HEARTILY HOMESTEADING

Stock Show

Today we checked in Annabelle for her first stock show.  My oldest is going to show her first thing tomorrow morning.  8:00.  So afraid someone is going to get hurt.  She's green and this is her first show and his first show and my husbands first show in about 30 years.  Times have sure changed.  Will upload pics tomorrow after the show.

Eagle Cam Link

We have really enjoyed this eagle cam.  I think you will too.

http://www.suttoncenter.org/eaglecam.html

Garden Journal

Today we sowed some rows outdoors of chinese cabbage called "Michili" and some more lettuce, Mesculin Salad mix, transplanted some mixed greens that we started about 4 weeks ago.  My turnips are sprouting in the raised bed and some potatoes are starting to barely poke through.  The tomatoes and peppers are still way too small to transplant outdoors.  I hope things go well in the transplanting process.  The tomatoes and peppers are what we want t he most of and we don't want to have to spend any money buying the actual plants if at all possible.  This is our first year to really start seed indoors with a grow light and we have learned some good information but we've made some mistakes too.  I'm beginning to doubt the soil in the raised beds and whether its rich enough for everything.  It's just some dirt that my husband loaded from a dry pond bed and he mixed it with some cow manure and some other organic compost but mostly dry pond dirt.  Anyway, will hopefully upload some pics when I get a minute.  We're off to bed for our devotional.  We're memorizing Psalm 23 and studying about Moses, and for our Christian living lesson we are learning that if we control our tongue we can control our whole body.  Oh my that's a subject isn't it. 

Good dirt and best gardening to you,  love, Pam

Seeds And Seed Potatoes Are Here!

Seeds for this year's garden are here and we are seeding all weekend.  (it will be cutting it close - may have waited too long).  I am VERY excited about my choices and that they are all NON-GMO.

We are learning the art of cultivating a new and healthy life.  Everyone is geared up and ready to get to work.  We have grown plenty of tomatoes and peppers before but have never had any luck seeding our own stuff.  

SEED POTATOES FROM WOOD PRAIRIE FARM.  NON-GMO.  Wonderful Website www.woodprairiefarm.com

You can see I chose "Island Sunshine" and "Cranberry Red" one is considered an early variety, the other a later variety. 

I am not convinced that this starter mix is "the best" but for our first year I decided to just go with what was available at our local garden center.  I want to discover and learn to prepare our own seed starter mix so we can have good control over what exactly is feeding our seeds after germination.

Non-GMO Seed Potatoes

The gardening bug has bit !!!  Not just as a hobby anymore, this year it's different.  It seems my attitude now is, WE HAVE TO grow all our own fruit and vegetables and learn how to store them long-term and how to seed them for the next planting.  I'm not a doom and gloom fearful type, I just think God has given us some land and it would be bad stewardship not to use it for what it was intended.   I've been online looking for non-gmo seed potatoes.  Anyone ever shop for those? Would love some leads on where to get them.  Usually buy from local feed store but my first choice for my garden this year is non-gmo whenever possible.  I'm also needing some information on how best to store potatoes.  I intend to plant enough to eat and store until next summer.  Will potatoes last that long?  So much to learn. 

QUILT UPDATE

I was able to do some searching online last night for Quilt Block Names.  There were thousands.  I think I found one that most resembles my quilt.  I think it's a "Weathervane" quilt block.  The one I have though is may be a "puffed" version or a pillow version.  They are much more tedious to make but so pretty.  I wish I knew who made mine.  My hubby thinks it was one of his Great Grandmother's or one of her sisters.  They all quilted in the early 1900's.  I just don't have any idea.  It's special to me though and hopefully I can take care of it. 

Here's a picture of a "prim" stocking I made with lots of help from my mom.  It was my first embroidery project ever and I don't think it turned out too bad for my first time.

First Ever Embroidery Project.  The applique was fun, I tea stained my fabric for a more prim affect and used all homespun fabrics.  So fun.  I need to practice though.  Sewing the stocking up was a challenge for me, it's 4 layers thick.  quilting the top was fun. 

