Seeds Galore!

So I think I have all the seeds I need for this years garden.  Most of these seeds I bought this year, some are from last year, and some are from a seed swap. 
In working to plan the garden I found I wanted a way to see what I had with out digging out all these seeds every time. As you see I out grew my little box that holds my seeds.  So I had to come up with a different method. 
I made a spread sheet with all the seeds listed on one side, a column for how many seeds/Packets, when I got them, and where they came from. 

I made a second spread sheet with the same list of seeds that is labeled Plants to keep track of what I plant.  (I didn't take a picture of the plant list)

This has been invaluable in keeping track of what I have and need.  I saved it and used pencil so I can easily update it as needed.  Each year I can revise my list and add any varieties I acquire.

Now for where I got seeds.  If you check out this post you'll remember our trip to Baker Creek. I bought a majority of our seeds from them again this year.  We are striving to plant only heirloom, organic seeds and they are a great source. 

Next we did pick up some seeds from the company White Harvest.  They had them at a local store we were in and they too deal only in heirloom seeds.  They are a bit smaller than Baker Creek so they don't have the selection on variety but I found they tend to me a little cheaper on what they do have. They do have all the basics and are a great place to start. 

Lastly, we attended a seed swap.  That was a neat event where area gardeners who all grow heirloom seeds got together and shared what they had.  The just brought in seeds they had packaged up and put them on a table and everyone walked around chatting and picking up what they needed. No money involved!  Not even really a trade as it was just a take what you need and leave what you have.  We didn't have much being our first year to this event and it didn't matter.  We were encouraged to take what we needed and to bring in seeds next year.  What a way to help each other out. And it was a room packed with those who knew.  They were all willing to answer and share their knowledge. It is sure to become a yearly event for us.

Each year I will collect seeds from our own garden and buy less.  Eventually, we hope to not need to buy seeds but be able to plant from what we grow.

So we have seeds now to get planting. Many we will be starting somewhat indoors. Many will be going into the cold frames that are almost done.....  So stay tuned :) 
 How's your garden planning going??

Spring Yet?

I desperately want spring to be here.  We get a few nice days then some cold and rainy days.  The rain wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't so cold.
So here's what we've been up too.

We built cold frames/hot boxes for plants.  They will be filled with soil and topped with glass.  This is in process obviously.

 We recruited some help to paint them. 

 

Didn't show up well in this picture but Sugar Bug got a little carried away and got just as much paint on her legs, arms, hair, ect.. :)  Like her annoyed look because we wanted a picture of it.

Sure sign of spring and warming temps.  The turtles are coming out. Sugar bug is finding several by our pond.  What an awesome place for a kid to explore!

Lastly, Super D has been working on getting our solar panels set up. 

 

 We are slowly getting things accomplished.  I'm anxious to start planting and will be starting seeds indoors or rather in the cold frames soon.  I will fill you in on my garden work more this season.  We still have a list a mile in a half long but are all feeling a bit more energized as the sun comes out more.  I hope to get outdoors more for some R&R in the woods exploring a bit too.

Looking forward to green and spring flowers! 

 

Canning Applesauce...

I am not a master canner by any means!  I am still learning so please learn with me but double check times for your area.  Do your research.  I can't be responsible for anyone getting sick from improperly canned food.  That said it's not as hard as you think.  I find it no difficult than cooking just takes a bit of time.  I have both a Kerr and Ball cookbook (the canning giants) that I reference.  Alright enough of that on to the main attraction. :)

As you may be learning I'm not good at measuring :)  But applesauce is easy! I had bought a bussel (a big box) of Granny smith apples and needed to use them.  I peeled and cut them up and threw them in a big pot.  I just got out the biggest pot I have and filled it about 3/4 with apples.  Filled with water just to cover the apples. Much like making mashed potatoes.  Then I dumped in some sugar totally guessing at the amount.  Gave it a stir and turned it on about Med. 

When the apples started to soften I added cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.  All optional.  I like these flavorings so I just added to taste.  When I tasted it I figured I needed more sugar and added it.  My Granny smiths were very tart and it needed quite a bit of sugar!  If you use a different apple you may not need as much.  I cooked it until the apples were soft and started to fall apart a bit when you stir it.  It looks like applesauce.  If it is too thick add a little water.  Mine made a chunky style sauce if you want it more like store bought you can mash it or put it through a food mill.

It is ready now!  You can eat it right away and can the rest if you want :)  Of course you need clean jars and another big pot for water.  Apples go through a boiling water bath.  That's pretty much all I use this big black pot for...

 

I used quart jars.  Fill them and put lids on and into the big black pot they go...

 

They go into the boiling water bath for 20 minutes.  By the way the applesauce should be hot when packed into jar. I was so happy to add this to my pantry!  One day I hope we have our own apple trees. 

