Thinking of Spring

Matt and his Dad plowing the new ground

Here we are April 21, (My mom's birthday) and still just thinking of spring.  It has been so cold and yucky out that we haven't done much.  But oh that doesn't hold us totally back.  Here's what we've done.  We added 1/3 of an acre to our property.  So exciting!  We added 3 new garden beds, and hopefully a garden shed, orchard, and vineyard this summer.  Are we CRAZY?  Don't answer that!  Here's some pics of us starting our new ground.  The boys loved having Grandpa over with the tractor and the fact that we were finally making our garden.

The boys learning from Grandpa

Matt is so handy and smart for making tools that we need.  He designed a three pronged tool to go deep into the ground.  Our goal is to not have to till, because it disturbs to much of the ground.  Worms are to do the tilling.  Poor Clyde had to sit on the back though to get it to go as deep as Matt wanted.  It was pretty funny and the boys thought it was hilarious!  

  Well, right now we only have a few things planted.  Our lettuce is          up and growing nicely.  We also have spinach, radishes, and scallions in the ground.  We have part of our peas in, about 60 ft. of them.  Matt planted 200 onions white and yellow.  We have 200 red and 100 candy to plant yet.  Usually we have all of our peas, potatoes and onions in.  Just getting a late start this year.  It will happen, we just have to be patient.      Well, I'm having major problems with typing and positioning today.  Think I'm done.  post more soon.      

Matt with his new tool

Homesteading

Well it has been a long time since I've posted again.  We have been doing so many things!  Gardening, Traveling (Yes, Matt and I went away for a weekend!), Canning, Soccer, and School.  We have been busy researching on how to homestead.  It is so cool, and we both feel so strongly about it.  I've asked myself what does this really mean for us, homesteading.  Isn't that what we already do?  We live in a home and we make it work for us.  But it is more than that!  It's using the land that God created, tilling it, planting it, reaping from it.  Its using natural things that God made for cleaning, power, and heat.  Its cooking using the foods that God made.  Its teaching our boys how to work, how to use their talents, and teaching them to enjoy the work that they do because they are doing it for a purpose.  We are realizing that when we use our hands for the Lord in doing His work, it is rewarding.  Its not a chore, its a joy!  Do we struggle through it?  Yes, because we have been corrupted by the things in this world.  We are told quicker is better.  Easier is better.  More things in your house is happier.  Bigger is better.  But when the day ends and you put your head on your pillow, what do you remember?  You remember all that you did, all that you accomplished that day.  The people that brought a smile to your face.  Homesteading is hard work, but we enjoy it.  I think its because we did it!  We used our strength, our muscles, our brains to do it.  Not technology!  Are we totally there yet?  No, I still use my microwave.  (That's my challenge for the week, Thanks Linda) We don't have chickens or a cow. ( We are thinking about the chickens)  But we are working on it.  And enjoying the process!  Ok, I'll get off of my soap box.  This is where we are at right now.  Homesteading, think about it!

The top picture is where Matt and I went for our vacation.  Amish Country!!!  It was Great!!!!!!!!!  We love it over there.  So peaceful and calm.  I could move there very easily!  Now thats homesteading!