Archive - November, 2013

The Burr Oak

November 29, 2013 in Fresh Off the Farm, Smorgasbord with 2 Comments

Burr Oak tree, leafless oak branches, picket fence, farm shed, branches, tree trunk,One of the commonly growing trees typical of our area is the Burr Oak.  We have a huge one on the farm next to our house.  Its arms sprawl out far in the summer to shade the house.

 

 

 

Family photos attest to the fact that this tree was large even in 1919. It has stood strong and tall over the years withstanding many a storm.

Swing in tree, burr oak tree, rope swing, tree trunk,

 

This tree offers not only shade in the heat of summer, it makes a fun place for the grandchildren to play on the swing. The tree also makes a great place for the cats to climb.

 

 

 

It has produced many fertile seeds.  Even now, two young oaks are growing up on the farm from its acorns.

 

burr oak acorns, Colored oak leaves, fringed acorns, fringed acorn caps, acorn caps, The Burr Oak acorn has a characteristic appearance, which makes identifying it rather simple.  Notice the the fringe on the acorn cap.  This indicates that it is from a Burr Oak.  Other oaks do not have the curly edge.

 

Our God is a great creator.  He takes a little acorn and blesses us with large, protective trees like this oak.

photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau

A Love Letter

November 27, 2013 in Family Ties, Snippets with 2 Comments

Ribbon, love letters, letters, fountain pen, bundle of love letters, letters,Could it be in these high-tech days of computers, internet and cell phones that many people will never have the joy of communication by love letters?

I remember the joy of receiving letters from my husband when we first got acquainted. We lived in different towns and, at times, different states.  The expense of long distance phone calls prevented us from calling each other.  The letters brought us closer in heart and mind.  In the early days of my relationship with my husband, I learned about him from the words he spoke and the words he wrote.  I could tell what things he considered important and about his desires for the future.  Better yet, I learned about his character.  Outside of being there in person, what better way to get acquainted with someone, than to hear or read his thoughts?

Have you ever considered why God inspired His Word, the Holy Bible?  He wants men and women, boys and girls to know Him. If you have a Bible, are you making time to get acquainted with God by reading and studying it? If you don’t have the Holy Bible, can you see why you need one? God desires a relationship with you.

I have been learning what God is like from His Word. I particularly have grown in my knowledge of His character by memorizing Bible verses. For example, Exodus 33:14 says, “And He said, ‘My Presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.'”  God accompanies mankind.  

The psalmist, King David, said in Psalm 139:7-10, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your Presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell  in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.'” The One, true, holy God is everywhere.

Thank Him for His Presence with you and determine to get to know Him more through reading and studying His Word, the Bible.

photo credit: Julie Edgley via photopin cc

Sandwich-making on the Farm

November 25, 2013 in Fresh Off the Farm, Smorgasbord with 2 Comments

We pick bones on the farm.  When we butcher chicken, the meaty pieces are frozen while the boney parts of the carcases are pressure cooked.  When cooled we pick the meat off of the meat grinder, hand-powered meat grinder, grinder,bones.  We freeze the cooked chicken bits for later use.

Making them into sandwiches is a process, I thought you might like to see.

While the chicken bits thaw, we set up the meat grinder.

 

 

 

 

 

meat grinder, chicken meat, grinding chicken,

 

We grind the meat by hand.

 

 

 

Chicken bits, cooked chicken,

 

 

 

 

The grinder turns the bits from this  . . .

 

 

 

 

 

cooked chicken meat, ground chicken,. . .to this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken sandwich, chicken salad sandwich, chicken salad, lettuce, tomato, onion, black olives, pickle, dill, sandwich, garnish,We add mayonnaise, dill pickle, and celery.

It is yummy!

photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau

Pressuring a Pumpkin

November 22, 2013 in Fresh Off the Farm with 0 Comments

pumpkin, pumpkin in sink,In my desire to have pumpkin available for pies, breads, etc., I priced canned pumpkin at the store.  For the price of buying 2 cans and getting 2 or more pies from them, I decided to buy a pumpkin.  Costing slightly more than a few cans of prepared canned pumpkin, the investment into a pumpkin was worth the cost.

About a week later, a friend of mine offered me a pumpkin she raised.

With the frost on the yard and the winter chill settling on the the landscape and in the farmhouse, now is the time to heat up the kitchen with a job like preparing the pumpkins.

pumpkin, pumpkin slices, cookie sheet,First, I wash the pumpkins.  I cut them for baking and scrape away any strings and seeds.  I save the seeds for making a snack later.  Scrapings become food for the chickens.

 

 

 

pumpkin, pumpkin slices baked, jelly roll pan,I bake the pumpkin pieces for about 1.5 hours until the flesh is tender.

 

 

 

 

 

pumpkin, pumpkin slice, pumpkin slice baked, pumplin peeling,

 

When it is cool enough to handle, I peel off the outer skin.

