Come visit us at the Connecticut Country Store!

Come visit us at the Connecticut Country Store!
Smart Folks Shop Local!

Thought for the moment.....

Friday, December 31, 2010

New Years Eve

I once read that goats do not wag thier tails in happiness like dogs - to whomever wrote that you are totally wrong!  They wag thier tails when pet, when given treats, when they see John or I walking down the drive - they are wagging fools!

Well tonight is the end of 2010.  It has been an eventful and wild year and John and I are so grateful for the support of our loved ones and strangers now friends.  We made a lot of mistakes and I hope we have learned from them.  Every year will get better (and hopefully a little easier :)).

For the year 2011 we have set new goals for ourselves for the store and for our lives.  At the store we want to make changes for the better especially working more on outreach to the community.  At our home we are making a goal to try to live on as little as possible.  This is our last night of things like home TV, home internet, netflix....  We aren't dedicated enough to give up heat or electricity, but we will try to keep the heat down, the A/C down, the lights off when we aren't in the room.  We do these things now, but could do better.  We are also going to try hard not to buy anything new this year.  We can buy used, borrow, or barter, but nothing new (except things like food and TP - haha).  We are also going to try a 1 night a month out on the town, having more little gatherings at home.  This will be a focus of my blogging the next few months as well as projects to improve our hobby farm and our preparations for the new years plants.

Happy New Year to all of you, be well!

Thursday, December 30, 2010

December 30, 2010

My back went out yesterday so I can't say I accomplished much of anything.  If you look up 'train wreck' in the dictionary you might see my picture - haha!  John, on the other hand, cleaned the entire house, did dishes, did the laundry, and made dinner.  That makes him a keeper.  Last night after work my little sister picked me up at my office to drive me to my car, LOVE MY SISTERS!  She also showed me a lipbalm holder she's been working on for my lipbalm on the go and she gave me our treasured collection of a million beads we have had for years so I can add them while spinning yarn - my new adventure.  I am hoping to feel well enough today to work on a project.  Be well!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is mom's birthday and its a beautiful day in Connecticut which suits her perfectly.  There is snow all on the ground, little wind, and higher temperatures - finally - we've been freezing here!  The goats are getting used to the snow and the dogs are playing in it like puppies.  It is so quiet in the early morning hours all I here are the calls of the animals around us and its wonderful.  I am hoping to start blogging again now that we have a little wiggle room in our lives again!  You can start off the fun with me by checking out the goats's first blizzard at The goats' first blizzard!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Make your own cultured butter!

Last night and this morning I made cultured butter from Mountain Dairy heavy cream and a bit of organic yogurt - DELISH! Tonight I'm going to turn it into maple butter. Wonderful on my pumpernickel bread. If you want to give it a try go to this link!  cook like your grandmother

CLOSED FOR THE WINTER!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of our wonderful supporters! Thank you to all of our artists and farmers for a wonderful year! Today is our last day for last minute shoppers, so get in between 12 and 4pm :) We will continue to post and blog through the winter and will open again in the spring! It has been a lot of hard work, but also a lot of fun - THANK YOU ALL!

Silky and Cochin Hut 2011

Guineas in their new flight cage!

Easy Bantam Nesting Boxes

Easy Homemade Bread!