What we've been up to - 10:50, Tuesday, June 30, 2009

 I thought I would share some pics of some of the projects we have been busy with here on the homestead.

First of all, we have so enjoyed all the wildlflowers that have bloomed! I love bachelor buttons & black eyed susans!  We took an old hand pump that had been on the old cistern that we took out ..... and repainted it and used it for landscape decor!

This area had once held a cistern and hand pump and we tore that out and made a flower bed.....

 We had a big problem in this area.... the previous owner had laid brick pavers and they had cracked and the weeds were coming thru and muck..... my 16 yr old son tore the whole thing out, leveled the dirt, laid down black landscape tarp and then put down pond rocks and some stone...... turned out nice, eh?  I was so suprised when I was done and so happy! No more mucky wet ground!!

 It sure is handy to have a teen age boy around!  He helps me a great deal with household projects! Great job, Jacob!

Dru has been busy working on refinishing all the outside doors. Stripping, sanding, re-staining and then finishing...... he even took the old door hardware and cleaned them up with an oil rubbed bronze spray paint! It turned out great! 

We took the old screen doors, stripped them, repainted and cleaned up the old hinges.... we rescreened them with a tough pet resistant screen..... it sure comes in handy to have screen doors durring bug season!

Finally, I have really been enjoying working in our garden and flower beds..... the roses are blooming and beautiful... and the wildflowers are attracting the butterflies and hummingbirds and bees...... one of my favorite spots in the warmer months is my front porch.... I love to sit out there on my rocker and look around at the surrounding countryside.... it's where I go in the early morning hours.... I love to sit out here and listen to the birds chirp and sing praises to my Lord...

Home sweet home.......

Lots of other projects we are working on..... hope to share more later next week!

Until then, God bless!

gloria

Country Livin' - 08:36, Monday, May 18, 2009

 The children are blossoming along with the flowers this spring.... take a look at those radiant faces.......here's my  "3" stooges...sarah, naomi & jon . 

Not only do flowers do well with lots of sun & rain, but kids do great living in the country! All that fresh air, running around, playing with kittens, riding bikes, climbing trees..... it makes for healthy kids.  

Nothing like country livin' for children,

Gloria

p.s. check out the dirt stained knees and rain boots. :) Have they been having fun or what?!

There is nothing like... - 03:08, Saturday, May 16, 2009

Sheets freshly washed and hung on the line.........

Or so my daughter says and I would have to agree.

Rebekah was outside helping me hang the sheets and as she was taking down dry ones she remarked on how fresh and clean they smell....

She's right.

Nothing like sheets that have been hung in the warm sunshine and breeze to dry.

I think the soap companies try to replicate that scent.... but nothing beats the real thing.

Simple pleasures, don't you love 'em?

I found good dirt! - 01:46, Friday, May 15, 2009

   Yeah! I found good dirt!! For much less than what the hardware store was selling it to me for!!! I can't wait! They will deliver it to me next week when it dries up -- we are having massive rain today. 

Yeah , yeah, yeah! 

 Am I am country woman or what? Who else would get excited about dirt?!!

Meanwhile, we are in the midst of a huge storm right now -- lots of hail and massive rain...... we were going to head to the library after I gave the kids their spelling tests today, but I may forgo it as it looks like flash flooding coming our way.  Geesh.

 Hope you are all staying dry,

gloria

Cleaning up the pond - 10:17, Friday, May 15, 2009

 We have a small pond on the edge of our property. It is often times filled with algae and I would love to clean it up and even have it stocked with fish if possible. Any suggestions on how to clean up a pond? Optimally I would like to use natural methods to clead up the algae. I know there are certain kinds of fish we could put in the water that would eat up algae. Any suggestions?  It would be wonderful if we could clean up the pond and actually have it as a fishing hole of sorts.

As you can tell from the photo above, there is green "gunk" on the edges of the pond. Please, if you have any experience with ponds, I would love to hear from you!!

I look forward to hearing your responses on this one!

Thanks!

gloria

Good Dirt - 03:32, Thursday, May 14, 2009

  I am so dissapointed! We had ordered a ton of dirt  , supposedely good "top soil".  When the truck arrived I could tell upon looking at the dirt that it was not top soil.  Upon inspecting it, it was clay.  Ughh. How dissapointing! I certainly don't need more clay around here! I have enough of that!  I refused the dirt and the driver took it back to the hardware store that was selling it.  A word of warning to all of you out there looking at buying a piece of land , or home where you hope to garden. Check out the dirt first!!! We live in a beautiful area, but it's clay. We did not even think about the quality of the soil before we purchased our farm. Something that we have learned to regret. 

