Poplar Hill Happenings

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Well the Poplars are in full bloom on our hill.  That must mean it's June! Well almost, but it does mean that school is OUT!!! And I'm back to being a summer homesteader.  We really strive to homestead year round but we get most of our work done between May and October when my job doesn't take up so much time. 

My dh put the garden in 100 percent by himeself this year because of my schedule.  We are still eating many of our canned and frozen goods from last year.  I cook as much as I can from scratch during the school year, but summer is when I can really crank it up and make everything from a home grown salad to my own pizza sauce. 

Our summer will be very busy as we have many trips planned.  All very inexpensive family/friend visits and with gas prices only one big trip to Washington D.C.  My daughter just finished a year of American History and we've been planning the trip since Christmas.  We have free housing when we get there and are going to see all the free things when we get there-so our only cost really is gas and food. 

Well heres the Happenings:

In the garden:  Planted our own tomatoes and peppers.  The green beans, carrotts, greens, corn and squash are up.  Dh decided against potatoes this year, but doubled the butternut squash-makes yummy everything.  He put in two more raised beds.  The blackberries are popping flowers!  We didn't eat all the jam this last year so we will be freezing a lot of blackberries because we sure did have a lot of blackberry deserts. 

In the house:  It is a mess!  It requires a good cleaning and will get one while the dd11 (already!) goes off to church camp.

In town:  We have found a consistant local source for eggs in luie of our own chickens.  At $1.00/dozen (friends sell just to get rid of them) you can't afford not to buy them.  Fresh, 100% organic, good for you and cheaper than the $1.89 at the store.  Farmers markets will be starting soon.  I need maple suryp, onions, strawberries, anything fresh.

At play:  Dh has finished a fire pit and beautiful landscaped area next to the house.  We've had several campfires and last night puggie pies!  Dh had blackforest pie and dd had chocolate marshmellow pie.  Horseshoes was on the list of games too.  Dd is getting her shoe close-I watch.  Oh also went to see Prince Caspian-good stuff.  Older kids will like it (ages 8+) very adult themes about faith.

In the kitchen:  Last night was zuc./monteray jack cheese torte-using up those eggs.  I can't remember what is on tonights menu. 

In the sewing room:  Still mending to do!  Need to turn jeans into shorts before dd goes to camp.

In the library:  I just finished Fug 10-a genealogical mystery by Jay Osman.  Very good.  I've got to get a review out.  Also I read Bone Rattler a very early colonial mystery-I learned a lot.  I'm reading a so so mystery right now.  I won't name it.

During Quiet Time:  http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/ .  I discovered a couple of good women's devotionals this morning.  If you haven't check out Crosswalk. 

Taking those babysteps, Christine

Untitled Comment

07:54, 2008-May-29 .. Posted by Christin

Sounds like you are very busy - but a GOOD busy! I wish I could grow a vegetable/fruit garden. Maybe next year. We just moved into our house a few weeks ago and money is tight. Honestly, now would be a good time to "invest" in those seeds. They are much cheaper then buying them already grown from the store these days! Produce is the one thing that really kills our budget (oh and dairy products).
I may have to come back here and ask you questions about gardening, if that's ok! :)