Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Refocusing

I've felt down lately by all the goings on in our country. Things I can't change, things I really don't think anyone can change. So, I went to the library and checked out five books on farming and homesteading. So far I have been reminded why I love this life, when you are busy there isn't much time to worry about anything except whats going on in your own yard! So besides preparing my home for my oldest daughters sweet sixteen bonfire party this weekend, I have been painting our new chicken coop ( I will give you a photo tour when it's complete) My husband bought me a 22 while I was posting about guns Ha! He put a scope on it and can't wait to show me how to shoot it. I hope I will have it on me if another coyote or fox comes into the yard that would be awesome!!! He's also hoping I will shoot some squirrels and bbq them one night, hmmm maybe, I've been enjoying watching the squirrels eating pumpkin and then being chased by my hens its a hoot! We are supposed to get rain tonight, we need it. I'm hoping next week will be as nice as this one so I can finish the coop. I hear we are getting some really cold weather in a couple of weeks so I'm going to focus on the house and the next nice day start on painting the goat barn. My MIL gave us some rusty red paint she got at a yard sale for .50c a gallon! I'm wanting to get all my painting done before spring so I can really get into the garden this year!
Happy Tuesday y'all!!!

17 comments:

  1. I have a cool book called 'Back to Basics' and though I'm not farming yet, I will have the resource of knowledge in case I need to do more 'primitive' living.

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    1. That's a good book! Have you read The Backyard Homestead it's the one that started it all for me ☺

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  2. Sweet Sixteen Bonfire, how cool! Wish her a happy BDay for me.
    I know what you mean about getting caught up in the "news" of doom & gloom, and you're right, if we were out in our gardens our out with our animals, we wouldn't be reading about this stuff in the first place! Not that I think Ignorance is Bliss, but there are some things you can't control, so control your OWN fate instead :)

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    1. I hope it's not windy or I'll have 20 teens in my house all night! I think ignorance is bliss. I told my husband last night since I've been blogging I am more informed and slightly depressed. He used to be my only real source for outside info. I can't wait to start walking my goats again, and sitting on the porch with the chickens! I hate winter!!!!!!

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  3. Kelly, thanks for the package. It is always a delight to see a package sitting on the counter from a fellow blogger.
    When I get the chance I will send you one. I already have something homemade in mind and I think you will like it.
    Have a great day

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    1. Your welcome! You don't have to send me anything! You were right we are starting something that has no end LOL!!!!

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  4. Right on, Sister Carolyn! We truly can't control anything but our own thoughts and things we choose to do. (Well, to a certain extent we can still choose what to do anyway.) And those of us who are on our own little piece of land and able to raise our own food and keep animals are the lucky ones. (Not that we haven't worked hard and sacrificed to be where we are!) I read somewhere once that worrying is only imagining something we don't want to happen. Going outside and sitting talking with a chicken or goat is much healthier!

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    1. My most serene moments are with my animals! They are silent but not, and so fun to watch and they love us unconditionally! I feel like the pied piper when I go outside. I have at least 14 chickens running behind me, one of my hens walks to the mailbox with me, I ♥ it!!!
      I do feel so lucky for this life we are building, and am letting go of everything I can't change ☺

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  5. Happy 16th Birthday to you Daughter!!!!

    I so know how you feel about the goings on in the world, and how stressful it cane be. I agree concentrating on your homestead/farm will help eliminate those stresses.

    You can't be getting paint from an In Law at that price, woooohooo. Paint isn't cheap, and that was a great price.
    If the weather continues to be warm, you and I will be able to complete our painting projects before Spring.

    Your just as excited about getting into gardening this Spring as I am. Do you have all your seeds picked out for the garden?

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    1. Thanks for the birthday wishes Sandy! I got my first goat at the beginning of last summer and had no where to put him so gardening wasn't my first priority. But this year is going to be good! I don't have all my seeds picked out, but each year I have a better idea of what I want to grow. Next week I'm going to plan the garden ☺

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  6. Ya I've heard BBQ squirrel is really good... ;)
    What are the books you got? Have you read Family Friendly Farming by Joel Salitian? It's a good one!
    Happy 16th Birthday to your daughter! I hope you have good weekend weather for her bonfire!

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    1. I got Rurally Screwed, I didn't really like that one. I'm reading The Dirty Life right now, I like it so far and I got some Mary Jane books, they have some neat ideas in them. I read Joel's book This Aint Normal Folks! He's awesome and what an inspiration to eat and live better! I will check out Family Friendly Farming thanks for the recommendation ☺

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  7. I am with you on the condition of this country. But like everyone has all ready said, we can't control it. Its in Gods hands and what his will is. Because obviously the Mayans screwed it up.
    What we can do is worry about ourselves, and our preps. I live in a subdivision, and I hope there is enough time for our plan of a homestead to come to fruition so we can get the heck out of here. To have some land around us. It all depends though on when Senior graduates college and where and IF he can get a job at. Keep your chin up buttercup..and get ready for that party, sounds like it should be blast.

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    1. I hope you guys get your homestead! We were lucky to get this place! You saw my address that's our town but we are just out of town and in a completely different school district. People lie to get into this school system all the time. It's a great little community thats only 4 square miles big. The city is trying to annex us and I will just die if they succeed!!! We have city water but no sewer or trash. I ♥ our place! We have lived here three years and I'm hoping to have it paid for in the next four!!! That will be a glorious day!!!

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  8. You are so right about concentrating on our problems at hand. We tend to get too wrapped up in negative things and that is a bad thing.

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  9. I agree with Beth, there are things our vote can change but our lives do go on. I get so bogged down in the negative I can't move forward so some times I have to set it aside and get on with living life.
    Fairly new to following you and I've enjoyed your posts

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  10. Evening Kelley, I have talked to a few people who feel this way, it is sad, We must pray for people and read the word....for GOD is our source of strength! We must be a light in this dark world! Enjoy your daughters birthday and your new gun!! Have a wonderful and blessed week! Roxie

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