tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29586248677648329892024-03-13T05:01:48.777-04:00A Beginning HomesteadMy journey in getting back to the simple things in life.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-38304435137861933792012-07-23T18:19:00.000-04:002012-07-24T06:58:41.763-04:00Canning Weekend<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7G0gqXqsqlwsfWzPYJSmnfBYqMpYFj9iGZJIkRwGrg1PyH-Y8xVCjNA7xBtX4IWqiYpm3hhgZAfP8jK6Gx2kkGXQcxwcFqed1Di50Dvi5aNdhVh66tOMq_BNSDvlEIV3p5Lq8NhERgLDX/s1600/DSCN0511%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>Wow what a super busy weekend!!!
I picked 14 more pounds of blueberries. With this I made blueberry syrup, blue berry pie filling and froze whole blueberries.<br />
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Here's the process for Blueberry Pie Filling<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mashing the blueberries</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add sugar and lemon peel<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cook until thickened<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Divide into freezer container for enjoyment later<br />
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I then had over 15 pounds of cucumbers to pickle. This makes me so happy because the past two years I've had no cucumbers to pickle. So needless to say I was very excited to pickle again. I made kosher picked using the Ball mix.<br />
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Here's the process</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiX9JRFDgLVJTCvSFMqD7MUxmAHuO_vRYcaNnSyjeRYHYsWqeOqmVXkkJlw9hGkzWcViMu5kEeuL_cn79VntaT2V5UnqekMIrF3q51wgTJ3XEmYeu-ZXovAtqet_UdZcpCQU7qcJGpDSe/s1600/DSCN0677%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiX9JRFDgLVJTCvSFMqD7MUxmAHuO_vRYcaNnSyjeRYHYsWqeOqmVXkkJlw9hGkzWcViMu5kEeuL_cn79VntaT2V5UnqekMIrF3q51wgTJ3XEmYeu-ZXovAtqet_UdZcpCQU7qcJGpDSe/s1600/DSCN0677%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiX9JRFDgLVJTCvSFMqD7MUxmAHuO_vRYcaNnSyjeRYHYsWqeOqmVXkkJlw9hGkzWcViMu5kEeuL_cn79VntaT2V5UnqekMIrF3q51wgTJ3XEmYeu-ZXovAtqet_UdZcpCQU7qcJGpDSe/s1600/DSCN0677%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiX9JRFDgLVJTCvSFMqD7MUxmAHuO_vRYcaNnSyjeRYHYsWqeOqmVXkkJlw9hGkzWcViMu5kEeuL_cn79VntaT2V5UnqekMIrF3q51wgTJ3XEmYeu-ZXovAtqet_UdZcpCQU7qcJGpDSe/s1600/DSCN0677%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pick cucumbers and wash them<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mix picking mix and boil</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add brine to sliced cucumbers in jars and process</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All done!!!!!</td></tr>
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What did you preserve this weekend?</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-11103179913500344132012-07-16T20:43:00.000-04:002012-07-16T20:45:37.404-04:00Trying to Get Back Into the Swing of ThingsMy husband and I have been trying to become more self-sufficient lifestyle for almost 4 years however things got off track late last summer. My garden was HORRIBLE last year. Everything died!!! My cucumbers never even bloomed, my tomatoes never even turned red. When everything started doing failing I just gave up.<br />
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Then school started in the fall, I took three classes and I received a job promotion at the same time so I wasn't home much during the week and my weekend involved lots of homework. I've been going to school part time for over five years and I'm to close to stop now. Even though our goal is to have a more self sufficient life style I think I still need to finish school since I've worked too hard and have gotten too far. I think I'm going to cut down on my class load though. </div>
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Moving On.....</div>
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As the we move forward we are trying to get back into the swing of things we were previously doing. </div>
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Like.....</div>
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1. Eating out less</div>
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2. Pay off DEBT!!!!</div>
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3. Giving up more processed food</div>
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4. Grocery shopping smart</div>
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5. Preserving food</div>
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6. Eat more local food</div>
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I know there's no much more we need to work on but this is just the beginning. </div>
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I have a lot of ideas and will be tracking my progress through this blog again.<br />
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My first thing I need to do to get back on track is to GIVE UP Diet Coke again. I'm really starting to look at labels and like even less what I see. CARAMEL COLOR, PHOSPHORIC ACID, POTASSIUM BENZOATE are just some of the ingredients. Anytihng that has ACID or BENZOATE isn't good for you. I'm done as of tonight. </div>
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I'm very excited to get to the simple things in life!!!!!!!!!!</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-6375855008618580712012-07-16T07:00:00.000-04:002012-07-16T07:12:43.477-04:00Blueberry JamI braved the 90 degree weather this weekend and went and picked my first bunch of blueberries. With the wind of Lake Michigan it made it a little easier however I think I lost some weight with all the sweating I did.<br />
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I decided to make blueberry jam. I never canned anything blueberry before so it was a new experience. It was a lot quicker than strawberry or peach jam since there's not peeling or slicing involved so my hands a wrists were very happy. Here are some photos of the process.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorting out the berries</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washing the berries (They look so yummy)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gq0NOoYEneR5_Bpcl7zdto7BqbFCEjMMW2yXukLGeOCnvyiXFNvkO5qniDy6FvGWKEPnsJqpCpXWCoorN_QZu-SaQKjCX-2ptBhwSAvix9tRUXaOBqhRs58TeZMgczy8tjdhcsKPKIEQ/s1600/DSCN0388%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gq0NOoYEneR5_Bpcl7zdto7BqbFCEjMMW2yXukLGeOCnvyiXFNvkO5qniDy6FvGWKEPnsJqpCpXWCoorN_QZu-SaQKjCX-2ptBhwSAvix9tRUXaOBqhRs58TeZMgczy8tjdhcsKPKIEQ/s320/DSCN0388%255B1%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding sugar and pectin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHut_JS7TpVymsNi6RsDy-7JuyGiRQslotxCGv2sGL0GaUtXInO_IKNE9qc2TTWXzBYuF5ArvW_5jXFyc9SgvGt7Wwb6T1zWtMAcu6sTyPc3fYyWiQDMPMy01VyEX-xcXCOXvLsSsYMCZF/s1600/DSCN0418%255B2%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHut_JS7TpVymsNi6RsDy-7JuyGiRQslotxCGv2sGL0GaUtXInO_IKNE9qc2TTWXzBYuF5ArvW_5jXFyc9SgvGt7Wwb6T1zWtMAcu6sTyPc3fYyWiQDMPMy01VyEX-xcXCOXvLsSsYMCZF/s320/DSCN0418%255B2%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final product</td></tr>
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Can't wait to make some homemade bread or buttermilk biscuits to the spread this yummy jam on.</div>
