Thursday, April 16, 2015

I chose the Old Red Barn Chicken Coop for the new "girls" I am getting.  Mike is so busy right now that I decided to buy a kit instead of going from scratch.  This coop has enough room for 4 hens (states it will house up to 6).  This coop has enough places to open that it is easy to clean.  It went together easily.  Directions were clear.  I am excited to have the weather warm up so I can put some chicks in it!  It is still freezing at night and I will need to wait. 

Of course, Mocha is helping!

Final Product




Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Spray plane over my home

One of the great things about living in a farming community is seeing some amazing things.  Yesterday the spray plane was spraying a nearby field.  It is so fun to watch.  He comes right over our place and I always go out to watch.  Mocha does too!  She will wait and watch as he go from one side of our place to the other.  Today one of my grandsons was chasing him.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Planting Prep

 Starting to sort through our seeds to see what we have.  We have some left from last year that we will be using, but also ordered seeds during the Winter.  We are receiving our seed packets daily from Johnny's.  My husband works on a farm and had a seminar where a Representative from Johnny's came to show off his seed.  They have a really good germination rate which made my husband very happy!  So he ordered most of our seed from them.  The other seeds we have had good luck with is: Survival Seed Vault - Heirloom Emergency Survival Seeds - Plant a Full Acre Crisis Victory Garden - 20 Easy-to-grow Varieties.  We ordered ours from Amazon for about $30. 






This past weekend was manure day!  Got cow manure from a local farmer and spread it out.  Even the grandsons got dirty!  Then Mike rototilled the entire garden.  We then watered it all down.  This week we will plant lettuce, peas and radishes.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Homemade Laundry Soap

 I love making my own laundry soap!  I am not big on scents and have a hard time finding something I like in a laundry detergent.  So, I have found the perfect thing for me!  I take Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda (55 oz.), 20 Mule Team Borax (76 oz.), Oxi Clean Powder Free (3 lb.) and two bars Fels-Naptha Soap.  I did find a scent I like, but it is optional to add.  I found the Bounce Bursts Outdoor Fresh to be something I like. I put a lid full into my ingredients.  You can add as you like to reach the desired scent. 
 Put all the ingredients into a tub to mix.  I use a hand grater to grate the Fels-Naptha.  I then stir the powder until well mixed. 
I then store in my garage in the tub.  I fill the Oxy box to keep above my washer to use for everyday. Make sure to mark the container you use so others will know that it is for the laundry.  I use about 1 Tablespoon per load.  I have rather hard water.  You can decide how much you will need to use in your location.  It costs approximately twenty dollars for the ingredients.  For a family of four this amount will last about nine months.  Hope you will try it and will find you like it as much as I do!

Monday, February 16, 2015

Sidewalk Time!

 We have waited a couple of years to put a sidewalk from the house to the shop.  Finally had it done last week!  It turned out really nice.  Now to get some more gravel in to fill and we are set!
 The Pour


 Beautiful!

Friday, February 6, 2015

The one thing that is a constant for me is my Mocha.  She has her faults and will drive me crazy at times, but she is the most faithful dog we have had.  During our first two years back in Washington (and looking back, probably for four years before that) I was ill.  Did not know what was wrong, doctor did not know what was wrong and all I could do is cry.  Mocha becomes very concerned when I cry or vomit.  Both of which I did regularly.  She will stay by my side and lay all day on the bed with me with her head across my legs.  It was always a comfort to me.  My husband would comfort me, but Mocha was the one who felt my pain. 

Someone asked me if dogs will be in Heaven.  My answer is always a big "YES".  I believe God wants the comforts we had on this Earth with us in Heaven.  I look forward to the day when I see the Face of God.  I also look forward to having Mocha there comforting me. 

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Winter is such a sad time for me.  Everything looks so dead.  In the Pacific Northwest the skies are overcast most of the time.  This year has been particularly hard because of all the fog.  I grew up in Washington State not knowing that there was sunshine during the winter months.  How surprised I was when my husband was relocated to New Mexico and I discovered that there was sunshine during winter!  The New Mexico Tourist Board advertises 360 days of sunshine.  AND, they are sooooo right!  But sadly, we now live where it is gloomy.  There is hope of Spring however.  Soon I pray!