{"id":1569,"date":"2017-03-01T02:06:29","date_gmt":"2017-03-01T02:06:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/?p=1569"},"modified":"2017-03-01T02:11:45","modified_gmt":"2017-03-01T02:11:45","slug":"january-2017-farm-ramblings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/?p=1569","title":{"rendered":"January 2017 Farm Ramblings"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ve ever had such a farm-y January before.\u00a0 Generally, January is a pretty laid back month.\u00a0 The calm before the coming storm.\u00a0 An opportunity to continue resting before our feet hit the ground running.\u00a0 But not this year.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-1569 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161230_213800-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161230_213800-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161230_213800-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161230_213800-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161230_213800-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161230_213800-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1576'>\n\t\t\t\tSaving Seed\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170103_002953-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1577\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170103_002953-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170103_002953-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170103_002953-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170103_002953-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170103_002953-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1577'>\n\t\t\t\tSeed Inventory\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170103_002942-e1488330923993-300x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1578\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170103_002942-e1488330923993-300x301.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170103_002942-e1488330923993-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170103_002942-e1488330923993-768x771.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170103_002942-e1488330923993-1020x1024.jpg 1020w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1578'>\n\t\t\t\tSome of my seed collection\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161230_123605-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-1575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161230_123605-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161230_123605-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161230_123605-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161230_123605-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161230_123605-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-1575'>\n\t\t\t\tCollecting saved seed\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>In the garden:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Call me nuts, but during the warm streak we had in January, I actually went out and did some weeding in my garden.\u00a0 It was lovely.\u00a0 I got the last of the odds and ends picked up from the garden &#8211; an old rainboot from one of my children, small toys left behind from hanging out with me in the garden, a pair of kid pants (?!?) and some garbage that blew in from the last big wind storm we had.\u00a0 I took a look at all the weeds and began considering garden layout this year.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/?p=1513\">Seed inventory<\/a> was taken and I packaged the last of the saved seeds that I did not have time to take care of last year.<\/p>\n<p>Inside, I began some onion and celery seeds.\u00a0 They have since sprouted and are doing well, and I will be starting more.\u00a0 My basement greenhouse was cleaned out and cobwebs knocked off, ready for a deeper clean once I move seeds inside.\u00a0 Until then, my little seedlings hang out in a mini greenhouse next to my woodstove.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-2 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-2' class='gallery galleryid-1569 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_103221-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_103221-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_103221-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_103221-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_103221-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_103221-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204346-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204346-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204346-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204346-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204346-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204346-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204710-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204710-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204710-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204710-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204710-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204710-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"181\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204713-300x181.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204713-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204713-768x463.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204713-1024x617.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204713-150x90.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/20170114_204713-400x241.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_102638-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_102638-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_102638-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_102638-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_102638-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_102638-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt><\/dl>\n\t\t\t<br style='clear: both' \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>In the barn:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I am waiting for signs to show up as to whether my two dairy does are bred for spring kids.\u00a0 If they were receptive to my bucks ridiculous woo-ing, we will see kids sometime late March or early April.\u00a0 While bucks are <em>extremely stinky <\/em>during the rut, I have to say all of his tongue flapping and silly noises almost make up for the stench.<\/p>\n<p>Next month I plan to separate my chickens into coops based on breed, so I can begin hatching purebred chickens.\u00a0 The barnyard flock will still be out and about free ranging.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-3 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-3' class='gallery galleryid-1569 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_145633-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-1585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_145633-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_145633-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_145633-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_145633-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_145633-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-1585'>\n\t\t\t\tPrepping for syrup season\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_153311-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-1586\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_153311-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_153311-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_153311-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_153311-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170121_153311-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-1586'>\n\t\t\t\tNow if only we could keep the lab out of the sticks&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_110317-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-1574\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_110317-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_110317-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_110317-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_110317-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_110317-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-1574'>\n\t\t\t\tTools of the trade\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_123600-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-3-1573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_123600-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_123600-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_123600-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_123600-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_123600-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20161228_123600.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-3-1573'>\n\t\t\t\tThe hard work to heat our home is worth it!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>Around the farm:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Maple syruping is our first big &#8220;thing&#8221; of the year.\u00a0 Turning sap into syrup requires a hot fire for many hours.\u00a0 We prepare for this by cutting up bunches and bunches of sticks, branches and small-diameter limbs to feed the fire.