Working in the garden...

After three days of rain and chilly temps in the 40s, it has been a blessing to have such warm, wonderful weather the past few days.  Today is partly cloudy, with only a 10% chance of rain.  The sun just broke through the clouds.  I've been working in the garden each day, doing a little bit more each time.

PH did get the containers in the garden, now I just need more dirt.  Today I planted 4 rows of an heirloom bantam sweet corn from Baker Creek Seeds.  I also planted:

marigolds
sunflowers
lavendar
mint
echinacea
lemon balm

Previously I have planted cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, mescullin, green beans, cilantro and one other item that I CANNOT remember.  It is so frustrating.  I wrote it down, but can't find it.  I had hope I had posted it here, but didn't see any references to it lately.  I'll have to wait until it sprouts.

I plan to plant even more green beans, and once the corn sprouts, I'll plant watermelons between the stalks.  Once the watermelons are done (about July).  I'll plant pumpkins for the Fall.  I will also be planting Amish Pie Pumpkins, Pennsylvania Crook Neck Squash, Hubbard Squash and LOTS of other items, just as soon as I get those containers full of dirt. 

I will also be picking up tires this week to make a potato tower, and planting Virginia peanuts.

Busy, busy, busy. 

Goat Rancher Magazine

I wanted to share with everyone that I was recently published in the Goat Rancher Magazine for March 2012.  I wrote an article, and my PD#1 took most of the pictures.  Apparently, the magazine is sold at Tractor Supply stores, or you can order a subscription online. 

http://www.goatrancher.com/

A bunch of stuff.....

PS#2 - Sitting in the sunlight by the front door

It has been a busy 10 days since I last posted.  We have had 2 inches of rain.  We've been in a drought for a couple of years, so normally any rain would be welcomed, but....we are building a house.  Yes, still.  I am so tired of the rain.  I am thankful to the Lord, for it, most definitely.  Our pastures are beautiful and green, and our livestock are eating themselves sick (no really they are) on the green grass.  The yellow and purple flowers, and baby goats bounding everywhere are so amazing, and I thank God for what he has given us.  I am so happy here.

Wildflowers from the Pastures

 Please Lord, let it stop raining on the house!  Everywhere else, but  the house.  It is rotting before my eyes, and I am heartsick.

I am happy to report that PH was able to tar paper half of the roof, and all the windows/doors are in place and framed.  Now, to get the second half tar papered, and it is the tallest portion.  Have I mentioned PH is scared of heights?  Yep, it's true, which is probably why he hasn't tar papered it yet.  Oh, and by the way, it is supposed to rain tomorrow, and be drizzly all week.  (big fat sigh).

Anyway, I am supposed to be reporting on what I've done this week.  We spent the last week on a break from school work.  We worked on our Spring Cleaning of the "cabin/container".  We went through clothes, threw out trash (it breeds in here, it really does), took some things out, washed clothes, walls and took an inventory of our medical needs, and a cursory glance at our food pantry.  I will be doing a more detailed inventory soon, once PH gets the shelves put up in the new pantry, which will be after the tar paper is on ;-)

Taught my Emergency Prep class today, it went well I believe.  The adult helpers enjoyed it, even if the kids were bored.

Purchased a dental repair kit for fillings.

Started my Orange-Vinegar cleaning solution.  Haven't had oranges in a while, and I thought "why not?"" I have all these peels.  We'll see how it goes.  (See Brenda, I listen to you...sometimes ;-) LOL)

The tomato plants are looking good (I have a total of 40).  Our last frost date is past, and we plan to plant the corn tomorrow.  PH and I (mostly PH) placed four large square, wooden boxes in the garden, and one long rectangular box in the garden for me to plant in for this year.  The gophers are getting bad, so we are resorting to container gardening.  We have 10.5 acres, but are confined to a small, fenced area and using containers.  I am using every imaginable space.  Installing lattice behind the boxes to grow some plants up.  Utilizing all four sides of the fenced area, as well as, these raised/container beds, pots, buckets, decorative planters and more.  I'll take pictures later when we are done. 

Huisache Tree in Bloom

This is a picture of one of our many Huisache (We-saa-chee) trees.  I had no idea they did this! We bought our land in December 2007.  This is the FIRST time they have done this since.  It's crazy!  I think I am also allergic to them when they do flower.  I have been itching (face and nose) for weeks.  The trees are really pretty, but I wonder why they have only done it this year.  Is it all the rain? No clue.  Lord?

Prickly Pear Cactus

Wildflowers - PD#1 took this one

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I realized that we missed the dates for Purim. I looked at last year's date and were going by them, so we weren't able to learn more about it and celebrate those days.  Working on Passover, though it is my kid's least favorite feast.  They can't get the image of the scene in Charlton Heston's "Ten Commandments" out of their heads.  I thought it was a positive thing for them to watch, I loved it when I was their age.  I had no idea it inspired nightmares (sigh).  My kids are so different than I am.

