Friday, October 10, 2008

Change Takes Time


I could have taken 100 pictures of these beautifully stocked shelves but I controlled myself. It was hard to get it all in one shot.
(The bottom row is not visible)
This is what we haven't already consumed or given away. Here we have mustard pickles, dill pickles, zucchini pickles, pickled beets, and zucchini relish. Next year I plan to have a pressure cooker so I will be able to preserve an array of our bounty rather than being limited to high acidic foods.

Last year was the first time I did any canning since before having children. I preserved zucchini pickles and relish only, it went quickly. This year I swore to put up more zuchinni and I did not, now my stock is already almost depleted. :( The are real popular with the kids, my parents, and my neighbors.
Note to self for next year: MAKE LOTS OF ZUCCHINI RELISH AND PICKLES

My food stash is not much in comparison to the food some that my fellow bloggers put up ..Nita at Trapper Creek, Angie at Children in the Corn, and Phelan at Homesteading Neophyte
but it is a start. They have been my inspiration!

In the past I've dabbled with freezing vegetables from the garden and we always had a deer meat but this year I really stocked up. Our freezer is stocked with tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, corn, green beans, edamame beans, home fries, blueberries, blackberries, cabbage, chickens, turkeys (soon), and we will have pork by December.
The root cellar will be stocked with garlic, onions, acorn squash, buttercup and butternut squash, spaghetti squash, hubbard squash, and potatoes.

We have grown gardens for years but I've never had much of a desire to preserve until recently. Nor did I have the time with 2 little ones, work and school. I have found that canning is time consuming but the rewards are immeasurable. There is nothing like sitting down with your family eating a homegrown meal that everyone took part in creating. The kids take pride in this too. We go around the table giving thanks for something and whatever creature we may be eating usually is mentioned as well, "for the chicken who sacrificed his life for us" and in recent months we take notice to what came from the farm, what we obtained locally, and what did not.

I really never realized how much this life has impacted our kids lives until we went to their parent teacher conferences last week and both of their teachers mentioned how much the kids shared about their lives on the farm. In past years writing was not one of Luke's favorite interests. Now he says he often needs extra paper because he has so much to write about. Luke is passionate about the life we live and Leah enjoys it as well but she is not she is not as verbal about it. However, she does love the critters and cooking is most certainly on the top of her favorites list. Luke says he is the only child in his class with a garden which I find hard to believe in living in Maine but he knows better than I.

When we bought this farm we were just excited to have a bigger house and lots of land. We had no idea how into this farming thing we'd get. Over the last 2 years things have just evolved. The first farm animals were an impulse buy on my part, can you believe? The kids and I were at a local "Animal Kingdom" and as we were leaving I questioned the owner if she had anything for sale. She happened to have ducks and chicks and a few minutes later we were cruising towards home with 6 baby chicks(which all turned out to be roosters) and 2 ducklings. Luke was in the back seat saying "Dad is gonna killlllllll you." I chuckled and said, "no fear". John is use to my unpredictability . I think that is part of the reason why he loves me, it can be fun (ok well I think it is fun). Let's see, I have come home with "without permission " a beater car in high school, a pool, a couple stray dogs, rabbits, many cats, a sheep, and a few goats.

What do you think I will come home next, they will be ready on the 20th, they are small and fury.

Last I will share a recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins that I made last night.

INGREDIENTS

  • 3/4 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

  • DIRECTIONS
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease and flour muffin pan or use paper liners.
  2. Mix sugar, oil, eggs. Add pumpkin and water. In separate bowl mix together the baking flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.. Add wet mixture and stir in chocolate chips.
  3. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
    ENJOY THE WEEKEND :)



21 comments:

Paula said...

Mmmm those muffuns sound wonderful. And don't feel bad- I would have already wiped out all the zucchini pickles, too!!
I think the way you are raising your children on the farm to be aware of where their food comes from and (most importantly) being grateful for it is wonderful, Kim... I know they will grow up with so many wonderful memories of home, and will always carry those values they've learned with them for the rest of their lives!!

