tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13854804964716304542024-03-05T01:39:50.962-05:00The Old White FarmhousePsalm 143:8
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.comBlogger494125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-52047921353884880152016-01-10T23:15:00.000-05:002016-01-10T23:18:36.840-05:00Turkey Butchering for Thanksgiving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This year we had a turkey butchering frolic on the Monday before Thanksgiving.</div>
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We had a wonderful time with the family and friends who came to help us.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The winners of life's lotteries- the ones selected for breeding stock.</td></tr>
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We hatched all but the senior tom ourselves this spring. They did really well. They free-range all over our property grazing and catching bugs. The bourbon reds are a heritage breed. They are Thomas's project.</div>
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The broad breasted turkeys are always out grazing, except for the morning of butchering. It is less stressful for them to stay contained rather than chasing them around and trying to catch them. That has happened a few times. The young boys seem to like when that happens, but it's not the best for the birds, so we try and avoid chasing.</div>
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It seems the initial killing station is the place everyone wants to gather. I prefer the garage, unless I am taking pictures.</div>
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The dead birds are hauled over to the plucking station. </div>
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The plucking station is often a hold up as you have to maintain the water temperature to scald the birds before you put them in the plucker. We use a version of the "Whiz-bang" plucker that Paul built. It works well for both chickens and turkeys.</div>
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We take the feet off the turkeys before they go into the plucker, as they can get caught in the bottom ring and can result in broken legs.</div>
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Victoria gave a demonstration on how to properly eviscerate a turkey to all the first-time helpers and those who felt they needed a review. Turkeys are a little different than chickens. They do require more strength to complete, but there is more room to work on the inside.</div>
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Since the temperature outside was chilly, we used heaters in the garage. Marbles came into warm himself up as well. Cats love a warm spot. Marbles is now 21 years old. He still is an active mouser. Not bad for an old guy!</div>
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We have a very skilled QC area (Quality Control). The birds are given a very careful going over to make sure every feather and inside has been removed. I love it when people come back to us and say that they heave never bought a cleaner bird.</div>
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Sanitation is a big part of the process as well. Cutting boards and knives are given a thorough cleaning between every turkey. We use hydrogen peroxide in spray bottles and our Norwax cloths in hot soapy water. </div>
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The finished birds are weighed and given a good chilling in ice water.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mikayla- Thomas's former debate partner</td></tr>
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You never know who will show up at a butchering frolic....</div>
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We spend a lot of time preparing for the butchering day. A big part of our preparation is food for all the helpers. We made big pans of enchilladas, butternut squash soup, and several varieties of fruit cobblers. Feeding your help well, makes for happy workers.</div>
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Little ones are taken care of by an older sister. She keeps the children occupied with the legos and other toys we still have around. She also helps with getting the food heated up for lunch.</div>
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The butchering was accomplished quickly and our friends even helped with raking the yard. That was a really big help to us.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy kids</td></tr>
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After dinner the now chilled turkeys are bagged and the ones to be cut up are cut up.</div>
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All the weights were recorded with their numbers on a BIG piece of cardboard so that we can select the right sized bird fo each customer.</div>
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A big thank-you to the yard crew!</div>
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As everything was finished being bagged, the clean-up began and our butchering day was over. It was another successful workday. We did 30 broad breasted turkeys and 9 of the Bourbon reds. We have only 3 remaining in the freezer. 1 of the broad breasted and 2 bourbon reds. </div>
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We have loved having the turkey in the freezer. We enjoy the turkey stock we make from the carcasses, the baked turkey thighs, the stewed turkey legs and the roasted breasts. So much goodness. Turkeys are so yummy for more than just Thanksgiving!</div>
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~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-59291163472710798492016-01-09T00:52:00.001-05:002016-01-09T00:52:23.418-05:00The Mighty Hunter <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our family has done some deer hunting in the past, but we have not had much success with hunting since moving to the farm. We feed our dog on deer carcasses most of the winter, so we are always on the lookout for free dog food. Many of our friends who hunt, know this and send us their remains after taking the meat they want off of them.</div>
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Anyways....</div>
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The three boys, Elizabeth and I went south to a friend's going away party. As we were driving home at 6:30 at night, we went around the north end of the swamp. There is a wooded hill that comes down to the road. As we went past the hill, a large deer bounded out in front of us and we struck it squarely as it crossed. I hit the brakes, but it was too late. The buck's head swung around and hit the side of the car and slid off to the opposite side of the road where he died instantly.</div>
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We stopped at once to make sure that our vehicle was OK. We rarely see police in this area, but within two minutes we had a state patrol pull up behind us. She asked if we were OK, we were, and then went to make sure the deer was dead, it was. We asked if we could take the deer with us. Roadkill is free for the taking with a tag in Ohio. She wrote us up a deer tag for a FIFTEEN point buck.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqF0KwBYesrmlQST740oAEmokbDPb8i9QftV8V45ez_Aa6810yNihaPE_ooQxV3rh8f7e4bpBMiBF0JIYQAD1AeYeRXYX6rIF5_FiEswGusPd0ivcbjr3-lDPf8cRUsvJkRtea8hKGtU/s1600/IMG_1115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqF0KwBYesrmlQST740oAEmokbDPb8i9QftV8V45ez_Aa6810yNihaPE_ooQxV3rh8f7e4bpBMiBF0JIYQAD1AeYeRXYX6rIF5_FiEswGusPd0ivcbjr3-lDPf8cRUsvJkRtea8hKGtU/s320/IMG_1115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The boys dragged it across the road and hefted him into the back of the van. He was really heavy and it took a lot of heaving to get him there. We had used the mini-van to take our goat to visit her boyfriend in this car, so the back was ready for animal hauling.</div>
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We hauled the deer home and gutted it... after taking a number of photos.</div>
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We left the deer to age in a tree for a few days.</div>
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Then Paul and I went to work to butcher it. Paul helped me get the skin off. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBJs6nRcQ7YU9E3a3yO8rcrnWeEPVHpbC3WvgSQyxDkfzj7NsHk9QVm94Q86GoQ_xlNoQAvC0SFQUc7rPXQyEI2FrUSMQK7QaOff4X-zwuREhJC98LBE95-ah6nmsRs6A8yHPMWpPySY/s1600/IMG_0875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBJs6nRcQ7YU9E3a3yO8rcrnWeEPVHpbC3WvgSQyxDkfzj7NsHk9QVm94Q86GoQ_xlNoQAvC0SFQUc7rPXQyEI2FrUSMQK7QaOff4X-zwuREhJC98LBE95-ah6nmsRs6A8yHPMWpPySY/s320/IMG_0875.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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He used the "golf ball, rope, and car trick to get the skin off. You take a golf ball and tie a rope around the ball covered with the hide. Then you attach the other end of the rope to a car and gradually reverse the car.</div>
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Assuming that one has cut the fur loose along the limbs properly, the hide just peels right off as the car backs up, very slick! You do have to be careful to not stand opposite the deer during this process, because when the hide comes off the deer rockets forward as it rapidly releases.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCll2eFfuTrNHBUxF4jRfI-79hTHaXAdg3Ilf5Pcde8dB4-2rbp-c1uXej4hUUpJkuPXXpQpYUDsyIfYPQFzeSOIHfQzNF685Vc-ZOaBodsLsk4ryz7s_a5ctCVfZuuWtzJtu7R45JWds/s1600/IMG_0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCll2eFfuTrNHBUxF4jRfI-79hTHaXAdg3Ilf5Pcde8dB4-2rbp-c1uXej4hUUpJkuPXXpQpYUDsyIfYPQFzeSOIHfQzNF685Vc-ZOaBodsLsk4ryz7s_a5ctCVfZuuWtzJtu7R45JWds/s320/IMG_0914.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I did the rest of the butchering of the deer and processed all the meat. The buck was most likely about 7-8years old and weighed about 250#. The meat has been tender and tasty. We could only use one side of the deer, because the other side was so bruised by the car. For those who wondered, the car is fine. We had to replace a headlight and the plastic grill is slightly cracked up, but that was the extent of the damage. The mini-van is really not worse for the encounter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri_1_bRkwqPj3DikrrAt_KREa2AwGutXhg8P3ZKB8gefd5H_RireroPmChw6_MzJWM_N8WLe9EKcsIu2pGulgltHawgszqsyEm1WtEyHIRRltffygIA90pNHWBxh-xf5NwTtjWU7256o/s1600/IMG_1126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri_1_bRkwqPj3DikrrAt_KREa2AwGutXhg8P3ZKB8gefd5H_RireroPmChw6_MzJWM_N8WLe9EKcsIu2pGulgltHawgszqsyEm1WtEyHIRRltffygIA90pNHWBxh-xf5NwTtjWU7256o/s320/IMG_1126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the rack of the deer. The antler is broken off on one side. It came off when it struck the car. It had 15 points and 1 dropped tine. Obviously, it is atypical. It scored a little over 130.</div>
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I have decided that I will not ever have to go deer hunting! I already have my trophy buck!!!</div>
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( My nephew is going to mount the antlers for me. I will post a picture when it is completed.)</div>
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~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-52631836373702880692015-12-31T17:49:00.003-05:002015-12-31T17:49:17.370-05:00Life With a Goat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7a0dYGhRcj3IrV2QzRdxOAtGmeDcKczQjeCutMxVGuwV_2OG_ygxxCOHR1eb9uM50rGb96SX6kVBgmsFI8b_-hCwnHOm5Xg0AMypeXACJZ77D982YZOVneo_hi4dLHzFtgVfiQLQLA8/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7a0dYGhRcj3IrV2QzRdxOAtGmeDcKczQjeCutMxVGuwV_2OG_ygxxCOHR1eb9uM50rGb96SX6kVBgmsFI8b_-hCwnHOm5Xg0AMypeXACJZ77D982YZOVneo_hi4dLHzFtgVfiQLQLA8/s320/IMG_0202.JPG" width="320" /></a>Maple, our French alpine goat arrived on the farm this fall. A friend had to get rid of her because she kept wanting to confront school busses on their road. Michelle, has always had the nickname 'goat girl' because of her love and attachment for goats. She always dreamed about having her own goats and kids. We found out she was available Saturday afternoon, and by Sunday evening she was on the way to the farm.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyExFYzNhN35z3w4UXrUw3dqvMiU-pFVVeoEWm_1y-sEdFYLvM7pCsyOuf27O2Ato5pN5FC8nxjLlIUOZtemX2X96cM9jEZWWjRUgZjQ3thXqOhtH35bsaXK4mBgkpAMXxmf5cwl0mGw/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyExFYzNhN35z3w4UXrUw3dqvMiU-pFVVeoEWm_1y-sEdFYLvM7pCsyOuf27O2Ato5pN5FC8nxjLlIUOZtemX2X96cM9jEZWWjRUgZjQ3thXqOhtH35bsaXK4mBgkpAMXxmf5cwl0mGw/s320/IMG_0194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Maple is a wonderful milker. She is easy to milk and gives lots of milk! Michelle was already a pro at milking. She was used to being milked only once a day and gave 3 quarts a day. Very impressive! She is very sweet tempered and affectionate.</div>
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She is very pretty. She has to earn her keep her on the farm. She helps keep the grass trimmed, gives milk, and even serves as a backdrop in photos....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2OXGUF5jph_LVCZ5yGhUBLIL-RADMiKdv6_iNNH0gdYrgFs3M7iZwO-wJOEwOIgUKW7be2tO95b91isy5yEL9GLSvPzthnJS3d0yALk8FicLKqiTLBTVUYUB6_YVD-XDbrjQeL7cvyg/s1600/IMG_0468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2OXGUF5jph_LVCZ5yGhUBLIL-RADMiKdv6_iNNH0gdYrgFs3M7iZwO-wJOEwOIgUKW7be2tO95b91isy5yEL9GLSvPzthnJS3d0yALk8FicLKqiTLBTVUYUB6_YVD-XDbrjQeL7cvyg/s320/IMG_0468.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Michelle did a photo shoot for my cousin's engagement pictures this fall. Had to have at least a couple with the goat. Maple had to sneak a peek as to what was going on. (Actually, Goats do that funny movement with their head to move their food from one stomach to the next, our esteemed photographer just happened to get a very well timed cute photo.)</div>
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Our goat does have her moods. One day she didn't want to be milked and so she knelt down in her milk stand. We had to persuade her to get back up and behave. Fortunately, this has only happened once. She only would hurt herself if she didn't get milked!</div>
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We are happy to have Maple on the farm!</div>
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~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-38990152513158621262015-12-21T01:27:00.001-05:002015-12-21T01:27:29.166-05:00Moving Into Autumn - Catch-up Posts Continue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This year was our 27th Wedding Anniversary! On our 25th anniversary we bought the farm. Life has sure changed since then. This year we attained 27 years of marriage and our anniversary is on the 27th. We are still hanging together. It is amazing how God has worked in our lives and how He has changed us through the years.</div>
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This year we celebrated our Anniversary by going to a Bed and Breakfast, but we had our dinner at home. The children prepared it for us. What was truly special, was that almost all the food came from the farm. The roast chicken was one of our broilers, the potatoes we grew ourselves, and the veggies also came from the garden. The salad of sliced tomatoes and herbs came from the garden. The carrot cake was amazing. Michelle makes the best carrot cake I have ever eaten. It is gluten free, and sooo good. We didn't have enough carrots so Michelle found some golden beets in the garden and used those. We would never have known if she hadn't told us. Interesting....</div>
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Elizabeth has always loved horses and this fall she has had the chance to take riding lessons with a friend of the family. Liz was Michelle's debate partner several years ago. She is also a horse lover. Liz competes in riding competitions. She and Elizabeth have become really good buddies. </div>
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Liz won Austin, the horse, in an essay competition on why the previous owner should give the horse to her. Austin is a thoroughbred, who wasn't quite fast enough to win on the race track. He has converted nicely to a riding horse.</div>
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Elizabeth has gotten to ride almost every week this fall. She has made real progress in her riding. Liz also spends time teaching Elizabeth how to train a horse. She has her working him on a lunge line and has also taught her how to groom and take care of a horse. Her lessons always end up being over two hours long. She loves it. She would like to someday learn to jump horses competitively. We will see.</div>
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The camp we go to in the summer, somehow got a picture of our family and used it on their brochure. That was kind of cool!</div>
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In September, Maple arrived. Michelle has always been the 'goat girl' and she really loves goats. Now she has a goat here on the farm! A friend of ours had to get rid of her because she kept going in the road and not letting the school busses past. That is a problem in town. She has been great for us. She learned quickly to respect the electric fence. Smart gal! She is a wonderful milker and gives us lots of milk (over half a gallon) every day, and we only have to milk her once a day. That is peachy!!!</div>
