Surveying the Property between Bouts of Rain

 

We’ve had a lot of rain! All of Texas… and here in our little part of it, this 3 day weekend was much of the same! The grass is getting taller, we can’t mow. Water is standing in the field and around the house. There are people that have lost much… home, and family.  The news report is sad.

Our problems are just that… problems. I’m grateful that its just minimal here;  and at the same time…prayerful for others that have it worse.

This was taken after the rain last night. Soggy water-logged puddles everywhere.

We had Tornado Warnings last night and my son said the sirens we’re going off on his side of the lake.  We don’t hear the sirens here.  Thank goodness.  I’ve lived where there were sirens used…and it just makes my anxiety go UP!

The rain gauge this morning said 5 inches… I’m sure it was more than that… when it’s full, where does it go?!

Today, my youngest daughter went for orientation for her new job.  She is going back to work and putting that nursing degree use.

We had 5 Littles today. This is Liam. 

He gets the rocking chair to himself…just like Vince used to do. I sit there and rock him to sleep and then put him in the play pen.  For now, we rotate the babies, another play pen would sure come in handy!  I’ll be looking for one second hand. When I took this Bash was asleep too. 

Not sure how that happened…but it was nice and quiet for about 45 minutes.

The others got a fun lesson in feeding the craw-dads.

A little bacon, a little string, a whole lot of patience.  

Not this one.  He didn’t care to have mud squishing in his toes! 

That’s it here… in our wet and soggy part of the world.

Hope y’all are staying high and dry. If you see water crossing the road… turn around and don’t drown.   Don’t chance it.

‘Til next time, be blessed.

Patricia

:: No Water, No Bath for Buster-

 

Sunday we were supposed to have warm weather and sunshine. 

I was going to get Buster a bath.  It was time—and he needed needs one…but instead Saturday LATE… late afternoon, we discovered we had a leak.  I thought we did!   In fact, I knew when I opened up the water bill last month that we did.  It was just a matter of finding it.

I really thought our old float and flap—in the tank, in our only bathroom might be the culprit.  But no.  So where?   There were no standing puddles in the yard.

Honey found it Saturday.  The ground was only mushy. 

It was near the meter and the outdoor spigot—way out by the road!  Hmmmppphhh… out of sight, out of mind.  

Sunday, we got up and started digging… and had to dig not one but 2 small trenches to let water run off that was standing inside the meter box… you can’t see the other trench, but it’s under that pallet, heading off to the left! What appears to be trash, is soup cans and an old cookie sheet, necessary tools for plumbing leaks!

We were certain it was just a small little leak… REALLY, no standing water, except what was inside that meter box. It was like  A BUCKET FULL.  We haven’t had a freeze hard enough to get down in the ground, the water spigot was covered… so we couldn’t figure it out.

Honey, got a little over zealous with the digging… and the next thing you know… TINK!  The shovel stops, he almost falls over forward into the mud… and well, Our small, undetermined leak, became a larger ‘gully-warsher’ !!!

So, we had to draw up some water—and keep it off over night—and He worked on it today with our youngest Son…doing most of the grunt work.  Thank the LORD…for our boys!  Always ready to help dad out. 

I didn’t get a whole lot done today.  Certainly, not much washing.  I ran the vacuum and swept the entry and the bathroom--- but after my guys came in a couple of times from the mud, well, I gave up on that!  This evening, I got the dishes washed after the water was turned back on—thank goodness, I had them all done up before we turned the water off, so there wasn’t very many!  Got the bathroom all cleaned up… and the trash can emptied. NOT BAD FOR A MONDAY!

Now… if the warmer days hold off, so Buster can get his bath! 

It’s blurry…but he won’t sit still- he thinks he’s still a puppy and wants in my lap. This is what he does.  He BEGS!  “please let me up.”

 

‘Til next time, Be Blessed!
           Patricia



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Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. ~ Psalm 37: 3-5

::Small but Simple Living

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Since taking our little excursion before Thanksgiving.  I have fallen off the blogging track!  No reason really, though we have gotten a case of the crud over the holidays and been a little under the weather.  Other than that—I just haven’t had much to blog about.  I said I was going to try and keep from that—and write more often, eh well- brush myself off, get up and begin again.
I was looking through pictures of the trip. I wanted to share this old farmstead with you.  I was amazed at the preservation and the feel of the place.  It got me thinking about our move. What I want in a place.  Obviously—where ever we land is going to need some work.

