Tilling the Spring Garden #TBT 5/1/15

Here I am looking at my poor garden all dying and finished and waiting on winter....however here are the promising pictures from spring!  I am so blessed to have my big Boy who LOVES machinery and likes to do things like till up my garden!

You can see the big Tom Turkey in the background 

watching what is going on..his name is Stuffing

Turning the tiller is hard work!

Sadly, we did not do the CSA this year. Our garden ended up not doing very well due to the excessive spring rains and cool temperatures.  The tomatoes all drowned, and the later ones we put in just started turning red as the leave started changing. I missed doing my CSA and having a bigger reason to garden.  I'm hopeful that next year will be better!

Classes on the Homestead

After some bumpy starts and stops, I think I'm FINALLY ready to teach some classes here on the homestead.  I've been asked so many times, but it never seemed like the right time, but now it is!

So below is the first set of classes we are offering...there are more in the works and if there is something you don't see but know we do on the farm, let me know.  We can come up with something for you.

I am uncomfortable with asking for payment for things that I love to do and don't mind sharing. However, that doesn't pay the feed bill or pay for the giveaways that will be with each class.  I have, however, tried to make the fee as low as possible!

Class sizes are limited because my kitchen is small, and I'm anticipating that they will fill up.  I am asking for a small deposit to hold your spot in the class.

Without further ado...

Say Cheese!

Come join us on the homestead to find out how we take our yummy raw milk from Hershey and turn it into farmer’ cheese and mozzarella.  Class fee includes a complete cheese making kit to take home. ($20 value) Class size limited to 6.  $30

Saturday, May 16^th 1:30-3:30

Thursday, May 28^th 6:30-8:30

 In A Jam

Come and learn how to make fresh jam.   We will learn to make and preserve jam and enjoy taste testing.  We will provide all the seasonal ingredients, fresh made bread and samples. You will also go home with a jar of freshly made jam. $30 Class size limited to 6

Saturday, April 25 1:30-3:30

Tuesday, April 28^th 6:30-8:30

Thursday, April 30^th 6:30-8:30

Are you Chicken?

Backyard Chickens are now the “hip” thing to do.  Want to learn about chickens and what you need to get started?  Come on out to the farm and meet our flock. Ask questions and learn the basics of backyard chicken keeping.  Have fresh eggs right in your own yard! You’ll go home armed with knowledge and a book to help you on your way   $15

Rabbit, the new trendy white meat

Rabbit for dinner is becoming more and more popular.  Come explore our rabbitry and learn how easy it is to raise rabbit (even in an urban setting) for your own family.  We will learn the basics and  also some great recipes for “the other-other white meat” .

 Homegrown rabbit meat will be available for purchase.

OTHER Upcoming Classes:

• Yogurt, Butter, and Ice Cream, OH My!
• Soap making
• Candle Making
• Pizza Class (3 sessions:Making homemade, from scratch dough, making homemade pizza sauce, and finally making cheese)

Teen Bonfire

ONe of the goals of the farm has always to be a place for fellowship.  This October has seen the fruitition of that hope.  We hosted the Homeschool Group's "Mom's Night Out." with 18 Moms in our little farm house.  Then we had the Farmer's Market and had lots of friends-old and new show up to support us.  Finally we hosted the Homeschool Group's Teen Group Bonfire.  We had about 30 teens and parents here.  

The night started very wet and rainy and not looking like a good night for sitting around a fire....but God answers prayer and it did clear up.  The fire was wet, but then a Dad showed up with 10 boxes of back tax records that needed burnt...and there you go! 

Fun had by all.  The cows and bunnies were loved on, There were endless rounds of flashlight tag (of some variation.) Hot dogs and s'mores eaten. 

This is the only picture we got....and it turned out great!

Someone to check out!!

OK, I haven't been on again....we've been busy...and then I wipe out as soon as I come in.

That being said....My Man found a wonderful website and store a bit ago.  The folks are local and following about the same path we are...actually they are ahead of us on the path :)

I just discovered that she has a blog with great reading!!  You should check it out!

http://amazinggrazefarm.blogspot.com/

We are hoping to go meet them very soon!

May 3rd

Today was a busy day....Boy went with his 'girlfriend' and her family to the Aquarium today.  So we were up at the crack of dawn....

I did Boy's outside chores...in the rain...ok...enough with the rain....

I planted another 8 crowns of asparagus for next year.  Did you know that asparagus needs to be cut in the first day after it has emerged?  It does...too much longer and it becomes seed.  A well maintained asparagus patch can last about 20 years!!  We've eaten at least 3 meals with asparagus...and have frozen one day's worth.

I found a new hiding place for eggs.  1 1/2 dozen today...and 5 duck eggs.

The baby chicks are getting bigger.  They now have their grown feathers.  I could take the heat light off of them, but am going to wait a few more days as they are calling for a few more really cold nights.

The kittens are doing well...I put them in a rabbit cage so the big chickens would quite eating their food before they got to it. 

All the rain has made the barn really wet and soggy.  There is a leak in the roof...somewhere up there and there is a pond in the middle of the barn.  There are a few more "ponds" in various areas of the farm yard as well...not exactly where I wanted the pond....but the ducks are loving it.

