A Walk Around the Homestead

Five days ago, the kids were out playing in the snow.  Today, it is 73 degrees.  Watching the 10 day forecast, I knew it was going to be a great day to be outside catching up on garden stuff, so I got all of my errands run yesterday so I could stay home and soak up the sun.  It's been awhile since I did a "Walk" post, which I like to do every now and then so I can have some record of things.  An online garden-journal if you will.

The crocuses and daffodils are popping through.  I suspected last year they were late varieties and this year confirms it... neighbors have daffodils that have blossomed now, and there's even another neighbor whose daffodils have already gone by!

The forsythia I planted last spring is budding.  I am looking forward to her cheery yellow blooms, although they will arrive earlier here than they did growing up in New England, when they were a birthday present from mother nature.

I had lost all hope for the rhubarb I planted last year, but I was VERY excited to see this little guy.  I couldn't pick any last year, because you're not supposed to harvest (lightly) until the second year.  I would love it if I could get just enough for some strawberry rhubarb jam.  I've been told it doesn't grow well here, though, so we'll see.

The Saturn Peach tree I planted last year.  Peaches produce on new growth, and take a few years, so I'm not sure if we'll get any this year, or not. Regardless, it will need to be lightly pruned in the near future.

The beautiful weather was perfect for turning the compost pile.  It was up to 120 degrees and really cooking until the snow came.  I was surprised at how much it had decomposed since I'd last turned it a few weeks ago.  There's not much left to go, and there were lots of worms, so I am looking forward to adding it into the garden.

This cilantro self-seeded and didn't seem to be affected at all by the snow.

The Lemon Balm clings to life.  I have a feeling in a few weeks it's going to start to really take off.

The Chives and the Garlic Chives are beginning to grow, despite the weed remnants from last summer.

This is celery that I grew last spring from the bottom of a store-bought bunch.  It's the greenest thing here.  Because it's a member of the carrot family, the Black Swallowtails loved it.  So, it stays for the butterflies in spite of the fact that it's not growing nice stalks for eating.

The bird house Stephen designed and built with the girls.  I enjoy watching the birds while I do dishes.  We have a beautiful red-winged blackbird and a pair of cardinals... and lots and lots of brown-headed cowbirds and mourning doves.

According to weather.com, we have now bottomed out when it comes to average temps.  February can be a brutal month, but it's also when things start to come alive here in Hampton Roads.  Last year, it was such a mild winter, I'd already planted peas and radishes by now.  I'm going to wait a few more weeks this time around!

The Haul

Yesterday afternoon was the larder swap.  We had 25 people show up, which was less than the last swap... BUT... it was fine.  It was less chaotic.  I got to chat it up with more people. 

At the last minute, I decided to make a batch of homemade peanut butter.  It's a good thing... it was my most popular item!  Here are the pictures I snapped of most of the goodies.  There were some late-comers and I never got a chance to photograph their stuff.

 Pecans, hand made soap, and eggs from my friend Kylene at Roses Ridge Farm

Hot mustard, Southwestern Spiced Turnip Relish and Apple Conserve from Courtney.  I am so glad I tried the turnip relish.  It was amazing...

 Lipbalm, Amish White Bread, Soup, and Room Spray also from Courtney.

 Banana Bread, Vanilla Orange Marmelade, Chocolate Sauce, and other goodies from Peg.

 Vanilla Bing Cherries and brick-oven bread from Jackie. 

 Apples and Pepper Relish from Paula.  The relish is like crack.  Seriously.  So good.

 Lisa's Banana Split in a Jar.  Good Stuff!!!

 Robin's Spiced Grape Butter (shockingly good), Pear preserves, Apple Jelly, and Pepper Jelly

 Donna Rae's Pear Cranberry Pie Filling.  It's going to make an amazing crisp!

Nancy brought so many goodies... Hot cocoa mix, ginger bread butter, Spiced Honey Butter (YUM!), Caramel Sauce, and more...

 Bread and Butter Pickles, Beets, and I forget what the last one was.  These are from Nancy's Mom.

 More of Nancy's things.

 Pecan's from Judi's tree, and Bay leaves, too.

 Seasoning Mixes.  I forgot who had these!

