We work hard, around the farm and at our part time jobs. But living is not just work. We like to play hard too. This time of year that usually is the last thing on our minds. With literally hundreds of pounds of produce coming from the yard, we don't have time to really enjoy ourselves. Our schedules between now and late October are filled with lots of canning, creating, cleaning the yard, etc. We take our vacation starting on Halloween, and the girls are always so excited when that comes around. This year is especially busy with our invitation to the Heritage Days here in Rogersville. We have several game plans on really showing our town who we are and what we do, and maybe deepen their understanding on what they are really eating when they buy from the grocery store. I think we are misunderstood at times for trying to scare or frighten, but the truth can be that way. We are not here to make big money or turn into a giant establishment (Although I'd never turn down anything free). Our main purpose of this farm, this business, is to be more self-sufficient. To research our goals, make everything with as little ingredients as possible, or- as my great grandmother would say:" Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without."
Independence is sacrifice in a way. To be independent, you must be willing to give up something. Free time, for example. In our world, it's usually money. We cannot have three of the big things that would make us more independent. Here they are:
Greywater: the use of recycled water, i.e. from the dishwasher, shower drains, washing machine is used in an irrigation system to water the plants. Rainwater can also be used when collected by barrels for our use after filtration, however- one system we researched would cost us about 5,000 dollars, and the rain barrels are cheap, but the filtration system and the plumbing changes we would need would be about the same.
Solar Panels: our home is quite large, and the sun shines on our roof 80% of the day. That would result in completely paying our electric bill and then having extra to sell back to the electric company. It would also mean no power outages, which happen frequently here. One company we looked into out of California said that we qualified for a financing option on their solar system, but did not service our area. Another we met at last year's Mother Earth News Fair in Asheville, NC did service our area but quoted us 65,000 dollars without even coming to our property.
Fencing: this is in progress with us. We have several pens around the yard, but would love to encase our land in a sturdy fence. We love having animals and want them to love their life here too, by roaming as much as practically and safely possible. But, we do have stray dogs around as well as foxes and coyotes. Our goal is to get a larger animal that is also dual purpose- such as sheep, donkey, cow or goats. Most of our land is fenced in with exception to two large pieces. We have contacted our local agriculture department and have an appointment for a possible grant towards our efforts.
Because our dreams have and probably always will be bigger then our budget, we have to have part time jobs outside the home. What we have learned though that by working outside the business we can offer our products and more importantly our education, for barely more then what we put into them.
**********I have to make an inter-junction here though. At Heritage Days (October 11-13, 2014) My goods will be very extended beyond my normal wares. My personal rule of 5 ingredients or less still applies, but my prices will have to reflect the venue. I do not plan on bringing any meats or eggs, but will bring my scheduler to plan visits for guests.
Friday, August 1, 2014
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Lessons Learned
I believe that the purpose of life is to learn. Seems simple, huh? We are constantly learning as humans. In the first few years of life we learn how to take care of simple tasks without which we would not survive. Far too often I hear of people, including myself, that look at every mistake as a waste of resources. Without experimenting on the unknown how are we to know? You can read every book published, watch others more skilled then you, but without actually experiencing it, you never really learn anything. On our farm, that is core. My husband and I read and researched Guinea hens before we bought a dozen for the garden. They are touted as the great bug killers, leaving your plants alone as they attack every moving thing. This is not true. We attached a small 4-6 hen house to the garden, clipped their wings and gave food and water. The next few days they destroyed all the jalapeno plants, trampled all my carrots,made my onion bed a dusting area, and finally- got loose and went to the other 6 that were a good 500 feet in our main chicken coop. We cut them down to 2 in the garden; yet still they attack what was left of the jalapeno. We tried putting bonemeal and crushed eggshells on the beds. This was thought to deter them since they don't like the feel under their feet. It did not deter them. So, for now we'll leave the stocks of the plants and see if they come back and the carrots we harvested and put some more seeds in their boxes. If they continue, we'll have to put fencing up around the boxes, but I'm not sure if they would just fly over it.
Missed opportunities exist, especially during the first year of any business. We recently attended a local store's "customer appreciation day" and realized that we could have set up a booth. We could have sold all our poultry products and pork products. It was not all in vain though, we met a few people that we can barter with for raw milk and beef, and that makes us very happy. It does not wash out the fact we could have sold over a thousand dollars worth of product, but it does make a dent in our hurt. Our decision? Next year! It also makes me alot more alert in looking for such things in the future.
We have started participating in rogersville's farmers market, and have barely broke even every time we go, but have handed out multitudes of business cards. I told Erick- if we can establish a base of customers that are looking for pork and poultry, the farmer's markets will just be icing.
The only downside to our poultry base though: Just when our business is starting to pick up, I don't think I ordered enough birds.
Missed opportunities exist, especially during the first year of any business. We recently attended a local store's "customer appreciation day" and realized that we could have set up a booth. We could have sold all our poultry products and pork products. It was not all in vain though, we met a few people that we can barter with for raw milk and beef, and that makes us very happy. It does not wash out the fact we could have sold over a thousand dollars worth of product, but it does make a dent in our hurt. Our decision? Next year! It also makes me alot more alert in looking for such things in the future.
We have started participating in rogersville's farmers market, and have barely broke even every time we go, but have handed out multitudes of business cards. I told Erick- if we can establish a base of customers that are looking for pork and poultry, the farmer's markets will just be icing.
The only downside to our poultry base though: Just when our business is starting to pick up, I don't think I ordered enough birds.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
The start of something wonderful
Sorry for the time between posts, Google decided that it needed to verify my identity. The thought that a company created glasses that you can surf the web in, but needs to send a postcard to you to verify your identity boggles my mind. Thanks for your patience and here we go!
