for your viewing pleasure

My husband went out to help some Amish friends he has met over the last few years. They were harvesting their corn...the "old fashioned" way!
This first and third clip is sideways. So adjust your computer and head as necessary! And don't worry the clips are only a few seconds long!!

I hope you enjoyed the videos!
I have some pics to follow. But not tonight. It's been a busy day and I'm too tired to talk about the!! haha
Have a great night all!

storing the harvest

OK. I have said on more then one occasion that I have been up to my eyeballs in tomatoes. It's true. I don't dare say how many pounds of tomatoes I've canned. But, it's a lot. Believe me. I also said I had lots of plans for my tomatoes, and I did. But due to rain, horn worms, chickens, and a new crop of tomatoes we have never planted, we didn't get much. Will never do that again. Hard lesson learned on our parts. But we are fortunate that we know other farmers that had a bounty. And I'm very excited to say that everything I wanted to do with tomatoes I was able to do!!!  So thankful for that!  So...

Here they are! This is what you are looking at from left to right V8 juice, Tomato juice, Salsa, Pasta sauce, Soup starter, Canned tomatoes, and the little one in front is Pizza sauce.
There that is what I've been up to and that is what my tomatoes are doing now. The above is the reason I haven't been blogging or commenting on your blogs lately. But I'm still around. Just been busy. Now you know!
Have a great day all!

wheat harvest, part 2

OK. To answer a few questions from part one! I think I must have been a bit vague on that. My bad, I've been busy lately. But feel free to ask, I'll do my best to answer them, via a comment or a post!
It's about 2.5-3 acres of wheat.
Yes the combine and the tractor are ours. And both are paid for! So even better!
No we are not allowed to bale the straw, due to the owners saying we can't. So we won't!
It's a hard red spring wheat, called Glenn. 
Now on with the cleaning!

It comes out of the gravity box, down the auger

 And into some buckets.

Then dump it into this part of the

 SO here is a picture of the whole thing. Dump in the dirty wheat, it gets shaken and shimmied down the screens, then the cleaned wheat berries come out to the right, and the hulls and chaff go out to the left.

Then you grab some kiddos who have nothing to do (ahem) and they hold the bag to hold the wheat berries.

Now what will we do with all this wheat?
We gave some of the chaff, still has some wheat berries in it away, and we plan to feed some of it out.
For the use of this wonderful cleaner we traded some man power and wheat berries for the use of it.
We will save some, maybe plant some...
 Defiantly use some to make some bread. I'll have the kiddos grind it fresh because wheat starts to loose it's goodness once it's been ground. It gives the bread a whole different taste and texture.
It's only taken me 3 days to get this post done. I've been up to my eyeballs in tomatoes. Literally.
Any more questions feel free to ask. Now I've got to run and tend to my canner...have a great weekend all!

wheat harvest, part 1

We were given a wheat field. What? Yup, it was grown by a store that my husband does business with, and they said if you combine it, it's yours. What a blessing you might say. And it's organic! Even better. See how pretty it is...

...well was.
 It's not 100's of acres like out west, but it's still nice to look at. And hardly any weeds!
 Growing wheat has been something my husband has wanted to do for a long time, and did once, but that field has been taken back and we can no longer grow any wheat. But when this opportunity came knocking he took it! He kept an eye on it and tested the moisture and all that to make sure it didn't go past what it should be.

Up close of the combine cutting the wheat.

My man up on his tractor!

Back side view of combining. Perfect weather.

 The gravity box almost full of wheat to be cleaned.

Here it is. Yes that is a thermometer stuck in there. We had to take the temperature of it to make sure it wasn't getting too hot.
I'll have part two, the cleaning soon. Just life got busy here for a few days. Now with home school in session...every day just got even fuller! 
Have a great day all!

storing the harvest

Seeings how I'm canning the stuff now I figured I'd give out the recipe before it's all gone by and you can't try it.
So here she goes...

Start out with a bunch of this stuff, minus the cucumbers...and add some onions. Then...

Then chop it up. Then...

Throw it in a big ole pot and cook it for a while. Then...

Put it in some jars, pressure can it and tada!! Your done! Looks easy enough right? What is it? Oops for got that part. It's soup starter! We love it. When I want to eat it I fry up some sausage (rice, or chicken)  and then add soup starter, cook up some angle biscuits and have a nice warm supper!
Here's the recipe if yer interested...