This place though not for sale—it is historical after all.  The Parker- Hickman Farmstead or just google the name.  Lots of information on it.


Just for fun- I’m taking a look at it through a property buying venture point-of-view.   So looking at the above photo …

• First thing we’ll be needing.  Indoor plumbing!  That little bitty building to the left in this picture sets waaay back from the house--- and well, let’s just say, it’s not heated in the winter, and leave it at that!

• NEXT A FRONT PORCH- Since we’re looking to downsize We’ll probably have to build this-- I love a front porch for sittin’  -- it’s extra living space!  I use my front porch for rocking the babies, reading a book, drinking the coffee, crocheting the hand towels… all sorts of living is done on the front porch.  This one is complete with  HOMESTEAD HOOKS! (pictured below next to the screen door) and a “welcome, please come in”  sign! 

twig hooks

I always want my guests that come up to the porch to feel welcome!  AND… have a place to hang their jacket

*see those natural hooks?!

• BASICS::  Space/ Lighting/ Heating - A good sized living room.  With ample lighting.  This fireplace is nice for warmth, and the windows look like they might allow a little bit of breeze—but that little … HOODIS of a light just won’t do!  Maybe a couple of swags lamps …might brighten this room up a bit!  :)

While I do like quirky and vintage--  I would think a door knob, maybe glass would be pretty here and a little bit of white paint?  Though I have to appreciate the ingenuity of this knob and latch on this door leading up the stairs.



This picture was taken with a flash…because well, IT WAS DARK!   Like scary-movie dark.  Look at the treads on this stair case!  Very well worn.



The bedroom at the top of the stairs was one open room…and even darker.  I don’t think I got a good enough picture to show it.  But—I just pictured a room full of kids bouncing on the beds up there!  Like every night was a slumber party!

• CHARACTER- on my list of things in my next home —I don’t think I’d like a cookie cutter sort of house.

Onto the KITCHEN.

• MY NEW KITCHEN- Doesn’t have to be big. I have a good sized kitchen now, though it is an eat in kitchen, we still have ample room. This was probably an eat-in kitchen. I have never gotten accustomed to using a dishwasher.  So I DON’T NEED or want one of those. This house had a large summer kitchen.  Not ONE CUPBOARD or sink or drain-board. Imagine the possibilities! I would think the dishes might have been washed outside and the dishwater used to water the garden or tossed out into the yard.  ( I do that already too!)
• 

It had a large walk-in pantry for storing all sorts of food and rations for winter. Complete with a bench for sittin’  stored on the top shelf– I like sittin’.   :)

• The 1st floor BEDROOM:   If we had an 2 story house—I’d think I’d want a first floor bedroom--- unless of course, the view was spectacular from upstairs—honestly, I lean toward a single story home.  Can you tell?

There was a door leading out—I’d like that if there was a private patio on the other side!

 

and more Character!  ALL TYPES of paper glued to every surface, including the ceiling in this old farmstead. Most likely, insulation—but may as well be pretty too.



That’s the house!  In a nut shell.  That’s all I need…or want really.  Small and simple. 

Seeing how this family lived—so simply, calls to my simplistic ways so strongly.  Now If we can just find a piece of land… for not much money.  Maybe a tiny house!






I have all the other buildings to show you--- the granary, the chicken house, the smoke house and the two barns!  For us… a bit much.  But it’s nice to see and dream about simple times.

Stunning Nature and Lovely Bird Themed Wood Wall Hook

‘Til next time, Be Blessed!
           Patricia



*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Trust in the LORD and do good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. ~ Psalm 37: 3-5

“You Broody Chicken”

The wee little chicken she lost her mind
and she began to sit.

:: The Mighty Oak- Survives Drought and ‘Hoppers::

I had wanted to do a post on all the harvest that we had this year. But, I’m afraid I didn’t keep very good records. The yield was so little. I barely wrote anything down in my notebook. Quite discouraging.
The last of the summer predator. The grasshopper. The killer of hope. The snuffer of garden dreams.

:: Frugal Fodder 25-- Fall Gardens and Water ::

With cooler than normal temps last week... I really got in the mood to garden again, after months of heat and grasshoppers.  I've been reading up on drought conditions around our state. One article I read talked about Texas farmers  planting a Fall crop of corn.  Those further south aren't going to because the water is just too scarce.

