Goodness

Here are some of the things that are making me happy lately:

Homemade kettle corn.  I made this for a snack and almost wouldn't let the kids have any.  It was that good.  

Little eggs from our youngest hens.

Seed starting.

The curl in the middle of this little girl's forehead.  The rest of the rhyme holds true.  

My rainy day sewing project.

Spring buds and blooms.

The white water in the creek after a day-long gully washer.

Kiddos and an umbrella.  And kid legs in shorts.

This amazing meal.

My t-ball player.

I hope you have lots of things making you happy right now, too!

Progress

The quilt is finished and was handed off to my niece as soon as the last stitch was tied.  It went into use immediately.   

Lincoln's tie was finished in time for our family Easter celebration and I have cast on his sweater.  I am working on it a little bit each day, happy in the knowledge that I have all summer to finish it.  

Saturday we planted our first seeds (broccoli, carrots, green onions, peas, kale, lettuces).  We are a bit behind schedule for the cool weather crops, but even a small harvest will be welcome.  

Sunday we killed and butchered our last two roosters (the hens were thankful!), and stacked wood and cleaned up the backyard.  We also dyed Easter eggs.  

Monday was the most beautiful day of the year so far.  We were able to hang laundry on the line and play outside barefoot.  I made it out to the berry patch to admire all the swollen buds on the blackberry, raspberry, and blueberry bushes.   

Today we planted potatoes and chucked rocks out of the garden.  We didn't even begin to make a dent in the rock population.    

We have been wonderfully busy, and I am so very looking forward to more of these days.

Crafting

With the beginning of Spring currently bringing only snow, I have had to put all of my warm weather excitement on hold.  I have been passing the time crafting; with the kids mostly, but also on my own when I can manage it.  

We love to get craft books from the library, and last week we got an especially good one.  Lincoln and Audrey have been pouring over it, so much so that I have only caught glimpses of the crafts while Audrey "reads" it to me.  The first inspired project was the flower garden in the 2nd picture above; I drew the flowers, Lincoln cut, and Audrey glued.  We cut down the snow storm in the play room, then hung the garden to welcome Spring.  

The next day we switched to paint.  We intended to draw butterflies, but decided that it would be better just to paint and cut out butterflies from the painted paper later.  That suited my little artists just fine, and now we have yards of beautiful, pastel colored paper to cut and paste.

When the kids are sleeping or otherwise occupied I have managed to slip in a little crafting of my own.  I decided a few months ago that I wanted to make a quilt.  I really had no idea what that meant other than some sewing and pretty fabric, so I consulted Wes's Granny, a quilt-making expert.  She gave me a few priceless tips and even gifted me with a quilt frame, which doubles as a jungle gym when not in use.  (Granny and her daughter, Wes's Aunt Alice, are my crafting Fairy Godmothers.  They have gifted me with enough fabric, yarn, needles, and the like to keep me busy for years.  I couldn't be more grateful to them!)

Right around the time I decided to make a quilt, my sister-in-law mentioned that she could not find a comforter for my niece in her favorite colors - yellow and orange.  That was the spark.  The next thing I knew I was picking out fabrics and Presley's quilt was in the works.  It is nothing too fancy, just squares (and uneven ones at that), but I have had fun and learned so much while working on it.  It will not be my last quilt.  

 

I have also been knitting.  I love to knit.  Above is the second take on a seed stitch tie for Lincoln.  It is a quick knit, but I am still a novice knitter and not terribly fast.  I plan to have it finished in time for him to wear it on Easter.  After that comes off the needles I am going to start the sweater I promised Lincoln months ago, and then a sweater for me.  Not to mention all the sewing I have planned.  Yes, I have plenty to do while I wait out the weather. 

Springing Forward

Happy Spring!!  It is finally here!  I start to anticipate the coming of this day on about January 3rd every year; when winter finally sets in and the holiday buzz has worn off.  I have been so excited for so long that I don't know where to start now that the day is finally here.  There are so many things to do right now that will determine the success of our growing season - seed starting, preparing the garden bed, staking, trellising, pruning...  It is easy to let myself get overwhelmed.  

I have other reasons to be excited, though.  Warm days mean going outside without jackets, shoes, even pants if you are Lincoln or Audrey!  Walks in the woods, playing in the creek, picnics and suppers outside - all good reasons to welcome the warm weather. 

