Live Free

weekending and such.

This weekend was returning back home to my little family after a week of being at my mom's side in Louisiana. And now, I find myself eternally grateful and humbled and once again reminded of what's really important in life. I have more blessings than there are stars in the sky. 

I spent the weekend in my yard -- watering, spreading chicken manure  and worm castings around new trees and the garden beds,  just taking fresh air in and feeling that warm sun on my arms. Summer is quickly becoming undeniably close as the thermometer readings creep into the 90's. We could use so much rain. It's quite dry and dusty, but the humidity is low and the sky is bright blue. Don't have much of a choice but to accept what it is and make the most of it. 

This summer's veggie garden will be a lean one for us. Actually, the harvest should wrap up within a month or so and then I'll put the garden beds to sleep for the rest of the summer. It's been too dry and will be too hot to go crazy trying to keep water thirsty plants alive. So as it is right now, we've got beans, corn, garlic, onions, and potatoes growing. No tomatoes, cukes, or peppers this year....

In exchange for a real summer vegetable garden, I've put my efforts into nurturing lots of perrenials and native annuals into the landscape. I'm really excited about sprucing up the landscape around the house and the backyard with plants that attract wildlife. So far, it's looking really sweet! I can't wait to see the beds fill in once the plants mature.  

All for now.  

Longings

Sometimes, I let the longing into my heart. Do you know that feeling? The one that aches....yearns. The one responsible for the audible sighs at times when the person next to you might be wondering if they did something to perturb you. No. It was just me, letting my thoughts slip away into my daydreams. 

My daydreams of space and quiet and rhythm and natural abundance. Of green. And breezes. Of dappling light filtered by thick deciduous forest. Of tall grasses and open windows. Cycles. Seasons. Reins and barns. The smell of fresh hay.  Blooms -- each taking their turn. The rainbow working its way backward. Purple and blues in the tender, sweet spring. Yellow, oranges, and red in the heat of summer. And then those warm hues blanketing us all for a just snap again come autumn. Chores. Laundry on the line. A woodstove and it's wood pile. Wool blankets and books. Tea and coffee. Soup and French bread. Candlelight and family. Bedtime stories. Magic. Secrets. Fleeting childhood. 

Yes, sometimes I dream of a time and place that is not here. A life of long ago. It doesn't help that I've been reimmersed (this time through audiobooks) to Laura Ingalls' Little House novels and my own little nightyly addiction of Lark Rise to Candleford. Oh, some of us are always searching for simpler times, I suppose. Yet, those times were anything but simple. Maybe fewer options: feast vs. famine, health vs. sickness, rich vs. poor, etc. I must believe that life is  hard and trying and beautiful and touching no matter  time and place. 

When I'm immersed in my own little humble homestead, surrounded by distractions - noise, traffic, blighted lots all around, I find peace in my outdoor nooks.  Little seeds planted over the seasons since we've moved here slowly sprout and thrive. There's so much more work to be done. Native grasses to sow, garden beds to expand upon, climbing roses to train up the fence and arbor. Rain barrels. And more trees. Slowly, it comes. But right now, there are tufts and tufts of poppies itching to burst into bloom, irises growing so tall and blooming so boldly. Thyme, oregano, and lavender anchoring it all! Sunflowers growing everywhere. Baby fruit trees sprouting their first green leaves. Poulets and hens pecking and scratching and both sets looking so healthy and content. Native perrenials coming back to life after a long winter.  Bees arriving next month!! 

