The Simple Homemaker

Catching Up

Above is a picture of my rose bushes.  They have grown since this picture, but we have been busy and I am just sharing it now. 

My daughter had a birthday a few weeks ago and sadly two days later we had to put down our beloved friend Charlie.  We are all still sullen with grief.  He was only 5, but there was nothing we could do.

On a brighter note, we have completed our school year and the gardens are doing wonderfully!  I hope to be canning string beans next week.  It looks like we are going to finally have some summer weather this week.  It has been a wet and cool summer. 

Today, should be the Lord's Day, however DH was called into work and I have so much to catch up on, so I am going to use the time well. 

Have a good week!

She's a Water Dog!

The pooch definately had fun on Tuesday! I attempted to take some pictures of the children swimming, but they were acting goofy and were too far out to get a good shot.  Really, the only reason why the dog kept coming back was because I was the one throwing the ball. Goodness that dog swam for two hours!  When we got home she went right to bed!  She never got up to go to the bathroom or for her supper!  Unfortunately, she is a little out of shape.  She only walks on a leash in the big city and runs in our back yard.  Just when she gets running fast she has to put the brakes on quick or she will end up crashing into the fence.  All that may change though. 

My DH and I have been working on researching the matter of our property taxes.  It is looking a little bleak.   Our neighbors have appeared to fair very well, however others with similar homes like ours have been really hit hard.  I will pray that it will work out and we can at least get them lowered somewhat.  If they do not then come next Spring, we have decided to sell our home.  Perhaps this is just what we needed to motivate us to complete the final renovations of our home.  Our original plan was just that and relocate a little more rural with more land.  Time will tell.  I have to admit with this fustration of it all, I have been working on that list of mine and painted the hall and staircase to the rear entrance of our home.  That was one project that has been on the list for two years!  Check!

Well, nothing is being accomplished with me on this computer, so I wish you all a good day!

I'm Tagged

Farrah has tagged me!  So let's see how this goes.

1.  What was I doing 10 years ago?

Ten years ago my daughter was one and it was just the three of us.  We were a busy little family.  The kids that we hear so much about.  Both of us were working full time.  I worked in the Human Resources field and my husband the National Guard and we were going and going.  It seemed we never had time for just the three of us.

2.  What are 5 things on my to do list today?

School

Wash and hang laundry

Bible Study

Tend chickens for a relative

Hoe the gardens

3.  Snacks that I enjoy:

I am not a snacker or someone who eats sweets.  But I will indulge in a slice a pie or a fruit crisp that I have made.  I also love my fresh breads.

4.  Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

I would set up some kind of Christian foundation for children.  Offerring life skills and work.  A place where they can learn to be self- sufficient and kind to our Earth.

I would donate money to our local nursing home.

I would be sure that our immediate family had a little piece of that pie.

I would purchase a large parcel of land (In an unorganized territory.) build our little dream home and live off grid and be self- sufficient!

Lastly, I would set up trust funds for our children and amazing portfolios

Now, I will tag:  Glammon, Kimmbercup, Southernbelle, Haflinger and DeeDee06

Hot and Humid!

Good Morning All!

My title says it all today!  My wonderful DH suggested that I pack up the kids and pooch and head for the lake and that is just what I plan to do after our morning chores and some school work.  They are forcasting afternoon thundershowers, so I will be sure to arrive early enough for them to play for an hour or two.  Maine is so crazy.  We go from warm 60's to bam the 90's.  We are not use to it like the southerners.  Many people including my own brood had touches of heat exhaustion the last couple of days.  I think a few hours at the lake is just what they need.  Plus, our dog desperately needs a bath!  Do not worry, I use an all natural soap for her so I am not pollutting the lake! 