Below is a picture of my birthday present from my Sister-in-law  She knows how much I enjoy sunflowers.  It has music when you open the box. Amazing Grace.

Changed Template-Lost Widget thingy

I made some changes again to my blog template but lost some embedded items with pictures, counters, widget stuff, etc.  I am trying to clean up my blog but I seem to have made it worse.  Oh well.  I always say the best way to learn how to do something right is to do it wrong a few times.  Maybe when I have more time I can read up on how to blog properly and efficiently.  I have no idea where I'm pasting these embedded items until I click "Preview Changes"  I know that's a better way.  Well, if anyone is out there reading thanks for your patience. 

Question for Quilters!

If there's anyone who knows what the name of this pattern is I'd appreciate knowing about it. 

Here's a picture of a potholder my maternal grandmother made and used 

These are some recipe booklets from the 30's, 40's and 50's.

I LOVE things like this.  You should read some of these recipes too. 

Finally Friday! Homestead is quiet.

Weight Loss

Spring Will Be Here Soon!

I for one am really looking forward to Spring.  It's my favorite time of year.  I am hoping my activity level will increase with the extra demands of a homestead during this time of year.  Lots and lots and lots of work here.  We have to make up for the bust of a garden we had last year.  Still am perplexed by all the mishaps but have learned some lessons.  Dogs, bad dirt, bad hay that we had put on it for the winter diseased what did come up.  And we had a water issue that wasn't fixed until long after growing season.  Anyway.  I am only looking forward.  One of my motto's is "Don't look back, it only slows you down." Isn't that so true.

MENU FOR THE WEEK.  note I am learning to lacto-ferment my grains and beans using the book Nourishing Traditions.  I use as fresh ingredients as possible.  This week I have organic flour store-bought, but it was on sale.  I'll use it for homemade bread and buns for the week.  Probably will have enough for a cake to splurge on later in the week.

Monday:

 B. Oatmeal Panckaes w/ fresh fruit

L. Tuna Salad mini-subs w/veggie tray

D. Beef Enchiladas, Mexican style rice

Tuesday:

B. Egg Sandwiches w/juice

L. Grilled Cheese w/veggie tray

D. Baked Salmon w/brown sugar glaze, au gratin potatoes

Wednesday:

B. Blueberry Muffins w/smoothies

L. Nachos w/guacomole salad

D. Chicken Tetrazinni w/dinner salad

Thursday:

B. Sausage Biscuits

L. Turkey Sandwiches and soup

D. Sloppy Joes, mac-n-cheese, salad

Friday:

B. Cold Cereal

L. leftovers of some sort

D. Homemade pizza night

 

Saturday:

B. Daddy's Choice

L. Chicken Strips, cole slaw

D. Grilled Marinated Steaks w/Baked potatoes

 

Changing of the Templates!

Thanking God for Storm Cellars!

TORNADOS IN FEBRUARY???? Lots of excitement this afternoon. I can't recall ever having a tornado in February before today!  We were in and out of our "hidey hole" for 2 hours.  It was just one wall cloud after another moving directly above our heads!  Thank God for our storm cellar.  This is the first house we have had that had one.  I'm going to try and download some pictures of the hail.

Our dog Huckie would not get in the cellar and that caused my 5 year old to start crying.  And he is having asthma symptoms that we're treating him for (breathing treatments) So it worsened his breathing.  And the dustiness in the cellar made it worse as well.  My 7 yo was his level headed self.  He rounded up all the flash lights and blankets and pillows.  And he even brought a stuffed animal that my 5 yo loves.  My 9 year old was not worried about a thing, he brought a back pack with clothes, snacks, and some boy scout items.  He was very helpful.  The local schools were on lockdown - meaning they couldn't go home from school and the buses just started running about 5:00 from what I understand.  Well I know their parents must be worried sick.  I'm so glad we educate our children at home.  Anyway there's damage all over the area but none here at our place.  Our electricity went off but only for a few minutes. 

The LOVE holiday

I've been doing a Bible study about love.  I've read the  "love" chapter  (Ist Corinthians 13).  God is showing me new things everyday about what love really is and what it is not.   I want to encourage you to do your own study and see what God shows you.  It's endless.

