Michigan

[Opa]

Between the snowfall and the drifting snow my run was continually blocked. This year I covered the runs to avoid having to shovel them and of course there hasn't been enough snow to count. Sure am glad that I bought that snowblower. David's snow plow was prepped and ready to use and that too has been a good snow prevention measure. I'm sure were we not ready the snow would be up to our windows by now.

 

[lighthawk]

Hi Sam. you're still welcome to try out that snowblower over here any time! Jerky is in the smoker so I will be in and out. I will give it about a half an hour and put the meat thermometer in the smoker as cold as it is I think I will have to finish it off in the oven. Never used ground meat before. Will be interesting to see how it comes out.

 

[Opa]

The problem with using ground meat for jerky is that it is much too easy to eat thereby exhausting your stash and a much faster rate. One of the best presents I have gotten was a jery cannon. I had been using a system that utilized a tube comparable to a 11 oz to of caulk. While doing a good job the small size required alot of filling. The Jerky Cannon holds substantially more meat and the nozzle extrudes two 3/4" strips. It certainly as sped up the time required. I have 2 dehydrators and could do about 25 lbs at once but normally I do 10 lb batches.

 

[wyliefarms]

Good Morning!

Michigan weather is so weird! 23 degrees out this morning at 6am and it was freezing raining out! Had a thick layer of ice on the van. I got to use my new mitten ice scrapper though

Chores are done, so off to school we go!

Keep warm

Sarah

 

[YakLady]

My husband went out this morning before he left for work to get a round bale out to the yaks. I decided that I would go ahead and throw on my overalls and go out to get the duck eggs before they froze. When I stepped out into the mudroom, I saw several yaks running past the window into the driveway. Then I saw my husband run out, waving his arms. LOL! I didn't know I could throw on some overalls so fast. I think I even jumped into my snow boots both feet at once. Tina, our 4 year old cow who is the boss of everyone, was running in circles around my husband, bucking with her tail lifted over her back, shaking her horns and playing. It was too funny. They ran back to the pasture with no problem, but they sure seemed to enjoy their few minutes of freedom. I guess hubby didn't close the gate when he drove the tractor through, and they went for it.

A couple of weeks ago I was stuck in the house all day baking bread for Christmas presents. Tom came home and asked me if someone had visited on horseback that day. Puzzled, I said, "No, why?" "Well, there are hoof prints in the driveway." We went outside and followed the prints, which went in a circle all the way to the edge of the driveway. The prints stopped at the road and turned back. I followed the prints back down the driveway, around the barn, and looked up to see the gate open. In a panic, I shouted, "OMG!!! The yaks are out!" I heard a grunt from down in the valley in response to my voice. All 16 yaks were in the pasture below, peacefully munching on hay and wondering what I was fussing about. I closed the gate, and we had a good laugh. After examining the prints, it was obvious that at some point that day two large yaks and at least two babies were out walking in the yard, around the house, in the driveway, up to the road, and back to the pasture without me even being aware of it.

 

[LauraSBale]

OD
when i was reading your post of blowing up the den, i got a visual of it. and gave me

I know other wild animals live out there, but they can just stay a way from us, I dont feel like paying for there snack.

glad to hear you have water again

I think you did the right thing with the dogs, some people are just dumb, simply as that, a couple summers ago, it was very hot day, and i was driven into town and there is a little bar off the one of the canals, and i see this dog in a truck in the parking lot, and the window was craked about 2" so i go in the bar, and ask the bar maid. whos truck that is, and the guy sitting next to me at the bar says thats mine, i blew in to him, he came out opened all his window, when i came back by about 1/2 later, he was gone. People dont get it, when its 80 to90 out, it only takes 5 to 10 mins for the temp to go 100 to 120 in a car.

all i can say is Dumb A_ _

I went out to the coop yesterday to give everyone some fruit and vegs, for a treat, and wondering why every one is out side, i go in the coop and back in the corner is a possum, it took me about 20 mins to get out, dumb thing dint know if it was coming or going, and even when i trying to get out it stops and takes a drink from the chicks water

, so here i have take in there water and feeder and sanitize it.

what did the wild animals send out a news letter saying go to the Bales coops, they have all kinds of goodies out there

 

[lighthawk]

Quote:
My grinder has a variety of sausage stuffer attachments from 1/4' dia to 1' but it is a hassle to clean. I just flattened it out on a cookie sheet 1/4" thick then used a pizza cutter to cut it in strips. Smoker is only heating to 110* so I will give it one more pan of apple chips then bring it in to finish it.

 

[Ooopsy_daisy]

YakLady: LOL glad it was you and not me. Sorry but Ive been there, done that with horse and blk angus steers many times. No more cattle for me.

Laura: If I were you, Id set a trap for that possum and move him elsewhere. One got into my horse barn a while back and found where I keep the sweet feed for the horses. That lil stinker was back every day until I just tossed him in a dog crate and took him for a ride. He would sit on top of the barrel of feed and hiss at me like a crazy man, hugging the sweet feed. He was hungry, but too bad, I have enough extra mouths to feed.

Citalk2much: Welcome home. Hopefully temps wont drop down in the single digits again anytime soon. So you can easy back into Michigan weather.

I never thought Id see the day in Michigan that horses that are worth thousands and thousands of dollars would be given away. Ive had 2 calls in 4 days for very well broke, excellent bred animals, offered to me "free" Daughter is taking 2 broke to ride and drive ponies for the grand kids. Dont know if she's going to keep them both or place one in a nice home. So keep your ears open for someone wanting a well broke pony.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

I can't believe what i did tonight... I was trying to cut a spagetti squash for dinner and I had the knife on it and slammed my hand down to push the knife thru. I then realized that I had the knife sharp side up. OUCH! Thank goodness it didn't go very deep.

 

[Bluemoon420]

I had better quit goofing off, and get some sleep. 430am comes early.

I have a small test hatch going in Opa's incubator, and lockdown is Friday. It looks 10 out of 12 eggs are good to go. The other two I'm not sure of yet. I am trying dry hatch method, but realized one of Opa's humidity gauges was off about 5 percent. So, for this hatch I adjusted, bought a different humidity gauge, and have both Opa's and mine in the incubator.

Hopefully, I'll get a better hatch this time. Last time eggs weren't optimal for hatching, but I think there were some other factors that didn't help either. Wish me luck!

Bluemoon