 Balms and Tinctures from Sandy

 Chatting it up before the chaos!

 When all was said and done, the tables were all full!

 My haul!  Lots of goodies to try.

This is my stuff on the table.  The kids decided they want to make their own stuff to for the next one.  They weren't alone.  So, at the next swap in June the kids will have their own swap on the other side of the room.  We're calling it the "Future Homesteaders Larder Swap."

Larder Swap Preparations

Sunday is the long-anticipated Larder Swap with my Homesteading group.  It's a ton of fun, but it's also a bit of work.  Deciding what to bring to swap is the hard part.  Some people make items specifically for the swap, but I prefer to bring items that are already in my stash. 

This time, I've decided upon Strawberry Peach Jam, Carrot Cake Jam, Creamsicle Jelly, and Chocolate Raspberry Sauce.  I'm also going to grind some Einkorn, which is an ancient wheat, and also bring a batch of Elderberry Syrup made with local honey.  My goal is to gather a decent mix of items that are also somewhat unique... everyone and their brother in this group makes their own laundry detergent, so that's an example of an item I wouldn't bother bringing.  Some people will bake bread, or bring eggs from their chickens, or homemade soap.  Anything goes, as long as it's homemade/home-grown/home-raised and edible or some sort of bath/body product.

Once I decide what to bring, it's time to label it, identify it, make it all pretty.

We will also bring a copy of the recipe.  This is a new requirement, but I think it's going to be helpful for those with dietary restrictions.  It will also help those of us who want to make sure that canned goods are processed according to current recommendations.

For each type of item we bring, there is a corresponding Swap Sheet.  This is where people will 'bid' on our items.  The first part of the Swap involves time to try samples, and bid on what we like.  The second half of the swap is the most chaotic... when we actually wheel and deal and find the people whose stuff we want and also want our own stuff!  The first time we did this, we had 40 people and it was hectic.  This swap will probably be around 30, which I think is actually a better number.

I can't wait to see what I come home with!

Blessed Bee!

It's been in the 60s for several days this year.  Unfortunately, they've either been rainy or I've had plans... so we couldn't get into the bees.  Finally, today, the stars aligned and we finally got to have a peek for the first time since... well, I forget.  November?  At that time, we weren't sure they had enough honey stored for winter, so we've been feeding them off and on with heavy sugar syrup.

The hives are 1/4 mile down the road at my neighbors house, so I don't get to see them out and about on those nice days.  So when I arrived this afternoon and saw them flying around and in and out of the hive, I was thrilled.  They were all loaded up with pollen!

Normally, there's not such a back-up at the entrance, but during the winter we reduced the size to make the hive easier for the bees to defend.

We were absolutely thrilled to see that we had eggs.  Although we didn't see them, it confirms that both queens are alive and well.  If you click on the picture above, you'll be able to see the tiny eggs in each of the cells.

This picture doesn't do it justice, but I just gasped when we pulled this frame out.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  What you're looking at is all different kinds of pollen, which will be used to feed the brood.  I encourage you to click on this picture and get a better view.

I came home absolutely thrilled... like a mother who got to see her kids after a long separation, relieved to see that they were doing well.

Right about now, I am feeling incredibly grateful and blessed that we got into our hives and found them thriving.  Tonight at our monthly Beekeeper's Guild Meeting, members were abuzz about the number of hives lost.  Many beekeepers have lost multiply hives so far this winter.  The bees just disappeared, leaving behind frames full of honey.  One lost 4 out of 10 of his hives.

Someday it will be us.  Beekeeping is like farming, and some years are better than others.  There will be mites and beetles and Nosema Virus, and probably CCD (Colony Collapse Disorder).  It is impossible to avoid.  But I am grateful that so far, our girls are okay.  They've got plenty of food-stores to get them through the rest of the winter, even if it gets colder (or, should I say, ESPECIALLY if it gets colder.  They actually eat more in warmer weather because they are out flying and not huddling in the hive.)  And we have eggs!  That makes it a heck of a lot easier for them to raise a new queen if something were to happen.  Fingers crossed for the rest of the winter... February can be brutal.

Homesteading Goals for 2013

I don't like resolutions.  Mostly, because I'm not good at keeping them.

