Welcome, Little Kateri Anne Grenier!!!!!

February 25

3:01pm

6 lbs 14 oz

and lots of dark hair

welcome little Kbird

Praying for Tee's safe delivery

Laura, Charlotte and I stopped in at Holy Trinity to pray for Teresa this afternoon.

and what a blessing!  Kateri was born while were were at the church, at 3:01pm.

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the "half empty or half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: "How heavy is this glass of water?"

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes." She continued, "The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything."

It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don't carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!

Cast your cares on the Lord,

and He will sustain you.  

psalm 55

Pope Benedict's farewell

“Dear brothers and sisters…The Lord is calling me to "climb the mountain", to devote myself even more to prayer and meditation. But this does not mean abandoning the Church, indeed, if God is asking me to do this, it is so I can continue to serve the Church with the same dedication and the same love with which I have done thus far, but in a way that is better suited to my age and my strength”. "We will always be close in prayer!".

The Hilleary's in SC

Praising God for His Goodness!

Miniature Cattle

Teresa told me about this new trend for smaller farms.  Here's a fun article on miniature cattle.


I'm hoping Christine is interested!  hint! hint!  :-)

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Ten Miniature Cattle Breeds for your Small Farm

By K. McDonald on October 27th, 2011

“Mini-Cows”
Miniature cattle are the perfect size livestock for smaller farms and acreages, they are much easier and safer to handle than standard sized cattle, and they are ideal as organic or grass-fed beef.

Butchering one animal provides the right amount of meat for a small family and has more choice-cuts. One “mini-cow” will feed a family of four for six months. Mini-milk cows are perfect for families who prefer cows milk to goats milk and wish to consume organic, hormone-free milk.

Minis range in size at three years of age from 36″ in height to a maximum of 48″. This is one-half to one-third the size of normal cattle.

Being herd animals, several mini-cattle would be well suited to two or three acres. They are 25-30% more feed efficient than large cattle. The gestation period of a mini cow is around 285 days, which is the same length as a full-sized cow.

Due to more homestead and hobby farms, miniature cattle numbers are growing rapidly, though they remain a miniscule percentage of the total cattle here in the U.S. Small cattle breeds are utilized in pastoral areas of the developing world and in the past they were favored by small peasant farmers in Britain.

Purchasing miniature cattle can cost between $500 to $12,000 USD, with the rare Panda possibly selling for $30,000. There are now more than twenty breeds of mini-cattle, the more common ones being less expensive.

Some refer to mini-cattle as the “green” red meat.

Below are photos and brief descriptions of ten breeds of mini-cattle.

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Belted Galloway

Miniature Belted Galloway
photo credit: Leiper’s Creek Valley Farm
The Galloway cattle originiated in Scotland as an extremely hardy breed with a great temperament. They are the oldest polled breed of cattle in the world and come in several colors with a white belt, black being the most common. Their unique double layer of hair gives them more climate flexibility. They are non-selective grazers and can be run with sheep. Cows are good mothers and good milk producers.

Further information: Mini-Beltie.org.

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Dexter

Dexter Mini Cow
Photo credit: wikipedia
The Dexter breed originated in Ireland. Dexter cattle are about half the size of a traditional Hereford. Mature cows weigh 600–700 pounds (270–320 kg) and mature bulls weigh 1,000 pounds (450 kg). They may be of several solid colors, black being the most common, with horns. Dexters make excellent milk cows, producing 2 to 2.5 gallons (7.6 to 9.5 liters) per day, but they are also excellent meat producers. Their third common use is as oxen.

Many of the miniature cattle breeds have been made by crossing Dexters with other breeds over these past two decades.

Further information: Oklahoma State

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Zebu

Miniature Zebu

Miniature Zebu Cow with Calf
Zebu originated as naturally small primitive cattle and may date back as far as 6,000 B.C. in South Asia. They are a tropical breed which is slow to mature, hardy, and disease resistant. If raised in cold climates, they require a barn. Mature cows should weigh 300 to 500 pounds, and bulls, 400 to 600 pounds. They come in a variety of colors.

