Farm? or FarmNot?

Is this a farm? Uhhh, no. Not at all. It was—by my definition anyway. We had chickens. I had a little garden. It was a beginning farm… a mini-farm.

But now the chickens are gone, and my gardens are neglected. It’s a weird feeling. Not failure, exactly. Just… struggle. It’ll take years and a lot of work to turn this place into a mini-farm.

So we continue to work, and pray, and live, and raise our children. My number one job right now is Mommy. Also wife, teacher, chef, driver… the list goes on, you know.

Even so, every now and then I just can’t help myself. I got a little crafty this week and repainted this yard sale find. My plans include adding a few more containers to my tiny garden and hopefully getting some veggies and greens this winter.

Double the Yum

I got my first double-yolked egg today!

It was so exciting. Unfortunately, it wasn’t from my chickens. I don’t have any hens right now. :( I got these eggs at the farmer’s market. It was so neat to crack it open and see two yolks slip out.

No, I didn’t take a picture. I crack my eggs directly into the pan to save dish washing. No time for cameras.

Praying I’ll have my own hens again soon…

SunKissed Blessings

 

God blessed me with these surprises in my garden this summer, along with a volunteer tomato plant in my compost pile.

I am so thankful for these blessings. I did no work whatsoever in my garden this spring and summer because I was busy with these blessings:

And one more…

A gorgeous sunset in Live Oak.

Beach Trip

We are blessed that our mini-homestead is 45 minutes away from the Atlantic Ocean. Our girls love the beach.

Ben’s first Saturday off since December called for a family trip to the beach.

I love the one-gallon white buckets from my soap-making for picking up shells. They have lids! No more sand spilled in the car.

Even Eliott had a nice time, wrapped up with Mama.

He was born at home on March 31, 2014, with Mama and Daddy in attendance. His big sisters were in and out of the room with my Mother (Gaga) watching over them.

He was 8 lb 1 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. Born at 10:58 AM. Everyone is doing well. :) <3

When my pregnancy carpal tunnel finally goes away, I will add his birth story to my Kindle Book, Unassisted HomeBirth- a Collection of Real Life Stories, available here.

Strawberries and Roses

 

After this long cold rainy pregnant winter, I’m happily surprised to see that some plants survived.

I love winter for the greens. And the fact that we don’t have to mow. My red lettuce is so pretty. Lyli picked the chives flowers soon after I took this picture. She’s been having a blast snacking on brocolli and cauliflower. I confiscated the chives flowers for stir-fries.

I sure am looking forward to strawberries!

I hope I get some this year. Last year, Lyli and the birds and snails beat me to them.

A New FarmGirl Laundry Tip

I’ve been looking for a way to get rid of dryer sheets for ages. I know about the chemical residue they leave on your clothes, the toxins they leach into your skin and the environment, and you know what else? They cost too much!

But I live in Florida, and we have static problems. I plan to build a clothesline. But I haven’t yet. In the meantime, I’ve finally learned how to easily and without chemicals get rid of the static cling!

A tiny ball of aluminum foil. I just ripped off a sheet, balled it up, and put it in the dryer.

I wanted to try it out before I recommended it to you all, so I’ve waited through five loads of laundry.

I LOVE THIS!

It’s not giving us rashes or harming us or the environment. It just gets rid of the static.

I am sold!

Next, homemade herbal laundry soap.

A FarmGirl Night Stand

This rustic step stool makes a perfect night stand. My homemade candles made from upcycled tea canisters sit on the top shelf, my magazines and books fit perfectly on the middle steps and my glass of water rests on the bottom step.

What things have you upcycled around the farm and home?