tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87983477902893109252024-03-05T09:17:22.684-08:00one acre homesteadOne family's efforts to make the most of one acre of Oklahoma.Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.comBlogger233125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-79118774612340763082012-04-03T08:10:00.001-07:002012-04-03T08:10:31.048-07:00Potatoes in a box!I've planted some of my potatoes in the ground as always, but I've also tucked some into two deep containers. I've read that adding straw or dirt as they grow can increase yield. We'll see how it goes, but the plants are already outgrowing the ones in the ground!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwt0E4jGD1jI3eJCgMUUsjtHZ7Gw93ob1cXrXjI8CgIkAXS6BpLvQ3ctgDytMwmlFrDGsMHqRZXWHacP7QejyrCOS9sHASxS0XzqEDY8AMO0PQB_a5ZR_cfxt20seiGXTftFY9RbRcmnl3/s640/blogger-image-1558581047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwt0E4jGD1jI3eJCgMUUsjtHZ7Gw93ob1cXrXjI8CgIkAXS6BpLvQ3ctgDytMwmlFrDGsMHqRZXWHacP7QejyrCOS9sHASxS0XzqEDY8AMO0PQB_a5ZR_cfxt20seiGXTftFY9RbRcmnl3/s640/blogger-image-1558581047.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-42867573856300292382012-03-15T13:56:00.001-07:002012-03-15T13:59:50.858-07:00All in a mornings work...Spent the morning digging grass and weeds out of this little plot then planting peas, carrots, and beets here. that wheelbarrow went to the chickens (twice!) full of weeds and a few grub worms I found while digging. Needless to say, they are quite happy it's gardening time! We've also put in potatoes and onions in the past few weeks.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSHAOWDqG_MzvfQsAbNjCLKZ2kAA3EkTBZQACqqkMA2bLnfqZOtTn4N_rHFL3qhWg2Br9k32pPlyVn3r0aOo2KO2lnj6amt35yJXe1mCbPXv_YKLmrP_kyPrieY8zyHOo0wY_eJtAgOtD/s640/blogger-image--998638984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiSHAOWDqG_MzvfQsAbNjCLKZ2kAA3EkTBZQACqqkMA2bLnfqZOtTn4N_rHFL3qhWg2Br9k32pPlyVn3r0aOo2KO2lnj6amt35yJXe1mCbPXv_YKLmrP_kyPrieY8zyHOo0wY_eJtAgOtD/s640/blogger-image--998638984.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtKYwhRMLcLC6xrbd-H2gX6b0tFvZbw-vNVBX4vCS_IoCaKPspyGOsNcLzceiCYLnc8rP4BUF5WEsOTQvejgpOMBJRj__TLI7wZj2arC66I5gf_PSnTkmlUZrq879mDERR2e8TS2U5FX0/s640/blogger-image-922637144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtKYwhRMLcLC6xrbd-H2gX6b0tFvZbw-vNVBX4vCS_IoCaKPspyGOsNcLzceiCYLnc8rP4BUF5WEsOTQvejgpOMBJRj__TLI7wZj2arC66I5gf_PSnTkmlUZrq879mDERR2e8TS2U5FX0/s640/blogger-image-922637144.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-29888425445923001702012-03-01T16:46:00.001-08:002012-03-01T16:48:44.513-08:00Spring has sprung...Just a few photos of spring here at the One Acre Homestead.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2l91z8AwUjDXyCIdOlJD1vo_lzTCvXjCQr_JGvtcP47mUk3bz_l_Lkv25wqRcLDMTgjhDm0Q-kq0hXkx8bu_zylETX2uLJzjtPv5bL0KLNZn_SOIi8fQvA3rqWd9ujbjHhq7RRYKP_6HW/s640/blogger-image--1760863202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2l91z8AwUjDXyCIdOlJD1vo_lzTCvXjCQr_JGvtcP47mUk3bz_l_Lkv25wqRcLDMTgjhDm0Q-kq0hXkx8bu_zylETX2uLJzjtPv5bL0KLNZn_SOIi8fQvA3rqWd9ujbjHhq7RRYKP_6HW/s640/blogger-image--1760863202.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q-d2x5OeT6S2LEkFbRwMceWJyTAFfaESGU7SeTY0Qjm5vMFynedFulHlvhtXjQfH__9yWEpJihp9xw8rGgN9Bq2K2795qUGADH0BMtQKlfr4MVwsaIQlbIOfHqYruV0z9weSB0-Dz_0z/s640/blogger-image-1119926087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Q-d2x5OeT6S2LEkFbRwMceWJyTAFfaESGU7SeTY0Qjm5vMFynedFulHlvhtXjQfH__9yWEpJihp9xw8rGgN9Bq2K2795qUGADH0BMtQKlfr4MVwsaIQlbIOfHqYruV0z9weSB0-Dz_0z/s640/blogger-image-1119926087.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgstZPo8eBebdIfTyN8XFNDQYRrGzs3w1KDzyc3U9Y_ijyMFinQ2BJb7xeO8geK1mq-43M0g0oNE8iGFY5ewiiDJcDfPz02mrkQ1f82QAB59C-_ggx_iXSAIaxOscdqP7l9AEJ4dFUwPj/s640/blogger-image--1339227539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgstZPo8eBebdIfTyN8XFNDQYRrGzs3w1KDzyc3U9Y_ijyMFinQ2BJb7xeO8geK1mq-43M0g0oNE8iGFY5ewiiDJcDfPz02mrkQ1f82QAB59C-_ggx_iXSAIaxOscdqP7l9AEJ4dFUwPj/s640/blogger-image--1339227539.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiMboH_aif7xKTXJP3YzQxBQVitXK7qF3zm8o8bMjm6s0SwiUxep4ldnxUMsqxSvqrcygrV8WrImbJfj3BuqtdcR6tEy43NFUqAneWLHIZP0Et2HFem1xj5dD5V59g9Z6FvxYvKQ3dzCv/s640/blogger-image-1547430408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiMboH_aif7xKTXJP3YzQxBQVitXK7qF3zm8o8bMjm6s0SwiUxep4ldnxUMsqxSvqrcygrV8WrImbJfj3BuqtdcR6tEy43NFUqAneWLHIZP0Et2HFem1xj5dD5V59g9Z6FvxYvKQ3dzCv/s640/blogger-image-1547430408.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBVrxYmh6QB387gvQ8Jm1ZUyQgKSM0Hly6sO6ER1Ud4ji_ZliIX39YcpAXcEQZ6k860o8JhzxYlhw6oGNXXOwdxoKqTQOqN5ksxj0Dvmot4nGs0MJmMV8yEUwILmcrzFBHrRztC-I0zT8/s640/blogger-image-420365509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBVrxYmh6QB387gvQ8Jm1ZUyQgKSM0Hly6sO6ER1Ud4ji_ZliIX39YcpAXcEQZ6k860o8JhzxYlhw6oGNXXOwdxoKqTQOqN5ksxj0Dvmot4nGs0MJmMV8yEUwILmcrzFBHrRztC-I0zT8/s640/blogger-image-420365509.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-91033897948823479102012-02-04T21:01:00.001-08:002012-02-04T21:03:33.157-08:00Hugelkulture plan activated!Have you ever heard of Hugelkulture? It's basically burying logs then planting over the log/dirt mound. (Google it & you'll get tons more info.) The biggest advantage for our area is that it is supposed to cut down on watering as the wood soaks up moisture and releases it slowly.<br />
