The Cool Season arrived

The frost covering the ground was the evidence of the cool season. I have always known I could live in cool season climate. Since, when it gets cool I am rejoicing. Maybe, that is from a child living in Kansas where it seemed to get cold by the end of October. I love the winter months of watching the snow come down. The next step is running to the phone to call my brother, we got snow. Due to him living in Kentucky he doesn't get much snow. I can't say my animals feel the same way about the snow as I do. The second sign of cool weather is we are in full schedule of schooling. The third sign is collecting of sticks becomes something we need to do everyday. The last sign is hanging clothes inside by the wood stove. Just another season God has brought me to.

Today we went for a hay run. With our new trailer that we built over the summer getting hay is a lot easier than loading a couple of bales in our minivan. Of course since we went and got hay we cleaned out our barn. Well, I have to confess its not really a barn, I just call it my barn. I do believe getting all that hay will make the winter much easier. Well, you could say I am on my way to being a better homesteader. Last week after our rain I got another area where I planted grass and spread my dirt. It was a leaf pile last year and this year it is dirt. I may not be able to do a lot but a little bit each day.

Pumpkins and Fall

Pumpkins and fall always seems to go together. I always look to buy pumpkins that are small as these are the best to cook with. If I am going to buy food I might as well put it to good use. Today, the children and I are preparing to make gifts of food to put in a Thanksgiving basket. We are donating everything a family would need for a Thanksgiving dinner. Purred pumpkin is where we began, of course we had to cook the pumpkin. Now, we are finally at the stove process. Spiced Pumpkin Pecan Butter will be going in our basket along with Pumpkin Cookies. I thought that would be a beginning.
Tuesday was Election Day here in New Jersey so on Monday my son and did some hunting for a candidate to vote for. The choices I felt were not very good, this is one area
we are praying about. I was happy to find a man running on the Constitution Party, John Leone. We have begun a new book in Government 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About The Civil War. To go along with this, PBS put a film out called A House Divided Abraham Lincoln. Which shows what Mr. Lincoln went through to become the President. Yes, he was home educated, or you could say self taught. It only goes to show any american citizen can become President.
Last week we also began a biology class by an author Jay Wile check out his website.
http://www.highschoolscience.com/
I love the way he set up his book, it is in my opinion the best I have seen. We are setting up a biology lab for other highschoolers to join in with us. It is amazing how much information my daughter retains . Yes, I am happy to say she helped her brother with classifing organisms. Science for a young home educated child is reading books on science related subjects. Sonlight, has a good program for science, when children are young. We used this when she was much younger. Now we follow a book, The Well Trained Mind , A Guide to Classical Education at Home, by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise. This book has helped me choose books for my daughter and I to read for her education.

Where did October go?

Well here is November, some how it seems amazing. I began to recall what got accomplished this summer when November comes. Well, my garden was a flop this year. There was too much nitrogen in the soil, my fault. The new part of the garden did wonderful, where the potatoes went. The joy of my summer was the baby sheep and having them in the yard. They are now living on more land than I am able to provide. I am lucky to have sold them to someone who I now talk to thru email. November is the month I allow the parents to mate as this way it allows the baby's to arrive in the spring. I am really hoping for females this year.'
The ground is covered with leaves, it is a beutiful site. I love when the leaves turn yellow and the raking of the yard begins. When, I was a child raking of the yard was something my siblings and I use to do. So, now as an adult I like to go out and rake the yard. I am sure my brother, who lives in Kentucky probably never rakes his yard. He never liked that job, but he also can't understand why I wanted to have sheep. I read the kansasmilkmaid blog the other day and I couldn't help but laugh about her cows. How I yearn for cows, well I know the Lord will provide what he wants me to do. You can say Farming is just in me and I know the Lord put it in my heart. I will just wait on him and trust him to provide for my family.
Well, my son and I finished our book The America's Providental History. What a delight this book was for us, its something every American should read. We are going to get more involved in our government. Even if it is just going to support a Christian Leader.
Sewing Clothes is going well. I have made a skirt for my daughter and I am very pleased with it. Now it is my turn for sewing a skirt for myself. What is so wonderful is God does provide all our needs. Weeks ago, I thought how will I ever find time for this. As usual, trust in the Lord and he will provide you with what you need.

