Adventures in Raising Turkeys and Thanksgiving in New York City

Did the title make you turn your head and say "what?!?!?"

It guess it proves that my husband is right... You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl!

While recently traveling home from New York City, I received an e-mail pertaining to my 2015 article about raising turkeys for our holiday meal.  I had to chuckle when I thought about what I had just experienced...Thanksgiving dinner at Hard Rock cafe in New York City!

For the first time in my life, I didn't celebrate Thanksgiving at a family table.  This year we were in New York for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  No homemade food, and certainly no homegrown turkey this year.

We did however have a traditional American Thanksgiving meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, and pie.

It was delicious!  And fun!  YOLO! (You Only Live Once)

You can read about our turkey experience HERE.  It was a challenge, to say the least, raising that turkey for a true farm to table experience.  An adventure that included a crazy turkey and a cow friend.

Life is an adventure...do something today that makes you laugh!

Farm Shenangians

What a week!  Full of farm shenanigans.

It has been raining off and on for days.  The wind has been howling.  A few snowflakes fell.

The fireplace has been going strong...in April.

Our dog cornered a raccoon...onto our roof...where it slept all day!

One of the chickens has become an egg eater...in the coop!

The cows got out of the pasture!  I calmly coaxed them back in with food, then put my heart back in my chest.

Four adorable barn kittens have been born.

I rearranged the living room for the 149th time, only to put it back the exact same way.

I think I need a nap.

And this photo bomber?  Her name is Hermione.  She's not the one that cornered the raccoon.  But, she is the one that had to go outside, which is how I say the cows near the driveway.

Children's Book

I want to share some exciting news with y'all...

My friend Janet Garman from Timber Creek Farm has wrote a children's book!

It's titled Margarita and the Beautiful Gifts.

It is a cute story about farm life...ducks to be exact.  Margarita, the duck, wants to give the farmer a gift and had quite the adventure in doing so.  

The Traveling Lilac Bush

It all started twenty some years ago...

I purchased my first home over twenty years ago.

In the yard was the most beautiful, big, fragrant white lilac bush.  

A start of that lilac bush has traveled with me throughout the years.

I have planted, nurtured, and watched a piece of that original lilac bush grow many times over.  

This is my fourth property to have a start of that lilac planted.

Starts have also been given to friends and family throughout the years.

Its growth and beauty never fail.

This picture is from my parent's property.

This beauty had humble beginnings...

It was just a start, many years ago.

We have been having quite a mix of weather this winter...

Frigid cold with snow.
Ice and sleet storms.

Chilly rain with high winds.

Warm, Spring like temperatures.
Only to be followed by cold again.

This tender start is just 1 1/2 years old.

She is excited, yet confused...

She has started to bud.

I had a little talk with her, explaining that she needed to continue to rest for a couple more months.

She doesn't need to be budding yet...it's not time.

I blew her a kiss and told her that I would welcome her with open arms in the Spring.

I hope she takes my advice to rest a little while longer.

This House and Thank You

This house.

Four years ago today we moved into our home.

After a few years of cleaning up the land and dreaming up our house and homestead plans, we began our journey.

With help from friends and family, we built our home.

With dreams and determination, we are building our farm.

There's been some sweat and tears along the way, and there is always a to do list, but this place...

...there truly is no place like home.

I have shared bits and pieces here on the blog throughout the last couple years.
Through blogging, I have met some amazing people and developed some special friendships.

I want to take this opportunity to say Thank You!
Thank you for your encouragement!
Thank Your for your support!
Thank You for following along on our journey.

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

As a little girl, I remember standing on my tippy toes watching and listening with child like excitement.

The bright red cranberries popping and bursting as they cooked on the stove top.

I loved watching and listening to them cook down into a delicious cranberry sauce that my Mom made every year during the holiday season.

She never added too much sugar, leaving them a bit on the tart side...just like we liked them.

Home Canned Apple Pie Filling

Let's think ahead for a moment...

It's winter time.

The snow is gently falling outside your window.

A beef roast nestled on a bed of vegetables is simmering in the crock pot.

Your family is huddled around a crackling fire sharing stories.

The talk turns to apples...

apple pie to be exact.

Mmmm...the fresh apple pies you had in the fall...

The color...the texture...the smell...the taste...

The craving takes over...

 An apple pie is a must for the day!

But, wait a minute...you don't have any apples!

A trip to the grocery store is out of  question, since the snow has picked up speed and is quickly covering the ground.

Without even putting on your super hero costume...

You smoothly walk into the pantry...

A second later...

You appear with a can of home made apple pie filling...

 that you canned yourself!

Your family starts cheering and applauding!

The talk quickly turns to how great you are great the pie is going to taste.

You pop open that jar, spread the deliciousness into a pie shell, and bake.