I am on waiting lists all over the county for animals.  On a waiting list to get 4 turkey poults (babies) next week.  On a list to get 2 beef calves (bottle babies) in July.  Just missed my chance to get a few squealers (baby pigs) yesterday...snap!  Back on the hunt.  Looking for a few reasonably priced goats, a dairy cow (Hopefully in milk, if not, at least bred...sadly, both are expensive and difficult to find),  and a mower.

Tomorrow I will be researching moveable electric fence to put the plans in motion.

Haven't been getting as much done as I would have hoped because I still have frequent "attacks" that seem to take me out...or at least leave me with a doozy of a headache!

Off to go pick up my Boy from his friend's house and hear all about the aquarium.

Quick Saturday Updates

So here it is the end of April...obviously it wasn't this month that I posted faithfully as promised in my 101 list...May...May will be the month!  (Oh, and there are updates on the 101 list-I'm slowly working on it as health allows.)

I wanted to do a quick list of what is going on here at the farm, in our little world, etc..(my BFF did a bulleted list and I thought...what a great idea!)

• Boy's play is today.  It is so cute.  He ended up being "Fozzy bear" from the Muppets.  I've had several mom's tell me that they knew he wanted to be Elmer, but that he was the perfect choice for Fozzy...."Hey..Ker....mit! Wakka, wakka, wakka"  They did it yesterday for the video cameras...today for an audience.
• My parents are back from their winter hideaway.  Glad to have them home.
• Easter was a quiet affair this year, because I got signals crossed.  So Boy cooked his first holiday meal and did a great job.
• I've had 3 more doctor appointments since I last posted.  Still have TN.  Still have depression aggravated by having TN.  Went to see another Dr last evening...changed meds yet again.  I'm sure they will figure out the right cocktail soon.  Another appointment next week (?) to be referred out to the neuralogist (sp?) as the attacks are still doing a number.
• We have two ducks sitting on nests.  They were the from the clutch of ducklings from last year.  We still have two drakes, but "Duck Stew" is going to be going to the processor soon along with a few of the hens.  I've never had duck, but have heard that Muscovy is the least 'greasy' of the ducks. 
• We are now getting about a dozen and a half eggs a day...along with a few random guinea and duck eggs.  But it is an egg hunt on a daily basis.  They have picked a few odd places around the farm that they all seem to like to lay, so we have to check the corner of  Boy's club house (horse stall), in the rabbit nest boxes (that are in storage), the corner under the rabbitry, oh and 2 out of the 12 nest boxes.
• We still have both kittens.  I took them out of the chicken brooder and put them in their own cage.  We I went back later, I apparently didn't latch the cage well because they were both gone.  After hunting through the barn (in the dark--only with a headlamp) I gave up and went to check on the baby chicks....only to find the kittens in the sleeping pile of chicks...Oh well!
• The garden is about to go in.  We've been working (in between the periods of pouring rain) to get all the stuff yanked out.  I'm going to try a different method of planting this year.  I was told by a local, that if you till the soil, it restarts the horseweed (otherwise known as ragweed!),  So at least in the tomatoes and peppers, I'll only till the rows where the plants are going and leave the rest untilled.  
• The root veggie patch will still be completely tilled.  I've chosen a new area to add corn.
• We are about to add some bigger animals.  We will be using Joel Salatin's model to have moveable pastures to grown broilers (chickens), a dairy cow and a few mowers (goats).  Possibly even a "salad bar beef" (Grass fed meat) cow, and a few pigs.  Also, we are scheduled to go look as some meat rabbits. (New Zealands this time.)
• This week will be getting the rabbitry bleached and sanitized for the new rabbits.
• Both the push mower and riding mower refuse to start and have taken the last spin, so we are looking for a cheap mower until the animals can get the fields under control.
• We have gotten a set of solar panels that we are excited to figure out!
• I have found some crazy ideas on the internet that I am going to see if I can make work here.  I'll keep you updated on this...but one of them involves lots of pop bottles, another a bunch of cans!  Good thing we like soda pop!
• We watched a DVD the other night, Food, Inc that reinforced our position of eating locally and in season.  I am still going to the grocery store...and I know our sodas are not healthy or local, but that seems to be the only thing I am buying there anymore.
• I changed the 1001 cupcakes on my 101 list to 800 jars canned.  And I have some unusual recipes for new jellies this year!

Well, my bulleted list is just as long as a regular post. And I'm not done!!  No, I'm not wordy at all!!  :)  I WILL POST EVERY DAY in May!!   Even if it is only short.  Tune in.

It's Thanksgiving week...and time to be thankful.  I'm thankful for my family who have had to deal yet AGAIN with my health issues....and my mental health issues.  For the farm despite all the work it is.  For bountiful crops and full pantries. For a job that has been here even when I don't love it and even gives me time to blog occasionally.

Last week we took the last 10 meat chickens to be butchered.  Well, I thought it was the last 10 birds...after returning from the processor...two more were lurking around.  We have a bit of a challenge with "chicken math".  Two nights before it was time to take them, I tried to count the number of birds we have.  There are so many right now that I don't really break it out by what they are...just a beak count.  I came up with 73.  THEN we took 10 to the processor...so it should be 63, right??  I counted 67...then found 4 more sleeping in a tree...HUH?!?!  So God multiplied where I subtracted.  Since then we have lost 3.  We had gone almost 6 weeks without finding a dead bird, so it was a bit disheartning to start counting again only to have them go and die on me.  So I think we are at "about" 70 birds. 