Erica said...

Great stash!! I love seeing other people cupboards and hearing what they have put away for winter. It's very rewarding to look up and see it all, isn't it!?

I totally agree about the zucchini pickles, I made those and we will have them eaten up. Soon. I'll make twice as many next year.

That's amazing about your kids and school. I think growing up on the farm gives you a whole different spin on life. That's why I want to be on the farm so badly. You learn whole new life lessons that aren't able to be touched by living in town.

We made pumpkin muffins yesterday, similar to your recipe. So good, there are only 2 left!

Anonymous said...

Yummy recipe!

Anonymous said...

I love the zuke pickles too...we made a lot and have been flying through them. I experimented and used a dill recipe and zukes (rather than cukes) and it is great too...long like the zuke...and thanks for the recipe!

Anonymous said...

How great it is that Luke is helping to educate those his in school (children and adult alike) about your life. Who knows how many seeds of knowledge and inspiration he is planting! You must be so proud! I'M so proud!! :)

Throwback at Trapper Creek said...

Kim, your canned goods are beautiful, and the "seeds" you are sowing in your childrens minds are just as important as the seeds you plant in your garden.

Congratulations girl!!

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

It is just wonderful that everyone in your household benefit from farming. You and John get to do what you love and the kids get to learn great life lessons. They will grow to have good work ethics and respect for people, animals and just things in general(unlike a lot of other children now a days).
Thank you for the recipe. I made a pumpkin & chocolate loaf a few months ago and it was delicious.

Rabid Outdoorsman said...

Zuke Relish is my all time favorite . . . it rarely lasts an entire season no matter how much we make!

In this electronic fast paced world it is critical that kids continue to be connected to nature and the world around us. Virtual living sometimes appears the norm and it is important that our kids know how to disconnect and enjoy the simpler things in life.

I grew-up as one of those "few" kids with a garden. That experience and the pride associated with growing your own food is something I will always remember.

frugalmom said...

Change can take time, huh? But I have to say it so worth the wait.

Everyone is talking of the zuchinni relish and the zuchinni pickles....I have never canned them. I must now get a Ball book and see what this is all about!

The muffin recipe looks great. I think I will make this this weekend. I have one more container of frozen pumpkin from last season. No worries...off to the pumpkin patch we go this weekend!

RazorFamilyFarms.com said...

I love those shelves! I love the canned goods! I love the recipe! I adore your blog!

Are you feeling the love here?

You are doing such a great job, Kim. what a wonderful influence you are!

I posted more of the story. Heaven help me -- I'm hooked on that silly thing!

Blessings!
Lacy

Mandie said...

Wow, those muffins sound sooo yummy!!! My kids are the only ones in their class with chickens and rabbits. Their friends love coming over and playing with the animals. It helps that the chickens are use to being held. Your shelves look soooo good. There is something so homey and country about those jars. I LOVE it!!

Kathryn and Ari said...

Hooray for you! I did more freezing than canning this year. I'm intrigued by your zucchini relish: that seems like such a great idea for a very prolific veggie!

Jodi said...

That is a beautiful sight!

We've done more freezing than canning. There's nothing more satisfying than pulling out your own produce all winter long.

And it's more tastey! :-)

Don said...

Most non/rural children have trouble figuring out where their water comes from, much less the food they eat. When I think about how the kids in my class all want pets, and then I think about what your children have at your farm, it's no wonder your son needs more paper! Everybody wants to read his stories!

Real life hard at work at the Achorn Farm.

Country Girl said...

FARM CHICK, THE MUFFINS WERE GOOD AND WE ARE GOING TO MAKE ANOTHER BATCH BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE SOME PUMPKIN LEFT. THE KIDS WILL HAVE LOTS OF MEMORIES FROM THE FARM AND I HOPE THEY PASS IT ON TO THEIR CHILDREN.

ERICA, THANKS I SEE YOU HAVE A NICE LOOKING STASH TOO. IF A FARM IS WHAT YOU WANT YOU CAN GET WITH TIME AND PERSEVERANCE!

