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Spring has Sprung and the Snakes are Awake!

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Disclosure

If you know me, you know I HATE snakes!  I don’t mean I just don’t like snakes… I mean I hate snakes with a passion!  So spring to me means the snakes are awake!  They scare me to death!  When God said He was putting enmity between woman and the serpent, He was NOT kidding!  (Genesis 3:15)  

Today we spent the day helping Gage get his brooder box ready for the 30 chicks that are arriving this week.  When Gage and I were about to walk out of the garage, he calmly announced “SNAKE”.  There slithering off of our front walkway into the shrubs is THE snake.  I immediately froze.  My hubby, David, was there with us so he grabbed a shovel and a hoe.  When Hubby approached the snake, he could not immediately tell if it was poisonous or not because the snake was acting so aggressively.  Well, it turns out it was a two foot Hognose snake!  And, to make matters worse, David does not believe in killing the wretched things unless they are poisonous… but he will take it off, at least.  Even though I completely abhor snakes, there are some good lessons here to learn.  And yes, I took these pictures!  

Snake Identification HognoseHognose snakes are hard to tell apart from a Water Moccasin (Cotton Mouth) snake when they are little.  If you are like me, kill the darn thing and worry about if it is poisonous after the threat is gone … but that is not hubby’s mode of operation so we have to learn this stuff when he is around.  

The color of a Hognose snake varies widely, so using color as an identifier is not viable.  As always, we look at the face and eyes.  But this guy was so small, we couldn’t see his eyes.  We did, however, notice its snout was upturned. But that actually made it hard to determine if it had a triangular or round nose.

 

 

Hognose Snake Playing Dead When threatened, a hognose snake will flatten their neck and raise their head off the ground and hiss like a cobra … behaving quite aggressively.  This also makes it hard to determine if they have a triangular or round head.  Our little snake was doing a fabulous job at acting all aggressive, hissing, flaring, etc.  He almost lost his head cause he is such a good actor!  So, needless to say, putting our face down there to see its eyes was completely out of the question!  

If flattening and flaring their neck and hissing  fails to thwart their attacker, the Hognose snake will literally roll over and play dead, with their tongue hanging out of their gaping open mouth. (Ugh!!!  Have I mentioned I hate snakes… ).  

 

Hognose Snake playing deadThe Hognose Snake will continue to play dead until the threat has disappeared.  I can assure you, no snake was harmed during this event (although this one is an excellent actor at faking it).  This snake WAS personally escorted off the property, by my hubby.  

Something every family that lives in an area where there are snakes needs is a great snake identification book!  Just in case the internet is down when you stumble upon one of these!  (Note we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program.  Any money received via this relationship is used for our homeschool!  PS. I’ve made a grand total of $0.00 from affiliate marketing… but the FTC says I have to tell you that IF you buy it, I will make 4% of the sale as commission.) 

Side note:  There is some controversy over if the Hognose snake is venomous or not.  Here is a Quote from Wikipedia:

The venomous nature of Hognose snakes is controversial, however it is generally agreed upon that they are not venomous. A bite from a hognose can result in swelling and numbness at the site of the bite, though this is likely the result of a simple allergic reaction. Similar symptoms can result from dog and cat bites, and even from human saliva. There does not seem to have been any scientific studies to determine the existence or characterize the nature of hognose “venom.”

The most reliable identifier of the Hognose Snake is the upturned nose.  It uses it to dig out toads, their primary diet.   These snakes are stout bodied and do not grow very long, adults are from 14 to 40 inches long.  They are diurnal (means they are active during the daytime), and burrow into loose soil.  Hognose snakes are not constrictors, they are rear-fanged.  Their venom enables them to overcome toads to allow the snake to swallow the toad.  Hognose snakes have mild dispositions and rarely bite.  Apparently this makes them attractive for those that like to keep snakes.  

I can assure you, this is one pet this household will NOT have (at least not while they are living here)!  

Until next time….. 

Note we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. 

We’ve Got Good News and Bad News

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We’ve got good news and bad news.  First, the good news!  We have a small farm where we raise registered Jersey cows.  We had another first today… One of our Jersey cows, Buttercup, had her first calf.  This calf is also the first “second generation” calf born on our farm.  Girls are prized in the Jersey Dairy world… so we are very excited that Buttercup’s calf is a heifer (girl), we think.  My boys named her Matzah because the Feasts of Pesach and First Fruits are coming up and we eat Matzah bread for the feasts.  When we discussed the irony of her being two first born’s (Buttercup’s and the farm’s first second generation calf) they decided the name should focus on something that pertained to First Fruits.  I love the fact that our boys know about, understand and get excited about keeping the Biblical feasts!  What a blessing!  So, without further adieu, meet Matzah:

new calf, we named her Matzah

Jersey Calf: Matzah

Isn’t she just adorable?  And she looks like she might be a red heifer 🙂  Look that one up in scripture!    ‘Course it could be that she is still wet … tomorrow, I’ll head down there to see if she is still this red!  

