Too Cooped Up! The Sequel...

Growing Challenge update

Seeds have been sown. Starts are popping up…. Even the okra ( yuckra… for my sweetie…and I even have to cook it!) The garden has been prepped for corn, tomatoes, pole beans, okra, squash, and sweet potatoes. The strawberries have given me 3 lovely quarts so far. The garlic is gorgeous. The onions are rising to the occasion. The Aquaponics venture has cycled through and ready to plant and add more fish ( if anyone knows a good tilapia fingerling supplier that sells small quantities … please let me know!) The chicks are popping out of the dog cage. Their coop will be ready tomorrow. Yeah! Sugar got her spring hair cut today! I have a cute short video about the chicks. Check it out here at the blog or you tube If you are looking for ferns (good shade ground cover) or worms…. ebay
Happy growing!!!!

Simple Living....Is there such a thing?

I often wonder if there really is "simple living". I go off to work 45 hours a week. I did reduce the commute from 130 miles a day to 20. I use a fuel efficient car. We have always gardened. My sweetie tends the garden for us. Unfortunately, I really don't have time to do alot of food preservation (I am the breadwinner). I have in times past been able to do it all. I look forward to the time I can do it all again.

This year has been a year of growth toward more sustainability. We have started an aquaponics venture. (Just about ready to plant--the water has finished cycling) We have aquired our chicks... ( should start laying in September) I am building a coop out of mostly recycled materials.

One of these days, we will venture on the right project that will give us the income to live more sustainably without me in the brick and mortar workplace. We would love to produce enough to sell at the local farmers market. I would love to run a camp to teach our youth about sustainability. We are working on the journey.... as more people join the journey, the world will become a cleaner, nicer place. Thank you to Rhonda Jean at Down to Earth for her inspiration that touches so many. and thank you to Lacy at Razor Familiy Farms for leading me to so many wonderful, like minded peoples....

Too Cooped Up!

Contruction has finally started.....

New Condo For the Chickens!!!!

Army Boy Returns!

I was able to spend the weekend with my youngest son. It had been nearly four months....He completed Basic Training and his AIT and is glad to leave Fort Leonard Wood! He returned a little leaner, a little stronger, and a little more grown up. I am sooooo proud of him. His dad would be proud too. Kyle.... I love you to infinity and beyond!

New Sugar Chick Pic!

Monsanto.... Our Friend... I think NOT!

The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see.

This is a must see for everyone. You will be out raged by what one company has done to the world. How do we stop this? Our governments are allowing them to ruin our future food production. This video lasts almost 2 hours. It was televised in France in March 2008. Spread this around. Watch it. Vote out politicans that allow our freedom to be destroyed!
Christina

Razor Family Farms Challenge

Click on the image and read about the challenge my friend, Lacy, has issued. Tell her Christina sent you!

Gardening on the Homestead... Spring

Winter is finally heading north.... still some cold nights, but, as always, we are anxious to get the spring planting underway.Spring seed starts.

Marigolds are peeking out.

Garlic, planted in November, looking beautiful!

Onions, seed planted in January, finally looking like onions.

Grapes showing the first leaves.

Strawberries!!! yeah!!!

Even turning red and juicy!

I can't wait.

Here, at the good ole homestead, we plant organically and use a no till method of gardening. We also raise worms and use the worm compost in gardening. This year we have also started an aquaponic venture. (or adventure) I think the kinks are almost worked out of the auto syphon. The water is cycling great. The fish are healthy. The water is getting close for planting! Stay tuned. I will keep you up to date with all going on at the homestead!

Chicks Week 1

Well---Here we are!

Happy Birthday Chicks!

We have had the little peepers home for 1 week now.

All nine are still active and healthy!

Sugar is very protective when we go out on our daily "walk".



The New Hampshire Reds seem to be feathering up fastest. Their wings are totally feathered and the little tushes are fast feathering up. The Buff Orpingtons are next. The Barred Rocks are coming in last. But the feathers they do have are gorgeous! Still have no idea who is a boy and who is a girl. I am sure I will know soon enough! Happy Peeping!

If you have a minute, stop by my store for some coffee!

Homestead Chicks--Day 5

Well.... It is chick day five at the homestead!

My sweetie says he should have gotten me baby chicks along time ago.... I am so easily amused!

Sugar--keeping an eye on her babies!

My... how they have grown in such a short time!

Wing feathers are out. The NH Reds seem to have the most!

The tail feathers are beginning to peek out the back!

They are very active and observant. They can tell the difference between a hand coming in to grab them and a paw reaching in to pat them! They amaze me!

Here ... chick chick

Here... chick chick

Sugar and the Chicks - Day 2

Dem's my babies.

Come on babies--listen to mama!

Oh My--bein' a mama is hard work!

Settle down youngins!

Where's my mama?

I'll be good -- I promise!

Here I am!

She's gone--we can play now!

Shhhhhhhhh--I hear her comin'!

The Chicks are Home to Roost!

Went to the local feed supply store today! Finally.... I got my chicks!!!! Yippy! Brought them home in a cardboard box.

Sugar, the poodle that thinks she's human, checkin' out the chicks!Gimme a little sugar!
Home Sweet Home

Aquaponics Update

System is cycling well. We had to go from one syphon drain to individual syphons on all grow beds.

Spring Spring Spring

It has been raining for over a week... almost everyday! Here, in NC, we really need it. Our lakes and aquifers are slowly filling. Maybe our drought status will be reduced. Flowers are blooming. Ferns are peeking up. Azaleas are blooming. Here are a few pictures around our homestead .... Grab a cup of coffee & ENJOY!