H.O.M.E.

~ here only magic exists ~ me & my tiny homestead are each a work-in-progress

[jackquilln-blog]

He was sitting on top of the handle of my pitcher pump when I went for water this morning. Little fellow stayed put while I pumped.

[jackquilln-blog]

New Additions

Such a busy week. Here on the farm we have three new kittens, a new bottle calf, new meat chickens (to go with our hodge-podge of layers and roosters), new ducks, and as of 4:30 this morning - my newest grandson. Oh and I have a new well by my tiny house. Spring is definitely here. So many new projects.

[jackquilln-blog]

Eating Weeds

I'm on a mission to try to identify as many of the edible wild things growing around me. And eat them. Dewberries and persimmons are the easy ones. Typical weeds are trickier. But this week's winner for dinner is Dock. It grows in the wet places of which we have many. Harvested a bowlful this morning (which cooks down to one small serving).

After boiling it twice (changing the water), I served it up salted and with a nice dose of hot sauce - just like I eat my spinach or collard greens. I was expecting something a bit more bitter but these weren't. Perhaps a touch bland even. A little bacon grease next time would liven it up. Had this serving with some black beans.

My garden greens aren't ready yet so it was nice to be able to just harvest from the yard. I wonder what weeds will wander on to my plate next?

[jackquilln-blog]

Ugly Pancakes

Living off-grid and homesteading isn't always pretty. Especially when just starting out. Right now my place is under water (sooo much rain) and even when dry, according to my boyfriend, my place currently looks quite "Sanford & Son." (Is that a bad thing? So much cool stuff waiting to be turned into something useful and beautiful!) But then he doesn't see my vision of this place. I'll get there eventually.

However, this morning I sit here drinking warm coffee - I didn't heat the water quite long enough - and eating the world's ugliest pancakes. They taste great though. Next time I'll not try to flip them so soon.

[coffin-sick]

even on tumblr i’m the quiet kid that sits in the corner and doesn’t really know anyone

[jackquilln-blog]

And just talking to myself. 😊

[100acredreams]

[trybackyardfarming]

Www.trybackyardfarming.com

[jackquilln-blog]

Nice simple infographic.

[jackquilln-blog]

I'm a Cold Weather Weeny!

How do homesteaders in northern climes handle winter? I'm a cold weather weeny. I admit it wholeheartedly. At least through noon, despite somewhat friendlier forecasts, we never got above 32° and there was sleet this morning too.

This is Texas. Not even the panhandle. We don't do winter. At least not the kind with ice and snow. I'm going to have to get me a ski mask and warmer gloves and more long underwear if I'm ever going to accomplish any outside homesteading tasks -- beyond feeding the chickens -- over the next few weeks. Just a few days ago I was cooking outside, planting veggies, and enjoying the day. Today, not so much.

I know it sounds like I'm doing little more than complain. It's just the frostbite talking! We do get a bit of ice and frigid temps every year. I think it's just hitting me harder this winter. So many plans and projects crowding my head that need dry, warmer weather.

By mid-afternoon the sun made an appearance. Feels nice on my froze nose. Too wet to work in the garden but the garlic, lettuce, and onions are looking good.

Back in the house the scent of this morning's bacon still lingers. Love that. I'm thinking chili might be on the menu for dinner. I'm seeing better temps forecast for the next few days. Even a day in the 70s. Let it be true!

[jackquilln-blog]

One February Morning

Up at dawn, coffee over an open fire, chickens tended, some garden prepping, onions planted, trellis for sugar snaps built... All before noon. Sounds like a lovely, productive morning doesn't it? But I left out a few details.

Up at dawn, yes, but only to see Michael off to work. Then it was back under the covers while I tended to my monsters - My Singing Monsters - one of the few games on my phone. I'm running out of space and Michael keeps telling me that MSM is the space hog but I can't uninstall my monsters. They neeeeeeed me.

After letting my Google Assistant tell me about my day including weather (too cold) and listening to some news podcasts (too many Super Bowl recaps) and munching on some Samoas (darn those Girl Scouts!) I did tend to the chickens and cats and garden. I managed to plant about a dozen or so onions before getting bored. My pea trellis is some scrap wood tied together with old hay bale string. I build one every year. Maybe this is the year when the peas will actually grow on it.

Shortly before noon I started a fire in my old cauldron and heated water so I could finally enjoy some morning (barely) coffee. Now I'm back inside thinking about what to do next while sipping coffee from my Yeti mug, writing this, and chastising my cat, Belle, for blatantly ignoring the mouse that is stealing her food.

I challenged myself to post a pic to Tumblr every day in January. I did it. Yay! For February I'm aiming for 1-2 posts per week (usually with pictures) on various topics related to the work-in-progress that is my tiny house and homestead. This is #1.

[satiricalwords-deactivated20190]

A new month marks new challenges and new options which will help you to thrive. Take advantage of a new beginning and use it to focus on tasks you may have neglected before. You are abler than ever and you are wiser than you may have ever been, allow yourself to progress into the place that you long to be. Use the fresh month to start something great.

New Month by Amy Kennedy

01/02/18

My **new** book

My insta!

(via satiricalwords)

[jackquilln-blog]

Jan 31 2018. We end January with wind. Lots of wind. In just these past 31 days we've had freezing nights, rain, lots of cloudy days, snow, a tornado, and temps from the teens to the 70s. Today the wind ripped this old tarp to shreds and the wind chimes are a-singing. This is one of those days when we wish we had a wind turbine set up!

[jackquilln-blog]

Jan 30 2018. When you run out of butane, running out of daylight, and just need to shrink seal one more wire on the pump so you can finally have water... matches to the rescue.

[jackquilln-blog]

Jan 29 2018. Planted some rosemary at the top of my herb spiral.

[jackquilln-blog]

Jan 28 2018. Enjoying the glow from my oil lamp.

[jackquilln-blog]

Jan 27 2018. Pipeline coming through. This a couple of miles from my house. Wonder how long it will take to cross the road. Only one other way out of our area and it adds three or more miles to the trip in to town.

[jackquilln-blog]

Jan 26 2018. Still on the truck with my boyfriend. Spending a lot of time taking screenshots, pinning homesteading stuff on Pinterest, and just planning all kinds of Spring projects in my head. This is a nice change of pace but I'm kinda ready to get back to MY tiny house!

[jackquilln-blog]

Jan 25 2018. Backed up to dock picking up a load of doors in my "other tiny house." I don't venture out in to the big cities and highways too often these days but I'll be out here on the road til Saturday (passenger not driver).

[jackquilln-blog]

Jan 24 2018. Chillin' in my other tiny house... my boyfriend's mobile office & home on wheels. If he didn't need it for his business that 53' trailer we're pulling would make a nice house too.