In regards to the list I mentioned earlier.  Well, not much of that has been completed.  We have been working on cleaning out the garage and house.  Quite actually we have been purging.  A lot!  We had an old refrigerator that has been running too much so that is on the truck ready for the landfill.  That part bothers me, but it needs to go.  We also just got our new proposed valuation of our house.  Yikes!  It has gone up $75, 000!!!! That and due to the school budget they want to raise the taxes even more!  Without the increase for the school budget, that increased our taxes by $1,000 a year.  The sad part is that I researched other surrounding properties and we are 40-50K more than anyone else.  On top of that we had already been paying more than everyone else.  They doubled two years after purchasing our property.  We could not even come close to selling our home for what they have it evaluated at.  So, the last couple of days my DH and I have been researching and putting together an argument for an informal hearing that we will be attending in a week.  

Goodness, I just realized the time and the sun is pouring over the house!  Time to get moving!  Have a wonderful day!

Wednesday

Good Morning All!  It is a gray and rainy day here in Maine today.  Quite frankly, it is a welcomed break!  The above picture I took the day before last.  Color is erupting everywhere! 

As of late, I have been feeling like there is not enough time in ones day.  I can't believe that we are now in the month of June!  We have been working in the gardens and tackling the endless list of projects.  School is in full swing  still and will be for a few more weeks. 

Here are a few things that we will be tackling on DH days off:

New Garage Roof

Garage Doors

Kitchen Counter/Sink

New Bathroom

Seal Driveway

Build New Bulkhead Steps

Install Wood Flooring-Livingroom

Install New Pellet Stove

In the meantime I will be painting the garage and working on the basement windows.  They need to be scraped, caulked and painted.  It has been seven years since I did it last and they look terrible!  I have other things to do also, but if I mention all of them I may begin to feel overwhelmed!  I also need to put together the children's portfolios.  I admit that I am not organized in this department.  Let's say there is room for improvement.  I have everything together, just not seperated by subject.   I also did not write down every single book they have read.  Goodness sakes, we read almost where ever we go.  In waiting rooms there are always books and when we visit the library, sometimes they just pick up a book and read.  Let's just say, I will be happy to get this out of the way and focus on the new year.  I am sure I will be better organized.  It gets easier as time passes.

Well, I guess I will close for now.  I can't wait to go and catch up with everyone else.  Have a terrific day!

Jennifer

Catching up!

We are still busy up here!  What is new, right?   I can't believe that June is right around the corner!  I am feeling a little pressure to squeeze in a bunch more lessons before the school year comes to a close. 

So, what's new?  Our son turned 8! He is our baby, growing up so quickly!  He has been helping us with putting the gardens in.  Here is what we have thus far:

Cabbage, Red Leaf Lettuce, Romaine, Jalapenos, Tomatos, String Beans, Pickling Cukes and Peas.   We have much more to plant this weekend. So far, only two of the vegetable gardens are complete.  I planted garlic and shallots in with my herbs too.  The garlic has taken right off.  Speaking of my herbs...I am running out of room.  Weather permitting, I hope to till more and expand that area.  My Lavender is doing so well that I really would like to split it a few times so I can harvest more.  I would like to use it in my soaps.  Last year it did not yield very much, do to the fact that it was my first year growing it and didn't know what I was doing! Our strawberries have gone crazy!  That is another area that I need to till additional space for.  I am willing to sacrifice lawn for yummy strawberries!  It is kind of funny.  As of late, neighbors, friends and family have noticed our lawn is shrinking!  We have something growing everywhere!  You would think that it would choppy or messy, but that it is not the case.  It looks great and organized.  I am so glad the good Lord blessed me with a green thumb!

Yesterday, the city held it's first Farmer's Market!  Yeah!  We were so excited! We went down about an hour after it was due to start.  We waited because we had a bad Thunderstorm.  Well, I guess we should not have.  Their were about 6 vendors and everything about sold out.  One vendor in particular was so rude!  Told me to come back next week!  Yeah, right! In her dreams!  I will return to support this venture, however I will not be purchasing anything from that person.

On brighter news, we are in the process of gaining approval from city council to house chickens.  I pray that this turns out in our favor.  The children love them.  Matter of fact we are still taking care of a relatives chickens and my son has really taken on all the responsibility.  I supervise to be sure all is tended, but really he is very thorough and truly enjoys the fruits of his labor.  He loves fresh eggs!

