Blog Re-launch

Hi everyone!!

 I have missed y'all!!  I had to make a difficult decision over the holidays....do I restart blogging or let it go?  So many times after I've share one misadventure  or another, I'm told "you should write a book.". Well, I can't imagine I could pull that off..however, I'm happy to come on over here and "tell on myself!"   So I'M BAAAACK!

It's been our first truly snowy week on the farm, so it seems like the perfect time to be making plans and schedules for the coming year.

The blog will keep all the old stories and pictures, and I encourage you to read the archives if you're new around here to see how this whole crazy farm thing came about....but we will be adding new content including new stories and the day-to-day on the farm, including sharing things that happened last year while we were on hiatus.  There is also going to be NEW: Contests, Recipes, How-to's, Hen Parties, Farm Photography and Guest Bloggers.  (If you have ideas and suggestions, things you want to know...give me a shout in the comments!).

Feel free (and PLEASE) share our little corner of the internet with anyone you think might like to read about a crazy suburban girl that went Farm-Her, dragging her family along for the ride!)

2019 CSA Opportunity!!

A lot of this is a repeat from previous years, 

but be sure to read through it all as there are a few updates

This is 4 shares from July 2018

In 2019, Wallace Homestead/Cackleberry Hollow will offer a 20 week C.S.A. season, which will begin the week of June 1st and will run through the October. Pick ups are coordinated on Tuesday in the Polaris area.

The number of shares will be VERY limited.  We will only be taking 12 shares.

4 Shares from August 2018

4 Shares from September 2018

Individual Share ($300)--The individual share is designed for an individual or a family of two and will include approximately $17-$20 worth of fresh, seasonal local produce each week.  (one basket-usually)

Family Share ($525)--The standard share is designed for families of three or more, and will include approximately $34-$40 of fresh, seasonal local produce each week. (two baskets-usually)

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL:  Sign up and make your first payment by February 15th, and you will pay 2018 prices ($275 & $475)

Payment plans are available, feel free to ask!

The dollar value examples for the weekly shares are simply meant to give you a rough idea of how much produce you get. During times of bounty in the season the shares are considerably larger than these estimates. However, in farming there are risks, and inevitably there will be a very few slim weeks. I am confident that you will find at the end of the season that your share was money well spent.

There are also planned events for the CSA/Herdshare members including an “on the farm” open house day, possible “U-Pick” opportunities, and our “really LOCAL” craft / produce market in the fall.

  You are always encouraged to come be a part of the farm and spend some time working in the sun and the dirt! The quantity and quality of food is directly impacted by the amount of support we receive--thus the phrase Community Supported Agriculture. We especially need extra help on some of our bigger, time consuming projects.  "Many hands make light work."  We are doing all we can to carefully manage farm related expenses.  One of the unfortunate realities of many of our cost saving  efforts is they become time-consuming projects.  We have plans for making inexpensive farm improvements but often just don't have the time.  

We are hoping (and praying) that our produce year reaps enough for our family and our CSA members, with enough extra bounty for the produce stand in order for us to add a greenhouse to the farm so we can extend the growing season to almost year round!! But we can't do it alone.

Offered again this year is WORKSHARES: You can sign up as a worker helping on the farm 4 hours a week in lieu of paying for a single share CSA membership. The truth is, extra help on the farm will help us provide our members with the finest foods available for the best price possible. Work days will usually be Thursday or Saturday and will mostly include weeding and picking.



Occasionally, we will utilized produce from the local Amish growers in our area (still locally grown in Morrow County).  This is only to round out produce that has been requested but we are either not growing currently or for crop failures. 

Cue Crickets....

I know, I know...the silence over here is deafening!!!

Summer is so crazy busy that I am doing chores until dark (and dark doesn't come until bedtime!!).  I have a huge load of pictures and thoughts to share...like how the farm is now ACTUALLY OURS!!!  But until I get a few more hours in my days (or an assistant!) You can catch my really short at least weekly (but sometimes daily...WOW) updates on our farm Facebook page..

www.facebook.com/CackleberryHollow

2018 Produce CSA Opportunity

In 2018, Wallace Homestead/Cackleberry Hollow will offer a 20 week C.S.A. season, which will begin the week of June 1st and will run through the October. Pick ups are coordinated on Tuesday in the Polaris area.