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Here's a pic of our first HC bed being built. I dug a hole about a foot deep then gathered up wood to stack in the hole. Next I'll pull dirt on top of the wood and we'll be good to go! Have you heard of Hugelkulture? Have you tried it? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this technique.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70Mo4sOikE_Fw9clLlgNABosX7vUTkXhdwAPJLL0VvXHhmlxdVny-9VSZsWydr82qbgHm9QHU35REtts-IBD3mVyf9DgmbitG4E0gxJg09zHDhOxY8c-1_9WOUa3gQDLpAOFnStF9KlTw/s640/blogger-image-1532011458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70Mo4sOikE_Fw9clLlgNABosX7vUTkXhdwAPJLL0VvXHhmlxdVny-9VSZsWydr82qbgHm9QHU35REtts-IBD3mVyf9DgmbitG4E0gxJg09zHDhOxY8c-1_9WOUa3gQDLpAOFnStF9KlTw/s640/blogger-image-1532011458.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-69556484044911092132012-02-03T13:37:00.001-08:002012-02-04T21:02:02.701-08:00Is that all?HEAVY rains were in the forecast...there was much anticipation. All the clouds are gone and this is all they left. :( Praying for LOTS more rain before summer.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnSZRDqg7h6_UzjDLH3VXcsrqKc7_itOXHQMepqb1-ovAZAnNPlmKQeUZd_oEcnqHX6M9rx7WVyhliIij2kVu2F-RjKilh1B5Dxo8MMdkEnl9m0kcIvHQ1KBlCzVWtEx8M6vFvK0M2hrA/s640/blogger-image-1251228945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnSZRDqg7h6_UzjDLH3VXcsrqKc7_itOXHQMepqb1-ovAZAnNPlmKQeUZd_oEcnqHX6M9rx7WVyhliIij2kVu2F-RjKilh1B5Dxo8MMdkEnl9m0kcIvHQ1KBlCzVWtEx8M6vFvK0M2hrA/s640/blogger-image-1251228945.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-78055634191093990492012-01-28T15:06:00.001-08:002012-03-01T16:46:50.627-08:00Decorating graves...The 9 year old took some time this week to decorate the grave of her dear bunny that died this past summer. This is a part of welcoming so many pets into our lives, it can be so painful to loose them, but was such a blessing to share a time together. Rest in peace, little Stormy.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsvYfV9TYmwFZ33lvJUPUegeF0IJ501fqoMxqAUjjlXkg65GAdmWBiXTrxvf6xOspgHo3kZkIH8tHhXx3wGgMM5OlbxtD2CdKfeYMJtViYSyaxQnFB9P6BYNrjxNyM-MS5zPKN0xXPUpQ/s640/blogger-image--1553349508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsvYfV9TYmwFZ33lvJUPUegeF0IJ501fqoMxqAUjjlXkg65GAdmWBiXTrxvf6xOspgHo3kZkIH8tHhXx3wGgMM5OlbxtD2CdKfeYMJtViYSyaxQnFB9P6BYNrjxNyM-MS5zPKN0xXPUpQ/s640/blogger-image--1553349508.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-73317844598468170022012-01-28T14:48:00.001-08:002012-01-28T14:48:00.323-08:00Everything but the kitchen sink...My parents live at my granny & grandpa's old homestead. They've built a new home there and they use granny's old house as storage. Years ago, after my grandparents had both passed on, vandals broke into their home and stole many things, even the wood stove. We were so sad to loose all those family heirlooms, but I was thrilled when I discovered that granny's enameled cast iron kitchen sink was still in the house!<br />
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My dad & hubby got the sink out so that I could build a garden sink & resurrect granny's beloved farm sink. Have you seen any amazing garden sinks? Outdoor kitchen sinks? I'd love to see some links!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_1QFftmQsb-o8U33BIUiopyHikJJFwpCsm2VSgLGk-el9jF_HQkvstzLiqYjSzBFe-nLk08fSYCmEribvtCLXgKLB8V81tyzrrpLXcNZUWx4exsZHCxHPKinfvXRfgs7HomA8hoY2M_2/s640/blogger-image--570000510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_1QFftmQsb-o8U33BIUiopyHikJJFwpCsm2VSgLGk-el9jF_HQkvstzLiqYjSzBFe-nLk08fSYCmEribvtCLXgKLB8V81tyzrrpLXcNZUWx4exsZHCxHPKinfvXRfgs7HomA8hoY2M_2/s640/blogger-image--570000510.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-80718080351702401602012-01-27T17:32:00.001-08:002012-01-27T17:32:32.087-08:00The best wheat pasture in town...I do believe that I accidentally discovered a great way to cultivate a wheat pasture! My girls had a little sunflower house in this spot so I scattered some wheat hay for them to make it more cozy. As temperatures cooled, beautiful dark green wheat began growing. <br />
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The hens just love this little patch of green and nibbling in it keeps their yolks dark orange and tasty (unlike those sad pale store eggs). Maybe we need to plan an accidental wheat pasture every year! <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWi6eWyZsj3PKOaXAlgpw7WUezLJFZvB3Xc4Ji23U_W8VI6pXGYQg6Y-siqBnCK2orSkVtgAGo4gaemHvEny14B5YT82G2TdArxslaT_ywyaEnYEH1mXlgWD3ub1tyX0mF2Pm9YEVNweZd/s640/blogger-image--1348282685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWi6eWyZsj3PKOaXAlgpw7WUezLJFZvB3Xc4Ji23U_W8VI6pXGYQg6Y-siqBnCK2orSkVtgAGo4gaemHvEny14B5YT82G2TdArxslaT_ywyaEnYEH1mXlgWD3ub1tyX0mF2Pm9YEVNweZd/s640/blogger-image--1348282685.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-50783472873537515312012-01-26T21:09:00.001-08:002012-01-26T21:09:30.695-08:00Hens...We bought these two ladies full grown and laying...don't think I'll ever try chicks again! It was so nice to bring them home and have two gorgeous eggs the very next day! I'm not sure of the breeds, but I'd love to hear your input about that. The black one has a beautiful green shimmer to her feathers so the 9 year old named her "Beetle". The white one was named "Feathered Friend" by the 7 year old. They have been champion layers all winter, unlike winters past when we've gone to the nesting box each day to find it empty. They are also very quiet, no loud announcements of new eggs or anything, just those sweet soft clucks of happy hens. