Merit Sweet Corn

The past couple of weeks have been packed with all sorts of fun.  We had bible school the second week of July, then we made a week-long visit to Ohio to visit some of Shane's family the following week.  I am now starting to get back into the routine of things around here.  This blog is one of those things.  A post is long overdue, so I thought I'd share what we did 2nd week in July; while I'm working on another post about our trip.

The week of bible school, Ms. Beverly's (my mother-in-law)  Merit sweet corn was ready to be picked.  I took the kids over one morning and we got to work.  As you can see below, the kids really helped out a lot.  We shucked the corn, cleaned the silks off with a small brush, and cut the corn off of the cob outside.  It can be a really messy job, so outside was the perfect place. 

Dillon, Mallory, and Alex

(yes, Mallory is wearing a jacket in July. She said
she was freezing.  I think her body was in shock
from getting up before daylight :)  It did come off
later in the day....

cleaning off the silks

Putting in a cool bath of water while
waiting to be cut off of the cob

We would only shuck and clean 100 ears at a time so we wouldn't get too far ahead of ourselves.  We had a little routine going and it worked out pretty good.

Ms. Beverly would take the cleaned cobs and cut the corn off with a wooden corn cutter.  This little tool made the job so much easier than the way I remember my mom doing it.  My mom would use a sharp knife to cut off the corn, and then she would scrape the cob with the same knife to get all of the juices out.  With the corn cutter, you just run the cob down the blade, and then scrape the juices out right below the blade.  I tried to get a picture of the cutter in use, but the working parts were covered in corn.  I have included a link for those interested in seeing one here.  The only problem I could seem myself having with the corn cutter, is getting my finger cut.  I am a little accident prone, so it would be very likely.  Ms. Beverly handled that job very well with much skill.

After the corn was cut and juices scraped, we then took it inside to put in the microwave for 5 minutes per 2 qt bowl to blanch it.  Then we transferred it to another bowl to cool down before putting it into quart freezer bags.  

Cooling off after blanching

After put in the bags, the bags were wiped for any juices that might have gotten on the outside.  The juices would cause the bags to stick together like glue when stacked in the freezer.  They juices are very starchy and sticky. 

It is so nice to have creamed corn  in the freezer to pull out during the winter months to be cooked along with other vegetables put up from the summer garden.  I put the corn in  a microwaveable CorningWare dish, add a little milk, butter, and dash of salt and cook it.  It's very simple, and we have to fight Shane to get any of it.  Merit sweet creamed corn is one of his favorites.  

Things to do list

Finally our internet issues have been resolved and we are back up and running thanks to some great help from Debbie at Wildblue!  It's so nice to be able to call customer service and someone actually be able to help you.  Making a post on the blog is on my things to do list for today, so I'm working on checking it off. 

We've been pretty busy around here lately, so I'll share some of the things we've been getting into. 

Last weekend, Shane and I took one of our lease buck to a farm in Laurel, MS.  This buck is out of Rooster and just turned 1 year old.  He has already been leased to a farm in Lucedale, MS so we should be able to see some of his kids in a few months. 

Mr. Clark, in Laurel had all of his does caught up in a pen when we arrived, so all of the ladies had a chance to meet the buck pretty quick when he was put in the pen.  It is so funny to watch how the does react to a buck.  They come up and rub themselves up against him and all over his neck.  Of course, he seemed to enjoy all of the attention.

He made his rounds checking everyone out.  Mr. Clark's doe herd consisted of Boer crosses, Spanish, and Nubian.  He said that he had herd about Kikos and wanted to see what the Kiko will do for his herd. 





I had to share this....when we first arrived Mr. Clark told us to beware of his little Dachshund.  He said if he didn't like you, he would let you know and would never forget it either.  He then said that this little dog had the heart of a big ole "goat dog".  When we unloaded the buck, this little dog stood at the gate and took his job very seriously at keeping the goats in the pen.  He stood guard waiting for one to get out of line only to chase them right back to their spot.  Those does respected that sweet little thing, only they didn't view him as a sweet little dog.  They feared him and I think I saw his chest puff up with pride when he was on guard.  It was too funny.  Doesn't he look like the biggest baddest goat herder ever?

