So yesterday daughter and I were outside to put up a little more fencing before the real heat of the day took over. Hubby, bless his heart, came out to see if he could help a little. Because of his health issues, he's been in a lot of pain. So I really did appreciate his wanting to help but didn't want him to do much at all. He offered to put a couple of T-posts in for us. While Daughter and I were pulling and attaching the fence, hubby almost knocked himself out. While tapping one of the T-post down he, I don't know what he did... but he was on the ground with a big goose egg on top of his head. We had him lay still for a couple of minutes and checked him out before letting him get up. Not wanting to see our friends in the ER again but wanting him to be checked out I took him to a local PA who has walk-in services available. Hubby was given a clean bill of health and told to stay in the house for the day and keep well hydrated. So we did. The new fencing will get done when it gets done.
So since we were in the house for the day I took the time to watch a few videos on youtube. We really don't watch much on the TV but we do have a few favorite channels on youtube. All of them have to do with homesteading to greater or lesser extent. One of the channels thought it would be good to do a collaboration with a number of other channels. The topic was "Homesteading VS Prepping". The idea was one of the channels started off with their ideas, then they would ask the next in line two questions. This will continue until the last channel has their input. I'm really enjoying their discussions and ideas. I'll post the schedule and the channels (some are new to us) and invite you to take a look at them. I've learned quite a bit from them and have enjoyed watching. Hope you do as well.
As always have a safe and Blessed day and remember to share your skills.
July 5th dirt patch heaven dirt patch heaven https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2GQ...
July 6th goforgreenliving https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEZm...
July 7th Big Family Homestead https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClBC...
July 8th off grid with Doug and Stacy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChit...
July 9th Deep south homestead https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn0P...
July 10th Bigbear homestead https://www.youtube.com/user/bigbearh...
July 11th Ozark Off Grid Family https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt42...
July 12th Permaculture Homestead https://www.youtube.com/user/torymorton
July 13th Pratt Family Homestead https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgXT...
July 14th Road to the Farm https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNoo...
July 15 My Homesteading Project https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCklm...
July 16 bluegrassbound homestead https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv04...
About Me
- Donna
- I am a Christian woman who loves her family and tries to live with a purpose. "I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
BE COOL AND KEEP COOL
So the dog days of summer are upon us. Though the temperature is supposed to be around 86 degrees today, the heat index values are up to 110. For us that means staying well hydrated while making sure the animals also are well hydrated. There will be many trips out to the pasture today making sure the animals not only have water but cool water. So the chores of the day will be quick little projects, making sure we don't get too involved and forgetting to go outside.
Just as we are, animals are stressed by the heat. Make sure they have shade and water. This also goes for our four legged indoor pets. Today will be a lazy day for them. No outside chasing balls or as our ten year old Spike likes, lounging in the sun. Potty breaks will be all of the outside they see today. Speaking of indoor pets, remember you loved them enough to make them members of your family so take care to keep them safe. Don't leave them out in extreme weather. Please don't leave them in your vehicles. But if you must leave them outside, take care to see they have plenty of shade and water.
Also if you have elderly neighbors or those who are ill, check on them as well. It may take a couple extra minutes but so what. Be a good neighbor. Remember we're all in this together. So the order of the day, be cool and keep cool.
As always have a safe and blessed day and stay cool.
Just as we are, animals are stressed by the heat. Make sure they have shade and water. This also goes for our four legged indoor pets. Today will be a lazy day for them. No outside chasing balls or as our ten year old Spike likes, lounging in the sun. Potty breaks will be all of the outside they see today. Speaking of indoor pets, remember you loved them enough to make them members of your family so take care to keep them safe. Don't leave them out in extreme weather. Please don't leave them in your vehicles. But if you must leave them outside, take care to see they have plenty of shade and water.
Also if you have elderly neighbors or those who are ill, check on them as well. It may take a couple extra minutes but so what. Be a good neighbor. Remember we're all in this together. So the order of the day, be cool and keep cool.
