Great Day at the Farm

Well it is Thanksgiving today in America and I had a wonderful day with my family. I always have lots to be thankful for and this year I got a great surprize from my chickens. If you remember I got chicks back in May and have been feeding and looking after them for the last six months.  My chickens are so funny and have brought many laughs. They are not very smart but are fun. Well I didn't really just get them for us to watch, I got them for eggs. It can take anywhere from 4 to six months for eggs to start, so for the last couple of weeks, I have been looking for eggs and talking to them about getting busy or they will end up on the dinner table. Well yesterday it seem like Christmas. I got my first two eggs. And today I got another two. I think a couple of chickens saved themselves from the table. Now if the rest would follow their lead.
For those of you that are thinking chickens are alot of work and a mess. They are lots of fun and very rewarding. I now don't have to worry about going to the store for eggs and there is so much you can make with them.
So this Thanksgiving I have lots to be thanks for.  Here is just one of my little hens. They have grown since I took this picture.

Cleaning Products

Living a simpler life can save you money.  With people out of work and others looking to saving money. One way is looking at all your cleaning products.  Most cleaning products are full of toxics and chemicals.  I have watched people spray their counters with 409 and then make dinner. Really??  We are so worried about what is on the counter that we don't think twice about putting chemicals on it and then on our food.  Crazy. I clean my house with simple ingredients. Vinegar, baking soda, cornflour and water.  My house looks as clean as the chemical cleaned houses and I feel better knowing I'm not using those cleaners. I have not worked the numbers, but I'm sure I have saved 100's of dollars over the years. Next time clean your bathtub with baking soda, it really works.

You can find lots of ways of green cleaning online. Let me know if you need help.

Merino Moms|wool socks|merino wool|merino

Merino Momswool socksmerino woolmerino

Fall is in the air

Wow I got up this morning to a chilly 42. Time to get working on the fireplace as I don't want to spend all my money on oil for this old farmhouse. It is also time to get the last of the veggies out of the garden and put away for the cold months ahead. I have loved spending time in my garden this year and plan to make it twice the size next year.  I have also decided to have raised beds, so I have lots to do over the winter months.
My pears are almost ready for picking but my lovely dog seems to think they are hers for eating. I hope she leaves some for me. My Mum put pears up every year for us and we would eat them over winter with warm custard and cream. I also think I may make some pear butter as I have never done that before.

For years I wents away from a garden when I lived in the city. Now I wished I had always had pots growing veggies on the porch. You can grow them anywhere and I'm here to help you get started.

Time to get the sewing machine out and make some Christmas projects. I will post pic so you can see how easy it is to make some things.

Less is More

So my thoughts for today are less is more. With everyone trying to save money and living within their budget.  I have gone back to my roots once again. When growing up my Mother mostly brought cotton and wool. Both last longer for sure. My kids have only slept in cotton PJ's, as their skin can breathe.  If you wonder why your kids sweat so much at night, look to see what they are wearing. Just a thought.

Thinking this way I have moved in my kitchen area. Why buy all this stuff that only does one thing, or processed food that only makes up one way. Why not buy less and make more. Putting a well cooked dinner on the table and seeing how everyone loves it, makes you feel better than pulling something out of the freezer and throwing it in the oven. We all buy nice clothes to make our kids look great on the outside, but what about the inside. What about their health and well being. Have you read the labels on some of your food that you eat. There is so much in food that we don't need, do you know what everything is on that label.  Follow me on my journey to eating better, less is more. 

I know when we are working full time jobs and kids are playing sports it is hard to get good food on the table in 30 minutes, but it can be done. I know so many don't make their own mashed potatoes. They use the ones from the box. See below to making your own mashed potatoes.

Buy potatoes (one bag can also let you make roast potatoes, fries, homefries, the list goes on)

Peel about 5 potatoes and boil potatoes until you can push a knife or fork through it easy
Drain water. Be careful you are dealing with boiled water.
Add about 3 tablespoons of butter. ( I use real butter)
1/4 cup of milk and beat.

It takes you about 20 minutes from start to finish and most is cooking time. Once you have the potatoes on the stove top you can be making the rest of your meal.

Just make one change a week. I know lots of people know how to make mashed potatoes, but some don't and this is for you.

Happy cooking, think less is more.

Garden Fresh

What a great morning. I woke up to a thunder storm and I always love how fresh everything is after a good rain.  The veggie garden is loving the rain we have had the last few days, it was looking like I was going to have to give it a good water the other day.  Everything is slowing getting ready and I have been making fresh salsa everyday. Yesterday I found two more zuchinni, so last night I was looking for more ways to cook it up. I have never had butternut squash in the garden and this year it looks like, I will have more than enough to eat all winter. I think today I will make some butternut squash soup. It is nice to be able to know where most of my food is coming from. If didn't grow any veggie's this year or think you can't. Try next year. I have some great ideas for city kids and will post pictures early spring. When I lived in the city I never thought about having a community garden in our apartment complex. Now I think it is a great idea that everyone should try and start.  

Backyard Chickens

For those who know me, we ordered our chickens in April and they arrived in May. It is now August and they have grown so much and I'm thinking the eggs will start coming next month. For anyone thinking of getting some for your backyard, you should. They don't ask for much and you get lots in return. You do need a place for them to live, food and water. They are so fun to watch and brings lots of laughs as they are not very smart.  The benefits of having your own is huge in my mind. It is funny when you buy store brought eggs they are all a alike, no bad ones, all the same size. I wonder how many drugs are put in those eggs to make that happen, let alone the poor chickens that don't have a fun life...... Backyard chickens have wonder eggs, rich yellow yolks and cook up so different. If you have any questions about raising your own, drop us a line we will be glad to help out.