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Life on the farm is wonderful. There is lots of work but there is so much peace and beauty. I think I appreciate the peace and quiet more because of all the things to do outside.</div>
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~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-40448758475643105362015-12-06T21:45:00.002-05:002015-12-06T21:45:32.669-05:00Summer Activities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This year we planted a large variety of potatoes. There were yellow, purple and pink ones. We definitely harvested more this year than last. I don't think it was a great harvest, but we did get about 5x more pounds than we planted. That's progress! With a bit more care and learning we could make planting potatoes worthwhile. We deep fried them in our own lard and they were delicious!</div>
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We had some very yummy meals out of the garden this year! We love beets and try and eat them at least once a week year round.</div>
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Elizabeth and I had a mother daughter date and went to the Irish festival. We wanted to see the Willis Clan, the Gothard Sisters and some others. The festival was free to those 12 and under. The guy at the gate gave us a really hard time when I tried to get Elizabeth in. He thought she was older and really scowled at us when I insisted that not only was she under 13, she was only TEN! Oh well!</div>
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We had a great time together and the music was wonderful!!!</div>
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The children worked very hard to get a new rope swing up. First, they tried climbing the tree and trying to throw the rope over the branch. That was a little dicey and made Mom nervous, so they came up with Plan B. They attached a small string to a softball and then threw it over the branch. Then they tied a bigger rope to the little string and then they were in business. The swing is in the middle of the yard surrounded by driveway and it gets lots of action. You gotta have a rope swing if you live on a farm.</div>
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This summer we made our annual pilgrimage to Greenwood Hills Bible Conference. It is the sixth year in a row that we have gone. It is always a wonderful time of Bible teaching, fellowship and fun.<br />
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This year they had a Slip 'n slide down a hill one afternoon. It was amazing how many people tried it. This sweet lady is in her 80's and she went down it about 10+ times. I was amazed at how well she walked up the hill afterwards. She didn't run and jump down she would sit up at the top and ask for a push. Her dear husband kept saying, " Bea, remember that you are not so young and you will be sore tomorrow and I will have to help you. Can this be the last time?" The other older men in the area watched with admiration at the spry wife he had. It was pretty entertaining.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"> Bea was a missionary in French Guiana for many years and raised a large family. She was a girls' counsellor at camp until she was about 82. She is truly an amazing woman and I want to be like her when I grow up.</span></div>
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JoAn and T-Bob went down many times. T-Bob got a pink belly from reaching the end of the slip 'n slide and sliding onto the grass. Silly boy!</div>
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Here is T-Bob and Michelle belly flopping down the hill. Everyone had a great time!</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">We love our time at Greenwood Hills!</span></div>
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~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-58627931930853709252015-12-03T22:40:00.000-05:002015-12-03T22:40:03.662-05:00Chicks and Cousins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth and Charlotte carrying out the chicks to the brooder house</td></tr>
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In July, it was time for the Thanksgiving Turkeys to arrive. It takes about 18 weeks to get them to the size we want for the holiday. This July, we also ordered 35 pullets (Chicks that will grow up to be laying hens). The rest of our laying flock will be 18 months by spring and their laying starts to slow down at that time. It was time to get some little ones going. We pick up our chicks from Meyer's Hatchery. I always have had good results when I start off with their chicks. I ordered 30 turkey poults and we harvested 30 turkeys at Thanksgiving. The 35 chicks still have 32 or 33 left.</div>
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The downy chicks are so sweet. You can see that this one still has it's egg tooth. That's the little bump on the end of the beak. The pullets are now 19 weeks old and we are still waiting for them to lay their first egg. It can be any time now.</div>
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Charlotte enjoyed playing with the chicks. This is the epitome of fluffiness.</div>
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We start them off in the brooder house. We shrink the area with hay bales so that we can keep them warm and regulate the heat easier. We were also trying to keep the turkeys separate from the pullets, as they eat different feed and the wrong feed can harm them. The separation idea was a good idea but it only worked a little because the birds figured out how to get back and forth pretty quickly. I did observe that they did seem to eat mostly at their own feeders before going visiting. They all survived so I guess it worked out.</div>
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We really enjoy visitors on the farm. It forces us to slow down and enjoy where we live. We enjoyed having campfires and roasting marshmallows. The kids fished and ran around in the dark.<br />
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This is my nephew Joe. He has the most adorable smile and deep dimples.</div>
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He is a very busy young man!</div>
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He does enjoy some quiet time with books now that he is growing up.</div>
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He also makes some funny faces when you try and take a real picture of his family.</div>
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We love having the Herlings visit!</div>
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~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-76532623994626428862015-12-02T23:38:00.002-05:002015-12-02T23:38:46.850-05:00Happy 50th Sis, and other Farm Activities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Continuing Blog catch up posts...</div>
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My dear sister has a birthday in October. This year was the BIG 5-0! We wanted to help her celebrate so we had a surprise party for her. It was very successful as she wasn't expecting a party 4 months early! Her family went mini-golfing and then she decided that she just had to stop at Walmart to get some pillows for her couch back in the Philippines.</div>
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We patiently waited back at my parents house and got everything set up and the food ready. Then we waited some more. </div>
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The guests had all arrived and were ready. The cars had all been hidden, and we had a good time of fellowship while we waited.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mir and Katrinka</td></tr>
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Finally, the guest of honor arrived!</div>
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The meal could begin! It was very yummy. We had most of it catered from our favorite Italian place. This restaurant is more than happy to accommodate gluten free diets.</div>
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We finished up the party with gifts and cards. It was a lovely evening!</div>
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Meanwhile, back at the farm.... It was turkey butchering time. We decided to do a batch of turkeys that were ready in July. A lot of people like turkey for smoking or barbecuing. We have also come to enjoy having our turkey cut into pieces and used together. It is hard to beat a nice turkey breast (or two) roasted in the oven for a sunday dinner. We love to have turkey legs stewed up in the crockpot. There are just so many ways to cook turkey besides a whole roasted turkey for Thanksgiving.<br />
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This was another T-Bob and Elizabeth livestock raising project. Pastured turkeys need to be moved on to fresh grass most every day. That is an endeavor that requires faithfulness. I am always amazed at how much grass the turkeys eat as they graze. You can always tell right where the edges of the fence were set up. This year we charged $3.75 a pound for the broad breasted turkeys. Someone thought that was expensive. I explained to them that these were healthy birds raised outside on fresh grass and non-GMO feed. Their fence and pen gets moved regularly and they get fed and watered several times a day. Yes, if you compare the price to grocery store birds, it is more money, but if you raised them yourself, you would think it was an absolute bargain!!! </div>
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(Incidentally, After all our Thanksgiving sales, we still have 3 broad breasted and 2 bourbon red turkeys in our freezer. Let us know if you are looking for a lovely turkey for Christmas.)</div>
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Every evening that I am home, I stop and watch the sunset. It is a thing of beauty and reminds me of God's creativity and faithfulness!</div>
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~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-44835466613043934022015-12-02T00:03:00.001-05:002015-12-02T00:03:26.359-05:00Summer Time With the Cousins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My sister and her family live in the Philippines and so we don't see them very often. They were home this summer for a visit. We really enjoyed our time with them and spent as much as possible of it together. They left to go back in July, so they miss many of the holidays.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DH contemplates life</td></tr>
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One thing we did was to try and have dinner together with their family every Thursday they were in town. One week we had to celebrate Thanksgiving in July. </div>
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Of course, Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without Mom and Dad here. We even served up one of our own bourbon red turkeys, they always make a meal extra special! We pulled out the Thanksgiving plates and put on the full meal, including gluten free stuffing made from cornbread and our own sausage as well as homemade cranberry sauce. It was so yummy!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two Besties- T-Bob and Katrinka</td></tr>
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We even pulled out the apple cider that we had in the freezer from last fall. It brought tears to my sister's eyes. Apparently, real apple cider is something that she had been really missing, and she was totally surprised that we had some stored away.</div>
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We made many special memories!</div>
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We also worked together on VBS (Vacation Bible School). My sister's family was there to help out. Josh rocked the headband look.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-Bob and Aunt Mir working together in the craft tent</td></tr>
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We needed all the help we could get as there was about 130 children there every day. This was by far the largest VBS that our church has had in many years. Probably only 30 of the kids go to our church. </div>
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It was real opportunity to reach out to the community.</div>
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The Besties always seemed to end up together. They really enjoyed helping JoAn with the Pre-Primary class.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh takes a shot</td></tr>
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A lot of days the cousins came back to the farm to hang out after VBS. The boys spent a lot of time working on their basketball skills. </div>
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The girls usually ended up in the pond swimming. Some days the weather was pretty cool (about 70) but that didn't stop them. They still got their pond time.</div>
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Summertime on the farm is always a lot of fun, especially with cousins to hang out with!</div>
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~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-15917475087302732712015-12-01T00:44:00.001-05:002015-12-01T00:44:04.948-05:00Summer of Family and Food!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is our big tom in our bourbon red flock. He is a sweetie and he loves to hang out where ever the crowd is. He came to most of the family picnics at the farm to see what was up. Turkeys are intensely curious.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-Bob working the grill</td></tr>
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This was one of the family birthday celebration dinners in June. Half our children have a birthday within eight days in June.</div>
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We enjoyed Lamb and beef kebabs and rice and washed it down with Izzy's. It was a pleasant evening on the farm.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuvQq6LqD-H3ToI5bBwpLXuj7GTus-3sIBAxi46Cfilhvfckv0155rkf5XZ3Iokuk2G3EBEtVf26AniSEievoLXeMqO6vYUC06ibMSqtGxXLYdSmb94aJISXh-xJt64SmIR391W8m8w4/s1600/IMG_9028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLuvQq6LqD-H3ToI5bBwpLXuj7GTus-3sIBAxi46Cfilhvfckv0155rkf5XZ3Iokuk2G3EBEtVf26AniSEievoLXeMqO6vYUC06ibMSqtGxXLYdSmb94aJISXh-xJt64SmIR391W8m8w4/s320/IMG_9028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June picture party, with ALL the grandchildren.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
With my sister's family in town from the Philippines, we worked at getting together as often as we could. We held our traditional June picture party at Mom and Dad's. For the first time in many years all the family was together. People came from Boston, Texas, New York and the Philippines. We took our traditional line the kids up in front of the house for a picture by age shot. It's no longer a stair step look. It is very cool as we have this same set up taken in June for at least the last fourteen years.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHJdrwZVpBVRIJNr_-Jck4x8k_wB37TtwpfDOlTDRZ0HfruN3fbDwKOjDmfefB_uRSR9uQH_xJWXxj8LjLyD5437u4N-vGiF1b63mjibAoToghP_6l2saeojNhqt-R_h64ENcM3VVt8w/s1600/IMG_9035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHJdrwZVpBVRIJNr_-Jck4x8k_wB37TtwpfDOlTDRZ0HfruN3fbDwKOjDmfefB_uRSR9uQH_xJWXxj8LjLyD5437u4N-vGiF1b63mjibAoToghP_6l2saeojNhqt-R_h64ENcM3VVt8w/s320/IMG_9035.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tessa and Elliott</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The Great's were here. They are truly adorable kiddos.</div>
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Here is the original family of four children.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUzNS9vFpihAx2kjBZsNeAbm44DMQjQgcC0kqSKx6xpcebF2uxzpvYpDpCzuygB1t8U-67ZkaANu1DRF82MgZbKchHTAudsU4gU7fHCPeulJ6hEmcHQ4fY4H8rlELLZuIB93XUnnaLVs/s1600/IMG_9077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUzNS9vFpihAx2kjBZsNeAbm44DMQjQgcC0kqSKx6xpcebF2uxzpvYpDpCzuygB1t8U-67ZkaANu1DRF82MgZbKchHTAudsU4gU7fHCPeulJ6hEmcHQ4fY4H8rlELLZuIB93XUnnaLVs/s320/IMG_9077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Every set up is documented by multiple photographers. It is like the attack of the papparazzi.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtySEaZdSqr23hkE6chevJ2dlexIzdT4JKfJBL56DbAHuUW_UNgIbrqqTIjpYrLzseEx2gN8NEKM_9OE5M3w9Qqb_pch8q9HFblknKccJFJRaJsr_1TV5HPY7P_MX2_dkSCBZ0o3wFHU/s1600/IMG_9094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtySEaZdSqr23hkE6chevJ2dlexIzdT4JKfJBL56DbAHuUW_UNgIbrqqTIjpYrLzseEx2gN8NEKM_9OE5M3w9Qqb_pch8q9HFblknKccJFJRaJsr_1TV5HPY7P_MX2_dkSCBZ0o3wFHU/s320/IMG_9094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is my sister's family with the grandchildren and significant others.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_QtaWr-S86XupJ0pRC-RI8U6mbSrAQ1vLMPOcw_Ywncg0kSt8j3fTMLS_q40S6jbVJCo2DN-pNoT1Y4Zx0sKQcYZDkMH1lvR9QQ1lgvKcFddyR85lRXWgi_5Ua5_tR5AYXHRQ9gcSj4/s1600/IMG_9099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO_QtaWr-S86XupJ0pRC-RI8U6mbSrAQ1vLMPOcw_Ywncg0kSt8j3fTMLS_q40S6jbVJCo2DN-pNoT1Y4Zx0sKQcYZDkMH1lvR9QQ1lgvKcFddyR85lRXWgi_5Ua5_tR5AYXHRQ9gcSj4/s320/IMG_9099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a picture of the Mango family. They are all growing up so fast.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzq5AS1wxvDkil19873w4lb5Djq9nfzHldrHJuoYVVePS5zpkL2sVWuozXVfoEmgGBWHFIhCCuqLSovs20ydNeXBjBgw3LHVoWUjEwq61zdaRADCSUWbJOYTQYVMlDnUzlYr3M3u4ZNjc/s1600/IMG_9104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzq5AS1wxvDkil19873w4lb5Djq9nfzHldrHJuoYVVePS5zpkL2sVWuozXVfoEmgGBWHFIhCCuqLSovs20ydNeXBjBgw3LHVoWUjEwq61zdaRADCSUWbJOYTQYVMlDnUzlYr3M3u4ZNjc/s320/IMG_9104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
