Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[bigzio]

Just moments ago I had a mature red tail hawk sitting on the ground a mere 25 feet from the coops watching the little ones in their secure pen, and waiting for one of the free range birds to come out. Lucky the roo's had all the girls in the coop.\, but they were not locked up. Suzie spotted him, and I failed to grab the loaded gun right by the door when I went out thinking he will fly the moment I step outside....however, I walked within 30 feet of the culprit before he flew at the pen and then took off......what a mistake I made thinking it would fly off.....education for me this evening. I will protect my flocks with SSS form of remedy.

bigz

 

[jvls1942]

hello, Annie and I went and spread a tarp under the plum tree. shook down about 2 gallons .
I trimmed the tree as we went. lots of dead branches and too many low hanging ones for me to get under when I am mowing.
moved the tarp and shook some more. got a full 3 gallon pail .. there are more , but about 5 gallons is plenty.. the birds have to eat, too.
we didn't even bother to shake the two small trees. I think I am going to jerk one of them out with the tractor bucket. It is in an awkward place for mowing, and it is leaned way over.
there are pitters that are for cherries and olives. I think one of those would work for plums. the plums are about the size of large olives..
really sweet and bug free.
I am going to try steaming a batch. the plums should get soft and I will mash them.
pick out the pits and make plum jam.
I have a lot of old wine that I am going to try to make some wine jelly out of. It is more for eating on crackers and cheese than on toast.
also supposed to make very good glaze for beef or whatever..
nothing to lose by trying, eh?
we have a few rainy days forecast, this will give me something to do if I get bored..
.....jiminwisc...

 

[wyoDreamer]

Wine jelly is really good on crackers and cheese, although I have only had Chardonney jelly that a neighbor made. It was really pretty, lol.
Do you know what kind of plums those are, Jim? Maybe I should put a plum tree or three in the orchard area. I think you need more than one tree for pollination for plums. Which taste better - red or black plums?
I have a cherry pitter that works pretty good, but it would not be able to do olives with it. Some cherries are pretty hard to do if they are not ripe enough or have tough skin. My sister pits her cherries with a bobby pin ... not sure how that works.

DH is talking about planting a bunch of trees to make a deer habitat area. Any recommendations on type to plant? I want to plant a bunch of spruce to give them a place to bed down in winter. Maybe I will try to start some acorns this fall, we have a really nice white oak tree that we will need to remove soon - getting too big for the spot it is planted.

 

[bigzio]

Fish Fry Friday to all.....plus late night Packer Game Too!
Rained on and off all day here, now my grass really needs cutting. It should get the late radish and spinach I planted a good start. We will be canning stewed tomatoes tomorrow. Really needed a day off from canning today.
GO PACK!

bigz

 

[Heinzie]

Rare Fri night off had fresh northern for supper watching the brewers waiting for the packers

 

[CherMoz]

Good morning! Starting the day off with sourdough pancakes.

 

[Cyprus]

Good morning!
Was sitting in my living room when I heard my neighbor's cows bellering like no tomorrow. I went to the window, thinking they may be in my yard because they were so loud. No, it wasn't a cow in my yard. It was a cat! A big, nasty tortie cat stalking my chickens!
I ran out there, keeping a tab on it as it moved through the long grass we haven't mowed yet. Brave thing kept working it's way towards my run as I approached. Only ran when I hissed at it like a mad man!
I will be setting the traps tonight. I do not tolerate any threat to my flock.

-Cyprus

 

[bigzio]

Lucky you Heinzie with your northerns...one of my favorite fish to not only clean, but to consume...most folks have no clue how to debone the northerns…..and that's a good thing to keep them out of favor...look what happened to chicken wings when folks figured them out!

bigz

 

[jvls1942]

good saturday afternoon,
I like northern, but perch and blue gills are my favorite.
I know how to get a northern cleaned. I hack away at it until my brother Dave can't stand to watch me anymore and he takes over..
Wyo, I am going to get rid of a plum tree.
It is about 10 ft tall. maybe less. If you want it, come and get it. in a few weeks it will be dormant enough to transplant. It is sort of laid over right now, but it would be nice and straight if it was to get transplanted.
my plums are the wild unnamed variety.
they get yellow when ripe and turn red when dead ripe.
If nobody wants this tree I am going to toss it onto the burn pile.. the trunk is about 3 or 4 inches in diameter. will fit on a pickup truck.
I can load it with the tractor on this end.

I am going to try my first batch of jam tonight.
just going through a few recipes on the tube to see which one looks the easiest.. they all look about the same..

yep, I still rip off the wings when Annie puts the chicken on the table.. not going to let anyone else find out how good they are.

I shampooed the living room carpet this morning. have the dehumidifier going all day.
I didn't move any couches etc. just did what is exposed. the stuff under the furniture doesn't get walked on so it can't be that dirty, right?

....jiminwisc......

 

[bigzio]

Oh my, you are way more in control with getting stuff done than me Jim....my carpet needs ripped out and replaced...wonder how long that project will take before it gets to beyond a thought?
bigz