Hansen Hootenanny

What to say Wednesay

2011-12-21T09:43:00.000-06:00

When one has been absent for so very long..where to begin but keep it interesting and concise. How about more pictures than words? I will try that approach..

This has been a whirlwind of a summer and fall. But, one of the most exciting things for our farm was selling at the Farmer's Market at Bean's Creek Winery in Manchester. We did so much more than sell farmy "stuff". We made friends in the community, turned folks on to "natural" beauty products AND oldest farm child now works full-time at the winery as a "winery rat".. He said that is the official term for someone who does whatever they are told to do.. He likes having a title.

I was featured on Live Green Tennessee, for my soapmaking.. They did a nice 10-minute segment with an interview and demo of making a sea salt bar. The producer told me that they would put the episode up on youtube. They LIED haha. one day maybe and I will share. We did, however, have folks come out to the farm and to the winery after seeing the show! Oh cool is that?! This is me in the studio we added on in July and I have just now moved everything in (December). SLACKER

Muscadines that we ate so many of.. growing on an arbor in front of the winery.

Duke Brown (and his little boy Zeke on the side of the stage) at the summer concerts (you guessed it.. at the winery).. we spent a lot of time there this summer and into the fall.

Can't get enough if this peace... When we lived in the city.. we could never see so much sky. Same with the night stars, gazing never gets tiresome.

My brother-in-law MADE this for me~!! Being the pizza chef that I am *ahem*, This is black walnut and cherry wood from trees taken out at another friend's property. Isn't it just gorgeous?! I WILL build a cob oven outdoors next year to bake breads and pizzas in!

We added a second laying flock to the farm. 25 ladies who will begin to share their offerings in March.. yes, we played with them and were very careful. We also washed the heck out of these toys when finished :)

Does this count as school? Of course it does!

So after a long blog break and the markets are almost over (yes, we extended into December and I still have special orders to complete)... I will be back to this (filthy.. I see it) laptop, my knitting and having my cat take advantage of my stillness.

There will also be lots of this... My special thrift store dishes (LOVE my ecclectic mix of old/funky and handmade items I find)... coffee and my own herbal blends for tea! C'mon over, we can sit on the porch, drink something warm and have a chat :D

I am coming back.. really!

2011-12-13T09:10:00.000-06:00

I apologize for such a long, unexplained absence! I have missed the bloggy world and am coming back very soon! Thank you for kind words and expressions of missing the hootenanny! Very encouraging! Our newest mouth to fee ;), Red Mama! Tennessee Walking Horse. good girl.. just a bit bossy!

More on Farmer's Markets :)

2011-09-16T09:31:00.000-05:00

I am back! I truly apologize for leaving this space so empty for far too long. We have been involved with the markets for over a month now and enjoying the blessings of new people and of course, selling some farm stuff.

Check out the interview on Doorstepbakery's blog. This is my friend and amazingly talented in many ways friend, Rita. She and a few of her children, she has 10, have a licensed kitchen and bake sourdough breads, granolas (using our honey) and cookies! We eat like kings and queens on her goods each Thursday! Her blog is also interesting and fun to read.

On the body care side of things, the soaps/salves/balms and anything else I have time to create are flying off the table :)> The reception in our area has amazed me. Folks WANT natural products. They really do. All ages, shapes and sizes of people. Women AND men! I have learned a lot about marketing and standing behind what I am selling. to be proud of something that you make, makes it an easy sell. Bottom line is the dollar but I am thankful that people want to put good, clean things in and on their bodies to stay healthy!

Happy Friday and many blessings ~Tracey

Of Farmer's Markets and Things

2011-08-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

I apologize for not keeping up with this space and thank you if you have checked in to see what we are up to but you know what my excuse will be so I won't even mention it. :)

We thought long and hard about selling off the farm, our honey and bath products (soaps, salves, balms and more in the works) and a virtual farmer's market seemed the logical starting point to get our toes wet. So a few weeks ago, I contacted this market aobut 30 minutes from home.

Three weeks in and we are doing fairly well. I enjoy the drive up the mountain, visit with new people and the children play on a new playground ;). TJ met us last week and we got a treat at Sweet CeCe's frozen yogurt! YUMM.

Last week, I spoke with the manager of another virtual market within the locally grown.net family and this week we are selling on this market

Today is the cut-off for ordering and we shall see how we do there.

THEN, if that wasn't enough all at one time, we were contacted by Beans Creek Winery to sell at their new for real market! I am so excited and nervous all at the same time. The market is new and small enough still where I can dip my toes in and not be too intimidated.

Selling things, anything, to people has never been mine nor TJ's strong point. Recently, though, TJ and I have had many conversations about it, been encouraged by our amazing family and amazing friends and realized that we have good stuff. Honey, nuff said, soaps and balms and salves.. well they are good, I know they are. I have worked very hard for a while now on these items, they are my formulas and I love them. Selling them has been tough. Not everyone will want it, I will be ok if they don't. No clue what my anxiety has been all about but it has been there. My family and friends are the best coaches and testers and I appreciate them so much. We can also bring anything we grow ourselves and want to sell. Okra, cukes... I got em this year so I may take whatever I pick that day and just see. If not, it goes in the freezer anyway.

So here we go. Off the farm and into the world of markets. I think we will like this. I hope I don't throw up with nerves before we get there ;0). I am like that ya know!

Bliss!

2011-07-26T21:42:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah, more of our busy days... hanging with some of my fave people and hitting the books early. While it is hot, I decided to get a good early start with school work this year in order to take a break during the nice fall weather! It has been a tough couple of days with the garden also coming in and the milk still flowing but we will adjust and manage. We are also selling honey at a local virtual farmer's market with possibilities of 2 other local ones and adding my soaps/balms and salves! God is good and always answers my prayers! This time, I think He is saying YES~~

Blessings on your days! ~Tracey

Phases

2011-07-13T08:05:00.000-05:00

This is one of those days when words just don't cut it. May the Lord bless your days.

~Tracey

Around the Farm Thursday!

2011-07-07T19:24:00.000-05:00

It is summer. There is so much to do, to see, to care for, to prepare for. My head spins but it doesn't stop the to-do list from growing.

Andrew has abandoned the sand box that TJ made for him and loves the dust in the driveway!

Wil picking Wonderberries for me. Most have gone for honey-berry syrup but I am stockpiling for a pie. Can't wait!

Katie playing withe camera and shadows.

Darn beetles!!!! Darn you. We will get you in the early morning hours.

Jango Fett! Starwars theme again :)

The corn is coming along nicely. Andrew kept posing for these photos. So cute!

The hops vines were experimental. To see if we could grow them. I will, however, use them in teas this winter. Great for B vitamins.

So much more coming into the Harvest Kitchen. Zucchini, Okra, Squash, Peppers, flowers, Berries... Awesome time of year!

And Now For Something Different...

2011-07-06T07:23:00.000-05:00

Music! Huge in our family although for a number of years, the insturments were silent. I don't know exactly why...maybe I was too tired to haul children to music lessons and no one seemed to be that interested. That is it, I think. Babies make a person a bit more tired than normal. But they are worth it.

Now we have many instrument players and it is never dull around here.
We have 2 drummers (and 2 different drum sets)... wow loud.
A guitarist, a ukele player who also plays the guitar and a piano player. The drummer/ukele/guitar player also hopes to pick up the cello soon. Who knew that we would go from 0 to 60 in the music world in a few minutes flat? I am thankful. Music is good. Singing is good. So delightful! So thankful to my oldest son for his interest in sharing his love of music and teaching the younger ones what he knows. Such a wonderful young man.

I also listen to Coffee House Rock on our televsion. Found the music channel (with no commercials) months ago and it just fills my musical cup up with most of the music that I love to listen to and be entertained by. Did I mention no commercials ;). Gotta love that aspect as well.
My prayer is that my children all use their musical talents to honor the Lord. None of them want to just make lot of money and "get chicks" (hahaha) and I am pleased with them sharing their goals with me. Ok, they wouldn't mind the money but not with the heavy pricetag on themselves that it costs. I am just pleased as punch they are using time and talents in this way. Music is wonderful.

More Busy Times!

2011-06-29T07:41:00.000-05:00

I absolutely adore these busy times. Adore them. Each new day arrives with the hope of many things to do and memories to make. The sad part of that is that most days go by in such a blur and in the end such an amazing exhaustion, that I feel a sadness of how they slip by so quickly. Did I do anything on my list? Did I fit any time in for my children (other than the obvious care and feeding) and my husband and family and friends?

TJ is on a 2-week shutdown from work so we have lots of plans and projects. We are, however, spending some time chatting and dreaming of more projects :). I love that time. He knows I adore the dreaming part and he indulges me when he has a moment.

Cheyenne had her babies 3 days ago. Two bucklings... Darth Vader and Luke.. Yes, there is a theme here to our animal names. Poor Katie just rolls her eyes :).

Cheyenne is a great first-time mama to these pretty boys. Darth Vader.

Sweet Luke. He looks a lot more feminine in the face and we all thought he was a girl til we checked the parts. Most assuredly a boy but a very sweet and friendly boy.

Today we are locking the cows in a seperate pasture so that the mamas can bring their babies out for a walk in safety. I think Sweet Pea needs some time outside the barn. She may be going crazy with 3 bouncing kids all over the place. They are truly running, jumping, skidding and everywhere. She is doing great with 3 babies though. She amazes me!

Many babies for a tiny mama!

2011-06-23T21:43:00.000-05:00

After several days of a welcomed this:

Checking on this timy mama during storms... that is when goats love to surprise their people with labor, she finally began a real labor this afternoon. A sunny and beautiful day.

To be so little, her belly was huge and her udders dragging the ground.

It seems as though she waited for us to be with her just like with her last baby. Unlike Honey goat, Sweet Pea doesn't mind having all the children around, noise.. nothing. She is an amazing birther. So very vocal.

After the first baby, I bounced her belly to see if there might be one or more babies waiting to arrive. She still had a very firm belly, an indication that there are more.

Yes, there are more... could you leave me to it now. You have helped enough :)

I am little but I do bite when annoyed!

First baby! A buckling, Milo, ready for his first nap!

Milo and Wil

What seemed like forever compared with first, very, very quick birth, came a second. A doe, named Molly. Her hooves were not positioned correctly and Sweet Pea had a hard time so I had to swab up and fish them out. YUCK!

Not too long after came a third. Another buckling. Blue-eyed MUFASA! Oldest farm boy has wanted to name a goat this forever!

So sweet and so loud!

Goat whisperer. No joke!

So thankful that the birth went so well. Sweet Pea is an amazing and very hardy goat. Nigerian Dwarves are great for pets or for milking. I can't wait to milk her again. She is such a good girl! Anyone looking to buy a goat? We have several to sell and another mama due tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Father's Day

2011-06-20T10:14:00.001-05:00

A brief pictorial of our wonderful day together celebrating the father in our home!

This is the day the Lord has made! Arise and be glad in it! Amen!

Leaving for a hike in the mountains.

Flat tire just miles outside of town... Spare not fully blown up and never been used in the 10+ years we have owned this vehicle!

I'll help you dad ;)

And I will just stand here looking good. I have no idea how 3 of my 5 boys ended up with white tees on. too cute!

After a trip to the big box store for a new tire, we went home and the boys did this.

TJ grilled these. Portabello Mushrooms, zucchini, onion and pineapple! Oh so good on a sandwich.. everything but the pineapple, that is. Benjamin had so much fun skewering the tomatillas!

Tomatillas, garlic, jalepenos, onion and cilantro to make this green salsa. The only ingredient I did not grow is the onion... I could have gotten one out of the garden but didn't think of it. It is YUM!

After lunch and a rest, we decide to set out again.... About a 50 minute drive up the hill.

Finally made it to the trail head. This is the obligatory (although without the park sign) heading out photo. TJ made me be in it this time!