That crazy idea that sounded good in your head during a dream, where you know the gist of where you are supposed to be going, but haven't quite figured out how it all happened? I'm getting there. Since my last blog, I became unemployed and decided it was the universes' way of directing me to actually start this farm. I have dived in, head first and heart pumping. Always wondering if this is reality or just a dream. My waking hours have shifted into more meaningful thought. Notes are my best friends and the telephone is glued to my head or my hip in case that inspector calls. There is a chaotic circus of sorts making my brainwaves feel more typhoon. There is paperwork for different licensees, grading manuals, printer paper and endless doodles and plans strewn about my desk, turning the black paint into white paper.
And I love it.
After finalizing some of my recipes, most of which had been handed down through the generations, others I created in the need or want of life, I start making labels, each following the law of the land. In TN that is the following:
For any product that is considered non hazardous, Made in a "domestic kitchen" it must include the following:
Name and adress
Product name
Ingrediants and weight
date produced
You must also have a sign made of 8.5x11 with .75" font that reads " this product was made in a private kitchen that has not been inspected nor licensed"
re: http://cottagefoods.org/laws/usa/tennessee/
Here is my conundrum though. I made a verbal contract with a local and very well known eatery. She agreed to buy all my eggs that I can get from my hens every week for a set price, as long as I have an food license. However, because I have less then 3000 laying hens, I do not qualify under the law to get that license. I contacted my agricultural department and after many hours on the phone, I had an inspector come out two weeks later and give me a license (I passed, YAY). In order to be under compliance, though, I have to register with the FDA- which does not recognize me as needing the license, so it will not register me. I am a determined woman, and this is not the end. I will call the inspector back come monday and the agricultural person that I spoke to and figure this all out.
It does not amaze me why all the business in this country in moving out.
In my free time that does exist, I am looking up things I can make to sell at a reasonable profit, time and price. Today was the first real big event we attended as a farm booth, and we did fairly well. But it could always be better. Over the next 6 months there will be over 8 other events. But some of my newer ideas may have to wait for research; for example: I'd love to sell lemonade at my booth, today alone I witnessed a nearby store almost sell out of their coke and water products because the event we attended was in a field and it soared into the 90's by lunch. To do so however, I need to make sure that no permits in that area exist. I need to make sure that all laws are covered, such as county laws, health laws and labor laws. Does the county that I am serving in allow for beverage sales? Can my children help me at the booth without infringing child labor laws? Does the sale of different sodas and or waters fall out of my license?such are the thoughts of a new business owner. Oh, what a life to have a mentor right about now. I will post again very soon, this woman's head is spinning.
That crazy idea that sounded good in your head during a dream, where you know the gist of where you are supposed to be going, but haven't quite figured out how it all happened? I'm getting there. Since my last blog, I became unemployed and decided it was the universes' way of directing me to actually start this farm. I have dived in, head first and heart pumping. Always wondering if this is reality or just a dream. My waking hours have shifted into more meaningful thought. Notes are my best friends and the telephone is glued to my head or my hip in case that inspector calls. There is a chaotic circus of sorts making my brainwaves feel more typhoon. There is paperwork for different licensees, grading manuals, printer paper and endless doodles and plans strewn about my desk, turning the black paint into white paper.
And I love it.
After finalizing some of my recipes, most of which had been handed down through the generations, others I created in the need or want of life, I start making labels, each following the law of the land. In TN that is the following:
For any product that is considered non hazardous, Made in a "domestic kitchen" it must include the following:
Name and adress
Product name
Ingrediants and weight
date produced
You must also have a sign made of 8.5x11 with .75" font that reads " this product was made in a private kitchen that has not been inspected nor licensed"
re: http://cottagefoods.org/laws/usa/tennessee/
Here is my conundrum though. I made a verbal contract with a local and very well known eatery. She agreed to buy all my eggs that I can get from my hens every week for a set price, as long as I have an food license. However, because I have less then 3000 laying hens, I do not qualify under the law to get that license. I contacted my agricultural department and after many hours on the phone, I had an inspector come out two weeks later and give me a license (I passed, YAY). In order to be under compliance, though, I have to register with the FDA- which does not recognize me as needing the license, so it will not register me. I am a determined woman, and this is not the end. I will call the inspector back come monday and the agricultural person that I spoke to and figure this all out.
It does not amaze me why all the business in this country in moving out.
In my free time that does exist, I am looking up things I can make to sell at a reasonable profit, time and price. Today was the first real big event we attended as a farm booth, and we did fairly well. But it could always be better. Over the next 6 months there will be over 8 other events. But some of my newer ideas may have to wait for research; for example: I'd love to sell lemonade at my booth, today alone I witnessed a nearby store almost sell out of their coke and water products because the event we attended was in a field and it soared into the 90's by lunch. To do so however, I need to make sure that no permits in that area exist. I need to make sure that all laws are covered, such as county laws, health laws and labor laws. Does the county that I am serving in allow for beverage sales? Can my children help me at the booth without infringing child labor laws? Does the sale of different sodas and or waters fall out of my license?such are the thoughts of a new business owner. Oh, what a life to have a mentor right about now. I will post again very soon, this woman's head is spinning.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Sprouts Everywhere!
Our first time planting a real garden was years ago. I started a very small corner garden only big enough for 2 or 3 tomato plants and maybe a squash. That was also the first year I learned how far tendrils would reach. Now with a thousand square foot garden, I still manage to screw up with one plant or another every year. Last year I planted over 100 seeds in the little pots on a pretty little greenhouse that i could roll in and out with the weather. I planted far too early, and a gusty late march wind took all my work and threw it onto the floorboards of my porch. This year Erick found me a place that sold flats of the plants I was interested in. I ended up spending hundreds last year going to lowes. This year we've spend less then 50 on most of the plants that we want. Lots of tomatoes, squash, herbs, more asparagus and strawberries. We focused on getting perennials in anything that we could. I love being in the garden in the spring, but love harvest far more. Mary Washington Asparagus comes back for over 20 years, and the whole family loves it, so it earned a permanent 3 beds in there this year. That makes for 30 plants overall, and I see it being more in the years to come.
