Kohlrabi-how to harvest, cook & serve

Kohlrabi: low, stout vegetable; slightly sweet taste; can be served alone or used in place of turnips, potatoes or rutabaga.
Days to Harvest: 55-60 days after planting seeds in soil.
Species: Brassica-which means its from the same family as turnips, broccoli, cabbage, collard greens, mustard plant etc.
Back in April we planted several kinds of seeds in our freshly tilled garden plot. Among them was Kohlrabi. We waited and waited to see how well they would do and finally we saw these tiny leaves sprouting up in the row. Such pretty little leaves all in a row.  As time went on I noticed a bulb was forming on top of the ground.  Digging under and around the bulb, I checked if there was a root. Sure was! Covering it back up, I waited some more. Finally, after about 55 days (after sowing the seeds) I pulled the bulb up out of the ground and shook the soil from its root.
All the light green, long stems were soft, but firm and I simply snapped them off, laying them in a pile.
Here’s a recipe I used to serve this delicious vegetable.
Pinto Beans and Kohlrabi

• 2 C dried pinto beans
• 3 kohlrabi
• 4 T real butter
• 6 C water
• S & P to taste

Wash, rinse and clean beans; place in large cooking pot with butter, S & P, water; bring to a rolling boil. Meanwhile, clean kohlrabi and peel as you would a potato (as below). When your bean are about 20 minutes away from being done, add the kohlrabi to the beans; stir gently and cook until semi-soft; NOT mushy. Add additional water if necessary.
Serve with fresh green beans, steamed carrots, fresh potatoes and Johnny-cakes (corn bread sticks)

Cut in half

Cut ends off

Peel as you would a potato

You’ll notice that the outer skin is very woody, although it peels very easily.  Be careful to observe that if the meat of the bulb is woody, it may be too hard to eat. So cut that part off before cooking.

The inside of the bulb is tender and almost has a sweetened flavor. Not enough to really be sweet though.  You can cut into cubes or cut into julienne slices(as in baby carrot sized) and use with your favorite veggie dip, fresh and raw. 

Home made corn bread sticks are the perfect addition to this garden-fresh meal.  High in protein, fiber and potassium.  Low in fat and salt.

Thanks for visiting!
Kimi

{SpRiNgTiMe!!} How to trim chicken's wings

 Every year chickens will molt. Their new feathers are soft, shiny and smooth. In order to keep them protected from predators, it's important to allow the chickens to roam freely in a confined (fenced) area. Hawks, coyotes, and packs of dogs will feast on my sweet, little flock if I don't keep them safe. To keep them inside their fencing, I trim their wings every spring. Below is the process. All you need is a sharp pair of scissors and a helper.

1.  Spread out one wing

 

  2. Cut the longest section of feathers. (these are the ones that help them fly)There are several rows of short feathers then the section of long ones. Cut just below the short feathers and you won't hurt the chicken. Begin snipping slowly.

 3.  Continue clipping the long row, until you have curved all the way along the wing.

 4.  No need to clip the other side. Chickens can not fly when one wing has been trimmed, and when you let her down, you can barely tell it's been clipped. Simply lovely!!

 5. Below are some additional photos of a couple of my chickens having their wings trimmed. It's a very simply and quick process. My flock is down to 10 now, and it only took my daughters, about 25 minutes. (I was taking the pics). The longest part of the process is catching them! 

[FARM LIFE: IT'S NOT AS GLAMOROUS AS YOU'D THINK]

So, when we moved a few months ago, we knew just a little bit of what we were getting into.  I emphasize 'little' here. 
Starting from the ground up, [from scratch] and collecting, assembling, checking supplies AND THEN..finally building, takes alot of time, energy, and money!  Well, those who know us -well- understand what our family has been through over the past 4 years or so. Alot of the people around our glorious country have endured the same thing or nearly the same thing, haven't they! (I say that with all due respect considering the national economic status.)   

About a month ago, a friend asked us if we wanted an old barn that was going to be demolished. 

Of course, our response was "YES!!"

"Well, if you come and tear it down, it's yours,"  He told us.

"Ok," We asked, "When can we come take it down?" 

He said, "The sooner, the better, 'cause it needs to come down!"

Alright, here we go then. A free barn--well, at least we didn't pay for any of the wood, tin, gates or hinges!  We began tearing things down, pulling gates off the walls and the wood off the beams. We stuck our head in and out of the windows, looking at all kinds of stuff in there.  The barn had been there for years: probably more than 60 years. It really was a sturdy old building too. It was full of beams, trim, posts, huge poles and other goodies.  This really amazed me. I mean it really did!  Tons of stuff. I even felt a little sad about our family being the ones who were tearing it down, you know.  It probably could have told so many stories about the days that it had seen.  I guess that may sound strange, but I tend to think that way about things.  It was a neat, 'ole barn.

Here's what we found after we had been working for about 2 1/2 hours!  See this little guy-he was sleeping above the back window and was not about to move.  He would just uncurl himself, stretch a bit, then wrap back up into a ball and doze off again.  

"What are we gonna do?" One of the kids asked.

