The Baker Creek Spring Planting & Heritage Festival With ** Lots of Pictures

Posted on Monday, May 12, 2008 at 09:33

It has been a whole week already since we were at the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Spring Festival. We went both days and had a great time. It was fantastic! We took several extra days and made a family vacation out of it. We also visited the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home & Museum, a real treat for we Little House fans! We ate at The home of the "Throwed Rolls", Lambert's restaurant, and spent a wonderful afternoon at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Maybe Laura or Mary will post about these later.

This post is about the Baker Creek Spring Festival, it is pretty hard to explain so I will show it to you instead. Following are many pictures taken at the festival.

There were lots of organic  farms selling plants as well as other great vendors:

In addition to all of the booths, they had great professional garden speakers giving talks all day in the speakers barn. When I was in there, I was too busy listening to take pictures. My favorite speaker was Len Pense. The day after the festival, we visited him at his farm to see his revolutionary vegetable garden system. I will be writing an entire post about him soon.

There were at least three areas with fantastic live music and entertainment going on constantly. This was Mary and Laura's favorite part of the festival.

The young man dressed in yellow in the above picture is Jere Gettles, owner of  Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. He started his seed company as a teenager while being homeschooled - what an inspiration!

In addition to running Baker Creek Seeds, he built the "Town of Bakersville" to have a place to host his garden festivals. These buildings were really neat.

They have also begun construction on a grist mill.  

Of course the most important building at Bakersville is the Baker Creek Seed Store where you can get seeds of hundreds (maybe thousands) of common or highly unusual top quality heirloom varieties!

I only bought a dozen or so seed packets because I had already ordered from Baker Creek by mail. Next year maybe I'll go back to the festival and buy all of my seeds there instead of by mail. I strongly recommend any serious gardener to do the same. If you don't want to wait a whole year to visit Baker Creek, they have another big festival in August and smaller ones every month.

I loved our trip to Baker Creek. In my next post I will let you know about some of the cool things I bought at the festival and about some of the people I met. And then I have to give a big update on our gardens here in Kentucky. I have lots of pictures to show. We have been harvesting lettuce and other salad greens. The garlic, potato onions, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, peas and early tomatoes are doing really well. Tonight Laura and Mary helped me plant peppers and beans and Ma helped with the weeding. We are now in the busy gardening season. Isn't it great?

Many blessings,

Pa

May is planting season....

Posted on Friday, May 9, 2008 at 10:49

We got back from Baker creeks seed festival on Wednesday. We are finally getting rested from all the fun we had. We are hoping to put on pictures soon! I can tell you we had a great time and hope to go back next year:) We brought home many packets of seeds and some pepper plants. We are hoping to plant our garden soon. Mary and Laura bought a few hand-made crafts:) There were many people selling plants and hand-made items it was amazing at all the things they were selling:)

It is May and that means planting season. We are going to extend our garden. We have raised beds and we are hoping to have a few row beds.  We might add a few more raised beds too? I don't think much of our fruit did well but we do have strawberry plants that are now getting ready to fruit.  We visited a nice mans garden while we were on vacation. He was growing his fruit in raised beds maybe we will try that next time. Our blue berries and grapes have been hard to grow. Has any one here grown fruit in raised beds?

We only have a few more weeks of school until our short break. It will be nice to have a small break:) There are so many things we would like to do this summer. I always get a little nervous that we won't be able to get it all done. The older I get the quicker the seasons fly by. I can't believe I have a 14 and an 11 year old. Where did the time go? I have been home with them and cared for them every day and still I miss them being little. Although these teen or between years are also fun:) I remember both of our daughters playing in the garden and now they  can plant and water and  do almost  all the work themselves. I miss having little ones.

I better go and get my day started. Thank you stopping by and reading our blog:)

Blessings

~Ma

Leaving in a few days to see the Baker Creek Seed Festival.........

Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 11:02

Well I am finally back to blogging:) We are getting ready to go to the Baker Creek Seed Companies Spring Festival you can see it here   http://rareseeds.com/    It will take us around 8-10 hours but I am sure it will be worth it:)  

We have been working in the garden getting ready for planting season:) My husband is trying something new this year we are going to try to get tomatos by the end of May. We have huge tomatoes in the ground covered with plastic. We don't have a greenhouse yet but maybe someday:) We still have alot to do but the weather has been wonderful.