As always have a safe and blessed day and stay cool.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
THOUGHTS ON LAND AND (TOO MUCH?) HELP
Dreaming what you could do with more land is something I think most homesteaders do. Then you wonder, is more land a good thing or not? The more you have the more work you will have. And if you're limited on help you could become overwhelmed with the work. So you see, it could be a double-edged sword. Luckily, daughter and son-in-law have recently purchased a ten acre homestead. Although son-in-law is limited on what he can do, they do have four children who like to help with the animals.
As I said in my last post they are willing to take the animals over there and we are moving some over now. We are trying not to stress the animals so we are really taking our time. Having said that, daughter thought it would be nice to add pigs to the mix. So we now have five. Two are approximately a hundred pounds and three are piglets. They are old enough to be taken away from mama but still small. So last week was all about setting up a pen for them.
If adding the pigs wasn't enough, daughter and I had a couple of minutes to ourselves (not always a good thing) and decided to order a surprise package. So what does that consist of? I don't know. We will receive forty to fifty birds. It could have chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, quail, peafowl... We just don't know what we're getting. Everyone should have surprise in their lives, right?
After we get all of the livestock settled our next project will be building a smokehouse. If you're going to have pigs, there's gotta be a little bacon in your future. So we're looking at plans now. If left to our own devices daughter and I could and would build a good solid smokehouse. But we know we will have a little help from hubby and son-in-law. If not anything else, advice. I know it's the age old debate but... How do their minds work? We will have a plan and they will come to on us. Something we thought should only take an hour or two somehow turns into a day long project. Don't get me wrong. We love they are taking interest in what we're doing and want to help. But sometimes it's like, who asked for help? I know that sounds a little mean and it's not meant to, it's just we'll call if we need you. Having said all that, come on guys we know you love us and we love you. So thanks for all you do and all you put up with.
As always have a safe and blessed day and be careful.
Some of you may have read the unedited version of this post. Sometimes it's not only good to have another set of eyes on your work but also on which version you are posting.
As I said in my last post they are willing to take the animals over there and we are moving some over now. We are trying not to stress the animals so we are really taking our time. Having said that, daughter thought it would be nice to add pigs to the mix. So we now have five. Two are approximately a hundred pounds and three are piglets. They are old enough to be taken away from mama but still small. So last week was all about setting up a pen for them.
If adding the pigs wasn't enough, daughter and I had a couple of minutes to ourselves (not always a good thing) and decided to order a surprise package. So what does that consist of? I don't know. We will receive forty to fifty birds. It could have chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, quail, peafowl... We just don't know what we're getting. Everyone should have surprise in their lives, right?
After we get all of the livestock settled our next project will be building a smokehouse. If you're going to have pigs, there's gotta be a little bacon in your future. So we're looking at plans now. If left to our own devices daughter and I could and would build a good solid smokehouse. But we know we will have a little help from hubby and son-in-law. If not anything else, advice. I know it's the age old debate but... How do their minds work? We will have a plan and they will come to on us. Something we thought should only take an hour or two somehow turns into a day long project. Don't get me wrong. We love they are taking interest in what we're doing and want to help. But sometimes it's like, who asked for help? I know that sounds a little mean and it's not meant to, it's just we'll call if we need you. Having said all that, come on guys we know you love us and we love you. So thanks for all you do and all you put up with.
As always have a safe and blessed day and be careful.
Some of you may have read the unedited version of this post. Sometimes it's not only good to have another set of eyes on your work but also on which version you are posting.
Monday, July 4, 2016
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY
Happy Birthday United States of America. Today is the 240th birthday of our nation. Sometimes I wonder just what our forefathers would think of us. Would they be proud of what we've grown into or disappointed in what we have failed to do. As Benjamin Franklin answered the question, "What kind of government did you give us?", he replied "a Republic, if you can keep it."
