We are having a VERY successful farrowing season. This success is going a long way in helping us to repopulate the losses from the fire.
We have 17 litters of Mulefoot pigs already born and are expecting up to 8 more litters.
If you are interesting in starting with Mulefoots or adding to your existing herd, please contact us. The piglets are going fast!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Hope is there if we choose to see it
Calling All Angels by Train
video available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAKF3_hCSNs
I need a sign to let me know you're here
All of these lines are being crossed over the atmosphere
I need to know that things are gonna look up
Cause I feel us drowning in a sea spilled from a cup
When there is no place safe and no safe place to put my head
When you can feel the world shake from the words that I said
And I'm calling all angelsAnd I'm calling all you angels
And I won't give up if you don't give up
I won't give up if you don't give up
I won't give up if you don't give up
I won't give up if you don't give up
I need a sign to let me know you're here
Cause my tv set just keeps it all from being clear
I want a reason for the way things have to be
I need a hand to help build up some kind of hope inside of me
And I'm calling all angels
And I'm calling all you angels
When children have to play inside so they don't disappear
While private eyes solve marriage lies cause we dont talk for years
And football teams are kissing queens and losing sight of having dreams
In a world where all we want is only what we want untill it's ours
And I'm calling all angels
And I'm calling all you angels
And I'm calling all angels
(I won't give up if you don't give up)
And I'm calling all you angels
(I won't give up if you don't give up)
Calling all you angels
(I won't give up if you don't give up)
Calling all you angels
(I won't give up if you don't give up)
Calling all you angels
video available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAKF3_hCSNs
I need a sign to let me know you're here
All of these lines are being crossed over the atmosphere
I need to know that things are gonna look up
Cause I feel us drowning in a sea spilled from a cup
When there is no place safe and no safe place to put my head
When you can feel the world shake from the words that I said
And I'm calling all angelsAnd I'm calling all you angels
And I won't give up if you don't give up
I won't give up if you don't give up
I won't give up if you don't give up
I won't give up if you don't give up
I need a sign to let me know you're here
Cause my tv set just keeps it all from being clear
I want a reason for the way things have to be
I need a hand to help build up some kind of hope inside of me
And I'm calling all angels
And I'm calling all you angels
When children have to play inside so they don't disappear
While private eyes solve marriage lies cause we dont talk for years
And football teams are kissing queens and losing sight of having dreams
In a world where all we want is only what we want untill it's ours
And I'm calling all angels
And I'm calling all you angels
And I'm calling all angels
(I won't give up if you don't give up)
And I'm calling all you angels
(I won't give up if you don't give up)
Calling all you angels
(I won't give up if you don't give up)
Calling all you angels
(I won't give up if you don't give up)
Calling all you angels
Monday, April 20, 2009
Farm & Country
“Only he can understand what a farm is, what a country is, who shall have sacrificed part of himself to his farm or country, fought to save it, struggled to make it beautiful. Only then will the love of farm or country fill his heart.”
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944), aviator, writer
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944), aviator, writer
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Times They are a Changin'
The only changes that will be made must be made by us! We can make a difference. Don't wait for the Government to bail us out, take your destiny in your own hands. Be the change you want to see in the world. Look in the mirror, you are magnificent. You can make a difference. Make it today. Enjoy the song. We've all got one to sing.
~Arie
Words & Music by Bob Dylan
Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.
The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.
Bob singing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ_XwLSN45I&feature=related
Lovely version by Blackmore's Night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaUymYC9J1A
~Arie
Words & Music by Bob Dylan
Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.
The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.
Bob singing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZ_XwLSN45I&feature=related
Lovely version by Blackmore's Night http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaUymYC9J1A
Bucket List
After the fire, I had the stark realization that I took many things for granted in my life, and that it only takes a moment to loose everything you hold dear. I've pondered many things, and often wonder where I can make the most difference, and what I have left to do in this lifetime. I also think of the things I want to do-just for me-that I haven't gotten to yet.
After seeing the Bucket List, I felt that it would be a good idea to write my own list of things I had yet to do, be or have, but wanted to experience before I was gone. I also thought it would be helpful to write a list of things I have accomplished, to remind me that life, thus far, has had meaning and fulfillment.
