A Country Girls Heart -Beats that Matter Archives - Page 2 of 7 - A Country Girl's Heart -Beats that Matter

November 6, 2019November 6, 2019

Homestead And A Blog

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In this post I share why I choose to homestead and blog. I talk about who encouraged and helped me along in the blogging journey.

My first blogging experience took place as a part of the 2015 TCA Thoroughbred Makeover where I posted 140 times sharing the story of preparing Navajo Bo for the event held at the Kentucky Horse Park. I realized I loved to write.

Homestead and Blog

I knew I needed to step away from the horses for at least a season. A seed of desire planted when we had purchased this property, began to grow as 2016 rolled around. How could I use what I had in front of me to grow my own food? create an income? I needed a place to work within the boundary of my current limitations brought about by my health struggles. One of my ideas: Blog about my journey.

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book Think and Eat Yourself Smart

I have learned and been encouraged for years by what Dr Caroline Leaf teaches about the brain, and thought life. I happily participated in her book launch Think and Eat Yourself Smart. In reading this book, I found affirmation to the ideas bouncing around in my head.

This dream of mine did indeed meet a need in our land. I wanted to share with others how easy it is to produce your own food. The following describes the original idea put into words in October of 2019.

Our Vision
A world in which preserving and cooking from naturally raised foods became a norm instead of a rarity. Where both men and women would understand their ability to raise much of their own food instead of relying on handouts  
Our Mission
To provide information to others on best sustainable farming practices with little start up costs by using the resources available. Encourage those interested in returning to local foods no matter if they are grown themselves or purchased from local farms

2016 A Start with Chickens

On our property sat a 60’ X 30’ chicken barn. It had been partially insulated and used for storing hay and anything else we needed a place for. In looking around at what I had, I decided I wanted to get chickens. The blog post Why Pick Swedish Flower Hens tells that story.

In May of 2016 I drove 3 hours one way to pick up Swedish Flower Hen chicks. I destinctly recall the anticipation of endless possibility and prayfully telling the Lord I was giving this chicken project to Him.

I joined Swagbucks in 2017. I earned $250.00 that year. A part of the total was earned when I signed up for Blue Host to host WordPress.org through Swagbucks.

2017 Website: A Country Girl’s Heart ~ Beats that Matter

The desire to blog continued to grow in me as I learned about chickens, and continued to care for horses. Knowing my interest in blogging, my sister forwarded an email to me sharing about an inexpensive course to learn about starting a blog.

Cyrstal Paine who sold the course, had won my attention as the author of Choose Gratitude: Blessings Journal.

I jumped on the opportunity to learn for the tiny investment of $7. I learned enough from that short course to keep me working toward my goal.

Crystal encourages and teaches at Your Blogging University and through Your Blogging Mastermind.

I launched my blog in the summer of 2017. I sat in the Irma downtown Cody, Wyoming working on this new venture and feeling the excitement of all the possibilities.

Crystal Paine’s Your Blogging University continued to provide me with course content helping me along the way. Each new course she launched I purchased at her introductory price. Learning and growing with each new basic blogging course.

2019 Blogging Mastermind Opportunity

When the email came announcing her mastermind group, I felt excited and believed I wanted to be a part. None the less, I prayed over the idea, and gave it time. I think I waited until the last minute to sign up. I wanted to be sure that I did not throw money after an emotional desire. Looking back the value exceeds the cost.

What is the Mastermind?

The basic format consists of :

2 live trainings every month
an online forum
an annual meet up
Office Hours: (new in November of 2019) live question and answer session 2 times a month.

The online forum provides a place to connect, network, view past trainings, ask questions of other bloggers and Crystal while inspiring each other to keep moving forward.

“The blogging world often felt lonely to me as no one in my immediate circle worked in this niche. I knew connecting with other bloggers would benefit me.” ~ Maria Graber

The live trainings provide inspiration to me to try new avenues. One example, Instagram, motivated me to become serious about growing an Instagram account. I admit I continue to learn the best ways to use this platform, but I went from no Instagram to a following of about 170. If you are on Instagram and like homesteading, chickens, and growing your own food, be sure to follow CG Heartbeats Farm.

We are given monthly assignment that correlate with the monthly live trainings. New members may view all the past trainings.

Mastermind Meet Up

The first meet up took place in Franklin, TN. I felt for the first time that this blogging journey is the real deal. Listening to others share their dreams, where they blog at and how they earn money from their website.

We split into smaller groups and created a 6-month goal for our blogging business. As we brainstormed for each other and formed new relationships, I knew I wanted to continue this path.

Listening to a conversation on a subject beyond my current level, served to inspire me to keep working. I not only set a 6 month goal, I gained a picture of what the future might look like as the business grew. These are the ideas that marinate in my mind.

I left feeling motivated, believing I too am capable of owning a successful blog. Connecting with other bloggers and seeing what worked for them gave me ideas of what might work for me. The fun thing about blogging is the unique way each writer brings their topic to the online world.

A local blogger opened her house to me and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and her family. She blogs at www.l eslieslittlecorner.com . Check her website out.

Leslie sets up new blogs for a great price.

My favorite part of the mastermind? The in person meet up, hands down, gets me feeling excited every time I think about going, both the past and future events. I am certain the value of meeting, connecting, learning, and encouraging goes way beyond the monthly price to be a part of Your Blogging Mastermind.
~ Maria Graber

Do you think Your Blogging Mastermind is for you? Enrollment is open for a limited time.

Your Blogging Mastermind: Additional Value for Me

In addition to the forum, weekly trainings and bi-annual in person meet up, Crystal gave us a unique opportunity. Her most recent course Monetize your Blog launched the end of September. Pre-launch, she gave anyone in the mastermind who wanted it, the entire course. In exchange for writing a review of the course, we could participate in her month-long coaching group of the course. I felt happy to review and share my thoughts of the course. I had no idea how the month of coaching would move me forward in my blogging journey.

All I accomplished as a part of Crystal’s Monetize Your Blog Coaching group: In the month of October, I applied and re-applied to be part of affiliate programs. I wrote my blogging why, ideal audience, and privacy policy. I had been procrastinating about these last 3. When I started blogging, I felt like I had no idea and after 2 years I have a better picture of who I serve. I learned more about affiliate marketing and sponsored posts including a guideline for pricing. I created my first media kit. I wrote an affiliate post and mock sponsored post. I have a clearer picture of what a monetized blog can look like. I am finishing up the assignments as I write this post. I will be brainstorming ideas of other income ventures and going over a disclosure policy to make sure all the legal stuff is in place.

Crystal does not promise these extra bonuses, but looks for ways to add value to our mastermind experience. The afore mentioned opportunity added value for me. I wonder what else she has in store?

Right now you have the chance to try it FREE for one week.

Do NOT miss this week’s training if you have a blog up and running.

What does a Blog have to do with a Homestead?

For where I am in my health journey, sitting down to rest is a part of my every day life. In the spring of 2014 when I became unable to work using physical labor, even at home, I would sit and watch movies or TV. It felt unfulfilling and like I was wasting my time. I occupied myself, but had nothing to show for it.