We still haven't gotten to our chicken coop. We are hoping to start it soon, we might have to buy pullets instead of chicks I guess we will have to wait and see. My husband has been so busy it is hard to get everything done:) I am sure after getting back from Baker Creek we will get some more great idea's:)

We only have about a month of school left this has been the Best year of homeschool ever! I am so blessed to be able to homeschool the girls:) We will take a few weeks off  and then we will have Bible, Math and Grammer through-out the summer. I give them two more weeks off before school starts and then we start the new year off and running. I know some people take off and don't do any work but we like to stay busy doing a few lessons each day:)

Well I have get a few more things done:) Oh! I have quit crocheting and started back up embroiderying. I hope to show some pictures soon:)

I forgot to tell you that we started our worm bin and it is doing great! I hope to add some pictures to "Our Life In Pictures in a few days:)

Yes! We will take loads of pictures at The Bakers Creek Festival. We will share them when we get back:) We can't wait to show and tell you all that we learn:)

~Ma

Just another day?? of Encouragement

Posted on Monday, March 24, 2008 at 07:36

This morning I woke up and did what I do every morning. I woke up my husband and children. I  feed our indoor animals. My husband went off to work and my girls started school. We got our school work done and picked up the house. One of the ladies in my small group's daughter wanted to bring over a be-lated birthday gift for my oldest daughter.

That is when things started to change: I showed my friend our home and our garden. I also showed her where we are going to have our chicken coop and where we are going keep our worm bin. I then took her back inside and showed her our little plants under our grow lights. The whole time she was just so  nice and very encouraging. She loved our garden beds and all the plans that we are making for our new chickens.

Today God gave me a wonderful blessing by letting me share our garden and our yard with a very nice lady. I sometimes feel very discontent with our yard. My brother-in-law has 100acres+ We only have barely and acre. We don't  have any animals yet but we are hoping to have our chickens soon. I read about so many here on Homesteadblogger that have alot more than we do. But today I feel like I have so much more.

We should never compare ourselves to others. We all have different wants and likes. I have been reading of others that garden in the city using containers. I have also been reading of city dwells having chickens. We can garden and own animals where ever we live.

I am Thankful that God sent my friend over to show me  that I am truely blessed. It is funny we always want more than we have.  Oh, by the way my friend does own more land than we do she has 2 acres and she has a nice garden, grapes and raspberries.

I hope the next time that I visit  she will show me all around her garden and her fruit . I hope I give her as much encouragement as she gave me today :)

~Ma~

Seasons of Life..... and making plans

Posted on Monday, March 10, 2008 at 09:03

Today was such  pretty day the sun was shining and it was in the 50's. The girls went outside and had fun in the melting snow:) I believe that they have went down on their sleds over 50 to 60 times:)

Yesterday was Laura's birthday we took her out to eat and let her pick her gift out. I can't belive my youngest turned 11. Mary's birthday is on Wednesday we will do the same for her but we also have her youth  group and small group on that day so the day will go quick. Mary will be 14.

Now as the girls are getting older I am starting to think about the other seasons of my life. I am now wondering what God has planned for these next few seasons. My husband likes to make plans and think about going on vacations and adding to our garden. I am the type that just sits back and tries to wait for God to lead. Now I wondering if I fail to plan Will I fail the plan?  Should we have a plan? Will I miss out on things if I don't think ahead?  I have looked back and have seen many things I would have liked to have done either God didn't want this or I just didn't listen to His timing So Now what? Should we start looking towards the future making plans? I am not to sure about this?

Well tomorrow the girls have school and my husband  is off work so he can get a few things done around our home. We are hoping to get a few things done in our garden too. It won't be long and we will be able to plant a few things.

Blessings to all,

Ma

8-11 inches of Snow!!!

Posted on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 09:05

Good Morning! :) I thought I would update on how the snow is. It is about 8-9 inches on our deck, but we don't know how deep it is in the grass! :) Here is a picture of how it is right now...