The brothers, Josh and Dan play with Tessa, a much loved niece.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez77XZ3StM-vkxI_mtq4O3VWfpLvPWI5njjeDMBnUoYKzptI8vSgiZouCmBoViO2bxCtl7nQWCFGDhzLhfsm8u90iEujmXCK4O-b2wWUBAo5clM-LQChfFwcuikV5C2mncp6iAxQfh80/s1600/IMG_9127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez77XZ3StM-vkxI_mtq4O3VWfpLvPWI5njjeDMBnUoYKzptI8vSgiZouCmBoViO2bxCtl7nQWCFGDhzLhfsm8u90iEujmXCK4O-b2wWUBAo5clM-LQChfFwcuikV5C2mncp6iAxQfh80/s320/IMG_9127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirsten and Mir</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4p6LcVH7g8LK-WUGLlw1xdHyZKjQhe-NXfWG7ScldzeOBlqydkbY76o042bJ7uLAHLRTY0jFkPJaTFbtTqu5euHhkZ3UM66Qsb2-H-_TLUa9LkIPn4uRGD2x8uT8MSNYPg0XH1ZB8LoU/s1600/IMG_9134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4p6LcVH7g8LK-WUGLlw1xdHyZKjQhe-NXfWG7ScldzeOBlqydkbY76o042bJ7uLAHLRTY0jFkPJaTFbtTqu5euHhkZ3UM66Qsb2-H-_TLUa9LkIPn4uRGD2x8uT8MSNYPg0XH1ZB8LoU/s320/IMG_9134.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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The Car says that all is right in his world.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1rItTbk4vN2N4n7HGHtZ8XzsDIuh08mpRYexCfp-QDIlvN3e-xxm_KvfHzukvwuOk24Wl7xFpnIRU3HfMWpI45dKk2G2gcuB5cu0ide_rUQ1c_AYzH-7FJp-xu9IJN6uH6Q6A8opjKM/s1600/IMG_9142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1rItTbk4vN2N4n7HGHtZ8XzsDIuh08mpRYexCfp-QDIlvN3e-xxm_KvfHzukvwuOk24Wl7xFpnIRU3HfMWpI45dKk2G2gcuB5cu0ide_rUQ1c_AYzH-7FJp-xu9IJN6uH6Q6A8opjKM/s320/IMG_9142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One thing our family does well is fix food! We eat really well at our get togethers. No one goes hungry and everybody can find things to eat, no matter what their dietary restrictions. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDQwxIhpTARmhI2OWs-3Hz6GN1mdAWZMWHAa0albgG4U96lavzQ7JSKHZkWetXS8K5JNTe1Gd-4BTlyzn9e0LM9dHoLz4SObFkeRJVrtJSINyyRl8C6oMHlei43JPoQT7oY96tJcmuIc/s1600/IMG_9146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDQwxIhpTARmhI2OWs-3Hz6GN1mdAWZMWHAa0albgG4U96lavzQ7JSKHZkWetXS8K5JNTe1Gd-4BTlyzn9e0LM9dHoLz4SObFkeRJVrtJSINyyRl8C6oMHlei43JPoQT7oY96tJcmuIc/s320/IMG_9146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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JoAn and Paul were getting ready to go on their mission trip to Mexico later that summer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJaYsDRlbv0qG-_cdKZVpRXLD4KPxLUQN1W3DYrz5NbTgxXH95QeiXKan_sFXVihduyq7k5llnKktdHGnuhmSa-pZjAqKRWYFi7-MLiDDO-qLVHq98M5sYEkF8a3H4CbsblzwkCyKNHI/s1600/IMG_9151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJaYsDRlbv0qG-_cdKZVpRXLD4KPxLUQN1W3DYrz5NbTgxXH95QeiXKan_sFXVihduyq7k5llnKktdHGnuhmSa-pZjAqKRWYFi7-MLiDDO-qLVHq98M5sYEkF8a3H4CbsblzwkCyKNHI/s320/IMG_9151.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kirsten and Daniel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wBbj8KmF1sdkdxIeezOkWQkQyJwF6fgfXX87jEdcESs7kKW37Kkqf5hau4_ivseKpWSv-ZFXfdo28vqBajPxUZ2T0K2SUw2XD5h4QoBcCjxG68-xOzELphjvl8JbroR6OtK4DUORCT4/s1600/IMG_9160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_wBbj8KmF1sdkdxIeezOkWQkQyJwF6fgfXX87jEdcESs7kKW37Kkqf5hau4_ivseKpWSv-ZFXfdo28vqBajPxUZ2T0K2SUw2XD5h4QoBcCjxG68-xOzELphjvl8JbroR6OtK4DUORCT4/s320/IMG_9160.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh and Tessa</td></tr>
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We had to have another special family dinner that week as T-Bob turned 15! He has passed me up in height now, which means that he is over 5' 9".</div>
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The end of June, found us with some new arrivals on the farm, five piglets.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaDWYMDPIPSix3cia_qw1WYJABVMAXLyfW1ngbn4sTa7fxdt-isVoOOsE5JZT60f46xmGdcYE3-e8GJWpuz4BYQ8hazbCbBcI6nR2fhN0T8a2Q-kvLbjlS2d88NjAmT7CVOWWcceXs7s/s1600/IMG_9188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzaDWYMDPIPSix3cia_qw1WYJABVMAXLyfW1ngbn4sTa7fxdt-isVoOOsE5JZT60f46xmGdcYE3-e8GJWpuz4BYQ8hazbCbBcI6nR2fhN0T8a2Q-kvLbjlS2d88NjAmT7CVOWWcceXs7s/s320/IMG_9188.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">They started off much smaller than last year's piggies, but they have been much healthier and have grown like crazy. No vet bills for them this year.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Thus, June,</span><span style="text-align: left;"> a very busy month, was finished.</span></div>
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~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-59991685460975468842015-11-29T23:37:00.001-05:002015-11-29T23:37:15.120-05:00Yes, I'm Still Alive, Just Been Very, Very Busy!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIFrvdI2acuPhNJA77O0rkEcdSNWDFKltQOLXQcsFFIjL4VMjdvi4fQAZY4imSbxhJ42N-WZPuFX7qS2pZe7bo76bm14LEbiWk_gv8ey7eeB9yevE_9qlxSary-p84j_mB9Zf_U6apzM/s1600/IMG_8927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIFrvdI2acuPhNJA77O0rkEcdSNWDFKltQOLXQcsFFIjL4VMjdvi4fQAZY4imSbxhJ42N-WZPuFX7qS2pZe7bo76bm14LEbiWk_gv8ey7eeB9yevE_9qlxSary-p84j_mB9Zf_U6apzM/s320/IMG_8927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a brief, somewhat, recap of what has been going on in our life. I took this sabbatical from the blog because of the high activity rate in our family. June was a very rainy month here in Ohio.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fabmIM2UfhET5w58Kb0H2Gc9_bDHnKz5WTiOwsYLRUS_AQKyBJJxxkHxcnnbNJHMKBc-Mbm6dalRUKg6frD0DcYcV46xX6ycT87ykgP4hAkuxW2MPh8GhUzZPyM07WRgw8Cd7O2KPt4/s1600/IMG_8912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fabmIM2UfhET5w58Kb0H2Gc9_bDHnKz5WTiOwsYLRUS_AQKyBJJxxkHxcnnbNJHMKBc-Mbm6dalRUKg6frD0DcYcV46xX6ycT87ykgP4hAkuxW2MPh8GhUzZPyM07WRgw8Cd7O2KPt4/s320/IMG_8912.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Thomas got some new clothes as he was selected for Buckeyes Boys State. This is a nice opportunity for High School Juniors to get the chance to experience and set up a State and Local governments. It was held at BGSU. It was a week long program.</div>
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Ohio has the largest Boys State program in the country. Just getting all the young men checked in is a huge job. Over 1200 guys were there. Thomas says that if you want the real inside story on how to succeed at Boys State, contact him.</div>
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Thomas held the Statewide position of head of the office of Budget Management. He got to sign all the checks for the money that was spent by the state.</div>
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Thomas returned on Michelle's birthday. We celebrated by having lunch with just my DH, Michelle and myself. We got food from Aladdins.</div>
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Elizabeth kept coming by to make sure we were going to finish everything and to see if we needed anything else.</div>
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Michelle, The 'birthday girl'. It was a windy day.</div>
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June 21st was also Father's Day. We had a nice celebration at the farm. Most of the family was able to come.</div>
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The younger cousins enjoyed playing with Marbles the cat.</div>
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The older ones played games on the porch and just hanging out.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N9ss15qNsopJVghCpknpykQgNsOmwZj-mQCDHflLMEdDQOhr7ajh7YbuOSSXVM3yqEfDkt16lAm-xWUUpympgUheFXuPsgaQYNVIV_tnYf-XccTto4QSFCkTDbE37H1T2qc1V6l-fZ8/s1600/IMG_8988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N9ss15qNsopJVghCpknpykQgNsOmwZj-mQCDHflLMEdDQOhr7ajh7YbuOSSXVM3yqEfDkt16lAm-xWUUpympgUheFXuPsgaQYNVIV_tnYf-XccTto4QSFCkTDbE37H1T2qc1V6l-fZ8/s320/IMG_8988.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Dear Dad</td></tr>
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Our Sunday evening get together just featured snacks and appetizers.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Heidi</td></tr>
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It was nice to have the Eichentower cousins here for a visit from the Philippines.</div>
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With my M-I-L living here in Ohio, it is really special to have her be able to join us for family get togethers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9HP84-jsDlya9-Xiucj0luzvh_f_v3b8VwRuYgF4Xjlz-cF5dg4nRsuXG1ERDTU76vsWB_E0Ljq2EZfxlIcmcwUgttKtUS1WnzRXNc5Bf3S8vgO3TqxuWQvrpxUbLUqgCFYMvqYiTzs/s1600/IMG_9011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9HP84-jsDlya9-Xiucj0luzvh_f_v3b8VwRuYgF4Xjlz-cF5dg4nRsuXG1ERDTU76vsWB_E0Ljq2EZfxlIcmcwUgttKtUS1WnzRXNc5Bf3S8vgO3TqxuWQvrpxUbLUqgCFYMvqYiTzs/s320/IMG_9011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katrinka, Michelle and Elizabeth</td></tr>
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Spending time with the cousins is always special!</div>
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~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-12559806563418115412015-06-18T23:51:00.001-04:002015-06-18T23:51:50.874-04:00Chicken Butchering 2.0<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chicken butchering is a frolic at the Mango's house. We invite friends and families over to help that enjoy fellowshipping and working. Some of the families are interested in homesteading, others just want to have the experience to cross off their bucket list.</div>
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Here is our second go round with butchering broilers.</div>
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This post has very limited blood and guts, and should be viewable by those with even the most squeamish stomach.</div>
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Our first butchering party was last November. It was a very cold snowy day. Not so this time. The weather was perfect, Not too hot and not too cold. It was about 73 degrees with a light breeze. We had no issues with flies or mosquitos. The boys went back in the trailer to load up the broilers. We did have more of a problem with broiler escapism. That may have been operator error. I think the boys were having a really good time trying to catch them. Nobody escaped long term.</div>
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We started at 8:30 in the morning.</div>
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Usually the killing cones are manned by the young men with some adult supervision. This time there were several young women who wanted to try their hand at it.</div>
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The chickens were taken from the killing station over to the scalding station.</div>
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The water at the scalding station has to be 148 degrees plus or minus two degrees. You leave them in just long enough that the feathers pull out easily. Not long enough or too long and the feathers are hard to pull out and the meat on the birds starts to cook. This is a good job for those wantng to avoid the evisceration process.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul and Thomas run the plucker</td></tr>
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After the birds are scalded they go into the automatic plucker.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRLTJL0dWcvcpHCBN_BH4ZSgo0fdBXRGpzHDcV2EUFLUxTgyJg7PQyLOmiO2F0IGpOPqZ35SIFCuVCP6qpKxOqqD8lqkTKCdQghhcckKgyz3Kn_7McaV8MqpmsAPfRSr4wpTzuQp1t6s/s1600/IMG_8904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRLTJL0dWcvcpHCBN_BH4ZSgo0fdBXRGpzHDcV2EUFLUxTgyJg7PQyLOmiO2F0IGpOPqZ35SIFCuVCP6qpKxOqqD8lqkTKCdQghhcckKgyz3Kn_7McaV8MqpmsAPfRSr4wpTzuQp1t6s/s320/IMG_8904.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the inside of the plucker with two birds in it. The birds are tumbled in there for about 45 seconds. The water from the hose washes the feathers out the bottom. They come out clean as a whistle.</div>
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The birds are put into ice water to start chilling until the next station is ready for them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3E3sX20m1o0YKXrazC5X9hopWNEOqtpuDAwvP_5KX52AkH4MMmc7IVdv61OtS9-44rY2HWHTzoKAvIpFWM5N6v12gD7ZMahdUTHV4O12jJ6hXEXE6wd_bp5ba__dHvGi_qKjRucbrBx0/s1600/IMG_8907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3E3sX20m1o0YKXrazC5X9hopWNEOqtpuDAwvP_5KX52AkH4MMmc7IVdv61OtS9-44rY2HWHTzoKAvIpFWM5N6v12gD7ZMahdUTHV4O12jJ6hXEXE6wd_bp5ba__dHvGi_qKjRucbrBx0/s320/IMG_8907.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Even the little guys were put to work, or allowed to help, carrying birds from the ice water to the next station.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVznOXzn0CerxZ8NtB3N_yIPfJDRzsuNdzz4te3MMiQ1PoQB4qxJtwJIuN3sghJ4KuVWWPP63A0082fw1M8-eCA0gvDYcQ1Vax0WzVBOHBAdLpWrW7LhJ9a4kVz5WQI1b15aQ0oqeSgjI/s1600/IMG_8895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVznOXzn0CerxZ8NtB3N_yIPfJDRzsuNdzz4te3MMiQ1PoQB4qxJtwJIuN3sghJ4KuVWWPP63A0082fw1M8-eCA0gvDYcQ1Vax0WzVBOHBAdLpWrW7LhJ9a4kVz5WQI1b15aQ0oqeSgjI/s320/IMG_8895.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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The next station was where the birds were checked over and any feathers the plucker missed are removed.</div>
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Elizabeth was the surgeon who amputated the feet and the oil glands. When she was done the birds went to the eviscerators.</div>
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All the novice participants were instructed in eviscerating the birds. It is a big job and all the help is very much appreciated. These tables were filled with chatting people, having a good time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDvDxCKxCjg9MGTiKBajG-YQqNHT8FuMm0mnc8JBNjbndHnXo_7Rg6POanDKYr3NG13W_xjwHAsmZI1-sDYm-Apllw7CawAxdGG-FIRvSZ0PvY4eP82NQCbpRsdkJOcOd7dAIYUuaHDg/s1600/IMG_8894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDvDxCKxCjg9MGTiKBajG-YQqNHT8FuMm0mnc8JBNjbndHnXo_7Rg6POanDKYr3NG13W_xjwHAsmZI1-sDYm-Apllw7CawAxdGG-FIRvSZ0PvY4eP82NQCbpRsdkJOcOd7dAIYUuaHDg/s320/IMG_8894.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JoAn checking out our new scale at the weighing station</td></tr>
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The next stop was QC or quality control. That is where the birds are checked over a final time to make sure all the feathers are removed and all the little bits and pieces are removed from the insides. JoAn organized and ran this part. Then the birds are weighed and assigned a number. The number is rubber banded to their leg. This information is then recorded on our computer.<br />
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There were lots of young children that required supervision. The older girls took turns watching them and making sure they didn't get into trouble.</div>
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The younger guys went frog hunting when they were done with their chicken jobs. The young people also got a nice kickball game in after lunch. </div>
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Here are our final numbers...</div>
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We started off with 101 freedom ranger broilers. We butchered at 10 weeks of age and we had 96 birds at that point ( 2 died when a child dropped a board on them, one was harassed by the dog. one just died randomly at the end and I can't remember what happened with the other). The average bird weight was 4.5 #. We paid $1.55/chick. We fed them Non GMO feed and we purchased chicks that were from parents that also were raised on Non GMO feed. We calculated our total cost, without labor, at $1.96/#. </div>
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Our next batch of broilers will be arriving at the end of the month. We are planning on butchering the next batch on Labor Day. Let us know if you want an invitation to our frolic.</div>