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz_gtPD-OAzzvknrsG3aJY26QxykR-RDR0KD9wvZs8Zos43CTOEODoyp-Cx9RiCF2J3IEilZrggUpUMYM2gKZogYGITJaStlLfEPEXmH_AvAllV6fPLiX-3L5LIUp1nawTWPVhisG2sU0/s640/blogger-image--608278602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz_gtPD-OAzzvknrsG3aJY26QxykR-RDR0KD9wvZs8Zos43CTOEODoyp-Cx9RiCF2J3IEilZrggUpUMYM2gKZogYGITJaStlLfEPEXmH_AvAllV6fPLiX-3L5LIUp1nawTWPVhisG2sU0/s640/blogger-image--608278602.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-16083210392676595692011-12-13T19:42:00.001-08:002011-12-20T21:49:33.679-08:00Fresh ground cornmeal...Having a flour mill offers lots of opportunities outside of just grinding wheat flour. Tonight I'm grinding corn and wheat to make Avocado Pound Cake! If you haven't discovered this recipe, you MUsT try it! Dee-lish! Just go to Joy the Baker's blog & give it a try...you won't be dissapointed!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwc1uRRAivuWS24WgZVBEOfoYSDUg8SQELSMaEryPdM7vQ8l51zYovZ0i1rga_0UgA4i2UuYibQCSKBqmOi3UXX_YXRsuELUIoLWRjKnEG4mJUYd-QgW1XnSGMGZAHImQn1sWABZJJxAN/s640/blogger-image-1830035926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwc1uRRAivuWS24WgZVBEOfoYSDUg8SQELSMaEryPdM7vQ8l51zYovZ0i1rga_0UgA4i2UuYibQCSKBqmOi3UXX_YXRsuELUIoLWRjKnEG4mJUYd-QgW1XnSGMGZAHImQn1sWABZJJxAN/s640/blogger-image-1830035926.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35X6TOaxKIRDlXIjHtVo2L3zDPxbNdMWevY11h37UtHxron85PIMkKspJ_tK_2t0uFaApCKt3XY9_cuSThlEjTCssrCnI3bdSw8dUQHwShPEj_qIT4kEkUgKIGwgG5n0U5Mcdspvu-noH/s640/blogger-image--736845335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35X6TOaxKIRDlXIjHtVo2L3zDPxbNdMWevY11h37UtHxron85PIMkKspJ_tK_2t0uFaApCKt3XY9_cuSThlEjTCssrCnI3bdSw8dUQHwShPEj_qIT4kEkUgKIGwgG5n0U5Mcdspvu-noH/s640/blogger-image--736845335.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-35859795890654488792011-11-27T18:07:00.001-08:002011-11-27T18:07:32.702-08:00Our Wee HorseWhile we were back home for Thanksgiving, we got to see the wee horse. She is pregnant & due in April! Brownie had to be moved to a family pasture because of the severe drought here & a lack of good grass for our special lil mama. Hoping she can return to Willow Run before the birth.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qmlYZR3hmZAM7biI9i0n3mEQFS54bpKqiOFlmTMPzz3fF-W1iGO96RZsRlxSrTUGlm4XFuF_POsF26CvPwrRDOqu6fXCufCG3PXc43cVi0f4taTlXYp8S-zID_KBolykAGucBqEso_Az/s640/blogger-image-855079546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qmlYZR3hmZAM7biI9i0n3mEQFS54bpKqiOFlmTMPzz3fF-W1iGO96RZsRlxSrTUGlm4XFuF_POsF26CvPwrRDOqu6fXCufCG3PXc43cVi0f4taTlXYp8S-zID_KBolykAGucBqEso_Az/s640/blogger-image-855079546.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-42737031230009701502011-11-17T14:19:00.001-08:002011-11-17T21:19:20.195-08:00Carrots in a BottleA few day ago I posted about our experiment with planting carrots in empty pop bottles. The theory is that you will be able to watch some of them grow. Here's what our little carrots look like today! We are up to 3 bottles and I plan to add more as we get empties.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02-RoRVc7I7XAYfnvqsHKitTwuc6hRO1to520Iyqp-08wj5apqbZcoafMgN1JkCf_IvfDGI-eOhgDQOvRnfoBF7wI-VB6dOgHjYznXbhNLjr2d6LyCXxM5BWgJvlBN6ct8N3jTkC3LOkP/s640/blogger-image--1224065181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02-RoRVc7I7XAYfnvqsHKitTwuc6hRO1to520Iyqp-08wj5apqbZcoafMgN1JkCf_IvfDGI-eOhgDQOvRnfoBF7wI-VB6dOgHjYznXbhNLjr2d6LyCXxM5BWgJvlBN6ct8N3jTkC3LOkP/s640/blogger-image--1224065181.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-47548214942310701392011-11-17T14:06:00.001-08:002011-11-17T14:14:35.478-08:00Juicing!A juicing before and after! The chickens get the trimmings and the pulp.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbPqVFLfL-oPoZHjtOJ8jsAhhj3QYzDUX3fu46Kv2dBlInym1wgnDMdXdeoPyo8RwJ7cPYlyc3oEaTRT5XEWoTVQyodqQ1XT_Rp3r16UiTdjFZjuqbXv8syIPDHIOt_H5VqLIDAl5y6iP/s640/blogger-image--1695038967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbPqVFLfL-oPoZHjtOJ8jsAhhj3QYzDUX3fu46Kv2dBlInym1wgnDMdXdeoPyo8RwJ7cPYlyc3oEaTRT5XEWoTVQyodqQ1XT_Rp3r16UiTdjFZjuqbXv8syIPDHIOt_H5VqLIDAl5y6iP/s640/blogger-image--1695038967.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05MxAbhx1zhhUe5tznSii67BAGCriB3OLORe_dwpkugVtxBCms7Lwh_USPbyyyeqA4QJZIITBxFrtW7BvA5JYdrHNy8dUhkQLNKAWJw_li2_CDs3M4kTSGiKbX98tQPfJNbnSDwLi-0xJ/s640/blogger-image--123994358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05MxAbhx1zhhUe5tznSii67BAGCriB3OLORe_dwpkugVtxBCms7Lwh_USPbyyyeqA4QJZIITBxFrtW7BvA5JYdrHNy8dUhkQLNKAWJw_li2_CDs3M4kTSGiKbX98tQPfJNbnSDwLi-0xJ/s640/blogger-image--123994358.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-913335477874195842011-11-14T15:33:00.001-08:002011-11-15T11:53:57.716-08:00A juicing plan...I have a wonderful juicer, but I realized that I haven't been juicing regularly lately...okay, I haven't juiced AT ALL in the past 6 months!! There, you made me face the dark, ugly truth! <br />
<br />
So, I have a new plan. I will juice enough to fill a quart jar every morning and drink the whole jar each day. <br />
