School Lunch

Today was a great day.  We were invited to have our lunch at our daughters school.  What a delight it was that both my husband and I could go.  I know it just thrilled my daughter.  She is a thriving young lady in fourth grade.  She was very excited about having both of her parent join her for her lunch.  The town of Skowhegan has a great school system and we did get lucky when we moved here.  Melanie has adjusted well to our move to this town and a new school.  She has made many friends and really fits in.  We were informed this morning we would be sitting with her best friend Zoe and her mother.

After our lunch the school was having a book fair.  Well of course Melanie was eager to purchase a few books.  Melanie loves to read.  It was a wonderful afternoon having lunch with Melanie and her classmates.  We thank her school for the opportunity share a meal.

So proud of our family

Sometimes I am not sure on what I should blog about.  What do people really want to hear or know about our family.  But the truth is I started this blog because I feel like writing.  Expressing what is going on in our world.  I have always felt I have had something to say.  Not everyone has always wanted to listen.  That has been OK with me.  Some how I seem to always get my point across.
I don't want to always paint a pretty picture.  Life is not that way.  In my home or house there has been ups and downs.  I have been places in my life I would never talk about.  I have been places in my life I would brag about.  Sometimes you find it hard to find a happy medium in today's world.  At least that is how I have found it to be.  Everything I have or don't have I have worked hard for.  Nothing has been given to me or just fell in my lap.  I am not a person that goes to church but I believe there is someone up above that watches over me and helps me when I may start to stray or should I say always had made sure I have been able to provide for my family.
With writing this today I am so very proud of my family.  Proud of each of my children and who they are and who they have become and what they are doing in there lives.  As I sit back and look at my life I feel so blessed with healthy children and grandchildren.  It makes me not want to take a single thing for granted.  If there is something I can pass on at the end of the day, material items don't mean a thing without the loved ones by your side.  We all have to make a living.  We all have to provide for the family.  But we must take time to look at the big picture.  I have to say I have had the opportunity of raising my children a few different ways.  Having my older children when I was younger compared to having my younger children while I am older.  I am not saying one way of raising my children is wrong or right.  I was doing what I had to do at the time.  The best I could do with what I had.  But if I had know then what I know now.  Boy maybe I heard my grandparent say something like that.  If only we listen to our elders.  Sometimes we just have to learn on our own.  I believe that is OK also.  This is what makes us the strong people we are.  My grandparents lived in the same house from the time they got married or not long after.  My grandmother stayed home with the children.  They didn't have credit cards.  If they didn't have the money they didn't buy it.  They raised four children.  All grew up fine.  Sure nobody perfect.  They were not a perfect family but when my grandparents died they left behind an estate for my mother and her siblings.  My grandparents made an average living probely less than we do but were able to live within there means.  Why cant we do that.  Why cant we teach our children that lesson.  Well we can.  We do.  We haven't always.  We tried to live up to the "Jones" next door.  But no more.  For the past few years we stopped that insanity.  It was something that took me becoming ill for us to do.  A change in us from being a two income family to a one income family.  We are better off because of it.  We are much happier.  If we don't have the money we don't buy something.  What is wrong with that.  No more credit cards.  None!  I love it.  That means we don't pay interest to anyone.  We keep all our money.  Yes at times we look at things and say boy that would be nice.  We used to have nice cars, boats, and if you seen an item you just bought it without worrying if you had money, not now.  We have to have the money.  With only one income in the family we don't have the money for much.  It is hard for the children to adapt.  But they do.  No- is hard to say all the time but we do.  We teach them about the pride of owning something rather than owing a credit card company.  Saving for something, makes you appreciate it even more when you get it.