<br />~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-55279117265765949552015-06-15T00:36:00.002-04:002015-06-15T00:36:40.497-04:00Oliver Arrives on the Farm... and Other Farm happenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_A7C_P8li_cM-_1fTeH9YoB2T7dGprOxINfdge29SB6GYs5MesgIWd2yPRlSvgO6eYlHWvqigwLHFQLQdK4BgHLJ7Pzw-vSz3TwHeyRhk4nj2otqlAwVZ0HWHLgdDY7okFVUNUgeD7C8/s1600/IMG_8836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_A7C_P8li_cM-_1fTeH9YoB2T7dGprOxINfdge29SB6GYs5MesgIWd2yPRlSvgO6eYlHWvqigwLHFQLQdK4BgHLJ7Pzw-vSz3TwHeyRhk4nj2otqlAwVZ0HWHLgdDY7okFVUNUgeD7C8/s320/IMG_8836.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Come meet Oliver! Oliver is our newest farm addition and is a lovely tractor. His coming to the farm is a gift from God ( with Harold getting the assist). Harold is a friend of ours who also farms in the area. We were talking to him one evening and mentioned our need of a tractor to really be able to farm for ourselves. We have a patient neighbor, who has loaned us his tractor, but at some point you have to start standing on your own two feet and stop borrowing all the time. Harold said he had a tractor that didn't run and had just been sitting out for the last two years. He said we were welcome to take it and see if we could fix it. Paul and the neighbor ( who loans us his tractor when we need it) went down with a trailer to the farm. The tractor needed some air in the front tire and the batteries needed to be jumped. Harold had told us that the wheels had locked up while driving it out in the field and he had had to tow it into the yard. Our neighbor turned the key as it was jumped and Oliver started right up. The neighbor knew that sometimes Olivers get themselves stuck between two gears. He jiggled the gear shift and proceeded to drive it up on the trailer. Harold was a little sad to see Ollie go. We were able to make Oliver happy with some very minor repairs (new inner tube, a battery, and lots of fluids, as well as some minor repairs to the hitch). Praise the Lord!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_szTvfuYKQf5XDaGz_vXoQYUeQgFgT64AmKw8_R6J4xuSnNHFjf6ZeXM6dx7Umex_pLP17eF0ClYpIqrAYJeYbzkglTBWiNiQezuataIxHhvmt_CGiArhKJ4UVNr-_eSvPSm8kVD2Pbg/s1600/IMG_8840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_szTvfuYKQf5XDaGz_vXoQYUeQgFgT64AmKw8_R6J4xuSnNHFjf6ZeXM6dx7Umex_pLP17eF0ClYpIqrAYJeYbzkglTBWiNiQezuataIxHhvmt_CGiArhKJ4UVNr-_eSvPSm8kVD2Pbg/s320/IMG_8840.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thomas's baby bourbon red turkeys are quite the escape artists. We are likely to find them free ranging all over the farm.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MMWTnrQf1a_bkQbnnHdXFdiuT5NqK-hBi1axGMQkz4ybvYg8BBzrJ0hLHgrTbKkZY45tFg-CBgCr2BdcBWB7dTVJBCXSoUUyMJu3j_O_iYRfeRIA2jv4oCFVBrNCDTMFHEbTSuox6Tg/s1600/IMG_8844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MMWTnrQf1a_bkQbnnHdXFdiuT5NqK-hBi1axGMQkz4ybvYg8BBzrJ0hLHgrTbKkZY45tFg-CBgCr2BdcBWB7dTVJBCXSoUUyMJu3j_O_iYRfeRIA2jv4oCFVBrNCDTMFHEbTSuox6Tg/s320/IMG_8844.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The broad breasted turkeys are growing quickly. They will be ready for eating in less than a month. They should weigh in at about 20 # then.</div>
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It looks like we may actually have a few apples on our trees this year. This will be a first! Another thing to be excited about.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCD-ZQSRNOQyC9d4NdvHUb0c9r9XvXZVrlvTUjenX7KwROrUK56MdVhDvZLpMiegrQE8NA30SKVENoOWJ3-ezncEHDUMgL_SiYQP7SvWm_aVASoSSZ0-IoBNGiBl4bXlh413tNCHIxTCU/s1600/IMG_8846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCD-ZQSRNOQyC9d4NdvHUb0c9r9XvXZVrlvTUjenX7KwROrUK56MdVhDvZLpMiegrQE8NA30SKVENoOWJ3-ezncEHDUMgL_SiYQP7SvWm_aVASoSSZ0-IoBNGiBl4bXlh413tNCHIxTCU/s320/IMG_8846.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is Oliver at work. Paul had cut a tree down,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLOLL44lLlpsF5RLLdqTt9XoB2GHzORmUjoFBEduB7rOiC80L78SW8cuyaF5TpNFfHIQa1kClxNo-c4QxfbLSiAXIf9O3l5ya1D_tdcVy5oVIEYALiidAyfJcKtbJrZ51Vx_E9zEM_2A/s1600/IMG_8848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLOLL44lLlpsF5RLLdqTt9XoB2GHzORmUjoFBEduB7rOiC80L78SW8cuyaF5TpNFfHIQa1kClxNo-c4QxfbLSiAXIf9O3l5ya1D_tdcVy5oVIEYALiidAyfJcKtbJrZ51Vx_E9zEM_2A/s320/IMG_8848.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and rather than cut it up and drag it to the back with people power and multiple trips. Let Oliver do it. Paul chained the branches to the back and in just two quick trips the whole tree was dragged to the back by the fire pit.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJv5OfHf0_mjd14bXV8vD_9EY3Qm3QEcwvdQP0LB1vJ7htQFJaJ9gd3vRDciIw319_yacowXTEoVqygoyNXSfsbdqK5x1EZGX4p3saU0B_BkoAlhaYdRfMm_WuJOEjl7es-PHvd0eiWYU/s1600/IMG_8864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJv5OfHf0_mjd14bXV8vD_9EY3Qm3QEcwvdQP0LB1vJ7htQFJaJ9gd3vRDciIw319_yacowXTEoVqygoyNXSfsbdqK5x1EZGX4p3saU0B_BkoAlhaYdRfMm_WuJOEjl7es-PHvd0eiWYU/s320/IMG_8864.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul trying out the swing</td></tr>
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Here is another project that the girls completed with the cousin's help. They installed a swing on one of the trees by the pond. There is now a quiet contemplative spot to sit and swing and look out over the pond.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rona, Sara, and Elizabeth on the raft.</td></tr>
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The raft has been getting a lot of action. Here Elizabeth was taking two of her aunts out for a little float on the pond. They are here helping to get my Mother-in-Law established in her new condo. She has moved to the area from her long time home in New Mexico. We are so happy to have her nearby!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hY8acR6G7ulhxiApeLR4kCsffIvGm0lyCSZCop1WwG3tANQHdpY6vF5pl-9tn-aUGTfmk9naKsB2XdAgKOMLE807FZE18On_caVSqNeooeF-Vji0F59sBPJk6RhrSfUNJo5Q-Dbajpo/s1600/IMG_8871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hY8acR6G7ulhxiApeLR4kCsffIvGm0lyCSZCop1WwG3tANQHdpY6vF5pl-9tn-aUGTfmk9naKsB2XdAgKOMLE807FZE18On_caVSqNeooeF-Vji0F59sBPJk6RhrSfUNJo5Q-Dbajpo/s320/IMG_8871.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two Joanns</td></tr>
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Here is my M-I-L taking a tour of the farm with JoAn. She really enjoyed seeing everything again. I was impressed at how well she got around. My M-I-L will be 87 this month. She comes from vigorous Norwegian stock, and has aged well. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmArnc-bH5XaCyas8APQrUiqr6zx_DqYoz3Z2rYEyfSIYL8pMs3yIJHe7yiM6g4DzxcaXMmeKAFtIyxSqXUIolY7kT9jZoBGZnD3LwmBSh6QX74FzRl136SYwjiMG2cn8Ra85a8Ep_Evo/s1600/IMG_8876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmArnc-bH5XaCyas8APQrUiqr6zx_DqYoz3Z2rYEyfSIYL8pMs3yIJHe7yiM6g4DzxcaXMmeKAFtIyxSqXUIolY7kT9jZoBGZnD3LwmBSh6QX74FzRl136SYwjiMG2cn8Ra85a8Ep_Evo/s320/IMG_8876.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">blueberry shrub</td></tr>
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Here is one last crop that is starting to grow. These are our blueberry bushes. The berries are still green, but some of the bushes are setting real nice. We just have to get them under netting before they ripen, so the birds don't get them.</div>
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The days are so long now. Sunset comes later and later in the day. People down south don't appreciate this as much. In the north there is a significant increase in the amount of daylight in the summer. In the Philippines, where my sister and her family live, the sun rises and sets at 6, all year round! Here in the north the sun rises at 5:55 AM today and sets at 9:04 PM. The light also stretches even further as there is 2 hours of twilight before and after these times. It does allow us to get more done in a day outside. I really enjoy our longer daylight!</div>
~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-70240855049761867082015-06-03T23:56:00.001-04:002015-06-03T23:56:43.673-04:00Farm Update For May 24, 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Alas, I am behind on the farm updates. Things here have been busy. What do you expect? It's spring! We are trying to get everything done in between speech and debate tournaments. It has been a cool spring, so that has at least given us some extra time.</div>
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Here's what's going on...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPWZVcutKlPqE9-_g_FA139pq_G0qLFgTG6vkz-g2Zevj_VXMUMmZ6O88lAbfgvxORpDMy6TrkbyoEt90BPjOZ-YiMCXViu3ue86vK_-3KktN9muTTbm-UDX0OdCI78kEvclX_oFOt5Y/s1600/IMG_8790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPWZVcutKlPqE9-_g_FA139pq_G0qLFgTG6vkz-g2Zevj_VXMUMmZ6O88lAbfgvxORpDMy6TrkbyoEt90BPjOZ-YiMCXViu3ue86vK_-3KktN9muTTbm-UDX0OdCI78kEvclX_oFOt5Y/s320/IMG_8790.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The bourbon red turkey poults are thriving. They have a poultry fence around the brooder house, that doesn't even slow them down. They are amazing fliers also. They fly up to the top of the brooder house (about 10 ft) to roost. They are such a tight bunch. There are 11 poults in this group. You never see one that you don't see them all. They peep continuously. I find it a happy sound.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYFgeDL09UrOJb3_CqDtAX8vRXbMTQD5G6XV8GwCVkbMEnXZ1ffEkSP8qZyRXuRI5t0voBc8F-fO5lTl_amQNvUqiZTq-Kr5WKwmy60WHSFZgvUweTi-QSRWNQwaeyWlFvnhTcxg61pI/s1600/IMG_8795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYFgeDL09UrOJb3_CqDtAX8vRXbMTQD5G6XV8GwCVkbMEnXZ1ffEkSP8qZyRXuRI5t0voBc8F-fO5lTl_amQNvUqiZTq-Kr5WKwmy60WHSFZgvUweTi-QSRWNQwaeyWlFvnhTcxg61pI/s320/IMG_8795.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The girls built a raft to go on the pond. They used a well built fence section that they sanded down and varnished with 4 55 gallon vinyl drums that a farmer gave them. They tied it all together and it works very well. Everything but the rope was repurposed. Even their pole is an old shower curtain rod.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2c3i6_kE1IGOJqk07PJyarn9xMpEM9mVI9vfDVySnt4HRxjuhMuwYDE4bXK87nSgXN_K23csJ1tygqcfWNjzJYRrI_2q63MFM-iWPxsEgEJ2uH_YntJit5yvLu-b_7icV7bRTCgEO5c/s1600/IMG_8803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2c3i6_kE1IGOJqk07PJyarn9xMpEM9mVI9vfDVySnt4HRxjuhMuwYDE4bXK87nSgXN_K23csJ1tygqcfWNjzJYRrI_2q63MFM-iWPxsEgEJ2uH_YntJit5yvLu-b_7icV7bRTCgEO5c/s320/IMG_8803.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The frogs are all alive and well. There is lots of croaking in the evening and most of the night. We have lots of tadpoles in the pond. Did you know that bullfrog tadpoles take two years to become a big frog? We like the frog music.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jPFo0ewvVsH3W8f31IQ_i4pJNnZ5z1T9UyHBqJ3IjyvvP6qeaIpVvywFa6XKjiXu4F_1IEW2LttI3acuky48ocJCihz5WsVldLLVFnApTniHt5VG_LZkq9ZsojhNIRNPxJyvQB2Z5fM/s1600/IMG_8811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jPFo0ewvVsH3W8f31IQ_i4pJNnZ5z1T9UyHBqJ3IjyvvP6qeaIpVvywFa6XKjiXu4F_1IEW2LttI3acuky48ocJCihz5WsVldLLVFnApTniHt5VG_LZkq9ZsojhNIRNPxJyvQB2Z5fM/s320/IMG_8811.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Life on the farm is peaceful. We did learn something new this week. We learned that turkeys can swim. Our turkey hen was sitting on her nest in some brush, when the dog discovered her and chased her. She took off running and then flying. She, unfortunately, only got enough air to make it half way across the pond. The children were out there and were afraid that they might have to go rescue her before she drowned. Instead, she swam duck style to the edge of the pond and went on her way. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMegrBpjhQb0r7eoRRfSdgDiQJLqQr9RXZylJAiEJ5q5oiUk-mCdCqldlEdym7seiN0eALiMJKrKIMtBU2g3JFCBSuxt88JFWlqtUdmLBrU_yuJH7jNpoXpqYEZIyACvBlL6VkdMXwgY8/s1600/IMG_8814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMegrBpjhQb0r7eoRRfSdgDiQJLqQr9RXZylJAiEJ5q5oiUk-mCdCqldlEdym7seiN0eALiMJKrKIMtBU2g3JFCBSuxt88JFWlqtUdmLBrU_yuJH7jNpoXpqYEZIyACvBlL6VkdMXwgY8/s320/IMG_8814.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is another of our projects. We are inoculating these logs with mushroom spawn. We are going to try and grow our own shiitake mushrooms. You can see the wholes drilled in the logs and the tags on the end. Once they start 'fruiting' you should get crops for about four years. We will keep you updated.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayKEkWwpPq8aEGvi3f_MdFpnATo7ObKSrFX00YyTo2cyNE7U4bT8CsCjchywxAYjDpvJTYLA-hZ290oHuSvimx3tXM9obTAmXR8awTOdIh4KBGEEteytyLXTk1bd-66OYuj4nrM4JS0A/s1600/IMG_8818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayKEkWwpPq8aEGvi3f_MdFpnATo7ObKSrFX00YyTo2cyNE7U4bT8CsCjchywxAYjDpvJTYLA-hZ290oHuSvimx3tXM9obTAmXR8awTOdIh4KBGEEteytyLXTk1bd-66OYuj4nrM4JS0A/s320/IMG_8818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is our crazy hen. Her theme song could be the old song, "Don't Fence me in". She does NOT like hanging with other chickens. She roams the farm by herself all day long. If she gets lonely, she goes and visits the turkeys. They don't especially like her company either. Sometimes she flies in and sits with them on their roosting poles. The turkeys promptly fly down and go outside. If she eats from their feed they give her fully half the feeder, and the 19 turkeys eat from the other side. She is a bird without a flock. We have tried putting her with the other chicken flock, but as soon as she is loosed, she flies over the fence and beats us back to the house area. Oh well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nvZ6WPUZS7pR3JocbgtQHVXZjE0u_bAwbkA6diZPpuuOs4lg-bCTEESCLign2nI8q0QYGI-WF64dcM5MSbb2temXfr2tM6NNT7fF0khwu7tl_n9hSqAURfsbihy1_9KbI6JxpIbThy4/s1600/IMG_8819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nvZ6WPUZS7pR3JocbgtQHVXZjE0u_bAwbkA6diZPpuuOs4lg-bCTEESCLign2nI8q0QYGI-WF64dcM5MSbb2temXfr2tM6NNT7fF0khwu7tl_n9hSqAURfsbihy1_9KbI6JxpIbThy4/s320/IMG_8819.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had a lovely bunch of irises this spring. They looked so lovely.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8Y3yIdScxYuczdmuWGgjYr3xY1-7Yu1ZDP7eUk8lpZkhZWbzXnv9IdGPXSm2qkHxfkCBdoxT3UghKKoKOEqbhfGPfjD8qvljuau4ETGCiVotaO4khC-C6NFrSPq2v76bjDnLwvay618/s1600/IMG_8821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8Y3yIdScxYuczdmuWGgjYr3xY1-7Yu1ZDP7eUk8lpZkhZWbzXnv9IdGPXSm2qkHxfkCBdoxT3UghKKoKOEqbhfGPfjD8qvljuau4ETGCiVotaO4khC-C6NFrSPq2v76bjDnLwvay618/s320/IMG_8821.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We also had our first little batch of honey berries this spring. They are off some bushes we transplanted from the old house. They may be called honey berries, but they were not very sweet. They taste a bit like a blueberry, so I am sure they are healthy for us, we just need to have a few more. They all got eaten. LOL</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcZvkLZ7px8r1R0CxEIIPJxm03YFxj9JbsVN8M1AQndwWyeK_ny8zKcKM-It0wJpz43D6v3_FcEnXLBLeQoRTsvCGj49j7I6zcZcThF0oVnbqaBlwP7gPm_wvs3KQsEh4T_v7SiesUzw/s1600/IMG_8822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcZvkLZ7px8r1R0CxEIIPJxm03YFxj9JbsVN8M1AQndwWyeK_ny8zKcKM-It0wJpz43D6v3_FcEnXLBLeQoRTsvCGj49j7I6zcZcThF0oVnbqaBlwP7gPm_wvs3KQsEh4T_v7SiesUzw/s320/IMG_8822.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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The lilacs smelled heavenly this spring. These are tight outside the kitchen windows, so their lovely aroma wafted into the house. So nice. Lilacs are one of those things that remind me of my grandpa. He always had well tended lilacs in his yard. He had a number of different colored blooms. I still think of him often, especially in the spring.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hRZWAPEerTplMqHSZLMK4RGrXUyNR9mudH6t82SP9W-Hiw3_RIJV9HQZDMUjsTDwu8MbxVAzVNvGbK7yV0gjL1y7v_32PeXyKLCz8RDFo26PGzPqQwvNmGgi0dPpNUpNVHDM9BIewes/s1600/IMG_8827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2hRZWAPEerTplMqHSZLMK4RGrXUyNR9mudH6t82SP9W-Hiw3_RIJV9HQZDMUjsTDwu8MbxVAzVNvGbK7yV0gjL1y7v_32PeXyKLCz8RDFo26PGzPqQwvNmGgi0dPpNUpNVHDM9BIewes/s320/IMG_8827.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth feeding the broilers.</td></tr>
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The broilers are growing well. They are getting close to that 4-5# mark that we need them at before we put them in the freezer. Anybody who wants to come help butcher is welcome. We will be putting them in the freezer on June 9th. We do have a plucker, so the worst of the job is done for us. Let me know if you are interested.</div>
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We only give the broilers food at night. They free range all day. This is what it looks like when we put the food in the feeders at night. It is a real frenzy. On Saturday, the broilers almost got drowned out. They are penned up in the back field at night. We had about 6 inches of rain in a couple of hours time. When we went out to check on them, they were sitting in several inches of water. Ever wonder where the saying, "Madder than a wet hen" came from? We have some ideas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTLSojUO3uBGgqQtSQZneWAM0kXOMdevi2jUlZPa0pWSFrHxo-QeXPSMd6TneE-ExIPJtAiP0lA9GQQhEKK94kGXinLOcXtnNeqFCq5CPRUo0WocuvjyQbpe1lBHlHKI8yL4CWYfGrQY/s1600/IMG_8824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTLSojUO3uBGgqQtSQZneWAM0kXOMdevi2jUlZPa0pWSFrHxo-QeXPSMd6TneE-ExIPJtAiP0lA9GQQhEKK94kGXinLOcXtnNeqFCq5CPRUo0WocuvjyQbpe1lBHlHKI8yL4CWYfGrQY/s320/IMG_8824.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We stop almost every evening and watch the sunset. It is so beautiful and peaceful. The frogs are croaking, and you may hear a few insect noises, but all the animals are settling for the night. It is such a nice time of the day. We thank God for the farm and for His beautiful creation, as we stop and admire it. They are never the same from night to night. </div>
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God is so good!</div>
~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-41710175405257968932015-06-02T23:56:00.001-04:002015-06-02T23:56:44.159-04:00Rainy Day visit to the Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48grRDPiFoYAB4g5GjocMOpa435ZUjV837R0SiqpLDDTnSrd1aylaW9SNrG0GbtpapaVC94NjVxSCqNMVjaaxFgclH2rIS65kEpDcvAyxoC7hQE91TRJMQEQL6-x_WtUTc_sMFjQ3qNI/s1600/IMG_7878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48grRDPiFoYAB4g5GjocMOpa435ZUjV837R0SiqpLDDTnSrd1aylaW9SNrG0GbtpapaVC94NjVxSCqNMVjaaxFgclH2rIS65kEpDcvAyxoC7hQE91TRJMQEQL6-x_WtUTc_sMFjQ3qNI/s1600/IMG_7878.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Recently, my nephew Levi, came on his spring break to spend some time on the farm. He enjoyed playing outside in the dark. There are often late night chores to do on a farm. Things have to be done whether it is raining or dark. That's just the way things roll on a farm.</div>