<br />
Day 1 - this juice contains one mango, three apples, two celery stalks, two large carrots, and one pear. I also send the pulp through twice to be sure to squeeze out all the moisture.<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7HABA_qIbF71V78Rdz00k12sKqQs7zWKO6PIoF3LMdDbBQgEW-AAO2cgEJWiz6a_SZviDPzidGlIiVjOQFYlzNAfTE88SXvxJI9NKHpk4toITW9x7M9MLVZ6KC-DTppWJ6SyPrjO6S8M/s640/blogger-image-1124018902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7HABA_qIbF71V78Rdz00k12sKqQs7zWKO6PIoF3LMdDbBQgEW-AAO2cgEJWiz6a_SZviDPzidGlIiVjOQFYlzNAfTE88SXvxJI9NKHpk4toITW9x7M9MLVZ6KC-DTppWJ6SyPrjO6S8M/s640/blogger-image-1124018902.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-26419053591801246112011-11-14T07:32:00.001-08:002011-11-14T11:42:39.701-08:00Potpourri for Free!Made a beautiful fruit salad for church potluck yesterday! As I was peeling & coring fruits I threw all those bits into a sauce pan to simmer with a cinnamon stick. Humidifies a dry winter house and makes it smell heavenly! Try it next time you have some apple cores and orange peels!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKpZYczuFMg4ixe7IFJ8OFuaIFJNfOfBa6g7h7ay8Uskyf1RmN4rlQ4-HMWQXQr4OR38zavuJxXVZ-jHJhhXRZXb_OVdX8LuiypKvd2OPo8wxABBjDG0q1Qc9Ow_D-XijzrXz6rjKG3RJ/s640/blogger-image--851364795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPKpZYczuFMg4ixe7IFJ8OFuaIFJNfOfBa6g7h7ay8Uskyf1RmN4rlQ4-HMWQXQr4OR38zavuJxXVZ-jHJhhXRZXb_OVdX8LuiypKvd2OPo8wxABBjDG0q1Qc9Ow_D-XijzrXz6rjKG3RJ/s640/blogger-image--851364795.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLhuMfq6EisCSzY5DOX86t6DH_qihZYONgujosD5HMXnZVHti36I6F5kiKes47aDLdda4AhgrE2R8Pas7Sqzm2-FKCvtBF_CbGZS7Y-UMhWneuiBTim2HbeGhalWwqHfrBG9GhthtmMoc/s640/blogger-image-888389261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLhuMfq6EisCSzY5DOX86t6DH_qihZYONgujosD5HMXnZVHti36I6F5kiKes47aDLdda4AhgrE2R8Pas7Sqzm2-FKCvtBF_CbGZS7Y-UMhWneuiBTim2HbeGhalWwqHfrBG9GhthtmMoc/s640/blogger-image-888389261.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-10141998749393018112011-11-13T19:00:00.001-08:002011-11-13T19:00:58.789-08:00Bountiful BasketsMy friends, do yourself a favor and check out BountifulBaskets.com! This was our basket for this week with an added fruit package. All this was $25...no kidding!! Our local delivery comes every other week, and I plan our meals and snacks around the contents of our baskets to be sure I use every teeny bit of yumminess. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfmFXVew2RoRUmsqp4C4DdbLGoNetaKyEhFxTzcYW43Tzj9UyneM2jCrm1ZXdsB0zppPqNyhPcbfEd16iidXL9iyIn4fu3Sfr6DWLvgHLmo4eYinQXJYTDu1Tqz8n_QGEtUc2mzmiApim/s640/blogger-image-1910289146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfmFXVew2RoRUmsqp4C4DdbLGoNetaKyEhFxTzcYW43Tzj9UyneM2jCrm1ZXdsB0zppPqNyhPcbfEd16iidXL9iyIn4fu3Sfr6DWLvgHLmo4eYinQXJYTDu1Tqz8n_QGEtUc2mzmiApim/s640/blogger-image-1910289146.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-45961145419408604462011-11-09T20:53:00.001-08:002011-11-09T20:53:52.899-08:00A little something...The girls planted carrots in these pop bottles so we can watch them growing beneath the soil. I think I'm just as giddy to check our experiment each morning as they are!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxnTykYT7xIgR4uDjIP1n4-OZYR9Uu5I2tnIbd3eJybUNY_P0Gvj4nvcBwCHkq3ft-19Un28_ZQSwjus641STNXd0EAHhRp9ir-2PEeOmmeIMwm1cL3yrWPjw1HfiPiGDAnSlltjo2H0y/s640/blogger-image-1446965026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxnTykYT7xIgR4uDjIP1n4-OZYR9Uu5I2tnIbd3eJybUNY_P0Gvj4nvcBwCHkq3ft-19Un28_ZQSwjus641STNXd0EAHhRp9ir-2PEeOmmeIMwm1cL3yrWPjw1HfiPiGDAnSlltjo2H0y/s640/blogger-image-1446965026.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-6459440969987717672011-11-09T06:03:00.001-08:002011-11-09T06:06:57.024-08:00IrrigationAs we problem solve our way through this past summer's challenges, one thing we know for sure is that our garden is too large to hand water in excessive heat & drought conditions. We've decided to design an irrigation system to make the task of watering more efficient. <br />
<br />
As Homestead Man works through a plan involving PVC pipe and sprinkler heads, built in an above ground grid, the 9-year-old is coming up with her own underground system. The drawing below shows recycled bottles with holes punctured to allow water to slowly leak out. The bottles are connected with pipe so they can be filled in one above ground inlet. Pretty clever, huh?<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kSAzA9QZUvRp8G-kvDbG557DcznMgXGsvPMiav5MLE91NgY4G9EMjl969cWNuI4q0sniFyUiRyDaX0glEg7nJbR2ZYnSSdV1VGGhpCs7G8X6tMxWysoyWwdvirq_GQHIk1lMBnNxgThk/s640/blogger-image--1613041327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kSAzA9QZUvRp8G-kvDbG557DcznMgXGsvPMiav5MLE91NgY4G9EMjl969cWNuI4q0sniFyUiRyDaX0glEg7nJbR2ZYnSSdV1VGGhpCs7G8X6tMxWysoyWwdvirq_GQHIk1lMBnNxgThk/s640/blogger-image--1613041327.