For us, living near the lake and getting the monthly reminders in our water bill keeps me more aware that water levels are low and capturing and using water wisely is important.
Our garden did NOT do well at all this year--due to 2 main factors, DROUGHT AND HOPPERS!

I ended up buying 3 big bags of "IFFY"Green beans at the grocer, that had been bagged up for $2 bucks a bag. We've eaten some already, they are delicious. I ended up with about 3 gallons...maybe 10 quarts or so. I brought them home snapped them, blanched them and froze them.

All the little  snips and bits went to the chickens.  For $6 bucks, I got quite a bit of green beans for T.H. and myself and the chickens got a little treat.

They loved it!

So because it (gardening) was not successful this year, I am going to try Fall Gardening again. Where we live...we average about 254 growing days a year. So I've read. I don't know for sure it that leaves out our MILD WINTERS or OUR EXTREME SUMMERS. Either way, we are making use of water, besides JUST washing the dishes( I use a dishpan NOT A DISHWASHER)

 I am taking my water out to the gardens, the rinse water goes on the plants, the soapy wash water...goes in a few places... around the foundation of the house (our ground cracks bad in the summer months) in the compost or on the grass and flowers. We try to have as little waste as possible.

This is what I've planted for the Fall so far:

• Collards,
• Kohlrabi,
• Green Beans,
• Sweet Peas,
• Wax Beans,
• Acorn Squash,
• CORN
• ... and Zinnias! 

A girl needs flowers. :)

You might also like to read: "Thinking about water Here"   and "Fall Garden Planted";
both of these articles are from 2 years ago. Our last Fall garden. Over all, they were successful! :)

Do you plant a fall garden where you live?
Have they been successful?

 

He is the rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgement. A God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. ~ Deuteronomy 32:4 

 

:: Potato Tomato- Potato Tomato ::

I read lots of homesteading blogs about people living self-sufficiently and sustainable lifestyles... over and over this year, I've heard how people all over the country have been experiencing less than average yields in their gardens.

• Too much rain. 
• Not enough rain.
• Too late a start due to snow. 
• For us, it was the ravages of Grasshoppers.  We just have not had a cold enough winter the last couple of years. 

We harvested 1 big basket of potatoes; and I brought them up on the porch. They are keeping without growing eyes...nothing has gotten into them either, bugs or chickens. I know this is not the proper way to put potatoes up 'for keeps'...but hey it is working.

I cleared out 3 small rows of green beans back before the Grasshoppers got really bad...and it made the equivalent of a 1 lb. frozen bag. It was enough for about 5 small meals for The Honey and myself.
I blanched them and froze them on a cookie sheet and then put them in a zip bag.
I have enough right now to dump in a pot roast or something...but not by themselves.
This has been our worst year for veggies too.

We only harvested enough peas to add to one dish. I won't complain. It was our first time growing peas...I was glad we got that much.

Cucumbers... fail
Lettuce...bitter fail. By bitter I mean...we had lots of it...but it just tasted bitter. I know. that is what salad dressing is for... I tried that. It helped to take the vein out and just eat the leaf and it was alright on a sandwich. Overall... fail.

I must say, our tomatoes still have blooms on them and a few of them are just turning. The lettuce is long gone. So no tossed salad...  we both like sliced tomato as a SIDE with my meals...so can't complain.

I threw a sweet potato into one of the bed boxes and threw some dirt on it...it's coming up now. They are apparently drought tolerant. Don't know about the grasshoppers though...haven't seen them eating it.
They DON'T EAT THE TOMATOES... I should plan to grow nothing but tomatoes!!!  

This plant has doubled since I snapped this picture. 

I don't know much about Sweet Potatoes...but maybe we'll get some out of it. As I am the only one to eat them... just a few would be nice. Not to mention the education and experience I'll gain out of planting it. :) 

Most of you guessed that my address sign was the back part of a bench seat.
Yes!

I accidentally broke it when I sort of tossed it out of the way one day while mowing. Ooops! 

So glad it broke when it did...I'd hate for someone to have sat in it and have it do that. 

That would be embarrassing for me and for them. Not to mention how their tail-bone might have felt afterward. 

Deborah Jean's Dandelion House

Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart. ~Psalm 37:4 

 

Oh, bother! the grasshoppers are back.