Our pigs have successfully grown to slaughter size. Or so we thought. The smallest pig came in at only 143 pounds. based on the conversion from hanging weight to live weight, that would make "pork chop" only ( 143*28% = n; n+143= live weight) 193 pounds alive, or about 40 lbs small for the slaughter kill zone of 220-250 live weight. But we learned ALOT. first, never pick up piglets in a car. the smell only gets worse as the travel goes on. secondly, Come October here, it is still warm, great for piglets but horrible for their feed. We did a mixture for 5/6 months we had them. 50 pounds cracked or whole corn, 50 pounds sweet feed and 50 pounds hog starter. each 150 pound barrel lasted about a week until March, when they were eating an easy 2 barrels a week. in addition to feed, we had a bucket or two of bread and kitchen scraps for them. We heard that giving the sweet feed and bread would make for sweet pork; as long as you go straight to only hog finisher at the 30 day before slaughter mark. we'll be picking up the meat tomorrow, so I'll let you know how true that is.
There's much more to say, but never enough time in a day. I'll post again soon.
Our pigs have successfully grown to slaughter size. Or so we thought. The smallest pig came in at only 143 pounds. based on the conversion from hanging weight to live weight, that would make "pork chop" only ( 143*28% = n; n+143= live weight) 193 pounds alive, or about 40 lbs small for the slaughter kill zone of 220-250 live weight. But we learned ALOT. first, never pick up piglets in a car. the smell only gets worse as the travel goes on. secondly, Come October here, it is still warm, great for piglets but horrible for their feed. We did a mixture for 5/6 months we had them. 50 pounds cracked or whole corn, 50 pounds sweet feed and 50 pounds hog starter. each 150 pound barrel lasted about a week until March, when they were eating an easy 2 barrels a week. in addition to feed, we had a bucket or two of bread and kitchen scraps for them. We heard that giving the sweet feed and bread would make for sweet pork; as long as you go straight to only hog finisher at the 30 day before slaughter mark. we'll be picking up the meat tomorrow, so I'll let you know how true that is.
There's much more to say, but never enough time in a day. I'll post again soon.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Everything has a beginning
It's officially spring! We hate winter, but it does have its opportunities. During the 'real' winter months- December, January and February- there is two main goals in the house. We spend a lot of time researching and a lot of time relaxing. Researching is my forte, the girls get more schooling in during those months, and usually will help me on the computer or with all our noses in books. Beginning in February we start our seeds indoors. Although we haven't had good luck yet starting from any seed, we still try.
The first year I started gardening I got too early of a start. Last year I was doing great until a strong windy March day tried to make my greenhouse fly. I lost all my seedlings and months of work and research. I am trying again this year. I have most of the more expensive plants started in a window, where I've watered them every 3 days and turned their little boxes daily. All of my hardy plants are in the ground and perennial vegetables are in the ground. Ozark Strawberries, Mary Washington Asparagus and Rhubarb that has already re sprung. I've planted my herbs in their window boxes, and they are coming up in droves! In a little over two weeks our feeder pigs that we've taken care of for 5 months will be going to slaughter and their pen will be used for "experimental" crops. This is the first year I've ever even seen a peanut plant, never mind that I planted them from raw unsalted nuts and they are coming up! Corn and potatoes are ready to make use of all that tilled, fertilized land too!
We've also mated our rabbits again. Fritters is due in a week, so we're watching for her fluff pulling to signal the delivery will be soon. We're using a cheap cat litter box and scraps of clothing for her nest and cage when the time is closer. Our chicks are 1 month old now, giving them free reign of the large pen with the ducks that are about 2 months from free range freedom. Our broilers are 1/2 done, and in about a week we'll be getting more to replenish them when they are slaughtered the end of April. At that rate, we should be able to do a slaughter once every month to 6 weeks. That should fill our freezer at the end of October with about 210 lbs chicken, minus all the chicken we use in the meantime. Between the chickens and pigs, we'll have just over 500 lbs meat produced on our farm this year. About the same time in October, the rabbits should be ready to sell or kill as well.
Everything has a beginning, a purpose, and an end. Nothing is exempt from their own cycle of destiny.
The first year I started gardening I got too early of a start. Last year I was doing great until a strong windy March day tried to make my greenhouse fly. I lost all my seedlings and months of work and research. I am trying again this year. I have most of the more expensive plants started in a window, where I've watered them every 3 days and turned their little boxes daily. All of my hardy plants are in the ground and perennial vegetables are in the ground. Ozark Strawberries, Mary Washington Asparagus and Rhubarb that has already re sprung. I've planted my herbs in their window boxes, and they are coming up in droves! In a little over two weeks our feeder pigs that we've taken care of for 5 months will be going to slaughter and their pen will be used for "experimental" crops. This is the first year I've ever even seen a peanut plant, never mind that I planted them from raw unsalted nuts and they are coming up! Corn and potatoes are ready to make use of all that tilled, fertilized land too!
We've also mated our rabbits again. Fritters is due in a week, so we're watching for her fluff pulling to signal the delivery will be soon. We're using a cheap cat litter box and scraps of clothing for her nest and cage when the time is closer. Our chicks are 1 month old now, giving them free reign of the large pen with the ducks that are about 2 months from free range freedom. Our broilers are 1/2 done, and in about a week we'll be getting more to replenish them when they are slaughtered the end of April. At that rate, we should be able to do a slaughter once every month to 6 weeks. That should fill our freezer at the end of October with about 210 lbs chicken, minus all the chicken we use in the meantime. Between the chickens and pigs, we'll have just over 500 lbs meat produced on our farm this year. About the same time in October, the rabbits should be ready to sell or kill as well.
