Freedom Acres Farm

Mama IS pregnant!

2012-03-12T13:07:00.000-05:00

No, not me! My mama cow, Mable! We were a bit worried because she wasn't showing as much as our older cow had by this point in her gestation. We took into account that this is only her second calf but after having Porky slip last winter we were worried. We do NOT want to be without milk for an entire year. That would be very very bad!!

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Self Sufficient Underwear

2012-03-04T18:55:00.000-06:00

Just like making as much food from scratch ourselves, I've begun attempting the mundane clothing items like underwear and t-shirts (undershirts) for hubby for work. I've sewn for about 24 years now but even if I was a newbie - these are really easy to make. They are similar to swimwear to sew. The fabric and construction is so forgiving that it'd be really difficult to mess them up.

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Redneck Refrigerator

2012-03-01T08:51:00.001-06:00

Some might consider it redneck. But... some might consider it clever or thinking outside the box!

When you live in the north land, why not take advantage of nature? We harness the sun with our solar power. Now we harness the cold with our "cold shelf".

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Slowly going non electric

2012-02-22T09:23:00.000-06:00

Eight years ago when we made the huge decision to go off-grid when we built our house, we thought it was a wonderful idea. We still do. However, we have come to believe that while we've had major lifestyle changes to accommodate being off grid, we've really just switched our "allegiance" from the power company to the propane company. This does not make us or our wallet happy.

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Mark Noodles off the list

2012-02-10T09:56:00.001-06:00

Noodles are SO easy to make! WHY have I not crossed them off the grocery list before this?? I'm so excited to continue to cross item after item OFF the grocery list!!! Each thing is one more exciting step toward self sufficiency.

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Wood Cook Stove

2012-02-07T19:09:00.000-06:00

One of my dreams has been to purchase, learn the art of, and successfully cook on a wood cook stove! I'm going to get my chance!!

On Sunday we bought a darling little used number. It's a Eureka!! Well, not so little. It measures 3 1/2 feet wide and about 2 feed deep. We've spent the last two days taking it apart, cleaning it up, sanding a bit of rust, rubbing oil into other bits of rust and she's getting even purtier!!!!

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Corn Dogs More Healthy than Store Bought

2012-01-26T09:05:00.000-06:00

Yes, I'm a softy as a mother and I give in to their desire for Corn Dogs. However, the store bought ones give me the willies not knowing what's in them things! So I've sought to learn to make all those convenience foods at home instead. You know things like chicken nuggets and corn dogs.

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Family in the Old Days

2012-01-18T09:35:00.003-06:00

Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish

A dear friend mailed me this book for my birthday! I got through chapter 6 last night after receiving it in the mail yesterday and it was hard to put down! I'm going to try to refrain myself today and save it to savor each evening before bed to make it last longer. You might say, a "Charlotte Mason" approach!!

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Cream Cheese marks another thing off my shopping list!

2012-01-17T14:21:00.001-06:00

Slowly but surely I'm perfecting (for my family at least) each dairy product that we use. So I thought I'd share how easy it is once you quit being afraid of that big stock pot full of milk.

Cream cheese is SO easy and it's so much richer in flavor than the blah store bought kind. THEN there is always the option of adding strawberry jam to make strawberry cream cheese that Philadelphia would swoon over or any herb or combination of herbs to make your own unique flavor! We often add just plain dried basil from our garden for a little garden freshness in the middle of winter! We use so much more cream cheese than we ever did when we had to buy it. I use it in recipes now, we spread it on anything and everything!

Here's how!

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Weaner rings aren't a guarantee....

2011-12-30T08:52:00.001-06:00

We've had, let's see.... 4 calves here on our farm. And so far 50% of those have figured out a way around their weaner rings. Smart cows! So if anyone tells you that a weaner ring is a guarantee - don't believe them!

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Living for a Blessing!

2011-12-28T14:21:00.001-06:00

Our home made improvised Hannaukia

I've heard tell that some are concerned for us as we search out and learn about our Hebrew roots. When we've shared what we're doing and learning with others we've been met with well, an attitude that we've gone off the deep end, joined a cult or are in dire need of someone to save us.

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Agrarianism

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-06:00

"From the beginning it was always possible to find farmers who were intuitively suspicious of the industrialization of agriculture. Perhaps they objected to the increased authority of suppliers and experts. Perhaps they felt the discord between machinery and living creatures. Perhaps they had a rational fear of toxic chemicals. Perhaps they disliked paying cash for energy and fertility that they had previously received in kind from their farms and their good work. Among at least a few, for whatever reasons, there was a persistent distrust."