Down the steep trail.

To THIS! Foster Falls is beautiful. Sheer rock faces off the the left and deep, fern-filled woods to the right. Just amazing and cold water to boot. about 60 degrees.

The brave boys.

After the hike, watermelon was in order. Everyone but Andrew had our faces covered in juice! too much fun. The rinds came home to the happy chicken and goats!

What a great day with my family!

Thank you my darling for being the Godly, loving man you are. You are amazing and such a blessing to this family! I love you!

~This Moment~

2011-06-17T08:26:00.000-05:00

This moment is inspired by Amanda.

Pool frog~ Now residing happily in our pond!

Have a blessed weekend ~ Tracey

Around the Farm Thursday

2011-06-16T13:46:00.000-05:00

Inspired by Sara at Farmama for a walk around the farm to see what is going on in our little corner of the world. Last week brought intense heat and no rain in sight. This week is wonderful. Rain yesterday, lots of it. Thunder and lightening, oh the sounds were actually soothing. High in the 80's and 60's for the lows. Perfect outdoor weather!! Just perfect!

Volunteer pumpkin (brought over from composted straw/hay and regular compost), in the rose bushes!

My herbs are just going nuts this year and I love it. This oregano flowered in the blink of an eye!! I didn't even plant dill, the seed spread and came back in lots of places. I just pulled the plants I didn't want and left a few to grow.

A few straggly strawberries but the flavor is still very berry delicious!

More berries! Getting darker by the day (blackberries).

Raspberries that I promptly ate! Oh my! The BEST flavor. EVER!!

These are wonderberries that I got from rareseeds.com. A cousin of the huckleberry. Not much flavor; small and seedy. I will make a pie or jam out of them.

Oh my sweet Irish Poet flowers mixed in with a wonderberry plant. I love your tassley hair!

Poles my dad put in which are taller than the stakes. The beans objected to shorter stakes of course! Dad to the rescue!

Baby Bear Pumpkin

Rowdy Rooster, Black no-name hen, Paddy and Erin find some shade. These are 4 of our 35 chickens. We incubated and hatched them and since they were mixed in with our 2 ducks in the chicken tractor (where all our babies start out), we decided to open the door and let them free range around the property... Sort of an experiment. I love it! They go everywhere! Front, back, gardens (oh yeah! eat those bugs). The ducks do too. In fact, one of our older females, who can fit through the 4x4 square fence panels, she hangs with them during the day and goes back in the pasture at night. We found the ducks in the pool once and only once! Keep the gate closed!

Another volunteer around a butterfly bush. Everywhere we mulched with this compost, we got some beautiful volunteers. We have pumpkin, squash and gourds. No cukes that I can tell.

A row of wildflowers planted from seeds saved off of the beautiful row along the pasture fence. This was my daughter's brilliant idea of how to cover the damaged lattice behind it, for this year. We do plan to replace it.... I know the wildflowers will still be there though even when we do.

Zucchini, Dragon's Egg cukes and jalepenos are starting to come in. Come on tomatillas! I can't wait to make salsa!!!Of course, the cilantro bolted (slow bolt variety) and is going to seed! I can never time right!

Thanks for the stroll today! I have enjoyed it!
Til next time~ Tracey

The trouble with comments

2011-06-15T09:41:00.000-05:00

Ever since that wierd google glitch a few weeks ago, I have had problems posting comments (on your blog if you have one and I read it ;)). Please know that I am reading and loving sharing in your corners of the world!
Now, off to enjoy my cup of nourishing herbal tea (nettles, oat straw, rose petals, spearmint and more... I blended it and can't remember what all I put in it now..maybe need seem brain boosting herbs for old ladies in there too).
Blessings on this day that the Lord has made!

Bye for now ~Tracey

Catching up

2011-06-14T08:42:00.000-05:00

Wow, it will take me a week to catch up on kitchen, laundry and gardening duties... Laying out, "partying", for a weekend has taken its toll. But what a great time we had. So many people and stories, meeting neighbors in the community, making new friends, seeing old friends, selling a TON of honey and lots of memories to cherish forever.....we are feeling a bit down that it is over but ready to get back to normal. Bonnaroo 2011 is over.

It was HOT, HOT, HOT and dusty all weekend!

So much thanks to my dad for being here helping and having fun! Love you Dad!! You are the BEST!

Hard-working boys!

Taking time out for some fun. Andrew (5) recently learned to ride a bike... On grass and loose gravel! Tough kid!

TJ and I did to spend a few minutes together...

What a mess but totally worth every ingredient and meal!

Fresh tomato, goat cheese and pesto pizza!! OH MY it was good. I am going to make another because I just didn't get enough. I love that the tomatoes (not mine but local) goat cheese (I made it) and the Pesto(grew the basil and made it) and crust (I made it) are so fresh and real!

I have lots of great shots on my camera but I can't find it. Hid it from myself. Most of these came from shots that Katie took using our friend, Dana's backup, amazing Nikon camera. Dana and TJ's sister Kath stayed with us while Dana worked and Kath assisted. Katie and I LOVED all the sisterly goodness that included my mom and Tj's mom on different days and a host of other family females! We are now outnumbered again but have great memories of girl time!

I pray that you are making wonderful summer memories in your corner of the world!

Taking a Break!

2011-06-08T09:43:00.000-05:00

I will be away from here until next Monday. After all the family and friends and music and lemonade sales and laughter! For those who are thinking, "Good grief... enough with the Bonnaroo mentions already.", I apologize. It is just what we are doing right now and it is everywhere in our days and nights. It will be over on Sunday and I can get back to normal around here. Talking about eggs and cows and cheese and gardens and children.

Oh, but first! Gifts that my daughter made for my birthday. She covered a journal, that I already had, with linen fabric and added the appliqued tree with beautiful embroidery! She rocks. The egg basket is wonderful. She and my mom went on secret missions to get the items she needed. When I asked her what pattern she used she replied, as is her usual style, "I just sat a basket on the chicken wire and worked it around the shape of the basket and wove the ends together." She amazes me. The bamboo handles are from our yard!

The girl that constantly melts my heart, with her favorite cat!

Have a wonderful week and weekend and may your days be as full of joy and wonderful memory making events!

Blessings, Tracey

The Fullness of these Days!

2011-06-06T08:55:00.000-05:00

Waiting for this very large, in the belly, little mama to kid!

Harvesting (the first of 2 extractions) God's gifts and being so thankful for a large one this year. Such a boost.

While it looks abandoned, this cabin of my dad's, is used daily for something. Yesterday it was a "hospital", rustic style, for Andrew after he fell off his bike. No, he wasn't seriously injured. He did get a wooden block for a pillow and I told him he could have a plank of wood for a bandaid ;). He thought that was funny.

Waiting for the people. Bonnaroo is a few days away but everything is just about ready across the street. We are feeling the excitement but nervous about so many people being so close. Last year, they did not camp in the field across from us. That was only an entrance.

Just loving my family for loving me so much. I loved my mom's packaging. So eco-friendly! My mom and my mother-in-law are the best eco-friendly moms around!

Counting the days and minutes til this crazy weekend. but most importantly, for the family and friends that will be around to enjoy this with us.

LOVING! the crafting that is going on around here. Katie made the sign for our frontyard honey sales, our first year to do this. So far, we are meeting neighbors and seeing folks that we only see in passing. This is such a blessing for us to have a way to reach out to our community and provide something that is a gift from God for our health.
Exodus 3:8 "So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good a nd spacious land, a loand flowing with milk and honey...."
Ok, so we were not slaves to the Egyptians but as we were waiting on God's timing for our farm, this verse was what we held onto for hope that He had great plans for us. We knew farming was something we wanted to do and we were already beekeepers but wanted so much more. We knew that we would be taken to our land of milk and honey. And so, Hansen's Milk & Honey Farm was born. We are so thankful!

Have a great Monday and if you are around for Bonnaroo, come say hi and get some lemonade! We would love the visit!

Around the Farm

2011-06-02T14:21:00.000-05:00

Join in with Sara for a wonderful Thursday event, "Around the Farm". If you would like others to tour your farm or garden, leave a link in the comment section!

Welcome to Hansen's Milk and Honey Farm! It is HOT here!!! But there is still a lot to do in the wee hours of the morning and the last hours of light in the day. The hottest hours are spent indoors reading, playing music, crafting and relaxing or having some friends over to play!

The herb beds are very very full! This yarrow, in the foreground, I hope to have time for some natural fabric dyeing. Wool is easy but right now, silk and cotton are on my mind for summer.

This evening primrose was a cultivated variety from a local co-op but I had to have it. In a 4" pot it came and I decided to baby it in the raised herb beds until it took off. Uhh, it took off and has "eaten" several surrounding herbs! I gotta get this out of here!

Sheet mulching is a hard job without a tractor BUT very worth every shovel of rotten hay from the winter. Feed bags that our oats and barley come in are used, therefore repurposed and composted to keep weeds at bay. I have a long way to go. This sweet corn from rareseeds.com is an heirloom variety along with the shoepeg (not shown). I will save the seeds for next year if we like these.

Wil says he is trying to catch the pear as it is right over my head so I can have "pear head". Thanks buddy! I would rather have a hand at the shoveling and spreading!

I have a very, very long way to go!

Tomatillas!! They are wonderful and easy plants to grow here. Started from seed in March, I transplanted them in April. Not much longer til we use them!

Not knowing that ground/husk cherries were edible, I mowed a "wild" plant in the garden which was full of fruit at the end of last season. This year, I ordered seeds (rareseeds.com again) and started indoors. As these were transplanted, I looked in the garden to find at least 100 baby husk cherries that came back from the one I mowed. I have left a couple of plants of the wild one to compare.

Oldest farmkid says that he read cows will give more milk if played some music during the milking time. So, being the best farmers we can be, we had Wil come out and play. I don't know about that trivial fact of more milk but I know I liked the soothing sounds of live music while doing the milking! Andrew is the grain giver. Little bits at a time so she doesn't eat too much too fast.

One of 4 gorgeous hops vines that will grow up around our front porch. Super-excited about these. Dried hops flowers are expensive (that I want to use in herbal infusions)... We are always up for a GIY (grow it yourself) challenge here.

Speaking of oldest farm kids.... I love that he is not too old to love the tree fort my dad built. He is already dreaming of a "house" out there on the fort.

This morning, I snuck up the steps for a picture and next to his bed throne was the shrine to all things sound and screen! Music, movies and games are always around with this kid! He had 2 friends "camping out" with him but I dare not post a pic. They would just die. I am so glad that these kids love to come around, at 18 and 20, and just have a good time!

Speaking of having a good time, we and the local music festival, Bonnaroo, are gearing up for next week. This is just across from the corner of our property and is one of the main entrances. We are hosting TJ's sister, Kath and a New Yorker friend of hers for the week plus a slew of friends, family and whoever the kids can sell there lemonade and water too. This is a great time for us. The sights, sounds (yes, we can sit on our front porch and listen to the headliners very clearly...Kings of Leon and Dave Matthews and Stevie Wonder were so close to my house last year *swoon*... I love the music!), this is a highlight of our year. Just a bonus and a small distraction from the farming.

Out in the distant field, camping areas are being set up. We ride through just to check out the progress. Amazing how it can go from abandoned fields to so much stuff and so many people for a weekend and then it is over and cleaned up (they do a great job of that ) and then we get back to our quiet business of farming! Great memories!

We have a lot more going on Around the Farm (honey extraction last weekend) and more gardens that I didn't show. More to come in the days ahead~

Show me your place! I love a good farm tour and to see what everyone is growing!

Blessings, Tracey

This Moment- A heartfelt thankyou!

2011-05-27T07:38:00.000-05:00

A moment in my week to recognize and thank YOU for taking the time to read my words, briefly share a moment of my life and for comments left, emails sent or words spoken in person. I appreciate this community no matter how spread out we are and am encouraged by each and every one of you!