  I called a local landscaper and asked if he knew of where to buy good top soil ( black soil, not clay!) and he gave me the phone number of a local contractor that supposedly can get me some. Oh, I hope so!!  I had hoped to get the dirt spread in the garden area, so I could replant, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen soon. 

  We'll just have to wait and see what happens and what we can find. 

  Meanwhile, learn from my experience and please check out the soil of your future home site before you purchase!!! Trucking in good soil can be $$ to say the least.

  I'll have to chalk this one up to experience,

  Gloria

Springtime - 09:17, Wednesday, May 13, 2009

     Spring is here, in all it's splendor and glory. What a beautiful world our Lord has created for us!  We have lots of warm days coupled with lots of rain, so our world looks pretty green from our front porch. We have been spending a good deal of time outside, cleaning and planting.

The wildflowers I planted have taken off! Thank you , Lord! I planted a hummingbird/butterfly wildflower garden. I can't wait! All the beds around the house will be profuse with flowers in a month or so, Lord willing!  

The Lilacs are in bloom......... nothing like Lilacs in the spring.....

One of my favorite things about warmer weather....sitting on the porch..... oh I love  early mornings, sitting on the porch with a cup of java.... just me and my Lord.....

The roses are in bloom.  We have a vintage variety on the east side of the house that is profuse with yellow blossoms. My husband gifted me with 3 Rose plants for Mother's day ... my favorite Jackson and Perkins varities. I planted them today. I can't wait for blooms!

The Irises are out as well....... they make a lovely hedge. I love these. The deep purple is gorgeous.

The peonys are about to come out...... I would like to pick up a few more......

Everything is really starting to green up...... it's such a welcome blessing after a long cold winter.  I am so glad the Lord created seasons! 

Tomorrow I have some good top soil being delivered. We are going to put some in the garden and replant after our visit from the neighbor's "cows" few things were salvaged. ( my onions I put out made it and some sun flowers I had planted).  I am also going to spread top soil in areas where the grass is thin.

The kids and I were out for a walk earlier this evening......it's so nice to see everything come alive after the long winter months. Such a beautiful time of year.

I hope you are all enjoying spending time in this beautiful world God created for us.

Gloria

Garden is in! - 08:08, Saturday, April 25, 2009

 Today the kids and I finished putting in the last of the garden.  I am glad we were able to finish up as we got a bit of rain late this afternoon and early evening. I hope my seeds aren't washed away in all of it!

  We were able to put in a variety of veggies, and even snuck in 3 rows of mamoth sun flowers. I love sunflowers! 

  Here is John, putting in red potatoes. Oh I love red potatoes! They are so yummy steamed with parsley and butter and chives!

 Here's Peter helping plant red onions. We planted red & yellows.

 We also planted 2 large rows of green beans, and about 6 or so hills of zuchini. I absolutely love sauteed zuchinis and onions! Yummy!

  Our new item we tried is a small variety of watermelon and cantaloupe. I have never grown these before, but the melons around these parts are yummy so I am hopeful.

  Our soil isn't that great and I am just praying that the Lord will bless our efforts regardless.  We are getting so much rain, I am just crossing my fingers that our wildflowers we planted won't be washed away. 

  We had a wonderful blessing come thru this past week. The kids and I have been praying that we would have the funds to be able to drive back west for my niece's wedding.  This past week we received a refund from the IRS and it's going to be enough for our trip! So we are praising God for that!  The whole family will be leaving later this week to head back, and I am grateful my husband will be able to help me with the driving as last year I had to do it all alone and it was exhausting.  We're hoping to stop at Mt. Rushmore again and show dad how awesome this site is.  Everyone should see Rushmore, it is truly amazing!  

  Well I have chocolate cake coming out of the oven and I need to head in and check in on it. Here's hoping you all enjoy a peaceful evening.

