Sunday, November 9, 2008

A Quiet sunday..........



The sun did rise this morning but only for a moment.............it has been drizzly for days and we had pouring rain last night. It has made it impossible to do much outside for farm chores. I've almost had the tractor stuck twice even in four wheel drive. I did manage to turn the compost pile over yesterday and we filled another box stall in the barn with stone dust and built it up another six inches. Because the barn isn't built on a concrete slab, we have to add more surface to the stalls over the years to keep them even with the sills. The stone dust works great. It drains well and packs nicely.


We delivered the last four pigs to the butcher on sunday 11/2.




It appears that all is going well in the photo.......looks can be deceiving...

The biggest sow quickly turned around and decided she wasn't going. We had to go to plan "B" to get her loaded all the while keeping the other 3 in the trailer. I'm happy I don't have to go through that again for awhile.


4 large piggies all ready for the freezer.

The largest pig weighed approximately 375lbs. A good size for our family. Our butcher was very pleased with our pigs and that always pleases me as he has been in the business for 50 years and I value his opinion. Thursday night we enjoyed our first porchops. Yum! They were huge and tender and delicous. All but one of our customers have picked up their pork and everyone is happy. We are anxiously waiting for the hams and bacon. This week I'm planning to make a strata with the sausage. We will certainly eat well this winter. A great feeling of well being for me.

"Final resting place"

I love old cemetaries and this one is on our way home from the butcher shop in the middle of an old pasture. It was the only sunny day we had this past week and surprisingly I had my camera with me. It has been unusually mild. Temps in the 60's during the day and we rode home with the windows open. The air smelled wonderful.


This neat old windmill is on the same route - it is part of grand old farm that hasn't actually been farmed for years. It saddens me to see these beautiful old farms sitting idle, buildings in different stages of disrepair, land being sold for house lots. I understand why but it still breaks my heart.


I couldn't resist a photo of this bunch............they are always quacking, non-stop. I swear they have conversations with each other. When they chat, they bob their heads up and down and turn their heads side to side. They are so animated it's comical. I really think they are talking about me most of the time :)

7 comments:

Unknown said...

The weather here in Ohio was totally nasty today & with this pathetic cold I have it was the best excuse to sit in the house and veg. I think sometimes thats the only way I'll relax is when the weather turns yucky. My heart always breaks when I see those old farms just sitting there...I wish I had the money to restore some of them:) When I was up in Vermont last year my parent and I found some old cemeteries and they were just fascinating to walk through...they are like the best history book! You know I think I saw my name on one of those bags LOL!! I think I could live on bacon. When I bought my first pig and had him processed, I could not believe I had been eating the wrong bacon all my life....I will never go back:) Thanks for a great post Deb!!

Michelle said...

The vegetarian here couldn't help but notice the slightly funny irony of your series of photos - live pigs, dead pig, cemetary. Hee!

That is a beautiful windmill. Never seen one like that. They are used here; the ones we had in Texas are the tall, spindly ones.

threecollie said...

What a wonderful post! I too enjoy the old cemeteries we pass. So different from today's. I am always glad if someone is still taking care of them rather than the cows getting in among the stones. Love the windmill too!

DayPhoto said...

I LOVE old cemeteries! I make Terry stop if I see one, then I tromp thorough taking phots. How lovely.

Also I know the feeling of farm ground going to subdivisions, makes me sad, sad, sad.

We are living in a time when the farmer is fast disapearing from the American landscape. (At least in western Colorado). I can understand what the American Indian went through.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Far Side of Fifty said...

Very nice photo of the old windmill, I have never seen one like it before..Thanks for sharing! I really enjoy your blog:)

Deb said...

kristi,
I hope your feeling better :) Nothing more miserable than a lingering cold.
If we only had a money tree - just think how many farms we would have!
As much as I complain sometimes about raising the pigs, I do rather miss them when they are gone :) I'm always greatful to them when my freezer is full. We are trying to be patient, waiting for the bacon from the smokehouse. It's hard! I can't just smell it cooking in the pan.....

michelle,
I didn't see the irony until you mentioned it :)
I'm sure you've seen some fantastic windmills in texas. I've never been tot hat part of the country but I'd love to visit!

threecollie,
I'm happy to say that this old cemetary is being taken care of, no wandering cows in around the gravestones. We have a small one near our home that is also well maintained. Tyler loves to look at the old stones.
I've never seen another windmill like that one anywhere - I thought it was so unique.

linda,
your right - farms are disappearing from the landscape everywhere in America - it's very sad. Who would have ever thought this could happen?

far side of fifty,
I'm glad you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping in :)

Christy said...

I can't wait to get ducks. They seem like so much fun.