Clarifying goals and writing them down is a really old idea and practice. Since people have been doing it for ages, all the way back to cave drawings of successful hunts, I believe there is a lot of merit in the practice. Many modern day teachers promote the practice of making a list, and technology even allows us to make a public list and get support from people to accomplish our goals. If you have considered making a Bucket List, you might like the following web pages for inspiration, Kudos and ideas.
www.43things.com
This site allows you to list your goals, track your progress and cheer each other on. It was created by 6 friends in Seattle. They also have a really interesting book called "Dream it, List it, Do it" and a quiz to help you determine your personality type. This is a very upbeat group who offer lots of encouragement and advice. Your list will be public.
www.superviva.com
Superviva was created by Susie Wyshak to help people create a list that would focus their time and energy into producing a life they'll want to look back on. You can make your list and classify each goal as active or "backburner" (for those things you want but can't work on just yet). This site includes articles from life coaches and posts people's success stories. Your list can be private or public.
www.reaperlist.com
This unusual site was founded by Brian Bartel. You can create a list of notable, rewarding or crazy things you'd like to do in your life, but also includes a brag list for things you've already accomplished. It allows members to give advice and interact with other members. You can list up to 30 items with a private or public setting.
www.your100things.com
Created by Caroline Adams Miller, who believes that "One of the best ways to achieve your own goals is to create public accountability and support by sharing them with a wide audience". Aside from the goals setting and public list, members have access to a goal setting worksheet, money management budget and wedding planner budget. Caroline has also releaased a book called "Creating Your Best Life".
Whether you decide to use one of these sites to help you establish your own Bucket List, or get a notebook and create it completely in private, you are many steps closer to achieving your dreams just by writing them down.
It doesn't have to be a list of things to do before you die, but a list that excites you, inspires you and spurs you into action.
What do you want to do or be or have in this lifetime?
(theme song from Bucket List, "Say" by John Mayer)
After seeing the Bucket List, I felt that it would be a good idea to write my own list of things I had yet to do, be or have, but wanted to experience before I was gone. I also thought it would be helpful to write a list of things I have accomplished, to remind me that life, thus far, has had meaning and fulfillment.
Clarifying goals and writing them down is a really old idea and practice. Since people have been doing it for ages, all the way back to cave drawings of successful hunts, I believe there is a lot of merit in the practice. Many modern day teachers promote the practice of making a list, and technology even allows us to make a public list and get support from people to accomplish our goals. If you have considered making a Bucket List, you might like the following web pages for inspiration, Kudos and ideas.
www.43things.com
This site allows you to list your goals, track your progress and cheer each other on. It was created by 6 friends in Seattle. They also have a really interesting book called "Dream it, List it, Do it" and a quiz to help you determine your personality type. This is a very upbeat group who offer lots of encouragement and advice. Your list will be public.
www.superviva.com
Superviva was created by Susie Wyshak to help people create a list that would focus their time and energy into producing a life they'll want to look back on. You can make your list and classify each goal as active or "backburner" (for those things you want but can't work on just yet). This site includes articles from life coaches and posts people's success stories. Your list can be private or public.
www.reaperlist.com
This unusual site was founded by Brian Bartel. You can create a list of notable, rewarding or crazy things you'd like to do in your life, but also includes a brag list for things you've already accomplished. It allows members to give advice and interact with other members. You can list up to 30 items with a private or public setting.
www.your100things.com
Created by Caroline Adams Miller, who believes that "One of the best ways to achieve your own goals is to create public accountability and support by sharing them with a wide audience". Aside from the goals setting and public list, members have access to a goal setting worksheet, money management budget and wedding planner budget. Caroline has also releaased a book called "Creating Your Best Life".
Whether you decide to use one of these sites to help you establish your own Bucket List, or get a notebook and create it completely in private, you are many steps closer to achieving your dreams just by writing them down.
It doesn't have to be a list of things to do before you die, but a list that excites you, inspires you and spurs you into action.
What do you want to do or be or have in this lifetime?
(theme song from Bucket List, "Say" by John Mayer)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Seattle Cochon 555 Event
The winner of the Seattle Cochon 555 event was Anthony Hubbard of Chow Food. It was glorious! Although I agree with the Judges that Anthony's dishes and presentation were number one, I think that his "Shrine to Swine" put him over the top as king of Porc.Anthony's team came up with the concept and the dishes and all worked as a team to prepare the delicacies such as:
1. Pork belly consomme (chilled) with brain mousse
2. Heart and liver skewers with Ras el Hanout and cucumber-celeriac salad
3. Terrine de Tete
4. Raw milk braised pork leg with dolce gorgonzola mousse
5. Hard cider braised pork belly with Guiness molasses and choucroute
6. Pork Maki roll: smoked pork tenderloin, rillettes, braised pork belly fatand roasted pork shank meat all rolled up sushi-style
7. Bourbon-bacon ice cream in a fried bacon cone
Of course, some of the other chefs came up with some divine dishes including a bologney sandwich with lardo spread, a bacon bits sugar cookie w/ cream cheese frosting, and a bacon powder macaroon cookie.The side by side tasting of the endangered pork breeds was also wonderful. People were able to sample rare breeds, some they'd never heard of. It was wonderful to compare mulefoot, guinea, red wattle, duroc and hampshire pigs and their qualities and come up with dishes that are suited to the pig's flavor and anatomy.
The highlight of the event was watching Ryan Farr of 4505meats break down a pig carcass and roll it in to roasts for door prizes.Excellent display by a man who knows how to handle his meat!
This is a killer event, and if you can get to one in any city, you will not be disappointed, or go home hungry.
