Category: Homestead Ways

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A Homestead Vision for 2020

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Honestly, I intended to write this post last week. It did not happen; in that regard I am getting a slow start to my 2020 planning. I do have quite a few ideas bouncing around in my head and heart. In this post I am going to combine looking back at 2019 and what progresses were made her at CG Heartbeats Farm to build on goals for 2020

On the Website

Hatching Course

The idea to teach others how to hatch chicken eggs came to me as early as 3 or more years ago. I have always had a passion for baby animals. I wrote about that in blog series titled ‘New Life’. I actually put pen to paper or rather started typing on my computer in early 2018. I am committed to finishing this in the coming weeks.

The Practice of Hatching Chicken eggs is just that practice. I will continue to add to the course titled ‘Chick Hatching Practices’ sharing new information as I learn it.

Garlic Purchase

I am in the process of setting up product pages for garlic that I raise to make it available to those who are not local. Garlic ships and keeps well. Here at home, I use the previous years garlic well into the March and sometimes even April or longer.

Order and Pay for Hatching Eggs, Chicks and Birds

Hatching egg purchases, chicks and birds paid for through the website is in the works. I always encourage anyone with questions to reach out via email using maria@dontclipmywings.com. I do my best to respond to each question or comment as soon as I possibly can. Planning ahead helps everyone get the best results.

Stories of Farm Life

I shared the first story from the homestead titled Beats that Matter. My goal is to share this type of story every Friday. These will be heartwarming and heart wrenching stories. Important to life, the little moments that touch us deep down.

Read Beats that Matter: Almost Frozen

There are joys and sorrows in life, no more than on the farm caring for animals. I am excited to encourage others to use the hashtag #beatsthatmatter on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Each week I will share some of the moments or the #beatsthatmatter captured on film.

In Addition

I am working on ideas to bring FREE information, checklists and printable forms relevant to homesteading. One goal of the website is to encourage others to produce their own food where they are, using what they have.

On The Homestead

Chicken Pens

Last year I went from 2 outdoor pens to 6. I desire to increase that number this year. All of the current outdoor pens are portable to kill off sod, creating garden space. My goal for this year is to create 2 permanent outside pens complete with runs.

Gardening Space

I have already increased the gardening space, but with the chicken pens moved to a new location this past fall I will be adding another 10’by 20’ space in time for planting. The pens will be moved again in the spring increasing the space again this fall.   I planted 350 bulbs of garlic nearly tripling last years crop and the plan for this year is to triple that number again.

I have 10 seed packages from Baker Creek Seeds to try out this coming season. One of them is Kentucky peanuts. I am excited to try these and to grow sorghum and flax.  These last 2 may help me raise my own chicken feed in the future. That is a big expense here, purchasing feed. The more I can grow myself the better for the birds and the pocket book in my mind.  To be tested out in the future.

Breeding Programs

Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner

The Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiners continue to challenge me when it comes to producing chicks. The hens are 3 years old. The current roosters Cisco and Clinch show promise. I did produce a group of chicks from the hens late last summer using a Swedish Flower Hen rooster. That was largely to prove to me that the hens could in fact produce a chick. Now I wait for the hens to start laying again. I lost 2 hens from this group in December. The are getting older and hope to hatch replacements or purchase more this year. I am not ready to give up on them yet.

Swedish Flower Hen

The fertility in the Swedish Flower Hens has not been an issue at all and are rather easy to add to the flock. I often use incubators, but have raised chicks with broody hens as well. My goals for this breed vary a bit by pen. Cherokee has been chosen to add size to his flock, while other pens are grouped for different reasons.

These 2 beauties are a part of Shoshone’s Pen or Pen # 5

Silver Gray Dorking

This year the Silver Gray Dorkings also lack good fertility, although that has not been the case in the past. The parent stock are just over 3 years old and I wonder if the roosters are falling off in their fertility as they age. I will be switching out roosters with a younger one to see if that improves fertility. I will be looking to add additional Silver Gray Dorkings from another farm.

This is the 2019 pen # 1 of Silver Gray Dorking chickens

Container Gardens

I used buckets last year to grow sweet potatoes. I will do the same this year and plan to grow other vegetables in containers as well.

A Cow

I have been casually looking for a cow for that last 3 years. A big goal this year is to actually purchase one.  I have changed my mind from a Scottish Highland to a Jersey with the intent to breed for a mini Jersey.

Livestock Guard Dog

While predator loss has been minimal, I also would like to add a livestock guard dog to the homestead. The coyotes seem to be rather brave and I would feel better with a LGD on the loose. Champ, the heeler is gaining in age almost 10 and he will be needing assistance in doing the great job he has so far.

Additional Fencing

I have supplies accumulated to improve current fencing and add more. What I have lacked is energy to complete the project. I know I felt better over all in 2019 compared to 2018 so thinking positive, I have fencing on my list again for 2020. I intend to not only improve existing fence, but construct new fence lines creating additional pasture space.

Barn Renovations

The one barn here either needs to come down or be renovated. I prefer the latter, but the more time that passes the harder time I have seeing that a worth while venture.

Tidy the Property and House

In my focus on other areas last year, I look around and see many places that I have not kept up on when it comes to de-cluttering, organization, and clean up. This applies to house, barn and yard. I want to focus on that in 2020, as well. There are projects started that need to be finished. It seems that a few goals from 2019 carry forward to 2020. That is ok. Progress was made last year with out a doubt and I will celebrate that.

Farmer’s Markets

I took a break from attending markets in the last quarter of 2019. I believe I need to focus on working on the homestead itself in at least the first quarter of 2020. At that point I will evaluate where I am at. I truly enjoy the markets, but currently have little prepared to take. My time needs to be focused on the above-mentioned tasks for the first quarter at least. What are your plans for the coming year to shift to living more of a homestead lifestyle? Producing your own food? I would be excited to share in your goals, dreams and progress.

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Fall 2019 ~Looking Back

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I am good at coming up with ideas, as many are.  I simply do not accomplish everything I think up. Nor would it be wise to pursue every idea. I admit I struggle at times knowing which one is the best to pursue. Looking back at the last 3 months, the first thing that comes to mind is all I did not get done.

If I think a little harder, I realize I spent hours learning. Learning about how to improve this website and create a unique homestead.

One day, stands out as I spent time with my Dad working outside. With his help, several tasks were accomplished. In recent weeks I spent time connecting with family who are in the area for 5 weeks. Never wasted time in my opinion.

While composing this post I looked back at Fall 2019 where I shared my goals for the upcoming season. I found myself surprised at all I did complete and feeling good about it.

Completed Fall Projects

Moved 4 Chicken Pens

The chickens have proved faithful in dulling sod growth and killing it off to create garden space. If I get a bit creative, I might be able to use the horses for that purpose, too, for a larger area of ground.

This fall I moved the 4 outdoor chicken pens constructed of dog kennel panels and netting with odds and ends as entertainment and shelter in the pens.

Planted Blackberries

I am excited to now grow black berries here at CG Heartbeats Farm. They were a gift of sorts. I dug them up at a friends house who is moving.

When not pruned they mulitlply quickly. Oh, how I know this as I neglected to prune the black raspberries I have until this past spring.

Planted Red Raspberries

While I had a few red raspberries last summer, I went from 3 plants to planting almost 20 this fall. Actually, my Dad helped me greatly that day. He dug the holes and we both filled the dirt in around the Raspberries plants. I added compost from the pile to the hole, serving 2 purposes. The compost soil provides nutrients.

I did not work the ground before planting the berry plants, the compost added a fluffier soil for the roots to take hold in. I have read there are benefits for garden dirt be turned over and to opposite that the soil becomes disrupted when turned over.

To be honest, I did not work that ground before planting for the simple reason of time and energy. I suppose come spring I will know for sure how the berry plant roots did over the winter.

