Frost Cloth, Frozen Water and Back at It

      While the nation wraps itself in warm woolens huddled close by the fire I, too, sit near the warmth of burning embers- extra socks on my feet and a sweater over my jammies. Our temp only teased itself above the freezing point, never really getting the ice out of water buckets- needless to say, the livestock is not amused.

 

       Our homestead gardens are nestled beneath frost cloth and tucked safely inside the greenhouse while heat lamps and extra tarps cover stall and coop vents. My first day back in the office found me bundled up in the school gardens with the last bit of frost cloth found; an attempt to save the last remaining bits of the fall garden.

         Back to work also meant back to the gym. I won't lie- it was tough getting out there and working up a good sweat, but the farm boy and I really needed it. Cold as it was, we managed. Thankfully warm, nourishing soup was waiting for us at home. We curled by the heat for a hot bowl- he read literature lessons while I studied my herbalism lessons.

         I longed to be cuddled in my chair next to a roaring fire with a quilt in hand working in rhythm to the crackling embers. Since my right hand middle finger was jammed last week, hand work has been out of the question (not to mention the living room is a disaster- we are laying new floor). Going through an old dresser drawer I pulled this pretty blue tea cup quilt. I remember working the design with my daughter and stitching it for my mother; this sweet thing has been tucked away too long. Off to find a place to display it- I can't bear to put it back in the drawer- and maybe one more cup of hot tea before bed.  

Introducing...

     Needless to say, it's cold outside! With an arctic blast making it way down south my homestead is nestled in trying to stay warm. No gardening. No raking or mucking. We are by the fire sipping coffee, only braving the elements when necessary.
     All that and my first day back at work since the holidays arrived, I thought we would distract ourselves from the unpleasantries with a little introduction. Join me in the classroom as we take a look at a new section of our blog..'The Go Lady'. You have heard some of my stories and seen a few of my activities, but now there is a place where bits and pieces of my 'other side' can make an appearance. Hop on over as I share with you The Beginning of the Go Lady.

Watercolor Ponies

     It's funny how you can be going about your day when out of nowhere something stops you right there in your tracts. The dishes done, I went for some cream to put in my coffee when it hit me, my refrigerator is naked. Unbelievable! When did the crayon portraits and watercolor pony art museum disappear? This bracing dose of reality hit me hard, and it wasn't pretty.
      Years ago my husband and I were invited to a concert- we had never been to a concert, but decided to pull ourselves together and give it a go. While there a song struck my heart. We were a young family with tiny bundles of trouble challenging us, so at the time, exhaustion and chaos seemed to rule our home. This song brought me out of my exhausted stupor and made me focus, taking a long much needed look at my heart. You see, my daughters loved to water color- and for one of my little girls, ponies were always a muse.
       Then and there I vowed to treasure the time and find the little things understanding that time flies and babies grow up. Year after year the water color ponies went from the indiscernible semblance of a thing, to canvas pieces from a painting class. There were photos from various events in their little lives and even a few bulls eye targets proudly displayed by our little boy. The fridge was a mural dedicated and ever changing, just like the children who kept it going.
        Today, the water color ponies have all but rode away. My girls have homes of their own and my son is heading for independence as well. The fridge is empty like the bed rooms that once housed doll houses and farm sets. In my moments of reflection my heart was reminded that to everything there is a season- and each season is to be treasured. The emptiness of my fridge is temporary as a grand baby is on the way- she will one day offer her treasures which I will proudly display, once again creating a mural of life and activity. There will be pictures of little ones growing and all the activity that fills there day.
        In this moment I thank God for His grace in blessing me with a beautiful and precious family, for guiding us as we have grown, and for the family still to come as He has planned. My prayers are lifted for young families facing the same exhaustion and challenges I faced so many years ago. I share with you the song that stirred my heart then and came back to my memory today. Enjoy the water color ponies, for one day they will ride away.

 

Surveying the Seeds

      January starts the garden flow here on my homestead. The greenhouse is ready and waiting as I scatter seed packets across every surface. Dreaming and envisioning lively plants vigorously growing in the fertile soil, I make a list and check it twice- best be sure to have every seed needed for the upcoming season.

         As we survey the seeds, one important thing to note is storage. Seeds need to be kept cool and dry, preferably out of direct light. Here on the homestead, seeds are stored in plastic containers with an air tight seal. Desiccant packets are added to each container to further prevent moisture (these are often from a shoe purchase, a medicine bottle or such). Each container holds a grouping of seeds often planted in the same season, for example, the one I am working from today contains leafy greens, cole crops, radish and carrot, onion and the seeds of tomato and pepper which need started indoors for later. Due to humidity and extreme heat, seed containers stay comfortable and dark in the barn fridge.

            I am known for the 'notebook' issue; having one and carrying it everywhere. Once I 'outgrow' one, I carry two until weaned off the old one. That being said, there is always a spot in my current notebook where my seed list resides. What I have, what I need, and what I'm interested in are listed on a page (or two) with details regarding variety and quantity. There are side notes for my wish list, for example, I am wishing for a grapefruit tree and another lime tree. Since the notebook goes everywhere, I can reference it when seed/garden stops happen.

Hopefully this years seed starts will be as prolific and hearty as last years. Today we start the process and wait for the magic to begin.

Facing a New Year

     Blessings to each and every one of you on this start of a new year! It's time to take a deep breath and face 2014 square on; embrace it. The ending of one and starting of another is quite a challenge- the past few weeks have been a bit of an internal struggle for balance around here.

     Our holiday gatherings were simple and so precious; parents and grandparents joined us as our girls returned home for the visit. Hearty, homegrown meals were served in simple homestead settings as we shared, remembered and rejoiced. This family is blossoming and growing with new family members (two wonderful men!) and a precious new gift- a grandbaby on the way. What a celebration as we reflect on the past and look toward the future.

     The decorations are packed away; the house all clean and quiet again. I managed to find a little time for canning, cutting a new quilt, and preparing the garden for some early planting. Through it all my thoughts kept wondering to this little space on the big old web and how it will 'look' this year. In the past I have chosen a 'focus' for the year; an attempt at focusing myself and really putting some boundaries on my own thoughts. I'm not sure how focused it really made me.

      This year I have decided to let it be; no direction, focus, or hard core planning. We are going to live the blog like we live our life, day by day one task at a time. I am not abandoning the homestead series, but instead, letting it flow from my own daily tasks- for example, tomorrow I am organizing my seeds and preparing the compost- so that aspect of life and homesteading will come naturally. The classroom section of the blog is going to be home to a new glimpse into the 'other side of me' as I share my wonderful and sometimes challenging experiences as "The Go Lady"- again, it will simply flow from daily life without limitations or restriction.

     Since I have been studying the amazing world of herbalism and natural health, we will dig the earth and marvel in the joys of what nature has to offer- sharing recipes, remedies and help along the way. With my daughter having moved away, the herbal garden is fully in my charge this year and I have great plans to get down deep and work the wonders and beauty found there.

     Finally, as I face this new year my hope is to slow down and be- just be. To take the time to breath, stitch, plant, and play in every way possible. Working outside the home changes the structure of our days, and with one teen still home and homeschooling time to just be is truly needed to aide in balance and calm.
     I hope you will join me as we face this new year full of wonder, a bit of hesitation, and a whole lot of Godly love as we ponder what wonders He has in store for us.