I would at times write out my struggles, but that produced no income. Fast forward through spiritual, emotional and physical healing, blogging as a business gives me a chance to work toward earning money. Have I earned much via my writing? Not yet. I am beginning to see a small amount. I trust that as I continue to learn and apply, the result will be money additional money earned.

A Country Girl’s Heart ~ Beats that Matter has been and continues to be a great way to showcase the 3 heritage chicken breeds I am raising. We all know how undependable social media selling has become. One has to tip toe around on Facebook to promote anything related to animal sales. A website provides a place online that you own no matter what a social media platform’s current trend may be.

I need these times to rest my body and still use my mind. Most days I need to be up moving, caring for animals and working combined with the times of resting and writing. Blogging about the homestead life gives me a way to do both.

For you, a homesteader, a website provides a place to share your knowledge, promote crafts created, animals raised and share your story with the world.

If you do not have your blog set up yet, check out these courses at Your Blogging University

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September 23, 2019January 1, 2020

Seasons ~ Fall 2019

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The calendar says fall begins on Sept 23^rd and ends on December 20^th. Our northern Indiana weather apparently did not get that memo. Often the coldest temps do not arrive until after Christmas, but certain it is common to have snow in long before then. When I think about fall, I think September, October and maybe if we are lucky into November. I certainly remember snow in October living only an hour or so north of here in southern Michigan. I always feel like it is a race against the weather to get fall projects wrapped up.

Move outdoor chicken pens

I have found the chickens to be great sod killers. Except for the most frigid of temperatures I house some groups of chickens in temporary outdoor pens. Here they contribute to the homestead by not only getting rid of the majority of the grass, but adding fertilizer to the soil. To date I move the pens twice a year in the spring and the fall. I also added a couple pens in the last year. I have a Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner pen, 4 pens of Swedish Flower Hens and a temporary turnout pen for when I am cleaning an inside pen or want a group of birds to get outside. I plan to move all of these this fall and begin working the soil.

All pens and netting pictured here will go to a new location.
New location for chickens to kill sod, preping for future garden space.

Plant garlic and onions

I intend to plant 4 varieties of garlic: German, Montana, Music, Spanish Rojo this year along with a new variety, Elephant. I plan to try a homestead onion. This onion begins growing a bulb on top of the stalk, the weight of it falls over. Once it hits the soil it grows its own roots and thus these onions replenish themselves. A down side to them is that they do not store as well or get as big as some other varieties.

Garden Prep

At the growing season winds down, I will be removing garden plants. Work needs to be done in beds near house. Trees seem to pop up around here on a whim and unwanted trees need to be removed.

Fall Harvest

There are Sweet Potatoes, red potatoes, white and yellow onions, carrots, Jacob Cattle beans, butternut squash, and Glass Gem Popcorn to be harvested. Of course, the tomatoes will likely produce until a killing frost.

Sweet Potatoes
Red Potatoes

Work in container garden area

Last spring I started working on an old slab of cement to convert it into a container garden area. I hope to continue working on that project this fall. I will be setting up either a new container garden of deepening the existing one. As I dump the buckets of potatoes I add to or create container gardens. This is going to include some clean up of dead grasses and organization of boards I have stored there.

Transplant fruits: Blackberries, Red raspberries and Black raspberries

A friend and myself plan to transplant Blackberries and red and black raspberries from her current location to her new residence. In exchange for helping, I will be brining home a portion of what we removed from where she is currently living.

Grape Plants

I am feeling motivated to get a support structure in place for the grape plants largely due to the growth on one of the plants. It is definitely ready for guided growth. I want to prune its vines and start new plants from those to be planted next spring.

Chicken pens

Cleaning chicken pens is a job that doesn’t end, but I especially want to go into winter with all the pens clean. Winter cleaning is difficult and depending on the weather, near impossible. I also will be setting up winter pens. The weather determines when I bring in my chickens that live outside.

Hatch chicks

I intend to hatch some chicks this fall. Cisco and Clinch will be joining the Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner hens around the first of November. As I right this, those hens are molting and not laying eggs. They may or may not lay well this winter. If they do lay eggs, well, those are marked for the incubator.

Clinch on the left and Cisco on the right
Clinch on the left and Cisco on the right.

As I started this post today, I set Silver Gray Dorking eggs and Swedish Flower Hen eggs from the Trio pen.

Janoel 12 Incubator ready to start incubating these Swedish Flower Hen and Silver Gray Dorking eggs

Preserve food

The heirloom tomatoes produced well for me. For the first time ever, I canned tomato juice. First time I have canned in 20 years, too. I hope to make and can ketchup and perhaps more tomato juice

Plant flowers

I ordered a new to me flower that blooms in the spring. In my minds eye, it will look pretty with the pink and purple tulips. I am reminded that with Sage no longer with me. I want plant flowers in the center of the circle drive.

Dreaming

Here I share the goals that seem a bit impossible this fall or out of reach. I long to purchase a cow, put up fence, and dig up sassafras roots for tea. I miss playing the fiddle and hope I make time to pick it up again in the coming seasons.

I have plenty to keep me busy here on the farm. I plan to attend indoor farmer and craft markets although that schedule is to be decided. Of course, all of this needs to be balanced with caring for my health that at times requires extra rest. This happens randomly where I simply have to stop and rest.

What are your fall projects? Leave me a comment below.

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September 3, 2019September 3, 2019

Homestead Diary ~ Week 5

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Tuesday, August 27, 2019

I heard my husband rush back to the bedroom door. He beckoned me, “Come quick!” I reluctantly followed him to the kitchen. Immediately horrified by the sight that greeted me. A cat managed to wedge her head between to slats of a kitchen chair and appeared to be hanging there. ‘Dead’, I thought. My husband reassured me it wasn’t, “dead yet.” I sprang into action and with his help I freed it. I wrap in my blanket and held it close. Returning to bed I laid it on my chest and fell asleep. That poor cat barely moved for 3 hours. Giving it options to exercise its bodily functions, by often carrying it to the proper locations all systems were a go. In that, I was happy and when I left for market early evening, Suzi-Q did not need my supervision. Within 36 to 48 hours she appeared to be feeling good.

Culver Market, as it often is situated next to Lake Max, was refreshing. I enjoy the people and the cool breezes coming off of the lake. This was the last of the Tuesday markets for Culver this year. I am feeling a bit of relief. Attending 3 markets this year proved to be a struggle for me. There are many other areas in my life I long to work on and grow. I am ready to focus in a different direction for the coming season. I have Wed markets in Bremen and Saturdays in Culver that continue through the month of September.

Wednesday, August, 28, 2019

A new food vendor at Bremen, as Chubby Buddies would not be there this week, had me excited to try a tenderloin sandwich. It did not disappoint!