I look at my older children who grew up with both parents working and having what they wanted, most of the time within reason.  I will say my children worked also.  They had jobs from the time they could work.  I always thought it important to install work ethic.  I worked for my father from when I was real young.  He instilled a work ethic in me.  That is what made me the go getter I have been all my life.  My oldest Christopher, went off to college and never called home asking for money.  He got a job and payed his way.  Now he is in California following his dreams as an inspiring screen writer.  Still paying his own way struggling waiting tables until he becomes the famous Screen Writer I know he is destine to become.  He never calls home and asks for money.  We tell him every phone call, let us know if you need something.  Never does he ask.  I am so proud of him and all his accomplishment's.
My Daughter Jen, she is just an amazing Mother and Wife.  She is married to a man that his career is in the  Army.  He has spent most of their marriage deployed over seas in Afghanistan.  He is off at this time in Afghanistan for six months.  My daughter just gave birth to her third child five weeks ago.  It is amazing the way she handles her home and children while he is gone.  We thank our son-in-law for what he does for this country but we thank our daughter, Jen, for being such a strong, loving person that can handle being a Army Wife.  Her and her husband make us proud on how they are raising their children.  They are being smart about money and living wisely.  It just kills me they live so far away.  Having grandchildren and family live thousands of miles from you is heartbreaking.  Thank goodness for skype.
Our Daughter Jessie is 21 and in the Navy.  How proud are we of that!  My husband was a Navy man and Jessie went in the Navy to follow her fathers footsteps, that's what we say anyway.  She just does the right thing.  For such a young girl she still calls home for some advise, some times.  She doesn't always take it, but at least she ask.  Jessie re-enlisted for a second term and lives in Virgnina now.  It's not close either.  But we talk or text all the time. She is smart with her money and works hard for our country.
Our youngest son, Russell, I don't think will stop growing.  At 6'2'' and fourteen years old he is just starting to find himself.   When I look at him I see a little bit of his older siblings.  When he was born they all had such a big part in his upbringing.  "Little Russell" as we call him was a favorite not only to our children but to all the childrens friends.  He was almost like a mascot to all the sports or activities that the older children were involved in.  It was a great upbringing for him.  Russell is a pretty easy going young man.  When we planned on moving to Maine he was very scarred.  Going into a new school at his age could have been real bad.  But it was the best move for Russell.  Russell has excelled in academics, sports and the social aspects of his high school years.  I can not be prouder of him.  He loves it here and calls it his home town.
Now the baby.  Melanie, the youngest of five born with a carrot top.  I say this because she is different.  All the other children have dark brown hair and here comes baby Mel with the red hair.  Oh wow.  We were all thrilled.  We still are.  She is a ball of fire for sure.  She amazes us every day.  Much like her oldest brother she has been given the title of gifted.  She excels acedemiclly.  Beyond her years.  Thank goodness for schools having accellerated programs to promote her abilities.  Melanie loves to stay active.  She participates in Gymnastics twice a week in a home team at the local gym.  She also takes part in an after school program that promotes good health and activities such as skiing and other outdoor sports.  She is always on the move.  We cant stop saying how proud we are of her.  She amazes me everyday.
When I write this I have to think how lucky I have been to be a part of these five wonderful human beings.  They have blessed me with the opportunity to be their mother.  People may ask how do you raise such successful children.  One I would say do the best with what you have.  Don't second guess how you feel.  You dont have to be your children's best friend, they don't have to like what you say all the time.  As parents we do things we think are the right thing at the time.  It might turn out to be wrong or not the way you thought but we live and learn.  Don't kill yourself over it.  Move on.  Everyone learns from it.  Most of all love yourself and your family.  The rest will come.  Remember no one is perfect!
This is a picture of my children about five years ago I don't remember when we were all together for a picture.

