Can I have one?

Can I have one? I have decided that I would like a horse driven plow for two reasons. One it would justify having a horse (something the kids and I want) and second it allows us to plow our property with out the purchase or borrowing of a tractor and the expense of maintenance and use they require. To be truly self sufficient we need to get away from the use of gasoline and oil and this would be a step in that direction...



So now on my wish list is a horse pulled plow....

Bentonite

Bentonite- I need it. To seal the pond!

So the story goes if you sprinkle bentonite on the floor of the pond, it will seal. We also have to pull up the trees in the pond area and up on the dam and seal that area too. 

If I have calculated correctly, if this year is the rain fall predicted, we should have a nice stable pond. Not sure about year around but at least

 it will be pretty stable during winter/spring/early summer. If we get some moisture it may last all summer! 

I am really hoping that this can be a source of year around water for critters... we will have to see what happens in the next few years. If it works the way I am hoping, my husbands desire to make a waterwheel that produces electricity could happen in the pond. Because as I have discovered in my research, you don't have to have a river or stream, just a constant source of water and then you can make a pump that cycles the water to feed the water wheel and make it spin.

Oh what an amazing adventure!!!!

Closer

The time is getting closer and closer! I am so excited to be moving to the land the Lord has provided!  I thought this morning, in just 2 short weeks, instead of waking up to the noise of cars driving by, neighbors hollering at each other, we will wake up to the stillness of the Lord.

December 15th we are dedicating our property to the Lord. That will be a very special day! We will be dedicating our lives, our heart, our property to serving the Lord. To know from that day forward, everything we do on the property is for the Lord. Yes, it is exciting.

12 Days left!!! So excited! Later today we will discover if we will have peacocks as our first animals on the ranch... that would be rather fun. Oh sure peacocks aren't food and they don't do much but look pretty~ but pretty would be nice... They have been abandoned by the previous owners and are looking for a new home. It is a first come first get and since we don't get to move just yet... anyway it is a matter of God's choice in our lives not ours at this point.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

From our homestead to yours~ may you count your blessings and see how blessed you really are!

Put it on your calendar!

December 8, 2012

Getting closer! I really need to step up and get to packing and getting our lives ready to move! Exciting! My husband and I were talking this morning about how our lives will be different with this move. Aside from the isolation from other people (I assure you this will not be a bad a thing for me but will affect the kids both living with us and those that are living on their own) the situation with the electricity, water, and all of that will be different for us. 

Having a garden and critters learning to take care of the property.... ahhhhh so much.... and I am READY!

HUGELKULTUR!

HUGELKULTUR! 

This spring we will be giving Hugelkulter a try. 

HUGELKULTUR!

Paul Wheaton has a TON of info on his website http://www.richsoil.com and http://www.permies.com/

Hugelkultur is fairly simple. You dig down or lay on the surface some logs. Then cover them up with top soil and plant your garden. If you click on the HUGULKULTUR link you can read all about it.

I am looking forward to trying this method. It promises to ease water use and with the drought conditions the last few years that would be a blessing. I have also read the use of hugelkultur beds could aid in the growth of trees. Again what a blessing that would be! To be able to get some awesome fruit trees growing and using half the water one would normally use? It gets me excited! We will find out soon! I am making one hugelkultur bed this spring. Depending on the wood I scavenge from the property will depend the size of the bed... 

Watch here for more to come in the next few months