The number of shares will be VERY limited.  We will only be taking 4 family shares and
 4 individual shares.

Individual Share ($275)--The individual share is designed for an individual or a family of two and will include approximately $17-$20 worth of fresh, seasonal local produce each week. 

Family Share ($425)--The standard share is designed for families of three or more, and will include approximately $34-$40 of fresh, seasonal local produce each week.

The dollar value examples for the weekly shares are simply meant to give you a rough idea of how much produce you get. During times of bounty in the season the shares are considerably larger than these estimates. However, in farming there are risks, and inevitably there will be a very few slim weeks. I am confident that you will find at the end of the season that your share was money well spent.

There are also planned events for the CSA/Herdshare members including an “on the farm” open house day, possible “U-Pick” opportunities, and a “really LOCAL” craft / produce market in the fall.

  You are always encouraged to come be a part of the farm and spend some time working in the sun and the dirt! The quantity and quality of food is directly impacted by the amount of support we receive--thus the phrase Community Supported Agriculture. We especially need extra help on some of our bigger, time consuming projects.  "Many hands make light work."  We are doing all we can to carefully manage farm related expenses.  One of the unfortunate realities of many of our cost saving  efforts is they become time-consuming projects.  We have plans for making inexpensive farm improvements but often just don't have the time. 

New for 2018 is WORKSHARES: You can sign up as a worker helping on the farm 5 hours a week in lieu of paying for a CSA membership. The truth is, extra help on the farm will help us provide our members with the finest foods available for the best price possible. 



Occasionally, we will utilized produce from the local Amish growers in our area (still locally grown in Morrow County).  This is only to round out produce that has been requested but we are either not growing currently or for crop failures. 

So, Is TODAY the day????

I have been waiting for Hershey to calve since CHRISTMAS.  Because she had "live cover", I have no idea when she was actually bred.  I had a guess (which apparently was REALLY wrong)  

Now, for the past two weeks her udder has been filled and there is a mess under her tail (I'm sure you don't need details!) and all opinions are that she is ready to go ANY TIME.  So I haven't had a good night sleep in over 10 days.  I go out every 2-3 hours.  I could just let nature take it's course.  I could....except last time there were two in there (as you may remember) and I had to pull the second one.  So, it makes me a bit apprehensive to just let it go.

But, tonight with the FULL MOON would be a good time!  

C'mon Hersh!  You can do it!!

The 2020 101 List is UP!

Go check out the crazy out-of-control list I am working on now!!  Be sure to leave me a comment so I know you were here!  I am going to be more consistent with blogging so maybe I can get all you readers coming back!!

Love ya!

2020: 101 in 1001

Final update on the 2nd 101 list!

Back in September, right before our 4th Annual "really Local" Farm Festival, my 2nd round of the 101 in 1001 days came due.  We were so swamped with "the getting ready" that I haven't said much about the Round Up. ( I haven't said much about anything have I??) I am about to do another "round" of 101 starting on January 1st 2018, so I figure, I better get this one "in the books".  (Wow, lots of "quotes" going on...LOL!)

As the numbers go, I worked on most everything on the list.  If it's blue it was worked on.  If it's crossed out, I finished it!!  The numbers behind the statement is times accomplished out of the goal.  Most of those I actually got really close to being done.  I've already gotten the majority of the new 101 list ready.  Some of the things I didn't even start were completely dropped of the new list, some I still want to accomplish, so they were relisted.  Some of the traveling ones, I still REALLY want to do, but there are some major changes coming up and that's going to keep us close to home, so they are being held back until the 4th list in 2020. 

