What a wonderful day!

The new chicks are here.  We enjoy all aspects of raising chickens, turkeys and ducks; but getting the baby chicks has got to be one of the best!  It is so good to be out in the sunshine and fresh air oooing and ahhing over these little guys.  The new batch of chicks is a mix of Araucana and Rhode Island Reds.  Even the pigs and Boaz, our dog, seemed particularly excited.  Here are some pictures for you to join the fun!

A new cuddly chick.

The duck trio!

The girls call this little guy "Eskimo"

Eskimo again... he might end up with the layers ;)

Boaz keeping watch.

Aquilla is excited, too.

Two wee lovelies

Priscilla tromping in the woods nearby.

The markings are so pretty.

Brooder

Awww...

We just can't get enough!  Here's a RIR.

New peeps to guard.

As you can see we built the brooder low for child and wheelchair access.

Happy in the sunshine and fresh air.

Cornish are growing well, too and enjoying the outdoors.

Trustworthy

Natural Easter Eggs....

Who needs dye when you can just go out to the nest box.  Aren't they beautiful!  God's creation is stunning.

This picture is from a California hatchery, but they look just like ours!  And we get to enjoy them year round. :)

A very nice talk..

We had a wonderful morning talking with Ozarks Farm & Neighbor this morning.  We feel very blessed to be able to share about our farm.  Thanks!

Pick up your copy!

Dedication...

That's our dedicated farmer!  What a great guy.

Springfield Delivery Saturday...

A quick reminder to get those chicken orders in by Friday for Springfield delivery on Saturday! Those who have free home delivery, we are still offering it- you know who you are!  *smile*

 We will also be at the Farmer's Market of the Ozarks soon (not this week, yet)! As always, if you just can't wait for your yummy chicken, stop by Homegrown Foods where you'll find our chicken in the freezer case.

Thank you for choosing our farm and supporting our family.

More chicks are coming!

More chicks are coming! We are grateful to be doing something we have longed to do for awhile and that is to give life to the roosters who would otherwise be disposed of early in their lives. (Yes, we do honor their lives and pay for them.) This allows us to grow a more sustainable bird for your table that is still tender and delicious.

Also, we get to try some brooding with capons for our chicks.  Glad to see more wee ones around the farm! :)  

The Piglets are Growing...

It has been a joy to watch the piglets grow and become much more friendly!  We thought you'd enjoy seeing them!

Priscilla & Aquila

Priscilla looking for a treat.

Aquila has taken longer to warm up, but he finally has!

Gently taking treats...

Yum!

They love the kiddos.

Hello!

They like the other animals, too.

Enjoying the beautiful day for grafting.

Here is a special old plum being grafted.

Grafting Lessons Cancelled...

We are sorry, and honestly, very sad  to announce that the grafting lessons have been cancelled due to lack of interest.  We will be taking advantage of the numerous years of experience in both common and rare grafts from our kind and generous grafter as a family.  I am thankful we can learn these skills.

Reminder, place your grafting lesson RSVP by tonight!

We have had some inquiries as to where the grafting lessons will be held.  They will beheld at our farm in Elkland.  They will be focused on the beginning grafter, but experienced grafters are also welcome!  Just a reminder to RSVP by tonight either by email (autumnblessingfarm@gmail.com) or via the event button on facebook!  Thank you all for your interest.

We have been enjoying the weather and the animals are, too!  It has been fun to see the piglets warm up and follow us all around!  We hope to put some pictures on soon of the growing chicks, ducklings & piglets in case you can't make it for the grafting lessons to see them in person. *smile*

Informal Grafting Lessons this Saturday...

This Saturday at 10am a wonderful, very skilled teacher and grafter will be here on the farm sharing a few different grafting techniques.  There will be time for hands-on grafting as well as a Q&A time over coffee and cookies.  Right now the weather looks like it should be good; but if it rains, we will just bring our practice grafting inside.

If you are planning on coming, please RSVP via phone or email by Thursday night.  Hope to see you here Saturday!

RSVP:
(417) 763-5453 (Eric)
or
autumnblessingfarm@gmail.com

A Fun Contest for All... Win a Free Chicken

We will be at the Farmer's Market of the Ozarks soon.  As we have been designing our booth, we want a welcoming atmosphere where people interested in talking about organic farming and food can come and stay awhile.  We will be offering our pastured, organically raised chicken, coffee and place for great conversation about farming and food.  Your challenge: is to make a chicken image using coffee beans!  (See our example photos below.)  The best entry will win a free whole chicken and recognition!  Feel free to pass this on to your friends.