I will take more outside when we go out, so maybe Ma or Pa will post them this week. :) I hope Everyone has a Wonderful Day! :)

~Mary~

The SNOW!!!

Posted on Friday, March 7, 2008 at 03:38

Hi Everyone it's Mary.   It started snowing this morning and they are now predicting 11-15 inches!!! Wow!  I have been taking pictures about every hour or so, so I could post them here! :) Here they are! :)

Starting about around 9 or 10 o'clock this morning.

Getting about an inch more around 11.

About noon-1 pm.

This is the most recent picture.

It is about 3 inches right now, but we are supposed to have about 5 inches. Most of it will come tonight. It is supposed to stop around tomorrow afternoon.

The birds look really pretty in the snow, especially the Cardinals! :)

And, I just had to post this one! I took it on Wednesday. I held the camera up high and she looked up, so it looks like she is upside down! I thought it was so cute! :) By the way, Macy's Adoption Birthday, when we got her is tomorrow! :) Happy 1st year with us Macy!!! :)

I am really excitied about the snow! We haven't had that much in a while! :) It is hard though, because I like the snow and I also want to have our family over for Laura's and my birthday. :( God has a Plan though. I just have to keep on reminding myself that. :)

I hope everyone has a Great Weekend, and I hope you enjoyed the pictures too! :)

~~ Mary ~~

UPDATE: There is now 5-6 inches of snow outside! I measured with my ruler on our deck, but it is deeper in the grass! :) I thought I would update. :) Also there is supposed to be at least 6-8 inches of snow tomorrow morning(On top of the 5-6 inches)! I am really excitied. :) Well, I should go Bye!

Crazy day and weekend.... Snow, snow and more snow

Posted on Friday, March 7, 2008 at 07:11

Well it' s probably going to be crazy the next few days. We are suppose to get 3 inches of snow to day and another 8 inches tommorow and then a little extra on Sunday. We were suppose to have the girls birthday celebration on Saturday but we are now wondering if we should cancel? The girls are excited about the snow. We went out last night to get a few more extra goodies. I am sure we will stay home play in the snow and eat all weekend:)

We are going to take the girls out to eat during the week to celebrate each of their birthdays. They are getting so big. They really don't seem to mind having their party on another day but I do. I guess I was more excited about getting together with everyone. I do enjoy being with family:) I also like to eat the menu is/was: chicken, cheesy potatoes, greenbeans, mac and cheese ,veggie tray cake and ice cream.Oh well we will have it all another day.

I guess I better get the girls up and do a little school they will want to get outside when it starts snowing:)

Blessings to all,

~Ma

 I got on our weather web-site here is what we are expecting:

Trials and more trials....

Posted on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 04:20

Last week Purewater http://www.homesteadblogger.com/purewaterhollow/  had a post about not being able to live without modern day conviences. He is so right! Lately we have been having many things break last week we needed a battery for the car. Last night we had to turn our hot water off in the kitchen because we had a leak. Today our dryer is broke:( 

I have never thought how totally spoiled we are!  We take so much for granted. I have had a hard time today just trying to fill my thoughts of finding something else to do other than laundry. I usually do around 5 loads a day. Yes! I have many other things to do but laundry is a big one and when we get our dryer fixed I will have plenty to do.

Yesterday was so pretty and today it has rained most of the day. I am going to start getting ready to order the girls books for next year. I would like to get that out of the way:) I would like to ge their books mainly because if I don't I will be worrying if I will get them in time for next year. Yes I am a worry wart:)

The girls birthdays are next week.  I can't believe we will have a 14 year old and a 11 year old. Time really has flown. We are having my family over this weekend to celebrate. So we have much to do!

Blessings

~ Ma

Spring is almost here... Added new pictures....

Posted on Monday, March 3, 2008 at 06:56

Today was a very pretty day. My daughters and I got outside for a little bit today. It was around 65 degrees a perfect day for bike riding, swinging and pulling some brush up:) I worked for about two hours cutting down brush or( thorn bushes?)

