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MEET THE HOMESTEAD

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Bristol

Bristol whose name is really Bristoria is named after a Pennsylvania town in Greene County. She is the black, white and gray pygmy goat standing there with her nephew Wooly Bear. She is the sweetest goat we have and is Teasa's sister.

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Teasa

Teasa is a pymy goat. She came here with her mother and brother. Her mom and brother moved to a large goat farm in Washington County, but Teasa stayed here as a pet. Kevin gave her her name because when she was small she would jump on top of the dog box of our Malamute mix and tease him. She has a son named Wooly Bear. You'll meet him soon.

COUNTRY RECIPE

Coffee Soup

Did anyone else grow up on Coffee Soup? From the time I could eat grownup food, I ate Coffee Soup. Maybe born out of the depression or just a convenient breakfast dish most mountain people I know have eaten Coffee Soup. The best soup is made from homemade white bread. Yes the stuff that clogs the intestines and the arteries. You put two slices on a plate. It can be fresh or stale it doesn't matter. Then you pour hot coffee over the bread. Coffee grounds sprinkled like pepper on your bread is just fine. The old perculators on the stove top always allowed grounds in the coffee. You just chew them up. Then you pour milk over top of the coffee soaked slices. Now sprinkle some sugar over that and there you have it, Coffee Soup! It is considered good manners to pick up the plate to your mouth when you are finished and drink all of the yummy coffee gravy that is left over.

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Freebert Maxwell

Freebert came to us about two weeks ago. We suspect he flogged his way out of his previous home. Kevin game him his name, Freebert, because he was a "free bird". Husband humor! I gave him his middle name Maxwell because he just needed a middle name. We are hoping he does a good job protecting the hens and maybe providing us with some young ones to raise.

Which Came First ? Understanding Where Chicken Sayings Came From

by Fresh Eggs Daily

I used to wonder where all the old farm sayings came from, "Wait 'til the cows come home", "Hold your horses", "Madder than a wet hen".....well, since having a horse and the chickens and ducks, I wonder no more. It doesn't take too long being around animals before you realize the sayings came into being and have now become part of our vernacular because they are so universal to animal behavior.

Check out Fresh Eggs Daily Blog to read more

Groundhog Day

How did Groundhog Day get started? It is a Pennsylvania German (Deutch) custom that began in America in the 18th century. They brought the custom with them from Europe where a badger would predict the weather. The common belief is if it is cloudy when a groundhog peeks out if his hole on February 2, then it will be an early spring, but if it is sunny he will see his shadow and go back in and wait for 6 more weeks. I think I'd go back in my burrow if it was cloudy and come out if it was sunny, but I'm not a groundhog. Personally, I think our Punxsutawney Phil has been corrupted by all the attention. So since he saw his shadow we are in for a blustery February. I saw a big fat gray squirrel yesterday running and jumping happily up on the hillside. I think he knows more than Phil does. I'll listen to him and predict an early spring.

Seeds of Change Free Seed Catalog!

Check out this interesting blog full of Common Sense Homesteading!

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Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Marcellus Shale

***NEW INTENTS TO EXPLORE***

This means the property will be drilled to see if it is profitable to mine in these areas. If enough product is found, the company will apply for a permit. Historically, they are not denied this permit. Property owners who sign mining agreements "generally" do not live near the areas that will be mined. Just the neighbors who put up with the dust, noise, speeding trucks, water loss, blasting, cracked foundations, etc.
If you live in one of these areas, contact The Mountain Watershed Association for more information how you can protect yourself and your property.

Presently, there are several
within the Indian Creek watershed:
the PBS Coals Revtai Project
Exploration in Saltlick Township;
the Amerikohl Hoffer Exploration
in Saltlick and Bullskin Townships;
the Amerikohl Jim Mountain
Quarry Exploration in Springfield
Township; the Coal Loaders, Inc.
Donegal Reserves Exploration in
Donegal Township; and the
Amerikohl KM223 Site in Donegal
and Mount Pleasant Townships.
Dozens of additional explorations
are located in the larger
Youghiogheny River basin.

The MLCC wishes to congratulate Brittany Roberts 6th grade student from Champion Christian School for being the recipient of the December 2011 Student of the Month Award sponsored by: Shari Bukovac Bookkeeping

Photo: Shari Bukovac of Shari Bukovac Bookkeeping - Sponsor, Brittany Roberts - Student, 2 Row: Kris Enberg MLCC Executive Director, Mrs. Sharon Pasquarette Teacher, and Jennifer & Shawn Roberts - Parents

Sportsmen's Calendar

PENNSYLVANIA HUNTING SEASONS

These are the seasons and bag limits for hunting and trapping from July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012. Licenses for 2011-12 will go on sale beginning June 13, 2011.