Ah....I may not live in my daydreams. There is no cabin in the woods. Or English garden. Or log cabin on the prairie. Or woodstove in the winter. There is us.  There is our little house. There is our little lawn. Our hands. Some seeds. And a lot of try. To make our days, our place in this world, just a little more beautiful and a little more interesting.  

pocket prairie

I have a crush on this company. Their mission to preserve and rehabilate the great plains of our country is pretty remarkable.  The prairies of the midwest and south were devastated almost entirely at the turn of the last century due to cultivation and over grazing of cattle.  Native grasses and wildflowers,  have an unbelievable root structure! Many native species have roots that grow as much as 15 feet deep! Check out this link to a beautiful visual.   Sadly, an overwhelming majority of the native species in the plains states were replaced with invasive and non-native species which has completely altered the landscape.  Not to mention the mess that is industrial farming of corn and soybean and cotton.  The story of the stark transformation of such an intricate, beautiful, perfect ecosystem is so brutal and heartbreaking.  Did you know that the prairies were naturally designed to catch fire?  That frequent prairie burns were actually beneficial and promoted species diversity? That native prairies were extremely drought resistent? In fact, it just so happens that  the last 75 years have been wetter than usual. And we've gotten use to said precipation and so have our ill-adapted man-made landscapes.  The recent ongoing drought is actually pretty normal weather in the grand scheme of long term weather patterns.  

So, now we find ourselves  in a pickle because drought resistent we ain't no more. 

Enter native species. Seek them out. Plant them. Use them. They work for us. And they are stunning. 

On Friday, Bea and I rode our bikes up to the animal shelter and played with the sweetest dog named Autumn. Then we stopped next door to our local nursery. I was so happy to see  packets of Native American Seeds  on their shelves.  We chose a few wildflower varieties that are suitable for sowing in the spring and pedaled on home. On Saturday, we cleared up a little area around the chicken coop and planted the seeds (like scattering feed to  chickens -- I can do that) just as the instructions indicated.  If we can keep close tabs on the girls, the seeds will germinate and we will have the beginnings of a pocket prairie. 

If you haven't noticed, women like Ladybird and Miss Rumphius REALLY inspire me. I won't lie, I have a thing for scattering seeds. Especially good ones. 

Little by little, we continue our efforts to turn this little plot of desperate and scraggly land into something that resembles what our good earth offered to us so long ago.  It's a slow project, involves a lot of trial and error, but I'm hopeful of the changes to come as the seasons march on. 

Are your thoughts turning to seeds and life outdoors? Spring is in the air in our parts! 

fall garden.

 

it's november already! and true gardening season in our parts. for my birthday, byron made a lovely wooden (garden) bed for me, so now I have three beds that are each about 4 feet by 4 feet. he plans to make me two more maybe by next spring.

we have had several good rains in october and the first week of november promises more. the days are mild. our average first freeze usually occurs in early december. so there's a could stretch of days ahead for continuing growing and such.

this year i've planted garlic, brocoli, brussel sprouts,kale, swiss chard, peas, radishes, and lettuces. i also have a leftover sweet potato plant and eggplant from the summer garden. the eggplant never produced this summer, but survived, and has several babies growing. so we'll see. 

i think it's getting close to time to plant onion sets as well. i must check at the market for a bundle. 

no major pests, though two days ago, i saw the tiny beginnings of caterpillers on my brocolli. i need to remember to get out there each day and nip their destruction in the bud. i'm not too worried though because the plants have had such a good start.  

i wonder if the garden will actually produce any real amount of food this year? that would be nice. and different. we'll see...and i'll keep ya posted. 

 

Season of hope and spring garden notes.

It's the season of very big hope in our parts. For me, this means I'm out in the garden, every single day, examining, watering, cheering on every new sets of leaves growing and each seedling just beginning to sprout. 

It's the season before (gardening) obstacles become very apparent. Before infestations, before the excrutiating heat, before we forget to water as often as we should. 

It's always at this time every year that I have big hopes and dreams for my garden. In my imagination, I see baskets of produce and greenery and lushness. Bees and blossoms. Fruit bearing down and over. Abundance. Freshness. Early morning dew. Preserving sessions in the kitchen. I swear, one day I will achieve -- all of it.

But let's face it, that dream will take some refinement in the gardening department on my part. It's a good thing I am learning more and more each year where my errors lie.

Here's what I've got going for me:

I think we've been doing a good job of keeping our soil good and strong. I apply mycorrhiza while planting. I water with a molasses mixture. I top dress with pine needles. I fertilize with rabbit manure, this product, and fish emulsion. 

