School Books, Canning, and Summer Madness!

Well, Sunday my son got some sort of 'bug' then gave it to me by Tuesday. Thank goodness it was only a headache with some body aches, but still it took 3 days of my life that could have been much better spent elsewhere, but God knows what He's doing and I trust there was a reason He slowed us down those days. And for that part of it, I'm thankful!

But the green beans and zucchini didn't slow down on those days... But, I'm not complaining. Gathering things from the garden makes me happy. And thankful that we are able to harvest and even can a little of this.  Like I mentioned in my previous posts, we started this year with a smaller garden. And smaller gardens mean less produce, so next year I'm going bigger!! I think with our mulching system, my husband won't flinch too much at that. In fact, this is the first year we've had a garden that he hasn't had to do ANYTHING in!  I did get some canning done last week with some green beans. I didn't get a lot but it's free, and it's more than I had! 

My blueberry (cherry type-heirloom) tomatoes are starting to ripen. I love their sweet taste! Can't wait until these start rolling! Other tomatoes are also coming along! Shortly, we will have lots of tomato juice, and maybe tomato paste! Maybe I'll just can the pizza sauce that I always whip up... Plans, plans... 

School books are also rolling in! We have most everything now except for 2 orders that should be in by Monday or Tuesday.  Boys are already getting excited. The older ones are less excited of course, but still excited. They just don't like to be tied down when it's so nice out!  Neither does their mother!! **shhhh!**

Tonight, we are going to have our last family dinner in the home that I grew up in. We moved there when I was 2, and that home raised 5 kids and has seen 12 grandchildren. But my parents aren't as young as they used to be, and moving means lots of new opportunities for them, as well as less work to take care of! So it's a great move for them. Next week, on Thursday and Friday, we will be moving most of their things. Pray for us that things go smoothly! 

Well, I suppose I better get back to the STUFF that awaits me!! I sealed some sugar in my FoodSaver, and it's just waiting to be put away, my canned green beans, are also waiting to be put away, laundry is almost done. Just waiting for clothes line space at this point. Need to sweep and dust yet. And get my dishes ready for dinner tonight. Goodness, seems like much more to type it out like that!! I Better get moving!! 

Everyone have a great weekend!!!!

Much to Catch Up On!

Has it really been since April that I posted? 

Since we got all of our mulch in place (gardens!) and started planting, things have seemed so busy! When summer FINALLY kicked in, it felt like there was so much to catch up on!

Well, things have gone pretty well overall! We just finished 4H, so I might have a bit more time for posting! 

Overall, chickens are doing great. Our layer hens started laying ( we have 5), and we are getting 5 eggs everyday. Almost everyday we get a 'double-yolker' from one of the hens, which excites the boys. They have some discussions on who will be one one to eat them!

For fair, we raised ( and sold) our 3 goats. I have always enjoyed having goats, but on our small property, we just can't keep them. Maybe someday, we can purchase land next to ours and keeps some, but for now, we can only keep them for 4H.   Our boys sold their goats at fair, so they are now gone.  We also raised meat birds for fair. We still have them (fair ended a week ago) but have a call in to a local Amish butcher to get them in soon. My husband can do the butchering but doesn't enjoy it, so we hire it out and it's not much more to have someone else do it. My husband has a more than full time job, and has gone 1-3 days a weeks helping my parents redo/ move into a 'new' home. They are both unable to do much/ any physical work, so he wants to bless them with help!  So, he is more than too busy! 

My garden has been doing great! We started off small this year to see how the mulching system would work. And honestly, it worked out great!!! Like I've posted before, we got free mulch from a local compost facility for free!! And we got a LOT! And thankful we did! It's kept me from having to do a lot of weeding! Oh, we've had some weeding but not even close to what I've done in previous gardens! And we are now pulling out produce from the garden. We've picked green beans, lettuce, and zucchini. I've also picked a few cherry type tomatoes. Next year, it will be bigger!!

I just canned some green beans also! I bought a pressure canner off of eBay several years ago, and am so glad to have it! Though it's starting to leak a bit ( seals are shrinking), it's always been a great canner.  Can't wait to get more done!

Well, besides some landscaping (from free plants and mulch!!), that's about it! I will post more soon on individual things. Until then, have a blessed and plentiful week!!