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-46810935894651162452011-11-07T12:39:00.001-08:002011-11-08T05:18:22.680-08:00Fall is for Baking!Anyone else have an irresistible urge to bake this time of year? I always pop overripe bananas in the freezer in their skin then thaw them and squeeze out the banana (toothpaste style) when I am ready to bake this banana bread. I added 1/4 cup of wheat germ in the batter and sprinkled a bit on top to boost the nutritional value. Add in pecans grown on a family tree, and you've got a treat you don't have to feel quite so badly about! <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfXuAYJcGTTsrRCwqRDhLpKdmhTqgvdzQWdXxQDXBvgy6w0vfUKrq93MJ1VMNtcBzGh1-ikfmVpEfzQbtCgdvdy5ui1aQ1oWzCYwIOdIMRoku6fk5cckkihhuH3sni6Otic8fy-0p1m37/s640/blogger-image--1177677734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfXuAYJcGTTsrRCwqRDhLpKdmhTqgvdzQWdXxQDXBvgy6w0vfUKrq93MJ1VMNtcBzGh1-ikfmVpEfzQbtCgdvdy5ui1aQ1oWzCYwIOdIMRoku6fk5cckkihhuH3sni6Otic8fy-0p1m37/s640/blogger-image--1177677734.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-86416469241659021072011-11-07T07:39:00.001-08:002011-11-07T07:55:13.406-08:00News from the Coop!We have exciting news! After a long run of bad chicken luck and a short break from birds, we went to a local farm and picked out two brand new healthy, happy hens for the hen house! I can honestly say that we have learned how valuable these ladies are to the homestead over the past few months of eggless existence. We bought local eggs, but it wasn't the same. <br /><br />There's something quite wonderful about walking out to gather eggs, greeting the hens and stroking their lovely feathers, and cracking open a fresh egg with a rich orange yolk, laid just hours before. We know our hens are happy, that they can munch on grasshoppers and green grass all day long, they spend their mornings scratching through a pile of hay nibbling the grains. Hearing them coo to each other while they peck along the dirt is so calming. We've just missed having them around so much!<br /><br />Meet Beetle, our lovely Black Australorp, named for her iridescent feathers and Feathered Friend, our Columbian Wyandotte, named by the 7-year-old. Beetle seemed happy with her new diggs...she laid a gigantic brown egg just one hour after arriving here at the OAH. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp37YhDzcmIp7ExFU4vBfqht__eb6joApShWxpvygUMlkmQ6eaZmDcMqpzqDa3dkVZwc6NfyMWol3abo9zxNrFKYxty-RkH83wApi6w7LH4LPSp1UHQUfS1aw_RBR9ILwAfeK0lOP2vLs/s640/blogger-image-1906832155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgp37YhDzcmIp7ExFU4vBfqht__eb6joApShWxpvygUMlkmQ6eaZmDcMqpzqDa3dkVZwc6NfyMWol3abo9zxNrFKYxty-RkH83wApi6w7LH4LPSp1UHQUfS1aw_RBR9ILwAfeK0lOP2vLs/s640/blogger-image-1906832155.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7j2xW4nYAns2TX2CzCOzxDNjll4Yj42f4z41RhBTFzD25RMTKtu5AlyVwOOA-aWwnP8pmkBgKCrZbAoAP8t9Cp74ciDQ1pM55rtSgukPISoEPycFZvuImZwVzzFza71iv6PGWM-FSxOk/s640/blogger-image--1153959118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7j2xW4nYAns2TX2CzCOzxDNjll4Yj42f4z41RhBTFzD25RMTKtu5AlyVwOOA-aWwnP8pmkBgKCrZbAoAP8t9Cp74ciDQ1pM55rtSgukPISoEPycFZvuImZwVzzFza71iv6PGWM-FSxOk/s640/blogger-image--1153959118.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnIE3fHvOtMHwuk5lhj1K-befsAleeErRlH5H8qY1HLW5lASkc4BTgeI6WZTsOmX__28ZGnX-EXCSnx40WwUMww-tjd5uC0hFTxUX97iFMM8UW266OxoRJnsWrFHbSsgQXO4g-Obi8ioG/s640/blogger-image-1473043085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnIE3fHvOtMHwuk5lhj1K-befsAleeErRlH5H8qY1HLW5lASkc4BTgeI6WZTsOmX__28ZGnX-EXCSnx40WwUMww-tjd5uC0hFTxUX97iFMM8UW266OxoRJnsWrFHbSsgQXO4g-Obi8ioG/s640/blogger-image-1473043085.jpg" /></a></div>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-70390337448428382122011-09-20T16:59:00.000-07:002011-09-20T20:30:22.928-07:00Lessons Learned<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8TE4AWGuHFzkkBBxQ5OFEHpMgRGcEfed50ezqkd_d_Mk4eQowweDxQ7jed1GJnQ4rc3FzBeEUah7wA6oCvTlm92gXTnJ2Hc7JOvtWA6NUPkIWp3nkZ1i4sQ4z6zQA7SZ-w4IFlsgmzzU/s1600/095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8TE4AWGuHFzkkBBxQ5OFEHpMgRGcEfed50ezqkd_d_Mk4eQowweDxQ7jed1GJnQ4rc3FzBeEUah7wA6oCvTlm92gXTnJ2Hc7JOvtWA6NUPkIWp3nkZ1i4sQ4z6zQA7SZ-w4IFlsgmzzU/s400/095.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654650054169489298" /></a><br /><p>My dear friend over at <a href="http://watsourced.blogspot.com/">Watsourced</a> has been making some amazing lists on her blog this past week. She inspired me to give it a try, so here goes.<br /><br />Through this summer of drought and unbelievable heat, we learned many things here at the OAH: </p><br /><p>We do not have a realistic plan for watering an acre of garden, orchard, and ornamental plants when rain is non-existent. </p><br /><p>The rain barrel is only good if it rains at least once a month. With the slope of our roof, even a small rain will fill the barrel. Considering the addition of at least one more rain barrel. </p><br /><p>Bunnies and chickens do not handle the heat well. We need a backup plan to keep them cool. I've heard some people suggest freezing excess squash and zucchini and putting these in as a sort of herbivore popsicle...faced with another extreme summer, we'll certainly give this a try.</p><br /><p>Cats are a necessity around a homestead. Tex has kept our yard free of mice and rats (yes, you read that right) and he's made sure we are aware of all his hard work by leaving their remains RIGHT beside the front door. In fact, he's such a great mouser, he sometimes goes across the street to neighbors' homes to hunt there as well. Gotta love him!</p><br /><p>Ornamental grasses are TOUGH! We planted some purple fountain grass and it is beautiful despite all that this summer has thrown at it.