Sunday, December 16, 2012

Did some work on my farm website...

I did some updating on the farm website.  Just a little bit.  Not much.  But it was almost a year since the last update.  https://sites.google.com/site/cracklingpine/home

Goat breeding season is over.  I hope to have two goats that took A.I. Gwen, my Saanen, and Iris, a Toggenburg and my first A.I. doe.  Hoping for a doe from Gwen and a buck from Iris, but most likely with get just the opposite.  The others are all bred to Angus my Boer buck.  Those will all be market animals.

Had our family Christmas yesterday.  Had to have it early as my oldest and his family are going to California to visit with that side of the family for Christmas.  Hope they have a warm and sunny Christmas there and we have a nice and white Christmas here.

Jenn, her husband and one of their friends, Jared, were here on Friday and they all went for a ride in the cart.  Didn't get any pictures, too busy having fun to take any.

Spent today messing with computers.  Greg got a new Dell, so I get his old one.  Deciding which files need to move from my old, and I do mean OLD computer, to my "new" one.  Some of the programs are so old they won't load onto the "new" one.  Guess I will have to buy new ones...

Going to watch "Finding Bigfoot" tonight on Animal Planet.  My nephew, was part of the production crew in Michigan.  We might even catch a glimpse of him!  Ahh, stardom!

Well, so really nothing much...guess it just Onward and Upwards time.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

I guess it's in the blood...

Yesterday began as a very snowy one.  At seven o'clock when I got up it was snowing so hard that I couldn't see the neighbor's house.  Finally a real snow.  Here's hoping for a nice snowy winter this year.

Anyway, Daniella had called the day before to see if she could come and stay while her parents went shopping.  She wanted to practice a music piece she wants to play for our family Christmas gathering.  If figure she was also hoping that her favorite aunt Jenn would be here and we would do something horsey.  I called Jenn to let her know that Daniella would be here.  Jenn said she would try to make it over sometime before Daniella left.

I guess it was around two o'clock when Jenn got here.  We were just having some homemade chicken noodle soup.  Just as we were finishing up our soup, Chris and Chita came back.  Jenn told them we  hadn't done our horsey thing yet.  It was decided that Jenn would take Daniella home after our play time.

So, it must have been after three o'clock and the three of us headed out to the horses.

Here's what transpired.  We tacked up Isis and hooked her to the cart.  Nothing unusual about this.  We spent a good hour just driving Isis around in the arena, taking turns driving.  Here's the "in the blood" part...Daniella was also able to take the reins to do some of the driving so that would make (drum roll please) three generations of ladies driving here at the same time.  Myself, my daughter, and my granddaughter.  Pretty cool I think.

Thanks to Jenn's nifty phone we have pictures and videos:

Daniella and Grandma with Isis

 
 
Three generations of ladies driving horses, and loving horses.  To those persons who have family members who want a pony for Christmas I have to say "It's in the blood.  And we never grow out of it, it just gets stronger!"  Don't try to ignore it, cause it won't go away.  Sometimes we have to learn to be patient.  Sometimes we don't get our horses until we are all grown up.  But it doesn't matter, someday does come and then we get to live our dream of having our own horse.

For those of you who understand the draw to horses...It IS worth the wait!

Onward and Upward!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Even MORE excitement...

So, today Jenn came over and we played with Isis again.  This was great, we hooked her up good, made the adjustments and then...drum roll please....


Jenn driving
 
 
And me too!
 
Had a GREAT time!
 
We even did a double ride, I drove with Jenn in the seat beside me.
 
Onward and Upward!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

A lttle catch up and then a first...

First the catch up.  Back in October, Marion came and stayed a couple of days here on the farm.  The first day was just her and us and for a bit her family.  It was a nice day, but we didn't get everything done that we wanted to.  So, on the second day we got to ride horses.  At first she rode Isis, but for some reason Isis just wasn't a happy girl.  So we changed to Mariah.  Now mind you Mariah has not been ridden since moving here.  This was the first time in 12 years that someone has been on her back for an extended time.  She was a very good girl and Marion rode her, being lead by me for one full hour!  It really was quite the surprise.

Then in the afternoon Daniella arrived via the school bus. Cousins had a good time, we made noodles and on Saturday they made Halloween Gingerbread houses.
Making the frosting.

 
Concentration one.

And two.
 
More concentration.
 
Done and...
 
Done!
 
Now is time for the First that I mentioned...
 
The first accumulation on November 25th,  2012.

Just one month until Christmas, will it be a white Christmas...I sure hope so!





