Joyfilled

17 hours ago, Jeepers said:

That stove is a thing of beauty! Thanks for sharing your pictures. You have a lovely family!  Hubby might as well go get the firewood now. You'll need it sooner rather than later anyway. Plus it will be a lot easier to carry in now than when the snow starts to pile up.  And there could be a shortage later. And the prices will only go up. Are you taking notes? I'm trying to help ya girl.  

He wants you to know that instead of buying wood, he got the chainsaw running and was able to get some wood from an old dead tree and branches from years past . He has taught our 10 yo DS to make the fire in the stove, so now he's the one that gets it going in the morning. We have a whole row of wood now and he will get more today, I hope!

1 hour ago, gallovidian said:

I've always hankered after a wood stove for cooking.  Nearest I got was an old 1970s Rayburn which was run mainly on coal, but I used wood sometimes.  It was in the house when we bought it, we converted it from oil back to solid fuel - it was the reason we bought the house really.  I made peace with it quickly, and loved it to bits; it was on 24/7 all year round, did all my cooking, bottling (canning), brewing, baking on it, it heated the house and all the hot water; had a Kitchen Maid drying rack over it for laundry and drying dyed wool, herbs etc.  I loved that thing with all my heart, even though the temperature gauge never worked in the whole 17 years I used it.  I just stuck my hand in the oven to see how hot it was lol

 

I love your pictures

Wow!! That's amazing. I hope to share your story someday. It may be a while before I can on it, but I have baked cookies in it! 😊

3 hours ago, Jeepers said:

That stove is a thing of beauty! Thanks for sharing your pictures. You have a lovely family!  Hubby might as well go get the firewood now. You'll need it sooner rather than later anyway. Plus it will be a lot easier to carry in now than when the snow starts to pile up.  And there could be a shortage later. And the prices will only go up. Are you taking notes? I'm trying to help ya girl.  

I'm going to read this to him!

6 hours ago, Littlesister said:

Love that stove.  Wish I had room for one in my house.  I am getting a wood burning stove, but it is for heat and will be inserted into the fireplace. I told him I would like to have it so I can heat things up on top of it. He said it would have to be set up in a way to do that but can be done. So I will just have to be happy with that.  But at least I can keep things warm on it. 

You can cook on it, too! I've done that before, just s simple soup, but hey, a warm meal! 😊👍🏻

One more picture because I think it's pretty. I baked the pies in my regular oven, not this one....I'm not that confident in my using it yet....

So....our stove is up and running!! It's been a mild winter, so we haven't had a ton of need of it, and that coupled with DH not wanting to buy wood....well. But....we LOVE it!! It brings warmth to the house even if it's not running, and I've been able to bake some cookies with it, which was fun! I haven't used the stove top except to heat apple cider and water. But I'm so excited! I love having it, I love using it, and can't wait to learn how to use it more.

Here are pictures from Thanksgiving. Missing is my Mom (passed away on Oct 1), and new face is daughter's boyfriend.

On 11/11/2021 at 1:26 PM, dogmom4 said:

I’m so sorry Joyfilled. My mom passed on October 24 after being on hospice for several weeks. Doesn’t matter if it happens quickly or over a long period of time...it’s just incredibly hard to say goodbye.

Oh, I'm so sorry, Dogmom!! So hard.... God is so good and gives us comfort, but while on earth, pain is still a difficult process. Big hugs as you navigate during this time!

Thank you, everyone....my family and I appreciate your love and prayers.

I'm still so very sad. My sister from Mexico is here, the other one (and hubby) and the rest of my family from Mexico arrive early next week. It's going to be a FULL house (7 of us and 9 of them). I pray this is a special time, where we can lean on each other, but especially on Christ.

Thank you all again....

....unexpectedly went Home to be with her Savior. She had a heart attack early last week, and was able to get to a hospital. They ran a few tests, discovered 3 of her arteries were clogged, and needed open heart surgery. It was scheduled for last Friday. Dad and I were with her right before the surgery, prayed with her, kissed her goodbye and went to the waiting area. We were full of hope that she was going to be feeling so much better when she came out (other than the surgery itself). They said they got her on the table and her heart slowed down, then just stopped. They were able to bring her heart back, but not enough. Half an hour later, doctor recommended they stop, as she would be a vegetable from lack of oxygen. Dad agreed.  This also happened to be my Dad's birthday.