Further information: International Miniature Zebu Association

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Jersey

Jersey Miniature Cattle
Photo credit: flickr

Jersey mini-cows can produce 2 to 3 gallons of milk per day. They need to be milked twice a day. One needs to lean very low to reach their udders. Jerseys have high butterfat content in their milk, a genial disposition, and they are adaptable to hot climates.

Further information: Wikipedia.

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Panda

Miniature Panda Cow
photo credit: wikipedia
The “Miniature Panda” is very rare, and has a white belt with a white face and black ovals around the eyes, giving it a panda-like appearance. A panda calf can bring as much as $30,000. It may result from a cross between an Irish Dexter and a Belted Galloway.

Further information: mini cattle

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Hereford

Miniature Hereford
photo credit: flickr
Miniature Herefords have been created by “breeding down,” or selecting the smallest livestock for breeding purposes. They consume about half that of full-sized cows and produce 50-75% of the meat. They weigh 500-700 pounds. There are over 300 miniature-Hereford breeders in the U.S., compared to only two dozen in the year 2000.

Further information: Australian Miniature Hereford Cattle Association.

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Lowline Angus

Lowline Angus Bull
photo credit: wikipedia
Developed in Australia, like the mini-Hereford, the Lowline Angus was also created by “breeding down” or selecting the smallest stock from the established Angus breed. On average, Lowline Angus cows weigh 650-950 pounds and are 36-42 inches in height, while bulls weigh 950-1350 pounds and are 39-46 inches in height. They are black, docile, and naturally polled, while calving easily. Their carcases have higher dressing percentage, marbled meat, and are well suited to beef production on grass.

Further information: Oklahoma State

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Texas Longhorn

Texas Longhorn Miniature Cow with Calf
photo credit: Indian Mountain
Miniature Texas Longhorns have been bred-down from standard-sized longhorns to approximately 1/3 the size. They are very hardy in dry climates, come in many colors, are gentle, and are good lean beef producers.

Further information: Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America.

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Highland

Miniature Highland Cattle
photo credit: AmByth Estate
Miniature Scottish Highland cattle are said to be similar to the size of the original cattle found on the Scottish isles. This ancient breed is used for beef and dairy and also as oxen. They are hardy and thrifty, have a stocky build and a long coat. They adapt well to mountains and colder climates.

Further information: Ruatiti Highland Cattle NZ

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Holstein

Miniature Holstein Cow
photo credit: Cumberland Miniatures
These are miniature milk cows and may produce 2-3 gallons of milk per day. The milk is of the same quality as from the full-size Holstein cow. Mini-milk cows are perfect for families who prefer cows milk to goats milk and who prefer to drink organic milk. The black and white Holstein originated in the Netherlands, as an excellent grass-raised dairy animal.

Further information: Mini cattle pros

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REFERENCES:

• Mother Earth News: Raise Small-breed Milk Cows.
• LA Times: Farms downsize with miniature cows.
• Microcattle
• Seattle: Sustainable Cattle Farming that’s good for cows, people, and the environment
• VIDEO (3 Minutes)
• Frequent Q & A about Mini Cows
• Mini-Cows for Mini-Farms
• Wikipedia

Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet

Maybe you saw this on New Advent.  This recording is 25 minutes long, but it is a loop of an elderly man singing:

Jesus' Blood never failed me yet, never failed me yet.
There's one thing I know
For He loves me so.
Jesus' Blood never failed me yet.

happy birthday, Peter!

The Many Faces of Peter

Happy Birthday Mr. Twelve Year Old!!!

May God bless you and keep you close to Him! 

Praise God for His Goodness!

A date!

Exciting news!

Mary and Grant St. Andrews on June 22, 2013  time tbd.....

Last summer camping

this was our campsite at Shenandoah River State Park.

It is a beautiful park and not very crowded.

Looking forward to more camping this year!

Baled Steel Cut Oats from the internet Interesting!