That is it for now. I wish everyone a terrific day!

Jennifer

P.S.  I had to delete the picture that I mentioned on 5/14.  I did not realize that the picture had too many pixels and it made my blog crazy.

Raspberries

I thought I would share a picture of some of the raspberries that we have growing.  I was just reading Jennie's blog at Wild Winds Homestead and saw they were working on theirs.  As you can see I have some cleaning up to do around them.  At ground level you can see new plants emerging!  About a month ago, my husband cut the dead canes out and tightened our rope to keep the plants from falling into the driveway.  By containing them this way, it makes it so much easier to pick almost every berry.  We have been fortunate, we never have had any issues with the birds eating them or any deer.  It is too busy around here, although they are starting to creep in around the soccer and baseball fields and bedding down at night.

I hope to freeze some raspberries this year.  The picture only shows a portion of what we have and last year we had a very good yield, enough to share!  They were so good, that we ate them plain for dessert/snacks and I made smoothies for the children.

I better start my laundry, we may have a few showers today.  The meteorologist never seem to get it right around here!  I hope to at least get a few dried on the clothesline.

I wish everyone a wonderful day!

Jennifer

Good Morning!

I thought I would share a picture of our herb garden.  I also threw in some annuals for color.  The poor garden is still in a rough stage.   A lot is still working it's way out of the ground.  In about a month this will be all filled in.  I need to edge the garden to the far left.  I am also going to break more ground.  My goal is to eliminate that small piece of grass.  It is a chore to mow that tiny section.  Grass clippings blow all over the place.  I refuse to purchase another polluting gas mower with a bagger, so for now I need to be creative.

The coconut lined baskets were a few we picked up from a Spring Clean-up in a neighboring town.  The children selected and planted their own.  I thought they were going to be for yours truly for Mother's day, but I was wrong.  They wanted their own to take care of.

I sound like a broken record, but we are still picking away at many of our projects.  Sometimes, I feel there is not enough time in the day!

Yesterday in between my normal domestic chores and school, I painted the walls in the staircase going up.  We have cathedral celings there, so that was a little tricky at times.  I actually had painted the hall walls upstairs two weeks ago, but left the tough ones for last.

Monday, was our 13th Wedding anniversary.   The four of us hung out picking at chores and my DH and I had to install a toilet in our bath upstairs.  Romantic!?!  It was good to realize during that trying time that we work well together.  We barely have to say too many words, and the other knows the next step.  Back to the bathroom....We were not happy about this.  We are about to install a new bath downstairs.  It is gutted ready for new.....When the toilet upstairs began to run and run.  So the water bill was naturally more recently....We are planning on renovating that bathroom after the first one.  Now we will have to do that toilet all over again.  They really are not that big of a deal, but the draining of it and the water/wax ring can be messy!

I am still laying brick in a new garden out back.  It is taking longer than expected.  A week ago when we layed crushed rock, our wheel barrel handle snapped off.  My husband needs to replace that oak handle and did not have time to do it on his days off.  He gets home late due to the travel time to and from work.  It only leaves time for most importantly, family.  So, for now, I need to carry arm loads.  I think it is going to look great.  All the perrenials that I transplanted and took clippings from are thriving.

I should get busy!  Today is a nice sunny day (You can tell from the picture.), so I have much to get done today.  By June, in-town can become very hot.  I like to get my painting done in the Spring.  One of the projects is my front steps.  You can see them in the picture.  We are removing the remainder of the slate and will morter the holes.  Then we are painting the concrete.  The railing is showing signs of wear, so that will be scraped and painted too.

Have a terrific day!

Jennifer

Tomato Hornworms and Cabbageworms

I know I said that I would not be on for a bit, but I saw a blog that sounded like they could have some pests in their gardens. 