Onward and Upward!
 
 
 

Monday, November 19, 2012

More excitement!!!!

Over the weekend, Jenn came over and we hooked Isis to the cart!  We couldn't do much more then we did, because the hooking up wasn't done the right way.  Some parts are missing, so we had to "jerry rig" the whole deal.  But she was hooked up, she did pull the cart and Jenn even rode a few steps worth!  No spook, no fear, just plain good pony.

She stood patiently while we did our best to make her uncomfortable, not on purpose, just us fumbling around.  Even while pulling she got bumped from all angles and didn't mind a bit.

Can't wait to get all the parts lined up and working so we can actually go for a real ride.  I have about 20 acres of open field that is just calling to me to drive all over it!

Here's hoping I can get it all put together soon!

Here is a video for your watching pleasure:



Here is a posed picture of me in the cart as well:

If only I could be moving!
 
 


Saturday, October 27, 2012

I'm excited about...

Last weekend the weather was nice and I felt like doing something horsey, so I went out and put a surcingle on Isis and a sidepull bridle and we tried driving!  She is not a happy horse with a saddle and a person on her back, but she seems to like to be doing something, just not with someone on her back.  Pony rides are okay, but not real riding.

Anyway, all hooked up, a slight correction and off we went!  She does drive!  Now whether she was ground driven when trained or she was trained to drive I don't know, but she walked off and around the pen four times with out much trouble.  It was great!

Then on Thursday, Jenn came over and we tacked her up again.  Same thing she walked off just like she knew what she was doing.  Both Jenn and I drove her.  Each time whoever was not driving would walk along side the driver and we talked and stumbled and made noise and Isis never showed any signs of not doing what she was suppose to.

I plan to work her again tomorrow, Sunday and see if she is still going well.  If so, then I plan to hook her up to something to drag around, maybe a tire.  She'll need to have a full harness on for that, and a whipple tree.  Greg will have to make me the whipple tree, but that is an easy do.

I have a nice little two wheeled cart in the barn, that is just waiting for a sweet pony to pull it.  Here's hoping that happens, maybe even before the new year!  I will work Isis in steps to be sure that we are both comfortable with what is going on.

For now here are a couple of pictures of Jenn and I driving Isis last Tuesday.

Pretty Driving Pony!
 
 
Here's a video as well:   



Saturday, October 13, 2012

Vacation Part 2.

After spending four nights at Lake Margrethe, we picked up camp and headed down to our usual fall campground at Reedsburg Dam Campground.

We had to adjust somewhat as our favorite site was occupied!  Our second choice turned out to be just as good if not better.  There were three other campers there when we got there.


Our view one morning from the campsite.


When we weren't fishing we took some day trips.  One of the trips took us to the Fireman's Memorial in Roscommons.  I got my dad's name added to the wall this year, so I wanted to see it.  Two weeks before, Jenn and Pat with their firemen friends attended the festival and saw the name then.

Over view of the Memorial.

Wreath sent by Flint Township for my Dad and his friends on the department.
Gerald "Jerry" L. Sherman, Flint Township
Reading the wall was a trip back in time for me when I found a group of men all who had been on the department when my dad was.  Names that I hadn't heard in a very long time came back to me.  Memories soon followed.

Very glad there is a memorial to these men who gave their time and some even their lives to protect people and property.

Other day trips included a trip to "Arnie's"...a mega craft shop that carries everything for the crafter as well as a place with free wifi and coffee for the partner of the crafter.  Hours can be spent there as well as plenty of $$$$$$$$.

Other activities at camp are campfire cooking.  That is one of my favorites.  I enjoy baking on the fire using my reflector oven and my dutch oven.  One meal was put in the dutch oven before we left and was all ready to eat when we got back from our trip.

The start of biscuits and gravy one morning.
Gravy is ready, just waiting for biscuits to brown a bit.  Greg is writing in our journal.
Another activity around camp is relaxing...




I wish that the next pictures were clearer, this was just a really pretty scene across to the next camper...

The moon was full and all you could see was the glow of the tent and the moon, it was cool.
Need to work on my photography skills, and maybe a better camera.  I didn't use flash, so that is why it is fuzzy.

Unfortunately all our fishing and I came up with nothing!  They weren't biting much at all.  On the last day before heading home I did catch two Pike, but both were too small to keep.  One was close, but not good enough.

The one fishing story I have is this.  One evening down at the dam I was fishing off the west side near the abutment and I could see a fish, really good sized, just sitting there.  He was watching my bait, but he wouldn't go for it.  I tried everything I had in my box!  I did catch a nice sized Bass, but again not big enough.  He would go after the bait/lure but never strike it.