\u00a0 Through the year, I tend to collect thin limbs in a pile, then rip through the pile a couple times per year.\u00a0 We cut through all of that this month, brought it up to the house, and stacked it in preparation.\u00a0 It won&#8217;t be enough to last too long, but it&#8217;s a great start.\u00a0 We have many downed limbs in our woods still from recent wind storms so I am not too concerned with where to come up with more.<\/p>\n<p>I began scheduling classes this month too, for chicken raising and canning.\u00a0 Each year I hope to add a new class or two and get a nice, varied schedule set up!\u00a0 This year I plan to offer scheduled soapmaking classes as well as chicken butchering classes later this summer.<\/p>\n<p>We cut and split firewood early in the month to get us a little further in the season.\u00a0 We heat our home exclusively with wood and a single wood stove.\u00a0 Our school room also has a small wood stove, but it is an extra room attached to the house that is technically an enclosed porch or three season room.\u00a0 We keep the room heated only during the time we are actually in the room.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-1588\" src=\"http:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170126_150948-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"20170126_150948\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170126_150948-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170126_150948-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170126_150948-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170126_150948-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170126_150948-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>In the school room:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We are beginning to set our sights on the end of our homeschooling year.\u00a0 Some subjects will be done for the year very soon!\u00a0 Since moving to the farm, it has been difficult for me to find a balance between homeschooling and farming, because both require so much time and effort.\u00a0 We started our school year last year earlier than the year before in an attempt to ease into a school schedule after having the entire summer off and give us a head start on the books once our &#8220;extremely busy&#8221; season had ended.\u00a0 Our last transition from summer break to school was kind of rough, so I wanted to change gears a little less abruptly this school year.\u00a0 The transition went perfectly (prior to moving to our farm, we homeschooled year-round on a light schedule, so we had a lot of changes with scheduling the past two years we have been here).<\/p>\n<p>We take on a pretty heavy schedule during the winter.\u00a0 We don&#8217;t take time off for breaks with the exception of the week between Christmas and New Years.\u00a0 I don&#8217;t do snow days, but I have been known to do a few &#8220;sun days&#8221; in the spring.\u00a0 We do not follow the public school schedule because we want to be done with the bulk of our schooling once the weather breaks and it&#8217;s time to prepare and plant the garden beds, brood chicks, play with goat babies, and begin the many projects that farmers have calling their names in the spring.\u00a0\u00a0 That is one of the joys of homeschooling.\u00a0 Here in Michigan, we have that freedom to be able to pick our own schedule.\u00a0 I am a little more lenient on the littler ones who have a much ligher schedule, but as we try to find that balance, if there is such a thing,\u00a0 I think we would all agree that hands down, winter time is the best time to really power through our school work.<\/p>\n<p>As it&#8217;s looking right now, some subjects (like one kids science and 3 kids&#8217; history) will be done in February.\u00a0 A few math subjects may be done late Feb\/early March.\u00a0 I am homeschooling 5 of our 7 kids.\u00a0 The other two are too young.\u00a0 That means there are 5 math classes to teach each day, 5 grammar classes, 5 different spelling levels to review, etc.\u00a0 Math and grammar for the big kids will probably be our longest subjects that extend a bit beyond spring planting.<\/p>\n<p>On a different note, we took advantage of the many science lessons that come with butchering animals.\u00a0 When we butchered our pigs, we dissected a few organs to see how wonderfully\u00a0God made them!<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 33%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-4 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-4' class='gallery galleryid-1569 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170125_185941-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170125_185941-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170125_185941-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170125_185941-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170125_185941-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170125_185941-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1587'>\n\t\t\t\tStudy materials before the big day\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_095755-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1590\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_095755-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_095755-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_095755-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_095755-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_095755-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1590'>\n\t\t\t\tMy tools of the trade\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"239\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170127_230717-e1488334570807-300x239.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1589\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170127_230717-e1488334570807-300x239.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170127_230717-e1488334570807-768x612.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170127_230717-e1488334570807-1024x817.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170127_230717-e1488334570807-150x120.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170127_230717-e1488334570807-400x319.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170127_230717-e1488334570807.jpg 1599w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1589'>\n\t\t\t\tI processed the pigs myself\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_122322-e1488332249419-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1592\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_122322-e1488332249419-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_122322-e1488332249419-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_122322-e1488332249419-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_122322-e1488332249419-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_122322-e1488332249419-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1592'>\n\t\t\t\tAfter quartering, I brought each quarter inside for further processing\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_100501-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1591\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_100501-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_100501-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_100501-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_100501-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170128_100501-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1591'>\n\t\t\t\tLeaf lard\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170206_084451-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170206_084451-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170206_084451-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170206_084451-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170206_084451-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170206_084451-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1600'>\n\t\t\t\tThe beginnings of something delicious &#8211; home baked bread, homegrown pork, free range eggs!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170205_185928-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1599\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170205_185928-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170205_185928-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170205_185928-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170205_185928-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170205_185928-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1599'>\n\t\t\t\tSmoked hams\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170130_215319-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1594\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170130_215319-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170130_215319-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170130_215319-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170130_215319-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170130_215319-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1594'>\n\t\t\t\tGrinding sausage meat!  Growing and processing our own food is a family affair.