tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50982546832104693502024-03-14T02:35:50.801-05:00Housman FarmsFamily, Faith, Farm, Food, Fun and Fur!Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08006704353299839805noreply@blogger.comBlogger384125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-49852461742253982822016-05-05T19:28:00.001-05:002016-05-05T19:28:55.048-05:00Puppies and kittens and lambs! Oh my!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2iBZAHJ6Fw8/VyvlKEVrjtI/AAAAAAAACbw/3_0C3eguWIk/s640/blogger-image-1907887846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ySJisJ9TH-k/VyvZvL5dYpI/AAAAAAAACbQ/vvb2uWFCLoY/s640/blogger-image--2044499128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ySJisJ9TH-k/VyvZvL5dYpI/AAAAAAAACbQ/vvb2uWFCLoY/s640/blogger-image--2044499128.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Welcome to our farm! :) If you are coming for a visit soon, you will get to enjoy our flowering Crab trees. They smell like candy right now and are buzzing with bees. :)</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5UISKrxyqXE/VyvlMqw9mgI/AAAAAAAACb0/EA0XfJoX03k/s640/blogger-image--1083732259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5UISKrxyqXE/VyvlMqw9mgI/AAAAAAAACb0/EA0XfJoX03k/s640/blogger-image--1083732259.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Puppy meets lamb!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bQsxO13QPbs/VyvQpvqi8RI/AAAAAAAACaw/gLNDcpcKxvg/s640/blogger-image--715375418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bQsxO13QPbs/VyvQpvqi8RI/AAAAAAAACaw/gLNDcpcKxvg/s640/blogger-image--715375418.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Peekaboo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6X9K_4ESPM8/VyvlOOvBl9I/AAAAAAAACb4/yE02X6uRzhk/s640/blogger-image--432948087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6X9K_4ESPM8/VyvlOOvBl9I/AAAAAAAACb4/yE02X6uRzhk/s640/blogger-image--432948087.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hi!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FDbWt8yUcqE/VyvSPnQqy7I/AAAAAAAACa8/RLHTW7bG5-Q/s640/blogger-image-2018852942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FDbWt8yUcqE/VyvSPnQqy7I/AAAAAAAACa8/RLHTW7bG5-Q/s640/blogger-image-2018852942.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two all-white kittens. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YgTZ3-W6Uzk/VyvlQeRJ0EI/AAAAAAAACb8/sa_ncbdwCUA/s640/blogger-image-816969428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YgTZ3-W6Uzk/VyvlQeRJ0EI/AAAAAAAACb8/sa_ncbdwCUA/s640/blogger-image-816969428.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This mama had her lamb on Tuesday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sByoco04Ntc/VyvZopEnc1I/AAAAAAAACbM/l8hs-HtJpPY/s640/blogger-image-1531396044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sByoco04Ntc/VyvZopEnc1I/AAAAAAAACbM/l8hs-HtJpPY/s640/blogger-image-1531396044.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cutie!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k2_nj8ltrgQ/VyvezRHUGUI/AAAAAAAACbg/LznvaCPO_-Y/s640/blogger-image-1824150947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k2_nj8ltrgQ/VyvezRHUGUI/AAAAAAAACbg/LznvaCPO_-Y/s640/blogger-image-1824150947.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This mama had her lambs today. :) It's busy on the farm!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-60758885444246561082016-05-02T17:49:00.001-05:002016-05-02T17:49:05.898-05:00Monday's Happenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tWGSyEbZqtg/VyfZQsSXI3I/AAAAAAAACaI/Zn_xvJ0xtho/s640/blogger-image-1656206754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M28Oh9GVs7s/VyfZTgOJl_I/AAAAAAAACaQ/sz6ybC-maVw/s640/blogger-image-430817338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M28Oh9GVs7s/VyfZTgOJl_I/AAAAAAAACaQ/sz6ybC-maVw/s640/blogger-image-430817338.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Time to till. Ben is putting the compost on the garden.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dPm_VnHYyAU/VyfZSEo6WHI/AAAAAAAACaM/Obt_y-AyORU/s640/blogger-image--373825277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dPm_VnHYyAU/VyfZSEo6WHI/AAAAAAAACaM/Obt_y-AyORU/s640/blogger-image--373825277.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>One of Callie's puppies. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TiZzXiITrZE/VyfZPNRfhGI/AAAAAAAACaE/5NIqahQ_F58/s640/blogger-image--1825013739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TiZzXiITrZE/VyfZPNRfhGI/AAAAAAAACaE/5NIqahQ_F58/s640/blogger-image--1825013739.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This one looks so comfortable! :)</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3-MYvRgL28c/VyfZYWe0YZI/AAAAAAAACac/202Ri2AGPlc/s640/blogger-image--334010406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3-MYvRgL28c/VyfZYWe0YZI/AAAAAAAACac/202Ri2AGPlc/s640/blogger-image--334010406.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Two can stay warm better than one! ;)</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qXxnZ1G5xhg/VyfZNrIQ2JI/AAAAAAAACaA/_YqjHrmF-bs/s640/blogger-image--973836057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qXxnZ1G5xhg/VyfZNrIQ2JI/AAAAAAAACaA/_YqjHrmF-bs/s640/blogger-image--973836057.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>Some of Beauty's puppies. They all went to see the vet today - standard vet check. These cuties will be going to their new homes soon. One of them gets to fly on an airplane! :)</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dXoixY9adgo/VyfZVFhW0kI/AAAAAAAACaU/kcpUxhrS4_c/s640/blogger-image--1297574734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dXoixY9adgo/VyfZVFhW0kI/AAAAAAAACaU/kcpUxhrS4_c/s640/blogger-image--1297574734.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div>This is Gentleman. Our Ragdoll farm cat. We got him a number of years ago...I bet you didn't know they could be farm cats! :) He has adjusted very well and seems very happy to be living on the farm. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KA7lg4PhHRM/VyfZW5jX6UI/AAAAAAAACaY/RXBZa_zRObc/s640/blogger-image-605914373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KA7lg4PhHRM/VyfZW5jX6UI/AAAAAAAACaY/RXBZa_zRObc/s640/blogger-image-605914373.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy Birthday to our dear friend Brenda! Emily and I took her out for breakfast this morning. Brenda has been a huge blessing to both of us! She is a God-fearing woman and a prayer warrior who has taught us a lot about prayer. We are so thankful for her friendship! May the Lord bless you, Brenda! You are such a blessing and encouragement to so many!!!</div><br></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-87357692012158429052016-04-30T16:49:00.001-05:002016-04-30T16:49:34.357-05:00Spring on the Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G4kjJMBSq00/VyUoYL7fpkI/AAAAAAAACZk/nI-UCJ7W8A8/s640/blogger-image--1011917793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l17voZP82uE/VyUoJ5X0wEI/AAAAAAAACZY/yG2b6HmdUaU/s640/blogger-image--727700768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l17voZP82uE/VyUoJ5X0wEI/AAAAAAAACZY/yG2b6HmdUaU/s640/blogger-image--727700768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IW568ONErbY/VyUobRTRV3I/AAAAAAAACZs/6_aaK2D3Evc/s640/blogger-image-603879935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IW568ONErbY/VyUobRTRV3I/AAAAAAAACZs/6_aaK2D3Evc/s640/blogger-image-603879935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HhsAlPaMnhE/VyUoLUoY8fI/AAAAAAAACZc/Ft7RdJFMT9g/s640/blogger-image-1892759824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HhsAlPaMnhE/VyUoLUoY8fI/AAAAAAAACZc/Ft7RdJFMT9g/s640/blogger-image-1892759824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mqmkKGODJBA/VyUoDBVaA3I/AAAAAAAACZI/QfsaVvYPawU/s640/blogger-image--757911549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mqmkKGODJBA/VyUoDBVaA3I/AAAAAAAACZI/QfsaVvYPawU/s640/blogger-image--757911549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xfDNqx5yAsM/VyUoFBQMf5I/AAAAAAAACZM/14o-NgYY4cY/s640/blogger-image--47823836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xfDNqx5yAsM/VyUoFBQMf5I/AAAAAAAACZM/14o-NgYY4cY/s640/blogger-image--47823836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uIKrBiHGGW4/VyUoZ4Bv1RI/AAAAAAAACZo/v6qlDgMr6ps/s640/blogger-image--1549647988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uIKrBiHGGW4/VyUoZ4Bv1RI/AAAAAAAACZo/v6qlDgMr6ps/s640/blogger-image--1549647988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JdgOZbBPSt0/VyUoGde3KSI/AAAAAAAACZQ/jd2Dm7JMTj8/s640/blogger-image-61100859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JdgOZbBPSt0/VyUoGde3KSI/AAAAAAAACZQ/jd2Dm7JMTj8/s640/blogger-image-61100859.