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He enjoyed playing with the baby turkeys. He learned how to catch them and hold them.</div>
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Elizabeth and Levi spent most of their day playing in the upstairs of the barn.</div>
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They had a great time building a fort with hay bales. </div>
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They built a lot of furniture. This was their 'picnic table'.</div>
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They built lots of hiding places into their fort. They liked to hide from 'visitors'.</div>
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No fort is complete without a rope swing. They had a wonderful time playing in the barn. It was a great day building forts and relationships.</div>
~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-6474872346670779362015-06-02T23:38:00.000-04:002015-06-02T23:38:16.092-04:00Happy Mother's Birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We always celebrate my Mom's birthday on Mother's Day. Her birthday is always close to that holiday. This year Mom attained the grand young age of 75! She is very young for her age.</div>
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We enjoyed a picnic outside in the evening. The children had a great time together.</div>
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It was a lovely evening. Lots of good conversation!</div>
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Pappy the turkey always keeps an eye on all our guests. He greets them in the driveway and gobbles his attention. He always hangs arounds the picnic tables when we are eating outside. He doesn't beg or expect food, he just enjoys the company.</div>
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These two girls really enjoy being cousins.</div>
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Isaac likes to break in to the girl's games.</div>
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Car and Sadie feel like they 'need' to put on a program at all family gatherings. They sing and dance and spend a lot of time giggling. The family patiently wait and watch the girls programs. They are sweet.</div>
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The evening was finished up with giving Mom her gifts, both for her birthday and Mother's day. It was a lovely evening.</div>
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<br />~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-19690469454912413592015-05-11T23:35:00.003-04:002015-05-11T23:35:46.268-04:00Best Budget Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had a wonderful opportunity to go to Myrtle Beach last week.</div>
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My DH is a carpenter/contractor and he has worked hard for many years. This work provides some occasional opportunities of jobs in other locations. One of his clients had a beachfront condo in Myrtle Beach. They needed two bathrooms rehabbed. They had trouble finding reliable workers in the area and wanted my DH to do the work. Most of the family went along to 'help' him. JoAn and Paul stayed home because of work and school. We also needed someone to take care at the farm.</div>
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We were able to go for 5 days!</div>
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We made casseroles and froze the before we left. My DH was driving down in his work truck with the boys. He brought along much of the food in a cooler. We never went out to eat. We went to Costco the first day we were there. That was a big help to our larder for the week.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIpmBw3ActoU1XZXcf1qIOpLsFRt4LDGTREQGlTpjYzHsOnG5jlmIzFHX4_eKOh3X61OAvP7hyphenhyphenozflESwbb-oXuIpdWY5UCzlY86lw0IvztDXBe9Xf43CVPFMSC9FIz83OEk7fGIGBiY/s1600/IMG_8190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIpmBw3ActoU1XZXcf1qIOpLsFRt4LDGTREQGlTpjYzHsOnG5jlmIzFHX4_eKOh3X61OAvP7hyphenhyphenozflESwbb-oXuIpdWY5UCzlY86lw0IvztDXBe9Xf43CVPFMSC9FIz83OEk7fGIGBiY/s320/IMG_8190.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle, T-Bob and Becca</td></tr>
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Three out of the four younger children had never been to the ocean. It had been over twenty years since I had been there too. This was too long. We brought along a friend, Becca, who had never seen the ocean either.</div>
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Elizabeth enjoyed hunting for shells. The girls are hoping to incorporate them into a craft project at home.</div>
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The first day we arrived the children couldn't resist going right in the water, despite the fact that they were still wearing street clothes and not swimwear.</div>
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Evenings and the heat of the afternoon were quiet times. The children played a lot of euchre. We really enjoyed having lots of family time and relaxation.</div>
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We were there when the moon was full. It was so beautiful as it shone on the ocean.</div>
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The condo had a pool and a hot tub that we enjoyed. There were very few people at the condo. School was in session still. </div>
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The children enjoyed a lot of down time. Relaxing and hanging out with family.</div>
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The girls' were on dishes. We brought along a lot of meals so that we could avoid the dreaded budget killer of 'eating out'. We did have one special night where we went and bought fresh seafood at a local place. We got a number of different things to try. It was delicious! We had enough for leftovers without breaking the bank.</div>
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The Boss took some time off in the evenings for some relaxation.</div>
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Going on vacation in the down season is really nice. There are a lot of benefits to not having to fight the crowds. With school still in session, there were only a few people on the beach. Most of the people in the above picture were older people fishing. We had beautiful weather to enjoy. <br />
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We enjoyed the different birds that were flying around. There were lots of brown pelicans. We saw a fish eagle carrying a large fish (about 12") in its talons. Bird watching is a wonderful free activity.<br />
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The children enjoyed collecting shells. There were lots to bring home. Most of them were on the smaller side.</div>
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The condo had a screened in balcony. Michelle sept out there every night. The other children found it a great place to hang out and rest.</div>
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Thomas spent almost one whole day sleeping out there. The only time he woke up was to eat. It was reminiscent of his baby days.</div>
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We really enjoyed playing out in the waves. My nickname was 'Mama Wave Breaker'. Elizabeth was a little bit slight to endure the bigger waves. We did have a great time jumping to keep the waves from rolling over our heads. The waves would then push you into shore. <br />
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Meanwhile, My DH was busy stripping wallpaper out of the bathrooms, repairing the walls, painting and putting up beadboard, and then installing new cabinets, sinks and towel rods. He was a busy man!</div>
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One afternoon, the three younger children and I went to play miniature golf.</div>
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It was a lovely well maintained course. They had a special where you could play as much golf as you wanted for $5, until 5 PM. This was a good deal and was something different to do away from the condo. The waves were a little rough that day.</div>
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Here is one of the finished bathrooms that my DH did. They came out looking really nice.</div>
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Here are the children as we packed up to leave. They were a lot tanner than we came and a lot more rested. It was a really nice time away. It was raining as we left, which did make it easier to leave.<br />
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T-Bob decided that he needed to wash off his feet before getting in the van. He went out and stomped in a few puddles to get the job done. Silly boy!!!</div>
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We left all tightly packed in. There was only seating for five in the van and even that was really tight. The guys were driving home in the van and the rest of us were flying. </div>
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Once they dropped us off at the airport, they had a lot more room. We flew Spirit airlines and got really good ticket prices. They were $40 a piece. With Spirit Airlines, they charge you for everything as an extra. I think we did it right, as we managed to escape all their extra fees. We had sent our luggage in the van, so there was no bag fee. We printed off our own boarding passes which saved us $10 a piece. We made sure we were well hydrated so that we didn't have to buy water on the plane ($3/bottle). The flights were on time and actually got us to our destination early. They had all new airplanes also (They were the airbuses). We had a good experience using Spirit Airlines.<br />
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Here was our last view of the ocean as the plane turned and headed north. It was a wonderful time away and good fellowship as a family. We are really hoping that we get this opportunity again!<br />
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We arrived home to a beautiful spring Ohio evening. It was quiet and peaceful. The sunset was beautiful, as usual, as it reflected off the pond. We felt like we were going from one vacation to another. Life on the farm is like a vacation, but it does entail a fair amount of work.</div>
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It was good to be home!</div>
~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-66570466693667358952015-04-22T15:40:00.001-04:002015-04-22T15:40:22.538-04:00Turkeys... So close and yet so far!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Birds in the basement is NOT my favorite thing. They smell and create LOTS of dust and dirt. You end up having webby things hanging off all the beams and anything stored down there has a thick layer of dust.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey poult at about 1 week</td></tr>
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I do enjoy watching the little ones playing and learning to run and fly.</div>
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The brooder is pretty good sized as there has to be enough room for the birds to move about. Birds that are in tight quarters often end up fighting and picking on one another. This does not yield healthy birds. Last Sunday, April 19th, we decided that the turkeys were big enough and feathered out enough to graduate to an outdoor coop. I was so excited. I was going to get my basement back!</div>
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There are 20 poults, so JoAn and I caught half the poults at a time and moved them in a cooler out to the coop.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkeys at 3 weeks</td></tr>
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They were so happy to have a bigger space and more room to stretch their wings. They chased one another and played hop on the hay bale. The hoop coop they are in was placed on part of my garden for fertilization purposes. It was also placed so that it could easily be seen from the house windows. As I sit typing here I can see them running and flying around and around the hay bales. It is more entertaining than television! I can see them at night from our bedroom windows. They love to go!</div>
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Then on Sunday evening, the turkey eggs in the incubator started rolling around and there was even a few pipping holes visible.</div>
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The turkeys started breaking out of their confinement! By Monday night eight new turkeys were hatched!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michelle and Thomas carry down their new poults to the brooder</td></tr>
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The kids were like proud new 'parents'! Thomas had managed the incubation. He was maximally successful. Eight of eight eggs produced healthy poults. These are bourbon red poults and if one was to buy them, they would cost at least $12 a piece. Bourbon red are a heritage breed and are an extremely healthy, tasty breed.</div>
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The still wet babies laid under the lights to warm up and dry off.</div>
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The little guys were so cute as they peeped. Their whole bodies moved, even down to their little tail.<br />
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Thomas sat down and researched debate and kept an eye on his new responsibility. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhyphenhyphenDvOD8hBJyPBqdOqZxQt8u22LG0vRmx268aKCY5CtV3flSeEl5MTX2FhwhsSUz7zV9ZfXLga2so0WWNq50Fj7GMj1PJMHKH_A6DDo1RTpQ3gjOu3nsNuqzR-hRY8uAx4crYAHWd16g/s1600/IMG_8121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqhyphenhyphenDvOD8hBJyPBqdOqZxQt8u22LG0vRmx268aKCY5CtV3flSeEl5MTX2FhwhsSUz7zV9ZfXLga2so0WWNq50Fj7GMj1PJMHKH_A6DDo1RTpQ3gjOu3nsNuqzR-hRY8uAx4crYAHWd16g/s1600/IMG_8121.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The egg tooth is visible in the top of his beak. (Looks like a white dot) That is what they use to break through the egg.</td></tr>
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Turkeys are a cute that only a mother can love.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw409XiolDPBsMzwjrvI9cqtDN71nGYd9nsMzfcm-PuTAbXn9jLxS1mLkor6LGY30Frdh1xx_VLwtbep5yFCORySttDHaudYYGHabCLrZ9CkF0zaJzL7M8HRSFheXmsL1SguspeAfEOcw/s1600/IMG_8125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw409XiolDPBsMzwjrvI9cqtDN71nGYd9nsMzfcm-PuTAbXn9jLxS1mLkor6LGY30Frdh1xx_VLwtbep5yFCORySttDHaudYYGHabCLrZ9CkF0zaJzL7M8HRSFheXmsL1SguspeAfEOcw/s1600/IMG_8125.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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They do look better as they dry and fluff out. At two days old they started to eat and drink. Prior to that they have enough nutrition from their egg that they don't need anything else. That is why hatcheries are able to mail chicks successfully without any food or water in that first 72 hour period.</div>
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Here are the poults at three days. They are all fluffed out and happy. They are walking easily. No more three steps and then fall over. Definitely, a lot cuter now. We have them on a towel so they don't start eating the wood chips before we get the grit into them.<br />
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Say hello to our newest farm members.</div>
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I will probably have to have birds in the basement for at lest another month. Oh well!!!</div>
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I guess that's farm life.</div>
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~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-4448431179174876422015-04-20T22:17:00.001-04:002015-04-20T22:17:14.918-04:00Catching up on What's Already Happened on the Farm<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkeys playing 'king of the mountain'</td></tr>
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Life has been happening fast on the farm. By the time I sit down to write a blogpost, it feels like everything I was going to write about is old news. This is one of those posts for the out of town family, that likes to see pictures of our family and others at our gatherings. We have a lot of fun and good fellowship!</div>
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Miss President had her 7th birthday. We enjoyed getting to spend the day with her.</div>
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Bacon!</div>
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T-Bob and Elizabeth took on the project of curing the bacon. I always enjoy seeing the children working together. I am looking forward to seeing the final result from this project!!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth thoroughly rubbing the cure into the meat.</td></tr>
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Easter Sunday was a wonderful time of good fellowship at church, followed by a big gathering out here at the farm. There were 29 people here, and lots of food!<br />
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The Miss President and Sadie were happy to see Grandma arrive, and gave her a BIG hug!</div>
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The boys spent a lot of time playing with the Lego's and other building toys in the family room.</div>