• 2 silkies (Professor & Princess)
• 3 adult Muscovy Ducks (1 Drake-Drake, 2 hens- Brownie & Quack)
• 6 "teen" Muscovies (1 Drake, 5 Hens)
• 1 Turkey (Thanksgiving-whom I think has been dieting as he is not ready for Thursday)
• 11 Guineas (2 white, 8 purple, 1 white & purple)
• 2 "left over" meat birds
• 2 roosters (Boo the Americauna and Mohawk the Rhode Island Red)
• 43 Hens (20 newish Americaunas, 2 newish RIR, and some of our named birds including the original Buffy and Muffy and Arica.  Also Susie and Gibby-Gaby)

We've had a dwindling of baby rabbits and are down to 2 "teen" Californias.  So the Rabbit Count is:

• Robbie (Buck-Californian)
• Meg & Mollie (Does-Californians)
• Spot (Buck-Lop)
• Sweetie & Frosty (Does-Lops)
• 2 Teen Californians that need to be "checked"
• There is a possiblity that I will be picking up another female "mini-lop" today.

Everyone is going to be breed this weekend.

We still have the 3 dogs.  Kristl, the inside Eskimo Princess.  Danny, the inside Eskimo Spazz (who was fixed on November 8th and just finished wearing the "Cone of Shame". and Iona, our barn dog Pyrenees.  She is getting on the thin side so we are working on getting her fattened up for winter.  Also, we are not completely convinced that Danny didn't have a romantic interlude with her before his trip to the vet....those cold be some interesting looking pups!

Friends of ours has asked if we would consider keeping a meat cow on the property for them.  We are considering it.  There is the whole fence situation...some areas are not very secure....and I'd like to have a goat or two to take care of the weeds and such.  If we do keep a steer for meat....I'm thinking we ought to have one for milk too.  But that's kinda getting the horse before the cart....oh and speaking of a horse....JK!

Our church had a "Thanksgiving" dinner last night.  I didn't get to go because of work, but the guys went and took my entry for the Cranberry contest.  Each family needed to make a dish with cranberries in it. It could be dessert, salad, etc.  I made a Cranberry and Apple Crisp Bake with Honey Crisp Apples.  There were 18 entries....and I got 3rd!!  WOOT!  So I hope I wrote down.....somewhere.....what I did!

So there's a quick update as to the happenings on the farm.  I am looking to redo the blog so it has tabs and catagories instead of having 6 different blogs going on.  I have been accepted as a local and national blogger for an online magazine site so I need to get this stuff figured out soon.  The bonus of having deadlines for my blogging is that you will now get more timely updates!  There will be tabs for homeschooling, homesteading, canning, scrapbooking, and also one for Zachary's "Smiles for Sam" blog...which was also updated this week.  There are also some other things that I am working on that will be a cool addition if I can get it worked out....hopefully by January. 

Stay tuned.....and please comment!

Canning Scoreboard

Below is the list of the jars on my shelf.....(I didn't put quantities)

• Jelly / Jam
• Sunshine (Peach/Pear)
• Blackberry
• Black Raspberry
• Queen Anne Lace (aka Weed Jelly)
• Cherry
• Blueberry
• Elderberry
• Concord Grape
• Peach / Cantaloupe Conserve
• Peach
• Strawberry
• Red Raspberry
• 
  Veggies
• Corn
• Creamed Corn
• GreenBeans
• Fruits
• Diced Tomatoes
• Quartered Tomatoes
• Peaches
• Pears
• Tart Cherries
• Others
• Spiced Pears Pear Chutney
• Peach Salsa
• Tomato Salsa
• Tomato / Tomatillo Salsa
• Pickled Peppers (Pepperochinis)
• Bottled Tomato / Garlic / Basil

Frozen

• Corn on the Cob
• Corn (not on the cob)
• Blueberries
• Peppers

Dehydrated

• Corn (Have I mentioned how much corn I got?  Look here)
• Blueberries
• Elderberries
• Peppers

Other Harvest

• Homegrown Popcorn

It's been a busy summer....and I still have two pear trees that need harvested and processed and also 2 bushels of apples to do.  And possibly a few more tomatoes.  And I need to dig up the potato harvest.  Oh, and I picked up Golden Raspberries at a U Pick...well, actually Boy picked, so that will be jelly soon.

Oh, I was asked if I am selling the jellies....yes, I suppose so...The local market for a half pint is $3.50.  Let me know....

Garage / Yard Sale-ing!!

Man took me and the Boy out yard saling today!  We had a blast and found all sorts of things perfect for our homesteading.  I took pictures of all the cool stuff below.

Sewing box filled with cross-stitch stuff

Cool Maple Syrup Jars

Meat Grinder and Apple Peeler / Corer / Slicer

The COOLEST chicken plate and bowl

Organizing bins, sandpaper (that Danny ended up eating) cordless screwdriver and light

Really cool tins, glass canisters, glass mixing bowls and a cool retro sheep sign

Books for Boy, ribbons & buttons for scrapbooking and a tag book

Wood 4ft peg rack, more tins, and the sheep sign again

What I didn't get a picture of (what is WRONG with me!) is Boy got a NEW TRICK BIKE and they threw in the helmet for free.  I'll try to remember to get a picture and post it!!

