Thursday, January 29, 2015

So Many Questions

I've had people ask me "why move to the country?".I answer with the peace and quiet,the better air,the waking up in the mornings to silence. Then the next question "why chickens?". I answer fresh eggs instead not knowing how long the eggs in the supermarket has been sitting there.And why a garden? Easy,fresh vegetables. I traded in my long manicured nails  and makeup,which by the way I own none of it,for garden gloves and sweat. Well they answer "I couldn't do that". Yep it takes a certain breed of people I think to do what we do. The want has to be there. Most of my ancestors were farmers and I think I take after them.My grandparents lived in the country and I cherished those visits I had with them.The summers I spent with other relatives and being around goats and pigs and horses made me love it even more.The want was there,I just had to find a way to get there myself. I don't answer very many people because I feel they want to do it too but don't know how and no matter how much I can explain it,it makes things worse.Maybe it's just me. I tell them if you want to do it just do it.You may have to start from the ground up(like me) but after a few years your work is done.We still have a lot to do here to get this place up and running and it takes time.Some people want instant gratification but I think that it takes the pride in what you do away from it. It's sitting back and saying yeah I got that done today.You'll find something to do everyday like that. Running a homestead is not easy but that's my gratification.





























Saturday, January 24, 2015

Taking Breaks

I took a break from blogging and from the social interaction for a bit.It's good to do when things need done.I've managed to get some much needed organizing on the house and cleaning.It's been wet and cold here and I mixed up a brew of honey and lemon and garlic with apple cider vinegar and I take a spoon a day.So far no colds and sniffles.

Orion has been sleeping during this cold period and he loves it outside. We thought we were going to get some snow last night but it fizzled out.The weather is finally getting back into the upper 40s' and lower 50s'.I can handled that. I seen some really pretty snow pictures from the middle to upper U.S. and wow I wouldn't want to be there.I don't mind snow but I just don't like a lot of it.

I have gotten some more seed catalogs in and have been planning out the garden layout.I think I have managed the setup so far.I'm putting in four raised beds of concrete blocks and two trellis for my luffas and dipper gourds.I'm also growing the corsican gourds and basket gourds too.I haven't found a place for them yet in the yard.I have all my seeds ready to go and I've recycled some containers to get them growing in.I'm suspecting that some of my giant basket gourd seeds may not be any good so this year I'm planting what I have and hope they all come up.If not I'll at least get a few gourds with the seeds and do more next year.


A friend of hubsteads from work has let us go in with him for some deer meat.Yeah I like deer and wished I had some elk and buffalo.But the freezer looks pretty full even though it's a small one.And we won't starve.I'll eat this deer meat because it's so lean not like cow meat and now it is getting hard for me to eat cow. This summer I'll eat more out of the garden and less meat. I can't wait to go fishing too,been too cooped up. Been eyeballing my rod and reel!

February is right around the corner and then March yah!!!!  I'm hoping like crazy we have an early Spring so I can get some of these seeds going,wouldn't that be nice? I would love to have a greenhouse but I really think we don't have the room for one out back.By the time I get the garden in and the smokehouse gets built and the chicken coop in,half an acre is used up pretty darn quick.Actually a little less than half an acre.I just don't want to cram alot in a small space.I'm planting some stuff in the front yard(hubstead isn't pleased about that)but I need the room.Oh and flowers this year too I'm planting a whole bunch of flowers.It'll be fun they said.It better be!

Well that's all that's been going on.I'm back on here and will write more.I don't think I'll be doing a lot for the next month but anything can pop up here.






Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Ready to Garden

I've spent most of the winter so far collecting seeds for the garden.Ordering seed catalogs and chicken catalogs.I've searched the internet for garden designs and ideas for planting potatoes in cans,bags and crates.Herbs in pallets and pots and crates.I've looked thru numerous pages and talked to people about bigger gardens and planting ideas.So I guess I'm ready for the next step.Getting it done. I decided to put in four raised beds,two trellises and a vertical section for climbing plants.I'm going to use pallets as a vertical garden for my herbs.I have plenty of space on the back porch for this.I have one maybe two avocado trees and four pomegrates seedlings coming up,whether or not they live I will have to wait and see.