Thank you!!!

Photo by my fun-loving, amazing and talented daughter!

This moment is inspired by soulemama.com

HomeSchool Graduation 2011

2011-05-26T13:10:00.000-05:00

I could wane poetic about how old I feel and how sad I am that my oldest will soon fly the coop. I will not because I am THRILLED to bits. This child has experienced a lot in his short life and is now ready to to fly (I may have to push just a little though, he does like to be home with us sometimes!)

We were blessed to homeschool and family train this young man half of his school years. The other half was experimental because of the age gap between him and our next child. Him and pile of babies at home was tough. He did, however, listen when God spoke about coming home for high school. I did not push the idea. I suggested and prayed. He was willing. It was not always easy to go against the grain but as a family, we learned, balanced, failed and otherwise grew stronger as a family. I am pleased and oh so proud of this young man! I am thankful to God for His constant guidance and support.

Congratulations my dear, sweet, thoughtful son! You did it! Now fly off to college and finish like you promised ;). Yes, I made him promise he would work hard and finish. It won't be a hard promise for him to keep but I made him to it anyway ;).

A calf for us....

2011-05-24T14:56:00.000-05:00

One breezy afternoon last week, our cow decided that she liked the wooded area of our pasture... A LOT. She stayed there all afternoon and into the evening. TJ and I pulled up a bench to watch her, knowing the time was drawing near (a week and a half) for the calf to come. She stretched and a gush of water.. Does a cow's water break like humans can? It sure seemed like it. Nothing happened so we left, carried out our nightly business, checked on her periodically and by 10:30 had to go to bed.

At 1:30 am, I heard some odd bellowing, jumped out of bed, got dressed and ran outside to find a jet black calf lying on the ground. Still damp. Placenta had not yet emerged so I knew the baby had not been out long. I stayed with her for 2 hours, going inside once to get a flashlight and The Essential Calving book... it is no secret that we are book/google farmers :). I noticed after an hour and a half that the baby had not nursed so, like the book instructed me, I helped the baby get to the right spot and there was some good nursing. For nearly 30 minutes off and on, more nursing! I was pleased for baby and so glad that God had answered my prayers (yes, I prayed right along with reading the book for guidance! Laugh if you will ;)).

By afternoon, baby was weak. My attempts at guiding baby to mama were fruitless. She just didn't care about the feeding aspect of mothering. She would circle around and around only wanting to clean and know where her little one was. We were very worried that the vet would have to be called. The bottle was not going over very well. Most of us had more milk on us than in baby's belly. But, by evening, we had managed to get enough in this little one that walking around was happening. YES! We decided, in our infinite wisdom that we would bottle feed and that would be easier in the long run... We put the little one in the barn for most of the afternoon. Ann did not look for him.
As I was cleaning up in the barn for the evening, I allowed baby to hang out with me (and our dog Skeeter who was VERY concerned for this creature). Moments into our work, baby was out of sight and let out a big noise. Dino-sounding. I had not heard any sound from baby since being born so this was odd. Well, mama went into full-blown code-red alert. She circled the barn bellowing and wild-eyed. The other cow, who is a follower, did the same... I think she enjoyed this sport. We got mama into the barn and into a stall with baby. What in the world? She let HIM nurse... that was almost a week ago and all has gone well with them since. They stayed in the stall for the whole next day and still go in together at night. They now run and frolic while Catherine (the black cow) chases in fun...she is a big kid. Our herd of cattle is so sweet. I am so proud.

I joke about being google/book farmers but we are and so far so good. With each new experience we are less dependent on the books and find that we can discuss what we know, how little it may be, with a certainty of learning more. Our confidence grows with each up and down of farmlife. We love it!

Our little bull calf is a sweet guy. The kids call him Yoda but he will not be staying here. Letting animals go is one aspect of farmlife we have not found easy. We do not eat meat and the children (and myself) know what may happen to this little guy. We respect what other's choose in the dietary options but it makes it no easier to supply what we feel strongly about not consuming. He means money though: hay for winter, feed for the female animals who provide milk and more. So, with a prayer, we try to deal with the next step in cattle care. Prayers for peace about decisions that must be made. This was a bittersweet but no less blessed birth!

This Moment

2011-05-20T08:41:00.000-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

This moment is brought to you by Soulemama

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

I will return on Monday for the awesome, full story of this precious calf! Our first on the little homestead of ours~

Goat Milk Pudding!

2011-05-16T16:21:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine and I were chatting about food the other day and the subject of pudding pops came up... ya know the "jello" brand ones. Yes, I admit I used to LOVE them and pudding. Bread pudding, rice pudding, vanilla, chocolate, mixed....no matter the way it is put together, pudding (and cookies) are some of my favorite "treats".

The recipe I use comes from Mary Jane Toth's Goats Produce Too! The Udder Real Thing, Volume II, which I think I purchased, years ago from a goat supply company online. It is still available. The recipe works every time for me with a nice solid pudding. The chocolate does not set as firmly as the vanilla, not sure why but I don't make it as often...
My 10-year old loves banana pudding and asked me to make some since we have extra milk right now so I started making. Then my daughter (chocolate-obsessed young lady) asked for the chocolate variety and BAM, it hit me... save a bit of the vanilla and freeze diagonally then add the chocolate (which would be cold by then) and freeze! PUDDING POPS a la goat milk! They were a huge hit!

I love the creaminess of the pudding but it does remind me of soapmaking (which also looks good enough to eat when in this stage)

My quick and easy banana pudding which no one turned down! Bananas, vanilla wafers and pudding. Doesn't get much better than that!

Happy little one eating a pop! I am thrilled with the outcome! Oh and the popsicle mold I use is this. It has 10 cavaties... 5 children x 2 popsicles each = HAPPY! This was a great find for us!

Jango gets a ride on mama because Andrew thinks it is a good place for him!

May-May needs a ride too! She looks so much like her mama, except the eye color! Mama's fat cheeks are from cud-chewing. She always looks like she is smiling though! I love this goat. She is so laid back!! Talking to the previous owners, recently, I learned that with every pregnancy, she became more and more laid back... Birthing in the middle of the night, having them ready to go the next morning and not really caring much if we take her kids and play with them! She is such a good girl! Looking forward to milking her again!

Linking to:
The Prairie Homestead

Amy from Homestead Revival,

Kendra from New Life on a Homestead,

and Megan from A Blossoming Homestead!

for the Monday Barn Hop!! (can't get the cool Barn-Hop pic to load properly today!!)Check them out and other great homesteaders for inspiration!

This Moment

2011-05-13T12:08:00.000-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo (two for me today) - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

This moment brought to you by SouleMama.

Rose-petal infused honey!~

2011-05-12T08:23:00.000-05:00

Just about anything with honey is good in my opinion. In my coffee, baked goods, tea, lemonade, on toast, with apples....It is a good thing I married a beekeeper (or so my husband often tells me).

I wanted to try infusing my farm-grown roses in one jar and another with some of the wild rose petals for comparison but the wild roses are past their prime. So with the few wild ones I could find, I added them all together for a lovely infusion. Next year, I will harvest those petals on time.

Wild rose petals may lack in beauty and size to the cultivated variety but they sure do not lack in the scent department. Intoxicating!

Rose petals added to jar. I didn't pack them tightly but filled it quite full.

Adding the golden goodness that is honey.

Using a skewer, or chopstick, stir the honey to coat all the petals and then add more honey. Stir again and lick the choptstick.

Cap and allow to sit for about a week (not out on the porch of course) in a pantry or out on your kitchen counter is fine. We taste ours after a few days and the flavor is good but much better after about a week. There is no need to strain the rose petals. They are very delicate and would be hard to remove. Being edible, they look very fancy on a piece of toast.

Twizzler, the father of our new goat babies, says he would love some rose petals but maybe not the honey. He thinks I am a gourmet chef and eats just about anything I give him (barley, oats, kelp, tree branches...just don't tell him I don't actually make those things. Wouldn't want to ruin his image of me ;)).

Our days

2011-05-11T09:11:00.000-05:00

Are filled to the brim right now and I love it! Going to sleep and just passing out from the fullness of it all is wonderful. I will not dwell on the things that are not getting done... they will wait.. I have learned, in my wiser, older age, that the list will get done eventually and the things that are not priority will wait for me to get to them. My Lord has blessed me with a precious family and an amazing farmlife. These things are mine to maintain and be thankful for each and every day. I do and I am to the best of my ability and only through His grace!

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

John 1:16

May the fullness of our Lord's grace be upon you these days!

Another Beehive Swarm and FarmKids in the Kitchen

2011-05-10T09:53:00.002-05:00

After a weekend of celebrating ME, catching swarm(s)...yes, there was another one from the same hive yesterday, we are settling back into our "normal" everyday. My 7-year-old came inside and asked, "Mom is it ok for there to be bees in a tree? A lot of bees in a tree?" I thought he was joking but no, there was another. TJ looked at the hive the first swarm came from and there were many fewer bees plus another queen walking around with about 5 other bees around her. Crazy hive!

Tiny Southern climate Almond Tree. Strange place to decide to go!

wow, just wow. Watching these creatures never ceases to amaze or entertain.

Easy to see the size of the tree.

We are at 20 hives now... maxed out for where we are and resources for boxes tapped out. We are blessed with bees!

Sometimes, we do go inside and eat and the children are the focus of our day. Most days seem a blur and I feel as thought I don't even know what the kids are doing.... though I am right beside them all day. We are just busy, each doing our work and finding time for play. Years ago when the now 10 year-old boy was a youngster, I caved and allowed candy from the grocery store. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we found him to be highly sensitive to artificial food colorings and preservatives. The blessing is that it guided our path to more and more natural ways of living and eating. We already maintained a vegetarian diet and made a lot of our own meals. All that said, this particular child is also awe-struck by brightly colored foods and "fun" foods that most eat as everyday fare. One thing he saw, in particular, and spent an entire day wondering about was a PB&J sandwich in a bag that was like a little pie. Can't remember what the name of those things are. They are loaded with things I would rather not fill my body with. So my son wakes this morning and for breakfast makes himself one of those PB&J thingies and loved it! In fact, he had 2.

Bread I baked last night and Pomegranite/Yummberry jelly (made from Organic Juice, on sale that no one cared for....add sugar for jelly and it is, ummm, yumm)

The jelly didn't set as I would have liked so he had to force it into the crevices of the bread before it all ran off onto the plate.

He used a mason jar lid ring to cut it out. I thought that it would press the edges of the bread together better than a biscuit cutter and it worked pretty well.

One, healthy, happy kid who is not missing out on anything by not adding artificial anything to his precious body! And those eyes that just melt my heart!! I always preach that the FDA thinks people are testing grounds and garbage dumps. I will not submit to that nor will I allow my children to be used. When they have children of their own, I pray that this battle is won by those families who are setting examples today!

How to Catch a Swarm of Honeybees

2011-05-09T08:30:00.001-05:00

From your own hives.....On Staurday, TJ was out puttin the roof on our Barn Extension with Uncle Bob and I was in the house you know, doing farmwife things ;) when I get a call from TJ saying, "would you want to watch one of the hives getting ready to swarm." "YES!!". I grabbed the camera and out everyone went.

This was from a hive he had seen supercedure queen cells (replacing the queen), or so he thought because of the normal activity of the hive. He left most of the cells.... Well, he was mistaken and they swarmed... a lot of bees!!!

Watching them dance around and go right past the "swarm catcher-lure box" complete with scent.. Guess they didn't care for that scent.

Bees and box...

Bees everywhere, headed toward the woods. Oh boy! This could get crazy if they land high or ina hole in a tree...

Starting to settle on the leaves.

Finding the spot.

Oh yeah! Clustering and only about shoulder high at the top of the cluster! Right inside the woods too. Great spot girls!

