Some Serious Gardening Time

This week marks the last frost time for us, and full scale gardening is moving into action!  We have been diligently preparing for gardening this Spring.  We did have the fall/winter garden, but this year we feel more urgency to have a larger garden, that will produce the bulk of our diet and storage needs.

PH and I have been working on the garden plan, what will be planted where, and readying the different beds, and planter boxes.  I started tomato seeds inside this week (a little late).  I will be scoping out potting soil and seedlings this week, to add to my store of seeds.

We also added a new male guinea to our flock.  I hope our little guinea girl will transfer her affections from our beautiful Freedom Ranger rooster to Tux, because he is working overtime for her attention.

Our coop needs some attention as well.  I think a coat of paint, removing of tin from the screen, and de-fleaing is on the agenda for this weekend.

Preparations continue around our little, prairie homestead.  PH is almost finished with paneling the downstairs, and it looks wonderful with the cedar planks in place.  I am hoping for the kitchen to be worked on yet, but PH often has his own plans :)

There are so many "Now Hiring" signs in our little town.  I am taking that as a positive sign for the economy in our area.  We do our best to boost the local economy, by shopping local.  I am a little distressed that a Walmart will be built in our little town soon, but I will still frequent the local business owners.  I am not a fan of Walmart, and make every endeavor to stay out of their stores.

We are fortunate to have many produce stands and farmer's markets, bee keepers, local butchers, and a dairy in our area.  It makes shopping so much easier, and healthier as well.

We have also purchased a Barbado Ram, and will be looking for a Barbado Ewe soon to add to our growing livestock herd/flock.  PH really likes lamb/mutton much better than chevon (goat meat), and it will gives us another food resource.

We have also been learning how to make debris and tarp shelters, finding water in sources where you wouldn't normally expect, as well as, scoping out the wild edibles selection.

If there is a rally near you, please consider participating in the Day of Resistance that is scheduled for tomorrow.

Keep preparing for those emergencies!

The Bees are B-U-Z-Z-I-N-G!

The weather has been beautiful lately, allowing us to get a lot of work done around the homestead.  We have been cleaning up trash, burning debris, splitting wood, and re-working the pig pen.  Since warmer weather is looming, we desperately needed some sort of shade for the pigs.  If Fern (female) does not have any piglets by May, we plan on butchering her.  She is already 14 months old, and should have had some by now.  It's not because Wilbur is not trying, she just does not appear cooperative.

PS#1 and #2 recently celebrated their birthdays.  #1 is 24 and #2 turned 4.  We had a birthday party for #2 and many friends, church family and family attended.  It was so much fun.  We had water guns, water balloons, a moon bounce, and we played kick ball (even the adults).  I was very sore the next day, after sliding into first base, and tripping over the person guarding the base.  We both ended up rolling in the stickers.

Seed sorting and garden planning continues.  I am trying to be smart and wait until the end of February when the threat of freeze will be gone.  It is hard though, I want to get out there and PLANT!

The Huisache trees are in bloom, and the loud of drone of honeybees can be heard while we work outside.  I am praying that PH use of the table saw, and other tools does not spark any Africanized variety to attack.  I am always happy to see the honeybees, but do worry about the danger of the Africanized ones, because you do not know until it is too late, which ones they are.  With the activity going on, there is sure to be a swarm again this year.  That many, and out so early on the flowers, they are hungry, and there are probably a lot of them needing a home.

PH has been adding the cedar 1 X 6 boards inside the house for the wall paneling.  Looks nice!

We will be hosting a First Aid class in February that will focus on field dressing, caring for snake bite, gun shot wounds, breaks and other serious trauma.  My wonderful nephew (who was an Army medic) will be teaching the class.  He has turned out to be a good boy (man) :)

Have a good week, and keep on going.  Never give up.