—Wendell Berry

Sewing Room Photo Shoot

2011-11-17T16:33:00.000-06:00

I always love seeing others' sewing room layouts - I guess I'm weird like that. My oldest daughter and I moved our whole sewing room today. It's nice and handy on the main level now so I can bake cookies and sew all at the same time ;-)

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One down, two to go

2011-11-09T07:00:00.001-06:00

Timeline is Finished

2011-11-08T12:43:00.000-06:00

I have wanted to put up a time line for a long time. I want the kids to see a big overview of God's History. I want them to know that Noah & Abraham were not living at the same time that Laura Ingalls Wilder or Christopher Columbus were. I think it will help us put all of our Bible readings, Lit books, History books and everything into perspective to be able to "see" it up on the wall. I'm thinking that it will have the same positive effect that our big wall maps have had for understanding the "where" of our readings.

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My Resolve is Strengthening

2011-11-04T08:45:00.000-05:00

photo courtesy of Google

I had slacked off a bit on my frugality endeavors. But lately as I watch my meager grocery budget continually refuse to meet the demand, I'm forced to redouble my efforts and attack again. It truly is a battle.

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Popcorn Balls

2011-10-28T14:58:00.000-05:00

An online friend of ours works for the website Gling, which is a gluten free site. Even though nobody in our home needs to be gluten free (thank goodness) she shares recipes and we have fun trying them!! We love you Valerie - thanks for sharing!!

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New Jumper

2011-10-25T06:38:00.000-05:00

Simplicity 2232

It is finished. I liked the pattern, it went together easily, and I'd sew it again. There's your pattern review in a nutshell :-)

©2010-2012 Freedom Acres farm All rights reserved. http://freedomacresfarm.blogspot.com

From Garden to Sewing Room

2011-10-24T08:46:00.000-05:00

Everything else in my life stays constant... kids, schooling, dairy, cooking, cleaning, .... but when the garden is done - that means sewing time!! Yay!! I think I need a bumper sticker that says "I could be gardening, but I'd rather be sewing" LOL

So this past week in-between trips to the wood lot to get fire wood I got back to sewing.

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Hebrew Roots in a Nutshell

2011-10-21T14:09:00.002-05:00

Recently a blogger I follow posted on her new found excitement of celebrating the Lord's Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). I commented that it was wonderful that she had found a fellowship to gather with and noted how when one mentions Hebrew roots types of things people will often look at you cross eyed. Next another commenter replied with an inquisitive post. To which another commenter made a beautiful explanation in a nutshell. I was so blessed by her response that I asked if I could quote her and she gave her blessing. So I thought I'd share it here with you all.

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Some Mom Fun

2011-10-20T07:00:00.001-05:00

You Know You're a Mom if You've Ever...

MomSense Magazine 8/10

1. Have you ever spit on a Kleenex to wipe another person's face?

2. Have you ever excused yourself to "go potty"?

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Herbed Potatoes & Carrots

2011-10-19T08:33:00.000-05:00

Another new recipe. None of my new recipes are anything exotic - I'm concentrating on ridding ourselves of the boring but at the same time keeping it simple! I found this one in my MOMY's cookbook and it was contributed by a Heather Mason. I tweaked it a bit of course ;-)

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Bow Tie Noodle Salad

2011-10-17T06:00:00.008-05:00

I LOVE when I try a new recipe, tweak it just for fun and it turns out! I'm one of those that gets bored with my food easily. There must be a "ism" for that......

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God's Glory

2011-10-14T07:10:00.000-05:00

I love this time of year! I revel in the beauty of God's earth. Yes, Spring time is a time of rebirth, and summer has lots of growth. Even Winter has it's positives of gathering near the fire and reading good books and of course sewing :-) But Autumn is glorious in all it's splendor. I just have to share this picture that my daughter took. It's hard to capture God's beauty but she succeeded quite well, I think.

Homemade Velveeta

2011-10-10T06:50:00.000-05:00

I have L.O.T.S. of milk right now!!!! It is spilling out of my fridge, I've made dairy products until I'm just about cheesed out! But.... I had to try this recipe for home made Velveeta over at Chickens in the Road. Suzanne over there is my hero!! It worked, makes great mac & cheese, and melts up beautifully for chips & cheese!!

I will definitely make this again!!

©2010-2012 Freedom Acres farm All rights reserved. http://freedomacresfarm.blogspot.com

Sewing Room Revamp

2011-10-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

I'm slowly getting out of gardening and canning mode and beginning to think winter sewing. So... between making cheese this past week I putzed in my sewing room. I had to completely take ALL the fabric out of the closet and sort it all, refold a bunch of it, and make it all + more fit back INTO the closet. Not an easy feat!! I had a bit of help but she's still an apprentice. She claims she hasn't worked in 4 fabric stores and so she called herself my grunt LOL

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Yom Teruah

2011-10-07T06:00:00.002-05:00

I thought I'd share some pictures of our Yom Teruah celebration last week. This weekend we'll be celebrating Yom Kippur - Day of Atonement. We're hoping it's as wonderful of a celebration as we did with Yom Teruah - Feast of Trumpets.

