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Showing posts from February, 2010

'Lights Out'

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We get so used to the 'conveniences' that electricity brings...lights, hot water, heat, computer... Our electricity went out yesterday morning around 5am while I was updating projects on-line. Fooey...I didn't save my work! I stumbled through the darkness trying to get to the flashlight. I could hear my husband 'somewhere' in the house trying to get to the matches to light the lanterns. The main thought that was going through my mind was...hope the electricity comes on soon... I'm not milking the cow by hand! :-) We got the oil lamps lit all through the house...it was cozy really. Hank had to go to the barn and milk the goat by lantern light. 'Farmer Boy'. The electricity finally did come back on an hour later. I was actually enjoying the lamplights and the warm cozy woodstove. :-) Well, back to the computer to re-do my project. But, I didn't have to milk the cow by hand!

'A Note from Heritage Home~Place'

'A Note from Heritage Home~Place'

Chores

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This has been a hard winter. Chores can be tough in the cold and snow. But, we 'farm chicks' have devised ways to make our work alittle simpler. For instance, our 'choo choo train'. We have to haul out the milk machine and equipment morning and night. So, we strap on everything possible and 'push & pull' together to get our 'choo choo train' out to the barn. I even had to make a 'warmer' for the claws of the milker. When the weather is below freezing, the claws won't work well. So, I made some 'corn bags' that I heat up in the microwave and put them in the bucket and covor with a blanket. Keeps them warm and cozy and working! Plus, I can warm my hands with the corn bags while the cow is being milked. I couldn't work our little farmette with out my 'farm chicks' Leah & Anna. http://www.heritagehomeplace.com/

Bread Baking

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Don't you just love the taste of fresh baked bread? mmmm...so good! I bake bread for family and customers on a weekly basis. We use whole wheat grain that I mill into flour. I learned how to make wonderful whole wheat bread in a Bread Class taught by Lori Viets. You can join Lori's online Bread Class here: http://breadclass.com We sell our Honey Whole Wheat Bread for $4.00 a loaf. It is truly delicious!

Farm Girl Anna

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Anna takes care of the chickens. She has a special one that likes to rider on her shoulder. He lost his mate, so I guess he befriended Anna instead. Anna wants to get more laying hens and sell farm fresh eggs.

Making Cheese

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Cheesemaking! I'm curious about who first started the process of making cheese. It is a 'science' really. I've been making Chevre Goat Cheese....mmmm so good. I've now started making Mozzerella....mmmm so great on pizza & lasagna! I have made cheddar in the past. I am ready to start making cheddars again when my new cheese press arrives. When you drop in at Heritage Home~Place, let me give you a sample taste...there's nothing like fresh cheese!

"Lifestyle of Living ~ Health & Wellness Ed."

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'Lifestyle of Learning ~ Health & Wellness Education' Do you love to Garden? Let's talk Spring! Let's chase away the snow and get ready to plan the garden plot! This month's special speaker is Mike and Lori Jones. Their business is called "Patio Gardens". Mike and Lori will get us headed in the right direction as we plan our Spring planting season! Where : Heritage Home~Place/Cameron, MO When : Monday, February 22, 6pm Fee : Free (freewill offering accepted) Delicious Meal Provided Gift Basket Drawing

Goat Cheese

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There's nothing like fresh Goat Cheese! We are milking one goat at this time. Her name is Karlie. We have had her for several years now. She had twins a couple of weeks ago. One did not make it. The other, a buckling, is being fed by bottle. We get the milk...and I make the cheese! It is delicious! I love it on my salads. It is also very good on crackers. Add fresh herbs and wow! :-)

Winter Days

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Brrr...the cold winter days are still bringing snow and ice here in the midwest. It makes 'choring' a bit more challenging. But, I have awesome help...my 'farm girls'...Rebekah, Leah and Anna. Up at the crack of dawn...they put on their not so 'styling' winter wear and head out to the barns to feed and water goats, chickens, cow, cats and dogs. They are outstanding help to their parents in every way. Just felt the need to 'brag'. :-) "Leisure is a beautiful garment, but it will not do for constant wear"

Grandpa's Tractor

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Grandpa's tractor rests for the winter. Actually, it has been 'resting' for many years. It was brought on the homeplace over 30 years ago. It is a reminder of days gone by and of the hard work that went into making this 35 acres a lovely piece of property. When the Harps bought this property it was buckbrush and timber. They built a cabin and started the task of clearing the land. They lived in Kansas City through the week and stayed in the Cabin on week-ends. The tractor is a reminder of Grandpa Harp. He is also 'at rest' now. I plant holly-hocks by the tractor for Grandpa each year. He loved holly-hocks. Mine has never grown as tall as his...yet. Grandpa Harp loved to write poetry. Here is a special poem from him. Be Thankful for What You Have There was Mom and Dad and seven kids, A family of mine. We ate a lot of potatoes cooked with onions, When we didn't have a dime. Lord, You said You would never leave or forsake us. And I know this is true. B

Rodeo

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Rodeo the calf. He's our first 'tame' calf. We have only had 'beef' cattle in the past. You could never get close to the calves. Rodeo has been fun. But, we constantly remind ourselves that he is not a pet. He will be weaned at the end of the month and moved to a bigger lot. He will enjoy the freedom to run.

'Love' Language

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It has always been a joy to receive flowers...but how much greater the pleasure if the flowers themselves carry a meaning. In the Victorian era the diverting Language of the giving and receiving of tussie-mussies became a craze. A tussie-mussie or "talking bouquet" or "word poesy," as it has been called, is a circular nosegay whose fragrant herbs and flowers carry a message in the Language of Flowers...love, condolence, good luck, or a viariety of other sentiments. Send someone you love a gift of flowers with a message especially from your heart! Here are a couple of websites to get you started: http://www.nanaluluslinensandhandkerchiefs.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/23149 http://www.pioneerthinking.com/flowerlanguage.html

Milking the Cow

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Babe and I are up before dawn each morning. We have quite a routine. I sing and milk as she chews on her alfalfa. She lets me know if I stop singing. She will chime in with a soft 'moo' to get me started again. :-) I'm sure she's the only one that appreciates my early morning attempts to make a melody. I finally now have a milking machine. It took a couple of days and a good friend to help me get the gliches out. So now we have a new routine. The pulsator on the milking machine gets the 'rhythm' going and I sing....only louder now. I love the milking machine. What took me 30 min. to milk now takes only 10 min.! We have been selling alot of milk from the farm. But, what we don't sell, we make dairy products with. We made icecream the other day. mmmm...nothing like it! Here is our recipe: 2 1/2 C. Sugar 1/4 C. plus 2 T. Flour 1/2 tsp. Salt 5 C. Milk 4 Eggs, beaten 4 C. Cream 2 T. Vanilla Extract Combine sugar, flour and salt in saucepan. Gr