The beginning of this beautiful day I gave thought to the best way to move chickens around this fall, what breeding pens I want to keep going, new crosses, and how to best utilize the available space and pens. I really do not want over 15 or 16 pens through the winter. However, I may have to due to my current breeding goals. The thinking continues for the next few weeks, I know. I moved a few of the younger pens outside into cages for the day. This gives me a chance to look them over, handle them, feel their weight, and decide the best places to move them forward. Some will be for sale and other will stay for future breeding pens (or go into existing ones). The air was on the cool side, but the sun warm. As I watered the different pens, I cleaned their waterers with Apple Cider Vinegar.

The end of May as the watermelon plants were beginning to grow larger, I decided to experiment with the idea of allowing them to climb, instead of grow along the ground. That did not turn out so well. As the watermelon grew heavier, the weight of them caused them to fall off the vine. One such watermelon had been sitting on the ground for over month. I though perhaps it would ripen on its own. I decided this day to cut it open to see. It had in fact, ripened unknown to me and become overripe. I cut it into sections to feed to the chickens, to their delight. But before, I removed quite a few seeds to save for future years. As for experimenting with using a trellis for the watermelon plants, I have decided to allow them to grow on the ground in the future. Most of the watermelon vines I left to grow on the ground so I will be enjoying watermelon this season.

I had an idea to use the dried garlic stalks like mini corn stalks, but they seemed to blah. I decided to put them around a glass vase with fall flowers in it. It gives my market table a homestead look, I have been told.

Oh, the wind at the market kept knocking over everything. I decided on a new table arrangement that allowed me to tie my vase to a crate. Even then the changing direction of the wind had it falling over. The heirloom tomatoes seem to be a hit and the garlic too. I plan to continue raising them next year.

For a reason unknown to me, I struggled to keep my sugar from dropping much of the evening. I get these days/ hours sometimes. I had to rest before feeding the animals. That too is ok. I felt good by the time I went to sleep. I guess like everything…this too shall pass.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Previously I had planned to go Sheila’s house. I looked forward to our visit. I spent countless hours with her and my Mom a few years ago when we worked on our Christmas CD, Once in a Manger. I am lucky now if I see her a couple times a year and often only if we plan it. The visit proved to encourage me beyond what I could have imagined. We chatted catching up and eventually wondered outside. She shared some of her delicious red raspberries with me as we talked gardens and life. I offered to help her move her fruit plants to her soon to be new home and perhaps I could have a few starts for myself? We agreed on that plan. Hopefully, that will happen one day in September. Yay! Here is the thing. I would happily help her move her fruit starts even if I was not getting anything in return and she would share starts with me even if I was not helping her, but why not help each other and we both win? The phrase ‘homestead lifestyle’ is what comes to my mind. At my request, we explored a couple of the old barns that were on the property. I found this:

I say it is a Maria powered tiller. I am not sure if it is old or not, but certainly not common in my circles. I feel super excited to have it.

I also needed to pick up chicken feed so I made that stop on my way home. I forgot to remove the market items from my car so I could only grab a couple bags.

Friday, August 30, 2019

For only the second time this week I made a schedule for my day. I like this practice, and it does not always go the way I think it should. Tasks that I think should take an hour take 2. At times I do not focus as well as I should or there are simply more steps involved than I realize.

I worked online most of the morning. Rosie was a spit fire when I let her out to eat grass. She was trotting around and once she shouldered into me. She doesn’t usually act that disrespectful. I had a thought in the back of my head, ‘Was she trying to tell me something? What did she want?’ I dismissed the thought and she wondered off to eat grass. In hind sight…. read on.

I had the idea to do an IG live showing me putting the new tiller to use in a chicken pen. That is where I am going to use it eventually. I will be moving the pens. The chickens have killed off the sod and I will work the ground before planting in it. Found out I will need to loosen the dirt with a spade or shovel to get the best use out of it. Anyway, I finally got around to that Friday evening. I am thankful to this tool. As a kid I used a 3-prong hand pushed cultivator in a garden we had at home. I was in elementary school. I do not remember how old I was.

Before trying out the (Maria powered) tiller, I had walked out to observe the horses. I did not see Rosie out eating with Dusty and Cider. I had this sinking feeling and a picture of a horse laying out dead. I told myself to stop being negative. I needed to stay on task with going live on IG. So, I did. When I was done, it came to me again to go look for Rosie. Sometime she hangs out in the shelter so realistically not seeing her was normal. Oh, but when I stepped around the shelter, I thought I was looking at a horse dying. I have seen animals dying before. She was obviously under stress and hurting. I hurried over to grab her halter, and when I put it on, I checked her gums. They were gray. I pulled her legs out in front of her one at a time. Stepping beside her I began to swat her on the rump encouraging her to get up. She did, but she was shaky on her legs. I slowly led her out of the shelter. I left her there and headed to the house for banamine. She was hurting, sweaty, dirty from rolling, and painful. I placed a call and left a message for a veterinarian. I was worried about how bad she looked. It probably did not help I had those thoughts earlier about her laying dead. It was a long night with little sleep.

Here I am, over my normal word count and I have so much more to say.

Saturday, August 31, 2019

Most of my day Saturday revolved around caring for Rosie. In the afternoon, she was seen by a veterinarian. In short, Rosie had an impaction toward the rear of her bowel that was removed. Her intestinal tract was inflamed and irritated. My immediate question was, ‘If that is what can be seen, what does the rest of her intestines look like?’ Going forward from this colic episode, Rosie had additional struggles that would need to be addressed. She has been struggling with her weight the last couple years. Perhaps this the first step in finding answers. I am thankful to Dr. Gary Fouts for evaluating and treating her on a holiday weekend.

There are more details to share then this post had room for. I may need to devote a post to Rosie and her current struggles. My niece, upon learning that Rosie had problems said, ‘I want to see Rosie.’ Her and Rosie go back at least 8 years of my ten year old nieces life. That is a life time to a child. Often when speaking with her on the phone, after asking after my well being, she says, ‘How is Rosie?’

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August 8, 2019August 15, 2019

Homestead Diary ~ Week 1

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Although I have been around animals my entire life, I feel like a newbie many times in this homesteading journey. New lessons with new species, raising animals in a new way, new goals aside from living an equestrian lifestyle, learning what it means to have an online business are all changes I have chosen for this season of my life. Thus, getting real about what a month of the journey really looks like feels scary and vulnerable. Here goes as I diving in head first.

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Yes! I love a new month and a new morning! AM chores completed I headed into town to work online. I was excited for the work I wanted to do on the hatching course. I ended up with a bad low sugar level. I ate and waited until it was safe for me to drive. During this time, I focused the best I could on the online work I wanted to get done. Once home, I took a long nap, before heading out for evening chores. I hate these disruptions to my day, but I am learning to be thankful for all the good. It seems a lesson that, while I can see progress, is a mental battle I continue to fight.

Friday, August 2, 2019

I awoke feeling terrible. As I lay in bed I thought, “I am do not have to do much today. I am staying right here! Oh wait! I have a meeting planned to send pullets to a new home. I need to stay consistent with my social media posts. I need a box or two for the pullets to travel in. I need to go to town.” I groaned inwardly. Slowly, I began my day. When the above mentioned was completed and chores attended to. I rested the remainder of the day. On this day I felt blessed and thankful that while I needed to attend to certain items of business, I could rest with out feeling any quilt. Rest I did.