PINE POD, THERE ALL GONE, VERY YUMMY!

WARREN, MY DILL CAME OUT OK BUT I STILL PREFER THE ZUKES.

FARM MOM, IT IS COOL WHAT HE SHARES WITH HIS TEACHERS AND CLASSMATES AND I AM VERY PROUD OF MY BABES!

NITA, THANKS! I SURE HOPE THESE SEEDS GET PASSED DOWN TO OTHER GENERATIONS. PART OF THE REASON WE BOUGHT THIS LAND WAS FOR OUR KIDDOS IN THE FUTURE. MY DAD HAD 50 ACRES WHICH HE PLANNED TO GIVE TO ME AND MY BRO. HE WENT THROUGH A MIDLIFE CRISIS AND SOLD, PACKED UP AND MOVED UP NORTH. I THINK TO THIS DAY HE REGRETS IT BECAUSE HE KNOWS BOTH US KIDS WOULD HAVE BEEN RIGHT THERE WITH HIM. NOW HE'D GIVE HIS RIGHT HAND TO MOVE BACK BY US KIDS BUT WITH THE ECONOMY AND ALL HE IS SCARED TO RETIRE. WE WILL NOT MAKE THAT MISTAKE AND IF THE KIDS CHOOSE NOT TO LIVE HERE THAT IS OK TOO.

YD'S THANKS. I HOPE THEY HAVE GOOD WORK ETHIC, JOHN AND I SURE DO. WE ARE ALWAYS GIVING IT OUR ALL AT WORK AND HOME.

RABID OUTDOORMAN, I AGREE. MY DAUGHTER HAS GOT CAUGHT UP IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD BEFORE, IT DRIVES ME NUTS BUT THE SWEET THING HERE IS THEY ARE NOT LIMITED TO THAT AS SOME OF TODAYS KIDS ARE. I LET MY KIDS WATCH TV AND PLAY ON THE NET BUT WHEN I SAY ENOUGH THEY USUALLY RUN OUT THE DOOR WITHOUT LIP.

FRUGAL MOM, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR MISSING!

LACY, THANKS, YOUR COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS SO SWEET. WHAT IS "THE STORY" AM I MISSING SOMETHING?? I DO NOT KNOW WHY BUT MY UPDATE BLOGGER DOES NOT FLAG ME WHEN YOU PUT A NEW POST UP, IT DRIVES ME CRAZY!

MANDIE, THANKS. I WAS READING YOUR COMMENT ON KATHRYN & ARI'S BLOG THE OTHER DAY AN THAT WAS NICE, YOUR MEMORIES OF GREENVILLE..MY PA LIVES JUST NORTH OF THERE.

JODI,FREEZING IS MUCH EASIER AND HOMEGROWN FOOD IS VERY TASTY!

THANKS DON, YOUR COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS SO MEANINGFUL AND THEY INSPIRE ME TO DO MORE!

GreyWolf said...

Good Job all around the farm.
You and John should be so proud.
I hope you aren't going to be bringing home any Hairy Frogs, they are just to much work to take care of and don't provide much meat. ;)

Country Girl said...

GREY WOLF, NO HAIRY FROGS JUST A COUPLE KITTIES. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO TRIED TO GUESS.

GreyWolf said...

That's because I pay attention to details. Nevermind what I said before...Get the Hairy Frogs instead..they would be less trouble AND taste better!!!

Anonymous said...

Your shelves look great! I love the variety of canned/preserved foods. I've been doing it for a couple years, and trying to learn a lot more. Making jams and all kinds of stuff now... I'm a husband who is into all the homesteading stuff, gardening and canning, animals, etc. but so far it's just me... I was thinking about a canner next year also. For now I'm putting up a bunch more tomatoes for sauce. I also freeze quite a bit and our beans are still producing! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and pictures!

Robbyn said...

gorgeous canned goods! i'll be learning from you come next year...hopefully i'llbe putting things by then :)

Granny Sue said...

Beautiful photo of your canning. I completely understand the urge to just look at it.

Thank you for the recipe. Can't wait to try it.