Spring has sprung!

Our garden is Tilled, and the Chicks are tucked away in a cage in the bathroom waiting for bigger warmer feathers!
How is spring already here?

I got a New washer for clothing, its a Tub from farm and fleet LOL and I plan to buy a wash board from Lehmans.com to make it complete...

So excite for the summer ahead, the planting and saving of food, the building of our chicken coop and MAYBE the loss of a Fridge...(we will see LOL)...Camping and fires with home cooked food from the cast iron skillet!!! I can smell the fresh air country air and bacon now!!

Spring is in the air!

Ahhh The sweet smell of spring...The smell of rain, and mud! I Love it!

Plans for this years garden are under way! We are looking for our seed and Going to be starting them soon! Its Always a Blast to get going in the Spring! We are starting To get things Cleaned up and sorted after a winter of collecting junk LOL Hope to do a Full spring cleaning this up coming weekend...but its up to the weather!

Chicken plans are underway as well...we are hoping to get 2-3 silkies they will be my 5y.o. Bday gift!

Just so excited to get things underway!!!!

Lucien is born

Lucien was born Feb, 26th
He was 8lbs 14 oz. 21 inches long!

He is Nursing well and Doing great!!!

Yule gifts time!

I am on a Roll with the yule gifts LOL

I made my eldest daughter a Blanket, and I have made 4 hats and am almost finished with two scarves (LOL I can stair at the same color/pattern for long to I do two at a time and switch off)

I have to make the Finger puppets, and the Magnetic Fishing game for the girls this week...and then I hope to start making dresses for the girls..

I also made apple butter and will give out homemade bread to the Adult family members we give to...Its a Tight year, but even this early it is so far the best we have had LOL.

Long time no see.

Oh how time does fly, I havent posted here in ages it seems LOL

I dont really have allot to say, the growing season is over, I re-homed my Chickens (They live on a nice farm a few miles from me with Geese, ducks and other chickens!) for lack of winter housing, I still bake and Cook but nothing really exciting LOL

I will update again soon.

I cant wait any longer

I Pulled out my fall items...

Not Halloween, Just fall...Like my wreath, and my pumpkin coffee mugs and Sugar container
and little odds and ends...I know I am a bit headed of myself But I cant help it...My fall crops are coming in and I think its time to "Doll up" my house for fall...because I swear here fall is only a month and a half long then we have Snow...So I want it to Last a Bit!!!!

I wonder if people think I am crazy LOL

We have a birth plan

As of late we have been thinking strongly of my births.

My first was in a Hospital, My second was in a hotel room with a Midwife (If you MUST know why the hotel...you can IM or e-mail me)

Now, I just feel that My Husband and I are going to go unassisted.
I know this is a touchy subject for many...even for me, since I feel so strongly about it....I feel it is the best choice for me and the best choice for My baby.

I also feel it is the best choice for my family....I Have done the research, thought this through long and hard (Yeah for a LONG time...since I was Pregnant with my second child...over two years ago now.)

I am Vary excited about my choice, yet sadly can not tell my whole family since they tend to be fear mongers (And I mean the pop off with crazy stuff to...not just the "what ifs").
I saddens my husband and I to keep this a secret but since most of them seemed offended that I chose to forgo the Epidural last time...they wouldn't take to this well.

Anyways, I just thought I would post this...since the pregnancy is such a Big part of My life at this point.

(For those who would like more information on UC www.unassistedchildbirth.com is a great place to start)

Ahhh fall is coming slowly but surely

I am feeling vary good about this year, We have plans to visit a few Apple orchards (Mmmm fresh apples)
and then OF COURSE Pumpkin Patches Galore.

While the PP doesn't open for awhile...a few Apple orchards have apples ready...I will be buying a few bushels so that I can can and store Apple butter, Apple pie filling, Apple sauce, and Apple Jelly.

I will also be freezing apple slices so that I can use them in recipes all winter...I Cant wait. I LOVE the tastes of fall!

I will also be buying many pumpkins, I plan on having enough to last us through winter...I plan on making everything from Pumpkin pie filling through pumpkin butter...I have ALLOT of recipes being handed to me right now so after I test them all I will post them.

I just cant wait...I am so thrilled.

Getting ready for Yule

I know that its still a long ways off (Well not really only 5 months-ish!)...But why not get a headstart?
I am planning on making all the gifts for my children and family this year...
I plan on making homemade Goodies for the family Like soaps and body scrubs (and Closer to yule cookies and yummy goodies!)