 

 

 

 

I puree the pumpkin with water in the blender.blender, Pumpkin,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pumpkin, pumpkin puree, kettle,The puree is heated in a kettle till hot.

 

 

 

 

 

canning jar, funnel, pumpkin puree, ladle, canning pumpkin,

 

 

It is spooned into canning jars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

canning jars, canning lids, funnel, pumpkin, pumpkin puree, canning pumpkin,

 

 

 

Lids are placed on the jars.

 

 

 

National pressure canner, pressure canner,Quart jars are cooked at 10 pounds pressure for 80 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pressure canner, canning jars, pumpkin, pumpking puree, canning pumpkin, jar lifter,

 

When finished the hot jars are carefully removed from the pressure canner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

canning jars, quart jars, pint jars, canned pumpkin, spiced pumpkin, pumpkin puree, pumpkin puree spiced,

Spiced Pumpkin and Not Spiced Pumpkin

I wash the jars, remove the screw bands, and label the jars.

 

 

 

At about 2 pies per quart, you can see I got a very good deal.  The pumpkin should last for quite a while.  Thanks to our pressure canner we should enjoy pumpkin pie and other dessert for a few years.

photo credit: Bretta Grabau
photo credit: Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Bretta Grabau
photo credit: Bretta Grabau
photo credit: Bretta Grabau
photo credit: Bretta Grabau
photo credit: Wenda Grabau

Corn Picking – A Harvest

November 20, 2013 in Fresh Off the Farm with 2 Comments

The last harvest each year on our farm is corn picking.  We have a small herd, so we don’t need as much corn as our neighbors do.  However, the effort is just as crucial and time consuming.  The challenge we have in the harvest, is that our picker picks one row at a time.  Combines which are a newer technology can pick multiple rows in one pass.  They also shell corn kernels off of the cob.  The corn picker picks the whole cob.

Tractor, one-row corn picker, farm wagon, corn harvest, corn picker, corn,

 

The tractor pulls the picker and a wagon.

corn, corn wagon, corn crib,

 

 

 

 

The filled wagons are transported back to the farm.

 

 

 

 

 

Harvesting Field corn, Ear corn, Wagon dumping ear corn, Elevator receives ear corn, ear corn, corn elevator,Corn is emptied into an elevator which raises the corn into the hole in the corn crib roof.  The the wagon is returned to the field to be filled again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ear Corn, Elevator, Corn Crib, Field corn, corn elevator,We fill our corn cribs and keep the ear corn for use over the winter.  You will notice that the corn cribs are made with slats that allow air to move freely through the corn pile. With the exposure to the air, mold is not as likely to grow as it would be in a closed building.

 

 

Field corn, Ear corn harvest, field corn on the cob, corn, corn harvest,Many things can complicate the corn harvests.  Weather can make or break the harvest days.  With not enough rain, the corn may not develop properly.  With too much rain, corn could mold in the field .  The tractors have difficulty driving in muddy fields.  Equipment breakdown can halt a harvest in many ways.

After we plow, plant, cultivate, pick and store, we thank God for each and every harvest He gives.

photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau

Making Anise Cookies

November 18, 2013 in Family Ties, Smorgasbord with 8 Comments

Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays emerge early in the stores.  We see evidence of them in our mailboxes.  Catalogs spill over with gift-giving ideas.  The hustle and bustle will come, but it is not yet here.  While this calm before the storm lingers, it is time to make cookies.  The family  recipe to which I refer is Grandma’s Anise Cookies. (It came to us from Grandma’s mother.)

cracked eggs in bowl, glass mixing bowl, Mix Master, eggs,Her recipe is an overnight recipe of only 4 ingredients.  The trick is to do it on a clear day.  Without the proper conditions, the cookies will not frost themselves.

 

Start with 4 eggs.  Beat at high speed till light.

 

Sunbeam Mix Master, making anise cookies, sugar, Mix Master, anise cookies,Slowly add 1.5 cups of sugar to the eggs.

 

You will want a dependable standing mixer for this job, since you will mix the sugar and egg mixture at high speed for 1/2 hour. The mixture will become light and thick.

 

Bottle of Anise oil, anise oil,

 

 

When the half-hour mixing is completed, add 6 drops of anise oil.  (Extract will not give the strength of anise flavor desired.  Anise oil will. I got my anise oil at my local pharmacy. At this rate of use, one bottle lasts many Christmases.)

 

 

 

 

Mix Master, Flour, Anise cookie batter, Sunbeam Mix Master,

Also add 1.75 cup flour slowly into the mixture.

 

 

 

Beat for an additional 5 minutes.

 

 

 

 

Flour, baking sheet, jelly roll pan,

 

 

Butter and flour cookie sheets.

 

 

 

 

Cookie sheet, teaspoons, anise cookie dough, jelly roll pan, floured cookie sheet,Place batter by the teaspoonful on cookie sheets.

