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Good morning and welcome to 2025 at the farm. Kathleen helped us a lot with the website and I am hoping we can finally do this. I thought that it would be best to update at the end of the week but now realize it is probably best to begin the update at the beginning of the week so that I can ensure I have lots of photos to share. I am not a good picture taker…I always forget. And so, instead of writing a “story” and then trying to add pics, I will try taking pics and add the words.
We haven’t yet introduced the cats-2 indoor rescues (Callie and Lily) and 2 feral “barn” cats (Greylie and Goblin-who refuse rights to their photos) as well as a winter visitor (Wiggles). We also need to add pics of our Chickens. They are amazing and give the very best eggs. We now have 10-9 hens and a rooster. They do not have names. They are not pets. We didn’t raise any of them ourselves and I am glad. Despite Casper and Gunny’s best efforts, if the chickens won’t stay in the pasture they cannot protect them from predators.
You might wonder, how cold is it for outside animals in Northern Maine…well, Paul is a total softie. The donkeys and chickens both have infrared heaters in their homes. The chickens’ is set a bit higher than the donkeys-we want to ensure they keep their warm fur coats. The outdoor cats have access to the workshop and Paul runs a pellet stove to ensure the temp doesn’t go below 55.
What else is going on in our world this week? I am finishing up rendering my pasture raised lard-words I never thought I would use. We bought half of a pasture raised red meat (google it-it is a thing) pig. The rendered lard is actually supposed to be healthy and I do add it to my venison. My neighbor has used it in pie crusts and gives it a thumbs up. Funny but after I began using it, I saw an episode of Lessons in Chemistry on Apple TV where she talks about the benefits of lard vs vegetable oil. As you can see, my beautiful rendered lard is as white as our Maine snow and not at all like bacon grease. I also use it to make flock blocks for my chickens. Do you know what cracklins are? I didn’t either and if you told me, I would have said “Yuck”. They are the remnants of the rendering and so tasty. I give a bit to the dogs but feed the rest to the chickens. Chickens are huge meat eaters!
I did make a new baby quilt and will get it sent out. I always try to send out 3 burb cloths as well. I have a lovely flannel quilt on the long arm that I will finish this week. It is for a friend in PA. I’ve started an embroidery heavy quilt as well. Trying to keep all my machines busy.
On another note…we had an amazing holiday. KT, Michael and his parents visited us. For the first time since we moved here, we actually decorated for Christmas. We only have one kid and to know that she has such a great husband and great in-laws is so comforting.