There. Take that Texas drought. 

The big setback around here is lack of water. I've tried soaker hoses and hand watering. Soaker hoses burst at random areas and end up wasting more than they should. Hand watering just doesn't provide a consistent and deep soaking. Consequently, we are now seriously planning to install a real drip irrigation system. It seems as if it's the only sustainable solution to the lack of rain. Yes, of course, I wonder if it's not more enviro-friendly to not garden, than to burden our water supplies for the sake of my hobby (and mental sanity). But choosing to not garden is depressing. I'm not ready to give up just yet.

On a lighter note:

My herbs from last year are gorgeous. It's hard to believe I planted them as tiny four inch plants. The lavender and oregano are bushes now! One of my lavender plants is beginning to blossom. This is all very exciting to me!

Along our front yard fence is a long line of beans that are growing. What fun. They are sprouting and getting taller every day! Next fall, after we harvest the beans, I'll replace them with climbing rose bushes along the columns of the fence line.

My irises should be blooming any day now. They are so close. Maybe right in time for Easter.  Update: They. are. blooming. Oh, thank you dear irises! 

I even had a tiny bit of success with daffodils this year which typically do not thrive here. I'm hopeful to get a few more blooms next year as they settle into their home.  

Sunflowers and zinnias are well on their way. Garlic and onions are beginning to show signs of browness in their leaves. 

I've got more beans to plant as well as cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, and potatoes. I'm not planting zuccini this year as they take up so much garden space and always fall prey to the nasty squash vine borer right as they are ready to produce. Too tragic.  

Gardening with the little one

We're at it again. It's our third year gardening together. I don't count the first year. She was just a tiny little peanut and I didn't get around to planting a garden that year. 

It's fun. I love being by her side in the dirt. I love seeing her dirty. I love watching her squoosh her toes and immerse her hands deep into the black soil without a single reservation. In these moments, I instantly feel like a rad mama. I'm so thrilled for her - that she can have these strong sensorial experiences with the earth while not feeling uptight about the filth.

When we are in the garden together, she's actually helpful now. She can discover the tiniest of the unfolding seedlings and identify plants. She loves earthworms - yes! She can plant seeds and cover them up ever so gently. She can whisper sweet nothings to them so they know not to feel alone or scared down there in the dark soil. She often likes to serenade the newly planted seeds - encouraging them more (it can't hurt, now can it) - to just grow up to the sun.

She's so funny. So wise. So tender. So joyful. So loving.

She's so unlike me.

For the most part, I find myself totally bewildered by her overflowing happiness. She is quite the spoonful of sugar in my medicine. 

 

Spring Days: In and Out

Our house is across the street from this vacant lot that I like to call a meadow. I escaped here for a few moments yesterday evening to see if anything interesting was growing there. Byron and Beatrix were in the backyard. I could here them clear as day. It was sweet to hear the sounds of our family while removed from the space. I often wonder what we sound like to everyone else around us. We're loud. But cute. Full of life and wonder.

Hello Friends.

Thank you so much for all of your words of encouragement, support, and just love from my last two big posts. I've read and reread each of your comments and they've all left me smiling and full of gratitude for the wonderful little circle of incredible ladies who visit this humble space of mine. I've had much to say in response, but I'm lacking the mental energy to go back there. Do you ever do that? - get a bunch of heavy stuff off of your chest and then find yourself completely exhausted to talk anymore about it? 

Well, I'm sort of at that point right now. 

It does feel good though. To make some important decisions about the direction in which we would like our lives to travel. It's like dusting off the soil of well worked hands at the end of a long day of gardening. And then dreaming of the evening's bath and how good and well deserved it will feel. Love that. 

Speaking of dirty hands. We've been adjusting to this new season. Most people call it spring. But here in Texas, it's more like two weeks until it's blistering hot. There's been lots and lots of time spent outdoors which feels so good and so right. I've been busy planting seeds, getting starter plants in the ground, going a bit berserk with flowering bulbs (which is silly since tulips and daffodils have a shelf life of about 6 hours here). Still, I can't shake my crush I have for them. They are some of my favorite flowers ever! There's a lot left to do. The rush is on, to get things planted before the very real and very hot heat of Texas settles in on us. 

