It’s Growing

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Jennifer

This “simple” life has been crazy busy, but we are loving it!

I have been busy working in the garden and helping my husband whenever he needs me.  His priorities have been fence building/repair and other infrastructure projects. My priority has been the garden (well after taking care of the kids and helping Scott.)

This is a picture of the garden.  The five garden beds that are the closest to the camera I  just put in this spring.  Since we sold our tiller a few years ago, this has required a lot of digging but I am happy with the results so far.  The garden bed to the far left has not been finished yet.  I hope to get it done yet this week.  I also hope to get the garden bed that will run along the fence dug and planted this week.

Diagram of Garden

Diagram of Garden

Although the kids and I planted 32 broccoli plants, I don’t know how much broccoli we are actually going to be able to harvest, the rabbits have really been enjoying it.  For a while there weren’t even any leaves left on the poor things.  Some of the plants are actually starting to grow leaves again but I am afraid that they have been too stressed to have much yield.  The rabbits have also been enjoying the peas.  It is amazing how much those cute little bunnies can eat.

We have purchased 2′ chicken wire that I am going to put around the bottom of the fence and hopefully slow the rabbits down a little.

We have been picking a few strawberries this week.  They are so tasty!  I don’t know that we will have a large enough yield to make any jam with but we are certainly enjoying them just the same.  Not very many of the strawberries even make it to the house, most are eaten right out of the garden.

Each year I try to plant something new to me.  This year I decided to try two new things; brussell sprouts and broom corn.  I sure hope they do well!

Do you try different things also?  What do you plant in your garden?

Thanks for taking the time to stop by!

Blessings,

Jennifer

Linked to: Proverbs 31 Thursdays,  Farmgirl Friday, Big Family Friday

Posted in Garden, Homesteading | Leave a comment

Shrub planting and Wild Honey Bees

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Jennifer

Moving proved to be quite eventful however life is finally settling into a routine. My grandma kept reminding me of something her dad always said, “If it starts out bad it will end good.”  With that in mind and lots of prayer we made it through.

We are absolutely loving living on this ranch.  Last week Scott, the land owner and a representative from Kansas Department of Wildlife and parks planted 950 shrubs. Whew!  They used a tree planter pulled behind a tractor.  The shrubs are being planted to provide shelter for the wildlife.

Shrubs in water waiting to be planted.

Planting Shrubs

Setting the shrub into trench made by tree planter

The kids and I went over to watch them plant for a while then we decided to go explore the nearby creek and woods.  We saw lots of poison ivy but were blessed in that no one broke out from it. (We washed off as soon as we got home with lye soap.) Praise God!

We followed deer trails through the timber and for a while Brock went a different direction than the rest of us.  When we met in the clearing his eyes were all lit up as he told me that he had seen a bee hive.  Of course, I had to go see it; so I took the backpack with Quinton in it off and left him with the other kids so I could go back and see this hive.  Sure enough in a large dead cottonwood tree there was a hive of honey bees.

I have had hopes of having at least one hive of bees for quite some time.  Now I am really motivated to find someone who can mentor me with bees.  It was so neat to climb up on the tree and quietly watch all those little workers.  (I tried to take pictures down in the hive itself but those didn’t come out very clear.)

Linked to Farmgirl Friday

Blessings,

Jennifer

Posted in Homesteading | Leave a comment

Moving Update

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Jennifer

We spent an enjoyable two days in Kansas, Sunday and Monday. Then we traveled back to Iowa to finish taking down the fences, cleaning the house and loading the animals and the rest of the household boxes. Our plan was to be completely moved by Friday. Or at least that was the plan.

We have finally found a camper that we feel is adequate in size, shape and price and had planned to go and get it today however this morning Scott hit a deer with his pickup. UGH! The repairman thinks he can have it running again by Monday. Which while that is pretty quick, we had planned to celebrate Easter with our Kansas church family. I know God has a plan even during the times things don’t seem to be going right. So I am trying to be patient and see how He is going to work all this out.

On the bright side, I am enjoying some peace and quiet while doing laundry. Scott and the kids are at our old house while I am using a friend’s washer and dryer. (Our washer and drier are already in Kansas.)

Blessings!