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I plan on going again to pick more berries to make syrup and pie filling.</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-35453291544539588072011-07-25T06:25:00.000-04:002011-07-25T06:25:45.221-04:00Staking Tomatoes<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">This year we decided to try a new way of keeping out tomatoes off the ground.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">In the past couple years we have used cages however it seems that the cages are never really able to hold the weight of the tomatoes and they plant is at the height of its production. Last year I bought additional stakes to put in the group to hold up the cages and it didn’t work too well. I’ve also used tall bamboo stakes that I actually staked the plant too along with the cage and that didn’t seem to work either. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">So this year we decided to use a trellis type staking to help really support the heavy tomato plants up. We decided to use 2x3’s that we sunk at least 2 feet in the ground on each on the opposite sides of the row going length wise and then used twine to run from one side of the trellis to the other. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">Here’s how we did it.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntHgTEciqiX-EUdOBOIAr8FRKoFBj86nN-rRPbgTVOME-EvRknP7oJCxyu6BGVMTozKaFTk9zI9JaG9mp0VExG2wvrrPCylLKVxr9fryQgjVxCisCHxMjWVUPTfi-449J7tIma97BuDus/s1600/SAM_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntHgTEciqiX-EUdOBOIAr8FRKoFBj86nN-rRPbgTVOME-EvRknP7oJCxyu6BGVMTozKaFTk9zI9JaG9mp0VExG2wvrrPCylLKVxr9fryQgjVxCisCHxMjWVUPTfi-449J7tIma97BuDus/s320/SAM_0650.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><div style="text-align: center;">We dug the holes for the stakes</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBfJu-pt-fnSBP3nOcNXnSkoDO3nI0ONSK7gDkJRhBldE0uCi8tmQ8JShwYejgSsmX8CHXMls47foAWKJU7CFDH83Oy59eJTGb76az1BJFpnE1SogBLTp0luLF-lu8otJAWEJy945VAzZ/s1600/SAM_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBfJu-pt-fnSBP3nOcNXnSkoDO3nI0ONSK7gDkJRhBldE0uCi8tmQ8JShwYejgSsmX8CHXMls47foAWKJU7CFDH83Oy59eJTGb76az1BJFpnE1SogBLTp0luLF-lu8otJAWEJy945VAzZ/s320/SAM_0651.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Put the post in the hole.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9unixKMgknhw3lJuXY6XWZc4f7HwGNjWuwKxSrA3sHCwk-1pFbo9TGWN3KfPqjJV2-52uf6uISwtGQgoVUi1Ss_nhxyYPigvYiYXhYcQSlt0Bqou6AAYSHzukQNtoLh0hCoVJHhCzk8d/s1600/SAM_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9unixKMgknhw3lJuXY6XWZc4f7HwGNjWuwKxSrA3sHCwk-1pFbo9TGWN3KfPqjJV2-52uf6uISwtGQgoVUi1Ss_nhxyYPigvYiYXhYcQSlt0Bqou6AAYSHzukQNtoLh0hCoVJHhCzk8d/s320/SAM_0647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Filled in the hole ads made sure the dirt was packed down in order to keep the stake from moving too much</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIB266UmQEzCBFFjpmLf4nE8LnDBLN9C-yIW16LwxvIHXxYsvMw5SsHxeKUHIJzZyYD5IHSvkFSeJTHeTpMx63ZHlCZjwYSNSgxWzCyykn07vYVsOFYJCxJAEzPNugdSvKKznVinQJAPm/s1600/cherry+toms+out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIB266UmQEzCBFFjpmLf4nE8LnDBLN9C-yIW16LwxvIHXxYsvMw5SsHxeKUHIJzZyYD5IHSvkFSeJTHeTpMx63ZHlCZjwYSNSgxWzCyykn07vYVsOFYJCxJAEzPNugdSvKKznVinQJAPm/s320/cherry+toms+out.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's what it looks like when you run the twine</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgci-WGhDhv3SSHSEFeRRZxW1E_hUyjdgNxOGbePwfgmsTW15waxCNsNNwdAJuTtEhnkhV22uRl8RcF5PRdlo15haYHMpjvIIJIrUfqpXewB2jwVbPRZYMqhe-k-GXw0zLA_wB-1QRTf4tw/s1600/reg+toms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgci-WGhDhv3SSHSEFeRRZxW1E_hUyjdgNxOGbePwfgmsTW15waxCNsNNwdAJuTtEhnkhV22uRl8RcF5PRdlo15haYHMpjvIIJIrUfqpXewB2jwVbPRZYMqhe-k-GXw0zLA_wB-1QRTf4tw/s320/reg+toms.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then we wove the twine in between the tomato cages<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99tYDTVzS3JpHT6vFC2pYRMNvEqmx0ERDq9w5lOoMruSJhkUYWzpdCj1mdRb29VJVVQUAyr0EmJQmDpVYiEEIpeMGjAZReshy-bb6WJuSiQzscSr8Bs0RkDAbgr_2DP5BxBfT-FmRo7ky/s1600/close+up+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj99tYDTVzS3JpHT6vFC2pYRMNvEqmx0ERDq9w5lOoMruSJhkUYWzpdCj1mdRb29VJVVQUAyr0EmJQmDpVYiEEIpeMGjAZReshy-bb6WJuSiQzscSr8Bs0RkDAbgr_2DP5BxBfT-FmRo7ky/s320/close+up+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here's a better close up of the tomato cages<br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzo6sVmiiyJRAXK4Gm_ywb-9a3nS-akIzI-vE8oTI-TnjLk4LSiC7OlAuciznFIlSbNT1rsyeSogqaj7UP7i2FPVZSd9UiVTaoSvuZ-1yVhg-aGnEZ4ZlBc89PThRKa1T-vOMrStLjMxba/s1600/cherry+toms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzo6sVmiiyJRAXK4Gm_ywb-9a3nS-akIzI-vE8oTI-TnjLk4LSiC7OlAuciznFIlSbNT1rsyeSogqaj7UP7i2FPVZSd9UiVTaoSvuZ-1yVhg-aGnEZ4ZlBc89PThRKa1T-vOMrStLjMxba/s320/cherry+toms.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><br />
Here are the cherry tomatoes<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7gcMrAD_SWDeKesdYiBjtyIJdK9sh8BrHLGZZ9ud4kzKIAb1N2j6KVmYkK0yaF80HXCUBbZPSJd_CBOKBytXeQYzB5H4sp5R6e5i-3SPPoIOH1d1LcIZWUv2nqLlLuelRon3OSlmm1cY/s1600/cherry+toms2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7gcMrAD_SWDeKesdYiBjtyIJdK9sh8BrHLGZZ9ud4kzKIAb1N2j6KVmYkK0yaF80HXCUBbZPSJd_CBOKBytXeQYzB5H4sp5R6e5i-3SPPoIOH1d1LcIZWUv2nqLlLuelRon3OSlmm1cY/s320/cherry+toms2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The cherry and grape tomato plants where tied to the twine<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEF-11P_2VvLAJiCj20llPKCpY4tvOzT3FM9VRNmGR8bHFB5FZy-sG7yLcFak7JfcgVsGpZeap-8GrX2EcLwI8xqOYIPtPArOhDyeu3TfSTWO6kOARD7EK-AW6-3qF0Kl-QExgSx0ntqk/s1600/close+cherry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEF-11P_2VvLAJiCj20llPKCpY4tvOzT3FM9VRNmGR8bHFB5FZy-sG7yLcFak7JfcgVsGpZeap-8GrX2EcLwI8xqOYIPtPArOhDyeu3TfSTWO6kOARD7EK-AW6-3qF0Kl-QExgSx0ntqk/s320/close+cherry.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>Here is the close up of the cherry tomatoes<br />
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</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">Right now it’s working just great but we’re not at the height of the plants really producing yet so I’m hoping they hold up. I know the stakes will but I’m hoping the twine that’s woven into cages holds up as well. I’ll let you know at the end of the season if it does or doesn’t.</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-204410537140181442011-07-21T09:05:00.000-04:002011-07-21T09:05:39.263-04:00Table Runner Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqofl5UOS48zc-AGr55rXjqntw-81ej7gH0is4ORijD4KNVulR4SD66Oq9sB_aUQJ8uxGRjZGxcLHhWx1qZ-lrW8BhXKiIKBmiRyNG36WdGUkh63lPCal5Ti4PbhXdvzT_C1H4beF-9ABl/s1600/DSCF1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqofl5UOS48zc-AGr55rXjqntw-81ej7gH0is4ORijD4KNVulR4SD66Oq9sB_aUQJ8uxGRjZGxcLHhWx1qZ-lrW8BhXKiIKBmiRyNG36WdGUkh63lPCal5Ti4PbhXdvzT_C1H4beF-9ABl/s320/DSCF1152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">I finally finished my table runner quilt!!!!!! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">I started this back in end of March and just finished it last week. The when the person that was showing me was very inpatient and was actually showing me the wrong way to cut the squares so thank goodness her sister showed up and at least got me on the right track. But at that time I didn’t understand the concept of building the block. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">When I left their house I was still frustrated and didn’t know if I wanted to restart so I lost a lot of time there. When I brought it home I had only started half of an block. When I went to restart my sewing machines was jamming. . I finally brought it in to the local sewing machine repair shop and come to find out I wasn’t threading it right. So here I was blaming the machine and it was an operator error <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> Well hey at least it works now</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">When I finally got my sewing machine back in order I basically read the directions and finally finished it. I’m a hands on learner so I thought I might have a problem reading the instructions but everything worked out great. When I messed up I just took out the thread and started over. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">I would say it looks good for not having seen since I was in the 7<sup>th</sup> grade, which is 15 years (oh no now I’m dating myself <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>). I got the pattern from fatquartshop.com and the pattern is Moda Marbles Stars Table runner.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSux9ifMdUdC4z0FfSk7Vj96yxcm5Mn9Aayp0XC3HNikQiwsakYyTyEXxCR1IMYiIZfiL7088zN0fhdyCyNHGn8V-rwRsIbf_L6COCKUVMo7zM5ElmPwKNDqX0YpFPdNIcIDIT6GbqQxp/s1600/SAM_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSux9ifMdUdC4z0FfSk7Vj96yxcm5Mn9Aayp0XC3HNikQiwsakYyTyEXxCR1IMYiIZfiL7088zN0fhdyCyNHGn8V-rwRsIbf_L6COCKUVMo7zM5ElmPwKNDqX0YpFPdNIcIDIT6GbqQxp/s320/SAM_0480.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a close up of the block</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">I really enjoyed working on this and can’t wait to dive into the next project which will be a lap quilt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will start this in the fall. Right now I’m learning to sew an apron. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">Do any of you quilt? If so what do you mostly quilt? If not do you wan to learn? Feel<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>free to share anything about quilting.</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-23326590624834415142011-07-18T06:26:00.000-04:002011-07-18T06:26:31.207-04:00Life Is a Bowl Full of Cherries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Its cherry season here in Michigan and I went and picked cherries last weekend. I have never done this before so it was a new experience.<br />
