A 6 Day Duck Egg........A Miracle

Hello sweet ladies, 


I am putting this post up on Monday evening.


First............. thank you so much for being a part of the Prairie Flower Farm/Gooseberry Patch Cookbook Party. I have to say this has been one  fun party. I have enjoyed reading all your ideas for tutorials............you have given me some wonderful ones to do in the coming year.  You are all amazing...........and very special friends.






I told you that I would video the eggs so you and your family could see.   Well I tried to get a video of the chicken egg again........ tonight and it just didn't work. I did get the duck egg for you to watch. It is amazing. God is so wonderful to bless us soooooooo...........LIFE........ that is what I love about a farm...........you get to see it a lot. For fun tell me if you have ever seen a baby chick or duck in an egg before. 


Baby duck and chick eggs develop really fast. I will try videoing again in a few more days. Just wanted you to see what I did get.  

Can't wait to see who won. Wish I had a gift for everyone............truly I do!!!!!!!!!!!!! 


Just a note about our Vitaliy. We are waiting to be able to call him. Please would you pray about this for us. We are not sure what is going on. We need the Lord's help.............thank you so much for praying. 

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you and I make my requests with a heart full of joy."

Philippians 1:3-4 

Hugs from our farm to your HOME,

Linda

P.S. Welcome to all the New Followers.........you have been noticed.........by me!!!!!!!!!

A ROBIN............NO 9 ROBINS............SPRING?

Spring..........Mom.......it is SPRING! 9 ROBINS!!!!!! NOW DOESN'T THAT MEAN SPRING?  We are sitting in the dining area on break...........I noticed a robin in the tree. I said isn't that a robin? Tay said, "oh there is 6...........no there is 8..........no 9. We are so excited............really need some sunshine..........like really bad!!!!!!!!!!


Okay sweet ladies we have only today and tomorrow left for the Prairie Flower Farm/Gooseberry Patch Cookbook and Coupon Book giveaway. Please sign up HERE, if you haven't already. 


Thank you so much for all of you who have come and signed up this last week. You have had the neatest ideas for tutorials............I am going to use them.


Oh and tried to do a video of the eggs last night. Got a fantastic one of the duck.........the chicken one wasn't so good. I will get another one of the chicken tonight. The little babies are growing INSIDE THE EGG. I JUST LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! I Will put the videos up tonight. 

Hugs sweeties.............from the college bakery, I chose you all for my 15 minute break, 

Linda

Work Day IN Our HOME........Felt So Good

A few more days for the Prairie Flower Farm/Gooseberry Patch Party. 

Sign up here please.

Saturday was filled with............cleaning and cleaning.........washed bedding.........the white quilt......wonderful to have that washed going into Spring time.......it is coming right? Some of you have it right now..........how nice. 

Took CHRISTmas greenery garland off the log canopy on our bed........put up silk green leaves and lavender garland around instead.  I have had them saved for a long time. Kept the CHRISTmas lights up......... love to read with them on at night time. 

Moved a little cupboard in the bedroom...........laid an old table runner, that was given to me and a little shelf on top of that. Sill have to fill the little cupboard with some things. I had a little decorating going on today........ it felt so good to work at our HOME and not the kitchen at the college. Also went through clothes and put in the giveaway box...... it will  feel good to get them out of the house. 

Bought this little whisk broom the other night at the Tractor store for $3.00....... my big spend.  Saw it and thought it was adorable. I will be fixing it up a little bit to hang in the kitchen, any ideas? 

May the Lord bless your SONday..........I will be thinking and praying for you.

Hugs from our farm to your HOME,

Linda

Good Morning............Has Anyone Noticed It Is Saturday?

If YOU CAME FOR THE 

PRAIRIE FLOWER FARM/ GOOSEBERRY PATCH PARTY,

CLICK HERE

Hello sweet ladies,


Oh my...........am I thankful that today is Saturday..........last week was a hard one for sure. I started felling not well on Monday. Glad it is behind me and I have two days of resting up and doing some fun things around the house. Today it is in the 30's outside..... so it won't be to much outdoor things going on. I started early this morning on cleaning up the kitchen........moved into the bedroom.......sorting......and putting clothes in the giveaway box. I always feel like doing this, this time of year...........don't you?  Getting rid of things that will help someone else.  Don't you just love that spring is soon to be here. It gets me in the mood to start pitching things!!!! It's like a fresh new start. 


The little eggs needed turning this morning............... like I have to do every morning and evening now......since the egg turner quit working on me. It's okay and doesn't bother me though..........I love it. Just thinking about all those little chicks and ducks being formed in the inside. Pure Delight. God knew along time ago that this was going to bring JOY to many! I am included in the many!!!!!!!


