ozarks living

A very busy week on the farm and nothing will stop the busy farmers...  Not even sinus colds or 80th birthdays...

Blind Hog has the deed done; electric is in the conduit and in the nice trench, already hooked up to the main power box as well as the new breaker box in the old goat barn.  Acorn has been a snotty thing, but has also been quite busy.  Almost 40 new trees planted all around the yard- long leaf pine, Norway spruce, witch hazels and bald cypress.

Now to fill in the trench, complete the transition from 110V power supple to 220V but the farmers can do it.  Gallons of chicken soup, full of "vit-ah-minns" and loaded with garlic, jalapenos and everything else from the fridge have been consumed and Acorn stewed those two roosters today- more soup to be made for tomorrow!

All the fun trenching in yet another new underground line, but this time a 220V from the power pole to the old goat barn. Blind Hog is more than halfway there. Good weather ahead too!

Four mornings of starting temps in the low to mid 20's. Will be pushing 70° by mid week they say, just ti n time for Blind Hog's birthday.

Acorn found another good iron bit on walkies this morning.  Guess you can call that "Antiques Road Show..."  In a literal sense...

Blind Hog and Acorn have been doing all the usuals- moving the herd, got the last pasture clipped after grazing. Even picking up 8.44" of rain for the month of October!  Crazy!

Bees have been getting a bit of thick syrup to top their stores off for the winter.  Garden has been cleaned of all eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes.  Hard frost is on the way next week.

Acorn skewered one of those Cornish Cross chickens on the rotisserie for lunch...  Delicious. Thanksgiving around the corner and the farmers are going to be having company- goat folk on a vagabond route.  Frank, Brian and Kate will land at the farm for a week of f-u-n...  Looking forward to it!

Will Blind Hog and Acorn see the Northern Lights tonight?  They will certainly give it a shot, even if it means walking out to the hay barn at 11pm...

Hard-workin' farmers do get to go to town and have fun every now and then, right? 

After mucking about with the walnuts, tending the livestock, feeding the new kitties, Blind Hog and Acorn headed to the Big City to see David Sedaris, live and in person.  3 Words?  "It was awesome!"  Acorn picked up a copy of his latest book, "A Carnival of Snackery" and had him sign it.  He did so while asking questions "Did you grow up on a farm?  Have you ever eaten horse?"

Even snagged a pint at a local micro-brewery beforehand. Like a real "date night!"

Acorn has future outings planned that involve new theatrical releases...  Dune, The French Dispatch...

A section of piss-poor fencing got replaced. Always fencing work to be done. 

Rain has been falling, 6.07" for the month so far!  Hot damn and pass them cookies!

Wood stove is prepped for the upcoming season- flue pipe cleaned, stove vacuumed out, glass windows washed.  Blind Hog rolled in a couple loads of firewood and Acorn will lay the first logs.

Blind Hog could talk for a whole show about how much he loves that Hearthstone wood stove- Acorn is surprised he passed up the opportunity.  Must be because of that tooth extraction he had the other day...

39F at  the farm this morning. Livestock are all fine, barn kitties hanging in there.  The calico who disappeared the first day has been sighted.  her name is now "Nessie," because, you know..

David Sedaris is coming to Springfield next week.  Blind Hog and Acorn snagged free tickets, which BTW, were gone in 10 minutes.  Even Badger nabbed herself a pair!  Springfield Library must have got a grant or something to bring him here...  Show has been delayed/rescheduled 3x due to the pandemic. Fingers crossed that the stars will stay in alignment for Thursday night. The venue is small and he will stay at his signing table until the cows come home.

1. Garlic is popping up after a couple weeks post-planting
2. A couple heifers are on their way to Kentucky.  
3. Log splitter quit but was easily repaired by neighbor mechanic Fred (float needle was fouled) and Blind Hog was able to get back into action. 
4. A bit of rain fell as well,  2 -1/2" so far this month.
5. Sam got skunked but at least THIS time he killed the varmint.  Good boy, Sam.  One less polecat to spray  you!
   
   It has been a pretty good week!

Has it truly just been a week since Blind Hog and Acorn went to the art museum?   Sheesh!

Since then, the eight felines have arrived on the farm.  Kittens and cats in three barns.  Grow kitties grow, and take care of the rodents!

Blind Hog has been clipping fields, splitting firewood.  Even hoisted Acorn up in the front-end loader to assist in harvesting the oyster mushroom bonanza that appears along the driveway.

Rain has fallen, an inch so far.  Will take all that falls! Rain may help distract the three calves being weaned.  Was a loud couple of nights, but they are already getting better.

Goat boys will get new goat girls tomorrow.  Spreading that love around...

After a busy week of YET MORE FARM CHORES, Blind Hog and Acorn picked up the Badger in Springfield fora 2 hr drive to Arkansas- destination?  the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art!