The next night when we took our walk down to the dam, someone else was fishing in the same spot.  I asked if they had seen the fish...yes, but he wouldn't take the bait!

The next morning Greg had taken the dogs for a walk there and talked to a gentlemen who fishes there plenty, we have seen him every year since we started going.  Greg mentioned the fish and the gentleman replied "Yeah, I've caught him a couple of times, he's not big enough to keep, but he is always there!" 

Crazy fish stories anyway!

Now here's our hunting story...Friday night when we took the dogs for one last walk around before bed, we saw lights in the trees across the water.  Lots of movement and flashing going on.  There are no cabins or roads on the other side, it is all state land and open to hunting.

We went to bed and the next morning at 7:02 AM all hell broke loose....gunshots and gunshots and gunshots!  Crazy war movie time!  Every direction there was BANG!  POW! POP! KABLUIE!

Come to find out it was opening day of waterfowl season!  And everyone and his brother was trying to kill as many duck and geese as he could!  It was CRAZY!

I talked to one group of hunters, three guys and a young woman.  How many did they get you might ask...ONE DUCK!  That's right only one and the girl, who had never hunted before got it.  You go girl!

I never saw one bird fall from the sky, we sat and watched and saw plenty of birds and heard mucho shooting, but I NEVER SAW ONE!

As for the lights in the woods the night before, that was hunters setting up their blinds and spending the night in their spot, so no one else could move in.

All in all we had a good trip.  It was most always cool, night were pretty cold a couple of times, but we have heat.  Had some nice color starting and some sunny days.  10 days away was really nice, but now it was time to go home.  Besides the food was running out and without fish we were going to STARVE!  Now I sound like one of the TV shows we watch...Yukon Men.  We even bought some store eggs...EEWWW!

Our plan for next year is to go a bit earlier, less hunting, maybe a bit less rain and warmer.  We'll see!

Onward and Upwards!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Vacation Part One

Vacation started out wet and cool, the first four days were spent at Lake Margrethe, which is just west of Grayling.  We had  a wonderful site and for the most part were the only ones in the park.  Most campers came and left, just staying overnight.



Fishing wasn't bad, other then the wind and rain.  Caught a few small pans and one or two keeper sized.  We always caught something when we went out. 

This would have been a good lake for swimming, the deep water came quite a long way from the shore and the bottom there was sandy.  After the drop off the bottom was mucky and weedy.

Our first night we went into Grayling to pick up a few things and also had Albe's Pasties, Yummy!  We did a lot of day trips as the weather was mostly cool and damp.  We saw our property we had east of Frederic on one of the trips.  The owner's have a large modern house built pretty much out in the middle of the field.  They are using the drive we made.  Nothing outstanding just a house in a field.

On one of the trips we went looking for somewhere else to camp. Goose Lake and Long Lake Missaukee, really close to Lake City, and Pickerel Lake which is northwest of Grayling.  We were not impressed with any of them.  Goose and Long Lake looked very brushy and just not inviting to us at all.  Pickerel might have been okay, but we decided to stay where we were.

I had taken my foraging books along to try some wild foods if we had the chance.  Right in the park there was an apple tree, it had just a few apples up high, but I managed to pick two.  There were no bad spots on them and except that they needed just a little more time to ripen, were very good.  I wish I could have been there to pick them when they were ripe and also been able to get up to the top of the tree where most of them were.

While at camp one day I fed some of the ducks and a couple of gulls.  I had just a couple of slices of stale bread and they seemed to enjoy it.  Wasn't the first time they had begged food off the campers.

Ducky friends.


Artsy picture.




Dad is over there!



Doggy nap time.





   The 2nd rainbow went from the north shore to the south shore and it was a double!           

On Monday, after four days at Lake Margrethe, we broke camp and headed to Reedsburg Dam State Forest Campground.  Lets hope for dryer weather while we are there!

Monday, September 10, 2012

I feel like I should post something, but what...?

I don't have anything new or exciting to post.  Just a few quick thoughts sort of thing...we are planning a vacation sometime soon, don't know where yet, but we will be camping.  Also going to my brother's place soon for "Family Reunion Part Two".

There is as always, plenty of things to be done around here.  Greg started mowing the lawn yesterday, I plan to finish it today.  There are tomatoes to pick and a mega ton of weeds to pull in EVERY garden space!  Breeding season is upcoming and there are things I need to do before that.  The broilers are almost ready to butcher, fresh bird for the freezer.  Then clean out of the pen!

