October Musings

So, I have to say I'm rather bummed I am not in VA at the Homesteaders of America conference today. It's just one more trip I will add to my travel bucket list and hope they have another.

Today we made candy apples and caramel apples. 

My oldest son and his girlfriend have been visiting for the week. Yesterday we went to a local farm in Levant called Treworgy's and went through the corn maze. This year it was Paul Bunyan.

My friend Rose from church was giving hay rides but we didnt go on one because we didnt see her.  Also at the farm you get to see goats and horses, fresh flower bouquets, pick pumpkins, pick apples and they even make homemade donuts and sell ice cream. For more information check them out at www.treworgyorchards.com

Here are some pics around the farm and of some recently baked goods.

Signs of Spring

Today my middle son and I started mucking out the chicken coop. We got about 1/4 of it done and will wait until it warms up a little more this week. The chickens and ducks were so happy to be outside for awhile. My son was a little

grossed out I was mucking it out in sandals instead of my boots. I did not want to take the time to go switch shoes after dropping my teens off at the mall.
I will be sure to post a pic of a freshly clean barn once i get it done. I need to completely clean the perches and duck area as well. I need to figure out something better for their water as the ducks love muddying it up.
Here are some pics of the memory garden. My crocus are blossomed already. Now I just need to rake out the beds this week when it warms up.

I love the flowers coming up. It's a true sign of winter going away!! 

I also filled some of my 🐦 feeders today. I have 2 more out back to fill. Then next week I plan on changing the corn on the squirrel feeder.

I need to get back to watching Battle of the Badges in Hampden. 

Have a good evening.

'It's the Season...for Seed Catalogs

I have received a couple of seed catalogs this past week which I am so excited to start receiving! !

I have had fun the last few days thumbing through the pages and trying to figure out what I want to plant this year in our garden. I know I am doubling the size of our garden as I was unable to can much of anything. Hubby and I are going to try some dwarf trees this year as well.
I donated to the Arbor Day Foundation this year and should receive 10 free Colorado Blue Spruce trees to plant as well as 2 free Lilac bushes.
I'm also researching plans for a homemade small barn. I want half the barn to be a coop for the chickens and the other side for goats and a pig. Hubby keeps telling me no on a pig but, I'm telling him food for the winter months.  😄
We went to Hobby Lobby today as I was looking for shark themed stuff to finish decorating Dylan's room. (Did not find any) they do have lots of very cute chicken and farm items.  They also carry tins that I like to add to my cupboard doors in my kitchen but guess who couldn't remember how many cupboard doors needed a tin?
Hubby is refereeing tonight and I need to bring some boys back and forth to practices.
Have a great afternoon and Happy Homesteading! ♡♡

Exciting News!!!

2 exciting things in my life right now. Tomorrow at 9 am our adoption will finalized. Pics will finally be posted tomorrow of all 7 kiddos.
I made jam and canned it for the first time!!
This is our Strawberry Rhubarb Jam being processed:

As you can see from the top we, one of my son's and I, were able to pick 15 qts of strawberries. We ended up going near where my family lives as it was $1 - $2 more a quart near us!!
I know I really enjoy canning and can't wait to can some freshly made Strawberry Jelly today!
Here is what we had for supper last night. We used the last of the lettuce we had cut and our radishes. Also here is a pic of the completely homemade Strawberry Pie.

Lastly here are some updated pics of our garden!!!