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Normally, I attend the Culver Farmer’s Market, but I still not feeling good, choose to stay home. To be completely honest, I want to share I also felt a bit overwhelmed with what I have not been getting done around here and online. I squash thoughts tempting me to waste energy wishing I felt better. I know the best thing for me today is rest. After the daily quiet time of writing what I am thankful for and reading a chapter in a book by Kathy Lee Gifford titled, The Rock, The Road, and the Rabbi, with a cup of coffee, I headed outside to feed the horses, cats and share an IG story and post. My first stop was checking if the Swedish Flower Hen of Pair # 2 was indeed broody. YES! She was. I decided since I was moving slow anyway to put out the broody hen and her chicks, the 5- 4/5-week old chicks and the 4 from pen #7. I began the work of watering and feeding chicken pens. In the mix I watered the potted cherry tomato plants and some of the sweet potatoes. At some point I added 7 eggs to the 4 or 5 the broody hen had already laid. I have been saving her eggs and leaving a few in with her, hoping she would go broody a second time this year. Feeling so blessed that she did, especially given the fact the coons had eaten her chicks.

Brian and I grabbed a bite to eat and then I was back outside feeding chickens. This process stretched on into the afternoon. I say I was moving slow….I started this at 10 am and it was now 4 pm. I spent an hour working on a blog post I am putting together. Then back outside to find Kit Kat was shadowing me and meowing intensely. ‘Now what does she want,’ I wondered. I looked closer at her, feeling under her belly. I now suspected she was close to having kittens. She likes to show me where she is having her kittens. I spent the next several minutes with her coming and going in the underbrush next to the house. Yes, this is one of those areas that need work here. Anyway, she settled down in a corner. I will keep checking on her this evening, but I am certain she is having kittens. I tamed her when she was feral and it took me 8 weeks to even touch her. Unfortunately, I did not get her fixed and now our cat population has taken off. Several cats have been fixed here and she is one of the next ones on the list. It feels like slow progress. But it is progress. I gathered eggs which I do through out the day. Relationships with animals bring joy to my heart and to be honest at times pain. I wrote a bit more and headed back outside until dark. Chores consisted of bringing in the chicks and grow outs I had put in cages outside earlier in the day, feeding horses, and watering the garden near the chickens. I finally transplanted the cherry tomato plants where one of the garlic gardens had been near the house.

3 sister garden plot, behind is the heritage tomato plants
out of site are the yellow and white onions and carrots

I found myself remembering the joying of riding bareback on a horse at a walk. For the first time in years I longed to ride. One of my goals for this year was to start riding again. I do not believe I have been on a horse since 2017, 2 years ago. That year I only rode two times, once in WY at Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch and another time in Alberta, Canada. I determined I would ride Navajo Bo. If I get into the reasons why I could write an entire post telling the story of each horse I was not riding. I found Bo’s bridle. Oh dear, that was a mess. I decided to put a halter together with reins that had snaps on them. That is how I learned to ride a horse, bareback with a halter and 2 lead ropes snapped to the halter. Yep, why not start over the same way. If you want to read more about the time, I spent with Bo last night, check out her FB page where I posted a bit about it.

When I went to feed the dogs, I called softly to Kit Kat and shortly she appeared with a messy rear end. Yep, she had birthed kittens. Her belly still felt hard in one spot. Perhaps she wasn’t quite done. I gave her food and water. She hung out with me for a while before returning to her babies. I heard them fussing a couple times. I felt good, peaceful and happy with the enjoyment of my day.

Sunday, August 4, 2019

One of my goals in the last few years is to make Sunday a day of rest. It does not always look quite the same. I did not do much other then care for animals, write, and hang out at home. The broody hen was still on her eggs.

Monday, August 5, 2019

The temps were forecasted to be in the high 80’s. In the mornings after my quiet time or devotions, I started making a schedule for my day. On Mondays this takes a bit longer as I also brain dump of what I want to get done for the week. AM chores include feeding chickens, gathering eggs, horses, cats and dogs, checking gardens and potted plants. I found a few beans (Jacob Cattle Beans) ready to harvest. This morning I took a look at the wild grapes and even ate a few that looked sort of ripe. I hope the tart taste diminishes as they ripen more. If not, I will still eat them, and I am going to be looking for a way to use them. I dove into a daydream imagining where I would keep a cow. I think I forgot to mention I have been in conversation concerning a Jersey cow, bred to a mini Jersey. While I feel drawn to Scottish Highlands and American Milking Devon, at this time the Jersey/Mini Jersey seems like a better fit for the immediate time frame. In all it doesn’t sound like all that takes much time, but 3 hours flew by. The afternoon was spent working on the computer. Brian decided to address the slow water flow and needed my help so after starting house chores, I helped him. One or two more tasks before I was done for the might.

I cleaned the music variety of garlic I want to sell and kept back what I will plant for next years crop and my own use. Not only do I use for cooking, I also put cloves in the chicken water from time to time to boost their immune system. PM chores took close to an hour. It is 10 PM as I write this and I will be going back out to finish up a few things. I felt refreshed today after a day of rest.

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

I desperately needed to work on laundry. First thing I did was get a load started. AM chores went faster today and I found time to wash a quart sized water container for Cisco. When I first brought them home, I had given him a little plastic container and I found myself filling repeatedly through out the day. I felt good knowing this 5 min act would be saving me time in the coming weeks. A lunch time I continued to work on laundry. I usually enjoy laundry, but I have found a way to look forward to it. I pile up a few loads that are ready to be folded then listen to one or two podcasts while I fold. The times flies by fast, I have learned something new and the laundry is folded and put away. I spent 20 min writing out the content for a video I want to add to the course I am working on. Out to wash eggs and load the car for the Culver’s Farmer’s Market. I had this, last minute, idea to stop a local Dollar store on the way. I wanted to get brown paper bags and blank stickers to write on and stick on the bags when I sold garlic. I found regular plain brown lunch bags and shipping labels. I was hoping for a fancier bag and a cute cut to the stickers, but I spent $2.14 on them, so who am I to be picky. Down the road I intend to pay to have printed stickers with the info I want to share. I did the math sitting at the market later in the evening: I cut one shipping label in 4 strips for the egg carton labels. 18 labels cost $1 so each label cost around .05 cents. Divided by 4 (4 strips) that is around 1 cent per shipping label. The quote I currently have for pre-printed egg labels is around 34 cents a label. Of course, they would look much prettier. For now, I will use these, but future goals include pre-printed labels. As for the garlic bags, I will continue to use the shipping labels, but as I sat here writing I remembered I have several sets of ‘fancy’ cut scissors in my craft box. Now that would make for some fancier looking labels. I intend to get them out for today market in Bremen, Indiana.