 

We've also sold most of our Anatolian Shepherd pups.  We now only have 2 females left.  They have been moved with our main doe herd and are at work by themselves now.  They are doing super...I mean they haven't been one bit concerned about being with Jael (their dam) in the other pasture one bit. 

We started bible school at our church last night that will go on through this week.  I am teaching the 8-10 year old kids and it is such a blessing!  The kids are super excited about all of the things we have planned this week.  Hopefully I'll be able to share more photos of VBS later in the week.  The photo below is one corner in my classroom.   The theme this year is "Son Surf Beach Bash".  I'm looking forward to a great week!
Hope you have a great week too!  Now I gotta get back to that "things to do list " :)
  



From Mississippi to Oklahoma to Missouri!

Last Thursday we left for a trip to Oklahoma, then to Missouri.  What a trip it was!  I have finally caught up on laundry and rest from the trip.  I do apologize for not posting, but I don't take technology with me on the road...besides it was sort of a mini-vacation (if you'd like to call it that). 

For the past 3 years we have put some of our bucklings in a performance test held at The Kerr Center in Poteau, Oklahoma.  Since we had to go to Branson, Missouri for the AKGA annual meeting this year, we worked it out with Mary Penick to drop off our bucks this past weekend.  That really helped us out because it kept us from having to come home from our trip to Branson and turn around to head back to Oklahoma a few days later.  We combined the trips into one this past weekend.  We arrived at Oklahoma Thursday night; then we left Oklahoma and drove 3 1/2 hours to Branson the next day. 

Dillon and Mallory did exceptionally well considering how long we were on the road.  This is what Dillon spent a lot of his time doing.

Playing Nintendo DS

Mallory took a few naps along the way.  That girl can sleep anywhere!  If I slept like this I wouldn't have been able to move for a week!

 

Throughout Oklahoma, I noticed something very similar at a lot of gas stations.  We made a  stop by a station, so I had to take a picture for those of you who may be interested.  I'm probably the only one that found this interesting, but I'm sharing it with you anyway :) 

Many, many of the gas stations had a casino connected to their stores.  It seemed like casinos were on quite a few corners.  We stopped to get coffee at this one particular station and I decided to get out and take a few pictures.

I probably totally looked like a tourist.  I just couldn't believe how "normal" it seemed to have so many casinos at your every turn.  What was even more interesting to me was that they were part of the gas stations.  

When we checked into our hotel in Branson, I took the kids to the pool while Shane attended the seminars held at the convention.  The funniest thing was the Dillon and Mallory had been so excited to get to the hotel to swim in their pool, and ended up spending much of their time here..... 

The hot tub

They took one dip in the pool and came out of it squealing......they said that it was too cold!  This summer, it's been so hot that all of the pools down here are as warm as bath water.  They weren't too keen on the cold water in the hotel pool, so they played in the hot tub.  Luckily it wasn't working real well, and the water was just lukewarm.  I guess that was the highlight of the trip for them. 

We only stayed in Branson one night, and that was plenty for me.  Our hotel was on the "strip" Hwy. 76, and I can honestly say that I don't plan on ever returning to that area for a vacation.  Vacations, to me, are relaxing......What I witnessed was total chaos, someone at every corner trying to get you to spend money at their locale.  It was extremely commercialized; not my idea of a vacation.  Shane's aunt did tell me that there were more relaxing, peaceful things to do in Branson outside of the Hwy 76 strip. I may consider checking that out, but I have no desire to return to that particular area. 

Sweating like a pig

I went for a walk this morning and took my camera along with me.  I thought I'd share some of the sights I see in the morning time.  The picture below is our doe herd walking along the "cow trail" right after they got up from their bedding spot by the pond.  They were on their way to get minerals to start their day.

Below is a mineral feeder that Shane made to put out in the pastures.  The horses, goats, and cows are all able to use them.  I believe it was constructed with the bottom of a 55 gallon drum, a large bolt through the center, and a large rubber flap.  Most of the things constructed around here come from supplies that were to be thrown away at Shane's workplace.  What is that old saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure"?  It couldn't be more true than that!

After getting their mineral fix for the morning, the goats headed out to one of the cut-over spots in the back forty.  Thank goodness for these areas with brush.  This summer's drought has been brutal to our pastures productivity.  The meteorologist on the weather this morning said that rain was in our forecast for the next 3 days.  We definitely could use it.

