Feeding Time

Feeding time on High Mountain Farm is at exactly 4:00pm ET. No, our animals don't have a battery operated watch but their internal timing circuits work without any external aid. They gather at the fence about 20 minutes early and patiently wait for someone to bring FOOD.

Remember to give your animals extra food during cold weather. I pour any left over grease into their food to add fat and scrape all leftovers into their bucket.

As you can see, it's snowing again and the temperature has fallen to 27F but the ol' wood heater is cranked up and the house is a toasty 75F.

After I let the chickens out this morning, I took the time to snap a photo of the rooster guarding his hens while they were eating.

Christmas morning sunrise on High Mountain Farm.

 The old wood heater has the house nice and warm.

Merry Christmas From High Mountain Farm

High Mountain Farm At Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE GANG ON HIGH MOUNTAIN FARM

Weather Update From High Mountain Farm

For those of you who are wondering about the weather up here today, all I can say is Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr. The high is 23F and it is about 1:30pm The wind and snow have been ferocious. Mr. B went out and gave the goats some hay in their feeder. They hate it when it rains or snows because they don't like to get their feet wet. I know that sounds strange but it's true and they're all the same way. You can barely get them out of the goat house when the weather is bad. They just stand at the door and cry.

If you look closely at the picture to the left, you can see The Dawg standing about the middle looking toward the house. The Great Pyrenees don't seem to mind the cold and they have lots of fur to help keep them warm and dry.

December 21;The Beginning of a New Era

 I believe in being prepared for life not death. Even the Mayans say tomorrow will not be the end but the beginning of a new era. Read Below

 "It's an era. We are lucky to see how it ends," says wood carver Santos Esteban in Yaxuna, a sleepy village of fewer than 700 Mayans, located in a territory that once belonged to the ancient kingdom founded around 2000 B.C."  From an article on cnn.com

The Mayan Calendar is complicated and I am not going to get into the intricate details. Click here to review Wikipedia information page on this subject.

The bottom line here is that people have stopped preparing for tomorrow and only live for today. Many people don't have enough food or water to survive for a week without assistance from an outside source but they have every modern convenience to make them comfortable today.

Another Beautiful Morning

I am always in awe of the morning's first light as seen from my porch on High Mountain Farm.

Super Egg Update

Recently, we had a huge egg which had been lain by one of our Rhode Island Red Chickens and yesterday I decided to crack it open and see what was inside.

I was really careful tapping it on the side of the counter because the shell looked fragile but no problems and it opened right up to reveal High Mountain Farm's First Double Yoker!

Double Yoke from Rhode Island Red

Matthew 21:22

Matthew 21:22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Feeding During Cold Weather

     Many years ago (and I mean many), I worked for a woman who had show dogs and horses. The first thing that she taught me was that her dogs, who spent the entire day outside, needed more food during the cold winter months than during the spring, summer, and fall. I have always continued with this practice by feeding more in the winter.

William Cruiser Davidson/George Henry Vanderbilt Cecil

My great grand-father William Cruiser Davidson, pictured here with his wife Junia Fox Davidson, worked on the Biltmore Estate when it was being built as an engineer of some sort. They resided in the Oakley community of Buncombe County. We are descended from the Davidson family which first settled the Buncombe County NC area.

Pictures

Here are some more pics from last night's sunset here on High Mountain.

Night Approaches On High Mountain Farm

Pork

Did I mention to anyone that I love Pork tenderloin. Yes, I eat it fried which isn't real healthy but the taste of fresh tenderloin is something you never forget. Remember, we raise, cut up and preserve our own meat so we know what they eat and how healthy they were when killed and all this does make a difference to the flavor of your meat.
There is now information about pork which labels it a more healthy choice as opposed to the bad rap it got for so long.
 From the Pork and Health Website:
"Many cuts of pork are as lean or leaner than chicken and meet the government guidelines for “lean” or “extra lean.” Any cuts from the loin - like pork chops and pork roast - are leaner than skinless chicken thigh, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Pork steaks or roasts from the leg ("fresh ham") are also lean choices." 

And there is more; pork is filled with nutritious vitamins and minerals. Below is more info from the Pork and Health Website.
" The following information is based on a 3-ounce serving of pork." 
"Thiamin 54% Without this key vitamin, metabolism of carbohydrate, protein and fat would be significantly compromised. Animal protein is one of lthe best sources of this nutrient and among the choices, pork is tops."

So, if you are like myself and love the flavor of pork, you can enjoy it without so much guilt for a change.
Perhaps, I should start an "I love Pork" Blog! Enjoy!

Blowing Snow

It is a cold, blustery morning on High Mountain Farm. Pictured are the stacks of poplar wood that Mr.B split by hand yesterday using an axe and go-devil . The blowing snow has blurred the picture!

Super Large Chicken Egg

Super Egg Dec. 2012

Take a look at the egg on the left. Notice anything?
I had to share this picture of the Super Large Egg that one of my Rhode Island Reds' laid.
I've never seen anything like it and no, we don't give them any laying mash to stimulate them. I would speculate that perhaps another type of bird had lain this egg but it was in the chicken coop with all the other eggs. Wow! She should win some type of award.

'Red Sky at Morning' Origins

I have always heard, "Red sky at morning, Sailors take warning and Red Sky at night, Sailors delight.'' When you're farming, you watch the weather signs to see what the weather holds.

So where did this come from. Is it really true? I found this great website that explains it all and yes it does seem to have scientific merit!

Click Red Sky for more information. Happy Sailing!

Waiting for Supper

I don't know who is training who. Their chicken scratch is stored in this building. Do you think they have figured it out?