Tomato and Cabbageworms can devastate a garden.  Anyone who has dealt with them knows what I mean.  We have had the pleasure the last three years of them visiting us!  First the Tomato Hornworm can be difficult to spot.   They are the same color green of your tomato plants.  You need to inspect the stalks and limbs of the plant carefully.  You will be able to spot them because they have two horns on their heads.  As they eat more, they get bigger!  You need to make sure you kill them!  They are tough!  Last year my daughter pulled one off and stomped on it on the pavement.  Well, it dragged itself back to the plants.  It was like watching a sci-fi movie!  We now use needletip plyers and try to kill them right away.  When we discover signs of them, we sprinkle our plants with a flour/salt mixture.  Along with removing the worms, it has prooved to be very effective.  We also do the same for our cabbage plants.  The only difference is the Cabbageworm is first a little white moth that lurks around the gardens.  Once you see them that should be your first indication to dust your plants with the flour/salt mixture.  (Oh, the cabbage worms look alike, minus the horns!)

Well, I hope this helps out anyone just starting out.  I am sure the veteran gardeners already know this. 

Friday Greetings

What a beautiful morning it is today!  Honestly, everything around here is a site!  All the trees and shrubs are perking up!   My Rhododendron bush is in full bloom and my Narcissus started to bloom yesterday.  All very exciting for all of us that endured such a very long winter.  I was ready to pack everything up and head south, but after spending the last few weeks working around our property, I was reminded of all the reasons why I love our home.  (I would definitely miss the cozy mornings that we are snowed in and the excuse it gives me to snuggle with the children.  I am sure the years left to do that are limited as they grow older!)

I hope this weekend to have much of the garden in.  We will wait until Memorial weekend before we plant our seedlings.  We have however planted two more blueberry bushes.  I think we will plant one more.  That will give us five all together.  Our strawberries look fantastic and have buds already.  The children are really looking forward to them.

My husband and I also tore up the walkway behind our house and layed crushed rock.  We had slate down for a path way and grass attempted to grow, but do to high traffic and poor soil conditions, it has never faired well in the seven years we have been here.  I was unsure how the end result would look like, but my DH had the vision!  I really like how clean it appears.  Now we just need to finish it.  I will take pictures later this morning, so I can share later.

I may not be on-line for a while.  We are ever so busy still with school, birthdays,  work and yeah, our anniversary!  It is Monday~13 years!  Goodness, it truly just flys by!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Jennifer

Still Here

Hello Everyone! 

We are all doing well, just still very busy.  I can't believe that the school year will be coming to an end very shortly!  We have much to accomplish still.  Off school hours I have been working on the many Spring projects.  I put in a new garden this year.,  I will share pictures soon.  I have some other details to finish.  I have a picnic table that we picked up for free last week that I just scraped and applied the first coat of stain, I have another to go.  The stain was another oops!  $5.00.   I have a bulkhead to scrap and paint, fence, and metal shed....The list goes on and on.....

It is starting to look beautiful around here.  The spring shrubs are about to burst with color, daffodils and tulips are in full bloom and the grass is a deep, rich green.  Oh, I have to go!  My delivery of crushed stone just arrived.  Have a wonderful weekend! 

Crazy Busy!

As I suspected, when Spring weather hits we would go in overdrive!  Well, we have been trying to take advantage of the beautiful, dry weather up here in Maine!  The temps have been in the 50's and today we may hit 70.  I almost rescheduled our Bible study today so that I could finish a few projects.  I chose not to, the time with God is more important.   So, what have we been up to?  My DH and I trimmed those trees we mentioned.  DH trimmed the one out back a little more than discussed and threw me into a panic attack when he climbed too high to cut a dead limb.  All I could think of was the Little House episode when Charles goes to retrieve a kite in a tree and falls, but with several quick prayers he completed the task and was safely on the ground!  Then we had the chore to clean up all the limbs and brush.  That is done.  We still have three hornbeams that need to be cut near the sidewalk.  Those will have to wait for now.  The last snow bank is gone!  This afternoon if time permits I will uncover my flower beds, rake the lawn and leaves up. 

We also have been busy with school.  We are trying to make up a little ground from when we were all so sick.  Tuesday, I painted our hallway and started the staircase going upstairs.  We have a cathedral ceiling there, so that will take me a few more days to complete.  Yesterday, I was able to clean and prep those areas.  I have to pat myself on my back, it looks great.  The best part was the paint was only $5 from Home Depot-Oops! 

