PRESERVING & STORING EGGS

Chickens are easy farm animals to have - provide them a safe space, quality feed, clean their coops weekly & provide fresh water daily. 

Hooterville Homestead Logo

We seem to have an abundance of eggs. Many homesteaders use the water glass storage method for their eggs, some crack an egg in cube trays & freeze (great for baking), other dehydrate (no idea how they do this last method)  I do know that when you dehydrate, you should store in freezer.

Not being a person that likes to "reinvent the wheel" I am sharing a link on tried and true methods. For those that are not aware of the many methods to preserve eggs!

https://www.thepurposefulpantry.com/how-to-preserve-eggs/

 Stock up and get ready for the colder months when eggs are scarce. 

Happy SPRING!

Hooverville Homestead

NEW AL HOMESTEAD - A FIXER UPPER

Welcome Hooterville - https://www.hootervillehomestead.com!  I am back, now that we have a long awaited property, I can concentrate on the homestead living aspect of life and blog.

It has only taken 17 years!! I have waited 17 years to finally move to a farm!  We settled in a new state  - 25+ acres - 2 ponds - 1 large barn (needs work) 

• Chickens purchased - 10 to start
• Planted 25 fruit tries so farm - 10 peach and 5 apple - 10 pear-  more coming... 
• Can't wait to get the garden started! - so many plans in the works.

Husband has his area of the farm, he has his own orchard and various other trees to go along with his 'food plot" - always the hunter! 

My plan is to "pay it forward" - I want to provide a non-profit farm to help the community, with eggs, and various fruits and vegetables.

Stay tuned! 

Meanwhile - some Photos of the homestead

 

Nancy @ Hooterville

THANKSGIVING THANKFUL - GOD - FAMILY - FOOD - FRIENDS - GRATITUDE

 I am thankful!  I have a new Home State - a New Homestead - Renewed Relationships - a New Beginning! Excited for sure! 

I lived for 17 years in Virginia - it was such a horrible experience for me - from getting a very disfunction job with Dept. of Interior - working and living in a hostile environment - Non of this was pleasant, I was depressed, unhappy, miserable - Yet, I remain grateful for that experience, I learned much about myself, became a better person.  I guess I needed to be in that situation to get to where I am now! That is how God works - Grateful, Thankful!

My talented Daughter drew this!

Who else is excited to cook this year for Thanksgiving?

I want to share with y'all  a new "food find" - I rediscovered the best ever flour! Check out my favorite mill - You will not be disappointed!  

https://www.palousebrand.com

Using Palouse Brand I made:  

Whole Wheat Bread

Whole Wheat Blue Berry Coffee Cake

Melt in your Mouth Sugar Cookies

For a quick cookie to make on the holidays or any day actually the "Melt in your Mouth Sugar Cookies". This recipe is so easy! Low on sugar - a very popular cookie - you will eat the crumbs out of the jar. 

Providing you a link to my favorite cookie!

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/10856/melt-in-your-mouth-shortbread/

WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FIND FRIENDS AS AN OLDER ADULT WHEN YOU MOVE?

and I add "fit" into an established community/coworkers!   

Speaking from experience, I can say that moving from coast to coast is more difficult for older adults, making friends takes emotional, and sometimes physical effort, as I have aged, making those efforts became harder to pull off.  

It is important to know friends can always be made, just be one!

As I prepare to move away from my home of 14+ years,  I take with me valuable lessons.  I had more than a difficult time "fitting in" when I came to Virginia, this was not the case for the first year I lived in Maryland, my new friendships flourished, I thrived, I was happy.  Moving & living in Virginia brought me to my lowest point of unhappiness ever in my life, I survived, learned and grew.

Lessons I learned on how to find new friends:  

1. Make the First Move.

• Don’t be shy. Take the initiative and introduce yourself to your new neighbors right after you move in.

2. Just Say Yes.

• Say yes to any and all invitations and opportunities in your new city. 

3.  Volunteer in your community. 
     *best thing I did, met many a wonderful gal pal!

• Seek and search out how you can help your community, work in a food bank, find a senior in a nursing home, read to children, become a big sister or brother.

4.  My Tips 

• Don't expect all to fall in line immediately, the 'right' person will show up!
• Join an online group such as "Meetup" - https://www.meetup.com (you will find in App store)  I found some groups that hike and go out for group functions, even have a yoga meet up!

A Nancy Story: 

When I was recovering from my knee surgery, I was advised to take an aqua swim class, my first day in the pool, I was so excited and encouraged, as I was standing at the end of the pool, this older lady came up to me and told me I was in 'her' spot, I look around, and my first thought was "really" Grandma Gangster, this is a public pool! 

Without saying anything, I did move over, the Gangster Grandma Group later that morning did invite me to the hot tub and lunch after our swim, I fielded a few questions from the Gangsters. (lol)   I still see them from time to time.

My Gangster moment at one time would have crushed my feelings and lowered my spirits, but in my dealings with mean co-workers and a hateful community and the unwelcomeness (like I never ever had experienced), I knew now this was not about "me"  or anything I did or not do, it was all about their low self-esteem, short mindedness, rude and inconsiderate behavior.  

Just prepare yourself and know that not everyone is going to like you, don't deter, be yourself, be true to yourself.