"You Bought What? ..."

... "What about that mare you just bought?"

 

This past weekend Mr.B and the littles went to an auction with the intent of looking for tack - specifically a smaller saddle for the kids.  Not only did he find a saddle, but also picked up an Old Grey Man.  Apparently, Mr.B decided he needed a very mature older horse for the littles' riding lessons.  I was subsequently informed that he would train the mare for heeling and may breed her next spring.

 

Songbird has already adopted the Old Grey Man as hers.  I warned her not to get too attached to him because Mr.B plans to trade him off once they (the kids) learn to ride well.   Songbird wants to barrel race and team rope and the Old Grey Man is simply too old for those sports.

For the past decade Grandpa has been saying, "That man needs another horse."  It seems Grandpa was right.  Although Mr.B enjoys hunting and fishing,  he finds nothing more enjoyable and rewarding than working with horses.

Why did this man who had enjoyed horses for 40+ years lived without one for the past 12 years?  The simple answer is that life challenges occurred prompting Mr.B to set his most enjoyed activity aside for the benefit of his family.  That's what makes him such a good man ... he puts his family before his own desires and wants.

 

In John 15:13, Jesus says, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  Although Jesus was referring to his upcoming crucifixion, this small verse has been my inspiration to be a steady and committed mother and wife for 30 years.  Life is full of challenges, disappointments and, often times, unfulfilled dreams.  However, on the occasions I've found myself bemoaning the things I haven't accomplished or haven't even had an opportunity to try because of my family's needs or desires, this verse reminds me that when I chose to become a mother and a wife, I was choosing to put others' needs before my own wants.  If I'm not selfless enough to do that, then I'm not selfless enough to be a mother and a wife.  A good father was a "must have" on my list for a potential husband.  In my little corner of the world Mr.B, like me, chooses to lay his life aside for his family's needs.   That's one of many characteristics that puts him in the "good father " category ...

 

... Oh No!  I'm starting to have warm, fuzzy feelings about Mr.B, I have to stop writing now.  I've got too much that I need to get done today.  I don't have time to sit around feeling all warm and fuzzy ...

Harvest Time ... The Last Big Push Before Winter's Rest

Despite unusually cool summer weather and an early frost and snow, which caused me to loose my melons and bring all the green tomatoes into the basement for ripening, our harvest has been better than expected.

 

 

After processing for storage, this huge pile of onions turned into ...

 

 ... 60 cups green onion tops for the freezer and 143 pounds for basement storage.

 

 

Cartloads of corn became ...

 

 

 

... 43 quarts canned corn & 28 quarts frozen corn.

 

 

 

And let's not forget the herbs.  Transplanting them from the garden into containers will provide added flavor to our meals throughout our long winter.

 

I'm taking a short break from canning and food preservation, but will push on to the beets, potatoes and carrots this coming weekend.  Since they are root veggies and hidden inside the warm earth, they will patiently wait a few more days.

Musician's Dream Girl

Farmer Boy isn't the only guy in the B family who has found his dream girl ...

 

 

Friday, September 12, 2014

... During a private ceremony in North Carolina, Musician and his Bride were joined in holy matrimony.  The entire B family happily welcomes another daughter into our clan.

A Very Pretty Lady

As if he didn't have enough to distract him from his homeschool studies, Farmer Boy has finally met his dream girl.  Enough said ...

 



Farmer Boy and Chex, Blondie, Yella ... I wish he'd decide on a name ...

 

2014 County Fair

For kids who grow up in rural America, the local county fair is the most exciting and important event of the year.  Although Songbird and Farmer Boy reduced the number of events they participated in this year, they were still filled with eager anticipation for the 4-H & open class dog competitions and 4-H market lamb judging.

 

 

 Farmer Boy and his youngest hound, Zippy, participated in open class dog obedience.  Zippy is only a year old and Farmer Boy was so proud of how well she did for her young age.

Songbird, again, showed our farm dog, Sam.  As always, Sam was a champion.  Sam is the only boarder collie we've ever had and I must tell you she will not be the last.  Sam has convinced me that boarder collies are the BEST dogs in the world.