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Fall Leaves Fun

2011-10-06T07:00:00.001-05:00

We decided to get the children out into nature in a big way today. What fun! We went to the neighbor's woodlot and had lots of fun finding leaves. Then came home and used them in our journals and our windows. Simple, fun, educational, and fun!

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Apple Cider Vinegar

2011-10-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

is finished. I followed the directions from one website and then half way through I switched to follow the Deliberate Agrarian.

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Clean and room for more!

2011-09-26T06:30:00.006-05:00

I have a few quarts of pumpkin to can yet this year and a bit of grape juice with my new Bosch berry press. Otherwise it is clean, stocked and ready to accept big bags of grains in order to be complete. I'm excited to order bags of grain to finish stocking it. It has been exciting to use my new Nutrimill!! Azure...here I come........

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Refrigerator Pickles

2011-09-22T13:20:00.000-05:00

This is a little late in the season but was requested by one of my readers. So... before I forget....

Here is how I make refrigerator pickles when I have too many left after a batch of dill pickles. They stay just fine in the fridge for several months! I just make them up and stick them in the back and pull them out as I need them :-)

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Apple Cider Vinegar

2011-09-19T08:27:00.002-05:00

I am attempting Apple Cider Vinegar. I'm kind of going over board I suppose. But.... the "if I can do it myself, why should I pay someone else to do it for me" bug is bitten me in the last few years and I just keep trying the next thing. So... this year we're attempting vinegar. So far it seems to be working.

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It is finished

2011-09-15T13:11:00.002-05:00

Tuesday night we had a frost but my garden survived. Last night we were scheduled for a hard freeze down in the 20's. So out we went.... it's our annual "clear it out" party LOL

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Apple Pie Filling

2011-09-12T08:33:00.000-05:00

This is easy apple pie filling. I use it for pies of course but I use it for apple crisp too and it could be used for any number of recipes that need a carmel type, syrupy, apple mixture. Here is a picture of a canner load done this past week.

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2011 Pantry Tally

2011-09-09T15:41:00.000-05:00

I love my little helpers this year. They have been a big help getting our pantry stocked for the winter. We have one more batch of spaghetti sauce, one more canner load of carrots, hopefully a batch of raspberry jam if we're blessed, and pumpkin when they're ready and we're done. We'll add some stews and soups for grab and go meals throughout the winter but for now the garden is close to being done and mostly canned up.

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26 year old Salsa

2011-09-08T09:15:00.000-05:00

I have been making the same Salsa for 26 years. It has always gotten rave reviews and I have had many people ask me for it so I guess it's a winner. I tend to stick with winners when I find them!

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Touch Down! Oh Yeah!

2011-09-07T08:27:00.000-05:00

Can you see me? I'm running into the end zone.... I'm spiking down the ball.... I'm doin a victory dance.... I'm singing "I did it, I did it, oh yeah, I did it!"..... I'm dancing the Macarena dance.... oh, yeah, oh, yeah!

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"Liebster" Award

2011-09-06T11:53:00.000-05:00

The lovely Kim over at Jabez Farm has awarded me the Liebster Award!???!!! I've never received an award before :-) I'm just a humble homesteading wife and mom journaling our life and am pleased as punch if or when someone finds something useful to use from it.
I am humbled and appreciative Kim - Thank you!

Now to pass the award on - here are the rules.....

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Aren't they pretty?

2011-09-03T08:35:00.000-05:00

This is 1/3 of what I picked yesterday. Tomorrow they will be turned into yet more spaghetti sauce.

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Don't do as I do

2011-08-29T16:45:00.001-05:00

I don't follow the FDA or the USDA regulations when I can. So don't do as I do. But hey, it works so..... what do they know anyway?

First of all I sometimes use cornstarch *gasp* to thicken my spaghetti sauce. :-). I'll try to remember to post the other 2 ways that I make it later this week. Tis the season so it's what my life is about right now LOL

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Shhhh..... I've been very quiet again....

2011-08-22T10:01:00.000-05:00

because I've been busy doing this...... It's getting there. The one pantry is almost full. There are still plenty of holes in the other one though. More beans yet to go, grape juice is coming, pie filling, and new this year will be apple cider vinegar! Stay tuned how that pans out :-/

The Week is Over

2011-08-05T21:20:00.000-05:00

This is the art work of my darling husband after a long day of canning pickles and peaches!! He's good! He can get SO many dishes in one tiny little sink. He is truly amazing in so many ways.

