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February is only a day or two shorter than the other months this year but it seems to be gone in such a hurry!
We have been blessed this month with some additional moisture. It's by no means wet, but I've cleaned mud up in the utility room a LOT this month. Still not complaining though. Pastures are not bursting with green, growing grass yet but they look like they want to grow instead of die this year.
Pigs have been gone for several weeks but I still find myself checking the trees for a glimpse of them rooting and digging out there. We're trying to locate a few feeder pigs for this summer. We'll have 3 bred sows show up this spring but that will mean no pork until fall. Our freezer is well stocked with sausage and other pork items for now though.
Kurt and I have sat down with the calendar and made plans for chickens this summer. Chickens will be available on May 25, June 15 and 29, July 13, September 21, and October 5 and will be $3.50/pound before October 5 and $4.00/pound after. Chickens can be reserved at any time. This year we will not be cutting up near as many chickens. If you'd like your chickens cut up, please let me know and I'll do it for a per bird fee.
With the warmer weather, the girls have had a chance to ride the zip line a little more. Kurt still has a platform to build though. Right now, the only way to ride the zip line is to climb on the bed of the pick-up and jump off the cake feeder on the back - check out our facebook page for some pictures. The top of the caker is about 7-8 feet off the ground - I'm too chicken to jump! At least this way no one goes for a ride without supervision.
I've thought and thought the last few days trying to come up with a great farm story. You know one that will leave you rolling on the floor or snorting with laughter. I got nothing. I know I've laughed until I cried this month - I just can't remember why. I'm sure some of them have to do with Anna telling knock-knock jokes but those you gotta see to fully appreciate. Example:
Anna: Knock-knock (it goes down hill from here)
Any sucker who will respond: Who's there?
Anna: Boo
Sucker: Boo who?
Anna: Boo hoo hoooooo! I'm crying. (Her take on a classic)
See what I mean, just not funny in print - you have to be able to see her face. Since I can't crack you up with our antics, I'll share another facet of our weirdness. A like minded friend (who's thinking seriously about getting bees) has agreed that we'll carpool our kids to counseling while they talk through all the "weird" stuff we've subjected them to. We made a big purchase this month - an ice maker! Not a little one for the freezer but a real, deal commercial ice maker. After some serious calculating, we figured we go through 3000 pounds or more of ice a summer. It was one of those dream items we've been watching for. The opportunity to buy a used one presented itself and we jumped on it. Now, when you pick up your chickens or frozen items, you won't have to stop at the Quick Stop first. Instead, you can pick up your ice at the farm.
A reminder that spring bulk beef will go to the processor around mid-May. Cattle need to get fat first on green growing grass. It will be ready for your freezer early to mid-June. If you'd like to reserve your beef before March 15, it will be $1.45/pound liveweight and after March 15, the price per pound will be $1.50. If you received a Friend of the Farm discount postcard, you can always use it on a purchase like this. Go to our FAQ's page for an breakdown of the total price for a full, half or quarter beef. It really ends up being a pretty good deal when you average it out - about $5.25/pound for ribeyes! Bulk beef can be reserved for $100/quarter and we operate on a first come, first served basis.
Our beef and pork by the cut prices will also be adjusting March 1st. Go to our price page on or after March 1st for updated prices.
I'm so proud of the soap I've been making and have had some great feedback on it. Just like there's a huge difference between our meat and what you find in the store, you'll be able to tell a difference between our soap and the detergent bars sold in the store. To give you an opportunity to try a bar, we're running another soap special this month. Place an order for $40 or more and get a large bar of soap to sample - you choose the scent, based on availability.
I'll be headed into Wichita, Greensburg, Pratt and McPherson on March 7th. If you'd like to place an order, please email me by Monday, March 5th.
We're also thinking about making a trip into Olathe in March/April but need to know if there's enough interest. We need to have at least $800 in orders to make the trip. Email if you or friends would like to place an order.
Kurt and I are also looking to start some type of buying club in the Wichita area. We're still looking into what it might look like but we would set delivery dates about every 6 weeks through the end of the year. Instead of making 12 individual stops, we would pick 1-2 drop locations. We would require a minimum total order per drop point to make the trip. The benefit for our customers would be a more regular delivery schedule which allows you to plan your meals/month better. Right now, we're still in the brainstorming phase and would love some feedback - would you be interested? Do you see some other benefits? Potential pitfalls?
Quick family updates before I close for the night. We'll go youngest to oldest this month.