I John 3:18 "My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth."

HERE'S THE ONE THAT TOOK MY WALK WITH GOD TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL!

Matthew 22:37-40 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Since February is typically considered the Love holiday, I hope believers take some time to consider the Love that God has designed for us and that Love is a verb, not some mysterious emotion that nobody understands. 

Love is a verb and look at what Jesus did because he loved the world. 

Reading List for 2009

• KJV Bible
• 15 Minute Organizer - Emilie Barnes
• Miserly Moms - Jonni McCoy
• Hinds' Feet On High Places - Hannah Hurnard
• A Woman After God's Own Heart - Elizabeth George
• What The Bible Says About Child Training - J. Richard Fugate
• Communication-Key To Your Marriage- H. Norman Wright
• A Firm Foundation - Paul Chappell
• Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends - Mally Family
• Boyhood And Beyond - Bob Schultz
• Growing Kids God's Way - Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo
• Nourishing Traditions - Sally Fallon

IT'S HERE IT'S HERE.........

First, this is not a paid advertisement, it's just I'm so excited I have to tell somebody.  Today I received my "Yearbook For The Homekeeper 2009" and I can finally be organized.....Marmeedear.com publishes these planners and I have come to love it for it's uniqueness.  Especially designed for HOMEMAKERS.  I think homemaker is the toughest job in the world and it takes special equipment and this is a piece of equipment that I just love. 

Anyway,  I ordered one for the first time last year and  came to love it and used it everyday.  For me it's just one of those things that I have to have.  I am just extremely challenged and deficient in the area of organizing and using my calendar and writing things down and this is the only calendar device that works for me.  Now, I know what some are thinking, oh a calendar is a calendar.  OH MY NO!  I have used everything including a $400 handheld PC and a $100 Franklin Covey planner  and I tried a homemaking binder using a 3-ring notebook, and I have had as many as 4 organizers/calendars/planners going all at once. DREADFUL.  But last year I tried this and for me it works, finally something that works for me.  This is a God send.  Thank  you Marmeedear.  I know its not going to be for everybody, but for me it is an answer to prayer. 

That's all for now.

To Do List !

Lots of changes on our homestead the past 6 months.  Homeschooling is wonderful, wouldn't have it any other way.  I'm trying new recipes and new habits in the kitchen (not as much processed boxed stuff).  Loving all the great tips and information I find on Homestead Blogger.  We gave canned goods away to our families this Christmas instead of presents.  We had an abundance of blackberry jam, pears, salsa, pickles.  Everyone was very excited to get them and I think they understood that it was truly a gift of love. 

Today I will be doing the following:

1. Read Bible and Pray
2. Hug my husband and children
3. Take my vitamins
4. Drink plenty of water
5. 15 minute workout DVD
6. Start laundry
7. Ham 'n Bean soup and Cattledrive cornbread for supper
8. Cleaning Kitchen spotlessly
9. Sweep Floors
10. Mop Floors
11. Put Christmas Decorations up
12. Go to Church tonight for New Year's Eve special

Gone Until Projects Are Finished

 I have been so busy I have lost sight of my priorities.  God and family.  I'm taking a break until I get lots of unfinished things taken care of.  Hopefully it won't take but a couple of weeks.  I love the Homestead Blogger.  You have helped me so much with lots of different issues.

Thanks

River And Memories of Old

My husband took me and the boys to the river this past weekend.  It was the river where he grew up in and learned to swim in.  It was a great time.  We stayed and swam for most of the afternoon and early evening.  It's just an amazing experience.  We loved it but what made it so special was of course it was where my hubby grew up.  The boys want to go back.  I would encourage everyone to take your kids/grandkids places you went growing up and tell them experiences and memories about them.  I  am in a different state from where I grew up so I'm not able to take my kids there, but I do talk about them.  There are lots of nights that the kids don't want me to read, they want me to tell them a story about a childhood place of mine, or a childhood memory of mine.  They are so fascinated by what I considered old memories, especially funny ones.  I thought I had the worst childhood possible, but as I've grown in the Lord, He has brought to my memory times when I was happy.  It's so natural for me to dwell on and remember only the bad memories, but there are so so many fun times that I had all but forgotten about.    I think there is alot to be enjoyed from the "old" memories.  