Planted 350 Garlic Cloves of 5 Varieties

I found hard neck garlic does well here when planted in high well drained ground. German, Montana, Music, Spanish Rojo, and, new this year, Elephant.  I look forward to offering garlic here on www.dontclipmywings.com for purchase. Garlic ships well and will be ready in September on a yearly basis.

I have started hauling hay chaff from the barns to the garlic beds. I cleaned up where the wind had blown hay over time outside of the paddock where the horses eat. I find the need to become creative in finding cover for the garlic beds as they are larger this year.

Planted Egyptian Onions

In October I planted Egyptian onions for a first on CG Heartbeats Farm. I wanted to plant these for over a year. I feel excited to have obtained starts this year from Heirloom Solutions.

Hatched Chicks

Two batches of Swedish Flower Hen chicks arrived in December. Both 6 in number for a total of 12 chicks. I used the Janoel 12 incubator to hatch chicks from Cherokee and his ladies.

  The first chicks from their pen arrived the end of September. I tried hatching Silver Gray Dorking eggs from the pair, with no fertility showing up. Most of fall, the older hens were in a molt. I only recently started incubating SGD eggs from pen # 1.

Chicken Pens

I cleaned the 3 of the 5 brooder tanks and all 3 are currently in use. I will continue to work on cleaning indoor pens. Cleaning the floor and walkways of the chicken barn is an ongoing project.

December 26, 2019 the temps were around 60 degrees. My heart full from a beautiful time with family on Christmas, I woke up ready to get to work. Brian and I worked together to replace the leaking water hydrant by the chicken barn.

I reconstructed the Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner outdoor pen.  Days like this are on my top ten list of favorites.

Plant Flowers

The flower bulbs I ordered became unavailable. I found a sale at our local Tractor Supply Company. I plan to plant them this week. The ground still unfrozen allows for planting bulbs. What did I pick out? Daffodils, Anemone, and Crocus.

Carryover Projects:

Grapevine Post

One Concord Grape plant has grown large enough to begin training it to a wire. In this area I am going to train one vine upward (perpendicular) on several wires. In the future, side branches will be trained along the wires paryell to the ground. For now, the next step, putting in posts. Stringing the wire happens after the posts set. At a different place on the property I hope to one day have an arbor to walk through under grape leaves.

Fence Construction

I have material and plans to improve existing fence lines and install new ones. In the past I did most fence work in the fall. Zero fence work was completed in Fall of 2019. I keep reminding myself this homestead is a marathon, not a sprint.

Sassafras

I mentioned I wanted to dig up Sassafras trees to use the roots to make tea. That did not happen, yet! The trees are still out there. I intend to have sassafras tea in my future.

Clean up Around Barns

We started this project by cutting down the unwanted trees that popped up. The remainder will wait or perhaps the weather will provide a day or two in the next couple months to sneak a bit of ‘warm weather’ work in. The temps were near 60 degrees on December 26th.

A prickly bush needs to be removed, the container garden area project near the chicken barn seems ongoing.

Moving Cement Blocks

I started a container garden 3 years ago by dumping the sweet potato buckets into it as I harvested.

With the amount of dirt I dumped this year, the raised bed is ready for an additional row of blocks.

Barn Roof

One barn roof, long overdue for repairs did not receive the required attention this year. I feel disappointed and want to see that barn addressed this year.

Fall Harvest

I completely enjoyed the beauty of Fall 2019. The day I harvested sweet potatoes, onions, and carrots I watched our first snow fall of the season. I became chilled, but pressed on taking time to snap picture of the pretty scenes.

That day was not the only day I enjoyed fall but I think it was the most memorable. All of my senses came alive. I smelled wet soil as I dumped buckets harvesting the sweet potatoes. I intentionally breathed deeply inhaling the odor only onions produce. I felt the dirt dry my hands and stick under my nails. I looked around at the display of color enhanced by the white of falling snow. I created a bit of art as I hung the onions to dry before taking them inside. I heard roosters crow and hens cackle as I worked. I listened to the quiet that encompassed my work as the rain that turned to snow softly fell. I did not actually taste any of the food I harvested, but imagined I did. I felt blessed as I worked.

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Winter Season ~ Goals

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Winter Solstice

The shortest day of the year has come and gone, Winter Solstice being yesterday.  I do not mind the short amount of sunlight as much as I do the days of temperatures below 20 degrees (and lower) that often follows in January and February. Being honest I hope for one of those winters when the temps hit a high above 32 degrees at least once or twice a week.  Life caring for animals becomes much easier when above freezing.

Christmas, only days away now, seems to fade quickly by mid-January. As I look ahead to the coming months of colder weather and snow, I think about what goals and plans provide growth on the homestead. I think of ideas that I can share here on the blog where we can grow our homesteads together.

If you have followed me here at CG Heartbeats Farm you know that 3 rare chicken breeds make up a part of the current focus. The prolific Swedish Flower Hens, unique Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiners and beautiful Silver Gray Dorkings keep me hopping.  In the last year I struggled to produce Silver Gray Dorkings (hatching 3) and Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiners (hatching 0).

As I look to the coming months, improvements will be on my mind. I know this year I need to take a look at the 15 breeding pens of Swedish Flower Hens and make cuts. I am going into this winter with around 30 pens. That means 30 frozen water containers. Honestly the word that comes to mind with that fact is, YUK!  I committed to telling myself that ‘there is no such thing as too cold, just not enough or warm enough clothes, for this winter’.

What to look for on the blog in the first 3 months of 2020:

  • 1) Chick Hatching Practices, a course sharing the basics of how to hatch chicks, including preparing to hatch and brooder ideas and immediate care for the first week.
  • 2) Info on the specific breeds I raise
  • 3) General chicken info
  • 4) Seeds selection and garden planning
  • 5) Homestead planning in terms of layout and how I intend to put to use what I have. Perhaps even a quest post or two on how others use their land to the best of its ability. Do you want to share a post here telling how you have put your homestead to use? Shoot me an email at maria@dontclipmywings.com or use the form provided below.

Farmer’s Markets in the first quarter of 2020?

In the coming months I debate attending local farmers markets.  I believe in their importance. I enjoy connecting with other vendors and customers.  I met amazing folks when attending farmers markets. For now, I am taking a break to focus my attention on the homestead itself and this website. I look forward to attending at least 1 market on a regular basis in 2020. I may wait until summer to begin attending.

Winter Homestead Goals

I want to pick up where I left off, walking the property and giving thought to the best uses of the land. I came up with a few neat ideas last year, but as the markets went into full swing, I became distracted with the every day work. Those daily walks shorted into simple checks of all the current vegetables and chickens.

I hope to move cement blocks to provide a wall where I have already increased the level of the container garden I am building. 2019 marks the 3rd year that I emptied buckets of sweet potatoes to create this raised bed.

Cleaning chicken pens (it is an ongoing thing around here)

Hatch Chicken Eggs

CG Heartbeats Farm now has three Janoel 12 incubators and an Incuview to hatch eggs. No bragging here, but it is a fun to have options to provide chicks for others who do not want to hatch their own. I would like to add the Nurture Right 360 in the coming months. This is how I provide chicks and fill orders for those shopping.

Read in this blog post about my go to incubator in 2019. I include tips I use with this incubator.

The Janoel 12 incubator with chicks I hatched from Pen # 7.

Click on either picture. Purchase your own.

I am excited for the Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiners hens to start laying again. I picked up Cisco and Clinch last summer (2019). They were not mature enough to cover hens until November and by then the hens were in a molt. I am looking forward to hatching eggs with Cisco and Clinch covering the hens.

Clinch on the left and Cisco on the right.

For the first time CG Heartbeats Farm will offer crested Swedish Flower Hens from Apache and his hens. This pen currently consists of 2 hens from Pen 7 and a crested rooster (Apache) out of eggs I hatched from My Flower Farm (Lisa). The way the crested gene works eggs from this pen has a 50% chance of producing a crested chick. I plan to add additional hens to this pen in 2020 as I raise hens from Pen # 7. I would have more already, but I sold a few I raised.

