick now. I went out to the building that has our big deep freezers in it on Saturday, I brought in a couple of weeks worth of meat to put in the smaller freezer in our back porch. I did a check to see how much more meat we have and there is enough for about 6 to 8 weeks worth.
The veggies are going down quick too.
We had fried chicken for Supper Sunday night from one of our meat birds. It was really good with mashed potatoes and gravy.
Monday night we had a pork roast in the slow cooker with apple sauce. We served it with salad and baked potatoes.
Last night we had shepreds pie with biscuits.
Tonight we are having boneless steak in the oven in gravy with pork fried rice from the pork that was left over on Monday night. I also made rolls this morning.
I am debating on taking out a small turkey to have tomorrow night. ( I have this thing with cooking a turkey when it storms.... Seems like the right thing todo.)

Well I better head back over to Moms to see if I can get her to eat a little. Take care and stay warm.

The Good And The Bad

Today is my only boys 16th birthday. I can't believe it.... It was just like yesterday I was rocking him to sleep.
We are having lasagna and garlic bread for supper with my parents and Birthday cake of course.

Now for the bad.....
Yesterday we were out doing up the barn work before getting ready to go to the next town to visit with friends. We seen that Phoebe was leaking milk, and was in labour. We moved her in cancelled our trip and got ready for a new calf.
Well after a very long night and nothing we called for the vet. Poor Phoebe aborted.
HB headed to the big dairy farm on the next road and got a bob calf to put in her.
It was her first and they will be more :(

Update and a few pictures

Good day Ladies. Again it sure has been to long since my last post.
So I will try and bring you all upto date.

We had a few huge snowstorms.
But we were are all warm,safe,and cozy indoors.

We had a lovely gathering for our annual pork chop fry.
Great food and even better company.

HB and Jill went to buy 4 piglets for the upcoming seasons. While they were there Jill found 2 new baby chicks to bring home for her and Jayne.

Sochi ( a black one) that Jayne has named after the Olympics of course. Jill named hers Fufu.

BUT..... This morning when I got back from driving my Dad to work. I came into the house and found the Rubbermaid tub at the door, and the headlamp on the floor,and the cover still snapped on the top. BUT... Sochi was missing. The cat was under the table and Frannie met meat the door. I looked everywhere no chick. No feathers. No reason..... I am totally lost. I don't know where it could have ended up. If Frannie or the cat got it then there would be at least 1 feather. But nothing. 

I am so sad for Jayne.

The girls went to their friends Birthday over the weekend. She turned 13 along with Jayne. Funny I remember so well when her Mom and I turned 13. We were good friends as well.

Last night Jerry and the girls began to incubate some eggs. I can't believe it is that time of year again. 

I am so done with Winter. I can not wait to start up for Spring. The signs are coming. Our Canadian coffee "Tim Hortons" has there annual roll up the rim to win" ( which is a sure spring is close sign)hehe!

Next week is March break here for the Kiddies. They are sure excited. 

Next Monday is my only boys 16th Birthday....... I can not believe it.

Next Thursday we are planning a day trip to the big city to go shopping. Costco here we come. My pantry selves are getting low. 

 I have bought some new seedling trays to put on my window ledges in the living room. I have ordered all kinds of seeds and are excited for some heirlom seeds this year. 

Babies are on their way shortly in the barn. Cinnie the goat has a nice bag, as long with Phoebe the Jersey. They both are bagging up nicely. 

Back to piglets. HB got a great deal when he went to buy one so he ended up with all 4. Besides the one we bought a couple months back and left at the farmer over the roads barn as he wanted to keep the little ones all together till they got bigger. Yep 4+1=5..... That's a whole lot of pork.....

My Mom is still the same. Good days and Bad.....Dad is doing well. 

My new fridge is working great. Better then the other. 

It is still soooo cold here. It has been down to -30 this week. And it is not suppose to warm up over the weekend either. 

So I will keep the fires stocked.

My dear friend (who has the daughter with the Birthday) has just lost her Grammie this week. She was very close to her and I feel so for the family. 