 

 

Here's my pantry. We are slowly working to have more home canned foods and less store bought. So far I have peaches, applesauce (jars in front), pickled peppers, and relish.  Most of this will be gone by summer and I'll be working to put up our harvest.  We are trying to steer away from freezing foods to save freezer space so we will be canning much of what we get.  I keep an eye out for deals on fresh fruit and buy in bulk to can.  That's where the peaches came from.  I like canning over commercial as then I know what's going in it and can adjust amounts for what works for us.  

 

Happy canning... I'll keep you posted on what I do can. And try to remember to take pictures.

 

Winter Blues...

We are very anxiously waiting for spring here!  I know I haven't posted in a bit but really we haven't had much going on.  We've been staying inside trying to stay warm most the winter.  I didn't really have any projects going on. 
But Finally!!!! Spring is starting to show signs of coming soon! 
We have taken advantage of the nice days when we get them. 

The girls had fun playing outside in the sun!

"Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream..."

And here is the very beginning of cold frames we are building for the garden.  More to come on them. 
Hope your faring winter well.  I'll be back a bit sooner this time.  :) 

The Modern Homesteader

 The question... 

A few weeks ago a fellow blogger left a comment asking me what information I could pass on to them about homesteading in Missouri.  Little did they know they got my wheels turning! Quite honestly I felt very unqualified to answer her question. Before I answered her question I found her blog to "get to know" her a bit.  You can find Tessa at www.homesteadlady.com.  My first though was WOW...  Her blog is beautiful and after reading a bit I realized she is much farther on this homesteading journey than I am.  I felt even more unqualified to answer.  In fact she got me thinking what makes me think I am a homesteader at all?  What is a homesteader today? Who can be a homesteader?

The journey...

I began by thinking where we get the word homestead.  What does that mean?  Basically it was a way for people to get land and create a home.  The government said that if you move to this area and make a home you can keep the land.  It became theirs.  People moved to places previously uninhabited by people to live.  Ok, to that is the grade school version but stay with me :)   That version of homesteading is very rare today.  So what does homesteading mean today.  Modern homesteading can be simply defined as being self sufficient.  (see Wikipedia)  I found the The homestead bloggers network and looked through their list of bloggers.  The one basic idea I found was that they all were striving to be self sufficient in some way.  Common threads were gardening, building, raising animals for food, living off grid, and anything to provide for oneself.  Members were at different spots in the journey and the members themselves were varied and from all different backgrounds.  So...

The answer...

Are we homesteaders? I say yes.  When I started the blog I picked the name because I felt like a homesteader as we moved onto land that was empty of any modern touches.  I felt like we were blazing a new path.  Since then, I've learned we are far from alone in our way of living and I find comfort in that.  That means I can learn from others and yet even then I've learned that reading about how to milk a cow, raise chickens, make cheese, can food, garden, and all the other things that come with this life are far different than the real experience.  Nothing really compares to actually doing these things than when you get your hands dirty and feel the sweat, tears, fear, and triumphant of succeeding over a hurdle.  The  feeling of satisfaction of carrying a full milk bucket, building a chicken coop, toting a basket of eggs, stocking a pantry of home canned goods, piling a stack of firewood, or eating a meal of food all from your backyard.   

Homesteading in Missouri? I believe it is a bit more popular here because we have more rural land available.  The growing season is longer which means gardens can do well and food grows abundantly wild also.  I have found many homesteaders here even if they don't think of themselves that way because it is simply a way of life they've had for years.
I hope you can join me on this journey and learn with me as we do our best to take care of our little corner of the world. 
What do you think??

Breakfast Burritos

OK I know I haven't done a food post for a while so I thought I'd throw this out there.  Super D was really happy to have this Breakfast Burrito..

Now I usually am not a big fan of breakfast burritos but these were great and super simple!

Tortilla
Scrambled eggs
Hash brown
Chili
Toppings of choice: Cheese, black Olives, Jalapenos, Sour Cream

I stuffed the Tortilla with Eggs and hash bowns, then topped with left over chili and toppings.  These were wonderful. 

Enjoy!

A Cold, Cold Winter!

I know we are not the only ones fighting extreme cold this winter.  I hope this finds you staying warm! We have been working hard to stay warm with temperatures dropping to -15 degrees our little wood stove is working overtime to keep us warm. 

 

Here's the girls and I cuddled up under seven blankets (we counted!) on the day we couldn't get the house above 50 degrees.  That night it dropped to 37 degrees!  We stocked our little fire religiously and Super D and I slept in the living room by it to keep it going all night.  The next day we got a much better supply of wood that is burning better!  The last stuff just didn't want to burn very hot and if you've never had to use a fire to keep a house warm I know that sounds odd. 
 I never realized all that goes into using a wood stove.  We sure didn't get much done for a couple days but had a pretty good time cuddling and watching TV. 

Even the dogs had to get in on the blanket action!  Thankfully the weather has gotten warmer since then and our stove is keep up much better.  I've been glad for some sunshine and hope the below 0 temps are behind us for the year.  I am looking forward to spring!