SQUIRRELS (Combined Species): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and mentored youth – Oct. 8-14 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).

SQUIRRELS (Combined Species): Oct. 15-Nov. 26; Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 25 (6 daily, 12 possession).

RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 15–Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28 (2 daily, 4 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license: Oct. 8-15 (4 daily, 8 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 22-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 25 (4 daily, 8 possession).

PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 8-15 (2 daily, 4 in possession). Male pheasants only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B. Male and female pheasants may be taken in all other WMUs. There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.

PHEASANT: Male only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B – Oct. 22-Nov. 26. Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs – Oct. 22-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 4 (2 daily, 4 in possession). There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.

BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 22-Nov. 26 (4 daily, 8 possession). (Closed in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.)

HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 26–Dec. 31 (1 daily, 2 possession).

WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except on Sundays, and during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons. No limit.

PORCUPINES: Sept. 1-March 31 (6 daily, 12 possession). Closed during the regular two-week firearms deer season.

CROWS: July 1-April 8, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.

STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer season. No limit.

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): Wildlife Management Units 1A, 1B and 2A (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Oct. 29-Nov. 12 and Nov. 24-26; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Oct. 29-Nov. 18 and Nov. 24-26; WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D – Oct. 29-Nov. 12 and Nov. 24-26; WMUs 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E – Oct. 29-Nov. 18 and Nov. 24-26; WMU 5A – Nov. 1-3; WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D – CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored youth – April 21, 2012. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 28-May 31, 2012. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.) From April 28-May 12, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 14-31, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide) Bow and Arrow only: Nov. 14-18. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 19, and Nov. 21-23. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 3D, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5B and 5C): Nov. 30-Dec. 3. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Designated Areas): Nov. 28-Dec. 3. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

- WMUs 3A and 3C;

- Portions of WMU 3B, East of Rt. 14 from Troy to Canton, East of Rt. 154 from Canton to Rt. 220 at Laporte and East of Rt. 42 from Laporte to Rt. 118 and that portion of 4E, East of Rt. 42; and

- Portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties and 3B in Lycoming County that lie North of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from the Rt. 405 Bridge, West to Rt. 15 at Williamsport, Rt. 15 to Rt. 220, and North of Rt. 220 to the Mill Hall exit, North of SR 2015 to Rt. 150; East of Rt. 150 to Lusk Run Rd. and South of Lusk Run Rd. to Rt. 120, Rt. 120 to Veterans Street Bridge to SR 1001; East of SR 1001 to Croak Hollow Rd., South of Croak Hollow Rd. to Rt. 664 (at Swissdale), South of Rt. 664 to Little Plum Rd. (the intersection of SR 1003), South of SR 1003 to SR 1006, South of SR 1006 to Sulphur Run Rd., South of Sulphur Run Rd. to Rt. 44, East of Rt. 44 to Rt. 973, South of Rt. 973 to Rt. 87, West of Rt. 87 to Rt. 864, South of Rt. 864 to Rt. 220 and West of Rt. 220 to Rt. 405 and West of Rt. 405 to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Oct. 31-Nov. 5. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.

ELK, EXTENDED (Antlered and Antlerless): Nov. 7-12. Only one elk may be taken during the license year. Eligible elk license recipients who haven’t harvested an elk by Nov. 6, in designated areas.

Elk, Special Conservation Tag (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 1-Nov. 5. One elk tag for one antlered or antlerless elk was auctioned at the Safari Club International Banquet.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 17-30, and Nov. 14-26. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Oct. 1-Nov. 12 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Oct. 1-Nov. 12 and Dec. 26-Jan. 16. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Nov. 28-Dec. 10. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Nov. 28-Dec. 2. One antlered deer per hunting license year. (Holders of valid DMAP antlerless deer permits may harvest antlerless deer on DMAP properties during this period.)

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Dec. 3-10. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 20-22. Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in

U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 15-22. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 16. One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 28. One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, Antlerless (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 28. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Military Bases): Hunting permitted on days established by the U.S. Department of the Army at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County; New Cumberland Army Depot, York County; and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

Alpaca Farm & Boutique
******************
618 Indian Creek Valley Rd.
Normalville, PA 15469
724-217-0000

ICV Community Center Rental Rates:

Building [large group] $400.00 Sec. Deposit $300.00 Total $700.00

Building [small group] $100.00 Sec. Deposit $100.00 Max. 4 hrs.