"Well, we'll just leave him alone while we work. Let's not bother him." I said.

And so we went on working and moving all kinds of stuff out, hammering and pounding on walls, poles and the trusses. All the while, he just slept away. Thankfully!

If you can imagine, this took us only two days to tear down completely.  Yes, they were long 13/14 hour days, but it was down in 2 days.  It had to be cleared and ready by a certain time.  I'm just glad we were physically able to do it.  The first day my husband, the children and just myself worked on it.  We got several trailor loads brought to our new house. There was still alot more.  The first day the kids and I worked on all the gates, hinges, plank wood and posts that we could get onto the trailors we had. We even pulled up lots of briars that had woven around some tomato frames. So we got to have those too.  Hauling it over to our new house was hilarious!  Yes!! Call me 'Sanford 'N Susie'!!  I ain't prow-uld neether! Me 'N the kids driving down the road.  I drove the farm truck with this mammoth load overflowing and pray'n I didn't get pulled over.  In our little town, this is not unusual to see anyway.  So I wasn't too worried. 

This was the breeze way of the barn, along with the planks that we pulled off.  They were more sturdy than you'd think.  Old buildings were built with such care & quality, and this one was made when a 2X4 was actually a 2X4, not a 1 3/4 X 3 3/4. Needless to say, it was a doozy to take apart.  Some of those 16 penny nails were 6 inches long! 

These are two of the gates.  They were actually in great condition. Solid!

We were told we could have any thing we wanted, that was left inside of the barn. 

"WHAT!" We exclaimed.  "ANYTHING?"

"Yes, anything you want to take, you can have it."

There was a pile of wood poles that would be perfect for something I had in mind. 

The next day, just the men worked on the remaining frame and tin.  That was probably much more work than they bargained for.  It was a L-O-N-G day for them.  The kids and I decided that we would pack a lunch and take it out to them. Maybe this would force the guys to take a short break.  We were successful and they rested for a little bit.  Oh, and on the 2nd day our little friend was gone from his spot, even though the walls hadn't been taken down yet.  We think he went up the tree next to the barn(below)

Hauling tin to the trailors. We took 3 additional loads of it to the house.

The final stage took the longest. Mainly because energy was running low, and those beams were heavy.  I'm sure if we wouldn't have had Brother Bob and Brother Clayton helping us that day, it would have taken much longer.  Thanks you guys for all your hard labor! 

So, wondering about what we are going to do with all those supplies? Well, we have already started a new project.  I can't wait to show it.  I'm going to go out right now and snap some pics to post later.

I want to add this thought: I publish this because I want to share our life with you, hoping that in some way, it will be a blessing to you and encourage you.  We are just a family that works hard together, takes time to play together, trying to live a life that is pleasing to God. TOGETHER.

We are so far from perfect and realize that we all need each other to make it..everyday we need each other.  Friends, family and we even need YOU.  You who we don't even know yet, because what you have to share  may help us. 

I count it a blessing, to share our days and read of yours!   

 

Have a great day! Blessings to you~Kimi

A lesson on shoeing a pony

Over the last 1 1/2 weeks we have noticed that our littlest equine creature has been walking slowly and acting a bit more cautious than usual.  We decided to bring him into the little area we have set aside for my chickens and keep him penned up until the farrier could arrive. Yesterday the farrier came and trimmed all the horses and took a look at 'Smokey', our little pony.  Even though the news was not good, it was expected.  We could tell by his symptoms that Smokey had probably foundered.

(Here's his little hoof all trimmed and ready to be sized for the shoe.)

Foundering is a condition that occurs to an animal when their diet is changed or other elements arise, such as a change in pasture, stress with in the herd or even drinking too much water.  "There could be 10 different ways an animal could founder," our veterinarian told us, "And ponies are prone to it."

After a thorough exam of Smokey's hooves, our vet determined that keeping him up was the best.  Placing shoes on Smokey will help to keep the 'frog' and 'coffin' of his hoof off the ground when he walks and also allow for it to heal over the next 8-9 weeks.  Yes, he's going to have to be stabled for at least 8 weeks. Thankfully he will recover, but it is going to be a slow and careful process.

(Here the blacksmith is preparing the shoe for Smokey. It must be a fitted shoe or the pressure could cause more damage to his little hoof.  The blacksmith remarked that Smokey was the easiest one he's ever shod.) 

We have been trying to figure out the cause of his foundering condition. When the new grass begins to grow in the spring, it comes in so quickly that the horses just eat and eat and eat. 

(A black paste is spread onto the underside of the hoof.  It will dry somewhat softer than the consistency of dried out playdo. This gives a 'cushion' for the iron shoe to 'sit' on. It also protects the underside of the hoof from infection.) 

Statistically, most horses will never encounter foundering because of their size in relation to how much they eat, but it is always a possibility.  Riding them regularly also helps them adjust to  the new grass.  Ponies on the other hand are, of course, smaller and their digestive system works differently.  They also eat with out taking a break as often. The new grass coming up in the pasture is probably what caused Smokey's condition. 

