This is a continuation of yesterday’s post about a lamb we found dead. It might bore you but I thought some people might be interested in what we suspect to be the real cause of death, especially if you might raise sheep of your own someday. We happen to have a relief vet at work this week so I shared my story of the dead lamb with her. She, of course, thought about it a little more logically than me. She pointed out that A)There is no way that all those intestines should have come out even if she had started a major coughing fit and B)Even if they did come out, that wouldn’t have killed her. We hear about vaginal/uterine prolapses all the time and the cow or sheep simply lies there until the vet comes to put everything back in. The only way the prolapse itself would have killed that lamb is if there was a lot of blood loss or other trauma to those parts. I didn’t see any blood or evidence of that when I found her. So… what killed her? For that I called a nearby large animal vet that just loves these kind of
Continue readingMonth: July 2009
Disturbing Find and Thinking Like A Farmer
***This post contains unpleasant details and is not for the weak.*** I had a very unpleasant surprise this morning as I made my rounds doing chores. I found one of our lambs – dead. She was the first lamb born on the farm. The cause of death was pretty obvious. She had prolapsed rectally, which basically means quite a bit of her intestines had come out her rear end. She developed a cough when she was quite young and as a result she put a lot of strain on the muscles that hold everything in. She would show a small rim of pink flesh around the rear occasionally. After moving the lambs out to pasture a few weeks ago things seemed to be getting much better for her. I haven’t seen her cough for a good 2 weeks and there was no sign of a prolapse beginning. Last night she ate very well right along with the other lambs and acted very normal. On one hand, I totally blame myself. I should have taken quicker action and treated her with supplements or found some way to eliminate this problem. On the other hand, I had every indication that the problem
Continue readingFreezer Cooking: Twin Meat Loaves
Way back when I was looking for new post ideas the topic of freezer cooking came up. I think there was quite a bit of interest in that and yet I’ve never posted about it since, until now. I’ll try to post some recipes from time to time under the heading and label “Freezer Cooking: ________”. I thought I had already posted this recipe as a single loaf version but couldn’t find it. This recipe comes from Farm Journal’s Country Cookbook. I got my copy from my Grandma’s basement and I love it. It really is appropriate for the way we are trying to live and generally avoids “add in seasoning packet” or “3 cups Bisquick”. Twin Meat Loaves 2 eggs, beaten3/4 c. milk1 1/2 c. bread crumbs2 tsp. salt1/4 tsp. pepper1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce1/2 c. chopped onion1 c. chopped carrot2 lbs. ground beef Break two eggs in a bowl and until well broken. Add rest of ingredients and mix well. You’ll have to use your hands to get this done in a reasonable amount of time, or I guess maybe a hand mixer would work. Pack into two greased 7 1/2x4x2″ pans – I used my narrow bread pans
Continue readingMenu Plan Monday
This week is going to be a crazy one for me I think. We have a different vet filling in at work and although she is very good and friendly she takes a looooonnnggg time with each client so I’m prepared to stay late most nights. I also have Thursday off instead of Monday so that throws a wrench in things. We’re taking the last of the colored rangers to be processed Tuesday night so Wednesday after work I’ll be busy bagging and weighing them. I promise a full review on the birds once they are all done. So here’s what we’re eating: Monday: Brats (for Brian) and a little steak (for me) on the grill, chips, watermelon Tuesday: Parmesan Baked Chicken, Baked seasoned potatoes Wednesday: Chicken sandwiches and fries Thursday: Homemade pizza and breadsticks Friday: Hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, chips, watermelon Lunches will be mostly leftovers, yogurt with fresh, local berries, and sandwiches. For breakfast Brian likes eggs and I have muffins or toast. For dessert…well… we’ll see if I get to that this week! 🙂 What are you eating? What is your week going to be like?
Continue readingFree TV: Getting By Without Cable
We haven’t had cable or satellite TV service since we moved to the farm almost 2 years ago. Brian had satellite at the old house and when we moved we called and “suspended” it. The company offered to install it at the farm for us but we moved in the midst of harvest season and knew we’d be way too busy to watch much TV. As we approach another fall we both agree that life without a TV bill is totally doable. The Digital transition really threw a wrench in things. We used to get 5, 12, 19, 25, 28, 46, and 66. After the digital transition we get only half of those plus their “extra” channels (19 now has 19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, often all with separate programming). We can still get most channels but we have to adjust the antenna constantly depending on what we want. We’ve developed a few strategies that help us deal with the “welfare TV only” lifestyle. First, we subscribe to Netflix during the winter months when we aren’t busy and are stuck in the house the most. We do the 2 at a time plan for $14.83 per month. Wayyy cheaper than cable.