Selling Eggs

Did you notice you can order and pay for eggs through the website now? I intend to set it up so that you are able to order eggs from each pen. At the moment it is only Swedish Flower Hen hatching eggs in general, but I want to make each pen available in quantities of 6, 12, 18, or 24. In this way a person can customize their order. Look for this feature coming soon. Until the other breeds are producing better, they will continue to be an unpaid wait list.

Starting Grape Plants

I have one grape plant needing to be pruned, with those cuttings I intend to start additional plants in the coming months.  I want to produce Concord grapes for the simple fact, I like to eat them!! No marketing strategy in mind, just my taste buds driving my desire.  I have fond memories of drinking homemade (and home canned) grape juice while eating popcorn at my grandma’s house on Sunday evening. Fond memories may drive my interest in producing Concord grapes.

I will continue with raising heirloom tomatoes, even though I do not know what variety they are.  I like them too much to change to a different variety this year. My thoughts go like this: I may save seeds from the current variety (unknown) and in 2021 try a new variety, saving the seeds from 2020 to use in 2022.

Homestead in General

I have a few carryover projects from fall that if the ground doesn’t freeze, I would be trilled to finish.

  1. Constructing support for the one grape plant that has flourished. The other ones are coming along slowly.
  2. Fence work for horse pastures and cattle that I plan to purchase.
  3. Work on the container garden area.
  4. Set up additional outdoor pens for spring and the occasional nice winter day.
  5. Condense indoor pens to make room for the extreme cold weather days.

I have 10 different seed packets donated by Baker Creek seeds. Three that I am excited to try are Flax, Sorghum, Peanuts.  The fun part of this for me is that each of these have the potential to set me up for my own seeds as these are all heirloom plants. I can save seed and increase my crop in the coming years much in the same way I did with the 5 garlic varieties. Look for a blog post(s) in the fall of 2020 on these 10 different seeds I will be trying here at CG Heartbeats Farm. I will be starting these plants indoors in the coming months to give them a head start on the growing season.

What homestead expectations, goals, or dreams do have for the coming months? Leave a comment at the bottom or use this form to send an email.

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Garlic ~ Year 4

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This fall marks the 4th year I have planted garlic. I love thinking back to the first year. I planted about 6 cloves each of 3 varieties: Music, Montana, and German. I recall my Dad helped me prep the ground in a flower bed I was not using for anything.

Really, it was one of the easier spots to dig here on the farm. Despite my attempts of keeping the weeds out, the grass roots (unwanted growth = weeds) were well established. At one time a flower bed, I had in previous seasons dug up the grasses. The ground was rarely walked on and was soft here. 

The size of the first garlic garden

We dug with shovels and sifted through the soil to remove roots. The small amount of space we needed might have been 2 ½ ‘ x 2 ‘. 

Each year since I have saved back a portion of the garlic I grew and used it to plant more the next year, growing in numbers. I will skip ahead here in the story to say this past week I planted around 350 cloves of 5 varieties. 

I posted the last 2 years sharing the experience of planting garlic.

Garlic  and Garlic Year 3

Spanish Rojo

I added a new variety last year, Spanish Rojo (or Spanish Red). This variety came up a few weeks later or even a month then the Music, Montana and German. Also it produced smaller greens from the beginning. No surprise really the bulbs were about half the size (or even smaller) compared to the other varieties. 

Spanish Rojo garlic

Benefits of a smaller size: On several occasions I popped a clove in my mouth and ate it. These are the perfect size for that. Yes I had to pucker my face, but I knew my health would benefit. I found folks that might only be cooking for one or two people wanted to purchase a smaller bulb. Again the Spanish Rojo was a perfect fit.

New Ground

Garlic has done well here at CG Heartbeats Farm producing large cloves over all. Last year I out grew the flower bed. Rather, I had found a new way to remove sod. I share about that in Chickens on the Homestead.  Briefly, I allowed the chickens to kill off sod and used that space for gardens. I did still turn over the soil and look for roots to remove. 

While I planted Montana, German and the new Spanish Rojo garlic in the flower bed by the house. I moved a 5’ by 5’ chicken pen and planted around 34 cloves of Music garlic in that area

That ground produced the some of the largest bulbs harvested in 2019. I decided that this year the Spanish Rojo will be going in ground where a chicken pen had been. I want to see if the bulbs will grow bigger there.  Not that it is all bad to offer a smaller size bulb. There did seem to be a demand for it.

Harvesting in 2019

We had an incredible wet spring in 2019. The grass and every thing grew like crazy.  A rule of thumb I go by is to wait until the bottom 4 leaves have died off to harvest the bulbs. I guess I miss counted or the bottom leave left no trace of its existence?  Anyway, some of the bulbs seemed like they should have been harvested earlier. No loss for me, they will still be good for planting and that is what I did with those bulbs.

Garlic and Farmer’s Markets

I felt happy to bring 4 healthy varieties of garlic to the 2 local markets I attended last summer. I enjoyed the conversations on the topic of garlic. I liked hearing others also grew garlic.

Next year I plant to offer an online buying options and you might find CG Heartbeats Farm garlic in a local store.

A new Variety

I choose Elephant as the new variety to plant this year, bringing the total varieties of garlic here at CG Heartbeats Farm to 5.  I read they had a lighter sweeter taste and grow as large as softballs.  Wow! Now the bulb I purchased ($10.95 + shipping) was not much larger than some of the music bulb I grew this year.  A couple of the elephant cloves were definitely larger. I made sure to plant them in the new garden ground that had been a chicken pen.

Humm wonder how big they will get. I read that the tops grow 5 to 7 feet tall.  In hindsight I needed to plant them on the north end of the garden not the south end.  They may cast a shadow on the shorter garlic varieties. I am leaving room to improve it seems.

2020 Garlic Crop

Planting garlic this fall happened in shifts as it seems to each year.  Every year I seem to fight the feeling as good as I want to when I go about this activity. And yet each year I am getting more planted. This gives me a satisfied feeling.

I did prep the ground and plant all the 340 + cloves with in one week.  I will add this is all happening by hand, in its entirety. I started on a Tuesday removing the corn stalks and some bean plants. The next day I made it outside around dusk and worked by a flashlight for around 3 hours. I had removed all plants, worked the soil only to remove unwanted rooted green plants (mostly grass), and planted 97 cloves of German Garlic.

On Thursday I planted Spanish Rojo and Elephant in the rest of the garden I had cleared on Wednesday night.

On Friday my friend Beth came over to help me. We prepped ground and planted 77 cloves of Music garlic in the garden bed up by the house. 

We spent a bit of time turning over the dirt where I had previously moved a chicken pen.

We have been trading work days or afternoons usually. It has been an encouragement to me and I always enjoy helping her. Not only did we get work done, we hung out, had lunch together, and chatted.

Beth and I harvested candy onions and a bit of mind. We even found a clove or two of garlic that i had missed earlier this year. I had planted the candy onions in between the rows of garlic last spring. When I harvested the garlic I gathered in the ones I could find. They never got real big so I will not do that next year.

I knew I had to get the Montana garlic and Egyptian walking onions in on Saturday. We were forecasted to have temps down around 6 degrees in the coming week.  In hind sight, that week has passed and the ground has not frozen yet.  No matter, I am trilled to have the garlic in. 

That Saturday, I moved the last chicken pen, finished working the soil (slightly) in a 5’ by 10’ that had chickens on it since May, and planted around 80 Montana garlic varieties.  I did get the Egyptian Walking onions planted, too.  I will save that for a post next year.

  • Montana Garlic planted in this garden

The garlic is in for this fall. I will be adding hay chaff first and then wood chips as the become available this winter. The hay chaff comes from the barn and the wood chips from chopping wood here at CG Heartbeats Farm.

New in 2020

In 2020 there will be an online purchasing option on this website. A limited amount of garlic will be availbale to purchase online. That means even if you are not local to our area, you will be able to order our garlic and garlic scapes.