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There was homemade rolls ( regular and gluten free) broccoli casserole, broiled asparagus, fresh and cured ham, fresh apple sauce and a plethora of other savory and desert dishes.</div>
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The Almond Joy family joined us. It was nice to have lots of girls and young boys to join us.<br />
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The young girl cousins wrote up a 'play' that was mostly singing and reciting. Elizabeth helped with their organization. Thomas did his prose piece that he uses in speech competitions, "The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig!" The rest of us gathered to watch.</div>
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Dad enjoyed watching the children and spending time with family and friends! We did get a little pinochle in during the evening. It was a lovely day,</div>
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Well, I hear turkey poults peeping their stressed cry, so I am off to make sure everyone is OK.</div>
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I will write again soon, about all the new life on the farm!</div>
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~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-29727079794445450282015-03-28T23:02:00.001-04:002015-03-29T00:28:20.772-04:00The New Brooder House and the Broiler Chicks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spring is trying to come! The snow has melted and the pond is ice free.</div>
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The hens have created their own private swimming hole. They have worn away the grass and scratched out a hole. The runoff has created the 'pond'. We will be moving them back to the field as soon as possible. They are trashing the yard, although they are tilling up my garden area in their spare time. That is very helpful.</div>
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We had moved the chicken coop from the old house to the farm. The guys moved it in sections. We decided to make it into a brooder house for our young birds. The chicks came on Thursday March 26th. So last weekend the men worked hard putting the brooder house together.</div>
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While the guys were working, Dallas and the turkeys kept us entertained. They don't like each other. When Dallas is tied up, the turkeys come over and try and attack him. He knows he is not allowed to hurt a bird on the farm. He keeps his distance and just barks shortly and keeps looking to the house for someone to come out and rescue him, by chasing the turkeys away from his house. He is the innocent party in this. HOWEVER, when he is off his rope and the turkeys are out, Dallas runs circles around them. They try and get him and he just runs around them over and over. Some of these turkeys are for Easter dinners, so I hope they don't get tough with all this exercise! LOL</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My DH and Paul, up on the roof</td></tr>
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The one part of the old coop that didn't get moved was the roof. The guys had to build a new one from scratch. We ended up with a metal one.</div>
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Once Dallas got bored with the turkey game, the turkeys returned to supervise the work. They are the most curious birds and can get in the middle of many projects, which isn't always helpful.</div>
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The chicks arrived at the post office Thursday afternoon. I was always taught that mail is sacred and can only be opened by the addressee. Apparently, there is a different rule when the package contains chicks. The package was sitting on the counter at the post office making a large chick racket. Every time someone came into the office, the clerk would open it up and show them the birds. </div>
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Just like this. They are very cute. We had set up the brooder the night before and had the food, water and lights on to welcome them. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth unloading the chicks.</td></tr>
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The weather turned cold with the arrival of the chicks. We ended up putting a heater out there also. Michelle and Elizabeth unloaded the chicks one by one. We ordered 100 Freedom Ranger chicks and we received 101. They were all alive and seemed in good health. They were chirping like crazy. You could hear them from quite a distance.</div>
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Marbles, the cat, came over and tried to break into the brooder house. I am not sure if he was simply curious or hungry. We didn't want to chance it, so he was moved along.</div>
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One of our two flocks has some broody hens, and all the hens from that flock came tearing over to see when they heard the chicks. The flock with no broody birds in it, never gave them a second look. I looked out the door and there were all the hens on the steps of the brooder house.</div>
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We built the little brooder inside out of hay bales and boxes stuffed with hay. We put insulation over the top to hold the heat in. The building is breezy and it is drafts that kill baby chicks. We were trying to keep them warm and draft free. Chicks should be kept in a 90 degree F space the first week.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6CWEBY-dJ9pP_3uqRgSwM9NM-vMaihc8LkkOEv4ic9MJbI__vAhUWqnpHxHNPn6kBVuExf2M8Qe4XFW2v6faBSrAN9c6P_38f57uj7GR0UIqscmeFnrnH6xaBfFs0T3djCoFfwuYjek/s1600/IMG_7833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6CWEBY-dJ9pP_3uqRgSwM9NM-vMaihc8LkkOEv4ic9MJbI__vAhUWqnpHxHNPn6kBVuExf2M8Qe4XFW2v6faBSrAN9c6P_38f57uj7GR0UIqscmeFnrnH6xaBfFs0T3djCoFfwuYjek/s1600/IMG_7833.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth took a picture of a chick. </td></tr>
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The chicks started eating and drinking right away</div>
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We have found Freedom Ranger birds to be very hardy, strong and good starters. They take 9-11 weeks to get to 4-6# dressed out size. But unlike the Cornish Crosses they are very active, and fly well and are happy to get their own food. We don't even put food out during the day once they are feathered out. All 101 survived the first 48 hours. That is a time when you frequently lose a couple birds.</div>
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The birds have had a real physiological challenge and so far they have survived. I DON'T recommend this. I checked on the birds last night and it was very cold in the building, but the chicks in the brooder seemed OK. I kept dreaming of chicks all night and seeing very low temps on my iPod all night (in my sleep). I woke up this morning knowing that we HAD to get those chicks into a warm spot or they wouldn't make it. My DH threw together a wooden brooder and we set it up in the basement. Elizabeth and I went out with a warm 'cooler' and loaded the chicks up and brought them in. I think it was just in time. There was actually some ice formed in one of their waterers near the edge of their broody pen. That seemed to indicate that it wasn't really 90 degrees in there. They had icy little feet when we picked them up. I felt bad. Now they are in the basement, in a cozy corner and so far they seem to have survived their irregular care. Now we know for next time. I anticipate them only having to be indoors for a week or two. Then back to the brooder. It can't keep snowing forever, can it? Spring has to come!</div>
~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-64404990430976099582015-03-10T23:45:00.003-04:002015-03-10T23:45:43.052-04:00Mango Happenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was recently informed that I had once again slipped in my blogging habits. I really am without excuse, just busy as usual. Here are some of the things that have happened in the last month.</div>
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There have been some silly moments. A red mask bought at Salvation Army has brought a lot of surprise and laughter. Car likes to play with Elizabeth!</div>
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All the critters, including the barn cats, which now number seven, have survived the cold without any issues. A couple of the roosters may have had a bit of frostbite on their combs, but no other problems. It was bitter cold this February which is very unusual for Ohio. We had days when it barely got to zero. Anytime it warmed up close to thirty, the snow fell and then the temperature dropped back down to zero. I think Minnesota may have sent their January weather to Ohio. They are welcome to take it back! This week the temperatures have finally warmed up into the forties and fifties. Yeah for spring!!! The colder and harder the winter, the more spring is appreciated. Southern folk just don't have that same hard earned appreciation for spring as those of us in the north! <br />
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The boys enjoy wrestling and doing boy stuff. Not always sure what that is, but they seem to like it.</div>
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The children saw some really cool pictures of snow sculptures with glow sticks lighting them up. They decided to try it, only to discover that glow sticks don't work in sub zero temps. They came in and decided to attach them to the ceiling fan blades. They found that that was totally neat and definitely better than looking at them in the freezing cold!</div>
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One project that had been on our list since we bought the property, was to take this tree down. It had some limbs that were over the house. It was a silver maple. A branch had fallen off once before we bought the house and knocked over the chimney and damaged the roof. We decided that we didn't need a repeat performance.</div>
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A tree company that had brought us logs for years when we heated with wood at the old house, was looking for work and we had them take the tree down. They had all the fancy equipment. The snow pack on the yard made it so that the big equipment didn't tear up the yard.<br />
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They finished up by grinding out the stump. Having this tree down really opened up the view to the back of the property. So much nicer than looking at a tree trunk out the family room window. Also, now I have wood to try and grow mushrooms on. One of my projects for the spring and summer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth did a couple junior speech events.</td></tr>
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Last week we spent three days at an NCFCA speech and debate tournament. This is a different league than the children usually compete is ( usually we do CCA). Thomas was really wanting this experience, as he wanted to try Lincoln Douglas debate. In the past he only had competed in Team Policy Debate. In Lincoln Douglas it is two people debating a values resolution. This year the resolution is whether freedom or equality should be more highly valued in economics. <br />
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Thomas had never tried Lincoln Douglas at all. He had never even done a practice round. He had read a book and watched three rounds on you tube. He lost his first round due to inexperience. He is a fast learner though. He ended up breaking into the semifinals! That means he qualified for regionals. We will try to get there. It will involve a trip to Oshkosh, WI.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth and Bethany.</td></tr>
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This past weekend was the AWANA Grand Prix car race. It was well attended by many parents of the clubbers, and the gospel was preached clearly! The kids seemed to have a great time.<br />
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The children design and race their little cars. They send them down a track and everything is timed by a computer. Excellent sportsmanship was demonstrated by all the kids!</div>
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Not sure what was up with certain 'adults'! My camera seems to bring the best out of Tammy! </div>
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The snow is about 2-5" deep, despite the rain and warm weather. The warm (45 degree) super moist air creates fog. Elizabeth was wanting to explore and take pictures. She thought it looked like 'fresh made lard with trees growing out of it'. Yes, she was barefoot in order to climb the tree and no, she doesn't have a coat on.</div>
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Can you see the child wandering in the fog covered fields? She loves being outdoors!</div>
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T-Bob was also fascinated by the fog. He had to stop and take some pictures that he could share with his cousin in the Philippines. We were heading out to his basketball awards ceremony. It was very amazing to look at the fog, but not so pleasant to drive in. It was a real 'pea soup' fog.</div>
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T-Bob was recognized for his hard work on and off the court. He was a co-captain on the junior high team. He also shared what he had learned through the team devotions. Thomas decided to go to debate practice instead of the basketball awards. He was also commended for being a hard worker.</div>
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This pretty much summarizes the last month. There has been the normal life events and lots of planning for the spring, summer, and fall. We have to figure out what we are going to raise in both the livestock and plants departments. The busy season will soon be upon us. We are enjoying the last bit of winter quiet.</div>
~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-9824064168261279482015-02-10T14:08:00.003-05:002015-02-10T15:33:57.222-05:00These Little Piggies Went to Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Pigs have been a big part of our farming experience this fall. We got our pigs on July 31st. We started off with 5 pigs. They were so tiny and cute. The five of them fit in a dog carrier. They were 5 weeks old when they arrived.</div>
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We let them come out of the carrier and into the pen on their own. They came out and immediately eating all the lush greenery in the field.</div>
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It was a cool summer and the nights were down in the fifties. I was a little worried about them handling the cold, but they were fine.</div>
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We put a garbage can with hay in it so they had a place to cuddle and stay warm. All of our pigs liked to sleep together and share their heat at night, even when they were big hogs.</div>
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The pigs grew and grew. We had a medical issue and ended up losing two of our piggies. We made some changes in their feed and water procedures. We gave them some herbs and they all recovered and started to really grow! They were very friendly and would come to the fence to be petted and scratched. </div>
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The hogs' names were Brazil, Panama and Trail Mix. How did we come up with those names? T-Bob assessed the spots on their skin and determined that their spots resembled maps of the two countries, and the other looked like trail mix. The largest pig is a barrow and was named Brazil. He had a back injury and required spinal adjustments several times. It made a huge difference and he was once more able to get up and walk easily.</div>
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We moved our pig's pen every day to keep them on fresh pasture. This worked very well and made it so that we had no issues with smell. The chickens would come behind and clean up the spilled feed so that we didn't have rodent issues. It was a system that worked well for us. It also meant that we never had to shovel their manure and they put it on the field for us. It was a win-win.</div>
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The pigs were to be at the butcher on February 2nd by 8 AM. The excitement came when we realized that there would be a storm coming in on the day before. We had to be able to get a trailer into the field to get them loaded, and then back out. This would be very challenging to do in a foot of new fallen snow. We borrowed a friend's trailer and loaded them on Saturday before the snow started. It went pretty easily compared to many of the horror stories our friends told us of escaping pigs and hours of muddy labor to get them in the trailer. It was about a 45 minute project. We put hay in the bottom and food and water in the trailer and the pigs seemed very happy in there. It was probably a lot warmer than their open sty out in the field.</div>
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We had to take them to the butcher in the middle of the snow. It took us twice as long as it should have and was very exciting. The roads were totally snow covered and slippery.</div>
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We got the trailer covered and ready to go.</div>
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The hogs seemed content in the trailer, and were quiet travelers.</div>