 

On a more somber note, we lost Cooter Brown yesterday. The first day we saw the rooster, we could not catch him or lure him into the pen.  The second day we managed to catch him and put him in the pen with Rocky and the ladies (hens).  That didn’t go well, so we moved him to the other pen.  We put fresh water and lots of crumble and scratch in there to keep him happy and full.  The next morning, we discovered that Cooter Brown had “flown the coop”.  We decided to just open up the pen and let him come and go as he pleased with food and water in the pen for him.  It was that or just not try to keep him!  We saw him first thing yesterday morning, in the pen. Unfortunately, he chose to wander… and something got him in our field yesterday afternoon.

Ironically, another biblical principal was taught with this unfortunate incident. When we willfully choose to walk outside of Abba’s protection, we are vulnerable.  Our boys saw a vivid reminder of this.  They knew full well the extent of the actions we took to try to keep and protect Cooter Brown. But ultimately, it was his choice that led to his demise and it is the same for us.

We have witnessed the full life-cycle occur in the span of 24 hours here on our farm.  All teachable moments…  Teaching children about death is never easy!  But, in nature and on a farm, children experience both death and life, decay and renewal.  And not only do they learn these are a part of the life-cycle, they see the examples.  I know many parents are uncomfortable talking about death, but I think we do children a huge disservice if we do not help them work through death and loss.  Isn’t that our job, to help them learn these difficult concepts in a loving and supportive environment.  Our job is not to shield them from reality!  Here, on the farm, ignoring the topic is not an option…  

So… Today was going to be catch up day.  My middle son is trying to get caught up on some of his recent science experiments that he is behind on … instead of working on experiments, today, he got to experience science (biology) live and in-person.  Live and Learn Farm… yep, the name fits!

 

UPDATE:  

Matzah is no longer red!!!

Updated... Matzah 1 day old

Updated… Matzah 1 day old

 

 

Gumbo with Turkey Sausage

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I made a new recipe today that I’ve never even thought about cooking…. GUMBO!  I have been to New Orleans and I loved the gumbo, but we are now eating biblically clean, so I had not even thought about this on our menu!  I was looking through the Better Homes and Gardens New Crockery Cookbook a couple of weeks ago and stumbled upon this recipe.  It dawned on me that I could make Gumbo with Turkey Smoked Sausage in this recipe!  My boys gave it a 9.0 – 10.0 and hubby gave it an 11.  Guess I’ll be making this recipe again!  This is NOT a hard recipe to cook at all… even the roux which I have heard is so hard, was not hard at all.  So, don’t be intimidated by this one!  

Gumbo

Gumbo

 

Note:  I made a few modifications besides the Turkey Sausage.  I did not cook it in a crock pot, I cooked it on the stove for about 4 hours on low.  I doubled the recipe.  Also, I added 4 cups of Chicken Broth.  So, adjust your times if you don’t double the recipe.  


Makes: 5 servings


Prep:  30 mins

Slow Cook 3 hrs to 3 hrs 30 mins  High setting

 

 Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cooking oil
  • 3 cups water
  • 12 ounces fully cooked smoked sausage links, quartered lengthwise and sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken or 12-ounces skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 2 cups sliced okra or one 10-ounce package frozen whole okra, partially thawed and cut into 1/2-inch slices
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped green sweet pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 3 cups hot cooked rice

Directions

1.  For the roux, in a heavy 2-quart saucepan stir together the flour and oil until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium. Cook and stir constantly about 15 minutes more or until a dark, reddish-brown roux forms. Cool.

2.  In a 3-1/2-, 4-, or 5-quart crockery cooker place water. Stir in roux. Add sausage, chicken, okra, onion, sweet pepper, celery, garlic, salt, pepper, and ground red pepper.

3.  Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 6 to 7 hours or on high-heat setting for 3 to 3-1/2 hours. Skim off fat. Serve over the hot cooked rice. Makes 5 servings.

We are linking up with Everyday Mom’s Meals http://www.everydaymomsmeals.blogspot.com/.  If you are like me, I’m always looking for new recipes!  Be sure to check out the other recipe posts!  

Note: Items above are linked to my Amazon affiliate account. The very small amount of money that we make from our affiliation with Amazon is used to augment our curriculum needs. Photos are shared from Amazon.

Farm Volunteer Surprises!

