Sunday, December 29, 2019

Cold and Flu Season is upon us! Elderberry Syrup made in an Instant Pot

Well one of the things I got for Christmas was NOT at all what I wanted - a cold!  So a friend told me about an Elderberry syrup recipe and I decided to try it.  I ordered the dried berries from Amazon (love Amazon) and they arrived today.  My "Santa" brought me an Instant Pot - so excited and tried the recipe forwarded by my friend which was:  Wellness Mama Elderberry Syrup Recipe  Another great thing about this recipe is it calls for honey - so I was able to use honey from our own hives.  The resulting syrup is delicious!  The dosage is 1/2 teaspoon for children and 1 Tablespoon for Adults (taking a dose every 2-3 hours when experiencing cold/flu symptoms)

Check out our YouTube video on making the syrup: Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup


Elderberries have been around and used a long time to treat a variety of things from colds and flu to possibly prevent cancer.  The recipe site has lots of good information about Elderberries and for another great article check out the Chalkboard Mag's article Elderberry 101: How to benefit from this immune boosting berry 

Hint: The syrup is delicious, but another benefit of Elderberries is they are a laxative - so don't be tempted to take more than the recommended dosage (or you might experience other things that wasn't exactly what you intended) 

I'm so excited about Elderberries that I will be planting some Spring 2020 and will post about them on the Honey Milk Farms' Gardening page!  


Saturday, November 30, 2019

Honey Milk Farms has a Youtube Channel

Honey Milk Farms now has a Youtube channel!  Check out our latest video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z7pEHff3xQ

Monday, June 17, 2019

What to do with all this milk.....

I love this time of year - in addition to all the cute bouncy babies - we have an abundance of milk!  

 What to do with all this milk....Make cheese!!  One of easiest recipes is for Ricotta (I use the recipe from Mary Jane Toth's book "Goats Produce Too." It's super easy and quick! Takes one gallon of milk and less than an hour to make and drain. 





This Ricotta can be eaten plain with a little salt, but I usually add in some chopped fresh basil.  It's soooo Delicious!


Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Annual Goat and Hair Sheep Field Day at Langston University

This Saturday (April 27th) is the annual Goat and Hair Sheep Field Day at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma.  This a free event - unless you want lunch ($10).  It's not to late to register - just click on the link:  Langston University Goat & Hair Sheep Field Day

For those who have not been to one of these - They are incredible! Tons of great information and workshops.  In addition you get to visit the amazing research facilities at Langston University.  It has been several years since I have been able to attend.  Super excited to be 
going this year!   


Thursday, March 21, 2019

Spring is here!

So happy Spring is here.  Our temperatures are still somewhat cool, but thankfully much warmer than they had been.  The grass and clover are greening up.  The bees have been bringing in bright yellow and dark orange pollen, which means the hives are gearing up and splits are about to happen. 


Yesterday I completed the expansion of the bee yard/garden area.  We are still several weeks away from our average last frost date, so I started some seeds inside on the kitchen counter and planted some spinach, lettuce, and other cool weather crops in the cold frame.  Love gardening! 

Baby count is still at two calves and seven goat kids.  We are expecting a couple more calves and approximately 15 more baby goats. 

Monday, March 4, 2019

Brrrr! Caring for the farm animals in single digit weather


This morning we had our second day in a row of fresh snow covering the ground with single digit temperatures and wind chills below zero - BRRRR! In preparation for the extreme cold, I put up some additional wind breaks for the goat barn entrances, wrapped the beehives in insulated foam boards and made sure the cows had plenty of hay as well as a new protein tub.



Our Saanen doe twins are now four days old and are doing great!    I do have them and their mother confined inside the barn.  They have a Premier 1 heat lamp (one of the best inventions ever) and lots of clean fresh shavings.  At this age they have found their "bounciness" - I could spend hours watching them. 


Saturday, March 2, 2019

Baby goats are arriving!


Our kidding season has started, a little later than I thought it would, but nonetheless....So far we have had three babies and all are girls!!!  The twins pictured above are out of Sasha, one of our oldest but best producing Saanens.  I will be keeping both of these girls.  Still have around fifteen yet to kid, and I will be posting them on the "Goats for Sale" page as they become available. 

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

BIG BEE BUZZ - March 29th and 30th - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Want to invite you to the BIG BEE BUZZ hosted by NEOBA (North East Beekeepers Association) on March 29th and 30th.  For more information click on the following link: NEOBA website  Register now and save $$ from the at the door.  

I can't wait - there will be lots of great beekeeping information!!! 

Sunday, January 13, 2019

Honey Milk Farms welcomes first 2019 Angus Calf

Today we welcomed our first 2019 Angus calf from our cow "Bunny"