Today really gave me spring fever we have a list of things that we would like to do and most of it is plain old hard work:) We have so many old boards that need stacked and lots of weeds to pull or cut down so needless to say I can't wait for another day to get outside and work:) Tommorow is suppose to be cold and we are suppose to have snow flurries off and on. I guess it really isn't spring yet?

I have added new pictures to "Our Life In Pictures"  Right there on the right hand column.

Blessings to all

~Ma

Snow and Our New Blog......

Posted on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 01:31

We received our snow early this morning. We got around 2-3 inches of snow the girls had a snow day and played out -side until they could'nt move their hands any longer:) We have our small group tonight so I decided to spend my day making cookie bars and working on my crochet project. I was going to make soap today but it does make a bit of a mess so I think I will do that on a day that we are not as busy:)

My husband is working 1/2 a day. He went into work around 11:00. The traffic was so bad this morning that when he heard it would take him an hour and half to get to work he decided to just go in late:) It was nice having him here a little longer. We miss him during the day.

We have been working on our new blog  "Our Life In Pictures" we hope to add a few more pictures today. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as we enjoy putting them on. If you have time we would love for you to take our poll.

Blessings to all,

Ma

A Little this and that........

Posted on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 01:23

We are suppose to get 1-2 inches of snow tonight. I can't decided if I am ready for spring to arrive because I really do enjoy looking out and seeing the pretty white covering. We are thinking of "spring" we have ordered seeds and we have started some seeds. I have been making many trips to the compost bin are soil should be great this year:) My husband has been working on a way to build a cold frame. I would also like to have a small greenhouse.

I think we have decided to stay in this house for a little longer. We might even try to refinance? The interest rate is so low:) God has been slowly teaching us contentment:) Contentment is enjoying what we have now! I really like thinking about the future when I can see what we already have and not looking for the next best thing. Lately I have been looking for a "new" home with at least 2 acre's. I was wanting more and right now I am just thankful for we already have. Now I am not saying that I wouldn't like a few more acre's but right now I just want to be grateful for what we have!

I have been crocheting alot lately I hope to add a picture soon:) I also borrowed some knitting books at the library. I have found some great things to crochet even though they are supposed to be knitted. It is good to stay busy:)

I made another great recipe out of my crockpot cookbook. I just love using my crockpot! The recipe was 3 frozen chicken breasts. 2 cans cream of chicken soup (I use low sodium)1 can of mushrooms. I let it simmer all day on high then I boiled some noodles mixed it together and it was Great! (YUM)

I would like to start making some soap again soon:) I really enjoy using the soap we make and it helps save money too:)

Blessings,

Ma

  P.S. I have added my  picture blog link to my side bar I hope you enjoy looking at : Our Life In Pictures

Not much snow, but fun anyway! (pictures)

Posted on Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 07:04

We didn't really get 4 to 6 inches of snow here on Tuesday like Ma told you was in the forecast. Instead we got mostly freezing rain and ice.

Since I had planned to take a day off from work already, we decided to still go out and play in the snow / ice like we had planned. So after Ma fixed a wonderful breakfast for us, we all trudged out in the weather, which by now was rain.

The girls discovered that the sledding was really good due to all that ice.

They made it look like so much fun that I had to give it a try.

Then even Ma got into the act. She can really fly on a sled!

She tried pulling Laura to help her gain more speed, but it was a bit too icy to run in.

It was probably best not to get the girls going much faster because our hill isn't that long. Stopping is usually the hard part. If we sled down the back part, we run into the woods. If we sled down the front part of the hill, we have to try to keep from running into the house!

I think all that playing next to the house got our cat Macy a little jealous. We didn't realize until we were ready to go in that she had been watching the whole time.

Macy was much happier after we came in and resumed regular activities, like reading Homestead Blogger blogs.

Macy has learned a lot from all of your blogs!  See how intently she is reading!

Blessings to all - have a great Valentine's Day!!!

- Pa

Snow!!!!! and Budgeting......

