Saturday Update

This week I was very lazy. 

I went through the motions, you know.  Laundry, Dishes, Animals. LALALA. 

I had previously posted our little doelings on CL.  I have been corresponding with about five people.  You know you should read an add and do any research before you respond.  Otherwise you sound foolish.  In my add I listed all the pertinent information.  I still received emails asking questions when the information was clearly listed. Where we live, how much, how many, how old, what kind.  With one party we went back and forth for many emails.  Then the final response they asked where we were located (clearly listed).  When I said Casa Grande they said that was too far.  Why waste all that time.  With another party after sending many pictures and responses back they said they wanted pygmies and not dwarfs.  Why respond to an add if it isn’t something you want. I listed   Unless you want to see the cute little goaties.  People even wanted a discount.  Not just a little, a buy on get on free.  R U Kidding Me!  Do you know what goes into taking care of these little girls?  I am thinking these bargain hunters cannot afford to keep them. Hay is $16 to $18 a bail.    If they don’t sell I will just keep them and get a new buck to breed.  We don’t want any interbreeding.   I got a lecture about dehorning goats.  I chose not to disbud my goats.  This is my choice.  If you want a disbudded goat go buy one.  I see no good in this practice.  The goats I do have that were disbudded when I purchased them have had problems.  They grow back.  So now we have to monitor them so they don’t grow into their skull.  The scurs, as the horns that grow back are called, are much weaker than real horns.  They break off very easy and bleed and bleed.  OMG .  Seriously I didn’t realize this.  The two that we purchased with horns are just fine.  They do not harm others with them.  I can sometimes use them as handles, sort of.  It is my choice.  You do not have to purchase my goats. 

We received a large box of apples and a 50 lb. bag of onions.  What do you think I did with them?  Of course the goaties got some. They pushed and said "that's mine I want more."   Oh yes the pigs too.  They are still young and wait by the feeding barrel for their treats.  This is fine because I have heard horror stories of pigs biting off fingers. Well everyone got some.  Dent likes apples.  You would think he was dancing when he received his portion.  Merrel took her portion with no thanks.  Ducks and Chickens gobbled them up.  Even stealing from each other through the fence.  Like there will never be any more.  The dogs are easier to handle with only 3 inside.  I mean that with the most respect for the dogs who have left us.  They sit nicely while getting their portion.  Bandit the outside dog has a hard time sitting still.  She is still just a baby. Stretch let his float for a while then snuck up on his slice.  Perhaps he is pretending to be a shark.  He he he he.  My animals eat better than the humans do. 

Onions

I cut and chopped and bagged.  ONIONS, ONIONS, ONIONS.   I don’t think I will need to buy onions for a while.  Thank goodness.  I hated to buy them.  But I use them in everything.   Did you know that it is the gas enzymes that are released when you cut them that make you cry?  You have some options there.  Wear goggles, put them in water when cutting, or burn a candle.  I did not know this last one.  But my oldest came into the kitchen and lit a candle.  This stopped my crying.  I just thought I was getting used to the gasses.  Until I goggled it.  I love Google.  You can find almost anything. 

Apples

I made spiced apples, apple turnovers, apple muffins, and froze apple pie filling forever.  I made two jars of spiced apples for the neighbor and the neighbor’s brother, who we got this gift from.  My husband could only deliver one jar to the brother.  The other jar went into the fridge for when we next see the neighbor.  My oldest ate ours and the neighbors to. I have some more apples so I will be making more.  Maybe today.

Incubator

We have turned eggs diligently every 12 hrs.  I have added water to the little dish when it is low.  The temp has been steady.  When collecting eggs this week I collected the eggs the mama duck pushed out of the nest.  I was curious so I cracked it open.  How sad there was a little duck embryo.  You could see and eye, beak, body, feet.  It looked whole but not right at the same time.  I guess mama knows best.  This poor little duck probably would not have survived.

Romance

My husband and I have been married for 18 years this past Monday the 23^rd.  We had a nice quiet dinner at home. 

My oldest and his girlfriend have broken up.  This happens in young love.  I’m sure she will not be his last girlfriend.

incubating eggs

Today I started to incubate eggs. The duck is still sitting, but she has pushed almost all of the eggs out of the nest. So I gathered eggs. Candled them using a toilet paper roll and a flashlight. The eggs with floaties in them I kept. I marked an x and an o on opposite sides of the eggs with a pencil. I placed a towel, little dish with water in an aquarium. I put a heating lamp above the eggs and placed a glass lid over it. Underneath the aquarium I have a large heated rice bag. Which I have to microwave for warmth. Perhaps I will invest in an electric heating pad. I want one anyway.