I am going to start a few blankets for My girls and their cousin Hannah. Then also going to make them stuffed animals...

I plan on canning some homemade jellies and jams for them and then the day before yule making some sweet breads to go with them.

I Have allot to do before then and It will take some time since I have to make things for the new baby as well.

I am also making a art set for the older kids...But I will buy the things and put it together

I am going to get started next week with the blankets, and the start a few baby blankets to...we will see how it goes from there.

ahhh fall in july

Yep...I would swear fall is on its way in right now...

It hasn't been warm here! its Kind of driving me nuts (And making me want pumpkin pie!)
My garden is still growing vary well...I have another dozen tomatoes ready to be plucked (I plucked 6 yesterday) My Peas are ready...and we have about 40 bell peppers that are almost ready...My Cabbage has come in (All at once like always)

Yeah its been a short summer...and I am starting to wish that fall was really here...it would be fun if it was cooler and we where going to get fresh apple cider donuts and Hot apple Cider...

Oh well....maybe it will warm up soon.

Big news has a bit of change

My due date is NOT the 4 th of march...it is Feb 23 (Hubby's birthday)
My ultrasound was showing me at 6 weeks not for (It does make sense with my Menstrual)

Today I am 7 weeks 3 days With a Long ways to Go!

Sick

Ugh,
Sickness set in at my house a few days ago...
My youngest was first...High fever then she went horse.
Then My Elder daughter got a sore throat.
Now I have what feels to be a double ear infection, and a Killer sore throat (On top of the morning sickness)
UGH, I think I got hit the hardest, its not fun.
I have tried a few things tonight, I used Garlic/willow oil in my ears... Gargled Vinegar, then drank some hot lemon water with a touch of honey.
My ears feel a bit better, but my throat is almost worse now (Maybe in the morning it will feel better).

I have to say its this weird weather, its been odd here and Quit cold (For july) and its been rainy and gross...I hope we get some warmer, dry days soon...maybe that would help my ickiness.

Big news

I am Pregnant with baby #3!

My due date is the 4th of March 2010 and I am 4 weeks pregnant today!
I cant wait to get big and round! and I cant wait for all the different Pregnancy tid bits (You know, Like baby kicks and watching your belly do "the wave".

I am So undecided, about where I am going to give Birth this time. I love My midwife but I don't want to leave state this time around, I would love to just give birth at home...

I don't know if I am up to a UC, I don't know if I am really there yet. I trust my body, but do I trust my brain enough to know what to do if I hemorrhage (I did with my youngest daughter)

I guess I will Figure out what to do I have 8 more months to decide!

Cleaning day.

here are some of my cleaners.

This and that cleaner (All purpose)
1/2 cup vinegar
a small squeeze Natural dish detergent
2-3 cups water
Essential oil of your choice! (I like Dragons blood myself, but also like lavender)

Mix all in spray bottle and get cleaning! (BTW I use 2-4 drops E.O. But sometimes more, To much and you will have an over powering perfumy smell)

Dirty floor detox
(I don't know how this reacts with certain floorings, I use it on my hard wood and tile)
A squeeze Natural dish soap
1/2 a cup of baking soda
essential oil (Again I like dragons blood, But Orange is nice as well)
1-2 drops tea tree oil

Shiny time glass cleaner
(This one is REAL easy)
Mix equal parts vinegar and water
you may add tea tree oil, but its not a must.

Shaking the sneezes dusting water
(I would recommend making sure this doesn't damage certain finishes)
1/2 cup vinegar
the juice of half lemon
1 cup water.

I hope this helps some get a start on getting Clean and Green!

A few steps backwards

I started washing My clothes by hand a few weeks ago...
I work at whenever need be and I have to say I really enjoy it!

Yes, I have a washing machine, But frankly it doesn't do the job as well as I do and uses twice the Water!
I got this strange notion that I could do a better job by hand for most things (Not my cloth diapers thought...I use the machine for them) and I was right.

I started making my own laundry soap, washing by hand and hang drying, My Kids LOVE it...My daughter Will about fight me to get her hands in the wash water and do some cleaning (Makes me so proud!)
My niece comes on laundry Making Day and grates the soap while I do everything else.
Its a big help and cuts my work time by half (And If need be I can chase the baby while she grates!)

Ahhh A few steps "Backwards" and My life feels so easy...I cook, clean, and care for my babies and Fur babies...
Since all my lifestyle changes I feel like a better person, and feel like I don't have to worry as much....Simplifying has really Changed my life for the better.
and a small task like washing the clothes by hand just makes me feel good.