She was one of my best friends, she was my confidant, my partner in mischief and my prayer warrior. She helped me so much and encouraged me in my life. She was a powerful prayer warrior and was sold out for Christ. I'm thankful beyond words for the influence she had in my life and my family.

And I miss her, so very much. <3

2 hours ago, Littlesister said:

I remember my grandparents raising honey bees when I was young.  Maybe I should have paid attention to what my grandfather was doing but he didn't want us kids to close to the hives.  But I do remember that honey. It was so good. 

My Mom and Dad did it when I was young, too....but I was very young. But you're right. We've seemed to have lost the ways of the past. Hopefully not all of it!!

13 hours ago, Darlene said:

Yes, bees are a fascinating creature. Everyone has their unique way of doing things, but I opted to go a more organic and natural route without the aid of pesticides that are supposedly safe for bees that address the mites and other issues can can accompany beekeeping. Many years ago, the Lord crossed my path with a lady out of Michigan who had worked closely with an older man who had raised bees for decades and had discovered this organic, natural way to not only raise bees, but to also increase the amount of hives.

 

Beekeeping is NOT just about honey, although that is byproduct and blessing of keeping bee hives. There is a preservation aspect to it and a responsibility that is very fulfilling. If you just got the bees in August, there is no way you should extract any honey at this time because the bees will need all they can get to feed themselves over the winter.

 

Anyway, congratulations on your bees!

We haven't gotten any yet....but I can't wait!! We got them in May (mother's day!). We have warre hives, and hubby has given them a couple more boxes as the top ones are completely full of honey. One of our hives (we had 2) absconded. That was sad. We used to have bees a few years ago, but not for honey, for pollination. Anyway, they absconded, then came back a while later (or maybe a different swarm? I'm not sure). Anyway, we sure like having them.

Sorry if I'm using all these terms wrong. I'm still learning!

12 hours ago, Darlene said:

Pray, and follow the Lord's leading...whatever His plan is for your lives. Whether it is to get a cow for milk, or a goat, or both, or none.

 

As others have already reiterated, it is important that you and hubby follow God's plans for your lives, in spite of what other family members opinions may be. As you've mentioned, YOU will be the one who cares for the animal, and if that is something you are willing to do, then by all means, do it.

 

I have a long and colorful history of various family members thinking I'm crazy for doing one thing or another. From moving from the suburbs to the country, to getting my first goats, to the livestock I accumulated over time, to having a farm, on and on I could go. But I was not dissuaded and plunged forward. I made many poor decisions, I went through rough times for various reasons, but I also learned a lot, grew a lot, and have finally achieved some semblance of success with the various animals I now have. I've primarily kept to Jerseys for milk and Angus for beef. The Jerseys have the highest butterfat % in their milk which is why I chose them. You'll have to have a Jersey (or any cow for that matter) bred to get milk but I would strongly caution you to never, ever, ever get a Jersey bull. They are one of the most dangerous breeds of bulls you can ever get. If you can find someone to take your cow to in order to get bred, that would be best.

 

There are awesome milkers that make milking short work, but there is also a beauty to milking by hand alone. I would get into a 'zone', where a peacefulness would fill my heart where it would be just me and the cow, surrounded by silence except fo the swoosh sounds of milk as they traveled down the teats and the ring the milk would make as it began to fill the pot. I would often find myself feeling that 'all is right with the world in this moment', and for me, it was a beautiful experience to have.

 

While there are a zillion YouTube videos and info on the net, there is also a wealth of experience and knowledge from people here at MrsS who have already walked this road you are contemplating starting on. My counsel would be to 'go for it!' and if y'all change your mind down the road and decide this isn't right for you, you can always sell the cow and go in a different direction.

 

Regardless, I'm excited for you!

Thank you, Darlene!! We are at a point that it's a yes.....as soon as we are able to get the space ready for one. I dream of all I can do with the milk. Everything I can learn. And how we can (hopefully) bless others with what I can make (yogurt, cheese, etc). I just hope we can do it in time. In time for what? I dunno....I just think that our time is running short. It's good to hear about your experience, too!! Nice to know others have gone before me and "paved" the way. I hope to be able to update soon. Right now we're getting plants into the greenhouse and are expecting (hopefully) some piglets here soon, too. But....like I said, we feel like we're running out of time, so here's hoping!!

