31 Days of My Real Farm Life - Day 31

Hello friends!  My Internet and computer are now working again, and I am back!  But I will start again for real tomorrow.  I was getting ready to fill you in on all the news, when my daughter called and told me they had been robbed, and she and the baby are on their way to stay the night.  So I am cleaning out his room so you can walk in there, and making the bed.  I'll see you all tomorrow.  Happy Halloween!  Honey

GrandBoy showing you how to "throw webs"

Computer problems - May Not See Me For a While

h friends. Our computer got spyware. In the process of removing it, the electricity went off. When it came back on, the computer would not load. I have to get a friend to come look at it. I'm updating this for you on my Blackberry. 2 inch screen. If you don't see me for a few days, you'll know why. I will miss you.  I  think the devil is behind this. Hope to see you soon  honeyi

31 Days of My Real Farm Life - Day 19

31 Days of Life on Our Farm!

Today is the day Fall decided to arrive in North Alabama.  Pappy and I moved my plants inside, including two budding Christmas cactuses that will bloom next month.  We picked the garden, moved the baby animals, put lights on the birds, and all sorts of chores like that.  I thought I would share the last of the blooming flowers with you before the frost gets them.  That is one thing about living in the South.  You never know what the weather will be like.  Monday GrandBoy was taking a nap on a pallet under a tree outside, without his shirt.  Tonight it will freeze, and tomorrow's temperatures will not get out of the 50's.

This rose we gave to Daughter #3 when her son was born.  At the time, they lived with us.  It blooms all summer long. 

GrandBoy's lonely tire horse swing

Mums that Pappy got me last year for my birthday!

This is a few of "last year's" pansies.  About time to buy more. 

Hope you all have a great Thursday.  Honey

31 Days of My Real Farm Life - Day 18

31 Days of Life on Our Farm!

Well, I made it through dental surgery.  I went yesterday at 1:00 pm to have my tooth pulled.  It took an hour to get the tooth out.  That must be unusual, because they said it never takes that long to pull a tooth.  This tooth should have had one root, and it had three.  So I guess it was somewhat of a big deal.  I kept ice on my face religiously to keep the swelling down.  This morning when i got up, my eyes were almost swelled shut, and my mouth drooped on the side the tooth was pulled.  I hope this isn't permanent!  Other that a soreness, from the pressure of pulling on my jaw for an hour, I really don't have pain.  I'm afraid I may start to bruise tomorrow, but we will see.  I'm glad the tooth is out. 

I had a hair appointment today, but I cancelled it.  I had to stay home from work today because I didn't think I should drive since I had been on pain medication the day before.  I went back to bed and slept till 10:30.  Tomorrow I will resume my normal life.  I really didn't need to lose two days of business, but that happens sometimes.

The neighbors brought over 3 grocery bags of turnip greens, and a bag of cayenne pepper.  I put the pepper in two baskets until I can do something with it.  The greens went into the refrigerator outside until I can process them for the freezer.

So there really wasn't much going on at the farm today.  It stormed here tonight, and we really needed the rain.  Pappy worked at daughter's trailer today, and bush hogged one of the pastures this evening.  So tomorrow everything will be back to normal tomorrow.  See you then.  Honey

31 Days of My Real Farm Life - Day 16

31 Days of Life on Our Farm!

Hello Friends!  Happy Sunday.  I hope you had a wonderful, restful day with your family.  A few days ago, I broke a tooth.  This tooth had actually been cracked for about four years.  Pieces had broken off twice since then.  But this time the tooth broke horizontally on the front.  It is broken off almost gum line, and I am afraid it will start hurting, if I don't get to the dentist quick!  The first appointment I could get is for tomorrow (Monday) at 1:00.  So far, the tooth area is tender, but not in killer pain.  So I am happy about that.

We may get our first freezing weather this week.  It will get to 35 or so mid week, so Pappy and I are keeping an eye on the situation.  If it does look like it will get to freezing, we have to do things in advance like move the doves to the green house, get all the house plants moved indoors, pick the garden one last time, and cut all the blooming flowers.  Some things I can cover with a sheet, like the mums.  I went ahead and picked all the tomatoes today.  I also picked that majority of the peppers, but left the small ones a little longer.  I picked the last of the beans, too.  I read this week that Fall is the country's favorite season.  Well, it isn't mine.  I think Fall is depressing.  Fall means that we are one step away from winter, and I hate to be cold.  It also means that year end is almost here, and I need to hurry up and finish all the things I need to have done before the year ends.  I'm a procrastinator, so there are always things I need to get done.  Pappy is one of the people who love Fall though.

These are the tomatoes I picked today.  Usually we have a lot more at the end of year, but because of the drought I guess we have slowed down here.

I separate the greens tomatoes from the red ones.  The red ones I will can.  I start out by washing them and then dipping them in boiling water.  The skin will split, and then you take them out and place them in cold water to chill.  Once cooled you can pull the peels off comfortably.  I will fill a jar with the skinned tomatoes.  Finish filling the jar with boiling water, add salt and lemon juice, and seal the jar with a hot flat and canning ring.  When all jars are ready, process at the specified time.  I use these tomatoes in tacos, spaghetti, soup, chili, anywhere and everywhere you would use canned tomatoes.  Some people also use them in garden salads, during the winter.  I haven't tried that, but plan to this year.