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I worked outside with my boys today. We had a good day. (Mike and Em are at a conference together.) How did we get blessed with such great kids? :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s1tvd27NXHY/VyUoH-F-YbI/AAAAAAAACZU/andeHQzO_ro/s640/blogger-image--1905619975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s1tvd27NXHY/VyUoH-F-YbI/AAAAAAAACZU/andeHQzO_ro/s640/blogger-image--1905619975.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ben and Jonny put cedar mulch on our blueberry patch today. They are such good workers! Over our lunch break I was telling them that they will never have to worry about having a job because people who work hard and have a good attitude are always needed.:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uIKrBiHGGW4/VyUoZ4Bv1RI/AAAAAAAACZo/v6qlDgMr6ps/s640/blogger-image--1549647988.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nap time! Here you can see Miska, Rosie, Sasha, and Sergeant all taking their afternoon rest.</div><br></div><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mqmkKGODJBA/VyUoDBVaA3I/AAAAAAAACZI/QfsaVvYPawU/s640/blogger-image--757911549.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's beginning to look like spring, but it sure was cold and windy today!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HhsAlPaMnhE/VyUoLUoY8fI/AAAAAAAACZc/Ft7RdJFMT9g/s640/blogger-image-1892759824.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Emily was hoping for some goat kids, but our goat is not looking too pregnant. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IW568ONErbY/VyUobRTRV3I/AAAAAAAACZs/6_aaK2D3Evc/s640/blogger-image-603879935.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We are awaiting some lambs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l17voZP82uE/VyUoJ5X0wEI/AAAAAAAACZY/yG2b6HmdUaU/s640/blogger-image--727700768.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And kittens!</div><br></div><br></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-23238949657404114702016-01-28T19:23:00.001-06:002016-01-28T19:23:06.937-06:00Bath Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LG3K1MWgae8/Vqom1kGfncI/AAAAAAAACXg/mgnAUoNvjLY/s640/blogger-image-622125647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LG3K1MWgae8/Vqom1kGfncI/AAAAAAAACXg/mgnAUoNvjLY/s640/blogger-image-622125647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zs2e076HiRE/VqomtM6NlmI/AAAAAAAACXI/Hyc5MWjiEc4/s640/blogger-image-143358228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"Puppy pick-up" is a special day! Our puppies receive a bath that day, and for most, it's their first bath. We get them all fresh and clean for their new home. Some of them are very cooperative and others, well, not so much. :) Getting sprayed down with water for the first time or having to get dried with a blower can be very scary stuff for a little puppy. But a clean, fluffy, Pyr puppy is totally irresistible! They get lots of loving and cuddling on bath day; it's our last day with them. :( </span></div></div></div><div>Jonathan gave nine baths last Saturday. Whew! What a job!:) Here are a few photos ( some blurry) for you to enjoy. :)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xP7MVd3Ic3o/Vqq-5BqaxtI/AAAAAAAACYY/v5mTNGlqmLk/s640/blogger-image--848955952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xP7MVd3Ic3o/Vqq-5BqaxtI/AAAAAAAACYY/v5mTNGlqmLk/s640/blogger-image--848955952.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FXdC0HjXGpg/Vqq-7vsguQI/AAAAAAAACYg/FuuvFHSf_Gc/s640/blogger-image--409603709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FXdC0HjXGpg/Vqq-7vsguQI/AAAAAAAACYg/FuuvFHSf_Gc/s640/blogger-image--409603709.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3OFDsMeM3fA/VqomvqMDSTI/AAAAAAAACXQ/cST9Mdig-bo/s640/blogger-image-155817135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3OFDsMeM3fA/VqomvqMDSTI/AAAAAAAACXQ/cST9Mdig-bo/s640/blogger-image-155817135.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1PK1FzxAmiM/Vqomq0B-46I/AAAAAAAACXA/mdtDuNvc3EM/s640/blogger-image--1590088313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1PK1FzxAmiM/Vqomq0B-46I/AAAAAAAACXA/mdtDuNvc3EM/s640/blogger-image--1590088313.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6O1UwesVt_w/Vqq-uOee4KI/AAAAAAAACX4/sD-vok0-g7Y/s640/blogger-image--587602450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6O1UwesVt_w/Vqq-uOee4KI/AAAAAAAACX4/sD-vok0-g7Y/s640/blogger-image--587602450.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lCXEk4Nskz4/Vqq-wcG0_bI/AAAAAAAACYA/SM8yk1QCSbk/s640/blogger-image-527792647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lCXEk4Nskz4/Vqq-wcG0_bI/AAAAAAAACYA/SM8yk1QCSbk/s640/blogger-image-527792647.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-48685270581724239392016-01-05T20:11:00.000-06:002016-01-05T20:11:44.376-06:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #990000;">Happy New Year from the Housman Family!</span></h2>
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<u><span style="color: #990000;">News from 2015</span></u> </h2>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">January</span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emily met her boyfriend, Joe. </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">:) I turned 44. Mike and the boys went on an ice fishing trip to Lake of the Woods and stayed at Sportsman’s Lodge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike started taking</span></span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> guitar lessons and bought another rental property.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fu6B25ZM3Zk/VogB2HbNb3I/AAAAAAAACLQ/5fqslsYf0G4/s1600/Mike%2Band%2Bfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fu6B25ZM3Zk/VogB2HbNb3I/AAAAAAAACLQ/5fqslsYf0G4/s320/Mike%2Band%2Bfish.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eii3qq0UcU4/VogCECJKMSI/AAAAAAAACLc/rM7XmTBhi5I/s1600/Jonny%2Band%2Bfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eii3qq0UcU4/VogCECJKMSI/AAAAAAAACLc/rM7XmTBhi5I/s320/Jonny%2Band%2Bfish.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cR7yDycqNkQ/Vof_LrOfYjI/AAAAAAAACLE/jzD9xYJNnYY/s1600/Em%2Band%2BJoe.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cR7yDycqNkQ/Vof_LrOfYjI/AAAAAAAACLE/jzD9xYJNnYY/s320/Em%2Band%2BJoe.png" width="180" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">February</span><br />