New Additions to the homestead family!!

We are now in the bunny business!!!  Meet our new rabbits.  They are Californian (hey, dude!) meat rabbits.  They will finish out at about 7 pounds and are good meat.  Our trio is the basis of the rabbitry, so it's actually their offspring that will be going to "freezer camp" eventually.  They will also be shown in 4H this spring and summer.  Robbie is the buck and is the Boy's rabbit.  The does (girls) are Meg and Mollie.  Man is holding Meg and Mollie was too shy for pictures (grin)

Robbie

Meg

Stormy meeting Robbie.

Man noticed that we seem to be getting mostly white animals!

BE SURE TO SCROLL Down as I added pictures to older posts!!!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2010! 

We started out the year by going to "game night" at the local church that we have attended a few times, fun for all!  We played games or talked to new acquantainces.  Man hit it off with the Pastor, and I hung out with the Pastor's wife.  Boy played with his new older friend, and his new friend that is a girl.  Sadly, we found out that they will be leaving the church as her dad was just selected to pastor a new church about an hour away.

We came home an hour into the new year.  So our traditional sparklers had to wait until later.  We did them the evening of the 1st.

Over on the scrapping board, I am attempting to do the project 365, which is a picture a day, so be sure to check it out from time to time.  You are to take some non traditional pictures to capture the day to day of your 'real life'.

But as a sneak peek...for the 1st....we are heating our home exclusively with wood...it's been a challenge figuring out how to keep the house warm through the night....it's getting better.  Last night it got down to 0, and still we were warm.

On top you can see the steamer I received for Christmas...my favorite color and it helps with the moisture in the house.  We've been getting the fire cooking so we have a nice bed of coals...we've only "restarted" restarted the fire once since the beginning of December...the rest of the time, we just keep it going.

Coming up with 2010's plan..

Well I'm working on my overly ambitious plan for the homestead for the coming year.  I'm sure I won't be able to do half of the list, but it's better to shoot for the stars, eh?

January will start 4H.  And enters in our Just.One.More. bird.  Boy has to have one that is less than a year old, and also have a certified form from a hatchery, etc of health and purebreed standard.  I've found someone locally that breeds JAVA birds.  These birds are endangered, and were one single flock away from extinction.  They are from the 1800's and are the basis of at least 3 of the big breeds of today.  I think I will get a Java for Boy to use in 4H.  There is a part of me that wants 6  (That would bring the flock up to 60-a round number!!) that way we can breed them as well and get on the list to be a provider and help bring this heritage breed back.  This is still something we are thinking and considering.  And we will add a guinea to the flock in the spring...only for tick control.  They are not cute and noisy so they are not my favorite choice, but they will decimate the tick population and that is very necessary.  About March-April, we'll add 25-40 broiler chickens that will NOT have names to grow for "Freezer Camp".  It only takes about 9 weeks to get them to butcher size.  I have a friend (actually two) that enjoy processing the birds, so I'll have one or both of them teach me how and give them some meat in exchange for the help!

The next critter to join the homestead is likely to be meat rabbits.  We are not quite ready to butcher rabbits and chickens for food, but likely by the end of summer we will.  But we need to get the starts to our herd.  Plus we can use the droppings all winter in the garden. 

Man has already had the 1/2 acre garden plot plowed up.  The chickens run on it most day pulling up the grubs.  This is GOOD.  We have moles that are tearing up the yard and garden plot.  If there are no grubs for them to eat they will go away.  The tiller man will be back in April for the spring plowing so we can get the garden going nice and early. 

Deciding on the gardens has been a challenge but fun!  I think we will add a few apple trees, and a replacement peach tree.  We have one apple and a pear.  There is a nice area already trellis for grapes that we need to add.  There is a great asparagus bed already.  I think I'd like to add some other trees also.  A good line of maples along the back property line to be used in the future to sap for syrup.  A stand of firewood timber...as we are having to buy the wood we are using to heat the house.  And another walnut or two to go with the one we have.  These are investments in the future as it will be 3-7 years before we see the fruit from them.

I need to get the strawvberries and raspberries from the house is W'ville if I am able to replant.  There is a spot on the back of the pump house that looks as though it would make a great cold frame with just a few pieces of glass (I need to find someone throwing out a set of old shower doors!!)  Eventually, I'd also like to add a greenhouse leanto on the south side of the house (Same side as the pumphouse and orchard).  The side door from the kitchen would open into it and the one living room window as well.  That would add needed heat to the house in the winter.  And even further down the road, that will be replaced with an addition onto the house that will be our bedroom, because as we get older, going up the stairs may not be as easy as it is now.

Also this spring, I will add 2 bee hives along the side pasture line between the orchard fence and the south pasture.  This will help both with the orchard and the garden.  Then also adding honey and beeswax to the homestead.  Also in the spring (Feb/Mar) timeframe, I have debated about goats.  I haven't yet come to a decision on them yet.  I know by summer, I would like to add a jersey cow.  Jersey's are great for milk and they have the highest percentage of milk fat, so it's great for butter, cheese and icecream.  So I'd like to find a heifer or cow that will calf in the late spring so it will be fresh with milk.  Then the calf will be raised for freezer beef.  (Names already chosen for these critters: Mama will be Butter, Baby will be Hamburger.)  Back to the goats though. I'm not crazy about goat's milk, but I do like goat cheese.  Some of the best soap is made from goats milk, and it is the best replacement milk for man and beast.  Downsides is that it is difficult to keep them in the pasture and out of trouble.  And you need at least 2 as they are herd animals.

