OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH NEW

It's true. I have made a significant change in my life by quitting an excellent paying job to stay home and focus on my dream-the homestead. It was a scary decision in two aspects...one, just the fact that I know jobs are hard to come by and the feeling of "am I doing the right thing???" and two because I prayed and got a direct answer from the man upstairs, and that is scary in the fact that He was having a one-on-one conversation with me.

So I am afraid that Valley Creek Herb Farm is a memory...because it was the name my mother gave the farm and with her moving back home to the Midwest, the "herb" is misleading since my greenhouse skills are far from hers. I am happy to grow a cucumber seed.

Instead, our farm (and blog) is now named Lost Arrow Acres. If you are still interested in following us as we continue to move forward in our homesteading attempts, look us up there.

It has been an interesting 16 months, but I have feeling the good things are just beginning.

Love,
Rachel

Snake Pile

It's official! I have a path to the pond to throw the deceased snakes. Since the drought, and the water is down, I can see my snake pile. I hate to kill them, really I do, but even more so, they cannot eat my eggs, let alone the chicks. However, my chicks are old enough now that the odds are in their favor. Now I just have to protect my daily egg.

The snake this morning was in the chicken yard (the fenced area) just in front of the coop. I had already gathered my egg this morning, so he was getting ready to leave empty...stomached.

During our quarrel this time he got his lower two feet around my boot---boy does that freak me out! Of course, the little chicks were scared to death--NOT! They were playing with the end of his shaky tail like a toy! Probably quite entertaining...from a different perspective!

Chapter 5

Protect your Privacy


What I get from the book is about making yours, yours. Having a sanctuary. I think women all have a bit of that in their nature, some stronger than others. I don't think it is being unhospitable or rude to have time for yourself. I think a person must have some time for renewal, alone. Of course, growing up as an only child, I may have gotten too used to it.

October Garden

As I have said before, this Southern gardening thing is really hard for me catch on to. Luckily I have friends who send me e-mails and I get e-mails from other "homesteading" newsletters that help me along, month by month.

I got my garlic to plant in the mail. I have read up on where and how to plant. I am going to put it in a section of raised bed (really my raised beds are just boxed beds, not that "raised.") and also some near a couple of rose bushes just for fun. I also have ordered seed potatoes, which were very hard to find. Next year, I will make sure I save some of my own! But I am going to try the fall planting and see what happens. At this point, I expect most to rot or not come up because of this quick decision. With the changes that I have recently made in my life, I really must do everything I can to ensure good harvests spring, summer, fall and winter.

I was so disappointed in my pumpkin patch. The drought, the squash beetles. All those winter squash and pumpkins I planted...my result....one wee white pumpkin....