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</span></span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p>We bought another rental property and spent many hours remodeling, painting, and cleaning our two new properties. In our free time we enjoyed a few more hockey games before the ice melted. At this point the adults can still keep up with the kids - barely. :)</o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFog72ng588/VogILw4MrUI/AAAAAAAACMA/Bv0GI6hbLWs/s1600/parents%2Bhockey.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFog72ng588/VogILw4MrUI/AAAAAAAACMA/Bv0GI6hbLWs/s320/parents%2Bhockey.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old people hockey team (Mike and I (middle) and two other couples)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aVjeqm09u_U/VogIC7LjINI/AAAAAAAACL0/96zQjHv6JpY/s1600/jonny%2Bpainting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aVjeqm09u_U/VogIC7LjINI/AAAAAAAACL0/96zQjHv6JpY/s320/jonny%2Bpainting.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on the rental house</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">March</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Emily started working at Papa D's coffee shop and soon became manager. Brandon and Sam have been dating for one year now. We tapped our trees and enjoyed another season of making maple syrup.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ECKrdYBfgy8/VogK04-AezI/AAAAAAAACMM/JPEZgmvBLDI/s1600/Em%2Bat%2BPapa%2BD%2527s.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ECKrdYBfgy8/VogK04-AezI/AAAAAAAACMM/JPEZgmvBLDI/s320/Em%2Bat%2BPapa%2BD%2527s.png" width="234" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lAltqBC7x2A/VogOF7E64mI/AAAAAAAACNE/_aW2Wx7HT6Q/s1600/Brandon%2Band%2BSam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lAltqBC7x2A/VogOF7E64mI/AAAAAAAACNE/_aW2Wx7HT6Q/s320/Brandon%2Band%2BSam.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qc3zWmtbST8/VogLrDw1EWI/AAAAAAAACMc/S4ydm9q-v14/s1600/ben%2Btapping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qc3zWmtbST8/VogLrDw1EWI/AAAAAAAACMc/S4ydm9q-v14/s320/ben%2Btapping.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben tapping tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EW93t0NlVG4/VogPF7-GsTI/AAAAAAAACNQ/w0dpB7rCfhU/s1600/mike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EW93t0NlVG4/VogPF7-GsTI/AAAAAAAACNQ/w0dpB7rCfhU/s320/mike.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stoking the fire in the sugar shack</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">April</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Emily is continuing to teach piano lessons, which she really enjoys. Our first batch of broiler </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">chicks for 2015 arrived at the farm. We raised a total of 750 chickens for customers this year (that includes a few for ourselves too. :) We finished remodeling rental properties.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAG9XAtXGq4/VogQmqzI9fI/AAAAAAAACNg/R7gKfTMZzJM/s1600/chicks.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAG9XAtXGq4/VogQmqzI9fI/AAAAAAAACNg/R7gKfTMZzJM/s320/chicks.JPG" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P09rQrtlH70/VogRWOYopOI/AAAAAAAACNs/6hZrSBx4ruY/s1600/emily%2Brental%2Bhouse.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P09rQrtlH70/VogRWOYopOI/AAAAAAAACNs/6hZrSBx4ruY/s320/emily%2Brental%2Bhouse.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOpzzJvRN_s/VogR4ihWeDI/AAAAAAAACN4/CoajOmK-lzQ/s1600/Mike%2Band%2BJonny%2Brental%2Bproperty.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BOpzzJvRN_s/VogR4ihWeDI/AAAAAAAACN4/CoajOmK-lzQ/s320/Mike%2Band%2BJonny%2Brental%2Bproperty.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We said goodbye to our wonderful dog, Jackson. He was run over by a truck and had to be put down. He was 11 years old. It was a very sad day! :( On the bright side, Jonny’s dog, Rosie, had her first litter of puppies—7 in all, and Sally also had a litter of puppies. We planted the garden. The boys had a piano recital, and Ben had a violin recital. In the video they are playing a duet. Mike turned 45, and I took my final and finished the Herbalist program with The School of Natural Healing. </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdLTDEGYI1w/VogTerOdZcI/AAAAAAAACOE/llWlxdaVrOw/s1600/Jackson.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bdLTDEGYI1w/VogTerOdZcI/AAAAAAAACOE/llWlxdaVrOw/s320/Jackson.png" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EAh7b9Odiuo/VogUWoaZUEI/AAAAAAAACOQ/6goqs56zSxY/s1600/Rosie%2Band%2Bpuppies.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EAh7b9Odiuo/VogUWoaZUEI/AAAAAAAACOQ/6goqs56zSxY/s320/Rosie%2Band%2Bpuppies.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KSYFH_qKS2E/VogcL4qvjOI/AAAAAAAACOg/3PLnEHNuTbA/s1600/Boys%2Brecital.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KSYFH_qKS2E/VogcL4qvjOI/AAAAAAAACOg/3PLnEHNuTbA/s320/Boys%2Brecital.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonny and Ben with their music teacher. Jolene has been teaching our children for the past 13 years.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RaJvoTXxWS4/Vog1mX5wvaI/AAAAAAAACRg/VRW4pZjo4aA/s1600/planting%2Bpotatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RaJvoTXxWS4/Vog1mX5wvaI/AAAAAAAACRg/VRW4pZjo4aA/s320/planting%2Bpotatoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben planting potatoes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f_ZUxC25occ/Vog2McE9V6I/AAAAAAAACRs/-RsOhv32cgM/s1600/Em%2Band%2BJoe%2Bcleaning%2Bthe%2Bchicken%2Bcoop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f_ZUxC25occ/Vog2McE9V6I/AAAAAAAACRs/-RsOhv32cgM/s320/Em%2Band%2BJoe%2Bcleaning%2Bthe%2Bchicken%2Bcoop.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Em and Joe cleaning the coop</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">June</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mike and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary by taking a 3 day trip to Grand Superior Lodge on Lake Superior. The turkeys arrived on the farm. This year we raised around 80 turkeys. Emily turned 19. Jonny had a mandolin recital. We butchered our first batch of chickens.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c6umHyrwmM8/Vogdyk05GfI/AAAAAAAACOs/ZIhTFHBA0mI/s1600/Us%2Bin%2Bduluth.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c6umHyrwmM8/Vogdyk05GfI/AAAAAAAACOs/ZIhTFHBA0mI/s320/Us%2Bin%2Bduluth.png" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1LT-B97dVs/Voge2a-rvCI/AAAAAAAACPE/jPlpp29Grf8/s1600/Duluth.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1LT-B97dVs/Voge2a-rvCI/AAAAAAAACPE/jPlpp29Grf8/s320/Duluth.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lake Superior, Duluth</span></td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwmhHQOt8hxsyLoyipS57H4plz5QvBm1W82ypl7cgsmcsPkm0bH-Loh-a0Z2axCiTwIVyQMPiQwz1WfamGp' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jonny looks very serious when he is concentrating. He does actually enjoy playing mandolin. LOL!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsBvMvRWkD8/Vogkza4Bx0I/AAAAAAAACPo/DgUlcEuU7LA/s1600/Emily%2527s%2Bbirthday.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsBvMvRWkD8/Vogkza4Bx0I/AAAAAAAACPo/DgUlcEuU7LA/s320/Emily%2527s%2Bbirthday.JPG" width="240" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vwx-MkWYcng/Vogk5IQmtYI/AAAAAAAACP0/9M305L55oXY/s1600/turkeys.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vwx-MkWYcng/Vogk5IQmtYI/AAAAAAAACP0/9M305L55oXY/s400/turkeys.JPG" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">July</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We celebrated Independence Day with friends, playing lots of games.:) Jonny made an awesome cake for the celebration! We butchered our second batch of chickens. All the puppies when home with their new owners, except Little Lady. She was a puppy from Rosie's litter that we kept for our breeding program. Gardening is in full swing!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvkFuYXzELY/VogpsYiqQrI/AAAAAAAACQA/00wqp7tIcOk/s1600/Little%2BLady.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvkFuYXzELY/VogpsYiqQrI/AAAAAAAACQA/00wqp7tIcOk/s320/Little%2BLady.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SemJqU8DQ8Y/VogtawnHyII/AAAAAAAACQM/syroFT4HtCU/s1600/july%2B4th.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SemJqU8DQ8Y/VogtawnHyII/AAAAAAAACQM/syroFT4HtCU/s320/july%2B4th.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dads are trying to beat the boys in tug-of-war. :)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s-i4letDM7k/Vox3CbEIZJI/AAAAAAAACWk/sxI4l2G_m-Y/s1600/IMG_2153%2B%25284%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s-i4letDM7k/Vox3CbEIZJI/AAAAAAAACWk/sxI4l2G_m-Y/s320/IMG_2153%2B%25284%2529.PNG" width="173" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">August</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ben and Jonny were in the play “Pinocchio” at our local performing arts center. They were vermin brothers and had a blast. Emily and I helped with makeup for the performances. The boys also hosted an Airsoft party for their friends (actually, I hosted it!) :) Brandon started selling cars on the weekends at Porsche, where he has worked for the past few years managing </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">inventory. He is really enjoying it. In the pictures, we are touring the new facility which is really close to where he lives. Canning season started!