Anna: Her favorite way communicate right now is "sign language." Her most common sign is a thumbs up. Ask her a question about her day and she'll smile and give you a thumbs up (which took awhile to master) and then in case you're confused she'll clarify with "that means good!"
Natalie: I'm so proud of this little stinker! She participated in 4-H days this year! She picked out a favorite book and then read it in front of a crowd (10-15 pages)! This is the same little girl who would NOT sing in front of an audience when she was in preschool. Were you willing to read in front of adults and big kids when you were 7? Me either!
Allison had another great showing at 4-H days. She also shared a reading, played a piano solo and for the first time did a demonstration talk. She did very well, earning 3 blue ribbons and qualifying two events for Regional 4-H Days. One of the highlights of the day though was getting to share the evening with Grandma Billie.
Kurt (ok, a little out of order here) continues to work on his corrals (the project that never ends!) and will go collect our cattle on Friday from their winter vacay spot in the Flint Hills. They've been well cared for but we will be glad to have them home. Kurt's also starting to gear up for the gardening season. It's only taken us 10 years to figure this out but Kurt is much better at growing things (plant or animal) than I am. He has taken over garden leadership and I've pledged to do whatever he tells me to. We'll see how this plan goes - can't be any worse than last year!
Me: Wow! What a month! It's been full of forensics and the farm. Oh and I've been reading - too much! If you want some new perspective and something that generally messes with you, check out "7" or "Interrupted" by Jen Hatmaker or "Barefoot Church" by her husband, Brandon Hatmaker.
Hoping spring comes early with lots of spring showers!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
January 2012
Wow! What a month - it's aged us all a little bit - some literally, some figuratively. Natalie, Anna and Allison have all celebrated a birthday since I last wrote. Here's a little puzzle for you - the math teacher in me loves these things. The three girls combined ages is 22 and the two younger girls' ages add up to Allison's. How old are all three girls? Can you solve it? Algebraically? Me, either.
I finally got the DFF store up and running this month. Woohoo! That added more than a few gray hairs on this head. Here's the link: Store Share it with your friends! I'll update it as I add to my soap inventory. I've only listed what's cured and ready to ship. We also have beef sticks, summer sausage, and jerky available in our on-line store. We're sticking with those items that don't need to be kept frozen. However, if we're headed your way or you want to order other cuts of meat, just shoot me an email and we'll get you what you need, just like we have before. Generally, delivery is cheaper than shipping.
Those of you that made larger purchases last year should have received your Friend of the Farm discount postcard(s) in the mail this week. We will continue this program in 2012. If you purchase over $500 in DFF products, you will earn 5% off one purchase in 2013. Make over $1000 in purchases and you earn 5% off two orders in 2013.
In February, we'll be running two specials:
*Buy two summer sausages and get 20% off chicken wings, thighs and/or drumsticks. Remember, chicken has to be picked up on the farm. Perfect combo for a Super Bowl party!
*Buy three sampler sized soaps (.75 ounce bar), get one free while supplies last. Available scents: Lavender, Tahitian Vanilla, Vanilla Select, Rosemary Mint, Ocean Rain, Green Irish Tweed, Bay Rum, Dutch Clover.
In addition to these, I have unscented large bars of soap and Rosemary Mint shampoo bars. Also waiting for Vanilla Oak bars of shaving soap to cure.
Kurt and I had the opportunity to visit with the grade school last week while they celebrated Kansas Day. Kurt shared some of the Dale history in Comanche County - 125 years on the same land. He also had the kids think about how life has changed in the last 151 years (the length of time Kansas has been a state). Then, he challenged the students to think about what's still the same. The kids had great answers and it was a good segue into how we raise our hogs. Then, I shared some about how we've been saving and rendering lard to make soap. We also talked about how pioneers made soap from ashes and lard or tallow. Pretty cool!
Speaking of hogs, our last hogs went to the processor today - they were nice looking hogs! We're trying to scare up some pigs to have ready in August. Otherwise, we won't have halves/wholes again until November. Our freezers will be stocked with pork for awhile but plan ahead if you want a ham for Easter!
Kurt and I took Allison and Natalie to see STOMP in Ark City for their birthdays. Anna was so sad at first to be left behind but she had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa. We knew she would NOT enjoy the drumming - she covers her ears at band concerts or when I run the vacuum. I've caught Natalie drumming several times since the concert. Definitely worth the drive.