So that's the question. A Representative Republic; have we kept it? Have we fought enough with our votes and participation or has our "I'm too busy" attitude helped scuttle our country? Were we too willing to let the next guy handle the affairs of our nation so that we don't recognize it any more? Were we to willing to allow our politicians to pull the wool over our eyes because it was easier than getting involved?
Unfortunately so many do not know our proud history. That they do not know it's being erased. Yes I'm going to say it. With the Mayflower Compact this land was dedicated to GOD. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson said
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.-
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
Right there in plain English we are a free people. No stronger statement could ever or has ever been stated out loud. We have the right to govern ourselves. We the People determine how we are to live. We are to have Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness (not the guarantee to be happy.) You and you alone will guarantee your lot in life.
This statement, this Declaration, was made when a people who could not and would not be governed by a Tyrant anymore, stood up and said "Hear us. WE will determine our outcome. This is Our GOD given right. Tyranny will no long rule us, fear will no longer rule us."
With the great Progressive movement of the 20th century this message has been lost (erased.) Because these few stood so strong against an unbeatable army we today celebrate this, our nation's birthday. So while you are flipping a burger or eating a piece of apple pie, take a moment and think, what would our forefathers think of us? And when watching the fireworks wherever you are, remember this is the biggest reminder of the battles for Independence. The bombs bursting in air that gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
As always, have a safe and blessed day but most of all have a Independent day.
So that's the question. A Representative Republic; have we kept it? Have we fought enough with our votes and participation or has our "I'm too busy" attitude helped scuttle our country? Were we too willing to let the next guy handle the affairs of our nation so that we don't recognize it any more? Were we to willing to allow our politicians to pull the wool over our eyes because it was easier than getting involved?
Unfortunately so many do not know our proud history. That they do not know it's being erased. Yes I'm going to say it. With the Mayflower Compact this land was dedicated to GOD. In the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson said
"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.-
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
Right there in plain English we are a free people. No stronger statement could ever or has ever been stated out loud. We have the right to govern ourselves. We the People determine how we are to live. We are to have Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness (not the guarantee to be happy.) You and you alone will guarantee your lot in life.
This statement, this Declaration, was made when a people who could not and would not be governed by a Tyrant anymore, stood up and said "Hear us. WE will determine our outcome. This is Our GOD given right. Tyranny will no long rule us, fear will no longer rule us."
With the great Progressive movement of the 20th century this message has been lost (erased.) Because these few stood so strong against an unbeatable army we today celebrate this, our nation's birthday. So while you are flipping a burger or eating a piece of apple pie, take a moment and think, what would our forefathers think of us? And when watching the fireworks wherever you are, remember this is the biggest reminder of the battles for Independence. The bombs bursting in air that gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
As always, have a safe and blessed day but most of all have a Independent day.
Sunday, June 26, 2016
LONG OVER DUE UPDATE
I haven't written in such a long time and I've missed it.. I had a rough fall with colds settling in my chest and as it goes I've had one from May going into June. As of today it's been four weeks. The bronchitis is gone but I just can't get my voice back. Everyday my voice is get stronger but still just not a hundred percent.
Daughter and husband have purchased their first home. So we have been slowly helping them move in. We have all decided to move the animals over to the new homestead since they have ten acres now. So setting up pastures, fencing, coops and so on is taking some time. Especially since hubby and son-in-law both are very limited physically. What has help us are the grandchildren. They are all getting so big. Number one grandson will be thirteen next month. I can't believe it. I remember the morning he was born as if it was yesterday. Before I digress too much let me get back to our update. We've moved several of the ducks, chickens and turkeys over. Not all because we will keep a limited amount with us. Don't want to run to daughters everyday to get eggs. We've set up the pig pens and they will be there later today. We are still working on clearing pastures for goats and looking for the right spot to move the rabbits. They will take just a bit longer to move.