(The smaller shoe is fitted exactly to his hoof, then attached with small nail-like drivers that keep the shoe in place for about 4 weeks.)

(There will be 6 little 'nails' tapped into the end of his front hooves.  It lookes like it may hurt, but it's no different than putting a straight pin through the end of your fingernail.) 

(The few final taps and his shoes are set.)

(Now he just needs the nail tips to be trimmed off and then filed down.)

(The farrier and blacksmith took great care with our little guy, continuing to pet and stroke him to keep him calm.  He really did a great job standing.)

Thanks Tanner and Craig for taking such great care of our Smokey and for coming over so quickly. You are definitely #1 in our book! Well, I guess we better get started on that little corral we need to build, so Smokey can at least get out of the chicken run.  Since he's so small, we can keep him in there for a couple of days, until his corral is ready. 

Watch for updates on Smokey as he progresses. And please say a little prayer he heals speedily.

Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend.

Moving?? At Christmas time! DPP-day 7-8-9

YES!! We are moving A-G-A-I-N!!!   Yippee!!

We moved earlier this year into what we thought was going to be our home for the rest of our days, but God has a way of showing us what He really wants for us.  Certain circumstances changed our plans for purchasing the house we're in now and we have purchased the property behind us, along with a cute little mobile home instead.  It is the piece I've always admired and thought was so beautiful.  It overlooks some of the most gorgeous land in the area.   

We wouldn't know what to do if everything was "PREDICTABLE"!!  We have been taking it one day at a time, trusting the Lord every step of the way.  Here's what it looked like this morning.  We went out to check on the surveyors while they were marking the property!!!  I'm so excited!!  If only I could share it all on here...but it would take a while to post. 

We are still having Christmas here in the house where we are now, but we are doing a little packing too.  I've got all my kitchen items that aren't needed right now, put into boxes.  I've gone through all the closets and sorted the clothes that the kids have outgrown. Went through all my homeschool things and gave away or ebay'd what I'm not needing any time soon.  My husband, children and I spent a day last week sorting the huge utility room.  Thank the Lord!!  I'm so so so glad that is done.  Now, I can move and not have to sort and unpack and decorate.  We won't be actually moving until AFTER Christmas day.  Probably before January 1st!!  I hope so!!  I just can't wait to share it all!!  I'm amazed how God is doing this.  A few months ago, I didn't even see anything and I was having a VERY hard time of it.  A very hard time.  I was worried about myself and wondered how I could ever have doubt.  But I did have doubt.  And now I know that trusting God is more that just faith and believing.  It is allowing the actual PATIENCE of God to REMAIN...in me.

I stand here with hands outstretched and asking..."Where next, dear Jesus, where next?" I'll go. 

It's a brisk, cool morning!

Well, last night the cool temperatures came through...the low was about 50 here in our part of the woods and I had to get the warming light for my little chickens so they wouldn't catch a cold.  Here's how the morning looked as I walked out and we began our chores. Horses are grazing, until they hear our voices...

...then they come running...they are such social creatures and enjoy being with 'their people'. 

Then over to my little chickens. They are all waiting to be given their favorite feed. Patiently waiting for me at the their little gate, they squawk and move about happily... 

Now, they're perfectly happy with their favorite food. Even our duck is content.  They're so funny as they peck their way to the feeder. 

It was such a gorgeous morning here on the farm that I had to share it.  The sun is warm, the breeze is cool and the air is so fresh!  

Well, time to get started on school and breakfast, and laundry and all that.  We must be finished in time to go into town and then we have church tonight.  Plus, I have a test to take in science and then one to take tomorrow in history too-since I went back to college my time is even more precious...I need to get at it!~Have a great day~

Baby Blue Jays

Well, you know how kids can be. They find the littlest thing and want to keep it. Earlier in the week, they came running into the house saying, "Mommy! Mommy! We have found 2 baby birds!! You've got to come and see them." So out the door I went and look what was sitting there looking up at us. These baby blue jays.

Surrounding our patio are some gorgeous trees that are taller than our roof. They provide shade and house several nests. These little creatures fell out of their nest and I guess they couldn't have fallen into better hands. Of course, I am completely bias...Hee, hee!!

We thought we'd just leave them under a tree and let the momma come and help them...she was squawking' up a storm. Flying around us, scared for her babies.

But that didn't work. They thought it would be best if the little creatures were back in their nest. So, the kids put them in a bucket and tied a rope around the bucket's handle. The boys leaned a ladder up to the tree and climbed straight up...with the other end of the rope tied to their belt loop. Ok, picture this: 1 girl, 2 boys, 2 baby birds, a bucket and a rope, a tree and a ladder & 1 empty nest. After getting to the top where the nest was (about 35-40 FEET in the air), they untied the end at their belt loop, hung it over a limb and filed it down to Micaylah and I, who were standing on the ground.

Micaylah, then pulls her end of the rope and up goes the bucket with the little birds in it...slowly and carefully. Austin was about half the way up to help guide it and then it made its way all the way up to Garrett. They are little team players and they worked together to get the birds back into their nest. Here the little birds are. Back into their cozy nest, with their momma flying around above them.They look pretty happy!!