The Rural Blogger

Archive for the ‘Family’ Category

Baby Food Book

I was in Good Will today looking around for some goodies.  I really wasn’t looking for anything in particular just kind of snooping.  I always end up in the book section.  This time looking for old recipe books or perhaps something on dehydrating.  My mind wonders a lot when I’m shopping in Good Will.  Anyhow, I ran across the book pictured above.  I grabbed it right away, thinking of my sister-in-law who is expecting her second baby early next year.

Goodness, I shouldn’t have paged through it once I got home.  There are some very good ideas and recipes in this book that was published back in the early 70′s.  Now, I’m thinking I should keep it eventhough my “baby” is 13 years old and we are not expecting any babies or grandbabies in the near future.  What I am considering is putting Chastiti on real food.  I believe some of the info/recipes might be helpful to transition her from her Nutrin (something simular to Ensure) to real food and still be able to send it through her feeding tube.

So I guess I will look at it some more. Perhaps I can learn enough by Christmas so I can send the book on to Amber so she can benefit from it as well.
~Carol

4H Meeting at the Lake

Tonight was the Madison’s 4H club’s annual picnic at the lake.  What a beautiful evening for a potluck supper and meeting.  Afterwards, the kids went tubing and swimming.  It was a very nice time and gave us a chance to talk about projects before our county fair which is in 2 weeks.  There is so much to get done yet for 4H and FFA.  Madison meets withher Ag Teacher on Tuesday.  That will be a big help.

So today was day 2 of milking for Caitlin and me.  She doesn’t mind me milking her at all.  She also loves to be brushed.  We are going to have to figure out how we are going to keep, Mac (calf) from drinking all the milk.  I manage my goats by removing the babies at night, then milking the mamas in the morning. The kids then get to spend the day with mom before the whole thing repeats.  Suppose that will work with a cow?  My real concern is that I will have to bring Mac into the barn and leave Caitlin in the pasture overnight.  Will she panic and worry all night about her youngster?

There is good news about Mac.  He seems to be walking better.  The “loose” hip he had at birth is less noticable.  I hope the limp just completely disappears.

~ Carol

Today we headed out to my sister, Karen’s, home about 30 minutes from here.  The roads weren’t too bad, better then last night’s roads.  We are tough Minnesotans and can handle it.

Karen served turkey with all the fixings’ and it was all good.  I did remember to bring the cheesecake along with pecan pie and some cherv cheese and homemade jams.  I’m gonna get my family to like goat milk! 

I filled Karen’s freezer with some of our farm raised meats and she gave us some of the vension she had in her freezer.  She’s going to make lamb for her family.. something they’ve never tried but always wanted too.

We stayed late.  I believe that was the only mistake we made tonight because on our way home, we got the car stuck on some curves about 15 minutes from home.  The snow had drifted across the road and just filled it in.. very deep and our car got hung up in the drifts. 

We tried hard to free the car without any luck.  Then a car stopped and tried to help but we were still stuck.  The woman said she lived just 5 minutes away anmd would go get her hubby only to realize that she was now stuck as well.  So a quick phone call brought her hubby with a truck and chains in about 15 minutes.

He pulled us out and that’s when we noticed that he would be there for a bit as there must have been at least another 6 cars stuck behind us!  Where are the snowplows when ya need them?

Anyway, we are home safe and sound thanks to some very nice people.  GoodNight!
Carol

We had a wonderful quiet Christmas at home.  Since my sister postponed Christmas dinner until Sunday due to the weather, it was just us here today.  Rich tried to blow the snow out of the yard and driveway but the snow was so heavy with moisture that he really just pushed it around.  It almost smells like spring out there.

We opened presents after chores were completed.  Then feasted on ham, scalloped potatoes, sweet corn, cranberry relish, cookie salad and pecan pie.  Yum yum!

Madison received Farm-opoly from Santa so we played a game of that this evening.  Half way through the game, Ellie needed to go outside and we found a chicken sitting on the doorstep.  I’m assuming Candle brought her up from the barn.  I’ve caught her carrying chickens around before.  I’m wondering if it was a peace offering of some sort or just a Christmas gift for me  .

Anyway, the poor thing was soaking wet so I wrapped her in a towel and put her on my lap.  She settled in quite nicely.  Soon after, my losing streak changed in the game..  suddening things seemed to go my way and I won.  I think it was because of my feathered friend napping in my lep.  All that good karma.. saving her from the wet outside, hehehe.

After the game, Austin was nice enough done his winter wear and take Lucky back to the barn for the night.  What a sweet boy I have.

Well, it’s late and I need to get to bed.  Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  Merry Christmas and goodnight!
Carol

It’s Christmas eve.. the stockings are hung.  The kiddos are tucked in bed with their favorite quilts.  Presents are wrapped and under the tree.  I think we are ready for Christmas day!

I was busy in the kitchen doing a few things to ready us for dinner tomorrow.  my sister called and postponed Christmas dinner until Sunday.  I’m happy I planned ahead and thawed a ham for us.

This weather is really causing some problems.  We have close to a foot of new snow outside and they say more is still coming.  The snow is heavy and wet… should make some good snowballs or snowman.

Well, I better get to bed.  GoodNight!
Carol

Rich and I finally made our way over to Kristine’s to pick up the hutch she was giving away.  It was a bit of a trick to get it into the house but it’s here.  We put it in the back room for now.  It was really the only place it would fit.

The storm is here and it is snowing hard.  The tempature is warm.. in the 20′s with little or no wind which makes for a very pretty winter scene.  The kids just left for town to do some last minute Christmas shopping.  I pray that they are careful and return safe and sound.

I better get Chas tucked in for the night.  GoodNight!
Carol

Today was Chas’ neurology appointment in St. Paul, MN.   Since Rich is still busy with our fencing project, Kristine agreed to go with me on this trip.  It gets to be long day as we have to travel over 2 hours one way so it is nice to have company along the way.

Chas did great on the trip.  She has a few med changes over the next week and hopefully not too many seizures.

We stopped in a Sam’s Club on the way home.  It’s been a while since I was in a Sam’s Club.  Chas seemed to enjoy looking at all the shelves loaded with stuff.  We didn’t get a whole lot of stuff.  Kristine said she was making her "big" trip next week so I should get my "list" together and she will pick up what I need.

That’s about it.  I’m tired tonight but don’t feel like I did anything to be so tired!  That driving all day is exhausting.  GoodNight!
Carol