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Homestead And A Blog

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In this post I share why I choose to homestead and blog. I talk about who encouraged and helped me along in the blogging journey.

My first blogging experience took place as a part of the 2015 TCA Thoroughbred Makeover where I posted 140 times sharing the story of preparing Navajo Bo for the event held at the Kentucky Horse Park.  I realized I loved to write.

Homestead and Blog

I knew I needed to step away from the horses for at least a season. A seed of desire planted when we had purchased this property, began to grow as 2016 rolled around. How could I use what I had in front of me to grow my own food? create an income? I needed a place to work within the boundary of my current limitations brought about by my health struggles. One of my ideas: Blog about my journey.

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book Think and Eat Yourself Smart

I have learned and been encouraged for years by what Dr Caroline Leaf teaches about the brain, and thought life. I happily participated in her book launch Think and Eat Yourself Smart. In reading this book, I found affirmation to the ideas bouncing around in my head.

This dream of mine did indeed meet a need in our land. I wanted to share with others how easy it is to produce your own food. The following describes the original idea put into words in October of 2019. 

Our Vision
A world in which preserving and cooking from naturally raised foods became a norm instead of a rarity. Where both men and women would understand their ability to raise much of their own food instead of relying on handouts  
Our Mission
To provide information to others on best sustainable farming practices with little start up costs by using the resources available. Encourage those interested in returning to local foods no matter if they are grown themselves or purchased from local farms

2016 A Start with Chickens

On our property sat a 60’ X 30’ chicken barn. It had been partially insulated and used for storing hay and anything else we needed a place for. In looking around at what I had, I decided I wanted to get chickens. The blog post Why Pick Swedish Flower Hens tells that story.

In May of 2016 I drove 3 hours one way to pick up Swedish Flower Hen chicks. I destinctly recall the anticipation of endless possibility and prayfully telling the Lord I was giving this chicken project to Him.

I joined Swagbucks in 2017. I earned $250.00 that year. A part of the total was earned when I signed up for Blue Host to host WordPress.org through Swagbucks.

2017 Website: A Country Girl’s Heart ~ Beats that Matter

The desire to blog continued to grow in me as I learned about chickens, and continued to care for horses. Knowing my interest in blogging, my sister forwarded an email to me sharing about an inexpensive course to learn about starting a blog.

Cyrstal Paine who sold the course, had won my attention as the author of Choose Gratitude: Blessings Journal.

I jumped on the opportunity to learn for the tiny investment of $7. I learned enough from that short course to keep me working toward my goal.

Crystal encourages and teaches at Your Blogging University and through Your Blogging Mastermind.

I launched my blog in the summer of 2017. I sat in the Irma downtown Cody, Wyoming working on this new venture and feeling the excitement of all the possibilities.

Crystal Paine’s Your Blogging University continued to provide me with course content helping me along the way. Each new course she launched I purchased at her introductory price. Learning and growing with each new basic blogging course.

2019 Blogging Mastermind Opportunity

When the email came announcing her mastermind group, I felt excited and believed I wanted to be a part. None the less, I prayed over the idea, and gave it time. I think I waited until the last minute to sign up. I wanted to be sure that I did not throw money after an emotional desire. Looking back the value exceeds the cost.

What is the Mastermind?

The basic format consists of :

  • 2 live trainings every month
  • an online forum
  • an annual meet up
  • Office Hours: (new in November of 2019) live question and answer session 2 times a month.

The online forum provides a place to connect, network, view past trainings, ask questions of other bloggers and Crystal while inspiring each other to keep moving forward. 

“The blogging world often felt lonely to me as no one in my immediate circle worked in this niche. I knew connecting with other bloggers would benefit me.” ~ Maria Graber

The live trainings provide inspiration to me to try new avenues. One example, Instagram, motivated me to become serious about growing an Instagram account. I admit I continue to learn the best ways to use this platform, but I went from no Instagram to a following of about 170. If you are on Instagram and like homesteading, chickens, and growing your own food, be sure to follow CG Heartbeats Farm.

We are given monthly assignment that correlate with the monthly live trainings. New members may view all the past trainings.

Mastermind Meet Up

The first meet up took place in Franklin, TN. I felt for the first time that this blogging journey is the real deal. Listening to others share their dreams, where they blog at and how they earn money from their website.

We split into smaller groups and created a 6-month goal for our blogging business. As we brainstormed for each other and formed new relationships, I knew I wanted to continue this path.

Listening to a conversation on a subject beyond my current level, served to inspire me to keep working. I not only set a 6 month goal, I gained a picture of what the future might look like as the business grew. These are the ideas that marinate in my mind.

I left feeling motivated, believing I too am capable of owning a successful blog. Connecting with other bloggers and seeing what worked for them gave me ideas of what might work for me. The fun thing about blogging is the unique way each writer brings their topic to the online world.

A local blogger opened her house to me and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and her family. She blogs at www.leslieslittlecorner.com . Check her website out.

Leslie sets up new blogs for a great price.

My favorite part of the mastermind? The in person meet up, hands down, gets me feeling excited every time I think about going, both the past and future events. I am certain the value of meeting, connecting, learning, and encouraging goes way beyond the monthly price to be a part of Your Blogging Mastermind.

~ Maria Graber

Do you think Your Blogging Mastermind is for you? Enrollment is open for a limited time.

Your Blogging Mastermind: Additional Value for Me

In addition to the forum, weekly trainings and bi-annual in person meet up, Crystal gave us a unique opportunity. Her most recent course Monetize your Blog launched the end of September. Pre-launch, she gave anyone in the mastermind who wanted it, the entire course. In exchange for writing a review of the course, we could participate in her month-long coaching group of the course. I felt happy to review and share my thoughts of the course. I had no idea how the month of coaching would move me forward in my blogging journey.

All I accomplished as a part of Crystal’s Monetize Your Blog Coaching group: In the month of October, I applied and re-applied to be part of affiliate programs. I wrote my blogging why, ideal audience, and privacy policy. I had been procrastinating about these last 3. When I started blogging, I felt like I had no idea and after 2 years I have a better picture of who I serve. I learned more about affiliate marketing and sponsored posts including a guideline for pricing. I created my first media kit. I wrote an affiliate post and mock sponsored post. I have a clearer picture of what a monetized blog can look like. I am finishing up the assignments as I write this post. I will be brainstorming ideas of other income ventures and going over a disclosure policy to make sure all the legal stuff is in place.

Crystal does not promise these extra bonuses, but looks for ways to add value to our mastermind experience. The afore mentioned opportunity added value for me. I wonder what else she has in store?

Right now you have the chance to try it FREE for one week.

Do NOT miss this week’s training if you have a blog up and running.

What does a Blog have to do with a Homestead?

For where I am in my health journey, sitting down to rest is a part of my every day life. In the spring of 2014 when I became unable to work using physical labor, even at home, I would sit and watch movies or TV. It felt unfulfilling and like I was wasting my time. I occupied myself, but had nothing to show for it.

I would at times write out my struggles, but that produced no income. Fast forward through spiritual, emotional and physical healing, blogging as a business gives me a chance to work toward earning money. Have I earned much via my writing? Not yet. I am beginning to see a small amount. I trust that as I continue to learn and apply, the result will be money additional money earned.

A Country Girl’s Heart ~ Beats that Matter has been and continues to be a great way to showcase the 3 heritage chicken breeds I am raising. We all know how undependable social media selling has become. One has to tip toe around on Facebook to promote anything related to animal sales. A website provides a place online that you own no matter what a social media platform’s current trend may be.

I need these times to rest my body and still use my mind. Most days I need to be up moving, caring for animals and working combined with the times of resting and writing.  Blogging about the homestead life gives me a way to do both.

For you, a homesteader, a website provides a place to share your knowledge, promote crafts created, animals raised and share your story with the world.

If you do not have your blog set up yet, check out these courses at Your Blogging University

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A Backyard Chicken Needs….

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What do you really need to raise chickens in your backyard?