As for the gardening that will happen here for the most part. We have, because land was limited, gotten creative with container gardening. This fall will change that. With animals over at daughter and son-in-laws, all that well fertilized land will become a huge garden. For the first time I really feel we will be able to live from our backyards. Daughter will have several fruit trees, grape vines, berry bushes, figs and olive trees. That will give us more of a variety then I had room for and not just veggies.
Daughter and son-in-law are also talking about putting in a pond or two and stocking them with fish. I'm really looking forward to that. We'll have to wait and see what they decide to stock them with.
So that's it for today. I'll be back very soon with more updates. As always, have a safe and blessed day and most of all be careful.
Daughter and husband have purchased their first home. So we have been slowly helping them move in. We have all decided to move the animals over to the new homestead since they have ten acres now. So setting up pastures, fencing, coops and so on is taking some time. Especially since hubby and son-in-law both are very limited physically. What has help us are the grandchildren. They are all getting so big. Number one grandson will be thirteen next month. I can't believe it. I remember the morning he was born as if it was yesterday. Before I digress too much let me get back to our update. We've moved several of the ducks, chickens and turkeys over. Not all because we will keep a limited amount with us. Don't want to run to daughters everyday to get eggs. We've set up the pig pens and they will be there later today. We are still working on clearing pastures for goats and looking for the right spot to move the rabbits. They will take just a bit longer to move.
As for the gardening that will happen here for the most part. We have, because land was limited, gotten creative with container gardening. This fall will change that. With animals over at daughter and son-in-laws, all that well fertilized land will become a huge garden. For the first time I really feel we will be able to live from our backyards. Daughter will have several fruit trees, grape vines, berry bushes, figs and olive trees. That will give us more of a variety then I had room for and not just veggies.
Daughter and son-in-law are also talking about putting in a pond or two and stocking them with fish. I'm really looking forward to that. We'll have to wait and see what they decide to stock them with.
So that's it for today. I'll be back very soon with more updates. As always, have a safe and blessed day and most of all be careful.
Saturday, October 17, 2015
REALLY THREE DOLLARS!
I've been under the weather for the past two weeks and finally feeling like I might be on the up swing. Having said that, I have to share the past three days. On Thursday of the past week hubby, myself, brother in law, sister in law, daughter, son in law, and grandchildren headed out for a favorite pumpkin patch. We stopped and picked up sandwiches, fruit, drinks and a few other goodies for our adventure. An adventure it soon became. About half way there the car hubby and I were in just stopped. Luckily we were able to coast into a church parking lot (maybe not luck at all, maybe divine intervention.) Calling the lead car we were able to get everyone back to our location. All the men folk were under the hood trying to figure out what was wrong. Daughter soon took the situation into hand by calling her car service for a tow. While waiting for the tow truck of course several of the children now needed a bathroom. The church we stopped at had a Life Center building and someone was there to let us in. We explained our dilemma and they were kind enough to help us out. When the tow truck arrived we now had a new problem. There were more of us than seats in the second car. So hubby and son in law rode back with the tow truck and the rest of us in the second car. So home we all made it, grateful the car turned out to be the only problem.
So Friday we thought we would reattempt the trip; with only one errand we would be on our way. Well so much for one errand. Son in law who has health issues and myself found we were really not up for the trip after all. Explaining to the children we would have to postpone again was unfortunate but they understood. That brings us to today. Not wanting to disappoint the children for a third day in a row, the adults decided to try this again without telling the children our final destination.
Well we headed into town and stopped at a yard sale before heading to the local farmers market. From there we were going to attempt the pumpkin patch for the third time. As bad luck would have it, I started feeling under the weather again. Not wanting to postpone the trip again, I asked to be taken home and for daughter, son in law and the children to go on. Remember the children still don't know their final destination. All agreed and home hubby and I went. I can only say how much I would have loved to have been on the hay ride when I heard about number two grandsons conversation with the staff of the pumpkin patch and it was confirmed by him. Oh and grandson number two is the ripe old age of six.
