Bad Lids....?

Sadly, it looks like I may have gotten some bad jar lids this year. All of a sudden, a couple of my pumpkin jars popped. :( So I can now add 2 jars of pumpkin to the 6 jars of corn lost. This is the first time I have ever had this happen, and it is frustrating to see all that work having to go in the compost pile. Not to mention all that food!

The pumpkin just went within the last week, as I have a habit of checking lids weekly. And at the last check, all was fine.

Well, I'll wait to put it out until after the next snow on Wednesday. It will give the birds and possums something to pick at then.

New Addition On The Way......

No...No.....no additions to the household...of any kind. I am going to be adding podcasts and am installing the player today. I hope to have a few things up by the end of the month.

Escape!

Yesterday afternoon and today, the crappy weather stopped long enough for me to "escape" the 4 walls and get out to do some necessary running. A few groceries, cat food (they get testy if their food runs out), post office stop, etc.

The little local grocery I go to makes fresh country sausage. There was some on sale yesterday, and when I saw it, sausage gravy on biscuits sounded soooooo good. So, for supper last night, I whipped some up, making my own simple gravy from milk, flour, butter, seasoned pepper, some drippings from the sausage and of course, the sausage. I made enough for a few more meals as well, but I need to watch how much of it I eat (not what you would call a diet food). Some will probably go in the freezer.

Winter (UGH!) and Changes

As we get buried with snow (a four letter word), I am working to getting back to the blog. The last of the canning was done after Thanksgiving with doing up pumpkins for later use and making turkey soup (with fresh mushrooms and sweet potato cubes) from the remains of the Thanksgiving bird. It all now sits patiently downstairs on the shelves with the pickles, tomatoes, beans and other items.

I've been away from blogging for a while, but I am working on the growth of Local Seasons and The New Century Homesteader. I'm looking at doing bigger things, including workshops, books and pamphlets. Hopefully I will be back with a radio program in the spring or summer as well as other types of programming.

The Local Seasons books are being looked at by a publisher at this time, and so far they have shown quite a bit of interest. The passing of Greta has also made it a bit easier for me to look at the possibility of relocation to a little better, workable climate, as well as a more business friendly state. Hopefully that will work out soon. This has been something that I have been wanting to do for a few years, but had yet to work out. (It was also going to be a process to move Greta, but if I moved, so would she have.)

Anyone who is curious about what is next, I'll be posting as we go along. I am looking for "permanent advertisers" for the new venture, so if interested, please feel free to contact.

I'm a bit behind, so I guess today will consist of ordering new seed catalogues, working on writing of the new programs and projects and wishing this "white crap" away. Far...far away!

Firewood and Pumpkins

This morning was spent with me unloading the firewood from the back of the truck and stacking it where accessible. I have another load to pick up later this week. Fun...Fun...Fun! (Not really. This is one of my least favourite jobs.)

Tomorrow I will be processing some leftover pumpkins. One is getting a little soft spot at the bottom, so I guess it is time. I'll be taking some pictures and posting the steps for those who have never done this before.

Also, with canning pumpkins goes the process of roasting pumpkin seeds. Mmmmmmm. I will experiment this year with some hot sauce added with the spices, I think.

Most of the farm markets are closing for the season around here now. I really do dislike this time of year. Too cold, too drab (well, we've actually been having sun here), and everything that drops leaves looks so dead. I keep thinking it won't be that long untill it is spring again.

New Gadget

I just added a neat new gadget that I found (bottom of page). See what foods are in season in your state. Just hit the blue arrows to bring up the state and month, and see what pops up!

Back.....

Yes, I have been negelecting the blog the last 2 months. It has been so busy, time just got away. Between cleaning out gardens, planting for next year (garlic), canning and preserving, closing up summer camp.....it was a busy time.

For a bit of bad news, "Greta" passed less than 2 weeks ago, just a couple months short of her 12th birthday. No long illness or suffering....just age. I got her when she was about 6 months old, so she was with me for a long time. It does seem funny without her out there every morning.

I am hoping to have another goat or two join the family, but not untill next year, after winter is over and done.

I do promise that there will be posts weekly. Not quite daily, but close enough. Also, watch for photo tutorials, something new I will be offering.