Continue readingWhat I’ve Been Doing
I’ve been a little aloof lately and I apologize. It is one of those times where I want to post about everything but never get around to posting any of it. I spent a lot of the weekend making invitations for my cousin’s baby shower. I made the cutest ones to tie in with our frog theme. They are all done and mailed out – what a relief! I also got the long garden almost completely weeded and mulched. All the is left are two empty spots where I didn’t plant anything. I need to pull all the weeds and mulch those areas so they’re ready for next year. Also, the corn is very weedy again and I think I need a hoe for it this time. It isn’t growing very well (maybe due to weed pressure, maybe not enough rain) and I think I planted it a little later than my neighbors. Hopefully it will still produce enough corn to can and some popcorn for the winter. I’m about berried out. Blueberries, cherries, mulberries, oh my! I planted 50 strawberry plants awhile ago so maybe we’ll have some of our own next year. So far they’re doing good, just
Continue readingHoneymoonin’ (again, but where?)
So in honor of our fast approaching 1 year anniversary Brian and I have planned for a week off work in the fall. On our honeymoon we went down around Chicago to Moline, IL. We went for the John Deere tractors of course! While we did not get to tour the factory there were some good sights to see and we took a ride on the river (umm, the Mississippi? I don’t know my geography…). Then we went through the bottom of Iowa and up to Wisconsin. We stayed in the Wisconsin Dells and visited some of the many water parks there. Then we rode the car ferry back across Lake Michigan and drove home. We got a late start and weren’t gone the whole week but we had a great time. I thought I’d share some pics since no one has ever seen most of them… It is always hard to get away when there is so much to do on the farm. I’m tempted to just throw in the towel and say let’s stay home instead. However, I know how we are and we WILL NOT relax and spend our time together if we’re here, we’ll find a
Continue readingGood Day For A Ride
Today was a great day for a horseback ride! After not riding at all yet this summer I went for a ride yesterday and today. It always seems like there are a million other things that should be done and it is a lot of work to hook up the trailer, pack up the saddle, load the horse, etc. However, it is so worth it when I finally get to settle down on my horse. I love taking in the scenery and chit chatting my friends. In case you’ve never ridden a horse, here’s a taste of how things look from the saddle…
Continue readingMenu Plan Monday
Monday: Lil’ Smokies + Rice Tuesday: Sirloin Steaks + Baked Potatoes (on the grill) Wednesday: Buttermilk Baked Chicken + Mashed Potatoes Thursday: Homemade Chicken Nuggets + Fried Garlic Potatoes Friday: Breakfast for supper (homemade waffles, bacon, hashbrowns, eggs) I’ve decided just to list suppers for awhile. Our breakfasts are usually something from the stash of frozen muffins and pancakes or eggs and toast for Brian. Lunches are usually leftoves, a sandwich for Brian, a PB&J or hot dogs for me. Dessert: So far it has been storebought Oreos for me – I’m feeling weak. Brian finished the No-Bake Cheesecake today. If I whip something up I’ll post it. What are you eating this week?
Continue readingNeighbors
“Hello?” “Hey Ken, it’s Brian. We’re up north and the person who was going to check the animals tonight can’t do it now. Is there any chance you could run down? Everyone should be fine except the chickens might need more water.” “No problem, you got it.” “Thanks so much, we really appreciate it.” The above conversation is one that we had with our neighbor and good friend over the 4th of July weekend. I know we have great neighbors but I’m still amazed at how great. Ken and his family have been very supportive since we moved here. Brian helps him as much as possible during harvest and then Ken brings his equipment and harvests our fields. We would really struggle without his help. When our barn was burning, he was one of the first people I called (after 911 of course). Looking back, it is kind of funny. Ken ran out of the restaurant where he was eating breakfast with his wife and his brother, leaving them there. He flew in to our driveway in record time. Later, his wife and I cried together, with her remembering the dreadful day when their own barn caught fire. Speaking of
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