I want to thank all the ladies that have signed up for the Prairie Flower Farm/ Gooseberry Patch Party.......love it!!!!!!!!!! If you haven't done so yet please do. 


Made another recipe from the Mom's Very Best Recipes. We made this at the college kitchen..........it is very nummy and easy to make.

Sweet Raspberry-Oat Bars

1/2 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 c. flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 1/2 c. long cooking oats, uncooked

1/4 c. water

2/3 c. seedless raspberry jam

1 t. lemon juice

In a large bowl, blend together butter and brown sugar until fluffy; set aside. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture. Add oats and water; mix together until crumbly. Firmly pat half of the oat mixture into the bottom of a greased 13x9" baking pan. In a small bowl, stir together jam and lemon juice; spread over oat mixture. Sprinkle remaining oat mixture over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars. Makes about about 2 1/2 dozen. 

I didn't have any raspberry jam......... so I just made some. Raspberries with sugar and brought to a boil for one minute. Easy. Be sure to put a sliver of vanilla ice cream on the top......or some homemade whip cream. 

The Mom's Very Best Recipes has some wonderful recipes. Here is to name a few. 

Salads

7 Layer Chinese Chicken Salad

BLT Salad with Basil Dressing

Breads and Sandwiches

Pillow Soft Dinner Rolls

Lori's Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Stuffed French Rolls Sandwiches

Soups

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Mom's Champion Chicken Soup

Southern Corn Chowder

There truly are some wonderful recipes.

Also this morning I took some bittersweet seeds and I am going to try and start some from seeds. I went to Garden Guides.com to learn how to get the seeds going. I am a little late on getting them in the freezer........but they have been out in the cold all winter so I hope it works. I will keep you posted if anything happens. 

I am also ordering from Michigan Bulb Co.  They are 9.99 for a male and a female plant. You need both. They also have a special going on if you order $40.00 worth. I enjoy using bittersweet in the fall for decorating. I usually have to travel to get it now. I want it on the farm this year. 

Do you remember when I did this?

Well..........hope your day is filled with JOY. Mine is........my daughters and granddaughter are in the front room.........now that is JOY!!!!!!!!!!


Welcome to all the new followers........you have been noticed.......by me!!!!!!!!!!

Also, the tea cozy has been downloaded a ton of times this last week.........hope they are being made up and given as gifts to bless others.

Hugs from my farm to your HOME,

You truly are all such blessings to my life.

Linda

YOU ARE THE SWEETEST!!!!!!! Another Recipe!!!!!!!!

PARTY BELOW IN THE POST BEFORE THIS ONE. BE SURE TO SIGN UP, PLEASE


Oh my..........you are such sweet ladies.............while I was at the cafeteria today there sure was a party going on..........thank you so much. New subscribers...........welcome......and new followers............welcome to you also! Talk about fun..........the sweetness that you left, was such a blessing. You are making the party such a delight. I hope that you who have left comments will go and visit some of the other ladies blogs.  Also thank you to those who put us up on your blogs and facebook. You are the sweetest.


I loved all your tutorials ideas that you would love to see. Super great ideas. I will be sure to try them in the coming year. It will help me better serve you. Also thank you for leaving comments over at Gooseberry Patch. They work so hard to write wonderful books and it was so nice to encourage them. I am sure they have been blessed by you today!!!!!! I know I have.

While at work we made up another recipe from the Mom's Very Best Recipes Cookbook, (if you like you can order from our side bar and we will receive 15% off for adopting Vitaliy). We thought we would try it out before St. Patricks Day. Talk about num!!!!!!!! You must try........and see the color green......it looks just like that. It is so EASY.

Easy Pistachio Cake

18-1/2 oz. pkg. yellow or white cake (we used white)

1/2 c. milk

1/2 c. water

1/2 c. oil

5 eggs beaten

2 3.4-oz. pkgs. instant pistachio pudding mix

Opt. 1/2 c. chopped nuts

In large bowl, blend together dry cake mix, milk, water, oil and eggs until smooth. Add dry pudding mix; stir well. Mix in nuts, if using. Pour batter into a lightly greased 13"x9" baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick; bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes if needed. Cool completely; spread cream cheese icing over cooled cake. Serves 12 to 15.

Cream Cheeses Icing:

8 oz. pkg. ream cheese, softened

1/4 c. butter, softened

1 t. vanilla extract

16 oz. pkg. powdered sugar

3 to 4 drops green food coloring (we did not use)

3/4 c. chopped nuts (we used pistachio) 

In a large bowl, blend cream cheese, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar. Add enough milk for a spreadable consistency' stir in food coloring and nuts. (we sprinkled the nuts on the top) looked really pretty. 