</p><br /><p>While an in-ground pool is not in keeping with our steps to a more sustainable lifestyle, it is a great moralle boost during an almost unbearable summer.</p><br /><p>With all my country girl-ness, I still cannot handle snakes. I cannot choose to respect a "good" snake...they ALL give me an instinctual reaction of fear that is overwhelming. </p><br /><p>We need to dig out the ponds out at Willow Run. They need to be deeper to maintain water levels and keep fish alive through a drought, but this costs thousands of dollars, so that will have to wait a bit.</p><br /><p>I am a quitter. I feel like I gave up on the garden too early and that I might have been able to save some of it if I'd just given more effort. This disappointments me more than words can say. </p>Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-39437639408612316962011-07-28T07:30:00.000-07:002011-07-28T11:43:17.149-07:00The Desert?In the interest of "keepin' it real," I'm going to share something with you that I'm ashamed of. Are you ready? Prepare yourselves...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyYaihY2G_PGbuZZfEFkDbfnJTN-z62X1VPmTwjvgL_mgcowVrjEcTDUujvd-I1ldW3Zyl7iUPQNTcuRa0fgf98SMpcOilDUuT0b-OUjM7lDYmBwHyhecd-egrTZpRjdrJNIIAiRvpnha/s1600/Terrible+Garden.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyYaihY2G_PGbuZZfEFkDbfnJTN-z62X1VPmTwjvgL_mgcowVrjEcTDUujvd-I1ldW3Zyl7iUPQNTcuRa0fgf98SMpcOilDUuT0b-OUjM7lDYmBwHyhecd-egrTZpRjdrJNIIAiRvpnha/s400/Terrible+Garden.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634471178757849186" /></a><br /><br />Now, before you cut my blog from your reading list, please let me explain. Our area is officially 12" below the normal rainfall for the year...combine that with a record number of days over 100 degrees, WAY over 100 in fact, we're regularly seeing temps like 108 and 111 degrees...and you get the veggie garden pictured above. :( I have no doubts in my mind that some of you could have done a much better job of saving this garden, but Homestead Man and I had to make some tough decisions regarding the time and water available and what we wanted to save on our acre. <br /><br />When watering restrictions began in our area, we used the water stored in the rain barrel for a time, but of course that dried up as well. We have fruit trees, blackberries, and perennials planted here on our acre that have taken years to establish. We decided that those needed to take priority over the veggie garden when watering. In addition, we have the dogs, cats, bunnies, chickens, horses and cattle that needed us. I've been taking out ice water to the bunnies and chickens every day and trying to train them to get in their ice water bowls to cool down. Even with this, we lost all three laying hens to the heat and have had to begin our flock again with two baby chicks.<br /><br />The situation out at Willow Run (our land that is apart from our home acre) is even worse. The ponds have all but dried up and it looks like we'll loose all the fish that were stocked there years ago. When it finally rains we'll have to restock everything. For now we're hauling water out to the horses and cows, but we've decided to pay the cost of running water lines out there with the Coop for a dependable source of water for the livestock.<br /><br />It has occurred to me that if we were in the prairie days, we would not have survived this summer. That's a pretty sobering thought. I hope and pray that this is the most severe summer we will ever see, but we have learned some valuable lessons that I will be sharing in the next few weeks. We do have some ornamental plants that have fared pretty well and we know that we need to concentrate more on mulching the veggie beds. We're already planning a fall garden with the hopes that the weather will even out a bit soon.<br /><br />I can't bear to leave you with the image above, so let me share a little bright spot from our acre.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT40F-AIYoG8omZRcZGS4jexwfjSnnfvaW51n2VWWggcRS4Rj9vyJWSsxkaTZrIK_HYPiUOaJgzO2FlCVZgP5-16-lZ1PDJ8exCqpQ86YeGp5_DFGuZk4JAykVxdmEpot9IwAqvkpBFhKK/s1600/rose+moss.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT40F-AIYoG8omZRcZGS4jexwfjSnnfvaW51n2VWWggcRS4Rj9vyJWSsxkaTZrIK_HYPiUOaJgzO2FlCVZgP5-16-lZ1PDJ8exCqpQ86YeGp5_DFGuZk4JAykVxdmEpot9IwAqvkpBFhKK/s400/rose+moss.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634475283530610450" /></a><br />The Rose Moss is loving the heat and drought!Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-70298570887979659642011-05-13T11:21:00.001-07:002011-05-13T13:21:07.483-07:00Taaa Daaa!!!Remember how I was telling you about our backyard makeover and I showed you <a href="http://oneacrehomestead.blogspot.com/2011/01/talk-about-having-your-work-cut-out-for.html">this terrible picture of our backyard? <br /><br />Well, you are not going to even believe what it looks like now! Check it out!<br /><br /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPEDxJzFFQ4xnoyb-_sfdLEp9fV1tdWs9UJ4W2v52cqUrNWoCfq5SZ0ytUa2njU8-3ur-sFIwW43kXPs2-qc49q2byViqVM8wuqTfOjKX5tJpBC4hiGqUexd8ZeT-U9Q7Um9eDfb6qdAl/s1600/086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPEDxJzFFQ4xnoyb-_sfdLEp9fV1tdWs9UJ4W2v52cqUrNWoCfq5SZ0ytUa2njU8-3ur-sFIwW43kXPs2-qc49q2byViqVM8wuqTfOjKX5tJpBC4hiGqUexd8ZeT-U9Q7Um9eDfb6qdAl/s400/086.