Leaving the dollar store, I began feeling anxious. At first, I chalked it up to worrying about being late to market, but no amount of self-talk made it go away. I realized my sugar levels must be dropping. I started eating the snack foods I had purchased at the Dollar store. I took a different route since I had gone into town on my way. In my path ahead I seen a traffic backed up for a train. Oh, not now! As I sat there waiting on a train that was NOT moving, eating cause my sugar, I am not sure how much time had gone by. I looked at my phone to check the time and to my dismay it was after 5 pm. I wanted to go home and be done for the night! Instead I text a couple different friends that were at the market to get directions how to get around the train. I did eventually get to the market. I want to give a big shout out to my friend Julie and Blooms on 800. She helped me get unloaded and set up. The market proved slow and my sales were $0. But I decided to look at it from the perspective that, as I sat there, I worked on my egg labels and spent time with my friend. I enjoyed the cool breezes coming off of Lake Maxinkuckee. We chatted as I helped her load her van. Driving home, I fought off negative thoughts of my evening. Even this morning I needed to chase them away. I made progress yesterday even if no sales. Julie shared helpful ideas how to give my market table a new look. It is August and I have been sporting the spring look. I am overdue for a change. Chores went well and all the animals looked good, giving a good feeling. I was tired, but looking forward to feeling rested in the morning.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Bremen Farmer’s Market takes place from 4 pm to 7 pm on Wednesdays. I spent around 4 hours going through my morning routine: devotional and quiet time, am chores, and checking the plants. Next off to town looking for what I needed to change the display at the markets. I admit I found pleasure in shopping at a local dollar store. Ideas of what the table could look like as I browsed through items. The final look came together when I arrived at the market. I picked flowers, and grabbed garlic that was still drying, cleaned a coffee cup tree that I have not been using. Off to the Bremen Farmer’s Market and another evening of visiting with patrons and friends. The small crowd produced a few sales for me. Check out the slide show of the new display below.

At home I unloaded the car, rested 20 minutes before heading out to complete PM chores. Unfortunately, Prince Charming (the cat) snuck out the door and it was well past midnight before I located him to bring him in. He seemed to think he was on a grand adventure. I was reminded of how the Jesus shared the parable of the shepherd who would leave the fold and go look for the one lost sheep. I thought, ‘I know how overjoyed I will feel when I have Prince Charming safe in my arms and back in the house. Imagine how overjoyed the Lord is when a lost soul returns to Him. No greater love…..’

This completes the first 7 days of August. Did any parts of my last week stand out to you? Send me an email telling me about it. Send your email to maria@dontclipmywings.com or click here

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June 21, 2019June 21, 2019

Summer 2019

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Spring of 2019 is nearing its end, although some days have reminded me that it is indeed still spring as the temps have been unseasonably cool. In this post, I am going to share some of my homestead goals for the coming summer months and take a look back at the past three here on CG Heartbeats Farm.

A Look back at Spring 2019

Our Indiana spring produced a lot of rain. The saturated ground has created a delay in getting crops seeded, including on this homestead. While I have planted some seeds, there are several that still need to be planted. The big hold up is getting the ground ready as my plan was to have some ground plowed. There are a couple back up ideas floating around in my head that will be decided on soon.

I am excited about trying a new to me way of planting corn, beans and a third cover plant. Right now, I am using watermelon and squash, but more on that later this year. For now, here is a picture of what it looked like as of the beginning of June.

My first 3 Sisters Garden… This picture was taken June 10. Would you believe now, 10 days later, the plants have doubled in size!!

Using wood chips has proved effective in week control in the garlic gardens. I planted candy onions in between the rows of garlic. So far it appears to be working well. The garlic will be harvested in another 3 to 4 weeks.

Sweet Potatoes

9 Sweet Potato plants with 3 more to be added this week.

I used 3 different methods to start sweet potatoes this year. I, spontaneously, tried removing the sprig from the potato and planting it directly in soil. To my surprise, the little plant thrived. Thus when it was time to plant sweet potatoes in buckets I removed springs from a potato and planted them directly into the soil. They are doing well. Look for more info on this year’s sweet potato crop on this web site after harvest this fall.

Shipping Chicks

I shipped chicks for the first time this year. This is a first for my journey and I look forward to successfully shipping additional chicks in the future. If you want to pre-order chicks(deposit required) or have your name added to the list(no charge) be sure to send an email.

Shipping Eggs

I have continued shipping eggs and to the credit of the Post Office, the eggs arrived in great condition for every shipment this year.

Broody Hen

A Swedish Flower Hen went broody for her second time. One of my breeding goals is to increase the number of broody hens in my flock. As I understand this is a genetic trait. I intend to keep all pullets from the group of six chicks she hatched to add to my breeding stock. The first time this pretty hen went broody she was less than a year old and there was no rooster in her pen, yet. I ended up giving her fertile eggs from another pen. You can read about how that ended up in the blog post titled: A Broody Swedish Flower Hen Breeding goals aside, I find the tenderness demonstrated between a momma and her babies endearing and the beauty of it all warms my heart a way nothing else does.

Silver Gray Dorking

I am excited the fertility has improved in the Silver Gray Dorking eggs over earlier this year. It is not as good as last year, unfortunately, but then summer isn’t over. Due to the eggs not staying viable long enough to hatch, my next step is going to be adjusting the temperature on the incubator slightly.

Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiner

I am still facing difficulty with fertility in the Lemon Cuckoo Niederrheiners, unfortunately. I intend to continue to work with this pretty breed.

Grapes

I admit to feeling a bit disappointed to ending up with only an additional 2 grape plants after caring for almost 20 starts over the winter. I will say I am happy to have 2 more plants in the ground outside. My latest experiment, if you will, is taking this year’s new growth from a grape plant outside and placing into a jar of water. My hope is that it will grow roots. Look for a coming post about the process.

Summer 2019 Thoughts

Finish Planting

For a stretch of several weeks northern Indiana experienced excessive rain. The first round produced over 5 inches in less than a week. After the ground was saturated, the rain continued to fall almost daily, or often nightly. Thankfully, I was able to get some seed in the ground as I mentioned above. I find I enjoy this venture, planting and learning as I go. Onion bulb(yellow and white), potatoes, carrots,

Attending local farmer’s markets in Bremen and Culver

One of CG Heartbeats Farm spring market display.

Last year I attended a local farmer’s market for the first time in Bremen, Indiana. I also attended another on in Nappanee, Indiana on Saturdays. Over the winter, I found a local indoor market to attend in Culver, Indiana and have continued to attend their outside market. Their summer market occurs on Sat and Tue. CG Heartbeats Farm plans to have a vendor booth at Culver on Tuesdays (5 pm to 7 pm), Bremen on Wednesday’s (4 pm to 7 pm) and back at Culver on Saturday mornings (9 am to 1 pm). Products available include seasonal items such as black raspberries, black raspberry plants, mint plants, farm fresh eggs, 4 varieties of garlic, soup beans, decorative and edible popcorn, black walnut tree seedlings, popular tree seedlings,

Maintaining Gardens

Keeping up with weeds and my case, the weeds are actually grass that works hard to take over, seems to be continuous, but using wood chips and chaff, helps to keep them at bay.