Here are a few favorites from last year:

Despite my being overwhelmed, things are starting to happen around here.  The kiddos and I planted patches of asparagus and strawberries last week, Wes has started working on getting the big garden bed ready to plant, and a wheelbarrow load of finished compost has been put aside to use on seedlings.  We also made a makeshift seed starting area since my cold frame hasn't managed to build itself.  I am actually pretty proud of our idea, and will be even more so if it actually works well.  We took a big plastic storage shelf that was on the porch and moved it out to a sunny spot in the yard, up against a wall for support.  Once I get some seeds planted we will pile them in and cover the whole thing with clear plastic. I also plan to put a thermometer in it so I will know if it needs to be vented.  Now all I need to do is actually plant the seeds...

Lincoln

When my little fella wakes up on Sunday morning he will be four years old.  I can hardly believe it.  I know it's cliche, but it really seems like it was just last week that I was pregnant, and about 5 minutes ago he was my chubby, bald, big headed baby boy.  This little man that he is turning into, though, is more than I could have ever wished for.  He constantly keeps me on my toes, asking me questions that  are sometimes so simple I don't know how to answer them, other times so complex I don't know how to begin.  He is a dancing fool, can climb like a monkey, and can run faster than a cheetah (ask him to show you next time you see him!).  Lincoln is intelligent, curious, funny, creative, clever, strong, and well mannered; he even eats his vegetables.  I could not be more proud to be his mama.

7 months old

He wants to be a cowboy when he grows up.

He is the best big brother.

We have been celebrating Prince Week since Monday, and will conclude with a small party at home on Sunday, his actual birthday.  He has requested a choo-choo train carrot cake, and what the Prince wants, the Prince gets.  I plan to make this one, which looks nothing short of amazingly delicious, minus the nuts and raisins.  He is even going to help me make it tomorrow, that sweet little guy of mine.  

As if turning four isn't enough excitement for this weekend, tomorrow Lincoln is going to his first T-ball practice.  It is actually just try-outs for the teams, but it will be his first time on the field and the first time to see his peers.  I fully expect him to be a little nervous and shy about it, but I am so excited for him; I am confident that once he gets over his nerves he will shine.  He is something special.  

The Weekend

And oh what a weekend it was!  As I sit here on Sunday night I feel like so much was accomplished here on our little farm this weekend.  Notice I use the word "farm," which I have been reluctant to do in the past.  No more, however, because now we have a TRACTOR!  Chickens, a tractor, an orchard, a (soon to be) huge garden, always-pouring-money-in-and-never-profiting... if that doesn't add up to farming I don't know what does!

Big Blue and the bush hog

I should be fair and mention that most of the things accomplished this weekend were almost single handedly accomplished by Wes, the part-time gentleman farmer (he has to work full-time at a real job so we can afford our farming hobby).  Saturday morning we all woke bright and early; Wes headed out first thing to paint our amazing new chicken coop and the chicken tractor.  We then headed to my in-law's to load up our new (to us) tractor, and Wes's dad was kind enough to deliver it along with a bush hog that Wes had found.  

The former home of our flock: the Chicken Tractor.  Now for sale.

Sunday we again woke bright and early, except it wasn't quite as early as we thought thanks to Daylight Savings Time.  I really love getting the extra hour in the evenings, but the first few days of "spring forward" are not so fun - losing the hour in the morning, and evenings taking extra long because the kids aren't tired at bedtime.  Nevertheless, we jumped up and got busy.  We slaughtered two more roosters, this time putting them directly in the freezer for later use.  The flock was at 13 birds with four of them roosters.  The hens were getting attacked frequently, usually by all four at once, and it was not pretty; some roosters had to go for the safety of our layers.  I am happy to report that processing the two birds took about the same amount of time as the one did last time.  I may get good at this yet.  

After Wes had done his part of the rooster job (the killing), he fired up Big Blue and bush hogged several areas that were seriously overgrown.  The kids and I were exhausted, so we went inside for rest time while Farmer Wes moved on to another chore.  I am not sure what because I was inside reading and drinking coffee (that man of mine is a good one!).  After our nice rest we loaded up and went to Tractor Supply Co. and got some 3/4" couplers so the kids and I can make hula hoops!!!  I read this article a few months ago and, knowing that we have several coils of irrigation tubing under the house, I have been itching to make a hoop ever since.  We got a few other things - neem oil for the fruit trees and 2 peach tree saplings (purchased on a whim), but that stuff seems insignificant now that I have mentioned hula hoops.  