A chicken has 3 basic needs shelter, food and water. Water being the most important in my opinion. Preventing and treating sickness, treats and all the extras such as a swing or other novelty can be examined another time. For this post, we are taking a look the bare minimum a chicken requires. Clean living environments include clean, fresh water, and clean, dry bedding. By providing a clean place for your chickens to live, you greatly reduce odds of loosing them to coccidiosis, other parasites, and disease. 

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

Shelter

Protection from extreme weather and predators

A great example of providing protection both outside space and inside at
Blooms on 800

A shelter provides protection from inclement weather and predators. The first thought we may think of a shelter as a way to get out of the sun or extremely cold temperatures, however as a small prey animal chickens need a safe place to live.  Foxes, racoons, mink, weasels, bears, coyotes, wolves, hawks, eagles, and ’possums all happily make a meal out of chickens.  Personally, I have lost birds from racoons and hawks. While the ’possums raid the cat food here, to date they have left my chickens alone. Others folks have shared that possums have indeed killed and eaten their chickens.

Chicken Coops

One can be extremely creative when providing shelter for chickens. Any shape, size or materials can be put to use.  Here are a few guide lines to follow.

All pens and netting pictured here will go to a new location. This is an example of temporary pens which are moved 2 times a year. These are what I consider 3 season pens. I do not leave chickens in this environment during extreme cold.

Adequate size based on the number of chickens that will live there is influenced by how much of the time chickens spend in that area. Is this the only space they have? They will need more room compared to chickens who only enter to roost and lay eggs. Giving chickens time to roam outside either in a fenced covered area or free range allow for a smaller shelter for actual night time roosting. I have encountered various guide lines as to how many square feet each chicken needs.  In raising 3 breeds of chickens, I found the active Swedish Flower Hens benefit from more space compared to the more docile Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiners.  No matter what breed the chicken is they benefit greatly when given the opportunity to move around freely. Not all chicken breeds like to roost, but many do. Provide a place where they can congregate at night up above the ground level.

Wood Shavings

Clean, dry bedding keeps chickens their healthiest. Bedding choices include sand, and wood shaving as two commonly used.  If you use a different bedding be sure to leave a comment below sharing what has worked best for you.

Hens appreciate a private place to lay eggs as pictured above.

Materials used to provide shelter for chicken vary from wooden structure to plastic. The important part of a shelter is protection from heat, cold, rain, and predators. The sky is the limit as to what a person might create within the following parameters.

  • The roof should not leak.
  • Do not seal an enclosure up with no air flow. Ventilation provides fresh air, but too much draft in the winter time would make it harder for the chickens to stay warm. Speaking of winter temperatures, despite housing my chickens in a double walled barn when temperatures drop down to – 30 degrees my roosters have suffered frostbite on their combs. I may try a crocheted cap for them this winter. While I like the idea, I foresee they may not.
  • If a shelter has an external fence and the chickens only stay inside, as mentioned above, the actual shelter may be rather small. Chickens like to huddle together when it is cold to stay warm.
  • A fenced area ideally will have a cover over head. A netting, wire, metal, wood or any combination of will keep out hawks and chickens in. I also suggest to create a barrier against any predator being able to dig under the fencing.

What do Chickens Eat?

Non-GMO chicken feed mixed at a
local mill.

Chickens eat a wide variety of foods. Heritage breeds possess skills to free range and scavenge for food. All chickens find seeds and bugs to eat. As a prey animal as we discussed above, if not protected from predators, you must expect to lose some.  A livestock guard dog goes a long way in keeping chickens safe when free ranging. One of my goals is to have a livestock guard dog for the animals on CG Heartbeats Farm. I often do not let chickens out to roam if I am not around to keep an eye in the sky. Hawks fly over multiple times a day here.

Most chickens will need to be fed a milled feed of some kind.  There are many options for feed such as organic, non-GMO, pelleted and whole feeds. Laying hens may benefit from the addition of oyster shells or added calcium. Another idea is to dry and crush up egg shells mixing them back into the feed.

Clean Water

Water meets a basic need of every living thing. From humans to the tiniest plant, we all need water in our diet. Staying hydrated allows for proper healthy body functions in every cell working to keep us alive. Chickens need water.

Providing water for your chickens can be done in several different ways.  I admit I really long to implement a 3 season system here in the future. Chicken waters come in sizes ranging from a quart to 3 gallons and larger.  The perfect size depends on how many chickens you have and how often you want to refill their water. When it comes to going on short trips, I find it wonderful to know they chickens have water that lasts for a few days. Depending on the chickens and the water container, I may refill more often to keep the water clean. Chickens sure can scratch up a mess into their waterers. Water nipples used in various containers, both hanging and sitting provided water without exposing an open source. This makes less of a mess in the water the chickens drink. Using PVC pipe to create watering systems greatly reduces the amount of time needed to do the chores.  Of course, with temperatures below 32 degrees water freezes, creating a different set of circumstances. If you live where temps stay above freezing most of the year, that adds time to your schedule when it comes to caring for chickens. Those of us who live in the part of the world where cold, freezing temps come around every year might complain about it, but we know chores take extra time in the winter largely due to dealing with frozen water for the animals. 

Back to the PVC pipe, drain it before the it is below 32 degrees or risk the pipes cracking. An alternative watering options will need to be implemented when the temps fall below the freezing point. While permanent outside pens are not constructed at this time here at CG Heartbeats Farm, I hope to implement this idea in the future.  Currently, all outside pens are temporary and moved 2 times a year. They serve an important purpose, killing off sod for garden space. Do you have questions about providing for chickens? Please leave a comment at the bottom of this post or send me an email using this form:

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Preserving Stewed Tomatoes

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I met Julie in the summer of 2018 the night we both attended Bremen Farmer’s Market. I think the first words I spoke to her were, “I love your cart.” She was selling fresh cut flowers on a repurposed old fire hose reel cart. We became friends. And it seems that I have known her longer then the year and 3 months I actually have. Julie finds value in the skill of food preservation. She welcomed me to her house to share and teach me her take on canning stewed tomatoes.  I wanted to add onions and garlic and we worked that in to the process.  I awoke last Monday morning excited for my day. I would also get to see the Swedish Flower Hen chickens she raised from my flock. More on that later.

With the two of us working together the preparation process took us under 2 hours. Of course, the water bath and cooling of the jars took longer.

​
Learn to
Preserve
Stewed
Tomatoes

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    Ingredients
    • Tomatoes
    • Onions
    • Garlic
    • Salt (optional)
    Items Needed
    • Water Bath Canner
    • Sharp Knife
    • Cutting Board (or 2)
    • Stainless Steel Pot
    • Container for cold water (or a sink full of cold water
    • Jar Remover
    • Jars, lids, and rings
    • Towels and Cleaning cloth
    • Scrap Bucket
    • Small sauce pan

    Prepare Jars

    I brought 12 pint jars. Our first step was washing them in hot water and setting them to the side to air dry. This after, we had water in the canner on the stove, but not heating yet, and a larger pot of water heating for the scalding process.

    Prepare Onions and Garlic

    Before we started on the tomatoes, we removed the outer skins of the onions and garlic, washed the dirt off, and cut to the desired size. I placed some of them in a 3 or 4 of the jars.

    Prepare Tomatoes

    This part flowed well with the 2 of us working together. It definitely sped up the process. First I cleaned the tomatoes under running water and removed any terrible bad spots. She encouraged me to wait to actually core them, just pop off the protruding stem. There were a few tomatoes I still needed a knife to core them. The stubborn stems would not come off with out a knife.

    Next the tomatoes were gently set into the now boiling water for 30 seconds. Carelfully dipped out with a large spoon and dropped into the cold water in the sink. The peelings almost removed themselves. Working on a cutting board I finished removing the peelings and any parts of the core that was left. The tomatoes had not all been picked that morning and there were a few more soft spots to remove in this step. 