I may not be on for a couple more days.  This weather is suppose to break on Sunday.  I still need to clean up the back yard and turnover the gardens.  I mentioned the project out back.  Well, it will be a new garden next to the pool.  I have tons of old brick that I am going to use for a walkway.  I am so anxious to get moving on that.  

Have a wonderful, rest of the week!

Just Dropping in...

Thought I would add a quick note.  I have been really busy cleaning the yard and gardens the last couple of days.  It feels so good to finally spend some productive time outside.  The children are in heaven.  They have been outside every afternoon and again just before clean-up for bed!  Today, I was able to rototil the front vegetable garden!  I can't get over how dry everything is.  It looks like a shower is on it's way in.  I wouldn't mind a little rain....We have one stubborn snow pile that refuses to melt!  I also tilled an area on our property line so I can transplant some lilacs from my Grandparents!  I am so excited.  I am also working on a big project outback.  I will explain later and will share before/after pictures.

Have a terrific weekend everyone!

Jennifer

I Love Chores!

Spring chores that is!    We finally have had seasonable temperatures here in Maine!  Over the last four days I have been working in my gardens and raking the lawn!  Yes, my lawn! Sweeping the sidewalk and driveways, washing windows, scrubbing walls, washing all linens and laundry.   I think I dried 7 loads on Sunday.  (I usually do not do much on Sunday, being the day it is, but my electric bill has been just over $200!  I typically have a one that is around $68-80 in the winter months.)  I contribute that to influenza.  I was washing bed linens everyday and used the dryer, because I was so sick.  Anywho, my chore lists go on and on.  I absolutely love it though!  It has been positively marvelous watching the children play outside and ride their scooters.  They have been good little helpers too.  They are just as excited that Spring is here at last.

I am so pleased to report that our blueberry bushes, strawberries, and the hydrangea wintered okay.  All my bushes and trees have new growth.  My DH and I have made our plan for clean-up.  We have some branches to trim on our big Maple tree in the back yard and some Hornbeam to cut down.  We have a beautiful Maple growing next to them that will take their place.  Right now the hornbeam is too close to the street and the power lines.  It will make good firewood for next year.  We will be planting more trees along our property line.  I can't wait.  This will give us some much needed privacy from our neighbors.  I am also turning a not so succesful vegetable garden into a perennial garden.  I have some old bricks that we found around our property that I will use as a walk way.  I promise to show pictures this year.  (Now, since I have figured out how to use the camera! )

 Well, I am going to get the rest of my day started.  Today promises to be another steller of a day!  We are flirting with 60 degrees!   

Have a terrific day!

Jennifer

Spring brings back old friends..........

The picture above is our friend Nigella.  We have not seen her since the snow fell late last fall.  Don't worry all, she has a wonderful home a street up from us.  It all started last Spring.  She began visiting with me when I would hang the laundry, then she would come and play with the children.  We fed her and gave her lots of love!  We were sure that Charlie our orange tabby, was moonstruck over her.  She even grew to tolerate the dog!  We thought it was fate that she should become ours, until we met her owner.  We were grateful to find out she had a home and a owner that loves her dearly....Nigella became our neighborhood friend.  She loves to bathe in the sunshine and frolic in the flower gardens.  She is a good girl and never uses my gardens for her other duties.  I have to say that this picture does not do her justice!  She has a beautiful, shimmering black coat.  I took this yesterday after she got done rolling all over the picnic table that I had not yet swept the winter dirt off from.

After discovering Nigella had a name and home, we adopted Buddy.  Now she has two admirers that gaze upon her when she visits. So, welcome back Nigella!  We missed you!

Homeschooling, What it means to me.....

I am so very grateful that we as parents have the right and choice to homeschool our children.  To me it seems to be the most natural thing to do.  I am already their teacher of so many things, why not their academics?  Our chilldren were in public school for several years.  I volunteered and was there everyday to check their progress.  Our children are very bright individuals, however they simply were not happy and doing what they even felt could be their best.  They love to learn.  So, we removed them from school and began this wonderful journey. 

