Deer meat and musings

Pat (right) and the neighbor (and kiddo) with their deer

 

Well, for the week-long hunting season, Patrick got a deer.  Problem is:  we don't have much room in the freezer!  So we are making Jerky and Smoked Sausage out of it.  The neighbor got three--but he went out more times than Pat.  It's okay....less work for me! :-)

 

Not much has been going on, I've been lazy at getting "inside" stuff done since it's been so nice outside!  I did find my chickens (rather, chicken--only 1 is laying right now!) likes to lay her eggs in the stockpiled straw in the stanchion area.  Two are moulting and look horrible!  I lost my older hen a few weeks ago, so now am down to 5 hens and Mr. Rooster.  Once egg production ramps up I'll see who is/isn't laying well and cull the slackers. 

 I'd like to entice the banty-cross to set, but not this time of year!  Plus I'm sure she'll be a troll once the chicks would hatch.  Her mama was, and her mama was friendly to people--this one isn't so much!  (Her mama is the one that would fly up onto our shoulder and  go for a 'ride'.  She used to sit on Dolly's back to keep warm.)  Ahhh the antics of critters! HA

 

I sold one of the steers, and am getting another milk cow.  I can't wait to meet her and get her home!  Her name is Daisy (a very popular cow name!) and is used to kids, etc.  I need another "Dolly-type" cow, and I'm pretty sure Daisy will fit the bill.  She is to calve in March, and she's still in milk--so I will have milk for a bit before I have to dry her off.  No biggie--I'm uber-excited to have milk again!

 

The weather has been decent--spoiling me.  Forecasts say an Arctic blast is coming next week.  Ugh.  I'm not ready for it--and it's hard on the animals when temperatures yo-yo high, low, high low.  Plus colder weather makes more work for me with watering, draining hoses etc.  I shouldn't be complaining, I know it could be alot worse, and much colder and snowier already! ;-)

 

I am hoping to get a letter from Kyle any day now....we'll know his mailing addy and get 'news' of when to come get him.  His girlfriend is probably more anxious than me to find out! ;-)  I just hope he's doing okay.....no news is good news I say!

 

Chandra sent me a photo of Jared working on making a kitchen table for them.  We haven't heard much from them.....and the kitty they got from here is awful ornery.  (Good training for future kids!) HA