Man has been opposed to pigs (as I am a bit as well) but the more I read on them, the more I think they have a place on the homestead....so that may be a fall addition...that's not yet on the radar to be decided.

Then the summer will be consumed with the garden and canning.  Building a tree house.  weeding the garden, canning......the fair for 4H. Getting the grazing pastures under control, Haying. Long about August, I will be thinking of getting a few more chicks to replace the layers that have slowed down in the egg production.  That way they will be grown, feathered, and in the hen house before the cold, and will not have to live in the house or cellar.  Summer will also be for converting the pump house to the "cold cellar".  It has been used for storage in the past and already has labeled shelves for all that is canned.  There are also netted shelves for potato storage, etc. The potato storage racks are falling apart so they need torn out and replaced. August will also start the harvest of not only the gardens, but also starting the firewood piles.

So, this is what is going through my head currently.  There are other "non-homestead" plans as well such as a No-Buy January.  Using grocery game and coupons to start stocking up the pantry as cheaply as possible.  Finally getting the house in W'ville empty of the 'stuff' we have left there. Faithbooking, scrapbooking.  Getting the homeschool room finally finished. Address the "scrap barn" situation.

Status....

OK, as of today things are going fairly alright. Here's the lowdown.....

We are dropped the price of the house in Westerville. I asked my realtor to have no showings available until yesterday so I could get it somewhat cleaned up. I have most everything out from inside(that is going to the new house). I just need to move one bookcase, a small video cabinet, the quilt stand, and the stereo components (and speakers). I also want to bring over the full mattress that is in Grandma Arizona's room because ...eventually...the boy will be getting a twin over full bunkbed, since we no longer have a guest bedroom. But in the meantime I don't know where I would put it.

So for now, it's wonderful to go take a quick 2o minute nap while I'm waiting for things to happen in Westerville....what would be happening you ask? Well, yesterday morning, I showed the house to a lady that is interested in renting the house. (That's the other development. We decided that if it doesn't sell, we will try to rent it before giving it back to the bank.) I hope they do decide to rent it. She was a neat lady!

I have had the carpets cleaned over there. I still need to paint 1 room and we still do have lots to find a home for. The attic has not been cleaned out, either has the crawl space....or the shed. The chickens still need moved and the outside "stuff". We've been at a disadvantage because the whole rear end of the van went out and it's been in the shop for a week. They did give us a loaner, but it doesn't have a hitch to use the trailer and I'm thinking that they might not be very happy with me moving chickens in it :)

Speaking of chickens...as soon as I am able to get to the new chicken house...I've found a flock of Aracaunas to add to the farm! We will be at 2 dozen birdies. 23 hens, and one happy rooster! Then in the spring, we'll let some of the eggs hatch out for babies. We should have lots of green and blue eggs. This will be great...right now both of the Aracaunas (Scarlett and Arica) and the two Buffies are going through a molt and we have not seen eggs from them in a while. It will likely be a few more weeks until we see eggs from them again. Also, I'm pretty sure that Maran has not yet started laying. But the Comets and whites are laying very consistantly. We get 6 eggs from 6 birds on almost a daily basis! WOOHOO!

I'm still mulling over whether to have someone come out to Bush Hog the chicken yard and all the burrs or go ahead and get my first dairy goat.....there are good arguements either way. I'm just not decided yet.

So back to what's going on....I have put on the calendar that the farm warming / boy birthday party is going to be on November 7th. I'm praying that the weather will cooperate because we'd like to be able to cook out and also let folks wander around the farm and check things out. But I've "bit the bullet" and there will be no more delays. I've ordered the change of address/invitations and so, there it is. Mark your calendar...

In the meantime, I have a list a mile long of all that needs to be accomplished in the next 17 days, besides all our "other" stuff (Mandatory overtime, plus 2 additional OT days next week, Trunk n Treat, Boys Brigade, Bible Quizzing Practice, and a Rally. Biography, Geography Fair, and Boy's Birthday. ) And on top of that, Boy and Man picked all the pears from our pear tree. Seriously, I have a whole 30 gallon trash can full to do something with (jam, pear butter, canned).

I know everyone wants to see pictures. As soon as I unearth the camera "tail" again...I'll post some! Especially of the inherited "guard pig" that is above our back door. (Which my dad made a mohawk with all the dust on it...and I still haven't dusted it off.)

We found a farm!!

An email I sent to our family and friends this morning....

Dear Family and Friends-

First, I'm sorry to not send out a personal message to everyone, but things are in fast forward here. Let me tell you what is going on!

As most everyone knows after my surgery, we put the house up on the market. We've had tons of showings but not the greatest feedback. So only one offer that had us paying them $10K to take the house...umm no thanks. We haven't been willing to drop our price because we didn't have anywhere to go.