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We arrived at the butcher at dusk. It was a little freaky looking there. It was an old brick building painted white. There was a definite sour smell and the animals inside were restless.</div>
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The boys unloaded the handy dandy ramp that came with the trailer. It worked magnificently. We had also been told stories about pigs refusing to unload as well, but ours were very well behaved. They were installed in their new facility in less than ten minutes.</div>
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It was a very dreary facility! It almost seemed like a dungeon.</div>
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It was a little sad to see our pigs in their little enclosures. They had been such cheerful creatures and never gave us a lick of trouble. They had been on the farm almost exactly 6 months. We did our best to give them a pleasant existence and to treat them humanely. They got to live outside in the great outdoors and to enjoy a pasture as well as all non-gmo feed. The butcher commended us, when I went to pick up the meat, for raising such healthy, nice-looking animals.</div>
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This was last night's dinner. The best pork chops we ever had. They came from Brazil or maybe it was Panama. No, we didn't import the meat, those were just the pigs; names. I didn't think that it would be a problem, but nobody seemed to have any issues eating our former residents, although it was a little strange to think about. My DH says, "Farming is great! You get to enjoy all the cute little animals, and when they grow up and no longer are cute, you get to eat them!!! I can't wait until we get the bacon cured!</div>
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For those who are interested, the pigs dressed out at 191,199, and 252#. I am interested in running our final cost assessment numbers.</div>
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I love homesteading! It is delicious!</div>
~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-9613908371600937982015-02-05T00:53:00.004-05:002015-02-05T10:35:54.998-05:00Basketball Times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This year is the first year that both boys have competed in basketball. Thomas played on the Junior varsity and T-Bob played on the Junior High Team at CCS.</div>
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Yesterday they took the team pictures for the Varsity and JV teams. Thomas is number 11.</div>
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There were LOTS of pictures. I think Thomas is the tallest guy on the JV team. He has had a good season and has learned so much about playing basketball. This was his first time playing and he ended up starting most of his games. You can't teach height!</div>
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Incidentally, This post is dedicated to my nephew in the Philippines who started his basketball career playing with many of these guys. Micah (#24) has really grown in the last year.</div>
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One thing I appreciate about the CCS team is that a number of the players on the team go to our church. It really is a good way to build relationships! Zach (#44) is a bulldog. He plays varsity and has improved so much this season. He has even gotten to start a few games. He plays a tough low post and knows how to muscle it back up. He does an 'Infinity' workout before his games. Trevor (#3) "has hops" as the kids say. He is really quick and can block shots with the height he gets on his jumps even if he is not especially tall. He is a really good player, especially for being a freshman this year. He started most of the varsity games.</div>
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Thomas started at center for the JV's. He is tall and he has really long arms for his height. That really helps on the tip off...</div>
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... and playing defense in the middle.</div>
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Thomas has come to really enjoy basketball!</div>
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This has been a good learning experience for the guys. They have not had a good win - loss record, but they have really improved through the season. They have a couple more games left and then the season is done.</div>
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T-Bob has come so far from last season! He has practiced hard to develop a jump shot and is much more consistent on his foul shots. He shot over 50% so far on the season.</div>
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T-Bob has grown a lot this season also. He has almost caught up to me in height (that would make him almost 5' 9"). He has worked very hard, and has become a leader on his team.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBathx0lK9iaeoWRxBHjUo6iKSngvNKRT7S_yAVN0Wsk64g6pTB_zPlq8Yz2xFw41lA0ZT3_YGbBp4D537SmotPXQ0JvOg_nEgngCQ0KVY9W52RFHgSX_c3ITRX2PRM5k4wIh0ESwqxGI/s1600/IMG_7212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBathx0lK9iaeoWRxBHjUo6iKSngvNKRT7S_yAVN0Wsk64g6pTB_zPlq8Yz2xFw41lA0ZT3_YGbBp4D537SmotPXQ0JvOg_nEgngCQ0KVY9W52RFHgSX_c3ITRX2PRM5k4wIh0ESwqxGI/s1600/IMG_7212.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our junior high team is not very good. Most of the teams we play against, have mostly 8th graders on their team playing. We have two eighth graders total and even some of our fifth graders see significant playing time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49NLvg8vwqGDbx8QKCI3IFYoqxLHpTWZmvNI7-TqUVfKdaP7YRHjvUV5rxKjJXrlK2XfiigQ9TsR23ojM1dsSoLV4YpufRyJfZlVn5X_ntrNCn3MX9lj9SDgKj9cosG13WTXxro3V2Vw/s1600/IMG_7136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49NLvg8vwqGDbx8QKCI3IFYoqxLHpTWZmvNI7-TqUVfKdaP7YRHjvUV5rxKjJXrlK2XfiigQ9TsR23ojM1dsSoLV4YpufRyJfZlVn5X_ntrNCn3MX9lj9SDgKj9cosG13WTXxro3V2Vw/s1600/IMG_7136.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Logan is an excellent free throw shooter. Especially if you promise him candy if he makes the shot. It seems to focus his attention for some reason.</div>
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T-Bob has been a bit frustrated with the play of the team, but they have had much to overcome. They have had almost no practices. This was mostly due to scheduling conflicts at the school. The fall play and other things came up. But they are learning through playing in games. They just lack the conditioning that regular practices gives you. They really get tired in the second half. </div>
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Next year T-Bob moves up to the JV team. He is looking forward to that. He has enjoyed going to their practices quite a bit of the time with Joel. He is learning a lot.</div>
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You may wonder, who practices the most in our family? I would have to say that the most faithful player in our family is Elizabeth. She is outside almost everyday with the kitchen timer in her pocket set for 30 or 45 minutes. She works on her shooting outside. She works on her dribbling in the house in the basement.<br />
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She is her mother's child. She never gets cold. She has her sleeves rolled up and her shorts on when she is out there. Some days the temperature is in the teens, but that doesn't phase her.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CADzHcyDUeXB0icszUZpfsxK1dxN7PgVAtrv1mL5KASIXpJge9thsZOVaJs4tYivh4QVLroBsDll9kfwpHiouNTawKDsW-fm-55DChO_X1v4No32Ta2vonmW-J7e943XO0aqwgfpKm0/s1600/IMG_0656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CADzHcyDUeXB0icszUZpfsxK1dxN7PgVAtrv1mL5KASIXpJge9thsZOVaJs4tYivh4QVLroBsDll9kfwpHiouNTawKDsW-fm-55DChO_X1v4No32Ta2vonmW-J7e943XO0aqwgfpKm0/s1600/IMG_0656.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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She insists on having good shot form and works on keeping that elbow in. Her goal is to be a 6' 2" shooting guard on a girl's team. She will get the height without a doubt, now she just has to work on her ball skills. She enjoys playing basketball with her brothers. Next year maybe we will let her play on the junior high team. They asked her this year, but we decided that she was too young as a 9 year old. We will miss basketball when the season finishes up this month, but now we are in the midst of debate season, so we won't be bored! LOL</div>
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Stay warm and dry!</div>
~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-80815526269049321712015-01-25T19:28:00.001-05:002015-01-25T22:32:53.446-05:00Things that have made me Smile and be Happy Lately....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Salvation Army </div>
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Has made me smile... </div>
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I took T-Bob to the local Salvation Army on a Wednesday ( half price day) to look for a suit, dress shoes, and a dress shirt to be ready for his debate tournament. This is what we came home with... A Very nice suit that fit without being altered ( and there is extra material in the sleeves and pant hems to allow for lengthening), comfortable dress shoes that look sharp, a dress shirt that fits perfect and several ties so that he could coordinate with his partners outfit. All for $17!!! I also found a beautiful dress for Elizabeth for when she has to give her speeches. It was $3.50. Such wonderful deals. I was thinking that I would have to go to Burlington Coat Factory and maybe another store to find everything. We got all our shopping done in a little over an hour. A word of advice... When thrift shopping, go to well to do neighborhoods, they have better quality clothes for the same prices as the poorer quality clothes in less affluent areas. It is such a blessing and sure helps one to be a good steward of your finances.<br />
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Proud mom comment... T-Bob and his partner won first place in the Club Round Robin Tournament in the novice track. Thomas won 6th place Debate speaker.<br />
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A beautiful snowy day when I don't have to go anywhere makes me happy. The snow started today about the time we got home from church. It has been so pretty to watch it gently fall.</div>
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This little door on the chicken tractor makes me happy. It means that I can gather the eggs from the outside and don't have to climb up into the coop where there are lots of chickens roosting at head level or a little above. Anyone who has worked with chickens would know why this is a good thing. </div>
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Opening the little door and seeing all the eggs lying there also makes me smile. A lot of times, Marbles the cat comes with me and insists on climbing up on the ledge to help look for eggs. This is more of an irritation than a help though. I really appreciate Paul putting this door on the tractor.</div>
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I do like going into the Run-in coop and seeing and hearing the chickens. ( yes, we keep two separate flocks of laying hens. There are about 30 hens in each group and 2 roosters. This seems to work well.) I love hearing the clucking and chatting between the birds. Can anyone tell me what type of chickens these are? There are two types in this photo.You know you are raising homestead kids when they look at a picture of a chicken and identify the type and the gender rather than just say that it is a chicken. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbft_tYkIV3iQ4asnNa81NIAuyi3URT3YK2jBknon-omHfP7ur4ArdmabuBe97qao4PEY93I9WHIapCZBtnU1orWibaELL4U18qJMAiQvOg36njaSrlTSQboClAqcJo3m1S1Yx8cq7Ktg/s1600/IMG_7176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbft_tYkIV3iQ4asnNa81NIAuyi3URT3YK2jBknon-omHfP7ur4ArdmabuBe97qao4PEY93I9WHIapCZBtnU1orWibaELL4U18qJMAiQvOg36njaSrlTSQboClAqcJo3m1S1Yx8cq7Ktg/s1600/IMG_7176.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of my daily chores is to gather the eggs. You might have guessed that. Marbles the cat comes along and makes sure all the nest boxes are empty and then counts the eggs (or maybe not). I do though. They get recorded on our farm sheets, so that we can make sure that we are breaking even or getting a little ahead on the egg sales. </div>
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I really love the beauty of a basket of our eggs. They are so yummy and good!</div>
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This orchid is a testament to my son Paul's faithfulness. Two years ago, a friend gifted us this orchid as a hospitality gift. It was blooming in a tiny container, and only required one ice cube once a week to water it. Paul has faithfully tended it and watered it over the last 2 years. He even transplanted it when it outgrew it's small home. It is currently in a quart container and is blooming again. You can tell a young man is tending it by the shell casings on top of the soil. Isn't it a beautiful flower? It makes me happy to see this result of faithfulness.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZoHWnv5Ba0UawZDNcVgJyQ2GvOG5MZhj3DfCAKGo8_Dn80lvwwoV8zxaSqwaZogUIj5kHbkWQ1FvZf8eS-6XFeUxs6CjErBJ94oqhiJcdt55ovHH90P7VpmIPZiqnt8tVjOarltGiIg/s1600/IMG_7159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZoHWnv5Ba0UawZDNcVgJyQ2GvOG5MZhj3DfCAKGo8_Dn80lvwwoV8zxaSqwaZogUIj5kHbkWQ1FvZf8eS-6XFeUxs6CjErBJ94oqhiJcdt55ovHH90P7VpmIPZiqnt8tVjOarltGiIg/s1600/IMG_7159.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is the Old White Farmhouse as it looks in the snow. It is indeed a gift from God and living here makes me very happy! I know this world is not my home, but I am enjoying passing through.</div>
~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-66838182046970420982015-01-19T01:19:00.001-05:002015-01-19T01:19:27.126-05:00Winter Farm Happenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bkSjHxr1uPa6-VGOJ790bfLU6QJ6ZflJkbuweKRgtef6CibZfhvLdo4N3Ehn10SMEmPeH-PtAm7XrNvgG-zvELFv7153wtSMzS_wf5-AIjpzyh_CRgkg8NjwPDxUj0Qw61o1QMHKJsk/s1600/IMG_7027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bkSjHxr1uPa6-VGOJ790bfLU6QJ6ZflJkbuweKRgtef6CibZfhvLdo4N3Ehn10SMEmPeH-PtAm7XrNvgG-zvELFv7153wtSMzS_wf5-AIjpzyh_CRgkg8NjwPDxUj0Qw61o1QMHKJsk/s1600/IMG_7027.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Winter is in full force here in Ohio. The last couple weeks we have had very frigid temps. It was going down to sub zero temps at night and only in the single digits during the day. It has made keeping the animals warm, fed, and watered a real challenge. So far, we have only had one winter calamity. The Tom turkey with the brown tail met his demise in the cold. The turkeys won't stay in their coop during the day, no matter how cold it is. They want to free range, and they generally end up by the house. JoAn noticed the other afternoon, that one of the toms was down and all the other turkeys were gathered around it. I went to see and found that the tom was freshly dead. I had T-Bob come and help me start the butchering process. It was still fresh enough that it bled out cleanly and was able to be eaten. I debated skinning it, which is easier, but then it can't be roasted. Fortunately, JoAn was home that day and she helped me get the water to the right temperature (147 degrees) so that we could scald and pluck it. Once we had the outside cleaned, I finished the job. It went pretty easily. </div>
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We cut the bird in half and enjoyed our first roasted heritage turkey for Paul's birthday dinner. It was DELICIOUS! The dark meat was almost as dark as beef, and the breast was like dark meat on a commercial bird. It was so moist! It cooked very quickly and wasn't tough. I roasted it like you would a game bird. I stuffed it ( with gluten free stuffing) and roasted it at 425 for a couple hours in our electric roaster. That worked very well. We still have the other half in the freezer.</div>
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We did move the turkeys into a barn stall so they wouldn't freeze.</div>
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One more note on the turkeys... I am sad to announce that indeed I only have one hen left. It turns out that the other two birds which I was hoping were hens, are toms. Since the other tom died the two late-bloomers have been gobbling and strutting. I am sad about that. I was really hoping I had three hens and one tom. This means that I will have reorder turkey poults in the spring.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHkFb25on8rEYpqAbKoCyCoIEc2nkxpOJyoVxOvT7Z86fkVYrxnRcm9PBfkow5P3LnbIWY5jyLXDbwWGm19aW_8TN2Dx1hvBPQutrL0jRIWoDubditQ-lkmK9AoEzF286c-lzFb_i4vg/s1600/IMG_7036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWHkFb25on8rEYpqAbKoCyCoIEc2nkxpOJyoVxOvT7Z86fkVYrxnRcm9PBfkow5P3LnbIWY5jyLXDbwWGm19aW_8TN2Dx1hvBPQutrL0jRIWoDubditQ-lkmK9AoEzF286c-lzFb_i4vg/s1600/IMG_7036.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Levi, my talented nephew who can walk on water!</td></tr>