My humble days

Saturday was material shopping day, I have to say it was fun. It was like being that little girl, dreaming of all the beautiful dresses. Then, we came home and we washed the material and hung it out to dry. The wind on Saturday was like Kansas wind in March blowing the material. Its amazing how the wind can dry material so quickly. Besides the dreaming we had to clean up from Friday's Birthday party. My second son turned 16 on Friday, he had a Lan Party. Which is basically a bunch of young adults getting together a playing computer games. My son loves to have these get togethers, as he has a high knowledge of computers.
Home educating a high school student can also be reeducating yourself. Sometime ago, I had mendtioned a book we have been studying on American Government called America's Providential History. Since then, my son and I have been checking out the website The Constitutional Party and listening to a program on the radio on govenrment. The constitution states that anyone in office should be a christian. Is this country run be the people or by the people in office. This county started out for the people as christians it is our responsibility to continue.
Rain,and more rain what a season of joy. We had two days of rain again, my grass is praising the Lord. Farming with rain can be a chore and I know my chickens do not like rain. The sheep don't even come out,well unless they think I will be bringing hay.

During the rain

During the rain I got many things accomplished. I had been praying for peace and contemptment. Psalm 119:169 May my cry come before you, O Lord;give me understanding according to your word. I have read this verse over and over for quite awhile. I have to say a certain type of peace has come over me. Do you ever wonder how a certain type of peace comes to you during a rain storm. In my case an extended rain storm. I believe we had rain for 7 days, here in New Jersey. I am sure if the soil could talk though, it would be thanking God for the rain.
Last weekend was a great weekend for cleaning. I spent some quality time cleaning the basement. Which included organizing the Soap room. I did not spend much time in this place this summer. Due to my duties outside, gardening and farm chores. Making one batch of soap for a bridal shower was all I really did this season. I got a area of the basement ready for a sewing area. Now I officially am sewing again.
Even though it was raining this week, I managed to get outside and help the animals. My chickens are moulting right now. They look like rats, due to the rain and loosing feathers. They were really happy one morning when I came out and put fresh straw in thier house. The sheep that I have got fresh straw in thier house. If they could talk it seemed as they were saying thank you. Yesterday, I put the sheep out to eat grass, they were happy. After, two days without rain the soil is starting to return to normal and green.
During rain storms it is always wonderful we can read to pass time. I have been researching information on Louisa May Alcott life. I am trully fasinated about this woman and her accomplishments in life. I have always loved her books she wrote. Now, though I searching out the writings of her actual journal writings. Last fall I was able to take a trip to their home in Concord, Mass. Visiting her home was like stepping into her life for short time.

Sewing clothes

Sewing my clothes has always been something I wanted to accomplish. My mother made everything I wore as a child. Raising 7 children and not much money then, she was forced to learn. As an adult I too attempted to make curtains and drapes, and turned it into a businesss. I have been just asking God is this something I have time for. If you ask me, I would say there is no time. But did my mother have a choice, not really. Today, my goal is to sew my daughters skirt that is ready for sewing.

My oldest has started a writing program which is called American Literature. The program starts out by reading The Plimoth Plantation by William Bradford. I am reading this novel with him, one to show him if his mother can do it he can to. This book will take us about 3 weeks to read. It is written in old english, so it is much harder to read. This book also goes along with another book we are reading for Government, America's Providential History. Which takes you through the start of America. I do believe this is a great way of showing us how the government was formed the christian way. These books have helped me see the how Gods hands have been in this country since it began.
My daughter and I have been practicing her writing skills with a book called Learning Language Arts Through Literature. Which is great for her since, she loves to read but teaches her about her writing skills also. I am reading a novel with her called Anne of Green Gables, which is one of my favorites. What I love about this book is it shows my children how people had to do all these things that we don't. They made everything they ate, all thier clothes were made by them, and they raised all thier own food. So, what are we complaining about.

God has been showing me some things through his word about women and our role in the family. Yes, it is my job to make sure dinner gets on the table. I have to learn how to continue to be organized. It has taken most of my adult life to do this, and everyday I must continue to work at it. Learning to get dressed and looking decent everyday. There are some websites out there I must share.
http://homeliving.blogspot.com/
http://www.old-paths.com/
http://www.beingvirtuouswomen.com/cms/
God wants women to continue thier walk with him to strengthen the family.