While they settled, this left the beekeeper to return and help Uncle Bob with the roofing job.

He has his soft brush in hand and has placed a deep box with frames (he also took a few frames of drawn comb with honey from their original hive to help them settle in quickly. Like a housewarming gift). What he did next was to get the best angle, hold the branch and shake it quickly and firmly into the box. This was a big cluster and it took a couple of shakes.

It worked!!! Waiting just a few moments to see if he did get the queen. If not, they take right back off out of the box to stay with her.

After seeing that it was successful and some of the girls are going in the front entrance like they were already home, he closed the lid and put an entrance reducer on (this leaves only a small space, making it more difficult to swarm again) He left the box there until dusk and he was pretty sure the majority of the bees were in the box. We didn't see anymore flying. At that point he loaded it and took it about 10 miles down the road to a friend's farm where TJ already maintains 3 hives. Hopefully the next morning they woke to business as usual.
This is great that the swarm was caught and a new colony started BUT the old one may not produce much as they rebuild the hive (fewer bees to carry on with) and the new colony will not produce anything to harvest this year for sure. They will need all they make for winter survival.
So basic swarm catch instructions.1. Watch a million bees fly around for a while looking like a plague of locusts.
2. Locate where they land and wait for the big cluster to hang for a moment.
3. Put something underneath to catch them in (If you don't have a hive body with frames, a cardboard box will do until you can get them to one (quickly... I don't mean they will live in a cardboard box for days or weeks. They won't.) Be sure to have something to close this up securely.
4. Move them to a good location and feed (optional) sugar water to help encourage staying.
5. Enjoy your new colony!!

Oh and I just knew this would be the perfect post to have for the Homestead Barn Hop #12 ....Just perfect!

Farm Friday!

2011-05-06T07:56:00.000-05:00

Don't you love to browse other folk's blogs and pictures. I do because I just don't have or take the time to drive around looking at other farms, I sure wouldn't just drive up in the driveway and start taking pictures. I am flattered, however, when I see people drive slowly past or stop and take a photo of our place :). With all that in mind, I am linking up with Wabi-Sabi Wanderings for Farm Friday. Beautiful photography and lovely folks!

Mine today is a group of totally unrelated walkabout photos from our farm. We are off to our homeschool cooperative presentation day so the post is a quicky! Hope you have a blessed weekend!

Taking her Own Sweet Time~ Babies are HERE!!

2011-05-05T09:33:00.001-05:00

After a very long day of waiting and watching and checking, I am proud to say that Honey did not need me at all! She was in a steady, constant state of labor from 6:30 am until the wee hours of the morning. At 3:30 am, I woke and went to the barn and in my foggy state saw one body and 2 heads. WHAT? Oh shew, there are two babies in here. I guessed a boy and girl by the sizes and I was right! They also share a birthday with one of a set of twins who are very good friends of ours. Jacob and Joshua! Happy Birthday Jake (today) and Josh (tomorrow)! Off to have some fun with our friends and play with babies. What a great day!

Oh and these are a Purebred Nubian doe crossed with a Purebred Nigerian Dwarf Buck for a 1st Generation cross of mini-nubian. More information can be found here: Miniature Dairy Goat Association and here MiniNubians. This is an experiment and our first babies out of this cross. We love our Nubians and Nigerian Dwarves but think that if the minis can produce the milk we are looking for, the size is perfect!

Waiting and watching. The children always were full of questions and I almost think that Honey was annoyed with us being there and all the chatter.

By 10:30pm, I was done for the day and went to bed. I had this feeling all day that she really didn't want us around and when I came in with light, she looked at it, looked at me and with her eyes said, "I've got this, really you can go now." At 3:30am, I shot out of bed and went to check and there they were. Still a bit crusty from being licked but were nursing and doing all bodily functions that normal newborns do!

Honey is very tired. It was a long day. I know how she feels as my husband reminded me that I also labored long and steady like she did!

Those airplane ears!!! We knew that a First Gen. cross would most-likely be this way.

Nameless and cold ;). They needed sweaters! The doe weighed in at just over 6 pounds and the buck just over 8! Neither is shy at the food source!

A bit timid to pick them up at first.

Quickly getting over that, they see that the doe has her father's beautiful blue eyes!

She is so gentle and easy to pick up while the buck is loud like his father!

I love you mama!

Great job Honey! I am so proud of you and even though I did not get to witness the birth I thank God for your good health and precious new lives you bring to our farm!

Blessings on this new and beautiful day, Tracey

Baby Watch

2011-05-04T08:10:00.001-05:00

Honey Goat is due on Friday. She has been showing a few pre-labor signs since yesterday. I am getting very excited about new goat babies, our first this year. Honey has only kidded with singles but maybe, just maybe... since she was bred with our Nigerian Dwarf, Twizzler, she will have more than one. A good easy, safe, birth is all I really care about but I can dream. The human kids have already claimed which animal's babies they get to name! The cow, Ann, is next in line. Oh, and I got her on the stanchion and brushed her. She didn't mind me touching her all over while she ate. Very gentle.

She came out of the back stall moments ago to get some fresh air. Please excuse the "mess" outside the door. I was clearing some cow yuck and haven't removed it from the area yet. I am headed back out to keep an eye on her, cup of coffee and camera in hand!

Never fear, RUSTY is here!!! He was having a crow-off with a neighbors rooster. Very entertaining!

Blessings, Tracey

Big Girl Tea Party and Giveaway Sneak Peak

2011-05-03T08:03:00.000-05:00

This is a wonderful outside space. When we moved in, the entire side yard was not used, unloved and the view obstructed by a 6' privacy fence. We took the fence down, tilled up garden space and my dad began a log cabin construction. TJ's mom gave us a 3-piece dinette set that I knew would fit perfectly in that space. Katie and I can have big girl tea parties here all the time. Now to plan a small garden around it!

The view of the cabin and party area from the back of our home.

The set and construction all around!

Katie made some biscotti smothered in chocolate! The table needs a coat of paint but not until the boys finished picking the old off. They are having a ball with that.

While the title suggests only girls allowed, that would never do in this home. In fact, all boys here love a good celebration or just a reason to make things fancy and have tea.

The view from "my" chair.

Today's strawberry harvest. Didn't last long.

After all that fun tea partying, I made it inside for a batch of soap. Sea Salt with Patchouli, Sage and a touch of mint and clay for good skin enriching. After a few more batches of soap, I am planning to host my first ever blog giveaway. I am super-excited to be able to do this as I have won great things from other bloggers that have so generously shared!

Got a favorite outside space? Share it in the comments for others to see and link back to me~! Blessings, Tracey

Stanchion for Dexter cows!

2011-05-02T11:09:00.001-05:00

Spring always means, among many other things, working on projects to improve our farm. This year, since Ann(our 2 1/2 year old) Dexter is due to calve at the end of May, we have to have the stanchion ready to go so I can begin to work with her before just trying to milk her. She has never calved so this will be new to the both of us~!

Last year when we got her, I searched far and wide for info on stanchion construction. The only set of plans I came across was here.It was a great place to start. After deciding we did not want to take up stall space in the barn or any part of the main barn floor, TJ said a barn extension was in order. So he came up with plans which included a roof and maybe a small catch pen for the calves to stay close to mama.

Our barn! Originally a blacksmith shop, then horse barn, TJ has added the chicken coop, a door into the stalls and a duck shelter. All but the small door to the stalls was made using wood from the old fence around the pool!

Ann and Catherine managed and inspected every step of the way~!

I think they would have picked up the drill and helped if they could.

TJ used rough cut lumber from a local mill. This is so solid and nice~ Can't wait for the roof to go on!

Front of the stand where her head goes in. Holes will be drilled on the top head brace in two places to get the best fit and allow those horns to go in without her being hurt.

Side braces just sitting together. I think I may want TJ to round out the inside of these boards to allow for better fit around the neck. Our goat stand is like that and works well. either way, lots of sanding so she doesn't get splinters in her neck!

Udders filling out! Bring it on baby! Dexters are said to be able to produce up to 3 gallons per day. Dairy products here we come! Can't wait for butter! I love my goats milk too but wow, just having this much milk should bring our dairy (bought from the store including cheeses, yogurts and butter) bill down to nothing! that will be awesome!

Linking with Megan at A Blossoming Homestead for the Monday Barn Hop

Wild and Wooly Wednesday

2011-04-27T14:51:00.001-05:00

FINISHED! These socks have been in the works for a long time! I thought that I would not get to wear them this year but I wore them to bed and I have them on now. Rainy, cool, Spring days are great for wool knee socks! I love them!

The second ball of this yarn, with the same name was darker. The tag warns against only buying one hank at a time because of this. I did not have plans for this yarn when I bought it so didn't know I would need more than one. The foot section of one sock is slightly darker but in shoes, it won't be very obvious.

Eggs dyed naturally on Easter were a big hit. I used beets for red, tea for brown and some natural food coloring for yellow and blue. Couldn't find my tumeric for yellow and sure wasn't gonna use blueberries for blue. That would not go over well in this house. The duck eggs, being white, dyed beautifully and richly colored. Lots of fun!

Easter was a wonderful blessing for us. We finished a story about Jesus that we have been reading for a while now, had lots of family over, at a ton of food, swam, shared our farm, had a beautiful Easter homechurch (Wil performed Ode to Joy on the guitar for us). We are thankful to be called children of the High King!

This harvest led to the fritatta below and a strawberry shortcake with fresh whipped cream. DIVINE~!

TJ was off for a week and some organic farming could truly take place. Above all else, time is needed to make it work well. Here we are inspecting fruit trees for rust, pests (handpicking each one if a "bad bug" and looking at blossoms or baby fruit. Some day we hope to have him home full time as a farmer.

"Bad bugs" on my new willow tree. thank you TJ for helping me rid the tree of those little black buggers!

With the threat of severe weather, I am reminded how fragile and precious our lives are. Each day is a blessing and we thank God for His gifts.

Yarn Along and Floss...

2011-04-21T18:49:00.000-05:00

Katie's embroidery projects! I love that 12 year old girl~ She is so amazingly talented in ways that I will never be! She inspires me!

This is my knitting and reading post. I am finishing the lace-patterned knee socks from Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks. I started this project in November with plans to have them finished just after Christmas. The goal was pushed to mid-March and now, nearing May, I am on the toe of the last sock! I will wear them until the weather stays a solid 80 degrees here in humid Tennessee.. Thanks to all my encouraging buddies who would not let me stop until I finished! The yarn is a beautiful Auracania which was purchased at my Local Yarn Store: Imagiknit
I hardly have time to devote to an entire book. My reading, like my eating habits would be best described as a "browser". Flipping through magazines, web articles and the books that have made it out of the barn alive and allowed to live in the house. Small house living (a how-to book I should and may write) is something I am getting better about and my attitude improving. That is for another post.
I am reading about calving, kidding and natural beauty products. I make almost all of those things already but have a passion for learning more and making all I can! That is a good bumper sticker "Grow and Make your EVERYTHING!" No matter what it is, I always wonder if I can make it or grow it myself... better and less expensive and certainly with more love. I may not get there but have lots of friends who make things that I cannot. :)Bartering is a good thing too!

Linking with Ginny

It's All Good

2011-04-19T19:10:00.000-05:00

To use a phrase that I hear the teens around hear say, "It's All Good."

The very night I posted about all those wonderful seedlings, there was this accident:

I moved the table, oh so slightly, to move the curtains and CRASH!

I just sighed, TJ gave me a hug and I commenced a cleanin'.....

It's all good, I only lost 1 tomato plant! Then, I made some floral soap!

TJ is off work all the week and we are busy! I managed to make a treat of banana cake with mini chocolate chips. Recipe was from King Arthur Flour and called for half whole wheat flour, which of course I ground fresh and was thrilled to put in. Duck eggs made it nice and fluffy. Next time I will use 3/4 whole wheat just to see how it turns out.

