Farmed and Dangerous

Chipolte has put together a series to air on Hulu that looks very interesting.  

The trailer makes the series look hilarious.  

Youtube hosts a number of shorts by the series' main character, "Buck Marshall."

I know I'll be watching!

But....I'm of two minds on this series.  

On one hand, will the public pay more attention and become more aware of the problems with our commercial food industry if the problems are made entertaining?  

On the other hand though, if we make the problems in our food industry more entertaining, do they become diminished by becoming a joke?  

What are your thoughts? 

Be sure to hop over to Frugally Sustainable!

White Out Conditions Called

The kids don't often get days off from school around here.  This morning a two hour delay was announced for "white out conditions." 

These photos are from my front and back windows.  I'd say the two hour delay was a good call.  

While drinking my morning coffee I morosely contemplate the sideways blowing snow.  "Oh boy, I'll be going out in that in a few minutes," I think.

To be fully prepared and I pull out my "really bad weather" gear.  

Hat, scarf, heavy padded Shmidt coat, and Schmidt overalls, heavy gloves, and snow boots.  I'm prepared for the snow and especially wind.  

The wind froze enough to make me turn away and cover my face.  I quickly found that all the clothing's extra weight and slogging through the deep snow actually made me too warm!  

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.

~Albert Camus

Coats On Goats

We've made a new addition to our menagerie.  Two gorgeous little goats. The doe with the droopy ears is a mini boer and the one with the upright ears is a mini boer-alpine cross.  

Meet Rosie, our droopy eared girl.  When my son walked in he took one look at her and said, "She's a Rosie (thank you to our dear friend, Rosie!).  We decided to stay with the floral motif and named the girl with the upright ears Violet.   

Aren't they so stinking cute? 

(except for the devil eyes from the flash!)

Rosie and Violet

Why are there coats on the goats?  

Last night about 10 p.m. I watched the temperature drop and drop and I worried and worried.  The temperature was below zero and still dropping!  

The chickens, ducks, and turkeys have nice down and feathers to keep them warm and they were closed up in their coops.  The pigs have a deep nest of straw in their hut and each other to snuggle up beside.  The dogs and the cats have house heat.  But the poor little goats, even with their big hay pile, had only each other to snuggle with.  So I dug out my miniature schnauzers' sweaters and my husband and I went out and dressed the goats in an extra layer.  

They didn't complain a bit!  

Be sure to hop over to Frugally Sustainable's  Blog Hop #105!  

January Dreaming.....

I know I'm not the only one.  The dreaming begins as soon as the seed and garden catalogs begin to show up in the mail.  This is the year for the best, most perfect, garden ever!

(I do believe I say every year.)

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!)