Jeremiah 6:16

Interesting Statistics About Success

I found these statistics on Cindy Downes blog (homeschoolblogger.emptynestmom).  It was so interesting I just wanted to post them to see if anyone else knew this.

Jul. 6, 2008 - Some Interesting Statistics!

I am reading the book, Talent is Never Enough by John Maxwell, and came across some statistics that will interest those of you who are homeschooling teenagers. On page 2, Maxwell states: More than 50 percent of all CEO's of Fortune 500 companies had C or C- averages in college. Sixty-five percent of all U.S. senators came from the bottom half of their school class. Seventy-five percent of U.S. presidents were in the Lower-Half Club in school. More than 50 percent of millionaire entrepreneurs never finished college! So, next time you think your average child is never going to amount to anything, remember these statistics! And read this book!

Ewe Update & Blackberry Jam Picture

I am so glad to report that our ewe "Willimina" is up and eating.  We aren't sure what it was but we think it was either "bloat" or "colic"  I just know she was soooooo sick.  The old saying "a sick sheep is a dead sheep" wasn't so this time.  I'm up very very late trying to get the kitchen cleaned from an evening of blackberry jam making.  I hope these pictures load right.   I'm still practicing my blogging skills.  We will have enough for us and there's still a ton of blackberries for me to pick.  I feel very blessed but it's a lot of work.  My dh helped alot.  Well, hope all is well with everyone.  Good Night

Sad, Farm Life Can Be So Sad

Living on our little hobby farm has been very exciting and rewarding.  But there is a side to it that I would rather do without....  Today our dog "Rex" got out of our yard and chased several of our prize rabbits that were out for their morning meal (they do not go far from their barn, but they do like to explore a little and normally it's not a problem.   Rex never gets out of the yard and the few times he's out with us we never let him near the rabbits, but the timing was just not on the rabbits side.  Now I know of one at least that will have to be put down because of Rex getting a hold of it's backside.   I almost wish he had just killed her completely instead of just leaving her to suffer.  It's just an awful sight.  Rex was a dog we adopted from the local pound last summer.  He has been nothing but trouble.  I'm dealing with this while also trying to nurse a sick ewe, clear up pink eye (me!), organize our home and office, plan a quick getaway to CO to see my brother who is coming in from Iraq for 2 weeks, and there's umpteen other undone projects that need my attention. Just feeling very overwhelmed.  I'm going to go now and start counting my blessings if I say dwelling on all the negative I am never going to get anything done!!!!!

Blackberries Anyone?

My soul, I have never seen so many blackberries growing hog wild in my life!!!  That's right, on our back 5 acres, blackberries are overtaking the pasture and we have been picking like madmen trying to get them off the vine and into something.  There is a very short window of opportunity for these perfect little gems.  I am so excited and very inspired that God would bless us so.  I am going to put up as many jars of blackberry buckle and blackberry jam and I'm going to try freezing some whole and I just can't wait to share the goodness with friends and loved ones.  I t hink they will be very impressed with our harvest.  BUT the only downside is they  have THORNS, lots of prickly sticky things all up and down the leaves and plants and you have to be so careful, each one is precious.  So, I need some custom gloves or does anyone know of a special tool for picking blackberries without getting poked and scratched all up and down the arms....  Anyway, just wanted to share our neat surprise find, mind you, we have never planted blackberries nor harvested them.  There's a first time for everything.  The kids are loving it.  They hardly notice the pokes, I have them work the outer bushes, and I go in for the inner ones.  I will definitely put up some pictures soon.  I took pictures of the boys picking them, and my dh and I and also of the kids making blackberry cobbler.    Nothing like nature to make you appreciate all the things of God.

Neat Bumper Sticker!!

I saw the NEATEST bumper sticker the other day.  I just want to share it with you.

