Spring has definately sprung here on our farm and so have all the projects.
Lindsey applied for, and received, a grant from the State of Minnesota to plant trees on our place. Over the years, our grove has dwindled considerably, bringing the winter winds into our house and yard.
The grant brought in 500 new little trees this week and the menfolk here have been busy all week getting them into the ground.
Some will fill in spots in our grove, some go in the pasture north/west of the grove and some to the south. A long range goal is to get the pigs out into the pasture, so the pasture trees will help provide shade and food for them someday. It seems like such a long ways off…..but we all know how time flies………..
Last week I shared that we lost a sow after farrowing.
While that was a sad story, the happier side of it is that the same day she farrowed, so did another sow. Catalpa is a patient lady, so she was able to adopt all of Jewelweed’s piglets and feed them, along with her own. What a mom!
I’m always so happy with the pigs I get from this breeder and here was another one to be proud of. His sows are excellent, patient mothers with large amounts of milk, so my unfortuate situation wasn’t as unfortunate as it could have been.
Here they are….13 don’t fit under the heat lamp anymore. <3
With the warmer weather, it means we get to hook up the automatic waterers.
This basically is a hog nipple or two at the end of the garden hose. It makes it so much easier for the pigs to get fresh water without us having to keep up with at least 150 gallons of water everyday!
This system also makes a muddy wet mess under it….which doubles as a fantastic wallow for them to use to stay cool on hot days.
Even though it’s time consuming, if I’m the one doing the watering, I use it as a time to check herd health. I’m stuck standing there for 15 minutes holding a hose. 😀
But in 15 miunutes, I can see a lot of details about the pigs that I might otherwise miss giving them a passing glance.
Lately, though, the hose holding has gone to Arthur. He has rigged up some wires to hold the hose for him…and then he uses the loading tub/chute as a jungle gym while he waits. 😀
Apple Fritter Bread!
Sometime back, I had found a recipe for “Apple Fritter Bread” and even though it’s not October, I knew I had to try it.
I multiplied it several times over so we ended up with 7 loaves. All were eaten within 24 hours. So so good!! Highly recommend.
Apple Fritter Bread
Equipment
- 1 9×5 pan
Ingredients
Mix together in bowl #1
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Mix together in bowl #2
- 3 apples peeled and chopped
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
Mix together in bowl #3
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups flour or 180 grams
- 1¾ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup milk
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Mix together the ingredients in each of the first two sections in their separate bowls.
- For the third group, first cream together the sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and milk very well. Then add the flour, baking powder and salt. Mix everything together.
- In your 9×5 pan, pour half of Bowl #3 in the bottom. Then half of Bowl #2. Lastly, add half of Bowl #1. Repeat.
- Put pan into oven for 50-60 minutes or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- After bread has cooled for 10 minutes, remove from pan and allow to fully cool on wire rack. Enjoy!
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate — bringing forth food from the earth.
Psalm 104:14
Wishing you a blessed spring week ahead!
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