The first week is done and we already did a field trip. Dakota had a couple days where the attitude started but it does go away after a bit.
Personally I think things went good. Will be busy this weekend preparing things for next week and freezing corn and making applesauce and apple butter.
We've been busy getting wood stocked up for winter (we have been working on this since June), I like to get another 20 truckloads by the end of Sept., but it makes it kinda' hard to do with homeschool now, but we manage, hubby goes by the sawmill in the morning before he goes to work and loads up my truck and leaves in the driveway till we finish with homeschool and then Dakota and I unload and stack.
Well another rainy weekend were suppose to be having. Gotta get busy.
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Well yesterday was the first day of home schoolin' for Dakota. He thought it was ok. I thought it went well myself......let's hope the rest do the same.
Raining still, sure has been a cool month of August, were thinking that it's going to mean a bad winter. Michael is off to get another load of wood this morning, were still a few loads behind where I want to be, come the end of September.
Found a Wooly Booly caterpillar a few weeks ago....no black stripes on it at all. My step mom found one the same way....what ya think that means? No winter at all? Yea Right!
Well it's time to face another day.......and make the best of it.
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Well it has been a busy one around here as usual. Last night we finished up the canning and freezing of tomatoes, green peppers, spiced apple rings, zuchinni, corn till I get back in town. Atleast it is a group/family effort, had my 2 sons husking the corn while hubby and I cut it off the cob and I was doing the blanching.......done and still made it to bed at a decent time.
Today is my last day cleaning houses for others (Yipee!) and starting Monday homeschool......excited and nervous.
Leaving to head to my mom's house tomorrow to help unload all her belongings coming from Florida....will be back in town on Sunday or hopefully Saturday if all the moving goes well.
Well it's time to get a move on!!!! The day has begun and I need to get the rear into gear.
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Yesterday was busy cleaning the chicken coop and getting a load of wood, 1/2 bushel of peaches and apples. Today were going to drop off some yard sale items to an Amish friends house, get another load of wood, clean off back porch and whatever we can fit in.
Homeschool starts in less than 2 weeks so trying to get all that we can get done before then. Days seem so full I have no problem going to sleep at night. Well no time to waste........
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Today was big day for both Dakota and I. We meet new people and kids (he didn't want to go, was very upset I was making him go). Dakota was so shy and felt so out of place that when I was to meet with the other moms he was heading back to get in the truck......told him no, that I didn't know anyone either but this is something we had to do. So he just stood out by porch and watched the other kids (wanting to join but not knowing how to) so the woman hosting the meeting went and took him out to where the other boys were playing football and he finally joined in. The next thing I knew they lent him a pair of swimming trunks and he was in the pool having a wonderful time with all the new kids he just met.
After it was all over he had a great time again......I keep telling him that he has to try new things out to see if he really likes them or not. Each time he says he had a really fun time.....now who would have known that moms know what they are talking about?
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Have been busy the past few nights workin' on canning. Finally got husband and sons to help out some.....and boy do they complain how tiring it is, how HOT!! the kitchen is.....I bet they will definitely learn to have appreciation for all these canned goods now.
Made Blueberry Jam, pie filling, and froze a few bags. Froze up the carrots and last night we made Honey-Spiced Peaches, and canned the others. Would like to get another 1/2 bushel of peaches on Thurs. or Friday and make Peach Jam along with some pie filling.
Well off for now.........
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Last month just flew by and now another one has started, thought things might slow down a bit this month, but so far I don't see that happening.
I'm still working on cleaning the house and tearing up the carpets.
Home school will be starting in 26 days, ran into a friend today and she said lots of people she knows are turning to home schooling this year.
My Mom came and got her dog this morning, it was hit by a car the other day while we ran to the little Amish store. We found out her pelvis is broken but the doctor said he has seen these heal perfectly, so my Mom has opted to let it heal and pray for the best.
Boy, the heat is awful, suppose to be cooling down tomorrow with some more showers. Let's hope.
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Haven't been on here much lately got tons going on. Got the doctors' appointments done and paper work just about filled out and ready for the school officials (homeschooling). Had to find my diploma....that was fun.....NOT!!!! Most of our belongings are still packed up as the house needs to finished.
Got 16 pints of beets canned over the weekend (boy did I pick a super hot day to do so!!!!), used the pressure cooker given to me but I wasn't sure if it's me or the pressure cooker but I couldn't get to reach the right pressure.....but it was my first time using one and I was so nervous it was going to explode...kept telling Dakota.....STAY AWAY!
Well today is lawn mowing day, I spent a few hours on Sunday and got the mower working and sharpened the blade, will let Dakota try to do some more mowing (with me watching, I'd rather get him a push mower like the Amish use.....little safer, I think). Well time to get busy before the heat gets to extreme........
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Haven't been on here very much lately, things have been quite crazy around here. Got Dakota's 9th birthday party out of the way yesterday, it was a success. We invited the Amish children over, according to their mother we gave them many good memories.