***Disclaimer! Can at your own risk! Know what you are doing before you start!***

Soup Starter
Saute 1 onion in 1/4 C E.V.O.O (I like garlic so I put some in there too)
Then add 6C zucchini (I use summer squash, can use both)
3C Tomatoes (without the skin)
1 Carrot (I use more, and eyeball it)
1/2t salt
1/4t oregano
1/4t basil
1/4t pepper
1 bay leaf
Cover and simmer 15 min covered
Uncover and simmer 15 min
Put in jars and pressure can 10lbs for 35 minutes
1 batch makes about 2 quarts!
Happy canning!

bountiful and thankful

I can go from nothing to OMW!!!!!!!!!!!

Take a look at what I mean!

 This is the biggest melon we have ever grown!! Whoot whoot!!We have a couple more, but not this size. I hope to pick them and eat them. All warm and yummy and juicy!!! Oh ya I'm into it!
The best way to grow melons, in  Maine, is black plastic and mulch, they like peat moss. I didn't know that..now I do and will try that next year. But they did grow on black plastic. So I guess one outta two isn't bad. It usually isn't warm enough long enough here. But this summer...

I moved some weeds. OK, I hauled out a bunch of them and low and behold I have a pepper plant growing in the melon patch! I'm not sure how that happened.  I have 9 pepper plants I think. This is the only pepper I've yet to find. This is the first year I planted peppers.

We like beets around here. Harvard beets or pickled. With this years crop I plant to make only pickled.

Now try not to drool all over the tomatoes. Hehehe, naw just kidding I'm trying not to drool all over the tomatoes. Really. I didn't grow these beauties. A fellow down the road did. We bartered for them. Shhhh don't tell anyone! bhahaha
I won't beat a dead horse with the whoos of my tomato plants...again... but I can lay claim to the rest of the produce in the picture! Yup all from my garden. I'm pleased with what I got.
 My green beans are a flop this year too. Just when I was thinking I wasn't going to get any beans this year my neighbor came over and said I could go pick his, he had tons. So I ended up going over and picking his. Then my SIL said I could pick her beans, because she had enough. So I did! So I'm thankful for the beans I got.
So thankful for it all actually!
SO now tomorrow I'll be chained to my kitchen and stove, canning!!
What about ya'll? What's going on with your gardens? Any flops for anyone else, or just me?

the month of august, so far

I realize my posts are far and few between this month. There is a reason. It's simple really. I call it life!
 I've been chained to my kitchen stove. haha Canning season is here for me finally. I was up canning one night, er rather morning until 1am when I finally crawled into bed. I'm finally done making pickles. I've never had so many! I may end up with a few tomatoes. Not only are my chickens eating them, but now I've got horn worms. Awesome. So I went and ordered two bushels of tomatoes, local folks. Gotta do something. I had the kitchen full of produce, and canning jars. No table, floor, and counter space for anything! I've since cleaned it up and put things away. I still have jars in the kitchen waiting for...you name it!
We got some rain one day, all day..about 7 inches! The next day was nice and sunny and the land was dry! Oh it's dry here. Now today it's raining off and on. No picking beans today, maybe tomorrow, or Monday.
There was one week I went to town just about everyday. Not fun for me. Then one day I left home at 8:20am and didn't get home until 4ish. Driving all over the place.
The kiddos school portfolios are done, and they passed! Yay! School books are all ordered and on there way to me! Plan to start soon...
My husband has been busy with work as well. Now he's got some wheat, and oats to combine! We didn't grow it. But we get to keep some of it! He's excited to be able to do this too. Something he enjoys doing.
I swear with all the heat we've had this summer my kiddos have grown a foot each! Not to mention how their shoes no longer fit them,  they run around barefoot all summer long. When we leave the house I make sure they have flip flops to put on to go into the stores. What a chore they think! Shoes! I remember being the same way though, now the thought of going bare foot makes my feet hurt!  I notice how tall they are when my oldest two give me hugs. They are almost as tall as me. Sniff sniff. And the youngest two are in a race to see who can be taller. My baby is quickly catching up to her older sister...and has definitely lost the "baby" look of her this summer. Sniff sniff. Oh how fast it goes by, and wish they could just be little again. I didn't see it when they were all little, but now, oh how I see how fast childhood slips away, and now they are growing and becoming some amazing young people! I'm a proud mama for sure!
The critters keep me busy too. When it's so hot they drink a lot of water, as you all know. Just regular stuff you know. Nothing new there really.
The laundry continues to be going...everyday. 
How about your month of August?

small harvest

So where have I been? What have I been doing? Not on the computer for sure! Two good questions. Grab some Starbucks Lemon Loaf and sit down and see. Oh you don't have a Starbucks near by because you live too far in the country to do downtown and get some!? Well then just make some. It's really good!
See...