Everything has a beginning, a purpose, and an end. Nothing is exempt from their own cycle of destiny.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Meat
As I've strained in previous posts, We are attempting to be self sufficient. Here is my topic on meat.
We, as an Ohana, are carnivorous. Sure, we eat all that comes out of the garden, next to a nice piece of seared, juicy meat. Chickens were our first into meat. Our first flock we intended on being just layers (only for laying eggs). 15 white rocks. 8 months into that flock, they started to get sickly. We culled 6 to try and stop the progress. That time of the year the garden had just put out the last of the harvest, so Erick put 3 into the garden to weed out and destroy the bugs and larvae. With the last 6 we butchered for practice and meat for the winter. Soon after, we ordered the only chickens available at that time, Cornish X rocks. little did we know what a mistake we made. They arrived, healthy and happy. Within two months they were full grown, and we were faced with a problem, some of them stopped walking. Scrambling to find answers, we talked to several people about it. Tried Vitamin B- known to give extra energy, nothing. tried several medicinal ideas, again- nothing. Thats when we found our answer; they were meant as broilers from day one. You see, a broiler is not made to lay or even live past 3 months, they are strict meat bird. With the medicine I gave them, we had to wait two weeks before butchering that flock. In December, you have two choices on getting new birds. You can pay a lot of money to order some under strict regimens (required quantities, required breeds of bird) or wait till spring. The cost of simply heating their coop and ordering that time of year made us wait till now, March. We have a new flock, three actually. Our mistake taught us a very good lesson- know your breed. We purposely bought 10 more of the broilers, after we made them their own area, strictly for their meat. We also got 25 assorted layers this time around. and 12 ducks whose main purpose is to destroy bugs throughout our yard.
They offer more then food though. Eggs are eaten by everyone here. Egg shells are cleaned, crumbled and made into grit for the birds, egg whites make mayo, egg yolks are split between our feeder pigs and our dogs. When we have far too many eggs to eat- we make a souffle out of them and freeze it. they can be dehydrated as well for skinny times or added to recipes for extra calcium.
We had hemmed and hawed about raising pigs. They are called feeders because they only live to slaughter time, about 6 months. Our first year we simply didn't have enough time or manpower, but that next winter we decided that it would be a great time. our harvest and canning were done, chickens were frozen or already eaten, and we finally picked a decent spot for their pen. We had been getting pretty good at using pallets and fencing, which is what the majority of their pen consisted of. After speaking to a friend at work, we had three new piglets heading home in the smelliest car ride Chris and I had ever taken in our life. Note to self- use pickup truck next time. They will be ready for their trip to the slaughter next month, which will leave their pen up for grabs by peanuts, corn and potatoes.
The rabbits serve a purpose as well other then meat. Babies produced can be brought to trade shows for sale, the furs of those we keep and eat can be sold or made into items.Our dogs are here for protection and use. The oldest is best at digging up roots that are in our way. Another is great at grabbing sticks off the ground for kindling and mower protection. One of the girls is great at protection and guarding the home, and not one person could get past this barking security of a combined 350 lbs of teeth and snarl.
We had adopted a new saying this year for the farm. Only feed what will feed you or serves an intricate purpose for the home.
We, as an Ohana, are carnivorous. Sure, we eat all that comes out of the garden, next to a nice piece of seared, juicy meat. Chickens were our first into meat. Our first flock we intended on being just layers (only for laying eggs). 15 white rocks. 8 months into that flock, they started to get sickly. We culled 6 to try and stop the progress. That time of the year the garden had just put out the last of the harvest, so Erick put 3 into the garden to weed out and destroy the bugs and larvae. With the last 6 we butchered for practice and meat for the winter. Soon after, we ordered the only chickens available at that time, Cornish X rocks. little did we know what a mistake we made. They arrived, healthy and happy. Within two months they were full grown, and we were faced with a problem, some of them stopped walking. Scrambling to find answers, we talked to several people about it. Tried Vitamin B- known to give extra energy, nothing. tried several medicinal ideas, again- nothing. Thats when we found our answer; they were meant as broilers from day one. You see, a broiler is not made to lay or even live past 3 months, they are strict meat bird. With the medicine I gave them, we had to wait two weeks before butchering that flock. In December, you have two choices on getting new birds. You can pay a lot of money to order some under strict regimens (required quantities, required breeds of bird) or wait till spring. The cost of simply heating their coop and ordering that time of year made us wait till now, March. We have a new flock, three actually. Our mistake taught us a very good lesson- know your breed. We purposely bought 10 more of the broilers, after we made them their own area, strictly for their meat. We also got 25 assorted layers this time around. and 12 ducks whose main purpose is to destroy bugs throughout our yard.
They offer more then food though. Eggs are eaten by everyone here. Egg shells are cleaned, crumbled and made into grit for the birds, egg whites make mayo, egg yolks are split between our feeder pigs and our dogs. When we have far too many eggs to eat- we make a souffle out of them and freeze it. they can be dehydrated as well for skinny times or added to recipes for extra calcium.
We had hemmed and hawed about raising pigs. They are called feeders because they only live to slaughter time, about 6 months. Our first year we simply didn't have enough time or manpower, but that next winter we decided that it would be a great time. our harvest and canning were done, chickens were frozen or already eaten, and we finally picked a decent spot for their pen. We had been getting pretty good at using pallets and fencing, which is what the majority of their pen consisted of. After speaking to a friend at work, we had three new piglets heading home in the smelliest car ride Chris and I had ever taken in our life. Note to self- use pickup truck next time. They will be ready for their trip to the slaughter next month, which will leave their pen up for grabs by peanuts, corn and potatoes.