 This is a picture of my Daughter Jen and her husband Zach and their children, Zachary, Addalynn and Abraham.  My wonderful grandchildren who I love with all my heart!

Flower Pot Ice Cream Treats, Yummy and Fun!

Melanie had her birthday in January.  She is a gymnast and we had a birthday party for her at her gymnastic school.  One of the fun party treats that Melanie and her brother had a great time making was this great Flower Pot Ice Cream Treat.  They were a big hit.

We started by picking up a clay pot for each party guest.  You can get whatever size you want but the small ones are fine.  

Then Melanie cut a lot of pictures out old gardening magazines.  Most of them were flowers.  She was expecting a few boys so she cut out some animals for the boys clay pots.  Then she took some modge podge glue and had a great time placing them on the outside of the clay pots.

They came out so cute.  

Next we baked a cake.  Just a regular box cake mix. We used a sheet pan 10x13.  Then let it cool completely.  We cut out wax paper into circles the size of the bottom of the pots and placed it in the pot.  We took some strips of wax paper and lined the inside sides of the pot.  You don't have to do this but we didn't want the food to have a funny taste.  

Now you take a circle the size of the bottom of the clay pot.  We used a drinking glass.  This is to cut out a piece of cake to place in the bottom of the clay pot.  Do this for every clay pot you have.  

Next you will take some of your favorite ice cream and fill the clay pot almost to the top. Place a cut straw the size of your pot in the center.  This is where you will place your flower. 

 You will need to leave room for your dirt.  Your dirt is a bag of Oreo cookies ground in a food processor.  But before you place the dirt on the ice cream we placed a few gummy worms in each pot on the ice cream for a sweet surprise.  Place the dirt over the gummy worms and you are done until the party.  Place your treat in the freezer.  When its time for the party take your flower pot and place your flower in the center straw and surprise your guest with a great Ice cream Flower Pot!

Never any free time,let's make birdhouses

When you start a farm the last thing you think of is never ending work, right. It does seem like the list of to do things grows every day. Then we add new items that most likely don't need to be done. One thing the family has taken on as a farm house hobby is making birdhouses.

I guess it all started when my son started wood shop at the high school. He was in need of a project. So his father and I said we would love some birdhouses around the farm. 

He made a birdhouse alright. More like a bird hotel. We just loved it. 

Now it made us want more birdhouses around the farm. So the kids and daddy have been busy. Turning everything into a custom birdhouse. One of a kind birdhouses you will only find here at Round House Farm. 

Here is one made out of a Vintage Milk Jug. 

Dad and Mel work hard together to get them just right. 

Now we have started to sell them to help with some of the cost on the farm. You can check out our store often for our products. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoundHouseFarm7

Round House Farm Cheese Crackers

Well on the farm we try to make most of our food homemade. Store bought items like most bread and cracker products have added ingredients we don't want or need. I (mom) eat primarily a vegan diet but the others in our home eat a regular diet. But I try to conform most of our food choices around a vegan base.

So when I found a recipe for crackers I did put my own twist on it using vegan butter and for my use I substitute vegan Cheese and add nutritional yeast. They are just as good if not better. 

But really the basic is just take these simple ingrediants below and play with the spices till you find your favorite flavor. 

1 cup flour

4 tsp butter

3-6 oz cheese (if you are using a soft cheese use less)

2 tbls water

You take all ingrediants in processer till small chucks are formed. 

Then you can add any spices just try 1/2 tsp or less depending on the spice. Give it a few more pulses. Now you can add your water one tbls at a time till you get a ball. 

Now put on wax paper and place in fridge for about 20 mins. 

Now pre heat oven to 350. 

Roll out your crackers pretty thin. Then I take a pizza cuter and make small squares. 

Next you want to take a fork and press the four sides and then place them on a lined cookie sheet. They will not expand so they can be placed close together. 

After you fill the sheet you will take a toothpick and poke a whole in center of each one. 

Now you add more spice or salt at this time and then place in oven for 13 to 15 mins. I did turn mine after 13 mins then let them cook for another 3 mins. They came out great!

A lot has happened in a year!

Well it has been a whole year now and we have survived. We made it through the coldest part of the year, at least I think. So much has happened since my last blog. I will write to catch you up in a few blogs over the next couple of days.

But one thing is for sure this has been the best move for my family. The children are doing great in school. They both are making great friends and doing great academicly. They have stated they are very happy living in Skowhegan Maine and that they are happy we made the move. 

Round House Farm continues to grow and we work on improvements as we can afford them. All the animals seem to be doing fine through the cold winter, so far. We do our best to keep them as Warm and dry as possible with plenty of fresh water. That's the biggest chore, water freezes so fast around here. 

Well it's late so I will write in the morning!

This is our newest goat master Billy Goat, we hope he will bring us some summer babies. 