Can you see the goats?

After walking around ,watching, and following the goats, I realized I needed to get back home and do a little house cleaning.  I turned around and realized that I had to climb a monster hill.  Ok.....so maybe it's not a monster hill to some, but to me it is definitely a monster hill.  By the time I made it to the top, I decided I will take the Kawasaki mule next time to make my rounds.  Then I had to remind myself why I'm not taking the mule to do rounds.  Exercise.  I simply do not enjoy it... No ifs, ands, or buts about it; It is necessary to get one's body and mind healthy though.  So for now, I will stick with it and whine and complain while doing it.  Oh and I will sweat like a pig too.  ( Yes, I know pigs don't sweat.....it's just something folks say around here, so I guess I will say it too.)  

 

Good luck in climbing your hills (whatever they may be) today!  Have a great day!

Crazy legs

I took this picture of this little doeling about a month and a half ago.  When she was born, everything appeared to be normal with her.  Shane and I were out in the pasture looking at all the kids one afternoon, and he pointed out this little doeling to me.  I figured it was because, he had seen something impressive over in that direction.  It wasn't because of anything impressive, it was due to her legs.....Can you see what he was pointing out?

100% doeling

This little doeling was bow-legged.  I have never seen anything like this.   We put her in the pasture with all of the commercial (unregistered) kids a month ago, and she gets around just like all of the others.   I don't know if her being a triplet had anything to do with it, but I thought I'd share to see if anyone has ever seen anything like this.  

The case of the missing RX

Yesterday, I couldn't find my thyroid medication anywhere.  I usually put it near the kitchen sink so I'll remember to take it first thing in the morning.  I'm not very good about taking it consistently, so this has been the best option.......except for yesterday.  I searched high and low, or so I thought.  I made so many trips back and forth looking for it that I just about got dizzy.  Last night when I went to bed, I still hadn't been able to find it. 

This morning I searched again, with no results.  Then it hit me to look in the cabinets where our cups are.  And voila!  There it sat.... I don't remember putting it there, but I'm certain that I did it.  If I had only needed to get a cup for the kids from that side, I would've found it. 

It's not the first case of something being put where it doesn't belong. One morning I was looking for the syrup for Dillon and Mallory to put on their pancakes. I knew that just 1 hour earlier Shane had used it for his pancakes. Just as I was about to give up searching, I found it in one of the craziest places. I had put it in the cabinet in my utility room with the laundry detergent. I have to say in my defense, that my pantry cabinets are in the same room, so it wasn't like I took it to another room. I seem to be doing so many things absent-minded. I think it's caused from trying to think ahead of something I have to do later while doing something else.  Maybe it will get better, or who knows what else with get misplaced around here.

The sign says

I read this on a church sign ,by the road, as I was passing through.  I happened to like it, so I thought I'd share:

You should watch your step carefully because everyone else does.

The scales don't lie

Yesterday we weaned our kids from their dams.  There ended up being 42 that were from our registered stock that we collected weights on. 

  

Pushing the goats to the working area

 Our catch pen was originally for cattle only and had to be modified for goats.  Shane ran some panel wire with a few t-posts to support it down the middle of one of the holding pens.  This gives the goats less room to turn around before going down the chute.  It works out really well once the goats started heading that way, Dillon would close the gate to keep them going forward instead of backwards.  Every now and then Shane had to help Dillon because he would get overwhelmed by all of the goats.  I think its a good thing for our children to help out, it teaches them some very invaluable lessons.   

 

Mallory "over-seeing" Dillon's work

This is the view from the front of the runway.  The blue thing is a squeeze chute that is the final stop for the goats.  Once they get here we are able to do whatever is needed to the goats.  It will even tilt on its side, if the goats hooves need trimming.  Luckily we don't have to do that hardly at all. 

 

Maybe this picture below will give you a better idea of the squeeze chute.  It closes tight on the goat to hold it in place; hence the name "squeeze" chute.  I have to say, it doesn't work real well with smaller kids as it does with grown does.

If you will notice at the front of the squeeze chute, there is a white box.  This box was made by Shane to put our livestock scales in to weigh the goats.  There is a gate on the other end to keep the goat in.  When we get their weights from the digital read-out, we just open that gate and let them out. 

