Okay, so really, it hasn't been too terribly long. A week. This last week has been so terribly long. I have done so much driving back and forth to town. It's insane. In fact, I used half a tank of gas in one day!
The weather here in Northern VA has been crazy over this last week. Warm days for picnics to cold days with snow. God has a sense of humor, I am sure of that.
Chatting on the Porch with Patrice
I agree with Patrice, we really need to have our chat inside today. The weather is chilly. The hens are in their house as well, so it wouldn't make sense for us to be out.
1. What is your favorite time of day to read? If you don't have time to read, what is your favorite time for TV/movies? Ooh, not a very good question for me. I love to read, but I don't have much time for it. If I did have time, I would read in the evening while in bed. I don't have access to TV which is a good thing. Movies are usually watched on Friday evening when our whole family sits down to a movie night.
2. Did you watch the Super Bowl? If so, what was your favorite commercial? If you didn't watch, what did you do Sunday night? I went to a Super Bowl party, but I didn't watch. I spent time talking with the ladies. It was a great time of talking with people I don't normally have much time to chat with after church. The older two kids, Jewel and Toyota, enjoyed a Youth Super Bowl party. This was their first time watching. Toyota is a new football fan. I did see a few commercials on the internet though. I think I really enjoyed the Farmer one from Dodge and the Budweiser Clydesdale commercial. Both touch the heart.
3. Have you been watching Downtown Abbey? Who is your favorite character? If you don't watch, have you seen any interesting TV or movie series lately? Actually, you already know we don't have television, so we watch movies. Our family has been watching The Andy Griffith Show for the last several months. It is great! We are now in our 8th and final season. Now we have been on the lookout for a new series to watch.
4. Do you enjoy home parties for selling items? I do, but I don't. Does that make sense? I guess I like having people at my house, but I don't like to have to buy products. My favorite parties would be Stampin' Up parties.
5. Finish this sentence: If I work very hard, I can _______. If I work very hard, I can get my garden planned out for the spring. Or, If I work very hard, I can get my school files in order.
On the Homestead
You all know about my hen loss last week, but now it appears we have discovered we do indeed have a rooster. My children, as well as myself, have noted mating behavior. This morning, I watched him chase the hens around the yard trying to get even one lucky gal interested in what he had in mind. He didn't succeed. It was humorous none the less. We have officially nicknamed him Colonel Sanders. I joked with the kids we can only name the hens after chicken dishes. Food for food. :)
I still haven't browned and canned my ground beef. Perhaps some time in the future I will find some spare moments to get it done. I also would like to can some beef and chicken broth. I am running low. Problem is, the broth I have now is frozen so any time I need it, I have to thaw it out. I don't like doing this. I prefer having access to room temperature broth. So, there's another reason to get my act together and use my canner.
With spring just around the corner, I really need to get my act together and plan out my garden. I have the tools to do it, but just haven't been able to get it done. I know I still have a few months, but there are some seeds that need planting prior to the last frost. I wanted to plant strawberries, but after having some difficulty rounding up some decent organic seeds, I decided I would try my hand at cultivating the wild strawberries that grow abundantly around our detached garage. I am not sure if I will be successful, but at least it will be free. Right?
I am working on eliminating canned goods from the grocery store because of the chemicals in the lining of the cans. This is rather difficult and I know it isn't going to be completely possible. I figure the more I can eliminate the better.
I am also working on eliminating genetically modified foods from our diet as much as possible. With the majority of soy and corn in our country being modified, I have found it is very difficult to find products out there which do not contain these ingredients or things derived from them. I thing the hardest thing to eliminate is corn. With corn chips being a favorite in our house, organic versions can be pricey. So, for now, we will continue buying what is available for an affordable price.
In our Homeschool
This last week we started a new card system for each child. I got the idea from Nicole at Blessed Little Homestead. I started writing all the work for the week on an index card and gave it to them. They are able to complete it however they wish, just as long as it is done by the end of the week.
We are trying to work all those family subjects back in to our schedule. A lot of them fell by the wayside when I was going through morning sickness. Now that I am feeling better, the kids have been enjoying our family reading of Heidi and now Around the World in Eighty Days.
Last week marked the end of our first term for Joshua through Malachi. The kids did final projects including a Trojan Horse model and a Jordanian pita bread recipe.
We even took the time to enjoy a nice picnic out back when the weather turned warm. It was great!
I guess that sums up all the activity on our homestead. How was your week? What did you accomplish that makes you smile?
Well, it looks like the kids are learning NORMAL barnyard happenings, huh? LOL
ReplyDeleteWe mostly have our veggie seeds chosen and loose plans made, but we have to wait until the weather warms up. I believe our last frost date is the 3rd week of May? so we have a bit of time. I would like to start some things indoors in late April though.