On the chicken front: we are still waiting for the younger girls to start laying. It should be any day now. The big girls (as Beatrix calls them - even though all 8 of the girls are the same size now), are producing well. What beautiful eggs we collected today! 

Today, Beatrix and I walked to the library.

We ohhed and ahhed at these show stopping poppies.

On the way there, we stopped at a little shop that sells handmade items made by the senior citizens of our community. I was looking for a mug for Byron. I found a mug and I also found this little lady too.

I never buy toys spontaneously for Beatrix. Never. But today I did. She's handmade, and even handsewn in some areas. I adore the dress with the stripes and carrots. Oh my. Beatrix named her Clementine. Handmade, bunny, local, crazy cute dress, linen = $8. Sold. 

This is what my dish drying rack looked like after washing dishes mid day today. (In the off chance you are the least bit interested...)Do you see the green mug in the bottom center? That's the one I bought today. $5. Good deal. The blue and white one on the top left comes from the same shop and the same potter. $5 too. 

And this is what Beatrix likes to do now that the windows are almost always up: hang out of it while "talking" to Daddy on the phone. 

At night, and in our quiet time, I've been enjoying reading a bit of this and a bit of that. And it reminds me that I'd like to get to a point in my life where I can relax easily and turn the noise of the modern world off at the end of the day. 

More later. I'm migrating to the couch to enjoy a cup o' hot tea and a blanket (while the nights are still cool enough to enjoy), and a good read before I doze off for the day....

ho hum

I don't have much to share right now, but I thought I'd pop in just to say hi! Tomorrow is Friday and I'm happy about that. We had a sweet week at school, but I'm looking forward to not rushing Bea and I out the door by 7:15. After three days of that each week, we require a four day break to recharge for the next week's round. 

Still, I don't mean to moan about our schedule. The work away from home helps to provide some structure for us, which I need. Without it, I'm afraid way too many days would drift by without my getting out of jammies. And for me, that just doesn't feel healthy. The part-time kick out of the door is a fair compromise.

I've been thinking about the impending gardening season. It will be here before we know it. I'm excited to give it a go in our new space. Byron is getting geared up to build a few beds. I hope, hope, hope that this year is NOTHING like last year (in the way of precipitation and heat). Last summer was dreadfully hot and dry.

We need to install rain barrels stat. But that's easier said than done. First we need gutters or at least partial gutters. Oh...Byron and his never ending list of honey do's. Weekends are never long enough. Right now, our method of harvesting water consists of leaving buckets out in the yard...I have a strong suspicion we might continue to roll like that for quite awhile - at least this first year here. 

I'm also thinking about ways in which to organize our outdoor space. A few weeks ago, I made a trip out to my greatest source of gardening inspiration, The Natural Gardener. It never fails to inspire - never! And so, I have lofty dreams of having a wonderful children's outdoor space, different types of trees, (some that produce fruit and nuts, some that offer beautiful spring and fall color, all drought tolerant and native), meandering pathways adorned with herbs, native grasses and wildflowers, garden beds in the front yard, my chickens, of course, in the backyard, berry picking along the fence line, bees...all on 1/4 of an acre....We'll see. 

On to another topic all together different from urban homesteading: I don't watch alot of television but every now and then I fall in love with a series. I've been enjoying this PBS series so very much. What fun it is to get lost in an on-going story line. I must admit, it's been a very long dry spell over here ever since Mad Men vanished and never returned.  

Being productive in Louisiana.

Well, I have to admit, even though I was away from home last week, I was pretty productive with little chores I wanted to start and finish up. Mom is a good motivator. She's a woman who just doesn't stop moving and cleaning, and doing things, and organizing, and cooking, and working in the yard, and on and on - ever. Believe me, I'm a total slacker compared to her. 

