My reading list for this week:

Rain

Normally in GA our issue is drought. This year the rain just will not stop. I never thought in a million years I would complain about too much rain but it is awful. Everything is wet, muddy and trying to accomplish anything outside has become a struggle. The wet and unusually cold temperatures have left us having to come up with new ways to house our outside animals.

Boxes to put behind the existing rabbit cages were built:

Sliding behind the existing boxes was not easy!

Side view which shows how we connected, then the wire in the back of the cage was cut to allow then access to the boxes:

they love their new boxes:

 

The dog kennel turned chicken coop has a cover on it but holy mud!

 

Winter, Free Chicken Coop and hoop houses full of greens

Winter is here and nearly everything in the yard is dormant:

Newly planted fruit trees speckle the front yard:

 

 

 

 

The hoop house is literally overflowing with greens, we will be eating them and letting the rabbits enjoy some too :-)

 

 

 

 

A free chicken coop that is in need of a very small repair is ready for chicks in the spring:

 

 

 

 

Pallets stacked for a new garden project:

 

 

 

 

Another hoop house ready to plant, water collection container ready to be attached to gutters:

 

 

 

 

Two raised beds, resting:

 

 

 

Quality Apple Cider Vinegar on the Cheap

I was faced with a dilemma when I made apple butter and was left with a bucket of peels and cores. Normally I throw them to the chickens and go on my way but I was determined to find another use for them so I went to the internet and found instructions on making apple cider vinegar. Good apple cider vinegar with the mother is expensive so this started my experiment.

I put the peels and cores in the bucket and covered them with distilled water. I added a cup of sugar and a splash of raw apple cider vinegar. Then I covered with cheese cloth and forgot about it. Hoping it was doing its thing but not really knowing what to look for.

Finally after several weeks I uncovered, strained and bottled it. It was gorgeous. Smelled great and was essentially free since it is made with scraps.

 

My second bottle I traded for some pasture raised beef bones to make stock with so not only is it beneficial to make my own but it has barter value as well :-)

Loss

 Mike Sander

May 17, 1945 - December 15, 2013

Mike and Mona have been friends for several years but became surrogate family while they watched Rhys so that we could work/attend college. They loved Rhys and there was no question that he was in the best possible hands all the time. He loved his Papa with all his heart and loved to play with blocks with him. Building high high was a favorite past time. In early fall we found out that Papa had terminal liver/esophageal cancer. I am forever grateful that he got to meet Pystol and see Rhys turn 4. He will be very missed.

A peak inside our hoop house:
Planting day:

 Two short weeks later:

Four weeks after planting:

 

Fall/Winter gardening in the Southeast is definitely easier and more enjoyable. Less heat, less bugs and more rain all make for much more suitable growing conditions. We added a second hoop house but have yet to plant anything under it, soon!

A few people have asked how I make bone broth. It is delicious and so healthy everyone should be doing it. I get grass fed beef bones from a local farmer, these were bought from the same farm we get our raw milk but I have recently bartered some home made apple cider vinegar for some from a friends farm. I thawed the bones in the refrigerator overnight.

then I lay them out on a roasting pan and sprinkle them with pepper

They get roasted in the oven on 350 for about 20-30 minutes. Until they are browned.

While they are roasting I rough cut celery, carrots and onion to add to the stock

Then everything gets added to the pot with filtered water and a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.

I cook it on low for two days, then strain the liquid out and freeze the broth. I then add more water and make a second batch. Once it is done veggies and bones go to the dog :-)