Posted on Monday, February 11, 2008 at 04:51

Tonight we are suppose to get 4-6 inches of snow and then some ice. We haven't had a real snow this year. The girls are hoping it snows alot:) My husband has already taken off work so he is ready for a snow day:)

We had a really nice weekend although it went way to fast. Saturday my husband had to move our old couch to my brothers and then we picked a few things up at Wal-mart. Sunday church then Sunday School my one daughter went to a friends we came home Oh! after we stopped at Block Buster we are now watching the 2nd Lord of the Rings. Well not actually now we watched half yesterday and we are going to watch the rest tonight. I think it is sort of scary... I wish I would have read the books maybe I still might ???

Today the girls did their school work, I did my daily things and put out some bird seed. My daughter that is in the 8th grade is working on our family budget. My husband and I have been trying to work on a budget for sometime and when I saw my daughter was learning about budgeting, checkbook ect... I thought It would be a great idea to have the whole family learn and work on our budget. My daughter has learned alot about money today. I loved watching her brain work on how to put all the money in the right places:)  I am so glad we "Homeschool".

Blessing's to all

Ma

Finding ways to slow down..........

Posted on Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 01:48

 We woke up to a very rainy day. I wish it was snow:) It is very warm today around 60. It makes me think of spring. I can't hardly wait until it really starts warming up. My husband has been looking through seed catalogs, we bought seed starting dirt. I am sure the grow lights will be coming on  very soon:)

I have been reading some really great blogs. One of my favorites just did a post about making your home "your home". I really need to start slowing down and enjoying doing the things I need to get done. Most of the time I just try to rush right through my day. I try to get the girls moving through their work, while doing a little laundry, dishes, sweeping the floor ect..

I want to start enjoying my day.... I really want to start again waking up earlier. I want to enjoy teaching my girls and not looking at the clock the whole time. I want to have my kitchen organized so I can make my meals easier. I want to not use my dish washer so often.  There is something soothing about hand washing dishes. It gives you time to think...I have been hanging my clothes on a rack in our laundry room which saves a little money. It also seems to better for our clothes.

I like to find ways to live more simplier. One way  I would like to start  is by making our  own cleaning supplies. I found a recipe for laundry soap I can't wait to see if I can make it I just worry a bit about our sensitive skin. I usually buy products with out scents. I also am going to make a few more dish towels. I learned that you should add some hemp or other product to your yarn to help make your dish clothes more scrubbable:) This will also save us some money

I am also going to look for time wasters. I usually spend way to much time on the computer so I am going to cut back on this. I am not a T.V. watcher. I am going to start a list of to do's. I also need to keep a running list of big things that need to get done. I am going to slow down and make sure we do it right the first time so we don't have to go back and re-do it another time.

I want to end my day being able to enjoy the things that I had to do and wanted to do. I also want to slow down so that I can enjoy my home. I want to be able to look around at my nice neat home and see that I am providing my family with a warm and comfortable atmosphere.

Blessings to all

Ma

A good place to visit...... The Peanut Patch

Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 01:04

I would like you to go visit a good friend of mine. Laura from the http://thepeanutpatch.blogspot.com/

She gave me a wonderful award which I am so thankful for.I have known Laura for a few years now. God sent Laura to another blog I had and we have gotten to know each other by blogging and such. I would like to share my friend with all of you I am sure you will find her as wonderful as I do:)

It is suppose to be very nasty tonight. We are suppose to get rain, snow and ice. I wouldn't mind the snow but I really don't like the ice. I told my husband he should try to get home early. Both of my girls are down with a cold. We have been doing school between the blowing of the nose:) I am sure they will get over it soon.

I have been working on my crocheting. This cold weather makes me want to crochet all day long:) I have to keep a list of all things I need to get done. If I don't I would almost forget to make dinner:)

Thank you again Laura!

Love to all,

Ma

A little bit about "our" Family

Posted on Monday, January 28, 2008 at 11:04

We have been here at Homesteadblogger for a while and I have been seeing many new faces. I thought I would write a little bit about me and our family to catch everyone up...

We go to a Bible based church. We believe we are saved by the blood of Christ. Our relationship with Christ is the most important thing to us.

We are a homeschooling family.

We have two daughters they will be 14 and 11 in a few monthes.

We live on almost acre.

We have pretty good size garden and would like to extend it a little more this year. We also have apple trees and strawberries. (Yum) We also had blueberries but we are not sure if they made it through the drought.