The weather could not have been more perfect for us today; all of us were in t-shirts and the kiddos were able to play in the creek.  It was a real reminder that spring is just 10 days away, and that the scales will tip soon and our time will be spent more out than in.  I am so very ready.  

Recipes: Homemade Tortillas and My Favorite Soup

Cooking is my favorite of all of the household chores.  I love it so much that I think of it as a hobby rather than a chore.  In recent years, since I have become Mama, I have taken my hobby to a new level by making everything I possibly can at home.  I love knowing that a pantry stocked with flours, dried beans and grains, an ample spice rack, and some meat and vegetables can make me just about any meal I want.  There is also the added benefit of knowing exactly what is in my food - no trans fats or artificial flavors are to be found in my kitchen.  Plus, food cooked fresh and from scratch just tastes better.

Tonight for supper I am making my favorite soup.  My mom gave me this recipe last spring and ever since I have been making it and tweaking it, depending on what is in season and in my pantry.  I make it so frequently that when I say we are having soup for supper, everyone knows that this is what they will be getting.

Before you read the recipe, you should know something about my cooking - I rarely measure anything and I take lots of liberties when following a recipe.  I have tried to include some of the substitutions I have made in the past without overwhelming the recipe.  Feel free to make your own substitutions, additions, or eliminations based on what you have, and don't worry too much about exact measurements.  That said, if you follow the recipe below exactly you will end with an amazing pot of soup.  

Vegetable Barley Soup

2 large carrots, scrubbed and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped

2 medium sweet potatoes or 1/2 of a winter squash or 1 summer squash, peeled (not the summer squash) and chopped

1 large onion, diced
1/2 c cooked greens, or approx. 2 c raw (spinach, kale, collards, etc.)
1 c barley or other grain (rice, quinoa, wild rice, millet, etc.)
1 can diced tomatoes, juice included, or 2 large fresh, diced
1 can or approx. 2 c cooked chickpeas or other beans, drained
2 quarts vegetable broth or water 
3-5 cloves garlic, finely diced, or 1 t garlic powder
3 bay leaves
1 t parsley
1 t curry
1 t paprika
1 t worcestershire sauce
1/2 t pepper
1 t salt (this can be omitted or lessened if you are using broth)

Throw everything in a big pot (6-8 quarts) and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Cover and turn to medium-low.  Let it simmer for 90 minutes, stirring whenever you pass through the kitchen.  This will make about 4 quarts of soup; enough for my family of 4 to have supper twice, or one supper and several lunches.  It will keep in the fridge for a week or so, and it freezes well, too.  

I like to make this soup vegetarian in the pot, but my meat-loving kiddos and husband would be disappointed if I served it without a side of sausage.  I cook ground sausage separately and then we add it to the soup once it is in our bowls, keeping the leftovers meat free for my lunch.  

To me, the perfect accompaniment to a steamy bowl of stew is some cheesy bread.  Tonight we will be having grilled cheese, but an equally delicious alternative is a cheese quesadilla, or cheese tortilla as we call it around here.  Here is my recipe for unbelievably easy flour tortillas.

Flour Tortillas

3 c flour (whole wheat, whole wheat pastry, all purpose, or any combination)
1 t salt
1/2 t baking powder
1 c hot tap water
3 T oil (olive, coconut, or non-hydrogenated lard - yes, lard - are good choices, but any oil will do)

Mix flour, salt, and baking powder.  Add the water and oil and knead until it all comes together, then form it into a ball-like mass.  Tear off balls about 1.5-2" across (think a ping pong ball).  You should get about 12 balls, give or take a few.  At this point, warm a dry skillet on medium heat.  Take a ball and roll it out on the counter.  Don't use any flour, sticking to the counter will help keep it from sticking to your rolling pin.  When it is as thin as you can manage, peel it off the counter and throw it in the hot pan.  Cook it for a minute or so on each side, rolling out the next while one is in the pan.  Wrap the cooked tortillas in a towel and keep them in a covered pot until you are ready to eat them.  Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge; they will keep for at least a week.  Enjoy!