My Busy Week

This week was filled with many different things on the To Do List. This week started out like any other week. Except, this week we put in a field trip to Cape May, canning tomatoes, getting soap ready for a show. At first I began feeling very over whelmed with the activities I had to do. Then, as I was reading my book, Women Who Do Too Much, she states give it to God. Praying does many things for me, such as handling situations I thought were impossible.
Storing food for the winter can be a job. But, when you look in your pantry and see what you have achieved it is a wonderful feeling. My husband picked up a bushel of tomatoes for me on Saturday. I began doing one batch every night while I home educated during the day. Then, on Thursday I decided this is something I need to teach my children. My oldest, I gave the job of taking the skins off and chopping the tomatoes. My daughter washed jars and help with the laundry. As I saw them working quite well on thier own. I did the other part of processing, sterlizing jars and getting everything ready to can. This I felt was a valuable lesson for them and how families need to work together.
Saturday I will be displaying my works of Soap at a Blues Grass Festival. A local Organic Farm I buy from invited me to be part of the festival. The owner showed Mr. Jersey Homesteader and myself how to make brooms the traditional way. It is great when you meet people that have the same interest in preserving farming methods of the past. The day should prove to be quite interesting.

The weekend, the teacher has a day off

Saturday to me is a day off from school. Yes, I am a teacher, but also a mother and a wife. First, I want to say us women have it easy that are born in this era. If women live the way God intended us to live. Being in the home everyday is where I love to be as I tend to my activities. The garden which provides food for my family, is where I love to be. Being outside with Gods creatures is another way for me to be at peace. Visit this website, maybe God will fill you with the Holy Spirit like he did with me.


Today started with my Bible in the hand as God spoke to me through his word. Then, my daughter and I went for our run. Well, I walk and she rides her bike to get our hearts pumping. Getting the laundry done today will have to take priorities. Since, the last couple of days its been very humid and no wash was done. Yes, it takes longer to hang laundry out, but it doesn't cost me anything but my time. I read a blog on someone who left a reply yesterday. She really inspired me to keep doing something I really enjoy. Making my own cleaning products is a passion of mine. It started out after I began making handmade soap, and then went to cleaning products. Being chemically sensitive was a wake up call, you might say. To my friend who also makes her own products, keep going.
In the earlier centuries of our time everyone made their own soap products. This is one more reason us housewives can be thrifty. I am not saying it is cheaper, but it is better for you and your family. My family will tell you their skin has never felt better. The winter is the true test, no more itchy skin.

Women who do too much

How much can you get done today? Sometimes, I wonder where I get my motivation to get things done. I know though God empowers me everyday of my life. It seems when I read the Bible before anything else the day goes smoothly. Reading some civil war books over the past couple of weeks has really changed my perspective. The woman of that time were expected to do twice what I do in a day. Then, they did not have the modern conviences of our time.

Fall is the best time to plant grass, when the days are shorter and more rains. Today was the first day we have had rain since the beginning of September. I made sure I got the grass seed down this morning. Out by my sheep pen on the outskirts of our property I had an area all ready for planting. I was thinking how I was glad I rotilled that area earlier this summer. A couple of days ago I planted a row of bush beans. With todays rain I am sure it will be coming up in no time. Most of the garden got cleaned up over the weekend, my daughter helped do some weed pulling. Mr. Homesteader and our son got the pool covered. I spent some of the early hours on Saturday morning putting my fertilizer down. I have to say that is a very time consuming job. But when you look at the grass about 5 days later, it looks so happy.

Home educating has gotten off to a good start this year. I am very happy with what were getting done this year. I knew it was going to take some dedication of time. My son is in his junior year of high school, and my daughter is in 4 grade. We have been back to school since the first of August. Most of my day is dedicated to schooling. Then, the kids and I prepare meals, keep the house in an orderly fashion, and take care of animals.

My oldest son purchased a horse before he left for Air National guard training. Which I thought was a good idea. Not going out and purchasing a vehicle, was a nice diversion. Well, I decided the horse needs some attention, so the children and I would care for his horse while he is gone. While we washed and brushed the horse, memories began pouring in. I have some great memories of caring for horses back in Kansas. Monday and today we got out to see his horse and give it some attention and still got schooling done. Life as a Jersey homesteader can be a challenge.