Hubstead got his plans going for the smokehouse.He very excited about building it and so am I.I can't wait to get some hams and birds in it.The chicken coop will be a simple one this year,just enough to hold about eight to ten birds.I don't want to over do it and find out I took on too much.I'll be busy enough with the garden.Our plans also include a putting a privacy fence around the backyard.That will help the property value and keep the deer out.I'll also be able to let the chickens do their job with the yard bugs.So different from over a year ago when we got here and found the house in such a mess.Now all of our plans are coming together.The house has been a difficult job but it's getting there.I wondered for awhile if it was going to be worth it and now I can say yes.


The weather has been cold but tolerable.Getting the gas hooked up sure helped.We have an outlet problem in our bedroom.But I think it may be a fuse too.Sometimes the lights work sometimes they don't,it did the same thing last year when it got cold,along with the front porch light,it won't come on either.We have double window panes ,so the cold hasn't been too bad except around the doors and I tried to insulate them good.I put up a blanket over the front windows cause they face north and west.Yeah and like any country hick ,plastic on the windows too,gotta do what cha gotta do to keep the cold out.I haven't gotten around buying curtains or blinds yet.

I want to wish everyone a Happy Tuesday today and stay Warm!

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Good thing about the Cold

The good thing about it being cold is I can sit and make my baskets.Curled up on the couch with Orion curled up in a ball,he's a happy pup.My neighbor on the other hand keeps his dog outside and I wonder.I like the cold in some aspects because it gives you time to reboot for the Spring.Keeping the work load down.It gives you time to make lists of all the things you got to do.I've brushed up on growing herbs and vegetables and composting.I've done some trading on seeds and now have enough to get me started.

My pomegrates are coming up,no grapes yet,and no cherimoyas.I'm trying to keep the pots warm as much as I can so hopefully soon.I'd like to see spring come with warmth and sunshine and the cold will be gone.I like spring,we have dogwood trees that bloom and wild flowers and daffodils.The birds come back and I can go fishing.I like the cold but I like it when it's only around 50 degrees during the day and 40 at night.

So for Thursday I hope everyone has a great day!

Saturday, January 3, 2015

Eating with Tumeric powder

Yesterday while I was out buying some groceries,I ran across some tumeric powder and remembered about how good it was for you,so,I picked up some.This morning my tummy was grumbling and so I said "well no time like the present".I scrambled me up a couple of eggs,added some kale pieces and mushrooms,after they got done I sprinkled some tumeric and cayenne on them.People you got to try this it, was really good. It doesn't leave an after taste. I didn't even fix any toast like usual.So this is something I will start eating for breakfast .Give it a try.It's different.



I'm trying to collect spices and new stuff for the kitchen for when we do the remodeling.I have new ideas about how to set the kitchen up as a chef kitchen.



It's been raining here for the last couple of days and today we are expecting thunderstorms.My rain barrels are full but I will have to dump them by the middle of next week when we have a severe cold front coming in. Too bad it's alot of water.The avocado is growing fast and has many leaves on the stem so far.And I planted the celery stalk.It seems to be doing good.Let the experiments continue!



Friday, January 2, 2015

The three Ps

Ok yeah I know hahaha.Plant,Pray and Pick! Yeah that's good right? That's what I'm doing this year.I love my ideas in the morning.This morning it's raining and boy I got a lot to do. That time of the month we all dread. At least I get breakfast out of it.

I repotted my celery and it went alittle limp but keeping an eye on it,remember it's an experiment on my part.However my other plants are doing great! Everyone is nice and warm and cozy.My avocado has grown some more ,it's a foot high now.I planted the Cherimoya seeds and can't wait to see how they do.Don't know what one is?






from the smartgardener.com


This is it.I have 5 seeds and hopefully they will come up.I've never tried to grow a tree before.ok,the avocado one ,but,not like this.These guys are suppose to grow 20 feet tall and I got 5 of them ?mmmm. Me thinks I bit off more than I can eat eh? anyway it's gonna be interesting.

Well that's it for this round.It's been a nice to start the new year off planting already.