Now we do! God is so GOOD!!! Last Sunday, MAN found a farm for rent for a very reasonable price. We went and looked at it yesterday. I don't want to say that it is perfect, but it's very nearly perfect. 90% of the things we felt the new place would need are in place and almost ready to go. The shop is bigger for MAN's business (which is quite busy right now) so hopefully he can have room to do things a bit differently and not have to work quite so hard to get his orders done. It has a HUGE two story animal/hay barn. It needs a bit of work before we can get any new critters, but the work needed isn't too major. Plus all the pastures are already fenced and ready to go. There is a huge area fenced for the garden (I wish it were spring again so I could plant it!! But as my sweetie pointed out, we probably need the fall and winter to get everything else in place...so God's timining is perfect.)

It has a chicken house and fenced chicken yard. That is completely overgrown and the house has not been used for about 5 years, so it will need work. But there are some things that are there that I now won't need to buy that I've been needing (There is a 6 box nest box set up-now that the new chickens are starting to lay, we've been needing a 2nd box. And it has a brooder set up, so it will be easier to add more chicks to the flock). The house is wonderful. Huge kitchen, open layout. Old farm house with really neat details (Decorative hardware on the doors from 75+ years ago) Huge windows. I'm so excited, can you tell???? 2 staircases! How wild is that?! Wood floors. Big separate laundry room (who would think I could be excited about laundry!) 3 BR, 2 bath.

There is also a pump house that has been insulated and set up as a root cellar. Plus there is a storm cellar below the house that I"ve been told has an additional washer/dryer hook up, and a good amount of storage space. There is an additional smaller barn that everyone says looks to be unusable...but I'm not yet convinced. Pear trees, apple trees, crabapple trees. A cute white picket fence around the back of the house. It's only about 3 miles (and only 2 turns) from a major highway. It's only 30 minutes to work and about 20 to church.

So now the fast forward starts! We made a verbal agreement with the landlady last night and will be getting the lease today. The current tenants are going to be out on October 1st. My plan is to get the majority of our stuff packed and ready to go, so we can move in right away. Because the new house is smaller than the old some furniture will not be going. The plan is to empty, clean (carpets, etc) and stage this house with the furniture left, and be moved into the new house. Then all the bad feedback (too much clutter in the house) will have been addressed (our stuff, our chickens, our dogs will all be at the new house) and then we'll drop the price to pick the interest back up. When we first listed we had 18 showings in 14 days. It has since dropped off. Then we are praying God will bring a buyer quickly so we aren't having to make a mortgage payment and a rent payment for long.

Now I have to get in gear and get the fall stuff done here, get packed up and ready to go. Then when we can get in, move and come back here and paint, clean, stage the house and then back to the farm to start unpacking and settling in. MAN will be busy too. He has to move the whole shop (Oh my goodness there are alot of tools out there!!) and get the new shop set up, and still be working on orders that are currently in queue. Even before we added the move, the business was booked out to mid/late October with orders!

So, that's what is going on over here. In the past, I've always had too much pride to accept help from others, always concern of what they would think of my clutter and too much stuff...my lack of housecleaning skills. After my surgery, there were 5 wonderful women that came over to our house to help me. It was mortifying...and one of the biggest blessings I've ever had. I know when I go to help someone else out, I never think about their "stuff" or judge, so I don't know why I couldn't get past that my friends are like that too. I've learned better. God has blessed me in so many ways I cannot even count. Come October 1st, I may have to use these lessons, and if you are bored and have nothing to do (I don't know ANYONE that this would apply to-REALLY!) I might have to call on you for some help! In the meantime, I'll try to keep up on the blog so you know what is going on. The blog address is http://www.wallacehomestead.blogspot.com/

We love you all and know that many of you have been praying for our situation. I wanted you to see the answer to your prayers. We are challenged but excited!
Picture of the new kitchen, with BOY standing on the cellar door looking in.

Thank you for your patience!

Here is the post you've been waiting on....

Our trip. It was a wonderful trip! We left on Wednesday morning, after a stop to the library to pick up a few books. I wish I had taken a picture of BOY before we left. The van was packed with two beds to be delivered, and the boy was all smooshed in his seat with bed rails popping through all over.

The wind was pretty fierce most of the way there. We made a stop off in St. Louis to deliver the first bed, and the BOY now has a friend in the state of Missouri. He makes friends so easily. After the quick stop there, it was onward.

We arrived to our destination at about 12:30 am. About 14 hours after we had started. We followed our host to his home and met his lovely wife and 3 out of 4 of his sleepy kids. After talking for about an hour, we were given their bed. How hospitable is that?!? I was ready to crash! At that point I had been up about 30 hours with the exception of about an hour nap going through Branson, MO.

The next morning was cold outside, so I stayed snuggled in the house (for the most part) holding the new baby of the house. I love holding new babies!!! My Man put up the bunkbed he brought for the host's kids. The kids loved it and all 4 played like monkeys on it. His beds are so sturdy! It was great to see first hand kids enjoying the fruits of Man's labor! The Man and our Host did chores and ran errands and talked. Our hostess and I talked. The kids all got along beautifully and played. Inside, outside, all over. They went out to look at the new baby goat that was born just hours before we arrived. It was a really nice day of getting to know one another. My hostess and I took a hike up to the top part of the property and I got to see the baby goat and the adult male goats that looked as though they were wearing toupees! Then when the Dads got back the whole gang of us hiked the whole property (or at least the perimeter). We hiked right at sunset. What a beautiful area. And would you know it, I forgot my camera! What a great blogger/scrapbooker am I??? We returned back to enjoy pizza and more fellowship. And another night with our new friends.