I will go to the wake on Friday evening and funeral on Saturday morning.

Well that's about it for now. Hope I can keep up to my posts this time. Take care and stay warm.

Upcoming Storm

Well I'm on the mend after a couple of long druggy days. Feeling better this morning. Still a sore nose ( a little like Rudolph's )
The kiddies are doing well. Hubby is also feeling much better.
Tuesday I got all the turkey stock I made put away. Another 20 cups. (Yeah!)

I made a wonderful turkey and noodles soup. I think that helped me get better quicker.

We had a turkey pot pie for supper Tuesday night with the left over turkey and the lunch boxes got yet another day of turkey sandwiches. Not to mention a little bag for the freezer for turkey fried rice a little later on. Amazing what a wonderful menu you can get from a turkey. Love those weeks :)

Yesterday was yet another cold bitter morning of -30 then as the day got later like 3ish it warmed up in the sun and it was not as cold to do my second barn run.

We had a lovely steak dinner, with beef fried Mac and baked potatoes. 

Today is going to be a busy one. We have a major snow storm on its way for tonight and tomorrow. 

We had a lot of snow at the beginning of winter. It was early this year, but have not had much since, it has been terribly bitter cold, thus keeping the snow that we got earlier. ( don't get me wrong we have had little snow storms but nothing that slowed us down here in northern New Brunswick)

But we are expecting 35 to 45 cms of snow between tonight and tomorrow. 90 km winds tomorrow and frezzing ice pellets as well. 

The kiddies are super excited as they have not had very much in the means of snow days this winter. The girls are not however happy that it is going to fall on Valentines Day. As they have made and prepared for there friends and classmates wonderful gifts. :(

But they can have it on Tuesday instead. ( as Monday is a teacher meeting day and the kiddies have no School)

Super Long Weekend!!!! :)

I am hoping that the city will also close tomorrow then I will not have to get out on those roads to drive my Dad to work.

So I need to run into town today for a feed run, to pick up a few groceries for my Parents before the storm. I am picking the girls up as Jayne's volleyball try outs are cancelled for tonight. We need to pick up a few items also for Saturday, as we are have our hosting our annual pork chop fry here at the house. It was such a wonderful evening last year that we decided to do it again. 

We are expecting 14 adults and 5 children.

I have a few items that I need for my table setting. 

Well that's all for today, I try and check back in tomorrow to let you all know how the storm is going, if I have Internet and power. 

Take care and Happy Valentines Day :)

Monday Again

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I was sure happy to see it come. Last week was a long week with Jillian and Jerry both sick, and then me putting my back out, and Mom not feeling the best.
Jillian recovered well, and Jerry is doing better. ( can't sit still for very long) tipical man.....
Mom had the nurse in on Saturday and she wanted to try a new kind of dressing for her backside.

Saturday I was feeling better so the girls and I worked on cleaning out the spare area upstairs. We are getting ready to expend Jill's room. A very very long overdue project she has been waiting for.

Jill also cleaned out her drawers and we went through all of our cloths and made up bags for the Salvation Army.

Saturday night Hubby made fries and chicken tenders for supper. Justin took out some speghetti sauce out of the freezer for Lasagna and Jerry took a turkey out as well.

I went to bed early as my back was acting up again for doing to much Saturday.
Sunday morning Jayne was up early as she was volenteering at the local arena for skate for the heart. ( it is heart and stroke month here)
Jerry drove her for 9 and she was working till 5.Jill and Frannie went with him to take her.

I felt better so Sunday morning I got to work in the kitchen. I cleaned up and got busy making the potato dressing for the turkey and then when Jill came back she helped me and made up the lasagna for Monday nights supper. We let it cool before putting it into the fridge.
We got the turkey stuffed and into the oven, cut up the veggies and put on the stove for later, and made up cranberries.

We picked Jayne up and had a lovely supper. I began sneezing after supper and my nose ran, and yep you guessed it. I was up all night with a terrible cold......
Soup, honey,Kleenex, and homemade vapor rub for me.....
:(
Not a great way to start the week.
Take care and I hope you all are well.