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccR-6SLcauM/VogvpRy9iXI/AAAAAAAACQw/aEsw0g1NUR4/s1600/makeup.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ccR-6SLcauM/VogvpRy9iXI/AAAAAAAACQw/aEsw0g1NUR4/s320/makeup.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nf0YBCB3I6M/VogxC-DsX1I/AAAAAAAACRI/ySDABdJ-TmU/s1600/vermon%2Bbrothers.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nf0YBCB3I6M/VogxC-DsX1I/AAAAAAAACRI/ySDABdJ-TmU/s320/vermon%2Bbrothers.png" width="240" /></a></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLOw-NCWy-Y/VogwftMhnHI/AAAAAAAACQ8/4E8bmIbo7Jc/s1600/play.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LLOw-NCWy-Y/VogwftMhnHI/AAAAAAAACQ8/4E8bmIbo7Jc/s320/play.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1pzrF-Arpg/VogxhYa-DtI/AAAAAAAACRU/vAa_OuCcETw/s1600/Airsoft%2Bgame.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1pzrF-Arpg/VogxhYa-DtI/AAAAAAAACRU/vAa_OuCcETw/s320/Airsoft%2Bgame.png" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2bm0YZg1x8/Vogut5jfbvI/AAAAAAAACQY/vbVERP1ryBI/s1600/Brandon%2527s%2Bwork.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L2bm0YZg1x8/Vogut5jfbvI/AAAAAAAACQY/vbVERP1ryBI/s320/Brandon%2527s%2Bwork.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UJ4gIYzutY/VohCEZXh4II/AAAAAAAACS0/nrVRccujhgY/s1600/porche%2Btour.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UJ4gIYzutY/VohCEZXh4II/AAAAAAAACS0/nrVRccujhgY/s320/porche%2Btour.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">September</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We butchered our last batch of chickens for the season. We participated in the Red Rooster Day parade for commissioner Housman. :) This year (2016) Mike will have to decide if he wants to run again. Ben and Jonny started 9th grade at Housman Academy:), and I started the Master Herbalist program with the School of Natural Healing. We had another litter of puppies. The boys and I got to tag along with Mike to a conference he had at Breezy Point Resort. We played for a couple days while he attended meetings :), and then we spent an afternoon skating the Paul Bunyan trail before heading home. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EBGo6fK3bB0/Vog6tTs3DII/AAAAAAAACR4/roIi0YT14_E/s1600/parade.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EBGo6fK3bB0/Vog6tTs3DII/AAAAAAAACR4/roIi0YT14_E/s320/parade.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUgo8Fq8GtI/Vog9nOCJUPI/AAAAAAAACSo/UKf6SU_-6wc/s1600/boys%2Bpaddle%2Bboating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tUgo8Fq8GtI/Vog9nOCJUPI/AAAAAAAACSo/UKf6SU_-6wc/s320/boys%2Bpaddle%2Bboating.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3mxR21mY6xE/VohDIm8bkSI/AAAAAAAACTM/QIQ7SY5wgDA/s1600/Rollerblading%2Bin%2BPL.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3mxR21mY6xE/VohDIm8bkSI/AAAAAAAACTM/QIQ7SY5wgDA/s320/Rollerblading%2Bin%2BPL.jpg" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Breezy Point</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dxub1Edyg2c/VohC3A2lA3I/AAAAAAAACTA/nFLGZAM4DUg/s1600/Me%2Band%2Bboys.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dxub1Edyg2c/VohC3A2lA3I/AAAAAAAACTA/nFLGZAM4DUg/s320/Me%2Band%2Bboys.png" width="320" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">October</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We spent two weekends butchering turkeys for customers. Brandon turned 23. Jonny turned 14, and Ben turned 16. We hosted another Airsoft party for their birthdays. In preparation for the upcoming deer season, we spent a day target practicing. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D8auC-JD1bQ/VohE61apQjI/AAAAAAAACTw/qZ8sIIzgvZY/s1600/Family%2Bwith%2Bguns.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-D8auC-JD1bQ/VohE61apQjI/AAAAAAAACTw/qZ8sIIzgvZY/s640/Family%2Bwith%2Bguns.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scary looking family! :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q6Yb4rLugkg/VowL6ImbkiI/AAAAAAAACV4/MBR-wpz6KV8/s1600/my%2Bboys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q6Yb4rLugkg/VowL6ImbkiI/AAAAAAAACV4/MBR-wpz6KV8/s320/my%2Bboys.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday to my boys!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hZlmiammG4/Vow1Or0AP4I/AAAAAAAACWI/V4AH6sUcHmc/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hZlmiammG4/Vow1Or0AP4I/AAAAAAAACWI/V4AH6sUcHmc/s320/IMG_1538.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Airsoft party</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">November</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We had a great hunting season this year! The kids and Mike all bagged a deer. :) Mike, Em, and Jonny all got nice bucks. Ben got a nice doe, but he would have preferred a nice buck. :) Joe (Em's boyfriend) also joined us, and he got a nice doe too. Mike canned many quarts of turkey and venison. Thanks to a wonderful farmhand, we were able to get away for a one week vacation to Breezy Point in November. My parents joined us up there too. The day we got home from vacation, we had another litter of puppies. Whew! That was close! :)</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T96_3IX45Hg/VohIjpG--7I/AAAAAAAACUU/BK2QQSybVF0/s1600/Mike%2527s%2B2015%2Bdeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T96_3IX45Hg/VohIjpG--7I/AAAAAAAACUU/BK2QQSybVF0/s320/Mike%2527s%2B2015%2Bdeer.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DoH_yRuCCi0/VohIcYquGSI/AAAAAAAACUI/HIYGXEDCaI0/s1600/Jonny%2Band%2Bdeer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DoH_yRuCCi0/VohIcYquGSI/AAAAAAAACUI/HIYGXEDCaI0/s320/Jonny%2Band%2Bdeer.png" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxBymU1Qoas/Vow2JQ437uI/AAAAAAAACWU/oJzp_8erft8/s1600/emdeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xxBymU1Qoas/Vow2JQ437uI/AAAAAAAACWU/oJzp_8erft8/s320/emdeer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yt7v3V3j5Hw/VohJJgIO4HI/AAAAAAAACUg/3xcrFpR-6po/s1600/hunting%2Bwith%2Bhubby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yt7v3V3j5Hw/VohJJgIO4HI/AAAAAAAACUg/3xcrFpR-6po/s320/hunting%2Bwith%2Bhubby.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunting with my hubby :)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">December </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The last month of the year brought two more litters of puppies! Emily's dog had her first litter and so did Ben's. We currently have 28 puppies on our farm! :) The boys had their Christmas recitals for piano and violin. And finally the ice has frozen over in Minnesota (It has been a warm winter), and hockey season has begun! Yay!!! :) </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psmbVsd7tBc/VohMxJHKAjI/AAAAAAAACUs/yzJjrbt9B84/s1600/kids%2Bon%2Bchristmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-psmbVsd7tBc/VohMxJHKAjI/AAAAAAAACUs/yzJjrbt9B84/s320/kids%2Bon%2Bchristmas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas breakfast at Grandma and Papa's</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKl5guScsEU/VohNEglabqI/AAAAAAAACU4/gTsa9xEoyhc/s1600/christmas%2Bbreakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MKl5guScsEU/VohNEglabqI/AAAAAAAACU4/gTsa9xEoyhc/s320/christmas%2Bbreakfast.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dF97Q5KA588/VohOn0FSJ7I/AAAAAAAACVQ/v1RvMrpKLY4/s1600/new%2Byears%2Bgirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dF97Q5KA588/VohOn0FSJ7I/AAAAAAAACVQ/v1RvMrpKLY4/s320/new%2Byears%2Bgirls.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily is in the purple coat and white helmet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZmJdLCUjts/VohO2PSMOmI/AAAAAAAACVo/I7UJl-O3IBQ/s1600/hockey%2Bnew%2Byears%2Beve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NZmJdLCUjts/VohO2PSMOmI/AAAAAAAACVo/I7UJl-O3IBQ/s320/hockey%2Bnew%2Byears%2Beve.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hockey on New Year's Eve</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We praise the Lord for his goodness and mercy towards our family in the past year, and look forward to seeing His hand of blessing and direction in this coming year.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Blessings to you and your family in 2016!</b></span></div>
