Farm Flashback - The Bear

We now have three bears at the farm.  Are we concerned?  Not at all in a matter of fact we wanted these bears at the farm.  Now I know I said three but right now I can only reveal one.  Lisa's birthday present from George and made just for her; cutest bear ever! It hangs out by the back door on the porch welcoming all who comes and visits...or does he???

Bread & Butter Pickles - Low Carb

While I am out seeing the great North Lisa has been busy making more pickles.  This batch of pickles  are Bread & Butter pickles but she made them low carb by replacing the sugar with Splenda.  She made 6 quarts and last night was the true test of how they turned out.  She said they were really good and George could not tell the difference from the sugar B&B's.  Last year we made some B&B's with stevia and they were awful; we threw them out. I guess this year we will be enjoying the B&B's instead of tossing them.  Way to go Lisa!

No News Is Good News

I go by the old saying "no news is good news" a lot because I figure if I don't hear from anyone, like friends or family, that all is well.  In most cases it is.  So since I am not at the farm I cannot share what is going on so I am using the no news thing and report nothing for today.  Mean while, please follow my travel blog as Tim and I are having a great trip.  Travels With Ruth :
travelswithruth-ruth.blogspot.com.    We start our third leg of our trip!

A Nice Harvest

Since I am on vacation Lisa had to harvest on her own and it looks like it was a good one and she will be busy processing the harvest.  There is a good amount of tomatoes and cucumbers which means one thing...pickles and tomato sauce.  Our pickles, although not as many as last year, are good and The tomato sauce should be too if Lisa uses the same recipe.  We have done one substitution this year.  Instead of using sugar we are using spleda.  With Lisa watching her carbs this switch works well and the taste is still good.  Have fun Lisa!

The Cantaloupe Is Great!

Even though we have been struggling with the garden the cantaloupe has been doing well and I have been fortunate enough to enjoy it.  I have had both kinds now; the regular size and the mini.  We even had enough before I left on my trip to take with and enjoy on the road.  There will a lot more cantaloupe before I get back but Lisa will make sure someone will be able to enjoy it.  Whoever does, they are the lucky ones. 

Welcome Chance

While Lisa and our neighbor Cheryl were out walking the other day they came upon a tiny kitten that had been abandon along the side of the road.  This is the second kitten they have found in the last month.  The first kitten they found they gave to a neighbor.  This kitten has been welcomed into Lisa's home and joins Angel, their 14 year old cat and Roxie their 3 year old dog.  Chance is four weeks old and weighs about 1 pound.  He had been bathed to get rid of the fleas and is being dewormed.  He still need special kitten food because he is so young but with the loving family that has just adopted him he will be receiving all the love and support needed.  Welcome Chance!

The Dirt Has Been Moved

The backhoe has been at the farm for over a week now and  of  the dirt moving project has been completed but it took a real effort to get it completed.  The day after receiving the backhoe it broke down and it took two days to get it repaired.  Once the backhoe was repaired the dump truck decided to break down.  The good thing with the dump truck is that Tim was able to fix what broke.  With all the set backs the dirt moving project did get completed and the backhoe was picked up this morning. 
Now there is a big turn around area down by George's house so even if a semi truck comes to the farm it can turn around.  The RV pad has been expanded and will create a nice area big enough for the RV, the shed and a nice yard for the dogs.  Great job George and Tim!