I think I've found a new happy place... I've always enjoyed my garden, but I'll be honest, some years have been more stressful than others. There have been times where I found myself conveniently avoiding the garden area of the yard, as I didn't want to own the reality of dying vegetables, messy rows, and insane numbers of weeds. People would come for a visit and ask to the see the garden, and I'd gently steer them to the newborn ...Continue Reading
Growing Potatoes: The Definitive Guide
I've never met a potato I didn't like. I'd eat them for every meal if I could, and I usually have to force myself to think of alternative side dishes, because in my world, potatoes go with everything. (This may have to do with the fact I grew up in Idaho? I can't help myself.) Therefore, it's only logical they'd be one of my most-favorite things to grow in the garden. I get all-sorts of giddy when I'm pulling pounds and pounds of ...Continue Reading
Raising Meat Chickens: Our First Year
Messy. And delicious. That's how I'd sum up raising meat chickens. I guess technically it's not our first year raising meat birds, as we did have a small test-run last year. But this is the first time we've had a larger bunch, so I'm calling it our first "official" year. I don't really feel qualified to write a definitive, all-encompassing "how to raise meat chickens" post since we're still new at this, but I did want ...Continue Reading
Building Our Raised Beds
Oh gardening... We've definitely had our ups and downs, haven't we? From basically planting a lawn in my garden plot by using poorly composted horse manure five years ago, to poisoning my garden last year with tainted hay mulch, I've had some absolutely spectacular garden fails. Animal husbandry definitely seems to be more of my thing, but I've never been know to quit after falling flat on my face, so onward I march. Now that ...Continue Reading
How I (Don’t) Do it All
"I have SO MUCH extra time right now... What will I ever do with it all?" How many of you have ever said that? Hmmm... no one? No one at all? I'm pretty sure that's a thought that's never crossed my mind. Time management is a HOT topic, isn't it? Especially with us homesteader-folk who attempt to balance an old-fashioned lifestyle with all the demands of a modern one. One of my favorite books is Essentialism by ...Continue Reading