Change.

One of my very favorite quotes is by Mahatma Gandhi. You probably all know which one I'm talking about......be the change you wish to see in the world. It's one of those quotes that as a teenager I would have cut out of a magazine and taped to the mirror in my bedroom. Now, its stuck in my head. And I can't seem to get it out.

But some days it hard to see that what my family is doing could change the world. After all, we are just ONE family trying to change our lives and a few others if we can. It is so so hard sometimes. I think about how small our family is in this GINORMOUS world of a GAZILLION people. Then there are times like this past weekend that remind me that there REALLY are others that are trying to make a difference as well. Trying to do the right thing for this Earth and all of its inhabitants. Not just TRYING to change but have actually MADE the change. Leading by example.

This weekend we joined together with a large number of family farms and exhibited our animals and our lives at The Montana Farm and Ranch Show.  There were vegetables, dairy cows and beef cows, chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, and horses.  We educated old and young about the importance of local food, how to get it and in the mean time gave Big Ag the finger.

I needed a reminder that our family decisions were for the best. Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of a goal. Especially when it's a very large and lengthy one which involves many steps. As a family we recently decided I should stay at home full time. So I decided to give up nursing for awhile and work full time from home. This doesn't involve curlers, a housecoat, and bon-bons. It's homeschooling, animal husbandry, dirt digging, and at the end of the day.....making sure it was a life of production and not consumption.

I am so proud of my family and where this journey has taken us. And I am so proud of all the other families that share the same visions and missions.

A Tale of Two Roosters

 Joe and Schmo

Actually Joe is on the right and Schmo is on the left. Joe has been crowing for well over a month. And its pitiful. Puberty does not suit him. But he gets an A for Effort.  Schmo is well Schmo. Didn't start strutting his stuff til about 2 weeks ago. He doesn't crow but he puts up a mean fight. Joe backs down every time. Even though Joe is in a heavier weight class than Schmo. The ladies don't seem to pay them any attention. Which makes you wonder why they feel fighting is necessary. Sorry boys, it ain't attractive but it is entertaining to the humans (as you can see I'm enjoying the beginnings of a cock fight).

And that's their story. We won't be charging for the cockfights but if you like, you can watch them in action, until their true fate is revealed..... TBD.

The Sandhills Return!

21 Things to Do with a Whole Chicken

 OK, maybe just 5 things to do with a whole chicken. I wish the story started out with the above chicken (ours), but it doesn't now. But next year it will. I start out with a 6lb whole, pastured chicken from just up the road ($18) and cook it in a Dutch oven with celery, onions, garlic, bay leaves, rosemary, and lemons. That first night we have chicken breasts with whatever. This chicken comes out so tender that it literally falls off the bone!

Next step in this process is to clean all the meat off the bones that you can. If you use the recipe I do, there isn't much to it because it falls right off. I put away the shredded chicken in the fridge to make more meals with.

I always make chicken broth. This is one of the easiest things you can do with a leftover chicken. Its so cheap to make yourself and so much better than the store bought cans. Simply put the leftover bones and gizzards into a crock pot covered with water and simmer for 24 hours. Makes the most nutrient dense bone broth. You could also simmer on the stovetop for a few hours too (usually what I do).

Here's the finished product! It made about 16 cups of broth which you can use for everything. Cook your grains in chicken broth to add nutrients or make soup and sauce bases with this.

Since I love a crockpot on occasion, I decided to make chicken, broccoli and rice soup. This called for chicken broth and leftover shredded chicken.

Somewhere in that week I made barbeque sauce and drenched the chicken in it. Whipped up some homemade buns (I will never buy store-bought again) and had shredded chicken sandwiches.

And last but not least....Pizza!! Yummy hot hawaiian pizza with leftover chicken and you guessed it...barbeque sauce.

We buy a whole chicken every other week. Its so economical, its ridiculous! We made 5 meals out of one chicken! I love being in the kitchen so I don't mind doing all this prep. It has saved our monthly food bill and its taught our children a valuable lesson that my generation forgets.....nothing goes wasted. Even the dogs enjoy the leftover bones

Four Busy Little Beavers

Gosh....time has flown by me. Seems like Shannon was just the afternoon counter boy at On The Rise bakery, doing my dishes and I was just a sweetie in nursing school.

This summer we celebrate 10 years together. And we are eternally grateful for one another and for the children that light up our lives (on a good day)!

Anywho.....time has flown by. Especially in the last 3 months.  We decided to homeschool our children next year, Savannah turned 3 on February 12th, I turned....?, Violet turns 5 in a few days, we came up with a business plan, and somehow the dishes got done and all the animals fed. But I did forget to brush my teeth, seriously. And Shannon really did forget to shower. BUT....here's what DID get done:

Savannah turned 3!

We got a little puppy named Annie

We got 20 chicks!

Played pass the chicken

 

Moved brush piles

 

Planted cold frames

 

Pretended to be cows

 

Played cowgirl

 

Contemplated life sitting by the pond

 

Built hoop houses

 

Built bee hives

 

Made funny faces

 

And watched Spring emerge

 

We also bought an orchard to plant and a breeding pair of American Guinea Hogs! Whew! And we aren't even milking the cow yet....we'll see who gets dressed on any given day. One things for sure....we'll have fat bellies and happy hearts!