 

Kid on scale
Gate slides up to open

 

Digital readout mounted to the side of the metal panel
for easy viewing

 If you'll notice below, there are wheels on one end of our scales "contraption".  This enables it to be moved pretty easily.  The scales themselves can be heavy to carry around ( for me, that is) and it's really helpful to have something to contain the animals in to get their weights.  You can't make a goat stand still on those scales without something surrounding them.

 

We decided to try to get weights on our bucks.  We have 3 herdsires and a couple of young lease bucks.  Shane had to wrestle those smelly bucks to get them in the small box.  Their horns were too wide that he had to force them to turn their heads sideways to get in.  Once they were in, they were able to put their head out of the top and stand still in order for us to get their weights.

 

One thing is for sure.....the scales don't lie.  You can look at an animal all you want and try to guess his weight, but you may not even come close.  Here are their weights as follows:   

• Rooster:        249.8
• Pistol Pete:    220
• Gold Digger:  232.2
• 2 yr old Lease Buck:  155.6
• 1 yr old  Lease Buck:  100.4

The fellas

Speaking of weights, the weaning weights from yesterday ranged from 59.0 pounds to 26.6 pounds.  Now it is time to start marking off the lower ones with red and hauling them into town, while the others get to stay to see how they fare on their 150 day weights.

Gone fishin

Shane bought Mallory her very first girlie fishing pole the other day and took the kids fishing down at one of our ponds.  It was fun to watch Mallory learn to cast and reel from her dad.  She paid very close attention to all that he told her.

I really think Shane should stick with the pink Barbie pole!

Mallory and Dad

Dillon, on the other hand, is an old pro.  He finds the "honey holes" as he calls them and will catch fish left and right.  We stocked the pond about 2 years ago with bream, so we are doing a catch and release if the fish are still small.  That is all that Dillon was catching.  I don't know if the low level in pond water in addition to the severe heat has caused the fish not to do real well.  

The Pro

One thing the old pro fisherman Dillon isn't too keen on, is removing the hook from the mouth of the fish.  If you notice in the photo below, he doesn't like holding onto them.  If they started squirming in his hand he would let go of them in a heartbeat. 

Toward the end of the fishing excursion, he was more confident in his hook removal skills.  He didn't even flinch a muscle when they squirmed about in his hand.  I enjoyed watching him overcome the fear and gain confidence in learning to do it himself.

Mallory had such a big catch that it broke her line, so she went out to try to get it....Can you guess what she caught?

If you guessed a limb, you got it right.  Shane reeled the limb in closer and the line broke.  She wanted to get her lure, so she waded out into the pond to retrieve it.  She said the limb was slimy and wanted to give up, but she kept with it for the sake of getting her one and only lure back.

She succeeded!

Morning experience with our livestock guardians

I've debated on whether or not to write a post about the eventful morning we had, before we even began working the goats.  All I can do is be completely honest about our farm happenings in order for others to possibly learn from our experiences; bad or good. If blood makes you squeamish, I don't recommend reading any further.

Shane went out first thing this morning to bring the goats across the road to our working area so we would be able to get the kids separated from their dams and also get their weights.  I stayed in the house making breakfast and coffee to provide the "fuel" we would need for the day.  Of course, when we move our herds, our Anatolian ( livestock guardian dogs; LGD ) stay with the goats.  They stay with them wherever they go.  Shane got the goats across the road, moved into a small holding area, and left them to come home and get breakfast. 

On our way to the small holding pen, it was obvious from a distance that something had happened with the LGD's.  This is what Kimba looked like when we arrived. 

Kimba

We knew right away that Kimba had been in a brawl with Sinbad our other male Anatolian.  Kimba stays with our does, while Sinbad was in the adjacent field with our bucks.  We're not certain who started it, but there was evidence that they started fighting through the net fence and it carried on right on the other side, while tearing down the net fence.  You can only imagine what two 130lbs dogs fighting could do to a net fence.  We went to check on Sinbad and this is what he looked like. 

Sinbad

The reason that I am posting this is that I feel like we only need one intact male LGD on our farm or they should NEVER be close within eyesight of each other.  Even though they are in separate pastures, they sometimes are in close proximity to each other and it most always provokes a fight, even though there is always fencing separating them.  I'm not sure if this will solve the issue, but something has to be done.   We can't risk the chance of this happening again.