 Blessings,

 gloria

Adventures in the garden... - 02:31, Thursday, April 23, 2009

 The weather has warmed up considerably and I believe, I "hope" the cold winter weather is behind us!  The girls and I took time yesterday to head to the garden store and purchase all our garden seeds! Yeah!  We decided to plant an herb garden this year. I am excited. I love fresh herbs! Nothing like a sprig of fresh parsley or some sweet basil......

We planted sweet basil, oregano, thyme, chives, cilantro & dill.

I have been a bit discouraged with the soil here.  There is so much clay, it takes getting used to. I have only gardened in the wet, moist Pacific NW where the soil is soft, so this is a new adventure for me.

The photo below is the area we have chosen for our "herb garden".  I'm praying it will be a success!

We tilled up the soil as much as we could and prayed as we planted! :) Yes, I prayed! I need the Lord's help for this garden to be a success!

We also planted wildflowers in the garden beds around the house. We chose a variety that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. I love wildflowers.  I prayed as I was spreading the seeds.  :) This morning we received a soft shower and now the sun is coming out and it's nice and warm out.... perfect conditions for 'germination'. Thank you Lord!

My husband has been tilling the garden spot again, so the soil is ready to go. We have been spreading ashes in this area all winter long so that should help. I tried to find fish fertilizer here ( my favorite garden fertilizer!) but couldn't find it here locally. I'll need to order some online.

The kids and I will be planting the veggies today.  We have tomatoes starts to put in, carrots, red onions, cucumbers, summer squash, cantaloupe and melons to plant.  We are so excited to plant the cantaloupe! You can grow the most delicious melons here in Missouri! We're looking forward to it!

Again, we'll be praying as we plant........that the good Lord would bless us with a lovely garden full of delicious veggies and lovely flowers that will attract His beautiful creations and create beauty that will glorify His name.

Hope you are all enjoying the gardening season,

Gloria

FINISHED!! - 05:49, Saturday, April 4, 2009

  We finished tilling the garden area today. My husband tilled a bigger area that I had expected, so I was pleasantly surprised! We'll be busy this Spring & Summer. :)   This area had been previously used as a garden spot by the previous owners, and it is very close to the well water spigot, so this is why we chose to use the same area. 

Sadly, we're expected to have snow again tomorrow!! Oh my. So we were very busy outside again, covering up all our bulbs and roses and lilacs. I really really love lilacs, and I have become obsessive about protecting them.  My family thinks it's so funny! :)

We were able to get our Saturday housecleaning done, and get lots done outside too.  It's been a productive day, and I can feel it in my bones.......

I'm looking foward to a simple dinner and quiet evening. Well as "quiet" as the house can be with 10 children!

God bless,

gloria

Guess what we're doing today? - 11:06, Saturday, April 4, 2009

 We're pretty excited around here....... We purchased our farm a few years back and this is our first time garden we have tilled up!   We have been so busy remodeling and fixing up this old place that we have not had the time, energy or inclination to do this... but this year is different! The area we tilled up is not too large, but  enough to give us enough space to grow some tomatoes, fresh beans and squashes...

  My husband was busy this morning tilling ......he really does enjoy outside work, but has been so busy with the house projects the last few years he hasn't had a chance to do much outside. He was pretty happy this morning.

The boys are enjoying it too.......

So did the girls.......

 We're going to add some manure and let it sit for a bit.... before we plant towards the end of the month. 

Looking forward to that fresh produce.:)

mmm.......

gloria

The frogs are out!!! - 02:50, Thursday, March 19, 2009

    Yes, the frogs are out!!! We have had some warmer nights so we've been sleeping with the windows open and we can hear their melodic croaking ( do those 2 words even go together?) .. in any case, we *love* the sound of frogs..... because that means that Spring is coming!!!

  I am so ready!  I am tired of looking at the brown fields and leafless trees...... Spring is sure to be here, shortly.. right?

  I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where it is green all year round.  So, this 'browness' is hard to get used to.   I have begun to see some green peak thru the grass! Yeah! In a month or so, I should be mowing the grass. I can't wait! I love to mow the grass! I love the smell of fresh grass clippings.

  The kids have been enjoying the warmer weather. ( it's been in the 50's lately).   They're ready for Spring too! 

  Rebekah enjoying the tire swing...

Naomi and John love this little red wagon.... they go everywhere in it! Can you see the green coming thru ?

The kids have been making these funny homemade "hammocks"...... they love to swing in them.... I hope they'll hold up..