    As I removed the skin, I proceeded to chunk up the tomatoes. I cut them into roughly a square inch. Julie continued scalding the tomatoes and placing them in the cold water. She added additional cold water due to the hot tomatoes warming the water in the sink. Once she had the tomatoes through the scalding process, she took over removing the peels. I continued cutting the tomatoes into smaller pieces. In this step one can choose the size of the tomato chunks. There is no right or wrong size. When I had a few pieces cut, I added them to a jar. This process seemed to take the longest, but with our teamwork and fun conversation it flew by.

    When she had the tomatoes peeled she helped by adding the remainder of the onion and garlic to the jars. I had estimated the amount of garlic and onions I would need.  The last 3 jars received about 3 times as much as the other 7.  Experimenting, I say. An important step in the process involves pressing out the air and creating a bit of juice. Often, the lowered level requires the addition of cut up tomatoes.

    Preparing to Water Bath

    The chunks of tomatoes made quite a mess or perhaps I did as I placed them in the jars, around the tops and down the sides of the jars. Julie cleaned the tops and sides of seven jars.

    I finished up chunking the tomatoes. We had previously set lids into a small pan and brought that to a boil. This process I skipped when canning tomato juice, but I learned to do this helping my grandma can as a child. When I canned 20 years ago, I did this and Julie, too, uses this method when canning.

    When preparing the cans to go into the water bath, place lids on clean jars, add the rings making sure each one is tight.  Hand tightening works well, but the rings should be tight.

    After setting 7-pint jars in the canner, Julie topped off the water level bringing to around an inch above the jars.

    Water Bath Canning

    At this point, we started heating the water in the canner. I had brought my canner along and we used that for the first 7. Julie showed me how she cans her food using a towel in the bottom of a large pot and water bathing it. We both learned a new thing. I did not know the towel trick.

    Get a FREE PDF on how to preserve Stewed Tomatoes.

    12 steps complete with pictures.

    Get your copy today!

    We sat in her kitchen at the table and chatted about farmer’s markets, our winter plans and relationships while waiting for the water to start boiling. Once it hit a rolling boil we headed out to look at her chickens and the beautiful creation of her chicken run.

    Then when we headed back in, the water bathing process was complete. I removed the jars and set them on her counter to cool. We had preserved 10 pints of stewed tomatoes from 2/3rds of a 5 gallon bucket of heirloom tomatoes.

    The next day, my friend Beth and I drove paid Julie a visit. I wanted Beth to see Julie’s coop and run ( It is sooo cute!) and needed to pick up my jars. I did not want to transport them until they had sat for a day.  Later I dated and stored them in the basement.

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    Homestead Diary ~ Week 5

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    Tuesday, August 27, 2019

    I heard my husband rush back to the bedroom door.  He beckoned me, “Come quick!” I reluctantly followed him to the kitchen. Immediately horrified by the sight that greeted me.  A cat managed to wedge her head between to slats of a kitchen chair and appeared to be hanging there. ‘Dead’, I thought. My husband reassured me it wasn’t, “dead yet.” I sprang into action and with his help I freed it. I wrap in my blanket and held it close.  Returning to bed I laid it on my chest and fell asleep.  That poor cat barely moved for 3 hours. Giving it options to exercise its bodily functions, by often carrying it to the proper locations all systems were a go.  In that, I was happy and when I left for market early evening, Suzi-Q did not need my supervision.  Within 36 to 48 hours she appeared to be feeling good.

    Culver Market, as it often is situated next to Lake Max, was refreshing. I enjoy the people and the cool breezes coming off of the lake. This was the last of the Tuesday markets for Culver this year.  I am feeling a bit of relief. Attending 3 markets this year proved to be a struggle for me.  There are many other areas in my life I long to work on and grow. I am ready to focus in a different direction for the coming season.  I have Wed markets in Bremen and Saturdays in Culver that continue through the month of September.

    Wednesday, August, 28, 2019

    A new food vendor at Bremen, as Chubby Buddies would not be there this week, had me excited to try a tenderloin sandwich. It did not disappoint!

    The beginning of this beautiful day I gave thought to the best way to move chickens around this fall, what breeding pens I want to keep going, new crosses, and how to best utilize the available space and pens.  I really do not want over 15 or 16 pens through the winter. However, I may have to due to my current breeding goals.  The thinking continues for the next few weeks, I know. I moved a few of the younger pens outside into cages for the day. This gives me a chance to look them over, handle them, feel their weight, and decide the best places to move them forward. Some will be for sale and other will stay for future breeding pens (or go into existing ones).  The air was on the cool side, but the sun warm.  As I watered the different pens, I cleaned their waterers with Apple Cider Vinegar.

    The end of May as the watermelon plants were beginning to grow larger, I decided to experiment with the idea of allowing them to climb, instead of grow along the ground.  That did not turn out so well. As the watermelon grew heavier, the weight of them caused them to fall off the vine.  One such watermelon had been sitting on the ground for over month. I though perhaps it would ripen on its own. I decided this day to cut it open to see. It had in fact, ripened unknown to me and become overripe. I cut it into sections to feed to the chickens, to their delight.  But before, I removed quite a few seeds to save for future years. As for experimenting with using a trellis for the watermelon plants, I have decided to allow them to grow on the ground in the future.  Most of the watermelon vines I left to grow on the ground so I will be enjoying watermelon this season.

    I had an idea to use the dried garlic stalks like mini corn stalks, but they seemed to blah.  I decided to put them around a glass vase with fall flowers in it.  It gives my market table a homestead look, I have been told.

    Oh, the wind at the market kept knocking over everything.  I decided on a new table arrangement that allowed me to tie my vase to a crate.  Even then the changing direction of the wind had it falling over.  The heirloom tomatoes seem to be a hit and the garlic too. I plan to continue raising them next year.

    For a reason unknown to me, I struggled to keep my sugar from dropping much of the evening.  I get these days/ hours sometimes.  I had to rest before feeding the animals. That too is ok.  I felt good by the time I went to sleep.  I guess like everything…this too shall pass.

    Thursday, August 29, 2019

    Previously I had planned to go Sheila’s house. I looked forward to our visit. I spent countless hours with her and my Mom a few years ago when we worked on our Christmas CD, Once in a Manger.  I am lucky now if I see her a couple times a year and often only if we plan it.  The visit proved to encourage me beyond what I could have imagined.   We chatted catching up and eventually wondered outside. She shared some of her delicious red raspberries with me as we talked gardens and life.  I offered to help her move her fruit plants to her soon to be new home and perhaps I could have a few starts for myself? We agreed on that plan.  Hopefully, that will happen one day in September. Yay!  Here is the thing. I would happily help her move her fruit starts even if I was not getting anything in return and she would share starts with me even if I was not helping her, but why not help each other and we both win? The phrase ‘homestead lifestyle’ is what comes to my mind.  At my request, we explored a couple of the old barns that were on the property. I found this:

    I say it is a Maria powered tiller.  I am not sure if it is old or not, but certainly not common in my circles.  I feel super excited to have it.

    I also needed to pick up chicken feed so I made that stop on my way home. I forgot to remove the market items from my car so I could only grab a couple bags.

    Friday, August 30, 2019

    For only the second time this week I made a schedule for my day.  I like this practice, and it does not always go the way I think it should. Tasks that I think should take an hour take 2.  At times I do not focus as well as I should or there are simply more steps involved than I realize.

    I worked online most of the morning. Rosie was a spit fire when I let her out to eat grass. She was trotting around and once she shouldered into me. She doesn’t usually act that disrespectful. I had a thought in the back of my head, ‘Was she trying to tell me something? What did she want?’ I dismissed the thought and she wondered off to eat grass. In hind sight…. read on.

     I had the idea to do an IG live showing me putting the new tiller to use in a chicken pen.  That is where I am going to use it eventually. I will be moving the pens. The chickens have killed off the sod and I will work the ground before planting in it.    Found out I will need to loosen the dirt with a spade or shovel to get the best use out of it. Anyway, I finally got around to that Friday evening.  I am thankful to this tool. As a kid I used a 3-prong hand pushed cultivator in a garden we had at home.  I was in elementary school. I do not remember how old I was.