I'm beginning to make a few pieces of clothing here and there for Bea to wear this fall. So last week I made her a dress and corduroy pants. Both turned out pretty cute and I really enjoyed using my mom's sewing machine. Being able to use the zig zag stitch on seams made me feel so big.  

As part of my Lifeways training requirements, I have to knit or crochet at least six wash cloths. For the past several years, I've said that I've wanted to do this - to make wash cloths. There's just something divine about the weight of crochet or knit cloth. And wash cloths seem so much more doable for my remedial knitting skills than socks or a sweater. Yet I haven't made any. Until now. I'm knitting up cloths left and right these days...sort of. And I'm way past my quota. My hopes are to have a healthy quantity for the start up of the new school year at The Natural Child.  After play time, I'd like to have a little wash basin with warm lavender water where the children can wash their little faces and hands using a nice knit wash cloths.  I've been doing this with Bea when she wakes from her nap each day and she (we) love(s) it. Well, more than she likes me wiping her face and body, she really loves washing my face and body.  She can be so gentle and sweet sometimes! 

A neighbor down the road from my mom has a small blueberry patch, so we got to do a little blueberry picking.

Though in all honesty, by the time we arrived at his house, it was really hot and humid. Bea was distracted by the heat and we only managed to pick two pounds!

Still, there's no blueberry picking in our part of Texas, so I was happy to pick even a small bucket full. Kerplink, kerplank, kerplunk....

My mom, who declares herself not a gardener has a fantastic garden this year! She's learning a thing or two from my brother for sure.  Last week, she had more tomatoes than she could give away to friends, neighbors, and family, so she helped me can them. 

She enjoyed having a little helper around to help her bring in the harvest at the day's end! 

It was my first time canning tomatoes and it was so much fun doing it with her. She use to be an avid canner in her early years of motherhood, but it had been many, many years since she has preserved anything.  We canned about 25 pounds of whole/crushed tomatoes.

You should see my tiny pantry. Nearly half of it is taken up by canned tomatoes and the strawberry jam that I made in May. I'm sort of proud about the actual putting up I've done this year. Though I don't think I have any more room to put anything else up.  

Otherwise when we weren't working away, Mom thoroughly enjoyed being in the presence of Bea. She was so floored by her verbal skills, as it had been four months since the last time she saw her. Bea's newest phrase that she likes to say 568 times a day is "hey mom."  I guess she heard me call my mom that way, so now she calls out to me that way too.  She is so silly.  

Bea also got to bond with her big cousin Sophie.  Those two are something else together. It's like they've known each other in previous lives or something.  Sophie is nine years older than Bea and they absolutely adore each other. "Come on Sophie!" Bea would say.  And off they would go, "writing", drawing, playing with marbles, or just lounging together on the couch. Today, Bea asked me several times to go to Sophie's house. A request like that tugs on my heart strings a bit. Since day one, I knew my girl was an old soul. Goodness, is she ever... 

Tomorrow I'll post about the day trip we took.  

When I let myself

When I let myself dream - and dream big - this is what it looks like.

I think I'd like to live and work in this world.

When I was a girl, I remember knowing that this is what I wanted - after I spent enough time exploring, traveling, studying...

A life of work and rhythm.

Of simplicity and mindfulness.

Of beauty and function. 

The hard life. The good life. 

To me, there is a profound quality to appreciate about a working farm that maintains not only its purpose but a sense of elegance and aesthetic. Perfection. 

So there it is - my dream existence. 

Children roaming freely in pastures. 

A family garden.

A milk cow. Fresh cheese, butter, and milk. 

Little ones working alongside mama.

Spring time babies.

If we ever move away, I think this farm will be one of my greatest misses. I found this farm our first year here by way of a kindergarten field trip. And I fell in love. Every year since then, we try to return at least once. Some years, we've been fortunate to visit it a couple of times.

It's a working farm as it would have been a hundred years ago. It's a beautiful, hidden gem. Not over the top or amusement park feeling at all. Instead, very real and very soulful. We spent a perfect spring morning there a couple of days ago and we were three of a handful of visitors. 

We always leave thinking...pondering...inspired...to keep at it.