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