2 hours ago, kappydell said:

LOL!  Have you decided what kind of cow to get?  Some are far too high producing for a homestead (just my opinion, maybe you can make lots of cheese).  But the Jersey cow was bred to be a homestead breed, smaller, and tolerates wearing a halter and being tethered out to eat if you do not have much pasturage.  They give around 3 gallons milk a day.  Another "mini" breed is the Irish Dexter with a milk yield of 1 1/2 to 2 gallons.  The Dexters are also reported to be a more hardy breed.  Holsteins (the black and white ones) give 10-12 gallons a day!  

We're thinking Jersey.....I'm not sure I would know what to do with a holstein....ach! We considered Dexters, but they are pretty small. Hubby is 6'4" so we are wanting to make it easier for him. We aren't ready for the cow just yet....we have the space for it, but need fencing, etc.... Hopefully soon!!

I've heard different things.....not sure how much of it applies to these particular states, but.....

They take away beds, because they say that if they are more than half full, they get more federal money. Also....nurse and doctor shortage because they refuse to be vaccinated, so they can't work.

I dunno. The whole thing is a mess. May God help us.

Thank you, everyone! We'll be looking up some videos hopefully tonight. What will we ever do without YouTube....??

I came BACK here (now that I have a little more time) because of the wealth of information. And because y'all know that if I'm crazy, it's for some other reason, not because I'm a prepper. The other day the site wouldn't load and I had a moment of panic until it did. Yes. This place is a WEALTH of information!!  So glad I can be a part of it!!

ETA: I would add that I think this place fits me to a tee. I am the Mrs in the survival of our home. Hubby does a whole lot, but for certain things, it's on me (like canning, etc). I really appreciate all the learning I can do here, and all the information you're willing to share.

I wondered about not canning it....so I'm glad I didn't trust it! I'm going to heat the whole thing up again, split it into smaller jars and can those. So nice to have shelf food available without taking space in the fridge or freezer! Thank you for all the good info, @Midnightmom!!

Thank you, ladies!! I haven't canned them yet, but did put them in the fridge. I'm thinking of making smaller amounts, as opening a quart of syrup is a lot, even for our family.

Let me find the recipe.... http://www.prettypetunias.com/how-to-make-peach-syrup-from-just-the-pits-and-skins/

For what it's worth, all four quarts sealed without being canned.

21 hours ago, Mt_Rider said:

Last I heard, she still has bees.  She did a lot of research on how to keep them healthy.

 

On a couple of occasions, I "helped" with her bees......meaning I stood around and did what she told me.     We made bee "candy" to put into the hives to keep them going thru winter.   I took a class LONG ago but haven't had experience other than that.

 

MtRider     ...would NOT want to have bee hives here in CO.....BEARS. 

Ohhhh....I'm interested in that bee candy. Any good links you'd suggest? Thank you!!

I saw this!! It's horrible. We homeschool, but our kids don't play in school sports (they are 10 and under, other than the 20 DD). But if they did, they would quickly not anymore. Crazy, crazy, crazy world we live in.

Thank you for your patience with me, ladies!

So....I made peach syrup with the peach skins today. I have 4 quarts and 9 (10?) half pints (thinking of gifts). I canned the half pints. But the quarts, well....I just don't have it in me tonight. The thing is, the recipe said I didn't have to? That I could just put the hot syrup into a hot jar with hot lids and tighten them. It didn't sound right. Any thoughts???

I appreciate it a lot!! Hubby says the only way to learn is to try, so I'm trying. I actually really enjoy it!! 

I'm tired, but it's a good kind of tired.

On 8/23/2021 at 6:50 PM, Dee said:

You're ambitious and doing good!  Keep it up girlfriend!

 

A good place to look for jars is estate sales or garage sales.  I've gotten tons that way.

Yes!! Friends have been giving me some, too. My pastor's daughter got married this summer, and they used jars for decoration. They have no need for them, so they're giving them to me!