Spring is here!! almost....

This weekend was filled with warmth and dreams of the future months. There is nothing better than waking early and the sun is shining. How can one not want to go out and get hands dirty?

I was finally able to start my garden. After discussing with our landlords, we got the ok to plant a small garden as long as we fill it with seed or sod upon moving out. So I started with 10 x 10 as a starter.

I'm going to purchase the bulk of my seeds and starter plants from my farmstand store to insure heirloom. I also have a few planter pots that will hold other plants. Since I'm a full time Homesteader and SAHM, I know I'll have the time to tend to these responsibilities like never before. I've kept a small garden and plants over the past few years but nothing this big. And last year really only consisted of a few potted plants. So I'm excited to really start my gardening going for the summer.

This is my perfect time to practice my skills so that we can (hopefully) live off our land in the future. I know that there will be a lot of mistakes and mishaps and that is ok. What better way than to learn from experience.

This years garden will consist of my typical squash, zucchini, peppers and tomatoes. But I will also be trying my hand at corn since we go through so much. And also want to try some peas. Broccoli will also be making an appearance albeit small as Beanie and I are really the only fans. And then some spinach, carrots and butter crunch lettuce (Greg's Favorite). I also plan on purchasing another blue berry plant to hopefully produce berries for my sweet Papa. They are his favorite!!

Big plans for sure!

While today is snow covered again, I know that is only for today and tomorrow will be warmer. I cannot WAIT for only warm days and to be able to spend the majority of our days in the garden and outside.

Time flies when you are having fun

It seems like yesterday when I brought home my first baby girl. I'll never forget those wide beautiful blue eyes looking up at me for the first time and all the amaze and wonderment of it all. And then just a couple short years later my second bundle of love came along. My sweet and wonderful "Bean". And while I yearn for the days when I'm not on constant alert for my little ones, times bring us right back to reality and I relish those sweet little snuggles.

Today was like any other morning with the hustle and bustle around the house. Up early and rushing about the house to get Sox off to preschool. Drop off went well and Bean and I returned home to do our normal morning time set up. I fixed her a hot breakfast of leftover baked French Toast that I had made over the weekend. Then after all was done shuffled her off to her room for a short show of "Little Einsteins" while I made butter and then vacuumed. Seems easiest to do these quick tasks while my ever so inquisitive Sox is in school for now. After butter making and vacuuming I told Beanie it was time to get dressed so we could go about our day and go get sister soon. I followed her into her room as she ran off and in slow motion it seemed, she tripped over her own feet in only the way two year olds do and face planted into the corner leg of her bed.

Now its funny but when things like this happen I get amazingly calm and collected. Strange as I always imagined myself freaking out in said situation but I don't. I picked up my now screaming toddler and wiped the blood from her nose and comforted her in the way only a mommy could. And as I sat there rocking her and hushing quietly to her it hit me. These are the moments that I will miss most. I had a big morning planned of making wonton wrappers and more organizing but at that moment none of that mattered. Because my baby NEEDED me. And she didn't want me to go. So I sat there rocking her. Closing my eyes and smelling her sweet hair. And trying so hard to imprint this moment into my memory so I will always have it.

It goes so fast. Too fast it seems. These times we have with our children. We find out that a new little bundle is coming. We bring that bundle home. And with a blink of an eye they are growing up and independent and you are fighting with them to just give you a quick hug. I'm already learning that now with my sweet Bean. Ahhh independence. Two is the year that we get to experience it lol. Potty training has been a test of patience that's for sure. But I love those sweet moments when time seems to stand still and we remember what it was like when they were babies. I know my babies are still young and I have so much to look forward to. But they are growing so fast and I can't help but try and pause to remember those rare moments when all they want to do is have you hold them. I'm registering my first baby for kindergarten this year. Before I know it, I will be attending my youngest baby's graduation. And at those moments, when I watch her cross that stage, with all the excitement and joy, I will still close my eyes and I remember those big beautiful blue eyes of my Sox looking up at me while tears of joy filled her daddy's eyes. I will remember that sweet smell of my Bean's hair and how at one time, she did not want me to let her go. And all will be perfect in my world.

2014 Goals

I had learned early on that New Years "Resolutions" usually don't make it past the first month before they are cast aside and forgotten about. I'm more inclined to call them goals. That way there is no pressure to have them done. More to have something to work towards. Then you feel so much more accomplished when you have completed them.

This year my goals are for both homesteading and personal. I like to stay well rounded and grounded.

 

 

2014 Goals

 

1. Build Planters - We live in a rental house so are unable to build a real garden as we have pretty strict landlords :-/
2. Plant Garden (Vegetables and Fruit) - in the planters of course
3. Start Purchasing Raw Milk  YAY COMPLETE!!!!
4. Make Dress - I'm always making things for the girls and others but I've never made anything really for myself. I've seen an idea of purchasing vintage sheets and making a dress. Really want to do this for the summer.
5. Build a Chicken Coop (for the neighbors) -  We live in a rental house but have some pretty awesome neighbors who are willing to loan us some of the back land, when needed, for chickens in exchange for as many eggs as they want. So we are going to build a coop/tractor (for our neighbors chickens).
6. Replace/Build Savings account - When we started out we owned a VERY Small house in Seattle. Then Sophie came and, shortly after, Beanie. We learned pretty quickly that not only did we need more family around but we were quickly out growing our house. Unfortunately, the economy didn't really seem to care about are situation so we ended up selling our house under short sale. We first drained our savings to move to Utah to be closer to one of my sisters but found out quickly it wasn't for us. So, again drained our account to move to Kentucky to be closer to my mother and family. This was the proper move for us but very costly in that we, again, we're stuck with no savings. So this is the year to put that back!
7. Start Christmas Presents - Last year I waited WAY too long and was left scrambling at the end of the year. I always make our presents for family so this year I would like to get a head start.
8. Make Kombucha - I've always heard this stuff is amazing for you. And I have found a flavor that I like at Kroger. So maybe this year is the year to start brewing it for myself? We'll see.
9. Purchase Bow - This is for Greg. He has really shown interested in archery and hunting. And to be honest, having a freezer full of organic, FREE Meat, is mighty appealing. 

 

So those are my goals. Again both for Homesteading and personal. Not bad for already having completed one!

 

Yay for 2014!!