I have cucumbers to can into pickles, green beans to put up, peaches and MORE peaches to be canned AND my neighbor came tonight and told me he didn't want me getting bored. So ... he wants me to come clean up his apple tree. He has so many apples that it is dilapidating the tree. I got a few early ones last year too but this year he says there are even more! So on top of everything else to preserve in the next few days I have apple cider to can as well, which I wasn't planning on!

Whew this time of year is so tiring but so fulfilling at the same time.
©2010-2012 Freedom Acres farm All rights reserved. http://freedomacresfarm.blogspot.com

Gathering fabric

2011-08-03T07:58:00.001-05:00

Do you see all those tiered skirts out there that look so cute and so easy to sew? But when you start gathering your tiers to connect to one another you soon realize WHY people buy them ready made?! Yes, gathering the old fashioned way is tedious - but here is a revolutionary way to do it that will keep you from getting that frustrating headache!!

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We're still here....

2011-07-29T11:58:00.000-05:00

I've had several people contact me and let me know that I've been falling down on the job of keeping up on my blogging so that you can keep up with us! I apologize. I got in a funk. I went into a tailspin. I was overwhelmed with life and the first thing to go was blogging LOL I'm still trying to get back in the swing but hopefully I'm on the come back.

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Darling Skirt

2011-07-07T08:43:00.000-05:00

She LOVES it. It's already got a stain on it and I can't get her to take it off!!

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Old World Haying

2011-07-05T09:36:00.000-05:00

We have been haying and putting it up in a small loft in the barn. This weekend we began our outdoor stacks. In doing some research we learned that a stack 8 X 8 X 8 = approximately 1 ton which is 2000 pounds. One of our normal large round bales around here weigh in at a sad 800 - 1000 if we get lucky. So each of our stacks will be close to 2 of those with a little lee way either way.

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Technical Difficulties....

2011-06-20T19:05:00.000-05:00

Unfortunately, I will be AWOL this week from blog posting :-( Our computer is not happy and we have ordered a part to fix it but until then I'm very limited by my old archaic laptop. It's equivalent to posting on a dinosaur to be sure. Gosh but technology sure is moving at an alarming rate!!

Hopefully I'll be back next week with some tasty dairy posts, some broiler chicken updates, some Thursday farm tours, and maybe even by Monday for a Barn Hop post.... we can always hope!!

©2010-2012 Freedom Acres farm All rights reserved. http://freedomacresfarm.blogspot.com

Thursday Around our Farm

2011-06-16T06:00:00.002-05:00

What a good idea Farmama has to share photos of our farms on Thursdays! I love it! It's so much fun to see many different farms.

Hope you enjoy this week's tour of ours..........

Stewart is 4 weeks old

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Sour Cream

2011-06-15T06:00:00.004-05:00

I am taking this opportunity to disperse any fears that anyone might have about making Sour Cream from scratch. It really could not be more simple! Although some of my friends have had trouble and realized that their cultures were old, I have not had that problem. One of my friends even takes raw cream and sets it out on the counter over night to make her sour cream. When I tried that.... all I got was rancid cream. Sour doesn't begin to describe what I woke up to that morning!

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"Surviving Off Off-Grid" Book Review

2011-06-14T06:00:00.004-05:00

I have finished reading Surviving Off Off-Grid by Michael Bunker once and I'm currently reading through it AGAIN much more slowly. I read through it quick first and then passed it onto hubby. He's now read it and passed it back to me and we're discussing lots of things as I come to them.

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Around our Farm

2011-06-09T06:00:00.002-05:00

I'm joining Farmama today and showing what's going on around our farm.

Haying has begun

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A Fun One Today

2011-06-08T06:00:00.001-05:00

I have a question for all of you out in blog land. We homesteaders spend much of our summer growing a garden to preserve and can for winter storage. We pressure can veggies, we steam can jams, jellies, peaches, applesauce.......the list goes on and on. Here on our homestead we even harness the sun and "store" it in a bank of batteries to be used later.

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Meat Birds to the Tractor

2011-06-07T06:00:00.001-05:00

This week we emptied the brooder into the chicken tractor. We started with 25 birds this time. We're doing the Freedom Rangers again. We have lost 3 and hope we'll be able to butcher the 22 that remain.

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1st Haying of the Season

2011-06-06T06:50:00.003-05:00

This weekend we started our first haying of the season. Hubby cut quite a bit on Saturday and then with a forecast of rain for Sunday night we got it up onto haycocks. With his scythe he figures he can cut about 1 acre every 3 hours. No gas fumes, just peace and quiet with a peaceful swish swish of the snath. He could stay out there all day - and to think I was afraid he'd have a love-a-fair with a tractor some day. Nope just his scythe.

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A New Laundry Basket

2011-06-03T12:55:00.000-05:00

I have sworn off of plastic. If I can help it in any way shape or form - I will never again buy plastic and bring it into our home if it can be avoided. So when our plastic laundry basket cracked this week, I had to get creative.