Pavilion [big pavilion with fireplace] $60.00
[small pavilion] $40.00

For rental call:
724-455-1715

Sportsmen's Calendar

ADOPTED 2011-12 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS

COYOTES: No closed season. Unlimited. Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and without wearing orange. During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker’s license.

RACCOON and FOXES: Oct. 22–Feb. 18, unlimited.

OPOSSUM, SKUNKS & WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays. No limits.

BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4D and 4E): Jan. 17-Feb. 7. One bobcat per license year, but all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

ADOPTED 2011-12 TRAPPING SEASONS

MINK and MUSKRAT: Nov. 19–Jan. 8. Unlimited.

COYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS and WEASELS: Oct. 23–Feb. 19. No limit.

COYOTE and FOXES (Statewide) Cable Restraints: Dec. 26-Feb. 19. No limit. Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.

BEAVER (Statewide): Dec. 26–March 31 (Limits vary depending on WMU).

BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4D and 4E): Dec. 17-Jan. 8. One bobcat per license year, and all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

FISHER (WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F): Dec. 17-22. One fisher per license year, and all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

ADOPTED 2011-12 FALCONRY SEASONS

SQUIRRELS (combined), BOBWHITE QUAIL, RUFFED GROUSE, COTTONTAIL RABBITS, SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARE, RINGNECK PHEASANT (Male or Female combined): Sept. 1-March 31. Daily and Field Possession limits vary. (Migratory game bird seasons and bag limits for falconers will be set in accordance with federal regulations in August.)

No open season on other wild birds or mammals. Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird seasons will be established in accordance with Federal Regulations this summer.

For more information, click here.

Wheeling Island Racetrack & Gaming Center Bus Trip

The Mountain Laurel Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Wheeling Island Racetrack & Gaming Center Bus Trip Saturday, February 11th, from 1-9pm. $27 per person includes: $20 in game coins, $5 food coupon and drivers tip.
Bus Pick-up & Drop-off Locations:
Donegal Area Community Center, Donegal, 1pm
Econo Lodge, 110 N. Main Street, New Stanton, PA 1:30pm
Please call the MLCC office @ 724-593-8900 or
Sarnelli’s Market @ 724-593-2001 to reserve a seat.

PICTURES WANTED!

Wanted historical pictures for the realcountrylife website to share with everyone. Any old pictures of local people and places.Looking for any pictures of Roger's Mills PA. Email or call for more information.(can be scanned at your home if you are nearby and never leave your possession)
Bill Pritts

WATCH THE FEATURED PICTURE TO SEE THEM!

Sunshine Learning Center
Center Quality in an in-home atmosphere
(724) 628-4363~(724) 570-5545

Sunshine Learning Center is now accepting enrollments ... CCIS funding accepted. 6wks -12yrs. monday-Friday. 6am-11pm. Contact Janet. 742-628-4363
210 N Prospect St, Connellsville, PA 15425
Near the intersection of N Prospect St and E Peach St

FEBRUARY 2012

Visit the PEC's many displays at the PA Horse World Expo!
February 23-26, 2012
Check out the topics for Seminar Room B and join us there, too!
The PA Horse World Expo will bring the nation's leading equestrian clinicians and entertainers to Harrisburg for four days of education, entertainment and shopping.
- Top equestrian clinicians and performers
- Hundreds of vendors and equines of all breeds and disciplines
- Non-stop seminars, shopping and entertainment
Non-trails booth volunteers, please contact Joan Pauley secretary@pennsylvaniaequinecouncil.org
Trail booth volunteers, please contact Bud and Gwen Wills at gwwills@pennswoods.net
Visit: horseworldexpo.com/PAmain.shtml for more information.

Thanks for your support, PEC Westmoreland & Fayette Co. Directors:

Jean Gilmore 724-593-5098 milkmaid@LHTOT.com

Sandy Smail 724-593-6154 horselover@LHTOT.com

The PEC is trying to make available important information to all equine owners in Pa. If, for any reason, you

would like to be excluded from our mailing list, please respond to 724-593-5098 or milkmaid@LHTOT.com

Environmental Links

Sierra Club Events

Sierra Club's Position on Hydraulic Fracturing

Marcellus Shale Interactive Maps from Penn State

Fish and Boat Commission Stream Map

DEP News Releases

Website Launched to Assist in Marcellus Shale Data Gathering

Indian Creek River Conservation Plan

Normalville, PA News

Donegal, PA News

Laurel Highlands Chamber of Commerce

Laurel Highlands Chamber new website is up and running. Remember the Laurel Highlands Chamber is here for the businesses throughout our community. Member participation is the key to all functions and events. Showing off your business is what the chamber helps you do. Please participate and let us know what is happening.
Sincerely,

Gregory Wilson
Laurel Highlands Chamber of Commerce

Important Links

Connellsville Township Website

Pennsylvania's Most Wanted

Magistrate Court Dockets

Uniontown State Police 10 Most Wanted

Tired of Drug Use in Your Community?