I'd like to try this soon!   Nonie and Nano, you might like this too!

Had you ever heard about soaking the oatmeal to neutralize the phytic acid?

Baked Steel Cut Oats.
And bonus for mommies with little ones: Baby Cereal Bars

1: Soak oatmeal overnight in water with tablespoon of plain yogurt, buttermilk, or kefir. This is not absolutely necessary, it's just a really good idea. Grains contains phytic acid, which prevent you from being able to absorb all of the grain's nutrition. Phytic acid also make grains harder to digest. I even read that soaking grains can help a person with a mild gluten allergy be able to eat some different types of grains.Yogurt, buttermilk and kefir all have natural enzymes that neutralize the phytic acid.

2. Drain oats in mesh collander. There is no need to rinse, just get rid of extra water. Put back in bowl.
3. Chop some nuts. 

 3. Whisk together the eggs, milk and maple syrup.  Or substitute brown sugar instead... same amount. 

4. Add egg mixture to oats along with fruit. I have some blueberries and raspberries in this one from my frozen fruits stash. Add cinnamon and canola oil. You could add nuts here too (unless you are making baby cereal bars too), but I just sprinkle mine on top. (They get toasty this way... yummy)

 5. (Optional.) I have a little guy (10 months today!) who will eat just about anything (yep. broccoli, peas, carrots...) so long as he gets to be the one who puts it in his mouth. This has made me have to be creative in how I feed him. Since this has little sugar in it and is minimally processed, I decided to make him his own batch of cereal bars. I just pulled out a little bit, put it in the food processor (to make it easier to eat... he doesn't have many teeth to handle the chewy oats), didn't include the nuts, and put in a little mini bake dish. (Do double check with your baby's pediatrician if you have concerns about whether your baby can have this... My baby can, but all babies are different, the allergen advice keeps changing, and I am no doctor)

 6. Place mixture in oiled pans. Sprinkle nuts on top. Bake in a 375 preheated oven for 20-40 minutes. It's done when a toothpick comes out clean. 

Serve warm with eggs on a Saturday morning.  Drizzle oatmeal with maple syrup.

Baked Steel Cut Oats Recipe

Ingredients:
3 cups Steel Cut Oats
1 TBS plain yogurt, buttermilk, or kefir
½ cup chopped nuts
3 eggs    
1 cup of milk                        
½ cup dried fruit or 1 cup of fresh or frozen fruit
1 TBS cinnamon
2 TBS canola oil
2 TBS maple syrup

Steps:

1. Soak oats overnight. Place oats in large bowl, fill with water till water is an inch over the oats, place a generous tablespoon of plain yogurt in bowl.
2. Preheat oven to 375. Grease pans.
3. Drain oats in colander and place back in bowl.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and maple syrup until frothy.
5. Add egg mixture to oats along with fruit, nuts, cinnamon, and oil. Fold until combined.
6. Pour into pans.
7. Bake for 20-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean or oatmeal has no liquid on top.
8. Serve with maple syrup. 

  

Baby Oatmeal Bars: 

Prepare just like above, except omit nuts, and place in food processor before putting into baking dish. 

small sewing project

One good use of a damaged tablecloth is to make cloth napkins out of it.  We had a vintage cotton table cloth purchased from a consignment store which I had thought we could use for a baptismal gown.  Well, it was a dismal-baptismal choice for sure, as light sheer fabric is the really the only option.  However, there was enough material leftover to make 8 large cloth napkins!  So all is not lost!

This is a fun option since a) cloth napkins are so expensive and b) when you can find them at thrift stores they are usually a polyester blend, skimpy in size, and a dreadful color.

mikey bday celebration

Yesterday we celebrated Mikey's birthday (February 23)  at Tony's and then returned home for quick cake and ice cream.  Charlotte was tired, but postponed her bedtime for the party.

Happy Birthday, Mikey!!!!!

some late pregnancy cartoons in honor of tee and pat

tee and pat on the way to the hospital?