Delayed

Hello All,

I can't believe it been two weeks since I last blogged. Time is flying by so quickly lately. There's just so much to do and so little time to do it in. I'm going to hold off on writing about my insights from the bible for the next few weeks and concentrate on just fining time to update all of you on what's been going on here on the farm.

First off with all the rain we've been getting everything in my garden has stunted growth. The weeds are doing better than the vegetables at this point so I've been in the garden everyday for the past week weeding and fertilizing and tying up all my vining plants. The pea plants have just begun to blossom and so have my potatoes. The tomatoes look as if their soon to follow, along with the summer squash and zucchini. My winter squash is getting huge but no flowers yet and my corn is still only about 16 inches high. The beans, cucumbers, beets, and turnip are all really struggling. But the cabbage, carrots, spinach and lettuce are all doing fine.

I'm really beginning to worry about what is going to be able to grow to maturity this year before the frost takes it from me. Last year our first killing frost fell on the first week of September, this year the locals are predicting a week or two earlier. I bought all my seed geared toward a short growing season, but corn and winter squash regardless how early the variety still needs 80 days or more, and that's under optimum conditions of a good mix of sun and rain. This year we seem to be really lacking in the sun although the past week it did finally decide to shine on us a bit today we are back in the drizzly rain that has been our usual weather through spring and much of the summer.

So as I look around my garden this morning a little bit of panic has started to come over me. Everything needs to grow! I was planning on using much of the corn crop this year as feed for my chickens over the winter. With the prospect of not getting a crop this year looming over my head I'm starting to think and calculate the costs its going to take to feed my little family and livestock over the winter and its not looking good. We live comfortably and it's not like we're going to starve if I do not bring in a harvest it's just that extra expenses this year cut out of the profits used to improve the farm further next spring and that has kinda a snowball effect on the rest of the year pushing us behind our goal to be completely up and running in another three full seasons. It's discouraging to say the least, but harvest time is still 5 weeks away for now so there's no need to worry terribly yet.

The chickens are getting so big. They've begun to free range and seem to be very happy with their new found freedom. They wander all over our mowed lawn and chase after anyone walking around the farm, it's really quite funny to watch as my distressed neighbors are followed by a team of birds begging for food. They are definitely a happy addition to our farm so far.

We've begun looking ahead to the winter and are dealing with getting the firewood cut, split, stacked and drying in our never ending wind for the next 4 weeks. Then we will begin to bring it in the house downstairs into our basement for storage through the winter. All the wood must be put undercover in the house because if we left it outside we wouldn't be able to get to it midwinter when the snow on the ground is over 5 feet deep and counting. It's a daunting task but it's something that we have to do so we do it all a family and enjoy it all the more.

I canned some more peach and strawberry combination jams and jellies over the last 2 weeks. The wild strawberries on our property are still going strong and I hope they last through the next month so I can use then to can with the crab apples. The domestic strawberry season ended last weekend prompting me to buy a few flats and can some more jams before I lost the chance. Blueberry season will be in full swing soon along with raspberries ans blackberries so I will be posting more canning recipes on the website in the next week or so.

There's always so much to do. It's such a strong contrast to January when there almost nothing to do. You wouldn't think you would need to get used to it, but I do. Sometimes I feel very overwhelmed by all the things that are expected of me here on the farm and I long to just sit still and not think or do anything just for a few minuets. Isn't that funny? We are so spoiled today in our lifestyles. Years ago my grandmother would say I was lazy for wanting to be idle, and I have to agree. We are all lazy today, society is lazy. Very few people today are equip with the knowledge or the stamina to provide for themselves. It's work that has been done for countless generations before us, but it's hard work and most people shy from that sort of thing. So I chalk it up take a deep breathe and continue working. I'll sleep in January.

We were blessed a few weeks ago to have family come and visit us for a few days. It's always nice to enjoy family. The kids were happy to see their grandparents now that they only see them a couple times a year. And my husband got to spend sometime with his mom. We didn't do much while they were here, but we enjoyed the farm and our surroundings, a relaxing vacation for them. We mad a fire in our pit outside one night and just enjoyed each others company cementing the fact that this life is the right choice for our family. The right life for us to live. And regardless of the ups and downs we are blessed to be with one another.

Enjoy your week, God Bless.