The rabbits serve a purpose as well other then meat. Babies produced can be brought to trade shows for sale, the furs of those we keep and eat can be sold or made into items.Our dogs are here for protection and use. The oldest is best at digging up roots that are in our way. Another is great at grabbing sticks off the ground for kindling and mower protection. One of the girls is great at protection and guarding the home, and not one person could get past this barking security of a combined 350 lbs of teeth and snarl.
We had adopted a new saying this year for the farm. Only feed what will feed you or serves an intricate purpose for the home.
Big Plans 2
With homeschooling the girls, our time expanded enormously. Better yet, we got to enjoy the girls throughout our projects, from the planning to placement and the joys and obstacles that both brought with them. They were learning in a way that reminded me of their younger years, a way I had missed miserably. When they were little, explaining why's and why nots was a way of life. Now, being able to explain the steps helped me concrete them in my mind and find the issues that might arise. They had a lot of hands on learning the first year, a lot of change that swept through not only their new home, but in their minds as well. Maturity was overcoming them, but it was a nice change for the most part. They are in the middle of learning so many new things, cooking and sewing, planting and taking care of our animals. Death became reality.
We decided to raise rabbits as both a secondary meat source and money from babies. We chose two Californian mixed rabbits known for their meat, and have been raising them almost a year now. The first time we put our female, fritters, into litter- she gave birth to 5 babies. We planned out almost everything, and when the 21st day came, no babies came. It wasn't until the 27th day, a day no one was home, that she gave birth. We had her on metal fabric, and three babes still fell through to their deaths. My youngest daughter found them, there was no saving them. The other two we attempted to put with mama in a dog crate in the house. Fritters decided to make a snack out of them. Poor things didn't make the night. We are attempting it again soon, with a little more preparedness towards the week of the birth instead of the day.
Our plans are simple- use the money we get from wages to pay bills and only get things we cannot make. Have several plans for disastrous weather, both the mother nature kind and society. Meat is a staple. We have the rabbits for one source (back up source) we raise feeder pigs for pork products (main source one) and have chickens as our other main source. The only thing we have not nailed down is beef, but it is on our agenda.
We decided to raise rabbits as both a secondary meat source and money from babies. We chose two Californian mixed rabbits known for their meat, and have been raising them almost a year now. The first time we put our female, fritters, into litter- she gave birth to 5 babies. We planned out almost everything, and when the 21st day came, no babies came. It wasn't until the 27th day, a day no one was home, that she gave birth. We had her on metal fabric, and three babes still fell through to their deaths. My youngest daughter found them, there was no saving them. The other two we attempted to put with mama in a dog crate in the house. Fritters decided to make a snack out of them. Poor things didn't make the night. We are attempting it again soon, with a little more preparedness towards the week of the birth instead of the day.
Our plans are simple- use the money we get from wages to pay bills and only get things we cannot make. Have several plans for disastrous weather, both the mother nature kind and society. Meat is a staple. We have the rabbits for one source (back up source) we raise feeder pigs for pork products (main source one) and have chickens as our other main source. The only thing we have not nailed down is beef, but it is on our agenda.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Big Plans 1
We were all moved in by the middle of September. I hate moving and hate cardboard, I could not wait to get either out of my short term memory. From then to April the following year, we did not stop. We planned out the garden, the chicken coop, had contractors here almost every day- it felt like a beehive. The girls would come home from school about 4 pm and at that point in the day, Erick and I had been up since daybreak. We looked into home schooling over so many reasons. We met many parents in our new hometown that homeschooled. Our schedules would be have to be re-prioritized but in a great way. I have always loved research, and this was an opportunity to really teach them things I feel they will really need in life. How to care for animals, raise plants, research their dreams and make them into reality. Even if what they want is to work for a living, go to college, or have a family; I want them to have a better foundation then what they were recieving. We are almost done our first year and its only March. We follow both our private homeschool that we belong to that requires 1000 hours a year, and the public school system that states 180 days and 4 hours a day. At the end of March, we will have acquired 1100 hours and 190 days.
We will restart our 8th grade April 20. At this pace, we will finish middle school curriculum by January, 2015. One goal the girls have is to finish by their 16th birthday. For Katlyn, that means May 22, 2017 she will be ready for her next adventure. In the next few semesters, one of my plans is to incorporate community service, maybe an internship into the field of their choice. My greatest pleasure about homeschooling is that I can make school tailor to our family, and not the other way around
We will restart our 8th grade April 20. At this pace, we will finish middle school curriculum by January, 2015. One goal the girls have is to finish by their 16th birthday. For Katlyn, that means May 22, 2017 she will be ready for her next adventure. In the next few semesters, one of my plans is to incorporate community service, maybe an internship into the field of their choice. My greatest pleasure about homeschooling is that I can make school tailor to our family, and not the other way around
Hitting the ground running 1
We knew what we wanted before we arrived at our new home. Become self sufficient the best we could. But we had other dreams that had to be woven into these thoughts. Up north, we worked so much that we never saw one another other then written notes and telephone calls. I felt so disconnected from "life" outside of work and errands. I wanted my girls to play sports, excel at anything they wanted, be popular if that was one of their dreams. That proved disastrous. First week at their middle school and I get a fundraiser packet. Second week I was begged to tears for new cell phones and the last straw was a field trip to the high school they would be attending in a two years. The high school expected us to buy each child a laptop for their usage in and out of school. This felt like a slap in the face after paying our taxes that just went up, along with our adjusted property taxes. Yet that was droplets compared to the new children that just strolled in after school. Attitudes and swears were something I wasn't prepared for in 5th grade, Along with troves of barely-there clothes of their classmates, tugging along cellphones that was suddenly a neccessity of my 11 year old that walked literally 1 block to and from school. At night, the children that stayed after school would mock my children as they passed for helping me outside. The backyard was no haven either, as the slope of the hill that faced their school adjoined our private space. Trash would be littered in and around our tiny front landscaping, meticulously done by my husbands' 69 year old mother. My car sat out front on the street, the canvas of too many vandals over the years. When I brought up our moving to the children, the only sadness was missing of a particular friend that they had become close to. They decided to become pen pals and helped us pack the last of our belongings.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Landing
Erick arrived one month after I did. At this point, I had a property eyed, house picked out and my parents and mother in law were adjusting. My father and him always seemed to get along, but now that they shared more then me, but a family and roof, things got messy. We spent a very long forty five days there after that. Both of them held their toungue more then I assumed their pride and egos would allow.
