Whatcha Up To???

[w_r_ranch]

Yesterday was still nasty so we did our weekly shopping & then all I did was bake bread & make the pot of pinto beans.

Today I made a batch of stuffed jalapenos, dressed with our 'buckboard bacon'. Then since today was warmer (56 degrees & sunny), I figured I'd get started replacing the porch lights with the new LEDs. It took a little longer that I anticipated due to the fact that the wasps are still alive (although somewhat sluggish due to the cold). After removing the old bulbs, I sprayed copious amounts of wasp spray into each enclosure & let if sit for an hour before proceeding (I hate, hate, HATE them dang things - especially the red ones). After that, cleaning & installing the new retrofits was a snap. While the new 13 watt LED retrofits only produce 1030 lumens vs 1310 for the old 90 watt incandescents, we will save 85.55% on electricity.

Next up will be building the custom LED light strips for the kitchen & other built-in cabinets/display cases.

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[w_r_ranch]

Put out 3 rolls of hay & fed the cattle.

Threw some more junk from the guest house into 'the hole' in back & then burned the trash.

Made a 'Kieffer Pear/Oatmeal Crisp' for dessert tonight.

 

[w_r_ranch]

Made a loaf of Italian bread & a small loaf of white wheat...

 

[Mike]

Today was a pretty good day. Took the family to cut down our Christmas tree then spent the evening at a state park then dinner with the in-laws.

 

[Mr_Yan]

Cleared out the bedroom upstairs and bought carpet for it. Being installed tomorrow.

Milled an oak door sill for the transition from carpet to wood floor by hand.

Cut a few dovetails by hand in poplar.

Mostly designed a woodworking hand tool cabinet for my shop.

Had my dad and his wife over for the weekend.

 

[w_r_ranch]

Weeded half the garden.

Ordered basil seed & 'Imperial Star' artichoke seeds. My grandpa used to grow artichokes in his garden & I've always want to grow them (for spinach/artichoke dip)... The artichokes will be a new addition to our garden & are perennial here. I'll need to get them started ASAP if we want to harvest some this coming summer.

 

[wolffman]

Finally got all the onions planted. Ended up with almost 500 in the ground. We planted 5 different varieties, including 2 types of red onions. I'm not real confident with the outcome of the red ones, but even if we can get some small ones I'll be happy.

 

[w_r_ranch]

Baked a loaf of bread.

Got a 'Boston butt' thawed out & seasoned up for tomorrow's smoke.

Did an artichoke 'how-to' for those that are interested.

 

[ErnieCopp]

Sam,
Be sure and keep Ants completely away from your artichokes. They petals form a perfect hiding place for them down in the fruits, and very difficult to get rid of, once they get a foothold.
I do not grow them anymore, but they are a wonderful vegetable to grow.

Ernie

 

[w_r_ranch]

Good tip Ernie!!! I can imagine that they will be a pain like they are with okra...

Today I fed the cattle & put out more hay. Thursday we have to deliver 5 bulls to their new owners (tax management).

Smoked a Boston Butt that we will eat off of for the rest of the week.

Decided to cut the grass (ahead of the rain). We had a heavy ground fog this morning which is a good indication of rain 3-5 days out...

Water the plants in the greenhouse while Mrs. Ranch harvested some radishes.

 

[w_r_ranch]

Did our weekly shopping & picked up cattle feed.

Refilled bird feeders.

Made a pot of fresh cranberries.

Mrs. Ranch vacuum packed the slabs of smoked pork roast from yesterday.

Since I'll be busy most of tomorrow, I went ahead & made the bread dough for tomorrow.

 

[w_r_ranch]

Delivered bulls yesterday & fed the remaining cattle (we have a few more bulls that will be delivered after the first of the year) The baked bread.

Today we went to town (bank, groceries, feed store & haircut). Replaced 3 'hose hangers' & made a pot of pinto beans for supper.

 

[w_r_ranch]

Starting to rain here early this morning & has gotten heavier this afternoon). Me & the dogs are are spending some quality time together watching movies while Mrs. Ranch continues working on a hand-stitched lap quilt for Christmas gift.

Made a loaf of bread.

 

[Mr_Yan]

Working on cleaning my shop again and built two stools for the "helpers" to be at a proper height for the work bench.

Made dough for gingerbread men - soon to be rolled out, cut, and baked.

Pot of soup on the stove now.

 

[w_r_ranch]

Still raining here... there's water everywhere. We got 1.50" yesterday & 1.92" thus far today & it's still raining intermittently.

 

[w_r_ranch]

Got a flat of 3" pots ready for the artichoke seeds (they should be here today or tomorrow).

Picked up another load of cattle feed & then put out more hay.

Hung a Stratus RG202 Rain Gauge.

Got a beef shoulder roast seasoned up with our spicy Italian oil, cracked pepper & additional rosemary for tomorrow.

 

[w_r_ranch]

Finally received my seed shipment, so the artichokes will be started tomorrow.

Made 'rolled wheat' bread.

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Harvested some more radishes to snack on & 5 kohlrabi that will be added to tonight's pot roast.

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[w_r_ranch]

It's much cooler here today... yesterday was shorts & flip-flops, today is sweatpants & socks...

Watered the stuff in the greenhouse & turned the heater back on. Planted a flat of artichokes. I only want 6 plants, so if anyone 'local' would like some, let me know...

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[Mr_Yan]

Isn't there a point where there's enoughStar Wars? Seems that every other song on the Amazon prime classical channels is Star Wars and every third news feed story online is a press release about the movies. Enough all ready, we know the movie is coming out this weekend and I'll even watch it, eventually.

 

[w_r_ranch]

Ranch chores this morning: Brought 12 more rolls of hay home so I don't have to mess with it during the holidays. Then I fed them & put 3 rolls of hay out which should last them for 12 days.

 

[w_r_ranch]

After eating off the pot roast for 3 days, I turned the remains into beef/barley/vegetable soup. Home-grown kohlrabi, potatoes, corn, carrots, tomatoes, green beans, okra, onions... even the bay leaves were grown here!!!

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[Mr_Yan]

got about 1/2" of snow over night. Woke up and it was 8 deg F outside.

Playing in my woodshop more. Cutting more dove tails and working on a tool cabinet plan

 

[w_r_ranch]

Yesterday, I only made bread & then did computer maintenance chores.

Today I refilled the bird feeders, harvested some more radishes, removed the lower leaves brussel sprouts plants & cleaned the dogs ears (such a fun chore).

Mrs. Ranch is working on finishing up the hand-stitched 'lap quilt'.

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[Mike]

Made 'rolled wheat' bread.

Have you posted a recipe for this? That bread looks amazing!

 

[Mr_Yan]

Starting to think I should have left winter kale and collards going. We were 58° F yesterday and will be above freezing for the five day forecast.