Fertilizing

Learning to be a grass farmer this year has taught me many things. First, I have to thank God for everything he has given me. This year I bought a few new books, that I would like to mention. The first book is How To Make Your Small Farm Profitable has helped me with some ideas. The second book is Traditional Farming, this one I love. I began fertilizing the grass on my property this year and I am amazed with the differance in results. The hardest part is hauling the soil, usually after 4 loads I am off for a break. Never before would I go outside just to look at my grass and stare in amazement. I am in the process of creating a small area for my sheep.
In the books I have read this summer has given me great inspiration. Taking 6 weeks off of school was a great thing for me to do. Home education is not just about your kids, you also learn a lot of things. Agriculture and livestock raising go hand in hand with each other. When I began raising livestock I just fed them, but not understanding the whole picture. Raising grass for your animals to eat also fertilizes your soil for the following year. Raising meat chickens one year help me to see that. Where they were the following year the grass came in so well. I found that an amazing thing.
Learning to farm on a small scale has allowed me to learn things slowly. My family has learned to raise chickens and care for them. I have to say my job is learning to care for my little sheep, which means learning livestock neccesities. This year I had a little accident while clipping nails. The clippers went right into my hand. Then, everyone had to chip in as no use of my hand was a problem. My oldest son takes care of chopping wood which he does quite well. The younger children help with the garden and caring for the animals. Everyone has a job to do. Mr. Jersey Homesteader goes to work in the business world.

Harvest

My ancestors put away and stored potatoes for the winter months. I have longed to do the same in todays society. April was potato planting month, Yukon and Red Potatoes were what I had in mind to store away for the winter. Harvest time came quicker this year, the plants began to die by the beginning of the month. I am happy to say we now have a over flowing 5 gallon bucket filled with lucious potatoes. Now what midwestern doesn't like potatoes.

Potatoes can increase your yield from poor soil. Southern New Jersey has very sandy soil which can be good or bad depending on the things you plan on harvesting. In the last couple of years I have planted potatoes where nothing was planted before. I have to say you can use this as a soil improver. Planting pototoes this year was a great success thanks to Mr. Mole. Last year the potato harvest was not so great, with little chunks taken here and there from Mr.Mole. The chickens and sheep were the ones to benifit.

The second harvest is something my husband and have always wanted to try. The cool season plants, lettuce, spinach, and others. This is the year God has blessed me with the desire and the willingness. I will be planting mesculan mix and spinach where I grew the spring crop. Which I have to say was plentiful. Planting with the desire to give away and share with others. The tomatoes will be gone soon and that leaves space for something also. Garlic is also planted in the fall, which my household seems to use lots of. The potato space will be filled up with garlic, pole green beans,and beets. Well, thats about it for the garden.

The animals on the little farm are all doing well this year. Moma and Papa sheep had twins this year, one black and one white, both boys. They are the cutest little things to see. In the sheep world they are called olde english babydolls. When they are born they look like teddybear faces. The ladies or chicken hens are producing lots of eggs for us. We feed them organic grain, but grass fed is where I would like to go. With their help I am learning about being a grass farmer. I am fertilizing the grass with my own fertilizer, which is compost turned to soil. What a neat process, its not complicated but really simple minded.

Just Startin' Out

My wife and I were inspired by some of the other homesteader blogs out there, so we figured we'd start our own. Hope you like it.

We're a couple in southern New Jersey that like the homesteading life, and would like to someday live it. For now, though, we grow and raise some of our own food, try to buy organic, and try to live a simpler life. We have three children, two of which are being homeschooled.

If you think about all that, it's not all that simple!! :-)

Matter of fact, the other day I was doing something simple. Just trying to get some eggs from the coop. No biggie, right?
















Of course, I left the door open. We had an escapee!



















Then they all got out!!


















Luckily, for me, I was feeling good that morning. Had 'em back in in 5 minutes.
All just to have breakfast. But it sure beats going to the local convenience store and getting an egg sandwich, let me tell you. Organic eggs taste much better.

Anyway, I've got to go. Got to tell the wife that the blog is up and she can start writing.