Self Employment

So a great part about being self employed is that I am (and Rob is…) as free as can be in what I desire to do. I have been making something great, well, a couple of great things off and on for the past few years and I have recently decided to open up and start as an offering to the Pagan Community.

So my announcement: I am now taking custom orders for Ritual Garment construction and for my unique, handmade, hand designed Goddess flags.

Here are some photos:

I’ll have more photos as I create more. I also intend to make children’s garments too. My specialty is really Robes, Capes, Cape-lets, Tunics, Gowns and the flags of course. The next series of flags are going to be different and are in development presently. The prices for ritual garments vary based on a number of factors. The flag costs are: $35 for one flag, (commissioned only, I have no intention of breaking up sets) $225 for an entire series of seven. Each series is different, unique and handmade. I leave edges raw and just kind of sew then how I feel the energy coming through the piece.

For garments or flags, please contact me at mysticwoodsfarm@tds.net

I can provide price quotations, fabric options, take commission requests and anything else you or I can think of!

So that is my latest addition to my self employment status. Serving the Pagan Community with quality made garments for ritual or everyday!

Meet the Goats and New Chickens

Pippen-Alpine Billy-rather bashful

Brandon-Boer Billy

Tulip-Alpine Nanny

White Legs-Alpine Nanny-She doesn’t have white legs

Fresh goat milk

Rob milking on the stanchion he built from just a peek at a picture in an old book. I think he did a fantastic job!

Black Jap Roosters- I have never heard of  this breed. Anyone have a link on any info?

A random bantam breed. The gal I got them from couldn’t remember the name of the breed but they are pure bred. Any ideas? I am going to do a search tonight.

Ant these three fellas get the ax tonight.

Off to buy freezer paper. As soon as I get videos loaded I’ll post those too!

Holy Smokes!

It’s been a few days I guess huh? Okay so here is the update (photos and video shall follow later, probably tonight…)

Goats: there are four, not five. I managed to get a great Alpine Billy for $50. His name is Pippen. Then 2 days ago we drove 2.5 hours to get three more goats: Alpine Nanny named Tulip, Alpine Nanny named White Legs and a Boer Billy named Brandon. They have all had hemp collars With bells made and affixed, are happy and loving their new home.

The nannies are milking a gallon per day so into cheese making full throttle we go. I have 2 gallons in my fridge right now so I’m going to pick up some plain yogurt tonight so I can make yogurt from the next milking this evening.

I think that’s about it.

Nope, I lied. I have to go pick up 6 more chickens off of Freecycle this afternoon. 4 bantam something (she didn’t know) and 2 Black Jap roosters (I have never heard of this breed, have you?)

OFf to much to chicken coop and move the roos to their own space for the summer….videos and photos later.

Critter Update

Fabulous Forum!!

Go visit a brand spankin’ new forum:

Pagan Homesteaders

It’s so new, there aren’t even any posts yet. I’m still building the categories and the forum topics, so bear with me…it’s a learning process and I have to come up with all of the topics I think other Pagan homesteaders, or other open minded folks might be interested in. Now bear in mind, I have an open door policy. Anyone can join, but all must keep in mind that topics are probably going to lean toward a Pagan bend.

So go check me out…sign up….start posting….give your recommendations for topics and categories, etc. If you are interested in being an Admin or moderator, lemme know and I’ll see about it. Help promote the board, too! It’s going in all of my signatures, that’s for sure!

Now, I think that’s all for tonight!

The Raised Beds

Here are the promised photos. You’ll have to visit my flickr to see the notes on the photo of the entire spread of the yard garden.

More photos in a couple days of bunnies, and goats and progress on the goat fencing that is getting finished tomorrow since storms rolled through today.

BABIES!!!!!!

Delilah had her babes sometime last night. Her litter had seven but two didn’t make it. It’s so neat to see the little pink wiggly babies!

Some in the nest…

Some out of the nest…

And the proud mama!

I’ll take video in a couple of days. Presently, mama is a little jittery upon opening the hutch, so I’ll leave the little family alone for a couple of days.

Living REALLY Frugal

Vanessa and Dan are great friends of ours. In fact, they are getting married on July 12th and Rob and I are officiating their nuptials! Recently they purchased a tipi and set to putting it up on a great piece of land his parents gave them to live on. Today our first visit was made.

Once the summer weather passes us by they have plans for insulating the floor from the ground, for now there are a couple of rugs here and there on top of some tarpaulins. It’s really very cozy and lovely. I am so thrilled for them!

Garden Coming Together

Today consisted of getting planted Strawberry Popcorn, Tom Thumb Popcorn, 6 different pole and bush beans, our strawberry plants planted, our melon, cuke and squash plants planted and weeding done in the bed where our sweet corn is planted. The final 2 small beds, the one for the girls and the 2 small herb beds had their fanal touched finished today too so every bed is ready for planting if it hasn’t already been. I don’t have pictures today for 2 reasons, #1 planting got finished just as Thor began raining the land, and #2 I need new camera batteries. Pictures probably Monday.

I made the calls today and Tuesday we load up the girls and the pickup crate and go 2 hours south to Litchfield to pick up our Boer buck and our Alpine nannie, then to Rice on the way home to pick up our Boer nannie and her 2 doe kids for the ride home…fencing needs finishing this weekend. The Alpine is milking about a gallon a day, I’m told! It is going to be thrilling not to have to buy soy or cow milk anymore. I’ll expose the Alpine immediately to the Boer buck so hopefully I’ll have some more kids down the road! Thrilling! The cost for all 5 goats is $450. Not too shabby. There is only one buckthorn in their reach that needs removing so they don’t eat it. Other than that, they’ll be golden in their pen. Again, I’ll have photos of them after they arrive. THRILLING!! Spring is here and everything around us is growing!

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes

I had been watching this week’s installment of Decor it Yourself, a Threadbanger series (links shall be up…D.I.Y. is frugal, too!!!) and I came across this great blog called How About Orange. I saw and immediately knew I needed to make this cupcake recipe. I listed it below but I encourage you to check out the rest of How About Orange for other great recipes and crafty things and just plain old pretty and joy. So behold, a video of the making of these beautious cupcakes. Rob helped me tape, and you’ll see his other “contribution” as well. If you make these, let me know how you enjoyed them and if there are any changes you made to the recipe. I’ll link you in the spirit of info sharing….and who doesn’t like chocolate? OH! I should mention, some how I made 21 cupcakes for a recipe that called an 18 yeild….oh well….too bad, more cupcakes.

Filling:
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/3 c. sugar
1 egg
1/8 tsp. salt
1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. peanut butter chips (or just use more chocolate if you want)

Cupcakes:
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. baking cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. water
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 Tbs. white vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla

In a bowl, beat cream cheese. Add sugar, egg, salt. Mix well. Fold in chips. Set aside. For cupcakes, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Add water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix well. Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full with batter. Top each with 2 Tbs. of cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350º for 25-30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes and remove from pan. Makes 18.

AAAAAAAAND Photos…

Just prior to going into the oven…

Mid-bake….told you I’m impatient!

So pretty…can’t hardly stand the waiting…

Can I PLEEEEEEEEEEZE have one?

Oh my Goddess, yum!!

You have to try these!