Time Out

Please bear with me.  My mother has had a stroke and has cancer and I will be taking a hiatus from writing my blog.  I will be back in due time.  Thank you for your understanding.  

I'm very sorry to report that my mother passed away on January 1, 2014.  

My brother used this song to say goodbye.  I think its perfect.   

Winter December 2013

Welcome....

to Winter, December 2013.  

Winter weather hot water hauling.  Twice a day!

The gardens...

...have gone to sleep. 

Piggy boudoir 

They're warm and toasty!

Piggy dining room/lounging area.

A nice place dry place for meals. 

There are always weeds, but they're pretty with the snow on them.

The chickens and ducks declined to make an appearance today. 

Bees are wrapped up for the cold weather.  

The high tunnel gradually builds up snow mounds along it's sides. 

We'll fill the bird feeders in a few more weeks - when we're sure the bears have gone to bed!

Our schnauzer, Petey, helps me with morning chores.  This short haircut helps to keep snow iceballs from forming on his legs!

Boots, the most beautiful cat. 

Hobbes, another beauty.

Ginger refuses to have her picture taken!

All are warm and dry here at Fitzgerald's Family Farm and we dream of spring (yep, already)!

Natural Does Not Equal Organic (plus one more)

Going to the grocery store you see lots of items marked as natural.  You think, "its natural, so it must be better for you."  Sadly, that's not necessarily true.  

Source: www. farmerspal.com

Be sure to check out the new homesteading book from 5 Acres & A Dream (one of the authors in my blog list!)

Deer Day 2013

In this part of Pennsylvania, the Monday after Thanksgiving, the first day of buck hunting season, is Deer Day.  The schools stay closed because, in the past, so many kids miss school that its not worth having it open.  

The mighty hunters ready to go out and brave the cold.