So Much for Spring Weather

There was some thunder and lightning during the night, and when I walked out of the basement and around the house on my way to do milk chores I saw that it had rained.   Good thing, because it's been a very dry winter/spring.

However, it didn't take long for the weather to change ...

We must hsve had 3 to 4 inches of snow.   This afternoon it is melting, and that is very good. 

Hunter's Safety



This week David and Andrew completed 3 days of a hunter's safety course.  David is excited because he can't wait to start hunting.  Andrew would rather be working on web design or movie making.   In order to pass the course they are required to attend  a total of 5 classes -- each of which is 3 hours long.  The big exam will be next week. 

Jonathan decided I needed some hunter's safety as well.  I have my own private instructor!  Even better, my instructor is a shoot boss for the Appleseed Project .   The next  shoot is scheduled at the Minot gun club for April 28.  For more information, check this link.

Blog Talk Radio

Please tune in tonight on a new Blog Talk Radio program, hosted by fellow blogger Scott Terry .  Scott  will interview none other than Jim Bartlett of Bartlett Farm !  We are excited for Scott's new program, which will air every Friday night at 9:00 p.m. Central Standard Time.  We'll be listening for sure!

Here's the link to Scott's blog and information regarding the broadcast:

http://www.northcountryfarmer.com/?p=306

Feel free to call in and ask Jim some questions!

New Use for My Kitchen

Some day my main floor kitchen will be finished, but not for a while yet.  In the meantime, we find slightly different uses for the space.

Since the main and second floors are yet to be fully insulated they can substitute for a refrigerator -- or freezer -- depending on the weather. 

This winter Jonathan and David took up trapping.  Muskrats are plentiful this year, so they trapped quite a few.  They also discovered they could potentially receive more money for muskrat hides that had been skinned and stretched, so Jonathan proceeded to do the job and hung them upstairs to dry.  I guess there is a reason why there is "musk" in "muskrat", as there was a distinct odor up there after the deed was done.

Well, before the muskrats came beef.  This is the first year we raised a steer for our family, and Jed was very, very good.  I am sold on grassfed beef.  I've found that grassfed beef cooks faster and is so very tender.  Our family loves it!  We'll raise more beef again this year. 

And then came pork. 

Good thing our "refrigerated kitchen" stayed long enough for us to process all of our meat.

Since these photos were taken, the guys have installed some of the upper cabinets in the kitchen area.  Little by little, interior work is starting up again.   We'll see what can be accomplished before spring planting begins.