 

 

 

 

 

floured cookie sheet, anise cookie dough, cookie dough, anise cookies,Let cookies sit overnight.  Bake the next morning at 325° for 8 minutes or less.

 

 

 

 

 

Self-frosting anise cookies, anise cookies, Grandma's anise cookies, anise cookies baked,These cookies freeze well. This recipe makes about 60 cookies.

photo credit: Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Bretta Grabau
photo credit: Wenda Grabau
photo credit: Wenda Grabau

Looking Back on Summer

November 15, 2013 in Fresh Off the Farm with 4 Comments

dark orange day lily, day lily in bloom, old-fashioned day lily,

Old-fashioned Day Lily

Although this is not officially winter, we got the first real snow fall this morning. The forecast leads us to expect below freezing temperatures this week with a thaw near the weekend. With the gray and chill in the air, I thought now might be a good time to highlight the sights of the past summer.  I hope you enjoy them and let this refresh you.

Among the sights of ongoing work, flowers reach out to cheer us and display God’s handiwork.

Blue Balloon Flower, Balloon flower in bloom, developing balloon flower buds,

Fully-opened Balloon Flowers and Developing Balloons

 

 

These blue beauties greet me as I step out onto my front porch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yellow zinnia, Pink zinnias,

Zinnias Reflect the Sun's Radience

 

Zinnias treat me to a splash of color out in the garden.

 

 

 

 

 

Mock Orange, Red Corn Crib, corn crib,

Mock Orange Beauty Mixed with Sweet Fragrance

 

 

The Mock Orange bush is heavily-laden with delicate blossoms.

 

 

 

 

 

Old-Fashioned Red Rose, Rose buds, red rose,

A Hardy Red Rose

 

 

Though her thorns prick, her beauty still captures one’s heart.

 

 

 

 

 

Pink Peony, peony,

Pink Peony Nods its Fully-Bloomed Head

 

This floral spectacle comes to a close with our Peony signalling the end as she takes summer’s final bow.

 

 

 

 

We thank the Lord for what He has done and eagerly await summer’s return when He paints a new canvas of beauty for us to behold.

photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Bretta Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau
photo credit:Wenda Grabau

Finishing Touches

November 13, 2013 in Cards with 3 Comments

Pencil sketch, tractor pencil sketch, grill of antique tractor, Vintage tractor,

Check the Over-All Appearance of the Sketch

When the sketch looks finished, I check out the overall feeling of the image. If a solid line looks faded in spots, I reuse the straight-edge ruler and freshen up the line. While I sketch and fill in the shadows of the sketch, the graphite smudges somewhat making white spots grayer than they should be.  I use a good eraser to highlight those areas that need whitening.  The contrasts between dark and light enhance the overall look of the piece.

Signature, pencil sketch, pencil,

Placing the signature

 

 

 

 

After all is done, I sign my work and date it. Not all artists will date their work, but that has been my choice. If the picture is unbalanced-looking, the signature goes in a place to balance it out.

As you see in this picture, the weight of the design is to the left.  I have done this purposely so that I can use the lighter part of the sky to superimpose lettering on the card in the future.

The picture is now ready for my graphic designer. The designer will scan the picture to her computer. The program on her computer will allow her to place the image of this picture on a card. She sends it to me for approval.  If there are improvements to make, we consult and decide on them.  When the project is finished, the digital image is sent to me and in most cases it is added to our website store as one of our products. I take the card image to the printer to make the product.

I hope you have enjoyed this side-by-side time as we witness the birth of a card.

photo credit:Deena Hall
photo credit:Deena Hall

Adding Detail to the Card

November 11, 2013 in Cards with 2 Comments

Shading the pencil sketch, pencil sketch of tractor, technique with paper stylus or smudger, paper stylus, smudger, shading in pencil sketch,

Shading tool, a paper stylus, smudges and softens shades of pencil lead.

I particularly enjoy this part of the card production.  This makes the card come alive.  Contrast and texture in the sketching add depth and authenticity to the drawing.

photo of tractor, tractor, John Deere vintage tractor, pencil sketch, pencil technique,

Notice the technique using the side of the pencil lead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To get the accuracy of the shading, the original photo is my guide.

 

 

 

 

 

Tractor pencil sketch, pencil lead, sharp pencil, detail of grill on tractor being sketched

Detail of Tractor Grill Made with Sharpened Pencil.

 

 

When all of the greater parts of the shading are done, I focus on the details.

photo credits: Deena Hall

Breaking News . . . Coupon!!!

November 9, 2013 in Cards with 0 Comments

Announcing our 40% discount coupon!

Effective immediately we are offering a 40% discount on all products on our website.  The coupon is effective through January 15, 2014.  This is an unprecedented opportunity to stock up on Christmas cards and note cards.

Enter the coupon code CHRISTMAS13 at check out when you place your order.

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