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Winter time is the time to plan and educate yourself about future farming projects and things you want to try and do different the next year. Some of my ideas to try include mushroom farming, and getting more of an orchard going. I have been reading 'Eating on the Wild Side' by Jo Robinson. This book teaches you how to select the most nutrient varieties of food, both in the grocery store, a farmer's market or to plant in your own garden. She tells you which are the closest to heirloom varieties. If you are going to eat something, it might as well be the most nutritious available. I have also been reading 'The Holistic Orchard' by Michael Phillips. He teaches you how to care for your fruit trees so that you don't need to use the chemicals, except in the most dire of situations. After reading the book, I decided that I need to spend the next year in prepping the soil before I even think of buying and planting trees. Everything takes time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9c9dE01VZHbR-EoQEL8JQHWuHK3Uv3t0wMOa5Sum9qNbpUtxBWF4pjg4NEdA6Rr8b257qN-RKnXuVEbB4n5pA7Hg0qSrsekQwdOwSpm5brc65C9a628BNn3SRtJOkl2nycThe04-5c0/s1600/IMG_7041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9c9dE01VZHbR-EoQEL8JQHWuHK3Uv3t0wMOa5Sum9qNbpUtxBWF4pjg4NEdA6Rr8b257qN-RKnXuVEbB4n5pA7Hg0qSrsekQwdOwSpm5brc65C9a628BNn3SRtJOkl2nycThe04-5c0/s1600/IMG_7041.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-Bob checking on the pigs</td></tr>
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The pigs seem to be doing well. The barrow (A fixed male pig) is now up to about 280+ pounds. The sows are both about 180. We are planning to take them into the butcher as soon as the feed we have is gone. The feed won't keep until we get our next batch of pigs. Might as well use it up now and turn it into bacon. For those wondering how we weigh the pigs.... There is a calculation based on their physical measurements that allows you to calculate their weight pretty closely. My cloth tape measurer gets used more on pigs, than on people. </div>
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T-Bob has had to work very hard during this cold spell caring for the pigs. The metal spigot on our waterer freezes up almost as soon as the pigs stop drinking. He has to go out every hour or two in the coldest weather and unfreeze the spigot and let all the pigs drink. This also involves chipping the ice away in the barrel and pouring hot water over the spigot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJcIof6ZCXnauLEJrUzMMQyFiJCVwn1eHOl32EOjEl551gPo61Y1rS-dwdFxneZhUczoJj1oZjgABzDpeoF8tmNj8fAzUh5Iv3iXipA8eT77YXpdJ6VP_-kJ8POCATXefYzMARtIJJeI/s1600/IMG_7051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJcIof6ZCXnauLEJrUzMMQyFiJCVwn1eHOl32EOjEl551gPo61Y1rS-dwdFxneZhUczoJj1oZjgABzDpeoF8tmNj8fAzUh5Iv3iXipA8eT77YXpdJ6VP_-kJ8POCATXefYzMARtIJJeI/s1600/IMG_7051.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of my other reading projects is to learn how to make my own sausages, cure my own bacon and hams and how to utilize all of a pig to the greatest of my abilities. I am reading the books 'Beyond Bacon' and also 'The River Cottage Meat Book'. I am really excited about eating our own pork.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoqM3By1PD-iEyRFBplXvxokx5ooubt1oIkGsT3dskCYkdOWj1xJKWIAuQtTX-cuBDZvF4mEOrg89LM8uSi-dvRsikkTIK_OLDnCESU_Xq9iy3vUhTXW6Ht1BMniJfr1jETLI1FFm_SE/s1600/IMG_7052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoqM3By1PD-iEyRFBplXvxokx5ooubt1oIkGsT3dskCYkdOWj1xJKWIAuQtTX-cuBDZvF4mEOrg89LM8uSi-dvRsikkTIK_OLDnCESU_Xq9iy3vUhTXW6Ht1BMniJfr1jETLI1FFm_SE/s1600/IMG_7052.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pigs do have that magical ability.... They can turn vegetables into bacon!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frozen puddle in the field</td></tr>
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There are multiple family conferences these days as I dream and plan and they (mostly Paul) try to dissuade me from taking on too much. My DH is supportive of my ideas so I try to use common sense and not take on too many new projects, albeit, more than Paul thinks I should. Our goal is to raise really healthy delicious, nutritious food for ourselves, and have enough left over to sell to those looking for similar things. We have to make enough to cover our expenses and a bit for labor. The farm can't be a charity. We are working hard to do a better job keeping track of our expenses this year so that we can see how we are doing.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ccGLBAgEeS7SsG9hJBIySNmT3nLw-siGvKsNd1VXO8OZU6OvFfihRLv0XyUpkLO5xohulzFCHql-OYDq70HLErKYqt9OxBydhMFXslcVNXWz_Xa_8uutlYaSoKnCbjCBIbH08okyzns/s1600/IMG_7058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ccGLBAgEeS7SsG9hJBIySNmT3nLw-siGvKsNd1VXO8OZU6OvFfihRLv0XyUpkLO5xohulzFCHql-OYDq70HLErKYqt9OxBydhMFXslcVNXWz_Xa_8uutlYaSoKnCbjCBIbH08okyzns/s1600/IMG_7058.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth, Our hot blooded child</td></tr>
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We have enjoyed a very healthy winter. We are all outside a lot! Elizabeth is the child who never seems to get cold. She rarely has shoes on her feet, unless there is a lot of snow. Even then she often has only crocs on and no socks underneath. Brrr. She and T-Bob were outside sledding behind the ATV when it finally warmed up to 8 degrees. They don't seem to feel the cold. They have definitely embraced being country kids.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRF3dXhNfTj5lJXTmCluWMTdsJV4adA_VZo6odklqvLDBJy-kVKk7Rjov6m9H5L2C2zKy4nZjncCVPWZxpmefPbd8xgaqNZX1_9UMuPsZkpuzIvxvuB2-Sszt72chj5J1ULdpwlyBQDEY/s1600/IMG_7062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRF3dXhNfTj5lJXTmCluWMTdsJV4adA_VZo6odklqvLDBJy-kVKk7Rjov6m9H5L2C2zKy4nZjncCVPWZxpmefPbd8xgaqNZX1_9UMuPsZkpuzIvxvuB2-Sszt72chj5J1ULdpwlyBQDEY/s1600/IMG_7062.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Tractor Chickens</td></tr>
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The chickens seem to be managing well in the cold. I see a little bit of frostbite occasionally on their combs but nothing very significant. The chicken tractor seems to be warmer than the run-in coop. These chickens won't come outside unless it is above freezing. The run-in chickens are outside everyday. They have a protected area in the run-in that they take their dust baths and enjoy the afternoon sunshine in no matter how cold it is. They have been laying better also than the tractor chickens. We love our eggs with their orange yolks, even in the middle of the winter!!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uWI0t7J28X4TobLpWqnCu4nrotVGgihOkFKe4MT9hlu-ujETqirLVh-7BH2mlFNZxc5XrYCKVBVkZVUbiuu64rOgXQPsD_dUO7foSLOHLjLpdNOPfpLn0XTl1QVZ1gS29CFD5Q0mHFc/s1600/IMG_7065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uWI0t7J28X4TobLpWqnCu4nrotVGgihOkFKe4MT9hlu-ujETqirLVh-7BH2mlFNZxc5XrYCKVBVkZVUbiuu64rOgXQPsD_dUO7foSLOHLjLpdNOPfpLn0XTl1QVZ1gS29CFD5Q0mHFc/s1600/IMG_7065.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Buff Hen<br /></td></tr>
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We have thoroughly enjoyed the meat from our broiler chickens. We have already ordered our next batch which is supposed to arrive in the middle of March. The broth from these birds is "oh so good"!! They were a big success in our first year of farming!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQVMQ8EV4F1O-dc82BMCts1UUp8X1gIt56FL7DUGNOs6m0E3SRpW_RUvrholsVyNhyNiJFi5U0DNt8bOe7LNOuXdD5BaY_OwTjOtYa219e4xoWeRgN5R0zeJXhdqRczmqBzNWZkOkaDI/s1600/IMG_6785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQVMQ8EV4F1O-dc82BMCts1UUp8X1gIt56FL7DUGNOs6m0E3SRpW_RUvrholsVyNhyNiJFi5U0DNt8bOe7LNOuXdD5BaY_OwTjOtYa219e4xoWeRgN5R0zeJXhdqRczmqBzNWZkOkaDI/s1600/IMG_6785.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Run-in Chickens</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJq-QOa0MlgeTtpHSKRJYB7BFWUZm74BqA5KrmxHisUJxo4RTaAh-jgOHmcIBOPPmhNnJP5u-JRD91Z9HlqpRm8y41ANR6653P4o4st3kMpNSAk3Zsxwk0e3QrAGnpV0ddhpXkqKf2JY/s1600/IMG_6735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJq-QOa0MlgeTtpHSKRJYB7BFWUZm74BqA5KrmxHisUJxo4RTaAh-jgOHmcIBOPPmhNnJP5u-JRD91Z9HlqpRm8y41ANR6653P4o4st3kMpNSAk3Zsxwk0e3QrAGnpV0ddhpXkqKf2JY/s1600/IMG_6735.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice on the pond</td></tr>
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As I close this post, I thought I would also update what is going on in our lives. I never did get a Christmas letter out this year.</div>
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JoAn would appreciate prayer as she is in a VERY busy time of life. She has her normal job doing all the financial stuff for a local Christian school, and she also decided to do another year at H&R Block. She is very busy with her other activities as well... She teaches at AWANA on Sunday nights, heads up a girls Bright Lights group, and works with Paul teaching a kid's club on Friday nights. She also is involved with a College and Career group on Saturday nights. It is a very full schedule. Fortunately, it only lasts until April 15th, cause we miss her!<br />
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Paul starts back to school on Tuesday. He is studying Mechanical Engineering. He is a very diligent student. He works hard and does help out here on the farm. He also teaches at AWANA as well as other responsibilities. <br />
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Michelle has been struggling with some health issues. She is doing some better. It is a process not an event. She is working taking care of my brother's children 3-4 days a week at our house. That keeps her busy for now.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7rA5625b0F9FLlzp_ibPTnqX0VgB3KDgHjvv6gPyd0x0BG4mcNtjQLvBM_LnxFnx1rWVQselDmuWddouW5X6oWEOddJyt4R1UWVYREQGyRHC9TVwAuOX8Q-zmDdjhULrYS6aYBlUfuk/s1600/IMG_6744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7rA5625b0F9FLlzp_ibPTnqX0VgB3KDgHjvv6gPyd0x0BG4mcNtjQLvBM_LnxFnx1rWVQselDmuWddouW5X6oWEOddJyt4R1UWVYREQGyRHC9TVwAuOX8Q-zmDdjhULrYS6aYBlUfuk/s1600/IMG_6744.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funky ice picture<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Thomas has been busy studying for speech and debate season. He was very pleased with his PSAT score. He is starting to visit colleges. He also has spent a lot of time playing basketball this winter. He has really enjoyed it and has done quite well, especially for never having played before. He has started every game on the JV team. He has that unteachable thing called height in his favor. He has a lot of decisions to be made in the next year. He is leaning to preparing for a career in law.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2bdM0jlLV6itBuTxZ1TOWpLJbnbE9qDUgHAnpPHm8aUsr69GhvvLrVwd58NOuqzDcXSDJ5oX9BFxsdrPwXQ87OS_Ny2GINuTnWahzMXiC2DK9BGNG3F8xHQzUxyzqzEx9THI84VBkbg/s1600/IMG_6906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2bdM0jlLV6itBuTxZ1TOWpLJbnbE9qDUgHAnpPHm8aUsr69GhvvLrVwd58NOuqzDcXSDJ5oX9BFxsdrPwXQ87OS_Ny2GINuTnWahzMXiC2DK9BGNG3F8xHQzUxyzqzEx9THI84VBkbg/s1600/IMG_6906.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T-Bob lines up his free throw</td></tr>
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T-Bob thinks that he should be allowed to skip debate and just play basketball. That is not an option in our family. He has really worked on his jump shot and spends a lot of time practicing with the JV team. He enjoys the extra time working on his skills and it definitely helps with his conditioning. But debate will go on. Thomas has been tutoring him in good debate arguments. The boys' first Debate Tournament is in the beginning of February. They are both doing sweepstakes in speech. It is good to see them growing physically,spiritually and mentally.<br />
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Elizabeth is a sweetheart and is always a good helper. She enjoys shooting baskets with the boys and crocheting doll clothes for her younger cousins' dolls. She can butcher a chicken and she enjoys spending time with JoAn. They have been working diligently memorizing the book of Proverbs together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dVGVVXoD0zG9GUVbowGtQVsdz2fYB0Qk1GnG2XXWKYTqLjkHLxYsWR02ioKtn39K47H60uSdVcA2WwyigiXwtxK0uw_uT89DgAoJwmD8ZcKF58KRTqr-7ptxVDta17VNP30yglXUhqg/s1600/IMG_7031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dVGVVXoD0zG9GUVbowGtQVsdz2fYB0Qk1GnG2XXWKYTqLjkHLxYsWR02ioKtn39K47H60uSdVcA2WwyigiXwtxK0uw_uT89DgAoJwmD8ZcKF58KRTqr-7ptxVDta17VNP30yglXUhqg/s1600/IMG_7031.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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When we are home, we enjoy the quiet of the farm. There is a sense of peace, whether we are inside or out. We thank God for his faithfulness in every aspect of life. Enjoy the quiet of winter.</div>
~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1385480496471630454.post-75563702700548327842015-01-12T12:52:00.003-05:002015-01-12T12:52:59.284-05:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! This post is written in honor of my dear mother-in-law who gently reminded me that I have been neglecting writing on my blog. I will try and do better!</div>
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This year we once again made our annual pilgrimage to Red's Tree Farm to select the family tree. We brought along two additional helpers in the form of Miss President and Car. We were watching them that day. This year we found one in the first three minutes of looking. Of course, we still had to make a long circuit through several acres to make sure that we had found the one we liked the best. We had so went back near the entrance and cut down the one we had found early on. Tradition! We are thinking of adapting our tradition and to start planting our own spruce trees in the spring so that we will have our own here on the farm in the future. It won't happen for another few years though. They have to have time to grow tall.</div>
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The children decorated the tree and did a fine job. It looks really nice. </div>
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We had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. We had filet mignon (one of the perks of buying a side of beef) crab legs, and a plethora of side dishes, all very yummy! After dinner we had the traditional opening of the gifts. We went from the youngest to oldest, each opening a gift and going around until the gifts are gone.</div>
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It is so nice to see my DH relaxing again. He has been home and is once again participating in family life. We were able to sell our original Old White Farmhouse just before Christmas. Such a relief!</div>
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Michelle and Thomas enjoyed their corresponding shirts.</div>
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I gifted my DH a tractor with lots of attachments. It is something we could really use. Unfortunately. it was 1:16 size. The boys really enjoyed laying with it. They get bigger in size, but they are still boys at heart. </div>
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Christmas morning was our traditional brunch breakfast for the family. Our family makes and serves a big breakfast to all the family. Mom gives everyone a stocking filled with small gifts. We open those at the table. We made an amazing broccoli quiche, baked apple and baked berry pancake, grits, homemade nut rolls, scrambled eggs, sausage and OJ. Very Yummy!</div>
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Miss President is a big 'Little House in the Prairie' fan. She was super excited to have a dress that was like Laura Ingall's. </div>
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My kids missed their cousins in the Philippines. The rest of the cousins are significantly younger and, although fun, don't enjoy the same activities. They were very excited as they were going to be moving to a new house the next day!</div>
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My baby sister and her husband were very tired as they had spent the last week packing up their house to get ready to move.</div>
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The two Mr. Readers. They both personalized their plastic water glasses with the phrase 'Dad Reader'. </div>
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Elizabeth loves being a country girl! She can't wait to get a horse of her own!</div>
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The family then gathers around the tree. Everybody gets two gifts. One from Grandma and Grandpa and one from either a cousin or a sibling, depending on which group they fit into.</div>
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Grandpa helped Elizabeth figure out the walkie-talkies she got.</div>
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In the afternoon, our friends the Morrises came over. It was good to see Dan the Man again. <br />
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The men sat around discussing theology and other important topics.</div>
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T-Bob looks so short in this picture. Actually, he is almost the same height as I am (5'9"). He is growing quickly, but so is Thomas. He is quickly passing up Michelle. We had a lovely day and played lots of games and enjoyed good fellowship. <br />
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Mangos at the Old White Farmhouse and the Red Barn Farm!!!</div>
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(If you were here today, it looks completely different. We had about 4" of snow overnight!)</div>
~The Mangos~http://www.blogger.com/profile/12320478972648238106noreply@blogger.com0