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170130_230458-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1595\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170130_230458-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170130_230458-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170130_230458-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170130_230458-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170130_230458-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1595'>\n\t\t\t\tTaste testing breakfast sausage recipes in small batches\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170131_021827-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1596\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170131_021827-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170131_021827-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170131_021827-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170131_021827-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170131_021827-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1596'>\n\t\t\t\tKeilbasa\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170201_104847-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1597\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170201_104847-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170201_104847-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170201_104847-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170201_104847-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170201_104847-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1597'>\n\t\t\t\tBreakfast&#8230;. mmmm.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170201_151114-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1598\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170201_151114-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170201_151114-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170201_151114-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170201_151114-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170201_151114-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1598'>\n\t\t\t\tSmoked sausage\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170129_014857-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-4-1593\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170129_014857-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170129_014857-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170129_014857-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170129_014857-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170129_014857-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-4-1593'>\n\t\t\t\tMakin Bacon\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>\n\t\t\t<br style='clear: both' \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p><strong>In the kitchen:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Well, while not exactly a &#8220;cooking&#8221; topic, my incubators were set with early season eggs.\u00a0 I wasn&#8217;t exactly sure of the outcome considering the weather had been so cold but as of lockdown I have a good percentage that should hatch.\u00a0 I always, <em>always<\/em> end up with a brooder in my kitchen every single spring, so I thought this was the most appropriate spot to mention them.\u00a0 Normally my incubators reside in the kitchen too, but this year I decided to keep them in the basement.<\/p>\n<p>We butchered our pigs &#8211; now that&#8217;s a kitchen topic!\u00a0 We had plans of butchering them last fall, but we had a baby and no longer had spare time.\u00a0 Funny how babies do that to you.\u00a0 My husband was pretty set on sending them out to be butchered (we have never done pigs before)\u00a0but I was confident we could do it..\u00a0 After all, I have processed many deer and the people I have talked to who have butchered their own pigs said it&#8217;s not much different than butchering deer.\u00a0 I was also fond of the idea of being able to handle their slaughter &#8211; I felt it&#8217;s the least we could do.\u00a0 My goal for any animal raised on our farm for food, is to keep them here.\u00a0 If we can&#8217;t do our own processing, then I&#8217;d need to rethink if we should raise that animal.\u00a0 I like to think that we owe it to the animal for their slaughter to be humane and respectful, without undue stress or suffering.\u00a0 I think trailering them out to an unknown place would add stress, and not having any control over their slaughter bothers me a bit.\u00a0Slaughtering is not really a topic I get giddy over.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Taking a life is never, ever easy.\u00a0 I can relax and enjoy the butchering process &#8211; seeing Gods creation in front of me and being able to see how intricately he designed their bodies, seeing how everything works together, cutting and preparing food we have worked so hard to keep happy and healthy, knowing where our food came from and knowing that it did not suffer &#8211; that&#8217;s all stuff I deeply appreciate and can find excitement in.<\/p>\n<p>The whole process went without a hitch.\u00a0 We cured and smoked our own hams and bacon, stuffed and smoked our own smoked sausage, made kielbasa, froze ribs and roasts, made bean and bacon soup as well as ham and bean soup, and have had quite a few feasts already.\u00a0 We are preparing for a breeding pair of hogs so we can raise more pork.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 50%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-5 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-5' class='gallery galleryid-1569 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-medium'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170106_142014-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-1579\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170106_142014-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170106_142014-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170106_142014-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170106_142014-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170106_142014-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-1579'>\n\t\t\t\tMaking laundry detergent\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"169\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170107_132937-e1488332819200-169x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-1580\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170107_132937-e1488332819200-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170107_132937-e1488332819200-768x1365.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170107_132937-e1488332819200-576x1024.jpg 576w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170107_132937-e1488332819200-84x150.jpg 84w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170107_132937-e1488332819200-400x711.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170107_132937-e1488332819200-300x533.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 169px) 100vw, 169px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-1580'>\n\t\t\t\tLazy dogs\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170113_203331-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-1581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170113_203331-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170113_203331-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170113_203331-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170113_203331-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170113_203331-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-1581'>\n\t\t\t\tSoap making\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<img width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170115_163448-300x169.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-5-1582\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170115_163448-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170115_163448-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170115_163448-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170115_163448-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/20170115_163448-400x225.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-5-1582'>\n\t\t\t\tCuring homemade soap\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p><strong>Around the Home<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We were just as busy in the home, washing eggs, updating records, making soap (about 20lbs) from our rendered homegrown lard, making laundry detergent, prepping feed bags for use as weed cover in the garden beds, and dreaming about the coming year.\u00a0 I can&#8217;t wait for open widows, bright sunshine, grassy pastures, clothes hanging on the line!<\/p>\n<p>February is going to be even busier &#8211; how are things looking in your neck of the woods this time of year?\u00a0 I am sure I am forgetting some things!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I don&#8217;t think I&#8217;ve ever had such a farm-y January before. Generally, January is a pretty laid back month. The calm before the coming storm. An opportunity to continue resting before our feet hit the ground running. But not this year.<\/p>\n<p> #gallery-6 { margin: auto; } #gallery-6 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; [&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1573,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1569"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1569"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1569\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1605,"href":"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1569\/revisions\/1605"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.k7farm.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}