Nice day for a ride

Today we took the back way to Presque Isle to pick my son up from college for winter break.

I decided to go a little bit of  different way home. We were able to see quite a few young amish folk and buggies with their lights on.

I love driving through the county and seeing all the farms and farmhouses.  It is so incredibly peaceful. 

We tried taking a photo of the sunsetting over Mt. Katahdin but it wasn't very successful. 

We even saw a few houses decorated for Christmas.

I am slowly trying to get Christmas gifts done.  I'm also making decorations for my oldest son and his fiancée. 

We had planned to go to their house for Thanksgiving but there is a stay at home order.

We have the entryway partially finished. Dylans bedroom is done and we have a new bathroom door thats not broken.

We need to put the paneling above the doors then put up new ceiling in the entryway. The farmhouse style is coming along.

Adventurous Past 2 Days

Yesterday when I looked outside I saw 2 beautiful cows near our fencing.

I had never seen these girls before but the cows were mpping back and forth with mine. The Pd showed up while I was trying to coax them back home. (I figured they belonged at the end of the street). They asked if I needed help or if these were my cows. I explained where I thought they belonged and told them I would try to get them home as I didn't want animal control to come and take them.

I called my neighbor down the road and he came to try to help me after I jad stood beside Stillwater Ave for 30 minutes making sure the girls didn't go into the road and get hit by a car.

My neighbor got ahold of the cows owners and after 5 hours of keeping the girls safe they went home. The lic of the cows and I was taken by my neighbor.

This morning I looked out and realized Bliss and Aster had broken out again and were down visiting Clarabelle and Babe.

As you can see I tried giving them hay today but they weren't interested in it.  They certainly are beautiful girls just over a year old. (They were born 5/19/19)

It has been so warm here this week. My rhododendron actually has buds on it again. One minute its freezing here in Maine the next it's really warm.

My animals are all still doing great. Our chickens and ducks are still laying eggs.

 I honestly couldn't ask for a better group of animals.

Im working on. Hunter safety still. I will be so thankful to finish it!! It is nice to finish some "bucket list" items for myself this year. 2020 has been absolutely isolating and crazy but I've been determined to do some self enrichment.

I'm off to finish watching a movie. Night! 🌙 

Free Finds

Today I had to go deposit money for one of my sins and found 2 beautiful old farmhouse doors on the side of the road from an old farmhouse that is for sale in town.

There were also 4 old windows that I'm going to repurchase as Christmas gifts.

Here are the doors.

I really love the looks of both of them. I will end up decorating them for different seasons.

This week

This week I need to plant my garlic. It is actually supposed to be colder here and predicted to be in the 20's next week.

All of my animals are doing really well.  I'm hoping in the spring Cecilia will have a kid.  Oreo certainly is doing his part.

I also plan on making more pumpkin puree this week. I have 3 pumpkins inside I need use. The boys want roasted pumpkin seeds. Plus they are a natural dewormer for the goats.

I was able to visit with my Gramnie yesterday. We went to my cousin's father in laws funeral. It was a nice service.  My heart ached for all of them.  I was also able to see my aunt, uncle and cousins. They had super cute Halloween masks on she purchased from Amazon.

I need to get a few more flower bulbs to plant for spring as well. Not all of my tulips came up this year like last year.

I need to organize what I have to finish sewing for Christmas. I need to schedule and list priorities.  I love homemade gifts!!!

To all those new to my blog welcome. I'm not the most eloquent write but I do love homesteading.

Around the Homestead

So today we cleaned the barns out and put in fresh shavings and straw. (Well the guys did I just watched) 

The cows are almost fully weaned off their milk. They have been eating hay for a month and we are increasing their calf grain as we are decreasing their milk.

The sheep are doing really well. They sleep with the cows. Cecilia is still territorial but they just run away from her. Oreo doesnt mind them whatsoever.

I began cleaning the raised beds. I have the back ones to do now. I am already planning my garden for next year. :)

I had an amazing surprise today though. My potatoes actually grew! I was so shocked. When I checked them earlier this fall I guess I did not go deep enough in the soil. Next year im not going to bother planting potatoes in the potato bags. I'm just going to plant them in rows.

While I was collecting plantain today we had a little bird visit us. It flew on my arm and Wyatt caught it and released it.

We also heard a woodpecker but when I went to take a photograph he flew away.

I'm using a dehydrator I bought at a yard sale a few years ago for the first time. Im drying herbs in it I harvested. I was even able to save some seeds for the first time.

The rest of the herbs that wouldn't fit into the dehydrator I have on newspaper on my kitchen counter.

The only thing I have left to pull and save for next year are the gladiola bulbs!

The chickens and ducks are still laying eggs. We get 9-14 eggs a day. 

Our turkeys go Monday to be processed. It feels pretty amazing to raise our own food.

This past weekend I was able to attend Homesteaders of America conference for the first time as it was virtual. (Www.Homesteadersofamerica.com) I missed a few of the lectures but will be able to watch them this week. I highly recommend becoming a member as there is just a wealth of knowledge for members!

Whether Jacob Sheep

I just realized I don't think I posted photos if our sheep Lamborghini "Lambo" and Lexus. They are extremely friendly and soft. They love to give kisses and the cows are their bff's.

In the spring we will have them sheared and the person who gave them to us is going to teach me how to spin and make my own yarn!! I was even shown how to trim their hooves. I think eventually we will get a couple more.