Goats are Great

Not sure how it happened but we have opened our hearts and home to goats.  It was the last thing we ever thought we would have on our farm but one day at the auction my daughter just had to have one.  Well you cant just have one.  And before we knew it we were the proud owners of two week old baby goats- Kids.  Oh boy what did we just do I thought.  My daughter was smiling from ear to ear.  They were so cute but we were not prepared at all.  We had no clue.  I had not read any books on goats or looked them up on the internet like I did the chickens.  I did know you had to have two, that one alone would not be a good thing. 
So first we had to get bottles and milk for them.  Well not knowing I bought bottles for a baby cow.  That did not work.  The nipple was to big they wanted nothing to do with it.  So next day I had to go out and get just regular baby bottles.  Then it was hard at first to get them to take it but when they finally did OMG.  They loved it and it was so cute.

So we started reading and learning about our new babies and how to take care of them.  I must say this has been a great education for my whole family.  The children are learning so much about the caring of the animals.  They know as much as or if not more than I do about our new farm animals.  They take part in all the care of the animals it is teaching great responsibility.
We were sadden one day when we went out one morning to feed the babies and one was on its death bed.  It died within a half hour of us finding it.  It was heartbreaking for my children, both of them.  But it teaches them also.  We are not sure what happened but we did get them small and we know we did everything we could to make it healthy but it is not always in the cards.  So now we have a little grave yard for the animals that pass. 
So that left us with only one goat and as I have said before that is not a good thing.  So we went back to the auction for another goat to be with our baby girl.  Well we decided to look for a goat in milk.  We did some research and found out that if you found a mama goat that has a milk supply she might let the baby goat we have nurse off her.  Or at least we would be able to milk her and feed the goat milk to our baby goat, which is the best milk for the baby.  So we were so blessed to find our mama goat.

This is Miss May.  She has fit right in at our farm.  Best of all we were able to get her to nurse the baby goat.  Today both goats are very happy and healthy and the greatest additions to the farm.  Again my husband and son built a great home for the goats.  They did it the same way the garden was built.  The goats love their new home.

We made half of the paduck in the woods and the goats are loving it, plenty of woodlands to munch on. 

We have recently added a young buck to our farm.  His name is Elf.  He is going to help with the new babies for next year we hope.  That is the plan.  We just love our goats.  Never would have thought but I cant see us without them.

Round House Farm, it all begins :)

It is funny how time flies.  When I decided to start this blog I was so excited to write everyday.  My mind would not stop thinking about what I wanted to write about next.  Well I still think that way but with one thing or another it just does not seem to get posted. 
A lot has happened since my last post.  So I will, hopefully, get you all caught up to date soon.  But for now let me tell you about our farm.
We moved here with some intentions on getting some animals but well might I say we have kinda gone hog wild.  First we all as a family thought long and hard on a name for our new home and farm.  We came to agree it was fitting to name our farm- Round House Farm.

The reason for the name is part of our home is a round house.  It just seemed to fit.  We all love the name.  First we were really wanting to start with chickens as our first animals.  So we started with a lot of research on the internet and by reading books.  When we thought we had enough knowledge we made the purchase of our first six chicks.

Within the first few days we soon realized six would not be enough so we went right out and bought six more.  We soon fell head over heels  in love with our new flock of babies.  Chickens are one of the greatest part of our home, we just love having them around.  They can make you smile and laugh they just bring you joy in so many ways. 
My husband worked hard and made a great chicken coop for our new chickens and they seem to love their home.  Our chicken flock now is about 30 chickens, some babies and some full grown layer hens.  Fresh eggs for our family is the only way.  The daily droppings they give us provides us with the best fertilizer for our garden.  It all just works out perfect.

My husband and son worked hard on our garden.  We decided to place the main garden in our front yard it is were we have sun for most of the day.  We want our farm to have an old time look and we want to use our resources wisely so we decided to make the fence around the garden with the timber we cut from our land. 

The garden has come along way and we watch it grow everyday. 

Our main goal for our new farm is to have it provide for our family.  We are well on our way.  It takes a lot of work.  My husband works every minute on one thing or another, we have a list that is never ending.  But I am sure it will pay off for our family three fold.