Got his trampoline put together that his brother bought him for his birthday. Gotta say it's fun, but boy was I out of breath with all that jumping around (my 1st time ever).
Now this week coming is more doctor appointments and getting the papers ready for the school district (homeschooling).
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Upon returning last night from fireworks, my oldest son had gotten home......late. At work he lost the tip of one finger and lost the other below the nail, can't believe no one called me from the hospital. He had a rough first night, by the time he got out of the hospital all the pharmacies had closed.....we found some 500mg. ibuprofens......they didn't do so good for him tho. He now has his own pain pills and doing much better, went to work and is on light duty (answering phone) till he hears otherwise from the doc. I'm just thankful he's ok, as his job is a dangerous one.....drilling for gas.
Today we put up some of the eves.....got some angry wasps and bees as we are taking their homes away......too bad!!!! Started raining so we headed to go look at a log cabin for sale (no were not selling or thinking about buying), just like to see how other cabins are built.
Off to start something for supper and do some more reading on homeschooling.
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Gosh, it's been a few days since last posting. Been busy working on things around the house, summer house cleaning, canning room is now finished except making the door.....jars have been washed out, and decoration totes have been moved in there now.....and it looks so nice. Reorganized the storage room (excercise room) and vacuumed some of the basement yesterday. Reading books on homeschooling, strawberry picking, got 12 1/2 pints of strawberry jam made the other night (they all sealed....
). Actually made it out to the veggie garden yesterday and thinned out some carrots and beets.....gave the chickens the thinnings. Took a quick stroll around the flower gardens yesterday.....geesh, all this rain has helped some more of the seeds sprout and the weeds are loving it too. Lawn needs mowed....but don't know when I'll get the time to do this. Today's plans are to move the wood from Dakota's bedroom to ours' (house is unfinished and were only living out of 2 rooms), so we can start working on it. When hubby gets home were going to start working on putting up the eves around the house, so the birds and bees can stop using our attic as their personal home.
Yesterday Dakota helped me in making some wipes:
Take a roll of Bounty paper towels cut in half, remove the cardboard tube, put roll in large (2 LB.) plastic Folgers coffee container.
Add 2 c. of water to pan add 2 TBSP. of each baby lotion and baby bath, stir and heat till mixed, pour over paper towel roll....wait a few minutes cover with lid. When cool, pull from the center of the roll.
Think I'll start this morning out with a cup of coffee in hand and take a stroll around my flower beds that are being so neglected this week then get busy inside.....suppose to having company Sunday or Monday....so wanna get the house somewhat in a tidy order before then.
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Today was my bi-weekly house cleaning day for the 3 houses I do. Helped this elderly woman defrost her freezer, she had food dating way back to 1996, it was time to go. Came home to Lemon Herb Chicken in the crockpot, I put it in this morning before I left. While I was out my hubby and oldest son finished putting up the shelves in my canning room......and did it turn out better than I ever envisioned
I was given 4 hot water canners, a pressure cooker and numerous dozens of canning jars. In the process of washing up all the jars.....and what a job that is....spiders, dead bugs, webs and dust. But hey all was free so I'm not complaining. Was offered more jars today but said let me take inventory of what I have and I'd let her know.
If time and weather permits tomorrow I'd like to go strawberry picking, have the need to try my hand at canning (exciting and scary).
All and all today was a good one for me.
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Well it looks like rain is in the forecast for the next few days....that will give me some time to tackle my 'summer' house cleaning (since spring just by passed me). Try to work outside on nice days, and rainy days on projects inside.
Finished the bathroom yesterday......boy can wood stoves do a number on your walls and with DUST!
Another thing that is keeping my very busy is a mother cat has walked away from her 2 week old babies (4) only 1 left now, so me and my son are trying to take her place and keep it alive.......how demanding being a cat. She's meowing again.....she's like a real baby, just wants to be held and cuddled.
My oldest son took Dakota to town for breakfast and do some errands with him (he loves to spend time with his Bubba). Then I will meet them at the library....it's movie day for the kids, while they are watching I will do some researching on homeschooling. Thanks ya'll for your advice on homeschooling subject.
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I've been throwing this idea around for quite sometime......
I use to homeschool my son in TX (preschool years) but then he decided he wanted to give public school a try.....well anyways to make a long story short. I let him and now we live in PA, he's now going into 4th grade and has been asking me to start homeschooling again and frankly I would prefer to do so, as what this boy comes home with, questions, comments, and just things I don't think kids like him should be talking about.....too darn young! Before we moved up here he was so innocent.
I checked out books from the library and did my homeschooling from that (as back then we didn't own a puter) but I've also heard that there is homeschooling over the puter now (haven't really checked out any) but was wondering how ya do it and do you have any suggestions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.....Thanks in advance.
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One of my Amish neighbors' caught me in the garden pulling up the radishes, I remember her telling me her boys love them so I gave her an armload of them (I can eat a few then I get heart burn), and a dozen 1/2 eggs (we just can't eat that many and we don't produce enough yet to sell any, our babies should start laying around November). She came over to ask if I'd take her hubbie to the bank, feed store, and grocery store this morning. So with all that accomplished I guess I need to get out and get the garden weeded and start on the laundry. Nice sunny day for drying the sheets on the line.......just love the smell of outside dried sheets.
