*holy smokes batman

OK, so I am not writing about the sayings of Robin, of Batman.  I am here to tell you that my darling husband is researching many things that can help us here on the farm.  A year or more ago, I wrote wrote a blogpost about how I was asking God for a barn on our property. I wasn't really thinking total rural life that we now live, though I am grateful and would have it no other way.  Eric, I think, has been thinking about this rural self-sustaining life for a long time. He is the one who gave me the list of veggies he wanted us to plant in the garden, he is the one who gave me a list of fruit trees he wants us to get planted on the property, he is the one who gave me the list of berry bushes/plants he wanted me to get planted, he is the one who researched nubian's and has decided we are going to be getting several, he is the one who told me to invest in New Zealand Rabbits and gave me the "go" on chickens. He is the one who recently ordered these:

These are bat houses.  Hmmmm. Yeh, I hear you wondering.... I did the same. He, however did some research and decided that our property can be helped immensely by bats.  Once I read about the help that bats can offer, I was so on board. I hate flying insects and especially the ones that munch on my flesh.  Living next door to a horse farmer, surely the bats will find many insects to keep their tummies full.  Studies I have read state that bats eat up to 2000 insects per night - that is what I call pest control!  If you live in an area that may be rich in bats you should consider putting in a few bat houses, whether you build your own or buy some. 

*catching up, whew!

Summit, my other son

Summit's drip castle in the beginning...

This is a busy time of the year for me, you and many around us I am sure!  For us, spring break means a fuller house and I couldn't be happier about it.  My other "son", Summit was here last week and time flew right by, before we knew 7 days had passed he was leaving us.  As I hugged him, before he went through air port security, he told me he would see us this summer.  This is possibly the last summer he will come. These young men just keep growing up! Jobs will take priority and responsibility will start taking it's place more which will not allow for carefree travel such as summers spent away from home. 

The day Summit boarded the plane is the very day my sister arrived with her daughter, Kierstyn and our nephew, Austin.  Henry and Austin were like peanut butter and jelly the minute they arrived and have pretty much been since.  Kierstyn gave hugs and shortly thereafter wanted to visit the rabbits and chickens.   Much of her time the first couple of days was spent standing in the chicken tractor with the chicks funny as that might sound, it is true.  She has named several of them and we shall study some famous American women in order to finish naming the other "girls".   We spent some time at Destin Beach today, the weather was just right.  We enjoyed the beautiful outdoors, got just enough rays and then headed back home.

This week cleaning, weeding, sewing, painting, tiling, and all such other things will take a back seat.  Next week will hold plenty of time for such tasks. This week is for investing, investing in my nephew and niece - something I look forward to each spring and summer when they come to stay with us. 

*wordless Wednesday #2

Great Dane sitting on lap of my mother.

*wordless Wednesday

*i shall plant a seed or two ...

This weekend I shall set in some vegetable and herb plants as well as many seeds into our garden spots!  I am excited as I start the largest garden we have ever personally had, one that will provide us with a large harvest abundant enough for preserving.   We will work our land, and enjoy the fruits of our labor at a later date.

Just today I sat down with the seed box so I could make a plan for the layout of the gardens.  Once I got that all figured out, I set the bowls of water on the counter so I could pour the seeds in to start the germination process.  I learned this from my mother and father years ago. You can soak your seeds a day or so before you plan to put them in the ground and  this will help speed up the sprouting process.


Here is a list of some of the things we are planting in the vegetable gardens as well as the herb garden:
carrots
cukes
yellow squash
zuchinni squash
field peas
butter beans
pole beans
horseraddish
raddishes
onions
potatoes
tomatoes
peppers
ornamental gourds
watermelons
cantelopes
parsley
cilantro
basil
oregano
chives
dill
okra

and probably a few others I am forgetting at this late hour!

So, tell me, what are you planting in your garden?

*wordless Wednesday