This really was very good and very moist.

If you haven't signed up for the party please do! Go HERE

I had to show you my picture I took of my babies. For some reason the egg turner quite working today. So I had to take them all out........and lay them on the couch very carefully. Then I put them back on the screen and now they are all getting toasty warm again. I will have to turn them twice a day now.........but that is okay. I love looking at them. Tonight our son and his little ones were out and I candled the duck egg for them. There was a little white spot about 1/4" big and a few little red lines (veins) inside the egg. If you have never seen this before it is the neatest. I will try real hard this weekend to video a candling for you. I love thinking about that little baby chick and duck being formed mmmmmmmm............I just LOVE IT!!! 

Again thank you for all your kindness...........I just love you ladies

so much. You make the sunshine a lot brighter.

Well, I am off to bed...........the weather is bad here..........hope it means I have to stay HOME tomorrow. Heehee. It really would be wonderful. Is that naughty?

Hugs from my farm to your HOME,

Linda

Our SECOND Prairie Flower Farm and Gooseberry Patch Party

Party closed........we will have more.


SURPRISE...........IT IS PARTY TIME AT 

PRAIRIE FLOWER FARM  

with GOOSEBERRY PATCH.

They have done it again..........a wonderful new cookbook.

It's Time for another

Mom's Very Best Recipes Cookbook Review

look inside at the

Contents

Breakfast &Brunch

Appetizers & Snacks

Soups, Bread & Sandwiches

Sides & Salads

Main Dishes

Desserts

 Oh my are you going to love it. It is so full of wonderful RECIPES......... 250 OF THEM. I have been enjoying using it and will be telling you in the next few days all about it! 

Today we tried Tommy's Big Cookie Cake, out on the kids at the college. They loved it! Oh my..........soooooo nummy.

Here is the recipe

Tommy's Big Cookie Cake

2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1 c. butter, softened

1 1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

1 t. vanilla extract

2 eggs

2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter, brown sugar and vanilla about 3 to 5 minutes, until mixture is creamy and has turned almost white. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread dough evenly onto a parchment paper-lined 14" round pizza pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, until edges turn golden. Let cool... and frost with this frosting recipe.

Powdered Sugar Icing

1 c. butter, softened

1 c. shortening

32 oz. pkg. powdered sugar

2 t. vanilla extract

2 to 3 T. milk (we used whipping cream)

Combine all ingredients except milk in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in milk to a spreadable consistency. 

So now for the giveaway........I received two cookbooks.....one for me and one 

for the winner!

 Mom's Very Best Recipes Cookbook

also

in the drawing will be one of 

these adorable 

Coupon/Expense Organizers

Tell me if you would like the green, blue or yellow.

The contest is really really SIMPLE!!!!!!

It starts February 23 until 

Monday February 28th

I will reveal the winner on 

Tuesday March 1

1. leave me a comment...lets see..... tell me one

thing you would like for me to do a tutorial on in the future.

one VOTE

2. Tell me, if you are a follower

2nd VOTE

3. Tell me, if you are a subscriber to

Prairie Flower Farm 

3rd Vote

4. Leave a comment on Gooseberry Patches blog or their facebook.......tell them I sent you please. They will love hearing from you, I want them to be encouraged.

Come back and tell me that you did it.

4th VOTE

5. If you would like to blog or facebook about our party please take the cookbook picture button along the side bar that my daughter will be putting up soon.

5th VOTE

So you can have a total of 5 VOTES.

If you are interested in the coupon/expense organizer you can order the pattern here. It is available at etsy at ISew. You need some sewing experience to make it. Not hard though.

If you would like to preorder a copy, of 

Mom's Very Best Recipes  

please use the Amazon widget on my side bar and order......... 100% will go towards 

Vitaliy's adoption....... Thank You.

Hugs from my farm to your HOME and may the LORD bless you!

Linda

Oh.......if you don't have a blog please send us an email up at top right of my blog. Put "Party: in the subject line. If you leave it as a comment on my blog as Anonymous.........you have to leave your email. Thank you.........we don't want ANYBODY to miss out. 

Incubating Some Eggs.........39 chickens and 1 duck

 

I love everything about God's creation........He did it so well and He lets me enjoy!!!! 

Hello Sweet Ladies, 

One of my favorite blogs to go to for lots of homesteading helps is Homestead Revival. Amy has lots and lots of information on each of her posts helping all who want to learn about everything you can imagine!  She is hosting a Barn Hop #1 at her blog. I thought I would link up and join in. You will enjoy all the other blogs that are available at the link ups so go and visit. 