Jennifer

Posted in Homesteading | Leave a comment

The Start of a Grand Adventure

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Jennifer

The excitement is rising in our house as we continue to pack box after box.  In just a few more days, we will begin what we are calling our “Grand Adventure.”  This is going to be a Grand Adventure in many ways, one of which, is moving with five kids into a camper for at least 3 months.  I am thankful that it is spring so at least the kids will be able to spend a lot of time outside!

Once we get moved we’re going to have to hit the ground running.  One of our first projects is going to be making sure that the existing fences are in good repair so that we can get cattle grazing.  We will be custom grazing cattle for other people while we are slowly expanding our cowherd.

In addition, we hope to get the chicken pens made fairly quickly so we can get to raising broiler chickens on pasture again.  (Yeah, I am so excited!  It has been 3 years since we have raised our own chickens to butcher.)

Thankfully we were able to plant a little bit of garden a couple of weeks ago when we were down there but we still have much to do.  It will be such a busy summer but I’m sure it will be a rewarding one too.

Hopefully we will also be getting milk cow sooner rather than later too.  I am looking forward to raw milk from a pasture fed cow.  I’m sure you already know the benefits of eating meat, milk and eggs from grass fed animals but in case you don’t here is a great write up on The Grassfed Exchange Blog.

So while I keep packing all these boxes I keep thinking about the beautiful landscape and the adventure that awaits.

 

Posted in Homesteading | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

$546 Cloth Diaper Giveaway

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Jennifer

$546 Cloth Diaper Giveaway! Win a Lifetime Supply of Cloth Diapers! (Booty Buns Go Green ♥ Give Charity Event)

Booty Buns Giveaway Event

Welcome to the Go Green ♥ Give Charity Cloth Diaper Giveaway Event sponsored by Booty Buns Cloth Diapers! Over 175 blogs have teamed up to present this amazing cloth diaper giveaway hosted by Daily Mothering.

Here’s your chance to win an entire stash of one-size cloth diapers!

This amazing cloth diaper prize pack includes:

20 Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers

(these true one-size cloth diapers fit 3-45 lbs!)

20 matching flannel/terry cloth wipes

40 microfiber inserts

20 cotton flannel liners

Booty Buns Cloth Diaper Giveaway

(picture does not show inserts or liners also included)

First, a little about Booty Buns…

Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers

In case you haven’t heard about them, Booty Buns Cloth Diapers are incredible one-size cloth diapers that truly fit from birth to potty training! They feature a snap-down rise with 5 different snap settings (most one-size diapers only have 3!) and a waist with 10 regular snap settings plus 2 crossover snap settings. The diapers have hip snaps to prevent wing droop on smaller sizes. The incredible size range of this diaper fits from 3-45 lbs!

Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers

Booty Buns Cloth Diapers are pocket diapers and each diaper includes 2 snap-on microfiber inserts that can be stuffed into the diaper or laid on top with the included cotton flannel liner against your child’s skin. The diapers have a waterproof PUL outer and a soft suedecloth inner with dual gussets on the inner lining to ensure everything stays IN the diaper! Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers come in an assortment of bright colors and each diaper includes a matching handmade flannel/terry wipe. You can find out more about the diapers at Booty Buns, or check out the detailed Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diaper Review at Daily Mothering!

Booty Buns Cloth Diapers

Booty Buns is dedicated to encouraging others to “go green” and “give charity.” Shannon, the owner of Booty Buns Cloth Diapers, leads by example. For every diaper that Booty Buns sells, she donates one Booty Buns Cloth Diaper to a child in need in the US and third-world countries. Booty Buns is the exclusive cloth diapers donator for Operation Showers Of Appreciation, and they are also donating diapers to babies that have severe medical issues here in the US. Shannon hopes to donate a lifetime supply of cloth diapers {20 diapers} to every baby in need around the globe. You can join in this effort by purchasing your own set of Booty Buns Cloth Diapers and telling your friends about Booty Buns!

Make sure to stop by and follow Booty Buns via Facebook, Twitter and Blog for news and giveaways!

And now for the giveaway!!

Booty Buns Cloth Diaper Giveaway

ONE WINNER will receive this gigantic cloth diaper prize pack valued at $546!

And, the winner will get to select their choice of diaper colors!

This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada.

Click Here to Enter the Giveaway

There is no mandatory entry. Complete as many entries as you wish.

The more entries you submit, the better odds you have of winning!

Posted in Giveaway | Tagged , | Leave a comment