Tea is being consumed at lightening rate around here. Green tea with spearmint.
I do a strong infusion of the tea and mint and then add water and fresh lemon juice. Sweetened with only our honey, it is going fast! I love it !

This is all good in the herb garden. Yarrow, mullein and crimson clover (which must have been sewn by the birds because I didn't plant the invasive, yet beautiful flower in the bed.

This is garlic. I planted a row of it last year. Harvested all of it (so I thought) and moved on. Mid winter, this popped up. YEAH! Still learning about garlic but I mulched and mulched again. Looks gorgeous in the Spring garden.

TJ harvesting the last of the turnips and crimson clover that was planted as a livestock feed and the latter a cover crop. All tilled and ready! The strawberry beds in the background~! I am soooo happy to have put the time, money and effort into the rasied beds!~ Weeds are not a problem this year.

So even with that terrible accident, we move on to another day and everything is all good!~
Blessings, Tracey

A day indoors

2011-04-16T17:39:00.001-05:00

Since the thermometer topped out at 58 and the wind was brutal, I decided to stay inside and take care of some things I had been ignoring. Transferring the last of the seedlings and making a batch of soap.

After purchasing a new scale, I was all set today. The attempted batch of patchouli/orange goat milk soap was a near disaster. My old scale had been dropped and read incorrectly so I ended up with double the amount of one of the oils. After a rebatch (soaping term for a do-over: simply reheating and plopping back into the mold), it seems to be ok. Crossing my fingers anyway.

Oils melting for the second batch of summer soaps!

Seedlings....

more seedlings!!!!! Getting a bit overwhelmed but it is finished.

Near-fail batch of patchouli orange with a wonderful herbal infusion for the skin! It is very soft so some extra cure time (hardens the bar making it last longer) will be in order. If not, then it is used up lickity split.

Katie spends a lot of her free time creating! After seeing a bracelet similar to this on her Aunt Kath, she had to make one! That is my girl!!!

I think we will finish the day with one of my very favorite "meals". Warm bread from the oven and some really good Irish sharp cheddar!

Blessings, Tracey

Dining room/office/plant nursery ???

2011-04-13T08:04:00.000-05:00

This is a corner of our home that is difficult to use. With about 12 x 14' of floor space and 9 very long windows, it leaves little to the imagination. A table in the center and a few well-placed storage items... I have arrranged and rearranged so many times and each time ended in a messy failure. Pieces of furniture moved in and out only to have more take the place. I do love the natural light and views out these windows but summer is HOT and winter lets in a lot of cold air and I do not like to cover the windows with "stuff".

So for this moment in time, I have moved the desk in here. This room is where most schoolwork and art projects are done so it makes sense. Plus, who doesn't love looking out the window while working on something? I do!!

I also have all our seedlings in here. I started tomatoes, peppers, melons and a lot of herbs. Everything else will be direct-sow but I do like a jump start on these things. Many of the herbs, I have never grown before and the seeds soooo tiny that I want to baby them.

Yes, it stays messy because there is always activity in here. I am still transplanting the babies so all my mess is on or around the table and my stuff and schoolwork piled on the desk!

This is the western side of the room so these plants will not get sun until this afternoon. I do chase the sun with some of the bigger plants. I hope to harden them off soon and plant next week! At least this year, I didn't start them all in FEBRUARY! That was a bit crazy. Plants everywhere for months! I have it all under control this year though ;). Oh and a bottle of coconut oil on the desk. Who doesn't have that? Well, I keep chasing the sun, melting the oil for batches of soap I have promised to customers.... gotta get on that !

Two of my fave new things in the home! These signs, made by our very dear friends, George and Lori at Free Home Farms! I wish they had a website for all they do. You name it and they can do it! They are amazing! This one, made by George, hangs in the dining room, office, plant nursery and is such a boost right when I need it!

Lori made this Pennsylvania Dutch Hex sign for fertility and rain. It is supposed to go on the barn... but I still have it in the house so I can look at it all the time! I so totally LOVE this one. Thanks Lori for giving me something else I would like to do ;). Crafting ADHD.... yes, I have that disease and nothing but some knitting needles, paint, fabric, etc will help it.

~My moments~

2011-04-08T20:05:00.002-05:00

Friday is usually the ~this moment~, no-words photo day. I can't keep quiet. This farm is ALIVE. When the weather allows, everyone is out and playing and working and enjoying .

Wil working on the log cabin my father is building.

The work to-date on the cabin. The floor is my favorite part! Looks like my dad is having everyone do the work while he supervises. It just looks that way though, he is one hard working man!

Oh this yarn! This precious, most amazing yarn! My friend Bethany brought her goats to be bred and as the most wonderful thank you, she brought me some of her hand-plucked, hand-spun yarn! Could anything be more wonderful than a gift of her time in rasing and plucking her angora rabbits and then spinning it into a beautiful yarn. Some of it is plyed with merino wool and the red one she dyed, but both are so amazingly special and soft. I am dreaming of something special to knit with it... all for ME! No, I will not share what I knit!

This is a single-ply which will knit up into a lacy and oh-so-delicate part of the something.

OUR first asparagus harvest! All dozen of the spears! It was very tasty both raw and steamed with a touch of himalayan sea salt.

Here are the sweet girls and Twizzler (the one with the crooked horn). They are having the most wonderful time together. Andrew wants to keep them. They are smaller than he is and will never get so large as to knock him over like the big goats and cows can. I like them!

Did I say sweet? Lucy says, "If you don't have a treat then take a hike lady!" I think she and The Twiz make a great couple!

Finally!!!! A four-line clothesline that holds 2 large loads of laundry at a time! Oh the clothes I could wash if the septic system would only allow it ;). Seven folks can generate a lot of laundry in a week's time.

Bee pollen from our hives. TJ has tried the pollen trap in the past with no success. Since he is making a smoothie every morning, he says he should be able to use his own "local" pollen. the colors were really diverse. There was even a grass-green one that tasted like dandelion greens (bitter). If you look very closely at each kidney-shaped pellet, you can see that one side is very rounded and smooth and the other has a place that looks like where it may have been attached to the bee's legs. Really cool.

Wil wanted to get the baby ducks out since it was very warm out. They had a blast.. ducks and people!

Benjamin is always acting like a clown.

Gosh Spring is fun! I thought it would make me tired with all the work that needs to be done but it only energizes everyone and when I stand still for just a moment, I hear the chatter and laughter and I am thankful for this busy time.

Cal's Blog

2011-04-07T14:33:00.001-05:00

Staple It Together

Oldest farmkid blogs about his own stuff ;). I like it because he can share thoughts with family and friends and I can make it a writing lesson ;0).

When he is away at college next year (or even nearby but living a more adult life), we can share in his fast-paced world even when he has no time for us. I love him, he is such a good fella!

Party Bus

2011-04-06T08:22:00.001-05:00

To celebrate Kath's birthday (TJ's sis), we traveled to the Boro for a few hours on the bus. The Mellow Mushroom is a hip(pie) and trendy pizza place that we love to visit. They have a sawed off school bus, complete with a large table and paintings of cool hippie things... like turtles with stars on their bottoms. Mom and UBob reserved it for some good laughter and merriment. We did this for Katie's 10th birthday, 2 years ago! Always a big hit for the kids and big kids alike!

Say "cheese". Anyone know who the man behind me is? The waitress (who was all of 19 and didn't know) asked the bartenders and they said it was someone from Widespread Panic but the jury is still out.

Discussing college majors with the oldest farmkid.

MEGA VEGGIE!!! Say no more!~

CHEESE and the FRESHIES! YUM!

Allright, now who is the guy in the red shirt at the end? From l to r: Bob Marley, Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia and..........................the next acoustic guitar legend.... can you name him?

Family is the best! Thanks mom and UBob for a wonderful eve with some of our favorite people! My mom was there too but I didn't want to post her without permission ;0).

Happy Birthday Kath!

May You Live a Long Life

                                       (Irish Birthday Blessing)

                                        May you live a long life
                                      Full of gladness and health
                                        With a pocket full of gold
                                     As the least of your wealth
                                 May the dreams you hold dearest
                                     Be those which come true
                                     May the kindness you spread,
                                        Keep returning to you.

Reclaiming the Balance

2011-03-31T19:20:00.001-05:00

It is hard sometimes to balance work, school and play when almost everyone is home 24/7. We seemed to be off lately and I just could not seem to get out of the funk. A bit of discussion with TJ and with a good friend has helped me to get started with everyday's rhythm being closer to what it should. Dishes done, laundry (at least washed-I don't like laundry! Give me dishes anyday!), school work finished, reading and more reading....just enjoying every moment rather than dreading was not being accomplished. I can dream again about the future of our homeschool... planning for new and fun things including some long-overdue fieldtrips.

Here are some shots of what we are doing with the extra time when the work is done.

Katie likes to make necessary items for the animals. This cat clearly needed a hat to stay warm. It is so cute on him!

Lemon Balm, I love you! You are such a great smelling herb. If I could only pluck your leaves and you taste like the lemon heads candy you remind me of.... Oh well, tea is wonderful too! Next best option!

Chamomile and lemon balm! Oh so wonderful for these cold days. The boys are having a lot of fun with "tea time". Whatever gets the "medicine" down works for me. A few late-season sniffles... Confession, we went to a fast-food restaurant that has a play place because we wanted to visit with some friends. I have not taken the kids to such a place in YEARS. Almost 48-hours later.... headache and sniffles. I will not ever go again! I should have stuck to my gut feeling on that one!

Andrew helped me start to transplant the seedlings. Most of our seed came from rareseeds.com. Heirlooms that I can save seeds for next year. This one is a pumpkin. Sprouted quickly and grew fast!

What do Starbucks and pumpkins have in common? Uhhh, whenever I get my free cup of coffee, I save the cup to transplant into.

Katie takes a lot of photos~! BEAUTIFUL!

May your days be filled with balance and beauty~

Time for another walkabout!

2011-03-29T13:02:00.000-05:00

When you live on a farm, it is very difficult not to take a gazillion photos of the animals. They are cute and worthy so let's have a post almost ultimately about them. If you prefer plants, there are a few token shots of those at the bottom :).

Smile for the camera girls! Actually, they just come to the fence for any scraps thrown to the chickens.

"Hello. I am Catherine. I am a cow and I am in charge. Feed me and I may decide to lick you." ICK. She doesn't like for anyone to pet her... she is in charge and wants to lick. It is very rough and wet and just yucky.

Ann is due to calve at the end of May. I think she looks good!

Teenagers in dark corners as usual. Crosses of Barred Rock/Buff Orpington and crosses of crosses/Buff Orpington. Pretty neat outcome of a casual cross.

Hello Sir Ringo and little Miss Brown duck. They are very sweet but will almost knock you down to get to the food when it is time to eat. They have watches on to tell them what time it is, they must because they can't be bothered with anyone unless it is morning or evening.

"When I stand like this does it make me look fat?" Ummm, yes. Honey is due in 5 weeks. She is the BEST milker we have. Can't wait to get her on the milk stand again and see the sweet babies. She is a purebred Nubian and was bred to a purebred Nigerian Dwarf for 1st Gen cross of mini-nubian.

Sweet Pea looks tough but she really is a big teddy bear! She is due in June and those tiny babies are precious! Her last baby is with our friends, George and Lori. They love and take good care of blue-eyed Rex.

Baby ducks are the sweetest things! We incubated 9 duck eggs. Three hatched but only 2 survived. We have 3 adult females (all different breeds) and one adult male...they all look like the female that is the same breed as the male.

When I was asked when I was going to harvest the field turnips to feed to the animals, I realized it was already too late. they were bolting. Today on my walk, I heard a buzzing and saw that the honey bees LOVE the flowers. I don't think I will harvest them at all!! In fact, I am so smart I planned it that way ;).