Our congregation will be meeting here again this year to celebrate Easter.  I LOVE Easter.  I love that Jesus rose from the dead, and that because of His sacrifice I have a new life in Him, and will spend eternity with Him.  Oh,  I still mess up, and I am a constant work in progress (right Lord?).  Sometimes, I am the thing you are making in pottery class, that you mess up, and you have to throw back in the big container of clay and re-work, and sometimes I approach the glazing process where I will be fired and refined.  It is very daunting at times to be so concerned with being obedient to the Word of God.  I have to remember that He loves me, and I know what He expects of me.  I truly need to stop being worried about what other Christians expect from me, or what they believe that God expects of me.  We are each individuals, and on our own walk with Christ.  Sometimes we will let ourselves get distracted from the Gospel message we are to share with others, and get pulled into our selfish desires and thoughts, but God always draws us back to Himself.  He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.  I have to keep reminding myself of that at times, because I am human and I at times allow others to interject their version of God's Word into my life.  Then the Lord will remind me "Amy, you are not the Holy Spirit, you cannot make others believe or acknowledge the truths I have shown you.  In their own time.  I have told you that when someone is raised to know me, they may get off the path at times, but they will return to me."  This is very comforting to me, especially when dealing with my children.

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.

Antibiotic Useage

www.doomandbloom.net/2011/11/antibiotics-and-their-use-in-collapse-medicinetm-part-1.html

If anyone has been around for any length of time, they are familiar with this site.  I am posting it here for me, so that I can write this info down in my medical journal I keep.  This journal gives me a reference for the common diseases and ailments I treat my family for...

I ended up reading for two hours last on a variety of medical information.  It is a very interesting site!  I learned loads, and recommend it for anyone interested in being the community medic or family "doctor".  

Dental Care

I don't know about you, but I don't have dental insurance.  Frankly, I have never understood why normal health insurance doesn't cover teeth.  A dentist is a doctor, so it is medical care.  The past few years we've been going just for cleanings.  The kids are due, so I need to get them seen for a cleaning. 

After reading Wretha's blog (www.wretha.blogspot.com) I have been motivated to learn more about dental care.  I love to read medical texts, first aid manuals, and herbal medicine books, but have sorely neglected the dental aspect.  This is sad, because we have very poor teeth in my side of the family.  No matter how well I care for them, I always have something wrong. 

Motivated by Wretha I purchased several dental related items today to help care for our teeth better, and am reading "Where There Are No Dentists" by the Hesperian foundation.  Here's the link to their free resources: http://hesperian.org/books-and-resources/

I have two copies of "Where There Are No Doctors" and am keeping my eyes open for a hard copy of the dental one.  But until then the online links are a good resource.  I've read the first chapter tonight, and followed it's guidelines, and using my new dental items I purchased today.

I will be evaluating my kids teeth this weekend, and we will be working on taking better care of our teeth.  I really wanted to share this information with you, because in the event something happens and you can't afford a dentist, there are minor remedies that you can do yourself, as well as, upgrade your preventative care.

A few additional links:

 http://www.gumbrand.com/store/
 http://periogen.com/

The Periogen products, Wretha talks about on her blog.  I am looking for an inexpensive way to do the same by using a regular Waterpik and a mixture of peroxide/water.  Following the instructions of "Where There Are No Dentists" helped greatly and I was able to remove a bit of tartar from my teeth.  I'll keep working at it.  Already my teeth feel "purty" and clean, even though I brush every day.  I am excited to work with my children on their dental health, and plan to use the "Where There Are No Dentists" as part of our homeschool health curriculum.

A great article

http://www.krissimplyliving.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-will-we-know-when-tshtf.html 

I really love Kris' blog.  She is very real, and I she has greatly inspired me to can more food, she cans everything!  This is a wonderful article today, really reminded me of why I try to raise my own food.  It is hard to provide for a large family, money is in short supply, and prices are rising.

I went to the grocery store today and this is what I purchased:

34 lbs of Dog chow
25 lbs of Cat food
1 bottle of bleach (96 oz)
1/2 lb of butter
1 container of yogurt
2 loaves of bread
1 bag of tortilla chips
1 bag of kettle chips
1 bag of lunch size chips (for PH lunch)
1 bottle of peroxide
1 bottle of rubbing alcohol
1 bag (90 count) of flossers
1 package of dental floss
1 package of dentek teeth cleaneres
2 packages of oral cleaning tools (mirror with light, tooth pick, tartar scraper)

TOTAL: $73.99 ($33.99 more than I had budgeted) - but on the plus side I had budgeted $40.00 for animal feed, but only spent $29.00, so that "extra" $11.00 I used towards the dental cleaning products.

I also stopped at a local liquor store to purchase a small bottle of Seagram 7 whiskey for my first aid kit.  It was $5.08.  Since I don't drink, not sure if that was a good price or not ;-)

I am very thankful I was given a box of produce as my garden is not yet producing.  I received romaine lettuce, potatoes, green peppers (which I am dehydrating at the moment), oranges, tomatoes, carrots and zucchini.  I am so blessed to be part of such a large, homeschooling community, and that we all share with each other when we have something.

We have had an offer for our four young bucklings.  It is Easter time, and in TEXAS that means cabrito (bbqing a young goat).  We set the price for $50 each, and while it means we won't be putting them in our freezer, it would give us money towards the house fund.

We have 42 eggs in the incubator, so we have a couple of weeks to go to see if any hatch.  I hope so, these will be additional layers, and more chickens to butcher (possibly).