We had picked up a couple of bushel baskets at an auction last fall. We planned to use them for gathering produce in the garden. Maybe even storing potatoes in the cold closet. However, needs sometime over-ride plans. Today one of them became a laundry basket. Hopefully later this week the other one will too.

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Butter made in the Bosch

2011-05-30T06:00:00.003-05:00

I used to make all of our butter in my Vita Mix. It worked great and made lovely butter. I would make it in 2 Cup batches of cream at a time. It tended to stay rather hard though for spreading and was literally rock hard when stored in the refrigerator. It also seemed to sour faster than I liked even when I washed and washed it and stored it in a butter bell.
Well, since I recently purchased a Bosch mixer and visited a dear friend who makes her butter in her food processor - I decided to give the Bosch a whirl (pun intended)

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God's Promises.....

2011-05-24T12:53:00.000-05:00

...... keep us ever hopeful and thankful for all His goodness!!

Blue skies like this make life worth living!

Jeremiah 6:16

2011-05-23T06:00:00.005-05:00

Our neighbor has been working with us through all the rain last summer and now this spring to try and disc our pasture field, harrow it, seed it, and harrow it again. The weather has been against us for 11 months!

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Gardening Update

2011-05-20T07:25:00.000-05:00

So far my gardening journal reads:

4/23 Started 16 Cayenne peppers, 28 California Wonder peppers, 40 broccoli
5/7 Started 32 Amish Paste Tomatoes

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Stewart has arrived!

2011-05-18T09:23:00.000-05:00

Yesterday morning at 7:20 we had a new arrival on the farm. Next year's hamburger! So far Mable is being a wonderful Mama and when she was milked last night for the first time (to relieve her and make her more comfortable) she did beautifully. Went into the milking stall, we brought her the babe, and she did really well. She went potty on her tail and swished it in hubby's face but only kicked at the milker once. We got almost a gallon of colostrum out of her and saved it in case of emergency this week. Probably no need though - he's nursing fine!

Stuff Everyone Should Know

2011-05-18T08:06:00.002-05:00

Denim Jacket

2011-05-17T06:16:00.000-05:00

A good friend, Larry was willing to barter his wonderful talent for some milk, cream & eggs. I guess sometimes when you have fresh, grass fed, raw milk to barter with you come out on top! This is my daughter's jacket and our (she thinks its hers) first cow.

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Shifting Paradigm

2011-05-16T09:06:00.000-05:00

A few years back, as we were starting our farm, I was under the assumption and belief that one would need a lot of money to get started and keep going on this adventure. I figured we would need to scrape and save for many of the tools that we would need to make this venture a success.

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Cow Tie Outs

2011-05-13T06:00:00.003-05:00

We are that weird family in the neighborhood that gives you a giggle every time you drive by. For you see, we use the old fashioned technique of tying our cows out on a picket line.

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So much for my organic garden........

2011-05-12T07:00:00.004-05:00

I am thinking there has got to be a place to move or go where this sort of thing could be avoided?!?!? Hubby is ready to head for the north woods - would there be peace there??

For the past 5 years, since the tree farm was planted across the street from us, we have been subjected to yearly visits from a really cool helicopter. At first it was cool to watch it rise and dive, flying right up and over our house and swooping down again. Wow, we thought this is fun to watch.

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Hot Dog Bun success!!

2011-05-11T07:00:00.002-05:00

I have tried and tried to make hotdog or hamburger buns - with somewhat success, but no competition to store bought in the light and fluffy department.

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Monsanto Facing GMO Lawsuit

2011-04-26T19:01:00.000-05:00

I read this article at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds and felt the need to share this info with you. It's FINALLY some news and power being exerted by the little guys. This could be huge if they actually could win. Monsanto has thrown it's ugly power around for far too long - It's time for them to be stopped!

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Tortillas in the Bosch

2011-04-22T10:24:00.001-05:00

I'm loving my Bosch!! It makes quick work of chocolate chip cookies, whipped up cupcakes in nothing flat, stirred up some yummy soft pretzels, and produced delectable tortillas. Everything is so well combined and at a very quick speed too! I loved my Kitchen Aid but I love my Bosch even more!!

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Spring Cleaning

2011-04-21T07:52:00.000-05:00

Along with Spring and getting a new mixer comes cleaning out things like the pantry and the lazy susan cupboard. All 3 of the adults that live in this house hate that stupid lazy susan so we decided to empty it and not use it. I'm not sure what I can do with the space or if I even will. In this "segment" we will share our version of how to clean out a lazy susan.

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Could Have Waited 7 Months

2011-04-20T08:24:00.002-05:00

However, I was NOT waiting for this. I could definitely have waited a full 7 months or more for this! I guess it'll be a while longer yet before I can get in that garden eh?