 Or just make some of these...

On the left you have Thin Mints. The right you have Tagalongs!
Oh yes I did make them too! With one of the kiddos. But my husband had the camera, so no pics of making it. If you want the recipe leave me a comment! I'll share them!
Now on with the stuff...

My SIL came over. As she and her family do lots of, and we go to her house. Anyways she was out in the barn while I was milking and she said I should show her how to milk sometime. I looked at her and smiled. "OK." I finished milking the back two quarters. Then showed her how to milk. She got down there and I was like "Oh no, now it's your turn to milk. Might just as well start now!" I moved off the stool and let her have a go at it. I had to get the camera and take a pic. She didn't want her face on there so I zoomed in on her hands.  Now I have a relief milker!! We usually wear gloves, and milk in a stainless steel pail, but I was going to dump this for the pigs so no gloves and a plastic pail!  See...

This was back in 2010 when we first got Maggie, and she came fresh. See her little bull calf in the back?! He's peeking over my shoulder. We lost him. But now have a healthy heifer from her! I've also gotten better at milking and much more comfortable milking now. I still enjoy it. I've been milking lots lately too. Takes me about 20 minutes to milk start to finish. I think that's pretty good, if I do say so myself!

 Had to bite the bullet and buy a new canner. The one I had my mom bought me at Walmart a very long time ago when I first started canning. I've been able to get replacement parts for it all along, until this year. I can no longer get parts, and I needed a gage. So I got a new one. Not at Walmart either. A hardware store and the Presto Brand, and I know I can get parts for it!  So I've been canning. Not as much as I have in past years due to the late start due to rain, and now due to lack of rain.

I've gotten some green beans. They are my favorite thing! Not much though. I'm thankful for what I have gotten so far.
And

More Garlic Dill pickles! So many cucumbers! I've also enjoyed many cucumber sandwiches too!
I also canned soup starter!

I think some of you were waiting for the recipe. I haven't forgotten! It's coming!
And

plain Summer Squash. I plan to saute onion and garlic with some E.V.O.O, then add some Kielbasa, and throw in the summer squash, this winter. When it's done I like to put some Parmesan cheese on it with some salt and pepper. yup, I like it! Something I like to eat in the summer, and figured it would be good in the winter too. Also some sort of cheese sauce if I can get the recipe! (A different recipe from the before mentioned)! Just some new ideas on what to do with the food I grow for winter. A little summer when it's cold out is nice!

Other then regular stuff like laundry, barn chores and house work that about sums it up. Haven't been to the ocean. Gotta go soon though!
I've ordered school books for the up coming school year. Yikes! I don't know if I'm ready..

you asked for it

Now I'm so happy that my garden is FINALLY producing something!! Now I can get busy canning. With all the rain and cold we had to start the season I feel like I'm behind. I kinda am. I'm usually canning beans by now, and I have yet to fire up my canner:( I know they are coming because I weeded and picked beans the other morning, but they went to the pigs. I got maybe 1 quart outta all my beans. The pigs liked them. Oh well. I have a feeling I'll have so much to can in a few weeks I'll be crazy! I say that every year and I get it done. I get a little grayer every year. Hahahaha, thank goodness for hair dye, and a fabulous salon I go to! But check this out!!!

I can't lay claim to the amazing tomatoes. Mine are still green. But they are native to Maine, and local, so they count in my book. Besides I currently have 36 cups of summer squash in my freezer. I'm going to make soup starter. I made it last year and we love it!!!!  I'll show you, don't worry! ha
But someone did ask if I would share my garlic dill pickle recipe. I believe it was Kelly. Now I'm gonna pause and see if I can be techno savvy and post it here... Nope no idea how to do that. Any tips? I'm not computer savvy. I can hear my sister laughing at me now. I'm sure she can picture me sitting here trying to figure it out!! Anyways
I made Garlic Dill Pickles this afternoon. Oh how I love these! Now lets make pickles...

Disclaimer... Can at your own risk! I've done it for years and have never had a problem. Know what your doing before you get started! Save money and eat healthier.

