Turkey: It's What's for Dinner

Today I dispatched my first animal. A turkey that weighed in at about forty pounds. 

I also plucked and cleaner her. It wasn't something I would enjoy it doing every day but it wasn't as awful as I imagined.

I used to stand in judgement of people who did this. Not going to lie. But if you eat meat, I kind of think you should learn where it comes from first hand. It is the process like shucking corn or picking an apple. 

Turkeys don't come all neatly packaged in cellophane and freshly smoked like we find them in the store and those store turkeys do not live a nice life. The turkey I slaughtered was raised by hand from a chick. It's been free to roam over a dozen acres. It had a good life and as humane a send out as we could give it. 

It seems the ultimate respect in a way to raise and take the life of your food yourself, if you are going to eat meat. There is something spiritual and connective about it. An understanding and a respect. 

Just food for thought. Oh and that bag next to me is in theory the start of a down feather pillow. #waste nothing god gives 

The Chickens Have Arrived!!!

The chickens have arrived! Got my first of this years flock from a fabulous breeder in Taylorsville, MS. Going to Taylorsville was quite an adventure. We passed a ton of cool farmers markets and stores that I cannot wait to check out. 

We also drove through a city called "Hot Coffee", which just thrills me to no end. Totally moving there one day. 

So far we have 11 chickens and if our sex determining skills are on point, 10 are hens. They are dominiques, which is an awesome dual-purpose breed. They are actually one of the oldest breeds in the United States. 

I am so excited to watch these babies grow up!!

Progress

Thus far we've sealed the leaks on the trailer and repaired the broken windows. Power is on and we are ready to replace some interior walls.

We are currently staying in my sister n laws house until the trailer is ready. Both homes are on the same property. 

I've planned out where I am going to put my first garden and have placed some old carpeting over it to kill off the grass. As soon as some more cash comes in and I will be ordering seeds and baby chickens will be here, if everything goes as planned, on the 5th! 

Homestead

We are starting a new reality. Slowly but surely. Attempting to put 2015 and all its craziness behind us.

What's surprising is that I mostly feel pretty good about it. 

I never thought I would have any interest in moving to Mississippi again and even more so doubted any desire I might have to homestead. But then life took a major left turn. I lost my job. Nearly divorced. We found ourselves completely broke and living in chaos. 

So when family in Mississippi offered a place to live and a fresh start. Saying no was hardly an option. 

So here we are, in rural central Mississippi on a few acres with a fixer upper trailer and 8 kids when we are at full capacity (My four and sister-n-law's four). 

Let the fun begin!