I just love this stuff. It's great for keeping away sore throats and stuffy noses and flu. I had bought a little bottle last year and it's very expensive. Then I found a few bushes out back in September. So then I found a recipe to make my own. I only got about a few cups. So I had a friend order some organic berries from Frontier. Really reasonable price too. And so easy to make. I double the recipe. I give some to the grandkids and they love it. I usually take about a tablespoon every day for prevention. Last week I started noticing my throat was getting sore. So I went to taking a T. every few hours for a few days. All better! I do not want that sore throat I get just about every winter. It hurts! So here is the recipe if anyone wants to make their own.
1/2 cup of dried elderberries.
1 cinnamon stick
5 whole cloves
5 T. grated ginger
2 cups water
Bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer and reduce by at least half, about 20-30 minutes.
Strain berries through a sieve. I smash them to get out all the juice. Then add 1 cup of honey.
Pour into dark bottles and refrigerate. Take a tablespoon daily. It tastes really good too.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Winter on the Farm
It has been a long time since I've posted anything here. Happy new year! It's been cold. I am ready for spring now. We had about 6" of snow Christmas day. It's been a long time since that's happened here. It stayed on the ground almost a week. Then we had lots of rain. Then some really beautiful days but cold. We have lots of winter left. And a big ole huge electric bill.
I am going to get a few pigs this week. A friend is getting one also that will stay with mine here. We'll split the feed costs but I will be doing most of the work since they'll be here. The pigs are a few months old already so hopefully we can get them fattened up in a few months. I really am not looking forward to the keeping of pigs again but do miss the fresh pork chops and bacon.
We butchered 2 of the turkeys right before Thanksgiving. A friend came and helped. He had made a feather plucking contraption that really helped alot. But the turkeys we did were only 6 and 8 pounds. I was really kind of upset. They looked bigger. Guess it was all the feathers. My mom and step dad said they'd just get a turkey from the store. Really not good. So I have the other turkeys confined in a big coop trying to fatten them up. It's costing about $50. a month to feed these guys.
Mazie is getting huge. She's due in March. I can see teats but no udder yet. I guess with first time heifers she won't get an udder til right about delivery time. I have never had a cow before to give birth. First time for me too. I am already nervous about the whole thing. I am hoping she'll calve at night and the calf will be up and all dry and nursing when I get up in the morning. That's my plans anyway.
I am calling the butcher in the morning about getting a time to bring the other heifer in. She's just too mean anymore. And we are almost out of beef. SO she has to go. Plus Mazie will have her calf to keep her company.
I hope everyone has a greta new year and lots of fun on the farm! More later I hope.
I am going to get a few pigs this week. A friend is getting one also that will stay with mine here. We'll split the feed costs but I will be doing most of the work since they'll be here. The pigs are a few months old already so hopefully we can get them fattened up in a few months. I really am not looking forward to the keeping of pigs again but do miss the fresh pork chops and bacon.
We butchered 2 of the turkeys right before Thanksgiving. A friend came and helped. He had made a feather plucking contraption that really helped alot. But the turkeys we did were only 6 and 8 pounds. I was really kind of upset. They looked bigger. Guess it was all the feathers. My mom and step dad said they'd just get a turkey from the store. Really not good. So I have the other turkeys confined in a big coop trying to fatten them up. It's costing about $50. a month to feed these guys.
Mazie is getting huge. She's due in March. I can see teats but no udder yet. I guess with first time heifers she won't get an udder til right about delivery time. I have never had a cow before to give birth. First time for me too. I am already nervous about the whole thing. I am hoping she'll calve at night and the calf will be up and all dry and nursing when I get up in the morning. That's my plans anyway.
I am calling the butcher in the morning about getting a time to bring the other heifer in. She's just too mean anymore. And we are almost out of beef. SO she has to go. Plus Mazie will have her calf to keep her company.
I hope everyone has a greta new year and lots of fun on the farm! More later I hope.
Monday, August 30, 2010
I have started walking. Aug. 9th. I just woke up that day and said "This is the day I need to start walking." And I did. I have been going at least 1 1/2-3 miles a day. I have been through 4 pairs of shoes. Not really worn them out but just trying different shoes to see which ones are best for me. My left shin is really hurting about a half mile in so I need some really good shoes. I have been walking on my road in the evenings. But a friend stopped last Frday and said a group of ladies has started walking on a dead end road about a mile from here and I was welcome to join them. So I did this morning.
It was beautiful! I walked with a few other ladies closer to my age and could walk a little faster. We went down a gravel one lane road through trees and streams along the way. Nice and shady. So beautiful. This road goes to a little clearing where walking and horse paths go to the foot of Lookout Mt. Such a beautiful peaceful walk. So they meet 3 days a week. I will be walking with them again. I had a good time.
It is starting to get a little "fallish" feel in the air here. I am so ready for cooler weather. I love fall. I don't think I am ready for winter though. I wonder what it's like in the rest of the country.
My turkeys are getting so big. They are almost 12 weeks old now. They are outside all day now. They are so funny. They will follow me all over. It's like I'm a turkey herder. They are good turkeys. I feed them a little in the morning then let them out. In the evening they are ready for more feed. They follow me back in and I close them up for the night. I have named the biggest tom Harper. I wanted a Bourbon name. I like Harper. So he will be the one I keep plus the hens. I think there are at least 4 hens. That will be plenty to start my little turkey business.
I sold 2 of my milk goats last month. So I am now down to just 2. Abby and Sandy. They cannot possibly keep up with all the weeds. I need more. I think I am going to start looking for some sheep. I would like at least 4 ewes. Preferably old enough to be bred about Oct. for spring lambs. They will eat lots of things that goats or cows won't. So they will be an asset here. Since we don't have a bush hog or tiller.
Mazie is pregnant! She has been such a good cowgirl since she's been home. She should have a calf in March. I am already nervous. I hope the bull wasn't too big for her first calf. But she is a huge cow.
It was beautiful! I walked with a few other ladies closer to my age and could walk a little faster. We went down a gravel one lane road through trees and streams along the way. Nice and shady. So beautiful. This road goes to a little clearing where walking and horse paths go to the foot of Lookout Mt. Such a beautiful peaceful walk. So they meet 3 days a week. I will be walking with them again. I had a good time.
It is starting to get a little "fallish" feel in the air here. I am so ready for cooler weather. I love fall. I don't think I am ready for winter though. I wonder what it's like in the rest of the country.
My turkeys are getting so big. They are almost 12 weeks old now. They are outside all day now. They are so funny. They will follow me all over. It's like I'm a turkey herder. They are good turkeys. I feed them a little in the morning then let them out. In the evening they are ready for more feed. They follow me back in and I close them up for the night. I have named the biggest tom Harper. I wanted a Bourbon name. I like Harper. So he will be the one I keep plus the hens. I think there are at least 4 hens. That will be plenty to start my little turkey business.
I sold 2 of my milk goats last month. So I am now down to just 2. Abby and Sandy. They cannot possibly keep up with all the weeds. I need more. I think I am going to start looking for some sheep. I would like at least 4 ewes. Preferably old enough to be bred about Oct. for spring lambs. They will eat lots of things that goats or cows won't. So they will be an asset here. Since we don't have a bush hog or tiller.
Mazie is pregnant! She has been such a good cowgirl since she's been home. She should have a calf in March. I am already nervous. I hope the bull wasn't too big for her first calf. But she is a huge cow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)