 The obvious...

 Pickling Spice wrapped in cheese cloth

Water, cider vinegar and salt. I use sea salt, in case you didn't get that by the picture. I've never used canning salt.

 Oh yummy! Garlic and fresh dill. Nope not grown at my house. Both are local. Someday when my husband doesn't till my garlic in and my animals don't eat all my herb garden stuff... oh never mind..don't ask.

 Alum. Keeps 'em crunchy. Throw it all in a jar. I've got some from last year and they are still crunchy.

Boil the water, salt, and vinegar. Throw in the pickling spice and boil it for 10 min.

Put your hot lids,and screw cover on, and cover with a towel. Listen to the popping sound! It's music to my ears! Wait one very long month before you open them up! Better then store bought!!
Recipe
3 C Cider vinegar
6.5-7 C water
little less then 1/2 C salt
Put 2 T pickling spice in cheese cloth and put in once everything is boiling. Boil 10 min.
In jars
Fill with cucumbers. Toss in 4 whole garlic cloves, and 2 sprigs of fresh dill. 1/4 t Alum powder.  Pour hot vinegar water over. Seal with hot lids! 1 batch makes about 4 quarts.  Let sit 1 month before eating! Enjoy!
Have a great day!

produce

I'm so excited!! I know my fellow garden blogger's would be too, or are. Depending on where they live! I have gotten some Summer Squash out of my garden!!!!!! My first fruits!!
Whoot whoot!!! See

 I picked three of them!! I plan on using most all of them in my soup starter. I may have to freeze them while I wait for..

 these beauties!!! They are loaded with tomatoes, and I'm sooooooooooo excited. (In case you didn't notice)!! The only draw back it it's very dry here now. I need to water the gardens. It's not a drought like out west as I've been reading on others blogs, and I'm thankful. We just need some rain, like some of you do.

If you look real close you'll see tons of blossoms and some small cucumbers!! I can't wait to sink my teeth into a nice fresh cucumber sandwich! I just love 'em. Oh and my garlic dill pickles! My mouth just waters at the thought!  Yummmmmmmy!!
Well I just had to share! I'm excited at the prospect of a good garden harvest. At least I pray for one!
Have a great day all!

apple cider pressing

A number of years ago we bought a cider press. It's come in very handy too. We've even pressed pears in it and made pear cider and mixed it with apple cider. Just an interesting twist on the flavors. I'm not a huge fan of pear juice, kinda pulpy. We freeze some and turn some into hard cider. Both are yummy to enjoy in the winter! It's all arm power to turn it, the ole arms get a work out. The kiddos even give it a whirl, the older two can do it, the younger two need some help.
 Alright, so I'll break it down per photo. Kinda 101 cider pressing! It's fun.

 This is what our cider press looks like. Very basic and simple. There is a handle on top that twists down when it's being pressed, but I didn't get it in the picture.

This is where you put the apples to be ground up. You can see the teeth of it too. They are sharp and will cut your fingers in good shape.

Grab some kiddos and have them start grinding up the apples. My sister and brother in law came over to join in the fun. They have 4 kiddos too! The red wheel turns the grinder.

 Gotta keep on throwing in apples and grinding to fill up the bucket. I love the sky in this picture. It was so beautiful to look at, so many shades of blue and gray! It's over looking the cow pasture and the hay field.

Here is the bucket under the grinder. The mesh bag holds in the apples, and we fill it to almost the top before we cover and press it. But this is what the apples look like.

 Here it is covered and starting to press the apples! Yummy! The kiddos can do this part too, to a certain point, until it gets too hard to turn the handle. You can see how it collects in the wooden part of the press and then comes out the hole into the bucket.

This is for My Man. He loves this part when the cider is coming out and looks really good. Love the color of it. We like to grab a cup and drink some to make sure it tastes just right! It usually does. Yes we drink it raw. I know shocking right? We know where they come from and use clean apples, and we are careful when we press it as well. We have never had any problems come from drinking raw cider.

This is the pumas (left over apples). We feed them to the pigs and our neighbors cows. We throw it in the bucket of the tractor and it's easy clean up. The mesh bag makes it handy too. When we dig out the cider press we wash all the parts and bleach it as well. Then when we put it away we wash it and make sure all the parts are clean, dry, and then store it away until next season!
Well that's all there is too it! Easy, right?!
Have a great day!