Getting Started

Well, here we go again.  Lord Willing the economy will not interfere again.  After all that is why I am doing this.

Steven done the digging and I done the mixing and planting. Cannot wait until tomorrow.

I have a lot of open area on these 2 1/3 acres to plant and design.  I want it to have a natural look to it.  I have to be careful starting off because I may be building our home this year.  I do not want to start anything I will have to dig up or move.  I plan to have a smaller family garden and will be building a greenhouse for Carla to grow things through the winter.

Carla has decided she wants to start doing some canning and I think that is great.  Carla and Krysta are learning to shoot handguns and will probably be adding rifles and shotguns soon.  

I am sorry I have not posted in a while but hopefully this will be a regular thing now.  I am getting back on the chicken coop as soon as it gets a little warmer. 

This first planting will be Loquat, Plums, Pears, Peaches, and 4 varieties of Blueberries.

I am going to have to figure out how to make these pictures lay out right.

This is the line between us and our neighbor.

Digging the first hole for the Loquat tree.

This is a corner our drive will go around & our neighbors trailer.

A Loquat Tree

A whole row of fruit trees.
2-Peaches, 2-Plums,  2-Pears.
Six different varieties.

A Blueberry bush on each side of the Loquat.
2 different varieties.

Starting Again

Well, I got off track for a while due to the economy.  Here we go again.  We bought some fruit trees and will be planting them tomorrow.  I will post the type and pics later.  Might even be building a house this year.  Say a prayer for us.

Fork In The Road

Something new is coming. I am choosing a new direction. I will be posting on it shortly. It will bring me closer to what I am looking for. I hope it will inspire others as well.

Stuck Inside

We have been stuck inside lately due to thunderstorms. The ground has not had time to dry out. We have a high water table being here at the beach. It is not fun not being able to get out and get things done. I have enrolled in college and taking my classes online. You would not believe the reading required. Krysta is upset that we have not been able to finish the chicken coop and so am I. Not getting out and moving around makes you tired. We are looking forward to the 5th Annual Triangle Farm Tour on September 18th & 19th. We have already picked out our farms and route. With great weather we should have a great time and learn a lot. I will be sure to post some pictures after the trip but, You really should consider going yourselves. Hope to see you there.

Just plain HOT & WET.

     I have tried to get some work done on the garden and the chicken coop the past two days and have had rain and heat. I did borrow my neighbors disc and worked the garden. Krysta and I decided to disc up a small area off to the side where we could plant some pumpkins, winter squash and maybe even some turnips. It is a small test area about 25 feet long and 4-5 feet wide. We double dug it to loosen up the soil. We were able to spread some horse manure over it just as a storm came up and put an end to our fun.
     I am tired of working on the chicken coop. It was so humid today that 15 minutes outside and I was soaked. It would rain then stop and start again. I will (barring more rain) finish up the coop by Wednesday of next week. I have decided to build up the garden this fall by layering manure, straw, and leaves and letting them sit over the winter. I hope this will add to the tilth of the soil and raise the level of the garden to prevent standing water. I think I will try to build two 10'x4' raised beds for the spring also to see how they do. I also told Carla that I would plant her a row of blueberries this fall so I will have to prepare the ground for that also. I only have one more day off so I will have to start doing things around my schedule. I will be in the firehouse for the rest of night shift. Yes, I am considered a firefighter also.

Since I have started this blog I have put in a lot of work with little return as far as the homestead goes. No coop means no chickens means no eggs, you get the picture. I have noticed a personal benefit though. I sleep better, feel better, appear to be getting stronger and just plain enjoy what I am doing. I spend more time with my daughter and less time with the TV. I have noticed myself doing a little more work in the house which I hope my wife notices also. Krysta helps me outside all day and does not pass out due to the lack of television or Wii. Steven will be heading to College in August so his chore list will undoubtedly pass to me and Krysta.
     I have a lot of things I want to try on the homestead and will post them as I go but right now my priority is to get the coop finished. I will try to add a few links to articles and information I implement on the homestead so others can try it out.
 

Home Sweet Home!

It is always nice to get back home and sleep in your own bed. We had a great trip to North Carolina. As you can see the kids got to do a little swimming. They are ready to go back again and I would not mind myself, but I have to get things going on the homestead. I have windows for the chicken coop and a tiller so we can start to prep the garden. I better get started.

Krysta & her Nana

Steven & Krysta

Cannon ball!

 Carla & Her Mom

 Krysta & her Paw Paw

Fun in the sun

I got up early again today. It seems that 6:30 am is my new wake up time. I took CC out to take care of business. I don't seem to mind, and that is what is surprising. I jumped in the truck and went to Walmart for coffee. Yesterday I was going to mow the grass around the trailer and let the rest go because it was so hot. I started push mowing and really enjoyed it. I ended up push mowing a lot more than I usually do. I ran out of gas and bush-hogged the rest. I did not mind the heat at all. I took my time, had several breaks, and drank plenty of water. We crammed all of us and a friend of my son (Veronica) into the Toyota Tacoma and headed to North Carolina. It was a crowded but fun trip. I stopped at my grandmothers old house and picked up some windows for the chicken coop. they will provide plenty of light and ventilation. We spent the night at my mom & Harolds. It was hot but nice to see them. My sisters Jeannette & Donna came over as did my grandpa Lamar (90 years old) and Agnus. Mom fixed chicken pie with all the fixings. I had brought my beans from the garden that Carla had fixed and they got ate up. We all piled back into the truck and headed to Brenda & Butch's (Carla's parents) house on the lake. We all sang songs until we got there. It was fun. We spent the evening at the lake. Me fishing (not catching anything) and the kids swimming.
Today will be a day of relaxation at the lake. I hope I will catch a fish or two. If I don't it will be all right. Carla's Mom Brenda is very kind to let us borrow her tiller. It will make thing go a lot better back at the homestead. I can't wait to get back and get started.
I saw that Peggy and William of Hidden Haven had lost a few animals due to the heat. I am really sorry and hope they get a break from the weather soon. Maybe even a little rain for the garden. It has been dry.
Well everyone else are starting to wake up. Krysta just came in and already has her bathing suite on. So, I better go get some coffee before its all gone. I will post some pictures later. Time to go take a dip in Lake Tillery to cool off.