From my internet search on how to do this. The temperature needs to be from 99 to 103. Chicken eggs take 21 days to incubate. Duck eggs take 28 days to incubate. Turn the eggs every 12 hrs until the 17^th day when you should not turn them. You need to check the eggs on the 4^th day after starting this process. On the 19^th day the chicks start to pip the shell. All chicks, which are going to hatch, should be out of their shells by the 21^st day. When the eggs are hatched, lower the temperature to 95, this is the drying off period. Open the lid of the aquarium. As soon as the chicks have dried and fluffed up completely, remove them from the incubator and give them fresh water and mash.

We went to the store to price heating pads. $$$$. It will have to wait.

The Neighbor went to a farm that was downsizing and got 7 mini horses. They are sooooo cute. I can’t see how they will be productive on the homestead here. Only eating machines. But they are the darlingist little things. Is that a word?  I didn't get any pictures.  I will have to, then post them.

Wanting

The doelings are being so pushy. I am wondering if I should separate them from their mamas. That sounds mean.  Perhaps this is the kind thing to do. There are four little doelings. I think they will be fine together, but away from their mamas. They will be able to hear and see each other. So do I risk putting Ned and Sprinkles together and use the other pen for the little ones? Or do I build yet another goat pen? Ned is a bit aggressive. But since I moved Sprinkles by himself he isn't eating well. He kind of just stands around. He isn't a cryer. What to do, What to do? I will keep you posted on my decision.  I do want to start milking the does.I want the milk for cheese, yogurt, soap, and of coarse milk.
　

The power is up and working correctly. They power company has been doing work on it off and on since Wednesday. I took a long long long shower. It is funny because I am sure I have skipped showers in my lifetime. But I have never felt so dirty. I am also sure I have been dirtier. Now don't think I am a dirty person. I took quick sponge baths. But a shower is wonderful when it has been taken away from you.
　
　

Today I went to the Salvation Army. I needed to pick up some T-shirts. It seems the majority of mine have a stain here and there. I went through all the racks and only purchased the ones with the right tag for the sale today. Green tags were $1. I figure I can splurge on a dollar. I spent $5 putting two shirts back. They had a big pine kitchen table with five perfect chairs. The asking price was $295. I have a kitchen table. It was given to us when my brother in law separated from his girlfriend. It is also wood with glass inserts. The chairs have wicker backing. Unfortunately one of the glass inserts was broken long ago. I cut a piece of cardboard from a large box to fit in the glass place. I have to cover the table with table cloths to cover this flaw. The backs to the chairs have also been torn, or cut. Who's to say? Nobody. The chairs also have plastic on the bottom. Now we all now how well plastic holds up. In fact I have two chairs put against the wall that we can not sit in because the plastic part is broken. Anyway I waaaannnntttt that table.. Perhaps I will wait until they have their half price furniture sale.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for modern day conveniences, electricity and water. Did you know there are people without electricity and water? Yesterday we were having work on our power pole. We had no electricity for many hours. Because our water is pumped into the house with an electric pump we also had no water. I went to work not knowing when it would be restored. So I left candles, a lighter stick, baby wipes, bread, peanut butter, and jelly on the table. My husband says that was overkill. But what if.


I am thankful for lazy days. Today before work I was able to hurry through chores to hurry up and hold poor Memee. She is still healing. Today she jumped from the steps onto the top of the shade next to the steps where she sun baths. I am hoping for a fast recovery.

I am thankful for good books. My aunt gave me several books. Usually I do not take the time to sit still long enough to read a full book. But today was the perfect day for book reading. I was able to get all remaining inside dogs settled. Put Memee on my lap. Refilled my water cup. And sit and read. The book title was Trace. The author Patricia Cornwell. It is a thriller. But not a gory story.

Sad week

I am sure this will not be the only sad week I will post about.  On Saturday night I woke up unable to breathe.  Got up to take a treatment.  I forgot to put my chihuahua, Memee on the floor.  She got stuck in the blanket.  Made it to the ground.  Landing on Spot most likely.  Spot growled.  Angel came over to see what was happening.  She grabbed the blanket and started shaking it.  Spot grabbed Memee.  They pulled and growled.  All humans in the household came running.  My poor husband had no choice but to put them down.  They would not stop.  Memee is torn.  I can only find 2 puncture holes.  My husband and two boys wake up the next day to dig yet two more graves.  The children haven't shown sadness yet.  I am still waking up to pet spot who slept on the floor next to me.  Memee is healing.  The wounds are healing.  This is not the first time the other dogs have attacked her.  That is also why June left this world.  Memee is taking antibiotics and pain medication.  She is eating and using the restroom just fine.  I was worried about the later.  The wound is healing from the inside out.  I say wound because one healed almost instantly. 