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It was hard to find a tree that wasn't picked over or that you didn't need to climb a ladder in order to get the cherries. I finally found a couple and picked about 18 lbs. I picked some Rainier cherries but mostly sweet. I never even heard of the rainier cherry until this year either. It has a yellow and red skin with a yellow flesh but taste pretty close to a sweet cherry. The yellow flesh it nice so your hands or face don't get stained. I imagine a good cherry for the kids since there would be any worry for stained clothes, faces, etc.<br />
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I made some low sugar jam, canned whole pitted cherries and dried some too. Here are some pics of the experience.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNy183EhjnyXfX__hh0q4LW8hdbvjZjiIDQZ9HLrjf5Yh3Y-t80rtRdJAtmWx2A7vGVevcyqi1Vo-mn8nGJEjg1_ssxFIphtAykI4WFFoSV8DgXKPxYlWc6WfQl4EoGVdopaJ0V6AIT3_/s1600/SAM_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNy183EhjnyXfX__hh0q4LW8hdbvjZjiIDQZ9HLrjf5Yh3Y-t80rtRdJAtmWx2A7vGVevcyqi1Vo-mn8nGJEjg1_ssxFIphtAykI4WFFoSV8DgXKPxYlWc6WfQl4EoGVdopaJ0V6AIT3_/s320/SAM_0678.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here are the buckets used to pick the cherries</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwSNqA7MV7emwKcpkV3fhBgIrpmLTbXjNJ7EJQFKjLegRXM0zCVKV91V0OWHfenWvcCp1u56BA4Pi-WHjKF5jp8nd_M-DMVa3gnP7yJwW1R4LNtHPRXlFPb1CAIatdmxt5RN_zrwbU7lb/s1600/SAM_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwSNqA7MV7emwKcpkV3fhBgIrpmLTbXjNJ7EJQFKjLegRXM0zCVKV91V0OWHfenWvcCp1u56BA4Pi-WHjKF5jp8nd_M-DMVa3gnP7yJwW1R4LNtHPRXlFPb1CAIatdmxt5RN_zrwbU7lb/s320/SAM_0698.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGWdkDARjdabDfhmdJ2tGYPNIaHfOuP9a8dStqhJ69zYc0Sd_ZFTQUOCeTZDMCd-rm3rtkIXLFRsZMeDLXAwgLP8I3KExMvYKX8t745xBHRTn-ttS42VHjrHVSMb9-LYZqa0kr0GujRt3/s1600/SAM_0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGWdkDARjdabDfhmdJ2tGYPNIaHfOuP9a8dStqhJ69zYc0Sd_ZFTQUOCeTZDMCd-rm3rtkIXLFRsZMeDLXAwgLP8I3KExMvYKX8t745xBHRTn-ttS42VHjrHVSMb9-LYZqa0kr0GujRt3/s320/SAM_0685.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Cherries</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0JAXAl-v4twbMX9_43Ks23CUaeTBSqY7MblRQxSwj1yBhxq_D5A4IhmitC0Tu5TqwNAINPfakjr81YFiAJiunxqmaBMnP-Yj_XQCuMLQxwIAecjD6Ys_xKwv37EuIEnOE2TWMkllfbmc/s1600/SAM_0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0JAXAl-v4twbMX9_43Ks23CUaeTBSqY7MblRQxSwj1yBhxq_D5A4IhmitC0Tu5TqwNAINPfakjr81YFiAJiunxqmaBMnP-Yj_XQCuMLQxwIAecjD6Ys_xKwv37EuIEnOE2TWMkllfbmc/s320/SAM_0688.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainier Cherries</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><div><div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibj7dwAYWgUlX94GXXc4GRsCgW6IZLMNd-oRff-almy599SrmD3EaIxgvUE6MW7KzlXuwFMj2DwX8VgPqzEm_k3oKQDrIN07RyDzpcMs0ctqfFYMkWG2eL_VRt3FSIqyPb15YpxBRNSaXm/s1600/SAM_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibj7dwAYWgUlX94GXXc4GRsCgW6IZLMNd-oRff-almy599SrmD3EaIxgvUE6MW7KzlXuwFMj2DwX8VgPqzEm_k3oKQDrIN07RyDzpcMs0ctqfFYMkWG2eL_VRt3FSIqyPb15YpxBRNSaXm/s320/SAM_0714.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing Cherries to dry</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8m2b_YpmWmNUsYyAOObqx5b_o-KevBl1uRjYrfECiJH5nvu067LV5TtgReZiuTmAWrDFmc9SRvuXuhdk-wJMkplM-TOxxKD2mbvfcGjWGDIuiYUKtZYeVyzo9MqvcbEEi1YUxehBl9m9/s1600/DSCF1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8m2b_YpmWmNUsYyAOObqx5b_o-KevBl1uRjYrfECiJH5nvu067LV5TtgReZiuTmAWrDFmc9SRvuXuhdk-wJMkplM-TOxxKD2mbvfcGjWGDIuiYUKtZYeVyzo9MqvcbEEi1YUxehBl9m9/s320/DSCF1141.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canned Cherries</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0QLWAuHugUj3K1QfKkr9HXI4QNADbhFK_tW23lMbgePhcefFhyPt-IbHEjiFhZ-K9juGDv9wnFCasPcWe9mWZIwSKUElKuNzrIOTp76_Qwx_vFnxNHr4QXD1hl8UmNk1rKZrxj_7L192/s1600/DSCF1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0QLWAuHugUj3K1QfKkr9HXI4QNADbhFK_tW23lMbgePhcefFhyPt-IbHEjiFhZ-K9juGDv9wnFCasPcWe9mWZIwSKUElKuNzrIOTp76_Qwx_vFnxNHr4QXD1hl8UmNk1rKZrxj_7L192/s320/DSCF1145.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry Jam</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Do you can or dry cherries?</div></div></div></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-53771245619571664952011-07-07T09:13:00.000-04:002011-07-07T09:13:13.792-04:00Blessings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyqsCTssiO7qy1ur5AaMDpYJ3s9Fdy98uosca99BbcEC-1ro3jZnrbks8zbn6oYZ-GVn2GQMtfE7C8ZMMHH-0sAv-EsWuM7ks9eEMBUu3AgtxGV8jSqedUT2M5p8eQEXV29h6hkHbErxz/s1600/faith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyqsCTssiO7qy1ur5AaMDpYJ3s9Fdy98uosca99BbcEC-1ro3jZnrbks8zbn6oYZ-GVn2GQMtfE7C8ZMMHH-0sAv-EsWuM7ks9eEMBUu3AgtxGV8jSqedUT2M5p8eQEXV29h6hkHbErxz/s320/faith.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">This is just a person post about me and my husband and how God always has a plan.</div><a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">I’ve had so many blessing in my life recently I can’t even begin to count them all so I just begin with couple of them which I’m sure will lead to more. First off three months ago I got a new job in which I now only travel 19 miles to work instead of 37 one way. This then leads to less wear and tear on the car, less oil changes and less money on gas! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">This then leads to us having more money and paying off debt!!! Oh and I can’t forget more time at home. Also since I now work closer to home which is closer to my college then my last job I’m not driving an hour from work to get to school it’s now only 2 miles from wear I work. No more 100 mile round trips from home to work to school then home!<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that I have a little more time on my hands I’ve been able to do a little more around the house each evening instead of just on the weekend. Also this newer job is with a great company who cares about their employees and it’s not a large corporation (<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>). <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">I’ve also been in a more positive mood lately since I don’t have all the stress of the last job which is a bonus. Plus I like working in a smaller city versus a large city it’s a more down to earth feeling. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">Another blessing which is separate from my new job is getting a tax return which helped us stay afloat while my husband was laid off for 8 weeks. He had worked at his former employer for 5 years and was laid off periodically but always brought back when worked pick-up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we were never too worried but his time they had no contact him at all this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">He was found by a local temp agency that found a job the same distance from home as his last job and more money too. The job is only suppose to be 2-4 months but hey it’s beats unemployment and the last temp they told that too was hired and has been there for 5 years so there’s still hope. If not oh well, God always has a plan. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">Two weeks after being at this new job we get a letter in the mail proving that he had health insurance at his previous employer. So this was a definite sign that he was not going to be going back. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">God has always taken care of us and I’ve never had a doubt in my mind that things were going to somehow always work out for us and they have. I’m thankful that I’ve been taught to rely on Him or I think I may lose my mind sometimes. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">Have you had any blessing recently?<o:p></o:p></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-66210757901253886232011-07-04T18:13:00.000-04:002011-07-04T18:13:48.724-04:00Happy 4th of July<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX4_UrDQIrXBc2BmybZJ3-JUtsmo5lJmPYpsCJHvASVm2RkcR7jq_HNLl67oKGwKviHDqRkdlOYv7dHJEdyc8yHdEhKnc_K1nhvQE92Z9BeDss8SEeNG55w20vtpvBKgYP9wH4wvgGD76/s1600/vintage+patrotic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX4_UrDQIrXBc2BmybZJ3-JUtsmo5lJmPYpsCJHvASVm2RkcR7jq_HNLl67oKGwKviHDqRkdlOYv7dHJEdyc8yHdEhKnc_K1nhvQE92Z9BeDss8SEeNG55w20vtpvBKgYP9wH4wvgGD76/s1600/vintage+patrotic.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Happy 4th of July to everyone. I wanted to say I'm grateful for our country and those who have fought for our freedom and those who continue to fight for our freedom. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thank You!!!!!!</span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-62043715198967221212011-06-27T06:38:00.002-04:002011-06-27T06:42:27.798-04:00DeCluttering Your Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4qSulgoZTmmnlCBXWYz5razOtnsOT2aZMmah4M9BC8IHN9_ExvVgbDEGbzBTax5v4psLIRGOQOuzycPoMiJMVgyYLHM3KFVSmkEMbf4v1yJh6IQc5ZleWnFEzBTIhl1CKMpkg2BFAwqU/s1600/cluttered-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4qSulgoZTmmnlCBXWYz5razOtnsOT2aZMmah4M9BC8IHN9_ExvVgbDEGbzBTax5v4psLIRGOQOuzycPoMiJMVgyYLHM3KFVSmkEMbf4v1yJh6IQc5ZleWnFEzBTIhl1CKMpkg2BFAwqU/s320/cluttered-house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">I’m glad I’m finally done with the large task of decluttering my house and mini barn!! It took a couple weeks to finish it since I worked on it my spare time and not everyday since it can be overwhelming. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">We filled the cab of extended cab pick up (not the driver seat of course) and some of the bed. I think back and I don’t know I got to accumulate all this stuff! Though I did receive a lot from my dad and his wife since they are in the process of retiring to a smaller house but I’ve sorted though that as I got it. Also over the years people give you stuff, you buy stuff that maybe you really did need but it was on clearance (totally guilty of that) or at a garage sales, etc.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">I admit I do have a hard time throwing stuff away because I might need it but I stuck to rules this time. My house was as much as dirty but as full of “stuff”. When you accumulate so much stuff you forget you have it and in order to live a more simple life I had to get the de cluttering done. Everything I kept had a purpose or reason for it. Ok, I did keep some decorative things but I did scale down on that too as I really define what I want my house to look like. When getting rid of items I asked myself the following:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When and why am I going to use this item? <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Will I use it frequently?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Have I used it in the past year? <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Or sometimes, Why did I buy this again?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do I really need this item or is there something else I have that can be used instead of this item?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">I now have both the spare bedrooms back and now one a devoted craft room and the other one is now a true office for now. After we cleared out all the stuff and vacuumed and walked back in the house I thought “wow maybe my house isn’t so small after all”. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">Now when buying anything whether new or not, I ask myself the following:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What am I going to use this for?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Is there something I can modify at home instead of purchasing it?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Depending on what the item is- Is this a good price? Can I wait for it to go on sale?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Will I use this item on regular basis or everyone once a while?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sometimes if I’m not sure I walk about with it and really contemplate it. It works. By really thinking about it and walking around with it I have left many things at the store</i>.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">I recently went to garage sales and only came home with 3 cookbooks, a table runner and one Americana decorative item. And I went to lots of garage sales too. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">Since I’ve decluttered it I’m really staying on top of cleaning everyday too. I also have to admit that I fell like a new woman since and a more organized person too since it’s been done too. I can now focus on other tasks such as learning to quilt, sew, knit, make soap and the list goes on.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">Have you decluttered recently?<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-33298837163745490782011-06-23T09:09:00.000-04:002011-06-23T09:09:53.048-04:00Crop Damage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytnW-S7iPRpKfbhsuEFM3ANWENISidZaPrfEB6q1DWlCiLcX8IB8qwkDfvyZnBk-1dPap2FU3IJZCwbWVdG5HReRpkL7fbU-GvDc0cMtwC5FeAJ-ABRXiz48J4RF9HybW3q1Fva9xLMXs/s1600/SAM_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytnW-S7iPRpKfbhsuEFM3ANWENISidZaPrfEB6q1DWlCiLcX8IB8qwkDfvyZnBk-1dPap2FU3IJZCwbWVdG5HReRpkL7fbU-GvDc0cMtwC5FeAJ-ABRXiz48J4RF9HybW3q1Fva9xLMXs/s320/SAM_0526.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">We went out to weed after dinner last night and this is what we found in the garden- Crop Damage. </div><a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">We had some rain come through and some wind but it wasn’t windy enough to do any damage. It was very weird because we have 6 rows of corn and only 4 of out the 6 were touched. Also as you can see some corn was pushed one way and some the other. Don't mind the weeds when your looking at the pics.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4G6JzvC8E52mqikd3O7LLxNO_IM33En1_hgW9Biw5IAqdvxr5ZWGL7tXuHHm3-D1Eltvg07iuedzVj4fnVLfH4DNO2ouT74MzBEmkuWUskfxEItguCXYMzy6zeCnJsh-RR5PQEAuctTR/s1600/SAM_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4G6JzvC8E52mqikd3O7LLxNO_IM33En1_hgW9Biw5IAqdvxr5ZWGL7tXuHHm3-D1Eltvg07iuedzVj4fnVLfH4DNO2ouT74MzBEmkuWUskfxEItguCXYMzy6zeCnJsh-RR5PQEAuctTR/s320/SAM_0529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwgoV6A5gr81uftr5vM3hV1CsMqv5_X0FibsgVm-5t_lvP0gVN4xk43XCsN_RDI3TuxhKkt10T8ZqoRPO1SbWWgNQqBaupsl1MoeCjvs1_fvvLzN7pSj1oIDUFbDce6HziyFGBGrG0Qyu/s1600/SAM_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwgoV6A5gr81uftr5vM3hV1CsMqv5_X0FibsgVm-5t_lvP0gVN4xk43XCsN_RDI3TuxhKkt10T8ZqoRPO1SbWWgNQqBaupsl1MoeCjvs1_fvvLzN7pSj1oIDUFbDce6HziyFGBGrG0Qyu/s320/SAM_0524.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP67uoIxyREjqPdgQK4e9NratQ1k7GpM4Eu797xQqvm3hOnIkNeJD6XOdlR26tmQ3hCKLxabhYY0cc5n0G1S2tD68qW3eINCAq579oxzAQ-W2BKDN0CGdvtZW30Li-K7JYhiQHLelMDGLl/s1600/SAM_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP67uoIxyREjqPdgQK4e9NratQ1k7GpM4Eu797xQqvm3hOnIkNeJD6XOdlR26tmQ3hCKLxabhYY0cc5n0G1S2tD68qW3eINCAq579oxzAQ-W2BKDN0CGdvtZW30Li-K7JYhiQHLelMDGLl/s320/SAM_0522.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">To prop the corn back up all we did was push the dirt back up against the stalks to give it something to lean on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope it straightens back out.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in;">Has this happened to anyone else? <o:p></o:p></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-91761048404016661992011-06-20T12:11:00.001-04:002011-06-20T12:13:36.437-04:00Strawberries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoCkJ4bqwiR5_QsCViros_wKy-ElW5OyqLUekl7nq5nw7FFui1XF_BGPGypRjOceO00oZ0TU-9QssiNMdH7F8kIydlZyF0rv7HeQFGSp2rtvZK54alI060SJ_KJ2W7lSha-tg1avQjp3A/s1600/Strawberries+June+2011+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwoCkJ4bqwiR5_QsCViros_wKy-ElW5OyqLUekl7nq5nw7FFui1XF_BGPGypRjOceO00oZ0TU-9QssiNMdH7F8kIydlZyF0rv7HeQFGSp2rtvZK54alI060SJ_KJ2W7lSha-tg1avQjp3A/s320/Strawberries+June+2011+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