Pasture Maintenance

Summer always brings the need for pasture maintenance. Mowing down weeds (I do not use chemicals on the pastures) and keeping the fence rows cleaned out seem to be 2 jobs that I am always behind on. There are new fences to construct if I am to continue with my plans. These jobs are a bit tougher for me now as I work to balance my activity level with getting enough rest.

Black Raspberries

I am looking forward to eating these soon! The extras will go to the local farmers markets and my freezer!

This spring I pruned 3 of my 4 Black Raspberry patches. I am impressed with the berries that are appearing on the pruned plants. I will also be offering black raspberry plants for sale at the farmers markets I attend. One of my goals is to also look into shipping plants and selling from this website.

Garlic Scapes

Notice the curl on the top of the garlic plants? These curled tops are the scapes.

As of this week the garlic scapes are almost ready to harvest. Garlic scapes, you may ask? These are the top part of a garlic plant that will produce a flower and seed if not removed. The plants energy is directed into producing a larger garlic bulb instead.

Ongoing Projects

There are always chicken pens to clean. I have started a new manure pile leaving the previous one to compost. I started work on a container garden area, but the progress has slowed in the last 6 weeks. I want to continue working in the beds near the house. They were intended to be flower beds, but I have been using them for planting vegetables too. There is an area back of the chicken barn that needs to have old boards removed to the burn pile. The hold up is I want to remove the hardware on the boards It seems I have accomplished that step, yet.

Personal Goals

One of my personal goals for this year is to spend some time riding again, even if it is only a short jaunt in the round pen or around the pasture. I intend to enjoy these summer months. A final (personal) goal is to begin playing fiddle again, perhaps practicing on my fiddle again would be more accurate. What are your summer plans? Leave a comment below to share your plans.

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June 15, 2019June 15, 2019

Horses of CG Heartbeats Farm

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Five horses live on CG Heartbeats Farm. In the past I continued to challenge myself with horses I found tougher to connect with, lead and train. Now I don’t mean the actual act of leading a horse with a rope, but rather the act of leadership in the process of teaching a horse to respond in a safe, trusting manner. After my traumatic brain injury in 2011, I found a had a strong desire to branch out my activities and knowledge to include other topics besides horses. Somewhere along the way I began to wonder who did God create me to be? Who was I beyond who I was as an equestrian? The idea of having horses was my sister’s idea when she was 6 and I was 7. I loved my sister that was 13 months younger. I wanted to help her in her desire to have a horse or pony. I jumped on board. Now here I was over 30 years later, realizing for the first time this passion of horses did not originate with me. I had to wonder who I would have become if I had found my own direction, what would I have developed into if I had not been concerned with those closest to me as a child. I do not recall exploring what I liked in any depth. Most of my thoughts concentrated on those around me. Well enough of all that, for now. These ponderings led me to begin looking around.

Horses still put a smile on my face even if all I do is feed and care for them right now. I am not in any way, shape or form ready to no longer own horses. Thus I have found one way for now they can contribute to my homesteading journey. Meet the horses of CH Heartbeats Farm.

Roses Casino

Out of an appendix Quarter Horse mare named Mismatched and a Quarter Horse stallion with Sugar Bar breeding. I purchased Mismatched pregnant, so I have owned ‘Rosie’ her entire life. I spent many hours riding her first training her to be ridden, trail riding, training and conditioning her to run barrels, of course, competing on her at more shows and rodeos than I can remember, team roping practices and simple rides down the road. I would have to stop and count, if I can even remember, the number of little girls we have provided rides for. The longest was one of my nieces when she was only 3 years old, we rode 3 and a half miles before she was tired.

One of my nieces riding with me several years ago.

Brave Diamond Dust

‘Dusty’ is the only horse I bred myself, meaning I picked out the stallion to cross with her dam, Melanie Lynn. This mare is another I have raised from a foal. The story about her that stands out to me the most was the injury she sustained as a 4 or 5-year old. A puncture wound that required surgery to flush out the hock joint to give her a high quality of life. It was a long 4 plus months of rehabilitation. She has a cute, knows what she likes, personality.

Dry Doc Drifter

Drifter before I started riding him with a bit.

‘Drifter’, who was purchased as a 2-year-old was foaled in South Dakota. He was the horse I was riding when I came off and sustained a TBI. He has wonderful stamina and I have yet to truly tire him. He has the breeding to do a job all day long. When he doesn’t have a job to do, he seems to spend his energy behaving badly.

Zips Country Bar Maid

‘Cider’ was bred by one of my sisters and I purchased her as a yearling. She is an intelligent horse who learns quickly, but I have not spent much time riding her. She needs more training, only because I have not made time for her.

Navajo Bo

One of many photos taken the summer we prepared for the 2015 TCA Thoroughbred Makeover.

‘Bo’ was bred to be a racehorse and fulfilled her job at Indiana Grand. A timid mare, on the track, she would back off trying to win if she was bumped. She has a personality all her own. Expressing her displeasure, when not happy with her circumstances, she has proven her willingness to learn. She looks for a leader, but likes to challenge the leader. She is a bit nosey always wanting to know where all the other horses are at and unhappy when they are out of site. My favorite story with Bo is the year we competed or rather participated in the Thoroughbred Makeover at the Kentucky Horse Park. I was not riding at my best level that year, but I enjoyed the entire process. The experience of showing at the Kentucky Horse Park proved to be my favorite venue to complete at. I was sponsored by an amazing grooming product Espana Silk and others helped to make my trip to Kentucky possible. As a part of the competition I was given a blog to share my journey. I wrote 140 posts and, in the process, realized that I liked to write. As a result, the desire to blog about my homesteading journey was beginning to form.

How Horses Contribute to the Homestead

Horses collectively contribute to the soil I use for container gardens. The manure they have produced several years ago now provides a rich fluffy (from the shavings) place that I dig up dirt any time I need to plant in any containers. Basically, this is where I dumped manure, located under trees. I have 2 other piles composting now for future use. These newer piles have more chicken manure compared to the first so time will tell which produces the best.

This is another example of how I have been able to use what I have. I wonder how much money I have saved using my own composted soil instead of buying bags of potting soil? Like everything else one produces themselves, this is the way to know what is in what you are using, or eating. How are you using what you have on your homestead?

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May 26, 2019July 9, 2019

Roots and Wings: Beats that Matter

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Often, I share what is happening on the farm, how I move forward in my homesteading journey or enjoy other parts of the country I have visited. In this post I get a bit more personal sharing about my unseen journey, of the heart….Beats that Matter.

I have always had an interest in animal husbandry and the biology of how a body functions both human and animal. There has long been a special place in my heart for the appearance of new life. The wonder of it all, the few moments that life hangs in the balance before arriving, the nurture of a new mom and the trust of a new born have repeatedly touched my heart in a special way. My first experiences go back to my childhood, observing, learning, and assisting with the birth of baby goats. In high school as a part of the farm lab in an Ag and Natural Resource class, I assisted a sow(pig). My journey with horses was only beginning and it has continued to this day.