We chose a rolling land, two and a half large acres that felt huge with only a shed and our house slowly being put together on it. The hill, we envisioned; would stop a lot of rain from descending onto our foundation. It flowed directly away from our new home and into a hole that we lovingly refer to as "the pit", then into a neighbors' horse field. There wasn't much more at that time here. A fire pit that we carefully moved a few hundred feet; and the big, manly shed with built-in full bathroom.
We joyously unpacked and enjoyed our first night by eating pizza on our new floor as a family. Our first house, in our names. The dogs spent the next few days sniffing every blade of grass that their new yard had to offer. I spent the next few days off I had with Erick and Chris showing them their new town, filling out applications, and finishing paperwork on everything. Our dreams were only partially filled. We still wanted to be more self sufficient than most of the people we had ever known. So, we started small. We had a back porch put on with a roof to do the smaller projects that you just can't do inside. We added a propane and charcoal grill for more ways to cook. Scheduled someone to put a stone foundation on the house for the cold winters and extra storage. Chopped trees that blocked our view of game, mostly deer and turkey; and added benefit of having the wood for campfires. A few months later as spring was coming again, we added a thousand square foot raised garden. A chicken coop made from a bought shed with enclosed run was next. All the time my parents and Erick's mother were right there to help in any way they could. Whether that was helping with our math and planning, helping us shop for large amounts of materials, or simply watching the kids for a few hours. No matter what we were doing, we were making memories as an Ohana.
We chose a rolling land, two and a half large acres that felt huge with only a shed and our house slowly being put together on it. The hill, we envisioned; would stop a lot of rain from descending onto our foundation. It flowed directly away from our new home and into a hole that we lovingly refer to as "the pit", then into a neighbors' horse field. There wasn't much more at that time here. A fire pit that we carefully moved a few hundred feet; and the big, manly shed with built-in full bathroom.
We joyously unpacked and enjoyed our first night by eating pizza on our new floor as a family. Our first house, in our names. The dogs spent the next few days sniffing every blade of grass that their new yard had to offer. I spent the next few days off I had with Erick and Chris showing them their new town, filling out applications, and finishing paperwork on everything. Our dreams were only partially filled. We still wanted to be more self sufficient than most of the people we had ever known. So, we started small. We had a back porch put on with a roof to do the smaller projects that you just can't do inside. We added a propane and charcoal grill for more ways to cook. Scheduled someone to put a stone foundation on the house for the cold winters and extra storage. Chopped trees that blocked our view of game, mostly deer and turkey; and added benefit of having the wood for campfires. A few months later as spring was coming again, we added a thousand square foot raised garden. A chicken coop made from a bought shed with enclosed run was next. All the time my parents and Erick's mother were right there to help in any way they could. Whether that was helping with our math and planning, helping us shop for large amounts of materials, or simply watching the kids for a few hours. No matter what we were doing, we were making memories as an Ohana.
Falling 2
My husband and I met and had one thing that both set a fiery blaze in our stomachs. We wanted to live for us. In his hometown where I moved two years after meeting him, both of us were very fortunate and were able to find great paying jobs; not good, great. Even after a motorcycle crash left him in bed for almost a year, finding work was never a challenge to me. Neither was buying anything the family could ever need or want. Erick and I didn't have time to read labels to see ingredients, never mind snuggling to watch a movie or discuss issues that were arising. Between both of us working full time and paying a hotel to get private time when our schedules allowed us to; we were slowly burning out alive. Our guts told us the truth- to get what we wanted we needed to drastically change our lives.
My parents, through strained relationship and bitter heartaches, are still my parents. When I was younger, I wasn't the easiest teenager to mentor. Stubborn to the core, defiant in any way I didn't agree with. Which in regards to my folks, meant religion. My father desperately wanted to be an elder in his Jehovah's Witnesses. Everything I did reflected through him, no matter how much nonsense it actually was. He had been denied through my older sister's actions, mine and eventually by my younger brother and mother. The way I saw it then and now is that they never wanted him as anything of prominence in their church. The powers that be ensured that any actions taken by anyone in relation to him would prove their case and shame him in the process. This gravely hurt the former marine, something my father would never completely heal from.
My mother was an enabler. In the good as well as the bad. She enabled me to be strong headed, stubborn for the right reasons, and clever. She enabled me to live the way I wanted when my father disagreed by placing me with my uncle. She was there when she could be and when she could secretly through the dark passages between my father and I. She could never stand her ground against him in regards to his lifestyle or children. He spoke and she obeyed, especially with the religion. Slowly over the thirty three years that unraveled in their marriage, they struck a common core, now both have a voice to some extent.