I love the beginning of summer when strawberries are ripe for the picking. I generaly just make strawberry jam but this year I also wanted to freeze strawberries for strawberry shortcake and strawberry topping for homemade cheesecake (yum).<br />
<a name='more'></a>This weekend my mom and I went and picked 40 pounds of strawberries. I didn't pick any last year so I forgot how much jam we made the previous year so I figured what we picked should be enough and it was. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm2UXnsU6XF519e2sO3tIef0pa8IBh93N2WjzyZUGo81zSAV5aHTt6BawZKrdrGyEyjWhSdzap4xVwHZa2jAABPLxysSiziKTi757GBDw8WDKiqBA73uW7HoNx5KSfY3z-njThUXdjIax/s1600/Strawberries+June+2011+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm2UXnsU6XF519e2sO3tIef0pa8IBh93N2WjzyZUGo81zSAV5aHTt6BawZKrdrGyEyjWhSdzap4xVwHZa2jAABPLxysSiziKTi757GBDw8WDKiqBA73uW7HoNx5KSfY3z-njThUXdjIax/s320/Strawberries+June+2011+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here's all the berries that we picked.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">And here's what we made:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO5NOssnMoq_VrYymV4ENrPdpyk-EgPuZGi-zzv327OWrgcLITUrH8SFT2jVV_ZFj0wOURgPeXnqkacSAzO7IaoasGOWOXtg7kd9OjDtTL7aYqf_uN3dlaaPBs0zVmVKLnkP_xnjmzJkX/s1600/Strawberries+June+2011+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTO5NOssnMoq_VrYymV4ENrPdpyk-EgPuZGi-zzv327OWrgcLITUrH8SFT2jVV_ZFj0wOURgPeXnqkacSAzO7IaoasGOWOXtg7kd9OjDtTL7aYqf_uN3dlaaPBs0zVmVKLnkP_xnjmzJkX/s320/Strawberries+June+2011+012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8 batches of freezer jam which is 40 cups! I only kept a jar since this recipe has lots of sugar. My mom and brothers took the rest. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinL6YI2sw5EXjE8H3A9oao62K5MRG7YtJhzpuL9-I10VW9GvtZID2iX4-Z4JqzaIEVlWGYupgBGMcZ2nLOGAZUALtFLnsNR0xT3vyXKcsnYWuq70ZqGt-XsCborvo7skE47RnSb5kJw2Gt/s1600/Strawberries+June+2011+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinL6YI2sw5EXjE8H3A9oao62K5MRG7YtJhzpuL9-I10VW9GvtZID2iX4-Z4JqzaIEVlWGYupgBGMcZ2nLOGAZUALtFLnsNR0xT3vyXKcsnYWuq70ZqGt-XsCborvo7skE47RnSb5kJw2Gt/s320/Strawberries+June+2011+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 batch of regular cooked jam. I used the low sugar recipe and got 8 half pints.I love the way the jam looks it the jars its so pretty.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UekxpJY-tZnuNPZhbXpnYoMJDbZR4s6T-xsSeTTmZbKYUjhvm2RmTyXNlF_QYqBMKSFHmsbWrjRyDQ1R5yFu4t1kPSed13DViaeO5fpiftZ3enynvy7a-CQ-RjWPn34gL4vOS7mFLltQ/s1600/Strawberries+June+2011+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3UekxpJY-tZnuNPZhbXpnYoMJDbZR4s6T-xsSeTTmZbKYUjhvm2RmTyXNlF_QYqBMKSFHmsbWrjRyDQ1R5yFu4t1kPSed13DViaeO5fpiftZ3enynvy7a-CQ-RjWPn34gL4vOS7mFLltQ/s320/Strawberries+June+2011+013.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">12- 2 cup bags of sugar pack strawberries which is 1 cup sugar to 6 cup berries.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As you can tell we had a lot of berries to work with and did all this is about 3 hours which isn't too bad. My mom washed, hulled and cut up the berries. I made the jam and processed it and also made the freezer berries. Thanks mom for your all your help!!<br />
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Have you canned jam or froze strawberries yet this year? I know the berry season isn't too long. </div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-8350784339264948182011-06-14T17:50:00.000-04:002011-06-14T17:50:19.363-04:00Update About Our ChickensWe've had a lot going on the past couple weeks. As you know we got meat chickens last week (<a href="http://abeginninghomestead.blogspot.com/2011/06/our-first-meat-chickens.html">see here</a>) well 3 of them died on Saturday. My husband went out to go check on them and they were already dead so now we are down to only 4 meat birds. I guess I will ordering some this week. We aren't sure of the cause of death but some of the birds we get from our local farm auction aren't always the healthiest but that's just a risk you take. Most of the birds we get from the auction are fine but we've had our share of unexplained deaths but that's part of homesteading, right? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbNdfbqxiB0eJU5kYTF2a6o-oX0MRoosDQ1MKY5q5QNB28dfPfQl0wr9K7HroGJem7iRkS3_YYfkAPvc5UGNcLcoxlD9X6Eu-nl6iRFehFgywSo2QkHRzrOF9zWdetDvtuyjMqd4V698Q/s1600/SAM_0466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbNdfbqxiB0eJU5kYTF2a6o-oX0MRoosDQ1MKY5q5QNB28dfPfQl0wr9K7HroGJem7iRkS3_YYfkAPvc5UGNcLcoxlD9X6Eu-nl6iRFehFgywSo2QkHRzrOF9zWdetDvtuyjMqd4V698Q/s320/SAM_0466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The other week we picked up some layer chicks at the local feed mill. We got 15 Isa Browns, 2 Buff Orphington's, 1 Americana, 5 Blue Cochin's. We've had these for about 2 weeks and haven't had any problems. Though we have may layers right now our thoughts are to keep some of the new ones and either sell the current layers we have and/or raise the chicks until their pullets and sell we're not super sure. These chicks are doing great!!!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-78290578689945938852011-06-05T21:24:00.000-04:002011-06-05T21:24:42.461-04:00Our First Meat Chickens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_5qOYWahO4h2O0gTfvDHuqxcc_uCCMhyEV_bgNTNUpRb8zaEpBjbOZ8BcaH_QR3hzzsSa1tCnS9S_-pww2y3ykBHS33YWNnz4X9jpzBL9EkAC4PSaLOj8Da6cCHSpxRLY-mp61zlNEfE/s1600/SAM_0464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_5qOYWahO4h2O0gTfvDHuqxcc_uCCMhyEV_bgNTNUpRb8zaEpBjbOZ8BcaH_QR3hzzsSa1tCnS9S_-pww2y3ykBHS33YWNnz4X9jpzBL9EkAC4PSaLOj8Da6cCHSpxRLY-mp61zlNEfE/s320/SAM_0464.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
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</div>We just got our first meats chickens this past Saturday. Of course we were ready to get them since my husband built the chicken tractor the other week (see <a href="http://abeginninghomestead.blogspot.com/2011/05/chicken-tractor.html">Chicken Tractor</a>) but I wan't expecting to get them this weekend. <a name='more'></a><div><br />
</div>My husband was at the local farm auction and ended buying some meat birds there at such a great deal that he couldn't pass up. He ended up buying 7 Dark Cornish Cross. I really wanted to buy 25 to start out with but this will be good start. I have read that the Dark Cornish are better tasting than regular Cornish Cross. I'm hoping that's the truth. We plan in raising them for 8-10 weeks or maybe 12 I have read that this breed takes a little longer to reach the correct weight. <div><br />
</div><div>Since we never raised any meat birds I'm very excited to be embarking on this adventure since it will bring us one more step closer to being more self-sufficient. If all goes well which I'm sure it will I would like to raise another group as soon as these are done.</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-38382006276136450492011-05-30T20:21:00.000-04:002011-05-30T20:21:30.470-04:00Chicken Tractor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0Ag3HI9AOcQKK9KVGrOtjLo-skzfUhvFVOESK6igCpHsslOalyz1cNmlo8r-Pl1H8b3M65LsI9wUwWuB5BaCTntXE-7sd3-OmQGD4SxLvlXByp2B4rnwePsJ2ZaSxURh_xKViacX-TYp/s1600/SAM_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0Ag3HI9AOcQKK9KVGrOtjLo-skzfUhvFVOESK6igCpHsslOalyz1cNmlo8r-Pl1H8b3M65LsI9wUwWuB5BaCTntXE-7sd3-OmQGD4SxLvlXByp2B4rnwePsJ2ZaSxURh_xKViacX-TYp/s320/SAM_0461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It seems like every time I go to the grocery store the price of all natural chicken would go up and the quality would go down. Last week when I purchased the chicken it was the last straw I went home and told my husband that we need to start raising meat birds. We currently do have layers birds but not meat birds so this will be a new adventure.<br />