I have consciously made the decision to step away from horses while pursuing different areas of my life. Music, the beginning of my homesteading journey, raising chickens, producing vegetables and fruit, and attending farmer’s markets along with this website have taken hours of my time, energy, and money. Yet, in the last 3 weeks, caring for equines, felines, and supporting those practicing veterinary medicine seemed to take up a much of my emotional and physical resources. Now, for certain, I do not regret any of it, but rather I have enjoyed the moments as they came. Anytime I have been involved in caring for animals both good and bad, tears and joy abound. These last few weeks have been no different. I have learned new information and put to use my previously acquired knowledge. One such way was in the joint effort of mare watch and foaling. I made an exception to my decision to step away from such activity while focusing on growing new ventures. Largely because, this was to help another human with her animal when she was not in a position physically to do so herself. You see, I have had to rely on others to help me with my animals when I did not feel good. Another time, I found myself alone, no help, with serious health struggles with a horse that needed around the clock care. I jumped at the chance to support another. I am not sure how many times I teared up, happy to be a part of helping. I felt the old adage, ‘It is better to give then to receive’. I will say no more, but rather share this 12-minute video of my wonderous moments.

These past two weeks allowed me to add to the portrait of who I am created to be. This journey called life unfolds much like the stroke of a painter’s brush bringing details of a picture into being as the Lord shows me who He created me to be. For that I am deeply thankful and growing confident in His leading while I grow roots in unseen soil. As the roots develop I am learning it is not about what field I work in, but rather, no matter where I am, I find much joy in encouraging others. Heartbeats that make a difference to those you are around. What are you doing while your heart beats?

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May 20, 2019May 26, 2019

A Guided Trail Ride

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My lovely niece expressed her strong desire to me in a phone call one day, “Aunt Maria, I want you to go with me on a trail ride when you are out here,” something to that effect, but if that was really going to happen or not was uncertain. That was the year her parents opened a discount grocery store. The excitement of my visit later that year was largely focused on helping as a cashier during the second week after opening. Her Mom, my sister, did managed to make time the day before I was scheduled to return to Indiana. In a previous blog post I shared about my experience enjoying the Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch for a few hours.

At last, the anticipated event was to take place. We walked a short distance to area out of sight from the front porch of the Lodge. Here there was a small cabin like structure with steps leading to the door and a small porch. A 2-hour trail ride was getting underway as well as our 1 hour guided ride. I was looking forward to enjoying a ride on a trained horse. I have rode green horses almost as much as finished horse, barrel raced often and a bit of team roping. Until that day I had never been riding in the mountains of Wyoming. For various reasons, this was to be one of only 2 times I sat the back of the horse in 2017. Consequently, the other time involved a different niece in a different county, but only the week prior. I wrote about that ride in a blog post titled Seasons. I felt a bit nervous, knowing my riding skills had suffered since experiencing a TBI. There are few others besides one of my nieces that would have even motivated me to ride that summer.

I did honestly feel unsure riding in unknown terrain, given my belief that my riding skills were lacking compared to past horseback ventures. For this reason, I decided to refrain from sharing that I knew anything of what I was doing. It felt quite odd to have a horse lead to me saddled, held while I mounted from the afore mentioned porch and led to stand behind the horse my niece sat on. I decided to simple enjoy the experience. In the past, if someone lead a horse, I was sitting on it was because the horse was misbehaving. Perhaps I should clarify misbehaving: a gelding that was refusing to enter an arena who reared and escaped the grip of the person leading him, proceeding into the area at a run with no response to attempted guidance of the reins. I strongly believed the horse I sat that day was in need of ground support. I was informed this horse liked to be lazy. Sounded good to me, better than one trying to dump me or run off.

I was not about to miss the opportunity to take pictures while I was riding. I snapped a couple while we waited for our guide, Aaron. I later had the pleasure of meeting his wife, who was working in the reception area of Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch. They own Hartley Welding back in their home state of Arkansas. Turns out, our guide has many talents as he also works as a farrier, a line of work operating anywhere a horse does.

At first, we rode on fairly flat ground (for being in the mountains) along a creek bed. While the trail was not steep, at times the bank down to the creek was. The smell of pine floated across the fresh mountain breezes. The peace I felt and beauty that surrounded us, simply can not be shared in these pictures.

We started up a steeper slope. As we rode, I listened to the voice of my niece chatting away. She was riding an old, as in 20 +, horse that was worth its weight in gold when it came to toting young children around.

Aaron, our guide, shared that at one point in the summer, a bear had been sighted right there near the trail we currently were on. My response? I ask if he was carrying a gun. As he turned to answer I seen a gun on his hip. I felt satisfied that there was protection provided and continued to enjoy the ride, while keeping my eye out for bears. The fact created a sense of adventure beyond riding in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

Check out this video of pictures taken along the trail.

We had climbed higher than I realized. We came to a path wide enough for motor vehicles. It either went up or down.

I was a bit disappointed we were headed down. I would have been excited to continue riding higher, and knew the ride would soon be over.

Do you see the buildings nestled below? That is the general area we started the trail ride at and where we were returning to.

Arriving back at the Lodge, my niece gave me a big hug and said, ‘Thank you, Aunt Maria’. The ride was amazing, but her little hugs trumped it all.

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March 25, 2019March 25, 2019

Spring 2019

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I recently sat down and came up with a list of projects to do on the homestead for the next 3 months. Truth be told there are probably a few more I would like to get started. In fact, I intend to add to this list as I write. I often feel that I my lists look impossible to finish. Do you? I remind myself that is no reason to give up. All that I do accomplish will be steps ahead of what I had done before.

Prepare area for container gardens

One area of the homestead that grabbed my attention was where an older part of the chicken barn once stood. It was torn down shortly after we purchased this property and the remaining barn roof repaired and shingled. The cement flooring remained. While it has cracked and shifted over the last few years, it is still cement covering the ground. Inspiration hit on one of my walks around the property and I decided to clean this area up and turn it into several container gardens. More on the project in a coming post when the project is completed. For now, it is one of my main projects in the coming 2 to 3 months.

That looks like a lot of work to me, to be honest. I have a vision for what I want in this area. Vision + hard work = dream come true and goal accomplished!

Prune Raspberries

Black raspberries abound on our 11 + acres. A couple years ago my Dad and I transplanted them to an actual row in what I want to be a garden. However, I since learned this may not be the best spot for them so I am going to work with them in their current locations around the farm. Non the less I am going to prune them and make them a bit easier to get to. That is the goal for this year for the black raspberries. Look for a coming post on the process.

I am excited to prune these in the near future along with other patches on CG Heartbeats Farm.

Decide where 2019 Garlic will be planted

I have planted garlic the last 3 years. Every year I have increased the amount planted. I am considering converting a section of the yard into an additional garlic plot.

Move portable chicken pens

I have 3 portable chicken pens made up of dog kennel panels and netting. These serve as a great way to work up the sod and convert land to a garden.