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What an absolutely beautiful day we had Friday!  We spent most of the day in the yard working!  And we are so thankful to have the warm day to do it!  This time of year, it is very common to get in the greenhouse and find a volunteer or two growing.  But this year, we have a whole new level of farm volunteer!  Look at what we found:  Ten Potato plants and Carrot Volunteers!!!  I didn’t even know Carrots would return if not picked!  (Ha ha ha…. Live and Learn, right?)!  Anyway, I thought I would share some pictures of what is going on around here.  Spring is when everything on the farm is starting to kick back into gear, including us… I’ve got a few winter pounds to lose myself due to lack of activity!!!  But, all of sudden, in the matter of two days, we have green plants everywhere, our pear trees are blooming like crazy and already we feel a sense of urgency…  as if we are behind in a span of less than 48 hours 🙂  

Anyway, get back to the volunteers… this year, we got an even bigger surprise volunteer… See the pictures below:

 

Meet Cooter Brown (my hubby named him)! A friend of ours called to let us know our rooster was out. When we got outside, our Rooster (Rocky) was safely in the pen. But the next day, we figured out it wasn’t OUR rooster that was out, but a new rooster visiting. He is young, he doesn’t even have official spurs yet). Looks like a Rhode Island Red mix. Anybody know? Look at those white tail feathers! Anyway, him and Rocky didn’t get along when they were in the same pen, so we moved Cooter to the other pen. This morning, Cooter was gone… but the gate was closed, so we now know he can fly. This afternoon, he’s been spotted back inside the pen snacking on crumble. We’ll see if we have a new addition to the flock, or if he is just a traveler passing through. Either way, this has been a fun adventure trying to catch and encourage him to stay!

I will post more pictures later with more details!  Until next time….

Peppery Roast Venison Recipe – Crockpot version

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We love venison!  It may very well be a southern thang… but we eat our fair share of venison.  We eat biblically clean and deer are clean animals…. so venison has risen on our menu (as has turkey) since pork left it!  

Disclosure

Anyway, back to the recipe… One of my ABSOLUTE favorite crock pot cook books is Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook.  I found this recipe on page 102 for Peppery Roast Venison Recipe – Crockpot version.  

Peppery Venison Roast Crock Pot

Here is the recipe:

Peppery Roast Venison Crockpot Recipe

  • 4-lb Beef OR Venison Roast
  • 1 tsp Garlic Salt
  • 1 tsp Onion Salt
  • 2 tsp Celery Salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 tsp Pepper
  • 1/2 cup Ketchup
  • 1 TBSP Liquid Smoke
  • 3 TBSP Brown Sugar
  • 1 TBSP Dry Mustard
  • Dash of Nutmeg
  • 1 TBSP Soy Sauce
  • 1 TBSP Lemon Juice
  • 3 drops of Hot Pepper Sauce

1.  Place roast in slow cooker

2. Combine ingredients and pour over roast

3. Cover, cook on High 6-8 hours.  (I can tell you the heat was too high for too long.  I have already had to add beef stock to the crock pot to keep it from burning).  So, maybe the first two hours on high and reduce to low for the rest of the 3+ hours.  Obviously check it to be sure it is cooked thoroughly before eating it!

So it turned out great.  Hubby loved it.  Boys really liked it.  It did cook about an hour too long.  So, I’d adjust the recipe to 2.5 on high and 2.5 on low and then check to see if it is thoroughly cooked.  The family rated it a 9 on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest score).  So… We will be cooking this one again with the amount of time adjusted accordingly.  

Until next time….

 

 

 

 

Addicted to the A-ha Moment – Homeschool Version

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A-ha Moment Artwork by Gayle Cunningham

A-ha Moment Artwork by Gayle Cunningham

 

A-ha!

We all do it!  After we present a lesson, especially an abstract one, we watch, wait, looking for that moment.  The moment of recognition, of clarity, of understanding.  That moment when we see the flash of enlightenment in their eyes!  That moment… the AHA moment!  THAT moment is why I homeschool!!!  I cherish the Aha’s!  

I have to assume that this moment is why there are teachers in the public schools!  These moments are so addictive!  As homeschooling families, these moments take on even more meaning to us.  These moments are not only validation that our children ARE learning, it is confirmation that we CAN teach!  

A-ha moments in our house usually accompany a literal physical change in our children’s demeanor where they show a small, shy grin of acknowledgement or sheer jubilation and high-fives of congratulations! Depending on which child experienced the A-ha moment, his personality and how big an A-ha it was… but, we usually see some visible evidence of the moment!  

