Freezer Full

CAUTION

The following pictures contain blood and may be disturbing to some individuals.

 

The last walk.

 

Into the cones.

 

Into the scalder.

 

This is the plucker.  Eric, Tate and Dad put together.  And after one little problem at first the thing works like a charm!!!

 

65 rubber fingers to help pluck all the feathers.  The bottom plate spins and tumbles the chicken around plucking as it turns.

 

From the scalder to the plucker, feathers and all.

 

Add a little water to get the feathers to fall out the bottom. 

 

And out comes a naked chicken.

 

Works GREAT!

 

The gutting and cleaning crew....say CHICKEN :)

 

And the large chicken feet and insides that we did not keep.

47 birds in just over 5 hrs, great help, a great time laughing and that equals a freezer full of food.  Thank you to those who took the time to help us out, sure made for a great time!

No more SNOW!

Our Winter seemed to last a looonnnngggg time this year.  This picture was taken on May 18th. Luckily it didn't last too long.  And our Spring was very short.  Currently the last 16 days in a row we have had temperatures that have reached over 70.  That is quite the welcoming change, despite the mosquito infestation.

 

 

Tate enjoyed many activities the last day of school.  And the weather cooperated so most of those activities were outdoors.

 

But there were other fun stations that were set up in the gym.

 

Tylynn really likes to help out in the kitchen.  She is a big helper, or at least she thinks she is being a big helper most of the time.

 

And anything that brother does. . . .

 

. . . .little girl wants to do.

 

Anyone want any grapes?

 

Because they are good!

 

Here you go, enjoy your grape!

Yes we have been BUSY!!!!

So my absence of posting isn't because I haven't taken pictures, we have just had so much going on.

 

First we received 60 baby chicks in the mail, and they sure were loud when Eric brought them home from the post office.

 

 

 We got 50 meat birds (the white/yellow ones) that will later fill our freezer and the other 10 are layers (the colored ones).

 

This is the start of our new shed that will be housing for the pigs and also feed storage.

 

 

 

Awaiting their new home.

 

 

 

Enjoying their new home and playground.

 

 

This is the start of the new home for the little chicks, as they are growing quickly and have outgrown their initial "pen". 

 

Finished product with a "bird's eye view", new "buffet" feeders and a warming light!

 

They are growing quickly, they are just over a month old now.

 

Now for some random happenings that we caught on camera.

Someone likes ice cream just as much as Daddy and will do just about anything for it! 

 

 

 

Tate received a Musical Award the night of his Spring Program.

 

 

His 3rd grade class took a field trip to Seward this week.  But Tate was not into the camera, as he was more into spending time with his classmates, so please excuse the absence of Tate in the next few pictures.  Tylynn had a blast looking momentarily at the animals at the Sea Life Center, but then was more concerned about finding brother and following him around.

 

It was a little cool and overcast when we were first in Seward. 

 

 

I believe these were harbor seals.

 

And this is Woody, the 1,700 lb sea lion, he was HUGE!

 

And Tylynn posing with the "trashy" octopus.

 

About the time to close down the center, Woody knew what time it was and was waiting paitently to be let into his behind the scenes housing.

 

This is our garden.  Hopefully it will be nice enough here in a week or so we can get these plants planted outside.  We have tomatos, cabbage, celery, brocolli, and several types of flowers.

 

This is the brocolli, it really needs to get outdoors!

 

And these pictures I found on the camera, so my cameraman Tate must have taken them :)

 

Must have been practicing for next year's winter season.

 

And until next time. . . .



Inner Beauty

We have all had those bad days, when we don't see ourselves for what we truely are.  This is a great reminder that we are all beautiful inside and out.  Thanks to my friend at Almost Gypsy Soul for sharing this great video that gives us a great reminder as to the beauty we each have.  Stop looking in the mirror for imperfections, but instead look at the perfections you are made of, and let yourself shine!

Here is some more words of wisdom from other beautiful women.

"No matter how plain a woman may be, if truth and honesty are written across her face, she will be beautiful."

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

"The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.  It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she knows."

~Audrey Hepburn

The Big 1-0

We celebrated a 10th Birthday today also!

Started with some presents.

 

 

And of course ended with some cake and ice cream!

 

Ten candles is a hard job, but he got it done.

Happy Birthday, we all love you Tate!