Humble Beginnings

****Thursdays Musings****

What gorgeous weather we are having at the moment, it has been a glorious day and a brilliant one for gardening too.  Andrew has been busy creating some borders in the garden and in one of the borders I have now started a herb garden.  At the moment, I have planted Rosemary, Basil (though this is not doing too well), Tarragon, Thyme, Sage, Oregano and Parsley.  I also have some garden mint and black peppermint growing in a tub near by.

As well as the herb garden, we have planted Tomato plants, Runner Beans, Dwarf Beans, Squash, Courgettes (Zucchini), Sweetcorn (Including baby sweetcorn) and peppers. We also have various types of salad leaves and lettuce growing both in tubs and soil. 

I have yet to plant carrots, Salad leaves, Beetroot (Beets) and I brussel sprouts.  And we have planted an eatting apple tree, plum tree, Raspberry canes and strawberries.  My sister is taking us to a brilliant garden centre near to where she resides next week where she is going to be us another fruit tree as our wedding gift.

Wow, I have just heard a cuckoo in the garden and this is the first one I have heard so far this year. Ok, where was I, Andrews garden, this is really coming on very nicely and I cant wait to do some more planting and to do more on the borders.  Andrew has a 140 - 150 ft garden so it is very long :)

We are planning at some stage to get plant some more raspberry canes and possibly some other fruits too - all in all it is exciting being able to plan, plant and watch what is happening.  It is amazing to think that out of a few seeds, these grow and produce wonderful vegetables and fruits - God is just so amazing

We have also planted some sunflower seeds and various wild flowers and poppies (these by the way of one of my favourite flowers) - Poppies are just so beautiful and very rich and vibrant in colour.  I don't particularly care for sunflowers by the way so I did let Andrew but said that he has to put them at the top of the garden - of course he knew I was only joking he he.

I will try and post some photos over the weekend of the garden.

On other notes, wedding plans are going very nicely and we have a lot of things organised now so it is mainly tidying up that we need to do and a few last minute things.  We have been so blessed so far it is great.

I also have a friend who is organising a Bridal Shower for me at her home on Saturday 14th June and bless her, she is opening up her home. This same friend and her husband will be organising the worship for our wedding/blessing service.

We were also blessed today in the fact we were sent a pre-wedding gift of a Marriage Preparation Course on both CD and in booklet form.  What an awesome blessing.  Andrew and I will be setting time apart to study the Marriage Preparation Course over the next couple of weeks or so.

Well, that is it for now - and only five weeks on Saturday and time is going by so very quickly now - wow

Happenings around our Homestead

Hello friends.
I don't know about you, but after hearing of the news of Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter being run over... it makes me want to go and round up all my little ones and sit with them around me and squeeze them a little tighter, love them a little longer, and thank God for them a little more.  My heart is breaking for this family... please pray for them.

Today is of course my favorite day, THURSDAY! I LOVE em, as you know.  And today looks to be in line with my love.  I have some garden work to do and some other good homemakey things to do and I look forward to the day.   Yesterday was especially wonderful as well.  My Alan (my Mom's husband) came over and built a deck on the back of the house for us... oh talk about glorious!!!
I can see many an evening sitting on the back deck, with some coffee and a blanket and watching the sun go down... it is going to be wonderful!
Of course I captured pictures of the process, so for your enjoyment, here is the building of the deck!
I missed him tearing off the steps...
Framing it up...
The skeleton and a wee head peeping out... do you see?
Laying the floor...
Who needs fancy toys??? Wood blocks that are leftover are GREAT!!!
TADA!!!!!  The deck is ready except for the railings...
I am not the only one who is in love... Cameo is too!
Thank you Papaw Alan, we LOVE it, and we love you too!!!!
12x12 finished size and perfect for some sun chairs I do believe!
Have a great day my friends, I am off to enjoy my family!
My Cup Runneth Over...Chas

Devestating

New Chicks Have Arrived!!

Our first ever chicks are here!  I could hardly wait to pick them up from the feed store today, I was so excited :o)

We have three now - one each of Aracauna, Rhode Island Red and Barred Rock.  In two weeks we will add two Buff Orphingtons.  Here is our brooder setup inside on my desk in our hobby room where I can shut the door so the cat doesn't get curious...

They are so fun to watch.  My friend and her kids came over to see them.  The kids were full of questions and really wanted to hold one.  I let them pet one but told them they will have to wait to hold one since they are just new babies, so maybe next time.  The chicks already have such personality.  When they get tired, they just stop whatever they were doing and sit down (or stay standing) and shut their eyes.  One of them fell asleep in the food dish - the kids got a kick out of that!  The temperature seems fine for them, they are quite active all around the cage.  Well, time for bed - hope I can sleep  :o)

I am hosting The Homestead Carnival, Please help!!!!!!

I will be hosting The Homestead Blog Carnival for Monday, May 26th. I think I may be in over my head, but if you will help and send me in your submissions I may be alright.

HUGS!!

Todays Quote.......Edward Everett Hale

I am only one, but I am one.  I cannot do
everything, but I can do something.  And I
will not let what I cannot do interfere with
what I can do.  ~Edward Everett Hale

Tuesday's planting

Trying to keep track of what was planted. 

4 rows of Okra

packet of cosmos flowers

morning glories by each trellis

Put together a raised bed for lettuce.  Filled with dirt...no seeds yet. 

Transplanted day lilies from front of house to flower garden. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

Homemade Rose Bath Oil

Homemade Rose Bath Oil

Quote of the Day.........Nathaniel Hawthorne

— Nathaniel Hawthorne

Wednesday at Home

Allergy season is upon us, and I am feeling it's wrath. I finally got into the habit of taking my vitamins daily and started getting some more energy and then allergy season hit me and it hit hard. I feel as if I might actually sneeze my head off. Night time is the worst, that's when we open the windows to let the cool night air in. I found out that I was able to take clarityn or benadryl to help, but unfortunately they don't help at all. Not sure what else I can do except to tough it out and take some extra vitamin c to ward off any infections.

Enough whining about my problems. We're experiencing a cool front and a break from the 90+ temperatures today. Praise the Lord! We have a busy day ahead and thankfully I'm getting a little repreve from sneezing my brains out for the moment.

My daughter's school is hosting a carnival today and I promised her that I would come and check it out. So I'll be out doing that for a couple hours this afternoon.

Today is also payday and although I usually run errands and go to the store on Thursday, we're going to go ahead and do them this afternoon when hubby gets home.  I only have a couple of things to get at the store since I did my 2 week shopping trip last week, so I only need some milk and fresh produce.

I will still have to get out tomorrow. I am taking my youngest daughter to the doctor. Her eczema is getting out of control and needs to be seen about.

Also today I have to bake some more bread, work on some laundry, and try and fit school in. So I better run for now. I pray your day is blessed!

Sara