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We built a chicken tractor this past week in hopes of getting meat chickens in the next week The idea for tractor is a light weight (light enough for me to not have a problem lifting it) easy to move and cheap. My husband and I scoured the internet and magazines try to find something that would suite our needs. What my husband came up with was a variation of many different ones we looked at. Here are the details: It's 6 x8 which will house at least 25 birds. 1 x 2's boards are used for the frame, the wheels that are on the rear of the tractor were taken of a fertilizer spreader and poultry netting for protection. I'm very excited to start meat birds.<br />
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Like I mentioned we never raised these type of birds but I have read a lot about them for instance they can't roost, limit their food intake so they don't over eat, make sure they are kept cool in the very hot weather and that you really only can raise them8-10 weeks because they can have health problems when they get too big. For any of you that currently raise them is there anything I should know??Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-38104557370855060022011-05-22T21:31:00.000-04:002011-05-22T21:31:29.547-04:00Planting Our GardenI was so excited that we got to plant our garden this week. It feels so great when you stand back and look at what you have planted and get a feeling of accomplishment. Also knowing what you just planted will being you many rewards later.<br />
<a name='more'></a> As I mentioned before we had blight the past two years so out tomatoes, cucumbers and melons either rotted on the vines or we harvested very little from the plant. We thought that the new garden we made would be enough along as we maximized our space but we were wrong so we ended up with 3 gardens.<br />
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Our original garden we planted corn, peppers, zucchini, squash and onions. We didn't have problems with peppers, onions or zucchini in that garden last year so we figured it would be ok.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1NxNGlwHhcecgo9u054iuSsbIgljciASDY0xi6ZfQ8hZd3ztl-7BnkqkkyAy1hOYDR1pEB5qGemywFTz_VP4goZn3b5vW4-n3vkeftxxueYqkozNpqXECBNDYLv1Vl2Pg0nHQFZ_pRZz/s1600/SAM_0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1NxNGlwHhcecgo9u054iuSsbIgljciASDY0xi6ZfQ8hZd3ztl-7BnkqkkyAy1hOYDR1pEB5qGemywFTz_VP4goZn3b5vW4-n3vkeftxxueYqkozNpqXECBNDYLv1Vl2Pg0nHQFZ_pRZz/s320/SAM_0442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Our new garden has the tomatoes, cucumbers and melons so hopefully we will have a bountiful harvest in the new spot.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYf3fBbCmFloKkPprA57GZDWcjF8qOh1EhZDO-P8nicZE-HvipZ2FicydpeHrt4Wh13EoMD2Vb0kRyRiYj9oAFh_ZwSsfcLVWXxxmlQ4YhpCSWQLSRS48mqHiPcepCK5p6-UDpJRQ6aDN/s1600/SAM_0447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYf3fBbCmFloKkPprA57GZDWcjF8qOh1EhZDO-P8nicZE-HvipZ2FicydpeHrt4Wh13EoMD2Vb0kRyRiYj9oAFh_ZwSsfcLVWXxxmlQ4YhpCSWQLSRS48mqHiPcepCK5p6-UDpJRQ6aDN/s320/SAM_0447.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Our third garden was items that we couldn't fit in our other two gardens such as green beans, more corn and potatoes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rgLIGsyNc1oyrbw7lgryPINTShYOKzs_Mz8JtgOZdpxKFy65La5fgCpuIII1mhHQhjCTbeu5pSj4Tj18hyphenhyphen2Rm3C84eF9oU6oDVso4yekUKRJlwBXLoZsQOX3eaUyIAyyl5IXIilAyv2g/s1600/SAM_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rgLIGsyNc1oyrbw7lgryPINTShYOKzs_Mz8JtgOZdpxKFy65La5fgCpuIII1mhHQhjCTbeu5pSj4Tj18hyphenhyphen2Rm3C84eF9oU6oDVso4yekUKRJlwBXLoZsQOX3eaUyIAyyl5IXIilAyv2g/s320/SAM_0445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Obviously we didn't plan as well as we should have. I had somewhat of a plan but my husband purchased more seeds and plants than what I originally planned but no big deal we made it work. I can't wait for everything to really start growing!!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-23139359263444050392011-05-21T19:31:00.000-04:002011-05-21T19:31:11.429-04:00First Ever Made From Scratch Pie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaaXFP27qKEUVUk1_zwyGXTij9lTbPv0zlOTp_FD32NGd3PcMq0Ugdu_grjJ7eUbkeR5uaQCRr0lhAJLcmsi3wAzb1Qtcow6-Wtw_KNgFlx1-cbZyWjNiwEtPYZAQ6huCPBr1yLMEGNTY/s1600/SAM_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCaaXFP27qKEUVUk1_zwyGXTij9lTbPv0zlOTp_FD32NGd3PcMq0Ugdu_grjJ7eUbkeR5uaQCRr0lhAJLcmsi3wAzb1Qtcow6-Wtw_KNgFlx1-cbZyWjNiwEtPYZAQ6huCPBr1yLMEGNTY/s320/SAM_0434.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I just baked from first every made from scratch pie. I have to admit I was always intimidated about making the crust so I always bought the ones in the refrigerator section. This weekend I decided I would take on the challenge and make it myself. <br />
<a name='more'></a>After I started make the crust I realized I don't even know why I was so worried in the first place. It was easy to mix the ingredients together for the crust however I did have a problem really rolling it into a circle but no worries. The filling was made from peaches I picked last year and made into peach pie filling and froze. I used the crust recipe from the Betty Crocker cookbook and the filling recipe was from the Ball canning book. The pie was delicious!! My husband finished off the pie within 3 days and he's not a person that really likes pie but he requested I make more pies with the homemade crust from now on. I told him don't worry there will be more homemade pies. One of my goals is to still make sweets but making them either healthier nutrition wise or at least from scratch so we not consuming all the processed food.<br />
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I would have to say that I was so proud of this pie when I pulled it out of the oven!!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-43365605537480900922011-05-16T12:55:00.001-04:002011-05-21T19:34:28.682-04:00Eggs, Eggs and More EggsSince spring has really kicked in we have been getting between 5-6 eggs a day. Well now we have been getting between 8-9 a day and the other day we got a dozen in one day!! We now have 6 dozen eggs in the fridge and that's after I gave my mom and the feed mill owner 2 dozen each. This week we are going to start eating more egg incorporated dishes. <br />
<a name='more'></a>This past weekend I made breakfast burritos<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhgAUOMZKWinCDy8C9cVd00KSBTaReIW34f7d-cDh9LB61MFVpn6zwhTSRHvMqbi2QTjl1oLQ3_rZmOeih-vuLFIScu3pyBcfPkjjGa44Hcfandjv3RJr4bQiw4MS20yYqnWBVcA74uqX/s1600/SAM_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhgAUOMZKWinCDy8C9cVd00KSBTaReIW34f7d-cDh9LB61MFVpn6zwhTSRHvMqbi2QTjl1oLQ3_rZmOeih-vuLFIScu3pyBcfPkjjGa44Hcfandjv3RJr4bQiw4MS20yYqnWBVcA74uqX/s200/SAM_0416.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and egg salad</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZhBra5VZGa22My8ns4LndGsrp99jTNc54XN6oGnIl5ePNCaBHhq-B8N9dzP1xqp9lzYFOLS_GuKgqHMCeYvHF5HsX42YrJ_DnECqTARkuAjzHdVaTljMzgkkokPBOL9jFve6Y_xtcFqA/s1600/SAM_0431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNZhBra5VZGa22My8ns4LndGsrp99jTNc54XN6oGnIl5ePNCaBHhq-B8N9dzP1xqp9lzYFOLS_GuKgqHMCeYvHF5HsX42YrJ_DnECqTARkuAjzHdVaTljMzgkkokPBOL9jFve6Y_xtcFqA/s200/SAM_0431.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will also make a breakfast bake casserole and some type of strata this workweek and then on the weekend we will eat eggs for breakfast both days. We might make a small dent in the extra eggs but we'll keep getting more each day . We have thought about selling them but have't taken that step yet since we want to make sure we can steadily provide eggs to people who want and except them every week. What do you do when you have extra eggs? Do you cook or bake with them? Give them away or sell them?</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-9139140592819130322011-05-09T12:34:00.001-04:002011-05-21T19:36:58.322-04:00Tilling Up the Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsKBvSrkPd42bgalMvhYtuuVQ1KVezAnNB0jm4YFncDz_dWsRk_Va0wCIqlCpCWNVoN2wXE4PoMfZZi5Mf6oNzh24TLrj0gZxdSVTJDPWiT-58ZCqgKcswhon1tyI4VtoGSPF4SSEbSmF/s1600/SAM_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsKBvSrkPd42bgalMvhYtuuVQ1KVezAnNB0jm4YFncDz_dWsRk_Va0wCIqlCpCWNVoN2wXE4PoMfZZi5Mf6oNzh24TLrj0gZxdSVTJDPWiT-58ZCqgKcswhon1tyI4VtoGSPF4SSEbSmF/s200/SAM_0407.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I'm delighted to say that we tilled up our new garden this past weekend. We had to move our location of the garden because we got blight two years in a row. The blight affected our tomatoes big time two years in a row. Some of the tomatoes would only half ripen, they would split open before they were ripe or they would fall of the ripe before they would ripen and never ripen after that.<br />
