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
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
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!
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!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
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....
Thursday, September 29, 2011
More Snakes
I guess we didn't cover the hole well enough. This morning I went to water the baby chickens. It was actually the first night I turned the light off for them. Turned on the light and there was another big ol' king snake with a bulge in his midsection. Right next to him was a chicken just sitting there. Not injured or anything.
After a small fight with the stinky snake, which I won, I came back to count the chickens. There were three missing, but I could have swore, that there was only one in the snake. It was big enough that you could see the entire silhouette of the unfortunate chicken. I went ahead and watered and fed them. They all seemed to be recovering find. I moved the feed totes to get to the layer mash, there was a chicken still hiding in the corner. I put him by the food and he started eating just fine. Then I got the goat chow and saw another chicken huddled behind there. He was fine too.
The snake did only get one. I still have 15. It was a bit of a shock since I had not been missing any eggs. Guess my mothballs are done doing their job. I need to sharpen my shovel a bit. Got more of a workout than I expected this morning (especially since my treadmill died on me this morning too).
I guess I better go and see how the little survivors are doing.
After a small fight with the stinky snake, which I won, I came back to count the chickens. There were three missing, but I could have swore, that there was only one in the snake. It was big enough that you could see the entire silhouette of the unfortunate chicken. I went ahead and watered and fed them. They all seemed to be recovering find. I moved the feed totes to get to the layer mash, there was a chicken still hiding in the corner. I put him by the food and he started eating just fine. Then I got the goat chow and saw another chicken huddled behind there. He was fine too.
The snake did only get one. I still have 15. It was a bit of a shock since I had not been missing any eggs. Guess my mothballs are done doing their job. I need to sharpen my shovel a bit. Got more of a workout than I expected this morning (especially since my treadmill died on me this morning too).
I guess I better go and see how the little survivors are doing.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
End of September
Really?? September is almost over? Where did it go? I had so much to get done...did I do it? Gosh, I am not sure. Better pull out that September list...
My greenhouse raised bed is doing okay. A windstorm blew off the back door of the greenhouse and it has not been repaired yet, which means animals, including rabbits can get in there. I tell you this because I had green bean plants blooming and ready to put out little baby beans. I waited two days because it had been rainy and cloudy so assumed that I could get away with not watering as much. Well, I ended up with one little stem. No leaves, no blooms, definitely no beans. All 6 plants that were blooming were gone! Poof! They didn't bother my cucumbers. They are faring nicely, growing up the small trellis. The basil I planted in the raised bed is beautiful. I see an Italian meal in my future. I made a bit of lattice work and put different lettuces, spinach and radishes in. They are coming along nicely too.
In the outside garden, the rain watered our turnips, radishes and broccoli . I still have three 4x4 sections to fill. Some kale and cabbage would be good, I think. I will be going through my seeds over the next couple of days and get that done.
I guess it is about time to pick my one little white pumpkin. I was hoping it would grow a bit more, but alas, it has not. It is still in the mid 80s in the afternoon though, so I don't want anything rotting. Then again, maybe I will wait a bit on that.
Why is it I want to wait on things that need to be done now and do what really needs to wait? Do they make medicine for that? Not that I would take medicine, maybe an herbal tea...
My greenhouse raised bed is doing okay. A windstorm blew off the back door of the greenhouse and it has not been repaired yet, which means animals, including rabbits can get in there. I tell you this because I had green bean plants blooming and ready to put out little baby beans. I waited two days because it had been rainy and cloudy so assumed that I could get away with not watering as much. Well, I ended up with one little stem. No leaves, no blooms, definitely no beans. All 6 plants that were blooming were gone! Poof! They didn't bother my cucumbers. They are faring nicely, growing up the small trellis. The basil I planted in the raised bed is beautiful. I see an Italian meal in my future. I made a bit of lattice work and put different lettuces, spinach and radishes in. They are coming along nicely too.
In the outside garden, the rain watered our turnips, radishes and broccoli . I still have three 4x4 sections to fill. Some kale and cabbage would be good, I think. I will be going through my seeds over the next couple of days and get that done.
I guess it is about time to pick my one little white pumpkin. I was hoping it would grow a bit more, but alas, it has not. It is still in the mid 80s in the afternoon though, so I don't want anything rotting. Then again, maybe I will wait a bit on that.
Why is it I want to wait on things that need to be done now and do what really needs to wait? Do they make medicine for that? Not that I would take medicine, maybe an herbal tea...
Monday, September 26, 2011
Chapter 4
"Learn from Kids as They Live in the Moment."
Yes, I have a big problem with being in the moment or focusing. Friends and family will ask me, "do you remember when..." No, no I don't. Sometimes it may be vaguely familiar, sometimes it does not ring a bell AT ALL. Often times I have felt that I might be losing my mind. But I know that it is my ability to "multitask" during stress that causes this problem. When I am in the middle of typing a "stat" report and the kids come in and tell me something I need to do for them at school...guess who forgets to do that.
There was one point in my life where I was so stressed with an outside job that I was forgetting important coversations at work and at home. Peoples lives were dependent on some of these details. It was at that point that I realized I had to lessen my stress. So I did quit (and began working at home eventually). There was a few weeks of decompression and it felt wonderful. I still have stress and yes there are things that I should do to help myself, but I am not ready to move forward on those for different reasons.
One of the things that I have picked up on, as many people have, is yoga. I took a few classes to learn the correct poses and get more of an insight to the practice. I now practice at home, sometimes. Not nearly as often as I should. I absolutely loved it. The focus on the breath and the moment, on each small fractionated movement your body goes through as you change poses and positions. Learning to relax different areas of your body. It is a wonderful, calm feeling when it is finished. And that feeling does stick around for a while.
I guess I had better unroll my mat and take some time to focus on the now...not fret about the past or worry over the unknowns of the future. Now is really all that matters, isn't it. (Namaste)
Yes, I have a big problem with being in the moment or focusing. Friends and family will ask me, "do you remember when..." No, no I don't. Sometimes it may be vaguely familiar, sometimes it does not ring a bell AT ALL. Often times I have felt that I might be losing my mind. But I know that it is my ability to "multitask" during stress that causes this problem. When I am in the middle of typing a "stat" report and the kids come in and tell me something I need to do for them at school...guess who forgets to do that.
There was one point in my life where I was so stressed with an outside job that I was forgetting important coversations at work and at home. Peoples lives were dependent on some of these details. It was at that point that I realized I had to lessen my stress. So I did quit (and began working at home eventually). There was a few weeks of decompression and it felt wonderful. I still have stress and yes there are things that I should do to help myself, but I am not ready to move forward on those for different reasons.
One of the things that I have picked up on, as many people have, is yoga. I took a few classes to learn the correct poses and get more of an insight to the practice. I now practice at home, sometimes. Not nearly as often as I should. I absolutely loved it. The focus on the breath and the moment, on each small fractionated movement your body goes through as you change poses and positions. Learning to relax different areas of your body. It is a wonderful, calm feeling when it is finished. And that feeling does stick around for a while.
I guess I had better unroll my mat and take some time to focus on the now...not fret about the past or worry over the unknowns of the future. Now is really all that matters, isn't it. (Namaste)
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