I also wanted to harvest the dandelions to make cordial and some jelly but realized the bees are all over those as well. Guess I am out of luck. Honey is much more important than a winter cordial or jar of jelly...

Skeeter and my HUGE Mullein plant that was transplanted to one of the herb beds last year. It was as small as the tiny one to the right of it when I planted it. I love that fuzzy plant.

Anyone need some bee balm (Monarda)? Please? In the background is also some Feverfew and Cilantro that overwintered very well!!

Celebrating Birthdays

2011-03-28T19:06:00.001-05:00

*I have tried twice to post photos but Google is having issues.... will try again later but for now, my thoughts, which are not nearly as entertaining as a sweet photo!*

While I love acknowledging my children on each of their special days, I do not feel obliged to plan huge parties. I am not good at it and they never seem to go very well for me. This year marked a milestone for Wil, he turned 10 and we wanted to do something special for him. Andrew is now 5! My baby is 5!!! Just how does that happen??? TJ (dad) took the lead and planned outings for Wil and my mom suggested a simple place for everyone to gather for Andrew! GREAT fun for everyone. Not exactly the homespun gathering I had in my mind but, like I said, I never can pull those together anyway.

~My moment~

2011-03-25T07:13:00.002-05:00

With a week filled with Spring excitement, lots of outside work (which I loved) and throw in a ton of gut-wrenching stress...... this was a day filled with my bestest friends, laughter and a dose of healing.

"I should put my hope in God. I should keep praising him, my Savior and my God." Psalm 43:5

Farm Walkabout~ Spring

2011-03-21T21:42:00.001-05:00

Happy official first day of Spring! We have had a string of amazing weather days and the farm is alive with outdoor activity. Everyone is pitching in: gardening, painting, "fetching" this or that for someone, laughter and birdsong fills the air!

Come take a walk with me to see a bit of what is happening around our farm!

Katie holding a day-old chick from our latest clutch of incubated chicks. Ducks are coming! First time for us to incubate duck eggs and we are super-excited to have a new baby creature on the farm. Five are pecking their way out of the eggs as I type!

Mulching, watering fertilizing are on the agenda for me. TJ and some of the farm boys travel about 30 miles to pick up free horse manure for our gardens. Good stuff!

I love this shot. Katie has an amazing eye when it comes to taking photographs and this one is no exception. TJ is tilling the gardens again this year (second year for the beds) and the crimson clover we planted, as a cover crop, did very well. I am aiming for purchasing a broadfork next year and going no-till. Our amended soil has improved tremendously in one growing season. With added manure, hay from the goat and chicken barn/coops and the cover crops, I think it should improve each year until tilling doesn't even need to be an option.

Planting potatoes. I asked Benjamin to plant them carefully about 2 feet apart. He meticulously measured 2 of his feet between each "seed". Andrew really tried to help dig the trenches... he did well.

Benjamin was exhausted after planting potatoes, carrots, lettuce, radish and snow peas... he also posed for this shot because he is in an amazing clown.

We are transforming the front porch with stain, lattice, climbing vines and new patio furniture. I am love the English country cottage look. Flowers and vines everywhere! I planted 4 rose bushes in front of where the farm kids and ladder are... the goats thought that it would help out with the pruning by escaping, while we were at Granny's house for Thanksgiving dinner, and eating them near to the ground. The roses survived and leafed out nicely. The goats did not escape with out a bit of a scolding. Stubborn old goats didn't care a bit what I said to them. There bellies were full and that is what they are here for anyway according to them.... is to eat.

Oldest farm child who helps when he can but he mostly goes to work in town at a restaraunt... He works a lot!

Front porch with some paint on... what a GREAT place to sit and enjoy the breeze. Lazy days are calling. Oh wait, I already get lazy and sit on the porch when I can!

My latest herb bed with the free rocks my dad got last year. There are feed bags on top of the grass with rotty hay on top. We will add dirt from the pond that TJ is digging as time allows for said digging. Lemon Balm (Melissa) and Bee Balm (Monarda) are in there now but I will dig them up as we add dirt for the raised bed. Not sure what else I will add yet. I LOVE looking out of the dining room windows at my herb beds and this one is no exception. Those rocks just please my soul!

More later in the week. We are opening the pool, Andrew turns 5, more planting, painting and oh... my new clothesline out back! I cannot wait to hang clothes outside again. I miss that chore.
Such joy in the simple things around here. I am looking forward to sharing more soon!

An Irish Friendship Wish!

2011-03-17T08:50:00.000-05:00

May there always be work for your hands to do;

May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
and may you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you're dead.

~Thankful~

2011-03-16T10:47:00.000-05:00

I am thankful for all that we have and the freedoms we enjoy. My heart aches for Japan and praying for the families there.

Life is not only about receiving Jesus and one day seeing Him. Life also is about walking with Christ and learning from Him on the winding road. - Beth Moore

May you be comforted on your roads that seem endlessly winding. May Christ take your hand and show you the way. Thank you God for the hope we have in you and for all the "little things" that make every day on this blessed Earth a joy.

~ For my boy who just turned 10 and is excited to start guitar lessons! Happy double-digits to my sweet baby. Where did the time go?

~For our new front porch! New furniture and paint go a long way to making a porch a real room! Even if our house is small and we stuff a lot of people and stuff in, I can look forward to the gorgeous days when we all stay outside, all day :)

~Longer days mean more outside time. Spring is near. These sunsets are the icing on the cake for this farm. "sunset check" we yell when a worthy one (and there are many) appears! Oh, the colors!

~Seed starting and garden planning. I am later this year getting things ordered and started but 6 trays later (and fewer plants per species), we are getting things rolling! Plans for more wildflowers gardens, amaranth, sorghum and hops... yes, odd things to add to a garden but very useful things for humans AND the livestock indeed. Now to find a place for the oats, barley and wheat!

What are you thankful for?

{this moment}

2011-03-11T07:33:00.002-06:00

{this moment}
- A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Foothills Irish Dancers

2011-03-07T19:16:00.002-06:00

Although I have taken a break from the world of Irish Dance, the group moves and grooves on. They will be performing at the South Jackson Civic Center tomorrow night with The Hunt Family, then a fun performance with Jim and Inge Wood at the Celtic Cup just minutes after the big performance! Best wishes girls!!!

Take a peek at some oldy but goody pictures...

Foothills Irish Dancers

Can't wait to get back at it!

{this moment}

2011-03-04T07:06:00.003-06:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

*** *** ***

Inspired by Amanda Blake Soule

Nearly 18 months later....

2011-03-03T11:50:00.003-06:00

Since I posted that is. I have thought about posts and taken the pictures but never take the time to do this anymore. Well, at the request of my dad and my own internal nudgings, I am going to post to the Hootenanny again. I mean, doesn't the world deserve to know what we are doing :0).
Seriously, I love looking at other blogs for inspiration. Craft blogs, farming blogs, family blogs... I just love them and appreciate that folks take the time to share. So, I want to give a little too. We have done so much with and on this farm in the 18 months we have lived here. I could post 100 past pictures and share experiences and it still would not catch me up so I will start with right where we are. Dreaming of this year's garden as the end of winter approaches and starting some small projects to get rolling.

These are the raised strawberry beds that TJ dug and I planted in the Fall. Fall planted berries take root quicker, so we read, so that the next spring we harvest berries! I called this bed "hope"...

Last year we tried feed bag/straw mulch in between and around the plants and rows. Wow, that did not work a bit. Weeds claimed their spot quickly and we had to play hide n seek with the berries. So, we totally tilled the area, dug the raised beds, replanted and now have added a weedblocker over the rows. No, I don't like plastic but this calls for drastic measures. I want berries! Here you can see the row on the left is covered in weeds... not even sure the strawberry plants are visible!

Finished and my littlest helper takes a squirt bottle to water the plants.

While putting the plastic down, I pulled a ton of chickweed, cress, clover and other unidentified "weeds" from the rows. About 5-6 5-gallon buckets of this "tonic" for the animals. They were in heaven and it was FREE!

Spring, you are welcome here! We have missed you! Cleaning the camera lens is the next project ;).

Still rollin just slightly slower!

2009-10-10T15:33:00.002-05:00

We are still making progress on the sale of our house.. repairs being made and the appraisal is next week.

The deal we had with the house we wanted to buy fell through. Long, ugly, sticky story of owner financing and deals gone bad. Lies to us and even to the selling couple's own realtor. UGLY I tell you!

SOOOOOO, we have found yet another place that we really like and are making an offer today. Fingers crossed and prayers said!!

Praise you God for the choices you are making for us!

We are rollin!

2009-10-01T08:48:00.003-05:00

Offer made on our house, check!
Inspection, check (repairs to be made..... check and uggh!$$$$$)
Termite inspection, scheduled
appraisal, scheduled

offer made on a home we love, check.....

Emotions all over the place, check and to be expected!

Lord, please be in this process and guide all people involved! We can't do this without you!

archaeological finds

2009-08-17T09:02:00.002-05:00

The boys were out digging in what we call "narnia" (an ivy laden seasonal-creek ditch in the back of our property). As one boy runs by with a small bag of treasures, TJ asks to see what he found. Ummm, more arrowheads from back there? We had been digging up a few here and there from the same spot for a few years, but heavy rains this year must have washed more of the soil away. Soooo, being the father that he is, TJ grabs everyone and a few spades and buckets and we head down together. TWO buckets of finds.... see last picture for the coolest part (and the rest of the story!)!

Chert

VERY old knife blades:

Dad and mini-him doing the Hansen stand! See TJ's brother and father for more of the Hansen stand ;).

Benjamin trying his hand at the atlatl, while at Old Stone Fort Archaeological Park

Here are the really cool finds. These have site-dig numbers on them. Two were from a Normandy dig and one from Franklin County (a neighboring county to ours). If they had had a 3rd set of numbers that would have indicated that they were from a museum. Those digs were from the 70's and the folks had no idea why they were all lumped into a group in our backyard. Soooo,the ranger asked to hold the things and show them to the archaeologist on-site and then the TN state arch. the next week. TJ met with that person the night he was in town and he didn't have a clue either what the story was but they were all pretty fascinated. I asked a neighbor if any of the now-deceased folks that were in some of the houses around might have been collectors... nope.
I wonder if they were stolen? We always had a romantic idea that there was once a settlement in our back yard. With the find of the numbered pieces, a settlement is unlikely (well, no there were Indians around and prolly hunted where we live) but not a true, needing to be dug or already dug site. We may wait a bit to make sure the state doesn't ask to come and look around and then go dig up some more! These pieces are VERY old, some traded from other places and very nice, the guy said. The numbered pieces were actually nut crackers! Maybe we will find some bones or something really hauntingly cool...

Well, hmmmmmm....

2009-08-15T14:11:00.003-05:00

What to do now? Apparently, the people that bought the house I had "dibs" on did NOT get the message! They bought it anyway because they didn't have something silly like a house to sell before they could! ACK!

Ok, so there are other places we can buy.. but not as grand as that one, although it did have a grander price tag with it. So this could be a reason to spend less, make do, and add to something a bit smaller.

I will trust that God is in control. We decided at the beginning that if it isn't with God's blessing, we don't want it. Sometimes waiting is the blessing and we learn where He is at work in our lives. We have had some great family bonding and mending due to this waiting period but not without a bit of emotional stress. We learned how awesome a teenager can be and how trying at the same time. How to live with and respect each other or learn from when we don't. It has been good. It has been frustrating and an emotional roller-coaster. But it is good.

I am ready to put a close to this part of the journey and start the next. The waiting is, even with it's blessings, hard.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Blessings to you in your journeys and may you seek God for direction on all your paths!

More Summer Things...

2009-08-06T13:44:00.003-05:00

I just love this picture of TJ! Andrew says, "That is MY daddy!" Yup!

Katie at the marina waiting for her fries!