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Our Berkey

2011-04-12T13:53:00.000-05:00

We didn't win one in our recent attempts so... we bought one! Our Berkey water filter arrived last week and we've been testing it out. We can not get over how pure and well, pure the water tastes. No chemicals, no chlorine, nothing!

We live with farms all around us which are, unfortunately, not organic. Wouldn't that be a dream?? To be surrounded by organic farms? Wow that would be so awesome. Anyway... we heard the prices were going up April 15 so we scooped one up.

We purchased the Royal and it seems to be enough each day for drinking and cooking. Can't wait to use it during canning season too!!

Now to get those gutters and rain barrel set up so the garden can get fresh water too!

©2010-2012 Freedom Acres farm All rights reserved. http://freedomacresfarm.blogspot.com

Plant Starting Soil

2011-04-05T11:08:00.001-05:00

This year we were able to find organic seed starting mix at Lowe's. I so wish I had found Sue Robishaw's page on her blog about making our own last fall!! Here is what she has to say and a link to her page too. You can bet I will SO be preparing better for next spring this coming fall. We'll be doing more preparing of beds AND getting seed starting soil ready for the spring.

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Loading the Woodbox

2011-03-26T16:37:00.000-05:00

Empty Woodbox

Hopefully loading the woodbox for this year is almost over. We're hoping hard for spring! But before we're done for the year I thought I'd share how we get our wood into the house quite easily. We used to carry it armload by armload down a steep 13 step flight of stairs. That is not only dangerous it is quite time involved. So my ingenius hubby came up with our woodbox and ramp a few years back and it's been working wonderful since then. I think we have been doing it this way for 6 years now.

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Enola Gay on Femininity

2011-03-24T07:54:00.001-05:00

I don't often link up to other bloggers. However, when I find an article that they have written that says something in my heart SO much better than I could ever explain it.....well, then I make an exception. I too read the article that Enola refers to in Above Rubies. It touched me but she does such a wonderful job of expressing what I was thinking as I read it.

Enola Gay at Paratus Familia wrote about my life's longing, my life's goal. I pray this same goal for many women in my family and life. I often think of how the world would be if we women all sought after this goal. Enjoy her article if you have a moment - it's just a short one.

The Cheese Whiz

2011-03-19T16:39:00.001-05:00

We have been making a ton of cheese and dairy products around here lately. I buy my cheese cultures from New England Cheese, affectionately known as NEC around our home.

We make sour cream, yogurt, cream cheese, buttermilk, kefir, ice cream, butter, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and occasionally use the excess that we can't possibly use as chicken, dog, and cat food.

NEC has cultures, rennet, and all the tools needed (cheese cloth, butter muslin, thermometers, wax, drying mats, etc) to make all these delicious products that have so much more flavor than store bought AND all for pennies compared to store bought. Think 60 cents for a quart of yogurt or sour cream - this is a breath of fresh air as prices continue to rise all over the grocery store isles! I'm able to do it for 60 cents because I buy it in bulk.

Hubby Tea

2011-03-12T11:26:00.000-06:00

My hubby is sick this week. So today I am pampering him. He works so hard all week long. Long hours being bored at his place of employment, lots of driving, and dealing with stupid people all put a strain on him. Last Dec. when all the rest of us were sick he never got it. Now...he's got something. It started as congestion and a sore throat. It has now added mucous and has begun to include his chest feeling like it's on fire too.

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America's breadbasket aquifer running dry; massive agriculture collapse inevitable

2011-03-10T09:45:00.002-06:00

(NaturalNews) It's the largest underground freshwater supply in the world, stretching from South Dakota all the way to Texas. It's underneath most of Nebraska's farmlands, and it provides crucial water resources for farming in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and even New Mexico. It's called the Ogallala Aquifer, and it is being pumped dry.

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Yearly Schedule Success!!

2011-03-07T14:13:00.003-06:00

We have been homeschooling for 10 years. Six of those years we have been homesteading also. I have yet to figure out how to have a consistent flexible schedule and not continually get behind, all while having enough days for the children to learn a lot. Last evening I had a revelation and I THINK it's gonna work. Now I really hope I can explain my plan.

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Radical Anti Must Haves

2011-03-02T07:00:00.001-06:00

Have you ever though about all the things that society, advertisers, and fellow humans convince us that we need to have? As our lifestyle has changed drastically in the past 6 years I have frequent thoughts about what we've finally had the courage to cut and let go of and how much more we still can. These items can range from packaged grocery items to activities to home decor to... well, the list is endless.

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Made Deodorant Today

2011-03-01T15:11:00.003-06:00

I was almost out of deodorant - TMI?

