Storing nuts...


 Like any good squirrel who stores up a supply of nuts for winter, we've been trying to stock pile all the amazing, fresh produce so we can enjoy it all winter long.  Our most recent project was freezing sweet corn.  I know it might be easier (and probably cheaper) to pick up a few cans in the grocery aisle throughout the winter, but it sure does taste good when you pack it yourself!   

My only additive is a little butter to melt during the cooking process.

I discovered the use of my grill for cooking sweet corn last year while we were under construction.  I was without a kitchen for several months during the summer and experimented with all kinds of things on the grill.  It keeps the heat out of the house and the mess is minimal.  I just wrap about 4 ears at a time in foil and cook on the grill for about 20 minutes.  I flip the package halfway thru the cooking.

Right off the grill.  They look, smell and taste amazing!!

The absolute most important step is to have a professional label all of your packages!

Who wouldn't smile everytime you pull out a package of corn all winter?  I might just keep it for sentimental purposes!



The finished product!  This will taste amazing this winter when it's 20 below outside! 

 
The best past is having a fresh, wholesome food supply for your family all winter.  No preservatives added here!  I like knowing where my food comes from and who was involved in the process!

And when you are done, you get to feed all the shucks and cobs to the cows.  They LOVE this part and nothing goes to waste!!  They come running when they see the buckets on the four wheeler!

Chicken Sale...

As promised, here is a little peak at our first official "chicken sale"!  It's actually tagged an exotic animal sale but it's about 80% birds, 15% farm animals, and 5% other stuff.  It was overwhelming to see all the different types of birds:  chickens, geese, ducks, guinneas, peacocks, pheasants, turkeys... you name it, they had it.  I never knew there were so many different breeds of chickens!  

Every type of bird and cage you can imagine!! Nate's checking it all out!

Chinchillas!  I had never seen one of these before!



Nate pitched in with the sale ring crew and helped move crates into the sale line!

 

Ally is picking out the rabbits she wants to bid on!



Llamas... they were really sweet and din't even spit on us!



They also had all sorts of farm animals like pot belly pigs, goats, llamas, donkeys, horses and the essentials like horse tack, cages, feed pans, grain bins, etc...  It was a one stop shop!  We met up with a couple of other local families and had our own "cheering section" in the stands.  Our group "won" plenty of stuff and we all resembled the Beverly Hillbillies as we pulled out of the parking lot!

Donkeys!  I LOVE donkeys but we didn't bring one home :(



Our friends bought their girls a new horse!  What a fun surprise for them!!

These are the two bunnies that came to live on the farm with us... Meet Checkers and Socks!



Our new Guinnea!  We love them and all the noise they make!

We also came home with 13 chickens so I am excited to soon have some farm fresh eggs.  Next time you come visit, you might just get scrambled eggs for lunch!!

Inspire Me

·         "Make the most of today. Translate your good intentions into actual deeds. Know that you can do what ought to be done. Improve your plans. Keep a definite goal of achievement constantly in view. Realize that work well and worthily done makes life truly worth living." ~Grenville Kleiser  

           I just love this quote!  My life seems to be filled with good intentions.  My goal is to turn some of them into actual deeds.  I'll let you know how it goes!  Happy Tuesday!!