Picture the biggest  frowny-face you can possibly imagine.  That would be what I look like right now.   

I don't know if you can tell from these pictures or not; but THEY'RE BAaaaaCK! 

The grasshoppers!  We're having such a time with them. 

I'm at my wits end. 

You may remember a few years ago...we had a plague of grasshoppers. 

you can read all about it here. "Let my people go"

This is part 2-- 

I'm at a loss as to what to do for this! 

I think we're going to have to cover like we did before...with the Tull. 

Those little brown specs all over the branches in my Wisteria bush are grasshoppers. 

They are devouring everything in their path. Right now... everything is still green. But as the summer grows hotter and the months move forward... I'm sure the grasshoppers will march forward just like they did in   "The Glittering Cloud"

If they're not eating the Wisteria...they munch on the Pecan Trees...the new fruit trees we planted I'm afraid will wither and die. They will not be able to withstand the onslaught of these horrific soldiers... as they trample down my garden.  Stomping on and munching away at all our hard work.
I have no idea what will work. It's like they have on body armor and are impervious to all our weapons.

It is quite discouraging.
I have to fight back the anger...when I want to say "I QUIT!!!"

Since I reference The Little House series...you might be interested in reading "Learning from Ms. Wilder" ...a list of remarkable things I learned the first summer we had grasshoppers so bad and my experience with reading her books for the first time ever!  I re-read this post...and I find encouragement once again to keep trying to figure this out.

In the past we tried D.E. (diatomaceous earth), lemon soap and finally ended up covering with the netting.  Eventually they ate through the netting! 
This year so far, we've tried flour and Dawn dish soap...though not at the same time. I wish they'd just fly away!!! 

I am open to anything... except insecticides.  We're trying to grow our food without all those chemicals and poisons.
I'm asking if you've tried something and it was a success in getting rid of grasshoppers... please share it with me in my comments!
I'd love to hear about it.
You can all leave a link there if you have something for me to read about it.
Thanks so much.




DeborahJean's Dandelion House





Sunny Simple Life


Finally, brothers,Whatsoever things are True, Whatsoever things are Noble,Whatsoever things are Right, Whatsoever things are Pure ,Whatsoever things are Lovely ,Whatsoever things are Admirable; if anything being of Good Repute, think on such things. ~Philippians 4:8

::Growing Wild::

 These are a couple of 'before and afters' of things growing in and around our yard; using whatever "pots" I have on hand for plantings.

My 2 tier 'stacked pots' (and how I got them) -- the sedum was almost decimated last year by Audrey Chicken.  Since she is no longer with us; and the fence has been put in place to keep other chickens from encroaching upon my POTS... The Sedum is doing quite well...and the vine, I think is a Muscadine Grape vine...though it has never produced any type of grape.

As vines go... 

It is however, THRIVING! 

This was our corn and potato garden... The corn has since gotten quite tall and has tassles...
Mmmm... corn should be coming soon. :)

The weeds became too much.  :/ 
We're switching back to raised beds out here next go around.

The ants were also invading...so we dug up our potatoes.  A little early. But we were trying so hard to save our little crop.
Here is our basket...what is left.  We have eaten some potatoes already too. :)  Quite yummie!

New grape vine. First in the second pair planted this year.
We bought  2 grape vines from Tractor Supply. They didn't make it.
This one and one other...we bought at a local nursery, where we've been buying all our plants lately." Mother- Daughter- home -nursery- in- their- abundantly- filled- garden -of- a -yard"

They seem to have a thriving little business of plants and both have a green thumb...I guess you can say, in their case... "the fruit doesn't fall to far from the tree." :) 

My rescued Wheel barrow full of dill and basil. 

 Was growing marvelously... 

Guess what?  The Monarch Caterpillar REALLY DOES LOVE DILL. They ate it all.  Aw, well. I'll plant more and hopefully get to benefit from it this time.

For now...we'll just enjoy the butterflies in a few weeks when they come back around. :)


This is a pot of lettuce...the chicken wire is to keep the chickens out. So far it has worked.
See no chickens.

Momma's Wash Pot

I've got lots of different places that I like to grow things. I am just using whatever works. Some of it is ON THE JOB TRAINING... But I'm enjoying gardening more now than I ever have! These quirky little wild places make me smile. :) 

I'm linking here: 

A Cultivated Nest

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of Truth." ~2 Timothy 2:15