The second day dawned much warmer than the day before. The Man and I went off to hike the property again and to talk over what we had each learned so far and our thoughts and leanings towards pursuing moving here. There were some concerned and some thoughts. But still lots to figure out and pray about before a decision can be made. After hiking a bit, we cleaned up the kids and headed out for a potluck at another of the family's house. There are 5 families interested currently. Our host is the founder, then the "C" family, and then the "R" family, then us, and also a man who has had a vision for this for many years and has a website. His wife was not able to make it to the potluck. Neither was the husband in the "C" family. "C"'s wife and kids were there for a short time and were lovely people, I would love to get to know better. They have a teenage daughter that just glows. Her eyes show what a wonderful young lady she is. Then another daughter who is also sweet and a son that is our BOY's age. He and Boy got off to a rough start, and finish. BOY is a bit "city"fied and has had a mom that has told him as long as he's been alive to "don't get dirty." The family that had the potluck was the "R" family. Very sweet with two beautiful little girls. After eating the guys got down to talking about logistics and the ladies sat in the comfortable living room by the wood stove and also got to know one another. The guys spoke long into the night. We finally left at 12:30 am, after being there for almost 10 hours. We crashed again at our host's house. Early (8am) we left for Ohio.

On the way home, we did make a stop in St. Louis, this time at the Arch. It was COLD! We took pictures and checked it out, but it sure didn't take long...then we were on the road again for home. I drove for the last 6 hours. The drive home was spent in thought and prayer and bursts of talking and comparing ideas. We haven't yet come to a conclusion, except that our host has a wonderful opportunity, and a generous heart. He has the equipment and the drive to get everything going right now. We are still praying that we could do something right here in Ohio. Since returning, God has really blessed our business and we have quite a few orders to take care of. We've been contacted by a few people locally that are interested in Intentional Christian Community here in Ohio.

It was a wonderful trip. It was eye opening and educational. Even if we don't join up with this particular community, it spurred us closer and gave us more thoughts and answers on how to get this done. I can't even imagine that God might be using us to be the visionaries for such a community here in Ohio, but He doesn't call the equipped~He equips the called. So...with trepidation we go on looking and listening for God's will. Man and I both feel like time is very short. That with the economic uncertainty and the energy situation, that we need to make a decision and get going with our plan. We pray we are following God's plan for us, but know that even if we have mis-discerned His will, that He will catch us when we fall. So many times in the past few years we've gone ahead with what we thought was our calling only to be stopped at the last minute. Each time was difficult and sometimes devastating. But in hindsight, which is 20/20 we can clearly see where we prayed God's will and asked that if it were not so that the door would be firmly closed. He loves His children and will protect us.

So, we have not given up on community, and have an even clearer picture of what it can and should be. We are open to moving, but also open to staying in Ohio. We want to continue to talk with the people here in Ohio that are truly interested in being in a God centered community of like minded believers.

We are NOT a cult. Wouldn't you love to let your kids out to play and know that each adult they encounter is "safe" and has the same belief system that you do? Yes, it may be true that "It takes a village to raise a child...." I've seen my current village and I want NOTHING to do with it raising my child. In an ICC, you could have that village of believers that will help raise your children without undermining you! Wouldn't it be wonderful to not only be able to go to your neighbor for a cup of sugar when you run out, but also to ask for prayer?! How about being able to count on your community to help you with "barn raisings" and "work frolics"? Have you ever looked out your front window and been surrounded by people, yet are so lonely you could cry? Are you tired of putting on a "happy face" and a "good show" for the neighbors? Or have you gotten tired of them "keeping up with the Jones?" Do you feel like you have community the 2 hours, 2-3 times a week that you are at church, yet as soon as you walk out the door, your community is scattered to the wind not to be heard from until the next time you are "scheduled" to be at church?

I know I have. And I would rather have a Christian community surrounding me, not just emotionally, but physically. And if that isn't possible, then just give me some land that I can have my chickens and gardens and maybe a cow or two.

I've gotten a few emails from the blog of folks who are interested in forming a community here in Ohio, if you are a "lurker" but are seriously interested, please let me know. We would like to start a dialog with you and your family and see what God can put together in the next weeks. Again, we don't think we have much time, so time is of the essence. Experience or not!

Apples-Apples-Apples!!

I'm missing a few of the first pictures from this adventure and will add them tomorrow. (I didn't bring the picture card with me that has them on it!)

Scott found someone on Freecycle that had little sour-not pretty apples that they were giving away in Mt.Sterling (quite a ways away from us) I responded, but they had already been spoken for. The next morning, I saw another ad for apples on Freecycle, this time in Reynoldsburg--come to find out...same apples! She went and got them for her juicer and then decided she didn't want them. So we have been in appleland! Sorry for the blurry picture...yes, very artsy, but it wasn't intended that way.


Apples boiling, and another pan of boiling water to sterilize the jars and lids.


Apple Butter cooking in the crockpot.



10 jellyjars of Apple Butter, 4 of Apple Pepper Jelly. I still have the actual apple jelly to do. I have 2 gallons of juice to use. I also made applesauce, and apple dumplings. (Not all shown!)

Then tonight on freecycle there was a lady offering pears.....

Update to the Strawberry Post....

