Food processing ‘skillz’ improve with time, tips

Fearless Farm Frau

Written by Shana Thornhill Tuesday, 14 August 2012 13:08

To borrow an antiquated phrase, “I got skillz.” Of course, the English expert in my head insists that I rephrase that as “I have skills.” Apparently though, I don’t have enough skills yet.

Even though I’ve learned how to process chickens, how to raise rabbits, and (hopefully) not stab myself in the foot, I have much to learn. I’ve been taking a certain amount of pride in roasting one of those home-raised chickens for dinner (and a few lunches) but what do I do when my husband says he’s tired of roasted...could I please make fried chicken?

I grew up like many of my generation: with a dim idea of chickens as feathery things, but the kind you ate came on a Styrofoam tray, in nice neat pieces that all looked the same.

Um...

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First day is always full of questions

Horizons

Written by Bailey Kaufman Tuesday, 28 August 2012 13:04

The first day of school is always full of questions: “What class do you have fourth hour?” “Who’s the new kid?” “When is the first football game?” And, the most important question of all, “How was your summer?”

When asked this question on previous first days, I always smiled and responded with the basic, “My summer was good! How about yours?” And that was always the truth; my past summer breaks have been good.

For instance, one summer I had mononucleosis. For two whole months, it seemed like all I did was sleep and eat. Then there was the year my room was infested with bed bugs. I slept on an air mattress in the middle of my bare room the whole summer vacation. And I can’t forget last year, when two of my...

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Fall stimulates rise in enthusiasm

Staff Soapbox

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 04 September 2012 13:58

A recent statistics indicated 65 percent of people in the U.S. are happy to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.

When the summer season started and temperatures were nearing and exceeding the 100-degree mark, I knew I would be spending most of my time indoors.

The opposite is true for husband Randy. He loves summer. It’s a time for him to putter in the yard and work on his many outside hobbies.

As soon as he gets home from work, he changes clothes and out the door he goes until it’s dark, forcing him to retreat inside until the next day.

Autumn has always been my favorite season. I think the reason is because I equate very happy times with September, October and November.

By the calendar, fall doesn’t actually begin until...

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Back in the saddle with child No. 3

Lipstick & Pearls

Written by Malinda Just Tuesday, 18 September 2012 14:25

We’re back in the saddle again. At least those lyrics by Gene Autry are all that keep going through my mind as I listen to the blends of new lungs mixed with little girls who keep talking instead of sleeping.

Our family landed back in the throes of newborn craziness Aug. 31 with the birth of our third baby and first son, Case Bennett.

It’s been one of those things where I am thrilled and yet overwhelmed all at the same time. I feel like we’ve gone full circle in a way. With our first child, I spent hours crying during nighttime feedings. With our second, I don’t remember the first weeks being very stressful. Though a spitfire now, she was actually a really calm baby.

And now with our third, I feel as if I’m not planted in a...

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