The podcast was recorded prior to the excursion, but the website will have pictures.

Blind Hog took down three large dead trees that were on the side of the hill along the driveway.  They are all chunked into 6' lengths for him to cut further and split.  Mr Woodchuck keeps chucking that wood! Blind Hog tried out the hot tub after the repair guy did his magic and lo!  It still relaxes after 15 years!

Acorn has been at the grounds with her string trimmer as her shoulders can attest.  She is also working on continuing education credits for her super secret project- a new business she hopes will be ready to go live at the first of the year.

The delivery of the eight new barn cats/kittens has been delayed till next week. Just in case you have been wondering...

Lots of loose ends getting done around the farm- hot tub was repaired, drained and cleaned. Purple martin gourds removed and put away for the winter.  Corner fence post reset and fence wire affixed. Hay feeders are now in the yard awaiting new tarp covers which Acorn will make out of used billboard fabric.

Blind Hog fired up the burn pile then later he and Acorn also mounted the 10 yr old gas grill onto a nice, smooth,  level platform.  Nor more wobbly grill!  Acorn gave it a good cleaning and new sear plates are on their way- will have it cooking like new!

Barn kitties are also forthcoming- friend Judy wanted to do a steep reduction in her numbers- we are taking 4 teens and a momma with 3 kittens. They will be divided between three barns.  Looking forward to "rodent control" make no mistake!

Acorn has begun new classes online for healthcare professionals- she desires to start her own "thing," more about that will be disclosed later on.  She did however go ahead and secure a catchy web domain. "If you build it, they will come..."

Finally from the SteelMeadow Kitchen- Homemade English Muffins are easy!  Do not be intimidated!

 Ahh yes, the agony of the late summer swarm.  NOW Acorn knows where the bees came from when she saw them in the bee tree behind the mailbox a few weeks ago... Oh well, it happens.

Blind Hog has had good luck with the tractors- Mahindra had a minor issue but neighbor Fred found the shorted out wire off the starter.  Massey Fergus in running like a champ with the new carburetor.

Goats are moved back in with the cows, fields ready for Fall rains. Garden is cycling around and the geese have been granted "yard privileges..."  They just LOVE hanging out with Blind Hog and Acorn...  Seriously- they are like right there whenever outdoor chores are going on.
Who knew geese would be so curious?

Acorn made up a new batch of sourdough starter from her own apples but since that was not ready, she opted for spelt pancakes.  No milk?  Why, use cocoa mix for chocolate waffles.  11/10- highly recommend. 

Acorn is getting ready to get on a plane, again, and go visit her Mum and Rumi in Houston.  Blind Hog and Sam once again will mind the conn.

The past week has been full of the usual chores- laundry, gardening, canning and mowing.  Blind Hog clipped the "south field" so the goats can see where they are- not too fond of venturing into a field with grass above their heads!

Goat breeding is on schedule- looking forward to the kids next year.

A delightful week- very "uneventful" which is fine for the two farmers.

Phew!  Whatta week!  Acorn returned back from a fun weekend in Florida with Dad and Joyce- hot winds, cool pool and  much relaxation for a tired farmer.  She had to jog between terminals to catch a connecting flight but hey- she and her luggage both made it!

One day to 'catch up" on chores, as in replace the carburetor on the Massey Ferguson 35 tractor, and then a whole day spent behind the wheel- driving 3 hrs to Arkansas to see  the Big Boy locomotive in action AND for a 45 min stop.  Blind Hog and Acorn left after 30 minutes of train pictures, videos, etc and drove an hour north to a little crossroad town along the tracks.  Set up, took a video of the train blasting through, then back in the car.  6 miles up the road to Poplar Bluff where the locomotive was to spend the night.  After almost 2 hrs of standing in line for a spot on a shuttle bus, they made it to the rail-yard for 20 minutes of yet more pictures and videos.

Finally, it was time to leave and head back to the farm- a 2.5 hr drive.  Bona fide railfans, Acorn cannot wait to chase the locomotive again.

Yes- Acorn is leaving for the weekend for family visit- boarding pass in one hand and a negative 'rona test result in the other.  Blind Ho and Sam will take care of things, and stay out of trouble...  Hopefully.

Past week has been spent cleaning house, tidying up, cooking-canning-baking. Garden and yard are groomed, livestock moved to new grazing.  Should be easy sailing. Why does it seem there is so much work to get a house in shape before even just one person goes on a trip?

When Acorn returns, the farmers will try to "catch the train" and be "railfans" for an afternoon.  The largest steam engine in the world is passing by within a 2.5 hr drive of the farm.  Acorn is beyond excited.

Hay is in the barn!  Acorn can relax now!  was a wild time getting the hay to the barn, but nothing is as easy as it seems.  Blind Hog thrives on excitement.

Last of the market goats to the salebarn. Garden continues to put forth.