    Before trying out the (Maria powered) tiller, I had walked out to observe the horses.  I did not see Rosie out eating with Dusty and Cider.  I had this sinking feeling and a picture of a horse laying out dead.  I told myself to stop being negative. I needed to stay on task with going live on IG.  So, I did. When I was done, it came to me again to go look for Rosie.  Sometime she hangs out in the shelter so realistically not seeing her was normal.  Oh, but when I stepped around the shelter, I thought I was looking at a horse dying.  I have seen animals dying before.  She was obviously under stress and hurting.  I hurried over to grab her halter, and when I put it on, I checked her gums.  They were gray.  I pulled her legs out in front of her one at a time. Stepping beside her I began to swat her on the rump encouraging her to get up.  She did, but she was shaky on her legs. I slowly led her out of the shelter.  I left her there and headed to the house for banamine. She was hurting, sweaty, dirty from rolling, and painful.  I placed a call and left a message for a veterinarian.  I was worried about how bad she looked.  It probably did not help I had those thoughts earlier about her laying dead.  It was a long night with little sleep.

    Here I am, over my normal word count and I have so much more to say.

    Saturday, August 31, 2019

    Most of my day Saturday revolved around caring for Rosie.  In the afternoon, she was seen by a veterinarian.  In short, Rosie had an impaction toward the rear of her bowel that was removed. Her intestinal tract was inflamed and irritated.    My immediate question was, ‘If that is what can be seen, what does the rest of her intestines look like?’    Going forward from this colic episode, Rosie had additional struggles that would need to be addressed. She has been struggling with her weight the last couple years. Perhaps this the first step in finding answers. I am thankful to Dr. Gary Fouts for evaluating and treating her on a holiday weekend.

    There are more details to share then this post had room for.  I may need to devote a post to Rosie and her current struggles. My niece, upon learning that Rosie had problems said, ‘I want to see Rosie.’ Her and Rosie go back at least 8 years of my ten year old nieces life. That is a life time to a child. Often when speaking with her on the phone, after asking after my well being, she says, ‘How is Rosie?’

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    Homestead Diary ~ Week 4

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    Last weeks post left off not knowing the outcome of 2 hatches, one in an incubator and the other under a broody hen.

    Thursday, August 22, 2019

    I woke up and of course the hatching process was on my mind. I noticed right away that one of the eggs had pipped and a couple others were moving around. Outside, I found the broody hen off the nest, but it looked like she had sat on the eggs during the night.  As the day progressed I observed her sitting in a different spot in the tank and moved the eggs underneath her.  I continued checking the incubator throughout the day finding no changes. I also noted absolutely no signs of life from the pipped egg. Rather early to have given up life, I thought.  There is always that case where development malfunctioned. One last check of the broody hen for the night found her sitting on the eggs with her head raised, looking down as if listening to noises underneath her. Back inside toward 9 pm I noticed one of the other eggs were pipped too and it was not one of the ones I seen moving earlier.  I tapped on the side of the Janoel 12 incubator and to my happy surprise I seen the chick was alive after all.

    Friday, August 23, 2019

    No progress from that first chick that pipped over night. When I went out to the barn, I checked on the broody hen.  She was NOT on her eggs, again.  I looked down into the tank where I had placed the eggs.  Oh, what is this?  One of the eggs was pipped and partially zipped and cold.  I quickly checked the other egg.  It was cold and pipped. Both little chicks were weakly chirping.  I fired that hen on the spot! Into the house and into the incubator they went.  To her credit, I had moved her only a few days before they were due to hatch. This may have upset her and distressed her enough to not sit. Or perhaps some other reason in her chicken mind was the root. Whatever her reason, I trust next time she goes broody, the outcome will be better.

    I snapped a quick picture of the two eggs that were cold, but pipped before taking them into place in the incubator.

    The first Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner/Swedish Flower Hen chick hatched on Friday in the incubator.  I placed a black band on the chicks leg to note that is was one of cross breed chicks while I had the incubator covered to place the 2 eggs from the barn in. I felt pretty excited about this chick.  This makes the first LCN hen produced egg to hatch a chick. I am looking forward to getting Clinch and Cisco in with hens in a couple months. That first chick to pip Thursday morning showed no progress by Friday night. When I starting to remove a part of the shell of the crossbred chick produced blood. I stopped and put it back into the incubator for the night.

    Saturday, August 24, 2019

    Culver Farmer’s Market takes place on Saturday.  If you recall from last weeks diary post, I missed to attend a family reunion that actually took place this Saturday.  After a bit of internal debate, I chose to go to the reunion for real this day. 

    First a hatching update: I found 5 chicks in the incubator Saturday morning.  Disappointed I missed the hatching of one of the eggs I brought in from the barn, I knew I needed my sleep the night before. On the other hand my earlier fears of not locking the eggs down early enough turned out unfounded.  That egg that had pipped on Thursday morning still unhatched along with one egg I had brought in from the barn.  I helped the SFH chick out and the LCN/SFH cross chick.  I placed a white band on the SFH chick and a black one on the crossbred chick.  Certain hatches I interchange the colors and make notes. Other times I use a certain color based on what pen the chick came from.

    The family had started going through the 2 or 3 tables of food when we arrived.  Delicious dishes of home cooked and some homegrown food provided more options than one could try.  The theme of the gathering this year celebrated 100 years since the 2 that started this family married.  We laughed and shared a few tears while remembering and watching a skit.  Actor portraited telling of the memories our ancestors might share if they were alive with us today.  Basically, a timeline of the family.  I learned a few new facts that along with the visit to the Stonehouse had me thinking a bit deeper about myself.

    Looking over the chicks in the incubator Saturday night. I noticed the crossbreed chick, the first to pip on Thursday morning, did not stand due to leg issues.  I felt beat, sad and exhausted.  I worked with a it and left it sort of propped against the side of the incubator.  I shut the bathroom light off, hoping the chick would be stable there with no stimulation.  It is probably going to die, I thought.

    Sunday, August 25, 2019

    I completely expected the yellow chick I had helped out of the egg that had been pipped since Thursday morning to be dead.  I opened the incubator, what? No dead chick. What? All are on their feet? I counted 7. Oh, what a happy surprise. That Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner/Swedish Flower Hen chick was going to make it!!

    I am going to title Sunday a day of rest that turned challenging.  A nice slow start to the day that included a late breakfast out with Brian.  I moved the newly hatched chicks to the barn. I started the process of cleaning the incubator and returned the top part to the house.  Except I found myself locked out.  Brian had left for his afternoon plans.  Inside of the house was my car keys, cell phone, insulin and gluecometer.  Unexpected opportunity to practice my homesteading survial skills.  Now yes, I could have walked to a neighbors and called him, but I had changed into a ratty old shirt that sported holes where they should NOT be.  No way, was I showing up dressed this way. One of those old-fashioned habits I guess, I have chore/working clothes and good clothes.  The chore clothes become rags before they completely disappear.  This particular shirt was overdue for the rag bin, but perfect for hot weather.  I worked on feeding chickens, took a nap in a chair I had packed in my car, and evaluated exactly what tools might make this easier.  I figured I would need to eat. I knew I kept a knife in the car and when I went to get it, I found a salt and pepper packet. Oh, best tasting tomato ever.  I ate it sitting out near the chicken pens. I had found a pack of smarties in the car and they disappeared quickly. I ate a crab apple and for dessert I picked wild grapes and ate a few of them.  Well I wasn’t going to die.  I worked on PM horse chores, I could tell by the where the sun was in the sky it was getting late enough for that.  Turned out I was locked out of the house for over 5 hours.  Now might not seem too bad and looking back it wasn’t. 

    Chatting with a sister later, I remarked how dependent I really am on certain conveinances.  Maybe I need a few more sessions of roughing it, but preferably NOT locked out of my house.