The garden is growing Like crazy!

everything is growing so well this year!

Its wonderful seeing how hard work becomes such a bounty in a matter of months!

We have Large tomatoes that will be red before the 4th of July (That's my guess at least) and the Blueberries are turning Blue and I got to eat a few today They where SO good straight off they Bush!

I have some peppers coming in (the only bad part is that they are supposed to be bell peppers! they where mislabeled!) they are yummy and sweet...not hot.

My zucchini is growing extremely fast, as is my cauliflower!

Peas are vining quickly and the beans have flowers!

I got to eat baby greens from one of my pots today, they where so tender....the BEST salad I EVER had!

Its so worth while to plant a garden, I now couldn't imagine summer without it!

My chickens are growing

My chicks are starting to look like chickens, Its so neat to watch them root around in the dirt and Dust bath!

They are eating Like crazy and enjoying their new coupe, I cant wait to see what they look like full grown!

I have to say I cant believe how easy raising chickens has been so far, While you do have to clean the coupe out (Not hard since the bottom slides out and is lined with newspaper!) and you have to check their food a few times a day...But they are the EASIEST animals I have cared for yet!

I hope anyone afraid to have chickens for fear that they are hard work reads this, They are easy, and fun!

Its so funny to watch them day in and day out...They have such personalities! Annebelle is a fighter LOL she likes to Jump and Abbigail....Abbigail is Lazy when you let her out to roam she falls over and goes to sleep (Not always but allot!)

I have to say I LOVE CHICKENS!

Could they survive?

Could most people survive if we had a crisis and their was no gas, Not food at the Store, and no one to save them?

I dont thinks so,It maybe Crazy to think about, maybe its scary (It scares me) But Sitting back acting like that cant happen is a death sentance if it does happen!
People now Dont have basic survival Skills, They wouldnt know how to Forage for food, How to garden or save seeds, They wouldnt know how to get meat, They wouldnt know how to survive!

I dread the topic, Because I usually am made to feel as if I was crazy, But to me its crazy that no one else seems to worry about how they and their families would survive.

I wish more people would open their minds to what could happen if things keep going in this direction....we could not be able to afford foor, or gas...and State Aid isnt going to be able to bail out everone.

living a frugal Life

It seems simple enough right?

Its harder then it seems sometimes, Especially when you need things!
I had to buy canning gear, and get food at the store (I HATE buying food anymore), we needed some pectin and other things.

I hope that soon I will be better at being frugal, So far I haven't done so well...But doing better at it day by day.

I am Learning to quilt now, and going to start making summer Dresses for the girls.
I Learned how to can, that will save us money in the Long run though!
I Have re-started making my own laundry soap and got some kerosene lamps_sp_ (thanks Grandma!)
I have made all my cleaners except dish soap.
I am also hoping to learn to make bath soaps as well.

I have been thrifting, Hoping to find fabric and odds and ends like buttons and other things of that nature.
I Did find an old petal foot singer sewing machine(My mothers day gift From My Hubby) which I will be learning to use, but for now I am using the singer Sewing Machine From Wal-mart that Hubby got me for x-mas (LOL I have 3 machines all together now, I also have a singer "rocketier" from the early 60's).
Its So much more fun bargain Hunting at Yard sales and thrift store then going to the mall....I cant count how many Items I find with tags still on!

I have started Meal planning and that's going well, It stops me from impulse Shopping (well Mostly).

I am Learning the Ins and outs of the frugal Life...slowly mind you.

Now its time for me to iron some fabric for my daughters new Quilt...she needs a New blanket since her store bought one is a bit tattered (Yeah, One year and it looks like crap...Thanx wal-mart :(

Garden

The garden is growing like mad!

We have Huge tomatoes Coming in, They should start ripening soon!
The Blueberries are turing Purple and the strawberries are Red!
My bell peppers are coming in and the Zuccini plants are Huge!
Peas are up to my knees and The beans are getting flowers.
My salad greens are Getting Bigger By the Minute!

We even got to eat a bit from the garden today, Just Green Onions But they where the best ever!

Its so nice to see our Garden in full swing! everything is Doing SO well this year, and I hope that they produce Like they are growing now!

My Cherries are also starting to turn Red! (Woooo Cherry Pie!)

I am SO excited, It seems we will have a great year, Lets just all Hope those bettle things dont destroy anything later this Year.