So back in June I put up Strawberry Jam...I did both traditional canning and freezer jam. Well, when I made the traditional, I was told to put the jars upside down to help with the vaccum seal. I did so...not realizing that it needs to be turned right side up within about an hour....or this happens.....yeah, gravity has NOTHING on me!

Putting in the fall garden.

(Pictures will be posted soon-on other card)

I know I've mentioned my deep appreciation for Craigslist before *ahem* I found a wonderful lady that grows veggies and sells the plants at dirt cheap prices. So even though I didn't get my garden in this past spring, I have put in a fall garden. I did some research on http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/ and found that in my area I still had time to really get some good things grown. SO I spent $20 from the garden lady and got 5 HUGE, and I mean huge (As tall and 1 taller than me at 5'10") tomato plants, 2 bell peppers (sorry, N) 1 Sweet Pepper, 1 Japanese Eggplant for the Boy-he wanted to see the purple veggies, 2 cucumber plants, 2 zucchini, 2 summer squash, and 20 broccoli plants. Oh, and oregano, cilantro, basil and chives. Pretty good for $20, eh?!?!

Then we have the strawberries that I planted in the spring that have started to bear again, and the pathetic raspberries and blackberries. I do have ONE red raspberry on the bush.

So the Boy and I worked on putting in the garden today. I had the coop open and we only have 1 birdie that comes out to see us and that's only on the rare occasion. They are pretty content in their home. Well, today as we are working the wonderful planting boxes that the Man built (5ftx5ft) here Buffy comes right into the box. She walked across the yard to see us. Then along comes Muffy and Dumpling. All helped to "cultivate" the garden. And Muffy took a dirt bath. They wandered around looking for good bugs and even went out into the woods. I was amazed that they would come when I called them. And when I picked up the feed, well, it's a RIOT to see chickens run! Muffy even flew, but ended up landing in the firepit (thank goodness, it wasn't lit) but she got all ash-y.















I can't convince the Boy that his sweatband should actually be on his forehead. Ah, well, whatever cools him off!


Here he has his Buffy.

The "State of the Garden" address is schduled for August 25th.

Strawberries

So this post is WAAAAYYY overdue! I had it in blogger and never posted it! I'm sorry! This should be dated back in June. The Boy and I went strawberry picking and got 14 pounds of the biggest, juiciest berries. Here he is picking out the best ones.















And our 14 pound haul after it was all said and done!
















Then I spent the next two days cleaning berries and putting up jam. I ended up with 14 containers of freezer jam (two didn't even make it into the freezer!) And 12 jam jars of traditional jam. I did have a live and learn moment that I will need to take a picture of for here... So after you water bathe the jam, while it is hot, you put the jars upside down so it will vacuum seal, but then you should turn the jar back over after about an hour while it cools. OK, so I didn't remember to turn them back right side up and all the jam jelled at the top of the jar leaving a 1 inch void at the bottom of the jar. Sigh. Live and learn. I could reboil them and get it back down, but it tastes the same either way right??



















And if my chicken obsession wasn't scary enough :) Check out these two berries I found. One looks like the front half of a chicken and the other one looks like the back. So I put them together so you could see my chicken strawberry! Some people see elephants in cloud, others see trolls in tree bark ;> Me, I see chickens in strawberries. (OK, her head is little, but check out that tail!)

I HAVE NEWS!!!!

Today we got our Buffies!!!

Today (ok, techinally yesterday) was a busy and FUN day. We took a road trip! One of our customers opened a weekend rental log home down in Hocking Hills. Today was their open-house so we went down to support them.

So we spent about 4 hours hanging out and talking with the various folks that came past to see the place. My Man had great woodworking conversations with the man that basically built the cabin, and another friend that does rehabbing of old houses. There were some older folks (one 84!) that have lived in Pickerington their whole life and they had great stories of places I knew before they were the places I knew. The owner of the cabin was the long time milkman for Pickerington. Either he or his dad actually delivered milk to us out at the house in New England Acres. How 'bout that!

Then we started home. They lady that was chick-sitting was right on the way, but when we called no one was home. I called her mom on her cell phone and she wasn't going to be home until 7 pm (it was only 4:30) We decided to get some dinner and head on home because I had to work tonight. She called while we were still at On the Border. Apparently, she didn't get the message I left saying I'd pick the birdie up a different day.

So 5 miles from home, we turned around and hiked it out 20 miles back the way we came to get the girls. They are so pretty! And BLONDE! Like me! They have huge feet (also like me-grin). I figure they must be like puppies and grow into their feet. The mom showed us around her farm and her animals. She has 3 beautiful golden retreivers (also blonde like me!), and about 100 chickens. She raises "Buckeye" Chickens which is a breed started in Ohio and fairly rare to find. She also has 4 alpacas. The Boy got to feed the alpacas and check out all the different birds. My Man was most interested in the 100+ old trees on the property that had a minimum of a 14.5 foot circumference. We put our girls in the box we brought and took them home. They cooed and peeped the whole way home.

Then we introduced them to the puppies. They were so intrigued with the new scent. I'm sure they wanted a MUCH closer look, but I know they really ENJOY chicken so they got to sniff from a distance. We took some pictures, and I collapsed on the bed for 25 minutes before coming into work. WHEW!

As My dear Man said, he needs to buy me a farm for my chickens, which I added, "Yes, lets buy a $250K farm for my $10 chickens!" He also asked that I hold off buying a cow for now. Haha.