Just send a photo of your artwork to: autumnblessingfarm@gmail.com

Entries are due by March 23rd, 2013.  Winners will be announced on March 25th, 2013.

A Fun Family Friday Bonus

Here are a couple of family fun websites your family might also enjoy.


First we have Neuroscience for kids!  What a great place from the University of Washington.  Full of fun games and activities to do together as a family while learning more about the wonder of our body!  Enjoy.

Neuroscience for Kids

Our six year old daughter just loves, loves, loves paperdolls.  She has all types and it seems like there are hundreds of them, but she knows each by name.  They are so simple but so much fun.  We ran across this page with over 50 years of Betsy McCall paper dolls.  Just click on the year, then the doll sheet and print.  Years of fun to follow! :)

Besty McCall Paper Dolls 

The very first Betsy McCall doll from 1951

Saturday Springfield Delivery...

Just a quick reminder to place your chicken orders by tonight for Springfield delivery!  Thank you for supporting your local farmer and our family! We've got to have the best customers around!

Friday's Recipe: Roasted Whole Chicken

This week's recipe has got to be our hand's down favorite for oven roasting!  It makes a delicious, tender, juicy chicken and is very simple and hands off!  In fact, a lot of times we just put on the oil/ butter (or just oil) and our own spice blends and throw it in the oven.  Comes out delicious every time!  The recipe is listed on Food.com, another family favorite website.  Enjoy!

Kittencal's Best Blasted Rapid-Roast Whole Chicken

By Kittencalskitchen on April 09, 2007

Photo by Gamer Gal

279 Reviews

• 
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Servings: 4-6

About This Recipe

"Blasting with high heat will shrink the skin and seal in all the juices to create an extremely moist and tender chicken with lovely crispy skin - and it will be on your table in about an hour. This method will also work with a larger chicken, but cooking time will need to be increased. You may adjust all seasonings to taste. If you are not a lemon lover, then you may omit the lemon juice. You really can use whatever seasoning that you like for this. I like to use seasoned salt. Make certain to use a fork and poke holes all over in the lemon, then place it into the cavity of the chicken. Roast roast as stated. The chicken with be moist and have a faint lemon flavor. For more of my tried-and-true recipes, visit my food blog at www.kittencalskitchen.com."

Ingredients

• 1 whole chickens ( about 3 to 3-1/2 pounds)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice ( can use more lemon juice if desired)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons seasoning salt ( or use as much as desired)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 whole lemons ( poked all over with holes using a fork, can use 2 small lemons, if you don't have any lemons an onion)

Directions

1. Rinse the chicken inside and out well under cold water, then pat dry using a paper towel.
2. In a small bowl mix the lemon juice with oil and melted butter until blended, then rub all over the chicken.
3. Using clean hands rub the inside and outside of the chicken with seasoned salt, garlic powder, black pepper and cayenne (you can season the chicken under the skin also if desired).
4. Place the lemon/s inside the cavity.
5. Place the chicken into a baking dish (you can place the chicken onto a small roasting rack if desired and you may want to add in a little water to the pan to prevent smoking).
6. Using cotton string tie the legs together tightly.

7. At this point you may cover and refrigerate for up to 6 hours (not more than that or the acid in the lemon juice will start to "cook" the chicken).
8. Set oven to 450 degrees F.
9. Roast the chicken at 450 degrees for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 400 degrees and continue roasting for about 40 minutes (or until the internal temperature reaches about 175 to 180 degrees F. about 1 hour or a little less).
10. Cover with foil and let sit for 15 minutes before slicing (do not slice before that time or the juices will flow out!).

A fun project for your home...

 Here's a great little article with directions about building a Mason Bee house in no time at all!
Build a Mason Bee House in 5 Minutes

and...

A bit about Missouri Bees.
The Great Missouri Buzz Off

Senate Bill 155...

GMO Labeling Bill here is Missouri for modified fish and meats.  

Missouri next battleground state for GMO labeling

Credit Timothy Valentine/flickr

Winter Family Fun Ideas...

On this cold morning, we thought we'd share an article on winter gardening project ideas to do as a family. Hope it gives some inspiration and fun! Enjoy.

http://pss.uvm.edu/ppp/articles/wintrfun.htm

Photo by englishsnow

Chick Pictures!

We love that we have the privilege of supporting local businesses in our farm.  We had a fun trip up to Lebanon to pick up our chicks today from Cackle Hatchery.  The girls each got presents for one another with their hard earned dollars.  Some ducks for our duck lover and some rare chicks for our chicken lover!  Our big guy will have to wait for his guineas a few months, though. :)

These little guys are healthy, strong and active!  They are tough to photograph. But here are a few...