3.16.14 snow and mead

More snow   *-*   How can something so beautiful be such a pain?   Actually,  if I have a 4 wheel drive it would be a lot less of a pain. It is what it is and it could be so much worse. 

Things are otherwise going merrily along  :)   garden plans on the table, mead in the pantry, chicks in the brooder.

I won't be setting up at the markets this year. It was a hard to decision and I may still set up in late summer but likely not before then. I will miss it but I don't have much to sell right now and will take the time to work on the homestead and my online store. Which I'm working on today.

I guess i got ripped off on my sheep. I had paid for 2 Soay sheep last November and was to pick them up in January. No replies to phone messages, or emails.  The price was excellent and the man seemed sincere and honest. I given up on them. Things are as they are. 

I doubt I'll ever find a deal like that for Soay again. I had particularly wanted Soay because of their hardiness and wool shedding. But I'll look for something else when I can and be happy with any wool sheep I can get. 

Everyone here is doing well. We're having a little extra milk to sell again. The 9 chicks that hatched are growing well and are 4 rir, 4 ameraucana and 1 barred rock, hopefully all pullets! The 3 pekin ducklings are getting very big!

It’s 6:00pm and we’re at 2 ¾ in of snow. It seems to be stopping though it is still snowing a little.

Tonight’s supper is simple mashed potatoes with goat’s milk. Pepper gravy with onion, fresh cracked peppercorns, a rich brown roux of flour and butter with a touch of olive oil, and goat’s milk. Ginger honied carrots. And crust oat bread buns made in a little electric oven.

Evening tea is apples in caramel sauce and rich black vanilla tea to drink. I wish the mead as ready  :)

Speaking of mead … I am going to try making 8 gallons this year, 4 for me and 4 for trade. I was invited to a trade gathering in Arkansas and was asked if I had any mead or wine to trade by a few people.

When I rack the batch I have going, I’m going to flavor at least one bottle with vanilla and cinnamon, another with vanilla and bergamot and another with elderberry and sage. I really like simple sweet mead with nothing else added but I love the flavors too. I’ve not made mead in a very long time so we’ll see how this turns out.

I’m also working to finish a bee skep (for luring and transporting bees) and hives this year in hopes of having bees by the end of the year. I need honey for a great many things, medicinal, cooking and baking, mead etc.. I use a great deal of it. The hives won’t produce enough honey to share for a year so I need to get started as soon as possible.

It’s 8:00pm supper has been eaten and evening chores done. I’ll finish up here and go read some Brother Cadfeal with my evening tea by the warm fire.