Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

Thursday

I am making a few changes in the timeline for the livestock.  With all the building that needs done, I realised that there is no way that I can get it done in time to get the livestock before summer.  There is much to be done yet.  Since Joe is now gone so much of the time, it leaves alot to be done either by me or with Joe's help when he is home. 

I am really wanting to get a start on raising our own meat.  I am finding that if I eat organically raised meat, I am able to eat it in moderation without becoming sick.  One meat source that I ate when I was growing up was rabbit.  It has a wonderful mild flavor and can be prepared just as you would poultry.  I found some simple plans for building a rabbit hutch with nesting boxes.  I am going to recycle old pallets that I get from Ace Hardware for free to build the hutch & nesting boxes.  I plan to line the inside with the wire mesh fencing so that the rabbits cannot chew through the box.  The only lumber that I will have to purchase will be some 4x4 to use as stiltz to keep the hutch up off the ground at a safe height to protect the rabbits from any preditors.  I hope to start out with a buck and about 3-4 does.  These will give us a good start on our meat production.  Since it is just for our own use, that will be plenty for the 3 of us.

We are still having the cold nights.  Joe and I had the wood stove taken out of the house the last time he was home due to the warm weather we were having.  We forgot how cold it can get in April.  I have been using the kerosene heater.  Today though, I bought some untreated charcoal briquets like you use for grilling.  The charcoal is wonderful in the kitchen cookstove.  It burns hot and very slowly.  We learned this trick last year when we were low on wood for that stove.  The untreated charcoal is the type that you need to add fluid to in order to light it.  I get around that by using the fire starter sticks.  I light a piece of the stick, then once it is burning, lay the charcoal over it.  I don't use the charcoal very often but it makes a wonderful alternative when you need it.

Tomorrow, it is supposed to rain so I am going to work more on the housework and sewing some quilt projects that I am working on.  I also am making a surprise for Joe.  Since he reads my blog often, I won't mention what it is here.  But leave it to say that it is something I am sure he will enjoy.

Untitled Comment

08:33, Sunday, May 6, 2007 .. Posted by meme21713

Yes we do have an AWESOMW God !!! Thanks for sharing your story with us...Enjoyed your walk, with Joe and the Lord....Debbie