They moved here in 2010; Rogersville, TN. A small town in upper-east tn of approximately five thousand people. The town dots the map with a variety of resturants and shops, with three highways crossing over to more important towns and cities. The came in an RV, which is were they lived for a little over a year. On the empty, flat parcel of land that my father had bought to situate their ending home. their two dogs in tow, mom and dad settled like pioneers. Pioneers that spent the last three years traveling between MA and TN to scout land and religious opportunities. They hit the goldmine in Rogersville. A fresh start away from their old congregation, after all the children were raised and left them harshly, or were pushed away. From a crumbling financial situation they faced after medical problems and age crept up to them. Their medical issues were just a drop in the bucket to our decision to join them, but that drop was heavier then even I had anticipated.
My mother and I have a very special connection. She was not only the driving force behind my personality, but the cheering squad in any decision I've ever made. Her health was deteriorating, due in part to her body, but mostly her mind. All my life I lived within thirty minute drive of her, so moving to Boston was tough because I no longer was there to talk in person with her, but worried about her constantly. When she and my father moved almost nine hundred miles away, it was frustrating and scary for me. What ifs flooded my mind on a daily basis.
A needle on the sidewalk in front of our house in Quincy one day solidified my sentiments of leaving. My children were walking home from school past drug dens, prostitutes and drug dealers. My husband and I never saw one another, and although we made a lot of money for the house that had been handed down to my husband for generations, none of our bank accounts stayed above anything lucrative enough to show it. The cost of living was atrocious. We paid a quarter of our annual take home pay for property taxes. In return, we would park on the street; IF they weren't doing construction and there was an open spot. We had things stolen constantly off our front porch. One item in particular memory was an air conditioner out of our window. At night people would send the two dogs we were allowed to have into barking fits through sirens, gunshots and drunks passing by. There were rules for everything and against more. One sunny summer while having a BBQ, a Frisbee landed on a retention wall to our neighbors. The old wall couldn't take the pressure under my daughters weight and fell in crumbles. Erick went to the neighbor and offered to fix the wall but needed persmission to enter his property with over 400 lbs of concrete needed to do the job. He was firmly told no. That was our final straw. The weight of what surrounded us finally took its toll and obliterated our aspirations of making our dreams come true.. there.
We started packing. Mountains of boxes in each room, a job offer for me meant that Erick would have to leave his lucrative job that he had a degree for. Yet it also meant a dream being fulfilled. We were leaving, and the only sadness that anyone mustered was his mother for leaving her family home. I left one month before Erick came to join me. He wanted to give an accurate notice to his employer, and give me time to find a home and secure my new job. The first few months were the hardest we'd ever faced. We did not have one another to lean on other then the side of a phone call. My mother and I were far from close, but bringing her with me meant help with the children and a second opinion with decisions that would affect her as well as us. We were staying with my folks in the camper they still had on their property. I had the support of everyone, until Erick joined me.
........ to be continued
My parents, through strained relationship and bitter heartaches, are still my parents. When I was younger, I wasn't the easiest teenager to mentor. Stubborn to the core, defiant in any way I didn't agree with. Which in regards to my folks, meant religion. My father desperately wanted to be an elder in his Jehovah's Witnesses. Everything I did reflected through him, no matter how much nonsense it actually was. He had been denied through my older sister's actions, mine and eventually by my younger brother and mother. The way I saw it then and now is that they never wanted him as anything of prominence in their church. The powers that be ensured that any actions taken by anyone in relation to him would prove their case and shame him in the process. This gravely hurt the former marine, something my father would never completely heal from.
My mother was an enabler. In the good as well as the bad. She enabled me to be strong headed, stubborn for the right reasons, and clever. She enabled me to live the way I wanted when my father disagreed by placing me with my uncle. She was there when she could be and when she could secretly through the dark passages between my father and I. She could never stand her ground against him in regards to his lifestyle or children. He spoke and she obeyed, especially with the religion. Slowly over the thirty three years that unraveled in their marriage, they struck a common core, now both have a voice to some extent.
They moved here in 2010; Rogersville, TN. A small town in upper-east tn of approximately five thousand people. The town dots the map with a variety of resturants and shops, with three highways crossing over to more important towns and cities. The came in an RV, which is were they lived for a little over a year. On the empty, flat parcel of land that my father had bought to situate their ending home. their two dogs in tow, mom and dad settled like pioneers. Pioneers that spent the last three years traveling between MA and TN to scout land and religious opportunities. They hit the goldmine in Rogersville. A fresh start away from their old congregation, after all the children were raised and left them harshly, or were pushed away. From a crumbling financial situation they faced after medical problems and age crept up to them. Their medical issues were just a drop in the bucket to our decision to join them, but that drop was heavier then even I had anticipated.
My mother and I have a very special connection. She was not only the driving force behind my personality, but the cheering squad in any decision I've ever made. Her health was deteriorating, due in part to her body, but mostly her mind. All my life I lived within thirty minute drive of her, so moving to Boston was tough because I no longer was there to talk in person with her, but worried about her constantly. When she and my father moved almost nine hundred miles away, it was frustrating and scary for me. What ifs flooded my mind on a daily basis.
A needle on the sidewalk in front of our house in Quincy one day solidified my sentiments of leaving. My children were walking home from school past drug dens, prostitutes and drug dealers. My husband and I never saw one another, and although we made a lot of money for the house that had been handed down to my husband for generations, none of our bank accounts stayed above anything lucrative enough to show it. The cost of living was atrocious. We paid a quarter of our annual take home pay for property taxes. In return, we would park on the street; IF they weren't doing construction and there was an open spot. We had things stolen constantly off our front porch. One item in particular memory was an air conditioner out of our window. At night people would send the two dogs we were allowed to have into barking fits through sirens, gunshots and drunks passing by. There were rules for everything and against more. One sunny summer while having a BBQ, a Frisbee landed on a retention wall to our neighbors. The old wall couldn't take the pressure under my daughters weight and fell in crumbles. Erick went to the neighbor and offered to fix the wall but needed persmission to enter his property with over 400 lbs of concrete needed to do the job. He was firmly told no. That was our final straw. The weight of what surrounded us finally took its toll and obliterated our aspirations of making our dreams come true.. there.