Sorry... but I love when I can make stuff like this!! This is livin' the dream to me. Being able to make and provide as much for ourselves as we possibly can. Each little thing is just one more step in the ultimate dream of being debt free, hubby working from home, and living off of our off-grid farm. So while it's only deodorant, it represents SO much more!

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New Daily Bread Recipe

2011-02-28T13:36:00.003-06:00

While our bread recipe that we've been using for a solid 3 years was a good one, I have found an even better one!! I found it on Home Joy's blog. The only thing I do different is add a bit of fresh ground wheat flour, about 2 cups. I'll increase it a bit more as the family gets used to the recipe. They say they like it much better. I haven't figured out if that's because the first few times I've made it I used all white flour or not. Time will tel.

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Milk Straining

2011-02-27T15:56:00.004-06:00

It has come to my attention that some people purchase disposable milk straining cloths. I didn't even know such a thing existed. I guess I really am an old fashioned person. I used to be so caught up in easy, disposable, least amount of work no matter the cost or the environmental impact. I have done a 180 in the past 6 years. LOL Now I don't buy hardly any disposables at all and I guess I'm ignorant to those that are available even!

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Broccoli Cheese Soup with Homemade Cheddar Cheese

2011-02-26T10:40:00.004-06:00

The other night I made broccoli cheese soup and I used our own homemade farmhouse cheddar cheese for the first time in it. It was SO very yummy. I am so glad that we got the cheese figured out and don't have to buy it any more. Here is the recipe that I used - real simple!!

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Winter is the time to Sew

2011-02-25T07:41:00.004-06:00

I'm still trying to get this whole "flow with the seasons" thing. My heart wants to garden but of course it's way too early yet for that. I can't even start seeds yet here on the tundra. So.... I sew.

2011 Fabric Prices

2011-02-24T12:54:00.002-06:00

I have been hearing and reading all over the news that cotton prices are going to double in 2011. So... I went to my favorite fabric haunt yesterday and priced them. I am blogging about it so I can have a record of what prices were before they sky rocket. Just future info for me but if you want to use it too - go ahead.

Funky flannel 4.99
shirting 3.99 - 5.99
Homespun solids 3.99
broadcloth rems 1.49 sale 1.29
Dan River shirting 2.99 - 3.99
shirting plaid flannels 3.99
juvi flannel 3.99 sale 2.99(rems)
juvi flannel 3.99 - 6.99 (bolts)
juvi knit prints 4.99 sale 3.99
denim 3.99 - 4.99 sale 2.99
chambray 3.99 - 4.99 sale 2.99
fashion knit prints 3.99 sale 2.99
t shirt stripes 2.99 - 3.99 sale 1.99
wool 6.99 (I have a ton of this in my stash that was given to me)
terry toweling 4.99
gauze calcutta 3.99
sweatshirt solids 3.99
sportswear solids 3.99
sportswear pretty colors 3.99 sale 2.99
corduroy 3.99 - 6.99 (rems 3.99)
Easy knit interfacing (this is THE ONLY interfacing I ever use. I buy white and black of it in bulk) 3.45
3/4 non roll elastic .99
Tulle 1.09 (I have weddings coming up LOL)

©2010-2012 Freedom Acres farm All rights reserved. http://freedomacresfarm.blogspot.com

Berkey Water Filter

2011-02-18T08:59:00.001-06:00

We are hoping to save up for one of these SOON! We have farms all around us with tons of run off of nasty stuff. Today I saw on Keeper of the Home that she's giving one away! I've never won anything but there's always a first :-) Check the Berkey's out on line - lots of great info!!

If you want to enter to win check out Keeper of the Home Blog!!

©2010-2012 Freedom Acres farm All rights reserved. http://freedomacresfarm.blogspot.com

Pattern Drafting

2011-02-17T06:00:00.011-06:00

I heard about this book from Farmama and I ordered and received it in the mail this week. I am devouring it!!!! I can't wait to finish up the projects on my table so I can get to trying out this whole new ~~addiction~~ hobby. I have been sewing for 23 years and after all these years of practice I'm able to sew just about any pattern. I have wanted to make style changes though, and have things fit my body or my childrens' bodies better than the printed patterns. I'm not sure why I waited so long to take this next step but I am excited now. Do you know how excited I am?? I am excited enough to want 6 more weeks of winter so I can stay in my sewing room and not have to come out to plant a garden. That is huge for me - considering I was praying for spring last week LOL

If I can get a handle on how to do this it will save us TONS of money on patterns!! I'll keep you posted!!

©2010-2012 Freedom Acres farm All rights reserved. http://freedomacresfarm.blogspot.com

Recycled Homes

2011-02-13T06:00:00.007-06:00

Dan Phillips: Creative houses from reclaimed stuff

Wind Generator Update

2011-02-12T06:00:00.004-06:00

We've had several months now to work with our wind generator. We have discovered 2 things.