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606293863258933490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVo-wDC6B1_72EKLnskECg21KzGgxK0hs9-qXJ9LKSqGURpUXwoElggjsQEhSLBaSqRywahYGFKOKFC184wpkwrAH3hEGbWmVeOzoGF7vZwWZkdJVpAvfRFFKv93EB7CFnE8y4PTEtpZi/s1600/093.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVo-wDC6B1_72EKLnskECg21KzGgxK0hs9-qXJ9LKSqGURpUXwoElggjsQEhSLBaSqRywahYGFKOKFC184wpkwrAH3hEGbWmVeOzoGF7vZwWZkdJVpAvfRFFKv93EB7CFnE8y4PTEtpZi/s400/093.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606293859024316610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpB7rKtsyRJtwffzu9tyOzm79gFHwpnfV5OL6dnqaCAkqqSGj5pWEKzCaDa7SOevKZ5ZZipctrEWDRPDGrtf0508N7s9KgR6vPgH2ogE4YPygG8puYo3fUb1dGsFqk0BFIJiTP38Nuj0G/s1600/104.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpB7rKtsyRJtwffzu9tyOzm79gFHwpnfV5OL6dnqaCAkqqSGj5pWEKzCaDa7SOevKZ5ZZipctrEWDRPDGrtf0508N7s9KgR6vPgH2ogE4YPygG8puYo3fUb1dGsFqk0BFIJiTP38Nuj0G/s400/104.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606293846340243490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAIJXvG80GMVPfctvRDheWwFjgOnRuidsho7X-1SBWTFtpH-s6VDG3MCB8FKRpJfiAY616CvF9_MyY6Y-S9TveRTp8_atK0bvrLGl76GUkHasi2A9W7cV6sJ6NomSoMXYr6XqZeoOEE6D/s1600/103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAIJXvG80GMVPfctvRDheWwFjgOnRuidsho7X-1SBWTFtpH-s6VDG3MCB8FKRpJfiAY616CvF9_MyY6Y-S9TveRTp8_atK0bvrLGl76GUkHasi2A9W7cV6sJ6NomSoMXYr6XqZeoOEE6D/s400/103.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606293840954016962" /></a><br /><br />All the brickwork (which is amazing) was done with recycled bricks from downtown Oklahoma City. I love so much that they have history and that we saved them from the landfill. Check out the one in the firepit with writing on the edge...so cool! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tRtMT4UgvsgRAfy-adPAOz1b8jyAQJcnJ6YkH-ioue9a0WCM3H_xzCDk-TyFYQUJDCnDafADDbDFoY_BRyu0FzDXlCjqvX7YBAuR_BuM1w6y1b_ak1lVD8OGokUNXTdYwCHDyrzqYsup/s1600/109.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tRtMT4UgvsgRAfy-adPAOz1b8jyAQJcnJ6YkH-ioue9a0WCM3H_xzCDk-TyFYQUJDCnDafADDbDFoY_BRyu0FzDXlCjqvX7YBAuR_BuM1w6y1b_ak1lVD8OGokUNXTdYwCHDyrzqYsup/s400/109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606293854322128002" /></a><br />I love the waterfall we were able to add and the jump rock (kid approved!). Going to the Home and Garden Show really paid off because we were able to do all this for the same price of a concrete pool with no extras. The pool is salt water which keeps it much more wildlife friendly. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUwFlGCDkySlAbpBwCCrKSh_GxblmA7f42N2LyZjVl5chQAqD1r1ApnBhRXIgeAM11z8XV6qyenU3uapLB9rF_iZm5KRqkZm9Klu4fqy5vodmstWsGrHqqqPpEv_C8TC8Fq4eAmfDaRiq/s1600/084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgUwFlGCDkySlAbpBwCCrKSh_GxblmA7f42N2LyZjVl5chQAqD1r1ApnBhRXIgeAM11z8XV6qyenU3uapLB9rF_iZm5KRqkZm9Klu4fqy5vodmstWsGrHqqqPpEv_C8TC8Fq4eAmfDaRiq/s400/084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606297285494385010" /></a><br />We've had lots of birds stopping by for a drink from the waterfall. I'll try to catch some pictures of them soon. We had an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egret">Egret</a> perched up there this morning and it looked so cool! He flew off just as I grabbed the camera. <br /><br />I'm so thankful that we found <a href="http://www.lochnesspools.com/">Loch Ness Pools</a> because we got so much more than a pool...we got an amazing new living space that we will be enjoying almost year round! I can't wait to try out the fire pit and have a late night pool party with s'mores and the pool lights glowing! I can't even believe this is my backyard! If you're thinking about adding a pool, I'd certainly recommend Lowell. If you call up Loch Ness Pools, be sure to let him know that One Acre Homestead sent you!Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-17990616556092481802011-03-06T15:17:00.001-08:002011-03-06T15:30:03.828-08:00Garden HelpersBesides my two sweet girlies and occasionaly Homestead Man, I have some other garden helpers I employ. Bunnies are fantastic for lightening fast composting! We give veggie peelings, roots, grass clippings, carrot tops, etc. to our bunnies and voila...by the end of the day (it seems!) there is a pile of fantastic fertilizer just waiting to be added to the garden! Here's our newest worker...we call him Stormy:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy8eGLtWdD3T2Bhg59yf_BAYsVvokCG696WbOZPzo-jvnMto7JULdnQaCLc07NlhRQqOTtjV14hGbsYdOqX3oIH_wVHUDQDdOENLT38YNbJmfUnBWvfQIOlh51goD7P03O17hmWIifuH0/s1600/Stormy.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy8eGLtWdD3T2Bhg59yf_BAYsVvokCG696WbOZPzo-jvnMto7JULdnQaCLc07NlhRQqOTtjV14hGbsYdOqX3oIH_wVHUDQDdOENLT38YNbJmfUnBWvfQIOlh51goD7P03O17hmWIifuH0/s400/Stormy.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581110235457163090" /></a><br /><br />Also, if you recall, <a href="http://oneacrehomestead.blogspot.com/2010/04/calling-in-good-guys.html">last summer I purchased two Praying Mantis egg cases onlin</a>e and we hatched them near our garden. It was so much fun to see all those tiny Mantis babies crawling around our garden and <a href="http://www.gardenguides.com/840-using-praying-mantis-garden-garden-pest-tip.html">they eat all kinds of pesky pests</a>, doncha know!? Anywho...I'd decided that we would order them each summer and had already searched a few websites looking for a good deal. Then, one day when we were planting peas in the garden I looked up on the pea trellises and saw THIS:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0qVKZw8o9chmn1xKsPShKthQf26eBYou2-ykAk8u_N0DTOX3YuqK0W7nXrvL5b3Gg0LY1_xgYyu8pB1AuHW0bX8rSrxf3AtMyG6Qfrc-xwhAsLJNkFA39QfsEkwhVpNhWeYYcoGHOLWm/s1600/Praying+Mantis+Egg+Case.