    Note: Going forward a day or two, the Lord showed me how even in those hours of being locked out of the house, I tended to give thought to how could independently survive vs. depend on His guidance. All these beautiful lessons on a journey called life.

    Monday, August 26, 2019

    Rain! Rain! Sums up todays weather.

    Am chores, laundry, writing, and online work filled up much of my day.  I need several hours, maybe be even 2 days to catch up on cleaning and moving chickens around into pens.  With cold weather season around the corner, I start giving thought to organizing breed pens for next year and cutting down on numbers for the winter.

    I stop here for Week 4 on a Monday. Look for the remainder of August diary entries to be out the beginning of next week (Week 5). Do you like these types of posts? I would love to hear your thoughts on if you as a reader would like to see them continue or not? Please leave a comment below or send me an email. Click on email to go to a form that will send me an email. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

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    Homestead Diary ~ Week 3

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    Week 3 of August proved a challenge in regard to my health. I look back as I prepared this post and I see progress, good memories and much to be grateful for. But to be honest in those moments when I lacked energy, I felt discouraged. Week 1 and Week 2 of August felt considerably more productive.

    Thursday, August 15, 2019

    I have not felt good today.  I have laid low aside from a bit of laundry and working online.  I chased away all those nagging thoughts of projects and work I want to complete outside for I know I need to rest today.  By rest that means I do as little as possible when it comes to strenuous physical activity. The fact that I need these days at this stage in my life contributed to the fact I started this web site and working online as a part of what I do.   I make use of these days to write and work online.  Certainly not a wasted day by no means. 

    I ordered Perfect Fit, a CD by Patrick McAvinue.  I am certain to enjoy it. The anticipation of its arrival chased away my blue attitude brought on by my lack of energy today.

    Friday, August 16, 2019

    I fought a fogy head most of the day.  Aside from chores, and a trip to the bank (which was actually 2 trips) I fumbled through the day.  A bit of online work seemed to be the best I could do.

    Saturday, August 17, 2019

    I had after much debate decided to attend one of my annual family reunions. In doing so I missed out attending the Culver Farmer’s Market.  To my dismay, I arrived at my destination after 1 and a half hours travel, to learn the event is indeed scheduled for next Saturday.  I admit to feeling angry for about 5 or 10 minutes.  A question arose with in me, “Did I want to be a person who could not handle a change in the plan of the day?”  The answer left me no alternative but to change my thought process.  How could I enjoy this day going forward?

    I saved seeds from the largest tomato after eating a part of it at my parents on Saturday.

    I completely gave my anger away ASAP.  Let it go!  After eating a portion of one of the heirloom tomatoes I had brought with me, my Dad and I were off to visit one of his cousins.  His wife needed input from me for a wall hanging made of my younger sisters 4-H tee shirts.  After a friendly visit, at my Dad’s suggestion, I enjoyed a look at a collection of around 100 model John Deere tractors.  Impressive!

    A meal out with my Mom in the town I went to High School in, found me thinking about the changes in my life in the last 27 years.  Good changes for the most part.  A bit more chatting at my parents, an hour + drive home, chores, and I sat down to listen to music via my phone. 

    Oh, I almost forgot, my cousin gifted me with 8 books (I really like books) and had left them at my parents for me to pick up.  I checked the mail when I arrived home and found 2 books that were gifts, as well. Speaking of arriving home, I noticed my purse was no where to be found.

    Sunday, August 18, 2019

    I rested and started a new book from my cousin titled Wild Grows the Heather in Devon. I expected it to be a fast read, but in fact it is not.  The subjects and questions the characters discuss give the feel of a theology book rather than a feel-good story.  A bit of mystery surrounds the characters of a turn of the 19 century English family and the old great house.

    Monday, August 19, 2019

    Ah Mondays tend to be my day of the week I get the most done.  Not today!  I splurged on a trip into town for coffee and a sandwich. My head felt foggy.  I hate feeling this way!!!!  I decided not to dwell on that fact.  After feeding the animals and working on small online projects I connected with my mom to plan the best way to get my purse back. We decided to meet in Goshen and included a visit with one of my aunts. We met for coffee and laughs at Burger King. Did you know they give seniors FREE coffee? 

    Before I left, I checked the mail and to my surprise I found a package containing the Patrick McAvinue CD I had ordered last Thursday.  That arrived quickly! Want your own copy?  Click here. Track # 11 made me want to get up and dance, thus it is my favorite of the 12. Along with the credits for each song you will find the inspiration behind its creation and/or why it made the cut. I thought that added a personal touch unseen in my experience.

    Tuesday, August 20, 2019

    Awaking, I determined to make this a productive day.  I went through my morning routine, checking and picking tomatoes before feeding chickens.  The hot humid air found me grumbling to myself concerning the conditions.  After lunch I washed eggs, and prepped for the market in Culver.  Everything pointed to rainy evening and with a broken canopy I choose to stay home. 

    Checking the rain gage, I seen only 1 and ½ inches.  I expected a higher amount based my perception of rainfall since last Wednesday. Truly that translated into 1 inch since I left the ½ inch in the gage.

    Reading in the book I started Sunday, I realized I did not have a clue what ‘Heather’ looks like.  I did a quick google search and learned it has potential health benefits, it is a flowering shrub, and I find it pretty.  I hope to add it to CG Heartbeats Farm in the future.

    To be honest, I chased off thoughts of frustration for not showing up at the market realizing the rain had dissapaited by 5 pm there was not rain in Culver.  I went to work on my computer determined not to waste my time.

    I recently set up an account one Me We, a newer social media platform said to be friendly to animal sales.  Tonight, I created groups for the 3 breeds of chickens I raise here:  Swedish Flower Hens, Silver Gray Dorking, (Dorking Chickens) and Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner.  Are you on Me We? If so, be sure to look me up. (Maria Graber)

    Wednesday, August 21, 2019

    All of my activities prepared me to be on time to the Bremen Farmer’s Market and not be too exhausted when I arrived.  As much as I love the markets, I often find myself tired when they are over.  I have been writing out a list with times on it to help me stay focused and plan my day.  I was inspired by the quick glance I was given at the mastermind meet up at Crystal Paine’s houses. While not utilizing every single day, I sure find the practice a benefit. I look back at the last 3 and ½ weeks since returning.  I see how much I accomplished compared to July. I am thankful to be a part of Your Blogging University and the mastermind.

    I am writing this diary post on Thursday, remembering yesterdays events.  I drove to Midwest to pick up Non-GMO chicken feed and Safe Guard for Rosie.  Rosie, a 24 year old mare, could tell countless stories on me of all the fun memories.  Perhaps another day and blog post(s).  Working to Keep a healthy weight on her includes a pelleted feed and extra hay, teeth maintenance and time out to eat grass.  Despite these efforts, she continues to struggle.  She likes to trot and be pushy. I take that to mean she likes living. 

    With the feed unloaded, and Rosie dewormed, I set to cleaning up garlic for the Bremen Farmer’s Market.  I cut a few flowers for decorating the table.  Cisco and Clinch, in the yard near my car, decided the flowers were food.  ‘Not my bouquets, boys!!!’

    The small market crowd provided a few customers.  The heirloom tomatoes were a hit.  I am partial to them, myself, this year. 

    Arriving home, I found myself busy moving the SFH broody to a tank.  I hoped for the best. I was trying a new time of day to move a broody hen.  Last event of the chores before going in.  Check back next week to see if she stayed on the only 2 of 10 eggs that had a viable chick in them. 

    Once inside, I went through lockdown procedures for the 7 Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner/Swedish Flower Hen cross eggs.  A bit of disappointment shot thru me.  A couple of the eggs looked like the air cell was too big, indicating I needed to start the lockdown earlier.  Nothing to be changed on this hatch, but a note to self for next time. Again, I decided to hope for the best.  Look for updates on Facebook and Instagram or look for next week’s diary post.

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