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<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-57166145060195290802015-12-16T12:12:00.003-06:002015-12-16T12:12:45.078-06:00Sasha's December 2015 Litter<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sasha had 10 beautiful puppies early this morning! This is her first litter, and she's doing a great job! Momma and babies are happy and healthy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06304109624851767330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-81995798372576436192015-12-12T14:12:00.000-06:002015-12-12T14:12:27.588-06:00Miska's December 2015 litter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-48964107579893007762015-12-11T18:56:00.001-06:002015-12-11T18:56:28.974-06:00A Big Future Awaits!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iCaCAwSLBNQ/Vmtwu7NMv4I/AAAAAAAACKU/RiFj1F0z_GQ/s640/blogger-image--1709443583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iCaCAwSLBNQ/Vmtwu7NMv4I/AAAAAAAACKU/RiFj1F0z_GQ/s640/blogger-image--1709443583.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A five day old puppy from Miska's litter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9toV8cWavd4/VmtwsUVfKzI/AAAAAAAACKM/gfhcTAKDHvM/s640/blogger-image-1049314660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9toV8cWavd4/VmtwsUVfKzI/AAAAAAAACKM/gfhcTAKDHvM/s640/blogger-image-1049314660.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Two year old General</div><br></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-49375877113773098552015-12-03T11:18:00.001-06:002015-12-05T06:39:59.456-06:00Do Dogs Like Christmas Music?Our WebCam has a speaker on it so we can talk to our dogs if we need to. Sometimes some comforting words are needed or just a "hello" to let them know we're nearby. The other day I was using the speaker and didn't realize that I left it locked on. A while later, Jonny came up to me and asked if I meant to have Christmas music playing in the whelping pen. LOL! Oops! The music playing in the house was being broadcast to Rosie and her puppies. :) I'm sure they enjoyed it! Who doesn't like Christmas music? ;)Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-41694175368126378042015-12-03T11:08:00.001-06:002015-12-03T11:21:28.512-06:00Rosie's December 2015 litter!Rosie and the puppies are doing great! Jonathan has been taking very good care of them. He is getting up at all hours of the night, checking on them throughout the day and watching Rosie on the WebCam 24/7. The puppies are warm and happy, and they are growing well. Awaiting our next litter...! (from Miska) :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9S7SmPYXxHo/VmB3DuAkjcI/AAAAAAAACJ8/RoLh5hmLIGk/s640/blogger-image-62546213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9S7SmPYXxHo/VmB3DuAkjcI/AAAAAAAACJ8/RoLh5hmLIGk/s640/blogger-image-62546213.jpg"></a>Here is a picture from our webcam of Rosie sleeping with her puppies. So sweet!</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-33243385584319644812015-05-15T11:51:00.001-05:002015-05-15T11:51:21.525-05:00Rosie's Puppies<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s0hQUqm4ftI/VVYkAaQaFsI/AAAAAAAACIY/uJ3167CrNJc/s640/blogger-image--1148913163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s0hQUqm4ftI/VVYkAaQaFsI/AAAAAAAACIY/uJ3167CrNJc/s640/blogger-image--1148913163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JxkKKnEhzoY/VVYj88lIQAI/AAAAAAAACII/oiEj8RbJ7iE/s640/blogger-image-848648140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Rosie had seven puppies almost 2 weeks ago. Mom and pups are doing great! 😄</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here are some cute pictures that the boys took. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AjanBP5LPZ4/VVYj-hExz3I/AAAAAAAACIQ/hsGtGnmhSxg/s640/blogger-image--630717330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AjanBP5LPZ4/VVYj-hExz3I/AAAAAAAACIQ/hsGtGnmhSxg/s640/blogger-image--630717330.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JxkKKnEhzoY/VVYj88lIQAI/AAAAAAAACII/oiEj8RbJ7iE/s640/blogger-image-848648140.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div> <img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s0hQUqm4ftI/VVYkAaQaFsI/AAAAAAAACIY/uJ3167CrNJc/s640/blogger-image--1148913163.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GYtaA6ID9Zc/VVYkCNuslpI/AAAAAAAACIg/r3ZzCbTgAcg/s640/blogger-image--1879431359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GYtaA6ID9Zc/VVYkCNuslpI/AAAAAAAACIg/r3ZzCbTgAcg/s640/blogger-image--1879431359.jpg"></a></div><div><br><div><br></div></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-65718257703912183812015-04-28T19:24:00.000-05:002015-04-28T19:37:42.298-05:00Meet Rosie!For the past nine months, we have had the privilege of owning Rosie Darling. We bought her as a ten week old, all-white puppy from a farm in Michigan. <div><br>
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Having her on our farm has been a joy! I think our whole family would agree that Rosie is the sweetest dog on our farm. Even as a puppy, she was so delightful. To know her is to love her. :)</div><div><br>
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Rosie is a beautiful dog! She weighs between 90-100 pounds and is expecting her first litter around May 1st. </div><div><br></div><div>The sire of this litter is Sergeant Tru - another beautiful dog. He is about a year and three months old and is a brute! :) He has a beautiful coat and is a very alert guardian. Sergeant was a badger marked puppy, but his markings have mostly faded. (In the picture below, he is in the middle between Rosie and Beauty)</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4aQ0EQx3zMM/VUAn01nZsrI/AAAAAAAACHo/HUmH_6VPWQ4/s640/blogger-image-1883681928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4aQ0EQx3zMM/VUAn01nZsrI/AAAAAAAACHo/HUmH_6VPWQ4/s640/blogger-image-1883681928.jpg"></a></div><br>
If you are on our waiting list, we will be sending you a birth announcement when the puppies arrive. So excited!!! :)<br>
,</div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-87949530147281306872015-04-24T09:28:00.001-05:002015-04-24T09:28:48.072-05:00<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i3qM0qe4LFo/VTpTHpuoamI/AAAAAAAACG8/b3ZoeqYoxzI/s640/blogger-image-1392395504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i3qM0qe4LFo/VTpTHpuoamI/AAAAAAAACG8/b3ZoeqYoxzI/s640/blogger-image-1392395504.jpg"></a></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-44137607451212713912015-04-23T12:03:00.001-05:002015-04-23T12:57:43.956-05:00Chickens!Here's some pictures for those of you who ordered chickens for our June pick up. <div>These little chicks are enjoying a warm cozy pen for now. I'm glad they don't stay this cute. :-) </div><div>In 1 to 2 weeks-depending on the weather - they will be outside enjoying fresh grass and bugs. </div><div>See you in June! :)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-byUK9EYMawE/VTkyjunxHnI/AAAAAAAACGg/2SBRV6lnjUM/s640/blogger-image-1582407167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-byUK9EYMawE/VTkyjunxHnI/AAAAAAAACGg/2SBRV6lnjUM/s640/blogger-image-1582407167.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uhTmRWTWejs/VTkygDhj5pI/AAAAAAAACGQ/Edu7sjuxDJE/s640/blogger-image--2060535562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uhTmRWTWejs/VTkygDhj5pI/AAAAAAAACGQ/Edu7sjuxDJE/s640/blogger-image--2060535562.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HSNivFccP18/VTkyh_v1oCI/AAAAAAAACGY/jnz2XK9NQ3Y/s640/blogger-image-1034419917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HSNivFccP18/VTkyh_v1oCI/AAAAAAAACGY/jnz2XK9NQ3Y/s640/blogger-image-1034419917.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VN2RpSlHHJE/VTkylXs-uvI/AAAAAAAACGo/qLAdSSePPKk/s640/blogger-image-157367272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VN2RpSlHHJE/VTkylXs-uvI/AAAAAAAACGo/qLAdSSePPKk/s640/blogger-image-157367272.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-88723488925503153902015-03-18T20:09:00.001-05:002015-03-18T20:14:10.646-05:00A Busy Day!The six puppies that will go to their new homes this weekend were taken in for their vet checks this morning. Here they are in the back of the car looking as cute as ever! :)<br />