Fayette County Drug Task Force

Fayette County Domestic Relations Warrant List

PA Land Records Fayette County

National Register of Historic Places in Fayette

Bench Warrant List

Bullskin Twp. Vol. Fire Co.
Discount Food Sale Fundraiser

Looking to Save some Money???
Come Grocery Shopping at the Bullskin Twp. Vol. Fire Co. Fire Hall

Discount Meat, Cheese, & Food Sale…Up to 50% less than retail price for Hams & Various Meats, Frozen Food, Fresh Dairy Case Products & Potatoes…

CASH ONLY
When: February 18th, 2012
Where: BTVFC Central Station
Keefer Road
Doors open at 10 am
Shopping starts at 11 am

Products are from Ray’s Meats

LOCAL AUTHOR

Local author, Annie McClain Ulery, has written and published a new fictional book of romance and mystery. If anyone would like more information, you may contact her at 724-244-9224 or anniemcclain@hotmail.com. On Amazon!

Mt. Zion Christian Academy News

Mt. Zion Christian Academy is located at 159 Kreinbrook Hill Road in Acme, PA, behind the Bear Rocks Community. Free transportation is provided. Students in grades K5-12 are taught by an experienced teacher. Mt. Zion Christian Academy meets or exceeds all state standards. For more information you may call 724-547-3028 during business hours or visit www.mtzionacme.org

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REMEMBER WHEN?

Champion Christian School

Check out our website at www.champion.org/ccs. You can find information about our accreditation, staff, curriculum, and we even have a financial aid estimator on the web to give you an idea of cost. There is free bussing from six surrounding school districts: Connellsville, Uniontown, Mt. Pleasant, Ligonier, Somerset and Rockwood.
Join the growing number of families who are choosing Champion Christian School, committed to academic excellence within a nurturing and distinctly Christian atmosphere.
Champion Christian School Faculty and Staff

Email us at Real Country Life to have your School News listed in this column.

Scott Hall, the One Man Band from Melcroft.
http://www.scotthallonemanband.com

Unbridled

Girlz In Black Hats

    Deer Roast with Gravy

    2-3 LB deer roast, lean
    1 12 oz beer
    2 T Dijon mustard
    2 T Worcestershire Sauce
    ½ t salt
    ½ t pepper
    2 sliced onions
    ¾ cup crushed gingersnap cookies
    1 t ground cloves
    ¼ cup sugar
    1 t garlic



Mix beer, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, & onions. Marinade roast in this mixture 24 hours. Cook in crockpot 8 - 10 hours, high, or 4 - 5 hours on low. Before serving, remove the roast, and add cookies & sugar. Turn on high and stir till this gets thick.

Adapted from a recipe on www.maplespringsfarm.com

Daily Courier Social Column

Which Came First ? Understanding Where Chicken Sayings Came From

ICV Community Center Rental Rates:

Sunshine Learning Center
Center Quality in an in-home atmosphere
(724) 628-4363~(724) 570-5545

Viral Video Highlights 'Fairytale' Image of Marriage

Revelation 1:3 Weymouth New Testament

Blessed is he who reads and blessed are those who listen to the words of this prophecy
and lay to heart what is written in it;
for the time for its fulfillment is now close at hand.

Which Came First ? Understanding Where Chicken Sayings Came From

ICV Community Center Rental Rates:

Sunshine Learning Center Center Quality in an in-home atmosphere (724) 628-4363~(724) 570-5545

Viral Video Highlights 'Fairytale' Image of Marriage

Revelation 1:3 Weymouth New Testament

Blessed is he who reads and blessed are those who listen to the words of this prophecy and lay to heart what is written in it; for the time for its fulfillment is now close at hand.

Sunshine Learning Center
Center Quality in an in-home atmosphere
(724) 628-4363~(724) 570-5545

Blessed is he who reads and blessed are those who listen to the words of this prophecy
and lay to heart what is written in it;
for the time for its fulfillment is now close at hand.