We started packing. Mountains of boxes in each room, a job offer for me meant that Erick would have to leave his lucrative job that he had a degree for. Yet it also meant a dream being fulfilled. We were leaving, and the only sadness that anyone mustered was his mother for leaving her family home. I left one month before Erick came to join me. He wanted to give an accurate notice to his employer, and give me time to find a home and secure my new job. The first few months were the hardest we'd ever faced. We did not have one another to lean on other then the side of a phone call. My mother and I were far from close, but bringing her with me meant help with the children and a second opinion with decisions that would affect her as well as us. We were staying with my folks in the camper they still had on their property. I had the support of everyone, until Erick joined me.
........ to be continued
Monday, February 24, 2014
Falling
Our family isn't your average. To say the least we are a modge podge of love and loyalty. You see, when I grew up I envisioned a small country home, much like the one I had the privilege of growing up in. When I was 12; that dream changed to a southern version thanks to a family friend that took me on a journey to VA. Alone, without my annoying brother or family around, I was swept up with the landscape of rolling wheat fields that encased my "aunts" house. The whinny of horses and smell of cow pie from a neighboring farm only concreted my daydreams from then on. Four years later I found myself living on my own with my uncle's very large family, learning the hard way for the next few years that family is not made of blood. Stumbling down the graduation serenade was a very lonely experience, as well as both times I received a degree, and getting married without being given away the first time was jarring enough for me to realize what I really wanted in life. Adventures with family that I created. Having a dozen kids to fulfill that I saw as selfish. This was not about me, it was so that the people that treated me like I mattered and stuck through the thick and thin could be there for the celebrations; Along with the journeys it took to get there. Maybe I couldn't change my past, but I could change other peoples futures, I show them the true meaning of Ohana.
My nephew, who is on the brink of his 25th year, started living with us about 7 years ago. He is a wonderful help around the house. He contributes through his job, and takes care of the animals and forever ongoing projects throughout the year. He is an avid artist, self declared computer geek and has the best head for ideas and shoulder when they don't work out like planned.
My daughters, where to start. They are 11 and 12, so learning is their best attribute. They enjoy most of the work revolving around the animals, especially the "babies". I recently started homeschooling them for various reasons I'll delve into later. They've been with us through it all, and although they might not always see my reasonings, they have so many people to help explain me to them.
My husband, the love of my life. We met on a blind date, and have been together ever since. I met him a year and a half after I was divorced. It was not love at first sight. He lived with his mother, at 34, in the city (which I loathed)was 9 years my senior and didn't like kids. He found out on our 3rd date that I had two daughters. After meeting them, he treated them like his. We had a lot more in common though. We wanted out of the state and into the country. We adored one another. On our first serious date we laid all our cards on the table. Things we loved, things we wanted in life, things we hated and things we would not put up with. No surprises we're still together. :)
Our animals come from all areas too. Dogs are 5,4,2,1/2 y.o. first was from a breeder, Harley. Second, a rescue from an abandoned pet shop, Maggie. Third we found on the side of the road two months after moving here, Lizzy. And our latest and final addition was from a humane society, Diesel. The rabbits are from an animal swap, the pigs from a friend, ducks from the co-op, and chickens from tractor supply. and our mouser, i mean cat, Suki- was a stray from up in MA.
You see, Ohana means that no matter your genetic lines, the people that are there for you always, is your true family, or Ohana. For the truly intellectual among us :
oh hah' nah] - Family, immediate and/or extended. Extremely important in Hawaiian culture. We consider you part of our 'Ohana
That's it for tonight and my very first blog post! I plan on going into much detail on farm projects; both finished and started, as well as family business that might interest any who read them.
My nephew, who is on the brink of his 25th year, started living with us about 7 years ago. He is a wonderful help around the house. He contributes through his job, and takes care of the animals and forever ongoing projects throughout the year. He is an avid artist, self declared computer geek and has the best head for ideas and shoulder when they don't work out like planned.
My daughters, where to start. They are 11 and 12, so learning is their best attribute. They enjoy most of the work revolving around the animals, especially the "babies". I recently started homeschooling them for various reasons I'll delve into later. They've been with us through it all, and although they might not always see my reasonings, they have so many people to help explain me to them.
My husband, the love of my life. We met on a blind date, and have been together ever since. I met him a year and a half after I was divorced. It was not love at first sight. He lived with his mother, at 34, in the city (which I loathed)was 9 years my senior and didn't like kids. He found out on our 3rd date that I had two daughters. After meeting them, he treated them like his. We had a lot more in common though. We wanted out of the state and into the country. We adored one another. On our first serious date we laid all our cards on the table. Things we loved, things we wanted in life, things we hated and things we would not put up with. No surprises we're still together. :)
Our animals come from all areas too. Dogs are 5,4,2,1/2 y.o. first was from a breeder, Harley. Second, a rescue from an abandoned pet shop, Maggie. Third we found on the side of the road two months after moving here, Lizzy. And our latest and final addition was from a humane society, Diesel. The rabbits are from an animal swap, the pigs from a friend, ducks from the co-op, and chickens from tractor supply. and our mouser, i mean cat, Suki- was a stray from up in MA.
You see, Ohana means that no matter your genetic lines, the people that are there for you always, is your true family, or Ohana. For the truly intellectual among us :
oh hah' nah] - Family, immediate and/or extended. Extremely important in Hawaiian culture. We consider you part of our 'Ohana
That's it for tonight and my very first blog post! I plan on going into much detail on farm projects; both finished and started, as well as family business that might interest any who read them.
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