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Daily Schedule

2011-02-10T06:00:00.014-06:00

I always like to see how others are arranging their homeschooling days so I thought I'd share my new updated schedule too. We will be doing this schedule lightly until Sophia actually begins 1st grade in June. Nate is ready to start right along with her but I'm not pushing it as this will only be his Kindergarten year.

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Gooey Pizza

2011-02-08T07:30:00.005-06:00

We made FRESH homemade mozzarella cheese, chilled it, shredded it and then made pizza with it! I don't know if we'll ever need to eat pizza out again. This was better than any restaurant around here!

I make the mozzarella like this:

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Natural Cow Care

2011-02-07T11:16:00.006-06:00

Some people have asked what we do for udder care for our cows. Funny what people are interested in :-)
We have 3 areas of udder care that we use natural ingredients for as much as possible. We have the daily udder washing that we do that includes a teat dip at the end. We also have a balm that we make that we use fairly regularly to avoid chapping in our nasty winters here. And last we have a salve that we make when we suspect a possible case of mastitis. If it is a known case then the salve is applied liberally and it usually takes care of it. We haven't had to use antibiotics since early on in our cow ownership.

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Obama and Mansanto

2011-02-06T17:55:00.007-06:00

Tell Obama We Are United Against Monsanto's GMO Alfalfa

Mansanto already has almost complete control over our corn crops here in America and now it's going for the Alfalfa crop which will also directly effect our organic beef and dairy industry here in America. When are we as the American people going to stand up to big government and tell them NO they may NOT control our food?!??!?!?!

This quote is from the Food Democracy Now Blog -
"Stand up for Farmer and Citizen Rights - Tell Obama to Ban Monsanto's GMO Alfalfa! Last week President Obama and Secretary Vilsack approved Monsanto's GMO alfalfa despite overwhelming public protest. This move fundamentally undermines the organic industry, especially organic meat and dairy. In approving GMO alfalfa the Obama administration has caved to Monsanto and made it harder for family farmers to make a living and for consumers wanting to eat safe, healthy foods.
This decision is a devastating blow to our democracy and the basic rights of farmers to choose how they want to grow food on their land and protect the rights of consumers who are increasingly buying organic and sustainably grown food for its positive health and environmental impacts. Please join us in telling President Obama that you're deeply disappointed in his decision and want a ban on GMO alfalfa."
Check out this issue here and here to see what you can do!!

©2010-2012 Freedom Acres farm All rights reserved. http://freedomacresfarm.blogspot.com

Garden Seeds 2011

2011-02-04T12:14:00.004-06:00

Our garden seeds are ordered! We placed our order last night with Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds out of Mansfield MO. We love that their principles combat places like Monsanto and all that they represent. No company, person, or government should ever monopolize the food of the world. I don't care who you are!! Control of the world's food belongs to nobody but God Himself!! Gee, do ya think I feel strongly about that? Yes, I do!

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Christmas Once A Month

2011-02-02T14:50:00.004-06:00

Each month it feels like Christmas all over again when I go to meet the Azure truck in the small town near us. Between our garden, our own animals, and our Azure order where we buy organic things in bulk that we don't grow or make ourselves, there is very little that I purchase at the grocery store any more. Becky if you're reading this, you can stop picturing me going to the grocery store with my trailer LOL

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School Planning

2011-01-31T19:10:00.003-06:00

I spent my weekend planning our spring semester and also looking forward to our new school year which will begin in June.

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New Mittens

2011-01-28T09:36:00.004-06:00

My daughter knitted me "A" mitten 3 years ago. Just as other humans do, yes, I have 2 hands. So after much badgering from me and encouragement too ;-) She finally knitted the mate to the first mitten last night.

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The Blizzard Blog Hop

2011-01-27T12:46:00.005-06:00

Today there are thousands of bloggers gathering in Nashville for the Blissdom conference. I'm here on my farm where I spent the morning shoveling 6 inches of snow! So I decided to join the Blizzard Bloghop. I'm supposed to introduce myself and write a post about myself...so here ya go.......

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It's Genius!!

2011-01-26T07:00:00.001-06:00

I mentioned to a friend my need to get one of my sons to stay in bed in the early morning until I'm ready for him to be up. He is up way too early!! She directed me to this link They are called Rain Gutter Book Shelves. Thank you Becki!! This is absolutely awesome!! It works, it looks great, it's easy to clean, and will do the trick of having something near the bunkbeds to keep them busy for a while each morning.

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Plodding along

2011-01-24T07:48:00.001-06:00

I'm constantly trying to tackle one more thing that I don't have to purchase from a store ready made. Whether that be cheese, sour cream, or pajamas. Each item we create and make for ourselves is one step closer to self sufficiency!

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