Check out the Cochon555 site for upcoming dates, how you can participate or help during the event and be a part of swine preservation history!
Mind over Matter
I have an incredible mind. That’s not bragging, it is fact. I think my mind is my strongest asset. I can do magnificent things with my mind, if I just “set my mind” to it.
I think about all the funny sayings we have about our mind, like “In my right mind”, “Out of my mind”, “Let my mind wander”, “Mind over matter”, “Peace of mind” and more. It would seem that we understand, even on a subtle level, that our mind determines our destiny.
We also have sayings like “I don’t mind” or “Mind your manners”. These indicate that our mind is the governing factor in what we do or how we behave.
How interesting.
I love the story of Morris Goodman, featured in “The Secret”. When recalling his life immediately after surviving a plane crash, Morris says "The only thing I had to work with in the hospital was my mind, and once you have your mind, you can put things back together again.” While he lay attached to a respirator, unable to breath on his own, speak, walk or anything else except blink his eyes, Morris worked in his mind. For months, he thought of and saw himself walking again, talking again and living a normal life. Eventually, he walked out of the hospital on his own.
If the power of our mind can heal us, what else can we do with that power? Use your mind to envision what we can do to heal our planet, heal ourselves and make the world a better place. Use your mind to create the life that you want to live. Use your mind to come up with a plan to help all creatures, great and small. Use your mind to love those who may not deserve it, to help and bless those who need it, to be kind even when you don’t want to.
I have had to work with my mind a lot since the fire. Oh, don’t get the idea that I have it down pat! I said “work”, and that’s exactly what it has been. It is so easy to slip into the negative mind set and perpetuate all the pain and misery in this world. It’s easy to let the surrounding circumstances determine how I feel about everything. But, when I can get my mind to the place of gratitude, inspiration or even peace, it all starts to feel right again.
We have the power to change everything to the good, if we could just get our mind around the idea. It really is mind over matter, if you have your mind, the rest doesn’t matter!
I think about all the funny sayings we have about our mind, like “In my right mind”, “Out of my mind”, “Let my mind wander”, “Mind over matter”, “Peace of mind” and more. It would seem that we understand, even on a subtle level, that our mind determines our destiny.
We also have sayings like “I don’t mind” or “Mind your manners”. These indicate that our mind is the governing factor in what we do or how we behave.
How interesting.
I love the story of Morris Goodman, featured in “The Secret”. When recalling his life immediately after surviving a plane crash, Morris says "The only thing I had to work with in the hospital was my mind, and once you have your mind, you can put things back together again.” While he lay attached to a respirator, unable to breath on his own, speak, walk or anything else except blink his eyes, Morris worked in his mind. For months, he thought of and saw himself walking again, talking again and living a normal life. Eventually, he walked out of the hospital on his own.
If the power of our mind can heal us, what else can we do with that power? Use your mind to envision what we can do to heal our planet, heal ourselves and make the world a better place. Use your mind to create the life that you want to live. Use your mind to come up with a plan to help all creatures, great and small. Use your mind to love those who may not deserve it, to help and bless those who need it, to be kind even when you don’t want to.
I have had to work with my mind a lot since the fire. Oh, don’t get the idea that I have it down pat! I said “work”, and that’s exactly what it has been. It is so easy to slip into the negative mind set and perpetuate all the pain and misery in this world. It’s easy to let the surrounding circumstances determine how I feel about everything. But, when I can get my mind to the place of gratitude, inspiration or even peace, it all starts to feel right again.
We have the power to change everything to the good, if we could just get our mind around the idea. It really is mind over matter, if you have your mind, the rest doesn’t matter!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Living Gratitude
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” ~ John F. Kennedy
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Happy Spring!
Well, spring has sprung here in South Dakota. Of course, I dont really get my hopes up about the weather before the middle of May, but it was a glorious day here today.
I love spring, and it is no mystery why I was born on the spring solstice. I love everything about spring, the flowers, colors, smells, thunderstorms, baby animals and that first big, fat robin landing in the yard.
As I celebrate the successful completion of another year, I am filled with the hope that spring brings. Piglets are being born and we put several breeding groups together today to start rebuilding our herds. All of the boars on the farm seem pleased with themselves and the sows are busy squealing and playing hard to get. Come July, we should be swimming in mulefoot and guinea babies.
If you are interested in raising these wonderful pigs, get your order in! They will go quickly.
I love spring, and it is no mystery why I was born on the spring solstice. I love everything about spring, the flowers, colors, smells, thunderstorms, baby animals and that first big, fat robin landing in the yard.
As I celebrate the successful completion of another year, I am filled with the hope that spring brings. Piglets are being born and we put several breeding groups together today to start rebuilding our herds. All of the boars on the farm seem pleased with themselves and the sows are busy squealing and playing hard to get. Come July, we should be swimming in mulefoot and guinea babies.
If you are interested in raising these wonderful pigs, get your order in! They will go quickly.
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