Have done some fishing, but with nothing great to report.  Muskrat Lake does have fish in it, but so far we haven't brought any home.  Last two trips we did catch some, but either too small, or only one or two keeper sized.

I sold two milkers, they are now living in Virginia!  That is a crazy story.  The people made a 17 hour road trip to Michigan to buy goats!  They called me because Dave White told them I had goats for sale.  They called him because the first Michigan stop told them to call Dave.  On the road from Shelby they called, got directions and came by.  The left here with two of my goats, plus the one from Shelby and headed to another Michigan stop and then on to Ohio and Indiana, before heading home!  All the way, stopping and looking and maybe buying goats!  No hotel, no camping, just driving and looking and goating!  Now don't tell me I'm goat crazy...I'm competely NORMAL compared to these nice people.

I still have five goats for sale, a buck, two milkers, and two doe kids from this year.  But selling them is difficult, hay prices have everyone cutting back or not buy!  Buying a horse right now would be good if you are looking...there are a bunch for sale at really low prices!  Don't need another horse, just sayin'.

Well, best get moving.  Greg and I have walked seven out of the last eight days, so don't want to break that string.  Walking is good for us and the dogs!

Isn't this a great picture.  I found it on facebook somewhere and just really love it.
Onward and Upwards.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Just posted goats for sale on craigslist...

I just posted six goats that I have for sale on craigslist.  Three does in milk, one dry, one doeling, and my buck.  All are registered Toggenburgs and have good lines, milk good, have no trouble kidding or breeding and are reasonably priced.

Check out the ads at:

 http://lansing.craigslist.org/grd/3139101257.html for the does.

 http://lansing.craigslist.org/grd/3139164127.html for the buck.

The doeling won Grand Champion Junior Toggenburg Doe at the Shiawassee Fair last week!  Great herd starter.

These would all be wonderful for 4H projects or you could have your own fresh milk and other products.

Let the phones start ringing!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

I got to play yesterday...

Oh joy  to play with my boat yesterday!  After a rough start, had to figure out how to start the motor.   No instruction book!  We buzzed around Muskrat Lake and did a bit of fishing.  The lake is only 14 miles from home.  The fish were not cooperative...did get nibbled on, but caught nothing.

A bad of fishing is better then a good day doing housework any time!

Now I have to get my stuff together and loaded in the horse trailer.  Today is move in day at the Shiawassee Fair.  Daniella's goats get checked in today.  Her still projects went in yesterday.  I will be setting up the camper after all the animals are settled in.  Tonights my first night in the camper at the fair.  Tomorrow morning is Daniella's first day of showing.

If you don't have anything exciting to do this week why don't you take a day and come to support the 4H and FFA kids at fair.

If you live in Shiawassee county, please vote yes to fund the MSU Extension in Shiawassee county.  The Extension offers other worthwhile programs besides the 4H program.

Dick Campbell, Argus Press Chairman, August 3, 2012.

"In the case of the MSU Extension (4-H) proposal, a “yes” vote ensures continuation of a long-standing, highly  effective youth program which is part and parcel of Shiawassee farm life and of the Shiawassee County Fair. Without it, MSU Extension in the county disappears and with it nutrition programs for young and old. Further, without MSU Extension, say goodbye to the county’s “Greatest Show On Earth,” the Shiawassee County Fair, as we know it."

Will have more to blog about after I get back from Fair, see you all in a week.

Onward and Upwards!

Monday, July 30, 2012

I'm excited!!!!!!

I am soooooo excited....Greg and I just got home from Alma where we picked up our "new" boat, motor, and trailer.  Now I can go fishing around here and when we go camping!

Only problem...I won't be able to go until after Fair.  But you just wait shortly after Fair I'm going FISHING!

Me and my new boat, look out fishys here we come!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Another catch up blog...

Finally more rain and a cool down, how nice it is to enjoy this cool cloudy morning.

Last week a thunder shower went through while I was on the computer.  Got a good scare...lightning hit very, and I mean VERY close by...computer went down and out!  Started computer back up and tried to connect to Internet again...no can do!  Modem got fried!  Along with that, our one month old TV and our DirectTV was shot!  This makes three times in 12 years we've suffered lightning damage!

All is well now, all the repairs have been made and we are back and running.