I often do not talk about homeschooling because I do not believe it is for everyone.  Some are unable due to financial constraints.  I understand nor do I push it onto others.  Like some have stated thank goodness we have the freedom in this country....However, I do take offense to those who are ignorant to the lives we choose to live.  I have had people just so rude they ask questions about socialization in front of my children!  Now let me ask you this,  "Who needs a lesson on how to behave?" 

My children are now receiving a much more enriched education.  They are now exposed to more arts/cutures then the public school could ever offer.  They also are enjoying their time as children.  They are exposed to general play and not just video games.  They have a love and appreciation for the outdoors and others feelings....  Yes, I know that the argument is there if parents/guardians all helped out we could improve our schools.  I did that for five years.....During that time I watched my children slowly slip away.  I chose not wait until the school district could get it right. 

I am very passionate about this and pray for God's strength when dealing with other's perceptions.  Actually, it is not the perceptions that bother me, it 's the words and advice that are unsolicited that attack our family that do.  I truly feel sorry for those who do this.  Those who feel the need to judge others.  Those who say mean and hurtful things.  What are they trying to accomplish? Do they feel any better?  I think not.....

Homeschooling, what it means to me.....I feel so privileged and blessed to be with my children.  I am challenged everyday with new and exciting things and most importantly the children are thriving!

Just Another Day...........

Good Morning All!

It is a mild but windy one up here in Maine.  I should be able to dry the linens and blankets for a couple of beds without any problems.  Over the weekend I was able to get some of my Spring cleaning done and the house aired out some more.   The temperatures are slowly creeping up, but only when the sun has been out.  With all the snow left on the ground the dampness seems to settle in early late afternoon.  Rain is on the menu for the next couple of days with a promise of snow/sleet/rain Friday into Saturday.  Seems lately, everyone I talk to weather is always a topic of discussion. 

Our seedlings continue to grow and are thriving.  A good thing...My blueberry bushes are now partially visable.  They are looking rather scary to me.  I pray they will be alright.  Our raspberry bushes look postively dreadful, but I need to remind myself they typically do and they seem to provide us with more fruit each year.

I better get busy with my daily chores and business.  I hope to get outside for part of the day and start some Spring clean-up.  I am afraid when good weather finally hits all of us Northerners we will be very busy, so I will take full advantage of the good days! 

Jennifer

Early Summer Photo

I thought I would share a picture of one of my perennial gardens.  It is not one of my favorites.  I must have those on another card.  Anyhow, this shows my droopy peonies.  They grew so much, so fast that I did not have a chance to cage them.  I will be sure to do that this year.  I also have Iris' and Lillies in the front that this picture does not show, they had already gone by.

In the far left distance you can see some marigolds.  They bordered my cucumbers to keep the local kitties away! (: 

After looking at pictures from last year, I have definately developed a case of Spring fever!

Green Tips

Goodness!  I am on a roll today.  I am also completing my daily tasks too!  I have a few sites to share.  One I use is www.freecycle.com  This is a terrific site to recycle your unwanted items.  Not junk.  Also, I found an online calculator for commuting.  I realize the majority of the bloggers are SAHM or SAHW, but perhaps it will give you some food for thought for the spouse who is commuting.  I personally wished that we had alternative transportation, such as a commuter train. (The new train locomotives are also going green!)  We would downsize to one vehicle.  If we used alternative transportation we would save over $1400.00 annually.

http://commuterpage.com/userweb/costcommuting.htm

Jennifer

Bottled Water for Dogs?

This was in a Maine Newspaper today;

http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/4912621.html

The only comment I have is that studies have shown pets with allergies, like mine that spring and or bottled water without flouride is best.  Too much of it can contribute to your pets symptoms.  I did try this with our lab and we did see an improvement.  (We have "city" water.) Please note I did not purchase water, I just filled some gallon jugs with fresh well water from relatives.