We still have a few pre-cut quarters available in you want bulk beef now. Otherwise, we won't have quarters, halves or wholes available until mid-May, after the grass greens up - yes, we are anticipating more rain than last year. After much discussion, prices have been set for spring beeves. If you reserve your spring quarter/half/whole by March 15, the cost of the beef will be $1.45/pound liveweight plus freight and processing fees. After March 15, the price per pound will be $1.50/pound. To reserve your beef, we ask that you put down $100/quarter.
Here is a breakdown based on a 1100 pound beef processed at Krehbiels in McPherson. Please keep in mind these are approximate figures. We weigh our animals when they leave the farm and calculate final price based on that weight.
Cost of beef at $1.45/pound: $1595
Cost of freight to processor: $ 100
Cost of processing based on hanging weight: $ 400
Total: $2095
A half a beef will be approximately $1050 and a quarter $525 if reserved by March 15.
If you have any questions about pricing on bulk beef, please contact me. The drought from 2011 has raised our expenses considerably. We love what we do and are proud to raise good, healthy food for our customers but at the same time, we need to make sure we earn an honest wage.
I will be in Greensburg, Pratt and Wichita on Monday, February 6th and Dodge City on Wednesday, February 8th. Send me an email if you'd like to place an order.
Kurt has been busy this month working on a set of corrals here at the house. He's used old irrigation pipe for the posts. Recycling has saved him a lot of dollars but taken lots of time to cut pipe and weld it back together. He's anxious to have that winter project done.
Allison's month has filled up with basketball and piano playing. Her first peewee game is this Saturday and she's looking forward to it. Allison had a first this month. She took a piece to piano contest. I was so proud of her. She spent a lot of time preparing. Once she got to the performance room, it was like Old Home week. Her judge was Kurt's music teacher from grade school who had given piano lessons to Kurt's sisters. The judge in the other performance room was Kurt's high school band teacher!
I swear Natalie is growing by the day - she's been sleeping and eating more and I'm pretty sure I can see her grow taller while she sleeps. I'm also sure she's getting stronger by the day. Last night, I watched her do a handstand without anyone spotting her! Next thing I know, she'll be walking on her hands!
Anna informs me daily that since she turned 4, she is no longer little. Anna has also turned into quite the little, excuse me, BIG comedian. After she tells a joke she thinks is funny (often a non-sensical knock-knock joke), she'll follow up with "Now that's what I call a joke." We can't help but laugh at this last line. She usually misinterprets this as laughter because of the joke. Anna's current mentor - Fuzzy Bear from the Muppets. Oh yes, I know his name is really Fozzie Bear but I've given up arguing with her.
What have I done this month? I am beginning to master our website program (remember to check out the store!) and am taking a class on Quickbooks, our accounting program. I should have paid more attention in high school accounting - the perfect answer to "When am I ever going to use this?" Autodidactism in action!
In between all this screen time, I get to hang out with a bunch of really cool high school students - the forensics season has begun. I don't get paid near enough to cover my gas and time but these kids are delightful people 96.3% of the time - which if I'm honest, is probably a higher percentage of delightfulness than I achieve most days.
There is rain in the forecast for the end of the week. A good, wet spring would make our farm much more hospitable to life.
Trusting in God's providence,
Andi
I finally got the DFF store up and running this month. Woohoo! That added more than a few gray hairs on this head. Here's the link: Store Share it with your friends! I'll update it as I add to my soap inventory. I've only listed what's cured and ready to ship. We also have beef sticks, summer sausage, and jerky available in our on-line store. We're sticking with those items that don't need to be kept frozen. However, if we're headed your way or you want to order other cuts of meat, just shoot me an email and we'll get you what you need, just like we have before. Generally, delivery is cheaper than shipping.
Those of you that made larger purchases last year should have received your Friend of the Farm discount postcard(s) in the mail this week. We will continue this program in 2012. If you purchase over $500 in DFF products, you will earn 5% off one purchase in 2013. Make over $1000 in purchases and you earn 5% off two orders in 2013.
In February, we'll be running two specials:
*Buy two summer sausages and get 20% off chicken wings, thighs and/or drumsticks. Remember, chicken has to be picked up on the farm. Perfect combo for a Super Bowl party!
*Buy three sampler sized soaps (.75 ounce bar), get one free while supplies last. Available scents: Lavender, Tahitian Vanilla, Vanilla Select, Rosemary Mint, Ocean Rain, Green Irish Tweed, Bay Rum, Dutch Clover.