Tenor ukulele got new "low-g strings" which Acorn just loves.  Can you tell the difference?

Broilers all processed and shrink bagged. New Goat Plan underway. Mechanic work completed on the F350 (still needs work) and the 17 yr old riding mower.  Garden, cows, goats; yada yada yada...

Selling goats and buying hay. What comes in, must go out.

Acorn finally picked a watermelon that was truly ripe.  Ratatouille, carrots and pickled beets in jars. Dairy goat milking is being throttled back so Acorn can dry off the girls. Daily yield is being reduced each day- now back 2/3 already.

Yes, Acorn made a list of most of the things accomplished to talk about for the podcast. She did leave off filling 350 lbs of mineral mix into all the livestock feeders.  They had the mill put the mix in 25 lb bags instead of the 50 lb. bags Blind Hog was carrying when the tore his calf muscle.  Blind Hog said Acorn was handling those 25 lb bags quite nicely, while he sat in the truck with this foot on the brake.  Yes- we do not trust the parking break on the F3509.  That is Acorn's task tomorrow...

First eight of the Cornish Cross chickens are processed, along with the three cockerels who were twice their age but half their size.  The remaining "piggie chickens" will be processed when they run out of feed.  75 lbs of feed remain...

Acorn picked chanterelle mushrooms, sauteed them in butter and put them in the freezer for future feasting.  Bees are doing super, two hive splits are thriving.  Momma cows are ready to be bred for spring calves.  They will get back with the bull Fintan once the last of the 2021 kids go to market, in a week and a half.

Fields are doing super, best grass out there in several years.

SteelMeadow Farm has a new goat plan- going with registered Savanna bucks which means the current unregistered Savanna bucks have to go.  Fred has already found a new home.  George is yet to find his.  Not only were they were both unregistered but they also had more than two teats.  Acorn says no to supernumerary teats of goats.  Period!

Rain to move in and a cold front with it.  Hot damn!  Drunk Uncle ukulele provided the podcast's noodling in the background.  Play it loud and play it proud!

Starting to sort through and "work" goats at 10 am was about 3 hrs too late...  Blind Hog and Acorn both had to have a sit down before the task was completed.  It was the high, high humidity that was the culprit.  Nonetheless, the intrepid farmers soldiered on and goats got worked.  Ten adult goats went on the trailer the next day and the herd production average is thus improved. Twenty-one kids are now finishing out- on their own field and will receive sweet feed to keep them growing.

Cabbages cut, kraut fermentation in the process. Three half-gallon jars will be repacked into several 12 oz. tall jelly jars- the perfect size for us.  No further processing, will keep it in the fridge and keep the microbes alive.

Blondies.  With English walnuts and craisins.  Double the ACV (apple cider vinegar).  Just like eating chess pie or buttermilk pie in little bites.

Blind Hog and Acorn forgot to mention the chanterelle mushroom bonanza, as well as the great news about the bee hives..  Going to have to wait till next week for that!

 

Blind Hog and Acorn got the wall sculpture delivered and installed.  A bit of unusual farm work to say the least! Good news is that Glen and Becky are happy and the piece looks great in its new home. Now Acorn just needs to figure out the next chapter in the Great Farm Plan...

Rains continue to surprise, and the garden and fields are taking full advantage.  I know there are at least 3 watermelons in the patch. Blackberries are ripening, tiny zucchini appearing- watch the zucchini go from tiny to huge in just a day!

Eating well on the farm- lots of veggies and it is hard to beat a tart with patisserie cream and rhubarb compote, with homemade honey vanilla ice cream of course...

Blind Hog saw an ortho dude and it is all good news- torn calf muscle and he is already doing "all the right rehab things."  Tincture of Time , as my old MD boss would say.  In the meantime, he does what he can, puts his leg up, wears one of my stylish hiking compression socks and is his usual happy-go-lucky self.

Grass is taking off after the rain last week, fields looking good.  Garden will need to be watered soon.  Blackberries are beginning to ripen!  Yay!  Cows and goats have all been moved about to new paddocks.

The piggie chickies (Cornish cross broilers) are growing like weeds- between 2.25 and 2.5 lbs now.. Letting them out and about supposedly will slow their growth down, and they also do not get chicken feed at night.  They are a bit behind their growth chart, but as long as they don't fall over from heart attacks (common) then that is good.

Delivering the wall sculpture tomorrow!  Very excited!

Blind Hog seems intent on injuring himself, this week it was a torn calf muscle. Oh well, "we see this..."  Good news is that he is able to move about the cabin freely, albeit a bit slower than his usual.  Swelling has gone down and he can bear weight on the injured leg.  Tincture of Time now for it to heal on up.

Acorn has sold goats and has two heifers under contract- a very productive week.

Broiler chick experiment continues- the little hybrids are growing exponentially.  Almost a bit scary...  Garden is producing and a break in hot weather is upon us.

July is here!