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0qVKZw8o9chmn1xKsPShKthQf26eBYou2-ykAk8u_N0DTOX3YuqK0W7nXrvL5b3Gg0LY1_xgYyu8pB1AuHW0bX8rSrxf3AtMyG6Qfrc-xwhAsLJNkFA39QfsEkwhVpNhWeYYcoGHOLWm/s400/Praying+Mantis+Egg+Case.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581110231661441170" /></a><br /><br />Yep, one of our mantis mamas decided that our humble garden would be a fantastic place for her babies to begin their lives! We are so excited and so flattered! We can't wait to welcome a new batch of mantis babies into our garden this summer!<br /><br />Of course, our two chickens are some of the greatest garden helpers...but they deserve a post all their own! Stay tuned!Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8798347790289310925.post-83685208196461993522011-03-03T08:26:00.000-08:002011-03-03T09:09:02.105-08:00Good News and Bad News...Well...which do you want first? The good news or the bad? Yeah, I always go for the good first, too! Well, the fruit trees are blooming like crazy here on the OAH. Check out these pictures:<br /><br />The little plum tree that we planted last year is in full bloom.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3JiqzjhZs4PfzsHdFSyGDLTrreziMZhTkkeLoWm0UYuIRQ86YZTwv0rgANcrOMr9p6Thr6cyTDyc4dsJWuh1t9XDFsdV-lIlxNBmRewmrwSWSa2F1f0LCNQJYDErCXXPmWW0zvsu2E4u/s1600/Plum+Blooms.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3JiqzjhZs4PfzsHdFSyGDLTrreziMZhTkkeLoWm0UYuIRQ86YZTwv0rgANcrOMr9p6Thr6cyTDyc4dsJWuh1t9XDFsdV-lIlxNBmRewmrwSWSa2F1f0LCNQJYDErCXXPmWW0zvsu2E4u/s400/Plum+Blooms.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579899886161849522" /></a><br /><br />Here's a shot of the pear tree where you can see all the swollen little blooms. Do these remind anyone else of pregnancy? Maybe my mind just romances those months with my girls growing in my tummy, but I always equate the excitement and joy of pregnancy with this stage of my trees...when those buds are all swollen and ready to release their flowers and new leaves at any time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-Y-C6PEE2I-P2lWw-UIvJSGZLk4bb-xYPF4qgJnTouZFXM1qg5aov7jypdsVX_WI2C8HnD0OxcBX5mkl2MOD-BiFyAH4wUJjmg5Y9rEbenFNl2Bq2k5MT0mVFclaIrq0zsci-Bqgou4x/s1600/Pear+Tree.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-Y-C6PEE2I-P2lWw-UIvJSGZLk4bb-xYPF4qgJnTouZFXM1qg5aov7jypdsVX_WI2C8HnD0OxcBX5mkl2MOD-BiFyAH4wUJjmg5Y9rEbenFNl2Bq2k5MT0mVFclaIrq0zsci-Bqgou4x/s400/Pear+Tree.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579899885485095682" /></a><br /><br />Here are the blooms on the pear tree...I think they'll be opening fully tomorrow or Saturday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLOwByiXDXUetbhD1P1oaoFiN11hbR1Ov9sKp_gmi6kweyiELwCSAJmQiXZTcgobi8ifkUEZyHf_WcmE2Q_ln0KozlkPPJ2dqPHbx6L_UODviGFKO1DeNY4AWj1YE_xSusbrC32rmHLl4/s1600/Pear+Blooms.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLOwByiXDXUetbhD1P1oaoFiN11hbR1Ov9sKp_gmi6kweyiELwCSAJmQiXZTcgobi8ifkUEZyHf_WcmE2Q_ln0KozlkPPJ2dqPHbx6L_UODviGFKO1DeNY4AWj1YE_xSusbrC32rmHLl4/s400/Pear+Blooms.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579896544121363538" /></a><br /><br />The peach trees' blooms are so pretty when they open. Here they are preparing for their debut.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2nKE_PkoqrW08ByioQTiO5glIC4GTAB87EkwF6I07Qsv8kJ3FMHGjeNQVjx9-KmNTfq78me_l327gUocL_DNfsoRXgw1hyKLTayjy98jon5ADDcJRFRCYBiJpdhxhyX0-7JqEB6xwOFd/s1600/Peach+Blooms.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2nKE_PkoqrW08ByioQTiO5glIC4GTAB87EkwF6I07Qsv8kJ3FMHGjeNQVjx9-KmNTfq78me_l327gUocL_DNfsoRXgw1hyKLTayjy98jon5ADDcJRFRCYBiJpdhxhyX0-7JqEB6xwOFd/s400/Peach+Blooms.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579896539962462226" /></a><br /><br />The apricot tree will be blooming soon as well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LvKaOufM2zAXcLV0p9GS8AKQuUpCBAPVovoEZ8XsTT3-wrQYUqZGXqmhNunSKuMC8ZJ8adN5d_7hNJEXQ5d8OPyh1SoIAwPBMlwR7kMpGJhRfIftjSQDAM1iVk2CGRSpwWyfr6wKCtSc/s1600/Apricot+Blooms.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0LvKaOufM2zAXcLV0p9GS8AKQuUpCBAPVovoEZ8XsTT3-wrQYUqZGXqmhNunSKuMC8ZJ8adN5d_7hNJEXQ5d8OPyh1SoIAwPBMlwR7kMpGJhRfIftjSQDAM1iVk2CGRSpwWyfr6wKCtSc/s400/Apricot+Blooms.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579896526464384642" /></a><br /><br />The bad news? Oh, yeah...I was enjoying the good news so much I almost forgot! Well...our last frost date is generally April 15. If we get another hard frost with the fruit trees blooming that will mean no fruit this year. I'm really trying to remember Matthew 6:34 right now!<br /><br />"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 (The Message)<br /><br />Do you think we'll have another hard frost...or worse one of those freak spring snows? Our first fruit trees will be three years old this summer, so we'll soon have a variety of home grown fruits, but it may not be this year. Time will tell.Dr. Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13794020810034768392noreply@blogger.com4