My garden is dead.  The horrible Arizona sun has cooked it.  My husband is still watering it faithfully.  I did place seeds in with the plants.  Perhaps they will grow. 

Waking Up Late

  Thank goodness for the family dog.  Every day my silly little dog needs to go outside around 6:00 am ish.  She doesn't whine or scratch at the door.  She gets up.  Crawls out from under the covers.  Shakes her head.  I can hear her ears.  Today this saved me.  I came home from work last night at 11:00 set my alarm for 5am or so I thought and went to bed.  I didn't hear any alarm at 5am.  I slept right up until the dog ear sound.  omg .  I am late.  I promised a friend at work eggs.  I didn't have time to prepare them.  My husband said he will bring them to me at work.  I was not late.  Something told me to get my clothes ready before bed last night.  I got to work in plenty of time.  Just no time for washing eggs.

Egg washing.  Why you ask?  Chickens and Ducks are messy creatures.  I collect the eggs several times a day.  I do this in hopes of collecting a larger number of eggs and to keep them clean.  Yeah right.  No matter what I sometimes have the occasional egg breaker.  I can not catch her.  Perhaps this particular hen is just clumsy and accidentally cracks them, with her sharp pointy beak.  Maybe she falls head first onto my lovely egg.  Regardless of how it happens.  The deed is done.  It leaves a sticky substance to which the other eggs attract.  I have mentioned before that my lovely girls have a nice set of nesting boxes.  However they chose to lay their eggs under them on the ground.  I have been using the deep litter method to keep my coop clean.  On a weekly bases I rake out their coop and nesting boxes to add more hay material.  Then the hens have a week to scratch and upturn all the lovey morsels that they like.  You would think the eggs would be clean.  On no.  They must be washed before I give them out.  I do not mind the sticky mess on my eggs.  After all I am not eating the shell. I am most sure the people I sell my eggs to would not want another carton if they saw the outside of the eggs before washing.  Washing eggs is technically not a good practice.    It is said that each egg has a protective coating.  If washed this coating is washed away.  Leaving a chance for bacteria to enter the egg.  I usually wait until Delivery day to try to eliminate as much bacteria as possible.  I have asked my customers what they prefer.  They have said to wash them.  It does not take much time.  But as you know eggs are fragile.  You must handle them with care.  On delivery day our dogs get the broken eggs that my hands crack while washing.  I guess I don't know my own strength.  I take a wash cloth and wipe away any sticky substance.  Then run under water.  Let air dry.  Place in cartons.  And out the door.  I am worried about today's egg delivery.  I wish I hadn't set my clock to 5 pm. 

A promise is a promise.  My friend at work is a volunteer.  She basically runs the gift shop.  She works more hours than I do.  She and her husband have many health concerns.  Mostly regarding the heart.  She and I talk much about my little handicraft haven all the way from my first goat Abby.  She herself was raised on a farm.  She remembers many aspects of the trials and errors.  She also was a crafter by trade before she retired.  Anyway, about two weeks ago I promised her eggs.  This was before Easter.  I did not work Easter week.  So I did not bring her eggs. What a bad friend.  So today I must.  I must.  I must.

Today I posted the 4 doelings on craigslist add no# 2958650105.   They are ready for their new home.

Rice Pudding

What do you do with left over rice? Rice pudding anyone. The quick and easy way to make rice pudding. Make vanilla pudding just like the box says. Add as many raisins as you want. Add cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla. Mix with left over rice. Now you can eat this as is, but it is the best warmed just a little.

Today my oldest son did not come home at the expected time. He did not answer his phone or text messages. I was extremely worried. He said he was ignoring my calls that I was bothering him. He is supposed to go to tutoring on Fridays from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. He rides the bus. We allow him to drive the Bronco in the desert to the bus stop. He parks the Bronco at the neighbors then drives home after school. When he did not come home I went to look for him. The Bronco was not at the neighbors. When he came home I questioned him. He stated that it was all my fault. You see I would not allow him to go to his girlfriend's house or out to the movies with her. All my fault. I was bothering him. REALLY!! Well now he is walking to the bus stop and I took his phone away. To bad that it will soon be 110 degrees and the snakes will be out in hoards. Where do children get their attitudes.