Oh, my...........mothering has just hit this farm girl's heart. I am going to be incubating some baby chicks and one duck in the next three weeks! Can't wait.........it is one of my most favorite things to do.......besides being a real Momma and Grammie to my grandchildren! I love everything about Babies!  Wish I could still be having them........but the Lord hasn't called me to be a Sarah. Sooooo I will just incubate little chicks and ducks! 

For the last couple of years I have not had to use an incubator. My girls did everything for me. Even my momma duck sat on baby ducks and chicken eggs last year. Remember when the bobcat came through the farm and killed all the ducks and some of my chickens? Well,  Little Miss Fluff and Little Red who were my best Momma's both were killed. This year I am not sure if any of my girls will sit, so I wanted to get some babies going soon. I will have to use the incubator this time and then I will see if any of my girls will sit this spring. Oh how I hope so. 

Gather eggs within a 7 day period. Make sure that your hands are clean.  Set the eggs in an egg carton with the small end down. Keep eggs at 60-70 degrees. DO NOT PUT IN FRIDGE! After you have gathered the amount of eggs you want, set them inside the incubator. If you don't use an egg turner.......make a small pencil x on one side of the egg. This will help keep track when you turn the eggs.  

You can find incubators at any farm store. Easy to use and they have worked great for me.

I like to use a egg turner. It is easier....... if you have a lot of eggs. Other wise you have to turn the egg two to three times a day. It really work great. Each box has wonderful instructions for you to follow. Very simple to use.

Fill water wells on the bottom of the incubator with warm water. Let sit about 5-6 hours.

Now it is time to set the eggs with the small end down into each slot. Lay the thermometer on top. It should go back to 99.5 degrees after it sets awhile.  I can't wait until the 5th day so I can candle the eggs. (That means I will use a flashlight under the egg and shine the light through the bottom of the egg. You can see the little chick starting to form. It is amazing!!!!!!! I will try to show you when I do it.  It is so precious to see the veins and the tiny big eye forming. 

Set the lid back on the top. I like to have a small flashlight by the incubator so I can keep check on the heat. Now we wait. I will show you the candling or try to in 5 days. Be sure to check back with me. It really is very precious to see. 

I will also be ordering some baby chicks with my farm friend Gail. I will get another male for my white Cochin (the daddy was killed this winter by the bobcat).  I also want to try some Blue Cochins. They are beautiful.  Gail and I have ordered for many years. Her favorite part is to go to the Post Office and pick them up. 


 When I was a young girl living in Alaska my Daddy had a big incubator maybe it wasn't that big now that I think of it.....maybe it was because I was little? We incubated geese, ducks and chickens. When you homesteaded you had to have your own livestock. Kind of like families are doing now. I guess that is why I love living on a farm and seeing things born. It is truly a miracle!  God has been very good to my family to let us live like on a farm..........we are truly grateful. Please if you have a farm or anything you think we would be interested in...........send us all over. We would love to see!

Blessings from our farm to your HOME!

Linda

Anything Special Going On?

Dear Sweet Ladies,
I house some of my chickens down in the little milk barn instead of out in the big chicken house. They have been down there ever since the bobcat came through and killed so many. The girls are just starting to lay eggs.  When I walked into the milk barn to gather the eggs I looked in one of their favorite nesting places for eggs.......this kitty was sound asleep in the nest.  Looked so funny......... had to show you...........thought you might enjoy!!


Oh remember when I told you yesterday that my little white cochin layed her first egg? Well my friend Regina said to put 1/4 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to 1 gallon of water and feed it to your chickens daily.........I tried it and it is working!!!!!! Thought you chicken girls would like to know this.

While I was at work I was organizing the store room. Look what I found. This adorable little foot stool. What a fun treasure........I am sure it is quite old. I am going to copy the pattern and make one just like it. When I get the measurements and instructions if anyone would like I will give you the pattern.  It really is so cute. 


We have some pretty exciting news. As you all know our son's family is adopting Vitaliy from the Ukraine. Their family will have to go over and visit for a week first. Then Tonya (daughter in love) will have to go back and pick him up on another trip. She will have to go for 3 weeks. Josh will not be able to go with. She had a friend that was going to go......but can not go at this time...... so our daughter Tressa will be going with her. She is so excited.......I am not sure if this Momma is. smile. I so want her to go, but with all that is happening in the world it makes me a little nervous. I will get over it as I trust her with the Lord. Tonight I asked Tress if she was scared, she said......."I may be scared......but the fact that I will get to bring Vitalily Home makes it all worth it!!!!!! What a blessings she is to me!!!!!!! Please....... if you wouldn't mind pray for our Tressa. She has always wanted to do something like this and now Lord willing she will be going. You can pray for me also.......thank you....I am going to need it!!!!!! 