It was on a little car with a feisty looking teenaged girl driving.  We were at a 4-way stop, she got there a few seconds before I did and she was driving west and I was driving north.  So when she took off to continue through the stop sign I saw the bumper sticker because it was actually on the car right by her gas tank.  And it was big and it said "CAUTION; FORMER FETUS DRIVING"  Love it........

Nice Valentine's Day

Flu

Homestead Kind of Quiet

There's not much going on today at our homestead.  I baked a fantastic Banana Bread and some Banana Muffins.  I got the recipes from www.hillbillyhousewife.com.  The kids scarfed them down.  I thought I'd have some left over to freeze for another day.  I was wrong.  It's windy today.  2 of our ewes are at another farm so we don't have them to feed.  And all the cows are at my in-laws wheat pasture (40 miles away) for the next few months.  Now that settles this little place down fast.  We had 3 cows 1 yearling heifer, 4 calves.  They are all gone for a while because we just don't have the pasture for them.  It's been so quiet.  Just the 2 dogs, 2 cats and some rabbits.  I am happily on schedule for my Bible reading, but my weight loss is just not happening like I wanted.  I'm not giving up.  It has to come off.  Well, I have absolutely got to get to bed.  That was another issue I wanted to conquer for 2008.  BED BY 10 NO MATTER WHAT.  Just drop everything and GO TO BED. So, I'm 2 hours late but at least I'm going.

New Habits 2008

Contest - Cowboy Wife is having a contest- Read All About It

A Cowboy’s Wife is having a contest on her food blog! You can win a Hamilton Beach® Stand Mixer and she’ll ship anywhere so everyone is eligible!

The Prize:

The winner will receive a brand new
Hamilton Beach 4.5-qt. Eclectrics Stand Mixer, Pineapple Yellow!!

About the mixer:

From Hamilton Beach’s “Eclectrics” line, this all-metal stand mixer comes with a host of accessories - a Flat Beater for cakes and cookies, a Dough Hook for bread and a Wire Whisk for whipped cream or pudding. The 4.5-qt. stainless steel bowl comes with a Pouring Shield that helps prevent splattering while in operation. The pouring shield has a built-in chute for adding ingredients. Powered by 400 watts, the stand mixer has a two-way mixing action to ensure all ingredients are incorporated into the mix. The quick-release, tilt-up head assists when removing the bowl. 9 x 14 x 14-in. When you’re ready for a kitchen re-do, don’t call in the carpenters! Instead, “counterscape” your kitchen with Hamilton Beach’s retro-designed, affordably priced electrics in happy, sun-saturated colors. Their “Eclectrics” line includes updates to those classic appliances from the 1950s. All of their “Eclectrics” are available in six colors: Apple Green, Moroccan Red, Pineapple Yellow, Intrigue Blue, Sugar White and Licorice Black.

Christmas Traditions I Treasure

Today the boys and I had a conversation about what some of the traditions we had when I was a kid like them......

This really got my ole brain churning.  I remembered things that I thought I'd forgotten.  I was pleasantly reminded of all the great ways my mom and dad celebrated Christmas.  All the wonderful surprises and oh the anticipation.  I am so grateful that I was raised in a Christian home where there was caring from both my parents.  My mom just went all out on decorations.  We would turn on some traditional Christmas music and decorate the tree together.  She'd bake I don't know how many dozens of cookies for us to decorate and take to school for parties.  And she'd make vats of hot cocoa mix from scratch and we'd drink it morning noon and night.   We even hung mistletoe over my mom and dad's bedroom door.  We would just laugh and laugh that they had to "kiss"  I don't know how they put up with us.  We were raised in South Texas so it was always about 75 degrees on Christmas day.   Always sunny and never any signs of wintry landscapes.  I remember plain as day the first time we ever saw snow...... I can still smell it and feel it  as if I were there now.  Such an amazing thing.  It was a "miracle" I said.  We tried to stuff it in our pockets and bowls to keep "forever"...........  It's been too long since I've allowed my thoughts to drift to those days.  I think I will do it more often...............