Rabies/Veterinary Needs

We are lucky to have a great Vet who makes house calls. There is an extra fee for driving way up here on High Mountain Farm but I feel that it is so much better for the dogs if we do it this way and I really like their rabies shots to be up to date.

The Cherokee

Mr. B and the Gang on High Mountain Farm

My husband has some Cherokee blood as do many of the people of Appalachia so we have done some research on these wonderful peoples who share their world with us.

May Peace...

May Peace Find You and Love Hold You
Good Night from the gang on High Mountain

Melissa

Tater Candy

Old fashioned Tater Candy is a requirement at my house right before Christmas. Many of you out there probably know how to make it but I am including a few instructions just in case.

Love

Jake sneaking a kiss from The Dawg

Chicken Eggs

All I used to hear was that you shouldn't eat eggs and that the yoke was bad for you and on and on...
Now..the tide is changing and some studies seem to indicate that eating eggs is actually good for you.

Hand Crafted Apron

Hand Crafted Apron by Melissa Dodd

I have a couple of Aprons for sale this year. The one pictured is currently on eBay. If you are interested, you can locate it under Home and Garden/Hand Crafted Apron/. The number ID is 261137195304 and the buy now price is $27.50 with $5.75 in shipping fees. Sorry, it is only available in the US.

Poplar Wood

Mr. B cutting up a Poplar Tree

Mr. B cutting Poplar Wood

Mr. B says it isn't really good for the cook stove or heating stove because it burns up too fast but if that is what you have, that is what you will burn.

Sunday Morning December 2, 2012

 

 God is too good to me. He gives me much more than I need or deserve. I pray for mercy every day of my life knowing that I am a sinner and begging he who is perfect to forgive me for my shortcomings.

James 1:17 tells us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

What Type of Pigs Should We Raise For Meat?

Our 2012 Mixed Breed Pigs

The most common question asked is, "What type of pigs should we raise for meat?"  Is there a 'best' breed for meat or lard concerns? I think the answer lies in availability and preference. The opinion of the community elders seems to be that  a white pig is fatter and a red pig is leaner while a short-legged pig has more fat so....I try to go with red/black with some white. Generally a well mixed breed is what seems to work as well as anything for us. This year's hogs were red/black with white and the tenderloin is wonderful although the sausage is a little bit fat for my liking but tastes great. 

Don't forget Witches' Brew is now available as a downloadable ebook.

Witches’ Brew is a fictional story set in the late 1920’s based on songs written by Melissa Dodd, a native Appalachian Mountaineer.  The family in this story could have been any family with their strong religious beliefs combined with the ancient art of spells and witch doctors. Beth, the young girl is our story, chases an old family mystery which was set in motion years earlier when a bootlegger’s son and a preacher’s daughter met under the  ol’ ‘Witching Tree’. You can access the song Witches' Brew by clicking here. A friend helped me to sound like I am on AM radio. Let me know what you think. You can also access it from the front of the book.

Along with Witches' Brew, Santa Sheds is also available by paper back. It is a children's book (or for adults with animals instead of children) about a two dogs, a squirrel, and a pig helping Santa save Christmas.

“Wagging Tails… Wagging Tails…

Santa’s on his way.

Hope he can fit all our presents

In that little sleigh.”

All my books can be found on my Amazon author page at 

amazon.com/author/mdodd.

Animals of High Mountain Farm

The dogs and goats coexist in our four acre pasture on High Mountain Farm and seem to truly care about each other. The dogs protect the goats while Frances, the goat in the picture with horns, scratches Jake's ears and neck for him.

The Electric Fence

Yesterday morning it was cold and of course, the electric fence quit working. It was barely making a clicking sound which meant that it was still connected but shorted somewhere.  Mr. B was at work so I was responsible for walking the fence row on our four acre pasture. Brrrrrrrrr.............

Map of Appalachia

States which have counties lying within the boundaries of Appalachia:

Alabama                      Pennsylvania

Georgia                       South Carolina

Kentucky                    Tennessee

Maryland                     Virginia

Mississippi                   W. Virginia

New York

North Carolina

Ohio.

I borrowed the map seen here from The Center for Appalachian Studies and Services  from East Tennessee State University.

Foggy Evening

Great Pyrenees History From AKC

Mr. B and The Dawg

I love our Great Pyrenees. Jake, is more animal oriented but will allow us to pet him on occasion. Our female, The Dawg, loves everyone and the animals. She was instrumental in turning Jake into a great herding dog.

From the Wood Pile / The Cook Stove

Drawing by Melissa Dodd copyright 2007

 In the original journal, this section would answer questions sent in by readers.

The answers are strictly personal opinion.

Q. What type of wood is best for the cook stove?

A. Ash, Maple and Poplar burn well and don’t burn your grates up. Locust will get so hot that it will warp the grates in your cook stove.

Time to Cut Wood

Mr. B and I used today for a well deserved rest although we still had to finish cleaning up and return some borrowed scales we used to weigh the sausage. The packages of  'Old Plantation' mix we used seasons 25 lbs of sausage and we had 125 lbs of sausage so we used 5 packs of seasoning.

Well, the sausage is made and tenderloin is now cut up and vacuum wrapped. We made our own sausage this year so it was a big job. Today, we ground 125 lbs with ours and his parents. Mixing it by hand is a real chore and it has to be thoroughly mixed or some will be too spicy and other not spicy enough. All we lack now is the hog's head, rendering the lard and cutting up the liver. The hams and middling meat will cure in the meat house for about 3 to 4 months.

Hog Killing Day

Today is the day and we have been up since before dawn getting everything prepared.