As the spice infused apple pie smell wafts from the oven, you get to spend quality time with your family, instead of laboring away in the kitchen.

Do I have you convinced?

Ready to can some apple pie filling for one of those days lurking in your future?

Or any day really.

If you're new to canning, or need a re-fresher, click HERE to read my post titled

Home Canning (How To Get Started).

Home Canned Apple Pie Filling

(This recipe makes 3 quarts.)

3 pounds firm apples

2 1/4 cups sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

couple dashes of nutmeg 

couple dashes of ginger

1/2 cup cornstarch

5 cups water

Combine sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cornstarch in a large pot.

Add water, and cook on medium-high heat.

Stir frequently until it boils.

Boil for one minute, or until thickened.

Peel, core, and slice enough apples to fill each quart jar, leaving adequate head space.

Fill jar with thickened liquid, again leaving some head space.

Remove air bubbles.

Put lids and bands on.

Process jars in hot water bath for 20 minutes.

Enjoy as a pie, dumplings, ice cream topper, or anything your heart desires!

You may also like:

Apple Crisp With Almonds

Baked Apples (made in the microwave)

Rhubarb Apple Crisp

Sharing at:
Simple Homestead Blog Hop
Foodie Friday

Circleville Pumpkin Show

Today I thought we would take a walk through the Circleville Pumpkin Show, 'the greatest free show on earth'.

A community coming together to celebrate agriculture, homemade, handmade, and of course all things pumpkins.

Every Flock Needs A Super Star

Every flock needs a super star, right?

Well, Betty the chicken certainly thinks so.

It seems a lot of my chicken pictures include our Barred Rock named Betty.  Why is that you may wonder.  The answer is simple.  Betty likes to be in the spotlight!  When she sees that I have my phone or camera, she proudly puffs up and strikes a pose for me.

To read more about Betty the Super Star click here to read my post at Community Chickens.
There are more pictures there too ;-)

Country Living Fair 2016

Yesterday I attended the Country Living Fair!

As you can tell from the sky, it was a beautiful day.

How cute is that chicken picture hanging on a blue building?
You know I had to take a picture and share it with you!

The Country Living Fair was located at the Ohio Village in Columbus, Ohio.  It was a quaint little setting.

BLT Pizza With Homemade Dough

This BLT pizza with homemade dough is rustically gorgeous and so very delicious!

It definitely deserves to have its picture taken (and a round of applause).

Because it is so good, I have to tell you how it all came together...

A Morning Walk

In the mornings as I go about feeding the animals I take a little extra time to walk around our property and enjoy the splendor that nature has to offer.

Summer has been crazy busy for us, so I revel in this time.

During my mornings walks, I can get lost in time as I am amazed at the simple, everyday beauty that surrounds me.

This morning was very foggy which created an extra layer of elegance. 

Everything glistened in a magical way.

As I started out, the chickens were still sleeping and the sun was desperately trying to peak through.

I captured some pictures with my phone and reflected on life a bit...

Cows and Polka Dot Pajamas

I had planned a Farm Photo Friday for today's post, but I have something better for you...a true story about our cows.  A story that unfolded this morning.

First, let me start with the back story...

The cows were eating and rubbing against the pine trees!  Uugghh...those precious trees that we paid good money for and precious money to have them planted.  Now, keep in mind there are larger, established pine trees that they have access to...those the cows are 'allowed' to mess with.  But, nooooo - they prefer the new, delicate ones.

As a quick fix, Hubby and youngest put up t-posts and a couple strands of barbed wire to keep them away from the trees.

It worked for a while, but in time the cows got back over to the trees.

Of all the pasture...

                and the sweet mix...
            
                                and the hay...

                                             they prefer pine trees...

??????????????????????

                                                                   

So...hubby and daughter split the pasture in half with fence.  The cows were in the section that did not have the line of pine trees.

In time the cows made it over one section and strolled over to the pine trees yet again.

So...hubby put up barbed wire on top of the strung fence.

It has been working...

                     but, the grass was really getting high in the section of the pasture that they weren't on...

We have planned to install electric fence to protect the pine trees, but have not had time to do so yet.

So, me, the brilliant cow farmer that I am (HA!) decided yesterday to open the middle gate and let them eat down some of the pasture that was getting high.

I said to myself  "they won't go near those pine trees, they have all that good grass to eat to stay occupied."

And here is where today's story begins...

Feed Sacks From Grandma

My Mom gave me some feed sacks.

What?

Yes, feed sacks!

There are some very pretty patterns.

But the best part?  They have a story that goes with them...

Stories From The Good 'Ol Days

Home made chicken and noodles.

I am blessed to have my parents (both in their 70's) still teaching me things...with words and actions.

Recently, my Mom told stories about the good 'ol days when she was a little girl and when she and my Dad were first married...

