Update on "What I've done to prep this week"

We've been busy the last few days.  PH made a new swing arm grill/stove type "thingee".  We will use it to cook over the fire pit.  This gives yet another way to cook our meals, heat water, and more.  Here's a picture...

Today, I was up early to meet a friend at a local farmer's market/flea market.  I purchased veggies, raw peanuts to plant, 18 roma plant starts to add to my starts, four herb starts (rosemary, thyme, garlic chives, sweet basil), a combat trauma medic bag with supplies, an Army Duffel, and a volleyball net for the kids.

Coming home I helped PH with the house.  He wanted to get the wrap on the house, plus install the front windows.

I  worked in the garden and planted all my plant starts, in addition to a bed of cucumbers, mescullin, romaine, and green beans.  PH brought home several large boxes that were being thrown away.  These are boxes that drive shafts, motors and such come in, but will be handy to grow in for a couple of seasons.  We could just use the ground, but the gophers are getting pretty bad.

PD#1 had two friends spend the night, and they all (PD#2 also) slept in their unfinished bedroom.  I tried to talk them out of it, because it can get pretty cold at night still, but they were intent on sleeping in there last night.  Well, it was about 48 and WINDY!  This morning I asked if they were cold, and they all yelled YES! LOL  The stuff of memories ;-)

All in all, it was a productive weekend.

Update on "What I've done to prep this week"

This is my entry on another blog when the blog author asked the question of what everyone has done this week to prepare:

1) Ordered additional seed for our seed bank, and our garden from Baker Creek Seed
2) Worked on gun safety, loading and target practice with family
3) Ordered 2 DVDs (one Stargate Season 7 – okay it’s a stress relief, and a DVD “Homestead Blessings: The Art of Soapmaking”
4) Prepared garden
5) Purchased one item from each category on Master List
6) Made bucket toilet, been having everyone use it, then showing kids how to deal with human waste.

That's about it....what have you done lately to prepare?

What did we do this week?

Well, we've all been sick (which is unusual for us) this week.  I started with it, but thought at first it was prompted by the cooler temps and rain.  Nope, not allergy related, because we all have the same thing!  Sore throats, itchy eyes, drainage, congestion, tiredness and general ick.

I've been doctoring everyone with GSE in juice, Echinacea Goldenbiotic tincture in juice (this is vile stuff), also Vitamin C, Kid's Defense tincture (echinacea, elder flowers and a few other immunity boosting herbs), plus Motrin and/or Benadryl at night to help them sleep.

I made a chicken broth from organic stock, cooked it with onions, garlic, red pepper and carrots.  Strained off the solids and had them drink the broth this afternoon.  It's pretty spicy, but it is very nutritional and healthy.

Worked in the garden more this week.  Watering and moving seedlings.  Lots of volunteers.  Must be seeds from the earlier garden that never germinated.  After our big rain, NOW they want to grow.

I made another large bucket of laundry soap.  With cloth diapers, and potty training underwear, I sure do have a lot of laundry to do.  We have too much clothing and such.  I'd love to get rid of half of it, but I know it won't happen.  PH is a big clothes horse.  He has WAY too many jeans (over 20), and too many shirts.  Yes, he wears them to work, but washing and hanging on the clothesline is very tiring.

We are moving on in changing our eating habits.  I am trying to not overwhelm ourselves by changing everything at once.  I'll be glad once the fall garden starts producing it will help us eat even healthier.  We are cutting out processed foods (as much as possible).  I am sure PH and the kids will sneak things every now and then, but I am not buying the pop tarts, chips, cereals, etc. anymore.  Food prices are way high, and I can't justify spending money on those things, when I need to replenish our pantry with basics (flour, sugar, etc.,)

I also made homemade toothpaste tonight.  A little oily for my taste (used coconut oil).  I think it might need a tad more baking soda.  I'll mess with it on Saturday afternoon, and see if I can make it work for me.  I brushed my teeth with it, and they feel great.  I should have brushed with the Oregano Oil first, then the toothpaste, but I forgot...

Tomorrow is a full day of splitting wood, PH working on the second floor of the house we are building, and I have a full baking load to do (bread, doughnuts, cake, cookies).