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I'm new with this and hope I'm doing this right.
This young lady had a really freak thing happen to her......read her blog.
http://www.homesteadblogger.com/Snowberryfarm
Have a great weekend
Tina
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This morning I sat out on the back porch with coffee and binoculars in hand, in the rocking chair (love watching the birds). Taking in all the sites, sounds, and smells.
Thought to myself 'Rich doesn't always mean having money'......I feel our lives has become so much richer in other ways since we moved up here. Yes, we live paycheck to paycheck trying to make it stretch further and further, it's quite a struggle at times (what am I saying.....all the time) but I wouldn't change it or move back to Texas for anything in the world....the only thing I personally can say that I miss about TX is our other kiddos and Mexican resturants (Taco Bell is as Mexican as we get in this small town, but not that we could afford to eat out any anyways).
Here we have a yard without being fenced in, crime is at a minimum around here (we can actually sleep with the doors unlocked here), we have 4 seasons, my child gets to play with friends without worrying so much as to where he is at (my step daughter was kidnapped and molested [returned alive, thank god] in TX, Dec. 28, 1992......so we became overly protective parents I guess you would say).
Even tho sometimes this can be a pain....most stores around here close around 6p, not open on Sundays, but that's something we like too, we feel that the world has lost touch with what is one of the most important things in life....YOUR FAMILY, seems like everyone (or businesses) are out to make a buck nowadays.....everything has got to be 24/7.....phooie!
Moving here I believe has made us all much richer and happier in so many ways.
We have gotten rid of all credit cards, the only payment we have to is my truck (another 11 months to go....YIPEE!)
Our motto is 'if we can't pay cash we don't need it that bad'. We recycle and reuse everything we possibly can, we shop yardsales, resale shops, curb shop, and dumpster dive. So many people are so wasteful, but than again I'm thankful there are people like that, they have helped us out.
Now isn't life GRAND.......being RICH?
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Thought I'd start ya'll out with some pics (if I do this right). This is our cabin when it first became ours'.....the blue add-on is now history (we salvaged most of the wood, roofing, wood flooring and windows, were using it else where as the projects arise) and the concrete foundation will become the future pond. As you can see it's a work in progress needing alot of TLC
This is the back of the cabin. The pool is our project to get up and running next spring (a little at a time)
. This is last years' veggie garden 20' x 40'......(quite proud of myself, never had a garden that did so well). Last fall I decided to enlarge it some 28' x 48'.....hoping this year does as well or better.
Well today's plan is to get out and plant some more seedlings that I winter sowed (trying to reclaim some deck space back) and if all goes as planned were due for more rain storms, yes, I love it when God and Mother Nature help me out.
Then take Dakota to the library for craft day, they are painting bird houses and do few other errands while in town (gotta save on gas). If time and weather permits I will get out and do some weeding in the veggie garden.
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We moved up to PA (my home town state) from TX (lived there 19 yrs.) Wanted more to offer for our last child than what we could give him in TX, plus I was homesick and wanted something different in life.
August 2004 .....the long haul to PA
November 2004....bought our UNFINISHED log cabin....(a dream come true for us)
Our cabin is located in Amish country with most of our neighbors being Amish. I'm learning alot from them and respect their way of life. I totally agree with living the simply life will make ya a happier person.
I live in NW corner of PA with hubby, and 2 sons (our other 3 children live in TX)....(Dakota almost 9 yrs.and Brian, 20 yrs.). Brian, just recently moved here from TX.......but the wrong time of the year, just in time for winter so wasn't sure if he'd make PA permanent home, but I do believe he has really come to like this area.
My son, Dakota plays with the Amish children daily. I love how they have to make up their fun and games (like we had to as children).....freeze tag, hide n' seek, building tree forts, collecting nite crawlers and lightening bugs......don't get me wrong. Dakota does get 1 hour of video playing per day (providing he doesn't get an attitude or mouthy, if so he loses the hour till the next day). But I honestly would prefer no TV's, and video games......kids need to use their imagination.
Upon buying our cabin.....we've been doing alot of reading on homesteading....I think that is the way of life for me.
We only own 1 acre but I do try to make the most of what we have, I try to grow what we can to be self sufficent (not including cows or pigs) but we do have chickens, rabbits, veggie garden and fruit trees (still young and not producing yet). I'm such a flower nut I'm expanding yearly on the flower beds....trying to cut down on the mowing, as it takes all day with a push mower. Hubby wants a riding mower but right now thats not in our budget, so we do with what we have.
This year my big venture will be learning to can. My sister bought a house where the people left all their canning supplies, she gave all them to me. Now working on setting up my canning room in the basement, that will mean another room closer to have the cabin finished. YIPEE!!!
This lifestyle change has proven to be good for all of us......and I know I will continue to learn something new all the time.