Paul up above, and John below..... don't they look like koala bears?

Don't these girls look like they're having a good time?

I am hopeful that the worst of the winter weather is behind us....

I definately think warmer days are coming.......

I can't wait to see my big lilac trees bloom....... oh the smell of fresh lilacs........freshly mowed grass, sheets on the line.......

Mmm.... can't you just smell Spring?

I can't wait,

Gloria

Maybe Spring isn't coming? - 06:02, Monday, March 2, 2009

  Saturday morning we got slammed with a snow storm and we had about 5 inches blown in........the weather warmed up today a bit and it is melting...... but oh, we are truly being teased with these days of 60 degrees!   I guess Spring will come when the good Lord sees fit to send it............

Lasagna Gardening? - 11:22, Friday, February 27, 2009

I was talking to a friend, and sharing my anticipation on "finally" having a garden here on the homestead. We have lived here for a little over 2 yrs and have been so wrapped up financially, physically and emotionally in getting the house renovated and functioning, that we have not had the energy or time to work on a garden..... with only 1 room left to finish in the house ( Yeah!) .... we are anticipating that this will be the year to finally plant a garden!!!  I am excited...... I haven't had a veggie garden since we moved from our home in WA state, and I am anxious........

My friend encouraged me to consider "lasagna" gardening.....a concept I have heard little about...... she dropped of a book today for me to read : " Lasagna Gardening" by Patrician Lanz.

I only had time this morning to read the introduction and a little of the first chapter, but I am extremely interested to say the least.....

I would love to hear from those of you who use these techniques ( no tilling, layering, etc).  Please share your expierence and your results too! I know most of you here at HSB plant gardens, so I would love to hear from you all!

Getting excited,

gloria

Oh my goodness -- I have spring fever BIG Time!! - 03:34, Saturday, February 7, 2009

Oh my goodness -- we have been blessed with a patch of good weather this past week here in NW Missouri and it's expected to last a bit longer....... and all I can say is  I HAVE SPRING FEVER BIG TIME!!!!!

The kids and I cleaned the house today ( Saturday is our "deep clean" the house day) opened up all the windows and let that fresh air just sweep thru the house!! Ooh..... I love that!  It's supposed to reach 65 degrees today!!! And in the 60's the next few days............gotta love that!

Then we headed outside to clean up the winter's messes....... tree limbs and branches, garbage that has blown off  the burn pile, etc. It felt so good to clean up and be outside working and soaking in all that fresh air!

I noticed just a wee bit of green peeking thru that brown winter grass...........

Oh I am hoping for an early spring this year!!!!!!

Well I am off to get so more chores done....... I sure hope you all enjoy a blessed weekend!

~ gloria ~

The "perfect" place for bread to rise... - 05:17, Monday, January 19, 2009

I have found the most perfect place for bread to rise.......... it's always warm and you know how bread loves a warm place to rise.........guess where?  On the tile hearth where my woodstove sits! I got the idea today, when I was a bit concerned because the kitchen felt a bit chilly, and I had bread to rise.......then I realized the tiles on the hearth are always warm!  Sure enough the bread rose beautifully!! Even my 6 yr old sarah's bread rose.... her bread is in the little pan........ so if you are ever looking for a warm place for your bread to rise, place it by your stove and before long you will have beautiful bread ready to pop in the oven!

On a different note, my kids love love love the woodstove! They love to sit by it and put their feet on the tile hearth ........ the radiant heat of the stove is so radiant.... so different from forced air heat..... I never felt very warm with forced air heat... it never warmed me to my bones.  The wood heat definately warms my bones and then some..... after last week's mishap we are learning how to use the stove. I am learning that the damper is an important part of using the stove effectively! There is really an *art* to burning wood.  

I am learning.......

~ gloria ~

Our Little Country Church... - 05:40, Sunday, November 30, 2008

At the end of a country gravel road sits a 110 yr old country church......it's a small, simple church..... just one room... no bathroom ( there's an outhouse!) I feel blessed that my family attends this little church...... where the Bible is still preached each and every Sunday and where the Hymns of our faith continue to be sung by the young, the middle aged and the elderly...... It's a humble little place...... no big praise bands here.... no fancy awanas programs or children's worship service.......