<a name='more'></a> Last year the both the cucumbers and melons swelled and bloated. So we decided to move the garden and hopefully avoid all this this year. It's discouraging to put so much effort into nurturing your garden all summer long in hope of having a large bounty to preserve and it doesn't happen. Luckily we planted 50 tomato plants last year so I still got an ok crop to can. Our new garden isn't as large as the old one so I really need to maximize my space. I plan on doing this by planting things a little more closely than I did in my other garden, I spaced my hot and green pepper to far apart last year so this year will be differnent. I'm also putting the cucumbers and beans on trellisis. I'm also hglad I hadn't planted anything yet because we were under freeze warning last week. Can't wait to start plantig soon, hopefully by next weekend!!!!<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=abegininghomestead&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1580170277&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-15205998987489297292011-05-02T20:34:00.001-04:002011-05-21T19:37:28.835-04:00Chicken Run Fence Pt 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IMjwYknQZtHRSq0rceRImhq4WjcwbPdpmgOu-UZHZvDJV_2kBwzPPWMul-6LN3QAEvB0OEyKfNOIG2mWgw1PMi-rrmTZGU9zUMqVLMrobpNeNjwawF2sR0abmCE7yZRMsnb_68Nw5sIv/s1600/SAM_0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-IMjwYknQZtHRSq0rceRImhq4WjcwbPdpmgOu-UZHZvDJV_2kBwzPPWMul-6LN3QAEvB0OEyKfNOIG2mWgw1PMi-rrmTZGU9zUMqVLMrobpNeNjwawF2sR0abmCE7yZRMsnb_68Nw5sIv/s320/SAM_0393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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I'm so happy to say that we have finally finished our new larger chicken run!!! The ground was finally thawed 3 feet down this past weekend so we were able to sink the posts.The chickens love it since there's not only a sunny part but also a large shaded part since it partially in the woods. We decided to leave in the large tree limbs since they love to climb on the them. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Also we put the large tree limbs on the outside part of the fence on the ground to try and discourage dogs or fox from trying to dig underneath the fence. But to be extra cautious we buried poultry netting about 6 inches in the ground. There's around 900 square feet of space in the run and it's perfect so if we add more chickens we have plenty of room. All said and done this new chicken run cost around $65 since we already had most of the welded wire except 50 feet which we purchase along with the posts. It's seem like a lot of money when I look at it but I have to remember that it's and investment and will be used for many many years to come.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-41271445571729172422011-05-01T20:24:00.003-04:002011-05-21T19:38:27.061-04:00Being Frugal with Health and Beauty Products<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxC6kvlY_ymeZ6yeXMboI7fk_lSFIqmRGeTXI2y0OOYJM0vFY0AsumTTMIZFcGY0qwbOYg5w5k7uj1AWWE9tjY4ja809S2QUNEpr3SaJxcjaemWzqaS01SFQRg4MwS0iyWa1yltZJbv9C/s1600/beauty1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxC6kvlY_ymeZ6yeXMboI7fk_lSFIqmRGeTXI2y0OOYJM0vFY0AsumTTMIZFcGY0qwbOYg5w5k7uj1AWWE9tjY4ja809S2QUNEpr3SaJxcjaemWzqaS01SFQRg4MwS0iyWa1yltZJbv9C/s200/beauty1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I do want to move towards more natural health and beauty prodcuts but I have much back stock to go thtough. Like I've mentioned before I'm a stockpiler (not sure if that's a word) however even though I may get it cheap I still use the items sparingly. For example I mark my disposaible contact box, contact solution, expensive shampoo with the date that I opened it. That way I can try to make those items last as along as they can.<br />
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For eye make-up remover I mix 1 part baby shampoo to 3 parts water and shake. It's cheap and probably better for your eyes. I also use toothpaste as a zit zapper. I put in the the zit and will bring down the swelling.<br />
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I also color my hair which I try to do it as cheaply as possible. I get the items from Sally Beauty supply. I use a bowl and brush and you get these for a couple of dollars and they're reusable. The color and volume which run about $10 for these items however the volume while last for a long time and depending on the length of your hair you should be able to get a 2-3 or more coloring out of the one tube. This is cheaper than buying the mid-level brand of hair-color. <br />
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I purchase all my make-up when a local drug store does a buy one get one free and I use a buy on get one free couple which makes it free. For other health and beauty products I always look for coupons and wait for it to go on sale. I would like to eventually get away from using make-up but I work in a professional office setting so I need to play the part. <br />
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Since I haven't been to completely give up a lot of these items yet since I have a quite a few items in the stockpile. Though when my items run out I will be looking for more natural substitutes. What are some of your suggestions for saving money of health and beauty products that have to be purchased? Or some cheap substitutes that you make sure self?Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-63228781007003573142011-04-19T09:22:00.002-04:002011-05-21T19:38:57.591-04:00Washing Eggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmsHVmzqEp9M0mpody-YHuLv3MaopbCBk4_eUN5i795EfjN76q4DyCZh90mUykwyoroLFyaW7R5auAs92c5Ki6vlqA2YZrEY12eoSvFqerBfLs3Ux1Hd35VsxsTUb4B2kDh2CO7RgDvJ7/s1600/SAM_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmsHVmzqEp9M0mpody-YHuLv3MaopbCBk4_eUN5i795EfjN76q4DyCZh90mUykwyoroLFyaW7R5auAs92c5Ki6vlqA2YZrEY12eoSvFqerBfLs3Ux1Hd35VsxsTUb4B2kDh2CO7RgDvJ7/s200/SAM_0379.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div><br />
</div>I have to admit that before we got chickens I always assumed that the eggs are cleans no matter what. Well I was wrong. Most of the eggs are pretty clean but sometimes those hens like to lay in weird places or sometimes an eggs cracks and gets yolk on other eggs or sometimes I don't even know how they get dirty. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Anyway I have read about using egg washes that they have on the market but I don't know anybody who have used them or if I want to use them . Me I use plain water and a little elbow grease. First I wet the eggs let them sink in the sink for a couple of minutes and rinse them off will using my nail to thumb lightly to remove the dirt. I find that just getting them wet and letting them soak loosens the dirt and except for the stubborn ones that needs to be wet again, sit for couple minutes, rinse and the process repeated. But you can't beat the taste of a fresh egg compared to those store bought ones, yuck! What are your methods for removing the dirty off the eggs or have your tried the egg wash?<br />
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</div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-45303485682863774652011-04-17T12:41:00.001-04:002011-05-21T19:40:46.101-04:00Planning Your 2011 Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIBqMcu6awwG0qm_5AwYQ80qIuYz-0zPqVhEDmt5uYxynheFA670y_CuJENfnjB1YnwZ3pkglan45kgVe1D0chhvgNT2ufd_ZBkpT-7J2s9xiIjxqjOiAlPgpInXoQWIxa5x37g6IlHAu/s1600/garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIBqMcu6awwG0qm_5AwYQ80qIuYz-0zPqVhEDmt5uYxynheFA670y_CuJENfnjB1YnwZ3pkglan45kgVe1D0chhvgNT2ufd_ZBkpT-7J2s9xiIjxqjOiAlPgpInXoQWIxa5x37g6IlHAu/s200/garden.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
