Washingtonians

[Chubby Chicken]

We have some wind power. it was VERY expensive to set up. It is my husbands hobby. I would never be a green snob about power, a garden, etc; because when you are self righteous and chastise, it's a turn off. That doesn't help anyone, it's just pretensious.

 

[FirewifeJess]

Hey everyone processing tomorrow: Can I bring 3 little boys? They are 6, 6, and almost 7.5. No swearing or off color jokes? Can we handle it or should I try again next time? It's one of their birthdays and he really wants to come, LOL! I think it's hilarious that they want to watch their aunt kill some chickens

 

[justbugged]

Quote: LOL I am not really sure what I am going to do with Aronia berries. I do make things like cobbler, and I do like Aronia berry juice. But mostly I am going to replace part of a hedge in the front yard. I have forsythia bushes there right now. That past few years I haven't had hardly any blooms on them in the spring. So I am going to rip them out and replace them with something that we have really eat if we want to. I am not a big fan of blue berries, but I may end up buying a couple of plants to go next to the Aronia berry bushes.

The plants that I have bought directly from the nursery have always done exceptionally well. I did have one of the shipped plants not survive. The shipped plants are so much smaller than the plants that I buy at the nursery.

The bamboo is Fargesia Nitida. It is a non invasive clumping bamboo that gets to be about 12 feet high. I also have the variety that is often called black bamboo. We just about killed when we moved it out of the chicken run. That clump is still sulking several years later. But I have found some new growth on a couple of smaller clumps that a round the back yard.

 

[SweetSilver]

nm

 

[SweetSilver]

Stinking Robert ?????????????

Are you wondering what it is? Or surprised it's from Europe?

 

[justbugged]

This is for those who are planning on attending Freezer Camp 101 2012

Okay I am hoping to remember all things we will need, and some of things that you may wish you had with you. With most of the group planning on attending the auction in the late morning. I am going to plan on having a bite of lunch ready for everyone. I am planning sandwiches, vegies, and fruit. I may get crazy and make potato salad, but it will depend on how much I can get done tonight.

Everyone should try to bring an apron if they can. I have a few extra, but I only have one favorite that is vinyl. Waterproof is the best option. I have disposable gloves here for those who are planning on being in the middle of the process. If you want to bring your own knives, it's optional. I have a good set, and I know at least one other person is planning on bring their set. A butcher knife and a paring knife are the best options. I have a wet stone that can be used to sharpen your knives. You can opt to not bring knives, and are welcome to share the knives that I have on hand. I also have plastic bags for the meat to go home in.

There will be a propane turkey fryer set up for scalding birds, and a station for using CL's fancy chicken plucker. This is messy work so were clothes that you expect to get dirty in.

We will be starting about 12:30pm or so. Kiddlets are welcome to come! We will have the 2 boys that live next door join us for the class. I can set up a movie for the kids to watch if they get to bored. I must admit that I don't own any new kids movies. I have things like The Gods Must Be Crazy and such.

Also my house is rather disarranged at the moment. The living room is full of kitchen cabinets. I would prefer that these were not messed with by anyone. There isn't anything that can be damaged in the existing kitchen, except for the new refrigerator, and the range. Feel free to get something to drink from the refrigerator in the garage. I may be a good cook, but I am a lousy waitress. I planning on staying focused on the meat birds, and making sure that everyone knows how it's done.

Everyone should plan on taking home some fresh meat with them. I have a few extra roos, that can be shared with those that do not have a bird of their own to process.

I think that this is most of what everyone needs to know before coming to Freezer Camp 101 2012.

If you need more help at a later time, my DH has agreed that we will be willing to come to your house and help you out for the first time. I hope that everyone will be able to understand, and know what it is like to take a bird, and get it ready to eat by the time they leave tomorrow, but I also want those that are planning on going ahead with meat birds to be able to know that they will have back up in the future if they need it.

Christina

 

[FirewifeJess]

For Dawn; isn't he gorgeous?!

 

[Sudsy Chick]

For Dawn; isn't he gorgeous?!

Oh wow! He is very handsome! =) I hope he is still a gentleman, too.

Have fun at the processing tomorrow! Don't take Ricky!

 

[Shyla-C]

Here's the deal, I am so impressed with what you and Rainwolf have done with what you have. I have a large garden area(which is now a Silkie pen) that I planted every year. I love fresh veggies and I have a few fruit trees/bushes but I just don't have the time to try to raise or grow all of my food. I have a small garden area this year lettuce and tomatoes and a couple of other things. Next year I am planning on finding a much bigger sunnier area for a new garden. I work full time and love to spend time with DH, the kids, my friends, and my chickens. Hard to find time to to it all. When the kids are gone and I am "retired" I plan on trying to grow most of the things we eat.

I have seen CL's garden and RainWolf's, and I love seeing pics of anybodies gardens because I actually take notes and write down the ideas I can use for when I am able to dive in and really try my hand at some major gardening.

With all of this said I do try to buy from the local farmers markets and from stores that buy local produce. We buy our beef from a local butcher that get their meat from locally grown grass fed cattle farms.

Some of us are doing as much as we can and try to do more all the time.
These conversations can make people feel guilty, or like they aren't doing enough and that they could be judged for it.
Just remember, Do what you can and strive to do more when you can, and don't feel bad if you can't do as much as someone else.
This isn't keeping about keeping up with the Jones's. This is about having a healthy lifestyle and teaching our kids the same.

 

[Chicken Rustler]

Quote:
You mean like this ??? Yes I am always looking for the pink tanks. These have been pretty popular.