My husband will be writing more about our garden soon! He loves to write and put on pictures so stay tune......

We are hoping to build a cold frame and a worm bin in the next month or so:)

A little bit about me:

I am 38 years old

I enjoy doing crafts of all kinds:) I mostly like crocheting and cross-stitching.

I like to decorate my home in earth tones. I like bringing the out-doors in-side.

I am the oldest in my family.

I don't like to drive although I have been praying about this and I believe God is helping me with this trial.

Well that is a bit about me and my family.

I am looking forward getting to know some of the new people along with the ones that have been here longer than us:)

Blessings,

Ma

My day and crocheting.....

Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 at 12:14

We have a very busy day today. I woke up at 6:30 and started the day getting many things done. We are almost done with school the girls have Grammer, reading and some cross-stitching.

We have our small group tonight and my daughter has youth group. Wednesdays are always so busy:) I have to finish laundry and I would like to get the food pantry cleaned out. We had a snow day yesterday.  I worked on cleaning my room. I usually have our room picked up but I really need to do some deep cleaning in there.

I have been crocheting a lot lately I am hoping to post what I am making very soon:) I love to spend time crocheting. I did buy a new cross-stitch kit which I do want to start  on but I find that I can easliy pick up and put down my crocheting without worrying about were I stopped and where I need to start. I did pick up a few knitting books at the library. I need to pick up some knitting needles? I am not to sure if I really want to learn? I am used to crocheting my mom taught me when I was around 14 years old. I only know a few stitches but I still enjoy it alot. I would like to learn the granny square next:)

Many Blessings,

Ma

Our New Couches! (With Pictures!)

Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 12:24

Hello Everyone, It's Mary! :) I haven't typed on here in So long! I wanted to write a post and tell you about our new couches and other things too! :)

The couches are Really nice! They are reclining couches, which we have never had before! The couch seats 3 people, but the middle seat pulls down and has cup holders and buttons for the massager! :) The loveseat is also reclining too! :) Here are some pictures:

Here is the couch with the reversable pillows! (We don't use them that much, though.)

The couch with the middle seat pulled down, and the loveseat with one recliner up. :) (Also Macy, our cat being nosy.) :)

Laura, Macy, and I relaxing on our couches! :)

I really like them a lot! :) They really go nice with the color of our walls too! The other 1 seat recliner next to our couch we moved back downstairs. We have our bookself there now.

Also, it snowed about an inch today! Ma gave us a snow day, since we haven't got one yet this year. :) Thanks Ma! :) It is about 35 degrees right now, not as cold as 7 degrees. I am very happy about that! We do have a nice warm house, which I like a lot! :) I am very thankful for a day off. I have been posting on my other blog on Homeschoolblogger, embroidering, and we also just ate lunch! Our Lunch was leftovers from yesterday's Teriyaki chicken which was Really good! Ma did a Wonderful job, but I also thank Aunt Lisa for giving us the cookbook with the Wonderful meal in it! ;) I haven't been doing much else, though.

Well, I hope everyone has a Wonderul day and week! Stay Warm! :)

~Mary~

The Best Christmas present.......

Posted on Monday, January 21, 2008 at 10:26

We are a little tired from a busy weekend. We celebrated my brothers 22nd birthday on Saturday. We also had our couches delivered.  Sunday we went to both services at church came home ate Chili and relaxed a bit:)

Today we are having school and then cleaning up from the weekend. We got our couches on Saturday and they look and feel great!  We can't belive they are our's:) We decided to watch Lord of the Rings to try them out it was nice to relax a bit:)

My sister-in-law gave me the "Best" Christmas present a cookbook called Fix-It and Forget-it Cookbook. Yesterday I made Chili in the crockpot and today I am making Easy Teriyaki Chicken. Yum! I love putting on the crockpot in the morning filling it up and not worrying about what we are having  for dinner at the end of the day:) Thank you again Lisa!

We have been doing pretty good waking up earlier although it has been so,so cold this morning was a nice warm 7 degrees:) I just have to remind myself it will get warmer and waking up earlier is a good habit! I can't believe how much more I can get done:)

Blessings to all,

Ma