Spring Fever

The weather here has hit a warm snap. If our deck werent still covered in snow, I would take some time and just sit outside.  I have noticed some blue jays and cardinals near the apple trees out back and plan on putting up some bird feeders near them. I also want to get a bitd house like my grandparents have to put down there as well.

I have been watching different homestead youtube channels. I enjoy reading homesteading books but sometimes just watching videos is nice. One of the few I watching is my Cousin Danni's as well as Appalachia Homestead, Esther Emery, Road to the Farm and Fewell Homestead. I have subscribed to others and will let you know how I like their channels as well. I know I'm not ready to have a Channel for our farm yet. I dont know if I will but it gives me something to ponder.

We took 6 out of our 7 children to the movies today and 3 of the kids brought friends.  Needless to say we had to make 2 trips to fit everyone.  We usually go to Portland for an overnight stay but not having a vehicle that fits all of us we chose the movies instead.

We are watching the season finale of Oak Island. I love seeing the old "treasures" they find that are handmade. The craftsmanship of the 15-1600's is just remarkable.

I made whole wheat bread this past week that the kids like eating chunks if at a time. I have been putting a little more effort into making meals. I get bored making the same things over and over again. I plan on making my Mom"s Chicken Eden Isle. It is fantastic. I haven't made it in a couple of years so Id say its time and Maybe I will make some homemade rolls to go with it.

Minnie fits in so well with our family. Copper and Sylvester seen annoyed with her but She and Oakley have bonded very well. They play tag through the house and sometimes Copper chases both of them once he gets fully annoyed.  I had a friend of mine tell me Im crazy getting another animal but, I'm happy. I will be happy to make a better run this spring and fencing for the goats so they have a spot to run around.

Have a great evening and thanks for listening to my ramblings

Spring project planning

Some major planning is being done for the garm. I'm very excited to share them with you.

• Turning our broken hot tub into a pond for the ducks.
• Livestock fencing 
• Poultry rUn with herbs
• Raised beds added to garden
• Renovating our old apple trees.

I've been reading and writing in my Farm Journal how to do these projects. I will be sure to take pics once we get going on them.  We plan on putting some fencing around the poND area for the ducks to protect them from the wild life.

My seed order is finalized. Next month we will order them. I'm buying from 2 Maine companies this year. 

More snow heading our way. Only a couple more months of cruddy cold then it should start warming up!!

Tomorrow I an making hone made bread and chili. I'm thinking of taking a couple of hours and doing 2 weeks worth of meal planning. I am hoping to make more efficient grocery shopping decisions. Possibly buying some staples in bulk and finding appropriate containers to store them in.

I've almost completed one month of homestead skill of the month.  We learned about preparedness and planning for the month of January. February will be cooking from scratch. It's been a great coarse!

I have a friend that is going to start teaching me about essential oils. I'm waiting for her letter to come this week.

Lots of planning going on here but still loving seeing this dream slowly come together.

Stormy Weather coming

We have some wintery weather going on. A dusting to 2 inches. (My mind is focusing on spring instead.) I got a few more seed catalogs in the mail.  So while everyone is gone tomorow I will finish deciding my 2017 garden. I found a small greenhouse at Big Lots in Farmington I have my eye on.  I would like to add a small one to the homestead. Does anyone have much experience with small greenhouses?
My goal to finish this evening is to pick 2 or 3 homemaking/homesteading groups I want to be active in and get rid of the rest. I signed of for a homesteading skills group today. I had no idea one of the women in charge is Carla Emery's daughter. Its so amazing who you can meet online nowadays. I get to learn a new skill a month for the next year.
I'm hoping this summer to get together with my cousin and have her show me how to make my own candles.   She is a great homesteader. My husband actually met someone at basketball who knew her before she got married because she sold them a special canned squash item.  (Dani what is this famous recipe of yours??)
My son is back in VT and I miss him already.  I plan on attending the Mother Earth News Fair in VT this summer. I can attend that and Visit my son and his girlfriend at the same time. Plus I love seeing all of the farms in VT. We are going to go tou Cabot Creamery, Vermont Teddy Bear Factory and I want to bring hubbs to Ben&Jerry's.  I'm determined to drive up Mt Washington this summer too!!
Hope everyone is having a nice evening.