One of my biggest regrets is not cataloging, organizing, and preserving those moments from my perspective, a mom’s perspective.  This is where journaling, scrapbooking, vlogging or blogging can become a dynamic piece of a homeschooling family.   I know I have already heard … when will I have time.  I can assure you, when our children are grown and gone, we will ask why didn’t we make the time to record these blessings?  I already feel that way now even with my children still at home… I mourn the lost opportunities of documenting their earlier years.  So, I’d like to encourage you to investigate what works best for your lifestyle to document your own children’s AHA moments and start NOW!  I have been looking around to see if there is an A-ha Journal and haven’t found anything that inspired me… So, In an effort to help all of us get better at this, I’d like to ask if you are a parent that has already started capturing the A-ha moments, please share with us!  How do you capture these beautiful moments?  Do you have a blog, a scrapbook, a portfolio, what?  I am really looking forward to seeing what everyone is doing!!!!  

 

Mommy Experiments L & L Farms

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Mommy Experiments

Mommy Experiments

I will document my many mommy experiments here.  We believe that learning is a lifelong experiment and it is not always a nice straight line!  Learning can be messy, chaotic and hectic and that describes our farm regularly.  So, I’m going to share my own adventures (and misadventures) on the blog as well!  I hope it inspires you to try some new things and make some messes!  

A Montessori Love Affair!

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Confession time… I’ve had a Montessori Love Affair for almost ten years.  I LOVE Montessori materials.  I love everything about them.  I love their colors (or lack of).  I love their weight or their daintiness, depending on which works I am admiring.  I love their design.  I love how they are presented.  I love the care and thought that goes into how to best present each work.  I love the shelves they sit on.  I love the clean, uncluttered environments they reside in.  I love the methodology and thought behind the works.  I just love, love, LOVE them.  

 

I remember so vividly the first glimpse I had into the genius behind the Montessori pedagogy and materials.  My oldest son was in the primary (early childhood) classroom at our local Montessori school.  I was a drop-my-kids-off kind of mom and this was my first observation of the classroom with students working.  I sat quietly in my assigned, child-sized seat watching.  I remember being a bit bewildered as I watched the students go about their daily work.  I watched children blissfully content with being focused on the task at hand, whatever that task was.  I watched works being restored in their proper place with great care.  I saw teachers giving lessons to small groups while the other students stayed on task in their own areas.  I watched children taking turns and waiting for the opportunity to use a favored work.  I was mesmerized!  After my observation period concluded, I sat with the head of school and gleefully offered to purchase more of the particular favored work.  She smiled, patted my hand, and patiently explained why they didn’t need another of those works.  I WAS HOOKED!  My Love Affair officially began then and there!  I knew my children would be taught in a Montessori environment!    

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Traditional Garden Checklist by Month

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Since we are just starting our Permaculture garden, I don’t have a checklist to go by yet!  So, I’ll have to modify the one we already have to Permaculture!  It is one I adapted from Southern Living Magazines years ago.  Note this is for Zone 7, for other zones, you will have to adjust the list to fit your area.  Here is a map to help you identify your region.   

Garden checklist by Month

Note the Last Frost date for zone 7 is approximately April 15th.  First Frost approximately November 13th. 

January

  • Inventory and Order Seeds
  • Prune shrubs (not flowering shrubs)
  • Prune fruit trees (tipping the main stem & main branches).  Apples and Pears:  Prune branches competing with the leader branch, branches that cross, grow inward, appear broken or disease or rise abruptly from horizontal branches.  Remove suckers from the base. 
  • Plant new shrubs and trees
  • Till garden when dry, working in compost  NOTE:  Back to Eden Gardens do not require tilling
  • Plant blueberries
  • Early January, plant Artichoke in greenhouse, move to 4-6 weeks at 35-50 degrees. Two weeks after last frost, plant in bed. 
  • Late January, plant Asparagus, cauliflower, cabbage, collards, broccoli, hot peppers in greenhouse.  Move outside after last frost. 

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Pickin’ Chickens!!!

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Today we decided to get our “chickens in a row” and pick the chickens we want to add to our flock of Rhode Island Reds. We fell in love with Rachel, the red frizzled cochin from Kathy, The Chicken Chick!  So we knew one of the breeds we were adding would be frizzled bantam cochin!  (Note this is a long article, so I have chosen to use the “read more” tab below in order to shorten the articles on the home page… so if you are interested, please be sure to click the “read more” button right below the share buttons for the various social media sites).  See what a lovely lady little Rachel is:  

 

Rachel

Our current coop / pen combinations severely restrict our options for adding chickens.  The way the coop and pens are laid out now, we can only prevent two breeds from mingling.  Therefore, we decided to go with all bantam / cochins.  We ordered them from a new hatchery we found Welp, Inc.  They have been in business since 1929, so they are certainly not a “new business” just new to us!  We will provide a review of this hatchery once we receive the chicks (they will not ship out until 4/9).  Below are pictures of the chickens we ended up pickin’ today:

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