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It was baking day for me. First I made sour dough bread. It takes all day to rise, so you have to get started early. Next I made five loaves of my whole wheat bread. Here is a stack of sour dough tortillas that I made for lunch. They are so simple to make, but it's not a quick job. The dough is just three cups of starter, three cups of flour, and three teaspoons of salt. That will make about 8 tortillas. I just roll them out and cook them in my cast iron skillet until they are brown on both sides. Normally I shy away from foods that are very time consuming to make, but these are so good - and I had a craving for one. :)<br />
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Todays lunch - chicken and veggies wrapped in a sour dough tortilla, blue corn chips, and lacto-fermented salsa. </h3>
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Whole wheat bread - with one loaf missing! "Mike...?" :)</h3>
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This morning at 5am, while some were still in bed, Mike was out in the sugar shack firing up the evaporator. :) The sap has been flowing good for the past few days. Today the boys and I collected 96 gallons! Mike is still boiling and will likely be at it until about 10pm. A long day. Not really! He enjoys it, and we enjoy going out to visit with him. We ate lunch and dinner out there today. :)<br />
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Here you can see that the vents above the evaporator are open to let the steam out.</h3>
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This is the evaporator pan. You can see the pipe where the sap flows in and the different compartments that the sap flows through.</h3>
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Jonny is checking the sugar content.</h3>
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Got to keep that fire burning!!! The firebox gets filled every 15 minutes!</h3>
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That is a HOT fire! And a nice pile of coals! Hot dogs anyone? :)</h3>
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Dinner - lamb stew and garlic toast by a warm fire with the smell of sweet syrup in the air. Wish you were here! :)</h3>
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The finished product! :)</h3>
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Well, time to go! My sour dough bread is finally ready to go in the oven, and I'm itching to go hang out in the shack with my hubby! :) Night! :)<br />
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<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-54806882882278462272015-03-13T08:22:00.000-05:002015-03-13T08:22:58.867-05:00It's Tappin' Time!Suddenly it's here - sugaring season! One of the highlights of spring for me is hanging out in our warm, cozy sugar shack watching the fire burn under the boiler and hearing the hum of the sap cooking down into maple syrup. I think it's a highlight for our whole family. ;) We will find any reason we can to be out there - sometimes we even have meals out there. :)<br />
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Technically our sap is Boxelder sap. The Boxelder tree is in the maple family, and the syrup tastes very similar to maple syrup. The sugar content of Boxelder sap is not quite a high as maple, so it takes more sap to make a gallon of syrup. We have about 140 taps out, and on a good day we will collect about 50 gallons of sap. For us, that equals about a gallon of syrup.<br />
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We share sugaring season with a few other families. They collect from their trees, bring the sap here, and then we cook it all down together. Last year we had a great run! For a time we had the evaporator going non-stop so that we could get all the sap cooked down quickly before it spoiled. We had people doing shifts through the night! It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. :) And we ended the season with a root cellar stocked with many gallons of syrup. Yes, we were spoiled this past winter. We used our syrup liberally - in smoothies, yogurt, fudge, coffee and anything else we could think of. :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben and Jonny tapping trees with Rosie and Miska<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben drilling</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonny putting the taps in</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miska. Isn't she pretty?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosie. She will be having puppies in about 2 months!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben and Miska. They sure love each other! :)</td></tr>
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Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-43152348311206262022015-03-10T04:43:00.001-05:002015-03-13T08:03:43.070-05:00Heath Journal - Beating the Bug!We know of some families that have been dealing with a nasty flu bug, so I thought it might be helpful to share with you my remedy for the flu. <br />
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About three weeks ago Jonny told me he wasn't feeling well. At our house, that means mom gets out her potions. :) Charcoal is my #1 remedy for vomiting, diarrhea, food poisoning, or that general yucky feeling that goes with eating bad food. Charcoal has never failed me. The sooner you take it the better. If it is taken at the first sign of sickness, you will often beat it all together, but if you wait, it will take a little longer. The most a child has vomited after receiving charcoal is three times, but they usually tell me that they don't feel well when they are ready to vomit. :/ The charcoal not only stops the vomiting, they also recover very quickly. <br />
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So I gave Jonny a charcoal slurry - as we call them. It's one heaping teaspoon of powdered charcoal in a small glass of water. Stir it up and down the hatch! It doesn't have a taste, but it is chalky, so some people do better drinking it from a straw. Jonny vomited twice before midnight and once after midnight. <strong>After each trip to the bathroom, another slurry was given.</strong> After his third trip I reassured him, "Well, you should be feeling better soon!" Sure enough! He slept the rest of the night and woke up feeling much better. He ate breakfast, lunch and dinner that next day! :) In less than 24 hours he was feeling like himself again. And nobody else got sick. Over the years, we have seen charcoal work like this over and over again in our family and in other families that we have recommended it to. It stops diarrhea in its tracks! It draws out toxins and can even be used topically. It is amazing stuff!<br />
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I ALWAYS have charcoal on hand - reordering well before my container is empty! If we travel, it is the first thing that goes in my first aid kit. But before you rush out to get some, I should share a couple of things with you. Charcoal is a VERY fine powder! When you put a spoonful in a cup, you do it very carefully. If you just dump it in, you will have the powder flying everywhere! Hold your breath! If you breath it in, you will have a nice coughing fit. Always work slowly with it. It also stains. Do not get it on your clothing or anything else that you don't want to be black. It can be removed from hands and dishes with a good amount of soap, but I prefer to use a paper cup and plastic spoon when mixing it up. Then I can just throw them away. Charcoal is not absorbed into the body. It only travels through your digestive track, so you cannot overdose on it, but make sure you drink plenty of water after taking it so you do not get constipated. Doctors used to use charcoal regularly, but now they can make more money selling pharmaceutical drugs so they don't use it as much. But there are still some emergency rooms that use it for treating poisonings. And speaking of drugs, be aware that any medications you are taking are considered toxins by your body, and they will be absorbed by the charcoal. <br />