I am much better at goals, so here goes:

1.  Chickens!  One of the reasons I was so bad about updating the blog this fall was that I was busy helping the group "4 Chesapeake Hens" to legalize chickens.  It involved lots of research, calling planning commission members and City Council members, and attending some meetings.  In the end, we got exactly what we wanted... up to 6 hens and NO 6' privacy fence requirement, which is what Planning proposed, along with only 4 hens.  I have ordered the plans for the tractor that I want to keep them in, and Stephen is heading to Home Depot tomorrow to buy what he needs to begin building.  We are very excited about this new endeavor!

2.  Food Preservation:  I'd like to rely less on the freezer, which will mean more canning and dehydrating.  Thanks to last years records, I feel like I have a better idea of what the family will need/use so I won't be flying by the seat of my pants.  I am in the middle of my 2013 Can Plan, and once that's in place, I'll be in good shape.

3.  The Garden:  There will be changes in 2013.  No broccoli or cabbage, for one thing.  The Cabbage Moths here are awful, and I know that I can buy them from a local farmer for $1/head.  It's not worth taking up space in the garden for that.  There will be more carrots and lettuce.  More medicinal herbs.  More Calendula.  No tomatoes (again, I know I can buy them cheap and they take up so much room!)

4.  Meal Planning:  With two FULL freezers, I need to be better about planning meals and using what we have on hand.  Also, it's less stressful in the afternoon when I know what's for dinner.  My grocery shopping has changed dramatically over the past year, and it's so nice to know that I don't have to make huge weekly stock-up trips.  Instead, I need to make a quick trip in for olive oil, or butter, or toilet paper.  We have chicken and beef in the freezer, fruits and veggies either canned or frozen, and I get our eggs and our milk in glass bottles from a local farmer.  I try to make our bread with fresh ground flour... and I've gotta tell you, I don't miss the supermarkets.

5.  Learn something new.  In 2012, I attempted knitting (which is not for me), crocheting (much easier!) making mozzarella, grinding my own flour, pressure canning meat, and, of course, beekeeping.  In 2013, it's going to be all about chicken keeping!  I'd also like to do more with homemade cheeses.  I've signed up for a queen-rearing class and hopefully we'll be harvesting our own honey.

I think those are enough goals for now.  I'm sure they'll change over the course of the year, but for now, it's a good place to start.

Happy New Year, my friends!

The Great Can Plan of 2013

I have a bunch of kiwi in the fridge, freshly picked from a local orchard in Knotts Island.  That can mean only one thing... my 'break' from canning is over.  I've done a few things here and there since the last of the apple butter and mincemeat in October... mostly chicken as I've found the antibiotic-free stuff on clearance (and no freezer space to store it), but I gave a TON of canned goodness away as Christmas gifts, so my shelves are not as full as they used to be.

However, kiwi jam is the family favorite, so it's time to get going again.  And one of the things that I wanted to get done before starting up is my 2013 Can Plan.  I first made a plan last year, which I knew would be my largest canning endeavor ever (thanks to an amazing location with lots of local fruits and veggies).  It really helped me focus, and helped me to not be overwhelmed, when I was drowning in strawberries and cukes and everything else.

Basically, a Can Plan is a road map... for jams and jellies and pickles, I make a list of recipes I want to make in the upcoming season, organized by fruit/veggie.  When I have free time, I will photocopy those recipes and organize them in sheet protectors in a large 3-ring notebook.  I will sort them by season.  (For example, kiwis first, then strawberries, then peaches, etc. according to the order they ripen here in Hampton Roads).  For corn and greenbeans and other veggies that get canned straight-up, I will simply list how many pints/quarts I need to put up of each, and I will also estimate how many pounds of produce it will take to do so.  Last year, I kept a running list of the recipes I'd made and how many jars they made.  I also attempted to list how much produce I bought.  This will help in my 2013 estimations.  (For example, since we're about out of dehydrated peaches, I know that I need to buy more than I did last year.  Since we still have plenty of salsa, I probably won't need to make as much as I did in 2012.)

 This is a photo of the running list I kept.  It was taped to the inside of my cabinet door, so every time I canned something, I listed how much of it resulted.