Songbird was a second year market lamb participant.  Although she earned a blue ribbon last year, she was on the bottom of the blue ribbon awards at number seven.  This year, she also earned a blue ribbon, BUT moved up the number four spot.  She is very proud of her progression towards the winner's circle.

She also earned Reserve Champion in market lamb showmanship AND round-robin showmanship.

Our family enjoys participating in and supporting the 4-H program.  4-H is not only teaching our children responsibility for their animals and projects, but it is also teaching them personal accountability, business management skills, time management, attention to detail, goal setting, public speaking skills, importance of community, loyalty to family and too many others to list.  Most of the money 4-H kids earn with market animal projects will be used for college, our kids are no exception. 4-H also has tremendous college scholarship opportunities.  There are oodles of young folks who would have never had the financial means for a college education if it weren't for participation in the 4-H program. If you ever find yourself looking for a worth while cause to support with your time, talents or finances, please consider contacting your local extension agent about 4-H.

Frugal Feasting Friday

I know I've posted quite a few recipes lately, but I just had to share one more with you.  This really isn't as much a recipe as it is an extremely inexpensive meal idea ... like $0.51 per person meal idea.

 

 

BBQ Sammy served with a side of Vegetable Soup

How can I serve my family soup & a hot sandwich for only $.51 per person?  Here's the breakdown ...

Homemade Vegetable Soup  FREE
(LEFTOVER veggies & home canned chicken stock, costs were calculated into the 1st  meals)

BBQ Sammy:
   1 pkg. sliced hot dog wieners  $0.98 (sale price)

  mixed with:
   1/3 c. homemade bbq sauce   $0.34

   heated through and served on:
   6 hotdog buns   $1.50

   garnished with:
   store bought onion & pickle slices   $0.25 (homegrown onions & homemade pickle slices   $0.11)

6 Servings

TOTAL:  $3.07  OR  $0.51 per person ($0.49 pp if homegrown onions & homemade pickles are used)

You Know You Are In Montana When ...

 

 

 

... it is September 10th and it's snowing outside ...

Whiskey Glazed Jalapeno Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dove

Dove season opened last week.  Mr.B and Farmer Boy have been shooting all they can ... and bringing home all they can find - hee! hee! ... dove hunters will get that one. 

Last Thursday, besides creating the Charmin's Delights cookie, I cooked up a mess of dove served with stewed tomatoes & zucchini and southern green beans.  Sitting down to eat an entire meal that had been homegrown and wild harvested brought a sense of satisfaction that city folks can't even imagine.  Modern grocers are a wonderful convenience that I am truly grateful for.  But, knowing that my family can thrive and flourish without them is a tremendous comfort.

 

After you get the men folk to clean and breast out the dove, try cooking them up like this:

 

 

Whiskey Glazed Jalapeno Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dove

Whiskey Glazed Jalapeno Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dove
4 servings

Whiskey Glaze

1/2 c. sour mash whiskey
1/2 c. apple cider OR apple juice
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 tsp. cider vinegar

Mix all ingredients in a small sauce pan.  Bring to boil over med-high heat and reduce by 1/2 stirring occasionally.

The Dove

16 de-boned dove breasts
4 jalapenos, seeded & deveined, quartered into strips
8 slices of bacon, halved

1.  On a 1/2 piece of bacon stack 1/2 of a dove breast, followed by a 1/4 slice of jalapeno, topped with the other 1/2 of a dove breast.  Bring up and wrap bacon around the stack and secure with a toothpick.  Repeat until you have a total of 16 bundles.

2.  Line a baking sheet with foil and top with a wire rack.  Place dove bundles onto the wire rack and brush with glaze.  Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes, brushing with glaze every 8-10 minutes, until dove meat is cooked through and bacon is crispy.  Remove from oven and brush with additional warm glaze before serving.

If you are not fond of the dark dove meat, substitute quail breasts.

Note:  Always cook wild game until there is "no pink".