Last weekend we spent at Ionia Recreation Area camping with most of our family.  Three of the four kids and their kids were there.  Great time and good food was had by all.  Wonderful weather and a nice park.  A little crowded for Greg and I, but really not a bad place to spend the weekend.  First time we have ever hooked our camper up to electric service!  We always go rustic camping.
Cousins at camp.

Time around the campfire.



  Now it's time to make final preparations for Shiawassee Fair.  Daniella was here on Monday and Tuesday and has all her still projects that can be done here all done.  She began working on her stall sign and will have to finish it next Thursday when she comes.  She will also have four goats to clip, that will be a really big job for her to do!

Yesterday, Wednesday, I sold seven doelings.  All that are left now are four, Daniella's goat Clover is one of them.  She will be up for sale as well, during fair or right after.  I still have four milkers for sale as well.  No calls on them so far.

Still managing to eat light and loose weight.  Even while camping I lost one pound!  It helps to have alot of fresh produce available.  My garden isn't doing any right now, but Chita gets veggies from her work and shares them with us.  Had Eggplant Parmesan on Tuesday night, wonderful and Chicken Stir fry last night, yummy good!

Time to roll along...Onward and Upward.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Just a quick note...

This morning is nice, got 1/8 of an inch of rain overnight.  There's a cool breeze right now.  Hoping to see more rain.

Three weeks until Shiawassee Fair.  Plenty for us to do when Daniella is here.  Lots of goat working plus some machine embroidery work for her to do while here.  The buyer letters are in the hands of her parents, those that I had addresses for are done, mom and dad need to address the rest and then get them mailed out.  Camper needs to be readied, food planned, goodies made, and hauling days and times set.

The Family campout is coming together.  Looking forward to some time away.

Posted goats for sale on craigslist and Michigan Goat Lovers yahoo group.  Had a couple of calls, nothing solid yet.  If all goes well, there will be thirteen goats going to new homes soon.

I have made it through one week of Sparkpeople diet again.  Lost three pounds of the fifteen that I gained back.  Got to keep going back down where I should be...125-130...Not 140!  Or for sure what I weighed two years ago...160!

Time to go enjoy the mornings coolness, then chores....Onward and Upward!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Finally a break in the heat!!!!

It's wonderful this morning, the heat has finally broken.  Beautiful breeze and low humidity and sunshine, such a nice morning.

Greg and I got the second cutting hay done yesterday...101 bales.  Better then expected.  Hot sweaty job done until another four to six weeks.  Hope for rain to make it grow.

Having breakfast with friends and Jenn and Pat this morning.  Friends are coming to see how chores are done, so when we go family camping later, they will be able to do them for us.  We really appreciate our friends who will do all the chores so we can get away for a bit!  Thank you, thank you!

Did some work in the garden yesterday...sprayed for Squash borer and gave the peas something to climb.
The garden as of July 8, 2012

Square foot peas and beans.



Trumpet vine this morning.



Time to get back on eating right and healthy.  Weighed in this morning at 141!  Have gained back 16 pounds!  This is NOT good, back to tracking my food and eating healthy foods!  Sparks People...welcome me back!

Time to fly...Onward and Upwards!


Thursday, July 5, 2012

Hope to again do some blogging...

Got some badly needed rain last night, 3/4".  Our blond yard should green up again now.

Greg mowed hay yesterday, so it got rained on last night.  Now we hope for no more rain until we get it baled up and in the barn.

Garden got planted on July 1!  That was REALLY late, but most everything is fall crop, or can be planted more then once in the year.  We will wait and see what happens.  Could start a new garden trend.

Tuesday was Linear Appraisal day here on the farm.  LA is a program through ADGA where a trained appraiser comes and gives your goats an appraisal score.  It is a great  way to see how your breeding program is going, and where you need to make improvements.  Great learning tool.

There were 25 goats total here, including mine.  Two other goat families besides me.  Our appraiser was Eric Jermain and he did a great job of educating us.  It was a good time.  We ended the session with a potluck dinner before everyone left.

Because of  LA, I now have a direction to go with my herd.  That being said, I will also  have some goats for sale as soon as I can get a list together.  These are nice productive goats, but are not ones that fit my new goals. 

Being yesterday was the 4th of July, we spent the late evening on the porch watching fireworks all around.  Including our neighbors across the street.  It was nice not to have to fight crowds, but still see the shows.  I have some fireworks of my own, but will wait until I know the grass won't go up in smoke!

Time for chores, that is a new plan as well, do them more regular times and earlier in the morning.  8 and 8 seems like a good bet, we'll see how it goes.

Onward and Upward.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Wow it's been a while...

