Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

And so it begins.....

12:51, Friday, July 7, 2006 .. Posted in Homestead Happenings .. 9 comments .. Link

This is my first post to this blog. I am a fairly new homesteader, still learning my way. Up until late October, 2005, my beloved husband, Joe, and I were team driving for a trucking company. I left the road when I was about 6 months pregnant and could no longer do my job driving the semi.
Since that time, our beautiful daughter, Abigail, was born. I have also started making small steps to set up our homestead. Small things like trying to garden. I haven't been able to do as much work as I would like, having a new baby, but I am doing what I can.
We live on 20 acres in a house that was built in 1890 with an addition added on in 1910. There is much work to be done on the house. Every room needs at least minor repair or updating completed. I am starting to do what I am able to. Now that Abigail sleeps on a regular schedule, I am able to work on the front room. It is the room I am wanting to complete first. It needs the least amount of work done. I am prepping the walls to be painted. I want to get it done before we have to put in a wood stove this fall.
I love living in this house. It is heated completely with wood stoves. One in the front room that heats the front room and a bedroom. A wood cookstove in the kitchen heats the kitchen. I love cooking on that stove during the cold months! What a blessing that stove is. Whenever the power goes out due to storms, I am still able to cook a meal for my family. I am still learning to bake bread in that oven, but enjoying it.
Today, I planted the last round of squash and cucumber plants. Once these are producing, they will provide us with fresh harvest through the fall months. My experimental plant this year was a Bushel Basket Gourd. They are difficult to find. The seeds cost $2.25 for only 15 seeds. It was worth it though. I have a huge plant growing in the garden area that has over 30 gourds on it. While having that many gourds on the vines may prevent the gourds from reaching their large size of 50 lbs (before they dry out), I will get ones large enough for my needs. I am going to make planters out of them. I am also going to harvest the seeds which were organic to start with, then organically grown in my garden. I will end up with much more than the 15 seeds I started out with.
I am planning out the garden for next spring. I will be building boxes to make raised beds for my garden plants. Everything except the plants which spread out, such as squash, cucumbers, gourds and melons will be planted in the boxes. This should prevent the problems I had this past spring of the armadillos digging up the seeds, then the birds carrying them away. Lots of planning, but that is part of the fun.

Until next time.......

God Bless,
Paula

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06:34, Friday, July 7, 2006 .. Posted by DonnaJoy
Paula -
"Welcome Home" - so glad you have joined us here!! Sounds like you are well on your way to becoming a great homesteader!!
Can't wait to see the gourds you have planted.
Jump right in and tell us about your days!!!!
Bless.....
Donna

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07:06, Friday, July 7, 2006 .. Posted by OurLittleHomestead
Wonderful Post Paula.....so glad you've joined us here at HomesteadBlogger :)

Lisa

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07:10, Friday, July 7, 2006 .. Posted by TChannel4
Oh your homestead sounds wonderful and what a blessing to not be dependant on the gas for home heating. I agree gardening is alot of work but oh so worth it. Congratulations!!

God Bless,
Tammy

so glad to have you here!

08:09, Friday, July 7, 2006 .. Posted by deedee06
Thanks for sharing about your family and home. Our house was built in 1960 and it seems to need repairs everywhere too! :) I think you'll love blogging. You will meet some great women who will be very supportive and kind. Lord's blessings to your family.............Denise

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08:14, Friday, July 7, 2006 .. Posted by Carol
Welcome to Homesteadblogger. What a wonderful introduction. Can't wait to read more of your blog.
~carol

welcome

09:31, Friday, July 7, 2006 .. Posted by meme21713
Welcome from Louisiana... U will love it here. Every spare moment I find myself at the puter...LOL ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!! meme

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12:06, Friday, July 7, 2006 .. Posted by Brownsmichelle
Wow my dh is just starting driving I am at home with six children all week. Looking forward to keeping up with your posts.

Thank You

02:55, Friday, July 7, 2006 .. Posted by oklamouse
to each of you for the kind and warm welcome. It amazes me that I can write a blog and others actually read it! LOL

God Bless,
Paula

Hi

01:37, Saturday, July 8, 2006 .. Posted by johnshelpmeet
Hi Paula,
Your homestead sounds wonderful! Too cook on a woodstove would be a dream come true, all in the Lords time for us. I can't wait to read more about your adventures in homesteading. I am learning so much from all the blogs here!
Many Prayers
Jennifer (johnshelpmeet)

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Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

And so it begins.....

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so glad to have you here!

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welcome

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