What you will see though is young families as well as elderly couples praising God and praying.  You will see the young children sitting with their parents as there is no "children's church" here..... nope, this is a family integrated church..... that means church is held like it was 100 yrs ago before the Sunday School programs came into style.

I am blessed to have a pastor that believes children learn to worship best by worshipping with their parents.... that no child is too young to sit under the teaching of God's authoritive word.

We may be few in numbers, we may be humble farmers , carpenters and laymen..... but we love the Lord and seek to worship Him in Spirit & truth.......

These little country churches dot the midwest...... these churches were the backbone of America once a long time ago...... the farm families that lived in this area all attended this church... communities would gather in their local church for worship, and for fellowship........

I truly feel like I am a part of history ...... 4 years ago this church was ready to close it's doors.... there was just 3 elderly couples attending.... then my pastor felt called of God to come pastor this church..... and now 4 yrs later we have about 40 people attending... we are still small in numbers, but children are now raising their voices to sing Amazing Grace once again....

Another generation of Christian families are coming to hear God's infalliable word.......

Oh sure, we could be driving into the city to attend the new mega church with all the fancy programs for kids, teens and moms........we could be listening to the praise bands.....

But you know what? I really love our little church...... we know everyone, it's "home"..... but more than that I know that each Sunday I will hear God's word preached.... not a sermon, or a 10 minute talk, but our bibles are opened up and we dig into God's word......

I am so thankful for our little country church at the end of the gravel road......

Praising Him,

gloria

It's that time of year again... - 04:34, Saturday, September 27, 2008

It's that time of year again..... my favorite time of year...... when the air is crisp, and the sun is not as intense..... the leaves are beginning to change, and yes autum has truly arrived in her beauty and regalia!

We have been busy around the homestead..... there has been little time for blogging....I've been spending a lot of time in my farmhous kitchen.... putting up pears and applesauce and making all kinds of wonderful goodies for my family to enjoy.  Apple pies are in the oven as I type filling the air with it's cinnamon fruity scent.......

Oh how I love fall! Since we have had so much moisture this past summer, our colors are going to be vibrant this year! The big maple tree in the front yard has begun to turn color and I love the orange..... soon it will be a lovely shade of red.......

We have also been enjoying nature walks and hikes this past week....... collecting leaves to make collages..........the children are busy collecting our walnuts too.

One of my favorite things about fall is it's finally cool enough to put a good pot of soup on....... although the weather has been in the low 70's......it's a far cry cooler than the summer heat and the humidity is way down. PTL!

The girls and I have been busy as beavers today ~~ we cleaned the house, did some laundry and then headed into the kitchen. So far we have put a huge pot of italian sausage and lentil soup on, 4 loaves of honey wheat bread, and 2 fresh apple pies.  I want to get some granola made too.

Dru is busy in the dining room ~~ repairing walls...... this is very exciting because this is our last room in the house that needs to be redone!! PTL!  It's been 2 yrs this coming november since we moved to the farmhouse, and it's been a long process of restoring, remodeling, adding rooms, etc.  We are hoping everything will be completed just in time for the holiday season this year!!  I am looking forward to the decorating and baking. :) Finally ..... a finished house!!!

Lest you think we won't have anything else to keep us busy, we still have a bonus room above the garage to finish and a large chicken coop we want to repair and clean up .  There is always something to do around here.......

Ahh...... fall...... I hope you are enjoying the beautiful world the good Lord created for us..... aren't you glad for seasons?  The change of seasons is always met with anticipation and joy......

I hope you aren't all too busy that you don't have time to take a stroll down the lane or go and collect leaves....... it's such a beautiful time of year..... don't forget to revel in the simple pleasures......

I know we are.

May you be blessed!

~ gloria ~

HELP!! My jars keep breaking in the hot water bath!! - 12:06, Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Ok, I have had 4 jars break tonight in the hot water bath as I was making applesauce. This has never happened before!! Uck! What can I do to avoid this???????

Thanks for your help!!!

gloria

Sweet Summer....... - 03:06, Thursday, August 7, 2008

Nothing like sitting on the front Porch enjoying the serenity of a cool summer morning.... ah, the pleasures of country living..... I love to sit out here on my rocker, enjoying some quiet time with my Lord....... and listening to His creatures greet me with songs of delight.......my porch overlooks our fields and rolling hills of the surrounding countryside........ simple pleasures.....