Wordless Wednesday

Surviving winter post-holidays

Recent batch of healthful chicken stock

 Well, the holidays were nice, but post holidays meant being out of commission for a while.

Throw a little stress, poor eating habits for a couple weeks (Christmas cookies and candies - who can resist?!?) and cold weather together to get a nice bit of sickness.

Lots of soup, tea, sleep, and now warm weather to feel better.

We got up into the forties recently, after a few weeks of of temps hovering around zero earlier this month.

Chickens visiting their favorite snack station.

 The chickens were up to their usual antics - checking to see what dropped from the bird feeders. It's warm enough now for them to dig around for grass as well.

I think they are turning a corner in their egg laying. Most of the hens have been molting for a month or so, and we've only had an egg or two a day. Yesterday there were three eggs in the nest, so I'll take it.

Mr. Joe cat enjoying sunshine on a warmer winter day.

 Both myself and Joe cat also spent a lot of time outside the last few days.

The sun is up longer and longer these days that is gives ones hope that spring will be here soon!

I've been surveying my seed stock and prepping seeds saved from last year. I hope to save more and more each year.

I do love perusing the seed catalogs, but it is so easy to spend too much with them.

Winter weeds, iced over pond and farm field.

This depressing field is the site of current dreams and future plans of cover crops and grain.

Beyond the pond is several acres that have been farmed by a neighbor for years and years. We recently chatted with said farmer and are going to try to get something other than corn on the back property.

I have dreams of oats and straw for the chickens, so we shall see where that goes this year.

Jan 24-30 Meal Plan

BBQ Lamb Ribs

Roasted lamb ribs with butternut squash and tallow roasted potatoes


Steak and Kidney pie. (Beef steak, lamb kidney and tallow crust)
Kidney prep -cut ureters completely out, then  soak in vinegar water for 30 minutes, then drain. Then cook, and drain. Cover in wine and drain. Much better this time. Also added sage and thyme.

Chicken Dumpling Soup

Chicken and corn soup with dumplings

Lamb and sweet potato stew (slow cooker)

Steak and Kidney Pie

Jan 17-23 Meal plan

Salmon and Potato Chowder (slow cooker)

Sloppy Joes (slow cooker) with tallow roasted potatoes

Turkey noodle soup (slow cooker)

Sourdough pasta with spicy sausage and kale

Lentil and root veggie soup (slow cooker)