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

Spiritual

1. Read through the Bible again (with a pen!)
2. Journal / Draw in prayer art journal 24/33
3. Start Concordance (and Finish it!)
4. Complete 5 Bible Studies
1. Red Hot Faith
2. WOTT
5. Read 5 Books to Encourage or Enlighten (4/5)

Financial

1. Get out of debt (again)
2. Rebuild emergency fund to $2500
3. Fund Black Friday account to $450 each year
4. Complete Photo Inventory
5. Do two Month-of-Nothings per year (5/5)
6. Have our Wills Written
7. Sell $500 on Craigslist or eBay ($500/$500)

Extended Family & Friends

1. Send 5 care packages (3/5)
2. Send all birthday cards
3. Do 12 Days of Christmas for a friend (Two completed Christmas 2015, one completed 2016, two in 2017)
4. Spend one on one time with a friend each month (20/33)
5. Go to Maryland (to see 'colie) 1/29/16
6. Go to Tennessee (to see 'brina)
7. Rudolph Day each month on the 25th

Self

1. Read 1 for fun fiction each month (36/33)
2. Lose another 25 pounds (0/35)
3. Make and Keep a well woman visit
4. Have a mani/pedi
5. Do the Race to Save Face
6. Do the 30 day Water Challenge
7. Do a 30 raw milk fast
8. Use one essential oil each month

Scrapbooking

1. 143 Scrapbook Pages Done (122/143)
2. 143 Page Kits Made and Ready (95/143)
3. Do the "Tiffany" Challenge once a year (3/3)
4. Have 10 crops with a friend(s) (4/10)
5. Hold Faithbooking study crop 6x a year (0/15)
6. Do a ROY B GIV photo day
7. Refinish Scrapbook table
8. Scrap weekend with 'colie 1/29/16

Boy

1. Make t-shirt quilt
2. Go letterboxing
3. 5 field trips (5/5)
4. Go Bowling
5. Find and go to a Hot Air Balloon Festival
6. Start (and Finish) mom journal
7. Make "If I'm not Here" Scrapbook
8. Take a family train trip
9. Arizona Trip

Blogging

1. Participate in a Blog Hop each month (2/33)
2. Comment on 33 new blogs (6/33)
3. Have a Blog-versary giveaway
4. Double Readership (8/50)

House

1. Reorganize 1 room/area each month
2. Paint/Update Zachary's Room DONE!!
3. Paint a cabinet in laundry room with dry erase paint(changed to magnetic dry erase calendars
4. Revive Flower gardens by the front walk (3/3)

Food

1. Can 33 things I've never canned before (33/33)
2. Make 3 more homemade ice creams (2/3)
3. Crockpot once a month (33/33)
4. Write and use a menu plan 85% of the time (687/850)
5. Organize recipes
6. Make marshmallows
7. Hunt Morel mushrooms
8. Have a backwards dinner
9. Rotate and use long term storage (and replenish)
10. Can 500 jars(1233/500)
11. Use the pressure cooker/canner each month (0/33)
12. Go to the Shrimp Festival

Other Crafts

1. Make 3 kinds of soap (0/3)
2. Make card line for Local Farm Fair (0/5)
3. Create Page Kits to Sell and put on etsy (or eBay) (4/15)
4. Milly
5. Finish green scarf
6. Create 4 things to sell at Farm Market (3/4)
7. Do 20 pins from my Pinterest boards (24/20)

Farm

Financial

1. Find and use better production and Income Tracking
2. Look for and apply for a farm grant
3. Start a "you pick" or on the Farm Stand
4. Hold field trips for homeschool groups again

Construction /Infrastructure

1. Put in Pond
2. Work on Fence Plan
3. Build a bigger greenhouse

Plants

1. Plant Pine Trees - 10 per year (0/30)
2. Plant more fruit trees
3. Better records of tree placement
4. Plant soft fruit orchard
5. Grow a wheat plot
6. Grow a Rose garden
7. Plant a u-pick pumpkin patch for the field trips

Animals

1. Raise 2 pigs
2. Raise 2 steer
3. Rehive bees
4. Pull honey
5. Restart worm farm (rewormed on 1/17/15)
6. Raise 2 batches of chickens each year (19/60)
7. Raise a flock of Turkeys
8. Put up a Bat house
9. Have all three cows AI'd

Other

1. Consistent Blogging (104/429)
2. Increase Facebook "Likes" to 150 (198/150)
3. Create Wallace Homestead Pinterest Page and have 50 followers (0/50)
4. Hold a monthly class
5. Have the "Really Local Farm Market" 1x per year (3/3)
6. Use a chainsaw