I went to work with a headache.

Thankful Thursday

I will use this post to play catch up.  I am sorry that I have not written in so long.  I have not felt very well. 

Lets see. 
Bunnies     I borrowed the neighbors buck to mate with our Molly magic.  I placed her in his hutch on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  She stayed there all day so I hope he did his job.  If this breeding was not successful it was not for the lack of his trying.  It is amazing how fast their little legs can go.  We returned him on Saturday when we got water.

Goats    My husband and I moved Sprinkles the buck to his own pen.  Sprinkles was getting very pushy with little Chocolate and would not let him eat or drink.  When we moved him it was so touching.  DQ put her nose through the fence to touch his.
    Chocolate hasn't been feeling well.  He has a cough, buggery nose, and the most pathetic cry.  We started him on antibiotic liquid.  Electrolyte water.  and a penicillin shot.   I hope the little guy gets better.
    The baby goats need to find a new home.  They are eating and drinking nicely.  We took many pictures to post on Craigslist, but have not done so yet.

Garden   My oldest son and I put a fence around the garden beds.  We planted everything I could get my hands on.  We have watered every night.  I hope they will survive.   I will feel silly spending so much money if they fail.

Pigs    The three little pigs escaped again.  This time into Sprinkles pen.  They were happy to be eating his alfalfa.  I wasn't aware that pigs liked alfalfa.  Poor Sprinkles.  First we separated him from his family and then he is invaded by three wiggly, slurping, selfish creatures.  My oldest son and I get them back in their pen.   Reinforce yet again the bottom of the fence and hope for the best.

Ducks    Because I have had a plethora of eggs I decided to conduct an experiment.  The ducks started to lay in a makeshift nest in the bunny house.  I let them keep their eggs.  They waited for five days, (20) eggs.  Then they started to to sit on them.  One of the brown ducks in particular.  She has pulled feathers to line the nest.  I threw some hay on the ground to help her.  She incorporated that into her nest.  I wonder what will come. 

Chickens  The chickens are laying like gang busters.  For the past week I have gotten 23 eggs from them.  They are earning their keep.  How ironic that my egg customers have decreased when production is at its peak. I raked the bunny house and Ned's pen up against their coop.  The chickens love to pick out what the other animals don't eat through their coop.  This helps with clean up later.  They mostly just leave the droppings which will be used in the garden. 

Dent    Because i don't like to use store bought shavings.  I use shredded paper that my family so kindly shares with me.  It is quite messy.  I am all ways picking it up off the floor in front of the guinea pigs cage.  I remembered a bird cage that had a piece of material with elastic around it to catch the bird seed.  I decided to try an old sheet with Dent.  He loves to burrow in the paper and creates such a mess.  The sheet catches all the paper.  It works great in that aspect.  But it is hard for Dent to look out.  He has to stand up on the cage wall to look out.  It will not hurt him to get some exercise.  Up, Down, Up , Down.

House    It isn't so hard to keep things clean.  I just have to work on it every day.  Laundry, dishes, straightening, etc..  I have been watching Net Flix a lot.  The Hoarders is one of my favorites.  When I watch this show it makes me want to rethink every thing I keep.   I finally got rid of those plastic bags.  They get strewn about everywhere.  It is hard to keep them in one place.  I think I have a handle on the things in my life.  The next thing I will work on is the stack of jeans I have saved.  They will be a quilt someday.  No I'm not a hoarder.

Weather   The weather has been so nice.  Not to hot.  Not to cold.  My husband and the boys have been cleaning up the work yard.  They placed their old motorcycles in the scrap pile.  It looks like a metal graveyard.  Someday we will take it to the recycling plant in Phoenix.

Family    The boys and I went to My sister's house, in Maricopa for Easter.  We had a nice visit.  I left my youngest there for school the next week and we went home.  I took my medicine and went straight to bed.
My sister (from Maricopa), her daughter, my mother, and my father came out to the house this past week.  My niece was so excited to see all the animals.  I was able to let her pet all the different animals.  When it was time to go she didn't cry or get upset like most small children do.  She just got in the van and drove away.  It was a nice experience.
    My oldest son and I took a trip to the MVD to try to get his permit.  He did not pass the test.  I don't believe he studied.  He wanted to go back the next day and again he did not pass.  He took a study book the day before, but he told me he gave it to his girlfriend.  How sweet.

Cooking   I haven't baked or cooked real food for ever.  On Wednesday I baked white chocolate cranberry cookies.  My oldest son said.  It isn't Monday.  How funny.