With all the rain we have had, the mushrooms are everywhere! Literally in every square foot of our oak laden yard. We go on "mushroom walks" almost daily to see what is new, what is rotty (and you can smell it before you see it sometimes because of the numbers of shroomies), we take pictures, lots of them because they are beautiful and when you walk a step to see one you step on or kick others! I am not kidding when I say they are everywhere~! So many kinds!

I love the colors and textures in this picture!

One obligatory picture with me in it because I am really there, really! This is on the truck out to the organic blueberry patch.

Summer Days!

2009-07-27T10:43:00.005-05:00

"Rescuing" turtles on the street after heavy rains!

Blueberries and blue eyes~!

"vacations" while showing the house` This one was at a local marina. We had to go and get $20 fries and sodas so we could feed some it to the HUGE carp! Worth every minute (and dollar) of it!

A swarm in May is worth a load of hay; a swarm in June is worth a silver spoon; but a swarm in July is not worth a fly’—for it is then too late‥to store up‥honey before the flowers begin to fade.
Well, this one was in July.. Neighbors called to tell me of the 1000's of bees in their yard. I went out and they were truly everywhere. It took near an hour before they settled. I had missed the flight out of the hive but this was neat. TJ came and home and put them back in a box.
They were a colony that he removed from a house a couple of months ago. Not sure what happened but speculation: he didn't get the queen and they eventually weakened and were being robbed of their honey (the robbing was observed). They absconded (just up and left). He gave them some brood from colonies doing well but cannot find the queen. He will have to put a new one in and hope they make it!

Still waiting, still wanting!

2009-07-24T08:55:00.002-05:00

Summer has been absolutely beautiful and mild this year. Since I have claimed the place that we are looking at now (no offers just claiming it in my mind, ya know, first dibs kind of thing and all ;)), I can wait patiently for someone to come and rescue us from this place. Oh, it is gorgeous and lush and shaded and manicured to perfection! The inside is immaculate at all times (well almost all) and we dare not breath on the glass because someone might come...

What I feel like is a slug that merely takes up breathing space on this planet at the moment. Why? because other than cleaning this house day in and day out, just in case, we are not doing much else. Eating, breathing and watching Rosemary and Thyme... British murder mystery and gardening series!!! Wonderful show! Tj does work. he is not a worthless slug! In fact, he took the boys canoeing on the lake yesterday to just get them away from the house for a bit. I sat and read a book about, what else, farming.... Pathetic I tell you!

Soooooon, I just know we will be moving soooooon! I have hope and I have my faith that God has a great plan for us and I have to be a bit more patient. Trying to pick up the knitting needles again after months of neglect. It has been nearly a year since I sewed anything of mention... I need to craft again. A few throw blankets are needed for those chilly winter nights. soap saver bags for the shower... I do have worth ;).

Meet Lola!

2009-06-22T09:13:00.002-05:00

Our friends Lori and George let us babysit Lola for a night while they were away at a Civil War reenactment (they are HUGE into doing these historical things and even live in a very cool late 1800's farmhouse!)
We all loved Lola, except for the cats, who just tolerated her.

We had to give her a bath because of the strange gooey substance on her side which was not there upon her arrival ;).

Katie made her an outfit...

Everybody loved Lola! We do miss having a dog! The boys wanted to teach her to fetch, of course but she was not having any of it! Someday soon we will move and be able to have one again but it won't be a little Lola. I am scared we would step on such a tiny dog. It was like having a small baby in the home again!

I caved...

2009-06-18T14:43:00.004-05:00

I wasn't going to continue the garden since the house is for sale. The spring "crops" are gone. This sweet bunny posed for my picture in between nibbles of clover!

Now...... a few tomato plants, jalapeno and 1 poblano (cause we all love chili rellenos)... plus outlined in zinnia! I go out every day to pick the weed or two that dares show up in my garden ;). There is a small satisfaction in this garden and I am pleased.

End of Spring Things

2009-06-12T10:54:00.004-05:00

Lots of Bike riding.

Girls growing up and doing their hair..

Using my Solar clothes dryer...AKA line in the sunroom!

Sneaking in kisses to the one who wipes them off but couldn't!!

Lots to do in the bee yard!! Andrew got the smoker torch past down to him! He, like his predecessors, loves this job and does it very well!

Incessant house hunting (I will spare you those pictures of each and every house we have looked at and the many miles we have driven!) Happy almost end of Spring!

jammin!

2009-05-22T08:04:00.005-05:00

Picking berries is my fave time of year! Ok, apples too. Fruit is just so tasty, when fresh from the source. I have canned 53 cups of strawberry jam and dehydrated about 4 cups worth for cereals and just snackin and made more poundcake and whipped cream to eat with strawberries than my hips will ever need! I love putting food by: To "put by" is an old, deep-country way of saving to "save something you don't use now, against the time when you'll need it.".

As I do this though, I realize how dependent on others I truly am to survive. From purchasing the sugar to the lids for the jars to the wheat berries and butter for bread... this list is huge. I am thankful to be able to afford these things and to eat as healthily from the land as we can. I am thankful for the kind of man my husband is, working so hard for his family. Little by little we will try to be less dependent on others for so much but I do love trading/battering. Sharing with friends and family and neighbors is what makes this so much fun!

Our house still sits and waits for that special family, we are still looking for where God wants us to live and work the land and care for animals (and more importantly, have all the beehives in one place). I look forward to those tiring days on our farm when we have even more to share with others. Until then, I knit, TJ works his beeeeeehind off, the children play and learn and grow. We enjoy our lives where we are at,even when I get impatient with this experience, I remind myself to just be who I am where I am for now and enjoy (or if I start sighing more than a dozen times in a morning, TJ gets me out of the house! He is such a rock!). I realize that I am as restless as some of the bees are when the hives get overcrowded and they swarm. The picture is from yesterday at the berry farm we picked at. The bees had just swarmed, my friend saw them do it! Then the beekeeper came and out and she gently found and scooped up the queen and put more scoops of bees in a new home. They will be happy!

House update...

2009-05-08T11:39:00.002-05:00

Still pretty quiet on the sales front. Open house hosted 6 families and a showing 2 days later was for a single man who loved the house but said that it was just toooo big for him and he didn't know it was the size it is. Oh, I guess he didn't look at the description. Funny because when TJ and I think about a house, we know every thing published about it and I can even roll off things at the mention of a street name.

Anyway, onward we roll. We know God has a place and a plan for us and the Bible says to cast my cares on Him. I am trying, really!

May your Spring be blessed.

Oh and Benjamin lost his first tooth!

God Is Good!

2009-04-18T07:47:00.002-05:00

Family, Friends, Health and always sending His blessings upon our lives. Just an amazing God I serve! Jesus is Lord! Believing is all He asks of us.... It is the easiest and yet it is the hardest thing to do!

May you be Blessed in your life! If you have never read the Bible or given it a chance, why not? What do you have to loose?

Week 4 on the market...

2009-04-04T14:43:00.002-05:00

Two weeks of no one looking...
Two weeks of several showings....

We thought we were going to get an offer but then she wanted to look again at the 2 she was deciding between.... That was Wednesday, today is Saturday. I think she must have chosen the other home because we have heard nothing! Our realtor has called and heard nothing back. I won't give up until I hear official word but at least there are buyers looking and serious about moving. I would rather have only a few showings to real buyers than a hundred to "lookers" for fun.

The place we are looking at still sits vacant, waiting for us to come and love it and live off the land! Our good Lord willing, we will very soon!!!

Soooo, if you are looking for a 4 bedroom home in a park-like, wooded setting in an established, prestigious neighborhood (not my words, the realtors.. I find it funny)... we have one that would be perfect for you!

Andrew James is THREE!!

2009-04-02T09:11:00.003-05:00

I can't believe he is grown up already.

Happy birthday sweet boy! May God bless you with many more!

Pics of Rudy to come ;).

Oh and house still for sale. We have had 3 showings though, not too bad!

Our Home is For Sale!!!

2009-03-19T17:49:00.000-05:00

There, I said it out loud :). We put it on the market on March 6, 2009.... Now to see how long it takes to sell! Praying it isn't long!

Wil is 8!

2009-03-13T21:18:00.003-05:00

From opening cards from loved ones far and near to gifts from those he loves dear and one very cleverly made "cake".... Wil has had a very special day!

My Dad's Furniture!

2009-01-29T09:48:00.002-06:00

This furniture is wonderful. It speaks from nature, from the living tree that provided the wood to the creativity that went into what each piece became. Most importantly, it speaks of the love that went into each and every piece. Rustic furniture may not be everyone's "style" but I will say that hand made items must be given the attention and appreciation they deserve.
Dad designed and created a chair for each of my children (minus Callum, that one is still in the works).
Tables and benches also have come out of his workshop with a couple of benches residing in my yard (I cannot find the pictures on my computer yet.. still looking for them). Each one lovingly thought out, creatively crafted, expertly made-to-last and totally appreciated by all recipients!

THANK YOU DAD!!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Now...

2009-01-15T09:20:00.002-06:00

We have grown, we have time and energy to play games that bigger kids can play, Andrew goes to his own class without mom, at homeschool group. I have 3 big boys playing basketball and one amazing young lady who is more and more becoming not just a daughter, but my friend!

I have an amazing husband, eleven years and counting now. God is good. Time does indeed go on. Children do grow and change and that is a good thing but often very bittersweet!
The kitchen is coming along and our school year is half over. We are just blessed!

I pray that your 2009 is happy and healthy. I just know that God is doing wonderful things in our lives this year. I just look at what He has already done and know the best is yet to come!~

Where did the time go?

2008-12-09T20:25:00.003-06:00

I totally apologize for being so slack in my blogging. I know how unfun (my own word:)) it is to click on someone's blog (for months) with no updates!!!

Thanksgiving was wonderful and now we are on to remodeling the 1980's style kitchen. It wouldn't be soooo bad if the cabinet doors would just hang correctly.

Here is the section we are starting with. Working a bit at a time has helped to maintain a sense of normalcy (and saves us BIG time from having to eat out for a few weeks at a time... I guess we can save that for when the dishwasher/sink section is being worked on).

BEFORE: Note the Fridge being original, from the 80's! Who has a fridge that long???? Well, this house did and TJ even replaces a part a few years ago to make it last until we were ready. It was HUGE but I cannot imagine the energy hog it must have been.

Same section, different view.

Getting somewhere: We are planning to change all the paint (red and brown) to a neutral as well as doing a tile back splash.

This one is hilarious, to me anyway. I walked into the kitchen and my love of all things practical joke related family had set me up. TJ says, "Honey, come and look at this."
I look in and see this.... and SCREAM!

Snaphots of Autumn

2008-10-17T22:07:00.004-05:00

A snapshot is a photograph that is taken quickly and casually.

There are so many more I would love to share. Autumn is such a great time for beautiful photography.. gorgeous, happy children, beautiful landscapes and lazy afternoons!

We have enjoyed the bounties of local home-grown food this year. Apples!!! Oh, the apples!~ The dehydrator has run non-stop for about a month now!

I love this time of year. The knitting needles and crochet hooks come out. Let the fiber-art fest begin!!! This will be a crocheted "rag" rug from 4 yards of a batik fabric that was intended to be a quilt for Benjamin... I actually need to find about 4 more yards of a coordinating, solid maybe, to make this rug a decent size. I made a small round one with strips of scrap fabric. It is very primitive looking but cute. This one is oval and the strips were sewn together nicely so there are no tied "bumps" all over the rug. Oh, and I am already half finished with this rug.. I just loved the ball of "yarn" enough to take a pic.

yep, every year the children want to pick pumpkins and carve them early. They rot and then they want to do more ;).

Acorns we picked up on a nature walk.

I LOVE this picture. The tree fungus has beautiful color and matches the fallen leaves perfectly!

Lush patches of moss in our yard!