Be strong and courageous!!!

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your GOD is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Trust in the Lord with ALL your HEART and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3 5-6

Precious truths............ for me.

Did you do anything special today? I have been sewing on some orders....... makes me relax after a day in the kitchen. Tressa made some apple dumplings for dessert tonight. Very good!!

Thank you for the donations!!!!! May the Lord bless you for your kindness to our family.

Thank you for stopping by........I love it when you do! 

Hugs from my farm to your HOME!

Linda

It Was A nice Day!

Today my little white cochan layed her fist little egg today! 

Dear Sweet Ladies,


What a special day we had today! The weather was beautiful today........will be cold and very windy on Monday. 



Went to church this morning......we sang a new song, now one of my favorites. Our worship leader asked us to just listen to the song and prepare our heart. Thought you might like to hear it. It was such a beautiful song of worship. Reminded me to keep open hands stretched out before the Lord. Not always easy to do. Surrendering it is so nice to know He will help me.......I don't have to do it on my own. I hadn't heard this song before. I will be listening to it from now on. I always seem to be learning to surrender. 


Have a sweet day my precious friends. I will be praying that the Lord will meet your needs!!!!!!!! 

Hugs to you from my farm........to your HOME!

Linda

Flower's For YOU

Good morning sweet ladies,

If I could pick you flowers...........these would be it.

Woke up this morning to the fresh smell of rain.......it filled our bedroom..........you know that smell. Hhhmmmmm fresh linens hanging on the line smell.......after you bring them in the house they fill your HOME with sweetness? It hardly rained over the night.......but it sure smells pretty! We have needed rain for some time..........we will keep trusting and asking.


Remember yesterday when I told you I was going to stay extra close to the Lord........well I am so glad I did! I kept reading and praying scripture. Kept my mind in the heavens which is a wonderful place to stay at times! The day was special for my Farmer Man..........we went to the Sterling College men and woman's basketball games. They were number one and were "champions" last night. The boys and girls kept asking my honey, "when are you going to come to the game?" So he felt with this being the last game we needed to go. I spent some time reading.........my scripture.......and praying right there. It is amazing that you can have sweet time with the Lord and be right in the middle of a fan filled gym.......with yelling all around and you are in your quiet place. Sweetness! We watched the kids celebrate a little after the game and we set off for the farm. It was dark last night. I was looking straight ahead talking to my friend in California as my honey was driving and all of a sudden we had this HUGE doe flying across the front of the car............right at eye level. Scared me half to death. Yelled into my friends ear that is helping me with a fund raiser idea (coming realllllll soon)!!!!!!! My heart was racing..... I started screaming and thanking the Lord for protection all at the same time. I thought the doe was going to be right on our lap!!!!!!! Not a good deal.........on the doe or the front of our car. The girls were in the back of the car and they were joining me in the excitement of what happened....yelling~~~. Honey had 3 women letting him know that they were scared! The deer didn't fair well it was sad. We had to call the Sheriff to come out and access the damages. When honey opened the door it made a funny noise.......that got the girls going. Honey couldn't find the insurance paper...........that made us girls nervous and when Stubbie girls are nervous.........we giggle........alot....... Not good with the Sheriff right there. Honey finally found it.....he didn't have his reading glasses on so that made it hard. Now since the hours have been cut at the college.......need I say more. We do have good insurance though ..........but why did this have to happen???? Well when everything goes bad.............go to the WORD.....right?????? We have done it almost all of our married life together and last night was nooooooooo different. IT will get you through when nothing else will. So........her is what it says. 


Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. James 1:2-4


 We are going to face hard times.........it will make sense when we get to heaven though. So that is what our family will do to the best of our abilities with this situation. Be joyful knowing that the Lord will give us the strength to walk it through . I am sure you all have your own faith stories of when He worked out the details as only He can......because we are..........His children and what "good" Father doesn't care for his kids. Not always easy for sure.


This is what I read on understanding the joy in this scripture:




A Christian's joy is a gift from God to those who believe the gospel, being produced in them by the Holy Spirit as they receive and obey the Word, being mixed with trials with a hope set on future glory.


Hope this encourages you. I know you all have the same struggles in your days. It is just life, right?


Family is coming out today..........it will be good. 

Hugs from my farm to your HOME.

Linda