I'm sure most of you have already started planning your garden but I really haven't. I thought about but haven't drawn out a plan yet. This will be our third year having a garden and we really haven't every drawn out a plan the past two years. This year I want to change that and want to get more out of my garden as far as fitting more plants it in.<br />
<a name='more'></a> It's about 50' X 25' yeah it's large just for having two people but as I mentioned earlier I like to can like I'm sure most of you do. I subscribe to Mother Earth News and they are offering a 30 day trial of a garden planning program online, it's FREE and you only need to them your email address no credit card info. I have just started using it and think it awesome!!! We are havg a veggie garden and adding a herb garden this year. You can try the program yourself at <a href="http://gardenplanner.motherearthnews.com/gardenplanner/gardenplanner.html">http://gardenplanner.motherearthnews.com/gardenplanner/gardenplanner.html</a> . Hope you've like it as much as I have.<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=abegininghomestead&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=160342475X&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-37627407666459968782011-04-12T08:00:00.001-04:002011-05-21T19:41:39.024-04:00What's On Your Plate?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXR5NKJqz0RMmjv7Zk2xQPRN7XhyFzN2WX_hHL7Kvdkc1EUzyMeGHgDNgiB3pFVWWYbLWvRUYfYWMqPfucgHSXu2JJ2E8Trhz8b5pkIgNarQVVmj5DNGeew6jnV_uRuQV01CTL2lQXJtzM/s1600/SAM_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXR5NKJqz0RMmjv7Zk2xQPRN7XhyFzN2WX_hHL7Kvdkc1EUzyMeGHgDNgiB3pFVWWYbLWvRUYfYWMqPfucgHSXu2JJ2E8Trhz8b5pkIgNarQVVmj5DNGeew6jnV_uRuQV01CTL2lQXJtzM/s200/SAM_0356.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
As I made breakfast for my husband and I this Sunday it really dawned on me that I need to be more diligent in eating food that is grown on our own land or bought locally. I made eggs with onion and peppers, hash browns, bacon, toast and pinto beans. Of all those items only the eggs, peppers and onions were from my land the rest was bought at the grocery store.<br />
<a name='more'></a>I mean yeah we are trying to homestead but we need to get more accomplished this summer as far as growing more produce and raising more of our own meat. Though we are in the beginning stages of homesteading and have been for the past two years we are still not even a 1/8 of the way to being self sufficient. Last year I really didn't even see my lack of self sufficiency as I did this past weekend and its got to change. With the rise in gas and food prices rise I really need to get myself in gear because soon food items we take for granted may not readily available or the costs will skyrocket. Plus not to mention that home grown so much better and it's better for you so its a win win situation. I'm hoping that by the end of the summer that only thing I will have to purchase is the pinto beans and everything else will be homemade. My husband really wants a pig so he may just get this wish soon enough. Did any of you really have more of awakening to become more diligent in homesteading?<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=abegininghomestead&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1592579450&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-30586578788439911502011-04-10T20:47:00.002-04:002011-05-21T19:42:13.187-04:00New Chicken Run Fence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYyy-9L6ZUOMUxnsjMV3MyViJNvvwNOht0osZHi91fSG_x7znWd4Xi0yrBKVLIdrcjbQMmQexRxz7kqhvTXg4H5X40_GQjDpPmrFWn3uUkGmKEYJ7_niTbAConcLWBtYESc0adchy3or8/s1600/SAM_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYyy-9L6ZUOMUxnsjMV3MyViJNvvwNOht0osZHi91fSG_x7znWd4Xi0yrBKVLIdrcjbQMmQexRxz7kqhvTXg4H5X40_GQjDpPmrFWn3uUkGmKEYJ7_niTbAConcLWBtYESc0adchy3or8/s200/SAM_0365.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
This weekend we had beautiful weather and it once again reminded my why are we are trying to homestead. The smell of the fresh air, the plants coming to life and being around the chickens really was beautiful. I admit sometimes I forget in the winter since we can't really do anything outside because of all the snow, except shovel and snow blow.<br />
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One of our goals was to redo the fencing in our chicken's run. Before we decided to change the fencing we had metal stakes with welded wire fencing which work wonderfully to keep the chickens except for the ones that wanted to fly out. When we originally built the run it was made for our small flock of 9 birds but last summer the chicken bug bit me and we really increased our flock toward the middle to late summer. Since we were buying chicks they were under the heater lamp for a while until they went outside to the transition coop (see post called <a href="http://abeginninghomestead.blogspot.com/2011/04/raising-chickens-part-2-raising-older.html">Raising Chickens- Part 2- Raising Older Chicks</a>). As the chicks got older we would move them over to the larger coop but at the point it was early winter so they weren't outside much. Right now we have about 37 birds so they defiantly need more room to roam around in. We free ranged our chickens last year but we saw them go in the road, they ate off my ornamental plants and flowers and not to mentioned we lost 18 in a dog attack late fall.<br />
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So this year I want to let the chickens free range as much as they can but in a contained area. The area that it shown is the back part of the run just temporary until we dig more holes for fence posts, the ground in still frozen at 18" down in some areas and we are digging down 3 feet to sink the posts. I'll update with more pics later. We used treated landscaping timbers ( we got ours for $1.97 each) and reused the welded wire from our previous fence. This new fence is sturdier than the previous metal stakes that we used and it looks nicer in my opinion.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2958624867764832989.post-74023685502400831892011-04-03T21:15:00.003-04:002011-05-21T19:42:51.671-04:00Raising Chickens: Part 2- Raising Older Chicks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3KT_sDKHXTeNhJVdYgQJVy-11OAlHouuSyLwR_3EqjTOH8oP1UIchBVEUtylBtSUWhX-yDnce7YhY4JXgdGD84cKCJKkwe884X-KNONByabxIpeWMduKHoaPWlAG6sf5XbFQGyJZVcqF/s1600/DSCF0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3KT_sDKHXTeNhJVdYgQJVy-11OAlHouuSyLwR_3EqjTOH8oP1UIchBVEUtylBtSUWhX-yDnce7YhY4JXgdGD84cKCJKkwe884X-KNONByabxIpeWMduKHoaPWlAG6sf5XbFQGyJZVcqF/s200/DSCF0914.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that you have chicks that have fully feathered the next stage of raising chickens begins. This next step what me and my husband call the "teenage stage” and at this stage we move our birds outside and in our transition coop. We came up with this when we already had full grown pullets and didn’t feel comfortable putting the chicks in with them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you can see this coop is fully enclosed so they are more protected from predators since they seem to have so many of them. We have had many experiences in this area so there will be more on that. When we first starting thinking about building this coop we with wanted something that wasn’t very tall, easy clean and safe. We had to hurry to build this coop so basically made it a rectangle with a human door for cleaning and a door for the birds. There are no built in roosting post but removable ones for when the birds get a little older and want to roost. Since safety was a large concern we decided to enclose the whole run. We did this by framing the whole run and then stapling poultry netting to the framing. There is also a door that swings for us to go in and out of the run so we can get to the coop. If we could do it over again I would but linoleum on the floor for easier cleaning like we have done in our larger adult coop. We have learning that linoleum on the floor has made a world of difference in cleaning the coop.</span></div><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=abegininghomestead&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1603424695&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06165920590088981295noreply@blogger.com2