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Not all charcoal is created equal. Charcoal tablets do not work. You would have to consume a lot of them in order for them to be effective, and they also take too long to dissolve in the stomach. Use the powder. Invest in a book about charcoal. It will be well worth the money. One of my favorite books is Charcoal Remedies.com. (Yes, that is the name of the book :) They also have a website with the same title) Charcoal will not only help you beat the bug, but it also has uses with wounds, bites, stings, toxins, infections, and many other ailments.Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-43527305813235469082015-03-04T16:02:00.001-06:002015-03-04T18:13:41.527-06:00Jonathan and GeneralEven though our dogs are in large pastures, they still get to go for a walk every day. The walk gives us a chance to interact with them, love on them and at times do a little training.<br>
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Today when Jonny was out with General, I asked if he would pause for a photo shoot. :) General is our largest dog, and he is beautiful! He is our second-in-command guard dog, under Jackson. :) One day, when Jackson retires, General will be trained in as the farm dog.<br>
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Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-89607685254797364832015-03-02T19:58:00.000-06:002015-03-03T04:43:27.930-06:00Veggies For DogsEvery fall we stock our root cellar with organic produce from our farm. While most of that food will be consumed by our family, our dogs (and the puppies we sell) get to enjoy the fruits of our labor too. :)<br />
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If you have purchased a puppy from us, you know that we are big promoters of raw food. We believe that our dogs (carnivores) will be healthiest if they eat what they were designed to eat - raw meat and bones. But meat isn't all a carnivore will eat. They get some grains, greens, and fruit in their diet when they eat their prey. If a dog consumes a rabbit, it will eat the whole thing - even the contents of its stomach. With that in mind, we feed our dogs some raw veggies, fruits and raw fermented foods.<br />
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Today it was time to grate fruits and vegetables for the dogs. We do that about once a week. After the apples, carrots and beets are collected from the root cellar, they are run through our food processor and grated into small pieces. The raw fruit and vegetables are then sprinkled on our dogs food every day. Since they are known for licking their bowls clean, I think it's safe to say they are enjoying their food. :) It is a joy to know that they are getting what they need to have excellent health, and it's a joy to grow healthy pups for you. :)Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-7646798646890387492015-02-22T19:11:00.000-06:002015-02-22T19:11:01.622-06:00Trusting<br />
On the farm, we look forward to January and February. They are what we call our "downtime" since there is not much to do as far as animal chores go. I usually set aside projects for this special time of year, looking forward to all that I will get done. Well, not this year...<br />
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One of my favorite saying about our farm life is, "There is never a dull moment!", because often, when you are raising animals, the unexpected happens. :/ So we had lambs sooner than expected, in weather that was colder than we would have liked. How long have we been doing this? Shouldn't we have this figured out by now? :) Then we had a litter of puppies that we needed to bottle feed every three hours around the clock. Whew! It was an intense time, and we were all stretched in ways we didn't know we could stretch. :)<br />
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I grew up in the city. The dream of having my own property, growing my own food, and raising animals gave me the idea that life could not be more perfect. Really, what more could you ask for? Sanity. :) LOL <br />
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I ran into an old friend the other day, and she said, "Oh, my daughter really wants to talk to you. She and her husband would love to live life the way you guys do." I had to laugh! I said, "Tell her not to do it!" :) (Most people like to post about how perfect their life is, well, I guess I'm too honest. :) )<br />
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No really, I would not trade my life for city life, but if you think farm life is the answer to all your problems, think again! It is crazy busy at times! And it is very hard work. Some times your work pays off, other times you feel discouraged. That's life! Living on a farm doesn't change that. I am constantly reminding myself to be thankful - I have SO much to be thankful for! And through it all we are learning and growing...I think. :) Maybe growing more crazy. LOL!<br />
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So now, recovering, we spring into spring knowing that the Lord will give us the grace to change our downtime into crazy busy time, to adjust our plans, and to trust that He will directs our steps. :)<br />
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<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-55489062580456723482015-01-31T12:00:00.001-06:002015-01-31T12:00:38.829-06:00Puppies!!<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QelkMVHixbE/VM0YPBFSHkI/AAAAAAAAB_I/B_alu-70uhw/s640/blogger-image-1788188496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QelkMVHixbE/VM0YPBFSHkI/AAAAAAAAB_I/B_alu-70uhw/s640/blogger-image-1788188496.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CAyw4_46fQk/VM0YRW5yCXI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/yTBp6V5LzVo/s640/blogger-image--1519677246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CAyw4_46fQk/VM0YRW5yCXI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/yTBp6V5LzVo/s640/blogger-image--1519677246.jpg"></a></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-86621154935196743812014-12-25T18:11:00.001-06:002014-12-25T18:11:47.339-06:00Blessings!<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aEZw00ai5d0/VJynwLx_V-I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/55bzWHQj7XY/s640/blogger-image--973484472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aEZw00ai5d0/VJynwLx_V-I/AAAAAAAAB-Y/55bzWHQj7XY/s640/blogger-image--973484472.jpg"></a></div>Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-71606878360990490362014-12-23T09:08:00.000-06:002014-12-23T09:08:48.922-06:00Merry Christmas From the Housman Family!<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</span></h2>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Brandon is 22 and is working at a Porsche dealership managing the inventory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He often shows up in some hot, new car from the dealership that I am trying to convince Mike that I need. :) Obviously he is a well-liked and trusted employee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In January of this year, Brandon’s heart was captured by a certain young woman. When we met his girlfriend, Sam, we understood why! :)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all enjoy spending time with her, and we are thankful to have her in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ben and Jonny especially enjoy one of Sam’s interests—she’s a race car driver! :)</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Emily is 18 and graduated this past June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She keeps herself very busy running a couple of businesses and managing our dog website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last summer, she bought her own Great Pyrenees puppy—Sasha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She breeds Ragdoll cats and also teaches piano lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of her other interests include skating (hockey), hunting, piano, and blogging.