In addition to these, I have unscented large bars of soap and Rosemary Mint shampoo bars. Also waiting for Vanilla Oak bars of shaving soap to cure.
Kurt and I had the opportunity to visit with the grade school last week while they celebrated Kansas Day. Kurt shared some of the Dale history in Comanche County - 125 years on the same land. He also had the kids think about how life has changed in the last 151 years (the length of time Kansas has been a state). Then, he challenged the students to think about what's still the same. The kids had great answers and it was a good segue into how we raise our hogs. Then, I shared some about how we've been saving and rendering lard to make soap. We also talked about how pioneers made soap from ashes and lard or tallow. Pretty cool!
Speaking of hogs, our last hogs went to the processor today - they were nice looking hogs! We're trying to scare up some pigs to have ready in August. Otherwise, we won't have halves/wholes again until November. Our freezers will be stocked with pork for awhile but plan ahead if you want a ham for Easter!
Kurt and I took Allison and Natalie to see STOMP in Ark City for their birthdays. Anna was so sad at first to be left behind but she had a great time with Grandma and Grandpa. We knew she would NOT enjoy the drumming - she covers her ears at band concerts or when I run the vacuum. I've caught Natalie drumming several times since the concert. Definitely worth the drive.
We still have a few pre-cut quarters available in you want bulk beef now. Otherwise, we won't have quarters, halves or wholes available until mid-May, after the grass greens up - yes, we are anticipating more rain than last year. After much discussion, prices have been set for spring beeves. If you reserve your spring quarter/half/whole by March 15, the cost of the beef will be $1.45/pound liveweight plus freight and processing fees. After March 15, the price per pound will be $1.50/pound. To reserve your beef, we ask that you put down $100/quarter.
Here is a breakdown based on a 1100 pound beef processed at Krehbiels in McPherson. Please keep in mind these are approximate figures. We weigh our animals when they leave the farm and calculate final price based on that weight.
Cost of beef at $1.45/pound: $1595
Cost of freight to processor: $ 100
Cost of processing based on hanging weight: $ 400
Total: $2095
A half a beef will be approximately $1050 and a quarter $525 if reserved by March 15.
If you have any questions about pricing on bulk beef, please contact me. The drought from 2011 has raised our expenses considerably. We love what we do and are proud to raise good, healthy food for our customers but at the same time, we need to make sure we earn an honest wage.
I will be in Greensburg, Pratt and Wichita on Monday, February 6th and Dodge City on Wednesday, February 8th. Send me an email if you'd like to place an order.
Kurt has been busy this month working on a set of corrals here at the house. He's used old irrigation pipe for the posts. Recycling has saved him a lot of dollars but taken lots of time to cut pipe and weld it back together. He's anxious to have that winter project done.
Allison's month has filled up with basketball and piano playing. Her first peewee game is this Saturday and she's looking forward to it. Allison had a first this month. She took a piece to piano contest. I was so proud of her. She spent a lot of time preparing. Once she got to the performance room, it was like Old Home week. Her judge was Kurt's music teacher from grade school who had given piano lessons to Kurt's sisters. The judge in the other performance room was Kurt's high school band teacher!
I swear Natalie is growing by the day - she's been sleeping and eating more and I'm pretty sure I can see her grow taller while she sleeps. I'm also sure she's getting stronger by the day. Last night, I watched her do a handstand without anyone spotting her! Next thing I know, she'll be walking on her hands!
Anna informs me daily that since she turned 4, she is no longer little. Anna has also turned into quite the little, excuse me, BIG comedian. After she tells a joke she thinks is funny (often a non-sensical knock-knock joke), she'll follow up with "Now that's what I call a joke." We can't help but laugh at this last line. She usually misinterprets this as laughter because of the joke. Anna's current mentor - Fuzzy Bear from the Muppets. Oh yes, I know his name is really Fozzie Bear but I've given up arguing with her.
What have I done this month? I am beginning to master our website program (remember to check out the store!) and am taking a class on Quickbooks, our accounting program. I should have paid more attention in high school accounting - the perfect answer to "When am I ever going to use this?" Autodidactism in action!
In between all this screen time, I get to hang out with a bunch of really cool high school students - the forensics season has begun. I don't get paid near enough to cover my gas and time but these kids are delightful people 96.3% of the time - which if I'm honest, is probably a higher percentage of delightfulness than I achieve most days.
There is rain in the forecast for the end of the week. A good, wet spring would make our farm much more hospitable to life.
Trusting in God's providence,
Andi
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