Pig

Good day Dear Readers,  although it is technically 'winter' we are having wet, spring weather. Days are 60's and nights 50's. We are being replenished with rain that we so lacked back in the late summer and fall. God is good, merciful and I am thankful.

With the weather being thus, I am able to get much needed things done outside and crafty projects accomplished inside. I have begun on my cloth doll, a pattern of Janean Bartram, an antiquity doll  maker, that a lady sent me last year. I have her body parts sewn and stuffed, sanded a bit too, next to begin some of the painting stages to get the antique 'look' and then begin painting features. I will be taking pictures and sharing in the near future posts.  I did get some l e d white lights hung in the hall, which is always so dark and I am pleased with how those brighten up the hall. I really enjoy these stringed lights. I see them a lot in decorating in different magazines and antique places I have visited.

Since my post is entitled 'Pig' I should get to him. A neighbor gave us this pig back in the early fall. We are feeding him out and with the expertise of our neighbor, come March, will learn how to butcher a hog. Pig is enjoying lots of excess milk, buttermilk, and crem fresh along with his ground corn, fermented corn,

 split peas and oats I am feeding him. He also gets left over pulp from when I juice. He is filling out quite nicely. 

I have heard pigs are very smart. I am beginning to believe this. Pig's pen is outside the barn and in the stall that I milk Elsie, the door is open and I can see Pig and he can see me. He will lay down as I begin milking, watching me, and when I get to the last teat on Elsie, he stands up and begins talking to me in his grunts and squeals. I have been giving him a portion of what I milk and he has learned when I am almost finished. He has also learned that if he is too very anxious and not allow me to pout the milk in his container without me making a mess, he gets none, so he backs up and waits for me to pour it all out and then,   sssllllluuuurrrppppp. Doesn't take him long to swallow it up. Afterwards, he gives a little grunt, for which I take to mean 'thank you.'

Ah the farm life,  as Eddie Albert sung,  'farm living is the life for me, ............'  Yes indeed, it is a blessed way of life.

In Joy

First Snow 2017

Good evening Dear Readers,  yes, this Friday past was the first snow of 2017 for us here in mid TN. It was a light layer, too soft for any sledding or snowman making. I am not a 'snow' person as I once was in my youth, I believe aging plays a big part, but I like it for a day. I enjoyed watching it fall on Friday, and making the lay of the land so pretty and unique.  As of today, it is melting away. The temperatures were in the teen and mid 20's which made for a wonderful weekend to do inside projects. Of which, I crocheted a dish rag, a first for me. Although I had no pattern, the rag turned out fine, as husband tried it out yesterday when he did the dishes for me. I also completed a braided rug I began 5 years ago, yes, that long ago. Life issues had a way of keeping this project tucked away in a basket, until a week ago, I brought it out and told myself before winter's end I would finish it. But, this weekend proved to be such a delight to be in that I finished it today.  I have put a photo up. It is all hand worked. My fingers were getting pretty sore with the large needle I was using that I began wrapping my fingers with duct tape, and this worked very well. I did try a thimble but could not manage well enough. With this rug completed I feel I have really accomplished something and I look forward to making another,  really hoping it won't take 5 years.

All the while of working on the rug, I was also rendering down lard which produced 13 quarts. This weekend was very productive. I am well pleased and blessed.

Now, I can begin a project I have been studying for several long months, making an Izannah Walker style doll. The history of this lady, Izannah Walker, is so very interesting and encouraging for me in this endeavor.  I will keep you all posted.

All is well on the homestead others. We are making ready for a root cellar, garden plans for this year, Lord willing.

I hope your winter season is a productive one. Be blessed in your endeavors, and keep your mind on the goals you desire, always looking unto God to lead and guide.

In Joy