Turkey dinner again - by Matthew

This is one of our Blue Slate turkeys. We wanted to keep them because they can naturally reproduce but they kept flying away and coming back at night. We don't mean flying over a fence, we expected that but when they started to fly and land on the neighbors barn roof who lives about half a mile it was just to much and when the neighbor told us that they go down to the creek by old nelsons place we knew it was time. We gave away the three smaller turkeys to some nice people but this one saw the pot.



This is me down in front of the barn with the turkey, a new technique I use is to just walk up behind the turkey when he reaches for food, I grab him from behind and flip him upside down. I tie him up and off we go up the hill.


I always us a five pound double edge ax for the killing of the turkey. A lot harder to miss. This bird is now ready for the cone.

In the cone and ready for the plucking bucket.

We use a twenty gallon horse bucket to dunk the birds in - one hundred and forty five degree water and the feathers just come right off. We keep the water hot in the bucket. I am a little slow with plucking still about ten minutes. Have to duck him around three times slosh him around like milk in churner. We love raising our animals gathering from them and eating them.

The box is for the innards, head, feet, tips of wings and feathers. just throw in burn barrel and all is done time to eat in a couple of days.

Matthew's Spit Up

Every time... and I mean every time my husband Matthew
holds little Matthew he spits up on him.

Little Miss Riding Hood

Elisabeth was trying on little Matthew's outing outfit over her head.
I had to take a picture as she looked like "Little Red Riding Hood" with her little dress on.

Little Hannah

Here's our little Hannah. She's growing up too... but not that much. She's our affectionate one. She could be held all day long. She still cries often when you let her down. She's a sweetie.

Our Elisabeth Growing Up

Elisabeth is still a baby to me in a sense. If you've had kids, you know what I mean. But, I can't help but glance at her once in a while or look at a picture and see how she is changing and growing up so quickly. I look forward to homeschooling her in depth (we're singing the ABC's right now), teaching her how to make a loaf of bread to one day a full Thanksgiving meal. She is beautiful to us in so many ways. I love you Elisabeth.

I love your countenance here Elisabeth. You are beautiful. You have an inner beauty as much as your outward. I can't wait to share with you about Lord with you one day.

Looking older...

Very pretty... still a baby yet a young child.

A Day at the Beach

One day my husband took our girls to the beach and took these beautiful pictures. I believe he takes much better pictures than I. These pictures turned out so well.

Two girls having fun!

Pretty girl!

Pretty blue eyes

You have to click on this picture to enlarge to see how pretty she is here.

Little giggles!

Pretty, quiet little Hannah.

Matthew Getting Bigger...

These pictures are of Matthew at about 2 - 2 1/2 months old.
I have some more recent pictures I'll be posting once I get them downloaded.

Isn't he getting big? He was over 14 lbs at his 2 month check up.

Looking at something...

Yes, he's our "little pup". His shirt even says so.

Here's little Matthew reaching for his little bear. It amazes me how quickly they advance.

You'll be able to tell in some of the other photos that I like the sleeping baby pictures.
I think a sleeping baby is one of the most beautiful things in life.
Especially if they are yours and they are in your arms.

Big Boy!

More of Little Matthew

I do this with each new child... they get the spotlight for a time. Lots and lots of pictures. Usually by the second child the pictures reduce significantly. I think they are increasing if you ask me!

Sleepyhead Pictures...

Here's some adorable "sleepyhead" pictures of little Matthew. Just look at those chubby cheeks!

Double Stroller

I found this stroller at the Goodwill for $14.99... so now we have two double strollers. Hey, who said we were done having kids???

We have come to "what works for us" with three kids. Each morning Matthew takes an hour or sooutside, in the barn or the garage to get some things done. Then he gives me an hour. He usually takes the girls to the beach or a walk. I put Matthew down during this time and do some sewing. I then start lunch, they arrive home and we all eat lunch together. Only 1 1/2 hours left til their naptime where we have a good 2 1/2 hours. Anyways, this picture is in Westport on one of their walks.

Here's our little Matthew. He is such a doll. I just love him to pieces!!! I enjoy having a boy even more than I thought I would. He's such a content baby... the easiest baby I've had. It sure makes it nice when our two toddlers are a handful right now!

Cutie Pie!

Our handsome little man.

Gorgeous... yes, we're talking about you little Matthew!!!

You look like such a boy in the picture!

You still have lots of hair here taken several weeks ago. You are losing it fast though. Each morning when I pick you up from your bassinet, there are lots and lots of hair strands laying on the spot you lie on. Your hair loss is only making you look more boyish and is revealing our beautifully shaped boy head. Now hopefully you won't lose hair again until you are your daddy's age and we might not be here by then to see it as your daddy just turned 49 and mommy will be 39 in just a couple of months.