Grandson: How much is this pumpkin (pie size pumpkin)? Staff member: How about eighteen dollars? Grandson: How about free? Staff member: How about fifteen dollars? Grandson: How about zero dollars and zero cents? Staff member: Nah it's a three dollar pumpkin. Grandson: Really? for this little thing! I'll get a bigger one. The larger pumpkins are sixty-nine cents a pound. So down off the hay ride he went with little pumpkin in hand to find a more reasonable pumpkin to carry home. Staff members: (Laughing out loud and heard saying) there's a future car salesman.
I have always joked that I grew up in an area where no one ever paid retail. I'm now thinking number two grandson will take that philosophy with him wherever he may go. Oh and the car that broke down. The timing went.
As much as I would like to grow pumpkins myself, I know that I shouldn't. We would lose too many precious memories.
Have a Safe and Blessed day and remember share your knowledge.
So Friday we thought we would reattempt the trip; with only one errand we would be on our way. Well so much for one errand. Son in law who has health issues and myself found we were really not up for the trip after all. Explaining to the children we would have to postpone again was unfortunate but they understood. That brings us to today. Not wanting to disappoint the children for a third day in a row, the adults decided to try this again without telling the children our final destination.
Well we headed into town and stopped at a yard sale before heading to the local farmers market. From there we were going to attempt the pumpkin patch for the third time. As bad luck would have it, I started feeling under the weather again. Not wanting to postpone the trip again, I asked to be taken home and for daughter, son in law and the children to go on. Remember the children still don't know their final destination. All agreed and home hubby and I went. I can only say how much I would have loved to have been on the hay ride when I heard about number two grandsons conversation with the staff of the pumpkin patch and it was confirmed by him. Oh and grandson number two is the ripe old age of six.
Grandson: How much is this pumpkin (pie size pumpkin)? Staff member: How about eighteen dollars? Grandson: How about free? Staff member: How about fifteen dollars? Grandson: How about zero dollars and zero cents? Staff member: Nah it's a three dollar pumpkin. Grandson: Really? for this little thing! I'll get a bigger one. The larger pumpkins are sixty-nine cents a pound. So down off the hay ride he went with little pumpkin in hand to find a more reasonable pumpkin to carry home. Staff members: (Laughing out loud and heard saying) there's a future car salesman.
I have always joked that I grew up in an area where no one ever paid retail. I'm now thinking number two grandson will take that philosophy with him wherever he may go. Oh and the car that broke down. The timing went.
As much as I would like to grow pumpkins myself, I know that I shouldn't. We would lose too many precious memories.
Have a Safe and Blessed day and remember share your knowledge.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
A CHRISTMAS YOU CAN AFFORD
What do you do when there's so much rain and you can't do anything outside? Well I went on google plus and started another community. This one is called "A Christmas you can afford". I thought I could share a few ideas my family and I have done over the years. Christmas is and always should be about the birth of Christ. Giving gifts for this celebration shouldn't financially break a family. Unfortunately too often it does. Like I've said in the past, as our family grew we decided to make homemade gifts for each other. The kids have even gotten into it. I know Christmas seems a long way off but it's not. That is if you want to get started making gifts. Time really flies when you're busy. So if you're interested please go over to google plus and look for the community. I'll try and post a few times a week and if you need more details please leave a comment. I'll get back to you as soon as possible. If you have any ideas you would like to share, I would be so happy to post them.
Oh and the rain is done. We've had approx. twenty inches of the wet stuff in a week. Even the ducks are saying enough. There was some flooding in our area but not as bad as South Carolina. Please keep all those folks in your prayers.
As always have a Safe and Blessed day and remember share your knowledge.
Oh and the rain is done. We've had approx. twenty inches of the wet stuff in a week. Even the ducks are saying enough. There was some flooding in our area but not as bad as South Carolina. Please keep all those folks in your prayers.
As always have a Safe and Blessed day and remember share your knowledge.
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