Timber Rose Homestead

                                                    ~Winter Blues got you down?~                           Try some cold month Gardening! It is March 14th and still chilly here in Missouri, although we do get some really nice warm sunny days now and again. When the Daffodils come up it just makes me want to get out and plant something! But with a chance of frost still at bay, putting in a full garden would more than likely end in a frozen mess. But that doesn't mean you can't still get your hands in the soil! Here is how to grow a "mini cold weather garden" right on your back porch! You will need: *2 bags of soil *8 bags Lettuce  *4 bags Spinach  *Epsom Salt Plant Food Supplement  (This is what I did, but you can get any amount you want, depe...

Chickens are such a fun thing to have on the farm or Homestead! But you may be wondering, what breed of chicken you should get! Let me share some of my experiences. The Farm Store Special We have pretty much always gotten our chicks from our local farm store and we usually get either  *Rhode Island Reds  or  *Sex Links And we have had really good luck with both breeds. (Talking about hens here) 

                                                                       Bath Time                ~Rub A Dub Dub, Goat In The Tub~ Goats don't need a bath often or at all most of the time. However, sometimes it is necessary to bath a goat! For instance, you may need to bath your goat if you plan to show it, shave his/her coat, or maybe you just want your pet goat to be, well less mucky. lol  I just gave my milk goat "Firefly" a bath. It's just a lot more appetizing, milking a clean goat, rather than a muck stained goat. lol  Goats, much like donkeys, horses, cows, etc, will have natural oils in their coat, that help protect them from the elements, so it is important not to bath them too often. But once in a while is perfectly fine and may also help...

                                                  ~What Goats Eat~ Besides the rose bushes in moms flower bed.... (lol) what do goats eat?  Goats need good nutrition to thrive. In this article I am going to tell you exactly what I feed my goats on a daily basis and how I go about keeping them healthy. Disclaimer: I am in no way a vet, but rather a farm girl. If your goat is not gaining weight or has other health/diet issues I recommend you see a veterinary. This is just what I feed my goats and how I combat some of the basic nutritional needs of our own goats. :) 1. Pasture/ Browsing  Goats are known for their ability to brows. They are wonderful for clearing land, eating brush, shrubs, weeds and other forage. If you need land cleared, goats would definitely be a great option. Another great thing about having pasture for your goat...

                                              ~Ham Salad~  As a little girl I remember walking into my great grandma's house and the aroma of homemade Ham Salad, she had made for sandwiches was wonderful. Ham Salad Sandwiches were always a tradition when we went to visit! They are a wonderful good thing for family gatherings, picnics or even a quick snack! I would love to share the recipe with you! I think you will enjoy them just as much as we have! These are definitely a grandchild favorite! You will need: `1 package Hot Dogs (I use all natural, with no added nitrates or nitrites) `1 cup Mayonnaise  `1/3 cup Yellow Mustard `1/2 cup Sweet Relish Whip up some Ol' Fashioned Goodness First put the hot dogs in a food processor or smash them up with a fork. Then transfer the hot dogs to a bowl and add the Mayo, Mustard and Relish. Mix everything t...

                                            ~Egg Noodles~                                                      Straight from the Coop! One great and delicious way to preserve eggs, is making egg noodles! These can be stored for up to six months in a temp controlled area that is not moist. Such a great thing to do with all the extra eggs you get in the spring and summer! Keep reading to learn how to make them! Things you'll need: #1 Farm Fresh Eggs (or any eggs you have) #2 All Purpose Flour #3 Water #4 Salt #5 Big Mixing Bowl #6 Rolling Pin (We are going to do this the old fashioned way, but you can definitely use a kitchen aid attachment if you'd like) #7 Fork #8 Knife or Pizza Cutter Put 2 cups of flour ...

                                       ~Fried Chicken~ There is nothing like Fried Chicken on a Sunday Afternoon! I love this recipe and I think you will too! *First off, rinse the chicken *You will need two large bowels. In the first bowl crack some eggs and beat them well. In the second bowl add some all purpose or Gluten free flour. (The amount of eggs and flower depends on how much chicken you plan to fry)  *Prepare the frying pan with a right smart amount of Shortening, Lard or Oil. *Use a pair of tongs to handle the chicken. Dip the chicken into the egg mixture and then roll it in the flour until fully covered. *Then into the fry pan it goes! *After the pan is hot, Cook for 15-20 minutes slowly, turning each piece 3 - 4 times. Then cover with a lid and cook for 20 minutes. You may need to adjust this and cook longer till fully done inside. Use a couple fo...