This is a page out of my 2012 Canning Binder.  As you can see, I made notes about how many quarts it actually made, and also that it tasted amazing...  very helpful when determining which recipes to keep for 2013 and which to forgo.

And this is what the beginning of the new Can Plan looks like.  First, I looked through all my books for Kiwi recipes... then I went through and looked for cranberry recipes (since I have a ton in the fridge right now!).  I will do the same thing for all of the fruits I can get locally... so that when they are in season, I know exactly what recipes to make and also exactly what ingredients I'll need to have on hand to make them!  It also helps to make sure you have enough jars!  Of course, not pictured, is my Canning Board from Pinterest which also holds valuable information!  I'll print out those recipes I want to try and include them in my binder.

If you click on this photo, you can see my notes so far.  Like I said earlier, I'll photocopy each of these recipes and put them in my binder, and I will be all set for the great produce deluge of 2013.  It does take time, but it's so worth it in the end!

2012 in Review

This information will be coming in handy as I plan for next year (more on that later.)  I've marked with asterisks our favorites, which will be first priority in 2013.

January

Kiwi Jam: 5 jelly jars  ***
Kiwi Preserves: 3 jelly jars
Cider-Cranberry Jelly: 7 jelly jars
Kiwi Daiquiri Jam: 5 jelly jars 

March

Pear Ginger Jam: 5 jelly jars
Cinnamon Pear Jam: 8 jelly jars 
Wild Violet Jelly: 4 jelly jars

April

Strawberry Kiwi Jam: 6 jelly jars  ***
Strawberry Vanilla Jam: 4 jelly jars ***
Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate: 7-12oz jars
Strawberry Rhubarb Jam: 8 jelly jars ***
Black Beans: 7 quarts

May

Strawberry Jalapeno Jam: 9 jelly jars
Strawberry Lemon Marmalade: 8 jelly jars
Strawberry Anise Hyssop Jam: 6.5 jelly jars ***
Strawberry Orange Jam: 8 jelly jars

June

Strawberry Anise Hyssop: 3 jelly jars
Peach Jalapeno: 4 jelly jars
Pineapple Coconut Jalapeno: 5 jelly jars  ***
Caramel Apple Jam: 6 jelly jars  ***

July

Cherry Lemon Verbena Jam: 4.5 jelly jars

Peaches: 4 quarts

Sweet Pickle Relish: 6 pts  ***

Cherry Peach Vanilla Jam: 3.5 jelly jars  ***

Peach Strawberry Cinnamon Jam: 5 jelly jars  ***

Blueberry Cinnamon: 4 jelly jars

Cherry Marmalade: 4 jelly jars

Corn: 3 pints

Corn Cob Jelly: 6 jelly jars

Peaches: 7 quarts

Cherry Vanilla Cardamom Jam: 4.5 jelly jars

Corn Cob Jelly: 6 jelly jars

Peach Jelly: 9 jelly jars

Spiced Blackberry Jam  ***

August

9 pts salsa  ***

7 pts bbq sauce

7 pts rotel  ***

3 jelly jars spiced grape jam

7 jj Peach Coconut Rum Sauce  ***

5 jj Ginger Peach Jam

13 jj Strawberry Peach Jam

6 jj Peach Jelly

6 jj caramel apple jam  ***

5 jj fig jam

9 jj mango jam

13pints hot salsa

14 qts grape juice  ***

5 jj strawberry watermelon jam

4 pts beef stock

15 pts pear sauce

9 pts B&B pickles  ***

7 qts Mrs. Wages Dill pickles  ***

6 qts Apple Pie Filling   ***

9 pts apple sauce

5 jj cantaloupe vanilla jam

5 jj peach salsa

7 pts rotel

6 qts Peach Pie Filling ***

September

4 jj concord grape jelly

5 qts mincemeat

17 qts applesauce

4 jj apple butter

5 jj watermelon jelly

7 pts wm marachino jelly

October

5 jj Carrot Cake Jam

5 pts Rum Raisin Pear Butter

5 jj Carrot Cake Jam w/o coconut

9 pts spiced apples

7 qts apple pie filling

lots of T.O.E. jam (Tangerine, Orange, Elderberry)

6 jj apple butter

5 qts mincemeat

9 jj whiskey raisin apple butter

December

32 pints chicken