Lookie, lookie what Benjamin found in our HOUSE!!!!!

2008-10-11T22:35:00.003-05:00

Yep, this little feller got lost and Benjamin came running out of the house to say, "Dad, there is a snake in the house and it is ALIVE!"
Now, I don't mind snakes, behind glass, in a zoo..... but I do stay away from them in nature, cause they can bite! Other members of our family are NOT scared. As evidenced here, in these photos from our trip to St. Augustine this past May:

Not a snake, but a lizard rides happily on Callum's shirt!

I have asked my local reptilian experts (Bonnie and her son Roger) to help identify this slithery guy before we let him go: far, far away. I do not believe it is poisonous. No triangular head, no devilish looking, slanted eyes. I have not gotten close enough to examine whether or not there are pits under his nostrils.

Still though, just freakin' yucky!

BIRTHDAYS!

2008-10-09T15:43:00.001-05:00

Katie, my brother, Dave, Benjamin, Dad and Mom have all enjoyed birthdays recently!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all of you!! We love you very much!

Mellow Mushroom

2008-09-17T08:40:00.002-05:00

Even though this was the big double digits birthday for Katie, she decided against a party. She wanted an ipod instead. ACK, no more Barbies and fairies and pink for my sweet girl, she is a serious "tween" (as much as I dislike that word, she is one). We took her, along with my mom and dad, TJ's mom and brother, to the Mellow Mushroom for some very good, very expensive pizza! We sat in the cool school bus that is inside the restaurant, Pic is on this page .
After that, a bit of shopping and next up.... pierced ears. I told her *YEARS* ago that she needed to be 10 to have that done. Now I wish I had said 15 ;). Only because it is just one more step in being very grown-up.

Katie's Birthday!

2008-09-10T09:04:00.001-05:00

TEN years old... One entire decade of sweetness! Thank you God for this wonderful girl!

Peppers and Maters~~

2008-08-31T18:54:00.003-05:00

Canning and roasting oh boy! This is just the start!! We are thankful for our blessed harvest this year!! It has been amazing!

Not sure what these are. Leaning towards pimientos.

Blueberries!

2008-08-19T15:57:00.003-05:00

We went blueberry picking the other weekend with mom Sheila and dad Tom (TJ's mom and my dad)! The weather was very agreeable and we picked a lot of berries!

TJ says everyone must poop blue or they didn't eat enough while we were there so fill up!!! No problem with any one, well I don't know about the bathroom issue but we all ate our fill!

TJ has a blueberry in his hear (snicker)

The berries are on an organic farm that sells to a large natural food store in Nashville and they turn around and sell them for near 6 dollars a PINT!!! We paid 1.75 and picked them ourselves AND ate while we picked!

At the Fair...

2008-07-30T17:52:00.003-05:00

The little boys, TJ and I went to a neighboring county's fair the other weekend. It was sheep show night. I had never touched a shorn (correct word usage???) sheep before. Wow, it felt like a wool blanket. Duh, right?
Benjamin loved the little baa'ers. Wil finally worked up the courage to touch one (he is always cautious around animals with no previous reason for being so. That is just Wil ;))

Ok, half of my pictures were of the BEAUTIFUL show birds in the poultry barn. While I would love to share some of those, I won't. As I told TJ, " Hey, these are the breed that lay green eggs." Right in front of my very face, bottom up, she LAYED this egg!!!! TJ said, "Did she just lay an egg?" YUP. I had never seen that happen before so just be excited for a moment with me at this cool act of nature.

Wil has now decided that he would like a cow of his very own, to milk no less. Wish they were this easy to milk!

Andrew likes to get the AEGGS.

Some of my boys enjoying a very LOUD country music band. We stayed for a couple of songs, til the slow ones started up. Time to go. Great night!!

This summer is flying by!

2008-07-18T11:06:00.003-05:00

Summer has been wonderful: weather...perfect!, gardening.... great!!!, fun stuff to do.... sometimes (after the gardening and other work is finished)!

The boys and I bought some new school supplies the other day and they are loving having something new to do. I must admit that the smell of new paper, opening a new pack of pens or crayons and a fresh set of paints really gets my engine running! I am weird and that is ok ;).

More farmer Ben! I just let him go with this 22c goodie and it's brother. One drowned and the other made it just fine!

We decided to move the trampoline from this spot and make our side yard (which serves more as the back yard) more open. Tj is sinking stepping stones from this door, that doesn't open, to the back deck. We will sew grass seed this fall but will have to deal with the dry spot til then. This side of the house is coming along nicely! Benjamin is helping out to make a buck, whenever he can. He is at the right age to be an excellent helper!

Razor Family Farms challenge and Another Farm to Ogle!!

2008-07-02T10:25:00.004-05:00

Razor Family Farms Challenge

We have been steering in a more self-sustained lifestyle (as much as a family can within the city limits) for a while, but I like this site and I love the chicken!! Check it out!!

AHHHH< the sweet country goodness of this land!!! Thousand Hills Farm

Commercial Apple Orchard or 52 Acres in the Hills??

2008-06-30T20:33:00.002-05:00

Well, TJ and I have decided that for now we will focus on finishing up the remodeling/updating of this early '80's home and then go the FSBO route. As long as their isn't a job relocation, we won't be in any serious hurry.
Things to finish:
*Bathrooms
*gut and replace cabinets/appliances-modestly (with next years tax refund, barring any emergencies)
*basement ceiling
*floors in the upstairs 3 bedrooms

Here are 2 places I found that we are interested in looking at:

52 ACRE farm

Commercial Apple Orchard

I think just looking at places is fun!!

Awaiting the honey harvest!

2008-06-21T14:51:00.003-05:00

I don't have any pics of the other hives in our remote locations..... but they are all full of honey too!!
TJ gave us a sneak taste today.... oh the sweet gooey goodness!! Praying for a large harvest!

Farmer Ben

2008-06-20T13:25:00.003-05:00

In his favorite place: the garden!

Carrots for lunch!

In the bunny run.... terrorizing the bunny? nah, bunny LOVES attention!

See how happy they both are??? HAHA

I just know that Benjamin will grow up to be a farmer.....

Garden Love!!

2008-06-17T15:08:00.003-05:00

This morning, I harvested 4 cups of fresh basil leaves... just enough to make a double batch of pesto!! It has been a LOOOOOONGGGGG time since I have made this aromatic, meal-in-itself-with-bread goody but it is very easy and I hope to make lots more this summer and freeze a bit. A little does go a long way, except when the 2 oldest children in the house are fighting over it!

Herb garden looking wild and wooly!!

Mums, in a pot from last year (I just cut all the old growth back) and they are already blooming!
I love the striking red against the variegated hosta leaves. Bee balm behind the hosta and strawberries further on! This gardening year has given me new hope since the drought of '07!

A few things to share!!

2008-06-15T20:31:00.003-05:00

Benjamin learns to ride a 2-wheeler!! Last week, my dad helped him get going and within an hour he was a riding madman!!! You would think he always knew how to ride a bike~ He also rides Wil's old, bigger, bike with 2-wheels with no problem!

Katie goes to church camp!!!!! We dropped our almost 10-year old sweetie off at church camp today . She wasn't nervous because we were able to take her, get signed up for activities and check her in with her counselors. One of whom, we go to church with and know well. She is in good hands!! Other churches take vans of many children that were dropped off at the church. Katie's best friend, whom she will bunk with, was one of those! That is fine if one has been to camp before but her friend's mom called me and said they were both nervous!

We all said goodbye about a million times and hugged. She even said goodbye to her brothers!

Bunk chosen, sheets on and fan hung! No air conditioning in the cabins!!
See you Friday Katie! Have a GREAT time!

Andrew has a super-power

2008-06-09T23:03:00.002-05:00

He is able to stay awake 2 hours past his bedtime (in a dark, quiet room) which makes his mom crazy!! ;).
Two nights in a row it has taken me that long to FINALLY get him to sleep. He is definitely Wil's brother......

But is other super-power is the ability to be so cute that once he is asleep, all is forgotten.

Poop Soup

2008-06-04T21:42:00.004-05:00

It is no fun when you go outside, to see standing yucky water in your sandbox, smell a funny smell coming from said area and go out later only to realize that the pump for the sewage is under the sandbox and has backed up. Here is a sneaky shot of Benjamin watching as the fella figures out what is going on. I had already drained what I could from the box, dug a wheelbarrow full of sand and was sweating like crazy plus the funny smell. I didn't want my grilled cheese sandwich for a while after that! Benjamin was very interested in the entire process and wanted to help dig the poop sand out. (He put his boots on, found a shovel and searched for gloves....couldn't find any so he got a chair and watched me) I guess I will set the alarm so that he can be up early to see the maintenance men work to correct the problem. We don't have a sandbox anymore though :(. ( The reason we put it over that pump in the first place is because of the slight hill and drainage through that area of our yard. It is very hard to grow grass so it stays dry and dusty or muddy in rain! )

EVEN MORE beach pictures!

2008-05-31T15:57:00.002-05:00

I will stop with the St. Augustine pictures after these but I took so many and we did so much that there is a lot to share!
Of course, we had to stop and take a photo!

At the Castillo de San Marcos. Every time we visit, I get a new snippet of information, for example: During the British Period 1763 - 1784, the men slept in bunk beds..... 2 on the bottom and 2 on the top..... YUCKY! They weren't any over-sized bunks either. Just like the ones my children use. Very interesting indeed :)!
These are at the Washington Oaks State Gardens. We didn't tour the actual gardens because we wanted to get to the beach there right at low tide, for the tidal pools. We spent hours combing! Soooo many seashells!

One of me and my girl just because it doesn't happen often!

I took this at the wild rookery within the Alligator Farm . What an amazing site to behold. Birds everywhere.... making nests, attending to young, being cuuuuuute when tiny, etc. It was a bit messy, as birds tend to be but wow!! Not something one gets to witness so close up since many of these birds are timid in the wild.

AHHHHHH, the beach!!

2008-05-27T14:20:00.003-05:00

Andrew was not a fan of the ocean!

Benjamin gets warm in the sand :).

This was what we saw upon arrival to Anastasia Island State Park.... then, we saw a live TURTLE!! It could not have been more perfect for Benjamin!

A great visit with Grandma Hansen

Callum in his element!

Wow, St. Augustine has really grown and was quite busy for the last week of their "off season". We visited with family, saw an abundance of animals: raccoons, snakes, dolphins, sharks, lizards and more. It was a wonderful time at the beach and we all appreciated the get away!

Natural cleaners!

2008-05-09T12:38:00.002-05:00

I go back and forth with making my own and buying the more natural choices for cleaners but when it comes down to nuts and bolts, making our own is much less expensive and I don't have to take all the children out for ONE item at the store (which turns into $100 worth of one item)......

When I ran out of dish washing detergent, I googled for recipes and came up with this link for all types of cleaners

Here is the recipe I found for the dish washing.... I found others containing only borax and baking soda but found comments on other sites claiming that those ingredients often leave residue. Also, turning up the temp. for the machine helps in the cleaning process. Some manufacturers websites also give hints and tips for a better cleaning, longer lasting machine.

Recipe:

1/2 C liquid castile soap (like Bronner's) or half of that if using a more sudsing soap because the suds will spill out of the machine and make a HUGE mess... yes, I, ignorantly, tried that once!!

1/2 C water

stir those 2 together and add:

1t fresh lemon juice

3 drops of tea tree essential oil

1/4 C white vinegar (also putting straight white vinegar in the "jet dry" section of the washer helps cut residue and water spots)

Put in a squeeze bottle and use 2 T per load.....

Foothills Irish Dancer Blog

2008-05-06T11:18:00.002-05:00

Foothills Irish Dancers

can now be found on the web!! Check out the new blog. Not a ton there and STILL have yet to figure out how to get our videos on the computer.......

Thanks for checking out our dance blog!