What makes me smile? The fact that my garage is now cleaned up, most of the bulk trash removed and I don't have to trip to get around the van when it's parked in there. It's the little things! LOL
I think your last frost date is slightly later than ours because of elevation. I think from my estimates, ours is about the first week of April.
DeleteI am excited to get this garden started. I just need to sit and do it! Ugh, sometimes I wonder where the time will come from. But, I know I will be able to do it.
I love that feeling we get when something is finally clean and organized. Wonderful!
I highly recommend the Christy series or the Waltons for family night. We enjoyed both. I am also avoiding canned goods. I need to find some canning lids that don't have the same chemical(bpa). We also avoid GMO. I'm mad that I have . I think the whole thing is very ridiculous. Last time I checked, they weren't modifying blue corn. Those chips should be okay. I need to find a good site that lists exactly what is being GMO'd. Is that a word?:P I think Jewel has a letter coming soon. I proofread it this morning. I told myself I would get my act together for canning. I really got lazy with it last year. I also need to get that kitchen garden planned-NOW.
ReplyDeleteWe have watched the Christy Series. It was great. I thought about the Waltons, but never really watched it as a kid. However, it might be good. We watched the Little House series as well.
DeleteGood to hear you are on board with the GMO thing. It is amazing how many products out there are made with this garbage. Almost overwhelming!
I had no idea these lids for canning were lined with BPA. That is a bummer for sure. However, it is a bit of a relief knowing it is only the lid. You better let me know when you find them BPA free.
Wow, nice long post on what is going on in your neck of the woods! I have great weather in KY today. Def time to think on a garden! I also want to get some new buff orpington chicks. It was great chatting with you!
ReplyDeleteMy parents live in Kentucky. The weather is often quite close to it is in Northern Virginia.
DeleteMy kids love the Buffs. They think they are the best.
can I get your pita recipe? I made some the other day but they did't puff up.
ReplyDeleteAlso, about the garden...here's what I replied to your comment the other day (not sure if yo've had a chace to read it)
Rachel, if I were just beginning and pregnant I would just keep it real simple the first year. Here's some things I'd do....
1. find a small area that gets sun and either till it up, double dig it or build a couple of 4X8' boxes and fill them soil and compost. (depending, of course, when it's warm enough to work outside)
2. focus only on things that my family really likes. For me that would be 1 cherry tomato plant, 3-4 tomato plants (you probably won't be doing a lot of canning with a new baby and all), 2 squash , 2 zucchini, 4-6 pole beans (vine green beans), 2 cucumber plants, 2-3 swiss chard plants(won't go bitter until the temps rise of 90 degrees, maybe one bunch of onions, 1-2 pepper plants and some carrots for fun. You can probably get all that in 2 4X8'.
3. Other than the carrots I would buy transplants at the local nursery instead of messing with seeds.
With this you won't get a lot extra to preserve but you should get enough to feed your family without feeling overwhelmed.
I just realized I didn't respond to your email the other day regarding the garden. Sorry about that. I did get it though.
DeleteI'll try to get that recipe to you later.
Hmmm. What have I accomplished? OK, I just tried a chicken pot pie cupcake recipe and that was rather interesting. The dough wouldn't play nice with me, but we haven't died yet. :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about life on your homestead. We enjoy the Andy Griffith Show, too!
Have a great week!
Very interesting recipe. Was it good?
Deletewe don't have cable either - we use our rabbit ears. i grew up on the Andy Griffith show. sounds like you have a busy life - hope you find the time to get your canning all finished. nice to meet you. take care. ( :
ReplyDeleteWe don't even have rabbit ears! We just prefer to not surround ourselves with the shows on television. Most of them are garbage anyway.
DeleteI hope I find time for canning as well.
You do sound busy! Sounds like a lovely life though. I am glad you are feeling better. Have agood week.
ReplyDeleteThanks. You have a good week too.
DeleteWow! Busy, busy! I love that Trojan Horse project! WHere did you find it? We went to a family Super Bowl party and I spent the whole time crocheting and talking to. I can definitely do without football! Oh, and I'm with you on the garden stuff. I've been getting a bunch of catalogs, but haven't written any lists or anything yet. Just doing some dreaming!
ReplyDeleteAmber, I found the horse project at Amazon. I looked all over, but couldn't find much.
DeleteI never thought to take some crocheting. It was quite funny. I sat at a table to play UNO with a few ladies. Unfortunately, we could play and talk at the same time. So, we gave up on UNO. :)