My Dad talked about things that he learned from his Grandma back in the good 'ol days...

To read about these stories and to learn what they taught us click  HERE to read my recent post at Community Chickens (a website from Mother Earth News and Grit magazines).

Lemon Ice Cream (and It Is My One Year Blogiversary)

Lemons are like little balls of sunshine.

They are a cheerful yellow color that can brighten any day.

I usually have lemons in my fridge.  I like to add a slice of lemon to my drinking water.

I like to add lemon zest to different foods to give an extra 'kick' of flavor.

Lemon ice cream has been a nice burst of flavor on these hot days.

Lemons

Heavy cream

Sugar

That's all you need to make delicious (no churn) Lemon Ice Cream!

A piece of my Great Grandparent's house

I made a sign for our eating nook using a board taken from my Great Grandparent's house.

This is what the house looks like today.

But, in its day...

It housed a husband, a wife, and 7 children.

My Grandpa (my Mom's Dad) was one of those children.

Years later, my Mom lived down the holler in another little house...

with her Mom, Dad, and 9 siblings.

She tells stories of spending time at her Grandparent's house.

(She has the BEST memory of anyone I know!)

What it looks like today is what I always remember it looking like.

I have my own childhood memory of storing hay in it.

My children will always have the memory of stopping at it when we are riding our 4-wheelers on the land. 

They also hear stories from me, their Grandma, and their Great Aunts. 

This house (and the stories) are part of our heritage!

Something I want to preserve.

A board taken from the house and made into a sign is my way of doing so.

Click HERE to see how I created the sign, why I chose the word Gather, and where I hung it.

I also took a board from my Grandma and Grandpa's house and Hubby made it into a coat rack.

You can see it HERE.
(It was my very FIRST POST!)

Citrus Lemonade (lemonade stands to New York City)

I just got back from New York City.  I went with my oldest daughter (and a group of high school choir members).

The itinerary was full...

Broadway shows
911 memorial
Rockefeller Center
Central Park

awesome restaurants

shopping

Statue of Liberty cruise with dinner

Time seems to be flashing by as my daughters grow up...

When I made this citrus lemonade, it brought back a memory that put a quick smile on my face (and a tear in my eye)...

When my girls were little, we lived in a subdivision...the perfect place to have a yard sale.

My Mom and I would arrange a yard sale every year.

And the girls would have a lemonade stand.

Sometimes they would spill the lemonade while trying to pour it...

Sometimes they drank more lemonade than they sold...

Any many times people would give them money without even wanting the lemonade...

They would ring it up on their little pretend cash register and put the money inside the drawer.

Citrus Lemonade is very easy to make, yet the addition of oranges kicks up the flavor a few notches!

Make your favorite lemonade
Fresh squeezed is easy and delicious, but most times I use Country Time for convenience

Add lemon and orange slices

Let them get to know each other for a while in the refrigerator 

(at least a couple hours)

Sip slowly and enjoy your every day life!

Sharing with:

Home Making Mondays

Something To Talk About

Metamorphosis Monday

Hubby is NOT THE ONLY BOY on the Farm Anymore!

Look who came cruising up to the farm!
A MALE turkey.

Hubby is NOT THE ONLY BOY on the farm anymore!

It was never intentional...

It just kept happening...

When we moved to the farm, we had a dog...a girl.

We adopted a stray cat...a girl.

We picked up two FREE cats...both girls.

We gained a FREE dog...a girl.

We purchased six chickens...all girls.

(this was intentional - we wanted eggs)

We invested in three alpacas - all girls.

One of our barn cats had kittens...all girls.

We recently purchased more chickens...all girls.

(intentional - we like farm fresh eggs)

We are hoping Mr. Turkey will be happy here at LL Farm.

He has an arranged marriage (by us) with Mrs. Turkey.
They are currently living in a brooder in our basement.
Handy Hubby is building them a home to roost in at night and a fenced area to enjoy during the day.

And so it is...
Hubby is NOT THE ONLY BOY on the farm anymore!
Gobble Gobble.

It Was 1980 something

Imagine with me, if you will...

the year is 1980 something...

a handsome young boy in 10th grade...

built this with his hands...

for a wood shop project at school.

All these years later...

it is displayed proudly in a home...

 that he built...

OUR HOME.

Appropriately displayed with it...

a trinket from a girl...

that lived only 10 minutes away from the boy...

yet they never knew each other...

The two now happily live together...

 on a plant ledge...

in OUR HOME.

Sharing at these lovely blog hops:

Home and Garden Thursday

Treasure Hunt Thursday

Share Your Style
Share Your Cup Thursday
Idea Box
Thursday Favorite Things
What's It Wednesday
Foodie Friday and Everything Else
Flaunt It Friday
Saturday Sparks
Metamorphosis Monday