In the bottom right of this picture you can see where one of the garlic patches are for this year. Last year (2018) this 5 ft. x 5 ft. area was a chicken pen. The chickens did a great job of removing the soil and fertilizing.

Research Tiller

I have a strong desire to own a tiller for working the ground up in my gardens. I might settle for one of those old time push one. You know the ones with 3 speared tips, a wheel in the front, and two handles from which to push from. I used one of those as a kid growing up in our garden at home. I remember wishing to be stronger. The adults made it look so easy!! I know it would make my job much easier to have a tiller with its own motor (instead of mine). Thus, one of my goals for the next 3 months is to have my own tiller preferable with a motor.

Purchase Additional Silver Gray Dorking

I have added a few different lines (birds from different farms) to the Swedish Flower Hen pens. I want to focus on Silver Gray Dorkings this year, adding to them from another farm.

Decide what will be planted where chicken pens were

The chickens that have been outside in pens killed off most of the sod. In the next month I am going to move those pens and use that ground to plant vegetables for the coming season. I need to decide what I am going to plant there. I am still tossing ideas around. Maybe I will plant cherry tomatoes, maybe watermelons and cantaloupe, or perhaps some of the fun little decorative squashes.

Ground Plowed

A neighbor is willing to come plow up some ground as well. Using the chickens only to prep ground for planting is taking longer than I would like. That is a given of course. But the chickens do a great job in smaller areas. I need to decide where a larger plot of garlic will go, and space for other vegetables I would like to eat fresh.

Woods harvested

The woods have several trees large enough to harvest. Now it is a matter of getting the best price for them.

Clean up area East of Chicken Barns

I have decided to “move” the manure pile. I am not going to move what I have, but rather start dumping in another area. As we were cleaning up some brush around there a few weeks ago, I realized it would not take much more work to completely turn that area into a part of the lawn. Eventually the pile will break down enough to provide excellent fertile soil for growing in buckets and pots or filling container gardens. Down the road a year or two or three this spot may prove to be useful for other homestead purposes.

I have a vision for this spot too. More work followed by maintenance.

Move wood chips to garlic

I planted about 4 times more garlic this year in comparison to last year (2017 to 2018 for 2018 harvest and 2019 harvest). This means 4 times more ground to cover with wood chips. I covered all with chaff last fall, but I have not covered it all with wood chips. I have more available as winter is coming to a close, but I will need to be careful when adding it now. The garlic is already starting to poke through.

Additional projects

As I was writing this post, I realized there are more projects that could use my attention in the coming 3 months. I will notice more. I always do, but here are the ones I am adding to the list. Some of these I rely on the help of others. But effort will be made to get these done

Fencing between south and middle pasture
Cut down 4-6 scrub trees near horse shelter
Dig up and pot Walnut tree seedlings
Re-arrange inside chicken barn

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March 19, 2019March 19, 2019

Land of a Homestead

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A homestead lifestyle can be created by almost anyone. Those with a small lot in town can produce some of their own food. With today’s technology grow lights even provide a way for people to grow food inside of their houses. Some towns allow hens for producing one’s own eggs. Even if that is not allowed one does not have too look far to find a local farmers market where often farm fresh eggs are available. A drive in the country may reveal signs posted, ‘farm fresh eggs’. There are co-ops to join from which you may purchase farm raised food from both plants and animals. How can you make little shifts in your lifestyle to create more of homestead life style? How have I?

How can I use what I have to produce my own food? This question has been bouncing around in my head for several years. Not always about producing my own food, but always about using what I have. CG Heartbeats Farm is made up of 11.7 acers.

The last week of February 2019 I started a new practice of walking around the property to observe and gain a new perspective. The walks are most enjoyable. I have found them a nice break from getting things done. I allow my mind to wonder and give my imagination wings. I pick a certain area to walk. I have yet to walk it entirely at one time. One day I may get an idea about one area and other days I simply take mental note of what I see. There are several subjects I pay attention to as I walk. Water, air flow, wild life, trees, are observed for future or present potential. Not only do I think about current use of land and use of current buildings, but sometimes give thought to how they could be used in better ways. As I walk, I ask myself is this pasture best located here, or would this ground be better for growing vegetables. I also get ideas for projects I want to do immediately and in the future.

Water

How the water runs, low spots, where it looks like a creek used to be, where water collects after heavy rainfall, how fast does it drain off,

Air Flow

Our climate is not extremely windy most days. We get occasional winds of 50+ mph, but not that strong. I have noticed where the wind seems to tunnel between buildings where the trees block wind from a certain direction and other spots with block, trees or buildings to influence it.

Trees

Almost half of the acreage is currently woods. While I enjoy walking in the woods in different seasons, I question if there might not be a benefit of scaling it back along the edges. Unfortunately, a few years back the Ash bore came through destroying all the Ash trees. A couple must have been getting close to 100 years old.

I am always on the lookout for fallen trees. Several years ago, as I was driving down the road, I could see the topline of the woods looked different. This prompted me to go look for fallen trees. Sure enough, one or more had fallen in that area. It is good to know your property no matter how large or small. Trees provide a break in the wind to help prevent soil erosion and give shelter to animals. I like where the trees break up the property into sections. I think it gives character to the homestead. Where are trees growing that could be harvested and that space would be used for a better purpose. What do I mean by better? I consider income, sustainability and producing plants or housing animals.

Land

As I have been walking around, I have been looking for flat spots to plant garlic and other edible plants. I realized that many areas are not as flat as I would have thought. In fact, most of this ground has some kind of slope. Length of slope and how far it falls over that distance determines how steep a slope actually is. I have not taken any measurements at this time, rather noted the areas that are flat enough to plant in. I have thought a terrace might be in order where the ground is not as flat. I am looking at how a given area is used now. How can it be used for a better purpose?

Wildlife

Not only do I enjoy seeing signs of wildlife, it also keeps me aware of potential predators. I already know many of the animals that spend time in the woods. The most common are dear, turkeys, racoons, ‘opossum, squirrels, chip monks, and ground hogs.

Buildings

There are buildings that need work and others that are newer. I like all things old including old barns. I long to fix up one that needs some TLC. From a practical standpoint, I let my imagination come up with what kind of barn would prove useful. I have an idea for chicken coops that has only manifested in my own mind.

Soil

Top soil and sub soil influence how well an area of land drains. Some plants need a well-drained soil while others need greater moister retained in the ground. In the past while digging fence post holes I have observed areas of this property that has a sandy subsoil and other areas that has a clay subsoil. This is another place I am giving consideration to the best places to plant specific plants.

Projects

I have come up new ideas for changes I want to make. One of them was to clean up an old cement pad. I have plans to use cement blocks I already have to create some container gardens in this location.

Going Forward

This process is a journey. Not all of the changes I want to see happen with happen this month or this year. I have a clearer picture of what this land can do. I expect I will have new ideas and plans while some current plans will turn into better ones. I plan to continue walking the property several times a week. I find it relaxing. In addition, I am provided with an over view of what is going on. I have come across assets I forgot I had. Seeing them may spark an idea for a project or a new way to use what I have.

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