Each year I place my green tomatoes in this contraption to turn red and ripen.  And they do all turn red eventually.  I'm not sure what this is, because someone left it in one of our rental properties.  There are four spaces in it when fully extended.  I have all but one clipped together because I don't have that many tomatoes this year.  Some years the whole thing is full.  If anyone knows what this item is really used for, please let me know.  Pappy thinks it is a pie cooling rack.  Personally, I wouldn't want my pies swinging around in the air, but maybe others feel differently. 

Our neighbor just called us to see if we wanted to pick turnip greens tonight before the weather turns.  I told him that I would call Tuesday, after my dental appointment.  I don't think I will feel like fooling with them tomorrow.

Our neighbor also has more hot pepper.  That is kinds funny, because I just finished stringing the last of the pepper they brought us a month ago.  I did that yesterday while watching the Alabama Game.  I think I will make pepper sauce if I get some more this week.

My finished pepper strings.  These will dry, and can be used in cooking.  Just crumble into any recipe you would use pepper in.

                                    



I guess that is enough today from here.  I still have to find time this week to can apples.  I wish I had vacation time so I could get paid while doing some things around here.  If I can't figure out when to can apple slices, I guess I will put the apples in our roaster one night, and make apple sauce to can.  That will cook down on their own without my supervision.  I also purchased grapes to make grape juice to try. Just a couple of quarts.  I need to do that, too.

Come back to see us tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by.  Honey

31 Days of My Real Farm Life - Day 13

31 Days of Life on Our Farm!

Today was one of those days where all you do all day is put out fires!  Or at least that was the way I felt.  I got up at 5:00 because GrandBoy couldn't find his paci.  At that time, the house was fine.  Since I still had an hour till time to get up, I reset the clock to ring at 6:30, and laid back down with GrandBoy.  When i got up at 6:30, I took one step into the bathroom, and knew immediately that the floor was wet.  So was the seat!  I thought the toilet had maybe overflowed.  Instead, what had happened was that we had a hard rain, and the roof leaked in that bathroom over the toilet. 

I wiped off the toilet, took the photos of the wall, moved the toilet tissue, and wiped up the floor.  I got dressed, got GrandBoy dressed, and woke up Daughter #2 and Pappy.  The time is now 7:40, and I should have left for work 10 minutes ago.  I still had not packed a lunch, loaded the car, and those sorts of things.  I called into work, and left a message that I would not be able to come today.  After things started to open for business, I called our roofer.  He said he would work me in, and call back.  Two tenants had rent to be collected, so I made appointments for that.  I filled up my car, and went  to both post offices, but there was no rent at either place.  Pappy called to say that the other car was ready to be picked up from the shop.  So I made plans to pick it up when Daughter #3 got home from work.  I also picked up milk, and got a few other marked down items, like organic butter, cookie dough, yogurt, bagels, and a deli pizza.  I deposited the rent I was able to collect, and went home to meet Daughter #1.   The roofers came and got started.  I told them I had to run pick up a car, and I would be back in about 15 minutes. 

When I got back the roofers were finishing up.  Pappy and GrandBoy pulled up.  I paid the roofer, and told Pappy that there was a pizza on the stove for lunch.  I ran and got  some more rent collected and came back within an hour.  After I got home, I took a bite of pizza, and my tooth broke off!  I had known it was going to break, and I had scheduled a dentist appointment for Monday.  So far, I am pain free.  I hope it stays that way.  I am covering my tooth in prayer, you can believe!

So I will be on track tomorrow.  Hope everything goes more smoothly then.  Talk tomorrow.  Honey

31 Days of My Real Farm Life - Day 12



31 Days of Life on Our Farm!


Hey!  Welcome back!  Today was a rainy Wednesday.  It was really a nice fall day.  After work, I ran a few errands.  Daughter #3 wanted me to come by her work, and I did.  I got a set of Bob books to teach GrandBoy to read.  I have a few, but not the whole set, in the box.  I was glad to find that.  I also got a book titled "Gathering Manna - Finding God's Grace in Life's Wilderness" by Sue Fallin.  This book is about Sue Fallin, and how she overcame and was healed of several diseases using her faith.  I was interested in the book, and dropped it in my cart.  While I was standing in line, I realized while flipping through the book, that it took place in the next large city to where we live.  That made it even more interesting.  I got home about 4:00, and since then, I've read about half the book.  I always said I was going to be a writer when I retire.  I better give that some thought.  I also got the book "The Red Tent"  that I have read a lot about.

I went by the post offices to pick up rent.  We just had one envelope containing $150.  Not one of my best days.  Then I ran by the daycare to pick up GrandBoy.  I haven't been to the daycare in about 3 weeks, and he was so excited to see me there.  We stopped by the trailer where they will be moving.  Pappy was working there today and tomorrow.  We had a nice visit, and got home in time to get ready for church.

This weekend I have a large list of produce to process.  I have cayenne pepper to make pepper sauce with.  I think I will also string some up to dry.  I have to can the last of the tomatoes.  I want to freeze the bell peppers.  I need to can apples.  I'm thinking about doing pie filling.  And I have a cabbage to put in the freezer.  I can't decide if I want to pick the cactus pears this year.  Last year I juiced them, but I haven't done anything with the juice yet.  Maybe I should try some.  I did it because the cactus pears are suppose to make the prettiest red jelly for Christmas. 

Well, that about covers it for today around here.  Hope to see you tomorrow.  Honey