</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Benjamin is now 15 and excited to start driving!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also bought a Great Pyrenees puppy this past summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her name is Miska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He worked for Mike last summer raising pastured poultry and butchering them for customers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is also very involved in our dog business—helping with feeding, walking, training, and grooming dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ben’s interests include computers, hunting, hockey, making movies, playing violin and piano.</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Jonathan our baby is 13!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They grow too fast!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you believe he bought a GP puppy this past summer too? :)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her name is Rosie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ben and Jonny’s puppies both came from Michigan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will start breeding them next spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonny also helps with the poultry business and the dog business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When needed, both boys assist Mike in managing our rental properties which includes cleaning, painting, and sometimes construction work. Jonathan enjoys wood working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He makes beautiful spoons, butter knives, and spatulas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also enjoys playing mandolin and piano, hockey, and hunting.</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Mike and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We praise God for the wonderful gift of marriage!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has been so good to us!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mike stays busy with his many businesses—computer consulting, rental properties, breeding dogs, and selling poultry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also enjoys being a county commissioner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stay busy homeschooling Ben and Jonny, studying to become an herbalist, cooking for my crew, and managing the home on our busy farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">We want you to know that we love and appreciate you, and we pray that you will have a personal relationship with your Savior, Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to your family!</span> </div>
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Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-23992014587611700242014-12-19T10:08:00.000-06:002014-12-19T10:08:11.068-06:00Health Journal - Winter Prep IIThere are lots of things we can do for our families to help avoid sickness during cold and flu season. Some suggest vaccines. Others avoid big crowds. Many make use of anti-bacterial soaps and gels. Our family has never done any of those things, yet we are rarely sick. So I will share the one secret that I do have about staying healthy in the winter (other than good nutrition) - kefir!<br />
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Kefir, which I pronounce "key fur" , but is actually pronounced "keh fear" in Europe, is a probiotic drink that supplies your gut (immune system) with everything it needs to keep you healthy. We often think that taking a probiotic supplement will do the trick, but our gut has hundreds of bacteria in it and consuming a few of those will not do the job. But homemade kefir is more than probiotics, it also supplies you with many vitamins and minerals.<br />
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I am not talking about store bought kefir here. There is no comparison to store bought kefir and homemade; homemade is so much better for you! Homemade kefir is made with grains that look similar to cottage cheese. These grains are added to milk (raw or pasteurized) and left on the counter to culture for about 24 hours. Once your milk is cultured you strain out the grains, add them to some fresh milk, and start the process again - and don't forget to drink your kefir! :) <br />
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We have made kefir shakes, as we call them, everyday for years. We add the kefir to our blender along with bananas, other frozen fruit, vanilla, and milk. The more kefir you add, the more tart it will be. As you get used to the taste, you can handle more and more of it.<br />
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You can learn everything you want to know (and some things you don't want to know :)) about kefir if you google "Dom's Kefir". He has an incredibly informative website! <br />
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Kefir grains grow and multiply as you use them. If you need some grains, contact me, and we can figure out how to get you some. :)<br />
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Good health is really simple! More on simple health care to come... :)Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098254683210469350.post-82305843234922424052014-12-01T19:48:00.000-06:002014-12-01T19:48:14.165-06:00Health Journal - Winter PrepThis time of year, I am often asked what I do to prepare my family for cold and flu season. While there are some herbal treatments that I do stock up on (make), herbal treatments are not what you should be looking to for good health. Yes, whole food herbal medicines will help you recover without the risk of harmful side effects, but you should give your body more than that.<br />
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While I would prefer herbal remedies over drugs any day, they are not the key to maintaining good health - and neither are vitamins! You must start at the foundation - food! Food is the daily medicine that will keep your body functioning well and your immune system strong. Yes, your food is your medicine!! Without a good diet, you will not be able to avoid illness. It will haunt you all winter long, week after week. <br />
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Really you have two options. You can spend time getting sick, running to doctors, and trying to get well or you can spend time preparing healthy food for your family. Either way you will spend time! You just need to decide which you prefer. :) <br />
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I try to keep my meals healthy but simple. I spend enough time growing, harvesting and preserving my food, I am not going spend time preparing gourmet meals too - although somehow my family thinks I feed them gourmet meals. :) I am not into recipe hunting. I just keep it simple.<br />
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One very simple thing you can do is start making breakfast for your family. Feed them eggs. They are SO nutritious and simple to make. You can get creative and make a different style of eggs every day if you want. One day make egg sandwiches, the next scramble them and put cheese on top or try an egg bake.<br />
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Just start with breakfast! Get off the cold cereal and give your body a nutritious, health building meal first thing in the morning!<br />
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More on winter prep to come...<br />
<br />Mindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01408116612457049210noreply@blogger.com1