Plenty been happening.  Most recent we got our first cutting hay done and in the barn today!  FANTASTIC!

Had the most kids ever this year, 24 and only lost two...another FANTASTIC!

Have already sold 8 wethers with only two left and they are for Daniella's market goats.
FANTASTIC!

Had a family reunion here with my brother, his family and mine.  Some cousins got to meet for the very first time.  We had a great weekend and look forward to doing it again next year.

Body is tired so will end here.  Will try hard to do better at keeping this updated, but warm weather is a busy time around here....

Onward and upward.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

I can finally post this...

Yesterday, with Daniella's help we finished her Christmas present.  I am quite pleased with how it turned out.  This makes my second finished quilt and my first full sized one.  Take a look...



Here she is modeling it on Aunt Jenn's bed.




Then on another note...there is more beer brewing in the house...this time it is a stout variety, so it will be very dark.  Here in the pot is the wort cooking....



And on still another note...Kidding time is fast approaching!  Fern who is our first to be due (March 2) is absolutely HUGE!  I expect to see triplets from her.  She has in the past twice so would not be unheard of.

I checked her past records and see that even though she is carrying multiples she has always gone past due!  In fact with twins she goes two days past, but with triplets it  has always been FIVE days!  Crazy goat!

I'll post as soon as anything happens.  The excitement is building!

Onward and Upward.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Time for a blog...

Been a while so thought I would just make a quick blog.  Good ole' Michigan is showing us what she can and can't do...just a few days ago Greg and I ate our breakfast outside on the patio next to the greenhouse.  It was so warm and nice I just had to.

It was warm enough and sunny to sit out and eat our breakfast.



Then the last two days, we worked in the buck barn adding a new stall.  It will be used by the new kids coming in just about three weeks.  It wasn't bad working out there for February days.

Now...well now is a different story...we certainly won't be eating outside this morning...it is something like 7 degrees out and that is actual temperature!  Wind chill is got to be a real killer!  The snow is drifted around the buildings and it looks like it could be just days until Christmas!

This has been one very strange winter!  Really warm and not much snow.  Very Strange!

Today is nice and sunny...but colder then a witches...well you know what I mean.

Onward and Upward!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Beleive it or not...

Yes, believe it or not, gardening season has just begun  here on the farm!  Today I planted one full flat of Petunias!  Three different varieties, four trays each = one full flat!  I also did my vegetable seed inventory and will now be able to place my see order for this coming garden.

Next thing you know it will be warming up and I will be spending my time outside moving, instead of inside not moving!  This will be a very good thing.

Some of my not moving time has been on the computer doing family history research.  Finding lots of information.  Making connections with people who in one way or another are actually related to me...just amazing!  What we can do in this modern age!

Onward and Upward!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

A catch up and something new...

First the catch up.  Here is the picture I promised of the progress of the Beer.  Yes, the stuff floating in it is suppose to be there, when bottling time comes it will be filtered out. 
This is the beginning of the carbonation and fermentation process.  What is floating is pieces of Hops as well as some Barley and Wheat that all go into making beer have it's flavor.  White foam on top is the Head, but it is no where near ready to consume. 

Right now it is still sitting on the table, only now there is only a "bubbler" on the top, as fermentation has slowed some.  In a few more days, Greg will bottle it and then it will set in the bottle for a time before we chill it and have a taste.  I'll let you know when that happens.

Now for something new, well kind of new...I went cross country skiing today around our place.  For the last 10 days we have been taking the dogs out everyday and letting them run the fields while we walked.  Great exercise for all of us.  Anyway, today I decided it was time to bring out the skis, in place of just walking.

Haven't had the skis on for a very long time, but we used to go quite often around 15 years ago!  I had a good time and didn't fall even once...amazing!  Now I plan to ski instead of walk everyday.  And if I ever get to feeling like I know what I am doing again, I may try something really new...Skijoring!

Skijoring is where you use an animal to pull you along, kind of like water skiing only  on snow and no motor.  Horses are used as well as dogs, right now my choice would be to use Anya to pull me along, we'll see what happens down the line.

Greg took some pictures of me skiing so here they are:


Just starting out.


Ready to ski down...



Action shot number 1, I was going down hill, but not really very fast!



Action shot number 2.


What a pretty day it was.


Like Greg likes to say "That's my House", from our back line.

Here is someone with a REALY big dog Skijoring!
Pleasant day so far, plus I've lost five pounds since the first of the year!  Only about 10-15 more and I will be at my healthy weight.  Yippy!

Time to think about getting dinner...what shall we have....?